Dawn had barely broken when the woods of the Ziyang Sect's outer sect filled with the rising and falling sounds of breathing exercises.
Shen Hao was awakened by the commotion next door. When he opened his eyes, the sky outside was still the pale white of a fish's belly, and the room was dim. He did not linger. He quickly got up, changed into a Gray Disciple Robe, took up the Ziyang Outer Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art, and headed to the clearing before his room.
The spiritual qi in the morning woods was somewhat richer than it had been the night before. The dewy scent of grass and trees mingled with the freshness of spiritual qi, and when he breathed it into his lungs, his spirits lifted at once. Shen Hao found a spot near a large tree, sat cross-legged, and once more focused his mind as he followed the incantation to breathe and cultivate.
With the foundation from last night, he sensed spiritual qi much faster this time. In only a moment, wisps of pale azure spiritual qi gathered toward the tip of his nose like drifting threads of silk. He carefully guided the qi, letting it slowly flow along his meridians.
His meridians were like riverbeds left uncleared for years. As the spiritual qi passed through them, it brought a faint swelling pain. Shen Hao clenched his teeth and did not dare let his mind wander in the slightest. Following the incantation, he circulated the qi through his meridians three times before slowly guiding it into his Sea of Qi.
The instant the spiritual qi entered his body, it was as though a stone had fallen into his Sea of Qi, sending ripples spreading layer upon layer. A warm sensation spread from his Sea of Qi, dispelling the early morning chill.
"Phew—"
Shen Hao let out a long breath of turbid air. He felt refreshed from head to toe, and even his mind seemed much clearer. Looking down at his palm, he vaguely felt that a faint, indistinct force had appeared within his body.
"Well, if it isn't the newly arrived Shen Hao? You're up this early practicing breathing exercises?"
A slightly mocking voice came from nearby. Shen Hao looked up and saw a youth in a Gray Disciple Robe standing not far away with his arms folded, an air of arrogance on his face. The youth appeared fifteen or sixteen, slightly taller than Shen Hao, with pride shining through his brows and eyes.
"My name is Wang Hu. I live in the second room of Room C next to yours." The youth lifted his chin. "Judging by how you look, you must have tossed and turned plenty last night, huh? With Three Spiritual Roots and Low-grade Talent, learning the breathing method isn't something that happens overnight."
Shen Hao rose to his feet and cupped his fists. His tone remained calm. "Senior Brother Wang, you flatter me. I'm merely a stupid bird that flies first."
Wang Hu gave a derisive snort, clearly not taking Shen Hao's words to heart. "A stupid bird that flies first? Some things can't be made up for with diligence alone." As he spoke, he walked to an empty patch beside Shen Hao and sat cross-legged. He took a deep breath, and the spiritual qi around him seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, swiftly gathering toward him at more than twice Shen Hao's speed.
Shen Hao watched in secret alarm. He knew this was the gap in talent. Wang Hu had to possess at least Mid-grade Spiritual Roots; the speed at which he absorbed spiritual qi was far beyond what Shen Hao, with his Three Spiritual Roots, could match.
He said nothing more. He sat down cross-legged again and continued his breathing exercises. If his talent fell short of others', then he could only make up for it with twice the effort.
As the sun gradually climbed, more and more disciples appeared in the woods. Some, like Shen Hao, were newcomers who had only just entered the sect and fumbled about while practicing; others had been training for months, and their speed in absorbing spiritual qi was quite impressive.
Shen Hao immersed himself in the rhythm of breathing and cultivation, as though the noise of the outside world had nothing to do with him. Again and again, he guided spiritual qi into his body, while the swelling pain in his meridians gradually eased with each circulation.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly felt that the spiritual qi within his Sea of Qi had grown a little denser. Joy surged in his heart. He hurriedly opened his eyes and followed the incantation, attempting to circulate the qi through one full cycle.
This time, the spiritual qi flowed much more smoothly through his meridians, no longer as sluggish as before. When it returned to his Sea of Qi, he clearly felt the faint force within his body strengthen once more.
"It seems my Breathing Technique has finally entered the gate," Shen Hao murmured, a relieved smile appearing on his face.
Just then, a Deacon Elder responsible for the cultivation of Outer Sect Disciples slowly approached. The elder wore a Green Daoist Robe, his beard and hair both white. His gaze swept over the disciples in the woods before finally settling on Shen Hao.
"Hmm?" The elder nodded slightly. "Though this youth's talent is poor, he is diligent. His foundation in breathing cultivation is also fairly solid."
His voice was not loud, yet it reached Shen Hao's ears clearly. Shen Hao's heart tightened, and he hurriedly rose and bowed respectfully to the elder.
The elder waved a hand and smiled. "No need for such courtesy. The road of immortality is blocked and long. Talent is only the starting point; diligence and perseverance are what one relies on to travel farther. Cultivate well, and do not grow slack."
With that, the elder flicked his sleeve and departed.
Shen Hao watched the elder's retreating back and clenched his fists. The elder's words were like a ray of light, illuminating the confusion in his heart. He knew that his road of immortality had only just begun.
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