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Chapter 223 Epic True Teachings

Inside the Chengmo Hall, the hall masters, teachers, and disciples remained solemn and greeted each other.

"Congratulations to the Mo Jian Zhai for having a prodigy join its ranks, and for the Zhai Master to have acquired a gem." Ling Yuan stood upright, flicked his sleeve at the opportune moment, and called out with a smile, "Jing Ming."

"The disciple is here."

At this moment, a young man in a black robe with white scale patterns stepped forward from the audience, clasped his hands in response.

This male cultivator named Jingming is one of the personal disciples of Hall Master Ling. He is different from the ordinary disciples around the other masters and is also stronger, having reached the upper four-star level of the bronze frame.

According to the mystical system, that is the "Great Cultivator" in the inner vision and outer appearance stage.

"Quickly go and fetch the 'Golden Ink Robe' and the 'Sword-Suppressing Seal' for your Uncle Xizhi."

Ling Yuan said softly.

"Yes, Master," Jingming replied, then bowed to the Master, the Hall Master, and the Abbot before quickly leaving.

At this moment, two ordinary disciples, a man and a woman, also brought over a tray. Wang Xi picked up the tea on it, walked slowly to the head of the temple, Song Hui, bowed, offered the tea, and performed the apprenticeship ceremony.

"Good." Song Hui accepted the tea, took a symbolic sip, and then set the teacup aside.

"Xi Zhi, from this day forward, you will be the true disciple of my Mo Jian Zhai, and my only disciple."

"Yes, Master."

Wang Xi lowered his head and said.

Soon, Jingming returned quickly, carrying a set of black robes. On the neatly folded robes was a small golden sword-shaped seal.

"Uncle-Master Wang, please." He walked up to Wang Xi and lifted his robe and identification token.

Wang Xi accepted it and said with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble, Junior Nephew Jingming."

Although Jingming looked no more than twenty-eight or twenty-nine, he was actually nearing forty. When Wang Xi addressed him as "nephew," he remained calm, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, without the slightest hint of reluctance.

The ceremony is now complete.

The master of the vegetarian temple, seated at the head of the table, said, "Xizhi, go down and bathe and change your clothes first. Then go to the back hall to wait."

"Yes, Master." Wang Xi replied respectfully.

Immediately afterwards, Qu Muqing, the head of the painting hall, summoned a female disciple named "Ziyi" and had her lead Wang Xi to a small courtyard.

This small courtyard wasn't large, but it was a privilege reserved for the hall masters and instructors; even their direct disciples weren't entitled to live there alone. This was because Wang Xi was the true disciple of the head of the hall, and thus held a higher seniority.

"Uncle-Master Wang, hot water has been prepared by a disciple in advance. Please make yourself at home."

The pretty female cultivator with her hair tied up smiled slightly, bowed, and took her leave at the door.

"Thank you very much, my junior apprentice Ziyi."

Wang Xi watched the female cultivator leave before pushing open the door and entering.

The courtyard was surrounded by tall, golden maple trees, creating a tranquil environment. Inside, it was fully equipped with side rooms, a study, and an outhouse, which pleased him greatly.

After washing up...

Wang Xi changed into the "golden ink robe" of a true disciple.

The fabric is quite extraordinary, similar to silk but softer and more durable. It is entirely black, with golden scale patterns on the sleeves and hem.

After that, he picked up the "Sword-Suppressing Seal" and examined it closely.

The seal bears the four characters "Zhen Chuan Xi Zhi," making it a unique identity token belonging solely to Wang Xi.

He tied it around his waist and then simply tied up his long, unkempt hair in front of the bronze mirror.

Since arriving in the Mysterious Realm, Wang Xi hadn't cut his hair, so he let it grow long and tied it up to make it easier to blend into this world.

Once dressed, the person reflected in the bronze mirror was a handsome young man with an extraordinary air about him.

"Damn, that's handsome."

Wang Xi stroked his chin and exclaimed in admiration.

He smiled and turned to leave.

...

...

After a while.

It was already night.

The day and night in this secluded place are quite peculiar, seemingly not synchronized, with each "paradise" operating independently.

For example, the "Rotten Axe Mountain" that Wang Xi once visited never had night, it was always daytime.

