"Zhang Mei's face lit up with excitement. 'I should have been the first to advance to Rank One Mid Stage!'. After all, the Zhang Clan had provided significant support throughout her cultivation journey.
"'I should hurry and visit the sect to announce my advancement to Rank One Mid Stage,' Zhang Mei said to herself with a hint of pride. 'Even though Wei Ying extorted me, he still can't match my speed in cultivation.' With that, she set off to visit the sect."
"Zhang Mei arrived at the sect, where two guards greeted her. 'Lady Zhang Mei, why have you come?' they asked in unison.
'I've advanced to Rank One Mid Stage,' Zhang Mei announced proudly. 'I'm here to collect my reward.
'The guards exchanged skeptical glances. 'I apologize, Lady Zhang Mei,' one of them said hesitantly, 'but Wei Ying has already collected the reward. He was the first to advance to Rank One Mid Stage.'"
Zhang Mei: "...."
"Meanwhile, Wei Ying strolled through the village, where he stumbled upon a group of bandits harassing a woman. A calculating glint sparkled in his eye as he thought to himself: 'If I rescue her, she'll feel indebted and safe around me. When the time is right, I'll use her heart as an ingredient to increase the chances of my refinement.'"
"The bandits sneered at the woman, 'Come on, pretty lady, let us take care of you. We're sure you'll enjoy it.
'One of them taunted, 'You don't have any Qi Stones to repay your debt, so this is the only way.
'The woman begged, 'Please, no!
'Wei Ying stepped forward, his expression unreadable. 'I'll pay her debt.
'The bandits turned to face him, their faces twisted in anger. 'Who do you think you are, huh? Ruining our fun?'"
"Wei Ying's gaze turned icy cold as he released his aura, which swept through the air like a gentle breeze, yet carried the weight of a Mid Stage cultivator's power.
The bandits' eyes widened in terror as they stumbled backward, their faces pale and sweaty. 'Oh fuck, Rank 1 Mid Stage!' one of them whispered, his voice trembling.
One of the bandits, clearly the leader, stuttered, 'Y-young man, we had a misunderstanding... We didn't mean to cause any trouble...'
Wei Ying's voice remained calm and collected, his words dripping with an air of superiority. 'How much is her debt?' he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at the bandits.
The bandit leader hesitated, his eyes darting back and forth before finally settling on Wei Ying's face. 'O-only... 5 Qi Stones. But we won't mind... forgetting it, if you spare us...'
Wei Ying's calm expression didn't waver as he watched the bandits flee. 'Since you won't mind, I'll consider letting you leave. Scram,' he said, his voice firm but detached. The bandits didn't need to be told twice. They fled in a panicked hurry, abandoning their cruel intentions.
Wei Ying's gaze turned inward, his thoughts consumed by a familiar mantra. 'Only strength matters in this world. If one doesn't have enough, they'll be crushed.'
His eyes seemed to gleam with a fierce determination. The woman approached him hesitantly, her eyes cast downward. 'Th...ank you, Cultivator,' she stammered, her voice barely audible.
Wei Ying's gaze snapped back to hers, his expression unreadable. 'No need for thanks,' he said curtly. 'And look into the eyes of the person you're talking to.' His voice held a hint of command.
The woman's eyes fluttered upward, locking onto Wei Ying's for a brief moment before darting away. 'But you're a Cultivator... meanwhile, I'm just a normal human,' she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and intimidation.
Wei Ying's expression softened slightly as he spoke, 'In my eyes, all living beings are equal.' His words carried a hint of conviction. Mao Yin's eyes widened, surprised by Wei Ying's unexpected statement.
Wei Ying's gaze turned inquiring, 'I am Wei Ying. And who might you be?' His tone remained neutral, yet carried a hint of curiosity.
Mao Yin's face flushed, and she replied, 'I am Mao Yin.' Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet held a quiet strength.
Mao Yin's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she spoke, 'I had asked many cultivators for Qi Stones to pay off the bandits, but no one was willing to help. Yet, you... you did.' Her voice trembled with emotion.
Wei Ying's expression remained calm, his stoic facade unwavering.
Mao Yin's gaze turned sincere, 'The world would be a better place if it had more people like you, Wei Ying.' Her words hung in the air, a testament to her heartfelt appreciation.
Wei Ying's voice was low and even, "It takes nothing to be kind, yet it can mean everything to someone." His words seemed to carry a depth of meaning, but his eyes betrayed a hint of calculation.
Unbeknownst to Mao Yin, Wei Ying's thoughts were already turning to his own agenda. "It may take some of my time to refine the Heart Calming Pill. I'll have to make her rely on me, and then... use her heart as an ingredient.
"Wei Ying's expression returned to its usual calm mask. 'I have something important to attend to. I'm going.' He turned to leave, his movements economical and precise, leaving Mao Yin to watch him go with a mix of gratitude and curiosity.
Wei Ying navigated the bustling markets, meticulously selecting various materials for refinement. Among his purchases were Qinlin Grass, Moonbade Mushroom, Lingzhi Fungus, Xuanbing Stone, Yueling Flower, and Jincheng Bark. With his ingredients in hand, Wei Ying disappeared into the crowd.
Wei Ying trekked through the dense forest, his footsteps quiet on the damp earth. The canopy above filtered the sunlight, casting the forest floor in a soft, emerald green hue. He navigated through the underbrush, his senses heightened as he searched for the perfect specimen.
Hours passed, the silence broken only by the occasional chirping of birds or rustling of leaves. As the sun began to dip, casting a warm orange glow over the forest, Wei Ying caught sight of a bear. It was a typical black bear, its fur a dull brownish-black, and its eyes seemed to be focused on searching for food. Wei Ying's gaze locked onto the bear, his mind already thinking about how he would obtain the bear bones needed for the Bear Strength Pill.
With calculated precision, Wei Ying began to set up a trap, his hands moving with deliberate care as he constructed the intricate mechanism. He had purchased a sturdy sword and specialized materials for the bear trap, anticipating this exact moment. Next, he lured the unsuspecting bear into the trap, using its natural instincts against it.
The bear's struggles were futile as the trap sprang shut, immobilizing it. Wei Ying approached the trapped bear, his sword at the ready. With a swift, decisive motion, he plunged the blade into the bear's head, ending its life. The task complete, Wei Ying methodically skinned the bear, preserving its bones for the Bear Strength Pill. The rest of the carcass, devoid of any practical use, was left to rot, a discarded husk in the forest underbrush.