Chapter 7: The Correct Way to Cultivate

Chapter 7 The Right Way to Cultivate

October had quietly come to an end.

At the beginning of the month, after Starfire Literary Society published the novel *Dragon Knight*, its popularity continued to soar. By month’s end, four editions of the book had already been released. (Starfire had reissued the first volume separately.) Countless readers waited with bated breath for the next installment.

At the same time, "Mu Ren," the author of *Dragon Knight*, became a hot topic throughout Maple City—praised by some, criticized by others.

While Li Wei shone brightly in the literary world, he suffered a crushing setback in his magical cultivation.

[Basic Meditation Technique (Mastered)] 424/1000

[Minor Fireball Spell (Novice, Tier 0)] 53/1000

Progress on the fireball spell remained painfully slow.

In November, the ground outside Maple City was blanketed in red maple leaves, dyeing the earth crimson. Li Wei, wrapped in a thick coat, hurried toward the Starfire Literary Society. Though snow had not yet fallen, the temperature had dropped sharply. Except for the rare few whose extraordinary constitutions allowed them to withstand the cold, most people had already switched to long sleeves and trousers.

Just as he reached the entrance, Jimmy flung open the door and called out urgently, “Mr. Li Wei, come in quickly—it’s freezing outside!”

Li Wei ducked inside without delay.

“What does Mr. Gu want with me?” he asked as he walked.

Jimmy replied, “The total sales figures for last month’s *Dragon Knight* volumes are in. Director Gu wants you here to go over your royalties.”

“Oh.”

Li Wei entered Gu Si’s office. After they sat down, Jimmy stood nearby, pouring tea. Gu Si picked up a sheet of paper and handed it to him. “This is last month’s sales record.”

Li Wei skimmed it briefly, his eyes going straight to the bottom line:

“Four editions, totaling 9,642 copies sold.”

Gu Si explained, “In October, we released four editions covering the first four chapters of *Dragon Knight*. Each copy was priced at ten copper coins. The second edition sold best—3,792 copies. Sales dipped slightly afterward but remained stable above 2,500. The first edition, having originally appeared in the Starfire Anthology, naturally sold fewer; that’s normal.”

Li Wei nodded, acknowledging the information.

Gu Si continued, “According to our contract, after deducting distribution costs, Starfire Literary Society will give you half of the net profit.”

“Since production costs vary with print runs—the more copies, the lower the per-unit cost—the calculation isn’t fixed. The second edition, nearly four thousand copies, brought the unit cost down to 2.64 copper coins. The first edition, selling just over a thousand, had a higher unit cost of 3.33 copper coins. The third and fourth editions were 2.98 and 3.06 respectively.”

“In the future, if older editions are reprinted, calculating costs will become even more complicated.”

Li Wei listened, then said directly, “Director Gu, just tell me what you’re getting at.”

Gu Si smiled. “After discussion among the senior staff, we propose fixing the unit cost at three copper coins when calculating your royalties. Even if future sales drop and actual costs rise, we’ll still pay you at a rate of three and a half copper coins per copy.”

Li Wei thought for a moment, then nodded. “Agreed.”

Seeing his consent, Gu Si beamed. “Please wait a moment, Mr. Li Wei.”

He stepped out and returned shortly, holding a cloth pouch which he handed over.

“Your royalty for October totals 33,747 copper coins—three gold and fifty silver. Please take care of it.”

Li Wei tested the weight of the pouch in his hand and tucked it away, satisfied. Starfire Literary Society truly was commendable—they’d even added extra on their own initiative.

With payment received, Li Wei prepared to take his leave.

Gu Si, ever the editor, quickly reminded him, “Don’t forget this month’s manuscript, Mr. Li Wei.”

Li Wei laughed. “Of course not—I’m counting on writing to make money!”

Besides meditating and practicing spells in October, he had also managed to write tens of thousands of words for Starfire. Finding weekly submissions too cumbersome, he’d arranged with Gu Si to submit once a month, at least four chapters each time.

Now that he had money, the first thing Li Wei did was buy Dream-Calm Incense. The previous batch had long since run out.

“Do you have any potions?” he asked at the shop.

“Potions? Only mages make those. We don’t carry them. Besides, only mages can use them. Try the Mage Tower.”

For fifty silver coins, Li Wei purchased five sticks of incense—enough to last about ten days.

Back at the Mage Tower, after much deliberation, he sought out Teacher Gu Ze.

Gu Ze looked surprised. “You want to buy potions?”

“That’s far too early for someone at your level,” he said. “Even the cheapest potion costs several gold coins.”

Li Wei explained himself.

After listening, Gu Ze’s expression shifted to astonishment.

“You mean every time you practice spells, you expend mana to construct the spell model?” he asked incredulously.

Li Wei hesitated. “Isn’t that how it’s done?”

Gu Ze let out a short laugh. “Certainly not. Mana is only used when actually casting a spell. During practice, you should use spiritual energy to form the spell model within your mind.”

Li Wei stared, stunned.

No one had ever told him this before.

Gu Ze shook his head. “You’re too impatient. Only after you pass the apprentice exam next year and officially become an apprentice will I teach you how to practice spellcasting.”

Back in his dormitory, though he hadn’t obtained any potions, he now knew the correct way to train.

Li Wei lit a stick of Dream-Calm Incense and attempted to construct the fireball spell model in his mind using spiritual energy.

Within five minutes, the model formed—effortlessly, far easier than manipulating mana.

Soon, he noticed the difference between the two methods.

Using spiritual energy to build spell models was simple, efficient, and required little effort. But it had a flaw: it didn’t improve mana control. Since no mana was consumed, there could be no growth in mana capacity either.

Yet it could lead to excessive consumption of mental energy, affecting normal meditation and the cultivation of magical power.

Each approach has its pros and cons.

To quickly master a spell, naturally, prioritizing mental construction is the way.

Li Wei shattered the spell model in his mind, rebuilt it, shattered it again, rebuilt once more…

Relentlessly seeking greater speed in construction.

He practiced continuously for over an hour, constructing the spell model fifteen times before his mental energy was completely drained.

Overexertion brought a throbbing headache; Li Wei pressed firmly on his temples, attempting to ease the pain.

Not just the headache—there was also a nauseating urge to vomit.

“The limit is fifteen times. Must preserve some mental energy to channel magical power. No more than twelve attempts per day.”

Li Wei took a deep breath, feeling the pain subside slightly.

Then he lay down and fell straight asleep.

When he awoke, morning light filled the room.

Once the habit formed, Li Wei would naturally wake at six every day.

Then meditate for about an hour, eat around seven, and head to class by eight.

In the early hours, he did not attempt spell practice—cultivating magical power was equally important.

He fetched water, washed his face, focused his mind, and let the flowing water trace characters in the air.

【Basic Meditation Technique (Mastered)】432/1000

【Minor Fireball Spell (Zero-tier Beginner)】68/1000

Seeing clear progress in Minor Fireball, Li Wei smiled, exhaling a warm puff of breath.

(End of Chapter)