The palace had multiple balconies and a long, wide landing platform with pillars taller than even Lu Ignis. On top of each golden pillar, were a pair of golden wings and a pulsating, pale-blue crystal.
"What are those?!"
"Don't point! Those are powerful. They're beautiful. They're…" Lu Jade's awestruck exclamation didn't need to be completed because QI Fenwei, impatient as ever decided to explain before their annoying pronouncements ruined her day,
"Those crystals form a defensive array. A protective shield around the palace, in the event of any intrusion you both love causing so much." Her tone had those crystals resonating even louder, as if ready to be unleashed, but now wasn't the time for those things.
"Wow, Cool! I love those crystals! Those wings, truly something. You've really gotta show me how to operate those, I mean…"
"Shut it you greedy bull! We're going inside. Now. No more questions, do you hear me?" Her words weren't playful nor did they come with threats, but Raphael and Lu Jade understood.
They'd better hurry and catch up to her!
"It's clear who's truly in control now." Lu Jade concluded as they followed.
They passed through massive gates that parted without them even touching, as cool blue breezes from the open skies rushed forth and engulfed them, they paused to truly grasp these intricacies.
And then they realized that they were standing in a magnificent hallway with a roof that seemed to be an illusion, for above their head floated images of grandest galaxies and nebulae.
"Truly something." Even Raphael had to agree. This palace was breathtaking.
"Welcome to the Golden Prism Citadel." Qi Fenwei paused briefly at the center.
It was a circular expanse with an immense, white, pulsating egg that was as large as the bull himself. Around this egg, were eight smaller, but still massive bronze spheres hovering and spinning, which created storms of pure essence.
"Such beauty. What isssss itsss purpose?" Lu Jade inquired cautiously.
Qi Fenwei pointed as she explained. "That egg is the Crystalline Throne of Light – the heart, the soul and the power source for this Citadel." She watched the egg rotate slowly. "With this, this entire space can become an impenetrable fortress and can even soar to heavens beyond this land!"
"Wow… Cool…" Said Raphael as he imagined flying across Yama Yaguai and the faces of those who hated him cowering beneath his shadow. What a dream!
"But… can it be used to…"
"No more questions! Follow me!"
She led them to a control panel located at the very heart of the chaotic energies emanating from the swirling spheres, and before those controls were a single, intricately carved stone tablet with empty runes.
"Which one of you desires the Palace's ownership?" QI Fenwei said plainly.
Lu Jade and Raphael stared at each other, confused. They hadn't considered such a thing. After all, weren't they meant to share?
Their hesitation was met with a tired sigh. Qi Fenwei then drew her blade 'Lullaby' before yelling.
"Pick already!"
WHOOSH!
And in a heartbeat, she'd slash Raphael's leg before the bull could even react.
"YOWCH!"
He recoiled with surprise as blood oozed. But before it even touched the floor…
SWISH!
She swiftly captured the blood with her blade and then just as quickly flicked it onto the surface of that stone tablet.
As soon as it touched the cold, grey surface, a warmth emanated, and the blood moved as if pulled by an invisible force. It then settled into runic carvings and pulsated, sending a gentle vibration through the control panel.
And within Raphael, deep in his core…
"Thump, thump…"
A heart beat resounded!
It felt strangely familiar.
"It appears the bond has been forged," QI Fenwei explained nonchalantly as she sheathed her sword. "You, Bull! You are now the owner of this Golden Prism Citadel. May the Gods of Chaos have mercy on our souls."
She then added, "I wouldn't dwell too much on it. That throne only allows access to the techniques needed to maintain the place. It won't make you invincible, not by a long shot, just slightly more arrogant, perhaps."
Raphael felt an odd sensation, as if a key had been turned inside him. He suddenly understood the Citadel's purpose.
"This is… Mine? Lu Jade, I- I can…"
Lu Jade smiled and shook his head. "Do not apologize, Big Brother, after all, without your bravery, my existence would have been a nightmare. I'm glad that we were able to retrieve that damn eye and get the rewards."
He wasn't envious nor resentful.
He was grateful.
"Tsk! I've got goosebumps now." QI Fenwei then turned away and walked towards an elevator leading to an upper floor, their next destination, it seemed.
"Enough of this sentimental brotherly bonding. Follow me. We haven't finished this TASK. My Father demands a full report." She then looked at Raphael with a grimace
"Oh right!" Raphael followed, marveling at how efficiently their rescuer had switch emotions from one to the other. "This place is… HUGE!"
