Cultivating Essence and Receiving a Seal

Cultivating Essence and Receiving a Seal

Fan Lan watched the changes in everyone's expressions and said, "I imagine you junior brothers have all gained something. But although the Six Orthodox Seal Glyphs can point you toward the general whereabouts of the mysteries, to truly uncover them, you must continue studying the Seal Glyphs. Among your peers, you few are considered outstanding. By the Profound Residence's custom, I will first impart one Seal Glyph to each of you."

At these words, every student seated there revealed delighted expressions.

Zhang Yu considered more deeply. It seemed that, at least on the surface, the Profound Residence imparted its methods according to certain rules. But what exactly those rules were here remained unknown.

Whenever he arrived somewhere new, he was accustomed to finding out the local customs, conventions, and established rules.

This was partly a habit carried over from his previous life, and partly for his own protection, allowing him to better blend into the group. Yet the Profound Residence apparently had no intention of explaining these things to them. He could only observe and feel his way forward step by step in the future.

Fan Lan's expression turned serious. "Junior brothers, do not be in such a hurry to rejoice. Studying any Seal Glyph requires Divine Essence. Senior Brother Xiang should have made this clear to you yesterday: before you touch upon that thread of mystery, the Divine Essence expended each time you read a Dao chapter is limited. Use a little, and there is a little less. Thus, after the Seal Glyphs are bestowed, whether you use them or not, you must consider carefully for yourselves."

At his reminder, the several students calmed down somewhat, and hesitation arose in their hearts.

Fan Lan called over an attendant and gave a few instructions. Not long after the latter left, he brought back a jade tray holding brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and flat bamboo slips, each two fingers wide.

He said, "Junior brothers, write the name of the Seal Glyph you have each recognized upon these. The Profound Residence will grant the corresponding Seal Glyph accordingly."

Bai Qingqing glanced at Zhang Yu, then rose first and hurried a step ahead. With his back to the others, he picked up the brush and wrote a single character upon a bamboo slip.

He clearly did not wish anyone to see which Seal Glyph he had first sensed.

However, everyone present was skilled in calligraphy. If someone deliberately observed, they could still tell what he had written from his subtle movements. Thus, this guarded against gentlemen but not villains.

After Bai Qingqing finished writing, he tossed down the brush, cupped his hands to Fan Lan, and walked back down.

The remaining three students all turned to look at Zhang Yu. Among them, only he and Bai Qingqing had been able to view three seals immediately, so while he did not step forward, no one else dared go first.

Zhang Yu turned the matter over briefly in his mind, then stood and walked forward. Taking the paper and brush, he neatly wrote one character. After setting down the brush, he bowed with clasped hands to Fan Lan and returned to his original seat.

Only then did the other three students go forward one by one and write down the names of the seals they had sensed.

Fan Lan took them and looked through them once. He then picked up a brush and wrote each person's name upon their bamboo slip. Personally, he placed every slip into a silk sleeve, sealed them inside separate wooden boxes, then affixed sealing strips and instructed the attendant to stamp them with wax seals.

He smiled. "Junior brothers, you may return and wait. Before noon tomorrow, I will submit the sealed boxes. At the latest, there should be a result by tomorrow."

Hearing this, the disciples all rose together, bowed, and took their leave.

Fan Lan seemed to remember something just then. "Oh, Junior Brother Zhang, stay a moment. I have a few words for you."

The several students could not help casting envious looks his way. Bai Qingqing's steps paused slightly, yet he did not turn around. Instead, he quickened his pace and went out.

After everyone had left, Fan Lan smiled and beckoned Zhang Yu over. "Junior Brother Zhang, come, sit over here."

Zhang Yu entered the pavilion and sat opposite him. "What does Senior Brother Fan wish to tell me?"

Fan Lan smiled. "It is nothing much. After Junior Brother Zhang leaves the residence tomorrow, if you happen to see Junior Sister Xin Yao, please convey my greetings."

"Teacher Xin?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yu thought, It seemed Teacher Xin truly was a member of the Profound Residence.

