บท 29: Rest Now
Li Wei prepares to consume more after absorbing all the Qi from the bowl. However, as he momentarily lifts his finger to reach for another pouch, he notices the talisman's glow ceases. "Fuck, I have no idea if this is wasting it or not," he mutters, concerned about potentially misusing the talisman.
"I'll grab the pills I made. Eat them with one hand and keep the talisman activated with the other."
He gets up from the ground, walking over to the table where the cup filled with the pills he made is sitting. Carefully, he picks up the cup and returns it to his spot near the Qi flow talisman.
As Li Wei settles back into his spot before the Qi flow talisman, he continues his cultivation process, systematically consuming the bone essence pills. Sitting cross-legged, he maintains steady contact with the talisman, feeling its subtle hum of energy under his finger.
Li Wei carefully channels the Qi with each pill he consumes, absorbing it into his body. The talisman aids in this process, enhancing the absorption rate and making each session more potent than it used to be.
As hours pass, Li Wei notices a change in how he feels. The initial sensation of empowerment gradually shifts. He begins to feel a growing discomfort, a heaviness that wasn't there before. It's subtle at first, but with each pill, the sensation intensifies.
He tries to shake off the feeling, attributing it to the strain of prolonged cultivation. But the discomfort evolves into a tangible sense of unease. His body starts to feel progressively more burdened, starkly contrasting with the usual lightness and clarity he experiences during Qi absorption.
Li Wei's breathing becomes slightly laboured, and a faint sense of nausea creeps in. He realises that this continuous, intense absorption of Qi, enhanced by the talisman, might push his body too hard. The signs are becoming more apparent – a dull headache forms and his limbs feel unusually heavy.
Without warning, the light from the talisman fades and then extinguishes, leaving Li Wei in a sudden state of confusion. He lifts his finger, staring at the now-dark talisman. "Did I just exhaust its power?".
Li Wei is suddenly seized by a forceful cough, "Kaff! Kaff!" The sounds resonate harshly through the quiet of the cave. He doubles over, the intensity of each "Khoff khak khak" echoing starkly. Despite the harshness of the coughs, there is no accompanying phlegm, only the disturbing sound of dry coughing, "Khoff! Kaff! Khak!".
A tightness grips his chest with each successive cough, making breathing difficult and painful. The coughing fit seems relentless, each one sending a sharp reminder of the physical strain he's endured.
Gasping for air between coughs, Li Wei feels the full impact of the day's cultivation. The intense absorption of Qi, amplified by the talisman, has taken a significant toll on his body. He clutches his chest, feeling the ache and tightness that refuses to subside.
"Khoff khak khak", Li Wei's thoughts race amidst the discomfort. "I've gone too far this time," he gasps internally, feeling the strain on his body. The forceful coughs, devoid of any relief, signal a clear message.
"Need... to rest," he thinks, recognising the urgent need for a break. His relentless pursuit of power, boosted by the talisman, has pushed him beyond his limits.
"This is a warning," Li Wei admits to himself, the realisation amidst sharp, painful coughs. "Can't ignore this... my body's telling me to slow down."
Struggling with each cough, Li Wei makes his way to his bedding, "Ahem," feeling utterly drained. Each step feels heavier than the last, his body protesting the day's excessive strain. He collapses onto his bedding.
A wave of exhaustion washes over him as he lies there, "Cahem" …"Kaff! Kaff!". His body, pushed to its limits, desperately seeks the respite of sleep. The cave, usually a place of quiet cultivation, now echoes with the remnants of his coughing fits.
"Hopefully, I'll be better come morning," Li Wei thinks, a hint of concern lacing his internal voice. The physical toll of his cultivation efforts weighs heavily on his mind. Despite the discomfort and the lingering tightness in his chest, he clings to the hope that a night's rest will bring some recovery.
His last conscious thoughts are a mix of hope for recovery and a mental note to reevaluate his approach to cultivation. "Can't keep pushing like this," he reminds himself silently before succumbing to the much-needed sleep, his body and mind seeking the healing and peace that only rest can provide.
The next day, Li Wei awakens with the first light of dawn filtering into his cave. He opens his eyes slowly, feeling the aftermath of the previous day's intense cultivation. His body feels heavy, each movement requiring more effort than usual. Despite this, he pushes himself to sit up.
