Chapter 243

Chapter 243: Preparation

The embroidery of the clouds and the round sun seemed deeper than any work before.

Earlier, Li Shuang could still spot traces of technique.

But this time, she forgot the techniques, and even forgot that she had come to ask how to break into the Integration Stage.

She stood like a pure viewer, happy to watch the round sun be kept forever on the cloth.

With the clouds and sun added, the piece was truly complete.

Even if that dazzling sky scene was gone, the cloth would keep it forever.

Elder Ling sat still, as if a thin gold light covered her.

Li Shuang’s heart trembled slightly.

Elder Ling’s aura felt even more unfathomable.

Sensing her realm in that moment, Elder Ling looked at Li Shuang with mixed feelings.

She had wanted to guide Li Shuang, to teach her more and more.

So this half-month-long embroidery was more focused and more simple than any time before.

She tried to break down every method so Li Shuang could understand more.

Yet while she was breaking things down, she herself became lost in it.

Then came that stunning sunrise.

It felt like a shackle in her heart shattered completely.

Her long-still soul cultivation jumped straight from Mid Tribulation Crossing to Late Tribulation Crossing.

In the end, she was the one who gained the most.

Elder Ling spoke softly: “The sun star’s image is too hard to catch. My piece only caught a small part, maybe one tenth. It is only a rough copy.”

Even so, being able to embroider the sun at all was already a huge step forward.

Her sudden breakthrough was likely a gift of fate.

Elder Ling glanced at Li Shuang. Her chance had fallen because of a small Disciple.

Looking at Li Shuang, she asked in a quiet Dao-Questioning: “Did you gain anything?”

Li Shuang nodded and shared her understanding: “Everything in heaven and earth has its own Dao. If I can sense the spirit of all things, I can merge with all things. Your embroidery is one way to sense the spirit of things, but it only suits you. Everyone has a different way to sense all things.”

A hint of praise flashed in Elder Ling’s eyes: “Good. Before I cultivated, I liked embroidery. Later, when I was sensing all things, I used embroidery to feel the breath of all things and to get close to their spirit. Embroidery is only one way to sense Dao.”

“You should also find a carrier, and use it to sense all things,” she advised.

Li Shuang looked thoughtful. [What is my carrier? Elder Ling’s is embroidery. What about mine?]

“Do not rush your Integration,” Elder Ling reminded: “An Integration Stage cultivator can borrow the world’s spirit power and stir the winds and clouds among things. But how much you can borrow, and how much you can stir, all depend on accumulation. The more you build up, the stronger you will be when you break through. With your talent, taking the simplest path would be a pity.”

Li Shuang nodded.

“When you break into Integration, you will face your first Heavenly Tribulation,” Elder Ling explained in detail: “This is not the lightning of the Tribulation Crossing Stage, but the Tribulation of All Things. Everything you have sensed will test you as you break through. The deeper your sensing, the harder the Tribulation of All Things, but if you pass it, the benefits will be greater.”

“There is a legend,” Elder Ling said, “that a peerless genius once needed a full hundred days just to pass the Tribulation of All Things. After those hundred days of Integration, she was only at Early Integration Stage, yet her arts were strong enough to suppress even those at Late Integration Stage.” Then she warned: “But do not force that level. I also heard of a peerless genius who chased a perfect Integration Realm and stayed at Peak Divine Transformation for several hundred years. He did enter the Integration Realm in the end, but his life span was not enough for the next stage. He finally stopped right before the Void Refinement Realm. You must weigh these choices yourself.”

“Disciple understands,” Li Shuang answered seriously.

“I have nothing else to teach you,” Elder Ling said with some relief, then handed over the just-finished piece: “Take this Sunrise Embroidery as a gift.”

Li Shuang felt flattered.

The piece had first been a map of the mountain.

But after the sun entered the scene, it could only be the Sunrise Embroidery.

It held all of Elder Ling’s understanding of the world.

She had broken down her Dao and laid it out before Li Shuang.

“Take it. I have never taken a Disciple in my life. You only learned from me for half a month, but you can be considered my only inheritor,” Elder Ling said with a smile.

Li Shuang did not refuse again. She accepted the Sunrise Embroidery carefully and said with care: “Disciple will study it closely and will not let the Supreme Elder’s hard work be wasted.”

Elder Ling waved it off: “Do not feel too much pressure. My way may not fit you. What I can do is point out a path. I promised a month of guidance, and there are ten days left. But you do not need to stay with me for those ten days. Since you will attend the Golden Soul Altar, prepare ahead of time. If you have questions later, come anytime.”

This, in truth, made the guidance time unlimited.

Li Shuang thanked her and left.

Elder Ling watched her go with calm ease, then suddenly pricked her own thigh with the needle.

A sharp pain made her grimace, and then a bright smile spread across her face. [Not a dream.]

Golden Soul Altar!

Li Shuang had only had the Wanfa Eye for two years, and she could already join such a grand event.

The Sword Sect truly had a peerless genius.

As for Cangyuan Sect’s Yan Fan, he was already far behind.

And the other sects still did not know.

When Elder Ling pictured next year’s Grand Sect Assembly and Li Shuang’s stunning rise, she felt joyful ahead of time. “Calm down, stay calm,” Elder Ling told herself: “She must attend the Golden Soul Altar, but her safety comes first. Second Brother’s treasure should be fully refined by now…”

Her figure flashed, and she left the peak.

Not long after, Meng Yi Fei personally brought a box. He said, “When you have time, drip blood on what is inside and make it yours,” then added, “I already know about the Golden Soul Altar. It is a chance, but it is also risky. Stay steady. Nothing is more important than your safety.”