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Book 2: Chapter 2: Settling In

Moving into a new place was a lot of work. It always surprised me to realize how many things I owned when I'd still been living with the sect. Nostalgia both new and old overcame me, at the various items I'd found. A lot of the things my old self had owned before I'd awakened were mixed in with things I'd gotten in the few months that I'd been there. It took a couple of days to sort everything out, and only now was I finally happy with where things belonged.

I stood by my desk, sorting my notes one by one, before placing them on the new shelf that I'd built. The move had caused me to go on a rampant sorting and cleaning frenzy as I began to order the chaotic mess I'd been living in. It was difficult to believe how I'd put up with it for so long.

After placing the last one of my books onto my shelf, I walked back, taking a look at my new room. It was larger, with a desk by the window, and a shelf next to the walls. I'd moved the spirit herbs to the garden outside for obvious reasons. They'd still need to be planted and I would need to re-establish my spirit anchor to the new garden but that was work for later.

Taking one last look, I walked out to check in on the other rooms.

Right next to my room was Labby's, half the size with a smaller bed for her. I felt a little surprised to not find her sleeping in, given how early it was still. Walking in, I quickly sensed the little bag full of spirit herbs hiding under her bed. I shook my head, but decided to let her have her treats.

Moving on from the room, I walked across the corridor into the section that excited me the most. My lab. Walking into the door, I saw a giant mess of wooden beams and counters made of carved stones lying around. The lab was still under work, with a large space dedicated for my shelves filled with spirit herbs. A heat retaining almost kiln like structure was partially set up around my cauldron for retaining heat, and the counter had some of my test projects for a new bunsen burner prototype that I was working on, alongside a bunch of porcelain bowls.

I walked in, looking around as I mentally mapped everything that I would set up in here. It would be an ongoing process for a while yet, but the time factor only made me excited for when it would finally be completed.

Moving on from my lab, I began to make my way out of my home. The spirit herb garden greeted me, still patchy and rough in places but starting to take shape. I could see tiny buds of spirit herbs starting to grow from the soil.

I made my way around the garden, all the way behind the home. It didn't take long before I could sense Sheldon and Twilight nearby. A small pond lay behind my home, and I watched Sheldon splashing inside. Twilight sat on his back, riding the turtle like a boat as her chiming laughter echoed like ringing bells through the wind.

"Oh, Lu Jie. I didn't notice you coming," Cao Chen said, the boy standing near the shore, watching my spirits play around.

"I've learned to be more quiet," I said to the boy. "Thanks for doing all this by the way. Sheldon has been quite happy."

"Don't even mention it. I enjoyed it just as much as your spirit did," the boy replied, and I nodded in gratitude. He'd helped Sheldon out in the process of digging a giant hole to create this small pond for him.

"Chii!"

I heard Twilight chime, as she noticed me standing nearby. I waved towards her and she jumped up, waving back at me. Sheldon swam to the shore and Twilight jumped off his back, demanding to be held. I picked the little plant spirit, before placing her on my head, as per her demands.

"Done playing?" I asked Twilight.

"Done!" she replied, raising her hands in the air in excitement. Twilight had been getting better and better with speaking through words, though she still had a lot she needed to pick up on.

"By the way, have you seen Labby? And Zhang?" I asked Cao Chen.

"La Bi was playing with some children, if I remember right. Brother Zhang is in his training area as usual."

I nodded in thanks to Cao Chen, picking Sheldon up in my arms as well, before I began to make my way in search for the two.

To my surprise, Labby was the first one I found. She was sleeping on the grass with a girl and a boy next to her. Siblings, if I remembered right. Both children of a miner I'd saved from the Qi vein.

I smiled watching Labby breathing easily as she slept, flowers and grass adorning her little head. There had been no one for her to play with besides me, Twilight and Sheldon in the sect, and seeing her playing with kids that were close to her age, at least in maturity, made me feel a strange warmth in my chest. As if at last, I was finally able to provide her what I should've been able to from the start.

"Labby," I whispered, moving closer. "Hey, my little lightning girl. Get up."

Labby stirred awake at my voice, opening her blurry eyes to look at me. "Master," she muttered, rubbing her eyes as she got up.

"Yup. We need to do a check-up, come on," I said, patting Labby on her head. I could already sense her dantian's crack starting to mend. I'd had Granny Lang check her after we'd arrived, and she'd given an all clear, with full recovery taking just a week or two.

Labby slowly pulled up from the grass, sleep still lingering in her eyes. The two children next to her also rustled awake from their slumber, rising. The boy woke up first, his eyes widening when he saw my face.

"I need to go with Master," Labby told the boy, grabbing onto my sleeve.

"Oh, okay… see you La Bi!" The boy shouted, waving cheerfully. Labby waved back happily, before walking up to my side.

"Friends?" I asked.

"Mhm," Labby replied, yawning. I pet her little head, plucking stands of grass off of it. "It's still a bit strange that you're a human girl now. Feeling more used to it?"

Labby gave me a lazy nod. "Feels nice. And like Master, Labby can use her hands! With her weird strange fingers. Still not very used to them. But good," Labby said, wiggling her fingers as she showed off her hands to me.

I smiled before an idea came to me. "Hold on, let me show you something cool we can do with our hands," I said, before folding my thumb and presenting it in front of her.

"You see, if I focus just right, I can make this finger come off," I said, as I pretended to pull off my thumb, before moving my hand away. To her, the thumb looked like it had been separated from my hand.

"Master!" Labby shouted in shock, but I continued.

"And now, I can just throw it back in and it reattaches," I said, putting the thumb back in place, as I wiggled my fingers around to show her I was fine.

Labby's mouth dropped, before she looked down at her own tiny hands. She tugged at her finger, moving it around, before looking up at me. "Labby's fingers can't do that?"

I laughed, patting her head. "Maybe one day I'll show you how it's done," I told Labby, before we continued to walk further.

I walked around with Labby in tow for a few minutes, before I heard loud shouts and striking noises coming from nearby. Letting my senses guide me, I soon found Zhang with a wooden spear, as he swung it on a dummy target wrapped around a tree.

"Hey!" I called out, waving my hand. "It's time."

The boy nodded at me, wiping the sweat dripping down his forehead. I gave Zhang a moment, as he changed out of his clothes, sorting his gear, before he followed me out into the clearing.

"Training your spear huh?" I asked, before holding back a snort as I realized how that sounded. But the boy didn't seem to pick up on it.

"Yes. Can't let myself get rusty. Even if I'm not physically what I used to be, I still want to keep my skills sharp. It's why I've been practicing my spear daily out here by myself," Zhang replied.

It was nothing short of a miracle that stopped me from laughing at Zhang's words. The laughter almost suffocated me as I pushed it down into my chest.

"Sounds like a good use of your time," I said after a few long moments. Zhang nodded, and I decided to remain quiet as we walked back together.

As we reached back to my place, I noticed Silverlight and Nyan playing in the garden. Little Silverlight exclaimed as she ran around being chased and pawed playfully at Nyan. Twilight chimed at the sight, ready to join in, but I held her in place.

"Settle down guys!" I shouted to the two. The little bugger stopped in her tracks, before rushing towards me with a jumble of chirps, and chimes. I suspected the reason for her excitement had more to do with Twilight than me, but I pretended otherwise anyway.

I let Zhang pick Silverlight up, and before I could even say anything to Nyan, he was already gone off somewhere. Shrugging, I took Labby and Zhang further inside.

Two little seats were put inside the chamber I took Labby and Zhang to. I beckoned the two to sit forward, before I took a seat opposite of them, letting Sheldon down next to me.

"It'd been a while since I had looked at either of your cores. For Labby, I just need to see how the healing is working," I said, glancing at Labby, who returned a nod to me. Though her attention still seemed to be on figuring out how to detach her thumb. "Zhang, now that Silverlight is here, I'll be trying to see if we can fix your core or not."

The boy gave me a serious nod, and I returned one. "I'll begin with Labby," I said, before turning towards her.

I pressed my hand against Labby's abdomen, a brief memory of the old man's soothing voice as he'd done the same returning to me.

"Cycle the Qi through your core. Let it flow inside you," I said, focusing my senses on Labby. Sheldon chirped, his voice somewhere far in the distance, as my spirit began to drift, flowing into Labby's.

My awareness split, my mind sunken into her core as I let my senses take over. Reaching in my soul, I reached out for the tree growing inside, and let its roots spread. The spirit anchor moved within her core, as I felt my vitality being shared with hers. The cracks within her dantian had healed for the most part, as I pulsed my Qi into her core, cycling it, and filling in any gaps that remained. She would heal soon.

I opened my eyes, and saw Labby sitting across me, her eyes pressed shut.

"How do you feel Labby?"

"Squeak!" Labby hiccuped, before catching herself. "Umm, good! Labby feels better now."

I laughed, feeling relieved at her response.

Done with that, I turned towards Zhang. I could hear the boy's heart, beating like a drum. Thud. Thud. Thud.

I extended my hands towards Zhang, letting him grasp them. "You need to form a bond with Silverlight," I told Zhang. He nodded.

"Alright. Twilight, can you tell Silverlight to sit next to Sheldon. I'll need to take her with me for this," I said, and Twilight chimed. Jumping off Zhang's shoulders, she ran up to Sheldon, and Silverlight followed her.

