Chapter 35: Taking a Disciple, the Descent of the Wenchingsing!

Chapter 35: Taking a Disciple, the Descent of the Wenchun Star!

After Ye Qiubai left the Thatched Cottage.

Lu Changsheng thought to himself that perhaps he should take more disciples, as this might yield more rewards.

With this thought in mind, Lu Changsheng left the Cangdao Academy and began traveling continuously through the Four Regions.

His speed was incredibly fast.

In almost the time it took for a single stick of incense to burn, he had stepped into every corner of the Southern Region.

When he arrived at the Northern Region and passed by this small mountain, the system's voice finally rang out.

【Triggered Task: Go to Hedao Village to take a disciple】

【Name: Ning Chenxin】

【Talent: SSS-grade】

【Aptitude: Vast Noble Spirit, Descent of the Wenchun Star, Potential to become an Emperor】

Good heavens, "Potential to become an Emperor" again.

And so, the current scene unfolded.

Ning Chenxin pointed at himself, looking up at Lu Changsheng who was floating in mid-air, and said blankly, "Immortal Master wants to take me as a disciple? But I haven't practiced the Dao."

Lu Changsheng gave a light chuckle and asked, "Then what do you think the Dao is?"

Hearing this, Ning Chenxin froze.

What is the Dao?

What is the Dao?

He had never thought about it, nor had he ever considered it from such an angle.

Ning Chenxin couldn't help but fall into deep contemplation.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng did not interrupt. With a wave of his hand, a barrier surrounded the two of them to prevent any interference.

Day after day passed.

Ning Chenxin continued to ponder, yet as a mortal with no cultivation, he did not suffer any decline in bodily functions despite not eating or drinking.

On the contrary, his face remained glowing with health.

...

It was not until the fourth day that a faint white aura suddenly began to swirl around Ning Chenxin's body!

This was the Vast Noble Spirit!

Ning Chenxin slowly opened his eyes. He felt as though he was gradually touching the Dao, but whenever he tried to grasp it, it would vanish in an instant.

Like a small loach, it was visible but impossible to catch.

Ning Chenxin looked at Lu Changsheng before him and asked, "What is the Dao?"

He was a scholar.

He read the books of sages, and whenever he encountered something he did not understand, he would reflect upon it.

If he could not figure it out, he would ask.

Lu Changsheng looked at Ning Chenxin and, instead of answering directly, asked, "Why do you study?"

Ning Chenxin hesitated slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "To educate the world, and to ensure there is no war in this realm."

Correct.

He wanted to use his studies to enlighten the world and bring peace to all.

From the common folk, seeking harmony and joy.

To the heavens, seeking great peace under heaven.

As soon as Ning Chenxin spoke these words, a golden radiance descended from the sky, shining upon him.

This was the Light of Merit!

As merit descended from the heavens, so too did responsibility!

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng nodded and said, "The Dao is simply the Dao. It can be a flower or a tree, or even a grain of dust; all things can be the Dao."

Ning Chenxin was lost in thought.

Lu Changsheng continued, "You study to educate the world; that is the Dao."

"To bring peace to the world; that is also the Dao."

Hearing this, Ning Chenxin's body shuddered.

The golden light in his mind seemed to materialize; if he reached out, he could grasp it!

Seeing that Ning Chenxin had already touched the threshold and only needed one step forward to cross it!

Lu Changsheng shouted in a low voice, "The Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name."

*Boom!*

Ning Chenxin's body shook violently as if struck by lightning!

He closed his eyes and sat cross-legged on the ground.

Waves of Vast Noble Spirit continuously swirled around his body!

Golden light flashed incessantly from between Ning Chenxin's eyebrows!

That golden light in his mind—Ning Chenxin reached out and snatched it, pulling it into his palm!

The Dao Heart was forged!

Ning Chenxin had entered the Dao through Confucianism!

His method of cultivation would be entirely different from ordinary practitioners.

