Forty Millenniums of Cultivation, page 2
At this moment, Li Yao held up a silvery white cube-shaped artifact. His eyes shone and glistened, just like a big bad wolf eyeing a small bunny. A line of saliva nearly trickled down the edge of his mouth.
The long, black-winged flying sword was extending out his back, trying to take a look around like a rather curious plump snake.
"Surprisingly it's the Thousand Illusion Guild's newest generation's '3D Hologram Projector' with a market price of over 20,000 bucks! If I can repair this, I may be able to get up to 10,000 bucks for it! Small Black, we've struck it big this time!" Li Yao was unable to resist letting out a long whistle.
The black flying sword made squeaking noises. It's two sheets of wings flew up and down, as if dancing in merriment. Unexpectedly it displayed the same hint of "greed" as its owner.
Li Yao's hands flared and seven to eight oddly-shaped tools used for maintenance appeared among his fingers. Some resembled screwdrivers, some resembled tiny pliers. There were also long and thin silver needles as well as curved and hooked unnamable tools.
"Small Black, guess a number of seconds?"
The Black Flying Sword make two sneering squeaking sounds, flying in the air using its pointed end to draw out a "50."
"50 seconds? You're totally underestimating me!"
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, becoming tranquil for three seconds. After opening his eyes, the greed and excitement within his eyes disappeared without a trace. Like an unmoving ancient well, all that was left was cold and clear overflowing confidence.
Li Yao's pair of hands suddenly mobilized. Ten fingers turned into ten paths of flowing light, completely enveloping the silvery white artifact. At first, if one looked closely, they could vaguely make out the courses and movements of the tips of his fingers. Soon, however, only a cloud of dazzling fluorescence could be seen. Within the fluorescence came the sound of rustling.
Half a minute later, the fluorescence shook and a rustling sound faded away. Hundreds of shadows retreated back to their origin. Li Yao's pair of eyes were still set on their original position, not making the tiniest of movements.
As for the silvery white artifact, the "3D Hologram Projector" had already been dismantled by Li Yao into 425 elementary parts.
"39 seconds, and done!"
Li Yao let out a victory cry, winking in pride at the black flying sword. Then, he began to study with full concentration.
"Tsk tsk, this Thousand Illusion Guild's newest model hologram projector really is something. An elaborate composition, the balance of essence is like a work of nature. The most amazing part is this master crystal chip is It's about the size of a fingernail, but somehow over three-hundred glyphs were engraved on this crystal chip, all working in tandem with each other to form over twenty glyph arrays — it's simply a work of art!"
Li Yao's hand was holding a magnifying glass, carefully observing the extracted master crystal chip. His face was filled with intoxication like that of a pilgrim. The more he observed, the more profound his expression became.
"That's not right… There aren't just three-hundred glyphs. This master crystal chip appears to be utilizing crystal folding technology, taking three crystal chips and layering them atop of each other, altogether containing over a thousand glyphs and forming over a hundred three-dimensional glyph arrays. This is inconceivable!"
The more he studied, the more profound and deep he felt. Li Yao entered a state of complete engrossment, forgetting the passage of time, and studied meticulously for a complete three or so hours. He failed to completely comprehend a single glyph array; instead, his observations caused him to become dizzy and lightheaded as his vision became black.
Right now, he had at most the level of a "Junior Artifact Technician." The gulf between his level and that of a "Thousand Illusion Guild" Master Artificer was really too wide, far far too wide.
If this "master crystal chip" had a problem, then he would have no choice but to take this 3D Hologram Projector and sell it as a defect.
Fortunately, after using an "essence reserve tool" to inject essence energy, Li Yao discovered that the essence energy flowed smoothly in the master crystal chip. The essence circuits were clear, the glyph array was stable, and there were no anomalies.
After a careful inspection, he discovered that the problem originated from a crystal conduit. An essence energy fluctuation anomaly had caused this crystal conduit to burn out.
