Chún followed his teacher higher up the mountain and deeper into the forest - through the boundary the villagers never ventured past - the source of many of the claims of 'Monstrous Essence Beasts' which kept them from going past the foothills.
Even Chún had never been higher than the geese pasture, or deeper into the forest more than a half-li or so beyond the pool and waterfall he used to bathe in. There had never been a need as game and edible flora were plentiful and he never had to go far to find what he needed to hunt for furs and supplement his diet - and perhaps the villager's stories had a grain of truth to them?
There was no need to tempt fate after all.
The trees filtered and blocked much of the sunlight in beams and patterns of shadow and light. Even without pushing his Essence out, Chún could see the glowing curls of coloured Essence Mist drifting around the trunks of trees and scattered, twinkling specks dancing in the dark hollows, growing thicker and numerous as they moved deeper into the depths of the mountain.
A constant low level chorus of various animal sounds, bird calls and insect hums was occasionally overwhelmed by a louder swell of complaints; providing a counterpoint to the constant fall and trickle of running water and rush of breezes flowing through the trees.
The occasional rustle or flickering movement betrayed various creatures moving out of their direct path; accompanied by barks, coughs, chirps, squawks or other cries of warning in symphony with the chiming of the old man's stave and the susurrus of their feet in the leaf litter.
The air was fresh and cool in the lungs, heavy with moisture, the taste of greenery and the odour of decomposing plant matter heavy in the breath that flowed over Chún's tongue - punctuated with the scents of flowers, aromatic plants, earthy fungi, wild-fruit and spice of wild-herbs that they brushed against; occasionally interrupted by the sharp tang of spoor, the sweet-sour fermentation of overripe fruit or other less identifiable smells.
Their progress was not constant. Yijing slowed to point out various details - a particularly strong gathering of Essence at a confluence of elements where water flashed over a sunlit rock, a tree or plant that seemed to be absorbing or producing more Essence than the others. It was important to note those things as potential ignition points which would eventually form Dao, creating more Essence and producing treasures. This would happen with or without the help of a True Cultivator, Yijing explained to Chún as they walked, but where it might take ten thousand years for a Dao to form in such a place naturally, with a True Cultivator's presence there would be a many-fold increase in the forming of Dao as they affected the Essence around them.
Eventually, the older man stopped in a small clearing just shy of a cliff-face thickly overhung with greenery. Enormous vines, more like twisted tree trunks than creepers, twisted up and down the cliff like a mythical giant's net, supporting a vast profusion of dark green, plate-like leaves, brilliant, multi-hued flowers and large teardrop-shaped fruits that hung heavily from their stalks, glowing dimly with different swirls of Essence like festival lamp decorations to Chún's eyes.
"What is that, Teacher?" Chún stared in amazement; "I have never seen so much Essence in one plant before".
"That is an Earth to Heavens vine, Young Chún. Unless I am mistaken, it doesn't have long before it becomes a Five Elements Tree - a normal Earth to Heavens vine does not have fruits or those flowers on it. It is one of the reasons I picked this place for your 'Immortal's Cave'".
Chún blinked. "We use 'Immortal's Caves' as well?"
Yijing harrumphed in disdain. "We have always used them. Consumers make poor copies of them, although in time anyone who grows to sense Essence well, will learn to find or create good ones."
Chún coughed quietly then hesitantly addressed Yijing, "Teacher, you have said repeatedly that True Cultivators are different from Consumers, but other than our bodies connecting to our own Dao rather than forcing the creation of Dao through techniques and cultivation methods, I do not see much difference between us. You gave me Essence water yesterday and it strengthened my body; so we can use resources as they do to similar effect. Is it merely a case of 'Two enemies cannot live under the same sky?'"
The old man looked at Chún and nodded. "We can use resources, but it is not necessary for us to deplete them - for example, the fruits of this Earth to Heaven vine will greatly assist in tempering your body with concentrated Essence - even more so if it successfully attains the Dao of a Five Elements tree - which your presence will help foster."
"I understand, Teacher", answered Chún, continuing stubbornly "But I have heard that many sects grow and maintain Essence herbs and plants..."
Yijing shook his head and held up a hand halting Chún's words. "Student, I have barely begun to cover the differences between the average Consumer and a True Cultivator. While many larger sects do grow Essence plants and herbs, they use formations, other resources they cannot replace and not their own Dao."
The old man's tone grew stern and Chún felt a formless pressure weighing on him as Yijing's gaze pinned him in place. "It is good you continue to think, however... there is much you have to learn. True Cultivators may use resources, but they can, with the aid of the World's Dao, replace those resources from channelling energy and Essence into a Dao."
Chún was finding it difficult to breathe and the old man's words boomed in his ears with the sound of thunder while Yijing's body seemed to grow to block out the sunlight, locking Chún's limbs in place.
