Under the burning sun, the vendors sat in the shade, fanning themselves lazily as they sold their wares to the few braving the afternoon heat. The air shimmered with heatwaves, and even the cicadas seemed too weary to cry. At the corner of the bustling street, a modest tea house prepared for the midday rush, its wooden beams worn smooth by years of use.
With an umbrella in hand and a straw hat perched low over his face, Lì Jìn (力劲) stepped inside the tea house. Despite his entirely black attire, which seemed ill-suited for the sweltering weather, not a single bead of sweat marred his skin. The little servant who greeted him couldn't help but wonder if the umbrella and hat he carried possessed some cooling charm.
"Gongzi, what would you like to have?" the servant asked, bowing politely. "In this weather, a cool cup of tea would help. Perhaps today's special—Lotus Tea?"
Lì Jìn leaned the umbrella against the table and removed his hat, letting it hang by the cord behind him. His long black hair, tied half up in a ponytail with a simple ribbon and guan, spilt like silk down his back. His face was striking—phoenix eyes glinting like tempered steel and lips so red they seemed to bloom in the dim light.
"Lotus tea?" His phoenix eyes narrowed as he spoke, his voice smooth like a gentle stream yet carrying an unmistakable weight. "I don't like lotuses. Bring me something else. Whatever food is available will suffice."
The servant, momentarily dazed by the young man's commanding aura, quickly bowed and retreated to prepare his meal. Alone at his table, Lì Jìn let his gaze wander across the room, though his thoughts were far from the tea house.
I should have acquired a beast for transport. Walking here was such a waste of time…
Lì Jìn's fingers drummed lightly on the wooden table, his expression unreadable. The journey to TinTai Mountain was not urgent, yet a nagging thought stirred in his mind.
First, I need to get back my dear companion.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he considered the mountain where his companion's faint energy signature lingered. But there was no rush. The mission could wait a little longer. For now, he intended to indulge in the new delicacies that this bustling city had to offer.
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TinTai Mountain was unremarkable, one of countless peaks dotting the region. Its forested slopes were home to a modest number of spiritual and demonic beasts, though nothing that would draw seasoned cultivators. Officially, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Jin Sect's Lei City branch. Yet, the sect's influence in this city paled compared to its standing elsewhere in the Dà Qìn (大沁 /Dynasty of Great Reverence) dynasty, ranking as the third most powerful sect here.
Standing by a quiet river at the mountain's base, Lì Jìn closed his eyes. The cool breeze ruffled his hair as he extended a pulse of Qi outward, letting it ripple through the air and water. The energy spread out like a silent wave, searching for the faint thread of his companion's presence.
The energies of several beasts tangled in the air, yet Liáo's was the most familiar. That wisp black with silver streaks wrapped around his in a pleading struggle. Lì Jìn's face stiffened at the weak response. The thought of something having happened to his friend stabbed him in the heart.
With his fists clenched, he went farther down the stream. There, a more ragged area appeared, the smooth flow of water contrasting against the rough terrain. A few cracks and broken boulders left by cultivators and beasts among which was a larger boulder with a thin fissure, almost imperceptible to the eye. From within came the fragmented wisps of demonic Qi, the one most familiar to Lì Jìn.
With a face cold enough to freeze over the south, his index and middle fingers pressed together like the blade of a sword. His arm moved in a swift, elegant motion down the fissure of the boulder. A string of red Qi cutting it into equal halves.
Within the destruction, was a small curled-up body of black fur. Silver lined the edges, and the body moved up and down with the breath of the fox. Its body twitched as though waking up.
Li Jìn's eyes never left the fox, ensuring there were no external or internal injuries. The fox — Liáo, had his cultivation weakened to early Qi Refinement, likely the cause of his younger body. This, thankfully, does not seem to have left any injuries. Soon, the black eyes of the fox opened to see the lithe young man in front of him.
It jumped in surprise, standing on guard, but quickly relaxed.
"Oh, it's just you Xiao Lì. It's been so long, I didn't recognise you."
"A- Liáo, what happened to you?"
The black fox groaned, stretching as it–he, answered, "I was fighting Gu Rong, that bastard! I managed to kill him and he managed to injure me enough to regress my cultivation."
