Reed walked out of the same paper shop in the artisan district with 10 stacks of paper. It couldn’t be folded into paper planes.

  At least he could practice using ink and brush with it.

  A few more days had passed and Reed was starting to get a bit sick of Middle Bridge Inn’s daily special, which always tasted the same no matter which meat or vegetables they put in.

  Halfway between Middle Bridge Inn and the artisan district, Reed stopped at Red Tray Pavilion, a store made of red wood with glazed tiles, 3 stories high.

  The reason Reed chose it was because when he went to the unadorned wooden establishment beside it, people constantly stared at him.

  Reed felt rather vexed.

  The meals at the wooden restaurant only cost 5 bronze for a meal while Red Tray Pavilion was almost ten times as much. Around 50 bronze.

  Sure, Reed would admit the food and drink were sweater and more appetising with a wider selection, that the decor and ambience was superior. That the food seemed to fill him with vigor and strength, even making his mild asthma disappear completely.

  But surely it wasn’t worth 10 times the price?

  Walking up the pavilion steps, a waiter immediately appeared in front of Reed, leading him to the 2nd floor.

  Reed followed silently, no words exchanged between them. He looked at the people on the first floor. They were all wearing colourful, unfrayed clothing, similar to what Reed had first bought at the Great Pond tailor.

  Ascending to the second floor, Reed noted its patrons all wearing silver or golden embroidery.

  Across the raised, balcony style level, Reed spotted a man in blue and silver robes, a purple and gold sash neatly folded to the side.

  The town magistrate. Reed recalled, before he looked up to the next level which seemed to be empty at the moment, but also had lavish decorations.

  Reed hummed to himself as he sat down at a table. Halberd Moon had been at the top level of the Cloud Feather Inn’s eatery, all by himself with a dedicated waiter at his table. Yet, the town magistrate wasn’t at the top level of this restaurant?

  Reed wondered who Halberd Moon was. Or, what was different about them. Could it be that he was more of a merchant while the magistrate relied just on a salary?

  “Oh? Red Heaven? What a coincidence meeting you here.”

  Reed felt a chill go down his spine before turning around.

  Halberd Moon stood there, being led by a young, smooth skinned waitress and another, much older gentlemen in spotless white apron and hat with several cooking utensils strapped onto their belt.

  Reed was silent for a moment before a memory flashed, he bowed down slightly and cupped his hands. “Indeed. It's been a few days.” He responded.

  Halberd Moon looked at him for a moment, before nodding to himself and continuing to walk. “Come, join me. I’d like to hear the progress too.” he spoke.

  Reed hesitated for a moment, but fell in behind Halberd Moon, following him to the 3rd floor. He put a hand to his stomach which had begun feeling sick as they ascended.

  As they ascended the stairs, previously blocked by an interior fence, Reed saw the magistrate practically glaring at Halberd Moon out of the corner of his eye. He quickly averted his gaze, just in case.

  On the top floor, Reed sat down with Halberd Moon at one of only 4 tables in the restaurant.

  “My treat. Bring us some of your highest grade spirit beast meat.” Halberd Moon spoke as the waitress poured tea for him, then for Reed.

  The old, white clothed man with cooking utensils, bowed and left back down the stairs. Reed assumed he must have been the chef.

  Spirit beast meat? Reed wondered, watching the chef go while attempting to touch the tea, only to almost burn his fingers against the porcelain cup.

  Reed looked down at the tea cup, then at Halberd Moon, who left the tea alone.

  “Hmm. I suppose it's rude to ask about the mirrors straight away. How is your cultivation coming along then?” Halberd Moon began talking.

  My… Cultivation… Reed wondered. He had noted the concept from the books he had managed to read.

  However it had been some kind of power level thing that started from Qi training, then moved to Mountain Moving, Ascendant, Immortal Soldier, Immortal General, Immortal Emperor, Supreme Immortal Emperor, Supreme Chaos Emperor, Supreme Star Constellation Grand Immortal Emperor… Something like that?

  “...Not well… My family— is rather secluded— and mostly focused on mechanics and engineering.” Reed responded slowly.

