Chapter 9, Returning to Infancy

Today is the first time that the little tiger boy has seen the water grandmother weaving "water cloth" with his own eyes. He is very small and has to stand behind those who are seated in order to see the water grandmother. The water grandmother weaves without a loom; she simply sits quietly in front of the door, with the processed ramie fibers already piled up in front of her.

A few years ago, the Mountain God was still present. In fact, many clan members unknowingly received guidance from the Mountain God during the rituals of worship, yet they have not taken the first step. Ruoshui primarily places hope on those young individuals who are yet to marry. As for those who are already married, it is not entirely impossible, but they are burdened with more complexities and trivialities in their lives, which greatly affect their state of mind, making the likelihood of success quite low

The patriarch Ruoshān led the hunting team back, and the entire village suddenly became extremely lively, with everyone in high spirits. This time, the clan's best hunters Bozhuang and Zhongzhuang did not participate, yet the haul was greater than ever before, thanks to the presence of the Pánwù. This seemingly unremarkable flower-tailed dog moved like the wind through the mountains and forests, leaping and pouncing as if it were soaring, making ordinary wild beasts no match for it

This time, having harvested such a rich bounty, Panhu became a hero in the eyes of the clan members. Even when standing upright, it is not very tall; everyone who sees it comes over to affectionately pat its head and stroke its neck, which makes the dog feel somewhat frustrated yet also a bit proud. It shakes its head in front of Huwawa, gesturing with its front legs as if wanting to convey many things, but unfortunately, it cannot speak yet.

The clan members often take several days to return from collective hunting trips. This was the first time Panhu had left the village, and Huwawa felt both envious and somewhat reluctant. The mountain elder did not take all the young men with him; he left some behind to guard the village. Since the incident with the strange birds, extra caution was necessary. The two strongest warriors, Bozhuang and Zhongzhuang, also remained. The mountain elder instructed them not only to protect the clan members but also to focus on their own training.

The sitting posture of this dog is different from that of others; it merely squats and does not sit cross-legged like a human. It is difficult to say whether this special "tribesman" meets the previous requirements set by the Water Granny. It is certainly not yet married, but it is also definitely not yet sixteen years old. However, the concept of age for dogs should differ from that of humans, so the tribespeople did not raise any objections

Pan Hu has already experienced the initial realm, but it is still at the beginning of awakening its intelligence. It is impossible for the mountains to teach it the methods of cultivating the nine transformations of the initial realm as one would teach a person; even if they were told, it would not understand! Therefore, it can only cultivate through repeated experiences and self-realization, which is why the time taken for each transformation in its initial realm is quite long

These simple-minded tribespeople are truly obedient, most of them gritting their teeth to persevere. In reality, forcing oneself to endure is fundamentally unsustainable, and in the end, they faint, becoming dazed as if they have fallen asleep. There are also those who simply cannot get into the right state and thus are unable to see the weaving process clearly, merely sitting there and enduring.

Ruo Shui supplemented: "For the average person, the meat of that demon bird is merely a tonic, capable of temporarily boosting one's vitality and energy, but once its medicinal properties fade, it leaves little behind. However, for those like Bo Zhuang and Zhong Zhuang, who have already entered the second realm and are refining their muscles and bones, it is precisely suitable to assist in their cultivation."

The fabric woven by the water grandmother is made of kudzu. In ancient times, the clothing of the tribe was made from animal skins and leaves. While animal skins provide warmth, they are not suitable for wear in warm seasons, and leaves are easily torn. The term "cloth" originates from string; people twist soft vines or fibers from plants into long strips. Coarse ropes can be used to bind items, while fine threads can be used to sew animal skins.

The Water Grandmother weaves cloth without anyone needing to lift a finger, as the silk from the ground automatically rises to weave into long pieces. The feelings of the clan members are one of awe rather than fear, for she is the revered Water Grandmother, and such abilities seem only natural. However, it is unprecedented for the Water Grandmother to request that everyone sit in front to witness this scene clearly

In the village, there are two open spaces; one is located in the center, directly in front of which is the altar, while the other, smaller open space is situated behind the altar, in front of the house where the water elder resides. Dozens of clansmen are seated in a cross-legged position on this smaller open space, facing the water elder, who is sitting in front of her own door. As for the other clansmen who wish to watch the event, they can sit or lie down casually to the side, but they are not allowed to move to the front and obstruct those seated, nor are they permitted to speak or disturb others.

