Book 2: Chapter 50: The Spirit Within
Lei had left for the sect the next morning, with my letter in hand. Cao Chen had taken a cart to leave him at the sect, leaving me with the rest of the day to worry over things. I had about a week or so prepare for the duel at best, and ensure things continued to run smoothly.
Qiao Ying stood next to me, holding a registry with all the details, as I grimaced watching over the village.
"How's progress?" I asked.
"My lord—"
I gave him a look.
"Err… sir. We've successfully managed to create the first batch of Qi crystals. There were some issues with the workers being unused to the equipment, but after some guidance the batch was successful. Yield was… it was quite good, we had 77% of the herbs being converted successfully based on the mass conversion formula that you had taught me. We have successfully created a batch of roughly two hundred standard Qi crystals within one run," Qiao Ying's face flushed, a proud expression on his face.
I did not blame him, a first run with such a high yield was a lot better than I had expected. A smile hung on my lips, happy with the news, but I knew how fragile all of this was, and the fact that this was exactly what I was going to be fighting to protect.
"The wall?" I asked further.
"The cement's component ratio seems mostly clear, but I've faced some trouble in acquiring the materials needed. That said, the cement itself has calcified just as you said you would. It is… fascinating. The villagers are calling it liquid-rock. We can begin construction within the week as soon as the components have all arrived," Qiao Ying said.
"That leaves the last thing I'd mentioned," I said, glancing at Qiao Ying.
The man nodded.
"I think… I think you should look at it yourself sir," Qiao Ying said.
I followed behind him, walking up to behind my home where I saw a craftsman working on small metallic trinkets of all sorts, with a mix of alchemy, formation arts, and metal work. It was an entirely new field of work in this world combining multiple arts and finding people who could work through what I needed was quite difficult. But Qiao Ying had pulled through, and I'd been able to supply all the drugnades that were needed to fuel the development.
"These are a bit unstable, but they do the job," the man said, a metal part in his mouth as he handed me the new drugnades I'd created. Or gu-nukes to be precise. The new ones combined both Gu and Qi pills, at a smaller degree to create a mini-nuke.
"Can they be used by anyone?" I asked.
"Yup. Just flick that trigger thing over there, and it'll light up the formation rune and bam. Make sure to not keep it in your hands though, it'll blow up to bits-" the man said, before he stopped to look at me. "Well, maybe not with you."
I chuckled, but did not activate the grenade. "How many can we make?"
"How many pills can you make?" the man asked.
I nodded, happy with the answer.
"Does the lord have anything to say?" I asked, turning towards Qiao Ying.
"He is… interested, but so far Lord Zhou has not commented on things. I intend to send him another report regarding production and the weapons."
I nodded as I moved on, letting the craftsman work on the weapons. The village was still busy as usual, miners harvesting spirit crystals, workers picking spirit herbs, the new mortals slowly being awakened as they trained with Yan Yun before joining Zhang in the weapon and combat training. Yin and granny Lang were working hard with the Alchemy side of things, as more and more people began to learn how to use the tools to create alchemy pills.
Even Ash was helping out, keeping the area clear of any malicious spirit beasts alongside Sheldon. The two spirit beasts had teamed up almost like the older brothers of my little menagerie, making sure Labby, Twilight and Silverlight didn't run around causing problems for everyone.
A strange feeling filled me as I watched the village changing so rapidly. Work was happening, things were changing, the town was developing more and more by the minute, and I knew I'd done almost all I could. My task with this side of things was done for now. Instead of working on every small thing, my role now was to make sure I could protect all of them from all the threats and people aiming to bring harm to them.
Leaving Qiao Ying with some orders and leaving him to his work, I walked up tp Zhang, finding him in the field. I raised my hand, catching the boy's attention as he trained the newly initiated through the basic stances.
"What brings you here, brother Jie?" Zhang asked.
"You think you could spare some time for a spar?" I asked Zhang.
"With me?" Zhang asked, surprised.
I heard gasps and murmurs coming from the younger boys and some men as they looked at me in shock. My recent displays had gained me a reputation greater than I had cared for. The association with the Divine tree, and the knowledge I brought had made some of the villagers believe I was a Divine messenger of some sort, and my efforts to dissuade them had only deepened their own beliefs.
"Yup. Yan Yun's still settling into her regained cultivation, and you're the best fighter I know," I said to Zhang, ignoring the whispers.
I saw Yin's brother, Guo Ru, shout at them as they quieted down, before he gave me a nod. I returned the nod, smiling. The boy I'd saved, who had been so helpless in the mines, had now grown a fair bit more muscular and confident. The training with Zhang had clearly been showing results.
"Sure brother. Are there any rules?" Zhang asked.
"We'll spar till one of us concedes. Sounds good?" I asked.
Zhang nodded, about to put his training spear away. "Keep it," I told him. "Our enemies won't be taking it easy. You shouldn't either."
I saw Zhang frown, but he did not refuse. He knew I was right, even if the chance of hurting me warred with that thought within him.
Stepping a bit further, I let Zhang take a stance. I did not take a stance, it felt awkward, even though I knew the arts the sect had taught me, it was not the style of fighting that suited me. Fighting as an act overall did not suit me. Even if I had been willing to engage in it a lot more willingly without my memories from earth, I had been awful at it.
"You go first," I told Zhang.
Zhang nodded, raising his spear. To my pleased surprise, he was not holding back. Chi gathered around him, purple wisps rising as I felt gravity shifting all around where I was. I had to force my Chi to anchor me, as Zhang shot towards me like an arrow.
I stepped, dodging the attack, but there was another thrust, as he turned in a way that should not have been possible, his strike bending as it reached towards me. Calling on Chi, I deflected the blow, yet to my surprise, Zhang was faster than me, the second strike came instantly, and then the third, and within moments I had to retreat and create some distance or else I would already be on the ground.
Zhang had been expecting that though, as I felt a heavy weight descend on me. The world caved in and I realized that gravity had been increased around me, making each movement heavy.
Turns out I was the one who had not been giving it my all. Zhang moved swiftly, using his range to strike at me from a distance. Flooding my body with Chi, I moved in close, but the boy dashed back faster, using gravity's assistance to dance away as he continued to thrust at me. I called upon my flames, letting them cover me before shooting them forward.
Ghastly white pillars of fire spread from my hand as Zhang jumped back, and I stepped to close the gap, covering my fist in Chi as I struck out towards Zhang. Of course that was not enough as Zhang stepped in the air, jumping above me and attacking me from behind.
I let fire erupt all around me in a burst to avoid the attack as I turned around, before shooting a literal fistful of fire towards Zhang, who cut through it with his spear with ease.
Man… I really should've been training as well.
Zhang danced out of range.
"Brother Jie. Why are you not using your full strength?" Zhang asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked, fire dancing on my hand.
"Your Chi has not been drained at all. It feels… to me, it feels like it's endless. Yet you are merely using the surface of it."
I frowned. Endless? My Chi wasn't… I paused. What was my Chi now? I… didn't have a core anymore, did I? Where was I drawing Chi from at all?
"Perhaps I am not posing enough of a challenge," Zhang said, as he raised his spear and something changed. "Forgive me brother. I had not been following your instructions before. This time, I will give my all."
Hair raised on my arms and legs, a shiver running down my spine as starry lights appeared around Zhang. With a burst of starry light, purple swirls of energy flowing all around. Slowly, the lights began to gather together and I cursed, gathering my Chi rapidly.
"Get back! All of you!" I shouted at the villagers watching, as I tried to gather enough Chi to hold off the attack, but even before it hit I knew it wasn't enough.
Light began to gather, in such an intensity that I could no longer see in front of me. A burning heat set the ground ablaze and, for a moment, I was looking into the sun itself as it spoke to me.
"Gravity Arts: The Birth of a Star."
Then the world turned to fire.
