Cai Hua flicked his fingers at the dried sheepskin, caring very little for its precious value as, after the crisp sound made by the sheepskin faded, he said, “None of the Southerns can use Yin essence, so this is more targeted to Anna, but it should still aid you in your cultivation.”
“Spiritual essence and mana are the same things, yet their properties differ. Unlike the fluid-like nature of spiritual essence, mana is far harder to control and more reliant on the aspect of a person’s natural luck and aptitude. Aether, or Yang essence, is the basis of all magic in the southern doctrine, it can heal, serve as a base for flames, control the wind, manipulate earth and influence water.”
Ovid’s gentle face gave off an equally gentle grin as he mocked, “They say the purest form of mana is harvested from the heavens, where the constellation resides in. Yet it by itself cannot do anything, only after they fused it with the mana that surrounds the world, are they able to do anything. Compared to our doctrine, in which spiritual energy is absorbed through spirit veins, the southerners are a bit too primitive.”
Ovid had always wondered what the stars were like in this part of the universe, he asked, “What are the constellations made of?”
Cai Hua tilted his head up, looking through the wooden ceiling, he saw the same sight as he had two hundred years ago, and Julia had minutes prior, with a scoff, he said, “The heavens are sealed. Only after you become an immortal can you directly interact with it.”
Cai Hua stayed silent for a while before solemnly saying, “A person’s path to immortality or sainthood is always different, but the most explored path has always been meditation and prayers. But meditation and prayers do not bring you experience.”
Ovid thought about Cai Hua’s word and answered, “This should be why you want me to train through the sword?”
Cai Hua nodded, taking a fragment of wood from the ground, he said, “Indeed, although the path had only been explored once, it was I who had tread through it. Not only can using a sword help you cultivate. Using a bad sword it also sharpens your ability to manipulate spiritual essence to strengthen the weapon.”
Cai Hua’s way of cultivation is rather crude, unlike meditation or prayers, he moment he advances is completely unpredictable. When he kills a great foe, he may not see his stage progress a single bit, but when he kills a meek and innocent rabbit, he will suddenly arrive at the next stage of his rank.
It is likely that people with terrible luck will never arrive at the level of deacon were they to follow such a path, but Ovid has been blessed with luck since his first arrival at this world. To him, saints and immortals are as common as cabbages in the market place and the rising star of the past century had become his teacher almost arbitrarily.
Ovid took out a notebook from nowhere, flipping through it, he asked, “Then, what about my hypothesis about them being related to the states of matter?”
An immortal’s memory is far beyond that of a common man, furthermore, Ovid was quite drunk at that time, so Cai Hua remembered the scene at the carriage vividly. Pondering over it for something, he answered, “It does not conflict with the teachings of the various schools of cultivation, but your theory about Yin essence will lead you to be branded as a heretic in the Southern continent.”
Ovid closed the notepad, he asked, “Then, won’t it be dangerous?”
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Cai Hua answered, “The southerners are all psyche masters. If you chose to be a swordmaster, they will not be able to recognise it unless they are familiar with heretics or a heretic themself.”
Cai Hua then stood up, folding the sheepskin with a red rope, he said, “The best way to prevent being hunted down is to just become a saint.”
Ovid thought that the solution was much simpler, and asked, “Why can’t I go to the Northern continent after you find the medicine?”
Cai Hua was clearly shocked by this suggestion, pointing a figure toward himself, he said, “Who am I?”
Ovid answered honestly, “Cai Hua.”
Cai Hua shook his head and boldly answered his own question, “I am Cai Hua, the man that stole not only the emperor’s treasures but also his only daughter’s virginity. If you return with me, he will pursue you with his brocade guard. If he considers you in the same light as my wives, you will probably be executed.”
Storing the sheepskin scroll in his ring, in Cai Hua’s hand manifested the sword Irene had given to Ovid. Sending his spiritual essence through the blade, Cai Hua realised that the sword was no different than the blades given to the local militias, soon, he returned the blade to Ovid.
Considering Irene’s personality, she had probably taken the sword from the first person she saw, her actions likely did not have the same sort of meaning Cai Hua possesses when he wields a blade of grass as his weapon.
Eventually, Cai Hua clasped his hand together and looked toward the North, after a moment of silence he said, “The South of the Julian empire is too peaceful, aside from the conflicts between the elves, I cannot sense any major mana fluctuations.”
He turned toward Ovid and said, “Since then, you should hone your skills in the Aeon forest.”
Ovid’s brow quivered as he said, “I should free the slaves in the city first.”
Ovid’s words carried another meaning; I already told you I don’t want to kill, like slavery, it is violating my morals.
Cai Hua had expected this answer, feeling that this answer was somewhat pleasing, he asked, “Then, what should you do to train your skills?”
Ovid quietly answered, “Perhaps, I can kill some beasts instead?”
Cai Hua showed a great deal of tolerance, as his lips curled up, he commended Ovid. “That is indeed a good suggestion. Very well, after you have freed all the slaves in the city, I shall bring you to the Aeon forest and hunt some beasts.”
This answer was contrary to the one Ovid had braced for, becoming stunned for a short while, he first thanked Cai Hua, and waited for him to leave the room. A wicked grin emerged on Cai Hua’s smooth face, taking out a bamboo bed from his spatial ring, he began to sleep in the room.
Having been journeying on a carriage with Cai Hua, Ovid was quite used to his presence. Aside from a hint of dissatisfaction, Ovid did not find much trouble falling asleep.
---
When the faintest light of the sun passed through the slits of the window, Ovid opened his eyes without moving the rest of his body. After going through his daily routine, he went out and seized all the slaves in the city following the list Martha had given him.
The process especially streamlined, not mind the strange glances given to him by the people of the city as a line of humans followed him, he arrived in a large open square. There, he gave each of the slaves a dozen follis, then he turned and walked back to the hospitium.
The hospitium was still the same as before, yet the elves that usually sat by the tables meditating had disappeared.
“Don’t worry, I already sent them into Anna’s minor realm,” Cai Hua used a pair of chopsticks to pick up a piece of green leaf, and inserted into his mouth.
Ovid was not frightened to being with, with two saints overlooking the hospitium, unless Julia was to personally arrive, it would be impossible for the elves to disappear so abruptly. Picking up his pace, he walked to the side opposite of Cai Hua and sat on the wooden stool.
Cai Hua ate a mouthful of rice elegantly and said after his mouth was empty, “Irene will also be coming to Aeon forest… I say, isn’t your relationship with her a little too good?”
Ovid looked at one of the empty bowls which from shimmering from the oil that had been in the soup, saying, “Probably, because she likes a quiet person.”
Ovid was also a person who enjoys tranquillity... unless he was talking to a person who was mute, Irene was probably the most enjoyable person to talk to for him. Of course, using the word talk is somewhat inappropriate, as they communicated only a few things, and never exchanged many words. Ovid in his previous life had been an even more restrained individual, only after he met Anna did he speak more.
When Cai Hua placed his pair on chopsticks on the desk, the scenery of the inn changed completely. The old and rotting wooden boards now big and lush trees, while the stone floor became soil.
They had arrived at Aeon forest.