107: Chapter 107 Late Bloomers

In the following days, Peak Master Su Hanyan truly made time every day to personally explain and demonstrate the visualization essentials and Qi-guiding methods of the "Illustration of Purple Qi Coming from the East" for Lin Tian in the side hall of Zixia Palace.

"Calm your mind and spirit, and focus your intent on your Dantian. When visualizing the purple peak in the illustration, do not look at its form, but feel its 'momentum'; when visualizing the purple Qi, do not distinguish its color, but follow its 'rhythm'.

Draw out a wisp of Divine Thought, like the tip of a sword probing outward, and attempt to align it with the 'vitality' and 'sharpness' of the rising morning sun and the dense purple Qi within the illustration.

Afterward, using your Divine Thought as a guide, lead your own Qi and blood to mimic the flow of the purple Qi, starting from the Dantian, moving slowly along specific meridians, tempering your internal organs, and nourishing that wisp of 'Zixia True Qi'..."

Peak Master Su Hanyan's voice was cold and clear, yet her explanations were extremely detailed. From time to time, she would even use her own pure "Zixia True Qi" as a guide to demonstrate the subtle changes in the flow of purple Qi in front of Lin Tian to help him comprehend it.

As a Peak Master, personally teaching a newly admitted Disciple was already an exception, which showed how much she initially valued Lin Tian.

A day passed, and when Peak Master Su Hanyan asked about his progress, Lin Tian frowned slightly and said truthfully: "Reporting to Peak Master, this Disciple is dull. I only feel that the flow of purple Qi in the illustration is profound; my Divine Thought struggles to capture its exact trajectory, and the movement of my Qi and blood feels even more sluggish. I have yet to find the way."

Peak Master Su Hanyan nodded slightly, her expression unchanged: "Bright Energy tempers the muscles, bones, and skin; the movement of Qi and blood is external, fierce, and direct.

Internal Energy tempers the internal organs; the movement of Qi and blood is hidden within, requiring precise guidance by Divine Thought, and places greater emphasis on Comprehension Ability and one's perception of one's own interior. It is normal to find it difficult at the beginning.

Calm your heart and comprehend; do not be impatient."

She continued to teach him patiently.

Two days, three days... time passed quietly.

However, what made Peak Master Su Hanyan gradually feel that something was wrong was that Lin Tian's progress was agonizingly slow!

Three days passed, and he still remained at the stage where "his Divine Thought struggles to capture the Dao rhythm in the illustration, and the movement of Qi and blood is sluggish." He couldn't even do the most basic thing: guiding his own Qi and blood to simulate the embryonic form of that wisp of "purple Qi"!

This was completely inconsistent with the Comprehension Ability that a "Genius" who could Breakthrough to the Third Realm at nineteen and had a record of killing enemies across ranks should have!

"Could it be that my teaching method is wrong? Or is this child simply mediocre in talent for the Dao of the sword and these types of precise internal cultivation methods?" For the first time, doubt arose in Peak Master Su Hanyan's heart.

But she did not give up immediately. She still made time every day to guide him, explaining things more meticulously, and even personally used her True Qi to guide Lin Tian in sensing the path of Qi and blood circulation.

Another two days passed—five whole days!

Apart from remembering the pattern of the "Illustration of Purple Qi Coming from the East" more familiarly and being able to recite more of the cultivation essentials, Lin Tian had made absolutely no progress in actual cultivation!

Let alone guiding the purple Qi and tempering his internal organs, he couldn't even make his own Qi and blood run smoothly through a small cycle along that specific path; it always dissipated halfway or deviated from the trajectory.

At this, the indifference and patience on Peak Master Su Hanyan's face finally disappeared completely, replaced by astonishment, confusion, and a hint of annoyance as if she had been fooled.

"Five days! Five whole days! I have demonstrated it personally and explained it in detail; even an Inner Sect Disciple with mediocre Aptitude should have touched upon the threshold by now!

You actually cannot even complete a small cycle of Qi and blood circulation?!" Standing in the side hall, Peak Master Su Hanyan looked at Lin Tian, who was still frowning and seemed to be thinking hard.

Her voice couldn't help but carry a touch of coldness: "Lin Tian, tell me the truth. How exactly did you obtain your Third Realm cultivation and those battle records in Heishan City?

Could it be... that you used some kind of tiger-wolf Medicinal Pill that overdraws potential and damages your Foundation to forcibly raise it?

