Permanently Crippled

Li Wei couldn't shake the thought that Senior Huo had misled him about Bone Fire being a basic technique. Was it possible that Senior Huo had genuinely underestimated the technique, or had he deliberately downplayed its power? Had Senior Huo tried to big himself up? The idea churned in Li Wei's mind, leaving a knot of frustration in his chest.

He sighed, glancing around his dimly lit cave. Solitude had always been his sanctuary, the quiet enabling him to cultivate without distractions. But now, he could feel the cracks in his strategy. Without regular contact with other cultivators, his understanding of the broader cultivation world was fragmented, leaving him vulnerable to half-truths and ignorance.

"Isolation protects me from noise," Li Wei muttered, pacing in a tight circle, "but it also leaves me blind to the bigger picture. I need guidance. I can't keep guessing."

He ran a hand through his unkempt hair, his frustration simmering. The Bone Whisper Art had eased the worst of his internal imbalance, yet the underlying issue lingered. His Qi flow remained uneven, a subtle turbulence disrupting the circulation within his bones. It was a flaw he couldn't afford to ignore, not if he wanted to progress safely.

Stepping to the edge of the cave, Li Wei gazed at the sack of bone essence near the hearth. The temptation to consume more to force progress hovered at the edge of his thoughts. He shook his head, scolding himself. "No. Piling power onto a shaky foundation will only make things worse."

Turning back to his workbench, Li Wei sifted through scattered manuals.

"The Bone Whisper Art helps," he murmured, "but it doesn't fix the root issue. I need something that works with it, not against it. Maybe an earth-based meditation technique, but… would that even work? Could I even manage two techniques at once?"

His knowledge felt woefully inadequate. The texts he had access to only scratched the surface of what he needed to know. Li Wei straightened and clenched his fists. The answer wouldn't come from solitary reflection; he needed insight from someone more experienced.

"I need to find someone," he muttered. "Someone who can guide me before I make this worse."

The thought of leaving his cave filled him with unease. Seeking help meant exposing himself, risking unwanted attention. But the alternative—stumbling blindly through trial and error—seemed far worse.

Li Wei's gaze flickered to the cooling embers of the Bone Fire. The path ahead felt uncertain, but he knew one thing: staying in the dark wasn't an option. He would have to swallow his pride, step out of his solitude, and seek the guidance he desperately needed.

Through his spiritual sense, Li Wei detected a faint ripple—a presence approaching the cave. He straightened, brushing his robe into place. The visitor's energy felt familiar. Li Shan.

Ask and you shall receive, Li Wei thought, a glimmer of relief crossing his face. "Perfect. I'll ask him about meditation techniques."

Moments later, Li Shan strode into view, his expression sharp, his movements brisk. The warmth Li Wei had seen during their encounter at Zhao Feng's cave was gone, replaced by a cold, guarded demeanour. His narrowed eyes and stiff posture suggested irritation rather than camaraderie. Li Wei offered a polite bow and a warm greeting, but Li Shan's icy glare cut through the gesture.

Li Wei forced a smile, maintaining his composure despite the palpable frost in the air. "Senior, it's an honour to see you again. I was hoping to—"

Li Wei's smile faltered briefly before he quickly regained his respectful demeanor. "Of course, Senior. My focus is solely on my cultivation. Nothing more."

Li Shan's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "Good. Just remember your place. You are nothing more than a new recruit, and I'm Zhao Feng's right hand."

Li Wei kept his face neutral, masking the turmoil brewing inside him. He clenched his fists subtly, fighting the urge to respond. "What a cunt", he thought. He had hoped Li Shan was reasonable, someone who valued true cultivation over blind loyalty. Instead, all Li Shan seemed to care about was maintaining his own status and serving Zhao Feng without question.

Li Wei's thoughts churned, but his expression remained neutral. "I thought he was reasonable, but all he cares about is being Zhao Feng's lapdog."

After a brief pause, he said, "If there's anything I can assist you with, Senior, please let me know." It was an empty offer, but he delivered it with conviction.

Li Shan snorted, his lips curling into a sneer. "Hmph. Just don't get in my way."

He gestured dismissively. "Remember your place. I don't tolerate new inner disciples stepping out of line."

