Master (Thanks to Archmage Alan for the generous reward)

As the words fell, the master and disciple stared at each other without yielding. Yuan Ci looked at his disciple, whose demeanor had suddenly become sharp and aggressive, and slowly relaxed his brows, saying:

"If that's the case, then show me. We've chatted for a long time today, go and cultivate!"

Wang Anfeng was angry, but he didn't lose his manners. He first bowed to Yuan Ci, then strode to the side, assumed a stance, and began practicing the Shaolin Long Fist. He thought about how he was truly powerless in this matter, his mind unable to be at ease, yet a strong desire to become stronger arose.

As the mind thinks, so the appearance changes. When the mind is moved, the Tathagata can be seen everywhere. Wang Anfeng was feeling dejected at this moment, but he no longer felt his qi solidify like a mountain. As he swung his fists, his movements became increasingly grand. Behind him, Yuan Ci lowered his gaze to the clear tea soup. The porcelain cup, along with the warm tea, silently turned to dust due to the shock of his internal energy, leaving no trace behind.

He looked up again at the young boy. Yuan Ci remained silent, lost in thought. It wasn't until Wang Anfeng's time was up and he was sent out of this world, until night fell and the stars swirled and descended, that he slowly rose. He walked down the mountain path step by step into the main hall of Shaolin. Although he hadn't returned, a dim light was already lit inside, as if it had been burning all night. Someone stood with their hands behind their back beneath the Buddha statue, their black hair hanging to their shoulders, their aura as deep as a prison. They spoke slowly:

"SL1204, you summoned me. For what purpose?"

Yuan Ci pursed his lips and said hoarsely:

"...I wish to open the sect, so that Anfeng can be taught by the various sects."

The single lamp flame before the Buddha let out a crackling sound. The shadows in the room flickered, but the atmosphere grew even more dead and cold. After an unknown amount of time, the person slowly spoke:

"Why? That wasn't your original intention."

Yuan Ci said: "Yes, I had only planned to train him through normal methods... in twenty to thirty years, he might become a skilled martial artist."

"SL1204, do you know that things are different now that we've entered this world?"

Yuan Ci replied: "Yes."

The figure spoke again: "If you want me to activate other characters, the power gained from entering this world will likely be greatly diminished. I will remain as the core, but you are different. You only recently gained independent consciousness. If you do this, your consciousness might disappear within twenty years. If you don't, you can live for at least fifty years. Do you know this?"

"I know."

The single lamp flame suddenly began to shake violently. The shadows of the two people writhed like demons and monsters on the pale walls. The person suddenly said coldly:

"You know? If you know, then why are you doing this?! I want a reason!"

As he spoke, a chill erupted, like the howl of a ghost dragon, making the Buddha's features appear sinister and terrifying. The solemn hall seemed like a ghost realm had descended, incredibly chilling. Yuan Ci remained calm, but his expression seemed to soften slightly. He said:

"Because I am his master."

"Is it just for that?!"

"Once a master, always a father."

The person fell silent. After a moment, his anger seemed to dissipate, and he said with a slightly lowered voice:

"Let's put this aside for now... He may not necessarily have such talent. Besides... if..."

His voice gradually lowered, but Yuan Ci understood what he meant, and even the deeper implications. This was merely a delaying tactic. He tilted his head and looked outside. The sky was gradually brightening. In the mountains were clouds and mist. Below the mist was the Jianghu of his memories. Thinking of the incredibly real 'flashes of swords and shadows' and 'passionate hearts' in his mind, a look of reminiscence appeared in his eyes. He said:

"You should know the difference between someone who aims for the pinnacle of the world and someone who only aims to be an ordinary expert..."

"My master took seventeen wounds for me in the past and passed away from exhaustion. Since Feng'er has such ambition, how can I not lend him a hand and help him soar?"

The person's hand, hidden within his sleeve, slowly clenched. "Then you are willing to be a stepping stone for others?! To give up yourself for this?!"

Yuan Ci turned to look at the person. Before him was a handsome young man, but in his mind, he inexplicably recalled the first time he saw that naive young boy. Before that, his world had been set by others, but from that day on, everything had suddenly come alive.

The sound of rain dripping on the bluestone slabs was damp. The familiar yet unfamiliar Mount Shaoshi was shrouded in mist. The gray memories were colored, and the most vivid stroke was that young man. He then smiled gently and replied, his expression warm and serene:

"Shaolin's Wrathful Vidyaraja Yuan Ci will not be a stepping stone for others, but Master will."

"SL1204, that's just a setting, a damn setting!"

The handsome young man opposite him suddenly roared in anger. Yuan Ci looked at the man consumed by rage and suddenly thought of a scripture.

Like a blue lotus, a red and white lotus, born in water and grown in water, it emerges from the water without being stained by it. Thus the Tathagata is born in the world and grows in the world, and walks in the world without being attached to the laws of the world.

His expression became even more peaceful. He said:

"That is no longer a setting, that is my life."

"I am Yuan Ci."

"You..."

By the time Wang Anfeng arrived at the county town, it was already the fifth of August. Uncle Li had asked him to deliver the items to the mountain villa on the fifteenth of August, the Mid-Autumn Festival. During the following period, thanks to Zhao Daniu's reminder, he did not go out of the city to practice martial arts as he had before. He found various excuses and also prevented Li Kangsheng and his wife from leaving the city.

At first, the two did not understand, but they soon noticed the city defenses that were outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense. Combined with the unusual words of Wang Anfeng, they guessed some of it and remained silent. During the day, Wang Anfeng stayed in Hui Chuntang, where Aunt Feng Lan taught him the Taisu Needle Technique. According to her, this needle technique was rudimentary and mostly theoretical. If there wasn't much time, it was best to memorize it first, as it would be useful in the future.

Every night, after everyone had fallen asleep, he would enter the Shaolin Temple. He knew in his heart that he was still very weak, but he did not rush. His interactions and conversations showed no abnormality, remaining warm and courteous. Li Kangsheng sometimes seemed to see a vast world in his eyes, but when he came back to his senses, it was only the boy's increasingly clear and bright eyes.

With this state of mind, his cultivation of martial arts and internal energy became even more focused. The thirty-two stances of the Shaolin Long Fist, which had been broken apart, quickly reassembled under this spirit into various moves that were either comically crude or fiercely powerful. When his internal energy was depleted, he would take elixirs and meditate to cultivate his internal energy.

Time passed day by day in this manner, which was monotonous yet free from idle thoughts. In the blink of an eye, it was the fifteenth of August.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.