Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed. Ye Fan and Pang Bo gradually adapted to life here. The most significant change was in their mindset, they slowly accepted everything around them.
During this period, the two did not engage in cultivation per se. Instead, they absorbed knowledge and contemplated their future path. Elder Wu Qingfeng never rushed them; on the contrary, he took the initiative to impart his own cultivation experiences and insights.
This was incredibly important for Ye Fan and Pang Bo. Another month went by before they finally felt they had fully grasped and integrated everything. They believed they were ready to begin cultivating.
"The Life Wheel and the Bitter Sea are interconnected. Cultivating the Life Wheel necessarily involves cultivating the Bitter Sea. In this sense, all cultivation begins from the Bitter Sea."
Cultivation is a difficult journey, especially for beginners stepping onto the path of immortality. Without guidance, one wouldn't even know where to begin or how to enter the door of cultivation.
"In the next two months, I will help you step onto the immortal path and officially become cultivators. After that, I won't teach you personally anymore. You'll have to go to the Desolate Spirit Cliff and listen to the mystical teachings with everyone else."
Although Ye Fan hadn't joined Desolate Spirit Grotto-Heaven, Elder Wu Qingfeng didn't exclude him when teaching techniques. He treated Ye Fan and Pang Bo equally. The elder knew that even if Ye Fan insisted on cultivating, there would likely be no result. In the times before the Desolate Era, Ye Fan's physique was considered the most supreme, "the Sacred Physique of the World." But now, it was just a ruined body.
For beginners on the immortal path, laying a solid foundation is the most important step. Only with a firm base could one climb to greater heights. Elder Wu Qingfeng took out what was known as the strongest foundational method in the world, the Dao Scripture.
The Dao Scripture, a name bold enough to speak for itself. It contained writings of the Great Dao and was an ultimate cultivation manual. Legend said it was a celestial classic. In the vast East Wilderness, only a few ancient scriptures could rival it, and none could truly surpass it.
Of course, Desolate Spirit Grotto-Heaven could not possibly possess the complete Dao Scripture. A single blessed land like theirs lacked the heritage to house such a treasure. What they had was merely the introductory chapter. Even this starting chapter was not unique in the State of Yan, if it were, it would have brought destruction to anyone who possessed it.
Undoubtedly, having the introductory chapter of the Dao Scripture was an immense blessing for talented disciples. It helped solidify their foundations and greatly benefited their future cultivation.
Though precious, the foundational instructions were no longer exclusive to any one faction. Therefore, Elder Wu Qingfeng didn't keep it from Ye Fan and passed it on to both of them directly.
The Dao Scripture was indeed profound. Its reputation had echoed through the Eastern Wilderness for countless ages. Even its introductory chapter, consisting of only a few thousand words, was packed with supreme truths. Elder Wu Qingfeng spent half a month explaining just this portion.
Every line of the Dao Scripture contained deep meaning and wondrous logic. It described cultivation with subtlety and precision. Even veteran cultivators would marvel at how intricate and refined foundational cultivation could be.
Ye Fan and Pang Bo practiced diligently every day. According to the Dao Scripture, the first step was to sense their own Life Wheel, then guide the essence energy to break through into the Bitter Sea. There were naturally profound sensing methods and unique guiding techniques involved in this process.
Still, it wasn't enough. Solo practice rarely succeeded in breaking through. They needed someone to lead them using "celestial energy." Elder Wu Qingfeng personally assisted them daily, circulating the foundational techniques of the Dao Scripture and placing his hand below their navels.
After more than ten days, Pang Bo finally sensed the existence of his Life Wheel. In the days that followed, he began attempting to guide the essence stored in it to strike into his Bitter Sea.
But Ye Fan still had no results. His Life Wheel was silent, hard as divine iron. Even someone as powerful as Elder Wu Qingfeng couldn't inject celestial energy into it, let alone guide it.
"It's hard to imagine such a physique exists…" Elder Wu Qingfeng frowned. In the end, he had to give up. He had used nearly all his essence to try and penetrate Ye Fan's Life Wheel, but it remained immovable.
"Elder, please help him just a little more. Maybe the next moment will be the breakthrough," Pang Bo pleaded when he saw the elder was about to give up.
"Sigh… It's not that I won't help, I simply can't. With a physique like his, no one can guide him. In the end, it all depends on him," Elder Wu Qingfeng shook his head.
