Chapter 34 Cultivation
The next day, Song Chi and the others packed up and left Peach Blossom Peak, moving to the mountain peaks where their respective immortal masters resided, and began to diligently cultivate again.
However, on the second day after Song Chi checked into the Scarlet Rose Pavilion, Ye Qingyu and the others actually came to visit one after another, and they all brought very expensive gifts.
Just as she was wondering how to reciprocate, her master sent her attendant Mingxia with a storage ring and a gift list.
It detailed how to reciprocate with gifts, and the gifts were all prepared, including rare fruits, medicines, and other precious items.
Song Chi was truly grateful, and she sent her two young disciples, Wu'er and Jinguo, to return the gifts. She personally visited the four of them, including Xi Ya.
When asked, it turned out that although those geniuses sent some gifts to them, they did not visit in person.
Song Chi guessed that it might be because her master, Venerable Xueqiao, held a transcendent position within the sect. She didn't understand, nor did she think much of it.
Now that the prerequisite for entering the secret realm has been met, it's time to prepare for the future. If, as Qi Zhenmo said, the secret realm will open ten or eight years earlier, then she only has about ten years to prepare.
In this limited time, her aptitude will likely only advance to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage at most, and then her progress will slow down. She'll then be left watching as other geniuses leave her far behind, completing the Foundation Establishment stage in a maximum of fifteen years.
It would take her at least twenty more years to progress from the mid-stage to the late-stage perfection of Foundation Establishment. This was data she obtained from reviewing the cultivation progress of her senior brothers and sisters in the library. And that was considered good; some might take thirty or forty years.
Since that's the case, in terms of cultivation and advancement, the mid-Foundation Establishment stage is actually the limit. She can only focus on training her spells, teleportation techniques, and combat skills.
These are things he can only rely on himself for, perhaps he could visit Senior Sister You Qin. As for the rest, such as being personally taught by his master, Song Chi didn't even dare to think about it.
She was able to become the Venerable One's disciple, which provided her with this top-tier cultivation space and resources.
Her current cultivation resources are more than ten times better than those of ordinary inner disciples. In any case, she doesn't need to painstakingly accumulate spirit stones by doing tasks.
With these benefits, what more could you ask for?
It's really difficult for the old master to teach her, a little rascal.
As for her senior brother Mo Shubai, Song Chi was even less inclined to seek his guidance. It wasn't that her temper was still flaring up; rather, she did feel somewhat embarrassed by the way Mo Shubai had deliberately distanced himself from her on the day she became his disciple.
But after a night of heavy drinking, that feeling vanished. It wasn't anyone else's fault; it was clearly a misunderstanding caused by her own inability to control her precious child.
In fact, in later generations, if a teacher knew that a student had a crush on them, they would want to wear all their ugliest clothes the next day and avoid the student's affections at all costs. Mo Shubai was her immortal teacher before, so naturally he felt the same way.
So Song Chi felt there was nothing to be angry about. But since the other party had chosen to avoid her, if she were to go and ask him for cultivation methods, it would be making things difficult for the handsome man.
Therefore, Song Chi's principle was to continue to respect his senior brother Mo Shubai as a celestial master, but not to become close to him.
No matter what, there's still Senior Sister Youqin to learn from.
Therefore, she visited fellow disciples in various places. Song Chi then wrote a letter to her parents, informing them of the good news of her becoming their disciple. She wondered how her parents would react upon receiving this news; they would likely be more shocked than delighted. After all, her situation was like someone who barely managed to get into a second-tier university, only to receive an acceptance letter from Tsinghua or Peking University. Her parents would probably be completely bewildered, unsure whether to feel joy or unease.
Nevertheless, the letter was quickly sent back home, along with a letter to Song Yun, asking him to find a way to refine the Heart-Clearing Pill and send it over.
Song Chi felt that her Foundation Establishment stage combat power could only be truly improved by fully developing that green leaf treasure. But if she touched it and saw even a monkey as beautiful, that wouldn't do. She had to suppress it!
After tidying up, she went to the small kitchen and carefully simmered a sweet soup.
Her master treated her so well that he took care of even the smallest things, like returning a gift. All she could do in return was to pull out a 50,000-year-old beauty and health herb from her sleeve to nourish him—no, to beautify his skin.
She didn't believe her master didn't care about beauty. Although he seemed indifferent to such things, this was all she could do to repay him.
However, there was still an extra small bowl of sweet soup. After she served one bowl of sweet soup in a white jade bowl, she had the little boy deliver the smaller bowl to Senior Sister Youqin.
