「Three days later, in the Royal Court's main tent.」
Wu Wang had changed into a black robe and leather boots. He had simply tied up his long hair, adorned with a young beast's skull, and was now seated on the highest throne in the Royal Tent... or rather, on the seat next to it.
He was only the Young Master now; he couldn't sit on the throne.
Below the six-tiered jade staircase stood over a dozen influential elders of the clan.
After completing their salutations, they gazed at Wu Wang with affectionate concern, eager to know why the Young Master had summoned them.
"Elders," Wu Wang said slowly, "my Praying Star Technique has recently reached a crucial point in its Cultivation, and I've also received guidance from my mother. I'm sure you've all heard the rumors within the clan.
"From now on, until Father returns to the Royal Court, I will choose a place to cultivate in seclusion.
"The many tedious affairs of the Royal Court will trouble you all to discuss and manage."
An old grandmother in a patterned robe, her face a canvas of wrinkles, was so moved that tears streamed down her face.
"Young Master, have you broken through again? You're only twelve or thirteen years old; surely you're not about to advance to the Moon Ritual stage?"
"Not yet, not by a long shot. It was just a minor breakthrough, nothing worth announcing."
Wu Wang's smile deliberately carried an extra touch of simple honesty.
It couldn't be helped; the elders appreciated that.
"Young Master!"
A burly elder frowned and called out, "You can't always be cultivating these esoteric things! Our Bear Hug Clan still relies on physical strength to stand firm. You're far too thin.
"Wouldn't eating a few more pounds of meat every day be more satisfying?"
"Well..."
Wu Wang could only maintain a polite yet awkward smile, deftly sidestepping the topic.
"Father's inspection tours of the various territories are quite arduous. Please, ensure his supplies are plentiful.
"That's all for today; I just wanted to inform everyone.
"My place of seclusion is not far behind the mountain. You can send someone over at any time."
With that, Wu Wang rose and made his exit.
The burly elder still wanted to call Wu Wang back to say more, but several old grandmothers, clad in Priest robes and carrying wooden staffs, glared him into silence.
As Wu Wang left through the back entrance of the Royal Tent, he could still hear the elders' amiable and gentle discussion:
"What's wrong with cultivating the Praying Star Technique? Are we freeloading off your family?"
"Without the Praying Star Technique, could you defeat a great ferocious beast thousands of years old?"
"All day long, it's 'train your strength, train your strength.' Why don't you just ascend to the heavens yourself, then?"
*On the Status of Female Priests in the Clan.*
There wasn't much of grave importance happening at the Royal Court, mostly just matters of resource allocation and logistical supply.
If anything truly urgent arose, it would usually be taken directly to Wu Wang's grandmother, the Great Priest of the Bear Hug Clan from the previous generation.
Leaving the Royal Tent, Wu Wang didn't return to his own quarters. Instead, he strolled with his hands behind his back up the mountainside for a while, soon boarded a carriage, and drove away from the Royal Court.
Cultivation was about 'Gathering the Pure,' drawing in the pure Spiritual Energy between heaven and earth.
Lin Suqing couldn't clearly explain what this 'pure energy' was. She could only offer a vague notion that "when heaven and earth were first separated, that which ascended was pure, and that which descended was turbid."
But one thing was certain: the more people there were, the less pure energy was available. Thus, a place of Cultivation was best situated away from densely populated areas.
Wu Wang silently docked a portion of her pay.
In the Human Domain, Cultivation primarily split into two schools: Body Cultivation and Spiritual Cultivation. There were also two main camps: the Immortal Sect and Demonic Cultivation. Demonic Cultivation was about 'Drawing the Turbid,' attracting the turbid Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth.
The carriage had barely picked up speed when it began to slow. The four Frost Wolves pulling it swished their tails in displeasure.
Looking ahead, Wu Wang saw a river valley with an expansive view. Streams meandered around piles of pebbles, and two simple wooden huts had already been hastily constructed.
The rudimentary nature of these huts was also Lin Suqing's suggestion.
Cultivation valued environmental bonuses. The simpler the setting, the closer one was to nature, though the downside was the vulnerability to mosquito bites.
In the distance, tents were scattered haphazardly. Nearby, one could also spot several patrols of giant wolf riders. Although the location seemed to offer no strategic defensive advantages, the well-stationed guards around were sufficient to ensure its security.
"Ah..."
