Of Passing Days and Days Forgotten(Side stories)

1

Tranquil Mountain. Its mere name was worthy of inflicting fatal wounds. Despite expanding only three generations, its cultivators were capable of devastating mountains and sea. Yet, the internal disciple's eccentricities often blindsided their magnificence.

The behaviour of its disciple blasphemies their titles. Once one descends the mountain, chaos will trail and history with face thunderous ripples. Unstoppable, they were favoured by heaven's luck.

In rumours, there were sects dedicated to sealing them in the mountain. Of course, these rumours were artificial. Nobody actively searched for death.

Similarly, the mysterious peak was wrought with rumours and gossips. More lies were known than the truth. A novel, especially a famous tale was about Xue Ying, Winter's lotus. Apprentice of the Wayfarer, Mo Xin, this beauty was said to cause heaven to shatter with her mere glance.

Already at the last stage of Qi refining at birth, she reached foundation establishment at six, azoth core at ten, then immortality at sixteen. Armed with the Slumbering Dragon, her famed Guan Dao, it's said beneath her feet to lay depressed and defeated men.

In the depths of the underworld, another rumour swirls. A gruesome version of the same tale. At six, Xue Ying faced death and from its thieving hands, wrung away immortality. From then onwards, he was not human, but someone who the world intended to reject but failed.

"Master, why does the world think of me as a female?"

"Blame yourself for being too beautiful!"

2

I am a mushroom. I don't know how or why I am a mushroom, but in the scraps of memories in my possession, I was not always a member of the Fungi family.

My head ached. It's better not to recall! Memories are such a torment!

But in my fragmented memories, the world is different from what the little fool describes. Especially cultivation. En. I have nothing in my library about it.

"Little fool!" I called out as he cooked rice for himself, "What is cultivation?"

"My master said cultivation is self-improvement. It doesn't have to be martial arts, if you seek to improve yourself in your field, you'll certainly reach the apex." He instantly recounted, without bothering to think.

He's not a fool but he is certainly one. This paradox of his intelligence makes my heads hurt more than when I try to recall my memory. He's impossibly talented, quick to comprehend and learn whatever he attempts. His memory is impeccable.

But he's too lazy to think. He drifts in the river, never bothering to move against the current, and scoops water thrown in by others for self-use. Basically, rather than deciding what's right, what's wrong, what is the fact, whats lies, by himself, he just follows others in their decision and actions.

He has the capability to think for himself, but he wouldn't. He lets another thing for him, No, he thieves others thinking. Whether this is peculiarity is a result of indecisiveness or sloth, I can't decide.

Luckily, his master seems like a good-natured smart person. While trying to teach his disciple to think for himself, he fed him with thoughts that can certainly help him to survive abundant situations. Teachers must be respected in their efforts.

I give a 'like'!

Why didn't I ever have such an excellent teacher-Hmm?

Teacher…Did I have a teacher too?

"No, what do you think cultivation is?" I returned to reality and question the little fool again.

"Your question is vague." He replied, "It will vary from people."

"Tell me your variation." I insisted.

His actions paused. He knelt, his eyes aligning with my vision, hypnotizing, and rubbed my red cap.

"it's nothing." He smiled, "Do you want to cultivate?"

"Umm…" I considered, "Then teach me about it?"

"Cultivation, of an orthodox, is divided into four known stage-" He explained, slowly, " We do not quite know the limit, because there have been legends but its validity is doubtful."

"Legends are based on truth." I pointed out.

"Yes." He concurred, "There have been evidences of people surpassing stages, but…they are from millenniums ago. So lets talk about the current stages."

My ears perked up, excited.

"Qi refining is when we learn how to purify the Qi inside our body as well as wash away impurities. There is common misconception that this is the easiest stage. It may be easier to reach and ascend compared to the other, but it is also the most painful stage as you have to wash away impurities in your body before your soul. A pure soul cannot survive in an impure body.

Additionally, you must be able to automatically filter Qi entering and Qi leaving your body like how we may breathe."

"Qi Refining? Cliché!Well, Cliché is derived from reality!" I murmured, "All web novels have similar proceeding."

"Web novels?" He frowned, "Don't trust those fraud manuals. They may sound authentic but deal great damage to your body."

"They are not manuals…they are…" My head began to throb again, "Forget it, continue."

"The next stage is foundation establishment. Just as the name imply, you are setting foundations for your immortality.

