Cultivation

Long Yao finished smoothing the last section of bamboo and looked up at her.

When did you see the broken rope?

Shui Yue'er stopped holding the wooden beads.

"Today."

Shui Bing'er bent down to tidy up the hemp rope.

Her shoulders twitched slightly.

By the time the bamboo curtain was re-hung, the sunlight had already shifted to the outside of the platform.

Long Yao pulled down the curtain, then slowly rolled it up again.

The newly replaced bamboo strips, sandwiched between the old bamboo, stood out vividly in color.

Shui Yue'er took a few steps back and looked around.

"I can tell."

"As long as it works, that's good enough."

"Should we replace the others with new ones as well?"

"Everything else is fine."

She reached out and tugged at the wooden beads at the end of the rope.

"Then keep it."

The lake breeze blew again.

The bamboo curtain swayed gently, but the pages of the book on the stone table remained unopened.

Bibi Dong wiped the plane clean and put it back in the bamboo basket.

She looked at the broken bamboo and old rope on the table.

"Send these to the Kitchen?"

"The bamboo strips can be used to start a fire; the old rope should be kept separate."

Long Yao rolled up the hemp rope and tucked it into the corner of the basket.

Shui Yue'er picked up her teacup and walked under the curtain.

She placed the cup in the newly added shade and carefully compared its position.

"I'll sit here from now on."

"You used to sit here too."

"Things are different today."

She pointed to the end of the rope.

"This wooden bead is the one I wore."

Long Yao looked at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Remember to sweep up the bamboo shavings on the ground.

Shui Yue'er immediately turned around to get a broom.

This time, she didn't try to bargain.

The afternoon clouds gradually obscured the sun.

Long Yao returned the borrowed tools to the low house. When he came out, a few drops of rain had already fallen on the bamboo leaves.

He reached out and caught a drop.

Rainwater fell into the lines of my palm and slid down the sides of my fingers.

On the platform, Shui Bing'er was collecting booklets.

Bibi Dong moved the tea set inside the eaves.

Shui Yue'er, holding the bamboo shavings she had just swept up, stood in front of the pagoda gate and called out to him.

"Dear Dean, Teacher Lin said we can make Scallion Pancake today!"

Long Yao walked up the stone steps.

"Do you want to eat?"

"That was asked by Teacher Lin."

What did she ask?

Shui Yue'er paused.

She asked me if I wanted to eat.

He took the bamboo basket from her hand.

Go wash your hands.

She immediately put the broom back where it was.

In the small Kitchen behind the tower, Teacher Lin had already prepared a bowl of dough.

Cleaned scallions were placed by the window.

The jade box Lovesick Heartbreak Red blossoms still sits high up, with green fruits neatly arranged in a bamboo basket beside it.

As Long Yao entered, Shui Yue'er was reaching out to touch a green fruit.

She noticed his gaze and quickly turned the fruit away.

Let me check if it's ripe.

"Not yet."

This side is already yellowed.

"And the other side?"

She put the fruit back in its place.

"We'll have to wait and see about the other side."

Shui Bing'er tied the apron for her and placed a small bowl of chopped scallions on the table.

"Let's eat pancakes first today."

Teacher Lin removed the pot lid and was about to start cooking when Long Yao had already rolled up her sleeves.

"I'll make a few."

She handed me the rolling pin and smiled as she moved aside to take her place in front of the counter.

Shui Yue'er brought over a low stool.

Instead of sitting down, she placed a stool next to her and set out several plates for serving the bread.

Bibi Dong washed her hands and took a lump of dough from the basin.

The soft dough stuck to my palm.

Just as she was about to activate her divine power, she saw Long Yao grab a pinch of dried noodles and sprinkle it on the table.

"Get a little on your hands."

She did as instructed.

The dough in my palm quickly fell onto the cutting board.

Shui Yue'er watched intently from the side.

"So there's a way to do this too."

"You think you can only use Soul Power?"

I thought washing my hands a couple more times would be enough.

Long Yao rolled out the dough, spread a thin layer of oil on it, and sprinkled chopped green onions on top.

