C12 Mountain and Sea Gazing

Luo Yan turned to his mentor with a question.

"Mountain and Sea Gazing?"

Wei Fenghua cleared his throat and began, "Each technique, while broadly similar, has its own emphasis."

"Some prioritize rapid progression, achieving breakthroughs in a single day."

"Others focus on the quantity of elementary force—the more you have, the greater your stamina."

"'Mountain and Sea Gazing', however, emphasizes a strong foundation."

"There's a saying, 'A skyscraper rises from the ground.' When you start practicing this method, your progress may seem slower than others."

"But the advantage is a solid foundation, making it easier to advance as you go."

He was interrupted by a fit of coughing.

Quickly, Wei Fenghua took a dose from a syringe and continued, "I'm about to explain how to practice 'Mountain and Sea Gazing' in detail. Please, no interruptions."

"I'll address your questions afterward, providing time for them."

Without waiting for Luo Yan to respond, Wei Fenghua pressed a button on a remote control, and the large screen in the training hall came to life.

A scroll-like image appeared.

It looked like an enlarged mural.

The mountains soared sky-high, rolling in waves.

The sea stretched infinitely, with endless azure waves.

Mountains in the foreground, sea in the background, complementing each other in a majestic vista.

"Memorize this scene. During your practice, visualize this scroll in your mind," instructed Wei Fenghua.

"But for now, concentrate on the 'mountain.'"

"Focus on visualizing the remarkable peaks and the contours of the mountains."

"Contemplate the mountain's stability and grandeur."

"This will help settle your elementary force, integrating it into your skin, muscles, tendons, bones, and all your organs."

"When you've nurtured the essence of 'mountains towering and peaks innumerable,' you'll have mastered the basics of the meditating and thinking skill."

"Then you'll be ready for a breakthrough, moving on to 'Sea Gazing,' the intermediate level of practice."

Wei Fenghua then proceeded to instruct Luo Yan on synchronizing his breath with visualization, sensing the elementary force of nature, and channeling it into his body through controlled breathing techniques.

The lecture lasted nearly two hours. Throughout, Luo Yan heeded his mentor's advice and refrained from interrupting, keeping any questions to himself. "In essence, the Mountain and Sea Gazing technique will enable you to complete both the elementary and intermediate stages of cultivation," Wei Fenghua concluded. "That's all I have to say for now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

After finishing his statement, Wei Fenghua began to cough. Luo Yan held back his inquiries, moving quietly to the side of the training hall. He fetched a folding chair, set it up beside Wei Fenghua, who took a seat without a word. Only then did Luo Yan voice his uncertainties.

"What are the different levels of the meditating and thinking skill?" he asked. "How many stages are within each level? And do different levels require distinct cultivation techniques?" Luo Yan posed a series of seven or eight questions in total.

Wei Fenghua chuckled before responding, "Based on our discoveries in that 'world,' the meditating and thinking skill is categorized into Elemental Building, Opening Mind, and Sea Gathering stages. But we found that too cumbersome, so we simplified it to basic, initial, intermediate, and advanced levels. Above advanced, there are levels like Profound, Blade, and Feather, but it's too soon for you to worry about those."

"Each level is further divided into five stages, plus a 'perfect' stage. It's possible to advance without reaching perfection, depending on the situation—it's quite flexible. And yes, different levels do require the practice of distinct cultivation techniques. The academy can provide up to advanced techniques, but only under certain conditions. For the subsequent levels, you'll need to seek other channels or even explore that 'world' to find them."

Wei Fenghua addressed each of Luo Yan's questions thoroughly. With the answers committed to memory, Luo Yan nodded in satisfaction. "I have no further questions."

"Then let's begin your cultivation," Wei Fenghua prompted. Under his mentor's watchful eye, Luo Yan employed the newly imparted method. He deliberately regulated his breathing while envisioning the grandeur of mountains and seas within his mind.

In the beginning, Luo Yan struggled to multitask. Either his breathing rhythm was off, or he couldn't maintain the mental image required. Wai Fenghua tirelessly helped him make corrections. Over time, Luo Yan discovered the knack for it. His breathing slowly transformed, and he began to sense strands of warm air from his surroundings seeping into his body and circulating throughout.

Following his instructor's guidance, Luo Yan intentionally directed these warm breaths towards his skin, allowing them to penetrate every inch. Deep in his cultivation, he was oblivious to the faint glow and the subtle rock-like patterns emerging on his skin.

