The cultivators of the Meng School naturally wouldn't really make her sit there for two hours. After the cultivator who received Mo Tiange reported to the supervisor, the school's supervisor—a Foundation Establishment initial-stage cultivator—learned it was Grandmaster Jinghe's intention and came specifically to pay his respects. He then handed over all the tasks the Meng School needed done for Mo Tiange to choose from.
Looking over the contents of the jade slip, Mo Tiange realized the receptionist cultivator was right: these newly promoted disciples all had specialized teachers for instruction, so there was no need to arrange anything. As for the other miscellaneous tasks, it wasn't convenient for her to handle them either.
After picking for a while, Mo Tiange looked up at the Meng School supervisor. "Since that's the case, how about I help with teaching the curriculum?"
When newly promoted disciples entered the sect, they all started with instruction on Daoist scriptures, and teaching Daoist scriptures began with learning to read characters. From ancient times to the present, many scripts had been passed down. Techniques and treasures from different periods might use different scripts. These disciples who had just come into contact with cultivation had to spend a large amount of time every day learning to recognize characters.
The supervisor naturally had no objections. After agreeing repeatedly, he informed the managing disciple of the matter. From then on, whenever Mo Tiange came here, she only needed to follow the managing disciple in teaching the curriculum.
Seeing the various teaching methods of the Meng School, Mo Tiange sighed inwardly in her heart. When she embarked on the path of cultivation, all she knew was a single cultivation technique. Back in Mo Family Village, even Old Master didn't know those pieces of knowledge; she could only figure things out bit by bit herself. It was only later, after finding Second Uncle, that Second Uncle personally taught her.
But how could everything be covered comprehensively while uncle and niece were wandering? Second Uncle wasn't a teaching master. Most of what she knew and learned was encountered by herself first, and only then would Second Uncle remember to teach her.
Here in the Xuanqing Sect, each subject was clearly separated, taught by different cultivators. If she could have had this back then, her journey wouldn't have been so arduous.
But she only sighed about it. Having come this far, she was already extremely fortunate. Having Second Uncle by her side to teach her was far better than those rogue cultivators struggling to survive.
Led by the managing cultivator into the schoolroom, Mo Tiange saw the room filled with children aged six or seven to sixteen or seventeen sitting on meditation cushions, their cultivation levels between Qi Refining first to third layer.
When she walked in, the gazes of these children focused on her. She didn't conceal her aura. The imposing presence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was naturally quite powerful before these low-level Qi Refining junior disciples.
The managing cultivator coughed, and the children immediately stood up, bowing respectfully. "Disciples pay respects to Teacher." Although the managing cultivator was of the same rank as them, he was responsible for teaching, so they addressed him as Teacher.
The managing cultivator brought Mo Tiange to the center. "All disciples, this is Grandmaster Jinghe of Qingquan Peak's disciple, Ancestor Mo. Ancestor Mo possesses exceptional talent; not yet thirty years old, she has already reached Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation. Grandmaster Jinghe specifically ordered Ancestor Mo to come to the Meng School. Starting today, Ancestor Mo will teach you together with me. I hope you seize this opportunity well, take Ancestor Mo as your example, and cultivate diligently."
Mo Tiange saw astonishment and admiration fill the eyes of these children. Nascent Soul cultivators were like celestial beings to them. Seeing Mo Tiange's appearance was only around twenty, yet she had such cultivation, they were even more amazed.
Under their gazes, Mo Tiange thought of her first time seeing Ye Jingwen and being similarly astonished, thinking in her heart how wonderful it would be to possess such power. Never did she imagine that now she had become the object of admiration for these junior disciples who had just entered the immortal path.
"Alright, all of you sit down. Today we continue studying the Nanhua Heart Sutra. This set of mental cultivation method is our Xuanqing Sect's foundational method; it cannot be underestimated. If there's anything incorrect, I ask Ancestor Mo to point it out." The managing cultivator bowed slightly to Mo Tiange, then invited her to sit with him on the meditation cushions at the front.
"Last time we discussed the line, 'Without that, there is no me; without me, there is nothing to take from that.' Do you all know its meaning?"
A boy around ten years old immediately raised his hand.
The managing cultivator smiled and nodded. He had been worried these children wouldn't dare to speak up before Ancestor Mo. Having someone step forward now let him relax a bit.
