Chapter 23 Thoughts
The lotus platform's speed was very fast, darting continuously through the many peaks. Even so, it still flew for a full quarter of an hour before finally stopping halfway up a massive peak shrouded in mist and clouds.
The landing spot was a small plaza, though even calling it a small plaza, it spanned a hundred zhang in all directions.
At the far end of the plaza was a row of cave dwellings that looked somewhat like cave houses, with the one in the middle being the most prominent. Its cave entrance was a full three zhang wide, and the flowerbed in front of it was filled with all kinds of flowers and plants, alongside a few banana trees.
However, one of the slightly larger banana trees was broken for some reason.
"Kid, let me explain something to you." After landing, Xiao Jue pointed at the slightly smaller cave entrance on the far left of the front row and spoke gravely, "You'll live in that one from now on. Without my orders, you are not to run around randomly."
"The cave next door is where I refine pills. There's a bell inside your cave dwelling. When I pull the cord, you must come out. Let me be clear upfront: if you are even a moment late, I will show no mercy."
"Yes, Elder," Lu Li replied respectfully.
Although he felt Xiao Jue's words were a bit stiff and ruthless, his purpose in coming here was to secretly learn pill refining, so he didn't take it to heart. Right now, he only hoped this old man would give a few pointers while refining pills.
Seeing Lu Li's attitude was acceptable, Xiao Jue softened his tone slightly and said, "I just had a cauldron explosion while refining pills earlier, so my words were a bit sharp. Go rest for now. I'll call you if there's anything."
So it was a cauldron explosion during pill refining.
Hearing this, Lu Li immediately understood. He thought to himself that no wonder the old man sounded like he had swallowed gunpowder. He cupped his hands and acknowledged the order, then walked a few steps before turning back to ask, "Elder, may I ask, do I absolutely have to stay in the room?"
These mountain caves seemed a bit stifling. Although he often cultivated inside the Time Hall before, he almost always came out into the courtyard daily to get some fresh air.
Xiao Jue thought for a moment and said, "You can sit at the entrance, but you absolutely cannot wander far, because I might start refining pills at any time."
"Understood."
Hearing he could come out for fresh air, Lu Li let out a slight sigh of relief. He bowed and then walked towards the stone cave.
Upon entering the stone cave, Lu Li discovered it wasn't as small as he imagined, but the furnishings were quite simple. A few stone stools surrounding a stone table, a stone bed, plus a small partition room made up the entirety of the stone cave.
Lu Li pushed open the small partition room and only then realized it was a restroom.
Lu Li didn't complain. He sat cross-legged on the bed and entered the Time Hall, then began another round of Fireball Art cultivation.
Later, when evening approached, Lu Li suddenly felt a bit hungry and remembered he had forgotten to ask where to get food. So, he left the cave dwelling to look for Xiao Jue and ask.
He went to the door of the largest cave dwelling in the middle and knocked, but there was no response from inside.
So he then walked towards the cave dwellings on the east side. Only when he reached the very last cave dwelling did Lu Li see the character for food hanging on the door, and the door was open. Lu Li paused briefly, then walked in.
Inside, there was a plump, portly man who walked with a limp. A floral-patterned apron was tied around his waist, and he was currently busy doing something by the stove.
"Who are you?" Seeing Lu Li enter, the chubby man held a water dipper in one hand and looked at Lu Li with confusion.
"I, I'm the new medicine boy. I'm a bit hungry, so..."
"Oh, so you're the medicine boy." The chubby man pointed at a small steamer basket emitting steam. "The freshly steamed small steamed buns, you can have a few first. Stir-fried dishes will be ready a bit later."
"Thank you." Lu Li thanked him and then helped himself to fetch some buns.
"You've got quite some nerve, daring to take on the job of medicine boy." The chubby man said while continuing to work.
"What's wrong?" Lu Li was sitting in a corner eating buns. Hearing this, he felt somewhat puzzled and asked, thinking that Wen Hong did say this grand elder was difficult to serve, but at worst it was just getting beaten up, not exactly a matter of nerve.
