Leaving the structured calm of the Pill Hall, Li Wei made his way toward the market. The path, a narrow trail weaving through the mountain's dense foliage, felt like a transition from one world to another. The tranquil sounds of forest, with occasional bird calls and rustling leaves, accompanied his descent.
As he neared the market, the sparse lighting from lanterns and torches flickered, casting dancing shadows. The market itself was modest, catering to those of the Qi Cultivation Realm. It was not bustling like the grand markets in the heart of the sect, but it had its own subdued energy.
Stalls were sparsely spread out, some with vendors eagerly calling out to the few passersby, hoping to make a late sale. The goods were simpler here—basic cultivation resources and everyday necessities. The aroma of simple, hearty food wafted from a nearby stall, contrasting the more exotic scents of the herbs Li Wei was accustomed to handling.
People milled about. They were the ones who, like Li Wei, lived on the fringes of the sect's power structure. Their conversations were low, deals were made quietly, and exchanges were swift. Li Wei moved among them, his eyes scanning for anything interesting. He kept his demeanour inconspicuous, not wanting to draw undue attention in this place where every disciple sought an edge to advance.
Li Wei walked through the market, eyes scanning the various stalls for bones.
He finally found a stall that seemed to offer what he needed at reasonable prices. The stall was modest, with bones of various sizes and types displayed on a simple wooden table, each labelled with a price.
He walks up to the shopkeeper.
"Li Wei, 5th level Qi Cultivation," Li Wei introduces himself. His eyes briefly scan the assortment of bones on display.
"Ah a newbie! Pleased to meet you; I'm Wang Hui, 8th-level Qi Cultivation," the disciple responds, his expression warm. "Junior Brother, how can I assist you today?" he asks, his voice friendly yet curious.
Li Wei hesitates for a moment. "I'm in need of bones, but I'm not sure which would be best," he admits, hoping to receive some guidance.
"Bones from Qi cultivators are quite valuable," he explains. "They can fetch several gold coins due to their rich essence."
Li Wei frowns slightly at the mention of gold coins, knowing such prices are beyond his current means.
"However," Wang Hui continues, "mortal bones are much more affordable. They're common and still effective for cultivation, especially for those at lower levels."
Wang Hui picks up a bone, weighing it in his hand. "The pricing here is typically based on weight. This allows for flexibility depending on what you need and can afford."
Wang Hui gestures towards another section of his stall. "Beast bones, over there, are more expensive. They're sought after for pill concoction. Plus, there's a higher supply of mortal bones, making them a budget-friendly choice."
Li Wei shifts to the animal and beast bones, considering their potential benefits against their higher cost.
"Keep in mind, fresher bones yield more essence when used in cultivation. The fresher the bone, the more potent the essence you can extract."
"If you're looking for the freshest bones, buying live humans is the way to go. But remember, it's more expensive," he advises with a pointed look.
He gestures towards the corner of the market. "A live human will cost you 10 silver; the price can vary based on their health and age. The younger and healthier they are, the more you'll have to pay." His explanation carries a note of caution.
"Senior Brother Wang, do you have any techniques for sale?" Li Wei asks, his voice steady.
Wang Hui looks at him, nodding slowly. "Yes, we have plenty. Qi Cultivation techniques aren't hard to come by here. They're cheap too since they're not very effective, and everyone has copies," he says matter-of-factly. He walks over to a shelf, picks a few books, and returns to Li Wei.
"For 'Bone Armour' and 'Bone Blade', just one silver coin each. 'Bone Shield' and 'Bone Shot' are slightly better – three silver coins for each of those," Wang Hui says, laying the books out in front of Li Wei.
"Great, I'll take 'Bone Blade'," Li Wei nods, his decision clear.
"And with three silver, how many bones can I get?" he adds, glancing toward the bones arrayed behind Wang Hui.
Wang Hui considers for a moment before replying, "No problem. This full skeleton would cost you five silver, so for three, I can give you a little over half of it."
Li Wei agrees with a satisfied nod, content with the transaction.
