"Eehh!" Wu Zexi groaned, beads of sweat drenching her brow. Struggling to hold the posture as I walked around her in circles, correcting and altering.
When corrections were made, she moved into the next form slowly.
"Feel the form, learn the muscles, understand the set," I spoke softly.
Wu Zexi gritted her teeth. It was common for people to comprise when learning martial arts of any kind. The most comfortable route was the route most taking. Whether it was a half foot shorter stepped. The tensing of the wrist, or extra force exerted from the back to make up for leg strength.
Everyone cheated. Those who stood at the top were commonly two types: Self-disciplined and the incredibly lucky. Hegemons were a mix of the two.
"Watch that ankle!" I barked, "Toe heel, not heel-toe. Ease back, blade grip, hip swing. The miaodao is bigger than you. Your form must be superb, movements pristine and fluid, the proper force exerted or our opponent will take your head."
My teachings never stopped as Wu Zexi went through her sword set over and over again.
Lectures and solo practice turned to sparring sessions and evolved into field training: valuable covert tactics for the weak, avoidance and evasion, reverse scales, and weak spots. The must-knows of surviving in the wilderness as the weakest being.
As a man that originated from a world where an insect could kill with a single bite and a raging deer could kill if you weren't properly equipped, pride meant nothing to me and survival was everything.
"Haiz!" I sighed as sat up in a tree next to Wu Zexi. We had just finished fighting a Rank 1 Razor Back Deamon Boar.
After weeks of training, I felt my body was in the best condition for a little experiment. It's common knowledge in all civilizations that have developed the use of resources for any purpose whether it be medical or for fun, that the body grows a natural resistance to substances.
Over the years, the many pills that I ingested no longer have an effect, if not for the refined qi within them, I would have stopped taking them long ago. I no longer feel the effects of the bone tempering pill, soul gathering pill, and so on. Unless they are concocted to a higher grade, they're no more than vitamins providing the bare minimum.
This resistance, in the cultivation world, also applies to resources like herbs, roots, fungus, and the soul lake.
Looking at the lake water in deep thoughts, I had questions about its long-term effects, the odd form of the water, that appeared to be water but was obviously something different. Small doses, cultivation in depths.
Once the sun was low, I conquered my residual fear of the odd lake. Pulling out a cup, I dipped it into the lake and attempted to gather a cup full. My wides widen with shock and my muscles contracted as the cup became astronomically heavy.
I pulled for several minutes until the cup slipped from my hand, falling to the lake bed.
"Haah!" I exclaimed as I plopped down on my ass. I glared at the lake, gradually catching my breath.
'It's like breastfeeding, kid. Do you squeeze it into a cup or take it straight from the source.' The mysterious voice sounded in my head. I looked around frantically as the woman was obviously an expert and was watching me.
Looking back at the lake, memories of the beast sneaking sips came to mind. A hint of a smile graced my face as I crawled to the waterline, pride and shame were overrated. Lowering my head, I lapped up the lake water, feeling the hot liquid flow through my meridians.
Though it made me feel warm and comfortable, it had no effect on my body or qi. It wasn't until it reached my sea of consciousness did the familiar storm clouds form. The dark clouds were vastly smaller than the first, but they retained their potency as the falling rain shook my mindscape.
Activating the Six Natured Limit Breaker. The five shards rotated as the center placed flame hummed then emitted low sizzles, refining the storm clouds and rain.
I stood in my mind, hoover in the sky, god of my own mind, taking in the spectacular view.
"The flame isn't growing," I muttered. "But the shards…"
The five shards grew bigger. It was more like a hunk of material now than shards. Suddenly the scene stopped and I figured I needed more water from the soul lake if I wished to continue. I stayed in my mind a bit longer, looking over my soul technique.
Reading every part that I had, there was nothing about what was happening. It was confusing and worrying. I felt as if I was taking a path within the set path. Then again, that's life. Nothing is straight and narrow and tomorrow is unknown.
