《The Yellow River Saga [ Epic Cultivation Fantasy Series]》


 The Yellow River Saga: Prologue - A New Beginning

    Winds raged and howled as lightning split the night sky above the two men clashing in the pelting rain. Their figures blurred as they flew at each other, exchanging blows high above the mountains and sea as they fought in the shadow of a massive tree that towered above all.


    One man appeared valiant and brave, but a slight frown in his brows betrayed the stress he was under. His long robes fluttered in the wind as they fought, shining white and pristine, untouched by the rain pouring down around them.


    Wielding a spear he danced through the raging storm, flowing through dizzying movements as he thrust at his foe repeatedly, each strike quick, accurate and deadly.


    His opponent, on the other hand, was breathing heavily and appeared hard pressed. His clothes were tattered rags that plastered to his body, and he fought weaponless, using only his bare hands to keep the spear away from his flesh. Despite his opponents'' confounding movements, he managed to turn away blow after blow. However, his body bled from countless cuts and the veins beneath his skin pulsed a sickly black color.


    ¡°Surrender, and I will make your end quick.¡± The valiant man declared, flourishing his spear as a lull appeared in their fight. ¡°Your time is running out and there is no escape for you.¡± He nodded towards the distance as he spoke.


    The other man didn¡¯t need to look; he had sensed them long ago, and from much further away. Allies had arrived, and they weren¡¯t on his side. There were just under twenty of them and they had already encircled him. Maintaining an equal distance between each other, they approached, cutting off any possibility of escape.


    ¡°Long Sha,¡± The battered man said mockingly. ¡°It seems your legend is overblown if you must rely on poison and traps.¡± Despite his haggard appearance the man stood tall, shoulders back and chest forward. He stared disdainfully at his foe, showing no sign of weakness even as the sickly black veins under his skin pulsed with every breath.


    Despite having the upper hand, Long Sha clutched his spear tighter under the bloody man¡¯s imperious glare. Instead of attacking, he chose to watch warily, waiting impatiently for the arrival of his friends. He felt threatened beneath that gaze, as though he were prey caught in the eyes of a predator.


    ¡°You think yourself worthy?¡± The man roared as the others drew near. ¡°Frogs dreaming of swan meat! Do you think to make a cloak of my mane or armor from my scales? Do you plan to bathe in my blood and use my Essence for elixirs?¡± Rage filled his voice, and all who heard it shivered.


    ¡°You will have nothing!¡± The bloody man shouted in fury. ¡°You are not worthy of a single whisker from my beard, Long Sha!¡±


    As the man finished speaking, he drew in a breath so deep the earth shook and the air vibrated, causing even the lofty branches of the great tree above to tremble. Qi surged towards the man from all directions, fast and violent enough to make even the waters that lay far below them froth and roil. The qi pouring towards the man was denser than anything Long Sha had ever seen, so thick it condensed in the air, causing droplets of liquid qi to mix with the rainwater that stormed around them.


    The valiant man turned pale at the sight, terrified and awestruck at the display of power. Alarmed, he turned and called out to his closest ally, a beautiful woman who soared towards them with a golden net in her hands.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Quickly, Qiu Hua, the net! He means to overflow his Dantian; we must stop him!¡± His attention had wavered for only a split second, but the roar of triumph behind him made his heart freeze. He turned, his spear twisting in his hands, but he already knew it was too late.


    It happened in the space of a heartbeat. A crack of lightning split the sky, and for a moment the world turned white. A roar that seemed to split the heavens shook the earth, and a massive dragon writhed in the sky where the battered man had once floated.


    Long Sha could only watch helplessly as the dragon lifted a single claw. The movement was neither fast nor slow, nor was it complex or intricate. It was simply inexorable, descending like the setting sun, and he had no time to curse or cry as it split the night sky.


    His hands uselessly turned on the shaft of his spear as he watched the dragon¡¯s claw cleave apart space, sending an invisible wave of force that tore through reality itself to split Qiu Hua in half. She died with a look of surprise forever frozen on her flawless face.


    Long Sha watched as the net, his last hope of capturing the dragon alive, and then the love of his life, slowly fell into the ocean far below.


