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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Fourteen: A Chance Encounter
Recalling everything that had just happened felt surreal, almost like a dream. If it weren't for the Ancient Cauldron in front of him, the Weak Spirit Monkey in his arms, and the several ancient texts about cultivation scattered on the ground, Lin Feng would have certainly believed that it was all just a dream.
"Earthlings cannot cultivate according to the rules of this world, so... how did you cultivate?"
Since everything was real, Lin Feng faced it calmly. His own cultivation relied on the Stone Pearl within him to absorb Chaotic Energy and resist the rules of this world. But what about that person? Did they also possess such a reverse treasure within them?
"Perhaps it's even more powerful than my Stone Pearl; otherwise, they would have long since snatched my treasures."
"What is the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference? I've never heard of it. Beneath the Azure Cloud Sect, there are the Nine Provinces and Four Seas. Is the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference where all disciples from various sects compete to determine who is the young supreme?"
"First... in the world?"
At the thought of this phrase, Lin Feng couldn't help but shiver. Ever since he witnessed the Gray Robed Man conquer a Giant Ape as tall as a mountain, he realized his insignificance and dared not think about being first in the world.
As Lin Feng spoke to himself, he examined the ancient texts in his hands. One of them introduced Earth Qi and how to draw upon it for cultivation. The knowledge within was complex; he could barely grasp the initial pages, but as he progressed further, it became increasingly obscure and difficult to understand.
However, Lin Feng gained an insight. The cultivation method of his family in Qingshan Town resembled that of a chivalrous hero; when cultivated to perfection, one could stand against thousands. In contrast, true Walker cultivation could move mountains and fill seas, reaching deep into the earth. This was the fundamental difference.
"Since Vital Energy is so powerful and my Lin family has the protection of the Lone Moon City Lord, why didn't we cultivate Vital Energy from the beginning instead of True Qi Internal Strength?"
Lin Feng was puzzled, unaware that each sect's cultivation methods were secrets that could not be leaked. Only Inner Sect Disciples had the qualifications to practice their sect's techniques. Those on the periphery could not access authentic cultivation methods; they merely brushed against the path of cultivation to strengthen their bodies, surpassing ordinary martial artists. Only those with exceptional talent had a chance to be noticed by other sects and could seek apprenticeship elsewhere.
The day of departure arrived. Lin Feng secretly returned home to bid farewell to his parents and finally took leave of Lin Xiao before setting off with Lin Miaomiao. Elder Lin Yun awaited them ten miles away in Coastal Town.
Three days later, Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao arrived at Coastal Town and found the inn mentioned in Elder Lin's letter. Inside sat a dozen young disciples who had been selected; their eyes were filled with confidence and pride.
Throughout their journey, Lin Miaomiao was in high spirits. Through conversation, Lin Feng learned that ever since being kept by Lin Xiao, she had to plead hundreds of times just to get permission to go out for fresh air or gather herbs on the mountain.
Having not interacted much with people or experiences, everything felt new to her.
Lin Feng glanced around the inn; everyone was seated in central positions. He chose a corner chair and led Lin Miaomiao over to sit down.
"Could this person also be one of the chosen disciples? They don't even seem to have reached the First Foundation."
"Absolutely impossible. Perhaps they are just an ordinary person from this town."
"The girl with her seems decent; her Foundation level appears a bit higher, but it's hard to tell."
Inside the inn, some young people idly observed everyone who entered, commenting on each one as they came.
Lin Feng paid no mind to their chatter. After Lin Miaomiao sat down with him, she realized that Lin Feng's cultivation had vanished. She asked, "Aren't you from the Triple Realm?"
Lin Miaomiao's voice was not loud, but many heard her. At thirteen years old, being in the Triple Realm made her stand out in this inn.
"I just broke through to the Fourth Realm recently, but then I discovered my cultivation method was wrong, so I decided to waste my cultivation and start over," Lin Feng replied honestly.
Thirteen years old and already at the Fourth Realm? Among those present, only one person had reached the Fifth Foundation level. There were only three at the Fourth Realm.
"Keep dreaming! You reached the Fourth Realm and then discarded your cultivation to start over? You might as well castrate yourself," someone scoffed in disbelief.
Lin Miaomiao stood up. "What kind of talk is that? Can't you speak like a human?"
The person intended to retort but held back upon sensing that Lin Miaomiao's Foundation level was clearly higher than his own. He said, "Relying on a woman for protection, this brother sure knows how to live."
At this remark, laughter erupted throughout the inn.
"You really are annoying. If you keep talking nonsense, I might just hit you."
Lin Miaomiao raised a hand, her True Qi Internal Strength radiating outward.
"Fifth Realm," someone gasped in shock.
The only Fifth Foundation youth in the inn, who had previously been proud and aloof, couldn't help but glance at Lin Miaomiao, his eyes flickering with interest.
Lin Feng was unaware of Lin Miaomiao's Foundation, thinking that the Lin Family Head needed to protect her well, assuming she was just cultivating normally. He never expected her to reach the fifth level. She was only twelve years old! It turned out that the nameless plaque in the Martial Examination belonged to her.
"Who is protecting whom?" Lin Feng thought with a smirk.
"You look quite young, may I ask how old you are? Where do you come from?" Someone stood up, eager to make an acquaintance.
The rude young man had already lowered his head, wishing he could find a place to hide. The fifth level of Foundation was terrifyingly powerful for him.
