As darkness receded and the sun slowly rose, morning light crept under the curtains and warmed my face. Slowly, I opened my eyes.
After a few seconds of contemplating whether to stay in bed a bit longer, I sat up and stretched, trying to feel more awake.
"Yawn… Ngh~"
Opening the curtains allowed more light to fill the room, illuminating the furniture and casting long morning shadows across the floor.
Even though the window overlooks a creepy alley, at least my sleep isn't disturbed by the noise from the street.
Drawing a small amount of Qi from my dantian, I guided it along my meridians, letting it flow toward my left hand.
After circulating it in a particular pattern, I pushed it out through my left thumb, feeling a slight pulse at the point of release before a wave of Qi spread outward across my entire body, dispersing any dust that had clung to me and cleansing my face of the morning residue.
"Being a cultivator is truly convenient."
The thing I just used is called Cleansing Flow, a low-rank Art that cleans your body of dirt and grime.
It's especially useful if you're lazy or don't have access to water, though it doesn't substitute for a real shower. It's an Art I learned at the central library down the street.
That library is truly impressive, rising three floors high.
The first houses general books, history, literature, and other materials, and costs one silver coin to enter.
The second houses simple cultivation manuals and arts for cultivators and costs a spirit stone for access. That's where most of my current knowledge comes from.
Although I have a general idea of the cultivation world from the novels I used to read, it isn't the same as hands-on experience.
Plus, in this world they don't have the cliché spiritual roots most novels feature, which makes things a bit different. Too bad they don't exist, I'd probably have the heavenly single fire spiritual root that hasn't been seen in a millennium!
Ahem, enough of my narcissism.
Speaking of the central library, I might head there today. I'd like to read more manuals and see if there's an easier or cheaper way to strengthen my foundation.
Since I'm still at the Qi Foundation stage, there should be other methods out there, hopefully. But first, let's head to the tavern for breakfast and see if I can catch any good gossip.
Walking to the small cabinet, I opened it and retrieved my chest binder.
Although wearing it is uncomfortable, it gives me a small sense of security, some might think this excessive, but for me who is without a sect, it's the best way to avoid certain situations.
I've even heard some cultivators specifically target female disciples. What a bunch of weirdos.
After uncomfortably fastening my chest binder, I put on my cloak and draped the hood over my head, concealing my face. Checking that everything was in place, I grabbed my sword, secured it to my belt beneath the cloak, and opened the door, heading downstairs.
I hadn't even reached the first floor when the voices and the sound of dishes being served hit my ears. As the sun rose, some workers came to eat breakfast here before heading to their jobs.
As I caught the reception desk in my peripheral vision, I saw an unfamiliar staff member greeting people. It seems A-Ling isn't on duty today, a bit unfortunate, since if she had asked me to eat here I probably wouldn't have rejected her, considering I already did yesterday.
Walking to the exit, I pushed the door open and stepped out. The street was crowded with people bustling about, and with the announcement of the secret realm opening, it had only gotten busier. I had to weave through the crowd, which was rather annoying.
Well, this inn is near the central area of Dawning Vale's capital, so crowds are to be expected. Seeing people in ancient Chinese clothing and carriages pulled by oxen and horses brings back memories of my early days after transmigrating to this place.
Back then, I didn't even know this was a cultivation world, let alone the name of the kingdom I was in.
The Dawning Vale Kingdom, where I transmigrated, is situated in a valley between two mountains. Well, I say two mountains, but after studying the history of the kingdom in the library, I learned of a strange phenomenon.
The two mountains had once been part of a single massive peak. Nobody knows how it happened, but it's said that 543 years ago, as autumn waned and winter approached, the mountain was split from west to east, leaving a crater at its base. The eerie part is that no one noticed the change until the next morning, as if it had silently appeared overnight.
There are so many theories thrown around, with the most recognized one being that it was caused due to a fight between experts. But if that is true, how come no one noticed or heard anything during night-time? Fights make a lot of noise, especially between powerful cultivators.
