Chapter Five, the young man in blue is thirty-six
As the brightness gradually faded, the eyes adjusted slightly. People lowered their hands that had shielded their eyes and saw the teacher from the Heavenly Dao Academy with his mouth agape, his face filled with an expression of disbelief. At the same time, they also saw where the light was coming from— it emanated from the palm of the young man in the green attire. The dark sensing stone in his hand seemed to have transformed into the hottest stone at the mouth of a volcano, radiating countless rays of light as if it were burning!
The dark rock has a very ordinary name: the Induction Stone. In the Daoist canon, there is a scripture that describes the extraordinary products of mountains, rivers, and seas, titled "The Scripture of the Birth of All Things." Chen Changsheng had once seen an image of this stone in that text and understood its miraculous nature—this black stone naturally contains an energy akin to divine consciousness. Whenever it encounters the human body, it will release a strand of this energy into the body, stimulating the body's own true essence. Then, like fishing, it draws a strand of the person's true essence back into the black stone. The more abundant the true essence within the person holding the stone, the stronger their divine consciousness, and the more the black stone is replenished, the brighter it becomes. After many years of experimentation, humanity has summarized a set of rules to assess a person's strength based on the brightness of the black stone.
The innate bodies of the demon race are as strong as gold and stone. If humans do not undergo the process of marrow washing, they cannot possibly engage in combat with them on the battlefield. Therefore, within the human army, at least a preliminary success in marrow washing is required to qualify as elite field soldiers. Furthermore, the significance of marrow washing extends beyond this; it not only strengthens the bones and muscles but also enhances vision and opens the mind, significantly improving memory and analytical abilities. To summarize in the words from the Daoist canon, it allows one to perceive another realm of existence.
As the crowd engaged in animated discussions, a sudden recollection of an earlier aged voice struck them. Upon turning around in astonishment, they discovered that the newcomer was none other than the formidable Deputy Dean Zhuang of the Tiandao Academy, which caused them to be taken aback. They hurriedly bowed and paid their respects, scattering like birds and beasts.
Every year, the number of applicants to Tiandao Academy is excessively high, which is why an entrance assessment process has been added. People continuously reach out to grasp the black stone, whether it is dim or bright. Some individuals continue to advance towards the building, while others are coldly signaled by a teacher to leave the line, creating an atmosphere that feels particularly oppressive.
People instinctively covered their eyes, thinking it was the light brought by the breaking dawn, only to realize a moment later that even the brightest spring day could not be so luminous. If it were not sunlight ... ? ... then where does this light come from?
Chen Changsheng repeated a statement that was made twice yesterday at the Divine General's residence
The teacher looked at him with a blank expression, meaning, why haven't you taken the initiative to leave yet
... ...
Since he is Tang San Thirty-Six, then nothing is impossible
The practice of humanity differs significantly from that of the demon and monster races. In the beginning, it emphasized learning to enlighten the mind, understanding to nurture the spirit, utilizing wisdom to comprehend the principles of heaven and earth, and drawing upon the power of heaven and earth through spiritual awareness. This process involves refining the body with energy, starting from the skin and hair, progressing to the fascia and muscles, and penetrating deep into the marrow of the bones, ultimately achieving strength that allows one to lift stones. A healthy body is resilient against common ailments, hence it is referred to as marrow washing
That remains unknown, but judging by the previous brightness of the black stone, it is likely that there is still some reserve. Even if it does not achieve the initial perfection, it is probably not far from it
However, the direction in which he left was not the main entrance of the Tiandao Institute, but rather that building
From across the creek, the faint sound of mockery from the older students could be heard, while the teacher in charge of the sensing stone assessment wore an increasingly grim expression. Since the assessment began early in the morning, hundreds of candidates had already held the sensing stone. Although many were able to make the stone glow, proving that they had successfully undergone the cleansing of their marrow, the level displayed by this year's candidates was far too ordinary compared to previous years. Only one candidate had reached the third level of marrow cleansing, and there was not a single individual who had achieved the completion of the marrow cleansing stage. As for the young prodigies who could enter the seated illumination stage, they were completely absent. Naturally, the teacher's mood was not very good.
What does this mean? What is a genius? This is genius! The old students on the other side of the creek have long ceased their cold mockery; they are staring at the bamboo shed as if they were seeing a ghost. The old student who had spoken the harshest words earlier was so shocked that he slipped off the stone bench and fell to the ground, yet he felt no pain in his tailbone, tremblingly exclaiming: "How is this possible? Senior Brother Guan Bai also entered the Sitting and Tranquility Realm at the age of sixteen... This kid... Is this kid's face really that tender? Otherwise, how could it be possible!"
The teacher was taken aback for a moment, then understood what he intended to do, and shouted in anger: "Stop!"
The teacher from the Tiandao Academy said with a trembling voice. At that moment, he looked at the young boy in green, as if he were gazing at a precious gem. He hurriedly stood up, walked in front of the boy, and lowered his head to greedily observe his palm, watching the light that leaked out. No one thought this teacher was behaving inappropriately, for it was known...! The young boy in green still bore a youthful appearance, clearly not exceeding the age of sixteen, yet he had already reached the state of sitting in meditation.
A young boy grasped the black stone, yet it showed no response. When he was signaled to leave, the boy was particularly despondent, crying out and pleading for another chance, tightly holding onto the stone and refusing to let go. He was soon dragged away by the attendants of the Heavenly Dao Academy, drawing nothing but a round of mockery, with no significance whatsoever.
