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80.74% Learning To Live As A Cultivator / Chapter 260: Chapter Sixty - We find crystal in rock, fish in water

Chapter 260: Chapter Sixty - We find crystal in rock, fish in water

Leon and Troy sidled slowly for a few metres along the narrow tunnel, unable to turn around with only the option to move ahead. So when the tunnel widened to reveal a new cave, both breathed a sigh of relief. Troy giggles sheepishly; it was not as if he hadn't known that they would be fine and not get stuck, but the closed feeling within that small space was discomforting.

This tunnel had a few openings, Troy pointed to one and mentioned that after a series of twists and turns it would lead back to an opening on its left. But it hadn't found much of interest in any of the linked caves. The opening to the left of those connective tunnels lead to the larger cave where he'd discovered the void stone, so they entered this cave first.

Just like the one which contained the mushroom grove, ochre blended with brown, but this time the colour deepened to a deep grey in one area. As they approached this part, the floor sloped downwards and the walls stretched outward, the cave seemed so much bigger than when they had entered it. The vein was buried deep, there was not much chance that they could mine it well, they could only hammer the softer rocks about it and hope that they could harvest some of the stone itself.

Neither was particularly strong, though Troy had much more endurance and after an hour or so, they managed to free a palm sized stone to bag. Void stone was usually pure, without mix of other earths and stone types mixed in, as if it could not abide the taint of others. It was only down to this that they were able to chisel portions free. However, that which was enclosed in rock that was comparable to flint, they had to give up. They were also unable to dig too deeply, so their prize was three stones about the size of a sparrow egg, as well as that first stone, plus a few small pebbles.

Exhausted, they rested for a bit before Troy suggested that they make their way back. "What ab-bout the ch-changing stone?" Leon enquired.

"I found it in a cave adjoining the last one," Troy recalled.  "That's where I also found the crystal."  They picked up their aching selves and made their way to that small space.  It was different to the caves they'd seen before as instead of stalactites, there were transparent, thin crystals hanging from the ceiling as well as embedded like upper and lower teeth in a scar like indentation in the wall.  One by one they picked up stones and crystal shards, the latter they kept, while the former they tossed back onto the ground seeing that none changed colour to their touch.  It seemed as if they would not be able to solve the mystery of that spiritual root sensing stone at this time.

Roman was waiting for them by the lake.  He too had not much fortune when exploring the rugged walls of the narrow tunnel close by, just discovered another ametrine vein.  However, as valuable in terms of money this gem was, it would not give them points for the challenge.  So he'd just collected a few of the more attractive crystals and left it at that. 

He glanced over as the two unkempt youths scrambled out of the slender rift in the wall.  Their hair was dusty and tangled and their faces smudged and lined with dirt.  When Roman pointed this out, Troy and Leon just glanced at each other in the increased light of the extra mage globe and chuckled.  As it happened, the water in the lake was clean, even if it was a little salty, why not use it to wash?

With the worst of the dust wiped from their faces, one heart pills taking to deal with the scratches so they healed without chancing infection, Troy happened to take a second glance into the lake.  "Do you think it contains fish?"

"Why do you ask?" Roman asked, slightly frowning.  Troy's stomach rumbled on cue.  Leon covered his mouth before he could giggle.  Roman shook his head then lifted his hand, palm upward.  A delicately glowing ball appeared above it and gently floated over the water's surface.  It rippled almost in a frenzied way before settling once more.  Troy's eyes widened; he'd noticed shadows moving swiftly away from the light at the bottom of the lake.

"D-don't like the light?" Leon murmured softly, his voice echoing through the cave even then.

"Let's leave them alone," Roman decided, extinguishing his light.

*****

As was part of Pike's design, while others were adventuring in the depths of the earth and rock, he and the others were on guard; he guarding the entrance and keeping watch over the area in which the falls fell, Caelus was secondary defence within the cave. Velana and her fox-beast had traversed the steep and sometimes treacherous slope to the part of the river/lake that fed the waterfalls. During that time, the woman had taken the opportunity to observe the treasures of the water, but unlike Troy and the others, was much more decisive and successful in her hunt.

As the youths returned to the other half of their team, three large fish were turning on the spit, the gold dusting their gold scales glinting in the fire light. On seeing Leon, Caelus was quick to complain about the creatures' fishy smell, glaring at him to fix it. He'd become too used to the flavour of Leon's dishes.

