150: Conversation with Ellie (Part 2)

“Perhaps she saw her own reflection in me.”

Ally self-mockingly said, “Mentor Serena recognized my talent, took me in as her disciple, and taught me with all her might.”

“From the moment I entered, Mentor Serena taught me methods of cultivating the mind, inheriting the psychological achievements of Mentor Serena’s faction.”

“I learned the method of tranquil contemplation;

I learned the method of investigating things to gain knowledge;

I learned the method of entrusting emotions to external objects;

I learned the method of emotional release and utilization;

And I also learned the method of walking the Great Dao alone…”

“So, Glynn, the reason my mind cultivation is stronger than yours, and I don't get emotional at the drop of a hat, is because I’ve been cultivating my mind for over twenty years.”

… “Although my Dao Heart suffered a blow when I went to participate in the Seven Towers Alliance’s Apothecary study tour and competition.”

“But after three years of seclusion, I still emerged, with an even more resolute Dao Heart.”

Under the hazy moonlight, the young woman said with confidence and vigor:

“Now, there is nothing that can shake my mind.”

“So, Glynn, all your so-called fears, helplessness, loneliness, and solitude, I will not take to heart, nor will they cause me any trouble.”

“Since I have dedicated myself to the Dao, in this life, I shall be a seeker of the Dao, for the road ahead is long and arduous, and I shall explore it from top to bottom.”

“Glynn…”

“I think you simply have too many distracting thoughts and an impure mind, always thinking this and that. This is very bad.”

“You should calm down and temper your mind properly.”

“Once you reach the point of dedicating yourself to the Dao and achieving purity of thought, as I have, your emotional episodes will vanish like smoke and cease to exist.”

“This will also be of great help for the Mind Bottleneck you are about to face as a Formal Wizard.”

… “Oh, right, Glynn…”

Ally suddenly turned her head and asked,

“Do you still remember what I told you when you were emotional last time?”

(Friendly reminder: In Chapter 40, Life is Not Easy, Wine for Company)

“I gave you three pieces of advice back then, and today, I still want to give you these three pieces of advice, because they are the greatest insights I inherited from my Mentor—Mentor Serena—from decades of mind cultivation.”

“First: Cultivate one or two spiritual anchors.”

“This can slow down the aging of your mind, and it can also add a bit of luster, a touch of fun, and a unique insight to your monotonous and boring Wizard life…”

“Second: Maintain a heart that is forever young and forever vibrant.”

“This means maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude. Don’t get emotional on your own; you must promptly empty the trash can of negative emotions. Don't be overwhelmed by negative emotions, which is very important for us Wizards.”

“Third: Never place your spiritual anchor on a specific person!”

“This is because you won't be able to bear that person’s departure. When your spiritual anchor is gone, your heart will also die…”

“Mentor Serena is just like that. Her heart has gone with him forever. Even after spending decades cultivating her mind, Mentor Serena could never repair the heart she had back then.”

… “I understand.”

Glynn replied sullenly and then fell silent.

The two of them continued to walk slowly along the path in the night, both in silence.

As they walked, Glynn’s heart gradually calmed down.

This outcome was already within Glynn’s expectations.

From Ally’s previous actions, Glynn could tell that Ally was truly a person with strong convictions and incredible initiative.

For something she had decided upon, even if it meant facing a mountain of swords and a sea of fire, or a thousand difficulties and dangers, she would firmly press on until she achieved her goal.

There was one time before.

Ally encountered a difficult problem in runology. Ally told Glynn it could be solved in three hours, but unexpectedly got stuck, her thoughts hitting a roadblock.

Ally stubbornly tackled this difficulty, determined to solve it even if it meant working overtime and staying up late. Glynn advised her to deal with it tomorrow and get some rest, but at that time, Ally was truly unyielding. No matter how Glynn tried to persuade her, Ally stuck to her guns, believing that inspiration had struck and success was just a second away.

Then, Glynn stayed up with her for three days and three nights before she finally broke through the impasse and solved the problem.

Ally’s tenacity and persistence were evident… But as soon as he thought of the Seeker’s Curse, Glynn’s scalp tingled.

Are all transmigrators truly destined for loneliness, forever unable to achieve true happiness?

Whether you are a Black Wizard or a White Wizard, can you truly not break free from this fate?

Glynn still wanted to struggle a bit… So, Glynn changed his approach and asked again,

“Ally…”

“Given our cultivation progress, encountering the Mind Bottleneck of a Formal Wizard is only a matter of time.”

“Perhaps it will be in the next few years.”

“Have you made any preparations in advance? Or rather, do you have an idea, roughly knowing what your Mind Bottleneck might be?”

… “Me?”

Ally smiled casually.

“I’ve actually thought about it a long time ago. My Mind Bottleneck will probably be just a few things.”

“Either it’s related to Pharmacology. I have a wish to be able to refine Formal Wizard-level elixirs during the Wizard Apprentice stage, just like Mentor Serena.”

“Or it’s to fulfill a promise I made back then, to help Mentor Serena organize and compile a monumental work on psychology that records her lifelong learning and insights.”

“The worst-case scenario is that I need to re-trace the path of Apothecary research I took when I was an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, and defeat all the enemies that defeated me back then.”

“Of course, the probability of this last path is the smallest, after all, I broke out of that psychological shadow back then to be able to break through to Advanced Wizard Apprentice.”

… Glynn was instantly dumbfounded.

In Pharmacology, Glynn was only a 3-Star Apprentice Alchemist; he couldn't get involved at all.

As for the monumental work on psychology, judging by what Ally said earlier, she completely intended to explore the path of a Wizard alone. If Glynn had worn the Seeker’s Curse, he might have been able to offer some help.

But, until now.

Glynn had repeatedly probed, but had not received even a hint, not even a trace, of Ally wanting to find a life partner.

Looking at Ally’s pious and focused eyes, Glynn knew that Ally’s life could only have one outcome—to be forever alone.

If Glynn were to choose the first option—confessing his feelings—both Ally and Glynn would likely be hurt and unable to see it through.

This was not the outcome Glynn wanted.

“Damn you, Mentor Serena!”

Glynn cursed silently in his heart:

“You suffered heartbreak and became an emotionless master, but how can you make your disciple also extinguish her feelings and desires?”

“Alas…”

“It seems I only have one path left to take.”