Spring passed and autumn came. Over a year had slipped by since Xiao Qi arrived at Qingxu Temple. With the aid of pills (though they were the lowest-grade Qi Gathering Pills, and his share was meager) and his own unrelenting efforts, his cultivation had laboriously climbed to the Qi Refining Second Layer. This speed still placed him at the bottom among the outer sect disciples, but to him, every shred of progress was precious beyond measure.
One day, the sect issued a simple mission down the mountain—to venture into the outskirts of "Green Mist Mountain" within Qingxu Temple's sphere of influence and gather a low-grade spiritual herb called "Dew-condensing Grass." This herb served as an auxiliary ingredient for refining Fasting Pills and some low-grade healing potions. It wasn't rare, but demand was steady. The mission was led by a senior outer sect disciple named Zhao Mang at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. The team included Liu Yun and two other disciples at the Qi Refining Third Layer. Xiao Qi, due to his usual display of steadiness (or perhaps because of his status as Disciple Xuan Lin's apprentice), was also permitted to come along for the experience.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Qi felt both excitement and trepidation. This was his first formal departure from Qingxu Temple's mountain gate, his first step into the real world of cultivation, even if it was only the outermost region. He carefully checked his gear. Aside from his drab, grayish disciple robes, the most important item was that black iron wok, wrapped in cloth and still habitually carried on his back. Liu Yun, seeing his getup, couldn't help rolling her eyes, but said nothing more.
The group set out at dawn. With the aid of Wind Riding Talismans, their pace was quite swift. Green Mist Mountain was shrouded in swirling clouds and mist, with ancient trees towering into the sky. The air was thick with the rich fragrance of plants and a faint trace of spiritual energy. Unlike the orderly scenery within Qingxu Temple, the wild mountains brimmed with raw vitality and unknown dangers. The leader, Senior Brother Zhao Mang, was experienced and wore a stern expression, constantly reminding everyone to watch their footing and be alert for potential poisonous insects or fierce beasts. Liu Yun held her longsword, looking valiant and heroic, her eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly. The other two disciples also gripped their weapons tightly. Only Xiao Qi, with the lowest cultivation, nervously followed at the rear of the group, his palms slightly sweaty from clutching the wok handle (which he used as a makeshift walking stick and psychological comfort).
The mission proceeded fairly smoothly. Under Zhao Mang's guidance, they soon found patches of Dew-condensing Grass by a shaded mountain stream. The grass blades were narrow and long, their edges adorned with fine dewdrops that shimmered with a faint glow in the sunlight. The group spread out, carefully harvesting the herbs, taking care not to damage the roots. Xiao Qi imitated them, squatting down and cautiously digging with a specially made jade shovel. His movements were clumsy but extremely earnest, afraid of harming these seemingly delicate spiritual herbs.
Just as he focused on his task, a sudden rustling came from the nearby bushes!
"Careful!" Senior Brother Zhao Mang shouted sharply.
Before the words faded, a gray shadow shot out from the bushes like lightning, pouncing straight at Xiao Qi, who was closest!
It was a creature the size of a dog, with exposed fangs and blood-red eyes—a "Sharp-toothed Badger," a common low-grade first-tier demon beast, fierce in temperament and adept at ambushes.
Everything happened too suddenly. Xiao Qi had no time to think, let alone cast any spell. Seeing those foul-smelling fangs about to bite his calf, a strong survival instinct made him react in the most direct way—he abruptly swung the cloth-wrapped wok in his hand, using it as a shield, and held it crosswise in front of him!
"Dang——!"
A dull yet unusually loud clang of metal echoed through the mountain stream!
The anticipated sharp pain didn't come. Xiao Qi only felt a tremendous force transmitted through the wok, numbing his arm. He staggered backward several steps and landed sitting on the ground. The attacking Sharp-toothed Badger, seemingly dazed by this sudden hard "shield," let out a pained screech, tumbled to the ground, shook its head, and even its fangs showed faint cracks! Its blood-red eyes stared at the unremarkable "black wok" in Xiao Qi's hand with doubt and confusion, as if unable to comprehend why this seemingly ordinary object was so hard.
