Cultivation: Beginning with the Heart Reflecting Heaven and Earth

Even the Holy Land itself seems to have a somewhat ambiguous attitude towards Shen Chi. For example, Yun Shanchuan, who only has dual spiritual roots and a divine body, is already ranked among the Ten Sons of Canglan. This is of course also due to Yun Shanchuan's talent in both alchemy and formation.

However, Shen Chi, with his earth spirit root and the same special physique of the Soul Devouring Ghost Body, remained unknown and was just a nobody in the Holy Land.

Anyone with eyes can see the discriminatory treatment, yet Shen Chi cannot protest the injustice of the holy land.

After all, it was already an act of leniency to allow a wicked demon to live in the Holy Land. How could he still harbor resentment? Wasn't he plotting something sinister?

These things are impossible to explain, and suspicion is hard to eliminate. No matter how normal Shen Chi behaves, it's difficult for those around him not to view him with prejudice.

However, since Shen Chi is a genius in the demonic path, he will naturally thrive in the Western Continent and will not let go of this good opportunity. That is why Xiong Kaishan and the others said that Shen Chi would definitely go to the Western Continent.

However, Lu Qian also thought of a problem: with Shen Chi's talent, he would definitely be valued when he joined the Demonic Path. If he were to betray his sect and choose to join the Demonic Path, he might become a major enemy in the future.

Even someone like Lu Qian, who has only just learned about Shen Chi, would think this way. How could the people of the Holy Land not think of it?

Things like the distinction between good and evil are often just a pretext for making a fuss, but many people develop fixed ideas about them because of it, which are difficult to correct.

Therefore, this is not a matter of whether it is used for good or evil.

If Shen Chi were not a disciple of the Holy Land, and appeared in any sect in the East Sea cultivation world, the Holy Land could use the pretext of colluding with the demonic path to exterminate that sect.

In other words, Shen Chi was able to appear openly in the eyes of others thanks to the Holy Land accepting him, but obviously not all the people in the Holy Land would accept him.

As a transmigrator, Lu Qian didn't really care about these things, but he was curious why Mu Xue would talk about these issues in public.

Without a doubt, Mu Xue was not only speaking to Lu Qian, but more importantly, she was speaking to Shen Chi.

Because most of the others knew what was going on, only Lu Qian didn't know the situation, and Mu Xue could easily tell Lu Qian about it in private.

With Shen Chi present, Mu Xue's undisguised remarks can only be interpreted as her deliberately intending to tell Shen Chi these things; there is no other possibility.

However, Mu Xue's purpose in doing so is not hard to guess. She herself has begun to cultivate the Heart Demon Manual, and Shen Chi's problem is a small matter compared to her.

Shen Chi is an openly and legitimate genius of the demonic path, and his cultivation technique is recognized by the Holy Land, while Mu Xue secretly cultivates the Heart Demon Secret Manual, which absolutely cannot be exposed.

To some extent, Mu Xue might feel that she and Shen Chi are in the same boat, or perhaps because of their similar circumstances, she might think that Shen Chi is easier to win over.

After all, Shen Chi himself found it difficult to clear himself of his own problems, and Mu Xue was in the same boat. So even if he knew about Mu Xue's situation, he wouldn't react as strongly as the other disciples of the Holy Land.

However, these are ultimately just speculations; human nature is complex and ever-changing.

If you assume that Shen Chi can be trusted, you're overthinking it, but it doesn't hurt to test the waters first.

Before long, the voices in the crowd suddenly fell silent, and Lu Qian immediately realized that Jin Changgeng had arrived.

Turning around, they indeed saw Jin Changgeng, whose face was expressionless. He looked unusually solemn today. He walked to the front of the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Whatever decisions you make, remember that your future will be responsible for the decisions you make today!"

Whispers arose from the crowd.

Even the usually composed Lei Yunxing frowned. "Instructor Jin seems to be implying something!"

Mu Dong chuckled nonchalantly, "It's probably because the Western Continent is too dangerous, and it's easy to never return, so they're reminding us again!"

Just as he was about to leave, Mu Dong uttered such ominous words, immediately drawing stares from those around him.

Lin Guihai, on the contrary, sneered, "We've been raising an army for a thousand days, only to use it for one! Now that the Holy Land is at war with the Heart Demon Sect, of course we must share the burden for the Holy Land! The Holy Land has spent so many resources to cultivate us, if anyone were to back down at this crucial moment..."

He chuckled coldly twice and said no more, but the others weren't deaf. Many people's eyes shifted, and they seemed to hesitate again, unsure whether to go along or not.

The dangers of the Western Continent, coupled with the requirement of a merit-based system, deterred many who had originally planned to go.

According to Lin Guihai, those who want to back down are those who don't want to share the burden for the Holy Land at critical moments. Such words of ruthlessness will naturally cause fear and worry among others.

After all, no matter how extraordinary a holy site's status may be, it's impossible for it to do something without expecting a return.

It would be terrible if everyone who decided not to go to the Western Continent were considered ungrateful and worthless.

However, Lei Yunxing snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "I don't believe that a single decision can influence the Holy Land's judgment. If the Holy Land needs our help, they can simply say so. Right now, we are just some Qi Refining cultivators; how much of a role can we play?"

"You only say this so you can have more helpers, so you can incite your fellow disciples to their deaths for your own selfish desires. I find it utterly despicable!"

