Over the next few days, besides spending time improving his cultivation, Li Hanfeng spent an hour each day at the open area practicing techniques, becoming increasingly proficient with Spirit Severing Blade and Mysterious Shield.
He only stopped on the sixth day, not because he was slacking in cultivation, but because he had to attend the teaching elder's sermon.
Sermons were different from the basic cultivation knowledge they learned when first joining the sect.
Sermons happened twice a month, on the 15th and the last day. Everyone had to attend, or it would affect their final assessment. Naturally, no one dared skip.
Each session lasted three hours, from 5 AM to 11 AM.
The teaching elder would share cultivation experience and spend part of the time on a Q&A session - probationary disciples could tell the teaching elder about difficulties they encountered in cultivation, and the elder would help resolve their doubts.
Li Hanfeng thought this second month would be the same, but this time was different.
Their teaching elder - Jiang Tongheng, who had tested his cultivation that day - told everyone to quiet down.
"Before today's sermon, I'll ask you all a question: Why do you cultivate?"
As soon as he asked this, someone quickly answered: "For longevity and eternal life!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, including Li Hanfeng.
When he first learned about cultivation, the first thing he thought of was longevity and eternal life.
He'd seen some arguments in his previous life claiming longevity was a curse.
But his thought was: if you haven't achieved longevity, how would you know it's a curse?
Either way, achieve longevity first, then worry about the rest!
Of course, he also knew that since the teaching elder asked this way, it couldn't be that simple.
These types of questions usually led to other questions.
Sure enough, after getting the answer, Jiang Tongheng asked again: "Then what comes after longevity?"
After longevity?
Not many people had considered this question, since they hadn't achieved longevity yet, making it hard to imagine.
"Living freely and doing whatever you want?"
This time Li Hanfeng answered.
Jiang Tongheng's gaze turned to him, recognizing Li Hanfeng as the disciple with extremely high spiritual qi quality.
Hearing this answer, he smiled and nodded, though it wasn't clear if he was very satisfied with the answer or if this answer would let him continue smoothly.
"Correct, doing what you want to do. However, even the most interesting things will be worn away by time. Many ancient masters lived for countless years and tried everything, but under the weight of time, even the most numerous activities eventually come to an end."
"Finally, some masters fell into eternal sleep, never to wake again - no different from death; some masters sealed their memories, constantly experiencing different lives - no different from disappearing; some masters saw through everything and self-destructed..."
The probationary disciples present were all only twelve years old. Although they seemed more mature due to cultivation, they were still children. Hearing this, confusion appeared in their eyes.
Li Hanfeng, with his previous life's memories making him mentally more mature, couldn't help but think about it, as if these words had some kind of magic.
Just then, Jiang Tongheng continued: "To stabilize one's state of mind, there emerged a path called 'seeking the Way.' Using the Way to stabilize the heart of cultivation - if the heart of the Way doesn't exist, cultivation doesn't exist. Our Shushan Sect seeks the 'Righteous Way'!"
"What is 'Righteous'? A righteous heart is 'Righteous' - not being jealous of the virtuous and talented, not flattering superiors while bullying inferiors... Righteous actions are 'Righteous' - treating people kindly, uniting with fellow disciples, helping the weak..."
"Whether or not you can become formal disciples, you must all remember one phrase:"
"When righteousness endures, our Way flourishes!"
Hearing this, Li Hanfeng finally understood the teaching elder's purpose.
He was promoting sect rules - a classic segment.
At twelve years old, they were easily influenced.
Of course, maintaining the righteous way wasn't bad.
If the Shushan Sect didn't have such rules, their town might not be living so comfortably even near an immortal sect.
It's just that he was different from others - being mentally older, he was hard to influence.
Besides him, a few others obviously weren't listening either, their minds completely elsewhere during the sermon.
Fang Yu was right beside Li Hanfeng and was one of those not paying attention. Hearing the teaching elder's words, he whispered: "Li Hanfeng, don't you think the elder is trying to fool us?"
Hearing this, Li Hanfeng smiled: "How could that be!"
These words couldn't be said carelessly.
The teaching elder wasn't ordinary - with his cultivation level, he could definitely notice their small movements if he wanted to.
Jiang Tongheng stood on high ground, taking in everyone's reactions.
Some looked confused, some were entranced, some showed disdain - all kinds of expressions.
Those showing disdain seemed to have quite good cultivation levels, because these people were mentally more mature.
At this age, mental maturity made it easier to lead in cultivation; otherwise, they'd be more playful.
He could also hear the whispered conversations below.
But they hadn't said anything inappropriate. A hundred years ago, he seemed to have had similar thoughts.
He just continued talking about the 'Righteous Way' and sect rules.
Those who harm fellow disciples receive the same punishment as that disciple; those who bully the weak have their cultivation destroyed and are expelled from the sect; those who collude with demonic sects are killed; those who practice demonic arts are killed...
Shushan Sect disciples must help the weak; must eliminate demons and monsters...
Among the disciples, Fang Yu saw Li Hanfeng's response and shook his head dismissively: "I don't believe it. It's definitely just trying to fool people. When I encounter these situations, I definitely won't be that stupid."
Li Hanfeng smiled without comment.
This sermon only took half an hour, then returned to the previous Q&A format.
This time there were many questioners - almost every disciple went up to ask.
Since they'd recently chosen techniques, they encountered many problems while practicing them.
Li Hanfeng also went forward to ask about some key points of Spirit Severing Blade.
Jiang Tongheng obviously still remembered him. Hearing his question, he was first stunned, then provided an answer.
Even though he hadn't practiced Spirit Severing Blade himself, his cultivation level was high, so some problems were nothing to him.
Before leaving, Li Hanfeng asked: "Elder, you recommended I learn Spirit Severing Blade because you knew my spiritual qi quality was very high, right?"
Jiang Tongheng nodded: "That's right. Perfect-grade spiritual qi during the Qi Refining stage - not learning Spirit Severing Blade would truly be a waste. Even if the difficulty is higher, it doesn't matter. It seems my recommendation was correct."
Seeing the elder's meaningful look, Li Hanfeng knew the elder was aware of his progress with Spirit Severing Blade.
Of course, he wasn't very surprised. He'd been prepared when he came to ask questions.
Having no more doubts, he thanked the elder and left the line. There were still many people waiting to ask questions.
As soon as he left, Fang Yu came over.
"Li Hanfeng, how's your technique progress? Let me tell you, I chose Fireball technique and can already shoot it out. It can blast a plate-sized crater in the ground."
He was very excited as he spoke.
In many people's view, only after learning techniques had they truly stepped onto the cultivation path.
Li Hanfeng thought about his own progress and said: "Not bad. I can also use my techniques proficiently now!"