The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)

Fractal Possibilities: One to Instruct, One to Learn

Within the slowly expanding estate of the Kongs, there lies a multiplicity of rooms with purposes mundane and exotic. There is, of course, the Lord's Loom where Kong Shuren weaves his masterpieces. A communal kitchen to serve food for guests, visiting Kongs, and residents too busy to cook for themselves, along with the communal dining hall to eat said food in the company of peers. Storehouses for the mundane supplies needed to provide for those who serve the Kongs, as well as the exotic materials used in crafting the art which has provided the rise in prominence for the Kong family. Said art can be crafted in the various workshops scattered throughout the compound, or constructed in more reclusive locations staked out by more prestigious family members. Of course, the Kong's recognize the importance of proper record keeping and so there is a library within the estate as well, provisioned with knowledge gathered through the years. However, all of these rooms are not as restricted and guarded as the Kong Vault.

Items of potency and value are stored securely within the vault. Rare reagents and marvelous materials can be found here, sourced from all over the Radiant Empire and beyond. Marble quarried from the belly of a Stone-Swimming Whale, the boiling blood of a Fire Fleshed Stallion, blooming wood from a Single-Bloom Cedar, and more besides. Used only for the greatest of commissions for the most prestigious clients, these materials may rest here for decades before finding a use. This vault holds more than materials though, no matter how wondrous. It also holds the Natural Treasures acquired by the Kong family, used as a foundation for when a member returns from a Sect. A jar filled with ever howling winds, a tincture of water from the depths of the Laughingstar Sea, a carved statue depicting flowing flames made from obsidian, among others. Potent charms are also held securely in this vault, crafted by the Kong or begrudgingly bought. An example is, of course, a tapestry woven by Kong Shuren himself that hangs closest to the only entrance to the vault, prepared to ensnare and consume the mind of a would-be thief. The most used of the charms stored within this vault, however, is the Jewel of Enlightened Skill.

Crafted by the Wandering Kong during his journeys around and beyond the Radiant Empire, this jewel is slightly larger than a human head and faceted to have twenty equally sized faces. And should a Kong petition Kong Shuren for permission, and it is granted, then they may enjoy the fruits of the charm: knowledge, skill, and experience.


The scents and sounds of the wharf, mainly rotting fish and swearing men, crowded around Kong Chyou as she lay on the sun-warmed boulder next to the Soundless Run. There were things she had to do, she knew, since her return from the Nightwatch Grove. Be productive, move forward, do anything but stagnate here by the river's bank. Yet, there was a weight in her soul, as if the tears she had quietly shed during the carriage ride back had let something heavier and darker in. So many possibilities washed away from her poor decisions in her sect, so many opportunities she would never experience because of her foolishness. A waste of space for the family, who couldn't even make it through a sect's introductory period. Maybe it would be better if she just purchased passage on a boat and never returned. At least then…

"Chyou!" Came her mother's voice, "There you are! I've been looking all over for you. Come along, there's something I want you to take a look at."

"Coming, Mother."

Getting up, she quickly walked over to where Kong Ju was impatiently tapping her feet. It was difficult for Kong Chyou to keep her emotions in check as she felt the stern gaze following her progress. Fortunately, as she reached her mother, they quickly moved deeper into the compound at a brisk pace. A large well-made room met them at their destination, located in a less-traveled section of the compound, but it was not the spaciousness of the room that left her breathless. Instead, it was a large charm glowing softly with an inner light, sufficient to illuminate the entire room. Made from what looked like a single jewel, it was shaped like an icosahedron and was simply floating above a small plinth. Walking around the charm, Kong Chyou noticed that each face showed a different interior of the gem. They weren't pictures, but geometric patterns of dizzying complexity.

Looking up from the charm, she noticed that her mother was standing next to the door, with a soft smile on her face.

"Mother," she began softly, "what is this?"

"This, my daughter, is the Jewel of Enlightened Skill. An incredibly useful educational tool to help a Kong learn different styles of art or crafting when a suitable teacher might not be readily available. You are a Kong and since the Nightwatch Grove could not give you opportunities to succeed I have requested that you have access to this charm to further learn and develop skills that would have been nurtured at a sect."

