Li Che took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Once again, the vision from earlier appeared before him.
A vast, barren land stretched endlessly into the horizon, a desolate expanse devoid of life. From this desolation, a colossal tree erupted from the earth, its sprawling branches reaching toward the heavens, and its lush foliage rustling gently in an unseen breeze. The tree exuded a quiet yet overwhelming majesty. Among its verdant leaves, a single radiant fruit of many colors hung delicately, shimmering as though carved from pure light.
Li Che's gaze locked onto the dazzling fruit. Before he could process its beauty, it detached from its branch with a soft "plop," descending gracefully into his open palm.
"Dao Fruit…"
Li Che whispered, his voice trembling as he stared at the multicolored treasure resting in his hand.
[Your daughter has been safely born. You have obtained a Dao Fruit: "Immortal Craft."]
[Immortal Craft (Dao Fruit): Master of all crafts, possessing divine hands, unparalleled in skill.]
Golden text shimmered into view before him, its characters gleaming like threads of sunlight.
Li Che's eyes widened as he read the message, his heart pounding.
He had lived in this world for nineteen years, trudging through life as a mere mortal, with no extraordinary talents or so-called "golden finger"—the mysterious special abilities often spoken of in the tales of this world. Yet now, with the birth of his daughter, this mysterious power had manifested in such an unexpected and miraculous way.
"Is this what they mean by 'the father rises through the daughter'?"
A hearty laugh escaped his lips, filled with a joy and relief he had not known before. The name of the Dao Fruit, Immortal Craft, carried a weight and grandeur that stirred his soul. Perhaps this power was the key to securing his place in the world.
As the thought filled him with hope, the glowing text before him shifted once more.
[Name: Li Che]
[Bond: Li Nuanxi (Daughter)]
[Dao Fruit: Immortal Craft (Lv1, 0%)]
[Note: For every year your bonded child grows safely, the Dao Tree will bear one Dao Fruit.]
Li Che's breath caught in his throat as he stared at the message. His pulse quickened, and he gripped his knees to steady himself.
Each year his daughter grew safely, the Dao Tree would bear another Dao Fruit…
The implications staggered him. In his limited understanding, Dao Fruits seemed to grant mastery over profound skills or crafts. And now, he had obtained one with unparalleled potential.
Currently, Li Che worked as a laborer in the outer city of Fei Lei City, hauling heavy wooden carvings and sculptures for a modest shop. The work was grueling yet straightforward, and while the pay sufficed to feed his small family, dreaming of wealth or influence seemed impossible.
But now, everything might change.
"If I can protect Nuanxi, ensure she grows up safely, and gain more Dao Fruits... then…"
He clenched his fists, determination flaring in his heart.
"She is my daughter. It's my duty as a father to shield her and guide her. That's what being a father means…"
Li Che's face broke into a radiant smile, his heart brimming with joy. His daughter's arrival had brought not only happiness but also a future filled with hope. How could he not rejoice?
The Dao Fruit in his hand began to dissolve, its radiant essence seeping into his palm and merging with him. Though his body felt no immediate change, his heart surged with anticipation.
"Blub-blub…"
The bubbling of boiling soup snapped Li Che out of his reverie. The fragrant aroma of crucian carp soup wafted through the air, grounding him once more in the humble warmth of his home.
He ladled out a steaming bowl of the creamy-white soup, its rich scent promising comfort and nourishment. Carefully, he carried it to the small, earthen-walled house where his wife, Zhang Ya, sat nursing their newborn daughter, Li Nuanxi.
Inside, Zhang Ya sipped the fish soup gratefully, her tired face softening with contentment. Meanwhile, Li Che, under the guidance of the elderly midwife Granny Lei, gently patted Nuanxi's back, coaxing a soft burp from the tiny bundle.
After ensuring his wife and daughter were well-fed and settled, Granny Lei prepared to leave. Li Che escorted her to the door, pressing ten copper coins into her hand as a token of gratitude.
"Granny Lei, thank you for everything. Without your help…"
Granny Lei waved him off with a dismissive gesture.
"Che'er, I've watched you grow up since you were a child. You're a hard worker, toiling day after day at that Xu's Carving Shop. Keep the money. You'll need it for your family."
Her voice, though warm, carried a tinge of sorrow. She glanced back toward the house, her weathered face clouding with concern.
"Remember, these are difficult times. Fewer children are born these days, and many…" She hesitated, sighing heavily. "Many don't survive. You must take extra care of Nuanxi."
Her words made Li Che's expression turn somber.
"Granny…"
"Listen well," she interrupted, tightening the scarf around her graying hair. "Don't take the child out too often, and avoid those strange infant-worshippers burning incense in the streets. They're trouble. Keep your family safe."
Li Che nodded, his voice steady. "I understand, Granny Lei. Thank you."
Satisfied, Granny Lei adjusted her basket and stepped out into the snowy night. Her figure soon vanished into the labyrinth of frost-covered alleys.
Li Che lingered at the door, watching the snowfall as her words echoed in his mind. The world indeed felt more dangerous now, but for Nuanxi's sake, he vowed to stay vigilant.
Closing the door firmly, he returned to the warmth of his home. He stoked the stove, adding more coal to keep the cold at bay, before bringing the remaining fish soup to the table.
After a quiet meal, Li Che climbed into bed, exhaustion tugging at his body. Yet, as he glanced at his sleeping wife and daughter, a fierce resolve blazed within him.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for their sake, he would face them all.
