No one knew when Yankyu returned to Salt Lake City.
He wore a tattered linen cloak, no longer wore a garlic skewer around his neck, wore a straw hat on his head, and looked just like an ordinary old farmer.
This was also a change made after Saltjou’s trip to the Eastern Continent.
There was no need to show off one’s status as an ascetic, nor was there any need to flaunt one’s identity; a firm and pious cultivator should not waste his energy on external objects.
Standing in front of the shrine, Yanjiu raised his head, his cloudy eyes gazing at the ancient and solemn temple.
Great Lord Yao God, my days are numbered, but I have given my all.
Although it is still impossible to break through to a higher limit, those who come after me will surely find a way, I believe in them.
……
Next to her, the female adventurer with a large backpack also surveyed the shrine.
Saltcue stood silently.
A figure walked out of the shrine.
It was a young boy with a black robe covering his head, and he made his way down the steps to the old man.
“You are the Grand Elder of the Bitter Cult Society, Saltcue, correct?”
Salt Long smiled, wrinkles piling up on his face, “It seems you are the new Prophet, younger than the rumours.”
Prophet Shippo smiled, “You have come to pray to the gods, have you not? Please come in.”
“No need.”
The old man shook his head, “With a god in your heart, everywhere is a shrine.”
“Your wisdom is truly far beyond the ordinary.”
The teenage prophet sighed in admiration, and suddenly realised something as if his face was grave: “The injuries on your body are not light, please go to the convalescent home to recuperate for a while first.”
“It’s not good to recuperate.”
Salt Long had a frank face, “I’m already a person who will die, relying on the revelation given by the gods to comprehend the [Holy Stigma], but in the end, I will also grow old and die.”
“I can clearly feel that the lifespan is approaching its end.”
He was not alarmed, nor did he have any regrets.
Although his fate had taken many twists and turns, he was lucky enough compared to the vast majority of people.
“I came here to visit, just to give this to you, on it are some insights from my cultivation.”
Shi Bao received the roll of sheepskin handed over by the old man with both hands.
He carefully looked at the words recorded on it, his face growing increasingly shocked.
“Introduction to [Theology], to [Martyr] practice, to advancement to [Stigmata] …… Comprehending knowledge and oneself through pilgrimage, challenging transcendent beings to raise one’s limits ……”
“This is the method by which …… ascetics enter the transcendental realm?”
“Just a bit of immature personal experience.”
Shiojyu said calmly, “It’s an outline that I’ve personally worked out, and perhaps it won’t apply to everyone. I hope that it will make those who come after me take less of a detour, and I’ll be satisfied.”
“You gave this to me instead of the Ascetic Society ……,” Shi Bao didn’t say his next words as if he realised something.
The old man nodded, “Yes, I wish to have it in your hands so that everyone can have the opportunity to look through it.”
“The Ascetic Order …… As much as I hate to admit it, quite a few ascetics don’t want to let ordinary people into the field.”
“In my presence, they put away their arrogance and carefully disguise themselves. But when facing others, they are often in a lofty posture, for they pride themselves on being transcendent.”
“My shallow wisdom could not solve this problem, so I thought about it, and compiled all the knowledge and experience I know, for all to see.”
“Everyone can become ascetics, and perhaps that’s what will keep everyone humble and respectful. This is also the inspiration given to me by the Divine Lord.”
Saltcue suddenly burst into a fit of coughing, his dry, thin body shaking.
Hunting Rain gave the old man a gentle pat on the back and handed him a water bag.
The old man took a sip of water.
Shi Bao pondered for a long time before he said, “I am even more clueless about the answer that you have been unable to find for many years. However, I do have an idea, why don’t you rename this pamphlet and open it up completely to the public.”
“The cultivation path for ordinary people to enter the transcendent realm is a remarkable feat in itself. Why don’t you give it a new name and completely detach it from the asceticism society, so that there will be no more constraints.”
Yanjiu thought for a moment, “Let’s call it Martial Cultivator.”
The old man said goodbye to the Prophet and travelled north, crossing the high mountains, by way of Yao City, and eventually coming to the depths of the forest.
There were rolling volcanoes here, and the black mountains were dotted with powerful fire elemental creatures.
As the spectacle [Egil’s Fire] grew stronger, the volcanic region became a forbidden area where humans could not set foot.
