Chapter 502

Chapter 502: Teachings of Tian Yunzi

Tian Yunzi’s generosity was immense. Even for a typical Nascent Soul stage Ancestor, ten low-grade Immortal Spirit Stones represented a significant fortune.

As one’s cultivation level rises, the required training resources multiply. By the Nascent Soul stage, each Immortal Spirit Stone becomes exceedingly precious. Only high-ranking experts from top sects like Divine Grace Palace and Misty Sect in the Great Qin Empire could casually bestow ten such stones upon a disciple.

"Keep these ten Immortal Spirit Stones safe. Given your current talent and cultivation, breaking through to the Golden Core stage remains slightly out of reach," Tian Yunzi said, glancing at Ye Yun. "Return with me now to meet Zhuge Chong and the others. I’ll teach you two divine techniques. Master them swiftly and reach the Golden Core stage—they may prove critical soon."

Though his heart tightened, Ye Yun maintained composure and bowed. "As you command, Master."

Tian Yunzi flicked his sleeve. A swirl of light enveloped Ye Yun, and they vanished, traversing hundreds of miles in an instant—the earth-shrinking technique unique to Nascent Soul stage Ancestors.

Zhong Huali stood frozen, glaring at the empty space where Tian Yunzi and Ye Yun had been. His voice dripped venom. "One day, you’ll regret crossing me."

He scanned the area for Yue Huai-Chang, only to recall the elder’s tearful departure to retrieve the Ice Spirit Herb for his son. Resentment flared—without Yue Huai-Chang’s desperate quest, Zhong Huali might have rivaled Ye Yun. The vanished spiritual energy from Ye Yun’s Thunder Wood remained unexplained, but the Ice Spirit Herb’s value eclipsed such mysteries.

As Zhong Huali turned to leave, two Registered Disciples approached. "Brother Zhong! Where are Master and Uncle? We saw them here moments ago—"

"Scram!" Zhong Huali snarled, icy blade light flashing in his eyes before he stormed off. The disciples exchanged worried glances, baffled by his hostility.

Unaware of Zhong Huali’s fury, Ye Yun floated in chaotic darkness within Tian Yunzi’s sleeve, time itself seeming suspended. This display of power reminded him why Tian Yunzi stood at the Nascent Soul stage’s pinnacle—the Great Qin Empire’s most likely candidate to ascend to the Earth Immortal realm.

Light suddenly returned. Ye Yun stood on a narrow mountaintop, clouds churning below like an ethereal sea. Tian Yunzi spoke without turning, "As my fourth true disciple, you must understand certain truths."

Ye Yun stepped forward, silent and attentive.

"Three centuries old, I’ve lingered at the Nascent Soul peak for fifty years. Many call me the empire’s strongest potential saint." Tian Yunzi gazed at distant peaks. "Yet sainthood demands more than cultivation level or resources."

"Alignment with the laws of heaven?" Ye Yun ventured.

"Precisely." Tian Yunzi met his gaze. "We cultivate the heavenly Dao. Only through comprehending cosmic laws can one ascend seamlessly to the Heavenly Realm."

"Teach me the secret techniques to grasp these laws," Ye Yun urged.

Tian Yunzi chuckled. "Foolish child. Each cultivator’s path is unique. Consider sword intent—two masters at equal cultivation might develop vastly different approaches: one piercingly sharp, another majestically overwhelming."

Ye Yun stiffened. Had Tian Yunzi detected his hidden sword intent?

"That swordsman you know—Du Jianyin—pushes sharpness to its extreme, seeking to split the heavens," Tian Yunzi continued meaningfully. "Most lack such singular focus. You, for instance, spread your attention too broadly."

Ye Yun bowed, understanding the implicit guidance. "Your wisdom guides me, Master."

"Good." Approval warmed Tian Yunzi’s tone. "Pursuing multiple paths leads to stagnation. Three thousand Daos exist—mastering any to perfection suffices for ascension. Merging Daos? A fool’s errand given mortal limitations."

Thunderous realization struck Ye Yun. This explained why few cultivated multiple exotic spiritual energies—specializing proved exponentially simpler. For a heartbeat, doubt crept in: should he abandon his diverse path to mirror Du Jianyin’s razor focus?

Then resolve hardened. Unlike Du Jianyin, he possessed the Heart of Immortals and Demons and had touched five laws. With this advantage, merging them might achieve the unimaginable—the realm of those golden-armored warrior-defying figures from his visions, whose power dwarfed even Earth Immortals.

Ye Yun’s eyes blazed with renewed conviction. He’d forge his own path, synthesizing laws until he reached those transcendent heights.

The falter had passed. His course was set.