"Be safe, Junior Brother. It's getting dark out," Wang Hui says with a serious tone. He looks at Li Wei, his expression firm. "You don't need me to tell you how the other outer disciples get when assessment day comes. A disciple of your level purchasing this much is a target, Be safe."
He handed Li Wei the 'Bone Blade' technique book and a large sack that clinked with the weight of the bones inside.
Li Wei grips the book and the sack firmly. "Thank you, Senior Brother," he responds, acknowledging the advice and the transaction. He feels the weight of the sack, a physical reminder to be cautious as he prepares to leave.
Li Wei trudges back to his cave, each step measured and heavy with fatigue.
Li Wei returns to his cave, the journey quiet as the skies darken. He steps inside, the familiar cool air of the cave greeting him. Without hesitation, he carries the heavy sack of bones over to the corner of the room and lets it drop with a thud that echoes off the stone walls. Eagerly, with a sense of anticipation warming him, he immediately reaches for the 'Bone Blade' manual.
'Finally, I can use the cheat again,' Li Wei thinks, a surge of anticipation coursing through him as he gazes at the manual. 'With this, I wont be so helpless.' His fingers are eager as they prepare to turn the page, ready to unlock the power that awaits.
Li Wei settles down to read through the 'Bone Blade' manual meticulously from start to finish. The text is a mere copy, the handwriting rough and difficult to follow, but he perseveres, absorbing the information. As he finishes, a system notification silently unfolds in his mind:
[Detected cultivation technique 'Bone Blade'. Focus Qi in the palm, draw out your bone, endure extreme pain, and form a blade. Brittle bone blade, the strength of bone depends on the cultivation level, with a week-long internal recovery.]
[Modification Suggestion: Ingest bone essence before using the technique to strengthen the new bone growth and endure extreme pain. This attracts the bone essence into the growth, enhancing durability slightly.]
"What the fuck is this? So my durability is only slightly better, but the pain is still there?, hasn't changed a bit. Fuck my life. Whatever, I have nothing to defend myself with apart from rocks. I must do this."
Li Wei pours the last of his bone essence into a water bowl. With a steady hand, he stirs the mixture, watching as it turns into a cloudy solution. He sets the bowl down and sits cross-legged on the cold stone floor of his cave, facing the bowl. Taking a deep breath to centre himself, he prepares mentally for the task ahead. He reaches out, dips his fingers into the solution, and brings them to his lips, drinking the essence-infused water slowly, feeling it course through him. He closes his eyes, focusing his mind, ready to begin.
Li Wei concentrates, channelling his Qi into the centre of his palm. His breathing is measured and deep. He can feel the energy building. With intention, he directs his focus to the solid bone beneath the skin near his elbow. He wills the bone to move.
A sharp sensation emerges at the chosen spot, indicating that the bone is reacting. The pain escalates rapidly, a fierce, burning agony. He maintains his focus through gritted teeth, coaxing the bone to the surface.
Li Wei's eyes begin to water as the pain intensifies. He seethes, breaths drawn in hisses through clenched teeth, but remains resolute. His concentration doesn't waver; his Qi pulls at the bone. He watches, almost in detachment, as a point emerges slowly, painfully, from his elbow. With every ounce of willpower, he continues to draw it out.
As the bone extends to the length of two hands, Li Wei gives a sharp tug at the pointed tip. With a jarring snap, the bone detaches from his elbow. Immediately, he pushes the jagged end protruding from his arm. Gently but firmly, he urges the remaining bone back beneath his skin, sealing it back into place. He's left with a rough hole at his elbow, the edge of the bone still visible just under the surface. Remarkably, there's no blood—a testament to the peculiar nature of the technique.
Li Wei examines the bone in his hand, its tip sharpened to a point. His gaze lingers on the makeshift weapon, and a sense of dissatisfaction settles within him. It's merely a sharpened bone, far from the formidable tool he had envisioned.
Exhausted from the ordeal, Li Wei lies down, allowing his body to rest after the intense exertion.