Capítulo 88: Bone Strengthening Elixir
That is the sort of intangible method one cannot capture in writing, Li Wei realises. You have to witness it firsthand and then test it yourself.
Over the course of several minutes, the mixture bubbles in a slow, rolling boil. The Steelvine Root fibres dissolve into a viscous, dark fluid, while the Crimson Dust gives the brew a subtle crimson undertone.
Zhao Feng lets the flame die away, leaving the cauldron to cool. He lifts a ladle and checks the consistency of the brew—thick and dark, with faint swirls of red. Satisfied, he transfers the liquid into a trio of small ceramic bottles, sealing each with a cork and a thin slip of talismanic paper.
Finally, he sets them aside to cool completely. Turning to Li Wei, he grins. "So, Junior Brother, how does your senior's brewing look?"
Li Wei bows his head with genuine respect. "You're far too humble, Senior Brother. Even if I spent years practising, I doubt I could attain your level of mastery… at least not without a lot of trial and error."
Zhao Feng's smirk deepens. "I'm sure you'll catch up faster than you think. You've got a knack for potioneering—I could see it from the first time you handed me that Strength Potion."
Li Wei exhales, feeling the lingering heat from the cauldron waft by. "I appreciate the opportunity. I learned more here in a single demonstration than I ever did hanging around the Pill Hall."
A snort escapes Zhao Feng. "The Pill Hall is full of idiots," he says curtly. "It's run by Elder Li, who—frankly—can't stand our master, Elder Guo. That's why their disciples are our natural enemies. They'd rather sabotage us than see us succeed. If you encounter any of Elder Li's disciples during The Reaping Cycle, kill them. It will make our Master very pleased."
Li Wei files that bit of sect politics away. It's hardly surprising that rivalries run deep—knowing where each elder stands can mean the difference between life and death here.
"Take this," Zhao Feng says, handing Li Wei one of the Bone Strengthening Elixirs he just brewed. "It will give you an edge. But remember, you're our asset now. Follow our guidance, and you'll survive The Reaping Cycle."
Li Wei hesitates, his respect for Zhao Feng unwavering but tinged with unease. "I... I can't accept, Senior Brother."
Zhao Feng's eyes gleam with a mix of approval and calculation. "Don't be too humble about your chances. If you don't take every opportunity to strengthen yourself, your survival rate will plummet. I know when people are going to flourish and when they're useless, like that faggot who came before you."
"This guy is ruthless as hell," he thinks, wary of Zhao Feng's true nature.
Zhao Feng stands beside Li Wei, his stance firm. "Oh, also, I heard from Master that you lack a meditation technique. Go to the sect library," he says. "Pick one out. It's somewhat a matter of luck, but I'm sure you're smart enough to choose something beneficial."
Li Wei looks at Zhao Feng, feeling the weight of his presence. He nods slowly, hiding his unease behind a steady expression. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
Zhao Feng steps closer, his eyes fixed on Li Wei. "We're helping you because you've got potential. Don't waste it. Follow our lead, and you'll survive. Fail, and you die."
Li Wei nods again, his mind racing. He takes a deep breath. "Senior, do you mind giving me some bone fire?"
Zhao Feng tilts his head slightly. "Sure, no problem. What are you going to do? Try to brew something?"
Li Wei meets Zhao Feng's gaze, determination in his eyes. "Yes. I'm very interested in trying for an Elixir of Vitality."
Zhao Feng's expression remains unchanged. "You're not going to do it," he says. "But whatever. It's worth trying for experience. Don't attempt to control the flame. Without the Cinderbone Elixir, you'll die. Also, be careful not to get any on yourself. It won't kill you immediately, but it won't be good."
Li Wei responds steadily, "Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother."
Inside, Li Wei feels his heart pound. He recalls the times he held back, never touching the bone fire when he was an outer disciple. Relief washes over him, mixed with anxiety.
Zhao Feng reaches into the hearth and pulls out a coal. He hands it to Li Wei, the bone fire still flickering on its surface. Li Wei takes the coal, feeling its residual heat against his palm. He looks down, his fingers gripping the stone tightly.
"Be careful," Zhao Feng warns. "Bone fire is unstable without someone controlling it."
Once Zhao Feng finishes tidying up, Li Wei hands over the Bone Fire manual with a brief nod. "Thank you for your guidance," he says. "I hope helping me doesn't give you any cause for regret."
Zhao Feng takes the manual, slipping it into a carved wooden case. "I doubt it," he says, shrugging. "You're a decent sort, Li Wei. So long as you remember which side of Elder Gao's circle you're on, we'll get along just fine."
Li Wei mirrors the shrug, not quite committing to anything but offering a polite smile all the same. "Much appreciated, Senior Brother. I'll be on my way, then."
Zhao Feng waves him off, already focusing on his elixirs. "Don't forget to practise what you saw," he calls over his shoulder.
"Of course," Li Wei says, turning to leave. As he makes his way out of the cave, his thoughts churn with excitement: everything he witnessed—the way Zhao Feng stoked the flame, the rhythmic wrist flicks, the precise timing—serves as a fresh source of insight for his own brewing endeavours.