I didn't let the worry stop me. In the days that followed, Wu Zexi and I continued to spar, cultivate, and hone our martial skills. During the evening, I drank from the soul lake and continued my soul cultivation.
------------------
"Master Orym…" said Wu Zexi, sitting under the shade tree.
"Hmm?" I replied while deboning a beast.
"You achieved martial intent." she said, "When will I be able to achieve sword intent?"
I smirked at her. "I have no idea…"
Wu Zexi pouted. "That doesn't help at all. Aren't you supposed to be teaching me things?"
"Haha, fine." I put down my blade and focus all of my attention on her. " Intent, concepts, dao…. All of it is like cities in a kingdom. Some are lower and more comfortable than others. If you're a small-town girl, adjusting to the city will be difficult. You can thrive or fail. If you fail, you can waste life by persisting or you can go home and cultivate happiness."
Wu Zexi had a strong look of contemplation.
I continued, " Now every kingdom is different, and every city has its own rules and understanding of how a city should be. Now in terms of Intent and concepts, My kingdom is Martial. Yours is the Sword. My achievement of Martial Intent is because I built my small town with my own views. I never pursued a life in a pre-established city, it wouldn't fit me. But one day, my town will become a city, then a kingdom in its own right."
Wu Zexi seemed to understand as she thoughtfully examined her miaodao.
"But how do I start my own town?" she asked.
"By living in someone else's town." I replied, nonchalantly, "My first martial techniques were the Cold Water Palm, the Bone Destruction Fist. Mortal Techniques. By mastering them and understanding the basics of martial arts, I began to create my own view and understanding of what martial arts should be. That's how my small town was built."
"My…" she muttered. " Philosophy of the sword, My sword. The way of the sword is universal yet unique. Every heart beats, every finger has a print, but none are the same. There are many towns, but my town is my own with the potential to become a kingdom."
My brow furrowed as Wu Zexi's aura became sharper while falling into a deep meditative state. But I saw the difference. She was growing and stepping closer to sword intent, but she had yet to touch the door of enlightenment.
"Dog shit luck, I am." I chuckled. "Wu Zexi, QingQing, Shane, Alessia, all of you bastards seem to be feeding off my existence. I am the luck in your misfortune… I wonder how they're doing?"
"Hahaha, you are dog shit luck… for me too." the mysterious voice hummed as she watched me from a distance.
Across the great forest, the mysterious woman hummed. That time I couldn't hear it, but the survivors of my team could. Each of them looked in my direction, then began to move.
As Wu Zexi comprehended the sword, I cultivated the soul. It's common practice to temper oneself after progressing in cultivation. So when Wu Zexi opened her eyes, I fed her then led her into the battlefield.
Sometime later.
"Master Orym!" she shouted, appeared with her miaodao in a high guard.
"Hold!" I shouted, flash stepping to the far left. I took a stance, nearly mirroring a maui tai artist. A moment later, I delivered a straight punch, launching the catlike beast backward.
I flash stepped once more, landing a kick to send it airborne. In an instant, Wu Zexi had eyes like daggers. Holding the miaodao with one hand, she leaped into the air like an arrow splitting the wind. Switching from one hand to a two-handed grip, Wu Zexi's sword hummed as she executed her sword 13 sword forms that appeared as ten.
"She's improved…" I quietly praised her. Then a sharp pain assaulted my back. My dragon and Pheonix tattoo roared and cried before they began to circle each other.
Not even during my many battles had I naturally stimulated the Ecliptic Battle Body. I then recalled the cultivation notes of the technique and realized my mistake. Like the Ancient beasts, I had to embody them. Neither the Dragon nor phoenix used weapons. Nor did they cower away from death.
Thud! Boom! Wu Zexi landed and the beast crashed to the forest floor soon after her.
"Again," I ordered.
Wu Zei nodded with determination. Following the training I gave her, Wu Zexi followed close and skillfully evaded Rank 2 and higher beast.
