Chu Li slowly nodded. “The Nature Restoration Manifestation isn’t like the Eye of Insight that sees directly into the mind?”

　　“Yes,” Shen Xu nodded. “You can’t see into the mind, but you can sense it. It is an abstruse feeling. Once you master it, you’ll understand. The Nature Restoration Manifestation didn’t turn out spectacularly for me, but it might be different in your case. You are much wittier!”

　　Chu Li smiled and shook his head. “Senior Shen is overly humble.”

　　“You should call me master!” Shen Xu shook his head. “I never say untrue things, I tell it like it is. Listen to this incantation.”

　　He read out a line of incantation while Chu Li carefully listened.

　　Shen Xu had him repeat and Chu Li delivered without any mistake.

　　Shen Xu nodded. “If after three times, one is unable to memorize it, then he is not suitable to cultivate this technique. You remembered it the first time, therefore, you are compatible with this technique and it will have a strong impact in your hands. I will carefully describe it to you.”

　　Chu Li nodded and listened closely.

　　Unknowingly, an hour soon passed. Chu Li no longer had any questions and all that was left to do was cultivate.

　　Shen Xu took out a jade white statue.

　　It was about the size of a palm and looked as though it was alive. It was a sculpture of a feather robed practitioner; its beautiful face was smiling, and its steps were light. A spiritual energy of elegance wafted over.

　　“This is the inheritance of our Nature Peak Manifestation,” said Shen Xu. “Without this, even with the heart technique cannot be cultivated.”

　　As he said these words, he handed it over to Chu Li. “Hold onto it when you start to cultivate, if you are able to begin.”

　　Chu Li took it and immediately felt its smooth surface. It looked like jade but wasn’t. The material was peculiar.

　　The moment he felt it, he knew it wasn’t jade. It was sturdy and solid, to the point where blades could not leave a scratch on it.

　　Whilst holding the jade white statue, he closed his eyes and began circulating the heart technique.

　　The spiritual force of Heaven and Earth started to circulate in an odd route which he has never thought of before. Whilst channeling, a sudden scorching force crept upward from his palms into his body, bleeding out the spiritual force that was circulating within.

　　After a full cycle, his mind brightened, and he suddenly felt like he was a space which was identical to the room he was previously in.

　　As the Nature Restoration Manifestation flowed, the scorching force entered wave by wave.

　　The room first popped into his mind. After this, he saw himself, and then Shen Xu.

　　The Shen Xu in Chu Li’s mind was staring straight at him.

　　His brows were in a slight knot. His gaze was crystal clear. His lips gently pursed and his shoulders pulled back. He balled his hands into fists such that the muscle on his back tightened. He was looking at him earnestly as if about to speak at any time.

　　Chu Li couldn’t see what was in Shen Xu’s mind, but he could tell he was nervous and wanted to come forth to help. Moreover, he wanted to explain the incantation to help him.

　　This was an abstruse feeling, as if everything was in his control. He could see what Shen Xu’s next move was going to be with just one look.

　　“How is it?” Seeing that he had opened his eyes, Shen Xu quickly asked.

　　Chu Li smiled. “I saw you and me in my mind. Does that mean I cultivated it?”

　　“Indeed, you’re brilliant!” Shen Xu deepened his voice and nodded. “Uh-huh, it’s considered done. Now the next thing is to slowly reel it in and mature it so that you may see further, wider, and deeper.”

　　Chu Li nodded. “Thank you, Senior Shen.”

　　“I can be considered your teaching master,” Shen Xu said, “Your previous master taught you ways of Buddhism, but I’m teaching you martial arts. There are different sections.”

　　“Yes, thank you… master,” Chu Li shook his head, smiled and closed fist saluted.

　　He wasn’t used to it as his respected teacher was Great Master Tian Ye from Autumn Temple. He had returned a couple of times since, but now that he was all and well, it was time to return for a visit.

　　“Sigh…” Shen Xu shook his head and sighed. “It’s not that I want you to call me master, but it is out of absolute necessity! The Nature Peak Manifestation is now left with only one apprenticeship, you and I.”

　　Chu Li was stunned.

　　Shen Xu continued, “The martial arts study of the Nature Peak Manifestation is hard to cultivate, yet its impact is ordinary, so there is a scarcity of disciples. Besides the disciples from the other peaks who are simultaneously cultivating other martial arts, you are the only official disciple.”