  “Oh? Your aptitude seemed good, I would have expected you to be at or close to Qi Refining since we’re a similar age.” Halberd Moon responded in surprise.

  “How about you? You seem like a mighty figure. Could you already be in the mountain moving realm?” Reed asked, throwing the question back.

  “PAHAHAHAHA!!!” Halberd Moon burst out laughing, loud enough it hurt Reed's ears.

  “Good one! I never thought about flattering someone using that children's tale!” Halberd Moon continued laughing, practically shouting.

  A few moments later, Halberd Moon seemed to regain his composure. “Truly. Your creativity is inspiring. Unfortunately, I’m far from being able to move mountains. Soon I’ll be preparing to enter the Meridian Opening realm"

  Reed’s smile faltered slightly, but he did his best to maintain it.

  Body Tempering… Qi Refining, then Meridian Opening… There's too many gaps. Reed complained in his head.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “I see. I’m sure it’ll just be a matter of time though.” Reed chose to continue flattering. He didn’t have anything he could talk about.

  “Hmm, thank you. You must still be in the Qi-Blood realm if you haven't practiced much.” Halberd Moon took the complement well, picking up the tea before blowing on it gently.

  Reed mimicked the action, carefully grasping the cup which was just barely holdable after cooling for a minute. He carefully considered his next words.

  Reed hesitated a moment before speaking, “I have not only practiced a bit. I haven't practiced at all, I'm afraid.”

  “Oh? Almost everyone dreams of cultivating, yet few achieve any success. Have you truly never cultivated before?” Halberd Moon asked.

  “I was busy studying mechanisms."

  “...” Halberd Moon narrowed his eyes imperceptibly. “Could you show me then?” He suddenly asked, pulling out a scroll and some brushes from his blue pouch and laying them on the table.

  “Just to pass the time while we wait for the food.” He continued.

  Reed looked at the scroll, unfurling it in front of him. He breathed a heavy relief in his heart. He had chosen his words carefully. As a mechanical engineering student. There were few things he was more confident in than designing mechanisms.

  Dipping a brush in the ink, Reed thought for a moment before attempting to sketch out designs for a hidden door. One that would activate by pushing a book in.

  Halberd Moon watched quietly, before seeming to become more interested and leaning over the table slightly to get a better look.

  “Sirs.” The old chef who had been following Halberd Moon before spoke softly.

  Reed snapped back to reality, looking around for a moment before cursing himself internally. He had completely forgotten where he was while sketching out the hidden doorway mechanism.

  Reed pushed the scroll out of the way, allowing the chef and several waiters behind him room to place plate after plate of dishes.

  Halberd Moon leaned back into his chair smiling.

  “I should apologize for doubting you.” Halberd Moon said, picking a piece of meat with chopsticks. “Its no wonder you haven't cultivated and know such a skilled glassmaker.”

  Reed felt a jolt of realisation. Just like that Waiter from the Middle Bridge inn. Halberd Moon had doubted him, then tested him. The only difference was that the waiter doubted his apparent status, while Halberd Moon had doubted his background and origin.

  What would he have done if I claimed to be a talisman master… Reed wondered, feeling his heart beat faster at the thought. He also realised he had already told that lie and claimed to be a talisman maker or something last time he visited Blue Quillin workshop.

  Reed took a piece of meat from the table as well.

  Damn! Reed thought as he chewed. The taste wasn’t anything mindblowing, but the moment he swallowed, he felt like he was hit by a hammer, followed by a powerful feeling of energy and power surging through him. It was as if it was a sweating hot summer day and he was suddenly submerged in fresh spring water.

  He said Spirit Beast meat before… is that what this is? Reed wondered, recalling what Halberd moon had ordered.

  The two ate in silence for a while.

  “Right. Now that we’ve eaten. How are the mirrors coming along? Its been over a week now hasn’t it?” Halberd Moon asked.

  “5 are done.” Reed responded.

  “I see. So it will take close to half a year to finish them all?” Halberd Moon seemed to fall deep into thought.

