"By the way, what cultivation method are you practicing?" Nan Batian immediately asked.
"The Great Yang Divine Technique," Zhong Shan replied.
Although he had already guessed it before, Nan Batian still found it somewhat unbelievable. The Great Yang Divine Technique was so formidable? In the end, he could only conclude that Zhong Shan was indeed a fierce one.
"I owe a lot to Tian Ling'er," Zhong Shan said. After all, it was thanks to Tian Ling'er's information that he was able to choose this cultivation method.
"No need to be polite. Considering this wooden carving, let's not mention the past unpleasantness. From now on, if anyone from Kaiyang Sect bothers you, just drop my name," Tian Ling'er said proudly, now that she was familiar with Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan smiled slightly at Tian Ling'er's words, not bothering to refute. However, he didn't fully agree with it in his heart. A grown man relying on a woman's name to shield himself from trouble? That was too low.
"By the way, my father said your physique is very poor. How come your cultivation isn't slow?" Tian Ling'er asked.
Zhong Shan looked at Tian Ling'er, feeling a bit frustrated.
"Yeah, you seem to cultivate quite fast. Although you're not among the top, you're not at the bottom either," Nan Batian chimed in.
Zhong Shan then pointed to his large kiln and explained his cultivation method to them.
Upon hearing Zhong Shan's innovative approach of combining pottery-making with cultivation, Tian Ling'er's eyes lit up with excitement. She looked as if she wanted to try it out right away.
"However, I'm currently striving to break through to the second stage, which is very difficult, and this kiln seems to be inadequate," Zhong Shan said.
"The Great Yang Divine Technique is originally provided by Flame Mountain Peak as a congenital technique. It needs to be practiced in extremely hot places to progress faster. Although this kiln is good, the temperature is inevitably insufficient. But don't worry, in the future, you can practice near Flame Mountain Peak," Nan Batian said.
"Flame Mountain Peak?" Zhong Shan looked towards the distance, where the sky was filled with red clouds.
"Yes, I practice in a cave there. Flame Mountain Peak is actually a massive volcano with powerful geothermal energy inside. Practicing the Great Yang Divine Technique there will yield twice the result with half the effort," Nan Batian explained.
"A volcano? What about Snow Bamboo Peak?" Zhong Shan pointed to another distant peak, where snow was slowly descending in some places.
"You can think of that as an ice mountain. In Kaiyang Sect, Flame Mountain Peak and Snow Bamboo Peak, one is extremely hot, and the other is extremely cold, making them a great spectacle of our sect," Nan Batian chuckled.
"But it's not feasible. My place is close to Kaiyang Peak, and Flame Mountain Peak is quite far from here. There may be many monsters along the way, and it's not safe to go there often," Zhong Shan frowned.
"Oh, wait a moment, I'll be right back," Tian Ling'er immediately said.
With that, Tian Ling'er stepped on her red silk ribbon and flew towards Kaiyang Peak.
Soon, Tian Ling'er returned. But this time, she had an extra pair of white boots in her hands.
"This is something my dad made for me, Pursuit Boots. When you wear them and infuse them with true energy, your speed will be so fast that those monsters won't be able to catch up with you," Tian Ling'er said immediately.
"That's right. Within Kaiyang Sect, many monsters are actually raised by the sect for new disciples to hone themselves. Generally, once you reach the sixth stage of the congenital realm, you won't fear any of the internal monsters anymore. Right now, you may not be able to defeat them, but with these Pursuit Boots, they won't be able to catch up with you. You can swiftly pass through the various peaks and head there," Nan Batian explained.
"Well, thank you," Zhong Shan said earnestly.
"Since you gave me this little wooden carving, I'll give you these Pursuit Boots. Consider us even," Tian Ling'er immediately smiled.
Zhong Shan nodded without saying much. There was no need for further words. He understood it clearly in his heart. The little wooden carving couldn't compare to these Pursuit Boots. He would compensate more when he had the chance in the future.
"Oh, by the way, Zhong Shan, my father said you're quite old?" Tian Ling'er immediately said.
"I'm eighty," Zhong Shan replied truthfully.
"Eighty? Isn't that older than both me and Little Nanzi? You have to work hard on your cultivation. Otherwise, it wouldn't be good to die of old age before reaching the Golden Core stage," Tian Ling'er said, looking surprised.
"Die of old age?" Zhong Shan frowned at Tian Ling'er.