He rolled up the dough and pressed it back into a small pancake.

Several thin layers of noodles are stacked together, with chopped scallions hidden among them, only a hint of their green color showing.

Bibi Dong followed his movements and completed the first picture.

The pancake is thicker on one side and thinner on the other.

Instead of putting it in the pan, she rolled out the thicker side again.

Shui Bing'er handed the second sheet to the table.

She made it rounder, but tightened the edges.

Long Yao rolled half a circle with a rolling pin, gesturing for her to look.

"The edges also need to be taken into account."

"I only looked at the middle."

Shui Yue'er had already tucked herself into her ball.

She raised her hand and scattered the scallions, a handful falling and covering half of the dough.

Bibi Dong looked over.

"Are you putting noodles in scallions?"

"Add more scallions, it'll smell better."

"Roll it up first."

She tried rolling it up.

Chopped scallions fell out from both ends, scattering all over the table.

Shui Yue'er looked at her pancake, then slowly picked up her small spoon and scooped the extra scallions back into the bowl.

I'll put in less.

Long Yao put the first pancake into the pan.

Hot oil spread along the edge of the pancake, and the aroma of scallions quickly wafted out the window.

Raindrops fell on the eaves, and the stone path in the courtyard gradually became soaked.

He held the wooden spatula and gently flipped the pancake over.

The side that was touching the bottom of the pot had turned yellow, and fine lines spread out from the edge.

Shui Yue'er took a step forward.

Shui Bing'er pulled on her apron.

"You can see it just by standing there."

"I want to see when mine will be cooked."

There are two more pictures ahead.

She had no choice but to pick up the empty plate and wait.

Long Yao placed the cooked pancakes into a plate and separated them with a bamboo knife.

Beneath the thin, crispy outer layer, layers of dough remain soft.

Shui Yue'er picked up a piece, her fingertips touched the heat, and she quickly put it down.

Bibi Dong handed her a pair of chopsticks.

"You've completely forgotten your Soul Power today."

She took the chopsticks and carefully picked it up.

"Of course, I should try what the dean made first."

Long Yao put the next pancake into the pan.

"Let it cool down first."

Shui Yue'er blew on it a few times as instructed, then took a bite.

After she finished chewing, she immediately pushed the plate towards her sister.

"The edge is the crispiest part."

Shui Bing'er took one piece and handed the other to Bibi Dong.

A small piece was left in front of the pot.

Bibi Dong placed it on a clean plate and handed it to Long Yao.

"Master, yours."

He put down the wooden shovel and took a bite.

It's a little salty, but you can still taste the natural flavor of the scallions.

Shui Yue'er stared at his expression.

"How about it?"

"Good."

She immediately turned to the cutting board.

"Then mine must be good too."

When she put the pancake into the pan, a few pieces of scallion that hadn't been wrapped properly were sticking out from the edges.

Long Yao gently gathered the material with a wooden shovel and flattened it for her.

Shui Yue'er stood to the side and watched until the pages were turned over.

The food in the pot didn't break apart.

She finally felt relieved and moved the prepared plate forward a bit.

Before the rain stopped, all the Scallion Pancake were already cooked.

Teacher Lin cooked another pot of clear soup, and the group sat down at a small table outside the Kitchen.

Long Yao put the last half of the pancake into the plate.

The pancake was a bit thick, and the edges weren't neat.

Shui Yue'er glanced at it and immediately recognized it.

"This is mine."

"Um."

Why did you stay until the very end?

"We haven't finished eating yet."

She looked down at the remaining soup in her bowl, and after a while, asked again.

"I'll make it thinner next time."

Long Yao picked up a piece.

"Less green onions too."

"I've got it."

Outside the window, raindrops dripped from the bamboo leaves.

Shui Bing'er collected the empty plate, Bibi Dong carried the still-warm soup back to the stove.

When Long Yao walked back to the platform, the newly built bamboo curtain was hanging beside the stone table.

At the end of the curtain cord, two wooden beads, one in front of the other, touched the bamboo strip.

