“I hope the elixirs I obtained from Martial World Sharang help Aunt Reta to some extent.”
Aksai thought to himself as he exited Jainam’s restaurant without bothering to meet with Shuang and his grandfather.
He had given a bunch of pills sealed in a porcelain bottle to Jainam, asking him to deliver it to Shunag, who had become Purple River Sect’s inner disciple at this point.
With Jainam’s connections in the sect, doing something like this for a (fake) Foundation Building Expert was no big deal.
The pills he had acquired from Martial World Sharang were obviously concocted by the martial arts schools that studied the ways of the qi.
These pills were generally used by the martial artists to replenish their qi as quickly as possible. However, regular consumption was said to boost longevity in users.
These pills could also heal qi-related injuries in martial artists and replenish lost life force. After all, there were some forbidden skills in martial arts as well.
Without qi-strengthening pills to help martial artists, they would find it difficult to recover from their injuries.
However, the problem with the pills was that they weren’t meant to be consumed by martial artists who knew the ways of qi and had methods to absorb the pills’ effects perfectly.
Aunt Reta, on the other hand, wasn’t a martial artist. She wasn’t much of a Spirit cultivator either, who had strengthened their mortal vessels using the power of Spirit essence.
As such, Aksai concluded that Aunt Reta would not be able to digest the full efficacy of the life force-replenishing pills, even if she took them regularly for a few days.
With her current condition, forget about practicing an entirely different way of cultivation; she’d have problems practicing her Spirit cultivation using the Basic Greenwood Tantra.
Thus, Aksai gave Aunt Reta enough pills that would last for weeks on end. If the efficacy of the pills wouldn’t work for Aunt Reta, then the sheer quantity would. It was just that no matter how many pills she consumed, the effects were going to be limited.
The effects of the forbidden technique had taken root in Aunt Reta’s body. Aksai guessed that at most, Aunt Reta would be able to live for 10 or so more years before her life force was truly exhausted.
Still, this small increase in Aunt Reta’s lifespan was bound to play a huge role in Ruan’s growth as a Spirit cultivator. His mother was his support, and the more time he’d get to spend with her, the better his cultivation journey should be.
As such, Aksai didn’t hesitate to invest in the qi-replenishing pills, even though it had cost him quite a lot in Martial World Sharang.
The debt he owed to Aunt Reta and her family had already been fulfilled when he made Ruan the inner disciple of the Purple River Sect.
Providing the qi-replenishing pills was just something Aksai had done out of care for the woman who had treated him no differently from her own son.
With many thoughts swirling inside his head, Aksai roamed the streets of Purple River Gate for quite some time. When the evening arrived, he hired a private room in a random inn and decided to wait for a few days.
Thanks to Jainam’s information and introduction, Aksai was now invited to a private exchange meeting that was supposed to take place between a bunch of late-stage Spirit Refining cultivators in a few days.
Aksai had decided to attend this private exchange meeting and see if he could get something out of it. As long as he received some privileged information related to his current cultivation base or obtained 1st order inheritances, he would consider this social meet with the fellow cultivators a success.
***
A few days later. Purple River Gate.
A suburban area within the city.
A spacious open hall designated for communal gatherings had been reserved by a group of late-stage Spirit Refining cultivators. The hall lacked walls, featuring a pyramid-shaped roof supported by ten-foot decorated pillars.
Surrounded by a lush garden with a small pond, the hall provided a serene atmosphere. Within the pond, a school of Spirit fish swam gracefully, their movements synchronized as if rehearsed.
While these fish were considered 1st-order demon beasts due to their cultivation of Spirit essence, they were far less ferocious than those found in the wild lands. It was evident that these Spirit fish were cultivated by Spirit cultivators for their rich and flavorful meat.
Spirit fish farming!
These fish had sleek bodies shimmering with iridescent hues of azure, cerulean, and silver.
Each fish was adorned with delicate runic patterns resembling intricate swirls and ethereal glyphs, a testament to their cultivation of Spirit essence.
Their fins fluttered elegantly, propelling them effortlessly through the water with a mesmerizing fluidity.
Despite their diminutive size, the Spirit fish exuded an aura of tranquility and power. Their eyes gleamed with beastly wisdom.
For Spirit cultivators, consuming the meat of these 1st-order Spirit fish held immense benefits. Not only was their flesh incredibly succulent and flavorful, but it also contained potent concentrations of Spirit essence.
Consuming the meat of these fish nourished the body and replenished Spirit essence, aiding in the cultivation. The Spirit essence was known to get refined after regular consumption.