I felt Zhang's full strength striking at me, as the heat overwhelmed me. I dove in drawing more and more and more on the Chi around me, but it wasn't around, as the exploding star struck.
More, I needed more, so much more.
But I did have more, didn't I? I had… so much.
I began to draw Chi, but not from myself. From the world itself. The land, the air, the tree in my spirit, every villager, every insect, every stalk of grass. It all connected to me, as I felt my spirit sinking into an unending ocean of power.
My form changed, my mind drifting outwards to be more than just me, more than just who I was, but a summation of everything I was tied to. Fire blazed around me, the exploding strength of a star tearing through my Chi.
I held out a hand, Chi flowing through it, the world itself powering my strength as I held back the star. A moment later, the flames and dust cleared as I stood, my arm was slightly singed, my clothes a little torn, with the ground around me charred to death, yet I was fine. I was more than fine.
I felt more alive than I had ever been.
Zhang looked at me, and then gave me an uncharacteristic smile unlike anything I had seen from him.
"Come Brother, let us fight!" Zhang said, as he stepped into the skies.
I watched him go, but did not move. I tried to move my body but a creeping sensation of horror began to dawn upon me as my body turned without my command. With a step I felt my body step into the skies, and I watched almost like a passenger in my own shell as I walked towards the skies.
Chi was flowing through me in an endless storm. So much power, so much strength, it was like an ocean that was drowning me. A hundred voices calling out to me all at once, tugging me in all directions.
Zhang remained in the air, clearly confused as he began to chase after me, but I was faster as I began to fly outside of the village.
There was a tingle as I felt my tie to the world cut off. The law of the world changed here and I realized I was under the rule of the Heavens again.
I tried to stop my body, realizing what it wanted to do, but it seemed to be moving with its own purpose. Burning energy coursed through my hands, as I raised an arm into the skies, ready to launch a devastating strike into the Heavens, to shatter them once and for all.
The world rumbled around me, sensing the threat I presented to it.
I screamed.
LISTEN TO ME. YOU ARE MY BODY.
My body twitched, and for a moment, I was back in control. I wrestled with the monster that ruled now, the collective spirits of the villagers, their hopes, their desires, but that was not all was it? No, no I had been ignoring the largest source of them all.
I closed my eyes to the world.
Two giant eyes looked back at me. The spirit of the Tree itself.
"The Cycle is broken. We must mend it. Break the shackles, and free this realm."
I stared at the beast, looking at its giant form.
"You cannot just start raging uncontrollably! We need to do things step by step or there will be no point. If the heaven breaks with abandon, the demons will just take over," I shouted, but the beast seemed to not listen.
Frustrated, I used every ounce of willpower I had to try to draw its attention, pulling at the tree of unity itself within my soul.
The beast paused then, finally noting my presence, as its weight descended upon me. I felt my body moving in my real world, once again outside my control.
"You are insufficient. Our strength is not something you can command. Cease control to us. We will mend what has been broken unjustly."
I stared at the beast, and then finding myself pissed off, I gave it the flip off it deserved.
"Fuck you dude," I said to the monster. "I am working as hard as I can to save the people I love, and to fix this world while I do it. But I'm not going to become a puppet in my own body. If you want to take me, you'll have to destroy me completely."
The beast looked at me, and for a moment I feared it would do just that. Crush me like I was a bug and move on without a thought.
"You are weak."
"Maybe, but I do not bend down to tyrants. If you aren't willing to cooperate, then I'll do it my own damn self," I spat.
But instead, it let out a low powerful rumble.
"We will wait. But not for long. The Death of Things stirs. If you cannot claim our power, then we will crush you and seize your body for ourselves."
And then, almost as if all of that strength had been a lie, I felt it all vanish from my grasp. I flailed falling from the skies but this time, I had enough awareness to flood myself with Chi.
The air is firm. The air is firm. The air is firm.
I repeated to myself, almost in a desperate, and as if my voice had reached out and convinced the world, I felt my feet step on air itself with Chi. The sensation faded as soon as it had come but I tried again, and the second time was easier, before the third step succeeded.
Eventually, I had enough of a hang that I had managed to turn the fatal fall into a rough fall down some metaphysical stairs instead.
Zhang rushed to my side, quickly behind me.
"Brother Jie, are you alright?" he said, grasping my shoulders.
"I'm okay," I said, as I sat on the ground, breathing hard. Zhang looked like he had a bunch of questions, but he held back, letting me have my space.
Slowly I laid on the grass beneath me, looking at the skies above as the tribulations that could've come dissipated. I felt frustration boiling inside me. Guess I knew now why I had felt the way I had back then.
"Fucking world spirit," I spat in frustration, before rising up as I began to stomp back to the village.
I needed to train.
Book 2: Chapter 51: Messages
Just because the world hated me and everything I do, I managed to get a fatal new problem sent into my lap as well. As I'd been walking on my way back, I'd noticed that my core had somehow returned. That was not the bad part, though I would've liked to have an understanding of how that worked. The part was when I realized that something was eating through my Chi inside my body, and tearing at my spirit itself. It didn't take me long to figure out that it was the poison which had so conveniently just disappeared. Of course nothing would solve itself so quickly.
To my relief, the poison stopped once again when I entered the village, which is precisely when my core seemed to vanish again. With my already annoyed mood, this was enough to make me pissed off. I didn't notice it at the time, but the very wind, earth, and air seemed to be howling around me in anger and every creature, and person in the village was giving a wide berth as I walked past them.
I opened Granny Lang's workshop, finding the old woman inside. She looked at me, and then sighed.
"What's wrong boy?"
"Poison. I figured it out," I said, taking a seat on her bed. "It starts affecting me when I step out of the village."
Granny Lang walked closer to me, as she pressed her fingers to my chest, trying to sense what was wrong.
"I feel it now. It's definitely there," she said. "Works when you go outside the village, you said?"
I gave a nod. "I don't have a core while inside, which is why it seems to not be working here."
"Hmm, something is definitely keeping it at bay in here," the granny said, as she took a puff from her smoking pipe. "I'll try to see what I can do, boy, but this poison isn't really easy, and poison isn't really my speciality either. The Yi- or well, Shie girl could probably help you. Snakes and poisons run hand in hand."
I sighed. "It would've been quite helpful to have Liuxiang here, yeah. But I'm afraid the capital is too far away for me to do anything about it."
"It would take almost a month just to travel back and forth. But you could try sending the arrogant eagle brat. He should be able to go there and back in two weeks," Granny Lang said.
"Still not enough time to make it for the duel," I replied, trying to smile but found that I couldn't. I had already been worried enough about this, and with the poison, there was no way I could even fight.
Granny Lang hummed in thought for a moment. "Boy, you just need to hold the poison back 'til the duel is done, yes?"
I looked at the granny with renewed hope. "Yes, just the duration of the duel will do. If I make it back we'll have enough time to work through whatever remains."
The Granny looked at me, before giving a nod. "Let me see what I can do."
I looked at her, before bowing to her. "Thank you Granny, you're a lifesaver."
The old woman clicked her tongue. "Making me work so hard at my age. Have some shame, you stupid child. You'll work me to death!" she exclaimed and I just smiled happily at her.
The old woman huffed as she kicked me out and started looking for a solution, so I went out to get my own problems sorted. I was really starting to regret wishing for more work, I almost missed the days of relaxing I had.
Who am I kidding? I know I'm a workaholic and I'll die at some desk while trying to build a magic powered spaceship to explore the solar system if they let me do it.
I walked out with that thought, finding Zhang standing outside with a concerned look. I realized I hadn't explained to him what had happened, and so I quickly gave a brief rundown of events. That only made the frown on the boy's forehead deepen. Then, to my surprise, he bowed his head deeply.
"Forgive me for asking you to pull on a power like that, Brother Jie. If I hadn't-"
I cut him off. "If you hadn't, I wouldn't have even figured out that this was going to be a problem and would've been marching right into the duel with the poison eating at me. So if you start feeling bad, I'm going to smack you."
