C9 Young Man, Dao Friend, Senior, Master!!

Since Zhang Sanfeng was known as the "Heavenly Sword Star," I knew I had to find a way to take him on as my disciple.

Lin Yuanjian narrowed his eyes and made his way toward the bluestone where Zhang Sanfeng sat.

Zhang Sanfeng had already sensed someone approaching and ceased his cultivation.

Upon closer inspection, Lin Yuanjian finally got a clear look at Zhang Sanfeng's features: a youthful face despite his white hair, exceptionally well-preserved, truly the image of an immortal sage.

Lin Yuanjian raised his hand in a salute, "I am Lin Yuanjian. It is an honor to meet you, Taoist Zhang."

"Young man, you're Wuji's master? Indeed, the younger generation is to be feared. When Li Ting spoke of your age, I could scarcely believe it," Zhang Sanfeng leaped down from the stone and approached Lin Yuanjian, hands clasped behind his back, wearing a gentle smile.

"The great reputation of Taoist Zhang precedes him. Today, I am fortunate to meet you in person," Lin Yuanjian responded, while subtly letting the energy of his true essence seep out.

Zhang Sanfeng was about to respond when his expression shifted dramatically; he sensed an extremely familiar energy—true essence!

This energy was distinct from true qi, and Zhang Sanfeng was aware that in this era of sparse spiritual qi, there were hardly any other cultivators besides himself.

Yet, he felt the overpowering presence of true essence, far stronger than his own.

The source was now painfully clear.

Confronted with the young man before him, Zhang Sanfeng could no longer remain composed. "Young man, who... who exactly are you?"

Seeing Zhang Sanfeng's astonishment, Lin Yuanjian sensed an opportunity. He knew he had to step up his game to earn his voluntary discipleship.

"Ahem, Taoist Zhang, I hail from the frigid far north and am a disciple of the Three Clear Immortals Sect," Lin Yuanjian fabricated a grand origin for himself.

"The Three Clear Immortals?" Zhang Sanfeng was taken aback once more. He had never heard of this sect, but any named after the Three Clear Immortals—Taoism's three revered deities—was surely no ordinary sect.

Lin Yuanjian continued, "Indeed, since my master's passing, I am the last disciple of the Three Clear Immortals Sect."

"Have you already reached the Core Formation Stage?" Zhang Sanfeng asked, his heart pounding with shock, yet eager to learn more about Lin Yuanjian. His address shifted from "young man" to "fellow cultivator."

In this lonely era of cultivation, where one must forge their own path, the prospect of gaining insight from a peer like Lin Yuanjian was invaluable.

"Not quite. I am at the peak of the Foundation Stage, some ways off from the Core Formation Stage," Lin Yuanjian mused internally. His cultivation technique was so against the grain that it amplified his aura beyond that of an ordinary Foundation Stage cultivator, leading Zhang Sanfeng to overestimate his level.

"What?" Zhang Sanfeng's eyes bulged, incredulous. How could there be such a disparity between two cultivators at the peak of the Foundation Stage?

"The Foundation Stage is precisely that—the foundation of one's cultivation journey. The stronger the foundation, the greater the heights one can reach. Yet, it varies based on personal aptitude, cultivation environment, methods, and the ability to harness the spiritual qi of Heaven and Earth. What you're witnessing is not the Core Formation Stage, but the Foundation Stage taken to its utmost," Lin Yuanjian explained with authority. Ever since he took Zhang Wuji as his disciple and opened the first Spirit Aperture, he had come to understand these principles of cultivation deeply.

"The Way of Self-Cultivation" has bestowed upon Lin Yuanjian a wealth of unique experiences and profound insights in his practice, transforming him into a veritable master of cultivation!

This is precisely what Lin Yuanjian relies on to teach others; after all, how can one instruct disciples without any inkling of knowledge?

Zhang Sanfeng took Lin Yuanjian's words to heart and inquired, "May I ask, how many years have you been cultivating at the Foundation Stage?"

Lin Yuanjian, with a sly twinkle in his eye, replied, "Not too long, just 130 years."

Zhang Sanfeng felt a jolt in his heart, "What? 130 years? Yet you appear so youthful."

Lin Yuanjian, spinning his tale further, said, "You see, Taoist Zhang, our Three Clear Immortals possess a technique for preserving youth."

"And how old might you be this year?" Zhang Sanfeng pressed.

"Exactly one hundred and fifty," Lin Yuanjian responded with a straight face, though inwardly he was bursting with glee. With his remarkable level of cultivation, Zhang Sanfeng was unlikely to question the truth of his words.

Zhang Sanfeng harbored no doubts; the aura emanating from Lin Yuanjian couldn't possibly be feigned. And if it were, anyone capable of such a deception in his presence was a master in their own right. In any case, Zhang Sanfeng deemed such a person worthy of deepening ties with.

