Hmmph... this junior is a good seed [Cultivation Management Quest]

[Quest]

Just something I wrote for fun. The way Xiao Yingzi presents to her juniors is drastically more affected than she does with those she considers her seniors.

Xiao Yingzi 10
[Turn 7]
[Senior Sister]​

Little Stone had considered herself a talent when she had first arrived at the Dawn Fortress. She had what she modestly considered an incredible work ethic and at thirty three, she was incredibly close to the threshold that indicated she had reached the first heavenstage. All she needed to do was keep to her routine and in a year or two, she would be able to call herself a legionnaire in truth.

Then she shifted to her new boarding house. It had one of the best concentrations of ambient qi in the fortress and she even had access to private rooms and in-house private instructors ready and willing to make time for talented juniors like her. It was exactly what she needed for the final push but she couldn't help but be distracted by the mysterious resident of the room across from her.

It began when she had simply inquired about her neighbours from a trainer during her first night there. When he had listed her every neighbour and how to interact with them but hadn't mentioned the room directly across from her, she found her interest piqued. Especially when he'd hesitantly admitted he didn't know much after she asked directly.

Later, after speaking to the girl to the side of her she got part of the story. As far as Ember, her new friend could tell the girl across from them seemed to spend nearly all of her time in her room. She'd apparently been there for at least a year and she hadn't taken any missions or even come out to eat in the cafeteria.

Ember bombastically claimed that the girl in there had died years ago and now her spirit haunted it, preventing anyone from using it. Little Stone found that implausible. Even if a ghost was there, wouldn't her trainers have just said so? No, she found that the more plausible theory by far was a blood path user who sustained herself by slowly feeding off of a corpse.

Unfortunately, her confident assertion was quickly challenged and things escalated from there until Little Stone found herself approaching the girl's room while Ember watched carefully from behind her door. She hesitated in front of it and turned back to her new friends. "If I die, I'm coming back as a ghost to haunt you!" She loud-whispered back at them.

"If it's a blood path cultivator that kills you, you wouldn't turn into a ghost!" Ember loud-whispered back and Little Stone couldn't say with certainty that she was wrong. She gulped and held up her hand to knock on the door when it swung open, revealing a young woman dressed casually in a toga.

"Can I help you?" She asked, giving her a confused smile. Little Stone heard a squeak behind her as Ember shut her door and ran inside, leaving her stranded in front of this total stranger. She thought faster than she'd ever done before in her life and gave the woman the best neighbourly smile she could muster.

Then she held up her hand and waved, saying the first thing that came to her mind. "Hi!" She said cheerfully. "I'm your new neighbour." She was forced out after that. "I was hoping I could borrow some sugar?" The woman raised an eyebrow at that and Little Stone couldn't take it anymore. She clasped her hands and bowed her head. "I'm sorry, I was here on a dare and I'm sorry I thought you were a blood path cultivator. Please don't kill me and turn me into a ghost."

"What?" The woman seemed aback for a moment. "Seriously?" Her voice had a degree of mirthful disbelief to it and Little Stone felt her heart beat faster. "Oh you poor dear, I'm not going to eat you. Come on in, I'll get you something to drink."

Little Stone looked at her and found her smiling kindly down at her. She slowly nodded and the woman moved back, making space for her to come in. "Don't worry, I really don't bite." The woman continued, giving her a grin. "I don't even nibble." She hesitated for a moment before entering and the woman sighed. "I swear, I'll even keep the door open." She said once more, with a touch of exasperation. "And really, you can leave too if you think that would be better."

Shaking her head quickly, Little Stone rushed inside to find a bright room much like her own. The only major difference was personal effects. A strange spear leaned on the wall, a half-eaten plate of bread and vegetables lay on the desk. The sight of that made her let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Ah," She said, trying to get her mouth working after her earlier blunder. "Did I interrupt your meal?"

"Oh, don't worry. Meals are always better with company." The woman replied. "Please take a seat and I'll get you a glass of water." Little Stone looked from the well-made bed to the chair near the desk where the food was, before quickly moving towards the bed. By the time she sat down, the woman already had a glass of water in her hand.

She frowned as she took it, surreptitiously scanning the room once more. Where had the glass of water even come from? As the woman took a seat on the chair, she saw the glint of a ring on her finger and a sense of understanding suddenly came upon her. A storage ring? "Thank you for your invitation, Elder Sister?" It came out as too much of a question but when the senior sister smiled approvingly, she felt a sense of accomplishment.

"Please, call me Xiao Yingzi." The senior sister replied and Little Pebble found herself reaching for her qi in order to gauge how strong her sister was. To her surprise, she felt entirely like a mortal. Was she wrong or was her senior just that good? "Now, I'm curious. What kind of rumours are going on about me outside?"

"Yes, Sister Yingzi." She found herself staring at the glass as she spoke and took a sip to buy some time to think. "I heard that you were a ghost."

"And also a blood path cultivator?" Sister Yingzi asked, her voice teasing. Little Stone blushed and wished she could disappear. "Oh, don't fret. I'd expected such rumors after I've been holed up here for so long."

"If I may ask, why are you here Senior Sister?" She asked, seizing the opening. She looked up at her senior sister who just shrugged.

"I'm currently going through closed door cultivation or at least an equivalent of it." She explained. "This was the cheapest place that wasn't completely terrible."

Cheap. It had taken her years to get to the point she could afford to stay here. Legionnaires truly had an entirely different perspective from aspirants. "Has your cultivation been effective?" She politely inquired.

"Quite effective, thank you." She replied, giving her a smile as she returned to eating. "I'm nearly at the ninth heavenstage already. A few more months and I should reach my goal."

Ninth Heavenstage… Little Stone felt faint. That was a level she couldn't dream of. How many centuries old could this expert be? What unfathomable experiences has she been through? She found herself bowing again. "Senior Sister, please give this unworthy one some pointers." She asked, knowing she might never have such a chance again.

The senior sister said nothing and Little Stone started to feel conspicuous as time went on. Finally, she lifted her head with trepidation to see Sister Yingzi looking at her with amusement. "Sorry, I wanted to see how long you'd stay bowed." She replied, smiling apologetically. "Next time, keep it up longer. You'd be surprised at how many of your seniors would cave if you keep it up long enough."

"Would you help me then?" She asked, feeling a bit unsure. Did that mean she needed to start bowing again?

"I don't have the time to mentor you," Sister Yingzi admitted to her dismay. "But some join me around this time tomorrow. Some company while I eat might be nice and I can certainly give you some advice then."

Little Stone nodded happily, glad to have another chance to speak to her. "Thank you, Senior Sister." She replied, giving her a smile. "I am happy I could help in some small way for your journey."

"Oh and for today." She held out her hand and suddenly a spirit stone appeared in it. Little Stone's eyes widened as she extended her senses to it. It was enough to breakthrough tonight! "You should find that useful for your cultivation."

She stood and bowed deeply. "That you for everything, Senior Sister." She said excitedly as she took the stone. She looked at the bed and then at the door. Wait, was that a dismissal or not?

"You may go," The senior replied, grinning. "Oh and bring your friend next time."

Little Stone blinked as she realised she'd forgotten about Ember in all of this and how she left her behind. "I will gladly bring her to you, Senior Sister." She replied. "This time tomorrow, right?"

She nodded, bemused and likely knowing exactly what was going on in her mind but Little Stone didn't care as she strode back into her room. Yes, she'd definitely bring her but not after terrifying a little for revenge. A ghost returned to take vengeance. Yes, that will work perfectly…

| | | | | | | | |​

As the aspirant left, Xiao Yingzi relaxed her demeanor and let her smile disappear from her face. How was that? She asked Elder Teleos.

An excellent performance. The Elder agreed. And a lovely use of bribery. However, you'll need to temper your approach a fair bit before you can handle your own century. It is good enough for now, however and a few more interactions especially with more participants should help you shore up any limitations. We'll look into this more than that after you break through and of course, I'll be available to advice you whenever you need it.

As you say, Elder. Xiao Yingzi inclined her head in thanks. Let us return to my cultivation then.

 

[Quest]

Xiao Yingzi 11
[Turn 7]
[An Open Discussion]​

A fractal image formed in her mind, slowly unveiling different aspects of her form as she turned it over this way and that. At first it seemed like a simple model of her physical body, made of bones and knots of blood and muscles but as she examined it, she began to recognise her acu-pressure points where qi concentrated more densely.

Then following the flow of qi through them, she found the meridians carved into her body by the work of Elder Teleos as he had brought her to the sixth heavenstage. They were a marvel and a revelation, cut into her by the hands of a master artisan to bring out her shine as if she was a diamond being worked upon.

It was as she studied those and found something more, that she faltered. The dantian were nine structures in one's body where qi pooled and they served as the anchors for the pillars that become the foundations for one's dao. It was what told her this wasn't merely a representation of what was, but what could be. Good, so you can look that deeply into it without aid. The elder remarked, picking up the train of her thoughts. Examine my proposal and tell me what you think.

Xiao Yingzi sent him a feeling of assent and studied it. If they were weak or underdeveloped, she knew that her cultivation would halt half-way through Foundation Building so ensuring that they were perfect was important. And so when she found what seemed like a mistake in the proposal given by her elder, she couldn't help but frown. Forgive me, Elder. She began carefully, but I don't see how this model you've given me will work. Am I missing something?

You are. Elder Teleos agreed with a mental smile. Give me your honest observations.

