by Tao Wong
That was the greatest concern for Wu Ying. He was two whole cultivation levels below the minimum requirement. The difference between those in the Energy Storage stage and Body Cleansing stage were night and day. The ability to harness and project external chi made a significant difference in an individual’s combat abilities. Skill and trickery could make up for some of the difference, but only some.
The untamed spirit lands the expedition was journeying to were home to high-level Body Cleansing creatures and even stronger Energy Storage beasts. Even worse, the occasional Core spirit beast could be found in the depths of the spirit lands. It was worth noting that while monsters at the same level in the Body Cleansing stage were weaker than the equivalent cultivator, at higher levels, the balance changed. A spirit beast with a Core was much more dangerous than a human of the same cultivation level. It had to do with, as Wu Ying understood it, the difficulty and balancing of karmic requirements. The increased difficulty for beasts to advance across each stage meant they grew stronger when they did advance.
“Troubled?” Fairy Yang asked Wu Ying as she caught him walking out of the assignment hall with a frown on his face.
Wu Ying bowed to his Elder before straightening. As always, Wu Ying noted the goggling group that watched Elder Yang wherever she went. Sometimes he wondered how she felt about being the center of attention. Certainly, his own experiences as such had been less than enjoyable.
“Yes. No, Elder Yang,” Wu Ying corrected himself automatically, afraid of disturbing the woman.
“Which is it?” Fairy Yang said.
“It is nothing important, Elder.”
“Senior. I am your senior disciple too,” Fairy Yang said. “One whom you can speak with, if you have concerns.”
“I…” Wu Ying drew a deep breath, steeling himself. She was right. And he did need some questions answered. “Would Senior have time for tea?”
“Yes.”
Wu Ying escorted the Elder to a nearby tea house, ignoring the jealous glares shot his way. Once again, Wu Ying took a seat in a semi-private room, one which blocked off hearing but allowed others to note their perfectly polite distance. In short order, once the tea had arrived and Wu Ying had served it, Wu Ying explained his concerns and dilemma to Fa Yuan.
“You are concerned your relationship with Elder Li will be irreparably damaged if you do not go. But if you do, you might be irreparably damaged,” Fa Yuan summed up for Wu Ying.
She said it so bluntly, Wu Ying blinked. His hesitation did seem foolish. Who would trade feelings for safety?
“Go.”
“Pardon?”
“You should go.”
“But I risk death,” Wu Ying said.
“And yet, you’ll die anyway if you fail to progress in your cultivation,” Fa Yuan said. “Have you not realized it yet? Cultivation is extremely difficult by yourself. It is why we have sects. Why, even in the sect, we have cliques. Because we need friends. Helpers. Sponsors.”
“It’s funny, coming from you.” When Fairy Yang raised a single, elegant eyebrow, Wu Ying added, “Because of Elder Cheng.”
“Do you think Elder Cheng does not believe in the need for bonds? It is just that he also believes in fate. He offers individuals opportunities and sees if they are fated to accept it, to find the Dao in those situations,” Fa Yuan said. “Elder Cheng believes that by accepting the greater Dao in all things, we can find the fate we are meant to have. And the Dao connects all things, including us to each other.”
Wu Ying opened his mouth to ask more questions before he shook his head. That belief was not something he was sure he could accept. Or necessarily understand yet. But, at least, he could accept what Fa Yuan said. And accept that yes, Elder Cheng did believe in the need for groupings. In either case, it did not help with his current predicament. “So. I should accept.”
“Undoubtedly. If you desire to progress as a cultivator, you cannot afford to increase the level of animosity you deal with in the sect,” Fa Yuan said.
“Thank you, Senior,” Wu Ying said, bowing in his seat to Fa Yuan. “If I go, perhaps you could offer further advice about expeditions?”
“This will be your first extended mission, yes?” Fa Yuan smiled as Wu Ying confirmed her statement. “There are a number of items you should consider purchasing. A few for emergency purposes, and others for general comfort.” She sipped from her teacup before she continued. “Much depends on the totality of your current contribution points. Your storage ring is of limited size, correct?”
