Temporary accommodation had been half-hewn, half unloaded by spatial treasures into a subterranean chamber of Bingbai’s hilltop. It held no personal chambers or area in which to train and cultivate, but base furnishings and comforts where the Cloud Gathering division might convene.
Fen trilled a gentle lody, growing flowers upon each wisteria root that she nurtured to break through the earth. “...the fireflies fly low…”
Contrary to a master assassin’s forbearance, Bingbai tapped his quill to the rhythm. “...who are you longing for?”
Silent lightning radiated Anfang and her [Spirit Spider], Qiqui, adrift in arcing webs. The valai-tadar was no longer her preferred weapon, now favouring one hundred crescent blades that floated at the edge of this technique.
Zhu perused a list, scoring entries free after long pensive thoughts.
Udvah and Pinxui still voyaged in the Empire of Abundant [Spring], holding use to the Clouded Courts that occupied those myriad realms.
But even if they were to return now, waiting would still be required.
Fu, Hushi and Shuidi stood with themselves in the chamber’s center. “It seems-”
“-we must enter the [Conception Vessel]-” he finished.
So saying, the six halves adopted their lotus positions. The flow of energies between them were akin to that of dual cultivation. An intimate technique that his late wife i had routinely teased him over.
He did not allow his cheeks to redden at the thought, or warm when he recalled her voice. “If cultivation is ever the Path you might choose, Fu, then our fun will only grow-”
Fu cut off the mory and let his [Constellation Seeds] rge.
A vivid spark put both his selves into a deep, ditative state, rushing the [Inner Reserves] of their Qi flow together. The disparity, no, the strength of their conflicting realms was a minor trouble to have reach equilibrium, but two identical minds conquered the task with little difficulty.
First ca the mories experienced by each.
That of Divine Clouded Mountain, death, the scouting of this Heavenly Roaming Prefecture, Master Ban’s orders and the [Loneso Wind God’s] trial.
There was no longer a divide between identity, for Fu felt these experiences enter his soul as if his body was the one to perform them. Then ca a great burning of [Ink] as their shared [Dao], [Arts] and [Boons] were transferred between the other, and with expedited speed both [Cores] began to deplete.
Fu Gao had improved since their parting, but his cultivation had not yet ascended to that of late [Core Formation], leaving Gao Fu and his respective partners to field much of this cost.
Yet the cost only grew.
And grew.
“The [Constellation Seed] is attempting to replicate,” called Bingbai, though his words were but echoes beyond the trial. “[True King Realm]. Oh-ho. Where might this energy co from, disciples? Heaven’s treasures don’t appear without a cost, no?”
Both Shuidi’s smirked, overco with a notion.
Not-
Fu Gao and Gao Fu were silenced.
“[Dao of Coming Tribulations],” intoned the twin [Spirit Crabs].
Apocalyptic tines of lightning shattered the chamber’s ceiling to engulf the seated six, collapsing the underground’s entirety upon them. Feral [Profundity], heat, and energy arrived to temper their cultivation as was its purpose, and yet even with the full intent of both [Spirit Crabs] this [Tribulation] went no further.
[To Whom the Storm Bends] gluttonously drank the arriving destruction, and both n’s will stayed the tempering aspect.
They felt impressions of the [Shrine of Final Skies] take root within Fu Gao, converting all of the lightning’s wrath to provide but a fledgling growth within. Considerable pain shredded the pair’s insides as material from the original seed was scraped and grafted into a second [Primordial Constellation Gate].
Its [Boons] felt dimr as the process completed, leaving six sets of ragged gasps.
Bingbai tapped vigorously on his parchnt. “I see. There are limitations.” Myriad golden needles were embedded in their six halves, oscillating in pyres of cobalt fla.
“Master?” queried Fu.
The remaining disciples ceased their acts to listen.
“Ah, I was rely curious as to your [Heartplu of Clouded Schisms]. The inherent confluence between [Constellation Seeds] cos from a gestalt of [Body] and [Spirit]. Residing within flesh while enriching the soul on a fundantal level. When one is reaped it leaves profound scarring on both, no? I’d been interested in the possibility of adding another [Constellation Seed] to your second selves to see if the limitation of five [Constellation Seeds] might be bypassed. Yet your [Spirit] rejected that notion upon returning to equilibrium.”
Fu stroked his whisper.