It wasn't that the alchemist was a great cook, it certainly would not compare to cuisine of top restaurants nor of chefs from noble and royal houses, but there was a homely warmth from it and the seasonings he used made the plain fair taste so much better. Actually, this seasoning was just a mix of dry herbs, salt and black pepper, not unlike seasonings from his previous life. In his humble home, he'd experiment from time to time with edible herbs and had even found some interesting spices from a merchant, who'd travelled to the western continent to try his luck. But they were not to the palates of eastern people, so he sold much to Leon fairly cheaply. Aware that his team might also dislike the taste of such and due to the fact he was lacking space, he just threw this herb seasoning together at the time.

Taking out said seasoning from his interspatial bag, he approached the hot fires and roasting fish, generously sprinkling it on each one.

"They so b-big," he mentioned in awe. This type of orange scaled fish was not uncommon in their realm, in fact, it could be considered a staple food affordable to most townsfolk or to slightly more affluent villagers. Merchants might eat it when not showing off their wealth to outsiders, while noble houses purchased it to feed the lowest servants on occasions. It spawned quickly and frequently, being such an easy food source for predators, its had an ability to camouflage its eggs like no other, even if itself was unable to hide well. But also, it wasn't as tasty as other common fish, so it was unlikely to be over-sourced, despite everything.

However, the adult fish were only half the size of one of these ancestors!

Velana theorised that these fish had bred to this condition over time, with the weaker and smaller ones dragged over the falls edge to their doom, leaving the larger and stronger ones to breed. The upper lake was fairly wide, only narrowing at the point of the falls and it was likely deep. With no ingenious mortals or Cultivators to regularly fish and predators only hunting the edges or waters surface, the large ones survived longer to breed more.

But their evolution was to the advantage of the team of six, who ate until their bellies were round and full of flaky, white meat.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Ebonsolaris Ebonsolaris

sorry about the delay and the fact it is another semi-rambling chapter. Continuing on... this is a double update due to not updating on Tuesday x.

Chapter 261: Chapter Sixty One - Their eyes all reflect different things

The scene in which the revolutionary stone that sensed spiritual roots was captured by the mirror for only a few moments and also only a small portion of those watching the events of the challenge were able to witness it. For instance, the Mage and Beast Taming schools had currently been concentrating on scenes of teams lead by their own people, while the screenings available to the alchemy and scholars schools were divided equally over all teams through numerous smaller mirrors. Finding the one that revealed the happenings of Pike's team would be down to diligence or luck.

So despite the trepidation Leon might have had when the stone was thrust into his hands caused by the vague knowledge he had over his own root*, few actually bore witness and even fewer could guess what his root actually was. Even then, if they believed it was the waste 'star' root, they would not overthink it nor look into things deeper. Teacher Sagi was still somewhat discomforted, however and did not settle down until the Headmaster reassured him with a few written words in a quick note that evening.

Sun was also one who never overthought things when it came to Leon, his imagination was vast, but the protagonist, if not himself, had to be better in his view than himself and out of habit, he never viewed Leon as that. That's not to say that he did not respect Leon, he was Jin Li's person and had talent in alchemy after all. Just that first impressions are never easily erased once having taken root in the mind. At most, he had elevated Leon to being equal to himself.

Plus, there was a minor note of current discord in Sun's heart regarding Leon, one that the other would be completely unaware of.

"So what root does Leon have?" His grandfather questioned, his eyes puzzled as he recalled the white speckled black stone in Leon's hands. Could it be he had some sort of darkness root with light or illumination roots? These sort of conflicting roots were not good, but were not harmful to general cultivation. Sun quickly dissuaded his train of thought.

"Not sure, but I think it was a single body root," Sun replied, carelessly.

"Ho," an amused voice behind them sounded, causing Sun to glance over his shoulder. Oh, it was that Teacher Jian again. He was a strange one, his voice was melodic when giving lectures despite the topics being harsh and of a darker nature. He had introduced them so far to natural poisons from beasts and plants, telling them of many symptoms in a similar amused tone, before speaking of the antidotes. "This boy is quite an interesting one."

The General frowned, looking about to charge in strategic defence of his 'newly adopted grandson', but fell deflated when recognising the man. "You were the Prince Drake's guest that time."

