Secrets of the Dao II

Clay is observing the unconscious Rimar who passed out from exhaustion and is sleeping peacefully. Only three months have passed and this young Elven is already at Peak Early Qi Condensation.

The real reason he wanted to inspect the boy is to check Rimar’s soul. When he handed the meditation technique he modified himself, he was surprised with an amazing discovery.

A blue mist started to form on Rimar’s soul shortly after he broke through to Early Qi Condensation.

The first time Clay saw it with his Godly Eyes, it was only a tiny drop yet today it has grown five times its original size. They say that Dao is mysterious and elusive but looking at the boy before him, he has reason to believe that the reason it is unattainable to many is because like many other traits in nature, Dao has its pre-existing conditions and that is the size of one’s soul or if measured externally, it is called Soul Strength.

In fact, he had requested at least five villagers with better Fire Elemental Affinity to perform the same meditation technique and none of them had accumulated a blue mist underneath their souls.

The leader of the bandit he killed was filthy rich at in his spatial ring was a Earthy Class Essence Flame and Clay was holding on to it in his plans of evolving his own flame but seeing Rimar forming Dao early on, he got excited he immediately wanted Rimar to integrate with an Essence Flame.

Clay estimates that he needs at least fifty years to be able to figure out whether there is hope in pill concoction using his Dao and if replacing or evolving his flame is really that dangerous as Elder Numar suggested, then he will have Rimar refine pills for him as his last option.

He was not satisfied that he only has one person to refine pills in the future so the past few months, he would occasionally go out and scout nearby villages and towns but to his disappointment, the largest soul he has seen is around 80 centimeters and that person was already recruited to a sect.

The only problem now is teaching Rimar Alchemy. Clay’s ability to refine pills primarily relies on his Godly Eyes and he doesn’t know any pill technique aside from the basic steps he was shown back during his first time learning Alchemy.

Fifty years is a long time and he should not rush it. The kid will grow on his own pace and he will bring him into the sect later after Rimar has proper control of his flame. It may not be similar to his perfect Qi control ability but Rimar should at least be able to summon 100 little flames as he did.

As of today, he should address a more pressing matter and that is the smell of a fish being grilled outside Rimar’s residence. It does have the same appeal and aroma similar to what Liom has served him years ago and it very distractive.

When he and Laur arrived earlier, Clay noticed that Rimar’s family is having a banquet. The food served to him by the village is satisfactory but some foods are bound to stand out.

“Tell me, is that fish grilled by that old man suitable for human consumption?”

Laur who was standing behind Clay woke up from his stupor. He was just thinking what exactly that Rimar has to Clay is interested with when Clay suddenly got interested on the food eaten by the poorest of the villagers.

“It has a repugnant fishy odor but otherwise edible.”

Clay turned around and looked at Laur.

“If not too much, have someone serve me some. I’m done here”

Clay stepped out of the house and levitated then flew back to his residence. The truth is, he wanted to barge in and taste every dish served by Rimar’s family but he still maintained a level of decency.

After a minute, he landed and entered his residence. Now that that he had set up everything for Rimar, he is now back to doing nothing again.

In the cultivation world, everyone has their own specialty and it is where majority of their time is poured with. Clay on the other hand is stuck. He doesn’t use weapons so refining a magic tool is irrelevant to him. He has no need to master any offensive technique as well as his Dao can cripple pretty much anyone now. The only option now is either learning more about Arrays and Formations but since they are closely related to Alchemy, he knew he will have difficult time inscribing it to his memory as these professions are better understood while doing it.

If there is something he can do, that is to improve his body constitution.

Clay took out a 12 inch Arin Tea Leaf and placed it inside a teapot and lit up the fire. It is one of the treasures he found within the spatial ring of the bandit leader. Sometimes he wonders what is that bandit’s real identity as two thirds of the items within one of his rings are all rare valuables. It even contained two sets of ingredients for Tier IV breakthrough pill. Such vast wealth worthy of a thieving bandit.

He did separate the valuable treasures and the rest was given to Laur to build that crude temple.

*Whistle

*Whistle

After a few minutes, the teapot started boiling.

Clay took out a white ceramic cup and poured his tea. The tea is nothing special and if not because of its property to slowly improve his body, then he would burn it away because of its awful bitter taste.

As soon as he had his first sip, he felt someone approaching the residence.

“Perfect!”

Clay prepared the table and extended his aura to open the door and greet the incoming visitor.

The visitor is another old Elven accompanied by Laur and he is holding basket. When Laur saw the door opened, he did not enter and only allowed the man holding a basket to step into the house.

“My name is Kamar and I am honored this young master has taken interest in our local dish.” Kamar placed the basket and revealed a grilled fish covered in an unknown leaf. A thin hot smoke is coming out of the basket spreading a magical spell making Clay just wants to grabbed inside the basket and eat with his hands like a famished caveman.

Clay wanted to pretend that he was just curious with the taste but he could no longer keep his face and extend his aura and picked a grilled fish from the basket and placed it on his plate. He does not know what was added to the fish but the aroma made him salivating to the point that his urge to take a bite can no longer be contained.

He took a slice and placed it into his mouth.

*Holy

*Holy

“Holy mother of Ramsey! This is what you call food!” Clay thought to himself as he almost cried after the first bite. He wanted to take another slice but he noticed the guest smiled.

“It’s even better if you dip it in this sauce.”

Clay did not let the man finish and extend his aura to take the small bowl containing a black substance and placed it near his plate.

“If you have something you want, say it now. If it’s within my capability, I’ll see what I can do.” Clay maintained his composure. If only he could kick this old Elf so he can eat with his hands.

“I am delighted you have taken a liking to its taste. I have nothing to ask this young master however if you wish more of it, then I do have a simple request I hope this honored one can hear out.”

“Spill it out.”

“My grandchild is engaged with Rimar even before they were born and my only wish is her happiness and I hope that this engagement will not be broken even if she is taken as Rimar’s concubine.”

Clay dipped another slice of the grilled fish into the sauce.

“The affairs of this village is the affairs of this village and I apologize if training Rimar has brought or will bring dissonance within your families. Rimar has the potential to become a Dao Practitioner and a promising Alchemist at that and the truth is, in a year or so when he masters his fundamentals, I will introduce him to a capable master of which I have no control whether your grandchild will be accepted as well. The thing is, once he becomes an official Alchemist, majority of his time will be spent in front of a cauldron within gloomy walls he may not even have time to enjoy his life. If you really wish your grandchild’s happiness, then find him someone who will be present during breakfasts and supper.”

“I thank this young master for letting us be. Please let me know in advance if you need more of this dish so I can properly prepare them.” Kamar placed all five grilled fish on a plate then prepared to leave however before he could turn around, Clay asked him a question.

“Is this dish troublesome to prepare?”

“The only troublesome ingredient is River Mushroom but we can buy them with other villages.”

Clay regretted having a bad relationship with Liom and he misses those dishes sometimes. He doesn’t mind growing the herbs or whatever River Mushroom this is as long as he can get more decent meals.

“So if I prepare them River Mushrooms, then the troublesome part is eliminated, right?”

Kamar smiled and responded, “This young master need not do anything. I will prepare enough seedlings for the next harvest.”