Li Wei awakens at the break of dawn, his left elbow throbbing—a reminder of his recent cultivation practice. He dresses, taking care not to jar his healing arm, and sets out for the pill hall. The cool morning air grazes his skin as he walks, the sect slowly stirring to life around him. Reaching the hall, he settles outside Senior Huo's door and waits. Outer disciples rush around, their tasks underway, but Senior Huo's call does not come. Li Wei sits quietly, the discomfort in his elbow a constant presence, as he patiently awaits an instruction that, for now, doesn't arrive. Li Wei remains patient, his thoughts turning inward as he considers the day ahead.
Senior Huo emerges from his room, his expression focused. He pauses to glance at Li Wei, "Today, I only need you to clean after I'm done. Don't stand around, and don't bother me."
Li Wei bows, "Yes, of course, Senior Brother."
A silver coin arcs from Senior Huo's hand towards Li Wei, who catches it deftly. "Thank you, Senior Brother," Li Wei says. Senior Huo nods a silent acknowledgement before returning to his work, leaving Li Wei alone.
Caught off guard by the sudden change in his routine, Li Wei's thoughts race. "What the hell do I do now?" he ponders silently. The instruction not to linger outside Senior Huo's door disrupts the day he had mentally prepared for. "Can't even wait in my usual spot," he muses, a twinge of frustration in his mental voice. "Whatever, I guess I'll use this time wisely," he decides, seeking the silver lining. "Might as well go and memorize more herbs or something," he concludes.
"Might help with the system," he reflects quietly, acknowledging the value of knowledge. "The more information on resources, the better." He understands that every herb, every piece of information he commits to memory, could be the key to unlocking new realms and making the most of the system.
Li Wei enters the herb room, surrounded by towering cupboards filled with countless herbs. He opens one after another, the hinges whispering softly. Inside, the herbs are neatly organized, each in its designated place. Familiar herbs greet him; their scents and colours are a canvas of his daily life.
The wooden drawers open with a soft creak, revealing rows of small compartments inside, each holding different dried herbs.
He begins examining the contents, his fingers lightly touching the leaves and roots. Most are familiar to him; their textures and scents bring to mind the countless hours he's spent grinding and mixing them. But as he delves deeper into the collection, he encounters some rarities.
These rare specimens capture his attention. He lifts each one carefully, noting the unique patterns on their leaves, the subtle differences in their structures, and the complex scents they release. Some have delicate, thread-like roots, while others bear tiny, vibrant flowers even in their dried state.
Li Wei takes his time with each herb, turning it over in his hands, committing its appearance and aroma to memory. He recognizes the potential these herbs have for powerful elixirs or for boosting cultivation—if used correctly. This knowledge, he knows, is precious.
Fascinated by these new discoveries, Li Wei's initial disappointment fades into the background.
Li Wei is carefully sorting through the herbs, each drawer revealing more of the sect's botanical wealth when he spots Zhang Jie. He's walking between the cupboards, examining the labels with a focused gaze. "Senior Brother Zhang," Li Wei calls out, keeping his tone even.
As Zhang Jie approaches, Li Wei is careful with his formalities, his recent advancement to the fifth level a secret kept close to his chest. Inside, he's wary, not wanting to spark any envy or negative feelings that might come with revealing his new status.
Li Wei is absorbed in his task when he hears a familiar voice, "Ah, Junior Brother," Zhang Jie greets him. Li Wei looks up, meeting Zhang Jie's steady gaze.
"How have you been?" Zhang Jie asks.
Li Wei pauses, considering his response. "Just the usual, Senior Brother. Keeping busy with the herb work," he replies, hoping to steer the conversation away from his personal progress.
Zhang Jie leans against a nearby cupboard, his eyes reflecting a memory. "Remember when we first met? Ever find out who gave you the wrong list of herbs?"
Li Wei shakes his head, a faint line appearing between his brows. "No, I never did. That day's still a bit of a blur," he says, his voice carrying a hint of the confusion he felt back then.
Zhang Jie clucks his tongue. "A rough start, but looks like you're doing well for yourself now, despite that."
Li Wei just nods, his mouth set in a thin line, not wanting to dive deeper into how far he's actually come since then.
