Equal parts pride and frustration ca as Fu searched for his Wayward Winds.
This pride stemd from the fact that Udvah led them so deftly, and to such an extent that their discovery proved impossible. A true ghost, in Warship form.
The frustration stemd from unknowing.
Hushi shared an old affection, mounting his chest so he might deliver reassurance through a squeeze.
“Xiong,” called Fu. “The [Paifang] stands below. Let us et it.”
Purple stained the man’s temple, indicative of a recent blow, but he did not complain as he urged the vessel gently into descent.
The [Paifang], as the other had, stood alone. Wardens of gently rising, rocky peaks, where rarely travelled paths were beaten.
But unlike that which led to the great phoenix’s realm, here was destruction.
Dull, or pale now. The arch stood as a broken husk. A four pillared affair with decorative struts aside the main threshold, and each of these held splintered tops as if so Heavenly hand had torn off its cap.
Fu set a palm against it.
Shuidi.
The [Spirit Crab] mirrored his gesture, sharing her mind with their whiskered sage. What returned were impressions of latent power. Not vestiges, or remnants, but undiluted profundity.
“New sights, Gao Fu. Such circumstance brings novelty.”
Truly?
“The [Paifang] retains strength in abundance. Even shattered, it does not fade.”
Aarushi arrived. “Senior, the [Paifang’s] state, this sixty-first rate disciple might guess Senior Udvah’s task is complete. As you have done, the [Mystic Realm] beyond lies collapsed. Are we to begin the next steps?”
“The phoenix’s realm was of [Core Formation Grade], this, of [Foundation Grade]. Seven days have passed since our entry to the trial there, between then and now, he may well have erged. How long it took for the [Paifang] to beco this, only the Wayward Winds will have held the days in count,” he said, musing. “I have witnessed a collapse before, in a realm of similar grade. Not its end, but the haste employed to strip it of resources.”
On a fool’s hope, Fu pushed Qi through his brooch.
As his nature dictated, Su Sai erged to begin comntary. “Ti, then. How fortunate, for I’ve many questions about this blind act you’ve had us perform.”
“Few things can be said that you have not witnessed. The [Reliquary] was entered, its [Trial] complete. To share more would cross a line between what cousins, such as you and I, might say,” said Fu.
“My, this sudden rembrance of Sect propriety, it seems to ebb as tides do,” Sai said, frowning towards the [Paifang]. “You’ve perplexed . Have the Clouded Courts always employed such thods? One hand to poison initiates and- oh, forgiveness, the sa hand to deliver benefits untold?”
Shuidi impressed that she might dissolve his flesh with [Hundred Poisons Synthesis].
It betrayed caution, but Fu now viewed such open challenge as less of a priority where this cultivator was concerned.
Owed perhaps, to the gratitude felt at the [Trial’s] completion. Done not by ghosts but through Su Sai’s persistence.
Or perhaps for the Loosened Tongue Draught he had applied during the great phoenix’s delivered [Epiphany].
“Cousin Su Sai,” he smiled. “Why would you say so dishonourable a thing?”
The man’s face twitched. “To undermine your authority before disciple Aarushi and ensure my survival,” ca unwanted words, having his [Spirit Serpent] hiss violently. “I- There is an ailnt within .”
A resonance returned through Fu’s brooch.
Su Sai could not know this, and poisoned, his body reflected this. Fists curled minutely, his serpent coiled, and pupils straightened. “Cousin Gao Fu, it’s clear the [Trial] has overco . Our ga cannot be played like this.”
“The [Trial]. There is credit owed for it. You completed it where I could not, nor disciple Aarushi. But one bucket does not quell a fire long set,” said Fu, and returned to inspection of the [Paifang] so his back might stand exposed. “The ga, as you called it. It will end.”
[Senses] betrayed nothing, yet certainty was never the ghost’s ga.
“End. Such finality,” taunted Sai.
His [Qi Suppression] learnt, the man’s techniques would co without warning. If he employed [Inner Qi] to reduce his poison’s effect, this too would be hidden.
So Fu felt the wind, expectant. “There is an [Oath], and if survival is valued then you would swear it.”
It was [Intent] that flew in place of violence.
Shuidi impressed disappointnt, for it was one of rage, and equal parts doubt.
