Salute to the Grand Line

After that brief interlude, everything returned to the main topic.

[Root Stance training guide completed. Creation incentive: two hundred Spirit Crystals awarded.]

[Root Stance training log completed. Creation incentive: twenty Spirit Crystals awarded.]

The system's successive chimes directly certified Wu Ming's cultivation progress. The morning's hard work had yielded results that exceeded expectations.

The Root Stance training, which Zhu Ying had deliberately portrayed as difficult, wasn't actually as hard as she'd made it seem—just as Wu Ming had suspected, the so-called "exhausting every trick to no avail" was merely a case of some people not persisting in exhausting every trick.

Throughout the entire morning, Wu Ming had tried over three hundred different methods of stepping. During that time, he never once grew discouraged or doubted himself. If one method didn't work, he immediately moved on to the next. And on his three hundred and ninetieth attempt, he almost predictably succeeded in landing a step on the Rootless Path using an Axel Jump.

The moment that step landed, the system immediately settled two rewards for him. But more than the system's rewards, what Wu Ming truly cared about was the Root Stance itself.

Root Stance—it sounded plain and unadorned, even a bit rustic. But the fact that Zhu Ying had placed it so solemnly as the first lesson in cultivation spoke to its profound mystery.

In that instant of successful landing, Wu Ming felt as if invisible root tendrils had extended from beneath his feet, connecting him firmly to the earth. With each breath, he could faintly sense the earth's majestic pulse.

At the same time, the blood and qi throughout his body began to flow more rapidly. In an instant, it channeled an invisible breath drawn from the earth, breaking through several stagnant and obstructed acupoints along his meridians. The fatigue accumulated from the previous day and the aches from half a day of tumbling were largely dispelled.

That single step felt as though it had left an indelible footprint on the long road of immortality. After this step, Wu Ming had officially entered the halls of cultivation.

And achieving success in cultivation—or rather, the entire process from start to success—filled Wu Ming with immense satisfaction.

Incentive rewards were fine, but at best they were just appetizers to accompany the wine; the game itself was the true feast.

If not for the unexpected "egg hitting a rock" incident that followed, everything would have been nearly perfect.

In response to this, Zhu Ying, after a long silence, finally forced herself to set aside her embarrassment and quell her anger. In the end, she revealed a sincere and gratified smile.

"Junior Brother, congratulations. You've performed even better than I imagined."

Although Wu Ming's morning performance in landing steps—especially his method of exhausting every trick while stubbornly refusing to keep his feet on the ground—had completely overturned Zhu Ying's views on cultivation and even dimmed the achievements she had secretly prided herself on...

But as the Senior Sister of the Gujian Sect, how could she not rejoice in her Junior Brother's excellence?

Wu Ming was a talent valued by Master. The better he performed, the more it proved Master's keen eye for talent, didn't it?

Besides, if one day he truly could, as he had boasted, elevate the entire sect to glory... what did her personal pride or shame matter?

Having worked through this reasoning, Zhu Ying composed herself and said, "With the Root Stance mastered, you are now a true cultivator. From now on, you must maintain the diligence and perseverance you've shown today, and live up to Master's high hopes for you... Alright, you've worked hard all morning. Take a short rest."

But Wu Ming looked at her in astonishment. "Rest after just one morning... Does this immortal world have an anti-addiction system too!?"

"?" Though Zhu Ying didn't understand Wu Ming's slang, she could see he was still eager to continue. She let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Heh, seems like I'm the one holding you back... Since your fighting spirit is so high, let's start the next stage of training early. Do you still remember the way back?"

Wu Ming smiled. "Of course. I don't forget maps I've run."

"Good. Then use the Root Stance you've learned to walk back to Xianyun Abode from here."

Wu Ming's spirits lifted. "A new daily quest? Hell yeah!"

Then, after a moment of preparation, he twisted his body and took a step. His posture was unadorned, yet it subtly stirred the surrounding heaven and earth's primordial qi, causing a gentle breeze to sweep through the valley and the leaves to rustle...

Thump!

His simple straw sandal landed firmly on the ground, producing an unmistakable sound. Then, drawing a wisp of primordial qi from the earth, it unmistakably merged into Wu Ming's limbs and bones, nourishing his muscles, strengthening his blood and qi, and making up for the deficiencies of the past ten-plus years.

