Two Clowns

Before long, ten days had passed.

"Spiritual power is the foundation of cultivation. Only by mastering the Qi Absorption Technique can you walk faster on the path of cultivation."

"Once you refine enough spiritual power, you will be able to open up your Sea of Qi and formally step through the gates of cultivation."

"Yesterday, Shen Qiu officially broke through to the Qi Refining First Layer. You should take him as your example. Do not follow certain people in being idle and undisciplined, wasting your talents."

In the Shen Family's Lecture Hall, the Fifth Elder was speaking with great fervor.

The youths below listened with rapt attention. When they heard that Shen Qiu had already broken through to the Qi Refining Realm, their eyes brimmed with envy.

After ten days, the vast majority had already found their sense of qi. Precisely because of this, they understood how difficult it was to enter the Qi Refining Realm.

"It took me seven days to accumulate three strands of spiritual power. It'll take at least another month before I can break through to the Qi Refining Realm."

"You at least have a Four-Attribute Spirit Root, so stop talking so lightly. I still have no clue how to cultivate even the first strand of spiritual power."

"Shen Qiu truly deserves to be called a Dual Spirit Root genius. He broke through to the Qi Refining Realm so quickly. That kind of thing can only be envied."

The crowd discussed heatedly. Before they began cultivating, they had heard how important spirit root talent was, but it had been like viewing flowers through the mist—they could not see it clearly.

Only after beginning cultivation themselves did they understand the gap involved. Calling it the difference between heaven and earth would not be an exaggeration.

Shen Qiu's reputation as a top-tier genius had already spread far and wide. Many Shen Family disciples flocked to his side, forming a considerable force.

Even Shen Kuangtao followed his lead unquestioningly and had become Shen Qiu's foremost general.

All under heaven bustled for profit.

The power of a group was simply a dimensionality-reduction strike against an individual. Besides, Shen Qiu was undoubtedly a rising star. Pledging loyalty now was like delivering charcoal in the snow.

No one compared Shen Yun with him anymore. Over the past ten days, Shen Yun had not even come to the Lecture Hall. In their eyes, the blow had been too great, and he had begun to abandon himself to despair.

"The elder was probably talking about Shen Yun when he mentioned being idle and undisciplined. A genius falling from grace truly makes one sigh."

"There are plenty of people whose reputations exceed their abilities. Shen Yun is merely one of them, nothing worth paying attention to."

"That's right. Shen Yun wastes his talent so shamelessly that, in the next test, he might not even compare to a Four-Attribute Spirit Root. When that time comes, I'll defeat this former genius."

"..."

Hearing the discussions around him, Shen Qiu grew even more high-spirited.

Shen Kuangtao's eyes rolled as he put on an act. "It seems Shen Yun has fallen into depravity. It would be no harm if he wanted to abandon himself, but dragging down Miss Qingruo would be wrong."

After following Shen Qiu for several days, he had also figured out Shen Qiu's thoughts, so he took every chance to mock Shen Yun.

As soon as these words were spoken, Shen Qiu immediately agreed. "Qingruo possesses the beauty of one beyond mortal reach. She truly should not waste her time on Shen Yun."

Shen Kuangtao promptly said, "I heard Shen Yun has been visiting the Scripture Pavilion frequently lately. He is probably trying to find some divine technique or secret manual to make up for the gap in his aptitude. That former genius has already strayed onto an evil path. Truly lamentable."

Shen Qiu felt that every word had struck straight into his heart. He then said gravely, "Let us go see Shen Yun. Qingruo should not waste away her years at his side."

After the lesson ended, the two immediately set out.

Inside the Scripture Pavilion, Elder Ming stared strangely at Shen Yun before the bookshelves, unable to understand what exactly he was doing.

"Exchange all my Contribution Points for time to read cultivation techniques. Do not limit the number."

Some time ago, Shen Yun had come to him with this strange request. Elder Ming had thought it over and agreed.

