What Choice?

Li Wei sits in the quiet of his cave after the day's events. He is back from the assessment, which has thinned the ranks of his peers.

He holds the token. He turns it over, feeling its weight. It's a small piece, but it means he is still alive.

He lets the token drop to the floor and hears it clink against the stone. He's alone now. Here, he can think. He must plan what comes next.

"This is too risky. Every second in the Qi cultivation realm is like getting fucked in the ass. I need to get stronger quickly. As soon as I reach foundational establishment, at least the sect won't be actively trying to kill me."

"Time to use the bones I purchased. I have to steal more bone fire. There are always opportunities for that. As for how to turn bone to bone ash, I'll just break them into smaller pieces and hope for the best."

"The bone fire is everything. Without the system's suggestion, I'd be fucked. I need it again to avoid the sect's noose,"

"Getting caught is a real danger. But what choice do I have? The sect's noose tightens by the day." He glances towards the dark corners of the cave as if expecting the shadows to hold his fate.

"I'll get that bone fire, whatever it takes." 

"That lazy asshole often leaves the bone fire unquenched. It's like he's asking for it to be stolen."

He paces the cave, "Last time it was almost too easy. Just had to wait for the right moment, and there it was, ready for the taking."

Li Wei smirks, remembering his last successful theft emboldening him, "If he's that careless again, I'll have another shot. I can do this, just like last time."

He nods to himself, "Just need to keep my eyes open and bide my time. Senior Huo's negligence is my opportunity." His mind raced with the possibilities, each scenario a path to the power he desperately needed.

In the earliest hours of the morning, Li Wei awakens. The cave's darkness lingers, with only the faintest hint of light beginning to creep in. He rises from his simple bed, his movements slow, his muscles protesting the night's meagre rest.

He leaves his cave, the outside world shrouded in the pre-dawn gloom. The path to the Pill Hall is empty, its usual bustle of disciples yet to begin. The morning air's chill is sharp, a contrast to the stale atmosphere of the cave.

As he walks, the path underfoot blends with the familiar stones. His steps are quiet. The sky above is a canvas of deep blue, the stars fading as the first light of day begins to seep into the world.

The Pill Hall looms ahead, its outline growing clearer with each step he takes. The door, worn at the edges from countless entrances and exits, stands closed before him. He reaches out, his hand pushing against the wood, feeling its rough texture.

The door swings open with a creak that echoes in the silent hall. Inside, the scent of myriad herbs immediately engulfs him, as potent and as welcoming as always.

Li Wei stands outside Senior Huo's room. He waits. The hallway is quiet. He can hear his own breathing. He can hear the faint sound of Senior Huo inside. He is patient.

"Come in," says a voice from inside. Li Wei enters. The room is the same as always. 

Senior Huo looks at him. "So, you survived," he says. His voice is even. It is hard to tell what he is thinking. Li Wei stands still. He waits for Senior Huo to speak again.

"Two levels in only a short while," Senior Huo says. "Quite impressive." He does not smile. 

"How did you manage?" Senior Huo asks. His eyes are on Li Wei. They are sharp. Li Wei feels them like a weight.

"I was just lucky, I guess, Senior Brother," Li Wei says. His voice is calm. He does not say more.

"Sure, sure," Senior Huo says. He turns to his table. He picks up a list. It has many items on it. They are all herbs. He hands the list to Li Wei.

"I need all of these," Senior Huo says. He looks at Li Wei. Li Wei looks at the list. 

Li Wei takes the list. "Yes, Senior Brother," he says.

He leaves the room. The door closes behind him. He is back in the hallway. 

The corridor is cool and dim, the stone beneath his feet worn smooth from years of use. He steps forward, each movement deliberate, heading toward where the herbs are kept.

The air is thick with the scent of dried plants, a mixture of earthy and sharp notes that fill his nostrils. Li Wei moves through the rows, his eyes scanning. He knows some of these herbs well; he has worked with them before. Others are less familiar, and he takes time to pick the right ones.

He reaches for a jar of Spirited Ginseng, its contents prized for vitality. Next, he finds the Azure Leaf, its blue edges unmistakable even in the dim light. He carefully gathers each herb, measuring the exact amounts Senior Huo requires. The Red Crested Root, the Ironbark Herb, the Sun Sprout Grass—he collects them all, ticking them off the list individually.

With each selection, the small basket he carries grows heavier. He checks the list again, ensuring no item is forgotten. Each herb has a role and a purpose in the concoctions and remedies the sect disciples rely on. Li Wei respects their power and their capacity to heal or harm.

Once he has gathered all the herbs, he returns to Senior Huo's chamber. The door is ajar, and he knocks softly before entering. Senior Huo is seated at his desk, focusing on the scrolls before him. The room smells strongly of incense, a smoky scent that tries to mask the less pleasant odours of potion-making.

"Senior Brother," Li Wei says, his voice steady. He presents the basket of herbs. Senior Huo looks up, lingering on the basket before he motions for Li Wei to come closer.

Li Wei steps forward, placing the basket on the desk. Senior Huo inspects the contents, his fingers touching the leaves and roots, weighing them in his palm. He nods slowly, his expression unreadable.

"Yes, all good," he finally says, his attention drifting back to his work.

"Wait outside," Senior Huo instructs without looking up again.

Li Wei steps back, bowing slightly out of respect. He leaves the room, the door closing with a soft click behind him. He finds himself back in the hallway, the coolness of the stone in contrast to the warmth of the chamber he's just left.

He waits, standing still, his mind empty of thought. 

Li Wei stands outside Senior Huo's room, the corridor quiet. The stone walls are cool, and the air is still. He waits, his body motionless, his breathing slow and even. The list of herbs is complete, and he delivered it as requested. Now, he waits.

Time passes. The sun moves across the sky, and shadows change shape on the stone floor. Li Wei stays in place, his mind clear, his thoughts on nothing but the present moment.

More time passes. Disciples move through the hall, some with purpose, others lingering. They give Li Wei curious glances, but he does not return them. He is a fixture here, just another part of the corridor.

The light in the hall dims as the day goes on. Lanterns are lit by passing attendants, their flames small and steady. Li Wei watches the flames flicker, the only movement in his calm vigil.

Senior Huo's door remains closed. Li Wei can hear the occasional sound from within, the rustle of parchment, the scrape of a chair. These are the only signs of life from the other side. Li Wei waits, his feet firm on the ground, his posture upright.

Finally, the door opens. Senior Huo steps out. He looks at Li Wei, his face giving away nothing. "Clean that up, then you're done," he says. His voice is as still as the air in the hall.

Senior Huo strides past Li Wei, giving him only a glance. He continues down the corridor; his departure is as resolute as his command. 

Li Wei enters the room. It is in disarray, the result of a day's hard work. There are herbs scattered on the table, parchment strewn about, and bottles knocked aside. Li Wei starts to tidy. He moves the herbs back into their containers, one by one. He stacks the parchment, placing it neatly on the corner of the desk.

Li Wei pauses amid the cleaned room, a small, still-glowing ember catching his eye. It's tucked away underneath the pill furnace, a remnant of the bone fire that should have been extinguished hours ago. 

"Hahah, lazy fuck," Li Wei chuckles under his breath, "more treasure for me." He eyes the space where he'll store the stolen ember, already anticipating the next opportunity to swipe the bone fire.