The Dao of the Awakened, a Xianxia/Cultivation Quest

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Breakfast Club

Hua Yin was not happy as he dragged himself into the dining hall. He hadn't been hurt in the fight the night before, but he found out the hard way that cultivation did not quite eliminate hangovers. Maybe being in the Spirit Realm provided some benefits, but not nearly as much as Hua Yin could have wished. Hua Yin was still suffering, having had entirely too much alcohol and too many cigarettes the night before. He was more tired than he had been in weeks, his head was pounding, his mind muddled, his throat hurting, his mouth was dry, and he generally felt nauseous. However, he remembered that, in the few times that Hua Xintao had come home inebriated, his father would force down a large meal in the morning after to feel better. Hua Yin was out to do the same.

He was followed by a serene Guan Zhi and a wincing Gao Jin. Guan Zhi had either not drank as much as the other boys, had a better constitution as a demon-blood, or just dealt with hangovers better. Or maybe spending time with pretty disciples and courtesans just had a healing effect. Hua Yin was jealous. Gao Jin looked as miserable as Hua Yin did, if not worse. When they had stumbled home yesterday, Gao Jin had vomited three times. But apparently he had done well gambling, as he had barfed on his new moneybag. Thankfully, silvers and coppers cleaned up relatively easily.

The boys got their meals of chicken congee with dough crullers. Hua Yin sat down gratefully. Even having walked around for the short amount of time he had was enough to exhaust him. Training was going to be awful. Hua Yin was gratified that he wasn't the only one suffering. The dining hall was much less crowded than usual and many of the disciples looked like they were in pain. Fan Lee was so tired he had passed out in his congee.

Hua Yin shook his head at the sight. He was right about there too. But he settled down to his meal, ready to hopefully rejuvenate himself. Unlike usual, the food was awful, and he did his best to choke it down.

An excited and dirty Li Gai entered in a rush, full of energy, and pounded on the table. Hua Yin winced, as Li Gai exclaimed, "I did it! I advanced! Feng did too!"

Hua Yin let out a weak smile, his head pounding even more after the loud noise, "Congratulations brother. It was no less than expected."

Guan Zhi stood up and gave Li Gai a hug in congratulations. Hua Yin did the same. It was somewhat of a public show of affection, which was embarrassing, but this was a big deal. Li Gai had broken through after months of trying! It was a momentous moment. It was a big enough deal for Hua Yin to muster up all his will power to get up and physically touch another human being.

But no matter how big of a deal it was, hangovers could be even mightier. Gao Jin had his head on the table, too miserable to move. However, even he managed to put a thumbs up to the mortal boy.

Hua Yin was struck by how close he had gotten to these other boys in just a few short months. Admittedly, they had been months filled with work and shared suffering. However, he felt closer to these friends than he did to those he had back home. Hell, he hadn't even written any letters to his Academy friends. He had fought side by side with his Sect brothers.

Hua Yin said, haltingly, "We will celebrate soon, Li Gai. Apologies on the lack of energy. The party last night was a lot."

"Oh? What happened? Did I miss anything interesting?"

"Well . . ."

-----
Archives

Work continued apace. As usual, he was stuck copying books. But he was with Chen Li, so it wasn't so bad. The girl was her usually perky self, even on the day after the party. Strangely, she did not seem to remember being as forward with him as she had been or at least was not acting as if she remembered. Maybe she was embarrassed? Either way, Hua Yin did not think he would need to worry about getting any hairbrushes as presents.

Hua Yin was curious about Saints. So, after duties in the Archives, he spent a little extra time in the stacks. Being part of the Archives, senior brother Peng directed Hua Yin to the right portion of the Archives without cost.

There was surprisingly little hard information about Saints. Most of the information seemed to anecdotal and was more fawning than analytical. But some facts did rise to the top. Real Saints are those who have reached the cusp of immortality, who have the ability to ascend from this Reality but who have chosen to not take that step, rather making the decision to stay in this Reality and help others reach the same heights. Sainthood is seen as a huge sacrifice, and more traditionally minded cultivators call Saints nothing but fools who have given up. Wiser minds spoke of the Saints' significance in the Dao and how they seemed to have a much tighter grasp of their own daos. Sainthood might be madness, but the mad have their own wisdom. Saints move in mysterious ways with their own mysterious agendas, but they are known universally as a force of good, as Saints are known to battle the monsters and demonic cultivators, as well as help people, even mortals

It was thought that most Saints valued their privacy enough not to announce their presence generally. But some names were well-known. The Saint of Broken Swords. The Mendicant. The Saint of the Eternal Liminality. There were more. Not many, but enough to make Saints venerated, if distant, figures. Further confusing the scholarship on Saints was the fact that some cultivators took on epithets as saints but were not actually Saints. The Saint of the Red Tooth was not a Saint, but rather a well-known cultivator still on the path to ascension.