I settled in my place, and closed my eyes.

I reached out to Silverlight with my spirit, beckoning her closer. The little plant's spirit brushed against mine, as I felt a jumble of thoughts and concepts reach me.

"Chii!" Twilight chimed, encouragingly as Silverlight grasped onto my spirit.

"Chirp!" Sheldon's voice came, as I felt the tug at my spirit. Carrying the little spirit with him, he took us both away from our bodies, and into the darkness inside Zhang's core.

Book 2: Chapter 3: Mending Cracks

A lotus tree swayed in the darkness, sitting amidst a serene lake. I watched the calm waters lapping at the shore of unending nothingness, flowing in and then out. The light from the tree added life to the dreary void around me.

"Sii?" Silverlight called out. She was seated atop Sheldon's back, her silvery eyes taking everything in with a child's curiosity when taken to a new place, or given a new toy. I saw her gaze at the lotus with fascination, before her eyes moved upwards.

Following her gaze, I looked up and saw a ring of silver, donning the sky. But what should've been a brightly glowing ring of spirit and strength, lay dull, cracked and frayed, devoid of life. Roots spread throughout the ring, woven around its cracks. Essence coursed through them, into the little ring inside here, pulsating energy into them. I could feel the tie to the roots, from deep within my soul, a stop-gap, that held Zhang's spirit in place.

A rumble took my attention to Sheldon, who stood next to me in his massive spirit form. So easy to forget that my small playful turtle was an Elder spirit beast, capable of so much destruction.

"Focus. The cycle needs mending," Sheldon said, eyes moving upwards at the cracked ring.

I nodded, and stepped towards the ring. Briefly, I reminded myself of the nature of this realm. Spirits had no gravity, no dimension, and no form. What was the ground beneath my feet may very well be air, and the air I stepped on, solid ground.

I raised one foot awkwardly in the air, and let Chi pulse from beneath. I tried to push, like climbing a stair, and found my feet wobbling, the control on my Chi slipping.

"Too tied to the outside. Be free of the chains. And believe. The spirit defines this realm," Sheldon said, calmly ascending up into the air with Twilight on his back.

Trying not to be left behind, I took another step, this time keeping my eyes firmly on the glowing spirit ring in the sky. The step came, and then another. My feet wobbled less and less, as I climbed up into the air itself.

Air stepping. A difficult technique to learn outside in the real world. But so simple in here. I let the sensation of exhilarating freedom take me, as I broke my chains that had held me to the ground all my life, and stepped up into the skies. Soon, I was walking high above into the darkness, watching the lotus sway with its gentle light amidst the lake that floated in the void.

"Must learn. We have carried Lu Jie so far. But now, must walk by himself," Sheldon said, looking at me as he swam through the skies. His eyes closed for a brief moment, and I saw a stream of words resonate in my head, clearer than ever.

"When you leave behind the chains of the physical, they too forsake you. There will not be a ground for you to land on, do not let go of your focus, and lose your step, or you will plunge down into the depths of this spirit, lost forever in the void that separates the beyond from our souls."

I looked down, at the endless dark, before gulping. "I feel like I should've been informed of this before I took off into the skies."

"Just don't fall," Sheldon replied, letting out a low rumble, as I sensed his amusement. I rolled my eyes, before following behind the turtle.

Steadily, we made our way to the circle, soon reaching the massive, ethereal ring of silver light. From this close, I could sense the little wisps of Qi coming off of the ring of what must be pure energy. Gently, I placed my hand upon the ring, feeling a cold sensation return back to me.

"Mysteries upon mysteries. And I merely keep being swallowed by them, pushed around and led on wild chases. Never any closer to the answer," I said, watching the ring.

"The rings of cultivation. But if immortality was merely a lie formed by the Heavens, then what even is the goal? What lies at the end?" I asked, remembering the words told to me in my trial. Immortality came at a price. The price of Gu, and demons. But if the path I walk brings death back into the fold then… What's the goal?

"Unknown. Uncertain. But different. For you to find."

"That's not necessarily better is it? The heavens created freedom from the cycle of death of rebirth? You know, enlightenment and whatnot, as you reach the heavens and become immortal. That sounds fairly nice."

Sheldon shook his head. "They create, false life. They fear death. Freedom lies beyond life and death. Beyond the cycle. The cycle is a trap. One to be escaped. That is the purpose of our Paths."

I heard the turtle's booming words, and decided to ruminate on them at a later point.

Closing my eyes, I focused on my soul, on the little tree inside of it. I let the Chi from my core flood my body, as the roots tied around the spirit ring within Zhang's core, began to shift.

My senses expanded, taking in every crack, every break in the ethereal ring. I sensed my own soul, tied together with Zhang's. Breathing in, I used my expanded senses to guide the Qi. I guided my Qi into the ring, guiding my essence into the cracks.

The Gu in his spirit had corrupted the ring. Corroded it down. The lotus tree filled his core with Qi, yet the spirit that was supposed to channel it. The ring, the heart of his cultivation, was still broken.

Letting the roots of the spirit tree inside me guide the Qi, I allowed it to flow into Zhang's. A glimmering light began to glow inside the darkness, energy once again flowing within his spirit. But the happiness didn't last. I sensed the Qi, flowing outwards, through the seems and cracks, and outside his spirit. This would not do.

Changing my plans, I stopped the flow of Qi. Glancing down, I stepped towards the lotus tree instead. Sheldon following my lead, taking Silverlight with him.

The lotus sat silently at the centre of the lake. No wind rustled its many petals, or swayed its odd branches as it bathed the darkness in its gentle light. It was like the sole star on a dark moonless night, guiding lost travellers.

Stepping down through the void, I felt my feet touch the water, and my eyes widened in surprise. What I'd expected to be a manifestation of water was instead Qi. Yet, not in any shape or form. It was as if the ethereal Qi had been slowly given a denser form, distilled into droplets like pure water that shimmered and glowed in the dark. The Qi-water stirred and rustled and crashed at the shore, reacting to my presence near it. Splashes flew up into the air and turned to mist, flowing around the lotus that sat in the middle.

Moving closer, I let myself submerge partially into the water. Moving through, I set my palm against the trunk of the tree, upon which the lotus flower blossomed.

I sensed the Qi that flowed inside of it, connected to the miniature tree growing inside my soul. The tree within my spirit was tied to this one, and the cycle of Qi it circulated in this dark expanse.

"Sii!" Silverlight exclaimed, jumping down into the water, as she splashed around, drinking in the Qi-water and giggling like she'd just found a lake full of candy. In a way, she really had.

"I'm assuming you have no idea what this is either," I asked Sheldon.

The turtle shook his head. "Unknown and new."

I looked at the crashing surface of the Qi lake i in front of me, and the tree around, before my eyes went down to the submerged lotus tree, and it's roots spreading deep below.

"Wanna take a swim?" I asked Sheldon.

My reply was a jet of water splashing me, before the giant turtle dipped in as well, picking up an ecstatic Silverlight on his back.

I gasped for air, before remembering I had no need for something like that. It felt strange to let the Qi-water flow into my lungs, and stomach, alien, almost, and the sensation made me want to escape, but the feeling subsided within moments, as I began to swim through the water.

Following the lotus tree, I swam further and further down, following it's twisting branches, before I found the base. Through the endless void, now rested land, dark, and unformed, it was like a word that was about to be spoken, not fully there, but not absent either.

Gently, I let my feet settle onto the ground, as I watched the roots of the tree weave into the darkness, and carve a piece of reality into it. I looked up, and saw Sheldon, looking at the same thing.

"What do you think?" I asked the turtle.

"New Paths. Perhaps with the little Silver-lily-of-life," Sheldon responded.

"Is that the name you have for her?" I asked, as the half name half concept flowed into my head. It was… accurate. Far more than any name could ever hope to be. "What's your name for me?" I asked, feeling curious.

"Asks-too-many-questions," Sheldon replied, and I snorted at the turtle's snark. Finding content with what I'd found, I swam around through the Qi water, letting it flow through my spirit, and soak into me as I made my way out.

Stepping out into the lake, and above the Qi-water, I turned to face Silverlight.

"Can you bind this with that thing above?" I asked Silverlight, pointing my finger at the lotus tree first, and then up at the ring floating above.

"Sii?" The plant spirit asked, and I heard Sheldon's rumble. I followed up after the turtle, slowly distilling the concept to the spirit. It took her a bit, but soon, the little plant nodded her head.

After making sure she understood, I reached out with my spirit, guiding the Qi water around, and towards Silverlight.

"I'll step in if I think there's a problem. But the rest is in your hands, Silverlight," I said.

"Sii!" Silverlight explained, as she confidently patted her chest, the flower on her head bobbing around.

Looking at the spirit once more, I nodded, before letting go of my hold over Zhang's soul. The roots from my spirit receded, as the world shuddered. Cracks appeared in darkness, stirring the lake below, as Zhang's core began to collapse once more.

The lotus shuddered, lighting up, as the plant spirit began to glow. Qi flowed from her body, swirling through the tree, lighting up its petals as they flew around in a swirling wind.

Tens, hundreds, thousands of shining leaves swirled around the tree. I stood mesmerized at the sight, watching the tree shudder, before it began to grow. The tree spread high up into the sky, branches reaching upwards. Little vines reached out to the ring in the dark sky, twirling around it.

