The assimilation of the white tiger into Shi Tuqin’s body made her feel infinite hope for her future. The darkness around her was dispelled and she found herself in a pure white world.
“That’s right! I have to eliminate all evil. That’s where my Dao Heart lies, how could I have let evil take over me?” muttered Shi Tuqin. Her eyes shone continuously. “I’ll never find any excuse for not being able to control myself. I’ll win over all evil. Don’t even think of turning me into a monster!”
The blood-red mist around her slowly dissipated and so did the redness in her eyes. She stopped trembling and became a picture of serenity. She raised her two hands in the form of white tiger paws and rubbed her face with them. “Thank you, Little White.”
The rest of the demons kept staring at the two words. Even though it was only a paper with two words split down in the middle with a black line, in their minds’ eyes, they saw a whole world—a world of unimaginable vastness. The world was made up of both good and evil, but who were they to talk about this? They had been traveling between light and darkness for so long. However, after this incident, their moods were uplifted!
What they had experienced was obviously Wisdom Heart Refining! One’s mood was an ever-changing phenomenon, no one could ever describe their mood clearly. Sometimes, moods were even ignored but everyone understood the importance of being in a good mood. It could even be said that controlling one’s mood was one of the basic foundations of training
One could only reach great heights of Wisdom with good mood and determination. If not, one could easily get lost in the infinite Wisdom and become possessed with evil, losing both body and soul. Similarly, in the face of illusions, the strength or weakness of a mood would be the deciding factor of how things would end.
It was general knowledge that one would need to train their emotions before training their physical body. However, that was easier said than done. It was easy to extol the benefits of sticking with the practice but how many could really last through the years? Li Nianfan’s paper caused the crowd to be immersed in their mood as they engaged in self-reflection, causing them to level up and giving them the foundation for further training.
The experience was too rare of an occurrence, one could only hope one would be fortunate enough to come across this kind of transformation in one’s lifetime.
Yet, this transformation happened in such a calm way that they found it hard to believe whether it really happened. No one would ever believe their stories if they were to tell them.
This had got to be the benefits of being near the expert. With wine to drink, fruit to eat, and words that were written-all these could act as an opportunity for transformation.
If it was possible, they would want to be the clothes on the expert’s back, leading a normal life.
Li Nianfan saw that Shi Tuqin was slowly returning to normal and a smile broke out of his face.
It worked! All the things he said and all the words he wrote were psychological tactics.
First, he instilled the idea of good and beyond, then he asked her what kind of person she wanted to be. Lastly, he wrote out the words ‘good’ and ‘evil’—anyone in their right mind would selectively stare at the word ‘good’ and under these circumstances, the person would enter a state of self-hypnosis with only the word ‘good’ in their mind. From there on, they would be able to control themselves.
A simple technique, nonetheless very useful in unleashing a person’s hidden potential. Shi Tuqin looked toward Li Nianfan and said with sincerity, “Thank you for your counseling, Saint.”
Li Nianfan smiled nonchalantly and waved his hand. “No need to thank me. It was all you, you’re the one who managed to keep your rationality.”
Daji nodded at Shi Tuqin and unfroze her legs.
Shi Tuqin looked at Li Nianfan again, bit her lips, and knelt on the ground. “Lord Saint, I humbly request to learn calligraphy from you. I don’t mind being your study servant as long as I can stay by your side.”
The crowd was silent. Some of them let out a gasp and looked toward Li Nianfan and Shi Tuqin, alternating their gazes between the two anxiously. They could not help but admire Shi Tuqin for her courage.
Training with the expert? This was the dream of many. It would be an overstatement to say it would be easier for pigs to fly than for her request to be granted. She was being too greedy. Then again, one should create opportunities for oneself instead of waiting for them to happen. Nothing would ever happen if one did not grab life by the collar. Cultivator Mosquito and Flying Whale’s eyes were wide with shock. They dared not breathe.
Learn calligraphy? A study servant? Truth to be told, they were happy to do anything-even collecting rubbish in the house-if it meant they were able to stay by the expert’s side.
Although what the expert had shown them was only the tip of an iceberg, those two words contained all the Wisdom in the world and struck a chord with them. Not even a high-level member from the Heavenly Realm could resist the allure, what more a Chaos Daluo Golden Immortal.
