Blossoming Path

It was only a week after I had sent out my shipment of goods to the Azure Silk Trading Company. I didn't get any news from Huan in regards to how they're doing, but I was confident it was going great. I've been producing and refining the formula for my existing tonics. It turns out I was limited in what I could produce using the ingredients on hand. There were only so many I could create using common herbs. I'd require more exotic items for new discoveries.

I eyed the ginseng growing outside, as well as the Moonlit Grace Lily. I had high expectations for what I could create with them. I've already gone over the theoretical combinations in my head, the preparation required, and what the effects would be.

Right now, my products were only of use to regular people. They were more potent than regular medicine. But plants imbued with qi would allow me to penetrate the market for cultivator items. Pills, elixirs, and more!

The difference in price would be night and day. If my theories were proven right, a ginseng root's essence, combined with other ingredients and refined into a pill would be enough to pay off the garden house! I'd be a tycoon! This was my first batch of home-grown ginseng, and I've meticulously cared for them for the past three and a half years. Before all these events, I thought it'd be another half a year before they were ready for harvest but they thrived under the existing conditions and were incredibly potent, even from a glance!

But, more significantly, a pill created from the ginseng root would likely serve to augment my qi reserves! This root is primarily associated with Yang energy, a harmonious match for my own alignment of wood and flame. Elder Ming's been especially helpful, and even gave me a book on the history of pill-refining and elixirs! If I consumed one, it should accelerate my growth!

My plans for the Moonlit Grace Lily were quite different, however.

They'd be used to create medicine. I've been doing research and making up theoretical combinations that could cure any illness that could sprout up from this corner of the province. Once it matured fully, I'd propagate it and make sure everything was in place for me to continue creating medicine using the Moonlit Grace Lily. And with my essence extraction skill, I could extend the shelf-life of my potions and make sure it remains effective for as long as possible. Elder Ming gave me the books I need to get started on alchemy, but I'd need to experiment and discover it on my own.

He was my martial arts teacher, and someone I could come to for guidance in all aspects of life, but it seemed as though the path to herbalism, alchemy, and science was mine alone. If anything, I'd need to utilize the Heavenly Interface more to further my skills in the field. Quests would be responsible for filling the gap left by sufficient guidance.

It would solve the main problem we had here in Gentle Wind Village of not having access to doctors and healers once I learned how to refine and create potions, pills, and elixirs. Nobody would have to go through the things I did.

The memories of my childhood still felt fresh and vivid as I stared at the Moonlit Grace Lily. It wasn't the lack of food or the hard work that made those years difficult, but the loss of my parents. They both had fallen victim to the dreaded Moonshadow Lung Rot, a disease that resulted from contact with the saliva of the elusive Moonshadow Bat. A creature that had a habit of leaving its infectious saliva on the night-blooming flowers, just like the one my mother had picked.

My parents had used the last elixir we had to cure my fever when I was just a child. They had no idea that they would contract the lung rot and be left without a cure. In the end, they chose to isolate themselves from the village to protect everyone else, including me. I stayed with Lan-Yin's family at the Soaring Swallow, waiting for the day I could return home.

Even with the support of the entire village, it was near impossible to find a cure. The doctors from Crescent Bay City would take a month to reach our village, and even then, acquiring the Moonlit Grace Lily or a medicinal equivalent was unaffordable. Elder Ming, blessed with a strong constitution due to his background as a cultivator, was able to visit them periodically and deliver food. Everybody in the village provided all they could for my mother and father. They were beloved figures in the village, and were the ones who held extensive medicinal knowledge from running the shop.

I remembered the desperation of those days - my innocent eyes unable to comprehend why my parents were slowly wilting away, my small hands rummaging through the forest to find a cure, a Moonlit Grace Lily, anything that could save them. But no matter how much I searched, it was always in vain.

The guilt still gnawed at me. The fact that I had taken such a precious resource from them was a burden that I would carry for the rest of my life. But now, I saw an opportunity, a chance to make amends.

To me, harnessing the Moonlit Grace Lily to develop accessible medicine for the villagers was far more than a mere business venture. It was a promise to my parents, a vow to ensure that no one else in Gentle Wind Village would ever have to suffer from a disease that they couldn't cure.

"I swear to you, mother, father," I whispered, my hand hovering above the Moonlit Grace Lily, "no one in Gentle Wind Village will suffer as you did. The only thing they're allowed to die from is old age!"