Lin Yuanjian ventured, "Taoist Zhang, there's something I hesitate to mention."

Zhang Sanfeng responded with a wry smile, "In your presence, I hardly merit the title of Taoist. Please, just call me by my Taoist name."

Not one to stand on ceremony, Lin Yuanjian got straight to the point, "Sanfeng, upon my arrival, I noticed the Spiritual Qi around you fluctuating wildly, quite unstable. Have you hit a bottleneck in your cultivation?"

"That's exactly the case. Have you discerned any particular issue?" Zhang Sanfeng asked, taken aback. He hadn't even noticed the subtle shifts in the Spiritual Qi himself, yet Lin Yuanjian had detected his bottleneck from these very fluctuations.

After a moment's reflection, Lin Yuanjian instructed, "Circulate your Qi for me to see."

Seizing the opportunity for guidance, Zhang Sanfeng promptly seated himself on the green stone and began to channel his Qi.

Lin Yuanjian extended his Divine Sense and commenced his observation.

Zhang Sanfeng felt utterly exposed, as if every secret was laid bare, and a sense of awe washed over him, "This sensation... could it be that he has awakened the legendary Divine Sense?"

Minutes ticked by, and Lin Yuanjian signaled for Zhang Sanfeng to cease.

"Please enlighten me," Zhang Sanfeng implored, his eyes alight with eagerness.

Instead of answering directly, Lin Yuanjian posed a question, "How long have you been experiencing this?"

"For seven years, and I've yet to unravel the cause," Zhang Sanfeng admitted.

Lin Yuanjian declared confidently, "The reason is quite straightforward, and the solution is not complicated."

Zhang Sanfeng's spirits lifted, "I would be grateful for your guidance."

Lin Yuanjian outlined the issue, "The way you're manipulating Spiritual Qi is incorrect, and the path it takes is severely limited. Initially, this won't pose a problem, but as your cultivation level increases, these limitations will turn into obstacles, impeding your advancement."

"In recent years, have you felt the Spiritual Qi pause momentarily as it travels through the Yang meridian, followed by a tearing sensation in the belt meridian?"

"That's precisely it!" Zhang Sanfeng exclaimed, his heart racing with excitement at the accuracy of Lin Yuanjian's insights.

Lin Yuanjian observed, "If you don't alter your method of controlling Spiritual Qi and its pathway, your progress in the future may well be stunted."

"Ah? Then what should I do?" Zhang Sanfeng was visibly anxious.

"Don't worry, I'm here," Lin Yuanjian reassured with a smile, seemingly on the cusp of achieving his goal.

"Please enlighten me, Senior!" Zhang Sanfeng respectfully addressed Lin Yuanjian as 'Senior', recognizing that with Lin Yuanjian's 150 years and vastly superior cultivation insights, the title was well-deserved.

Lin Yuanjian explained, "Firstly, your current method of controlling spiritual energy is subpar, akin to that used by ordinary martial artists for their true qi. It's only effective during the Qi Cultivation Stage. Once you reach the Foundation Stage, its efficacy diminishes significantly, wasting over half of the spiritual energy. However, I can impart to you a method for controlling spiritual energy that's commonly used by cultivators beyond the Foundation Stage."

"Listen carefully to what I'm about to say next, Sanfeng."

Zhang Sanfeng eagerly tuned in, all ears and full of concentration.

Lin Yuanjian recited deliberately, "The universe is boundless, the Great Dao shares one origin. Qi transforms all methods, spiritual power commands great weight. Cultivate in the palace, decide your fate, nourish the spirit, cultivate the mind. Through Azure Nirvana, escape the void, as Yang Essence naturally arises. The essence cycles nine times, until the radiant light becomes one."

Zhang Sanfeng was thrilled, "I've committed every word to memory. Your selfless gift is beyond words, Senior. My gratitude is immeasurable." He was acutely aware of the chant's value, and yet Lin Yuanjian had generously shared it with him.

"There's also the matter of the spiritual energy's pathway..." Lin Yuanjian trailed off, leaving a knowledge-thirsty Zhang Sanfeng momentarily perplexed. He quickly realized that Lin Yuanjian, having no obligation to him, had already shown immense kindness by sharing the chant. Why expect further guidance?

"Senior, I wish to take you as my master and would be honored to receive your teachings," Zhang Sanfeng declared, recognizing the rarity of such an opportunity and the importance of seizing it lest his potential remain unfulfilled.

Lin Yuanjian could hardly contain his laughter; he hadn't anticipated such a smooth turn of events. Zhang Sanfeng was now voluntarily requesting him as a master.

"Sanfeng, you possess remarkable innate wisdom and determination, qualities scarcely found in the world today. I will gladly take you as my disciple!"