“You’d have bind myself to you? Forsake the righteous and dwell in shadow. No, Gao Fu, this won’t co to pass.”
Fu rebuffed his [Intent]. “Why?”
“The Su will be no base clan. Their na- my na demands to be known!” hissed Sai, now a likeness for his rearing beast. “A toil of generations delivered here, to see that undone discredits everything. When all is done, when [Thrice Clouded Boa] cuts free this land and her lesser twin arrives in tow, my tale will be spoken. And the stain of dishonourable deeds will not crowd it!”
A fisherman could not judge deeds done for family, and yet, a ghost could not allow errant candles to reduce the dark.
[Half Cloud Step] put Fu at Sai’s ear, and such an act blazed the rage-thick [Intent] outward. Its density such that Aarushi crumpled against the broken [Paifang].
Fu only suffered it until his next whisper. “But what tales are spoken of victims and unfound corpses?”
Dense shadow cast atop the cultivators as the sun was blocked, now obscured by the descending bulk of a dull-teal Warship. The bridge extended aside Su Sai’s silence, landing so few strides from the [Paifang].
“Amituofo,” sounded Udvah, moving with gun-supported step. “This humble disciple greets his senior.” How the t three were arranged did not escape his notice, and his bow showed wary eyes.
Aarushi dispensed her own bow, still frail from the showing of [Intent. “Senior Udvah, this sixty-first rate disciple extends greetings,” she said, and ca to his side. “If she might tend to these wounds?”
The Vajra smiled kindly, lifting a fold to bare a well mangled shoulder. “Amituofo. Aarushi has good eyes. But duty cos before pain, yes?”
“The world is vast, but I would think your task a success to see the [Paifang] shattered,” said Fu. “Is this so?”
Passing by the still-silent Sai, Udvah proffered the [True Orchid Path] fragnt. “First, a different answer to different questions,” he said, and stamped his gun before the [Paifang]. “Amituofo, this lacking disciple hopes he is forgiven.”
Touched by the [Shaving of the First Gate], violet overca the shattered wood. So ghostly silhouette spread from its fragnted tips to reach higher, reconstructing both pole and cap alike to have it show as whole.
Fu set the fragnt against it. “It is not [Imperial Realm 6,514]. Not that which you collapsed,” he nodded. Indeed, the connecting star upon his map highlighted a realm so few connections distant. “Then to ruin a [Mystic Realm] does not eliminate the power to travel between them. Brother, have you tested this?”
“Amituofo. Ten tis, for this number removes much guesswork.”
A look showed blackness where Udvah’s [Trial] had taken place, leaving but one connection to another realm. The phoenix’s, soon to vanish.
[Senses] interrupted, finding movent as Hushi impressed… confusion.
What cos? This mont holds many factors, let us hope more are not added.
Conscious of Su Sai, Fu looked to the surrounding ground. To small crevices and darkened places that birthed an ergence of flicking tongues. Great then, was the susurration of a thousand serpents as they flocked towards the Wayward Winds.
The sun-facing cultivator t them, emboldened by his exuberant [Spirit Serpent]. “She has co,” he grinned with no handso smile. “Can’t you feel this? It’s as if we walk through the Divine Clouded Mountain. The reverence of serpents.”
Then he speaks true. Our Elders have co, or at least walk among the Imperial Realms.
He had encountered [Spirit Serpents] in his recent travels, and none had behaved as these did now. Almost dismissive of the cultivators’ presence, for they passed by unconcerned.
From the mortal beasts amongst these ranks to those on the cusp of attaining [Spirituality].
Su Sai embraced the sight. “[Thrice Clouded Boa’s] exalted [Bloodline] extends even here. You’d best put in your eyes, Gao Fu. My Elder sees all, and to arrive when you spout such demands tells much, no? She is displeased.”
A true beast stalled before them. [Foundation Realm], dense, and of snow-white scales. Stark against the deep green irises that flicked between both n.
“Displeasure,” mused Fu, then addressed the serpent. “Is this why you have co?”
Aside, Su Sai’s own serpent hissed.
The snow-white beast spurned it, and instead dispensed a bow in Fu’s direction before ascending the bridge. This unsteadied Sai’s legs as one by one, the Wayward Winds left him to kneel alone upon the ground.
