Chapter 2: A lowly profession?

After Yang Zhong left the room, he had the maidservants waiting outside help Li Xian tidy up his appearance, and then instructed the craftsmen to repair the door. Only after doing all this did he go to the master, Li Yulong’s, room.

Yang Zhong stood at the doorway and then bowed before speaking, “Master.”

“How is he?” Li Yulong, appearing to be in his thirties, exuded a steady and calm demeanor.

“Master, the young master has fully recovered. Upon examination, his soul and body are perfectly fused, with no signs of possession. It can be confirmed that the young master has truly recovered. However, during the time his soul was away, it seems he had some other experiences.”

Yang Zhong then detailed everything he had seen and heard, including Li Xian’s requests.

Li Yulong listened quietly until the end and finally smiled, making a rare joke: “It’s normal to encounter some strange things while the soul is wandering. It’s been said that some have even seen Black and White Impermanence or even the Yellow Springs.

Since he wants craftsmen, just let him go to the workshop. It’s better than causing trouble outside.”

“Yes, sir.” After Yang Zhong left, Li Yulong finally let out a sigh of relief, rubbed his temples, and continued burying himself in paperwork. As the Censor-in-Chief of the Great Xia Kingdom, Li Yulong was under considerable pressure.

When Yang Zhong returned, Li Xian was frowning. Master Li Yulong had really outdone himself by assigning maids to Li Xian who were either elderly or rather plain-looking—well, that’s the polite way of putting it. The blunt way would be to say they were quite unappealing.

Seeing Yang Zhong return, Li Xian immediately jumped up, “Uncle Yang, did my father agree?”

Yang Zhong smiled slightly, “Young master, the master has agreed. Let’s head to the workshop directly.”

Li Xian was overjoyed. “Really? That’s great!

Uncle Yang, is my father still in the study? I’ll go pay my respects first.”

Watching Li Xian’s retreating figure, Yang Zhong stood still for a long moment before finally sighing, “Paying respects? Perhaps, he really has turned over a new leaf.”

When Li Xian went to pay his respects, Li Yulong was overjoyed. He encouraged and comforted Li Xian with a few kind words, without asking about his changes or the experiences during his wandering soul state. He simply said he looked forward to Li Xian’s transformation and urged him to accelerate his cultivation—cultivation was the most important matter.

“Cultivation?” After leaving, Li Xian sighed. The previous consciousness in this body truly had great potential and resources for cultivation, conditions that most people could only dream of. Yet, it had only reached the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage, still far from the tenth level’s great perfection. That distance could be described as “distant, unreachable.”

“Looks like I’ll be quite busy from now on.”

As he got into the carriage, Li Xian curiously peered at the tall walls surrounding him. This area was filled with the homes of the powerful and wealthy, and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

After the carriage had traveled more than three miles, it finally reached the bustling outer city. In contrast to the solemn and dignified inner city, the outer city was a sea of joy—or at least, it appeared that way.

Crowds swarmed, consisting of cultivators, knights, scholars, students, officials, merchants, vendors, entertainers, and actors, making Li Xian dizzy from all the sights. The carriage traveled smoothly on the official road and soon left Wuyang City, the capital of the Great Xia Kingdom, heading swiftly into the wilderness.

Along the way, Yang Zhong explained some general details to Li Xian:

Firstly, in order to better centralize power and control, officials and a few of their direct relatives lived within the city, while the main families, workshops, guards, and others were all outside the city.

Secondly, workshops, craftsmen, manual labor, and even farming and weaving were considered “base professions” in the Immortal Realm. The term “base professions” was used in comparison to “cultivation” and referred to the livelihoods of ordinary people.

In the Immortal Realm, cultivation was the main priority and the noblest endeavor. Only through cultivation could one gain great power, long life, and a respected position.

“Stop!”

Li Xian was lost in thought when a sudden shout came from outside the carriage. Someone dared to shout at the Li family’s carriage in the middle of the street? Li Xian’s curiosity surpassed his anger.

Yang Zhong lifted the curtain and sneered, “I wondered who it was, turns out it’s Ouyang Qing, the son of the Prime Minister. Young master, why are you blocking our carriage?”

Li Xian’s mind raced, understanding that Yang Zhong was speaking for his benefit. He immediately sized up the young man in front of him—a man in his twenties riding an ordinary white horse, certainly not the White Dragon Horse of the Tang Monk.

