After talking to the Prison Warden, he began his official prison life.
"You are at the third level of Qi Cultivation, so this is your daily workload. If it is not completed, your treatment will be reduced. You are now assigned to assist Old Liefire in Alchemy, understood?"
Hongye Prison primarily relied on trees for sustenance, routinely harvesting first and second-order Red Maple Trees from the Red Maple Forest to make and sell Red Leaf Wooden Swords. However, there were also people like Old Liefire who were responsible for Alchemy.
"Yes, sir."
Old Liefire was a seventy-something-year-old cultivator who, having lost hope of achieving Foundation Establishment, became the leader of a small group because of his proficiency in Alchemy.
Alchemy required all kinds of strange fires, as well as various methods of control. The nuances involved were vast, and sometimes, a single small specialty could occupy a person's entire life of study.
"Shaoyang Mysterious Skill is very balanced and is a good foundational cultivation technique to control flames, but it's a pity that your cultivation is too low. It really is a pity."
Old Liefire looked at Meng Yu with some sighs of regret. His previous assistant had been overworked by him to the point that he lashed out in an attack, only to be harmed in return. Now disabled and of no further use, he had hoped the new arrival would be suitable, but he didn't expect Meng Yu to be assigned to him.
"Uncle Guo, although I'm still exploring my skills in fire control, I am adept with the sword and have grasped the Sword Intent of the Wind. Is there anything I can help with?"
Ah, yet another sweet-tongued young man; well, young people are easier to deal with. Old Liefire thought about it and asked Meng Yu to demonstrate his swordsmanship.
Of course, the Alchemy Chamber had no weapons, but a piece of wood was enough for Meng Yu to demonstrate his power, especially his smooth and satisfactory control over the wind, which caught Old Liefire's eye.
This assistant is good, many times in Alchemy it's not just about using fire. The control of airflow and attention to detail are also crucial elements.
"Not bad, not bad. Just do your work well here, and I won't short-change you."
He said this and put on an exceedingly friendly smile.
"In terms of wind control, you're quite good, but you'd best still cultivate a Fire Element swordsmanship. Combining wind and fire is the true masterstroke. There are many swordsmanship books in the library; you can take a look and choose whatever suits you.
By the way, I recommend you practice the Vermilion Bird Divine Sword. Its Southern Ming Li Fire is very powerful, and I'm skilled in this swordsmanship myself; I could teach it to you."
"Alright, I'll think about it."
Meng Yu said with a smile, yet a cold light flashed in his eyes.
In sword cultivation, speed and purity are vital. You should stick to what you excel at. Once Meng Yu grasped the Sword Intent of the Wind, a professor from Taibai University told him not to listen to the so-called hybrid cultivation schools of thought like "Wind Fire Link," "Wind Water Shatter," "Sandstorm in the Wind," and so on. It's common for sword cultivators to see pairs combining Fire System and Wind System, but that doesn't mean it's good for an individual to practice in such a way. One's energy and time are limited. Meng Yu should continue to practice swordsmanship within the Wind System. A single excellent move can dominate the world.
Practicing a Fire Element swordsmanship would only harm you.
And this Old Liefire... isn't playing fair…
...
The prison is a dark place, but if you can fight, you become the horror of others.
The inmates of the prison soon learned that a young man proficient in swordsmanship had arrived. He once defeated three men who challenged him with just a chopstick, and on another occasion, he brutally beat an assailant barehanded.
The former proved his prowess, while the latter showed that he was a Hexagon Warrior, not afraid of sneaky attacks.
The Sword Intent of the Wind gave Meng Yu the ability to hear the airflow around him, allowing his movements to be faster and smoother than others of equal cultivation, even when barehanded.
The people who provoked him ended up with five broken legs. Those who ambushed him had several of their ribs broken and spat blood, and their two legs snapped as well. Meng Yu was also locked away in an isolation chamber devoid of spiritual energy for ten days, twice, but by the time he came out, everyone in the prison was reasoning with him.
Even Old Liefire no longer brought up the prospect of teaching him the Vermilion Bird Divine Sword.
Then came the days of living in the prison.
Meng Yu could have had an easier time, ruled as king, but he was reasonable, even amiable.
This was another point the guards were very satisfied with concerning Meng Yu.
Meng Yu's responsibility was wind control, by the incredibly hot pill furnace, in the elixir sanctuary full of flames, in the smithing workshop, mastering the application of both wind and fire.
Although spirit talismans and such could be used, those things couldn't compare to the agile Meng Yu. Whether it was alchemy or smithing, with Meng Yu's participation, many tasks were completed very well.
Every day, he was as tired as an ox; after finishing his work, he would return to his room, rest well, and sleep soundly.
His attitude was excellent, much like an old ox, and those who saw him like this would either nod or shake their heads.
Those nodding appreciated that he was a straightforward kid, skilled in combat but never bullied others, toiling industriously, never seizing or taking advantage. Perhaps, just as he claimed, he wanted to atone—a sort of self-punishing redemption.
Those shaking their heads simply lamented that in just a few years, this promising talent in swordsmanship would be ruined.
Cultivation in the Immortal Sect requires a balance between tension and relaxation, especially rigorous training, which needs more resources and proper care. Meng Yu's current state wouldn't cause immediate problems and could even strengthen his physique and expand the resilience of his meridians, but it was ultimately counterproductive, leaving behind numerous hidden issues. Especially with Old Liefire, an infamous figure, who always enticed newcomers with grand promises and worked them to death without regard for their well-being.
"Master."
For example, Meng Yu, although warned that Old Liefire was not a good person, still respectfully called him master, which left others speechless; the children these days were really gullible.
Old Liefire had certainly promised that he would help Meng Yu concoct alchemical elixirs.
...
Days passed one by one, and Meng Yu found his place in the prison.
By helping with wind control every day, his workload was higher than others', but he didn't work for nothing—the alchemical elixirs produced in the pill furnace were shared with him, and in the smithing workshop, there were several swordmanship experts from whom Meng Yu could seek guidance. Moreover, the prison housed various talents, and Meng Yu could learn a thing or two from them.
Disguising oneself, clandestine theft, lock-picking, and how to escape were all skills that could only be genuinely learned there.
The days thus monotonously dragged on for three months.
Regrettably, despite Meng Yu's efforts to make friends, only those two beloved names remained on the Nine-Petal White Lotus.
"Meng Yu, there is a visitor for you. It's your decision to meet or not."
Upon hearing the name of Cheng Yu Ru, Teacher Cheng, of course, he wanted to meet her.
Having just finished work in the smithing workshop, Meng Yu was too lazy to tidy up his unkempt appearance and messy hair. It didn't matter anymore.
In the visiting room, he met Teacher Cheng.
"Meng Yu, are you doing okay?"