The gray-robed elder cast a cool, impassive glance at the jade tablets and ancient scriptures spread out on the table. His expression was as still as the surface of a deep well. "These items," he said in a tone that brooked no argument, "are all free of charge. Now, come forward."
Li Yan stepped forward a pace, standing respectfully before the elder. With measured composure, the gray-robed man picked up one of the jade tablets—a small piece that shimmered with a faint green light—and swiftly ran the other hand along its surface. In an instant, a small burst of green radiance peeled away from the tablet and shot straight toward Li Yan's forehead.
For a moment, Li Yan's eyes were fixated on that pinpoint of green light, which rapidly expanded. Before he could muster any reaction, the luminous burst had already pierced his forehead. A sudden coolness spread across his skin, and he instantly recognized that an imprint—a seal, like a mark—was being forced into him. Gathering his inner calm, he directed his divine sense inward and discovered that, in one corner of his Sea of Consciousness, a solitary green dot now pulsed steadily. No sooner had he begun to withdraw his divine sense than he sensed a second chill, accompanied by the appearance of yet another shimmering green dot.
After these brief moments, Li Yan retracted his divine sense from his inner world. He found that the gray-robed elder had ceased all motion with his hand and was now studying him intently. "Very well," the elder intoned in a few clipped sentences, "the jade tablets and ancient scriptures you have selected have been sealed inside your Sea of Consciousness. Whenever you need them, simply send your divine sense to touch one of those green dots. That will reveal the information on the tablet or the script. Should you wish to read the contents, use your divine sense to break through the seal." With that, the old man added, "Now, you two may leave. I have need of my rest."
In barely more than a few words, the gray-robed elder had finished his explanation. With a casual flick of his sleeve, he made the selected jade tablets and ancient texts vanish from the table. Then, yawning softly, he settled himself against the table and promptly fell asleep, hardly sparing Li Yan or Li Wu Yi another glance.
Exchanging a look of mutual understanding, Li Wu Yi and Li Yan respectfully bowed to the slumbering elder before departing the room. As they stepped out of the small bamboo house, the door gave a gentle chime as it closed by itself. Without delay, Li Wu Yi produced his flying talisman, and soon the two of them soared into the air.
After a short flight, they landed before the entrance of Li Yan's bamboo courtyard. To Li Yan's surprise, he found not one but two figures already waiting there—two women he did not recognize. Both were statuesque in their bearing. One was clad entirely in vibrant red; she appeared to be in her early twenties, radiating a fiercely alluring aura. A red gourd dangled at her waist, drawing one's eyes to the curves of her ample bosom and provocatively accentuated cleavage. Her red skirt barely reached her calves, leaving a flash of bare, porcelain skin above her boots. With eyes that sparkled like phoenixes and a smile that promised both mischief and invitation, she directed her gaze eagerly at the two recent arrivals.
Standing beside her was another maiden, equally striking though in a contrasting manner. The white-dressed girl exuded a serene, ethereal beauty. Perhaps only eighteen or nineteen years old, her skin was as flawless as polished porcelain; her features were sculpted with an almost classical delicacy, yet softened by gentle curves. Her lips, tinted with natural rose, remained quietly closed as if guarding a secret, while her elegantly arched brows framed eyes that seemed to hold the unfathomable depths of an ocean. Her long black hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, cascading elegantly down her back. In her simple white attire—cinched at the waist and flowing gently with her every move—there was an unmistakable hint of refined determination and a subtly defiant grace. Though her beauty was not overtly seductive like that of her red-clad companion, it possessed a noble and understated authority that set her apart.
At the sight of these two breathtaking figures, Li Yan was momentarily stunned. He found himself wondering why such stunning women should be waiting at the gate of his courtyard. Glancing quickly toward Li Wu Yi for some explanation, he saw that his senior, too, was now sharing a slightly embarrassed, knowing look.
Li Wu Yi cleared his throat and, with a wry smile, explained, "Junior Brother Li, these two ladies are none other than the younger sisters hailing from the distant peaks. The one in red is Sister Li from Li-Longting, and her companion in white is Sister Zhao from Zhao's faction." He gestured subtly toward the two, indicating first the red-dressed maiden and then the white-dressed one.
Instantly, Li Yan stepped forward with a respectful bow and said, "Novice Li Yan greets you, Sister Li, and Sister Zhao."
The red-dressed maiden let out a soft, melodic giggle as she delicately covered her mouth with a hand as light as jade. "So you must be the one they call the 'Fractured Toxic Body' cultivator," she teased warmly. "You seem rather well-behaved—but do be sure to work hard on your cultivation, hehe…" Her playful tone sent a flush reddening Li Yan's cheeks and quickened the beat of his heart.
