Chapter 130: What is a Prodigy?

Chapter 130: Chapter 130: What is a Prodigy?

A bright light flashed in Chen Yue’s eyes. He looked down at his hands, feeling the surging power within his body, and a faint smile touched his lips.

Today’s gains far exceeded his expectations. The effects of the Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pill were even better than he had imagined.

’Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion to exchange for a few more Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining Pills and see where my limits truly lie. If I can withstand it, my cultivation speed will increase even further.’

「The next morning」

At the faint light of dawn, while the mountain mist had not yet completely scattered, the dining hall on Dan Peak was already filled with many disciples eating their morning meal.

Billowing steam rose from rows of rice buckets, carrying the fragrant scent of congee.

Chen Yue stepped through the dining hall’s entrance, just as he always did.

Unlike yesterday, when no one paid him any mind and everyone seemed to be deliberately avoiding him, today a few disciples actually nodded to him in greeting. Someone even called out "Good morning, Senior Brother Chen" from a distance.

Although their voices still held a hint of caution, it was a world of difference compared to the cold shoulder he’d received yesterday.

’It seems the news of my promotion to Inner Sect Disciple yesterday has really made an impact.’

Many disciples were already beginning to re-evaluate Chen Yue’s standing. An Inner Sect Disciple capable of refining the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill, with a master like Meng Yu Jin—a peak Refining Organ Realm expert—was no longer a helpless lamb to the slaughter when facing the Mutual Aid Association.

Chen Yue nodded back to each of the disciples who greeted him, neither warm nor cold, maintaining a perfect sense of distance.

After finishing his meal, he didn’t head straight for the Hundred Herbs Pavilion as usual. Instead, he turned and followed the mountain path toward Panshi Peak.

Crystal-clear dewdrops still clung to the grass by the mountain path, glittering in the light of the rising sun.

Chen Yue walked at a leisurely pace, passing through several winding mountain trails before arriving outside Meng Yu Jin’s courtyard.

The courtyard was as quiet and secluded as ever, shaded by green bamboo. A few nameless wildflowers bloomed silently in a corner by the wall.

Chen Yue stopped before the courtyard gate, straightened his robes, then raised his hand and knocked lightly on the wooden door.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

A moment later, the gate opened from within.

Meng Yu Jin’s cool, aloof face appeared behind the door. When she saw it was Chen Yue standing outside, a faint smile graced her usually cold features.

"Come in."

Chen Yue followed Meng Yu Jin into the courtyard and came to a stop beside the stone table under the old locust tree.

The morning breeze brushed past, carrying the fresh scent of grass, trees, and earth. Chen Yue respectfully cupped his hands in a salute, his voice clear.

"Master, your disciple was at the Hundred Herbs Pavilion yesterday and attempted to refine the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill. I passed Dan Peak’s assessment and have been promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple."

"It was too late yesterday, so I dared not disturb Master’s cultivation. I have come this morning specifically to report this matter to you."

Hearing Chen Yue’s words, the smile on Meng Yu Jin’s face grew a little wider.

Yesterday, when she heard from Liu Wenying that Chen Yue had been promoted to the Inner Sect, she had been pleased, but also felt a faint flicker of doubt. Why hadn’t Chen Yue come to share the good news with her immediately?

She, Meng Yu Jin, was not some narrow-minded person who would be displeased over such a small matter, but it would be a lie to say she didn’t care at all.

After all, they were master and disciple. When a disciple achieved something, a master always hoped to be the first to share in that joy.

Now, hearing Chen Yue’s explanation, the last imperceptible trace of unease in her heart vanished into thin air.

She nodded, her tone filled with gratification and expectation.

"I am very pleased that you were able to become an Inner Sect Disciple through your Alchemy Skill. This shows that your attainments in the Alchemy Dao have indeed reached a considerable level."

"However, you must remember that Martial Arts Cultivation is the foundation. Alchemy Skill, while good, is ultimately an auxiliary path. You must not slack off in your cultivation in the slightest."

Chen Yue smiled and nodded, his expression solemn. "Rest assured, Master. I dare not slack off in my training. I am well aware that while Alchemy Skill can be a great help, my own cultivation is the true foundation to rely on."

Meng Yu Jin poured herself a cup of clear tea. The liquid filled the cup with a crisp sound, and its fragrance drifted on the morning breeze, mingling with the scent of the courtyard’s plants and earth.

She lifted the teacup and blew on it gently, but did not drink immediately. Instead, she looked at Chen Yue and said, "Have you encountered any difficulties in cultivating the Fourth Layer of the Panshi Skill I taught you the day before yesterday?"

Chen Yue shook his head, his tone calm.

"Reporting to Master, I have no difficulties. In fact, combining my recent training and practice—especially my experience on the Life and Death Platform the other day—I have instead come to a different understanding and gained some new insights into the Panshi Skill."

"I came today not only to report my promotion to Master, but also to ask if Master could bestow upon me the Heart Method for the Fifth Layer of the Panshi Skill as well."

Meng Yu Jin had just raised the teacup to her lips when she heard his words. Her hand paused, and her brows furrowed.

She set the cup down and looked at Chen Yue seriously, her voice tinged with a note of caution.

"Chen Yue, one must not be lazy in cultivation, but one must also not be impatient for success. You’ve only had the Heart Method for the Fourth Layer for two days. You want to learn the Fifth Layer so soon?"

