Chapter 14: Wholeheartedly Pursuing the Dao

 The night was silent, with a faint glow surrounding everything.

In the serene and secluded small courtyard, Jiang Yuebai sat on a small stool, holding a jade slip against her forehead, studying the technique.

Behind her, Tao Fengnian sat, using a comb dipped in water to gently untangle her unruly long hair.

As her head was pulled back and forth, Jiang Yuebai's focus remained entirely on the jade slip.

The techniques were divided into five parts: Geng Metal, Yi Wood, Gui Water, Bing Fire, and Wu Earth.

The Way of the Five Elements corresponded to the five viscera and six bowels, as well as the five senses, five seasons, five flavors, five colors, five sounds, and the interaction of the Five Elements, encompassing the vastness of the universe.

The "Five Elements Return to the True Technique (Qi-Refining Volume)" described in the jade slip was about harnessing the spiritual qi of the Five Elements to nourish the viscera and bowels, the body's appearance, and the senses.

When cultivated individually, each part of the technique could form a small inner cycle.

When cultivating them together, one had to first cultivate each part separately to form five individual elemental cycles, similar to the Geng Metal cycle.

Then, they needed to connect the five small inner cycles to form a large inner cycle that could circulate throughout the whole body.

It nourished the organs and bowels, tempered the bones and blood, refined the tendons and skin, and clarified the five senses.

Cultivating each part of the technique individually was not difficult for Jiang Yuebai. As long as she memorized the acupoints and meridians' locations and patiently guided the qi, she could do it.

The difficulty lay in the mutual transformation of the Five Elements. For example, when the metal qi nourished the lungs, it needed to transform into water qi when entering the kidneys. The same applied to other parts. Only by accomplishing this could one complete a full inner cycle.

Although it was difficult, the benefits were extremely tempting to Jiang Yuebai.

According to the summary in the jade slip, once she comprehended the mutual transformation of the Five Elements and became proficient in their application, she could instantly convert different attributes of spiritual qi into what she needed.

Thus, when her metal qi was insufficient, she could easily convert other elements into metal. This way, her Five Elements spiritual roots would be equivalent to a single, strong spiritual root, and even five times stronger.

This technique took longer and required more effort to circulate the large inner cycle compared to other techniques. However, the results were incredibly rewarding.

The crucial point was the mutual transformation of the Five Elements, and this was where Jiang Yuebai lacked understanding.

Fortunately, Tao Fengnian had already considered this and exchanged the technique for the "Five Elements Rotational Method."

This manual contained many tips and methods for transforming the Five Elements. It also provided a straightforward explanation of the generating and overcoming cycles of the Five Elements.

Jiang Yuebai believed that as long as she studied diligently and experimented with different approaches, she would eventually comprehend the most suitable method for herself.

It seemed that there would be a lecture on the Five Elements Daoist techniques the next day at the Hall of Myriad Laws. Jiang Yuebai quickly found the schedule.

【At the ninth hour of the Snake, Elder Li Jiuchuan will give an initial explanation of the Five Elements Generating and Overcoming Cycles】

Jiang Yuebai's eyes lit up; the lecture would be given by an elder, not a disciple in the Foundation Establishment stage. Moreover, the technique, "Five Elements Rotational Method," was authored by Elder Li Jiuchuan himself!

Jiang Yuebai decided to read the entire "Five Elements Rotational Method" thoroughly tonight and memorize it word by word, so she would not be confused during the lecture the next day. She also planned to arrive early tomorrow to take the opportunity to ask Elder Li for some guidance. Such opportunities were rare.

"The Hall of Myriad Laws specializes in studying various paths and breaking with tradition. Elder Li Jiuchuan is also a Five Elements spiritual root cultivator. When he was building his foundation, he reached the top of the Battle Power Ranking in one go. For ordinary cultivators, it takes at least fifty years from building the foundation to reaching the Core Formation stage. He only took thirty years, and his pill refinement reached the first grade. It was truly unimaginable."

"At that time, he was a highly sought-after figure within the sect. Some even said he would become the second to Landwalking Cloud (referring to the sect's founder). The Elder above the Grand Elder even thought of taking him as a disciple. However, something happened, and he suddenly fell silent. It was rumored that he had lost hope in reaching the Nascent Soul stage and stayed in the Hall of Myriad Laws to study the Way of the Five Elements."

"He has always advocated that the Five Elements spiritual roots are the true heavenly spiritual roots. Over the years, he has guided many Five Elements spiritual root disciples in building their foundation, but unfortunately, none of them were able to reach the Golden Core stage like he did. Well, let's see how you do."

