Feng Shui Chapter 161: Spell Projection

Shen Yonghe said, “Yanxing has been studying under Master Chen for quite some time now. I wonder, does Master Chen think my son has any talent for learning feng shui?”

Chen Xiao was a bit surprised by how quickly the topic shifted. “Yanxing is diligent and eager to learn, very hardworking, truly a rare and excellent student.”

Shen Yonghe smiled and asked, “In that case, would Master Chen allow my son to formally become your disciple and enter your sect?”

Chen Xiao was momentarily stunned. Shen Yanxing, however, was both shocked and delighted. Although Chen Xiao had been teaching him diligently, Shen Yanxing still felt somewhat uncertain, the relationship between teacher and disciple just wasn’t quite the same as master and apprentice.

Chen Xiao glanced at the hopeful Shen Yanxing, then at Shen Yonghe, and said, “Since the city lord of Jin City has spoken and Yanxing eagerly wishes for it, it would be unkind of me to refuse. I am willing to accept Yanxing as my first disciple.”

Shen Yanxing was overjoyed and immediately knelt to pay respects, but Chen Xiao stopped him seriously. Shen Yanxing looked at him, confused.

Chen Xiao explained, “Not just yet. At present, I am an unaligned cultivator without a sect. If Yanxing joins me now, his status would be low and it might feel like an injustice to him. It’s better to wait until I formally establish my sect, and then we’ll hold the ceremony for the first disciple together.”

Shen Yonghe, whose brows had just furrowed, relaxed at Chen Xiao’s sincere words. He smiled and said, “Since Master Chen has such ambition, the Shen royal family fully supports it! For now, let’s keep the teacher-student relationship. My unworthy son will continue learning by Master Chen’s side.”

When Shen Yanxing truly becomes Chen Xiao’s disciple, their ranks will be equal to the lord of Jin City. Naturally, Shen Yonghe used a respectful title, though Chen Xiao currently had no fame or high cultivation rank to merit a formal title, so Shen Yonghe politely used “Master” as a general honorific.

After the formalities, Shen Yonghe turned to Shen Yanxing and earnestly warned, “Yanxing, remember never to act recklessly again. Always be cautious in speech and deed. Uphold the discipline of a disciple, serve Master Chen with respect, and always keep his teachings in mind.”

Shen Yanxing nodded fervently, “Father, rest assured. I will strictly govern myself and abide by the sect’s rules. I will never make mistakes that bring shame on you or my master.”

This was the first time Shen Yonghe had so solemnly instructed him since realizing his son couldn’t cultivate immortality. Not even his elder brothers had received such a charge. Shen Yanxing was deeply grateful to Chen Xiao, without his teacher’s help, he wouldn’t have secured this place before his father.

Seeing the father and son now get along better than before, Chen Xiao planned to ask Shen Yanxing to stay behind while the four of them returned to the royal garden. But Shen Yanxing insisted on staying, now that his father had acknowledged him as Chen Xiao’s disciple, he wanted to stand by his teacher’s side as a true disciple.

On the return trip, Chen Xiao and Xi Yunqing rode alone in a carriage. Xi Yunqing said, “As long as Brother Xiao agrees, even with your current Body Refinement stage, you could establish a sect now. With the support of Lord Han Yuanchun of Hanshan City and Lord Shen Yonghe of Jin City, it’s enough to get a sect started. Not to mention you have me and the backing of the Chongxuan Sect’s administration. Whether it’s a minor realm or even a mid-level realm, no one would dare look down on you.”

Chen Xiao shook his head. “While I have the conditions to start a sect, I don’t want to rush into it lightly. I haven’t fully understood this new feng shui system. My previous knowledge isn’t enough to properly teach disciples. Plus, my strength is still too low to provide protection for them.” The example Fang Gu set was too high and powerful, Chen Xiao felt unworthy and unwilling to be an irresponsible master.

Xi Yunqing replied, “It’s good that you’re responsible. But nothing happens overnight. You can found the sect first, then study and teach at the same time. Disciples can share the burden, so you don’t have to do everything yourself. Building a sect is never a one-man job, the more helpers, the easier it gets.” He knew Chen Xiao would insist on doing it the hard way. “Don’t forget, you’re not alone. There’s me, Daoist Tong, and Daoist Tang, all willing to support you.”

Was Big Brother... actually concerned for him? Chen Xiao felt warmth in his heart and gave up his stubbornness. He nodded and said, “Then at least wait until I reach the Golden Core stage. Founding a sect and becoming a sect leader then would carry real weight.”

Xi Yunqing paused, then said, “…As long as Brother Xiao is happy.”

“?” Chen Xiao tilted his head, confused.

Xi Yunqing thought Chen Xiao might have misunderstood something.

Though the cultivators around him often reached Foundation Establishment or Golden Core, that was because the cultivation world had many practitioners. It didn’t mean those levels were easy to attain. Among Chen Xiao’s circle, himself, Tong Nuonuo, and Tang Ru, their spirit root talents were excellent or above average, yet they had spent over a hundred years cultivating to reach their current levels.

