Chapter 136: Setting the Goal, Ancient True Dragon Fist

　　Supreme sword intent!

　　In the main hall of Qingyun Dao Sect, Ye Ping’s eyes were filled with shock.

　　Currently, he couldn’t say that he didn’t lack anything, but the sword intent was the top of his concern.

　　When Ye Ping was in Qingzhou Ancient City, he wanted to condense his sword intent.

　　Unfortunately, he had yet to condense his sword intent.

　　Now that he had heard about the supreme sword intent in the Jin Nation Academy, Ye Ping was undoubtedly excited and agitated.

　　However, Daoist Tai Hua hadn’t finished yet.

　　He continued to look at Ye Ping again.

　　“Ye Ping, your eldest Senior Brother has actually asked you to go to the Jin Nation Academy for another purpose.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua stood up and looked at Ye Ping quietly with his hands clasped behind his back.

　　“Please tell me straight, Master.”

　　Ye Ping asked with a salute, looking like he was all ready to listen.

　　“Ye Ping, Changyu wanted me to tell you that a truly strong person should learn from the eagle and learn to spread your wings to soar high. You also have to learn to show off your ability, but more importantly, you have to know how to judge the situation.”

　　“You may have made small achievements in Qingzhou this time, and in the beginning, Changyu was worried that you might be conceited. But it seems he had been worrying too much.”

　　“Now, he wants you to go to the Jin Nation Academy, not only for the supreme sword intent, but also mainly to sharpen your Dao Heart. You haven’t been in the sect for long, but it has been at least three or four months and you should have learned some skills.”

　　“Your eldest Senior Brother does not want you to be proud and conceited just because of this, but he doesn’t want you to be timid and cowardly either. He hopes that you can go to the Jin Nation Academy to show off your abilities.”

　　“Even if an eagle is small, it’s the hegemon of the sky. No matter how young a True Dragon is, it’s still the king of all beasts.”

　　“How can you see the rainbow if you don’t brave through the storm?”

　　“How can you learn and grow without some training? Ye Ping, do you understand what your eldest Senior Brother means?”

　　Daoist Tai Hua was full of fervor and those were the words he wanted to say to Ye Ping. But now, he could only push the responsibility to Su Changyu.

　　‘Even if an eagle is small, it’s the hegemon of the sky!’

　　‘No matter how young a True Dragon is, it’s still the king of all beasts!’

　　‘Without honing, how can there be growth!?’

　　Daoist Tai Hua’s words were like a thunderbolt in Ye Ping’s ears.

　　He understood the meaning of these words.

　　Su Changyu had said the same thing to him in Qingzhou Ancient City.

　　“Ye Ping, I understand what your eldest Senior Brother means.”

　　“He doesn’t want the tiny Qingzhou to confine and hold you back. In his eyes, Qingzhou is just a small place and so are Jin Nation and the Ten Nations. The real world is out there.”

　　“Only when you truly see the world can you understand how small you are and how much further you have to go.”

　　“Ye Ping, go to the Jin Nation Academy. That’s your starting point. Your eldest Senior Brother and I don’t care how much prestige and honor you can obtain, but we want you to see the world out there that is even more vast.”

　　“In short, Ye Ping, you must compete and fight whenever you can in the Jin Nation Academy this time. If you win, you will have an undefeated heart. But if you lose, you can hone your Dao Heart. Don’t be scared, don’t be intimidated. You cannot be afraid, do you understand?”

　　In the main hall, Daoist Tai Hua stood with his hands by his side, staring at Ye Ping with a serious expression.

　　If it was according to Daoist Tai Hua’s previous character, he would have hoped for Ye Ping to tolerate whenever possible, but he felt that Chen Lingrou was right.

　　Ordinary people could be taught to endure but not geniuses.

　　In particular, he didn’t want to delay Ye Ping’s future or ruin his talent especially since he was a genius.

　　Of course, if Ye Ping did not like it, he would not say anything more.

　　At this moment, after hearing those remarks made by Daoist Tai Hua, Ye Ping stayed silent for a long time.

　　He seemed to be contemplating and being in an epiphany of something.

　　For a while, the hall was silent.

　　The sound of a pin dropping could be heard.

　　A full hour later, Ye Ping finally stopped frowning and was no longer deep in thought. He seemed to have had an epiphany.

　　“Thank you, Master. I understand.”

　　Ye Ping smiled.

　　He understood.

　　He truly did.

　　“What have you understood?”

　　Daoist Tai Hua couldn’t help but ask.

　　Ye Ping immediately spoke.

　　“Master, Eldest Senior Brother means to tell me that although I am neither an eagle nor a True Dragon, I have to be tough like an eagle and become unyielding. I also have to be as fearless as a True Dragon and have the guts to fight.”

