I followed my master around the city. Through many markets and passing by many shops. Those that knew her paid their respects. It was because Purple Phoenix Palace was one of the top Sects in the Void World. So naturally the city they resided near would be affluent.
We arrived at a place that served the things we wanted. It wasn't hard to get a seat. There was always a place available to those from Purple Phoenix Palace. This was the way it was pretty much anywhere.
"What shall I bring to the honored guests?" A woman asked after having poured two cups of tea.
"Two pots of spiritual essence tea. 1 jar of ice wolf wine. And he will have…" Master Feng ordered then flashed her eyes over to me.
"I'd like a pot of Thunder tea. 5 trays of beef filled steamed buns. 3 orders of chicken dumplings. All this to start. After I finish I want another 5 trays of spiced buns." I said while my mouth watered like a waterfall into a raging river.
The woman chuckled a bit. "The chefs have already started cooking the buns. They started as soon as you walked in. All of us still wonder where you put it in your little body." She said, then bowing and returning to bring out the food.
"I did some looking into what happened to those bullies." Master Feng said.
"This disciple need not know. The bullies were likely slapped on the wrist. Given the position the main one's father has." I said, showing the rare and focused side of myself. I could get away with a mixture at this point now that I had some cultivation base even if only a little.
Master sighed, realizing that I knew more about the workings of the sect than I had let on. Which was why I dared to fight. It was truly the only way for me. This was because I was her disciple. She was about to inherit the Palace Master position. So it was only natural that this would happen.
"You earned the meat this time. My disciple just started cultivating and held his own against three much higher realm cultivators. You just assured that I will assume the position as the Master of Purple Phoenix with those actions of yours." Master Feng said, interlocking her hands and resting her chin.
"Master, speaks too highly of this disciple. I only did what needed to be done. I only regret not being able to pound their faces in. They dared to insult you and my late mother." I said, still waiting for her to take a sip of her tea so I could drink.
"You speak well for a 4 year old, An Leiji. So is there anything else you'd like now?" Master Feng asked, sipping her tea finally.
"Master Feng has given me much already. Though this disciple would be lying if he said there wasn't anything he wanted…" I said, then downing the cup full of tea. I was super thirsty. And this was the only thirst I'd be able to quench for several years.
"Hmmm, you want artifacts that suit you. Well… this isn't out of the question but I'll have to require you to develop a Knowledge Sea. So you must reach the Immortal ascension realm once you do this I can then bestow these requested artifacts to you. For now take these pills. They will help you accumulate more yuan Qi. Your natural rate seems to be quite good already though taking a few supplements like this wouldn't be a bad thing." Master Feng said, handing over a space bag.
This was because space rings couldn't be used by anyone that didn't have the ability to control and mobilize their strength. Something I am not capable of… for now anyways.
"This disciple thanks Master Feng." I said, cupping my hands.
"You earned it this time. I look forward to seeing what improvements you can make. Also you should remember while I am your master. I am not your honored master. You must choose this person carefully." Master Feng said, getting ready for the show that was about to happen.
"This disciple…" I stopped, seeing the food appear on the table. "...understands…" I finished saying.
Master Feng opened her wine and drank some. I proceeded to begin operation devour. A bun in one hand and dumplings in the other. The trays began clearing up quickly. So satisfying. Beef is the best. YUM!
When we returned home I continued training. I had been granted the use of training equipment. It was only on the mortal level and couldn't handle the strength of spiritual power. However, it was more than enough to begin practicing the moves that required one or even both weapon types. A week passed and I reached the 8th layer.
At the 8th layer I was able to perform a string of 20 moves in series without tiring. I could push it to 25 if I really put my all into it. However, this yielded massively low results. Which was why I stuck with the 'slow and steady' approach. 3 more weeks passed. I reached the 9th layer Body Tempering Realm.
I felt absolutely nothing short of amazing. I could link upwards of 200 moves at my limit. My body felt great. This was truly something amazing. The amount of training I did only increased. I would occasionally have a sparring match here or there but even still reaching into Initial Element Realm took me another 3 months. I was roughly 4 and half years old at this point.
This is when I finally took my Qi Gathering Pills. Only after I reached the Initial Element. I didn't want to find out after the fact that I should have waited. Along with that gut feeling to not do it just yet. The strength of these pills was beyond my understanding at the moment. As a result I had been wary of them at first. Though now I felt everything was fine.
So I sat down and took the very first pill. Either way this was an experience I would certainly need to have for future progression. That was an absolute certainty.