Live The Balance (Original cultivation)

1.5 - Partial Breakthrough

The second week began much as the first had. Zhi Gao attended lessons in the Black Hall, and tried to get everything he could out of them. He wasn't planning on staying in the reading and writing lessons past what was necessary to take sect jobs, though, as he was sharply aware of the time limit placed upon him. If he didn't reach disciple within three months, he would be sent off to fight. It wasn't supposed to be an arduous task, if you had the talent for it, but he still wasn't sure that he did. The lessons in body cultivation, at least, made sense to him, now. It was all about specific movements, rhythmic contractions of muscles, and careful infusion of qi. Elder Mei told him and a group of others not to bother coming back, after the first day of attending her class. She'd done the same for others already, so they knew it wasn't disapproval. She simply had nothing more to teach them for the moment.

Shan Hong and Zhang Shui had been sent off after the second day last week, after all, and they were both in significantly better physical condition than he was.

His first attempt at body cultivation was slow and halting, filled with false starts and fumbles. He supposed it was probably nerves. It was the first time he'd ever even tried to cultivate, so a disappointing result was only to be expected. He made up for it the next day, though, when he used his new free period of time to cultivate for an uninterrupted eight hours. He fell into a flow, each movement melding into the next as easy as breathing. He didn't even realise he'd broken through until he stopped, and his body was covered in a thin layer of black ooze.

They'd been told that this was the sign of impurities being forced out of the body, thanks to the purifying qualities of the qi they were infusing into themselves. All he knew was that it stank, like curdled milk and maggot-riddled flesh. There were bathing facilities strewn throughout the ship, thankfully, so he didn't have to go far to clean himself up. The looks he got, and the wide berth everyone around gave him, were enough to make sure that in the future he would have a bucket and some water on hand to deal with the mess.

His body felt… light. Like every motion was effortless. His muscles, strong and thick from a lifetime of work on the farm, had grown more defined, like everything extraneous was being cut away. His hands moved more deftly, his vision was sharper, and he could even smell better than he could before. If he was to expect a similar improvement with every Step, he hoped that the impurities wouldn't be as numerous; smelling himself with a nose enhanced tenfold would be nightmarish.

He returned to the shared room with a bounce in his step, just in time to see a smiling Lady Zhu talking with a disciple. She was holding a bundle of black fabric in her hands. Well, he wasn't surprised. He'd seen her take pills and potions, and she obviously had prior training, as well. If he'd had to lay money, he would have bet on her being the first to make disciple. Lady Zhu nodded to the disciple, and then the pair of them walked off, deeper into the ship. He knew the disciple quarters were there, had found them during his explorations last week. Ma Gang was stood in the doorway, watching them leave with a complicated expression on his face, and Zhi Gao looked away before the other boy noticed him.

"Hmph. I coulda done it in a week, too, if I had her drugs," Jia says, from right behind Zhi Gao.

He turns to see the scrawny brat peering around him, glowering down the corridor at the back of the noble. Jia already looks healthier, after a week and change of as much food as she can eat and regular exercise. She's still small enough he could have carried her over his head with one hand, before he broke through, but the sharp gauntness in her cheeks has softened a little. The qi around her feels energised, too. She must have broken through in the mental path, he thinks.

"It seems you are on the way to managing just fine without, no?" Zhi Gao says.

She looks up at him, brown eyes defiant. "Yeah? Well, it ain't like it's difficult, is it? Just sitting and thinking. I can do that all day." She jabs him in the side with a bony finger. "You're halfway there, too, farmboy. Unless you've got some of them pills making you look like that?"

"Hah! No, I broke through in the body path," Zhi Gao says. "I would recommend having a bucket and some cleaning materials ready, when you do. It stinks."

"Figured that," Jia says. "From the look on some of the nobles's faces when the sadist Elder was talking about it. 'S not like it'll be the first time I smell bad."

"Don't say I didn't warn you," Zhi Gao says.

