The Spiritual Pivot of Mortal Cultivation

When I returned from Shenshou Valley Pharmacy, it was not yet completely dark.

Bai Xuanxin carried the empty bamboo basket and walked up the stone steps behind the mountain step by step. Her steps were not in a hurry, but in her mind she had already reviewed everything she had gained that day.

Han Li's line has been pushed forward another half an inch.

Not much, but enough.

Meanwhile, the situation at Shenshou Valley had become even more tense than before. The smell of medicine was pressing in, Han Li was pressing in, and Mo Juren was quietly pulling back. All of this made it increasingly clear to Bai Xuanxin that his most important task right now was not to take another look outside Shenshou Valley, but to quickly improve his own abilities.

Ultimately, what he is fighting for in the sect is never some empty title of "standing out".

The disputes are nothing more than the same few things:

A higher level of cultivation technique,

A more solid foundation in ordinary martial arts,

And before Mo Juren truly turns against him, he should accumulate more resources to ensure he can enter the game, make a move, and escape alive.

There's a trap on the other side of Shenshou Valley.

On this side of the Seven Mysteries Gate, there is a ladder.

If you don't climb this ladder steadily, no matter how well you calculate the next round, it will just be a blank piece of paper.

Thinking this through, Bai Xuan's steps became even more steady.

As soon as he arrived at the gate of the disciples' quarters on the back mountain, a young servant boy was already waiting for him in the corridor of the side hall. The boy was quite young; seeing him return, he quickly came forward and said in a low voice:

"Senior Brother Bai, Deacon Liang wants to see you."

Bai Xuanxin's expression remained unchanged, and he simply replied, "Now?"

"Now," the servant nodded, "he said Instructor Li is also here."

Only after these words were spoken did a faint glimmer of light flash across Bai Xuanxin's eyes.

Passing messages through a side room is one thing.

If Instructor Li were also present, that would be a different story.

He recently made a bloody discovery on the medicine road, established his reputation in the competition, escorted medicine and protected the road, and also demonstrated his skills in the side pharmacy and wound medicine. These things are nothing special on their own, but when they are put together, they are enough to make the sect start to seriously evaluate him.

This is exactly what he wanted.

It's just that they arrived a little faster than ordinary disciples.

Bai Xuanxin went back to her room to change into a cleaner gray robe, tied up the cuffs, and then followed the servant to the side hall.

The side hall is located in the eastern corner of the front mountain, next to the pharmacy and the small training ground for martial arts. Most of the daily tasks, such as delivering medicine, leading errands, recording names, and taking attendance, take place here. While it's not the true core of the sect, it's not a place that ordinary outer disciples can enter at will.

As dusk settled, lamps were already lit in the side hall.

The lights were dim, with only a few placed along the corridor and in the corners of the inner rooms, casting varying degrees of light and shadow. The smells of medicine, wine, old wood, and human sweat mingled together, giving it a more genuine,江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) feel compared to Shenshou Valley.

Deacon Liang was flipping through an old account book in the hall, while Instructor Li stood to the side, holding a short sword that was not yet drawn, looking at a diagram of bones and muscles hanging on the wall.

Hearing footsteps, the two of them looked up.

Liang Zhi spoke first, but his voice remained flat, revealing no hint of approval or intimacy.

"You're here?"

"Disciple Bai Xuanxin greets Steward Liang and Instructor Li."

Bai Xuanxin bowed with her hands clasped, her attitude neither overly submissive nor disrespectful, striking the perfect balance.

Instructor Li's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then without saying anything else, simply asked:

"Has your left shoulder injury healed?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Xuanxin knew that Instructor Li was asking about something else entirely—the time a few days ago on the way to the medicine shop when he had taken half a move from that broadsword-wielding man.

"It's mostly fine now," Bai Xuanxin replied calmly. "The fascia is still a little stiff, but the meridians are open."

Upon hearing this, Instructor Li didn't say anything more, but simply put the knife aside and raised his chin.

"Then let's go to the training ground at the back and practice our skills."

really.

Bai Xuanxin was not surprised.

In the world of martial arts, to see if someone can continue to improve, you never rely on their own claims of reaching a certain level. The most reliable method is always to see for yourself.