The Tiger Boy continued to watch; at this moment, he no longer felt discomfort or dizziness. Gradually, he began to see not only the threads transforming into fabric but also the entire scene. This spectacle was incredibly fluid and visually appealing, accompanied by a naturally flowing energy, akin to a moving painting. The Tiger Boy understood what a painting was, as his people had once carved various scenes onto the stones of the village walls, some depicting hunting and others illustrating tree planting.

He stood there as if he were asleep, with a gentle smile and his whole body relaxed. He stood very steadily without falling, feeling warm and extremely comfortable. At this moment, Tiger Baby was completely unaware that Water Grandma wanted the clan members to observe her weaving cloth, hoping that everyone would seek this very state.

These patterns are often quite simple and rough, and the young boy frequently observes those images. For instance, when he sees some patterns outlined by simple lines, after pondering over them, a scene of a group of tribespeople chasing prey suddenly appears before his eyes

However, even Licheng Shui did not notice that the little one, Tiger Baby, had entered the Initial Illumination Realm today. This was something he could not have anticipated, as such a young child could not possibly comprehend the subtleties of cultivation realms, and even with deliberate teaching, it would be impossible to impart that understanding. Perhaps it was because the method used by Ruoshui was too unique, and Tiger Baby simply experienced that state naturally.

Later, people wove fine threads into sheets, which became the earliest and most primitive form of cloth. Subsequently, people learned to weave warp and weft and began using simple looms to produce fabric. The best weaving material found in the mountains is the fiber processed from kudzu vines, known as kudzu silk. It is very fine and soft, and the kudzu cloth woven from it is lightweight and comfortable, suitable for close-fitting wear or as summer garments.

The people in the tribe live in a primitive and simple state, and there are some things they may never know. However, they understand the realities of life at a very young age. Males can marry at the age of sixteen, and females at the age of fourteen, but not everyone chooses to marry so early. Girls generally marry at a relatively young age, while some men tend to start families at a much older age. The reasons for this are multifaceted, with the primary one being the necessity of having sufficient capability.

However, Panhu has already activated its innate abilities, allowing it to gradually familiarize itself with and utilize these powers during the hunting process, consciously engaging in cultivation. This naturally accompanies the initial stage of the Nine Transformations, which may be the most suitable approach.

On the second day, the mountain elder gathered the strong warriors of the tribe and set out with the panhu to hunt outside the village. Hunting requires selecting suitable weather and assessing changes in atmospheric conditions, avoiding potential rain, especially during the season of heavy downpours; otherwise, the situation in the deep mountains would be extremely perilous. The mountain elder is the most experienced person in the tribe; he is familiar with the characteristics of the wind and clouds in this area and can even sense subtle changes in moisture in the air.

Li Qing Shui was filled with emotion—could it be that he truly saw hope? Meanwhile, the voice of Ruo Shan was also filled with a sense of relief: "This is not due to the cleverness of my methods, but because it has awakened its innate abilities and shown signs of spiritual connection, which is why it can act this way. If it were an ordinary beast, no method would be effective. I saw it eat the flesh of a demon bird during the day, and when the medicinal effects took hold, it went mad in the village, which led me to think of trying this approach. Truly, a dog has its own nature!"

When Elder Shan is not present, all matters, big and small, within the clan are decided by Granny Shui. On this day, with the sun shining brightly and a gentle breeze blowing, Granny Shui suddenly made a very strange decision, ordering all the young men aged sixteen and the young women aged fourteen in the clan, who had not yet formed any marital ties and were under thirty years of age, to gather and watch her weave fabric

... ...

For the clanspeople, watching the Water Granny weave cloth was clearly not a pleasant experience. However, when the Water Granny issued her command, everyone dared not disobey, and even those who were not required to attend would go. Fortunately, the Water Granny did not do this every day, and several days passed without her calling the clanspeople again, which relieved many.

