SWDnovel Chapter 36 Longevity Wine
Chapter 36 Longevity Wine
"Sure."
Qi Xueyi smiled and said, her eyes curving into crescents.
"My husband, I can teach you anything you want to learn. But—"
She abruptly changed the subject, her smile fading slightly, replaced by a sullen expression. She turned her head away, leaving Fang Shi with only her round profile. "Will you, my husband, just tease me like before? If this continues, I'll really get angry and won't teach you anymore."
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
Fang Shi looked at the two lines of text on the panel, but he was not flustered at all.
I've now accumulated 56 points in the Minor Concealment Technique, so even if it drops a few times, I can still hold on.
He was about to say a few words to coax her—after all, he had practiced the Minor Concealment Technique for so many days and spent so many days in the illusion, it couldn't all be for nothing.
We have to earn something back eventually.
Before she could finish speaking, Qi Xueyi turned back, her cheeks already puffed out, and said, "I was just kidding. How could I ignore my husband?"
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
……
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
[Minor Breath Concealment Technique (Beginner): 26/100]
Fang Shi shook his head, took a deep breath, and restored the reduced Minor Concealment Technique to 56 points.
It's really toxic—the omnipresent interference in this illusion is like a leech in the water, sneaking in without warning and stuffing in a bunch of messy thoughts.
Seeing him shake his head, Qi Xueyi pouted again and said, "Husband, why are you shaking your head? Are you teasing me again? Xueyi is really angry!"
Fang Shi hurriedly said, "No, no, I just remembered that there were still a few nodes in the Spirit Locking Array that I hadn't figured out, and I got distracted for a moment."
He made up an excuse on the spot, but secretly he was in a bad mood.
Qi Xueyi was obedient and gentle as a spring breeze in March during the day. Her sense of entitlement and her omnipresent nature were like air, truly threatening one's life.
Fang Shi said, "Then explain the Lesser Water Cloud Technique to me."
Qi Xueyi asked, "The Lesser Water Cloud Technique? Not the Heavenly True Water Technique?"
Fang Shi thought to himself, if my Minor Concealment Technique were a bit higher, it wouldn't hurt to ask.
But he wasn't quite that advanced, so he said, "No, I'm afraid I can't understand the Heavenly One True Water Technique. Could you explain the key points of the Lesser Water Cloud Technique? For example, when circulating Qi, how does the water-based power transfer from the Dantian to the Taiyin Lung Meridian, and how does it gather at the Tanzhong point...?"
Before he could finish speaking, a dark figure pounced on him.
Fang Shi was instinctively startled, but did not sense any danger.
He was still holding a rice bowl in his hand, afraid of spilling it, so he didn't dare to reach out to stop it. He could only open his arms and lift the bowl high, leaving his entire embrace wide open.
Qi Xueyi then threw herself into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Fang Shi had long since gotten used to Qi Xueyi's various abrupt actions—hugs at night, holding hands during the day, or suddenly jumping out from behind to hug his arm—so he didn't pay any attention at first.
He even steadied the bowl in his hand, thinking that he shouldn't spill the rice, as these green sprout rice grains were very precious.
However, this time is different.
This time, her face was too close.
He was so close he could even see her eyelashes—235 on the left, 264 on the right, all trembling slightly. Her eyes were wide open, the dark pupils reflecting the setting sun, and also his face.
It was only at this moment that Fang Shi suddenly realized that even when she held him while he slept at night, he had never seen her face so clearly.
Or rather, the careful observations of the past were merely a meticulous examination of anomalies, much like examining a high-resolution still photograph.
It is completely different from every tiny detail and every minute movement of today.
That kind of genuine feeling is like going to school and deliberately taking a longer route just to catch a glimpse of you, even if it's pouring rain outside, just to be there on time and witness the moment you walk into the classroom.
"you……"
Fang Shi could no longer speak. The softness on his lips reminded him of the glutinous rice cake he had eaten in his past life, which was fragrant and sweet, a world apart from the white rice and pickled vegetables he had only eaten in this life.
