Under One Person: Starting with the Dual Cultivation of Body and Soul

Chapter 96 Zhang Zhiwei's Admonition [Please Subscribe]

In the guest room of the Lu family, Zhang Lingyu was adjusting his breathing. He had left his seat and returned to his room after his match with Li Chang'an.

The old master then exchanged views with his fellow practitioners before returning to his guest room.

The two guests' rooms were right next to each other, and as soon as the old master returned, Zhang Lingyu in the next room noticed.

He went into his master's room and knelt down as soon as he entered.

"Master, I have failed you. I never expected to lose so badly. It is a disgrace to our sect. I am truly ashamed of the years of cultivation you have given me and the help I have received from my fellow disciples."

Zhang Lingyu felt very guilty. His master had asked his senior brother to give him the talisman, and he still lost.

Zhang Zhiwei glanced at Zhang Lingyu and asked calmly, "Do you want to beat him?"

Zhang Lingyu was taken aback for a moment, then lowered his head and said, "Of course, this disciple wants to win."

"If you want to win, then go all out to win. Use the lightning talisman to strike him down," Zhang Zhiwei said.

Zhang Lingyu lowered his head even further: "This disciple is worried that a victory would be dishonorable, tarnishing the reputation of our sect and our master."

.

Zhang Zhiwei felt somewhat helpless; sometimes he truly couldn't understand his disciples' thoughts.

If you want to do something and are capable of doing it, why not do it?

Is it so difficult to control one's mind and body?

It's such a simple thing as eating and drinking, but they insist on making it so complicated.

Zhang Zhiwei said, "You're too anxious and insecure, too concerned about how others perceive you, and too worried about your image. Your thoughts are like water in a lake, constantly being disturbed by stones, creating ripples. Therefore, you can never see yourself clearly at the bottom. You need to calm yourself down; only when the surface is calm will the answer become clear!"

"This disciple cares too much about what others think—"

Zhang Lingyu said in a low voice, "But didn't the teacher on the mountain teach us that we can use a bronze mirror to straighten our clothes, use history as a mirror to understand the rise and fall of dynasties, and use people as a mirror to understand our gains and losses?"

"I have always used others as a mirror to reflect on myself, so as to correct my bad habits and mistakes. Have I been wrong?"

Zhang Zhiwei looked at him irritably: "This sentence is meant to help you see the other person's shortcomings and strengths, to find fault with them, and after finding fault, to reflect on whether you have the same fault or strength yourself. This is what it means to use others as a mirror."

"I'm not suggesting you use other people's words to find fault with yourself. You're using others as a mirror, and the image reflected in that mirror isn't the real you, but rather how others see you. That's why you don't know what you want."

Zhang Lingyu fell silent. He was thinking about what he wanted.

"Do you want to become stronger, Lingyu?"

Zhang Lingyu paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "I want to become stronger."

Why do you want to become stronger?

"I—" Zhang Lingyu was stunned for a moment.

What he really meant was that by becoming stronger, he would be more befitting of the identity of a top disciple.

But he had a vague feeling that if he revealed this reason, his master would definitely be disappointed.

He paused, then changed his words, saying, "It's to defeat Li Chang'an and get back at him for what we lost this time."

Zhang Zhiwei was dissatisfied with this answer: "So, is the goal to defeat him, or to get revenge?"

"Defeat—" Zhang Lingyu hesitated.

He wasn't actually that enthusiastic about "defeating Li Chang'an".

His primary concern remained restoring his master's reputation and the reputation of the Celestial Master's Mansion.

So he changed his tune again, saying, "I wanted to get revenge."

"How do you plan to get revenge?" Zhang Zhiwei asked again.

"After returning to the mountain, I will definitely practice the Golden Light Mantra even more diligently —"

Zhang Zhiwei interrupted him: "It's difficult to regain this situation by simply practicing the Golden Light Mantra."

Zhang Lingyu was taken aback.

Then Zhang Zhiwei continued, "Only by cultivating thunder magic can one have a slight chance."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lingyu was overwhelmed with emotion.

Thunder magic holds special significance within the Celestial Master's Mansion, and it is only passed down to those who are likely to inherit the position of Celestial Master.

Could it be that Master intends to appoint me as the next Celestial Master?

With nine senior brothers ahead of me, what merit do I possess?

At this moment, Zhang Lingyu felt not joy, but trepidation.

"What's with that expression?" Zhang Zhiwei noticed his change.

Zhang Lingyu lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly: "Master, this disciple dares not have such thoughts. I have several senior brothers above me, all of whom are virtuous and highly skilled. I am the latest to join the sect and the least experienced. In terms of both temperament and methods, I am far inferior to my senior brothers. This disciple is truly unworthy of such a great responsibility."

"I wasn't planning on teaching you right now. Thunder magic isn't something you can just learn whenever you want," Zhang Zhiwei said.

"what?"

Zhang Lingyu was taken aback. Although he had said that earlier, he still felt somewhat disappointed when he actually heard it.

"If you want to learn thunder magic, you must pass a test," Zhang Zhiwei added.

"What kind of test?" Zhang Lingyu looked up.

"After you return to the mountain this time, I will arrange for you to go down the mountain for a period of training. When you return, tell me the results of your training. If I am satisfied, I will pass on the Five Thunder Orthodox Method to you," Zhang Zhiwei said.

"Master, what kind of training is it?" Zhang Lingyu asked.

Zhang Zhiwei said, "It's not about any specific aspect, it's just the experience itself."

"Lingyu, once you embark on your journey, you must remember the meaning of the journey itself. Everything you encounter along the way—cities, ordinary people, supernatural beings, and even the Quanxing demons—is part of your journey."

"The goal isn't everything. Before you reach your goal, open your eyes wide, open your heart, and truly observe..."

Feel the world around you.

"Master's teachings will be remembered by your disciple." Zhang Lingyu nodded solemnly.

The next morning, the guests gradually departed. Lu Jin, along with Li Chang'an and the Lu family, saw them off at the door.

"Old Lu, remember the show," the old master instructed before leaving.

Lu Jin, as if avoiding a plague, waved him away, saying, "The program will definitely be delivered to Longhu Mountain, don't worry."

Zhang Lingyu suddenly turned around, walked up to Li Chang'an, and bowed deeply. His face was red, and he said in a low, stammering voice, "Brother Chang'an, I admit defeat in yesterday's competition. As for the matter of using the talisman, I was too proud of myself, and I'm truly sorry. Please don't take offense."

Li Chang'an waved his hand: "It's nothing. That talisman is actually quite interesting. If there's a chance next time, you can let me see the Thunder Talisman."

Zhang Lingyu blushed and remained silent. He was a thoughtful but not particularly clever person, and he thought Li Chang'an was being sarcastic.

"If you're curious, next time you go to Longhu Mountain, I'll arrange for you to try it out with Rongshan, shall I?" The old master said to Li Chang'an with a smile.

Lu Jin frowned, about to speak, when Li Chang'an said, "Sure."

"Old man, you're up to no good. Has that hothead Rong Shan improved his strength again?" Lu Jin said.

"He should have made some progress," the old master said.

"Alright, next time we go to Longhu Mountain, I'll give this old man a try," Lu Jin said.

"Old Lu, why are you acting tough with a kid?"

"You know that too!" Lu Jin said irritably.

The old master smiled; Lu Jin wasn't as easy to deal with as he was when he was a child.

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