Two Clowns Leaping About

Before long, ten days had passed.

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

"Once you refine enough spiritual power, you will be able to open up a 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 imitate certain people and drift through life freely and carelessly, wasting your talent."

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

The youths below were fully absorbed. When they heard that Shen Qiu had already broken through into the Qi Refining Realm, their eyes filled with envy.

Ten days had passed, and the vast majority had already found their sense of qi. Precisely because of that, they understood how difficult it was to enter the Qi Refining Realm.

"I spent seven days accumulating only three strands of spiritual power. It will take at least another month before I can break through to the Qi Refining Realm."

"You at least have Four-Attribute Spirit Root talent, so stop making sarcastic remarks. I do not even have a clue how to cultivate my 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 is the kind of thing one can only envy."

The crowd buzzed with discussion. Before they began cultivating, they had heard how important spirit root talent was, but it had been like looking at flowers through mist—they could not see 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 genius had already spread far and wide. Many Shen Family disciples had flocked to his side, forming a considerable force.

Even Shen Kuangtao followed his lead completely and had now become Shen Qiu's foremost lieutenant.

All under heaven bustled for profit.

The power of a group was simply a dimensional strike against an individual. Besides, Shen Qiu was undoubtedly a rising star; pledging allegiance now was like delivering charcoal in the snow.

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

"The Elder was probably talking about Shen Yun when he mentioned being free and careless. It truly makes one sigh to see a genius fall."

There were plenty of people whose reputations did not match reality. Shen Yun was merely one of them, nothing worth paying attention to."

"That is right. Shen Yun is wasting his talent so badly that, at the next test, he might not even measure up to a Four-Attribute Spirit Root. When that time comes, I will defeat this former genius."

"..."

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

Shen Kuangtao's eyes shifted as he put on an act. "It seems Shen Yun has fallen into depravity. It is no harm if he wishes to abandon himself, but it is wrong for him to affect Miss Qingruo."

After following Shen Qiu for several days, he had already figured out the other party's thoughts. Thus, he ridiculed Shen Yun at every turn.

The moment those words were spoken, Shen Qiu immediately agreed. "Qingruo possesses the beauty of a celestial being. She truly should not waste her time on Shen Yun."

Shen Kuangtao promptly said, "I heard Shen Yun has been visiting the Scripture Pavilion often lately. He is probably trying to find some divine art or secret manual to make up for the difference in talent. The former genius has already embarked upon an evil path. It truly makes one sigh."

Shen Qiu felt that every word struck straight at his heart. He then said gravely, "Let us go see Shen Yun. Qingruo should not spend her years wasting away with him."

Once class ended, the two immediately set off.

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

"Convert all my Contribution Points into time to view cultivation methods. Do not limit the quantity."

Some time ago, Shen Yun had come to him with this odd request. Elder Ming had considered it and agreed.

Shen Yun often switched to another cultivation method every three to five minutes. In merely two days, he had already read more than a hundred.

"What exactly is he doing? Is he merely trying to attract attention?"

Elder Ming could not puzzle it out no matter how he thought. Every Jade Slip had restrictions placed upon it; trying to copy them was nothing but a fool's dream. What insight could anyone gain in three minutes?

The white-clothed youth on the recliner narrowed his eyes. Unlike usual, he was not reading while basking in the sun, and his expression gradually turned solemn.

"His 'spirit' is continuously growing stronger. He is not far from condensing divine sense."

The white-clothed youth spoke faintly. Sharp light flickered in his eyes, as though he could see through every mystery.

Elder Ming was greatly shocked. "How is that possible? Many in the Foundation Establishment Realm have not condensed divine sense. What cultivation does he possess?"

Only after cultivating one's spiritual power to a certain realm, turning the formless into form, could one possibly condense divine sense.

Perception, investigation, battle... divine sense possessed all manner of incredible uses and was something countless cultivators dreamed of.

The white-clothed youth carefully examined him. Shen Yun's aura fluctuations were not strong, seemingly only at the Qi Refining First Layer.

"There is something off about this kid."

