Morning light spilled across the Li Family estate, painting the elegant structures in hues of gold and amber.
Dew still clung to the grass and flower petals, sparkling like scattered diamonds in the early sunlight. Birds called to one another from the ancient trees that dotted the grounds, their melodies creating a natural symphony that complemented the serene atmosphere.
In the heart of the estate lay the Vast Garden, a masterpiece of landscape design that showcased the Li Family's refined aesthetic sensibilities.
Carefully arranged flower beds created waves of color that flowed around ornamental rocks and meticulously pruned shrubs. Stone pathways wound through the garden like rivers, leading visitors on a journey of continually unfolding beauty.
At the center of this natural splendor stood a gazebo of exquisite craftsmanship. Its eight sides represented the eight trigrams of fortune, while its upturned eaves mimicked the graceful wings of a phoenix in flight. The structure was positioned to capture the most favorable views of the garden while providing shelter from both sun and rain.
It was here that Li Meixia had chosen to begin her day, seated at a small table with a porcelain tea set before her. Her white robes, pristine as always, contrasted with the vibrant colors of the surrounding flowers.
Her long black hair was arranged in a simple yet elegant style, secured with jade pins that caught the morning light.
In her hands, she held a scroll—the Heart Calming Sutra, an ancient text designed to center the mind and prepare it for the rigors of cultivation.
Her eyes moved across the characters with practiced ease, her expression one of serene concentration as she absorbed the wisdom contained within.
Occasionally, she would pause in her reading to take a sip of tea, the fragrant steam rising from the delicate cup adding another layer to the sensory perfection of the moment. The tea was a rare white variety, harvested only during specific days of early spring and processed with extraordinary care to preserve its subtle flavors.
So absorbed was she in this morning ritual that she did not immediately notice the approach of Wudi Egun. His footsteps were nearly silent on the stone path, his movements as measured and deliberate as they had been during the previous night's alchemical demonstration.
When she finally sensed his presence and looked up, genuine surprise flickered across her features.
"Master Wudi," she greeted him, setting aside her scroll. "I did not expect company so early. Have you been exploring the grounds?"
Wudi Egun inclined his head slightly in greeting.
"The morning was too beautiful to waste in sleep," he replied, his voice carrying that same measured cadence that somehow suggested deeper meanings beneath simple words. "And I find gardens particularly conducive to clear thinking."
"Then we share a preference," Li Meixia said with a smile, gesturing to the empty chair across from her. "Please, join me if you wish. The view from this gazebo is especially pleasant at this hour."
"You are most kind," he responded, taking the offered seat with the same quiet dignity that characterized all his movements.
Li Meixia reached for the teapot, its surface adorned with hand-painted plum blossoms. "Would you care for tea? This is Snow Petal White, from the high mountains of the eastern province."
"I would be honored," Wudi Egun replied, watching as she poured the pale liquid into a fresh cup with practiced grace.
The tea ceremony, though informal, was performed with the precision that marked all of Li Meixia's actions.
Each movement flowed into the next with elegant efficiency—the slight tilt of the pot to prevent dripping, the perfect distance from which the tea was poured to create the ideal temperature, the respectful manner in which the cup was presented.
Wudi Egun accepted the cup with both hands, the gesture acknowledging the respect with which it was offered. He inhaled the delicate aroma before taking a small sip, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts.
"The tea is excellent," he commented after a moment. "The water from your family's spring complements it perfectly."
Li Meixia's eyebrows rose slightly at his observation. "You have a discerning palate, Master Wudi. Few would notice the specific character of the water used."
"Details often reveal more than grand gestures," he replied with that enigmatic half-smile that had become his signature expression.
They sat in companionable silence for several moments, each sipping their tea while observing the garden.
A gentle breeze stirred the flowers, sending waves of color rippling across the carefully arranged beds. In the distance, servants could be seen going about their morning duties, their movements adding a human element to the natural tableau.
After finishing half his tea, Wudi Egun reached into his robe and withdrew a small wooden box. The container was unassuming—simple dark wood with no ornamentation—yet the care with which he handled it suggested its contents were anything but ordinary.
"I realized this morning that I neglected to give you something," he said, placing the box on the table between them. "A small token of appreciation for your family's hospitality."
Li Meixia regarded the box with curious eyes. "You have already honored us with your presence and your remarkable demonstration last night. No further gifts are necessary."
"Nevertheless," Wudi Egun insisted gently, sliding the box closer to her.
With graceful fingers, Li Meixia lifted the lid. Her eyes widened as she beheld the contents—the Nine-Revolution Heart Pill, still pulsing with that hypnotic rhythm that mimicked a heartbeat. In the morning light, its ruby-red surface seemed to glow from within, the golden threads spiraling across its surface catching the sunlight like strands of precious metal.
