Volume One: The Dragon Soul Awakens Chapter 5: Is Sweeping the Floor Also a Form of Cultivation?

"Mr. Shen!" Mo Xing called out in surprise when he saw the elderly man behind him.

"Young man, keep your voice down," Mr. Shen said as he walked past Mo Xing with a broom in hand. "If you have nothing urgent, please step aside and don't get in the way of my sweeping."

"I have so many questions to ask you," Mo Xing replied anxiously, as restless as an ant on a hot pan.

"Then you’re asking the wrong person. Can’t you see I’m busy?" Mr. Shen answered coldly.

"Please, just let me say two words!" Mo Xing pleaded.

He quickly ran to stand in front of Mr. Shen, but the old man paid him no mind and continued sweeping.

"Just two sentences!" Mo Xing persisted.

"Go on, I’m listening," Mr. Shen murmured.

"Thank you for saving me before," Mo Xing said earnestly.

"It was just a coincidence," Mr. Shen replied.

"With your skills, how could you just be a janitor?" Mo Xing asked, puzzled.

"That's exactly what I am—a janitor," Mr. Shen replied, raising his head with utmost seriousness. Mo Xing gazed into those deep, abyss-like eyes, seeing the weight of countless stories of gratitude and grievance swirling within.

"Are you finished? I need to get back to work," Mr. Shen lowered his head and bent over to continue sweeping.

"No matter who you are," Mo Xing blocked his path, "could you teach me a move or two?"

"Don’t be ridiculous, young man," Mr. Shen said, squinting at him. "I’m not a teacher; I can’t teach you."

"Then... then let me be your student!" Mo Xing declared.

"You should go back to sleep," Mr. Shen chuckled. "Lack of rest will dull your mind."

"I mean it!" Mo Xing insisted.

"All right, all right, I’ll teach you a couple of moves," Mr. Shen finally set his broom aside. "What do you want to learn?"

"How to control my power," Mo Xing replied.

"That’s simple," Mr. Shen handed him the broom. "Take this and do what I say."

"A broom?" Mo Xing took it, bemused.

"Yes. Sweeping will help you stabilize your control," Mr. Shen nodded.

"Are you serious?" Mo Xing asked dubiously. "Are you sure you’re not just making me work for you?"

"This is a kind of training too," Mr. Shen replied.

"Huh?" Mo Xing was even more confused.

"Listen to my instructions," Mr. Shen cleared his throat, "Sweep three times to the left, then three to the right, and repeat continuously."

Mo Xing sighed but, lacking any other method to stabilize his power, followed as instructed.

"Faster!" Mr. Shen barked.

Mo Xing moved more quickly.

"Faster still!" Mr. Shen called out again.

Mo Xing increased his speed.

"Not enough, faster!" Mr. Shen shook his head.

"Even faster?" Mo Xing swung the broom so quickly his body was nearing its limits.

"Yes!" Mr. Shen paused, then said, "When I give the word, throw the broom ahead with all your strength."

"Okay." Mo Xing kept sweeping, dust rising into the air. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, and he quickly shut his eyes to keep the dust out.

"Throw!"

At the command, Mo Xing hurled the broom with all his might. In the distance, there was a dull thud.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw that a small dent had been smashed into the wall on the right. Leaves fluttered in the air, fruit scattered across the ground, the broom lying unscathed nearby.

"What just happened?" Mo Xing asked in astonishment.

No one answered. When Mo Xing turned around, Mr. Shen was already gone.

"Mr. Shen, where are you?"

From afar, the clock tower chimed. Birds chirped in the distance. Mo Xing was the only one left on the street.

He felt a power stirring inside him, so he opened his palm. A faint white light rose with the sun on the horizon, shimmering in the air—

He could control his own power now!

Morning, at the Brightwing Academic Building.

After breakfast, Mo Xing sat on a chair watching a variety of classmates enter the classroom.

This was his first theory class at Saint Sky Royal Academy. The seats were arranged in rows, with students scattered throughout, much like a university lecture hall.

"Ahem."

At the sound, he looked toward the door where a middle-aged man stood, holding two books, a water flask, and a ruler. An air of seriousness filled the room. The previously noisy students immediately quieted down and sat properly.

The man placed his books on the lectern, glanced at the students, then turned to write several large words on the board:

"Profession, Rank, Element."

"I am your theory teacher—Long Lian," the man announced. "Of course, you may also call me by my given name—Zuo Wu Midesius Long Lian."

"We’ll just call you Professor Long Lian!" someone called out. The other students greeted him as well.

"All right, let’s begin," Long Lian said, donning his glasses and pointing his ruler at the word ‘Profession’ on the board.

"Let’s talk first about choosing your profession. This is something you freshmen will soon face," Long Lian said. "According to the latest textbooks, professions are divided into five main categories: Warrior, Archer, Mage, Holy Knight, and Shadow Assassin."

