Chapter 54

Lin Jue began learning Fire-element spells from the second senior brother.

These are orthodox Five Elements spells.

He began practicing ingestion and learning how to gather energy.

Every time he chopped wood, he practiced the Wood Escape.

Fetching water was even more frequent—

Usually, they fetch water from the well next to the Taoist temple, but if one is willing to walk a bit further, one can go to Ganquan Creek. The water here is very sweet; taking a sip in the summer can simply wash away the heat.

Further away is Jin Yu Creek, where there are many miscellaneous fish in the water, as well as golden fish; catching some fish and shrimp makes for a wild picnic.

This is water for drinking.

Alchemy also requires water.

Some use water to blend medicines, some use water to carry medicinal properties, and some extract the spiritual resonance from the water.

There are many spiritual springs and creeks in Mount Yishan, such as the Holy Water Spring.

There is also the Nongyue Pool, whose water holds moonlight and Yin essence; if refining Yin-natured pills, it is most suitable, and if refining Yang-natured pills, it also has its uses for blending. There is also the Danxia Creek, which is the opposite of Nongyue Pool. Then there is the Xiangsha Well on Lianhua Peak, which carries the essence of Mount Yishan and must be respectfully requested from the Mountain God. There is also the Zhu Sha Spring below Zhu Sha Peak, where that ancient Great Emperor refined pills and drew water from here.

It is said that a dragon once lived in Yulin Pool, and there is dragon Qi in the water; to this day, villagers from below the mountain still come here to pray for rain during severe droughts.

Lin Jue has no attainments in alchemy and is still at the stage of learning from the second senior brother; even acting as an assistant is a struggle, so he has no choice but to run errands for the second senior brother and do the chores of fetching water.

He has also seen much of the mountain scenery, learned many paths, and eaten who knows how many peaches, plums, and apricots.

The junior sister, meanwhile, began leaving early and returning late.

This young girl's diligence is no less than his.

She might even be secretly chasing after him, unwilling to be weaker than him, and thus works hard in places where Lin Jue cannot see.

Every morning after breakfast, she would take a few boiled eggs and go out, not returning until before dinner in the evening. She would be nowhere to be seen in between, and when asked, she would say she was repairing the road—and indeed, just as Lin Jue had expected, he almost never saw the delicate and fair-skinned junior sister from that day again; from then on, the junior sister he saw was always a dusty version.

Beneath the grime, however, she had a unique, simple charm.

Before he knew it, it was July, the season of flowing fire.

During the hottest time of this year, Lin Jue did feel some heat on the mountain, mostly while doing heavy labor like chopping wood and fetching water. At other times, especially when at the temple, the green tiles provided shade, and sitting still, he could barely feel the heat unless he insisted on going out to bake in the sun. Yet he didn't expect that before he knew it, the summer had passed, and the weather had begun to turn cool.

It was a morning.

Several puppets with oil-painted faces and stiff joints brought food; it was a miscellaneous porridge of rice and some chopped-up vegetables or grasses—he didn't know which—with quite a bit of egg drop floating in it. He guessed they were trying to ensure a daily supply of nutrition, so besides the grassy taste of the vegetables, there was a bit of the fishy smell of eggs.

The seventh senior brother, while pinching seals and casting spells to control these puppets, still had the heart to talk to Lin Jue and the junior sister:

"Tiandoufeng? Of course you can go up."

"It looks so steep!"

"Junior sister, that is where you are wrong! Viewed from afar it becomes a ridge, from the side a peak, far and near, high and low, all different. Junior sister only looks at one side of the mountain, and besides, that is only from a distance; how can you know its full appearance?" the seventh senior brother said. "Tiandoufeng has a side that is steep and difficult to climb, but it also has a side that is barely passable. Of course, it is only barely passable; it depends on whether you can find it and have the guts to climb it."

"Is there a path?"

"A path of stone steps certainly does not exist, unless you are willing to build one. But as long as you are bold and find the right path, even a mortal can reach the top."

"Where is it?"

"You want to go? I can take you today."

