I Am the Opportunity!

Who was Mu Qingyue?

She was a genius from the Central Hall!

Judging by her age, she was about as old as Zhang Teng, eighteen or nineteen.

But she was a genuine expert at the Manifestation of Martial Intent stage.

And Zhang Teng? When his Dantian had been destroyed, he had only been a Martial Artist in the Dantian Sea Realm.

Now, a genius like her actually wanted to learn the Immortal Cultivation Method?

"Anyone can cultivate, but the Immortal Cultivation Method differs from martial arts. It depends on opportunity and comprehension."

Lin Bei answered calmly, pointing at the many apprentices in the courtyard.

"Look at them. They've been cultivating for over a year, yet they still haven't crossed the threshold. They haven't even grasped the essence of Tai Chi."

Then he pointed at Zhang Teng.

"Zhang Teng is different. Not only did he grasp Tai Chi and the Breath-Channeling Method in a short time and cross the threshold, he has now reached the sixth tempering."

A hint of anticipation appeared on Mu Qingyue's face. "Field Master Lin, you said the Immortal Cultivation Method depends on opportunity and comprehension. If I have the comprehension, what about the opportunity? Where can I find it?"

Lin Bei smiled faintly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

Tieniu spoke calmly just then. "As far away as the horizon, yet right before your eyes."

Mu Qingyue jolted! She suddenly realized.

Lin Bei was the opportunity!

"If you're willing to join the Martial Arts Grounds, I can teach you the Immortal Cultivation Method," Lin Bei said mildly.

"Well..." Mu Qingyue hesitated.

"Miss Mu, why not first see whether you have a destined connection with my Martial Arts Grounds? If you do, we can discuss whether you'll join. How does that sound?" Lin Bei asked.

"How would we test that?" Mu Qingyue asked.

Lin Bei looked at Xiao Liuzi. "Xiao Liuzi, teach Mu Qingyue some Tai Chi and see whether she has an immortal fate."

Hearing this, Mu Qingyue looked at Xiao Liuzi.

"Xiao Liuzi, would you teach me Tai Chi?"

Xiao Liuzi was brimming with confidence.

"Though my Tai Chi hasn't reached major mastery, I've practiced for so long that I've at least attained minor mastery. Teaching you won't be a problem."

As they spoke, the two went to the Martial Arts Grounds, where Mu Qingyue began practicing Tai Chi under Xiao Liuzi's guidance.

Mu Qingyue certainly lived up to her reputation as a martial prodigy. She soon mastered Tai Chi...

Yet what puzzled Lin Bei was that although her movements looked right, they were merely an outward imitation.

Standing nearby, Tieniu watched for a while before he could no longer resist asking.

"Master, why does Miss Mu's practice feel so awkward to me?"

"Her heart holds only martial arts. She lacks the single-minded resolve to abandon everything in pursuit of the Immortal Cultivation Method. Her martial intent has already become an obstacle to her joining the Martial Arts Grounds. Even if she practices to absolute perfection, she probably won't be able to comprehend the Breath-Channeling Method."

Having said that, Lin Bei stopped watching Mu Qingyue practice and turned to leave.

"This woman has no destined connection with my Martial Arts Grounds."

Just then.

Xiao Liuzi seemed to notice something too.

"Miss Mu, wait a moment. I feel there's something wrong with your practice. I'll go ask Tieniu."

Xiao Liuzi soon approached Tieniu to ask.

Tieniu shook his head. "Tell her to stop practicing. Master said the martial arts in her heart have already become a stumbling block to her learning the Immortal Cultivation Method."

Puzzled, Xiao Liuzi asked, "Senior Brother Zhang used to be a Martial Artist too. Why can he practice the Immortal Cultivation Method?"

Tieniu smiled faintly. "His Dantian was destroyed, and he experienced all the scheming and deceit of a martial lineage. He probably lost faith in martial arts long ago, don't you think?"

After saying that, Tieniu patted Xiao Liuzi on the shoulder.

"With martial arts no longer in his heart and Master guiding him, perhaps an exceptional talent as well, he was able to learn the Immortal Cultivation Method."

