Silver and Mysteries – Respite (2)
"Seriously, there are just too many mantou draws."
[The Million Suns had made the rates for mantous to be high on trash draws, but it is just your bad luck that you get all of them along with the joke prizes on mantous at once.]
"Sigh, what is this mantou connoisseur record anyway. And that starter pack too."
[The record of a mantou connoisseur is a legendary book that records the taste of various versions of mantous which The Million Suns have collected over her lifetime. It consist of the best tasting flavors, the unique hidden types which were produced, the best seasons to eat special types of mantous and such. People who believe in the art of mantous will treat it as if a book of truth. Well, to others it is just plain trash though.]
[The Million Suns dares the system to call her life's work a piece of trash again.]
[The Million Suns pouts and refuses to speak any longer.]
[Anyways, the starter pack consist of 4 flavored mantous. Chocolate, Strawberry, Matcha and Taro. Each mantou comes with a special flavor as well as buff which lasts a full week. Chocolate increases cultivation speed by up to 300%, Strawberry grants quick qi regeneration and healing for training efficacy or recovering from battles by 200%, Matcha improves concentration and insights into new skills/arts by 300% and Taro taste the best, giving you the passive smooth skin permanently which increases your youth and beauty while increasing your charm and persuasion by 200% for that week. All of these buffs only apply to cultivators under the level of Bone Tempering.]
[They are made by the servants of The Million Suns and are some of her favorite tea-time snacks. By the way, each consecutive consumption results in a 50% greater additive efficacy. This means that if you eat two at once both will get an additional 50% boost, eating all four at once will give all of them an additional 150% boost. And these buffs are separate from whatever pills you consume so they are multiplicative, though only usable for Core Formation cultivators and below.]
[They are made of rather precious ingredients, but they are just sugary snacks for that great one.]
Since Liu Xun was no longer in the mood to eat, he decided to look at the record just for the sake of it. Opening the colorful booklet, Liu Xun began to read.
'There are many different mantous in the myriad realms. This record consist of 9,999 lower realm flavors and their best qualities, rarities and ways to make them. The art of mantou is endless. Cultivation is life, mantou is life. Therefore, cultivation is mantou! Pursue the dao of mantou and reach mantou heaven!'
Upon reading the first line which the author graced upon the reader, Liu Xun immediately closed the book as he placed it in his inventory. Looks like it would remain there for a long time in the future.
[The Million Suns scolds you for belittling her record of enlightenment! She is ignoring you for now.]
Liu Xun shook his head as he continued to have his meal with Millie.
---
"You two can rest here for now."
Liu Xun said as he placed the two copper mirrors inside the shallow waters of the basin filled with spirit water.
The two copper mirrors shone with a bright gleam as they happily enjoyed being soaked in liquid qi. They can slowly recharge their qi through the spring and this would save Liu Xun some extra costs to find something to charge them up.
*Tiriiing~ Riiiing~ Riiiing~*
They chimed out happily as they were floating under the water's surface.
Liu Xun smiled at the sight of the two mirrors which were slowly regaining their strength. They would be a useful trump card to keep in the future for dire circumstances since they can even parry the blows of Bone Tempering cultivators. Liu Xun was already their new owner since Senior Gan had gifted them to him. They would loyally protect him against dangers that he could not prevent himself.
"Well then, the both of you can just relax. We will be leaving in about two days so remember to eat up loads!"
*Riiiing~*
They replied as they continued to swim in the water.
Liu Xun had already informed Millie of the decision to soak these mirrors of his in the treasure pool. She immediately agreed, saying that there was no real use for this place since the Su Clan had yet to return after 200 years, using it now would just be effectively using resources.
Both of them also collected some herbs and fruits that are over a century old so that Liu Xun could use them to barter for things he could cultivate in the future. Millie even gave him a storage ring that was lying around so that he could store everything away. Liu Xun was elated since he could not bear to mix his personal items with Senior Gan's stuff since he had to return a large portion of it to the Thousand Blossoms Sect anyways. He even shifted the majority of the valuable items in his cloth sack including the jug of legendary spirit milk into the storage ring. It would have been much easier to store such items in the system inventory. However, since the others do not know he has an inventory, he would rather keep that as a hidden trump card.