Li Wei nodded, his voice measured and steady. "Of course, Senior. Thank you for your advice."

"Hmph. Make sure it sticks," Li Shan said before spinning on his heel and walking away, his footsteps echoing sharply in the cave.

Li Wei watched Li Shan leave, his footsteps fading into the darkness. He suppressed a sigh of relief, his body relaxing slightly. What a waste of time. Still, better to let him think he's won than to waste energy fighting someone so blind.

"What a little cocksucker," Li Wei thought. "Hm, let's go to the sect library like Zhao Feng said. Must be worthwhile."

LW leaves as soon as he's sure Li Shan has long gone, not wanting to run into that cocksucker again. His mind focuses on the path ahead—the sect library, a place of potential solutions. Time is limited, and every moment counts in preparing for The Reaping Cycle.

Li Wei walked down the winding mountain trail. The path twisted ahead, leading deeper into the forest. He moved at a steady pace, focusing on stabilising his foundation. The trail was narrow, flanked by stones and trees. Each step was deliberate, his mind on the task.

A fellow inner disciple appeared, walking in the opposite direction. The disciple wore a uniform robe, the fabric clean and pressed, black with red hems. He adjusted his sleeve and slowed his pace to match Li Wei's approach. They stopped side by side.

Li Wei inclined his head in greeting. The inner disciple mirrored the gesture. They stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the mountain surrounding them.

"Excuse me, Brother. Could you direct me to the sect library?" Li Wei asked, his voice calm.

The inner disciple looked up, his eyes meeting Li Wei's. He paused, considering the request before responding. "The library? It's just past the inner sect square. Look for the building with tiles and pillars. You can't miss it."

Li Wei nodded, acknowledging the information. He offered a slight bow, a gesture of respect, before resuming his journey. He followed the directions given, moving down the trail.

Li Wei approached the library. The structure stood large, built from stone and wood. Two statues flanked the entrance, positioned on either side of the doorway. They faced forward, imposing. Li Wei walked towards the entrance, his footsteps echoing on the stone path.

Inside, the air was quiet. He moved forward, passing rows of wooden shelves filled with books and scrolls. The floor was tiled, and light filtered in through stained glass windows, creating patterns on the ground. He reached the front desk where an older man sat behind a wooden counter. The man had greying hair and maintained a steady gaze as he looked up from his ledger.

"New here?" the librarian asked. His voice was short, direct.

Li Wei bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Senior. I wish to access the library's cultivation manuals."

The librarian watched Li Wei for a moment before gesturing to a signboard behind him. The signboard listed the fees clearly. "The fee is ten grade-one pills per hour. Non-negotiable."

Li Wei felt a moment of hesitation. Ten pills for an hour of access was a steep cost. He reached into his pouch and retrieved the required pills, placing them on the counter.

Li Wei asked, "Senior, I have a question. I've been practicing the Bone Whisper Art, but my foundation is still unstable. Do you have any recommendations?"

The librarian raised an eyebrow, his expression tightening. "Everyone in the sect practices the Bone Whisper Art."

Li Wei frowned slightly, pressing further. "Has everyone formed the mind runes, then? All seven of them?"

The librarian's gaze turned sharper, a mix of disbelief and irritation flashing across his face. "What nonsense are you on about? You form the first three during Qi Cultivation, the next three in Foundation Establishment, and the final one at Core Formation. Something tells me you won't get that far."

Li Wei ignored the insult, keeping his tone even. "I see. Thank you for the clarification, Senior."

The librarian studied him for another moment, his expression unreadable. "What's your affinity?" he asked abruptly.

"Earth," Li Wei replied without hesitation.

The librarian's demeanour shifted, his tone becoming more matter-of-fact. "Then get an earth meditation technique, and progress in it quickly. If that doesn't stabilise your foundation, you might be permanently crippled, unable to advance."

The weight of the words struck Li Wei hard. He maintained his composure, but the gravity of the situation was clear. He offered a slight bow. "Thank you for your advice, Senior."

The librarian waved him off, counting the pills Li Wei had handed over with quick, practised movements. Once finished, he pointed toward the rows of shelves stacked with cultivation manuals. "Your time starts now. Ten grade-one pills for every extra hour."

Li Wei inclined his head in acknowledgement. "Understood, Senior."