Chapter 6: Learning Arts in Yi Garden

  Zi Yang Zhen Ren returned to his residence, looked at Lin Yun Feng and Lu Yuan, and smiled: "The two of you have good luck, the garden owner has agreed, in two days, you can participate in the selection with ten other people, and then you will know which garden you are admitted to."

  Lin Yunfeng asked: "True person, may I ask, what kind of ultimate skills are there in this Yi Garden? Can you tell us about it, so that we can gain some insight?"

  Zi Yang Zhen Ren looked at Lin Yun Feng's eyes and understood his thoughts, but he didn't expose him. He just smiled slightly and said: "In our Yi Garden, the 'Yi Tian Twelve Jue' is the most powerful. This is a must-learn technique for every disciple under our sect. As for how well they achieve it, that depends on their individual talent and effort. The four institutes of Yi Garden are Qian Kun Yin Yang Institutes. Among them, Qian Institute's 'Zhan Long Jian Jue' is the most powerful, shaking the entire cultivation world and is one of the most overbearing techniques in Yi Garden. Kun Institute is the only female-only institute in Yi Garden, famous for its 'Feng Wu Jiu Tian' sword technique. Yin Institute is known for its 'Zhan Yao Mie Mo Jian' sword technique that shakes the mortal world. As for my Yang Institute, it's famous for its 'Lie Huo Tian Gang Jian Jue' that shakes the heavens. Later on, you can choose which one to learn, but not everyone will get what they want. However, there isn't much difference between them. No matter which technique you learn, as long as you work hard, you can reach the same level."

  Lin Yunfeng heard this and stuck out his tongue, exclaiming in surprise: "I didn't expect that Yi Garden had so many ultimate techniques! This is great. I came specifically to learn the 'Demon-Slaying Sword' of the Yin Institute, let them learn the others. Lu Yun, what do you want to learn? Tell me."

  Lu Yun smiled calmly and said: "Everything is going smoothly for me, I can learn anything, that's not important to me. As for the result, it will be known tomorrow, won't it?"

  Ziyang Zhenren looked at Lu Yun, and a hint of praise appeared in his eyes. Lu Yun's heart without desires was the most important thing for cultivating truth. Yiyuan emphasized mental cultivation, and he paid great attention to the spiritual cultivation of his disciples. Lu Yun's performance happened to conform to Yiyuan's mental cultivation principles, so he deeply gained Ziyang Zhenren's liking.

  Ziyang Zhenren smiled and said, "Lu Yun, since Lin Yunfeng is going to the Yin Institute to learn the 'Demon-Slaying Sword', why don't you come to my Yang Institute to learn the 'Blazing Fire Heavenly Gate Sword Technique'? With your talent, if you work hard, you will definitely become one of the most outstanding people in Yi Garden. Think about it, don't rush to answer. I won't say more. I've arranged for someone to prepare a place for you to rest, go down and take a break first." After finishing speaking, he stood up and took the two of them away.

  The two days passed quickly, and in the past two days, Lin Yunfeng and Lu Yun had developed a deep friendship, with their emotions being extremely close. Lu Yun liked Lin Yunfeng's cleverness and felt very intimate about his mischievous and strange behavior. In the two days, the two of them toured the Yi Garden, familiarizing themselves with the environment. At this time, they already had a general understanding of the Yi Garden, knowing that there were over 1,300 students in total, but only around 200 true cultivators, while the rest were ordinary disciples.

  Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and early next morning, Zi Yang Zhen Ren sent someone to bring them to Yi Tian Ge. At this time, the garden owner Xuan Yu Zhen Ren and the first seats of the four institutes were already seated inside. There were ten young men and women standing in the room, among whom two were girls, all sixteen or seventeen years old, beautiful and radiant, very attractive. The remaining eight boys were also between sixteen and seventeen to twenty years old. As soon as they arrived, they immediately attracted everyone's attention, and all eyes were on them. Lu Yun slightly lowered his head, trying his best to hide his spiritual energy and aura.

  The eyes of the five masters in Yi Garden all stopped on Lin Yunfeng and Lu Yun, and finally, except for Xuan Yu Zhenren, the eyes of the other four people were focused on Lin Yunfeng. However, Xuan Yu Zhenren was carefully sizing up Lu Yun, and he had a strange feeling about him in his heart. In his feeling, Lu Yun should not be an ordinary person, but after careful examination, he did not feel any aura of cultivation on Lu Yun's body, which was indeed strange. Frowning slightly, Xuan Yu Zhenren slowly shifted his gaze to Lin Yunfeng.