Since Tiger Boy is still too young, I intend to refine that demon bird meat once more, allowing him to absorb its spiritual effects as much as possible. Even if he is not yet aware of cultivation, as long as he can endure this nourishment, it will strengthen his body. This child has an extraordinary background and may achieve remarkable things in the future. Moreover, he is the only orphan of the Qing Shui clan, and we have benefited greatly from the Qing Shui family; we ought to repay them well.

During this hunting expedition, Panhu also learned many things. The mountain elder taught it how to lie in wait, how to wait for the best moment, how to cooperate with its kin, and also how to let go. This dog is very obedient and eager to learn, and most importantly, it has also learned how to refrain from barking unnecessarily

After the hunting party returned, Granny Shui once again gathered the clan members to watch her weave. Since the last time, the moon had changed from a waxing crescent to a waning crescent. Among the clan members who had gone hunting, there were also those who met the requirements, and this time they similarly joined the group of seated observers. Granny Shui even specifically instructed Pan Hu to sit and watch her weave.

This is stillness within movement; flowing water becomes the streams seen by people, and flowing silk becomes the fabric perceived by the tiger cub. Regardless of whether such a thing as ramie fabric originally existed in the world, as long as the ramie fibers are woven in this manner, it will manifest; just as water converges in the mountains, allowing people to see the streams. To comprehend this stillness within movement is to gain clarity in every scene.

On the distant hill, Li Qing Shui sighed softly, fully aware of Ruo Shui's intentions. This approach could be described as uniquely thoughtful. For when faced with those simple-minded tribespeople, it was truly impossible to explain the subtleties of initial realm cultivation. Based on Li Qing Shui's experience, even if one could articulate it clearly, the chances of others understanding and consciously seeking that state would not necessarily be greater than the success of Ruo Shui's guiding method.

In the late hours of the night, Tiger Boy had a dream in which he was once again enjoying that incredibly delicious meat soup, feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness. This dream was so vivid, as it mirrored his true experience just before falling asleep, blurring the lines between dream and reality, and he remembered it clearly upon waking. However, before dawn arrived, Tiger Boy had another hazy dream, almost identical to the one from yesterday.

However, Granny Shui did not notice that Tiger Boy had succeeded, because she could not have imagined it at all. This child is too young, not yet four years old. Even if someone saw Tiger Boy in this state, they probably would not realize that he had entered the initial stage, or what is referred to as the initial illumination stage.

Some people gradually become afraid to look; as soon as they close their eyes, that uncomfortable feeling disappears. However, the water grandmother insists that everyone must see clearly, but how can one see with their eyes closed

The tiger cub was finally awakened by the voice of the Water Granny, who said: "Alright, that's it for today. After you return, you should carefully savor the feelings of this moment. All those who meet the requirements may come back to see me next time for spinning; and for others, if you have nothing else to do, it would be best if you could come as well"

The height of the little tiger cub is quite small, making him the least noticeable among the crowd of onlookers. Moreover, many of his kin beside him have also closed their eyes. The act of closing one's eyes carries different meanings; trying to see clearly the spinning of the water grandmother is quite uncomfortable, as most people would feel dizzy. Only by closing their eyes and no longer looking can they manage to stand firm.

In the village, almost every household lacks stools; people usually kneel or sit cross-legged on a mat on the ground. Sitting cross-legged is more stable and allows for a more upright posture than kneeling, which is a habit everyone has developed since childhood and requires little teaching. The old woman did not say much; she simply encouraged everyone to try to imitate her posture—crossing their legs while sitting. This position is the most stable and upright, reflecting the body and calming the mind, leading to a state of tranquility and composure.

Yet this dream was so ethereal that upon waking, he could hardly recall the details of it. At this moment, Tiger Boy did not fully comprehend the concept of dreams; he merely experienced it as a natural part of his growth and memory.

Ramie fabric is superior to linen, and the ramie woven by the Water Grandmother is the finest, characterized by an exceptionally dense, soft texture that is durable and everlasting. Among the various tribes in this region, it is even specifically referred to as "Water Fabric." The bellyband that Tiger Boy usually wears is made of "Water Fabric." When the Lu tribe exchanges goods with other tribes, "Water Fabric" is the most sought-after item.

