yasinovel Chapter 57 A Hasty January
Chapter 57 A Hasty January
Time flows like water, quietly passing by.
In the blink of an eye, it's already late autumn.
For the past month, Gu Shenyan has hardly left his house.
Every morning, he would sit in meditation in his room.
Following the "Life Circulation" method in the [Assisted Cultivation] mode, guide the four elements of spiritual energy to circulate continuously within the body.
Those four forces—the gentleness of water, the heaviness of earth, the intensity of fire, and the lightness of wind—originally fought separately, but now they are gradually merging into one.
They surged and flowed through his meridians like an invisible river, endlessly regenerating.
In the afternoon, he picked up a wolf-hair brush, dipped it in spirit sand, and practiced repeatedly on spirit yellow paper.
Water-fixing talismans, water-avoiding talismans, evil-repelling talismans... one after another, the waste paper piled up on the desk.
Each failure deepened his understanding of the art of talismans.
The rhythm infused with spiritual energy, the varying pressure and speed of the brushstrokes, the timing of the final stroke…
These subtleties can only be gradually understood through countless attempts.
At night, he took a Spirit Gathering Pill to nourish his spiritual essence.
The elixir melted upon entering the mouth, transforming into a cool current that swirled and nourished the dantian.
Day after day, week after week.
The data on the three-dimensional mirror is also quietly changing.
【Talismans (Beginner 86/100)】
[Four Elements Breathing: Spirit Core Condensation Progress 72%]
[Original Qi Reserve: 10.4 (Green)]
These figures are the results of his month of arduous study.
On the other hand, despite his seclusion and intensive study, he never missed a single Father Moore's meditation class.
After all, under Father Moore's secret technique, the efficiency of meditation, although not as high as when the [Assisted Cultivation] mode was activated, was still much higher than his usual daily meditation.
This day was another meditation class.
As Gu Shenyan stepped into the familiar classroom, he saw Father Moore already standing on the podium.
The priest was still wearing his black robe, with a silver cross hanging on his chest, and he looked calm.
There were far fewer students in the classroom than last time.
The class, which originally had more than 30 students, now has less than 20 students left.
Those empty seats, like silent tombstones, tell a cruel story.
Gu Shenyan sat down in the corner and looked around.
Zhou Mingxuan and Li Wenyuan were still there, but they looked a bit tired.
Qian Baolin was also there, but the spirited look in his eyes was no longer what it used to be.
There were a few other faces, whose names Gu Shenyan could only vaguely recall.
They all had their heads down, as if they didn't want to make eye contact with anyone.
"Gentlemen."
Father Moore spoke, his voice still calm:
"Today we continue to discuss the key points of 'Spiritual Energy Condensation'."
He wrote a few lines on the blackboard:
"As mentioned last time, sensing spiritual energy is only the first step."
"To truly enter the path of magic, one must condense spiritual essence into a core before becoming an apprentice."
"Of ten people, only one or two can succeed at this step."
After he finished speaking, the classroom fell into a deathly silence.
The students all wore expressions of bitterness.
One or two?
They have been cultivating for almost a year and haven't even touched the edge of spiritual essence, so how can they talk about condensing a spiritual core?
"Father."
Someone raised their hand:
"Do we lack the talent for cultivation?"
"After practicing for so long, I still can't sense any spiritual energy. Should I... give up?"
Father Moore looked at the man and remained silent for a moment.
Whether you give up or not is up to you.
He said slowly:
"The path of magic is inherently defying the will of Heaven."
"Only a few can make it to the end."
"If you feel that the road ahead is difficult, it is only natural for you to give up."
"after all……"
His gaze swept over the crowd:
"Not everyone is suited for this path."
These words, spoken in a calm tone, were like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone's heads.
Another silence fell over the classroom.
Some people lowered their heads, some clenched their fists, and some had tears welling up in their eyes.
Zhou Mingxuan sat not far from Gu Shenyan, his face full of bitterness.
He turned his head and glanced at Gu Shenyan, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Gu Shenyan noticed his gaze and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Zhou Mingxuan hesitated for a moment, then finally leaned closer:
"Brother Shenyan... how have things been for you these days?"
"It's acceptable," Gu Shenyan said calmly.
"Not bad?"
Zhou Mingxuan shook his head and chuckled:
"You're being modest."
"I've heard that you've been running around for the past month, selling talismans and participating in the Xuanji Society's activities..."
"He also gets quite close to Princess Bai, which makes others envious."
He spoke with a hint of envy in his voice:
"Unlike us, who spend our days studying at home and cultivating diligently, yet we can't even see a trace of spiritual energy."
"Sometimes I really can't understand it. We're all human, so how can there be such a huge difference?"
Gu Shenyan didn't respond, but just listened quietly.
Zhou Mingxuan sighed and continued:
"It's laughable, really."
"When the meditation course first started, everyone was full of confidence, saying that they would definitely embark on the path of magic and achieve great things."
"And now?"
He looked around, his eyes filled with desolation:
"In less than a year, I gave up on a significant portion of it."
"What's left is probably just a matter of holding on."
"In a few more days..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Gu Shenyan was silent for a moment before speaking:
"The path of art and strategy relies heavily on opportunity and chance."
"Some people are early, some are late, there's no need to worry too much."
Sooner or later?
Zhou Mingxuan shook his head:
"Brother Shenyan, you have no idea."
"We've been cultivating for over half a year, and we can't even sense any spiritual energy. How can we talk about sooner or later?"
"I'm afraid he simply doesn't have the talent."
As he spoke, his tone grew increasingly somber:
"I've already made up my mind. I'll work on it for another three months. If there's still no progress, I won't force it anymore."
"At that time, I will honestly go home and inherit the family business, and become a merchant. That would be a peaceful life."
Gu Shenyan listened to his words, but felt a different kind of emotion.
This is the cruelty of the art of magic.
Of ten people who cultivate themselves, only one or two will succeed.
The remaining eight or nine people either lacked the necessary qualifications or their opportunity had not yet arrived.
They spent years of their lives, only to leave in disappointment.
But those one or two who succeed can soar to great heights and bid farewell to the mundane world.
This is spiritual practice.
You either ascend to heaven or fall to the ground; there is never a middle ground.
"Gentlemen."
Father Moore's voice rang out again, interrupting the whispers:
That concludes today's lesson.
"In the next class, I will explain the specific methods of condensing the spirit core."
"If you wish to continue, then prepare yourselves well."
"If you want to give up..."
"Please make a decision as soon as possible, so as not to waste time."
After saying that, he packed his things and turned to leave.
……
Another half month passed.
That morning, Gu Shenyan meditated in his room as usual.
Outside the window, sycamore leaves fall, and the autumn wind is bleak.
He closed his eyes and focused his mind, guiding the circulation of the four elements of spiritual energy within his body.
Water flows with the earth, fire rises from the earth, fire transforms into smoke and dust, and wind amplifies the water's force...
The four forces circulated within him, spinning faster and faster.
Gradually, he felt something gathering deep within his dantian.