Anyway, after that the Verdant Pine Sect was established on the north mountain, where Qi energy was denser than the south one.
The Dawning Vale Kingdom was also founded not long after the sect in the middle of the crater-now-valley, becoming both a crossing point between the west and east sides and a trading hub.
"Steamed buns! Only 3 copper coins!"
"Carriage to the Lianhua Kingdom!"
"Handmade straw mats, fresh and sturdy!"
"Rice cakes! Five copper coins, made with a family heirloom recipe you won't find anywhere!"
"Getting ready for the Verdant Pine Sect secret realm? Don't go unprepared, grab a talisman!"
"Surprise your lover with freshly picked flowers, beautiful and fragrant!"
"Precious herb locations in the Verdant Pine Sect secret realm! Guaranteed refund if they lead you astray!"
"I reached the central area much faster than I expected. I guess that's the power of wandering thoughts. As for those who buy the location information, Heh, good luck, suckers."
After walking a little longer to reach the tavern, I pushed open the batwing doors, located my favorite secluded table, and sat down, perking my ears.
"Man, my mom's gonna kill me with her naggin', hic!"
"Oh, she's still complaining about you not getting married?"
"I barely got any money to eat, let alone, hic, afford a dowry."
The man grabbed a wine jug and drained it in one go.
"How much longer until you're able to leave that young master's house?"
"I-I don't know, hic, maybe three more months."
"Sigh, you just had to offend a cultivato-" Before the man could finish, his companion slammed the table, and grabbed him by his collar, lifting him slightly. His arm muscles pulsed, drawing the attention of the rest of the customers.
"He stepped on my shoe first, hic!"
"Alright, calm down, everyone's eyes are on us."
"I only told him to watch where he was going, hic."
At this point, a man with sharp eyebrows and a slightly handsome face walked out from the back of the tavern.
Seeing him, I could only sigh and lament their luck.
As soon as he appeared, I sensed Qi energy erupting from him. Before he even reached the drunk man, the manager's Qi slammed him onto the table. As if gravity itself had tripled, pressing him down with impossible weight.
"Commotions and fights are not allowed in this tavern."
After saying that, he turned to the still standing man.
"Take him and leave."
"Y-yes, immortal." The man stammered.
The manager hasn't yet lifted the pressure technique, and the drunkard appears to have lost consciousness, with blood slowly trickling from his nose and eyes.
Once he confirmed they would leave without further issues, the invisible pressure dissipated as if it had never existed. With the only sign being the unconscious man on the table, while his companion struggled to drag him out.
"I apologize for the commotion, everyone. As a token, you can get a 10 percent discount on your favorite dish and a free beer today on me."
As the manager walked away, no one knew who had started it, but soon most customers were clapping.
"This is my first time seeing a cultivator truly act."
"Same, a man twice his size restrained without lifting a finger."
"That guy was lucky. If the manager wanted him dead, he wouldn't even know how he perished."
"I always heard mortals are like ants to cultivators, but seeing it in person is truly terrifying."
While everyone discussed what had happened, a staff member stepped to the center of the tavern.
"Everyone, we apologize for the commotion caused by some unruly customers. Just like the manager said, you can choose any beer from the menu for free, and any dish comes with a 10 percent discount."
As she finished, more staff members came out with dishes from the kitchen, and the tavern returned to its usual rhythm.
"Hello, sir. What would you like to order?"
Another staff member approached me with a beaming smile.
"I'll take ten steamed dumplings stuffed with duck meat and a cup of orange juice."
Hearing that vendor earlier had made me hungry for some dumplings.
"Will that be all?"
"Yes."
"Our manager is providing a free beer of your choice today. Would you like one?"
"No thanks. I have other plans today."
"Your order would be ready in a few minutes."
After saying that, the staff member went on to attend to other customers.
I think I've gotten enough gossip for today. After eating, I should head to the library.