    He turned and made to drive his spear into the dragon, his cries of despair drowned out by the dragon¡¯s roars of triumph as qi ceaselessly rushed towards the beast. Long Sha trembled. He wanted to rip the dragon apart, to make it suffer, but it was too late, and he stilled his blow. The dragon had chosen suicide, and if he remained here any longer he would only die with it.


    Long Sha flew away as fast as he could, cursing as the dragon¡¯s mocking laughter chased after him. There was no time for remorse as he overtook his allies one by one, knowing they were doomed as they fled in different directions. A final roar of pain mixed with triumph filled the air, and he knew it was the last sound they would ever hear.


    -----------------------------------------------------


    A tiny dot of red shot through the air, moving at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. Its origin and destination were unknown to all, save perhaps for fate itself.


    Countless miles away, a baby lay in its crib, sound asleep, occasionally caressed by the cool night air drifting in through the open window. The weather was pleasant, and after laying him in bed his mother had rolled up the waxed paper that served as a poor substitute for a glass windowpane.


    She¡¯d retired to the common room afterwards, from where the faint murmur of voices and the occasional sound of laughter broke the otherwise silent night.


    A chance gust carried a single drop of bright red liquid, which had slowly descended from the sky, through this open window. Its power expended, it was pushed by the wind and landed directly at the crease of the sleeping boy¡¯s mouth.


    Disturbed, the baby opened his mouth to cry, causing the red liquid to slip through his lips and down his throat. The boy didn¡¯t have time to do more than whimper before his throat seized up and he began convulsing. His little body shivered and strained, his mouth twisting into a rictus of pain from which no noise escaped.


    The moment seemed to stretch on forever, but eventually, his little heart could take no more. His muscles relaxed as his heart gave out, and his face once contorted with pain now seemed peaceful under the moonlight.


    Time passed, and his little body grew colder while his parents sat in the other room talking and laughing, unaware that their baby boy''s lips had turned blue in his crib.


    Badum.


    Suddenly, the boy¡¯s heartbeat again, forceful enough to move his tiny body. It beat again and again, visibly shifting beneath the skin, striking like a hammer and far stronger than any child''s heart had a right to be.


    As life returned to the boy¡¯s body, air came flooding back into his lungs with a gasp. He breathed in and out a time or two before unleashing hearty screams that continued until long after his mother had rushed in to comfort him.

 Tributary: Chapter 1 - Leaving Home

    Yu Chen let off a whistle as one of the sheep broke away from the others, making a run for it. The nearby sheepdogs quickly responded, cutting off the stray sheep with loud barks as they drove it back to join the rest of the flock that were following after his brother, Yu Mo.


    Yu Chen, laughing, caught up with the dogs and ruffled their fur, praising them for a job well done before letting them return to their positions, where they kept a watchful eye on the sheep the two young boys guided towards the pasture.


    It was a perfect morning, one that Yu Chen would look back on in the years to come. The sun had just begun to crest the horizon, casting the landscape alight with a golden glow. A tinge of frost still lingered in the air; a gift left behind by a receding winter that was too stubborn to know when its time was over. Everywhere you looked new life was appearing, from the first green shoots of spring grass to the sheep, plenty of whom were heavy with lambs.


    It was Yu Chen¡¯s favorite time of year, when he could escape the confines brought about by a long winter and was once again free to roam the world. He hated being cooped up inside, preferring the outdoors, where he could explore the world with his brother.


    Once they arrived to the pasture, they let the sheep spread out and begin to graze. The sheep seemed to enjoy this time of year too, Yu Chen thought, as he watched them tear at the fresh shoots of grass, as if attempting to wipe out the taste of the hay they¡¯d lived on throughout the winter.


    The dogs knew their jobs well, spreading throughout the pasture before falling to the ground and lounging around, keeping a watchful eye on the sheep. Yu Chen joined his brother as he walked the perimeter of the clearing. They both looked around, checking for signs of any changes, a routine task for any shepherd bringing their sheep to pasture at the start of the season.


    There was nothing out of the ordinary, so they made their way to the large boulder where they often sat, talking as they passed the time. A couple of the dogs followed them, settling nearby and panting as they kept watch over the sheep.


