Cultivating Chaos

by William D. Arand

  Twenty-Six

  Ash and Jia followed along quietly behind Gen. Around them were six other groups of masters and disciples.

  Five of them Locke immediately identified as Deng family members. The last was someone completely unaffiliated with them.

  “Master Gen, who is the master over there in the blue gi?” Ash asked suddenly.

  “Eh? Oh, that’s uh…” Gen said, his eyes flicking over to the individual in question. “Blast it. I rightly can’t remember. I never paid attention to politics much, you realize. There wasn’t much I could do. Why do you ask?”

  “I believe they’re not with the Deng family. It would behoove us to know who they are, given they might be a potential ally down the road,” Ash said.

  Gen made a humph-like noise, but he didn’t disagree. His head turned back to the path they were walking along.

  “I’ll ask around after the tournament. When I’m an elder,” Gen said, amusement in his voice. “We’re almost there. After this, everyone will be sent up the steps one at a time. Most of these only take a portion of an hour. Some much less.”

  Ash nodded. Up ahead he could see a series of steps leading up the side of a mountain. Throughout the path, there were four gateways that led to small platforms.

  At the bottom of the path and top of the path, large gateways looked very similar to the ones that led to the platforms.

  “It’s rather simple,” Gen said as they were approaching the base. “You go as high as you can. Each platform is another level of power that will be put down upon you as you climb.

  “It will test your will through pain, and suppression of your Dantian.”

  “What function does the platform serve? It looks like one could bypass them if one chose to do so,” Jia inquired.

  “A brief respite. No more, no less. You’re allowed to remain there for the time it takes an incense stick to burn,” Gen said. “Though one does have to enter and touch the center column to affirm that they reached that point.”

  Five minutes isn’t exactly a long time. I wonder if remaining there the whole five minutes might actually be worse than if you just… went.

  Does it make it harder to go back in after no longer suffering from the effects of the stairs?

  Would it weaken the resolve to continue?

  “Something isn’t right,” Gen said softly.

  “What isn’t?” Ash asked.

  His master didn’t respond, however. They closed the distance to the first step, where the twenty-five other disciples stood.

  “Greetings and welcome to the final examination,” said the head elder. He was looking particularly pleased with himself for some reason. It made the hair on the back of Ash’s neck stand on end. “We’ll be making a few small modifications to this test, and then proceed immediately.”

  Great.

  “First, the normal rules apply. Climb as high as you can. It’s unlikely you’ll finish, but we encourage you to try.

  “Second, you must touch the orb in the middle of each platform to have your progress count.” Nodding as he finished speaking, the head elder looked so self-satisfied it was sickening.

  “Now for new rules. Everyone will be heading up the staircase at the same time. There’s more than enough room, and we used to run the event like that in the distant past,” said the head elder. “On top of that, limited combat will be allowed. You may only use generic martial arts on the steps. Though you may commit to full-on battles when standing on the platforms.

  “We must ask you limit your fighting, however. If anyone should cripple or seriously harm another, they will be kicked out of the sect without a thought or an argument.”

  After having met Gen and hearing his story, Ash had no doubt in his mind that a limitation like that would do nothing to stop the Deng family from proceeding as they wished.

  In fact, as far as Ash knew, they might even reward someone who managed to cripple him or Jia.

  “We’ll allow you two minutes to make whatever preparations you need to make, and then we’ll begin,” said the head elder.

  Gen turned and faced his disciples. It was obvious he didn’t like this situation at all.

  “Do your best to stay out of the fights. I’m sure you both have already thought of my own story and know what the Deng family will do to ensure their victory,” Gen said. “Rely on one another, stick together, and move up as best as you can.”

  Ash turned to face Jia directly.

  “I’m relying on you, Jia. They’re going to look to me as their target, but you as a secondary,” Ash said. “I’m going to rush to the second platform, touch the orb, and then wait there. I think they’ll all rush to the first platform and do their best to keep us from moving on.

