Chapter 27: Learning from Nature
Ankang Street, Ancient Pine Courtyard.
The sound of the zither flowed; it wasn't exactly melodious, but it wasn't unpleasant either, flowing without error.
A three-inch Mayfly vibrated its wings, its six legs leaping busily across the body of the zither with perfect coordination, the force, speed, and rhythm all just right.
As the piece ended, the Cicada Demon vibrated its wings in praise.
“Zhi zhi! In just over three months, Demon Friend Fu's zither skills are comparable to a demon who has studied for a year. You are nearing mastery. Such talent is truly rare. You should keep up the good work; in Time, you will surely surpass me.”
“It is all thanks to Demon Friend Dan's excellent teaching.”
Fu Shaoguang was equally delighted.
A demon's heart is easily agitated; previously, he had forcibly suppressed it.
During this period, he used playing the zither to channel his restless Qi. His mindset became peaceful, his meridians smooth, his focus sharpened, and his sleep became sweet. He had begun to experience the wonders of how zither music cultivates the character.
Playing a song before cultivation calmed his mind, relaxed his body, and made the gathering of Qi twice as effective.
His research into the Five Tones Health Preservation Method had also reached the initial stages of understanding.
He had truly come to love playing the zither.
The two Insect Demons finished praising each other and resumed their practice.
Dan Gui instructed: “Heaven and earth have sound, and all things produce noise. Though we Insect Demons are small and weak, every inch has its strength. We can perceive the minute and listen to the finer sounds of nature.”
“No matter which instrument you study, some musical theories and methods are always connected. Since you have entered the gate of music, you might as well try listening to nature in your daily life.”
“Listen to birds in spring, rain in summer, insects in autumn, and snow in winter. Listen to the pine wind through the forest, listen to the lotus blooming, and seek the truth through sound...”
Fu Shaoguang's thoughts began to wander.
He felt that this concept of learning from nature applied not only to the zither, but also to health preservation, longevity, and his own cultivation of the Dao of Time.
Just as he observed the sun and moon every day.
But it wasn't enough. The four seasons, the solar terms, and even other things that represented Time or influenced the minds and bodies of living beings should all be within his range of observation.
Unknowingly, Time slipped away.
Before leaving, Dan Gui said: “The Headmaster will undergo her Transformation Tribulation tomorrow. She specifically invited you to observe the ceremony. I happened to be there when she mentioned it, so I am passing the message along.”
“I have noted it. Thank you, Demon Friend.”
The Cicada Demon nodded and vibrated his wings to depart.
He flew out of Ankang Alley.
Dan Gui turned back to look at the Ancient Pine Courtyard.
This Time, he wasn't lying.
Fu Shaoguang's talent was indeed startling for a demon.
He was several months faster than Dan Gui had been in the past.
However, to perform before the Empress, he would still need to practice for another year. Saying he was nearing mastery was just a bit of 'linguistic art'—a slight exaggeration out of a well-intentioned desire to encourage him.
In the Ancient Pine Courtyard.
Thinking of the Cicada Demon's teaching style, Fu Shaoguang found it amusing. An insect knows its own business best.
He knew exactly where his zither skills stood. If not for the Cicada Demon's good intentions, Fu Shaoguang would have long since... not exposed him!
The feeling of being praised was quite pleasant.
Especially when praised by a little Genius with decent talent in the Dao of Music, it was even more intoxicating.
As long as he remained clear-headed himself, he could let the other praise as he wished.
Fu Shaoguang turned around to cultivate and sleep.
———
The next day, the spring light was bright, and the flowers were red amidst green willows.
The Demon Academy was temporarily closed for a break.
When Fu Shaoguang arrived, a crowd of demons had gathered.
There were familiar Instructors and other demons as well.
Most were Seniors of the Third Heaven of the Technique Realm, already capable of Semi-Humanoid Transformation, possessing powerful auras.
Seeing Fu Shaoguang, they either nodded, remained indifferent, or struck up a conversation. Clearly, the reason Headmaster Ji Mo was taking this step was already known to the crowd.
Fu Shaoguang did not dare to be negligent and maintained perfect etiquette.
No demon provoked him unreasonably. Any demon who could reach this stage had some brains, and besides, they were effectively in the same camp.
The small number of demons in the Second Heaven of the Technique Realm were even less likely to offend Fu Shaoguang; as long as they weren't stupid, they knew he had a great future ahead.
Headmaster Ji Mo appeared.
Still dressed in her black and white gown, without makeup and possessing an elegant temperament. When she saw Fu Shaoguang, she smiled slightly. The gazes of all the demons shifted toward him, making him the center of attention.