The tiger cub was curiously observing when it suddenly noticed that the slender vines on the ground seemed to come to life, floating on their own towards the air in front of the water grandmother. The vines intertwined, crisscrossed, and wove together, gradually spinning into fabric out of thin air. One end of the fabric slowly drifted, while the other end of the vines continued to gather and weave into a long piece.

Other relatives who did not meet the requirements still gathered behind to watch the excitement. Many people, as they watched, closed their eyes, and Tiger Boy was one of them. Tiger Boy's feelings were similar to last time, but this state was clearer; he was not intentionally doing this, he simply felt very comfortable and at ease, wishing that Water Granny would weave cloth every day for everyone to see

At this moment, the water grandmother appeared to Huwa as a painting; her hair was in motion, and her garments fluttered, as if manipulating the ramie threads with a peculiar rhythm. The ramie cloth drifting slowly in the air resembled the streams continuously flowing in the mountains. What Huwa saw was flowing water, controlled by the forces of nature, converging into streams in the mountains. The streams seemed to always be the same, yet the water never ceased to flow

Huwawa clearly observed the details of the cloth woven by Ge Si, and then felt a wave of drowsiness. He had slept well yesterday, so why was he feeling sleepy again at this moment? Huwawa shook his head vigorously to shake off that state, and what he still saw was the water lady spinning cloth in front of the door

As the person gazes at the image, they begin to feel dizzy and nauseous, for the threads in the air are too dense. When attempting to observe this process closely, one enters a peculiar state. The scenes within their line of sight seem to magnify, while everything else fades away, leaving only countless tightly woven threads swirling and intertwining, causing their mind to become unsettled

In the dream, the tiger cub was filled with vitality, and there was an indistinct impulse that arose unintentionally. This impulse did not contain any specific desires, but was accompanied by an innate vigor, simple and pure. In the sweet embrace of deep sleep, his little member naturally became erect, though it was unclear how long it lasted

The tiger cub stood at the back, his curious eyes wide open as he watched the Water Granny perform her magical skills. He wondered how the Water Granny could transform these ramie fibers into cloth out of thin air. Then he recalled another matter: that strange bird could capture objects from a distance, but the abilities displayed by the Water Granny at this moment were far more impressive than those of the strange bird

However, the Water Granny did not disclose her purpose; she merely commanded everyone to come and watch her spin cloth. She did not prevent those who did not meet the requirements from gathering around, but ordered that only those villagers who met the criteria must come.

Amidst the picturesque mountains and waters, he beheld a graceful figure atop the beautiful peaks. Huwa had never left the village where he lived, surrounded by steep mountains; apart from the sky above, his view did not extend beyond ten miles. He had never seen such a scene, and perhaps could not even imagine it, yet he happened to encounter it in a dream

The root of the kudzu is edible and can also be ground into a fine powder to remove the fibers and dried to preserve as kudzu flour, which is certainly a valuable resource. The clan members often go to the mountains to gather it. Initially, the village only had kudzu cloth, but in recent years, the clan members have learned to cultivate hemp, and the fibers processed from hemp can also be woven into hemp fabric

Everyone saw it, but when they wanted to take a closer look, they had different feelings. The strands of silk rising from the ground seemed to resonate with a certain force within them, making it hard to sit still. However, Granny Water forbade everyone from moving, which made them feel quite uncomfortable, yet they could only endure it.

The tiger cub felt that his entire body, both inside and out, was in motion; his heart was beating, his lungs were breathing, and the blood throughout his body was flowing. Even his hair and skin were in a rhythmic ebb and flow, with not a single part remaining still. Yet, amidst this dynamic sensation, he entered a peculiar state of tranquility, allowing him to perceive all of this with clarity

The tiger cub was unaware of how much time had passed, but the old water woman had already finished spinning her cloth. Her voice carried a barely perceptible fatigue, indicating that the tasks accomplished today were far from as easy as they appeared. The clan members dispersed, and the old water woman did not notice anyone successfully entering the Initial Illumination Realm, yet she was not too disappointed. A few clan members had shown promising reactions, and they could continue to practice and receive her guidance in the future

The Water Matriarch summoned these individuals, undoubtedly with the intention of guiding them into the initial realm. Children who are too young not only lack complete mental maturity but also have not fully developed physically, making them unsuitable for early cultivation, and teaching them is nearly impossible. As for those over thirty, whose physical and mental development has reached its peak yet still cannot enter the initial realm, the hope for future success is also quite slim.