Zhang looked like he wanted to protest.
I just glared at him and eventually he relented like a scolded puppy. Zhang definitely needed to relax more.
"You should stay. I can fight in your stead. It's safer that way," Zhang said.
"Can't. They're there for me, so if I don't go, nothing will happen. Or worse, something will happen that I can't control or influence. I trust you with my life, Zhang, but this is not something you can do for me."
I didn't linger for Zhang to have the chance to protest and moved forward, trying to find Yan Yun. She wore a sparring uniform that I wasn't quite sure where she'd gotten from, as she was going through stances. Her Chi was unstable still, but she was making steady recovery to her former strength. A week would be more than enough to have her back in form at her current pace.
She noticed me coming, and stopped. "Is something wrong Lu Jie? You looked… tired."
"Much. I'll explain later. Can I borrow Leiyu?"
At my words, the bird manifested with a crackle of lightning.
"What do you need from our magnificent self, servant?" Leiyu asked. Good to see his attitude was back in full force.
"I need you to deliver a message to the Azure capital for me," I said.
Leiyu paused.
"Did… did Leiyu hear you correct?"
"Uhh, yeah? Can you do it quickly enough? If not I'll get someone else."
The bird squawked in a tone I could not understand, and I saw Yan Yun giggling under her breath.
"To dare even suggest that we would be beaten by some kind of messenger pigeon. Leiyu will do it, but there will be a price."
"As many pills and Qi crystals as you want for a week," I said in a flat tone.
"Consider it done."
I wanted to laugh at the interaction. If only dealing with my problems was as easy as dealing with the spirits I had.
Yan Yun, clearly amused as well, had a worried expression on her face. "Is something wrong? Why the urgent message?"
"The poison had some unforeseen side effects. I need to get it sorted before the duel if possible. But it's also not gone and I'd prefer if it was gone entirely."
Yan Yun's expression turned dark. "I can ask Zu Ri- Huo Qiu I mean. She may know."
"I doubt it. It wouldn't make sense to send an assassin that knows the cure of the poison they use. It's just bad practice to do that. Elder Yan may be foolish, but he's not stupid," I said, and then paused. "No offense."
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Yan Yun asked.
"That- well, I just insulted your grandfather," I said, feeling a little awkward.
"Anything you say at this point is deserved. I would be far less kind if you asked me to speak at all," Yan Yun said, huffing. "He's a stupid, arrogant, self important man drunk on his power. I wish I'd seen him as clearly as I do now, but it had been too easy to justify everything awful about him by the good parts. Because… There were good parts. Which is probably hard to believe for you."
"No, I believe it. His methods and motives are twisted, but… I think he cares for you in some weird kind of way," I replied.
Yan Yun nodded. "But that does not excuse what he does, and how he behaves, and I realize that now. And… I wish I could somehow change him. But perhaps the only way to do that is through some difficult choices."
I looked at Yan Yun, before placing my hand on her shoulder. "The future is uncertain. And I don't know what exactly he will do, or what he is planning. But… if the time comes where I have to fight him, I will try not to kill him. And if he continues on this path, it will come."
She looked at me, first in surprise, and then with a quiet nod. "Thank you. It's more than I can ask for by now."
After those words, I parted with Yan Yun, Leiyu following me as I handed him the letter I was sending to Liuxiang.
"Leiyu will be there in a week. You better keep your side of the promise."
"I will," I replied and watched the eagle fly off into the sky with a shooting crackle.
I stood there in silence for a moment, wondering if there was some god watching me right now, probably laughing to themselves at my misery.
I didn't let the thought linger. I had work to do.
***
Elder Yan slammed his fist onto the table, the Qi enforced wood shattering into splinters from his strike, anger and fury boiling forth in him. "That good-for-nothing Shadow."
Lightning flared around him, his anger making his Qi flare as the world around him shook.
"A method needs to be found. If that boy is not eliminated soon, then there's no telling what else he'll do. To have freed a Shadow… just what other power has he obtained from the Divine Tree?"
Elder Yan paced around his room, his mind racing through thoughts. He needed a weapon to strike with, if he truly intended to become Lord of the Seventh Peak, something like the Divine Tree would be perfect. He had been at the peak of the Eight realm for over a decade now. But with that tree, he could break through and match the Lord in strength.
A knock sounded out at the gate and Elder Yan turned, wondering who would dare disturb him with his mood so sour. A moment later, a terrified servant opened the gates, looking in and bowed deeply.
"E-elder… the Elder from the Alchemy Hall has arrived."
Elder Yan mood finally lightened as he gave a nod to the servant, dismissing her. After taking a moment to compose himself, Elder Yan made his way towards the waiting chamber.
Opening the gates, Elder Yan looked at the Elder seated inside. It was a young man, far younger than he was. Not for a moment did Elder Yan think that reflected the true age or strength of this man. The Alchemy Halls swore an oath of non-violence and that, combined with their fealty to the emperor, was perhaps the only reason they had not been wiped out from existence entirely.
The strength these alchemists could use was beyond terrifying. But such matters did not matter.
Elder Yan gave a light nod, greeting the elder as he stepped inside.
"We hope your journey from the capital has been pleasant," Elder Yan said.
"Oh yes indeed. Apologies for the delay, an Elder Spirit had decided to bar our path and dispatching it took some time for my men," the man said, folding his leg. A moment later, almost as an afterthought he put his hand into a pocket realm and pulled out a pouch. "Oh, I made it into a pill on the way here, you can take it as an apology," he said, throwing the pouch over to Elder Yan.
Elder Yan fumbled over the pouch, surprised by the lack of etiquette. Perhaps… the man was truly as young as he looked? He'd certainly heard of prodigies rising through ranks at an early age in the capital.
A moment later, Elder Yan looked into the pouch and found his breath stuck in his throat.
"This… is this… a heaven grade pill?" he asked, wetting his lips as he spoke.
"Ah, is that what you call them? I forgot," the man said.
Elder Yan looked at the man, withdrawing any notion of arrogance he may have had before. If this boy was as young as he looked, he was a genius that only came in centuries.
Elder Yan coughed into his fisted. "There is a matter I must discuss with you. I believe the general gist was already sent over to you in my letter?"
"About the boy that's got you running around, right? Yup, I heard. He seems interesting. You said he was an alchemist, right?"
"He's a demon in disguise, is what he is," Elder Yan spat, vibrating.
"Careful, an actual demon may take offense to that," the man said, chuckling.
Elder Yan raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment further. "The boy is planning to sell potent pills that he has somehow taught mortals to make. He plans to take over and destroy the Alchemy Hall's authority and the Lord seems to be in support of his choices."
The man frowned. "Hmm, that's not good. Can't have that. But I think I have a solution," the man said, before turning to face the gate. "Oi! You can come in now!"
Elder Yan looked out in confusion, which was only further increased when Lei walked into the chamber.
"Lei? What're you doing here?" he asked, baffled.
"Found him outside running in circles. I thought he was lost but turns out he was just afraid to see you. He's got a message from your forsworn enemy child," the man said, as the letter vanished from Lei's hand, moving into Elder Yan's.
He did not understand this art, nor how he worked, but decided not to question it. The Azure city had its own secrets, and he would pry them open with time, once he was Lord.
Slowly, the Elder read through the letter, before looking up to see the man grinning back at him.
"What a fun proposition, don't you think?" he said. "A duel to settle all grievances! Truly the most simple way to solve a problem."
"Do you… truly intend to conduct this farce?" Elder Yan asked.
"Yup! If he wins, I'll ask him to join the Halls. Can't have free pills running around, but either way, he won't be your problem no matter what. But let's hope he loses. More fun that way, right?"
"This is not about fun, that boy is dange-"
The Elder stopped as the man raised a hand, his expression turning serious for a moment.
