Chapter 183 - 168: Resolving Karma, Beginning to Practice the Cultivation Technique
Chapter 183: Chapter 168: Resolving Karma, Beginning to Practice the Cultivation Technique
After Zhao Xiaoshu withdrew, Lu Zhao sat alone on the meditation cushion in the Quiet Chamber and recalled a promise from long ago.
Back when he was struggling to survive in the Zhou Family Marketplace, he had received the care and protection of the late Shopkeeper Zhou Kang on many occasions. Before Shopkeeper Zhou Kang went to his death, Lu Zhao had promised that if he ever succeeded in Foundation Establishment, he would certainly look after his grandson, Zhou Mo.
Now that he was a venerable Bixia Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was time to resolve this karmic bond. However, personally traveling to Changfeng County was clearly unrealistic. ’Fortunately, the Zhou Family is bound to have cultivators within the Bixia Sect. I just need to find one of them to pass on the message. With my current status, the Zhou Family will surely show me the proper respect.’
’But I still don’t know where to find a Zhou Family cultivator. Looks like I’ll have to pay a visit to Brother Chen.’ Having made up his mind, Lu Zhao rose, straightened his Daoist Robe, and headed straight for the Recruitment Bureau to find Chen Chumo.
After arriving at the Recruitment Bureau, Lu Zhao found Chen Chumo in a side hall, busy with documents. When Chen Chumo saw who it was, he put down his scroll. A warm smile spread across his face as he came forward to greet him. "Junior Brother Lu, what brings your esteemed self to the Recruitment Bureau? Have you finally decided to join us?"
Lu Zhao cupped his hands in greeting and got straight to the point. "Brother Chen, you jest. I’ve come to bother you today because I have something to ask. I’m looking for a cultivator in the Bixia Sect who comes from the Zhou Family of Changfeng County in Chen Country. You are widely knowledgeable, so I thought you might have heard of someone?"
Hearing that Lu Zhao hadn’t come to join the Recruitment Bureau, a flash of disappointment crossed Chen Chumo’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a look of contemplation. He tapped his knuckles on the desk for a moment. "The Zhou Family of Changfeng County? Hmm... let me think... Right! There’s an Inner Sect Steward in the Artifact Hall named Zhou Xianlu. He’s from the Zhou Family of Changfeng County. I remember he’s an expert in the art of Artifact Refining, with a very steady personality. If you need to ask a favor, Junior Brother, you should go to the Artifact Hall and find him."
Having received a clear lead, Lu Zhao felt more at ease. After thanking Chen Chumo, he turned, transformed into a faint shadow, and headed straight for the Artifact Hall.
The Artifact Hall was situated halfway up the mountain. Its main structure was built from heavy, dark-red Flame Heart Stone, the entire surface inscribed with Rune Array Patterns. Before he even got close, a wave of heat washed over him—a mixture of the scorching air from molten metal, the sulfurous smell of repeatedly fired ore, and the faint, dry heat of Spirit Fire. From deep within the hall, the intermittent, thunderous sound of metal being hammered echoed out.
A wave of heat rushed toward Lu Zhao as he approached, causing the hem of his Profound Daoist Robe to flutter. The moment he stepped through the hall doors, which were engraved with the totem of a giant furnace, a Late-stage Qi Cultivator quickly approached him. The cultivator wore a Steward Black Robe with flame patterns embroidered on his cuffs and spoke respectfully, "Greetings, Junior Master! This disciple is Li Yann, on duty in the Artifact Hall. To what do we owe the honor of your visit? Do you require a custom Magical Artifact, or do you wish to commission a search for Refining Materials?"
"Thank you, Junior Nephew." Lu Zhao gave a slight nod. "I’ve come looking for Brother Zhou Xianlu. Is he in the hall?"
"Oh, you’re looking for Junior Master Zhou!" Understanding dawned in Li Yann’s eyes. "Junior Master Zhou happens to be in the hall today, overseeing the creation of a batch of Magical Artifacts. If you would please wait a moment in the tea room in the right side hall, Junior Master, this disciple will go inform him at once." With that, he led Lu Zhao to an elegantly furnished tea room off to the side, one that muffled the surrounding noise, and served him Spirit Tea.
About an hour later, a middle-aged cultivator stepped in from the dimly lit entrance of the tea room. He wore the same Profound Inner Sect Steward Robe; his face was scholarly and gentle, yet his eyes revealed a calm and capable spirit.
Seeing Lu Zhao’s unfamiliar face, a questioning look flashed in his eyes. He cupped his hands and said, "I don’t believe we’ve met, Junior Brother. I am Zhou Xianlu. Greetings. May I ask why you were looking for me?"