The tree rose higher and higher, encompassing the ring inside Zhang's core in the bosom of its branches. Silvery light from the ring flowed into the tree, and down into its root, before spreading throughout the core.

I turned towards Sheldon, before nodding. I'd done my job, the rest would be on Silverlight.

With a rumble from Sheldon, the darkness swirled around me, dragging me out from Zhang's core.

Book 2: Chapter 4: Rebirth

Streams of energy filled Zhang's spirit. Like water flowing through a dry creek after years of drought, bringing fresh life with it. Qi flooded Zhang's meridians, rising within his meridian with increasing intensity. It was a surge, like he'd swallowed a bolt of lightning, and now it begged to be let out in a fiery burst.

Then he felt a hand, pressing his. Someone spoke something, but the words were distant to his mind. Nonetheless, he understood his task. He focused, taking hold of the swirling torrent and Qi, and began to cycle it within his Dantian. As the Qi flowed, his mind began to sink into his spirit.

A voice reached into Zhang's spirit, like the chime of a bell ringing in the wind, it echoed and tinkled.

"Pain? Hurt?"

The words were not in any form Zhang understood. In fact, he hesitated to even call them words. Yet their meaning was clear to him, as clear as any tongue he'd ever spoken.

"It… doesn't,"Zhang replied, taking a moment to assess his body. His spirit felt as if it was floating in an unending void, untethered and detached from everything. But not every tie was broken. Around the ring was a tree, bound in vines and tendrils that connected him to something he'd long since lost touch with.

The ring blazed in his sight now, a glowing circle of light nested in the branches of a sprawling tree, like a mother hugging her young child protectively. He felt secure.

"Here. Come here," the voice beckoned him. Zhang looked around, trying to find where it where it might be coming from.

A chiming voice rang once more, calling him. Hesitantly, Zhang began to move towards the sprawling tree. Stepping closer, he saw the little silver lily bobbing through the darkness happily.

Her palm was set upon the vast tree, cradling his spirit's core within it, as the roots held the cracking fraying edges of his broken dantian together.

"This was done by you?" Zhang asked, baffled.

"Yes! Did it! Happy!" The lilly replied, jumping once more, as the tree shuddered around her. Then, as if remembering a task, she paused. "But cannot hold. Must bond."

Waddling up to Zhang, the little spirit extended a hand. Zhang stared at her for a moment, before he scooped the spirit up in his palms.

"Form! Bond!" the lily exclaimed.

"Did you not already have one?" Zhang asked, and the little spirit shook her head.

"Not yet. Must form. Now," the lily said.

Nodding, Zhang let his spirit reach towards the lilly.

Qi swirled around, from all around him, and into the little lily, the darkness shuddered, shifting, as a new anchor was formed within his spirit, and he sensed the little flower's spirit tied with his own.

The spirit lily put a hand to her mouth as if in thought, before she nodded.

"What should I call you?"

"Silverlight!" the lily exclaimed.

The word felt strange, different, not something he understood, but the meaning underneath was clear.

"Shi… Lua?," Zhang asked and the little spirit frowned, before nodding.

"Alright, Shi Lua it is," he said, placing the silver lily on his shoulder, as he looked around the tree. "What now? Do you know how to go back?"

"Open eyes! Wake up and we will be back!" Silverlight exclaimed.

Zhang frowned. A moment later, he focused on his spirit, commanding it to open its eyes.

Nothing changed, as the darkness stirred around him lazily.

"No! Wrong! Must open other eyes!" Silverlight shouted.

"You aren't making this very clear, Silverlight," Zhang said with a frown.

"Other eyes! See! Life! Death! Rebirth! Must see!"

The words only further added to Zhang's confusion. His gaze drifted across the darkness, mind trying to place together which eyes the silver lilly was referring to.

"Open my eyes. How do I open my eyes?" Zhang murmured. There was a sensation pressing at him, as if he was missing something very obvious.

"Have been blind for a very long. Open your eyes and see!" Silverlight said, the words resonating with power. She jumped his shoulder and to his face, grabbing cheeks.

Zhang stared into her silvery beady eyes, watching the swirl of Qi in them, before something clicked.

Closing his eyes, he opened a sense he'd lost for years.

Slowly, lethargically, like a limb grown atrophied from lack of use, his Qi senses blossomed, as the world around him settled into view.

He saw a small plant in front of him. It was a fragile little thing, budding from the void with bright green leaves that fought to make their presence known.

But the moment Zhang looked closer, he felt the world descend upon his shoulder.

A vast tree's shadow rose behind the sapling. Sprawling and unending as it spread through the world itself, entangled in both life and death, the cycle of rebirth itself.

All living things awakened to Qi had an aura of their spirit. For many it was impossible to measure this aura, the presence of it too insignificant and miniscule to be detected. And at the same time, some creatures had an aura so vast, those of insignificant strength could never comprehend it.

The little sapling was one such thing.

If not for the ties to the spirit directly, Zhang would've never been able to grasp the vastness of the aura of the sapling. For a moment, he let his sight spread with the tree's aura, and he saw his sight spreading over horizons, spanning lands and mountains as the whole world appeared in his sight.

His vision expanded, till the entire continent was one and the same in his vision. And a branch of this sapling, was now within his soul.

Zhang felt his vision collapse. With a flood of Qi, Zhang found his spirit pulled back, as his eyes shot open.

Gasping for air, he reached out, his mind still reeling from the vision as he awakened. Sweat beaded down his arms and foreheads, before he registered the people seated all around him, looking on with various expressions of concern.

"How're you feeling boy?" the old granny asked.

Zhang tried to reply, but debilitating nausea stopped him. He coughed and hacked, trying to move away before the sensation hit him head on. He rushed to the side, grabbing the bucket near as the contents of his stomach made their way out with rapid fervour.

The sound of gagging filled the chamber, as thick black sludge mixed with red blood made its way out of his guts, in a seemingly endless stream.

"Let it all out boy. Let it all out," the old granny said, rubbing his back as Zhang retched.

When he'd hurled enough of the gunk, she handed him a wet cloth to wipe himself with, and Zhang soon realised that the gunk was not just inside his gut, but covered his entire body.

"He needs a bath, Probably five. I've got the water warmed up in the bathroom. And burn those clothes, the stink doesn't go away. Trust me, I know from experience," Lu Jie said, seated nearby.

Zhang felt the world spinning, as he directed his gaze towards Lu Jie. His eyes were red from the retching, yet even so, Zhang felt better than he had ever felt physically.

"What… happened?" He rasped, looking towards Lu Jie.

The boy's smile extended in a manic grin across his face, sending a shiver down Zhang's spine.

"I think I just fixed your dantian."

***

I waited patiently as Zhang went through three rounds of washing, clearing out the filth that covered his body so thoroughly. After having changed into his new clothes and rid himself of the filth, the boy walked into the chamber, standing tall and strong, as he took a seat in front of me.

Silverlight rode on his shoulders, looking oddly fitting at the position and I silently observed the boy.

"Do you remember anything from when you were in your spirit?" I asked Zhang.

"I… do. I saw a vast tree, within which a glowing silver ring was present. And then, Silverlight and I formed a bond and she… told me to see. And I saw, a plant, but it was… vast, so unending. Life, death, everything was a part of the tree's cycle. And it was connected to me somehow."

I nodded. I turned to look at Zhang. "There is a lot that needs to be explained. But if I am right, then your cultivation has crumbled apart," I replied, trying to still soak in everything that had happened.

Zhang sat silently, looking back at me evenly.

"Not surprised?" I asked, surprised by his lack of reaction.

"No. Brother Jie, with no disrespect to your skills. I'd already been prepared for this outcome. You tried your best, and if things didn't work out, then perhaps the Heavens did not wish for my fate to be changed," Zhang replied, fists clenched and pressed against his thighs.

"No, you misunderstand Zhang. I did not fail. In fact, I succeeded. Because right now, you are as good as any new cultivator. Not to mention, you don't cultivate from your Dantian, but through Silverlight, so in some ways, you're kind of like a spirit herb."

Zhang stared at me silently, before his gaze shifted to the other members in the room. Labby, Yan Yun, Su Lin, and Granny Lang all sat nearby, watching our talks in silence. "Brother Jie, you really don't have to do this. Just tell me the truth, I can handle it. Making these tales does not suit you."

I squinted my eyes, but did not reply.

Zhang's smile slipped, as the frown on his brows began to deepen. "No, there's no way. Surely you jest. I'm a… spirit herb now?" Zhang said, as if baffled by the notion. "What am I to do? Eat more spirit herbs to cultivate? Abandon my Path?"

"I doubt it. From what I can see, you're the same as a normal cultivator, but with a very special core. It's a unique ability, one that none of us have any idea on how it's going to develop."

Zhang sputtered, staring at me silently. "Does that- do you mean to say… I'm cured now?"

"You are, Zhang. We'll need to see how things go from here, but we can all sense your dantian now. It rests at the cusp of the first realm."

The silence grew longer in the room, as Zhang simply sat still in place, unmoving for over a long minute.

I was worried that he didn't hear or misunderstood my words again, but the boy looked up at me, expression held blank. "Can I… please. I'd like to have a moment alone."

