Chapter 696: Research

Chapter 696: Chapter 429: Research

On this day, Duan Rong was cultivating in the chamber.

Six months had passed, and the Original Primordial Qi within his Dantian seemed solidified, powerfully entrenched.

At this time, he was focused on refining the Primordial Qi, his expression calm as water, and his mind free from joy or sorrow.

Just then, a faint voice called from the Stone Gate.

“Little Junior Brother!”

Duan Rong’s body trembled slightly. Although faint, the voice was unmistakably Fan Hongjiao’s.

This senior sister was bold and generous, with a free-spirited temperament that could be quite vexing.

Upon hearing her voice, Duan Rong felt a bit apprehensive. If he opened the door, this Cultivation Chamber was so well-sealed, alone with a woman…

Truth be told, Xiao Yu had been confined in the Tower Forest for half a year, and in that regard, Duan Rong also felt somewhat stifled.

“Open up quickly! I’ve asked the attendants. You’re inside!”

From the sound of her voice, it was clear he couldn’t avoid opening up. As bad luck would have it, he had just bathed a couple of days ago, and the stink bomb couldn’t help.

Duan Rong had no choice but to get up, open the Stone Gate, and stand at the entrance, awkwardly smiling: “Sorry for keeping you waiting, Senior Sister.”

Fan Hongjiao cast an inquisitive glance at Duan Rong and said, “What were you doing in there? Taking your sweet time!”

As she spoke, she shoved Duan Rong aside and stood at the door of the stone chamber, glancing around but finding nothing.

“Hmph! So empty, I thought you were hiding away a beauty!”

Duan Rong laughed, “Senior Sister is joking. You’ve forgotten, I’m a married man.”

Fan Hongjiao said, “By the way, Little Junior Brother, it’s been six months, is your wife still in the Tower Forest?”

Duan Rong sighed, just wanting to take the opportunity to ask about the Tower Forest, whether one can’t leave until reaching True Qi Realm Great Perfection.

But before he could speak, Fan Hongjiao lightly patted him and said, “I’ve been chatting with you too much. I almost forgot why I came. Master is back, waiting in the hall, just waiting for you!”

“Ah! Master’s back?” Duan Rong exclaimed in surprise. This master hadn’t shown his face for nearly six months.

“Yes! Come quickly with me!”

Duan Rong immediately closed the Stone Gate of the Cultivation Chamber and followed Fan Hongjiao to an inconspicuous room at the corner of the building’s corridor.

When they entered, Zhu He was already seated on a chair in front of the screen, looking calm and serene.

Wu Shidao, Lu Geng, and Wang Yue were also seated.

After Duan Rong and Fan Hongjiao entered and saluted Zhu He, they each took their seats.

Zhu He’s gaze lingered on Duan Rong for a few loops; although he hadn’t shown up for six months, the matters of Yunfu Peak, including these direct disciple’s conditions, were reported monthly by Wu Shidao through hawk-sent letters.

He naturally knew a lot about Duan Rong’s affairs. He looked at Duan Rong with a calm expression tinged with a subtle approval, as Wu Shidao had already informed him that Duan Rong spent the last six months day after day in intense cultivation with little rest, nearly self-torturing.

Such talent, coupled with such diligence, reminded him of his junior brother Gu Daoling. In their early years, when they cultivated together, his junior brother was also dedicated solely to cultivation, ignoring other matters, almost like an obsession.

Zhu He waited until everyone was seated comfortably before he began speaking slowly: “As your teacher, I’ve been quite busy this past half-year, neglecting your cultivation. My lack of encouragement and guidance is my failure.”

Fan Hongjiao laughed, “Master, haven’t you always been like this? Apologizing every year but never changing! We’ve already gotten used to it.”

Zhu He glared at Fan Hongjiao and said, “How impudent, interrupting before your master finished speaking.”

Fan Hongjiao chuckled, and remained silent.

Everyone could see that although Zhu He outwardly blamed Fan Hongjiao, he bore no real chastisement.

Zhu He uttered a few more light words before saying, “Tell me about your cultivation progress over these six months.”

Upon hearing this, all the members remained silent.

Seeing their silence, Zhu He smiled faintly, looked at Fan Hongjiao, and said, “Hongjiao, as the senior sister, you start!”

Fan Hongjiao stopped playing around and reported seriously, “Reporting to Master, Hongjiao has let down your cultivation, still stuck at the Third Level of Qi Vortex Realm, unable to break through!”

Zhu He nodded and said, “Fourth Level of Qi Vortex Realm isn’t easy to break through. I myself was stuck there for several years. Hongjiao, haste doesn’t always lead to success! Insight into the Mental Realm cannot be rushed!”

Upon hearing those words about insight into the Mental Realm, Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat. His insight within the Consciousness Sea wasn’t from comprehension but from devouring.

Fan Hongjiao replied, “I will remember Master’s teachings!”

Zhu He smiled lightly, turning his gaze to Wu Shidao, “Shidao, and how about you?”

Wu Shidao was visibly more restrained, lacking the casualness with Zhu He like Fan Hongjiao.

He smiled somewhat awkwardly and said, “Master, I haven’t broken through either; still stuck at the First Level of Qi Vortex Realm!”

“Hmm, neither of you needs to rush!” Zhu He stroked his beard, his tone noticeably more profound, saying, “Breaking through Qi Vortex Realm is, in essence, breaking through the Mental Realm. As for consolidating the post-breakthrough realm, it’s a matter of gradual work. However, the breakthrough in Mental Realm is oftentimes fortuitous. At times, forcing it is like seeking horns on a rabbit or hair on a turtle, unattainable. Better to relax, pursue slowly, and perhaps calmly wait for the flowers to bloom!”

Fan Hongjiao and Wu Shidao, upon hearing this, showed expressions of thoughtful consideration on their faces.

After finishing his words, Zhu He paused slightly before saying, “Lu Geng, and how about you?”