Starfall Nine Heavens

Lu Xiuyuan didn't urge him, and just sat there quietly.

Lin Fan tried countless times, his mind and spirit began to tire, and just when he was about to give up—a very faint, cool touch brushed against the edge of his outward-extending thoughts.

Like the finest breeze on a summer night, or a trickle of icy water seeping from a deep pool. Fleeting, brief, yet undeniably real.

Lin Fan's spirits lifted, and he quickly focused his attention, carefully trying to "net" himself with that cool sensation. This time, he felt it more clearly—it wasn't a tangible thing, but a flowing, vibrant "state." It was everywhere, passing through walls, flowing over tables and chairs, and circling around him.

This is... spiritual energy?

"Once you sense it, don't let it escape." Lu Xiuyuan's voice rang out at the right time. "Use the incantation as a guide, and your mind as a net, try to capture the gentlest wisp of spiritual energy that is closest to you. Imagine it as a ray of light, a stream, leading it in from beside you, following your mind, and guiding it to three inches below your navel—that is the Qi Sea, the place where spiritual energy will gather in the future."

Lin Fan tried his best. The spiritual energy was slippery and would dissipate if his concentration faltered. He failed several times, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Concentrate your mind and calm your breath, feel the rhythm of nothingness. When you reach the extreme of emptiness and stillness, you will see the traces of coming and going." He silently recited the mantra in his mind, forcing himself to calm down.

It's now!

He seized that moment of mental clarity, focused his thoughts into a single line, and finally succeeded in enveloping a faint yet cool aura. Following the path described in the incantation, he slowly guided it into his body, and finally let it sink into that chaotic and undeveloped sea of ​​qi.

"hiss--"

The moment the spiritual energy entered his body, Lin Fan trembled, as if he had drunk a mouthful of ice water on a sweltering day. A refreshing sensation flowed down from his brow, through his limbs and bones. His entire body and mind were invigorated, and his ears and eyes seemed to become clearer. This single wisp of spiritual energy seemed to have illuminated a dormant corner within him.

He suddenly opened his eyes, a gleam of barely suppressed light flashing within them.

"You've succeeded." Lu Xiuyuan smiled approvingly. "To be able to sense the spirit and guide it into your body in such a short time shows excellent talent and temperament. Remember this feeling; this is your starting point."

Lin Fan opened his eyes, his gaze filled with wonder and excitement. He felt as if he had gained a subtle connection with the world around him.

"Successfully sensing the spirit and drawing it into your body means you possess the key to opening your meridians," Lu Xiuyuan continued explaining. "Opening meridians means using this wisp of spiritual energy as a catalyst to circulate your cultivation technique and unblock the naturally closed spiritual meridian channels within your body. Each time you open a main meridian or a key acupoint, you advance to a minor realm, with a total of nine levels. The meridian opening realm mainly focuses on expansion and nourishment."

He explained in detail: "When spiritual energy opens up the meridians, it also nourishes the body. So, although cultivators at this level cannot yet release their spiritual power to unleash powerful spells, their physical attributes will be comprehensively improved—their strength will gradually increase, their speed will become faster, their reactions will be more agile, their five senses will become more acute, and their energy will become more abundant. This is a process of strengthening the foundation and undergoing a complete transformation."

"You've successfully sensed and guided the spiritual energy today, which took a lot of effort." Lu Xiuyuan looked at Lin Fan, his tone gentle yet solemn. "After you go back, don't rush to open your meridians. Practice sensing and guiding the spiritual energy more, first nurture this wisp of spiritual energy to make it strong and allow it to circulate steadily within your body. Once you've accumulated enough spiritual energy and your meridians have gradually adapted, it's not too late to try opening your meridians. Taking it one step at a time is the right way."

Lin Fan took Lu Xiuyuan's words to heart and solemnly said, "I understand, Uncle Lu."

……

By the time Lin Fan emerged from the quiet room in the backyard and returned to the front shop, it was almost dark. The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the antique shop in a warm golden light. He felt weak all over, not from exhaustion, but from the mental strain of being on edge for too long. His stomach also began to rumble.

Almost simultaneously, the people in the shop looked at him. Their gazes first fell on his waist—where a heavy "Guardian Token" had appeared, gleaming faintly in the twilight.

Han Feng's eyes widened instantly, his expression shifting from surprise to ecstatic joy. He rushed over, grabbed Lin Fan's shoulder, and his voice trembled with excitement: "Little Fan! You finally... Good, good, good! That's wonderful!" He patted Lin Fan's back vigorously, "Do you know how suffocated I've been for the past month! Seeing you so clueless every day, the feeling of wanting to say so much but being unable to, it was so unbearable!"

Shi Yue walked over with a smile, his round face full of satisfaction, and his voice was gentle: "Xiao Fan, welcome to the official team." He looked closely at Lin Fan's somewhat pale face, "You must be tired and hungry, right? The first test of cultivation is the most mentally taxing."

Qin Mo put down his tools, adjusted his glasses, nodded to Lin Fan, and said succinctly, "Welcome." His gaze lingered on the token at Lin Fan's waist for a moment, and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as well.

Su Wan stood a little distance away, her cold face softening slightly, a faint smile curving her lips as she nodded slightly to Lin Fan.

At this moment, Lu Xiuyuan also slowly walked out from the backyard. Seeing the scene in the shop, he smiled gently: "It seems you know everything."

"Old Lu!" Shi Yue said with a smile, "Today is a big day, Xiao Fan has officially become a disciple. Shouldn't we show our appreciation? I think Xiao Fan is starving, what do you think..."

Lu Xiuyuan readily agreed, smiling, "Of course, the usual place?"

"Alright!" Han Feng cheered.

A short while later, the group left Chenyuan Pavilion and walked a short distance along Wutong Street, where the streetlights were just coming on, before turning into a restaurant called "Sanweiju". The restaurant was small, with two floors, and the decoration was simple but clean. At this moment, wisps of smoke were rising from the chimneys, and the aroma filled the air.

"Don't let this unassuming place fool you," Shi Yue said to Lin Fan as they walked, his tone intimately familiar. "The owner's cooking is impeccable!" He gave a thumbs up. "The ingredients are top-notch, and the cooking time is perfect. Eight out of ten times when we have a get-together, it's here."

As soon as they entered, a middle-aged man wearing an apron and with a ruddy complexion looked up from behind the counter and laughed heartily, "Hey, Mr. Lu, Brother Shi, Miss Su, Mr. Qin, and little Han Feng, you're all here!" His gaze fell on Lin Fan, and his smile widened, "This young man looks unfamiliar, a new friend?"

"Old Chen, this is Lin Fan, our new young assistant. He's officially a full-time employee today!" Shi Yue introduced with a smile. "He'll be a regular here from now on."

"Welcome, welcome!" Boss Chen was very welcoming. "You look energetic! The usual? Or would you like to take a look at the menu?"

Han Feng, already familiar with the place, found a quiet little private room on the inside and poked his head out, calling out, "Uncle Chen! Do you have braised pork ribs today? A large one, please! Lin Fan absolutely has to try this today!"

Everyone sat down around the table. The private room wasn't large; the round table was just enough to fill it, and the atmosphere was relaxed. Lu Xiuyuan took the main seat, while Shi Yue and Han Feng pulled Lin Fan to sit next to Lu Xiuyuan, one on each side. Su Wan sat down by the window, casually draping her coat over the back of her chair. Qin Mo quietly took his seat last.