Chapter 105: Emerging From Seclusion To Rally The Troops
After successfully breaking through the Third Calamity, Fang Shu still did not leave seclusion or show himself.
There were still dozens of days until the Spring Examination. For him, this was a good opportunity to further consolidate his cultivation and even elevate it.
After all, to enter an Immortal Sect early, simply reaching the Third Calamity Immortal level is not enough; the higher the cultivation and magic power, the better!
Furthermore.
After Fang Shu’s conversation with the Dojo Master, he was quite interested in the “Spiritual Sense” that the Dojo Master had mentioned obtaining early.
He happened to have half a Soul Nurturing Spirit Medicine, a large number of Spirit Stones, and quite a bit of Mushroom Treasure Medicine on hand, which would be excellent aids for him to continue his vigorous advancement.
Thus, Fang Shu immediately threw himself back into arduous cultivation.
One day, two days, ten days… thirty days!
His Qi and Blood were constantly circulating within the quiet room.
In this scene, if someone were to stand outside the well and look down, they would definitely not see the bottom, but would feel as if this quiet room had truly transformed into a well.
However, what was stored inside was not water, but mercury, constantly swirling and emitting a terrifying Qi.
It was a pity that within these tens of days, although Fang Shu had thoroughly consolidated his cultivation and pushed his Third Calamity cultivation forward by twenty to thirty percent, the “Spiritual Sense” he desired remained elusive.
The spiritual light in his mind was hazy and indistinct, but he simply could not manifest the “brilliant phenomenon” described in the books. Correspondingly, his Three Souls and Seven Spirits were not sensed at all.
Fang Shu merely felt that with his cultivation, his brain power, memory, and focus had all improved significantly, and the Qi and Blood within his body had become even more potent, like lead and mercury.
This fruitless search inevitably caused a hint of frustration in his heart.
However, he suppressed this feeling of frustration.
Failing to find something is a common occurrence in cultivation.
One must know that cultivation is not something that guarantees a reward simply by expending time and effort.
As an Immortal Cultivator, the more one is in such a predicament, the more one must guard against arrogance and impatience, and remain calm.
Until one day.
Second Uncle Yu Le sent a letter from outside the quiet room, mentioning that the Dojo Master was convening many inner courtyard disciples for a meeting, and had specifically inquired about him, though no summons was issued.
Fang Shu immediately knew that only a few days remained until the so-called Spring Examination.
That day, he packed up all the items in the quiet room, tidied himself up, and leaped out of the well, ending the longest single seclusion of his life.
When he left the quiet room and the spiritual light within dissipated, the previously rough rock wall at the bottom of the well had become as smooth as a bronze mirror, faintly reflecting human shadows.
This phenomenon was clearly the result of Fang Shu’s potent Qi and Blood grinding against the wall, its essence corroding the wall and forcefully polishing it smooth, imbuing it with a layer of lead and mercury qi.
Ancient people spoke of sitting in meditation in a cave, with their shadows imprinted onto the stone wall.
Fang Shu’s seclusion this time was quite similar in principle.
…………
Du Gu Guan, Inner Courtyard Assembly Hall.
Many disciples had already arrived in advance.
Among them were many disciples who had reached eighteen years of age, left the Dojo, and served as honorary members outside; now, the Dojo Master had summoned all of them, evidently to discuss important matters.
As for what kind of important matters, the disciples present had some inkling:
“This year’s Spring Examination, it seems our Dojo will truly get involved!”
“Only those under eighteen years of age are eligible to enter the Spring Examination. Once successful, they can ascend the mountain early. Rumor has it that the chance of successfully Refining Qi is almost fifty percent; it’s truly enviable!”
A group of Du Gu Guan disciples murmured incessantly, and their gazes occasionally swept towards a figure standing at the very front of the crowd.
That figure was nimble, exuding an aura of confidence and self-assurance. It was a woman, Qin Min herself.
Besides Qin Min, others would also cast their eyes upon another person—Du Yu Er.
