N-A-A Chapter 4 Becoming an Apprentice
Chapter 4 Becoming an Apprentice
Li Cunzhen was somewhat surprised to hear Zuo Ruotong's words.
It wasn't that he was surprised that Zuo Ruotong knew what he had done, after all, he had known for a long time that the Sanyi Sect members had been keeping an eye on the Lower Courtyard.
To his surprise, Zuo Ruotong actually came to him specifically.
No matter how strange his behavior is, he is still just a child who has not yet mastered the basics.
How could this alarm the dignified leader of the Three Ones Sect?
But since Zuo Ruotong had indeed appeared in front of him, he quickly accepted it and suppressed his surprise.
"In response to Sect Leader Zuo, this disciple has nothing to say."
"Oh? You have nothing to say?"
Upon hearing this, Zuo Ruotong raised an eyebrow.
He had considered many possible answers, but he never expected Li Cunzhen to speak to him like that.
"That's right, nothing more to say." Li Cunzhen cupped his hands again and said, "Whether it's carrying water, chopping wood, or practicing meditation, I simply act according to my heart, and I haven't caused any harm to others in the process."
"Therefore, I do not know what to explain, nor do I know what is worth explaining."
The implication is that he does what he wants and doesn't do what he doesn't want.
There's no particular reason.
Nature needs no explanation, nor can it be explained.
"What a wonderful phrase, 'acting as one pleases'!"
Zuo Ruotong nodded without offering further comment.
Decades ago, Zuo Ruotong, then a child, also participated in the Lower House assessment.
His approach to the situation was different from Li Cunzhen's.
Naturally, he didn't particularly approve of Li Cunzhen's actions.
But Zuo Ruotong understands that people are inherently different.
As long as it doesn't involve anything immoral or that would ruin his future, Zuo Ruotong won't interfere.
At least, Li Cunzhen was speaking from the heart.
This is enough.
Moreover, Li Cunzhen demonstrated that he successfully entered a seated state without any foundation, without mastering the mental techniques, and without entering a quiet room.
And he didn't wake up until after dawn!
It's absolutely terrifying!
Thinking of this, even the Great Ying Immortal Zuo Ruotong couldn't help but look at Li Cunzhen with some surprise.
This story begins an hour ago.
At that time, Zuo Ruotong had just come out of the Sanyi Gate, preparing to go to the town at the foot of the mountain to see an old friend.
When they reached this cliff, they found Li Cunzhen sitting there.
This is nothing special.
Although Li Cunzhen's behavior was somewhat unusual, just as he had thought, it was not enough to alarm Zuo Ruotong.
But Zuo Ruotong suddenly realized that Li Cunzhen had already settled down!
This is really something!
The so-called "sitting still" refers to a profound state in which the six senses are cleared, the mind is scattered yet not chaotic, and concentrated yet not depressed.
It requires eliminating all distracting thoughts to achieve this.
This state is extremely important for cultivators of the Xuanmen sect. Whether it is foundation building or cultivation, they need to sit down in this state to proceed smoothly.
Furthermore, whether one can successfully enter this state, how long it takes to enter it the first time, and how long one can maintain it after entering it are closely related to the cultivator's aptitude for cultivation.
For most people, entering a meditative state for the first time is extremely difficult, and it is common to not be able to do so for months or even years.
This led to the development of countless methods to help cultivators enter a meditative state.
For example, mental techniques, or quiet rooms.
Mental techniques can divert attention, and a quiet room can isolate external influences.
With one inside and one outside, those of average ability were able to smoothly enter the seated state.
With the help of these two things, it usually takes an average person half a month to a month to enter a meditative state for the first time.
Based on this, if one comes from a family of Taoist practitioners or grew up in the Xuanmen (Taoist sect) from a young age.
With exposure and influence, the first time one enters a meditative state, it becomes much easier, and one can often enter a meditative state within seven days.
Those with exceptional intelligence can even enter a meditative state within three days.
But all of this pales in comparison to Li Cunzhen.
Without any special techniques or a quiet room, he successfully entered a meditative state in just a few days!