“Yes, Senior.”
“Then we will try to keep your requirements to the essentials.” Fa Yuan fell silent, her finger tapping on the teacup for a moment. Then she spoke while Wu Ying took mental notes.
Bonds. Familial. Bureaucratic. Social. Wu Ying mused about the topic as he went in search of his friends. Fairy Yang was correct. The bonds between individuals, between an individual and society at large, was what kept society running. When the obligations between commoner and noble, kingdom and society, between states themselves broke down, unrest, banditry, and war occurred.
It was in the interest of renewing the bonds between himself and others that Wu Ying took to the streets. The apothecary hall was missing Liu Tsong. And the training grounds showed no sign of Tou He. Wu Ying did not even bother looking for Li Yao, since he knew the young lady was in secluded cultivation. Disheartened, Wu Ying chose to make his way to Tou He’s residence to await his friend.
It was late evening when Wu Ying opened his eyes and stood from his seated cultivation, spotting Tou He across from him. The vague sense of his friend’s arrival had crept into his awareness as he cultivated, but it had taken Wu Ying tens of breaths to finally settle his chi.
“Were you looking for me?” Tou He said.
“No. Your house is nicer than mine,” Wu Ying said, flashing a smile.
“It is quite nice, isn’t it?” Tou He said.
Wu Ying aimed a quick kick at his friend, who laughed. Considering Wu Ying was seated cross-legged on his stool, the actual attempt was rather pitiful. “Have you heard of the expedition?”
“To capture the bai ze?” Tou He shook his head. “A bad idea. The bai ze are good fortune and wise. Capturing one to use for cultivation is bad karma. Very bad karma.”
“No, the other expedition,” Wu Ying said. Though Tou He’s comments did raise another question. How did his friend square the fact that much of the items at the higher levels required body parts from animals? After all, nevermind the fact that Buddhism in general required one to discard the longing for items, but the use of material from animals was bound to have some karmic debt to it. On the other hand, Tou He was a big meat eater, which was also anathema to the entire religion. A question for another time.
“Elder Li’s? She’s your herb teacher, isn’t she?” Tou He shrugged. “I know little of it.”
“Want to come?” Wu Ying said, offering his friend a half smile.
“Do they not need individuals at the Energy Gathering level?” Tou He said.
“You’re very close to it,” Wu Ying said. His friend was nearing the pinnacle of Body Cultivation 12.
“Close is not sufficient.”
Wu Ying sighed and stood heavily. “Sorry.”
“For what?”
“Asking. It’s not your fight,” Wu Ying said.
Tou He tilted his head, staring at his friend for a moment before he grinned. “As if I would let you go without me.”
“You hún dàn.” Wu Ying kicked more successfully at his friend this time.
Tou He chuckled even as he rubbed his thigh, waving the other hand. “So long as they have a place for me, I will come. We shall brave the wilderness together. Little use that we might be.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m going to be a lot of use. Harvesting.”
“Ah, right.” Tou He rubbed his bald head in thought. “Well. Dinner then?”
Whiplashed by the sudden comment, Wu Ying bobbed his head in agreement.
&n
bsp; “Good. Then let’s eat and we can discuss what we’ll need.”
As Tou He left the greeting room, Wu Ying could not help but catch up and add, “Thank you.”
“No need.”
“Senior Lee,” Wu Ying said as he greeted his friend the next morning.
“I’m already coming,” Liu Tsong said. “You were going to ask about your Elder’s expedition, yes?”
“Yes, I was. I’m glad.”
“It’s not as if I have a choice. Elder Wei is part of the expedition and needs help bringing the materials.”
“Why is Elder Wei coming?”
“Do you not know? The Elders accompanying the expedition are all looking forward to the production of the Sagacious Amber Dew Pill. Elder Li has gathered all but the last piece, which is what the expedition is for. The pill helps release cultivation bottlenecks in the Core formation stage. To increase efficacy of the pill, Elder Wei intends to produce it the moment Elder Li harvests it.”