"How could it be like this… Could you at least try again?" Pang Bo smiled awkwardly, trying again.
"This kind of physique was known as the Sacred Physique of the World before the Desolate Era. Of course we can't understand it. There must be secrets yet unknown. Whether it requires a special cultivation method or something else, it's hard to say."
At this moment, Ye Fan was still in meditation, not yet awakened.
Pang Bo continued, "I think Elder should investigate further. If you can discover the cause, maybe the Sacred Physique can shine again. Then Desolate Spirit Grotto-Heaven might rise to prominence in no time."
Elder Wu Qingfeng had lived a long life and seen through many things. How could he be fooled by Pang Bo's words? He chuckled and shook his head.
"In the post-Desolate era, this kind of physique has appeared a few times, but even the Sacred Grounds of the East Wilderness were powerless. Do you think our Desolate Spirit Grotto-Heaven has what it takes?"
"Hmm?"
Just then, Elder Wu Qingfeng seemed to sense something. He reached out again and placed his hand below Ye Fan's navel, gathering his essence for a deeper probe.
"Well? Is there hope?" Pang Bo asked urgently.
A long time passed before Elder Wu Qingfeng lowered his hand, exhausted. He shook his head and said, "The Life Wheel and the Bitter Sea are still hard as divine iron, utterly silent. No reaction at all. However, I did sense something strange, his blood essence seems even more vigorous now. It's well-contained and hard to detect, but I caught a momentary fluctuation."
"Vigorous blood essence?" Pang Bo didn't understand.
"Yes. Both of you ate a sacred fruit and drank divine spring water in the Forbidden Ancient Realm. Your physiques were transformed, greatly improved. Your energy and blood are especially strong," the elder said. Then, puzzled, he added, "These past days, Ye Fan hasn't made progress with the Dao Scripture, unable to sense his Life Wheel. Yet now, his blood essence seems more powerful, stronger than yours."
Pang Bo clicked his tongue in surprise. "Didn't you say the Dao Scripture is the strongest foundational method in the East Wilderness, a legendary celestial classic? Shouldn't it be very targeted? The starting chapter is for cultivating the Life Wheel. How did he end up cultivating his blood essence instead?"
"That…" Elder Wu Qingfeng furrowed his brow. He couldn't make sense of it either.
At that moment, Ye Fan opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp, and he radiated energy and vitality.
Seeing his vibrant state, Elder Wu Qingfeng was even more confused. He asked, "Did you sense the Life Wheel?"
Ye Fan shook his head and answered honestly, "No."
"Did you feel anything unusual?" the elder asked again.
Ye Fan didn't want to hide anything. The elder had treated him well, devoting time and energy without discrimination despite his special condition.
"Although I didn't sense the Life Wheel, I feel extremely refreshed, full of energy."
"Do you feel any changes?"
"It feels like I have endless strength." As he spoke, Ye Fan raised a massive stone in front of the hut with one hand, calm and effortless, as if it took no exertion.
Elder Wu Qingfeng drew a sharp breath. "Judging by how easily you lifted that, your single arm likely holds several thousand catties of strength. With both arms, you might be close to the strength of a mammoth."
Beside him, Pang Bo was also shocked. He and Ye Fan had both undergone the strange rejuvenation, and their strength had been close. But now, he felt clearly weaker than Ye Fan.
Elder Wu Qingfeng left with doubt still on his face. He couldn't understand it. Ye Fan still couldn't sense his Life Wheel, but could someone like this still be called a mere mortal?
After the elder left, Ye Fan suddenly started running, like a gust of wind sweeping past the hills. Pang Bo was amazed. "Not only is your strength greatly enhanced, your speed has also improved a lot!"
In the days that followed, Elder Wu Qingfeng taught with even more dedication. After all, this would be his last chance for one-on-one instruction. Soon, Ye Fan and Pang Bo would have to go to the Desolate Spirit Cliff to hear the mystical teachings alongside the crowd.
A master can guide you to the path, but cultivation is up to the individual. Once they officially stepped onto the immortal path, everything would depend on their own efforts. Desolate Spirit Grotto-Heaven would provide techniques and medicinal elixirs, but all instruction and questions would be handled in group settings, elders had their own cultivation to attend to and couldn't spare time for individual guidance.
"Before long, you'll be going to Desolate Spirit Cliff. Be cautious there. Stay low-key, avoid trouble, and don't act rashly."