A Night of Desperation

Chapter 287: 1

"Teacher, are you worried?" Xun Yang, the young disciple standing behind Yu Mo, asked in a low voice. She seemed to have noticed something.

"Fairly well... it’s just... I’m feeling a little uneasy," Yu Mo sighed.

He knew that nowadays, Qingchen Temple, in the eyes of other Taoist Sects, had completely become an ordinary force known only for amassing wealth.

"Actually, Temple Master is not unwilling to spare just an Official Disciple spot. The fear is that if you ask for one, then the rest of the senior teachers will each want one too, and if this precedent is set, it will be a great burden on the Temple," the young disciple Xun Yang quietly moved closer and explained.

"You’re quite the clever one," Yu Mo laughed, having naturally also thought of this.

After some thought, he reviewed the development of the Taoist Temple over the past few years.

"It’s rare for the Dao Seed Class to produce a promising seed, and although he’s old, and his Daoist Skills definitely can’t progress as fast as Zheng Ming and the other three, hope should still be given."

Pondering, Yu Mo spoke softly.

"In the future, let Yu Hong and Guo Shangdong join Zheng Lin and the others for combined classes. For the resources that are lacking, we’ll stick to the old rule—the first year, I will cover it. After all, their stages of cultivation are low, so not much is needed. Let’s try it out first and see, give them a chance. There’s no need to inform the senior brothers about this."

"Yes, and what about the transmission of Magic Skills and resolving doubts? Will it be done together as before?"

"Together. Only with comparison can both sides have a clearer understanding. Let Yu Hong and the others understand that it’s not favoritism on our part, but rather that age is a great obstacle to cultivation. And for Zheng Ming and them, it can also serve as a warning, making them realize that once you’re past a certain age, there’s no chance to remedy it."

While speaking, Yu Mo looked at the other senior brothers fighting over interests, squabbling like the aunties in a supermarket.

He previously could not understand the elders’ pursuit of pure Daoist Skills, but now, he seemed to have some understanding.

Within a Taoist Sect, there always had to be some who persist in purity and carry the burden forward, otherwise…

That was also why he was secretly using his own resources to train disciples with perseverance.

Perhaps it was because his conscience hadn’t completely faded, or perhaps because of an inexplicable anxiety about the future, he felt that he should try to change the current situation a bit.

Of course, if he was really asked to give up his comfortable life now, that was impossible.

After all, understanding is one thing, but enjoyment is still necessary. At most, share a little in private to help potential disciples and add depth to our own Sect.

As for the contempt and disdain from other Taoist Sects, just endure it during the big meetings—it’s only for a few days in a year anyway.

This is called enduring a moment for calm seas and gentle winds.

*

*

*

Qingchen Temple’s application was granted as wished, and Yu Hong also began his routine Cultivation career.

After chanting scriptures for a month, one morning just after six o’clock, he was already seated in the courtyard behind the great hall, with the four from the Dao Seed Class and Guo Shangdong who came along, seriously beginning to recite the Daoist Scripture.

At seven o’clock, a Taoist came to call them for breakfast.

The breakfast spot was in a steamed bun shop next door.

By the small wooden table, Yu Hong and Guo Shangdong sat opposite each other, with two small steamer baskets of buns in front of them, each with a cup of sweet soy milk, a cooked chicken egg, and a raw cucumber.

"Speaking of which, Xiao Dong, why do you still come to class with such persistence? Didn’t others take the Amulet and go back?" Yu Hong asked while biting into a bun.

He was sure that the other was just an ordinary person, yet he could persist as long as he did, which was definitely a good seedling.

It was indeed surprising that a wealthy second-generation could have such strong perseverance.

"Ah..." Guo Shangdong shook his head and sighed, "If you also had a grandfather at home who whipped you with a stick all the time, you’d probably be even more diligent than me... I don’t want to either... but when I go home my grandfather actually checks on my Daoist Scripture recitations! Who the hell can stand it??"

"You really have it tough..." Yu Hong reacted with a chuckle.

