Chapter 48: Presenting the Yin Pearl to the Master, Receiving the True Dharma

Xie Jingxing spoke with an apologetic tone, "I know I have wronged you, Junior Sister. Therefore, that remnant manual of the sword technique is my compensation."

"What kind of compensation is a broken, useless manual that I can't even practice?"

Jiang Youling sneered, her chest surging with indignation.

"Senior Brother brings up the Hall Master, then talks about disciples going missing—how grand and righteous. Am I simply supposed to accept this grievance? To accept the risk of nearly losing my life?"

Xie Jingxing fell silent for a moment before saying, "I have people secretly watching Zhao Cheng; I will not allow you to face any life-threatening danger... To have caused you such grievance is indeed my fault."

After a moment's thought, he took out a disciple token.

"I am willing to compensate you with one hundred Sect Contribution points to make amends for this mistake. Additionally, I will issue a transfer order so you can leave the Talisman Academy and no longer be harassed by Zhao Cheng.

Alchemy, Sutras, Artifacts, or Formations—which academy do you wish to go to? If you encounter any other trouble in the future, you may also come to me."

Jiang Youling suddenly felt much less angry.

Thinking carefully, she hadn't actually suffered much from Zhao Cheng's targeting for so long; in fact, she had successfully turned the tables, making Zhao Cheng endure so many lashes.

However, the compensation she deserved must, of course, be claimed!

Jiang Youling feigned a moment of deep thought, then shook her head with a serious expression.

"There is no need for a transfer order. Just please request the Senior Brother to transfer me from the Ink-Making Workshop back to my original location. I will do whatever the other disciples do; do not arrange any extra tasks for me.

As for those one hundred Sect Contribution points, it would be better if you exchanged them for something else. For instance, a letter of recommendation—I am in great need of one."

Looking at Jiang Youling's deadpan seriousness, Xie Jingxing couldn't help but want to laugh, but he held it in.

"Very well. As a True Disciple, I have one opportunity for a recommendation every three years. As it happens, I haven't used mine yet. I shall write a letter of recommendation and gift it to you."

As he finished speaking, he had already taken out paper and brush and began writing briskly.

Before long, the letter of recommendation was finished, and he handed it to Jiang Youling.

As Jiang Youling took it, she felt a silent surge of emotion; the cultivation dream that the Chen family had chased for over a decade now rested upon this single thin sheet of paper.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Jiang Youling carefully put the letter away. "Now that this matter is settled, I shall not disturb you further."

Xie Jingxing stood up to see her out. "Zhao Cheng was punished today; he will likely behave himself for a while and won't trouble you again.

Remember, Junior Sister, Zhao Cheng is involved in a major case. Do not let any information leak out."

"Rest assured, Senior Brother, my lips are sealed."

***

By the time Jiang Youling left Zhenyang Peak and returned to Bainuo Peak, it was already the end of the hour of the Rooster.

Just as she was rushing toward the dining hall to eat, an unfamiliar disciple approached her with eyes full of sympathy.

"Junior Sister Jiang, where have you been? Master Hong sent word early this morning saying that you damaged the fodder he uses to feed his spirit beasts back at Danyang Mountain, and he wants you to come over immediately."

Jiang Youling was momentarily stunned. With no time to eat, she hurried toward Danyang Mountain.

Upon arriving at Danyang Mountain and entering Master Hong's cave dwelling, she did not encounter punishment, but rather a reprimand filled with concern.

"I heard you went out to hunt demons? You've only been cultivating for a few days and haven't even sensed spiritual energy, yet you actually dare to try and hunt demons?"

Jiang Youling felt slightly embarrassed. "I was set up."

Hong Dengyuan frowned. "Who is picking on a newly admitted disciple like you?"

"A Deacon Senior Brother from our Talisman Academy. However, he has already received thirty lashes in the Disciplinary Hall today for the crime of harming a fellow disciple."

"Harming a fellow disciple?"

Hong Dengyuan's brow furrowed even deeper as he scanned her up and down. "Are you injured?"

"No."

A faint warmth rose in Jiang Youling's heart.