　　Chu Li gave a bitter smile. “That hard, huh?”

　　“The talent requirement is too high,” Shen Xu shook his head. “If it weren’t for me consuming a miraculous fruit when young, I wouldn’t have been able to cultivate it too.”

　　Chu Li stared at him curiously.

　　Shen Xu continued, “Big sister had obtained an ancient ruin, with this miraculous fruit having been left behind by it. There was two, I took one while the other was given to Young Qi.”

　　Chu Li slowly nodded.

　　He deduced that this miraculous fruit must have strengthened the soul. However, although Shen Xu’s soul was stronger than an ordinary person’s, it could not stop his Omniscient Mirror from peeping through. He was far behind Xiao Qi, which could be due to the martial arts that he chose to cultivate.

　　Shen Xu said, “With you, the Nature Restoration Manifestation will not come to an end. After I die, you will become the peak leader. Then, you will do the same as I — Find a successor and keep the Nature Restoration Manifestation alive!”

　　Chu Li smiled. “It’s too early to speak of this.”

　　Shen Xu added, “That’s true. Those who cultivate the Nature Restoration Manifestation have a long lifeline, even three hundred years is not a problem. Alright then, it’s not suitable for you to stay so long. You may go now.”

　　“… Master, are you leaving?” Asked Chu Li.

　　He was not accustomed to the word ‘master’. It was awkward for him to say.

　　Shen Xu nodded. “I will leave immediately. If you have time, return to the mountain for a look.”

　　“Yes,” Chu Li closed fist saluted.

　　——

　　When he returned to Tianshu Courtyard, it was late in the night. Xiao Shi had yet laid to bed and was pacing in the courtyard. It was obvious she was waiting for him.

　　Upon seeing him return, Xiao Shi displeasingly remarked, “Finally, you’re back!”

　　Chu Li smiled. “From today onward, I am a disciple of Amethyst Mountain.”

　　“Mm?” Xiao Shi was shocked as she gazed back at him.

　　Chu Li explained everything that had happened, and Xiao Shi was in awe.

　　“So, you’re now a disciple of Amethyst Mountain, huh?” Xiao Shi said in disbelief, “It just happened so easily and too fast!”

　　She knew the difficulty of entering the four major sects. Many geniuses wanted to enter but were all rejected. They were required to go through countless measures and tests before entering, and would need at least three years of observation before they could formally step foot into the sect.

　　This was great for Chu Li, who out of nowhere, had been admitted. Moreover, he was at a disadvantage, how could Amethyst Mountain agree to it?

　　Chu Li smiled cheekily. “We hit it off because I have enough talent, which they are desperate for. More importantly, the third young lady’s uncle is now my master.”

　　“Uncle?” Xiao Shi was surprised.

　　Chu Li looked at her expression and saw that she did not know of Shen Xu’s identity.

　　Xiao Shi shook her head. “The identity of little sis’s mother is sensitive. Father has given a strict order not to discuss it, so I do not know the siblings of Little Sis’ mother. Who would have thought the uncle of Little Sis is a disciple of Amethyst Mountain!”

　　Chu Li remarked, “Why didn’t the third young lady enter Amethyst Mountain herself?”

　　“It must have got something to do with the sword scripture she’s cultivating,” answered Xiao Shi.

　　Chu Li nodded.

　　The Regal Sword Scripture was so powerful that it could well have an inside story. It was better for him to ask when the appropriate opportunity arose.

　　“You’re going to Amethyst Mountain?”

　　“Not now, but when I have time.”

　　“Then it’s no different from you not entering the Amethyst Mountain?

　　“Not much of a difference,” Chu li smiled. “There’s no need to go anywhere.”

　　Xiao Shi let out a sigh of relief internally.

　　She may have acted noble and asked Chu Li to take the apprenticeship at Amethyst Mountain without worrying about her, but inside, she was worried. If he were to leave, she couldn’t remain at King An’s Imperial Residence for long. A day would seem like a year.

　　Now that he was not leaving, she could be at ease at King An’s Imperial Residence. Even if he would be occupied all day long, and only visited her at night.

　　Chu Li added, “I can finally have some tranquility for a moment. I will be focusing on cultivation in the Imperial Residence and will not be handling any mortal affairs.”

　　“That would be good,” Xiao Shi smiled as brightly and dazzlingly as a pearl.