https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1-The-Birth-of-a-Beloved-Daughter-and-the-Dao-Fruit/12831051/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-3-Nine-Sons-Embracing-the-Lotus-the-Technique-of-Inner-Strength/12831053/
Chapter 2: Dao Fruit of the Master Craftsman, the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva
Chapter 2: Dao Fruit of the Master Craftsman, the Six-Eyed Bodhisattva
Lee Zhi calmed his mind and closed his eyes.
Once again, he saw the fleeting scene from before.
A vast, barren land, with a massive tree rising from the earth, its branches lush and leaves swaying in the breeze. Hanging from its branches was a luminous, seven-colored fruit.
As if drawn by his gaze, the colorful fruit fell with a soft "plop" and gently landed in Lee Zhi's hand.
"Dao Fruit..."
Lee Zhi murmured, gazing at the fruit in his palm.
...
Your daughter was born safely. You have obtained a Dao Fruit: "Master Craftsman."
Master Craftsman (Dao Fruit): A divine craftsman, unmatched in skill, with a touch of divine inspiration.
...
The words flickered into view.
Lee Zhi's eyes narrowed, and his heart raced.
In this world for nineteen years, he had never received a golden finger, but now, with the birth of his daughter, it had appeared in such a way.
Father's status elevated by his daughter?
Lee Zhi couldn't help but laugh. The name "Dao Fruit" sounded so grand and powerful; it would surely be his capital for survival and success in this world.
Just as he was reveling in his joy, the message before him changed again.
...
Name: Lee Zhi
Bond: Li Nuanyi (Daughter)
Dao Fruit: Master Craftsman (Untransformed, Level 1, 0%)
Note: For every year your bond grows safely, the Dao Tree will bear a new Dao Fruit.
...
Lee Zhi's breathing quickened as he stared at the message, his heart pounding.
For every year his daughter grows safely, the Dao Tree will bear a new Dao Fruit...
In Lee Zhi's simple understanding, a Dao Fruit was like a skill or a talent bestowed upon him.
Currently, Lee Zhi worked as a laborer in a woodcarving shop in the outer city of Thunderclap City, carrying finished woodcarvings. It was hard, physical labor, but he was paid per piece, and the shop was fair in its dealings.
However, after a long, exhausting day, he could earn only about thirty to forty large Jing copper coins, enough to make ends meet but far from the wealth and luxury he dreamed of for his family.
But from now on, if he could ensure his daughter's safe growth, a new Dao Fruit every year might change everything!
"Nuanyi is my daughter, and it's my duty as a father to protect her and ensure her safety..."
Lee Zhi smiled broadly. His daughter's birth had brought him a stroke of luck, giving him hope for the future. How could he not be happy?
As the Dao Fruit in his palm slowly dissolved, Lee Zhi didn't feel any immediate changes.
He tried to understand the "Master Craftsman" Dao Fruit but found no clues.
"Boil, boil..."
The pot of carp soup began to bubble, interrupting Lee Zhi's thoughts.
He quickly ladled a bowl of the fragrant, creamy carp and tofu soup, took a deep breath, and smiled, carefully carrying the steaming bowl toward the earthen house.
His wife, Zhang Ya, had just finished feeding Nuanyi and was contentedly sipping the soup Lee Zhi had prepared.
Lee Zhi held Nuanyi, gently patting her soft back, following the instructions of Old Lady Lei, a practice known as burping.
After a while, Old Lady Lei finished her work in the earthen house and gave Lee Zhi some advice on childcare before preparing to leave.
Lee Zhi handed Nuanyi to Zhang Ya and followed her out.
"Old Lady Lei, thank you so much for your hard work," Lee Zhi said, pressing ten coins into her hand.
Old Lady Lei waved her hand and sighed, "Zhi, I've watched you grow up since you were a child. You work hard at Xu's Woodcarving Shop, carrying heavy wood and sculptures for a living. Keep this money and use it to take care of your family."
"In the outer city... there have been fewer births recently, but more deaths. Take good care of Nuanyi and be cautious."
Old Lady Lei's words made Lee Zhi's expression turn serious.
"Old Lady..."
Old Lady Lei wrapped her head in a cloth, carried her basket, and braved the snow, adding, "Remember, don't take the child out onto the streets carelessly. Stay away from those who worship the Child God and seek offerings."
"Times are tough, and children are easily lost. You parents must be extra careful."
Lee Zhi exhaled a puff of white breath into the cold winter air and nodded solemnly.
His heart sank as he recalled the recent news of many children's deaths.
He hadn't taken it seriously before, but now, as a father, he had to be more cautious.
"I understand, Old Lady Lei."
Lee Zhi responded gravely.
Old Lady Lei didn't say more, sighed, and tightened her cotton coat, disappearing into the snowy night along the snow-covered alley in front of the earthen houses.