Lu Zhao rose and returned the gesture. "Brother Zhou, I am Lu Zhao, a newly appointed Inner Sect Steward of the General Affairs Hall. Forgive my presumptuous visit today. To be frank, in my early years, while cultivating outside the Sect, I served as an Honored Guest Elder for the Zhou Family in Changfeng County. I was fortunate enough to receive the care and guidance of your family’s Shopkeeper Zhou Kang on many occasions, a kindness I have not forgotten."
"Shopkeeper Zhou entrusted me with a request: if I were ever fortunate enough to make some progress in my cultivation, he hoped I might look after his grandson, Zhou Mo. By the Sect’s grace, I have now humbly reached Foundation Establishment. However, I am tied up with Sect affairs and find it difficult to travel to Changfeng County personally."
"So today, I have brazenly come to ask if you, Brother Zhou, on account of our shared fellowship in the Sect, might pass a message to your family for me—just to have them look after that Zhou Mo a little. For this, consider me, Lu Zhao, indebted to your family." Lu Zhao spoke with sincerity, making the old connection clear.
After hearing this, Zhou Xianlu’s eyes lit up. A warm, friendly smile quickly spread across his face as he took a step forward. "Ah! So it’s you, Junior Brother Lu! I never imagined we shared such a connection! Forgive my earlier lack of respect!"
His smile grew more sincere. "Since it’s a request from an old friend, and you’re asking personally, Junior Brother, how could I possibly refuse such a small favor? Please rest assured. I will send word to the family shortly and explain the situation in detail. We will certainly make proper arrangements for Nephew Zhou Mo and ensure his well-being! As for being indebted..." He waved his hand dismissively, his smile warm. "We are brothers in the same Sect. There will be many opportunities to help each other in the future. There’s no need to speak of debts! You’re being too formal, Junior Brother!"
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries about affairs within the Bixia Sect, Artifact Refining, and other topics, imperceptibly closing the distance between them. Seeing that his goal was accomplished, Lu Zhao didn’t stay any longer and rose to take his leave.
After leaving the Artifact Hall, Lu Zhao made a trip to the General Affairs Hall to register Zhao Xiaoshu’s name and collect a Servant Token for him, which would allow him to move about the Sect. Afterward, he immediately headed to the Merit Hall—he needed to exchange for a batch of Tier One Spirit Water.
Arriving at the Merit Hall, Lu Zhao presented his Token and spent a considerable amount of the Merit he had accumulated over the past few years. He specifically exchanged it for a batch of Tier One Spirit Water with relatively placid attributes and gentle spirituality—the kind that wouldn’t violently interfere with the characteristics of his future Spirit Body.
These were precisely the resources he needed to cultivate the Qi Cultivation Chapter of the True Water Spirit Transformation Skill and condense the 1st and 2nd Layers of the Thousand Waters Spirit Body.
Leaving the Merit Hall, Lu Zhao took the dozen or so bottles of Spirit Water he had just acquired and returned to his newly obtained C-57 Cave Mansion.
The stone door of the cave mansion opened. Lu Zhao handed the Servant Token, which was engraved with the character for "servant," to Zhao Xiaoshu, who was already waiting nearby. "I am going into seclusion to switch my Main Cultivation Method. This seclusion will last one or two years at a minimum, and three to five years at most. During this time, no matter who comes to visit or for what reason, first ascertain their purpose and then turn them away. I will handle everything after I emerge."
Zhao Xiaoshu accepted the Token with both hands, tucking it away securely before bowing solemnly. "Rest assured, Senior! Little Shu understands! I will guard the entrance well and will not allow anyone to disturb your cultivation!" His expression was incredibly solemn.
Hearing this, Lu Zhao nodded slightly without another word. He turned and stepped into the depths of the Quiet Chamber, the heavy Profound Stone Chamber Door closing silently behind him, sealing the inside from the outside.
Once inside the Quiet Chamber, Lu Zhao raised his hand and formed a seal. The Cave Mansion’s innate Array instantly flared to life. Layer upon layer of light screens—some bright, some dim, all interwoven with the Spirit Light of Runes—enveloped the entire Quiet Chamber like a living cocoon.
When the Quiet Chamber had fallen completely silent, Lu Zhao sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion. He carefully placed the Jade Scroll for the True Water Spirit Transformation Skill on his lap. Then, he took the various Jade Bottles of Tier One Spirit Water he had acquired—each emitting the faint glow of a different Water Attribute—and arranged them neatly beside him in a specific, synergistic order.
He slowly inhaled a breath of cool Spiritual Qi, then just as slowly exhaled. The turbulence in his eyes subsided completely, leaving his gaze pure and focused.
’The True Water Spirit Transformation Skill... the Thousand Waters Spirit Body... The journey begins... today!’
With his mind unified, Lu Zhao’s Heart Spirit sank completely into the profound and esoteric mysteries of the Cultivation Technique. Thus began his first long period of seclusion after reaching Foundation Establishment.