Chapter 157: Imparting the Dharma to the Esper's Pocket Dimension

Upon careful reflection, it makes complete sense, and many incredible phenomena suddenly find an explanation.

For instance, why a new esper only appears after the previous one with the identical ability dies—that must be because there is only a single fragment of the Source Power crystal. And why the awakening probability is higher in sparsely populated areas—presumably because, in those remote places, the capricious World Consciousness has no other options.

Truly, if those espers who advocate for secluded cultivation in sparsely populated regions were to learn the truth, wouldn't they vomit blood in sheer frustration?

Moreover, this generational transfer of World Consciousness and Source Power fragments has severely disrupted the natural progression of this world.

This world should not have been like this. Apart from Source Power crystals, the sublimation of a world relies on a continuous eruption of talented individuals and their personal achievements.

What would be the consequences if the path of this esper world goes astray?

Such behavior is extremely dangerous. If they were to collide with another world and their espers were to fight, they would literally be staking their foundation! Have you ever seen someone go into a fight by directly ripping out their own heart and hurling it at the opponent?

To this world, the World Consciousness and the Source Power crystal fragments are by no means renewable resources!

After learning the true state of this esper world, Zhang Ning conceived a new idea. Pondering for a moment, he asked Chu Hanyu, "Master, was the original developmental trajectory of this world centered around attaining divinity through artifacts?"

Chu Hanyu nodded and said, "Although it is vague, the general developmental direction should be along those lines."

This was a "privilege" Chu Hanyu gained after reaching the Martial Venerable realm, allowing him to vaguely communicate with the World Consciousness and discern its original developmental trajectory. His ability to communicate with and refine worlds stemmed from this very privilege. (For instance, the Azure Realm was particularly "hungry".)

Though it sounded mystical, it was essentially just an extra sensory perception. The strength of this perception might influence Chu Hanyu's future development and achievements, but thus far, it had no impact whatsoever on his combat prowess.

Nevertheless, this extra sense was proving to be a tremendous help right now.

Zhang Ning thought for a long while, and sudden inspiration struck. "Since that is the case, let us return the world's original trajectory to them!"

With a solemn expression, Zhang Ning knelt and kowtowed to Chu Hanyu, saying, "Disciple begs Master to impart the art of artifact refinement to them!"

Hearing this, Chu Hanyu felt a shock ripple through his heart, filled with a profound sense of gratification and pride at what Zhang Ning was displaying. He seemed to catch a glimpse of a future where countless people followed Zhang Ning along a magnificent path. Yet, seeing Zhang Ning suddenly turn so serious and look at him with such eager eyes, the playful streak in Chu Hanyu's heart inexplicably flared up.

He tilted his head and said to Zhang Ning, "Don't you know the rules of my Azure Realm? The Dao must not be imparted lightly! Furthermore, many cultivation methods of my Unfettered Demonic Sect are preferred to be lost to history rather than passed to outsiders. Never speak of such things again!"

Zhang Ning almost thought he had done something wrong and incurred his Master's anger. However, upon calming down and pondering it, something felt off. When he looked up, he saw smiles dancing in his Master's eyes. Those eyes resembled moonlight shimmering upon a lake—warm and pristine... In no way did he look angry!

Thus, Zhang Ning smiled as well. "Master, you cannot fool me. Having been by your side for so long, I naturally know that the guiding principle of our Unfettered Demonic Sect is the pursuit of freedom and compliance with one's true heart. There is certainly no such narrow-minded doctrine as hoarding one's methods."

Seeing that he failed to bluff his disciple, Chu Hanyu broke into a helpless chuckle. "So earnest for strangers in another world? Very well, then this master shall grant your wish! However, a portion of the artifact-refinement arts belonging to the Unfettered Demonic Sect or the Azure Realm is not entirely suited for this world. Let me ponder upon it and devise a unique artifact-refinement technique exclusively for them."

Zhang Ning's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "On behalf of this world, this disciple thanks Master for the grace of imparting the Dao!"

Yet the amusement in Chu Hanyu's eyes did not diminish. "There is no need to thank me on their behalf; what they will be thanking in the future is you. You are the one who imparts the art of artifact refinement to them, and you are the one who alters the landscape of this world. As for me, I have merely fulfilled a master's duty by teaching the art of artifact refinement to my sole disciple... and it has nothing to do with this esper world."

"Ah!"

Zhang Ning understood Chu Hanyu's implication.

Did Master mean that he would learn it first and then go teach the people of the esper world himself? And Master claimed no credit whatsoever, because all he needed to do was teach his disciple?

Was Master intending to bestow all this supreme merit...

This realization left Zhang Ning uttering a single "Ah," completely robbed of further words.

Seeing that Zhang Ning showed no sign of joy but instead looked on the verge of tears, Chu Hanyu frowned slightly, lightly tapped Zhang Ning on the forehead, and then pulled him to his feet. "Such a lack of backbone! How old are you, crying over nothing? This is the last time, you hear me?"

"Yes, Master!"

Zhang Ning said nothing more, but silently resolved in his heart: Master treats me with such profound kindness; if I fail to repay him a thousand or ten thousand fold in the future, how can I still be considered a human being?

Two years later.

Two years after Zhang Ning arrived in this world, which meant he was now ten years old in this body.

Zhang Ning was currently being pinned down by the shoulders by Chu Hanyu, forcefully pressed against the sofa.

He cried out in disarray, "No, no more, Master! I can't take it anymore!" His eyes were rimmed with red and his clothes were disheveled, making it look as though his master had completely lost control and was about to do something unspeakable to his own disciple.

Seeing him in this state, Chu Hanyu felt utterly helpless. Why was it that whenever Zhang Ning was in front of him, he acted as though he would never grow up?!

In truth, over the past two years, apart from solidifying his own foundation, Zhang Ning had desperately absorbed and studied the knowledge of artifact refinement from him.

Although it was immensely difficult for Chu Hanyu to conceive and pioneer a virtually brand-new path of artifact refinement for this esper world, Zhang Ning had also made indispensable contributions. Viewing these refinement methods from the perspective of a beginner and a native of the esper world, Zhang Ning provided Chu Hanyu with numerous inspirations. He helped strip away many obscure and difficult parts of the techniques, rendering them exceptionally foundational and universally applicable to almost everyone.

The grueling hardship involved made even Chu Hanyu feel secretly fatigued, yet Zhang Ning—the disciple he considered exceptionally pampered in his heart—had never uttered a single word of grievance or fatigue.

Zhang Ning's daily devotion to studying techniques that were excruciatingly dry for someone of his age filled Chu Hanyu with genuine gratification. Even more remarkably, Zhang Ning possessed not only innate talent in artifact refinement but also such diligence, coupled with his out-of-the-box thinking. Chu Hanyu felt as though he was witnessing the step-by-step growth of yet another Grand Master of Alchemy, and this Grand Master was nurtured by his own hands! He was his disciple!

For the first time, Chu Hanyu felt the poverty of language, able only to use the word "proud" to describe his recent feelings—though this sentiment currently transformed entirely into helplessness.