"Fruit?"
Li Xiangping looked up, puzzled, at Li Qiuyang who sat cross-legged.
"Yes..."
Li Qiuyang appeared nervous, his hands tightly gripping the hem of his robe. He had cultivated for several nights and condensed a wisp of spiritual energy into embryonic breath. Feeling that his speed did not match what the manual described, he feared he had gone astray and hurried to ask Li Xiangping with the technique scroll in hand.
Hearing Li Qiuyang's cultivation speed, Li Xiangping was startled. He fetched the Azure Origin Wheel-Nurturing Art and read it again and again, studying it carefully several times.
After a full tea-cup's worth of time, Li Xiangping finally raised his head and asked whether Li Qiuyang had eaten anything strange.
Thinking carefully, Li Qiuyang suddenly recalled something important and answered:
"A few years ago, some friends and I dared each other to climb the back mountain. In the end, only I made it to the top. On the way, I lost sight of my companions and wandered astray."
"As I walked, I saw a small jade-green tree with six or seven bright red fruits hanging from it. The fruits were vivid red and looked incredibly delicious."
"I couldn't resist. In a moment of foolishness, I plucked one and ate it. I stumbled down the mountain in a daze, and after returning home, I slept for three days. My father was so worried he called in many people to examine me."
Hearing Li Qiuyang's account, Li Xiangping was momentarily speechless. He patted Li Qiuyang on the shoulder and said:
"It seems now that in just over a year, you will be able to condense the Profound Vision Wheel."
Seeing the hope written across Li Qiuyang's face, Li Xiangping continued:
"But there is another important matter."
Li Qiuyang froze and looked up at Li Xiangping.
"Take us up the mountain. Let us find that spiritual root."
---
Li Tongya returned to the small courtyard at Lijing Village. He had barely crossed the stone steps before the gate when he saw Liu Rouxuan sitting obediently in the courtyard, chin propped on both hands, staring blankly at the fruit seedlings in the spirit field, counting them for amusement.
Seeing Li Tongya enter through the gate, Liu Rouxuan sprang up from the stone bench. She lowered her gaze and spoke timidly:
"Immortal Master."
"No need for such formality." Li Tongya waved his hand, his gaze briefly passing over Liu Rouxuan's pretty features. He smiled:
"I'm only six or seven years older than you. Just call me Tongya."
Seeing Li Tongya's approachable manner, Liu Rouxuan relaxed considerably. After a moment's thought, she said:
"Brother Tongya."
Li Tongya nodded, rose, and took a wooden slip from the shelf inside. He presented it to Liu Rouxuan:
"This is the technique for the Embryonic Breathing realm, called the Azure Origin Wheel-Nurturing Art. Memorize it here in the courtyard. Remember — it must never be transmitted to outsiders."
"Yes!" Liu Rouxuan answered with joyful surprise, accepting the wooden slip with both hands and cradling it carefully.
"Meals will be delivered daily at the hour of Chen and the hour of Shen. If you need anything, tell the delivery person and they will have it brought." Li Tongya picked up the teapot, pouring as he spoke. He filled two small cups and continued:
"I am not often in this courtyard, but I come at the hours of Chen and Shen to cast Spirit Rain on the spirit fields. If you have questions about your cultivation, ask me then."
Seeing Liu Rouxuan nod repeatedly, Li Tongya smiled and asked softly:
"Have your household things and clothes been delivered?"
"They have," Liu Rouxuan answered.
"Then settle into the eastern room. Cultivate diligently. Do not leave until you have formed the Profound Vision Wheel. Have you studied letters?"
Li Tongya asked suddenly.
"I read some as a child, and learned some characters."
"Then I need not teach you letter by letter. Read through it first. Come to me with questions."
Liu Rouxuan assented repeatedly, clutching the wooden slip as she read word by word.
Watching Liu Rouxuan bury herself in the Azure Origin Wheel-Nurturing Art, Li Tongya sipped his tea, his thoughts wandering:
"This child has come to Lijing Village — a stranger in an unfamiliar place, confined to this courtyard. For the next few years, there's no need to worry about the technique leaking."
Just as he was thinking this, a loud laugh erupted. Someone pushed open the courtyard gate.
"Third Brother, what brings you here?"
Li Tongya spoke with surprise, but then saw Li Qiuyang following behind Li Xiangping, looking anxious.
Li Xiangping explained the matter of the spiritual root. Li Tongya was naturally astonished and made a mental note to keep a closer watch on Li Qiuyang. The two conferred, then gathered Li Yesheng and several sturdy villagers and headed up the back mountain.
The season had deepened into late autumn. The mountain was bleak and desolate, fallen leaves carpeting the ground. The wild beasts had grown fat and sleek, burrowing into their dens to prepare for winter.
With the abundant, vibrant reed marshes providing plentiful fish and game, the people of Lijing Village had never been particularly interested in the back mountain. When the reeds fed them well enough, why venture into the deep mountains to fight wild beasts?
So generation after generation, the villagers of Lijing only harvested firewood from the foothill forests — using witch-hazel or June snow scrub for cooking, as these low shrubs grew quickly and were easy to gather. They only climbed the mountain to fell timber when building houses.
As a result, the mountain paths were overgrown with thorns and creeping vines. Li Qiuyang could not clearly remember the route. Several villagers hacked at the brush with billhooks to clear the way, with Li Xiangping and Li Tongya following behind.
"Second Brother, I have some doubts." Li Xiangping held Li Qiuyang's hand and turned to look at Li Tongya.
"What is it?"
"You said that Si Yuanbai drew boundaries for our family. Beyond those boundaries lies another's territory. Before our Li family rose, that party need only send a single Embryonic Breathing cultivator here, and who would dare disobey?"
"Then why, in the two hundred years our Li family has farmed this land, has not a single cultivator deigned to come? Do they truly disdain these mortals?"
Li Tongya stroked his chin and spoke with grave expression:
"I have pondered this. From Si Yuanbai's words, this land had no spiritual nexus for several centuries. With no cultivation resources to speak of, no cultivator was willing to waste time here."
"Secondly, Greater Li Mountain borders us — its ranges stretch endlessly. Who knows how many yao and ghosts lurk within? It is far less comfortable than the commandery cities."
Li Xiangping nodded in agreement, his expression darkening. He lowered his voice:
"Brother, there is an even worse possibility."
"The Qingchi Sect is said to be immensely powerful, but it occupies only a quarter of the State of Yue. Are there no strong enemies on its borders? What if our Li family sits right at the edge of the Qingchi Sect's sphere of influence!"
"When two villages fight over water, no one plants crops at the boundary. It's the same principle. According to Xu Wenshan, the State of Wu lies to the south. Wu and Yue clash constantly — and the immortal sects behind them are likely no friendlier!"
Li Tongya's heart chilled. His expression darkened as well:
"That is an oversight. Tomorrow, send men to thoroughly scout the area around the Ancient Li Road. Understanding our Li family's situation is the priority."
"Let us hope our Li family is not merely a crop the Qingchi Sect planted at its border and forgot."
Li Xiangping smiled bitterly — but then Li Yesheng's voice called from ahead, along with the sweat-drenched villagers:
"Immortal Masters! Such an enormous serpent!"