txolops Chapter 10: People from the Sect Arrive
Chapter 10: People from the Sect Arrive
Back in her courtyard, Shen Moqi put her backpack on the table and took a deep breath.
After retrieving his backpack from the stone, he hadn't had a chance to examine it closely. Now, in the dead of night, it was the perfect time.
He opened his backpack, and the phone lay there quietly. He pressed the power button, but there was no response—it was long dead. Fortunately, the hand-cranked charger was also there.
He sat down and began cranking the handle, one click at a time. In the quiet night, the creaking mechanical sound was exceptionally clear, like some ancient ritual.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the screen finally lit up briefly. He continued shaking it until the battery icon jumped to 5%, then he stopped.
Turn on.
As the familiar AI interface slowly appeared, Shen Moqi looked at the phone screen, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him—this little thing had helped him win that battle, saved a city, and changed his destiny.
"From now on, you'll be called Xiao Jiu." He had originally intended to say Xiao Ba, but then realized that wouldn't be right, so he changed his mind in a low voice, holding the phone to his mouth, "I need your help."
The screen flickered, and a cold, electronic voice announced: "[Thank you for the name. From now on, I'll be Xiao Jiu. Please describe your problem.]"
Shen Moqi took a deep breath and briefly recounted her experiences over the past few days—how she embarked on the path of immortality, how she sensed spiritual energy, how she guided energy into her body, and how she discovered the predicament of slow absorption and even slower refining. She spoke in great detail, including the principles about the grade and attributes of spiritual roots explained by the Imperial Preceptor.
Finally, he took out the book "Luo Xiao Basic Breathing Method" and showed it to the camera page by page.
"This is the cultivation technique I'm currently practicing. Can you help me analyze it?"
The phone remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly processing a message.
[Data scan complete.] Xiao Jiu finally replied, [Analysis shows this is a beginner-level exercise, complete in content, but without any special optimizations. Based on the existing database, we cannot provide targeted improvement suggestions.]
Shen Moqi's heart sank.
【However—】Xiao Jiu changed the subject, 【According to data from 'Cultivation Novels' stored in the database, the grade of a cultivation technique has a significant impact on cultivation speed. Higher-level techniques can often guide the flow of spiritual energy more efficiently, improving absorption and refining efficiency. Recommendation: Find a higher-level cultivation technique.】
Shen Moqi was stunned.
Cultivation novels? He almost forgot that Xiao Jiu had learned almost everything from the world before she transmigrated, including various novels, many of which were cultivation novels. In those novels, the protagonists often made rapid progress in their cultivation after obtaining a high-level cultivation technique.
"But..." he hesitated, "I haven't even entered the door yet, where am I supposed to find advanced cultivation techniques?"
[Insufficient information, unable to answer.] Xiao Jiu replied crisply.
Shen Moqi gave a wry smile. Indeed, no matter how powerful Xiao Jiu was, she was just a tool; she couldn't conjure up cultivation techniques out of thin air.
He put his phone aside, lay on the bed, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
The moonlight outside the window was like water, spilling onto the bedside. He touched the spirit stone in his arms, then looked at the thin booklet on the table, feeling a mix of emotions.
Is there hope? Yes. Xiao Jiu at least gave him a direction—to find advanced cultivation techniques.
But this direction is as far away as the stars in the sky—visible, but untouchable.
He rolled over and closed his eyes. No matter what, the journey must go on. Starting tomorrow, he'd continue his cultivation.
---
In the days that followed, Shen Moqi returned to her state of rigorous self-cultivation.
He would get up before dawn every day to meditate and continue practicing until late at night. Following the methods in the "Basic Breathing Techniques of Luo Xiao," he would guide spiritual energy into his body again and again, refining it each time.
Progress is possible, but extremely limited.
He tried to use the spirit stone several times, but each time he took it out, he put it back.
The Imperial Advisor said that spirit stones are for breaking through bottlenecks, not for daily cultivation. He hasn't even stabilized the first level of Qi Refining yet, so using spirit stones would be too wasteful. Besides, there's only such a small piece; once it's used, it's gone.
He carefully kept the spirit stone close to his body and continued his arduous cultivation.
But as the days went by, there was still no sign of the second level of Qi Refining.
My mood started to become irritable again. Although it wasn't as bad as before, the thought of "Am I really not good enough?" would always pop up in the quiet of the night and swirl around in my mind.
---
That evening, Qingfeng suddenly came to find him.
"Young Master Shen! Your martial uncle wants you to go to the main hall; a distinguished guest has arrived!"
Shen Moqi was taken aback: "A distinguished guest?"
Qingfeng nodded, a hint of curiosity on his face: "He's an old immortal I've never seen before. You should go quickly!"
Shen Moqi's heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely guessed what was going on. He straightened his clothes and followed Qingfeng toward the main hall.
As he walked through the corridor, he couldn't help but ask, "Qingfeng, what kind of person is that old immortal?"
Qingfeng thought for a moment and said, "He's very old, his hair is completely white, but his complexion is exceptionally good, rosy and healthy. He's wearing a grayish-blue Taoist robe, and he sits there like a statue, completely still."