"Brother Zhang—" Su Lin tried to interrupt, but I stopped him. I could vaguely sense the emotions going through Zhang from our new link.

In silence, I stood up, followed by the rest of the members as we left the room one by one, leaving Zhang to himself.

None of us mentioned the quiet sobs coming from the chamber.

Book 2: Chapter 5: Sisters

A jubilant energy filled the village of Taizhou. Children ran carrying baskets of herbs, or other items, while the adults prepared for a feast. The news of Zhang's recovery had made its way quickly throughout the village, and the villagers had decided to contribute to the celebratory feast.

Yan Yun had been there, after the boy had had his moment to recover. She'd felt his dantian, healed and whole once more, ready to step into the first circle as it formed anew again. It was… in some ways an enviable chance. To redo one's path with no repercussions was not something most cultivators would have the time, or resources for.

The thought arose unsightly emotions within her, that she struggled to push down. Her own attempts at regaining her cultivation had left her with debilitating pain and nausea, as if her mind was fracturing into pieces.

"Yan Yun seems to be in a sour mood," Leiyu commented, sensing her swirling emotions that she failed to keep in check.

"It's nothing," she replied to her spirit, walking past a bunch of young girls who had been carrying various food items. She noticed a couple of them glancing her way, and bowing before they hurriedly rushed on.

"Leiyu does not enjoy being lied to," Leiyu said. Yan Yun sensed him watching through her eyes. "Why don't you try approaching one of them? It has been your wish to make friends, has it not?"

Yan Yun ignored Leiyu's words, not paying them any mind. To the villagers, she was the daughter of a grand elder. Though they had accepted cultivators amongst themselves, she would never have the same place Lu Jie, and the others did. Changing her path, she began to make way out of the village, and towards the forests that surrounded it. The dirt path she walked on, soon began to be overtaken by grass. The forest thickened around Yan Yun, as she wandered aimlessly, trying not to bring down what was meant to be a celebratory day by her selfish thoughts.

The sight, and the sensation of Qi brimming in the air from the spirit herbs lifted her mood briefly, reminding her of the time she'd met Lu Jie. The grove had been a favoured spot of hers, to be away from the world, and be just by herself. She would even sneak out some books of hers with her, to read in peace all by herself.

The memory brought with it a throbbing ache, as the memories of her home returned. Despite everything, she could not deny missing her home. She would not change her choices, if asked to make them again, but the pain did not lessen any bit even if she knew as much.

Lost in her thoughts, it took Yan Yun a moment to notice that she wasn't alone. A rustling sound came from nearby, like a creature sweeping through the bushes.

"Leiyu?" Yan Yun asked, slightly concerned. She was not incapable of defending herself, but as she was right now, even a weak spirit of the second realm was a threat.

"It's alright. Go ahead," Leiyu said, in an unconcerned voice.

Yan Yun felt a bit worried, but did not doubt her spirit's word as she walked through the bushes, and beyond. There, she didn't find a spirit herb, but rather a person instead. One she was quite familiar with.

"Oh—" Yin gasped, jumping back as she saw Yan Yun. "Sorry. I- I didn't know someone else was here."

"No need for an apology. It was entirely my fault for sneaking up on you. I thought you were a spirit beast," Yan Yun replied.

Yin smiled at that, though Yan Yun did not understand for what. The girl's smile faded, the moment she noticed it, replaced by her typical flustered look, as her eyes darted all around.

Yan Yun watched Yin shuffle awkwardly, uncertain what to make of the girl. She had been living with the village head's family, and Yin had been going to great lengths to take care of her, refusing to have Yan Yun help out with any tasks, and serving her at any opportunity. But despite the attention, she knew next to nothing about her, conversation between them, rare and fleeting at best.

"Umm.. What brings you all the way here?" Yin asked, a few moments later, when she realised Yan Yun had little else to say.

"I… was just wandering. Trying to explore the forest," Yan Yun replied, eyeing Yin's attire. She carried a basket by her side, filled with herbs and plants of all kinds. "What about you? Collecting herbs?"

Yin nodded back in reply. "Aunt Bao asked me to bring some, says she wanted to sprinkle in some spirit herbs in dumplings. It makes the spirits happy, and she love to pamper them."

"I see…" Yan Yun replied, as the two returned to an awkward silence. She stood around, briefly, before nodding at Yin. "I won't disturb you with your work then," she added a moment later, turning around to step away.

"Umm…" Yin's voice came from behind her.

Yan Yun turned back around to glance at the girl, finding her eyes glancing down at the ground, before rising up to meet hers briefly. She noticed her hands, clutching her clothes tightly.

"I… this is not my place to ask but— you seem a bit sad. I-is something wrong?" Yin asked.

Yan Yun stared blankly, unsure of how to reply. A part of her wished to talk, to share what she had been burdened with, but another wanted to push the memories and thoughts further down, never to be seen by anyone.

"It's nothing," Yan Yun replied, trying her best to return a smile. "I just… don't know what to do. I'm sitting around being useless and I've lost my path as well."

Yin looked up at Yan Yun, meeting the girl's eye for the very first time. "I can't say I know what… what losing your path would be like. I imagine it is hurtful, for someone such as you to lose something so precious. But I know that you are not useless, no such thing."

"Aren't I?" Yan Yun asked, her smile turning crooked. "I do not know how to cook, I do not know how to draw the water from the river, I do not know how to clean. I… was raised in a large sect with servants for every whim and fancy I had. My life… all of it, was dedicated to learning how to be the lady of my sect, and towards my cultivation. Now, I have lost both. What good am I to anyone?"

Yin looked back down her, clutching her robes tightly once more. "I… you are not," she replied, her voice strained. "Because… I aspire to be like you."

Yan Yun's looked at Yin in confusion, as the girl looked up, her cheeks flushed with a red tinge. "You are the prettiest woman I've ever met. Even the adults cannot look you in the eye… and you know so much. Polite, and well versed in etiquettes. You are not useless. Far from it. If anyone's useless, it'd be me. I do not have any Path to lose. I do not know of the ways of sects, or things about cultivation. That's why… I don't think you're useless at all."

Yan Yun looked at the girl, feeling surprised. She had… hardly expected a confession like that, much less from Yin. "I don't find it of much worth. I would rather… rather know the people like you do. The villagers regard you with a kindness in their voice, as if you were their own daughter. The children look up to you. Even Leiyu likes being around you, and he only likes powerful cultivators normally."

"That is not true," Leiyu protested silently. Yan Yun ignored him, looking at Yan Yun.

"The only family I had, I have forsaken. While you still have yours, there to love you and look after you. I would much rather have what you do," Yan Yun said, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders at the admission.

Yin stared at her with wide eyes. Yan Yun looked away, finding a blush creeping upon her cheeks at the girl's gaze.

"I know this is presumptuous of me… but. Would you like to be my sister?" Yin asked, her voice wavering at the end.

Yan Yun looked at the girl, finding her eyes widening in surprise this time. "A… sister?"

Yin nodded. "I… have always wanted one. Then- you would have a family here too. And, I could teach you how to cook, and make tea, and pick up herbs. And… if you'd like, you could teach me about the sects."

Yan Yun continued to stare at the girl, finding words failing her.

Yin's face slowly began to fall, as she watched Yan Yun staring in silence. Slowly, she bowed her head. "I'm sorry. That was presumptuous of me, please, forget what I said," the girl said in a hurried rush.

"No!" Yan Yun exclaimed. "I would love to be your sister. I just- I do not know what to say."

Yin looked at Yan Yun, before slowly making her way towards her. "Really?" she asked in a quiet whisper.

Yan Yun nodded. "If you would be fine with someone like me as your sister. Then, yes."

Yin hesitated for a moment, before reaching out to grasp Yan Yun's hand. "T-then, you have to call me Yin Yin."

"Yin… Yin?" Yan Yun tried.

A bright smile blossomed on Yin's face at the words, enough to make Yan Yun blush in embarrassment. "It's not fair if I am the only one who has to call you that," she protested.

"Then… I'll call you Yun Yun," Yin said, and Yan Yun nodded.

"Okay… Yin Yin," Yan Yun replied, feeling flustered as well.

Yin smiled, before handing her herb basket to Yan Yun. "Since I promised to teach you, let's start by picking some herbs."

Yan Yun looked down at the basket, grabbing it in her hands. "Was this just a ploy to make me help you?" she asked, hesitantly.

Yin smiled back, not replying. Yan Yun followed behind her new sister, a matching smile adorning her face.

Book 2: Chapter 6: A Brother's Oath

Today has been a busy day. After curing Zhang, I decided to plan a quick celebration for him with Su Lin and the others. The villagers, though, seem to have gotten the news and had decided to chip in, leading to a bit of a crazy rush to get the part ready, without letting Zhang in on the news.

I stirred a batter around in the bowl in front of me, reading and scratching out the trial and error recipes written upon it. You'd think after making literal magic bombs from herbs I would have an easier time with something as simple as a cake, but as it'd turn out, magic-cooking skills did not translate all that well to actual cooking, especially without any modern tools whatsoever.

"Pass me the sugar Labby," I asked my assistant. Labby perked up, white powder splattered over her face, as she hurriedly passed me the bowl of sugar. I glanced at her, and Labby slowly retreated from powdered bowl of whipped cream I'd made through a lot of effort.