　　“Only then can I truly become an eagle and a True Dragon, right? Master?”

　　Ye Ping gave an answer based on his own understanding.

　　“Yes.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua nodded, more satisfied with Ye Ping’s comprehension.

　　Indeed, Ye Ping never disappointed anyone when it came to comprehension.

　　“But Master, can I return to the sect for two days every month? During this period of time, Second and Third Senior Brothers would teach me the Dao of alchemy and array formations. If I encounter something I don’t understand, I would like to come back and seek their help.”

　　Ye Ping said.

　　He would go to the Jin Nation Academy. Firstly, he would like to find the supreme sword intent. Secondly, he also wanted to sharpen his Dao Heart. Ye Ping had been pondering for a long time, but he couldn’t think of an answer.

　　Su Changyu and Daoist Tai Hua’s words cleared Ye Ping’s doubts.

　　He decided that he would go to the Jin Nation Academy and strive to be invincible. Of course, as Daoist Tai Hua said, he would fight whenever possible and not be bothered even if he was defeated.

　　The main thing was that whether or not he could return to the sect was a major issue. If he went to the Jin Nation Academy, he would not be allowed to return to the sect for a few years, so Ye Ping did not really want to go.

　　He still felt that he had not learned well and wanted to learn more.

　　Hearing Ye Ping’s request, Daoist Tai Hua nodded and said, “I’m not sure about this. You can ask that disciple of yours, he probably knows.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua was not sure if Ye Ping could come back. After all, it was the Jin Nation Academy, and students were generally not allowed. But as the prince of Jin Nation, Li Yu definitely knew the answer.

　　“Okay, I’ll ask Li Yu later. By the way, Master, I have another question that I’d like to ask you.”

　　Ye Ping would go and ask in detail about the matter of the Jin Nation Academy later. He now had another question that he had been bewildered about for a long time.

　　“Go ahead.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua stood up and said calmly.

　　“Master, I’d like to know if I’m strong or weak.”

　　Ye Ping voiced that question that he had been troubled about for a long time.

　　It was not that he lacked confidence, but mainly because he naturally couldn’t be reckless and arrogant to think that he would be able to dominate the world just because he was a transmigrator.

　　Novels with zealous characters were not reality.

　　Having transmigrated to the world of immortal cultivation for three years, he still didn’t discover that it was a world of immortal cultivation.

　　After discovering that it was a world of immortal cultivation, he took part in more than 50 Grand Immortal Ascension Meets but couldn’t even become an in-name disciple.

　　Now that he had joined a hidden sect, he had only been cultivating for three or four months.

　　That made Ye Ping vexed about how he could evaluate his strength. He wasn’t strong compared to the many powerhouses in the world, but he didn’t feel weak either as the trip to Qingzhou made him feel strong.

　　Ye Ping originally wanted to ask Su Changyu that question but the latter hadn’t returned, so he had no choice but to ask Daoist Tai Hua.

　　After hearing Ye Ping’s question, Daoist Tai Hua fell into silence.

　　He did not understand the question and wondered why Ye Ping would ask such a question.

　　‘You’re not powerful enough?’

　　‘You’ve only been cultivating for a few months and I can’t even see through your cultivation level. You took only a day to comprehend the Four Thunder sword momentum and you’re proficient in alchemy, array formations and so on.

　　‘If you’re not strong, who is?’

　　If this question were asked by anyone else, Daoist Tai Hua would feel that he was being deliberately sarcastic. But because Ye Ping was the one who did, Daoist Tai Hua still had to answer in a serious manner despite feeling uncomfortable.

　　After some thought, Daoist Tai Hua still didn’t know how to answer.

　　Ye Ping was indeed competent, but powerhouses could be found everywhere in the world. However, he wasn’t weak either as he was definitely worthy of being called the best of his generation. His future achievements were certainly limitless.

　　Hence, for a moment, Daoist Tai Hua did not know how to explain. He kept staring at an oil lamp in the hall, pondering about how he should explain it.

　　However, Ye Ping suddenly seemed to have come to a sudden realization.

　　“Thank you, Master, I understand.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua was stunned.

　　‘Huh? What did you understand?’

　　‘I didn’t say anything.’

　　‘Ye Ping, although you can understand and comprehend things very well, why did you understand something even though I did not say anything?’

　　‘Are you Mr. Know-it-all?’

　　This time, Daoist Tai Hua was really a little surprised.

　　He really did not say anything this time, and yet Ye Ping said that he had comprehended something. His imagination was a little too wild.