  “Which means you have to get through the first platform quickly and keep moving.”

  Jia’s delicate eyebrows came together and she frowned at him.

  “You wish to sacrifice yourself for my victory,” she murmured.

  “Sacrifice myself for our victory. So long as one of us wins, Gen wins. They’re working together—why shouldn’t we?”

  Jia shook her head ever so slightly. “Ok, Ash. Ok. I do not like this, though.”

  “We’re in this together, aren’t we?” Ash asked, holding his hand up in a neutral gesture. “It’s not as if it really matters which one of us wins.”

  “The cultivator’s life is a lonely one,” Jia said. “Those we would friend and pair with can be left behind if they are not strong enough. While I am willing to fight together in this, are you sure? There is no guarantee I can return this favor.”

  Ash laughed at that and shrugged his shoulders.

  “Maybe I just want to look up your dress as you go up the stairs. As to being stronger or weaker… don’t worry about that. I don’t think you’ll outpace me,” Ash said. “Are you ready? Do you need anything?”

  Jia snorted once and then prodded him in the middle of his chest with a finger.

  “Why do you do this? You make poorly timed comments when the mood is serious. It is childlike.”

  “Because I’m nervous? I dunno, Jia. You say some heavy shit sometimes and I don’t know what to do,” Ash said. “I mean, if—”

  “Disciples, make ready!”

  Jia growled and glared at the head elder, but said nothing.

  “Come on, let’s get ready. I’m going to burst ahead and do what I can,” Ash said.

  Activating his toggled abilities, Ash began to mentally siphon as much energy into Spring Step as he could.

  Actually, if we could hit the first platform, and then wait on the second, this would give Jia an even better chance.

  Tapping himself on the chest, Ash activated a chain, then hooked it into Jia by patting her in the middle of her back. Immediately he could feel the Qi transferring directly to her from his Dantian.

  “What did you do? You have done this before,” Jia muttered. “I can feel Qi. Pure Qi, without an element. This is your Qi. Is it not?”

  “Begin!” shouted a Deng Elder.

  Activating Spring Step to its full ability, Ash flew up the steps. In the first bounding leap, he made it halfway to the platform.

  As soon as his foot touched the step, he felt a weight settle down atop his Dantian, and his skin began to itch as if he’d been lying in a scratchy blanket.

  Using Spring Step as his other foot hit the ground, Ash bounded forward again. He landed a single step from the platform.

  Turning on his heel, he bolted onto the platform. A few steps later, he’d reached the center point.

  Touching the orb before the others had even made it to the halfway point, Ash spun and dashed off the platform. Once more, he started up the stairs.

  Hell, maybe I should just keep going. I bet I can just outrun them all.

  Leaping up the stairs with the constant use of Spring Step, Ash felt his Qi draining away as he bounded further and further upward.

  The pressure on his Dantian increased, and the itching and discomfor
t on his skin was slowly replaced with an aching sensation.

  As if he were bruised all over.

  There was a boom and a Qi wave washed over him. It was full of energy and aggression, but it did nothing to him.

  Reaching the second platform, and technically the halfway point, Ash lowered his shoulder and dove toward the orb. He wanted to touch it and be gone.

  As fast as possible. If he could get this entire thing done before the others even had a chance, it’d be ideal.

  After slapping his hand on the orb, Ash turned and raced away.

  Before he could leave, a young woman stepped into the doorway and threw a fist toward his middle.

  Ash immediately recognized her. It was the woman who’d challenged Yan for her allotment.

  He had no ability to dodge or deflect the attack, so instead tucked his shoulder and shifted his body downward with the blow.

  In not resisting the strike, he limited its effectiveness.

  Taking the momentum she imparted into his body, Ash spun around her, intent to clear the gateway and be gone.

  A second person appeared, a young man he didn’t recognize who blocked his way entirely.