Mixing the sugar into the batter, I continued to mix, before I found the consistency to be just right. Moving my bowl over, I quickly walked through my lab, near the kiln that'd been made for my cauldron, as I transferred the batter into my cauldron. With a flick of my wrist, I set the flames on, and all that remained was to wait.

Stepping back, I took a seat near Labby, wiping the sweat off my brow.

"Is this cake really so good?" Labby asked, leaning over the counter as she looked at the cauldron curiously.

"It's pretty good, yeah. Though what I'm making is sponge-cake since manufacturing baking soda artificially was a bust, but it's good. Though maybe not as good as a pizza, which I should also make one of these days."

"Pi za?" Labby asked.

"It's a thing. Back from my home. I think you'll like it," I told Labby, who kicked her legs around from her chair and hummed happily.

We sat for a while in silence, as I focused on controlling the flames and heat. After I felt it had been long enough, I moved to the cauldron and took off the lid.

"Alright, it's not a goopy sludge or a charred husk this time, so progress," I said out loud, before poking at the cake once. The cake itself was firm, though there was no real bounce to it, which I wasn't surprised by. Using a knife, I took out the cake form the cauldron in all it's rounded top glory, before quickly setting it on a tray.

"Okay! You're up Labby!"

"Squeak!" Labby jumped up at the task, grabbing the spoon and the bowl of whipped cream. With a smooth cut of my knife, I evened outthe cake on all sides, before spinning the tray around steadily.

Labby took the cream on the spoon, before bringing it near the cake as she began to coat it on all sides. Different smaller bowls had different colors that I'd made with the help of ground herbs, primarily spirit herbs for their brighter colors, and I watched Labby now play around with the colors freely, her eyes intently focused on the cake.

A knock on the door interrupted me, and I sent a pulse of Chi to open the door.

The door opened a crack, as Yan Yun poked her head inside. "Is it ready yet?"

"We're on it," I replied, as I continued to spin the tray around.

"Zhang is outside, so be quick," Yan Yun said, walking out.

"You heard her," I told Labby, as we continued to layer the cream. After feeling she'd done most of the task, I took out my knife, using it to clean off the rough edges on the cake.

"Alright, I think we're done!" I exclaimed, grabbing the cake. "Let's go Labby," I said, picking up the cake tray, as we made our way to the living room.

A bunch of people and villagers, were gathered, standing around quietly. A table had been setup with food, and I shuffled the thing around, setting up the cake in front.

Glancing out through the window, I gave my mental nod of approval to Sheldon who was guarding the gates, and in a quick few moments, Zhang walked inside, led by Su Lin through the door.

"Congratulations on your recovery!" I shouted, my friends, the village head, a couple of the villagers who'd joined in and my spirits all chiming in. Just for the spirit of it, I threw up the cut outs made of coloured paper in the air.

Zhang stood, staring at everyone in surprise and confusion. "What's… this?"

"it's a feast!" I replied cheerfully, before explaining further when that didn't seem to clear up the confusion. "We celebrate birthdays every year back at my home. I know it's not a big thing here, but given that this was in some ways, a new beginning for your Path and cultivation, we wanted to celebrate it."

Zhang looked around, confused, when Su Lin grabbed his hand and walked him in.

"It's a feast in your name, Brother Zhang, don't just stand there," the boy said, walking the man of the day in.

"We do not know, the customs of cultivators and such, but even we understand the importance of such a day. It is a blessing to hear of your recovery, and we want to thank you for all you've done for us and our humble village," the village head said, standing in front of the table.

"Alright, now, I've made something special for you," I said, walking up to Zhang. "It's called a cake, and on birthdays, well, we typically blow out a candle before we make a wish, but in this cake you can just make the wish before you cut the cake," I said, handing the knife to Zhang.

"Brother Jie, all of this—"

"Shh, no arguments," I cut off Zhang, before he could speak. "Just cut the cake, and celebrate. You've been so out of it today, and I want you to celebrate a little."

Zhang stared in my eye, unspoken words hovering in his expression, but he nodded, turning to face the cake.

"I'm supposed to make a wish. Is that correct?" Zhang asked, and I nodded.

Zhang looked down at the cake, closing his eyes for a moment, before he opened them. "I… had never expected for this day to come. For me to… to have a glimpse at my path again. Hope itself had become a dagger in my chest, too painful to even endure. Yet, by a miracle, Brother Jie had found me, and helped me bring me here. He gave me a brand new life, returning what I thought could never be returned," Zhang said, glancing around everyone that stood nearby, with glassy eyes.

"Not once, did he hesitate to hand over Silverlight to me, something he'd had to compete for in the tournament of the sect, facing grave danger for himself. I did not know how to repay him. I did now know if I ever could. I had felt lost, burdened by the thought that there was nothing I could do that would ever be able to repay the gratitude I feel. But… I understand now, what I must," Zhang said, before turning towards me.

"With the heavens as my witness, I pledge my life in your name, brother Jie. Any weapon I ever wield, shall be in your name. This shall be my Path," Zhang proclaimed, bowing deeply to me.

And then he cut the cake.

Qi shuddered and pulsed, circling around Zhang before sinking into him. I felt the tie that connected us, strengthen into a powerful bond, as the Oath found it's purchase and broke Zhang into the first realm, flaring his Qi out brightly into the world.

"The wish was meant to be for you, silly," I said, smiling, before I went in and gave the boy a hug. We remained that way for a few moments, as I felt the weight of Zhang's words settling on me. Trying not to get the mood too weighed down by heavy emotions, I separated, a smile still held on my face. "Though I don't seem to be the only one who wants to meet you today, Zhang," I added, turning around.

The gate to my house opened, as the villagers walked in, holding all sorts of gifts and trinkets. The gift giving custom had taken on pretty quickly, and even the children had decided to join in, bringing in flowers and whatever they could find.

I smiled as watching as one by one everyone came in and handed in their gifts, thanking Zhang for whatever he'd done to help them.

Stepping back, I guided everyone in through the party. Su Lin, Yan Yun and the village head's daughter Yin helped me through the setup. Yin had been a great help with the preparations, but somehow I hadn't been able to talk to her. I'd noticed her eyeing the cake I'd made and looking at me, as if she wanted to say something, but if she did, she had never asked.

Time flew past in a rush, as the people came, and ate, congratulating Zhang. Taking my chance, I slipped out for a brief moment to catch some fresh air, a glass of liquor that I sipped on, though it did nothing to intoxicate me. A celebratory mood filled the air, as I walked through the people of the village, finding their hesitation and boundaries starting to melt.

No more, was this a gathering of cultivation of mortals and cultivators. Instead, this was the gathering of the village Taizhou. My new home. And I had a lot to do to ensure I could protect it.

I sensed something stir behind me and sighed.

"It's time, Lu Jie," a voice echoed from behind my back. I turned around to face the voice and found Elder Tian Feng, now wearing robes carrying the mark of Lord Zhou standing behind me.

"I don't really see a carriage," I asked with a light chuckle.

"I see you feel merry, but I suggest you don't make the Lord wait on your first day," the Elder said, taking a glance around at the village.

"Right, I shouldn't piss off my boss on the first day of work. That'd get me fired real quick," I replied, smiling.

Tian Feng nodded, as mist burst around the man, a spectral carriage forming behind him.

I let out a whistle at the display, impressed by the pair of pristine horses with manes that turned to mist.

"I'm heading out for a while," I sent to Zhang. I sensed the boy's surprise, likely both at being able to hear my voice like this again, and the message, but I soon received his acknowledgement. Glancing back, I took a look at Labby, contemplating for a moment if I wanted to bring her along with me.

Hearing her squeals and laughs of joy as she tumbled and tussled with the kids, I decided to leave her be, as I stepped into the carriage.

"Let us depart," Tian Feng said, stepping into the carriage behind me, as the world began to zip past in a blur.

Book 2: Chapter 7: Lost Shadows

Zu Ri stood with her head bowed, feeling Elder Yan's wrath pressing down upon her shoulders. Chains held her in place, loose enough to allow her movement in her prison. The chamber they stood in was dark, set deep within the ground below the Yan manor, a dungeon carved of polished stone.

The Elder's step's echoed in the chamber, as he walked. To a mortal, the voice would only repeat a few times before vanishing, but to a cultivator's ears, especially one trained in the arts of subterfuge as the shadows, the echoing sounds would repeat over and over, growing dimmer and dimmer as they clashed with the newer echoes, creating a blanket of noise. Normally, they would leave a droplet of water, dripping onto an overturned bowl to echo out eternally in the darkness. The nausea and headache that ensued were a part of the punishment she had to bear.

Zu Ri waited with her head bowed, eyes set to the floor. It had been nearly an hour since the Elder had arrived, but he had yet to speak a word to her. Yet Zu Ri knew not to ask the purpose of his visit. She would not move, would not question, not until she was spoken to.

The silence stretched, the echoes and the nausea her only companion. They knew it was not possible to torture her. She could barely feel pain, and was immune to most poisons. To use her own senses and turn them against her was one of the few ways she could still experience anguish like this. But she's dealt with far worse. She knew she wouldn't break over this. No, this was punishment. To test her loyalty.

A sudden sharp click echoed through the chamber, as the Elder stopped in front of her. She suppressed the twitch from her body, her eyes set at his feet.