However, he noticed that Fan Lan seemed to have misunderstood something, so he said, "Senior Brother Fan, Teacher Xin and I are not well acquainted. But if I see her, I will certainly deliver your words."

Fan Lan was slightly surprised. He studied Zhang Yu twice, and seeing how calm and candid he was, smiled. "Junior Brother Zhang's letter of application was submitted by Junior Sister Xin Yao. I had thought you two were acquainted, but it appears I was overthinking matters. This time, Junior Sister Xin Yao has recommended an outstanding talent to the Profound Residence."

Zhang Yu was faintly surprised. Xin Yao had delivered his letter of application to the Profound Residence? No wonder he had received a reply within two days of submitting it. He cupped his hands and said, "I did not know of this matter. Thank you for informing me, Senior Brother Fan."

Fan Lan waved a hand. "Ah, there is no need to thank me. You would have learned of it sooner or later." Covering his mouth with a fist, he coughed. "When you see Junior Sister Xin Yao, do not say I told you. That woman does not like others making decisions for her."

Zhang Yu's thoughts turned, and he understood at once. He nodded. "Understood." Rising to his feet, he cupped his hands. "If Senior Brother Fan has nothing else, then I shall take my leave."

"Very well, Junior Brother. Walk slowly."

Fan Lan also stood and returned the bow as he saw him off.

After Zhang Yu left, Fan Lan turned sideways to look at a delicate, radiant tea flower beside him. A smile rested at the corner of his lips as he softly hummed a tune, seeming to be in quite a good mood.

At that moment, an attendant approached and said quietly, "Teacher Fan, Bai Qingqing requests an audience."

Fan Lan was not surprised in the slightest. "Let him come."

The attendant went down to call for him. A moment later, Bai Qingqing entered from outside. Reaching the front of the pavilion, he bowed with clasped hands. "Senior Brother Fan."

Fan Lan stood within the pavilion with his hands behind his back, smiling. "Junior Brother Bai, what else do you seek me for?"

Bai Qingqing said, "After returning and considering it carefully, I felt that the Seal Glyph I wrote earlier may have been inappropriate. Thus I came back to ask Senior Brother Fan whether it can be changed."

Fan Lan gave him a meaningful look. "Of course it can. Before I submit the written slips, they may all be changed. But I can tell you that everyone present today was a gentleman. No one peered at the movements of your brush. Yet if you want the name of the Seal Glyph changed, I will record this matter as well and submit it alongside the rest. Even so, do you still insist on changing it?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Bai Qingqing said, "I do!"

Fan Lan was equally straightforward. He immediately had the attendant bring brush, ink, and bamboo slips for him to make the change.

Bai Qingqing took the brush. With a flick of his wrist, ink fell upon the slip in an instant. Once the ink dried, he raised it with both hands and presented it.

Fan Lan did not inspect it closely. He still followed the previous procedure, writing his name and sealing it away. As for the wooden box containing Bai Qingqing's earlier bamboo slip, he did not return it to Bai Qingqing, leaving it where it was.

After bowing with cupped hands, Bai Qingqing strode away.

Fan Lan pondered inwardly, This Bai Qingqing does not trust others lightly. He knows how to seek out loopholes in existing rules, and once he has made a decision, he never changes it. He truly is a talent.

Although Bai Qingqing's thoughts ran deep and he had the minor flaw of being eager for quick success, Fan Lan did not consider that a bad thing. On the path of cultivation, it was precisely because obsessions existed that one could focus more completely. Moreover, as far as he knew, such people were actually more appreciated by his several senior brothers.

He waited a while longer. Seeing that no one else came, he said to the attendant, "Bring the things. Come with me to the hall."

After Zhang Yu returned, he saw that every student's door was tightly shut. Clearly, they were all striving to accumulate more Divine Essence, so he too went straight into his own quiet room. After closing the door, he washed up briefly, swallowed several Primordial Elixirs, sat upon the couch, and began breathing exercises.

