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墨書 Inktalez
Even talents like Yin Boqing and Young Sovereign are still influenced by the shackles of life and cultivation.
Practicing both Qigong and Yin Spirit simultaneously is not enough if one relies solely on personal exploration. It is best to join a renowned Master's Sect to receive guidance and clarification, which can help avoid many detours.
"If only Li Shian were not dead," Lu Chen thought to himself.
However, if Li Shian were alive, he would not pass on his legacy to Lu Chen, so he would not have the present opportunity.
Both Qigong and Yin Spirit are indispensable. Lu Chen clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, determined to enhance his own strength, no matter what.
Only by improving his abilities could he compete for the True Disciple position in the Five Element Sect and then join a renowned Master's Sect to seize cultivation resources.
As dawn broke, Lu Chen went to the back mountain of the empty valley as usual to practice Qigong. This was a mandatory task that he could not neglect.
The Analects of Confucius states: "To learn and practice what you have learned at the right time." This phrase originally referred to scholars who should frequently review what they have read. Although it teaches scholars, it is perfectly suitable for describing cultivation.
Lu Chen began to understand why the Five Element Sect placed these books in the Inner Sect Disciple's Cave.
The Analects also say: "Reviewing the old and knowing the new, one can be a teacher."
Lu Chen believed that this meant reviewing old knowledge and continuously gaining new insights from it, extracting its essence. Achieving this level means one can become a master.
For example, merging the Crazy Serpent Seven Star Classic with the Five Animal Vitality Magic Technique through his own methods for perfect integration exemplifies reviewing the old to know the new.
Regardless of the martial arts practiced, consistent training is essential—deep contemplation, repeated refinement, and continuous accumulation are necessary.
Lu Chen did not follow other disciples who often visited the Qigong Pavilion in search of powerful Qigong techniques for quick advancement. He always remembered Su Wutong's words: "Focus on one thing and refine your spirit." This was no empty statement.
Lu Chen stepped onto the Seven Stars and began to move on the back mountain.
"Ape Demon Offering Fruit."
"Thunderbolt Star Strike."
"Ape Demon Grabs the Moon."
"Dragon and Serpent Rising."
"Bear Demon Push Mountain."
"Tiger Demon Shakes the Mountain."
Lu Chen named the combined techniques of the Crazy Serpent Seven Star Classic and Five Animal Vitality Magic Technique as the Capturing Demon Roar Star Technique, which refers to the five great bird demons. Here, the character for "demon" symbolizes the serpent demon, as a serpent transformed becomes a dragon.
The "roar" represents the tiger; the roar of a tiger can echo through the mountains and intimidate all beasts. The term "star" naturally refers to the Seven Stars.
After performing the Capturing Demon Roar Star Technique, Lu Chen stood still, closed his eyes, and felt the Unity of Man. Whenever Lu Chen stopped his practice and entered the Unity of Man state, insects and birds around him would come out, chirping and chattering.
The deeper the realm of Unity of Man, the more concealed his aura became. Sometimes, birds would fly onto Lu Chen's head to preen their feathers or scratch at him with their claws before playfully flying away.
The danger perception of insects and birds in the empty mountains is much sharper than that of ordinary insects and birds. If even these creatures can be deceived, it clearly indicates that Lu Chen's mastery of Unity of Man has reached an extraordinary level.
After finishing his practice, Lu Chen descended from the empty mountain and walked deeper into the Five Element Sect. Along the way, he encountered many disciples coming and going—some patrolling the mountains, some going out to procure supplies, and others practicing Qigong.
After traversing through the mountains for an hour, Lu Chen arrived at a not very tall but quite massive peak. This mountain covers a large area, with a courtyard on top, which is the Merit Hall of the Five Element Sect.
As its name suggests, Merit Hall is related to merit. Buddhism also has concepts of merit; when devotees donate money to temples for incense offerings, it is called merit. However, since the Five Element Sect is Taoist, the meaning of merit here is somewhat different.
In the Five Element Sect, everyone, in addition to their membership, is also part of a closely related statistical system known as the Merit System. Every individual has a record of Merit, including the Sect Leader, the Supreme Emperor, and the Young Sovereign.
Merit refers to contributions and moral conduct. The higher the number of Merit Points, the greater the individual's contributions to the sect and their good character, which earns them a reputation for being virtuous and respected.
Aside from entrance examinations, such as competing for True Inheritor Disciple or promotions, one must also demonstrate their Qigong skills and accumulate Merit. No matter how skilled one is in Qigong, a few people can easily impeach you if your Merit Points are too low and your conduct is questionable.
For Lu Chen, this Merit System will be crucial when competing for True Inheritor Disciples, so he plans to start accumulating Merit.
Completing tasks assigned by the sect, such as helping elders gather herbs or managing alchemical furnaces, can earn Merit. The number of points awarded depends on the task's significance, ranging from one to twenty points. Thus, completing a task guarantees at least one Merit Point and up to twenty points for more significant contributions.
At this moment, many disciples are coming in and out of the Merit Hall, all seeking to earn Merit Points, including some familiar faces to Lu Chen.