The Saint of Broken Swords was definitely the real thing, at least according to the books. His Attunement was not known. There had been very few accounts of him having been in combat. What was known, was that he used a wide variety of Qi-techniques, seemingly without worry about what Attunement they had. It was known that he followed the Dao of the Repair of Small Things and embodied the Aspect of the Collector of Lost Hopes. There was much speculation in the books about what the Dao and the Aspect meant and how it affected the Saint's cultivation, but there was nothing concrete. If some high-level cultivator knew more, they were not revealing it in scrolls and texts available to an Outer Disciple. At any rate, in-depth analysis of Daos and Aspects was still out of Hua Yin's grasp on cultivation.

The list of the Saint of Broken Swords' achievements was spotty, with some books attributing actions to him and some to others. All agreed that he held up the Five Fathoms Bridge by dint of will alone, saving thousands that were crossing when two cultivators decided to fight one another. He had defeated the infamous demonic cultivator Tiger Xi Ma and prevented a plot to farm humans for use in sacrifices. He had also somehow managed to put the Salamander of the Smoking Mountain back to sleep after it had rampaged through the city of Choyuan Shan.

No one was sure where he came from. He just seemed to appear in stories a couple of centuries prior and continued to arise every so often to dispense wisdom and save people. He was known to take students who traveled with him for periods of time. But other than that and his achievements, the Saint was a mystery.

+1 Success to Knowledge: Alchemy Progression.
Hua Yin has advanced to Knowledge: Alchemy 1.

+1 Success to Survival Progression.

+ 2 Points.

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Writ of the Broken Tree

Studying the Writ was old hat. He had pretty much memorized the text at this point. However, it was the Broken Tree's foundational text for a reason. Hua Yin knew that he would be able to find more insights into cultivation with the Writ now that he had advanced to the Spirit Realm. What had once been nonsense now seemed to take on new significance. He even saw layers in the insights he had already received from the Writ. But it would take time and more experience with his cultivation before he would reach the next level of insight into the Writ.

INT (7) + Knowledge: Cultivation (3) = 10
warumonogm rolls 10d6e5 = 2 3 3 5⊕ 1 4 3 6⊕ 3 5⊕ → 3 successes against 5
warumonogm rolls 1d6e5 = 4 → 0 successes against 5

+3 dice to next Knowledge: Cultivation Tests.

+3 dice to next Cultivation roll.

-----
Cultivation Class

The lecture to be given by the Saint of Broken Swords was to be held in a teaching hall on the Sky-sworn Root. When Hua Yin went into the hall with his class, Hua Yin saw three men already waiting at the front. One was Elder Hsiu, the Outer Disciple overseer, another was Core Disciple Li Ren, who Hua Yin had not seen in months. Both were dressed in the robes of the Broken Tree. Finally, there was a third man in a neat white tunic that Hua Yin almost recognized. Hua Yin could have sworn that the man was the same tinker that he had met on the Ju Family farm. But it couldn't be. That man had been stained by the dirt of the road and a hard life. This man, standing in front of the class, looked like the tinker only in the broadest strokes.

Yes, the tinker had had a bulbous nose and large ears, and this man also had a bulbous nose and large ears. But on this man, the features sat much more comfortably. For all that the man was not attractive, he stood with a dignity and gravitas that would have his words listened to. He was the farthest thing from a wandering tinker and thief. Part of Hua Yin believed that the tinker couldn't be a cultivator, never mind a Saint, because he wasn't preternaturally beautiful like so many other cultivators. When Hua Yin turned his spiritual senses at the man, he felt no more excess Qi from the man as he would from a mortal who had never cultivated.

The disciples sat down. The Elder was the first to speak. He spoke slowly and projected his voice as if he was well-practiced with addressing crowds. "Greetings disciples. Today you will have the distinct honor of learning from the Saint of Broken Swords. May you all derive all you can from his wisdom. The Saint needs no introduction. He is both a hero and a wise man. He is a friend of the Broken Tree. With no further ado, the Saint of Broken Swords."

The Elder gave a half-bow to the tunic'd man. The man returned the bow to the same degree and smiled before clasping hands with the Elder. After a hearty shake, the man stepped forward and addressed the class, his voice loud and clear despite a certain rasp to it that Hua Yin recognized. "Nephews, nieces, it does my old heart a good to see so many eager faces on the beginnings of their journey to immortality." His voice was kind as he said, "Not all of you have broken through yet, but the strong foundation you are developing will make your cultivation that much stronger."

He paced back and forth as he continued, "Today, I will speak to you of tribulation. One of your fellow Outer Disciples is even now sequestered and preparing for their advancement to the Profound Realm where they will be experiencing their first taste of the Heavens' wrath. Tribulation is fundamental to one's growth as a cultivator. On the cusp of Profound and on the edge of Ascension. Those are the two tribulations that you are likely to face unless you are truly geniuses who are able to rise even higher.

