Chapter 10: The Cricket Defies Nature Threefold
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“Finally, the day has come...”
As dawn barely broke, Leon was already awake, his excitement making sleep impossible.
Since he couldn't sleep, he decided not to try.
After a simple wash, he pushed open the door and stepped outside.
Listening to the occasional chirping of insects nearby, Leon began practicing the internal energy exercises taught within the sect.
Though not suitable for combat, they helped to invigorate his meridians.
With the aid of his calm and composed mindset, his heart soon settled into tranquility.
Just as Leon finished a set, he noticed Master Zuo Ruotong standing quietly nearby, observing him.
“Master.”
Leon quickly straightened and greeted respectfully.
“Go change into clean clothes,” Zuo Ruotong said upon seeing that Leon had noticed him. “I will take you to pay respects to the Patriarch first.”
“Yes.”
According to the rules of the Trinity Sect, one must pay homage to the Patriarch before receiving the teachings. Leon had already inquired about this from Lu Jin a couple of days ago.
After wiping away the sweat, he changed into a loose white Taoist robe and followed Zuo Ruotong to the Patriarch’s ancestral hall.
Under Zuo Ruotong’s watchful eyes, Leon offered three incense sticks with great reverence.
A fortnight of life here had gradually allowed him to accept his identity as a disciple of the Trinity Sect, despite his path being different from the others.
After the ritual, Zuo Ruotong led Leon to the square in front of the main hall.
By then, members of the Trinity Sect had already lined both sides of the plaza.
Leon obediently knelt in the center, awaiting his master's admonition.
Zuo Ruotong sat before the hall and calmly recited the sect’s rules:
“To act with utmost sincerity...”
“To guard the Qi and steady the spirit...”
“To follow the methods according to the circumstances...”
The rules were brief. Looking at the kneeling Leon, Zuo Ruotong concluded, “These are the laws of our Trinity Sect. You must engrave them firmly in your heart.”
“Leon, come forward.”
At the command, Leon rose and approached the steps, kneeling before Zuo Ruotong, ready to receive the final transmission of the teachings.
Gazing at his disciple so close, Zuo Ruotong exhaled softly and began to quietly relay the Heart Method of the Reverse Life Triple Stage.
When he finished, a prompt finally appeared on Leon’s profession panel.
[Profession obtained: Qi Refiner (Trinity)].
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——
[Profession: Qi Refiner (Trinity)]
[Level: 1/20 (0/100)]
[Attribute bonuses: Physical Strength +0.2 per level, Mental Strength +0.2 per level, Energy +2 per level]
[Profession Skill: Reverse Life Triple Stage (Entry 1/100)]
[Profession Specialties: Refining Essence into Qi, Reversing to Innate Nature]
[Career Path: Immortal]
——
“Done... it’s done!”
Feeling the sudden surge of energy within his body, Leon relaxed involuntarily.
Having spent half a month isolated, the shadow of death from his former world weighed heavily on his mind. Now, at last, he had barely enough strength to protect himself.
With a deep understanding of the Reverse Life Triple Stage, Leon instinctively began to circulate his Qi.
“The Reverse Life Triple Stage breakthrough is perilous. I will guide you...”
Zuo Ruotong intended to personally instruct Leon on mastering the Reverse Life Triple Stage, but his voice gradually trailed off.
At this moment, the usually composed Great Ying Immortal revealed a rare look of astonishment.
The Trinity Sect members gathered on the square, initially curious as to why the sect leader had stopped mid-sentence, widened their eyes when they saw Leon’s pallid complexion.
They seemed to have seen a ghost, whispering in disbelief, “Reverse... Reverse Life Triple Stage?!”
Without a doubt, this was the mark of someone who had just reached the first stage of the Reverse Life Triple Stage.
But the problem was...
That disciple kneeling before the sect leader had only just received the Heart Method of the Reverse Life Triple Stage!
Could it be that someone was such a prodigy, able to complete the first stage immediately upon receiving the teachings?!
Lu Jin, standing among the crowd, looked up at Leon on the stage and recalled the joke he had made days ago.
‘Could it be that I’m a one-in-a-million cultivation prodigy?’
‘Quirky Reverse Life Triple Stage...’
No way, you’re serious?!
Thinking this, the future head of the Lu family gaped, dazedly glancing around.
Then he relaxed, realizing he was not alone in sensing something unusual about Leon.
For in Lu Jin’s view, whether it was Senior Shi Chong or the famed Venerable Cheng Zhen, none were performing any better than himself.
Only Zuo Ruotong, the sect leader, had already calmed his emotions.
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He stared at Leon before him, a faint smile playing on his lips as he said, “In that case, I did not make a wrong choice.”
With his insight, he could tell Leon had only just broken through to the Reverse Life Triple Stage. His movements were still clumsy, not the result of a long-hidden skill suddenly revealed.
“Stop for now. With your current strength, you cannot maintain the Reverse Life state for long.”
Zuo Ruotong’s voice brought Leon back to reality. He ceased circulating the Reverse Life energy, feeling a sudden weakness within.
The energy, or Qi, once abundant in his body, had silently depleted considerably.
This was Leon’s first experience of such exhaustion, but it was well worth it.
Because the Reverse Life Triple Stage was simply too powerful!
To sum it up in one phrase...
He could take on ten opponents!
As Leon’s thoughts grew more audacious, Zuo Ruotong suddenly stood and placed his hand on Leon’s shoulder.
“Do not become intoxicated by power.”
“The Trinity Sect cultivates the Dao; the Reverse Life Triple Stage is but a means to attain it.”
Zuo Ruotong understood Leon’s feelings. After all, most Trinity disciples become proud upon first reaching the Reverse Life Triple Stage.
He was no exception.
But as long as one corrected this in time, it would not be a problem.
As a master, Zuo Ruotong’s role was to guide disciples away from missteps.
Hearing this, Leon felt as if doused with cold water, instantly sobering.
He lowered his head respectfully, saying, “I will remember your teachings, Master.”
“Next time you break through, do not be so reckless.” Zuo Ruotong regarded him calmly. “If I am not in seclusion, you may come to me with any questions about Reverse Life.”
Every disciple of the Trinity Sect receives personal instruction in the Reverse Life Triple Stage from Zuo Ruotong. In other words, apart from Shi Chong, everyone is his direct disciple.
Leon was no exception.
“I understand.”
With the completion of the transmission ceremony, Zuo Ruotong withdrew his hand and said gently, “You must be tired today. Go rest, but do not forget your evening practice.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
As soon as Zuo Ruotong left, the square erupted into a cacophony of chatter and excitement.