Wu Wang stretched and let out a soft sigh.
Starting today, I will cultivate Immortal arts and comprehend the Dao!
Starting today, I will be a simple, happy little Cultivator, striving to live for thousands, even tens of thousands, of years!
Starting today, I will master a small trick for ascension each day, aiming to one day become an Immortal lounging in the clouds...
"Young Master~~"
A familiar cry suddenly echoed from afar.
Lin Suqing, mounted on a giant wolf, led a troop of giant wolf riders galloping towards him, shouting while still at a distance,
"I found something wonderful at the market!"
Oh?
Wu Wang's eyes lit up. He had sent Lin Suqing to the nearest Northern Wilderness market yesterday to search for a more potent Cultivation Technique for use after foundation building. Could she have actually found a profound art?
「A moment later.」
Lin Suqing and Wu Wang were alone in the small wooden hut, the wooden door shut tight.
Her cheeks were flushed as she retrieved two paper books wrapped in sheepskin from her bosom. She pushed them towards Wu Wang, her face alight with an eager plea for praise...
Wu Wang calmed himself and idly handled the package before him.
Lin Suqing said,
"Young Master, this is a superior technique from the Demon Path!
"Although the Demon Path sounds antithetical to our Immortal Sect, in reality, it's merely a conflict in Cultivation philosophies. We're largely the same.
"Open it and see!"
She had that look of someone desperate for approval.
"Is that so?"
Wu Wang replied with a smile and casually unwrapped the package. As his eyes fell upon the contents, his smile stiffened somewhat.
Uhh...
The Grand Art of Yin-Yang Union: The Closely Guarded Secret of the Hehuan Sect
The markets of the Northern Wilderness truly are something else.
Seeing the change in Wu Wang's expression, Lin Suqing instinctively took half a step back, nervously watching the young man before her.
"How much did this Cultivation Technique cost?"
Wu Wang's voice was quite composed.
"Two Hundred-year Beast Cores," Lin Suqing replied hastily. "This technique ranks among the top three hundred Demonic Cultivation methods. If the Yin-Yang Hehuan Sect hadn't incurred public wrath and been annihilated, such a technique would never have circulated!
"Is it... a fake?
"I didn't examine it too closely when I bought it, but the introductory outline seemed quite profound. The seller also swore an oath that it was a genuine technique, just that he had made many copies, which was why he sold it so cheaply."
Wu Wang flipped through the book for a few moments, then suddenly turned to stare at Lin Suqing.
"Let me ask you something."
"Please ask, Young Master."
"What exactly does a couple do on their wedding night?"
Lin Suqing ticked off the items on her fingers, "They pay respects in the ceremonial hall, get married, lift the bridal veil, drink the nuptial wine, endure the bridal chamber pranks, share a pillow and sleep, and then, upon waking, serve tea to their master and elders.
"I can't be wrong; I've rehearsed these steps many times."
Wu Wang: ...
Just how desperate are you to get married?
"It's not your fault," Wu Wang tossed the book to her. "Now, go back to your room and read this technique thoroughly. Pay close attention to the instructional illustrations in the middle.
"Mull it over yourself, and don't make such a fool of yourself in the future.
"A woman your age, yet your understanding is worse than your junior sister's!"
"This..." Lin Suqing, somewhat puzzled, took the Cultivation Technique. Still slightly bewildered, she did as she was told and returned to the adjacent wooden hut.
'What does he mean, my understanding is worse than my junior sister's?'
Feeling a bit dizzy, Lin Suqing opened the Cultivation Technique and slowly turned to the illustrated section. She gazed at the crude drawings depicting figures disrobing. At first, she tilted her head in confusion. Then, a blush crept up her neck, rapidly suffusing her face and forehead, before—POP!—it felt as if white steam erupted from the top of her head.
Ah, this!
You can practice Cultivation like *this*?
Intertwining limbs to circulate vital energy? Heavens! This truly is a depraved and deviant method!
Lin Suqing quickly clapped her hands over her eyes, then peeked furtively through her fingers, remembering what she had just presented to a twelve-year-old boy...
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP!
Hearing the sounds of a head repeatedly hitting the wall in the next hut, Wu Wang shrugged. He began to peruse the other Cultivation Technique Lin Suqing had bought.
This one seems to have some use.