“Gao Fu,” cried a voice ten breaths later.
It was ignored.
“Senior,” it ca again, and Fu slowed. “I would not be naless.”
Shuidi clacked her pincers, much disgruntled as her cultivator returned his own words. “Then be nad as ghost, for all know this title. In honor or not, fear holds no small reputation.”
🀦
Udvah regaled Fu with his [Trial’s] tale long into the night, and in turn the details of the phoenix’s were shared. In truth the content mattered very little, save for a basis on which to study further attempts in further realms.
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Yet Pinxui had already collated nurous reports. Those upon his table, set aside fragrant, bitter tea.
The scene stirred longing, for his Vajra companion - a newfound second - was no Zhu. In turn, Zhu could be no smiling daughter or diligent son. So they poured over all that was scrawled in quiet, exchanging each leaf when done.
When ‘[Constellation Seeds]: Observations,’ was finished, Fu’s nose wrinkled. An impression that roused Shuidi from her inspection of the two treasures before her.
The [Trials’] rewards. One cerulean phoenix feather, and Udvah’s claim, an iridescent conch that sat aside it.
“Tell again, brother. What do the initiates know of our task?”
Udvah looked up from his papers. “Amituofo. Small things. The connection between [Trial] and closure is plain as wind on one’s cheek. Yet it was this disciple and Anfang that entered. All others remained aboard the Warship. [Constellation Seeds] were not nad.”
“Our heads, and Su Sai hold this dangerous knowledge alone then,” Fu mused.
A croak sounded from Mangalam as his cultivator granted a thin smile. “Amituofo. Our. Forgiveness, Gao Fu, but our heads are your heads.”
Fu only nodded. “I speak as the Clouded Courts, if such a thing is allowed. A frog separated even from the smallest well.”
The surrounding quarters remained as they had on his arrival, clean and tended. He had no desire for any of the furniture or fineries pillaged from the opposing Warship so days ago. But this had it sparse, Fu thought, cluttered where small serpents found empty corners in which to rest.
Those bold enough to enter his chambers, at least.
It drew his thoughts.
“Reverence of serpents. Is it a mortal thought to wonder on the range of our Elder’s [Bloodline]? [Thrice Clouded Boa] or [Gleeful Viper]. A fool would rest easy to know they are near, no? But the [True Orchid Path] is unparalleled in vastness.”
In his absence, Pinxiu had discovered more fragnts, and as such Udvah presented his own. A thousand, thousand stars that comprised the Empire of Abundant [Spring’s] domain. “What is best said? Ships in the night? Amituofo, ghosts pass unseen, and no whisper has co of Serpents but this fresh flood,” he said, indicating the resting, mortal beasts.
Hushi impressed thoughts of the phoenix.
“The [Trial’s] guardian told that our way ho lies at the end of this [True Orchid Path]. At the end of distance untold, so thirty thousand [Mystic Realms] wide. Our Elders, our Cloudy Serpent Sect stands sowhere between here and there,” mused Fu. “For that, we must act as though their presence is yet to be revealed. We cannot rely on their support until our paths finally cross.”
Udvah stared contemplatively into his tea. At thinning steam. “Su Sai’s acts believed otherwise, no?”
“My hope is that the [Oath] will simr these passions of his. He completed the [Trial] where I could not. The blind might see his use, if directed. If not, the realm holds many dangers.”
His companion left so ti later, having delivered all he had co to say. Notes on the collapsed realm, [Constellation Seed], and behaviour of Fu’s initiates. Of which, spurred by the impressive villainy aboard the enemy Warship, many had progressed their [Clouded Ghost Arts].
Now he turned to his own, knowing well it was a neglected thing.
[Ink] unfurled.
[Stifling Stream Revolutions]
[Peak] transcended. [False Imitation, Early] reached.
[Might] 35, [Control] 20
[ThreeWisps from Breath]
[Late] attained.
[Capacity] 15, [Push] 5
As the Heavens willed, to look upon the insight soon brought him into equilibrium. A benefit from the latest trial. Opportunity granted despite his failings.
Hushi shared great sha in what had co to pass. Not in lack of victory, for neither cultivator nor Bond were prideful souls, but in their impotence against the mory-ridding effects their trial had included.
With the [Old One’s] unparalleled recollection to aid, their state of absent mory returned in clarity.
