Qin Yi slowly opened his eyes.
The sun was already up, and he could faintly hear the sounds of people moving about in the Wang residence, distant yet serene. It felt like living in a mortal realm, but this place was like a fairyland.
He had successfully taken the first step into the world of cultivation.
Even though it was just a basic thread of spiritual energy, he knew he was now different.
He reached out, and with a flick of his hand, a wine gourd with a floating charm flew over, as if it was tied by a string. When he used his true energy to move it, it barely worked, floating aimlessly; but now, using "magical power," it was not just floating, but shooting through the air like lightning.
"Controlling objects is the most typical feature of magical power," Liu Su's voice drifted in. "Before you reach a certain level, magical power itself doesn’t have the ability to harm. Its purpose lies in control—manipulating objects, guiding the five elements, calling the wind and rain, and pulling lightning. As for your own strength, the effect is generally limited. This is the biggest difference from your true energy, so don’t think they are the same."
Sure enough, Liu Su knew he would initially think they were similar. Qin Yi smiled, "I still understand the difference between a warrior and a mage."
"The difference between a warrior and a mage..." Liu Su pondered over the description but eventually understood. "Outwardly, it seems that way, but you need to realize one thing... The essence of cultivation is longevity. How it appears on the outside is just a means to protect oneself for the sake of longevity. In other words, your martial path is also a means; it is equally useful, whether it’s true energy or martial skills."
Qin Yi was taken aback. "So, you taught me martial arts before. I thought it was just a temporary measure. Are you saying I can keep learning?"
"It’s a suggestion that you must keep learning. Practice deeply and follow the martial cultivation path, focusing on the physical body and battle techniques. This is a complete system of cultivation—otherwise, what you saw on Xianji Mountain would only be magical tools. Why would there be a wolf fang club?"
"Right, right! That makes sense. I should be following the martial path with you."
"What do you mean by following me?"
"Uh... Okay, I’ll support you."
"Hmph. Anyway, the martial cultivation system is quite lacking in terms of longevity, but its combat power is very strong. If you cultivate both, you can enjoy the benefits of both."
Liu Su continued, "Ming He focuses solely on magical arts, typically emphasizing spiritual power over the physical body. He can call the wind and rain but holds a sword like it’s a needle. Of course, that’s not impossible; if he reaches the peak, he could be invincible.
But in my opinion, it’s still somewhat biased. If he were to temporarily lose his magical power, even a vegetable seller could ride on him."
"..." The image is too vivid. Maybe you want to do that yourself?
"Of course, a person’s energy is limited. The path of cultivation is vast, and one may not grasp even a fraction in a lifetime. Most people really don’t have the energy to cultivate both, so they have to make choices. But you are different..." Liu Su paused, "You are naturally suited for this path. If even you don’t dare to cultivate both, then no one can."
Qin Yi was silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "Liu Su..."
"Uh? Hmm???" Liu Su was taken aback. This seemed to be the first time Qin Yi called its name!
Qin Yi stood up and bowed deeply to it, "You teach with such patience, unlike any teacher I’ve ever had. Although Qin Yi is a bit muddled, I still have a conscience. Today, I vow to do my utmost to help you rebuild your body."
Liu Su didn’t respond and after a long pause said softly, "Are you trying to use this to block my thoughts of seizing your body?"
Qin Yi clicked his tongue, "Alright, stop being proud."
"......"
"If I can rebuild my body, why would I always covet yours..."
"Who covets your body!?"
Qin Yi laughed, then changed the subject, "If one day... someone like me ultimately cannot adapt to this powerful world, and maybe even can’t leave Nan Li... then you can take this body."
Liu Su fell silent.
Qin Yi walked to the door and looked towards Li Qinglin's residence. The sun was already high in the sky, which meant he had been meditating for seven or eight hours, yet it felt like just a moment had passed.
Time flew like this, and the storm of Nan Li would soon come to light. He wondered how Li Qinglin was preparing.
The one who truly didn’t believe in power was Li Qinglin.
Or rather, he clearly knew it was possible but didn’t want to believe it.
