I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

Ji Tian released his grip, placing his slightly numb hand behind his back, and took a half-step back.

Shirley's ankle slipped from his palm, she flipped in the air, and landed steadily, her shoes making a soft sound as they scraped against the bluestone.

The sword in Alex's hand was still trembling slightly, like a snake whose vital point had been pinched. He sheathed the sword, took two steps back, and pointed the tip of the sword diagonally at the ground, his breathing slightly rapid.

Shirley stuck out her tongue, shrank her neck, and showed a rare guilty expression. "Master, I didn't mean to really kick him. I just didn't control my strength. I thought he would dodge."

Then he said to his seventh junior brother, "I'm so sorry, are you alright?"

Alex sheathed his sword, his hand still numb, but shook his head: "It's alright, thank you for your mercy, Senior Sister. You won this sparring match."

He originally thought that he was strong enough. Although he couldn't knock the dragon away with one punch, he could still exchange a few blows with it using the skills he had honed over a long period of training.

In retrospect, there are indeed differences in strength.

The red dragon snorted under the ancient pine tree. It had wanted to watch the excitement, but Ji Tian had extinguished its flames with one hand. Feeling rather bored, it muttered, "Tsk, is that all? I thought I'd see a river of blood."

Mason rushed over, grabbed Alex, and pulled him to his side, looking him up and down while muttering, "Does anything hurt? Are you dizzy? I brought some healing potions, some to drink and some to apply..."

"Mason," Alex said, pressing her hand down, "I'm fine."

"Why are your hands shaking if nothing's wrong?"

"You scared me."

Mason glared at him, pulled a bottle of medicine from his bag, and shoved it into his hand. "Drink this. It'll replenish your blood and energy. Your face is as pale as paper."

Alex did not refuse and tilted his head back to drink the potion.

Lilith peeked out from the edge of the square, her small bread already gnawed on, her fingertips still smeared with cream.

She was so engrossed in watching that she didn't dare to breathe loudly until Ji Tian made his move, at which point she dared to breathe normally again.

"Senior Sister is amazing... Seventh Junior Brother is amazing too... Our sect's disciples are truly incredible."

Alice moved closer to her and agreed, "That's right, everyone in our sect is so talented, and they all speak so sweetly. I love it here. It's worth it for me to sever my worldly ties and come here to cultivate..."

Ji Tian flew back to the top of the steps, picked up the cup of tea that was still warm, took a sip, and put it down.

"Today's sparring ends here. Alex, you did well. Not backing down in the face of a strong opponent is a basic quality of a swordsman, but you must also pay attention to your own safety during sparring."

Alex bowed slightly: "This disciple understands."

"Shirley."

"exist!"

"Your strength isn't for intimidating your junior brothers. Next time you spar, stop when you've made your point. If you can't control yourself, you'll be punished by chopping wood in the back mountains for a month."

Shirley shrank back and muttered under her breath, "There's not enough firewood in the back hill for me to chop all morning..."

"Then dig it up and replant it."

"This disciple knows he was wrong!"

Ji Tian didn't pursue the matter further, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Everyone, disperse. Lilith, stay. I have something to say to you."

The red dragon got up, stretched its wings, and slowly walked towards its nest.

Shirley rode the bear toward her training ground. Mason, curious about what the "steel coil" was, pulled Alex along with her.

Ophelia bowed and dragged Alice, who was still brainstorming new scenarios based on the recent battle, away. Jenny nodded to Lilith and then turned to go to the back mountain.

Only the master and his apprentice remained in the square.

Ji Tian sat down again, gesturing for the other person to sit as well, but noticing Lilith's unusual movements, he quickly said, "She's sitting on the steps, not on my lap."

Lilith pouted and obediently sat down beside him, knees together, hands on her lap, waiting for her master to speak.

Ji Tian picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly asked, "Now that you've learned the Concealing Breath Technique, what supernatural power do you want to learn next?"