"What is tribulation? Some say it is the Heavens' punishment for daring to rise higher than ordained by the bounds of fate. Some believe it is just the natural reaction of Reality to a contaminant. The world's response to the cancer of cultivation. I will let you in on a secret. Not even the greatest cultivators I have met truly know what tribulation is. They only know that tribulation comes as an inevitability.

"The first tribulation is the easiest. The lightning will come for you when advance into the Profound Realm. It will test both your physical and spiritual fortitude, and it will break you down. The lightning has killed and will kill again. In many cases, cultivators were just not ready to face that step and paid for it. Some met death. Others developed deviations. Yet others have their cultivation crippled.

"That is not to say you will suffer such a fate. Most of those who go through the Profound Tribulation make it. They pay no price higher than needing to rest from the ordeal. It is said that the Profound Tribulation is the Heavens turning its gaze on the cultivator. Not a true tribulation at all, but rather nothing more than a statement of intent from the Celestial Bureaucracy.

"Even if a tribulation that killed and crippled is not a 'true' tribulation, everyone can agree that breaking past Ascension is the real deal. Many who face the tribulation fail and either die or lose their cultivation. It is why many do not risk it and remain in the Earth Realm.

"Hopefully, you too will have the wisdom to know your limits."

After a fascinating hour of lecturing on the nature of tribulation, the Saint began to question the first years. Some of the questions were completely nonsensical, such as when Yang Genji was asked if light acted as a wave or a particle. No one had any idea what the Saint was talking about, though there seemed to be a glimmer in Yang Genji's eyes.

Other questions asked seemed to make more sense and to have more bearing on cultivation, such as his questions on finding or setting on one's dao and its effect on Reality.

Hua Yin saw looks of dawning realization interspersed with frustrated confusion on his classmates' faces. The Saint seemed to know just how far he could push each of the students. He brought them to the edge of their knowledge, presented them a question, and then moved on when the student was stumped.

Hua Yin participated in the discussion with his classmates, but for whatever reason, he did not seem to come to the same realizations as some of his classmates seemed to. It didn't help that the Saint seemed to be barely paying him any attention, calling on him when his hand was raised in an almost desultory fashion. But Hua Yin had been told to impress, so he did his best to, raising his hand and answering inquiries with the full force of his intellect.


By the end of the session, Hua Yin's brains felt wrung out. He had used every scrap of knowledge he had, made every connection he mentally could. He had been exemplary. But it barely felt passable next to such a wise figure who obviously knew so much about cultivation that he had forgotten more than Hua Yin had ever known. However, Hua Yin received a nod of acknowledgment from the Saint after a particularly good answer and that made him feel good.

When he returned to his room that evening, something was different. At his worktable, stacked with notes and assorted papers, was a single glass bottle of shining red liquid. Even as Hua Yin watched, golden swirls of light spun inside the bottle, a teasing dance that continued to move eternally.

Hua Yin approached the bottle but was wary. He had no idea what the liquid did or what harm it could cause. Hua Yin saw that there was a note next to the bottle. It read, "For a story well-told, for the loan of a silver, and for a passable performance in class, take this elixir. Drink it the next time your misadventures bring you to the edge of despair."

+4 Successes to Knowledge: Cultivation Progression.

+1 Mysterious Elixir.
-----

Physical Training

Hua Yin finally did it. He had reached the first stage of the Numberless Stars. He could feel it in himself, feel how much more efficiently he moved. Riposte, lean to avoid the follow-up, counter with a series of thrusts. Over and over again, he had repeated the motions. He had used the Numberless Stars in sparring and in combat. All that work had finally paid off. He could feel the benefits of the Numberless Stars ready for him to use against any enemy.

He felt a trill of excitement from Jianshu. Hua Yin returned reassurance and confidence. The blade itself seemed to be celebrating Hua Yin's developing skills.

+2 Successes to Edged Weapons Progression.

+3 Successes to Athletics (AGL) Progression.
Hua Yin has advanced to Athletics (AGL) 2.

+1 Success to Numberless Stars Progression
Hua Yin has reached the First Stage of the Numberless Stars.

----

Tianlang was not at the Font much that week, and when he was on the plateau, he was in his cave. The only time he would exit would be to claim his pork buns before padding his way back to the comfort of his cave to eat. It was unfortunate, Hua Yin could have used the electric spirit beast's advice. But it was not to be.


+8 Successes to Levin Step (Qi) Progression.

Hua Yin formed his Qi and released it according to the instructions in his manual. He was getting close to being finished with whatever the text could provide. The Saint of a Hundred Storms had served Hua Yin well. He had learned so much from the man's discarded notes. Hua Yin wondered who the Saint was, as he had never heard of them, not even in his reading about the other Saints.

