Aspirations and hopes

"Crimson Flame Peak has a ninth-grade Qi Refining cultivation method called the Lesser Forging Origin Fire-Control Art. It can improve breathing cultivation efficiency by twenty percent. If a duty officer thinks highly of you, you might be taught it..."

"Nourish yourself with spiritual items for nine consecutive days to consolidate the second level and strengthen your muscles and bones..."

"Crimson Flame Peak lies to the south and corresponds to Ding Fire. At three quarters past noon, meditate and cultivate near the Quenching Room, just as Yang Fire Qi rises, to achieve twice the result with half the effort..."

Jiang Yi sat quietly for an incense stick's time, committing the cultivation methods provided by the Heavenly Book's golden page to memory.

So relying on the Heavenly Book to ascend on the spot in the blink of an eye really was unrealistic.

He sighed inwardly. Even the cleverest cook could not make a meal without rice. He was a mere Mortal Laborer on the Qianji Sect's Crimson Flame Peak, and his cultivation conditions were already harsh.

Even if he followed the Heavenly Book's instructions one by one, his cultivation efficiency would probably only improve by around forty percent.

Jiang Yi estimated:

Going from the Qi Refining Second Stage to the third level normally takes about five or six years.

If I stick to the cultivation plan the Heavenly Book gave me, I could probably shave off two years.

For a Mortal Laborer, that was certainly fast enough. The third level of Qi Refining would suffice to see out the twelve-year term and leave the mountain with tens of thousands of Talisman Money saved up.

But for Jiang Yi, that fell somewhat short.

He had the heart to pursue the Dao, and the desire to enter the inner sect and shed his mortal status.

If he did not strip the "Mortal" from "Mortal Laborer" soon, working himself to death every day would leave him no time to build his foundations and push for the Fifth Level of Qi Refining.

The steady road is slow. Is there a shortcut?

Jiang Yi thought some more, then posed a question to give it a try.

[Supplicating the Heavenly Book, can you directly reveal the complete text of a First Grade of Qi Refining cultivation method?]

[Subject of inquiry: complete cultivation method]

[Deduction time: seventeen years and five months]

[Deduction requirement: First Grade of Qi Refining spiritual item]

It actually requires a corresponding spiritual item in exchange... That makes sense. The Heavenly Book examines everything and traces cause and effect. It couldn't possibly come without a price.

Jiang Yi felt reassured, then asked another absurd, fanciful question.

[Supplicating the Heavenly Book, can you reveal my Fortuitous Encounter for Future Dao Attainment?]

Buzzz!

The golden page shook violently!

The tiny tadpole-like characters leaped and thumped like pounding drums!

[Deduction time: one hundred and three thousand, two hundred kalpas]

This... how long is one kalpa?

Somewhat dumbfounded, Jiang Yi immediately erased the words.

Once the golden light faded and the karmic ties were canceled, he asked several more questions.

[Supplicating the Heavenly Book, can you reveal an opportunity for me to live forever without dying?]

[Supplicating the Heavenly Book, can you reveal where I might find an overlooked Law Artifact?]

[Supplicating the Heavenly Book, can you reveal an undiscovered Foundation Establishment cave abode in Northern Mang Ridge whose owner has already passed away in meditation?]

[Supplicating the Heavenly Book...]

Though Jiang Yi's questions were wildly impractical, the Heavenly Book answered them all.

They merely required extremely lengthy deduction times, along with matching spiritual items of varying value.

Neither was something Jiang Yi could afford.

After he had asked seven or eight times, the light drifting across the golden page dimmed, so he stopped.

Jiang Yi sorted through the Heavenly Book's various responses.

The Heavenly Book examines cause and effect based on my own circumstances. If the "cause" I propose is too heavy for me to bear, it cannot produce a "result."

Becoming an immortal on the spot and ascending in broad daylight is pure fantasy.

Those unrealistic questions had partly been probes, and partly an attempt to see the Heavenly Book's limits.

With a rough understanding established, he returned to a path of steady, grounded growth.

[Supplicating the Heavenly Book, please reveal how I can obtain five thousand to one hundred thousand Talisman Money without leaving future trouble behind.]

The most urgent task was to make money!

To make up for his shortage of cultivation resources!

That was what Jiang Yi thought.

[Subject of inquiry: Talisman Money]

[Deduction time: two hours]

It seems "seeking wealth" involves fewer karmic ties than "opportunities."

Jiang Yi quietly noted this down.

Through one inquiry after another, he could roughly establish a ranking within the same tier: "Cultivation methods above opportunities," and "opportunities above external possessions."