　　“Master, you keep staring at the lamp. Aren’t you trying to tell me that my strength is just like these flames that can burn everything but will be extinguished upon contact with water or wind?”

　　“So, my strength is not dependent on myself but on the strength of my enemy and the conditions of the environment.”

　　“I may be strong in Qingzhou, but in Jin Nation and the Ten Nations or even the world at large, I’m just like this fire that will only get smaller and smaller, so I have to continuously improve myself.”

　　“Hence, no one is to deduce how strong I am, but I have to verify my enemy and myself with my fists. Victory will build my confidence and failure will hone my Dao Heart, alright?”

　　Ye Ping gave an answer based on his own understanding.

　　Daoist Tai Hua was stunned after hearing Ye Ping’s words.

　　‘Good, this is very much like Ye Ping.’

　　“That’s right, that’s what I mean.”

　　“Your strength and competency are like flames. When you think that this oil lamp is all you have, you are indeed very strong. But when you know that this hall is all that you have, you will think that you’re neither weak nor strong. However, when you think that the whole Dao Sect is all that you have, you will think that you are incredibly vulnerable.”

　　“True cultivators are always exploring the unknown. The higher your realm, the more powerful you are. As soon as you look outside, you will find that you are still not good enough.”

　　“Ye Ping, I didn’t expect you to comprehend this. It seems Changyu was right.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua gave a heartfelt praise to Ye Ping.

　　If his disciples were all like Ye Ping, he wouldn’t have to put in so much effort into teaching them.

　　“What did Eldest Senior Brother say about me?”

　　Hearing Daoist Tai Hua’s words, Ye Ping couldn’t help but be curious.

　　Daoist Tai Hua was a little confused to hear his words.

　　He kind of regretted his decision to say such a lie. ‘How would I know what your eldest Senior Brother said?’

　　Daoist Tai Hua was a little nervous.

　　However, looking at Ye Ping’s expectant gaze, he could only bite the bullet and make things up.

　　“Changyu said that although your aptitude is average, you are extremely intelligent.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua casually made up something.

　　“Is that so? Eldest Senior Brother has flattered me. I’m just a little witty, I’m not intelligent. What else did Eldest Senior Brother say?”

　　Hearing that Su Changyu had praised him, Ye Ping felt a little embarrassed.

　　Daoist Tai Hua was speechless.

　　‘What else?’

　　He looked at Ye Ping with a strange expression.

　　However, in order not to affect Ye Ping’s confidence, Daoist Tai Hua continued to bite the bullet and lie.

　　“Your eldest Senior Brother also said that although you are intelligent and wise, it’s the very reason that you’re not as arrogant as you should be at your age. Hence, you lack confidence now.”

　　“It’s alright for cultivators to have poor aptitude and luck but determination and confidence are important. If you want to regain self-confidence, you need to compete. In anything you do, strive to be the best and fight whenever you can.”

　　“Of course, you can spar, but if you really encounter any danger, you have to choose your battles. It’s good to be courageous, but if you don’t have a plan, you’re just being silly. Do you understand?”

　　Daoist Tai Hua explained seriously.

　　Actually, he could sense that Ye Ping lacked confidence. If Chen Lingrou had not said that to him today, Daoist Tai Hua would have stood firm to his own ideas.

　　However, after hearing what Chen Lingrou said, Daoist Tai Hua also realized that Ye Ping was a genius, and since he was a genius, he could not let Ye Ping adapt to this world of immortal cultivation in the same way as an ordinary person.

　　“I understand.”

　　After hearing Daoist Tai Hua’s words, Ye Ping gradually had an epiphany. He had realized these problems when he was in Qingzhou, and now that Daoist Tai Hua mentioned that too, he was even more enlightened.

　　At this moment, Ye Ping had already developed an idea, which would sooner or later grow bigger.

　　“Alright, good that you have understood. Go and look for Li Yu and ask him for some things to take note of in the Jin Nation Academy. If there’s nothing wrong, go to the Jin Nation Academy in three days.”

　　Since Ye Ping understood, Daoist Tai Hua did not say anything more.

　　“Three days? So soon?”

　　Ye Ping was a little surprised as he was expecting to leave at least two weeks later.

　　He wanted to at least learn alchemy or array formations before leaving.

　　“Ye Ping, it’s not that I’m urging you to leave, but it’s mainly because Changyu said that the Jin Nation Academy has recruited many geniuses this time and things will get troublesome if someone comprehends the supreme sword intent before you do.”

　　“I know that you can’t bear to leave the sect, but learning the sword intent before returning to the sect won’t affect your progress much. Do you understand?”

　　Daoist Tai Hua patted Ye Ping’s shoulder.

　　Ye Ping’s expression changed after hearing that.

