Cultivating Too Fast

This is a long chapter.

Wang Xuan pondered, how long has it been since they last contacted each other? She had given him this number when he was a sophomore in college, and insisted that he memorize it.

But by the end of their junior year, the two had almost completely lost contact.

He knew that if he came to New Star, there would likely be some overlap and reunions, since many of his familiar classmates were there, and small gatherings were inevitable.

But to his surprise, Ling Wei took the initiative to call him this time.

Wang Xuan was somewhat lost in thought when the phone rang three times. He looked down at it, and before he could even move his finger, the call suddenly ended.

"Professor Lin, Old Wang, let's eat! Two ingredients, six ways to cook them, let you taste the chef's skills!" Qin Cheng urged him to hurry up.

Wang Xuan glanced at his phone, put it away, and quickly walked over.

Qin Cheng was rubbing his hands together, looking impatient. Professor Lin, who didn't drink himself, went to find some for the two of them.

There were only a few ingredients, but Qin Cheng cooked a whole table of dishes, which looked very plentiful.

"Black chicken Golden Mushroom soup, come and smell it! The aroma is so strong it's almost up to the New Moon. I bet even my master can smell the meat. Master, just smell it, anyway, monks don't eat meat!" Qin Cheng said with a smile.

The black-boned chicken is just a garnish. As soon as the lid of the casserole is opened, golden mushroom slices burst forth in a dazzling golden glow, with wisps of mist rising up. Most importantly, the aroma is truly enticing, wafting into the nose and making one wish to drink a bowl immediately.

Professor Lin put down the wine made from mixed grains and was deeply moved. The ingredients were glowing and had such a strong aroma that they made one's mouth water just by looking at them. This would have been considered a feast of medicinal herbs in ancient times, right?

"Swan Stew with Golden Mushroom" is made with the finest six-year-old female goose, using the Qin Family's secret imperial kitchen techniques passed down for three hundred years. It is simmered for two hours, offering not only a delicious meal but also the ancient charm of three hundred years of traditional culture. It is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and a timeless delicacy.

Qin Cheng brought over a large porcelain basin, his face beaming with a smile... bragging.

The swan meat had already fallen off the bone, and the Golden Mushroom were bubbling and steaming. A hazy golden light covered the pot, which looked quite magical, and the aroma was already wafting through the air.

"Let me tell you, this swan is absolutely fresh. I personally scooped it out of the lake when I passed by Kaiyuan University. It was quite a struggle to catch it."

Upon hearing this, Professor Lin and Wang Xuan's expressions immediately changed. What kind of outrageous thing had this kid done, stealing swans near the university?

"Just kidding, would I dare to do something like that at Kaiyuan University? I'd get chased and beaten up by a bunch of students. I bought the old goose at the supermarket."

Qin Cheng laughed, then looked at Wang Xuan and said, "But we've done this kind of thing before, haven't we? Back in our sophomore year, we caught a seven-pound old soft-shelled turtle in the school lake, cleaned and cooked it in the woods, and it was so delicious! I must say, it tasted really good!"

Professor Lin was speechless.

"Shut up!" Wang Xuan quickly stopped him. There was no need to bring up such a dark history. If he opened his mouth again, who knew what he would say?

Next, the stir-fried peacock meat with Golden Mushroom was brought out of the kitchen. Qin Cheng couldn't resist it. After placing it on the table, he immediately put a piece of the glowing mushroom into his mouth. It was so hot that he grimaced and spat out golden light.

This scene startled even him, and he exclaimed, "A feast for the gods! The way those ancient cultivators ate! Today we're in for a treat! Come on, let's dig in!"

The rich aroma had already filled the air at the dinner table, making one's mouth water. The golden light and jade-like shimmering surface added to the irresistible allure.

Wang Xuan said, "Well, actually, the most valuable thing is the Mountain Snail. In ancient times, this was a snack for immortals to enjoy with their wine. For ordinary people, a full meal of this could extend their lifespan by ten years."

The garlic-flavored Mountain Snail, shrouded in a hazy glow and carrying a fragrant aroma, clearly belonged to an extraordinary creature.

