Chapter 3: The Eerie Black

As Jiang Shou gradually calmed down and walked to a corner of the courtyard, he suddenly paused, staring in astonishment at the corner of the courtyard. There, weeds grew thickly, and the ground was mottled with black and gray, clearly indicating that it had been abandoned for a long time.

Speak quietly, this is permitted by Senior Sister Su for him to join the sect, and Senior Sister Su is an inner disciple

If one cannot sense the spiritual energy for a day, then they will wait for three or four days. Even if they only sleep for one hour each day, they will persist in their efforts

He murmured the name "Sister Su" a few times, and although he could not recall what Sister Su looked like, at that moment, the name was indelibly etched into the depths of his soul

Wang Yuyang waved his hand and said, "I currently have six hundred and ninety-seven servants in the Servant Valley, and you are the last one. This is your separate residence. You have two months for cultivation; make good use of it. Just don't make it too embarrassing for Senior Sister Su."

It was at this moment that he realized he was in a stone house. The three rooms of the stone house were not separated by any barriers. On the left side was a bedroom, furnished with a bed and a bedside table. The living room had a table and four stools, while the farthest room was completely empty. Where is this place

Still unable to sense it? It has been ten days. Over the past ten days, I have slept at most for one hour each day, spending the rest of the time in cultivation, yet I still cannot sense any spiritual energy. I can't even manage to enter the threshold!

Although he had already endured countless hardships and suffered numerous trials, at this moment, Jiang Shou could not help but rise and kick around a few times, filled with anxiety

Are you awake

... ...

A day later, Jiang Shou, dressed in gray attire, walked through the Servants' Valley. This valley was vast, with six to seven hundred disciples each having their own separate courtyard. Along with the dining hall, welfare hall, and other public buildings, the entire valley resembled a small town. As he walked along the path leading to the dining hall, Jiang Shou could hear the sounds of laughter and low curses from figures around him, some near and some far.

Sister Su? Although Jiang Shou was still in a state of confusion, his mind finally flashed with a vague silhouette. The figure was quite blurry; he only remembered being thoroughly beaten by Gu Lieyang. When he desperately tried to stand up, it seemed that a hazy figure appeared beside him. Was it her who made an exception to accept him into the sect?

After watching it several times, Jiang Shou also roughly understood that cultivating the Great Wind Technique involves first regulating one's breathing frequency, allowing oneself to enter a state of ethereality. This state enables a clearer perception of the world, a heightened awareness of one's surroundings, and the ability to sense the elemental energy of wind in the universe. Subsequently, one can operate the technique to absorb this energy, refining the body in the process.

What is there to be afraid of? Although Senior Sister Su took him in out of pity, it was merely a momentary act of compassion; she has likely forgotten him by now

New entrants to the valley who lack a foundation in cultivation will have two months to practice. As you are a wind-type spirit body, the techniques and martial arts suitable for you are all available here. This includes your normal annual salary for the first year, which is ten low-grade spirit stones. This is an advance payment, intended to help you quickly accumulate your cultivation level, so that you can competently handle the duties of a servant.

... ...

The scornful remarks made Jiang Shou suddenly realize why the fourth disciple had warned him a day earlier to take care and try not to embarrass Senior Sister Su. It turned out that when Su Ya rescued him from Gu Lieyang, it had actually led to a bet between two inner disciples

Has Jiang been unable to sense any spiritual energy even after a whole day and night?

A palm-sized black object appears to obstruct the line of sight, yet it is so thin that it has no thickness, resembling a pitch-black night sky where one cannot see their own fingers, eerily floating just an inch above the ground.

"No way? Did Senior Sister Su agree? Are you joking? Does Senior Sister Su dare to bet against Senior Brother Gu?"

Have I joined the sect? Have I truly become a member of the martial arts sect? Although I am just a servant, I can still cultivate... a two-month cultivation period? I must not embarrass Senior Sister Su too much? What does this mean? Standing dazed at the door, Jiang Shouxin was filled with countless doubts, but soon he became excited and agitated, almost crying out of joy.

