697: Return to the clan!

He held his fingers together like a sword, and at the fingertip, a cluster of pure and condensed brilliant light, seemingly containing the Grand Sun True Intent and the mysteries of the Void Realm, quietly emerged.

Within the cluster of light, countless minute runes flowed, manifesting the various profound mysteries of the ninth transformation of the "Nine Transformations of the Vast Sun".

"Senior Martial Uncle," Yao Delong said as he handed the light cluster to Li Cen, his voice sincere.

"These are some insights I gained while comprehending the ninth transformation, 'Co-Radiance: Nine Suns Descend'. Though it is not the complete picture..."

"...it might provide some reference for you to break through your Bottleneck and reach the state of Perfection."

Li Cen looked at the light cluster before him, which condensed supreme insights, and was instantly stunned.

An indescribable warm current and complex emotions surged against his mental defenses.

Shock! Yao Delong was actually willing to share such precious insights with him!

Shame! He remembered his initial disdain for the youth!

Moved! Such breadth of mind and bearing far exceeded that of ordinary people!

Li Cen's lips moved slightly. Looking into Yao Delong's clear and open eyes, his thousands of words finally transformed into a relieved and gratified hearty laugh:

"Haha! Good! Good lad! Then your Senior Martial Uncle... will shamelessly accept it!"

Without any pretension, he solemnly reached out both hands as if receiving a supreme treasure.

He carefully took the insight light cluster into his palm, and it instantly merged into his Primordial Spirit.

A vast and profound Grand Sun principle and Void Realm mystery immediately began to flow within his Sea of Consciousness.

The Bottleneck barrier that had troubled him for many years actually seemed to loosen slightly because of it!

Breaking through to the state of Void Refining Perfection no longer seemed like an unreachable dream!

Li Cen closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his eyes shone with brilliant light, and his gaze toward Yao Delong...

...was no longer just a Senior Martial Uncle's appreciation for a junior, but also carried a sense of respect for a "pioneer of the Dao path"!

Not far away, Han Yun, who had been silently watching, took in the entire scene.

She watched as Yao Delong casually gave away a light cluster of immeasurable value.

Seeing Peak Master Senior Martial Uncle Li's solemn and even slightly respectful posture, the shock in her heart was simply beyond words!

'Junior Brother Yao... has he... has he actually reached a Realm where he can discuss the Dao with the Peak Master, or even... guide the Peak Master?' Han Yun felt a sense of daze.

She recalled the figure of the young man who had just joined the sect years ago, bearing the name of "trash" and being secretly mocked by everyone.

Comparing him to the peerless Prodigy before her, whose bearing was matchless and who even had a Demon King kneeling to call him master... this earth-shattering change was like a dream!

'Is this... is this a true Genius?' Looking at Yao Delong's upright back, only deep awe and admiration remained in Han Yun's heart.

She understood that the distance between her and this Junior Brother was already as different as clouds and mud. At the same time, a strong desire to strive forward quietly grew in her heart.

The warship broke through the clouds, leaving a long trail of spiritual light in the vast sky.

Inside the cabin, although the Disciples had experienced danger, the atmosphere was lively as they had survived the disaster and gained much.

Having received the insight light cluster containing the principles of the ninth transformation from Yao Delong, Peak Master Li Cen had already impatiently entered a quiet room for secluded cultivation.

A blazing Grand Sun True Intent faintly circulated around him; he had clearly touched the edge of a Breakthrough.

The other Disciples gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing what they had obtained in the Secret Realm.

Some had obtained rare Spirit Medicine, some had found fragments of ancient Cultivation Techniques, and others had acquired powerful spiritual materials and Magic Treasures.

Although no one could compare to Liu Ruyan obtaining a creation dao artifact, they had all returned with plenty.

And the most eye-catching focus was undoubtedly Yao Delong on the bow deck.

"Senior Brother Yao! Senior Brother Yao! When refining this 'Lihuo Pill', I always feel the heat is hard to control during the pill condensation step, and the medicinal power seems to be dissipating. Can you see what the problem is?"

A Disciple who specialized in Alchemy respectfully held a Pill Furnace and asked for guidance with an open mind.

