Chapter Two: Am I Really Going to Become a Demonic Cultivator?

The Elder walked ahead, speaking as he went, “There are eight others before you; you will study with them. They also live within this courtyard. Ahead are your rooms—put down your things, then come join us for study.”

The Elder casually gestured toward a row of houses. The three of them didn’t dare speak further and went to find their rooms on their own.

Wen Yue chose a room at the end of the corridor. It was very simple—just a bed, a cabinet, a desk, and a chair, nothing else.

He didn’t hesitate either. Tossing his bundle onto the bed, he came back out. The other two followed suit, seemingly sharing the same thought.

The Elder said nothing. Seeing that everyone had come out, he turned and headed toward another building—presumably where their studies would take place.

The entire courtyard was unusually quiet, suffocating even. Wen Yue had initially wanted to say something upon realizing that Elder Zhao was a kind man, but found himself at a loss for words. Even the other two children seemed to have grown up in an instant, understanding the weight of silence.

Elder Zhao pushed open the door, and Wen Yue and the others followed inside. The room already held eight children—three girls and five boys—all seemingly under ten years old.

“These are your fellow students. Introduce yourselves,” Elder Zhao said.

“Wen Yue.”

“Mu Qingyang.”

“Liu Changming.”

“Do all three of you know how to read?” Elder Zhao asked.

They all nodded. Elder Zhao looked at them with a hint of surprise.

“Since you can all read, today we will officially begin teaching the cultivation method. I hope you listen carefully. This is the foundation for your future survival and standing.” Elder Zhao had the demeanor of a teacher in that moment.

Wen Yue felt conflicted to the point of despair. Was he really going to learn the demonic sect’s cultivation method and become a demonic cultivator for life?

If he were a native of this world, young and without much sense of right and wrong, then learning it would be no problem. But he was born in the modern era, a genuine successor of socialism, nurtured by the values of integrity and beauty—a person who would feel guilty even for cutting in line at the store.

Now, being asked to learn the demonic sect’s methods and later wield the butcher’s knife—that was utterly impossible! Yet it seemed he had no choice. Since he could not change his fate, he might as well accept it and strive to adapt.

He resolved to give it his all—to master the most formidable demonic art and make those demonic cultivators tremble before him.

Wen Yue gave himself a long mental pep talk to relax and prepare for learning.

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And so it began...

“Today we start with the opening chapter of the Five Elements Technique—the Introduction to Qi Guidance. Sit cross-legged and watch my movements,” Elder Zhao instructed, sitting cross-legged at the front.

The Five Elements Technique? That hardly sounded like a demonic art!

“Wait! This isn’t right! Why are we learning the Five Elements Technique? Who wants to learn some soft, limp method? Aren’t we supposed to be learning the Heavenly Demonic Art?” one boy immediately objected.

Others nodded in agreement; they shared the same sentiment.

Wen Yue was pleased—who was causing trouble here? Turning to look, he saw a boy radiating fierce hostility, carrying the weight of several deaths on his young shoulders. This was undoubtedly a promising candidate for the Heavenly Demonic Sect.

Examining the other children closely, Wen Yue noticed three had already taken lives, and the rest were brimming with violent energy. One in particular seemed shy and timid, crouching in a corner—but do not underestimate him; at least five had died at his hands.

It seemed that no matter the cultivation method, survival meant surpassing these wolves. Even a tender cabbage must transform into a man-eating flower to survive!

In this light, Elder Zhao was truly remarkable—managing to live among such a pack of wolves while maintaining his nature was a rare feat. This would be Wen Yue’s goal for a long time to come.

Elder Zhao remained unoffended and calmly explained, “The decision for you to cultivate the Five Elements Technique was made by the Sect Leader. Before he assumed leadership, many directly cultivated the Heavenly Demonic Art. Without a foundation, the Heavenly Demonic Art is volatile; many died bursting their bodies upon attempting to guide the qi. It was only after the Sect Leader arrived that later cultivators were instructed to first practice the Five Elements Technique.”

“Is it really that deadly?”

“When can we switch to the Heavenly Demonic Art?”

“You must reach at least the third level of Dao Qi before changing cultivation methods. It’s best to be at the fifth level.”

That was good—delaying the switch was preferable.

Everyone seemed satisfied. Elder Zhao continued, speaking clearly and patiently, like an elementary school teacher. Wen Yue understood after just one explanation.

“This is a foundational method; nearly everyone in the cultivation world knows it. It is also the base for the Five Elements Sect’s techniques, so do not underestimate it. If practiced well, it can even serve as your own foundation establishment,” Elder Zhao added, urging them to practice diligently.

Wen Yue listened with enthusiasm—this was exactly the method he wanted. Besides, he had five spiritual roots, albeit not balanced among the five elements.

Elder Zhao then guided them through the initial meditation—clearing the mind and settling the thoughts.

But as Wen Yue relaxed and sat down, he found his body trembling slightly, unable to enter a meditative state.

He didn’t blame himself. Having experienced so much upheaval today, just not breaking down emotionally was an achievement.

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Unable to calm his mind, Wen Yue resolved to memorize Elder Zhao’s instructions carefully and practice slowly once back in his room. He listened intently.

He diligently took note of how to meditate, how to perceive and guide qi into the body—Elder Zhao’s own experiences. Whether they would help or not, Wen Yue committed them to memory.

“These are my insights from when I first guided qi into my body. How you cultivate depends on yourselves. Each person’s situation is different; you can reference my thoughts, but ultimately, it depends on your affinity with spiritual energy—your spiritual root value.”

“For example, two cultivators with single fire roots—one with a spiritual root value of ninety-eight and the other fifty—will perceive their first sensation of qi differently. The one with ninety-eight feels blazing fire; the one with fifty perceives only mild warmth.”

“Of course, this is an ideal scenario. You likely don’t have any single-rooted cultivators here. With multiple roots, interference occurs during perception, so your first sensation may be almost nothing. Many sects prefer to recruit single-rooted geniuses, but such are rare in the Linyuan Realm.”

“There is another kind—multiple roots, but one is maxed or near maxed. Those cultivators find perception easier, comparable to single-rooted cultivators. This type is even rarer, and you won’t encounter them.”

“Now, it’s time for you to practice seriously,” Elder Zhao said.

Within minutes, the boy who had challenged Elder Zhao earlier was already struggling. He couldn’t calm his mind and found sitting cross-legged unbearable.

“Old man, are you teaching this right? Sitting like this is so uncomfortable!” he demanded boldly.

“Niuhong Tian, there’s nothing wrong. This is how I practiced. It’s uncomfortable at first but gets better,” Elder Zhao replied gently.

“Fine, I’ll trust you this once,” Niuhong Tian said skeptically.

Everyone was striving to enter meditation, but without a cultivation foundation, even that was difficult.

Soon Niuhong Tian shouted again, “Old man, where is the qi sensation? Why can’t I feel it?”

“It’s normal. Multi-rooted cultivators generally don’t sense qi early on. Otherwise, why do many with poor roots take ten or fifteen days to perceive qi?” Elder Zhao explained.

“So you’re saying my aptitude is bad? Nonsense! You heard it yourself—our Soul Hall Leader said I’m perfectly suited to the Heavenly Demonic Art. Really suited!” Niuhong Tian was relentless, blaming Elder Zhao’s teaching.

Wen Yue thought: With your arrogance and the sins you carry, it would be a waste if you didn’t join the Heavenly Demonic Sect.

“Calm down and slowly perceive. At most, it will take a day or two to feel qi. Don’t rush,” Elder Zhao soothed Niuhong Tian with his gentle temperament.