He possesses some aptitude, being a singular elemental spirit, but many have evaluated that he would find it difficult to reach the third level of spiritual awakening even after a lifetime of cultivation. In the past, Jiang Shou did not clearly understand this concept, but now he realizes how poor this aptitude is. Even most of the miscellaneous disciples can sense spiritual energy after practicing their techniques for one or two hours, or three to four hours, thereby absorbing and refining it. With the first year's salary received in advance, they can cultivate with ten low-grade spirit stones and reach the peak of the first level in seven or eight days. Even most of the miscellaneous disciples can sense spiritual energy after practicing their techniques for one or two hours, or three to four hours, thereby absorbing and refining it. With the first year's salary received in advance, they can cultivate with ten low-grade spirit stones and reach the peak of the first level in seven or eight days.

... ...

Is he Jiang Shou?

Sister Su granted Jiang Shou an opportunity, giving him two months to cultivate. Gu Lieyang also selected a servant, and the results will be revealed during the grand competition in two months

Only after Jiang Shou entrusted his father to a kind aunt who had always treated them exceptionally well since childhood did he resolutely embark on the path of seeking martial arts. However, he never anticipated that this journey would be so arduous

He stood up and paced around the room, eventually walking into the courtyard, where he continued to walk in the separate yard measuring about ten meters in length and width. Step by step, Jiang Shou forced himself to remain calm. No matter what, he would not give up; he would persist. Even if, after more than a month, there was not a glimmer of hope, he would still be seen as a source of amusement by Gu Lieyang, treated like a clown. Yet, he would strive to do his best!

What surprised Jiang Shou was that beneath a few small weeds, about the height of a calf, there was a piece of black, roughly the size of a palm, suspended in mid-air at a height of one finger above the ground

Uncertain how much time had passed, Jiang Shou's first reaction upon regaining consciousness was intense pain; there was not a single part of his body that did not hurt. The pain and a soft voice nearby broke the silence. Turning his head, Jiang Shou saw a man in a gray robe sitting a few meters away from the side of the bed. The man appeared to be around forty years old, with a dignified square face that exuded a certain authority even in its calmness.

Ha, is he the waste that has been rejected by forty-nine martial arts sects?

After understanding all this, Jiang Shouxin felt a surge of undeniable emotion once again, for it was through these words that he learned he had nearly died at the hands of Gu Lieyang just a day prior. That individual not only humiliated and toyed with Jiang Shou, leaving him in a pitiful state, but also intended to kill him. He did not understand why Senior Sister Su saved him, why she helped him. However, he absolutely could not allow Senior Sister Su to lose face.

However, Jiang Shou soon smiled wryly, for after a day and a night, he had not yet sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth through his cultivation method. He could not even sense the wind-type spiritual energy, let alone talk about cultivation

Sister Su? Sister Su... ...

"It was Senior Sister Su Ya who made an exception to accept you into the sect, and she even granted you some healing medicine. Your injuries should be nearly healed, right? However, Senior Sister Su was merely soft-hearted for a moment, so you will not receive any special treatment in the Servants' Valley. You have become a member of our Servants' Valley, and from now on, you can call me Brother Wang." Wang Yuyang smiled again, pointing to the stone table in the center of the living room, where there were scrolls of texts and several palm-sized, translucent crystals that seemed to shimmer with vitality.

After two years of enduring countless hardships, he finally entered the martial arts sect. With the realization of his dream now significantly closer, how could he not be excited

No matter what, one must still strive! Taking a deep breath, Jiang Shoucai arrived at the cafeteria, disregarding the gazes and words from those around him. He simply collected four or five days' worth of meals from the cafeteria staff and returned to his own courtyard.

