Enlightenment Cultivation

After a simple meal, Lu Tianyou went on another date with that girl.

The nights in Qingming Mountain weren't as dark as Hua'an Town, nor as brightly lit as Anle City. The sky here always maintained a hazy, warm white state, as if covered by a giant light screen. Even during the forbidden hours, Li Mo no longer saw those unspeakable, terrifying entities.

This gave Li Mo an unprecedented sense of peace.

He didn't know if the Lingmu Sect had the ability to resist those indescribable monsters that seemed intent on devouring the entire world. Perhaps they had merely provided a sanctuary, allowing the disciples to find peace.

But no matter what.

At least at this moment, Li Mo felt incredibly relaxed, as if he had returned to his carefree childhood.

"At least it's safe here."

A faint smile on his face, Li Mo noticed a crowd gathered at a rock garden pavilion in the distance, all eagerly looking out from the Enlightenment Hall.

Curiosity piqued, Li Mo also went over.

After a while.

He reached the edge of the pavilion and saw a spirit bird, over ten feet long, drinking water by the pond outside the courtyard wall. Its entire body was a beautiful, deep blue-purple.

Li Mo had never seen such a beautiful giant bird and was momentarily lost in thought.

If the tigers and leopards of the Eighteen Mountains saw such a giant bird, would they still try to hunt it?

At this moment.

The giant bird seemed to have drunk its fill. It raised its head, puffed out its chest, and let out a clear, resonant cry. Spreading its wings, it soared into the sky, emitting a faint blue light, like a star slowly rising.

The Enlightenment Hall students fortunate enough to witness this scene all let out excited gasps.

"Wow!"

Only after the giant bird had flown far away did the crowd reluctantly leave the pavilion.

Afterward, Li Mo also left the rock garden and took a stroll on the path behind the Enlightenment Hall. He felt as if he had returned to his days as an apprentice in Jimin Hall. After walking for a while, he noticed three people practicing martial arts in a secluded, deserted area ahead. Their movements, however, were still a bit clumsy.

Li Mo was briefly stunned and surprised before quietly approaching them.

"Are you guys exchanging martial arts insights?"

The three students, two males and one female, stopped their movements upon hearing Li Mo's words and turned to look at him.

The girl was quite stout and looked pleasantly surprised to see Li Mo.

"Your name is Li Mo, right?"

"Hm?"

Li Mo blinked and looked at the forthright, robust-looking girl.

Her skin was slightly dark and rough, with thick eyebrows and large eyes. She was strong and healthy. When she smiled at Li Mo, she revealed two rows of pearly white teeth. Li Mo had no recollection of her at all.

However, since she knew his name, she must be a classmate.

"You don't remember me? I'm Ma Ling. I noticed you, a master, at the banquet the night before last. You startled me back then!"

Ma Ling walked enthusiastically towards Li Mo, her face full of anticipation, hoping he would teach her a few moves.

This forthright girl was practically a tomboy. She grabbed Li Mo's hand right away. Li Mo had never met a girl like her before.

"These two are brothers from Shangfeng Commandery."

Upon hearing Ma Ling say Li Mo was a master, the two men couldn't help but show surprise and cupped their fists towards him.

"I am Niu Li."

"I am Yang Guang. Please impart your wisdom, Brother Li."

Li Mo was taken aback and looked at the three with suspicion.

Ma Ling, Niu Li, Yang Guang... is this some kind of horse, cow, and sheep combination?

He mused inwardly, but Li Mo didn't refuse. He immediately showed off his skills. His Three-Way Swordplay had reached great mastery, and it was naturally easy for him to leave the three gaping in astonishment, thoroughly impressed, and clapping their hands in praise.

"Indeed, a master!"

Ma Ling's eyes sparkled as she looked at Li Mo, giving him a chill. He wondered if this "tiger girl" had taken a liking to him.

Niu Li was also shocked.

"Has your swordsmanship reached great mastery? I've never seen such agile and sharp sword techniques!"

Li Mo nodded in confirmation.

Seeing this, the three of them gasped, looking at Li Mo as if he were a monster. Ma Ling's gaze towards Li Mo became even more fervent.

After all, all three had been practicing martial arts since childhood and were still some distance from achieving minor mastery. They could barely be considered third-rate martial artists on the Jianghu, capable of dealing with ordinary people. To see someone around their age who had already achieved great mastery in martial arts was understandably shocking.

Yang Guang eagerly stepped forward.

"Big Brother Li Mo, I've been practicing my Xiangyang Swordplay for four years, but there are a few moves I just can't grasp. Please guide me!"

"Let me see your swordplay then."

