Mentor's Guidance, Avoid Detours

The Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy was shrouded in a light mist on this early morning.

Lin Fan walked along the main campus path paved with bluestone slabs, heading towards the faculty office area. Many students he passed cast complex glances his way—some curious, some admiring, and some with a barely perceptible hint of jealousy.

"Look, that's Lin Fan, the winner of the freshman competition."

"I heard he even shattered Wang Hao's Golden Scale Armor? Is that true?"

"The Wang Family sent someone to the academy yesterday to negotiate, demanding Lin Fan be severely punished for 'intentionally seriously injuring a classmate'."

"Tch, injuries are inevitable in a spar. The Wang Family just can't accept defeat."

The murmurs drifted over with the wind. Lin Fan's expression remained calm, his steps unhurried.

He had long grown accustomed to these voices.

The path of martial arts was, after all, about stepping on the failures of others to climb higher. If you were strong, people would talk; if you were weak, you wouldn't even have the right to be talked about.

What concerned him more now was the message Teacher Zhang had sent him via the academy's communication talisman last night:

"Come to my office tomorrow at the hour of the snake. There are some matters regarding the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art that need to be explained in person."

The tone was very formal.

Lin Fan guessed it might be related to the information Old Man Li had revealed yesterday—that cultivation technique seemed to hide secrets even the academy's higher-ups didn't fully understand.

As he passed the mission hall, Lin Fan paused.

Through the open, carved wooden doors, he could see quite a few students already gathered inside. The massive mission notice board was densely plastered with various task requests: hunting Demonic Beasts, gathering medicinal herbs, escorting merchant caravans, investigating anomalies...

Each mission listed its corresponding Academic Credits reward and danger level.

Lin Fan's gaze swept over a few high-reward missions:

[Investigate Demonic Beast Activity in Black Wind Valley (Danger Level: C-Grade High)] Reward: 300 Academic Credits

[Gather 3rd Tier Spirit Herb 'Ice Heart Lotus' (Danger Level: B-Grade Low)] Reward: 500 Academic Credits

[Assist Military in Clearing Small-Scale Beast Tide East of the City (Danger Level: B-Grade Mid)] Reward: 800 Academic Credits, 10 Military Contribution Points

B-Grade missions corresponded to dangers that only a 3rd Grade Martial Master could handle. With Lin Fan's current strength, he could barely attempt C-Grade High missions, but B-Grade... he was still far from it.

"My strength isn't enough," Lin Fan sighed softly, retracting his gaze.

What he needed most were two things: time and resources.

Time to cultivate, and resources to support his cultivation.

Both of these could be obtained by completing missions—Academic Credits could be exchanged for cultivation resources and time in special facilities, and practical combat itself improved proficiency.

"I'll pick up a mission after I see Teacher Zhang," Lin Fan decided, continuing towards the office area.

The faculty office area was located in the northeast corner of the academy. It was a row of three-story green brick buildings with upturned eaves, exuding an ancient charm.

Teacher Zhang's office was on the second floor, easternmost side. Outside the window stood a century-old ginkgo tree, its leaves golden yellow at this time, rustling in the morning breeze.

"Knock, knock."

Lin Fan knocked on the door.

"Come in," Teacher Zhang's voice replied.

Pushing the door open, Lin Fan was met with a faint scent of ink filling the office.

Teacher Zhang was seated behind a large rosewood desk, a yellowed bamboo scroll spread open before him. He held a wolf-hair brush, seemingly annotating something.

Seeing Lin Fan enter, he put down his brush and gestured to the chair opposite him. "Sit."

Lin Fan complied and sat down.

"Have some tea," Teacher Zhang pushed a white porcelain teacup towards him. The tea was clear, steaming gently, and emitted a refreshing aroma.

Lin Fan took a sip and immediately felt his Spirit invigorate, even the fatigue accumulated from last night's cultivation dissipating significantly.

"This is 'Clear Heart Tea,' made from frying the 2nd Tier spirit leaf 'Calm Heart Grass.' It's good for calming the mind and nourishing the Spirit," Teacher Zhang explained. "As you're cultivating the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art, your Spirit consumption will be high. You should drink this more often."

"Thank you, Teacher," Lin Fan took another sip.