But we were soon forced to stop as we encountered everyone's fear. The anomaly of the cultivation world, realm leaping fighters. Like me, there are beasts who can fight above their weight class.
In front of use was a Mid Ranked 2 Bronze Crowned Gorilla stepping on its recently killed prey. We stared at each other and neither of us moved. The beast was waiting and ready to pounce.
"M-master...That's a steel-billed woodpecker… and its size" Wu Zexi's voice trembled as she referred to the dead beast under the Gorilla.
"Little Wu, calm down… Crumbling Heaven Sword...you need to do it, then run." I instructed. The secret technique of her sword style was the strongest move in her arsenal. " The moment we move, the beast will sense us. He's waiting for the oriole to attack now that the mantis is dead."
If the Gorilla can dominate a beast equivalent to the strength of Xiantian realm expert, then we had to flee and use everything we had to do it
"M-master, I can't…"
"You can...You have to." I growled. "Get ready…"
Time seemed suspended as the moment I told Wu Zexi to strike, and the moment I launched at the beast seemed instantaneous yet delayed.
Pang! My bone destruction fist hit the beast's chest and I could have sworn the thing laughed at me. Dropping and rolling right, I put the beast's left leg into a hold, lifting it into a takedown.
Pah!
My soul was shaken in disbelief as the beast hit an elbow to palm, stopping the takedown and pushing itself up to its feet in a single move.
"What the fuck!" I growled in my old language. It sounded foreign and odd but properly expressed my inner turmoil.
My martial intent flared, and my mind settled. Launching at the beast, it felt as if I was fighting a titan. The gorilla's skin was indestructible, it was agile and strong.
Woosh!
It's created a wind current that lashed my face as I managed to barely slip the attack.
Throwing two fists and an elbow, I managed to knock the tree trunk of an arm away. The wind picked up beneath my feet and my speed doubled as I used the Dancing Pixie movement technique.
"Roaaaahh!" The deafening gorilla's shout was an attack in and of its self.
"MMm." I pushed up and my Ecliptic Battle Body thrummed like a temple gong coupled with the roar and cry of my tattooed beasts.
"Please accept this humble Martial Set!" I shouted.
PAH! Shockwaves blew the surrounding tree's outward palm hit.
"HA!" My cultivation erupted as I rolled off of an attack and executed the following forms of my mixed martial arts.
The Bronze Crowned Gorilla and I became a blur as we exchanged fists, knees, kicks, and elbows like battle maniacs.
My bones cracked and healed. The Yin Yang energy converted by the dragon and phoenix refined and healed my body as it broke. My Martial Intent grew broader. I was locked in a battle of life and death. My only option was to fight until I could run away. And hopefully, the pressure of battle would become the natural breakthrough that all cultivators hoped for.
Bang!
My kick hit the gorilla's fist. We were both blown away and our states of being became as plain as day. I was naturally in the worse shape. My clothes had turned to rags, blood and dirt coated my body and my disheveled hair made me look savage.
Pop! "Ahhh" I cried out as my leg was snapped in place then healed.
Look at the enraged beast, I could see the ecstasy in its eyes. It wanted me in battle. And if the battle didn't end in my death, it would never be satisfied.
My qi then churned. Like my martial arts, my movement techniques had also merged to create something more due to my achievement of martial intent.
…
Like a gust of wind, I vanished.
In the distance, I could hear the beast going mad. I quickly pulled out a few evasion pouches and dosed myself in the rancid contents to kill my scent.
Before going back to the Soul Lake, I found a hollowed tree and took the time to heal myself completely. This also allowed a good period to see if the Bronze Crowned Gorilla could find me.
Time passed by, my dragon and phoenix tattooed on my back returned to slumber and I used the Nature Sutra to heal my body. My time in the hollow tree dragged on until I felt it was safe to move again. Poking my head out, I looked left then right before running off like a victorious thief.
