When Chu Ge focused solely on cultivation, it was actually simpler than for others.
Don't be fooled by the seemingly numerous training programs he undertook—the Golden Bell Shield, the Plum Blossom Hand, maintaining running and stance training, practicing the Heaven-Shattering Earth-Striking Technique, and spatial arts—it seemed incredibly complex.
But these were merely supplementary or secondary; practicing a little more or less didn't make a significant difference, simply to hone his skills. Just like not having gone to the Plum Blossom Stance for a long time wasn't a big deal; his stance training was also beneficial when sparring with Qiu Wuji, so there was no need to go for stance training.
His fundamental path lay in writing.
Simultaneously practicing cultivation techniques and writing a book, for Chu Ge now, it seemed no longer a matter of multitasking.
When the Heaven-Shattering Earth-Striking Technique and spatial arts were combined, it was like turning the scenes he imagined in his mind when writing into an overhead film, then reproducing them frame by frame on his pen. There was no distraction; one thought, one mind.
The more he wrote, the more complete the world became, and the richer the plot, the more stable his cultivation became. His mastery of the Heaven-Shattering Earth-Shattering Technique and the Dao of Space also grew stronger.
However, his direction was somewhat off. He couldn't possibly be as proficient in space as his mother, Wu Xiuyun, and the Heaven-Shattering Earth-Shattering Technique didn't have the power to interfere with or control the mind. Chu Ge only focused on one aspect. But the others didn't matter; he only wanted this one.
Previously, limited by meager spiritual energy, his progress in magical power was mediocre. It improved slightly after using the pearl, and now with elixirs, he had both internal and external support, clearly poised for a period of rapid advancement.
Therefore, most of the time, Chu Ge, who claimed to be diligently practicing while pinning Qiu Qiu against the wall, was simply engrossed in typing on his computer, not at all like someone practicing.
Only Qiu Wuji could see that the swirling magical power within him and the subtly fluctuating soul sea were becoming tangible day by day.
While Chu Ge was typing and cultivating, Qiu Wuji wasn't idle either. Besides using pills to improve her physical strength, she began setting up arrays with the array stones Chu Ge had taken out. The entire floor was layered with countless strange and unusual arrays, which the cleaning lady, of course, couldn't trigger.
Then Qiu Wuji was doing something else…
refining the clam pearl into a magical artifact.
She couldn't refine it before because she lacked other auxiliary materials, but now she did.
"Uh, what's this?" Chu Ge looked at the jade Guanyin statue Qiu Wuji handed him in surprise: "You went to a jade shop? These things are rip-offs."
"…Whether it's good jade or not, I can identify it at a glance. What's there to rip off?"
Chu Ge thought about it and realized it made sense: "So you actually went to Taobao? This Guanyin statue does feel a bit spiritual…wait, why does this spiritual energy feel so familiar…"
Qiu Wuji said irritably, "This is a magical artifact made by grinding that clam pearl, adding the spirit jade fragments you took out of the book, and mixing them with the juice of the Water Ephemeral Flower and the Three Yang Grass."
"You really refined a magical artifact?"
"Of course, you can take out…" "The energy of the things that came out was too ordinary. Even the Spirit Jade could only yield broken fragments. Otherwise, just producing a magic weapon would have saved me the trouble." Qiu Wuji proudly raised her head. "But it's nothing. My Taixu Fire isn't as good as Yan Qianlie's for alchemy, but it's first-rate for crafting weapons and magic weapons!" Despite her arrogant boasting, Chu Ge felt like she was saying, "Come praise me!"...and then she'd launch into a long explanation of the magic weapon's uses...
But he was truly confused and couldn't help asking, "But...how did you make it into a Guanyin statue? That world has Buddhism, but no Guanyin." Qiu Wuji snorted. "I asked Mengmeng what kind of jewelry is best for men, and she said men should wear Guanyin and women should wear Buddha, so I went and looked up what Guanyin looks like."
"Has Mengmeng replaced Baidu now?"
Qiu Wuji was angry: "Do you want this jade or not?!"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Chu Ge knew perfectly well: "My Qiuqiu is the best, this magic weapon must be very powerful!"
