Chapter 3: The So-Called Cultivation
The battered river fish lay in a forest, wailing loudly, feeling that he had never suffered such a great loss or endured such a profound humiliation in his life. Any one of the three martial monks could easily beat him into a daze, leaving him unaware of whether it was day or night, or what year it was in the world. This completely shattered and crushed the slightest bit of pride and arrogance that had emerged in his heart.
What are you thinking? Jiang Yu has already pulled out a dagger he forged himself from behind.
After laughing a few times, Wu Fan knelt on the ground, bowed to the three portraits at the bottom of the shadow wall in turn, and slowly stood up, whispering: "You all left so decisively, each one leaving a note stating who would be the last to return to the sect, and the heavy burden of this grand sect would be entrusted to him. It is laughable that I, Wu Fan, have traveled the Central Plains for a hundred years and have only encountered this one exceptional talent, Jiang Yu. Where am I to find disciples? In this turbulent world of the Central Plains, where material desires run rampant, people are born with their innate seven orifices closed. Where can I find individuals suitable for the great path of our sect?" It is laughable that I, Wu Fan, have traveled the Central Plains for a hundred years and have only encountered this one exceptional talent, Jiang Yu. Where am I to find disciples? In this turbulent world of the Central Plains, where material desires run rampant, people are born with their innate seven orifices closed. Where can I find individuals suitable for the great path of our sect?
With a bitter smile, Wu Fan looked up at the murals that were over eight hundred zhang high and surrounded by dozens of images, and said: "In the second generation, ninety-seven ascended; in the third generation, eighty-five ascended; in the fourth generation, only thirty-seven ascended; and in the generation of our master, only three ascended. At our peak, there were nearly ten thousand disciples in our sect, yet now there are merely two left. Is it possible that this land of the Nine Provinces is truly unsuitable for people like us to reside in?"
Surprised, Jiang Yu glanced at him, and Wu Fan casually tossed the roasted wild rabbit aside. Clapping his hands, Wu Fan jumped up and laughed, "In these three months, you have only drunk spring water and eaten wild fruits; indeed, your spiritual essence has greatly improved. Good, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Starting tomorrow, we will continue our journey, and along the way, I will begin to teach you how to refine your energy." He playfully tousled Jiang Yu's hair, which resembled a messy bird's nest, and said cheerfully, "Remember, the core principle of our school emphasizes nature. Everything should be done according to your heart's desire; do not force it, do not strive too hard, let everything happen naturally."
Wufan's gaze became even more innocent as he gently said to Jiang Yu: "However, every measure has its advantages and disadvantages. Our Wangyue Sect is good at many things, but we simply cannot refine elixirs! And the sect that is the best at refining elixirs has been offended by our ancestors throughout the generations, so they certainly will not concoct pills for us!"
The river fish slapped its chest loudly and said: "Master is troubled, and the disciple bears the burden. I still understand a bit of the etiquette of respecting teachers and valuing education. Hmm, how should the disciple go about making money?"
The river fish leaped up and bowed deeply to Wufan, saying: "Master, I realize my mistakes. I humbly ask for your guidance."
On the boundless grassland, when the thunderstorm came crashing down, Jiang Yu, holding an iron rod, leaped desperately under the thunderclouds, his body bare. Bolts of thunder grazed past his body, and flashes of lightning struck the iron rod, causing Jiang Yu's form to intermittently become translucent. Two years later, he said to Wufan, "Thunder is the command of heaven, and lightning is the sharp blade of divine punishment"
The river fish innocently opened its eyes, looking at the roughly six-foot-long bow in its hand, which was merely a tattered tree branch bent into a crescent shape. The bark seemed not to have been stripped clean, and several strange, twisted marks resembling symbols formed on the bow's arms. The bowstring was made of an unknown beast's sinew, still carrying a pungent odor. It spat out a small mouthful of blood once more: "Oh my God, if I were to use this shabby bow, wouldn't I be laughed to death by everyone in the world? Master, Master, can I change to another one? That longbow made entirely of gold hanging from the cave's ceiling looks quite good!"
Wu Fan sat on the ground, crossed his arms, and said in a deep voice: "Little ghost, be quiet. Quickly use your nascent natural heart to select the treasures among these items that resonate with you. As for matters of the sect, when you have the strength to understand, your master will naturally inform you." He looked at Jiang Yu with a mischievous grin and said, "You have been playing the silent gourd for two years. I, your master, can allow this silent gourd to remain for a few more years without any significant issue."
The eyes of Jiang Yu bulged even larger, and his face had completely turned purple. He spat and roared, "But, Master, didn't you say that we are practitioners of immortality? Why do we still need to learn martial arts? Are you, you, you just fooling me?"
Gently patting Jiang Yu's shoulder, Wu Fan advised, "For the sake of your reputation as 'The Clean Street Tiger of the Central Plains,' my disciple, you should consume this entire pile of spiritual herbs. Well, here, start with this millennium-old Huangjing, which is the best for replenishing energy and vitality." He had already pushed the Huangjing into Jiang Yu's mouth.