Luckily for Li Yao, this crystal conduit was a standard component and was very easy to replace. Li Yao quickly found a replacement from the inventory in his house.
Closing his eyes, he recalled in silence the process of his recent dismantling. An image of a complete structural diagram surfaced in his mind. His hands mobilized automatically, a gust of wind swept, and the 3D Hologram Projector was assembled once more.
He used the essence reserve tool to inject a river of essence energy. The pure white exterior faintly emitted a blue fluorescence as if it were a lustrous transparent sapphire, giving the appearance of being possessed by a living fairy.
When the blue glow swept over his forehead, from the depths of Li Yao's mind, dozens of control glyphs automatically came into view.
"Hologram Projector, power on!" Li Yao thought to himself and the control glyph in his mind flared.
The blue fluorescence of the hologram projector converged into a single glyph in the shape of a square embedded in another. The two rings spun rapidly, looking like a vortex. From the middle of the vortex, a blue beam of light was emitted into the air and solidified into a massive hologram. What appeared was the image of a middle-aged cultivator wearing an Eight Trigrams Dao Robe, rendered down to the finest hair, looking true to life.
Behind this esteemed cultivator's back was an even larger hologram. On the hologram were interweaving red and green glyph-script, numbers, and arrows, all constantly pulsing and fluctuating.
The middle-aged cultivator's face was expressionless. With a voice like that of an unmoving ancient well, he said, "Up next, news in the world of finance. Today's top story is undoubtedly the "Traceless Sword Faction's" announcement of the release of their newest flying sword propulsion glyph array, "Violet Lightning". Reports say that after implementing "Violet Lightning," the maximum velocity can be increased by 9 percent, the instantaneous destructive power can be increased by 11 percent, and the essence consumption can be decreased by 5 percent. Towards flying swords, the composite increase in performance is obvious."
"Receiving favorable reviews, the share price of the Traceless Sword Faction is on the rise. Starting before 10 AM, the share price approached the market limit and remained at that level til the market closure.
"The rest of the Sword Cultivation Industry is feeling ripple effects from the announcement. This includes the Giant Sword Gate, Polar North Sword Sect, and the 22 families of schools within the Southern Sea Sword Faction. The stocks are hot and on the rise up until market closure. The Sword Cultivation Industry as a whole rose by 5.42 percentage points."
"On the flip side of this announcement, the defense-focused "Gold Armor Sect's" share price fell. Experts believe that with the announcement of the glyph array "Violet Lightning", flying swords have made a revolutionary leap in technology. Modern mainstream battle armor is fundamentally unable to guard against the newest models of offensive flying swords. By market closure, Golden Armor Sect's shares had tumbled 8%."
"After market closure, the Golden Armor Sect called for an impromptu news conference. The Golden Armor Sect's spokesman, Elder Hei Yan, announced a development in the newest generation of "Star Strike Shields" thanks to an imminent breakthrough in battle armor research and development. A prototype will be available within the year and will absolutely be able to guard and nullify all flying sword attacks.
"As for the Grasslands Region in the northern part of the Federation, the calamity known as the Black Roundworm Epidemic continues to spread, already proliferating into the cultivation bases of many Beast Taming Sects' spirit beasts. The afflicted spirit beasts numbered over 500,000. This rarely seen disaster drove the stock prices of the beast industry continuously down. Several Beast Taming Sects' share prices have tumbled to a three-year low."
"Now, let's turn to a famous market analyst, Tianxingzi, here to comment for everyone on today's developments."
"…"
Li Yao watched for a while. He confirmed that the image was stable, that the sound was clear, and that there weren't any static or streaks. The 3D was exceptional, being extremely distinct and causing one to feel immersed. The artifact should be completely repaired.
After pondering a bit, he thought deeply within his mind, "Switch to the entertainment channel."
The blue glow flashed. The middle-aged cultivator and the red-green hologram flashed and faded away. In their place was a stadium buzzing with activity.