"Ingredients enjoyed by Earth Immortals?!" Qin Cheng was shocked. He decisively swallowed the Golden Mushroom in one gulp, without even tasting it. Then he took a fist-sized Mountain Snail, brought it to his mouth and nose, took a sniff, and immediately inhaled a cloud of glowing mist. He felt his pores open up.

"Professor Lin, let's get started!" Wang Xuan called out.

Professor Lin was also stunned. The Golden Mushroom had only moved him, but this thing was actually... a mythical ingredient? A delicacy that only immortals could taste, that was quite astonishing.

He felt like he was in a dream. How could Little Wang find something like this?! What level of skill had he reached?!

Professor Lin is a worldly man who has helped some old tycoons with their health regimens. He knows that they are already pursuing longevity, or even yearning for immortality. Hunting back various rare ingredients from deep space would cause a sensation if word got out.

However, those so-called rare treasures, in terms of both quantity and quality, paled in comparison to what Wang Xuan brought back.

Professor Lin had heard that even the most ruthless tycoon only consumed a Mountain Snail the size of a lychee once every two weeks as a tonic, claiming it to be a divine delicacy!

At the time, Professor Lin was shocked and amazed by the methods of the tycoons, who could even enjoy ingredients from the immortals.

Looking back now, he suddenly realized that the chaebols ate very... frugal.

What was in front of him? A table full of glowing Mountain Snail, the kind of snacks that immortals would use to accompany their drinks; there was hardly enough room to put them all on the table.

"Let's eat!" Professor Lin also became unrestrained, no longer being refined, he rolled up his sleeves and started eating heartily, his mouth full of savory saliva.

Professor Lin, who never posts food photos, couldn't resist taking a few pictures in the end, but quickly and decisively deleted them. These photos could easily cause problems if they were just kept on his phone, let alone posted. He left no trace of them.

He felt that keeping one or two Mountain Snail to play with was enough.

"My tongue is practically melting! It's so wonderful! This isn't just delicious food, it's time itself! I've stolen ten years from the heavens! Haha, I feel like... I'm about to ascend to immortality!"

Qin Cheng drank a large cup of Gou Tai wine, and then began to eat heartily. By now, his nose was even glowing.

Wang Xuan said, "You don't need to think of it as something magical. This is just a snack for earth immortals to enjoy with their drinks. It's not really a celestial feast. Maybe we'll be able to collect real ingredients for the Transcendent Immortals in the future."

"I think the garlic sauce isn't as good as the steamed version, as it retains the original fresh and fragrant flavor," Professor Lin commented. He added that he felt his body was burning hot, and that his so-called old ailment should be cured!

Having drunk so much from the Earth Immortal Spring and now eating Earth Immortal side dishes for nourishment, his life force surged, and he sweated as he ate, metabolizing various impurities and toxins.

"If you want it to be fresh, sweet, and delicious, try slicing it and dipping it in sauce. Give it a try," Wang Xuan said.

He and Qin Cheng had a few simple drinks, then put the wine aside and took out the Earth Immortal Spring to replace the wine.

"Old Wang, what kind of drink is this? It has a light fragrance and a royal jelly flavor, but it's nowhere near as good as alcohol," Qin Cheng complained.

"Drink it. This stuff may not exist in the world for another three years. Drink a liter and it will keep you alive for decades!" Wang Xuan said solemnly.

He trusted the two people in front of him and had nothing to hide, so he told them that this thing could truly Change Fate and allow one to live a long life in the world.

"What is wine? I never want to drink it again in my life. This Immortal Nectar... it's so delicious, I want to drink my fill!"

Nourished by potent tonics such as the Earth Immortal Spring, Mountain Snail, and Golden Mushroom, Professor Lin's complexion became rosy and his Essence, Qi, and Spirit began to flourish at a visible speed. His previously cloudy eyes now sparkled with light!

In his youth, he was a renowned master, and now that his old ailments have healed, he has immediately regained some of his strength!

Wang Xuan said, "No rush, it takes time. I estimate that Professor Lin will become a master of Old Arts again in a month or two."

