Fuyaozi, the legendary number one cultivator of Yunzhong, had no sect or school affiliation, yet possessed astonishing supernatural abilities. He roamed freely across Yunzhong, single-handedly holding his own against the Ten Great Demon Lords without falling behind. In the end, he even underwent God Transformation and departed, becoming an eternal legend of Yunzhong.
How many people could resist the temptation when such a figure said to them, "Become my successor"? Even a demonic cultivator would be willing to discard their cultivation and start over, wouldn't they?
Mo Tiange admitted she couldn't withstand such temptation, especially since Fuyaozi, like her, possessed the Hunyuan Spiritual Root.
Although she already had a master, this wasn't a problem. Even if she inherited Fuyaozi's legacy, the Xuanqing Sect would still be her sect, and Dao Lord Jinghe would still be her master.
"Senior, this junior is very willing to become your successor," Mo Tiange said cautiously. "But, what do you mean by 'seeking the truth of the cultivation world'?"
"Heh..." Fuyaozi chuckled lightly. "What was the Primordial Era like? Why did the gods leave this world? Why did immortals, spirits, and demons become separate? Why did the Primordial and Ancient Eras perish? What is the difference between the Daoist principles of antiquity and those of today? Why has no one ascended for so many years? Is our way of cultivation truly correct?" He paused, then asked, "Don't you want to know the answers to these questions?"
Mo Tiange fell silent. Every question Fuyaozi asked was one she couldn't answer now, nor could she find the answers in her current state. But if one day, she formed her Nascent Soul and had hopes of God Transformation, then these would be the questions she would need to pursue answers for. Because by that time, she would have to seek the true meaning of the world and find the path to ascension.
"These are things this junior will explore sooner or later, but not now," Mo Tiange said.
Fuyaozi smiled gently. "It seems this old man hasn't misjudged you." After a pause, he said, "Since you share this aspiration, then you are willing to become my successor?"
The question had been clarified. How could Mo Tiange refuse now? She said, "This junior is willing."
Hearing her acceptance, Fuyaozi spoke warmly with a smile. "Since that's the case, from now on, you are the successor to my legacy."
Mo Tiange immediately cleverly changed her form of address. "Disciple pays respects to Master."
Now that both of them were within the Sea of Consciousness, mere wisps of divine sense, so-called "paying respects" was merely a gesture of attitude. Fuyaozi naturally understood this and simply said, "No need for formalities."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Since we are now master and disciple, shouldn't you clarify your affairs for your master?"
Mo Tiange was startled, suddenly realizing she hadn't even told Fuyaozi her name. She felt embarrassed. "This disciple has been discourteous. Please don't blame me, Master."
Fuyaozi still chuckled lightly, showing no sign of taking offense.
Sensing that this master had a gentle temperament, Mo Tiange couldn't help but feel a strange sensation. Her two masters truly had vastly different personalities—one was so proud his tail practically pointed to the sky, while the other was as calm as clouds and light wind, viewing all matters with detachment.
"Master, regarding this disciple's affairs, I should report them to you truthfully and in detail. But, could we change locations?"
"Hmm?" Fuyaozi expressed a questioning tone.
Mo Tiange hesitated. "This is this disciple's Sea of Consciousness..."
Fuyaozi paused, then said, "Oh." The Sea of Consciousness, hidden deep behind the dantian, could be said to be the most secretive and vulnerable place for a cultivator. Even the closest master-disciple pairs or husband-wife cultivators generally wouldn't allow the other to enter. Entering another's Sea of Consciousness was truly a major taboo among cultivators.
Seeing Fuyaozi didn't answer immediately, Mo Tiange asked, "Can Master only exist within this disciple's Sea of Consciousness?" This wasn't impossible, after all, this wasn't Fuyaozi's true self, but merely a wisp of his divine sense.
"That's not the case," Fuyaozi said with a slight smile. "This master entered your Sea of Consciousness merely to test you. Since you've gained this master's approval, of course I can leave."
Mo Tiange breathed a sigh of relief. Although she had agreed to become Fuyaozi's successor, there wasn't much master-disciple affection between them yet. Having the other remain in her Sea of Consciousness like this instinctively made her feel uneasy.
"Master, then what next..."
"No need to say more," Fuyaozi said. "I'll withdraw from your Sea of Consciousness first. When that happens, focus your spirit and guard your core, and you'll naturally awaken."
"Yes."
After a while, Fuyaozi's divine sense indeed slowly disappeared from the Sea of Consciousness. Mo Tiange immediately focused her spirit and guarded her core, entering a state of tranquility and calm.
"Clang..." Suddenly hearing the long hum of a sharp weapon by her ear, Mo Tiange opened her eyes. Seeing the vast earth and sky before her and hearing the howling wind in her ears, she sighed in relief.
She hadn't entered the Sea of Consciousness by herself but had been brought in by Fuyaozi. This feeling was quite unpleasant. If she had been trapped within her own Sea of Consciousness and couldn't get out, her true self would have become a living corpse.
"How is it? No problems?" Fuyaozi's voice came through, somewhat fainter than within the Sea of Consciousness.
Mo Tiange looked down—the voice was coming from the Fusheng Sword. She asked, "Master, can you attach yourself to the sword?"
"Naturally. This sword was specially refined by me back then precisely for storing divine sense," Fuyaozi said. After a pause, he continued, "Disciple, this master's divine sense has already been triggered by you. How long it can exist isn't clear. You should make the most of your time."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange suddenly remembered: divine sense, once separated from its main body, would eventually dissipate one day. Although some could be stored for a long time, they didn't exist forever.
At this moment, she didn't dare waste any more time and began to truthfully recount her own affairs to Fuyaozi.
