TGDS Chapter 73.1

The Good Dad System (Arc 10) Chapter 73.1: The Villain’s Dad in the Cultivation Novels (7)

The Lanyue Sect’s reforms, not widely anticipated, proved to be a sound path for its development over time. Even the Xunxing Sect, which had previously been competing with the Lanyue Sect, quietly adopted the sect’s approach. The promises of retreat and cultivation, so solemnly pledged, ultimately proved empty, with the ten-year agreement abandoned halfway through.

The Five Elements Law, once publicly disclosed, has since been adopted by numerous practitioners, guiding many young men and women, once limited by their spiritual roots, to embark on the path of cultivation.

“…Through the concerted efforts of the entire sect over the past few years, the Lanyue Sect now has strict internal management, and relations between the inner and outer sects are more harmonious than ever. The only difference lies in their respective qualifications and developmental directions. Under the guidance of the wise and powerful Sect Master Pei, several elders have traveled extensively, leveraging their connections over the years to recruit several independent cultivators with specialized skills and offer them positions as outer sect elders. On weekdays, he guides disciples who have no interest in cultivation or are more talented in other areas to develop their specialties. In just a few years, the sect has initially achieved self-sufficiency in low- and medium-level elixirs and spiritual tools; the sect is prosperous together…”

He Shu stood in front of the long desk, writing like a god, and a “Annual Summary of Lanyue Sect” was completed. The development of Lanyue Sect in these years is inseparable from the joint efforts of his fellow disciples. He has his own ideas in his mind and can write them quickly without looking up data. Of course, this is also his talent to some extent. Several fellow disciples, let alone annual summaries, have to rummage through boxes and drawers to make notes even when writing a summary of cultivation. He Shu often worries about their future disciples. If his nephews encounter confusion in cultivation in the future, he wonders whether his fellow disciples can provide solutions.

After the work was done, it was naturally time to rest. After all, the master had said that a balance of work and rest is the right path. He Shu reached into his wide sleeves and held in his hand a round moon-shaped white jade ornament. It looked smooth and shiny, with a faint flicker of light in the center. With no one around, he simply lay down on the couch at the back and, with a cheerful face, began his journey of surfing the internet—

Yes, surfing the internet.

After arriving in this world, Pei Naochun discovered that its energy was self-sufficient. You have to know that in the modern world, burning coal or wood would damage the environment, and using hydropower or wind power would be limited by climatic conditions. But spiritual energy was different. By drawing a formation, it could be continuously and repeatedly recycled, inexhaustible, and it could be called a three-in-one energy source that was environmentally friendly, energy-saving, and inexpensive.

Furthermore, in the world of cultivation, communication methods were far more advanced than one might imagine. Voices could be transmitted over great distances, and images and records could be left behind using image stones. To put it in modern terms, the world of cultivation had high-speed, stable text messaging channels. Of course, these channels were mostly one-on-one, relying on spiritual mediums.

Cultivation, in fact, wasn’t particularly interesting; it was more about finding joy in comprehending the Great Dao. Pei Naochun had prioritized his son in his life, intentionally suppressing his cultivation and avoiding the idea of retreating for five or ten years, leaving everything behind upon return. However, precisely because he spent more time outside, boredom inevitably set in. He discussed the idea with an outer sect elder skilled in refining instruments, and together they established the Lanyue Forum. Initially, the forum was ostensibly for disciples to exchange experiences, but gradually, the organization relaxed its rules and established various specialized sections.

At the last Nine Gates Exchange Conference, many sect disciples were drawn to this new platform. Some, favored and daring, begged their sect leaders and elders to speak with Pei Naochun and purchase a whole set of forum servers and a similar number of White Moonstones. This inexplicably became a revenue-generating venture. Now, the Moon-Grasping Forum has officially been renamed the Nine Gates Forum, and even many independent cultivators have joined.

He Shu was one of the first disciples to trial the forum’s functionality. The section he oversees, Sect Development, is often referred to by most disciples as the “Demon Abyss.” It’s said that anyone who strays into it will be forcibly brainwashed, their words filled with clichés. Even their speeches are structured, starting with a greeting, then summarizing events, and finally looking toward the future. It’s a perfectly structured, standard presentation. However, those who manage this section for extended periods are mostly core disciples in charge of management.

As soon as he logged in, a flurry of notifications appeared in the upper right corner of the projection. Of course, due to privacy settings, others couldn’t see the projection interface. This was a simple operation in the world of cultivation; it was simply a personal identification feature. He Shu knew without even clicking on it that it was bound to be another request for help. Other sects were still in the initial stages of “reform,” and the heavy responsibility largely fell on the core disciples. The problem was, some of these disciples were solely focused on cultivation, like the monks in the Holy Temple, who could recite sutras and interpret divinations with great eloquence, but when it came to management, most of them were gloomy.

As moderator and overall director of the Lanyue Sect’s reform affairs, He Shu felt a strong sense of responsibility. Despite the numerous messages, he carefully answered them one by one. From time to time, the level of the questions would subconsciously make him frown in annoyance.

“Big Brother!” a young man’s voice echoed from the distance outside the hall. As the voice grew closer, his figure appeared at the hall entrance. It was Pei Mingzhen, dressed in a crimson robe and clutching a black short sword. A teenager in his teens, with delicate features and a youthful energy,

He Shu laughed heartily, quickly standing up and casually straightening his slightly wrinkled clothes. “Have you finished your sword training? Your cultivation has improved significantly lately, and you seem close to a breakthrough.” Like their master, he preferred to maintain a somewhat imposing image in front of his younger apprentice, even if that image might no longer be quite so impressive.