    Yu Chen glanced at his brother as he sat down, and Yu Mo smiled up at him. His brother was a handsome boy, relatively lean and somewhat tall, and his thick black hair curled gently around his shoulders.


    Yu Chen smiled back, taking a seat beside his brother before nudging him playfully.


    ¡°Another year older,¡± Yu Chen teased his brother, who¡¯d celebrated his 16th nameday the day before. ¡°How does it feel to be an old man now?¡± he asked.


    Yu Mo pretended to stroke his non-existent beard as he gazed into the distance, before turning and sighing as he looked at his brother. ¡°Life weighs heavier with each passing year. Sometimes I wish I could return to the carefree days of my childhood, like those you still enjoy.¡±


    Yu Chen rolled his eyes at his brother''s antics. Just a few weeks ago, Yu Mo had caught the local tanner¡¯s dogs, covered them in flour, and set them loose to run home.


    If he was grown, he certainly didn''t act like it.


    Not that it mattered. Sixteen was considered the age of manhood in their village and the world didn¡¯t require you to act grown to consider you grown.


    ¡°You know, Xiao Chen, the sheep will be your responsibility once I leave. Are you ready for that?¡± Yu Mo asked in a serious tone.


    Yu Chen nodded glumly. He wasn¡¯t worried about taking care of the sheep, he''d been doing that since his earliest memories. No, it was the time with his brother that he loved, and he hated the thought of it coming to an end.


    ¡°Did Mei Lin¡¯s father accept your proposal?¡± Yu Chen asked with a smile. Yu Mo had been courting the girl since they were kids, and he knew the strong feelings his brother had for her.


    ¡°He did,¡± Yu Mo said with a wide smile. ¡°If all goes to plan, we will build the house later this year. Next summer, me and Mei Lin will be married together.¡±


    ¡°Congratulations!¡± Yu Chen exclaimed, leaping onto his brother and wrapping him in a tight hug. They tumbled off of the boulder and into the grass, where they lay laughing together.


    ¡°You know I''ll miss you, but I¡¯m really happy for you.¡± Yu Chen whispered to his brother as he lay by his side.


    ¡°I know Xiao Yu, and I¡¯ll miss you too.¡± His older brother said, squeezing him tight. He sat up, pulling his younger brother up with him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we will still see plenty of each other. Father is sure to give me some of the flock and a pasture or two. We won¡¯t be strangers. Perhaps we can even graze our flocks together.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, letting the subject drop. It wasn¡¯t right to let his feelings overshadow his brother''s happy moments. Besides, his brother was right. They¡¯d still see plenty of each other. After all the village was only so big.


    Also¡­


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll have some nieces and nephews soon.¡± Yu Chen said slyly, bursting into laughter as his brother¡¯s face turned bright red.


    They spent the rest of their day in a companionable silence, broken only by the occasional joke followed by the sound of laughter. For the most part they kept to themselves, each lost in their thoughts about the coming year.


    Yu Chen was lying on his back in the field, listening to the sheep bleat, when something in the distant sky caught his eye. At first, he thought he was seeing birds move across the horizon, but they moved far faster than any bird he¡¯d ever seen. Frowning, he sat up, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Yu Chen asked, nudging his brother who sat nearby.


    Rousing himself from his thoughts, his brother stood up, shading his eyes as he looked at what Yu Chen was pointing at.


    Both boys stared at the distant dots as they grew larger, gradually resolving into the fantastical sight of three men flying through the sky. Their mouths dropped open as they took in the sight of the formidable figures standing on their swords as they soared through the sky. They cut a stunning image with their arms clasped behind their backs.


    One of the men seemed to notice the small boys watching them, raising a hand in greeting as he flew by. Yu Chen dazedly lifted his own hand in reply, keeping his eyes on the man until he disappeared into the distance.


    ¡°Was that¡­¡± Yu Chen asked in shock, staring at the spot on the horizon where the men had disappeared.


    ¡°Cultivators!¡± His brother shouted in excitement, startling some of the nearby sheep.


    The two boys spent the rest of the afternoon discussing the mysterious figures, coming up with wild theories about where they¡¯d come from and what they were off to do. Their imaginations ran wild until well into the late afternoon.