“Why do you keep following me?”
Saltcue looked ahead to the towering black mountains and took off his straw hat.
Hunting Rain also stopped being cheeky and said seriously, “In the earliest days, I wanted to learn Transcendent Power from you.”
“Later, I don’t know why, but I just felt that it would be too bad if you died just like that.”
“Many years ago, my great-grandfather, Nong Aung, died just like that because no one saved him in time after he fell in a farm field once.”
Salt long froze, “Nong Aung …… the hero Nong Aung who invented ale, so you are his descendant.”
“Hmm.”
Hunting Rain said, “After my great grandfather died, my grandfather continued farming, and when he encountered slave traders occupying Salt City, my grandfather gave up farming and reverted to becoming a hunter …… I also inherited the occupation.”
“But our family’s brewing craft is still alive and well, and great-grandfather has been working on honey wine, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to perfect it, wanting to make a truly unforgettable honey wine.”
The old man suddenly thought, “You reminded me. Please run and tell Prophet Shibao that it is best for martial cultivators to have a companion accompanying them in their cultivation, and it would be even better if this companion is good at healing or being a scholar.”
“Otherwise this kind of dangerous cultivation can easily lead to death.”
“Understood.”
The old man stretched out his dry and calloused hand to the young man and said earnestly, “I am grateful for the care I received on this journey.”
Hunting Rain shook his hand.
“Let’s say goodbye here, and may the Yao Gods bless you.”
Yanjiu took his hat off and took a big step towards the forbidden human area that represented death. The fire elemental creatures quickly spotted him and gathered towards him.
Hunting Rain remembered his great-grandfather in his father’s dictation.
The blazing flames in front of them were like a brilliant and gorgeous red wheat field.
……
After finishing Salt Long’s experience in one breath, Hunting Rain only felt a wave of fatigue and even a bit of weakness.
“Please drink some wheat wine, it will make you feel better.”
The man sitting across the table ordered a drink.
“No, I’m used to drinking my own wine.”
Hunting Rain took out a sheepskin water bag from his backpack and pulled out the cork, a slightly intoxicating aroma wafted out from inside.
Pava inhaled, “Is this the honey wine you were talking about?”
“Yes, it’s still half-finished, would you like to taste it?”
“If that’s okay.”
The taste of the honeyed wine made Paiva close her eyes with an intoxicated look, “Such a good wine, you should really make it in large quantities, Miss Huntrain, there would be many people who would love it.”
“Its not good enough, the ratio of honey needs to be adjusted. Let’s get down to business, Mr Pava.”
“Ah yes, sorry, sorry. This wine is really making me forget about it.”
Pava squared her shoulders, “So, the last time you saw the Great Elder of Shiojyuu was in that area of the Volcano District, right?”
“Yes.”
“I see, one year lost. For the time being, consider Shiohisa-san as missing. I’ll record Shiohisa-san’s battles in the Eastern Continent, as well as his personal experiences in the latest ‘Pava’s Wonderful Adventure – Heroes’.”
“That would be great.” Hunting Rain sighed in relief.
“Miss Hunting Rain, I have a small proposal.”
Pava put away his record book, “I have a group of dwarven friends who revere fine wine and have the utmost respect for master brewers. If you don’t mind, you can go to the [Dwarf Fortress] in the south, the Dwarf Adventure Group [Blast Furnace Wizards] is resting, they are all my old friends.”
“You will make honey wine and be able to get all the help you need from them.”
“You are going to push the honey wine to everyone anyway, why don’t you use the [Dwarf Fortress] as a brewing place, where the environment is simple and pure, and the dwarves have straightforward personalities. They will provide you with the necessary funding, and it is a very suitable place to live, as long as you don’t hate the sound of iron smashing …… of course depending on your personal preference.”
“I do!”
Hunting Rain’s eyes widened and his face couldn’t hide his joy, “Dwarves have a good reputation, so if it’s possible, of course.”
“That would be great! I’m sure the dwarves will be very happy.”
Pava flashed a smile, “Then I will write you a formal letter of introduction now.”
“Okay, thanks!”
Hunting Rain collected the letter of introduction and left Salt City.
She glanced back at the black mountains in the north.
I will make the best honey wine.
You must try to stay alive too, Shiohisa-sensei.
