The next day Jane woke up well after sunrise with Xukong watching over her from the nightstand.
After fixing herself some breakfast, that was in no way as good as her grandfathers, she went into the study to start planning her next move. Should she stay and wait for her grandfather or just leave a note and explore the world? She had dreamt of going out to explore the realm since she was a little snot-nosed kid. Her grandfather always said she could do it after she reached foundation establishment. But now was the perfect opportunity to do as her grandfather told her in the letter and go to the nearest city to cultivate according to the manual she got from him. But why stop there? She can get stronger and roam the realm at the same time. With Xukong protecting her surely nothing can happen to her? At least not in the ten kingdoms, a place for mortals that is used as a glorified breeding ground by the righteous sects.
The only golden core cultivator was in west port city overseeing the port as city lord. And even he almost never left the city.
Deciding she will go to Hengjing first and then after one month start moving to the next city. Hengjing was the closest city. With about a hundred thousand people and at most a few qi refining cultivator families controlling the scene. The perfect start for her journey. From her grandfather she knew that Hengjing was just a little village compared to the big sect cites that dotted the north and the east. But here in the ten kingdoms Hengjing was just a normal city.
But first she had to start cultivating. Meaning fusing the plant seed with her core.
Sitting down cross legged Jane took out the seed from its casing on the front cover of the manual. It had a light green wooden surface while being kind of rough to the touch. It was about the size of a fingertip and oval.
According to the technique she had to swallow the seed and then perform a set of movements to induce the fusion with her inner core.
Excited she put the eastern misty snake vine seed into her mouth and gulped it down with a little water. She almost choked on the thing but managed to get it down. Afterwards she quickly went into the starting pose of the movement set and started moving. At first nothing happened but then a burning sensation started to make itself known in her lower stomach right under her navel. The sensation continued to gain intensity as she continued with her movements. The constant movement was exhausting and had taken a toll on her, but she knew if she ever stopped her body might not be able to completely fuse with the seed. Gritting her teeth she concentrated and did not stop. Sweat dripped down her body and drenched her clothes. Her hair stuck to her forehead.
Minutes felt like hours, but eventually the burning in her stomach faded and was replaced by relaxing and comforting warmth. If she guessed correctly, that was the sign that her core and the seed fused completely and she could finally stop with her movement set. Not a moment too soon because she felt cramp in her upper right leg as soon as she stopped moving. Unaccustomed to such exhausting activities she had to lie down for a moment. Only now did she realise how hasty she had been to just fuse with the seed like that. She couldn't even fathom what would have happened if the cramp started before the fusion was complete.
It was now noon and after she had recovered she decided it was time to set out and explore the world, and maybe find out why her grandfather left while she was at it.
Before setting out she went into her room and got her boar leather backpack that her grandfather gifted her with the promise of adventure and exploration when she was twelve. He never kept that promise. But now things were different. She could explore the realm without any restrictions as long as her grandfather is away.
She filled the backpack with almost all her clothes as well as enough food to last the journey to Hengjing in the west. She would need to walk about ten hours until she arrived at the gates of Hengjing. Her plan was to walk until nightfall and arrive at Hengjing the next day.
Excited and full of new found energy, with Xukong on her neck, she left the pavilion, that was her home for the last twelve years, and set out. She walked until the forrest swallowed the sight on her home.