C5 Master?

Having survived two brushes with death, Lin Yu understood that his trials were just beginning. Back when he worked in the forest, life was simple—perform the same tasks in the same place every day. It was grueling work, but there were no surprises. Outside the forest, however, everything felt trivial and fraught with peril; death could come at any moment.

After witnessing the old man's impressive skills, Lin Yu realized he was no ordinary individual. Moreover, Lin Yu had never ventured beyond the forest. The idea of asking the old man to take him on as a disciple had been brewing in his mind for quite some time. Finally, he mustered the courage to ask, "Um... could you teach me?"

Upon hearing Lin Yu's request, the old man set aside the half-eaten bear paw and turned to scrutinize the boy. Observing Lin Yu's bashful yet resolute gaze, he reflected, "This boy has had a tough life. His talents may be modest, but his morals are sound. He's as reserved as a closed bottle, lacking the exuberance of youth."

"What is it that you wish to learn from me?" the old man inquired.

At the old man's question, Lin Yu's eyes sparkled. He mimed with his hands and explained, "It's like making quick, odd hand gestures and then producing a red light that can start a fire."

"Can you see the fire element? What did you see when I was healing your leg injury?" the old man asked, taken aback by the boy's description.

"I saw a green light envelop the injured area, and then there was a tingling sensation. When the green light faded, my leg was nearly healed," Lin Yu replied, scratching his head with his youthful voice.

The old man's expression momentarily stiffened, then he chuckled and shook his head, "It appears that fate has brought us together, and you are destined to walk the path of cultivation. The universe has its own mysterious ways."

After another contemplative look at Lin Yu, the old man sighed, "Seeing how you fearlessly diverted danger, despite being somewhat impulsive, shows a commendable spirit. Very well, today I shall accept you as my disciple and teach you the ways of cultivation."

"Master, please accept your disciple's bow." The young man, energized by the elder's words, excitedly stood and straightened his ragged clothing before dropping to his knees and performing a respectful bow in the tradition of accepting a teacher.

"Good, good, good... I am without a name or an Ordained Name. The path of cultivation is often a solitary and strenuous journey. I hope you can withstand the solitude," the old man said, lifting Lin Yu to his feet. He looked at the young man, whose face was alight with excitement and happiness despite his worn clothes, and spoke with a tone of compassion.

"Master, what is cultivation, and why do you say that I am destined for it?" Lin Yu asked, licking his lips and infusing his youthful voice with respect.

Wuyi gestured for Lin Yu to sit and, stroking his beard, began to explain, "The Great Dao is formless, birthing the heavens and the earth. The Great Dao is emotionless, governing the cycles of the sun and the moon. The Great Dao is nameless, nurturing all things. Unknown, it is simply called the Dao...

Every creature in the world possesses a spirit. Birds, beasts, plants, and trees all have the potential to cultivate and become immortal beings, free from the cycle of reincarnation. Take this Cragbear, for example; though it has not yet formally embarked on the grand path of cultivation, it can already sense the spiritual energy and refine its body with it.

"No wonder this bear is unlike any I've seen before," Lin Yu remarked with a gasp, his eyes wide as he observed the black bear.

Wuyi continued, paying no mind to the interruption, "To cultivate is to refine oneself. Begin with the body, and you will understand life and death. The soul can separate and rejoin the body. Start with stillness, attune to the subtle, know yourself, then control yourself.

First, master control over your body, then your Qi. The next step is to achieve Minute Subtlety!

Minute Subtlety means to comprehend and control every minute aspect of your body. At this stage, you can discern the causes of life and death. The common ailments of birth, aging, sickness, and death do not afflict a cultivator. By harnessing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, using oneself as the nexus, the primordial spirit as the limbs, one can manipulate the energies of the cosmos. Such power allows a cultivator to ascend to the heavens, delve into the earth, reverse rivers, and move mountains at will. This is the Dao that a mage cultivates, the latent power of life itself!"

Throughout history, countless individuals have dedicated themselves to the practice and pursuit of the Dao's ultimate truths. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, their efforts amount to no more than a single drop in an immense ocean, and many pass away with their aspirations unfulfilled. I myself have been on this path of cultivation for a century, and my grasp of the Dao remains superficial. Much of what I know is second-hand, never having witnessed it firsthand.

"Master, you've only gained a bit of insight after a hundred years of cultivation!" Lin Yu exclaimed, managing to contain his astonishment upon hearing his master's revelation.

"Cultivating the Dao is a formidable challenge. Those lacking innate wisdom often achieve nothing by the end of their lives. It took me over a decade just to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and to perceive the five elements. Yet you have felt it without any formal training, which clearly indicates that your innate wisdom far surpasses mine," Wuyi observed, looking at Lin Yu with a hint of excitement.

"So, could I, like you, Master, produce fire with a mere gesture of my hands? I don't feel anything," Lin Yu pondered with a puzzled frown.

Wuyi chuckled dryly and shook his head. "To manipulate the five elements, one must channel their own true qi through the secret techniques of the fingers, connecting with the cosmic forces to harness the elements for personal use. While not everyone who perceives the five elements without training is a rarity, it's certainly not commonplace, and it doesn't mean they can easily bend these elements to their will. Not everyone is a prodigy."

Lin Yu paused, then spoke dejectedly, "I thought being able to perceive the five elements was something extraordinary. You spent over a decade to understand what I could see without any training, thinking it would accelerate my own cultivation by years..."

"You impudent youngster, the essence of the path of cultivation lies in one's insight. Some gain understanding through observation, others through intuition. While it might seem easier, without sufficient insight, it's all in vain," Wuyi said, his face twitching as he scolded with a wry smile.

Casting a serious glance at Lin Yu, who was now silent and downcast, Wuyi continued, "The journey of cultivation often involves the cultivation of Qi, alchemy, and other progressive practices to enhance one's primordial spirit and true qi, ultimately achieving harmony with the Dao and ascending to immortality. There are indeed shortcuts and unorthodox practices that can rapidly boost one's primordial spirit and true qi, but these often lead one astray from the righteous path and into the ways of demons. In pursuit of greater power and eternal life, one may find themselves irreversibly lost on the dark path of the demonic."

Lin Yu might not have felt strongly about it, but he was familiar with the old adage that haste does not bring success, akin to not being able to eat hot tofu in a hurry. With his master reinforcing this lesson, Lin Yu understood its significance and took it to heart.

Wuyi observed Lin Yu's restored calm and slightly serious expression with approval, nodding in satisfaction. He smiled and said, "It's still premature to impart too much knowledge to you. Many things must be learned through personal experience to grasp their true essence. The path of cultivation is often about seizing opportunities, and your encounter with me, leading you onto the path, is one such chance. You must value it and not squander your time."

"Yes, Master. I will heed your advice diligently, strive in my cultivation, and aim to surpass you as soon as I can," Lin Yu stated firmly, rubbing his nose.

Wuyi chuckled heartily and responded, "You're getting ahead of yourself, lad. You're thinking of running before you've learned to walk. Right now, you should focus on nourishing yourself. Look at you – you're so frail you might fall apart before achieving immortality. First, lay a solid foundation by attuning to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine your body. Only then should you consider the next step."