"Crossing the threshold of the Immortal Cultivation Method has never been easy."

After hearing this, Xiao Liuzi stood somewhat dazed.

Finally, he went back to Mu Qingyue and told her everything.

"I see." Mu Qingyue sighed. "It seems I have the fate to meet the Martial Arts Grounds, but not the destiny to belong here."

Xiao Liuzi said little more about it. "Miss Mu, if your heart is set on martial arts, then pursue that path. Master said all methods return to the same source. Why force it?"

"All methods return to the same source..." Mu Qingyue smiled faintly. "We Martial Artists believe all schools must ultimately converge upon orthodox martial arts. But hearing you say that, I feel you mean something different."

Xiao Liuzi smiled. "Of course. All cultivation methods should ultimately converge upon us Immortal Cultivators."

"Martial arts are the orthodox path. Our Azure Cloud Headquarters amounts to little in the martial world. Once you've seen true orthodox martial arts, which draw upon the strengths of a hundred schools, you'll understand."

Xiao Liuzi pursed his lips, inwardly unconvinced.

He did not know how powerful those orthodox martial arts were, but he had witnessed Zhang Teng's growth and Tieniu's growth with his own eyes.

Just then.

Tieniu walked over.

"Xiao Liuzi, let's take a few junior brothers to Qingyun Town."

"What are we going to Qingyun Town for?" Xiao Liuzi looked puzzled.

Tieniu stepped beside him and patted his shoulder.

"Have you forgotten? We're a second-rate Martial Arts Grounds now. Of course we're going to recruit people to help build up our village!"

Xiao Liuzi said, "But didn't Miss Mu say that, given our current circumstances, we should recruit villagers from the surrounding villages and develop step by step?"

"You just listen to whatever she says?" Tieniu said speechlessly. "For something like this, of course we should go look for opportunities in Qingyun Town! Senior Brother Zhang Teng agrees with me."

Xiao Liuzi looked thoughtful.

"Then, Senior Brother Tieniu, should we ask Master for advice?"

Smack!

Tieniu slapped Xiao Liuzi outright.

"Why bother Master over such a little thing? What are you thinking?"

"But we should at least tell Master why we're leaving the Martial Arts Grounds, shouldn't we?"

Xiao Liuzi looked aggrieved.

"Of course." Tieniu nodded.

Elsewhere.

Tieniu and Xiao Liuzi came to report.

"Master."

"Come in!"

Tieniu and Xiao Liuzi pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Lin Bei cultivating, they immediately spoke respectfully.

"Master, Xiao Liuzi and I plan to expand the Martial Arts Grounds by going to Qingyun Town to recruit residents. Please grant us permission."

"Granted."

Lin Bei had no objections. He also wanted to expand the Martial Arts Grounds and give the people of Nameless Village better lives, so he readily agreed.

"Tieniu, do you have a plan for recruiting residents in Qingyun Town?"

Hearing this, Tieniu gave an honest, good-natured smile.

"Master, I believe recruiting people from the surrounding villages isn't the best way to expand the Martial Arts Grounds and the village."

"Oh?" Lin Bei looked at Tieniu with interest.

He understood.

Although Tieniu looked like a simple, good-natured oaf, he actually had eight hundred tricks up his sleeve.

He was far shrewder and cleverer than Xiao Liuzi.

"Let's hear it."

Tieniu gave a guileless smile.

"Master, whether they're residents or merchants, the people of Qingyun Town are all under the control of various powers. Poaching them would be very difficult."

"But! Master, do you still remember the Six Harmonies Martial Hall?"

Tieniu smiled. "Their martial hall already has a grudge with us. And now that Hall Master Cheng of the Six Harmonies Martial Hall has been crippled, this is the perfect chance to throw stones down the well while they're trapped at the bottom!"

Hearing this, Xiao Liuzi immediately looked excited.

"Tieniu, you really do have a good head on your shoulders. What are you planning to do?"

"Naturally... tear them out by the roots!"

With the most guileless words, Tieniu voiced the most ruthless plan!