Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8542: Cultivation technique (1)
Previously on Living In Another World With A Farm...
Scholar Lu didn’t halt the individual. He grasped the Jade slip and examined its contents. Afterward, he stored it away and turned his gaze to Cheng Wanchun. With a warm smile, he declared, “Greetings, I serve as the headmaster of Shenshan Academy. My name is Lu Yongde. Starting today, you’ll pursue your studies here at Shenshan Academy. Based on the prior entrance examination, we determined that you’re ideally suited for our cultivation technique, so you’ll begin practicing it immediately. You’re granted three months for dedicated study. During this period, no tasks will be assigned to you; simply focus on diligent cultivation. At the end of three months, an assessment will occur. Should you fail to attain the Dharma-using realm, penalties will apply. Upon reaching it, you may concentrate on cultivation moving forward, though missions will still be required. Here’s an overview of the area. I’ll escort you to your quarters so you can get settled. From tomorrow, I’ll provide the cultivation technique you’re set to practice. Come along.” With those words, Lu Yongde passed a Jade slip to Cheng Wanchun and guided him inside the Academy.
Though Cheng Wanchun itched to inspect the Jade slip’s information right then, he realized the moment wasn’t right. He quickly agreed and trailed after Scholar Lu into the Academy. They proceeded to the second courtyard, where Lu Yongde assigned him a room.
Lu Yongde showed Cheng Wanchun around the room and instructed him to unpack. Then, he departed. Once Lu Yongde had gone, Cheng Wanchun retrieved the Jade slip and scrutinized it thoroughly. The revelations within the Jade slip left Cheng Wanchun astonished. It detailed not just his obligations for the upcoming three months, but also his daily sustenance and the rewards awaiting him. All aspects were outlined explicitly.
The perks listed in the Jade slip particularly amazed Cheng Wanchun. They were remarkably generous. Beyond cultivation techniques, provisions included elixirs, dharmic robes, dharmic artifacts, and more. Quantities were precisely noted. Dharmic robes and elixirs would arrive the next day, while dharmic artifacts would follow after a month. The Jade slip explained this delay: they needed time to select artifacts perfectly matched to him.
After stowing the Jade slip, Cheng Wanchun found himself at a loss for words. He’d never imagined the Ghostwind bandits offering such lavish treatment. They weren’t mere bandits at all; they operated like a full-fledged sect, and a formidable one indeed.
Besides the Jade slip’s details, what truly captivated Cheng Wanchun was the room itself. It wasn’t spacious, split into four compact sections. One served as a bedroom for repose, another as a quiet room for cultivation—which doubled as a study—a small tea area, and a living space.
The space was modest, yet sufficient for a single occupant. Even more intriguing, it held numerous unfamiliar items, like a kettle that heated water on command, a lamp adjustable at will, and various other novelties. Cheng Wanchun wandered the room several times to get acquainted with these wonders.
Time drifted onward gradually. After some indeterminate stretch, a bell’s chime reached Cheng Wanchun’s ears. The toll was soft, yet distinct. He paused, momentarily baffled, before recalling the Jade slip’s notes. He swiftly understood: the bell signaled lunchtime at the Academy.
Cheng Wanchun rose at once. Curiosity burned within him about the Academy’s cuisine. As a wandering cultivator, he’d dined at taverns just twice, finding their fares exorbitantly priced. Later, a budget wine for groups of ten caught his attention, which he occasionally purchased, but solid meals were rare. Now, he eagerly anticipated sampling the Academy’s offerings.
Guided by the Jade slip’s directions, Cheng Wanchun headed to the cafeteria. En route, he encountered plenty of folks, all clad in scholar’s attire. Curious glances came his way from some, but only mild interest—no disdain. Others even offered friendly nods and smiles.
Soon enough, Cheng Wanchun stepped into the canteen. It buzzed with activity, crowded with people clustered in small groups, each holding plates laden with dishes. Foods, vegetables, and even wine adorned the trays. Cheng Wanchun froze in surprise. At that instant, a voice rang out, “Cheng Wanchun, go grab some food. See that over there? That’s a food tray—pick one up yourself. Bowls and chopsticks are included. The dishes are laid out; take as much as you like. Go ahead.”
