Freeloading meals and drinks

Besides cultivating the Cosmic Heart technique, his skills were limited to just a few. The first was the secret art of the Starry River Sacred Body. Though powerful, it was extremely difficult to master, and he was still stuck at the first stage. The second was the Devouring Blade Technique, which, while formidable, consumed a vast amount of primal energy with each strike; he hadn’t used it since arriving in this world. The third was the Shadowstep Technique, greatly increasing his movement speed. However, as he was only at the Mountain and River level and unable to fly, terrain easily hindered him, rendering the technique less effective. In addition, he knew a method for exerting primal energy called the True Explanation of Shattered Void, but he had yet to grasp even its basics.

Beyond these, he had almost no other noteworthy abilities.

“Uncle, you’re not an immortal cultivator, are you?” Guo’er asked softly.

She understood Li Miao better than anyone else in this world. Though she didn’t know his origins, two days of living together—without him deliberately hiding anything—had revealed some clues.

Li Miao nodded, “No, I walk a different path than they do. But what difference does that make? In the end, we all seek the same result.”

No matter which road one took, the goal was always to become stronger.

Guo’er, sharp and perceptive, picked up on his trace of confusion from his earlier words. She took his large hand and said, “Uncle, don’t be afraid. I’ll train with you. I might not know anything now, but I learn quickly!”

“Yes, I believe you.”

Had any other little girl spoken to him in this tone, he might have just chuckled and let it go. But when Guo’er spoke, he believed her sincerely. This tearful little thing was very different from other children. He had an instinctive feeling that she would become someone remarkable in the future.

Leaning against him, Guo’er watched the sun sink inch by inch until dusk shrouded the world and stars began to fill the sky.

The night breeze was cool.

Guo’er shrank, pressing herself closer.

Li Miao opened his arms and drew her gently into his embrace.

“Uncle, you won’t leave me, will you?” the little girl whispered.

“I won’t.”

“Really? You mustn’t lie.”

“Really. Because, just like you, I’m very lonely.”

Rarely did he voice his true feelings. In this foreign world, his confusion and solitude were no less than Guo’er’s after losing her master. It was only because he was strong and able to protect himself that he seemed so fearless.

“Lonely…”

“Master…”

Guo’er murmured, burrowing her head into his chest. A faint dampness touched his clothes, quickly turning cold.

Li Miao stroked her gently in comfort, feeling a tinge of melancholy.

He did not know how much time passed before the girl in his arms finally drifted off to sleep, her breathing light and even.

Afraid she would catch cold, he carried her inside, laid her on the bed, and tucked her in carefully.

After a moment’s thought, Li Miao sat by her side, took her small hand, and channeled a gentle stream of primal energy into her body to improve her frail constitution.

In truth, he didn’t wish for Guo’er to become an immortal cultivator. Earlier that afternoon, Guo Yunzhi had told him how cruel the world of cultivation was, how people often fought to the death over a single treasure, how scheming and betrayal were everywhere, and how there was scarcely a soul one could trust entirely.

He didn’t want this innocent child to be drawn into such a world.

But… neither did he wish to impose his own will on another’s life.

He knew Guo’er longed for cultivation. The moment she produced the Reincarnation Lotus Sutra and fluently explained its meanings, it was clear enough. So, rather than stopping her, he could only guide her from the sidelines, hoping to prevent her from going astray.

There was one thing he still kept in mind: Xuan Zhenzi had once said that more than twenty years ago, the one who led the six villages in plundering Zhongyun Mountain was a mysterious cultivator. From the perspective of Zhongyun Mountain, this was a blood feud.

But he was not a disciple of Zhongyun Mountain, and Guo’er was still young. He had no wish to bring up such matters now and burden her with worry. He could only wait until she grew up and let her decide for herself whether to seek the truth and avenge her sect.

Time passed.

With the nurturing of primal energy, Guo’er’s small, frail body gradually grew stronger; her pulse beat more powerfully.

Though the effects were still subtle, over time, the difference would become apparent.

When he finished, Li Miao set down Guo’er’s hand and pulled the quilt over her once more. He left the bamboo house and sat in the center of the clearing, entering a state of cultivation.

