Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Expanding Horizons
The spiritual herbs in Lu Fan's small mountain field had grown lush and full, their delicate leaves and vibrant colors shimmering with qi. It was harvest time, and Lu Fan moved carefully among the plants, using a small, razor-sharp sickle to cut each herb with precision. Each bundle he gathered represented valuable income and resources for his family—and a rare opportunity for him to make a trip to the family's main house.
Once his harvest was complete, he folded the herbs into a carefully woven cloth pouch and set it securely against his chest. Taking a thin sheet of folded talisman paper, he infused it with a trace of qi, forming a small paper crane. With practiced ease, he stepped onto the crane, which lifted off the ground, carrying him across the open sea toward the Lu family's primary island.
As he approached, the landscape shifted dramatically. The main family island was far larger and more developed than his quiet mountain residence, with thriving forests and hills made fertile by the presence of a Level 2 spiritual vein. The energy here was palpable, as if the air itself pulsed with life. He spotted other cultivators moving along pathways, a few of them at the Foundation Building stage, their robes embroidered with the family crest, marking their elevated rank.
After presenting his token to the gate guards, Lu Fan entered the family trading hall. He sold his herbs to a merchant who, after examining their quality, handed over a small pouch of spirit stones with a nod of approval. With his earnings, Lu Fan then browsed through a variety of seeds, selecting those that would thrive in his Level 1 spiritual field. He chose seeds for rare herbs he hadn't cultivated before, envisioning an expanded field back on his own island.
After completing his trades, Lu Fan made his way to the family's Sutra Pavilion. This building, filled with countless shelves of jade slips and scrolls, was a repository of generations of cultivation techniques and arts. His heart quickened at the thought of expanding his knowledge. Among the many techniques available, he selected Century Wood Art, a well-known technique favored by older cultivators. The art was divided into two parts: a mortal martial art, designed to invigorate and strengthen the body, and a Wood Qi-based art, focused on cultivating wood energy to extend lifespan and resilience. This technique, he thought, would complement his simple lifestyle and could even offer benefits to his mortal wives if he taught them the basics.
He also chose a Blood Tempering Art, a body-strengthening technique known for refining the blood and fortifying the muscles. With his growing family and responsibilities, physical endurance was as important as spiritual cultivation. For a modest price in spirit stones, he obtained these manuals, carefully tucking the jade slips into his pouch.
The family also offered basic introductions to four core arts free of charge to encourage members to broaden their skills: Alchemy, Forging, Formation, and Talisman. Curious, Lu Fan took these introductory manuals as well, eager to see which might align with his skills or needs.
After gathering his new resources, Lu Fan mounted his paper crane once more, returning to his own island with a sense of purpose. His heart felt lighter, his mind sharper with the possibilities that lay ahead.
Once home, the first thing he did was settle into his newly expanded study, where he opened the introductory manuals on the four core arts. Each art offered a unique path for cultivators, adding layers to their skills beyond simple qi cultivation:
Alchemy focused on refining herbs and minerals into potent pills and elixirs. This art could enhance cultivation, heal injuries, and even extend lifespans, which resonated with his new interest in the Century Wood Art.
Forging involved crafting weapons and tools infused with spiritual energy. Lu Fan imagined creating his own tools for harvesting and refining his fields.
Formation was the art of building qi-based arrays and barriers. Mastery of this art would allow him to strengthen the island's protective formations, a natural fit for his role as guardian.
Talisman was an art that produced paper symbols capable of capturing qi, creating anything from simple tools to powerful offensive techniques. He imagined using this to bolster the defenses of his family and the island.
Weekly Power Status
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