If they were to study calligraphy with the expert, then it was as good as being ‘the chosen one’. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts while waiting for Li Nianfan’s reply.
Shi Tuqin kept her eyes down. There was still a single teardrop on her long lashes. She looked as fragile as a flower who had survived through a thunderstorm-weak and helpless. “You want to learn calligraphy from me? What about your training?” asked Li Nianfan quizzically.
Shi Tuqin nodded her head and answered him anxiously, “Yes, I want to learn calligraphy from you and forgo my training. Please, accept my request, Lord Saint.”
Li Nianfan muttered something under his breath and his eyes flashed with sudden lightness.
Shi Tuqin used to train under the Legendary Beast Sect, but now she had lost her bonded demon through his own sacrifice to protect her. It was not easy to walk out unscathed from that trauma but needless to say, she would never go back to her old training.
Besides, although she looked like she had recovered from the shock, there was the certainty of future emotional backlash. Practicing calligraphy could strengthen both mind and body. Not only that, it was due to Li Nianfan’s calligraphy that she managed to suppress the evil in her heart. Putting all these factors together gave her the reason for wanting to learn calligraphy.
Li Nianfan did not mind having her as a study servant but he was afraid she would not be able to control herself and would hurt someone if she were to go berserk again. He was not sure he would be able to carry that burden.
Suddenly, they all fell silent again.
Shi Tuqin took a deep breath, not planning to back down. She looked at Li Nianfan with her big sad puppy dog eyes.
Only a few seconds ago, she was begging for her own death. Compared to that, this was nothing. She clearly knew the only reason she was able to suppress the evil in her heart was because of Li Nianfan, and that she would sooner or later turn into a monster if she did not stay by his side.
She was doing this for herself, for Little White, and for revenge. She did not care how long she would need to keep kneeling as long as he accepted her in the end.
Li Nianfan looked deeply into Shi Tuqin’s eyes, as if he could feel all the emotions coursing through her. Finally, he let out a long sigh and said, “If that’s the case, you can stay and learn calligraphy from me.”
Shi Tuqin was overjoyed. Tears of happiness flowed down her face. “Thank you, Lord Saint. Thank you!”
Li Nianfan was a little speechless at how easily the young girl in front of him could shed tears.
As for the rest of the crowd, they could not believe their own ears. Jealousy burned on their faces when they directed their gazes toward Shi Tuqin.
“Just like that?’
‘Isn’t the expert being too hasty?’
‘Did this girl save the world in her past lives?’
Qin Manyun bit her lip. So envious was she, tears nearly sprang from her eyes. She wished she had taken the opportunity to kneel in front of Li Nianfan, too, and asked to stay by his side. As her emotions were going through a roller coaster ride, she heard her name being called.
“Miss Manyun,” said LI Nianfan.
“Yes…yes?” She shook with fright and quickly looked at Li Nianfan. “Did you call me, Mr. Li?” she asked with puzzlement.
Li Nianfan organized his thoughts and said, “I was wondering if you’ll be so kind as to stay by Miss Shi Tuqin’s side and play her the song I’ve prepared for her? Miss Shi Tuqin hasn’t fully recovered and I have a song here that can stabilize one’s heart.”
He was doing this as insurance. He knew calligraphy alone would not be enough to suppress the evil in Shi Tuqin’s heart, so he wanted Qin Manyun’s music to act as backup. After all, it was better to over-prepare than under-prepare. The combination would ensure everyone’s safety.
Li Nianfan’s request was like music to Qin Manyun’s ears. Her brain started to buzz and her blood rushed up to her face. She felt like she was on cloud nine.
She finally knew what it was like to win the lottery without having to buy the winning ticket for it was delivered to her hand by fate.
Shi Tuqin would stay by the expert’s side, and she would be by her side. This was akin to her staying by the expert’s side. Besides that, the expert would be providing her with the sheet music, it would not be too much if she were to ask him for guidance from time to time.
She had been dreaming of this kind of opportunity ever since her first meeting with the expert. Life was definitely good for her. She had no doubt she would be smiling in her sleep tonight.
“If you’re not free, then…” said Li Nianfan when she did not give him an answer. He was slightly annoyed at the thought he would have to play the music himself.
“I’m free, Mr. Li. I’m free! I’d be more than happy to do that,” said Qin Manyun, snapping out of her reverie. She wished she had answered him sooner.