Xiao Yingzi paused and considered the source of her objections. Ideally, one should give at least seven of the nine dantian enough attention to ensure that they can form a core, she began. In this case, all of that attention has been given to a single dantian. While it can certainly survive heavenly tribulation, the cultivator would be unable to advance beyond the Fortified First Pillar.

You noticed that, didn't you? He said, a sense of accomplishment emanating from him. I designed that based upon the writings of that Callista girl of the workings of the Single Pillar Method.

She discarded the mental image from her mind and gave the elder her full mental attention as she considered the implications of his words. You intend for me to seek the thirteenth heavenstage!? And then she paused and brought the image to mind again, examining it carefully. No, while one uninformed could certainly make that assumption, Senior Callista's writings make it clear that this would be the wrong approach. Unless… Perhaps you know something she did not?

Elder Teleos gave a self-deprecating laugh. As much as I would like to claim otherwise, that path isn't something I am terribly familiar with. It would be irresponsible of me to lead you down that road without understanding it myself.

Ah. It wouldn't have made sense after all. Despite all of her talent, she knew she didn't compare to Senior Callista. What are you proposing then?

In order for you to pursue the Dao I have envisioned for you, you require a strong set of dantian as your foundation. Of course, doing so for all of them would take far too long so we will focus on one and use it as a model to forcibly expand the rest during tribulation.

Xiao Yingzi blinked at the suggestion. You mean to use the tribulation as fuel for my cultivation?

A tribulation already works to transform the body should you survive it, He pointed out. And heaven directs an excess amount of power towards us anyway for merely being who we are. We might as well put that energy to use somehow.

It is said that Heavenly Tribulation is two parts killing intent to eight parts vital force. And for us, it is the other way around. Xiao Yingzi mused, mind leaping as she tried to put together his thought process. I cultivate by having my spirit consume my emotion, then purify it before absorbing it and what is killing intent but a form of emotion?

Yes! Yes! He exclaimed with sudden glee, causing her to flinch. You understand! We shall wrench power from the very will of heaven to build upon our magnum opus. It's powers shall be subverted for our own use!

What are you planning exactly? She asked with sudden trepidation. His exultation sputtered at her question, and she felt him quieten down as he considered it. Finally, he replied apologetically. I cannot yet speak to you of the full scope of my grand schemes, as much as I may wish to. Even voicing them without the proper precautions may lead to their undoing. I would ask that you extend to me your trust to me until we may speak freely.

When would that be? Xiao Yingzi asked, weighing his admission carefully.

The Fortified First Pillar, He promised. Reach that level of power and I shall explain everything to you. We shall work as equals as soon as you are able.

Xiao Yingzi considered that and after a moment, she nodded. He had given no reason for distrust so far, and… a part of her wished to see what he would make of her. An equal…. Instead of voicing anything further, she simply focused on the plan as she knew it. I understand what I have to do in theory, but putting it into practise while facing heavenly tribulation is not something that would be simple.

It certainly wouldn't be. The elder agreed. That is why we will practise beforehand.
She blinked. What do you mean by that?

You'll see, He replied with amusement. We should be ready to break through by the end of the decade.

With that ominous ending, the elder's will began to fade back into sleep. Xiao Yingzi frowned at the spear but knew from previous conversations that he wouldn't respond whether from his sense of drama or because he had completely expended whatever amount of energy he had gathered in order to speak to her.

Based upon his timing, she suspected this time it was the former.

With a sigh, she returned to cultivating. She really hoped he was more talkative once she was stronger.

In more ways than one.

 

[Quest]

Xiao Yingzi 12
[Turn 7]
[A Mountaintop Adventure]​

There was a flash and the sound crackling as Xiao Yingzi found herself standing on a mountaintop, body burning with energy as a storm raged around her. Panic grew inside her as she frantically looked around, trying to make a sense of her situation. Even as she did so, she felt the winds begin to lift her off her feet. She instinctively kicked down to the ground and grasped it with her qi and her eyes widened as she felt herself struggle despite now having the strength of the ninth heavenstage.

She looked around and saw her banner-pole spear, planted on the ground just a distance away and held her hands out for it, even though it was too far to reach. To her shock, her shadow did not reach out and grab it for her. Instead, a spark jumped from the tips of her finger and struck the spear before being grounded.

What?

The moment of surprise was enough and she felt the winds lift her off the ground. A chill went up her spine as she floated over the edge, high enough that she knew she would die if she fell and a sinking feeling seized her stomach as she realized she had no way to save herself. I'm going to die. She felt herself thinking. I'm going to die.

Then there was a hard jerk on her stomach and she found herself stopped. She looked down to see a rope tied around her, and followed it's length to see it end tied to a nail next to her spear. It took her a precious moment to recover, caught between the push of the winds and the pull of the rope. Then the winds shifted and she found herself falling. Some instinct had her grab the side of the wall with qi and prevented her from smashing into the wall. Would that even hurt her? She couldn't remember.

She focused on what she could - climbing up the side of the mountain to the peak her spear was stuck to. Once she reached the top, she held herself close to the earth - crawling rather than walking and grasping the ground with all four of her limbs. The wind shifted, blowing straight into her face and nearly carried her off again but the new position helped keep her grounded.

Slowly she crawled to the spear and when as she reached out for it, sparks running between it and her outstretched hand. It made her hesitate, but she took a breath and she grasped it. She screamed as a thunderbolt ran through her body and then grounded itself through the spear. She nearly let go, but the instincts as before took over and made her tighten her grip instead. It left her damaged and hurting, but she still held on.

She pulled herself forward and hugged the spear close. "Why are we here?" She asked out loud, hoping the elder would answer. Why couldn't she focus enough to project her thoughts to him "Elder Teleos? Please answer me!"

Rain began to fall like drops of lead upon her and she felt her composure, unstrained even in front of a battle between nascent powers nearly crack when she thought he wouldn't answer. She finally felt the ancient will stir. You are far too reliant upon your shadow. The elder observed unhelpfully, instead of somehow explaining what was going on. We will need to work on that once we are done here.

She could only growl in response to his admonishment. "Why am I so terrified?" She asked, not knowing if the water streaming down her face was tears or merely the rain. "I should be better than this! I should be under control!"

Hmmm. A degree of mental confusion as well? The Elder observed her so clinically, it irritated her so much. "Tell me what's going on!" She demanded, never having felt so useless in her life.

Somehow, he listened and she felt his attention on her. I will explain the situation to you, in the hopes that it will jog your memory. He began and simply started lecturing her as if she wasn't holding on for dear life. She wordlessly growled in response. The Legate before me for the 1178th Legion and the original owner of your spear - though it was still a banner then - was a fellow who pursued the Dao of Rebellion. One of his favored tactics was deliberately invoking heaven's wrath and diverting it to strike his enemies.

"What does that have to do with anything to do with this!?" She asked, far more irritated by it then she should have been. Fear didn't retreat entirely, but she felt a strange anger grow inside her as he continued.

Why everything of course. He replied, sounding insufferably amused. The spear you hold is carved with names in the Legion's Old Tongue and even the legion's own provocative name - Through Countless Deaths, Unshaken. It is a challenge to the heavens. Holding the banner aloft and invoking the full name of the legion would force the heavens to respond.

Xiao Yingzi stared at the spear she was clinging to for dear life with her eyes wide, mind racing as she began to put things together. It lacks that particular functionality entirely now of course, The elder said, seeming endlessly amused by some notion. But it still suffices perfectly as a lightning rod.

That did it.

It wasn't the storm.

It wasn't even being struck by heavenly lightning.

No, it was this spear turning all of that into a joke.

She growled and grit her teeth. She pulled herself up, holding the spear tightly to prevent the wind from blowing her away. What are you attempting to do Xiao Yingzi? The insufferable senior asked her curiously. It would be best to wait until you completely recover before you move.

She ignored him, instead carefully readjusting her grip of the spear. Xiao Yingzi? Xiao Yingzi!? His voice grew more insistent as he realized the direction her thoughts were turning to. That's a really bad idea. Please stop this! The edge of genuine concern in his voice only spurred her on even more.

Putting all of her strength into it, she wrenched it out.

With no anchor, the wind flung her into the sky and while the rope caught her, the spear was gone - no, it was still held in her hand by that same instincts that had aided her before. The voices in the spear, or perhaps even Teleos himself. Xiao Yingzi, please reconsider. He implored again. You will regret this decision a moment later.

Caught between the wind and rope, Xiao Yingzi considered his argument. "No." She whispered, gleeful in denying him. Then she held up the spear and deliberately, forcibly let. It. Go.

As it fell, her shadow blossomed under her feet but she was her shadow and it would never reach for the spear while she felt as she did. Then her rage disappeared, swallowed by her shadow. Fear over-rode her and she grasped for it, but her fingers barely grazed it. Her mind raced and then the fear drained out of her, leaving her pure analytical mind. She extended her will to the spear and drew upon it's guidance, extending her leg and catching it - barely - within the curve of her foot.

Oh thank god. The elder's voice surged into her mind tinged with relief. I did not look forward spending the next hundred years stuck in some crack of stone.

Drawing upon the surety of the spear, she gauged the winds and at an opportune moment she kicked it up - timing things such that it flew exactly in her hands. Then she threw it with all the strength she could muster, embedding into the stone anchoring it before pulling herself along the rope and grasping the spear. My connection with the spear is much stronger with my shadow present. She observed curiously, as she adjusted her balance to avoid the shifting winds.