Whoever he was, Hua Yin was felt gratitude to him. Without the Levin Step, his time at the Broken Tree would have been much more dangerous. Hua Yin knew he could have died a few times without the Qi attack. Hell, he could have died to Carnivorous Rabbits. He had been saved by the Levin Step, and Hua Yin fully appreciated how his combat potential would be neutered without the move.

He practiced. Repeatedly. And like the manual said, he invested a little more Qi, creating a larger shock. It required a little more out of him, but the attack was supposed to be much more effective.

He didn't quite have it. He was close, though, right on the cusp.
----

Upkeep

As she did every week, Hua Yin's mother wrote him a letter. And as usual, it was filled with gossip about his extended family and neighbors, as well as exhortations to be healthy and study hard. Hua Yin was warmed by his mother's well-wishes, but he knew he cared less and less about the goings-on Xiaoming as time went on. It was not that he missed his family less, just that the affairs there seemed parochial after having been in the Broken Tree. An auntie having a second son was much less noteworthy when Hua Yin knew he would probably outlive both mother and child so long as he didn't get himself killed.

+1 Silver.

----

Rumors

- Rumors as to who had hooked up with who during the Twins' party was on most of the first years' lips. There were even rumors about Hua Yin and Chen Li, though Hua Yin was annoyed that there was nothing about Guan Zhi. Gossip is fun.
-- Everyone was excited about the Harvest Moon Festival that would be happening next week. Already, there were people selling mooncakes and personal lanterns in Arbor's Rest.

- Senior brother Yun Ji had said that it was considered an unofficial tradition for the first years to write an aspiration on a lantern before letting it drift off down the Red Earth River. However, Inner Disciple Yun Ji had said that the tradition was in no way mandatory.

- Selections for the Contest of the Clockwork Orchid had begun. The Contest was a crafting competition for Inner Disciples. It was not the most prestigious nor the most remunerative tournament, but slots were few and in high demand. Those who failed to make a slot might be willing to trade points or silver for their failed entries.

-----

Pick 5.

[ ] Go to town for the Harvest Moon Festival at the end of the week.

[ ] Go and watch the Clockwork Orchid selections. Hua Yin will go shopping to see if there are any useful items.

[ ] Study group with Tao Yangyuan and Yang Genji.

[ ] Go to town to buy things. Write-in.

[ ] Go to the Exchange to trade money for points and to peruse cultivation aides from the more senior disciples. The exchange rate is a two silvers a point. You may also use this action to put an ad on the bulletin board but that will require a write-in.

[ ] Attend Core Disciple Chu Quiang's martial arts class.

[ ] Attend Core Disciple Mao Yujing's cultivation study group. It will be held in the classroom.

[ ] Attend duties in the Archives.

[ ] Go to the Assignment Hall to pick up an assignment for extra points.

[ ] Commune with Jianshu. This will also count as an Edged Weapons training roll.

[ ] Study the Writ of the Broken Tree. Sure, it's mostly koans and philosophical musings, but Hua Yin has received cultivation insights within. He could study the Writ further and see what insights it could give.

[ ] Practice the Levin Step. Hua Yin had reached the first stage of Qi-infusion with the Levin Step. He knew that he could improve it further. Hua Yin will practice at the Kiss of Tribulation. This can be taken multiple times with a diminishing returns malus.

[ ] Practice the Earth Defying Path. Hua Yin will practice at the Kiss of Tribulation. This can be taken multiple times with a diminishing returns malus.

[ ] Take extra time to study skills. Write-in skill. This can be taken multiple times with a diminishing returns malus for the same skill.

[ ] Study Core Disciple Chang Minhua's annotated medical texts. These books will inevitably give Hua Yin an advantage when preparing to treat the human body, both mortal and cultivator.

[ ] Cultivate at the Font of the Supplicant's Tears. Hua Yin would go to cultivate at the Font of the Supplicant's Tears. Unless there's a write-in otherwise, he will use the strongest cultivation aide that he can.

[ ] Cultivate at the Kiss of Tribulation. He might see his friends there, and maybe even get a chance to speak to Tianlang. Unless there's a write-in otherwise, he will use the strongest cultivation aide he has available.

[ ] Find others to get to know. There's a lot of other disciples. It would be good to build Hua Yin's network. Not everyone could hate him after all. This can be taken multiple times without a malus.

[ ] Make a conscious effort to socialize with one person in particular. Write-in. This can be taken multiple times without a malus.

[ ] Explore the Supplicant's Stone and its attendant woods. There are caves, there are woods, there is adventure waiting. Core Disciple Li Ren had mentioned that there are hidden testing sites that may help with cultivation. After the last excursion, Hua Yin thought that maybe a companion would be a good idea, even if it cost some portion of the prize. Write-in companion(s).

[ ] Write-in.

2-hour Moratorium