Blossoming Path

Chapter 73: Tales and Tonics

Being injured sucked.

In some ways, this was worse than when I got thrashed by the Wind Serpents in Qingmu. At least they had the decency not to fracture my arms.

The infirmary was a world apart from the bustling training grounds and serene gardens of the sect. Its air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs, a fragrance that was both comforting and incessant. It reminded me of home in the Gentle Wind Village. The familiarity of the aroma wrapped around me like a blanket.

However...

Three days. It took me three days to get the approval from the doctor in charge of the infirmary to let me do low-impact activities like turning pages of books. For the first three, I had to learn how to hold a book and turn to the next page with my toes!

Whether it was the sheer amount of time I could only read or meditate with, I burned through pages faster than one could say "cultivation breakthrough."

Books surrounded my bed, forming a makeshift library that became my refuge. The stacks, some reaching up to my hip, were reminders of the world beyond these four walls. Each volume, with its creased spine and dog-eared pages, kept me busy from the dull, aching pain of my wounds.

Aside from ruminating about what I should do with the Technique Token I gained from the Interface, there wasn't much else to do aside from focusing on recovery. It allowed me to make a ton of progress on my reading skill.

Each book was a world of its own, filled with alchemical recipes, tales of legendary cultivators, and intricate diagrams of qi circulation. Whatever my friends could get their hands on. I told them to surprise me.

But even amidst this sea of knowledge, my mind often wandered back to the events that led me here, to this quiet corner of the infirmary.

The doctor, a stern-faced woman by the name of Fei Ni, with hands as gentle as her demeanor was strict, had initially given me a bleak forecast. "A week and a half, at the very least," she had said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. But she hadn't accounted for Tianyi.

Tianyi, my constant companion and source of solace, had nestled close to me throughout my recovery. Her presence was more than just comforting; it was healing. The serene blue glow that emanated from her seemed to weave through my injuries, stitching together what was broken with a delicacy no human hand could achieve.

Under her watchful care, my left arm had mended with a speed that left the infirmary staff baffled.

"Impossible," Fei Ni had muttered under her breath, her eyes wide as she examined the almost fully healed limb. But in the world of cultivators, where the impossible often became possible, Tianyi's healing prowess was a miracle I had come to cherish.

The doctor occasionally requested for Tianyi's help, marvelling at the potent effects of her skills. Even though the Interface didn't say it outright, I knew she was due for a breakthrough soon. I could feel her abilities strengthening with every passing day.

I reached out to Tianyi with a wave of gratitude, feeling the warm buzz of positive emotions in return through our bond.

"This young master pays back grace twofold, and those who treat me unjustly shall see themselves at the unfortunate end of my fist! Thank you for your services, colorful one."

However, my right hand, the one that bore the brunt of Ping Hai's formidable grip, was another story. The fractures were more severe, the damage more profound. It was a constant reminder of the price of my actions, a price I was still paying. The doctor had warned me that this injury would tether me to the infirmary for a longer stretch, its healing was stubbornly resistant to even Tianyi's magical touch.

So, I turned to what I could doread. Each book became a temporary escape, a portal to a realm where my injuries were inconsequential, and my spirit roamed free. Yet, as I read, I couldn't shake off that small twinge of frustration and impatience welling up within me.

The Grand Alchemy Gauntlet was fast approaching, and here I was, confined to a bed, my body a patchwork of healing and hurt. The irony wasn't lost on me; in my pursuit of strength and knowledge to protect those I cared about, I had rendered myself temporarily helpless.

But wallowing in self-pity wasn't my style. I glanced over at my quest, the one I had been focusing on completing since my time away from training, and the screen from the Heavenly Interface flickered to life.

Quest: Creation of Healing Hydrosol

- Study ancient alchemical texts from the Verdant Lotus Sect's library to uncover the secrets of hydrosol creation. (3/3)

- Harvest fresh tienchi ginseng, spirit moss, common reed, and hyancith orchid and deepen your understanding of each ingredient. (3/4)

- Extract the pure essence of spirit moss and find its hidden properties. (0/1)

- Learn the method to create purified water using alchemy.

As I poured over the texts, my focus was singular: the creation of the Healing Hydrosol. I had meticulously ticked off almost every requirement of the quest, my understanding of alchemical processes and ingredient properties deepening with each passing day. The tienchi ginseng, common reed, and hyacinth orchid had all been studied extensively.