"Good. Sit cross-legged and visualize your Heart Lamp. I want to see what stage of cultivation you have reached."

Just as Jiang Youling was about to comply, she thought of something and took an object out from her sleeve. "This was obtained while I was hunting demons. Does Master recognize this?"

Hong Dengyuan had sensed an unknown aura on her just now, but he hadn't investigated it closely.

Seeing her proactively offer it, he pushed aside the silt and carefully examined the bead inside.

"This is a Yin Spirit Bead, born in frigid lands. It can assist Yin-attribute spirit beasts in their cultivation.

If a cultivator comes into direct contact with it without sufficient cultivation, the Yin-煞 (Yin-evil) energy within will invade the body. At best, cultivation will stagnate and meridians will freeze; if held day and night, one might even turn into a 'Yin Corpse'—half-human, half-ghost."

Jiang Youling was startled by this and nearly threw the thing away.

Hong Dengyuan took the Yin Spirit Bead. "Treasures of Heaven and Earth are divided into five grades: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow, and Mortal. Based on quality, they are further ranked as High, Mid, or Low.

This Yin Spirit Bead is a Low-grade Yellow-tier treasure. You have truly stumbled upon a treasure."

*This tiny bead is actually more precious than the Pine Pattern Sword?*

Jiang Youling was shocked, but remembering her insufficient cultivation and inability to even touch the bead directly, she shook her head. "I cannot use this. I shall gift it to Master."

A very faint smile played at the corner of Hong Dengyuan's mouth. "Do you think I would take advantage of you?"

With that, he produced a bead from thin air and placed it on the table.

"This is a Yang Spirit Bead, a High-grade Mortal-tier treasure. Although it is not as precious as your Yin Spirit Bead, it is perfectly suited for you. As for the difference in value, let it serve as your tuition.

From now on, come to my Danyang Mountain once every five days to receive my teachings and guidance."

Jiang Youling was stunned at first, then overjoyed. She performed a formal kowtow. "Has Master accepted me as a disciple?"

Hong Dengyuan gave a light scoff. "I never said that. Now, stand up. Is your Hand Taiyin Meridian open?"

Jiang Youling nodded. "It is open, and most of my Hand Yangming Meridian is also open."

"Pause your meridian cultivation for now. First, separate the Ying and Wei energies, and guide the Primordial Qi into your body."

Jiang Youling was slightly confused. "The Hall Master previously said that all the meridians in the body must be cleared before one can guide the Primordial Qi."

Hearing this, Hong Dengyuan sneered. "The Heart Lamps lit by others are mere false fires; naturally, they cannot guide the Primordial Qi. However, since you have awakened True Fire, simply do as I say."

Jiang Youling did not hesitate further. She sat cross-legged in meditation. Just as she was preparing to visualize her Heart Lamp, she heard Hong Dengyuan's voice.

"There is no need to visualize the Heart Lamp. Quiet your mind and observe the patterns of the gas circulating within your body. Let the Ying energy travel within the meridians and the Wei energy travel outside them. Feel it deeply."

Jiang Youling slowed her breathing. A sense of Qi gradually emerged, most clearly within the unobstructed meridians.

However, relying solely on the sensation of Qi made it difficult to capture its movement patterns.

Undeterred, Jiang Youling continued to immerse her mind, concentrating all her attention on that small section of the meridian.

After an unknown amount of time, she finally captured a trace of a nascent sensation of Qi emerging below her collarbone.

The feeling was extremely subtle, like a wisp of morning mist slowly drifting along the inner side of her arm.

The breath was thick and warm, flowing through the blood vessels of her body—it was clearly the Ying Qi!

Following the Ying Qi through the meridians for several cycles, Jiang Youling gradually grasped its pattern: it was like an undercurrent in a dark river, forming its own cycle within the blood vessels.

Unfortunately, the Wei Qi appeared and disappeared intermittently, making its trajectory difficult to sense.

Jiang Youling opened her eyes with regret, only to find that Master Hong had long since vanished. All that remained on the table were a note, a small plate of pastries, and that Yang Spirit Bead.

(End of Chapter)