Chapter 153

“This old servant Yu Haozhen, having walked the Path of Cultivation for over sixty years, became like a broken bridge after my sect’s sudden calamity – lamenting through endless days and restless nights…”

Old Yu emerged from his cave dwelling, gazing toward the Song Mountain Master family’s direction before kneeling. Clear tears traced paths down his weathered cheeks.

He had concealed his true name since his sect’s destruction.

Even Yang Guanfeng only knew his surname.

But after Chen Yang’s Transmitting Teachings, Yu Haozhen finally revealed his true name.

“The Immortal Master’s great kindness in restoring my cultivation path defies repayment. I can only pledge eternal service until my last breath!”

After summoning Xie Chuan to handle valley affairs, Old Yu commenced secluded cultivation.

The next day, Zhao Qi, Wu Tong, and Liang Yi received Chen Yang’s handwritten copy of Secrets of Ascending the Twelve Levels of Gathering Qi, containing only early to intermediate stages.

This copied text, being mere words, was far inferior to the immersive insights Yang Lingqing and Old Yu gained through true mind and soul Thought Transmission.

Yet for outer clan cultivators, these written teachings sufficed for comprehension.

Later, Yang Liu, Dai Wei, Liu Zihao, and Xie Chuan each received fragments of Chen Yang’s handwritten secrets.

Within a month, three Yang Family members achieved breakthroughs:

Yang Lingqing attained the fifth level of Gathering Qi.

Old Yu ascended to seventh-level.

Yang Liu solidified her Qi Palace.

Other Yang Family cultivators also progressed, collectively elevating the clan’s strength.

This clearly demonstrated the profound value of Li Yuande’s enlightenment!

Moreover, these changes stemmed from just one ascension secret. Combined with later teachings on cultivation methods, mind and soul refinement, and even Dan condensation, the entire Yang Family could undergo transformative growth!

Wanhuamen, Heavenly Travel Peak.

This was the cultivation ground of Mo Xian, a peak Condensing Essence elder.

Only three residents had occupied this peak since Wanhuamen’s founding – until the recent sect recruitment brought a fourth.

Yang Lingshu only met Mo Xian during his initial bowing ceremony.

The elder’s teaching method proved brutally simple: he tossed Yang Lingshu the Water and Wood Heart Method Spiritual Communication Technique, ordering him to reach sixth level before returning.

Yang Lingshu abandoned his family’s Book of Seeking the Spirit in Darkness Condensing Essence technique for this new path.

Superior cultivation methods demand greater comprehension.

Though having refined the spirit pearl, Yang Lingshu’s understanding remained lacking.

After seven days’ silent observation showed no progress, Mo Xian grew disappointed – Xiao Yize had mastered this technique in three days.

But considering Yang Lingshu’s common origins and technique transition, Mo Xian kept watching.

On the tenth day, enlightenment struck. Yang Lingshu grasped the Water and Wood Heart Method’s basics within hours.

“Exactly! My chosen disciple couldn’t be mediocre!” Mo Xian rejoiced inwardly.

Because this direct disciple slot was arranged by the dynasty, Mo Xian noticed Yang Lingshu during the entrance assessment.

The chubby youth appeared somewhat slow-witted to others, but Mo Xian’s experienced eyes pierced through the disguise instantly.

When Yang Lingshu later revealed his vibrant purple talent, Mo Xian confirmed the boy’s exceptional potential.

The spiritual affinities of Yang’s Water and Wood lineage aligned perfectly with Mo Xian’s cultivation methods, so Mo Xian decided to take him as a disciple.

"He’s slower than Yize, but remember Lingshu switched cultivation methods midway. Ten days for foundational mastery makes sense."

Satisfied with Yang Lingshu’s progress, Mo Xian ceased monitoring his training, confident the youth would meet requirements within few years.

After Mo Xian returned to his cave dwelling, Yang Lingshu opened his eyes the next dawn.

His cultivation level had skyrocketed overnight, teetering on the edge of breaking through to the fourth level.

"The Secrets of Ascending the Twelve Levels of Gathering Qi! The Discussion on the Practice of Various Techniques! The Immortal Master’s gifts truly surpass mortal understanding!"

Yang Lingshu marveled inwardly.

Yesterday he’d struggled with an incantation from the Spiritual Communication Technique until foreign thoughts suddenly flooded his mind.

Chen Yang had actually sent these insights days earlier through Thought Transmission, but the vast distance delayed their arrival.

Upon receiving the Discussion on the Practice of Various Techniques, Yang Lingshu felt mental blockages shatter.

He pushed through multiple bottlenecks in succession, finally grasping the foundational stage of Water and Wood Heart Method!

Without Chen Yang’s help, achieving this breakthrough might’ve taken another full month.

Had that happened, Mo Xian might have abandoned him to wilderness training.

Meanwhile, another wisp of consciousness traveled countless mountains and rivers toward the dynasty’s eastern border.

Li Yuande’s legacy extended far beyond the Yang Family.

Young disciples from various families who witnessed that fateful demonstration gained immeasurable benefits.

In subsequent years, prominent figures like He Shenglai, Su Lingyun, and Shen Yue all entered secluded cultivation.

Li Yuande’s demise became like a whale fall – his extraordinary talents nourishing countless others.

This Gathering Qi to Condensing Essence event became pivotal, marking the Tiger-Chasing Dynasty’s ascent to greater power.

It would soon herald an unprecedented golden age of condensed essence mastery and flourishing geniuses in dynastic history!

……

Wang Hai City, eastern border of Tiger-Chasing Dynasty.

Dusk deepened into night.

A guard captain moved to intercept two military-clad figures approaching the gates.

He froze mid-step upon seeing black tiger insignias on their shoulders, awe and dread flooding his expression.

"Honored sirs!" The captain snapped to attention.

These were survivors from the notorious Black Tiger Camp – the deadliest frontline unit.

Veterans who’d crawled through blood-soaked battlefields and stared death in the eye countless times.

As the pair drew near, the metallic tang of old blood reached the captain’s nostrils.

His fear intensified upon seeing them clearly.

The servant following behind walked with pronounced limp, missing one arm. Though his fourth-level Gathering Qi cultivation showed openly, the captain – a fifth-level martial cultivator – felt primal terror when their eyes met, as if facing a forest predator.

Faint glints of metal peeked from beneath the servant’s crippled leg.

"Our entry permit." The leading middle-aged man presented gold-sealed documents.

Frontline soldiers without proper papers would be executed as deserters.

"Everything’s in order. Please follow me."

The captain verified the seal with trembling hands.

The middle-aged man stood straight as spear, cultivation aura tightly controlled – clearly an advanced practitioner.

A centipede-like scar ran from his right eye down to collarbone, flesh deeply sunken around the old wound.

Swallowing hard, the captain wondered: "How did anyone survive such facial injury?"