Spring Comes, Autumn Goes

Cultivation knows no days or nights. Wei Yuan continuously absorbed the moonlight, and finally, he met Zhang Sheng again.

Another half a month had passed since their last meeting.

Wei Yuan was initially very excited, but seeing Zhang Sheng's cold and impatient expression, he knew his master was still angry. But what kind of anger could last for a whole month?

Wei Yuan dared not ask, so he could only stand obediently, awaiting Zhang Sheng's inspection of his studies and cultivation progress. At this point, Wei Yuan had been expanding his visualization diagram for over fifty days, exceeding the longest recorded time in history. However, the shadow within the full moon, let alone being depleted, hadn't even budged.

Speaking of cultivation progress, Wei Yuan felt a little guilty. After all, it took him over fifty days to expand the eight-zhang visualization diagram. Its size was barely acceptable, but his daily progress was truly not fast. Moreover, the visualization diagram showed no anomalies. The red line on the Jade Toad's back had disappeared while Senior Sister was washing it.

Generally, there was only one explanation for this situation: Wei Yuan's comprehension was poor. Could the Jade Toad be fake, and the color would wash off?

Hearing that Wei Yuan was still expanding his visualization diagram, Zhang Sheng showed no surprise. He simply told him to manifest the diagram for him to see.

Wei Yuan followed his instructions and circulated his energy. The Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon appeared in his sea of consciousness again.

At this moment, besides being somewhat large, the visualization diagram was utterly useless. The ground was barren, the giant rocks were dull, the Jade Toad's skin was pallid, and only the shadow within the full moon was somewhat special.

Those who could cultivate the Jade Toad Gazing at the Moon Diagram were all blessed with great fortune, which was mainly reflected in the shadow within the full moon. The anomalies manifested by various great fortunes were naturally extraordinary. For example, the visualization diagrams left in the collected insights of past disciples were all remarkable, featuring dragons, phoenixes, and auspicious beasts. Besides these, there were also cauldrons for sacrificing to heaven, towering green peaks, and immortal palaces with multiple stories. Each one was terrifying to behold. However, those who left their visualization diagrams in books sought admiration from future generations, didn't they?

Within Bao Yun's visualization diagram's full moon, gods and devils abounded. It was also qualified to be recorded in the disciples' insights, and ranked high.

In comparison, Wei Yuan's shadow was truly meager. Not only did it look meager, but its actual effect was also not great. The foundation it transformed was very superficial, and even after being refined by Ji Liuli, it could only be considered acceptable.

After examining the visualization diagram, Zhang Sheng offered no evaluation and continued to inquire about Wei Yuan's history studies and Shu Lun (theory of arts).

History was Wei Yuan's strong suit, so he answered fluently. Miscellaneous Knowledge mostly consisted of miscellaneous knowledge. Currently, Wei Yuan's foundation was unstable, and he spent almost all his time absorbing the moonlight. Where would he find the time to delve into Miscellaneous Knowledge?

While he was assessing his studies, someone suddenly knocked on the courtyard gate. A Daoist priest serving as a handyman entered. He handed over an envelope and then turned to leave, not saying a word.

The envelope was addressed to Zhang Sheng for his personal attention.

Zhang Sheng snorted. Someone knew he was here and sent it specifically. He was too lazy to guess who it was and directly took the envelope, tore it open, and took out a page of paper. But with just a glance, Zhang Sheng's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Wei Yuan wanted to see what was written on the paper, but Zhang Sheng turned it away, completely blocking Wei Yuan's view of the letter's contents. Wei Yuan's eyes were sharp, and he vaguely caught a glimpse of a long number, seemingly referring to Immortal Silver, in the tens of thousands of taels.

After reading the letter, the two pages of paper turned into fireballs in Zhang Sheng's hand and vanished.

He looked at Wei Yuan and asked, "Has Ji Liuli been refining your foundation all this time?"

"Yes, she said it would take three months in total."

For some reason, Wei Yuan felt that Zhang Sheng seemed to subtly relax after hearing "three months."

Zhang Sheng took out a jade bottle and placed it on the table, saying, "This is a Peiyuan Pill. It greatly replenishes vital energy and speeds up cultivation. Take one every three days. This is a month's supply."

"Thank you, Master!" Wei Yuan bowed gratefully, but the pressure in his heart increased.

