Chapter 17: Cricket: Reverse Birth: Three Layers

"Finally, this day has come."

The sky had just begun to lighten when Li Ang woke, his excitement making sleep impossible.

Since he couldn't sleep, he wouldn't sleep.

After a simple wash and rinse, he pushed open the door and stepped outside.

Listening to the occasional chirps of insects around him, Li Ang began practicing the movement arts taught by the sect.

It had no combat utility, only to circulate blood and qi.

With the help of 【Peaceful Mind and Calm Spirit】, his inner state quickly returned to stillness.

Just as Li Ang finished his routine, he noticed Zuo Zuo Ruotong standing quietly beside him, arms folded.

"Master."

Li Ang immediately straightened his posture and bowed.

"Go change into clean clothes," Zuo Zuo Ruotong said upon noticing him. "I'll take you first to pay respects to our Ancestral Master."

"Yes."

According to Sanyi Sect's customs, one must pay respects to the Ancestral Master before receiving transmission—Li Ang had already inquired about this clearly from Lu Jin two days prior.

After wiping away his sweat, he changed into a loose white Daoist robe and followed Zuo Zuo Ruotong all the way to the Ancestral Hall.

Under Zuo Zuo Ruotong's watchful gaze, Li Ang bowed deeply and offered three incense sticks with utmost reverence.

Half a month of life had gradually made him accept his identity as a member of the Sanyi Sect, though his path differed from others in the sect.

After paying respects to the Ancestral Master, Zuo Zuo Ruotong led Li Ang to the square before the main hall.

The square's sides were now lined with members of the Sanyi Sect.

Li Ang walked obediently to the center of the square and knelt down, awaiting his master's instruction.

Zuo Zuo Ruotong sat before the main hall and recited the sect's precepts in a calm tone:

"Act with utmost sincerity."

"Maintain qi and stabilize the spirit."

"Practice the method according to circumstances."

The Sanyi Sect's precepts were brief. Zuo Zuo Ruotong looked down at the kneeling Li Ang and spoke his final words: "These are the laws of my Sanyi Sect. Memorize them well."

"Li Ang, step forward."

At these words, Li Ang rose, climbed the steps, and knelt before Zuo Zuo Ruotong, awaiting the final transmission.

Looking at his disciple so close at hand, Zuo Zuo Ruotong exhaled softly and began to softly recite the heart method of Reverse Birth: Three Layers.

As the final word faded, Li Ang's profession panel finally flashed a notification.

【Occupation acquired: Qi Refiner (Sanyi)】

——

【Occupation: Qi Refiner (Sanyi)】

【Level: 1/20 (0/100)】

【Attribute Bonuses: Physical Strength +0.2 per level, Mental Strength +0.2 per level, Energy +2 per level】

【Occupational Skill: Reverse Birth: Three Layers (Beginner 1/100)】

【Occupational Specialization: Refining Essence into Qi, Returning to Primordial State】

【Transformation Path: Immortal】

——

"It's done!"

Feeling the sudden surge of energy within him, Li Ang felt his entire body relax.

Having lived in this world for half a month, the shadow of death from his previous world had constantly weighed upon his heart—but now, he finally had at least a measure of self-defense.

As he felt the sudden insight into Reverse Birth: Three Layers, Li Ang instinctively began to activate it.

"Reverse Birth: Three Layers is extremely perilous to break through—I'll first guide you—"

Zuo Zuo Ruotong was about to personally instruct Li Ang on practicing Reverse Birth: Three Layers, but his voice gradually faded.

On the usually calm face of this Grand Fulfillment Immortal, a rare look of astonishment appeared.

The Sanyi Sect members on the square, who had been wondering why their sect leader had stopped mid-sentence, now widened their eyes as they saw Li Ang's entire body glowing white.

They stared as if seeing a ghost, murmuring in disbelief: "R-Reverse Birth: Three Layers?!"

There was no doubt—this was the manifestation of completing the first layer of Reverse Birth: Three Layers.

But the problem was—

The disciple kneeling before the sect leader had only just received the heart method of Reverse Birth: Three Layers!

Could someone truly be this gifted—to achieve the first layer the moment they received the method?!

Lu Jin stood among the crowd, gazing at Li Ang on the steps, and suddenly recalled his own joking words from a few days prior.

'Could I possibly be a once-in-ten-thousand cultivation prodigy?'

'Reverse Birth: Three Layers, the cricket'

Dude, you're not kidding, are you?!

Thinking this, the future head of the Lu family opened his mouth wide, staring dazedly around him.

Then he sighed in relief—apparently, he wasn't the only one who thought Li Ang was strange.

In Lu Jin's line of sight, whether it was Master Shi Chong or Senior Brother Cheng Zhen, known as Wei Xuanzi, none of them looked any less stunned than he did.

Only Zuo Zuo Ruotong, as sect leader, had already calmed his emotions.

He gazed at the disciple before him, gently tilting his lips into a smile, and said: "It seems I made the right choice after all."

With his eyesight, he could clearly see that the disciple had only just achieved Reverse Birth: Three Layers—his movements were still clumsy, not the result of hiding his true ability and waiting to astonish everyone now.

"Stop for now—your current strength can't sustain the Reverse Birth state much longer."

Zuo Zuo Ruotong's voice pulled Li Ang back to reality; he exited the Reverse Birth state and felt a sudden emptiness within his body.

The Qi—or energy—that had once filled his body had been quietly depleted.

This was the first time Li Ang had ever experienced this, but it was worth it.

Because Reverse Birth: Three Layers was simply incredible!

To put it in one sentence:

He could take on ten at once!

Just as Li Ang's Thoughts in the heart grew increasingly reckless, Zuo Zuo Ruotong suddenly stood up, stepped before him, and placed his hand on Li Ang's shoulder.

"Don't become addicted to power."

"The Sanyi Sect, as Zuoweixuan Sect, cultivates the Dao; Reverse Birth: Three Layers is merely a means to attain the Dao."

Zuo Zuo Ruotong understood Li Ang's feelings—after all, most Sanyi Sect disciples felt pride after first achieving Reverse Birth: Three Layers.

He was no exception.

But as long as one corrects oneself in time, these are not problems.

As a teacher, Zuo Zuo Ruotong's role was to guide his disciples away from the wrong path.

Hearing this, Li Ang felt as if doused with cold water—he instantly calmed down.

He lowered his head and said respectfully, "I remember your teachings, Master."

"But next time, don't break through so recklessly," Zuo Zuo Ruotong said, his expression calm, looking at his disciple. "As long as I'm not in seclusion, you may come to me anytime with questions about Reverse Birth."

Every Sanyi Sect disciple's Reverse Birth: Three Layers was personally taught by Zuo Zuo Ruotong—in other words, apart from Si Chong, all were his direct disciples.

Li Ang was no exception.

"I understand."

After the transmission ritual ended, Zuo Zuo Ruotong withdrew his hand from Li Ang's shoulder and said calmly, "You must be exhausted today—go rest. Don't forget your evening devotions."

With that, he turned and left, hands behind his back.

The moment Zuo Zuo Ruotong left, the square erupted into chaos, buzzing with noise.