Hasten a little

In the early morning, Xu Shengmo stood upon the scattered rocks in the valley like a black mountain eagle. The irregular boulders beneath his feet were covered in moss, glistening with morning dew and exceedingly slippery; yet, it seemed to have no effect on him. 

As he observed Lin Xi gliding down the silver thread-like slope towards him, Xu Shengmo furrowed his brow, his expression marred by disdain. 

For reasons unknown, it was not merely because Lin Xi was a favored student of Tong Wei, but also because... how many truly joyful things could there be in this world? Why was it that despite his own numerous grievances, Lin Xi appeared before him each time with a radiant smile, exuding a joy that was utterly irksome?

"Practicing is arduous, and living is no less so; one often bears countless burdens of unfulfilled understanding. Do you genuinely find so much joy in your cultivation and worldly affairs?" Xu Shengmo slightly turned away, reluctant to gaze at the approaching Lin Xi.

However, Lin Xi unexpectedly broke from his usual demeanor, greeting him with a smile, "Good morning, teacher."

Xu Shengmo's frown deepened, and turning to Lin Xi, he scoffed, "I suspect you've read yourself into foolishness. If there is anything worth your joy, it is merely your youth and the time you have to squander on whimsical thoughts... Enough with the idle chatter; you may disappear from my sight. From now on, do not walk—run."

"Very well... Why is there so much moss in this valley, making it even more treacherous? Teacher, you wouldn't have planted it intentionally, would you?"

"Lin Xi! Do you think I am as idle as you, to cultivate moss?" Xu Shengmo nearly roared, though he had indeed chosen this moss-laden valley deliberately to heighten Lin Xi's training difficulty. However, given his stature and cultivation level, he would not stoop to such trivialities as planting moss for amusement.

Yet, he quickly realized that Lin Xi's behavior today was likely an intentional provocation to incite his anger; if he were to truly lose his temper, it would only serve to bolster Lin Xi's smugness.

"Do you think such a trivial trick could escape my notice?"

As he silently scoffed, preparing to disregard Lin Xi and leave, he suddenly heard Lin Xi, who had already dashed some distance away, call out to him, "Teacher, look!"

Xu Shengmo frowned and turned around, his expression shifting abruptly. In the distance, amidst the scattered rocks, Lin Xi flashed him an annoyingly innocent smile, effortlessly performing a somersault while bearing three weighted objects, then swiftly bouncing and leaping between the slippery stones as he dashed away.

"You!" Xu Shengmo shouted, but Lin Xi seemed not to hear him at all, not even glancing back as he vanished from sight.

"You've earned credits again? Do you think such a feat will alter my perception of you? How naive." Xu Shengmo inhaled deeply, muttering in mockery, yet the discontent in his heart lingered. Unable to contain himself, he stomped his foot heavily, causing the bluestone beneath him to crack and splinter, deep fissures radiating from the impact.

"I spoke no falsehood; the pharmacology and cultivation of this world are indeed profound and intriguing."

As Lin Xi bounded away like a rabbit, eager to evade any potential reprimand from Xu Shengmo, he could not suppress his joy, laughing heartily. 

In his eyes, there were indeed countless things in this world that could bring happiness and amusement. 

After consuming two Soul Gathering Pills earned through credits and meditating through the night, not only had all fatigue vanished, but his soul force cultivation had also made significant strides. He tested his strength; while he could not yet move a two-hundred-pound stone, he could easily lift stones weighing around one hundred and forty to fifty pounds. Furthermore, during his morning wash, he submerged his head in the water to test his breath-holding ability, discovering that he could now comfortably hold his breath for over eight minutes—a feat he could never achieve even after numerous attempts previously. This indicated that the enhancement of soul force cultivation likely resulted in a comprehensive improvement of physical constitution rather than merely an increase in brute strength.

Aside from his cultivation progress, An Keyi had no reason to feel disheartened... Making others happy indeed brought him joy as well.

Yet, the crux lay in the individuals he cherished. The disdainful and unyielding Xu Shengmo, who never concealed his aversion towards him, astonished and angered him, yet simultaneously brought Lin Xi great delight.

...

In the evening, amidst the vibrant hues of the Rainbow Medicine Valley's forest.

Having completed his arrow crafting, Lin Xi approached Tong Wei with some questions that lingered in his mind: "Teacher, with your cultivation level, is it possible for you to practice with a flying sword?"

Tong Wei, somewhat pleased with Lin Xi's performance today, nodded affirmatively, "Yes."

Lin Xi continued, "Then, when practicing with flying swords, should one not usually have sufficient time to react and use the sword to intercept the arrows?"