The Cosmic Heart method activated, and dense primal energy immediately gathered around him. In this world, the universe’s primal energy was immensely abundant, as if all the energy that should have condensed into cosmic crystals had been dispersed and was now free-floating—making this a paradise for primal energy warriors.

Li Miao grew rapidly, nearly three times faster than before. Every cell in his body hungrily absorbed the new energy, even the blood in his veins becoming stronger.

Primal energy warriors did not possess the myriad complex abilities of immortal cultivators. They had only one pursuit—eternal, undying existence!

The night passed swiftly.

At dawn, Li Miao ended his cultivation beneath the morning sun.

He flexed his fists, sensing the power gained overnight, deeply satisfied. At this rate, it might only be a few years before he reached the Sky Realm, gained antigravity, and could soar into the heavens!

The bamboo house door creaked open and Guo’er emerged, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Her hair was tousled, her face drowsy, her lips pouting faintly. The morning light traced her delicate features with a lovely contour. Though her clothes were ragged, her exquisite little face already showed hints of beauty that could topple kingdoms.

“Uncle, I’m hungry…” she said quietly.

After two meals of the Hundred Herbs Sect’s food yesterday, she’d already grown fond of their delicious fare.

Li Miao smiled, “All right, let’s get breakfast. And… let’s see if there’s a town nearby—I’ll take you to buy some new clothes.”

“Mm.” The little girl nodded obediently.

After a night’s sleep, much of the sorrow had faded from between her brows.

The two walked along the rugged path toward the front peak.

Morning light shimmered, a thin mist drifting over Qihuang Peak. Sunbeams turned it golden and ethereal—a lovely sight.

They hadn’t gone far when they encountered Guo Yunyi, just finishing his morning cultivation.

“Good morning, Brother Li.”

“And to you, Brother Guo.”

After the usual courtesies, Li Miao inquired about nearby towns.

Guo Yunyi replied, “If you head down the front of the mountain and go east for more than a hundred li, there’s a fairly large market town called Wu’an. If you want someplace bigger, head south for about four hundred li and you’ll reach the county seat of Longling.”

“Thank you for the information.”

A hundred li was just a few dozen kilometers—quite close for someone with his stamina.

Li Miao started to leave, but Guo Yunyi suddenly called to him. “By the way, Brother Li, there’s something you might be interested in.”

“What is it?”

“Recently, my brother and I heard that there’s been a rash of monsters causing trouble in Qianyuan Mountain to the north, harming many common folk. Several cultivators have gone to investigate, but none have returned. We suspect a great demon has appeared, and we’re planning to gather some friends and look into it in a few days.”

“Brother Li, your skills are formidable. If you’d join us, our chances would greatly improve.”

Great demons were what human cultivators called monsters at the Return-to-Origin Realm—beings who could already assume human form and whose strength was truly terrifying.

Li Miao replied, “As long as it isn’t too dangerous, I wouldn’t mind taking a look.”

If it was too risky, he’d rather not get involved. With his boundless potential, there was no need to risk his life for something unrelated to him.

Guo Yunyi understood and said, “A newly ascended great demon shouldn’t have too many tricks. We’ve already contacted several fellow cultivators. While I can’t promise absolute safety, escaping unharmed shouldn’t be difficult.”

“All right, let me know when the time comes. I’ll be at the Hundred Herbs Sect until Master Xu’s pills are finished.”

Since Guo Yunyi seemed confident, it would be interesting to see what this world’s monsters were like.

He hadn’t forgotten what Xuan Zhenzi had said—there were seventy thousand monsters in Bangshan Prefecture. The rat demon he’d encountered before was just a lowly beast, not even worthy of being called a lesser demon. Even so, with a casual slash he’d only barely broken its skin, proving just how much tougher monsters were than humans.

If he had the chance to meet more and stronger monsters, he would relish the chance to test his strength!

Having agreed, Li Miao took Guo’er to the front peak.

Most disciples of the Hundred Herbs Sect were at the Qi Refining stage; only a handful had reached the Condensing Truth level. Thus, the kitchen was bustling in the morning, filled with the lively atmosphere of a marketplace.

In the dining hall, a striking figure in goose-yellow robes stood out. Yan Chengxue sat alone, occupying an entire table with several dishes. What should have been a simple breakfast, she treated as a lavish banquet.