"Of course. Those in the Congenital Realm only have a lifespan of two hundred years. Once they reach the Golden Core stage, it doubles to four hundred years. Then, if they advance to the Nascent Soul stage, it becomes eight hundred years. Each major advancement doubles their lifespan. You're already eighty years old and only at the first stage of the Congenital Realm, so you still have one hundred and twenty years left. You have to work hard," Tian Ling'er explained immediately.
"Okay," Zhong Shan nodded.
Immortality? It seemed too far away.
"In your previous eighty years, why did you only cultivate to the Congenital Realm? Oh, I remember now. My dad said the spiritual energy outside is insufficient, so cultivation is slower," Tian Ling'er said, thinking for a moment.
Zhong Shan shook his head with a bitter smile as he looked at Tian Ling'er. Although her cultivation was fast, her understanding was too superficial.
"Oh, right!" Tian Ling'er's eyes suddenly flashed with a hint of anxiety.
"What's wrong?" Nan Batian frowned.
"Senior Brother is coming back today," Tian Ling'er immediately became somewhat anxious and worried.
"Senior Brother? The senior brother of the third-generation disciples?" Zhong Shan furrowed his brows.
"No, it's the second-generation senior brother, whom Ling'er greatly admires," Nan Batian chuckled.
"Hmph, Little Nanzi, don't talk nonsense. I'm leaving," Tian Ling'er glared and then flew away anxiously.
"Second-generation senior brother?" Zhong Shan puzzled.
"Yeah, he's the eldest disciple of the Sect Master. Although Ling'er and I are third-generation disciples, Ling'er's father is the Sect Master, so she has a complicated way of addressing people," Nan Batian explained.
"Got it," Zhong Shan nodded.
"Alright, I won't say much more. This time, not only the second-generation senior brother is coming back, but also many others. It will definitely be very lively. I won't keep you company anymore. You focus on your cultivation," Nan Batian said.
"Okay," Zhong Shan nodded.
After Nan Batian left, Zhong Shan immediately sat cross-legged to meditate. After all, he needed to recover after using the Demonic Body Tempering Technique.
The next day, Zhong Shan had fully recovered, and his body had become much stronger.
Looking at the Pursuit Boots in his hands, Zhong Shan gently put them on his feet. The Pursuit Boots seemed to automatically adjust to the size of his feet. Indeed, it was a good magic treasure. When he infused his true qi, he lifted his foot slightly and instantly dashed more than ten meters. Surprised by this step, Zhong Shan found that his speed had increased by more than five times compared to before.
With this, Zhong Shan was no longer afraid of those monsters.
Zhong Shan also knew one thing: swordsmanship not only needed practice but also continuous combat experience. So, if he encountered monsters that he could fight against, he would do his best to fight. If the fight became too difficult, he would immediately use the Pursuit Boots to escape.
However, swordsmanship belonged to external cultivation. Internal cultivation of the Great Yang Divine Art must continue immediately.
With a large knife on his back, Zhong Shan aimed at the distant Flame Mountain and used the Pursuit Boots to run out.
At this moment, Zhongshan's speed was exceptionally fast. With just a gentle push against the surrounding vegetation, his body slid a considerable distance away.
As dusk approached, Zhongshan arrived at a forest. Here, he noticed the peculiar environment of the Kaiyang Sect. While the environment around his own courtyard was pleasant, here it was scorching hot, resembling the peak of summer. Moreover, the further inward he went, the hotter it became.
Indeed, getting closer to this area was the ideal place for cultivation.
After having a bite of dry rations, Zhongshan prepared to continue his journey. Just then, not far behind him, another mountain cat appeared.
Looking at the mountain cat before him, Zhongshan chuckled inwardly. Since it was here, why not give it another try?
With his large blade at the ready, Zhongshan faced the pouncing mountain cat.
Boom...
Half an hour later, Zhongshan was covered in blood. After employing the Demon Tempering Body technique, the mountain cat finally fell at his feet.
Glancing at the distance and then back at the path he came from, Zhongshan pondered for a moment. He then made a decision to extract the mountain cat's inner core and continue on towards the Flame Mountain. Although the aftereffects of the Demon Tempering Body technique would manifest in half an hour, Zhongshan's strong willpower endured, especially now with the Pursuit Boots. As long as he didn't intentionally seek trouble with the demonic beasts, they wouldn't be able to catch up to him.
At daybreak, Zhongshan passed through a secluded valley, exceptionally quiet and somewhat concealed. Within this valley, there happened to be a pond.
Seeing the bloodstains on his body, Zhongshan shook his head and ran to the edge of the pond. Only then did he realize that it wasn't just any pond but a hot spring—an volcanic hot spring.
Delighted, Zhongshan quickly removed his clothes and jumped into the hot spring, washing himself clean.