The small training ground behind the side hall was not large, only half of which was covered with fine sand, with lamps standing at the four corners. In the middle were wooden figures, stone locks, and short stakes, and there were also several old medicine jars and short weapons for practice on the side. It was clear that this was a place where instructors and deacons tested their skills on the spot.

Deacon Liang did not participate; he simply stood on the sidelines and watched.

It was Coach Li who actually walked into the center of the field.

He was neither wearing armor nor carrying a weapon today; he simply rolled up his sleeves. The moment he stepped onto the sand, his entire demeanor changed from when he was speaking in the hall.

Bai Xuanxin glanced over and her heart skipped a beat.

Li Jiaoxi's martial arts skills were not weak, just as he had expected; but when he actually stood in the training ground, the weight of that "veteran of the sect" was even greater than he had thought.

It's not because the air is so strong,

It's because it's stable.

Shoulders steady, elbows firm, feet planted firmly, the force seemed to sink into the ground first. It wasn't the stance of an outer disciple, nor the ruthless, aggressive style of the Wild Wolf Gang's tough fighters, but a well-trained, commanding frame honed over years of practice.

Bai Xuanxin's strengths in the past lay more in her "eyes", "steps", and "hands".

Poisonous eyes, cunning steps, and treacherous hands.

But when he actually encountered someone like Instructor Li, he realized for the first time that the difference between him and the veterans in the school was not just age and experience, but also the kind of physique and spirit that could truly command respect.

After standing still, Instructor Li only said one sentence:

"I won't suppress your internal energy, nor will I force you to use a fatal move."

Use whatever you have.

Upon hearing this, Bai Xuanxin didn't stand on ceremony. She simply took a slow breath and her feet sank half an inch.

This sinking motion is not the starting stance.

Rather, it was a kind of "positive energy" that he had naturally cultivated after these past few days of medicinal baths, walking exercises, and stretching.

Instructor Li's eyes twitched very slightly.

The two met face to face in the next instant.

Bai Xuanxin didn't grab the first one.

It's not that we're afraid, but we can't just grab things randomly.

Instructor Li, a seasoned veteran, is least afraid of being caught off guard. If you try to catch half of his line with just a quick movement, you'll likely be thrown back by his entire frame before you even truly touch his elbow or wrist.

Therefore, Bai Xuanxin's first move was not to the blind spot, but to the center line.

His foot slipped slightly, but his shoulder didn't move first; instead, his waist and spine stabilized. This time, he was less slippery and more grounded than before. His whole body was like a wisp of smoke, slightly deflected from the center, yet neither weak nor floating.

Instructor Li saw through it at a glance.

This kid has indeed made it again recently.

In the past, when Bai Xuanxin practiced the "Luo Yan Step," he mostly entered the void, like a shadow that slipped in along the edge of a blade. He was agile and ruthless, but he also seemed somewhat "light." But now, looking at him again, it's clear that his lightness has slowly given way to bone.

As the two passed each other, Instructor Li flicked his elbow and pressed down on Bai Xuanxin's right shoulder.

Bai Xuanxin did not retreat, but only took a half step and sank slightly, shrinking his shoulders and back. He then used his backhand to sweep along the outside of his opponent's arm, creating a tiny force-dissipating frame.

This move still follows the style of "The Great Capturing Hand," but it is no longer just the kind of insidious move that involves grabbing the bone joints and locking the tendons. Instead, it has an added layer of direct "receiving."

Take half a move first.

Then dismantle the back door.

This is the part that Deacon Liang could see most clearly from the side.

Bai Xuanxin is no longer just someone who hides.

He has even begun to be able to apply his bone-breaking and force-severing techniques after making a direct, short-range contact with the enemy.

This is no longer just a strange approach.

In just over ten moves, Bai Xuanxin had already discerned the difference between himself and Instructor Li.

It's not that I can't understand it.

On the contrary, he saw it all too clearly.

Every movement of Instructor Li, every shoulder turn, every elbow drop, was perfectly precise and stable. Bai Xuanxin could see the gaps within, and could also see where things could be dismantled and where they could be taken, but when he actually encountered them, he would always find that the opponent's posture had already covered seven or eight parts of those "dismantlable parts".

His method was correct.

The problem lies with the body below; it's not yet strong enough to fully support these techniques.