In the howling cold wind, after trekking for half a month through the Kunlun Mountains where the snowflakes were as large as palms, Wufan finally brought Jiangyu to the foot of a towering and perilous peak. It was unclear what he had done, but on what originally appeared to be a uniformly white ice cliff, an irregular cave entrance had unexpectedly emerged at some point. Wufan led Jiangyu to bow and pay respects at the cave entrance, and with a slight tremor of caution, he took Jiangyu's hand and entered the cave.
Wu Fan blinked his eyes and finally said with some hesitation: "Well, I will tell you the last and most important point. In the future, when you travel the world, whether it is to assist your elder brother Li Linfu or to pursue your own endeavors, if possible, do your best to keep your identity as a member of the Wangyue Sect a secret. It seems that other sects have some different opinions about us in the Wangyue Sect." If possible, do your best to keep your identity as a member of the Wangyue Sect a secret. It seems that other sects have some different opinions about us in the Wangyue Sect.
"Damn it!" Jiang Yu finally erupted in a fit of hysteria. What natural heart? It had long since turned into a mere illusion. Looking at the pile of enormous herbs before him, Jiang Yu decisively slashed a dagger towards Wufan's face: "Today, I must leave you with a memento! Did you think you could trick me onto a pirate ship?"
"A broken bow? Hmm? A broken bow? Hmm?" Wu Fan, infuriated, felt his eyes twitch violently as he snatched the wooden bow and thrust it into Jiang Yu's body, saying: "You little bastard, you dare to call it a broken bow? If that is a broken bow, then what is this 'Meteor Flash' that I carry on my back? Is it worthless dog shit? Starting tomorrow, you can just wait for my torment!" The wooden bow, if it is a broken bow, then what is this 'Meteor Flash' that I carry on my back? Is it worthless dog shit? Starting tomorrow, you can just wait for my torment!" The wooden bow, in Jiang Yu's terrified and dazed gaze, disappeared into his body without leaving a trace.
The river fish gritted its teeth and shouted: "Disciple, your mistake lies in thinking that you are a master and becoming arrogant; your greater mistake is that after striking a surprise blow, you should know when to stop and promptly escape the scene of the crime; I have also come to understand that even when using a surprise attack, one must strive to improve their skills as much as possible"
He laughed and said: "For example, if you miss your shot, and the empty-handed person rushes towards you with a precious sword, only a few dozen meters away, you won't have time to shoot an arrow. At that moment, don't you think that having martial arts skills and a stick or some other weapon in hand would greatly increase your chances of survival? Alas, there is nothing we can do; the number of disciples in our sect is dwindling, and many miraculous techniques passed down by our ancestors have been lost. Now, what remains is only the method of forging an indestructible body, but that can't withstand someone desperately attacking, can it? We can only learn a bit of martial arts!"
Jiang Yu helplessly knelt down, following Wufan's request, and performed a grand ceremony of three kneels and nine kowtows in all four directions. Afterward, he raised his head and muttered, "Heaven and Earth deities? Nowadays in Yangzhou City, it is popular to worship Li Lao Jun and the Tathagata Buddha. What exactly are these Heaven and Earth deities?"
Such solitude arises from the primordial desolation, and such sorrow stems from the hero's unwillingness to remain in obscurity, plunging Jiang Yu's tender heart to the brink of collapse. Yet, the longbows and quivers, imbued with the unique natural aura of the Wangyue sect, protect Jiang Yu's spirit, allowing him to clearly perceive his own narrative. In the tidal wave of spiritual fluctuations that surge forth, a moment can stretch into billions of years, as he comprehends, senses, and savors something profound. With a mere flick of his fingers, he can traverse three thousand worlds in the blink of an eye. Already, a brilliant divine light has blossomed upon Jiang Yu's forehead, and his natural heart has surprisingly approached the realm of great enlightenment.
At the Moonlit Mountain Gate, a flurry of chaos ensued, with chickens flying and dogs barking, and it continued for a long time without respite
A heavy slap landed on Jiang Yu's forehead, and he angrily scolded, "Nonsense, it's simply unbearable. Which zombie dares to enter the mountain gate of the Wangyue Sect? Here lie the remains of our ancestors who have attained enlightenment. Those who remain are all predecessors who have reached the state of Vajra body. The body may perish, but the spirit endures; what is there to fear? What you just touched was my master's elder brother, your grandmaster!"
Jiang Yu's face grew even darker, his originally dark complexion taking on a slightly purplish hue: "But, Master, you said that our Wangyue Sect is a cultivation sect. I have only heard from the storyteller that immortals consume elixirs; I have never heard that immortals also have to gnaw on grass, right?"
The ancestral master has manifested! The ancestral master has manifested! Heaven will not abandon the Wangyue Sect!" Wufan has already knelt on the ground, devoutly gazing at the glowing longbows in the cave. "As expected, this person has a talent a hundred times better than mine. The Wangyue Sect has hope for revival.
