Development

Each day, Li Wei dedicates hours to this visualisation process, carefully channelling his qi along the imagined paths of the rune. The curve needs to be smooth, the stroke steady, and the hook sharp and deliberate. The mental exertion is significant, requiring an unwavering focus as he works to engrain the rune's form into his consciousness. The process is taxing, demanding both mental and spiritual energy, but Li Wei persists, fully aware of the importance of stabilising his foundation for future cultivation.

By the end of the week, the rune finally materialises within his mind. The moment it takes form, Li Wei experiences a profound sense of clarity and calm. His thoughts, once scattered and frantic, are now sharp and focused. The instability that plagued him since his rapid advancement begins to fade, replaced by a newfound sense of balance. This is as if a missing piece of his cultivation has been restored.

With the mind rune now solidified, Li Wei's perception begins to change. The once limited ability to sense vibrations through bone gradually shifts into the early stages of spiritual sense. His awareness expands beyond physical structures, and he starts to detect subtle traces of qi in his environment. At first, these sensations are faint, almost like whispers at the edge of his mind. But with concentration, he can pinpoint movements around him more accurately.

As he experiments with this new awareness, Li Wei focuses on the floor of his cave, extending his perception outward. At first, it's nothing more than a vague impression, a slight disturbance in the flow of qi near the ground. But as he sharpens his focus, the presence becomes clearer—a small creature, moving slowly across the floor. Using his spiritual sense, Li Wei identifies it as a cricket, its tiny form barely perceptible to his regular senses.

This small discovery excites him. Though it's only a minor creature, the fact that he could sense it without relying on his sight or hearing proves the growing strength of his spiritual sense. 

This development feels like opening a door to another realm of understanding. Where before, he was limited to the tangible world, now he can feel the ebb and flow of energy that connects all things. It's the beginning of something far more profound.

Despite the success, Li Wei knows he cannot afford to rest on his laurels. There are still six more runes to form, but he decides to postpone this task. His immediate concern is brewing a strength potion, an obligation that weighs heavily on him. Without access to Level 1 bone pills, due to the lack of bone fire, the strength potion is his only viable option to meet his monthly obligations to the direct disciple. The fate of the last resident of this cave serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of failure.

Li Wei carefully organises his belongings, knowing that his success so far cannot make him complacent. The looming task of brewing the strength potion gnaws at his mind. He cannot afford failure.

He mentally checks through his items, taking note of everything in his possession. The rewards of reaching Foundation Establishment have been significant, bringing him resources he could never have imagined as a Qi cultivator.

Li Wei picks up the two storage pouches he acquired during his recent exploits. He pours his spiritual sense into each one. Both pouches are empty. He decides to put them use, filling one with the bone dust he painstakingly created. Although it's only a small amount for now, Li Wei resolves to continue gathering and refining more dust until the pouch is filled. 

The second pouch will hold his personal effects, and he begins placing his manuals inside. Although some of the manuals may seem worthless, he knows that even these seemingly trivial texts could hold valuable insights or spark inspiration in the future. Better to keep them all in one place, safe and easily accessible when needed.

The strength potion, though simple, is still a significant undertaking. It requires only regular fire and common herbs, making it more accessible for a beginner like Li Wei. However, the cost of these ingredients would have been insurmountable back when he was a Qi cultivator. Fortunately, the previous occupant left behind all the necessary apparatuses. Though dusty and worn, everything is in working order, allowing Li Wei to proceed with his brewing.

Li Wei descends the mountain with a single focus: acquiring the ingredients for the strength potion. As he enters the marketplace, the familiar sight of stalls and shops greets him, each one offering a variety of goods for cultivators.

Li Wei continues down a narrow street, the air thick with the scent of various herbs and concoctions. The buildings here are older but the shops are busy. The windows are filled with dried plants, potions, and jars containing strange substances. Small signs hang above each shop, painted in faded characters indicating what each specializes in.

