noveltune Chapter 15 Conflict
Chapter 15 Conflict
Time flies, and Lu Ming and his two companions have entered their third year of cultivation at the Dao Academy.
Strangely, after Lu Ming came into contact with cultivation, he never had the same dream he used to have again.
The initial novelty and excitement of entering the mountain gate have gradually settled into daily perseverance and accumulation.
Their life trajectories are becoming increasingly clear:
In the morning, I listened to the elders in the Wanfa Hall lecture on more profound topics such as "The Theory of Primordial Qi", "Analysis of Basic Talismans", and even "Records of Mythical Beasts of the Nine Provinces".
In the afternoons, they would diligently practice in the Yanfa Square or their respective residences, and every few days, they would go to Baicao Peak to take care of the Qingxin Bamboo Forest.
Since assigning the task that day, Senior Sister Yunzhi has rarely appeared, seemingly busy with her own cultivation or alchemy research.
However, the little snow fox named Snowball became a frequent visitor when the three of them took care of the bamboo forest, and it was especially affectionate with Hu Zhen.
That day, after finishing the morning's "Basic Talisman Analysis" course, Lu Ming and the other two were on their way back to Chuming Garden, discussing the key points of drawing "Spirit Gathering Talismans" that the elder had just mentioned.
Hu Zhen has a keen understanding of rune structures and can often point out the key nodes in the flow of spiritual energy, which has greatly benefited Lu Ming and Qin Feiyu.
"This spirit-gathering talisman sounds simple, but it's really not easy to draw the surrounding spiritual energy to gather on a small piece of talisman paper and keep it stable."
Qin Feiyu scratched his head. He always found these skills, which required extreme patience and precise control, somewhat daunting.
Lu Ming nodded in agreement. He was more accustomed to perceiving the flow and changes of spiritual energy from a holistic perspective, and he needed time to adapt to this method of confining power within a fixed framework.
Hu Zhen's eyes lit up: "I find it very interesting. Different combinations of runes can produce all sorts of effects. If we could figure out the reason behind it..."
As they were talking, they suddenly saw a small group of people gathered not far ahead, seemingly arguing.
As the three approached, they saw that Nangong Yu was confronting another young man dressed in brocade robes with an imposing air.
Lu Ming vaguely remembered the young man; he seemed to come from a powerful cultivation family in Qingzhou, and his name was Liu Qing.
"Nangong Yu, don't think that just because your Nangong family has some reputation in Zhongzhou, you can put on airs in front of me, Liu Qing! I was the one who set my sights on this Dew-Gathering Grass first!"
Liu Qing spoke arrogantly, holding a small, vibrant blue plant in his hand.
Beside them was an outer disciple with a few scattered materials on his hands, looking troubled; they were clearly conducting a private transaction.
Nangong Yu's face darkened: "Liu Qing, everything should be done in a first-come, first-served manner. I've already agreed on the price with this senior brother; what's the logic behind you interfering?"
"Reason? What I set my sights on is reason!" Liu Qing sneered, his spiritual energy surging around him, carrying a scorching aura.
He was clearly practicing a fire-attribute technique, and his cultivation had improved considerably compared to a year ago.
The disciples watching the spectacle were all talking amongst themselves, but no one stepped forward to stop them.
Ordinary disciples are generally unwilling to provoke conflicts between scions of aristocratic families.
Lu Ming frowned slightly. He didn't want to meddle, but seeing that the two sides were on the verge of fighting and would probably start a fight at any moment, violating the sect rules.
Just then, a gentle voice rang out: "Senior brothers, you are all fellow disciples, why ruin your harmony over a mere spiritual herb?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young man in a white robe with an ordinary face walking over.
His aura was restrained, and his steps were steady; he was none other than Lin Feng, whose Qi-inducing speed was incredibly fast.
Lin Feng's appearance surprised both Liu Qing and Nangong Yu.
Lin Feng usually keeps to himself, is taciturn, and rarely gets involved in disputes among disciples. His sudden appearance at this moment is somewhat unexpected.
Lin Feng didn't look at the Dew-Gathering Grass; his gaze calmly swept over Liu Qing and Nangong Yu.
"Article Seven of the Sect Rules prohibits private fights among fellow disciples."
If the two senior brothers have any objection to the ownership of this spiritual herb, they can apply for arbitration at the Affairs Hall according to the academy's rules, or arrange a time for a fair debate at the Discussion Platform, with the winner receiving it.
Arguing like this will only make you a laughingstock and damage your own reputation.
His words were spoken slowly and deliberately, yet they possessed a strange persuasive power.
Liu Qing's expression changed several times. Although he was arrogant, he knew the consequences of a private fight in front of everyone.
He snorted coldly, tossed the Dew-Gathering Grass back to the outer disciple, and glared fiercely at Nangong Yu and Lin Feng:
"Hmph, we'll meet on the platform!" With that, he turned and left.
Nangong Yu's expression remained unpleasant, but he knew Lin Feng was right, so he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Lin Feng.
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Lin." He glanced coldly in the direction Liu Qing had left, then turned and left as well.
A storm was resolved by Lin Feng with just a few words.
The disciples who had been watching gradually dispersed, their gazes now filled with curiosity as they looked at Lin Feng.
This unassuming young man seems to be more than he appears.
Lin Feng nodded slightly to Lu Ming and the other two as a greeting, and then left on his own, still maintaining a distant and unapproachable demeanor.
"This Lin Feng is quite interesting," Qin Feiyu said, stroking his chin.
Hu Zhen nodded, "He seems to care about nothing, yet he also seems to know a little bit about everything."
After returning to Chuming Garden, Lu Ming began his afternoon cultivation as usual.
He first circulated the Qi-guiding technique to strengthen the increasingly pure spiritual power within his body.
As his cultivation deepened, he increasingly felt that his spiritual power seemed to be different from that cultivated by ordinary disciples.
His spiritual power is highly inclusive and has a very high affinity with the surrounding environment.
After running the cycle for several days, he did not stop, but began to try to draw the spirit-gathering talisman he had learned that morning.
He spread out the talisman paper, ground the cinnabar containing spiritual power, held his breath and concentrated, recalling the key points of the talisman structure and the flow of spiritual power.
However, when he channeled his spiritual energy into the tip of his brush and placed it on the talisman paper, he always felt a bit of stagnation.
The fixed rune trajectory seemed like a constraint, preventing him from incorporating his own natural understanding of the flow of spiritual energy into it.
After several attempts, the talisman either had no effect or its spiritual energy became disordered, causing it to spontaneously combust and turn to ashes.
Lu Ming put down his pen, but was not discouraged.
He knew that the art of talismans was profound and complex, and could not be mastered overnight.
He put down the talisman brush, walked into the courtyard, and closed his eyes again.
"Talismans are the framework, the rules... while the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is inherently free and full of change..."
A thought raced through his mind: "Perhaps I shouldn't blindly imitate fixed runes, but should first try to understand why this rune structure can attract and restrain spiritual energy..."
He returned to the table, no longer in a hurry to write, but instead dipped his fingers in water and repeatedly traced and dissected the runes of the spirit-gathering talisman on the stone table.
Focus on feeling the meaning behind each stroke, rather than its form.
Before we knew it, the sun was setting, turning the courtyard into a golden hue.
Lu Ming remained immersed in his understanding of the runes, completely unaware of the passage of time.
The path of spiritual practice is like climbing a mountain; every step requires firm footing, and every insight can be a small breakthrough.