  “I am Mei Ling,” said the woman, squaring up with Ash. “You may address me as Mei.

  “We’ve already met, of course, but this time deserves an introduction.”

  Of course she’s named Flower. I think that’s what it means.

  “Last time you beat me. This time, I’ll defeat you.”

  “And I’ll cripple you,” said the young man.

  The young woman glanced at the man with a small frown but said nothing, turning forward again.

  Ash looked from one to the other, then down the stairwell.

  The others were all in a mad tussle on the first platform. Jia had managed to get through the scrum and was heading his way.

  Back to the original plan, I suppose.

  Ash darted back to the orb and stood in front of it. Taking a quick, shaky breath, he prepared himself to hold out here against everything that came his way. His only goal in life was to prevent anyone from advancing further.

  Other than Jia.

  “Come then, Mei. Let’s see if I can’t ruffle your petals. I promise not to touch you as we fight here. Well, not too much, at least. I’m curious to see how you feel against my fingers,” Ash said, trying to rile her up.

  Turning a deep, dark red, Mei clenched her fingers together into cupped palms. Snarling at him, she threw her hands back and then whipped them forward as she cried out something he couldn’t quite understand.

  Earthen rods the thickness of her forearms speared out at him from her hands.

  Deflecting one out of the air, he grabbed the other with his left hand. Bringing it around his back, he spun it over his hip and then grabbed it with both hands. He waved the tip back and forth, holding it out in front of himself like a spear.

  “Come, Mei. Let’s see those petals…”

  Eying her own rod pointed back at her, Mei clapped her hands together once.

  The Qi-formed staff in his hands vanished, pooled into liquid goop, and solidified on the ground after flowing through his fingers.

  In a flash of Water Qi, Jia crashed into the platform. Ash smiled and stepped to one side, having watched her progress as she made her way up the stairs.

  Jia’s hand slapped the orb and then she was gone, as if she’d never been there. Shouting, the young man chased after her, apparently intent to follow even though he hadn’t touched the orb.

  Damn it. He didn’t even consider staying here to touch it. Does he care that little about this?

  Is he just here to stop Jia and me?

  Forming a staff out of his Qi from his palms, Ash took the same position he’d had just moments ago.

  “I believe we were like this…” Ash said, pointing the tip back to Mei. “And you were going to show me your petals.”

  Mei blinked several times and then formed another rod, swishing it through the air several times.

  “If you want to see my petals so badly, you’ll need to work for it,” Mei said, her tone breathy.

  Smirking, Ash moved forward several steps, slowly getting in Mei’s range.

  Mei watched, her eyes locked on him like a hunter watching her prey.

  She’s not going to move, or attack. Her entire goal is just to hold me here.

  Ash shifted his rear hand forward and let the weight of the staff drop the tip down. After it dipped down several inches, he lunged forward toward Mei’s hip.

  Flicking her weapon to one side in a block, she deflected Ash’s attack, then brought the rear of her staff over her head in a riposte.

  Letting go with one hand of his staff, Ash stepped to the side and dodged her strike. He had moved in close to Mei, ruining her attack outright.

  Reaching out with his free hand, he grabbed hold of her dress at the hip and gave it a pull. The fabric resisted the sharp yank, but the sound of seams popping was quite audible.

  Pressing his hand to his belt as he danced away before she could respond, Ash smiled at her.

  He really didn’t have any other goal but to piss her off and keep her here as well. The longer he could delay everyone, the better off Jia was.

  Mei shuddered from head to toe, her face bright red.

  “It’s the least of what you deserve,” Ash said, giving his Qi-shaped staff a twirl. “I’ll repay you for all the hurt you gave to Yan.”

  Dropping the tip down to point back to Mei’s face, Ash gave her a smile.

  Mei’s teeth were visible as she snarled at him.