Tao Fengnian handed over a copper mirror, reflecting Jiang Yuebai's double buns on her head, making her look lovely like a young disciple under the ancestors' teachings.

"Why is it a double bun? My mother said that girls should dress like boys when they are alone outside for safety," Jiang Yuebai pouted.

Tao Fengnian replied, "In the world of cultivation, there is no distinction between men and women. You don't need to worry about that."

"Really?" Jiang Yuebai's eyes were bright.

Tao Fengnian nodded, "Indeed. However, cultivators originally came from the mortal world, and some people can't immediately abandon the traditional views of male superiority and female inferiority. In Yun Country, it's better, and there are even female officials and female generals in the court. But Cang Country is conservative, and women are not allowed to show themselves in public."

"But in the world of cultivation, the higher one's cultivation level, the less important gender becomes, and only strength matters. Our founder, Landwalking Cloud, is like that. When she emerged, she was a powerhouse who overshadowed the Three Realms. The Sword Lord Zhuming, who was brilliant and unrivaled, had a deep admiration for Landwalking Cloud for three thousand years and even changed his own title to Zhuming, which means 'chasing the clouds.'"

"The Chasing the Clouds Sword Lord once said that he would willingly serve Landwalking Cloud as a servant. Such words caused no objections in the cultivation world because of Landwalking Cloud's strength. People admire the strong, and it's an honor to be a servant to someone powerful."

Jiang Yuebai's face was full of interest. "What happened later? Did Landwalking Cloud and the Chasing the Clouds Sword Lord have any romantic relationship?"

Tao Fengnian smiled, "The Chasing the Clouds Sword Lord had romantic intentions, but Landwalking Cloud was indifferent. She pursued the Great Dao with a single-minded focus and had no thoughts of love."

Jiang Yuebai nodded excitedly, "I want to be like the founder of the Heavenly Origin Sect and focus solely on pursuing the Great Dao!"

Tao Fengnian's eyes glimmered with approval, and he hurriedly agreed, "That's how it should be. However, the reason I told you all this is to remind you not to underestimate yourself because of your gender. I hope you don't tie your hair into double buns just because you fear others will find out you're a girl."

Jiang Yuebai looked at herself in the mirror again and concluded, "They don't look good; they look like cow horns—moo~"

"Haha, you, my dear, fine, fine, I'll change it to Dao buns for you."

After some adjustments, Jiang Yuebai now had Dao buns on her head, refreshing and neat. Tao Fengnian took out a simple wooden hairpin and pinned it into her hair.

A refreshing energy emanated from the hairpin, clearing Jiang Yuebai's mind and sharpening her vision.

"This is the Clear Mind Hairpin, hoping that you'll always maintain a clear mind and see through your true nature without arrogance or self-importance."

Jiang Yuebai touched the hairpin on her head and understood the meaning: to guard her original heart, be humble and cautious, and not become arrogant. She really liked the symbolism and would remember these words.

Early the next morning, Tao Fengnian personally flew a paper crane to take Jiang Yuebai to the foot of Tianman Peak, and along the way, he nagged endlessly.

He repeatedly instructed her not to disclose her root value and breakthrough time to anyone, even if asked, she should be careful in her response.

When the paper crane landed, Jiang Yuebai rushed away without looking back, just waving her hand casually. Tao Fengnian hadn't finished preparing her rice balls, but she had already forgotten to take them.

However, she didn't forget the few talismans he had prepared for her.

"Grandpa Feng is here to pick you up!"

Tao Fengnian shouted without giving up, but the only response he received was the echo from the silent valley. He sighed in frustration, holding the forgotten rice balls, feeling empty inside.

Back at Huaxi Valley, he met Song Peier with Lu Ying.

Seeing Tao Fengnian's distracted look, Song Peier knew he had gone to send Jiang Yuebai to class early in the morning and teasingly said, "Tao Lao, you're not taking an apprentice; you're obviously raising a granddaughter. You teach her wholeheartedly and even personally pick her up. There's no apprentice that doesn't do any ground work!"

Tao Fengnian remained unperturbed and muttered, "She is my granddaughter!"

After saying that, he left without leaving any room for argument.

Seeing her own apprentice, Lu Ying, craning her neck to look towards Tianman Peak with envy in her eyes, Song Peier rolled her eyes and said, "You also want to attend the lecture at the Hall of Myriad Laws?"

Lu Ying twisted her clothes nervously and nodded timidly.

Song Peier raised her eyes playfully, "Then go on your own; I won't take you there. I'm busy with work in the fields."

Lu Ying was overjoyed and dashed out of the valley.

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