A heavy silence hung in the air. It was a vow made in solitude, yet it carried the weight of a promise, echoing across the land that bore witness to my oath. I knew then, looking at the ginseng and the Moonlit Grace Lily, that I wasn't just a cultivator or an alchemist, but also a healer. I held in my hands the power to change lives, to protect my village, and to honor the memory of my parents.

Tianyi fluttered towards me. The Azure Moonlight Flutter, and my dearest companion. It was hard to think a butterfly was the key to all these fortunes coming my way. Without her, I would've never found the ancient ruins hidden behind the waterfall. There would've been no Qi Haven, and subsequently, no opportunity for me to advance and hone my skills as a cultivator and herbalist.

I stroked her wings and smiled softly.

"Thank you, Tianyi. It wouldn't have been possible without you."

And it wouldn't have been possible without my effort and brilliance! It takes a genius to recognize all these opportunities coming my way and make something out of it.

A wave of happiness flowed through our emotional connection, and I decided to give her a special treat; Master Qiang's rice wine. I've learned over time that she greatly enjoys alcohol. Perhaps it was the nature of Spirit Beasts? Either way, I popped open the bottle and poured a small amount into her cup, which included mashed, overripe fruit. They would combine into a mixture perfect for Tianyi's taste!

Although leaving out the bowl constantly in the sun was beginning to attract pests. There were more insects crawling in and out of my home, which wasn't rare, but I did notice the uptick since I began leaving out the mashed fruit for Tianyi. Perhaps I should move it outside?

Just as I asked myself that question, I saw a tiny spider coming through a crack on the floor. A subtle glow from Tianyi alerted me and I flinched. Before I could even realize what was going on, she blurred from the edge of the cup.

The eight-legged insect on the floor was sliced in half, its abdomen separated in an instant. It struggled weakly for a few moments before going still, and I watched the Spirit Beast flutter back to her place on the cup and extend her proboscis to feed.

I suppose leaving the bowl inside would be best. Especially if I wanted to avoid bird carcasses outside where my garden was.

Before I could ruminate over the implications of Tianyi's promotion on the food chain, a voice from behind alerted me.

"Looks like you've been up to a lot, haven't you, Kai?"

I turned around and saw an unfamiliar figure before me. But the striking, green and white robes made me recognize him immediately, even with a bamboo hat covering his face.

"Feng Wu!"

He took off his hat and held it by his side, revealing his striking, green eyes.

"Hello, Kai," he greets me, his voice steady and calm. His gaze sweeps across my flourishing garden. It’s not just the ginseng and the Moonlit Grace Lily that capture his attention, but the whole of the Qi-infused greenery I'd so painstakingly nurtured. "Impressive," he murmurs, "Your garden has truly blossomed."

His gaze turns to me, subtly appraising. His eyebrows rise just slightly, "And it appears you have as well," he adds.

I grin, scratching the back of my neck. "Well, a few things have changed, I suppose." I didn't need to ask what he meant. The changes within me, both in my body and in my qi, were tangible and evident. It was hardly surprising he'd noticed.

His gaze lands on Tianyi, and this time his eyes widen visibly. "Well, I'll be," he mutters, reaching out to gently stroke the vibrant creature. Unlike with most people, Tianyi didn’t shy away, instead fluttering closer to Feng Wu to allow him to touch her wings. She was comfortable around him and thankfully didn't see him as an intruder. I wouldn't know what to do if she unleashed that trick of hers onto a person.

"You've been nurturing her well, Kai," he says, a note of admiration in his voice.

I can't help but feel a spark of pride. "I try my best," I reply.

He nods, stepping back to give us some space. His tone shifts, a clear sign that pleasantries are over. "I heard the potions you sent to Crescent Bay City were massively popular as well. Sold out within the first three days of them being distributed. You've done well, Kai. Very well."

Three days. The information was more than I could have hoped for. A pleased grin splits my face. "I had a feeling they would do well," I answer, trying to keep my voice steady and composed.

He chuckles at my response, a light sound that echoes pleasantly in the still afternoon air. "Modesty suits you, Kai," he replies, eyes twinkling in good humor.

But as quickly as the jovial atmosphere descended, it dissipated. I knew that cultivators don't visit tranquil villages like Gentle Wind out of sheer leisure, not even those who've previously shared a close camaraderie with the villagers. There's a certain, tangible gravity in the air that hints at more serious matters.

