232: I'm leaving now.

Carrying his immense gains and joy, Jiang Donghua immediately wanted to go to his teacher's residence to share the good news with Elder Mo Xuan.

His steps were light, even a bit impatient, as he passed through the tranquil paths of the Alchemy Department and arrived outside the familiar elegant courtyard.

However, before he could even step through the courtyard gate, he saw a figure leisurely reclining on a grand armchair in the courtyard, gently swaying with the slight creak of the chair.

Who else could it be but Elder Mo Xuan?

His current appearance was completely different from the majestic and imposing figure he was during his breakthrough yesterday. He wore a loose casual robe, and a cup of steaming tea was held between his fingers, looking utterly content, as if he were merely a retired wealthy old man enjoying his golden years.

Hearing footsteps, he didn't even lift his eyelids, only pursed his lips, and with a confident, knowing tone, he lazily asked,

“Hmph, Stinky Kid, you’re back? How was it, the little extra training I gave you? Was it useful?”

Jiang Donghua found his teacher's demeanor amusing, but he respectfully stepped forward and nodded earnestly.

“The jade slip bestowed by Teacher indeed has miraculous effects and has saved this Disciple countless hours.”

He paused, preparing to utter the name “Heaven Burning Furnace Art.”

But before he could speak, Mo Xuan, lying on the chair, as if a script had already been written, sat up abruptly from the grand armchair, his eyes shining, and with a 'I-knew-it-all-along' boastful tone, he guessed,

“Hey! Let this teacher guess! Did you get a earth rank low-tier cultivation method? Tsk tsk, not bad, not bad. Although it’s only earth rank low-tier, it’s enough to keep you from worrying about cultivation methods until you reach the Dou Zun stage! Steady and solid, your future is promising!”

He stroked his non-existent beard, clearly quite satisfied with his assistance and his Disciple's luck.

However, the scene he envisioned of his Disciple being moved to tears of gratitude and bowing in admiration did not materialize.

Jiang Donghua, standing before him, merely shook his head slowly and firmly.

“Hmm?”

Elder Mo Xuan’s swaying grand armchair instantly stopped, the smug expression on his face froze for a moment, and his brows furrowed.

“Not earth rank low-tier? Is it a top-tier xuan-rank high-tier? No, that’s not right. My jade slip should only react to fluctuations above the Earth Tier. Could there be a mistake? Did he get something else?”

A hint of doubt and confusion entered his tone.

As he was lost in thought, Jiang Donghua finally stopped playing coy and spoke calmly, his voice clearly reaching Mo Xuan’s ears.

“Teacher, what this Disciple obtained is not a earth rank low-tier cultivation method.”

Elder Mo Xuan was about to nod, indicating that a xuan-rank high-tier was also acceptable, when he heard Jiang Donghua continue,

“This Disciple was fortunate enough to obtain a middle-rank earth tier cultivation method—the Heaven Burning Furnace Art.”

“Middle-rank earth… what?!!!”

Elder Mo Xuan was as if struck by an invisible bolt of lightning, and he suddenly sprang up from the grand armchair!

His movement was so violent that he almost knocked over the nearby tea table.

He didn't even steady the teacup in his hand, oblivious to the tea spilling out.

He stared wide-eyed at Jiang Donghua, as if to confirm whether he had misheard.

“You, you Stinky Kid, say it again? What rank earth tier?!!!”

“middle-rank earth tier, Heaven Burning Furnace Art.”

Jiang Donghua confirmed again, and seeing his teacher's rare display of Loss of composure, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve slightly upwards.

“Holy crap!!!”

Upon receiving confirmation, Elder Mo Xuan immediately blurted out an expletive highly unbefitting his status, his expression instantly transforming from shock to ecstatic joy, as if he himself had obtained the cultivation method!

He walked around Jiang Donghua twice, scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if seeing his Disciple for the first time, muttering incessantly.

“middle-rank earth tier! It’s actually middle-rank earth tier! Hahaha! Good! Good Stinky Kid! Your luck is truly heaven-defying! This isn’t just picking up a treasure; this is like hitting the jackpot! Hahaha!”

He vigorously patted Jiang Donghua’s shoulder, too excited to contain himself.

A middle-rank earth tier cultivation method's value far surpassed that of a earth rank low-tier, enough to serve as a legacy treasure for any major power!

This meant Jiang Donghua's starting point and future potential were an entire major level higher than he had anticipated!

After the initial euphoria, Elder Mo Xuan let out a long, satisfying sigh of relief, completely relaxing, his eyes filled with gratification and a sense of carefree liberation.

“Good! This is good! With this cultivation method, this old man, this old man can truly leave with complete peace of mind!”

His words carried profound meaning; no longer the previous yearning for the road ahead, but a complete sense of reassurance and entrustment.

His Disciple's wings had grown strong; not only was his strength unparalleled among his peers, but he had also obtained such a powerful foundational cultivation method. As long as he didn't perish prematurely, his future achievements were bound to be limitless.

His last lingering concern as a teacher had also been laid down, allowing him to journey to the broader world of Central Plains without any worries.

The wild joy and relief on Elder Mo Xuan's face gradually settled, transforming into a deeper, more complex emotion.

He looked at his beloved Disciple, who was about to spread his wings and soar, his gaze filled with pride, reluctance, and an even stronger sense of determination.

After a moment of silence, he slowly raised his hand, his gaze falling upon an ancient, dark-colored storage ring on his thin finger, which seemed to absorb the surrounding light.

This storage ring had been with him for many years, almost becoming a part of his body.

Without the slightest hesitation, he gently slipped the dark storage ring from his finger.

The moment the storage ring left his finger, it seemed to emit an extremely faint hum, as if a certain restraint had been lifted.

Elder Mo Xuan took Jiang Donghua's hand and solemnly placed the dark storage ring, still warm from his body, into his palm. Then he firmly patted his Disciple's sturdy arm, his tone feigning lightness, yet unable to conceal the underlying weight.

“Stinky Kid, this teacher’s family fortune isn’t vast, but these things I’ve accumulated over the years, they are yours now.”

“Inside are various rare medicinal formulas and alchemy insights that this teacher collected throughout his life, as well as many hidden medicinal ingredients, some of which this teacher hasn't even brought himself to use yet. If you encounter difficulties in alchemy in the future, read the notes inside; it will be a hundred times more effective than this teacher nagging you.”

He paused, his voice deepening a few shades.

“Jia Nan Academy is good, but it cannot protect you forever. You truly have to walk your own path from now on. It’s also time for this old man to go to Central Plains and settle some old scores that should have been settled long ago.”

Jiang Donghua held the heavy storage ring, which contained his teacher's lifelong efforts, and felt his palm burning hot.

He heard the determination in his teacher’s words, and his heart tightened abruptly, a bad premonition welling up within him.

He immediately grabbed Elder Mo Xuan's arm and urgently asked,

“Teacher! What exactly are you going to Central Plains to do? What is the matter? Tell this Disciple!”

Elder Mo Xuan looked at the genuine concern and anxiety in his Disciple's eyes, his lips quivered a few times, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, it only turned into a long sigh, and he shook his head.

He cast his gaze into the distance, seeing the land of Central Plains.

“Some things, knowing too much won’t do you any good.”

His voice was hoarse, but seeing Jiang Donghua's stubborn, unyielding gaze, he eventually softened, or rather, he felt his Disciple had the right to know a little truth.