I celebrated at Lan-Yin's family-owned tea house, The Soaring Swallow. It was one of the oldest establishnts here, run by her family for generations.
The interior of the Soaring Swallow Tea House is a perfect blend of traditional charm and holy warmth. As soon as I step inside, I'm greeted by the rich aroma of freshly brewed tea, accompanied by the soft chatter of villagers and the occasional tinkling laughter. Whenever I felt like treating myself, this was the place to go.
The tea house is furnished with low, sturdy wooden tables and comfortable cushions, allowing patrons to sit cross-legged on the floor in a traditional manner. The tables are spaced out evenly, providing ample room for quiet conversations and lively debates alike. At the center of the tea house, there is a small stage where talented musicians and storytellers occasionally perford.
Behind a beautifully carved wooden counter, Lan-Yin's family mbers can be seen skillfully preparing a wide variety of teas, from fragrant jasmine and calming chamomile to robust oolong and earthy pu-erh. They occasionally purchased my herbs, but due to the amount they require they usually sourced them from Huan in bulk.
"Look at Kai, now he's moving up in life! Any plans on going to the big city?"
Wang Jun clashed his cup with mine and we drank the rice wine. Lan-Yin was out in the back, helping prepare the food and beverages while I chatted amicably with her betrothed. I held myself back, knowing I'd have to go and train later with the Village Head. It wouldn't do to show up inebriated!
"Perhaps, but maybe further along in the future. I'd like to take it one step at a ti, y'know? Patience is key." I said, grabbing a stead dumpling and stuffing it into my mouth. Delicious!
"Indeed, indeed. When you go out there and make a na for yourself, don't forget us! We'll be cheering you on, Kowtow Kai!"
I gave him a playful shove, looking over to the corner of the table where Tianyi was sitting. I requested a small cup of sugar water for her, and the butterfly sat there celebrating with us in her own way.
Our little feast ca to a quick end, with both of us extrely satisfied. As I hungrily reached for the last plate of stead dumplings, I couldn't help but notice how my appetite had grown recently. Keeping up with the much larger Wang Jun, I found myself devouring almost the sa amount of food as he did. It was a stark contrast to my usual modest diet. I covered my mouth and burped quietly, slapping my stomach in satisfaction. Lan-Yin strolled towards us carrying a small tray, collecting the empty dishes with a small smile on her face.
"Looks like you boys enjoyed the food."
"Incredibly so! Thank you again for the al. How much will it be, Lan-Yin?" I replied, whipping out my coin purse and collecting the silver coins.
"It's on the house, Kai. Don't worry about it."
"Ah, co on~You don't think this young master can pay for his al? At least take this much."
I tried to hand over a handful of coins but she sternly refused. Lan-Yin was always stubborn when it ca to this. I rolled my eyes and pocketed it, although I left several of the coins behind on the table as I got up from my seated position.
"Well, thanks again, guys. I'll have to go train with the Village Head now. I did tell him I was going to co in the afternoon."
Wang Jun's eyebrows furrowed in surprise. "You're going to train? Right after eating? You're going to puke your guts out!"
"Yeah, shouldn't you sit down and wait for a bit?" Lan-Yin asked.
I smirked at them, letting Tianyi perch on my shoulder. "Greatness waits for no one! I will seize it with my own two hands."
I bade them farewell and whistled as I made my way to Elder Ming's ho. He'll probably celebrate with as well! I quickened the pace and got to his front door within minutes. Today, I was going to complete my body refinent quest!
Quest: Body Refinent
- Run the periter of Gentle Wind Village without stopping to rest. (2/5)
- Commit to the horse stance for ten minutes without stopping to rest. (1/5)
- Squat 250 tis without stopping to rest. (2/5)
I found myself overflowing with energy, feeling better than I ever had before. As I assessed the tasks ahead, I grew confident that I could complete them before the sun set. Had my Invigorating Dawn Tonic been more effective than I anticipated? I had taken one of my concoctions as a result of working late into the night and sacrificing sleep, but it seed to have imbued my body with an extraordinary vitality.
I knocked on Elder Ming's door, eager to begin my training. After a few monts, the door creaked open, and Elder Ming appeared, his warm smile greeting . He inclined his head to Tianyi, and she returned the greeting with a wave of her wings.
"Ah, Kai! How was your presentation?" he said, clapping on the shoulder.
"They're interested! I'm going to negotiate the contract with them tomorrow. Thank you for helping , Elder Ming."
Elder Ming chuckled and waved off my modesty. "You have the talent and determination, Kai. I just gave you a nudge in the right direction."
I grinned and took a deep breath, feeling the energy coursing through my body. As we walked into his house, I began my request. "Elder Ming, I was wondering if I could try to complete the body refinent quests today. I feel stronger than ever, and I believe completing is more important than ever."
Elder Ming raised an eyebrow, asking what I had left to complete. "Those aren't easy to do with your level of training, Kai. How do you know it's going to help you?"
I nodded firmly. "Yes, Elder Ming. I can do this. I completed the mind refinent quests just yesterday, and now I unlocked the ability to create a mory palace."
His eyebrows shot up once he heard that. Elder Ming looked at in disbelief.
"A mory palace? Are you sure?"
"Certain, Elder Ming! The Interface told it was the reward for completing my quest. I spent the past few nights constructing them into the shape of trees!"