Weeks continued to flow and cultivation was steady. The routine never changed, it was simple and productive. Temper ourselves in battle, run away when things looked dire. In between we cultivated.
As Wu Zexi neared the peak of Tempering Marrow and my soul cultivation had ceased to increase after consuming the surface of the soul lake water, I felt we needed a change.
Wu Zexi was walking through her sword forms when I pulled her aside.
She was startled a bit but quickly recovered.
"Master Orym?" she asked as I was usually sitting by the lakeside at this time.
"Little Wu, today is going to be a little different. You're getting closer to Martial Foundation, the only realm that can use the seven-colored water lily to its full potential."
Little Wu looked confused. "I don't understand." she said, " The seven-colored water lily is famous for sword comprehension and its immense pure qi. What does that have to do with cultivation level?"
"Hmm, you seem to have only read about this treasure once. It also appears in the book of 666 Natural Physiques, not to be confused with Innate Bloodline Physiques."
"What are natural physiques? I haven't learned about such things yet."
"Simple, unlike physiques acquired from robbing Deamon beast, Natural physiques are physiques with natural origins like the yin yang physiques and lightning physiques. Let me explain further. I cultivate Essence and Body. I also have a bloodline. My bloodline once activated will condense a physique unique to me and my people. You can't acquire it. However, my essence technique will soon condense a natural physique --Reflection of Nature. Very strong and rare, born from nature qi.
However, the poison body and medical body are also natural physiques because their stimulus is derived from nature qi. The Seven Colored Water Lily is derived from nature qi. Consuming it, like refining poison or herbs, will give a physique. Not all heavenly resources can do this, but those that can, are recorded in the book of 666 Natural Physiques."
"Woow… And you want to give it to me?" Wu Zexi pointed at herself, dumbstruck.
I laughed at her surprise. "Yes, I wish to give Wu Zexi the ancient Seven Colored Water Lily body. But you must break through to Martial Foundation. Second stage Martial foundation to be exact. Because of your lack of bloodline, you need a stronger base to use the Seven Colored Water Lily. "
We continued to chat for a while longer as I answered Wu Zexi's questions the best I could. After the excitement from the real possibility of her destiny being changed forever settled, she suddenly realized what had to be done in order to receive such boons.
Her eyes shifted to the soul lake and a solemn look appeared on her face.
"Can you do it?" she asked in a low voice.
"Haiz! You and everyone know I'm an oddball. But only my QingQing knows why. The important thing is that I'm odd because I care. I want you and those closest to me to be strong and carefree. That's why I strive to become stronger, to do things like this."
"B-but…"
"I don't fear the pressure of the soul lake, war, death, and such things. What I fear is the failure to protect and the regret that will stain my soul even after death. So don't worry about me and trust in my will to carry you to the top of this world."
Wu Zexi was speechless and conflicted. But what could she do? She was too weak to follow me and she lived to obey my order, she belongs to me. From the seated position to my knees, I crossed a short distance and placed a kiss on her forehead.
The tears that followed were expected. She had a habit of crying when she had a lack of options. I patted her had gently and she threw herself into my chest, hugging me tightly as she sobbed.
"Keep practicing. Stay by the soul lake, it's safe. Don't touch the water and never drop your guard. The Miaodao and Second Stage of Martial Foundation is your goal. If you feel lost, relax, try again, and make sure my care for you isn't vain." I whispered. I slipped from her embrace.
"Master!" Wu Zexi cried out as her arms swung up to hold me still but she only caught air as I appeared above the soul lake. Not flying but gliding across the wind conjured by the Dancing Pixie movement technique.
Looking back at Little Wu one last time, the scene was almost cinematic as her tears trickled from her face and sparkled on the lunar light like stars in the void. Dripping from her face, they were taken by the wind like shooting stars across the sky.
A warm smile was all I could give her before plunging into the thick waters of the lake.
"Cry now...Smile later...Dance later...Wu Zexi, wait for me…Master, will come back and give you everything you deserve."