They all want to change my future.

Chapter 3 Cultivation

"This..." Li Zhi turned to look at Ji Baizhi, "It's not the young lady's boudoir, is it?"

Ji Baizhi stood at the door, dressed in red with red hair, looking unrealistically beautiful in the candlelight.

Upon hearing this, she smiled slightly and did not deny it: "Young master, you're finding fault again."

"No, not at all," Li Zhi said. "However, I'm more curious about what happened in the future that enabled you to do this."

This is practically giving away money; it's like risking everything and completely betting everything on it.

"So, this is what you care about, young master?"

"It doesn't seem like you care that much," Li Zhi said. "If you really see my future, you should know that the idea of ​​a beautiful woman's favor doesn't mean anything to me."

Ji Baizhi laughed, a laugh tinged with self-mockery. "I know you're heartless, young master. But don't worry, I'm not that shameless."

Li Zhi looked at her for a moment, then nodded: "Good to know."

He stopped refusing, went into the room, and sat down at the table.

Tea was already prepared on the table, and the teapot was still steaming.

Ji Baizhi followed him in, sat down opposite him, and poured him tea from the teapot.

"As for clothes, I have a set, but I'm not sure if it will fit," she said. "However, there's plenty of charcoal for heating, so you don't need to worry, young master."

Li Zhi took the teacup and took a sip.

It's a good tea; it has a sweet aftertaste.

"Miss Ji," he put down his teacup, "can you tell me now? How do you want to help me?"

"Please, young master, read a book."

"read?"

"right."

"Where to study? At a college?"

"No," Ji Baizhi shook her head, "it's right now, right here."

She walked to the bookshelf in the room, took out a book, and pushed it in front of Li Zhi.

The book is a thread-bound edition with a yellowed cover, and it is titled "True Explanation of Spiritual Experiences".

"Cultivation?" Li Zhi asked.

"Yes," Ji Baizhi nodded, "It is cultivation. In this world, cultivators are extremely powerful. With your talent, young master, cultivation should not be difficult."

Li Zhi picked up the book and opened it.

The first page contained a few lines of text:

"There is true energy in the world, which moves without color, yet connects heaven and earth."

The way to cultivate oneself is to read books diligently; read a book a hundred times, and its meaning will become clear.

Concentrate your mind and calm your spirit, observe yourself, guide the Qi into your body, and circulate it throughout your body.

However, those born with extraordinary abilities can see even the sages' eyes when they open and close their eyes; their vital energy is formless yet visible, which is not an exaggeration.

After reading it, Li Zhi looked up and said, "Most of what's written in this book is about how to sense Qi. It gives countless methods. It's more like a collection of stories than a book about cultivation."

"Yes," Ji Baizhi said, "you should know about cognitive impairment, young master, right?"

So that's how it is. Li Zhi understood. Perception determines thought. He didn't know about spiritual energy before he came, but after reading this book...

Once you know that spiritual energy exists in the world, the problem becomes very simple.

Li Zhi closed his eyes. If there was spiritual energy, what would it be like?

When he opened his eyes again, he saw it.

There is indeed "qi" between heaven and earth, pale golden in color, like morning mist or flowing light, slowly moving in the air, gathering into rivers and seas.

"As expected of the young master." Ji Baizhi clapped her hands.

Li Zhi nodded in acceptance of the compliment, "The spiritual energy in this room seems quite strong."

"Of course, my room is located at a node of the capital's spiritual vein," Ji Baizhi explained, "so the spiritual energy is several times denser than elsewhere, which is why I invited you to stay here, young master."

Li Zhi looked at her and suddenly asked, "Miss Ji, if I achieve success in my cultivation, what do you want me to do?"

Ji Baizhi remained silent.

She got up, walked to the window, and opened it.

A cold wind blew in, blowing her red hair, which looked like a burning flame in the night.

"Does my lord know," she said softly, "that in the future I saw, you said something."

Li Zhi didn't speak, waiting for her to continue.

"If there is not a single righteous person in the city, then the heavenly fire should come and burn it down." Ji Baizhi's back was to him, her voice calm, but Li Zhi could hear a slight tremor in it. "In the future, young master will have cultivated to a very high level."

How tall?

"So high that..." Ji Baizhi paused, "that it could change the world."

She turned around and looked at Li Zhi, something surging in her golden eyes.

"It sounds like I'm the kind of person who'd destroy the world," Li Zhi said, somewhat curious. "What did I do to you in that future?"

"Young master defeated me."

"It shouldn't be called defeat, but rather crushing," Ji Baizhi laughed, a laugh tinged with bitterness and self-mockery. "In the future, when you stand opposite me, you will set fire to the entire capital."

She walked back to the table, sat down, and looked into Li Zhi's eyes.

"I don't want that kind of future," she said, "so I'm going to change it, I'm going to get the young master on my side."

"I understand." Li Zhi shook his head: "However, it's unwise to just believe in the future you see. Besides, it's very irrational to place your hopes on others."

"Does the young master mean he wants me to kill you?" Ji Baizhi poured tea for Li Zhi again.

Her smile was sweet, her manner intimate, and there was absolutely no sign of murderous intent.

Li Zhi shook his head again: "If the future you see is real, there must be a reason why I will burn down the capital. What can you do to make me stand with you?"

"Of course." Ji Baizhi smiled confidently. "If you don't want to change it, then I will. Let me be your righteous person."

These words are simple, yet heavy.

The mountain cannot see me, so I go to see the mountain.

Li Zhi naturally understood: "You really won't regret giving so much."

"I have no regrets for the sake of you, young master," Ji Baizhi continued, "because I was originally very weak, so weak that no matter how much I accumulated or endured, I could never reach your level."

Li Zhi then realized why Ji Baizhi called him "Young Master"—it was to place him above herself, even though she looked so beautiful.

With such a mansion, one must have a very high status.

But she has belittled herself to this extent.

Li Zhi knew this, but he wasn't moved, because he understood that she was just gambling.

She gambled that she could change the future, that he could stand by her side, and that he could make her wish come true.

"Since you've decided to stand with me," Li Zhi said domineeringly, "then tell me what you want to do."

"Young Master, are you starting to want to understand me?" Ji Baizhi smiled brightly. "Of course I have many things to do, but right now, the thing I want to do most is to get rid of the wicked empress in the palace."

"The Empress? Sure." Li Zhi agreed immediately, as if it were a very small matter.

Or rather, he was confident that he could make that decision.

In response, Ji Baizhi said softly, "This is not a simple matter. It requires reaching the ninth realm of cultivation, and only then can you possibly achieve it, young master."

After saying this, Ji Baizhi seemed a little disheartened. She stood up and said, "Young Master, I'll go get the clothes."

She stopped at the door and glanced back at Li Zhi.

His gaze was complex and difficult to decipher.

Then she closed the door and left.

Unlike Ji Baizhi's dejected expression, Li Zhi was somewhat excited.

According to the game's setting, the ninth realm powerhouse should be the boss in the very late game.

It seems like I'm only just getting into the game; it's definitely a long way off.

But isn't this the beginning of something interesting?

That's a good long-term goal. I hope the game won't be too boring and too easy for me to complete.

A femme fatale? Hopefully, she'll be quite formidable.

Li Zhi smiled.