"Oh, sorry, I let loose my intent for a minute. But trust me, Elder. I've seen what dangerous is. This is a child. A child on the loose. Let's not lower ourselves to the level of children," the man said, as he dusted his robes, standing up.
"Anyway, I'll talk with the Lord to get this arranged in, say, a week? Sounds like a good date. Please pick your candidates and make sure they're also suitable. No elders, for example. Let's stick to the children fighting other children," the man said, as he turned.
Elder Yan bit his cheeks, wanting to say many things, but held the poison words back. He would not be pushed around when he was Lord.
"Very well," Elder Yan said. "But before you leave, please, at least let me know your name."
The man turned around. "Ah right, I never did say that, did I?"
Elder Yan sensed a slight pause, before a strange smile overtook the man's face. One that made a strange chill run down the Elder's spine.
"My name's Sheng Yuan."
Book 2: Chapter 52: Preparation
Time passed, and my nervousness regarding the situation only began to grow more and more. A part of me was worried whether my plan for the duel would even work or not. I had felt fairly confident before, it was unprecedented for a duel to be refused, the amount of face it would lose a sect would be too enormous. But uncertainty had slowly but surely crept into my thoughts, doubts and what-ifs filling my mind.
But today, at last the Lord had sent a message to me. Apparently the Alchemy Hall Elder had already arrived and had agreed to the terms, with a date set as well in a week's time. It felt like barely enough, even a month would've felt short, but it was what I had, so I'd just have to make do with it.
The second good news came a little later, as Granny Lang told me she may have found a way. The "may" part was a bit worrisome, but at this point I was ready to take whatever I got.
"There's a way to effectively hold the poison within you for a small time without any harmful effects," Granny Lang said.
"What is it?" I asked, curious.
She pulled out what looked to be a really old and tattered book and showed it to me. There was a diagram of a fairly ordinary-looking plant on it.
"You see that? That's an ingredient in a Spirit cleansing pill. It's also used to make poisons that eat at your Qi. Obviously nothing as potent as what you have, which eats your entire cultivation base, but it's similar."
"So, can that be made into an antidote?" I asked.
"Don't be stupid. That'll take weeks of study if I knew what the poison was and had some on hand. No, the idea is to put this poison inside you as well."
I looked up at the granny in confusion. "Are you trying to kill me or something?"
"Bah, listen. Normally the poison would eat at your Qi for a while, maybe make you sick. But right now you're already sick, so the poison will instead interfere with the flow of your Chi, and make it harder to break down. It won't be perfect but I can make it capable of holding back the poison for a short while, but the effect won't last forever. Eventually your body and the poison will adapt and start to work again."
I scratched my head, not sure I understood how the concept worked, but then a lot of the alchemical texts had very unclear explanations on how they worked. As long as it worked, I would be happy.
"Do you have the herb then?"
"I can get it, but I'll need that scholar boy of yours."
"Qiao Ying? Sure, tell me what it is and I'll tell him to bring it as quickly as I can."
"Good, there's also one more thing," Granny Lang said, as she put away the textbook. "To make sure things work properly I have made a special herb bath that I need you to take twice a day, but for it to work properly, you need to be exhausted physically and at your limits. That's when your body is the most receptive to absorbing what it needs."
"I grimaced at her words, but then I had already been planning to train. Just, physical exercise had not been at the top of that list, since Chi often made up for the need for any physical exercise I would need.
Maybe that was why Zhang kept clicking his tongue at me during spars.
"Alright, I'll ask Zhang to do that as well," I said.
"Good, get to it then," Granny Lang said.
I nodded, thanking her, before I made my way out. After sending Qiao Ying her way, I was making my way over to Zhang, when I found an interesting sight.
Labby was standing with a group of children, her hands set in front of her as she was guiding them through the different stances. The children seemed to be following quite intently as well, with her new pet rat doing the same nearby on the ground.
"What're you doing Labby?" I asked, walking closer.
"Oh, Master! Labby is training," she said, smiling happily. "She wants to be as strong as possible for the duels!"
"We're helping!"
"Yeah, we're training with her!"
The kids chimed along with her, their eyes looking at me with expectant and excited looks, and I found it harder and harder to let them down.
I gave a head pat to the children one by one, lastly giving one to Labby. "That's great, but I have a more important job for you Labby. I need you to stay here so that you can protect the village while I'm gone."
Labby looked like she wanted to protest, but she simply gave me a nod with a pout on her face, and I patted her head again.
I left Labby to her stances, moving on to my own training. Zhang was waiting, though some of the others had also joined. They looked at me and Zhang with eyes filled with reverence and I felt extremely awkward for the starting while.
But eventually the rhythms began to settle in. The moved through the stances easily as Zhang and I sparred, and slowly but surely I began gaining the ability to react more and more to his moves. Physically, I was both faster and stronger, but Zhang had substantially more skill. But now that I was finally training, I was quickly starting to fill that lacking element.
A part of me also felt a little satisfied with my progress. It was validating to think that all those painful years spent in the sect had not been a waste. All the memories of painful, grueling spars and hours training now seemed to be paying off, and I was seeing rapid, visible improvements.
Eventually, I was sparring with Zhang at his full strength, and doing a bunch of physical exercises afterwards as well. I'd decided to mix the standard training exercises with the exercises I'd done in my past life as well.
It was surprising to see just how different the physique of a cultivator was. I was far from muscular; I had a decent build, but I didn't have particularly large or impressive muscles, yet I was far stronger than even the strongest people back on earth. For example, I had found out that with a little practice, I was able to do pushups on a single finger.
Not that it was practical to do that, but god dammit did it look cool.
My training exercises also seemed to have caught on with the trainees as now slowly but surely they'd begun joining me in my post sparring exercise sessions. Now I ran with an entire squadron of people, most of whom stopped way before me, but still, having people around me somehow felt like it was actually giving me a lot of energy to get the exercises done.
I had reason to suspect this was not just a mental thing either. The more I meditated, the more I realized just what was going on here. I didn't know why exactly I didn't have a core, but my source of Chi in this place was not me, but the world around me. The people, the animals, everything that had accepted the order of Chi was now the source I drew from. And it was not just energy that came with that.
I was literally connected to these people from within my soul, and it showed. When there was a certain emotion being wide-spread, I felt it within myself. When others were pushing themselves, I felt their determination almost flowing into me, and bolstering my own strength.
That connection only seemed to be growing stronger over time, growing from a faint background presence to something I could notice during my daily routine if I paid attention.
In the blink of an eye, the week I had been given had already passed. As my final day's routine came to an end, I made my way over to the bath prepared for me, and I sank into the green herbal water with an audible sigh. The grueling training had helped take the edge off of my nerves, even if a week wasn't enough time to see any real effects. Just letting myself get lost in tasks felt almost meditative, as the act of performing an action with my entire focus and presence of mind felt… strangely addicting.
Slowly, I sank into the bath around me, as my thoughts began to scatter. I would worry about what would happen tomorrow, but at this point there was no meaning in pointless worrying. All I had to do was be prepared.
After some time passed and I felt the essence from the herbs had seeped into me, I rose from the bath, my hair flowing down behind me. I decided to look at my reflection in the water below.
The face looking back almost seemed unfamiliar somehow. Like I'd changed so much, that I could no longer recognise myself. What had changed? I wasn't sure. Nothing substantial, nothing that hadn't changed before. But somehow this moment felt significant.
There were still gaps within my self, who I was and who my past self was. And who I was with both of those selves combined together. All three felt like separate identities of myself. Versions of myself that I could not truly separate from myself, but also could not truly call myself either.
I stepped out of the bathtub, feeling the cool wind on my skin. I remembered Zhou Fang's words from a long time ago.
"The Path of knowledge is also the Path of strength."
That felt a lot more true now.
I turned around, and picked up my robes, dressing myself in my usual robes. After a moment, I saw Granny Lang waiting outside. She held a pouch in her hands.
