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Qin Yi was embarrassed, terribly, profoundly embarrassed. The corners of his mouth twitched several times, but for a long while, no words came out.
Chang Yi wasn't him, yet he had no choice but to shoulder this mess in silence.
Fortunately, Xu Zhangqing didn't press further. After frowning at him a few more times, he finally spoke again.
"You're not qualified to be sent down the mountain, and when tasked with handling matters within the sect, you've spent decades indulging in flower cultivation, completely lacking in experience."
"A dignified Elder, behaving like this…"
At this point, even the usually righteous and kind Xu Zhangqing seemed unable to continue the scolding.
Qin Yi felt even more stifled. Forget Xu Zhangqing, even he himself thought that this original Chang Yi was utterly useless, a complete waste of Mount Shu's resources!
After a brief hesitation, Qin Yi finally spoke, his voice firm despite his inner turmoil.
"Sect Lord, I wish to cultivate."
Xu Zhangqing blinked in surprise, staring fixedly at Qin Yi for a few seconds before hesitantly replying, "You want to cultivate? The Daoist Sixteen Realms, which stage have you reached?"
Qin Yi felt his embarrassment deepen.
"None. I haven't even begun cultivating yet."
Xu Zhangqing was speechless. This Chang Yi was practically the biggest freeloader in all of Mount Shu! He had never imagined such an anomaly could exist in this grand Sword Sect.
"You're fifty years old this year, aren't you?" He sighed, the sound heavy with resignation.
"Yes, Sect Lord."
"The best time to embark on the path of cultivation is during youth. You're already fifty. Though Daoists claim that enlightenment knows no age, that sincerity alone is what matters, still…"
Xu Zhangqing shook his head, leaving the rest unsaid. But Qin Yi understood. Starting cultivation at fifty wasn't a matter of early or late anymore; it was simply too late. The path to immortality was long and consuming. Xu Zhangqing feared that even if he began now, his lifespan would end before he reached any meaningful progress. To glimpse the Way, only to die just short of touching it, that was the cruelest fate imaginable.
"Sect Lord, I still wish to cultivate," Qin Yi repeated firmly.
He wasn't joking. He wasn't the original Chang Yi, and the Mount Shu cultivation methods were something he had to obtain. After offering so many priceless sacrifices, he refused to walk away empty-handed.
Xu Zhangqing studied him closely for a while before nodding slightly.
"You were once the personal disciple of Elder Qing Hui. Though your master has long since ascended, all of his life's insights were recorded before his transcendence and are kept here with me."
"Since you wish to cultivate, you shall inherit Elder Qing Hui's legacy."
With that, Xu Zhangqing raised his right hand. Light flickered in the air before him, and a thick manual materialized out of the void, which he caught in one hand.
Qin Yi's eyes lit up as he stared at the cover. Six large characters were written there: 'Qing Hui Sword Technique Notes.'
"This notebook of Elder Qing Hui's," Xu Zhangqing continued, "I now entrust to you. Furthermore, since you've resolved to cultivate, you must not slack off."
"From today onward, you will attend the lectures given by the teaching Elders together with the younger disciples."
"If you encounter anything you don't understand, you may come to me for guidance, while I'm still within the sect." He paused, then sighed deeply. "While I'm still here, I can guide you on your path."
Hearing this, Qin Yi finally felt a genuine surge of respect. Xu Zhangqing was still the same righteous, compassionate man, a true hero of the Dao.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Qin Yi said solemnly.
"Go on. In the coming days, Mount Shu will be undergoing some major changes. Try not to leave the mountain. Even if you hear something big happening, don't come out."
"Rest your mind, and focus on your cultivation." Xu Zhangqing waved his hand lightly.
Qin Yi nodded, turned, and left. He couldn't help but notice that in the eyes of the Sect Lord, there was a trace of worry and doubt, clearly, something was weighing on his mind.
Just as Qin Yi stepped out of the main hall, a thunderous boom shook one of the floating mountains nearby. The entire peak trembled violently, causing Qin Yi's expression to turn solemn.
"So, Mount Shu really is experiencing some kind of major upheaval…"
At this point, however, his strength was far too meager to be of any help. Moreover, he had already decided to devote himself entirely to studying cultivation for a while. So, after casting one final glance at the distant, trembling mountain, he turned and walked away.
…
Back in his quiet garden, Qin Yi carefully unfolded the "Qing Hui Sword Technique Notes" and began reading it in earnest.
Despite its simple name, this thick manual contained all of Elder Qing Hui's lifetime of knowledge and spiritual insight. The path of cultivation, much like art, was a matter of enlightenment. Whenever a spark of understanding struck, an Immortal Cultivator would record it immediately. Once organized, such accumulated notes could become a scripture of immense value.
"A disciple of Mount Shu must first cultivate virtue. Virtue is the foundation of immortality. Those of great virtue cause demons to flee, and their path opens wide. Those without virtue invite disaster, heaven's wrath will fall, and their lives shall not last the dawn."
The first page was a sweeping preface. Qin Yi slowly read through it, realizing that Elder Qing Hui's words, though simple and unadorned, conveyed profound truths about the priorities of a cultivator and the essence of the Dao itself.
It wasn't a long text, barely twelve hundred words, yet Qin Yi spent an entire day and night carefully savoring every line. The more he read, the more he sensed its depth and mystery. Each sentence could be interpreted in countless ways, stirring his heart and clearing his mind.
By the next morning, when the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, Qin Yi felt his spirit refreshed and clearer. His mental strength even seemed to have grown a little.
He continued turning the pages, but after the preface, the rest of the notes were far harder to grasp. Though he could read the words, the meaning behind them completely eluded him, the insights were far beyond his current level.
At that moment, Qin Yi sighed deeply.
"Difficult, difficult, difficult! The Golden Core cannot be taken lightly!"
The path of cultivation was mysterious beyond compare. With no foundation at all, trying to comprehend such divine writings was no different from trying to climb to the heavens.
So, Qin Yi stood up, closed the notebook, tucked it into his robe, and strode toward the door.
"Didn't think I'd have to start from scratch… Well then, I might as well join the junior disciples and see how the Mount Shu Elders teach their lessons."
With a faint, self-deprecating smile, Qin Yi made his way to the Mount Shu Lecture Platform, where Elders Zhen Wu, Xuan Qi, and Yuan Shen were currently giving lessons.
"Mount Shu's cultivation emphasizes heavy swordsmanship and inner strength," one of the Elders was explaining. "It is divided into three main branches, Martial Practice, Qi Refining, and Soul Nurturing, which in turn are further divided into thirteen sub-disciplines. It is a vast and intricate system. Ordinary disciples may only choose one path among the three. Entry-level disciples can choose more freely, while inner disciples are usually the personal pupils of an Elder, receiving focused instruction and full transmission."
"Chang Yi was once a prime example of an inner disciple, what a pity!"
Hearing that, Qin Yi couldn't help but shake his head.
"Such a great opportunity… and that fool truly wasted it."
With that thought, he walked quietly onto the platform and found a vacant seat. Around him sat a crowd of Mount Shu disciples, all outer disciples judging by their robes. Each of them, by rank, should be calling him Senior Martial Uncle.
Yet Qin Yi felt no awkwardness at all. He simply sat there calmly, intently listening to the lecture.
(End of Chapter)