’I should go find Teacher Xu.’

’No, I have to find Teacher Yun Hong.’

Chu Lingguang’s first thought was of Xu Zhongguo, but he then shook his head and set his sights on Yun Hong instead.

It wasn’t that he thought Xu Zhongguo was weaker than Yun Hong. On the contrary, Xu Zhongguo was a highly experienced, older-generation Martial Artist. Although his Qi Blood might be weakening with age, his understanding and knowledge of cultivation were definitely on par with Yun Hong’s.

However, Chu Lingguang believed Xu Zhongguo wouldn’t tell him how to form a Spiritual Defense. It wasn’t because he thought Xu Zhongguo was unreliable or secretive. Rather, he suspected that Xu Zhongguo, like Poisonous Snake, would try to stop him from approaching the Dragon Claw Tree again.

Yun Hong, on the other hand, would not.

The day Yun Hong and Poisonous Snake had come to see him, Poisonous Snake had been aggressive, while Yun Hong had remained calm. He had simply explained the risks involved rather than strictly forbidding him from ever approaching the Dragon Claw Tree again.

If Yun Hong had issued that command that day, Chu Lingguang would have been out of options. He could have considered his duty to Du Wushuang fulfilled, and the shadow in his heart might have even diminished.

But now, he had decided to follow his heart and overcome that shadow. To do so, Chu Lingguang had to find a way to form a Spiritual Defense so he wouldn’t be instantly crushed and would have a chance at victory.

At this thought, Chu Lingguang focused his mind, stopped releasing his Spiritual Sense, and concealed the fluctuations within his body.

A short while later, he arrived at the gate of Yun Hong’s small courtyard.

At the Celestial Talent Academy, students had the privilege of receiving one-on-one guidance from Trial Ground teachers at any time. When Chu Lingguang arrived to see Yun Hong, Xia Tianzhong, Xu Kanghui, and Long Xin were already inside the courtyard, asking Yun Hong about their cultivation.

Thanks to the Spiritual Sense Fluctuations Yun Hong constantly emitted, he sensed Chu Lingguang’s approach before he even neared the courtyard. Before Chu Lingguang reached the gate, Yun Hong spoke to Xia Tianzhong and the others. "That’s enough for today. You three may head back. Chu Lingguang made an appointment with me."

"Yes, thank you, Senior Brother!"

The trio stood up to leave, brushing past Chu Lingguang at the gate.

"Chu Lingguang," Xu Kanghui said, stopping him. "Under my Senior Brother’s guidance, Long Xin and I just successfully unlocked our fourth-level Dharma Aspects."

"Congratulations," Chu Lingguang offered.

"Don’t you feel any pressure at all?" Long Xin demanded, displeased by Chu Lingguang’s attitude.

"I do," Chu Lingguang replied. "But no matter how great the pressure, your heart must remain steady."

The three of them froze for a moment. Recalling Chu Lingguang’s Heart Guarding Skill, they snorted under their breath and left together.

Upon entering the courtyard, Chu Lingguang bowed. "Greetings, Teacher Yun Hong."

Yun Hong’s guidance for Xia Tianzhong and the others stemmed from their shared sect lineage. In contrast, his instruction for Chu Lingguang was purely a matter of the Trial Ground’s rules. But regardless of whether the guidance was heartfelt, Chu Lingguang had learned a great deal from Yun Hong recently. Every time he bowed, it was with genuine sincerity.

Since he had come to ask for the Skill of Spiritual Defense, Chu Lingguang performed an especially deep bow.

"Sit down."

Yun Hong gave a faint smile, lit the stove at his side, and once again began to brew a pot of Spirit Tea for Chu Lingguang. Having already experienced the tea’s effects, Chu Lingguang felt even more grateful for Yun Hong’s generosity.

Not just anyone had access to Spirit Tea.

Even a teacher of Xu Zhongguo’s seniority couldn’t afford to treat his students to a pot of Spirit Tea as often as Yun Hong did.

This was one reason the Heavenly Talent students were all so eager to gather at Yun Hong’s courtyard—he would occasionally serve them Spirit Tea.

But the stove had only just been lit.

The Spirit Tea had just been set to brew. ’Clearly, Xia Tianzhong and the others weren’t so fortunate,’ Chu Lingguang mused. ’Perhaps Yun Hong was reluctant to serve so many people at once, or maybe I just came at the perfect time.’

Chu Lingguang didn’t think he was so exceptional as to receive special treatment from Yun Hong over the other three.

Still, with Spirit Tea on offer, he wasn’t about to act coy.

"Yes." He immediately sat down without any hesitation.

"Your assessment score today was decent, but you don’t seem to have made any progress lately," Yun Hong remarked.

"This student is slow," Chu Lingguang said, his head slightly bowed.

"Whether your talent is lacking or you simply have no heart for cultivation, only you know the truth," Yun Hong said calmly.

Chu Lingguang stood up again and bowed to Yun Hong. "I want to overcome that shadow. Teacher Yun Hong, please tell me the method to form a Spiritual Defense."

SLAP!

Yun Hong took a notebook out of a drawer and placed it on the table.

He smiled. "I’ve been waiting for you to ask."

"Thank you, Teacher Yun Hong."

As if he’d just been handed a priceless treasure, Chu Lingguang quickly picked up the notebook and began to flip through it.

"Having the courage to overcome that shadow is a good thing, but don’t force it. When facing an inner shadow, sometimes you need not only the courage to overcome it, but also the fortitude to coexist with it.

"On the path of Martial Arts, not all shadows are detrimental. It is one kind of strength to bravely overcome it, but it is an equally powerful strength to dare to face its existence without letting it trouble you," Yun Hong advised.

"This..." Chu Lingguang’s expression was one of astonishment.

Yun Hong’s words sounded convoluted, but they held the true essence of cultivation. After careful reflection, Chu Lingguang bowed again. "I will engrave your words in my heart, Teacher Yun Hong. I know now how I must face that shadow."

Chu Lingguang seemed to have reached an epiphany, but it only served to strengthen his resolve. He wasn’t swayed in the slightest. His way of facing the shadow was to overcome it, head-on.

"Read through the notebook first. Ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand," Yun Hong said, nodding.

Chu Lingguang quickly sat back down. He couldn’t leave before drinking the Spirit Tea. Besides, reading the notebook here in front of Yun Hong meant he could ask questions immediately if anything was unclear.