However, the spirit moss remained the final piece of the puzzle. Despite its unassuming nature and the rather mundane 'spirit' in its name, my research revealed its unheralded potential. Rare in our region, this humble moss was more than meets the eye. Used in household remedies, it treats colds and inflammations with surprising efficacy. Its antibacterial properties made it an excellent material for wound dressings, a natural safeguard against infection.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

I already asked Feng Wu about it, because I hadn't seen them being cultivated in the sect's greenhouses or gardens. He did mention that the spirit moss grew further up north, by a lake just outside of the sect premises.

Lost in thought, I set aside the book I had just finished, its pages filled with the ancient wisdom of alchemists long gone. That's when the familiar glow of the Heavenly Interface caught my eye, a welcome distraction from the frustration of the elusive spirit moss.

A notification floated before me, its message a testament to the countless hours spent with my nose buried in books:

Reading has reached level 10.

Your skill has reached the qualifications to evolve to the next stage, Accelerated Reading.

Accelerated Reading grants you two new abilities.

Enhanced Comprehension - You can understand and assimilate complex texts and ancient scriptures at an accelerated pace, allowing for deeper insights and quicker learning.

Increased Reading Speed - Your ability to read and process information has significantly improved, enabling you to cover vast amounts of text in a fraction of the usual time without sacrificing retention or understanding.

I punched the air with a triumphant fist.

"At last!"

It took months to get here. The Interface said to read thirty books, but I ended up plowing through way more, trying to grasp the 'basic understanding' it wanted. It was a metric that was frustratingly vague.

Tianyi, drawn by my exuberant outburst, fluttered close, her delicate wings casting a subtle glow as she landed on the tip of my nose. The rustle of the curtain announced Fei Ni's arrival, her finger pressed to her lips in a gentle reprimand.

"Quiet, please."

I offered an apologetic bow, my movements constrained by my seated position. Forgot I was in the infirmary, usually a quiet place except for the odd disciple with training bruises.

"Sorry, doctor."

My gaze drifted to the stack of books by my bedside, a literary tower that had steadily dwindled to a mere thirteen volumes. Li Na and Han Wei had turned my predicament into a playful wager, continuously updating the stack to challenge my reading limits. This latest batch was their boldest bet yet. Before, the prospect of finishing seemed daunting, but now, with my newfound skill...

I grabbed another book and started to read.

The book I had been saving for last was titled "The Ethereal Weave of Qi: Understanding the Intangible." It was a tome that delved deep into the nuanced theories of Qi manipulation and its application in both cultivation and alchemy. To say it was complex would be an understatement. The subject matter was dense, filled with abstract concepts and intricate diagrams that made my head spin after reading the first ten pages.

Yet, as I began to read, something remarkable happened. The words seemed to flow effortlessly, their meanings unraveling before me like a tapestry being woven at the hands of a master weaver. It was as if my mind had been attuned to a higher frequency, one that allowed me to grasp the essence of the text with a clarity I had never experienced before.

The Accelerated Reading skill had transformed my reading experience. Complex sentences that would have once required rereading and contemplation now made sense in a single glance. Paragraphs that would have bogged me down with their density were now stepping stones, propelling me forward through the pages with a newfound ease.

I couldn't help but marvel at this development. Was the skill making me smarter? It certainly felt that way. The implications were profound, extending far beyond just reading faster. This skill had the potential to accelerate my learning in all areas; acquiring new knowledge and skills not just faster, but more intuitively.

As I turned the pages, my eyes scanning the text at a pace that would have been unimaginable just days before, I couldn't suppress a grin. The Accelerated Reading skill was a game-changer, a tool that would undoubtedly become one of my most valuable assets on the journey ahead.

The realization that I was no longer bound by the slow march of conventional learning filled me with an exhilarating sense of potential. The world of cultivation, with its endless mysteries and challenges, seemed a little less daunting, a little more accessible.

Enlightenment, here I come!

Li Na and Han Wei burst into the infirmary, their arms laden with yet another stack of books. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they took in the neatly organized pile of completed reads by my bedside.

"Kai, you didn't..." Han Wei began, skepticism coloring his tone.

With a smug smile, I leaned back against my pillows. "Every single one," I declared, unable to hide the pride in my voice.

Not entirely convinced, Han Wei picked a volume at random from the 'finished' stack and flipped it open. "Alright, then. What's the key concept of chapter seven in this one?" he challenged, his eyes darting between the book and me.

I paused for a moment, letting the gears in my mind turn. The Accelerated Reading skill didn't just make the words fly by; it made them stick. "Ah, that chapter delves into the symbiotic relationship between the cultivator's qi and the ambient natural energies. It's about harmonizing the two to enhance cultivation efficiency," I answered confidently, the details coming back to me as if I had just read them.