"Tell us, shadow. Who do you serve?" the Elder's voice asked, calm as a still lake.

"You, master," Zu Ri replied without a moment's hesitation.

"So you say, yet how is it that you kept what our granddaughter was planning from us? Have you forgotten the purpose for which you were given to her?" Elder Yan asked.

"No, master," Zu Ri replied.

"Then why? Why have you failed in your purpose, Shadow?" Elder Yan asked. The calm anger in his voice had a sinking sensation grow in Zu Ri's gut.

"I was not made aware of her plans. She knew I would report to you if we ever found out, and thus kept everything hidden."

"Have our shadows grown so weak that they must require permission to find things out? Do not speak in riddles and tell us," the Elder spoke, the anger in his voice growing, as he stepped closer. "Why did you disobey?"

His voice slammed into Zu Ri like a crashing tide and pushed her head further down. She focused on her breath, bearing through the weight as she choked out. "I… wished to protect… the young mistress. Wanted… her to fail and… come around on her own…"

The weight continued to build onto her chest as her ribs creaked under the Elder's presence. Blood began to pool in her mouth, as her gut began to squeeze. Darkness seeped into her vision, and she felt her mind starting to drift. A gasp for air escaped her mouth in an unsightly display of mortality, and Zu Ri felt the Elder's wrath crush her spirit.

Then the weight vanished, as if it had never been there.

Zu Ri coughed, steadying her spinning vision. She gathered herself as quickly as she could, afraid of the Elder's wrath the longer she put up such a display of weakness.

"You do not lie," the Elder said, as if surprised. "A shadow, growing to care for anyone but their master," the man said, his eyes staring at Zu Ri's kneeling form as if watching a fascinating specimen.

"We had chosen you for your loyalty. And because you were the only shadow close to our granddaughter's age. She needed a loyal companion. But perhaps, we had mistaken how far your loyalty to her would go," the Elder said.

Zu Ri kept her head bowed. She knew she'd overstepped. She'd known it long ago. The day the twins had stolen the book, she'd let them go, hoping when the Elder found out, she would come back around. See some sense. But to think… Zu Ri pushed away the emotions, and steeled her resolve.

"Zu Ri," the Elder said.

The words made years of discipline break within the girl, as her head snapped upwards towards the Elder, eyes wide in surprise.

"That is your name, is it not?" the Elder asked her.

Zu Ri returned a nod, hurriedly returning her gaze from the Elder, before bowing her head deeper in forgiveness. Her heart thundered in her chest. Shadows did not possess names. It was only the young mistress' kindness that she had insisted upon using hers. To hear those words from her Master… Zu Ri felt fear grip her heart.

"Look up, Zu Ri," the Elder said, crouching down. Zu Ri moved back in fear, her back touching the wall of her prison. "Forgive me master. I will not mistake my loyalty again," she begged, watching the crouched Elder looking at her in silence. Fear wracked her body in place as she pushed herself against the wall.

Elder Yan did not reply, slowly reaching towards her. His hand pressed itself against her cheek, brimming with the love of a father towards his daughter.

"You must understand Zu Ri, what we feel. That demon has not only crippled our children, and humiliated us in front of the entire seventh peak, but he has stolen our Yun'er from us. Now he prances, hiding under the Lord's name freely, and we are forced to watch. But not if you help us. We have reasons to believe that the boy is a demon wearing human skin. Such a monster has led our Yun'er astray, and in his grasp. But if we can find proof of his nature, and present it to the jade court, then we can bring down the traitorous Lord, and obtain Yun'er back. She has merely been led astray from her Path by the whispers of the demon," the Elder said, moving closer.

"You understand our pain, don't you?" he said, and a single tear flowed down Zu Ri's eyes. She nodded back to the man, remembering the pain she'd felt when she learnt of her mistress's choice.

The Elder pulled his hand back, rising back up. "Free her of her chains," he spoke to the chamber. Two other shadows manifested inside. They moved in silence, breaking the chains that tied Zu Ri with a single swift blow, before fading back into the darkness.

"Help us get our Yun'er back, and you can live your life by her side once again," Elder Yan commanded.

Zu Ri looked at her master, at the man she had sworn to serve. She would bring back her Young Mistress from the demon, and return to the life she had made an oath to spend in her service.

She fell to one knee, and bowed her head, whispering under her breath. "As you command."

Book 2: Chapter 8: Proposal

It took us mere minutes to cut through the plains and enter the city. I watched the plains zip past me through the window of the carriage, not feeling even the slightest shake or shudder. I kept glancing down at the wheels to see whether we were actually flying, but the mist kept the sight from me. A couple minutes later, I was in the Lord's massive manor set delicately upon the seventh peak.

"Follow me," Tian Feng said, stepping out, and I followed behind, silently adding the carriage as a future bucket list item to get one day. This thing was faster than cars.

Stepping out, I followed Tian Feng's lead as we made our way through the manor. Despite having already been here once, I could hardly tell right from left through the sprawling corridors and hallways. Walking through the halls I noticed paintings full of Qi, with strokes on carvings that only a cultivator's eye could see. As the sun began to settle down, into dawn, the lights began to flicker on in the Lord's manors. Candles, spirit stones, little devices, all sorts of things illuminating the manor in a beautiful and warm glow.

Trying not to be too starstruck, I focused on following Tian Feng. A bit of walking through the doors had us at the large chamber where I'd first met the Lord. I let Tian Feng take the lead as he walked through the doors, to the inner chamber, before I followed behind.

"We'd been expecting you," Lord Zhou said, seated behind a small table, a quill in his hand. Pristine clothes were draped over his body, and he wore a futou on his head, as is customary for many lords. Another bit of trivia that'd have escaped me before the trial.

"Apologies for making you wait, my lord. Lu Jie, apprentice alchemist at your service," I said, bowing deeply.

"No need for apologies, you were precisely on time. Which is to be expected given that TIan Feng had gone out to fetch you," the Lord said.

"Which had been part of my surprise. I'd been told to expect someone to come, but I must admit, I had not expected to see Elder Tian Feng himself," I said, glancing at the elder next to me.

Tian Feng stood nearby, watching over the talks without speaking a word.

"Would you care to guess why I've called you today?" The Lord said, his brush running strokes on the parchment in front of him.

"To… make me work for my freedom?" I tried.

"Certainly. But my purpose wasn't mere labour. I've called you here Lu Jie for one of the core purposes that I have for you under my command." For the first time since I'd arrived in the chamber, the Lord stopped his work to look up at me. "We wish to utilise the knowledge you have gained. And teaching us how you have come to posses Gu without turning into a demon."

And there it was. The big question that had been hanging above me all this time.

"To speak the truth, my lord, it is not something I can speak of so openly," I said, trying to think of how much I should speak as I stalled for time. The lord had helped me, so I felt like I could trust him, but this was still information that could potentially see me hanging from a noose, and marked a demon.

"We are aware of the tribulations, and of the nature of your spirit. What prevents you from speaking the truth?"

I looked at the lord, his eyes bearing down on mine. For a moment, I expected his present to sweep over me, bearing down upon my shoulders, but nothing came.

"The heavens, my Lord," I replied honestly.

"The… heavens?"

I nodded. "They rumble, threatening a tribulation anew when I speak of the matter. It is a path that diverges from regular cultivation."

I felt Tian Feng's eyes settle on me at that. The hair on my neck rose at the gaze, feeling concerned that I'd said something wrong.

"Curious. Quite curious. We shall make preparations then. There are methods to prevent, or even bear through a heavenly tribulation. It is not something any do, as a tribulation is provided to strengthen a cultivator and test their mettle, and one to use such cheap tricks to survive one would effectively cripple their strength as a cultivator. But in this case, I believe it is more than warranted," the lord said, before looking up at me. "We'll call you Lu Jie, when the preparations are ready, and then we shall hear of the truths that you hold in your chest. In the meantime, I have heard of some things you want."

"I had some questions in regards to my… umm, employment, esteemed Lord," I said, glancing at the man. "More specifically, I had a- ah, business proposition."

"A business proposition… you say?" The lord asked, his eyes set on me.

The Lord's attention was a tangible thing. Like an unseen weight on your shoulder, in the form of a physical manifestation. I knew it wasn't a real sensation but merely a result of my spirit responding to the Lord's spirit, yet it was nearly impossible to convince my body of that.

I gulped, trying not to hesitate as I continued. "Yes, a business proposition my lord. One regarding my own capabilities and knowledge being used in your service."

The Lord raised his head to look at me, his neatly set eyebrows raising ever so slightly on his face to indicate his interest. "And how do you wish to do so?"

I smiled, spreading my arms out as if it was obvious. "Why of course, by taking over the illegal alchemy and cultivation pills market spreading on the seventh peak."

A moment passed in silence, before the lord scoffed, shaking his head. "Do not talk nonsense. Why would we ever want to take over what must be purged?" The Lord said, returning his attention to his texts.

"If I may be so bold, my lord. That is where you are wrong," I said, stepping forward as I began to put more passion in my voice. "As you are already aware, I possess memories of a past life from a different world. It was a world far more advanced than this one, yet even there, the market for illegal substances had not been eradicated, far from it instead."

"And how does that have anything to do with our situation?" The Lord asked, frowning.

