Chapter 111: Genius

Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Genius

Meng Yu Jin’s gaze was as placid as water as it settled on Chen Yue, seeming to pierce through his exterior and gaze directly at his core.

"Have you encountered the Panshi Skill before?"

Chen Yue shook his head and answered frankly, "I have not. I come from a remote region and only recently made my way to the Celestial State Prefecture. The first time I ever saw the Panshi Skill was after I joined the sect."

Hearing this, Meng Yu Jin gave a noncommittal nod. Her expression revealed nothing, making it impossible to tell if she believed him or still had doubts.

"What Cultivation Technique did you practice before? Perform it for me."

Chen Yue’s heart stirred. ’She wants to probe the depth of my foundation.’

He didn’t hesitate. After answering "Yes," he retreated a few steps to the center of the clearing, took a deep breath, sank into his stance, and began to perform the forms of the Vast Firm Essence Technique.

Although the essence of the Vast Firm Essence Technique had been successfully integrated into the Vast Rock Skill, this didn’t mean Chen Yue had completely forgotten the original.

On the contrary, that Cultivation Technique’s forms, power circulation, and breathing methods had all become second nature to him. His current performance was still fluid and seamless, with a sustained rhythm that revealed his composure and solid foundation.

As Chen Yue’s forms unfolded, a subtle change flickered within Meng Yu Jin’s once-placid eyes.

It wasn’t because Chen Yue performed poorly. On the contrary, his performance was excellent.

The forms possessed a quality of Central Justice and Peace, his breathing was long and sustained, and his transitions of Power were in Perfect Harmony. It was clear he had cultivated this technique to an extremely profound realm.

With Meng Yu Jin’s discerning eye, she could naturally see the solid foundation and considerable potential it contained.

But it was precisely because she could see so clearly that she felt a trace of confusion and surprise.

A moment ago, Meng Yu Jin had been somewhat skeptical when Chen Yue claimed he had never encountered the Panshi Skill.

But now, she was no longer so sure.

A Martial Artist’s time and energy are finite. For a young man like Chen Yue to cultivate a single Cultivation Technique to such a profound level would have required an immense investment of time and effort.

Under those circumstances, to simultaneously cultivate the Panshi Skill on top of that seemed unlikely, not to mention unnecessary.

’Whether Chen Yue is truly from a remote town is something I can easily verify with a few inquiries,’ Meng Yu Jin thought.

And if what he said was true, it meant that the disciple before her had truly cultivated the Panshi Skill to such a level in just nine short days.

This level of Talent and comprehension far surpassed the twenty-odd Outer Sect Disciples from earlier.

A few among them might have reached a level of comprehension of the Panshi Skill comparable to Chen Yue’s, but they had been practicing it for over a year.

Chen Yue slowly concluded his form and turned to look at Meng Yu Jin.

Meng Yu Jin was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. Her tone, though still level, held a hint of approval that wasn’t there before:

"Well done. Your Panshi Fist earlier was also very good. It seems you and the Panshi Skill are indeed quite compatible."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue clasped his hands and said humbly, "You praise me too highly, Martial Uncle Meng. I just feel that the Panshi Skill shares some core principles with the technique I previously cultivated, which is why my practice has gone so smoothly."

Meng Yu Jin looked at him, pondered for a moment, and then spoke:

"With your current progress in comprehending the First Three Layers of the Panshi Skill, it probably won’t be long before you have completely mastered them.

At that point, it would be something of a waste of time to only accumulate Cultivation using the First Three Layers. Do you have any other plans?"

Hearing this, Chen Yue’s brows twitched imperceptibly, and a trace of surprise rose in his heart.

He hadn’t expected this seemingly cold and reserved Martial Uncle Meng to proactively show concern for his future training, even describing his potential situation as a waste of time.

"Martial Uncle, besides the Martial Dao, I am also somewhat versed in the Alchemy Skill.

My original plan was to use my attainments in Alchemy Skill to strive for an early promotion to Inner Sect Disciple. At that time, I would be qualified to go to the Hidden Skills Pavilion to exchange for the Fourth Layer and Fifth Layer of the Panshi Skill and continue my secluded cultivation."

"You know Alchemy as well?" A distinct flash of surprise appeared in Meng Yu Jin’s eyes as she studied Chen Yue again, more seriously this time.

In her experience, disciples who focused on Martial Dao cultivation rarely had profound attainments in the Alchemy Dao, and vice versa.

’This disciple’s Martial Dao Talent had already surprised me, and now he knows Alchemy too?’

Chen Yue nodded with a smile on his face. "I was an apprentice at an apothecary in a small town before. I studied the Alchemy Skill for a few years and can barely refine some Elixirs."

Meng Yu Jin didn’t press him on what Elixirs he could refine. She just pondered for a moment before saying slowly:

"If you have any questions about your cultivation, you don’t have to wait for the fifth of the month. You can come find me here anytime."

Upon hearing this, a look of delight involuntarily appeared on Chen Yue’s face.

This meant that Martial Uncle Meng, who only gave guidance once a month, had opened the door for him to seek her guidance at any time. This was undoubtedly a great sign of recognition and preferential treatment.

Chen Yue suppressed his excitement and immediately bowed. "Yes! Thank you, Martial Uncle Meng!"