Shen Yun often switched to a new technique after only three to five minutes. In just two days, he had already read over a hundred.

"What exactly is he doing? Could it be that he is simply grandstanding?"

Elder Ming could not puzzle it out no matter how much he thought. The jade slips had all been placed under restrictions, and attempting to copy them would be nothing more than a foolish dream. What insight could one possibly gain in three minutes?

The White-Clothed Youth on the reclining chair narrowed his eyes. Rather than reading and basking in the sun as usual, his expression gradually turned solemn.

"His 'spirit' is growing without cease. He is not far from condensing Divine Sense."

The White-Clothed Youth spoke softly, sharp light flickering in his eyes as though he could see through every mystery.

Elder Ming was greatly startled. "How is that possible? Many in the Foundation Establishment Realm have yet to condense Divine Sense. What cultivation does he truly possess?"

Only by cultivating one's spiritual power to a certain realm and turning the formless into form could one possibly condense Divine Sense.

Perception, investigation, combat... Divine Sense possessed all manner of inconceivable uses, making countless cultivators yearn for it even in their dreams.

The White-Clothed Youth inspected him carefully. Shen Yun's aura fluctuations were not strong, roughly at the level of the Qi Refining First Layer.

"This kid is a little strange."

The White-Clothed Youth closed his eyes. Vast Divine Sense blanketed the entire Scripture Pavilion, sweeping through it hundreds and thousands of times in the span of a single breath and seeing through every secret.

"Peak Qi Refining Fourth Layer."

The White-Clothed Youth murmured to himself. Such cultivation was no different from an ant in his eyes, yet the doubts in his heart deepened further.

"This is... the Qi Concealment Technique at the perfect realm."

The White-Clothed Youth opened his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed as an idea arose in his heart.

Shen Yun set down the jade slip in his hand and let out a long breath. "Time is almost up. I've read nearly two hundred types of cultivation techniques. That should be enough."

Cannot find it by Search book title? Try Search author instead—it may have simply Changed name!

Over the past ten days, he had lived a life of two points and one line. Other than cultivating and making talismans at home, he went to the Scripture Pavilion to study cultivation techniques.

The gains had been gratifying as well. His skill in the talisman Dao had grown more and more profound, and his cultivation had broken through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

"It took six days to break through from the Qi Refining Third Layer to the fourth, and the speed of cultivation is getting slower and slower afterward."

The thought flashed through Shen Yun's mind, but he was not surprised.

The fourth layer was also called the middle stage of Qi Refining. Its difficulty of breakthrough could not be compared with the first three layers.

If one could truly break through a minor realm every day and reach Foundation Establishment in ten days, the Cultivation World would truly be thrown into chaos.

Shen Yun gathered his thoughts and looked up, only to see Shen Qiu and the other approaching him. He wondered, What are those two doing here?

Shen Qiu stopped two meters away and said with an easy smile, "It has been some time, Brother Shen Yun. Have you been well lately?"

His smile was amiable, and his bearing exceptionally graceful. Compared with ten days ago, he seemed like a completely different person.

Shen Yun lifted his eyelids and said calmly, "Not bad. What do you want with me?"

Upon meeting again, Shen Qiu felt that all the filters of the past had vanished. He grew more composed and said, "Qingruo has not come to the Lecture Hall in a long time. That is why I came to ask."

Shen Yun's brows slightly furrowed as he said slowly, "So why did you come looking for me?"

At this moment, Shen Kuangtao jumped out and sneered. "It is one thing for you, Shen Yun, to willingly sink into depravity, but Miss Qingruo is a true daughter favored by heaven. You cannot afford to bear the responsibility for delaying her cultivation."

Shen Qiu stopped him, putting on an act as he said, "Do not be rude. It is only natural for Brother Shen Yun to wish to open another path, but Qingruo's cultivation truly cannot be delayed..."

