Failure? He hasn't even started forming his Nascent Soul yet, and Master already thinks he'll fail?
Mo Tiange was speechless for a long moment, unable to describe the complex feelings in her heart.
After a long while, she said, "Master, when I encountered those two God Transformation seniors in the past, I obtained a batch of spiritual herbs several thousand years old. Because they were beyond my current realm, I've kept them stored away. If Senior Brother Shoujing needs them, they could be used for pill refining. I imagine they would still be helpful for his Nascent Soul formation."
Dao Lord Jinghe looked up at her, his eyes holding an unreadable gleam. "Spiritual herbs several thousand years old? A batch? Thousand-year herbs are hard to come by these days. You're willing to give them up?"
Mo Tiange smiled. "Since coming to the Xuanqing Sect, the sect has never been stingy with my disciple allowances. I could say that most of the treasures I possess now come from the sect. Without the sect, without Master, I would be nothing. If Master thinks they're needed, of course I'm willing to offer them."
"Oh..." Dao Lord Jinghe's expression was hard to read—disappointment or approval? After thinking for a moment, he shook his head. "No need. That boy's personality—he's always been meticulous. I've checked his preparations myself; he has more than enough. If he still fails with that, it can only be counted as poor fortune. Besides, you should be preparing for your own Core Formation. I recall your Alchemy Technique is passable, isn't it?"
Mo Tiange hesitated. "This disciple's Alchemy Technique is merely adequate."
Dao Lord Jinghe laughed. "You're too modest, girl. I've noticed you never go out to find alchemists to refine pills for you, so I know your skill definitely surpasses the sect's alchemists. Regarding your Core Formation, Master will prepare things like the Dustless Pill for you. But you still have ten or twenty years of grinding before you reach Foundation Establishment perfection. Prepare what you need yourself. If there's anything you can't figure out, just tell me."
"Thank you, Master." Mo Tiange felt grateful. When it came to external resources, this master was never stingy. Items like the Dustless Pill were part of the sect's standard provisions—any disciple reaching Foundation Establishment perfection could receive them—but since Master said he'd get them for her, it definitely wouldn't be just one.
Dao Lord Jinghe thought for another moment, then added, "Regarding the main peak's formation matter this time, you don't need to exert your full effort either. I've probed this formation myself; its power is immense. While there's no mortal danger, injuries are unavoidable. Your Core Formation is crucial now. If you can avoid injury, do so. When it's about enough, don't go further. Otherwise, the gain won't be worth the loss."
"Understood." Mo Tiange acknowledged. After a pause, she asked, "Master, for my Core Formation, you want me to travel outside first. What about Senior Brother Shoujing? Why has he been in seclusion for over thirty years, yet doesn't need to go out before forming his Nascent Soul?"
Dao Lord Jinghe had been toying with a small artifact in his hand. Hearing this, he looked up at her with amusement. "I say, why do you keep asking about that boy today? You weren't so keen on gathering information before."
"Uh..." Mo Tiange's eyes shifted as she distanced herself. "Master, you're overthinking. Isn't it because Zhenji is following him now? If Senior Brother Shoujing can form his Nascent Soul, Zhenji's status would rise with the tide."
"Is that so?" Dao Lord Jinghe glanced at her sideways. Zhenji was only at Foundation Establishment early-stage now. Reaching mid-stage would take at least another ten or twenty years, and Core Formation was far off. Did he need a Nascent Soul master?
"Of course!" Mo Tiange insisted. "Master, just tell me!"
Dao Lord Jinghe answered casually, "That boy handles everything himself. Actually, given his mental state, forming his Nascent Soul shouldn't be a problem. If he didn't have a Demonic Obstacle in his heart, I wouldn't be worried..."
"Demonic Obstacle?"
"It's nothing." Dao Lord Jinghe immediately smoothed over his words. "The most important part of Nascent Soul formation is the heart demon trial. Many people don't even realize they have heart demons, leading to failure. This boy is so impatient, clearly entangled by a Demonic Obstacle. That's why I'm concerned."
"..." Mo Tiange could naturally tell Dao Lord Jinghe wasn't telling the whole truth, but this matter was significant, so it was normal not to tell her. Most importantly, her roundabout questioning was to see if that Senior Brother Shoujing had mentioned the pill to Master. From Master's reaction, it seemed normal—probably not. Additionally, by mentioning the two God Transformation cultivators, if questioned later, she could fully explain the source of that pill's materials.
Thinking of this, she found an excuse to leave. "Xiaohuo just burned the medicine field. I'll go see if Xiu Qin and the others have finished cleaning up."
"Eh? Weren't you going to chat with Master? Why leave after just a few words?"
"We're done chatting." Mo Tiange didn't even look back as she headed toward the rear.
Leaving Dao Lord Jinghe alone to mutter, "These children, each stranger than the last."
Finding nothing amiss, Mo Tiange regained her cheerful mood. Walking to the front of Mingxin Abode, she found Ruan Mingzhu still standing there.
This woman she considered arrogant and domineering now looked utterly dejected. Staring blankly at the maids busily working inside Mingxin Abode, her eyes were full of loss.
Seeing Mo Tiange approach, Ruan Mingzhu seemed startled.
Mo Tiange saw she didn't seem inclined to greet her, so she said nothing and was about to enter Mingxin Abode.
Suddenly, Ruan Mingzhu spoke from behind. "Aunt Mo." Her voice held no other emotion, sounding much more pleasant.
Mo Tiange turned. "Niece Ruan, is something the matter?"