"Not today, today is the seventh day of the seventh month, Taoist Master Wangji Zi is going to test us on the 'Wind-Calling' technique," the junior sister said seriously. "After breakfast, we have to go to Xianyuan Temple."

"No wonder you are wearing clean clothes..."

"That's right!"

The puppets began serving food to everyone.

Lin Jue saw the seventh senior brother pinching a spell seal with one hand, while the other hung naturally, his five fingers tapping constantly, seemingly controlling the actions of the puppets through this.

The Dao of spells is so profound.

And how long this road is.

Lin Jue could not help but ponder.

This pot of miscellaneous porridge was as unpalatable as ever.

It could only be said to keep one alive.

Only the junior sister, ever since she became a laborer, had a greatly increased appetite, eating three full bowls.

After breakfast, the two went to Xianyuan Temple.

Leaving the temple, there was a small path through the forest, the surface being mud packed down and covered with fallen leaves. Moving further ahead, they were blocked by dangerous peaks and strange mountains. The seniors of Fuqiu Temple had opened up a path over the mountains and through the rocks, but these paths up and down the mountain were very rough, dangerous to walk, and even more slippery on rainy days. This time when they walked it again, there were already twenty or so steps at the nearest foot of the mountain.

But how long were these twenty or so steps?

If it were a civilian house or pavilion, perhaps one could go up a floor, but for the high mountain in front of them, it was only climbing onto the instep of a foot.

After climbing over this mountain, one still had to climb down.

After passing this mountain, there were still several more.

Lin Jue could not help but glance at the junior sister beside him.

Today was not bad; at least she had changed into a clean Daoist robe, washed her face and hair, and looked vaguely like the junior sister from before, only her skin was a little darker.

"Third Shixiong brother, look!" The junior sister, completely unaware of his worry, pointed at the twenty or so steps and said proudly, "This is the road I built. With steps, it's much easier to walk!"

"It's built very evenly..."

"That goes without saying! The benefits will last for a thousand years!"

"Hmm..."

Lin Jue was thinking about how long she would have to build it.

"My magical power is low, and my spell attainments are not deep. When I first came, I couldn't even build one step a day. But yesterday, I could almost build two steps a day," the junior sister said. "Master said that when I finish building this road to Xianyuan Temple, my 'Stone-Crushing' can be considered a small success."

"And what about 'Wind-Calling'?"

"I learned that too; I use it to blow the dust off the road."

"Junior sister, be careful. The cliff is so dangerous; don't fall off while building the road."

"How could that happen?"

Stepping onto the stone steps, both of their paces were much faster than before.

This was the merit of cultivation.

In fact, merely cultivating spiritual methods does not make one full of stamina and infinitely strong; unless one can become an immortal, no matter how high the Daoist attainment, it is useless. Just as spiritual methods cannot make you omnipotent and capable of anything, they only give you a path to become omnipotent and capable of anything; to have any ability, one must practice additionally. Spiritual resonance exists widely in heaven and earth and has countless wonderful uses, but it does not manifest itself actively. However, after cultivating spiritual methods, if you actively exercise your body, there will naturally be better effects, and you can achieve higher accomplishments; this depends on your own choice.

Lin Jue and the junior sister running up and down the mountain all day was undoubtedly a form of exercise.

Reaching Xianyuan Temple, they were only slightly panting.

Reaching that great hall, Wangji Zi had just lit incense, the curling blue smoke had just risen, and there were already more than a dozen little Daoists sitting in the hall.

The little Daoists were either closing their eyes and focusing, pursing their lips in silence, or turning to whisper to fellow disciples they were close to; some were nervous, some were expectant, and some were completely calm.

It looked as if they were all waiting for Lin Jue and the other.

"You've arrived? You're early today." Wangji Zi sat down and happened to look toward the door.

As soon as the other little Daoists heard this, those who were talking quieted down, those who had their eyes closed opened them, took a look back at them, and then sat up straight.

It seemed they were not only used to waiting for the two, but also used to starting the lecture as soon as the two arrived.

"Greetings, Daoist Master."

The junior sister walked forward and put down her clothes pocket.

She took out some peaches, plums, apricots, and pears and placed them in front of Wangji Zi.

