I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World

Chapter 22: Chapter 13: Five Elements Returning to Truth Skill

Snap!

Lin Suwan’s hand was caught in midair by Jiang Yuebai. She glared angrily, unable to break free.

”Let go of me!”

Jiang Yuebai released her grip and stepped back, raising the book in her hand.

”The first rule of the Library: those who damage books receive ten lashes with the bone-scraping whip. Even though I’m just a servant, with so many people watching, would Lin... Senior Sister want others to say you’re cruel and harsh again?”

Lin Suwan gritted her teeth, glancing at the onlookers’ faces. Though she was merely a seven-year-old child, Jiang Yuebai had already intimidated her.

Yet she was filled with anger because Jiang Yuebai had slapped her face on the Ascension Stairs, resulting in her being mocked by others ever since.

This incident had become a stain on her life. Whenever she was displeased with someone, she’d be berated,

”So strong, yet you couldn’t even match a Five Spirit Roots person on the Ascension Stairs. You have the cheek to snatch others’ opportunities!”

Remembering this, Lin Suwan wished she could tear Jiang Yuebai apart, but unfortunately, her Old Ancestor, upset over her poor performance on the Ascension Stairs, had refused to see her.

She gritted her teeth, lowering her voice, ”Jiang Yue’er, don’t think changing your name and entering the Heavenly Interence Sect means you’re safe. You were a maid before, and now you’re a servant—both lowly! Killing you would be a piece of cake for me. Don’t forget my Old Ancestor is the Alchemy Elder, a Golden Core Master!”

Jiang Yuebai’s expression was emotionless, her gaze growing cold, ”Being an Alchemy Elder means you can kill indiscriminately?”

”You’re just a Five Spirit Roots servant. In the Heavenly Interence Sect, there are thousands like you. Who would care if one or two die? If you’re afraid, stay hidden in Huaxi Valley forever, farming. If I don’t see you, I might just forget you exist.”

Lin Suwan approached menacingly, ”If you dare wander around and annoy me, I’ll immediately ask my Old Ancestor to take your life!”

Jiang Yuebai tensed up, her right hand unconsciously reaching for the dagger at her back.

”Cough, cough!”

Upon hearing Tao Fengnian’s cough, Jiang Yuebai froze, glaring at Lin Suwan for a moment before suddenly pulling out a smile.

”Yes, yes, I’m just a Five Spirit Roots servant, mere dust not daring to compete with the likes of you, my lady. Your Old Ancestor is mighty and awe-inspiring. I’m terrified, begging you to show mercy and let me off. I’ll return to Huaxi Valley immediately, never to offend you again.”

Jiang Yuebai stuffed the book back into the shelf, memorizing its location with a deep look, then retreated.

Lin Suwan stood there dumbfounded, not expecting Jiang Yuebai to react this way. She had already prepared her next words.

Turning her head, Jiang Yuebai had vanished, leaving Lin Suwan stomping her foot in frustration, her anger stuck at an impasse.

Dusk approached, the twilight shrouding the landscape.

”Girl, slow down, Grandpa can’t keep up with you.”

Tao Fengnian was pursuing Jiang Yuebai. The little girl walked faster and faster, even using the Chasing Star Step. Tao Fengnian shook his head helplessly, casting a spell to rapidly descend and block her path.

”Are you mad at Grandpa?”

Jiang Yuebai pouted and frowned, ”No, I’m mad at myself for not having a Golden Core Grandpa.”

Children speak without reserve, uttering words in anger.

Tao Fengnian smiled bitterly, ”It’s Grandpa’s fault for being incompetent and dragging you down. You’re usually so open-minded; why does encountering Lin Suwan make you look like you want to kill someone?”

Jiang Yuebai plopped down on a rock by the roadside, taking a few deep breaths before speaking, ”She falsely accused me of stealing, had people beat me, then sold me to a brothel, to... to a monster who preys on young girls.”

Tao Fengnian’s eyes turned stern as he crouched down to see the misty gaze in Jiang Yuebai’s eyes.

”If I hadn’t pricked myself all over with needles, claiming I had measles, I wouldn’t have had a chance to escape. That aside, at the front of the mountain gate, I clearly earned the token myself. Yet with her mere presence, she snatched away my opportunity.”

”I fought hard to enter the Immortal Sect. Now she’s pressuring me with her Old Ancestor. I don’t want to die, but I also don’t want to hide in Huaxi Valley forever. I want to learn skills, many powerful skills. One day, I’ll slay her and her Old Ancestor together!”

Jiang Yuebai wiped her tears with her sleeve while Tao Fengnian checked around, ensuring no one was listening before softly counseling.

”Grandpa knows you’ve endured great grievances. You did well just now, exercising caution and restraint. Unless you have the power to completely uproot your opponent, don’t act rashly. If you do act, ensure you eradicate the problem to leave no future troubles.”