The previously calm expression on Tong Wei's face suddenly darkened as he frowned, sneering, "I expected a more profound inquiry from you; instead, you seem to believe that arrows are inferior to flying swords in terms of agility."

Lin Xi smiled faintly, replying, "Please enlighten me, teacher."

With a heavy snort, Tong Wei replied, "You must understand that while flying swords are indeed responsive and agile, akin to an extension of one's will, arrows shot by a powerful archer harness not only the practitioner's full cultivation strength but also the force of gravity and the unique penetrating power of specially crafted arrows. Thus, for practitioners of equal cultivation level, the force of a fully drawn arrow typically surpasses that of a flying sword. In other words, while arrows cannot curve mid-air, they can deliver a far more devastating strike in many suitable terrains and situations. Moreover, an archer's range far exceeds two hundred paces, while a flying sword's most formidable defensive and offensive capabilities extend only a few dozen paces around the user. Beyond that range, it cannot defend against close-range strikes, and due to excessive rotation, it cannot intercept arrows coming from other directions. Consequently, when faced with powerful archers concealed at a distance, one often finds themselves merely defending and enduring blows. Furthermore, even if a flying sword can usually intercept close-range arrows, the impact of the arrows can still disrupt the control of the flying sword, potentially knocking it off course. Thus, if your arrow speed is swift enough, a second arrow could easily claim your life. Of course, a sword wielder must also possess formidable martial skills, for only at the saint master level can soul force be separated from the body to support the flying sword."

After a brief pause, Tong Wei coldly warned Lin Xi, "Remember this: while both arrows and flying swords have their merits, those who wield flying swords are among the world's most elite practitioners. To think you can rely solely on archery skills and distance to defeat or easily retreat from foes is foolish. Whether a powerful archer or a windwalker, their greatest advantage lies in their ability to enhance the power of their arrows beyond what they could achieve with a sword or blade, allowing them to challenge opponents of higher cultivation levels... Beyond cultivation, the most critical factors are calm judgment and the ability to seize opportunities."

...

Later, as Lin Xi entered the temple-like structure within the trial valley along the silver thread-like slope, he indeed found the elderly figure clad in a worn black robe waiting for him.

"Good day, teacher." After sincerely bowing to Luo Houyuan, who returned the gesture, Lin Xi followed him into the dim, windowless chamber for changing into black armor. Luo Houyuan looked at Lin Xi and said, "Raise your hands so I may examine them."

Without a word or hesitation, Lin Xi lifted his hands before the elder.

Luo Houyuan's fingers lightly tapped various points on Lin Xi's arms, a peculiar vibration emanating from his fingertips, immediately retracting upon contact. "There are no issues," he nodded with some satisfaction in the darkness. "It seems your practice has indeed been diligent. I assume you sought me out due to some anomalies or uncertainties in your cultivation."

"Indeed," Lin Xi nodded, looking at Luo Houyuan. "At times... when my arms feel particularly sore and weak, I sense a peculiar tremor within my blood vessels. I am unsure of its significance."

Luo Houyuan shook his head, "It is not merely sometimes; there is a constant peculiar tremor. Just as one feels no weight when lifting a stone with ample strength, yet finds it exceedingly heavy when fatigued, our bodies become more sensitive as they approach their limits, allowing you to perceive these tremors."

Seeing Lin Xi's confusion, he continued gently, "Upon reaching the initial level of soul practitioner, you become a true cultivator, and the power of soul force begins to resonate within you, imparting numerous benefits to your body. The movements I have taught you can enhance the vibrational effect of soul force on your arms and fingers. If you maintain your practice, your hands will become more agile, and your tactile sensitivity will increase, which should greatly benefit you in the future."

Having been exposed to various modern medical knowledge in the same world as Dean Zhang, Lin Xi naturally simplified this concept to mean that it would promote better blood circulation and enhance the effects of soul force. Thus, he was not particularly surprised; however, he did find himself puzzled and asked, "Teacher, if that is the case... why not teach these movements to other students like the Qingluan Twenty-Four Forms, instead of just teaching me?"

Luo Houyuan replied gently, "Because these movements are insights I have gleaned over the years and have not undergone the lengthy verification process like the Qingluan Twenty-Four Forms. They may not necessarily benefit the majority and could even have adverse effects on some. Even if you did not seek me out, I would periodically check your condition for any discrepancies. Sharing this knowledge was a whim of mine; if too many people learn it, I will not have the time to oversee each one. You must understand that some individuals spend their entire lives pursuing fame and desires, only to realize at my age that the most precious things are time and inner peace."

"I am grateful for your teachings." Lin Xi understood, and he bowed sincerely once more to Luo Houyuan.

Luo Houyuan looked at Lin Xi with a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes. "Go forth. If you possess the capability, strive to breach the spear formation... Hasten a little."