In contrast, the white-dressed maiden maintained her cool, placid expression, neither smiling warmly nor speaking a word. Despite her silence, an unmistakable aura of latent power seemed to emanate from her—a quiet yet undeniable presence that gave Li Yan pause. He sensed that in both of these women there lay a formidable strength, carefully contained behind grace and beauty. Given that they were proper equals to Li Wu Yi's senior peers, he deduced that they must be foundation-stage experts—talented cultivators whose abilities already far surpassed his own modest achievements in the Congealing Qi stage, despite the many hardships he'd experienced in recent days.
The red-dressed sister spoke again, her voice dripping with beguilement as she said, "Wu Yi, I've been meaning to visit you for a drink for some time now. But with my little darling busy advancing, I postponed my visit. Today, while I was among the peaks, I happened to meet Sister Zhao, so I came along. And yet, you weren't in the courtyard! I later learned from Da Qiao that you'd already arrived here." Her eyes danced mischievously as she continued, "My sister and I have been waiting here for a while."
Li Wu Yi's face betrayed a trace of discomfort, though he tried to maintain his composure. He replied, "Sister Li, I simply don't have time today. I must immediately escort our junior brother on some other matters."
"Oh? Da Qiao mentioned that yesterday he guided our Li-disciples thoroughly around here, and today they're only here to select cultivation techniques and immortal arts. Pray tell, where did you two come from?" Sister Li in red inquired with a playful smirk.
Blushing slightly and inwardly chiding the teasing remarks of another junior disciple, Li Wu Yi quickly elaborated, "Oh, Sister Li, it isn't that I refuse to be in your presence. Whether it be composing poetry or sharing a drink with you, I'm always willing to bow before your talent and charm. Besides, your wine is no ordinary brew—it is refined with such care that to drink it lightly would be a waste." He paused, clearing his throat with a slightly regretful expression as he gestured toward the red gourd tied at her waist. "I remember how, last time, you challenged me with a verse and I couldn't come up with a fitting reply. Truly, I am no match for your wit. And when we drink, the finest of wines should only be shared between true friends."
Before the conversation could continue, a clear, cool voice interrupted. "Sister Li, Wu Yi—please, take your time to converse. I must return now; at my return, do call for me." The voice belonged to the white-dressed maiden, who appeared to have grown weary of the playful banter. Her words were brief and matter-of-fact, leaving Li Yan baffled. Nonetheless, both of the women acknowledged her with subtle nods.
With scarcely a moment's hesitation, the white-dressed maiden lightly pushed off the ground, her footsteps swift and silent as an arrow. As she departed, she stirred up a gust of wind that sent nearby bamboo leaves fluttering wildly. Despite her ethereal, almost otherworldly aura, her departure carried a surprising force—one that made Li Yan wonder quietly whether her haste stemmed from an urgent matter or something else entirely.
Lost in thought, Li Yan's gaze wandered back to the red gourd at Sister Li's waist. He recalled her earlier teasing mention of a brew concocted from various insect toxins—a wine that was not easy to come by. It seemed that her gourd contained a small batch of such a brew. Sensing his lingering attention, the red-dressed maiden turned toward him with a knowing, enticing smile. "So, you are Li Yan, aren't you, junior brother? You're still young. Might I ask—are you also inclined toward the Way of Wine?"
Li Yan hesitated. Though he had heard that the wine was brewed using a blend of insect toxins, he remembered that in his rural hometown many hunters would soften the meat of various wild beasts in wine. It wasn't something to fear; once steeped in wine, even the most fearsome ingredients become palatable. As a boy raised in the open and free-spirited traditions of the Great Qing Mountains, he had sampled his share of such rustic brews. Yet now, caught off-guard by Sister Li's teasing, he was at a loss for an answer. At that moment, he noticed Li Wu Yi still gazing in the direction from which the white-dressed maiden had vanished. In a low voice, Li Wu Yi explained, "Junior brother, this is a method for transmitting sound—or, more precisely, a Transmission Technique. The wine of Sister Li is brewed with various insect toxins. Although it can enhance one's cultivation, its method of preparation is entirely different from that of conventional medicinal wines. Judging by its vivid hues and the way a fine layer of tiny insects floats within, I suspect that you might find it difficult to swallow. In the wine's surface, you may even see insects—it's not uncommon to catch sight of some writhing or half-alive, others clinging to fragments of their fellows; some semi-transparent ones even reveal tiny movements of insects inside."
