Chapter 1401 - 703: Striving for Progress (Part 2)
Lin Beichen felt both curious and expectant, wondering about Hu Yi’s learning outcome over the past two days.
He saw Hu Yi start writing the talisman in front of Lin Beichen, as if showcasing a treasure, with great seriousness. Lin Beichen watched quietly on the side, his eyes focused.
After finishing the talisman, Hu Yi looked at Lin Beichen expectantly and asked, "Master, how is it? Have I improved? Please give me some guidance."
Lin Beichen smiled at Hu Yi and said, "You’ve indeed made quite a bit of progress. Keep it up."
Though Lin Beichen thought there was room for improvement in Hu Yi’s talisman, he could see her great effort. He didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm but wished to encourage her continuously, to fill her with confidence for constant improvement.
In Lin Beichen’s view, Hu Yi reaching this level was already her utmost effort. Writing talismans is not easy; everyone needs a process of learning and growth.
Upon hearing Lin Beichen’s praise, Hu Yi looked at the talisman she wrote and felt delighted. Seeing Hu Yi so happy, Lin Beichen kept smiling and patiently guiding her.
He told Hu Yi the issues she should pay attention to and what things to keep in mind, letting Hu Yi note them mentally, to effectively utilize her learning and reach the highest realm of Daoist Skill.
Hu Yi trusted Lin Beichen deeply, and no matter what he asked her to do, she would carry it out seriously without ever slacking. Since learning Daoist Art, she has become more diligent, which everyone noticed.
Becoming Lin Beichen’s apprentice wasn’t easy, and having this opportunity, Hu Yi didn’t want to disgrace him. She just wanted to grow rapidly under his guidance, becoming stronger.
After teaching Hu Yi, Lin Beichen felt somewhat fatigued. He looked at Hu Yi and said, "This is all for today’s lesson. Review and consolidate it well. I’m a bit tired and will rest in my room."
"Don’t disturb me if there’s nothing urgent. Be diligent in learning and don’t rely on luck," Lin Beichen advised.
Hu Yi quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes, Master, I will definitely be diligent and heed your teachings."
After seeing Lin Beichen off, Hu Yi closed herself in her room, starting to rigorously study the content Lin Beichen explained. She wanted to master these teachings quickly, willing to exert more effort than others if needed.
She feared neither hardship nor exhaustion, wholly focused on studying diligently. After Lin Beichen returned to his room, he also began meditating, cultivating, as both master and apprentice strived to improve their abilities.
Zhou Yi observed Lin Beichen and Hu Yi’s diligence, feeling somewhat puzzled. He didn’t see Hu Yi leave her room for two consecutive days, and every time he looked for her, she was engrossed in intense study.
Unable to restrain himself, Zhou Yi asked Hu Yi, "What are you doing? Why so hard-working? Why don’t you want to waste even a second?"
"Have you gone mad? Balancing physical and mental effort is important, yet you always seem to be studying. Don’t you find it frustrating?" Zhou Yi curiously asked.
"Aren’t you tired? I feel tired just watching you. Why are you striving so hard?"
Listening to Zhou Yi, Hu Yi turned her gaze toward the window with a face full of yearning, and said, "Why am I working so hard? Because I have ambitions of my own. I must strive for my goals, meaning I need to put more effort than others. Do you understand?"
Zhou Yi listened, baffled, not knowing what Hu Yi’s goal was. Watching her with a face full of yearning only increased his curiosity.
He couldn’t comprehend Hu Yi’s thoughts, but seeing her always learning with little complaint and even enjoying it, Zhou Yi admired her greatly.
After hearing Hu Yi’s words, Zhou Yi found them uninteresting, causing him to feel a bit displeased as he left sullenly.
Hu Yi watched Zhou Yi’s departing figure but paid no mind to his emotions, her own heart resolute, striving for her ambitions without wishing to squander time.
That’s precisely why she was willing to put everything into becoming Lin Beichen’s disciple; otherwise, why would she study so diligently?