"In the end, all Consumer methods work by the consumption of one resource to create another - or to generate Essence which they use to remake their bodies as they desire. Without some means of re-creation the demand for resources would outstrip the natural formation of new resources - and the World becomes lifeless as the world would no longer contain enough energy to comprehend Dao and thus die." The old man was silent for a moment, his form seeming to shrink again as he looked at Chún steadily.
His next words fell like the strikes of a blacksmith's hammer pounding against iron and anvil. "I. Have. Seen. worlds. Like That."
Yijing's eyes gleamed, "For now, Student, remember this: True Cultivators are part of the Dao of Heavens and Earth and thus create. Consumers go against the Heavens and the Earth and thus destroy."
Chún bowed shakily in acceptance as he found himself able to move again, no longer wishing to ask questions. He realised that the mountain had grown still during the old man's speech, all sounds and movement ceasing as power emanated from him - and Chún realised that while his Teacher might look and act like a simple old man, he was truly a powerful Master that could command the winds and rain.
The sense of pressure faded and Yijing spoke quietly. "Student, you are indeed correct in saying that Consumers have much in common with us. There are indeed reasons for this, but they are lengthy and of no concern to your immediate training. However, the central difference of Consumption as opposed to true Cultivation separates us, except for special cases, or World level Cultivators as previously discussed. It does not concern you at this stage, and may cause deviation if you dwell on it overmuch", he turned and walked towards the cliff. "Now, Student, follow."
Chastened, Chún followed his teacher through the tangle of vines and leaves, that shifted to one side or the other as if a breeze had pushed them, giving Yijing and Chún clear passage. On the branches, leaves and stalks Chún could see glowing shapes and strange characters, that shifted in different combinations as the plants moved around. Chún thought these felt abstruse and strange, they gave off a sense of silence, blandness, inconsequential, unimportant as they kept shifting, forming different patterns...
"Teacher, I see shapes in the Essence of the plants..."
"Very good, Student. This is another thing Consumers learnt from us - creating manifestations of Dao to create effects on an area, item or person. They call it inscriptions or formations - they use resources to create inferior copies of parts of Dao to create the effect they want. I asked the Earth to Heaven Vine to hide this place and provided Essence and support - it comprehended and grew Daos of concealment and protection within itself - and they combine and change naturally as the plants move into different formations. This will keep your Immortal's Cave hidden. I will show you how to ask the Mountain how to hide itself, so that Consumers do not find it before it is able to protect itself - or find you."
Chún blinked in surprise as they entered a narrow tunnel, its ceiling only a short distance above his head. The walls were smooth and gave off a feeling of ancientness, with strangely coloured veins of minerals glowing with Essence tracing the walls and ceiling, providing enough light to see.
They only walked for a short while before the tunnel opened up into a comfortably-sized cave, the ceiling disappearing. The air within the cave was fresh and warm. Chún could see motes of air energy dropping down in spirals from higher above, while a small ground spring, bubbling with as much Essence as water, lay in one quarter of the cave, flowing into a large pool in the centre. Chún could see motes of Fire essence rising above the pool along with steam. Occasional whiffs of mineral laden scent betrayed a connection to a vein of earth-fire beneath the pool.
From another quarter of the cave a steady flow of water poured from crevice in the wall, flowing in a short stream to join the pool in the centre. From the lack of steam, only ordinary amounts of Essence and the occasional surprised minnow that splashed down from the miniature waterfall, Chún guessed if was fed from outside the cave.
A faint glow permeated the cave from all the essence, making it easy to see around - although it was not bright, it was not dark either.
"Young Chún, here you have access to all of the basic forms of Essence. They are easy to merge with and you will be able to temper your body and spirit though channelling them without much effort. This place is a little unfinished - you can use the Dao you comprehend to create what you need to be comfortable."
Yijang sat unceremoniously on the smooth rock of the cave floor, pointing with his staff. "Sit, Student and listen. Now I will explain as much as I am able of what it is essential for you to know. It will be quick as I cannot remain much longer on this Mountain".
Chún bowed and sat in front of his Teacher attentively. "Yes, Teacher", said Chún solemnly.
"You have much to learn... and the World will teach you most of it. So I can feel assured, leaving you."
Yijing's eyes glowed in the dimness of the Essence lit cave. "But these things I will teach you. First, you must learn to appear as an ordinary 'Cultivator' to other Consumers. Reach out with your Essence."
Chún closed his eyes and let the colours and music of Essence suffuse his senses, hearing his Teacher's voice.
"I told you True Cultivators hide themselves from Consumers. Can you think of why?"