Professor Lin felt increasingly hot as he ate, sweating profusely and feeling sticky all over, as metabolic toxins were continuously expelled from his body.

"Why do I smell worse the more I eat?" Qin Cheng asked himself.

"You're improving your constitution, detoxifying and removing impurities, which comes out with your sweat," Wang Xuan explained.

The Earth Immortal Spring, Supernatural Royal Jelly, and Mountain Snail can enhance the vitality of two people and boost their potential, bringing tremendous benefits.

The Golden Mushroom is a kind of elixir that allows people to break through their limits and increase their strength.

"I feel that my strength has increased, and there is a secret power flowing slowly in my body. Am I about to become a great master?" Qin Cheng was moved, somewhat uncertain and somewhat shocked.

"Don't worry, you'll definitely break through." Wang Xuan was very confident. Just look at the pile of spiritual herbs he brought back. If Qin Cheng still couldn't break through, then something really strange would happen. It's not like he's advancing to the extraordinary realm; it's just breaking through the mortal realm.

"Qin Cheng will become very strong. Little Wang, are you stronger than I can even imagine?" Professor Lin asked hesitantly.

Wang Xuan noticed his unusual expression and sensed something was wrong, so he asked him what was wrong.

Professor Lin did not hide the fact that his old rival was no ordinary person. He had several fellow students, one of whom was teaching at another university. He threatened to target Professor Lin's students during the clash of Old Arts in higher education.

"Is that the enemy who punched a hole in your chest?" Qin Cheng asked. Professor Lin was crippled in that battle.

"Yes!" Professor Lin nodded.

"I'll take care of them for you!" Wang Xuan said.

Professor Lin shook his head and refused, saying, "No, the laws in New Star are very strict. If something really happens, it could easily cause a big problem. Don't do anything reckless. Besides, the war from back then is over, and I've already let it go."

Wang Xuan said, "Qin Cheng, since you applied to be Professor Lin's graduate student, you are also qualified to come down from New Moon and study for a master's degree at Kaiyuan University."

Qin Cheng was completely bewildered. Was he going back to school to pursue a master's degree? It sounded great, but the ups and downs of life were leaving him a little overwhelmed.

"The other party's people are very skilled," Professor Lin said. He naturally understood what Wang Xuan meant; he wanted Qin Cheng to teach the other party's disciples a lesson.

"It's alright, Qin Cheng, hurry up and eat, then go take a shower. I'll help you refine the medicinal properties," Wang Xuan urged, mainly because he found Qin Cheng covered in sweat and smelly.

Soon after, Wang Xuan personally took action, using extraordinary methods to help Qin Cheng activate the medicinal properties, and using extraordinary secret power to guide Qin Cheng's entire body to resonate. This was astonishing!

In an instant, Qin Cheng's whole body glowed, his secret power surged, his five internal organs resonated, releasing his own potential and using the medicinal properties to break through the barrier!

Originally, Wang Xuan wanted him to improve slowly on his own. As the medicinal properties dissolved and nourished his flesh and blood, he would inevitably break through the barriers gradually in the future.

But now he felt that he could help him speed things up a bit, and at the same time teach him some boxing techniques, scriptures, etc., to help Professor Lin vent his anger!

"I've broken through, I've become stronger, I seem to be... a super strong person!" Qin Cheng's flesh and blood flowed with a crystal-clear luster, and he trembled with excitement.

Wang Xuan shook his head and said, "You still have a long way to go. Take your time. Let's stop here for today."

"Who is this person?" Wang Xuan asked.

"Since modern times, they have considered themselves the orthodox practitioners of the Old Arts," Professor Lin explained.

Legend has it that this family had ancestors who were true immortals, and not just one, but at least three, making them a renowned family of cultivators in ancient times.

In modern times, the Old Arts declined, and those ancient families disappeared. Only their family remained active and preserved the techniques intact, thus claiming themselves as the orthodox masters of the Old Arts.

In fact, since modern times, no other family has been able to compare with this one.