"Well then, it is time to go and practice!"
Liu Xun said as he started to stretch his hands in preparation.
--
"Hupht!"
Liu Xun swung his sword as he pictured an enemy before him.
"Hiyaah!"
A quick thrust forward as he imaged himself channeling his qi, following the grain of nature and concealing its presence. Yet, a sense of disharmony warped him as the sword slowed down. Looking at his rampant and disorderly blue qi, he sighed to himself. It seems that he would require more practice before he could perform weapons arts like Silent Sparrow.
*Swiish.*
The body figure faded in a moment, leaving behind an afterimage. There was also a faint trace of qi that could be detected. Apparently, the combination of the Shadowless Steps along with the Formless Steps is a difficult task. Liu Xun had seen the senior perform that art where he disappeared completely into Shaggaroth's blindspot while blending his movement qi in with his environment. It looked to be the perfect assassination technique since either one would take down an unaware prey, but together one could even dare to sneak right in front of an aware prey.
"Wha-haht!" *Splat.*
The youth misstepped over his other foot as he fell face-first into the ground. He seems to be getting some idea of how to perform it, yet the idea of it is still very vague even with the memories of the demonic senior being implanted into his body. The youth slowly got back to his feet as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.
*Swisssh. Splat.*
Another failed attempt occurred as the youth landed right back onto the ground shortly afterward. However, Liu Xun was not discouraged as he continued to practice the sword movements as well as the steps.
--
Two days have already passed since he did that chain draw. Liu Xun had mainly been practicing the skills he has learned while resting during the breaks in a meditative stance. Millie had barely bothered him during his recuperation besides during meal times where she would end up cooking up another feast. Liu Xun's cultivation had steadily been rising still. The system has even mentioned that he had already reached the point where he could break through into Essence Foundation stage, which was estimated to be at 1.2k qi. The only issue at this point was for him to focus on a direction to form his foundation towards.
The stage of Essence Foundation is the most basic form of cultivation and most cultivators would not even regard qi gathering as the true beginning of cultivation but rather once they have developed a proper foundation. Qi gathering is the beginning where one senses and harnesses qi. Essence Foundation is the part where they develop the qi flow and build a proper structure and source to the qi, hence its name. Core Formation is the solidification of qi and composition to form a sea of qi. Bone Tempering is the reinforcement of qi into basic tissues like bone, muscle, and flesh. Organ refinement is to embed even the most vulnerable of organs such as the heart, lungs, and brain with qi refining it to be harder than steel. Beyond that point was information that even the Guanxin Knowledge Pill lacked, thus Liu Xun would have to research more on the paths as well as the goals as one approaches immortality.
Despite Liu Xun reaching the threshold to breakthrough, he still lacked the appropriate enlightenment or inspiration to develop a proper foundation. Foundations built through comprehension have varying degrees in themselves. A low-grade foundation is often called a "false foundation" since it only meets the qi requirements and barely has any enlightenment in the profundity of foundation establishment. A mid-grade foundation is called an "established foundation" where one has a decent understanding of the development and nurturing of a foundation. It also often requires additional treasure materials to stabilize such a foundation. A high-grade foundation that the majority of the cultivation geniuses would have is often called a "pure foundation" which involves an in-depth understanding of cultivation and tiny insights on the flow of qi and the dao itself. It is often very rare for people to develop such a degree of enlightenment since understanding the dao is way beyond an Essence Foundation cultivator's paygrade. It is often the seniors and ancestors of these geniuses who will try to foster a trace of dao in these young proteges before they break through. Basically, a form of nepotism if one sees it that way.