“A harshness, and lesson. But do not let it weigh.”
Fu found no consolation in this.
“Recall, Gao Fu. My centuries were washed just as your small span of moons were. The toll was upon all.”
A rare rage surfaced in his palm as he stared into the murky tea, and Fu crumbled the dish with unconscious effort. The contents stained his docunts below, as did shards scatter across all he had read.
“We forgot them, old one,” he growled, spittle driving through clenched teeth. “The Sect. The Clouded Courts. Our travels. Our [Tribulations]. Take any and my heart could not change. Yet I had no recollection of their faces, nas, or existence. Our Path has made us black-hearted and villainous, reapers of lives, liars, schers and more. But never have I felt such sha as to forget my own children.”
Shuidi broached his knuckle, restraining him from the fist that so wished to turn this table to kindling.
“Circumstance has had us act with little foresight,” he said, vacant-eyed for long, long monts. “Loud, where ghosts should not be.”
Impressions shared such concern, but none dared take a breath even now. No. In place of undeserved rest, the three partners moved to empty space and set into a stance. Understanding through [Prowess] had lessened the toll of his new techniques.
[Three Wisps from Breath] unfurled, and mist spilled forth to hug the edge of a now-drawn chain. What [Inner Qi] was required, less turbulent for his improvent - and so he began to clad it in his [Clouded Ghost Arts].
This manifested Qi, outwith his own body.
And failed.
Twice.
Thrice, and on to the hundreds.
That sa aura expanded in attempts to quiet it, of an ilk with [Senses] or how he had claid this Warship’s [Core]. Interaction beyond touch. And this had him recall his first steps upon the shaded Path: the breath taken to suppress and insulate [Channels], [ridians] and [Core] alike.
A lungful. A breath in.
Shuidi shared her thoughts, for her intrinsic suppression shared similarity. One unteachable for those without carapace or a [Spirit Crab’s] organs.
What then of the breath out?
Fu ceased his chainwork, reaching for the air he blew through nostrils. Unaligned, or undetectable. Qi was not found in its wake despite how it flowed from an [Air Qi]-rich chest.
Perhaps…
Pincers clacked as Shuidi agreed.
🀦
It ca to interrupt the makings of routine.
The third day.
Adrift by Pinxui’s guidance, the Warship was moored amidst drifting cloud. Masked so they might glean the activities of the vast city below, in part.
As the Wayward Winds had yet to descend for a detailed inspection, her myriad reports had outlined all that might be sight from such a vantage. From the curiosity of structures to, this, [Imperial Realm 340’s] various [Laws of Origin]. Speculative, perhaps, but of better use than descending as blind fools.
“There is more, senior,” she said, and her [Spirit Ants] presented a thin stack of scrolls that night reached Fu’s own height. “Sister Aarushi has aided in compiling observations on the various dical properties within the several Castes, approximating and confirming statistics involving diet; role; Qi receptivity; likely Qi impartnt of [Imperial Arts]; regional [Affinity] of [Spirit Beasts] and their habitats across the various realms; migration patterns of both cultivators and beasts; and natural treasures as they relate to [Dao] and unique benefits.”
Of the aforentioned routine, Pinxui could never be included. Their talk was no grand or scheduled eting, for each ti their paths crossed another stack of similar height and density would be… gifted.
In the Alchemical initiates’ space- a series of unused and converted quarters that now held the bulk of their cauldrons and [Arrays] - several of their number gasped as Fu’s bow.
“As is said regularly Pinxiu, gratitude.”
Though silent, the erratic disciple’s mouth had continued to move before speaking “...and there is the matter of the training hall conversion. Here we forsake appearance for function: the [Arrays] work as intended.”
At [Foundation Realm]... It is unfathomable that she finds any ti to sleep.
The [Old One] roused at this, almost mirthful. “Genius, Gao Fu. This disciple would be desired by many.”
As Fu was narrated to the site in question, he had to agree.
Routine flourished here, if only in a place he did not recognize. Gone was his inner hull, for a welco gloom coated all. Training implents, targets, initiates and the frawork of jutting eaves that extended from a sand-strewn floor.
Shuidi held no love for the [Demonic] heat that resonated from below.
Yet the two remaining partners felt nostalgia.