    Suddenly realizing how late it had become, Yu Mo let out a short curse, before letting out a long, low whistle. The dogs leaped into action and began to corral the sheep for their journey home.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The trip back was much more animated than the one from the morning, as both boys breathlessly discussed the men on the flying swords.


    They arrived back home and hurried through their chores, only making sure to lock the sheep into their paddock and ensure they were safe before racing to the small cottage they called home. They pushed and jostled each other at the entrance, fighting to be the first to tell their mother about what they¡¯d seen.


    She was standing in the kitchen humming as she cooked dinner, and she let out a laugh as the two boys spilled into the kitchen talking over each other.


    ¡°These three men, mom, were-,¡± Yu Mo began speaking breathlessly.


    ¡°FLYING!,¡± Yu Chen yelled over his brother.


    ¡°THROUGH THE SKY!¡± ¡°ON SWORDS!¡± They both yelled in unison.


    ¡°Cultivators?¡± Their mother asked, stopping what she was doing as a touch of worry colored her voice. ¡°Where did you see these men?¡±


    ¡°They flew over the pasture today while we were with the sheep, the one to the north east!¡± Yu Mo quickly blurted out before Yu Chen could say anything.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t stop or anything, they only flew over?¡± Their mother asked, questioning the excited boys.


    ¡°One waved at us!¡± Yu Chen stated proudly, and his brother nodded along.


    Their mother chewed her lip in worry as she looked at the two boys before nodding her head and turning back towards dinner.


    ¡°How exciting! Now go wash up; your father will be home soon, and he¡¯d hate for dinner to be late because of you two!¡± She said, stirring the pot.


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am!¡± The two said in unison as they headed outside to the water barrel. They took turns washing their hands and faces, before going to their shared room and changing their clothes.


    They returned to the kitchen and found their mother had already begun laying out food upon the table. The two boys began helping without needing to be asked, bringing the plates and cutlery to the table.


    Taking their seats, they watched, mouths watering, as their mother placed plate after plate of food upon the table. Freshly baked bread still steaming from the oven joined the ever-present pot of rice, followed by a pot of stewed beans and a basket of boiled eggs in soy sauce.


    Normally, Yu Chen¡¯s focus would only be on the food, but today he felt his gaze drawn to his mother. Something, perhaps the conversation with his brother or his worries about the future, bid him to notice her.


    She was a short woman, not quite as petite as she had once been, but still slim and beautiful. The hardships of a rural life had left their marks upon her, but it had also given her a quiet sort of strength that shone through her movements.


    He continued watching as she finished arranging the table before returning to the kitchen to clean up as they waited for their father to arrive. The two boys fell back into conversation as she left, eagerly discussing the cultivators they had seen. They talked for quite a while, oblivious to the food that was slowly growing cold in front of them.


    They heard the front door open, and then the sound of heavy bootsteps resounded throughout the house, signaling their fathers arrival. Both boys bowed their heads, greeting him as he stepped into the room.


    Yu Chen¡¯s father was a large man, heavyset but tightly muscled. He was usually full of energy and was the sort who filled a room with his presence, but he seemed unusually tired today.


    Their mother could sense it as well, and she questioned their father as soon as he walked into the room.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± She asked, her voice filled with worry.


    ¡°It¡¯s war.¡± Their father replied shortly, meeting her anxious eyes.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t just rumors then.¡± She said, her voice was tense, and her fingers bunched into her skirt as she gripped it tightly.


    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t.¡± He answered, voice hard and even.


    ¡°Wash up then.¡± His mother said after a pause, frowning. ¡°This talk can wait until after dinner.¡±


    Their father stomped out of the room and the boys began talking, whispering under their breath as they discussed the news. They spoke in hushed tones, not wanting to draw the attention of their mother who was staring into the distance and nibbling her lips.


    Their father soon returned, and the boys quieted down, as everyone began eating in a somber silence. The boys tucked in heartily, hungry after a long day outside in the pasture, but their mother only picked at her food.


    Once the meal was finished, the boys helped their mother clean up the table while their father sat there packing his pipe. By the time everyone else had returned to the table, he was already puffing away at it, the harsh smoke mingling with the uneasy atmosphere.