"Th… Thank you. How do I use it?"

"Hold your hand on it and give the charm a drop of anam, you'll know what to do next."

Doing as instructed, Kong Chyou felt the charm surge with anam and the world give way to an expanse of white. There was a question though, pressing on her mind like a hand pressing against hard stone. What did she wish to learn? Painting, she thought. Painting. The world changed again until she was on a weathered cliffside overlooking an ocean sparkling in the starlight. Beside her was a vague figure with an easel, canvas, and a selection of dyes. She watched, enraptured, as the figure painted the view before them, an expanse of ocean reflecting the stars above. In no time at all, it was completed, and it was beautiful. The figure then waved its hands and the picture disappeared. Stepping aside, the shape gestured at her to take its place. She did so and began painting the same scene before her. It was not as graceful or as fluid as the example, but it was passable, she thought. Until at least she was finished and it disappeared with the vague insistence to try again replacing it. So she did, again and again. Then, after a number of repetitions she lost count of them, the picture stayed on the canvas. A picture of the heavens reflected in waters without end. And it was beautiful.


Jewel of Enlightened Skill (Icosahedron Faceted Jewel)
Scholar Charm ??? (Beauty, Knowledge, Star)
Crafted by Kong Zhi during his travels around the Radiant Empire and beyond, this charm seeks to train prospective users in whatever skills they seek to master. Whether that be through wood-crafting, smithing, jewel cutting, weaving, painting, pottery, or other skills. Putting into the charm his memories of watching masters work, of seeing sights to weep at, and a measure of his own training in various crafts, Kong Zhi has crafted a tool capable of placing its user in a detailed mental landscape where they may freely train skills without using resources. Where mistakes can be easily noted and learned from. Where skill can be polished to shine like the clearest diamond.

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Bihai of Sunless Heaven has learned a great deal from a great many teachers since his arrival to the Delving Heart. But as the pressure of the responsibilities he bears on his shoulders threatens to overwhelm him, he seeks respite in the tunnels and happens upon a curious stranger willing to impart an even more curious lesson. What will come of Bihai's latest plunge?

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While you may have a great many projects that draw your interest, there is something to be said about finishing what you have begun.

Before you left the Delving Heart you did everything you could to finish integrating the Elegant Plume and were stymied by a lack of resources. Now, after nearly a week on the road, Cloud's Breath is filled with dense smoke once more. It may not be enough to finish your task, but if you wait until you've enough resources to complete everything in one fell swoop, nothing will ever get accomplished.

You turn your back on your companions and, for once, don't open the Wandering Estate. Instead you mimic a position you've seen Zhuan Kun enter again and again since you began this trip: seated with your back to a tree and your legs crossed beneath you. Cloud's Breath leaps into your hand and you deposit it in front of you. A twist uncaps it, and a deep breath calls to its power.

Cycling Check: 10d10s6(1.0). Dice Rolled: 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1. 2 Successes!
Cycling Check: 10d10s6(1.0). Dice Rolled: 10, 9, 8, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2, 1, 4. 5 Successes!

Cloud's Breath: 7/7 Anam -> 0/7 Anam!
Elegant Plume: 5/6 17,0 -> 5/6 10, 0!

As always, the smoke shoots from the bottle, funneling itself into your mouth, and then into your spirit as if pulled along by a great current of wind. It settles into your mind, further polishing the Elegant Plume. The choking cloud in your mind's eye is just a touch darker, it moves just a bit faster, and it fills just a touch more space. It has yet to reach its final integration, but it's approaching it quickly. However, before it can fully crystallize, the current of anam from Cloud's Breath gutters out and your treasure is left dark and dull in your hand once more. You open your eyes and call it back to your hand, tucking it away in a pocket for when you can draw on it's power anew.

Not a moment too soon, either. As you stand, you find yourself rising to meet the dawn. Zhuan Kun is tucking away a truly outlandish number of game pieces and scraps of parchment- are those charts?!- while at the same time, Mei Daiyu is tucking a drowsing owlet into a small pouch and tying it to her belt sash. It appears that it's time to start the day's travel.