“I’ll be glad to have you there.”
“I’m not.” Wu Ying frowned, and Liu Tsong shook her head. “You’re too low in cultivation. If it was not for the fact that Elder Li no longer has competent help, I would never recommend you going. The untamed spirit lands are too dangerous.”
Wu Ying bristled at his friend’s words. Unlike Liu Tsong, he at least consistently trained his martial arts. The sole reason she was stronger than him was her cultivation. In terms of pure martial arts, he was better than her, he was certain. But… “Thank you for your consideration.”
“Har! Don’t pout.” Liu Tsong smiled. “Come, try one of these tea cookies. My servant managed to acquire some from Yu county.”
Pushing aside his irritation, Wu Ying took one of the proffered cookies. Her concern was well-intentioned. As he bit into the surprisingly chewy cookie, Wu Ying made note that if he was going, he really did need to tell Ru Ping directly.
The armory, unlike many of the other buildings in the sect, was made of carved stone instead of wood. The grey stone of the armory was carved with numerous glyphs and sigils for the formation ritual which reinforced the armory’s walls. Along the red roof of the armory, additional glyphs and carved spirit animal guardians could be seen, some so lifelike Wu Ying would almost swear they watched him as he neared the building.
The armory sat in the middle of the sect’s properties, abutting the slope of the mountain. Few members of the sect visited, as even entering the building cost a minimum of a hundred contribution points. That ensured the traffic to the building was minimized and increased the overall security of the building. Many sect members waited and consolidated their contribution points before they entered the carved stone hallways.
After Wu Ying had informed Ru Ping of his decision and purchased all the necessary mundane equipment, at Fairy Yang’s recommendation, he took a visit to the armory to seek out appropriate equipment.
“Long Wu Ying?” Elder Wen said. The Elder, matronly and stern with light brown hair, walked out from her office. As she came up to Wu Ying, she stared up from under Wu Ying’s collarbone. She took the cultivator’s sect token, her nimble fingers turning the sect token over and over. At Wu Ying’s acknowledgement and bow, Elder Wen smiled. “Elder Li and Elder Yang mentioned you might be visiting.”
Wu Ying blanched. “Did they?”
“It is a good thing, young man,” Elder Wen said, lips curling up in amusement. “Many in the sect strive for years and never receive even a trace of acknowledgement. And here you have gained the attention of numerous Elders.”
Wu Ying scratched his head, somewhat bemused by Elder Wen’s assertion. Considering half the interest he had created was from Elders who were not favorably disposed to him, Wu Ying had to disagree with her assertion of the favorability of that attention.
“Now, what are you looking for?” Elder Wen said.
“I was hoping the Elder could provide her advice,” Wu Ying said. “This is my first expedition…”
“Advice?” Elder Wen paused as she considered. “Very well. Let us see what you have.”
Elder Wen walked over to a nearby table, gesturing for Wu Ying to follow. In short order, Wu Ying had the contents of his storage ring on display. Not that there was much—other than the jian he carried on his hip, there was another mortal-level jian, a dao, and his crossbow to show the Elder.
“Nothing else?”
“Nothing of note but my manuals, Elder Wen,” Wu Ying said.
“No armor. A poor crossbow. No talismans.”
“Yes, Elder,” Wu Ying acknowledged.
“Well, it looks like we have much to offer then. Tell me of your fighting style and your current martial styles.”
Wu Ying hesitated then pushed it aside before the Elder could grow impatient. There was little point in hiding his capabilities from the Elder. The sect was not that large, and all his styles—with the exception of the Long family style—had originated from the sect itself. Wu Ying would not be surprised if the details of what he had acquired was in his sect token.
When Wu Ying finished speaking, Elder Wen said, “I would counsel a few options with your current contribution points. Come.” Elder Wen strode to the center of the waiting hall and stood before a table before she beckoned to the waiting attendants. “Bring the Azure Thunder Silk, the Radiant Flame Talismans, and the Brilliant Woo Petal Bracer.”
