Chapter Seven: Cultivation

Liu Feng and his companions had already finished their meal.

“What does he want with us?” Wang Yun asked hurriedly when he saw Li Feng return.

Li Feng replied, “He wants us to join his group. He says we could form a team to complete missions together.”

“I don’t think he has any good intentions,” Zhang Chen said after a moment’s thought. “Even if we join them, I doubt we’ll gain any real benefit.”

Liu Feng added, “If we team up for expeditions or tasks that earn points, I suspect they’ll take most of the rewards for themselves.”

Li Feng said, “In that case, let’s go and make things clear to him.”

The group made their way toward Yang Dong and his companions’ table.

“It seems you’ve discussed it. Are you willing to join our group?” Yang Dong asked.

Zhang Chen replied, “Sorry, we’re not planning to join any group for now.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Dong’s face darkened with displeasure. “So we won’t be friends in the future. That means from now on, we’ll each rely on our own abilities here at the academy.”

Liu Feng and his friends didn’t respond to this. They quickly headed out of the cafeteria.

“Goodbye, Li Feng and I are going to our class for training,” Wang Yun said, heading for the teaching building with Li Feng.

Liu Feng and Zhang Chen also set off for the teaching building, heading to Class One of the Qi Gathering Beginner Zone.

When Liu Feng and Zhang Chen entered the classroom, the students were clustered together in small groups, talking about who knows what.

“Quiet, everyone!” Suddenly, a clear voice rang out, cutting through the chaos in the classroom.

Liu Feng turned toward the door. A woman dressed in white had entered from outside.

She looked about twenty-four or twenty-five, with a delicate and beautiful face, her features strikingly lovely. She carried an air of natural grace and elegance.

“Hello, students. My name is Zhang Ning. From today onward, I will be your instructor for Class One,” the woman in white announced.

“Those of you who have not yet received a cultivation manual, please report your names. I will fetch them for you,” Zhang Ning said.

At her words, Liu Feng, Zhang Chen, and several others went to register their names.

Zhang Ning left the classroom and returned shortly after, holding several white jade slips, which she handed out to Liu Feng and the others.

She said, “Drip your blood onto the slip, and use your spiritual sense to read its contents.”

Liu Feng pressed a drop of blood to the jade slip and focused his spiritual sense on it. The first words that appeared were “The Pure Yang Record.” Looking further, he saw the cultivation formula and instructions.

“This cultivation method is for your own use only. Passing it to others is strictly forbidden. If the academy discovers it has been spread outside, the consequences will be severe,” Zhang Ning warned sternly.

“Now, let’s begin with the basics of cultivation. Only by laying a solid foundation can you progress far on the martial path. Don’t be overambitious,” she instructed. The morning passed swiftly as she taught.

“Those who have not yet learned martial techniques may go to the Martial Technique Pavilion this afternoon to study. Remember: biting off more than you can chew is never wise,” Zhang Ning called out just as everyone was about to leave.

...

After eating in the cafeteria, Liu Feng and Zhang Chen headed to the Martial Technique Pavilion, which stood north of the teaching building.

When they arrived, they found it empty except for a middle-aged man of about forty, who appeared to be the attendant.

“Instructor, we’re here to learn martial techniques,” Liu Feng addressed the man.

“New students? Follow me,” the man replied.

He led Liu Feng and Zhang Chen into the pavilion and stopped in the beginner’s martial technique section.

“These are the techniques suitable for Qi Gathering cultivators. Choose whichever suits you best,” the man said.

Liu Feng went over and examined one: Mountain-breaking Force. This technique allowed the practitioner to gather true energy into a giant palm capable of shattering mountains—its power was extraordinary. The method of practice followed.

Next was Water Dragon Wave. This technique gathered true energy into a water dragon that spewed forth a continuous shockwave from its mouth, overwhelming opponents.

Then, the Battle Tiger Strike: true energy condensed into a spectral tiger, powerful enough to cleave mountains and split stone.

Liu Feng looked at each one, but none seemed quite right for him. None seemed as formidable as the “Heaven-cleaving Slash” described on the beast hide he possessed. But that move was best kept hidden for now, lest it bring unnecessary trouble.

With this thought, Liu Feng continued browsing. He found Sky-splitting Slash: true energy gathered into a blade of light, which, when unleashed, created a special spatial vibration, eventually capable of tearing open space itself.

In the end, Liu Feng chose Sky-splitting Slash, as it resembled the “Heaven-cleaving Slash” he practiced. Even if he used his own technique, few would be able to tell the difference.

By this time, Zhang Chen had also chosen his technique, and the two of them left the pavilion together.

“I heard the students are all training in the cultivation square this afternoon. There’s a wide range of equipment there. Let’s head over,” Liu Feng suggested.

“I want to try out the power of the technique I chose today,” Zhang Chen replied.

They made their way toward the cultivation square. From a distance, they could already hear the voices of students.

When they arrived, they found the square was enormous—large enough to hold a thousand houses, the ground paved with massive slabs of stone, perfectly level.

In the center stood a huge platform, reputedly used for martial competitions among the students.

The square was divided into a thousand independent rooms, each equipped with training apparatus—stone locks, wooden stakes, iron pillars, giant rocks, and all manner of tools for testing martial techniques.

“You’re here. Have you both chosen your techniques?” Instructor Zhang Ning came over to ask.

Liu Feng said, “Instructor, we’ve chosen. How do we enter the rooms to train?”

Zhang Ning replied, “These rooms are reinforced by formations. Qi Gathering cultivators can’t damage them, but you need a key to enter.” She handed keys to Liu Feng and Zhang Chen.

Liu Feng went to the room matching his key and opened the door. He found the space inside quite ample, with all sorts of training equipment.

After closing the door, Liu Feng sat cross-legged and took out the cultivation manual given by the instructor that morning. Following the energy circulation method described in “The Pure Yang Record,” he began to practice. He quickly discovered that its method was quite different from that of “Qi Initiation.”

True energy circulated rapidly through his body, like a gentle stream flowing through every part, strengthening his physique and nourishing his spiritual sense.

After an hour, Liu Feng opened his eyes and realized that the cultivation speed of “The Pure Yang Record” was lacking. His true energy grew much more slowly than when practicing “Qi Initiation.”

Delighted, Liu Feng thought to himself that the technique recorded on the beast hide truly was a wondrous art. By cultivating “Qi Initiation,” he could quickly outpace many in his class.

Suppressing his excitement, Liu Feng resumed practicing “Qi Initiation.”

True energy surged swiftly through his body. The flow of energy from heaven and earth gathered visibly around Liu Feng, rapidly transforming his physique.

Another hour passed, and Liu Feng felt his body had reached its limit for absorbing energy. Cultivation was like eating; the body could only take in so much at a time. Beyond that, further practice was futile until the body finished assimilating and strengthening.

Liu Feng stood and left his training room, just as Zhang Chen emerged from his own.

“Liu Feng, let’s go watch the students sparring on the central platform,” Zhang Chen suggested.

“Yes, it’ll be good for us to observe and also improve our mastery of martial techniques,” Liu Feng agreed.

They walked to the edge of the central platform, where a crowd had already gathered.

Liu Feng noticed many unfamiliar faces—students from other classes, he supposed.

At that moment, the two people on the platform were about to decide the match.

One had gathered a blade of energy in his palm and slashed fiercely at his opponent.

The other, unfazed, watched the blade approach, then balled his fists and struck directly at it.

With a thunderous boom, the student wielding the blade was sent flying from the platform. The other jumped down as well.

Just then, a stern-faced youth called out, “Liu Feng, how about a match? Do you dare?”