Li Wei sits in his cave. Every few hours, he pauses to drink water and bone essence. He can feel the power of the essence coursing through him, pushing his limits further.
A familiar sensation builds within him as he finishes the half-bag of bone essence. It's a deep, internal heat that signals another breakthrough. His body shudders as he advances to the next level of cultivation.
Almost immediately, he feels the now-familiar expulsion of impurities. His skin exudes the foul, stinky liquid, a physical manifestation of impurities leaving his body. Realising the need to cleanse himself, he hurries to the stream once more. He washes away the filth. Fortunately, this time, there's no one around to witness his vulnerable state.
After cleaning himself, Li Wei feels an overwhelming sense of exhaustion washes over him.
Li Wei sits by the stream, his clothes soaked from washing away the foul-smelling liquid. His mind is foggy with fatigue. "I've pushed too hard," feeling the weight of his rapid progress. "Moving up two levels in just two days... it's great. But it's taking its toll."
He feels the strain in every muscle, the weariness in his bones. "This can't go on. I can't keep up this pace. My body, my spirit... they're not used to this." He knows he has to be careful. Cultivating too fast is risky. "I have to slow down," he concludes, "let my body catch up." The realisation is clear in his mind, a necessary caution on his journey.
Li Wei collapses into a deep, undisturbed sleep, exhausted from the intense cultivation and physical strain of breaking through two levels quickly. Over the following week, his routine settles into a rhythm.
During the day, he works diligently in the Pill Hall. His tasks are repetitive, but he performs them with care. Senior Huo continuously makes pills. Li Wei couldn't quite read his expression, but to his surprise, Senior Huo occasionally hands him a silver coin. These moments are brief and without much conversation.
After his rapid progress, Li Wei takes a two-day break from consuming the bone essence. His body needed time to recover and adjust to the new level of power he had attained.
Each night after that, Li Wei returns to his cave after a long day in the Pill Hall. He sits down with the small stash of bone essence he has carefully preserved. With focus and determination, he consumes a portion of the essence mixed with water. The taste is bland, but the effect is powerful. He feels the essence coursing through him, strengthening his Qi and deepening his cultivation.
By the end of the week, after consistently consuming the bone essence, Li Wei feels a significant shift in his body. His cultivation breaks through to the fifth level, a substantial leap. However, as he reaches for the pouch, he realises only one or two pinches are left. He has used up almost all of the bone essence. The realisations bring satisfaction at his progress and concern about continuing to advance without essence.
With the bone essence depleted, Li Wei must find a reliable source of mortal ash. He contemplates his situation, "I need to find a better way to get mortal ash, at a wholesale price."
Senior Huo had given him a few silver coins over the past week for reasons unknown to Li Wei. This unexpected generosity provides Li Wei with a small financial cushion.
"Time to visit that market Jia Long talked about. Hopefully there will be something of use there." The thought of securing more resources relaxes him.
The next morning, Li Wei made his way to the Pill Hall, expecting another routine day.
As Li Wei nears Senior Huo's room, he prepares to wait outside as usual. However, before he can settle into his usual spot, Senior Huo's voice unexpectedly cuts through the quiet corridor. "Li Wei, come inside," Senior Huo calls out, his tone firm and authoritative.
Surprised by the sudden summons, Li Wei hesitates momentarily, then quickly composes himself and steps inside. The room is filled with the familiar scent of herbs and the subtle warmth of the alchemy furnace. Senior Huo is standing near his desk, his expression unreadable as he looks at Li Wei. Li Wei waits silently, attentive and ready for any instructions.
Li Wei's heart skips a beat, thinking, "Maybe he's entrusting me with something more significant today."
Inside, he sees Senior Huo standing beside a basket overflowing with linen. "My servant at my cave has passed away," Senior Huo says indifferently. "I need you to wash these." He points to the basket.
Li Wei feels disappointment and relief; at least it's nothing dangerous. "Yes, Senior Brother," he replies, masking his emotions.
Li Wei picks up the basket filled with linen and heads to a stream, the mountain has streams in abundance. Each piece of linen bearing different stains and residues. These stains are not just ordinary marks; they are remnants of potent concoctions and require careful handling.
Li Wei sets down the basket at the stream and begins his work. He starts by sorting the linen, separating pieces based on the type of stain they carry.