"I'm not gonna try it just yet," Jia says. "Gotta make sure I'm as ready as possible, yeah? I seen Knifeteeth trying to break through, and it looks like it hurts when you don't."

Zhi Gao shrugs. "I got lucky, I guess. Who's Knifeteeth?"

"You know. Other girl on the carriage? Spear up her backside?" Jia says with a roll of her eyes.

"Zhang Shui," Zhi Gao says. "The other man is Leng Jin, if you didn't know."

"Pft. Like you can talk," Jia says. "You didn't ask our names 'til we got here. I know Moneybags' name. Like I know Princess and Bootlicker and Smirky and Shan Hong's."

"Shan Hong gets a name, hm?" he says.

"She's nice. The rest of you can go freeze," she says. "You included. Farmboy."

He rolls his eyes at her, intercepts a jab at his side with a precise sweep, and flicks her on the forehead with his other hand.

"I have got two little sisters," he says. "I know how to deal with brats."

"I'll get you for that," Jia says, rubbing at her forehead. "Sleep with one eye open, Farmboy."

She's smiling, at least. He thinks that's a good thing?

---

The next couple of days pass, and Zhi Gao works to build on his foundation. The effortless grace with which he started the body path has slipped through his fingers, and now he progresses the way he thinks everyone else must. Slow and steady, increment on increment. He learns as much as he can from the mental cultivation lessons, before he's told not to bother to come back to those, either, and stops attending the reading and writing lessons once he's confident he can read the lists pinned up on the notice board in the nearest eating hall to his room. He checks the jobs available against the one he was offered by the disciple in the gardens, and they come up lacking. One point an hour, with a bonus for good work, seems like a good deal, when he compares it to the costs for things, but the garden job offers an extra point per four hours and lets him spend time in an environment he's comfortable with. There's no competition.

The rest of the week settles into a soothing routine. He wakes, eats, and cultivates until sixteenth bell, making sure to practise both the body and mental paths. He then goes up to the gardens, where he works for a few hours, and finally heads back to his room to cultivate for a few hours before he goes back to sleep. The first day on the job, he mediates an argument between a willow and the stream it grows beside. The stream feels that the willow is drinking too much of its water, and leaving none for the other plants. The willow feels that the stream is being too stingy with its waters, and that it should provide more to everyone. It's a common problem, really; plant spirits and water spirits tend to have fractious interactions. It's easily solved with a promise to make sure the willow gets an extra helping of water from the disciples, some of which will trickle down into the stream. Both end up happy, and he earns a few more sect points for his work that day.

The day after that, he has to help the other gardeners wrestle with a recalcitrant rosebush. It doesn't want to be pruned, despite the necessity, and its spirit has animated the overlong stems to fend off disciples armed with gardening shears. Zhi Gao takes a painful hit to the chest that would have torn his skin, before he broke through, but now just leaves him briefly winded, and manages to wrangle his section of the bush for long enough that they can snip away the extraneous growth. The spirit sulks at the result, but then rose spirits are always as prickly as their plants. More trouble than they're worth, most of the time. Zhi Gao much prefers the flowers that live and die in a single season, spirits which are full of the joy of life, concentrated into that brief span of time they have available to them. They don't regret or lament, they simply experience for all they're worth.

Ma Gang breaks through in both reams by the middle of the week, and follows Lady Zhu as the second of them to make full disciple. He didn't even use any pills, that Zhi Gao could see, he simply had more training and was better prepared than the rest of them. Shan Hong and Zhang Shui spend most of their free time cultivating on the body path together, and both of them seem to be stuck at the first hurdle. More than once Zhi Gao has returned to their room to see one or both of them collapsed on the floor, trying to regulate their breathing after a failed breakthrough. He feels vaguely guilty that his went so smoothly, seeing how difficult the others are finding it. Liao He is struggling with both paths, and he spends most of his time in the room with his eyes closed, face set into a scowl, as he tries to make progress. Leng Jin hasn't even started his cultivation yet, and seems to be making sure his foundation is built properly and earning sect points before he begins. A week or two of jobs would net anyone enough points to buy the potions Zhi Gao has seen listed on the board, the ones which would simply put you into Outer Human First Step immediately.