Mo Xing thought, Aren’t these just like the classes in games? The resemblance is uncanny—how interesting!

"Due to differences in weapons and specialization, Warriors are further divided into Swordsmen, Berserkers, Spellblades, and so on; Archers into Dual Pistols, Bowmen, Gunners; Mages into Elementalists, Summoners, and so forth; Holy Knights into Healers, Heavy Knights, and others," Long Lian continued. "That’s the general idea."

"Professor Long Lian, you forgot to mention Shadow Assassin," Mo Xing raised his right hand.

"Ah, yes, thank you for the reminder," Professor Long Lian admitted.

"The Shadow Assassin profession is more complex. In terms of weapons, they use darts, daggers, and various hidden tools—these are the classic assassin types. In addition, there are some who emulate animal and beast attacks, known as Shapeshifting Assassins, a branch of assassins as well."

"Isn’t that Mo Xing from the news?" a boy nearby whispered, pointing at Mo Xing.

"Really? The one with a power rank of zero?" his companion replied quietly, looking over.

"Ahem." Professor Long Lian cleared his throat on the podium.

"You two in the third row, show some respect and stop chattering," he said, tapping the podium with his ruler. "Otherwise, I’ll have you attend theory class in girls’ uniforms next time."

The room burst into laughter, and the two boys lowered their heads in embarrassment.

Mo Xing didn’t laugh. He just glanced at the two boys, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

"Now, let’s talk about power ranks," Professor Long Lian tapped the board. "The technical term in the latest textbooks is Dragon God’s Power. There are five stages, from lowest to highest: White Jade, Green Wood, Azure Blue, Violet Cauldron, and Dark Gold."

"Strictly speaking, White Jade isn’t really a rank at all—it’s for those without Dragon God’s Power."

"That Mo Xing must be at the Moron Rank, ha ha," the previously scolded boy snickered.

"Ahem, you in the third row are still laughing?" Professor Long Lian rapped the podium harder. "Looks like you’ll really be wearing a dress to class tomorrow."

"S-sorry, Professor Long Lian," the boy apologized quickly. "I was wrong, it won’t happen again."

The room erupted in laughter again. Suddenly, two coughs from the professor brought instant silence.

"Class, let me stress the importance of discipline. During lessons, I expect no distractions. Otherwise, punishment will be severe. Understood?!"

"Understood!" the class replied in unison. The theory teacher was so strict no one dared to goof off.

"Good, let’s continue," Professor Long Lian went on, seeing the students had settled.

"Yesterday during registration, you all did the Dragon God’s Power test, right? The number on the crystal ball showed your Green Wood rank."

"The Green Wood stage has sixty sub-levels; the upper three stages only have ten each. The higher the rank, the harder it is to advance, and the fewer who do. Only upon reaching Azure Blue does one truly awaken."

"As per our academy’s rules, Article Twelve, Chapter One: you must reach at least Azure Blue, rank one, to graduate." Professor Long Lian smiled. "If you’re still stuck at Green Wood in your third year, you’re wasting the academy’s resources. None of you knows such an upperclassman, I trust?"

Mo Xing suddenly remembered that Mu Hua, a third-year, had only managed over forty in Green Wood yesterday, while he himself had zero, not even worthy of mockery.

But he wouldn’t let that defeat him; he’d promised Shi Yan to pass the freshman assessment and make his comeback!

"Students, my throat’s a bit dry. Let me take a drink, then we’ll continue." With that, Professor Long Lian sipped from his water flask.

"Let’s move to the most fascinating part of today’s lesson—elements. As you know, after the gods’ war in ancient times, the power of the Dragon God spread across our lands, forming the five primary elements: Wind, Fire, Water, Earth, and Lightning."

"In recent times, scientists and historians have confirmed the existence of Metal, Wood, and the twin elements of Light and Dark. Now, let’s explore all nine elements—"

"Boom—boom—"

The bell sounded outside, and noise arose in the hall. The students all looked at Professor Long Lian.

"Oh, class is over already? I won’t keep you. See you next time!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the students leapt up to pack their things—some were already at the door.

The rush reminded Mo Xing of his high school days.

He packed up and walked out.

He’d only taken a couple of steps when he was surrounded by a crowd wielding pens and notebooks, and several clutching cameras. He was utterly bewildered.

"Hello, I’m a reporter from Rumor Weekly," a blonde girl said. "After learning you were ranked zero yesterday, how do you feel?"

"Uh..."

Suddenly, a camera flash went off in his face. He blinked quickly.

"Hello, we’re from Pathway Daily!" a bespectacled reporter waved. "Have you made any special preparations for next week’s freshman assessment?"

"Well... could you please let me through?"

Instead, the crowd pressed in tighter, blocking all escape.

Click—a flash went off again.

"We’re with Tabloid News!" a chubby reporter squeezed through. "Rumor has it you and the student council vice president, Shi Yan, are in a relationship—is that true?"

Mo Xing was stunned.

What the hell is all this?!!