  “What I did to Yan was ordered by my family,” she said, her Qi rod angling toward Ash’s midsection. “There was nothing personal in it for me. Even the way I was to approach Yan was ordained for me. It’s one of the reasons I offered her the opportunity to simply give me her allotment rather than humiliate her further.

  “It gave me no pleasure to torment her. But it will give me pleasure to cause you as much pain as possible! I’ll shame you to death!”

  Ash was momentarily at a loss.

  It made sense when he thought about it. There really was no reason for the Deng family to target Yan as they’d been doing unless so ordered.

  Which meant something else was going on, and he’d possibly been taking out his aggression on someone who didn’t fully deserve it.

  Need to ask Yan later about how Mei treated her.

  Then we can figure out if I’ve been rude or righteous. For now, I have a job to do.

  Ash shrugged his shoulders, waiting.

  “With a woman as beautiful as you, you’ll forgive me if I still wanted to see your petals, regardless of Yan,” Ash said, trying to egg her on. “You could always just take your cl—”

  Mei grunted and thrust out faster than Ash expected. Her staff slipped into his defense and found its way home in his stomach.

  Stepping back and trying to accept the blow, Ash grimaced.

  She’s faster and more skilled than I gave her credit for.

  That or she’s getting stronger with her anger.

  “I’ll show you nothing but the view of the sky after I’m done beating you,” Mei said.

  A cultivator Ash didn’t know walked up behind Mei and casually smashed an elbow into the back of her head.

  Dropping to the ground as her eyes rolled up into her head, Mei was out of the fight.

  “Fucking cunt,” said the newcomer. “Hey, what are you doing here? You keeping people from tagging and moving up?”

  “That I am,” Ash said, his eyebrows drawing up. “Can’t let the Deng family win this, so I’m making sure my partner gets to the top.

  “And is the only one to get to the top.”

  “Oh. That makes sense.” The young man looked down to Mei’s unmoving body and lifted a booted foot up. He began to casually slide her dress up along her leg.

  “Ah… let’s not do that,” Ash said, pointing the staff at the young man.

  “Why not? Ma
sters can’t see up here on the platform. It’d only take me a minute or two to have my fill. You watch the stairs and I’ll do the same for you after I’m done. They’re all being held up on the stairs in a big battle and none of them seem like they can decide who the enemy is. They’re fighting amongst themselves as much as with others,” said the man.

  What the actual fuck?

  Ash dashed forward with Spring Step and swept his Qi rod across his body.

  With a dull thud, it smashed into the other man’s stomach and sent him flying out the doorway and vanishing off the steps.

  He disappeared, screaming as he went.

  Grumbling to himself, Ash pulled the hem of Mei’s dress down, then dragged her to the corner of the platform.

  “Just in case you’re not as nasty as I thought you were, we’ll put you to the side for safety’s sake,” Ash muttered.

  “Nnnnk ooo,” Mei mumbled, her eyes rolling around wildly in her head as she clearly bumbled along the line of consciousness.

  Shit, how bad did he mess her up?

  Sighing, and feeling like a fool, Ash pulled a health recovery pill from his ring and forced it into Mei’s mouth.

  Whether it dissolved in her mouth or was digested in her stomach, the result would mostly be the same.

  The former would just leave a nasty taste behind and only do about eighty-percent of what the latter would do.

  It felt as if five minutes passed in complete silence after that. Ash couldn’t see where Jia was, or if she was even still going.

  Staying here too long would disqualify him, but that was irrelevant.

  The stairs and the platform curved around and went out of sight. Leaving Ash with little to do.

  Briefly, he considered trying to summon up a wall of Qi in front of the gateway.

  Then he dismissed it, realizing it’d simply take too long to do it.

  Then he heard them.

  Long before they got close, since they were practically stomping their way up the steps. The steady clump of feet hitting stairs.

  A group of Deng family members slowly turned the corner from the stairs and filed onto the platform one by one. They all looked to him, to the orb, and then to Mei.