He raised his hand and rolled up the curtain halfway, revealing the lake surface after the rain.

Shui Yue'er followed, carrying a clean teacup, and placed it back in the spot she had chosen.

This time, she also brought a small dish.

The last Scallion Pancake remained on the plate.

"Dean, there weren't that many scallions in this piece."

Long Yao at her.

She pushed the plate towards him.

"I picked it on purpose."

He took the small plate and sat down at the table.

Shui Yue'er also moved a low stool over and sat in the spot covered by the curtain, bending down to tidy up the two hanging curtain cords.

Long Yao opened his cultivation records.

The paper is dry and the ink is clear.

He finished his Water Control record for the day, then put the pen back on the pen holder.

Shui Yue'er peeked out.

Success was achieved on all five attempts.

After she finished reading, she sat back down and didn't ask again if she could reduce the amount of practice the next day.

Long Yao picked up the Scallion Pancake.

The cake was still warm.

The following morning.

The Skywater Academy was exceptionally refreshing after the rain.

Several shallow puddles remained on the stone path by the lake. When Shui Yue'er emerged from the tower, she carried a tray with two bowls of Lotus Seed Soup.

She walked to the stone table and placed her sister's bowl down first.

Then place another bowl in front of Long Yao.

"Dean, the Lotus Seed today are freshly peeled by me last night."

Long Yao lifted the lid of the bowl.

The lotus seeds have been thoroughly cleaned, and steam rises slowly.

"I brought some sweet tea."

Shui Yue'er was taken aback.

What kind of sweet tea?

Long Yao took a small paper packet from her sleeve and placed it on the corner of the table.

"For Gu Yuena."

"When did you see her?" Shui Yue'er put the spoon aside.

"The day before yesterday."

Bibi Dong sat at the table and picked up her Lotus Seed Soup.

"The other day, when Master went to the Star Dou Great Forest, you were practicing your Nine Inches by the lake."

Shui Yue'er looked at the paper package.

"Even when meeting the God King, you must bring tea."

"I went twice."

Shui Yue'er lowered her head and took a sip of soup.

"Dean, could you take me to see the Silver Dragon King next time?"

"Wait until your 'Nine Inches' can last for Quarter of an Hour."

"It's been thirty breaths since last time."

The requirement is Quarter of an Hour.

Shui Yue'er put the spoon back into the bowl.

"Sister, did you hear that? It's related to rewards again."

Shui Bing'er put the bowl lid away and placed it on the side of the tray.

"I heard you."

"That's why I'm going to practice Heavy Water."

"Finish eating."

Shui Yue'er had no choice but to pick up the spoon again.

Bibi Dong took two sips of soup and looked up at the sky.

The Golden Ranking remained unchanged, the name at the top unchanged. The Sickle Shadow that marked eighth place on the Treasure Ranking had dissipated, and below the list, new golden light had yet to coalesce.

"Master, will the Treasure Ranking continue today?"

"Meeting."

"When?"

"Have no idea."

Shui Yue'er raised her head from the bowl.

"While we're waiting, can we not practice?"

Long Yao at her.

She immediately bent down and scooped out the remaining Lotus Seed from the bowl one by one.

Place the empty bowl back on the tray.

Shui Yue'er walked to the lakeside and raised her hands.

In the center of the lake, a drop of Heavy Water slowly rises.

Eight inches.

Nine Inches.

Heavy Water hangs above the lake surface, and ripples spread out in concentric circles before slowly subsiding.

Shui Yue'er's arm sank down half an inch.

She did not increase her Soul Power, but only slowed her breathing.

As you inhale, draw the force downwards.

As you exhale, the force travels around the bottom of the water droplet.

The ripples gradually become shallower.

Long Yao sat at the stone table, opened the cultivation record, and began writing on the page following yesterday's entry.

Bibi Dong looked at the lakeside.

"Thirty breaths have passed."

Shui Yue'er did not respond.

Forty breaths.

Fifty breaths.