The three of you run through the Forest of Pearls in complete silence to start. Mei Daiyu seems too consumed with the small, feathered head peeking out of her belt pouch to really hold a conversation, while Zhuan Kun is his usual taciturn self. As for you, you still find yourself lingering on the image of the Elegant Plume that cycling painted in your mind's eye.

It may not have melded fully with your spirit yet, but it feels like it is close- like the cloud of smoke has gathered around you in a thick smog and is just waiting to be drawn in. But not even the most vivid image you can muster can substitute for lacking resources. The Elegant Plume will have to wait- unless you find suitable smoke anam to finish the task before your little Natural Treasure recharges. Perhaps you will be able to source more in Mockingjay?

You could find pills, or perhaps locate a Natural Wonder, or… smoke anam has to occur naturally, right? Your cycling technique may not be designed to draw anam when it doesn't come from the strong sources of Treasures or Wonders, but if you could a strong enough source, you could surely harness it.

Ideas percolate in your mind as the sun rises overhead. But eventually, you have to let the ideas go. After all, it's pointless to ruminate on what you would do if you had the resources when you simply don't have the resources. There's nothing to say that Mockingjay even has a Smoke wonder; you will have to simply investigate and find out when you arrive. With a sigh, you force the dancing visions of smoke from your mind and return your focus to the beauty surrounding you.

But the natural beauty of the Forest of Pearls is different than it was mere hours ago. The ground beneath your feet is beginning to even out. No longer are you running from foothill to foothill and dealing with constant stones underfoot. The further you go, the surer your footing becomes as the ground seems to level.

While some of the change in the terrain might be because of your increasing distance from the Brightmaples, that cannot explain the other changes that are taking place around you. The ever-present carpet of roots is beginning to thin and, in some places, vanish completely, and the same can be said for trees themselves. Where before, you would frequently have to weave your way through a narrow gap between two enormous trunks, now you can pass through with your arms outstretched and never touch bark.

A thought occurs to you and you pause, consulting your mental map of your route. "Have we drifted too far east?" you ask.

Mei Daiyu glances around, looking skyward for a moment before shaking her head. "No, we are still on course. Why?"

"The way the trees are starting to spread, it feels like we are near the edge of the Forest," you answer. "Are you certain we are not?"

Your friend's eyes flash. "No," she states, jaw set, before repeating the word once more. "No. We… have not."

You can only look at her, confusion whirling in your mind. Mei Daiyu has always had a temper, but you normally have to do more than utter an innocuous question to rouse it. But it seems that that's all it took this time; the signs of fury on her face could not be more clear if your veins were filled with your own simmering rage. What did you do this time?

Surprisingly, the answer comes from the third member of your trio. Zhuan Kun falls back until he is running next to the two of you once more. "We are nearing Mockingjay," he informs you. "As we get closer to the city's borders, the forest becomes less dense to make room for the farms that support it. By this evening, we should be in sight of civilization once more."

You nod in understanding as Zhuan Kun's words not only explain the state of the trees, but also Mei Daiyu's sudden anger. This entire trip, Mei Daiyu has been reluctant to even name your destination. Even your current route has been, you suspect, chosen not because of the route itself, but because it would keep you from the city walls that much longer. If Mei Daiyu truly has a disdain for Mockingjay, it's no wonder her temper would begin to flare when you are so close to it.

Still, as much as you would rather spare your friend whatever discomfort you can, you cannot drop the subject. You need to know as much about your next stop as you can, and since Zhuan Kun is apparently in a mood to speak, it would be foolish to miss this chance. "So the way the trees are growing is deliberate? I would think that separating the Forest so much would leave more of a trace."

"It was far less seamless generations ago," the noble responds promptly. "But when the Ying Clan took stewardship of Mockingjay during the reign of the Emperor-In-Glory, one of their first major initiatives was to better the area around them. They eschewed the traditional ax and torch usually used to thin the forest. Instead, they focused their own training on wood and earth, culminating in a gradual shift in how the trees themselves grow. Now, it almost seems like the Forest has taken a form that it itself desires."