  Lu Yun let out a sigh of relief in his heart, that was close. He had already clearly felt it, Xuan Yu True Person was probing his aura, he really feared being seen through by this famous cultivator in the cultivation world, fortunately he had passed the test. Slightly raising his head, Lu Yun carefully sized up these people. He understood that these young men might become his fellow disciples in the future, so he began to remember their facial features in order to recognize them later on.

  After a careful look, Lu Yun realized that the young men and women here all had a certain foundation, each with different degrees of cultivation, and none of them were ordinary people. It seemed that Yi Garden also selected its disciples carefully. Those without a certain foundation would have to start from scratch, which would take a lot of time and would also have a great impact on Yi Garden's reputation in the Cultivation Realm. Perhaps every Cultivation Sect was like this, except for those who were raised from childhood and started building their foundation early, all other disciples had to have a certain foundation before being recruited, and he was probably an exception.

  "Now that everyone is here, let's begin. In order to gather opinions from both sides, this time will be the same as before - each person will write on a piece of paper the school they wish to learn from, with a maximum of two choices. Finally, the four schools will recruit their preferred disciples based on the situation. Let's start!" After finishing speaking, he looked at the twelve selected disciples with an unfathomable and profound gaze in his eyes.

  Lu Yun held a pen, thinking about which institute to enter. The best one here is actually the Qian Institute, he understood this point, but in the past two days, he also heard that the Qian Institute had produced a rare talent, Li Hongfei, who appeared once in a hundred years. He didn't want to go and compete with him for attention. So after thinking for a while, he wrote down the words "Yang Institute" on paper. Meanwhile, Lin Yunfeng beside him wrote "Yin Institute", because that was his dream.

  Everyone had finished writing, and each of them signed their name before submitting it to a stone table in the middle of the hall, waiting for the inspection by the four division heads present. Looking at everyone, Xuan Yu Zhen Ren said: "Let's begin now, take a look at their results together, and then start choosing. You are all familiar with this matter, so I won't say much." After finishing speaking, he looked at those excellent disciples under his gate, and a hint of expectation appeared in his eyes.

  The four masters walked up to the stone table together, slowly separating the intentions of the twelve selected disciples in order to recruit the ones they wanted. It was soon sorted out that among these twelve people, four wanted to enter Qianyuan, four wanted to enter Kunyuan, seven wanted to enter Yinyuan and seven wanted to enter Yangyuan. Of course, some people had written down two other houses, which is why there were so many people, with not a few being duplicates.

  Among all the selected disciples, except for Lu Yun and Lin Yunfeng who only wrote one place, the remaining ten people each wrote two places in different courtyards. At this time, those people were faced with a choice, and the initiative was in the hands of the four courtyard masters. Zi Yang Zhenren smiled and pulled Lu Yun to his side, saying: "Very good, work hard from now on, and you will definitely have a day when you stand out. I am still waiting for you to bring glory to our Yang Courtyard and wash away the bad reputation that our Yang Courtyard has not had an outstanding disciple for many years. Your natural talent is excellent, and you are a good candidate for cultivating the truth. Although you have not yet entered the door, I believe that you will be able to bring glory to our Yang Courtyard in the future."

  Lu Yun smiled slightly: "Thank you, Master, for your concern. Lu Yun will definitely work hard and strive to bring glory to the Yang Institute." The Purple Sun True Person patted his shoulder and turned to walk away.

  On this side, the face of Xuan Yin Zhenren had a hint of a sly smile as he carefully examined Lin Yunfeng. Lin Yunfeng felt uneasy under his gaze and had an ominous feeling in his heart. Xuan Yin Zhenren chuckled and said: "I've heard that you're the successor of Gui Da Shi, haha, interesting. That old ghost was quite close to me back then, we were pretty good friends. This time, since you chose to come under my tutelage to learn the ways of Tao, I'll take care of you on account of our past friendship. Haha, work hard, don't disappoint me, or else... haha, you'll find out later." Xuan Yin Zhenren's smile was full of ill intentions, making Lin Yunfeng's heart skip a beat as he silently cursed the old ghost for being despicable, thinking that he would have to be more careful from now on.

  After a round of deliberation, among the twelve disciples, the two beautiful girls were taken in by Master Kunyue of the Kunyuan, while among the remaining eight male disciples, one with the deepest cultivation was taken into the Qianyuan. The remaining seven people, three entered the Yinyuan and four entered the Yangyuan. With this, the recruitment of disciples for this ten-year period has finally been completed. The four places in the Qianyuan are now full, while the six places in the Kunyuan, twelve places in the Yinyuan, and twelve places in the Yangyuan have also all been filled. It will be two years before they start recruiting again.