Sometimes, Qin Yi, who had Liu Su by his side, felt a bit sorry for him. It was like watching Don Quixote charge at windmills.
In a daze, he began to understand the sense of superiority Liu Su and Ming He had; it really felt like looking at different species from a distance.
Ming He definitely wouldn’t engage in so much conversation with an ordinary mortal. It wasn’t about being aloof, but more like a frog in a well talking to a summer insect about ice; there was really nothing to discuss. Why would he be willing to communicate with someone like him? It was simply because he was a "cultivator." Regardless of his level or status, there was no vast difference in dimension.
But deep down, Qin Yi actually identified more with Li Qinglin, provided that what he said that night while drinking was sincere and not for selfish reasons.
Because in the end, he was still a mortal, not an immortal.
He just didn’t know if, on the day he truly succeeded in cultivation, he would be like Ming He and Liu Su.
Maybe he would.
"Qin Yi! Qin Yi!" Li Qingjun ran over, her long hair flowing, her face full of joy as if she had seen her beloved. "You’re up? I thought you were talking with your brother all night!"
Qin Yi opened his arms, waiting for her to leap into them.
Honestly, seeing Li Qingjun really lifted his spirits, and the earlier feelings of pressure and contemplation vanished like clouds.
Li Qingjun skidded to a stop in front of him, tilting her head, "Don’t think about good things. Quickly tell me, what scandal did you plot last night?"
"I was just going to drug you," Qin Yi laughed. "We even planned how to spread the news throughout the city, letting everyone in Nan Li know that Princess Zhaoyang belongs to Qin Yi, and that the barbarians from the West should stay far away."
Li Qingjun still tilted her head, her eyes wide open and unblinking.
"What’s wrong?" Qin Yi scratched his head in confusion. You can’t be taking such an obvious joke seriously…
Li Qingjun asked, "Did you use any beauty products last night?"
"Huh?"
"After not seeing you for a night, you look even better. And you’re standing here still, but you seem like you’re riding the wind."
"That’s not bad." Qin Yi finally understood the situation. Cultivating not only improved his skin but also changed his aura. He definitely looked more ethereal than yesterday.
Li Qingjun hesitated, "Qin Yi, you better not cultivate so much that you really ride the wind away, leaving me behind."
"Why would I do that?" Qin Yi hugged her and whispered, "Your father cultivates, and didn’t he end up with three thousand beauties?"
"Pah!" Li Qingjun was indeed distracted, stepping on his shoe, "We haven’t even started, and you’re already thinking about three thousand beauties!"
Qin Yi hopped around, "I was just making a comparison..."
Li Qingjun shot him a sideways glance, a smile creeping onto her lips, "This kind of casual remark shows your true feelings. Qin Yi, you’re not as gentlemanly as you seem."
Liu Su gave a thumbs up.
Qin Yi was also quite surprised. How could this reckless girl be so perceptive in such matters? Is this the terrifying talent of women? He didn’t argue against her words; for a man, thinking about three thousand beauties was hypocritical. The key was whether one acted on it, and arguing about it was meaningless.
So, he shamelessly hugged her again and whispered, "I’m definitely not a gentleman. For example, right now, I really want to take a bite out of the princess."
Liu Su gave another thumbs up.
A man’s growth in this area was astonishingly fast. Just a few days ago, Qin Yi was still quite innocent, but once he had a girlfriend, wow, he was a completely different person.
Li Qingjun let him hold her, her face flushed as she looked at him. This time, there was no shyness like before; instead, she quickly closed her eyes.
Qin Yi gulped and leaned down to kiss her.
Liu Su leaned against the doorframe, watching. Initially, it felt like watching a show, but for some reason, it started to feel a bit uncomfortable.
Maybe at this moment, it felt like being a private tutor, seeing the students below not paying attention to the lesson but instead being all lovey-dovey; of course, it was uncomfortable.
But having experienced the mortal world, one would know that this was precisely what it had suggested Qin Yi do. So why did it feel like it had taught him wrong at this moment...
Sorry, I didn’t set up automatic updates today. I got home late...
(End of Chapter)