The more I explained, the higher his eyebrows went up. I feared it would disappear into his hairline and never co back. I chuckled nervously, I don't think I've seen the Village Head this floored in quite a long ti, so I asked him what was wrong.
"Er, is that sothing I shouldn't have done?"
"No, no." He waved off my worries. "It's just...rare for an ability like that to manifest. Especially when you're at the fledgling stages of cultivation."
"Ah! So I'm a genius, is that what you're saying? I'm exceptional among the disciples in the Qi Initiation stage! HAHAHA-"
Elder Ming chopped on the head and I rubbed the spot and quieted down imdiately. He scratched at his beard and was thinking deeply.
"A mory palace isn't a requirent for all cultivators to have. But the higher you go, and the more knowledge you accumulate, it becos sothing less unusual. But at the Qi Initiation stage? Unless it was an ability from birth, this is unheard of."
"When does the mory palace beco an ability that is commonplace?"
"...Around the Essence Awakening stage? At that point, it basically becos a requirent."
Essence Awakening stage?! That's an entire rank ahead of where I was! Even the elders of the Whispering Winds Sect rarely reached that level of strength! Even if they did, there were almost none residing in the province!
As far as I knew, there were only a handful of people who reached that cultivation rank, including the WInd Sage, still in the Tranquil Breeze Coast. And only those of that rank could use the mory palace?
I didn't know the mory palace was such a powerful thing! Although my body may not have the greatest talent in martial arts history, my mind will! I was never one for brawls in the first place! I would conquer the world using my cleverness, and then beco God Emperor of-
Before my daydreams could continue, Elder Ming chopped on the head once again, in the sa spot he did just a few monts ago.
"Elder Ming, please! This is the most important part of my body as a cultivator! What was that for?"
"I could see you conjuring up so nonsense in your head." He said gruffly. "Well, I'll put that aside for now. You want to finish your body refinent quests? I'll be there to guide you through it. Let's go!"
We moved to the outskirts of the village, and I began my first task: running the periter of Gentle Wind Village without stopping to rest. My legs felt strong, and my breath was steady as I completed the laps, feeling a sense of accomplishnt with each one. Tianyi floated ahead of , keeping pace as I ran along the boundaries of the village. I barely broke a sweat.
"Co on, pick up the rocks! You're not struggling with these tasks! Push yourself and overco your limits!"
Next, I committed to the horse stance, my legs trembling slightly as I pushed past the ten-minute mark. Elder Ming watched closely, offering words of encouragent and advice as I struggled to maintain my form. I got a ten-minute break in between each set, and I was forced to disrobe due to how much I was sweating. Tianyi perched herself on my shoulder once more, and I felt my body recovering a bit faster than usual. A thin stream of energy was entering my circulatory system. An idea sparked in my head.
Crossing my legs, I began ditating and circulated my qi alongside Tianyi. What I could retain from my surroundings, although small, was enough to freshen myself before Elder Ming shouted for to continue. I grabbed the rocks and assud the stance, gritting my teeth.
I am rooted in the earth, unyielding as the trees.
With each breath, I draw strength from the natural world around .
The pain I feel now is a testant to the power I will gain.
I repeated a variety of phrases in my head, keeping myself focused on the task at hand without wavering. Journey Through the Elents by Zi Chen was full of fantastical lines like that. I should reread it. Perhaps later tonight? As a treat to cele-
"Focus! Strength is not just in the body, but also in the mind and spirit."
Elder Ming tapped my backside and forced it upright, snapping out of my idling thoughts.
It took almost an hour and a half to finish. I failed to accomplish the horse stance set once, and required an even longer break or risk injury. That extra ti to ditate gave just what I needed to push through. Now it was ti for the last set of tasks; squats.
I approached the last set of tasks with determination, my legs already feeling heavy from the previous challenges. But I knew I couldn't give up now. Elder Ming stood by my side, offering words of encouragent and guidance as I began my squats. Tianyi remained perched on my shoulder, her presence providing with additional strength and motivation.
As I lowered myself down and then pushed back up, I counted each squat in my head. I could feel the strain in my leg muscles, but I refused to give in. My breathing grew heavier, and sweat poured down my face, but I continued to push through the pain and fatigue. The Invigorating Dawn's effects had disappeared a long ti ago. I've been operating on persistence and sheer will.
"One hundred... two hundred... just fifty more to go," I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible. Elder Ming nodded in approval, seeing the determination in my eyes.
As I approached the final ten squats, my body scread for to stop. But I gritted my teeth and pushed through the pain, reminding myself of my goal to complete my body refinent quest. With a final burst of energy, I completed the last squat and collapsed onto the ground, completely exhausted.
Elder Ming smiled at , a look of pride in his eyes. "Well done, Kai. I knew you could do it."
I lay on the ground, panting heavily, my body aching all over. But despite the pain, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishnt. I had completed my body refinent quest, and I knew that this would only make stronger in the long run.
Quest: Body Refinent has been completed.
Due to your status as Interface Manipulator, your rewards will be adjusted accordingly.
You completed the quest with additional challenges. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.
Your Body is growing more powerful.
You can now infuse portions of your body with qi, strengthening them temporarily.
You can now utilize the skill, Rooted Banyan Stance.
And just like that, everything in my mind clicked.
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