It's attuned to your usual mindset, Elder Teleos explained off-handedly as he tried to gather his thoughts once more. The strong emotions threw it off.

What were your observations of the experiment? She asked him immediately, her memories coming back to her as both emotion and lightning cleared. Did you get what you desired?

If I still had a heart, I fear it might have stopped from the shock of how outside of my calculations this experiment went. He replied, but the emotions she gleaned from him wasn't disdain but a strange admiration. What did you observe?

That emotions are useful tools but I think this only proves the irrationality that they can lead to. She replied, frowning. They contain both advantages and disadvantages. When he didn't answer immediately, she sighed and waited. As she adjusted to the rains and winds, she took a moment to wipe her face. So this was what it felt like to cry? Interesting. Though it wasn't meant for him, the thought seemed to prompt Elder Teleos to respond.

It was obvious to me that the lightning would dissipate your shadow. He began, summarizing what she already knew. But she nodded along, knowing him well enough now to know that he was simply gathering his thoughts. Heavenly lightning is it's elemental antithesis so how could it not? But it remains true that heavenly lightning is composed of killing intent which is something your particular shadow spirit devours. So in order to plan for your tribulation, I needed to gauge how our emotional self would act in that moment.

And what was your verdict? She asked him curiously.

There were many ways you could have responded. He replied, his voice measured. I had feared despair and it's ilk. His voice began to become giddy she had learnt happened when he was excited about a project. But utter spite and defiance in the face of death? Yes, I believe I can certainly work with that as irrational as you might think it.

Xiao Yingzi simply nodded in response, differing to the experience of her elder and considered what she could do to improve her chances. She had gotten a good feel of the 'killing intent' of heaven. Then a thought occurred to her. How long do you estimate this storm will continue? She asked, realizing a more immediate and practical concern.

I estimate about two more hours. Do you think you will be fine?

Xiao Yingzi sighed. I will manage.

 

[Quest]

Xiao Yingzi 13
[Turn 8]
[A Simple Tribulation]​

Xiao Yingzi narrowed her eyes at the apocalyptic levels of destruction taking place right in front of her. She leapt back as the earth tore, desert sand tossed into a hurricane that reached for the sky and the lightning from the heavens that had first torn down the earth in the first place. "What exactly is this?" She asked, trying to make sense of the sight in front of her.

"This is your mindscape," A familiar voice said next to her and she turned to see Elder Teleos standing in his full physical form right behind her. He pointed to the top of the sandstorm where the rising sands met the lightning in a blaze of glorious light. "And that is your tribulation."

"What do I need to do?" Xiao Yingzi asked, watching as the storm spun, digging into the earth like a drill, to shoot up stone and grinding up stone into sand to rise higher and higher. The lightning may have started the process of destruction but the sandstorm continued it.

"Climb the sandstorm to where it meets heaven's lightning." He replied, looking up at the violent expanse grimly. "Grasp the core of heavenly wrath at its source and channel it into your shadow to ensure the completion of my design."

"I see." Xiao Yingzi replied, eyes darting across the shifting slopes of sand. When she looked for a path through, at the corner of her eye she noticed chunks of stones flying up, forming footholds that quickly crumbled. "I believe I have a viable path up but how will I reach the core at the lightning?"

"Remember what I told you about not being able to share everything with you?" He asked her carefully. She nodded at the reminder. "Well, I need you to trust me. The sandstorm will rise until it reaches where you need to go."

"Then I will proceed with that assumption." She said, before turning to him and bowing. "Thank you for everything so far, Elder and I apologise for my abruptness." She caught the sight of another stone close by and without waiting for a reply, she moved - a strange sense of urgency and direction telling her that she needed to go now.

A second later, Xiao Yingzi's legs stepped on a single stone in a sea of swirling sands. She landed properly, able to put her full weight there but the stone began to crumble immediately under her weight. The world blurred as she moved to the next step, accelerating faster than she normally could. Unfortunately, she didn't have the concentration to spare to analyse that as all of her focus was on moving forward lest she slip and be ripped apart by churning grains.

Xiao Yingzi curled into herself in the remnants of her cave, trying to keep the lights and the noises and the smells away from the nice, welcoming darkness that had smothered them all before. But the mountain of shadow that had shielded her for so long was gone now, cracked apart and eroded. It would rip apart her too soon when it broke through what was left.

The sandstorm raged outside, howling with her fear and her fury. The earth shook with thunder as the sky flashed with lightning. Each roar made her flinch and clutch her knees tighter. But it also made her grit her teeth tighter. How dare they! How dare they! How dare they! If only she could reach its source, she would rip it apart!

But she knew that this lightning was too much for her. All she could do was prolong her end, second by second. "Oh?" An annoying, smarmy voice interrupted her thoughts. "I expected better of you, Xiao Yingzi. But then, you could never really follow through."

Her eyes flashed open at the familiar voice, fear forgotten as she saw that damned Teleos giving her a smug smile. "Are you here to mock me!?" Rage gave her strength as she leapt at him, grabbing him by the neck with both hands. She lifted him up but he still grinned down at her. You couldn't toss me away then and you certainly can't kill me now. You see what I mean!?

"Then let me finish the job right here!" She screamed as squeezed, grimacing as her fingers met resistance in his skin. With a shout of frustration, she tossed his body aside. Watching him ragdoll on the stone floor at least made her feel better. "Why are you even here!?"

He got up as if nothing had happened and brushed himself off before giving her a knowing smile. She shivered with rage but restrained herself for the moment. She couldn't hurt him but maybe… Yes, that might do that trick. "So what annoys you more right now?" He asked, drawing her attention. "Me?" Before she could answer, he pointed up. "Or the heavens?"

"I'm listening," She told him, knowing that's what he wanted. She pretended to consider it and began to pace, as if she couldn't stand still. He mirrored her movements, keeping the same distance between them. "How can I hurt the heavens?"

He grinned, believing her caught in his trap. She stopped pacing and so did he, stopping exactly where she wanted him to. But she focused on his words first. Patience... "If I were you..." He said slowly, drawing it out. "I'd head down. Your power comes from the earth, doesn't it?"

She frowned at him and leaned down to touch the earth. He wasn't wrong, it was a mountain that shielded her even if it was a mountain of shadow. "Thank you." She told him honestly, giving him a bright smile that caused him to freeze. In that moment, she ran… right into him shoulder-first, tossing him out of the mouth of the cave and into the sandstorm. "And that's for everything else."

Xiao Yingzi wasn't certain that the storm could hurt him but since he didn't come back, she assumed it did. It made her feel better, if only for a moment. Then the sound of the storm brought her back to her peril. She took a deep breath and placed her palms on the ground. Then she began to dig, ripping out chunks of stone from her hands and tearing it apart with raw strength.

Time seemed to stretch as she stepped upwards, moving faster and faster as she grew accustomed to the climb. But it didn't grow easier. Just as her steps grew accustomed to the stones, the strength of the sandstorm seemed to grow. Gale force winds began to blow along with the sand with such force that they would have been difficult to weather even with her feet firmly on the ground.

In this sandy hell they tossed her like a doll, the only thing preventing her demise was the stones she stepped on growing larger and more stable. It gave her just enough time to jump into the direction of the wind as it struck her, preventing her from being pushed back but forcing her to bear it's full force with her body. The winds weren't the true threat however, instead it was the sand grains they carried with them.

Each grain was a crystal of glass superheated by the clash of sand and lightning at the top of the storm and they were imparted with the force of the winds enough to bite into her body. They were too small to penetrate her bronzed skin, but the pain they caused was immense, capable of leaving any other cultivator too hurt to even move.

Though Xiao Yingzi could simply feed the feeling into her shadow and force herself to move, each prick was another moment's distraction when she had to focus on her next step and the constantly shifting wind. She didn't know where she was going or how much further she had to go, the sand blinding her to her surroundings.

The few openings she had only added a new element of danger, exposing her to the blistering heat from above the glorious light above. She just moved up and up, pushing her pain into her shadow and as the elder had promised, the storm raged higher and higher - pushing back the lightning and carrying her with it to its source. She just needed to outpace it.

And then, after all of her effort she suddenly found no stone to step on and her momentum carried her through the wind and sand, until suddenly the heat struck her, blistering and blinding with nothing to block it. She covered her eyes with her hands to shield them. The light burned through her hand and then through her eyelids.

Blindly, she reached upwards and grabbed. She felt hot glass cut into her skin and begin to boil her blood, but she ignored the feeling in order to pull herself up. As her legs burned and her body burned, she began to climb the top of the storm, seared into glass from the heat and light of the lightning hitting earth and sand, held aloft by the sands pushing up beneath her.

Xiao Yingzi ignored the thought of why and how, forcing herself to climb. Each step increased the pain and the searing lightning that burnt her mind and soul. Step by step, she moved - ignoring the pain and climbing up, a task far simpler than the trial she had faced simply climbing up here.

Rage and spite was hard to hold on to, powerful in the instant but easily forgotten when the target of them moved far away from you. Fear, especially the one for your life was similar, sharp and motivating but easily ignored when nothing threatened you. But this wasn't the case for her right now. With her back turned and her focus on the earth below, her cave was flimsy and crumpled entirely as the sandstorm bore down on her, her own mind running rampant. It broke the earth behind her and only grew in power as she moved further from her mind.

