Han Lingyun was grateful to this elder Yi for having disclosed so much about the hidden affairs of the world. Just for this, Han Lingyun's impression of the old man greatly improved.
"Senior Yi, can you tell me more about the Black Faction Senior that followed the competition?"
The old man smirked. "He was a fool. A dead fool to be exact. A discarded pawn in the political games that old fogeys play for fun. He was just sent here to pass on a message basically. To prepare for the change in the continent's era."
The two stayed in silence for a long time after this comment.
"Senior Yi, I understand your concerns, but all these events sound so foreign to me. I am not even at the late qi condensation level, so politics involving Nascent Soul experts at the very least are… hard for me to fathom. I don't understand how you wish I help out when it would be a miracle if I reach the Nascent soul realm in less than a century?"
"Don't worry about it. I don't ask for you to reach the Nascent Soul realm in the next decades. Your job will be to be exceptional enough in your field of formations to be noticed by the main branch of the Black Rainbow Sect. For this, you need to be at the foundation establishment realm, at the very least. There, at the Black Rainbow Sect, I will be able to help you closely as a master should.
From your side of things, you will be able to get far away from the coming events of the Edera Continent. And although the Black Rainbow Sect is far from being a peaceful place, I will be able to protect you over there. It would be far more suitable for cultivation."
"I see. But if the Rainbow faction begins to get hunted down, won't I be taking huge risks by associating with you, Senior Yi."
"No one needs to know of our relationship except you and me. Don't worry, if things turn south, I won't be the first one to be thrown overboard."
Han Lingyun had been mostly convinced. Senior Yi seemed to be genuine and he had divulged a lot of information he didn't need to. Well, if Han Lingyun was going to become a secret disciple of some sort, he would take full advantage of it.
"Senior Yi, with your level, can you provide some advice on my cultivation?"
"Hehe of course, I was waiting for you to ask, my disciple. Come on, please circulate your qi for me."
After only a couple breaths of time, the old man stopped Han Lingyun to provide his verdict.
"Hum, I have just been surprised three times in a row by your demonstration. But there is indeed an issue. You would have bumped into it at the late qi condensation level anyway.
My understanding is that with your unordinary spirit, you are trying to construct your spirit world with the 5 elements. You are currently at 3 elements: with Water, Wood and Fire. Stop me if I am wrong."
"Senior has indeed guessed correctly."
"Good. There are both advantages and drawbacks to this approach. In fact, regular cultivators would never embark on this path. Who would try to advance one's understanding of 5 completely different concepts, effectively slowing down one's pace of advancement by a factor of 5? Later, on the path of cultivation, what matters is the deepness of one's understanding, not the wideness.
Only us formation array enthusiast see the benefit in comprehending all 5 elements, as this demultiplexes the diversity of runes you can play with. And because most formations are based on the natural runes, masters of the 5 elements have a much greater flexibility than their peers.
However, I'm even more amazed by the exotic flavors that all 3 of your elements have, your mind really seems to work differently than for everyone else. And to already be at this juncture… I don't know if I should be surprised by your incredible capabilities once again but anyway, that's not the point.
I think that this path suits you well. But I have yet to witness someone remotely close to achieving something like this at the qi condensation stage. I, myself was called a genius for having gained a rudimentary understanding in all 5 elements at the late formation establishment stage. Because one's understanding naturally deepens with their cultivation, you can gain an incredible advantage at the core formation stage and are far more likely to advance further.
Anyway, your goal should be to complete the cycle before the foundation establishment stage, am I right disciple Lingyun?"
Han Lingyun nodded, thrilled by the praise. "That was my idea, I was hoping to use the improvements in my spirit due to cultivation and another spirit condensing pill I received from the SCA competition to add the Earth element when reaching the late qi condensation realm, and the metal element at the peak of qi condensation."
"Your ideas are excellent, but sadly it would be impossible for the current you. You won't be able to add the 5th element with your talent.
That's because you won't be able to absorb enough qi to sustain cycles with a complete spirit world. Ah yes, we call a complete spirit world one that contains the 5 elements; it's just a common denomination, having a complete spirit world doesn't mean you cannot continue to add ideas and concepts to it.
Anyway, I am going out of topic again. With your 4th grade talent, you won't be able to achieve a complete spirit world before the foundation establishment stage. You just lack qi input. Only a 5th grade talent could theoretically do it."
Han Lingyun was a bit devastated by the revelation. It was just as if he learned that he was heading in a wall for all this time.