"They must perform impressive work," you answer, glancing around at the trees once more. If your companions had not said differently, you would be certain that you are nearing the natural edge of the Forest. "But why did they go to such trouble? It is more harmonious, certainly, but why not simply clear the area?"

Zhuan Kun's eyes seem to unfocus and his next words bear the tone of rote repetition. "Because harmony with the Forest of Pearls was deemed far more important than merely gaining space," he states. "By attempting to walk hand in hand with the Forest of Pearls, the Forest's natural anam remained mostly unaffected, leaving all local Natural Wonders undiminished and the Spirit Beasts undisturbed. A more destructive path would have wreaked havoc on the existing landscape and infrastructure."

Your companion comes back to himself and, after reviewing his own words, seems to direct a sharp nod inwards. "Their path worked not only for the Forest, but for themselves," Zhuan Kun continues in his normal tone. "When the Emperor-In-Steel came to power, the Ying Clan were one of the few to retain their prior postings."

A small scoff from the side distracts you from Zhuan Kun's impromptu lecture. "A pity that he did not remove their heads from their shoulders," Mei Daiyu almost sneers.

Zhuan Kun favors her with a look that, on another face, might almost be reproachful. "Such a fate was indeed visited upon a great number of city administrators," he states. "But it was no surprise that the Ying Clan was spared. The clan has long been known for its stewardship of Mockingjay. Under Lord Ying's eye, the city has prospered like few others."

He pauses and seems to consider something. "In recent years, however, they have proven to be somewhat reclusive. They still hold their public audiences, but any further contact has been rebuffed. Even the Zhuan have hesitated to reach out to the Ying; I am uncertain as to why. There has been nothing to indicate a change in the Ying's prowess."

"Oh, prowess only in-" Mei Daiyu pauses, cutting herself off mid-sentence. When she speaks again, it is in halting, deliberate words as she forces them to remain under her control. "Perhaps they are naught but fair administrators," she allows. "But I have my doubts."

"One must always doubt everything," Zhuan Kun responds, again with the air of one saying words they don't fully understand. "Otherwise they will be unable to process new information when it becomes available."

He pauses and continues. "Though I did not find any fault in Lord Ying or his clan when I visited. It was my privilege to dine with him and his the day before I came to the Heart. I found him a generous soul, if perhaps overly obsequious."

Mei Daiyu looks like she has something she wants to say, but you cannot help but interrupt. "You eat?!" you yelp reflexively. In the time that you've been traveling with Zhuan Kun, you've yet to see him eat even the smallest meal. You were starting to wonder if he even needed to!

For his part, Zhuan Kun seems unmoved by your befuddlement. "Regularly," he answers. "My diet is strictly regimented and optimized for peak performance." A flick of his wrist conjures an enormous scroll, which he opens and scans in one fluid movement. "I will next do so three days hence, and I will be having charred Scarbreast Carp over a bed of infused seaweed."

"...what will you eat if you cannot find the Carp?" you have to ask.

"I have already located it," comes the prompt answer. Zhuan Kun turns his schedule to you and points at a small symbol that pulses with anam. "As well as every meal I will require for the remainder of the year. Deviation from the schedule will lead to suboptimal improvement, and that cannot be allowed."

You can only shake your head at the resolute tone Zhuan Kun speaks in as Mei Daiyu wrenches the reins of the conversation back under control. "Fascinating," she states, making it clear that it is anything but. "But Lord Zhuan's diet is irrelevant to the topic at hand. You were saying…"

She stares at the noble for a long moment. "...that you have dined with Lord Ying before?" she asks. At his nod, she continues, eyes sharpening. "Will you be having your carp at his side while we are in the city?"

"I will not," comes the swift response, bringing Mei Daiyu up short. "My own planned activities in Mockingjay will not leave time for the leisurely pace of the meals Lord Ying insists on. But if you wish to introduce yourself to him, I am certain I can furnish you with a letter of introduction." Zhuan Kun's schedule vanishes from his hands and is replaced by a courier's bag stuffed to the brim with scrolls. He opens up and unfurls it, revealing a fully-written letter greeting a lord in the name of the Zhuan Clan. Only two spots are blank: one at the beginning, where the Lord's name would go, and one in the middle, where the person presenting the letter would be introduced.

