Chapter 50: First Cultivation Lesson
Six long weeks passed before Anji was finally given the green light to learn cultivation. Although Zhao Mingfeng and Bai Dajin could teach Anji the basics, Yan Ping was determined to let nobody near her precious student.
"You will learn cultivation from me daily. Do not remove your soul bracelet unless I allow you to do so. We will start with the theory you’ve learned from the Doctrine of the Mean. Before you start, let’s revise the safety measures."
Yan Ping and Anji began their first lesson by borrowing the secluded hut with soundproofing barriers. It was nothing like Anji thought it would be. According to her older sister, Ruiting learned the basics of cultivation in a meditation hall with the help of herbal incense to sense the flow of qi. Most students will be given access to the sect’s cultivation chambers for one year to increase their cultivation core level by gathering the dense spiritual energy that naturally exists.
Despite the minor disappointment, Anji took her first lesson very seriously. Her shifu wanted her to reach the Strengthened Core stage. It was one stage below her third brother’s cultivation level. However, with Bai Dajin training her brother at the back of the mountain daily, he would most likely achieve the Solid Core this year. Anji had a lot to catch up with her siblings.
"Don’t worry about making quick progress," Yan Ping flicked her student’s forehead gently, sensing Anji’s anxiety. "A solid foundation is more important than a quick ascension. Your broken pathways were only patched up. Did you think you could achieve a miracle overnight?"
Ashamed, Anji bowed her head in repentance. In her excitement, she lost sight of what was truly important. No wonder Yan Ping insisted on having her first lesson in this isolated hut.
"Anji was wrong," she bowed her head humbly. "I’ll follow shifu’s lesson plan."
Not faulting the young child for her enthusiasm, Yan Ping reminded Anji about the safety protocols she had created.
"If you sense the weakening of valve or seal in your meridians while meditating, what must you do?"