Jiang Shou grew up without a mother, raised solely by his father, who was merely a hunter relying on the mountains in Wangshan County. Until he turned 15, his father was a legendary hunter in his eyes, effortlessly providing for their needs. However, more than two years ago, when his father returned from the mountains, he collapsed as soon as he entered the house and fell into a coma. Subsequently, Jiang Shou sold all their possessions and sought the help of all the renowned doctors in the vicinity, including some martial artists from minor martial arts families. Yet, the only answers he received were sighs. Those individuals told him that to save his father, perhaps only the rare treasures from the martial arts sects could help.

In surprise, Jiang Shouye stood up, truly standing up? After a moment of doubt, he hurriedly bowed to Wang Yuyang

This cultivation is progressing too slowly. If it were only related to himself, he could bear it, but with such slow progress, he will have to compete against the miscellaneous disciples chosen by Gu Lieyang in the grand competition in over a month. Will he then be bullied by Gu Lieyang? Will he even embarrass Senior Sister Su, dragging her down?

After standing still for a moment with blurred vision, Jiang Shoucai suddenly became alert and then walked over to sit at the stone table. He picked up a book with the title "Great Wind Decision" printed on the cover and began to read. The first-grade cultivation method, Great Wind Decision, is suitable for the cultivation of wind-type spiritual bodies.

What is this?

The first-grade technique, Great Wind Decision, is the most basic of all techniques. The first-grade martial skill, Swift Wind Fist, is the most elementary form of fist technique. The first-grade martial skill, Spirit Wind Step, is the most fundamental form of body technique. Although they are all of the lowest grade, he treasures them as if they were priceless.

After waving his hand, Wang Yuyang stepped towards the door. Jiang Shou was momentarily taken aback and hurriedly followed him out. However, by the time he reached the entrance of the living room, Wang Yuyang had already vanished outside the courtyard

Yet he has persevered without ever wavering, and his greatest dream is simply to enter the world of martial artists to save his father

I am Wang Yuyang, the fourth disciple of the Miscellaneous Servants Valley of Piaoxue Peak in the Dayuan Sect. From now on, you will also be a member of the Miscellaneous Servants Valley of Piaoxue Peak. This is your residence at m.hetushu.com. When Jiang Shou propped himself up to stand, the middle-aged man with a square face smiled and looked over, leaving Jiang Shou momentarily stunned by his straightforward words

Time passed quickly, and a few days later, Jiang Shoujiu had spent 99% of his time cultivating in his private residence. However, the results of his arduous training over the past few days left him feeling somewhat uncomfortable. While ordinary servants could grasp the basics in a few hours, he had taken ten days and still had not succeeded

Nonsense, Senior Sister Su has definitely not forgotten him, don't you know? Senior Sister Su from the inner sect made a bet with Senior Brother Gu. Senior Brother Gu randomly selected someone from our servant valley, and within two months, he must prove that the randomly chosen servant is far superior to the 'genius' that Senior Sister Su meticulously selected! The competition after two months will reveal the outcome!

Gu Liyang? Just thinking of that figure standing before him in the heavy rain, laughing coldly with abandon, made Jiang Shou unable to help but clench his teeth tightly

Moreover, at this speed, when will he have the opportunity to access the precious medicine to save his father? During these ten days, he has not stayed indoors the entire time; he has gone out several times to familiarize himself with the surroundings. He also wanted to seek an audience with a few outer disciples knowledgeable in alchemy, hoping to find someone to help diagnose his father's condition. However, as a mere servant, he has never been granted an audience with the outer disciples.

For more than two years, Jiang has walked thousands of miles on foot, visiting four to five dozen martial arts sects. Each time, he was rejected due to his poor aptitude. However, he has continued to persevere. This is not merely a reflection of his unwavering determination towards martial arts; if it were solely about that, he would have given up long ago. After all, he is not foolish. Being rejected by so many sects essentially indicates that he is fundamentally unfit for this path, which is a matter of innate aptitude that is largely unchangeable

In the span of two years, he has faced countless near-death experiences in the wilderness—almost starving, dying of thirst, succumbing to illness, or freezing to death. He has also narrowly escaped the clutches of wild beasts. Each time he reached a mountain gate, he endured relentless blows and ridicule. There were indeed too many moments when he almost could not persevere.