At these graphic details, Li Yan suddenly felt a prickle of revulsion rise in his throat—as if countless minuscule insects were crawling over his skin—and his stomach churned unpleasantly. Li Wu Yi's lengthy description had become too much for him; his face turned pale as he stole a glance toward Sister Li, who now wore an amused, knowing smile.
"Sister Li," Li Yan finally managed to say, "I am only a new disciple. I have many lessons to learn before I dare to indulge in such refined tastes. I won't trouble you further." Without waiting for an answer, he produced the token at his waist, waved it toward the courtyard door, and swiftly exited. In the blink of an eye, white mist surged at the door, enveloping the courtyard in a silvery shroud.
A few moments later, tinkling laughter—like delicate silver bells—rang out. Sister Li in red continued to laugh softly and then turned her gaze back toward Li Wu Yi with a flirtatious smile. "Wu Yi," she teased, "it appears that you've said something truly interesting. This little brother of yours is quite amusing indeed. But, I must remind you, I came here specifically to see you—the wine I offer isn't for just anyone. Tell me, are you planning to venture to the rear bamboo grove on the mountain to discuss ancient tales with a touch of wine-induced merriment? Or shall we instead return to your little courtyard where we may drink and recite verses? I've recently learned many poems from my aunt, so if you think you can best me, you'd be mistaken."
Li Wu Yi's handsome face suddenly clouded with a mix of exasperation and dismay. He knew that, in such a situation, it would be extremely difficult to evade Sister Li's charms. With a resigned sigh, Li Wu Yi said, "Sister Li, let's return to my courtyard. I have with me two jars of exquisite wine gifted by our master—one of which is scented with pear blossoms. The flavor is divine."
Sister Li replied playfully, "Is that so? Then I'm willing to sample it. But you know, such wines are meant only to skim the surface of earthly pleasures—they seldom enhance cultivation. How about we share a sip? One mouthful of pear-flower brew, one of my special wine…"
Even as their banter carried on with the promise of poetic drinking and playful rivalry, Li Wu Yi's escape light dimmed noticeably, its radiance reduced to a feeble glow.
Meanwhile, Li Yan slipped back into his own courtyard. Once inside, he immediately activated the defensive barrier by shaking his token—its purpose to ward off any stray red insects that might follow him. Settling down in a quiet space, he allowed himself a brief rest to dispel the lingering nausea from the earlier conversation. Soon, however, he remembered that among his storage items was a small porcelain bottle—a Begu Pill granted to him that day by his senior brother. Curious as to just how long this pill could stave off hunger, he unscrewed the bottle. A faint herbal aroma drifted out as he inverted it; almost immediately, a small, pale purple pill, roughly the size of a soybean, revealed itself in his palm.
Under the sunlight, the pill appeared semi-transparent with a smooth, rounded surface—resembling a miniature purple sweet potato. After studying it for a few moments and noting nothing more than its enticing luster, Li Yan marveled at the claim that such a small pill could erase hunger for many days. Tentatively, he placed the pill in his mouth. Almost immediately, a subtle woody taste tingled on his tongue before giving way to a warm, rushing flow that surged into his stomach. The sensation of a gentle swelling filled his belly, and with a satisfied belch, he realized he no longer felt the pangs of hunger.
In the days that followed, Li Yan gradually came to understand the true efficacy of the Begu Pill. For nearly a week, he immersed himself in rigorous self-study—revisiting and unsealing ancient texts stored deep within his Sea of Consciousness. He would sit cross-legged in quiet meditation, reading through the contents of those ancient scriptures; whenever fatigue set in, he would allow himself a brief rest before eagerly resuming his study. Even over eight or nine days, as he meticulously absorbed the foundational knowledge contained within several of the texts, his stomach stubbornly refused to register hunger.
Eventually, Li Yan dismissed any lingering worries about appetite suppression. After all, if hunger should ever return, he could simply consume another pill. With the monthly allotment of three Begu Pills proving sufficient, he resolved to focus his energy on cultivation. Once he had built up enough background knowledge from the ancient texts, he would set them aside and devote himself entirely to his formal training, supplementing his studies with other books during his rest periods when more advanced topics beckoned.
Thus, in a single period marked by brief encounters with powerful—and undeniably beautiful—fellow cultivators, and amid a haze of transcendental teachings intermingled with the simple, bodily concerns of hunger and nourishment, Li Yan began to understand the nature of his chosen path. There in his humble courtyard, as the Begu Pill silently worked its mysterious wonders within him, he resolved that there was no wasting time: every resource, every tidbit of ancient wisdom that he could absorb, would be the foundation upon which he would forge his own destiny in the immortal cultivation world.