Liáo jumped into the warm hands of Lì Jìn who gently stroked his fur, removing the debris and dust. "Looks like we need to bring up your cultivation again."
"Agh! What a pain! I was at the peak of the Soul Formation Stage at that!"
"Good job, A-Liáo. You've worked hard." The small smile on Lì Jìn flustered the old fox. Burying his head in the strong arms, he replied, "O-of course! Who do you think I am!"
As he sent gentle strands of Qi through Liáo's body, Lì Jìn suggested he eat some Lingling grass. Liáo grudgingly accepted, enduring through the disgusting taste of the grass. He needed what he could get to quickly enhance and they would need a place to perform alchemy to use the Pojie Grass. His body, now with the lessened burden of absorbing Qi thanks to the Lingling grass relaxed.
A comfortable silence settled between them. The sounds of birds chirping, the river flowing and Lì Jìn's firm footsteps contrasted with the distant wailing of spiritual and demonic beasts. The smell of wildflowers and the calming scent of sandalwood with plum blossoms from Lì Jìn contrasted with the smell of iron– of blood in the air.
A few steps away from them was a young man who had fallen to death. His body was surrounded by his dried blood, surprisingly left untouched. Liáo looked back and forth between Lì Jìn and the young man.
Identical. No, they were the same faces. The young man's face was thin but with hints of baby fat, while Lì Jìn's was that of a young adult. It seemed he had been dead for several hours now.
Li Jin gently set aside Liao. Kneeling next to the body, he examined this peculiar case. Ignoring their similar faces, the young man seemed to have been only at the Mid-Qi Refinement Stage. He looked to be fifteen to sixteen, an age where you would at least be at the Late-Foundation Establishment Stage. His body was battered in bruises that seemed to have been formed not long ago.
As he looked, a mischievous glint appeared in Li Jìn's eyes. Liao sighed as the man pressed two fingers to the young man's temple.
"Will you be bringing him back to life or…"
"Looking into his memories. He has grudges, but his soul has already departed."
The red light flowed through, carrying the memories of the young man.
Surprisingly the young man's name was Jin Li (劲力), the same characters as Li Jin (力劲). He was the third young master of the Lei City branch of the Jin Sect. Despite his position, Jin Li was relentlessly bullied by his family and fellow disciples. His father, Jin Xuan was the most excellent disciple the branch family had in years. With their declining fortunes, the main Jin Sect paid very little attention to them. Jin Xuan was their opportunity to gain attention.
Yet, their dreams came crashing down in a Sect competition ten years ago, where the opponent ruthlessly defeated Jin Xuan, almost leaving him crippled. Though he still had his cultivation, Jin Xuan lost all his motivation and with the branch family not gaining anything, they did not show the same support to Jin Xuan.
Jin Xuan now mostly secured himself, while Jin Li had to suffer the brunt of everyone's contempt.
A few hours ago, when Jin Li had hidden himself away on the top of the mountain, his cousin Jin ZhaoKai and his lackeys found him, beating him to death before pushing him down the mountain.
Liao clicked his tongue at the bravery of these young men – to kill their family member and disciple, yet they would cower at the thought of killing others.
Jin Li had a few grudges and regrets. He wanted to get revenge for his father and against his own family and sect. He regretted he wasn't better at cultivation like his father or his sister, Jin Xiaoyun. But none of these were strong enough to hold back his soul from departing.
"It is good that his soul departed." Li Jin said. With a small wave of his hand, Jin Li's body disappeared. Liao once again jumped into Li Jin's arms, "Why?"
"Souls too similar to each other must not exist in the same world."
Liao licked his paw, "Is that also why he looks so similar to you?"
"Must be. If he were to continue staying, he would only suffer more."
"Then what do you plan to do now? Immediately go and play around as Jin Li, or do you have something to do first?"
Li Jin let out a small chuckle. With a snap of his fingers, his face had become younger, and his attire red and white resembling the clothes of Jin Li.
As he teleported to the top of the mountain, he wondered out loud a question that made Liao sigh.
"I wonder what kind of role Mo Yan will play this time?"