Chún snorted bitterly. "I am an orphan, Teacher. I know exactly what happens when the villagers see I have something they think would be better suited for their use. True Cultivators can create resources for Cultivation - if the normal Cultivators knew we existed, we would be imprisoned for eternity - providing them all the resources they feel they deserve."
"An accurate if simplistic explanation - there could be much worse consequences", Yijing nodded in agreement, Chún watching with amusement the glowing form of his teacher shifted in his Essence senses with his movement.
"After all, wars are fought over resources - for this the ABnormal Cultivators would war without restraint and destroy the very world they depend on to grow from."
Chún shuddered. "I understand Teacher."
"Now, you said that wandering cultivator told you you had no ability to gather Essence. Focus on my Essence, Young Chún. Tell me what you sense."
"As you...oh. You are shrinking, Senior... no, wait - the Essence is dimming....it's gathering into spheres? There's one in your head and another... are those Dantian, Master?"
"Very good, Student. What else?" The old man's voice was amused.
"Well before, you looked like a fountain of Essence... now it is... there are lines all through your body and none of the Essence is flowing back out - just going around inside your body... wait... is that what consumers do?" Chún realised his voice had raised in disgust and he blushed, opening his eyes, "Sorry, teacher, it just feels wrong..."
Yijing nodded approvingly. "Do not worry Young Chún, I am merely using the Dao to conceal my flow outward of Essence to the World - it is not entirely cut off - look at the meridians in contact with the ground."
Chún cast out his Essence again. "The lines in your feet? Oh, they merge with the Earth..."
"Anywhere in the body that touches directly with other essence, actually. This is normal, especially for young or poorly trained Consumers; they leak Essence. Much of their early training is to contain and control Essence from leaving their body." Yijing grinned wickedly, "There are advantages to being dismissed by Consumers as unworthy of notice." He thumped his stave on the ground, the bells chiming emphatically. "Now you do it".
"Ah...how..."
The old man laughed, "Ask nicely".
Chún scrunched his brow in thought and cast his Essence inward - and got the distinct sensation that it was looking back at him. The much smaller fountain of essence that flowed through him and out again, seemed to raise a non-existent eyebrow?
Oh. Could you...?
A sense of approval and mischievousness flowed through him and the fountain broke off into various separate parts inside him, mimicking his Teacher's example, though Chún's dantians and meridians were much smaller and dimmer.
"If you need to work, your Dao will return to it's natural state unless you specifically need otherwise; so be careful if you are around Consumers. Mortals will not notice the difference of course and it will take a very high level Consumer to be able to see your Essence is not flowing in a Technique - but it is good practice nonetheless." The old man cocked one eyebrow, "I will not insult your intelligence, but it bears emphasising - do not work with Dao around Consumers unless Dao requires it. Note, I do not say never, or something like - unless your life-depends on it..."
Chún nodded. That made sense. Sometimes acting might be part of Dao, sometimes dying might be...
"More than this I cannot tell you, without endangering your growth."
"Strangely convenient, that, Teacher." Chún smiled sardonically at the old man who grinned unashamedly back.
"And inconvenient as well, Student. Most Truth is like that." Yijing shifted and then drew in a quiet breath. "Also, it is true that we cannot delay much longer for you to connect to your locus - restraining my Essence has slowed the process slightly, but it has been at a tipping point for some time..."
His Master's voice grew serious. "The second thing I will show you. Reach out again. Greet the Mountain as you would an older brother - use your thoughts, feelings and Essence, not your voice."
Chún closed his eyes and let his essence flow naturally again, out like a fountain back into the World. Essence flowed through his body from the Mountain and back again into like a river returning to the ocean. Chún felt the Mountain respond to his greeting. It was indescribable but Chún knew that he had received a cautiously friendly answer.
"Good. Tell it respectfully that it needs to conceal its increasing level of Essence. If the Consumers find the Mountain before it can defend itself, it will die when they divest it of its resources without it being able to fight back."
After hearing Yijing's words about dead worlds, the idea of Consumers stealing so many resources from the Mountain that it died stillborn caused a surge of revulsion in him. He understood what the old man meant about fighting, but the best defence was always to not be there when the fight started - he had learnt that the hard way avoiding the bullies in the village.
But if the Mountain moved, surely it would be noticed. It had to not be there and yet no one see any difference... if it looked like an ordinary mountain then no one would go looking for it... and the Mountain could choose to let good people stay there, but hide from the rest... then he and Teacher could live there safely...
There was a pulse of something that Chún instinctively recognised as understanding and a sound of great many instruments all at once rising in triumph. Chún felt something - twist - then snap into place. He felt like he had moved a great distance while at the same time not moving at all - and he briefly saw a very large Dao shape before an immense ignition wave of blindingly dark brown/blue/green Essence slammed through him and he knew no more.