Did you think Huangmao would back down?
Completely wrong!
“Good little sister, please, I’m begging you!”
Ji Shiyu pressed her palms together and bowed her head devoutly, utterly without dignity.
“…….”
Ao Tian shook its head.
Just how many nursing homes had it ransacked in its previous life to end up assisting someone like this?
Xiao Xinran, too, had never seen anyone so shameless!
“Take it, take it!”
She’d already said it, so Xiao Xinran could only toss the booklet over with distaste, treating it as a reward.
While Huangmao strolled idly around the sect gate like a street rascal, the diligent protagonist had already finished reading most of the Cloud Mansion Nurturing Spirit Chapter and understood the content well, gaining her own insights.
The core concepts and the clan’s basic enlightenment methods were largely the same; only some details were still unclear, which gave her a perfect reason to seek out Senior Brother Yun for guidance!
“Hehe, I knew Xinran was the best.”
Ji Shiyu held the booklet carefully in her palms, turning the pages as if it were a gift to herself.
In the first volume of the game, it was always Ji Shiyu helping the protagonist, but now the roles were reversed.
“Don’t try to fool me!”
Xiao Xinran snorted lightly. Trying to get close so I’ll lower my guard?
No way!
The same trick won’t work on me, Xiao Xinran, ever again—I won’t fall for any green tea act!
With Qin Yao’s gentle voice guiding them, the outer sect disciples gathered their spiritual energy, guided it into their dantian, and strengthened themselves.
That little Spirit Nurturing Chapter was profound and vast, requiring the Sighing Peak disciples to carve it into their hearts through constant repetition.
Other disciples had long grown used to it, but for new students, this morning lesson was still fresh and exciting.
When the morning class ended, the outer sect disciples waved goodbye to Senior Sister Qin, dreaming of the day they too could ride their swords through the skies.
Next came the swordsmanship class everyone looked forward to most.
This was the main reason all the outer sect disciples had come to Shenhua Sect—Yunhai Sword Cultivators were the top in the Nine Provinces, the undisputed leaders of the righteous path.
In this fast-paced era of cultivation, the universally recognized, money-burning sword cultivators had lost their appeal.
Shenhua Sect was declining, rarely producing any prodigies, and had fallen to the bottom among the six permanent member sects of the Heavenly Concord Alliance.
More people now preferred to pursue the powerful and fast-developing demon or spell cultivators—after all, in the cultivation world, strength was everything.
Swordsmanship class emphasized intent over form, focusing on the Shenhua Nine Forms and some basic sword techniques to lead Sighing Peak disciples into the path.
No other sword techniques or secret arts were allowed in the dojo, regardless of your status or prestige outside.
At this point, the outer sect instructor glanced at the golden-haired girl, speaking strictly as if warning the new students not to get arrogant and neglect the basics.
Since you’ve come to Divine Splendor Cloud Estate, you must follow its rules. If you think your clan’s techniques and secret arts are superior and look down on Shenhua Sect’s basic swordsmanship, then the even more profound Five Peaks Sword Canon will never be yours to learn—you might as well seek another teacher.
“Did you all hear that? From now until you advance to the inner sect, you must not use any techniques from outside the Sect. You have to forget the swordsmanship you’ve learned before and start from scratch, or your foundation will be useless. As far as I know, in all the Magic Nine Provinces, there’s no technique more suited to you than the top of the Five Peaks—the Falling Cloud Sword Canon!”
Ao Tian emphasized it again, wishing that silly girl would spend more time with Yun Liu and ask for guidance.
Some people just don’t listen. In this regard, she was already quite a bit behind Xiao Xinran.
Ji Shiyu stuck out her tongue.
Seeing Xiao Xinran sitting obediently and listening intently, she put away her lazy attitude and focused all her attention.
For the first class, new students only needed to observe.
Actual combat would come later, after some time to digest and comprehend the subtleties of the Shenhua Nine Forms.
A master leads you to the door; cultivation is up to you.
