Fighting to be Kind in a Cultivation World

Even as Da Xia heads away, I feel a bit guilty for how stern I was with her at the end.

However, a big part of leadership is to make sure that people follow certain guidelines within a group. And while I can be nice, kind, and caring, she is also going to be one of the most powerful people in the group.

If I let her get away with disrespect or other negative, then I’ll be setting a bad example, that she can do what she wants, with enough power. And that doesn’t include how everyone will take it.

I must admit, her abilities possess a great deal of potential. Especially, when you consider that for a necromancer, it is the materials that they use to craft their undead that make them more powerful. If we can get her powerful, ancient dead creatures, then her combat effectiveness will go immensely up.

After all, a powerful spirit beast or cultivator’s body grows along with their bodies. With her genius and abilities, she might even have them use the same cultivation methods they had in life.

I mull over this for a bit longer before moving to my next objective: exploring the rest of the caverns and seeing how I can help the other demihumans here. And in the process, check up on some of them.

With that in mind, I think about the layout of the caverns and what areas there are here.

Well, I know for sure they have the underground farms, which even now have my healing going towards it. Letting crops that were never supposed to grow underground do so.

Additionally, there are residential areas, extensive training areas, recreational spaces, cultivation zones, and, perhaps most significantly, alchemy areas. Because, of course, I sent Gong even more information on alchemy techniques to help improve the skill-sets of the demihumans.

There are a few other areas, but none that really concern me at this point.

After using my scan to verify the alternative paths to these locations, I decide to head to the farms first to check on the status of some crops. Beginning my walk, I navigate past the piles of bone dust and back into the city.

Through the gothic alleyways, where spiders creep and now corpses rise.

It’s quite pleasant.

I use this time to actually meditate, create more spirit stones, and relax myself. Letting myself just be, as I walk through the streets. Letting the subtle cave air currents brush past me as I move.

Soon, I come to an open part of this giant cavern where an expansive farm sits. Funnily enough, this one sits out here in the open, as these plants can actually receive enough artificial light from the giant light stone in the ceiling to grow normally.

As I get closer, it’s easy to see several demihumans tending the plants.

A family of three holds the most significance for me than any others. It’s the fox demihuman family I saved with the little phoenix concoction back in the streets above.

The mom, father, and daughter are all working hard in the fields, pulling up fast growing root vegetables. The group as a whole has been using alchemy to speed up natural growth rates. With the information I gave them, it’s pretty easy to do so while replenishing the natural nutrients of the soil. Though there can be some downsides, they won't need to handle it anytime soon. And when they come up, I’ve already given them the knowledge to handle it.

As I walk to them from the city line, the daughter happens to look up and her eyes widen. She shakes her mom and dad's arms, enthusiastically jumping up and down while doing so. Bringing a wide smile to my face.

They practically drop their work to run over to me.

“Master James! It’s an honor to see you here. Thank you again for all you’ve done.”

The father is the first to speak, as they all bow intensely. Of course, I try to wave them up.

“You guys don’t have to go so far. I’m just happy to have been able to help you in time.”

“…but you didn’t have to. While we may haven’t known it at the time, you took a great risk in protecting and healing us. Thank you.”

The mother says this, the conviction in her voice making me pause.

It’s easy to forget, but all the things I’ve done had the potential to go terribly wrong. Time after time, I’ve been in danger and, by luck, help from others, and good timing, I’ve been able to pull through.

But I’ve realized now that I can’t rely on that. Which is why I’m using my scan constantly.

I refuse to put those close to me in danger because of negligence.

Understanding that their words are true, I allow them to show their appreciation by holding their bow for a bit longer, before finally waving them up. I have a bit of an embarrassed look, as I ask them a question I realized I never checked about.

“You know, I never got a chance to ask your names…”

“Oh! My name is Kai, with my wife’s name being Hana, and my daughter’s name is Reina.”

The father gives a slight smile as he answers my question, without a hint of offense, and maybe even a little honored that I even asked.

Considering his graciousness, I give a smile back.

Well, it is an honor to learn the names of your family, finally. Please, let me know if any of you ever need anything.”

“…I’ve always wondered what candy tastes like…”

The daughter blurts out her wish, causing her mom and dad's face to freeze. I can’t help but to laugh, as I know most people just say that… but I truly want to help these people. Even with the small things. Before they can scold her, I squat down in front of her with a smile.

“Well… want to be the first person in the group to learn to make spiritual candy?”

The parents suddenly stop and look at me in surprise. Hesitantly, they ask me a question.

“…I’m sorry to ask, Master James, but is that safe?”

Ah, he’s concerned about the superstitions regarding the culinary cultivation.

People still feel bothered by the fact that the culinary sects were wiped off the map centuries ago. What most people don’t know is that many higher realm sects just have secret internal recipes they use. However, I’ll be changing that. Starting with the group here.

“You don’t need to worry. The pursuit against culinary experts ended long ago. No one will come to attack her. And if she gets good enough, people will actually start coming to her for more.”

I can see the shortest flicker of hesitation before they decide to trust me entirely. After all, this is an ingrained superstition and their daughter we are talking about.

I proceed to demonstrate to her how she can turn nip cake, the sweet treat made from an underground mushroom, into natural sugars, and then fudge.

If I can help it… the demihumans will be the ones to restart the culinary cultivation methods.

Just another reason to have people rely on them.

I'll just need to work to ensure that people don't view them more suspiciously because of it.

Something easier said than done.