"Do you know how many Inner Sect Disciples need months, or even half a year, just to comprehend the mysteries of the Fourth Layer’s Heart Method after receiving it? Don’t let recent events make you impetuous. The path of the Martial Dao abhors impatience and rashness."

Chen Yue nodded, his expression sincere and earnest.

"You are right, Master. I understand that principle. However, at a certain point last night, I truly did gain some of my own insights and comprehension regarding the first four layers of the Panshi Skill. I’m not being overambitious."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yu Jin’s frown deepened.

’Two days, and Chen Yue is already saying he’s gained understanding and insight? That speed is a little too fast.’

Even among the genius disciples known for their comprehension, few could grasp a brand new Heart Method to such a profound degree in just two short days.

"Master, Master! Is Junior Brother here?"

Just as Meng Yu Jin was about to say more, a clear and cheerful voice suddenly called out from a distance, cutting her off.

Immediately after, Liu Wenying’s figure appeared at the courtyard gate. She spotted Chen Yue in the courtyard at a glance, her eyes instantly lit up, and she bounded over in a few quick steps.

She looked Chen Yue up and down, then clapped him forcefully on the shoulder. The force was so great that Chen Yue’s shoulder dipped slightly.

"I saw the gate was open and knew it had to be you! Junior Brother, you’re pretty incredible! You were just on the Life and Death Platform the day before yesterday, and yesterday you were already an Inner Sect Disciple!"

Chen Yue smiled and cupped his hands in a salute to Liu Wenying, his attitude humble. "Greetings, Senior Sister. Becoming an Inner Sect Disciple was just a stroke of luck."

When Liu Wenying heard Chen Yue still call her "Senior Sister," her large eyes crinkled into happy crescents, her face beaming with a satisfied smile.

"There’s no luck involved in becoming an Inner Sect Disciple! Impressive is impressive! Stop being so modest! Besides, the fact that someone as amazing as you still calls me Senior Sister means you still respect me as one!"

Seeing Liu Wenying’s smug look, Meng Yu Jin couldn’t help but shake her head helplessly, though her eyes held a trace of affection.

She put down her teacup and looked at Chen Yue again, her expression turning serious. "Chen Yue, do you still wish to learn the Fifth Layer of the Panshi Skill?"

Chen Yue turned his head to meet Meng Yu Jin’s gaze without flinching and nodded. "Yes. I ask that Master bestow the method upon me."

Hearing the conversation between Meng Yu Jin and Chen Yue, Liu Wenying’s smile froze slightly. Her eyes widened a little as she stared at Chen Yue in surprise.

"The Fifth Layer of the Panshi Skill? Didn’t you just learn the Fourth Layer? And you already want to learn the Fifth?"

Chen Yue looked at Liu Wenying and chuckled softly.

"A lot has happened recently, giving me many new insights into the Panshi Skill. I wanted to strike while the iron is hot and build upon this understanding."

Liu Wenying bit her lip and shook her head like a rattle drum, clearly not believing that Chen Yue had truly comprehended the Fourth Layer of the Panshi Skill to any great extent.

Meng Yu Jin didn’t respond immediately, remaining silent for a moment.

She raised her teacup, took a gentle sip, and her gaze lingered on Chen Yue for a long time. Then, Meng Yu Jin slowly lowered the cup and spoke.

"Chen Yue, perform a round of the Panshi Fist for me to see."

"Yes!"

Chen Yue nodded, took a few steps back to the empty space in the center of the courtyard, took a deep breath, sank into his stance, and assumed the opening posture of the Panshi Fist.

In the next moment, the wind from his fists whistled, and his power felt heavy and condensed.

Every one of Chen Yue’s punches, palm strikes, and steps carried the characteristic weight and fierce power of the Panshi Skill.

The bluestone ground beneath his feet trembled slightly with his movements, as if the very earth was responding to his fist’s momentum.

But unlike the past few days, there was now an indescribable quality to his Fist Technique—a kind of fluidity, an agility, a sense of harmony that seemed to be in sync with the breath of heaven and earth.

Each punch he threw carried a natural momentum, as majestic as a towering mountain and as powerful as a rushing river.

Liu Wenying had been watching casually, a slight smile on her face, ready to find a flaw in Chen Yue’s Fist Technique at any moment so she could refute him later.

But after a few breaths, the smile on Liu Wenying’s face began to stiffen, and her expression grew more and more serious.

A few more breaths passed, and her eyes widened, her mouth fell slightly agape, and her face was a mask of utter disbelief.

She subconsciously glanced at her master, Meng Yu Jin, hoping to find some answers in her expression, because she herself could no longer gauge the depth of Chen Yue’s Fist Technique.

The conceptual intent contained within his Fist Technique had far surpassed her understanding of what it meant to have "just learned it for two days." In fact, Liu Wenying felt that the conceptual intent in Chen Yue’s Fist Technique was even more profound than her own in the Fourth Layer of the Panshi Skill.

Meng Yu Jin said nothing, merely watching Chen Yue’s Fist Technique in silence.

Her gaze shifted from initial scrutiny to focused attention, and then from focused attention to a complex, unreadable expression.

Her fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the stone chair, the rhythm faintly matching the momentum of Chen Yue’s fists.