Chapter 125: The Great Senior Brother Luo

"Junior Brother Chen, I never meant for you to comprehend the true essence of the Water Element. You cultivate the Earth Element’s energy; even if you were to grasp the Water Element’s truth, it would be utterly useless to you and, moreover, unsuitable," Luo Tian said, already suspecting that Chen Jingzhi was likely cursing him inwardly but not minding at all. He continued matter-of-factly, "The embodiment of the Water Element’s true essence, at its core, can also be called the True Essence of Transforming Water, which is closely linked to the True Essence of Transforming Ice and Transforming Mist."

At these words, Chen Jingzhi’s eyes suddenly brightened, the gloom vanishing from his face, replaced by a flush of excitement. "Senior Brother Luo, could you please explain more clearly?" he asked eagerly.

Though he felt a glimmer of understanding, something still eluded him, as if countless tiny insects were crawling and nibbling inside his mind, causing an itch he couldn’t quite scratch. If the occasion were different, he might have scratched his head in frustration, desperate to unravel the deeper meaning behind Luo Tian’s words.

"The embodiment of the Earth Element’s true essence is closely connected with the True Essence of Transforming Sand and Transforming Stone," Luo Tian explained earnestly. "If one could freely switch among these three and control their true essence to manipulate them, then at the Pulse Flow and Elemental Core stages, once the elemental force is released, it would be wildly versatile and difficult to counter."

He continued seriously, "However, at the Qi Condensation stage, only the True Essence of Transforming Sand has been comprehended, which is a disadvantage. Not only can the elemental energy not be externally released, but the body itself cannot undergo any transformation. Therefore, Junior Brother Chen, I suggest you dedicate more effort. If you can master the control of true essence early on, by the time you reach the Pulse Flow stage and release elemental force, your combat power will increase significantly. You will undoubtedly become a pillar of our Divine Yang Sect."

Chen Jingzhi stared intently at Luo Tian’s solemn expression, his heart stirred, waves of emotion swelling within. Luo Tian’s understanding and explanations of true essence were entirely derived from Qin Tianyu.

Who was Qin Tianyu?

He was a formidable Elemental Core cultivator who had condensed a singular Grand Core and reached the Ninth Core stage. Beyond that, he could attempt to break through to the Profound Body stage. Success there would mean transcending sect founder or patriarch status, truly reaching the pinnacle of power—worthy of the titles "Mighty and Invincible."

Even if not yet at the Profound Body stage, Qin Tianyu possessed abundant cultivation resources supplied by the empire, innate talent beyond compare, astonishing insight, and a spiritual elemental core as his heart’s core. Everything he saw, heard, or realized was from an extraordinarily high starting point.

Such a realm, such a level, such a powerhouse—his comprehension of elemental laws and true essence was absolutely profound, piercing to the very core.

Even regarding the Earth Element’s true essence, which he could not fully master or employ, Qin Tianyu would discuss his understanding with peers of the same rank. As a top-tier Elemental Core cultivator, ignorance of other elemental true essences would be tantamount to courting disaster; in conflict, it could lead to grave losses.

Chen Jingzhi felt dizzy with fascination. The Way is simple—Luo Tian’s words were neither complex nor difficult to grasp. But precisely because of this simplicity, Chen Jingzhi was enthralled, nearly to the point of madness.

Why had he not known this from the start?

In that moment, Chen Jingzhi did not ponder the truth that anything not yet understood, no matter how simple, feels complex. Once comprehended, even the most intricate matters become transparent at a glance.

"Senior Brother Luo!" Chen Jingzhi’s voice trembled with excitement, his lips quivering slightly. Strength was the foremost pursuit for cultivators; what harm was there in lowering one’s head a little to become stronger?

Moreover, Luo Tian’s words truly broadened Chen Jingzhi’s horizons, elevating his vision. The title of "Senior Brother" was well deserved.

Calling him that was no loss—it was an advantage. If word got out that simply addressing someone as Senior Brother could yield such weighty guidance, the sect’s courtyard gates might soon be trampled into the ground.

"Please, Senior Brother Luo, teach me!" Chen Jingzhi declared, now holding great disdain for Tang Xuan, who was hypocritical, while feeling genuine respect and admiration for Luo Tian.

"Junior Brother Chen, your emotions are too unsettled right now. When cultivating, one should maintain a mind as still as water; that yields the best results," Luo Tian said, shaking his head slightly but pressing on with his explanation. "Each true essence is intimately connected to its elemental origin and does not exist independently. Whether you wish to study the True Essence of Transforming Sand or Stone, you must view them in conjunction with the Earth Element itself."

Once the mental barrier was broken, Chen Jingzhi’s attitude transformed instantly. Within his family, elders were divided into factions, and only the closest received true instruction; others were given only cursory guidance or excuses of seclusion. Thus, Chen Jingzhi’s yearning for true essence knowledge had reached its peak.

Now, having received Luo Tian’s enlightening explanation, he was overjoyed beyond measure.

Chen Jingzhi sensed faintly that this was a rare opportunity; if he did not grasp it quickly, he would regret it for a lifetime.

"The True Essence of Transforming Sand, in essence, is turning a mass of elemental energy into fine particles like sand. It is more difficult to control, but when striking an enemy, such a sudden change can be quite effective," Luo Tian said solemnly. "However, what matters most is not just the outcome of transformation; the process itself warrants careful study. The Earth Elemental energy transforming into sand is not only a change in form but also a change in characteristics."

Chen Jingzhi nodded repeatedly.