Teacher Zhang observed him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Your aura... it's much more stable than yesterday. Have you entered the initial stage of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art?"

Lin Fan nodded. "I attempted to cultivate last night and fortunately managed to enter the initial stage."

"Fortunate?" Teacher Zhang chuckled. "Old Man Li specifically came to see me yesterday, saying your talent in cultivation techniques might be even higher than we imagined. Normally, entering the first turn of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art takes anywhere from seven days to a month. You did it overnight..."

He paused, his expression turning serious. "But I must warn you, fast isn't always good."

Lin Fan put down his teacup and sat up straight. "This student is eager to hear your explanation."

Teacher Zhang took a thick notebook from his desk drawer, flipped to a certain page, and pushed it towards Lin Fan.

The notebook displayed a complex diagram of human meridians, marked with dense red dots and blue lines.

"This is the complete circulation route map for the first turn of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art," Teacher Zhang pointed at the diagram. "Look here, and here. These side meridians are extremely fine and fragile. When the cultivation technique runs, Origin Energy will forcibly impact these meridians to expand their capacity."

"This process is extremely painful and risky—if the meridians cannot withstand the impact and are damaged, at best, Origin Energy will leak, and your cultivation will regress; at worst, the meridians will be completely severed, leaving you crippled."

Lin Fan looked at the diagram, comparing it with his own cultivation experience from last night.

Indeed, the circulation through those side meridians had brought the most intense sensation of swelling pain.

"That's why Old Man Li gave you the Spirit Locking Pill," Teacher Zhang continued. "Once you feel any abnormality in your meridians, take the Spirit Locking Pill immediately and stop circulating the technique. Remember, cultivation isn't about risking your life. If you're dead, you have nothing."

"I understand, Teacher," Lin Fan replied respectfully.

"One more thing," Teacher Zhang tapped several acupoints on the diagram. "The Tanzhong, Sea of Qi, Mingmen... these major acupoints are the core nodes of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art. With every revolution you advance, you need to condense a Profound Origin Seal within these acupoints."

"And condensing a seal requires an immense amount of Origin Energy and vital energy. At your current realm, even condensing the seal for the first revolution will be difficult."

Lin Fan's heart stirred. "Teacher means..."

"I mean, don't be in a hurry," Teacher Zhang looked directly into Lin Fan's eyes. "I know you're talented and diligent, wanting to spend all your time cultivating. But the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art is different from Mortal Tier skills; you can't just brute-force it by spending more time."

"You need to solidify your foundation, step by step. With every revolution you advance, you must perfect your current realm, temper your physical body to its limit, and saturate your Origin Energy. Only then can you withstand the impact of the next revolution."

"Otherwise," Teacher Zhang's tone grew serious, "it's like building a skyscraper. If the foundation isn't solid, the higher you build, the faster it collapses."

The office fell silent.

The ginkgo leaves outside rustled, and a few golden leaves drifted down, sticking to the windowpane.

Lin Fan was silent for a moment, then looked up at Teacher Zhang. "Teacher, what if... my foundation is already very solid?"

Teacher Zhang was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"My Iron Body Skill is already at Perfection," Lin Fan said calmly. "My physical body's strength should be comparable to a 3rd Grade Martial Master. My Origin Energy limit, after the Body Tempering Pill and the introductory cultivation, has reached 500 points. Is this foundation sufficient?"

Teacher Zhang's teacup trembled, nearly spilling its contents.

"Iron Body Skill... Perfection?" He stared intently at Lin Fan. "How long have you been practicing? Three months? Four months?"

"Three and a half months," Lin Fan replied truthfully.

Teacher Zhang took a deep breath, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his temples.

"Three and a half months to bring a Mortal Tier Top Grade body-tempering skill to Perfection... Do you know what that means?"

"I do not, Teacher."

"In the 120 years since Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy was founded, the fastest record for perfecting the Iron Body Skill was seven months and three days," Teacher Zhang said slowly. "The record was set by a senior thirty years ago. He later became a Martial Ancestor and is now a Lieutenant General in the Huaxia Alliance Military Department."

"And you've cut that record in half."

Lin Fan remained silent.

What could he say? Should he tell Teacher Zhang that he had a system and could endlessly grind proficiency?