Does he not understand what this means? It certainly does not seem so
Tang and * Picture * Book Thirty-Six? He is indeed Tang Thirty-Six? '' Upon hearing this name, the crowd was even more astonished. Someone remarked: `` He is already ranked thirty-sixth on the Qingyun List... How could he leave Wenshui for the capital? Is it for next year's Grand Imperial Examination? But with his abilities, there should be no problem for him to enter the Tian Shu Tomb.''
It was explained that: "Tang Thirty-Six is the most proud, refusing to submit to anyone. Not to mention the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom, even that wolf cub from the North does not submit to him. Since he intends to participate in next year's Grand Imperial Examination, he must be looking to change his name. Therefore... naturally, he must come to the capital in advance, and since he is coming to the capital, he must enter our Heavenly Dao Academy.
At this moment, he was already very close to the table, with only three people in front of him. The one at the very front was a thinly dressed young man in a blue garment. The young man approached the table, and without waiting for the teacher from the Heavenly Dao Academy to speak, he directly reached out and picked up the dark sensing stone. For some reason, at that moment, everyone felt a bit tense.
The youths participating in the Tiandao Academy entrance examination, under the command of the stern instructor, stepped forward one by one to grasp the stone, holding it tightly for three breaths. Most of the time, the black stone would emit a faint glow in people's hands, with subtle differences in brightness; only a few individuals, when they picked up the stone, found that it remained unchanged.
At that moment, an old and indifferent voice came from behind them
When it comes to the name of Tang San Thirty-Six, many scholars recall the rumors surrounding this talented young man from Wenshui, and cannot help but express their admiration. Others remarked, "While others may not acknowledge the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom, does he dare to disregard Lord Qiushan?"
No unexpected events occurred, Blackstone remained Blackstone, quietly lying in his palm
The teacher furrowed his brow slightly; he should have directly waved his hand to signal Chen Changsheng to leave. However, due to the inexplicable quietness in the venue and the library, he inexplicably asked one more question: "You do not practice cultivation?"
The strong, or rather the geniuses, naturally must endure the scrutiny of the masses. The young men and women participating in the assessment of the Academy of Heavenly Path did not recognize the background of the youth in the green attire, yet they felt even more shaken. As they gazed at his figure, expressions of fear and awe emerged. Chen Changsheng looked at the youth in green with great admiration; he did not possess such talent and truly felt a twinge of envy.
... ...
In early spring, Kyoto is enveloped in clouds, with the sun obscured behind. Within the Tendaiji Temple, a serene atmosphere prevails. Suddenly, the grasslands along the riverbanks become exceptionally bright, with tender green shoots resembling delicate emerald branches. The remaining dew transforms into luminous pearls. In the clear stream, slender fish gaze wide-eyed at the sky, their bodies stiffened by the sudden arrival of light
In the eyes of the onlookers, he merely picked up a stone and then set it down. Such an obvious fact, yet he solemnly confirmed it once again, which seemed somewhat ridiculous. Strangely, no one laughed out loud. Observing his earnest expression, people found it somewhat odd. The boys who had failed to make the black stone shine felt a sense of embarrassment and were downcast due to their failures. They might even weep bitterly like the earlier embarrassed boy. He... Looking at his earnest expression, people found it somewhat odd. The boys who had failed to make the black stone shine felt a sense of embarrassment and were downcast due to their failures. They might even weep bitterly like the earlier embarrassed boy. He... Yet, he was too calm.
He placed the black stone back on the table and said to the teacher from the Heavenly Dao Academy: "It hasn't lit up."
The assessment continues, and those who can make the black stone shine display expressions of joy on their faces, while those who cannot make the stone shine are utterly dejected
The young man in blue walked forward with a cold expression, soon entering the depths of the Tiandao Academy and that building, while the assessments for the others continued. Before long, it was finally Chen Changsheng's turn. He approached the table, gazing at the rough exterior of the dark rock, which faintly revealed countless tiny pores, and the stone of books. After hesitating for a moment, he reached out to grasp the black stone, lifting it to his eyes to begin a careful examination.
Yesterday at the Divine General's residence, Chen Changsheng had twice admitted that he had not practiced cultivation. Naturally, he had not succeeded in washing his marrow, which meant that when he later held that black stone, it would not change in any way. He would be dismissed from the examination team by his teacher. However, strangely, his expression was very calm, as if he was not particularly worried.
Chen Changsheng bowed in greeting and then departed
The path to enlightenment is vast and profound; this is merely a general statement. The world is filled with countless texts, as vast as the sea, with innumerable characters representing boundless knowledge. If one does not cleanse the marrow and cultivate a clear mind, how can one dare to plunge into the depths of knowledge? Relying solely on courage to venture forth may lead to instant disorientation, resulting in being crushed by overwhelming waves, leading to death. The recent addition of this assessment step by the Heavenly Dao Academy, when considered from this perspective, is indeed quite reasonable. If you have not even succeeded in cleansing your marrow, what qualifications do you have to practice those profound methods?
It may be due to the fact that the young man in the green attire appeared too calm
I have not practiced
Is it really... the state of sitting and observing?
He clearly felt a cool and pleasant breath emanating from a small hole in the black stone, entering his body through the palm of his hand, and then circulating rapidly through his meridians, attempting to reach deeper locations, such as the Sun Sea Burning Wheel, in search of his true essence. That cool breath evidently had no consciousness and naturally bore no malice; he made no resistance, allowing it to search freely. Of course, even if he wanted to resist, he had no capability to do so. He was well aware that there were some issues with his meridians, and before he began to treat his ailment, that breath could not possibly make any discoveries. Since there was no true essence flowing back and no spiritual consciousness sensing, the black stone would naturally not become bright.