Chapter 24: Body Tempering Minor Success

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Body Tempering Minor Success

"The Grand Elder’s disciple is quite sensible, but for us, Purple Bamboo Grass only serves to add a bit of flavor when brewing tea. If I had known you needed it now, I wouldn’t have turned all the mature Purple Bamboo Grass into tea leaves."

Inside the Bamboo Garden, Mo Xuan looked at the Purple Bamboo Grass placed casually in a box before him, feeling a bit wistful.

His relationship with the Grand Elder wasn’t particularly close, but there was no conflict either. For a long time, they had basically just stuck to their own duties with little interaction.

But by having his disciple deliver the Purple Bamboo Grass on account of the Spiritual Cuisine, it was obvious the other party supported more interaction between the younger generation.

"Since it was given to you, you should take it back. We have enough tea here. As for the Purple Bamboo Grass in the bamboo forest, you all can handle it yourselves."

Mo Xuan waved his hand. Purple Bamboo Grass was extremely useful for Body Tempering Realm Cultivators. In a Bamboo Garden with many disciples, there might not be enough to go around. However, in the back-mountain bamboo forest he had cultivated, the Purple Bamboo Grass that grew each month left a considerable surplus after his three disciples took what they needed for their practice, plenty to use as tea leaves.

Although the bamboo forest was now nominally split in two, the output of one half was still enough for the three of them to cultivate. Each person could get about fifteen stalks a month.

Unfortunately, one had to reach the Body Tempering Beginner stage to use Purple Bamboo Grass. Otherwise, the body couldn’t absorb its Spiritual Qi. Instead of advancing one’s Body Tempering, it would be a one-way trip to the afterlife.

"Thank you, Master."

Liu Chen agreed. ’He didn’t know if the Purple Bamboo Grass would be useful to him, but he could just try it when he got back. If it could improve his Body Tempering and grant Proficiency, he could trade Spiritual Cuisine for more Purple Bamboo Grass in the future. There was little Spiritual Cuisine on Purple Bamboo Peak, but there was no shortage of Purple Bamboo Grass. Though most of it probably wasn’t in the hands of Outer Disciples, his targets weren’t the Outer Disciples anyway.’

"Oh, right. This is the Lamp Burning Technique. It can be used to start fires."

While Liu Chen was still pondering, Mo Xuan took out a piece of paper with a Magic skill recorded on it and handed it over.

"Go on, now. Cultivate well."

Since his master had said so, Liu Chen didn’t stand on ceremony. He took the brand-new Magic skill and the three stalks of Purple Bamboo Grass back to his own Bamboo Garden.

’It’s about that time. I should get started on dinner.’

Liu Chen stored the Purple Bamboo Grass properly and glanced at the sky. He had saved a little time by not continuing to build his bamboo house, but Senior Brother Yang’s visit with the Purple Bamboo Grass had ended up consuming that time anyway.

Liu Chen’s schedule was still packed. He hadn’t even had time to claim ownership of the Inner Sect Disciple Token.

’But Master didn’t mention it, so it probably isn’t anything urgent. After I reach Body Tempering Minor Success tonight, my cultivation plan for tomorrow will change again. Maybe I’ll have time then.’

[Spirit Chef Proficiency +10]

Dinner was ready. As he watched his two junior sisters carry the meal out, Liu Chen glanced at the proficiency he’d gained. Even with Junior Sister Ye’s guidance on the cold-dressed Bamboo Shoots, he’d only earned this little.

Without her guidance, the gain would have been even smaller. Improving his Spirit Chef Skill was getting harder and harder. ’Perhaps even after I’ve drained Junior Sister Ye of all her knowledge, I still won’t reach the level of a Third Grade Spirit Chef.’

"Do you two junior sisters need hot water today?"

After dinner, Liu Chen asked the question. He had just learned the Lamp Burning Technique. Before he reached the Beginner level, it could only produce a single flame. It was useful for cooking and boiling water, but completely useless otherwise.

’Perhaps after reaching the Beginner level, I’ll be able to keep water boiling for a long time.’