Cheng Wanchun spun around to spot Lu Yongde. He promptly bowed to him. Lu Yongde grinned and replied, “No need for such formality. Proceed, and after eating, rest well. Cultivation starts tomorrow, so give it your all.” With that, he clapped Cheng Wanchun on the shoulder and moved to fetch his meal.
Cheng Wanchun acknowledged the words and trailed Lu Yongde to claim a tray. Next, he loaded up on dishes. The selection was impressive, blending meats and veggies, though Cheng Wanchun couldn’t discern the best choices. Every item tempted him, but he settled on a few. He also snagged a jug of wine, then sought an empty table. Eagerly, he sampled a bite. As the flavor hit his tongue, astonishment gripped him.
The dish wasn’t just delectable; a surge of spiritual energy accompanied it into his mouth. He devoured it promptly. A few bites in, he confirmed his senses: the food brimmed with spiritual energy, and the meat proved equally potent. Sipping the wine next, he discovered it was spiritual wine—vastly superior to any he’d tasted previously.
He wolfed down the plate’s contents and drained the wine, yet hunger lingered. Embarrassment held him back from seconds. As he wavered, Lu Yongde approached with a chuckle, “It’s fine—go for more. Everyone goes through this in the early days. I recall my first meal here; I polished off ten plates straight. Hahaha, you should indulge too.”
Cheng Wanchun gave an awkward laugh, but the aromas proved irresistible. He returned for another serving and dug in. Cheng Wanchun consumed five hefty plates before finally feeling sated. With his fill achieved, he left the tray on the table, noting others had done likewise, and departed the dining hall.
Back in his quarters, Cheng Wanchun reclined on the bed. A dreamlike haze settled over him. This reverie felt too idyllic to be true. He hesitated to sleep, fearing awakening would shatter it all, revealing mere illusion.
Yet sleep claimed him deeply in time. A bell’s toll roused him. Blinking awake, he surveyed the room and sighed in relief, confirming its reality. He sprang up, freshened himself, exited, and headed to the first courtyard. Today marked the start of learning cultivation techniques, plus claiming his benefits.
Upon arriving at the front yard, he sought out Lu Yongde. The headmaster presented a storage bag and addressed Cheng Wanchun, “Cheng Wanchun, this holds your three-month benefits. Dharmic artifacts are included, though selection comes after a month. The Jade slip details the cultivation technique and key cultivation precautions. Confucian classics fill it too—study them diligently upon return. Your assignment to our Shenshan Academy by the superiors signals true aptitude here. Put in the effort. Off you go.”
Cheng Wanchun assented, offered a bow to Lu Yongde, and departed. In his room, he accessed the storage bag’s contents. Delight flooded Cheng Wanchun. A scholar’s robe—clearly a dharmic one—lay within, alongside pills, a Jade slip, and stacks of books. These were genuine paper tomes, which astonished him.
Glancing at the volumes, Cheng Wanchun saw they covered classics and histories. He set them aside, donned the dharmic robe, and found it transformed his appearance strikingly. It fit perfectly, offered defense, repelled dust, and resisted water and fire. No more baths needed—pure convenience.
Clad anew, Cheng Wanchun probed the Jade slip with his mind. Instantly, he was mesmerized by its secrets. Two hours later, he surfaced, face alight with joy.
The Jade slip housed a method named the Song of Righteousness Qi. Cheng Wanchun knew of it vaguely—a renowned power from a righteous sect in the Cloud Sea Realm. Potent indeed. Beyond the technique, annotations abounded: cultivation tips, solutions to frequent hurdles, and even pill ingestion guidance. Utterly comprehensive.
Cheng Wanchun brimmed with elation. Armed with such a mighty technique and thorough instructions, failure to master it would be sheer folly. He seized the Jade slip and delved into it intently. Though a lone cultivator, he grasped the essentials: to master any superior technique, thorough comprehension preceded practice. This approach averted myriad pitfalls.
He pored over it through the day. By evening, Cheng Wanchun commenced cultivation. He now saw the purpose of the benefit package’s books: gradual study would aid his progress immensely. After all, this was a Confucian cultivation path.