Chapter 18: The Water and Wood Spirit Technique
1066 Words
After spending the entire afternoon with Lotus Fairy, Lu Li discovered that there was no visible sun on Cui Xuan Peak, yet day and night alternated normally.
When they returned to the Green Bamboo House, it was dinner time.
Lotus Fairy took Lu Li to the Green Bamboo Tower where all the senior brothers were gathered.
During the meal, Lu Li was surprised to find that the food here was much better than in Pingxi Village, and there seemed to be no shortage of food.
Observing the senior brothers, Lu Li noticed that Mu Zhi, Yang Lie, Zhou He, and Yang Ye ate very little, hardly touching their food.
Lotus Fairy, noticing Lu Li's frown, whispered, "Those senior brothers have higher cultivation levels and are transformed spirits. They only need to absorb the spiritual energy in the air to sustain their bodies, unlike you."
Lu Li retorted, "You are also a lotus spirit. Why do you still need to eat?"
Lotus Fairy replied sheepishly, "My cultivation level is low."
Lu Li asked, "If you cultivate to a high level, can you stop eating?"
Lu Li's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Mu Zhi responded, "At the saint level, one can go a month without eating. At the saint sovereign level, three years without food. At the saint spirit level, it is said one never needs to eat without harm to the body."
Lu Li was skeptical but also intrigued.
He began to develop an interest in exploring the so-called path of immortality.
After dinner, the senior brothers each returned to their respective places.
Lu Li and Lotus Fairy lived in the Green Bamboo Lodge, separated by just one wall. This arrangement was said to be specifically set up by Saint Aoki.
The day passed quickly, and Lu Li, being new, gained a general understanding of the place.
The next day, Lu Li would begin his studies, not only in literature but also in introductory cultivation techniques, marking the official start of his path to immortality.
In the morning, Lu Li woke up to the sound of birds, feeling as if he were at home, everything so familiar.
However, when Lu Li opened his eyes, the surroundings reminded him that he was in the Green Bamboo Forest on Cui Xuan Peak.
Rising from bed, Lu Li's eyes held a strange light.
Since the Resting Heaven Sovereign placed a seal within him, Lu Li's outward arrogance had diminished, replaced by a more composed demeanor.
Lu Li had not yet realized this change, believing it was merely the environment making him more reserved.
Getting out of bed, Lu Li opened the door and said calmly, "Come out, I know you're there."
Lotus Fairy laughed playfully, jumping in front of Lu Li and spinning around, asking, "How do I look? Pretty?"
Lu Li hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Pretty, but I'm not interested."
Lotus Fairy laughed, "You're still young. In a few years, you'll be interested. Come on, let's have breakfast and then go learn to read with Master."
Lu Li smiled faintly and followed Lotus Fairy.
After breakfast, they went to the Green Bamboo Tower to learn to read with Saint Aoki.
During this time, Lu Li was very quiet, never asking questions, but he remembered everything Saint Aoki taught him.
In the afternoon, Lu Li and Lotus Fairy went to a bamboo forest three miles north of the Green Bamboo Tower, the residence of Elder Zhufeng.
Zhufeng looked somewhat old, with a head of white hair and a weathered face, giving the impression of being near the end of life.
Studying Lu Li, Elder Zhufeng asked, "Are you the child brought by the Resting Heaven Sovereign?"
Lu Li said, "I am Lu Li." His tone revealed Lu Li's inner pride.
Elder Zhufeng didn't mind, waving them over, "Come, have a seat."
Lotus Fairy led Lu Li to sit down, just six feet from Elder Zhufeng.
Looking at Lotus Fairy, Elder Zhufeng said, "You are a lotus spirit. I will teach you the Water and Wood Spirit Technique from the Ethereal Wood Technique. It suits you."
Lotus Fairy smiled, "Thank you, Elder."
Elder Zhufeng shook his head slightly and turned to Lu Li, "You are quite special. I will teach you the complete Ethereal Wood Technique. I hope it suits you."
Lu Li asked, "Suits me?"
Elder Zhufeng replied, "I'm not sure. Try it first. Later, I'll discuss with Elder Cuisan to find a suitable technique for you."
Lu Li didn't mind and said calmly, "Alright, I'll try it first."
Elder Zhufeng nodded and taught Lotus Fairy a segment of the cultivation technique, explaining it carefully. Once she understood, he taught Lu Li the Ethereal Wood Technique.
Compared to Lotus Fairy's Water and Wood Spirit Technique, the complete Ethereal Wood Technique was deeper and more complex. Elder Zhufeng spent two hours explaining it to Lu Li before he grasped the basics.
The complexity of the Ethereal Wood Technique was one reason, but Lu Li's initial exposure to cultivation techniques, with many difficult concepts, was the main reason.
After teaching the techniques, Elder Zhufeng had Lu Li and Lotus Fairy cultivate on the spot, closely observing their progress.
Lotus Fairy's cultivation went smoothly. Soon, a faint yellow glow surrounded her, which pleased Elder Zhufeng.
Lu Li's initial cultivation was not as smooth. Despite having abundant spiritual energy within him, he was unfamiliar with some of the body's acupoints and meridians.
After observing for a while, Elder Zhufeng understood the reason and woke Lu Li, personally explaining the body's structure and the basics of cultivation.
This explanation took another hour, and the entire afternoon passed.
Leaving Elder Zhufeng's residence, Lu Li and Lotus Fairy returned to the Green Bamboo Lodge. After dinner, they each practiced their cultivation techniques, their minds filled with curiosity.
In the days that followed, Lu Li and Lotus Fairy spent their mornings at the Green Bamboo Tower learning literature from Saint Aoki and their afternoons cultivating with Elder Zhufeng. Three months passed quickly.
During this time, through diligent cultivation, Lu Li and Lotus Fairy made significant progress, each achieving different milestones.
Initially, Lotus Fairy, having transformed into human form, possessed the power of a primary magic cultivator.
After three months of day and night cultivation, she had advanced significantly, rising from a primary to an advanced magic cultivator, much to Saint Aoki's satisfaction.
- Writer