As for my senior brother Mo Shubai, well, it's really not advisable to get too close. Anyway, his family is wealthy and doesn't care about that.
She brought the sweet soup to Yunhai Songtang, and her master was quite accommodating, drinking it all. His complexion visibly became much more radiant and glowing, but he only praised it by saying that it tasted good.
As for other things, they seemed indifferent. But they still looked quite happy.
After all, her filial piety is commendable.
“Starting tomorrow, come to Yunhai Songtang at Chenshi (7-9 AM) every day, and I will teach you for half a day.”
Then the master gave the instructions.
Song Chi was extremely surprised. "Won't this disturb Master's cultivation?"
As it turned out, her master simply waved his hand, telling her to obey. Song Chi immediately bowed happily and accepted the order.
The Venerable One personally gave her the lesson; what incredible fortune she had encountered!
Song Chi is very confident about improving his strength in the future!
After Song Chi left, Venerable Xueqiao paused for a moment in front of the jade mirror, then smiled. Since returning from the Immortal Spirit Secret Realm, Song Chi had been repaying kindness everywhere, sending beauty and health-preserving medicines of astonishing age.
However, these are all beauty-enhancing herbs and flowers that have existed in the cultivation world. The sweet soup I made for him today is probably made from Crystal Jade Grass, which has been lost for tens of thousands of years. The roots and stems of this herb help to clear and nourish the mind, and are especially effective for cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage and above. Of course, its beauty-enhancing effects are even more remarkable.
He estimated that he looked at least ten years younger.
Venerable Xueqiao didn't care about appearances. He simply appreciated this filial piety.
Then he quickly learned from Mingxia, that Song Chi had also given a small portion of the sweet soup to his second senior sister.
However, Tingquan Pavilion did not give it to them.
Venerable Xueqiao couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. This girl has a fiery temper.
The moment Shu Bai showed her a hint of coldness, she immediately turned on him. And the speed with which she severed their ties that night was truly astonishing, leaving even Venerable Xueqiao in awe.
He had previously worried that the child would fall into a love trap like Fairy Yilan, unable to extricate himself. Now, he felt he might be more worried about Shu Bai.
No, it's not. It's also heartless!
A moment later, the boy reported that Mo Shubai had arrived.
Venerable Xueqiao then went to the side hall and asked him what his purpose was.
"Master, how about I continue to teach my third junior sister's lessons from now on?"
But that's why I came.
Venerable Xueqiao: "...You know about the sweet soup, right!" He plucked the strings of his zither, playing the elegant and dignified "Spring River Flower Moon Night." He had recently fallen in love with this piece and would play it from time to time.
Mo Shubai: "..." He naturally found out. He was the only one left out of the entire Yunhai Songshan area.
But he didn't blame him. Although Song Chi looked calm and collected, he was actually incredibly arrogant.
Therefore, even a rebellious and unruly boy like Ye Qingyu didn't dare to act too much like a spoiled young master in front of Song Chi. Otherwise, Song Chi would definitely ignore him.
On his side, Song Chi will likely keep his distance for three to five years. Then they'll gradually grow closer, or perhaps remain distant forever…
He felt that since it was a misunderstanding, he should break the deadlock on his end.
Unexpectedly, the master said leisurely, "You don't need to worry about your third junior sister's studies. I will teach her from now on."
Mo Shubai: "...Master is used to peace and quiet, I'm afraid he can't bear to be disturbed."
"It's alright. My cultivation has been stagnant lately, so teaching this child will help me relax."
Mo Shubai: "..." His master wasn't actually the type to excel at teaching; he mostly learned about music cultivation on his own. Furthermore, despite his seemingly serene and indifferent nature, his master was actually quite gentle and affectionate. Therefore, for him, manipulating the mysteries of heaven and earth through music was as easy as eating and drinking.
Simply put, the Master is a cultivator born for sound cultivation. He has never suffered any hardship in sound cultivation and does not understand the difficulties faced by people like them who have too little emotion.
Song Chi is probably going to be depressed for quite a while.
However, since his master was so eager to try, he couldn't very well stop him. So he had no choice but to give up.
The following day, to demonstrate his eagerness to learn and improve, Song Chi arrived at Yunhai Songtang half an hour before dawn.
Then, I played a soothing tune in the hall to entertain my master as he strolled in the backyard. It was like having a portable music player with me at all times.
Master seemed to have enjoyed himself. After returning and washing his face briefly, he came out refreshed and began to formally teach him.
He didn't mince words; he immediately taught the Foundation Establishment stage disciple his first lesson, "Raindrops on Pear Blossoms."