He isn't sure what to think of the fact that you can buy your way to success, but the fact that neither of the nobles in their group took that path tells him that it's probably detrimental in the long run. Lady Zhu certainly had no qualms about using drugs to enhance her cultivation, but she didn't have one of those potions. He doubts the sect is particularly interested in anyone who can't make even the First Step on their own, and he knows that your rank in the sect determines your posting on the front lines. It seems unlikely to keep you very safe, using those potions. Besides, there are none for the Second Step onward, so it's unlikely to be much of a benefit anyway.

He's pulled form his contemplation by the look of serene triumph on Zhang Shui's face. She moves through her body path cultivation exercises with a precision he's not seen from her before, and he realises she's breaking through. There's nothing in the room to clean up with, though, so he decides that the best thing he can do for her is to grab something and hurry back, before she has to walk through the ship covered in gunk. He hurries to grab a bucket and fill it with rags and water, then carries it back to the room. The rope handle twists in his hand in a way that might have made him spill the bucket, before, but he corrects for it without thinking, now. He makes it back just in time to see little black beads begin to pearl on Zhang Shui's skin, like oversized sweat, before the black ooze pushes up in a layer twice as thick as the one he'd had to deal with.

Zhang Shui opens her eyes, solid black against her now-black skin, and wrinkles her nose. It's the most emotion he's seen from her in the two weeks they've been in each others' company.

"I got some-" he says, and she turns to look at him, sharp enough he half-steps back. "-water for you?"

She looks at him, then down at where the impurities have covered her like a second skin.

"Thanks," she says. Her voice is raspy and deeper than he expects; he's heard her talk before, but it's always a bit of a surprise.

He hands her the bucket, and she wastes no time in stripping out of her clothes and wiping the mess off herself. He turns his back, to be polite, though he's fairly sure neither of them is actually bothered by her nudity. He's washed enough people's backs, and the spirits don't care for human clothes, most of the time, even the ones that look human. He steps out of the room, though, because the odour in the enclosed space is horrific. He leaves the door cracked so he can talk.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough," he says. "I know you've been struggling with it."

"Thank you. It smells bad," she says, slightly muffled by the door. "The Elder was not exaggerating."

"I just hope this is the worst it gets," he says. "I think that's what we were told? That the First Step gets rid of the majority of the impurities?"

"The easiest," she says. "So it may be that the smell gets worse as we advance. More difficult impurities may be less pleasant."

The door opens, and she is dressed again, in a clean set of clothes. She looks different, in a way that he didn't after his advancement. Her eyes are darker, and the colour of her skin has changed; where before it was light grey all over, now there's a white streak from her chin down to her neckline. There's the start of what look to be incisions on the side of her neck, as well, three little slits on each side, barely more than an inch apiece.

"It is not as pleasant a change as you experienced," Zhang Shui says, staring him dead in the eye. "I will grow to resemble my ancestor more as I advance through the Human Realm. Shan Hong and Liao He will, too." She smiles. "Funny, is it not? To look more human, I must reach the Inhuman Realm."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare," Zhi Gao says. "I don't know what your ancestor animal is. This is the first time I've been near the ocean, so I don't know many fish."

"Oh? I am a daughter of the Shark," Zhang Shui says. "She is a hunter of the deep oceans, who devours ships in a single bite. I believe she is also the matron animal of the sect. I, too, have never been so close to the ocean before. I was a soldier in Suifen before this, far from the shore."

"What was it like?"

"The city was large, prosperous. Bigger than Songhua, and much less organised," she says, and they both begin to walk towards the bathing facilities. "Children like Jia are common there. I saw none in Songhua. The sect provides well for its people."

