Dreamwalker's Clearing Formula

"The heavens, eh?" Wu Meng let out a chuckle. "Why is a reclusive faction like yours asking about something like this?"

"The times have changed. In these chaotic times, even reclusive factions like us need to be fully aware of the current state of the world in order to survive," Nie Changyun replied.

"Hah, I guess you are right. No one is truly an island," Wu Meng nodded in agreement. "As for your question, that depends on what you deem as the heavens. Are you talking about the ruler of your Thousand Race World? Or are you talking about the Heavy Star Realm?"

"I am referring to the ruler of the Nine Realms," Nie Changyun answered clearly.

"The Nine Realms?" Wu Meng smiled. "In that case, you are right. The heavens that most people refer to have indeed been without an owner for some time now."

"Does that mean... nobody won in the Liberation War?" Nie Changyun asked.

"You truly know quite a bit, but I guess that's only to be expected of the successor of the Five Elements Valley," Wu Meng praised. "Winning or not depends on individual perspective. In this case, I will say that everyone got what they wanted. In that case, will you say that there is a clear victor?"

"Everyone got what they wanted?" Nie Changyun frowned. "But how is that possible? If that's truly the case, then wouldn't the result be very different?"

"It is what it is," Wu Meng replied.

"...I understand," Nie Changyun nodded, understanding that Wu Meng was not intending to elaborate further.

The duo's discussion caused both Zhang Wanqing and Huo Deshan to look at them in absolute confusion.

This was a topic that neither of them had ever come into contact with in the past, so they had no idea what to make out of it.

Between them, only Zhang Wanqing had briefly heard Wu Meng mentioning the Nine Realms back when they had their Master Acknowledgement Ceremony, but Wu Meng had refused to elaborate back then as well.

"You don't have to overthink," Wu Meng laughed after seeing Nie Changyun's solemn expression. "Rather than worrying about the heavens, your priority now should be the Thousand Race World."

"Esteemed Sir doesn't have to worry on that end," Nie Changyun said proudly. "Be it the Hongye Kingdom's internal strife, the Blacksky Tower's heightened activity, or the rise of the Three Golden Prodigies, they are all matters that we are keeping a close eye on."

"They sound like trivial matters, but it's good to see that you are not just sitting idly on your asses," Wu Meng shrugged. "Is there anything else you need?"

"This..." Nie Changyun hesitated again before deciding to speak up. "Elder Gui Heng has informed me of the matter with the Thirteen Yang Divine Art. I know that this might be an insignificant matter to Esteemed Sir as well, but the current Five Elements Valley is not able to handle the potential consequences should this matter get leaked..."

"I know, I can't be bothered to mention this small matter to others anyway, so don't worry about me letting others know," Wu Meng sighed. "That said, I can't speak for my disciple here since I can't control her mouth. If you want her to remain silent, maybe you would have to use that paper you jus-"

"Don't worry, I won't speak a word of it!" Zhang Wanqing quickly interjected.

The last thing she wanted was for the other party to feel that she was a gossipmonger because of Wu Meng's careless words!

"Just look at your bad business brain. How am I supposed to entrust you with my merchant business in the future?" Wu Meng shook his head in disapproval.

"I will just be an honest merchant."

"Are you implying that I am dishonest? While I always try to maximise my profit, I never cheat my customers out of what they truly need!"

"You know yourself best!"

"Haha, I'm assured now that Esteemed Sir and Young Miss have given your word," Nie Changyun quickly cut in before the conversation got awkward. "In that case, I bid you farewell."

"Farewell," Huo Deshan clasped his fists in respect.

"Mm," Wu Meng nodded in response before turning back to Zhang Wanqing. "Did you hear that? Stop talking so much and take the reins."

"Fine..."

Under Nie Changyun and Huo Deshan's gazes, Zhang Wanqing and Wu Meng left on their horse wagon, slowly riding out into the forest that surrounded the Five Elements Valley.

They stood there unmovingly, seeing their guests out with their eyes until the latter's figures could no longer be seen.

"Master, what tale did the Esteemed Sir remind you of?" Huo Deshan asked out of curiosity.

Huo Deshan was familiar with the famous tales and accomplishments of the progenitor that had been passed down in the sect, but he could not recall anything that had to do with the Serpent Race Festival.

"Don't worry, you will know in time," Nie Changyun shook his head. "Relay my orders – members of our Five Elements Valley are not to attend the Serpent Race Festival. Also, the Esteemed Sir and the Young Miss will be considered eternal friends of our valley from today on, so anyone who comes across them in the future has to treat them with absolute respect."

"I understand the first part, but for the second instruction... do we really have to go that far?" Huo Deshan asked in confusion.

"As I said, you will understand in time to come."

***

It did not take long before the horse wagon emerged from the other end of the dense forest.

"Come to think of it, isn't the forest rather safe?" Zhang Wanqing remarked. "The members of the Five Elements Valley made such a big fuss when we first came. How unnecessary!"

"Hah, that's some big talk!" Wu Meng rolled his eyes while lying down in the horse wagon. "Who was the one acting all worried initially, insisting that we go back and get some stink bombs from them?"

"That's because I didn't know how safe it actually is!" Zhang Wanqing retorted. "Who knew that we could get through the forest so easily?"