Meng Yu Jin said no more. She just gave a slight nod, then turned, pushed open the courtyard gate, and walked inside.

Chen Yue stood where he was, gazing at the closed courtyard gate, his thoughts churning.

’Today’s gains far exceeded my expectations.’

A moment later, Chen Yue clasped his hands towards the gate, then turned and walked slowly down the mountain path.

Meng Yu Jin stood at the entrance of her small courtyard, remaining still for a moment. Instead of going inside, she sat down under the old, leafy locust tree in the yard.

On the stone table was a pot of still-warm light tea. She poured herself a cup but didn’t drink it immediately, merely gazing at the steam curling up from the cup, her gaze profound as she seemed to be pondering something.

After about an hour, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate. Immediately after, a woman’s lively voice called out, "Master, you were looking for me?"

As the voice faded, an agile figure walked straight through the open courtyard gate.

The newcomer was a young woman of about twenty, dressed in the smart uniform of a Panshi Sect’s Outer Disciple. Her posture was erect, and her features held a heroic and spirited air.

Her eyes were bright and full of life. She was looking at Meng Yu Jin by the stone table with curiosity and affection, a wide grin on her face.

When Meng Yu Jin saw this disciple, the usual coldness on her face was replaced by a rare, gentle smile.

She put down her teacup, her tone much softer than when she addressed other disciples. "What, can’t I call for you unless there’s a problem?"

This female disciple was none other than Meng Yu Jin’s personal disciple, Liu Wenying.

Hearing her master’s words, she quickly waved her hands, an eager smile on her face. "You jest, Master! When you summon me, I am at your beck and call, no questions asked!"

Meng Yu Jin smiled and shook her head, clearly doting on this lively disciple.

She looked Liu Wenying up and down and asked, "Have you been slacking off in your cultivation recently?"

Hearing this, Liu Wenying immediately puffed out her chest, her face filled with confidence and pride.

She didn’t waste words, simply taking two steps back, falling into a stance, and throwing a punch with a WHOOSH.

The wind from her fist was sharp, her Power heavy and condensed, yet she could release and retract it at will, displaying a solid foundation and impressive Cultivation.

After finishing the punch, Liu Wenying withdrew her stance and stood tall, grinning as she said:

"See, Master? I’ve been training hard, not slacking off in the slightest! I’m confident that in a few more months, I’ll break through to the Marrow Refining Realm, pass Panshi Lane in one go, and become an Inner Sect Disciple!"

Meng Yu Jin watched her punch, feeling the Power and momentum within it. Her expression softened slightly, and she nodded faintly. "Mm, not bad. You indeed haven’t been lazy."

To earn a "not bad" from her master, Liu Wenying’s face immediately broke into a brilliant smile.

She knew very well how strict her master’s standards were. Normally, even getting a "passable" was difficult. If she were caught slacking off, the punishment would be merciless.

Meng Yu Jin watched her disciple’s joyful expression, took a sip of her tea, and said slowly, "I called you here today because there is something I need you to do."

Liu Wenying immediately wiped the smile from her face and said seriously, "Please speak, Master! I’ll be sure to handle it properly!"

Meng Yu Jin set down her teacup and looked toward the courtyard gate.

"There is a new Outer Sect Disciple named Chen Yue. Go and investigate his background and origins. The more detailed, the better."

"Chen Yue?"

Hearing this, Liu Wenying’s brows twitched, and a glint of curiosity and excitement flashed in her eyes. "A new Outer Sect Disciple? Master, are you planning to take on a junior martial brother?"

Meng Yu Jin glanced at her, her tone flat. "If your cultivation slows down any more, I’m afraid it won’t be long before his Cultivation surpasses yours."

When Liu Wenying heard this, her eyes went wide, and an indignant look appeared on her face.

"Master! Don’t look down on me! I’ve almost completely comprehended the Fourth Layer Heart Method of the Panshi Skill that you taught me!

Once I break through to the Marrow Refining Realm and pass Panshi Lane, I’ll be a proper Inner Sect Disciple! What does a newcomer like him have to compare with me?"

Meng Yu Jin didn’t immediately refute her. Instead, she lifted her teacup, took a slow sip, and then asked in an unhurried tone, "How long did it take you to fully comprehend the First Three Layers of the Panshi Skill?"

A look of pride appeared on Liu Wenying’s face as she puffed out her chest. "Only five months, and I had basically comprehended it all!"

Meng Yu Jin nodded, put down her teacup, and looked at Liu Wenying with a calm gaze.

"That Chen Yue received the First Three Layers of the Panshi Skill exactly nine days ago. His level of comprehension is such that he has already basically grasped its profound mysteries. As I see it, in another month or so, he will have completely comprehended the First Three Layers."

"Nine days? Basically grasped? Impossible!"

Liu Wenying’s already large eyes grew even wider, and her voice rose a few notches.

"Master, did he secretly learn the Panshi Skill before? Yes! That must be it! He must have encountered the Panshi Skill’s Technique through some other channel long ago!"

Meng Yu Jin looked at her disciple’s incredulous expression and couldn’t help but shake her head lightly, a helpless smile on her face.

"Nothing is impossible. Your Talent is indeed good, but it’s only good. This world is a vast place; there will always be those who are simply born different."