Master, Second Uncle, esteemed teacher, the celestial beings are separated from us, I wonder if there will be a chance to meet again in the future?" Wu Fan sighed softly several times, holding Jiang Yu's hand, and followed another passageway into a small stone chamber. This stone chamber was over a thousand feet high, but only about twenty feet in length and width, giving an extremely strange feeling. At the base of the four walls of the stone chamber, there sat more than twenty people with sorrowful faces, their eyes tightly closed, devoid of any vitality. This stone chamber was over a thousand feet high, but only about twenty feet in length and width, giving an extremely strange feeling. At the base of the four walls of the stone chamber, there sat more than twenty people with sorrowful faces, their eyes tightly closed, devoid of any vitality. On the stone wall, about three feet above the ground, there were hundreds of murals the size of real people, the figures in the murals were lifelike, every hair clearly visible, and the colors were vibrant, almost as if they were real people.
"Baby!" The startled Jiang Yu immediately scrambled up, looking at Wufan with a flattering smile and said, "Master, if you have treasures, why didn't you say so earlier? Why take me to see the dead? Is it true that you haven't returned here for three hundred years? Then, doesn't that mean you are over three hundred years old? How is that possible? You look so vigorous and robust, at most you seem to be around forty!"
"Hmm, a master, are you?" Wu Fan stroked the large beard on his face and began to leisurely pack up his medicine stall. He cast a dubious glance at Jiang Yu and said with a strange smile, "Well, you can be considered a master too. In the court of the Tang Dynasty, those at the level of the captains would likely not withstand two or three of your punches. Alright, let's continue on our way. You've made some progress recently; you can go do some work for your master now."
Wu Fan was chewing on a wild boar's ear, appearing beside Jiang Yu like a ghost, and said with a smile: "My skilled disciple, how do you feel? The three hundred monk soldiers couldn't break your legs; it seems the evaluations are correct. The escape techniques of the Wangyue Sect are indeed top-notch in the world"
Harboring a similarly nefarious thought, Jiang Yu fixed his gaze around the enormous stone cavern. With a gasp, he nearly spat out blood—what adorned the walls, embedded in the walls, hung from the ceiling, piled on the floor, and offered on the stone platform were all what Jiang Yu considered the most vulgar, lacking the demeanor of a wanderer, and devoid of the grace of a master—great bows! He nearly spat out blood again—what adorned the walls, embedded in the walls, hung from the ceiling, piled on the floor, and offered on the stone platform were all what Jiang Yu considered the most vulgar, lacking the demeanor of a wanderer, and devoid of the grace of a master—great bows! Each bow varied in length and width, thickness and fineness, size and scale, with the largest reaching about three zhang in height and the smallest no more than the size of a palm. The most exquisite were entirely transparent, resembling gemstones, while the most rudimentary were carved from stone, totaling over thirty thousand bows of various kinds!
As Jiang Yu cast a glance, he noticed the large bow on Wu Fan's back, which was taller than that of an ordinary person. A wave of frustration surged within him: "Oh, Master, nowadays people are trending towards using swords. Among the legendary experts, who doesn't wield a sword? Or perhaps other extraordinary weapons, like the 'Phoenix Winged Golden Lance' mentioned in storytelling, which is also a fine piece, so impressive! What is the purpose of carrying a large bow? Those who don't know might think we are all hunters!"
Wufan smiled and asked him: "Where is the mistake? m.hetushu.com com"
Under the violent suppression and threats of force, Jiang Yu retracted his shattered heart, which was momentarily bewildered and unsure of the time and place. He strode confidently to the center of the massive stone cave, closed his eyes, and wholeheartedly opened his soul, releasing a trace of the natural awareness he had cultivated after the initial formation of his natural heart.
With a helpless shrug, Wu Fan looked at Jiang Yu with deep affection and said, "How could I possibly deceive you, my only disciple? However, don't you think that before your archery skills reach perfection and you can effortlessly unleash the formless arrow energy like I do, it would be quite terrifying if an enemy were to close in on you?"
The so-called cultivation, as the name suggests, is about practicing while on the journey. There is also a saying that traveling a thousand miles is better than reading a thousand books. You, young one, are someone who does not enjoy reading, so you must walk extensively. If you do not travel thirty to fifty thousand miles, you will end up being a fool. In response to Jiang Yu's request for him to learn a skill, Wufan, holding a roasted dog leg and chewing on it, replied with a grin, lacking any sincerity.
Thus, the master and disciple turned their heads and headed north through the Nu River Gorge, wandering aimlessly without any particular destination. In just seven days, Wufan led Jiangyu to cross the threshold of Qi Refinement, which filled Wufan with a sense of self-satisfaction and pride in his discernment of talent. At dawn, the master and disciple gathered pure Yang purple energy on the mountaintop; when the jade toad hung high, they collected the true Yin of the moon; at midnight, they went to the tranquil waters of the mountain stream to comprehend the power of the starry sky.