Jiang Yuebai’s eyes were tearful, ”I know, but what can I do now? I can’t stay in Huaxi Valley forever, can I? I want to go to the Library to read books. I also want to attend lectures at the Dharma Hall, Grandpa.”

”Then go.”

Jiang Yuebai’s sobbing paused.

Tao Fengnian said, ”I just asked Hu Laoba. Lin Xiangtian has already sequestered himself to cultivation as of the day before yesterday, and barring any major issues, will not emerge for two to three years.”

”How do you know?”

”Do you know how Grandpa came to have a grudge with Lin Xiangtian? It was actually my oversight. Years ago, when Lin Xiangtian was preparing for Core Formation, he needed to refine a batch of Ice Heart Vein Protection Elixirs. At that time, I failed my first Foundation Establishment attempt and carelessly gave him the wrong spiritual medicine.”

”Ice Heart Grass and Green Frost Grass are difficult to distinguish. One is warm, the other is cold. The mistake allowed him to refine the elixirs, but he didn’t notice until an issue arose during Core Formation, leaving a hidden danger. He now needs multiple sessions of secluded cultivation to expel the cold energy from his Golden Core.”

Jiang Yuebai suddenly understood, which was why Jia Wei constantly bullied Grandpa, but Grandpa never retaliated, feeling he was at fault.

And as for Lin Suwan, though arrogant and fierce, she only demanded Jiang Yuebai hide in Huaxi Valley because Lin Xiangtian wasn’t present, leaving her without a pillar of support.

”If not for my role as a Spiritual Cultivation Master, with the Sect’s protection, and because the cold poison was more of an inconvenience than life-threatening, how could Lin Xiangtian have let me go? So girl, you need to become a Spiritual Cultivation Master as soon as possible; it will be a life-saving talisman.”

”Lin Xiangtian is narrow-minded and not very influential within the Heavenly Interence Sect. Besides Lin Xiangtian, Lin Suwan has no one to rely on. As long as you avoid her sharp edges for a while, you can do whatever you want.”

Tao Fengnian had long discovered everything about Jiang Yuebai. He had wronged Lin Xiangtian and the little girl had grievances with Lin Suwan; it was fate.

Jiang Yuebai bit her lip, ”Then can I... first put a sack over her and beat her a few times?”

Tao Fengnian’s mouth twitched, understanding a child’s temperament—pent-up anger would eventually explode if not released.

In the end, he pressed his fingers to his brow, ”Make sure you leave no evidence.”

”Alright!”

Jiang Yuebai laughed through her tears, wiping them dry with her sleeve.

”You don’t think Grandpa is useless anymore?” Tao Fengnian chuckled.

Jiang Yuebai shook her head, ”Those were just words of anger. Grandpa is the best grandpa in the whole world!”

Tao Fengnian tapped Jiang Yuebai’s forehead, ”You, here, take this, your cultivation technique.”

Two jade scrolls fell into Jiang Yuebai’s hands, one pristine and new, the other old and yellowed. Curiously, she pressed both to her forehead.

The pristine one was ”Five Elements Reincarnation Technique.”

The old one was... ”Five Elements Returning to Truth Skill!”

”The ’Five Elements Returning to Truth Skill’ is not an inner cultivation technique of the Heavenly Interence Sect, but something I inadvertently acquired in the mortal world. I used this skill to enter the Dao, and then passed the assessment to enter the Heavenly Interence Sect. This technique is divided into five parts, each an eighth-grade cultivation technique, and can be practiced independently.”

”But after years of research, I found it best suited for those with complete Five Elements Spirit Root, reaching the power of a seventh-grade cultivation technique. Only Inner Sect Qi Cultivation Disciples have the opportunity to encounter seventh-grade techniques; apart from improving cultivation efficiency, seventh-grade techniques have intrinsic characteristics.”

”The ’Gui Same as Turtle,’ this technique nourishes and stabilizes the body, enhancing physical defense, providing ample Essence Qi, allowing cultivation to replace sleep. Unfortunately, I only have the Qi Refining Chapter, lacking Foundation Establishment techniques. Nonetheless, it is not inferior to ordinary seventh-grade techniques. I exchanged for the ’Five Elements Reincarnation Technique’ to help you better understand the interaction of the Five Elements and master this skill.”

Tao Fengnian himself lacked the Earth element, his Four Spiritual Roots never reaching the true essence of this technique. Now, he only hopes Jiang Yuebai can truly master it.

Moreover, in the complete guide, he found that the full version of this technique exceeds seventh-grade; beyond enhancing defensive power, it also has life-extending effects.

Without the limit of lifespan, Five Spirit Roots are actually an exceptionally advantageous aptitude.

Jiang Yuebai clutched the two jade scrolls tightly, unable to resist asking, ”Grandpa, you and I are not related by blood. Why are you always so kind to me?”

Tao Fengnian smiled gently, ”Grandpa has his reasons for being kind, but it’s too heavy to discuss now. Just focus on your cultivation for now. When the time is right, I’ll tell you naturally.”