Mei Daiyu makes a noise of distaste. "While your efforts are acknowledged, I cannot say that I am eager to dine with a clan as… revered as the Ying." She turns away, returning her focus to the owlet bouncing along at her hip.

You, on the other hand, eye Zhuan Kun's satchel appreciatively. While you've not been instructed to make yourself known to the Magistrate of Mockingjay, your family wouldn't have known that you would have this opportunity in front of you! This is something they would ask you to reach out and take advantage over. "Could I-"

"Kong Zhi," Mei Daiyu interrupts. You pause and turn to her- and find yourself meeting a level, heavy stare from your teacher-turned-student. "I know that… I know your attitude towards… I am aware of your duties," she states, fighting to find the right words. "I cannot say I will ever understand them, but I know that such connections are important to you. So please know that I do not mean this lightly when I say… no. Not this one. Not here."

The grave seriousness in her tone takes you aback. It is as if by looking at Zhuan Kun's satchel, you've thrown her bird to the ground and are now jumping up and down on it.

"Indulge your need for 'making friends' later," she states baldly. "Wait until Honeydrenched Hills and I would even serve as your handmaiden if I must. But not Mockingjay. Not the Ying Clan… please."

…you have absolutely no idea how to respond to that.

Neither does Zhuan Kun. He glances back and forth between you and Mei Daiyu for a time before allowing his satchel to vanish once more. "Should either of you require a letter, you need but ask," he eventually says.

The awkward air surrounding you is enough to strangle any further conversation in its infancy. The silence resumes its grip on the three of you and holds on, deepening the quiet into something you might hear within a crypt. It is a relief when the scenery around you changes. It gives you something else to focus on.

Just as Zhuan Kun said, the change in the land is so subtle that you might think it natural. First the trees begin to spread out even further. Then they begin to vanish entirely, leaving only empty plains in their wake. Before too much time has passed, the first farms emerge on the horizon, giving you your first glimpse of other people since you left the Heart.

Or at least, you pass signs of other people. As you travel, you pass farm after farm, each ranging from the small and humble new enterprises to the large and expansive fields that speak of generations of stewardship. However, not one field is occupied. The season may just be emerging from the depths of winter, but you would expect at least one farmer to be breaking ground to get a headstart on his neighbors- but all of them stand empty.

"This cannot be normal, right?" you ask. "Shouldn't we have seen someone by now?"

Zhuan Kun looks as clueless as you do, but Mei Daiyu's eyes widen. "We should have," she mutters. "And- look!"

Her hand flies out, pointing at a farm. You follow her gesture and freeze.

The farm she's indicating is an enormous affair, one clearly owned by a farmer who inherited it through a dozen generations. The farmhouse is a full two stories and the craftsmanship of the trio of chicken coops you spy speak of diligent care. But none of that care can be said for the fields. Where normally, rolling empty earth would stand awaiting seeding, you spy churned dirt and massive pits.

"The Cavern Bringer," Mei Daiyu whispers. "There's nothing else it could be."

Her words jar a memory loose in your mind. Earlier, when speaking of missions she had seen near your planned path, Mei Daiyu had told you the story of an enormous Spirit Mole known to the disciples as 'the Cavern Bringer'. It had been a minor problem for some time, but it had only recently grown to a stature worthy of its own assignment. From the sheer size of the tunnel mouth you see, you cannot say it is unworthy of its name.

But while you are certain it dug up the fields, did it have something to do with the disappearance of all the farmers? Has it taken to snacking on mortal flesh? Moles normally dine on roots and tubers, but you suppose anam can change even the meekest of beasts into something threatening.

Heedless of your thoughts, Zhuan Kun's footsteps speed up at the thought of a possible foe. Without a word, he changes course, heading straight past the tunnel and towards another large pile of dirt. Mei Daiyu is right behind him, leaving you to pull up the rear.

As you run, you hurriedly begin to catalog your resources. You are still weary from your spar with Zhuan Kun, but time has done wonders in restoring the parts of your reserves that Mei Daiyu's medicine left untouched. Should the Cavern Bringer prove a fight, you will stand ready.