“This peerless Gao Shuidi feels another might have been attained to further Bingbai’s studies. For posterity. Though she would not give up the [Heartplu of Clouded Schisms] that another could attempt this.”
Bingbai seed enthused. “All beneath Heaven is endless, disciples. Cultivation techniques, chiefly those of [Mind] and [Body] in tandem possess similar benefits to your [Constellation Seed]. If flesh and soul are disconnected in this way, it might be possible to hold ten treasures.”
“The energy required to duplicate so many treasures would shatter many cultivators, no? Neither is the conjoining holistic,” said Fu. “Half of us remain in middle [Core Formation]. If at the cusp of ascension. We require another [Tribulation].”
Zhu gestured to the gaping wound in their temporary headquarters. “Hmm. Perhaps attempt that on your own ti, brother. I’ve no love of caves, but this one was better than the others. Master, Fu has reached equilibrium with his mories- I’m eager to begin.”
“Just so,” smiled Bingbai. “Guang, if you would.”
Great tremors wracked what left stood of the chamber, and it began to rise ever higher.
It had struck Fu as curious that no [Earth Qi] had sullied his [Core] given how deep beneath the surface they were. As Guang shed the loose coverings of soil and stone about them, ascending to the sky, he only smiled.
“Subtle,” remarked Anfang.
Fen only looked back wistfully as her tended roots snapped and cascaded back to earth.
Given Bingbai’s mastery of the [Clouded Ghost Arts], none there but Zhu detected the formations and techniques that clad the colossal, rising Guang from would-be onlookers within the Heavenly Roaming Prefecture.
And yet, he calls us rowdy.
🀦
Bingbai chose his monts, thus three hours passed. Or perhaps, the [Tribulation] was its own signal.
“DId I not promise dragons?” he asked.
Hushi stared intently as a discernable lack of dragons did appear.
“An invisible dragon,” sighed Anfang, punctuating this statent with a roll of the eyes. “The Heavens are truly terrifying.”
From their perch atop Guang’s shell the Heavenly column was a distant sight, no wider nor more profound than any early [Core Formation] conjuration or [Dao]-birth elent. A fearso, ceaseless ray in surety, but even the least resilient disciple of his forr Wayward Winds could weather such a thing.
Yet, dragons were indeed the implication.
“Master Ban, forgiveness, but I shafully ask for the direct correlation between arriving output and [Grade],” asked Fen, folding one palm over her [Spirit Hyena] - Xipishi’s - ear. “The roots speak to us of a scattered asure.”
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An airy gesture followed. “Those that don’t ask don’t know,” he murmured. “Poor, is perhaps the answer, disciple Fen. Heaven ever seeks to confound the scholar. The arriving force is oftentis a byproduct of the [Mystic Realm’s] redundant energies and not a true representation.”
Fu listened intently, adding his own readings. “As the locale is an expanse of Qi desolation, neither can the surrounding density be factored in. ‘Observations of Heavenward Properties,’ cites many examples of reduced arriving output as it is gathered through existing high-density regions. I have yet to comprehend the formula for calculating absence.”
“This disciple only asks because the refinent of this is… unwasted. My [Blood of Verdant Extremities] senses no change in the ambient Qi. It is suppressed.”
Bingbai stroked his beard. “No drop is spared, nor is more required. If it served any purpose I’d suggest you stand before it. The sensation is novel.”
Like receding waves upon the shore, the lightning gave way to treasure beneath.
Of a cherry red hue and four ancillary pillars the sight beca plain.
A fresh [Paifang] had grown from the tumult of lightning, spatial energy circulating within the main arch.
“The setting is rarely more auspicious than this,” began Bingbai, shedding all humor. “My Cloud Gathering, listen well.”
All idiosyncrasies fled as the assassins gathered, following both personal disciples’ lead to a knee.
“With this [Paifang’s] appearance the countdown to our great work begins. By privilege and ans you need not know, the most profound of benefits will soon avail itself. The stars themselves have aligned over this Heavenly Roaming Prefecture: for in the coming moons it will play host to the most significant density phenona in several thousand [Seasons],” he waxed, considering each delivered word. “Spread between four minor locales, a minimum of six thousand [Paifang] will manifest.”
Madness will descend the mont this information becos widespread. I fear the Beggar Sect and their gluttonous nature. A fortune lies in the revelation of one fresh [Paifang] when sold to another faction, and they will find a trove when the next appears.
