Chapter 2, Messages

Father, I would like to try going to Changping Island

Mu Yi was born on this unremarkable small island, yet he had never ventured into the deep sea. Going out to fish with his father was a wish he had held since childhood

Huh!

"Uncle Liu, do you also think my hopes are slim?" Mu Yi felt a sense of disappointment immediately.

For a child from the Mu family without any influential background, joining the Pinghai Sect is truly fraught with peril and uncertainty

Mu Yidun was immediately filled with hesitation

Indeed, had I known earlier, I would not have been so lazy. If I had been a bit more diligent, perhaps my father would have agreed to take me to try it out. Now, I must focus on my training, though I am uncertain if it is still in time

However, after much contemplation, he ultimately decided to keep this medicinal herb. Coming from an ordinary family, he considered that in the event of returning from this sea voyage empty-handed, this wild Scutellaria baicalensis, which holds considerable value, could be sold to a physician to supplement the household expenses

Mu Yi was momentarily taken aback; the most crucial aspect of meridian cultivation is perseverance. If interrupted for a single day, one must invest an additional ten days of effort to make up for it

However, the Pinghai Sect will be recruiting disciples next month, and interrupting cultivation at this time is certainly not a good opportunity

Putting away the herbs, Mu Yi began to practice in the broad stone square in the village, throwing punches and kicks, each accompanied by a whooshing sound

A man must be true to his word; whatever he has promised, he must fulfill. The father said earnestly, "Since you promised me earlier, you should still accompany me to sea tomorrow. As for the matter of Changping Island, we will discuss it after we return from the sea."

After a discussion among the village children, they dispersed and began practicing in groups of two or three

"Mu Tou, are you going to the library or not? There is a ferry at the beginning of each month that can reach Changping Island," Wang Tiesheng said anxiously as Mu Yi remained silent.

Due to the news of the Pinghai Sect recruiting disciples, their training today is particularly diligent and earnest

As he passed by the lighthouse, Mu Yi once again saw Old Liu sleeping soundly, snoring. He habitually took the smoking pipe from Liu's hand and added a thin blanket over him.

Mu Yi relayed Tie Dan's words, and Mu Fu merely responded with a "hm"

Mu Yi asked in confusion: "The Pinghai Sect is one of the three great mysterious sects of our Qian Island. Being able to join the Pinghai Sect is a tremendous opportunity; how could it not be a good thing?"

On the way, he casually collected the dew from the leaves of mountain herbs using a gourd he carried with him. This herbal dew, whether used for brewing tea or preparing medicine, is exceptional, moistening the tongue and nourishing the lungs, far surpassing the effects of ordinary well water

Perhaps, if this voyage at sea yields a great catch, his father will readily agree to his request

Wood, I have already begged my father to take me to Changping Island to register, are you going?

Of course, let's go! That's wonderful! Mu Yi jumped up in excitement; he had been looking forward to this day for a long time

Mu Yi returned home—behind those familiar two stone houses, his father had already prepared breakfast, waiting to share the meal with him

Receiving the warm fish porridge from his father's calloused hands, Mu Yi ate while excitedly showing his father the wild Scutellaria baicalensis that Old Liu had gifted him. However, Mu's father merely glanced at it a few times, seemingly uninterested.

A slightly chubby boy saw Mu Yi from a distance and shouted loudly. He was of a similar age to Mu Yi and called out his nickname. This boy was Wang Tiesheng, the child of the village blacksmith, who often practiced martial arts together with Mu Yi.

Old Liu advised, "Not letting you go may not necessarily be a bad thing for you. Go with the flow and do not be too attached."

Old Liu seemed to have touched upon some personal matters; after saying just a few words, he made an excuse to go to bed and sent Mu Yi away

However, even if it were said, Mu Fu would not have much of a reaction; he has always been indifferent towards Mu Yi's cultivation.

With each strike, Mu Yi accompanied it with a loud shout, occasionally reciting the incantation aloud. This also served as a method to cultivate his vocal channels. Over time, he was able to achieve abundant energy and a resonant voice

Mu Yi was concerned that his father would not agree to his trip to Changping Island, and this was fully expressed in his words. Usually not very talkative, even in front of his father, who was quite imposing, Mu Yi always spoke concisely. However, in front of Old Liu, he spoke freely about everything.

"Yes, Father!" Mu Yi replied. In any case, his father did not outright refuse, and there was still a great deal of hope for this matter

Those temporarily recruited outer disciples are likely not only unable to learn the true lineage of profound arts, but will also serve as cannon fodder, becoming the group that suffers the most casualties during the calamity

He practiced "Blade Palm" and "Chasing Wind Leg," two rather ordinary techniques for cultivating the hand and foot meridians. When the hand meridian is cultivated to a profound level, the arms become like staffs, the palms like blades, and the fingers like hooks, capable of shattering gold and jade; when the foot meridian is cultivated to a profound level, one can move like a swift wind, and kick with enough force to split boulders

Absolutely reliable, that is what a major client of my father from Changping Island personally stated. The news has already spread across Changping Island and will soon reach our small island.