Even though the Old Arts have declined, their clan has still produced grandmasters.

"The Four Elders of the Old Arts, as well as Chen Yongjie's master, are all considered to have risen from the ranks of rogue cultivators. Although they are strong individually, in terms of their foundation and the influence of the past generations, they are far inferior to this family."

Wang Xuan's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Oh, I heard that there was a very old grandmaster in New Star who, in order to Extend Life, forcibly practiced some kind of secret method to activate the five internal organs, but ended up killing himself. Was that from this family?"

Professor Lin nodded and said, "That old man was very strong. Back then, he was almost Great Grandmaster. He had one foot in the top, but he still died from internal organ rot after practicing his skills."

Wang Xuan was surprised and said, "In this era, to be able to cultivate to the level of Great Grandmaster is truly remarkable; you are a remarkable person!"

However, even though this family had a terrifying background and possessed secret techniques of Transcendent Immortals, Wang Xuan didn't care much.

This ancient family was indeed powerful, but times have changed. Even the most glorious families must eventually fade away. In the face of extraordinary individuals, they can't cause much trouble!

"This family produced more than one True Immortal in ancient times, which is quite terrifying. It's rare for a family to be like this, and their scriptures are probably not simple!"

The more Wang Xuan pondered, the more he felt that this family was truly extraordinary in ancient times; few families could produce immortals one after another!

However, it remains to be seen whether a true immortal will return from this family three years later.

"Qin Cheng, let me help you neutralize the effects of the medicine again." Wang Xuan felt it was best to help him improve his strength in the short term, in case anything unexpected happened when facing a disciple trained by that family!

"Ouch..." Qin Cheng cried out in pain. This time it was no longer enjoyable. Wang Xuan's slap made his bones and marrow resonate and tremble. His internal organs shook violently, and his secret power was activated. He felt like he was about to explode.

However, since there were superhumans observing his internal condition, it was impossible for his internal organs to have been torn apart.

"I feel like I've gotten stronger again! Professor Lin, I'll help you get revenge. I'll take on ten of them by myself! Besides, you can recover on your own and go find your enemies to get revenge. If all else fails, Old Wang will always be there to back you up!"

Although Wang Xuan did not say what level he was at, Professor Lin and Qin Cheng both realized that he must be very strong, exceeding their expectations.

Wang Xuan declined Professor Lin's offer to stay overnight. He took Qin Cheng back with him, intending to have Old Chen teach him some suitable boxing techniques and scriptures.

"Professor Lin, I might come to Su City to stay for a while, and we'll see each other often in the future," Wang Xuan said.

The two left the residential area and had just stepped outside when they saw people practicing martial arts in the woods outside Kaiyuan University.

"Old Wang, look at the beautiful woman!"

"I won't look!" Wang Xuan turned around, not wanting to look, because he recognized her; she was that beautiful student.

"They're all quite skilled," Qin Cheng commented. He felt his judgment had improved significantly since his breakthrough.

"Not bad!" Qin Cheng said.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jia turned around and paused for a moment, but quickly perked up and said, "How about we have a spar?"

"Okay!" Qin Cheng nodded.

"This guy's friend calls himself Wang Wudi. Be careful later, and teach them a lesson!" Zhou Jia reminded the people around her.

"Bang!"

Qin Cheng was kicked right at the start, instantly sobering him up. The kick had been quite forceful, especially since he had just broken through to the next level; the kick still hurt his chest.

He took a deep breath and said, "I'm getting serious!"

Bang bang bang!

In the end, Qin Cheng knocked the man from the woods into the meadow, and then kicked him into the lake.

"Is there any more?" Qin Cheng called out.

"I'll go!" Another person rushed over.

Thump!

Finally, Qin Cheng kicked the four of them into the lake. He grinned at Zhou Jia and said, "Shall we have a little sparring?"

Zhou Jia turned and ran, disappearing in a flash into Kaiyuan University. She even lost one of her shoes in the process, fearing that Qin Cheng, being a pervert, might kick her into the lake as well.