"Everything, my lord. Because, we can never eradicate thieves. We can never eradicate murderers, and we can never eradicate drug dealers. So long as the market exists, they too, will exist. But what we can do is control them. And what better way to do so than to have someone working for you be in charge of it?" I said, waiting for a response from the Lord.

The man raised a hand to his chin in thought, before looking up at me. "And how does this benefit your purpose?"

I straightened my back, putting hands behind me as I looked at the lord. "I've got problems with the man in charge. He goes by the name of Silver Fang. And I would benefit from the money earned from such a venture."

"Why not simply ask us for what you need? If your knowledge proves to be as vital as we believe it is, no amount of money will be too much to ask for."

But then I will be under your thumb.

I did not say the words out loud, instead, changing to a different point. "I could, my lord. But this is something that I believe is mutually beneficial. The Alchemy halls have an iron clad grip on all alchemists within the empire. Even a lord such as you need to refer to them in matters of Alchemy. Such is the control the Jade court and the emperor possesses over all alchemists.

"But if you allow me to take out Silver Fang, I could regulate what is in circulation and what isn't, bringing many rogue alchemists under your control, without them ever being aware of it. It would allow you to reap profits from what is currently, harming your rule," I said, watching the Lord's expression.

"What you suggest, is treason," Tian Feng spoke up for the first time, and I almost wanted to curse him.

Taking a gamble, I replied. "Was it not treason to shelter me? If the world is to be believed, I am a demon after all?" I said, before closing my eyes, as I let Chi flood my body and break into Gu. The miasma flooded my cores, as my eyes darkened. Talons extended from my hand, purple and Black flames lingering like wisps of dark promises. An aura of fear and threatening intimidation flowing outwards, as I stood, the perfect visage of a demon in flesh.

Neither of the elders so much as flinched.

"Are you a demon Lu Jie?" the lord asked me calmly.

I stared at the man, feeling the vile whispers of the Gu floating in my ears.

Tear his throat out. Bleed him dry. Enemy. That is who he is.

Memories of a darkness spent through in these thoughts returned to me. The half that I'd put to sleep, while I had roamed free in a new found world. But not anymore.

"No, my lord," I replied calmly, standing still.

"Then what we have done is no treason," the lord replied.

I stared at the man, and found his mind made. Trying not to sigh, I let the Gu free, as the dark energy faded from my body.

"But," the Lord added. "It would make for a good test. As lords, we are not powerless to task someone to something of this nature. What would you require for this?"

This time, I let the smile reaching my face blossom as I spoke the words. "Access to your library, and a whole lot of money."

***

I walked across through Lord's manor, elder Tian Feng guiding me around. The Lord had agreed to the task, if I could provide him with a pill that was purer than what was normally available, and in enough quantities. Which was the first task to be done before I was summoned to spill my guts out in regards to my abilities.

Leaving that whole other problem aside for the moment, if I could provide these pills that you could only get your hands on through secured channels on my own… I held back my grin, imagining what was possible.

I had joked often about a drug empire, but with the potential I saw in these pills? There was a real possibility to change the empire as a whole, if the knowledge so preciously guarded was allowed to be utilized and spread.

Being able to allow change and reform to spread to the populace while using the Lord as an authority figure to validate the changes I planned to bring was the end goal.

That and a cozy retirement in Taizhou where I lived comfortably with my drug money and messed around in my lab with Labby.

"How is La Bi coming along?" Elder Tian Feng asked, sleeves fluttering beside me. That or one of his clones did, not that I could tell them apart.

"She's recovering. Her Dantian is healed for the most part, so all that remains is for her to rest a while before she can be back to normal," I replied, keeping my pace with the Elder.

"That is good to hear," Tian Feng replied, glancing back at me once. "Sect Elder Yan has not been very pleased by this turn of events. As you must already know by now. All the more so because his prodigal daughter went with you of all people. I suggest keeping your eyes on any shadows that may lurk," Tiang Feng said, glancing behind me once.

I looked back around and saw nothing, yet a strange creeping sensation still crawled up my spine. Alright, warning received.

"How about the twins?" I asked. I hadn't heard much of anything about the sect recently, and I was curious.

"The one you crippled had his dantian fixed, with effort. The cost was significant enough to further add to Elder Yan's rage, especially because the boy now has to cultivate all over again, and his talent has been broken. He will not reach the heights he once did. The other, curiously enough, has chosen to keep the scars you gave him. His face is now half marred with your flames, which has further added to the rumours of you within the sect itself. He will likely seek vengeance, but for now, the Lord's shelter wards the worst of it."

A tried not to grimace, thinking of having to deal with that mess. I did have plans in place, in regards to both the Elder and the twins, yet these were vague things set far in the future.

We walked through a couple more corridors before I saw the chamber we were headed to. It was set within the central corridor of the manor, the innermost chamber of the three layers of the Lord's manors. Each later formed a square corridor that connected with the other square corridors. Like a tesseract cube, but in two dimensions instead, and spread over a hill.

Tian Feng walked ahead of me, pushing open the door to the chamber, before walking in. I followed right after through the pristine doors that brimmed with Qi, and froze as I stepped inside.

Rows of shelves with books, scrolls and a myriad of jade slips greeted me. Tools, herbs, equipment and everything else that I could think a typical alchemist would need was here in these chambers. My eyes glanced across the empty jade slips of white, sitting in rows on the shelf.

"These are for taking notes," Elder Tian Feng pointed out. "The others contain alchemical arts the Lord's Manor has collected over the centuries."

I walked inside, taking in the sight, and feeling a strange sense of joy at the beautiful room. Suddenly I could understand why so many alchemists picked the halls, and chose to serve, if they could have a chance at something like this.

"You can pick any resources you need from this chamber. And if you require others, you can request them from me," Tian Feng said, handing me a jade slip. "Use that to enter the chamber."

I looked back down at the jade slip in my hands, pressing them tighter, before I put my fists together and bowed.

"I won't disappoint."

Book 2: Chapter 9: Inner Turmoil

A gentle breeze flew in through the window, stirring me out of my daze. I looked up outside, to see the rising sun peeking over the horizon as my eyes widened in surprise. Somehow, an entire day seemed to have passed by while I read through the many scroll I'd been given access to in the Lord's manor.

The books contained all sorts of topics pertaining. Mundane stuff like the harvest observed from various parts of the empire, decrees from the emperor, to things like the nature of heavenly tribulations and discussions about the nature of each realm's purpose, and how one is supposed to walk their Path.

I'd read many books regarding various herbs, and recipes of pills that made next to no sense to me. There were arts that seemed like they were describing teleportation, and even some studies on transformation of spirit beasts into humans. I picked a scroll regarding such for Labby, before reading further into other similarly interesting topics.

My attention didn't stay in the books and scrolls for long, and soon after, I'd picked up a jade slip. These primarily consisted of things pertaining to cultivation arts, techniques, forms and so on. But a lot of it was also regarding the behavior rules and codes to be followed by a cultivator, alongside deep dives into the core martial arts.

I was tempted to say that I held no interest in those, yet that would most certainly be a lie. I remembered a younger me wondering what sort of fighting arts the cultivators used. Which was slightly odd because I had never held any interest in martial arts during my previous life. Yet, in this one, I had been obsessed. Desperately chasing strength and power.

I could remember memories from my childhood here. They were still separated by the chasm of identity caused by the split in my soul. It wasn't easy to just merge two separate people that I'd lived as into a singular. It was an odd chaotic situation regarding my own identity. Was I the boy who was chasing strength, or the guy who'd felt he was born too late to truly experience the joy of a mysterious and undiscovered world?

I flipped another page of the book in my hands, watching the diagrams illustrate a martial art's forms. I took in the information in front of me, watching the motions of the arms and the legs.

I carefully read the words, explaining the flow of Qi from the dantian, through the body and out. It was a curious scroll, not describing any form of art to generate something using the Qi itself, but merely expelling it from the body in a controlled manner to generate force.

Letting curiosity take hold of me, I set the scroll down, and watched the illustration. Standing straight, I pushed one leg behind me, drawing a hand in as I took up the stance given. Then, letting my weight shift, I grabbed my feet ahead, twisting my body to let the weight flow up my legs, through my core, into my arms.

It was a simple motion, yet I could sense the little details that were off about it. I took the stance once more, changing the angle of my feet. I twisted my core a little further, raising my arm up as I shot out with my punch.

The Chi from my core followed the motion of my body, almost without thought, bursting out of my fist with a cracking noise. I smiled, a silly grin at the cracking sound, feeling every bit like a wannabe martial arts kid in a kung-fu movie.

Excited about my success, I tried the next form. I moved my arm in a sweeping arc, Chi flowing through my limbs and giving strength to my motions. The movements flowed gracefully, as I stepped around, almost as if in a dance. The last form was a graceful sweep that brought me back into the stance I'd taken at the start, completing the cycle.

I continued to practise, trying to perfect the flow of my Chi. Within a few moments, I had memorised the forms, going through them one by one. My steps tapped the floor, sweeping and moving with the grace only afforded to a cultivator.

It was a silly moment, and more often than not, I found myself smiling at the thought of how ridiculous I must look, yet I felt a childlike joy at performing the forms, at the crackle of wind with my fists, as if getting to live a dream I'd had throughout both my lives. Afterall, which kid wouldn't love to be able to do sick kung-fu? Certainly none I knew of.