This full-house stadium was filled with a hundred thousand people with sounds of clamoring people rumbling through the air. Under the shining rainbow rays of light, a hundred thousand fired-up teenagers raised their hands up high. Together, they were cheering a name:
"Lu Yinxi!"
"Lu Yinxi!"
"Lu Yinxi!"
Atop the three-story main stage towered a dozen or so jutted crystals like entwining canine teeth. When the cheers of the teenagers converged to their peak, the thickest of the crystals suddenly burst. With an appearance like that of clear, cold snow yet possessing an expression heated like lava, a young lady wearing white jumped out from the crystal. Slanted on her waist was a zither that seemed to be formed out of a stack of crystals. Her slender white hand swept across the strings, and the magical clashing sounds of metal like that of a powerful army roared out.
"Within my heart, I have the dream to fly proudly. The opposing shore of the celestial river is our direction! This belongs to us. Cultivate! A! New! Era!"
Just like with all the teenagers, Li Yao's blood also began to boil.
The girl, "Lu Yinxi", radiated energy all throughout the stage. She was a singer of an idol school that recently rose abruptly in the last two years. Immediately debuting with an ice-cold figure and an explosive performance style, she attracted a great number of adolescents. She composed the song "Forty Millenniums of Cultivation" that became popular in the whole nation within a short half a year. Countless teenagers were motivated by this song to walk the path of cultivation.
Li Yao was also one of her fans, but for a reason different than other people's. The reason why he liked Lu Yinxi was because their past were the same.
They were both orphans.
Li Yao was born in Special Waste Treatment Plant No. 23. For as long as he could remember, the skies were always ashy and yellow.
He ate rotting meat from the garbage heaps. He drank contaminated putrid water. He relied on primal instinct as well as a little "secret" hidden deep in his memories, struggling to survive. Since the beginning, he suffered and endured for these ten or so years, transforming into the Artifact Graveyard's most dangerous existence, the "Vulture".
If the "Old Man" had never appeared, Li Yao probably would have become part of the garbage plant, turning into a "Fatty Leung" or a "Wild Wolf".
But one day, six years ago, a garbage ship had dumped the old man together with dozens of tons of garbage. Li Yao felt compassionate and dragged the scar riddled old man back home.
From then on, destiny had completely changed for him.
The old man never talked about his past. Li Yao only knew for certain that he was a tremendously skilled Expert Artifact Modder. In a short five years, the old man taught Li Yao all sorts of fantastic and bizarre skills for modifying artifacts. He taught Li Yao knowledge of all kinds of fundamental academic subjects. He also spent money for Li Yao to attend a private high school in the city, allowing Li Yao to blend into normal society.
A year ago, one of the old man's old injuries flared up again and he passed away. He left behind for Li Yao a mysterious flying sword named "Black Wing." The old man said Black Wing was a strange weapon that he tried to study for half a lifetime with no success. In the end, he left Li Yao some words:
"Little Yao, this old man has been to dozens of worlds in his life. I have seen and met thousands upon thousands of Expert Artifact Modders and Master Artificers. But, your natural talent is the highest I have seen!"
"With only the hands of an insignificant mortal, you are able to maintain low-level artifacts. You really are talented."
"But relying only on one's natural talent is not enough! By only relying on one's talent, you will always only be capable of maintaining low level artifacts, civilian artifacts!"
"Promise this old man that you will properly study, fight and get accepted into into a university, and become a cultivator! Only by becoming a cultivator will you then have the chance to move further along in artifact repair. Such that one day in the future you…"
"Become a Master Artificer!"
When the old man had spoken these words, his pair of eyes were wide open. His eyes blossomed with radiance and were filled with boundless energy. This memory was fresh in Li Yao's mind.
A Master Artificer… A part of the circle of cultivators, one of the most prestigious professions.
He did not know whether he would end up disappointing the old man.
The sword Black Wing silently accompanied his side, listening to the young lady and her volcanic performance. Its two protective wings twisted fervently, dancing along to the energetic song.