Compared to Alex and Mason, who already had a foundation and could easily master everything with a little practice, Lilith had little foundation and couldn't grasp things quickly.

In the past few days, he has found several supernatural techniques that are most suitable for her based on her talents.

Lilith's eyes lit up, but she quickly composed herself and asked cautiously, "What can Master teach me?"

Ji Tian put down his teacup and said, "How about I teach you the Nightmare Clan's innate illusion technique?"

Lilith blinked: "My innate illusion magic... is it easy to learn?"

"It's not difficult. With your talent, you only need to visualize the illusion with your divine sense for three hours each day, and you can enter the basics in forty-nine days."

Lilith shrank back: "Three hours a day? And meditation too? And this is just the beginning? I... I'm afraid I can't sit still."

Ji Tian glanced at her and said, "Then I'll teach you the 'Soul-Capturing Technique,' which allows you to control people's minds with your eyes and make an enemy go mad with a single thought."

Lilith asked, "Is the Soul-Capturing Technique... easy to learn?"

"Easier than illusion. Just practice your eyes in front of a mirror for an hour every day, and you can get the basics in a hundred days."

Lilith touched her eyes and said weakly, "An hour... staring at myself in the mirror? Master, I'm afraid I'll faint from staring at myself first."

Ji Tian's brow twitched slightly, and he patiently continued, "Then I'll teach you the 'Dream Entry Technique,' which allows you to infiltrate other people's dreams, peer into their memories, and weave illusory dreams."

Lilith asked softly, "Is this... easy to learn?"

"It's easy. Just meditate and concentrate every night, weaving dream threads with your consciousness, falling asleep at midnight and waking up at dawn, without stopping every night."

Lilith lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers: "Every night without fail... Master, I don't sleep well. What if I wake up halfway through a dream..."

Ji Tian took a deep breath.

"I'll teach you the 'Substitute Death Technique,' which allows a pre-made puppet to die in your place during a critical moment."

Lilith's eyes lit up for a moment: "That's amazing! Is it easy to learn?"

"You only need to nurture the puppet with your own blood essence for three years. During this period, the supply must not be interrupted, it must not be separated from your body, and you must not..."

"Three years?!" Lilith shook her head like a rattle-drum. "No way! I couldn't even keep a flower alive for more than three months when I was in the Demon King's castle."

Ji Tian remained silent for a moment, then stood up.

Lilith thought her master was angry, so she quickly grabbed his arm and said, "Master, don't be angry! I'll learn! I'll learn, okay?"

"No need." Ji Tian looked down at her, his eyes filled with a knowing "I knew it" in his gaze. "Since you are afraid of hardship, fatigue, being unable to sit still, not being able to sleep well, and not being able to raise puppets—then I will teach you a supernatural power that is neither hardship nor fatigue, requires no meditation, no staring, no staying up late, and no raising puppets."

Lilith froze, her face filled with anticipation. "Such a good thing?"

"Of course there is." Ji Tian held up one finger. "'The Great Way of Lying Flat' means lying still every day, without thinking, without cultivating or practicing. When I attain the Great Way many years later, I will surely grant you all longevity and immortality."

Lilith's smile froze on her face.

"...Master, are you scolding me?"

"You noticed it?"

Ji Tian withdrew his finger, turned and walked towards the main hall. "Rare indeed."

What he said was actually the truth. There has been an old saying that "when one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven," but it cannot be said outright, as this would be detrimental to the struggles of the sect's disciples.

Lilith ran after him, shouting, "Master! Master! I'll learn! I'll learn illusion magic! Three hours it is! I can sit still!"

"really?"

"Seriously! If I can't sit still, I'll... I'll tie myself to the chair!"

Ji Tian didn't stop walking. "Tomorrow at 5:00 AM, outside the Spirit Spring Cave on the back mountain. No one is allowed to be late."

"Your disciple obeys!"

Lilith followed behind, muttering to herself, "What time is Mao Shi again? I remember Second Senior Sister said... Never mind, I'll ask her later."