Chapter 386: Collective Grain AbstinenceTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Perhaps it was because they had a foundation in creating talismans, everybody was very quick in picking up their new cultivation techniques. Within a short few months, everybody had increased by one or two levels. Yun Heng was improving especially quickly, he was already in the mid-stage of Soul Formation. The only negative thing about it all was that these people"s meridians were not used to dealing with so much spirit Qi. Now that they have remained dormant for such a long time, their bodies were showing some forms of resistance to building up a strong foundation.
To deal with this, Lonemoon decided to allow them to stop gathering Qi. Instead, they were to begin forming a strong foundation for their sword techniques immediately. Their sword techniques could help to strengthen their bodies and activate their meridians. Apart from this, Lonemoon was also making them abstain from grain so that their bodies would stop being polluted by waste.
The first part of grain abstinence was always difficult. Although they did not feel hunger thanks to the grain abstinence pill, they were already used to having three meals a day. Even if they weren"t hungry, it would be hard for them to resist eating during meal times. This was also the reason why it was ideal for cultivators to start training from a young age.
Most of the people who were changing cultivations were adults who were used to eating five different types of grain for tens of years. Asking them to suddenly stop eating grains was as good as torture for them. However, Lonemoon was a strict teacher. He was determined to force them to abstain from grains. He forbade people from working in the canteen and even closed the hill gates.
Thus, the only place in the entire sect which served fragrant rice was the rear hall. The rear hall became the place where all the disciples had to walk past when revising their manuals.
So… so fragrant!
They turned around to peek inside. The disciples lined up around the walls, drilling as their bodies glowed green. Shen Ying stared blankly at them. With hundreds of eyes on her, she ate a mouthful of rice.
Indeed, the next moment, she heard a series of growls along the walls. Faintly, she heard them swallowing their saliva.
She began to feel worried. Was this wall… going to collapse?
Even though she had hundreds of eyes on her like this everyday, Shen Ying displayed… absolutely zero pressure. She even wanted to increase the amount of food that was served to her each time.
“Chef, cook two dishes for me. I"m not full.”
“Yes Master, no problem Master!”
Lonemoon, who just entered: “…”
Yun Heng, who just entered: “…”
The people lined along the wall: “…”
“Ahem!” Lonemoon cleared his throat and successfully caught the attention of the people lined up along the wall. His gaze was cool. “Have you finished learning the basic sword techniques for the day?”
One by one, their expressions turned guilty. They looked like children who got caught being naughty. “Reporting to… to Master, we have… have already finished.”
“You still have energy to climb walls. It looks like that was too simple for you. From tomorrow onwards, practise 100 more times!”
All of their faces paled. “…” Are you a devil?
Within seconds, the crowd climbed down the wall, muttering and groaning under their breaths. They disappeared back to their training ground.
“And you!” Lonemoon turned to glare at a certain foodie. “Do you have to eat in the yard? Why can"t you eat in your own room!” You"re distracting our soldiers!
Shen Ying scooped another spoonful of rice as she replied, “The table in the room is too small – it can"t fit all of my dishes.”
Lonemoon looked at the table full of food and pursed his lips. There was no way he could answer to that.
“Master, please do not worry,” Yun Heng said as he grinned. “They"re just beginning to abstain from grain and therefore are not used to it. As time goes by, they will be used to it.”
That"s all Lonemoon could hope for.
A few days later, the people who climbed the wall and drooled at Shen Ying"s food lessened. They no longer wanted to observe. Instead, they began to ask more questions.
“Master Shen, I heard that your cultivation is different from ours.”
“Master Shen, I heard that you don"t have to abstain from grain?”
“Master Shen, I heard that you were the one who imparted your skills to Master Si Yu and the others!”
“Master Shen, when will you be free to teach us a thing or two?”
“Master Shen, do you think my body type is suitable for learning your cultivation? The kind that does not require me to abstain from grain?”
Yi Qing: “…”
Shen Ying, “…”
Lonemoon, “…”
Lonemoon"s heart sank. He could almost smell a second Invincible Sect forming.
He suddenly felt the urge to fire the person who was breaking the harmony in the sect.
“Heh, well…” Yun Heng laughed nervously. He quickly changed the topic. “Oh yes, Fellow Daoist Yi Qing, you called us over here in such a hurry. What"s the matter?”
It was then that Yi Qing recalled that there was business to tend to. He turned to face Song Ren, who was looking at Yun Heng suspiciously. He raised his hand and conjured a spell, causing his silhouette to materialize a little bit more. “Yun Heng, have you ever met him?”
Yun Heng hesitated, not understanding what Yi Qing was saying. Yet, he looked scanned Song Ren from head to toe. A moment later, he turned back to Yi Qing and shook his head. “I have never met this brother.”
“Who is your brother!” Song Ren immediately retorted. He tutted, “Don"t act chummy with me.”
Yun Heng started. This was the first time he was meeting such a rude man. Of course, he replied patiently, “I"m sorry – I was rude. But…” He turned back to face Yi Qing, saying, “Indeed, I have never met him. Why did Fellow Daoist Yi Qing ask this question?”
“You really haven"t met me?” Song Ren scanned him from head to toe suspiciously, his face unable to hide the contempt he was feeling.
“I really haven"t.” Yun Heng nodded.
“You"re not lying, are you?” The suspicion in Song Ren"s tone intensified. He turned to face Yi Qing. “Exalted Immortal, these Mystic immortals are the best at acting like they have not done anything wrong. Don"t believe him so easily.”
“Well…” Yun Heng said innocently. In a good-hearted tone, he said, “Fellow Daoist, I have been in seclusion for tens of years. This is my first time on the outside. I really do not know who you are.”
“His name is Song Ren. He has forgotten everything important in his life by accident,” Yi Qing introduced. “That is why we are trying to find out more about him.”
“I see…” Yun Heng nodded. As if recalling something, he suggested, “Although I don"t know him, there are many Mystic cultivators here. Most of them have traveled around the world. Why don"t I ask around for you to see what I can find out?”
“That"s really kind of you?” Song Ren said sarcastically before Yi Qing could respond.
“Since Fellow Daoist Song is a friend of these Exalted Masters, Yun Heng will definitely lend a helping hand to you.”
“You"ve put it very nicely!” Song Ren was sounding more and more aggressive. Angrily, he added, “Who knows what you"re trying to gain this time?”
“…”
“I don"t need you to handle my business. Who knows what kind of trouble you will cause in the process.”
“Fellow Daoist Song… do you not trust me?”
“With a face as annoying as yours, how can I trust you?”
“You-” Even the best people would get angry. With Song Ren being this rude, Yun Heng could not help but frown.
“What? Are you going to kill me to silence me?” Song Ren looked enraged. He was trying to suppress this rage in front of everybody, but his body was so tense that he looked like he was about to explode at any moment.
“Rich Ghost!” Shen Ying suddenly patted Song Ren"s shoulder.
Song Ren jumped. All the rage and tension that was flowing out of his body earlier disappeared in an instant. He turned around and stared blankly at Shen Ying. “Exalted… Immortal?”
“Speak nicely.”
A look of confusion flashed across Song Ren"s face. Then, he looked down and said nothing more.