Natural healing and regeneration have occured! Kong Zhi is at 4/8, Box 1, and 19/21 Anam!

Chui Dao is in your hand before you fully realize you've drawn in. This Cavern Bringer will find you no easy prey- and you will surely harvest something useful from it's corpse.

Twenty minutes later, one of those thoughts is proven accurate. You will surely harvest something useful from it's corpse. But the actual slaying portion of this hunt? It is far easier than you anticipated. It is almost as if you did not have to do anything at all.

Because you don't. The Cavern Bringer is dead when you find it.

An enormous mole the size of the Spire is stretched out from one of it's tunnels. It's dark fur is stained and matted with blood from a thousand wounds, but no wound seems more severe than the one on its head. Orange blood drips from a deep gash and puddles beneath its skull, matting it's fur and flooding the field with still-palpable anam.

Survival Check: 9d10s7(1.0) (Included Bonus Dice). Dice Rolled: 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1. 2 Successes!

But that wound is not what killed it. The closer you get to the corpse, the more small wounds you notice. A thousand stabs penetrated the Cavern Bringer's pelt and each of them bled, telling you it was alive at the time. The wound to the head may have damaged it, but it did not finish the beast off.

That isn't all you find as you inspect the corpse. When you get closer to the beast, one shocking fact becomes very clear to you: it is intact.

The body is in rough shape, certainly, but whatever killed it did not stop to harvest the body. The organs are still present, the eyes are safe in the skull, and every last ounce of the meat still seems to be on the bone! That… that just seems wasteful.

Zhuan Kun stares at the Cavern Bringer, disappointment clear on his face. "A shame," he mutters. "Who beat us to our quarry?"

"I am not certain," Mei Daiyu utters. "But the blood is still wet. This is a fresh kill; the hunter cannot have gone too far."

Zhuan Kun's head snaps up like a bloodhound tracking a new scent. You can almost hear his thoughts: if something slew the Cavern Bringer then they must be stronger than the Cavern Bringer. And if they are still nearby, they may still prove a worthy foe.

He takes a step away, the another-

"Hold!" you call out. When your companions turn to you, questioning looks on their faces. "Are we… are we really just going to leave the corpse here?"

"We can come back for it," Mei Daiyu answers quickly. "But if we want to know who killed it, we need to go now before they get too far away!"

You shake your head. "The body's already lain dormant for who knows how long! As we speak, it is losing potency. If we leave and come back, all we will find is vaguely earth-aspected meat! Whatever killed the Cavern Bringer wasted it's body; it would be criminal to do the same!"

Neither of your companions look convinced, but neither do they argue with you. "Perhaps… one of us could help you harvest?" Zhuan Kun offers.

"Or we could all leave," Mei Daiyu counters. "We did not earn the prizes from slaying the Cavern Bringer, so we would be losing nothing. And if whatever killed it proves a threat, it would be better for all of us to be together."

Two sets of eyes turn to you, waiting for your argument.

Mei Daiyu and Zhuan Kun wish to search for whoever killed the Cavern Bringer, leaving the mole's body itself to rot. By doing so, you would pass up a veritable trove of valuable materials. What do you argue in favor of?
[] Your companions should go and you will remain here. You will not be able to harvest all of the Cavern Bringer before it loses potency, but you will still get something, and they will be able to watch each other's backs.
[] You should stay behind with Mei Daiyu. Zhuan Kun is more than capable of meeting any threat he may encounter, and her practiced hands will be of great use in harvesting as much of the Cavern Bringer as possible.
[] You should stay behind with Zhuan Kun. His raw speed will make him an incredible asset in butchering the mole, while Mei Daiyu's natural grace and speed will allow her to avoid any trouble that might befall her.
[] All of you should remain behind. You can hunt for the slayer later, but if you wish to harvest all of the Cavern Bringer, you need all available hands.
[] Mei Daiyu raises a point: by leaving the body behind, you are not losing anything you have worked for and you will weaken your group. You will leave the Cavern Bringer to rot.