He spat heavily on the ground and glanced at Lin Guihai.

Lin Guihai pretended not to see it and remained silent.

Lei Yunxing has always been straightforward, but he rarely gets involved in other people's affairs. Today, he spoke out for justice, partly because he was against Lin Guihai.

Last time the two argued, Lei Yunxing was furious but helpless. This time, however, he has won back a point.

However, no matter what Lin Guihai and Lei Yunxing said, Instructor Jin remained silent and made no comment, seemingly giving everyone time to consider.

Lu Qian had already made his decision, so there wasn't much for him to consider. His understanding of what Coach Jin meant was actually quite simple: everyone has to be responsible for their own decisions. He probably didn't have many complicated thoughts.

The Holy Land actually adopts a laissez-faire approach to most of its disciples, which is a kind of composure and confidence that under the Holy Land's nurturing, some will eventually succeed.

This may also be related to the fact that the Holy Land values ​​comprehension, allowing its disciples to discover their own talents and achieve the effect of each having their own strengths.

The fact that someone like Yun Shanchuan could simultaneously study alchemy and formation amidst so much opposition already reveals some clues about his abilities.

In a typical sect, such a seemingly wasteful act of talent would be almost impossible.

After all, the Holy Land has invested resources in training these disciples, and it's impossible for them to do whatever they want. Such a thing is rare in any sect.

Therefore, what Lei Yunxing and Lin Guihai said both made some sense.

As long as you follow your heart, whether you go to the Western Continent or not, the impact won't be that significant.

At most, those who stay in the Holy Land won't get any points, while those who go to the Western Continent will get some points, but ultimately, a cultivator's cultivation level will still be the deciding factor.

As long as you demonstrate enough talent in the Holy Land, whether or not you go to the Western Continent doesn't really matter.

The worst-case scenario is that someone who didn't want to go initially decided to go after listening to Lin Guihai's words, which shows a lack of willpower.

Conversely, as long as one is determined, it doesn't matter what decision one makes, as long as it comes from one's heart.

Cultivation is about cultivating the mind. If you are swayed by a few words from others, it is difficult to achieve great things.

About fifteen minutes later, Jin Changgeng spoke again: "Those who want to go, follow me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jin Changgeng took the lead and walked forward, followed by a dozen or so people scattered in the crowd.

Lu Qian looked back and saw that only a dozen or so people had come out, which was almost half of the total.

No matter how Lin Guihai tried to provoke him with words, people are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm; those who don't want to take risks simply don't want to take risks.

As long as the Holy Land doesn't strictly order everyone to go there, there's always a reason to stay.

In particular, within the Zhou Tian Academy, there are some dual-spiritual-root individuals who entered through the legacy of their ancestors. They don't want to take risks, and no one can say anything about it.

We can't just think of them as mediocre in normal times and then put them at the forefront when it matters, can we?

Someone like Lu Qian should have been one of those who stayed, but in the end, he didn't have that choice.

After walking for a while, Jin Changgeng suddenly stopped, glanced at the group behind him, and with a wave of his magic, he and the others transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the sky.

Lu Qian tried to open his eyes and found himself surrounded by a bizarre and surreal scene. Even with his eyesight enhanced, he still had difficulty seeing his surroundings clearly. He could only sense that he was heading deeper into the Xuan Tian Palace.

Then, the surroundings grew darker and darker, as if they had gone underground. Finally, in a vast, gray-black hall, everyone was put down.

When Lu Qian steadied himself, he felt someone watching him. He turned his head and saw Yun Shanchuan smiling at him, while everyone else seemed oblivious.

There are roughly four groups of people here, each with about a dozen or so people.

If we draw a parallel with the situation at Zhou Tian Academy, roughly half of those who choose to go to the Western Continent do so.

Since it's a branch, it's reasonable to divide the original students equally.

Once we reach the Western Continent, we will recruit some geniuses there, and then the number of people will return.

Jin Changgeng stepped forward and discussed something with several people who seemed to be instructors, then beckoned everyone to walk to the center of the hall.

Before anyone else could figure out what was going on, a burst of light appeared on the ground, and everyone disappeared.

"So this is a teleportation array!"

Lu Qian lost consciousness before the thought even flashed through his mind.

When he regained consciousness, Lu Qian felt soreness all over his body, but it was just soreness, not injury. It was as if he had been carrying bricks for a day and a night and needed to rest.

Immediately following was a hot, damp sensation on his skin. He felt as if he were covered in sweat, which was very uncomfortable. He could smell mold and rot with his breath, as if he were soaking in a swamp.

"You're awake?"

Suddenly, a pair of hands reached out and placed under his head. When Lu Qian tried to open his eyes, he realized that there were already quite a few people standing around him.

He thought he was the special one who would wake up earlier.

It was all an illusion after all.

Before him stood Mu Xue's concerned eyes, and he could almost feel her soft breath on his face. Lu Qian quickly stood up, forcing an awkward smile, "Sorry to keep you waiting!"

Mu Xue pointed to a spot not far away, "You're one of the earlier ones to wake up; there are still many people who haven't woken up yet."

Lu Qian looked in the direction Mu Xue was pointing and saw that there were still more than a dozen people who had not woken up. He found that most of those who were awake were in the late stage of Qi Refining.

Among those who have reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining, he was considered to have regained consciousness relatively early. Even Yun Shanchuan, a well-known genius, is still in a coma.