Having learned his lesson, Jiang Yu finally suppressed his exuberant nature deep within his heart and earnestly followed Wu Fan to learn the craft. After leaving Mount Song, the master and disciple traversed the renowned mountains and rivers of the world, exploring the hidden and mysterious, comprehending the natural way of heaven and earth, and finding joy in their pursuits. One by one, the towering mountains were trampled underfoot by Jiang Yu, and the great rivers were crossed at will. Unbeknownst to him, Jiang Yu's state of mind had greatly changed from that of his time in Yangzhou. He played with the large carp in the Yellow River, engaged in combat with the three-zhang-sized river groupers in the Yangtze River, raced against the terrifyingly large salmon in the Tianchi of Changbai Mountain, and contended with the creature resembling a dragon in Qinghai Lake. As he trampled the mountains and crossed the rivers, Jiang Yu's perspective broadened, yet in the midst of play and leisure, he subtly harmonized with the rhythm of nature.
Tattered clothing, skin as dark as pitch, looking even thinner, resembling a large skeleton standing on the ground, devoid of any vitality. Yet, beside him, Jiang Yu sat cross-legged, his pair of large eyes exceptionally bright. He raised his right index finger to his lips and gently shushed: "Master, please be quiet; I am listening to the sound of the wisteria petals falling. Do you hear it? On the mountain ahead, several mountain rhododendrons are blooming; at the foot of the mountain behind us, two mountain hares are fighting; and in this water, a fish is teasing a crab."
Jiang Yu was secretly cursing the poverty of the Wangyue Sect, pondering why his master had to become a medicine vendor. He then saw Wufan had already walked to the stone table and was flipping through four or five sheets of letter paper. He noticed Wufan's body trembled a few times, his expression a mix of sorrow and joy, and he turned to Jiang Yu with a bitter smile, saying: "Disciple, there are only the two of us left in the Wangyue Sect. My master, along with the grandmaster and second uncle, have all ascended to the heavens. The other two fellow disciples, unfortunately, did not survive that ordeal and have already passed away. The Wangyue Sect, alas, consists of only the two of us now."
As the faint green light emanated from the body of the river fish, all the longbows in the stone cave simultaneously emitted a lustrous glow, accompanied by a subtle rumbling sound. In Wu Fan's eyes, two beams of brilliance shot forth as he gazed in astonishment at the grand spectacle of all the magical artifacts in the cave glowing at once, and suddenly he was moved to tears: "Are you all lonely too"
Dazed, he raised his head, and Jiang Yu was at a loss for words for a long time. Wu Fan casually grabbed a bone bow shimmering with faint light from a stone platform beside him and said in a deep voice: "This is the 'Tianlang Bow' crafted from the rib bones of the Kunpeng excavated from the ice plains by your ancestral master, my teacher. Until you are qualified to wield the divine bow of the founder, you should practice with the 'Tianlang Bow'!" Wu Fan's expression grew even more sinister, and with a twitch at the corner of his eye, he cursed: "You little bastard, you little bastard! You are truly a little bastard!"
Two and a half years later, the once thunder-struck and radiant Jiang Yu, akin to a newly forged sharp sword, had become much gentler and milder. He told Wu Fan that he had come to understand what life and death truly meant. The evolution of the four seasons over two years had made his soul more tender and sensitive. Of course, he candidly confessed to Wu Fan that he loved life, but preferred to leave the withered and powerless death to others. This was because he detested the decaying aura brought by the yellow leaves clinging to him. Of course, he candidly confessed to Wu Fan that he loved life, but preferred to leave the withered and powerless death to others. This was because he detested the decaying aura brought by the yellow leaves clinging to him
Then, Wufan, accompanied by Jiangyu, ascended once more to the highest peak of the Kunlun Mountains. The master and disciple sat quietly atop the mountain, where Wufan explained to Jiangyu the constellations in the sky, detailing the trajectories and changes of the stars. He encouraged Jiangyu to lie on the mountaintop month after month, quietly contemplating the movements of the stars, and told him that this too is a part of nature
From outside the cave, it appeared pitch black, but upon entering, Jiang Yu was astonished to find that the interior was bright and softly illuminated. The walls of the cave were as smooth as jade, and there was no sign of any lamps; it was unclear where the light was coming from. After traversing a long path measuring a hundred zhang, the master and disciple arrived at a large stone chamber that was over ten zhang high and more than a hundred zhang in both length and width. The shape of the chamber was quite irregular, with a massive bluestone table in the center and seven or eight stone cushions haphazardly placed on the ground. This was the only furniture in the cave.
Jiang Yu felt a surge of true energy churning within him, and finally spat out a small mouthful of blood that flew about a foot away. He lamented, "Master, can't our sect practice swordsmanship?"