He had not worked today and had some rare leisure, so Jiang Yi was in no hurry to meditate and practice his breathing.

Cultivation in the Qi Refining realm had quite a few rules and particulars.

He had once heard He Laohun ramble about it: everything in heaven and earth, mountains and vast marshes, the sun, moon, and stars, all possessed their own Qi.

Some were clear, others turbid; some rose, others sank. Each nurtured and transformed, giving rise to "all manner of Spirit Chance."

Until one reached the Fifth Level of Qi Refining and opened the Inner Mansion of the Origin Gate, one could not gather these Spirit Chances for personal use.

One could only be meticulous and patient, putting in slow, grinding work day after day, accumulating true essence to temper oneself.

The Proper Meridian Qi Circulation Art Jiang Yi practiced did not even qualify for a grade. It was teaching material supplied by the Dao Academy.

Only ten or twenty percent of his meditation yielded results, and his true essence and internal Qi grew slowly.

In some respects, even if Jiang Yi did not have to work and could devote himself entirely to cultivation, three hours of meditation a day would be his limit. Further effort would bring little additional benefit.

Crimson Flame Peak actually has a ninth-grade cultivation method. It must be in Duty Officer Yang's hands, not taught to outsiders.

Jiang Yi kept thinking about the Lesser Forging Origin Fire-Control Art. If he could get his hands on it, his cultivation efficiency could improve further.

Rice must be eaten one mouthful at a time, and roads walked one step at a time. I can't rush things.

He suppressed his impatience and silently repeated the word "steadiness."

The evening clouds over Crimson Flame Peak were always like splashes of molten gold, intensely vivid. Reflected against Northern Mang Ridge's vast, snowy peaks, they made quite a sight.

But the Mortal Laborers, who had spent most of the day toiling like beasts of burden, rarely had the leisure to appreciate it.

As the final rays of sunset fell into the communal courtyard, He Laohun and the others arrived carrying their respective "congratulatory gifts," ready to light the stove and start cooking.

"Young Yi, take a look! It took a fair bit of effort to get these two spirit fish from the Ice and Fire Cave's manager. They don't weigh much, but they're enough for soup!"

He Laohun called out like a general returning victorious. Before he even entered the courtyard, the two palm-sized, bright red fish dangling from his hand appeared through the gate.

Widow Qin covered her mouth and teased:

"Brother He, those two spirit fish must be served on a saucer, never in a big bowl. Otherwise, we'll be searching for ages with our chopsticks."

He Laohun was not annoyed. Instead, he chuckled.

"The fish may be small, but the thought is there. Just wait until I simmer a pot of rich soup. I guarantee it'll be so delicious your tongues will fall off!"

He normally enjoyed bantering with women, but Widow Qin was at the third level of Qi Refining, so he could not casually tease her and risk offense.

It was rare for her to pay him any attention, so he had to seize the chance to exchange a few more words.

"I've long heard how delicious spirit fish are, but never had a chance to taste them. We're sharing in Young Yi's good fortune!"

Old Li held a small sack, less than half full, of spirit rice. It looked like old stock that had sat too long in the grain shop, and when he opened it, a damp, musty smell emerged.

He smiled sheepishly.

"Wash it a few extra times, and it'll be just like fresh rice."

Watching this, Jiang Yi sighed inwardly. What Mortal Laborer did not split every piece of Talisman Money in two to spend it?

This was the life they all led.

Then he wanted to curse the body's original owner for throwing money around like dirt on some "factory girl"!

"I bought ten jin of beef and mutton from the butcher, a few jars of freshly brewed rice wine, and some fruit and snacks to go with them. I hope everyone won't mind the humble fare."

Jiang Yi had also spent seventy or eighty Talisman Money on supplies.

On Crimson Flame Peak, food and clothing such as beef, mutton, fish, padded jackets, and winter coats were inexpensive. Only cultivation resources bearing the word "spirit" cost hundreds or thousands at a time, beyond what they could afford.

"Sister Qin and I will cook. Husband, wash the fruit and put it out on the tables first."

Old Li's wife was brisk and capable. Rolling up her sleeves, she went straight to work in the kitchen.

Smiling, Widow Qin pressed Jiang Yi back into his seat when he tried to help.

"This is a celebration for you, Young Yi. How could we make you work? Rest a while and play the 'young master' for once."

He Laohun brought over benches and pushed several tables together. Although the autumn chill outside was biting, they were all Qi Refining cultivators, strong enough to withstand it.

He and Old Li chatted about anything and everything, while Jiang Yi listened.

