Chapter 145: Half a Year

Half a year passed quickly.

During his cultivation of the Pure Yang Scroll, Chen Mobai encountered several problems he couldn't solve on his own. However, with the guidance of the Scarlet Robe True Man, he eventually laid the foundation for the Pure Yang Scroll.

"Good, now all you need to do is continue practicing the Pure Yang Qi Cultivation chapter methodically, converting the remaining Five Elements Power from your dantian," the Scarlet Robe True Man said. That day, on a peak within Danzhu Academy, he withdrew his right hand from Chen Mobai's dantian, seemingly relieved, and nodded slightly.

"True Man, you've really gone to great lengths for me during this time," Chen Mobai said, immediately rising from his meditation cushion and thanking the Golden Core True Man before him.

"As a teacher at the Weapon Arts Daoist Academy, it is my duty to guide you," the Scarlet Robe True Man replied, shaking his head slightly. He didn't move, gracefully accepting Chen Mobai's respectful gesture.

"True Man, do you also cultivate the Pure Yang Scroll?" Chen Mobai asked. Over the past six months, Chen Mobai had noticed that the Scarlet Robe True Man was incredibly knowledgeable, even masterful, regarding the Pure Yang Scroll. He could anticipate all sorts of difficulties one might encounter when switching to this cultivation method and would inform Chen Mobai in advance. It was as if he had experienced them himself, which prompted Chen Mobai's question.

"Indeed, I cultivated the Pure Yang Scroll during the Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment stages," the Scarlet Robe True Man answered without hesitation, casually recounting his cultivation journey. "However, later, to allow myself more time to form a Golden Core, I switched to the 'Heaven-Burning Art,' which is derived from the Pure Yang Scroll."

A century ago, he had entered the Weapon Arts Daoist Academy as the top student from Danxia City, cultivating the Five Elements Art at the time. After joining the academy, a total of thirty-six students from his cohort chose to switch to the Pure Yang Scroll, but ultimately, only he and another person, Shao Yang True Man, successfully formed a Golden Core. His success in forming the Golden Core was due to his realization that if he tried to cultivate the Pure Yang Dharma Body to enhance his Fire Spiritual Root while simultaneously focusing on breaking through cultivation stages, he would likely just age and die. Therefore, after Foundation Establishment, he decisively stopped cultivating the Pure Yang Dharma Body and focused solely on improving his cultivation stage with the Heaven-Burning Art. This resolute mindset allowed the Scarlet Robe True Man, who was originally of ordinary talent among his cohort, to successfully form his Golden Core on his first attempt. Now, he even had the potential to form a Nascent Soul.

"True Man, do you mean that I shouldn't overly obsess over the Pure Yang Scroll's reputation as a Divine Transformation cultivation method, and if I realize I might not break through before my lifespan ends, I should decisively give up?" Chen Mobai thought he understood the meaning behind the Scarlet Robe True Man's words, but the latter merely smiled and shook his head.

"Don't overthink it," the Scarlet Robe True Man said. "For you, the most important thing right now is Foundation Establishment. Honestly, your progress is much slower than I anticipated. In half a year, you should have completely transformed your Five Elements Art foundation. Why are you only at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation now?" "Yes, True Man," Chen Mobai replied, feeling a bit ashamed after hearing this.

Even within Danzhu Academy, his spiritual root talent was only considered upper-middle tier. Over the past six months, under the Scarlet Robe True Man's guidance, he had been transforming his Five Elements Art foundation into Pure Yang spiritual power, reaching the fourth level of Qi Cultivation just yesterday. However, his Five Elements Art cultivation stage remained at the seventh level of Qi Cultivation. Aside from his average spiritual root and slow progress in switching to the Pure Yang Scroll, this was also because he used Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water daily to enhance himself.

