After cultivating until dinner, Xu Fang joined his family for the evening meal. Returning to his room after finishing dinner, he prepared for a good night's rest. Before drifting off to sleep, he took a moment to reflect.
"Things are going well as I start my new life," he murmured, closing his eyes with a sense of contentment and embracing the prospect of a fresh beginning.
The next morning, Xu Fang woke up early, dedicating an hour to meditation before heading to the bathroom for a refreshing bath. As he immersed himself in the morning routine, a maid entered his room to wake him up.
Finding the bed empty, she searched the room and, upon hearing the sound of water, concluded that Xu Fang was already in the bathroom. While she tidied up the room, the bathroom door opened, and Xu Fang emerged.
"Good morning, Young Master," the maid said, greeting him with a respectful bow.
"Good morning," Xu Fang responded politely.
"Please, Young Master, everyone is waiting for you in the dining hall," she informed him, gesturing that breakfast was ready.
"Understood," Xu Fang acknowledged, following the maid to the dining hall. As he entered, he found everyone eagerly waiting for him, and they all began to enjoy their breakfast together, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
After breakfast, as the family members dispersed to attend to their respective tasks, Xu Fang left the dining hall and made his way back to his room. The maid accompanied him, and he requested her guidance in the library.
"Young Master, do you wish to start your study now? But typically, everyone commences their studies after the Elements Qi Awakening," she observed, expressing her hesitation with a respectful tone.
"I am aware of that, but I wish to start studying now," Xu Fang asserted, his determination evident. Despite the maid's lingering uncertainty, she nodded and acquiesced, leading him towards the library.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Xu Fang's POV~
Upon entering the library, Xu Fang marveled at the countless books lining the shelves, meticulously organized for effortless exploration. His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm, captivated by the abundance of knowledge laid out before him.
'Haha… Jackpot! Getting to know this world just became a whole lot simpler.' His mind echoed with laughter, reveling in the vast resources within the library.
"Here is our librarian, Young Master," the maid presented to the elderly man, who seemed to be in his mid-fifties. She bowed respectfully as they approached.
The librarian donned simple gray attire, with white hair, brown eyes, and a modest white beard. Wrinkles adorned the sides of his eyes and forehead, imparting a touch of wisdom to his countenance. In the world of cultivation, age and appearance often didn't align, leaving Xu Fang unsure of the librarian's actual age. He stood at a height of approximately 178cm.
The librarian acknowledged their arrival with a nod, an aura of experience and knowledge enveloping him.
"Young Master, what brings you to the library so early in the morning? Do you require assistance with anything?" inquired the librarian, intrigued by Xu Fang's early visit.
"Elder, I want to start studying, specifically delving into the history of the world. If there are any books on the subject, I'd like to begin there," Xu Fang explained his intention.
"But, Young Master, you haven't awakened your Elements Qi yet. It's unnecessary to burden your mind with learning at this stage. Please wait until your awakening process is complete and focus on cultivating the opening of your meridians," the librarian advised, his tone respectful but carrying a teaching air.
Inside, Xu Fang seethed with frustration, thinking, 'I'm not a mere 13-year-old child; I'm old enough to bear the weight of studying.' Despite his internal turmoil, he maintained a composed exterior.
"Elder, I understand, but I've grown weary of idling away my time in my room. I wish to embark on studying and perhaps better prepare myself for the Elements Qi awakening process," Xu Fang explained his desire to make productive use of his time.
"Sigh… come with me then, young master." Elder Ji sighed, giving in to Xu Fang's determination. He motioned for him to follow.
"Understood, Elder," Xu Fang replied, and the maid left the library to attend to her other duties.
As they proceeded, Xu Fang noticed different sections marked with tags—fire, wind, water/ice, earth, lightning, alchemy, poison, and more.
"Elder, may I know your name?" Xu Fang inquired as they made their way to the history section.
"Young Master, my name is Ji Song," the librarian revealed.
"In that case, I'll refer to you as Elder Ji from now on," Xu Fang decided, prompting a slight smile from Elder Ji as they headed toward the history section.