But she still had her will and the emotions within her only gave her strength. Pain filled her as she forced her way through the earth. Her fingers were raw from digging and her muscles ached from her pushing her body beyond its limits. This was logic extending it's grip across her mind and she would have none of that here! With a growl she forced her fingers to heal and her torn muscles to knit back together.

She forced her body further and further, knowing the sandstorm licked at her back. She grit her teeth and forced herself forward. The storm howled more and more as she ripped her own mind apart to push back the will of heaven. Pinpricks of burning pain erupted across her body like grains of molten sand. Xiao Yingzi screamed at the pain and grit her teeth, forcing herself to keep moving because she knew that stopping would mean that heaven wins.

She would never let that happen.

The pain only pushed her onwards, guiding her to where she needed to go. She followed that feeling of the darkness that had once shrouded her with cool relief. She knew that it was down there somewhere, hiding from even her now but she had a taste of it once and she would find it. If she could reach it, she would win. If she could reach it, heaven couldn't reach her. She didn't know how deep she needed to go, but she knew the direction.

She just needed to keep going.

The pain doubled, tripled and grew exponentially. No longer pinpricks, full searing heat assaulted her and burned her body. She opened her mouth to scream and it went down her throat, burning her from inside and out. She couldn't move, she couldn't see. All she could do was burn. But she could feel it now, like a flash of cold between the burning.

She fell into the welcoming darkness.

She stepped into the burning light.

It seared her and judged her, but she remembered the fractal image she had cultivated for the last ten years. Using it as a model, she channeled it through her body, wielding its energy to carve eight dantian into her body, each equally as wide as the first one she had formed through patient meditation.

They were crude copies of what she had done before, but as the energy finally dissipated she realised that she could simply refine them as she meditated on her pillars. She would have the time now, she realised keenly as she returned to her physical body, down on one knee and breathing heavily, leaning on her spear for support.

She felt the qi rushing into her body with every breath. A strength the likes of which she had never experienced before flowed into her. She opened her eyes, taking in the world so crisp and sharp. A sound in the distance made whip her head to her side catching a qi condensation beast run away from her gaze. She stood, though greatly exhausted she curtain the creature was no threat.

She turned to her spear and to her surprise, felt lightning crackle from her hands through it. As the whispers urged her, she pulled it up to throw and in a flash, a lightning strike akin to the one she had faced bare moments ago surged towards the fleeing beast and struck it down with barely any effort. Then she raised her hands and the spar spun back into her hands.

She held the banner-pole spear with both her hands, studying heaven's lightning as it raced from her hands through it. She frowned as she felt something missing and looked around the tribulation glass at feet. Where was my shadow? She wondered, with a sense of dawning horror - or she should have been filled with horror, but her mind was as sharp as it used to be when her shadow absorbed all intrusive emotions.

Then she noticed her reflection and all logic left her mind. A sight so unexpected greeted her that she was at a loss for words. She stretched her hands and flexed her wrists, feeling the flexibility of her body. Was it more flexible? She couldn't tell with the improvements of foundation establishment. All she knew was that there was no hint of bronze in her skin.

She reached out for the only person she could think of. Elder Teleos? Please explain this?

You now wield the Lightning of Judgement, His voice came instantly, as if waiting for her to ask. This is the Light of Revelation that scours away the demonic and shakes the dao-hearts of even the most mighty righteous. He was as long-winded as always, but there was a hesitant quality to his voice that said it didn't come from his sense of drama. Is it so much of a surprise that it would burn away the blood of bronze from your body?

Xiao Yingzi wasn't entirely certain how to respond to that. She tried to form a reasonable response, before finding no words came to her mind. She tried again but couldn't quite put her thoughts together correctly. Finally, she responded with the simplest, most practical concern that she could voice. How will I explain this to the clan?

Don't and they'll assume it's cosmetic or an effect of your dao. He replied, carefully. Such a minor change is hardly a major concern for a talent.

She tried again to form her true concerns and failed. What exactly are you planning? She finally managed.

I can't tell you yet. He replied, regret evident in his voice once more. You remember you agreed to trust me until the Fortified Pillar. After a moment of hesitation, he continued. Do you trust me?

She considered that question. Not entirely. She admitted. I'm uncertain if I would agree to that again if I could go back.

To be expected. He replied, a degree of dismay evident. Will you continue cultivating in the manner I advise?

At least until the Fortified Pillar. She replied, grimacing. I do not have much choice in the matter, do I?

No, He admitted. I suppose not.

What became of my shadow? She asked, trying to gather her thoughts and grasp what she was working with.

You are cultivating a Pillar of Heaven. He explained. It's light of revelation metaphysically scours away the shadow at every moment. It's still there but it can't truly exist.

I see. She replied, considering his words. So that is why I am not facing the full brunt of my emotions. A thought occurred to her. What of the curses? Am I unaffected by them now that I have lost the blood of bronze?

No. He replied, having expected that question. And I can't explain why exactly. Not yet.

I see. She replied, not truly understanding but the thought that she still faced the curses brought her a strange comfort. So be it then Elder, let us begin to walk this path that you have wrought.

| | | | | | | | | |

First Pillar: Pillar of Heaven's Shadow

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[Quest]

Xiao Yingzi 14
[Turn 8]
[A Wholesome Friendship]​

"You are not a Golden Devil." The old swordmaster commented offhandedly as he struck her with a powerful killing blow. Xiao Yingzi did not answer, instead dodging to the side to avoid his sudden attack as he cleaved the place where she had stood.

She jumped away from him, trying to get her bearings as she saw the pit his strike had carved on the ground from merely the shockwave of his attack. If he hit me, I would be dead. Is this the difference between small realms in Foundation Establishment?

Elder Teleos' voice cut into her thoughts. He thinks you are an Auxiliary. Try to use that.

"You are a bandit engorged upon the blood of the innocent." She replied, scoffing with disgust she did not feel. "It will be righteous to slay you no matter who I am."

"Is that your excuse when working with devils?" He asked, raising an eyebrow as he brought his sword up for another strike. "You are just a mercenary, girl." He pauses for a second and grins. "No, what do they call their pets again? Oh yes, you are Auxilia."

She snarled to reinforce her act and rushed him, bearing her spear like a lance. He grinned and swung his sword to cleave her apart, but at the last moment she dipped her spear into the ground using it like a circus pole to throw her above his sword-hand and towards his neck.

His eyes fluttered in an attempt to follow her sudden switch in movement and before he could adapt, she drew a knife with her off-hand and swung it at his throat. He grimaced and forcibly jumped back, landing flat on his back and clutching his throat where she had managed a thin slice.

Immediately she held out her main-hand, causing the spear to spark with lightning and spin into her mailed hand with a metallic thump. Then as the charge grew into an electrifying flame, she threw it at his prone body with all of her strength.

He lifted himself off the ground with all four limbs and crawled backwards to avoid the attack, flipping to a stand just as the spear struck where he used to be, turning the sand beneath into glass spikes from the force and heat. He looked at that and grimaced.

He threw his sword at her like a dart, forcing her to dodge and then before she could close in, he tossed a bomb into the air that burst into smoke. Xiao Yingzi called the spear back into her hands and spun it around to clear it but by the time she was done, he was already gone.

You should still be able to pursue him with the Soul Farseer. The Elder noted. I doubt he expects that.

Xiao Yingzi considered that before shaking her head. I sense one more blood path signature and this one isn't killing and consuming him. This blood path cultivator had a son according to the intelligence we received, did he not?

Hmmm. The Elder gleaned the information from her mind. Yes, it would be wiser to wait for another time.

| | | | | | | | | |​

"We need to stop meeting like this." Wu Luoshan said, grinning as he held up the body of a Xin Kingdom Sorcerer. He had died defending his village and the fires of his sorcery still burnt what remained around them. "Maybe this time, we can have dinner." He gives her a smirk. "Or if you'd prefer, you can be my dinner."

She didn't bother replying this time, any advantage her ruse would have given her had long since evaporated in their repeated clashes. He grinned as she charged and tossed the drained, bloodless body of the sorcerer at her forcing her to cut it apart to get at him. He's trying to bait you, Her Elder's voice whispered in her ears. She didn't reply, having already realized that.

Wu Luoshan only grinned at her more as he noted her ambivalence at the carnage. He retreated through the burning village and hid among its buildings, knowing by now that he couldn't engage her head-on. "You know," He said casually, his voice coming from everywhere and somehow conveying the emotion despite the destruction and battle. "When I first met you, I'd just assumed you were some poor self-righteous sod who was maybe worth a few minutes entertainment."

Xiao Yingzi followed his presence with the passive sensory enhancement of her Soul Farseer, noting with a grimace when his aura split into two. She followed the one she considered the original. "Then you beat me like a drum." He replied, with some mirth in his voice. "I underestimated you, I can admit that."

"But can you blame me?" Xiao Yingzi felt the earth tremble moments before a blade of air cut apart a house to her side on the path towards her. She picked up her pace to move past before it hit her but she didn't move to the origin where a third copy of the bandit's aura had appeared. "I am reasonably proud of my skill in swordsmanship," He continued with false humility. "And I have a two small realm advantage over you. Who'd expect to lose with those advantages?"

There was a flash of qi at her side, a crude array activating as a few mortal bodies were consumed to create a sharpened pillar of blood. A wave of her spear and the spark of lightning leapt to burn them away. "I figured it was that spear." He continued as Xiao Yingzi chased him. "That's why I tried to grab it last time. Oof, wasn't that a mistake?"