He nods. "And what was it like, being a soldier? We're all due to head off in less than a year."

"Boring," she says, instantly. "Suifen is not a border city, so the most we had to do was guard gates and shoot the odd bandit. The borders are apparently very similar, most of the time," she adds. "Some of the others had served there. The fighting comes in waves. If the gods smile on us, we will see no combat at all."

"I would've thought you'd be the one to jump at the idea," he says.

"Hah! I have seen what the border does to those who fight there," she says, no joy on her face. "They would not send the best cultivators of every generation there if the barbarians did not do the same. Do you think you could face Elder Mei on the field? Even with Elder Fang at your back?"

"I'd prefer not to," he says, a shiver running down his spine at the idea.

"Immortal Realm cultivators have been known to attack the border," she says. "And all that anyone outside that realm can do is die. So yes. I hope the heavens smile on us."

She nods to him, once, and enters the bathing chambers to wash up properly and get her clothes cleaned. He spends a few moments staring at the wood ceiling before he takes a deep breath, settles himself, and heads back to do some more cultivation. It seems like the border is nearer than he wanted it to be, and he has far too little time to be ready.

What is the week plan?

You may choose 2 people to spend time with this week:

[ ] Lady Zhu.
[ ] Ma Gang.
[ ] Jia.
[ ] Zhang Shui.
[ ] Leng Jin.
[ ] Liao He.
[ ] Shan Hong.
[ ] Other (you will go wandering and try to find someone interesting).

You have four (4) four-hour blocks to spend per day. Cultivation lessons take 1 block, reading and writing lessons take 1 block, and cultivation takes 1 block. Jobs take 1 block, but are unavailable until you can read and write or until you can convince a friend to do so for you.

Reading and writing lessons grant +1% to Bureaucracy skill, +2% if you pass a skill check against that skill, up to a total of 25% skill. You need at least 10% to read and write.

Cultivation is a roll against your cultivation skill, and you need 10 total degrees of success to reach the first Step. Please say which cultivation skill you are rolling against.

An example plan would be:
[ ] Jia.
[ ] Liao He.
[ ] 1 block a day on mental cultivation.
[ ] 1 block a day on physical cultivation.
[ ] 1 block a day on The Garden Job.
[ ] 1 block a day on cultivation, alternating mental and physical and starting on mental.

AN: Voting will be open until 2200 BST Sunday. Chapter will be up Monday.

Sect Point costs etc. are in the post below this!

Sect Point Purchases

Greetings, Disciple. The sect is not just a place for you to live and thrive; it is a resource to be exploited for your advancement. The below services are available for a disciple of your attainment:


Pills and Potions
25 sect points
- Abyssal Deeps Pill. Enhances mental cultivation rolls by +10% for a week. Effective until Inner Human First Step.
- Crushing Waves Pill. Enhances physical cultivation rolls by +10% for a week. Effective until Inner Human First Step.
- [Skill] Pill. Enhances the named skill's rolls by +10% for a week. Effective until Inner Human First Step.

50 sect points
- Still Mind Pill. Forces the opponent in mental breakthrough rolls to use their worst roll, instead of their best. Effective until Inner Human First Step.
- Hardy Body Pill. Forces the opponent in body breakthrough rolls to use their worst roll, instead of their best. Effective until Inner Human First Step.
- Raging Qi Pill. Grants +3 Degrees of Success to every mental cultivation roll for a week. Effective until Inner Human First Step.
- Surging Blood Pill. Grants +3 Degrees of Success to every physical cultivation roll for a week. Effective until Inner Human First Step.

100 sect points
- Elixir of Enlightenment. Allows a breakthrough into the First Step Outer Human Realm of mental cultivation without a roll.
- Elixir of Enhancement. Allows a breakthrough into the First Step Outer Human Realm of mental cultivation without a roll.