Shuidi bristled at the thought.
Hushi salivated.
“We’re to do more than collapse these realms,” interjected Anfang. “The fools of foreign factions are my concern.”
Bingbai’s lips thinned. “The notion is indeed sickening, and yet these avaricious souls will provide nourishnt untold. While our Clouded Courts and sun-facing betters occupy themselves with the administration of this affair, our goal is quite different. Beneath the magnanimity of the Clear Sky Edict, the talentless are afforded a grace of land outwith the [Paifang] they may well occupy. This both complicates and enriches our task.”
“A race for spoils,” said Zhu.
“No less. As the myriad [Paifang] manifest within this desolate land, it will apotheosize into myth. The purity and density of ambient Qi will transform this mortal landscape into a paradise of resources, Qi and [Profundity], scouring any vestige of mundanity it once retained. Uncountable talents will soon erge to claim this swathe of land, and among them will be nurous targets that possess the Sect’s own property.”
“Cultivators possessing [Constellation Seeds] will be as moths to a fla,” trilled Fen. “Forgiveness, seniors, but not all [Imperial Realms] were severed by our hand. The [Spring] Empire’s appearance revealed much of Heaven’s bounty to those that should not possess them.”
Fu nodded grimly. “The great hub realms of scattered factions. Those of the White Dragon Alliance, Western Bone Cult, Martial Star Alliance, to na but a few. Talents from whom we could not reap at the ti. [Constellation Seeds] grow less in rarity.”
A rising hand drew all attention to Bingbai. “All this, my Cloud Gathering, and more. The unique resourcefulness fostered within the Wayward Winds will be tested once more. While the factions mass, we serpents must lay our nests. Pits from which to recover the unwitting thieves in possession of Heaven’s treasures.”
“Your will be done, master,” said Fu.
“In part,” corrected Bingbai. “As vice-leader, Gao Fu, this operation is your own. More [Seasons] will pass before its fruition than any here have yet lived. No tree stands on shallow roots, thus, you will burrow as you see fit.”
As we see fit.
Zhu unstoppered a bottle. “And what of you, master? What role are you to play as we do this?”
“Oh-ho. To reveal it now would ruin the surprise, no?”
🀦
Four locales were split between six disciples.
To Wisteria Peaks went Zhu, for this was his new jurisdiction. The roots he proposed setting were t with a tired sigh, as he did not care for the nuances and complexity of the grand undertaking Bingbai had set before them.
Fen’s jurisdiction was of a differing sort. As were her roots a literal sort.
Through the [Blood of Verdant Extremities] she had already begun work on a grand network of plantlife, using which she might listen, scry and report on any irregularities within the sa locale. But with her talents in mind, Fu had also placed the full responsibility of the Golden Bodhi Sanctuary’s minor territory within her purview.
The sa treatnt occurred in Anfang’s appointnt within the Chis of Black Serendipity, for while the subterranean cave system was vast, a great many openings existed into the surface. These too were her purview, granting her shared responsibility of the Jade Songbird Province.
Udvah had yet to return, and would be a supplentary role to each when the Clouded Courts no longer had need of him.
Fu Gao had similar, if more impactful responsibilities than this, and currently remained with Bingbai to coordinate a great deal of the logistics that were to follow.
Last to be assigned was the least diverse of locales.
A commotion stirred in the… Fu certainly held few terms to describe the settlent before him. Scattered farmland wove across the rolling hills of the Jade Songbird Province, and the hos, buildings and loose structures barely grew denser as he approached its center.
The path underfoot could scarcely be called one.
The crumbling, once ornate walls were eroded by ti and not a clash of cultivators.
The rice paddies were void of citizens, for no fresh shoots erged each minute as they did everywhere else.
Thousand Shore City was no bastion of Qi and [Profundity], and even still this Jade Songbird Province pales.
Shuidi felt a true absence of Qi for so hundred li, but she refrained from external comnt. It did not stop her sneer.
When Fu reached so semblance of a main avenue, the commotion grew louder. While not filthy, the mortals here held a layer of hard-earned gri upon skin and fabric, now glistening as they rushed to deposit minor trinkets into a central cart.