In the most humid and rainy valley of the Tibetan Plateau, Jiang Yu stands on a rock in a great river, being washed by the river water and cleansed by the rain. A year later, he tells Wufan that he has come to understand what water truly is
Thoughts as lonely, primordial, and unwilling as the tides surged forth from the tens of thousands of longbows and quivers, coalescing into a vast spiritual force that poured into Jiang Yu's soul. With Jiang Yu's fragile cultivation, his mental defenses were instantly breached, plunging him into that desolate world. The longbows lamented, wept, and cried out loudly. They were once the instruments of slaughter against countless powerful beings, having massacred billions of ferocious beasts and living souls, torn apart the heavens and the earth, and shaken the skies. They had developed their own souls, and with Jiang Yu's fragile cultivation, his mental defenses were instantly breached, plunging him into that desolate world. The longbows lamented, wept, and cried out loudly. They were once the instruments of slaughter against countless powerful beings, having massacred billions of ferocious beasts and living souls, torn apart the heavens and the earth, and shaken the skies. They had developed their own souls, and they were unwilling to silently waste their power and time in this cave. They longed for a new master to lead them across the nine provinces and the world, to completely shatter those seemingly lofty beings—gods, humans, and ghosts—who looked down upon all living things. They were unwilling to silently waste their power and time in this cave. They longed for a new master to lead them across the nine provinces and the world, to completely shatter those seemingly lofty beings—gods, humans, and ghosts—who looked down upon all living things.
The river fish, infuriated, muttered to itself: "Fine, let the gourd be a gourd, what am I afraid of? Hmph, this is the place where treasures are hidden. Just watch me take away a few treasures, it will break your heart to see it."
Thus, during this late spring when the sunlight is just right, the master and disciple wandered aimlessly through mountains and valleys. As for Wufan's cultivation, it is not necessary to elaborate; he could sleep soundly among a pack of tigers and leopards, roll around carelessly in a den of venomous snakes, and with a casual whistle, hundreds of monkeys would affectionately bring him various fruits. Even for Jiangyu, with his extraordinary talent, crossing cliffs and floating on river waters was an effortless task. The two of them roamed freely in the mountains and forests for three months, yet Wufan did not impart a single word of his cultivation methods to Jiangyu.
"What kind of work?" Jiang Yu stared blankly at Wu Fan, feeling an uneasy premonition in his heart
After spending a year and a half counting stars, Wu Fan returned to the mountain gate of Wangyue with Jiang Yu. A bit embarrassed, he pointed to a pile of herbs approximately ten zhang high and about five zhang in diameter at the base, and said with a serious expression: "This is one of the more important tasks among your last two assignments. Here are the spiritual herbs I have collected over the past few years, all of which have been aged for several hundred years. In the next six months, you must consume all of these herbs, absorb their medicinal power, refine your body, and enhance your skills"
Humility and caution—this is what Jiang Yu gained in exchange for a profound lesson after suffering a significant setback. Of course, this lesson also taught Jiang Yu that even if he acquires greater skills in the future, it may still be the best choice to strike from the shadows. After all, among the monks he had overturned, there were quite a few capable practitioners who had capsized in the gutter.
As the wooden bow was drawn, all the longbows in the cave emitted a soft hum simultaneously, akin to subjects bowing to their sovereign. Then, they all fell into a profound silence. Wu Fan's expression had turned ferocious; he leaped up and delivered a heavy slap to Jiang Yu's head, roaring loudly, with saliva flying: "Disobedient disciple, starting tomorrow, I will rigorously train you. Originally, you could have easily spent the remaining eight years, comfortably wandering the world with your shabby skills. However, since this bow has chosen you, prepare to suffer! Your death is inconsequential, but you must not insult this bow!"
Wu Fan, with a roll of his eyes, exclaimed in anger: "How could there be nothing else? Do you underestimate the sect? Look over there, aren't there more than two thousand quivers hanging? They are all valuable items!"
In this journey that resembles that of a wild man, Jiang Yu's slight touch of worldly mundane has been thoroughly refined, and his body has returned to its most primitive state of purity. Now, both he and Wufan are adorned with animal skins, their hair disheveled and faces unkempt like beggars, yet there is a bright light flickering in their eyes, exuding pride in the mountains and forests. The master and disciple run alongside the deer herd, follow the fierce tigers in their hunt, observe the soaring mountain eagles, and play with the monkey troops. Unconsciously, Jiang Yu's every action has begun to mimic the most natural and fundamental movements of these wild beasts, with his strength and speed significantly enhanced compared to before. Now, with a gentle leap, he can cross a river approximately two zhang wide and jump about one zhang and five chi high, his body light and agile, resembling that of a monkey or a bird.
The extraordinary fluctuations of emotions, yet he is too lazy to teach this lethargic child. He holds Jiang Yu's hand and strides towards the depths of Kunlun Mountain. As he runs, he laughs heartily and says: "The founder of our sect ultimately attained enlightenment at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. Later, our ancestors transformed the site of the founder's enlightenment into the entrance of the Wangyue Sect. Jiang Yu, you too must go to the sect's entrance and select a longbow that suits you."