If Chen Xiao waited until reaching Golden Core before accepting Shen Yanxing as a disciple, he would likely be old and gray by then.

Xi Yunqing frowned involuntarily, pondering what elixirs or spiritual plants might help a mortal maintain youth and longevity so Shen Yanxing could truly endure until that day.

The next day, the Heavenly King’s palace sent a carriage to pick them up. The group traveled through the capital city, heading straight to the mountain peak where Chen Xiao and Shen Yanxing had climbed before. That mountain was the highest terrain near the capital, which was why Venerable Sanshui had chosen it as the site for his ritual.

By the time Chen Xiao and the others arrived, several tents had already been set up. These tents were made from rare and luxurious materials, grand and comfortable. Judging by their size and design, they were even larger and more splendid than the royal tents of the nomadic tribes in Chen Xiao’s previous life.

Chen Xiao stared in amazement. “So such tents really exist. That’s convenient, but why had I never seen them before?”

Tong Nuonuo twisted her head to look at the tents and replied, “These tents look nice but aren’t very practical. They’re difficult to set up and take down. Besides, adventurers often face complex terrain, and these tents wouldn’t hold up.”

Chen Xiao nodded thoughtfully. Tong Nuonuo continued, “Engineers and artificers can craft a type of portable tent called a ‘field camp tent’ that adapts to harsh environments. But it requires a rare, highly stretchable beast leather, which is extremely difficult to obtain. That’s why these field camp tents are so scarce.”

Chen Xiao sighed. “A field camp tent? That’s beyond my dreams. I’d be happy just to have a small one, big enough to lie down and sleep.”

Tong Nuonuo considered for a moment. “That’s doable. If you want, I can make one for you tailored to your needs. But given my limited resources, it would have to be made of ordinary cloth and won’t have the stretch or expansion features.”

Chen Xiao was deeply grateful. “Master, I’m counting on you!”

Tong Nuonuo rubbed her nose shyly. “Master is too much. Don’t say that, you’ll make me a joke.”

The tents were set up to save travel time for the Shen royal family and their party. But Venerable Sanshui and Ke Jiusu didn’t like these tents. After sunset, they preferred to return to their special lodgings for rest. It had taken a long time for Chen Xiao and the others to arrive by carriage, and by then, Venerable Sanshui had already begun surveying the underground water veins.

In just one day, Ke Jiusu looked completely drained. Apparently, Venerable Sanshui’s constant closed-door meditation after hitting a mental block had frightened him. Even when he saw Xi Yunqing, he no longer had the resilient spirit he once showed.

Ke Jiusu was obedient like a shadow, following Venerable Sanshui wherever he went. More than that, he even served as a capable assistant, quietly doing whatever was asked.

“Is Master Ke alright?” Chen Xiao whispered to Xi Yunqing.

Xi Yunqing glanced at the much less lively Ke Jiusu and said, “No need to worry about him. Daoist Ke has great resilience. He’ll recover fully soon enough.”

Venerable Sanshui seemed to hear this and smiled as he glanced their way. Then he turned and instructed someone nearby, and a person came to invite them closer.

When Chen Xiao and the others approached, the small mountaintop edge suddenly felt crowded. The five greeted Venerable Sanshui together. After he waived off formalities, he beckoned Xi Yunqing and Chen Xiao to his side. Venerable Sanshui greeted Chen Xiao kindly.

“I’ve heard that you, young friend, have mastered a rare Feng Shui technique that can foresee dangers and turn threats into safety. Not only have you stabilized sections of the capital city vulnerable to collapse, but you’ve also gathered wealth?”

Chen Xiao knew this was not the time for modesty about Feng Shui. He replied, “Feng Shui can neutralize evil, promote prosperity, attract good fortune, advance careers, gather wealth, and even bless families. But I am still a novice, far from fully grasping the true mysteries of Feng Shui.”

Venerable Sanshui stroked his beard and said, “You are too humble. From what I have seen, even if Feng Shui cannot lead to enlightenment, it is deeply connected to the livelihood of the people. Even we cultivators cannot claim we have no desires.”

Chen Xiao was thrilled. This was the first time such recognition came from a Combining Body stage. He respectfully said, “If you have any tasks, I am willing to do my best.”

Venerable Sanshui smiled and changed the subject. “After this morning’s investigation, I have found two blockages and mapped the original water system. I have a complete schematic here. Would you like to take a look?”

Overjoyed, Chen Xiao said, “Please, elder, allow me to see it!”

Venerable Sanshui raised his hand, and a blue water flow appeared, reversing from below and branching into two streams of different thicknesses. The streams wound and forked repeatedly, with each branch flowing and intertwining. Sometimes the branches blurred at the edges, forming faint blue water curtains representing lakes.

The scene was more magical and magnificent than any virtual projection from hard sci-fi Chen Xiao had ever seen. He watched, mesmerized and marveled.