Heaven Refining physique Chapter 1: Small Village

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Nestled at the base of a mountain range lies a secluded village, so small that it comprises fewer than fifteen families. From a dilapidated hut, a boy emerged, his path leading towards the mountains. He was barely fifteen years of age. Despite his worn and torn attire, his inherent handsomeness and captivating aura remained undeniable. Observing his departure from the village's edge were two elderly men, their gazes fixed upon him with evident pity. "Sigh... his life has been nothing but hardship." "It is simply fate; everyone must endure their trials." These words were exchanged after he had left the village confines and ventured into the wilderness. His frequent treks into the mountains were driven by a singular purpose: to procure herbs that might aid in his mother's recovery. His mother was the sole remaining family he had. His father had perished during a hunt when he was merely two, and subsequently, a venomous snakebite had afflicted his mother. Though the poison was treated, the cure was incomplete, leading to a persistent illness that steadily worsened. He ventured deeper into the mountains, approaching a cave so concealed that his previous accidental fall had been the only reason he'd discovered it. On his prior visit, he had fled in haste, not daring to linger. Yet, this hidden locale represented his only hope of finding a remedy for his ailing mother. Thus, steeling himself against the fear, he resolved to enter the cave. The intense fear he'd experienced stemmed from a disembodied voice that had echoed within his mind while he was inside the cave previously, a sound that had terrified him to his very core. Reflecting now, he reasoned that if this presence had intended harm, he would not have been able to escape last time. Having exhausted all other options to save his mother, this left only one path forward. If the voice had sought to communicate, perhaps a bargain could be struck for a cure. "Haaah... you have returned." The moment he stepped into the cave, the very voice that had previously filled him with dread resonated once more. A shiver coursed down his spine, for he still could not discern its source – only the voice persisted, an internal echo within his mind. This time, he marshaled his courage and prepared to execute his plan. How should he address this entity – as a ghost or a senior? He cautioned himself against referring to it as a ghost, fearing it might incur its displeasure. Bowing deeply and cupping his hands in a gesture of respect, he spoke. "S-Senior, my apologies for my pathetic display during our last encounter." "Ohh... hehehe. I had presumed you would never venture near here again, considering how terrified you were last time. A bit more pressure, and you might have soiled yourself." His face flushed crimson at the remark, but he managed to maintain his composure. "Senior, you jest. I was merely fatigued that day and mistook the presence for some wild beast lurking within the cave, hence my hasty retreat." "Hehehe... who are you attempting to deceive? Your return signifies a need, for surely you would not have dared to set foot here otherwise." Being so easily seen through, he grew more embarrassed, for the entity's assessment was undeniably accurate. "Senior, your wisdom is profound." He paused briefly before continuing. "Senior, my mother was unfortunate enough to be bitten by a venomous snake. The poison was only partially dispelled, and her condition deteriorates daily. Might you possess knowledge of any medicinal remedy that could aid her recovery?" "Hm... given your mortal status, I shall assume your mother is also mortal. In that case, the solution is quite straightforward. I can furnish you with the cure directly, but what shall be my recompense?" His heart skipped a beat. How could he obtain the cure from an unseen source within the cave? Regardless of the uncertainties, he couldn't voice his doubts. It was better to proceed with faith than to harbor regret. "Senior, I fear I possess nothing of value that might capture your interest, but I pledge to exert my utmost effort to fulfill any request you may have." "Excellent, excellent... fret not. You undeniably possess what I desire. All I require is your life." At these words, he was struck speechless, his mind consumed by the singular urge to flee immediately. This entity was clearly a charlatan; he should never have placed his trust in it. "What?... You suspect me of deception? Hehehe... How about this: I shall provide you with a pill capable of healing your mother, and in return, you pledge to return here once her recovery is complete." He was astonished anew. In truth, if such a pill could genuinely cure his mother, he would gladly sacrifice his own life without hesitation. "Senior, if that is your proposal, then I implore you to grant me the cure. Should my mother be healed, I give my solemn promise to return." "Very well... you have not disappointed me. Indeed, here is the remedy." As the words faded, a small, white bottle materialized in the cave's center. This unexpected event sent another wave of shock through him. He had truly witnessed a marvel today, something akin to legend. He was old enough to have heard tales of immortals capable of flight and performing feats beyond mortal comprehension.

When this senior inquired if his mother was mortal, he had already deduced that the entity before him was not a ghost but rather an immortal being.