In Taichu Palace, cultivation relied heavily on pills, which were indispensable. In terms of alchemy, Taichu Palace was top-tier in the entire cultivation world. Many pills produced by Zaohua Temple were known for their mild properties and significant effects. For instance, this Peiyuan Pill could greatly accelerate the progress of Body Forging, especially the refinement of muscles and tendons. One pill could substitute for ten days of cultivation. The medicinal properties were extremely mild, allowing for almost unlimited consumption, earning it the reputation of a "Body Forging Sacred Medicine."

Such a miraculous medicine was needed by everyone, so its price was not cheap, costing one hundred and twenty taels of Immortal Silver per pill, with no discounts. Therefore, only core disciples from prominent noble families could afford to consume it regularly.

Wei Yuan's monthly silver for a year could only afford one Peiyuan Pill, so he had never even considered it before. Now, although Zhang Sheng looked at Wei Yuan with disdain, this bottle of Peiyuan Pills revealed his true intentions.

Putting down the pills, Zhang Sheng said, "I'll come again next month."

"Disciple has one more matter," Wei Yuan quickly called out to Zhang Sheng, asking the question that had been bothering him: "The time I've spent expanding my visualization diagram has already broken historical records. What should I do now?"

"As long as the shadow in the moon remains, continue cultivating. Don't worry about anything else."

With Zhang Sheng's words, Wei Yuan finally felt at ease. Before he could even respectfully see him off, Zhang Sheng had already soared into the sky and vanished in an instant, seemingly too lazy to say another word to him.

After Zhang Sheng left, Wei Yuan immediately began cultivating. His progress was already far behind others, so he had to seize every second. Now that he had pills, he dared not delay any further. Each Peiyuan Pill was like a heavy stone pressing on his heart.

After taking the Peiyuan Pill, his cultivation of the visualization diagram showed a noticeable change this time, with a fine mist descending. This rain was not comparable to the Chonglou Dinghai Pill, but it greatly increased Wei Yuan's speed of absorbing moonlight, more than tenfold what it was before.

Wei Yuan discovered that as the Jade Toad and the full moon grew larger, the speed of absorbing moonlight also increased.

For the next month, Wei Yuan absorbed the moonlight. At the end of the month, Zhang Sheng arrived on time and delivered another bottle of Peiyuan Pills.

Upon seeing the second bottle of Peiyuan Pills, Wei Yuan felt a little puzzled. According to Taichu Palace's regulations, Dao Foundation disciples received a monthly silver of only one hundred taels, while True Persons received a thousand taels. One bottle of Peiyuan Pills was already equivalent to Zhang Sheng's annual monthly silver. According to Taichu Palace's regulations, a genius disciple like Zhang Sheng would have his monthly silver increased beyond the standard, but it wouldn't exceed that of a Dharma Idol True Person. At the rate of one bottle of Peiyuan Pills per month, Zhang Sheng would eventually go bankrupt supporting Wei Yuan.

As soon as Zhang Sheng arrived, the handyman Daoist priest appeared on time and delivered an identical envelope to last month's. Zhang Sheng read it, burned it as usual, then glanced at Wei Yuan's visualization diagram before leaving, not even bothering to assess his studies.

Wei Yuan vaguely sensed that Zhang Sheng was extremely agitated, merely suppressing it from erupting. After reading the letter, he became even more so, his sword qi almost manifesting. However, Zhang Sheng valued his reputation. Asking him about something he didn't want to discuss was tantamount to seeking death. Wei Yuan had followed him for a long time and naturally wouldn't court disaster.

In the fourth month, Wei Yuan absorbed moonlight while worrying about the progress of his visualization diagram and Zhang Sheng's wallet, all while consuming Peiyuan Pills.

In the fifth month, Wei Yuan absorbed moonlight, lost in the moment.

In the sixth month, the Jade Toad absorbed moonlight.

In the seventh month, contemplating toad life.

In the eighth month, toad life was not worth it.

This month, Zhang Sheng did not open the letter; he simply tore it up.

In the ninth month, the concentrated students somehow clashed with disciples of the Zhi Gu Sect. Bao Yun and Cui Yu, as leaders of the Ding Xin Sect, led their classmates to confront them. As expected, a fight broke out. Wei Yuan naturally couldn't miss such an event. However, while everyone else was already forging their bodies, Wei Yuan was still expanding his visualization diagram, so he was beaten black and blue.

In the twelfth month, the Jade Toad gave up contemplating.