"Master Wudi," she breathed, genuine astonishment in her voice. "This is... I cannot accept such a valuable gift. The pill you created should remain with you—it is the product of your extraordinary skill."
Wudi Egun made a dismissive gesture, though the movement somehow remained elegant rather than brusque. "I have no personal use for it at present. My cultivation path does not require such assistance."
He paused, his dark eyes meeting hers directly. "Besides, I find it more satisfying to know it will be appreciated by someone who truly understands its value."
The implication was clear—this was not merely a gift but a recognition of her knowledge and discernment. Such acknowledgment from one of his demonstrated abilities carried significant weight.
Li Meixia hesitated a moment longer, then inclined her head in acceptance. "Then I shall treasure it, both for its intrinsic value and as a reminder of an extraordinary evening."
With careful movements, she closed the box and set it aside, her expression thoughtful. "Though I must admit to curiosity about your cultivation path, if not even a Nine-Revolution Heart Pill would be of use to you."
"My path is... unconventional," Wudi Egun replied, his tone suggesting this was a significant understatement. "Which brings me to a matter I hoped to discuss with you."
Li Meixia's expression shifted subtly, her curiosity giving way to attentive interest. "I am at your disposal, Master Wudi."
Reaching once more into his robe, Wudi Egun withdrew a folded piece of paper. Unlike the wooden box, this was clearly not intended as a gift but rather as a subject for discussion. He unfolded it carefully before placing it on the table between them.
"I find myself in need of certain materials," he explained as Li Meixia leaned forward to examine the list. "Some are quite rare, I understand, but essential for my purposes."
Li Meixia's eyes moved down the list, her expression growing increasingly troubled with each item she read. "Abyssal Grass... Devil's Blood... Deadman Plant... Evil Spirit Heart..." Her voice faltered slightly before she read the final item. "And the bone of a Demon."
She looked up, her composure momentarily shaken. "Master Wudi, these are not merely rare ingredients. They are..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "They are associated with practices that many would consider problematic."
Indeed, each item on the list was notorious in cultivation circles. Abyssal Grass grew only in places where massacres had occurred, nourished by the lingering resentment of violent deaths. Devil's Blood was harvested from creatures that fed exclusively on negative emotions. Deadman Plant required human corpses as fertilizer to reach maturity. Evil Spirit Heart could only be obtained by capturing and killing malevolent entities that had once been human souls.
And the bone of a Demon—that was perhaps the most troubling of all. Demons were not merely powerful creatures but beings from another realm entirely, separated from the Sacred Vein World by the Heavenly Barrier. Their very existence was antithetical to the natural order of this world, their power derived from devouring souls and harvesting lives.
"May I ask what purpose these materials would serve?" Li Meixia inquired, her tone carefully neutral despite her evident concern.
Wudi Egun met her gaze steadily, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts. "They are necessary components for my cultivation method."
The directness of his answer seemed to surprise her. She had clearly expected evasion or perhaps a more palatable explanation. His honesty, while unsettling, also suggested a level of trust that was not insignificant.
"You intend to use a Demon Mantra as your foundation?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper despite the privacy of their location.
The question touched on fundamental aspects of cultivation that were universally understood throughout the Sacred Vein World.
Every cultivator required a Foundation Mantra to begin their journey—a set of techniques and principles that would shape their development and determine the path they would follow.
These Mantras came in many forms, each associated with different origins and philosophies.
Divine Mantras were said to derive from observations of the Divine Race, emphasizing purity and righteousness.
Heavenly Mantras focused on harmony with natural laws.
Immortal Mantras sought transcendence through understanding the fundamental principles of existence.
But there were darker paths as well. Demon Mantras, Evil Mantras, and other sinister variations were collectively known as the Path of Darkness. They offered power—often more rapidly than their righteous counterparts—but at costs that many considered too high.
Practitioners of such methods were viewed with suspicion at best and outright hostility at worst.
Wudi Egun did not hesitate in his response. "Yes. The Demon Mantra suits my purposes best."
What he did not reveal was the full truth—that he intended no Mantra at all in the conventional sense. His true goal was the Body Modification Sutra, an even more forbidden technique that would transform his very essence into something no longer human. The ingredients he sought were not for cultivation but for metamorphosis—a complete rebirth into a form with the inherent advantages of demonkind.
Li Meixia's expression shifted through several emotions—concern, disappointment, and finally a resigned acceptance. "There are other paths, Master Wudi. Paths that would not mark you as... controversial in the eyes of other cultivators."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice earnest. "Our family possesses several excellent Mantras that have produced powerful cultivators for generations. I would be willing to provide one to you, if you would consider an alternative approach."