Perhaps out of sheer joy, he even forgot to inform his father about his minor achievement in cultivating the eye pulse

The children of the village were chattering away, and naturally, Mu Yi's thoughts were also stirred.

"Tie Dan!" Mu Yi immediately retorted, "Why are you so late today?"

If he were to go to sea with his father, he would inevitably have to interrupt some of his training. Under normal circumstances, Mu Yi would prefer to work harder and make up for it later rather than miss this rare opportunity to go to sea.

Breathe into the abdomen and channel strength through the back

Old Liu shook his head and said, "This is not the case. Among the children of your age, I have yet to see anyone with your level of perseverance. However, joining the Pinghai Sect may not necessarily be a good thing"

Huh!

Mu Fu is a man in his forties, with a robust physique. Due to years spent at sea, his skin has taken on a dark reddish hue, and the lines and cracks on his face, weathered by the sea breeze, reveal the hardships he has endured.

At this time, it was still early morning, and only Mu Yi was practicing in the square. When he had gone through a complete set of more than ten moves and a thin layer of sweat had formed on his body, other children gradually began to arrive to practice.

"After finishing your meal, please tidy up. Tomorrow morning, come with me to sea," said Father Mu suddenly. "The weather is getting colder, and we are about to enter the winter break. This will be our last outing to sea this year. I hope we can catch plenty of fish to get through this winter comfortably. Will you go?"

When the entire sun rises above the sea, the mysterious energy of heaven and earth will disperse once again. Mu Yi then descended from the peak of the solitary finger and returned to the fishing village at the foot of the mountain

Not only he, but also the other children around him immediately gathered around, discussing in a flurry

Mu Fu was indeed here inspecting the fishing nets. Upon seeing Mu Yi arrive, he merely glanced at him before lowering his head to continue his work

He diligently practices his skills in order to one day join a sect, acquire a full range of abilities, and stand out among others

"Will you still go out to sea with me tomorrow?" Mu Fu paused his work and raised his head to respond.

Yet now, it is actually a major sect like the Pinghai Sect that is recruiting disciples. Such an opportunity is something Mu Yi would only occasionally think about, and he never dared to take it seriously.

Old Liu was not awakened by Mu Yi; in fact, Mu Yi also knew that Old Liu was quite different from ordinary elderly people, as he was extremely drowsy

"Pinhai Sect, that is one of the three great mysterious sects of our Thousand Islands! Is the news reliable?" Mu Yi immediately became excited

Haha, I just received some good news!" Wang Tiesheng said excitedly and mysteriously, "The Pinghai Sect will publicly recruit outer disciples next month, and anyone under the age of 14 can register to participate in the entrance examination.

However, Mu Yi was no longer in the mood; he merely exchanged a few moves with Tie Dan before hastily bidding farewell and heading to the seaside to find his father

A wooden post, approximately the thickness of a foot, emitted a series of muffled thuds and vibrated continuously under the impact of the punches and kicks from Mu Yi

Tsk tsk, if one could enter the Pinghai Sect, it would be quite remarkable. Not to mention being an inner disciple, even an outer disciple who has studied in the Pinghai Sect for ten years can become a prominent figure

Mu Yi said: "Of course I want to go, but the ticket to Changping Island is not cheap. I need to ask my father about this."

Later, Mu Yi made another trip to Gu Zhi Peak, bringing some homegrown melons and vegetables to Old Liu. He informed him about his plans to go to sea and the matter of Ping Hai Sect recruiting disciples.

... ...

Watching Mu Yi's departing figure, Old Liu couldn't help but let out a long sigh, murmuring: "Alas, it seems that the great disaster is approaching again. Even the Pinghai Sect, which has always been controlled by the four great families, has begun to recruit disciples from outside, probably in preparation for this calamity."

In our village, Master Li, who trained in a small sect for eight years, has already become so formidable. If he could enter the Pinghai Sect, his future achievements would surely surpass those of his current standing

Old Liu sighed, saying: "You are still too young and unaware of the treacherous world outside. What of the large sects? It is precisely within the large sects that the intrigues and deceptions are most numerous, with countless schemers and tricksters."

This wild Scutellaria baicalensis was just picked not long ago, and now is the best time for its medicinal properties. I might as well decoct it and see if the effects are truly as miraculous as Uncle Liu described. Mu Yi gazed at the herbs in the wooden box with great affection, feeling an irresistible urge.

Mu Tou Ge, you must go. Among us, you are the most diligent, and your level of cultivation is the highest. Perhaps you can truly enter the Ping Hai Sect and bring honor to our Han Ya Island

Father Mu hurriedly finished his breakfast and went to prepare his fishing tools, checking the boat, fishing nets, and so on, which would take an entire day of effort