This was the characteristic of having achieved great mastery in martial arts. Because one could flexibly use various sword moves and had a thorough understanding of the body's joints, organs, and weaknesses, one naturally knew all sorts of swordplay routines.

Upon hearing this, Yang Guang immediately demonstrated his swordplay.

To Li Mo now, his swordsmanship was riddled with flaws, still in the basic stage of memorizing various sword moves. After patiently watching, Li Mo immediately offered a few pointers.

Yang Guang suddenly understood, his heart filled with admiration.

Seeing this, Niu Li and Ma Ling also stepped forward to ask for guidance.

Li Mo did not hold back, combining his own martial arts experience, he gave pointers to the two. Time unknowingly passed until the late hours of the night, the hour of Hai (9-11 PM).

"Li Mo, why don't the four of us form a martial arts study group from now on?"

Ma Ling couldn't help but suggest.

"This… I'm truly sorry."

Li Mo replied sincerely, "My ambition is to become a cultivator. As for martial arts, I'll practice occasionally to strengthen my body and refine my character, ensuring my skills don't regress. I absolutely don't want to lose sight of the greater path by focusing on trivial matters."

Martial arts is martial arts, cultivation is cultivation.

Li Mo knew very well what his pursuit was. His previous martial arts practice was merely laying the foundation for his current cultivation. At critical moments, he had to make decisive choices.

"Occasional practice… that's fine too!"

Ma Ling happily agreed. Afterward, the four bid farewell and left.

Upon arriving at the Enlightenment Hall, Li Mo met more and more people, all with different personalities. This made him feel incredibly novel and fulfilled. Smiling, he returned to his dorm and saw that Lu Tianyou had already fallen asleep.

The next day.

Ding Wei arrived at the classroom punctually as always.

As promised, he began to explain the breathing, energy circulation, and cultivation methods of the Eye of True Spirit. He clarified the many points requiring attention during cultivation and the elements of qi sensation to everyone.

Unknowingly, more than half the day had passed.

Many people were still confused, their minds a blur. The numerous points Ding Wei mentioned went in one ear and out the other.

After all, it not only involved descriptions of qi sensation but also the method of spiritual energy circulation within the meridians.

Without a certain knowledge base, relying solely on rote memorization would indeed be very difficult.

"In short, comprehension and talent are equally important in cultivation. Your task from now on is to fully sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. After completing this first step, you can then follow the breathing and energy circulation methods I just described to cultivate our sect's main Eye of True Spirit technique."

With about an hour left until the end of class, Ding Wei instructed everyone to practice on their own and try to find the so-called qi sensation.

Li Mo also sat on his cushion, closing his eyes.

The quality of qi sensation was related to the purity of one's spiritual roots.

Good qi sensation could absolutely make cultivation twice as effective with half the effort; this was a hidden talent for cultivators.

Perhaps it was related to his mastery of Three-Way Swordplay or Li Mo's spiritual roots were inherently very pure. Following the method Ding Wei described, after only a slight sensing, he felt faint traces of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth swirling around his body.

Then, he cautiously tried the small circulation breathing and circulation method of the Eye of True Spirit. He found that this spiritual energy gradually began to converge into his body.

Instantly.

Li Mo felt an indescribable coolness and comfort emanating from within his body, like a parched land receiving timely rain. He was immediately captivated, unable to extricate himself.

"Is this the wonder of cultivation? It's truly different from martial arts."

The saying goes, "External training of muscles and skin, internal training of a single breath." This was that so-called single breath!

After a while.

Suddenly, an excited shout came from the classroom, disturbing Li Mo's cultivation. He couldn't help but open his eyes and frown at the person.

The one shouting excitedly was Zhou Zheng, who possessed the Clear Wind Physique.

"I've sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth! It's truly wonderful! The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is everywhere, this feeling is amazing!"

After all, he was just a child who had recently come of age. He immediately became so excited that he danced with joy.

Li Mo frowned slightly, then remembered how, two months ago, when he first encountered Spirit Stone, he instinctively absorbed its spiritual energy. He too had been intoxicated by that feeling of full-body comfort and excitement. He then understood.

"What is this guy doing, disturbing my mood?"

Lu Tianyou, who had opened his eyes helplessly, looked at Zhou Zheng dancing with joy at the other end of the classroom with displeasure.

"If it weren't for this guy disturbing me, I might have sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth too."

At this moment.

Uncle-Master Ding Wei on the stage stood up and walked to Zhou Zheng's side.

After a brief inquiry, he announced to everyone, "Congratulations to Zhou Zheng! He is the first student in this class to independently sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Alright, that's all for today. Class dismissed."