　　He had forgotten about this.

　　‘Yes, there must be a lot of geniuses in the Jin Nation Academy, if others were to beat me to it, won’t I suffer heavy losses?’

　　At the thought of this, Ye Ping immediately nodded and said, “Okay, I will discuss with Li Yu first and come back later to see you. I’ll set off as soon as possible.”

　　Ye Ping no longer hesitated.

　　Daoist Tai Hua was right, it was not difficult to learn something in the sect. After all, he had a long way ahead of him, but the supreme sword intent of the Jin Nation Academy was not waiting for him only.

　　“Okay, go ahead, get going.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua nodded in satisfaction.

　　Ye Ping soon left the main hall.

　　After Ye Ping left, Daoist Tai Hua couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief.

　　‘Good, I’ve finally solved the issue of Ye Ping going to the Jin Nation Academy.’

　　‘Very good, great.’

　　‘As long as Ye Ping goes to the Jin Nation Academy, the Qingyun Dao Sect will soar high.’

　　‘Second-rank Sect!’

　　‘Bringing glory to the ancestors!’

　　It was simply a huge honor to the ancestors.

　　In the main hall, Daoist Tai Hua laughed out loud, but soon, he covered his mouth, afraid that he would be too loud.

　　Soon, in the guest residence of the Qingyun Dao Sect.

　　Ye Ping had come to see Li Yu.

　　“Master, why are you here?”

　　Li Yu was a little surprised, he didn’t expect Ye Ping to come to him.

　　“I have two things to talk to you about. Firstly, it’s regarding the acceptance of you as my disciple. Although my master has given me his approval, this matter must not be rushed. I shall temporarily accept you as an in-name disciple and observe your performance. If you do well, you will become my official disciple. If not, it will prove that you are not fated to be my disciple.”

　　“Secondly, I’m willing to go to the Jin Nation Academy, but can I make a trip back here once every month? I won’t stay for too long each time, just four or five days will do.”

　　As soon as Li Yu opened the door, Ye Ping went straight to the point without hiding anything or being too formal.

　　After all, he was respectful to the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters in the Dao Sect because of their seniority, but Li Yu was his disciple. Hence, Ye Ping was very straightforward.

　　“No problem, Master, I’ll be an in-name disciple then.”

　　“However, you can’t leave the Jin Nation Academy privately as that’s a strict rule in the academy. You can leave if you get a superior rating from the elders in the academy.”

　　“But don’t worry, Master, if you really want to come out, I can get you out even by any means I can think of. This is not a big problem.”

　　Li Yu accepted the fact that he would become an in-name disciple as it didn’t matter to him. There was just a period of assessment and probation.

　　The second problem was a little tricky for Li Yu, but after he thought about it carefully, he felt that there should be no big issue.

　　“Good that we’ve solved the second issue. I’ll set off in three days.”

　　Ye Ping nodded. It was enough to be able to solve this problem.

　　“Three days? Sure, I will prepare immediately. Master, in these few days, I will tell you properly about the rules of the Jin Nation Academy, lest you find yourself being clueless.”

　　Li Yu immediately got excited after hearing that Ye Ping had agreed.

　　He was honestly glad that Ye Ping had agreed to go to the Jin Nation Academy. Firstly, it was because he could avenge his sister. Secondly, if Ye Ping could make a name for himself and become famous in the Jin Nation Academy, he would be able to let Ye Ping assist him when he takes the throne in the future, on the condition that Ye Ping was willing.

　　Of course, those were just Li Yu’s plans.

　　“Nah, you can tell me on the way there. I want to spend the next few days packing.”

　　Ye Ping waved his hand and left.

　　He did not want to be disturbed for the next few days. He just wanted to stay in the sect and strengthen his cultivation foundation.

　　“Okay. Master, take care.”

　　Li Yu nodded and watched Ye Ping leave.

　　After he left, Ye Ping suddenly thought of something serious.

　　He had forgotten to deliver the jade bottle to Xu Luochen.

　　However, when Ye Ping arrived at the alchemy area, he discovered that Xu Luochen was no longer there and the medicine in the pot had vanished.

　　That made Ye Ping a little curious as he wondered where Xu Luochen had gone.

　　However, he did not think much about it and went directly to the rear cliff of Qingyun Dao Sect.

　　After all, he would be going to the Jin Nation Academy three days later, and thus he planned to stabilize his cultivation first.

　　Hence, in the blink of an eye, three days passed.

　　On this day, the sun hadn’t risen yet.

　　At the rear cliff, Daoist Tai Hua came to see Ye Ping with a secret manual.

　　The words ‘Ancient True Dragon Fist’ were imprinted on the secret manual.