The child stood up, first glancing at Mo Tiange before answering. "'Without that, there is no me; without me, there is nothing to take from that.' This line means without 'that,' there is no 'me'; without 'me,' there is no 'that.' For example, without good there is no bad; without bad, good is meaningless. Two opposite things often need each other to manifest themselves."
"Hmm, very good." The managing cultivator asked again, "Then the meaning of the latter part, have you grasped it?"
"'Thus it approaches' means it comes close to the root of things. 'Not knowing what drives it' means not knowing if something is pushing from behind."
"...Such an interpretation is acceptable." The managing cultivator nodded, glanced at Mo Tiange, and seeing she had no intention to speak, continued, "Applying this line to the path of cultivation: there is no absolute good nor evil; everything seems to have a driving force. Our Daoist sect pursues the Way of Heaven and Man. The so-called Dao is like the principles of heaven and earth, having laws within the unseen. Therefore, although we do not forcefully pursue goodness, we must not act recklessly and wildly."
Hearing the managing cultivator's explanation, the child lowered his head to receive the instruction. "Yes, disciple will contemplate this earnestly."
"Good, let's continue. 'All things are not that; all things are not this. From that perspective, one cannot see; from self-knowledge, one knows...'"
This managing cultivator had Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivation. Judging by his age, he should be over forty. Explaining this foundational mental cultivation method naturally posed no problem. Mo Tiange didn't interject, just silently listened.
It could be seen that this boy who answered first was quite outstanding in Daoist scriptures. Seventy to eighty percent of the questions the managing cultivator asked were answered by him. However, Mo Tiange also noticed others didn't seem very friendly toward him. Whenever he answered a question, several people secretly made faces.
Mo Tiange frowned slightly. Could it be that even within this sect, bullying occurred?
Two hours passed quickly. Mo Tiange found this duty passed time quite quickly. She only needed to answer some questions the managing cultivator found difficult to answer. Qi Refining stage questions were all very simple for her, requiring no extra thought—she also had to thank Luo Fengxue for thinking of a good method for her.
After passing time at the Meng School, Mo Tiange returned to Shangqing Palace. The day's duty completed, she went to report to Daojun Jinghe.
"Master."
Daojun Jinghe, who was using spiritual power to peel grapes, only lifted his eyelids at her. "Oh, you're back!"
Mo Tiange grumbled inwardly—here's a Nascent Soul stage cultivator with nothing better to do than peel grapes all day! But on her face, she remained properly respectful. "Yes, Master. All my tasks for today are finished."
"Finished?" Daojun Jinghe propped himself up to sit, looking at her with interest. "Tell me about it."
"Uh..." Mo Tiange braced herself. "The Administration Hall arranged for me to go to the Meng School, so I went. Mainly answering some questions from newly promoted disciples."
"Meng School?" Daojun Jinghe nodded carelessly. "Passable. That was arranged by Fengxue that girl, right?"
"...Yes."
"I thought so. Besides that girl, who else would think of sending you to the Meng School. This is best. Newly promoted disciples will eventually leave the Meng School. At that time..."
Hmm? Mo Tiange pricked up her ears. Did this arrangement have some other purpose?
Unfortunately, Daojun Jinghe didn't say more, instead glaring at her with bristling beard. "What are you standing there stupidly for? Go cultivate!"
"...Yes." Mo Tiange swallowed her words resentfully. Hmph, she didn't need to think too well of this master—he was just tormenting her!
After that, Mo Tiange repeated such days.
Collecting heavenly dew, tending spirit herbs, organizing the beast courtyard, going to the Meng School, cultivating.
Day after day, she became familiar with all affairs of Shangqing Palace. From staying long at the Meng School, she even became generally familiar with Qingquan Peak's affairs. Thus she somewhat understood Daojun Jinghe's intention in arranging these tasks for her.
She had been in the Xuanqing Sect for seven years, but among those, two years were for Foundation Establishment and two years missing. In the remaining three years, she spent all day in closed-door cultivation, never integrating into the sect. Now she managed Shangqing Palace's affairs daily, interacted with Meng School cultivators, gradually became familiar with Qingquan Peak, and slowly became a true Xuanqing Sect disciple.
Understanding this, her feelings toward Daojun Jinghe were complex. This master hardly ever instructed her, nor bestowed pills or treasures upon her, yet used this method to correct her cultivation path.