"Indeed," the man's curved eyes that held ten thousand tales seemed out of place on his otherwise youthful face. "Nice to see you again, General Ramas. I apologise for my drunken rambling at that time."

"No matter," the general waved his hand in dismissal, before asking; "Is everything now well with your honoured self?" He didn't mention the grandson the man whose appearance was his junior, but temperament his senior, spoke of so not to cause accidental offence.

"This one has his health and fate has led me to this Institute, so life is also not bad," his lips widened in a slightly wicked smile, giving Sun a vague sense of familiarity as well as a notion that this man's smile held far more meaning than his words.

The three men turned back to watching the mirrors, but the scenes upon them had changed, causing a loss of interest. A quiet and scheming young Mademoiselle beside her cousin noticed this and took the opportunity to tug at Sun's sleeve. She was so bored! Several days like this already and more to come also, the thought was driving her mad!

"Brother," she offered a slight pout as she battered her long lashes. A few glances were pulled in her direction, giving her much satisfaction. To those 'rough' martial artists, she was like a gentle peach blossom floating upon the breeze into their midst, so unlike the thorny roses they had become accustomed to seeing. Naturally, they would be attracted!

If they had heard her inner monologue, they would have taken off any rose-coloured glasses they wore and dismissed her as one of those inner courtyard Gloriosa Lilies, which as beautiful as they were, to brush against would cause irritation, but to eat was pure poison.

"Brother, since it will be a shìchèn until brother Leon can be seen again," she said, softly, "would it not be possible for brother to take me around to see things while we wait?"

Sun frowned and tugged his sleeve from her fingers. "What things?"

She inwardly rolled her eyes, thinking her cousin was still so dim and could not take a hint. "What about your room or where you train? I want to see it!" Her eyes were pools liquid bronze reflecting innocence, while her tone was eager to flatter. Others would not see through it, such as her Grandfather, who nodded his head, glad his grandchildren could get along, while a handful pierced the illusion in one look and sneered.

Sun was of the latter. How often had he fallen for this girl's tricks and provocation in the past? And he, even if his grandfather had, not forgotten that his room was also Jin Li's room. Fair enough, his room mate was in closed cultivation in the mountains, but did not mean he should be so lax in diligence when it came to Jin Li's privacy. He voiced this out loud in a handful of words; "Not appropriate," he refused, "My room is not mine alone. It's wrong to bring a girl there, even if you are my sister."

"Grandson is right, my granddaughter," General Ramas agreed with him. "Seeing the training grounds is alright, though it's likely similar to back home," he mused upon this last point. Sun grasped this and nodded, sagely. He just didn't want to be Carmen's tour guide!

"How about this," Teacher Jian began to voice a suggestion, "it's not right to wander around the Institute randomly at this time, but there is always the town at the bottom of the mountain. Your brother could take you there to look." Sun sent an unhappy glare his way which just caused the man's eyes to curve into slender crescents, his amusement not hidden at all!

Teacher Jian was knowingly pushing him into this pit, Sun complained, silently. But why?!

Carmen was not as enthusiastic about exploring the town; just a poor place, what would it have that Cenapar City did not?! But still, it was better than sitting here and having to watch that servant traipse through forests and caves after that barbaric looking man and equally barbaric looking woman! It wasn't as if her beloved was participating! Her beloved wasn't even here!

Would Jin Li have entered closed cultivation had he known I was about to visit? She pondered in lament, thinking of the vision she'd excitedly had of him moved by her suffering the long journey on the giant Griffin, following her Grandfather into this expansive Institute where the food was plain and facilities no better. He should have taken her hands in his, asked for her well being and voiced affection; how glad he was that she was alright. He would have gently chided her for exhausting herself by travelling all this way, but have been secretly pleased nonetheless. And then, he would have continued to cheekily hold her hand while using the excuse of giving her a tour and she would have allowed it...

"Alright," Sun burst into her daydream with his grating voice. "But only for half a shìchèn!"


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Ebonsolaris Ebonsolaris

Author's note; Now up to date! Yay!

*Just a reminder, Leon knows his celestial root is special, that his abilities make his runic talismans work and that he needs to keep such on the down low, but he still doesn't know what being a 'cauldron' means as Jin Li has kept this from him, wanting to protect him in his own unique way. So Leon really doesn't understand the full extent of what having a Celestial body root means x.

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