250 sect points
- Mental cultivation chamber. Grants access to one of the lesser cultivation chambers of the sect for up to 7 time blocks. +10 Degrees of Success to every mental cultivation roll made, including failures.
- Physical cultivation chamber. Grants access to one of the lesser cultivation chambers of the sect for up to 7 time blocks. +10 Degrees of Success to every physical cultivation roll made, including failures.


Tuition

25 sect points
- A disciple will tutor you in the skill of your choice for one block a day for a week. Per time block invested, +1% to the skill, +2% on a successful roll, up to a maximum of 25% total skill.
- A disciple will tutor you in the technique of your choice for one block a day for a week. Per time block invested, +1% to the technique, +2% on a successful roll, up to a maximum of 25% total technique ranking.

50 sect points
- You purchase access to an advanced class given by either an Elder or a skilled disciple for one block a day for a week. Per time block invested, +2% to the skill, +4% on a successful roll, up to a maximum of 50% total skill.
- You purchase access to an advanced class given by either an Elder or a skilled disciple for one block a day for a week. Per time block invested, +2% to the technique, +4% on a successful roll, up to a maximum of 50% total technique ranking.

75 sect points
You purchase access to an advanced class given by either an Elder or a skilled disciple for one block a day for a week. Per time block invested, +2% to the technique, +4% on a successful roll, up to a maximum of 75% total technique ranking.

100 sect points
- An inner disciple will oversee your efforts to improve your very self. Dedicate 7 time blocks and gain +25% towards the next letter rank in a stat other than Talent. Works up to and including Letter Rank H.
- You purchase access to an advanced class given by an Elder for one block a day for a week. Per time block invested, +2% to the technique, +4% on a successful roll, up to a maximum of 100% total technique ranking.

250 sect points
An inner disciple will oversee your efforts to improve your very self, and you will have access to special sect training rooms. Dedicate 7 time blocks and gain +25% towards the next letter rank in a stat other than Talent. Works up to and including Letter Rank G.


Techniques

You have free access to the basic technique library of the Raging Ocean Sect.

Available Mental Techniques (also available in the other four elements, re-flavoured to match):
- Crushing Wave Strike: Water, Attack. Call forth water from the air and smite your foes with it. Attacks at medium to close range.
- Tortoise Shell Barrier Art. Water, Defend. Call forth water to shield you from an attack. Must be used before the attack against you.
- Safe Harbour Mantra. Water, Support. Stabilise your allies and improve their footing, making them resistant to attacks which would knock them down or lift them up.
- Soothing Stream Salve. Water, Heal. Cover yourself or an ally with qi-infused water, which heals injuries. Not effective on scars, amputations, curses or sickness.
- Wavedancer's Footwork. Water, Move. Treat water as a solid surface you can walk across, and move with the speed and unpredictability of the ocean. Less effective on land.

Available Physical Techniques (also available in the other four elements, re-flavoured to match):
- Water-Compressed Physique. Water, Attack. Your muscles are denser and stronger than those of a mortal, and all melee attacks carry extra damage.
- Deepwater Body. Water, Defend. Your body is like the deep ocean, able to absorb attack after attack without being destroyed. Grants extra resilience and makes it very hard to dismember you.
- Freshwater Veins. Water, Support. Your body naturally purifies and removes poisons and diseases faster.
- Relentless Ocean Vitality. Water, Heal. You recover from injuries far faster than is natural, even for a cultivator.


50 sect points
Access to the Outer Human section of the sect technique library. The techniques here are suitable for an Outer Human cultivator. Describe the category of technique you want, the element you are after, and what sort of effects you are after, and you can probably find a suitable match in these archives.
General categories: Attack, Defend, Support, Heal, Move. (More specific categories might be available)
Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood.


Miscellaneous Items

The Raging Ocean Sect is home to the greatest craftsmen and women outside of the Imperial Court. If you desire an item, our disciples are more than happy to meet with you to discuss the creation of it. Costs will vary.