Heavy Water remained firmly at Nine Inches. Sweat beaded on Shui Yue'er's forehead, sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto her collar.

She didn't raise her hand to wipe it.

Bibi Dong put down her teacup and walked to the lakeside.

She didn't make a move; she simply stood three steps away.

"Don't stretch the left side."

Shui Yue'er's fingertips twitched. The Heavy Water rippled, but she quickly suppressed it.

"I've got it."

"Don't speak."

Shui Yue'er shut her mouth.

The lake calmed down. Shui Bing'er tidied up the tray and stood by the stone table. On the True Dragon Tower in the distance, the blue patterns slowly rotated, and the Origin-Returning Realm Seal drew the scattered Water Element back to the base of the pagoda.

A minute Quarter of an Hour passed.

Shui Yue'er's arm began to feel heavy.

She raised the Heavy Water level a little higher, saving some of the effort needed to support the bottom. Ripples spread across the surface, and she took another deep breath.

Bibi Dong looked at her fingers.

"Still trying to figure it out on their own."

"My master didn't say I couldn't change positions."

"I never said that."

Bibi Dong withdrew her gaze.

Another dozen or so breaths passed.

Shui Yue'er's right hand suddenly dropped downwards, and the Heavy Water onto the lake surface.

She immediately caught it with her left hand, supporting it from below.

The water droplet wobbled twice and then stopped.

Shui Bing'er turned her head away.

"One hand isn't enough?"

Shui Yue'er did not answer. She steadied her left hand and slowly withdrew her right hand, placing it on her waist as she breathed.

The Heavy Water returned to a height of Nine Inches.

Bibi Dong glanced at the sky.

"It's been Quarter of an Hour."

Shui Yue'er then sent the Heavy Water back into the lake.

A ripple spread across the lake. She braced her hands on her knees and exhaled a long breath.

How much more did you spend?

Bibi Dong looked at Long Yao.

Long Yao closed the cultivation record.

"It cost five breaths more."

"Only five more breaths?" Shui Yue'er raised her head.

"The change of hands in the middle took three more breaths."

"What about the remaining two breaths?"

"Before the change of hands, the Heavy Water sank an inch; you made up for the lost time."

Shui Yue'er looked down at her hands.

"In other words, I became slower after switching hands."

"Um."

"Then I won't change it next time."

Long Yao did not respond.

Shui Yue'er walked to the stone table and picked up a cloth to wipe her hands.

"Dean, I really did hold on for Quarter of an Hour."

"Holding on and maintaining stability are not the same thing."

What's different?

"By the time we reach that point, the Heavy Water could drop at any moment."

"Stabilize?"

"Go for a walk outside, and when you come back, it'll still be there."

Shui Yue'er remained silent for a moment.

How long will it take to practice?

Let's resolve the issue of changing hands first.

Shui Bing'er spoke up from the side.

"Sister, you can divide your power in two."

"Divided in two?"

"Hold it half in your right hand and half in your left hand. When switching hands, support it with both sides, and the Heavy Water won't sink."

Shui Yue'er thought for a moment.

"But the Dean said that my Soul Power has not yet been differentiated into primary and secondary powers."

"Then let's practice prioritizing key points first."

Bibi Dong picked up the Myriad Laws Returning to the Origin Tome from the table and turned to the second page.

The water droplet patterns recorded yesterday are still visible on the paper.

Look here.

Shui Yue'er leaned closer.

Two thin, purplish-gold lines extend downwards from either side of the water droplet. One is thick, and the other is thin.

"Is the thicker one the main one?"

"It's the Bearing. The thinner one is the auxiliary one."

"What if we switch hands?"

"Replace the thick ones with the thin ones, and the thin ones with the thick ones. Don't break the line in the middle."

Shui Yue'er stared at the two lines for a long time.

"I understand. It's not a change of hands, it's a change of primary and secondary players."

Bibi Dong closed the Jade Tome.

You're right for once today.

Shui Yue'er looked up at her.

"Should I practice the same way with tomorrow's water droplets?"

"Let's start with Heavy Water."