"Don't beat yourself up about this. Cultivation is never a straight and direct path, but it's filled with twists and turns. And the extraordinary level of your spirit will always remain.
Plus, don't forget that as your new teacher, I have a solution to your problem. I am as invested in you into wanting to see you achieve a complete spirit while still at the qi condensation level."
Han Lingyun ears perked up.
"I'm not sure that you will like it though…"
Han Lingyun kowtowed. "Please enlighten me Senior Yi. I also understand the concept of having to take a step back to jump further."
"Hmm, that's exactly it. The only issue to my method is that it requires you to lose your cultivation and start again from the first stage of body strengthening."
…
"But listen well, I think it can be beneficial on several levels. In fact, I have noticed that you have another peculiarity, which was my third and final surprise.
This time it's from your spirit root. Your spirit root should be accommodating a grade 5 talent.
It has the shape and characteristic for it. However, one of the branches is obstructed. This is highly uncommon but not unheard off. It was found that a damaged or blocked spirit root can happen for some babies that are birthed in precarious conditions. Those that were initially on the verge of death for their first instants and that miraculously managed to survive."
This made Han Lingyun think about his reincarnation. Perhaps it hadn't gone completely without a hitch.
Seeing the pensive Han Lingyun, the old man continued his little presentation. "Well, the how doesn't matter too much anyway. The importance is the solution."
A translucent pill miraculously appeared in Elder Yi's hand. "This pill is your solution. It will unblock your spirit root to uncover your true 5th grade talent. The only side effect is that you will lose your current cultivation in the process."
'He could have been a great salesman.' Han Lingyun lampooned. He was also amazed by Elder Yi act of casually taking out this super specific pill that shouldn't be useful for more than one hundred cultivators in the whole continent. Where was he hiding his pill collection?
"I thank senior for this immeasurable gift."
Elder Yi seemed even more elated than Han Lingyun. "Good. I'm not asking for anything in return. Not now anyway."
Han Lingyun accepted the pill but didn't consume it immediately. He wanted to discuss about this with Elder Wen first. He had been his real teacher and mentor all along after all.
Once Han Lingyun received the unexpected gift from Elder Yi, the two began a lengthy conversation, which rapidly veered towards array formations. Elder Yi also let Han Lingyun keep the jade. He recommended to not lose too much time trying to find a secret hidden in its patterns as he himself wasn't able to uncover anything.
Han Lingyun still planned on giving it a try though. Elder Yi had effectively confirmed there was something special with this jade. At the very least, how come only specific individuals with unordinary souls could sense something from it?
"Tell me if there are any other issues disturbing you. Remember you will also be able to contact me through my token. I'll send a message when I leave the continent."
Han Lingyun hesitated. "Ah yes, I had a question bothering me. Is there a better cultivation method than what the White Tiger Sect provided us for the body strengthening stage and the qi condensation stages?"
"No, for several reasons. Any Nascent Soul cultivator with sufficient brains would be able to confirm that this method is the complete one. The Black Rainbow sect doesn't have anything better. Finally, the Rainbow faction makes sure it is spread far and wide and not kept secret by the sects with Nascent Soul powerhouses. Because it is at such a low level, it doesn't threaten us anyway. On the other hand, it would be truly regrettable if a promising prospect for the sect suffered from an incomplete cultivation method.
Things are different at the Core Formation Stage though, and that's also why you need to come to the Black Rainbow Sect if you want to have the best continued cultivation path. Anything else?"
"Well… I think that I am okay for now. Thank you once again for all the answers."
"Hmm, very well. By the way, I have been seeing your teacher a couple of times recently to fulfill my promise to increase his understanding with arrays. He already knows me well so I guess talking about me isn't out of the question. It's as you wish. If that's all, I will send you back to your sect."
Before Han Lingyun could respond, his vision suddenly turned dark. After long seconds in complete darkness, Han Lingyun found himself in the middle of the 2nd year's plaza. He waited for a time and looked around; the disciples that passed by acted as if Han Lingyun had not just appeared out of thin air. No sect array had been activated as well.
Completely dazed by what just happened, he quickly made his way to Market Road in order to find Elder Wen.
This Elder Yi had just demonstrated his capability to enter the school as he wished. If Han Lingyun still had some doubts, he was now convinced that Elder Yi was at least at the Nascent Soul realm. The thought was a bit frightening but at the same time the opportunity was considerable.