  Reed shook his head. “My friend is just busy getting other orders out of the way. Afterwards he’ll focus on the mirrors.”

  “Oh? How long will it take then? I remember you saying not more than a hundred days before?”

  “Still the same. He’ll spend a month or so getting other orders out of the way first, then catch up when he's focused on the mirrors. So, about a hundred days still.”

  Halberd Moon nodded, then looked over to the scroll Reed had been drawing the hidden door mechanism on.

  Another waitress quickly removed the empty plates. Letting Halberd Moon turn over the scroll and look at the design properly.

  “Hmmm… Very interesting…. Hmm? Why are the gear teeth angled?” Halberd Moon suddenly pointed out.

  “To spread the force transfer and make it quieter.” Reed responded without thinking.

  “...” Halberd Moon’s smile softened slightly as he looked at Reed. “It feels like a waste for you to not cultivate. With this level of mind aptitude, so long as you can reach the Nascent Soul realm, you’ll be able to soar even further.”

  Nascent Soul? Reed wondered.

  Reed opened his mouth, then paused, then smiled, shaking his head, speaking humbly. “You jest. How far is the Nascent Soul realm from me?”

  “Oh? It's not too far. You're still young. So long as your body aptitude is alright, Qi-Blood and Body tempering will just take some time. With how strong the spirit energy around you is, I’m sure you have excellent spirit aptitude, so Qi Refining, Meridian Opening and Core Formation are possible with enough resources. Then… It's just up to your mind to pave the way to Nascent Soul.” Halberd Moon spoke, seemingly contemplating his words before nodding.

  “Yes. I think that's about right.” He nodded.

  Reed smiled. “Thank you for the praise. Though I’m not sure I’ll be able to live up to it.”

  “I’m sure you can.” Halberd Moon smiled. “If you fail to do so before you turn 50. How about you and your friend work with my sect?”

  Recruitment, out of nowhere? Reed thought, narrowing his eyes. It was too sudden.

  “Well. I’ll think about it. I should be going now though.” Reed stood up and bowed.

  Halberd Moon nodded. “Unfortunate, but we’ll meet again.” He picked up a freshly poured cup of tea, seemingly content.

  Reed stood up and turned, walking away.

  As Reed walked down the stairs and returned to the ever busy main road, he couldn’t stop smiling.

  Finally! He thought. He had a complete name list and order of the world's magic.

  Qi-Blood, Body Tempering, Qi Refining, Meridian opening, Core Formation and then Nascent Soul. Reed recounted. From Halberd Moon's words, there were probably more beyond that.

  He also thought I was at Qi Refining… What does Qi Refining mean… Reed thought. He knew the names, but he still didn’t know what they meant exactly.

  The other day, he heard about Body Tempering… Body aptitude… The guy who had no spirit aptitude.

  Reed scratched his chin as he walked.

  So Qi-Blood and Body Tempering are something to do with body aptitude. Qi Refining to Core Formation was about spirit aptitude and nascent soul was about mind aptitude.

  Thinking of the names, Reed wondered if they were literal. Logicly, Core Formation should be about making some kind of core right? Meridian Opening should be about opening meridians or something.

  Reed shook his head, no use thinking about it. Even if they were literal, he didn’t have enough knowledge to fill in the gaps.

  “Hmm?” Reed stopped.

  The crowd had thinned out and a dry wind was blowing.

  The Mangrove Family estate was on the right of the road. Blue Quilin Paper Shop was on the left. Ahead was the town lord’s residence.

  “...” Reed froze. The wind blew, billowing his red and gold robes and stinging his eyes.

  He thought he saw a head rolling, or a splatter of blood on the ground.

  His breath quickened and he took a step back.

  However,

  The road was pristine.

  Granite tiles lined the road. Not a trace of blood could be seen.

  “Huuuh…” Reed calmed himself, exhaling deeply. He was about to turn back.

  But…

  Reed looked to the Blue Quilin Paper Shop. It was just over there. He had been meaning to visit it for over a week now.

  Reed took another deep breath, his fist shaking, before turning and walking towards the Blue Quillin Paper Shop.

  One foot in front of the other.