Yet what he used was not the breathing method taught by Fan Lan, but his original breathing technique.

This method could not only invigorate the spirit and replace sleep, but also gather and refine Divine Essence. More importantly, after several uninterrupted years of practice, it had practically become his body's instinct. If he used another breathing method now, he might not be able to adapt to it.

The day passed amid everyone's silent cultivation. Only around sunset did someone come knocking on the doors of Zhang Yu and the others, saying that Fan Lan had summoned them.

Zhang Yu made a few quick adjustments, pushed open the door, and walked out. Upon reaching the outside of the hall, he happened to see Bai Qingqing emerge from within, carrying a jade box in his hands. The man nodded to him, then strode away.

The attendant made a gesture of invitation beneath the hall steps. "Gentleman Zhang, Teacher Fan requests your presence inside."

Zhang Yu entered the hall and saw Fan Lan waiting for him within. He stepped forward and exchanged greetings with him.

After returning the salute, Fan Lan smiled. "Junior Brother Zhang, the bamboo slip you filled out stated that the Seal Glyph most compatible with you was the 'Seal of the Body.' Thus, the Profound Residence has granted this Seal Glyph to you."

He waved a hand, and an attendant brought over a tray. Upon it rested a slender wooden box and a document.

"Junior Brother Zhang, the Seal Glyph is inside the wooden box. After you have read the document, if you have no objections, please leave your name seal upon it. These will be entered into the Profound Residence's records for future verification."

Zhang Yu picked up the document and flipped through it. It stated the name of the Seal Glyph bestowed by the Profound Residence, followed by the specific date of the grant, as well as the name and seal of the person who transmitted it.

After reading it, he accepted a brush from the attendant, swiftly wrote his full name, and took out his personal seal to stamp it. Only then did he take the wooden box and place it into his sleeve pouch.

Fan Lan smiled. "Junior Brother Zhang, if you have nothing else to do, you may leave the residence today."

Zhang Yu looked up at him. "Oh? I may leave the residence already?"

Fan Lan nodded. "Everything that should be taught to you has now been taught. So long as our Divine Essence is sufficient, we can cultivate. There is no need to sit all day grinding away, nor need we ponder lofty and profound principles. Of course, once you have fully studied the Seal Glyph granted to you, you may return to the residence at any time. The Profound Residence will determine whether to impart a new Seal Glyph to you based on your actual progress."

After considering it, Zhang Yu said, "In other words, if I need to study a new Seal Glyph, I must request one from the Profound Residence each time? Are there any particular rules involved?"

Fan Lan smiled. "Naturally. Without the Profound Residence imparting them, where else would you obtain Seal Glyphs to study?" He paused. "Sometimes the Profound Residence will have you do certain things. If you do well, it will not hesitate to bestow Seal Glyphs. But you have only just entered the path. Even if they were granted to you now, you would not have enough Divine Essence to study them, so there is no need to think too much about it. First, consolidate your foundation."

Zhang Yu nodded, bowing with clasped hands. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Fan. I may yet have occasions to seek your instruction in the future. For today, I shall take my leave."

Fan Lan said, "No trouble, no trouble." He returned the clasped-hands salute. "Then this elder brother will not see you out."

Zhang Yu turned and left the hall. Looking back then, he saw the Golden Crow sinking in the west, crimson glow flooding the heavens. Half-submerged beyond the flying eaves, it was extraordinarily magnificent, yet it was gradually being swallowed by the rising curtain of night.

He withdrew his gaze and first returned to his quiet room. After greeting Zheng Yu, he left the Profound Residence. When passing the ancient statue, however, he stopped for a while and absorbed a small amount of Source Energy beneath it before walking back, returning to his original residence before nightfall.

He bathed and washed up, changed into a loose Daoist robe, and sat steadily upon a meditation cushion. After breathing for a while and waiting for his mind to settle, he picked up the wooden box bestowed by the Profound Residence and opened it.

Thank you all for your recommendations and gifts. Thank you to all the alliance leaders for your support! (^^*)