"You little punks, you wanted to take advantage of me being drunk and trick me into kicking me into the lake? Now you can go and have a swimming race with the turtles." Qin Cheng stood by the lake, kicking several people who wanted to get ashore back into the water, then laughed and left with Wang Xuan.

"Old Chen, do you think my recent rapid progress and significant increase in strength are normal?"

That evening, Wang Xuan took Qin Cheng to the hotel to have Old Chen take a look and teach Qin Cheng some suitable secret techniques. At the same time, he himself was also wondering if his cultivation speed was too fast.

Old Chen really wanted to punch him. Was he doing this on purpose to provoke the Number One Person in the Old Earth?

"My cultivation speed is too fast, but I don't feel that my foundation is unstable. On the contrary, it is very solid and my foundation is thick enough."

When Old Chen heard these words, the blood flow in his chest increased rapidly. He felt that he was being maliciously targeted. Was this person showing off to him?

"Isn't going too fast a bad thing?" Wang Xuan asked.

Old Chen looked at his solemn expression and sighing, and really wanted to punch him, but he was afraid he couldn't beat this kid now.

"What do you mean 'fast'? Haven't you heard of the saying 'foundation building in a hundred days' in ancient times? This is just normal!" Old Chen said irritably.

Wang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Well, then I'm relieved. I've only made rapid progress in the last two months or so. I will continue to work hard, and I believe I can become even stronger!"

Old Chen wanted to ask him, "Are you serious? How much stronger do you want to be? How much faster do you want to be?"

"What are you talking about?" Qin Cheng was completely bewildered. Just how strong was Old Wang? Even the Number One Person in the Old Earth looked a little strange. Old Wang seemed... to be quite monstrous?!

"There's a banquet tomorrow. Some of the tycoons are treating me to dinner. You should go too, and get to know them." Old Chen looked at Wang Xuan.

"I don't want to go." Wang Xuan didn't want to stand out; he just wanted to lie low and live a carefree life, not wanting to be the focus of those people's attention and be analyzed and studied by them.

In addition, he wanted to rush back to Yuan City to rescue someone.

"Go ahead, there are benefits. There are some things we still need to cooperate with them on. Their technology is so advanced, we can't beat them now," Old Chen sighed.

Finally, he whispered mysteriously, "Once we get to know them, they might invite us to their homes, let us see their studies, and admire their collections. You know, once we get close, we can catch a glimpse of those sealed... scriptures!"

"That makes sense!" Wang Xuan nodded solemnly.

Old Chen laughed.

At that moment, Wang Xuan felt that Old Chen was a bit sleazy, but that smile... was really endearing, and he agreed!

Both of them instantly perked up.

"Should we look into how to get closer to Old Zhong's study?" Wang Xuan asked.

"It's incredibly difficult, but anything is possible with enough effort. If we think about it carefully, we're sure to find a way!" Old Chen said.

"Although I don't understand what you're saying, I feel like the two of you aren't exactly good people right now!" Qin Cheng muttered to himself.

"Go, go practice your monk's boxing!" Old Chen shooed him to another room.

The following evening, on the top floor of the Yuan Chu Building, a magnificent golden light shone through, with exotic crystals polished into chandeliers that shimmered with a dreamlike glow. Several medicinal herb trees in the hall were laden with buds, their fragrant aroma bringing a sense of tranquility to all who entered.

The atmosphere here is nice, and there are many guests, including scions of wealthy families and some famous explorers.

Wang Xuan spotted some familiar faces. For example, he could see Zhou Yun smugly grinning from afar, and he also saw Little Zhong's long legs in an evening gown.

"You..." Then, a person walked past him, looking back at him with some surprise.

"Old Ling!" Wang Xuan greeted him immediately.

Upon hearing this, Ling Qiming's face instantly darkened, and he glanced into the distance.

Soon, Wang Xuan also noticed that Ling Wei was standing far away, in a corner of the banquet hall.

"Old Ling!" someone called out again. Old Chen walked over and patted Ling Qiming on the shoulder with his right hand.

Thanks to: Sanshengyuanhenren, Xiaochenzhan, and Muyisantian, thank you for your support!