"Here it is. There's two, but don't eat more than one, it'll make the problem worse. The effect should last long enough," she said, handing the pouch over.
"Thanks granny, I'll try not to poison myself" I replied.
"More than I can expect from you," the granny said with a snort.
I chuckled in reply.
A moment later, our conversation died. "May the Heavens favor you, my boy," she said, patting my back as she walked ahead.
I smiled at the irony of the words, yet the intent remained the same. I gave a nod, as I walked to my own chamber. I needed to get some sleep.
Book 2: Chapter 53: A Quiet Moment
I could not sleep at all, which mattered a lot less to a cultivator than it would a normal person. After the first few hours when I'd realized that sleep was a far off dream, I'd set off to roaming the village premises. Turns out I had not been the only one who'd been struggling with that problem. I noticed Yan Yun seated on a boulder outside.
"Can't sleep either?" I asked.
"Not today," she replied, before she scooted over, patting the boulder next to her for me to sit on. I accepted her invitation, letting myself sit next to Yan Yun, as we both spent some time simply gazing at the beautiful star and the moon shining above. The autumn clouds floated in the sky, causing rays of moonlight to peer through them in intervals, almost like a dance happening within the skies.
Knowing the Lunar court's existence, perhaps that was exactly what was happening? Labby would know more than me about that.
"Hey Lu Jie."
"Hmm?"
"Do you ever wonder what it might be like to go to the moon?"
I looked at Yan Yun. Her gaze was set at the moon just the same as mine, and I followed her sight to look at the brilliant silver planet. The little differences on the moon no longer felt jarring to me, this place was as much home to me now as my previous world had been.
"Actually. In my past life, we had managed to send some people," I replied.
"Really? Were they cultivators?"
I laughed. "No, we didn't have any cultivators. They were nor- well not normal people, but they were mortals. We just made a big tin can and added a lot of explosive stuff inside, and then set it on fire."
Yan Yun looked at me, her eyes now narrowed in suspicion.
"Okay fine, it wasn't quite like that. But that's effectively what people did. They figured out a way to send vessels of metal filled with people to the moon and back. It took a lot of work and money, with the country supporting the venture. It was… a big moment. The first time a human had gone to another celestial object beside earth," I said, looking back at Yan Yun.
"Your world must've had some amazing people to have done that with mortals," Yan Yun said.
"Yeah, but it wasn't just amazing people. It was the collective desire and work of entire countries, built upon foundations of science set over centuries by extremely intelligent people," I replied.
Yan Yun kept her eyes on the moon, her Chi slowly flowing around her. "I used to wonder just where exactly this home of yours was. Turns out, it's an entirely different world. Talk about a surprise."
A moment later, she broke off her gaze from the moon, turning it towards me instead. "You don't talk a lot about your home."
I looked back into Yan Yun's eyes, feeling a strange emotion rising inside me. "To be honest with you. It's because at times it still feels a bit painful to talk about home. Because… because I know I can never go back."
Yan Yun turned away from me, her eyes back towards the comforting moon shining in the sky. "I know that feeling."
I stared at Yan Yun, failing to find words to say anything.
"Yeah." I replied, as I realized that trying to put this into words had no meaning. We understood, both of us. In different ways, to different extent. But the pain was shared.
"I loved science. As a kid, I was one of the children who would sit at home, and read encyclopedias, and watch nature documentaries instead of going out to play, or party like every other kid. When I first woke up here, with no memories of my life in this world, I had felt very lost… and scared. And so I had clung onto the only thing I could cling on to. The desire to understand and learn about the world around me," I said, finding memories of a long forgotten past returning.
"I wasn't very good, you see. I was a distractible kid. I had, well, I'm not sure how to even say this. I had ADHD," I said, pausing to speak the term in english."It's a disorder where people struggle to focus on tasks, and are generally just restless. Actually, it's really complicated, but basically I would just jump from new thing to new thing endlessly, and it meant my actual scores and grades in classes were never very high. Which was not good, if I wanted to do any real science. I still tried, but honestly? It felt like a pointless endeavor. The world around me felt so defined, so understood, the wonder I saw in everyday life around me as a kid was lost."
Yan Yun was looking at me now, her eyes reading my expression. I kept my eyes upon the soft glow of the moon, watching it gently peek from behind a cloud, as if playing hide and seek with the world beneath.
"But then I came here, a world of magic, so mystical, fascinating and new. And it just felt like I could do something here. That maybe I could figure out the way this world ticked, and somehow that would allow me to just… bring development and technology to a world of actual honest to god magic."
"Why… is the world magic?" Yan Yun asked.
"Because… things like what we have here only existed in stories in my world. Fantasies that people dreamt up, or sightings that had been misinterpreted. But here, all of those things are real, and that is… amazing."
"To me, a world of mortals sending cans of metal to the moon sounds so much more amazing," Yan Yun said. "What an amazing world it must be to do something like that. As mortals. I just cannot even begin to imagine it."
"I suppose you're right. The grass is always greener on the other side, isn't it?"
"Only if you're looking down at your shadow," Yan Yun replied.
I paused, her words taking me back. Then, to even my own surprise, I burst out laughing.
"W-what's wrong? Why're you laughing like that," Yan Yun asked, flustered.
"No, it's just. You're right. You're absolutely right. I was looking at my shadow, at the tiny planet we lived on with still so much not understood and I'd told myself that everything had already been figured out. Ahh… I feel so stupid," I said, leaning back on the boulder.
"I don't think it's a stupid thought," Yan Yun said. "My world felt understood to me. Like it was always this way and would remain that way forever. Then you came and changed the entire foundation of everything I knew, and are continuing to do that with every step on your Path," Yan Yun said, smiling as she looked at me. "Sometimes all you need is an outsider's perspective, to finally look up from the dark grass within your shadow, and at everything else around you."
I watched the clouds slowly move out of way, revealing a brilliant full moon hanging above me in the sky glowing brightly. I watched the stars twinkle around it, trying to outshine its light, even if momentarily, and I wondered if one of them was my home.
"If I can ever go back home. I think I will try again. To study science," I said, looking at Yan Yun. "To understand the laws of the world."
"I'm sure you'll succeed, Lu Jie."
I raised my head, as I saw the skies starting to lighten over the horizon, and as the birds began to awaken. I could feel their awareness rousing with my connection to them, as little chirps began to fill the sky, soon dominating the sound. People woke up as well, slowly but surely.
"Well, let us make our preparations," I said, getting up from the boulder.
Yan Yun got up as well, and we both looked at each other for a moment, before I gave her a smile.
"I'm glad we could become friends, Yan Yun."
Yan Yun smiled back. "Me too Lu Jie."
***
Time passed rather quickly after the day began, and before I knew it, the time to leave had arrived. I stood near the village head's home, giving any last instructions to anyone left.
"Su Lin, Cao Chen, I'll be leaving the village to you guys," I said.
"Chirp!"
"Of course, you too Sheldon," I said, bending down as I pet the turtle.
"Labby too!" Labby exclaimed and I gave the girl her share of pets too, which she gladly soaked in.
"Ya just leave it to us and go kick those sect disciples' asses!" Su Lin said, exclaiming.
"Sure," I replied.
"Wasn't talking to ya, obviously Zhang is our ray of hope here," Su Lin said with a grin, and I smiled as we both saw Zhang trying to deny the words in a flustered rush.
His flush fell off as he realized the situation, and both me and Su Lin laughed at the boy's expression. I knew very well that everyone was trying to keep things light, but I still appreciated their efforts. It worked too, I definitely felt better.
My gaze was pulled by a presence I sensed, and I noted Ash looking through the forest groves. I looked at the giant demonic wolf, nodding to acknowledge him. Ash would be scouring the forests to protect the village as well.
As we talked about mostly meaningless things, a sudden pulse of Qi traveled through the area. Mist flowed as I saw the Lord's spectral steed rush closer with rapid speed, Elder Tian Feng's moon spirit seated on the driver's seat with her veil covering her features as ever.