Regular consumption of Spirit fish meat provided Spirit cultivators with increased vitality and enhanced mental clarity. It was regarded as a delicacy among practitioners, sought after for its nourishing properties and ability to accelerate cultivation growth.
Of course, like all cultivation resources, after a certain period of time had passed, a Spirit cultivator would develop a certain immunity to the consumption of the 1st order Spirit fish. The effects they would gain after consuming the flesh would be diminished over time to the point that they would no longer be beneficial to one’s cultivation.
However, it was always a good idea to possess such a consumable cultivation resource for any capable Spirit cultivator.
First-time users could consume the fish directly to increase their cultivation speed for a few months. When the consumption no longer gave them tangible benefits, they could sell these fish to the city’s bustling markets, earning loads of spirit stones in return.
They could also consume the fish as regular sustenance. Or as a casual treat to themselves. They could also offer the fish in social gatherings. As odd as it might sound to the mortals, some Spirit cultivators were known to present these Spirit fish as housewarming gifts to their fellow cultivators as well.
“Hmm. Why do I think these fish are pretty nice things to have on my farm? They are pretty, and they must taste delicious. I just need to create a small pond in my farm to house them, and I’d unlock a side-job for myself– as a Spirit fish farmer.”
Aksai thought to himself as he looked at the school of fish in silence, all by his lonesome. He had arrived early to the meeting venue and was waiting for the other late-stage Spirit Refining cultivators.
Aksai had received a token to attend this meeting from Jainam. Without the token, he wouldn’t have been provided entry into this private garden.
So, he wanted to make full use of the opportunity and see how the garden was cultivated. Maybe he could learn a thing or two and use it to develop his Everwood farm.
This Spirit garden was actually owned by a recluse Foundation Building Expert who rented it out to various people in Purple River Gate for the right price.
The late-stage Spirit Refining cultivators often preferred this garden to conduct their private exchange meet.
After all, with a Foundation Building Expert keeping watch, all the Spirit Refiners involved in the meet would be equally restrained and on their best behavior.
These restrictions created ideal conditions for any private exchange meet to turn out to be successful while ensuring everyone’s safety in it.
“Hehe. Boy, are you going to steal my fish?” an old but powerful voice rang in Aksai’s ears all of a sudden while he was busy admiring the fish.
When he turned around, he saw a man who looked to be in his 60s but still as fit as a fiddle approach him with his hands behind his back, walking leisurely. It seemed that he clearly owned this place in a literal and metaphorical sense.
This was the owner of the private garden, a Foundation Building Expert named Jiren.
Jiren was a formidable figure, despite his advanced age. His stature was imposing, with broad shoulders and a sturdy frame that hinted at years of training and steadfast Spirit cultivation.
Despite the wrinkles etched into his weathered face, his eyes gleamed with a sharp intelligence.
His silver hair, though tinged with gray, was neatly combed back, framing a face marked by wisdom and experience.
There was a sense of authority in his presence, a commanding aura that demanded respect from those around him. Despite his age, there was an undeniable vitality about him, a strength that seemed to emanate from within. The strength of a Foundation Building Expert.
Jiren’s attire reflected his status as a Foundation Building Expert, adorned in robes of deep azure embroidered with intricate patterns symbolizing his mastery of the spiritual arts.
Aksai had heard from the local populace of the Purple River Gate that Jiren was already more than 100 years old. It was said that he had injured his foundation in some accident that prevented him from progressing further in his cultivation journey, forever confining him to the status of a beginner stage 2nd realm Spirit cultivator.
Some people even privately claimed that Jiren’s cultivation base had regressed a few years ago, leaving him as a half-step Foundation Building Expert. This was believed to be the reason he lived such a modest life despite his status as a 2nd realm Expert.
However, no Spirit Refiner dared to confront Jiren openly about his injuries. They knew that Jiren possessed the power to easily dispatch them with his 2nd realm cultivation abilities.
Therefore, Aksai didn’t dare to act arrogantly in front of Jiren. He quickly offered a courteous bow before responding.
“It’s an honor to meet Foundation Expert Jiren. I’ve heard about your reputation for quite some time. I was simply admiring the fish you have cultivated here,” Aksai paused, feigning hesitation before continuing.
“Expert Jiren, would you be willing to teach me how to become a Spirit fish farmer? I’m eager to learn about the intricacies of the profession.”
Fortunately, Aksai’s enthusiasm was genuine, so he didn’t need to resort to method acting this time.