Lastly, there exists a realm that was once heralded as an impossibility. It was only discovered much later due to the existence of systems that allowed for reincarnations and transmigrations. The elusive stage of a perfect-grade foundation is the "Quintessence Foundation". This involves the very essence of qi and dao will form a foundation. Most believe that it is impossible for a genius to comprehend their own dao before forming a foundation, hence the elusiveness. However, with the possibilities of immortals, demons, and gods reincarnating into a human body and recultivating, such a dream is no longer impossible. It was also once seen that there was a genius who did not have a cheat actually managed to form a perfect foundation despite not fully comprehending the profundities of his dao, yet those cases are so rare that it would be hard to find one in the myriad realms. In fact, the reason why this stage is called Essence Foundation is for the hopes and aspirations that one would perhaps achieve a "Quintessence Foundation".
Looking at his current inexperience and rapid advancement, Liu Xun decided that he should delay his breakthrough until he could at least develop a mid-grade foundation. He was not pressured to go for a low-grade foundation nor was he willing to wait forever just to develop a high-grade foundation. Quintessence Foundation? Let some other cheat MC go and find a miracle fruit or OP power to develop that breakthrough. In a backwater sticks region like Xin Country, most cultivators would not even know such a stage even exists. Does one require an absolutely perfect foundation to achieve immortality? That is complete hogwash. Even The Million Suns developed a mid-grade foundation and she still managed to become a majestic great one.
The Million Suns flicked her fan out proudly
Now, if she only did not have that weird mantou obsession.
What is wrong with that, you want to fight? - Million Suns
Occasionally, there would be blue textboxes that send direct messages like this. Though it was most often when the great ones, particularly The Million Suns, get emotional that they will resort to direct message. Plus, there was also that incident to worry about.
--
[The Heavenly Temptress is interested in you.]
[The Heavenly Temptress has subscribed to your channel.]
A new great one had appeared and chose to actively follow Liu Xun. Where this great one came from, the answer is quite obvious looking as there are only two people within this valley.
However, this great one did not even bother showing any interest in him previously. So why now? And what is her true relation with Millie?
Millie herself does not seem to be aware that this great one is observing her very actions. She has already mentioned how she has been living alone for the past 200 over years, it is likely that she had not hidden the existence of this great one from him. Not to mention, this great one has sent him direct messages as well.
[Boy, you are pretty cute. - Heveanly Temptress]
[Hey, do you like our little fox over here? -Heavenly Temptress]
[Come on, don't be shy...it is just a secret between you and me. -Heavenly Temptress]
Such messages kept on appearing the night Liu Xun had awoken. It seems that this new great one is seriously interested in his romantic affairs as she would often taunt him into performing daring actions as well tell some secrets about Millie that he would not know about.
[Hey, are you interested in her? -Heavenly Temptress]
[Like her three sizes, or what color underwear she is wearing? -Heavenly Temptress]
[I know all of it~fufu -Heavenly Temptress]
Okay, sometimes Liu Xun was slightly distracted by her devious offers. Just slightly. But he mostly chose to ignore all of her sweet whispers as he continued to train silently. This new subscriber was always messaging him and bothering him but he knows that she was mostly just interested in Millie's welfare. Perhaps this was her attempt in getting him to stay behind and keep her company. Liu Xun had already resolved towards joining a sect and experiencing more of the world. He would love to help out a dear friend as well, but he knew that if he continued to stay here his will would falter and he might not be able to become a true cultivator.
[Tch, ignoring me? Such a dull man. -Heavenly Temptress]
[Fine, fine. I won't goad you to stay anymore. -Heavenly Temptress]
It was about time that this great one stopped bothering him with this issue. Liu Xun wiped the sweat on his head as he prepared to swing the sword down once again.
[But would you listen to a request of mine? -Heavenly Temptress]
--
"Well then, are you ready to leave?"
The silver-haired fairy looked back at him with a cheerful smile. She was once again dressed in that risque white fur clothing that Liu Xun would imagine was more wild than noble and elegant. By her waist was the same black blade which she wielded by her side all this time.
"Yeah, let's go."
The black-robed youth replied. All of his injuries had long healed as the youth now wielded a long green spear on his right hand and a blue short sword on his left. Lifting up the yellow cloth sack inside containing a few of his necessities, he began to walk towards the narrow ravine which separated this valley from the entire world. The two of them left the silent secluded valley, it was time to go and explore the surrounding regions.