Zhang Jie's curiosity is apparent. "Maybe if you describe his face or height, I might recognize him. I'm quite familiar with the outer disciples."
Li Wei furrows his brow in concentration. "Well, he had a sharp jawline, and he wasn't tall—somewhat short, actually."
"Hmm," Zhang Jie muses, "a sharp jaw is distinctive. And shorter than average could narrow it down."
"Yes, and he had a scar, just here," Li Wei gestures to his own forehead, "crossing his eyebrow."
"A scar, you say?" Zhang Jie's eyes narrow in thought.
Zhang Jie's eyes narrow as he places the description. "That would be Fang Xu. Short, scar across the brow? Notorious character. There's a rumour he once dispatched a rival. He's seventh level. Best keep your distance."
Li Wei takes a mental snapshot of the name. "Fang Xu," he repeats quietly. "I'll make sure to steer clear."
"If you have a moment, Senior Brother, I had some questions about cultivation," Li Wei says, a hint of urgency in his voice.
Zhang Jie checks the hallway, considering. "Sure, but make it quick. I can't keep Senior Lu waiting," he replies.
Li Wei nods, grateful for the opportunity. "It's about advancing through the Qi Refinement Levels," he starts, keeping his inquiry brief to respect Zhang Jie's time constraints.
Li Wei hesitates, then speaks up, "I've been using the bone sword technique, but the drawbacks are harsh and the result isn't what I was hoping for."
Zhang Jie nods, a look of understanding crossing his features. "Yes, the qi cultivation techniques we have are... less than ideal. The Bone Sect doesn't put much stock in the flesh; bones are the focus. It's said that eventually, the flesh becomes irrelevant to a bone cultivator."
Li Wei absorbs this, and the severity of the path he's on becomes clearer. "So, at the qi cultivation stage, we can regenerate flesh, but..."
Zhang Jie finishes his thought, "Yes, severe blood loss or similar traumas can still be fatal. Our resilience has limits, especially at our humble levels."
Zhang Jie leans in, his voice low. "Take it from me, Bone Shot," he suggests earnestly, "that's your best bet if you can find a copy. It's tough on the body, sure, but worth it." His eyes hold a seriousness that underscores his point.
Li Wei looks at Zhang Jie, a question forming. "I will try, do you know the correct method of turning bones into bone ash," he says cautiously.
Zhang Jie shakes his head slightly. "Sorry, I don't really know much about that," he admits. "Alchemy's for inner disciples. I've picked up bits and pieces from Senior Lu—he's accommodating with information, but that's about all I've got."
Li Wei's expression falls a little, but he nods in understanding, recognizing the limitations imposed by their sect's hierarchy on knowledge sharing.
Li Wei offers a sincere look of gratitude. "Thank you for your time Senior Brother," he says, his voice steady and appreciative. Zhang Jie gives him a brief nod, acknowledging the thanks with a humble tilt of his head. Li Wei watches as Zhang Jie turns to leave, his silhouette blending into the busyness of the pill hall, his figure becoming just one among many in the sea of disciples.
A jolt of realization hits him—he's spent more time here than intended. He hurries back to Senior Huo's workspace, his pace quick with a mix of anxiety and urgency.
As he rounds the corner, he sees that the door to Senior Huo's workspace is ajar, an unusual sight. Pushing it open, Li Wei steps inside and finds Senior Huo absent, the room left in disarray. The shelves are cluttered, and remnants of herbs are scattered across the work surfaces.
Without hesitation, Li Wei sets to work. He moves methodically, wiping down surfaces, sweeping the floors, and carefully returning tools and containers to their rightful places. His movements are efficient, his mind focused on the task at hand, knowing the importance of leaving the space in pristine condition.
He washes the mortars and pestles, rinsing away the green residue of ground herbs, and dries them before placing them back on their designated spots on the shelf. He folds clothes, clears the waste bin, and ensures that all is as it should be for Senior Huo's return.
After a final scan of the room to confirm nothing had been missed, Li Wei stepped back, satisfied with the order restored. He closes the door quietly behind him, making sure it's properly shut. With the workspace clean and the door securely closed, he departs, leaving behind a space ready for Senior Huo.