After a brief 5-minute walk, they arrived at the section designated for history. The rack was adorned with aging books, meticulously arranged. The history section boasted hundreds of volumes.
"So, young master, what aspect of history are you interested in learning about?" Elder Ji inquired, turning to Xu Fang.
"Elder Ji, I wish to start from the basics," Xu Fang replied.
Elder Ji selected a book from the rack and guided Xu Fang to a reading table within the history section, similar to those found in other sections.
"Here, young master, you can begin your studies with this book. I'm here if you have any questions or if there's anything you don't understand," Elder Ji assured him, placing the book on the table and taking a seat opposite Xu Fang.
"Thank you, Elder Ji. However, you have other tasks to attend to. If I encounter any difficulties, I will inquire tomorrow morning," Xu Fang said with a grateful smile.
"That sounds reasonable, young master. I'll wait here for the next 10 minutes before returning to my other duties," Elder Ji agreed, allowing Xu Fang to delve into the book he had provided, titled 'The Manifest World.'
Ten minutes later, Elder Ji left for his duties, leaving me engrossed in the historical tapestry of this new world. The tales of ancient empires, mythical cultivators, and the intricate workings of Qi cultivation filled my thoughts.
The pages of history were my canvas, and each word painted a vivid picture of a bygone era. The 'Qi' power system, a cornerstone of this realm, unfolded its secrets, revealing the essence that fueled cultivators' ascent.
As the sun reached its zenith, signaling the onset of lunch, I closed the book reluctantly. My exploration of the past sparked curiosity, and the hunger for knowledge lingered.
Just as I prepared to return to my room, my mother intervened, guiding me towards the throne hall. Seated beside her, the Empress inquired about my newfound interest in studying.
"Yes, Mother. I wish to delve into the realms of knowledge; my room alone cannot contain the hunger for understanding that has awakened within me," I responded, my voice reflecting the determination to embark on this intellectual journey.
In her concern, she offered to arrange for the best teacher to aid my studies. However, a desire to chart my course prompted me to decline the offer.
"Mother, there's no need for a dedicated teacher. Elder Ji, the librarian, has graciously agreed to assist me in comprehending any intricacies that may arise during my studies. I value the flexibility of pursuing knowledge at my own pace," I assured her.
"Oh, did Elder Ji say he'd help you?" She asked me, her eyes reflecting surprise.
"Yes, Mother," I replied, and she began patting my head with a gentle, motherly touch.
"Well, that's wonderful! Now you can study whenever, whatever, and wherever you want. Keep it up, my son." Pride resonated in her voice, and she planted a peck on my forehead.
"Thanks, Mother," I said, expressing my gratitude with a broad smile.
After some discussion with my mother, I made my way back to my room. The next three hours were devoted to cultivation, with the essence of the ancient arts flowing through me. A refreshing bath followed, and then I lay down for some much-needed rest.
'The coming days might turn dull without access to the library.'
'Now, I can delve into the topics that pique my interest.'
From now on, I need to make my routine maintain its steady course: meditation, study, training, cultivation, meals, and moments of familial connection. However, a key element has been added to my life, altering the landscape of my daily activities: the library. The prospect of unraveling the mysteries held within its volumes became a beacon of excitement, a source of boundless knowledge to quench my thirst for understanding.
As I rested, a knock on the door signaled the arrival of dinner. Accompanying the maid to the dining room, I shared a meal with my family. The post-dinner moments ushered me back to my room, where contemplations about my pursuit of strength filled my thoughts.
'I must grow stronger so I won't endure the loss of my loved ones in this life.' I reflected on this determination before closing my eyes.
Closing my eyes in preparation for sleep, the visage of my beloved wife, Shi Rong, surfaced in my thoughts. A silent promise echoed within me, to fortify myself, ensuring that the threads of love and connection would remain unbroken in this new chapter of existence. As the night embraced me, dreams and aspirations intertwined, shaping the path that lay ahead.