Some older disciples were discussing, “Junior Sister Qin Min has long since passed the Third Calamity and possesses a Spiritual Root, so she will definitely ascend the mountain early. We just don’t know about Junior Sister Yu Er…”
According to what everyone was discussing, Du Yu Er, who was usually gentle and unassuming, was clearly also a strong candidate for the Spring Examination.
While they were discussing, the Dojo Master sat composedly in her grand tutor chair.
She closed her eyes slightly, occasionally taking a sip of tea, neither confirming nor denying the disciples’ words.
It wasn’t until another person walked in from outside the hall that the Dojo Master finally raised her eyelids slightly, her gaze drooping as she looked at the newcomer.
Fang Shu stepped lightly into the hall.
After cupping his hands to the Dojo Master in front of everyone, he was about to blend into the crowd.
However, his arrival not only attracted the Dojo Master’s attention but also that of more than half the disciples in the hall; all eyes turned to him.
Qin Min, who had been facing away from everyone with her eyes closed, suddenly opened her eyes and turned her head to stare at him, her expression one of scrutiny and assessment.
Besides Qin Min, Du Yu Er also looked towards Fang Shu, a smile on her lips, and nodded in greeting.
These two obvious gestures drew the attention of others.
A disciple murmured, “Could this person be the one who slayed a Third Calamity Immortal in our Dojo?”
“I wonder if this person has broken through the Third Calamity. Will our Dojo have three participants in the Spring Examination today?”
Facing everyone’s scrutiny, Fang Shu’s expression was calm. He glanced back at Du Yu Er, then found Li Hou Er and walked over to stand beside him.
This action caused Li Hou Er, a First Calamity Immortal on the edge of the crowd, to immediately flush red, his chest puffing out forcefully.
He was practically radiant, his face seeming to declare, “This is my brother.”
The hall became noisy again.
At this moment, the Dojo Master finally opened her eyes fully and said, “The time has come, everyone is here, it’s time to talk.”
“Yes, Master.” The assembled people in the hall responded in unison.
The Dojo Master stood up and said with a smile:
“It’s not a major matter. As you all said, the Spring Examination is about to begin. Our Dojo has a good harvest of talents this year, with people able to participate in the Spring Examination. Therefore, today, I specifically call upon them to show my appreciation and encouragement.”
After speaking, the Dojo Master called out:
“Qin Min, you are our Dojo’s Refining Essence Daoist Child. You are now a Third Calamity Human Immortal. Are you willing to represent our Dojo in the Spring Examination and bring glory to our sect!?”
Qin Min calmly stepped forward half a pace and cupped her hands, saying, “Your disciple is willing.”
After calling upon one person, the Dojo Master’s next gaze did not fall upon her granddaughter Du Yu Er, but directly onto Fang Shu.
Her face showed a look of deep satisfaction, and she spoke again:
“Fang Shu, you are also our Dojo’s Refining Essence Daoist Child. Are you willing?”
Fang Shu also stepped forward half a pace and cupped his hands in agreement: “Your disciple is willing.”
Hearing their words, the Dojo Master’s face immediately showed great joy, and she said happily:
“Excellent! To have two people ascend the mountain and join the sect in one year is truly our Dojo’s fortune.”
For some reason, the old woman still did not mention her granddaughter.
Subsequently, following the usual practice of previous years, the Dojo Master instructed Qin Min and Fang Shu to demonstrate their Third Calamity Qi and Blood in the arena for the assembled disciples and discuss their Tribulation experience, in order to inspire their ambition and facilitate mutual learning.
But at this moment, both Fang Shu’s and Qin Min’s gazes lifted simultaneously. They did not look at the surrounding disciples but at each other.
Qin Min’s eyes were filled with scrutiny, and her expression revealed a sense of condescension.
Before she could speak, Fang Shu, standing in the hall, smiled at her and spoke first:
“Junior Sister Qin Min, are you going to measure my strength again?”