You only have the Realm in name, but in reality, your Foundation is hollow, and your control over your own Qi and blood is crudely incompetent, which is why you cannot practice this precise internal cultivation method?!"

The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was possible. If not for this, how could she explain this cultivation speed that could be called "dull"?

Where was the Genius in this? He was clearly a stuffed pillow propped up by medicine! Good to look at, but useless!

Thinking of how she had argued with Yan Lie, Dao Kuang, and others on the Qixia Hall that day to snatch up such a "waste," Peak Master Su Hanyan felt a stifling sensation in her chest, almost to the point of vomiting blood. She had misjudged him!

And it was in front of the Sect Master and other Peak Masters that she had seriously misjudged him!

If this matter were to spread, she, Peak Master Su Hanyan of Zixia Peak, would likely become the laughingstock of the Sect!

On the morning of the sixth day, Lin Tian arrived outside the side hall as usual to wait. He knew his progress was slow, but relying on the Proficiency System, as long as he practiced constantly, he could always accumulate experience bit by bit and would eventually be able to enter the door.

All he needed was time and continuous guidance.

However, the atmosphere in the side hall today was completely different. Although the hall doors were open, there was no Disciple there to guide him as in the past. Lin Tian hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.

Inside the hall, Peak Master Su Hanyan was not sitting in her usual position demonstrating the method; instead, she stood with her hands behind her back in front of the "Illustration of Purple Qi Coming from the East," with her back to the door.

Hearing his footsteps, she turned around slowly. Her beautiful face no longer held any of the gentleness and expectation from the previous days, only cold, distant indifference.

"You've come." Peak Master Su Hanyan's voice was flat, with no discernible joy or anger. "You don't need to come anymore."

Lin Tian's heart sank. He took a step forward and said urgently: "Peak Master, this Disciple..."

"No need to say more." Peak Master Su Hanyan interrupted him directly, coldness piercing through her phoenix eyes. "I gave you a chance, five whole days. Yet, your performance has left me extremely disappointed.

With your 'talent,' let alone cultivating the 'Illustration of Purple Qi Coming from the East,' I'm afraid you wouldn't even be able to master the most basic sword technique of Zixia Peak.

You have no qualifications to remain on Zixia Peak, and you are not worthy of practicing the Legacy of our Zixia Peak. Go back to where you came from.

The path of Internal Energy is nothing but a mirage to you; don't waste your time fantasizing about it."

Go back?!

Lin Tian's expression changed abruptly.

He had gone through so many hardships to come to the Qixia Sect; how could he just give up now?

He must master Internal Energy!

And he must stay on this Zixia Peak!

"Peak Master!" Lin Tian took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning emotions in his heart, and pleaded earnestly: "Please give this Disciple more time! This Disciple may be slow to start, but I am definitely not rotten wood! As long as I am persistent, I will definitely be able to master Internal Energy!

This Disciple is willing to sign a military order!"

"Give you more time?" A cold sneer curled the corner of Peak Master Su Hanyan's lips. "My time is precious; I don't have time to waste on a... 'late bloomer' 'Genius'."

She deliberately emphasized the four words "late bloomer," full of sarcasm. "Zixia Peak does not keep idlers, let alone mediocre people.

You should leave on your own. Do not force me to order your expulsion."

Seeing that Peak Master Su Hanyan's attitude was resolute and there was no room for negotiation, thoughts raced through Lin Tian's mind.

He knew that his "clumsy" initial performance had completely exhausted the Peak Master's favor and patience. Conventional pleading was useless.

He gritted his teeth, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

He reached into his robe and took out a thick stack of high-denomination banknotes, which was the majority of the thirty-two thousand taels gifted by Centurion Shen Lian that he hadn't touched yet.

He held it up with both hands, bowed, and said: "This Disciple knows I am dull and have disappointed the Peak Master. I dare not ask the Peak Master to continue teaching me personally, I only ask to have a small corner on Zixia Peak to comprehend and Cultivate on my own. Let these few taels of silver serve as compensation for this Disciple's temporary stay on the Peak and the resources I consume. I beg the Peak Master... to allow me one year!

After one year, if this Disciple still cannot Cultivate Internal Energy, there is no need for the Peak Master to drive me away; this Disciple will leave on my own without any complaints! At that time, these silver taels will also be at the Peak Master's disposal!"