"Of course!" Qiu Wuji indeed said: "After the refinement, the original spiritual energy of the pearl has not dissipated but has become more condensed and concentrated, adding the effect of calming the mind and suppressing thoughts, so as to prevent you from going overboard with your power and going into demonic possession. Wearing this item will also help you recover your magic power in battle... or..." "The materials aren't good enough, otherwise..."
"Enough, enough." Chu Ge happily put it around his neck, then suddenly blinked, "This seems like a token of love." Qiu Wuji's expression flushed slightly; clearly, he had considered this when making the jade pendant. He still stubbornly said, "In this day and age, who cares about all that nonsense? You've been saying for so long that Chu Ge desires Qiu Wuji, and what do you get in return? A pig?" Hearing this, it sounded like he was asking for a gift. Chu Ge chuckled, "Hey, how about we go shopping today and buy some gifts?" The two of them spent their free time cozying up in their little nest, consuming pills like they were chocolates, and practicing their skills together, enjoying themselves immensely. Five days had passed in a flash. Chu Ge hadn't left the house for five days, writing and practicing, and was indeed getting a little moldy. Qiu Wuji, on the other hand, frequently went out to buy groceries and often went to Zhu Mengmeng's place for tea, living a leisurely life.
Hearing Chu Ge's question, Qiu Wuji leisurely replied, "The other day when you invited me out, you didn't know it was Qixi Festival. Today you're inviting me out, and I reckon you still don't know it's Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Huh?" Chu Ge paused, "It's really Mid-Autumn Festival?"
"Yes," Qiu Wuji said, "I heard they all have a holiday, including National Day, it's a long holiday. Suddenly I feel your line of work is pretty miserable; other people's holidays have nothing to do with you, to the point that you're completely oblivious to the calendar."
Chu Ge was already used to it and didn't react much to this, laughing, "Then at least give our little assistant a day off today, let's go out and buy a giant plush toy."
Qiu Wuji's eyes lit up.
He'd seen huge plush toys like that at amusement parks before, almost the size of a person! It's a pity I wasn't interested back then and didn't get one... Now I really want one! It would be so comfortable to hold, and there's enough room in the house... The two walked out hand in hand, Chu Ge still somewhat lost in thought, reminiscing: "Mid-Autumn Festival..."
Qiu Wuji said, "Doesn't it feel a bit like you're saying that Qiu Wuji's experience in the mortal world is already halfway through... Tell me, am I a pretty qualified modern person now? I know it's a festival today better than you do, and I even know that men wear Guanyin and women wear Buddha!"
To be honest, the Mid-Autumn Festival did give Chu Ge a similar thought, seemingly representing the deepening of autumn, and also representing Qiu Wuji's deepening presence in this world.
She really, really seemed like a modern person, except that her speech couldn't hide her millennia-old habits, occasionally letting out an archaic tone... But that's okay, even modern people can say a few things to show off.
Chu Ge thought for a moment, then said, "Actually, I always feel it's still a little lacking, not quite complete." Qiu Wuji retorted, "How is it incomplete? I know more about today's holiday than you do..."
"Well, I was just chatting with Mengmeng over tea and overheard it..." Chu Ge chuckled, "Modern people would have been looking forward to it, counting down the days until today's holiday."
"Then you're from ancient times!"
"Ha... I didn't pay attention because of my job; it's a special case. Actually, I could say I'm working 007 every day, or I could say I have a day off every day. As long as I can save up some drafts, I can arrange my own vacation—although saving up drafts is mostly just wishful thinking. But at worst, I can stop updating. Nobody forces me; what forces me is just a sense of responsibility."
"So you chose this profession because of freedom..." "?"
"Also because you're in the book."
"Pah." Qiu Wuji wasn't buying it, scoffing, "You're saying I'm not entirely perfect, just because I didn't look forward to the festival?"
"I feel there's something else... I hadn't thought about it in detail before." Chu Ge looked up and thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Maybe it's because your life is too simple... It always makes me feel like you're actually a cultivator." Qiu Wuji was stunned: "How so? I see Mengmeng has nothing to do all day long, just drinking tea, chatting, and doing spas. It's much simpler than mine. I have to cultivate, set up formations, refine magic weapons, cook for you, manage book reviews, and write my autobiography."
"Zhu Mengmeng likes to do spas..." Chu Ge turned to look at her: "And have you ever had a hobby you wanted to pursue, even just listening to music?"