Upon discovering this, Zuo Ruotong immediately postponed her visit to her old friend and went to observe Li Cunzhen.
Do not see do not know.
Zuo Ruotong thought that it would be good enough if Li Cunzhen could maintain his seated position for half an hour.
But he waited a full hour before Li Cunzhen woke up.
This doesn't even include the time Li Cunzhen spent in meditation before he arrived!
Based on this performance, Zuo Ruotong immediately decided that as long as Li Cunzhen's character was not seriously flawed, he must be taken under his wing!
That's why Zuo Ruotong asked the question just now.
Ultimately, Li Cunzhen's answer was unexpected, but his character was not the problem.
Furthermore, judging from his ability to remain calm even when facing himself, his actions as he pleases, and his unpretentious speech, Li Cunzhen's character can be described as quite outstanding!
At this point, Zuo Ruotong had made up her mind to accept Li Cunzhen as her subordinate.
But before that, there was something Zuo Ruotong knew she didn't need to care too much about, yet she couldn't help asking.
"When did you start meditating on the cliff?"
"Fifteen days ago."
"On which day did you start feeling that sensation?"
"How does it feel?"
Zuo Ruotong couldn't quite describe to Li Cunzhen what it felt like to sit down.
After all, Li Cunzhen was just a child of a few years old, and his family was from a merchant background. If he spoke in a mysterious way, he might not understand.
He could only carefully choose his words.
"It's that feeling... where you feel very relaxed, time flies by, like you're asleep."
Li Cunzhen's eye twitched.
If you're going to enter a meditative state, just say so. You're a dignified immortal of the Great Abundance, don't you know what sitting meditation is?
I may have my own complaints, but that's all I can say.
Li Cunzhen knew that Zuo Ruotong was simply misled by his age and background.
So he thought for a moment and replied, "Probably... the next day."
That's the truth. Even with the foundation from the previous life, the world in this life is different from the previous one, and many things have to be started from scratch.
On the first day, he sat on the cliff for four whole hours.
That taste...
Unforgettable.
Fortunately, it was all worth it to become an immortal.
With that thought in mind, Li Cunzhen focused his gaze on Zuo Ruotong's face.
Sitting still is the foundation of building a solid foundation, which, combined with Zuo Ruotong's somewhat strange behavior and these other issues, makes it even more important.
It's not hard to guess that the time it takes to enter a meditative state for the first time is related to a cultivator's talent.
Moreover, he possesses exceptional talent.
I just don't know whether it's just ordinary excellence or truly outstanding excellence.
"The next day..." Zuo Ruotong was momentarily flustered: "Okay...okay..."
He quickly realized what was happening and looked at Li Cunzhen as if he were looking at a rare treasure.
"Would you be willing to become my disciple?"
It seems to be quite impressive and excellent.
Li Cunzhen had a true assessment of his own abilities.
After all, even though Zuo Ruotong was attracted to Li Muxuan, whose talent was outstanding, in the original work, she was not this eager.
Zuo Ruotong was determined to have Li Cunzhen, while Li Cunzhen had long admired this Immortal Daying.
Therefore, without hesitation, he kowtowed and declared, "This disciple is willing."
Seeing this, Zuo Ruotong's smile widened even more.
He is highly talented, kind-hearted, and decisive when becoming an apprentice, showing a strong sense of belonging to the sect.
Is there a better disciple in the world?
"Alright, now you are my official disciple, Zuo Ruotong's official disciple, and also an official disciple of the Sanyi Sect."
Zuo Ruotong helped Li Cunzhen up.
Then he added:
"Do you want to stay in the lower courtyard and wait for the others' results to come out before going up the mountain together, or do you want to follow me and cultivate now?"
Li Cunzhen replied:
"This disciple does not wish to attract attention, but neither does he wish to waste his time."
"Can I stay in the lower courtyard? Master, please give me the cultivation technique. If I have any questions, I can go up the mountain to ask them myself."
"Very well." Zuo Ruotong nodded slightly upon hearing this. "I still need to go to the town to see an old friend. Come here early tomorrow, and I will pass on our sect's foundation-building technique to you."
"Yes."
Li Cunzhen agreed.