Sometimes, watching others leisurely at ease made Hu Yi feel envy, yet she refused to indulge herself, always adhering to her inner belief.
Zhou Yi felt quite melancholic, sensing that since Lin Beichen’s dedicated guidance, Hu Yi had seemingly changed, becoming absorbed in learning.
The once fiery and constantly cheerful Hu Yi seemed gone, leaving Zhou Yi somewhat forlorn.
He missed that lively Hu Yi appearing before him regularly, but now it seemed an unattainable prospect.
Whenever he couldn’t resist looking for Hu Yi, he’d always find her diligently studying, like today.
When Lin Beichen returned to his room, he began meditating and cultivating, continuing to delve into arrays, enhancing his cultivation and abilities.
This was his daily routine, then suddenly, the system sent him a message, prompting Lin Beichen to check urgently.
He wished to know what task the system assigned this time and what rewards awaited him.
However, upon seeing the system message, Lin Beichen was shocked; the task was to [eliminate three cults].
Lin Beichen secretly wondered, "How is this possible?" He knew well his current strength and abilities; to eliminate three cults was extremely challenging.
If he couldn’t complete the task, he wouldn’t receive the reward; but if he accepted it, he wasn’t confident of success.
This placed Lin Beichen in a dilemma, unsure what to do. Yet the system constantly prompted him to accept the task.
Despite his concerns, Lin Beichen eventually decided to accept the task.
After taking on the task, Lin Beichen was plagued by headaches. To complete it, he not only needed to relentlessly enhance his cultivation and strength but also prepare thoroughly.
After all, he faced three cults while the system awaited task completion.
Lin Beichen had never felt such intense pressure, even experiencing anxiety since accepting the task.
He locked himself in his room, scrupulously studying strategies, which piqued Zhou Yi and Hu Yi’s curiosity.
They wondered about Lin Beichen’s recent behavior: always hidden in his room, refusing to emerge, and no longer teaching Hu Yi new things.
Seeing Lin Beichen’s serious demeanor, Hu Yi dared not disturb him, instead consolidating and reviewing previous lessons during this period, practicing some skills independently.
Zhou Yi, noticing Lin Beichen’s nonstop busy and anxious state, felt some concern.
He had tried asking Lin Beichen what’s wrong several times, but each time Lin Beichen was meditating, giving Zhou Yi no chance to inquire.
However, Zhou Yi sensed a significant change in Lin Beichen lately, as if hiding something from him.
Since accepting the task, Lin Beichen was persistently troubled. Yet the system’s reward tempted him greatly.
For the reward of [a set of Wanchuan Armor], which he coveted endlessly, Lin Beichen chose to press on with the task. He resolved to overcome any obstacle and seize the rare chance.
Otherwise, obtaining a set of Wanchuan Armor wouldn’t be easy.
Zhou Yi’s curiosity forced him to approach Lin Beichen, cautiously asking, "Is something going on recently? I’ve sensed you’re a bit anxious."
"If you have any concerns, feel free to tell me. I’ll be glad to help if possible."
Lin Beichen, hearing Zhou Yi’s words, smiled and shook his head, saying, "Nothing’s wrong, it’s just that studying and boosting cultivation recently has been somewhat vexing."
"You don’t need to worry about me. Daoism’s issues already give you enough trouble, yet you keep worrying about me. That’s quite taxing for you."
"When did we become so polite? If I can help, I surely will," Zhou Yi replied to Lin Beichen.
The two chatted a lot, though just about Daoism dissemination matters.
Lin Beichen didn’t reveal the truth to Zhou Yi, merely desiring less worry from him and hoping Zhou Yi would handle the Daoist Temple’s affairs well.
In the Daoist Temple, tasks were trivial yet complex, but Lin Beichen always entrusted them to Zhou Yi, who always managed meticulously, never letting Lin Beichen concern himself, which pleased him greatly.
Zhou Yi also took care to never trouble Lin Beichen, solving every issue personally and diligently.
After their conversation, Zhou Yi returned to his room to rest.