Li Na's eyebrows shot up, impressed. "Wow, Kai. That's... actually correct."

With a resigned chuckle, Han Wei placed the book back on the pile and handed me the new stack, though noticeably smaller than the previous ones. "We figured yesterday's was a bit overkill. But, man, carrying these back and forth is becoming a workout in itself."

I accepted the books with a grateful nod, my spirits buoyed by their continued support. "Thanks, you two. I really appreciate it. You know, I was thinking of asking Fei Ni if I could step outside for a bit. Get some fresh air, you know?"

Li Na's concern was immediate. "Are you sure you're up for that? You've been through a lot."

I flexed my left arm, showing its almost complete recovery. "Yeah, I think a little stroll might do me good. Plus, Tianyi's been cooped up here with me. She could use some sunlight."

Together, we approached Fei Ni, who was meticulously organizing her medical instruments. Seeing our approach, she raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.

Dropping to the floor with all the dramatic flair I could muster, I clasped my hands together. "Oh, great and benevolent healer, might this humble disciple bask in the glory of the sun's rays, if only for a brief moment?" I pleaded, laying it on thick.

Fei Ni's stern facade cracked, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Get up, you melodramatic child. Fine, you can go outside. But," she added, her tone firming, "if I hear you've overexerted yourself, it's straight back here. Understood?"

"Understood!" I chirped, practically leaping to my feet, buoyed by the prospect of feeling the sun on my face again.

"So, what's the grand plan? More book hunting?" Han Wei joked, his eyes glinting with mirth.

I shook my head, already feeling the gentle warmth of the sun calling to me. "Actually, I'm thinking of taking a little trip just outside the sect. There's some spirit moss I need to track down for the Healing Hydrosol quest."

Li Na's brows furrowed with concern. "That sounds like it could be strenuous. Need a hand or two?"

I appreciated their offer, their readiness to leap into another adventure, no questions asked. But this was something I needed to do on my own. "Thanks, but I'll be fine. I've got Tianyi and Windy for company," I reassured them, smiling at the thought of my two companions. "Don't want to drag you into more of my messes."

After a moment's hesitation, they acquiesced. "Alright, but don't do anything too crazy," Han Wei warned, only half-joking.

With farewells exchanged, I made my way to the guest quarters, a sense of purpose fueling my steps. I hoped Windy hadn't decided to embark on one of their impromptu hunting expeditions.

Upon entering the guest quarters, a heart-stopping sight greeted me. There, in the dimly lit corner of the room, lay what appeared to be the lifeless form of Windy. My breath hitched, and a cold dread settled in my stomach.

"No, Windy... please, no," I whispered, my voice barely audible, a mix of disbelief and despair washing over me. The idea that my adventurous little companion might have met an untimely end was too much to bear.

How could this have happened? I thought they were smart enough to open windows, and I even left it slightly ajar to avoid this exact scenario!

With a trembling hand, I reached out, the finality of the moment weighing heavily upon me. But as my fingers brushed against the supposed remains, a wave of confusion swept through me. The texture was all wrong; it was dry, brittle, and... hollow? My heart, which had plummeted to the depths of despair, began a cautious ascent back to hope.

In an instant, the grim atmosphere shattered as realization dawned upon me. It wasn't Windy, but their shed skin! Relief flooded through me, so intense it almost bordered on giddiness. I burst into laughter, the sound bouncing off the walls and filling the room with its absurdity.

Just then, from the shadowy recesses of the room, a familiar hiss and the gentle rustle of scales approached. Windy, very much alive and sporting a fresh, glossy coat of scales, slithered into view, their tongue flicking out as if amused by my dramatic display.

Cradled gently in their coils was the Wind Serpent beast core, its energy pulsating softly.

Relief washed over me, mixed with a burgeoning pride in Windy's growth. "Had me worried there for a second," I chided playfully, picking up the shed skin and examining it. "Looks like you're growing up fast, huh? Soon, we'll know if you're a little brother or sister."

Windy's response was a soft hiss, a sign of contentment as it uncoiled and slithered up to my uninjured shoulder. Oof, not a little hatchling anymore, I suppose. No matter! It'd be good to get a bit of physical activity before I fully heal.

With Tianyi fluttering by my side and Windy wrapped securely around my upper body, I stepped out into the sun, ready to embrace the day's challenges. The quest for the elusive spirit moss awaited, and with my companions at my side, I was ready to depart.

But first, I had to deal with the immediate challenge of navigating the sect's grounds with one good arm and a body still mending. "Let's take it slow, team. We've got moss to find."

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