The Lord of Void and Real

Chapter 82: Chapter 81: Descending the Mountain with the Master

Shen Luo quickly recalled the mantra of the second level of the Nameless Cultivation Technique and seriously reconsidered his earlier method of cultivation. However, upon reflection, he found nothing amiss.

“This shouldn’t be so difficult…” he muttered, puzzled. He closed his eyes once more and started to practice silently.

After a few moments, Shen Luo opened his eyes again, his expression now shifting from doubt to frustration.

This time, he still failed to break through the Purple Palace Acupoint.

The mana within his body couldn’t flow through, let alone completing a full circle, even half was impossible to achieve.

“The Technique of taming beasts and summoning spirits failed earlier… Can it be that my aptitude is really poor? No, I have to keep trying…” Shen Luo bit his teeth, unwilling to give up, and once again started his cultivation.

After several attempts, he gradually acknowledged a reality. The second level technique was much more difficult than he had imagined. Smooth progress was unlikely. He had to break through step by step, as if breaching a fortress.

Based on his current speed, it would probably take four to five years to achieve Perfection in the second level Nameless Cultivation Technique.

Even those ordinary people mentioned in the Nameless Heavenly Book could reach Perfection in two years, making his progress excruciatingly slow.

The first level technique was cultivated very smoothly, and the Water-Stepping Art was like a breeze, which made Shen Luo think that his talent was not bad. He was even somewhat complacent. Now, it was like a bucket of cold water drenching him.

It seemed that Master Luo’s assessment and others of Spring and Autumn Pavilion were not wrong. Indeed, he had no special talent in cultivation techniques and mystic arts.

Although recognizing this made Shen Luo feel a great loss, he was not entirely discouraged.

Before acquiring the cultivation methods, he had been living under constant death threats. Despite the odds, he was still advancing fearlessly. Now, his situation was just a bit worse than expected, so he decided to continue his cultivation.

No matter whether it would take four years or five, as long as there is a chance of success, he wouldn’t miss it.

In the coming several days, Shen Luo would practice by the Shallow Pond during the day and observe the changes of the filament absorbed by the jade pillow with the exorcism charm attached to him at night.

Perhaps because of entering the Qi Refining Stage, despite the day and night cultivation, he didn’t feel tired at all.

One night, as ever, Shen Luo was sitting on the bed, unblinkingly staring at the jade pillow.

He was confused. The light filament has been continuously blending into the jade pillow for several days, but the pillow did not show any changes.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Shen Luo was startled. With his current heightened senses, he should have noticed someone’s presence outside the door, let alone not detecting anything at all.

Moreover, why would anyone visit in the middle of the night?

He quickly removed the exorcism charm from his body, hid the jade pillow under the bed then got up to open the door. There was a figure in a green robe outside. It was Daoist Luo.

“Master Luo, why are you here? Please, come inside,” Shen Luo quickly welcomed Daoist Luo into his room.

“No need. I was just passing by. Your complexion is quite good. You seem to have recovered well from your trip home,” Daoist Luo said, standing at the doorway whilst examining Shen Luo from head to toe.

“Thank you for your concern, Master Luo. I am indeed feeling much better,” Shen Luo said, with a respectful expression.

“Good. Now that you’re mostly recovered, gather your belongings and come with me down the mountain,” Daoist Luo nodded, suddenly giving the order.

“Down the mountain?” Shen Luo was taken aback. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“We’re going to catch a ghost. Bai Xiaotian has not returned from his trip down the mountain, and Tian Tiesheng was sent on an errand by the headmaster yesterday. So, you’re in luck,” Daoist Luo explained, glancing at Shen Luo.

Upon hearing this, Shen Luo began to consider the pros and cons, keeping silent for a moment.

“What? You don’t want to go?” Daoist Luo frowned.

“It would be an honor to be of service to you, Master Luo. It’s just that my mastery of the Small Transformation Yang Skill is far less proficient than my Senior Brothers. I’m worried that if something goes wrong midway, I might hold you back,” Shen Luo said, after calming his nerves.

If it were in the past, he would have gladly taken up such an opportunity.

However, he now harbored many secrets and didn’t want to stay too close to Daoist Luo, who possessed formidable mana. The risks of exposure were high.

“You’re afraid of dying, aren’t you? We’re simply going to capture a ghost. You won’t need to do anything, just stand by my side,” Daoist Luo thought he had guessed Shen Luo’s hesitation and said with a slight smile.

“Thank you for your understanding, Master Luo. Allow me a moment to get ready,” Shen Luo knew he couldn’t refuse at this point and agreed.

“Hurry up and pack your things. We’ll leave immediately,” Daoist Luo instructed, before turning to leave.

Shen Luo respectfully trailed behind him for a few steps and then watched him leave. The smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a hint of worry.

However, he quickly regained his composure, collected his thoughts and prepared to tidy up his stuff. He packed a change of clothes, the Small Thunder Talisman and exorcism charms he drew earlier, to be on the safe side.

After all, his talisman making skill was already half-exposed. He didn’t have to worry about being discovered.

Shen Luo glanced at the stone box on his hand, hesitated for a bit, but finally put it into his bundle.

Although carrying this stone box would increase the risk, he felt even less secure leaving it at the Spring and Autumn Pavilion. Fortunately, the box gave off no energy fluctuations. As long as Luo Daoist didn’t see it, he wouldn’t notice it.

Even if Daoist Luo did notice, Shen Luo already had an excuse prepared. He would say that inside the box was an auspicious life-saving item he got when he last went home. The box should never be opened casually. Given Luo Daoist’s disposition, he wouldn’t insist on touching his belongings.

After preparing everything, Shen Luo quickly went out and headed towards the residence of Daoist Luo.

“Why did it take you so long? Hurry up,” Daoist Luo was already waiting outside his residence. When he saw Shen Luo, he chastised him.

“Yes,” Shen Luo responded, quickening his pace to a jog.

“Stand next to me,” Daoist Luo pointed at the space beside him.

Shen Luo looked confused, but did as instructed.

Daoist Luo took out a white handkerchief from his pocket. There were rune-like patterns on it, emitting a gentle white light, which was quite conspicuous in the darkness of the night.

On seeing the white handkerchief, Shen Luo had an inkling of what was going to happen.

Daoist Luo took out a blue talisman from his other hand and put it on the white handkerchief while muttering an incantation.

Immediately, the blue talisman began to emit a blue light, infusing into the white handkerchief.

The runes on the surface of the White handkerchief lit up, emitting a ball of gentle white light. The item started to float in front of Daoist Luo, resembling a white lantern.

At the same time, waves of cold air gathered from the surrounding atmosphere, blending into the white handkerchief, which in turn made the emitted white light even brighter.

Shen Luo recognized this cold air. It was Water Spirit Qi.