    ¡°Who did you hear it from?¡± Their mother asked first, before the boys could speak.


    ¡°The mayor. He had it from some tinkers who¡¯ve recently come from the Capitol. Apparently, the news is spreading all over, and it won¡¯t be long before the officers arrive to conscript people.¡± Yu Chen¡¯s father growled around the stem of his pipe.


    ¡°Oh dear!¡± His mother said with horrified eyes as she looked between her husband and Yu Mo.


    Yu Mo clenched his fists and abruptly stood up, his chair scraping across the floor.


    ¡°Of course I will fight!¡± Yu Mo declared; his eyes gleaming with excitement.


    Their father didn¡¯t speak, his brows furrowing as he slapped a meaty hand down on Yu Mo¡¯s shoulder and pushed him back into his seat.


    He stared at Yu Mo for a long moment before speaking. ¡°It¡¯s not me or you that I''m worried about boy.¡± He said as he blew out a haze of smoke, balefully glaring at his oldest son.


    ¡°But¡­ you can¡¯t mean Yu Chen! He¡¯s just a boy!¡± His mother cried, her voice shaking as she glanced towards her youngest son with wide, panicked eyes.


    His father slammed his hand on the table, and everyone fell silent. ¡°Look at him!¡± He demanded.


    His mother, who had already been looking at Yu Chen, turned away at his father¡¯s words, her gaze falling to the ground as her face flushed red with shame. Yu Chen glanced at his brother, but Yu Mo, usually so quick with a smile, now avoided his gaze. The room began to feel stifled, an awkward tension filling the atmosphere.


    Yu Chen understood why. He was still a month away from his thirteenth name day, but he stood a hand taller than his brother, who was taller than most, and was nearly as broad at the shoulder as their father. He¡¯d been blessed with a powerful physique since birth, growing faster and stronger than the other children his age, and the only blemish on his skin was a bright red birthmark near the corner of his lips.


    However, despite his size, he was still just a young boy. He felt a knot tightening in his chest as the atmosphere in the room slowly infected him. Would they really send him to war? His size made it all too likely they would conscript him.


    Yu Chen looked around the room, unsure of what to say. His father¡¯s face was a stormcloud as he puffed away at his pipe, Yu Mo looked embarrassed and helpless, and his mother sat listlessly in her chair.


    ¡°There is one option,¡± His father said, leaning forward as he tapped on the table. Hope flickered in his mother¡¯s eyes as she sat up, looking like a drowning man who¡¯d received a gasp of air.


    ¡°The tinkers I mentioned are still in town. They plan to head north, and will stop by the Golden Mist Sect. They already have a few boys they are taking there and they are willing to take another. With Yu Chen¡¯s physique, he might be able to pass their tests and gain admission. Immortals are detached from mortal affairs, and he should be safe from the war there.¡±


    His mother nodded slowly as she pondered the idea. She was still chewing her lip in worry, but her face now looked somewhat relieved, while Yu Mo beside her wore a bemused smile.


    ¡°They only take in children twelve or younger, so there is a chance it could work. If not¡­¡± His father trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken.


    Yu Chen felt a surge of alarm as he saw his mother coming around to the idea. Going to the sect would mean leaving his family and everything he knew behind. Who would take care of the sheep? Who would help Yu Mo build his house, and watch his back in the war?


    They needed him, and he opened his mouth to protest when a voice thundered in his mind.


    YOU MUST GO.


    The deep rumbling bass filled every corner of his consciousness, driving out all other thoughts. The voice that didn¡¯t belong to him and shouldn¡¯t have been in his head left him feeling dazed and confused.


    By the time Yu Chen regained his bearing and remembered what was happening, things were already in motion. Yu Mo was carrying a pile of his laundry out of their room and handing it to their mother, who whisked it off to be washed. He realized belatedly that his father was speaking to him, explaining what to expect at the sect, telling him what little he knew about it and what he should do.


    Yu Chen barely heard him, unable to grasp how swiftly his entire world had just been turned upside down.

