The Qi of One Year
With the help of Tian Sui, Gu Wen comprehended the first move of the "Heavenly Spear" in just a few breaths.
However, it took him a quarter of an hour to fully integrate it.
To Yu Hua and Ao Tang, their interpretation was based on their own experiences.
They weren't aware of the existence of life destinies, but the cultivation was real, and the techniques Gu Wen practiced shared the same origins as theirs.
At this moment, Gu Wen seemed both normal and strange to them.
Normal in the sense that they could understand the changes in his qi flow during cultivation, but strange because of his incredibly fast speed.
However, it wasn't as if he was receiving knowledge directly into his mind; everything followed a traceable path.
Ao Tang had prepared classic little lessons for different types of juniors: encouragement for those with average talent but good perseverance, guidance to prevent arrogance in those with natural aptitude, and pure praise for geniuses.
But now, Ao Tang was at a loss for words.
"My Sanqing Ancestor..."
Ao Tang's donkey mouth gaped in shock, uttering sounds before quickly closing to avoid disturbing Gu Wen.
He sent a message telepathically to Yu Hua:
"Little ancestor, where did you find this monster? Are you sure he's not a reincarnation of some great being? This doesn't make sense."
Yu Hua, much calmer, replied, "What's not making sense?"
Ao Tang explained, "He's comprehending too fast. 'Heavenly Spear' is a second-realm technique, but it's the pinnacle of spear qi refinement. Many third-realm techniques can't compare in terms of technique. The method is simple and brutal, enhancing spear qi by a factor of nine through nine moves."
Yu Hua, proud, raised her chin slightly and said, "That's what a true genius looks like. Do they have Gu Wen's martial arts talent?"
Ao Tang was left speechless because he had never seen someone so young with a dharma aspect, making Gu Wen even more extraordinary.
The two waited quietly.
After about an hour, Gu Wen steadily familiarized himself with the changes brought by the "Heavenly Spear" to his spear qi.
When he opened his eyes, the donkey immediately approached and asked, "Kid, did you succeed?"
Gu Wen nodded slightly, "An extremely profound technique, it can indeed elevate the spear qi instantly."
"Do you know the origins of this technique? Among all spear techniques, the 'Heavenly Spear' is one of the best, comparable only to the 'Qianyuan Spear' of Qianlong Mountain Manor," Ao Tang began his prepared praise, his voice rising.
As a true name of the Taoist sect most in contact with young people, Ao Tang knew exactly what young people wanted to hear: to be told they are the best, and to be compared favorably to others as a chosen one.
"And you are the first in a thousand years to master it at this age," Ao Tang continued.
"The 'Heavenly Spear' has such great origins?" Gu Wen was a bit puzzled, as the required Tian Sui to refine techniques wasn't constant and depended on the difficulty of the technique he was comprehending.
Ao Tang explained, "Of course, the 'Heavenly Spear' was created by the founder of the Sanqing Dao Sect, one of the greatest spear techniques in the world. The founder himself used it to achieve remarkable feats."
Yu Hua added, "Only those with supreme talent and perseverance can master this technique at a young age. You are indeed a rare genius."
Gu Wen understood the significance and felt even more determined to continue his path.
With newfound confidence and strength, he prepared to face the challenges ahead, knowing that with Yu Hua and Ao Tang by his side, he was well-equipped to handle whatever came his way.
The atmosphere was tense as they prepared for the journey ahead.
The world was vast and filled with dangers, but Gu Wen's heart was resolute.
He knew that the road to becoming the top was fraught with peril, but he was ready to face it head-on.
With his newfound strength and allies, he was confident in overcoming any obstacle.
As they set off, Gu Wen felt a sense of excitement and anticipation.
The world was his to conquer, and with the "Heavenly Spear" in his arsenal, he was ready to take on any challenge that came his way.
The Heavenly Spear technique only required three years of Tian Sui to master, and fully integrating it required five years.
For Gu Wen, mastering the Heavenly Spear wasn't difficult, and even fully integrating it wasn't challenging.
Tian Sui merely shortened this process.
If he couldn't comprehend it fully, it might have been like initially understanding the divine ability of the Zhaolie Aspect, where the required Tian Sui was an unknown quantity.
Now it started at a few hundred, reflecting the shortened requirements due to his improved Dao foundation.
"That's natural. The last person to master this technique was Huayang, who is now the Grand Master of the Sanqing Dao Sect. Your future accomplishments will certainly not be lower than Huayang's, and possibly even higher," Ao Tang continued to praise, trying to establish an image of a 'loving elder' not inferior to Yu Hua.