At the moment when he was secretly mocking in his heart, Wu Fan said in a low voice: "Jiang Yu, kneel down and bow your head. Pay respects to our sect's ancestors, to the deities of heaven and earth, and to the spirits of Kunlun. The deities are manifestations of heaven and earth, naturally created. The heart method of our sect originates from nature, from the primordial great way. This heaven, this earth, and those deities are all worthy of our reverence"
Swallowing a mouthful of slightly bitter Huangjing with difficulty, Jiang Yu had a foreboding feeling as he looked at Wufan and asked, "So, what is the last assignment for the final six months?"
In a state of unwarranted madness, filled with a mix of anger and sadness, but more evidently driven by extraordinary jealousy, Jiang Yu began his new cultivation journey around the Kunlun Mountains, where snowstorms raged year-round. The most exquisite technique of the Wangyue Sect, which allowed them to intimidate all those who were aware of their existence.
Countless ancestors of the Wangyue Sect, the purest essence of their understanding of nature condensed in their personal artifacts, washes over Jiang Yu's soul like flowing water. There are no side effects, nothing about Jiang Yu is altered, yet his natural heart indeed tends toward the Mahayana. Although still very weak, akin to a candle flame in the wind, it embodies the quality of a natural heart, even more pure than the realm of the extraordinary.
Wu Fan slapped Jiang Yu on the forehead and shouted, "Practice swordsmanship? What is there to practice about that? Only those talents from the overseas Three Islands practice swordsmanship. When it comes to lethality, how can it compare to the archery techniques passed down in my Wangyue Sect? My Wangyue Sect is renowned for being the best in lethality, the fastest in cultivation speed, the highest in realm advancement, the strongest in self-preservation skills, and the most intimidating in power. What sword can compare to our bow? Go choose a great bow that resonates with you, and starting tomorrow, I will teach you the true secret techniques of our sect!" My Wangyue Sect is renowned for being the best in lethality, the fastest in cultivation speed, the highest in realm advancement, the strongest in self-preservation skills, and the most intimidating in power. What sword can compare to our bow? Go choose a great bow that resonates with you, and starting tomorrow, I will teach you the true secret techniques of our sect!
Jiang Yu, who was already half a head taller than Wu Fan, looked down at him, desperately clenching his fists until they cracked, and said with a sullen face: "Master, I am neither a cow nor a sheep. I have diligently cultivated for nine years without tasting a single morsel of worldly food. I originally wanted to indulge in a feast of wine and meat. But now you tell me that I have to eat grass for half a year? Are you joking with me?" I have diligently cultivated for nine years without tasting a single morsel of worldly food. I originally wanted to indulge in a feast of wine and meat. But now you tell me that I have to eat grass for half a year? Are you joking with me?"
Jiang Yu curiously reached out to touch the nearest person, but suddenly screamed in horror: "Help! A zombie!" The corpse felt icy and hard as if made of metal, and Jiang Yu immediately thought of the most terrifying things from folk legends.
Until three months later, under the scorching sun that could fry a person, the two stood at the source of the Nu River Canyon in the Hengduan Mountains. Wu Fan lazily tore into a roasted wild rabbit, grinning as he looked at Jiang Yu and asked: "It has been three months since we left Yangzhou and arrived in this extremely wild southwestern region. Do you have any insights?"
Finally, when the first snowflake of winter fell, Jiang Yu smashed a piece of sandstone the size of a watermelon with a punch on the Golden Summit of Mount Emei. Overjoyed, Jiang Yu ran down the mountain and found Wu Fan, who was setting up a medicine stall at the foot of the mountain, and excitedly boasted about himself: "Master, I now have the strength of three to five hundred pounds in my arms; even my elder brother is not as strong as I am. Am I not considered a master?" In high spirits, Jiang Yu performed several somersaults on the spot, laughing out loud as he threw a few punches and kicked a few times, striking a pose that suggested he was invincible in martial arts.
At the highest peak of Kunlun Mountain, the naked river fish sat cross-legged on the summit, enduring the storm that blew like a sharp knife. Six months later, he told Wufan that he had learned to understand the voice of the wind
Wu Fan remained silent for a long time, finally nodding helplessly and saying: "I am very pleased that you can rid yourself of that pride. However, regarding the matter of using a club, since it is your hobby, I shall not say anything more. When you have the ability, you can go and use a club on the current emperor, and I will not interfere with you." Throwing aside the wild boar's head in his hand, Wu Fan jumped up and laughed, saying: "You little child, it is good that you have learned your lesson now. Those three hundred monk soldiers who came to capture you are merely a facade set up by the Shaolin Temple; their true experts have not yet been dispatched. Remember, in the path of cultivation, the most important thing is to cultivate the heart!"
A robust figure, sitting cross-legged and towering half a head taller than an average person, emerged from the cave wall directly in front. A rough, ancient-looking wooden bow, appearing worn and tattered, flew heavily from the figure's knee, gliding over a distance of more than a hundred zhang, and landed in the hands of Jiang Yu, which faintly glimmered with a green light. The figure then vanished back into the cave wall, while on one side, Wu Fan had already bowed to that figure countless times, his forehead now swollen and red.