All this transpired in the blink of an eye. It wasn't until Xiao Qi sat down that the others reacted.
"Xiao Qi!" Liu Yun cried out in alarm. A flash of sword light shot forth like a nimble snake toward the Sharp-toothed Badger. Senior Brother Zhao Mang also acted simultaneously, sending a yellowish-brown spiritual energy shockwave that arrived first, smashing heavily into the demon beast's flank. The badger yelped in pain, didn't dare to linger, turned and dashed deep into the dense forest, vanishing from sight.
The crisis averted, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but their gazes all converged on Xiao Qi... and the wok still tightly clutched in his hand. The cloth covering had slipped halfway off during the impact, revealing the black, dull bottom of the wok. The wok body was completely intact, without even a scratch.
"Little... little junior brother, your... this wok..." one of the accompanying disciples stammered, eyes wide with disbelief.
Using a wok to block a demon beast attack? And it worked? It sounded like a joke!
Another disciple stepped closer, curiously tapping the wok body with his finger. It emitted a dull "thud thud" sound. "Whoa, sturdy enough! What kind of iron is this made of?"
Senior Brother Zhao Mang approached, checked that Xiao Qi was unharmed, then scrutinized the wok. His brow furrowed slightly as he said gravely, "Ordinary iron would never be this hard. Junior Brother Xiao Qi, this wok of yours..."
Xiao Qi's heart pounded wildly. He quickly rewrapped the wok in cloth and hugged it tightly to his chest, lowering his head and whispering, "It's... it's a family heirloom, given by my mother..." He dared not say more, afraid of inviting further questions.
Liu Yun sheathed her sword, walked over to Xiao Qi, and poked his forehead with annoyance. "You scared me to death! You! With such low cultivation, you react pretty fast! Using a wok to block a demon beast? Who would've thought of that!"
Even as she scolded, a flicker of lingering fear and a trace of unnoticed relief flashed in her eyes.
"But, speaking of which," Liu Yun's tone shifted, taking on a teasing note, "this wok of yours is quite the fighter. Maybe you really can use it as a shield in battles from now on? 'Wok-shield Warrior' Xiao Qi, haha!" She herself found the idea amusing and couldn't help laughing.
The other disciples, hearing this, also started chuckling, and the atmosphere instantly lightened. Though they still found Xiao Qi's wok-defense utterly ridiculous, the sturdiness of that wok left a deep impression on everyone.
Afterward, among the outer sect disciples, a verse was passed around: "Zayan • Daily Life in the Temple":
Morning bells and evening drums encircle the cloud-wreathed peaks,
Carrying water and chopping wood are also cultivation.
Don't laugh at Xiao Qi with his wok as companion,
One day he'll soar and rise to the azure heights.
* Note: Lighthearted and humorous, reflecting Xiao Qi's optimistic and upward attitude when he first entered Qingxu Temple, even though he was seen as a "little good-for-nothing."
Xiao Qi's cheeks flushed crimson. Holding the wok, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in. But deep inside, a strange feeling welled up. This constantly mocked wok had once again protected him at a critical moment. It wasn't just a cooking utensil, a medium for sensing qi—it was something... perhaps truly somewhat extraordinary, this "family heirloom."
The first mission down the mountain ended with fright but no harm. On the return journey, the others still occasionally joked about Xiao Qi's "wok-shield" feat. Xiao Qi silently followed at the back of the group, listening to his senior brothers' and sisters' teasing, but his hand unconsciously caressed the cold wok body against his chest.
This wok seemed to hold more and more secrets.
And what exactly was the connection between it and him, and Xu Lan Manor, and that massacre?
This question, like a seed, quietly took root in his heart.
The road ahead, too, seemed to grow more shrouded in mist because of this unexpected encounter, yet it also faintly revealed an unusual glimmer of light.