LABMY CH104

“Very well, I would like to see what kind of disciple the great Sect Master Jian can produce.”

Shi Miao nearly laughed in anger. “In one year, the Qingyun Fudi (Blessed Land) will open. Only those who have reached the high-level Qi Refinement stage can enter, while those above the high-level Foundation Establishment stage are prohibited. I hope that when the Qingyun Fudi opens, I will see your beloved disciple there.”

“If he fails to reach the high-level Qi Refinement stage within a year, make sure to inform me in advance. Otherwise, if I ask about it in front of everyone, it would damage the reputation of the Wangyun Sect Master.”

Jian Yuanbai sneered in response, “How I train my disciple is my own business. But you, Shi Miao, had better ensure your disciple doesn’t come begging to restore the engagement with mine.”

“My disciple will definitely enter the Qingyun Fudi.”

With that, Jian Yuanbai turned around and left with his people, not giving Shi Miao a chance to respond.

As the Sect Master of the Wenxian Sect, Shi Miao could only watch helplessly as he left, as if walking through an empty world.

This was the reality of the cultivation world—strength was everything. Without power, one could only be trampled upon. Just as the Wenxian Sect had used its influence to force the Mu family into breaking the engagement, they now had to endure the humiliation of accepting the divorce letter from Jian Yuanbai and the Wangyun Sect.

Jian Yuanbai brought Mu Jingzhuo and Mu Chuan back to the Mu family. The entire Mu family, from elders to servants, gathered at the entrance to welcome them. The elders, in particular, were beaming with joy.

“This time, we truly owe it to Sect Master Jian.”

“Indeed, without Sect Master Jian’s intervention, how could our Mu family ever hold our heads high in Taishi Mountain City again?”

“Jingzhuo is our family’s second young master. No matter what, he is the pride of our Mu family. For Shen Zhilan to humiliate him like this in public… unforgivable.”

It was the same group of people who once mocked Mu Jingzhuo for being abandoned that were now showering him with praise after he became the disciple of the Wangyun Sect Master.

As Jian Yuanbai rode the massive dragon into the skies above the Mu family, the other major forces in Taishi Mountain City scrambled to gather information. Upon learning that the Wangyun Sect Master had accepted Mu Jingzhuo as his disciple, their reactions were unanimous:

Reflect on whether they had offended the Mu family in recent days, and if so, hurry to apologize.

There was no doubt about the authenticity of the Mu family’s claim. That giant dragon was proof enough. In the entire Asliga Empire, there was no second person who could manifest such a creature.

Moreover, the Mu family would never dare to lie about such a thing just because the Wangyun Sect Master had passed through their territory. Therefore, the claim was undoubtedly true.

Anyone with even a bit of insight could tell that the power dynamic in Taishi Mountain City was about to shift.

With the support of the Wangyun Sect, the Mu family was bound for greatness.

Even among the crowd welcoming them, there were several representatives from other forces who hadn’t yet left. Watching Mu Jingzhuo and his father descend from the dragon, all their doubts vanished.

Jian Yuanbai showed no interest in these formalities. When Mu Chuan expressed his gratitude, Jian Yuanbai simply replied, “No need for thanks. Little Spoon is my disciple. It is only natural for me to do this.”

He ignored everyone else and responded solely to Mu Chuan, which was a great honor for Mu Chuan. The other elders dared not show any dissatisfaction and merely smiled awkwardly as they entered the Mu family’s main hall.

One of the elders offered, “Sect Master Jian, why not stay for a few days? Though the Mu family is small, we will provide the finest accommodations, wine, and food for your enjoyment.”

Mu Chuan also added, “Indeed, during your stay, Jingzhuo can show you around Taishi Mountain City.”

Jian Yuanbai refused outright. “I still have important matters to attend to and will not stay for long. Little Spoon will not be staying here for long either. Little Spoon, come with me. I have a few words to say to you in private.”

Hearing this, no one dared to interrupt. They simply watched as Mu Jingzhuo followed Jian Yuanbai.

Instinctively, Mu Jingzhuo led him to the back mountain, a place he often visited over the past few years. Along the way, many people noticed them, but the way they looked at Mu Jingzhuo had completely changed.

Envy, jealousy, and fear replaced the mockery and ridicule from just a day ago.

Although the Mu family was his home, the world of cultivation was brutally realistic.

Other than his father and elder brother, no one truly wished for his success.

Such is human nature.

Jian Yuanbai looked at Mu Jingzhuo and asked, “Do you know why your cultivation regressed overnight and why you’ve made no progress for the past three years?”

Mu Jingzhuo shook his head, a bitter smile on his face. “Master, I do not know.”

“For the past three years, I have cultivated tirelessly. Although I can sense the spiritual energy between heaven and earth, I cannot absorb it into my body. No matter how long I practice, my dantian remains empty.”

