Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 17 Evergreen Achieved, Autumn Waters Flowing Through Ten Thousand Rivers

As dawn pierced the mist, the light of day returned to the world, and on Mount Taiyi, a hazy mist began to drift among the mountains.

In a small courtyard deep in the bamboo forest, Chen Xiuyuan rubbed his sleepy eyes, feeling as if he had just had a very long dream.

The dream felt so real, as if he had seen it with his own eyes, yet it also gave him a somewhat unreal feeling. Recalling the various parts of the dream, he couldn't help but look at the back of his left hand.

At this point, the mark on the back of his hand had completely disappeared, as if it had never appeared.

He then shook his still slightly dizzy head a couple of times.

"Was last night really a nightmare?"

Just as he was about to feel the internal energy he had cultivated within his body, his calm and unperturbed eyes narrowed subconsciously.

Before he began his cultivation, he had asked Bei Mingzi what the typical situation was like when he first started cultivating.
He remembered Bei Mingzi's answer: When one first enters cultivation and senses the inner energy, it usually takes more than a month for an ordinary person, three days for a person with outstanding talent, and half an hour for a person with exceptional talent.

In the initial stage of cultivation, the internal energy circulates throughout the body, usually leaving three to five strands in the body. After that, it is a matter of gradual and persistent practice.

But now, if he wasn't mistaken, the internal energy within his body had become a small stream, probably exceeding three to five hundred strands.

"Am I destined to cultivate Taoism?"

A question arose in his mind, but he immediately dismissed it. He had not forgotten the situation of meditating and regulating his breath last night. He remembered that after circulating his internal energy through the body, he did not have much internal energy, which was consistent with Bei Mingzi's answer.

But later
"It's that dream!"

Chen Xiuyuan raised his left hand again. He didn't know if it was his imagination, but although the mark on the back of his hand had disappeared, he felt that the place where the mark had been was hot.

Sitting on the bed, his mind raced with a thousand thoughts, his heart pounded wildly, and a surge of joy welled up inside him.

If that thing is really as I guessed, then I'll be incredibly powerful. Not to mention dominating all schools of thought, even breaking through the void and ascending to heaven in broad daylight would be infinitely possible.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chen Xiuyuan finally calmed down. The surprise was so great that even with his composure, he couldn't help but experience a huge fluctuation. He could almost see a road leading to the heavens appearing before him.

"Every man is innocent, but he is guilty of carrying a jade."

Chen Xiuyuan's eyes flickered, and he silently thought to himself, if this thing really has such an effect, it will be his greatest reliance, and this secret can only be known by himself.

After resting for a while, he left his small courtyard again. As a newcomer to cultivation, he should report to his master, lest the old immortal think he had misjudged him and taken in a useless disciple. He would still have to cultivate in the Heavenly Sect in the future, so he still had to rely on his master.

Walking along the mountain path, you are greeted by the fresh scent of grass and trees, and the chirping of birds in the forest adds a touch of liveliness to the tranquility.

"Master, your disciple Qingxu requests an audience."

Before long, Chen Xiuyuan arrived at the gate of Bei Mingzi's courtyard. He knocked on the door and called out.

"The door's open, come in!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuyuan was about to push the door open when several images flashed through his mind. Back in Sanyang Village, he had also been knocking on the door. Compared to now, only a month or so had passed, yet the difference was like heaven and earth.

He then gently pushed open the door and walked in.

"Qingxu, what brings you to see your master today?"

Chen Xiuyuan bowed respectfully before speaking, "Last night, I entered a meditative state and by chance, I embarked on the path of cultivation. Today, I have come to report to my master."

Upon hearing this, Bei Mingzi slowly opened his eyes. He already knew about Qingxu's entry into the Dao, and the other party's terrifying talent had kept him awake all night. Now that his disciple had taken the initiative to report, he couldn't say much, so he could only say, "In learning, one gains daily; in the Dao, one loses daily. Losing and losing again, until one reaches non-action. Through non-action, nothing is left undone."

"Now that you have embarked on the path of cultivation, you must work diligently from now on. In chaotic times, cultivation also requires self-protection techniques. The Heavenly Sect has been established for many years and has been able to stand firm not only because it is indifferent to worldly affairs, but also because of its strength."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuyuan's eyes twitched slightly, and he agreed even more. In this era of great strife, it was unrealistic to seek survival by remaining aloof from the world.

"Disciple knows."

Seeing Qingxu nod, Beimingzi suddenly said, "Although Changqing Gong is an entry-level skill of the Heavenly Sect and its nature is gentle, it should not be rushed. Being impatient for quick success is absolutely unacceptable. A steady and gradual approach is the key."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuyuan subconsciously raised his head, only to see that Bei Mingzi's eyes were slightly closed and he was not looking at him.

He always felt that his master seemed to be implying something, but he swore that he had no such thoughts. As for his current situation, the cultivation technique was working on its own, so he couldn't blame it on his master, could he?

"Disciple, please obey Master's teachings!"

"Also, if anyone asks about your progress, just say you're a beginner."

Bei Mingzi couldn't help but sigh. When would he ever care about his disciple's cultivation progress? But he couldn't ignore his disciple. If his progress was slow, he wouldn't care at all, as long as nothing went wrong. But Qingxu's progress was too fast and his aptitude was too good, making him an easy target for others.

"Uh"

Chen Xiuyuan's heart skipped a beat, and a bitter smile involuntarily appeared on his lips. He was now certain that Bei Mingzi must have seen through something, otherwise he would never have said such a thing.

But that's alright, at least now he can be sure that the master he's apprenticed to isn't the kind of person who harbors malicious intentions.

"Yes."

"After you have mastered the Evergreen Skill, you can switch to other internal cultivation methods of the Heavenly Sect, such as Autumn Waters of Ten Thousand Rivers and Still Water of the Heart."

Watching Qingxu's departing figure, Beimingzi's eyes became somewhat complicated. Minor success? Perhaps Qingxu's Evergreen Technique has already reached minor success. He is truly a disciple who does not give him any peace of mind.

Time passed slowly, and another month or so went by. Chen Xiuyuan continued his cultivation methodically, but the porcelain pillow never appeared again. Even so, his progress was frighteningly fast.

The Evergreen Technique within his body was like a wound-up spring; even without his conscious effort, it would automatically circulate throughout his body, and over time, his internal strength would naturally increase.

Three days ago, he finally reached the perfection of the Evergreen Technique. Now, the Evergreen True Qi in his eight extraordinary meridians is overflowing and has begun to nourish his body.

At Bei Mingzi's suggestion, he began to cultivate Wan Chuan Qiu Shui.

Autumn Waters of Ten Thousand Rivers, as the top-level mental cultivation technique of the Heavenly Sect, can condense water flow with internal force to form sword energy or water curtain, which is both offensive and defensive.

It aligns with the Taoist concept that "from the perspective of the Tao, all things are equal in value," emphasizing following nature and using gentleness to overcome strength.

However, this mental cultivation method is obscure and difficult to understand, far surpassing the Evergreen Skill. Even he himself has been unable to grasp it for a long time. No wonder the Chu Nan Guild had such opinions when Xiaomeng and Fu Nian competed.

"Water has no fixed shape, and follows the natural way. All rivers flow into the sea, and the sword's aura is as cold as autumn."

Chen Xiuyuan put down the bamboo slips in his hand and sighed softly.

"Perhaps we should go see the water."

(End of this chapter)