Shen Moqi nodded, feeling even more certain.
Upon reaching the entrance of the main hall, Qingfeng stopped and gestured for him to go in.
Shen Moqi took a deep breath and stepped across the threshold.
Inside the main hall, the Imperial Preceptor remained seated on the same prayer mat. But opposite him sat another person—
He was an old man with white hair and beard, a gaunt face, but skin as rosy as a baby's. He wore a grayish-blue Taoist robe, the hem of which hung motionless on the ground. His eyes were half-closed, as if he were asleep, or perhaps gazing at something far away.
Just sitting there, the atmosphere of the entire main hall changed. Shen Moqi couldn't quite describe the feeling—it was as if the air had suddenly become heavy, as if something invisible was pressing down on her shoulders, not heavy, but making her afraid to be unrestrained.
"Junior brother, you've arrived." The Grand Preceptor's voice rang out, waking him from his daze. "Come and greet Steward Zhao."
Shen Moqi quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Junior Shen Moqi greets Steward Zhao."
The old man opened his eyes.
In that instant, Shen Moqi felt as if he had been struck by two bolts of lightning. The gaze was so bright that he almost dared not look directly at it. But in just a moment, the light faded, and the old man returned to his half-asleep, half-awake state.
"Hmm," the old man responded softly, his voice hoarse yet deep, "Is this the child?"
The Imperial Advisor nodded: "Indeed, a mid-grade Yellow-level spiritual root."
"What about spiritual root attributes?" The old man glanced at the Grand Preceptor and continued to ask.
The Imperial Advisor replied, "It has both wood and fire attributes."
Shen Moqi didn't know why the Imperial Advisor had concealed the fact that he possessed all five elements, instead telling the old man about his dual wood and fire attributes. But he wouldn't be foolish enough to expose the Imperial Advisor now.
The old man slightly raised his eyelids and glanced at Shen Moqi. His gaze wasn't as piercing as before, but it gave Shen Moqi the feeling that he had seen right through her—from the inside out, completely transparent.
"A mid-grade Yellow-rank cultivator with dual attributes..." the old man murmured, his tone unreadable, neither praising nor regretting. "He's quite a promising talent. There are billions of mortals, but only a few who can cultivate."
He paused, looked at the Grand Preceptor, and took out some spirit stones from a cloth bag he carried with him: "These twenty spirit stones are a reward from the sect. I'll take the person with me."
The Imperial Advisor smiled and accepted the spirit stone: "Thank you, Uncle-Master. Please wait a moment while my junior brother goes back to pack. I'll also give him a few words of advice."
The old man nodded: "Go ahead."
Shen Moqi followed behind the Imperial Preceptor, full of questions but unsure how to ask. Once they entered Shen Moqi's courtyard, the Imperial Preceptor casually cast a spell, and Shen Moqi suddenly noticed a faintly visible light barrier surrounding them. The surroundings became eerily quiet; even the birdsong had abruptly ceased.
Shen Moqi was greatly surprised, her eyes flashing with excitement, "Is this the method of immortals?"
"Junior brother, don't be surprised. This is a soundproof barrier, just a small spell. You'll learn it in the future. Now, there's something I need to explain to you."
Looking at the Grand Preceptor's solemn demeanor, Shen Moqi thought, "Who are they trying to protect themselves from? Could Steward Zhao really hear them talking from so far away? The immortals' methods are truly unbelievable!"
"Do you know why I told Steward Zhao that you have dual-attribute spiritual roots?" The Imperial Advisor interrupted Shen Moqi's reverie.
Shen Moqi came to her senses. Although she had some suspicions that the Imperial Preceptor was hiding his spiritual root attributes of all five elements, she still replied, "Junior Brother does not know."
"I'm telling you now, so you won't accidentally let it slip and cause trouble for both of us." The Grand Preceptor paused, seemingly considering his words. "I offer rewards for bringing disciples into the sect, and you saw Deacon Zhao give me spirit stones. The sect probably won't accept someone with all five elements in their spiritual root, so you wouldn't be able to enter, and I wouldn't get the reward. Therefore, this is the best outcome. Do you understand?"
Shen Moqi thought for a moment and said, "Won't we be tested on our spiritual roots again after entering the sect?"
The Imperial Advisor looked into Shen Moqi's eyes and said, "Your ability to cultivate to the first level of Qi Refining has already proven that you have spiritual roots, so the sect will not conduct any further tests."
"However," the Grand Preceptor continued solemnly, "from now on, you must use wood and fire elements when you use magic. Even if you learn magic of other elements, do not use it in front of others. Don't create trouble for yourself."
Shen Moqi was startled. He saw a cold glint in the Grand Preceptor's eyes, so he quickly said, "Junior Brother will remember Senior Brother's reminder."
"Alright, pack your things and let's go out!" The Grand Preceptor returned to his usual demeanor, but Shen Moqi knew that this was just a facade; the Grand Preceptor from before was his true self.
