Cultivation Apprentice

Yue Shuo decided to focus on the Wood Essence Art, the path of a spirit planter specializing in enhancement.

At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.

And he decided to reach Qi Refining Level One as soon as possible.

Tai Chi Fist required over a thousand proficiency points. At ten points per session, it consumed far too much Divine Sense.

His current cultivation efficiency was not high.

He might as well spend his Divine Sense on cultivating a Qi Refining technique.

What he especially lacked right now was Divine Sense.

Yue Shuo believed that the increase in his Divine Sense limit

was closely related to his cultivation level, and one's cultivation realm was the most important thing no matter when.

Of course.

Going from a Mortal to Qi Refining Level One in two months seemed a little too fast.

But it was not as though there was no way to conceal it...

He glanced at the First-Grade Rune ink drawings he had practiced, then casually tossed them into the brazier and burned them.

In the Basic Talisman-Making Notes his elder brother had given him,

the three Foundational Talismans were the Dust-Cleaning Talisman, Water Condensation Talisman, and Fire-Starting Talisman—very practical runes for daily use.

The First-Grade Runes, meanwhile, were the Qi-Concealing Talisman and Invisibility Talisman.

There were no offensive runes.

Yet the daily-use talismans and the First-Grade Runes for concealing Qi and becoming invisible seemed quite suitable for use at certain times.

Yue Shuo did not continue speculating.

At least, with his current strength, he did not even dare head out to sea alone, let alone consider other possibilities.

Of these five runes, at least the latter four were very useful.

Especially the First-Grade Qi-Concealing Talisman.

Qi concealment, just as the name implied.

Yue Shuo planned to practice the Water Condensation Talisman and Qi-Concealing Talisman first. Once he had mastered those two, he would practice the remaining three.

After Yue Shuo completed two cultivation sessions that morning, four hours had passed.

After that,

he patrolled the Spirit Field, ate, practiced calligraphy, and copied runes.

By then, it was the early afternoon.

Around one in the afternoon.

Gu Jiu returned as well. Besides helping him send a letter home, he had brought information on the other two people living on the island.

Yue Shuo listened to Gu Jiu describe those two

while thinking to himself.

When Gu Jiu had been absent that morning, the sense of relaxation Yue Shuo felt while alone in the courtyard had made it easier for him to enter meditation.

Since that was the case, he did not hesitate.

He asked, "Gu Jiu, can you build yourself a house in the Creek Valley?"

Though it was only a question, Yue Shuo's gaze was resolute.

Gu Jiu froze for a moment, then nodded.

"As long as it does not occupy the Spirit Field area... Young Master, do you want this servant to keep a closer watch over the Spirit Field?"

Gu Jiu had never expected

that a twelve-year-old boy would not only be unafraid after leaving home for the first time, but would also dislike having someone live too close by.

He had been a little worried when he chose this Creek Valley for the young master.

After all, he hoped the young master would cultivate diligently and remain after a year, so that he could live on Hemu Island for a long time as well.

Seeing that Gu Jiu had already found an excuse for him,

Yue Shuo nodded calmly.

"That's right! Although there is an array covering it, I still cannot rest easy if I am not watching it at all times. During the day, take a look for me every moment..."

Yue Shuo felt a little guilty even as he voiced that request.

Yet Gu Jiu accepted it with great solemnity.

"Rest assured, Young Master! Focus on cultivation and comprehending Spirit Induction! Leave all other chores and external affairs to this servant! The Spirit Field is of great importance; this servant will certainly remain vigilant at all times!"

Though they had only spent two days together,

Gu Jiu could tell that his young master differed from the other newly admitted guest disciples.

Not only was he calm by nature,

he could endure solitude and keep his composure.

Gu Jiu had waited outside the door when the young master tested his Spiritual Root.

What he remembered clearly was that the young master's test had ended far sooner than everyone else's, and he had come out quickly.

There had once been cultivators in Gu Jiu's family, so he understood some common knowledge about cultivation.

This represented at least one thing.

The young master's Spiritual Root possessed at least high spiritual affinity, which seemed to indicate some kind of cultivation talent.