"We’ll have to trouble you then, Senior Brother."

Ye Linglong was a little embarrassed. If her senior brother was willing to help, she would certainly love to take a bath every evening.

Ji Suyao was a beat slow to react, but she was clearly looking forward to it as well.

"It’s no trouble."

Liu Chen didn’t say much more. ’It’s all part of my cultivation, anyway.’

In the kitchen, Liu Chen used the Artifact Manipulation Technique to summon some dry bamboo, lit it with the Lamp Burning Technique, and then used the Artifact Manipulation Technique again to toss it into the stove.

In a certain moment, a dazed feeling washed over him. Liu Chen felt his control over his Spiritual Power had become a bit more precise. He could now try to use less Spiritual Power to manipulate larger objects.

[Artifact Manipulation Technique: Beginner, 0/500]

The Proficiency notification slowly materialized. Liu Chen smiled; he had also gained a good amount of Proficiency from just getting the Lamp Burning Technique. He could probably reach the Beginner level by tomorrow.

The Lamp Burning Technique was, at its core, just a way to start a fire. Cultivators were once Mortals themselves and needed light at night, so the Lamp Burning Technique came into being. However, these were all the most basic of Magic skills. They weren’t powerful in combat, and no one would bother cultivating them to the Perfection realm; they were merely transitional tools.

But for Liu Chen, even without deliberate practice, these commonly used Magic skills were bound to reach Perfection. Besides, his goal was to cultivate them to Perfection in the first place.

After delivering the hot water, Liu Chen returned to his own Bamboo Garden. Never mind practicing the neutered Withering Skill; he still needed to perform his Body Tempering two more times to complete his daily cultivation plan.

Liu Chen swallowed a stalk of Purple Bamboo Grass. A fresh aroma emanated from within him, as if a complete stalk of Purple Bamboo Grass was growing inside his body, releasing purple Spiritual Qi that permeated his entire being.

As the Body Tempering Technique activated, the purple Spiritual Qi was slowly absorbed by the bamboo shadow inscribed within his body, and a cool sensation swept through him.

Two hours later, the purple Spiritual Qi was depleted. As Liu Chen opened his eyes, the originally Bronze-colored illusion of a bamboo leaf instantly turned silver-white. Besides the color change, the leaf now looked more realistic, its internal veins clearly visible.

[Purple Bamboo Scripture Body Tempering Chapter Proficiency +50]

[Purple Bamboo Scripture Body Tempering Chapter: Minor Success, 10/1000]

The Proficiency notification appeared. Liu Chen gave it a glance before turning his attention to the fading, silver-white bamboo leaf illusion on his body. In a daze, he could see traces of purple flowing within the silver.

’Could it be that if I consume enough Purple Bamboo Grass, the bamboo leaf will eventually turn purple? If that’s true, then does that mean Ancestor Master Purple Bamboo...’

Liu Chen didn’t dare to think any further. He got up, lit three sticks of incense, and placed them as an offering in the southeast corner of the Bamboo Garden. That direction faced the stone statue of Ancestor Master Purple Bamboo; it was his way of apologizing.

’My last Body Tempering session for the day is a bust.’

Liu Chen cleaned himself up. Ever since he started building the bamboo house, his cultivation plan had been constantly interrupted by unexpected events. Now that the construction was temporarily on hold, he would have to properly plan a new cultivation log for tomorrow.

The night was silent. However, in another bamboo forest, Mo Xuan and Bai Qiulan were playing a game of Go, though it was clear that neither of their minds was on the board.

"He’s reached Body Tempering Minor Success."

Bai Qiulan spoke languidly. They had been paying close attention since it was Liu Chen’s first time using Purple Bamboo Grass, but after seeing the silver-white bamboo leaf illusion appear on his body, the two of them had lost all interest in their game.

"After cultivating for three years, it’s about time he reached Minor Success."

Mo Xuan took a deep breath as if he had just made a new decision. Reaching Body Tempering Minor Success in less than a month was simply unheard-of. He had to start making preparations.

"You were on Purple Bamboo Peak three years ago. Two and a half years ago, you just happened to be away."