Chapter 112: Master's Lectures, Entrusting the Sword

When Wang Sheng was young, he used to play a game where he would guess the words traced on his back. Now, his master used qi to form a brush and write a large character on his back. He initially thought of it as the character for stillness.

Cultivation required a tranquil heart and mind. He had spent so much time entangled in the mundane world that it had affected his inner peace. Hence, his master was essentially telling him to calm his heart and focus on cultivation. Only then could he further his cultivation.

"I wrote the character for steadiness. Do you understand why?"

Wang Sheng tensed slightly as he muttered, "I don't, Master."

"You have been somewhat impatient lately."

Qing Yanzi walked to Wang Sheng and sat cross-legged on the grass. His gaze on him was as sharp as lightning, making the latter feel slightly nervous. It was as if he were back in school, with his teacher summoning him for breaking the principal's office window and making him pay for the damages. Worse, he didn't even quite understand what his master meant by impatient.

Nearby, Fei Lianzi and Yan Zhengnan exchanged a glance before stepping away to admire the ocean view. Every sect had its own taboos. Since Qing Yanzi was reprimanding his disciple, it was not appropriate for them to watch. Fei Lianzi was quite happy to see Wang Sheng getting disciplined, though.

Mu Wanxuan silently walked over and knelt beside Wang Sheng. She was ready to share both his blessings and his scoldings.

Paying no mind to his eldest disciple, Qing Yanzi kept his eyes on Wang Sheng. "Do you know why I wrote the word steadiness for you?"

Wang Sheng shook his head. His gaze remained as clear as usual as he answered, "Please enlighten me, Master."

"Now that the world's primal qi has been restored, cultivation has once again become possible. You have embarked on the path of the sword, pressing forward step by step. Just recently, Martial Uncle Yuan Pu guided you, allowing you to make a significant breakthrough in your swordsmanship. Since then, what have you done?"

Though momentarily stunned, Wang Sheng quietly replied, "I sought you at the Zhongnan Mountains and then descended to assist Mistress. Martial Aunt Jingyun and I then encountered and fought corrupt cultivators who were harming people."

Qing Yanzi replied, "Wood Yin God of the Five Gods Cult has profound cultivation, and his techniques are extremely vicious. With the help of your martial aunt, you wielded your sword and fought desperately to slay him. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Master."

"Had Wood Yin God been even more ruthless and decided to take you down with him, disregarding your martial aunt completely, do you think you'd still be sitting here and listening to me lecture you?"

Wang Sheng hung his head in silence, unsure how to respond.

"I have already heard everything from Ah-Ling. You risked your life to kill that corrupt cultivator. Soon after, even though your leg still hadn't fully recovered, you forced yourself to rescue hostages. Do you truly believe that if you were gone, the world would fall into chaos, evil would run rampant, and civilians would be killed endlessly?"

Wang Sheng hurriedly replied, "That thought has never crossed my mind, Master!"

"Then this is where you have yet to recognize your shortcomings. Little Sheng, you have confused arrogance with recklessness."

Wang Sheng was stunned. Each of Qing Yanzi's words struck his heart deeply.

Qing Yanzi sighed. "I wanted to discuss this with you before I went into seclusion, but I thought that after some time experiencing the world, you would realize your own flaws. Instead, you repeatedly put yourself in danger. Have you ever asked yourself why you draw your sword?"

"Master, I..."

Qing Yanzi's expression turned serious as he firmly added, "If you understand why you draw your sword, it certainly won't matter that you are outmatched or facing a formidable enemy. You will still charge forward without hesitation to protect the weak, safeguard your loved ones, and defend your home and country. That is true, unyielding spirit!

"However, if you do not understand why you draw your sword and merely act on impulse, all you're really doing is throwing yourself into peril nonstop. You are doing it simply because you know you can and should, which is nothing more than frivolousness and arrogance!

"All that aside, what were you thinking last night when you, your senior sister, and Fei Lianzi faced the corrupt cultivators of the Five Gods Cult? You were not simply eliminating corruption and saving people. You thought multiple times of proving yourself, seeking the thrill of defeating those stronger than you, and basking in the admiration of others!

"Martial Uncle Yuan Pu may have guided you in swordsmanship, but as your master, it is my duty to teach you how to wield your sword! If you cannot even understand why you draw your sword, then from this day forward, you are forbidden from ever using your sword again!"

Wang Sheng trembled slightly. He lowered his head in silence again, his master's words echoing in his mind and repeatedly striking his Dao heart. Cold sweat seeped from his forehead. He felt as though a dust-covered mirror was now being shaken, causing the dust to gradually fall away.

Worried that he had been too harsh and had dampened Wang Sheng's spirit, Qing Yanzi softened his tone. "You're still young. Recklessness is a common flaw of the youth. I cannot expect you to be like your senior sister, whose heart is already aligned with the Daoist realm and nature.

