Chapter 54

Chapter 54: How Strong Is My Mother?

 

There are ten days left until the ‘Guanxuan Debate Competition’, so during this time, Ye Tianming spends every day frantically reading books and discussing knowledge with Mu Guanchen. The master and disciple often stay up all night in discussion.

Of course, he hasn’t neglected his cultivation either.

At night, on the back mountain.

Ye Tianming sits cross-legged on the ground, his eyes slightly closed, hands placed on his knees.

He isn’t practicing his own technique, but rather the ‘Dao Star Method’ given to him by Mu Yong. The core of the Dao Star Method is to absorb the power of stars, which is similar to how he absorbs earth vein power. He has tried to absorb star power with his own technique, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work because the stars are too far away. Therefore, he is now trying to understand this ‘Star Path Method’.

He isn’t arrogant enough to think that his current technique is more powerful than the ‘Star Path Method’ of the Stellar Civilization. His own technique was only created recently and still has a long way to go.

As he operates the ‘Star Path Method’, he soon senses a star, which greatly surprises him. He can actually sense a star across the galaxy. He begins to try to establish a spiritual connection with that star.

Soon after, in the distant galaxy, a star suddenly flickers, and then a beam of starlight appears above Ye Tianming’s head.

Ye Tianming’s lips curl into a smile because he has established a connection with a star. Through the special method within the ‘Star Path Method’, he can now directly absorb the star power from that star within his sea of consciousness, almost as if that star has been planted in his consciousness.

This amazes him greatly. Only now does he deeply realize how limited his knowledge was before.

To think there are such incredible techniques in the world!

He knows that to forge his own path will take a very long time and will be very difficult.

But he will never give up.

Bringing back his thoughts, he carefully feels that star. Soon, a faint starlight appears on his body. The starlight grows more and more abundant, as if he is wrapped in starlight. After a moment, the starlight begins to transform into threads that return to his body.

Star power!

As time passes bit by bit, the star power within his body increases.

After a long while, Ye Tianming stops. He takes a deep breath, then opens his palm, where starlight flickers.

Ye Tianming looks up, and suddenly says, “Condense.”

Boom!

In an instant, behind him, a five-hundred-zhang star manifestation immediately forms.

At this moment, Ye Tianming says again, “Condense!”

Boom!

Instantly, outside that star manifestation, another huge manifestation forms, but this one is an earth manifestation.

Dual manifestations!

The moment he forms the dual manifestations, his face visibly turns pale at a rapid rate.

Feeling the dual manifestations behind him, Ye Tianming’s lips gradually curl up, “Indeed, dual manifestations are possible…”

Little Tower says, “This consumes a lot of energy.”

Ye Tianming nods, “I know. I’m not yet capable of simultaneously activating dual manifestations. I must enhance my spiritual power.”

Little Tower asks solemnly, “How did you come up with this?”

Ye Tianming says, “No one has decreed that a person can only form one manifestation!”

Little Tower: “…….”

Ye Tianming takes a deep breath, and a somewhat crazy idea silently emerges in his mind.

Little Tower suddenly says, “Kid, I should remind you that you are a sword cultivator.”

Ye Tianming smiles, “Tower Ancestor, I have never forgotten that I am a sword cultivator.”

Little Tower says, “Then you should focus more on cultivating the sword.”

Ye Tianming says, “I have been cultivating all along.”

Little Tower asks, puzzled, “What do you mean?”

Ye Tianming looks at the earth, then raises his head to look at the vast starry sky, and says softly, “Tower Ancestor, I personally believe that a sword cultivator doesn’t necessarily have to hold a sword to be called a sword cultivator. A true sword cultivator should be one who, as long as there is a sword in the heart, can turn everything in this world – the earth, the stars, the universe, everything in this world – into my sword…”

As he speaks, he slowly closes his eyes, “Sword… come!”

Hum!

A sword hum suddenly resonates through heaven and earth. Then, beneath his feet, swords formed from the earth break through the soil. At the same time, from the distant depths of the galaxy, beams of starlight fall straight down. When they reach above Ye Tianming’s head, they have already transformed into star swords.

The Xingdao sword at Ye Tianming’s waist trembles imperceptibly.

Little Tower: “……”

Soon, Ye Tianming waves his right hand, and those swords quickly dissipate, because his face is now as pale as paper. He really can’t afford such consumption.

Little Tower asks solemnly, “You… why do you have such ideas?”

Ye Tianming thinks for a moment, then says, “I don’t know… perhaps I was born with them!”

Little Tower: “???”

Ye Tianming smiles, “Anyway, these ideas are all feasible. What I need to do next is to work hard on cultivation, improve my realm, strengthen my spiritual power, and then realize these ideas one by one…”

As he speaks, he looks up toward the depths of the galaxy, somewhat excitedly, “The earth is infinite, and so is the galaxy. This means that as long as my spiritual power is strong enough, with a single thought, I can summon countless star swords to kill…”

Little Tower: “…….”

