Chapter 3: Yu (1)

Posted byYours TrulySeptember 28, 2023Posted inZanxing

The bead slipped into Zanxing’s body like dissipating smoke, leaving no trace behind.

Zanxing reached out and touched her chest, sensing a warm spot at the center of her heart. It felt like a stove radiating heat in winter, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all.

This was most likely the moment when the treasure acknowledged its new master.

In all the cultivation novels she had read, as soon as the protagonist’s drop of blood made contact with the treasure, the treasure would awaken its spiritual wisdom and form an unbreakable bond with its master. It would then become as loyal as the most devoted lover, opening the door to a new world alongside the protagonist.

This bead was no exception.

However, the most pressing matter at hand was figuring out how to leave this place.

In the original storyline, after the male protagonist obtained the Xiu Yuan Pearl, he went into seclusion underwater. It had been several years since Zanxing read that old novel, and she had delved into dozens of cultivation stories since. She had long forgotten the details of the plot. Nonetheless, the male lead had taken swift actions, with moments of “spiritual enlightenment” and a simple thought in his heart, advancing three levels in a row. It seemed that he had discovered the exit. But now… Zanxing glanced at her hand, and apart from the warm bead nestled at the core of her heart, nothing else seemed different.

She made an attempt to press her hand against the cave wall, concentrated her qi in her dantian1, and let out a “huff” as she struck the wall with her palm.

The wall crumbled, and two small grains of sand fell. Zanxing cried out in pain, looking at her palm, which had instantly turned red. She realized that she had overestimated the matter.

It seemed that novels were indeed deceiving; this path was not feasible.

She stood up, stayed quiet for a moment, and felt a faint cool breeze coming from somewhere ahead.

Wind?

The only source of light in this cave was overhead, with walls on all sides. Where was this breeze coming from?

Zanxing paused for a moment. She couldn’t be sure if it was due to the Xiu Yuan Pearl, but she felt the blowing wind gradually becoming more distinct, as if it had formed a long, continuous line. As long as she followed this line, she believed she could reach its source.

She stood up and slowly moved in the direction from which the wind was blowing, guided by this newfound breeze.

She ventured further into the darkness, losing track of time. Just when she believed this never-ending blackness would stretch into eternity, a glimmer of light suddenly pierced through. Unlike the distant, feeble light above her, this point of illumination was accompanied by the sound of flowing water.

Close by, on the cave wall, a thin crack appeared, just wide enough for a person to squeeze through. Zanxing hesitated briefly, then cautiously approached it. Instead of hastily crawling through, she pressed her body against the crack, peering outwards.

Before her lay an expansive, seemingly boundless cascade of water, with the distinct sound of a waterfall crashing into the pool. She raised her gaze, discerning the faint silhouette of a mountain peak. Zanxing felt a surge of joy. She didn’t care about the unscientific notion of water flowing through rocky crevices. Her mind was fixed on a single realization – the outside world was the stream, and once she exited this place, swimming against the current would bring her to the shore.

As she gingerly extended one leg through the opening, something abrupt appeared in the otherwise calm curtain of water. The anomaly wasn’t precisely large or small; it resembled a shapeless, amorphous mass, about the size of a cow but lacking a definite form. It seemed akin to the static on a television screen with no signal, yet it also bore resemblance to a swarm of countless black ants.

For someone with an intense fear of density, witnessing this sight would be instantly fatal.

Zanxing swiftly withdrew the leg she had extended outside and suddenly remembered that in the original story, the male protagonist had one last step to complete before reaching the shore—a step involving the killing of that damned monster.

Hidden within this watercourse was “Yu”, concealed beneath the tranquil waters.

“Yu”, also known as the Short-tailed Fox, had the ability to shoot sand at people. Those hit by its sand would experience sudden muscle tension, severe headaches, fever, and in severe cases, death. The idiom “shooting hidden arrows” originated from this creature. It had a penchant for lurking in the water, and no one had ever seen its true form clearly. Now, Zanxing had a clear view of it, but it looked like it had been pixelated, far from being a pleasant sight.

So, here was the problem: Did she, a delicate woman, really have to engage in hand-to-hand combat underwater with this pixelated mass? Moreover, this pixelated entity was a long-range mage. This wasn’t just a difficult level, it was hell mode!

Zanxing plopped down on the ground, suddenly feeling lost about what lay ahead.

Staying here might not pose an immediate danger, but she would eventually starve to death. She couldn’t survive on dirt, after all. Going outside meant confronting the pixelated threat with its sand-shooting abilities. This didn’t seem like a typical cultivation story, it felt more like a survival tale!

“Stay calm, Yang Zanxing,” she took a deep breath, forcing herself to recall the plot. The male protagonist, Mu Cengxiao, began his cultivation here after obtaining the Xiu Yuan Pearl. His constitution was unique; although he hadn’t initially broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, elemental energy had been accumulating within him over the years. The Xiu Yuan Pearl helped him break free from the constraints of his constitution, channeling years of stored elemental energy into his meridians. He instantly advanced several stages, from the initial Qi Refinement stage to the late Foundation Establishment stage, just one step away from the Golden Core stage.