With that single step, it felt as if he were bathing in warm water, every part of his body comfortable. But when Wu Ming tried to take another step, he found that the muscles that had just felt so relaxed suddenly went numb and stiff, refusing to obey. Only after his blood and qi circulated for a while did the paralysis ease, allowing him to step forward again.

Meanwhile, Zhu Ying explained from the side, "The initial breakthrough in Root Stance is somewhat like an epiphany—success or failure doesn't heavily depend on your past accumulation. But the training after the breakthrough is nothing more than the most straightforward daily accumulation. Follow the method you used to break through, step by step, and your stride will naturally become smoother and more effortless... until you hit a bottleneck, at which point you come back to the Rootless Path to attempt another breakthrough. That cycle is the entire process of Root Stance cultivation."

Wu Ming nodded. Seizing the opportunity, he adjusted his breathing, stepped forward again, and rooted himself with the landing... His posture and pace remained exactly the same as before.

Zhu Ying opened her mouth as if to speak—she had planned to find some small fault when Wu Ming's steps became unsteady, to give him a little reprimand and keep him in check. But Wu Ming's opening move had completely blocked the well-prepared words of admonition she had been brewing, leaving her good intentions with no outlet...

Fortunately, besides lecturing and correcting, as the Senior Sister, there was still one thing she could do.

"Wu Ming, stand still and wait a moment."

Wu Ming obeyed and stayed put.

"...I didn't mean for you to hold your breath too. Alright, it's tied. Try walking now."

Wu Ming felt a strange coolness on his back. Curious, he turned his head and saw that familiar flash of silver sword light.

"The freebie Signature Weapon?"

"...It's the Taiyi Dharma Sword." Zhu Ying corrected him helplessly. "A divine weapon like this, even if it's only a Qi Refining Stage artifact, faintly contains a trace of spiritual nature. Treat it with the courtesy due to a person, and only then can you gradually unleash the full power of this sword."

"I see. Then please take care of me, old pal!"

"...I didn't tell you to give it a name! And with such a frivolous title at that! You must learn to respect it, to honor it!"

"Then please take care of me, Yan Mountain Sword Head!"

"..." Zhu Ying's lips parted and closed several times, but in the end, she couldn't find the words.

Especially the moment the title "Yan Mountain Sword Head" settled, the Dharma Sword trembled slightly, as if rejoicing. The sparse spiritual energy along the Yan Mountain path was drawn into the sword body with astonishing efficiency, then channeled into Wu Ming's body...

"A sword's hum..." Zhu Ying murmured, her eyes wide. For a moment, she felt that being the Senior Sister was becoming more and more difficult.

The Taiyi Dharma Sword was indeed a top-tier artifact of the Qi Refining Stage, but precisely because of its extraordinary quality and inherent spirituality, truly refining it to one's will was no easy task.

Yet Wu Ming seemed naturally attuned to this sword. With just a nonsensical title, he had actually triggered a sword hum—for an artifact of the Taiyi Dharma Sword's grade, this could be considered the sword acknowledging its master.

Could she have done the same in his place? Oh, the Gujian Sect didn't have any artifacts for her to refine, so never mind.

Suppressing a silent sigh, Zhu Ying continued, "Carrying this sword on your back, whether you're walking, sitting, or lying down, it's equivalent to natural breathing and exhaling. Since you've triggered the sword hum, the Dharma Sword's breathing efficiency has greatly increased, roughly equivalent to a fourth or fifth-grade Spirit Root."

"Of course, the spiritual energy drawn in by the Dharma Sword is inevitably mixed and impure, not suitable for direct use. But as long as you supplement it with Root Stance practice, you can refine that mixed energy into your flesh. Though this will waste most of the spiritual energy, for you at this stage, it should be the best method."

Wu Ming considered for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Sister!"

"...No need to thank me. It's your own unique talent."

"But it was Gujian Sect that gave me the chance to realize that talent."

Zhu Ying was slightly taken aback, her expression softening. "That you think this way... is good."

"So when I unify the Immortal Realm, I'll definitely elevate our entire sect to ascension!"

"...That you think this way is also good."