"It stung a little, but it did give me a chance to see the spear." His voice echoed and she frowned as several more sources of qi appeared in her vision, each seeming like Wu Wuoshan. "That was a golden devil artifact and quite a powerful one too by the feel of it. You were a golden devil after all, weren't you?"

She kicked off a house and jumped towards the sky, while pulling out the Soul Farseer from a chain around her neck. "So I asked around a bit." He said, his voice quieter as it seemed more focused around the village. There was a dramatic pause. "Oh not this sorcerer. The fourth to seventh ones were just for my special dietary needs. It was the third one that squealed."

"Xiao Yingzi, a golden devil talent who had made it to Foundation Establishment in merely forty years." Drawing the Soul Farseer to her eye, she focused it on each of the qi signatures and as she had expected, they were all various manners of fakes. "That's a bit fast even for me and I'm a blood cannibal. I suppose it's on me for jumping to conclusions."

Xiao Yingzi focused her eye on the distance before her eyes fell upon the fleeing true body of the bandit she was hunting. He's too far away. Xiao Yingzi said, with building annoyance. He continues to elude me.

As I expected, the voice was a record of some kind set up in advance. Elder Teleos noted, the man's voice still speaking though Xiao Yingzi began to tune it out. Her elder's voice shifted to disgust. Ugh. He killed all of these mortals just for fun. So much life and potential just snuffed out…. There was a considering pause. Xiao Yingzi, he should still be in range of your spear throw, yes?

Xiao Yingzi considered that. He almost took my spear the last time we fought. She replied. I would not want to risk separating it from me at such a distance.

Her Elder sighed. Yes, it would be wiser to wait for another time.

| | | | | | | | | | |​

Now is the time. Elder Teleos said, a rare expectation in his voice as they traced the fleeing Wu Luoshan. It's been three years. What do you think, Xiao Yingzi?

Xiao Yingzi nodded in reply.

A second Centurion had been assigned to this - one Syntyche Theophylaktos who had great success in hunting down and ambushing the experts of their enemy. Though she hadn't met him, she had sensed him from time to time and with reinforcements from the shadows, it fell to her to be the bait.

It rankled to be found wanting but with the loss of her shadow made her capabilities in stealth less than useful against the caliber of enemies she now faced. "Wu Luoshan!" She cried, dramatically to Elder Teleos' joy. "This has gone on long enough! You shall not escape on this day! Not if my name is Xiao Yingzi!"

"AHAHAHAHA!" The laugh from Wu Luoshan was so unexpected, it even gave Xiao Yingzi pause. He stopped a short distance away and spread his arms wide, egging her on. "Then come at me, you craven witch! I am standing right here!"

Xiao Yingzi schooled her expression into a scowl. "You dare!?" She screamed, pulling back her spear to throw. "You are craving death!" Like the bolt of heaven's wrath, it flew true… and as always, the man dodged it by the barest inches.

Before he could turn and brag, the second part of the technique triggered as the lightning transformed the sand into glass spikes and shaped them to strike them in his direction. Xiao Yingzi grimaced as it merely grazed his cheek. I need to refine my control over the lightning. She noted before taking off after him.

Rather than stay and taunt her, the shocked bandit turned tail and ran. She could tail by the way he ran that he was panicking but after a few breaths his pace became even and he mastered himself. He's leading you into a trap, The Elder warned her, causing Xiao Yingzi to nod. She sharpened her senses and kept alert for any potential vector of attack.

When the trap came, it was not what she expected. Mid-run, the ground gave way beneath her feet opening up a trap of sharpened bone spikes beneath her. Sharpened from a spirit beast so it was natural and had no innate qi signature. The Elder analysed grimly. And likely poisoned as well by the looks of it.

She drew upon the instincts of her spear and stabbed it into the wall, stopping her descent and hung there for a moment. A touch of the wall showed some slip that resisted any attempt to cling on it. She could always jump out but… "I've finally caught you, you cautious bitch." She saw Wu Luoshan standing over her with his sword and gloating down at her. "Do you know how long I've tried to lead you away? But you never, ever take the bait!"

She let him gloat, figuring out her next step. She had her life-saving treasure for exactly such a situation but it was designed to function with her shadow and her shadow wasn't here. She grit her teeth. "And what do you mean by 'craving death'? It's courting death, you fool!" He continued, venting out three years of frustration. "Do you think I couldn't tell you were pretending? At least put some effort into it!"

The Lifeblood Of Seven Emotions, Elder Teleos recalled. It works by empowering your shadow through it's emotion-consuming capabilities and then causing it to expend the power to save your life. Hold it up and call for your shadow. It will come.

Xiao Yingzi frowned dubiously. Trust me.

She took a deep breath and looked up at the bandit who was fuming down at her. "You aren't even listening to me, are you?" He asked, scowling at her. He lifted his sword. "I'm just going to kill you."

If she jumped, he'd just strike her down. If she made any suspicious moves, he'd strike her down. Xiao Yingzi did the thing he might have found the most surprising and jumped into the spikes, causing Wu Luoshan to freeze for just a moment.

That was enough.

Just as she was about to be impaled upon the spikes, she drew out the Lifeblood from the storage ring and held it up. Please help? She asked, realising too late that she had no idea how to call up her shadow.

Then darkness exploded around her and crushed the spikes beneath her, even reaching outside the pit though she could sense Wu Luoshan already fleeing, that craven bastard. She froze at the sudden emotion in her thoughts but then she was occupied with landing as her shadow disappeared, leaving her falling to her back.

She turned around mid-air on instinct and landed on a push-up position, face perilously close to the ground which still held the remains of the spikes. She pushed herself up and inspected her body. You should be fine. The poison only touched your armor. Don't touch your face or body until you get the chance to wash up and you should be fine.

Xiao Yingzi nodded and extended her senses, feeling for Wu Luoshan. She felt the presence of the assassin who was working with her. But she didn't sense her target. I believe our target has been killed.

Good riddance. The Elder replied. As she considered the battle past, a thought occurred to her. Elder, what was that emotion I felt as the shadow appeared? She asked cautiously, though she felt like she had an inkling of the answer.

The elder sighed. I can't tell you yet. He replied. You know that.

Xiao Yingzi nodded. I had to fortify my first pillar, yes? A few more decades, Elder. I will have my answers. She replied, though it was a mere formality. She felt like she was beginning to understand and she felt like she had an inkling of the answer.

As you say, Xiao Yingzi. Her Elder replied with a cheerful note. He caught what she truly meant.

Xiao Yingzi inclined her head in agreement. Let's return to camp, Elder Teleos.

 

[Quest]

Don't think this turned out that great. Hopefully, it's still fairly readable.

Xiao Yingzi 15
[Turn 9]
[In and Out]​

One never imagines dirty or contaminated water to be reflective, Elder Teleos mused as Xiao Yingzi knelt in front of the Obsidian Oasis. She looked around for a moment to ensure that no one had spotted her and then took a moment to relax. She was still breathing heavily due to running her and she needed to tidy herself before she could proceed with the next part of the plan. It is strangely comforting that such short-term exploitation can result in such beauty.

You consider the resources focused towards the drill to be a short-term thought process? Xiao Yingzi asked, as she redid her hair. She needed to look like she belonged and while her unbronzed skin helped, the rest she needed to work on herself. I imagine if the Jingshen do manage to get a third Nascent Soul, it would be worth any potential future loss.

Perhaps, He agreed, then he sighed. I wish we had more of a full picture. As it is, it seems like a sign of desperation but we can't truly know with the information that we have access to.

It is something I am familiar with. Xiao Yingzi replied with a degree of amusement. She felt a sense of exasperation from the Elder. She glanced at the spear, which was incredibly obviously a golden devil artifact. I'll have to hide you away for the operation. Will you be alright in my storage ring?

I never enjoy that feeling, but if it is needed. He gave a dramatic sigh of resigned acceptance. While it isn't the level of perception I have gotten used to, at the very least I will still be able to communicate with you.

Xiao Yingzi nodded. I understand. She couldn't draw upon the spear's empowering wisdom either when it was sealing in her storage ring, making the act uncomfortable for her as well. She balanced the spear on her open hand and watched it twist into the ring upon it.

She knelt there for a moment even after she was done, extending her senses to take stock of the area. The others have begun preparing for their own infiltration and I can feel the presence of about four guards in my way? I'm certain there would be more inside.

So you are proceeding with that plan then? He asked her, his mental voice strangely distant when coming from the storage ring. I have to admit while I have little expertise in infiltration, I find myself enjoying the one you have come up with.

Xiao Yingzi stood up from the oasis and brushed herself off. It is to a degree uncertain, to be honest. But it's the best way I can think of to get inside the mine. Even if it fails, I should be able to act as a distraction.

I just love the plan. The Elder replied. Please give me commentary if you can. Xiao Yingzi smiled and began to walk like she was supposed to be here, even though she wasn't.

I'm approaching the first guard. She said, to the Elder's glee. When the man saw her, she gave him a nod and just kept walking. He hesitated but then shrugged and went on with his duties. And he let me pass. The next guard stopped her but after she confidently introduced herself with a false identity, he shrugged and let her be.

The third guard wasn't patrolling but instead making his way to the entrance, just like she was. The man had a tired look on his face and tensed when he saw her and didn't recognise her.If she remembered their duties correctly… "Disposal Duty?" Xiao Yingzi asked, giving him a nod, and he relaxed.

"Yeah," He replied with an exasperated sigh. "The rest are still dumping things away. I'm on the shift for the third tunnel so I needed to come back. What about you?"