Fuyaozi asked very detailed questions—from when she embarked on the path of cultivation to her distant journey to Yunzhong—inquiring about everything, especially matters related to the Hunyuan Cultivation Method. Hearing that Mo Tiange had met two God Transformation Cultivators and thus obtained the Hunyuan Cultivation Method, he couldn't help but sigh at her good fortune.
God Transformation Cultivators—although many Nascent Soul cultivators knew such beings existed in the world, few had actually seen one. For some reason, after cultivators underwent God Transformation, they would all choose to leave this world, no longer interacting with ordinary people. Or perhaps, once their cultivation reached its peak, matters of this world could no longer attract them.
For Mo Tiange to receive the Hunyuan Cultivation Method bestowed by a God Transformation Cultivator was truly extremely fortunate—unlike him, who only had an incomplete cultivation method and had to exhaust all efforts exploring secret places left behind from ancient times before his cultivation could gradually advance.
This recounting took an entire day.
This was the first time Mo Tiange had reviewed her life so carefully. Now, thinking back through it again, she gained different insights. It was as if she were standing outside the events, observing someone else's life.
After she finished speaking, the Fusheng Sword fell silent.
Mo Tiange waited for a long time without hearing Fuyaozi's voice and couldn't help feeling somewhat uneasy. She called out, "Master..."
"Hmm?" A faint sound came from the Fusheng Sword.
"Is there something improper about this disciple's experiences?"
Fuyaozi remained silent for a while, then said, "That's not it. It's just that the Hunyuan Cultivation Method you practice was transmitted by a God Transformation Cultivator. This master doesn't know what else I can teach you."
The Hunyuan Cultivation Method transmitted by Zhong Muling was originally a complete set, further refined and corrected through his own deductions—naturally extraordinary. As for Fuyaozi, although Yunzhong legends said he also underwent God Transformation, this wisp of divine sense was left behind when he was at the Nascent Soul stage. His cultivation method certainly couldn't compare to what Zhong Muling had transmitted.
After a while, Fuyaozi said, "Since that's the case, I won't transmit the Hunyuan Cultivation Method to you. However, I can teach you some cultivation insights and combat supernatural abilities."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange was overjoyed. She had Zhong Muling's Taiyuan Record and Mo Yaoqing's Plain Maiden Art, so she wasn't particularly thirsty for cultivation methods. But Fuyaozi—legend said his supernatural abilities allowed him to roam freely across Yunzhong. To single-handedly fight the Ten Great Demon Lords while only at mid-stage Nascent Soul—how remarkable was that? If she could receive his teachings on combat insights, her strength would surely increase greatly.
"Many thanks, Master!"
"Don't thank me too soon," Fuyaozi said. "What remains of me now is merely a wisp of divine sense, with less than half the capabilities of my true self. What I can teach you is limited."
Even so, Mo Tiange wasn't disappointed. "Even if this disciple can learn only half of Master's supernatural abilities, the benefits would be immense. Moreover, this disciple believes I'm not foolish and have my own supernatural abilities. As long as I can thoroughly master and integrate Master's techniques, my strength will naturally increase. If I merely learned Master's techniques, that would actually be inferior."
"Oh?" Her words surprised Fuyaozi, who then laughed. "You are quite clever. This master is very pleased."
After pondering a bit more, Fuyaozi said, "Your current cultivation is just a step away from Core Formation perfection. But if you want to attempt the Nascent Soul breakthrough, it's still not enough. During this period, this master will first help you reach the perfection stage and stabilize your realm. Then, go to the Guixu Sea to seek opportunity, and you can advance to the Nascent Soul stage in one go."
"The Guixu Sea?" Hearing this, Mo Tiange couldn't help but think of the legend of the Five Saints. She couldn't resist asking, "Master, Yunzhong rumors say that you and four other seniors are collectively called the Five Saints, each passing down a treasure that serves as a key to open the secret place in the Guixu Sea. Is that true?"
"Oh? People still know about this now?" Fuyaozi sounded slightly surprised, then said, "Yes, it's true. But it's not as simple as the rumors say."
"Then..."
Just as she was about to ask further, Fuyaozi interrupted her. "We'll discuss this later. When the time comes, this master will naturally tell you. For now, let's first raise your cultivation level. Once you reach Core Formation perfection, with this master's assistance, you can make a trip to the Guixu Sea."
Mo Tiange swallowed the words she was about to speak and responded, "Yes."
With Fuyaozi's divine sense assisting her, she would surely be able to get a share of the secret place in the Guixu Sea. There was no need to rush now. For the time being, she should obediently listen and focus on improving her strength.
In the following days, Fuyaozi transmitted his combat supernatural abilities one by one. Mo Tiange returned to the Void Heaven Realm and practiced according to his guidance.
Learning of the Void Heaven Realm's existence, Fuyaozi was extremely surprised, repeatedly sighing at her heaven-defying opportunity. No wonder she had such cultivation at such a young age. If he had had such opportunity back then, would he have wasted so many years?
Within an environment like the Void Heaven Realm, filled with abundant spiritual energy, many of Fuyaozi's insights became easier to practice.
Time flowed like water, ceaselessly passing. Under Fuyaozi's guidance, Mo Tiange cultivated while learning supernatural abilities, and several more years passed.
During this period, Mo Tiange focused with unprecedented concentration. In her cultivation life, she had never had dedicated personal guidance before. Even her master, Dao Lord Jinghe, due to limitations of their cultivation methods, could only provide gradual guidance and couldn't personally transmit techniques.
Occasionally during leisure moments, thinking of the blood oath connection, she would feel anxious. Fortunately, the connection through the blood oath never broke, nor did she feel such intense sensations again. Presumably, Qin Xi's injuries were gradually healing?
She just didn't know where he was now, or when she would be able to go find him...