Chapter 302: Gathering Qi

Chapter 302: Gathering Qi

Both servants laid in the hut, sleeping talismans slowly burning to ash on their foreheads. Hui finished transferring the contents of Li Huangs storage ring to Xiu Yas and stretched, satisfied. Its been too long since I plundered something er, rightfully liberated the possessions of foul demonic cultivators. None of this is particularly useful for me as a fifth stage cultivator, except for the spells. They might be pitifully under-leveled, but given how few spells I know, any spells are useful. The more spells I learn, the more comprehension I can gain on spell structure, and eventually I might be able to advance the level of my spells!

Besides, Itll help me pose as a lower-level cultivator.

Its not as if this is only for me, either. Hui turned, regarding Ying Lin with a quiet light in his eyes.

Ying Lin suddenly felt exposed, and a shiver ran down her spine. Those eyes that seemed to see everything, desire everything She hugged her purse to her chest. I dont have anything worth stealing! Theres no need to take these few coins

Im not a thief. Im a righteous cultivatorer, doctor, Hui said, insulted.

Ying Lin gave him a disbelieving look.

Hui cleared his throat. He straightened up and tucked his hands behind his back, adopting a noble air. He released a little bit of his aura, just enough to impress his majesty upon Ying Lin without suppressing her. Ying Lin I must reveal a secret.

Youre an immortal? Ying Lin guessed.

Hui paused. Okay, fair. I guess its pretty obvious at this point. He cleared his throat. How would you like to step upon the path of cultivation?

Become an immortal? Ying Lins eyes sparkled. She nodded. Thats a good idea! Immortals are beautiful, after all. If Im going to be pretty enough to attract someone at the banquet

Hui waved his hand, cutting her off. The path of immortality is a dangerous one to walk. If your pursuit is mere beauty, there are easier ways to obtain it. Once you begin to cultivate, you step into the world of cultivation. People will attack you for no reason, hold grudges, find faults, and explore all kinds of horrifying ways to take your poor little life away. Ying Lin, you must be ready to fight if you

Eh, so you mean people might attack me for no reason? She looked at the two servants. Thats already happening, and I dont even know how to fight back. I dont really care about beauty, as long as I can survive and go interesting places like the banquet. Being pretty just seemed like the only way to attend.

Right, right, she was motivated by the chance to attend the banquet and better her life, rather than the beauty itself. Im the one who conflated her means with her ends. Hui nodded to himself, understanding better now. Ill teach you how to gather qi. You seem to have an instinctive understanding of the process, so that should speed things up. Once you gather enough qi, youll have to form your foundation. If possible, we want to do that before the banquet.

Before the banquet? Isnt that three days? But the process of immortality it took Fu Liyu two decades to form her foundation! How am I supposed to do that in three days? Ying Lin asked, flabbergasted.

Ying Lin paused. She frowned at him. Wait, that thing where I get warmer suddenly, and then I can run faster thats qi?

Hui nodded.

Oh. And I just have to absorb that? Thats easy! Wait. Has it always been that easy to become an immortal? Ying Lin wondered aloud.

You are favored by the heavens, Hui replied neutrally.

Ying Lin paused another moment, then nodded at Hui. Then Ill see you soon Master?

Its too soon to call me Master. Im merely showing you the least, most elementary first step on the path of cultivation. Acknowledging a master iswell, anyways, dont be in a rush to find a master. What if Im a demonic cultivator, or a wanted criminal? You have incredible potential. Any cultivator would be glad to take you as a disciple, Hui babbled all at once.

Ying Lin squinted at him, then shrugged. She glanced around, checking for servants-turned-assassins, and ran off into the woods.

Hui watched her go. Once she vanished from sight, he breathed out and circulated his qi, settling it back into its usual pattern. After so long suppressing it, his qi passages tingled, almost like a numb limb waking up again. He wrinkled his nose and shook his whole body. Ugh. I dont like that.

As he released his cultivation, he scribbled a barrier talisman on a leaf, taking a moment to adjust the spell and add in some of the sound-suppression from Fu Liyus barrier and aura-alteration from his understanding of the reed shoes operation. The resulting barrier talisman burned faster, but hid more of his emanations than before.

Before the barrier fully closed, he sent a string of qi out to Ying Lin, checking in on her progress. She ran through the woods, alone as far as he could tell, no murderous servants on her tail. Satisfied, Hui let the barrier close, cutting off his qi, and settled into the lotus pose.

Hmm, that reminds me. I need to take the time to sit down and figure out my one-way barriers, eventually. Maybe another clone?

He reached out mentally, but couldnt sense any other clones except the one in the cave. Are they not close enough, or not awake yet?

Ah well, either way, once I get my inter-tree-net started, it should be easier to check on that. After all, the art seemed to resonate with all plants in a vast distance. With the plant resonance plus my natural synergy with my fellow clones, I should be able to sense my other clones, wherever they are.

Hui adjusted his state one last time and took a deep breath, circulating it in and out. Grabbing the golden sword from the storage ring, he held it over his left hand. He recalled Mount Mus inheritance and allowed it to direct the flow of his qi, but gathered all of the inheritances structure into his left hand, only activating it there.

Here we go. The moment of truth!