As Li Miao entered, she caught sight of him.

“Hey, you scoundrel, here to freeload again?” she called out.

Yesterday, with Huo Zhong and the Guo brothers present, she’d had no outlet for her grievances. Today, with no elders around, she was immediately emboldened.

Li Miao could only shrug helplessly. “Is that necessary? I haven’t wronged you—why are you always picking on me?”

“You dare speak!” Yan Chengxue slapped the table, cheeks puffed in anger. “It’s your fault I got this stye! You lousy thief—if it weren’t for Master’s sake, I’d have kicked you out long ago!”

The surrounding disciples watched the sect master’s beloved disciple throw a tantrum at their guest, all secretly amused but none daring to intervene.

Li Miao glanced at her eyes, seeing no sign of a stye—only a hint of pampered petulance. He smiled, “All right, all right, I can’t win against you. I’ll leave after breakfast, okay?”

“Huh?” Yan Chengxue was stunned.

“Why are you so agreeable all of a sudden?”

Li Miao rolled his eyes, motioned for Guo’er to fetch whatever she wanted, and said, “I’m always agreeable. If you hadn’t made such a fuss yesterday, perhaps I could have helped you all upgrade your Spirit Spring Water.”

“Upgrade? Upgrade to what?” Yan Chengxue didn’t believe him at all, scoffing, “Stop posturing. You’re just a lucky scoundrel who stumbled on a cultivation technique. Broad daylight… hmph!”

“Now, that’s not fair. Speaking of things happening in broad daylight, I vaguely recall someone yesterday saying… she’d have her master concoct pills from her bathwater. And that someone, as she walked away, was—ow, you’re hitting me!”

Li Miao teased her about yesterday’s events. Yan Chengxue, mortified and furious, immediately struck him on the head with a burst of true energy.

But with his primal energy protecting him, his skin and flesh were tough; with her level of cultivation and no artifact to aid her, she was no threat at all. He only swayed slightly before sitting back down as if nothing had happened.

All eyes in the hall turned to the yellow-clad girl, their expressions odd.

Her cheeks flushed bright red. Pointing at Li Miao, she stammered, “You… you scoundrel! This isn’t over!” She stamped her foot and fled.

Having her secret exposed, she couldn’t bear to stay any longer.

The crowd erupted into laughter.

Someone said, “Our honored guest is truly impressive—Xue’er hasn’t been flustered like that in ages.”

Others chimed in with agreement.

Li Miao simply shook his head with a smile, saying no more. In his eyes, Yan Chengxue was just a little girl, not an enemy. Though a bit spoiled, she meant him no harm. In fact, he found it rather amusing to banter with children.

Guo’er came over with her breakfast, sitting beside him and glancing at him as if to ask what had happened yesterday.

He ruffled her hair and said, “It’s nothing. Eat up—we have a long way to go.”

With that, he picked up a large meat bun Yan Chengxue had left behind and took a hearty bite.

“Mmm… The Hundred Herbs Sect truly is renowned for alchemy—there’s even a hint of medicinal fragrance in their buns!”

Breakfast took only a dozen minutes. Afterward, Li Miao and Guo’er made their way down the mountain, orienting themselves by the rising sun and heading east toward Wu’an Town.

The morning dew was heavy, the air moist, the earth slightly sticky. Dewdrops hung on the wildflowers by the roadside, glittering in the sunlight.

Everything was in perfect harmony.

With no one else nearby, Guo’er felt unrestrained and carefree, dashing along the path and scattering the morning dew with her little feet.

Li Miao strolled along at a leisurely pace, never far behind.

The little girl seemed in high spirits, occasionally bursting into laughter as she ran, no longer sunk in grief over Xuan Zhenzi’s death.

“Are you happy, Guo’er?” Li Miao called.

She was running too merrily to catch his words. Pausing beneath a peach tree, she turned and asked, “What did you say, Uncle?”

Malnourished since childhood, she was easily winded from even a short run, her cheeks flushed.

Li Miao smiled. “It’s nothing—I just asked if you’re tired.”

Guo’er shook her head. “Not at all. It’s been so long since I could run freely like this. I want to play a little longer.”

With that, she dashed ahead once more.