Chapter 52: Basics

Words : 1158 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 52: Basics "Master, why are you on the ground?" The voice came from nowhere—sweet, high-pitched, and slightly scolding. All heads turned. Standing a short distance away was a petite girl, no taller than a teenager, her presence impossibly loud despite her size. She had long twin ponytails the color of autumn leaves, vibrant orange strands flowing behind her like fiery ribbons. Her large, matching orange eyes blinked with exaggerated innocence as she stared at the disheveled elder. She wore a small, tightly-fitted robe with sleeves far too big for her frame, giving her an odd mix of martial competence and comedic charm. Slung across her back was a massive bazooka-like contraption—crudely painted red and decorated with tiny turtle shell patterns. It looked absurdly oversized compared to her small build, and yet she carried it like it weighed nothing. Hei Long raised an eyebrow as the system information appeared. [Name: Bai Luoluo] [Love Meter: Indifferent] [Cultivation: Early Stage, Nascent Realm] ’Another heroine... nice,’ Hei Long thought to himself, eyes narrowing slightly with interest. Her entrance was flashy, ridiculous, and somehow adorable. He could already sense the chaos she’d bring. He didn’t even need to glance at Lin Fan to know what was coming—but he did anyway, just to enjoy it. "..." Sure enough, Lin Fan was slack-jawed, eyes wide, a soft blush creeping up his cheeks as he stared at the girl like she’d descended from the heavens. ’Predictable,’ Hei Long thought: ’This idiot falls for anything with a pulse.’ Mu Qianxue groaned as she pulled herself up from the ground, brushing off her robe and wobbling slightly before steadying herself. "It’s good you’re early for once, Bai Luoluo," she muttered. Bai Luoluo crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks: "Hmph! If I hadn’t come early, you’d have made me run laps again!" "That’s still on the table," Mu Qianxue replied flatly, taking another swig from her flask. "I already did laps last week!" Bai Luoluo shot back, stomping one foot in protest. The oversized cannon on her back jiggled with the movement: "I’m a genius weapon cultivator, not some common runner!" Lin Fan stepped forward, eyes sparkling. "W-What an incredible weapon," he stammered, staring at the bazooka like it was a holy relic: "Did you make it yourself?" Bai Luoluo blinked, glanced at him like he was background furniture, and replied bluntly: "No. I stole it." Lin Fan froze, awkwardly smiling. "O-Oh... cool..." Hei Long had to resist the urge to laugh: ’She’s going to eat him alive.’ Mu Qianxue shook her head, muttering, "Disciples these days..." Bai Luoluo finally turned her full attention to Hei Long, tilting her head suspiciously. "And who’s this guy?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly. "Never seen him before." Hei Long gave her a casual smile and bowed slightly, hand over heart. "Hei Long. Young master of the Hei family, sect Saint. Pleased to meet you, Bai Luoluo." She looked unimpressed: "Tch. Fancy titles. You better not slow me down." Hei Long’s smirk widened. "Oh, don’t worry," he replied smoothly. "I won’t get in your way, senior sister." Clapping her hands together with a loud smack, Mu Qianxue took one final, exaggerated swig from her gourd before tossing it aside with a hollow clunk. "Well," she said, wiping her mouth and suddenly straightening her posture, her voice now firm and startlingly clear: "Since everyone’s seen each other and sort of introduced themselves—let’s skip the boring stuff and get straight into training, shall we?" The drunken haze in her eyes vanished in an instant. Mu Qianxue had cleansed the alcohol from her system with a controlled burst of Qi—leaving behind only the illusion of inebriation. A trick she was known for. One second, she was stumbling and slurring; the next, sharp as a blade. Before anyone could comment on the shift, Lin Fan raised his hand like a student desperate to be acknowledged: "Wait—! I didn’t get to introduce myself." All eyes turned to him. Lin Fan’s hopeful expression practically screamed: "Please notice me." Bai Luoluo didn’t even wait a second before groaning out loud. "I don’t care about you," she muttered, rolling her eyes so hard it looked like they might disappear into her skull: "Can we just start already? I’ve got a new weapon idea brewing, and I need time to build it before sunset." "..." Lin Fan’s raised hand slowly lowered as he looked like someone had slapped him with a frying pan. Mu Qianxue let out a long, theatrical sigh. "You heard her, Lin Fan," she said without sympathy, waving him off like an annoying fly: "Training first, identity crises later." Without further discussion, Mu Qianxue slowly lowered herself to the ground and sat cross-legged with surprising grace for someone who looked tipsy moments earlier. "Follow my lead," she commanded, folding her hands together in her lap and closing her eyes. Hei Long smirked to himself as he watched it all unfold. A Saint, a drunk, a genius weapon goblin, and a lovesick idiot. ’This is going to be interesting...’ Everyone instinctively followed Mu Qianxue’s lead, falling into formation around her. When she noticed that all eyes were on her— "I know most of you are already familiar with the fundamentals of cultivation," Mu Qianxue began: "But whenever I receive a new batch of disciples, I like to revisit the basics—because even a grand tower collapses if its foundation is weak." Mu Qianxue paced slowly as she continued: "First—Qi. The energy that flows through all living things. Cultivation begins with sensing it, then drawing it into your body. Without this step, you are no different from an ordinary mortal." She raised a hand and flicked her fingers, causing a visible wisp of spiritual energy to swirl briefly in the air: "Second—Meditation and Breathing Techniques. These allow you to refine the Qi you absorb and direct it to strengthen your meridians, organs, and dantian. Many of you already practice breathing patterns instinctively, but few do it correctly. Without discipline, the energy will scatter or stagnate." Mu Qianxue paused, letting the words settl: "Third—The Dantian. This is your core. The center of your spiritual sea. Cultivation means expanding and strengthening it over time, preparing it to withstand more powerful stages. Damage to your dantian can cripple you permanently." Her eyes swept over the group: "Fourth—Meridians. Think of them as the rivers through which your Qi flows. Clear, unblocked meridians lead to stronger techniques and faster breakthroughs. Cultivators who ignore their meridian health may find themselves stuck at bottlenecks—or worse, face internal deviation." Lin Fan gulped... "And finally—Mindset. Cultivation is not just physical or spiritual—it is mental. Doubt, arrogance, fear... these are all poisons. Discipline, patience, and awareness will take you further than brute force ever could." Mu Qianxue’s expression was composed: "These are the basics. Master them, and you will be prepared to chase the heavens. Ignore them... and you will never rise above the earth."

Chapter 52: Basics

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