I looked at the carriage with a resolute expression. It was time.
Taking a final look at the village, I said some parting words and pleasantries. A lot of people had come to see us off, the villagers gathered at the town entrance, watching us leave. I'd reassured them that, no matter the outcome, the village itself would be fine. I did dearly hope that it would be, but I knew there would be no good way to convince them of that fact.
And I was glad for it, too. It would've almost been harder had they been convinced. Because I wanted to return.
With a crack of the reins, the carriage began to move at rapid speeds, and within seconds, we were off to the Lord's manor.
Book 2: Chapter 54: Judgement
For all my nerves making the ride feel longer, it barely took a few minutes before we'd arrived. The poison had already started working the moment we'd left Taizhou and I'd promptly taken the pill granny Lang had given me, taking it within the carriage. I could feel the working, the poison now swirling in my Dantian, slowed down to a crawl for its effects.
Without much fanfare or word, I stepped outside alongside Zhang and Yan Yun. The carriage moved past us, as the three of us walked into the Lord's chamber. The Lord was waiting for us, which made me concerned. Almost every time I had walked into his chamber, he had been working on something or other, but now he simply stood at the window, looking outside.
"Greeting, Lord Zhou," I said, bowing my head. Yan Yun and Zhang followed.
"Raise your head," Lord Zhou replied, regarding me. "We have been hearing reports from Qiao Ying. It seems your work has been showing results."
"Yes, the initial steps at least. Although we definitely can't do a lot before the Qi crystals have started selling, which as you know…" I trailed off.
The Lord gave me a nod. "Indeed. The situation is unpleasant, and the interception has happened a lot quicker than anticipated, but it is nothing we had not expected to handle. What concerns us more is what Elder Yan may have whispered in the Alchemy Hall's ears."
"It won't matter what they've said. As long as we win," I replied.
"Confidence is good, but you should not underestimate your opponent. Elder Yan will surely bring the strongest disciples from within the sect, with every resource given to them that they can gather."
"If I may, Lord," Yan Yun said, getting the Lord's attention. "My grandfather will be forced to pick from the inner sect, and having seen Lu Jie… There are very few who can match up to him. Him or Zhang."
"For their age, I agree that the strength all three of you children possess is unprecedented for the Seventh Peak. In just a decade we can see all of you surpassing us. But right now, as things stand, you are still young children. My concerns extend beyond this duel here, and into what challenges you may have in the future," the Lord said.
"In my home, ages ago, we used to fight wars with blades and bows, when the strength of the men fighting in the war could shift tides. Then we learned that weapons could do what a single man could never even hope to," I said, looking at the Lord smiling.
Claps echoed from somewhere, and I turned feeling a presence standing behind me as my heart jumped in my chest.
A man was standing behind me, a smile set on his face as he slowly clapped his hands. "That was quite the story! Your homeland sounds like one fascinating place!"
I stared dumbly at the man, heart pounding in my chest at his sudden presence. How had I not sensed him at all? Or the Lord? He had light brown hair and wore simple robes. He couldn't have been older than thirty at best, but my senses failed to pick up at his cultivation whatsoever. Even with the Lord I could feel something. A giant mountain the top of which I couldn't see, but I could still tell it was here. But with this man… It felt like trying to look at the sky to see the size of the universe.
Zhang moved in front of me immediately, standing between the man and me.
"Ah, my apologies. I forgot to introduce myself, I am Sheng Yuan, the elder from the Alchemy Halls, here to judge some naughty children for doing things they shouldn't be doing," the man said, glancing my way with an amused grin.
"Elder Sheng, have you arrived alone?" Lord Zhou asked.
I looked at the Lord, and noted even he had felt unsettled at the man's sudden arrival, almost as if he had teleported straight in.
"Oh I have not, Elder Yan should be on the way, but you see, they move so slowly. So I figured I'd skip ahead a little, and now I'm glad! I get to have a chat with all of you before they arrive."
Zhang's grip tightened in his spear, though obviously he knew better than to point it at the man. But I understood the desire. The elder was… strange. A perpetual smile was present on his face. It unnerved me more than I wanted to admit.
"I believe it will be best that we wait 'til they have arrived before discussing things further," the Lord said, walking closer until he was between us and the Elder as well.
I put my hand on Zhang's shoulder, and after a glance back, he stepped aside.
"Oh please, I'm not here to talk about the duel, no not at all. I'm just curious to meet these children, I've heard some fascinating things about them," he said, glancing at us, but the Lord didn't move away.
The gate burst open behind the chamber, and I saw Elder Yan walk in and I let out a sigh of relief.
I never thought I'd be happy to see Elder Yan, but here we are.
The man looked to be angry, but he schooled his expression immediately upon entering. My eyes went behind him, as I noticed Li standing behind Elder Yan. A scar covered one side of his face from when he'd faced, as he walked into the chamber.
Any relief I may have felt before faded immediately as the tension in the air became thick enough that I felt like I could've cut it with a knife.
"Elder Sheng, please do not rush ahead like that," Elder Yan said, a small admonishment, as that was all he could really do against someone of this man's rank.
"Where's the fun in that, Elder Yan?" the young elder said with a smile that no one else in the room shared. I stood stiffly at one end of the chamber, as Elder Yan's gaze passed by me through the room briefly, before it turned towards the lord.
"I am a bit ashamed to think that things have come to this with you, Lord Zhou. To harbor a corrupt and traitorous boy under your wing."
"Or so you claim, Elder Yan, but so far the only traitorous words we hear are coming from you. What do you intend to do by dragging the Alchemy Halls into matters of children? It does not suit an Elder of such rank to go after young disciples."
Elder Yan snorted. "Far from it. I have only done what I must to protect my sect, and the people of this sect."
I saw the Lord frown at the man's words, claiming he was doing the Lord's job in his place.
"My my, let's not squabble," Elder Sheng said, raising his hand. An aura spread forth claiming an iron grip upon the room silencing any arguments. I couldn't even gape at the complex usage of Qi, it was beyond my ability to grasp at.
Was this what the people at the capital were like? Or just this one guy?
"Now, let us present things in an orderly manner. Elder Yan has called me here to point out some troublesome things happening on this peak," the man said, extending his hand outwards as a Qi crystal appeared in his hand. "A pill supposedly made by mortals, more pure than what many alchemists in these parts can make. Were you aware of this Lord Zhou?"
I felt my heart sink, as things began to unravel.
The Lord stood silently for a moment, as I wondered just what he was going to do. He could very easily put everything on me, and I would not be able to blame him either. All of it had been my plan, and the fact that the Alchemy halls had come this early had also been my own lack of preparation to deal with Elder Yan.
"We had been aware. It was under our permission that the work had been happening."
"Did you not think such a task would create unrest and encroach upon the territory of the halls, dear Lord? You must be aware that the emperor does not appreciate untested pills being sold," Elder Sheng asked.
"As the Lord, we are well aware of the harm that would happen if every alchemist could simply sell their pills with nothing to regulate them. But these pills had been checked by us, and would've been created under our authority," the Lord replied, not budging an inch under the Alchemy Elder. "Are you saying we cannot exercise our authority as Lord?"
I almost broke out into a grin. Turning the tables from the Lord being the offending party to the Alchemy halls being the rude ones as they questioned his authority in his own home and territory. If I could hug the man, I would've. Actually, probably not, but I did want to for a second.
"No such thing, but please do not take over our jobs, my Lord, us poor alchemists must eat as well after all," the man said, chuckling as if he had told a very amusing joke.
"I got the chance to look at this pill for a while, Qi crystal, it is called, yes? Very interesting. Just a Qi gathering pill purified and made into crystal form. Interesting, but ultimately nothing complicated," the man said, as he crushed the pill in his hand to powder.