Li Nianfan smiled and nodded. “That’s great!”
Soon, the crowd dispersed.
Li Nianfan glanced at the calligraphy brush he was holding, passed it to Shi Tuqin, and said, “Now is as good a time as ever to start learning calligraphy. Why don’t you draw a line first?”
Shi Tuqin nodded shyly and accepted the calligraphy brush.
However, her expression changed once she grabbed hold of the calligraphy brush. She had to activate her mana to keep the calligraphy brush from dropping.
It was heavy! Very heavy! Her face became red with over-exertion.
She only then realized the calligraphy brush, which was emitting a faint glow but otherwise looked very ordinary, was an Ultimate Chaos Treasure! It felt as heavy as a mountain and she could sense the calligraphy brush was resisting her, as if to say she was unworthy to use it.
She had no doubt she would have lost her hand if it was not for the expert, for this concerned the pride of an Ultimate Chaos Treasure. A beginner who had no working knowledge of calligraphy did not deserve to even touch a hair on the calligraphy brush.
Was this a test from the expert?
She took a deep breath and directed it toward her chest. She then concentrated all the mana into her right hand and started inching slowly toward the blank paper, trembling all the while. Then, with great difficulty, little by little she managed to draw a line on the paper. Li Nianfan had been observing her every action ever since she received the calligraphy brush from him. He pressed his lips together and stayed silent.
He intended to praise her, no matter the outcome. After all, this was her first time. As long as she did not do too badly, she was deserving of praise. However, he could not find anything praiseworthy at all! He did not think it would be appropriate if he were to criticize her straight away.
He was truly speechless.
There was something off about her line. There was only one way to describe her-a total noob!
Taking the example of the horizontal line she had just drawn, the difference between the thick and thin parts was too stark. The thin part was barely visible while the thick part was more like a blob of ink-at the end of the line was a circle as big as the sun, capturing all the attention and nearly tearing a hole in the paper.
If he did not see it with his own eyes, he would never believe someone could be this bad at calligraphy,
“Miss Shi, have you ever learned calligraphy before?” asked Li Nianfan.
“A little…” replied Shi Tuqin weakly, her face as red as a tomato.
‘As if! Very brave of you to say that. She’s not humble at all. She probably learned calligraphy from the P.E. teacher,’ thought Li Nianfan.
“Let me teach you the correct way of holding the calligraphy brush first,” said Li Nianfan resignedly.
“First, you rest your index finger here. Don’t be nervous, just relax. Your grip can’t be too tight or too loose…”
Time passed quickly.
Li Nianfan was in the courtyard, enjoying his pampering treatment from Daji and Fire Phoenix. From time to time, he would provide guidance to Shi Tuqin while listening to Qin Manyun playing on the zither. Life was definitely good.
The blue sky turned black and somewhere in the Chaos, a silver spiritual boat pulsating with infinite glow was sailing across the sky.
On the deck stood a handsome man wearing black silk robes. His thick eyebrows and his clear bright eyes imbued him with a heroic demeanor. Even his breath sounded like a mantra, coming in and out. He was truly an extraordinary man.
He stood in the Chaos, as if the entire starry sky had to make way for him. Suddenly, an old man sporting white hair, white beard, wearing white robes, came out of the spiritual boat and passed a golden brocade box to the handsome man.
“Sire, the Nine Levels Chaos Golden Core is completed,” said the old man.
The handsome man accepted the box and opened it.Inside was a round medicine pill. The pill looked as if it was surrounded by a golden halo. The handsome man smiled with satisfaction.
“The color looks great, Elder. Your medicinal skill is beyond exceptional. You didn’t make me regret taking you in after all,” said the handsome man.
The old man smiled bitterly and said, “I’m unworthy of your praise, sire.”
The handsome man distractedly turned his gaze away. “How long until we reach the Area of the Gods?”
Immediately, a servant came by and laid out a star map in front of him. The star map suddenly reflected the starfield in that area.
“Emperor, here’s the Area of the Gods. It’ll still take us some time.”
The handsome man’s eyes darkened. “Increase the speed! I can’t wait to check it out. I want to see for myself whether the Area of the Gods is as grand as they say.”
All of a sudden, the old man who was standing behind him trembled violently. His pupils shrank, showing the extreme surprise and confusion he was feeling.