"Kid, you have every reason to be proud."
However, Gu Wen shook his head and said, "What I mastered isn't the Heavenly Spear."
"Then what did you master?"
"I've integrated it."
A touch of dark red qi gathered at Gu Wen's fingertip.
With a thought, the qi transformed into a needle.
"I integrated the moves of the Heavenly Spear into my own spear technique, making it more intuitive for me to use."
Silence.
The mountain god temple suddenly fell quiet.
After a long while, only Ao Tang, with his mouth agape, managed to utter a single word: "Huh?" His mind could only produce a single word, 'Huh?'
Yu Hua was also momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, urging, "Next is the 'Mystic Spirit Triple Qi,' a crucial protective technique. We must visit Tianquan Mountain soon, and a confrontation with the Folded Sword Mountain cultivators is inevitable. Protective Dao techniques are especially important."
"Will we have to kill?"
"We'll see. If Folded Sword Mountain doesn't let us in, we'll have to fight. The Sword Washing Pool doesn't belong to them."
"They built their home on our Immortal Herb."
Gu Wen looked resolute.
The Immortal Herb's nurturing grounds might only play a supporting role, but who gets the credit?
He saw himself as a legitimate heir with a divine mandate related to the Immortal Herb, so at least seventy percent of the treasures in these immortal grounds were destined for him!
Such blatant self-assuredness made Yu Hua cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.
She said, "If you say so, then it is."
Gu Wen resumed his cultivation, focusing on the next technique, the 'Mystic Spirit Triple Qi.'
Compared to the 'Lingyu Protective Technique,' which only enhanced the internal strength and muscles, leaving him still susceptible to bleeding from attacks (albeit non-lethal ones), the 'Mystic Spirit Triple Qi' could render him immune to injuries.
The technique had three levels: [Armor Spirit], [Jade Spirit], and [Mystic].
The first level, Armor Spirit, formed a thin layer of 'armor spirit' on the skin, similar to a keratin layer, with the defensive power comparable to chainmail.
It might seem useless, as a single heavy spear strike could break through, but the spirit armor had no weight and was always active.
Protective Dao techniques are meant to reduce damage; if one takes a direct hit without blocking or dodging, the best protective technique is useless unless there's a significant power disparity.
High-level defense implies high consumption, and Gu Wen didn't want to adopt a turtle strategy.
Otherwise, what was the point of mastering the Zhaolie Spear?
With Armor Spirit, Gu Wen could completely withstand similar ambushes like the one on the boat without needing to dodge.
[One year of Tian Sui]
[Mystic Spirit Triple Qi's first level requires six years of Tian Sui]
"Poor Daoist lacks money!"
Gu Wen entered meditation and slowly comprehended the "Mystic Spirit Triple Qi" technique.
The return of the White Immortal worshipped in the mountain god temple woke him.
This had become a habit over the years; even the slightest disturbance would rouse Gu Wen, including during his meditative cultivation.
Yu Hua, who had been reading a book nearby, reached out and gently tapped his forehead, soothing his chaotic energy and reassuring him, "It's nothing. I'm here."
Gu Wen, somewhat embarrassed, explained, "It's a subconscious reaction; I can't control it..."
Yu Hua just smiled and didn't delve into the matter.
He was simply accustomed to traveling alone and needed time to adjust.
The old donkey, feeling annoyed, turned its head and muttered, "Are you raising a child? Protecting him like he's a treasure." It didn't even get a chance to show its elder's care.
"Shut up," Yu Hua's voice suddenly turned cold.
Gu Wen calmed his mind and re-entered his meditation.
This time, his focus was deeper than ever.
Having companions was always beneficial; he never believed he should be a lone wolf, as lone wolves were often losers among wolves.
The night passed without incident, and dawn began to break.
Gu Wen and his companions packed up their belongings and set off in the morning mist.
His path was now clear and correct; by following the trail of the Immortal Herb, he could complete most of the requirements for his destiny.
The old donkey nudged Gu Wen and cheerfully said, "Second ancestor, the journey is long. You can ride on my back and continue meditating on the technique." As it spoke, the donkey transformed into a large water buffalo with wide shoulders, suitable for sitting cross-legged.
"Thank you, senior," Gu Wen didn't refuse, as he actually wanted to ride a true dragon, even though it had turned into a buffalo.
Moreover, Ao Tang's increasingly warm attitude suggested that politeness was indeed appreciated.