Regarding the matter of getting beaten, Lu Li had mentally prepared himself before coming. His skin was thick and rough, and ordinary slaps should be bearable.
Moreover, looking across the entire Qingyang Sect, a job earning three thousand a month was top-tier. Forget about manual labor disciples; even formal disciples going out on missions, a single mission paying three thousand was absolutely life-threatening and extremely dangerous.
The chubby man shook his head and sighed, "It seems you don't know much about this place. I'll just tell you, be careful when you run into Deng Qingsheng."
After that, he paid no further attention to Lu Li and began to focus on his own work.
Lu Li originally wanted to ask just who this Deng Qingsheng was, but seeing the other party had no intention to explain, he didn't bother seeking answers.
After eating a full three baskets of small steamed buns, Lu Li was finally full. Regardless of whether the other party would respond or not, he politely thanked him and then left the dining hall.
Seeing Lu Li so polite, the chubby man sighed again.
Outside, Lu Li was just about to return to his room when he saw Xiao Jue hurriedly walking towards him from a small path on the west side. He quickly stood to the side and bowed respectfully.
Xiao Jue frowned, "Where were you?"
"Eating buns," Lu Li said with his head lowered.
Hearing this, Xiao Jue seemed to remember that Lu Li was a manual labor disciple and hadn't reached the inedia level yet. For no apparent reason, he released his Divine Sense to probe, then revealed a trace of surprise and suspicion, "Sixteen years old, first level Perfection. When did you enter the sect?"
"Reporting to the Elder, it will soon be three years."
"From the previous batch?" Xiao Jue was even more shocked. "You're pretty good, kid. Reaching first level Perfection in just three years."
First level Perfection?
Lu Li thought to himself, wasn't it the second level?
After thinking for a moment, he suddenly understood. Although he could currently release True Qi externally, it indeed couldn't be considered the second level because his second qi meridian had just manifested and he hadn't even pierced the first acupoint of it yet. Naturally, that didn't count as entering the second level.
Hearing the question, he only said, "This disciple has merely cultivated a bit more diligently."
"Diligence is good." Xiao Jue nodded approvingly. "Diligence can compensate for clumsiness. It's not impossible for a five-element spiritual root to cultivate to the high Qi Refining stage. Go back and rest properly. Tomorrow, I will be refining pills and will need your assistance."
"Yes, Elder."
Lu Li continued on his way, shaking his head. Judging by the other's tone, it seemed even for a five-element spiritual root, reaching the high Qi Refining stage wasn't that easy. As for his own nine-element spiritual root... tsk tsk, he didn't know what to say.
It seems I need to find a way to collect materials for the Piercing Acupoint Pill.
Getting to observe an Elder refining pills this time counts as a fated chance. If I can get some pointers from him, that would be even better.
Lu Li was determined to perform well and secretly learn some pill refining skills from Xiao Jue to avoid being flustered when he refined the Piercing Acupoint Pill himself in the future.
Inside the Time Hall.
Lu Li stretched out his hand and beckoned. A crimson fireball, slightly larger than a fist, immediately appeared floating in his palm. Although it appeared somewhat insubstantial, its temperature was not low. The air around the fireball made sizzling sounds, but Lu Li himself didn't feel the intense heat.
He swung his arm and threw the fireball forward. It instantly shot out and smashed into the hall wall with a bang.
The fireball directly shattered into pieces.
"This counts as novice level, right?"
A slight look of joy appeared on Lu Li's face. After practicing in the Time Hall for so many days, he could now summon fireballs at will. Moreover, with his continuous practice, each fireball he summoned became slightly more solid, and its temperature also increased somewhat.
He released his Divine Sense to sense the outside world and discovered the sky was already beginning to lighten. With the intention of leaving a good impression on Xiao Jue, Lu Li immediately got up and left the room.
Walking outside, he saw that the dining hall actually had its lights on. After pausing slightly, Lu Li walked towards the dining hall.