At first, their conversation ranged far afield, mostly about which sect in Northern Mang Ridge had produced a Dao Talent and which place had suffered an attack by Bandit Cultivators.

Gradually, the topic returned to matters closer to home.

He Laohun cracked melon seeds and shelled peanuts, his mouth never stopping, nor his words.

"Old Li, you and your wife work so hard. Where are you hoping to send your son? The Dao Academy in the Zhao Kingdom's Prefectural City only teaches the Proper Meridian Qi Circulation Art. There's nothing genuinely worthwhile there to spend big money on."

At the mention of his "son," a few more traces of a smile appeared on Old Li's bronzed, farmer-like face.

"There's a Market Ward west of Northern Mang Ridge. Long ago, I went there a few times with Duty Officer Yang to buy supplies and got to know an old artifact craftsman at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

"He said he came from the Yin Puppet Sect, and he takes apprentices year-round. A few years back, I sent my boy over. Well, blue smoke must've risen from our ancestral graves-my boy actually had some talent."

He Laohun's brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

Old Li continued:

"Being an apprentice and learning the craft costs eight thousand Talisman Money a year. Seeing how clever my boy was, the old craftsman offered to knock off two thousand."

Only then did He Laohun speak.

"You and your wife can save six thousand Talisman Money from a year's work. Supporting the boy's apprenticeship shouldn't be difficult."

Old Li shook his head.

"Ah, Brother He, you don't know the half of it. How could six thousand cover everything? Artifact crafting burns through consumables and materials. Those expenses alone cost another five thousand!

"If the other apprentices can afford to use them, how could I let my own boy lose out? Then there's food and drink. The boy's at an age when he's growing, too... Anyway, it all adds up to fourteen or fifteen thousand Talisman Money."

He Laohun was speechless. No wonder Old Li's family normally refused even to buy meat, all but living on steamed buns and pickled vegetables.

So they were raising a "four-legged gold-devouring beast"!

"The expenses have grown even more these past two years. The old craftsman said he has connections that could lead to the Yin Puppet Sect's inner peaks, as long as my boy reaches the third level of Qi Refining... What else can we do? We'll have to work harder!"

Jiang Yi looked at Old Li. Longing stirred in the man's eyes, and he looked full of hope.

"Once the boy enters the Yin Puppet Sect's inner peaks, he should at least be able to become a duty officer, instead of suffering like me. Then my wife and I won't have to push ourselves so hard."

Old Li sipped his rice wine and narrowed his eyes, his face full of contentment, as though he could already see that scene.

He Laohun said with a laugh:

"Ha! When that day comes, you and your wife can leave the mountain too, shed the toil of Mortal Laborers, and enjoy a peaceful life."

Old Li shook his head.

"We'll leave the mountain, sure, but forget enjoying life. We were born to toil. We can't sit idle. My wife and I have agreed to take the Qianji Sect's plain certificate and rent a few mu of spirit fields.

"I heard from the workers on Herb-Gathering Peak that although inner disciples live on the inner peaks, if they want to cultivate somewhere rich in Spirit Chance, they still have to pay to rent a cave abode or meditation chamber. It isn't cheap!

"If we can save enough for a room and hall for the boy, make things easier for him, I could close my eyes in peace when I die."

He Laohun froze briefly, then drained a bowl of rice wine in great gulps and merely said:

"Good thing I never married, let alone had children. Otherwise, I'd be like a donkey harnessed to a millstone for the rest of my life, never hoping to stop."

But Old Li said:

"Brother He, you've got that wrong. Isn't the whole reason we work so hard to save Talisman Money to have something to rely on in later life? Nothing beats children who make something of themselves!"

Listening beside them, Jiang Yi felt that the rice wine in his bowl had a complicated taste. What, exactly, did a person live their life for?

Then his resolve to pursue the Dao grew firmer still.

All toil of the body, all hardship and exhaustion-only "eternal life" could carry one beyond them!

Before long, fragrant porridge made from spirit rice was brought to the tables. Accompanied by slices of beef and mutton cooked in sauce, it had a flavor all its own.

The steaming fish soup was set in the middle, and everyone took a bowl. It was indeed exceptionally delicious, warming body and heart as it settled in their stomachs.

The last sunset clouds dispersed, and the peaks darkened. Only scattered lights shone from the surrounding Work Dormitories, like fishing lights on a river.

The bustle of everyday life and the laughter drifting from Jiang Yi's communal courtyard made passing Mortal Laborers glance over.

They seemed surprised that, in these years upon years of living like beasts of burden, these people could still find joy amid hardship.