In short order, the attendants returned. During the interim, Elder Wen had taken a seat, allowing Wu Ying to serve her the tea that sat brewing on the table. At Elder Wen’s gesture of consent, the attendants pulled apart the cloths hiding each of their burdens from view. First to be revealed were simple, pale underrobes made from Azure Thunder Silk. As Wu Ying traced the silk with his fingers, he sensed the chi woven directly into the silk itself.
“Thunder Silk is produced by the thunder silkworms. Twice as strong as woven steel of the same width, the silk’s nature helps absorb impact and resists cutting. It is also extremely comfortable in all kinds of weather and helps regulate a wearer’s temperature,” Elder Wen said. “Expensive, but Thunder Silk is worn by the majority of our inner sect members who are intent on placing themselves in dangerous situations.”
“Is the silk considered spirit-grade material?”
“No. But it is on the border between mortal and spirit,” Elder Wen said. “True spirit-grade material would be out of your price range. You are better purchasing this and proper armor from the blacksmiths.”
Wu Ying nodded, moving his fingers away from the robes. “How much additional protection would this offer?”
“Some,” Elder Wen said. “Mostly against creatures who wield air- or earth-aspected chi. Certain forms of blunt impacts will also be decreased.”
“And the talismans?”
Elder Wen turned toward the talismans, simple slips of yellow paper with words written on them. However, they were not ordinary words but chi-infused scribbles, powered by the author’s chi. “The Radiant Flame Talismans were penned by a flame cultivator. Powerful talismans for offense. A single offensive talisman is sufficient to injure, if not kill, a beast below the equivalent Body Cleansing stage. Against those at the Energy Storage stage, it will injure and distract.”
Wu Ying eyed the five offensive talismans before he turned to the other five.
Three were separated and what Elder Ru gestured at next. “Defensive wards. Not as effective, as they’re flame-aspected, but they will form a simple fire wall sufficient to scare away most beasts.
“The final two are warding talismans. They will form wards when deployed and alert you when those of hostile intent cross the barrier.”
“Useful, but limited use,” Wu Ying said.
“Of course. If they were unlimited use, they would be significantly more expensive,” Elder Wen said. “Lastly, we have the Woo Petal Bracer.”
Wu Ying picked up the bracer. The bracer was delicately carved of jade, the petals of numerous types of flowers detailed with loving care. As Wu Ying turned the brac
er, the wood of the table they sat at sparkled through the gaps between the petals. “There’s a distortion…”
“Between the petals,” Elder Wen said. “The bracer collects chi from the surroundings and stores it between the petals and inside the jade itself, a nectar of power. Its creator was metal-aspected, and when used with your jian, it will allow you to project metallic sword chi.”
“A chi attack?” Wu Ying said, surprised. He turned the bracer over a bit quicker. This was a powerful, precious artifact.
“Yes. You have two uses before the bracer must recharge,” Elder Wen said. “Still, it is powerful.”
“Can I afford it?”
“Barely,” Elder Wen said. “I must caution you, unless you choose metal apect, this bracer will reject you once you gain an aspect. Its creator was strongly metal aspected and passed that on to his creation. Even those of wood or earth aspects are unable to use it.”
That would explain the cheaper cost of the bracer. Those in the Energy Storage stage would find the equipment useful but not necessary, since they could project their own chi. Those in the Body Cleansing stage would desire the bracer but find it a risky investment unless they were already metal aspected.
Then again… Wu Ying touched his ring. He did have the Yellow Emperor’s cultivation manual for the Energy Storage stage. He planned on continuing in the Yellow Emperor’s cultivation method, staying away from aspecting himself until he found a cultivation style which suited him. It was not, Wu Ying knew, the most optimal or the most efficient of choices. But it left his choices open and that, Wu Ying felt, was important.
“Defense, offense, and versatility,” Wu Ying said, naming each of the three items she had brought. He hesitated but discarded an errant thought. Asking for something to make him lighter on his feet or faster was useless. Not only were items that contributed to speed in high demand, but he was going to be traveling with the expedition. It was unlikely he would ever need to run away.