Lu Jade hissed. "What were we thinking about? We are finally safe, for now."
A short while later they arrived in a grand hall with an array of chests piled haphazardly at the center.
Qi Fenwei pointed a finger towards the boxes. "Your rewards. Consider this a gift from our generous Emperor, my Father, who is most pleased."
Raphael gazed upon the treasure trove with anticipation. They had truly reaped a bounty this day.
QI Fenwei turn to leave, and seeing that she was about to leave. Raphael hastily spoke up. "WAIT! Aren't you supposed to instruct us in the arts of cultivation?"
Qi Fenwei laughed softly before saying. "I'M BUSY! Should you require assistance, or perhaps require a sparring session or two, I might find some time, perhaps. Don't be a nuisance, do you hear me?"
And with that casual dismissal, she unfolded her magnificent wings and vanished through a window that materialized for her in a brilliant flash of energy.
It seemed their 'instruction' would have to wait, for now.
…
"Now that we're reunited… my true power can be unleashed."
Qi Hawk stood alone, a lone figure in a desolate yet eerily beautiful realm. The ground beneath his feet was not solid earth but an expanse of still, black water that stretched as far as the eye could see. It reflected the brilliance of a massive, silver-white moon, creating an ethereal glow.
He walked slowly across the liquid surface, each step leaving a trail of ripples. As he reached the center, he summoned his 'Void Eye'.
It materialized before him with a pulsating, milky radiance, mirroring the hopes he'd carried for centuries as he spoke:
"I can finally break through to the next layer. And then, I'll crush that Serpent Emperor! This, I VOW!"
...
Meanwhile, back in the lavish halls of the Golden Prism Citadel, Raphael and Lu Jade were like children let loose in a candy store. They eagerly ripped open crates, flinging treasures aside with giddy abandon.
"Woah! Look at this, Big Brother! A million year old 'Sunstone'!"
"And thissss!" Lu Jade's emerald scales glistened with excitement as he pulled a magnificent necklace of amber beads from a chest. "The 'Amber Heart Beads'. They say these amplify one's cultivation ssspeed. They're mine, ALL MINE!"
He then tossed the crate aside, causing it to tumble across the floor and crash into another one. Lu Jade giggled, his eyes alight with mischief as he began slithering around the heap of treasures, reveling in his newfound wealth.
"HAHAHAHA! I'm RICH! Rich! RICH!"
Watching his companion's antics, Raphael smiled. "Easy there, Little Lu, you'll hurt yourself."
"You can't tell me what to do anymore, Big Brother. I'm ricchhhh!"
His excitement was infectious, however, for Raphael, something other than those glittering distractions caught his eye. A golden chest tucked away in a corner, neglected.
"What's this…? It looks old…" He cautiously lifted the lid and gasped.
The crate wasn't filled with dazzling gems nor those ancient weapons, rather within its velvet-lined interior, lay a single, thin bamboo strip. It emanated a subtle emerald glow.
"A Sagewood Script?"
He picked up the script. The moment he touched its cool, smooth surface, the bamboo strip unfurled, extending outwards, encircling his massive frame like an ancient record.
Within a heartbeat, intricate green runes appeared, they buzzed and vibrated.
He watched with bated breath as the symbols came alive, forming moving images, sounds, even aromas from far away realms. They painted scenes, not of battle or chaos. But, of tranquil forests filled with meditating figures dressed in white, grey, and blue.
Within their midst, an ancient turtle spoke, "Cultivation is the art of harmonizing one's essence with the universe, a journey of self-discovery. It requires patience and…"
Raphael was mesmerized by these scenes. The knowledge being imparted, those secrets… they were flooding into his very essence.
The script whispered about meridian points, about cultivating Solar Energy, even the dangers that could impede advancement. It was more valuable than any treasure in those piles. He was beginning to understand.
'This relic can help me. It'll teach me the basis of cultivation. I must study this thoroughly.' He folded the 'Sagewood Script' carefully. Then turning towards his treasure-obsessed friend, he spoke.
"Little Lu, I'm going to meditate. There's so much I need to comprehend about these techniques and powers!"
"Hmm…?" Lu Jade glanced over with annoyance but simply nodded. He was far too preoccupied with his newfound riches.
Holding the script close to his chest, Raphael wandered off into the Citadel's depths to begin his literary journey.