Twelve thousand taels! A thick stack of thousand-tael banknotes shimmered with a tempting luster in the slightly dim side hall.

Even for a Peak Master, this was by no means a small sum.

Although Zixia Peak was large, daily expenses, Disciple offerings, and resource procurement—which one didn't cost money?

Although Peak Master Su Hanyan was not greedy for money, as a Peak Master, she also had to consider the operation of the entire lineage.

Her gaze fell on the stack of banknotes, and a subtle, imperceptible ripple flashed through her cold eyes.

Expelling Lin Tian would certainly be out of sight, out of mind, but it would also confirm the fact that she had "misjudged him," and might even attract some criticism.

Keeping him, letting him fend for himself in a corner, and having him automatically roll away in a year would not only fulfill the name of having "accepted him," avoiding gossip, but also gain a substantial "offering" for nothing... It seemed more cost-effective.

She was silent for a moment, but eventually, she slowly reached out and took the stack of banknotes, the heavy texture coming through her fingertips.

"Fine." Peak Master Su Hanyan tucked the banknotes into her sleeve, her tone still cold, but she no longer mentioned expulsion. "For the sake of Centurion Shen Lian's recommendation and your 'sincerity,' I will allow you to stay on Zixia Peak for one year.

Remember, it is only one year.

During this year, I will not look at you again, nor will I teach you anything.

You are to find a place to Cultivate on your own; whether you succeed or fail has nothing to do with me or Zixia Peak.

When the year is up, if you have not cultivated Internal Energy, pack your things and leave on your own, and never step foot on Zixia Peak again!

At that time, do not blame me for not considering old ties."

"This Disciple understands! Thank you, Peak Master, for your grace!" Lin Tian felt a weight lift from his heart and quickly bowed to thank her. One year was enough!

With the Proficiency System, he didn't believe he couldn't crack this "Illustration of Purple Qi Coming from the East"!

"That's enough, go. Take care of yourself." Peak Master Su Hanyan waved her hand as if shooing away an annoying fly, turned around again to face the "Illustration of Purple Qi Coming from the East," and did not look at Lin Tian again.

Lin Tian said nothing more and silently retreated from the side hall.

Standing outside the hall, he looked at the swirling clouds and the towering peaks in the distance and let out a long, pent-up breath.

"Sigh, the dream of being a Personal Disciple, it shattered all over the ground before it even began." He smiled self-deprecatingly, but there was not much dejection in his eyes; instead, a stronger fighting spirit burned.

If you rely on mountains, they will fall; if you rely on people, they will run. In the end, you still have to rely on yourself!

Sure enough, the disparity in treatment appeared immediately.

The "Cuiwei Residence" courtyard, which had been arranged for him on the mountainside with abundant Spiritual Qi and quiet scenery, had a Deacon Disciple come that very day to politely and coldly ask him to move out.

His new residence was arranged in a very remote, old courtyard near the servant area at the back of Zixia Peak.

The courtyard was small, with only two side rooms, the walls were mottled, and the Spiritual Qi was much thinner. It was clearly uninhabited for a long time and exuded an air of desolation.

This was clearly "exiling" him to a corner, out of sight, out of mind.

Lin Tian didn't care about this at all. The courtyard being dilapidated and the Spiritual Qi being thin were not problems.

He still had nearly twenty thousand taels of silver in his hands, enough to buy Medicinal Pill resources to assist in cultivation. Being remote was actually quieter, with no one to disturb him, which suited him perfectly.

After settling down, the first thing to do was naturally to continue cultivating the "Illustration of Purple Qi Coming from the East." But since Peak Master Su Hanyan had clearly stated she would not teach him again, he had to find another way.

"I need to find someone to ask for advice..." Lin Tian pondered. There were many Disciples on Zixia Peak, but he was unfamiliar with the place,

The only person he had met once was the Inner Sect female Disciple who had brought him up the mountain,

"This Senior Sister seemed polite enough, and she had briefly introduced Zixia Peak to me that day. Perhaps... I can try to ask her for advice, even if it costs something."

Lin Tian made up his mind.

He could use silver to pave the way; perhaps he could exchange it for some basic guidance.

He didn't ask for anything profound, as long as it could help him get through the initial, most difficult "understanding" and "entering the door" stage,

The rest could be left to the Proficiency System to overcome through repeated practice.