However, the sudden materialization of the bottle still astonished him.

He moved to the center, retrieved the bottle, and examined its contents. Within, a solitary, small pill was found.

"Crush that pill and dissolve a fingernail's worth into a bowl of water. Ensure your mother consumes no more than a single sip. After drinking, she will be completely healed within a minute."

Upon hearing this, he clutched the bottle of pills with even greater care. How incredibly precious must this pill be, capable of restoring health in mere moments with such a minuscule, diluted dose?

"Thank you, senior. I shall certainly return by noon."

If the senior's words proved true, his promise would be fulfilled much sooner than anticipated. A pang of sadness struck him as he contemplated his mother living on without him. He fervently wished she would never learn of his self-sacrifice; the knowledge would surely crush her.

He then made his way back to the village. He was cherished by all within the community, widely admired for his sharp intellect. Given the village's modest size, its inhabitants lived akin to a large family. They had exerted every effort to save his mother, yet their endeavors had proven insufficient.

Arriving at his home, he discovered the old nanny still present.

"Hao'er, you have returned."

"Yes, Grandma, and I have found something that can cure Mother."

"What!... You are not mistaken, are you? This poison is exceptionally lethal; I have never encountered anything like it."

The old woman possessed considerable medical expertise and was the one who had partially treated the poison, preventing his mother's demise until this point.

"Worry not, Grandma. I encountered an immortal by chance in the mountains. He bestowed this cure upon me."

"Impossible."

Her outright disbelief surprised him. Why would she not accept his words?

"Sigh... Hao'er, you are young and possess little knowledge of immortals. To them, we mortals are as insignificant as ants. They abhor our presence, let alone offering assistance."

The assertion that immortals regarded mortals as ants left him momentarily stunned. This was a perspective he had not previously considered. However, setting his thoughts aside, he sensed that Grandma was not being deceitful.

Perhaps this was the harsh reality of their world, but it held no bearing on his immediate purpose. He was on the brink of death, and his sole desire was to save his mother.

"Grandma... observe this."

He opened his hands, revealing the pill bottle to her.

"I obtained it from the immortal, and he assured me it would truly cure Mother. Grandma, how much longer do you believe Mother can hold on?"

The old lady gazed at the bottle, utterly astonished. It was unmistakably a container for pills, an item unattainable unless an immortal personally offered it.

"Grandma, how much longer does Mother have?"

This question struck her silent once more. She knew, given her current state, that her passing was imminent, likely by the following day.

"Very well... let us attempt it. What other recourse do we possess?"

Without further delay, they proceeded to prepare the concoction exactly as he had been instructed.

He then carefully measured a single sip's worth into another bowl, took a deep breath, and brought it to his mother's lips, coaxing her to drink. Afterward, he held his breath, awaiting the outcome with intense anticipation.

After a mere ten seconds, beads of sweat began to appear on his mother's brow. Her body, which had been growing progressively colder, was now regaining warmth.

In less than thirty seconds, her eyelids fluttered open.

"Hao'er..."

"Mother, I am here."

Suppressing his tears, he responded, gently holding her hands.

The old nanny also exhaled a sigh of relief, a look of astonishment on her face. It was, in truth, an immortal pill. Yet, a lingering doubt persisted in her mind. Why would an immortal extend such aid?

"It is good that you are here... I feared I would not see you again."

His mother wept softly, stroking his face. Hearing her words, however, brought his promise to the forefront of his mind, making it impossible to meet her gaze.

His only hope was that his mother would not be utterly devastated by his eventual demise. To break a promise that had saved his mother's life was an act he could not countenance. He would have to concoct a plausible story to offer her some semblance of hope.

With time still remaining, he chose to spend it embraced by her.

Grandma departed to convey the miraculous news to the other villagers. I had already instructed her to dissuade them from visiting, as I wished to have some private moments with Mother.

"Hao'er, how did I become healed?"

Here it comes, he thought with an internal sigh upon hearing her question. He had never uttered a falsehood to his mother, but today, he found himself compelled to do so.

"Mother, there is, in fact, a cave located in the mountains where a senior immortal resides. I discovered it by accident some time ago. When we failed to find any cure for your ailment, I resolved to seek his assistance."

"The senior agreed, but..."

A moment's hesitation passed, but upon witnessing the questioning gaze in her eyes, he responded with measured calm. "He stated that in exchange for the cure, I must follow him from this point forward."