Volume One: The First Steps on the Path Chapter Sixty-Two: Tempering the Art

After Yin Jia departed, the vast room was left with only Director Liu. He picked up the teacup before him, tasted a sip, then set it down, his thoughts turning to what Yin Jia had just discussed.

Reviewing the entire matter in his mind, he murmured to himself, “It truly is an era of stars shining brightly. Haven’t some strange prodigies entered other departments this year as well?”

“I hope you all can grow swiftly. Before that event arrives, let us old-timers shoulder a few more days for you.” As he spoke, a sigh escaped him, and in that moment, his visage seemed to age significantly.

Having spoken these words alone, exhaustion seemed to settle on him. He closed his eyes, silent and unmoving in his chair, as if he had drifted into sleep.

...

The conversation between Yin Jia and Director Liu was, of course, unknown to those in the classroom, where Sun Yu led the students in their study of spellcraft. Everyone’s attention was riveted on Sun Yu as he demonstrated the technique they would learn that day.

Sun Yu’s hands moved ceaselessly, his lips murmuring incantations. Soon, a strange ripple emanated from his hands.

Sensing this uncanny fluctuation, the students’ gazes grew more focused, curiosity piqued as they waited to see what Sun Yu would do next.

He did not keep them waiting long. With continued motion, a sphere imbued with a mysterious aura appeared in his hands. Like a mass of air, its shape shifted constantly—now this form, now another—like a playful child, endlessly morphing.

This sight elicited wonder in the eyes of the students, their curiosity about the enigmatic sphere plain to see.

Noticing their interest, Sun Yu spoke, “I imagine you’re all curious about what this thing in my hand is.”

They nodded eagerly; their expressions alone betrayed their inner thoughts.

Observing their reaction, Sun Yu said, “Allow me to resolve your doubts.”

At his words, they nodded vigorously, as if they had waited forever for this explanation.

Seeing them so eager, Sun Yu smiled inwardly, thinking, “These children don’t show much usually, but the moment spellcraft is involved, they’re suddenly diligent and attentive.”

The students could not know Sun Yu’s inner musings. Pushing aside his thoughts, Sun Yu continued, “What I now hold is the spell we will study and cultivate today.”

At his words, the students’ eyes lit up, their expressions confirming their suspicions.

“Judging by your faces, you’re all impatient to learn this spell, aren’t you?” Sun Yu observed their excitement.

Their anticipation intensified, eyes brimming with enthusiasm—certain that the lesson was about to begin. Some could not help but call out, “Yes, yes, teacher, please teach us!” Others chimed in, “That’s right, teacher, teach us quickly!”

Sun Yu was not annoyed by their clamor; he understood their feelings well, remembering his own eagerness at their age.

He smiled, gesturing for silence, and the students quickly obeyed.

Seeing quiet restored, Sun Yu said, “Don’t be anxious. I will teach you this spell shortly. Please wait a moment.”

They nodded obediently, ready to follow his every word.

Watching their transformation into well-behaved pupils, Sun Yu was momentarily amused, but not displeased—understanding their thoughts. He said, “Next, I’ll demonstrate the spell’s effects, and then we’ll begin learning in earnest.”

Upon hearing this, the students’ anticipation and excitement grew, their eyes fixed on Sun Yu, fearful of missing anything important.

Sun Yu said no more, focusing his mind as his hands moved again.

The mysterious sphere in his hand began to change form. From its original spherical shape, it started to elongate. In no time, the sphere had transformed into a long spear or lance reminiscent of those seen in dramas. The spear radiated a milky white light, exuding an aura both mysterious and heroic, and Sun Yu, holding it, seemed more vigorous and imposing, causing the female students to feel their hearts flutter.

The students, seeing the once-mysterious sphere become such an extraordinary spear, grew even more excited, knowing this was only the beginning.

Indeed, Sun Yu did not stop there. He spoke, “I believe your curiosity is only heightened by this transformation. But just this is not enough to convey the spell’s true power. Let me show you.”

While speaking, his hands continued their work. Suddenly, above the space within the formation, numerous monument-like stone tablets appeared—huge, imposing, radiating a sense of weight and gravity.

The students raised their heads, gazing curiously at the tablets overhead. Sun Yu, seeing this, did something else and said, “Everyone, please step back a bit.”

Obediently, the students retreated.

As they moved back, the stone tablets began to descend. Thanks to the unique spatial properties of the formation, even these enormous tablets, once landed, did not take up much room—standing quietly on the ground.

Once all had descended, Sun Yu said, “These tablets are the testing stones we’ll use today. Once you’ve mastered the spell, you’ll use these for your trials.”

The students nodded, understanding.

Seeing their comprehension, Sun Yu relaxed. “Now, please watch carefully what I do next.”

At his words, all eyes shifted from the tablets back to Sun Yu.

He gripped the spear tightly, raised it in a throwing stance, aimed at a distant tablet, and hurled it with force.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!” Loud crashes echoed as the spear flew.

Everyone’s gaze followed the spear. Upon impact, it seemed imbued with immense power, shattering the sturdy tablet into fragments. The spear lingered atop the rubble briefly, then, as if its energy were spent and with no new source, it gradually dissolved into the air.

The students were stunned by the dramatic display, mouths agape, eyes wide as bells. They had not imagined such a spear could possess such destructive force, nor that Sun Yu, whose physique was not especially robust, could unleash such a powerful strike.

Sun Yu, noticing their dazed expressions, coughed a few times.

His voice snapped them from their reverie, prompting calls: “Teacher, I want to learn this!” “That’s so cool! Teacher, teach me!”—such cries rose in waves.

Sun Yu smiled, clapped his hands for silence, and the students immediately quieted.

Nodding with satisfaction, Sun Yu said, “I know you all want to learn this now. Don’t worry, I will soon distribute the cultivation jade slips for this spell.”

The students’ eyes brightened with joy; some even raised their fists in triumph, their expressions and gestures proclaiming, “Finally, I waited and didn’t give up.”

Seeing their excitement, Sun Yu’s face softened with a radiant smile, as if recalling something dear.

The girls who watched him were now utterly captivated, their breath quickening as they gazed greedily at his face, not wanting to miss the exquisite scene.

Noticing this, Sun Yu quickly put away his smile, returning to his composed demeanor, thinking, “That was a lapse—I must be more careful in the future.”

With this in mind, Sun Yu refocused and said, “The spell I demonstrated is called ‘Narrative Guidance.’”

The students looked puzzled, wondering what the name meant.

Knowing their curiosity, Sun Yu explained, “I’ll clarify briefly. This spell’s literal meaning is to narrate your inner intent and guide it out through spellcraft. The specifics will become clear as you practice.”

With that, Sun Yu produced a pile of jade slips from his spatial artifact and gestured for them to be distributed.

When all had received their slips, Sun Yu said, “Let’s begin cultivation. I believe you all know how to use the jade slips.”

The students nodded and sat cross-legged, pressing the slips to their foreheads, just as they had when first practicing the Xuantian Dao Canon.