He dipped the first piece of linen into the stream's cool, flowing water. The soap, also in the basket, is a special kind used in the Pill Hall, designed to remove tough alchemical residues without damaging the fabric. Li Wei lathers the linen with soap, gently scrubbing at the stains. The soap produces a light foam, and he can see the stains beginning to dissolve and wash away.
Li Wei works systematically, focusing on one piece of linen at a time. His movements are methodical and precise, showing his dedication to performing the task well. The repetitive scrubbing and rinsing become almost meditative, but Li Wei remains vigilant, ensuring each piece is thoroughly cleaned.
After scrubbing, he rinses each piece in the stream, ensuring no soap or residue remains. The stream's clear water is perfect for carrying away the last traces of soap and leaving the linen clean and fresh.
Once he finished with all the pieces, Li Wei wrang them out carefully, removing as much water as possible. He then lays them out on rocks near the stream, allowing the sun and air to dry them naturally. He occasionally glances at the linen as he works, ensuring it's drying evenly and not getting dirty again.
After Li Wei finishes waiting for Senior Huo's linen to dry, meticulously ensuring each piece is spotless, he approaches Senior Huo to inform him of the task's completion. Senior Huo briefly acknowledges Li Wei without looking up from his work.
"Clean up the apparatuses, then you're done for the day," Senior Huo says, his tone indicating the importance of the task.
Li Wei responds respectfully, "Yes, Senior Brother," and turns his attention to the alchemical apparatuses.
Senior Huo sits at a table, engrossed in studying a scroll, seemingly oblivious to Li Wei's presence. Li Wei moves quietly, careful not to disturb him. He starts with the smaller instruments, picking them up one by one. He inspects each for any residue or impurity before dipping them in a water basin.
He uses a small, soft cloth to gently scrub each piece. The process is repetitive and requires precision, as even a small speck left behind could contaminate future experiments. Li Wei's movements are methodical, his focus unwavering, aware that Senior Huo's sharp eyes might catch any lapse in his diligence.
After cleaning the smaller tools, Li Wei moves on to the larger apparatuses. These require more effort, as their size and complexity make them more challenging to clean thoroughly. He methodically dismantles parts that can be separated, ensuring every nook and cranny is reached.
Throughout this process, Senior Huo occasionally glances over, his expression unreadable. Li Wei feels slightly pressured under his gaze but remains focused on his task. He knows that maintaining these tools in perfect condition is vital for the alchemy performed here and for his standing in Senior Huo's eyes.
As he finishes the last piece of apparatus, Li Wei carefully dries and reassembles each component, placing them back in their designated spots. The room now looks pristine, every tool in its place, ready for the next day's work.
Li Wei stands before Senior Huo, thoroughly cleaning the alchemical apparatuses. He addresses Senior Huo respectfully, "I'm done, Senior Brother."
Without looking up from his scroll, Senior Huo reaches into his robe. It tosses a silver coin in Li Wei's direction. The coin spins in the air, catching the light, before Li Wei deftly catches it.
Gratitude filled Li Wei as he bowed slightly, holding the silver coin tightly. He says sincerely, "Thank you, Senior Brother. You are most generous. I will not forget this kindness."
Senior Huo gives a brief nod, still engrossed in his scroll.
Li Wei carefully stretches his arms out, one hand gently grasping his other wrist. This gesture, a hallmark of politeness and deference, is especially important in the presence of a senior like Senior Huo.
With his arms outstretched in this manner, Li Wei begins to slowly back away from Senior Huo. His movements are deliberate and measured, showing his deep respect for the senior cultivator's status. This posture, with the arms held in such a way, is not just a sign of respect; it also symbolizes humility and a recognition of the senior's higher standing in the hierarchy of cultivation.
Li Wei's gaze remains respectfully lowered, yet he is acutely aware of his surroundings. His steps are quiet and careful, ensuring that he maintains the decorum expected in the presence of a senior. This method of leaving a senior's presence by backing away without turning one's back is deeply rooted in the sect. It shows a high level of respect and acknowledges the senior's authority.
As he reaches the doorway, Li Wei pauses momentarily, still maintaining his respectful posture. He then gives a slight bow, a final gesture of respect, before smoothly turning and exiting the room.
As Li Wei steps out of the Pill Hall, he pauses to observe the setting sun. Its warm hues paint the sky, casting a golden glow over the landscape. The sun's position, inching closer to the horizon, is a reminder of the passing day."I still have time to make a trip to the market."