Sixty years of blacksmithing, a single hammer blow forging a celestial being.

Meanwhile, in the dark, sunless cave...

Li Ping'an struggled desperately and frantically, but to no avail.

After all that effort, he finally gave up.

He knew that with his current strength, even if he caused a huge disturbance in the cave, it would be of no use.

This witch's strength is several levels above his.

They are completely unable to compete with them.

It was even more terrifying than the black dragon encountered during the trial.

Forget it.

Li Ping'an put the black hammer into his pocket, sighed, and shook his head.

Since that's the case, I might as well give up and give up. Do whatever you want with me.

The witch just said that her sister told her not to touch Li Ping'an.

Although I don't know who this older sister is.

However, based on the current situation, it can be concluded that the witch is unlikely to take his life for the time being.

After deciding to give up resisting, Li Ping'an felt relieved.

Since we're here, let's make the best of it.

After putting aside his worries, Li Ping'an sat listlessly in the cave and began to meditate and circulate his qi.

Since that's the case, I wonder when the witch will return.

I don't know when he will make a move on me.

Why not take advantage of this quiet time and cultivate yourself?

During this period, he was on guard against Senior Brother Zhang's pursuit, participating in trials, and being poisoned by the Holy Maiden.

Li Ping'an had not meditated or cultivated for a long time.

Moreover, he has only cultivated the first level of the "Qimen Liujia Technique".

Taking advantage of this quiet space, I'll try to break through to the second level.

Li Ping'an was certain that if he could cultivate to the Great Perfection, he would be certain.

Even the most powerful witch would be no match for him.

However, given the complex content of that "Qimen Liujia Jue" (奇门六甲诀).

He was also well aware that if he wanted to cultivate to the Great Perfection,

That will probably be something that happens many years from now.

Li Ping'an opened the second volume of "The Secrets of Qimen" and began to read it attentively.

The content of Volume Two is more complex and intricate.

He began to practice the various techniques recorded above in turn.

The first cultivation technique I practiced was a technique called the Water Avoidance Technique.

According to the "Qimen Liujia Jue", after successfully practicing this technique...

It can move freely in water without needing to breathe.

Overall, this is a relatively useful cultivation technique for low-level cultivators.

However, it is quite useless for high-level cultivators.

After all, the bodies of high-level cultivators have long been integrated with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

They don't need to eat or sleep at all, and even if they don't breathe for a long time, it won't have much of an impact.

However, it is still somewhat useful for cultivators like Li Ping'an who are not yet at the Foundation Establishment stage.

You never know when you might need it.

Without a second thought, Li Ping'an immediately began practicing the Water Avoidance Technique according to its incantation.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but Li Ping'an easily learned the water-avoidance technique.

"Water-Avoiding Technique!"

Li Ping'an murmured something, then formed a hand seal with both hands.

A watermark spread from his forehead, enveloping his entire body.

In an instant, Li Ping'an felt as if he were isolated from the surrounding air.

The stench of decay emanating from the cave vanished instantly.

The Water-Avoiding Technique seemed to separate him from this world.

I never knew it had this effect!

Li Ping'an was slightly surprised.

He originally thought that this water-avoidance technique was just a common method to allow him to hold his breath for longer.

Unexpectedly, after learning it, I was able to completely isolate the surrounding air.

It forms a separate, enclosed space where one can still breathe normally.

This is no longer just a simple water-avoidance technique.

Its applications extend far beyond water.

For example, this dark, damp cave that smells terrible.

As soon as Li Ping'an used the water-avoidance technique, he immediately felt that the air had become much fresher.

At least it can improve the environment, which is good.

Li Ping'an nodded and continued to flip through the "Qimen Liujia Jue" technique below.

He also learned a few minor spells similar to the Water-Avoiding Technique, which were not particularly effective.

For example, a cleansing technique can be used to remove dirt from the body.

There are also methods like calculating directions and observing feng shui.

Even Li Pingan couldn't help but marvel at what he saw.

Rather than calling "Qimen Liujia Jue" a martial art, it's more accurate to describe it as an extremely detailed encyclopedia.

And they'll teach you how to do it yourself, step by step.

It was simply the most magical book Li Ping'an had ever seen.

As you turn the page further, four large characters appear prominently:

The phoenix returns to the forest.

Upon seeing these four large characters printed in the center of the book, Li Ping'an's pupils dilated in shock.

It seems that the Fire Phoenix Soaring into the Forest is a rather powerful spell.

Otherwise, follow the precedent set by the "Qimen Liujia Jue".

The key techniques for each spell are arranged sequentially on the pages of the book.

Where else is there such a thing as a separate, solemn page dedicated to the name of a practice?

He then watched intently as the fire phoenix returned to the forest.

Upon closer inspection, I was shocked to realize...

At this moment, he had already mastered an extremely powerful spell from the "Qimen Liujia Jue".

Fire Phoenix Soars into the Forest is a fire-attribute spell.

Once activated instantly, it can gather fire-attribute spiritual power and attack the enemy in an instant.

Although the description is simple, the cultivation process is extremely complex.

The practitioner must possess the fire elemental root attribute, and the requirement for fire attribute is not low.

The mental techniques and formulas are also extremely complex and profound.

Compared to those previous water-repelling spells and clothes-cleaning spells, which were just minor, painless magic.

The story of the phoenix flying into the forest is extremely profound and difficult to understand.

Li Pingan read it several times, and there were even some parts he didn't understand.

I had to concentrate my mental energy to carefully study and read it.

During his practice, he almost went astray several times.

His internal spiritual energy was disordered, and he almost caused internal collisions of spiritual energy several times.

It seems that the Fire Phoenix Soaring into the Forest must be an extremely powerful spell.

Li Ping'an steadied himself, continued to study the text carefully, and practiced the "Fire Phoenix Returns to the Forest" technique according to the mantra.

He didn't know how much time had passed when Li Ping'an suddenly opened his eyes.

A fiery gleam shone from his eyes.

He muttered something to himself.

"The phoenix returns to the forest!"

Then, a ball of flame quickly condensed at his fingertips.

This is a harbinger of the phoenix soaring into the forest.

The flame condensed, grew larger, and grew even larger at Li Ping'an's fingertips.

Gradually, the flame took the shape of a fire phoenix.

It slowly swirled and danced between Li Ping'an's fingers, as if it had a spirit of its own.

Upon seeing the small fire phoenix, Li Ping'an was overjoyed.

He continued to channel his magic power, wanting to further condense the fire phoenix into an even larger form.

However, no matter how much he tried to activate the fire element within his body to make the fire phoenix bigger, there was no reaction whatsoever.

The phoenix was still only about the size of a fist.

It danced and swirled at Li Ping'an's fingertips without changing at all.

Is it because my spiritual power is insufficient?

Li Ping'an was getting anxious and continued to activate his fire attribute.

However, no matter how much it was stimulated, there was still no change.

It seems that the fire elemental root in my body is not pure enough.