Chapter 84: Returning the Method

“Master, please enlighten me!”

By this point, Fang Cun was already listening very seriously.

Master Lan Shuang, having made his decision, seemed more relaxed. He smiled and said, “The Academy accepts disciples only every three years, each intake numbering no more than three or four hundred. Among these three or four hundred, only about a dozen manage to cultivate a Treasure Body before leaving the Academy!”

He then asked Fang Cun, “Do you know where their cultivation methods come from?”

Fang Cun hurriedly replied, “I humbly seek Master’s guidance!”

Master Lan Shuang said, “The Academy disciples come from different backgrounds. Their future opportunities to cultivate a Treasure Body naturally differ as well!”

“But broadly speaking, there are just three categories!”

“The first category includes those who, after three years in the Academy, haven’t even reached the peak of the Breath Refining Realm. Disciples like these do not get to learn the path to the Treasure Body Realm while at the Academy. Only when they leave are they taught the Treasure Body Method. Then, regardless of where they go or what path they take, they must seek their own Foundation Establishment opportunities!”

“The second category comprises those who performed exceptionally well in the Academy, standing out from the crowd. Disciples of this kind are most common in my Lan Shuang Pavilion. Once they reach the peak of the Breath Refining Realm, the Academy will arrange for Instructors, and even their Elder Mentor, to guide them in cultivating the Treasure Body. If they succeed in forming their Treasure Body before leaving the Academy, they are considered graduates. The County Sects, or perhaps even the County Mansion, might offer them opportunities to join.”

Fang Cun listened and nodded. He understood this was common knowledge within the Academy.

As Master Lan Shuang said, achieving peak Breath Refining made you eligible to receive the Treasure Body Method. Timing also mattered. Typically, only those who reached peak Breath Refining within their first two years at the Academy, and demonstrated decent aptitude in other disciplines, would be taught the method. That’s why disciples pushed themselves hard to advance near the two-year mark.

If one only reached peak Breath Refining in their third year, the Academy might still teach them, but the chance of succeeding before leaving became slim.

“Besides these two, there’s a third category!” Master Lan Shuang looked at Fang Cun and smiled. “That is those with astonishing talent, who are spotted early by the County Sects, or even the County Mansion!”

“Don’t be fooled by the Academy’s claim that County Sects come to select disciples only after the three years expire. In truth, those sects have been watching the Academy all along. Whenever an exceptionally talented disciple appears, they compete fiercely for them, sometimes even resorting to attempts to take them away early. They grant them their sect’s unique Treasure Body Method, maybe even protective Magic Treasures or precious Spirit Pills… all to help them cultivate a Treasure Body by the time they leave the Academy…”

“This way, when the disciple departs the Academy, they enter the County Sect directly, ready to learn its divine arts and techniques!”

He paused, then added with a smile, “The Academy Head’s protege, Meng Zhixue, belonged to this category. As far back as a year ago, emissaries from the Nine Immortals Sect of Qingjiang Prefecture had already visited the Academy. They entrusted her with their sect’s Moonlight Body Method. Although she now studies here in my learning pavilion, her curriculum differs from yours. She’s mainly following my guidance on aspects of Foundation Establishment.”

“I see…” Fang Cun pondered briefly before looking up at Master Lan Shuang. “Does this mean the Academy’s Treasure Body Method differs from those taught by the County Sects?”

“Treasure Bodies vary widely in kind! Each has its strengths and weaknesses; naturally, they are different!”

Master Lan Shuang explained patiently, “The Treasure Body is the Foundation Establishment. It sets the roots of your Dao path, and that very choice distinguishes different cultivators.”

“The method our Academy teaches,” he continued, “is actually the somewhat superficial Five Qi Body Refining Art handed down by the Great Xia imperial family. It’s simple and can be practiced by anyone; it’s not exactly a secret within Great Xia. However, the Treasure Bodies cultivated within the County Sects, or even the Divine Palace, are distinct and varied. The most renowned examples include the Purity Sect’s Golden Body, the Hidden Sect’s Jade Body, and the Imperial Body cultivated by the Great Xia royalty…”

Fang Cun, curious, asked, “Which Treasure Body is better?”