Pei Mingzhen looked at him helplessly, “Brother, have you seen me practice?” There it was again.

“No need to see. I know our Mingzhen’s swordsmanship must be excellent,” He Shu boasted, oblivious to his own sincerity. “You’ve been diligent in your training since childhood, and you possess a natural talent. Who could possibly compare to you?”

“…” Pei Mingzhen was truly exhausted and didn’t feel like talking.

He Shu continued, “During the last sect competition, your swordsmanship received considerable praise. I’ve read all the posts on the forum, and everyone praises your brilliance as far superior to everyone else.”

Pei Mingzhen’s expression remained impassive, unmoved by the praise. He had also read the forum posts. The two most active posters weren’t using real-name accounts—a feature Pei Naochun had implemented. To ensure the forum’s free expression, everyone had a private, private alias, allowing for more unbridled posts. But one of them was titled “I’ve Dedicated Myself to the Sect,” while the other was titled “My Son is the Best in the World.” Pei Mingzhen didn’t even need to guess who was behind the scenes.

God knows how “hard” he’s been through these years.

Have you ever seen someone battle wits and courage with their father for cultivation? Have you ever seen someone wipe their sweat and be told how hard it’s been, just as they raise their sword? Have you ever seen Mingming meditate for just half an hour when his father’s worried gaze appears nearby, as if he’s been in seclusion for ten years?

That’s right, this is his biological father and him.

For years, Pei Mingzhen had been engaged in a daily battle of wits and courage with his father and fellow practitioners for cultivation. When he was young, his fellow practitioners would coax him into practicing later, saying he was too young. When he was a little older and could casually swing his sword, his father would be astonished, praising and applauding him, as if he were a child taking on a monster. Even though his cultivation level wasn’t even one ten-millionth of his father’s vast power, his fellow practitioners and father would toast and celebrate, praising his astonishing talent, saying he was one in a million… These were all understatements, not exaggerations.

If it weren’t for his unwavering resolve, he would have long since given up cultivation amidst the sweet talk! Just now, even though his fellow practitioners had been busy with the annual review and hadn’t seen him in days, he still started praising him.

Could this be the meaning of Heaven’s promise to give a man a great responsibility, and to make him suffer? This is truly a difficult test.

“Brother, you’re too kind.” Pei Mingzhen’s face tightened in a serious tone. “In the path of cultivation, the strong prey on the weak. How can you just blindly praise me just because you love me?” He meant it.

“How could that be?” He Shu’s eyes widened. “Brother, every word is from the heart. If you don’t believe me, ask the other brothers, or even the Sect Master!”

Pei Mingzhen, with a rare look of doubt, showed a look of doubt. Would it be any use asking them? They were clearly all in cahoots!

He Shu smiled. “Mingzhen, you must believe that everyone in the inner and outer sects is in awe of you.”

Pei Mingzhen didn’t want to argue with his brother about this; it was all nonsense. “Brother, I want to cultivate in Hanshan!” He looked longingly. “I saw a post on the forum about a site of a senior monk there. Cultivating there will help you comprehend the sword spirit!”

“No!” He Shu said seriously. “The forums are full of nonsense.” He quickly acted like a permission troll, searching the post behind his junior brother’s back and blocking it. As the eldest brother, he still had some power.

“Brother! Many seniors on the forum have said it’s true!” Pei Mingzhen was about to post something, but his eyes widened in shock. Where was the post he had saved there? What about a post that was so long, three or four hundred stories long? How could it be gone?

“Let me see.” He Shu’s face was full of righteousness, not at all like someone who had just made a small move. “Mingzhen, please open the permissions and let me take a look. Otherwise, I won’t be at ease.”

Pei Mingzhen was speechless: “…” He stammered, “Maybe the post was deleted? It really was there before!” Could it be that this was just a scene in his dream?

“Mingzhen, there are so many rumors in this world. If you believed them all, how could you possibly have so much time?” He Shu narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and privately sent a message to his master, boasting, “If you want to hone your swordsmanship, go to the Mission Hall and take on some missions.”

His junior brother was exceptionally gifted in the way of the sword, and his progress was rapid, almost on par with his senior brothers. There was no need to seek a breakthrough in dangerous places. There were countless paths to cultivation: some involved overcoming obstacles and striving for breakthroughs, while others involved steady progress, cultivating the mind and improving one’s state of mind. Their Lanyue Sect’s cultivation method centered on the latter.

“Alright, then, senior brother, get on with your work.” Pei Mingzhen, far from spoiled, was persuaded by his senior brother’s words and obediently flew his sword towards the Mission Hall.

He Shu breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he watched his junior brother leave, his master arrived.

“Disciple, thank you for your hard work.” Pei Naochun walked into the hall slowly, a look of resignation on his face. He had no intention of spoiling his son. It was simply that as cultivators reached new realms, their lifespans extended beyond imagination. Just like the protagonists in the novel, they began their cultivation in their teens. Those raised within the inner sect began cultivating earlier than the average person. As they reached adulthood, they had ample time to cultivate slowly, without the need to intensively cultivate at such a young age.