Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

”What, you’re still not convinced even after I put it that way?”

Zhang Junsheng glanced sideways at Jiang Ding.

It was evident that his mood was tinged with melancholy, but even more so with anticipation and joy.

Given the current situation, he was certain to be in line for the Opportunity to Transform into a Deity, and with many old friends like Immortal Dinghai and others, entering a deep slumber together was far from lonesome.

If everything went smoothly, then with the closing and opening of his eyes within the Sleeping Hidden Realm, thousands of years would pass by, and the chance to attain Divinity Transformation would present itself.

”Not at all, absolutely not. In front of your seniority, where would I find the gall to be dissatisfied?”

Jiang Ding replied humbly.

Many cultivators around them looked over curiously.

Those at the Golden Core Late Stage and Middle Stage, as well as those at the Peak Realm, were either Jiang Ding’s peers or his seniors, while all those below those realms were his juniors.

Zhang Junsheng, along with Immortal Dinghai and Immortal Luling, had been teaching at Qingfeng University for approximately four to five hundred years; the highest cultivation base among their students was at Golden Pill Peak, with no cultivators having reached the Nascent Soul Stage yet.

The term ’Scholars for a Thousand Years’ was somewhat aggrandized to encapsulate the vast contributions of the three instructors.

Among them were many adorably junior brothers and sisters at the cultivate Qi and Foundation Establishment Realm, who looked at their seniors with stars in their eyes, a look of fervent adoration on their faces.

The others included An Siyan and Jin Lingfeng from the same batch, as well as Wu Mengsha and other seniors.

”As long as you know!”

”Little Jiang Ding, not worth mentioning.”

Zhang Junsheng said with satisfaction, ”We brothers are about to enter deep slumber and might not emerge for thousands of years. By then, if you’ve broken through to the Divinity Transformation Stage, you must maintain this admirable humility. Ideally, you’d carry me to victory without me having to lift a finger.”

”Do you understand?”

This was a blessing and a beautiful aspiration.

The thought of possibly having a disciple at the Divinity Transformation Stage to rely upon when he awoke filled him with immense anticipation.

As for the Nascent Soul Stage, obviously, he who played a significant role in the development of the Great Sun Nascent Soul Art did not regard it as a challenge, but merely a matter of a few hundred years at most.

”I understand, certainly.”

Jiang Ding nodded with a smile.

Like Zhang Junsheng, he too was confident about meeting in the future, hence he did not feel sad but merely regarded it as a brief parting.

”It’s good to strive hard in your cultivation.”

”But you mustn’t be impatient or rash for quick results,”

Immortal Dinghai advised, ”Sword cultivators, compared to the more stable magic cultivation, already face a steep journey. One must have a composed heart and not lose oneself to the killings brought about by Sword Intent. You must control the Sword Intent.”

”I’ve also reviewed the issue of the buildup of killing intent in the Great Sun Sword Pavilion; it’s indeed a problem at the foundational level and can’t be eliminated.”

”But it’s not necessarily something that can’t be controlled. Even killing can be controlled.”

”For example, killing that is calm, precise, and orderly.”

”Chaos is ultimately untenable.”

Compared to Zhang Junsheng, who had always been focused on emergency excavations and studies of the Great Sun Ruins, teaching was indeed Immortal Dinghai’s lifelong profession. He spotted the issues on his student’s path at a glance and offered possible solutions, a testament to his natural instincts as a seasoned instructor.

”Calm, precise, orderly...”

Jiang Ding paused.

This simple statement sparked many thoughts in him; inspirations surged within his Sea of Consciousness, causing turmoil, before slowly settling down again.

Clearly, this was a potential direction, but it was too vague to form a clear path.

”Teacher, I understand.”

Jiang Ding took this advice to heart, grateful for the lesson.

”You still need to practice your Army Formation more.”