With a sharp sound, two piercing beams of light shot from Wu Fan's eyes, as if tangible golden rays extended over two zhang, lifting Jiang Yu from the ground. Wu Fan shouted angrily: "You have yet to witness the profundity of our sect, yet you dare to speak so arrogantly here. If our sect's law enforcement officer were still present, you would have been dragged away for punishment long ago! However, our sect is currently short on personnel. As your master, I am the sect leader, the law enforcement officer, the guardian, the instructor, the elder in charge of hidden merits, and the mountain patroller, all these roles combined into one. Punishing you is still within my capabilities!"
Thus, Wufan brought Jiangyu to a place in Kunlun Mountain where flowers bloomed profusely. Jiangyu sat quietly in that flower field for two and a half years. In spring, the gentle petals clung to his body; in summer, the tender grass brushed against him affectionately; in autumn, the playful fruits fell upon his head; in winter, the yellow leaves steadily covered him entirely. ... Small insects chirped in the grass, the remains of the insects were gently dragged away by ants, but the ants were excavated from their nests by the pangolin, which was driven out of its armor by a foul smell from the weasel ... In spring, the gentle petals clung to his body; in summer, the tender grass brushed against him affectionately; in autumn, the playful fruits fell upon his head; in winter, the yellow leaves steadily covered him entirely. ... Small insects chirped in the grass, the remains of the insects were gently dragged away by ants, but the ants were excavated from their nests by the pangolin, which was driven out of its armor by a foul smell from the weasel ...
A profound call, as if the souls of ancestors were summoned from the primordial world, resonated in Jiang Yu's heart. This call echoed through the cave, causing the glowing longbow to suddenly dim, returning to its original state. Jiang Yu, in a daze, reached out his hand towards the void, sensing a heartbeat that faintly connected through bloodlines, suddenly sounding from somewhere ahead.
Wu Fan smiled happily and shrugged nonchalantly, saying: "Oh, it's nothing, just learning a few martial arts moves. For example, the staff techniques from Shaolin Temple and the like"
Wu Fan wore a bitter expression, looking as if he could not bear to recall the past, and innocently gazed at Jiang Yu: "Back in the day, it took me a whole year to tackle such a large pile of medicinal herbs. Your physical constitution is far superior to mine, so naturally, you should be able to achieve it in just half a year! Don't you think your skills are a bit lacking? The true energy within you is only equivalent to that of an ordinary innate master with fifty to sixty years of true energy, and you don't even have the strength to circulate the Great Zhou Tian?"
Having crossed three thousand miles of desolate land and witnessed the bloody clashes between the Tang army and the Tibetan forces, even allowing Jiang Yu to secretly practice by knocking down a few Tibetan nobles from behind with a club, the master and disciple finally arrived at the Kunlun Mountains. When the main peak of Kunlun was still faintly visible in the distance, Wu Fan had already knelt down, prostrating himself before the sky, the earth, the mountains, the rivers, the soil, the grass, and the vast world. "Kunlun, I have returned! After three hundred years, I, Wu Fan, have returned!" When the main peak of Kunlun was still faintly visible in the distance, Wu Fan had already knelt down, prostrating himself before the sky, the earth, the mountains, the rivers, the soil, the grass, and the vast world. "Kunlun, I have returned! After three hundred years, I, Wu Fan, have returned!"
Two weeks later, at the foot of Mount Song, pilgrims were competing to spread rumors about a thief who was crazily attacking people from behind with a blunt weapon. This thief was quite peculiar; he did not target the pilgrims but specifically attacked bald-headed monks. Within five or six days, more than fifty monks from Shaolin Temple, who had come down the mountain to buy oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea, as well as wandering monks and disciples returning to report back, were struck on the head with a stick as thick as a bowl, resulting in numerous bumps. Aside from a pair of underpants, everything else on them was stripped clean.
Ah? Jiang Yubozu suddenly turned his head sharply, staring intently at that 'Master Uncle' for a long time, and finally stammered, "But, but, Master, how come your senior brother looks at least thirty years younger than you? With his appearance, he seems to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, right?"
Nonsense, nonsense, it is all nonsense! Your master is eighty-seven years older than me, how could he be thirty years younger than me? Wu Fan's mood was quite poor as he pinched those few sheets of letter paper and muttered to himself: "Well, with two who have passed away and three who have ascended, none of them have taken on a disciple. Our Wangyue Sect is in for a big laugh! If word gets out that our Wangyue Sect only has two disciples, I can guarantee that those bastards who look down on us will come knocking to snatch our treasures!"
Jiang Yu felt troubled; carrying such a large bow certainly lacked the demeanor of a master, didn't it? He had set his sights on becoming the 'Tiger of the Central Plains,' and if his weapon was a longbow that could make people laugh out loud, he was quite concerned about the first impression he would leave on the beautiful woman destined to be his. "The courtesans of Yangzhou prefer handsome young masters, the kind who carry folding fans. It seems that the beauties of the martial world would not be fond of a fool who carries a longbow but has not brought even a single arrow, right?" He looked closely at Wufan, and indeed, he had no quiver on him, did he?