Ruan Mingzhu bit her lip, hesitating for a long time before speaking. "Aunt Mo, would you be willing to come sit at my Zhili Study for a while?"
Mo Tiange was taken aback, almost doubting her ears. Was this Ruan Mingzhu? Hearing her call her "Niece Ruan" without any emotion, even pleading slightly for her to come sit?
"Aunt Mo?" Ruan Mingzhu called again, the pleading stronger. "I... they won't talk to me. I just want to find someone to talk to..."
Mo Tiange glanced back at her courtyard. Xiu Qin and the others were still busy. The dirt wasn't a big deal—a few minor spells could fix it—but the two spirit beasts had trampled the medicine field earlier, which would take some time to handle. After a moment's consideration, she relented. "Alright."
Hearing this, Ruan Mingzhu looked pleased and stood up to lead the way. "Aunt Mo, let's go."
Mo Tiange followed behind her, heading toward Zhili Study while remaining vigilant. Although she didn't think Ruan Mingzhu would do anything outrageous, this was still a famously domineering person who dared to do anything.
Zhili Study wasn't far from Mingxin Abode—another similar small courtyard, but its contents were much more luxurious.
Ruan Mingzhu invited Mo Tiange inside, clumsily ushering her into the small hall and asking her to sit.
Mo Tiange saw she did this without any mistakes, showing she still knew etiquette—she just didn't want to do it out of habit. Watching Ruan Mingzhu sit down herself without even offering tea left Mo Tiange speechless again. For Foundation Establishment cultivators like them, while they no longer consumed mortal food, drinking tea was a habit and part of hospitality.
"Aunt Mo." Sitting across from her, Ruan Mingzhu kept her head lowered. "I've been away from the sect for sixty years, in a remote place, completely unaware of sect matters. Could you tell me about them?"
Mo Tiange asked calmly, "What do you want to know?"
Ruan Mingzhu looked up at her. "For example, when did you enter the sect? Why did Grandmaster take you as a disciple? Things like that."
Mo Tiange shook her head. "I've been in the sect for almost forty years. As for why he took me as a disciple, you might as well ask Grandmaster himself."
Ruan Mingzhu stared at her, her expression strange. "Could it be your aptitude is exceptional? What was your cultivation when you entered?"
"Average," Mo Tiange evaded. "I hadn't established my Foundation when I entered. Master bestowed a Foundation Establishment Pill upon entry, and that's how I succeeded."
"Forty years..." Ruan Mingzhu murmured. "Forty years from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment late-stage... Grandmaster, no wonder..."
Watching her expression change, as if struggling intensely internally, Mo Tiange said calmly, "Niece Ruan, everyone has their own destiny. You can't force it."
Hearing this, Ruan Mingzhu suddenly lost control, slapping the table and shouting, "You think I'm inferior to you?"
Mo Tiange looked up, her gaze cold.
Realizing her attitude, Ruan Mingzhu quickly forced a smile. "Aunt Mo, I'm sorry... I..."
This young mistress actually knew how to apologize? Mo Tiange raised an eyebrow.
"It's nothing. Does Niece Ruan have anything else to say? If you're finished, I'll return to Mingxin Abode."
"Aunt Mo, don't go!" Ruan Mingzhu pleaded again. "I, I... I was just spacing out earlier, said the wrong thing. Don't leave me alone..."
Seeing her pitiful yet barely concealed jealous and resentful appearance, Mo Tiange found it almost laughable. "Then what do you want to say? Say it quickly."
Seeing Mo Tiange's expression soften again, Ruan Mingzhu finally remembered to pour her a cup of tea. After a flurry of clumsy activity, she presented a cup. "Aunt Mo, have some tea."
Mo Tiange nodded, frowning slightly at the tea. This young mistress nearly overturned the table just pouring tea—she couldn't even do this. Mo Tiange couldn't help sighing inwardly. If she were Dao Lord Jinghe, she wouldn't know how to handle the headache.
"Aunt Mo." Ruan Mingzhu sat across from her, head bowed, speaking listlessly. "I really don't understand why everyone says I'm wrong. Fine, if I'm really wrong, why didn't they say so before? No matter what I did, Grandmaster never said I was wrong. Now he says it, but he won't pay attention to me anymore..."
Her expression was sorrowful. "I don't understand, I really don't understand. They won't pay attention to me; what should I do? I spent sixty years at Yungang, thinking about returning every day, waiting every day for Grandmaster to summon me back, but it never happened. Finally, the sect sent a message talisman, I returned, and they won't pay attention to me..."
At this point, she buried her face in the table, sobbing.
Mo Tiange watched for a while, then couldn't help sighing. "Niece Ruan, have you ever thought about relying on yourself?"
Ruan Mingzhu's sobs paused.
Mo Tiange continued, "Why must Master and Senior Brother Shoujing pay attention to you? At the Yungang branch, no one controlled you, no one mistreated you. Couldn't you have cultivated properly?"
Ruan Mingzhu looked up, dazed. "If they don't pay attention to me, what's the use of cultivating? What's the point?"
"..." Mo Tiange hardly knew what to say. "Do you cultivate immortality just so others will pay attention to you?"
"I..." Ruan Mingzhu looked utterly confused.
Mo Tiange felt both helpless and amused. This woman was more than twice her age, yet why did she feel like she was educating a child?
"Can't you feel any joy in cultivating immortality yourself? Then what's the purpose of your life? Just to live? To act recklessly? To have Master dote on you? Then wait for the day you sit in meditation and pass away? If you don't even know what you want to do, where does the joy in your life come from?"