"No wonder..." Teacher Zhang murmured. "No wonder you could shatter the Golden Scale Armor, no wonder you dared to choose the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art... You've been hiding quite a lot, kid."

Lin Fan gave a wry smile. "I didn't intend to hide it, it's just..."

"It's just that you didn't want to attract too much attention. I understand," Teacher Zhang waved his hand. "The tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. You did the right thing."

He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the falling ginkgo leaves outside, silent for a long time.

"Lin Fan," Teacher Zhang suddenly spoke, "do you know why I've been looking out for you specifically?"

"Because... my aptitude is decent?"

"There are many students with good aptitude in the academy. Aren't those in the Genius Class one in a hundred?" Teacher Zhang turned around, his gaze deep. "I've been looking out for you because I see my past self in you."

"Your past self?"

"I also came from the slums," Teacher Zhang smiled, a hint of weariness in his smile. "My parents were ordinary workers, with no resources or background. Getting into Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy was all through sheer effort."

"I was like you too, sleeping only three hours a day, spending all other time cultivating. I practiced techniques ten times that others practiced once; I practiced martial skills a hundred times that others practiced ten times."

"I thought that as long as I worked hard enough, I could change my fate."

Lin Fan listened quietly.

"I did change my fate, to a certain extent." Teacher Zhang walked back to his desk, took out a wooden box from a drawer, and opened it.

Inside was a dark gold medal, engraved with a sword and a shield crossed, with "Huaxia Military Department" inscribed below.

"This is the Medal of Valor awarded by the Military Department when I graduated," Teacher Zhang stroked the surface of the medal. "Because I, at the realm of a 3rd Grade Martial Master, killed a 4th Tier Demonic Beast by surpassing my rank, saving a surrounded Hunting Group."

Lin Fan felt a surge of respect.

Killing a 4th Tier Demonic Beast by surpassing his rank was a battle that almost crossed a major realm! The danger involved was unimaginable.

"But I also paid a price," Teacher Zhang put down the medal and rolled up the sleeve of his left arm.

On his forearm, a hideous scar extended from his wrist to his elbow, purplish-black in color, as if corroded by something.

"This is the venom left by that Demonic Beast," Teacher Zhang said calmly. "Although I saved my arm, the meridians in this arm are half-crippled and can no longer withstand high-intensity Origin Energy circulation. My cultivation has also been permanently stuck at 4th Grade Great Martial Master, unable to advance further."

Lin Fan's heart trembled.

"That's why I told you not to be in a hurry, not to risk your life," Teacher Zhang put down his sleeve and sat back in his chair. "The path of martial arts is long; there's no need to rush for temporary gains. If you build a solid foundation, you'll live longer and go further."

"I... will keep that in mind," Lin Fan said solemnly.

Unable to find the book by its title, you might try searching for the author. Perhaps the title has been changed!

Silence fell in the office once more.

Teacher Zhang took a sip of tea and suddenly asked, "When you cultivated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art last night, besides the pain, what else did you feel?"

Lin Fan thought for a moment. "My Origin Energy became purer, its circulation speed increased, and its integration with my physical body also improved. And... it seemed to temper my body automatically?"

"Profound Origin Qi," Teacher Zhang nodded. "This is one of the core characteristics of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art. When the technique is running, it automatically generates Profound Origin Qi, subtly strengthening the body, meridians, bones... Although slow, its advantage lies in its persistence, and it has no side effects."

"However," he changed the subject, "the speed at which Profound Origin Qi is generated is related to the mastery of the technique. You've only just begun, so the Profound Origin Qi produced is negligible. To see a noticeable effect, you need to at least train it to Minor Accomplishment."

Lin Fan's heart stirred. "Teacher, then if... I want to quickly train the first revolution to Minor Accomplishment, is there any way?"

Teacher Zhang frowned. "You want to rush it again?"

"It's not about rushing," Lin Fan chose his words carefully. "Student just feels that since the foundation is solid, the realm of the technique should be improved as quickly as possible. The higher the technique's realm, the stronger the Profound Origin Qi, which in turn can further solidify the foundation. This is a virtuous cycle."

Teacher Zhang stared at Lin Fan for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"You're quite good at arguing," he shook his head. "However, what you say does have some truth to it. With a solid foundation, appropriately speeding up cultivation can indeed create a positive feedback loop."

