Lu Chenge led Mu Yun up the winding, spiritual pathways to Azure Cloud Peak. The young boy, still reeling from the unexpected fortune of the Fire Seed Pill, followed in awe. When they arrived, Wei An had finished her chores and was sitting on a clean mat, diligently attempting to follow the Qi circulation path Lu Chenge had given her.
The two disciples, both from the lowest tier of the Outer Sect, regarded each other with suspicion. Wei An was slender and quick; Mu Yun was sturdy and grounded. They were two sides of the same disadvantaged coin.
"Wei An, this is Mu Yun. He is my second disciple," Lu Chenge announced, gesturing to the newcomer. "Mu Yun, this is Wei An, your senior sister. You both share the unique privilege of cultivating under my guidance."
Wei An immediately stood and bowed. "Welcome, Junior Brother Mu. I hope you treat Master with respect."
Mu Yun, a little intimidated by her formal demeanor, offered a gruff nod. "Senior Sister Wei. I will."
Lu Chenge watched them, a small smile touching his lips. He wasn't cultivating disciples; he was cultivating return anchors.
"Good. Now, listen closely," Lu Chenge said, settling onto a polished stone bench. His newly formed Golden Core hummed beneath his robes, broadcasting a gentle, reassuring warmth. "A perfect body and strong Qi are not enough. A cultivator must have a sharp mind and an expanded spirit. Your Spiritual Sense is the foundation of alchemy, formation arrays, and insight."
📖 The Joint Contribution
Lu Chenge reached into his expansive storage pouch. He retrieved two simple, indigo-colored jade slips. These contained the Minor Heavenly Sense Manual, a low-level technique for extending and focusing one's spiritual sense—a perfect baseline for his two beginners.
"These are equally important," he said, handing one slip to Wei An and the other to Mu Yun. "This manual will train your spiritual sense. Practice the meditation technique immediately. I want you to feel the essence of the surrounding mountain air."
He looked directly at them. "Hold the slips, absorb the essence, and begin."
Wei An immediately closed her eyes and began to circulate the Qi as instructed. Mu Yun, slightly clumsier, sat down and gingerly pressed the jade slip to his forehead.
The moment the technique's essence was absorbed by both disciples simultaneously, the System's notifications were layered and immediate.
[Host Contribution Detected: 2 x Minor Heavenly Sense Manuals.] [Contribution Essence: Spiritual Sense and Comprehension.] [Commencing 10,000-Fold Return (Simultaneous Trigger)…] [Return Acquired: 20,000 x Divine Soul Observation Manuals (Celestial Grade).]
The return was a monstrous, twenty thousand manuals worth of the highest-grade spiritual sense techniques known to the cultivation universe. Lu Chenge's pouch groaned under the weight of cosmic knowledge.
The primary, world-shaking notification followed, targeted at his newest breakthrough:
[Host has received 10,000X return of Spiritual Sense and Comprehension Essence. Host's newly formed Golden Core is deemed Lacking in Perception.] [Host's Spiritual Sense will now be fused with Celestial Grade Perception.][Cultivation Advance: Host has instantaneously mastered the Divine Soul Observation Art (Full Mastery). Host's Golden Core is now stabilized and coated with a layer of Heavenly Comprehension, granting the ability to see through all illusions and perceive the natural laws of the environment.]
Lu Chenge's eyes snapped open. He hadn't just gotten better spiritual sense; he had gained a divine ability.
He looked at the courtyard. He could see the intricate flow of Qi in the atmosphere, the minute movements of life force in the stone benches, and, most profoundly, the swirling, hidden elemental sparks within Mu Yun and Wei An.
Wei An: Her Mortal-Grade roots were actively purifying themselves with the remnant power of the Foundation Pill, but now he could see a faint, shimmering outline of Time Essence beginning to coalesce around her, dormant but powerful.
Mu Yun: His Trash-Grade roots were not trash at all. They were a powerful, Volcanic Fire Essence sealed by some ancient blockage. The Fire Seed Pill was already beginning to fracture the seal.
The System not only amplified the gift, but it also granted Lu Chenge the ultimate mentorship tool: the ability to see the true nature and potential of his disciples, regardless of their outward appearance or test results. He now knew exactly what resources to provide each of them.
They are not low-potential, Lu Chenge realized with sudden clarity. They are merely waiting for the right Master—and the right gift.
He smiled at his two young disciples, who were still meditating earnestly.
"Well done," he said, his voice brimming with satisfaction. "The path to the Golden Core is long, but with a clear mind and sharp focus, we will conquer it. Now, let's talk about swords again, Wei An. And Mu Yun, let's find a secluded cave for your elemental awakening."