"She’s twelve," Lin Feng answered on her behalf.
"Twelve years old and already at the fifth level of Foundation? This... is outrageous."
Everyone present were young talents from various villages, but compared to Lin Miaomiao, they seemed dull and uninspiring. Even the only other boy at the fifth level of Foundation was taken aback.
"I’ve been in Qingshan Town for over ten years and didn’t know someone like you existed. Your father has kept you hidden well," Lin Feng said lightly to Lin Miaomiao.
Lin Miaomiao smiled shyly and replied, "It's nothing much. My father reminds me every day to keep a low profile and focus on my cultivation. There are many people in this world with better talent than mine."
Just then, someone suddenly shouted, "Where's my wallet?"
"My money pouch is missing too!"
Everyone immediately checked their waists and found that all the money pouches they had brought were gone. Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao's pouches had also disappeared.
"Who stole it?" someone shouted angrily.
At that moment, a girl dressed in black was walking toward the door. Just as she was about to step outside, a monk in a robe appeared and blocked her path.
The monk clasped his hands together and said, "Miss, you have stolen their belongings. Have you considered how they will pay if they have no money?"
The black-clad girl, caught stealing, showed no anger; instead, she looked pleased. "Should I think about the plight of those I steal from before taking something? Has your brain been kicked by a donkey?"
The monk said earnestly, "Benefactor, this is not right. If you lack money, you can earn or borrow it; stealing is not the righteous path."
The girl in black laughed lightly and replied, "Your head is shiny and bright; it seems you've been kicked by a donkey. So tell me, what is the righteous path?"
The monk answered, "My master once said that acting without shame or guilt under the light, and not provoking others' anger, is the righteous way."
The girl in black chuckled, "Well, I steal things without shame or guilt, and it seems no one is angry."
"Stealing and still feeling justified," the monk remarked.
The boy who had been frightened by Lin Miaomiao stood up. He was filled with anger but had nowhere to vent it, especially after being robbed. He approached the girl in black and said, "Return my money pouch. Today, I'll let it slide because you're a girl."
"Are you sure you want your money pouch back?" the girl in black asked with a grin.
"You steal my things and then ask if I want them back? Are you out of your mind? Don't think just because you're a girl I won't hit you," the boy's frustration boiled over.
"Don't think I will be soft-hearted like that girl over there; so just get lost."
Before she finished speaking, without any visible movement from her, there was a loud bang as the boy was sent flying across the room, crashing into the wall at the back of the inn.
Bang... Bang...
The sound of him hitting the wall echoed as he fell to the ground with another thud. He rolled several times before spitting blood and collapsing unconscious.
"Vital Energy Power," Lin Feng exclaimed in shock.
"Stealing and then hitting someone? Everyone, let's go!"
One person shouted, and seven or eight boys stood up simultaneously. They knew the girl was extraordinary, so each of them unleashed their strongest abilities, channeling their True Qi towards her.
"How shameless to gang up on one person," Lin Miaomiao remarked disapprovingly.
"Is there really strength in numbers?"
The girl in black continued to smile. After finishing her words, she raised her hand slightly and simply pushed forward. A wave of power surged forth like a tide, sending all the newcomers flying, just like the boy before them, who collapsed to the ground.
"How boring."
The girl in black tossed aside all the money bags and left.
"You monk, can't you see that I only stole the money bags on a whim? Stirring up conflict isn't provoking anger? Watching others get hurt because of you while you stand by idly—aren't you ashamed?"
"Is this what you call the righteous path?"
The Young Monk clasped his hands together, gazing at the spot where the girl had vanished. "Amitabha. My master has sent me to walk to the ends of the earth, to experience the suffering of humanity and understand the essence of all beings. As I begin my journey in this world, I act with sincerity towards the affairs of others, thus I feel no shame."
After speaking, the Young Monk entered the inn and helped each injured person to their feet, using Buddhism to heal their wounds. An hour later, everyone had recovered.
The Young Monk had exhausted too much of his cultivation energy and appeared somewhat pale. He believed that their injuries were caused by him, so he devoted himself entirely to their healing, miraculously restoring them to health.
"Thank you," they all expressed their sincere gratitude.
"Amitabha."
The Young Monk recited a Buddhist chant but stumbled slightly, nearly falling over. Fortunately, Lin Feng was there just in time to support him and helped him sit down properly.
Lin Feng poured a cup of tea and handed it to the Young Monk. "Have some hot tea and take a rest."
"Thank you, benefactor." The Young Monk accepted it.
After finishing the tea, the Young Monk stood up to leave. Lin Miaomiao stopped him. "You're too weak; you should rest a bit longer."
"Yes. Do you have something urgent to attend to? In your current weakened state, you might faint after just a few steps," Lin Feng added.
"Master wants me to walk to the end of the earth. Time flies, and I must hurry," the Young Monk said.
"Are you really going to the end of the earth? Do you even know where that is? You might never get there in your lifetime," Lin Feng exclaimed in surprise.
"If I do not enter hell, who will? Only by doing so can I truly understand the essence of all beings."
With that, the Young Monk stood up and left, ignoring the attempts to stop him. He felt that time was too precious to waste, even on resting; he was determined not to hesitate in delaying his journey for the sake of others.
Lin Feng watched the Young Monk depart and muttered to himself, "Is this what they call practicing Buddhism?"
"Elder Lin has arrived."
A voice shouted, and everyone in the inn immediately stood up to greet him.
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