After spending a long time talking about his achievements, Yunfei said with a hint of pride in his voice:
"Building Tiāntī Castle was a true challenge. They wanted to construct it in the sky, so they sought the help of many Cloud Path Gu Masters to create a cloud foundation capable of supporting it."
He laughed and shook his head.
"But all of them said it was impossible. As you can imagine, the castle was far too heavy for ordinary clouds to bear."
He then raised a finger as if he had reached the most important part of the story.
"And in the end... they summoned me! Ho ho ho!"
Yunfei laughed heartily as he stroked his long mustache.
"I was young back then, not even twenty years old, and I was determined to prove myself. Ah, those were good days..."
He then leaned toward Jian Long, trying to study his expression more closely.
"I hope I haven't bored you with my stories."
As for Jian Long, sleepiness had weighed heavily on his eyelids from sheer boredom, to the point that the teacup in his hand nearly slipped. He quickly gathered what little focus he had left and replied:
"No, no, of course not. I'm happy to listen to these stories. I've learned a lot from you."
Yunfei had been talking about his various stories and achievements for three hours straight.
Jian Long stared at the old man for a moment before thinking inwardly:
"Perhaps the reason he agreed to meet me was because he had finally found someone willing to listen to his achievements in Cloud Path ,After all, it must be rare for him to find someone who is genuinely interested in this Path."
As soon as Yunfei heard that, he returned to his usual position in his chair and continued speaking enthusiastically:
"Where was I? Ah, yes... At that time, I was trying to prove myself. I spent four whole months without getting any rest. I said four months! You can imagine how much time I spent trying to solve that problem."
He took a sip of tea before continuing:
"Back then, I experimented with several types of rocks..."
"Rocks?"
Jian Long stopped relaxing and raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Yunfei smiled and said:
"Don't you know that the solid clouds used to carry things are actually condensed rock dust? Just like ordinary clouds are condensed water vapor."
Jian Long immediately adjusted his posture, becoming more attentive.
Perhaps this is finally my chance to discuss the questions that have been occupying my mind about Cloud Path.
After a moment of thought, he asked:
"Excuse me, but there is something I don't understand. If ordinary clouds are condensed water vapor, and solid clouds are condensed rock dust... then is Cloud Path a true and independent Path? Or is it merely a method of manipulating one of the states of matter?"
For the first time since their meeting began, the pride disappeared from Yunfei's voice, replaced by a measure of humility.
"Well, I am only a Quasi-Master of Cloud Path, so naturally, my understanding of this Path is still incomplete."
He continued after a brief pause:
"But Cloud Path is indeed an independent Path. This does not conflict with clouds being related to states of matter, as you said. For example, ice is one of the states of water, yet Ice Path still exists as its own Path."
Jian Long slowly nodded before continuing his questions.
"You said that solid clouds are condensed rock dust. Does that mean that each type of cloud has a different origin?"
"Yes."
Yunfei answered confidently this time.
"For example, fiery clouds are fire transformed into clouds, while luminous clouds are light transformed into clouds."
He then raised a finger and added:
"But of course, that is the natural way clouds are formed, and it is impractical for us Gu Masters. Therefore, instead of spending a long time transforming different materials into clouds, we use Gu worms capable of producing clouds directly."
Jian Long rested his head against his hand, lost in thought over Yunfei's words. After a few moments, he unconsciously leaned forward, his interest in what he was hearing growing stronger.
"Does that mean clouds cannot store the element corresponding to them? In your example of fiery clouds... can fiery clouds store fire?"
"Of course. Ordinary clouds can store a relatively small amount of their corresponding elements. However, over the years, we have developed new types of clouds. There are even types of clouds that can now transform the corresponding element thrown directly onto them into clouds."
Excitement flashed in Jian Long's eyes.
"I have an idea I'm currently working on, and I'd like to know your opinion on it, if you don't mind."
Yunfei raised his eyebrows before breaking into a broad smile.
"Hmm... It seems we are about to discuss something quite substantial. And such a topic deserves a special kind of tea and some fine sweets."
Yunfei waved his hand over the table between them, and a small cloud appeared in the air. Moments later, the cloud dispersed, revealing an elegant teapot and a plate filled with exquisite pastries.
"Seven-Flavored Tea from the Eastern Sea. Would you like some?"
Jian Long glanced at the teapot before answering without hesitation:
"Of course."
Jian Long then explained his ideas in detail about a method for storing Lightning Birds, describing how he intended to transform lightning into clouds, store them inside his body, and then transform them back into lightning before releasing them once again.
Yunfei remained silent for a few moments, his excitement clearly visible.
"Hmm... Your ideas are truly ambitious."
Yunfei became more enthusiastic with every passing moment. He even began carefully grooming his beard and mustache before settling into his chair in a strange posture. He removed his slippers and sat in a Half-kneeling position, as though preparing for a serious discussion.
"Your idea involves fields that almost no one has explored, whether in Lightning Path or Cloud Path."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more serious.
"I have never seen anyone use lightning clouds as wires to conduct lightning and then store it beneath their skin. What is even more interesting is that your method requires transforming lightning into clouds, and then transforming those clouds back into lightning."
Yunfei paused for a moment before continuing:
"And each of those processes has a different method, which could make things far more complicated than you imagine. Achieving enough stability for such a process might even be a major problem in itself."
Then he smiled.
"But I like the idea."
Yunfei picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup before saying:
"I can recommend someone I know. He specializes in lightning clouds, and he may be able to help you in this field."