After giving instructions to Shen Changlin, Ruan Qing'an followed Zhan Hongyuan to the main hall of the Wandao Sect. Only after entering the secret realm did she see the desolate small world inside, and in the center of that small world, a huge coffin wrapped in layers of chains.
Zhan Hongyuan bowed and said, "Greetings, Supreme Elder."
"Sect Master, you've arrived. This must be Ruan, right? Your talent has always been exceptional; I've heard of you."
"Junior Ruan Qing'an greets the Supreme Elder."
Nguyen Thanh An bowed in return, and there was nothing wrong with it.
Zhan Hongyuan explained, "Elder, Elder Ruan is injured and in a special situation. She needs to break through to the Integration Stage as soon as possible. I thought you were highly respected and knowledgeable, and you are also at the Mahayana Stage, so you could help her resolve her doubts. That's why I recommended you here."
"Is that so...? Well then, since that's the case, why don't you, little Ruan, cultivate in my secret realm? I can offer you some guidance."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing'an cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Elder."
Zhan Hongyuan chuckled and said to her, "Since the Supreme Elder has agreed, Elder Ruan, you may cultivate here. Your talent is exceptional, and the Myriad Paths Sect will naturally do its utmost to help you. There's no need to worry."
After offering a few more words of encouragement, Zhan Hongyuan finally left.
After he left, the Supreme Elder in the coffin sighed softly in his aged voice. After a long while, he began to explain to Ruan Qing'an in detail what the Integration Stage was and how to break through to the next level.
037: [Something feels off...]
“I know that Zhan Hongyuan’s attitude is also not right.”
Ruan Qing'an sat quietly in mid-air with his eyes closed and legs crossed, absorbing the spiritual energy of the small world, while the Supreme Elder's voice gently imparted knowledge and skills.
Knowing that there might be some problems, Ruan Qing'an remained calm and said softly, "Our focus in this small world is to win over Shen Changlin and complete the mission, but reaching the maximum love value is not an easy task."
"I've said it before, little system, love needs storms. Only by being battered and bruised can you reach your peak. Only by loving to the point of madness can you create something unforgettable for a lifetime..."
She lowered her eyes: "Even if it's a pit, I have to step into it."
037: [Is this the only way to stimulate Chen Changlin?]
"Yes and no, because he can't follow me around like this forever, treating me like a god. There should be an opportunity for everything to be exposed to the light of day."
Ruan Qing'an spoke softly, her eyes half-closed—037 felt for no reason that she was like a god who controlled love.
But once upon a time, she too was caught up in a passionate love...
For nearly a month, Ruan Qing'an had been cultivating in the secret realm, receiving one-on-one guidance from the Supreme Elder, until the end of the month—when the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the secret realm had almost become liquid.
The azure ocean of spiritual energy surged and flowed madly toward Ruan Qing'an, who was sitting cross-legged in the center of it.
The plain white Taoist robe fluttered with the waves of spiritual energy.
At that moment, from inside the coffin, the Supreme Elder's aged voice was solemn and earnest: "Embrace your primordial essence and guard your oneness; calm your mind and concentrate your spirit!"
As the "Supreme Record of Forgetfulness" circulated, she controlled the incoming spiritual energy, which flowed through her body in circles, forming a complete cycle. Her aura grew stronger and stronger, and even her small world seemed unable to withstand the pressure, trembling slightly.
Under Ruan Qing'an's control, the surging spiritual energy was constantly impacting the invisible barrier, becoming more and more intense.
But at this most crucial moment—
During the process of spiritual energy circulation, a wisp of spiritual energy surged in and began to wander haphazardly within the body uncontrollably!
"Get under control—"
The Supreme Elder rebuked him sternly.
But that aged yet booming voice, seemingly carrying a strong sense of awe, suddenly struck Ruan Qing'an. Her already frail body, as delicate as a willow swaying in the breeze, trembled uncontrollably as if being hammered by a heavy hammer.
Under the Supreme Elder's reprimand, the out-of-control spiritual energy seemed to return to Ruan Qing'an's control, faintly appearing to merge into the flow of spiritual energy, but—
The good times didn't last long, as Ruan Qing'an's body could no longer hold on. Just as that wisp of spiritual energy merged into her, she opened her eyes.
The next moment, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood!
Nguyen Thanh An's already pale face appeared even paler at this moment, almost completely devoid of color, and he looked even weaker.
She braced herself on the ground with one hand and covered her mouth with the other, but blood continued to flow uncontrollably from between her fingers, dripping onto the ground, and even more—
Her trembling body was like shattered porcelain; all the spiritual energy she had just gathered dissipated at this moment.
037: [Ancestor, ancestor, are you alright?!]
"Cough cough... It's alright, I'm alive, I won't die..."
"His shout came at just the right time; it perfectly helped an excellent person by doing something counterproductive."
Ruan Qing'an clutched her chest tightly. After calming her breathing, she immediately sat cross-legged on the spot, trying her best to control her injuries.
Half an hour later, the chaotic breathing around her finally calmed down, and Ruan Qing'an opened her eyes. At that moment, a long sigh came from inside the coffin.
"It's a pity, Ruan girl. Your breakthrough failed this time, and your spiritual energy has dissipated. I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to break through again in a short period of time."
The Supreme Elder paused, then said, "You're still too impatient. Don't damage your foundation just because you need to break through to the Integration Stage as soon as possible, little Ruan..."
"...This junior understands, Elder."
Ruan Qing'an lowered his eyes, staggered to his feet, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.
If one's foundation is truly damaged, it will be even more difficult to break through. The divine soul nurtured within the Returning to Truth Stone is like a nagging urge—without breaking through, one will have no hope of achieving the Great Dao for the rest of one's life.
Given the original owner's personality, this single failure would have been enough to make her start to panic...
Ruan Qing'an coughed softly and cupped his hands, saying, "Since the breakthrough has failed, I should leave the secret realm first and return to Yanlai Peak to recover from my injuries. Thank you for the guidance from the Supreme Elder over the past month."
"You're too kind, Ruan girl, go ahead."
Just as Ruan Qing'an was about to leave, the Supreme Elder said meaningfully, "Speaking of which, the Sect Master has also prepared some spiritual medicines for you to restore your spiritual power and repair your foundation. Remember to go and collect them."
"This junior has caused the sect to spend so much money."
"You are a genius among the best in the sect. No matter how much you give, it's all worth it. You will repay the sect in the future, so there's no need to thank me."
After thanking her again, Ruan Qing'an bowed and left the secret realm. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Zhan Hongyuan waiting there with his hands behind his back in the main hall.
He turned to look at Ruan Qing'an: "Elder Ruan, was your breakthrough going smoothly? Why... why has your aura actually dropped?"
Ruan Qing'an had a blank expression and didn't really want to talk.
I failed to break through and almost fell out of my cultivation level! Sect Master, are you sure you really don't know anything?!
Let alone her, even 037 wouldn't believe it!
037: ? ? ?
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