After this level up, the male protagonist successfully defeated the monster and returned to the shore.

The prerequisite for killing the monster was having sufficient cultivation. Did she also need to cultivate here?

Zanxing still remembered from the original story that this female character, who shared her name, had very low cultivation. Her presence seemed to serve merely as a foil for Liu Yunxin’s kindness and tolerance and to solidify the enmity between the cannon fodder, Wang Shao and the male lead, Mu Cengxiao. The original narrative focused more on describing “Miss Yang’s” beauty and arrogance, portraying her as malicious, with cultivation being briefly mentioned.

It wasn’t likely she had an outstanding cultivation level.

However, the current “Miss Yang” had become Yang Zanxing. She was a corporate slave from modern society, and, to be honest, she hadn’t even attempted to work out, let alone cultivate. If you were to mention any kind of related physical activity, you’d have to go back to the Tai Chi exercises in her middle school physical education classes.

How did they cultivate in novels… Zanxing racked her brains for a while and finally sat up straight, trying to piece things together.

The first step should be meditation in seclusion… was it like this?

Sitting cross-legged with a relaxed body… After that, what was the second step… she didn’t know, but it seemed like yoga. Close your eyes, focus, empty your mind, and regulate your breathing.

Deep breath in, inhale, exhale—

Perhaps it was because she had been constantly on the move since arriving here, but as soon as Zanxing relaxed, she felt utterly exhausted. It was as if she might drift off into a deep slumber any moment. However, her demeanor gradually relaxed. She felt as if her entire body was floating in the air, exceptionally light. Despite being in a dry sand cave, it was as if water was flowing slowly over her body, just the right temperature. And the water flow had a rhythm, like fish gills, inhaling and exhaling air with each opening and closing.

With her eyes closed, Zanxing didn’t see it, but from her chest, a faint golden light emerged. From the watery curtain outside, numerous beams of light gradually appeared, resembling flowing water. It was as if they were drawn by the Xiu Yuan Pearl, passing through the cracks in the rocks and silently infiltrating Zanxing’s body as she meditated with her eyes closed.

If a cultivator were present, they would immediately recognize that in this short period, this girl, whose cultivation was initially inconsequential, had made a breakthrough from qi refinement to qi cultivation and was now on the verge of entering the foundation establishment stage.