He had personally seen Yao Delong's miraculous Alchemy methods in the Secret Realm and had long since regarded him as a god of Alchemy.

Yao Delong's expression was gentle, without the slightest air of arrogance. He just glanced at the residue in the Pill Furnace and said calmly:

"The nature of Lihuo is violent and hard to tame. When you operate the Fire Control Art, three breaths before pill condensation..."

"...change the seventh hand seal of the 'Yanyang Spirit Attraction Art' to the 'Soft Water Furnace Nurturing Seal', reduce the spiritual energy output by five percent, and try again."

Hearing this, the Disciple felt as if he had been enlightened. He hurriedly tried to simulate the operation, and his eyes immediately lit up.

"So that's it! Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Yao! The Bottleneck that troubled me for half a year was resolved with just one word from you!"

He bowed repeatedly in excitement, and other Disciples interested in Alchemy also gathered around, asking questions all at once.

Yao Delong turned no one away, giving casual guidance. Often, just a few words would hit the mark, giving the questioners sudden enlightenment and many gains.

For a time, sounds of amazement and gratitude were heard incessantly on the deck.

"Senior Brother Yao not only has heaven-defying cultivation, but his Alchemy attainment is also unfathomable!"

"And he has no airs at all! He's so easy-going!"

"Yes, being able to receive some guidance from Senior Brother Yao makes this trip worthwhile!"

The Disciples' admiration and favor for Yao Delong soared like a rocket.

On the edge of this lively group of Disciples, a graceful figure appeared somewhat hesitant. It was Han Yun.

Looking at Senior Brother Yao, who was surrounded by everyone and shining brilliantly, the sense of awe and distance in her heart grew heavier.

She was not skilled in Alchemy, but she had many doubts regarding her cultivation. After hesitating for a moment, she plucked up her courage and stepped forward during a lull in the crowd.

"Senior... Senior Brother Yao..." Han Yun's voice carried a hint of imperceptible nervousness.

Yao Delong turned his head at the sound. Seeing her, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Senior Sister Han, what is it?" This "Senior Sister" made Han Yun's heart skip a beat, and she hurriedly waved her hands. "Senior Brother, you're flattering me too much. Just call me Han Yun."

"Alright, Han Yun." Yao Delong followed her wish, his smile still gentle. "If there's anything, feel free to speak."

Han Yun took a deep breath and explained a difficulty she encountered while practicing the metal-attribute Cultivation Technique, 'Gengjin Spear Fiend', regarding "spear fiend manifestation and..."

"...the balance of hardness and softness." She asked seriously, her eyes focused on Yao Delong.

Although Yao Delong primarily cultivated the Dao of Yin and Yang Chaos, his Realm was already profound. He could understand other things by analogy, and his understanding of the Five Elements Law far exceeded Han Yun's imagination.

After a brief thought, he did not answer directly but instead asked:

"You observed the Sky-Splitting Demon King's sonic attack; it was peerlessly fierce and could shake mountains. Why was it initially trapped by my sword array?"

Han Yun was startled and subconsciously replied, "Because... because Senior Brother Yao's sword array contains the power of spatial imprisonment? No matter how fierce the power is, if it doesn't hit anything solid, it's in vain?"

"Exactly." Yao Delong nodded approvingly.

"The path of hardness and softness is not simply about the strength of power. Your spear fiend blindly pursues showing its sharpness; while it is indeed fierce, it lacks agile transformation, like water without a source."

"You must know that for the true intent of metal, sharpness is its surface, toughness is its bone, and transformation is its marrow!"

"Try to draw a trace of Guishui power and merge it into the spear fiend when you condense it. Not much, just a trace will do."

"Let it wrap around and guide your metal spear Qi like flowing water, making it contain softness within hardness and hardness within softness. Only in the transition between offense and defense can the mystery of the metal element be revealed."

"Enlightenment!"

Han Yun felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in her mind!

The Bottleneck that had troubled her for a long time was suddenly cleared under Yao Delong's explanation, which used the Law of space and water-element spiritual power as metaphors!

She even faintly felt that her understanding of 'Gengjin Spear Fiend' had directly jumped to a new level!