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
……
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
-----------------
Inside the stone house of the spiritual vein, Fang Shi sat cross-legged on a futon, his eyes slightly closed, his mind sinking into his dantian.
The Lesser Water Cloud Technique slowly circulated, and spiritual energy flowed along the twelve meridians, circle after circle, as gentle as spring water and as dense as a thin mist.
But for some reason, he felt restless and agitated today, and the magical power circulating through his meridians seemed to be dissipating.
The effect was even more pronounced when the energy flowed through the Xinmu acupoint. The originally cool and refreshing spiritual energy of the "Little Water Cloud Technique" became slightly hot, like boiling water, as if something was pushing outwards from within, making his chest feel uneasy.
Fang Shi took a deep breath, suppressed those distracting thoughts, and focused his mind again.
But the burning sensation did not subside; instead, it spread along the meridians, from the heart to the chest, from the chest to the throat, and from the throat to the root of the tongue—saliva inexplicably appeared in the mouth, sweet and clear like spring water, which could not be swallowed all at once.
Fang Shi's heart stirred, and he suddenly remembered a Buddhist scripture he had read in his previous life—
"Because of various attachments, delusions arise; when these attachments accumulate without ceasing, they can generate the waters of desire."
Love and attachment, delusional emotions, and the accumulation of these emotions can generate the waters of love.
Isn't the constant flow of saliva from his mouth "love water"?
But does he have feelings and love?
That was merely information from the turbid air, which was stuffed into his brain out of thin air, allowing him to experience emotions he shouldn't have experienced.
He wasn't the kind of patient who escaped from a mental hospital.
He can tell the difference.
hum!
The spiritual energy in the Xinmu acupoint suddenly surged, as if it had been ignited by something.
The burning sensation seemed to have found its anchor, spreading out along a path it had never taken before.
Starting from the Tanzhong point, it descends, passes through the Zhongwan and Xiawan points, goes through the Shuifen point, bypasses the main trunk of the Ren meridian, and enters the first superficial meridian on the left side of the Dantian—that is the path that the Minor Breath-Converging Technique used to take.
This time, however, the spiritual energy of the Little Water Cloud Technique passed through, widening the floating network by three points.
Then, passing through Qihai, Shimen, and Guanyuan, it turns into an even deeper floating network.
He had never seen that floating net before; it was so narrow that it was almost non-existent. Yet, when spiritual energy squeezed in, there was not a trace of stagnation. Instead, it was as smooth as returning home, incredibly so.
Then the spiritual energy ascended along that floating network, passing through Yin Jiao, Shen Que, and Zhong Ji. Each acupoint seemed to have been opened in advance, with the doors wide open, allowing the spiritual energy to flow freely.
[Small Water Cloud Technique Proficiency +1]
[Small Water Cloud Technique Proficiency +1]
……
[Small Water Cloud Technique Proficiency +1]
【Small Water Cloud Technique (Proficient): 83/200】
[Refining Level 2 +1]
[Second Level of Spirit Refinement: 77/200]
……
The half-hour period ended.
Fang Shi slowly opened his eyes, stood up, pushed open the door of the stone house, walked out of the spiritual vein, and returned the wooden plaque to the Daoist boy.
At the same time, Zhao Hu emerged from the stone house next door, performing the exact same action, and then the two went home together.
Halfway there, Zhao Hu spoke first: "Brother Fang, why didn't you and Sister-in-law Qi come with you today? Did you two have a fight?"
Fang Shi asked, "Why do you think so?"
Zhao Hu said, "Is that even a question? You two are always inseparable, coming to the spiritual vein together, leaving together, even collecting your rations side by side. Today you're all alone, and there's no sign of Sister Qi. What else could it be but a fight?"
He chuckled twice and said, "What couple doesn't bicker every time they live together? Brother Fang, let me tell you, Sister-in-law Qi may seem gentle, but she's stubborn to the core. You should be more accommodating to her and not confront her directly. Women are easy to coax."