"These are wild fruits from Fuqiu Peak; they are very delicious. We saw them on the way and brought some for you, Taoist Master."

"You have a kind heart."

Wangji Zi could not help but reveal a smile.

The two then returned to their seats.

Showing filial respect to one's teacher is only right and proper.

Especially since they hadn't paid tuition yet.

"Today is the seventh day of the seventh month, the time we agreed to test your spells. It's cool this morning, and it's rare for the sun to come out on the mountain; it's good weather. The only flaw is that it's a bit muggy, so let us blow some wind."

Wangji Zi said leisurely, setting up a wooden board one foot long and wide and about three fingers thick above.

"I visited a friend at Jiulong Temple a few days ago and took some inexpensive pills when I left. They don't have any major effects, but they are good for the physique after eating them.

"Those who disturb the blue smoke get one pill.

"Those who blow these three incense sticks until they glow bright red get two pills.

"Those who blow over the wooden board get three pills.

"I have taught you 'Wind-Calling' for a month now; whatever achievements you have and whatever hard work you have put in, show it now."

As he spoke, many gazes from the little Daoists had already quietly turned toward Lin Jue and the other.

He didn't know if Wangji Zi had said something similar to "Don't embarrass my temple" like Taoist priest Yunhe, but in any case, the little Taoist priests had all heard that Fuqiu Temple had the ability to "know people and know fate," so the disciples selected in each generation were exceptionally gifted. Most were teenagers; how could they easily admit they were inferior to others? Moreover, many among them were competitive, had always been unconvinced in their hearts, and had long been holding their breath.

The junior sister, however, could not help but show nervousness.

Although she was quite talented in the Five Elements and suitable for learning heaven and earth natural spells, her heart and energy during this time had been almost entirely on "Stone-Crushing," and Wind-Calling was only practiced in passing.

Disturbing the blue smoke was naturally no problem.

Even if one hadn't practiced spells, it would be no problem; blowing a breath or fanning a sleeve, how could one not disturb this blue smoke? Setting up this item was just to distribute pills.

To put it bluntly, they were all disciples in the temple.

Blowing the three incense sticks until they glowed was also no problem.

Although the three incense sticks were thick and large, and it was daytime, as long as one puffed up their breath and blew close by, they could still blow them bright. However, if one used spells to blow them to this point, it could be considered that the spell had manifested.

The wooden board, however, was very thick; even if a normal person brought their mouth close and blew hard on the top edge, it would not be easy to knock over.

Using spells would be even harder.

At this time, Wangji Zi's voice had already come.

"Who will go first?"

The old Daoist's gaze swept over everyone one by one.

Some dodged his gaze, some showed hesitation, some waited calmly, and some decided to observe first or prepare themselves before competing with the two from Fuqiu Temple.

Lin Jue, however, had already stood up.

"Daoist Master, I will go."

Without any delay, he just bowed to Wangji Zi, then used his magical power and fanned his sleeve.

"Whoosh—"

The rain bells outside shook and made a sound.

Mountain wind immediately poured in, filling the great hall.

The blue smoke in the room was instantly stirred until it disappeared, and the red light of the thick incense in the furnace glowed brightly, clearly visible even in the daytime.

"Bang!"

The standing wooden board fell down solidly.

But it was far more than that.

The wind roared against the divine statues in the hall, the ornaments under the eaves shook wildly and collided, and even the miscellaneous items placed on the walls were blown down; many people in the room could not open their eyes.

The hearts of the many disciples of Xianyuan Temple suddenly became clear.

"Wait for these two to cast their spells before I cast mine?

"Wait for me to cast my spell, and then immediately ask them to cast theirs?

"If I win, should I say that the disciples of Fuqiu Temple are nothing more than this? This might affect the friendship between our two houses.

"If I win, I will comfort them...

"..."

Whatever thoughts they had in their hearts before, they all disappeared completely at this moment; the words of competition and comparison they had thought of days ago or had been brewing for a long time, reaching the tips of their throats, were all swallowed back.

They even felt fortunate in their hearts that this person hadn't waited until the end, until they had finished their performances, to appear; now, it felt like a favor to them.