Chapter 68: Fifty Books Later
Paike was lost in thought as he headed back. He was slightly worried about Guan Li, but figured that the elder wouldn't be overly harsh on him for the interruption, judging by his curious response. Aside from this event, Guan Li had done well in learning the rules and adjusting to the cultivator culture.
The transition from mortal culture to immortality was quite the change, and there were stories about how it sometimes went poorly. Knowing that ahead of time, Piake had promised to help Guan Li learn the ropes. So, in some ways, it was his failure that led to his friend being in this situation.
Though Paike thought it would have been obvious that you don't interrupt the near god-like immortal that is deigning to help you. If you have questions, you wait until they are done and are willing to hear you out. Their time might also be purchased with a sect point if you really needed something, though it was undoubtedly expensive. He just hoped that the elder would take into account Guan Li's status as a newcomer to their world and go easy on him.
Paike had paid attention to his surroundings for another ambush on his way through the forest to the compound. If he fell for another in the woods, he would never live that down. But once he started walking through the buildings, he let his mind wander.
It naturally gravitated to the advice of the elder. Paike had underestimated the issues with his physical cultivation. But then again, it seemed they all had. Still, that didn't mean he could ignore those problems. Fixing them was already on his list, but they might have moved up to the top. They certainly moved in front of stretching his dantian out to make up for what he missed in Ruby. He supposed that was a good thing anyway, as he could let his spirit heal more from its many recent wounds.
Paike was pulled from his planning when he stopped in front of the pile of rubble of their old home. Habit had guided his feet and let him here. Looking out over the ruins, he wanted to say he got angry. But he just felt a slight annoyance. It had just cost him a little bit of his stipend and saddled him with a chore that he didn't really have time for.
Honestly, though, he wasn't even angry when he first saw it. Maybe just grumpy.
He didn't care about the petty power squabbles; he just wanted to cultivate, get stronger, help his sister and his family. He didn't know exactly what he would be called to do, but the stronger he became, the more he could do in any capacity.
With the way things were going, he might be able to continue being his sister's guardian for longer than he had hoped. He thought he might be able to follow her for a realm or so until she outgrew his protection. But his own progress was enough that it could be longer. Since he had advanced, when he was done with this assignment, he would receive more important duties.