Time passed, and eventually, Wai Fenghua signaled, "That's enough." With that, Luo Yan concluded his first session of cultivation since joining the academy. He noticed his body was soaked with sweat that had a sour, slightly fishy odor.

Wai Fenghua stood up and advised, "Go take a bath. Continue to practice on your own, and inform me when you've reached the Beginner Second Layer." Luo Yan, raising his hand, inquired, "How will I know when I've reached the Beginner Second Layer?" Wai Fenghua coughed twice and replied casually, "You'll just know."

"Keep in mind, during the First Layer of cultivation, the elementary force must fully permeate every inch of your skin," Wai Fenghua continued. "Start with your limbs, then your torso, until the elementary force has seeped into every part of your body, not neglecting even your eyelids." Luo Yan nodded, committing the instructions to memory.

After leaving the training hall, he walked back to his dormitory alone. Along the way, he encountered many classmates returning, their faces adorned with smiles, clearly pleased with the afternoon's lessons. Upon reaching the dormitory area, Luo Yan was greeted by Lo Beichen's friendly nod, suggesting he had moved past their earlier disagreement. Luo Yan, however, did not engage and quickly walked away.

Lo Beichen watched him go, then with a smile, entered his dormitory just as his phone began to ring. At that moment, the pink-faced youth walked in, catching Lo Beichen's eye.

The latter slapped his forehead, exclaiming, "Damn, I think I left something behind."

He turned and left, making sure to close the door behind him.

It was only then that Lo Beichen took a deep breath and answered the phone.

The call was from Lo Tianyi.

Lo Beichen called out "Dad," but there was no response from the other end.

After a few seconds, Lo Tianyi's voice finally came through.

"Foolish!"

Lo Beichen's face subtly shifted, yet he remained silent.

Lo Tianyi pressed on, "Who asked you to meddle? Did I say I needed your help?"

"Your best assistance would be to focus on your studies!"

"But no, on your very first day, you're already scheming to commit murder."

"Do you honestly believe that killing some nobody from the surface will bring down Di Zheng?"

"If he were that easy to topple, he would've been gone by now."

After his tirade.

Lo Tianyi fell silent once more.

Then he added, "You're not your older brother; you lack his vision and capabilities."

"That's why I've never set the bar high for you."

"So why can't you even meet that simple expectation?"

Lo Beichen's complexion turned crimson, his breathing quickened, and he clenched his jaw in frustration.

Still, he remained mute.

Lo Tianyi went on, "Fine, you're already hell-bent on fighting to the death in the Death Arena, so I'll hold my tongue."

"I'll do my best to provide you with resources, but remember, if you lose in the arena, or worse, get slaughtered,"

"That's on you."

"I won't seek vengeance for you afterward."

"Or perhaps,"

"Should I arrange for you to drop out?"

At this, Lo Beichen spoke darkly, "I won't drop out."

"I'm aware you've never thought highly of me."

"But I'll prove you wrong."

"Right here!"

He jabbed his finger towards the ground emphatically.

"Fine."

Lo Tianyi left those final words and ended the call.

Lo Beichen pocketed his phone and composed his features.

By the time there was a knock at the door, he was already wearing a smile.

"Come in."

......

The following day.

The morning still held academic classes.

This time, the instructor was a woman.

In her early thirties, she sported a high ponytail.

A strip of tape adorned her face, and she was dressed in a vest with a shirt knotted at her waist.

She still had her work gloves on, as if she had just stepped away from the workbench.

"My name is Zhao Yidan, and I'll be teaching you the basics of mechs."

The female teacher swiftly wrote some terms on the blackboard: Skeleton! Joints! Outer armor! Engine! Power source!

After finishing, she spun around and casually tossed the chalk aside before continuing.

"The skeleton of a mech is akin to an animal's bones or the keel of a ship."

"It serves as the framework for the mech's shape and is the primary internal structure that facilitates its movement."

"It greatly determines the mech's mobility."

"In combat, a skilled pilot must make a conscious effort to protect the mech's skeleton."

"It's better to have the outer armor take damage or even be destroyed than to allow the skeleton to be compromised."

"Damaged outer armor can be easily repaired or replaced, restoring the mech to its original condition."

"However, if the skeleton is damaged, not only will the maintenance costs skyrocket, but it's also often incredibly difficult to repair."

"So listen up, you rascals. If you dare damage the skeleton, you'll have me to answer to!"

Zhao Yidan glared with fierce intensity.

...

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