"Drill Repair." She answered with a matching sigh. "Jin had a run in with some golden devil bandits yesterday and now I need to come and take a look at it instead of him."

The guard frowned. "Is he okay?"

She nodded. "I heard he broke a leg but it was nothing permanent. He's even something of a hero back at the fort."

The guard breathed with relief. "That's good. That's good." He replied, smiling at her. "Everyone loved Jin. But I guess you wouldn't since now you have to pick up his pieces?"

Xiao Yingzi groaned. "Ugh. You have no idea what it's like being pulled from one project and dropped into another. I'll have to figure out everything from his notes."

The man nodded in understanding and clapped her back. "If it's any consolation, I'll be rooting for you." He told her, giving her a bright smile. As he said that, they'd reached up to the entrance to the Jingshen Spirit Stone Mine. The guard at the gate gave them both a look, spotted her companion and then nodded to let them pass.

"Thanks, man." She replied as he moved into the mine and then rounded the corner. There she realised that the one mine shaft had been drilled into several different paths and she had no idea which one to go to. "Which one are you?"

"That one," The guard said, pointing. "Good luck!"

She waved him off with a smile. "Same to you, man." As he disappeared into the tunnel, she stopped and considered which way to go.

This wasn't an obstacle I expected. The Elder admitted to Xiao Yingzi, when she explained the situation and asked him for advice.. Couldn't you just ask someone?

She stopped and turned back to the guard at the entrance. "How can I get to the drill?"

The guard gave her a confused look. "Who are you actually?"

Xiao Yingzi glanced at the rising sun with a frown. "Are we really doing this? It's already getting late, and I really need to get to the drill for it's emergency repairs."

The guard blinked. "Where's Jin?"

"Hurt in a bandit attack." She replied with exasperation. "Now, will you tell me the way or do I need to find someone higher up?"

His eyes widened at her unspoken threat. "Then there's no time to stand here arguing." The guard said, hurriedly explaining the path to take."Keep on going and you'll get to it."

Xiao Yingzi nodded. "I let the elder know that you were helpful." She replied, as she passed him and the guard sighed in relief.

He didn't even question me. Xiao Yingzi replied to the elder as she followed the guard's instructions. His response was a moment of quiet before uncontrolled laughter. The sheer audacity! I love it.

Once she began to hear the sound of the drill, Xiao Yingzi waited a few minutes to make sure that no one was following her and then she moved closer. The temperature inside the mine rose several degrees, as she got closer to the whirring sound of the shrill. She continued forward until she came to a long chamber with the drill at the end.

This part of the mine had obviously been just dug by it, making it narrow and very cramped, with barely enough room to move. There were several warriors of the Foundation Establishment but luckily no Core, as her intelligence had suggested. Quietly, so as to not give any warning she summoned her spear.

Unfortunately, that's when one of the men at the drill decided to look up and straight at her. He frowned and looked at her without comprehending the situation. "Wait a minute, you're not supposed to be in here."

Xiao Yingzi put her spear to the side and began to charge it with lightning. "I am." She pointed at another man. "Ask that guy. He was the one who let me in." Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to confuse them, instead they moved towards her as soon as she began charging her spear.For a moment she considered moving forward with her attack but seeing the pace of the fighters and their relative strengths, Xiao Yingzi realised that it was time to run.

She stabbed the ground with her spear sending sparks rippling across the ground. The moment of hesitation was enough for her to turn and run. She could sense them chasing after her and she made a beeline for the entrance. As she jumped out, she gave a wave to the guard outside whose eyes widened in realization.

As they turned to anger, she grinned to egg him on. Several of the guards chased after her and as they did, Xiao Yingzi felt her seniors begin to take advantage of the disadvantage for their own attempts. It was sad that she couldn't have been the one to win glory, but this would work just as well.

Drawing upon her spear's mastery of her body, she pushed her body beyond its limits. Lightning straked across her body and she heard the elder grin in her mind as she rushed forward, leaving the pursing guards behind.

 

[Quest]

Xiao Yingzi 16
[Turn 9]
[The Beginning of a Long Partnership]​

Xiao Yingzi was, in all technicality, a part of the 43rd Legion. It had a reputation for focus into the cultivation of the body especially the Blood of Bronze and an incredible focus on the clan's formations. Those focuses alongside the hands-on approach of its Legate ensured that anyone who wasn't already chosen by a legion was placed here.

Legate Alcaeus was famed for taking the most unruly of clansmen and turning them into exemplars of the clan. His focus on the body also included a mastery of cultivation in the level of qi condensation and his focus on formations required only what most of the clan already had - the blood of bronze. His study of nutrition and the knowledge of his healers on how to empower the body was nothing less than extraordinary.

Tempered by the trials, his Legion was filled with some of the most exemplary qi condensing juniors and those few who made it to centurion were extraordinary veterans who personified by best of the Optimatoi - the Best of the Best Men. And all of them were utterly loyal to their Legate who embodied all of these traits to their extreme.

However, Xiao Yingzi had only heard of these in rumors. The legion she joined was the one that remained after the demise of their much beloved Legate Alcaeus and the entire legion was like a body without a soul. Yes, the centurions still ensured that the entire legion still functioned as it should have and they ensured that their juniors were still organized but it lacked a certain 'spirit' that was even evident to the inexperienced Xiao Yingzi.

They were a grieving family simply going through the motions. The Elder's voice had a sense of weary recognition about it. Xiao Yingzi nodded in agreement as she walked into the new Physician's Office that was a part of the Legion. However, this doesn't quite look like what you described.

As he had said, the office was populated with Centurions and Legionnaires going about their business with an excitement that was a sharp contrast to the grim atmosphere that permeated the outside of the Office. These are the headquarters of the new Legate - the Physician Seneca. I worked with his students before if you recall?

To acquire the pills needed to maintain your cultivation while your meridians were damaged, yes. Elder Teleos replied though he had a note of curiosity in his voice. The man broke through? I wouldn't have placed him as someone very likely to.

He was one of the results of that one experiment from Elder Destacia. Xiao Yingzi replied. The one that produced nearly eight new Legates.

And nearly crippled their progress for the future. He replied with a grumble though she felt grudging respect hidden behind it. Then in a worried tone, he continued. And what of the rest of the legion? Did they take the man and his disciples coming in to take over well?

If Legate Alcaeus was a father to his men, Xiao Yingzi replied, considering her analogy carefully. Then Legate Seneca is the grandfather. All know the story of the Physician who healed their Legate when he was a mere First Pillar and the nutritionists were inspired by his example.

Interesting. The Legate replied, rifling through her thoughts to get the context of her words. That man is quite a survivor, living to the edge of his heaven-permitted lifespan before breaking through. Are we going to be meeting him then?

No. Xiao Yingzi took a moment to look through the letter that she had received inviting her here. The invitation is from a centurion in the sixth pillar. He expressed curiosity about my ability to wield heaven's lightning and how it may relate to some new epidemic they are dealing with.

Oh? That sounds intriguing. The Elder remarked to her agreement.

We will see what this is about. She answered. We are here.

The place they arrived at was a simple hall filled with beds holding a dozen golden devils some deep in slumber and others writhing in pain. They were all tied to the beds with straps and had strange plant-like growths coming from their bodies. A centurion and several legionnaires were strapping a new patient down.

A plant growth jumped from the patient's body to grasp at the centurion but a spark of lightning burst from his body and burnt it away. Oho, is that man a manipulator of lightning? Elder Teleos asked out of curiosity. I can certainly see why he was interested in your own abilities.

Yes. Xiao Yingzi replied in agreement as she watched the man strap the patient down before wiping sweat from his brow. Finally, he turned around and upon seeing, he froze. His eyes immediately went to the goggles he was wearing and he removed them, rubbing his eyes for a moment before he approached her.

"You must be Xiao Yingzi, I presume?" He called out, walking towards her excitedly. "Thank you for responding to my request so quickly."

"Yes and you are Centurion Victor?" She asked, glancing at the goggles still in his hands. "What was that about just now?"

"Ah, sorry." He replied, sheepishly. "Those are Dao-Seeking Glasses of my own design. They let me tease out things about a person's aura when I look at them but some people like yourself can cause it to malfunction."

Oh, quite impressive for someone with his cultivation. Elder Teleos remarked. Ask him what he saw. "What did you see in my aura?" Xiao Yingzi asked, affecting curiosity as she relayed the elder's question.

"It was mostly a bright light that didn't let me make out anything at all." He replied, shaking his head. "I definitely need to keep working on it." He took a breath and schooled his emotion. "Shall we talk about why I asked you here?"

Xiao Yingzi nodded. "Yes, please." As he began to walk towards the patients, Xiao Yingzi followed him. They stopped in one of the patients who had the same plant she saw before growing from his body. As it grew, the slumbering legionnaire's muscles twitched in response and his expression twisted in pain.

The Centurion's expression twisted to a grimace. "The Demon-Snaring Heavenly Vine is a plant of unknown origin. It exclusively targets those who have earned the ire of heaven and once a seed takes root in a victim's body, it grows from the inside and envelops their nervous system. The process is incredibly painful which is why we placed the patients into slumber."

"I presume the end result is not simply death?" Xiao Yingzi observed, looking down at the twitches in muscle. The way the twitches increase in complexity, it's almost as if the plant was learning…

He nodded in response. "As you have no doubt surmised, it does more than kill them. Upon their death, it forces their body to hunt for other victims in order to both propagate and punish. The plant reinforces the body and even stores energy to heal, which can become incredibly dangerous with the body of clansmen."