Gu Wen sat cross-legged on the water buffalo's back, entering meditation once more.
Yu Hua frowned slightly but said nothing.
What is that old thing up to?
Three eventful days passed on the road.
On the first day, they encountered bandits attacking a village.
Gu Wen single-handedly killed most of them, earning the worship of the villagers and receiving a piece of rare wood from the old village chief.
This fragrant wood, which retained its scent for decades, was unearthed by the chief while farming.
Fearing it would attract trouble in these chaotic times, he gifted it to Gu Wen, his savior.
Upon asking Ao Tang, Gu Wen learned that it was a kind of ground treasure called Earth Purity, commonly used in the cultivation world and favored by female cultivators.
"Do you need Earth Purity?" Gu Wen asked Yu Hua.
She shook her head, saying, "I do not care for feminine items, cosmetics, or ornate clothing."
Ao Tang added, "Earth Purity isn't good for alchemy; eating it might cause diarrhea. While ascetics may not mind, we still need to eat some grains here, so don't swallow it."
Hearing it wasn't edible, Gu Wen felt a bit regretful. "I guess I'll have to wait until I meet Lu Chan and sell it to her."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Hua snatched the Earth Purity away.
On the second day, while traveling, Yu Hua's "radar" suddenly responded, leading them off the main road and into the deep mountains.
After battling wolves and tigers, they found an extremely hidden cave in a mountain hollow.
The cave, ten feet wide on both sides, had stalactites dripping water, each drop shining like flawless gems, forming a small water pit.
"It stopped here, but it has been a long time, and there are no roots left," Yu Hua remarked with disinterest after a glance.
Ao Tang shook his head. "A thousand-year water essence, but it's a pity it can't form a spirit core. It's tasteless to eat but a waste to discard."
Gu Wen, however, was very interested.
After confirming with them that it was non-toxic, he directly drank from the water pit.
The dried-up Imperial Nectar in his qi sea was replenished, and besides the Fire Meteor, there was now a Yellow River.
A stream of messages emerged from his destiny.
[Imperial Nectar: 20 years]
So much?
Gu Wen continued to drink, wishing he could turn the stone into a bowl.
Eventually, the Imperial Nectar reached twenty-five years.
The Dragon Spring Well in Bianjing provided one year of Imperial Nectar per month, so twenty-five years would take him two years to gather.
However, he considered that the Dragon Spring Well was inexhaustible, while this water pit might not refill for a hundred years.
It was a one-time opportunity.
And without Yu Hua, he might never have found this place.
Gu Wen took out the jade pendant he had been carrying, letting his mind probe it slightly, only to be repelled as usual.
[Unnamed Dao Weapon: Requires 25 years of Imperial Nectar to sever its destiny]
Top-tier treasures all had destinies and masters, and the purpose of Imperial Nectar was to ignore these destinies.
Whether it was a spiritual treasure or a Dao weapon, as long as Gu Wen could overcome the weapon's spirit, he could refine it.
He wasn't sure if it was because he wasn't a direct descendant of the Gu family or if it was like the varying requirements of Tian Sui, but other Dao weapons that did not yield to him might require hundreds or even thousands of years of Imperial Nectar to refine.
In any case, he was close to his goal.
Next, a trip to the Sword Washing Pool could allow him to refine the Dao weapon and collect more Imperial Nectar in advance.
Gu Wen and his companions quickly left, not disturbing the opportunity there.
On the third day, as they entered the Luoshui region, they encountered villagers who seemed to moonlight as bandits.
Seeing Gu Wen meditating on the unusually large Ao Tang and Yu Hua in her plain white veil, the villagers immediately bowed in worship.
They invited the group to their village, saying their ancestral spirit welcomed passing immortals and sought to form good relations.
Upon entering the village, they saw an old tree at the center, wrapped in red silk ribbons.
An ancient divine thought descended.
"Old man greets the Heavenly Maiden of the Dao Sect. Are you here to enter the Sword Washing Pool?"
"And if I am?" Yu Hua replied.
By now, the whole world knew about the Immortal Herb and the Dao Sect's purpose, so there was no point in hiding it.
The old tree answered, "If you wish to enter, it won't be easy. The Folded Sword Mountain has sealed it off. Recently, there have been frequent soldiers passing by. The Dao King Emperor likely has laid a trap there."
Wherever the imperial army went, all the world's sects would block.
Gu Wen's expression darkened momentarily before relaxing.
This way, he wouldn't feel guilty about robbing them.
They made the first move.