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Instructor Li suddenly took a half-step forward.

This kick only raised a very light layer of dust on the sand.

But that force seemed to press down along the ground.

Bai Xuanxin's heart sank. He dared not rely solely on footwork to glide anymore. He raised his right arm sharply, blocking half a block, and at the same time, he stepped back half an inch, absorbing the force of the attack first, and then using a twist of his waist and hips to deflect it.

It has been unloaded.

But he still felt a slight numbness in his shoulder.

Seeing this, Instructor Li finally stopped, took a half step back, and glanced at him.

"good."

Just those two words.

I didn't praise it too much.

That's enough.

Deacon Liang, who had been standing to the side, finally closed the account book and slowly said:

"When you were delivering the medicine a while ago, I just thought you had a sharp eye and quick hands. Now it seems you're not just good at shady dealings."

Bai Xuanxin cupped his hands, not taking the opportunity to flatter him, and simply said, "This disciple is merely lucky; compared to the instructors and stewards, I am still far inferior."

Instructor Li, however, seemed unconcerned by his humble remark, and simply said:

"If you continue to suppress everything like before, the people inside may not have the patience to support you indefinitely."

That statement is rather casual.

But it landed squarely on Bai Xuanxin's heart.

He knew very well that this was not a blame.

It's a reminder, not a warning.

Whether or not it's worthwhile to nurture people within a family or community is a question that must be considered.

He was able to use it some time ago, so the sect provided him with access to medicine, conveniences, and a medicinal pool. But these things don't come for free. If you only show a fraction of your abilities, the sect will only cultivate a fraction of your potential; if you can't consistently demonstrate greater skill, your path to advancement will likely end there.

And this is precisely what Bai Xuanxin cannot tolerate right now.

Because it's almost too late for Shenshou Valley.

What he fears most now is not being seen through.

It's not that I'm climbing up fast enough.

Thinking of this, Bai Xuanxin felt more at ease.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Instructor Li softened her tone and said:

"There's a big competition coming up, so don't just hide."

"If you keep hiding it, the sect might not continue to provide you with the medicine pool and conveniences."

As soon as these words were spoken, the side hall and backyard fell silent.

The lamplight in the four corners swayed gently in the night breeze, casting shadows that stretched and faded on the ground. Deacon Liang stood silently to the side, only lowering his head to reread the ledger. But Bai Xuanxin knew that with this chapter, the internal faction and the combat force line had truly come together.

Because this is no longer simply a matter of "the side hall thinks he can be used".

But:

The people inside started holding him accountable.

And they are willing to continue storing things.

Bai Xuanxin slowly exhaled and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Disciple understands."

His "I understand" wasn't meant for Instructor Li.

It's also something I'm saying to myself.

In the upcoming competitions, he can no longer rely on just three strategies to test the waters, as he did before.

We should win what we deserve.

What needs to be revealed, at least a little bit.

Because we don't go up.

There were no more resources available.

No more resources,

His martial arts skills couldn't improve quickly.

Martial arts skills cannot be improved quickly.

In the end, in the game at Shenshou Valley, all we could do was watch from the outside.

But that's not what Bai Xuanxin wants.

Thinking of this, the coldness that had been suppressed in his eyes finally subsided.

Temple, instructors, deacons, medicine pool, grand competition—

These might seem like trivial matters within the Seven Mysteries Sect to outsiders, but to Bai Xuanxin, they all pointed to the same thing:

Elevate yourself to a level where you can truly enter the game and make real moves as soon as possible.

This is the only important main issue at the moment.

The lamp flickered.

Instructor Li had already turned and walked into the hall. Deacon Liang did not linger any longer, but simply waved his hand, indicating that Bai Xuanxin could leave.

As Bai Xuanxin stepped out of the side hall, the night wind pressed down from the front mountain, carrying the scents of pine resin, medicine, and the dry smell of old wood. The mountain path was pitch black, but in the distance, from the direction of Shenshou Valley, there still seemed to be a faint sliver of light, sinking into the deepest part of the night, like an eye that never closed.

Bai Xuanxin did not turn around to look immediately.

But he knew very well what was going on in his heart.

After this chapter, I have truly taken another step forward within the Seven Mysteries Sect.

The competition that followed was no longer just about "competing for a ranking".