"What cultivation technique do you practice?" Nan Batian inquired immediately.
"The Great Sun Divine Art," Zhong Shan replied.
Although Nan Batian had already guessed as much, hearing it confirmed still left him somewhat incredulous. Could the Great Sun Divine Art truly be this powerful? In the end, he could only conclude that Zhong Shan was simply a formidable individual.
"I owe much of it to Tian Ling'er," Zhong Shan added. After all, selecting this cultivation method was indeed thanks to the information she had provided.
"There's no need for thanks. For the sake of this wooden carving, let's leave past unpleasantness behind. From now on, if anyone in the Kaiyang Sect troubles you, just mention my name," Tian Ling'er said with a smug smile.
Now more familiar with Zhong Shan, Tian Ling'er's tone became casual and unrestrained.
Zhong Shan glanced at her and smiled faintly but didn't comment. Deep down, he disagreed. As a man, relying on a woman's name as a shield was simply not his way.
"I heard from my father that your constitution is quite poor. How is it that your cultivation isn't lagging behind?" Tian Ling'er asked curiously.
"Uh..." Zhong Shan looked at her, feeling a bit exasperated.
"Yes, you seem to be progressing quickly. Not the fastest, but certainly not the slowest," Nan Batian remarked.
Zhong Shan then pointed to his kiln and explained his unique cultivation method.
Tian Ling'er's eyes sparkled with amazement at his innovative idea of using a kiln for cultivation, as though she were eager to try it herself.
"However, I'm currently stuck trying to break through the second stage. It's proving to be very difficult, and the kiln seems to have reached its limit," Zhong Shan admitted.
"The Great Sun Divine Art originates from Yan Mountain Peak, where the innate cultivation methods thrive in extreme heat. While the kiln is a good idea, it simply doesn't provide sufficient temperature. But don't worry. You can train near Yan Mountain Peak in the future; it'll speed up your progress," Nan Batian suggested.
"Yan Mountain Peak?" Zhong Shan looked towards a distant mountain, its sky streaked with fiery red clouds.
"Indeed. I cultivate in a cave there myself. Yan Mountain Peak is actually a massive volcano, teeming with geothermal heat. Training there will yield twice the results with half the effort," Nan Batian explained.
"A volcano? And what about Snow Bamboo Peak?" Zhong Shan pointed to another mountain, where gentle snowflakes drifted from the summit.
"You could consider it the opposite—an ice mountain. The Kaiyang Sect boasts these two wonders: Yan Mountain Peak with its blistering heat and Snow Bamboo Peak with its biting cold," Nan Batian said, smiling.
"But the problem is, I live near Kaiyang Peak. Yan Mountain Peak is far away, and the journey is fraught with dangerous beasts. I can't go there often," Zhong Shan said, frowning.
"Oh, wait here. I'll be right back," Tian Ling'er exclaimed.
With a step onto her crimson ribbon, she flew towards Kaiyang Peak.
Soon, she returned, carrying a pair of white boots.
"These are the Wind-Chasing Boots my father had made for me. Infuse them with your Qi, and your speed will leave those beasts far behind," she declared proudly.
"Impressive. The beasts within the sect are actually raised intentionally to temper new disciples. Generally, once you reach the sixth level of the Innate Realm, you won't fear any of them. For now, though, these boots will ensure they can't catch you, allowing you to traverse the peaks freely," Nan Batian added.
"Thank you," Zhong Shan said solemnly.
"You gave me this little wooden carving, and I'm giving you the Wind-Chasing Boots. Let's call it even," Tian Ling'er said with a grin.
Zhong Shan nodded but said nothing further. He knew well that the boots far surpassed the value of the carving. One day, he would repay the favor.
"By the way, Zhong Shan, my father mentioned you're not young anymore?" Tian Ling'er asked suddenly.
"Eighty," Zhong Shan replied truthfully.
"Eighty? That makes you older than both Nanzi and me! You'd better work hard—if you don't reach the Golden Core Realm before your lifespan ends, it'll be too late," Tian Ling'er said, eyes wide with surprise.
"Lifespan?" Zhong Shan frowned.
"Of course. Those in the Innate Realm have a lifespan of only 200 years. Reaching the Golden Core Realm doubles it to 400 years. Advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm increases it to 800 years, with each major breakthrough doubling your lifespan. At 80, you're only at the first level of the Innate Realm. You've got 120 years left—you'll need to push yourself," Tian Ling'er advised earnestly.
"Understood." Zhong Shan nodded, pondering the long road ahead to immortality.
"You've spent eighty years only reaching the Innate Realm? Oh, I remember now—my father said the outside world lacks sufficient spiritual energy, which makes cultivation slow," Tian Ling'er mused aloud.
Zhong Shan glanced at her and chuckled inwardly. Although her cultivation progressed rapidly, her mind was still quite naïve.
"Wait!" Tian Ling'er's expression suddenly turned anxious.
"What's wrong?" Nan Batian asked, frowning.
"Senior Brother is returning today!" Tian Ling'er exclaimed, looking both excited and worried.
"Senior Brother? The First Disciple of the third generation?" Zhong Shan asked.
"No, the First Disciple of the second generation—the one Ling'er greatly admires," Nan Batian teased.
"Stop it, Nanzi! Don't make things up!" Tian Ling'er glared at him before flying off in a hurry.
"Second-generation First Disciple?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.
"Yes, the Sect Master's eldest disciple. While Ling'er and I are third-generation disciples, her father is the Sect Master, so she speaks informally about the generations," Nan Batian explained.
"I see." Zhong Shan nodded.
"Well, I won't keep you any longer. With the arrival of the senior disciples and others, the sect will be bustling. Focus on your cultivation," Nan Batian advised.
"Alright," Zhong Shan replied.
Once Nan Batian left, Zhong Shan sat cross-legged to recover. The Heavenly Demon Body-Refinement Technique required a period of restoration.
By the next day, Zhong Shan was fully rejuvenated, his body noticeably stronger.
He examined the Wind-Chasing Boots, slipping them on. They adjusted to fit perfectly, a true treasure. Infusing them with Qi, Zhong Shan lifted his foot slightly and shot forward over ten meters. Stunned, he realized his speed had quintupled.
With these boots, he no longer feared the beasts.
Carrying his great blade, Zhong Shan set his sights on Yan Mountain Peak and dashed forward, his speed making the ground and foliage blur past him.
By evening, he reached a scorching forest. Unlike the temperate environment near his courtyard, this place felt like midsummer, growing hotter as he ventured deeper.
Indeed, this was the ideal place for cultivation.
After a quick meal, Zhong Shan prepared to press on, but a mountain cat emerged from the shadows.
Smiling faintly, Zhong Shan drew his blade, ready for the challenge.
Boom!
Half an hour later, bloodied but victorious, Zhong Shan stood over the fallen beast. He extracted its core and, glancing at the distant Yan Mountain Peak, resolved to continue onward.
At dawn, he stumbled upon a secluded valley. Hidden within was a pool that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be a volcanic hot spring.
Delighted, Zhong Shan shed his bloodstained clothes and stepped into the spring, letting its warmth cleanse him.