The two claws of the river fish have already taken on the shape of chicken feet, and he roared frantically: "Master, is there anything else you should tell me?"
Bang! Jiang Yu fell to the ground in frustration and roared, "Master, in our sect, are all the treasures just great bows? Is there nothing else?"
Jiang Yu had long since fallen into a state of dementia. He looked at the corpses, glanced at Wu Fan, looked at Wu Fan again, and then at the corpses once more, finally letting out a piercing scream: "A ghost!" Even though he was quite bold, his young age made it difficult for him to withstand such psychological pressure in this eerie stone chamber, and he simply fainted.
He lifted the river fish and walked out of the stone chamber, arriving at the deepest part of the Moonwatch Sect's mountain gate, a stone cave. He casually tossed aside the river fish and, with a series of three to five slaps, roused the river fish from its stupor. In a deep voice, he said: "This is the place where my Moonwatch Sect has stored all the treasures refined by our ancestors since the primordial era. After our ancestors either passed away or ascended, the weapons and treasures they carried with them were left here, originally intended to glorify the sect. Unfortunately, while there are many treasures, there are very few disciples now. You may choose the items you desire according to your true heart."
In Wu Fan's eyes, there was excitement, shock, a sense of the passage of time, and a trace of the primordial left behind from ancient times. In contrast, in Jiang Yu's eyes, there was boredom, disinterest, and a lack of thought; he felt no fondness for the seemingly desolate Kunlun Mountains. He stood beside Wu Fan, curling his lip, and thought to himself: "Go ahead, keep boasting; your level of bragging has certainly increased quite a bit these past few days. You haven't been back to Kunlun Mountain for three hundred years? How old are you, anyway?"
With a peculiar glance at Jiang Yu, Wu Fan chuckled darkly and said, "My dear disciple, you have no aversion to striking someone from behind, do you?" Seeing Jiang Yu shake his head vigorously like a rattle drum, Wu Fan laughed, "I think so too, so let us go to Mount Song! The most prosperous Zen temple in the world today is the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song."
With a hint of sadness, I glanced at the two bodies closest to the door. Wu Fan said in a low voice: "I wonder what fate awaits the river fish. I wonder what fate awaits me, Wu Fan. Is it a helpless existence, leaving behind a broken body to fall into the cycle of reincarnation, or will I leave a true divine image on this shadow wall and successfully ascend?"
In this journey across the world, the master and disciple spent two years wandering through mountains and rivers at times, and setting up stalls in the marketplaces at others. They witnessed the myriad facets of life and the ebb and flow of tides. Finally, one evening, as the true energy within Jiang Yu surged and yearned to soar, a dragon's roar reverberated, causing a stir among the townsfolk of the small city where the master and disciple had temporarily paused. Wu Fan then led Jiang Yu away from the Central Plains, heading straight towards the northwest
The abbot of Shaolin Temple was furious and dispatched three hundred monk soldiers to search the mountains. At that moment, Jiang Yu, who was counting the spoils of war from the past five or six days in a mountain hollow, was confronted by three martial monks. They beat him mercilessly, leaving him bruised all over and with lumps on his head, causing him to cry out in despair as he lost all his money and possessions, fleeing in a disheveled state while clutching his head. During the Tang Dynasty, the monk soldiers of Shaolin Temple were exceptionally formidable and elite. It can be said that they were one of the most powerful armies in the world. A single action could trigger a massive response; three hundred monk soldiers surged forth, and Jiang Yu was pursued for three hundred miles. He narrowly escaped death several times along the way, and ultimately resorted to his old tricks, calling upon several beast packs to ambush the pursuers. With the help of these creatures, he managed to escape with his life.
Wu Fan let out a bitter laugh, scratching his forehead and pondering: "Hmm, have I been a bit too much? Over the past two years, I haven't mentioned anything about the sect to him! However, isn't this kid usually quite bold? Six months ago, he even dared to sneak a peek at the patrons in a brothel! It turns out this kid doesn't have the courage of a tiger, but rather the audacity of a dog that dares to act recklessly. Ha!"
Well, the masters of our Wangyue Sect can lock onto them from nearly a hundred miles away with a natural heart, using hidden arrows to strike. Our arrow energy is more than a hundred times faster than their flying swords. Therefore, once they discover someone from our Wangyue Sect, they will all attack in unison. " Wu Fan cautiously took a step back
Wu Fan bundled the medicine packets into a large package, lazily glanced at Jiang Yu, and said with a strange smile: "Master is craving for the fifty-year aged Shanxi apricot blossom brew, which comes at a high price. Selling medicine, one cannot earn more than three large coins a day. Since the disciples are all skilled now, it is only natural for the disciples to help the master relieve his worries"