Ruoshui smiled and said, "You are indeed quite generous with these two children! It's understandable for Panhu given his special circumstances, but the Tiger Boy is still so young..." Her implication was that she regarded Panhu as one of the children in the clan, rather than merely a dog.

The powerful roar of Panhu is distinct from its usual bark; it is a manifestation of its innate abilities. The mountain taught it not to use this power recklessly during hunts, and gradually, it learned to control the direction of its strength. Originally, sound would disperse uncontrollably, but Panhu gradually became capable of directing the force of its roar in a single direction, while those in other directions would only hear an ordinary dog bark.

The roar of Panhu is formidable; when it roars with all its might, it can startle a frightened leopard, causing it to fall from the tree. If it were to roar indiscriminately, it would scare away all the prey in the mountains

When he was lost in thought, he could not see the details of the flying silk. The tiger boy realized this, so he stopped thinking about anything else and focused solely on understanding how the silk transformed into fabric, and then he saw it clearly. The scene before him magnified, as if the world was left with countless flying silks, intertwining and weaving into cloth. Each strand of silk, thinner than hair, now appeared as thick as twine in his line of sight.

From beginning to end, Granny Water did not say a word, nor did she inform her clan what she intended to do or what they should do. She understood that even if she articulated her thoughts, it would be of no use; even if she clearly described the initial state to her clan, it would not mean that they could enter that state. Observing her weave cloth was entirely a form of unspoken teaching

As Huwa lay down today, he felt a wave of heat enveloping his entire body, accompanied by a vague restlessness in his consciousness. This might have been due to the meat soup, which he had already experienced the "power" of during the day, and the sensation at night was even more unique. He sucked on his fingers, tossing and turning in bed for quite some time without falling asleep, until the heat gradually dissipated. He then felt a warm comfort throughout his body, with his internal organs and even every pore feeling indescribably pleasant, and soon he drifted off into a dream.

The mountain deity on the hill far away, along with the clear waters, was also paying attention to this scene, secretly expressing admiration. How to guide the gradually awakening dog, Panhu, to consciously step into the initial realm and begin deliberate cultivation— even if he were to take on this task, he might not have a better method than that of Ruo Shan at this moment

However, in recent years, the Lu people have hardly used "water cloth" to exchange goods with outsiders. Ge cloth is already better and less in quantity, not to mention the "water cloth" that Granny Shui personally spun. The Lu people now have a stable source and guaranteed quantity of ramie, and they occasionally use double the amount of ramie silk and ramie cloth to exchange for ge silk and ge cloth with outsiders.

Hemp fabric is coarser than ramie and not as comfortable, but the hemp is grown by the tribe itself, making it much more convenient than foraging for ramie in the wild, thus making the spinning of hemp fabric easier. Moreover, hemp has many more uses, such as sewing bags for storing items and twisting it into various strong and durable ropes

Tiger Boy seemed to have comprehended that this was not something to be summarized in words, but rather a natural state he had entered. He had forgotten what he was doing, and was even unaware of his own existence. In this state, he appeared to be both watching and not watching; in this ambiguous state of perception, Tiger Boy entered a realm with a very simple disposition. When he had forgotten even his own self, he closed his eyes. In this state, he appeared to be both watching and not watching; in this ambiguous state of perception, Tiger Boy entered a realm with a very simple disposition. When he had forgotten even his own self, he closed his eyes

... ...

Ruoshān explained: "Bo Zhuang and Zhong Zhuang have both received a sufficient portion. Even though it has been processed with magical power, this demon bird meat must be consumed promptly to retain its medicinal properties. I have instructed them to sit and cultivate diligently, hoping they can soon achieve the perfection of the second realm and the nine transformations. However, the spiritual medicine is merely an aid; it ultimately depends on their own cultivation skills. As for the remaining demon bird meat, I have refined it once more, making it suitable for Huwawa and Panhu to consume."