7 The First Preparation Is Farming!

As Hei sleeps physically, his mind actually stays fully awake in a very familiar world of darkness. He immediately calls out "Mao". A familiar black tiger beast appears quickly. The tiger looks on its master with no hostility or anger even though it has a ferocious and baleful aura erupting from its powerful muscles.

Hei bows immediately in shame and says in an apologetic voice, "Mao, I ask for your forgiveness. No one in this world has treated me as good as you guys but I questioned your sincerity. I deserve death." "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH, Master! This lowly one does not deserve your kindness. It fills my heart with warmth to know you think this highly of me but please, I don't dare to look on my master bowing his head to me!"

Hei shakes his head and firmly says, "I will stay like this for a while. In this time, I will engrave this mistake of mines in my very bones. If I listened earlier, I would not have made a deal with a demon. As a man, how can I fail to accept the consequences of my actions? Please…give me the chance to correct my wrongs. Just sit and take my apology…please"

Mao shivers and tears can be seen at the corner of his sharp and evil looking eyes. Softness unable to be understood can be seen on its ferocious face. It nods and stays quiet.

It constantly looks on its master bowing in shame and sorrow and cannot help but think, "My master is so kind-hearted. He might come off as an arrogant prick who doesn't even talk to other outside but on the inside, he is really just a kind kid who wants to explore the world freely. No matter what, even if everyone slacks off or rebels, I will never fail him!"

For a full 3 hours, Hei does not move from his bowing motion at all and every minute that passed cemented the feelings Mao develop from its master's sincerity. It finally is unable to bare it anymore and says, "Master, forgive me for saying but 3 hours is more than sufficient…."

Hei shakes his head in shames and replies, "3 years would be more sufficient but unfortunately, I have many preparations I have to do in 3 years' time…forgive me but I have to cut this short. I will make it up to you one day. I will go visit Shu and learn some other things. I'm sorry again for doubting you…it won't happen again."

Hei slowly flutters off into the sky without looking back but if he did look back, he would easily notice the resoluteness in Mao's eyes and even a faint killing intent. "If anyone tries to harm Master, so help me…"

Dangerous snarls are issued from his mouth as it turns around and walks off.Among the many trees and mountain ranges, a gigantic black tree filled with vigorous looking branches stands tall and strong. It gives off a feeling of ancientness as it gently sways.

Hei calmly calls out the word 'Shu'. The tree leaves gentle shake as a wise and ancient voice rings out, "Yes Master Hei?" A king's throne floats in the air right in front of the tree as Hei sits on it.

"I want to learn about medicinal herbs…with where I am going; I want to make sure I can create various medicines to increase my chances of survival. Teach me about medicinal herbs."

The ancient voice rings out once more but this time, a hint of excitement can be heard, "Thank you Young Master for consulting with this servant. Hehehe, Master is really wise to think of this but this is only one slight problem. One cannot teach about 'Medicinal Herbs' but instead, I will teach you the roots of your issue…I will teach you…The Dao of Farming."

Hei has a slightly weird look on his face as he gives out an 'Ah'. Shu continues with a confident voice, "Farming is much more important than persons think. Coming from a giant tree, this might seem ridiculous but it is not so."

"Even the body can be considered to be a farm. When one cultivates, they grow various 'crops' and raise various 'animals' in their body. Medicinal Herbs are actually nonexistent. All herbs are able to cure and are also able to damage. The balance of Yin and Yang stipulates this." A looking of 'understanding' appears on Hei's face as he nods in 'comprehension'.

Shu laughs a bit and continues, "You are probably wondering what I mean. All plants which seem like wonder medicine are in fact just as deadly. It is simply how it is applied. For example, if a person who practices a fire related cultivation method were to congest a fire related herb, then that would be beneficial. However, if the same person consumes a water related herb then chances are, they will be injured, crippled or even die."

A glint of light showing his understanding finally appears in Hei's eyes.

"Similarly, the body is also a farm. If you treat the farm right and care for it enough, whatever herbs you grow and whatever animals you raise, they will benefit from it. The first step of farming is getting a suitable place to farm."

"This must be suitable to the kind of faming you plan on doing. In your case master, you would want to have a farm related to darkness, fire and lightning. Therefore, any special land you choose should be related to this. Furthermore, the kind of crops you grow should be related to darkness, fire and lightning and finally, the animals you raise should also be related to darkness, fire and lightning."

"Are you telling me that if I want to make medicine for myself in the future, I should invest in things related to my elements? I should also invest in various spirit animals of that nature too?"

Shu's branches gently wiggle as a voice filled with appreciation rings out, "Precisely Master; you are very wise! While it sounds simple to have a farm that is 'perfect' for farming specific things, it is very difficult to accomplish. Not just the overall elements are necessary; there is also the need for many specific actions that should be taken based on the specific type of animal or herb."

"Fear not though, get any animal or plant and I will guide you in the ways of farming! You can even bring them here Master. It's very simple for me to prepare the necessary conditions so you can easily understand the concepts involved."

"Or what you can also do is actually doing a bit of research on the resources you can get your hand on and select whatever you plan on getting and I will tell you the necessary requirements and help to set the farm for you." Hei nods with a slight smile on his face."

Liu Hei gets up and begins looking on his body from inside this dark world. His complexion looks normal and his breathing seems stable. He smiles as a thought enters his mind, "Time to see what I can get for my birthday. I will get some fire and lightning related things and darkness too. It will probably be difficult to get darkness related things but fire and lightning should be relatively easy."

His figure slowly fades out of this world. The feeling of his body enters his mind once again as he slowly opens his eyes.