Upon entering the Merit Hall, he finds a courtyard about a hundred steps square. Inside the main hall are several Merit Officers busy with paperwork.
In the courtyard, many disciples gather around a large Wooden Plaque displaying various tasks, pointing and discussing their pros and cons.
Lu Chen approaches and squeezes into the crowd to see that numerous tasks are densely listed on the plaque.
Here, Merit tasks are divided into two types: those from within the Five Element Sect and those from outside. Some tasks are posted in the Merit Hall due to insufficient manpower within the sect; these are called internal affairs and generally offer lower Merit Points.
The other type comes from outside the sect and is referred to as external affairs. These tasks involve situations that individuals cannot handle themselves; they are assessed for risk by the Five Element Sect's Merit Hall before being published with corresponding Merit Points.
External affairs may include tasks from civilians like capturing monsters or maintaining peace. Some come from official sources, such as assisting in capturing notorious bandits or dealing with high-level Qigong criminals.
Lu Chen scans the tasks on the Wooden Plaque; they range from one to five points and are relatively straightforward. The most significant task offers twelve points of Merit. Upon glancing at its details, Lu Chen feels a jolt of shock.
This task involves assisting Elder Pure Yang Child in locating the Ten-Thousand Poisons Golden Toad, Xuan Yin Flying Sword, and True Yang Scripture. Due to recent incidents where individuals have been killed by the Xuan Yin Flying Sword, this matter has already drawn attention from the higher-ups of the Five Element Sect, prompting even a posting on the Merit board.
Regarding this task, Lu Chen feels utterly powerless!
As for the latest tasks, some common folks even came to seek help from the Five Element Sect when their chickens went missing, asking the Merit Hall to send someone to help find them, with only a small reward of Merit offered.
After watching for a while, a task from within the sect caught Lu Chen's attention.
"Help the Elder Immortal Academy with cleaning, reward five points of Merit."
Lu Chen pinched his chin with two fingers and pondered. Helping the Elder Immortal Academy with cleaning could earn him five points of Merit; he wondered how large the area was that needed to be cleaned.
He wasn't particularly concerned about how many Merit Points he could earn; his main goal was to inquire about a matter: whether the elder surnamed Yin related to Su Wutong was indeed Yin Boqing.
He had already asked some disciples for information, but matters concerning the Elder Immortal Academy were too mysterious for ordinary disciples to know. He would have to investigate personally. Moreover, it was rumored that some elders were so engrossed in meditation and cultivation that they lost track of day and night, forgetting even their own names, only remembering their Dao Title. This made things even more difficult.
Additionally, due to the sensitive nature of this matter, it couldn't be brought out into the open; he could only investigate discreetly. The best outcome would be to find the elder surnamed Yin in person for verification.
This person was elusive, appearing and disappearing without a trace, and resided deep within the Elder Immortal Academy, making it nearly impossible to meet him. However, if he went to clean at the Elder Immortal Academy, that would be different—there would be many opportunities to encounter him.
"This is it!"
Lu Chen noted down the task number, entered the main hall, and approached the Merit Officer to receive his Document. The Document was used to record tasks; upon completion, he would need to have it signed by the relevant party or bring back something that could prove his completion. Otherwise, who would know if he might cheat?
The Merit Officer infused information into the Document, officially accepting the task. Lu Chen tucked the Document into his clothes and then carried a large bamboo broom out of the Merit Hall towards the Elder Immortal Academy.
On his way there, he noticed that as he got closer to the Elder Immortal Academy, fewer disciples were around. The Elder Immortal Academy was a significant place where ordinary people were not allowed to enter freely.
After walking for about an hour, he arrived at the foot of a mountain range. At the base stood an archway with "Elder Immortal Academy" inscribed in bold characters—iron brush strokes with a vigorous flair.
Underneath the archway stood Inner Sect Disciples guarding against unauthorized entry.
"Junior Brother, what are you doing? This is a sacred ground of the academy; leave immediately." As Lu Chen approached, two disciples jumped out, brandishing their swords and blocking his path.
In the Five Element Sect, disciples are addressed according to their age; the older ones are called senior brothers and sisters, while the younger ones are referred to as junior brothers and sisters.
"Senior Brother, I am going to sweep the floor!" Lu Chen took out a Document from his pocket and handed it over.
One of the disciples took the Document and said, "Oh, it's from the Merit Hall. Junior Brother, you can go in!"
The two disciples stepped aside to clear the way. Just as Lu Chen was about to enter, a voice came from behind, with one disciple reminding him, "Junior Brother, the Elder Immortal Academy is not a place to be taken lightly. When you go in to sweep, be sure to behave yourself and don't wander around. Some elders have peculiar tempers, and you know what could happen."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother," Lu Chen bowed respectfully and entered the mountains with his broom.
Indeed, once he passed through the archway, he was in the mountains.
The Elder Immortal Academy is merely a collective term; all the elders are distributed across various peaks, and their residences are all called the Elder Immortal Academy.
The peaks where they reside are similar to the Caves where Inner Sect Disciples live—each person has their own dwelling—only these peaks are taller and more perilous.
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