"Similarly, if you can fully master the True Essence of Transforming Sand, the True Essence of Transforming Stone will not be too difficult. It is simply a completely opposite alteration of Earth Elemental energy," Luo Tian elaborated further, drawing analogies. If Chen Jingzhi made a sudden breakthrough, it would also benefit Luo Tian and attract more elite disciples.

Chen Jingzhi’s eyes gleamed with admiration and reverence for Luo Tian, reaching an unparalleled degree. He even felt that the family elders’ explanations and guidance regarding true essence were lacking in many respects.

No wonder—one explained from the fundamental nature outward, layer by layer peeling away the mysteries; the other groped forward blindly, guessing as they went. The gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth.

With a strength like Qin Tianyu’s, a hundred or so Liu Changtians would be no match, let alone elders who had only reached the Elemental Core stage through alchemy.

"Senior Brother Luo, I..." Chen Jingzhi took a deep breath, pursed his lips, but said nothing else and immediately began to cultivate.

Comprehension of true essence often flashed like lightning; missing the moment could cause lifelong regret.

Luo Tian leisurely stretched his limbs. The Pulse Flow stage was clearly within reach, but he also sensed that his advantage in true essence was not particularly pronounced.

To comprehend true essence required strong insight and, if possible, the acquisition of more elemental spirits, which greatly increased one’s chances.

He wondered whether the Wind and Cloud Guard had any such advantages.

Luo Tian looked forward to this. This small city of Wan Feng was naturally beneath Qin Tianyu’s notice but was a place where Luo Tian had to strive early on to obtain cultivation resources.

Cultivation should begin early, not just in terms of age but seizing fleeting opportunities.

Failing to grasp them could result in falling behind step by step.

Luo Tian had known this wisdom long ago and constantly reminded himself of it.

Before long, Luo Tian noticed another golden light cluster flying into his Divine Eye, which visibly opened a little wider.

Soon, it would open completely!

His heart surged with excitement, and a genuine smile appeared on his face. "Junior Brother Chen, well done! As your senior brother, I am truly happy for you!"

Chen Jingzhi saw Luo Tian’s sincere joy and felt his respect deepen further; a senior brother willing to wholeheartedly guide other disciples to strengthen themselves was, upon reflection, better than some of his own family elders.

"Senior Brother Luo! Today’s favor, I..." Chen Jingzhi was at a loss for words, thinking of Luo Tian’s performance since entering the Divine Yang Sect and realizing that Luo Tian truly possessed a great character, far surpassing others.

"How can I ever repay Senior Brother Luo?"

Not only the sect or the family but even true kinship or master-disciple bonds rarely saw such genuine, effective, and incisive mentoring.

How could Chen Jingzhi not be moved?

Nevertheless, although Luo Tian was surprised that two disciples had made true essence breakthroughs in quick succession, on reflection, it was understandable.

True essence comprehension was not an ephemeral flash of insight but the fruit of daily accumulation, a slow buildup culminating in a decisive breakthrough.

Tang Xuan and Chen Jingzhi were both somewhat renowned and had lingered at the ninth turn of the Qi Condensation stage for some time, having already gained some understanding of true essence, laying the foundation for progress.

Cultivation was not building castles in the air; a solid foundation was crucial.

For example, elemental energy absorption: without a certain level of body refinement techniques, even if you absorbed and refined it, you wouldn’t dare try. Attempting it might not only fail to improve strength but also cause the brutal energy to ravage the body.

Once true essence is integrated into elemental energy, its power is further amplified. A cultivator with a fragile body cannot withstand such force.

"Junior Brother Chen, we are fellow disciples; there’s no need to be so formal!" Luo Tian said earnestly. "If you truly want to repay me, then have all the Chen family’s elite disciples come seek guidance. Though I cannot guarantee they will all benefit or break through, I will do my utmost."

Could this be considered repayment?

Could this be considered a kindness worthy of Senior Brother Luo?

For some reason, in that moment, Chen Jingzhi felt his eyes moisten and hurriedly lowered his gaze.

"Xuan Ge, is that Luo Tian really so extraordinary?" Tang Zheng shook his head skeptically. "Maybe you just naturally had some insight, and it happened to coincide."

"That’s definitely true," Tang Xuan replied bluntly, then shifted the topic. "But Luo Tian has contributed something, albeit small. It’s better than nothing. I suggest you go take a look."

"I heard that apart from the Shen family, who pay 3,000 contribution points, the rest of us pay the original price of 300?" Tang Zheng, whose sharp features softened into a smile, said, "I can’t say if Luo Tian truly has ability, but he’s certainly gutsy—he not only beat up that useless Shen Lingfei but dares to say such things!"

The scions of the four great families competed not only in strength but also in face.

A few thousand or a few hundred contribution points were nothing to them, but seeing a Shen family member trampled by Luo Tian and crushed twice over was deeply satisfying.

It became a new topic for gossip and a source of mockery among them—a very entertaining matter.

"Later, I’ll mobilize the other Tang family disciples. Tomorrow, they’ll all try it out. Though not everyone may benefit, if even one breaks through, it’s a gain—just 300 contribution points," Tang Xuan said, mentioning a sum that newly inducted outer disciples at the Qi Condensation stage would agonize over, but he spoke as lightly as a breeze.

"That’s true," Tang Zheng agreed, then clicked his tongue. "It’s just that this kid’s rule that anyone seeking guidance must address him as ‘Senior Brother’ is a bit hard for me to accept."

"If you want to ask for instruction, you must show proper respect; it’s just a form of address. What’s so unacceptable about that?" Tang Xuan, unwilling to let others have it easy even among kin, said. "I’m going to rest now. You tell everyone."

Tang Zheng acknowledged, watching Tang Xuan’s departing figure. For some reason, he felt a bit uneasy.