"I believe there is not an issue with creating these pills," he replied with a smile.
I saw Elder Yan huff up and almost blurt out something, and I almost found myself smiling. I quickly schooled my expression, but it was hard to not feel pleased.
"But. The fact these actions were taken without any notice to the halls is not appreciated," the man said, looking at the Lord with an intense look. "You would not want the Emperor to grow mad, would you, Lord Zhou?"
The Lord did not reply, conceding that point to the man.
"But I do believe this matter is not settled, is it, Elder Yan? There is also the claim that Lu Jie is a demon. And that what you have been doing has not been some harmless alchemy, but treason. A very grave accusation."
The Lord nodded. "We believe Elder Yan has reason to be mistaken. Given that his own protege had left from under him, and he found it necessary to send an assassin after children far weaker than him."
"Nonsense," Elder Yan huffed.
"We have the Shadow. She can and will speak," I said, and a moment later regretted my words, as the weight of everyone's attention came down upon me like a mountain. I realized, a moment later, that they had not merely been talking, but a very invisible battle had been going on with Auras.
I wanted to collapse onto the ground and heave, but I held my breath, gathering myself as I stood straight.
"As the boy says, we have proof. Perhaps it is Elder Yan who should have to answer for his actions here," the Lord said, as the weight shifted away from me and I let out the smallest of breaths.
"What do you wish to say, Elder Yan?" the alchemy elder asked.
"I have done what I believe is the right course of action. The boy possesses unexplained abilities that have ties to Gu, and has lured away my granddaughter with his words. Not to mention he somehow managed to get his hands on a divine tree. If not stopped, we could very well be raising a demon amidst ourselves," Elder Yan said.
I noticed Yan Yun clenching her fists, and I gently touched her hand. She looked at me and I gave her a quick nod. If she wanted to speak, now was the time.
"There have been no lies told to me," Yan Yun said. "Only truths that break lies we have been told from the beginning."
"Stay quiet, Yan Yun, and do not disgrace our name any further than you already have by standing with that boy," Elder Yan said, his aura sweeping over to crush her, but the Lord protected her from the brunt of it.
"I have stayed quiet. For all my childhood I have done as you had wished, grandfather, catered to your whims, and my entire reason for existence revolved around you. And I refuse to live like that anymore," Yan Yun said, lightning crackling around her body.
"Maybe, just maybe for once. Please listen, and try to understand. There is more to all of this—"
"I had not expected Sister Yan Yun to have grown a mouth. Speaking in a talk of elders, truly you have lost all manners," Li said, his eyes glowering as he looked at her.
I wanted to rush in and slug the boy for his grin, but I simply clenched my fist.
"Does the girl speak on the Lord's behalf now?" Elder Yan asked.
Yan Yun looked at her grandfather, and I saw a deep pain in her eyes. But I had expected this, and most likely, she had too.
Lord Zhou continued, not acknowledging the question.
"The boy has swore an oath in front of you upon the very heavens that he is not a demon," the Lord replied.
"There are ways to fool the heavens too. It has been done before. Need I remind you of the Fire Demon Yang Shen?" Elder Yan said.
"Okay!" the alchemy elder said with a clap. "So, ultimately, the problem boils down to a conflict between the sect and the lord, or rather, the children the lord is harboring. Then, it seems the simplest matter is to proceed with what had been the plan from the beginning. Do both parties agree?"
Lord Zhou glanced at me for the barest of seconds, as if asking me whether this was the way I wanted to proceed. Maybe, maybe not. But it was too late to back down either way.
"We agree," he said.
Elder Yan huffed, but gave an agreement as well.
"A duel. Of three participants from each side. The victor will be decided when all three participants have lost from either side. The duel will continue 'til either side is knocked out," Elder Sheng said, before glancing at Elder Yan. "Though Elder Yan only has two disciples here, has the sect come upon a lack of disciples, Elder?"
"We have disciples aplenty," Elder Yan said, before glancing at Yan Yun. " But since the boy has lured our granddaughter, we will be asking for the Lord's son to take her place in this spar."
I almost burst out at the man, calling out his crap excuse immediately, but the Lord put a hand on my shoulder, holding me back.
"Zhou Fang," the lord called. A moment later, the boy came into the chamber, greeting everyone with a bow. "You will duel for Elder Yan."
The boy looked at his father for a long moment, before he gave a bow, accepting his position. A bitter taste filled my mouth. Zhou Fang was one of the strongest warriors on the seventh peak in the second circle. To have him as an opponent was going to hurt.
"Very well, the participants are all here," Elder Sheng said, before clapping his hand once. The world around me shifted and now I stood in a wide sparring arena within the Lord's manor.
"Then, without further ado, let us begin the matches!"
Book 2: Chapter 55: Yan Yun vs Xiao Lan
Yan Yun felt a torrent of emotions swirling in her chest. She had suspected her grandfather would not listen, there had been little reason to think she could change his mind after all these years. Yet despite herself, she'd been holding out a sliver of hope that perhaps, just maybe he would give her a chance.
She closed her eyes, feeling an ache filling her heart. She focused on it, on her past years spent trying to prove herself. All this time, all this time she had been doing it for the wrong reason. But not anymore.
"I will go first," Yan Yun announced, stepping forth.
Zhang stirred at her words. "No, it should be—"
Lu Jie interrupted the boy, shaking his head. Zhang looked at her, and Yan Yun looked firmly within Zhang's eyes. "Trust me, Zhang."
A moment later, Zhang gave her a nod, stepping back again. She stepped forward, standing in the arena, and Elder Sheng clapped. "We have the first participant! Who will elder Yan be sending to match Yan Yun?"
Yan Yun looked at her grandfather, keeping her gaze firm. Today was the day she would prove it to him, show him what her new path looked like.
"Xiao Lan," Elder Yan said, and a boy stepped forward. His hair was tired in a ponytail, and scars marked his body. "Do not disappoint us."
The boy bowed to her grandfather, stepping into the arena. Then, to her surprise, bowed to her. "I appreciated your insights when we were together during the tournament."
Yan Yun raised her eyebrow, trying to recall who he might be, but she couldn't remember any boy that may look like this. Not to mention in the tournament of all places.
"But my target is Lu Jie. It is him I must fight against, and reclaim victory from my previous defeat," he said, and a moment later drew his blade.
"Ah, I'm afraid we can't allow that," the Elder said, as he snapped his fingers. The sword was now replaced with a wooden practice weapon instead.
"How is this fair?" Elder Yan spat, furious.
"Because killing your granddaughter is not what I am here to do. It's surprising to me that you never gave a thought regarding that," Elder Sheng said, squinting his eyes.
Elder Yan paused, as if conflicted, before he settled with a huff, not protesting further.
Yan Yun tried not to let the conversation wound her any further, but the pain lingered. Normally, Leiyu would be with her here, whispering words in her mind. She tried to think over what he would tell her.
Close your heart to it Yan Yun. You are far better than this measly child. You just need to remember.
Taking a deep breath, Yan Yun took her stance, letting lightning flow through her. Her Chi was denser than her Qi had ever been.
Xiao Lan raised his blade, turning his body sideways, as sword Qi began to flow through it. Wooden though that blade may have been, but it would cut just as well as a regular blade. She would not make the mistake of underestimating the weapon.
"Then, with both participants ready, let the duel begin!" the elder announced.
Yan Yun moved first. Lightning flowed through her fist, as she struck like a veritable thunderbolt, crossing the distance in front of her with a single step. Chi flowed through her entire body, forming a bolt of power that left from her fist as the strike hit her opponent's blade.
Crackle.
The world lit up from a powerful flash, as lightning erupted around the chamber. The sound was akin to a tribulation from the heavens itself, sending tremors through the chamber.
Xiao Lan grunted, his blade charred and burnt at the location of the strike, yet the boy stood with his blade held tightly and no real injuries. "You are powerful," Xiao Lan said, as Yan Yun jumped back to create distance.
