Afterwards, Shen Bozhou somehow settled down on Peach Blossom Mountain and even took a Shi Fu.
Shi Fu was a bit eccentric, more like a charlatan than an Immortal.
One day, as Shen Bozhou was going out to fetch water, he saw the Immortal squatting at the entrance of the Taoist Temple, facing south with his mouth wide open, resembling a mythical beast.
Shen Bozhou couldn't help but ask what he was doing. The Immortal replied that he was absorbing the essence of the sun and moon.
...
Even though Shen Bozhou knew nothing about cultivation, he thought this method of "absorbing" seemed wrong. Shouldn't it involve sitting cross-legged, channeling energy, and meditating?
Shi Fu, however, scolded him for being pedantic, saying that the ultimate path is simplicity, and the highest cultivation techniques often require the simplest methods.
Shen Bozhou stood there, contemplating for a moment, as if he understood something.
"Immortal Master, are you hungry?" he asked.
"Hungry," the Shi Fu, still squatting like a mythical beast, answered truthfully.
Sure enough, once Shen Bozhou prepared a table full of dishes and filled Shi Fu's stomach, there was no more talk of "absorbing the essence of the sun and moon."
There's nothing a meal can't solve. If there is, just add another meal.
The Immortal on Peach Blossom Mountain treated Shen Bozhou, the demon forced into exile, very well. Not only did he heal his wounds, but he also taught him Immortal techniques.
Shen Bozhou knew he lacked talent for cultivation; he was merely a guest in this body. Moreover, his spiritual roots were destroyed, adding insult to injury.
Shen Bozhou didn't want to disappoint Shi Fu. Since arriving in this world, he had seen too many disappointed faces.
He worked hard and was down-to-earth, knowing that everything couldn't be rushed and had to be taken slowly.
But sometimes he felt lost.
Was diligence necessary? Was mastering Immortal arts necessary?
To others, his father and brother were killed, and his enemies hadn't given up searching for him.
He should be diligently practicing, establishing himself early, avenging his family, and restoring the Illusionary Truth Pavilion.
But his time with Pavilion Master Shen and even Shen Qinglin was very short before disaster struck. Shen Bozhou asked himself and found it hard to say he had enough motivation and hatred to support him in seeking revenge.
He knew such thoughts were cowardly, but he had died once.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
For someone like that, what kind of determination and courage, what kind of unforgettable experience, would it take to risk everything for someone and face death again?
At least, the current Shen Bozhou wouldn't.
He was indecisive, his heart in turmoil. He seemed calm and gentle, yet filled with countless worries.
The Immortal was a clear person, like a mirror reflecting anyone's heart. Shen Bozhou thought that perhaps the other had already seen through his wavering, just hadn't mentioned it.
Thinking this, Shen Bozhou's thoughts became even more chaotic.
As he descended the mountain, his mind was in turmoil, almost driving him crazy. When he reached the entrance of the Taoist Temple at the foot of the mountain, he thought he might as well have an open conversation with Shi Fu.
Having made up his mind, he entered, but didn't see anyone at first.
Shen Bozhou paused, his gaze shifting, and finally found Tao Mian squatting in a corner of the courtyard.
"…"
He took a few steps forward and asked.
"Immortal Master, are you absorbing the essence of the sun and moon again?"
"No," the Immortal didn't even lift his head, still focused on staring at the corner, "I'm waiting for the bird to poop."
...
The world was bustling, and the Immortal was in the corner battling with a bird.
In an instant, Shen Bozhou felt that all his struggles and the dozen ways he had thought of to confess on the mountain were useless.
Shen Bozhou also squatted in the corner, and the Immortal made room for him.
Now it was two people waiting for the bird to poop.
To understand this scene, it might take another thousand years.
Under the expectant gaze of the two, the messenger bird felt immense pressure.
It shook its feathers, and finally—
The Immortal was overjoyed, muttering "It's done, it's done," and let the poor bird fly away, using a small twig to stir around.
The black-shelled golden-nosed beetle turned into a colorful shell, but fortunately, it could crawl out on its own strength.
Then the Immortal flipped through a book to see if the golden-nosed beetle could be washed in water.
Seeing him busy, Shen Bozhou took the opportunity to ask Shi Fu about this interest.
Shi Fu rolled his eyes ungracefully, saying no Immortal's interest was watching birds defecate.
The golden-nosed beetle couldn't go into water, but it could go into oil. Tao Mian brought a small basin of cold fragrant oil, placed the beetle inside, and let it crawl slowly.
Taking advantage of this, he explained the cause and effect to Shen Bozhou.
It turned out the Immortal was busy with all this to heal his spiritual roots.
Shen Bozhou felt a bit guilty. After hesitating for a long time, he decided to talk to the Immortal about his feelings.
"Immortal Master, I... know that with my spiritual roots, it's hard to achieve anything significant in cultivation. Moreover, my comprehension is poor, no matter how much I learn, I can't compare to Brother Yellow."
Tao Mian interjected. He said that Brother Yellow was a natural genius, a champion among chickens. It now looked down on everyone, not even putting Shi Fu in its eyes, and even Shi Fu had to give it some respect, so Liu Chuan shouldn't worry.
Shen Bozhou shook his head.
"Although I have little experience, I know that spiritual roots are not easily repaired. I'm afraid that the Immortal Master will exhaust himself for me, only to end up with nothing."
Shen Bozhou's attitude was sincere, making Tao Mian feel a bit guilty.
He couldn't say that he was so attentive because he was worried that the evil Shen Bozhou would return, and wanted him to quickly learn Immortal techniques and leave the mountain.
With such an open-hearted disciple, Tao Mian coughed.
"Don't think too highly of Shi Fu, Shi Fu also has his own selfish motives."
He paused and asked Liu Chuan.
"But disciple, is it that you don't want to cultivate, or that you don't dare?"
Tao Mian told Shen Bozhou the story of Chu Liuxue. He said that among all the disciples Shi Fu had taken, his Third Senior Sister was one with slightly weaker spiritual roots.
And she was born that way.
But Chu Liuxue never minded or complained. When told to wield a sword, she wielded it; when told to compete, she competed. She did her best, regardless of her highly talented brother always around, she never felt jealous or inferior.
She said that fate is determined, but people can make the best of it. Although she didn't believe in the idea that humans can conquer nature, she believed that standing between heaven and earth, there are always things left for oneself to do.
"If you truly don't want to cultivate, Shi Fu won't force you," Tao Mian said, "But Liu Chuan, cultivation isn't about fighting all the time, nor is it about becoming the best in the world. When you clear your mind and focus on cultivation, spiritual power will become your eyes, your ears, and your feet, taking you to far places."
Tao Mian extended his index finger, borrowing his own spiritual power, and tapped on his disciple's forehead, instructing him to close his eyes.
Shen Bozhou followed Shi Fu's instructions.
With his eyes closed, his other senses became sharper. Shen Bozhou felt as if he was riding an endless wind, traveling through the mountains and forests. The wind roared, sweeping over treetops, brushing over grasslands, flying with northern geese, and walking with fierce tigers.
Finally, the wind stopped in a dense forest, and he felt as if he was there. Silence surrounded him, with only his own breathing and that of the forest.
Until a very faint sound came from above, Shen Bozhou looked up.
"Disciple, did you hear anything?" the Immortal asked softly, and Shen Bozhou slowly opened his eyes.
He said he heard the sound of a young bird breaking its shell.
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