This was a method taught to him by the Scarlet Robe True Man, who had noticed early on that the Five Elements Art spiritual power Chen Mobai gained from Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water was unstable and shallow. Realizing this, the Scarlet Robe True Man did not have Chen Mobai cultivate the Pure Yang Scroll by absorbing spiritual energy to raise his power. Instead, he instructed him to continuously use Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water to maintain his Five Elements Art foundation, then convert it into Pure Yang spiritual power using the method he taught. The Pure Yang Scroll foundation cultivated this way became incredibly solid, like loose soil compacted by a road roller, and exceptionally pure.

"Alright, from now on, unless something else comes up, we likely won't meet again. Our connection ends here," the Scarlet Robe True Man said. He watched the sun fully emerge above the horizon, circulated his energy to refine the day's nascent purple qi, then rose and stepped into the clouds blanketing the peak.

"Although True Man, you haven't formally accepted me as a disciple, in my heart, I already consider you my master," Chen Mobai said respectfully, bowing in the manner of a student to a teacher as he watched the Scarlet Robe True Man's figure disappear into the clouds. When he looked up, the Scarlet Robe True Man was gone.

In fact, over these six months, they had only met six times. Yet, each time the Scarlet Robe True Man appeared, he effortlessly resolved Chen Mobai's cultivation doubts, even delivering timely wake-up calls and pointing him in the right direction. If he could, Chen Mobai truly wished he could forever improve under the Scarlet Robe True Man's guidance. Unfortunately, happy times are always fleeting.

Today was his last day at Danzhu Academy. Not only had the six months passed, but tomorrow was also New Year's Eve. A month after the New Year, the Weapon Arts Daoist Academy would begin its new term, and Chen Mobai would prepare to leave Danxia City for Chicheng Grotto-Heaven! Unlike junior and senior high schools, universities didn't have summer or winter breaks; the academic year was continuous. This allowed Chen Mobai to stay at Danzhu Academy for half a year with peace of mind. He had, in a way, received early guidance from the Weapon Arts Daoist Academy's faculty; not every new student was fortunate enough to be personally tutored by a Golden Core True Man for half a year.

As the New Year approached, Danzhu Academy was already empty of students. Shen Juanxiu and Luan Jingsheng had gone home half a month ago. Chan Si, being from out of town, had bought his ticket and left a month earlier. After packing his luggage alone, Chen Mobai tucked a stack of talismans he had drawn from his desk into his sleeve, then found the on-duty teacher to handle his check-out procedures.

"Don't forget anything," the on-duty teacher reminded him after taking back the keys. "Thank you, teacher, I have everything," Chen Mobai replied.

After having breakfast at the academy gate, Chen Mobai boarded the earliest shuttle bus. It took nearly two hours of winding travel before he finally arrived back home.

Unfortunately, Chen Xinglan wouldn't be returning for the New Year. After Chen Mobai was admitted to the Weapon Arts Daoist Academy, it seemed Chen Xinglan had completely set aside all his worries. After buying enough Bigu Pills for two years, he immediately applied to the Scarlet Cloud Academy for isolated cultivation. Although Tang Pancui was reluctant, she understood the importance of the matter and instead told Chen Mobai not to bother Chen Xinglan unnecessarily, so that his father could cultivate in peace. Chen Mobai could only offer a wry smile at this; he had been hoping to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill for his father. Unfortunately, he hadn't even joined the Divine Wood Sect yet. Even if he successfully entered the sect, by its rules, he would first need to become a true disciple, and only then would he be eligible to exchange for such a pill ten years later.

"This New Year, it'll just be the two of us, mother and son," Tang Pancui said. "Grandpa and Grandma aren't coming?" Chen Mobai asked. "They're used to the atmosphere of the mountains and don't want to come to Danxia City," Tang Pancui replied. Chen Mobai felt it was a great pity upon hearing this.

After dinner, Chen Mobai went upstairs. He teleported to Azure Light Island, not to collect items, but to prepare to leave and return to the water mansion.