This is a piece that requires the combination of water and wood spiritual roots, and it is mainly used in the Spirit Plant Garden to nourish the spiritual plants with immortal energy. The key is the word "immortal energy," which will cause the spiritual herbs in the Foundation Establishment stage to shimmer with a misty halo.
Song Chi had already taught herself this piece. The effect was so-so. The main problem was that the water mist she created was icy cold; it even froze a piece of spiritual herb, costing her two thousand mid-grade spirit stones.
So much so that she dared not try again.
Meanwhile, on the master's side, a melody played like raindrops on pear blossoms, the raindrops falling swiftly like rain onto the pear trees and flowers in the courtyard.
It was early spring, and the pear blossoms were in full bloom, covering the trees in jade-like white. Raindrops fell on the pure white flowers, and these otherwise unremarkable trees and plants were instantly enveloped in a misty haze, truly possessing the ethereal beauty of a celestial plant.
Song Chi simply couldn't do something like that. She could at least create a mist from the spiritual plants, but she'd tried it on the roadside flowers and grass before; it was just like giving them a light rain. No misty haze or ethereal glow—that was a pipe dream!
As expected of the Venerable One, Song Chi envied more than just this magic.
Rather, it was Master's ability to manipulate the mysteries of heaven and earth that seemed effortless and natural, as comfortable and natural as flowing spring water.
But when it came to her… she could only discern the subtle, cold mystery from among a myriad of emotions. That mystery was as slippery as an eel, impossible to grasp, and each time she caught it required tremendous effort. People truly cannot be compared.
"You give it a try," Master said after finishing playing a piece.
Then, under his guidance, Song Chi spent the whole morning watering the flowers and plants. Even the pear tree was almost wilted from the watering, and there was still no sign of the ethereal mist swirling around it.
Not only was Venerable Xueqiao's face blank, but even the two young attendants, Mingxia and Caixia, who were serving him, looked completely dazed. They were mainly numb from watching the rain.
Song Chi left dejectedly, clutching his zither.
When Mo Shubai learned about everything that had happened to his master, he was speechless and also wanted to laugh.
The following day, Song Chi probably wanted to show off. When his master taught the music to those with both metal and water spiritual roots, the music was indeed easier for Song Chi to master, as it was full of murderous intent. However, "Cold Water Golden Blade" not only embodies the murderous side of metal, but also contains the iron will and tender heart of those with water spiritual roots.
Therefore, this is actually a piece for training the fusion and control of the metal and water spiritual roots, requiring extremely precise manipulation of spiritual power. Song Chi naturally has no problem controlling spiritual power, but this piece also demands precision in the summoned mysteries of heaven and earth.
Song Chi clearly didn't handle this aspect well. But perhaps wanting to prove himself as a promising disciple, he exuded an excessively harsh aura.
Whoosh! Before his master could keep an eye on it, one of the seven Immortal Snow Pear trees that he had personally planted for a hundred years was forcibly cut in two.
At that moment, the old man's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't dare to reprimand him.
Even so, Song Chi stood to the side looking incredibly pitiful, like a quail.
When Mo Shubai saw the scene captured by Mingxia, he couldn't help but facepalm.
On the third day, Master chose a task that only required the use of the Wood Spiritual Root. He probably wanted to lower the difficulty, but in reality, the mysteries triggered by the Wood Spiritual Root were the most difficult for those without emotions. Mo Shubai, at least, was one of them.
He analyzed the mystery of the wood elemental power and concluded that it was closely related to the desires between men and women.
He knew that Song Chi probably didn't possess this kind of ability either. This guy was most likely still clueless, or simply lacked any emotions at all.
Who knew that Song Chi was determined to prove himself this time? He delivered a perfect performance of "Green Spring," achieving exactly the desired effect…
The sight of the flowers and plants tangled together in the garden made Mingxia and Caixia, the two little children, blush.
Song Chi himself blushed deeply and hung his head.
As for the master, he almost knocked over his teacup. He closed his eyes angrily, but his anger was not directed at Song Chi at all.
Mo Shubai knew that the culprit was his junior uncle, who was an expert in this kind of illusion.
But Song Chi didn't know that on that day, she carried her zither down the mountain. She looked dejected, as if she had lost all hope in life, and her face was extremely sallow and pitiful.
Mo Shubai: "..."
He immediately went to Yunhai Songtang, and sure enough, his master was looking through the jade mirror at Song Chi, who was hiding under a tree by the Jade Mirror Lake, hugging his knees, staring blankly at the lake.
The child sat for a while, then sighed. Although he seemed to be walking back with his hands behind his back, his entire back was covered in a gloomy color.