She was now twenty-seven, possessing Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation. What she lacked wasn't pills or treasures, but growth in state of mind. Especially since her advancement from Foundation Establishment initial-stage to mid-stage was forcefully elevated without experiencing any hardships. Without sufficient temperament and experience, such unstable cultivation easily bred inner demons. The inner demon barrier was the most terrifying obstacle on the path to Core Formation and Nascent Soul.
Although not explicitly stated, this nominal master actually held great expectations for her.
Under a tree at the Meng School, a boy around ten years old held a Daoist scripture, studying diligently.
"The ultimate Dao is not complicated; the secret lies in preserving truth. The mud pill and hundred joints all have spirits. Hair spirit pale splendor, character Taiyuan; brain spirit essence root, character mud pill; eye spirit bright above, character Yingxuan; nose spirit jade ridge, character Lingjian; ear spirit empty leisure, character You Tian; tongue spirit connects life, character Zhenglun..."
His cultivation was only Qi Refining first layer, merely the most ordinary newly promoted disciple of the Xuanqing Sect, still at the stage of learning Daoist scriptures. But his diligence was obvious to all. Besides daily morning lessons, he spent all other time holding Daoist scriptures. In just two short years since entering the sect, he surpassed many ordinary disciples aged fifteen or sixteen.
Now nearing lesson time, he seized the last bit of time, planning to memorize this passage.
"The ultimate Dao is not complicated; the secret lies in preserving truth. The mud pill and hundred joints all have spirits..." Reciting to this point, suddenly pain struck his back as a plum rolled down. The boy turned his head and saw five or six boys his age making faces at him from several zhang away.
One chubby, round-faced child shouted, "Ye Zhenji, your pants are falling down!" As he spoke, several children laughed together.
This boy called Ye Zhenji glared fiercely at them, then turned back to continue diligently reciting. "The ultimate Dao is not complicated; the secret lies in preserving truth..."
Another plum hit, solidly striking his body. Although he had spiritual energy within him, these children weren't ordinary mortals either. Using plums to hit him now also employed spiritual energy, causing real pain.
Ye Zhenji understood he couldn't continue reciting. He immediately put away the book, turning around with a fierce face. "What do you want?"
However, although his appearance was fierce, the others weren't intimidated. The chubby boy made a face at his companions. "Look, he's trying to scare us!"
Immediately someone picked up the thread, pointing at him mockingly. "Ye Zhenji, aren't you afraid your pants will fall down again?"
Hearing this, Ye Zhenji's face darkened further. But he knew he couldn't defeat them. Many of these people were descendants of uncles and granduncles within the sect, taught from childhood, their cultivation all higher than his. He couldn't defeat even one.
Seeing him silent, these children simply threw another plum. "Why aren't you dodging? Weren't you so impressive? Grabbing to answer every question Teacher asks—what, don't dare now?"
"Why be polite with him? Beat him up first, then talk. I've been annoyed watching him these past few days!" A child with an impatient temperament jumped out, pointing at him and shouting.
Several children, once incited, swarmed forward.
Seeing this, Ye Zhenji immediately turned and ran. He knew he couldn't defeat them, nor did he want to be beaten by them. If he ran ahead where others were, they wouldn't dare.
But he couldn't realize this idea. Not far into his run, a plum hit him, staggering him. Immediately one of them grabbed his sleeve, several children surrounding him and launching a frenzied beating.
These children were clever too, knowing they couldn't act recklessly, only using fists and feet, not spiritual energy. Yet this made it hurt even more.
Ye Zhenji, surrounded in the middle, hugged his head, gritting his teeth without making a sound. It was just pain; enduring it would be fine. He was used to it anyway...
Mo Tiange frowned. She had just arrived early at the Meng School, yet saw such a scene.
She lightly flicked her sleeve. The children gathered in a circle kicking and punching the boy immediately felt a gust of strong wind sweep over, instantly knocked sprawling to the ground.
"Who? Who?!" One chubby, round-faced child scrambled up, shouting angrily. "Who dares hit me? I'll call my father..."
"Call your father and what?" Mo Tiange coldly looked at him, picking up the thread.
Only then did these children see her, immediately gaping. "Ancestor... Ancestor Mo..."
