AMRWFA -Chapter 373 Getting Started in Cultivation

When Ruan Yaoyao realized that she had a destined master-disciple connection with Lu Lingling, she also understood something else—she didn’t just have the ability to cultivate herself, she could also teach others.

At the time, she hadn’t considered teaching anyone beyond her own disciple. But seeing Ruan Zhihe now, she thought to herself:

Teaching one person is teaching, teaching two is the same—why not?

It’s not like my skills will disappear or leave me starving if I pass them on!

Cultivation ultimately depends on talent and personal effort.

Ruan Zhihe had been by her side for so long—whether or not she had made great contributions, she had certainly worked hard. Teaching her could be considered a reward for all that effort.

So, Ruan Yaoyao brought Ruan Zhihe back to her room and gave her a copy of Introduction to Cultivation along with a meridian diagram of the human body.

After Ruan Zhihe memorized the mnemonic formula, Ruan Yaoyao guided her step by step, replicating the same process she had used before.

Sure enough, cultivation really depended on talent.

Lu Lingling had entered the basics within just three days—she could already see tiny specks of light in the air and slowly guide them into her meridians.

Poor Ruan Zhihe, however, practiced for an entire week and only managed to see those light particles. She couldn’t gather them together, let alone guide them into her meridians.

“How is that possible?” Lu Lingling looked confused when Zhihe asked for advice. “They’re very obedient. You just think about it a little, and they come right over.”

“Then why won’t mine move? I’ve been thinking about it for ages, and they just stay there!”

“Maybe… ask Master?”

With no other choice, Ruan Zhihe went to seek guidance from Ruan Yaoyao.

Ruan Yaoyao: …

【I’ve never encountered this before either!】

Ruan Zhihe: “…”

Well, of course. Aunt Xu had already reached a fasting state right away—far more gifted than Lingling. How could she understand the struggles of ordinary people like them?

“Why don’t I guide you through the meridians a few more times?” Ruan Yaoyao suggested uncertainly.

“Alright… sorry to trouble you, Aunt Xu.”

“It’s no trouble at all. It’s just a matter of going upstairs with you.”

Upstairs, Ruan Yaoyao had her sit cross-legged and guided her through the meridians several more times, helping her experience the sensation.

That feeling—something flowing through the meridians—was incredibly exhilarating! Ruan Zhihe nearly lost herself in it.

But unfortunately, as soon as Ruan Yaoyao withdrew her guidance, everything disappeared. Her meridians went empty again, the light vanished, and those flickering specks in the air refused to move toward her—let alone enter her body.

They were right there, within reach… yet impossible to grasp. It was maddening.

“Still not working?” Ruan Yaoyao asked.

Ruan Zhihe looked dejected. “No… I guess I just don’t have the talent for cultivation.”

It wasn’t just that she saw fewer light particles than Lu Lingling—she couldn’t even control them.

Sigh…

“Don’t rush. Everyone’s situation is different. Lingling entered so quickly because of her talent. It’s like singing—how can someone with an ordinary voice compare to a natural-born singer?”

But the comfort didn’t help much. Ruan Zhihe still felt down. So many people had talent for cultivation—why was she the exception?

A month later, when even those soldiers managed to enter the basics using Ruan Yaoyao’s method, she still hadn’t succeeded.

That made it even more frustrating.

—So being guided really does make it easier to get started. Lesson learned.

Ruan Yaoyao didn’t try to hide the fact that Lu Lingling and Ruan Zhihe had begun cultivating. Aside from the younger children who didn’t understand, everyone else in the household had already noticed.

Later, someone asked in the group chat. When Ruan Zhihe replied, the whole group exploded.

Xu Chengyan:

“AHHHHHH… Even you’re cultivating now, and my mom didn’t take me along?!”

“Am I still her favorite son or not?!”

Ru Anzhi: “When were you ever?”

Xu Chengyan: “Get lost…”

“What about your revenge girl? Still hanging around here? Be careful you don’t drag us down and get kicked out by Mom again.”

Ru Anzhi: “Heh.”

Xu Chengyan: “Are you laughing at yourself?”

…

Xu Hongye watched the chat for a long time and got furious.

Everyone else was cultivating—so why was he stuck at university alone?

He wanted to go home!
He wanted to cultivate too!

He spammed the group chat wildly, only to be scolded by his second brother Xu Chengyan for acting crazy.

He even tagged their eldest brother Xu Lianghan, asking him to deal with someone trying to skip school.

Before Xu Hongye could defend himself, Xu Lianghan called and asked if he really intended to skip school. If he dared, their mother would break his legs—he could try it if he didn’t believe it.

Xu Hongye felt wronged. “If we’re cultivating immortality, what’s the point of studying?”

“The more you cultivate, the more you need to study. With your brain, how will you understand cultivation manuals otherwise?”

“Big brother…”

“Stay at school. Mom has only taught her disciple and her bodyguard so far—not anyone else. If she does start teaching more people, you’re her son. Do you think she’d forget you?”

Thinking about it, that seemed true. After all the discussion in the group, only Ruan Zhihe and Lu Lingling had actually been taught. Everyone else was still waiting and watching.

“Mom won’t forget us, right?” Xu Hongye asked.

“Hard to say. From the way she sees it, what she’s doing is just personal teaching. She still believes official training should come from the state. If anything, she might send us to a specialized school later.”

Xu Hongye, still at university, panicked. “But our school doesn’t teach this!”

“Why are you in such a rush? Mom has only taught two students so far, and only one has succeeded. If her path doesn’t work, you can go through your third brother instead.”

Compared to relying on Ruan Yaoyao, Xu Lianghan felt it would be easier to go through Ru Anzhi.

After all, given how much Ruan Yaoyao had secretly contributed to the country, it was only natural for the state to “take care” of them. They didn’t want much—just a master to guide them. That shouldn’t be difficult.

Even if not others, couldn’t Ru Anzhi teach them?

After hanging up, Xu Lianghan felt like he had forgotten something.

It wasn’t until dinner, when he didn’t see Xu Nannan, that it suddenly hit him—

The group chat had been so lively… so why hadn’t Xu Nannan appeared at all?

That wasn’t like her.

Even the youngest had jumped in to complain—so why was the fourth silent?

Ruan Yaoyao took out her phone and called Xu Nannan.

“The number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try again later…”

Again.

And again.

And again…

Ruan Yaoyao frowned slightly. “What time did the fourth one leave today? Has anyone been in contact with her?”

Everyone at the table said no. Only Yu Xiangqiao mentioned that a few days ago, Xu Nannan had said she was meeting an important client today—but hadn’t said she wouldn’t be back for dinner.

“What kind of important client?” Ruan Yaoyao asked.

Yu Xiangqiao shook her head. “I don’t know. She didn’t mention a name, and I didn’t ask.”

As a painter, Xu Nannan would occasionally accept private commissions if the price was right. The client she went to meet today was someone who had requested a custom piece.

They had tried to arrange a meeting several times before, but she had been busy—so it was postponed until today.

But no one expected that once she went out today… she wouldn’t return.