My elbow jammed into one of the shelves rocking it back. Hurriedly, I grabbed the wooden furniture as a couple of books fell off, clattering onto the floor.

"There is a sparring chamber, if you wish to practice the forms," the Lord's older son said, standing near the entrance of the chamber. "Apologies, I didn't mean to spy on you like that. But I thought it worse to interrupt someone who seemed to be enjoying themselves so thoroughly."

I stared dimly for a moment at the polished and refined young man, brimming with young talented master energy. "Enjoying myself?" I asked the boy.

"You were smiling as you practiced the forms," the boy said, walking further into the chamber.

"Ah. No, I was just thinking how clumsy and stupid I must look, and smiling at that," I replied, scratching my cheek in embarrassment, as I put the books and scrolls back where they belonged.

The boy did not respond to that, merely watching me. Right when I began to feel awkward at his continued stare, he walked in closer. "Zhou Fang, the lord's eldest son."

"A please to meet you. I'm Lu Jie," I replied with a bow. "Still wondering how I got here."

"I've heard quite some things about you, Lu Jie. You're the talk of the city right now, as you must surely know," the boy said, smiling.

"Not really, to be honest. I have been preoccupied with certain things to pay any attention to rumors or the like," I said.

Zhou Fang shook his head, though he did not further comment. "Let us forget that. Come with us, I would like to show you the sparring room."

The Lord's young son rested his arm on my shoulder, his bright black eyes and tight radiant smile pressuring me into being unable to say no. I could most certainly see his father's likeness in him. They had the exact same unreadable smile.

I didn't resist' the boy's invitation, walking behind me as he escorted me out. I watched Zhaou Fang in silence, as he walked past, being greeted by the servants and workers, and often greeting them back by name.

"Do you know everyone who works here?" I asked, surprised by the display.

"Most have been in my father's service for at least a year. But I do try to make an effort to remember all of their names," Zhou Fang replied.

"That feels… unusual," I replied a tad hesitantly.

Zhou Fang looked back at me in surprise, and laughed. "Yes, it certainly is. But I have a great mentor, who has taught me to respect those who serve us. After I am Lord, it will be these men and women that I shall have to rely on. It would do me well to treat them with respect."

A surprising amount of sense, coming from someone I'd expected to be extremely entitled and arrogant instead.

"I must say, while I had heard of your straightforward nature, and frankness, it is still quite unusual to see. Despite what is said, I am treated like the son of the lord of the seventh peak by everyone I have met. I have come to expect it of the people I meet. To not see any of that in how you talk with me, it is quite refreshing. I'd almost wondered if you were trying to insult me," Zhou Fang said, smiling at me.

"Oh, forgiveness. I did not intend to disrespect the young master," I said, quickly shifting into a formal talking manner.

"No need, no need. I soon realized it is just how you behave. It is quite a free way to live. Unfortunately, I do believe many in my position may take it as a sign of insult so I'd suggest being wary if you ever have to encounter with other nobility," the young lord said, and I held back a grimace.

"We are here," Zhou Fang added, standing outside a chamber covered in sparring mats. Sunlight filtered in through the wooden windows, a pleasant garden view outside, with flowing streams traveling through a mini forest of plants.

"An oddly relaxing view for a sparring chamber," I said, stepping inside behind the young master. The mats were coarse under my feet, yet provided a strong grip. I tapped my feet once to get a better feel of the floor, before looking up at Zhou Fang.

"As my mentor would say, it is not the angry warrior we fear, but the calm one instead," the boy said, walking ahead instead. Turning around with a smile, he watched my expression with his calculating eyes, hidden behind that smiling visage of his. "Would you like to participate in a little spar?"

There was something in his gaze that made me decide against politely refusing the offer. I raised my hands in a stance, feeling a lot more uncertain that I put on my face, and gave a nod.

With a flicker, the boy in front of me vanished, my vision replaced by a fist descending right at my face. My body moved before I could think about what I was doing, as I twisted my feet, turning. Muscle memory from a lifetime of training I'd forgotten took over, as I swept my feet out, trying to strike at Zhou Fang' feet to knock his down and take him into a grapple.

The strike didn't work as the boy swirled sideways instead, landing a well placed kick into my sides. I rolled with the blow, flying a few feet into the air. Using my moment, I spun around and slid onto my feet.

A droplet of blood dripped down that I wiped, feeling a nervous excitement as I watched Zhou Fang standing straight, with a smile on his face.

"You clearly know how to fight. The training is in your body. Yet you fight as if you'd never actually learnt how to, unless pushed enough that you cannot think," Zhou Fang said, flickering once more. Another punch shot towards my face, and I ducked, but the strike predicted my move, following my motions as I flew across the mats once more.

I didn't get time to react this time, as the onslaught continued, a kick aiming for my chin launching off right after. In a blind panic, I blocked the kick with my arm, trying to wrap my legs around Zhou Fang's. My attempts were warded off with another kick from Zhou Fang, as he moved sideways, not letting me find my balance with constant strikes that knocked my off balance.

"To have beaten the twins as you did, surely you must be far stronger than this?" Zhou Fang said. A punch hand me splayed on the ground, panting from the light injuries. Even knowing the pain would be brief and leave no lasting impact, I still couldn't help the frustration that was building up inside of me.

"I am not," I coughed at the brief respite given to me, as I pulled myself up to my feet. "I… was in a trance back then. I lashed out, letting anger take hold of me. If anything, I regret my choices."

A frown appeared on Zhou Fang's face at my words. "I'll be attacking with the intent to hurt now," the boy said, as he vanished.

I felt the Qi swirl in his core, as the strike launched me across the chamber. A loud crack echoed through the chamber, as I crashed into the wall, feeling blood fill my cheek. My senses picked up on the flickering strike as another punch shot towards my face.

I tried to think, but the attacks were too fast. Another punch landed in my gut and pain wracked my body. Anger began to fill my chest.

Sensing a strike at my face, I moved my neck. Another fist came up to my face. I kicked with my leg and pushed Zhou back. Chi flowed through my feet as I Stepped off the wall. The world warped around me as I launched towards him, my hand met his, as he blocked my strike, a bright smile splayed across his face.

I struck with my other fist, using the new form I'd learned today. My feet slid behind, twisting as the Chi flowed from my abdomen, up into my shoulder and out through my fist.

A loud boom shook the air around me as Zhou was flung back, tumbling across the field. I rushed ahead, chasing, but the boy didn't give an inch. With a twist, he was on his feet, ducking down at my wide swing.

Moving swiftly, he flickered as he stepped closer. A punch landed in my gut, another at my shoulder, another in my chest. A barrage of quick strikes hit my jaw, gut and chest, and I struggled to keep up.

Chi thrummed in my core, flowing and powering the adrenaline pouring in my veins, and I found the strange sensation I'd begun feeling during the spirit hunt fill me again.

Thrill.

I stopped midway, fist frozen as thoughts snapped back into me. Zhou Fang, to my surprise, stopped at that moment as well.

I stood in silence, watching the boy as I panted, sweat beading down my body, and my heart pounding like a loud drumbeat.

There was no denying things. I enjoyed these fights, these moments of thrill where I could stop thinking and just move my body to its limits. I craved these moments. At least, some part of me did. A part I had not been able to fully come to terms with.

"It is fun to let go, is it not?" Zhou Fang asked me.

"It shouldn't be," I replied, clenching my fist. "It's the way of violence. Mindless slaughter and murder, callous disregard for life. I thought I was better than this, utilising a path of knowledge instead."

"You say this as if a path of knowledge is devoid of strength," Zhou Fang said. I raised my head in surprise.

"The path of the scholar is not the path of the weak. We all have capabilities that we are born with, and limits of our birth that we must accept. Yet, knowledge is power, and a deeper understanding of the world, provides a profound strength to those who know how to wield it," the boy said.

Walking closer, Zhou Fang put an arm on my shoulder, meeting his eye with mine. "I have heard of what has happened to you. Two souls within one. I hear you had fixed that divide, but the splitting of souls would leave a mark. You may have found unity, but have you found balance?"

"Balance?" I repeated dumbly after him.

"Indeed, balance. You had your Path before, but is that the same Path you still follow? Surely, your other self also had a Path, did he not? Have you found some method to balance those Paths together?"

"I…" I failed to come up with a response. Had I done that? Had I even tried to incorporate the path of who I had been, before my other memories awakened into who I am now?

I looked into the boy's eyes. "What do you suggest I do?"

"Think. Meditate. Try to find balance, Lu Jie. Your martial arts are clumsy. Clearly you possess skill, but you merely follow the arts provided to you by the sect. A simpler and weaker form of it at that. Perhaps it is time for you to learn arts that would guide the martial aspect of your Path. After all, what change can the weak bring in our world?" Zhou Fang said, patting my shoulder as the boy walked out of the chamber.

I stood in silence, trying to process everything that had happened. Yet there was very little to say about the spar, or the realisation I had been led to. The message was clear, yet it was one I was struggling to accept.

Noticing the sun now rising well above the horizon, I shook myself out of my daze. Returning to the chamber I'd been led to, I picked up the scrolls I'd set aside for borrowing alongside some herbs to deal with the sparring bruises. After gathering my belongings, I asked to be escorted out of the manor.

There would be time for musings on my Path, for now, I needed to go back home.