"Thank you, Senior Sister! This musical score is extremely useful to me!" Chen Jinshu held the Score of The Hundred Weapons Converging in her hands, her eyes already captivated by the grand imagery it evoked.
In her ears, it was as if the horns of a mighty army echoed—legions charging into battle.
"Yuzhu's score is indeed impressive, but with such overwhelming power, it's not something your current cultivation level can yet perform," Shui Huanmeng's words instantly brought her back to reality.
"I humbly seek your guidance, Master!"
"If I'm not mistaken, you got this Score of the Hundred Weapons Converging from that rascal Pang Chenfeng, didn't you?" Shui Huanmeng glanced at Dai Yuzhu and said softly.
"Nothing escapes Master's eyes," Dai Yuzhu said with some embarrassment.
"So… can I still keep this score?" Hearing their exchange, Chen Jinshu knew the score's origins were definitely extraordinary.
Compared to the scores she had previously exchanged for in the sect's library, none of those invoked such vivid visions. This alone proved its quality.
"It's fine. You can keep it. I'll invite that brat's master to a spirit meal another day, and the matter will be settled. Besides, that old man can't use this score anyway. Better to let my disciple improve her strength."
"No need to worry. Your senior sister likely won it through a bet, so you acquired it fair and square. Even if that old man tries to make trouble, your Master will handle it for you."Shui Huanmeng gave Chen Jinshu a reassuring smile.
Chen Jinshu smiled softly in response—the first time she truly felt the comfort of having someone to rely on.
"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Senior Sister!"
…
A moment later, the other senior brothers and sisters left, and Chen Jinshu was left alone with Shui Huanmeng.
"You've completed the apprenticeship ceremony, and you've met your fellow disciples. Now it's time to begin your training," Shui Huanmeng explained gently as she looked at the eager Chen Jinshu.
"What cultivation method are you currently practicing?"
"The Verdant Wood Rebirth Formula, from the sect library."
"That method can cultivate all the way to the Nascent Soul stage and suits your spiritual roots well, so I have no other core cultivation techniques to pass on. But if you run into any issues, feel free to come to me."
Though Shui Huanmeng herself did not practice that technique, her insights as a late-Stage Golden Core cultivator were more than sufficient for someone like Chen Jinshu, still in the Qi Refining stage.
Chen Jinshu nodded in understanding.
"Next, I will pass on to you an auxiliary technique for sound cultivators. This will amplify your resonance when playing music. As for how much amplification you get—that's up to your own comprehension."
Shui Huanmeng reached out and gently tapped Chen Jinshu's forehead. Instantly, a new auxiliary technique appeared in Chen Jinshu's sea of consciousness.
"Ten Thousand Echoes Heart Manual!" Chen Jinshu couldn't help but whisper its name aloud when she saw it in her mind.
"They say music arises from the heart. The strength of sound cultivation lies in the breadth of your inner world. 'All Sounds' can be anything—as long as you can imagine it, it exists. And if it exists in your heart, you can manifest it through your playing."
Shui Huanmeng smiled gently. She had once obtained this technique from a powerful sound cultivator in the Xuanming Cave Heaven. It had helped her stand out among the disciples of Medicine King Peak.
Though not her main technique, it was as valuable as one—when she played her pipa, anything she imagined could be expressed: to attack, to defend, or to manipulate the enemy's mind.
Its potential was immense.
After listening, a ripple stirred in Chen Jinshu's usually calm heart. Had she misunderstood? So long as she could imagine something through this technique, she could manifest it through her music?
When she played The Cry of Cranes Among the Pines she could already invoke images of pine trees and celestial cranes. But with this technique, perhaps she could conjure even more.
"If I master this technique, I might be able to produce a surprising effect at a critical moment..."
Her confidence in the upcoming outer sect tournament grew even more. Though she had already secured a spot in the Xuanming Cave Heaven thanks to the alchemy competition, the tournament wasn't just a test of strength—it was a battlefield for growth.
Shui Huanmeng then spent half an hour detailing the intricacies of the auxiliary technique. Thanks to her excellent memory, Chen Jinshu memorized everything her master said without missing a single word.
"That's enough for today. Say too much, and you'll forget it."
"Thank you, Master, for this invaluable technique!"
"I rarely encounter a disciple talented in sound cultivation, so of course I'll teach you everything I can. But don't pressure yourself—take it naturally. Back then, even I took half a year to grasp the basics!"
"I understand." Chen Jinshu was a bit surprised but didn't show it outwardly.
She hadn't expected her master to take so long to get started with the technique. Clearly, it wasn't easy to learn. But she had her own secret advantage—resources and a cheat-like talent—so she wasn't too worried.
"By the way, there are only three or four months left before the outer sect competition. Are you planning to participate?" Shui Huanmeng suddenly asked.
"Yes, I'd like to test my abilities," Chen Jinshu nodded.
"Good! Though our Medicine King Peak focuses on cultivating spiritual herbs, in the cultivation world, strength is everything. Without it, you're just a target."
Shui Huanmeng's eyes revealed a hint of appreciation. She had already been informed by the Peak Lord to ensure at least one disciple joined the outer sect competition to bring some honor to their peak. Now that Chen Jinshu was taking the initiative, she didn't need to push it further.
"This storage pouch has some spirit stones, and a blue jade pendant I used for protection when I was at the Foundation Establishment stage. Keep it for the tournament—it will serve you well. The golden belt can be your trump card if things get dangerous."
Shui Huanmeng thought for a moment. As her youngest disciple, Chen Jinshu deserved some pampering—one defensive artifact just wouldn't be enough. So she waved her hand and gave her another.
"Thank you, Master, for your generous gifts!"
"Mm. Go back and rest for now. You've worked hard enough with the alchemy trials today."
"Disciple takes her leave!"
…
After bidding farewell, Chen Jinshu left the hall, still feeling as though she were dreaming. In the courtyard, the fiery-feathered crane let out a soft cry and walked up to her.
"Thank you for your help." Chen Jinshu said, feeding it a pill.
Moments later, the fire-feathered crane carried her back to Medicine King Peak, where she quickly made her way to Ink Plum Garden. Whether it was due to her recent fame or some other reason, she overheard many disciples talking on the way back.
Apparently, a few mid-stage Qi Refining disciples had been accepted as personal disciples by elders—quite the stroke of luck.
Rather than feeling upset, Chen Jinshu agreed with them. Being accepted as the personal disciple of the only female core cultivator on the entire peak—wasn't that luck too? Just a kind of luck others didn't have.
Back at Ink Plum Garden, she immediately opened the storage pouch her master had gifted her. Inside were a dazzling blue jade pendant, about a thousand spirit stones, and a formation token from the Biyi Palace.
"Master is seriously wealthy!"