The "Golden Maple Valley" where Mojianzhai is located is no different from the ordinary world, with the same twelve two-hour periods and the alternation of day and night.

Using the moonlight and the lamplight in the study, Wang Xi followed the instructions given by the master of the study and arrived at the rear hall of Chengmo Hall.

The hall was currently empty, with only a few bronze pillar lamps remaining.

He didn't wander around aimlessly, nor did he take a break to sit down. Instead, he stood properly in the center of the hall, closed his eyes to rest, and waited quietly.

I don’t know how much time passed.

A gentle laugh suddenly rang in Wang Xi's ears:
"Xi Zhi, why don't you sit and wait?"

Wang Xi was shocked.

He was completely unaware of anyone approaching, and even his primordial spirit remained dormant.

Wang Xi turned his head and saw Song Hui, dressed in a dark black cloak, standing beside him with his hands behind his back. He immediately bowed and said, "Master has not yet arrived, so this disciple dares not sit still... Standing and waiting is the proper etiquette and shows more respect."

"Hmm, gentle and refined, well-mannered and knowledgeable, not bad."

Song Hui smiled.

"Although I am the host, I am not a rigid or old-fashioned person. There is no need to be so formal in private. Please sit down."

"Thank you, Master."

Wang Xi bowed with his hands clasped and then sat down.

But he only sat on half of his buttocks, his posture upright, his eyes fixed straight ahead. Song Hui noticed this detail, smiled and shook his head, but a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.

“Xi Zhi, I haven’t taken on a disciple for over twenty years. Unless you are truly exceptional, I will not make an exception.”

Song Hui sat down in the main seat and said softly.

Wang Xi hurriedly replied, "Thank you for your favor, Master. I will certainly live up to your expectations and strive to cultivate diligently."

Do you know why I made an exception?

Song Hui asked with a half-smile.

Wang Xi pondered for a moment and said, "There are many gifted individuals. Although I have some talent, I know that I am far inferior to those who came before me."

He looked up and said seriously, "Is it because of my 'Demon's Lament'?"

Song Hui laughed: "Intelligent."

“Xi Zhi, there’s no need to belittle yourself,” he said. “Your talent in calligraphy surpasses that of the disciples in the studio, and even the four personal instructors cannot compare to you.”

After a pause, Song Hui looked towards the door and said slowly:

"However, what truly made me consider taking you as my disciple was your 'Demon's Lament,' which, while well-written, also had lofty aspirations..."

“I see a bit of my senior brother in you.”

"Master Uncle?" Wang Xi asked curiously. "Could it be the legendary 'Mystic Lord' senior?"

"Exactly."

Song Hui nodded, his face showing reminiscence.

“From the moment I met Senior Brother Chen Xuan, he displayed extraordinary talent in cultivation. At the young age of twenty-six, he broke through the inner realm and outer appearance, wrote ‘The Wanderings of the Mysterious Lord’ and ascended to heaven.”

"After that, he resigned from his position as the head of the temple and traveled to other places. I have not seen him for more than eighty years."

After saying that, Wang Xi felt a longing in his heart.

Seeing this, Song Hui laughed and said, "It's clear that you've only written a preface to your 'Demon's Lament,' and it's not finished yet... I suggest you complete it. In the days to come, you should experience the mortal world, slaying demons and monsters while writing your book."

"This will not only accumulate 'virtuous deeds,' but also broaden one's experience... Once the 'Demon's Lament' is completed, it will greatly aid in ascension."

"Would writing the 'Demon's Lament' help one ascend to immortality?"

Wang Xi said in surprise.

“That’s right,” Song Hui said. “To be precise, it’s the grand aspirations and ambitions in the post that attracted the ‘Guardian Boy,’ and the ‘hidden virtue’ that helps with ascension.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Xi raised an eyebrow slightly.

He seems to have unintentionally embarked on the right path.

It is evident that Xuanjun's ascension was closely related to his book, "Xuanjun's Travels".

"This disciple is being presumptuous," Wang Xi hesitated before asking, "Has Master already ascended to immortality and attained enlightenment?"

"Attaining the Dao..." Song Hui looked at Wang Xi, smiled and shook his head: "I dare not say that I have attained the Dao, but I have indeed ascended to heaven."

He sighed, “Now, in this temple, I am the only one who has ascended to immortality. The path of cultivation is difficult, ascension is even more difficult, and attaining enlightenment… is the most difficult of all.”

