https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1-A-Daughter-s-Birth-A-Blessed-Dao-Fruit/12983838/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-3-Nine-Sons-Embracing-Lotus-the-Art-of-Inner-Strength/12983840/
Chapter 2: Dao Fruit of Celestial Craft, Six-Eyed Bodhisattva
Chapter 2: Dao Fruit of Celestial Craft, Six-Eyed Bodhisattva
Calming his mind, Li Che closed his eyes.
Once again, he saw the fleeting scene he had witnessed earlier.
In the vast wilderness, a massive tree sprouted from the ground, lush with dense foliage and swaying green leaves. Hanging from its branches was a colorful, shimmering fruit.
As if staring at it for an extended period, the vibrant fruit suddenly fell with a 'pat' sound, gently landing in Li Che's hand.
"Dao Fruit..."
Li Che murmured, gazing at the fruit in his palm.
...
[Your daughter is born safely, and you have obtained a Dao Fruit: Celestial Craft]
[Celestial Craft (Dao Fruit): Ten Thousand Phenomena Celestial Craft, Divine Touch, Peerless Skill]
...
The text flashed and appeared before him.
Li Che's eyes narrowed, and his emotions stirred intensely.
Having lived in this world for nineteen years without any sign of a golden finger, he was now presented with one upon his daughter's birth, and in such a unique way.
Had his status elevated because of his daughter?
Li Che's heart filled with joy. The name 'Dao Fruit' sounded so grand, and he believed it would be the key to his success and survival in this world.
Just as he was rejoicing, the prompt before him changed again.
...
[Name: Li Che]
[Bond: Li Wanxi (Daughter)]
[Dao Fruit: Celestial Craft (Unripe, lv1, 0%)]
[Prompt: For every year your bond safely grows, the Dao Tree will bear a Dao Fruit]
...
Li Che's breath quickened as he stared at the prompt, his emotions surging.
For every year his daughter grew safely, the Dao Tree would bear a Dao Fruit...
According to Li Che's simple understanding, the Dao Fruit would bestow upon him a skill, an art.
Currently, Li Che worked as a laborer in a woodcarving shop in the outer city of Thunderstrike City, carrying and transporting finished wood carvings. It was hard work, but he was paid fairly, earning a living without cheating anyone.
However, after a day of toil, when he was exhausted to the bone, he could only earn about thirty to forty Dajing brass coins. It was enough to support his family, but the idea of becoming wealthy and influential in this world, providing his family with a luxurious life, was nothing but a pipe dream.
But from now on, if he could ensure his daughter grew up safely, and a Dao Fruit was produced every year, everything might be different!
"Xixi is my daughter, and it's my duty as a father to protect her and ensure her safe growth..."
Li Che's heart was filled with happiness. His daughter's birth had brought him good fortune, and now he had something to look forward to in the future.
As the Dao Fruit slowly melted in his palm, Li Che didn't notice any changes within himself.
He studied the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit but found no clues.
"Gurgle, gurgle..."
The sound of boiling crucian carp soup interrupted Li Che's thoughts.
He quickly served a bowl of fragrant and creamy crucian carp tofu soup, took a deep breath, and a smile graced his lips. Holding the steaming soup, he carefully made his way towards the earthen house.
His wife, Zhang Ya, had just finished feeding Xixi and was contentedly sipping the crucian carp soup Li Che had prepared.
Xixi was in Li Che's arms, and he gently patted her soft back, a method Auntie Lei had taught him to soothe the baby.
After bustling around in the earthen house, Auntie Lei gave Li Che some instructions on taking care of the baby and prepared to leave.
Li Che handed Xixi to Zhang Ya and followed Auntie Lei outside.
"Auntie Lei, thank you so much for your help. It's hard work, and I appreciate it." Li Che gave Auntie Lei ten copper coins.
Auntie Lei waved her hand and sighed, "Che Ge, it's not easy to earn a living by moving those heavy woods and sculptures for Xuji Woodcarving Shop. Keep this money and take good care of your family."
"In the outer city, there have been fewer births and more infant deaths recently. Take good care of Xixi and be cautious."
Auntie Lei's words made Li Che's expression turn solemn.
"Auntie Lei..."
Auntie Lei wrapped her head with a cloth, slung a bamboo basket over her shoulder, and braved the snowy wind to give her final advice, "Remember, don't take the baby to the streets casually, and stay far away from those who worship children for offerings..."
"Times are tough, and children are prone to premature deaths. You, as a parent, must be extra careful."
Li Che nodded solemnly in the cold winter snow, exhaling a puff of white breath.
His heart sank a little, as it was true that there had been many reports of infant deaths recently.
Li Che hadn't taken it seriously before, but now that he was a father, he had to pay attention.
"I understand, Auntie Lei."
Li Che responded gravely.
Auntie Lei didn't say more, sighing softly. She tightened her cotton-padded clothes and disappeared into the snowy night, vanishing in the snowy lane in front of the cluster of earthen houses.