After hearing them out, Shen Yun remained expressionless and said without joy or sorrow, "You think you are worthy of meddling in my affairs? Get out of my way."

His icy gaze was like a Heavenly Blade. The moment Shen Qiu met his eyes, his mind trembled violently, as though he had returned to the days of childhood when he obeyed Shen Yun's every word.

Shen Kuangtao was startled by his terrifying gaze. Feeling that his pride had been offended, he could not help roaring, "You still think you are that genius from before? Brother Shen Qiu is willing to discuss things with you because he thinks highly of you. Do not fail to appreciate kindness!"

After saying that, he thrust out a large hand, intending to teach Shen Yun a lesson.

"Noisy!"

Shen Yun snorted coldly, and his spiritual power erupted violently.

Shen Kuangtao's hand was still suspended in midair when the powerful force struck him, sending him flying backward. He crashed onto the steps outside the Scripture Pavilion and turned into a rolling gourd.

Thud! Thud! Thud! He rolled several times before his big head finally struck the ground and brought him to a stop.

"Ow!"

Shen Kuangtao let out a miserable scream. His head was split open and bleeding, his clothes torn to shreds. He looked like a beggar fleeing famine.

"The Qi Refining Realm! How is this possible?!"

Shen Qiu's expression changed drastically. Shen Yun's cultivation had completely surpassed his expectations.

During this time, he had undergone Diligent Cultivation and finally broken through to the Qi Refining Realm. He had outshone everyone in the Lecture Hall, which left him brimming with satisfaction, believing Shen Yun was nothing more than this.

Yet reality was cruel. The fluctuations of Shen Yun's cultivation were even stronger than his own.

Shen Yun's expression remained calm as he said lightly, "Move. Do not block my path."

Why?! I already have top-tier talent, yet you still look down on me.

Shen Qiu's heart was pierced by stinging pain once more. His humble thoughts transformed into malice, filling his chest.

Since they had already torn off all pretense, he no longer bothered to put on an act. "You truly are still that same Shen Yun. But I am no longer who I was before. At this month's disciple test, I will challenge you."

Shen Yun did not even blink. He directly treated Shen Qiu as air and unhurriedly smoothed the wrinkles from his clothes.

Shen Qiu's face reddened with fury, and he immediately flicked his sleeve before leaving.

The dirty and disheveled Shen Kuangtao glared resentfully at Shen Yun. Shen Yun glanced at him, and Shen Kuangtao nearly fell onto his backside again. He then scurried after Shen Qiu in embarrassment.

"Two clowns."

People like ants were not worth Shen Yun taking to heart.

The White-Clothed Youth had watched the entire scene. He leisurely took a sip of tea, then saw that Shen Yun was preparing to leave and slowly rose to walk over.

Seeing the newcomer, Shen Yun asked, "Is there something you need, Senior?"

The White-Clothed Youth smiled, carrying an indescribably carefree air. "You went too easy on them. If it were me, those two would already be dead."

Shen Yun's expression froze for a moment before he said solemnly, "Senior did not seek me out merely to say this, did you?"

He had also taken notice of the person before him. This man could idle about and lie flat in the Scripture Pavilion, while Elder Ming treated him with extreme respect. He was clearly not someone to be taken lightly.

The White-Clothed Youth did not keep him in suspense and said indifferently, "I am giving you something. Come find me after you understand it."

A piece of Black Jade Slip appeared out of thin air and flew into Shen Yun's hand.

After saying that, the White-Clothed Youth returned to his reclining chair and began to rest, showing no intention of explaining anything.

Shen Yun gripped the jade slip in his hand, unable to understand the other's intentions, his heart filled with doubts.

Elder Ming shook his head at him and slowly said, "Go. This will only benefit you. Remember Mister Fang's instructions."

"In that case, this kid will take his leave first."

Shen Yun Cupped His Fists, then left the Scripture Pavilion.