Fang Shi said, "But the relationship between people is not like that of form and shadow."
Zhao Hu said, "Brother Fang, that's not how it works. We rogue cultivators are inherently alone; only with companions to support each other can we go far. Look at those mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators in Peach Garden Town—weren't they all supported by their parents generation after generation? Our generation may not be successful, but there's always the next generation. As long as the next generation is ambitious and enters the Three Plates Temple, if a celestial being emerges in the future and can pull you out of reincarnation, wouldn't that be like elevating your entire family to heaven?"
This is a tacitly understood thought among the independent cultivators here.
Supporting one's children is not only for bringing honor to one's ancestors, but also for hoping that one of one's descendants will become an enlightened immortal with supernatural powers, who can save the ancestors from the cycle of reincarnation.
Zhao Hu continued, "If you think she's too close, then you're wrong. Sister Qi is so good to you; she cooks, does the laundry, and even keeps you company while you work. Where else can you find someone so good? Take my advice: go back, apologize, and make up with her. Don't let such a small thing ruin your relationship. Unlike me, I still have to go back and figure out my cultivation technique on my own. Don't rush back; think about it carefully here now."
After saying that, Zhao Hu turned and left, his steps light and quick, disappearing around the street corner in no time.
Fang Shi stood there, watching Zhao Hu's departing figure, thinking to himself: "To work so hard even in an illusion, he truly has the persona of diligence and perseverance. But he's not like me; without a progress bar to track his progress, this arduous training is ultimately just an illusion."
and many more!
Fang Shi suddenly looked at the panel—
[Second Level of Spirit Refinement: 77/200]
If you say that a technique can be memorized, and you become proficient at it once you've memorized it, then cultivation cannot be memorized!
This is when Qi Xueyi met him for seven days.
His cultivation level genuinely increased from 69 to 77, which means—
He wasn't hallucinating...
……
When Fang Shi returned to the tent, the night was already as dark as ink.
The light from the Bright Light Talisman illuminated a small area around the stove as bright as day, and Qi Xueyi stood in that light, bending down to tidy up the dishes.
She wore a pale yellow shirt with a few light blue flowers embroidered on the collar, and the sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, revealing a section of her fair and plump forearm.
The night wind blew through the ruins, causing a few strands of hair at her temples to flutter slightly, casting dappled shadows in the bright light.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up.
The light fell directly on her face, illuminating her features in every detail.
Her cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, whether from the light or something else, like the pale pink on a peach blossom in March.
"My husband is back."
She lowered her head, her voice softer than usual.
Fang Shi approached, looked at her fair face, and suddenly asked, "Are you real or fake?"
Qi Xueyi was taken aback, looked up, and a layer of unease appeared in her eyes. She asked, "What's real? What's fake?"
Fang Shi wanted to ask again—since we are husband and wife, why are you shy about kissing? Why, in those seven days, apart from hugging and holding hands, did we never have any intimacy in bed? But the words stuck in his throat.
He then thought: if it's true, then these things are obviously not important. And if it's true, then the current situation at Sanpanguan is definitely very problematic.
When did the problems start?
It must have started from the moment the earth's veins exploded and black energy surged out.
The so-called turbid air is probably not as simple as the people of Sanpanguan say, which claim it is merely an illusion.
Qi Xueyi gritted her teeth, her unease quickly turning into determination, and said, "I just didn't want you to remain at the second level of Qi Refining forever, which is why I did what I did that day. But my feelings were also sincere. Without the Heavenly One True Water Technique, you can't obtain the 'Longevity Wine,' nor can you achieve Foundation Establishment. In the future..."
Fang Shi interrupted her, saying, "You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time. Please teach me the Little Water Cloud Technique."
Qi Xueyi looked at him and finally said, "Alright... Water, by its very nature, flows downwards and is gentle in its application. Its movement originates in the dantian, emerges from the dantian, ascends along the Ren meridian, and divides at the Tanzhong point. One portion enters the Taiyin Lung meridian, transforming into clouds that circulate throughout the body; the other travels along the Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian, returning to the sea and becoming true water once more. Thus, clouds rise and rain falls, water returns and clouds return, endlessly cycling, generating life without ceasing..."