He took a thin booklet from the bookshelf and handed it to Lin Fan.

"This is a collection of notes left by several seniors in the academy who have practiced the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art. It contains some techniques and precautions for speeding up cultivation. Take it back and read it."

Lin Fan took the booklet and opened the first page. Written in elegant small script were the words:

"The core of the first revolution: Stability. Do not seek speed, but use persistent effort, slowly and steadily..."

A typical conservative viewpoint.

"Don't jump to conclusions," Teacher Zhang seemed to see through Lin Fan's thoughts. "Flip to the back."

Lin Fan flipped to the middle pages, and the handwriting became wild and unrestrained:

"What nonsense about steady progress! In the martial arts world, if you don't advance, you retreat! The first revolution should be broken through with lightning speed! Pain? Pain is good! How can you get stronger without pain?"

"This old man reached Minor Accomplishment in the first revolution in three months, entered the fifth revolution in five years, and became a Martial Ancestor! Those who advocated 'steady progress' are still stuck between the second and third revolutions!"

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

This style suited him.

"These were left by Senior 'Mad Saber'," Teacher Zhang said. "He is the person in the academy's history who cultivated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art to the highest realm – the sixth revolution, a 7th-grade Martial Emperor. Although he ultimately couldn't break through to the seventh revolution, it's enough to prove that his method has a certain degree of feasibility."

Lin Fan continued to flip.

There were several other different viewpoints. Some advocated using medicinal pills for assistance, some advocated cultivating in special environments, and some advocated stimulating cultivation through high-intensity combat...

They were all sorts of methods, but they had one thing in common: speed.

"All these methods carry risks," Teacher Zhang warned. "Senior 'Mad Saber's' method is the most radical, but also the most dangerous. Of the twelve students in his batch who practiced the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art, only three survived in the end. The other nine either suffered qi deviation or had their meridians completely severed."

Lin Fan closed the booklet and took a deep breath.

"Teacher, I want to try Senior 'Mad Saber's' method."

Teacher Zhang was not surprised. "I knew you would choose this. However, you must promise me two conditions."

"Please tell me, Teacher."

"First, come to me every day. I need to check your cultivation progress and physical condition. If any abnormality is found, you must stop immediately."

"Second," Teacher Zhang took out a small jade bottle from his drawer. "This is a Vessel Protecting Pill, a low-grade Earth-tier pill that can protect your meridians and reduce impact damage. Take one pill before cultivating each day. I have thirty pills left, enough for you for a month."

Lin Fan took the jade bottle, and a warmth surged in his heart.

"Thank you, Teacher."

"Don't thank me yet," Teacher Zhang waved his hand. "The core of Senior 'Mad Saber's' method is just one word: 'Charge'."

"Use powerful Origin Energy to forcefully impact the circulation routes of the technique, especially the fragile collateral meridians. Each impact will bring intense pain, but it can also rapidly expand the capacity of the meridians and improve their efficiency."

"Theoretically, if you can withstand the pain and have enough Origin Energy to support it, you can completely reach Minor Accomplishment in the first revolution within a short period."

"But the premise is," Teacher Zhang emphasized, "that your body and meridians can truly withstand it."

Lin Fan clenched the jade bottle. "Student wants to try."

"Then try," Teacher Zhang sighed. "But remember, if you feel something is wrong, stop immediately. The dual insurance of the Spirit Locking Pill and the Vessel Protecting Pill should keep you safe."

"Also," he added, "Senior 'Mad Saber's' method consumes a huge amount of resources. How many resources did you use for your cultivation last night?"

Lin Fan answered truthfully: "Two pounds of 2nd Tier Demonic Beast meat, and one blood ginseng."

"Then, according to 'Mad Saber's' method, you might need... five times, or even ten times the resources," Teacher Zhang frowned. "Can your current Academic Credits and financial situation support it?"

Lin Fan gave a wry smile. "I can't."

"Then you still need to take on missions," Teacher Zhang thought for a moment. "How about this, I have a C-grade mission here with good rewards and low danger. Do you want to take it?"

"What mission?"

"Escort a medicinal herb caravan to Qingmu Town. It's a three-day round trip, the reward is 200 Academic Credits, plus an extra 100,000 Huaxia dollars from the caravan." Teacher Zhang said, "The caravan is from the Hundred Herbs Hall, they have a very good reputation and won't shortchange the reward. Also, their guard captain is an old friend of mine, he'll look out for you."