  Xuan Yu Zhen Ren looked at the crowd and said, "This time is considered the last recruitment of disciples for this generation. You twelve people who have entered my Yi Garden to cultivate are also a result of your own destiny. I hope you cherish it well and don't miss this opportunity. From now on, you need to use unshakeable determination and serious cultivation to break through yourselves and enter the magical realm of Xiuzhen. For the world, for Yi Garden, do your best to contribute your efforts. Be a heroic swordsman who rids the world of evil and protects the Tao, be a great hero who slays demons and monsters, and brings peace to the people. Work hard, you are all the future talents of our Yi Garden, strive for your ideals." After finishing speaking, he gave a glance to the four courtyard masters, indicating that they could leave.

  Lu Yun and Lin Yun Feng walked out of the Yi Tian Pavilion together. Lin Yun Feng said, "Lu Yun, you must work hard. In the future, we will travel the world together, slaying demons and capturing ghosts, enjoying the divine state. I'll come visit you when I have time. Let's work hard together! As long as we try our best, there is hope. I'm thinking that in two years, we can participate in the Liu Yuan Martial Arts Conference. At that time, it will be magnificent! Hehe, I must make it happen. You should also strive for it. I hope we can go to the conference together." After finishing speaking, he looked at Lu Yun and slowly walked away.

  Lu Yun said in a low voice, "Don't worry, I won't let you down. Two years later, at the Sixth Institute's Martial Arts Conference, I will participate, definitely! Work hard, my partner." After finishing speaking, he looked at Ziyang True Person beside him and revealed a hint of determination.

  Ziyang Zhenren's eyes showed a look of praise, and he smiled: "Good, you have ambition. Let's go back to Yangyuan, today I will pass on to you the cultivation method of our Yiyuan, hoping that in the future you will work hard and believe that soon you can catch up with those senior brothers." After finishing speaking, he went ahead, Lu Yun closely followed behind him, and together they disappeared around the corner.

  Back in Yangyuan, Ziyang True Person looked at the five new disciples he had just accepted today, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes. This is the hope for the future! Ziyang True Person said: "In Yiyuan, everyone may know that among the four major branches, Qianyuan ranks first, Kunyuan second, and our Yangyuan is tied with YinYuan. Why is this? What is the main reason for this? In fact, it's because every generation of disciples in Qianyuan and Kunyuan has outstanding talents, always far ahead, taking all the credit, and bringing unparalleled glory to Yiyuan in the cultivation world.

  And our Yin and Yang Institutes, for over a hundred years, have never produced any outstanding talents, which is why we've been suppressed by the Qiankun Institutes and can't compare to them. If we talk about cultivating the True Way, everyone is actually the same, cultivating the fundamental "Easy Heaven Twelve Secrets". In other aspects, although the sword techniques are different, as long as you work hard and cultivate to a certain level, the power will be similar. So, as long as everyone works hard and puts in effort, there's hope to catch up with those two institutes. I hope everyone will strive to surpass them and bring glory to our Yang Institute. To give you more time for cultivation, I plan to start teaching you the entrance incantation today, so you can begin cultivating immediately and achieve success as soon as possible."

  Then, the Purple Sun True Person personally transmitted the entrance mantra to the five people. After finishing the transmission, the five people all remembered it. The Purple Sun True Person opened his mouth and said: "The cultivation method of our sect is one of the most famous in the entire cultivation world, and it's also one of the most mysterious and unparalleled superior methods. Everyone must cultivate with their heart. Once you have cultivated these twelve mantras to completion, you will have the opportunity to ascend to immortality and live as long as heaven and earth. As for our sect's 'Easy Heaven Twelve Mantras', it is actually two methods combined into one. This method is divided into 'Easy Heaven Six Methods' and 'Moving Heaven Six Mantras', collectively known as the twelve mantras. The six methods mainly serve to strengthen one's own cultivation, laying the foundation for cultivating the 'Moving Heaven Six Mantras'. Therefore, these six methods are extremely important. Your current entrance mantra is the first method of the six methods, so you must cultivate it seriously. Once the six methods are cultivated to completion, it will be equivalent to having practiced the first six mantras of the 'Easy Heaven Twelve Mantras', and at that time, you will have reached the realm of controlling objects. Now, everyone can go back and cultivate on their own. I will inspect your cultivation every ten days, hoping that you will work hard. Go!"