The atmosphere was somewhat subdued.

Wang Xi fell into thought.

The cultivation system of the Mysterious Realm ranges from the Nine Palaces and Two Elements, Five Qi and Three Flowers of the internal and external schools, to the Three Souls and Seven Spirits, and Inner Landscape and Outer Appearance of cultivators and great cultivators.

Finally, he ascended to heaven.

The journey became increasingly difficult, and even the secluded immortal sect, Mo Jian Zhai, had only heard of the ascension of their senior uncle Chen Sanyuan and master Song Hui...

To this day, Wang Xi still doesn't understand what "ascension" really means.

He pressed for more information, but Song Hui simply waved his hand, indicating it was too early to speak. “Xi Zhi, you should focus on cultivating your ‘external appearance’ right now. I will teach you a method.”

As Song Hui spoke, he raised his arm and waved it.

whoosh-

A flash of ink appeared on his sleeve, and a series of flowing characters gathered in mid-air, finally turning into a drop of ink that landed on Wang Xi's brow.

Snapped.

Song Hui's voice rang in my ears at just the right moment:
"This is the true teaching of my Mo Jian Zhai. It not only involves the cultivation of external appearance techniques, but also contains the profound principles of calligraphy, painting, swordsmanship, and staff fighting. It is as vast as the ocean and contains profound truths."

“Your senior uncle Chen Xuan innovated upon it and cultivated the immortal technique.”

Wang Xi felt as if a massive flow of information had suddenly appeared in his mind, which he couldn't comprehend at all.

Fortunately, he managed to call for another teacher in time.

'Caus, help me analyze this.'

"You've discovered the method of external appearances!"

"Should we accept Song Hui's guidance and acquire this ability?"

'Yes. '

Wang Xi said secretly.

With a hum, he felt a purple glow appear before his eyes, which then turned into light and disappeared into the depths of his mind.

Epic purple-level cultivation technique!
Wang Xi's heart trembled!

"Go back and cultivate diligently." Song Hui's voice rang in my ears again: "With your comprehension, you should have no trouble entering the path. If you encounter any bottlenecks or confusion, then seek me out as your teacher again."

"Yes, Master."

Wang Xi quickly stood up and bowed.

But the main seat was already empty.

...

...

Wang Xi returned to the courtyard alone.

He lit the oil lamp, sat cross-legged on the futon in the center of the room, and immediately gave Caius instructions:
'Extraction.'

"Consume 100 energy points (50230 remaining)"

hum-

The purple light in his mind suddenly intensified.

"Those who follow my true lineage must understand the meaning of 'inner vision is outer appearance,' and 'the landscape in one's heart is the sword under one's pen, the universe on paper is the weapon in one's palm.'"

Wang Xi suddenly heard the voice of the host, Song Hui.

"Use your heart to control the ink, and all forms will arise. The form should not be limited to people, beasts, utensils, or objects, but only seek the truth. When the spirit of ink is formed, the form outside the heart will naturally be seen."

The sound faded away.

A purple card appeared in front of Wang Xi.

"Wandering in the Heart (Skill Card)"

"Quality: Purple One-Star (Epic/Upgradeable)"

"The true teachings of the Ink Sword Pavilion can only be learned by the lineage of the Pavilion Master. It uses ink as the spiritual hub, transforming the inner landscape into an outward manifestation, and imbuing the form of the mind with the power to defend against enemies. It encompasses everything and is as vast as the ocean. The outward appearance of each practitioner is different... just as no two leaves in the world are the same."

"After using it, you will master this technique and be able to continuously cultivate and strengthen your inner world until it manifests outwardly. Each practice session will consume physical strength, energy, and spiritual power. (The outward appearance will evolve according to your own system.)"

"A trip to Italy?"

Wang Xi was thrilled as he held the purple card.

This is an epic-level cultivation technique card, the true foundation of the secluded immortal sect, Mo Jian Zhai.

He immediately put it into use.

"Wandering in the Mind" disappeared from his hand, a flash of purple light, and Wang Xi immediately understood how to practice the technique.

Like an instinct.

getting Started?

does not exist at all.

Ready to use, melts in your mouth.