Gently patting his daughter, who had fallen asleep after nursing, Li Che squinted his eyes, unable to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His heart brimmed with a warmth he had never felt before.
He whispered softly to his wife, Zhang Ya. Exhausted from childbirth, Zhang Ya soon drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Li Che, however, remained wide awake. His mind churned with thoughts as he murmured to himself.
"The charcoal is running out. Tomorrow, I'll buy more from the charcoal seller. Nuanxi is just born; she can't be allowed to freeze."
"My wife needs proper rest during her confinement, or she might develop postpartum illness..."
"Yes, tomorrow I'll haul more statues at the carving shop. The demand from the inner city has surged lately. There's plenty of work, and I can earn a good amount."
"I'll save enough to buy us a larger house, a warm one where we can live comfortably even in the harshest winter."
He glanced at his sleeping wife and daughter, the determination in his heart solidifying.
"My dear, don't worry. Our days will get better and better..."
Lying beside them, Li Che gently embraced his small family. The warmth of their presence eased his worries, and eventually, his eyelids grew heavy, and he drifted into slumber.
The room was quiet, the only sound the calm rhythm of their breathing.
The next morning, at the break of dawn, Li Che woke early. He busied himself preparing breakfast and ensuring Zhang Ya ate well before nursing Nuanxi. After carefully burping his daughter, he dressed for the day, donning his bamboo hat and a thick, worn coat to ward off the biting cold.
The world outside was a vast expanse of white. Snowflakes as large as hands fell steadily, piling into deep drifts. The wind howled like a feral beast, and the air was sharp and biting, cutting through to the bone.
Despite the harsh conditions, Li Che stepped out of his earthen house, trudging through the snow. After several miles of walking through the frosty streets, he finally reached Xu's Wood Carving Shop, his workplace.
Though called a "shop," it was more akin to an estate. Its expansive grounds were filled with piles of wood, half-finished carvings, and sculptures in various stages of completion.
Li Che, along with a team of other laborers, was responsible for moving wood and finished carvings for the skilled master carvers. The work was demanding, with pay based on the tasks completed: five bronze coins for each carving transported and one bronze coin for moving raw wood. However, if a carving was damaged in transit, the worker's pay for that piece would be forfeited entirely—a risk that kept everyone on edge.
Shaking off the snow clinging to his coat, Li Che removed his bamboo hat and placed it in a corner near his workstation. The interior of the shop was warm, heated by a coal stove, and the air carried the pleasant aroma of wood and varnish.
"Little Li! Fetch me a large piece of ash wood. Also, move the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' statue into the inner room. Someone from the inner city is coming to collect it in a few days. If it gets soaked by melted snow, it'll be ruined," called Master Chen, an elderly craftsman with a ruddy complexion and a graying beard. He held a shiny gourd of rice wine in one hand as he barked instructions.
"Got it, Master Chen," Li Che replied with a bright smile.
Li Che's diligence and cautious nature had earned him a good reputation among the workers and master carvers. Many of the shop's artisans, including Master Chen, preferred to call on him for important tasks.
After acknowledging the instructions, Li Che stepped out into the snow-filled courtyard. The relentless snowfall had blanketed everything in a thick layer of white, including the neatly stacked piles of wood.
He trudged through the snow, searching until he found the ash wood section. Selecting a sturdy piece, he tied it securely with a hemp rope before hauling it toward the finished carvings area.
The "Six-Eyed Bodhisattva" statue was one he had been tasked to care for earlier.
Locating the snow-covered statue, Li Che brushed off the powdery frost, revealing the intricately carved figure beneath. It was the size of an adult and made entirely from ash wood. The craftsmanship was exquisite, its surface smooth and detailed.
As his hand rested on the statue, a strange sensation washed over him. The statue's six carved eyes seemed to blink, their gaze piercing into his very soul.
Startled, Li Che blinked rapidly, but before he could react, his surroundings shifted.
A vision filled his mind. He saw Master Chen carving the "Six-Eyed Bodhisattva" with meticulous care. Each stroke of the carving knife was vivid and precise, as though Li Che himself were holding the tool. The master's movements, the techniques, and the flow of his work were engraved deeply into Li Che's consciousness.
When the vision faded, the statue appeared lifeless once more, its carved eyes fixed in place.
Li Che's chest heaved as he processed what had just happened.
"Did I… just learn Master Chen's carving techniques?"
His hands trembled as he touched the statue again, but no further visions came. Yet, the memory of those techniques felt clear and instinctual, as if they had been ingrained in him from birth.
The realization hit him like a thunderclap.
"This… this must be the effect of the Dao Fruit [Immortal Craft]!"
Excitement surged through him. The Dao Fruit had granted him the ability to absorb and master the craftsmanship of others, elevating his potential far beyond what he had ever imagined.
"Master of all crafts, divine hands, unparalleled skills…"
Li Che's gaze burned with newfound ambition.
If he could harness this power to its fullest, he might one day become a renowned craftsman—far more prestigious than his current position as a laborer.
Becoming a master woodcarver at Xu's Wood Carving Shop would not only earn him wealth and respect but would also provide his family with the comfort and security they deserved in this unpredictable and chaotic world.
As snow continued to fall around him, Li Che stood before the "Six-Eyed Bodhisattva," his heart filled with determination.
This was just the beginning.