Instead of keeping his secret as the gravekeeper elder had advised, Xiang Shaoyun told the elder his actual situation. He told the elder about the time he cultivated his astral cosmos sea and the story of him forming the nine-colored fog. Since he considered the gravekeeper elder his master, he placed his absolute trust in the elder. He also hoped the elder could point out a path he should walk from now on.
The gravekeeper elder listened in silence, and after a short thought, he said, “Only a single physique possesses an astral cosmos sea capable of storing life like yours. It’s the Primal Chaos Physique, known as the strongest physique. Since the five elements are the essence of life, your astral cosmos sea has gained the ability to store life. Of course, generally, only small life forms can be stored in such astral cosmos seas. It is almost impossible to store an entire living human inside.”
“What’s with my astral cosmos sea then?” Xiang Shaoyun asked in confusion.
Initially, he had thought that he could store Money only due to Money’s innate ability. But he had subsequently learned that his assumption had been wrong.
“It must have something to do with the nine-colored fog. Perhaps that is also the secret of cultivating nine powers,” said the gravekeeper elder. “However, others had attempted what you did long ago, but none have succeeded. I’m afraid there is still a crucial secret that nobody knows.”
“Also, there is one more issue. I can accumulate my nine energies in the astral cosmos sea, but I can’t replenish it instantaneously like regular astral energy. Thus, I can’t use it unendingly, and any exhaustion will require some time for replenishment before I can continue fighting,” said Xiang Shaoyun.
“That is easily understandable. Your nine-colored fog is a product of the fusion between nine powers, while the energy provided by spirit crystals is not,” said the gravekeeper elder. “Other astral energies also require replenishment upon exhaustion, but the energy in your astral cosmos sea requires much more time to replenish. In a way, your astral cosmos sea is a sort of conversion center. Perhaps that is the only way to fuse nine powers. Any forceful fusion will fail. You have succeeded by a lucky stroke. Just focus on accumulating more of that energy during your free time, and you will be fine.”
“Ok, got it,” Xiang Shaoyun replied.
“Alright. Come with me. Let me take a look at how far your Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist has progressed,” said the gravekeeper elder as he strode toward a different direction.
Xiang Shaoyun was aware that the gravekeeper elder was bringing him to the area filled with evil spirits. He was already very familiar with that place. Without needing any instructions from the gravekeeper elder, he dove right into the midst of the white bones and unleashed his Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist.
This time, he did not hide his nine-colored fog. He gathered the nine-colored fog he had accumulated during the past few days and sent his fist out. As the fist shot out, it crushed numerous bones.
The gravekeeper elder still remained expressionless as he muttered to himself, “This is indeed the strongest power in existence. However…he is only able to demonstrate about one-tenth of its real strength right now.”
When Xiang Shaoyun returned to the gravekeeper elder’s side, the elder said, “You can further consolidate your fist energy. Your fist stance can be cleaner and can be made more effective. You can also add more ferocity into your punch.”
“Your disciple will take note,” said Xiang Shaoyun. He then knelt down and pleaded, “Master, your disciple has a request.”
“Even if I really do accept you as a disciple, I won’t help you with anything. I am but a keeper of graves,” said the elder, rejecting Xiang Shaoyun before Xiang Shaoyun could voice his request.
Xiang Shaoyun was left speechless, but the elder said, “Relying on others is incomparable to relying on oneself. In the future, unless it’s for any problems in cultivation, don’t look for me anymore.”
“Yes, master.” Xiang Shaoyun did not dare to show any displeasure. He saluted the elder politely before leaving.
Looks like I can only rely on myself to save the Scarlet Flame Monarch, sighed Xiang Shaoyun inwardly.
He had initially thought that by shamelessly making himself the gravekeeper elder’s disciple, he would be able to rescue the Scarlet Flame Monarch. It would seem like that had merely been his wishful thinking.
After Xiang Shaoyun left, the gravekeeper elder said, “Enough. Stop hiding. Come out.”
The grand elders and the principal all appeared from different directions, their faces wearing awkward expressions. They had thought that their concealment was perfect, but it turned out the gravekeeper elder had long discovered them. That was proof of the heights of the gravekeeper elder’s strength.
“Gravekeeper elder, we…” the purple-haired elder mustered an explanation, but the gravekeeper elder interrupted him with a wave of a hand. He said, “I know what you want to know. I can tell you, but I need to clarify that this is not something you will be able to replicate. The concept involved is so profound even I don’t fully understand it. Perhaps the only way for one to understand it is to wait until that child has fully grown.”
He then told them Xiang Shaoyun’s secret of the nine-colored fog, and astonishment filled their faces as they listened.
“That method has been tried before, but why has he succeeded when all those people before him had failed?” the gold-haired elder asked doubtfully.
“That is the crux. Before we know for sure, do not try to create the so-called strongest physique, or you will only be ruining good seedlings,” said the gravekeeper elder.
The others nodded in agreement.
The gravekeeper elder continued, “That child is now my disciple. Of course, you may discipline him as you wish. Do not consider me at all. Alright, you can leave now.”
They did not dare to tarry and quickly left. On their way, the purple-haired elder said to the principal, “Allow that child free passage into all the nine cultivation zones from now on.”
Despite what the gravekeeper elder had said, they would definitely not dare to try anything against his disciple. It had been tens of thousands of years, and this was the very first time the gravekeeper elder had accepted a disciple. In terms of seniority, Xiang Shaoyun was technically comparable to these grand elders now. How could they still discipline him as they wished?
“Um. I know what to do,” the principal answered.
The beautiful woman said, “He still lacks a guardian elder by his side.”
“That’s right. We can’t allow anything bad to happen to that child. We need someone taking care of him,” said the heroic man.
“Just have someone take care of him in the dark. That person should not reveal himself unless absolutely necessary. After all, an unprocessed jade will not shine,” said the gold-haired old man.