””

The instructions from Immortal Luling were rather brief, cool in tone, ”This is the fundamental principle on which Xianmen Sect stands, as well as the important path for you to surpass Zhong Guangzi and other predecessors from the Great Sun Sword Pavilion. It must not be taken lightly. If the talent is mediocre, we shall practice more. After reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, there will be plenty of time and many opportunities.”

”Yes, I have taken note. In the future, while ensuring that my cultivation is fully secured, I will allocate some time to focus on Army Formation.”

Jiang Ding accepted the teaching sincerely.

Over the past forty years, with the help of Heavenly Monarch Wanji, Immortal Luling had successfully merged his Divine Soul with a Spirit Supercomputer.

Now he resembled a giant steel robot, with various circuits flashing from time to time, exuding power and a metallic machine aura; his injuries had also recovered significantly.

The three venerable teachers repeatedly instructed, paying attention to each student here, not discriminating based on cultivation base or talent.

They gave their utmost efforts to provide guidance on the students’ paths, escorting them through the final leg, to fulfill the sentimentality of the mentor-student relationship.

In the gentle tone of their words, many students’ eyes were filled with tears unknowingly.

For most people, this might well be the last time they see each other.

”After I leave, the position of professor for the emergency excavation of the Great Sun Ruins will be yours to succeed me, Wu Mengsha. Your formation of the Nascent Soul will need some more time, and it’s only a possibility, not a certainty.”

Zhang Junsheng turned his face away to avoid becoming too sorrowful and losing control of his emotions.

These many students, he had watched them grow up since they were in their forties; parting now was indeed not easy.

”Professor, I’ve already been working very hard...”

Wu Mengsha said, somewhat embarrassedly scratching her head.

Several hundred years old, she still seemed like a little girl in front of Zhang Junsheng.

”Yes, professor.”

Jiang Ding nodded lightly, ”Then we’ll wait for senior sister to form her Nascent Soul, and let her take over then.”

He had many things to attend to, relating to the Adult Sword Dao Department, the Northern Plains, and the research and development of the Sword Dao; he truly did not wish to be distracted.

But the emergency excavation of the Great Sun Ruins was very important, and it required the strength of the Nascent Soul Stage to get the specialty running; Golden Pill Monks weren’t capable enough.

While they conversed, Immortal Luling and Immortal Dinghai had individually met with every student and finished giving their instructions.

”Fellow students, that will be all.”

Immortal Dinghai said with a carefree smile.

”We have already bade farewell to Senior Mieri and the others in advance.”

”Now, we three old fellows will take our leave first. We will wait in deep slumber, letting the years pass by, awaiting the future.”

”May the Immortal Path favor you all, may it flourish eternally. May we meet again in a few thousand years to resume the mentor-student bond and drink heartily once more.”

”Farewell, teachers!”

Jiang Ding, An Siyan, Wu Mengsha, Jin Lingfeng, and tens of thousands of students bowed deeply, ”We wish you, in a few thousand years, to achieve divinity, prolong your life for myriad years, enjoy eternal sight, retain everlasting youth, and stand among the Celestial Lords of Immortal Gate!”

”We wish your Immortal Path to thrive!”

”We shall rely on your auspicious words.”

The three Immortals from Dinghai smiled and nodded their heads, ”We also wish for you to form your Nascent Souls soon, and aspire to the Great Dao.”

They took one last look at these tens of thousands of students.

The people they were most familiar and intimate with in this world, watching them grow from children into adults, becoming the backbone of the Xianmen Sect... At this time when their parents and loved ones had long passed away, they were almost like family.

”Let’s go.”

”Farewell, students.”

Immortal Dinghai, his nose a bit sour, turned and flew towards the sky, heading to the core of the Heaven-Covering Banyan, where the Sleeping Hidden Realm of Xianmen Sect was located.

Immortal Luling and Immortal Chengyang followed suit without looking back.

”Goodbye, teachers!”

The tens of thousands of students bowed again, just as they had done repeatedly during the many years of lessons.