World of Cultivation

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Chapter 140: A Good Place to Go

Ye Yun wanted to visit Elder Zi immediately, not just because the elder had promised to secure him a good position if he survived, but also because Su Hao’s demeanor made it clear Elder Zi wasn’t merely a guardian of Tian Zhu Peak’s Zang Wu Pavilion.

If Elder Zi were an ordinary pavilion elder, why would Leader Su Hao of Shadowless Peak care? Su Hao had originally planned to make Ye Yun his disciple and one of Shadowless Peak’s top ten disciples. Yet upon hearing Ye Yun sought Elder Zi, he’d abandoned the idea and gifted a token granting free access to Shadowless Peak instead.

This made it clear how highly Elder Zi was regarded by Su Hao.

Elder Lan glanced at Ye Yun and nodded.

Ye Yun smiled at Yu Minghong and Duan Chenfeng before departing.

The two stared at his retreating back, baffled—they’d never heard of Elder Zi.

"Elder Lan, who is this Elder Zi?" Duan Chenfeng asked.

Elder Lan studied him. This youth, admitted through the Capital’s Duan family connections, had survived the Hualun Secret Vault—no longer someone to underestimate.

"Elder Zi is a senior guardian of our Zang Wu Pavilion at the foundation establishment stage. He rarely appears, but if you ever meet him, show utmost respect."

Foundation establishment!

Both youths inhaled sharply. They’d met Shadowless Peak’s leader Su Hao, also foundation establishment—but he ruled an entire peak. Elder Zi was just a pavilion elder, yet matched that power. The strongest they’d seen at Tian Zhu Peak were Chunyu Yan and Elder Lan, both stuck at the pinnacle of Qi refining for years, half-step from foundation.

That a pavilion guardian possessed foundation-stage cultivation meant extraordinary origins. How had Ye Yun befriended such a figure?

"Brother Ye chose two Celestial Techniques from the pavilion," Yu Minghong whispered. "Could they have drawn Elder Zi’s notice?"

Duan Chenfeng shrugged. "None of our business. Rest and await tomorrow’s rewards."

Yu Minghong stiffened, bowed to Elder Lan, and left.

"Thank you for your guidance," Duan Chenfeng told Elder Lan, uncharacteristically humble. "If ever needed, call upon me."

Elder Lan smiled. "Your efforts brought you here. You’ll become Tian Zhu Peak’s inner disciple now. Honor your royal Capital lineage."

"Naturally!" Duan Chenfeng laughed.

Hall of Refining the Heart, Back Mountain

Ye Yun approached the agreed meeting spot. After narrowly escaping the great tomb and enduring Su Hao’s foundation-stage pressure at Shadowless Peak, only here—amidst Elder Zi’s tranquil bamboo grove—did his tension ease.

"I didn’t expect your return."

The raspy voice came from a cloth-robed elder emerging with a bamboo basket and hoe, shoots tangled within.

Ye Yun bowed. "Disciple Ye Yun greets Elder Zi."

"The Hualun Secret Vault—dangerous?"

"Nearly fatal."

"Yet you survived, proving exceptional fortune." The elder’s stern face softened. "On the cultivation path, luck trumps talent, which outweighs resources. Your gains there will aid your journey."

"Luck… then talent… then resources." Ye Yun repeated slowly, pondering each word.

Fortune refers to one’s destiny. A person’s destiny is innate. Those with exceptional fortune rarely face crises in life, experiencing smooth sailing. For cultivators, such fortune means frequent strokes of luck and endless resources, enabling them to seize opportunities and progress rapidly towards the Dao.

Talent represents natural aptitude. Similarly inherent and hard to alter, countless outstanding geniuses emerge in major sects like fish swimming across a river. Yet few achieve the Dao, most perishing prematurely due to insufficient fortune.

Regarding resources, sects fight over them through might-makes-right distribution. Elite disciples never worry about training resources – only those like Ye Yun from border towns, possessing average talent and no backing, desperately seek what they can’t obtain.

Currently, Ye Yun had no immediate resource needs. Resources obtained from Hualun and Luo Wencheng could sustain him through mid Qi refining stage, possibly even late stage.

"With fortune, one can cultivate perilous techniques others dare not attempt, surviving dangers to achieve mastery." Elder Zi’s tone suddenly turned icy. "Like the Little Absorption Technique."

The Little Absorption Technique!

Ye Yun stiffened, recalling Luo Wencheng unleashing the True Qi Cage. Without the perfect coordination between the Little Absorption Technique and Heart of Immortals and Demons, he’d have been obliterated by that explosive power.

"Elder Zi, you mentioned another who mastered this technique besides me. Who was it?"

Pride flashed across Elder Zi’s face. "My lineage’s ancestor – Golden Pill master Chen Huadao."

"Chen Huadao?" Ye Yun blinked. The Heavenly Sword Sect’s records listed only a dozen Golden Pill masters over millennia, none bearing that name.

"Indeed. He stood half-step from Golden Pill’s peak, ready for pill has broken and they’re reborn into Nascent Soul stage." Elder Zi’s usual composure broke with excitement.

"But why isn’t he recorded?" Ye Yun ventured cautiously.

"Some knowledge brings danger. Just know only two mastered this technique in centuries – yourself and the Golden Pill achiever." Elder Zi’s voice frosted over.

Ye Yun nodded, heart racing. These hints suggested the Little Absorption Technique could lead to Golden Pill Dao – every Heavenly Sword disciple’s ultimate dream.

"The technique’s brutal efficiency lets cultivators absorb even exotic spiritual energy others can’t process. Sects once coveted it." Elder Zi’s voice hardened. "But missteps cause true qi implosions. Success breeds addiction – unstable foundations, Mental Demons, bloodthirsty madness. Hence it was sealed, nearly branded heresy."

"Was Ancestor Chen ostracized for this?" Ye Yun pressed.

Elder Zi’s gaze turned blade-sharp. "I warned against curiosity."

Ye Yun dipped his head. "This disciple understands."

"Since you survived, know this: conceal your mastery. Exposure brings disaster."

"But guards saw me take it from Zang Wu Pavilion. My companions know."

"Claim you failed, nearly dying."

"There’s another who knows."

"Who?" Elder Zi demanded.

"Shui Qingxuan, wife of Shadowless Peak’s Leader Su Hao."

Elder Zi’s sternness melted. "You’ve met Xuan’er? No matter then." Tenderness flickered across his face at her name.

"Elder Zi promised me guidance if I survived."

"So I did." Elder Zi smiled.