Chapter 613 - 48 The Cultivation Technique Takes Shape, Mystical Skill Performed Again
The Wang Sisters bowed three times to show their respect for heaven, earth, and their master. After completing the ritual, Zhang Yan gently gestured with his hand and said in a warm tone, "You two may rise."
The two sisters softly responded and stood up with respectful manners, positioning themselves to the side.
Zhang Yan did not immediately speak, instead he observed the two sisters closely for a moment. Compared to six months ago, the temperament of these two disciples had undergone notable changes.
Wang Caiwei held herself with an air of quiet dignity, more refined and composed than she had been a year earlier. Wang Caiting, in contrast, had transformed her once lively and active demeanor into a poised and orderly manner. Though her bright and mischievous eyes still sparkled with their characteristic vibrancy, she exercised strict adherence to decorum, no longer daring to cross any boundaries.
Zhang Yan nodded in satisfaction. With a flick of his finger, two talismans flew onto the table. He spoke in a solemn voice, "These two talismans are inscribed with Erosion Text. Since you two have been studying for some time now, demonstrate your understanding by deciphering them for me."
Upon hearing the master’s instructions, the sisters felt a sharp sense of urgency in their hearts.
Wang Caiwei composed herself, first bowing respectfully to Zhang Yan before stepping forward and carefully picking up one of the talismans to examine it closely.
Wang Caiting also clasped her hands in a ceremonial bow, then hurriedly retrieved the other talisman to her chest, inhaling several deep breaths before summoning the courage to scrutinize it attentively.
Initially, both felt some tension, but after examining the talismans for a few moments, they gradually calmed down.
The Erosion Text, although challenging, did not exceed the scope of their studies. Moreover, it consisted of just about ten characters, which, while requiring a bit more time to deduce, was not beyond their ability. Feeling more confident, they instinctively reached for their bamboo divination tools.
The study of Erosion Text was a profound and expansive pursuit. Given their budding experience, they lacked the ability to infer the meaning purely on their own and thus still relied on such aids.
The two sisters exchanged a glance, their competitive spirit silently sparking since this was their first attempt at interpreting Erosion Text before Zhang Yan.
After the passing of an hour, the sisters stopped almost simultaneously, transcribing the deciphered content onto white paper with delicate, elegant calligraphy before presenting it to Zhang Yan.
Taking the papers, Zhang Yan scanned over them quickly, nodding in acknowledgment. While the Wang Sisters did not possess the talent of Liu Yan Yi, they had shown diligence and earnest effort under the guidance of their senior sister.
Their interpretation of the Erosion Text was proper and followed standard conventions. Any minor errors observed were not due to carelessness but stemmed from their insufficient foundational knowledge of Mysterious Skills, which they had yet to practice in depth.
Setting the papers aside, Zhang Yan retrieved two talismans from within his sleeve. With a brush, he wrote across them the cultivation techniques for Foundation Building and Opening Meridians, then handed them to the two sisters. He said gently, "Starting today, you may begin practicing the ’One Qi Cleansing Scripture.’"
Though his words were brief, the sisters’ eyes lit up brightly with uncontrollable excitement.
After a year and a half of studies, though they had diligently focused on learning Erosion Text, only by practicing a cultivation technique could they truly be considered members of the Xuanmen. Brimming with joy, they bowed deeply and exclaimed with delight, "Thank you for the gift of the Dharma, Master!"
Zhang Yan nodded, smiling as he waved his sleeve and said, "I shall test you again two years from now. You may leave."
The two sisters withdrew as instructed, but as Wang Caiwei crossed the Array Gate, a sudden tension filled her brow. A beam of white light burst forth, and a graceful white-robed woman appeared out of nowhere, gently taking her hand. In a soft and tender voice, she whispered in Wang Caiwei’s ear, "Caiwei, cultivate earnestly. After Breaking Through the Opening Meridians stage, I shall impart a superior mysterious skill to you."
Slightly startled, Wang Caiwei looked sideways and recognized the woman as the same figure she had encountered on the day of her apprenticeship ceremony. Before she could utter a question, her vision blurred abruptly, and the white-robed woman vanished without a trace.
Looking around, Wang Caiwei noticed her younger sister Wang Caiting brimming with joy, entirely unaware of the strange occurrence nearby.
She opened her lips slightly, intending to speak, but hesitated and ultimately shook her head to suppress her thoughts, following Wang Caiting’s lively steps back to their residence.
However, when the white-robed woman appeared, Zhang Yan’s brows flickered slightly in acknowledgment, as though he had sensed her presence. Still, this was Wang Caiwei’s fortuitous encounter, and he chose not to interfere further.
If the Yin Slaughter Blade Spirit offered a Dharma technique, it would likely stem from Chongyue True Temple’s cultivation method. Though this sect was not one of the Ten Great Sects of Xuanmen, its methods were of an upper grade, capable of reaching the Cave Heaven Realm.
It seemed his disciple had indeed lucked into a favorable destiny. With the support of a True Spirit of Dharma Treasure, her cultivation would undoubtedly progress more swiftly. Yet, such True Artifacts often carry karmic entanglements that were not easily resolved. How far she could go in the future would ultimately depend on her own efforts.
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and let the matter pass, choosing not to dwell on it further.