Journey of the Immortal Grandmaster

Far from the agitation on the western side of the Edera Continent, the disciples of the White Tiger School hadn't heard any news and continued their cultivation routines.

After Elder Wen left, Han Lingyun felt another page of his journey had been turned. He wouldn't be able to count on his teacher's support and resources any more. Han Lingyun realized he needed to find new pillars to lean on, at least on a mental level. He glanced at the novels Elder Wen had left behind and silently ordered them. 'I'll read them after settling my thoughts.'

It was during that period of self-reflection that Han Lingyun remembered the goals he had issued for himself before starting his 2nd year. It was safe to say that he had nearly forgotten about them recently with so much going through his mind with constant stimulations.

His cautious and calculative nature made it so that he hadn't started to act in the opposite direction to the general idea of the list of goals he had concocted but he now felt he had to follow his own guidelines with more accuracy. It shouldn't be like those new year's resolutions that are so rapidly forgotten.

First of all, Han Lingyun remembered the goals he had set for himself before the 2nd year, this was a good occasion to evaluate his progress in their direction.

The one at the top of the list had still remained in the back of his head all this time.

Goal 0: Survive.

'This one, I can claim confidently to have succeeded for now, hehe. Now to the next one.'

Goal 1: (Short term) Become proficient in basic runes before the end of 2nd year. Construct my first arrays and weapons.

'Well, I had a huge growth in the field of array formations, from no knowledge to a recognized rank as a bronze level array master. However, I have completely neglected weapons and forging during the year. I don't think it's a bad thing though. It was unrealistic to hope to advance on so many fields, it was for the best to focus on arrays and cultivation. I might change my ways for the next two years with teacher's departure though. I'll have to think about my time allocation more deeply.'

Goal 2: (Short-medium term) Reach mid qi condensation by the end of the year, and Foundation establishment before turning 16.

'Haha I was definitely not expecting to regress in cultivation after a year, was I? More seriously, I had actually put the one-year time limit to reach mid-level qi condensation as a wild guess. At the time, I had no idea how unlikely that was, and yet I actually achieved it even faster than I originally hoped for! Now, after having uncovered my 5th grade and with the great steps I have already taken with my spirit world, I should be on the right track for the Foundation establishment target. It will only depend on potential bottlenecks at the final step.'

Goal 3: (Medium term) become an array master and research the laws guiding qi and runes.

'I have worked hard in that direction. I can't say that I am an array master yet. A bronze qualification is as good as a novice or apprentice badge I suppose. When I phrased the term array master, I meant an expert that is recognized in the field. I am still very far away from this goal, and I haven't even commercialized my first array. But that's mainly due to the time it would take me and for what, a couple more resources? With my current skills, only the weakest sects could be interested. Bronze level array masters are only at apprentice level anyway. Even then, I don't need the few resources these low-level sects could offer; time is what I lack the most today.

And later, when my capabilities have improved considerably, I'm not sure that I would want to sell arrays. It would only be if I find myself lacking in resources, but this won't be a future goal in itself for me. Perhaps the idea of being well known in the field doesn't fit my personality as well. Yes, I'll have to change this objective of mine slightly.'

Goal 4: (Long term) reach immortality and explore the universe freely.

'This one is still the far-fetched dream. My recent involvement with Elder Yi from the Black Rainbow Sect has probably increased my chances by hinting a path but it all remains slim. Plus, this could also be the source of my downfall. It's truly unpleasant to be implicated and entangled in the plots of titans. I might just be squashed like an ant, in the same way Yu Tao was just eliminated by Elder Yi. The thought is scarry.

Okay, well that's about it for the review of my progress and goals. Now I need to find new ones and reformulate others. The first will always be the same.

Goal 0: Survive.

My first short time goal is to reclame my former cultivation, and keep the momentum. In just 3 weeks, I nearly reached qi condensation. The early qi condensation period won't be as fast but that gives me a good of idea of the seed to aim for.

Goal 1: (Short term) Reach mid qi condensation again in 3 months.

Goal 2: Achieve a complete spirit world with the 5 elements before the foundation establishment realm.

This second one is natural after I improved my talent, but it might still take a lot of efforts to reach this point. What else is there? Hum, maybe I should be more ambitious with my cultivation.

Goal 3: Reach Foundation Establishment before the 4th year competition.

If I succeed, this might garner some unwanted attention but I need to be well prepared for my 16th birthday and for possibly entering the Black Rainbow Sect. Other there, the competition will probably get a lot more ferocious and bloody. Which brings me to another milestone.

Goal 4: Get into the Black Rainbow Sect after my 6th year in the White Tiger School.

Now, I still have my research for runes and formations to follow, and I should probably follow teacher's advice to enter the group of Forging apprentices.

Goal 5: Before the end of the 4th year, construct arrays I can use while in combat and build a weapon tailored to my needs.

Goal 6: (Medium term) Research the laws guiding qi and runes.

That should cover all my areas. There is just the final one remaining.

Goal 7: (Long term) reach immortality and explore the universe freely.

My list keeps getting longer and longer. It's mostly because I am able to specify my goals more and more with time as I get a better understanding of my path and of the cultivation world.

With that, my final list of objectives is set. I have my guideline for the next two years.

Goal 0: Survive.

Goal 1: (Short term) Reach mid qi condensation again in 3 months.

Goal 2: Achieve a complete spirit world before the Foundation Establishment realm.

Goal 3: Reach Foundation Establishment before the 4th year competition.

Goal 4: Get into the Black Rainbow Sect after my 6th year in the White Tiger School.

Goal 5: Before the end of the 4th year, construct arrays I can use while in combat and build a weapon tailored to my needs.

Goal 6: (Medium term) Research the laws guiding qi and runes.

Goal 7: (Long term) reach immortality and explore the universe freely.'

After completing his plans, Han Lingyun focused back on his cultivation. Reaching the mid qi condensation again in just 3 months was only achievable on the condition he didn't lose any time.

Just one week after Elder Wen's departure, a rumor spread through the 3rd year disciples. Apparently, Han Lingyun had lost his cultivation before the previous rankings.

The fact that Han Lingyun hadn't been seen once in three weeks did nothing to deflate the rumor. After thinking it through, some swore that Han Lingyun had indeed been transported by Wang Yimo to and from the plaza the day of the competition. This contributed further to the whole ordeal.

Soon, some tried to get more information from Han Lingyun's close friends who were still regularly using the popular training grounds. Those were disappointed to get responses along the lines of "Han Lingyun is fine."

It even got to the point where a group of disciples decided to head to the number 1 cave to find out the truth. Liao Shao, who had refrained from challenging Han Lingyun in the previous ranking competition was one of this group's leaders. He was secretly ashamed he had not taken his chance three weeks ago.

Incredibly, all those disciples came back down the mountain with blank faces. They hadn't even been able to find the cave! When they approached, they would lose their orientation and end up turning back down. Trying again by using ropes then straight poles hadn't helped. In the end, they came back down with disbelief and incomprehension written all over their faces.

They had faced the full force of Han Lingyun's array formations while the main culprit was unaware, in the middle of a cultivation session.