Ouyang Qing pointed his whip at Yang Zhong and Li Xian, saying, “My father told me that whenever I see someone from the Li family, I should scold them. You treacherous ministers who bring disaster to the country won’t have a good end!”

After saying that, Ouyang Qing casually turned around and was about to ride away.

What the heck! Li Xian was fuming. Being blocked and cursed out of nowhere—this was truly outrageous! He sneered coldly, “A thief crying ‘Stop, thief.’ Uncle Yang, let’s go. Arguing with this kind of street scoundrel is just a waste of time.”

As soon as Li Xian spoke, it left Ouyang Qing stunned and speechless in rage.

Yang Zhong burst out laughing, immediately instructing the driver to move forward. “Young master, your retort just now was so satisfying.”

Li Xian felt wronged, “Uncle Yang, I was just stating a fact.”

Amid Yang Zhong’s laughter, the driver cheerfully sped the carriage to the Li family workshop, located ten miles away. The workshop was large, covering nearly thirty acres.

After entering the gate, Yang Zhong led Li Xian to meet the person in charge, Li Youwei, also a member of the Li family from a collateral branch. By seniority, Li Xian had to address him as Uncle.

After a brief greeting, Li Xian got straight to the point. “Third Uncle, I want to take a look at the workshop where the jade lamps are made.”

“Why? Is your jade lamp broken?”

Li Xian shook his head, “No, Third Uncle, the jade lamp is fine. I’m here to learn.”

“Why would you want to learn such a lowly craft!” Li Youwei clearly shared the common disdain found in the immortal realm. Even though he was in charge of the workshop, he still looked down on what he considered a menial trade.

Li Xian was both amused and exasperated. The concepts of these people were too deeply ingrained; perhaps he had been a little too optimistic. But once Li Xian had made up his mind, not even nine dragons could drag him back. Besides, he had a plan—lamps and light were the most easily accepted and indispensable things.

But how should he phrase this? His eyes shifted as he thought of an idea. “Third Uncle, your jade lamps are too stiff, lacking any artistry. I’m planning to make a Lotus Lamp for Father to use.”

“Stiff? Are you saying your jade lamp is ugly? That’s the best the workshop can produce!” Li Youwei was a bit upset.

“Third Uncle, please, just let me go in and have some fun. What do you say?”

“Have some fun?” Li Youwei’s face was starting to darken. But unable to resist Li Xian’s persistence, he eventually gave in, “Alright, but you can’t interfere with their work.”

“Of course, of course, I’ll just take a look.” Li Xian eagerly agreed to all conditions. As expected, the first step is always the hardest.

Seeing the matter resolved, Yang Zhong took his leave, while Li Youwei led Li Xian inside and gave him a brief introduction.

Here was a jade workshop responsible for carving jade, including ordinary talismans and such, and the jade lamps were made in one of these workshops;

There was also a forging workshop where weapons, armor, and farm tools were produced;

Then there were the weaving and carpentry workshops;

Finally, there was the most important ‘magical artifact workshop,’ where items for cultivators were crafted. The production volume was low, but the profits were the highest.

Li Xian stared at the magical artifact workshop for a long, long time, but in the end, he didn’t enter. Only those in the Foundation Establishment stage were qualified to craft even the lowest-grade magical artifacts, so for now, Li Xian could only visit the regular jade workshop and interact with the jade craftsmen.

The person in charge of the jade workshop was a Qi Refining stage cultivator, Sun Ming, an elderly jade craftsman.

“Greetings, Senior Sun.” Li Xian approached with a humble attitude, eager to learn. This left Li Youwei, who was behind him, in shock—weren’t you supposed to act arrogant and give orders?

Sun Ming, seeing the usually arrogant young master being so polite, was momentarily “stunned” and at a loss for words.

Li Xian felt the awkwardness and had no choice but to bow again. “Senior Sun, I’m here to learn. Please instruct me.”

“Ah…this…how could this be…” Sun Ming was completely flustered this time. Was the pampered young master really here to learn such a lowly trade?

Finally, Li Youwei realized that this young man might have truly changed. “Old Sun, my nephew has indeed turned over a new leaf. Please, show him some leniency.”

Since even Li Youwei had spoken, Sun Ming couldn’t refuse, though he still felt a bit uneasy inside.

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