It's you are building a mould. A mould of your future spirit and future self. What kind of cultivation path you are going to pursue? If Qi Refining s purification is the first step, this would be reconstruction. You are trying to change your mortal state, so bases must be made."

"Uh-huh." I nodded, "I get the gist, but still confusing."

"Then you need to build your Azoth core.

It's the crux of your immortal soul. It's the medium you are going to utilize to catalyst your immortal soul. Without it, immortal transformation will be impossible. The shape of the azoth core varies per individual. Nobody understand what an impeccable azoth core appears like...

There was a misconception its should be an unblemished sphere, but that's simply the easiest Azoth core to form. It's not unique so it can severely deter your future cultivation."

"Azoth…Like in Alchemy…Oh…" Concepts and comprehension flitted into my head, "What's your Azoth core like?"

His eyes twinkled, "Its rare that people reach the Azoth core stage. How are you sure I have one?"

"A disgusting genius like you, How will you not have an Azoth core?" I snorted, "Forget I ever asked. The next stage would be…immortality?"

"Mhmm…" He scooped out rice, "Immortality basically lets you to be in complete control of your body. And for those blessed, domains. But that varies for individual. Some don't have domains. Other have worthless domains."

"Domains?" I reiterated.

"The laws of the world they can control. Usually, cultivation, in theory, beneath divinity, only your body is in your complete control." His smile widened, "To manipulate aspects of the world, like space, time and nature, is only possible in the divine realm. So those with domains, are said to be a step into divinity."

"O-OH." I paused, and smacked away little bug gnawing at my head, "T-then what is your domain?"

His smile faded slightly and he simply raised a finger to his lips, "It's a secret."

3

I saw the devil.

What sins could I a commoner who sold steamed bread commit?

The devil wore the guise of a beggar child. His eyes were desperate, filled a chasm that craved the world and consequently, devour the universe upon an opportunity. With a limping leg, he hobbled to my stall for alms.

"Little boy, life is difficult." I carefully explained, "Although you are pitiful, I need to do my business well to provide for my family. If you have no money, I can't give you any buns."

His head drooped, disappointed. My heart ached with self-loathing and sympathy, but my hands were tied.

I could not be partial to beggars, for one incident of softness would instigate flocks. Rejected sternly, he hobbled away. I observed as he approached an approaching carriage, blocking the road.

"Give me money." He said, "You are rich so a few silvers to me is nothing. Especially the way you get money is no good."

My eyes widened at his brazenness. Despite his articulate way of speaking, rarely found in beggars, his thinking was extremely simple. If a poor person, by circumstances, couldn't afford to be kind, then a rich person, with enough wealth to squander, surely could.

But the world isn't simple and nice like that. Poor people are more likely to help and be merciful then those easily offended in the higher ups.

Kind beggars and good-willed citizens tried to dissuade him But he simply shook them Even if they succeeded they were too late.

"Who dare block our way!" The guard angrily leapt of his chair, and marched towards the devil child. He sneered, "Filthy beggar! Know your place!"

"I know." The devil Child responded, "Uncle, you are wrong though. I am no longer beggar but a bandit."

"Ha?!" The guard's face blackened, "A bandit? What the hell are ya-"

My mortal eyes are dull and faint to witness the devil's frightening might. With his limp leg and muddied face, the guard was swiftly dismembered, bloodcurdling shrieks filling the air. In another smooth movement, the carriage's strong iron gate was broken, and the devil stepped inside.

"Give me everything you have." His voice was calm, even tender, "I'll spare you."

The streets, instantly in a frenzy, was emptying rapidly, ripples of terrors spreading. My ageing body, recalling my rejection earlier was too frightened to move. His eyes caught mine. A smile blossoming on his naïve face, he rushed towards me, stumbling slightly, with a delicate powder blue embroidered pouch clutched preciously to his chest, contrasting his bloodied appearance.

"Uncle!" he held out a copper coin, "A steamed bun!"

I fumbled, scared witless, "A-A steamed bun?"

"Yes!" He nodded fervently, childish, "I am hungry! Don't worry, even If I am a bandit, I am not a villain! I only steal from the corrupted! Everybody would have done the same!"

"Corrupted?" my voice escaped unconsciously.

"Yes!" He grinned, "That was official Wang's wife. He had been sending his men to remote villages to capture their woman and children to sell. Basically unlicensed slave trade."

"H-How do you know?" I stuttered.

His eyes glazed over slightly, smile fading, and he placed a finger over his lips, "It's a secret!"