In the days that followed, Fang Qianyuan recuperated at the Empress Daughter's retreat on the Dragon Turtle's back while teaching Wanji the Way of Painting.
He did not squander his own time either, seizing every moment to contemplate the mysteries of Earth Rank.
Wanji was a snow demon, and her Dao Path and methods of cultivation were entirely different from Fang Qianyuan's, so she could offer him no guidance. But Fang Qianyuan was already on the verge of advancing and had begun to influence and disturb the surrounding heaven and earth essence. All that remained was to pierce that final paper-thin barrier, and he needed no one to guide him.
His approach was to use the Brush Immortal's Mind-Reflecting Painting Method to depict the storm he had once encountered, reliving it once more.
Even Wanji found it heart-stopping. "Someone who hasn't truly faced the Black Wind Calamity could never paint something like this. You really were far too bold."
Puzzled, Fang Qianyuan asked, "Are you afraid of the Black Wind Calamity too, Wanji? In theory, you're an Earth Rank Expert. Even if you can't stand against such a wind disaster, you should at least be able to protect yourself."
Wanji said, "Young Master Fang, there is something you don't know. The Black Wind Calamity is the circulation of the forces of heaven and earth. We Earth Rank cultivators use that same heaven and earth essence. Plunging into it is like a person drowning in water; we may not be able to keep ourselves safe."
Fang Qianyuan asked in surprise, "You mean it can interfere with an Earth Rank Expert's control?"
Wanji said, "Why else would it be called a natural calamity? To face a natural calamity as though walking on level ground, one would have to be at least at