  Lu Yun returned to his room, lying quietly on the bed, thinking about things. This time coming here was actually very smooth, which was somewhat beyond his expectations, giving him an unreal feeling. As for Yi Yuan's Supreme Technique, 'Yi Tian Twelve Techniques', he also had a desire to deeply understand it in his heart. He wanted to know why Yi Yuan could rely on this technique to cultivate in the world of true cultivation for thousands of years without decline, believing that there was some reason behind it. This time coming here, although only two days, he already clearly felt that among the various major factions in the world of true cultivation, the door-to-door vision was extremely heavy, far more intense than he had imagined. Even within Yi Yuan, the four separate courtyards were also filled with open and secret struggles, competitive relationships within.

  As for the introductory techniques taught by Zi Yang Zhen Ren today, he didn't care at all. In his opinion, he could skip the first few layers and directly cultivate the deeper mysteries. However, he still decided to cultivate because he had just arrived, and there were some things that needed to be done for others to see.

  In the following ten days, Lu Yun really started to cultivate seriously. His progress was rapid and he had already cultivated the first mantra in just ten days. On this day, Purple Sun True Person took the five new people to a large courtyard where countless people were cultivating, all of whom were under the Yang Institute. Among them, many looked like they were sixty or seventy years old but were still cultivating with great enthusiasm.

  Lu Yun carefully looked around and the number 97 automatically appeared in his mind. For him now, since he had cultivated the "Tian Di Wu Ji" technique to the sixth layer of "Infinite Extension", many things didn't need to be seen, and the results would immediately appear in his mind, extremely mysterious and profound. This was an ability that his previous five superior techniques did not possess. Cultivating "Tian Di Wu Ji" made Lu Yun extremely sensitive to many things around him, and he could automatically know the outcome without even thinking about it, having a clear understanding of all things between heaven and earth. This made him extremely happy in his heart, after all, his ancestor's 6,000-year-old uniquely created technique was unparalleled in the world, the best under heaven!

  The Purple Sun True Person glanced at the five disciples beside him and smiled lightly, saying: "Everyone here is a disciple of our Yang Gate. Among them are some new disciples from this generation, as well as many who have been admitted in previous years, all diligently cultivating their skills. In fact, there are many outstanding disciples in the Yang Institute who have already reached a certain level of cultivation and have gone out into the world to cultivate and eliminate evil. The disciples here are just those whose cultivation is not enough or those who are wholeheartedly devoted to the Tao, hoping to attain enlightenment and ascend. Today, I brought you all here because after I teach you the complete techniques of the 'Easy Heaven Six Laws', I hope that in the next three months, you will cultivate here and ask these senior brothers if you don't understand anything. If your progress is rapid, you can also learn the later 'Moving Heaven Six Techniques' from them. Three months later, I will come to check on your progress and make a cultivation plan for each of you according to your individual situation, in order to speed up your progress. The three-month period will pass quickly, so I hope you all work hard. Remember, if you don't understand something, ask them, and perhaps you can learn many unexpected things from them." After finishing speaking, the Purple Sun True Person's eyes revealed a deep and meaningful implication.

  Lu Yun looked at these people and sighed slightly in his heart, only then did he understand why many Xianmen (Immortal Sects) were so strict when recruiting disciples. Because this matter of cultivating immortality was easy to start but hard to complete, it was easy to enter the door, but wanting to achieve great success was extremely difficult. After all, it was a fight against heaven, going against the natural order, and not everyone had the determination and perseverance to succeed in cultivation. If one could become an immortal just by working hard, then wouldn't there be countless immortals in the entire Xianmen world by now? But in reality, how many people in the current Xianmen world have truly achieved enlightenment? Very few, extremely rare!

  Time always slips away unnoticed, slowly passing by your side. Without a sound, without a ripple, it just passes, in the blink of an eye. In three months, Lu Yun easily mastered the "Yi Tian Liu Fa" and asked his senior brothers about the seventh key to the "Yi Tian Twelve Jue", secretly cultivating it.

  The other four people who came with Lu Yun, their cultivation was not weak either, and they all cultivated to the fourth and fifth moves. They can be considered as making rapid progress. In the past, this time's five disciples were already quite good.