"You only think that way because you are travelling with me," Wu Meng shrugged. "Try going in alone and see how long it takes before you get out, if ever at all."

Zhang Wanqing pouted in response.

She wanted to tell Wu Meng not to think too highly of himself, but what she had seen so far told her that he might not actually be lying.

While she had yet to see Wu Meng perform any amazing feats, the fact that he had managed to hold his own against all these seemingly-important figures was more than enough proof that he had quite a few tricks up his sleeves!

"So, where are we going next?" Zhang Wanqing asked. "Will we be heading back to Golem City?"

"Why would we do that?" Wu Meng raised an eyebrow. "Didn't that Nie Changyun say that a group will be setting off from Sunset City for the Serpent Race Festival? Let's tag along with them. It will be a good chance to get some sales along the way."

"Hmm? Didn't you tell Valley Head Nie that it's suicidal to go to the Serpent Race Festival?" Zhang Wanqing asked in confusion.

"The term suicidal only applies to others. For me, there are always opportunities to be found where danger lies," Wu Meng answered lazily.

"Yes, yes, you are the best," Zhang Wanqing replied in a patronising manner. "So, which direction is Sunset City?"

"It is to the east, but you don't have to worry about that for now," Wu Meng slowly sat up. "You have something more important to do, so I will be taking the reins from here."

"I do?" Zhang Wanqing turned around and blinked blankly at him. "What do I have to do?"

"Here," Wu Meng reached out and lightly tapped Zhang Wanqing's glabella with two fingers.

It was a simple action, but the effect was anything but that.

Boom-!

Zhang Wanqing almost felt like her brain was about to explode as a huge amount of information flooded her all at once.

"Argh!" Zhang Wanqing groaned instinctively as a sharp pain assaulted her senses.

Thankfully, her pain tolerance had greatly increased over the past few weeks. It took her a good half a minute, but she eventually managed to get used to the pain level.

That was when she finally calmed down enough to take a look at the new trove of knowledge that had been entrusted to her.

And it did not take long for her to figure out what it was about.

Zhang Wanqing's eyes lit up in surprise.

This is... a cultivation technique!

"Since you have already formed your spiritual meridian root, it is time for you to start practising a cultivation technique," Wu Meng's words confirmed her suspicions. "Properly practise this Dreamwalker's Clearing Formula, and you will be able to start forming your spiritual meridians."

"Is this a powerful cultivation technique?" Zhang Wanqing asked with a bright glint in her eyes. "Is it stronger than Sir Huo's Fire Palm?"

Zhang Wanqing did not have much knowledge about the various techniques of the cultivation world.

In fact, there were only two techniques that she knew of.

There was Luo Quan's Colossal Body Strengthening Art that she had watched him practise day in and day out, and now there was also the Fire Palm that Huo Deshan had demonstrated to them.

Between the two, she had to admit that even though Huo Deshan's Fire Palm sounded much less sophisticated, it definitely looked far more amazing!

Therefore, she could not help but use it as a benchmark for comparison.

"All techniques lead to the pinnacle. There is no stronger technique, only a more suitable technique," Wu Meng shrugged. "In addition, the Five Elements Valley's Elemental Palm Art is a combat technique, while the Dreamwalker's Clearing Formula is a cultivation technique. Comparing the two will be akin to comparing an apple to an orange."

"...Fine," Zhang Wanqing did not bother hiding her dissatisfaction with that answer.

In her eyes, there should definitely be tiers to different cultivator techniques. But since Wu Meng was unwilling to reveal more, there was nothing she could do either.

"More importantly, the Dreamwalker's Clearing Formula is an attributeless cultivation technique that is compatible with all paths," Wu Meng elaborated. "If you practise it as your foundational cultivation technique, it will be easier for you to change to a more suitable one once you discover your own path."

"Understood," Zhang Wanqing nodded. "But will it allow me to use any flashy techniques like Sir Huo did?"

"You keep talking about his Fire Palm, but do you realise the difference in cultivation levels between the two of you?" Wu Meng was speechless. "Even if I teach you the Fire Palm now, it will probably take you months to even learn enough to light a campfire!"

"That's... true," Zhang Wanqing heaved a sigh of helplessness.

She had been thoroughly impressed by Huo Deshan's execution of the Fire Palm, letting her think that it would be great if she could do something similar.

But how would she know how much time and effort had been put into mastering the technique?

Hearing Wu Meng's words reminded her of how Luo Quan had trained tirelessly for years, only to be rendered completely helpless in front of Sheng Huoyuan's group.

Considering how Luo Quan's talent was already high enough to be picked up on by a passing cultivator, she would probably fare even worse in the same situation.

Wu Meng is right – it would probably be best for her to focus on something that suits her more...

"You don't have to look so down," Wu Meng scoffed. "If you really want to learn a palm art of your own, it is not impossible as well. In fact, I was already intending to teach you a combat technique to practise along with the Dreamwalker's Clearing Formula. Since you are so obsessed with palm arts, let me teach you one."

"Really?" Zhang Wanqing's face lit up once more.

"That's right," Wu Meng nodded. "Well then, let me teach you the Turtle Palm."

Zhang Wanqing: "..."

Turtle Palm?

Do you really have to teach me something with such a pathetic name?