24 Day 23: The Scum Is Levelheaded (2/2)

”Yes.” Chen Sheng answered and washed his face. He heard Li Tian's footsteps, indicating he left. He sighed and stared at the water on the basin. ”This is a problem...” he muttered.

Since he replaced Chen Shen's soul, Chen Sheng doesn't know what to do.

Ever since Fang Wen gave them the soul and skill training manuals yesterday, he's been reading like crazy together with Li Tian and Feng Mo (the studious students). When they came back from patrol, Chen Sheng didn't immediately sleep. Instead, he meditated – the basic of the basics of cultivation as stated in the manual. It is to focus your mind and feel your soul.

But, Chen Sheng has been doing it for so many hours until the sun has risen but he didn't feel anything from his soul.

What's going on? He thought as he stared in the mirror. I've been to many worlds, so my soul should be strong. So, why? He sighed and wiped his face. I'll just leave this matter to Fang Wen since he'll be checking our soul, anyway.

With this thought, Chen Sheng walked towards the door and opened it. He went out.

He turned when he heard the door of the room next to his opened. Black lines appeared on his face when he saw Fei Yin went out of the room.

Right. Chen Sheng thought. I forgot this guy has a crush on 'me' (Chen Shen), so he'll do everything to get close to me. He pursed his lips and closed the door of his room. He just nodded at Fei Yin and walked towards the hall.

As expected, Fei Yin immediately followed him like an obedient dog wagging its tail to its owner. Chen Sheng sighed.

”This is the first time I'll appraise your soul.” Fang Wen said as the four of them lined up in front of him.

Xie Lan, as usual, is standing behind Fang Wen.

”So don't be nervous.” He told them and smiled.

”Yes, shifu!” they answered and bowed.

Fang Wen nodded and turned to Feng Mo. Feng Mo froze, then stiffly walked towards Fang Wen. He stood straight as a log in front.

Fang Wen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He smiled awkwardly and touched Feng Mo's temple. ”Take a deep breath.” He told Feng Mo.

”Yes!” Feng Mo said and breathed.

Everybody's face is normal when they saw the white strips of air covered Feng Mo's body. Everybody, except from Chen Sheng.

Fortunately, they're all focused on Feng Mo they didn't see Chen Sheng's jaw dropped and his eyes wide as he stared at Feng Mo.

W – w – what the hell?! What's this hocus pocus?! Chen Sheng thought, panicky. What are those white air? Ghosts?! He thought, then took a deep breath to calm himself. Calm down... calm down... this world is a fantasy world. These things (condensed air) is just normal. He consoled himself.

His expression is blank the time Fang Wen finished appraising Feng Mo's soul.

”How is it, shifu?” Feng Mo asked, anxious.

Fang Wen smiled. ”You seem like you already practiced the manuals.” He said. ”Congratulations. You're on your first level of Qi Condensation Stage.” he said and smiled brightly as he patted Feng Mo's head.

Feng Mo's face flushed and he lowered his head, embarrassed. ”Thank you, shifu...” he said.

Fang Wen chuckled. Xie Lan just smiled. Fang Wen turned to Li Tian.

”Tian – er.” He called.

”Yes!” Li Tian said and respectfully bowed. He immediately went to Fang Wen and stood straight.

Fang Wen put his hand on Li Tian's head and closed his eyes, the same he did to Feng Mo. Strips of white air surrounded Li Tian. But now, it's denser.

”Second level of Qi Condensation Stage.” Fang Wen said and opened his eyes. ”You've been meditating before you entered the sect.” he said.

Li Tian opened his eyes and nodded. ”Yes, shifu.” He respectfully answered and bowed. ”This disciple dreams to have a good life as a cultivator.” He said and looked at Fang Wen.

Fang Wen smiled as he patted Li Tian's head. Xie Lan nodded.

”Good. Please continue your efforts.” Fang Wen told him and glanced at Feng Mo, then nodded.

Feng Mo immediately nodded and bowed.

Fang Wen smiled, satisfied, then turned to Fei Yin. ”Yin – er.” He called.

”Yes!” Fei Yin answered and calmly walked towards Fang Wen.

Fang Wen put his hand to Fei Yin's head, then closed his eyes. Suddenly, dense airs burst out of Fei Yin, almost blowing them away.

Fang Wen's eyes went open, surprised. He looked at Fei Yin who's still closing his eyes. ”Fifth level of Qi Condensation Stage.” He said, his face serious.

Li Tian and Feng Mo's eyes went wide, shocked. They know Fei Yin is strong, but not this much strong.

Chen Sheng's face is still blank. Is it really that awesome? He thought, clueless.

”Not bad.” Xie Lan said and smiled.

Fang Wen nodded as he let go of Fei Yin's head. He turned to Chen Sheng. ”Sheng – er – ” he called.

Before he could continue, Fei Yin cut him off. ”Shifu.” He called.

Fang Wen turned to him.

”Uhm... can I have a talk with you - ?” he asked and looked at Fang Wen, anxious.

Fang Wen's forehead knotted. ”What is it?” he asked. ”It's that important?”

Fei Yin pressed his lips tight.

”Alright.” Fang Wen said. ”I'll talk with you after I checked Sheng – er – ” he said and turned to Chen Sheng who's the only one left.

”Ah - !” Fei Yin called.

But, Chen Sheng already walked towards Fang Wen. He stopped beside Fei Yin. ”If you're done then leave.” he told Fei Yin.

Fei Yin's face flushed, but not because of anger. Just embarrassed. ”But – ” he said.

Chen Sheng ignored him and turned to Fang Wen. ”I'm ready, shifu.” He told fang Wen. He wants to know why he can't meditate well... can't meditate at all.

Fang Wen nodded. He glanced at Xie Lan. He remembered Xie Lan noticed something in Chen Sheng.

Seeing that Xie Lan's face is now serious, he can't help but think. Could it be related to Sheng – er's soul? He thought, then slowly put his hand on top of Chen Sheng's head. ”Let's begin.” He said.

Chen Sheng closed his eyes. After a while, silence fell.

Li Tian and Feng Mo looked puzzled. ”What's happening?” they asked when they saw nothing happened to Chen Sheng.

Fei Yin's face is serious, slightly pale. Xie Lan is just silent, but he's thinking deeply.

Fang Wen opened his eyes, shock and pity can be seen in his face. ”Sheng – er...” he called.

Chen Sheng opened his eyes. ”Yes, shifu?” he asked. Now he'll know what's wrong with his soul, right? He thought and looked at Fang Wen. His forehead knotted when he saw the look on Fang Wen's face. ”Shifu, what's wrong?” he asked.

Fei Yin lowered his head. Li Tian and Feng Mo are still puzzled. Xie Lan remained silent.

”Sheng – er.” Fang Wen called. ”You... your soul is – ” he said and lowered his head and gave the silent Fei Yin a glance.

”My soul is...?” Chen Sheng asked.

”... your soul has a low aptitude for cultivation.” It was Xie Lan.

”Huh?” Chen Sheng said and turned to Xie Lan, missing the pained look on Fei Yin's face.

Fang Wen turned to Xie Lan, his eyes accusing. Lan... you already must know, right? He thought. He lowered his head.

Chen Sheng's soul is broken.

Little Dragon's G(r)ay Theater:

Li Tian and Feng Mo: shima (what)?! Brother Chen's soul is...?!

Fei Yin: *lowers head, guilty

Chen Sheng: ... guys. You (Li Tian and Feng Mo) aren't aware of this on the script. *face blank

Li Tian and Feng Mo: oh...

Gray Dragon: ...