With the task completed, Li Wei prepared to continue his day. The cave, his solitary domain, holds one more secret and resource for the future.
Li Wei moves towards a moss-covered spot in the cave. This area, distinct with its green, velvety covering, conceals his cache. He crouches down, his hands beginning to work through the moss, gently pushing it aside. Underneath, the earth is cool and slightly damp. He starts to dig, his fingers moving through the soil.
Soon, he uncovers the sack buried beneath. Pulling it out, he brushes off the clinging dirt. Around him, the cave remains still, the only sound being the faint rustle of his movements.
He opens the sack, revealing the shimmering essence powder inside. Beside him, the ten empty pouches lie scattered haphazardly, a sign of his nonchalant attitude towards cleanliness. He collects these pouches, bringing them closer to the sack.
Methodically, Li Wei begins the task of refilling each pouch. He scoops the essence powder carefully, ensuring each pouch is filled evenly. His actions are deliberate, a quiet focus in the solitude of the cave.
Li Wei returns to the sack once all the pouches are refilled and securely tied. He seals it and then carefully reburys it in the mossy spot. He replaces the moss, restoring the area to its original appearance. Once again, the cache remains a secret known only to him.
After completing his task, Li Wei went with his back to the cave wall and sat cross-legged. He relaxes into position, familiar and comfortable. Opening one of the newly filled pouches, he takes some essence. He begins the subtle cultivation process with practised ease, allowing the essence to integrate with his being. The cave, silent and undisturbed, envelops him as he focuses inward, dedicating a few moments to strengthening his Qi.
Li Wei sits still, his mind a whirlpool of thoughts. "I'm close, so close to a breakthrough," he thinks, feeling the surge of Qi within him.
His focus shifts, the remainder of Senior Huo's deadline creeping into his consciousness. "The deadline...," he reflects, a sense of urgency colouring his thoughts. "I can't afford any delays now. Every moment counts."
"As soon as I break through to the 8th level, I'll immediately go to face Xue Feng," he resolves internally.
In the quietude of his cave, Li Wei is suddenly jarred by a voice calling from the entrance. "Senior Brother! Senior Brother!" The call, loud and persistent, echoes off the cave walls.
Li Wei snaps. "Who the hell is it? What do you want?" His voice, sharp and loud, slices through the cave's silence. He strides towards the entrance, his movements quick, fueled by annoyance.
Reaching the cave mouth, he sees Jia Long standing there, a look of surprise on his face. "Senior Brother, is now not a good time?" Jia Long asks, his tone is cautious.
Li Wei's expression softens slightly, his annoyance ebbing away. "Ah, it's you, Jia Long. I thought you might be another beggar or thief."
"Sorry for startling you, Senior Brother. I didn't mean to intrude so abruptly."
Li Wei waves off the apology, his posture relaxing. "It's fine. Just been on edge lately. Too many unwelcome visitors trying to take advantage."
"I heard you've been selling pills, Senior Brother. You should have told me; I might have bought some myself," he jests, trying to lighten the mood.
Li Wei's response is less jovial. "I didn't think you'd be interested. Besides, I'm tired of being interrupted. At first, it was manageable, but now..." He trails off, his annoyance evident.
Jia Long's grin fades a bit as he nods. "I get it, Senior Brother. You're after bigger things now. This area doesn't have much to offer you anymore, right?"
"Exactly," Li Wei agrees with a slight nod. "I have enough herbs and the like. Now, I need something more substantial – high-level technique manuals. Those are hard to come by around here."
Jia Long leans against the cave wall, the shadows from the entrance momentarily eclipsing his face. His voice, when he spoke, was a low murmur, almost conspiratorial. "Makes sense, Senior Brother. Speaking of interruptions, I heard a guy called Shi Tou entered your cave and never came out. That should keep others at bay."
Li Wei's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something icy dancing within them. "How did you know that?" His voice was clipped, razor-sharp.
Jia Long shrugged, a nonchalant air painting his features. "Oh, whispers travel on the wind, Senior Brother."