Fu Shaoguang vibrated his wings in salute with a respectful attitude, his compound eyes trembling slightly as he looked at Headmaster Ji Mo.
She felt different.
Before, this Headmaster gave him the impression of a proud plum blossom blooming alone in the cold or the tranquility of an orchid in a deserted valley. Now, she was like deep water flowing silently—radiant but not dazzling, a master of both internal and external cultivation.
But once she erupted, it would be earth-shattering.
In the next moment, Fu Shaoguang's feeling was confirmed.
The air near the study distorted as the illusion was lifted, revealing a pond. It was only about thirty feet square, much like the Dharma Transmission Pool, but the water was dark black, emitting bursts of ink fragrance. Nearby was a stone tablet with characters inscribed on it:
【Inkstone Washing Pond】
Beside the pond was a tree, twenty feet tall, with a developed root system and gnarled branches, but no leaves or flowers.
This was Headmaster Ji Mo's original form.
The branches supporting the study were withdrawn. With a flash of green light, the study was supported by emerging bamboo poles.
Fu Shaoguang guessed that Empress Yu Li had taken action.
The sky was covered in dark clouds and the light was dim. A heavy black cloud loomed over the plum tree and the Inkstone Washing Pond.
The cloud layers collided, Yin and Yang intersecting.
White lightning arcs were born, crackling loudly.
The demons all felt their hair stand on end.
Thump, thump!
Fu Shaoguang's heart beat like a drum. He felt immense pressure and a sense of fatal crisis. Seeing lightning from the perspective of an Insect Demon made the sensation more delicate, the sense of insignificance deeper, and the pressure more intense.
It was dozens of Times more terrifying than when he was a human in his previous life.
Lightning is the ultimate Yang and hardness, the natural bane of the Demon race.
However, to truly transform and cultivate the Nine-Aperture Body, achieving the free transition between a demon body and a Dao body, one must undergo tribulation.
It was not as simple as just becoming human.
This trial encompassed many things.
Fu Shaoguang recalled the records in the ancient texts while keeping his eyes fixed on the situation in the field.
Having brewed enough, the lightning crashed down.
White light pierced the sky, tearing through the darkness.
The plum tree instantly bloomed with a thousand ink plum blossoms, emitting an ink fragrance. The fragrance turned from ethereal to solid, floating into the air and condensing into an inky water curtain that spread out horizontally.
Black and white collided.
Demonic Qi clashed with lightning.
Yin and Yang countered each other.
The demons were both terrified and nervous.
Fu Shaoguang didn't dare fly in the air any longer and quickly landed on the head of the Old Goat Demon, hiding in the wool with only his insect head peeking out.
The frightened Old Goat Demon didn't notice for the moment.
The other demons, focused on watching the tribulation, didn't see it either.
———
Rumble!
As the first lightning bolt died out, the second arrived.
ink plum blossoms fell from the branches and flew high into the sky.
The lightning and the plum blossoms wore each other down until both were gone.
The demons grew even more tense.
Only the last one remained.
Deep in the bamboo forest, on the roof of the Bamboo Tower.
Empress Yu Li, dressed in green and holding a silk umbrella, looked nervous, prepared to intervene at any moment.
Fu Shaoguang was so nervous that his compound and simple eyes were almost crossing, and his six legs unconsciously gripped the wool tightly.
His strength grew greater and greater.
Without any pause.
The second bolt vanished, and the third came.
The lightning arcs caused Fu Shaoguang's five eyes to sting; everything turned white, and his vision blurred.
It was the same for the other demons.
When the lightning disappeared, the branches of the ink plum blossom tree before them were charred black, emitting wisps of black smoke.
Every demon's heart tightened.
Success? Or failure!
Earthly Qi suddenly erupted.
Yin Qi, Turbid Qi, and Spiritual Qi enveloped the charred wood.
The demons immediately cheered.
“It’s done!”
“Awoo! Our Demon Market has gained another Great Demon.”
“Moo moo! I’m going to give all my accumulated manure to Empress Ji Mo.”
“Ga ga, me too!”
“Ge ge, count this old chicken in!”
...“Vulgar! One look at the Empress and you can tell she likes drinking ink!”
The Old Goat Demon muttered secretly.
Suddenly, he felt a pain in his scalp.
It turned out that in his excitement, Fu Shaoguang had pulled out quite a bit of wool.
Old Goat Demon: (○´･д･)ﾉ
Fu Shaoguang: (.﹏.)
“If I said all this was out of instinct and completely against this Junior's will, would you believe me?”
“What do you think?”
Fu Shaoguang: “You believe me!”
Old Goat Demon: “You brat! Give me back my hair!”
Comments
Post a Comment