The Illusory Pavilion housed a wealth of ancient texts. Every Shenhua disciple could freely study them and cultivate the sword path most suitable for themselves.
Jing Tan’er, as one of Sighing Peak’s outstanding disciples, was called up by the instructor to demonstrate for the new students.
Her graceful form and fierce sword dance showed her deep mastery of the Shenhua Nine Forms.
But today, she seemed absent-minded during sword class, unusually quiet, not challenging or provoking Huangmao as she usually did.
The other disciples were also quite surprised—this wasn’t the overbearing Royal Princess they were used to.
Aside from the main courses, the schedule also included the Six Arts of the Sect, as well as cultivator etiquette and Misty Immortal History!
As the Sect Leader Immortal Master said, Shenhua Sect does not raise idlers. Cultivation isn’t just about fighting and killing.
Don’t go down the mountain and travel the Nine Provinces, only able to swing a sword and knowing nothing else.
If you can’t hold a conversation with fellow Daoists from other regions and have no knowledge in your belly, you’ll disgrace your sect.
Therefore, Shenhua disciples advocated for all-around development in virtue, intellect, body, beauty, and labor!
After a busy day, Ji Shiyu and Xiao Xinran were sore all over, too tired to even bicker. What they thought would be an easy academy life was clearly not so simple.
Following the crowd to the Western Courtyard Academy cafeteria, Xiao Xinran slumped onto the table. Meals and lodging were included in the 1,000 spirit stones of Shenhua Sect Tuition collected yesterday.
But this meal—well, the food looked terrible.
The cafeteria’s big-pot dishes tasted like chewing wax and were hard to swallow.
Mountain cultivators knew nothing of cooking.
Looking around at the other disciples, each face was ashen; it seemed they were all used to it.
The outer sect veteran Chang Su was not far off, snickering at the purple-faced Xiao Xinran.
She’d said before that the little girl should have cherished the rare delicacies at home.
Ji Shiyu stuffed her mouth with food, greasy lips moving as she asked curiously.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Are you a pig, huh? You can swallow anything like feed!”
Xiao Xinran, annoyed, pinched her skirt, unable to bring herself to eat. Once again, she missed Xiao Yun’s heartfelt cooking—his skills were unmatched, even better than the clan’s head chef.
“I think it’s fine! If you’re not eating, I won’t be polite—can’t let food go to waste!”
Huangmao licked her red lips and started sweeping up the leftovers.
The thought of eating Xiao Xinran’s food made it taste even better.
“Eat, eat, eat! That’s all you know—may you burst from overeating! You never let anything of mine go! Why don’t you fight this hard for the manure?”
Honestly, I can’t stand this boundary-less bullhead!
The entire Western Courtyard echoed with the red-eyed girl’s scolding of Huangmao, making people laugh and wonder what their relationship really was.
At this time, a certain Yun was wandering in Shenhua Pavilion, looking for a job out of boredom, hoping to find a post to affiliate with and get some sect benefits.
His qi sea was ruined, but his skills were intact.
Getting a job early could still support the family. In the future, maybe he’d contract a mountain nearby, open a shop, and enjoy the protection of the Cloudsea Formation.
“Achoo!”
Yun Liu sneezed. Maybe his little martial aunt, who was away on business, was thinking of him.
Looking up, he saw the sign “Rosy Fragrance Pavilion” hanging high. The shop was bustling, packed with people.
The sect’s main pharmacy was on Clear Mist Peak, but it only accepted female disciples; all the visitors were skilled healer-alchemists.
Rosy Fragrance Pavilion, on the other hand, was a branch pharmacy run by Clear Mist Peak disciples, located on the main street of Shenhua Pavilion, with a sign at the door for apprentice recruitment.
“Now hiring Shenhua disciples with a foundation in herbal knowledge. Preference given to those with refined soul force. Must be hardworking, diligent, and reliable. Meals and lodging included. Generous benefits. Hours and pay negotiable!”
So now that I think about it if you cultivate without a sword then why do you need it? Can’t stone cutting lead to the same result?