As they spoke, their steps never stopped. With the Taiyi Dharma Sword's aid, Wu Ming no longer merely drew spiritual energy from the earth. Each step seemed to stir an invisible vortex, heat rolling through his body, nourishing every limb, every joint, every acupoint. After a few steps, his face flushed, and his body grew increasingly hot.

After another dozen steps, Wu Ming slowly closed his eyes, his mind fully immersed in the simple act of stepping and landing. As his feet rose and fell, no matter how the mountain path twisted and climbed, he walked as if on flat ground—neither stepping into emptiness nor straying from the path.

Each step landed heavier than the last, his foothold growing more stable. And with every step, faint, turbid sweat seeped from his skin... he was unconsciously undergoing Tendon-Changing and Marrow-Cleansing!

This pace of cultivation once again exceeded Zhu Ying's expectations. Fortunately, she had already been surprised enough times today. She merely sighed numbly to herself, then formed a hand seal and cast a Minor Clear Spirit Art, summoning wisps of refreshing moisture to blow constantly, washing away the grime from Wu Ming's body.

The rest of the journey passed in silence. By the time they returned to Xianyun Abode, it was already evening.

Someone was waiting for them at the small courtyard gate.

"Senior Sister, Junior Brother, you're back!"

A sweet, sticky call roused Wu Ming from his meditative state. He stopped and opened his eyes to see a tall girl in a pink dress and long skirt, hopping and waving at him, her face beaming with a childlike smile, while her chest bore a surge that was anything but childlike.

No wonder she was his lifesaver. No wonder she was a Limited Five Talent!

"Senior Sister Zheng Lingxi, good afternoon."

After offering his praise, Wu Ming clasped his fists and bowed respectfully. But Zheng Lingxi's eyes suddenly went wide, her expression one of disbelief. The next moment, without any visible movement, she vanished from the courtyard gate and reappeared right in front of him.

Her curves, practically bursting forth, nearly pressed into his face.

Then Zheng Lingxi leaned down slightly, her childish face almost touching Wu Ming's, her round eyes brimming with surprise and curiosity.

"Eh~ What did you just call me?"

Wu Ming replied calmly, "Senior Sister Zheng Lingxi, good afternoon."

Her eyes curved into joyful crescents.

"Hehe~ Senior Sister! I'm a senior sister!" Zheng Lingxi couldn't help bouncing again. "Xiao Hui, Xiao Su, Xiao Ma, Xiao Xiao Zhi, did you hear that? I'm a senior sister!"

At her feet, two squirrels, a sparrow, and a little wild boar had somehow appeared, each making sounds of agreement... before scattering in all directions as a shadow suddenly loomed over them.

Zhu Ying stood behind Zheng Lingxi with a dark expression, reaching out to lift her away from Wu Ming's face.

"Since you're a senior sister, act like one. Don't fool around like a child all day!"

"S-sorry, I was wrong."

The vibrant Zheng Lingxi instantly went still, like a kitten caught by the scruff of its mother cat, not daring to move.

Zhu Ying glared at her for a moment, then helplessly set her down, also dispelling the floating cloud beneath her own feet to land on the ground.

"What are you here for?"

Zheng Lingxi answered obediently, "I came to bring food."

"Food?"

Wu Ming was also surprised at this, glancing at the little creatures trembling behind the fence.

"Game..."

"!?" Zheng Lingxi's ear twitched, and in a flash she was behind the fence, clutching the little wild boar tightly.

"N-no eating Xiao Xiao Zhi! I, I brought food..."

With that, she carefully reached into her bosom, pulling out a small bamboo basket from amidst the waves. Inside were a few fruit cakes, a string of berries, and some fresh tea leaves...

"Haven't I told you not to use Storage Technique like that!?"

Before Wu Ming could get a clear look at this Grand Line, Zheng Lingxi was once again hoisted up by her furious senior sister and thoroughly scolded.

But when Zhu Ying saw the bamboo basket on the ground, her anger gradually faded, replaced by a hint of worry in her eyes.

"These fruit cakes... were they for Master? Did he not take them?"

Zheng Lingxi nodded. "Master said he had no appetite, told me to bring them for you all, and said he'd be going into seclusion for a while."

"...I see." Zhu Ying sighed, no longer in the mood to fuss over Zheng Lingxi's immaturity. She turned to Wu Ming and said, "Come inside and eat. Don't waste good things."