The white-clothed youth closed his eyes. His immense divine sense enveloped the entire Scripture Pavilion, sweeping through it hundreds and thousands of times in a single breath and seeing through every secret.

"Qi Refining Fourth Layer peak."

The white-clothed youth muttered softly. To him, such cultivation was no different from an ant's, yet the doubts in his heart only deepened.

"This is... the Qi Concealment Technique at the realm of Perfection."

The white-clothed youth opened his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed as an idea arose in his heart.

Shen Yun put down the Jade Slip in his hand and let out a long breath. "Time is almost up. I have read nearly two hundred kinds of cultivation methods. That should be enough."

Cannot find the book title? Try searching for the author instead; perhaps it simply changed its name!

For the past ten days, he had lived a life of two points and one line. Apart from cultivating and making talismans at home, he went to the Scripture Pavilion to study cultivation methods.

The gains had been gratifying as well. His skill in the Dao of Talismans had become 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 Qi Refining Fourth Layer, and my cultivation speed has become slower and slower afterward."

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

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

If one truly advanced a minor realm each day and broke through to Foundation Establishment in ten days, the Cultivation World would truly be in chaos.

Putting his thoughts away, Shen Yun looked up and saw Shen Qiu and the other approaching him. He was puzzled. What are these 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 warm and pleasant, and he carried himself with exceptional grace. Compared to ten days ago, he seemed like an entirely different person.

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

Meeting again, Shen Qiu felt that all the filters of the past had vanished. He became even more composed as he said, "Qingruo has not come to the Lecture Hall for quite some time, so I came to ask about her."

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

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

Shen Qiu stopped him and put on an act. "Do not be rude. It is only natural for Brother Shen Yun to seek another path, but Qingruo's cultivation truly cannot be delayed..."

After hearing them out, Shen Yun remained expressionless. Neither sad nor pleased, he said, "Who are you to interfere in my affairs? Move aside."

His icy gaze was like the heavenly blade. When Shen Qiu met his eyes, his mind shook violently, as if he had returned to the days of childhood when he obeyed Shen Yun's every word.

Shen Kuangtao was startled by Shen Yun's terrifying gaze. Feeling that his pride had been insulted, he could not help roaring, "Do you still think you are that genius from the past? Brother Shen Qiu is willing to discuss matters 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. He was sent flying backward, crashing onto the steps outside the Scripture Pavilion and turning into a rolling gourd.

Thud, thud, thud! After rolling several times, his large head finally struck the ground and brought him to a stop.

"Owuu!"

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

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

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

During this time, he had cultivated diligently and finally broken through into the Qi Refining Realm. He had stolen the spotlight in the Lecture Hall, leaving him pleased and full of ambition, convinced Shen Yun was nothing more than this.

Yet reality was cruel. The fluctuations of the other party'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 pain once again. His humble thoughts transformed into vicious resentment, filling his chest.

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

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

Shen Qiu's face reddened with rage. He immediately flicked his sleeve and left.

The filthy and bedraggled Shen Kuangtao glared over resentfully. Shen Yun cast him a glance, and the latter nearly fell flat on his backside again. He slunk away and followed behind Shen Qiu.

"Two clowns leaping about."

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

The white-clothed youth had watched the entire scene. He calmly took a sip of tea, then, seeing Shen Yun preparing to leave, slowly rose and walked over.

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

The white-clothed youth smiled, carrying an indescribably carefree air. "You went too easy on them. Had it been me, those two would already be dead."

Shen Yun's expression stiffened, and he said solemnly, "Senior did not come looking for me merely to say that, did you?"

He had also paid attention to the person before him. This man could loaf about and lie flat in the Scripture Pavilion, while Elder Ming treated him with extreme respect. He was clearly not someone to be trifled with.

The white-clothed youth did not beat around the bush. He said indifferently, "I am giving you something. Come find me again once you understand it."

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

After saying that, the white-robed young man returned to the recliner and began to nap, showing no intention of explaining anything.

Shen Yun gripped the Jade Slip tightly. He did not understand the other party's intentions, and his heart was full of doubts.

Elder Ming shook his head at him and slowly said, "Go. This will bring you only benefits. 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.