It is lacking only in scarves and Mistresses.
His walk had him cross above the sands, never to sink as the training initiates did ahead. Halved groups at east and west, with he at their center.
Unseen.
Anfang, and her second, adjusting the choreography of the traded blows ahead as initiates of both vocations sat to spectate.
The scene played slowly. Well telegraphed strikes that urged open palms into shoulders or joints, if at glacial pace. An encompassnt of kicks, turns and defensive footwork that represented the [Yin Equilibrium Stances].
The Clouded Court’s foundational martial style.
Within, Fu’s [Interdiary Wisdom] noted how far this was from perfection. From even [Middle] understanding.
No harder step exists than the first.
And then, a scoff.
Those spectating the exchange stiffened as one among their number loudly protested at the sparring initiates. A woman of Martial heritage and the other, Xiong.
It ca as sand had Xiong’s foot stumble, and summarily ended when Anfang’s second levelled a murderous glare upon the vocal spectator.
“Little worm. You’d laugh? You, who play at serpents?” intoned Su Sai. “Indeed, you dare. If you think yourself a ghost, then we’d best trade pointers. No?”
Routine.
The Wayward Wind’s archives drew next.
A repetition of Aarushi’s calligraphy, if separate from the progression of her [One Hundred Rhythms of the Golden Needle].
Here were the first motions from a qiang style nad the [Impending Rainfall Arts], which Fu had to perform with one of the nurous pillaged spears within their growing armory. A subtle item of tallic feel, and unnatural to a cultivator that had known only chains across his few [Seasons] of combat.
As it had been with the [Basic Axe Brutalities] of yesterday morning.
“The figures here are unparalleled Aarushi. Artistry might well have proved your Path was dicine not your calling,” Fu said, white-gripped upon her desk.
Sleeve before her face, the demure Vajra smiled. “This sixty-first rate disciple is undeserving of such words. A passing interest, no more.”
Breaths passed, and her gaze grew intense.
“Ask,” said Fu, plainly.
Her [Spirit Lizard] regarded Hushi, and the octopus impressed that an [Art] was subtly winding about them.
“All this disciple asks is that which was asked yesterday. An offence, repeated. Presumption,” she said. “Other matters might hold priority, and the toll of senior’s talents-”
Hushi retrieved their douli, dressing his cultivator before he moved within.
“Gratitude, disciple,” he said. “Until tomorrow.”
Routine.
Anfang faced him in the lotus position, her [Spirit Spider] opposite Shuidi.
“Monts of anger. Monts of hatred. Monts of loss. Allow these to pool as tears, and have your soul scream forward,” he said.
A fledgling [Intent] fizzled.
Solitary as they were, the woman’s personality was worn as clearly as her hanfu. “It’ll take ten moons of combat to reach that. My Path is of [Might]. We’ve not the centuries of experience you hold, old man.”
The Heavens are kind that so flippant a youth is not of my kin.
Fu’s brow remained still, no matter how he wished to raise it.
Centuries?
“You go too far, disciple. Unparalleled tornt is a second thod to develop [Intent]. That we spare you from this is only by Hushi’s direction. His opinion is that you have suffered enough. Yet coins hold two faces, no?”
Anfang rolled her neck. “My senior from that excursion is not present. You’re the other one now. Can’t we spar instead? Training the initiates progresses my Path little.”
The fisherman restrained a smile.
“I would not spoil you,” he said.
Routine, and not, for Udvah appeared near the end of the first hour. As the first signs of dawn broke across the horizon.
His passage was swift across the Warship’s peak, crossing from stairwell to balustrade with a haste unseen for the monastic Vajra. “Senior,” ca his greeting, prostrate.
To conduct himself in such a manner set Fu straighter, likewise gathering Anfang from her bone-waring training to set herself upon a knee.
“Brother Udvah.”
Mangalam croaked, prematurely ruining the charade before it could progress further. As now Udvah’s grin was wide enough to have any think he was moon-touched. “Amituofo. A great sha.”
“Oh?” asked Fu. “What sha need be delivered so swiftly?”
Dawn cast the Vajra’s silhouette in jubilant, orange light. Afla against the horizon. “The greatest, no? That this lacking disciple must once more wait for his [Season] to return.”
The [Mystic Realm’s] skies then shattered.
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