Li Wei steps into the grandest of the ingredient shops he spotted, a place called Verdant Lotus Apothecary. The air is thick with the scent of dried plants and herbs, an earthy mix of familiar and unfamiliar aromas. Rows of shelves are lined with jars, pouches, and bundles of ingredients, all meticulously labelled. Some glimmer with faint traces of qi, indicating their spiritual potency.

Behind the counter stands an inner disciple, dressed in the same black robes with red hems as Li Wei. The shopkeeper's eyes brighten as he notices a fellow inner disciple entering his shop.

"Greetings, brother," the shopkeeper says, his tone friendly but with an edge of curiosity. "What can I get for you today?"

Li Wei approaches the counter, his gaze steady. "I need Bloodroot Essence, Ironwood Shavings, and Ember Lotus Petals," he says.

The shopkeeper's eyes flicker with recognition. "Strength potion ingredients? Are you a new disciple of Elder Guo?" he asks, the sly smile returning to his face.

Li Wei responds with a curt, "Yes," his voice steady. Internally, annoyance simmers. Sharing details, even casually, feels like a mistake. Revealing any information could be dangerous. He mentally notes to be more cautious in the future. He might need to buy from different shops, spreading his purchases so no single person can track his plans.

The shopkeeper's smile widens, and he nods approvingly. "Good, good, good. I'll give you a discount—170 unranked pills."

Li Wei frowns slightly, his suspicion growing. "These are all mortal herbs. Why is the price in pills?"

The shopkeeper's expression remains neutral. "We don't accept gold here." His eyes narrow slightly as he leans forward, voice dropping lower. "If you're short on funds, I can start a tab for you." His tongue darts across his lips, a gesture that unsettles Li Wei.

Li Wei feels a pang of unease. "No thanks," he says curtly, turning to leave.

As he walks through the bustling streets of the market, his irritation simmers. His thoughts grow darker as he considers ways to quickly make money. Without bone fire, his options are severely limited, but he knows he can't afford to remain idle.

Li Wei's gaze shifts toward the outer side of the market, where outer disciples gather. Extorting Qi cultivators isn't beneath him, especially considering how far he's come. They are nothing compared to him now, and they should be grateful for the opportunity to contribute to his growth. His lip curls in disdain as he walks through the crowds, sizing up potential targets.

"Hmph, what are Grade 0 pills to me anyway?" Li Wei mutters under his breath, his mind flashing back to the skeletons he took from his old cave. "I have two whole skeletons of Qi cultivators. They're worth more than any of these weaklings."

The anger fuels his steps as he heads toward the outer disciple section of the market, his mind already formulating a plan. He won't be humbled by lack of resources again.

Li Wei returns to the small, dimly lit shop where he had previously purchased bones. The shopkeeper, recognizing him immediately, forces a nervous smile, his hands trembling slightly as he fidgets behind the counter.

"Senior brother, back so soon, how can I help?" The shopkeeper's voice is cautious.

Li Wei doesn't waste time with pleasantries. "How many pills do you have on hand?"

The shopkeeper's face turned ashen, his smile fading into a look of dread. "Uhh... Senior, please, if this junior has done something to offend you..." His words trail off, desperation creeping into his voice.

Li Wei's tone is cold. "No, I just need to borrow some pills from you."

The shopkeeper stammers, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "This junior... this junior is far too poor... I-I worry I won't have the funds, Senior..." His voice quivers, eyes darting around the shop as though looking for an escape.

Li Wei's expression hardens. "Shut the fuck up. I will take all your fingernails. I won't ask again—what do you have on hand?"

The shopkeeper pales even further, swallowing hard before managing to choke out, "321 pills, Senior."

Li Wei nods curtly. "Give me 300... and another full skeleton."

The shopkeeper quickly nods, his face filled with horror. "Yes, Senior," he mutters, fumbling as he gathers the pills and a sack containing another skeleton.

Li Wei takes the items and leaves without another word, his mind already elsewhere. As he steps out of the shop, he decides he'll repay the man eventually—he's not a thief, after all—but right now, he needs the pills more than anything. After all, what can the shopkeeper do? He's in a realm below Li Wei, completely powerless to oppose him.