"Brother Guo is still the same as before, with that old-fashioned look, I didn’t expect you to be the same now..." From one side of the two, a figure of a Taoist walked over, resting a hand on the edge of the table. It turned out to be their master, Taoist Yu Mo.

This old man sat down on the bench next to the table.

"You don’t mind if I join, do you? Speaking of which, the prices these days have risen quite a bit, haven’t they? Last year, the breakfast we contracted with the shop here only cost two-thirds of the current price, and it has gone up quite a lot this year."

He complained while shaking his head as he picked up a bun and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Ding Rou | Ding Jing, greeting Teacher."

Yu Hong and Guo Shangdong quickly got up and bowed.

"Let’s not be so formal; we’re not in class right now, we’re just eating and drinking here, let’s not disturb the atmosphere," the Taoist Yu Mo chuckled and waved his hand.

"Yes." The two promptly sat down again.

The three of them gathered around a table, eating breakfast together. Taoist Yu Mo casually asked a few questions about the Daoist Scripture, which Yu Hong and Guo Shangdong both answered well, to his satisfaction.

"Actually, among the Dao Seed Class, you two have the best perseverance and the ability to persist, which everyone has witnessed. So, I was thinking, to see if you’re willing to take a step further. To formally begin Cultivation and enter the practice of Daoist Skills," Taoist Yu Mo asked with a smile.

"Is that possible??" Yu Hong was stunned; he had thought it would take more time and didn’t expect to catch the other’s eye so soon.

"Of course, it’s possible. In reality, Daoist Skills aren’t that important. What’s needed is persistence. No matter how strong the talent, one must persist like water wearing down a stone," Yu Mo nodded, "But, because you are older, it’s impossible to reshape the meridians, and you have also seen the situation of my Qingchen Temple, so this subsequent Cultivation might be far inferior to the Dao Seed Class. Of course, don’t be discouraged by such events, as long as you persist, it’s enough to prolong life, and dealing with some minor problems will not be difficult."

"These are all small matters. We are idealistic people. We come to pursue cultivation and join the class not for these things, but because we admire the Taoist way." Yu Hong stated earnestly.

"Exactly! The disciple isn’t someone ignorant of what’s good for him. To still want to outdo those who started cultivating from a young age at this old age, it indeed reflects naivety." Guo Shangdong quickly added. At the same time, he couldn’t help but steal a glance at Yu Hong because the words he had just said required a considerable amount of nerve to utter.

"Good, it’s best if you can think this way." Yu Mo nodded with satisfaction. Then, he took out two sheets of paper from the pocket of his Daoist robe and handed them respectively to the two Yu Hongs.

"Here, this is the fundamental magic skill of Qingchen Temple. Take it and study it well, memorize it. Recite it silently in your heart three hundred times every day. When you reach the set progress, you will naturally feel a strand of Inner Strength spontaneously emerge within you."

"Master, does Inner Strength really exist in this world? Could it be that all those stories about experts with internal mastery in novels are true?" Guo Shangdong couldn’t help asking curiously.

"Of course, it’s true. Inner Strength naturally exists," Yu Mo said, nodding with a smile. "Inner Strength, as the name suggests, it’s the power within the human body, it’s the term opposite to external strength, but the term was specifically coined by the ancients for the sake of convenience in description."

Internal power??

"..."

"..."

Yu Hong and Guo Shangdong had never thought that the explanation would be so simple, and both were dumbfounded for a moment.

"The power of the muscles in various parts of the internal organs is also considered Inner Strength. There’s actually another interpretation for Inner Strength, which refers to the force that affects one’s own internal systems. Its effect is to temper one’s own physique, strengthen the body’s energy, and Inner Strength training is to work on the inside. Do you understand?" Yu Mo explained with a smile. It was clear that these two had misunderstood from reading novels.

He patted Yu Hong on the arm.

"Look at the muscles on your body, these big muscles that have been built through fitness, are ’dead strength’, not flexible enough. The muscles built through external exercises can only work on large muscle groups. In contrast, Inner Strength training focuses on smaller muscle groups, as well as the tempering of the spirit. The latter is key."