Others cultivated the soul and the physical body.

But Ning Chenxin only needed to cultivate that Vast Noble Spirit!

Should an enemy come in the future, with a single shout, he could suppress and slay them with his Vast Noble Spirit!

After a long while.

Only then did Ning Chenxin open his eyes. He looked at Lu Changsheng, knelt on both knees, and said respectfully, "Disciple Ning Chenxin pays respects to Master!"

【Task completed. Rewards issued: Scholar Saint's Dao Principles, Dao Sutra, 2000 years of cultivation】

Not bad.

Lu Changsheng nodded with a smile. He held out his hands, lifting Ning Chenxin from the ground, and said, "Since you have taken me as your master, I have nothing much to give you, so I shall give you this."

With that, Lu Changsheng made a beckoning motion, and an ancient book appeared in his hand, which he handed to Ning Chenxin.

"This is the Dao Sutra. It can be used to combat enemies or to gain insights. Take it."

Ning Chenxin reached out with both hands and received it cautiously. Upon opening it, he could immediately feel the power of the Dao Principles within!

His expression changed instantly.

This book was no ordinary object!

"Thank you, Master!"

Lu Changsheng nodded and continued, "Before you, there is a senior brother named Ye Qiubai, and a senior sister named Hong Ying. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you may seek them out."

Ning Chenxin nodded.

"Very well, follow me back to the sect."

Lu Changsheng intended to take Ning Chenxin away, but Ning Chenxin shook his head and said, "Master, please forgive me, but I cannot return to the sect just yet."

Lu Changsheng looked at him, somewhat puzzled.

Ning Chenxin explained, "I wish to continue my travels and experiences, for I feel my knowledge is not yet sufficient to support my Dao Heart."

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng nodded.

Indeed, everyone has their own way of cultivating.

It was perfectly reasonable for Ning Chenxin to want to temper himself within the mortal world.

Lu Changsheng could only agree.

"Fine, then take this."

At this point, Lu Changsheng tossed a jade pendant to Ning Chenxin.

"This is...?"

Ning Chenxin was stunned.

Lu Changsheng said, "Contained within this jade pendant is a sword formation I have laid. In times of danger, you can use it to resolve the crisis. At the same time, you can use this pendant to contact your senior brother and sister."

It was a small object similar to a voice-transmission talisman.

Ning Chenxin cupped his hands and bowed. "Thank you, Master."

"Very well, then I shall take my leave."

Without lingering, Lu Changsheng vanished from the spot.

Ning Chenxin stared at the direction where Lu Changsheng had disappeared, bowing deeply, and did not rise for a long time.

...

Returning to the Thatched Cottage, Lu Changsheng said helplessly, "What a pity I couldn't bring him back. Now there's no one to cook for me again."

The willow tree nearby: "..."

The little birds: "..."

Normally, once a cultivator reaches the stage of Inedia (Bigu), they rarely eat.

But this person, despite having unfathomable cultivation, had to eat every single day—and he couldn't go without!

...

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

The Northern Region, Sunset Dynasty.

A general with a withered aura knelt before Huang Tianming and said, "We have received word that Ye Qiubai is coming to the Northern Region with the people from Cangdao Academy to participate in the Four Regions Academy Exchange."

"Hmm."

Huang Tianming nodded and said casually, "Has this news been told to Ying Sha?"

"Ying Sha is already aware."

"Good. Then notify the people of the Cangdao Academy in the Northern Region and tell them to be prepared."

"Understood."

The general rose and left.

Huang Tianming looked toward the horizon, in the direction of the Cangdao Academy.

"There is a path to heaven, yet you refuse to take it; there are no gates to hell, yet you insist on charging in..."

[Due to the logic of the plot, some changes have been made. The identities of the fourth disciple and the third disciple have been swapped. Also, thank you all for the recommendation and monthly votes. If there is anything illogical, please let me know in the comments.]