"I will have to pay father and mother along with my grandfathers a visit. Little Sister Bai and Little Sister Fei Hong should be fine. Maybe this will also be an experience which helps them to become a bit more mature…"

Liu Hei slowly gets up and dusts himself off. He makes sure his head is covered with the hood on his cloak and stretches. He then slowly walks off. As he walks away, everything seems totally normal but if one's observation skills were very strong, then they would notice the slight abnormality behind Hei. 2 very distinct shadows can be seen behind him who should not be possible.

As Hei walks, many persons who also share his last name but are merely regular clan members greet him with a smile calling out 'Great Young Master' and 'Happy Birthday Young Master' but deep down, one could see the slight ridicule and anger in their eyes. Unhappiness can be felt from their words but their expressions are all filled with 'kindness'.

This causes Hei's expression to turn slightly sour. "It seems I am not so popular with the clan members. I could have handled today's situation better but they had it coming. Besides, the Wang Heavenly Astral Clan seems to have completely decided on having conflict and completely break all sense of cordiality with us; most definitely they wanted to humiliate us."

"No one will look on it how I do unfortunately. In their eyes, I probably rashly did this to impress a girl. What might also be the case is that they really think I am some sort of demon. Based on what Ren once said, when I was just a toddler, someone tried to divine something about me and he appeared using the person's power to hide everyone else. The clan probably thinks my abilities are related to some sort of demonic nature. Ai, this will be a bit difficult to deal with."

Hei finally arrives to a tower that pierces the sky. 4 guards stand at the entrance as they look directly at Hei. Not even the slightest of formalities can be seen on their faces as they look forwards without batting an eye at him.

"Excuse me guards, I need to go up, could you please let me pass?" The guards maintain their look of seriousness as they completely disregard Hei's existence. This causes him to frown a bit but he still asks politely again, "Please guards, it's very important. I need to talk to my father and mother along with my grandfather…"

Mockery appears on one of the guard's faces as he jeeringly replies, "Sorry but the Clan Master is currently dealing with adult affairs. Scram little kiddie." Slight snickering can be heard from the other guards. Hei looks on them carefully and memorizes their faces. He then walks off towards the clan's library. By the time he arrives, it is already night.

A very old man with pure white hair and wrinkles on his face can be seen. His eyes are closed and his breathing looks stable. He barely looks alive as he seems to be in a meditative state. As Hei arrives in front of the man, he looks on him and gives a salute from a junior to a senior.

The old man nods and slowly says with a very tired and humble voice, "Young Master Hei, what brings you here so late?" Hei respectfully replies, "Senior Ye, I am here to do research on farm…I mean research on medicines and spirit beasts…"

A nod of appreciation is done instantly as he laughs for a bit, "You're quite diligent aren't you? You always mask yourself really well and only stepped out today. Take this little token here and go to the 9th floor. What you seek will be in more detail there."

He throws a little token with the word 'Liu' imprinted on one side and the word 'Library' on the other side. The token has 9 miniature stars on both sides. Hei bows in respect and thankfully says, "Thank you for the kindness Senior Ye." A slight smile spreads on Liu Ye's face. Hei enters the library with a slightly excited expression.

Many gigantic shelves of books arranged in endless rows and columns are seen as Hei looks in shock. He couldn't help but think in his mind, "This is the clan's library? How come this is the first I am hearing that the clan's library is this massive?!?"

A sign that shows a simply transportation gate seems to be at the side. From that, one should be able to travel between the various floors. Hei walks towards the transportation gate which gives off a hazy light. The door looking transportation gate has a single slot present which seems to be the perfect fit for the library token.

He places it and light immediately shines on the token. The token then projects a small screen in front of Hei which shows 8 other floors.

Each floor seems to be larger than the last until it reaches the 9th floor. This floor is surprisingly the smallest. Furthermore, there doesn't seem to be many books but instead, many glowing orbs of lights seem to float around in an orderly manner.

People of different ages and genders can be seen on the 1st to 8th floors but the last floor, the 9th floor, is completely unoccupied. He touches the 9th floor and the other floors disappear from the screen. The hazy door slowly begins shining with light and the 9th floor can actually be seen now. Hei walks in and passes through, appearing on the 9th floor.

The entire floor is filled with absolute silence, only his breathing can be heard and a very slight buzzing sound which seems to come from the transportation gate. The token slowly floats out and appears back in Hei's hand. He puts it up in his coat and begins walking towards one of the orbs of light. The orbs of light twinkle like little stars and give off a warm feeling.

Hei looks around for anything that seems to be related to some sort of guide that separates the orbs of information. Upon closer inspection, he notices that there seems to be a single orb of light that has the least glow. He walks to that specific orb of light and touches it. Information begins flowing in his mind for a few seconds. A look of enlightenment appears on his face as he nods.

"The orbs are all storage devices that have many different kinds of information. Touching one is the same as touch the others… they are just the mediums used to get the information. One has to think of what they want to know and options will appear…what a sophisticated and genius idea."

Hei randomly reaches out and touches an orb of light then thinks about Medicinal Herbs. 2 sections appear. One seems to be related to various types of herbs and medicines. The other shockingly appears to be related to the clan's current inventory of herbs!

He then looks with suspicion and then thinks about beasts. 2 sections appear once again. One side seems to have information on the beast race while the other section seems to be the inventory of various beasts that are being raised by the clan.

"Apart from the fact that this floor even shows the inventory of what we have in the clan, what surprises me even more is that the Beast race and the beasts humanity raise seem to be basically the same…"