Bone Island was once the lair of a demonic sect grandmaster, a place full of skeleton towers and suffocating yin Qi. After the grandmaster's fall, a loose alliance of cultivators seized the island and turned it into a small trading hub. Over the years the small island evolved into a bustling market,
where pirates, wanderers, and sect disciples mingled freely.
On one of the many merchant ships heading to the island, Sun Li and Sun Hao leaned against the railings, watching the waves roll by. The shouts of the sailors and the faint chatter of the crew brought the ship to life. Sun Wu stood at the bow, his cheerful voice booming as he lead the Sun Clan's ship forward.
Across the Hundred Storm Islands, land was divided into two ranks: mortal and immortal. Mortal islands were barren of spiritual qi, able to support only ordinary mortals. Immortal islands, by contrast, housed spiritual springs that nurtured cultivation.
The absence of spiritual energy on mortal islands often made them ideal hiding grounds for pirates and loose cultivators. Remembering what he had read, Sun Li recognized some of the unique mortal islands that pirates frequent, like Eight-Legged Island, Soft Water Island, and Hundred Crab Island...
Pirates have a long history around this water areas, decades ago they even ruled some part of the sea, contending with great sects. Legends still speak of terrifying legion of pirates named the Black Feet, whose presence frighten even the strongest of sects centuries ago.
Although their might has diminished over the years, pirates remain far from weak. Their current strength lies in their alliance. The Eastern Sea Pirate Alliance alone controls a thousand fleets, and its vast network ensures that few dare to challenge them.
After some time the ships docked on the Bone island.
Leaving the ship, they went to an inn that Sun Wu frequent. Inside Sun Wu told them some rules that they should follow and not to trust the street vendors even thought items there might be cheap many were counterfeits.
After a goodnight sleep, Sun Hao and Sun Li left the inn to explore the markets.
While they talked, the two entered the trade marketplace and immediately saw various shops on both sides of the road. Looking at the signs, they could generally tell what was being sold.
After looking around, the two entered a store named Pill Pavilion which seemed to be selling pills of various type.
As they entered, a cute mortal girl wearing tight cloth greeted them warmly, "What do you esteemed customers need."
Seeing her curvy waist and and bouncy melons a strong vitality surged in their abdomen. Sun Hao asked while blushing "Are there any mid grade Qi Gathering pills."
She was taken aback by there question, probably not expecting such young people to have strong cultivation. However, her professionalism was high, and quickly replied "Yes, our Pill Pavilion has mid grade Qi Gathering pills and five other Qi Refining level pills. Why don't young masters came upstairs."
Pills were generally divided into four grades; low, mid, high and peak grade. Each is useful for it's own category. Early stage cultivators take low grade pills, while mid grade pills are for middle stage cultivators and it continues like that.
They took the two into a small room upstairs and poured them a cup of tea before going to fetch the introduction book of the pills.
Moments later, she returned with a jade slip and said smiling coquettishly, "Here is the items young master requested and the mid grade pills."
While Sun Hao browsed through the pill catalog, Sun Li asked "Do you also sell demonic beast meats."
Unsurprised by his sudden question she answered "Even though we mainly sell pills we also do sell other items like weapons, formations and demonic beast as well."
Thinking about the discussion of Elder Lin and Elder Wei, Sun Li thought he should buy items in bulk in preparation for the upcoming beast tide.
"Would you mind bringing 30 kg of mid rank Sea Ape, 20 kg of mid rank Black Octopus and 80 kg of low grade Mystic Fish Balls." Sun Li listed dozen of feral rank demon beast.
She smile widened as she responded repeatedly, "Okay, okay please wait a moment, young master."
"Also bring 30 low grade Qi Gathering pill, and 20 low grade Meridian Cleansing pills." Added Sun Li.
"Of course!" With that the girl left the room.
Sun Hao's brow furrowed slightly, disapprovingly he asked, "I don't object to your choice to buy demonic beast, but why buy Qi Refining pills."
"Sun Hao, have you forgotten in three month I'll start cultivating?" While Sun Li didn't need to buy this many pills, the recent clash between the clan factions and the looming shortage made him stockpile.
After a while, both of them stepped out of the Pill Pavilion, their storage bags noticeably heavier. The sun was already high and the lively marketplace had grown even more crowded.
As they moved through the street, Sun Li caught a sight of stalls selling strange items, beast bones and jars of herbs. He noticed a bronze copper in one of the stalls that looked familiar.
Upon close inspection, it appeared to be an auxiliary item used to temper the Copper body.
"How much for this item?" asked Sun Li, holding it in his arm.
The merchant, eyeing their young age, quoted an outrageous price. After a drawn out bargaining match, Sun Li forced him down to half of the original amount. Only then did he realize he carried no spirit stones and had to borrow from Sun Hao to complete the purchase.
Their days on Bone Island stretched into weeks, filled with sights and lessons that broadened their horizons. When they finally returned to the clan, Sun Wu summoned Sun Li, praising his diligence and awareness. As a reward, he presented him with a low-ranked weapon before departing once more on his hunts.
With the weapon secured, Sun Li began to cultivate the Red Lotus Star-Cleaving Art. This profound technique was divided into three realms: Red Lotus Blooming, Star Cleaving, and Falling Star.
The first realm emphasized on foundation and accumulation. Slowly planting and nurturing and blooming Red lotus, using sword movement while envisioning the faint outline of a lotus.
Two months slipped by, and at last, faint crimson characters flickered in the void of his mind:
[Martial Art: Red Lotus Star-Cleaving Art (Uninitiated)]
Even after such long effort, he had yet to truly step into the first realm. Sun Li realized then just how profound this cultivation method truly was.