He starts the day with a careful assessment of his condition. His throat feels raw from the coughing fit the night before, and there's a lingering tightness in his chest. He takes a deep breath, testing his lungs, and is relieved to find the breath coming easier than expected. "Maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought," he muses internally.
Li Wei, facing the task of replenishing his energy, hesitantly reaches for the pouches of bone essence. Internally, he battles with the decision, "Can't stop cultivating, even with the pain. But, maybe go lighter today?" He's keenly aware of the strain from previous overconsumption. "It's a risk, but I have to continue," he contemplates, his resolve wavering. Finally, opting for a safer route, he mixes a smaller quantity of essence with more water, creating a diluted, safer solution. "Hopefully, this won't push me over the edge," he cautiously proceeds.
Li Wei sits in the quiet of his cave, the morning light filtering in. He slowly begins his cultivation exercises, focusing on gently channelling Qi through his body. His movements are measured and mindful, each aimed to nurture his energy without straining himself further. He closes his eyes, taking deep, controlled breaths, feeling the Qi flow smoothly within him, aiding his recovery. Every so often, he pauses, checking in with his body, ensuring he doesn't push too hard. This careful balance between healing and maintaining his cultivation progress marks his morning routine.
"Just a few simple tasks today," Li Wei thinks, setting a manageable goal for himself. He moves across the cave, unhurried, focusing on keeping his movements smooth and gentle to avoid straining his still-recovering body.
In the mid-morning, Li Wei makes his way to the entrance of his cave. He steps out into the open, inhaling the fresh outdoor air deeply. "This should help," Li Wei muses, feeling the coolness of the breeze against his skin. He stands there for a few moments, simply absorbing the tranquillity of his natural surroundings. The sun shines, warming his face, while the gentle rustle of leaves and distant bird calls add to the calming atmosphere. This brief foray outside serves as a moment of rejuvenation, a welcome contrast to the cave's confines.
Li Wei exits his cave, walking toward a nearby grove. The journey is short, but he takes it slowly, mindful of his body's condition. Reaching the trees, he surveys the forest floor, where dead branches and twigs lie scattered. These pieces, devoid of moisture due to the lack of recent rain, are dehydrated and ideal for firewood. He bends down, carefully picking up each piece to avoid straining his muscles. The wood feels light and brittle in his hands, easily breakable and suitable for burning. As he collects the wood, he also gathers strands of "old man's beard" lichen, known for its excellent fire-starting properties. Gradually, he assembles four substantial bundles of wood. He carries a bundle with each trip back to the cave, his movements slow and measured.
Li Wei looks at the neatly stacked wood in his cave, feeling prepared. "Good, this should last a while," he thinks. The simple act of stacking wood brings a small but meaningful sense of achievement. "Always good to be prepared," he muses, considering the foresight needed for his survival and comfort.
Li Wei, with his arms filled with bundles of firewood, returns to his cave. He steps inside, the familiar coolness enveloping him. Li Wei carefully navigates to the fireplace, each step measured to avoid any unnecessary strain. He places the wood near the fireplace, precisely setting down each bundle. Then, he starts arranging the wood methodically, creating a neat pile. His movements are deliberate, ensuring the wood is positioned for optimal burning. As he works, he visualises the warmth the fire will bring later, a small comfort in his solitary existence.
Having completed his day's tasks, Li Wei relaxes near the newly kindled fire. The crackling flames bring warmth to the cave. Settling back, he closes his eyes, soaking in the heat. Internally, he reminds himself, "Rest now, more progress tomorrow." Despite the comfort, his mind lingers on his goal, a hint of anxiety about reaching the 8th level in time persisting. Today's break is a rare pause in his relentless pursuit, but necessary for his recovery.
Feeling the embrace of sleep, Li Wei snuggles deeper into his bedding. The gentle flicker of the fire casts a soothing glow. In his thoughts, he admits, "I needed this day of rest... tomorrow's another day for cultivation." His mind, still partly on his goal, murmurs, "I must reach the 8th level soon." Gratitude for the day's calmness mingles with his determination. "Tomorrow, back to work," he quietly resolves. Drifting off, he welcomes the deep sleep, a necessary respite for the demanding journey ahead.
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