“Master, with your vast knowledge, do you know the reason behind this?”

Did Jian Yuanbai know?

He didn’t.

So, he turned to the system for answers: “What’s the reason behind his condition?”

The system flipped through the limited plot it had access to and, after some hesitation, replied, “According to the typical ‘Long Aotian’ storyline, there should be an old man living inside his ring, absorbing all the spiritual energy.”

Jian Yuanbai didn’t even hesitate and asked, “Little Spoon, is there an old man in your ring?”

Mu Jingzhuo: …

Old man? What old man?

Blinking in confusion, Mu Jingzhuo replied, “Master, I… I don’t own a ring.”

Jian Yuanbai: “…”

System: “…”

Jian Yuanbai tried another approach, “A family heirloom jade pendant?”

Mu Jingzhuo looked even more confused. “My father never gave me a jade pendant.”

Jian Yuanbai frowned, “An unassuming pendant you bought from a street vendor?”

Mu Jingzhuo shook his head slowly. “Although my cultivation is stagnant, I am still the son of the Mu family patriarch. My clothes and accessories are of the finest quality. I would never buy a trinket from a street vendor.”

The system let out a sigh in Jian Yuanbai’s mind, “This… is going to be difficult.”

Jian Yuanbai resisted the urge to smack the system. “Then why did this identity of mine come all the way to the Mu family to take him as a disciple?”

System: “No idea. The plot didn’t say.”

Jian Yuanbai fell silent for a moment before turning to Mu Jingzhuo. “Try sitting in meditation and absorbing spiritual energy. Let me observe your situation.”

Mu Jingzhuo’s eyes flickered as he obediently sat cross-legged and formed the hand seal, closing his eyes to begin cultivation.

On the surface, he seemed calm, but inwardly, his emotions were turbulent.

His master had arrived at the Mu family out of nowhere, perfectly describing his condition and claiming he was a peerless talent. Yet now, it seemed that even his master himself didn’t understand the root of the problem.

If that was the case, why did his master come directly to the Mu family and take him as a disciple without hesitation?

Mu Jingzhuo couldn’t comprehend it, but deep in his heart, he never doubted his master’s intentions.

After all, Jian Yuanbai’s arrival not only preserved his father’s dignity but also summoned a giant dragon to confront the Wenxian Sect and forcefully annul the engagement. This was something that brought no benefit to Jian Yuanbai, yet he expended a massive amount of spiritual energy just to defend Mu Jingzhuo’s honor.

He trusted his master.

While Mu Jingzhuo cultivated, Jian Yuanbai focused his gaze on him. A faint light flickered in his eyes, carrying an aura of supreme authority as he “saw” through Mu Jingzhuo’s physical condition.

Mu Jingzhuo’s statement wasn’t entirely accurate.

He was absorbing spiritual energy, but instead of flowing into his dantian, the energy was being drawn into his flesh, muscles, and meridians—completely bypassing his dantian.

In cultivation, the human body possesses three dantian: the Lower Dantian, the Middle Dantian, and the Upper Dantian. Spiritual energy typically circulates through these dantian, flowing continuously like water.

For an early-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, spiritual energy is like a gentle stream. As one’s cultivation advances, it becomes a rushing river in the Foundation Establishment stage, and eventually, an endless ocean in the Golden Core stage.

Once the energy breaks through all three dantian, the cultivator achieves the Nascent Soul stage, where the Golden Core shatters and transforms into a Nascent Soul.

However, Mu Jingzhuo’s dantian contained only a pitiful trace of spiritual energy, barely sustained through years of relentless cultivation.

The moment spiritual energy entered his body, it was rapidly absorbed by his flesh and bones, unable to gather in the dantian.

A thought flashed through Jian Yuanbai’s mind: Body Tempering.

Mu Jingzhuo’s physique was naturally suited for the Body Tempering path—a route that ordinary cultivators struggled with, as guiding spiritual energy into one’s physical body was extremely difficult.

Yet for Mu Jingzhuo, it happened effortlessly, even without any special technique.

Jian Yuanbai spoke, “Punch that tree trunk for me.”

Mu Jingzhuo opened his eyes, nodded, and stood up. He gathered all his strength and struck a nearby tree on the cliffside.

The trunk trembled slightly, and a few leaves drifted down.

Mu Jingzhuo’s eyes instantly reddened as he silently hid his scraped fist behind his back.

It hurt. A lot.

Jian Yuanbai calmly explained, “Each time you meditate and cultivate, you are indeed absorbing spiritual energy. However, instead of entering your dantian, the energy flows into your limbs and blood vessels. But this small amount of spiritual energy is not enough to expand your meridians, nor have you learned the proper techniques to control it. As a result, the energy and your bloodline remain incompatible—like water and oil.”