Wang Xi closed his eyes and used his primordial spirit to connect with his three souls and seven spirits. He immediately felt a mysterious energy surging through his limbs and bones.

This energy first gathered in the dantian, then rushed straight to the spiritual platform, disappeared after entering the inner vision.

Wang Xi had an epiphany.

'This is magic!'

It is different from internal strength and true qi, which are the origins of life, and even more different from the primordial spirit, which is the condensation of essence, qi and spirit.

This is a higher level of energy born from the combination of the three souls and seven spirits with the inner landscape of the Yellow Court.

Wang Xi's consciousness drifted into a daze, as if he were unaware of the passage of time. He was suspended in mid-air from a third-person perspective, looking down at the body on the futon in the side room.

Immediately, his perspective collapsed, and he flew into his spiritual platform, witnessing the changes in his own inner landscape—

After being empowered by magic, the pool of ink gradually began to boil.

Gululu...

The surface of the pool was as smooth as an inkstone, reflecting the true form of Wang Xi's spirit as he stood with his hands behind his back.

Meanwhile, outside the inner courtyard, the mist surged, the walls collapsed and reassembled on their own, and the ink pool expanded accordingly.

'This ink pool is the source of my magical power, and also the core of my inner vision, the foundation for the evolution of my outer appearance.'

Wang Xi had a sudden thought.

Gurgling...

The ink pool gushed forth, transforming into a mass of black water in mid-air, constantly changing shape, but in the end it only formed a humanoid outline about ten feet tall, failing to take a complete form.

'We've made the initial foray into the inner vision stage, but we're still far from achieving a true outward manifestation.'

Wang Xi snapped out of his thoughts.

boom!
A loud bang echoed in his mind, and he woke up.

I was still sitting in the side room, but it was already daytime outside the window, and I could vaguely hear birds chirping... Before I knew it, I had been cultivating all night.

"Journey to the West (Skill Card/Purple 1-Star/Epic/Upgradeable) 5/600"

One training session yielded 5 experience points.

'It seems I'm quite compatible with this technique.'

Wang Xi smiled.

He stood up, feeling slightly tired, clearly exhausted from his cultivation practice.

Upon examining his mind, he found two more dark green orbs of light, and Wang Xi extracted them as well.

"Consume 200 energy points (50030 remaining)"

buzz-

The two deep green cards originating from the Heavenly Alliance Swordsmen then floated in front of Wang Xi.

He reached out and took it, then glanced at it briefly.

These are two skill cards, namely "Winter Gate Sword Transformation Technique" and "Nine Cold Days Sword Nourishment Technique"—standard techniques for Winter Gate sword cultivators of the Heavenly Alliance.

Sword techniques can condense one's own magical power into a flying sword, and also include methods of controlling the sword.

The art of sword nurturing embodies the concept of "the winter solstice freezing pests to death" from the "Dao of Seasonal Phenomena." Through continuous practice, one can imbue their magical flying sword with a layer of cold energy.

"Not bad," Wang Xi commented.

He thought for a moment and tried to shed the "landscape and rivers" and "bloodthirsty maniac" personas from his body and put them into the gaps in his mind.

'Caius, synthesize.'

Wang Xi hadn't held out much hope, but the four dark green orbs of light began to rotate and eventually condensed into a blue light.

hum-

"Blood River Sword Technique (Skill Card)"

"Quality: Blue Two-Star (Upgradeable)"

"The young cultivator suddenly comprehended the way of the sword. He nurtured his sword through battle, and his blood became a river. He integrated the techniques of calligraphy into the sword's bones, and drew upon his own blood and energy to create a profound edge. When the sword rose, frost condensed into ink, and when it was wielded, waves of blood surged forth, chilling and fierce, stopping the killing and fighting."

"After use, you will master this spell, which can consume your own blood energy or mana to condense a blood-ink flying sword containing icy power."

"Uh." Wang Xi held the new card and inexplicably felt that this cultivation method was not very proper, as if it was exclusive to evil cultivators.

"These are all stereotypes..."

He looked righteous and murmured.

When you're out and about, your identity is something you give yourself; it has nothing to do with whether magic is evil or not.

"Oh, by the way, Confucius told me yesterday that there's a meditation hall in the study; let's go take a look."

Wang Xi thought to himself and stood up from the prayer mat.

(End of this chapter)