Chapter 20: Cultivation Method

Chapter 20: Cultivation Method

"Lan-Yin, what's your dao?"

"Huh?"

She paused her work, staring at me in the same way Wang Jun did. Married couples really do act alike!

I dramatically raised my hands. "Your way of living, the belief that guides your every action. Every thought. It's the very air we breathe, the ground that settles on our feet. That is the dao."

"Is this another one of those nonsensical quotes from your cultivator books?"

"They are not nonsensical!" I gasped, as though she committed blasphemy of the highest order. "Humor me, Lan-Yin! What's your philosophy?"

She gave me a half-hearted shrug. "I don't know, my family? Being in the present?"

"Gah, maybe something a little more profound? Even Wang Jun had something nice to answer the question with."

The girl rolled her eyes at me. "You don't pay me to answer that. Now, can you help me put this up? It's heavy."

I sighed. Another one that was unable to comprehend the dao. I guess some aren't blessed with the insight to do so. No matter!

Her shrug was half-hearted but the message was clear - she didn't care much for philosophical inquiries. Her focus was on the present, the tasks at hand, her family, her duties. To her, life was simple and straightforward. The tangible world around her was the priority, not the complex intricacies of one's belief systems.

The small display of potions and elixirs was perched just above my head. Accommodating the essences and potions on my shelves took a bit of planning. Lan-Yin was quite skilled at designing, especially when considering how customers would enter the store. They would see my new products the moment they entered my shop. Although she wasn't helpful when it came to contemplating philosophy, she was quite good at interior design!

As we worked on the display of potions, the scent of different herbs filled the air. It was a mix of bitter and sweet, spicy and cool, each scent distinctive and yet mingling seamlessly with the others. The smell of the herbs was heady and intoxicating, each one reminding me of the journey it had taken to reach the shelves of my shop.

After hashing out any last-minute tasks for her to do, I went out into the garden where Tianyi rested. She seemed to notice my intent and fluttered towards me, happily perched on her spot by my right shoulder. With my iron staff in my other hand, It was time to complete one of the tasks I'd been looking forward to all day.

Completing the cultivation quest!

Quest: Cultivation Technique (Wood)

- Find five different areas that have sufficient wood qi in the surroundings, and meditate in them for one hour. (4/5)

- Areas with sufficient wood qi will be marked with a glowing, yellow orb only visible to you.

After Elder Ming's home became saturated in qi thanks to Tianyi's skill, I decided to measure just how long it took for the skill to take effect. I counted it at the banyan tree where I hosted my hand to hand combat sessions with the Village Head, and I realized exactly how long it took.

It was nearly three days of Tianyi's presence. But obviously, I didn't stick around at the tree for consecutive days and neither did she. It was over the course of half a month. Tianyi's skill was powerful. From what I could see, the Qi Haven didn't fade so long as she revisited the area atleast once a week. My shop and the surrounding area was always teeming with energy, and since I lounged frequently at Elder Ming's home, it became another place where I could cultivate my qi without holding back.

The Village Head appreciated Tianyi's presence. His posture and energy improved since Tianyi regularly attended our meetings, and he gave her a small plate of sugar water by his dining table as thanks. How beautiful!

With that knowledge, I searched for the appropriate place where I could complete the quest. It could've been anywhere, from Master Qiang's forge or just a small distance away from my shop for convenience. But I had a better idea.

Breathe in, breathe out. Focus on the present, and cleanse my mind of thoughts about the past or future. Only the present is what matters most.

The soft, nigh-imperceptible touch of Tianyi on my shoulder was followed by qi circulating through my body, chipping away at the fatigue and soreness built up from today's training session.

As I settle into my meditative state, the rhythmic lullaby of the sea immediately captures my attention. The gentle ebb and flow of the waves against the shore create a soothing, repetitive melody that anchors me in the present moment. Every so often, a wave crashes against a nearby rock formation, the sharper sound punctuating the steady rhythm, a stark reminder of the sea's untamed power.

I take a deep breath, the salty tang of the sea air filling my nostrils. It's a scent so familiar and yet so complex, carrying hints of seaweed, and fish. As I exhale, I imagine my stress and worries being carried away on the sea breeze.

Beneath me, the sand is cool and slightly damp. It conforms to my body, grounding me and connecting me to the earth. I can feel the faint vibrations of the earth beneath me, the subtle movements that are usually overlooked in the bustle of daily life.

The cries of seagulls echo in the distance, their calls blending with the softer sounds of other seabirds. Every so often, the splash and chitter of a sea otter or the blow of a distant whale adds another layer to the symphony of natural sounds.

As I delve deeper into my meditation, I become aware of the ebb and flow of the sea's own immense energy, a powerful yet calming presence that mirrors my own breath. All these sensations blend together into a tapestry of awareness that keeps me firmly anchored in the present moment. As I meditate, I feel a deep sense of peace and connection with the world around me, a reminder of my place in the grand scheme of things.

And when I opened my eyes, it was to a message. My quest was complete.

Quest: Cultivation Technique (Wood)

Due to your status as Interface Manipulator, your rewards will be adjusted accordingly.

The mentorship you received from an elder with a fire alignment has influenced your reward.

Your Qi is transforming.

Your pathways are now stronger and more resistant to status ailments such as Qi Reflux, and Qi Deviation.

You can now utilize the skill, Crimson Lotus Purification Technique

A sensation akin to a sudden lightning strike floods my consciousness, as if a vast tome of ancient knowledge has been abruptly dropped into my mind. The Crimson Lotus Purification technique; it permeates my thoughts, effortlessly weaving itself into my understanding of the world. Just like that instance with the Rooted Banyan Stance. No, it was far more profound.

I feel it, the life force around me, the pulsating rhythms of nature, the inherent vitality of the wood-aligned qi that I've been nurturing since I started on this path. The budding contemplations I had about my dao were brought to the forefront of my mind. Suddenly, the cryptic response of Elder Ming when I asked him what his dao was started to make sense, their true meanings surfacing from the depths of my comprehension. A candle. But he didn't point at that, he pointed at what made it so significant.

The flame.

I can see it now, the essence of wood, the ceaseless growth, the tenacious persistence, the budding potential. And there, intertwining with it, the fire. It's not mere destruction; it's a purification process, a renewing flame that burns away the old and unnecessary to make room for the new. This is the balance, the harmonious dance between creation and destruction, growth, and rebirth.

Suddenly, everything clicks into place, like the pieces of a puzzle that I've been trying to solve for ages. Elder Ming's teachings up until now taught me about the transformative nature of flame, its ability to cleanse and purify, to induce change.

This cultivation technique, this Crimson Lotus Purification, it's not just about harnessing the vitality of wood or the destructive power of fire. It's about combining them, learning to cultivate life energy like a thriving, ever-growing tree, and then purifying it, burning away the impurities, in the way of a cleansing, revitalizing fire.

It's about the cycle of life, about understanding that in nature, even destruction is a form of creation, that rebirth follows death, and that growth and decay are two sides of the same coin. This is what my master was trying to teach me, and this is what the Crimson Lotus Purification embodies.

This isn't just a technique. It's a new perspective, a new way of understanding the universe and my place within it. I feel like I've taken a significant step on my journey of cultivation.

I let out a breathless sigh, as my mind tried to process all the information. And once it was all digested, I picked up Tianyi and ran off to the fish market. It was time to celebrate and I needed to pull Wang Jun and Lan-Yin together for a grand feast!