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

Three days, 200 Academic Credits, 100,000 Huaxia dollars.

This reward was quite generous.

"I'll take it," Lin Fan said without hesitation.

"Alright, I'll register it for you," Teacher Zhang took out a mission scroll and began filling in the information. "The caravan departs tomorrow morning, so you still have time to prepare today. Remember to bring plenty of dry food and medicine, the road might not be peaceful."

"Also," he looked up at Lin Fan. "For this mission, I'll have Chen Dahu and Sun Wanting go with you. They are experienced and can help you."

Lin Fan nodded, "Thank you for the arrangement, Teacher."

He emerged from Teacher Zhang's office at a quarter past the hour of the snake.

Sunlight pierced the light mist, scattering across the bluestone path, warm and bright.

Clutching the notebook of insights and the jade bottle, Lin Fan already had a complete plan in mind.

Take on missions during the day to earn resources.

Practice using Mad Saber's methods at night to rapidly improve his skill proficiency.

A two-pronged approach, advancing on all fronts.

"First, I'll head to the mission hall and officially accept the escort mission," Lin Fan walked towards the mission hall.

After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, tilting his head slightly.

Behind him, there seemed to be a gaze watching him.

Very subtle, but very focused.

Lin Fan didn't turn around. Instead, he continued walking forward, slowly extending his Spirit.

The Perfection of the Iron Body Skill not only strengthened his physique but also significantly enhanced his five senses. Coupled with the nourishment of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art to his Spirit, his perception of his surroundings now far surpassed that of Martial Artists in the same realm.

Ten meters... twenty meters... thirty meters...

Behind a parasol tree thirty meters away, he "saw" a blurry figure.

The person wore an ordinary academy uniform, head bowed, as if waiting for someone. Yet, their peripheral vision was locked onto him.

Tracking me? Lin Fan sneered inwardly.

He remained composed, continuing towards the mission hall.

Upon entering the hall, the person did not follow but stopped outside the entrance, blending into the crowd.

Lin Fan approached the mission registration desk and gave the mission number Teacher Zhang had provided to the staff.

"Escorting the Hundred Herbs Hall caravan to Qingmu Town... Hmm, it's already registered," the staff member, a young woman wearing glasses, handed Lin Fan a mission voucher. "Gather at the North City Gate tomorrow at the hour of the dragon. This is your identification token; simply present it to the caravan's escort captain for confirmation."

"Thank you," Lin Fan took the voucher and the identification token.

The token was made of wood, with "Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy" engraved on the front and "External Mission Voucher" and the mission number on the back.

"Also," the staff member lowered her voice, "Teacher Zhang specifically asked me to tell you to be careful. Things have been a bit unstable outside the academy recently."

Lin Fan's heart stirred. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure. Several groups have been inquiring about information on academy students, especially... the top finishers in the freshman competition." The staff member glanced meaningfully at Lin Fan.

"Understood. Thank you for the warning," Lin Fan put away the identification token and turned to leave.

As he walked out of the mission hall, the tracker was gone.

But Lin Fan could feel that the gaze hadn't disappeared; it had merely shifted to a more concealed location.

Someone from the Wang Family? Or... another faction? Lin Fan became inwardly vigilant.

His current identity was precarious.

First place in the freshman competition, shattering Wang Hao's Golden Scale Armor, and offending the Wang Family.

Choosing the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art might have attracted certain people's attention.

Then there was Zhao Ling'er's sudden visit, proposing cooperation...

These factors combined had placed him at the center of a vortex.

"I'll block the soldiers when they come and dam the water when it floods," Lin Fan clenched his fist. "As long as my strength is sufficient, all schemes and tricks will be futile."

He quickened his pace, heading towards the dormitory.

The most important thing now was to return and study Mad Saber's cultivation methods, preparing for tonight's breakthrough.

As for those hidden gazes...

A cold glint flashed across Lin Fan's lips.

"Don't provoke me. Otherwise, I don't mind letting you know what a true 'Liver Emperor' is."

Sunlight fell upon him, casting a long shadow.

At the end of the shadow lay unknown challenges, and also infinite possibilities.