“Pah! Is this all you have to offer your the great Pinnacle Spear Sect?” spat a woman beside it, detailed in orange hanfu and [Spirit Sow] partnership. “The Pinnacle Spear Patriarch’s advancent is a celebration for all, you dare disrespect this joyous occasion?”
An ailing crone tripped before her, scattering off-coloured rice across the dirt path.
“Sullied goods!” the cultivator. “To cast such filth at the feet of I, i Ling, a disciple of the third Qi gathering layer!”
Four more disciples of this Pinnacle Spear Sect rushed forth, dragging the woman to the roadside.
Fu did not intervene, for they had the good sense not to strike her.
i Ling used her [Spirit Pig] as a step, mounting the cart. It seed not to notice, intent on snuffling its snout at the ground. “We are not the talentless fools of the Ascending Fist Sect! If this tribute is too much to ask, then go seek their charity! So poor a tithe does not represent the safety we provide. Pah, the arrogance of these mortals!”
“Excuse , master cultivator,” announced Fu.
“Pah, what now?” fud i Ling. Her [Senses] coarsely expanded, sending shivers down the spine of the mortals aside her before it finally found him. “Who are you? Do you not know to kneel when experiencing your betters?”
With a slight bow, the douli tumbled free. Hushi erged with a single [Qi Refining Pill] in his grasp, proffered outward.
“Oh, please forgive my rudeness. I am Gao Fu, vagrant cultivator. Tales have reached of your Patriarch’s excellence, and I travelled here to wish him good fortune on his ascension.”
i Ling descended her pig, snatching the [Pill]. “My superior [Senses] detect little cultivation from you, pah. Where did one of your ilk discover such a peerless treasure?”
In lands of Qi abundance and lands of absence, does nothing change? Where do the sensible souls reside?
“A fateful encounter. But it is too much for !” he sadly shook. “I could not use such a treasure in ten lifetis. More fitting, I think, that a true genius beneath the Heavens use it to further their cultivation.”
The cowed citizens looked on with fearful gasps, muttering at the exchange.
One among the Pinnacle Spear Sect disciples thrust a kick into them, spitting. “Further disrespect!” he said, dragging one from the mass.
A matronly farr of middling years.
This elicited a scream from a gaggle of young girls beside her.
Pearls may serve well in distracting these swine.
“Venerable i Ling, might you and your juniors wish for similar gifts? I see from the swiftness of that kick and your impressive bearing that you too are cultivators of great rit!” he said, flaring his sleeve to produce several [Spirit Cores] of [Foundation Grade]. “Heaven has been cruel, leading to such unusable treasures! I am fortunate to have co across you: fateful indeed!”
Like children, the disciples flocked. Greed had the matronly farr forgotten within several breaths, and she struggled back to the crowd.
Yet, mortality was not stupidity.
“These gifts are too rich for an aged cultivator to chance upon. Pah. You dare to deceive the Pinnacle Spear Sect? State your intentions.”
Fu only smiled. “My pri is well passed, master cultivator. I only seek to contribute to the next generation before I rejoin the great cycle. With generosity, my [Karma] will lead to fortune in the next life.”
i Ling considered this. “[Karma]? Spoken like a withering monk. I do not know this word well, but if it is of their violence-hating ways and ekness then I have little more to speak with you on.”
“Please, give my regards to your Patriarch,” he clasped.
Several mortal n took the weight of the cart’s handles, grunting off as i Ling directed them forward.
The necessity of ti foisted this gathering crowd back into their daily labours almost the mont they departed. It sent many into the surrounding fields, or at the very least began their vast journey back. Few buildings stood on this main avenue, highlighting just how sparse the population truly was, and fewer mortals yet entered them.
“Cultivator Gao Fu,” ca an unapologetic tug at his sleeve. “Aunty Quan is asking after you. She’s got food as thanks for your inter… intervening. ”
So small and so mortal a child was hardly foil to the Fatherly [Asura’s] detection, but he feigned surprise regardless, stooping. “Ah, young mistress. I must politely decline. Other roots require my attention,” he chuckled.
“Routes? Are you off to trick more stupid cultivators? Aunty Quan says a job worked on an empty stomach is half done. I think,” the young girl scratched. “Can I have yours if you’re going?”
Fu smiled. “If your Aunty Quan agrees. I have a few more sights to see first, young mistress, but I will see you soon if the offer still stands. The Jade Songbird Province is full of wonders, no? I think I will be around for many moons to co.”
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