Mo Tiange knew many of these children were descendants of sect cultivators, thus developing arrogant temperaments. She just hadn't expected them to act so recklessly, knowing to bully sectmates at such a young age!
"Still standing there? Go to the Discipline Office yourselves to receive punishment."
"Ancestor Mo..." Hearing her words, several children cried out. "We... we were just..." Unfortunately, they couldn't even find words to defend themselves.
Mo Tiange didn't intend to listen to them either, personally helping the beaten child up, turning her head. "Still not going?"
"Yes..." These children left dejectedly. They weren't stupid. Ancestor Mo was Grandmaster Jinghe's personal disciple. No matter what status they had, they didn't dare say anything to Ancestor Mo. If they further angered Ancestor Mo, the punishment would only increase.
Mo Tiange turned to look at the child she pulled up. She had some impression of this child because during every lecture, he repeatedly answered questions, earning the managing cultivator's praise. The managing cultivator once told her this child came from the mortal world, had no background, ordinary aptitude, so wasn't highly regarded. But he was diligent, knew to work hard. Most people like this would achieve something.
Now, the child looked up, bowing to her. "Thank you, Ancestor Mo, for saving me."
Mo Tiange smiled slightly, casting a minor spell to heal several abrasions on his body. "What happened? Do they often beat you?"
Ye Zhenji carefully looked at her before nodding slightly. "Yes."
"Then why didn't you speak up?"
Ye Zhenji's expression dimmed slightly before answering. "They... they all have backing. I don't. Speaking up is useless."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange couldn't help sighing. Even the Xuanqing Sect couldn't avoid such problems. Disciples without background inevitably suffered bullying.
"Then when they beat you, don't you feel sad?"
The child bit his lip, carefully nodding. "I'm not afraid. Once I achieve something in cultivation, naturally they won't dare bully me."
These words showed quite some ambition. Mo Tiange nodded inwardly but smiled. "Wait until you achieve something in cultivation? You're only Qi Refining first layer now, your aptitude ordinary too. When will that be?"
These words made Ye Zhenji lower his head. He also knew the hope was slim. But if he didn't think this way, what could he do?
Mo Tiange couldn't help thinking of herself. Back then, she probably thought this way too, right? Although her aptitude wasn't good and the immortal path seemed distant, she firmly believed she would definitely succeed, even though sometimes she also felt utterly hopeless.
She felt somewhat interested in this child, asking, "What's your name?"
"Ye Zhenji. Ye as in leaf, Zhen as in true or false, Ji as in opportunity or mechanism."
"Ye Zhenji, so your surname is Ye." Mo Tiange said, "In that case, we're half of the same family."
Ye Zhenji was surprised. "Ancestor Mo, isn't your surname Mo?"
Mo Tiange smiled. "I follow my mother's surname. My father actually has the surname Ye."
"Oh..."
Mo Tiange smiled again, saying, "If they bully you again next time, just come tell me."
"Ah?" Ye Zhenji suddenly looked up, staring at her in astonishment. Being saved by Ancestor Mo, he was grateful, but he didn't hold too much expectation—just this once. Those few being punished, they would still bully him later. Ancestor Mo wasn't anyone to him. But now Ancestor Mo said this...
"Ancestor Mo, you mean..."
Mo Tiange patiently repeated. "If they beat you again later, come tell me. I'll help you."
Receiving confirmation, Ye Zhenji jumped up instantly. "Really? Ancestor Mo, you'll help me? Won't let them bully me anymore?"
"Yes."
The child's face instantly bloomed with joy. "Ancestor Mo, you're so good. Since leaving home, no one has been this good to me... Since coming here, those few have always bullied me. They secretly cut my belt, making my pants fall in front of everyone..." Saying this, he seemed somewhat embarrassed. "Sorry, Ancestor Mo, I shouldn't say these things before you."
"It's fine." With nothing else to do, Mo Tiange didn't mind listening to a child vent a bit. "If you have anything you want to say, just say it."
"Okay." Probably having never complained to anyone before, the child opened up immediately. "When I was home, Dad always said how good cultivation was, how our family originally was a cultivation clan, just declined, unavoidably moving to the mortal world. I've yearned for cultivation since childhood. Later, coincidentally an uncle passing by discovered I had spiritual roots, so I came with him to the Xuanqing Sect. But now I feel these cultivation people are all very detestable..."