Jian Yuanbai lowered his head slightly and pondered for a moment. “If you continue absorbing spiritual energy day and night without fully integrating it into your flesh and bones, you will eventually suffer spiritual overload and… explode.”

Mu Jingzhuo’s face paled. “Then… what should I do?”

His voice trembled slightly, carrying the faintest hint of a sob.

Jian Yuanbai looked up and saw Mu Jingzhuo’s reddened eyes, and for the first time, felt a twinge of helplessness. Without thinking, he pulled the boy into an embrace.

“With me as your master, there will naturally be a way to help you cultivate.”

Jian Yuanbai couldn’t help but feel a bit of heartache.

After all, Mu Jingzhuo was only fifteen years old.

Upon learning that his body’s condition not only made cultivation difficult but could also lead to death, fear and sorrow were only natural.

As he comforted Mu Jingzhuo, Jian Yuanbai searched through his storage ring for a suitable cultivation technique. As a Mahayana stage cultivator, a single thought allowed him to scan the entire storage space.

Indeed, there was a technique perfectly suited for Mu Jingzhuo — 《Body Refinement Art》.

Jian Yuanbai sighed, “Your condition makes the Body Tempering path most suitable for you. However, this path is far more difficult than ordinary cultivation.”

“It will be extremely painful. Are you afraid, Little Spoon?”

Mu Jingzhuo subtly hid his scraped and bleeding fist behind him, feeling slightly embarrassed. “I… I’m not afraid of pain.”

Compared to being unable to cultivate, Mu Jingzhuo truly wasn’t afraid of pain. However, after nearly crying over a minor injury just moments ago, he couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.

From Jian Yuanbai’s perspective, this was clearly a situation where the future Long Aotian protagonist was scared of pain but was forcing himself to endure.

However, as the destined Long Aotian, even if he was afraid, he still had to persevere.

Jian Yuanbai thought for a moment and said, “I happen to have a Heaven-grade cultivation technique that suits you perfectly.”

“However, this technique is unique. It requires you to reach Foundation Establishment before you can begin practicing it. More importantly, you must first destroy your current cultivation foundation and use the resulting explosion of spiritual energy to shatter all your meridians.”

“Then… you can rebuild from scratch.”

“And this won’t just happen once. At Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul stages, you will need to repeat the process of shattering your foundation and rebuilding it anew.”

“This technique is extremely dangerous. A single misstep will lead to your body exploding and your soul being scattered. Moreover, during the period when your cultivation is destroyed, you will be at your weakest. Even ordinary cultivators could easily kill you.”

Jian Yuanbai glanced at the deep-in-thought Mu Jingzhuo and added, “Of course, as a Heaven-grade cultivation technique, it comes with its advantages. After each time you abolish your cultivation and restart, you will rapidly regain your previous realm. With every breakthrough, your meridians, bones, and body will be tempered. Once you master this technique, even killing a Nascent Soul cultivator while at Foundation Establishment will be as easy as flipping your hand—regardless of whether that Nascent Soul cultivator practices a top-tier or low-tier technique.”

“I won’t interfere with your decision. You must choose for yourself.”

Killing a Nascent Soul while at Foundation Establishment?!

Crossing two realms to slay a higher-level cultivator was something Mu Jingzhuo had never even heard of.

Even the most powerful upper-grade techniques only allowed a Foundation Establishment cultivator to fight a Golden Core cultivator who practiced a lower-tier technique.

Yet this Heaven-grade technique… was truly terrifying.

At this moment, Mu Jingzhuo didn’t know whether to be more shocked that his master possessed a Heaven-grade technique that hadn’t appeared in the Ninefold Continent for centuries or to be terrified by the cruel and demanding cultivation path it required.

But the most critical issue was…

“I can’t even break through to high-level Qi Refinement. How can I reach Foundation Establishment to practice this technique?”

Jian Yuanbai replied calmly, “I will leave a seal on your body that will force spiritual energy to remain within your dantian. However, this seal will gradually loosen every six months, causing your realm to drop slightly. This is to prevent your dantian from being damaged.”

“With your unique physique, you are naturally suited for the Body Tempering path. It will be extremely difficult in the beginning. If you’re willing, I will leave the seal for you.”

Mu Jingzhuo didn’t hesitate in the slightest. His eyes were firm as he said, “I want to learn it.”

In the world of cultivation, the strong ruled over the weak.

The humiliation of the annulled engagement had made Mu Jingzhuo understand this truth more deeply than ever.

“To be a cultivator is to fight against others and defy the heavens. Death and pain are merely minor obstacles along the way.”

“Good!” Jian Yuanbai patted him on the shoulder. “Worthy of being my disciple. I was right to choose you.”

“Sit down. I will place the seal for you.”