Shen Moqi nodded, turned around and went inside to pack her things. Actually, there wasn't much to pack—a few changes of clothes, the book "Luo Xiao Basic Breathing Techniques", a spirit stone, and that old backpack.
He stuffed his phone into the innermost part of his backpack, and also put the hand-cranked charger away.
After tidying up, he stood in the house and looked around. He had lived in this small courtyard for over a month. From knowing nothing at the beginning to now embarking on the path of immortality, this was his first foothold in this world.
He took a deep breath and pushed open the door to go out.
The Imperial Advisor still stood in the courtyard, the soundproof barrier removed. Moonlight shone on him, and his green robe fluttered slightly in the night breeze, giving him a truly ethereal and otherworldly air.
"Let's go," the Imperial Advisor said.
The two walked towards the main hall, one after the other.
On the way, Shen Moqi couldn't help but ask, "Senior brother, what is Deacon Zhao's cultivation level?"
The Imperial Preceptor continued walking, replying calmly, "Late Foundation Establishment stage."
Shen Moqi was startled. Late Foundation Establishment? That's a whole realm higher than the Imperial Preceptor! No wonder the atmosphere in the entire main hall changed when he sat there.
"Then, senior brother, you..."
"Eighth level of Qi Refining." The Imperial Preceptor spoke calmly. "In the world of cultivation, each step is a new level. Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining may seem like only one realm apart, but in reality, they are worlds apart. If Deacon Zhao wanted to kill me, it would be as easy as snapping his fingers."
Shen Moqi fell silent.
We've arrived at the main hall.
Deacon Zhao remained seated on the prayer mat, in the exact same posture as before, as if he had never moved. Seeing them enter, he slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over Shen Moqi before glancing at the Imperial Preceptor.
"Have you finished explaining?"
The Imperial Advisor bowed: "Yes, Uncle-Master."
Deacon Zhao nodded and stood up. He looked at the Grand Preceptor, his tone carrying a hint of elder's gentleness: "You've been training outside for several years, and your temperament has become much more composed. However, you still need to intensify your cultivation and strive to reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. If you can reach the Qi Refining Perfection stage when you return to the sect in three years, you may be rewarded with Foundation Establishment Pills."
A hint of joy flashed in the Grand Preceptor's eyes, and he bowed again: "Thank you, Uncle-Master."
Deacon Zhao waved his hand and looked at Shen Moqi: "Little one, let's go."
He stepped out of the main hall. Shen Moqi quickly followed, and when they reached the door, he glanced back at the Imperial Advisor.
The Imperial Advisor nodded slightly but remained silent.
Shen Moqi took a deep breath and stepped across the threshold.
In the courtyard, the moonlight was like water. Deacon Zhao stood in the center of the courtyard and took out a palm-sized object from his sleeve. Shen Moqi looked closely and saw that it was an exquisite little boat, its body bluish-gray, carved with cloud patterns, and it shimmered faintly in the moonlight.
With a flick of his wrist, Deacon Zhao tossed the small boat into the wind, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a large ship over three zhang long, hovering in mid-air, with clouds and mist faintly swirling around its hull.
Shen Moqi was dumbfounded.
"Go up," said Steward Zhao.
Shen Moqi snapped out of her daze and quickly followed. Deacon Zhao lightly leaped onto the boat. Shen Moqi, however, did not have the same skill and was wondering how to get on when she suddenly felt a gentle force supporting her waist and gently lifting her onto the boat.
He stood on the boat, looking down. The Imperial Preceptor was still standing in the courtyard, looking up at them. In the moonlight, the man in the green robe looked somewhat lonely.
"Senior brother—" Shen Moqi shouted, "Thank you!"
The Imperial Advisor did not respond, but simply nodded slightly.
Deacon Zhao walked to the bow of the ship and cast a spell. The ship trembled slightly, then slowly rose higher and higher—the roof of the observatory became smaller and smaller, and the entire city of Yanjing gradually unfolded beneath their feet, like a miniature map.
Shen Moqi lay on the ship's railing, her eyes wide as she watched everything unfold. The night wind whistled past her ears, but it wasn't biting; instead, it carried a gentle warmth. The city below receded into the distance, its lights gradually blurring until they finally disappeared beneath the clouds.
He suddenly thought of Shi Tou, Zhang Cheng, and the children at Anjitang.
Once I leave, I really don't know when I'll be able to return.
"First time flying in the sky?" Deacon Zhao's voice came from the front.
Shen Moqi turned around and saw the old man standing with his hands behind his back at the bow of the boat, his robes fluttering in the wind, yet he was as steady as if nailed to the boat.
"Yes, senior," Shen Moqi replied honestly.
Deacon Zhao glanced at him and said indifferently, "You'll get used to it eventually, and it won't seem strange. In the cultivation world, flying and escaping are commonplace."
Shen Moqi nodded, but a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.
Flying and disappearing into the earth are commonplace.
What if we shatter the void and return to the original world?
He touched the backpack in his arms; the phone lay there quietly. Moonlight shone through the clouds, falling on his face, cool as water.
The ship continued forward, disappearing into the boundless night.