What alarmed Xiao Chen even more was that the aura surrounding the pillar was slowly increasing at a visible rate.
From having no cultivation at all, he has already stepped into the first level of Qi Refining, and his aura is stable without any weakness, as if he has been cultivating for a long time!
"Pillar? You...you're cultivating?" Xiao Chen stepped forward quickly, his voice trembling slightly.
Upon hearing the sound, Zhu Zi slowly opened his eyes, revealing a憨憨 (simple and honest) smile:
"Good morning, senior brother. I don't know what happened. I couldn't sleep last night, and I felt something warm moving inside my body. I followed it, and that's how I ended up like this."
At this moment, Jiang Li, Su She, and Shi Tou also rushed over upon hearing the news. They were all stunned when they saw the spiritual energy flowing around Zhu Zi and the clear Qi Refining Level 1 aura on his body.
"This... how is this possible? Just a few days ago I couldn't even begin to cultivate Qi, how did I suddenly start cultivating on my own?"
Jiang Li stared wide-eyed in disbelief. It had taken her several days to successfully cultivate her inner energy back then, yet Zhu Zi had mastered it without a teacher.
Su She pushed aside the non-existent scroll, his eyes filled with astonishment: "This child's aptitude is so extraordinary! He can comprehend cultivation methods on his own without any instruction. Such talent is rare throughout history!"
Stone scratched his head, looking at Pillar with envy: "Back when I was training my physical body, even when my master taught me step by step, I was in so much pain I was grimacing. Pillar, this is too easy for you..."
Several people surrounded the pillar, checking its breath and asking for details, before finally confirming...
Zhu Zi truly learned cultivation on his own, and although his cultivation speed was not fast, it was exceptionally stable, as if cultivation was as natural to him as eating and drinking.
This scene shocked and envied Xiao Chen and the others. Even when Lin Zhou taught them, he needed guidance and instruction, but Zhu Zi was able to "learn without a teacher". This talent was truly astonishing.
During these two months, Xiao Chen and Jiang Li also successfully broke through to the Nirvana Realm by taking advantage of the abundant spiritual energy of the mortal realm.
His aura was condensed to the point of being tangible, and the spiritual power within his body transformed into Nirvana Fire, which could reshape his physical body. Even if he suffered severe injuries, he could recover quickly with the help of Nirvana Fire, and his strength increased several times over compared to before.
Su She's understanding of Confucianism and Taoism has also entered a new realm. He is no longer confined to the principles in books, but is able to integrate the spirit of Confucianism and Taoism into the world of mortals.
With just a single proverb, it can draw upon the righteous energy of heaven and earth, not only deterring evil spirits but also boosting the cultivation speed of fellow disciples, thus becoming a "mobile buff" for the Qingyun Sect.
Stone cultivated his physical body to an even more terrifying level. Every day, he tempered his body in the mountains and rocks of the mortal realm, absorbing the power of the earth.
Even without using spiritual power, he can now shatter rocks several feet thick with a single punch using only his physical strength. A faint golden halo has also formed on the surface of his skin, making it difficult for ordinary magical treasures to harm him in the slightest.
That afternoon, Lin Zhou sat on a bamboo chair, listening to Xiao Chen report on the progress of the group and the fact that Zhu Zi was cultivating on his own. He simply nodded indifferently, without the slightest surprise.
He had long known that Zhu Zi was no ordinary person; his ability to cultivate on his own was merely the tip of the iceberg of his special physique.
"Let him be, no need to interfere." Lin Zhou took a sip of tea, his gaze drifting to the pillar cultivating under the old locust tree in the distance, a knowing glint in his eyes. "He has to walk his own path."
Xiao Chen acknowledged and stepped back, but he became increasingly curious about Zhu Zi. Just how many secrets did this seemingly simple-minded junior brother still have hidden?
Life in the mortal realm was leisurely and carefree, but after a while, Xiao Chen and his companions began to feel uneasy.
From the moment they joined the group, they followed Lin Zhou on his adventures, and were already accustomed to growing through struggle and exploration.
Now that I only cultivate within the sect every day, I've lost some of my motivation.
That afternoon, Xiao Chen, Jiang Li, Su She, and Shi Tou arrived at the main peak together. From afar, they saw Lin Zhou lying on a bamboo chair, squinting in the sun, with steam rising from the teacup beside him.
The four of them walked forward quietly. Xiao Chen, as the eldest brother, bowed first and spoke, his tone tinged with a hint of probing:
“Master, we disciples have been cultivating in the mortal realm for many days. We feel that although our cultivation has improved, we lack practical experience. We would like to go out and gain some experience to see what the outside world is like. We hope that you will grant our request.”
Jiang Li, Su She, and Shi Tou also bowed, their eyes filled with anticipation.
They wanted to see new territories outside and also test their current strength.
Lin Zhou slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the four people, and seeing their determined eyes, he knew they had been holding back for a long time.
He sat up from the recliner, casually picked up his teacup, took a sip, waved his hand, and spoke in a nonchalant tone:
"Go if you want to. Experience is part of the cultivation process. Just be careful."
He never liked to restrict his disciples, and besides, Xiao Chen and the others were already at the Nirvana Realm or of the same level, so they could handle the dangers of ordinary realms. There was no need to stop them.
"Thank you, Master!" The four of them replied in unison, their eyes lighting up instantly.
Lin Zhou then casually asked, "Are the four of you planning to go together?"
Xiao Chen quickly replied, "No, Master."
"I'm teaming up with Junior Brother Su She. We plan to visit the Wenhua Realm in the east, where cultivation is prevalent. Junior Brother Su She and I can exchange our insights there."
"Junior Sister Jiang Li and Junior Brother Shi Tou are in a group. They want to see which wild beasts in the desolate realm are most suitable for Junior Sister to practice swordsmanship and Junior Brother Shi Tou to refine his body."
They had already agreed on grouping themselves, which would not only meet their individual needs for spiritual practice but also allow them to look after each other.
Lin Zhou nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He simply called out to the shade of a tree not far away, "Big Yellow."
As soon as the words were spoken, a yellow figure slowly swayed over.
It was Dahuang. It was much stronger than before, its fur was shiny and smooth, and its eyes had a bit more laziness, but it still exuded an aura of authority without being angry.
It walked over to Lin Zhou, nuzzled his leg with its head, and lazily asked, "What do you want from me?"
"These few are going out to train. You take them with you and keep an eye on them while you're at it," Lin Zhou said, pointing to Xiao Chen and the other three.
Big Yellow glanced at Xiao Chen and the others, a half-smile playing on its lips, and wagged its tail: "Alright, I'm feeling a bit stuffy anyway, I'll go out for some fresh air."
As it spoke, it raised its right paw and gently slashed at the air in front of it.
Without any extra movement, a pitch-black spatial rift appeared out of thin air, with faint starlight visible within it.
Immediately afterwards, a pale golden light shone from Big Yellow's body, and a void ship about ten feet long flew out from the light.
The ship's hull was entirely black, engraved with intricate spatial runes; it was the means of transportation that Lin Zhou had previously crafted for it.
Big Yellow leaped onto the void ship first, squatted on the bow, and waved its paw at Xiao Chen and the others: "Let's go, kids, stop dawdling."
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