Chapter 28: I Am Not That Kind of Person

“No,” Chen Yang shook his head, casting several mystical arts to collect both Magnetic Divine Mountains, transforming them into two intertwined, revolving little bells that hung at his waist.

The Golden Armored Divine General dissipated and returned to the Supreme Spiritual Banner. Radiant light of five colors swirled about Chen Yang as he turned into a streak of escaping light, soaring into the heavens, leaving behind only a single phrase:

“The formation is broken; this humble Daoist will take his leave.”

He had no interest in the relics within this ancient cultivator’s abode—the cultivation methods? He already possessed the finest arts of the Daoist and Demonic ways of Mount Shu. Magical treasures? He had no desire for them. Even supreme spiritual treasures, in his eyes, were nothing special, unworthy of a second glance.

As for spiritual materials or medicinal herbs? The notion was laughable. In such a place, saturated with magnetic energy and chaotic elements, even if there had originally been any spiritual herbs, they would have long since perished in the ensuing turmoil.

Didn’t one see how, within several dozen miles, all the flowers and grasses close by had already withered completely, and those further away were half-dead? The environment required for spiritual herbs to thrive was far more demanding than that for wild grass.

If even wild grass could not survive, how could spiritual herbs fare any better?

What’s more, the two most precious Magnetic Divine Mountains were now in his possession, as was the spiritual sand refined over countless years by magnetic power. To him, what he had already obtained was more than sufficient; he had no interest in the rest.

Why linger any longer?

Chen Yang’s departure was effortless, leaving everyone else utterly stunned.

Given his exceptional abilities, many had already resigned themselves to making wedding clothes for another, yet who would have thought he wouldn’t even spare the place a glance, vanishing in a flash of light on the horizon.

Only after a long silence did Daoist Liuyun recover, forcing a bitter smile: “Fellow Daoist Chen truly is of noble character and lofty integrity. It is we who judged with blind eyes, behaving as petty men—shameful indeed.”

With that, he retrieved a needle-shaped magical treasure hidden in the mountain stream below.

The other three looked awkward, especially Lady Yin Sage, whose face flushed with embarrassment, unable to utter a word.

Daoist Liuyun said nothing more, handing her the treasure and then said, “Come, let us see whether our years of painstaking effort and pursuit have been worthwhile.”

The group cupped their hands to him, and Daoist Liuyun transformed into a stream of light, diving to the lakebed below.

The other three followed close behind.

With the great formation and the Magnetic Divine Mountains gone, nothing now obstructed the lakebed from their view.

There, a celestial manor stood silently beneath the waters, as if carved from a single block of white jade. Despite the unknown passage of years, it showed no signs of decay.

“Cavernous Palace?” the Great Sage Who Supports the Sky glanced at Daoist Liuyun, who shook his head, indicating he had never heard of it.

The Yin and Yang Twin Sages, being the youngest and most impatient—practicing the art of Harmonious Dual Cultivation—hurried over to the manor’s entrance. After sizing it up and confirming there were no more formations, they gave a gentle push, and the doors swung open at once.

“Big Brother, Second Brother.”

“Be careful,” Daoist Liuyun cautioned softly, frowning.

The two chuckled, unconcerned. “That Polar Magnetic Formation was so formidable, but this is a residence. There can’t still be some fearsome restriction left to inconvenience the owner.”

Daoist Liuyun shook his head helplessly, unable to refute them, for there was some sense to their words.

The four entered the celestial manor, only to find, just as Chen Yang had predicted, that the medicinal gardens had either withered away long ago under the passage of time, or had perished during the recent chaos of magnetic and elemental energies. All that remained were dead stalks; their medicinal potency had long since dissipated.

The sight pained them, but there was nothing to be done. They could only search the various pavilions and courtyards, one by one.

They did not come away empty-handed, but the results fell far short of their expectations.

Only when they reached the heart of the celestial manor did they find a young man in blue robes seated on a jade-carved stone bench, smiling serenely at them.

……

The formation had taken less than a quarter of an hour to break, but the journey by teleportation took a whole day—one day there, and another to return.

Seeing Chen Yang come and go with such speed, Sima Changfeng’s expression was odd, though he dared not ask.

Noting his demeanor, Chen Yang naturally guessed his thoughts. With a cold snort, he said, “The formation is broken, so of course I returned. Would I have stayed there for a meal?”

“I didn’t say anything, Senior Chen, yet you rush to explain—could it be…” Sima Changfeng shivered inwardly.

“They’re all alive and well. What kind of person do you take me for? If you persist in such wild speculations and slander my name…” Chen Yang sneered, brushing past him and striding toward the courtyard where Zhong Shenxiu practiced his sword.

In just three days, the youth’s Dragon Transformation Sword Art had grown even fiercer and more refined. Not only was his talent high, but he was diligent as well—Chen Yang was quite pleased.

Seeing Chen Yang, Zhong Shenxiu spun his sword with a flick, the blade coiling around him like a swimming dragon before sheathing it.

“Senior.”

Sima Yan, who had been accompanying Zhong Shenxiu, also saluted.

“Greetings, Senior.”

“No need for formality,” Chen Yang nodded approvingly, then addressed Zhong Shenxiu: “From today onward, you will follow me. I will teach you our sect’s Foundation Establishment technique.”

“Yes,” Zhong Shenxiu replied succinctly, rising with a single word and falling silent.

“All unrelated persons may withdraw,” Chen Yang waved his hand. Sima Changfeng, who had just stepped forward, could only bow with a wry smile and leave sensibly.

As for Sima Yan, her face, which had moments before been bright with laughter, grew stiff. She glanced at Zhong Shenxiu, her gaze soft and pitiable—quite unlike her usual demeanor.

Zhong Shenxiu glanced at her, expressionless, ignoring her completely.

“Did you not hear me? Get out!” Chen Yang’s voice was cold.

Her little schemes could not escape his notice.

Sima Yan’s face changed, and as she bowed, a trace of resentment flickered in her eyes.

“I take my leave,” she said.

“I told you to get out—did you not hear?” Chen Yang’s tone was icy.

Sima Yan’s body stiffened; in utter embarrassment, she stumbled out of the courtyard.

“Trying such petty tricks before me—do you take me for some kindly fool?” Chen Yang mocked, then waved his hand to release the Supreme Spiritual Banner, sealing the courtyard before leading Zhong Shenxiu into the meditation chamber.

“There are three treasures in the human body: essence, qi, and spirit. Essence refines to qi, qi to spirit, spirit returns to emptiness and becomes ethereal. From the coccyx up to the Jade Pillow, spirit and qi reside in the three elixir fields, pass through three rear and three front gates; once three threes are completed, one attains the Way…”

Among Foundation Establishment arts, the Sunlight True Explanation left by Master Sunlight is the most exalted, followed by those of the great sects such as Emei, Kunlun, Wudang, and Wutai.

The Three Treasures Foundation Establishment Method of Wutai, while not as complete as the Sunlight True Explanation, is still one of the world’s finest foundation arts.

Moreover, after Chen Yang comprehended the Nine Heavens Profound Scripture and made improvements, it was no less than the Sunlight True Explanation itself.

Zhong Shenxiu listened attentively, and Chen Yang explained with equal care.

After all, he himself would practice this method in the future. With an apprentice yet to enter the path, he could first test the waters for any flaws—so he was naturally thorough and meticulous.