Shi Ying sat in a meditative posture, continuing her process of absorbing vital energy into her body. Before her enrollment day, she had to diligently accelerate her cultivation progress.
Not only that, but she also had to train her body to become even stronger. Therefore, instead of training at the sect, she went into the forest to train.
The Mountain Architecture Sect emphasizes focusing on architectural construction, not simply building a house, but rather being experts in analyzing, conceptualizing, and designing the space for construction projects. They harmoniously combine art and science to realize people's spatial needs.
Furthermore, their architecture is also useful in the military, which is quite difficult to understand for some, but not everyone can take on that position. It's very dangerous because it involves surveying the land and being attacked by demons.
Therefore, they need privacy and intense concentration, so they must not be disturbed.
She remembered that her father always drew incomprehensible blueprints, knowing they were very important, and always reminding her not to touch them. That's why her father often went on business trips for several days at a time.
Thinking about how her father was always home for only a few days before leaving again, not spending time with the family, made Shi Ying angry. For her, family time was precious. Yet, on those days, her father was never home.
Shi Ying then violently whipped the iron wire against a nearby tree. A clear cut appeared on the trunk, but it wasn't deep enough, meaning it couldn't possibly kill the demon.
She was startled to see a pattern appear on her wrist, but quickly regained her composure. As a cultivator, she couldn't afford to lose control like that, as it would disrupt the flow of Qi within her.
"Hey little one, you're at it again." - Huli
The fox jumped onto her head and gently patted her forehead.
"I know, I'll remember." - Shi Ying
Seeing her slightly furrowed brow, the fox understood what her mistress was thinking.
"Little one, if you want to cultivate quickly, I have a way." - Huli
"Really?" - Shi Ying was surprised
"But it carries a high risk. This method only works for those with strong, resilient bodies. You're still young and a female, so it's very dangerous." - Huli
"Does that matter?" - Shi Ying
The fox's eyes widened in surprise. Her mistress's gaze became resolute, the kind of gaze one would use to achieve anything, yet it was now directed at a child.
Back at the sect, the disciples were practicing with materials to create a model of a small house. Shi Ying wasn't particularly interested in architectural drawing, so she was free to focus on her own work.
"Hey, you're getting in the way!"
A group of disciples were pushing a cart carrying a heavy iron block. Looking at the heavy iron block, half the disciples were pushing from behind while the other half were pulling the cart laboriously.
"Why do you all have to make things so difficult for each other?" - Shi Ying
"Is there a problem?"
"It's not just... Don't you have anyone who can use the metal element? Why do you have to push it yourselves?"
The disciples frowned, clearly annoyed. One of them approached her.
"Listen, kid, what could a mere child possibly understand? If that's what you say, then try it. Try moving this iron block to the middle of the yard."
"Alright, if I can do it, then you all have to do as I say."
Her gaze fell upon the iron block, and as she stared intently at it, Shi Ying extended her hands. The disciples, seeing a child, scoffed, immediately assuming she wouldn't be able to do it, or even cry, giving them something to tease.
However, they were disappointed. As Shi Ying moved her hands, the iron block shifted, beginning to bend and twist like a liquid instead of its previous solid state. She carefully lifted the molten iron in her hands and walked towards the center of the courtyard.
Those who were working stopped what they were doing and watched a small figure moving something that shouldn't have been able to move by a single person. Shi Ying pressed down lightly, and the molten iron returned to its original solid form. Someone tried to lift it, but couldn't.
"It's the same iron as before."
Hearing this, the disciples cheered and lifted her up, because at least they wouldn't have to carry the fuel anymore.
As agreed, the disciples led Shi Ying to the sect's library, carried her books, and then left. Looking at the thick stacks of books, Shi Ying sighed; after all, she had to read these things for her own cultivation.
Day after day, Shi Ying spent most of her time in the library cultivating, and in her free time, she helped the sect disciples. Otherwise, she played with her younger sister, Shi Cao. The child would occasionally sob in the middle of the night missing her parents, and Shi Ying would always lie beside her to comfort her.
Today, like any other day, Shi Ying was meditating when the fox lying on a nearby rock pricked up its ears as if catching a strange sound.
"Little one, you're about to reach a new level. It's time for me to take you there." - Huli
Hearing this, Shi Ying nodded. Finally, this stage had arrived, and she absolutely couldn't delay any longer. So, upon returning to the sect, Shi Ying entrusted Uncle Shu with the care of her younger sister, unsure of when she would return, as this journey was fraught with danger. But she would try to return as soon as possible, because now her little sister only had her as her sole remaining relative.
Hearing that her sister was about to leave, Shi Cao rushed forward and hugged her tightly, refusing to let go. The child cried loudly, tears and snot streaming down her small face.
"Don't go! Please, don't go!" - Shi Cao
"Sister, I'm sorry, but I have to go." - Shi Ying
"Why? Why do you have to leave? Aren't we safe already?" - Shi Cao
"Shi Cao, this is what I have to do. This place is safe, there are others protecting it, but I won't neglect my cultivation because of that. Suppose those demons attack later and we can't fight them off, then this place, no matter how safe, will collapse." - Shi Ying
"It's so unfair. Our parents are missing, our family is scattered. Now even you are leaving. If... if you..." - Shi Cao
She wrapped her arms tightly around the child, gently patting its small back.
"I know...that's why I have to go. If I'm strong enough, we can find our family again." - Shi Ying
The child snuggled deeper into her older sister's embrace, wanting to engrave this hug in her heart, knowing that once her older sister had made up her mind, there was no changing it.
Stepping out of the sect's gate, Shi Ying hugged her little sister once more and bowed to Uncle Shu.
Shi Ying walked alone on the path to a place that, according to Huli, would help her improve her spiritual roots.
Although she had set her goal, her journey wasn't very smooth. She had no mount, and couldn't use weapons or fly on her own, as her Qi flow was still disordered, only able to hover in the air.
After traveling a considerable distance, Shi Ying began to focus on her legs. If she couldn't fly completely, then running while flying would work.
Taking a deep breath, a few patterns gradually appeared on her body, and Shi Ying sped off at incredible speed. The fox in the bag poked its head out, astonished.
"You're smart, little one. You know how to turn a disadvantage into an advantage for yourself." - Huli
"It's nothing, just hold on tight!" - Shi Ying
Thanks to her enhanced reflexes and speed, she was moving much faster. Maintaining this speed, she would reach her destination sooner than expected.
*Boom!*
A loud explosion caught their attention in the sky. A black cloud and something falling—it seemed like a figure—were falling in the same direction she was running.
"What's going on?" - Shi Ying
"I don't know—Look ahead! Look ahead!" - Huli
As the fox shrieked, Shi Ying saw a sheer cliff ahead. She didn't have time to slow down and plunged straight off the cliff. Just then, the figure fell into Shi Ying's arms. In this situation, falling from such a height, she had to use her technique to protect all three of them.
Shi Ying immediately enveloped the figure in a ball of steel, falling straight into the river to avoid a strong impact.
After landing safely, the steel ball transformed into a small boat, drifting with the current. At this point, both of them could clearly see that the person who had fallen was a girl, covered in black dust.
Shi Ying reached out to check if the girl was still breathing, but suddenly the girl grabbed her hand, startling Shi Ying. The girl's eyes widened, bloodshot, and then she fainted.