Li Che watched her figure disappear, then turned and re-entered the earthen house, quickly sealing the door to prevent heat from escaping.
He rubbed his hands together and added some charcoal to the fire. Then, he went to the kitchen and brought back the remaining fish soup.
After the couple finished their meal, Li Che climbed onto the bed.
Gently patting his daughter who had fallen asleep after feeding, Li Che couldn't help but smile, his eyes narrowing.
Whispering to his wife, Zhang Ya, who might have been tired from childbirth, she drifted off to sleep.
But Li Che remained awake, his eyes wide and alert as he muttered softly.
"The charcoal is all used up again. I'll go buy some from the charcoal seller tomorrow. Xixi was just born, and we can't let her get cold..."
"My dear, you must take good care of yourself during your postpartum rest, or you might fall ill..."
"Mhm, I'll go to the woodcarving shop tomorrow and bring back more statues. Recently, the demand for statues in the inner city has suddenly increased. There's plenty of work, and we can make a lot of money."
"I'll definitely work hard to save up and buy a big house, so we can stay warm even in the harshest winter."
"Don't worry, my love, our lives will only get better from now on..."
On the bed, Li Che gently embraced his wife and daughter, closing his eyes slightly.
Their breaths were calm and peaceful.
...
...
The next day, at dawn, Li Che woke up early. After watching his wife Zhang Ya, who was in her postpartum rest, finish the breakfast he had prepared, and burping Xixi after her feeding, he put on his conical hat and left the earthen house.
The ground was white, and the cold wind carried large snowflakes the size of hands.
The biting cold pierced his bones like knives.
The heavy snowfall showed no signs of stopping, and thick piles of snow had accumulated outside the outer city of Thunderstrike City.
After walking for several li, he arrived at his workplace, Xuji Woodcarving Shop, under the dim sky, accompanied by the wind and snow.
Although it was called a shop, it was actually a huge residence with a spacious interior, filled with piles of wood for carving.
Li Che, along with many other hired laborers, was mainly responsible for transporting wood or finished carvings for the carvers in the shop.
The carvings varied in weight, but the price was the same—five Dajing brass coins for moving a carving, while moving wood was cheaper at one coin per trip.
The main reason for the higher price was the risk involved in moving carvings; any bumps or scratches would result in a significant deduction from the payment.
Shaking off the snow from his body, Li Che removed his hat and placed it in his workstation before entering the woodcarving shop.
Inside, a charcoal stove provided a comfortable temperature, and the air was filled with the rich scent of wood.
"Little Li, go get me a piece of water willow, a larger one. Also, help me move the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva Statue I carved three days ago to the inner room. Someone from the inner city will come to collect it in a couple of days, and if the snow melts and soaks it, it won't be good."
As soon as Li Che entered the shop, an elderly man with a cotton-padded coat, white beard, and a ruddy complexion, holding a shiny gourd filled with old yellow wine, called out to him.
"Of course, Master Chen," Li Che replied with a bright smile.
As a familiar and reliable laborer in the shop, known for his carefulness and efficiency, he had never caused any accidents while transporting carvings, earning him a good reputation.
Therefore, several carving masters would specifically request his assistance after becoming acquainted with him.
Master Chen was one of Li Che's regular clients.
After responding to Master Chen, Li Che turned and entered the spacious courtyard.
The heavy snowfall covered the courtyard, making it difficult to locate the water willow. After some effort, he finally found the area where it was stored.
He chose a larger piece and dragged it out.
He tied it with hemp rope, checked its weight, and then patted the wood before heading towards the finished carvings area in the corner of the courtyard.
Since the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva statue mentioned by Master Chen was one that Li Che had been responsible for moving, he knew its location well.
The statue, covered in snow, was about the size of an adult and was also carved from water willow wood.
Li Che reached out and brushed the snow off the statue.
Suddenly, a strange feeling arose within him. The Six-Eyed Bodhisattva statue seemed to come alive, its six eyes staring at him, blinking from time to time.
Then, a vague image appeared in his mind.
It was Master Chen carving the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva statue, stroke by stroke, and Li Che felt as if he were there, as if he and Master Chen had become one.
Gradually, the carving techniques and skills used to create the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva seemed to merge with Li Che's... instincts!
"Huh?"
The image in front of him dissipated, and the statue's eyes stopped moving. Li Che's breathing quickened.
His heart stirred; just by touching the statue, he seemed to have learned Master Chen's carving techniques...
This must be related to the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit he had obtained yesterday after his daughter Xixi's birth!
"Ten Thousand Phenomena Celestial Craft, Divine Touch, Peerless Skill..."
"The effects of the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit... perhaps it will give me a chance to become a true woodcarving master!"
Li Che's eyes sparkled with ambition.
Becoming a woodcarving master at Xuji Woodcarving Shop would be far more promising than being a mere laborer!
With this, he could provide a better life for his family in these turbulent times, and it wouldn't be just a wishful dream!
(End of Chapter)
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