Venerable Xueqiao couldn't help but rub his forehead.
If he continues teaching like this, he might destroy the child's Dao heart before any emotional tribulations even arrive.
“Fine, you shall teach from now on,” said Venerable Xueqiao.
Mo Shubai nodded in agreement. He had expected this to happen!
"However, we still need to trouble Master to let Third Junior Sister come to Yunhai Songtang to teach. Otherwise, Third Junior Sister will think that she has lost Master's favor."
Venerable Xueqiao nodded. "That's true, that child is arrogant. Tomorrow I will meditate first, and you will teach him."
He felt it was best to keep an eye on things closer to home. Shu Bai's face was just too destructive to one's moral compass.
He did consider having You Qin teach him. But that child was also prone to stirring the mysteries of heaven and earth, and her playing was filled with deep, passionate emotion. Unlike these two heartless ones!
The next day, Song Chi arrived at Yunhai Songtang with a gloomy mood, intending to find an excuse to go back and meditate.
Otherwise, she worried that if things continued like this, she would be expelled from the sect…
It's so rare for a respected master to be willing to teach a disciple cultivation, but she's completely uncooperative and clueless, no matter how much you teach her, it's useless. How frustrating!
Furthermore, Master doesn't seem to like wood-elemental immortal techniques. His expression was quite frightening yesterday!
But she insisted on focusing her efforts on this aspect. And in reality, as long as it was effective against the enemy, she didn't care whether the method was underhanded or not. A cat is a good cat as long as it catches mice, regardless of its color.
She needs strength.
So be it. She'll figure out these spells herself eventually; she'll get it eventually.
She had given up on seeking guidance from Senior Sister Youqin. It was simply because she had heard Youqin play the zither, a style of gentle, flowing music, just like her master's, warm and elegant. Youqin's ability to express emotions was effortless, completely different from her emotionless playing.
The only place she could learn something from was with Mo Shubai.
However, this person was frightened by her and is currently avoiding her.
With many challenges ahead, Song Chi couldn't help but sigh.
To everyone's surprise, upon entering the hall, they saw a handsome figure in blue lightly playing the zither by the window in the side hall; it was Mo Shubai.
Song Chi hurriedly went over to pay his respects, addressing him as Senior Brother.
Mo Shubai pushed aside the zither and went to the main hall. "My master is in meditation today and summoned me to give you a lesson."
Song Chi had an expression that said, "I knew it." Her master probably couldn't teach such a stubborn girl and was afraid of hurting her feelings, so he called her eldest brother to substitute for her.
That's a kind gesture, but Song Chi has already decided to learn it himself. He doesn't want to embarrass himself here at Yunhai Songtang.
Before she could even find the right words, Mo Shubai had already sat down at the zither and begun playing "Raindrops on Pear Blossoms." The moment she sensed that familiar yet elusive, serene mystery, she was immediately captivated, unable to utter a single word like "I can learn it all by myself."
Honestly, in this respect, it's this guy who truly understands her!
Besides, both of them are in Master's Cloud Sea Pine Hall. In short, that should be enough to avoid suspicion.
She could completely ignore that handsome, jade-like face, or even his hands; she only needed to discern how he had triggered that mysterious mechanism.
Therefore, what Venerable Xueqiao saw in the inner courtyard was Song Chi's eyes almost always glancing out the window.
They seemed not to have heard Shu Bai's zither music at all.
He was speechless. This child was still sulking, but had she already fallen for him? Sigh!
Who knew? A moment later, when Song Chi started playing the zither, his playing was indeed much smoother than when he was in front of him, and his grasp of the subtleties was much more accurate.
Of course, it's also devoid of emotion; this playing style is similar to that of Shubai.
"These two are heartless!" Venerable Xueqiao couldn't help but twitch his beard. "Never mind them for now."
It's clear that only Shu Bai can teach Song Chi to play the zither.
Two days later, while Song Chi was practicing his Wood Spirit Root magic, Venerable Xueqiao listened carefully once more. He found that this time the child had good control over the music; the sound was only a gentle, languid quality, like the verdant green of spring, unlike the previous time when it was filled with desire… This inevitably reminded him of his good-for-nothing junior brother.
That guy has wandered off somewhere, I don't know where he's gone. He shouldn't go into any dangerous situation.
Venerable Xueqiao sighed, "That's a troublesome one."
Fortunately, his three disciples were all well-behaved and sensible.
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Author's Note: [Cat emoji] I've decided to update one chapter at noon and one chapter in the evening from now on, so you can see two updates every day! Isn't that great? [Milk tea emoji]
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