The Flame of Youth

Fang Shi led Mayor Chen and Lord Rui into a room filled with cultivation pods.

"This here was created by my senior", he told them, "It is a special artifact that makes the user feel like they have entered a secret realm. It currently has several functions: a training mode, a hunting game, and a classic arena mode where customers can battle each other in various ways."

Both men looked confused, so Fang Shi decided it would be better to show them.

"If you follow me, I can show you what I mean", Fang Shi said as he walked over to a pod.

On the aft of the pod a light screen was displaying the actions of the guest inside. She was sitting and meditating as she cycled her cultivation method.

"As a service, my artifacts can test the body, roots, and mind of a guest", Fang Shi explained, "Afterwards, the method that perfectly fits the guest will be sold to them, and they can use this training option to learn the method or any techniques they have. Also, there are options for professions to practice their craft without wasting resources. Successfully performing the techniques will reward the guests with a pure Qi or experience. There is also a thing we call a movie called 'Renzhe Mijuan' that demonstrates to our guests the importance of studying several types of cultivation."

"Can we see this 'movie' you speak of", Lord Rui asked.

"If you get into the pod and purchase it", Fang Shi answered before continuing, "Next is the adventure portion that currently has three different types of combat modes."

Fang Shi looked around the room, but was disappointed, "Unfortunately I can only show you Monster Slayer right now because that is the only one people are interested in."

"What are the other 'adventures'?", Mayor Chen inquired.

"One is called Musou, and it's a large battlefield in which guests act as heroes that turn the tide of a battle in their favor", Fang Shi explained, "The second mode is brand new and today is the first day it was released. That is probably the reason no one is playing it right now, they tend to stick with things they know bring them benefits over new unknown things."

"And this is not really a secret realm?", Lord Rui asked.

"No, but it feels like", Fang Shi told them, "Also, you can't just stay in the pod all the time and come out a warrior. You have to take the knowledge you attain, and practice it."

Mayor Chen has remembered a report he had gotten several months ago about the disciples of the local sects and loose cultivators taking on more tasks lately. Their rate of accomplishment had been getting better too, but he never imagined it was due to this store.

"Can you show us how this works?", Lord Rui requested.

"Since you asked, I don't see why not", Fang Shi said as he checked with the cafe clerk to find an open pod.

Mayor Chen and Lord Rui watched as Fang Shi entered the pod and then paid attention the light screen that appeared afterwards. A beautiful sky appeared, and in gorgeous calligraphy, 'Fairy and Sword' was displayed.

When Fang Shi started the game, Mayor Chen and Lord Rui saw a small object leap above the clouds before going under. This sequence happened several times until they saw a dashing young man riding on a sword.

"Riding a sword?", Mayor Chen was stunned, "Only prodigies of big sects learn this technique."

Lord Rui wasn't as surprised as his pavilion had this technique, but he could understand the mayor's thoughts. Others that were watching their friends hunt monsters noticed the scene at Fang Shi's pod, and came over to see what was being played.

What greeted them was a cultivator flying into a thunderstorm on a sword. As the cultivator dived further into the dark clouds, the audience could make out a great beast flying in the air. Without a word, the man attacked, and the crowd that was watching was amazed as they watched the earth and sky split. The great beast exchanged moves with this cultivator in an amazing display, and just as the battle reached a fever pitch, the young man woke up as he fell out of bed.

When the audience realized they were watching the dream of a young boy, they laughed at themselves but didn't stop watching. They learned that this young man was called Li Xiaoyao, and he was mortal who lived with his aunt. Everyone was confused as they watched Fang Shi take care of chores at his aunt's inn until one day. When Li Xiaoyao discovered his aunt had become ill, he leaves the island in search of medicine to cure her. Through a series of events, Li Xiaoyao ends up married to a beautiful young woman named Zhao Ling'er. Being confined to the island, Li Xiaoyao finds the medicine that will cure his aunt, so he planned his escape.

The crowd grew jealous seeing a mortal marry such a beautiful maiden.

During his escape of the island, and his wife, Li Xiaoyao happen to lose his memory when he is tricked into eating a pill. He arrives home, and cures his aunt but each night he sneaks out to visit a mysterious drunken old man.

The crowd recognized as the boy followed the drunk's teaching that he was being taught the sword control technique that they witnessed at the beginning of the game. As the old man showed the sword techniques to the young man, he cited poetry:

[The imperial sword arrives with the wind, eliminating evil from heaven and earth. I will be thrilled if I have liquor, but I'm still insane when I don't.

I will drink the lakes and rivers and then swallow the sun and moon. I am the Liquor Sword Immortal, the only person who is left standing after a thousand drinks!]

Just as the crowd were ready to continue watching more, the pod shut off and Fang Shi exited it.

"Owner Fang, why did you stop?", Lord

Rui couldn't help but ask.

The audience murmured in agreement, but Fang Shi countered, "I run a business, if you wish to know more, feel free to buy the adventure. Here is a tip, there are certain techniques anyone can learn but also certain techniques you can only learn if you have the correct roots."

The gathered crowd dispersed immediately as they headed to the counter to get a pod.

Lord Rui cleared his throat, "Owner Fang, these artifacts are very interesting, I wish to learn more about them so I don't wish to take up your time."