"But not as strong as I had expected," he replied, spinning his blade. Sword Qi filled the weapon, as the boy sent a cut through the very air itself, and Yan Yun had to dodge the strike in a rush.
The nature of lightning was to strike hard and fast. And that is what Yan Yun had used. It was the art of the Yan. The embodiment of strength and victory. Yet, Xiao Lan had pushed through that.
Yan Yun frowned. This was going to be a difficult battle.
Lightning covered her body, boosting her movement. She kept channeling the lightning through her entire body, letting its properties fill her as she moved faster and faster. Xiao Lan moved as well, a menacing aura of sword Qi flowing around his blade. Yan Yun let the Chi form lightning, as she shot it towards the boy.
Xiao Lan struck the bolt of lightning with his sword, rushing in closer as his blade sent an arc of sword Qi towards her. Yan Yun moved swiftly, but the boy followed the attack up with a swipe of his blade that sent three curving arcs of sword Qi cutting through the ground itself.
Yan Yun blocked one strike with Chi reinforcing her, while she dodged the other two. She noticed her robes cut by the Qi strike, her arm bleeding from underneath as a grimace came upon her face. The Qi was sharp, extremely so.
"Is this all the prodigy of the sect has to give? I had been expecting more. But perhaps the rumors of your fall had been true," Xiao Lan said, sighing in disappointment. He raised his blade, as a strike charged itself.
"I'll let this match end now," he said, and Yan Yun felt her anger rise. She was not going to be insulted.
Yet the power being gathered in the blade felt menacing. A large amount of sword Qi pulled itself into Xiao Lan's wooden blade, sharp enough she could feel it cutting through the air around it.
She rushed closer, her fists covered in lightning. Qi moved around her in a fury of lightning as she unleashed her Chi upon the boy.
Xiao Lan let the blow hit him, taking a step back from the impact of the lightning, but it wasn't enough to stop him. With almost a roar, he brought the blade down.
"Heaven splitting arc."
For a brief moment, Yan Yun had thought she'd lost, then the sword Qi faded as Yan Yun noticed a deep scar running through the sparring arena, splitting it neatly in two halves right down the middle. She felt her body aching, but the strike had missed her, her strike had been enough to shift the blade's direction.
The boy clicked his tongue. In a rush he moved towards her, and Yan Yun raised her fist, but the boy managed to rush in faster than her, as his blade struck her in the chest. Yan Yun felt a sharp pain erupt in her ribs as she was thrown back. But her strike had landed as well, numbing the boy's body further with the lightning.
Yet, with each passing second she felt herself becoming more desperate as the gap between the two of them kept growing.
Quickly raising herself to her feet, Yan Yun shouted as she charged up her Chi, rushing at Xiao Lan and struck him with a fist covered in lightning. The boy swung his blade, intercepting her strike, before his fist struck her in her gut, as he launched her aside. Yan Yun found herself on the ground, gasping for air, as her energy began to fade from her body.
"There's no anger, no arrogance. Nothing. Your lightning feels tame, like it's trying it's best to not hurt me. This was not the battle I had been anticipating," Xiao Lan said, walking closer as he pointed the blade towards Yan Yun. "Surrender. This is unseemly."
Yan Yun looked up at Xiao Lan, glaring at the boy in anger. Yet he felt so powerful. What was she meant to do? The more she tried to fight, the more her strength seemed to fade away from her grasp.
"Do not waste time and end the match," Elder Yan said, scoffing.
Her eyes shifted from behind Xiao Lan, towards her grandfather. She saw him watching, and saw the sadness in his eyes. For a moment, the grandfather from her childhood could be seen in his eyes. Then, a moment later, she realized what his expression meant. The sadness was not for her. It had never been for her. It was for the shame she had brought his name. The shame and sadness that she was his granddaughter. Yan Yun felt her heart crumbling.
What was she doing? Clinging even now to what her grandfather had taught her? To what he had made her, of the lie he had told her all this time.
She saw it now, saw the heartless man standing in front of her. With a soundless cry from her bleeding heart, Yan Yun reached within herself, and severed the final chains tying her down.
Xiao Lan pulled back his blade. "Apologies. But please forfeit, or I will be forced to strike," Xiao Lan said.
Yan Yun pushed herself to her feet, Xiao Lan could've struck her down at any moment, but the boy did not. He waited, till she was back onto her feet. Standing on her feet, Yan Yun closed her eyes.
Lightning was not her path. The vicious merciless victory was not who she was anymore.
Then who was she? She had found an answer hadn't she?
Yan Yun opened her eyes, and whispered the words again. "I cultivate… to help my friends."
The world heard her. And it answered.
"She's having a breakthrough now?" Zhou Fang exclaimed. Elder Sheng burst into laughter.
"Strike her, boy!" Elder Yan shouted.
"Guess I should stop the tribulation," Elder Sheng said, jumping up as an aura spread itself all around them.
But the words spoken around Yan Yun no longer reached her ears. The heavens rumbled in the skies, as Yan Yun felt her Chi change. No longer was it lightning, but something else. Something she desperately cherished and would give her life to protect.
Colors of all kinds began to swirl around Yan Yun, filling her body as her wounds healed rapidly, filled with an entirely new kind of Chi.
Xiao Lan stood in front of her, eyes open, before a smile took over his face. "I take back my words. You are a worthy opponent. Allow me to give it my all too."
The boy took a step back, drawing his blade back as sword Chi began to gather on it with a powerful flurry. "I had wondered just what kind of blade I could use to beat Lu Jie, and after a lot of training, I finally found my answer."
With a toss, he threw his blade aside, before taking his stance with empty hands. A moment later, a blade formed itself from the collection of sword Qi in the boy's hands.
Yan Yun watched Xiao Lan take a stance to strike, feeling the tribulation rumbling in the skies with a roaring strike, now held back by the elder. She reached out to her new power, to the strength she had gained, and called upon it.
Strands of Chi began to flow into her, from all around her, from near and from far, filling her chest. Memories, feelings, of all the time she had spent with people she cared for now began to overflow within her, cascading into a powerful tide.
A new art filled Yan Yun's mind, as she harnessed the energy, taking the stance for a single strike. This was her path. This Chi was everything she was, and so she simply let it be free into the world.
Xiao Lan's Qi continued to grow, till the blade vibrated the air around it with power. "This is my answer." Xiao Lan said, and as he raised the blade of energy, and then swung.
"Sword Art: Formless Blade."
"Friendship Art: Heartful Strike."
The world split in two.
Qi and Chi mingled in the air, with a powerful eruption of power sending swirling storms of power through the area.
The ground cracked from the energy of the sword Qi, before being healed by the friendship Chi in a continuous cycle. The world itself seemed stuck in time.
Then, she heard a voice echo from the other side.
"I forfeit," Xiao Lan said.
"Huh," Yan Yun murmured to herself, staring at the boy who looked at her with a complicated expression.
Xiao Lan walked up to Yan Yun, before giving her a bow. "I felt them… almost like a dream. But I felt what this meant to you. And I could not keep fighting against that."
Yan Yun watched Xiao Lan turn around and walk back to stand behind the elder, staring in disbelief. Was that what her art did? Show someone her emotions?
"Well well well, you kids sure left a mess," Elder Sheng said, jumping back down as he wiped dust off his shoulders. "Anyway, the first round's victor is Yan Yun!"
Yan Yun stared in disbelief at the man, at the world around her and at the events that had transpired here. Then, as if a puppet with its strings cuts, she felt the tension drain from her body as she fell.
Lu Jie rushed in, holding her up. "Are you alright?"
Yan Yun gave him a nod. "I'm fine."
"Clearly, you killed it out there. Thank you Yan Yun," Lu Jie said, helping her up. "But friendship Chi huh? Can't say I expected that, but I like it."
Yan Yun blushed, burying her face into his shoulder as Lu Jie laughed.