Chapter 296: The Art of the Empty Hand, Reaching into the Sack to Take What

Under Liu Qingmeng's gaze, Jiang Ningan's cultivation was skyrocketing.

Vast quantities of heart-phantoms were now continuously transforming into spiritual energy; what had once been a gentle stream of spiritual power had swelled beyond capacity, overflowing from his body and forming storm-like phenomena.

As spiritual energy churned, the candle flames within the Scripture Hall flickered wildly.

The girl's jet-black hair stirred without wind, her robes flaring as they made ancient texts rattle loudly.

A visible vortex of spiritual energy coalesced around Xiao Jiang, and under the candlelight, Jiang Ningan's face now glowed with faint threads of blue-green luminescence.

Seeing her disciple's cultivation aura, Liu Qingmeng felt a tangle of emotions.

When she had given Jiang Ningan the technique "Lush Greenery," she had merely tossed it down as an idle move.

She had merely hoped it might accelerate her disciple's progress several-fold.

But she had never imagined her disciple was a naturally destined sufferer with a saintly physique, and Fang Can possessed a beauty capable of toppling nations.

Together, they were a perfect match.

The realm she had painstakingly climbed over years after her third transformation had now begun to show signs of breaking through to the fourth.

Under Liu Qingmeng's watch, Xiao Jiang's realm surged like a green accelerator, swiftly reaching the peak of the third transformation and stabilizing.

Once stabilized, Xiao Jiang's cultivation did not halt—it pressed onward toward the fourth transformation.

Between the third and fourth transformations lay a vast barrier; ordinary cultivators could spend lifetimes and never breach it.

But before the weight of nine million "Suffering Master" identities, Xiao Jiang's cultivation surged violently.

Leveraging the 【Endless Suffering Master】 identity, he now surged toward the fourth transformation, with clear signs of breaking through.

'Could Jiejian Mountain be gaining another fourth-transformation cultivator today?'

Liu Qingmeng thought as she watched her disciple's cultivation; at this pace, he might reach the legendary fourth-transformation realm in less than an hour.

But sadly, after several minutes, Jiang Ningan's skyrocketing cultivation abruptly stalled, and the vast spiritual energy vanished completely.

"I was so close," Jiang Ningan opened his eyes, helplessly saying: "This is a great technique, but it's just too unstable."

If she had held on for just a few more minutes, she might have leapt straight to the fourth-transformation realm.

She hoped next time the duration would last longer, the surge more intense, and ideally, never stop at all.

Sensing the aura behind her, the girl turned and bowed quickly: "Master, when did you arrive?"

'I came the moment I noticed you being wildly greened,' Liu Qingmeng muttered inwardly, yet felt a faint sense of being crowned herself.

With a touch of gloom, she brushed her fingers through the lingering spiritual energy: "How did the cultivation feel?"

The girl turned back, beaming: "Master, I've officially broken through to the peak of the third transformation—can I try for the fourth now?"

Liu Ningan looked at the oblivious girl with complex emotions, still pondering what Fang Can had done over at Dayan to cause such a commotion!

Then the girl eagerly added: "Master, the technique you gave me is amazing—it's far more powerful. Are you practicing it too?"

Suppressing her inner disbelief, Liu Qingmeng's blue hair stirred slightly as she slowly shook her head: "It's your unique physique that makes this technique so effective."

"Thank you, Master, for teaching me this technique," Jiang Ningan felt gratitude rise within him, then asked hopefully: "I've reached the peak of the third transformation, and Fang Can is no longer in danger—may I be permitted to descend the mountain?"

As she spoke, the tips of Jiang Ningan's ears flushed with excited pink.

She recalled her master's earlier words: once she reached the peak of the third transformation, she could break through to the fourth by practicing dual-cultivation with Fang Can.

Of course, whether or not it was actual dual-cultivation didn't matter—she only cared about reaching the fourth-transformation realm.

Liu Qingmeng could not miss the girl's intent; in her mind, her delusions screamed:

'No! Absolutely not! I haven't even tasted Fang Can yet—does Xiao Jiang even know what respect for one's teacher means? Get in line behind me—I'll practice it for you first!'

Hearing her own inner delusions, Liu Qingmeng—who had previously found the girl annoying—suddenly found her words had a sliver of merit.

Liu Qingmeng's expression hardened: "No. You're only one step from the fourth transformation—this is the time to focus and prepare. You will not descend the mountain until you reach the fourth transformation."

Denied her request to descend for dual-cultivation, Jiang Ningan's bright face fell.

"You must strive hard now," Liu Qingmeng said. "Once you reach the fourth transformation, things will be easier. And when Fang Can comes up the mountain later, do not indulge."

"What?" Jiang Ningan's eyes sparkled like stars: "Fang Can is coming up the mountain?"

Delusion sneered: 'What's your disciple thinking? Even if he comes up, it won't be your turn—I'm keeping it all for myself!'

Liu Qingmeng nodded slightly: "Correct. The sixth-transformation mystical realm is about to open. To prevent unpreparedness, I've invited Fang Can to visit, stay a few days."

"And with Dayan's court now under his control and the other Si Sect's experts dwindling, we do need to discuss resource allocation."

Delusion: 'Excuses, so neatly stacked—wants a man…'

Silencing her inner delusion, Liu Qingmeng refused the eager disciple: "I will deliver the message myself. You remain here and focus on your cultivation."

…

Leaving aside the other master-disciple exchange, the following days saw Fang Can enjoy rare leisure.

No sensual distractions, no external threats—after the fourth-transformation battle, he was utterly free.

Following the abbot's advice, he devoted these days to cultivating his mind, striving to keep his thoughts free of distractions.

The effect was obvious: now, Fang Can could see beauty without stirring even a trace of lust.

Each day, he attended court only to assist the Empress with state affairs, then returned alone to his mansion to cultivate.

Of course, he had also learned from Feng Qiaoyan about the strange events befalling the female players.

The crimson "Suffering" characters appearing on the players—including Feng Qiaoyan—made Fang Can feel guilty; he couldn't fathom how simply switching careers had led to this.

According to Feng Qiaoyan, over a million couples across the Interstellar Federation had broken up after that day, all searching for the source of that sensation.

On the black market, astronomical prices were offered: anyone who revealed the origin of the Divine Revelation could earn tens of thousands of resource planets.

"So, Senior Fang Can," Feng Qiaoyan gazed at the boy in meditation, a dazed smile on her lips: "It's only natural that I was captured by you."

'I've observed—you don't wake for at least two hours during cultivation.'

Feng Qiaoyan nervously gripped Fang Can's pale wrist: 'Just let Qiaoyan use you once—I'll wash your hand clean afterward.'

(End of Chapter)