"Why are you here, Feng Wu?" I ask him, my voice taking on a serious undertone.

"Well, my sect has taken an interest in you after hearing of your potions. Would you happen to know about the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet?"

The name took me some time to recognize. Yes, I knew the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet. But only in passing. It was a contest that accepted contestants from all over the province to showcase their talents in alchemy. It was held every five years. It slipped my mind that it was happening this year.

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. My mind starts to whir, piecing together what his purpose could be here.

"I see," he acknowledges, taking a deep breath as though preparing himself. "On behalf of the Verdant Lotus Sect, I am here to formally extend an invitation to you. We wish for you to participate in the upcoming Grand Alchemy Gauntlet."

His words echo in my head, each syllable sounding incredibly surreal.

Feng Wu continues, "Moreover, the Verdant Lotus Sect is willing to sponsor your entry, along with providing the necessary training and preparation required for the contest."

His words hang in the air, heavy with promise and expectations. An invitation to the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet, backed by the Verdant Lotus Sect. The opportunity was immense, and the possibilities, endless.

"B-but, you do realize I'm a herbalist, right? Although I'm flattered by your evaluation of me, I don't know how I'd fare against other alchemists in a provincial contest. Is there a reason why you're having me take the spot rather than one of the members of your sect?"

I confessed my thoughts despite my initial elation. It was insane to me that they'd be willing to sponsor my entry and even train me for such a thing. I mean, the Verdant Lotus Sect was known primarily for its alchemy. I doubt they had a shortage of talent there.

"You're correct on that point, but the gauntlet has some restrictions; those in the second rank of the QI Initiation Stage and above are barred from entering. And unfortunately, our sect has nobody suitable to take the spot. Among our third-class disciples, none of them are particularly interested in alchemy or showed an inclination towards it."

The offer was tantalizing beyond compare. Hadn't I just mentioned how difficult it was for me to expand upon my expertise in alchemy with the resources I had on hand? It was as if the world just bent over to cater to my whims! Getting access to their facilities and guidance from one of the greatest sects in the land would be a massive boon!

"But," I wasn't fooled so easily. They'd demand something of me in return. I couldn't just receive this amount of goodwill without giving anything in exchange. "What's the incentive of the sect to let an outsider like me in so easily?"

Feng Wu met my eyes with a steady gaze, his answer prepared, "This is an investment. The Verdant Lotus Sect recognizes potential when we see it. Right now, you are a budding alchemist with an already proven track record. Your concoctions sold out within three days in Crescent Bay City - that's not a small feat."

He paused, letting his words sink in, "It's true, we have alchemists within our sect, but your background in herbalism and potential to combine both worlds to create unique products are invaluable. Especially considering the rising tensions within the province, people with your skills are highly sought after."

"Furthermore," he added, "the Jianghu is a dynamic and shifting world. We often foster relationships and alliances with those showing great promise. We see you as a worthy investment, a chance to have an ally who can rise to prominence in the future. Our sect can help provide the resources and guidance you require to flourish even further in your field. In return, you'll represent our sect in the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet, and if you win, our sect gains prestige and recognition."

His reasoning made sense. I wasn't just a lone alchemist making potions and elixirs. I was someone who was demonstrating rapid growth and had the potential to make significant strides in the field of alchemy. That was an asset, especially in these turbulent times.

There was no question that this was a significant opportunity. However, I had to consider the consequences and the expectations that would come with it. The pressure, the responsibility, and the potential changes it could bring to my life. But looking at the bigger picture, the advantages outweighed my concerns.

"If I agree to this," I started, feeling a nervous excitement coursing through my veins, "What would be the next steps?" I asked, my mind racing with the possibilities this could open up for me.

"Well, we'd take you to our sect and have you learn as much as possible in order to prepare for the tournament, and then once it concludes we'd like to establish some sort of deal with you. The details would be further expanded upon when you meet our elders."

I swallowed. This was it. My debut into the world of cultivation. But I remembered what I had here. My friends. My shop. Elder Ming. This was a decision I couldn't make lightly. The rest of my projects would likely need to go on hold while I prepared for the tournament.

"Give me some time to think. I need to consult others about this before I make a decision."

"I understand. But I hope that you'll have your answer ready by tomorrow."

With that, Feng Wu left me and Tianyi to sit in contemplative silence.