  In the three months in Yangyuan, Lu Yun learned a lot of things from his senior brothers. Among them were some past events about Yiyuan, and the most talked-about was the story of Qiankun Ear Institute. The news that Lu Yun got from the side was that the most famous place in Yiyuan was Qiankun Er Garden. Because over the years, Qianyuan had produced two of the most outstanding figures, one of whom was Feng Yuanyang, who had already left the school and was a senior brother who had entered the door sixty years ago. It is said that he once emerged from the top thirty young masters of the six institutes at the Liu Yuan Martial Arts Conference, and finally won the third place at the time, bringing unparalleled glory to Yiyuan.

  And another one is Li Hongfei, who is the most outstanding among all the disciples of this generation, and is equally famous with Zhang Aoxue from Kunyuan. He is the pride of everyone in Yiyuan. It is said that both of them have already practiced "Yitian Twelve Jue" to the ninth jue, which has never happened before, and they are now on par with Feng Yuanyang back then.

  Lu Yun thought to himself, if he had the chance, he would definitely want to meet these two outstanding individuals and see their demeanor. Glancing up at the sky, Lu Yun suddenly remembered Lin Yunfeng, wondering how his training was going over the past three months, probably making rapid progress as well.

  Out of the Yangyuan, Lu Yun walked slowly, looking at the students in the distance who were studying hard with their heads buried in books. This made Lu Yun feel a sense of emotion in his heart. In the hearts of these students, perhaps they didn't have any other distracting thoughts, all they thought about was to study diligently and one day bring benefits to the world and the people. They were truly simple-minded young scholars! For their simplicity, Lu Yun had an inexplicable sigh of admiration in his heart, perhaps this too was a kind of persistence, a kind of happiness, wasn't it?

  Gazing quietly at the white clouds in the sky, Lu Yun slowly lay down on the grass outside the garden, alone and quietly thinking about something. Not far away, a figure walked slowly towards him, looking at Lu Yun on the ground, with a hint of divine light in his eyes.

  Lu Yun's mind stirred, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure, gazing calmly at the flowing clouds in the sky. Xuan Yu True Person appeared silently beside him, asking softly, "Being alone here watching, have you seen anything?"

  Lu Yun's face changed in surprise, and he hastily stood up, saying: "So it was Master Zhang, I didn't know you were coming, please forgive me for my lack of courtesy."

  "Never mind the formalities, let's just sit down and talk. Actually, I often come here alone, lie down and watch the clouds in the sky, thinking quietly about things. You've been looking for so long, do you have any feelings? Tell me." After finishing speaking, he also sat down on the grass, slightly reclining.

  Looking at the flowing clouds in the sky, my heart is very calm, and I think of many past things. The path of cultivating immortality is full of wonders, but it also makes me feel a lot of hardships. Looking at the world, for thousands of years, how many people can really cultivate to become immortal, attain the Tao and ascend? Among so many people in the world who practice cultivation, what is their purpose? Is it to strengthen their bodies, seek fame and fortune, roam the world as heroes, or pursue longevity? Perhaps there are many people whose hearts are actually blind, they just see others practicing cultivation and follow suit, but is that really what they want? Maybe not.

  "Everyone has different dreams and aspirations. The path of cultivation is difficult, but it can bring some good intentions to those who cultivate. Some people vow to roam the world, benefiting the common people, so they cultivate to enhance their abilities, for the country and the people. Some seek eternal life, and cultivation is their only way, so they choose to cultivate Taoism. There are also those who use the method of cultivation to satisfy their own desires, gaining the power they want to do what they want. And there are those who are curious, so they also choose this path. Have you ever thought about why you yourself are cultivating?"

  Lu Yun gazed softly into the distance and said in a low voice: "I came, perhaps for a wish." Just this short sentence, nothing more.

  Xuan Yu True Person smiled and said: "You're quite special, aren't you? Seeing you today, I found that you've changed a lot compared to three months ago. At this moment, your cultivation is not weak at all, and you've actually mastered the first six moves of the 'Easy Heaven Twelve Techniques'. In just 100 days, you've set a new record for Yi Garden! If Zi Yang finds out later, he'll definitely be overjoyed with his original choice. Keep up the good work, I hope to see your figure at the Six Institutes' Martial Arts Conference soon." After finishing speaking, Xuan Yu True Person stood up and left.

  Lu Yun watched him leave, a hint of contemplation in his eyes. His words seemed to hide some meaning, but unfortunately Lu Yun couldn't guess it for the time being. He gently closed his eyes, everything will be fine, why bother too much? Cultivators value going with the flow, don't they? Being too stubborn won't lead to anything good.