As for what specific talent it represented, Gu Jiu only had a half-baked understanding.

But talent, patience, and diligence in cultivation—

with those three qualities alone,

Gu Jiu believed his young master already surpassed many of his peers.

"Of course, I hope to remain on Hemu Island after one year!"

Yue Shuo said this,

then, seeing Gu Jiu's face full of agreement and excitement, immediately changed the subject.

"So, Zou Chongying and Tian Wan have not chosen positions yet, and neither has achieved Spirit-Drawing Entry?"

"That is correct. Young Master Zou and Young Master Tian have not yet achieved Spirit-Drawing Entry."

Gu Jiu answered respectfully.

Then he added,

"Of the other eleven, there has been no word of anyone achieving Spirit-Drawing Entry either."

"Based on past years' experience, it will probably take three days or a week before a talented new disciple successfully achieves Spirit-Drawing Entry!"

Yue Shuo's gaze flickered.

Three days, one week?

He had successfully achieved Spirit-Drawing Entry on the very day he began cultivating.

Perhaps it had something to do with his Tai Chi Fist.

'Perfected: ...After persistently using Spirit Induction to temper your body over a long period, you have obtained a meager Spiritual Root...'

Persistently using Spirit Induction to temper his body over a long period?

Perhaps his body had already experienced Spirit Induction before.

Coupled with the fifty-percent increase in comprehension and Divine Sense granted by his purple talent, Reborn as Human.

"When you have time, pay them another visit and ask when they are free..."

Yue Shuo spoke after some thought.

"Young Master, you mean..." Gu Jiu could not quite grasp his young master's intentions and asked softly.

Yue Shuo glanced at him and smiled.

"One person's plan is short; three people's plans are long. We are all cultivation apprentices. Exchanging our experiences may perhaps benefit our cultivation..."

He did not dare ask the stewards at the External Affairs Pavilion for guidance.

At least, not for the next two days.

Who knew whether some sharp-eyed person might see through him at a glance?

Today was only his third day on the island, and he had already achieved Spirit-Drawing Entry. Perhaps he could establish himself as a genius.

But being too gifted would seem abnormal.

As for his current environment, his plan was to leave a favorable impression without drawing too much attention.

After all, there were some suspicious points concerning his parents.

"Young Master has thought this through so thoroughly! I'll go at once..."

"Not today. It would not be appropriate to make two trips in one day. Go tomorrow instead!" Yue Shuo said with a gentle smile, and Gu Jiu obeyed respectfully.

"Go see how to build the house first..."

The sooner Gu Jiu moved out, the more at ease Yue Shuo would feel living here.

Gu Jiu answered and briskly went off to work, looking extremely enthusiastic.

He felt safest when he was alone in the courtyard.

Yue Shuo continued calculating the time. After another two-hour interval, he cultivated the Wood Essence Art twice more.

The sky gradually darkened.

After reviewing the entire day,

Yue Shuo estimated that he currently had 11 + 15, or 26 points of Divine Sense available each day. After all, Divine Sense did not recover during cultivation.

Besides spending nearly eight hours, four double-hours, on four sessions of Spirit Induction and Qi Refining every day,

he still had five points of Divine Sense to spare.

Using them for cultivation would disrupt his schedule, so he used them once again to memorize First-Grade Runes.

At this point,

he had successfully memorized all five runes in the Basic Talisman-Making Notes.

As for how to arrange things next,

he already had an idea.

With only one point of Divine Sense remaining, he still slept soundly. When he woke at first light and saw that his Divine Sense was full, his mood was full as well.

It was another new day.

This was the third morning since arriving at Hemu Island.

Counting it that way, it was also the fourth day. His Spirit-Drawing Entry should have succeeded by now.

Just after breakfast, Yue Shuo had Gu Jiu ask Zou Chongying and Tian Wan whether they were free that afternoon, inviting the two over to study and exchange ideas.

He had also learned about their cultivation techniques through Gu Jiu.

The Sharp Metal Art and the Blazing Sun Art.

They happened to be the ones he did not have.

What a coincidence.