Soon, on the fur-strewn wooden bed, Wu Wang wore a smile somewhat reminiscent of his mother Cang Xue's. He continued to circulate the Spiritual Energy within his body.
The necklace hidden beneath his clothes flickered with a faint light that subtly enveloped his figure.
Before long, Wu Wang exhaled slowly and rose to his feet. His hands were level, and a point of starlight glowed on his forehead.
The sunlight in the room suddenly dimmed. A faint Star Sea materialized behind Wu Wang, and countless motes of starlight rained down from it, converging on various parts of his body and seeping into him.
Quickly, Wu Wang stopped absorbing the power of the Stars. He sat back down on the wooden planks, closed his eyes to concentrate, and resumed circulating the Small Heavenly Circuit.
He repeated these attempts, as if probing for something.
It wasn't until nightfall, when a guard delivered a steaming hot meal, that Wu Wang finally emerged from his wooden hut. His eyes were filled with questions, and his mind seemed to wander even as he ate.
Lin Suqing, who was already abstaining from grains, saw this and naturally didn't dare disturb Wu Wang. She tore off small bites of roasted meat, savoring the rare and precious ingredient.
"Ai," Wu Wang suddenly looked up and asked, "to which of the five elements does the power of the Stars belong?"
"The power of the Stars is considered the essence of heaven and earth; it can't be said to belong to any single one of the five elements."
After careful consideration, Lin Suqing added,
"I've heard it said that the Stars in the sky also have five-elemental affinities, generally corresponding to the cardinal directions: south is fire, east is wood, north is water, west is metal, and the center is earth.
"Perhaps the power of the Stars also follows such a pattern."
Wu Wang nodded slowly, holding his rice bowl and gazing at the fire, lost in thought.
Lin Suqing pouted slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "My name isn't 'Ai,' you know. And even if it were, I would at least have a Daoist title..."
"Hm?"
Wu Wang glanced up at her.
Lin Suqing instantly clasped her hands beside her cheek, beaming her sweetest smile. "Little Ai is always ready to follow the Young Master's commands!"
"Mm."
Wu Wang acknowledged, then lowered his head, resuming his contemplation.
He hadn't anticipated developing such an intense interest in Cultivation; once he delved into it, he found it hard to pull himself away.
Operating the Small Heavenly Circuit was merely the first step after one began to draw in Spiritual Energy—a very small step indeed. Its purpose was to allow Spiritual Energy to settle within the body, transforming a mortal vessel into a Daoist one.
The four realms of Foundation Establishment were: Spirit Gathering, Qi Gathering, Returning Origin, and Solidifying Pill.
Upon completing the Small Heavenly Circuit, one entered the initial phase of Spirit Gathering. The next steps were to expand the meridians to accommodate more Spiritual Energy and to refine one's innate essence into the first wisp of primordial energy.
This wisp of primordial energy was the key to future Cultivation. Using Spiritual Energy to supplement primordial essence was the core tenet of the Returning Origin Realm.
The four realms of Foundation Establishment represented a mature Cultivation system, the 'teachings born of experience' summarized and refined by generations of Human race sages and predecessors over many years.
But this didn't mean Wu Wang had to follow this exact path.
Moreover, he already had experience practicing the Praying Star Technique. By comparing and cross-referencing the two, he felt he could more easily grasp the essence of both Cultivation paths.
What Wu Wang could now ascertain was that the Praying Star Technique was a gift bestowed from above.
It appeared easy to begin—requiring only constant prayer to gain power—but in reality, this power felt more 'borrowed' than earned.
The Cultivation methods of the Human Domain were different.
In Wu Wang's view, the Human race pioneers who had blazed the trail of Cultivation had an astonishingly bold approach.
[To develop one's own latent potential, to merge with nature and comprehend the Great Dao, to borrow the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth to sculpt a Transcendent being.]
Just thinking about it is exhilarating!
Crucially, this path had been successfully trodden by the sages of the Human Domain.
Every time Wu Wang considered this, he was deeply moved. He felt himself sinking deeper, as if into a swamp, completely immersed in the world of Cultivation.
He had only pushed open a crack in a grand door, and beyond it lay an endless trove of treasures.
It's just...
A bit trying for the tutor.
Lin Suqing had recently been exhibiting frequent irritability, moodiness, and even hair loss—abnormal symptoms for female Cultivators. As the days passed, the girl's 'condition' seemed to worsen.