Li Wei continues to scan the market, increasingly frustrated by the lack of available knowledge on runes. The absence of information hinders his ability to fully optimise the Bone Whisper technique as suggested by the system.
As Li Wei contemplates the meditation techniques, irritation gnaws at him. The way these disciples guard their manuals so fiercely—refusing to let others see even a glimpse of the content—grates on his nerves. If only he could just open them, he thinks, "I might not even have to buy one. The system could identify potential improvements or at least gauge their base effectiveness."
He speculates on the system's value. It's subtle, and those distinctions in the descriptions might be telling. A technique that "reduces impurities" could be nothing more than a basic, low-level method, possibly not worth his time or investment. But one that "minimises impurities"? That might suggest a superior, advanced technique, something worth considering. A technique that "slightly enhances durability" could be weak, a waste of resources. But if it "significantly enhances durability," that might be a different story altogether.
In truth, he's not sure. These are just his educated guesses, born from careful observation and the patterns he thinks he's starting to see. The system's clues might be more valuable than he realises, or he could be overestimating their significance entirely.
The frustration of being kept in the dark about these techniques, about not being able to fully exploit the system's advantages, is palpable. The disciples here are just as paranoid and secretive as anyone else, each guarding their potential edge with an almost desperate intensity. Li Wei can't blame them but that doesn't mean he isn't annoyed by it.
Li Wei is left guessing. The prices for these manuals vary widely, reflecting their power and rarity. If he could browse them, he might not even have to buy them, as the system could reveal enough information to make an informed choice.
Two disciples stand by a stall, their expressions a mix of envy and frustration. They speak in low tones, completely absorbed in their conversation, paying no mind to those around them.
"Did you hear what happened with that Black Fang Dagger at the Auction House?" one disciple asks, his voice laced with bitterness.
"Of course, I heard," the other replies, shaking his head. "Everyone's talking about it. Who wouldn't want a Spiritual Tool, even a low-grade one? You could probably change your fate with something like that in your hands."
The first disciple huffs, crossing his arms. "Yeah, well, not like it matters to us. Those high-ranked bastards snatched it up before anyone could blink."
"Always the same story," the second one mutters. "When something like that pops up, it's gone before we even hear about it. I swear, sometimes it feels like we're just here to be fodder."
The first disciple gives a rueful laugh. "That's the way of the sect, isn't it? You get power, or you stay at the bottom. I'm just sick of waiting for a chance that'll probably never come."
They both fall silent, each lost in his own thoughts, the disappointment heavy in the air. Their conversation fades as they move on, leaving behind a lingering sense of discontent.
Li Wei feels a surge of excitement hearing this. The way they talk about Spiritual Tools, even a low-grade one, arouses great interest in him.
With the sack in hand, Li Wei makes his way back to his cave. Once inside, he sets the sack down carefully, untying it with deliberate precision.
He empties the contents onto the floor, revealing a collection of bones. Piece by piece, he assembles the skeleton, arranging it on the floor with meticulous care. Putting each bone into place, forming the rough outline of a human form.
Li Wei consults the manual, ensuring he follows each step precisely. He places his hand on the skull, concentrating as he channels his qi into the bones. The process is arduous; unlike the natural flow of qi within his own body, this feels like pushing against an immense weight.
The qi moves through the skeleton with difficulty, as if resisting the unfamiliar paths. Li Wei grits his teeth, focusing his energy to maintain control. The pressure builds, the qi sluggish and reluctant, until finally, it disperses evenly across the entire skeleton.
With a deep breath, Li Wei recites the incantation, "Kǎishè, Nǔróng, Wēiyǎ," his voice steady. The words echo in the cave, ancient and potent.
The skeleton shudders, the bones vibrating as the qi ignites within them. Slowly, it begins to rise, a creaking, grinding sound accompanying its ascent. The joints shift, pulling together with an uncanny fluidity.
Li Wei watches intently as the bones move of their own accord. The skull tilts upward, hollow sockets seeming to focus on him with a new awareness.
The arms and legs straighten, the fingers curling and uncurling with a strange semblance of life. It stands before him both fascinating and eerie.
Li Wei steps back, observing his creation with a mix of satisfaction and curiosity. The skeleton remains upright, steady on its feet, waiting for his command.
Li Wei concentrates, picturing in his mind the tasks he wants it to perform.
Slowly, the bone slave turns and begins its work. Its bony fingers move with surprising dexterity as it starts to tidy the cave, gathering stray manuals and dusting off surfaces with careful movements. It moves with a purpose, methodically organising the scattered items that litter the floor.
The bone slave picks up Li Wei's new robes, the fabric hanging loosely from its skeletal grasp. It shakes out the wrinkles and folds them neatly, placing them atop a rock ledge that serves as a makeshift shelf. The robes are a symbol of his new status, their black fabric with red hems a stark contrast against the drab stone walls of the cave.
Next, it approaches the bone slave manual, which lies open on a low table. The pages flutter slightly in the draft from the cave entrance. With a smooth motion, the skeleton closes the book, setting it carefully beside the folded robes. The sound of the pages settling is almost like a sigh, the knowledge contained within now safely tucked away.
Li Wei watches the bone slave's actions with a growing sense of satisfaction. He is elated at this new development—here is a servant who cannot speak, who cannot betray him. It is a silent companion bound by the same qi that sustains his own cultivation, and it poses no threat to his ambitions or secrets.
In a world where trust is nearly nonexistent, Li Wei finds solace in the reliability of his bone slave. The bone slave offers a silent, unwavering loyalty. It doesn't think, scheme, or betray—qualities that are invaluable to someone with as many secrets as Li Wei.
The bone slave's inability to speak ensures that the ambitions Li Wei harbours remain his own. It is a tool—nothing more, nothing less—but one that guarantees control. As Li Wei's mind turns over his plans, he appreciates the bone slave's role in his strategy.
As Li Wei contemplates further, he envisions the myriad uses for the bone slave. It could gather materials for his potioneering experiments, carry out menial tasks that would otherwise waste his valuable time, or even serve as a guard in dangerous situations. The possibilities are endless. With the bone slave by his side, Li Wei can focus on cultivating his strength, advancing his techniques. The bone slave becomes an extension of his will, executing tasks without question or hesitation—a perfect tool.
As the bone slave continues its tasks, Li Wei leans back against the cool stone wall of the cave, reading his potioneering manual with keen interest. The quiet movements of the bone slave, as it dutifully completes the tasks assigned to it, provide a strange comfort.
After some time, Li Wei instructs the bone slave to return to his previous cave and retrieve the skeletons he had buried there. With silent efficiency, the bone slave obeys, disappearing into the darkness and returning multiple times, each trip laden with bones. Li Wei watches with a growing sense of satisfaction as the skeletal remains accumulate in his new cave.
He chuckles to himself, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Xue Feng and Shi Tou, welcome back. I've missed you," he mutters. The names bring back memories of the two unfortunate souls whose remains now lie before him. Xue Feng, he feels indifferent about, but Shi Tou? Shi Tou can go fuck himself. Li Wei's disdain is clear, though it's all too easy to forget when staring at a pile of bones. He almost considers pissing on the skeleton but dismisses the idea—he can't even tell which is which.
The sight of the bones, picked clean by the insects, reminds Li Wei of Senior Huo. A shiver runs down his spine at the thought. "I hope that bastard doesn't remember me," he thinks, though he knows better than to assume anything in the sect. "But surely, with Elder Guo as my backer now, he can't touch me."
Yet, the thought persists, gnawing at the edges of his mind. "Best to steer clear of anything to do with Senior Huo," he decides, safety is often a matter of staying out of the wrong people's sights.