Mu Jingzhuo sat cross-legged once more.

Jian Yuanbai raised his hand and traced a complex formation on Mu Jingzhuo’s back. Using his finger as the brush and spiritual energy as ink, golden runes flowed from his fingertips, imprinting themselves onto Mu Jingzhuo’s body.

Atop the cliffside, surrounded by the sea of clouds, the scene was both sacred and awe-inspiring.

After a long moment, Jian Yuanbai withdrew his hand and said, “Cultivation is not merely about accumulating power—it is also about refining the mind and will. Sitting at home meditating all day is not true cultivation.”

“Though I have already taken you as my disciple, your soul token has yet to be placed in the Wangyun Sect, nor have we performed the formal master-disciple ceremony. I will not bring you to Wangyun Sect just yet.”

Mu Jingzhuo was stunned, feeling a bit panicked. “Master…”

“Don’t be afraid,” Jian Yuanbai said calmly.

“The Wangyun Sect is far from here. I want you to make the journey on your own. The day you climb to the summit of Wuwang Peak will be the day I formally declare you as my disciple to the world.”

“This journey will be filled with danger. Do you dare to take it?”

Mu Jingzhuo’s gaze burned with determination. He looked up at Jian Yuanbai and nodded.

“I will reach Wuwang Peak. Please wait for me there, Master.”

Jian Yuanbai nodded in satisfaction. “I have also accepted the challenge on your behalf for the Qingyun Blessed Land one year from now. If you can’t reach Wuwang Peak within a year, then crawl your way to the Qingyun Blessed Land.”

“Understood, Master.”

Mu Jingzhuo, with his youthful face filled with seriousness, nodded solemnly.

“Little Spoon will not bring shame to Master.”

This was the first time Mu Jingzhuo had referred to himself as Little Spoon, and it made Jian Yuanbai’s eyes soften with amusement. He reached out and pinched Mu Jingzhuo’s chubby, baby-fat cheeks.

“Good. Your master will be waiting for you.”

Raising a disciple is so fun.

He’s so cute Jian Yuanbai’s heart itched.

After bidding farewell, Jian Yuanbai took a step forward.

With his first step, he was still visible.

With his second step, he seemed to merge with the clouds.

By the third step, he had vanished entirely.

Mu Jingzhuo quietly watched the endless sea of clouds ahead before closing his eyes and beginning his cultivation once more.

With the seal in place, the spiritual energy he absorbed finally remained in his body.

Mu Jingzhuo was overjoyed.

In the past, he had reached Half-Step Foundation Establishment in just one year.

With the seal to aid him, even if it loosened every six months, he was confident he could reclaim his former glory in no time.

At this moment, Mu Jingzhuo vaguely felt as if he had forgotten something…

But he quickly dismissed the thought and immersed himself in cultivation.

Time passed in an instant.

By the time Mu Jingzhuo exhaled and stood up, he was shocked to discover he had already broken through to mid-stage Qi Refinement.

After three long years of stagnation, he finally experienced the joy of progressing in cultivation once more.

The always stern-faced young boy couldn’t help but smile. His face, flushed with excitement, carried a faint dimple.

In the shadows, Jian Yuanbai couldn’t help but sigh,

“Children really are cuter when they smile.”

The system: “Can you stop playing around? You should be thinking about how to show up by his side with your other identity.”

“When you gave him the excuse of ‘traveling to Wangyun Sect for experience,’ why didn’t you mention that your other identity could accompany him for protection?”

Jian Yuanbai replied calmly, “If the two identities are too closely connected, it’ll be easy to blow my cover. When he encounters danger on the road, I’ll appear at the right moment. Isn’t that more reasonable?”

The system: “…”

Alright. That actually made sense.

At this moment, Jian Yuanbai was lazily lying on a tree branch, flipping through an ancient manual titled 《Body Refinement Art》.

On the first page was a detailed diagram of the human body’s meridians.

On the second page was an illustration of the cultivator’s appearance after mastering the technique.

Jian Yuanbai instinctively sat up straight.

After staring at the image for a long time, he glanced down at the soft and delicate Mu Jingzhuo below.

It was hard to imagine that this soft, fair-faced boy, who blushed easily and still had dimples, would one day become…

A two-meter-tall, muscle-bound beast.

Jian Yuanbai couldn’t help but hold the manual further away from his face, squinting as he examined the illustration again.

“My Little Spoon… is going to become an Iron Ladle…?”

The soft, chubby, dimpled Little Spoon…

Would one day become a giant steel ladle from the sect’s canteen—extra thick, extra large, and extra heavy.

Bang.

Jian Yuanbai closed the manual with a complicated expression and thought to himself:.

Little Spoon… don’t blame me for being ruthless.

No master in this world can feel tenderness… toward an Iron Ladle.

I can’t anyway.