Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

You Su and Ji Lingruo respectfully saluted, congratulating the First Elder on the New Year.

The First Elder stroked his beard wistfully, "Time flies like a white steed passing a crevice; another year has passed. I can hardly remember how many years I’ve been alive..."

Even for cultivators at the Realm of Void Perfection, lifespan cannot break the five-hundred-year barrier unless one breaks through to the Celestial Awakening Realm.

The First Elder, having lived for over four hundred years, seemed as if he could already envision his withered, meditative end.

"I only wish, before my natural end, to see a day when the Five Continents are purified."

This was the greatest wish of this elderly figure nearing the end of his life.

"It will certainly happen," You Su affirmed determinedly.

The First Elder glanced at You Su, a trace of appreciation and expectancy in his cloudy eyes. Yet, not wishing to dwell on such heavy topics during the New Year, he shifted to light, familial conversations like an ordinary elder concerned for the younger generation.

The only thing he loathed was evil spirits, and he treated the Demon Race with the same impartial attitude, not harboring animosity like many high-level cultivators, which endeared him to Ji Lingruo, lessening her wariness.

As the conversation concluded, You Su took the initiative to bid farewell. The First Elder slightly attempted to keep him, then suddenly asked:

"When you passed the public examination, I gifted you a volume of ’On Skills’. Did you read it well?"

At that time, after You Su successfully passed the public examination period, eight Grand Elders gave him gifts, but the only truly practical one was the Wind Weasel Array Disc. Of course, if the Lady Talisman hadn’t been taken by his junior sister, it probably would have been quite useful too.

It shows that magical treasures aren’t necessarily better with quantity; many are flashy but lack practical use.

"I certainly read the book the First Elder gave," You Su replied.

"Since you’ve read it, are you interested in shifting your focus to my path of skills? I can see that you and your junior sister are talents with potential."

"When I became my master’s disciple, I had already set my heart on the Sword Dao; the path of skills is not where my heart lies."

You Su read it only to understand the theory of skills, with no intention of delving deeper into them.

Unlike his lack of confidence in his power while in Chuyun City, the You Su wielding the sword now felt no need to rely on other powers.

"I, I feel the same..."

Ji Lingruo was somewhat timid about daring to refuse this eminent master of skills of the Five Continents.

"I understand your thinking; however, when cultivating immortality, if one doesn’t know some skills, who’s to know you’re an Immortal? Learning more skills can make moving around outside more convenient."

Jokingly, he took out two thick volumes, which turned out to be a collection of skills personally compiled by the First Elder—’Thirty-six Essential Techniques for Traveling the World.’

For a person at the pinnacle of skills, the choice of book title was remarkably down-to-earth.

"You came to pay respects for the New Year; this is my New Year gift for you. One volume each. If you have any questions while cultivating, feel free to ask at Celestial Skill Peak."

These were gifts more valuable than silver coins. You Su and Ji Lingruo still intended to politely decline, but the elder continued:

"Cultivators follow the path of Heaven, and skills are conveniences granted by the Heavenly Dao, so why not use them?"

The First Elder’s purpose was simple: to first have these young ones start with straightforward and practical skills so they might interest them in more profound skills in the future.

Thus, the two could only ’reluctantly’ accept. But hearing this, You Su suddenly recalled a doubt he had harbored since reading ’On Skills’:

"First Elder, I am not skilled in magical techniques, but I have a question I dare to ask you."

"Speak freely."

The First Elder was curious about what You Su might wonder about.

"In using skills, one must chant, make gestures, and consume internal Profound Qi. All of these are to connect with the Heavenly Dao, thereby gaining its response and resonating with it to achieve extraordinary power. In other words, it’s essentially borrowing power from the Heavenly Dao, temporarily grasping a part of the authority of the rules. Is that correct?"

The First Elder pondered, "More or less."

"Then, I’m wondering if it’s possible..."

"Possible how? Speak boldly."

"What if it’s not the Heavenly Dao? Using skills, after all, remains under the constraints of the Heavenly Dao. Is it possible to create a skill system not using the Heavenly Dao as the debtor but someone immensely powerful?"

The First Elder’s gaze turned surprised, his eyelids twitching imperceptibly.

He could not fathom how You Su came to such a rebellious idea, thus calming his inner surprise, he said:

"Do you think there is anyone whose strength could rival the Heavenly Dao? You can harness the power of the Heavenly Dao because, in cultivation, you’re refining the Qi of heaven and earth. Even if such a person exists as you imagined, the Qi of a cultivator wouldn’t be the same source, so you couldn’t use it."

"I’ve just started on this path and was wildly speculating. Please, don’t blame me, First Elder."

"Who in their youth hasn’t thought of breaking out of the rules? The most rebellious hearts are young ones. I’ve been through it too; why blame you? Do you have any other questions?"

You Su bowed, "No more. Thank you for resolving my doubts. My junior sister and I shall take our leave now and visit you again next time, First Elder."

The First Elder stroked his beard, smiling gently, then casually performed a skill.

"Let me see you off."

Only to see You Su and Ji Lingruo slowly lift three inches off the ground, with a cloud-like cushion appearing beneath their feet.

Before You Su could decline the escort, in a flash, the two clouds carried them swiftly, skimming down the mountain.

The First Elder watched their departing figures, withdrawing his gaze, yet You Su’s previous conjecture lingered in his mind.

Undoubtedly, the Heavenly Dao offered humans the path to cultivation but also restrained their progress.