“Better?” Master Lan Shuang chuckled and shook his head. “Treasure Bodies aren’t simply ‘good’ or ‘bad’. They correspond to the types of divine arts you can later comprehend after achieving the Treasure Body Realm. Though techniques and divine powers overlap considerably, there are specific esoteric methods that can only be practiced with the matching Treasure Body. For instance, a Buddhist Golden Body cannot perform esoteric techniques of the Daoist Jade Bodies. When major County Sects select disciples, they grant them their Treasure Body Method. Once that’s done, even if another sect wanted to snatch that disciple, they couldn’t train them in their secret arts; grabbing such a disciple becomes pointless!”

Hearing this, Fang Cun seemed deep in thought.

Master Lan Shuang then sighed softly as he addressed Fang Cun: “With your aptitude, within a few months, you should also reach peak Breath Refining. Then, you’ll receive the Great Xia Imperial Five Qi Body Refining Art from the Academy. Yet, I must frankly tell you…” His expression grew serious, “…given your talent, settling for the Academy’s Treasure Body Method would be a waste of your innate gift. Achieving significant success in the future would become incredibly difficult…”

“Ah…” Fang Cun hesitated at this point.

Though it was the truth, what other options did he have?

He hadn’t been eyed by the Nine Immortals Sect. Where would the chance to practice another Treasure Body Method come from?

“I can teach you the Nine Immortals Sect’s Nine Qi Moonlight Body.”

Master Lan Shuang said it as casually as if mentioning family affairs.

“Hmm…”

Fang Cun absentmindedly acknowledged… then his voice abruptly sharpened. “Hmm?!”

His gaze snapped towards Master Lan Shuang, filled instantly with shock and burgeoning delight.

Master Lan Shuang gave a slight smile. “I myself am a former disciple of the Nine Immortals Sect. That’s also why Zhixue is currently cultivating under my guidance. Should I now grant you the Nine Qi Moonlight Body Method of the Nine Immortals Sect, you will be able to establish your foundation early, refining your meridians ahead of time. From a surface view, it might seem you’ve merely taken half a step farther than your peers. However…” he leaned forward slightly, “…once you reach peak Breath Refining, you can advance at lightning speed. Cultivating your Treasure Body could be the swiftest among them all…”

“Though it appears only half a step faster at the start… in truth, your overall pace is likely to be much quicker than others…”

…

Hearing Master Lan Shuang’s words, Fang Cun momentarily froze in surprise.

No matter how he twisted his thoughts, he hadn’t anticipated Master Lan Shuang saying this. For a moment, he was lost for words. “But… this…”

“Are you worried that because Nine Immortals hasn’t explicitly chosen you, learning their method preemptively might be improper?”

Master Lan Shuang discerned his concern and chuckled lightly. “Given the current circumstances, yes, it’s true the Nine Immortals Sect might be cautious about formally accepting you. Although your elder brother emerged from Nine Immortals Sect… the Fang Family of Willow Lake now stands in turbulent times. And their current Sect Leader… let’s just say, showing courage isn’t his strongest suit… haha!” He waved dismissively. “No matter his character… if your wish is to enter Nine Immortals for cultivation… achieving it becomes surprisingly straightforward…”

“This…” Fang Cun hurriedly stood up and bowed. “May I ask, Master… what should… how should it be done?”

“What else?” Master Lan Shuang’s smile widened, showing a hint of fox-like cunning. “Just ‘act first, report later’!”

He spoke with calm deliberation, smoothing his sleeves, then looked directly at Fang Cun. “Your brother was an extraordinary man. Yet, precisely because of his unwavering righteousness, he forged many hidden grudges. Now that he has left this world… who can know how many petty souls wait in the shadow, watching? That’s brought countless perils upon you. Concurrently…” his tone softened, “…there are also many, who benefited from your brother’s goodness, or deeply respected his character, watching over the Fang Family from the unseen…”

“You carry dangers due to your brother… but you also hold opportunities bestowed because of him!”