"I assume the only known cure is lightning?" Xiao Yingzi asked, recalling his own ability to burn away the plant.

Centurion Victor shakes his head. "No, the only known cure is tribulation lighting." He corrects her. "I have mastered mundane electricity. I certainly know how to store and exploit tribulation lightning but it is difficult to capture. This is why I reached out to you."

Xiao Yingzi frowned and summoned a spark between two fingers. "Would my lightning be sufficient?" It is only an imitation at this point, but it is certainly a skilled imitation. It could work.

To her surprise, the Centurion immediately reached for the spark before she could react. As his hands moved close to spark, it jumped from his hands to the bronzed gloves in his hands. "That certainly acts like heaven's lightning." Victor replied, holding the spark between his thumb and his index finger. "My gloves are forged from grave-bronze and designed to incite heaven's hate for our bloodline as a method for attracting tribulation lightning."

Xiao Yingzi frowned. "You seem very learned in this." She replied, still taken aback by his sudden intervention.

He looked at her for a moment and then sighed. "Sorry, I just get really excited by this." He, even as he placed the spark in a thin test tube of glass containing an array of wires. She looked at that curiously before nodding in acceptance." If it really acts like heaven's lightning, it should quickly devolve into mundane energy when removed from its source. I've experimented with infusing qi into it with arrays to keep it alive but then while it does have some spiritual properties, it loses heaven's unique dao-shaking properties."

"Ah, and that is why you require my aid." She inquires and he nods. "How long have you managed to contain tribulation lightning?"

"A month maximum." He replied, shaking his head. "I'll have to run some tests but it might be possible to synthesize a cure if we work together. Would you help me, Centurion Xiao Yingzi?"

He held out his hand for her to shake and Xiao Yingzi considered everything for a moment. I vote yes. Elder Teleos added. He seems to be trying to harness Heaven's Lightning himself though in an entirely different way from us. His insights can be very useful for our own path.

"I will of course reimburse you for your part in this." The Centurion added, taking her silence for hesitation. She quickly grasped his hands with her own.

"I will be honored to work with you on this, Centurion Victor." She said, flashing him a smile to hopefully cover her lack of response. To her surprise, he smiled back.

"And I with you." He replied, smiling brilliantly. "I look forward to working with you, Centurion Yingzi."

 

[Quest]

Xiao Yingzi 17
[Turn 9]
[A Simple Fortification]
​

After her meeting with Victor, Xiao Yingzi went to meditate. She knew she was close to understanding her First Pillar, she could feel it and she felt like that knowledge would be crucial if she had to understand her lightning. As was always the case when she contemplated her Pillar, she could feel Elder Teleos retreat from her mind.

With a sigh, she headed up to the gymnasiums of the Legion. Besides areas dedicated to body training and sparring, they had private meditation chambers that could with the activation of an array be flooded with qi. For Xiao Yingzi and indeed most other members of the clan, the qi itself was useless and far more easily consumed as raw spirit stone but it added to the ambiance and allowed her to more easily retreat into her own mind.

When Xiao Yingzi closed her physical eyes and opened the eyes of her mind, she found herself in her Dao Palace. It was a term she had found referencing the phenomenon that she was currently experiencing. It was something some Foundation Building Experts experienced, a mental representation of their pillars where they could almost literally construct their Cores. The etymology was obvious, with Dao Pillars constructing a Dao Palace but her mind didn't have anything so regal.

In her tribulation, she had experienced the same mental representation that she experienced now. Or at least, that is what obviously followed. She imagined that before her tribulation, it could have been a replica of the Organ Meat Desert. That made sense, it was the only aspect of the world that she had truly experienced. Perhaps there could have been a little replica of Pleuron or something else that showed her history.

But she never had the chance to see any of that. When she had first seen it, the entire mental landscape was being torn apart by a sandstorm. The very lightning she now wielded had enraged some part of her and it had ripped the very earth of her mind apart in order to create a powerful hurricane that sought the heavens in defiance for that. It was a very striking image and coming back to it would have made sense, but it wasn't actually what she came back to.

Whenever she attempted to visualise a pillar, she did come back to the desert in her mind. But instead of sand or even lightning, the mental landscape had been transformed into endless plains of black, scorched glass. Beneath her feet, she could feel small sharp pieces that weren't a part of the earth's glassy surface bite into her feet as she walked towards her pillar. It caused her pain, or perhaps it reminded her of the possibility of pain? It was hard to define.

Finally, she came upon her dao pillar. In truth, that name only came to mind because she knew that's what it was. But if she had seen it without any preconceptions, she knew that her mind wouldn't have labeled that thing a pillar. Or perhaps she would have. It was hard to find a word that fit exactly. It was the storm of sand she had walked upon - writhing, twisting, roiling, grasping for the sky in defiance of the heavens.

She had ripped her mind apart in the act and as a consequence, the heavens had burnt her mind and scoured it apart as a monument to her folly. Nothing remained save the very lightning that had once burnt her. It reached so tall that she couldn't tell where it ended. Did it truly reach the heavens? She couldn't really be sure.

She tried climbing it again, spending an entire month in closed door cultivation. Finally, she had lost her grip and fallen. Rather than fall the entire way she had climbed, she instantly felt the ground at her back as if she had simply tripped and never made the climb at all. It was wide as well, so much that she couldn't see its edge. She had tried walking around it once but she had given that up quickly.

There was no way to tell even if she did make the round trip. It was entirely the same from every angle. The only reason she knew that it was round was that there seemed to be a concept of 'away' and 'close' in this mental space. From the starting place from where she had to walk to the pillar, she could see a slight curvature to it even if she couldn't see the edges.

The feature that dominated her mind now however was the color. The pillar was entirely clear. Though refracted entirely beyond recognition, there were a few spots that she was certain could see the other side. It was just sky again of course, but it wasn't the sky behind her. She knew that, because if that was a reflection, the pillar would have reflected her as well. Why was that?

It shouldn't really matter, as this was her mind. But because she noticed it, it mattered. Was this a clue left behind by herself… for herself? Then a follow up question came to her mind. Why was the ground not clear? Or… she suddenly considered, was it? She moved her feet once more and there was that hint of a sensation of pain.

Her thoughts jumped to word associations as she began to contemplate what lay beneath her feet. Sensations… like a phantom limb. Phantom… like a shadow. Like a shadow. Like a metaphorical bolt from the sky, the revelation struck her until it grew enough to fill her thoughts. Her shadow wasn't gone, she knew that. She had even summoned it once by giving it a boost of power.

It was hidden just beneath her feet in the foolish guise of a scorched plain. But it was indeed a foolish guise. She mused to herself. It took me some time to realise it, but even I did so eventually. Why would I even need to hide it? Who else would I need to hide this from?

Though she didn't look up, her attention went immediately to the sky above her head. The heavens themselves. That was the only logical conclusion. She wasn't preparing to resist heaven or be tempered by it. She was preparing to deceive it. But what exactly am I hiding from even myself?

The Fortified First Pillar. Reach that level of power and I shall explain everything to you. We shall work as equals as soon as you are able.

The pain at her feet surged for a moment at the thought of Teleos and she touched the ground beneath her with a smile. "You don't like him, do you?" She asked herself, kneeling to touch the glassy earth. That was what she was hiding. Her Emotions. Her Shadow. Her Self. Another Self, hidden even from the parts that she showed to heaven

"I can see why," She continued, knowing that there would be no answer. How can one answer themselves, after all? "He said he'd reveal everything. That he'd treat me as an equal and he has, or perhaps he will. But it won't be this me. It'll be the other me. My Shadow Self. How can you reveal your entire plan to the side you show your enemy?"

She took a deep breath. There was a reason the glass was clear and the deception was so weak. It wasn't a hint to herself, not really. It was because a part of her, the part that faced heavenwards hadn't entirely agreed to it. She felt the pain at her feet intensify at the thought of merely being the magnum opus of Teleos…. Of someone else.

But her emotional half still agreed to it. Because like her logical half, she still loved the clan. And the clan hated heaven. Everything that could be done to spite heaven was worth it. Even the deception of her deepest self. Not that it was much effort for her. She had been doing it since before she could remember.

Now all it required to truly fortify her pillar was her conscious agreement. She closed her eyes and made a conscious effort to reach into the ground. She hadn't been able to change this world. Not before now. But that was before her whole self was in agreement. Now, she could reach into the glass beneath her feet and part it as if it wasn't there.

It would be easy to reach into the darkness and pull herself out. Even see what the darkness truly was. But she didn't. Not today. But someday. It was a thought, a promise that reverberated throughout her being. A promise to herself from herself. She would not lose herself in this deception nor would she fail in her endeavour.

Rather than reach into the depths of the earth, she stopped a few inches from the ground. There she conjured an image of metal. Something reflective. Silver would work best perhaps, but her mind chose bronze. She didn't know how to make bronze as reflective as she needed though she was certain some members of the clan must have done so given their history and obsession.

But this was her mind and she didn't need to worry about details such as that. With a thought bronze spread below her feet, hidden in a reflection of the sky. It heartened her to know that the bronze was here, even if ideally it shouldn't be. Though there is no bronze in my blood, it remains in my heart. Literally and metaphorically. That idea really appealed to her.