Ye Tianming doesn’t continue cultivating but returns to the hall. The evening is the time to read books with his teacher. During this period, he spends a lot of time every day looking at Mu Guanchen’s collection of books. Although those books are not cultivation techniques or martial skills, he has gained a lot from them.

According to Mu Guanchen, reading more books can help him better understand this world.

Late at night.

Ye Tianming lies on the bed, his hands behind his head, “Teacher, the Xiao family won’t give up, will they?”

Behind the desk, Mu Guanchen says, “Probably not.”

Ye Tianming doesn’t speak further.

Mu Guanchen looks at him and says, “Focus on cultivation, don’t think too much. The academy principal is quite capable in a fight.”

Song Shi: “…….”

Ye Tianming says, “Mm.”

After a moment, Ye Tianming says again, “Teacher, the world shouldn’t be like this.”

Mu Guanchen smiles, “It’s good that you think this way. However, thinking is not enough. We may dislike the state of the world, but we can’t just dislike it; we need to do something about it. Of course, the prerequisite is having the ability to do so.”

Ye Tianming nods, “Teacher, I understand.”

Mu Guanchen suddenly asks, “Tianming, do you have a girl you like?”

“Huh?”

Ye Tianming turns over to look at Mu Guanchen, thinking he misheard.

Mu Guanchen smiles, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Tianming is somewhat confused, “Teacher, you’re asking this question…”

Mu Guanchen smiles slightly, “You, young man, appear gentle and refined on the surface, but you’re actually quite proud inside. You’re soft on the outside but firm on the inside, and also very rational. But being too rational, your personality won’t disadvantage you in general matters, but when it comes to ’emotions’, your teacher is a bit worried.”

Ye Tianming asks, “Why?”

Mu Guanchen smiles, “The word ’emotion’ represents the most complex feelings in the world. All rationality is useless in front of it…”

As he speaks, a complex look flashes in his eyes, “In the face of this word, many times our willfulness and lack of understanding can cause lifelong regret for both parties. So, your teacher hopes that in the future, when you meet a girl you like, you can be less rational, and step back when you should.”

Ye Tianming says seriously, “Don’t worry, Teacher. My Tower Ancestor is a master of emotions. With it around, I won’t suffer losses in the future.”

Little Tower: “…….”

Mu Guanchen laughs, “That’s good.”

Ye Tianming looks at Mu Guanchen and says seriously, “Teacher, I must get first place in the Wanzhou Competition.”

Mu Guanchen says, “Then you need to work harder.”

Ye Tianming nods, “I will.”

Mu Guanchen says, “You need to prepare well for the Guanxuan Debate.”

Ye Tianming asks, “What place does Teacher think I can achieve?”

After pondering briefly, Mu Guanchen says, “It’s hard to say. If it’s a general debate, with your current knowledge, you can handle it easily. What your teacher is more concerned about is if you encounter a young person with very unique ideas. Your teacher once met such a person and almost lost to them.”

Ye Tianming takes a deep breath, “I will try my best.”

Mu Guanchen smiles, “Yes, even if you don’t achieve a good ranking, I believe you will still gain a lot.”

Ye Tianming says, “Mm, I also want to see Nanling… to see An Yan. I wonder how my good brother is doing now. I miss him.”

Mu Guanchen smiles, “Tell me about your cultivation. You formed two types of manifestations tonight?”

Ye Tianming says excitedly, “Yes, Teacher, am I the first person to achieve this?”

Mu Guanchen smiles, “Probably not.”

Ye Tianming quickly asks, “Someone did it before me?”

Mu Guanchen says, “When you reach the Guanxuan Realm, you’ll see. In this world, there are many extraordinary people.”

Ye Tianming nods, “I understand.”

Mu Guanchen says, “Now you can form earth and star manifestations by relying on the earth and stars. Have you thought about what the essence of a manifestation is?”

Ye Tianming asks, puzzled, “Essence?”

Mu Guanchen puts down his pen and smiles, “A manifestation is the appearance of all dharmas, an extension of all dharmas. The manifestations you form now have form but no soul, because you haven’t established your own Dao and method. Of course, that’s a bit difficult for you at present, but you can borrow Dao and method.”

Ye Tianming says seriously, “Teacher, borrowing Dao and method… does that mean I can borrow someone else’s Dao and method to elevate my manifestation?”

Mu Guanchen nods, “Yes.”

Ye Tianming asks, “Who should I borrow from? The academy principal?”

Mu Guanchen shakes his head, “No, his is too weak. Borrowing from him would just get you beaten up.”

Song Shi: “…….”

Ye Tianming: “…….”

Mu Guanchen shakes his head with a smile, “I can’t think of anyone for now… mainly because, to borrow someone’s Dao and method, not only does that person need to be strong enough, but they also need to be willing…”

Ye Tianming lies down. After a moment of silence, he asks in his heart, “Tower Ancestor, how strong is my mother?”

Little Tower says, “Very… decent!”

Ye Tianming asks, “Can I borrow my mother’s Dao and method?”

Little Tower says solemnly, “That’s too much.”