“Just as we earlier discussed,” Master Lan Shuang continued, “even with your exceptional talent, if you passively wait for County Sects to choose you… the hope seems bleak. Conversely…” his eyes sparkled, “…if I first impart upon you the Nine Immortals Treasure Body Method… and then, escorted by my hand, push you into the Nine Immortals Sect… well…” Here, he flicked his wide sleeve dismissively, a cold sneer touching his lips, “let’s just see if they dare to refuse you!”

…

Fang Cun’s heartbeat surged rapidly as Master Lan Shuang spoke, studying the warm smile on his face.

Though his cultivation level wasn’t high currently, Fang Cun was no fool. The deeper layers within Master Lan Shuang’s words were clear.

This ‘act first, report later’ method to push him into Nine Immortals was feasible. Hadn’t his own initial entry into the Academy relied on this very twist? Exploiting that tension – would the Academy refuse him outright, yet ultimately feel unable to openly spurn him?

The mere fact that Master Lan Shuang had planned this far ahead for him was…

“Once you enter the cultivation grounds of Nine Immortals… a path towards the Great Dao truly opens before you…”

Master Lan Shuang spoke softly, his expression relaxed and joyful.

“Master…”

Gazing upon the gentle mirth etched on Master Lan Shuang’s face, a profound realization settled in Fang Cun’s heart.

Though Master Lan Shuang presented it with simplicity… Fang Cun understood deeply how difficult making this decision must have been.

His proposed path was undeniably feasible.

What he hadn’t voiced was this: by forcibly placing Fang Cun into Nine Immortals… how many powerful figures might Master Lan Shuang offend?

A tide of complex emotions washed over Fang Cun. He found himself momentarily lost for words.

Though Master Lan Shuang hadn’t formally taken him as a direct disciple… his care and guidance truly embodied one’s treatment of their own.

…

After a long moment of silence, Fang Cun slowly stood up, gave a formal bow, and saluted Master Lan Shuang.

Master Lan Shuang received the gesture with vast benevolence. He merely nodded gently. “Simply… do not disgrace the name of your elder brother. That is sufficient.”

Fang Cun nodded solemnly. He replied with quiet sincerity, “I will not disgrace my brother… and I will certainly not disgrace you, Master.”

Master Lan Shuang nodded in approval. Then, his genuine smile bloomed back onto his face. “Every cause leads to its destined effect. If it weren’t for your elder brother’s aid in those bygone years… such heights would lie forever beyond my reach. Listen now, young one! Spare me flowery words and childish manners befitting spoiled children! Come! Let the instruction begin!”

…

Neither Fang Cun nor Master Lan Shuang noticed. Upon a nearby window frame, a tiny beetle quietly vibrated its wings… and flew away.

“Daring to become friends with an Immortal Master’s shadow… right inside this insignificant little Academy?”

A while later, inside a rather inconspicuous tavern within Willow Lake City, a man lifted his wine cup and spoke in undertones.

“General Lord, shall we permit him to learn the Nine Immortals Moonlight Body?”

Hearing this, the man addressed as General Lord let out a cold laugh. “Hah! Claiming there’s no difference between Treasure Body Methods? Just a ridiculous joke everyone knows! If cultivators’ Treasure Bodies weren’t divided into tiers… where did this saying come from: ‘Highest Saintly, peak Yin-Yang; Golden Jade and Glass lie low’?”

His expression bore a tinge of irony and a trace of deep contempt. “Moreover… although Immortal Master Fang Chi, back in that era, cultivated step-by-step the most mundane Treasure Body Method taught across Great Xia… now his name resonates with greatness! The Fang Family of Willow Lake does not cling to former limits! Will Fanger, the Second Young Master Fang…” his voice grew pointed, “…Immortal Master’s sole remaining brother… pursue some fourth-tier Glass Treasure Body Art?”

“So… shall this subordinate personally eliminate that troublesome Instructor?”

“Unnecessary.”

The man holding the wine cup stated with detached calm, “Simply return the method he was meant to inherit… that is enough.”