Chapter 3: Yu1Posted byYours TrulySeptember 28, 2023Posted inZanxingThe bead slipped into Zanxing's body like dissipating smoke, leaving no trace behind.Zanxing reached out and touched her chest, sensing a warm spot at the center of her heart. It felt like a stove radiating heat in winter, but it wasn't uncomfortable at all.This was most likely the moment when the treasure acknowledged its new master.In all the cultivation novels she had read, as soon as the protagonist's drop of blood made contact with the treasure, the treasure would awaken its spiritual wisdom and form an unbreakable bond with its master. It would then become as loyal as the most devoted lover, opening the door to a new world alongside the protagonist.This bead was no exception.However, the most pressing matter at hand was figuring out how to leave this place.In the original storyline, after the male protagonist obtained the Xiu Yuan Pearl, he went into seclusion underwater. It had been several years since Zanxing read that old novel, and she had delved into dozens of cultivation stories since. She had long forgotten the details of the plot. Nonetheless, the male lead had taken swift actions, with moments of spiritual enlightenment and a simple thought in his heart, advancing three levels in a row. It seemed that he had discovered the exit. But now Zanxing glanced at her hand, and apart from the warm bead nestled at the core of her heart, nothing else seemed different.She made an attempt to press her hand against the cave wall, concentrated her qi in her dantian1, and let out a huff as she struck the wall with her palm.The wall crumbled, and two small grains of sand fell. Zanxing cried out in pain, looking at her palm, which had instantly turned red. She realized that she had overestimated the matter.It seemed that novels were indeed deceiving; this path was not feasible.She stood up, stayed quiet for a moment, and felt a faint cool breeze coming from somewhere ahead.Wind?The only source of light in this cave was overhead, with walls on all sides. Where was this breeze coming from?Zanxing paused for a moment. She couldn't be sure if it was due to the Xiu Yuan Pearl, but she felt the blowing wind gradually becoming more distinct, as if it had formed a long, continuous line. As long as she followed this line, she believed she could reach its source.She stood up and slowly moved in the direction from which the wind was blowing, guided by this newfound breeze.She ventured further into the darkness, losing track of time. Just when she believed this never-ending blackness would stretch into eternity, a glimmer of light suddenly pierced through. Unlike the distant, feeble light above her, this point of illumination was accompanied by the sound of flowing water.Close by, on the cave wall, a thin crack appeared, just wide enough for a person to squeeze through. Zanxing hesitated briefly, then cautiously approached it. Instead of hastily crawling through, she pressed her body against the crack, peering outwards.Before her lay an expansive, seemingly boundless cascade of water, with the distinct sound of a waterfall crashing into the pool. She raised her gaze, discerning the faint silhouette of a mountain peak. Zanxing felt a surge of joy. She didn't care about the unscientific notion of water flowing through rocky crevices. Her mind was fixed on a single realization the outside world was the stream, and once she exited this place, swimming against the current would bring her to the shore.As she gingerly extended one leg through the opening, something abrupt appeared in the otherwise calm curtain of water. The anomaly wasn't precisely large or small; it resembled a shapeless, amorphous mass, about the size of a cow but lacking a definite form. It seemed akin to the static on a television screen with no signal, yet it also bore resemblance to a swarm of countless black ants.For someone with an intense fear of density, witnessing this sight would be instantly fatal.Zanxing swiftly withdrew the leg she had extended outside and suddenly remembered that in the original story, the male protagonist had one last step to complete before reaching the shorea step involving the killing of that damned monster.Hidden within this watercourse was Yu, concealed beneath the tranquil waters.Yu, also known as the Short-tailed Fox, had the ability to shoot sand at people. Those hit by its sand would experience sudden muscle tension, severe headaches, fever, and in severe cases, death. The idiom shooting hidden arrows originated from this creature. It had a penchant for lurking in the water, and no one had ever seen its true form clearly. Now, Zanxing had a clear view of it, but it looked like it had been pixelated, far from being a pleasant sight.So, here was the problem: Did she, a delicate woman, really have to engage in hand-to-hand combat underwater with this pixelated mass? Moreover, this pixelated entity was a long-range mage. This wasn't just a difficult level, it was hell mode!Zanxing plopped down on the ground, suddenly feeling lost about what lay ahead.Staying here might not pose an immediate danger, but she would eventually starve to death. She couldn't survive on dirt, after all. Going outside meant confronting the pixelated threat with its sand-shooting abilities. This didn't seem like a typical cultivation story, it felt more like a survival tale!Stay calm, Yang Zanxing, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to recall the plot. The male protagonist, Mu Cengxiao, began his cultivation here after obtaining the Xiu Yuan Pearl. His constitution was unique; although he hadn't initially broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, elemental energy had been accumulating within him over the years. The Xiu Yuan Pearl helped him break free from the constraints of his constitution, channeling years of stored elemental energy into his meridians. He instantly advanced several stages, from the initial Qi Refinement stage to the late Foundation Establishment stage, just one step away from the Golden Core stage.After this level up, the male protagonist successfully defeated the monster and returned to the shore.The prerequisite for killing the monster was having sufficient cultivation. Did she also need to cultivate here?Zanxing still remembered from the original story that this female character, who shared her name, had very low cultivation. Her presence seemed to serve merely as a foil for Liu Yunxin's kindness and tolerance and to solidify the enmity between the cannon fodder, Wang Shao and the male lead, Mu Cengxiao. The original narrative focused more on describing Miss Yang's beauty and arrogance, portraying her as malicious, with cultivation being briefly mentioned.It wasn't likely she had an outstanding cultivation level.However, the current Miss Yang had become Yang Zanxing. She was a corporate slave from modern society, and, to be honest, she hadn't even attempted to work out, let alone cultivate. If you were to mention any kind of related physical activity, you'd have to go back to the Tai Chi exercises in her middle school physical education classes.How did they cultivate in novels Zanxing racked her brains for a while and finally sat up straight, trying to piece things together.The first step should be meditation in seclusion was it like this?Sitting cross-legged with a relaxed body After that, what was the second step she didn't know, but it seemed like yoga. Close your eyes, focus, empty your mind, and regulate your breathing.Deep breath in, inhale, exhalePerhaps it was because she had been constantly on the move since arriving here, but as soon as Zanxing relaxed, she felt utterly exhausted. It was as if she might drift off into a deep slumber any moment. However, her demeanor gradually relaxed. She felt as if her entire body was floating in the air, exceptionally light. Despite being in a dry sand cave, it was as if water was flowing slowly over her body, just the right temperature. And the water flow had a rhythm, like fish gills, inhaling and exhaling air with each opening and closing.With her eyes closed, Zanxing didn't see it, but from her chest, a faint golden light emerged. From the watery curtain outside, numerous beams of light gradually appeared, resembling flowing water. It was as if they were drawn by the Xiu Yuan Pearl, passing through the cracks in the rocks and silently infiltrating Zanxing's body as she meditated with her eyes closed.If a cultivator were present, they would immediately recognize that in this short period, this girl, whose cultivation was initially inconsequential, had made a breakthrough from qi refinement to qi cultivation and was now on the verge of entering the foundation establishment stage.Dantian dntin literally translates as CinnabarField or Elixir Field. Refers to the region in the body where a person'sQiis concentrated.