Wudi Egun shook his head, the movement gentle but definitive. "I appreciate your concern and your generosity, Young Lady Li. But my path was chosen long ago, after careful consideration of all alternatives."
His voice carried such quiet certainty that it was clear further discussion would be futile. This was not a decision made in haste or ignorance, but a calculated choice based on priorities that she could not fully understand.
Li Meixia sighed softly, recognizing the immovability in his position. "Very well. I cannot claim to approve, but I respect your right to choose your own path."
She glanced down at the list once more, her practical nature asserting itself now that the philosophical discussion had reached its conclusion. "Regarding these ingredients... I believe I can arrange for most of them, given sufficient time. The first four, while rare and somewhat unsavory to obtain, are not beyond the reach of our family's connections."
Her finger tapped the final item on the list. "But the bone of a Demon... that is another matter entirely. The Heavenly Barrier has held for ten thousand years. Demons do not walk freely in our world, and those few that have somehow crossed over have been hunted down and completely destroyed by the major sects."
Wudi Egun nodded, having anticipated this difficulty. "Where might one find such a relic, if it exists at all in this world?"
Li Meixia's brow furrowed in thought, her extensive knowledge of rare treasures and artifacts coming to the fore.
"There is one possibility," she said after a moment of consideration. "The Ghost City in the southern lands."
"Ghost City?" Wudi Egun prompted, his interest evident despite his measured tone.
"A place where the boundary between worlds is said to be thinner," Li Meixia explained. "Not thin enough for large-scale crossings, but enough that artifacts and occasionally beings from other realms have appeared there throughout history. It's a lawless place, controlled by neither sects nor families, where forbidden items are bought and sold away from righteous eyes."
"How long would it take to reach this Ghost City?" Wudi Egun asked, his mind already calculating possibilities.
"From Qinghe? Approximately half a year of travel," she replied. "The southern lands are distant, and the routes are not always safe or direct."
Wudi Egun fell silent, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts as he considered this information. Half a year was a significant delay in his plans, yet the ingredient was essential. There were no acceptable substitutes for what he intended.
"Then I must thank you for your hospitality and take my leave," he finally said, his decision made. "I will journey to this Ghost City and return once I have obtained what I seek."
Li Meixia's eyes widened slightly at his abrupt conclusion. "You intend to depart immediately?"
"There seems little reason to delay," he replied with practical logic. "The sooner I begin, the sooner I can return to continue my work here."
"Then I shall accompany you," Li Meixia stated, the declaration as unexpected as it was definitive.
Wudi Egun's brow furrowed slightly—the first crack in his composed facade since their conversation began. "That would be unnecessary. Surely your responsibilities here—"
"Can be managed in my absence," she completed smoothly. "My cousin Li Meiyun is fully capable of overseeing our business interests temporarily, and my uncle would not object to my pursuing valuable connections and knowledge."
The real reasons for her offer remained unspoken but hung in the air between them. Curiosity about this mysterious alchemist. Attraction to his extraordinary abilities and enigmatic persona. Perhaps even concern about his chosen path and a hope that continued association might influence him toward less controversial methods.
Wudi Egun studied her for a long moment, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of her company. Her presence would provide legitimacy and access that would be valuable during their journey. Her knowledge of the wider world would complement his own specialized expertise. And her growing attachment to him could be leveraged in various ways as his plans progressed.
Against these benefits, he had to consider the potential complications of traveling with someone so observant and intelligent. His facade would need to be maintained continuously, with fewer opportunities for private reflection and planning.
"Are you certain this would be appropriate?" he asked, his tone suggesting concern for her reputation rather than reluctance for her company. "The journey will be long, and not without dangers."
"I am not without resources or abilities of my own," she reminded him with a subtle smile. "And propriety can be maintained with proper arrangements. We would travel with servants and guards, of course."
Wudi Egun inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the practicality of her suggestion. "If you are determined, then I would welcome your company and guidance."
"Excellent," Li Meixia replied, her decision clearly made. "We should depart soon, while the weather remains favorable for travel. Perhaps after the evening meal? That would give me sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements."
"After dinner, then," Wudi Egun agreed, finishing the last of his now-cool tea.
As they continued their conversation, discussing practical matters of the journey ahead, neither fully revealed their true motivations. Li Meixia did not speak of her growing fascination with this enigmatic man, nor of her hope that prolonged exposure to her influence might steer him from darker paths. And Wudi Egun certainly did not reveal the cold calculation behind his acceptance of her company—the recognition of her value as both shield and tool in his greater ambitions.
The morning sun continued its ascent, casting shorter shadows across the Vast Garden as the day progressed. Birds sang, flowers bloomed, and servants went about their duties—all unaware that plans were being made that would ripple outward with consequences none could foresee.