Li Wei steps out of the cave, the entrance closing behind him with a soft thud. He moves swiftly through the rocky terrain, his footsteps echoing in the quiet evening.
Li Wei returns to his cave, the entrance closing behind him.
He summons his bone slave, its skeletal form emerging from the corner of the room. Without hesitation, Li Wei hands the coal with the bone fire to the slave. It approaches the hearth and places the coal into the fire. The bone slave carefully positions the coal into the heart of the fire. Li Wei watches the process, a newfound respect for the dangers of bone fire settling in his mind. If Zhao Feng warned him, it must be for a good reason.
The bone fire ignites with a sharp surge, its pure white flames rapidly overtaking the regular fire. The bone fire burns with a higher intensity, producing a hotter and more concentrated heat. The ordinary flames, characterised by their orange and yellow hues, begin to wane as the white flames assert dominance. The temperature rises noticeably, causing the regular fire to flicker and diminish under the relentless assault of the bone fire. Ash and charred remnants from the regular fire are swiftly consumed, leaving only the pristine bone fire behind.
The transformation is swift; within minutes, the chamber is illuminated solely by the stark white light of the bone fire. The air grows hotter, and the purity of the bone fire creates an environment of extreme heat and controlled energy. The remaining embers cool down, and the bone fire stabilises, its steady and unwavering flames a clear indication of its superior strength.
Li Wei retrieves a sack filled with bone ash, the remains of Shi Tou and Xue Feng. Opening it, he pours the ash into a shoddy metal container left by the previous disciple. The bone fire burns away the impurities, transforming the ash into a finer substance. Li Wei works methodically, ensuring the purification is thorough. The room fills with the scent of burning bone.
Li Wei glances at the rudimentary tools he possesses, longing for a cauldron like Zhao Feng's. Who knows what it does, but undoubtedly, the cauldron's presence would make the process more efficient.
As he works, his mind races with tasks: increasing cultivation, gathering ingredients for the Cinderbone Elixir, making the fourth mind rune for Bone Whisper Art, finding a new earth meditation technique, creating the foundational establishment elixir, and finding better weapons. He considers studying runes and experimenting with bone parasitism. The list feels endless, and anxiety tugs at him. He pushes these thoughts aside, focusing on the immediate task at hand.
He must be powerful enough to survive the Reaping Cycles.
Li Wei clenches his fists, frustration boiling over. "Fuck those bastards for springing this shit on me," he mutters. "Out of the frying pan and into the fire." He had expected inner disciple status to offer a cushy life within the sect, but instead, he's constantly struggling against mounting pressures. The relentless demands leave him exhausted, yet he knows he can't afford to give up. Determined, he redirects his focus, channeling his irritation into his work, knowing that each step forward is crucial for his survival.
Li Wei scoops the purified bone ash into a cup, hesitating briefly before drinking the white sludge. The essence flows through him, grade one bone essence. He feels the Qi surge within, a direct connection to the power he seeks. Both Shi Tou and Xue Feng were qi condensation disciples, their bone ash granting this level of essence. He consumes the bone essence, the process straightforward—no pills to make, just pure substance in a cup mixed with water.
He prepares to enter seclusion for a month. His determination is clear; he aims to reach mid-stage Foundation Establishment swiftly. He is aware of the risks involved. Over-consuming the essence could damage his foundation, but survival requires taking such risks. "Better a little more power than death at the hands of someone stronger in the reaping," he thinks.
Li Wei closes his eyes, the chamber silent as he begins his seclusion. Each breath reinforces his Qi, channeling the bone essence deeper into his core. Time stretches, days blending into nights without notice. He focuses on strengthening his foundation, the bone essence integrating seamlessly. The process is intense, each session building his internal strength without the agony he once feared.
Gradually, he feels a shift. His cultivation level rises, breaking through to the second level of Foundation Establishment. The strain eases, replaced by a steady sense of power. His bones feel sturdier, capable of withstanding greater Qi pressure. The transformation causes a deep, resonating pain in his bones, as though frost is threading through his marrow. His body feels heavier yet steadier, and his Qi flows with an unusual sharpness and clarity, as if tempered by an unseen force.
Li Wei opens his eyes, the chamber unchanged. He rises from his meditative state, feeling an unshakable strength coursing through him. His body feels denser, his movements grounded with newfound stability. A subtle shift within tells him that his resilience has deepened, and his capacity to channel Qi feels sharper, more refined.
Li Wei remains still for a moment, gauging the stability of his foundation. It felt precarious. The multitude of tasks ahead weighed heavily on him, but the looming threat of death in the Reaping Cycle propelled him forward.
Kneeling by the hearth, Li Wei watched the last flickers of Bone Fire dwindle into faint embers. The intense white glow that had dominated the regular flames faded completely, leaving behind only ash and charred remnants in the pit. He remained motionless, patiently waiting for the fire to extinguish entirely.
Estado de energía semanal
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