Then Xiao Yingzi opened her eyes and saw her own image being reflected back at her. Her own image… and that of the heavens. It required something so simple to fortify her mind but…. Xiao Yingzi reached for it and realised that the memory wasn't entirely there. She knew that she had done it and she knew that it was easy.

But that was all.

With a sigh, Xiao Yingzi closed her mental eyes and opened her physical ones.

Elder Teleos, She called out to her spear, I have fortified my pillar. Now as you had promised, you have to explain everything to me.

She felt his mind rise from the spear and examine her for a moment. Why, Xiao Yingzi. He said, with a terrible impression of surprise. Didn't I just do so?

Xiao Yingzi paused and then nodded. Of course, silly me. I must have forgotten.

She felt a grin in her Elder's voice when he replied. Silly you, yes. Now, enough dilly-dallying. Don't we have work to do?

Yes, of course. Xiao Yingzi replied, forcing herself to move. Let us proceed, Elder.

We have a lot of work to do. You have a lot of work to do.

Xiao Yingzi wasn't certain why her Elder was repeating the obvious, but it likely had something to do with his sense of drama so she simply let it go. She did have a lot of work to do after all.

| | | | | | | | | |
First Pillar: Pillar of Heaven's Shadow
| | | | | | | | | |
A/N: You see this right above? Go down at the bottom of this post and try again, if you didn't notice the first time. ​

 

[Quest]

Xiao Yingzi 18
[Turn 9]
[Career Advice]​

A few days after she reached Pillar Fortification, Xiao Yingzi found herself back in the Gymnasium but rather than the meditation rooms she'd frequented in the past, this time she was here to use the body cultivation facilities that were the major draw of the legion. As she entered one of the many training rooms, she found herself unsure how to proceed.

There were many legionnaires around her, but most of them were qi condensing juniors and she doubted that the equipment they were using would be suitable for her purposes. As she wondered where to go for equipment designed for foundation building experts, she felt someone's gaze upon her.

It didn't take her long to realise that it was the legionnaires who were looking at her. They weren't obviously staring but she could feel them sneak glances at her whenever they thought she wasn't looking, not realising that the Soul Farseer she still carried made all of their little movements obvious to her.

Why….?

Her first thought was that it was because of her training clothes. Unlike her armor, the traditional light training clothes showed a lot of skin. Was they looking because they could tell she no longer had the blood of bronze? But that couldn't be it - there were a lot of individuals with weak bloodlines within their legion who all sported the same turtle-world features as she now did.

Then her mind backtracked to the start of her train of thought. Could it still be the training clothes? She was well aware that wearing revealing clothes could have profound effects on others, especially those that might be attracted to you. She hadn't had the chance to really test that aspect of social interaction, but even so, her instincts told her that couldn't be the case.

The gazes directed towards her more… measuring rather than expressing any form of interest. Even logically speaking, many of the women around her both wore far more revealing garments and objectively fit better with the legion's ideal of beauty in muscular, bronzed physiques for both men and women.

Ah, of course. She was a centurion of their legion. Perhaps being here among the juniors was some form of social faux pas? She hadn't really used any of the shared facilities before this, not since Qiguai. While some of the legionnaires had likely interacted with her in missions, she certainly hadn't been assigned a century despite the technical rank she'd attained.

Now, how to deal with this situation? She wished Elder Teleos was here, rather than sleeping in her storage ring. He would likely have gone along with the whole thing and enjoyed being the centre of attention but that was the opposite of what she currently wanted. As Xiao Yingzi considered how to deal with the situation, she found help coming from an unexpected quarter.

"Centurion Yingzi!" A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. It took her a moment to recognise the familiar figure, different as he was in shorts and with a towel around his shoulders. Then finally, Xiao Yingzi gave a unsure smile to Centurion Victor who was also apparently training here. "Making use of the gymnasium, I see?" He looked around, glancing at the legionnaires who very quickly returned to their training. "And your first time even. How are you liking it?"

Xiao Yingzi smiled at him gratefully. "I was looking for equipment designed for foundation building experts." She replied, as she looked around. "Could you perhaps show me around?"

"Right," He said, nodding. "Come on, I'll show you to the centurion training rooms. Oh and congratulations on achieving your fortified pillar."

Xiao Yingzi inclined her head in thanks. "Thank you very much," She replied, smiling back. Then a thought occurred to her. "Oh, is that why they were staring at me?"

Victor nodded. "You don't usually suppress within legion buildings so it was fairly obvious to anyone who saw you." He explained, as he led her away from the legionnaires.

"Ah," Xiao Yingzi considered that for a moment. "I just assumed that it was safe territory. Why would I need to hide from my allies?"

"Wrong point of view." He told her, before considering how to explain it to her. "Xiao Yingzi, you still haven't even seen your first trial, have you?" He asked instead of directly answering her question.

"I was there at Pleuron when it happened." She answered, though she suspected that wasn't what he meant. "But I'm still preparing for my first true trial as a cultivator."

"Most of them have faced trials." He replied, glancing back in the direction of the legionnaires. "Some even have seen two. And they are still qi condensing juniors. How old are you?"

"I am about to complete my tenth decade." She replied, still uncertain where he was going with this.

"And so you were at your sixth when you broke through and then you achieved the fortified pillar in forty years?" He asked casually.

Xiao Yingzi tilted her head to the side. "Ah, you are asking me to consider how they might have seen me from their point of view?" She asked him thoughtfully.

He nodded encouragingly.

"They would be old veterans seeing a young prodigy easily surpassing them?" Xiao Yingzi asked rather than said, her mind racing. "Would they think I was showing off?" She asked suddenly, the thought horrifying some part deep inside her. "That really was not my intent."

To her surprise, Senior Victor laughed instead of answering. It was a short, surprised sort of laugh but he quickly covered his mouth before continuing. "I'm certain some did think that," Senior Victor admitted with a sigh. "But more than that, the real veterans were sizing you up. You might lead them in the future after all."

Xiao Yingzi blinked at that. Before she could reply, he quickly continued.

"It's alright if you don't wish to lead,"He said, in a way that felt practised."Many centurions choose to eschew leadership roles and simply focus on performing their own niche to the best of their ability." Suddenly he stopped and looked at her. "You don't strike me as the type though."

Xiao Yingzi blinked once more and then looked away. "I don't know if I'm ready to lead." She admitted. "I was hoping to put off recruiting my century until after the trial."

"That might be wise." He replied, inclining his head. "But you might still want to consider working towards that goal. Figuring out what you want to do. You could go far with your skillset."

"What are you suggesting, Senior Victor?" She asked, as he came to a stop near a door. Xiao Yingzi glanced in to see it was exactly what she needed.

"First of all, don't call me Senior." He replied, shaking his head sheepishly. "Secondly, I was about to suggest you spend some time with me and my century. Admittedly, they are more like hospital staff than fighters but leadership is leadership. Third of all," He gestured to the training room. "We are here."

Xiao Yingzi nodded in thanks and then considered his offer. "Medical training and leadership training sounds incredibly useful for the future." Xiao Yingzi replied with a nod. "Were you going to fold the testing of my lightning alongside that?"

"Yes, I did." He replied, then he held his hand out for her to shake. "Anyway, think about it and let me know. I need to head out now but you know where to find me."

Xiao Yingzi gave him a smile. "Thank you, Victor." She replied, taking his hand. He waved at her and began to move away. "I will definitely let you know my response."

He paused for a second and stopped, turning towards her. "You smile too much." He said, frowning at her. "That's fine if you're putting on a brave face for juniors and patients, but you should just be yourself among equals."

Xiao Yingzi considered what Elder Teleos would do. "Your advice is appreciated, Senior Victor." She replied, bowing deeply.

"What?" He asked, taken aback.

She looked up and gave him a grin. "You said nothing about seniors, did you?"

He blinked and laughed. "No, I didn't." He replied, grinning back. "You see, that smile is much more lovely. I'll see you around, Yingzi."

She waved him back as he left. "And I you… Victor." She said, after a moment of hesitation. His only reply was a wider grin as he left.

As she turned towards the training room, she felt her hands touch her lips. Why did he like that smile more than the others? She wondered, feeling strangely curious. It was just as affected…

….wasn't it?

This would need deeper thought.

 

[Quest]

Xiao Yingzi 19
[Shitpoeting]
[The Lord and the Elder]

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The Lord and the Elder

The Elder sat old and weary
Back bent with secrets old
Wizened eyes that had seen tragedy
He was a sorry sight to behold

The Lord came bearing gifts
In a body that was not his own
They sat and spoke over tea
Until the body was blood and bone

Once more, the Lord did come
Bearing gifts and offers bright
The Elder only listened warily
As the Lord offered all in sight

Once more, they spoke together
Until their talk came to an end
The Lord of the Altar's body faded
But perhaps they parted as friends?

The Elder waited a final time
Back bent with secrets old
The Lord came told him frankly
No matter what, he needed old gold

The Lord had a simple request
In a body that was a clone
That he just wanted a partner
To no longer have to fight alone

But the Elder refused his offer
Though with a very heavy heart
Even if he understood the lord
Their families were better apart

The Lord begged and bowed and pleaded
Even as his body began to curdle and break
Though the Elder would never admit it
He almost wondered if he made a mistake

The offer was always open, the Lord said
But the Elder's heart was strong
He saw through the Lord's noble goals
It was his methods that were still wrong

And so the Elder sat old and weary
Back bent with many secrets old
And so sat the Lord in his Altar
Looking forward to lonely ages untold​

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