[Small Water Cloud Technique Proficiency +1]
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
[Small Water Cloud Technique Proficiency +1]
[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency -1]
……
Seven days from now.
During the day, Fang Shi went to the construction site to repair the spirit-locking array. After finishing her work, Qi Xueyi sat to the side, resting her chin on her hand, quietly watching Fang Shi perform hand seals to repair the array. Occasionally, she would point out one or two key points: "Husband, that array pivot is slightly off, and the spiritual energy is misdirected."
Fang Shi adjusted the settings as instructed, and sure enough, his spiritual energy became even and stable, saving him a great deal of effort.
[Spirit Locking Array Proficiency +1]
【Spirit Locking Array (Proficient): 57/200】
After finishing her work, it was time for her to instruct Fang Shi on how to cultivate the Lesser Water Cloud Technique.
Strangely enough, this Qi Xueyi, whose origins are unknown, not only possesses profound cultivation, but also has an astonishingly thorough understanding of the Lesser Water Cloud Technique.
Fang Shi originally thought that he would let her, with her superior cultivation, give him a few general pointers and that would be fine.
Unexpectedly, she knew every step of this technique like the back of her hand, as if she herself were practicing the Little Water Cloud Technique.
"Husband, you did something wrong here. The power of water should flow from the dantian into the Taiyin Lung Meridian, not rushing straight through, but following the texture of the floating meridian like a stream winding around a stone. You were too hasty just now, and the spiritual energy hit the entrance of the Lung Meridian and bounced back. Not only did it not go in, but it also made that small section of the floating meridian numb."
Fang Shi slowed down as instructed, and sure enough, the spiritual energy flowed smoothly into the floating network like water returning to its source. A warm and soothing sensation spread from his chest, making him feel indescribably comfortable.
"And here too." Qi Xueyi extended a finger and pointed to the left side of his lower abdomen. "After the energy gathers at the Tanzhong point, the water element splits into two paths, one into the Lung Meridian and the other into the Lower Dantian. You did well on the path into the Lung Meridian, but on the path into the Lower Dantian, you took the main Ren Meridian, which is too congested, causing the spiritual energy to get stuck at the Qihai acupoint. You need to take this floating meridian—yes, this is it. Try it."
Fang Shi tried to guide his spiritual energy into that floating meridian, and it was indeed unobstructed, much faster than traveling through the main Ren meridian.
[Small Water Cloud Technique Proficiency +1]
[Small Water Cloud Technique Proficiency +1]
Fang Shi secretly marveled.
The difference between having someone to guide you and not having anyone to guide you is truly like heaven and earth.
In the past, he would often spend ten days or half a month figuring things out on his own. Now, Qi Xueyi had pointed it out in just a few words, and his proficiency level soared. In just seven days, it went from 83 points to 112 points.
The only pity is that she understands this technique far too well.
Whenever she got carried away and started talking about deeper insights, Fang Shi had to forcefully interrupt her.
Qi Xueyi pouted, looking aggrieved, her eyes red-rimmed.
Fang Shi naturally wanted to listen, but if he listened any longer, his Minor Concealment Technique would probably wear off completely, and then he wouldn't be able to tell anymore.
On the construction side, however, things are quite strange.
Monks can build houses extremely quickly.
After Fang Shi and others finished building Zone B, Steward Zhou sent them to the new Zone B.
The entrance to the originally built "Yi" section was guarded by Taoist priests, and no one was allowed to approach.
On the seventh night, Fang Shi took Qi Xueyi to the spiritual vein.
On the way back, we happened to pass by the outer perimeter of the "B" zone.
Fang Shi casually asked, "Do you know what's in there?"
Qi Xueyi said, "I know."
Fang Shi's heart skipped a beat, but then he heard her say, "Husband, do you want to go in and take a look?"