Laughing Fang Shi replied, "I will never turn down new customers, please experience our service."

The two golden core cultivators made their to the counter as Fang Shi walked back to his house. He ate a quick meal before entering his own personal pod to continue the game. He wished to learn the techniques he could, but he had a feeling he needed to put in time to do so or he would have to pay the system to learn.

Over the next few days, 'Fairy and Sword' took over the pod cafe by storm. Many of the customers who wished to try something different, were confident in their ability to fight spiritual beasts, or were prior mortals that recently broke through to the Body Perfecting realm were playing through the new adventure. Also many of the guests looked at Mayor Chen and Lord Rui in jealousy as they had quickly learned the control technique from the Liquor Immortal. As the Immortal's realm was higher than theirs, they could only learn a few things appropriate to their respective level. Also Lord Rui couldn't stay anymore since he had a duty to preform for his family, so he gathered his daughter and their followers, and left Blue Moon city. As he left, he promised to return as he purchased as much of Fang Shi's product as he could. This caused the system to send multiple alerts to him as all his wall scrolls and the storage space task were cleared and they all were upgraded. This caused joy and heart aches for Fang Shi because he was already doing his best to learn the sword control technique, but he also had to dedicate precious time to experiment with his fields to isolate and grow plants with better heritage, and breed spiritual animals with stronger bloodlines. As much as he enjoyed watching the main shop, he placed his strength and the future prospects of the store first. Instead of manning the register, he started staying home to manage the wall scrolls to produce higher level ingredients. When he had the time, he would enter the pod to continue to practice the sword control technique. His employees also used their free time to play Fairy and Sword with the exception of Wei Liang who was using his time to try and unlock his physique and practice alchemy.

In the bar at one of the largest tables was a group of people: Peng Hui, Mei Lingxue, Mao Qingyue, Lu Feng, Jiang Rong, Wei Zhang, Li Ziang, and Zhuo Zhen.

"Fairy and Sword is a perfect experience", Peng Hui said as a puppet delivered their drinks to the table.

"I would like to know how Owner Fang created such an interesting story", Lu Feng agreed.

"It feels like you are actually leaving the city to go on an adventure", Jiang Rong commented, "And the Liquor Immortal is so powerful."

With the mention of the Immortal, all the people sitting at the table raised their glasses, cheered, and droned their cups before ordering new drinks.

"So who is your favorite? Lin or Ling?", Mao Qingyue teased the others.

The table got quiet for several moments before Zhuo Zhen spoke up first, "Ling might be a snake defines but she is so kind, pure, gentle, and elegant. Lin is not bad, but she is not as ideal as Ling."

Mei Lingxue snorted, "Of course men would pick Ling, but the rich and resourceful Lin is just as good."

Like a dam broken, the group got into a heated debate about the best qualities of both young women.

"How did Li Xiaoyao get so lucky to have married both of them", Li Xiang posed the question.

"I could see why you think that way in the beginning", Mao Qingyue thoughtfully expressed her words, "But he was able to master the techniques from the Liquor Immortal so easily, so there is something special about him."

Everyone quietly contemplated her words, it was true that they had been studying under the Immortal as well and their progress hadn't been as fast as Li Xiaoyao's.

As the group continued to discuss the new game, a group of people at the next table were also talking about their day. All the young masters and mistresses of the eight families of Blue moon city were sitting there: Wei Shao, Feng Yaoxin, Liu Zhang, Xiao Mu, Huang Jie, Zhou Yu, Liu Xiaoyun, and Tang Wei. They felt embarrassed after their first time coming to this pavilion because they had to admit how excellent everything here was. Not only that but they had been in the pod cafe trying to the hunting game when the owner had shown off the new adventure. They had all went with the flow, and tried the new adventure as well only to be humbled as they flew above the clouds.

"That Li Xiaoyao must be a child of the Dao", Xiao Mu snorted, "How else could a mortal find such a powerful master, and marry such beautiful women?"

The others at the table seemed to agree with this sentiment.

"The Liquor Immortal is much like this store", Liu Xiaoyun remarked, "Who would ever look in barren farmland for a store such as this."

"It's no wonder our families allied as they did", Wei Shao added, "The strange thing is our employees have been coming here to study, and the owner doesn't seem to care."

"Why should he care, you saw everything here just as I did", Tang Wei said, "We are desperately trying to catch up, and if he starts to sell products that are 2nd rate, our only advantage will be brothels and gambling houses."

"My father has already told me that I should relearn my fundamentals here", Feng Yaoxin said in a depressed manner.

Everyone seemed to be unhappy about the the situation except for Huang Jie.

"Why do you seemed unaffected by what you witnessed today, Huang Jie?", Zhou Yu asked.

"Because I'm learning from a real master", Huang Jie answered, "If this was normal, we would have never had the chance to learn. If we ultimately fail here, I can still move to a different city and be better than most the artisans there."

This sounded unacceptable to everyone sitting at the table, so Huang Jie didn't add anything to his last statement.

Wei Shao raised his glass, and drained it, "Even though my position in the family is firm, I can't help but notice the drastic change in my family's alchemists that we employ. After training here for a few days myself, I've already noticed that my own skills have greatly benefited as well. This is my one opportunity to surpass my ancestors, so even if I'm unhappy that it's due to a rival, I will use it or it will slip away."