Lee Zhi watched Old Lady Lei's figure vanish, then turned back into the earthen house, quickly sealing the door to prevent the heat from escaping.
He rubbed his hands, added some charcoal to the stove, and went to the kitchen to bring the remaining fish soup.
After the couple had their fill, Lee Zhi climbed into bed.
Gently patting his daughter, who had fallen asleep after drinking her milk, Li Che squinted his eyes, a smile involuntarily spreading across his lips.
He softly spoke to his wife, Zhang Ya, who, perhaps exhausted from childbirth, soon fell into a deep sleep.
Li Che, however, remained wide awake, murmuring softly to himself.
"The charcoal is running out again. I'll go find the charcoal seller and buy some more tomorrow. Xi Xi just came into this world; we can't let her catch a chill."
"Zhang Ya needs to rest properly during her confinement, or she might suffer from postpartum issues..."
"Yes, I'll go to the wood carving shop tomorrow and move more statues. The demand for statues in the inner city has suddenly increased, so there's plenty of work and money to be made."
"I will work hard to save money and buy a big house, where we can stay warm even in the coldest winter."
"Zhang Ya, don't worry. Our lives will only get better..."
On the bed, Li Che gently embraced his wife and daughter, closing his eyes slightly.
His breathing was steady and quiet, almost imperceptible.
...
...
The next day, at dawn.
Li Che got up early, watching his wife Zhang Ya eat the breakfast he had prepared. After burping Xi Xi, who had just finished her milk, he put on his hat and left the humble mud house.
The ground was white, and the wind was bone-chilling, with snowflakes as large as hands.
The cold was sharp and biting, like a knife.
The snow showed no signs of stopping, and the outer city of Fei Lei had accumulated thick layers of snow.
After walking for several miles, he arrived at his workplace, Xu's Wood Carving Shop, under the dim sky and amidst the snow.
Though it was called a shop, it was actually a large residence with a vast, open interior, filled with piles of wood for carving.
Li Che and other hired workers were mainly responsible for transporting wood and finished sculptures for the carvers.
The sculptures varied in weight, but their prices were uniform. Moving a sculpture earned five large Jing copper coins, while moving wood cost only one copper coin.
However, moving sculptures was risky; any damage would result in a significant deduction from the pay.
Shaking off the snow from his clothes, he removed his hat and placed it at his workstation before entering the wood carving shop.
Inside, a charcoal stove kept the temperature comfortable, and the air was filled with the rich scent of wood.
"Little Li, could you bring me a large piece of ash wood? Also, move the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' statue I carved three days ago to the inner room. Someone from the inner city will be picking it up in a couple of days. If the snow melts and it gets wet, it won't be as good."
As soon as he entered the shop, an elderly man with a white beard and a ruddy complexion, wearing a cotton coat, called out to Li Che. The old man held a shiny wine gourd filled with aged yellow wine.
"Sure, Master Chen," Li Che replied with a bright smile.
As a familiar and meticulous worker who had never caused any accidents while moving sculptures, Li Che had earned a good reputation. Several wood carvers, including Master Chen, often requested him for specific tasks.
After agreeing to Master Chen's request, Li Che turned and entered the large, spacious courtyard.
The heavy snow had covered the wood stacked in the courtyard. It took some effort to find the area where the ash wood was stored.
He selected a large piece and dragged it out, securing it with a hemp rope. After testing its weight, he patted the wood and headed towards the corner of the courtyard where the finished sculptures were kept.
Since the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' statue was his responsibility, he knew exactly where it was.
He found the statue, which was as tall as an adult, carved from ash wood, and covered in snow. Li Che reached out and brushed the snow off the statue.
Suddenly, a peculiar feeling washed over him. The 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' statue seemed to come to life, its six eyes staring at him, occasionally blinking.
Then, a hazy image appeared in his mind. It was a vivid scene of Master Chen carving the 'Six-Eyed Bodhisattva' statue, each precise stroke of the knife. Li Che felt as if he were right 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 vision faded, and the statue stopped blinking. Li Che's breathing quickened.
He felt a stirring in his heart. Just by touching the statue, he seemed to have learned Master Chen's carving techniques...
This must be related to the Dao Fruit of Master Craftsman he received because of his daughter Xi Xi's birth!
"Master Craftsman, divine hands, unparalleled skills..."
"The effect of the Dao Fruit of Master Craftsman... it might give me a chance to become a true wood carver!"
Li Che's eyes sparkled with a newfound ambition.
If he could become a wood carver at Xu's Wood Carving Shop, it would be a much better prospect than just moving wood and sculptures!
Then, giving his family a good life in this chaotic world would no longer be a distant dream!
(End of Chapter)
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