After quite some time, the youth's expression became clear. The corner of his mouth once again hooked into an unperturbed smile.
"What am I thinking so much for? Regardless of the consequences, I just have to stake it all!"
"Lu Yinxi was a small orphan and she transformed into the federation's most popular female singer. Why can't I, a small salvager, become a Master Artificer?"
The youth thought back to a time long long ago, in a place far far away. He remembered hearing this sentence:
"One should always have dreams, for what if they come true someday?"
Chapter 3: The Uncanny Dream |
“F*ck, Li Yao, no wonder everyone calls you the ‘Traceless Hand’! This 2011 model Mustang GT you modded can go from zero to a hundred in three seconds. It’s like you swapped it for a different car! It's practically a rocket! I’m ecstatic!”
“...”
One minute fifty-nine seconds! One minute fifty-nine seconds! Good heavens, am I reading this right? A new god of underground racing has been born!”
“...”
“Promise me you won't go street racing any longer. Become an honest car mechanic, no one will look down on you. There will be a day when we will have our own Auto 4S Shop!”
“...”
“Brother Yao, Brother Yao, I’m begging you, help me out. Soar one last time. Besides you, who else can achieve a time of 1 minute 59 seconds on this track? I owe Violent Scar 300 grand. If I don’t pay him back by today, I’ll die. I’LL DIE!”
“...”
“Doctor! Doctor! Hurry and save him! He’s only 23 years old!”
“...”
While in the midst of producing an ear-piercing scream, Li Yao abruptly leapt up from the floor. His body was drenched in sweat.
From outside the window, the rays of morning dawn illuminated all around. The Hologram Projector continued to chitter and chatter, broadcasting classic songs. The youth, like a puppet, was lifeless for half a minute; he was slowly shaking off the utterly realistic nightmare.
This nightmare was his deepest secret. Even the old man was never told about it. Since he could first remember, he would have this same uncanny dream every few days. It was like a period from a memory… one that was impossible to forget.
In this strange dream, his name was still called Li Yao, but he possessed a completely different life. He was in an utterly bizarre world, in a place that was called an Auto “4S” Shop, working as a “Car Mechanic.”
And at night under the city of bizarre rainbow lights, he was part of the “Underground Street Racing Circle” as an extraordinarily skilled expert car modder and racer. The rumbling of each and every engine ignited adrenaline within the night. He soared, setting staggering records — until he soared to his death!
Over and over, he repeatedly died in that dream world. Even though this was an experience filled with suffering, Li Yao did not actually loathe it. Instead, he was somewhat glad. If the dream world had not given him the experience of an another life, he would absolutely not be able to survive in the crisis-filled Artifact Graveyard until now.
It did not matter if this was a strange nightmare or if this was an entangled memory from a past life, neither was important.
There are various yesterdays, such as a yesterday of death; there are various todays, such as a today of life.
It did not matter what kind of person yesterday’s Li Yao was. Today’s Li Yao is one of Heaven’s Origin Sector’s, Star Glory Federation’s, Floating Spear City’s, ordinary high-school student
---One who will become a Master Artificer!
He took a deep breath. He had finished tidying up his room in a simple manner and completed washing his face and rinsing his mouth. The time is just past six o’clock. Li Yao shouldered his school bag, carrying the 3D hologram Generator, and with large strides walked out the house door.
Today was Monday. Dawn was just about to break. He needed to hurry to school before 7:30.
Morning Sun Village’s distance to the Crimson Nimbus Second Affiliated High School was a length of 30 miles. He could take the underground crystal rail’s third line and transfer to the seventh line to arrive at his destination. However, that would require spending 8 bucks in rail fare.
Li Yao hated spending money. He swung his long legs out, used the skill his school taught him, Body Art of the Spirit Serpent, and shot out like lightning towards the main city.
At this time, the morning sun was just rising and the multi-colored light of sunrise was boundless; it was a dawn that bubbled with spirit energy.
