Beginning of Cultivation
Chapter 20: Preparing to Arrive at the Capital

Chapter 20: Preparing to Arrive at the Capital

Time has imperceptibly flowed by, and now it is almost eleven years later. During this period, apart from Jun Wu Xiao and Yue Guang fighting each other twenty-one times, the rest of the days each resembled the other.

One might think that the exceedingly long life of a cultivator is a matter of great joy. However, they are mistaken. True cultivators (here referring to those who voluntarily cultivate without knowing whether they will succeed or fail, and who will never stop regardless of success or failure) die on the very first day they begin to cultivate.

Why say so? If every day you have to go through a sequence of identical actions, with nothing changing, repeating endlessly until death, aren’t you just like an automaton running on autopilot? If one has to live like this, can it even be considered the life that humans desire?

It might even be said that prison is better than the life of a cultivator. After all, a prison term, even if for life, lasts only several decades for the normal person. Cultivation, on the other hand, is just the repetitive engagement in mundane activities for hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of years until failure and death. For cultivators, there is little difference between living and dying, so no one would choose cultivation out of fear of death.

The state of mind of true cultivators is also vastly different from ordinary people. In the distant future, they will definitely strive for something until the last moment. Perhaps none of them are clear right now what that important thing is, but over time true cultivators will realize it.

It can be said that almost all people who cultivate over a long period of time will become tools, but this is because they volunteer and no one forces them. But also because they strive to become a better tool, they can go to places that mortals cannot go but also have to pay a price that mortals cannot afford.

For instance, although Jun Wu Xiao and Yue Guang still possess human emotions, these do not influence their actions. If Yue Guang were killed one day, Jun Wu Xiao might feel sadness but would not seek revenge or become crazy about it. He will still act with reason and consider the pros and cons and not do crazy things unless he doesn’t act crazy then he will definitely die.

Because for both of them, if one day they die, the person who is most at fault is themselves, because they are not strong enough so they die, as well as because they are not strong enough so they cannot protect their friends.

They also do not vie for wealth or status, except when what is called cultivation resources appear. After all, the two most important things for cultivators are breakthroughs and one other thing.

Of course, this only applies to true cultivators. In the future, cultivation will no longer be a secret. There will be those who spend ten years cultivating to become stronger and add fifty years to their lifespan, and then return to normal life and cease cultivating further.

At this point, Jun Wu Xiao and Yue Guang have also made breakthroughs. The time they took to make these breakthroughs was about ten years and eight months, coincidentally the same amount of time Jun Wu Xiao needed for his second breakthrough.

Yue Guang, having achieved a breakthrough, had significantly slowed her aging process, so she still looked remarkably youthful. However, Jun Wu Xiao had aged. He no longer resembled the teenager he once was. This was not surprising, considering he was nearly forty-nine years old.

"How do you feel about the growth of your strength?" Jun Wu Xiao asked, wanting to know if his second breakthrough was similar to hers.

Yue Guang took a moment to assess the growth of her own strength, then replied:

"The increase in my strength is quite similar to my first breakthrough, but the degree of growth is different. This time, my strength has only increased by one-third."

Jun Wu Xiao nodded, having anticipated this since the duration of her breakthrough was identical to his own.

"And you? Did your strength increase as much as the first time after your third breakthrough?" Yue Guang asked.

Jun Wu Xiao shook his head and said:

"No, the growth was completely similar to the second breakthrough."

"I see, it seems that achieving another breakthrough like the first one is not an easy task." Yue Guang commented.

She wasn’t too disappointed, though. Simply achieving a breakthrough was quite satisfactory for her. After all, this peculiar way they walked was one where no one far surpassed her to offer guidance. While Jun Wu Xiao went further than her, it was not by much.

Remembering a past conversation, Yue Guang asked:

"You previously mentioned meeting that friend of yours. When will we go to meet him?"

Jun Wu Xiao thought about the timing, then replied:

"In over a month, I will go see him. I’ll let you know when we’re going."

She nodded and responded:

"Good. Then I’ll go back to cultivating."

After that, she left to continue her cultivation, and Jun Wu Xiao did the same. Even though the two of them lived close to each other, they did not cultivate together. They preferred to devote their full attention to cultivation without the presence of others.

More than a month passed, and it was now time for Jun Wu Xiao to meet Chu Wu. He went to find Yue Guang and said:

"Yue Guang, it’s time to meet my friend."

She paused her cultivation and replied:

"Alright, let me change my clothes first. After all, the ones I’m wearing are quite worn out."

Afterwards, Yue Guang quickly left, leaving Jun Wu Xiao momentarily stunned. He looked down at his own clothing, which had once been a set of white robes but now appeared tattered and faded, resembling the garments of a beggar more than anything else.

"Haiz, why didn’t I think to bring along a few changes of clothes like Yue Guang did? Now, it seems I’m ready to play the role of a beggar meeting Chu Wu." Jun Wu Xiao lamented.

Normally, one could say he was a person who desired nothing beyond cultivation, but when it came to meeting his friend, he turned into a clown. He did so because he found it amusing, much like how he would fight Yue Guang every six months.

A short while later, Yue Guang had changed her outfit. Although her clothes were somewhat old, they were still far better than tattered rags.

"I’m ready. Let’s go." Yue Guang said.

Standing next to each other, they presented a stark contrast: one side resembled a celestial maiden descended to earth, while the other, with unkempt hair and ragged clothes, looked no better than a beggar. Jun Wu Xiao’s handsome face somewhat mitigated his ragged appearance, but he still looked like a beggar.

Together, they probably appeared to onlookers as if a beggar was following a young lady to beg for alms.

Yue Guang glanced at Jun Wu Xiao and commented:

"If you look like this, will your friend recognize you?"

Jun Wu Xiao puffed out his chest confidently and replied:

"Of course, even if I turned to ash, he would recognize me."

"Ah, but do you know how to read a map? I’ve never used one before." Yue Guang admitted.

Jun Wu Xiao unfolded the map. Truth be told, it was also his first time using one. It took him a moment to figure it out. Despite never having used one before, his sharp intellect allowed him to understand it quickly without any guidance.

"I’ve got it. Just follow me without worry." Jun Wu Xiao confidently assured.

Yue Guang had watched him struggle with the map and teased him:

"Are you sure we won’t get lost? It seems like this is your first time using a map."

With his face showing no embarrassment, Jun Wu Xiao confidently asserted:

"Rest assured, rest assured. Once I’m certain, there will be no mistakes."

With that, the two of them set out on their journey to the capital.