He poked open a carton of soy milk with a straw and took a sip.

"Tempering the spirit can allow a person to unlock all his potential and strength. When facing some things that ordinary people cannot comprehend, one can remain unbeaten without revealing any flaws. Only when one stands invincible oneself, then is there room to find the opponent’s flaws."

"Amazing! Worthy of being our master!" Guo Shangdong immediately gave a thumbs up. "Did you hear that? All the muscles on your body are ’dead muscles’; you need to properly cultivate Inner Strength." He also patted Yu Hong on the arm as he spoke.

Yu Hong: "..."

After breakfast, the two received the official Daoist Skills, which were the fundamental methods of Qingchen Temple—the Guanwu Skill. They also received a one-year qualification period from Yu Mo, during which the temple would provide for their cultivation needs for free; they only needed to pay for basic tuition and miscellaneous fees.

Holding the document, Yu Hong quickly looked it over on the way back.

This magic skill was very simple, just a set of somewhat tongue-twisting scriptures, and the scripture didn’t seem to carry any meaning, being just a mixture of discrete phrases.

He took it home and immediately began reciting it silently in his heart.

Right now, the Black Mark was still in the enhancement camp and couldn’t be used, so he planned to try practicing on his own first.

The practice of Guanwu Skill quickly got on the right track. Yu Hong persistently recited it silently morning and night, soon committing it to memory.

By now, he no longer needed a translator, he had no trouble with the Second Night Language whether it was listening, speaking, reading, or writing.

After chatting with them that day, Yu Mo never had another private interaction with them. He appeared once a week, and the rest of the time, he was either traveling domestically or internationally or living it up with beauties at dinners and on vacations. Life was rich and varied.

After joining the Dao Seed Class, Yu Hong and his companion could often feel the disregarding attitude of the four-person Dao Seed team.

Indeed, neglect.

The Dao Seed Class seemed to consider it normal to ignore them, students of the Golden Jade refining class; they didn’t even bother to speak to them after class, and would just stand up and leave.

The foremost among them, Taoist Zheng Ming, was rumored to be a famous genius within the temple, and his attitude was even more apparent.

But with the Daoist Skills in hand, Yu Hong also had no time to engage in any student relationships. Because of his specialty, Dao Breath Circulation, he also included Guanwu Skill into his automatic cultivation routine.

"...! I’ve... entered the door (initial success)?"

Inside the rental.

Yu Hong woke up from sleep and was astonished to find a cool breath circulating slowly in his head, like a loop, flowing from the left temple to the right and cycling back and forth.

Looking at his own temples slightly bulging in the mirror.

He suddenly had the illusion that he himself was a genius.

"If it wasn’t for the assistance from the specialty Dao Breath Circulation, I might have really believed I was a genius..."

Feeling the circulating breath in his head, Yu Hong wasn’t clear about the standards of Qingchen Temple, but from Yu Mo’s words, he could infer that normally, it was impossible to achieve results in just a few days.

’So, next, shall I experience what it feels like to be a genius?’

He stroked his chin. After entry, he hadn’t received any follow-up cultivation methods, so he could only go to see Yu Mo unless he intended to deliberately delay to hide his progress.

However, the Black Disaster was urgent, and he couldn’t afford to wastefully relax. Demonstrating his talent through normal channels to gain influence was also a method.

After sorting himself out in the rental, Yu Hong first went to Qingchen Temple. He found Yu Mo’s Daoist apprentice Xun Yang.

Xun Yang was playing cards with two other little Daoist apprentices. When she heard what Yu Hong whispered, the cards in her hand slipped due to lack of strength, and she stood up abruptly.

"Really?!"

She stared at Yu Hong with wide eyes. "This kind of thing cannot be spoken lightly; practicing subsequent cultivation techniques in advance could lead to mental derangement and cause mental illness!"

"It’s true! You can ask about the details." Yu Hong nodded in confirmation.