Chapter Seven: Escape (Part One)

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PS: 2022 has arrived. I won't say too many words of blessing—just as the chapter title says, with the new year upon us, I hope all readers can break free from last year's difficulties and let your ambitions roam free in the coming year. Lastly, the fresh new atmosphere of the year depends on the votes in your hands. Please add, recommend, and invest—not polite, but effective...

"Enough nonsense. Get on with it. Put the card you refined from that spirit stone into the engraving slot. Try it and you'll see. Pay attention: during the recording process, you must not interrupt the flow of spiritual energy. The device will draw a sliver of your soul through your hands from your consciousness. You might feel dizzy, but don't worry. A good sleep will fix it!"

Following Master Sheng's instructions, Wang Li took out a palm-sized card.

The card was refined from a lower-grade spirit stone. Originally no larger than a fingernail, the stone had been tempered by his fire-attributed spiritual power into a translucent thin sheet. Upon it, Master Sheng had inscribed a simple formation, which shimmered with a faint white aura under the candlelight in the small hut.

He inserted the card into the slot, placed his hands on the imprints marked on the brass box, and began to channel spiritual power into it.

As the energy flowed into the box, he could hear the gears turning inside—a subtle sound, easily missed if not for careful attention.

After about five breaths, a green light flashed at the slot.

"Startup complete. You can begin reciting the key points of 'Purple Qi Rising from the East' for cultivation," Master Sheng reminded him. "Once you start, your consciousness will feel uncomfortable. Ignore it, just focus on your narration—otherwise, all your efforts will be wasted."

"The path of fire lies in nurturing the meridians of the body. Before cultivating this method, one must first draw fire-attributed spiritual energy into the body..."

Wang Li had only spoken a few sentences before a sharp pain stabbed his mind, as if something were tugging at his consciousness.

"Is this what it feels like to have one's consciousness cleaved?" he asked Master Sheng in his mind, but dared not pause his speech, continuing to share his cultivation insights: "Gather the energy of the morning sun in the lower dantian, temper the dantian to adapt to the explosive nature of fire-attributed energy, then temper the lung meridians... Only when the body no longer fears the sun’s heat is one considered to have entered the gateway, and may proceed to the second chapter’s energy circulation routes..."

He spoke with great detail, as if instructing someone face-to-face in the practice of 'Purple Qi Rising from the East', not daring to make the slightest mistake.

After all, this was what he intended to present to the headmaster to prove his own worth. Success or failure would directly impact his future status and prospects within the Pure Yang Temple. He took it very seriously, carefully rehearsing the key points and wording in his mind before recording, determined to accurately capture his own insights from cultivation.

Master Sheng said, "Don’t lose focus. That sliver of your consciousness is copying your cultivation insights—along with some of your thoughts. You’re too distracted. This recording has failed. Start over!"

Wang Li was dumbfounded. "It’s failed already?"

"Do it with a single mind. Those who cultivate from your recorded method are, in theory, your disciples. You owe responsibility to many—there’s no room for error."

"You’re right. I’ll do it again."

Realizing his mistake, Wang Li removed the failed card, inserted a new blank one, and began narrating again.

This time, the recording went smoothly. After half an hour, the process was complete. Wang Li immediately switched the brass box from record to playback mode.

A faint static sounded, followed by, "...the path of fire lies in nurturing the meridians of the body. Before cultivating this method, one must first draw fire-attributed spiritual energy into the body..."

Hearing his own voice clearly emanate from the box, resonating with his consciousness, Wang Li was so excited that he jumped on the spot, barely avoiding cracking his own head.

"The method is really engraved in it! How miraculous!"

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"Master Sheng, how did you manage this?"

"Will my voice remain in there forever?"

Wang Li, curious as a child, fired off a string of questions at Master Sheng.

"Shut up! Are you talking with your mouth right now?"

Master Sheng was furious, and the consequences would be serious!

Wang Li instinctively covered his mouth. "Master Sheng, I was wrong!"

But Master Sheng ignored him, muttering to himself, "The sound quality is too distorted—still needs improvement, and I should add various sound effects. Hm, this kid has perfect pitch—good, good, you’re the next Jay Chou!"

...

Excited, Wang Li was unaware of Master Sheng’s scheming. Stroking the phonograph, he asked, "Master Sheng, do you think the headmaster will accept this thing?"

Deep down, he still felt a little unsure. Though the phonograph had successfully recorded his voice and preserved a sliver of his consciousness, it felt strange to use sound and an illustrated manual as a cultivation method.

Master Sheng replied, "What do you mean, 'will he accept it'? Good things need no explanation. Just wait and see—Liu Guang will be overjoyed."

Wang Li thought about it. Using a phonograph to record cultivation methods seemed crude, but it did truly solve the problem of preserving and recording techniques. No matter how unconventional the format, at least he’d fulfilled his boast.

"Then should I call Steward Liu over now?"

He was eager to leave this place. The fire-attribute spiritual energy here was plentiful, but nothing compared to the comfort of his own little room.

Besides, he wanted to clear things up with his master as soon as possible, to avoid spending his days in anxiety.

Master Sheng said, "No rush. I have some things to instruct you."

"Go ahead, I’m listening."

Wang Li was in the best mood he’d had in ages.

"I left a safeguard in the phonograph. Destroy the recorded method and don’t claim you can use this device."

"Why not?"

"Idiot! If you say the threshold for recording methods can be lowered to the Golden Core stage, and you can already use it, what will Liu Guang think?"

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"That’s right, Master Sheng—why can I record methods with the phonograph?"

"Fool, obviously because I gave you special permission!"

"What? Isn’t that cheating?"

"How is that cheating? It’s called making reasonable use of technological advantage! If I directly tell them Foundation Establishment cultivators can use it, how am I supposed to upgrade it later?"

Master Sheng sighed. "You don’t seriously think handing this thing over is the end of your troubles, do you?"

Wang Li was puzzled. "Isn’t it? The headmaster promised me—once I hand it over, I’m free."

"You silly child. Regaining your freedom is one thing, but have you considered how you’ll establish yourself in Pure Yang Temple afterward? If you have nothing in your hands, why would anyone care about an outsider with no value?"

"But I’m Master’s disciple—even if it’s only in name, I’m not really an outsider!"

"Bah! What’s a registered disciple? People in the sect don’t even care about their own lives, much less a little attendant?"

Master Sheng scolded, "No matter how well Chu Xuan treats you, that’s her personal business—it has nothing to do with Pure Yang Temple! They gave you the title of registered disciple for her sake. You really think Pure Yang Temple is your home!"

"I’m done arguing with you. If you want a peaceful life, do as I say. Otherwise, I’ll disappear right now. You’re not the only one in the Celestial Profound World missing part of their soul. I can just run off, and you can go back to being useless. Young people just don’t know what’s good for them!"

With Master Sheng furious, Wang Li sat gloomily beside the phonograph, lost in thought.

He didn’t know how much time had passed before he finally stood up, removed the card from the phonograph, and tossed it, along with the illustrated manual, into the mouth of the volcano, watching as they burned to ash. Then he tore off his wide sleeve to use as a bundle, wrapping up the phonograph and a blank card.

"Have you thought it through?"

"Yes. Are you still angry?"

"It’s not worth getting angry with a kid like you."

"Sigh!" Master Sheng sighed. "The human heart is hard to fathom—even I can be mistaken. There’s no harm in being cautious!"

"You’re right. I should change my way of thinking."

Wang Li walked to the edge of the Fire Prison’s formation and placed his hand on the light curtain it emitted.

Soon, Liu Wanjin’s figure appeared within the Fire Prison.