Upon hearing this, many people surrounded Zhou Zheng, asking him for cultivation tips.

The gazes of several girls looking at him were exactly the same as Ma Ling's gaze towards Li Mo yesterday. Zhou Zheng was enjoying himself, unable to stop, constantly sharing his experience with everyone. He was quite generous and not a selfish person.

Lu Tianyou pouted, seemingly displeased, and looked at Li Mo.

"Going to eat?"

"I want to meditate a little longer."

Li Mo decided to strike while the iron was hot and fully master the small circulation breathing and circulation method of the Eye of True Spirit. As Ding Wei had said, he would first complete a small circulation of energy.

"Alright, I'll head off then. Guo Hongjuan is waiting for me, hehe."

As soon as Lu Tianyou left, Ma Ling came over with a smile and sat beside Li Mo on the futon Lu Tianyou had just vacated. She smiled at Li Mo and asked, "We're still practicing martial arts over there tonight, are you coming?"

Li Mo showed an apologetic expression and said, "I need to find my qi sensation today."

"Isn't the assessment still three months away? What's the rush?"

"Alas, the early bird catches the worm."

Hearing this, Ma Ling left with a sigh of regret.

The classroom grew emptier and emptier. After a while, Wang Feng actually came to Li Mo's side, stretched lazily, and looked at Li Mo.

"Brother, how's your qi sensation?"

Seeing that it was Wang Feng, Li Mo smiled and said, "Not bad, how about you?"

Wang Feng shrugged.

"When I was in Yuan City, I wasn't originally cultivating the Eye of True Spirit. It was only later, due to family arrangements, that I was forced to switch to cultivating the Eye of True Spirit. I had already reached the fourth level before coming here, and this trip is just a formality. According to my old man, since I'm here to propose, I should lower my stance. Harmony in the family leads to prosperity."

Li Mo looked astonished.

The initial realm of cultivators is called the Qi Refining Stage, which has a total of twelve levels.

The other party had actually reached the fourth level of Qi Refining.

And according to Uncle-Master Ding Wei, after passing the enlightenment assessment, as long as one could reach the fourth level of Qi Refining within three years of joining the sect, they could graduate smoothly. If they reached the seventh level of Qi Refining or above, they could freely join any hall of the Lingmu Sect to serve.

Among these, the position of Inspector in the Heaven's Mandate Bureau, which Li Mo yearned for, was considered a difficult job in the outer sect's special affairs hall for cultivators already serving in the Lingmu Sect, and not a preferred choice.

"Are there people from the Lingmu Sect in Yuan City too?"

"Of course."

Wang Feng said nonchalantly, "Not to mention that the high-ranking officials of almost all sects have joined the military or maintain close cooperative relationships with the military and receive official salaries. Even the Heaven's Mandate Bureau, which is responsible for maintaining the public order of the Da Gan Kingdom, has many people from the Lingmu Sect. In Yuan City, I only needed to spend some Silver to hire cultivators from various sects for guidance. I might not be able to afford a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, but there are quite a few Qi Refining Stage cultivators. The one who taught me the Eye of True Spirit before was a tenth-level Qi Refining Inspector, and it only cost three diao of money per day."

Li Mo couldn't help but gasp.

Three diao of money per day, that would be ninety liang of Silver per month. That was far more than his income as a Traveling Doctor for an entire year.

Of course.

The cost of living in Yuan City must also be more outrageous.

"Then what spells can you use?"

"I only know a low-level, beginner Wind Blade Technique, but I run out of Magical Power after using it a few times. Oh, and the spiritual eye that comes with the main cultivation technique. Besides being able to distinguish magical artifacts and elixirs, it's useless. I've already tried it. Forget about dealing with those martial artists who are constables, I can't even beat a beat cop."

Although cultivators have a high starting point and a high upper limit, in the early stages, because they need to learn various theoretical knowledge, lack strong Magical Power support, and haven't mastered various spells and magical artifacts, they are naturally not opponents of martial artists.

However, as long as they accumulate a little and master various spells and magical artifacts, their strength will rapidly increase.

For example, those cultivators who have practiced in the sect for three years and reached the seventh level of Qi Refining or above, once they join the Heaven's Mandate Bureau, ordinary martial arts swordsmen will find it difficult to be their opponents.

Even those so-called experts in the Houtian realm, who have cultivated Inner Strength, will face a near-certain death when confronting cultivators.

After Wang Feng left.

Li Mo slowly closed his eyes and continued to practice his breathing until he successfully completed a small cycle of circulating his qi, and then left the classroom with satisfaction.