"Information is my trade, you see. Gathering snippets here and there, piecing together stories from the dust motes of gossip. It's the only way to make a couple silver around here sometimes."
He paused, allowing the meaning of his words to hang heavy in the air. "Besides," he winked, "who wouldn't want to know what happens inside your cave? You're quite famous in these parts now, after all."
A tense silence stretched between them, Li Wei's gaze unwavering as Jia Long met it head-on. The air crackled with unspoken questions, suspicion simmering beneath the surface. Finally, Li Wei broke the silence, his voice a low growl.
"Don't overstep, Jia Long," he warned. "Whispers can turn into screams, and shadows can hide fangs."
"No worries, Senior Brother," he replied. "My lips are sealed tighter than a tomb. My only interest is in information, not secrets. And perhaps," he added with a sly glint, "a chance to earn a few more silver pieces from my newfound knowledge. Those high-level technique manuals. I could maybe procure them for you," he says, trying to mask his eagerness.
Li Wei raised an eyebrow, the movement sharp as a viper's strike. "How?" he questioned, his voice devoid of warmth.
Jia Long shrugged, nonchalant again, but the quick dart of his tongue indicated his nerves. "I'm acquainted with a few of the upper-level Qi cultivators on the southern slope," he explained.
"Full of surprises, aren't you, Jia Long?" He let the words hang in the air, heavy with implication. "Mixing with cultivators of a higher level than yourself… Is that not dangerous for you?"
Jia Long nods at Li Wei's inquiry, acknowledging the risk in his tone. "Yes, it's dangerous, Senior Brother. But I keep my mouth shut. These upper-level cultivators need to trade with each other but they're too cautious to reveal themselves openly. I'm like a neutral ground for them."
"It's the only way to operate in these circles. I don't give up any information because if I did, I'd be dead. They know it, I know it. That's why I'm allowed to keep doing what I do. There are others who do similar things, Senior Brother. Some are much more senior than me. Usually, I'm left with the scraps."
Li Wei's expression remains focused, indicating his interest in the information. "Scraps, you say?"
"Yeah," Jia Long continues, "These senior players operate on a bigger scale. I pick up what they leave behind. But it's enough for me. By brokering these smaller deals, I earn enough to afford the pills. You know, to survive the sect assessments. And working with you, Senior Brother, that's a step up from the usual scraps."
Li Wei considers this momentarily, then gets straight to the point. "What do you want for this, Jia Long? Your help won't come for free, I assume."
Jia Long smirks slightly, "You know me well, Senior Brother. I want pills."
Li Wei chuckles softly. "Fine. Broker me a transaction of worth, and I'll toss you a few pills. But they better be good techniques, Jia Long. I'm not interested in mediocre ones."
Jia Long's smirk widens. "You'll get the best, Senior Brother. I know the difference between trash and treasure."
"Make sure you do," Li Wei replies, his tone firm. "And Jia Long, remember to be discreet. I don't need unnecessary attention."
Jia Long nods in understanding. "Senior Brother. You won't have any trouble from my end."
As Jia Long turns to leave, Li Wei watches him for a moment. This arrangement with Jia Long is more a mutual convenience than a partnership bound by loyalty. Each stands to gain, but at arm's length, a reminder of the precarious balance.
Once Jia Long is out of sight, Li Wei retreats into the cave, his mind already strategising his next moves, considering the potential benefits and risks of this latest deal.
Li Wei, in the solitude of his cave, prepares to cultivate. He sits down cross-legged on the hard ground, a sense of purpose etched in his posture. Around him, the cave is still, the air cool and unmoving.
Li Wei settled within the confines of his cave, preparing for an intense cultivation session. Beside him sits a sturdy bucket of water. He picks up two pouches filled with essence, each small but brimming with concentrated energy.
With deliberate movements, Li Wei unties the first pouch. The essence inside, a fine, shimmering powder, catches the sparse light within the cave. He carefully tips the entire contents of the pouch into the bucket, watching as the powder meets the water. It dissolves partially, the water absorbing the potent essence.