"Little Sheng, before cultivating the Dao, one must first cultivate the heart. Before becoming an immortal, one must first learn how to be human. I have high expectations of you. Starting today, you will also bear the responsibility of guarding the Pure Yang Immortal Mantra. That is why I wrote the word steadiness for you today. I hope you will reflect on it deeply.

"Since you have accepted the Shu Sword Sect's request to clear the Seventy-Two Swords at the Shu Mountains, use it as an opportunity to test yourself. However, while I hope you will proceed cautiously, I also want you to give it your all. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master."

"Whether you succeed or not, you are to return to the sect and enter secluded cultivation for three years afterward. Without my permission, you are not to leave the mountain. During this time, Little Xuan will stay by my side to cultivate. I will have her visit you regularly, bringing you alchemy pills and Qi-Nurturing Stones. Do not let me down."

Finally, Qing Yanzi rose and walked toward the shore. He cupped his hands in a formal salute to Fei Lianzi, entrusting the Shu Sword Sect to take good care of his disciple.

Wang Sheng took in every word that his master said. As he reflected on everything that he had done since leaving the mountains, he gradually realized that he had indeed been somewhat impulsive and arrogant.

Ultimately, he had lost the reverence that he once held for the heavens and the Dao when he first began cultivating.

Noticing that Wang Sheng still hadn't said a word or raised his head, Mu Wanxuan couldn't help but worry. She tugged at his sleeve and thoughtfully draped his training attire over his shoulders. Then, she bent down and traced a few words on the ground.

Master is worried about us.

Wang Sheng forced a smile and wrote his reply as well.

I know. I did go a bit too far.

Junior Brother, you're already very impressive. You're much smarter and sharper than I am.

Wang Sheng didn't answer.

To cheer him up, Mu Wanxuan excitedly pulled out her phone. She then looked for a meme and showed it to him.

Wang Sheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You really are a little genius."

He then glanced at the sword case beside him. After a moment of hesitation, he picked it up and handed it to Mu Wanxuan. "Senior Sister, keep Spiritless for me for three years."

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"

Mm?

" Though puzzled, Mu Wanxuan still took the sword case from him.

Wang Sheng smiled and opened the case, gazing at the incomparably sharp treasured sword inside. Softly, he said, "Master's words made me reflect. When I return to the mountain, I want to continue cultivating with a wooden sword.

"Besides, the treasured sword that Senior Yan gave me is enough to defend myself. Spiritless is too sharp. If I become dependent on it, it could bring trouble. Senior Sister, please hold on to it for me."

"

Mm.

" With puffed cheeks, Mu Wanxuan closed the sword case and placed it beside her.

She knew they would be parting ways soon. Wang Sheng would follow Fei Lianzi to the Shu Mountains, while she would stay with their master to help Chi Ling handle the aftermath of the incident. Still, she didn't expect him to leave so soon.

She wanted to tell him to take care of himself, but she was slow with words and hesitated too long.

Before she could speak, Qing Yanzi called, "Little Sheng! Your mistress is looking for you. She has already arranged your travel plans with Elder Feiyan. You are taking the Special Warfare Unit's private jet, but you have to leave right now!"

Wang Sheng immediately stood up. Since his master had just reprimanded him, he was on his best behavior.

"Take care, Senior Sister."

Mu Wanxuan smiled gently. "

Mm.

"

Wang Sheng picked up his Daoist robe and put it on as he walked. When he turned back, he saw Mu Wanxuan standing against the lush trees, the vast blue sky, and the sea that reflected it. With the silver-white sword case in her arms, she watched him leave.

Wang Sheng sighed softly. The sight left a deep impression on him.

He had no idea how far he would reach in three years. By then, though, his senior sister would have surely reached the Illusory Core Realm. Regardless, his master was isolating him from distractions and making him undergo secluded cultivation for his own good.

Now that he had already entered a fasting state, it'd be easy for him to never leave the small courtyard on the Wudang Mountains for three years anyway. Moreover, his master also told his senior sister to visit him regularly and bring him alchemy pills and Qi-Nurturing Stones. They wouldn't have to wait the full three years to see each other again.

I don't know what a Qi-Nurturing Stone is, though.

Fortunately, Wang Sheng soon found out. Just before his departure, Chi Ling sent Mou Yue to deliver a batch of "consolation gifts" as a reward for the contributions that he and Fei Lianzi had made in this incident.

Among them were two crates of Qi-Nurturing Stones. Imbued with pure primal qi, they could be arranged into a qi-gathering formation to accelerate cultivation.

Besides the Qi-Nurturing Stones and the alchemy pills that boosted cultivation, Chi Ling also managed to get him a small pouch embroidered with two cranes, meant to be tied or strapped to the body. When Fei Lianzi saw it, he almost headed back and acknowledged Qing Yanzi as his own master.

It was just a low-grade artifact, but at that day and age, it was still extremely valuable. Owning one was a sign of distinction and wealth.

After all, the Crane-Spirit Treasure Pouch, a replica created by the Cultivation Research Institute, was a storage artifact!