 Tributary: Chapter 2 - Arriving at the Sect

    In the morning Yu Chen kissed his mother goodbye and hugged Yu Mo, who whispered reassurances that they¡¯d definitely see each other again. His father waited patiently while they said their goodbyes, but Yu Chen knew time was short. Before he knew, and long before he was ready, he found himself leaving his family behind and following his father down the road to the village.


    His father led him towards a small caravan on the village outskirts that was just preparing to leave. Yu Chen stood quietly by as his father talked with the tinker in charge, handing over a small bag that the man tucked into his pocket before turning to greet Yu Chen.


    ¡°Ach, you¡¯re quite the big lad.¡± the tinker said as he looked up at Yu Chen. ¡°You¡¯re sure this lad is twelve? You know they won¡¯t accept anyone older.¡± he said, voice filled with doubt. His father simply nodded, and the tinker gave a small shrug in reply, as if to say, ¡°Not my problem¡±.


    ¡°Alright. Well, the rules are simple lad.¡± The tinker continued. ¡°Stick with the caravan and don¡¯t wander too far away. We will be traveling directly to the sect, although we will be stopping in a few towns along the way. Your father has already paid for your food and a place to lay your head. Other than that, fighting and stealing are not allowed. I¡¯m not keen to leave a boy on the side of the road but there will be no thieves in my wagons. Understand?¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat before turning to look at his father. Despite his appearance he was still a twelve-year-old boy being sent away from home to some place he¡¯d never been. He was fighting hard not to cry, determined to not embarrass himself or his father.


    His father understood and pulled Yu Chen into a crushing hug. ¡°It¡¯s ok son. This is the best for you, I know it is. You¡¯ll enter that sect and make your mother proud; you hear me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, father,¡± Yu Chen mumbled into his chest, fighting hard not to snivel as he gripped his father tightly. ¡°I will.¡±


    Eventually, he stepped back, and his father gave him one last nod before turning on his heel and stomping away through the village, his shoulders drawn in like a man burdened with a great weight.


    Yu Chen turned around and went to find the tinker who had walked away to give them some privacy in their final moments and found the man issuing out orders to the others. When the man saw Yu Chen, he quickly pointed out a place for him to stay and told him in no uncertain terms to stay out of the way while they got on the road.


    The journey to the sect took almost a week, and by the second day Yu Chen was further from home than he¡¯d ever been. According to the tinker, their destination lay at the foot of the large mountain range that came into view on the fourth day, and the sect itself was hidden somewhere deep within.


    For the most part the journey was uneventful. The only excitement came from the various towns their little caravan passed through on their way to the mountain. The tinker seemed to know people everywhere he went, and more kids joined them at each stop as he spread the news of the upcoming war and the conscription that was soon to arrive.


    Yu Chen talked and played with the children as they traveled, finding it helped to keep his mind off of the painful thoughts of leaving his family. They mainly wanted to discuss the sect and what they could expect when they became cultivators, and in those few days he heard so many rumors and made-up facts passed off as truth that he hardly knew what to believe.


    ¡°If the sect accepts you, you¡¯ll become an immortal, everyone knows that.¡± One boy told another with an arrogant sneer.


    ¡°I heard they can breathe fire.¡± another boy chimed in, gesticulating with his hands as he spoke, pantomiming billowing waves of flames.


    Yu Chen kept silent as he listened to the boys prattle on. He¡¯d heard all of the same rumors they had, but who knew what the truth was? All he knew for certain was that cultivators could fly, as that was something he¡¯d seen with his own two eyes.


    The times when he wasn¡¯t playing around, he spent filled with a constant sense of worry. He couldn¡¯t help but think about his family, and the talk of war had left him fearful for his father and brother. He had nightmares some nights where he found them dead, and he spent his waking hours worried that he would never see them again. On top of that his trepidation regarding the sect only increased as they approached, and he wondered what life there would be like there, and worried if he would even manage to get in.


    Some of the boys had spread rumors of an entrance exam, and the tinker had confirmed it when asked, stating that he would tell them what he knew when they arrived. The thought of failure hounded Yu Chen. No one knew what would happen if they failed the test, but the children spread stories of the most horrific consequences. Most likely, he¡¯d simply be sent back to his family, and while the thought made him happy, chances were he¡¯d then end up in a war.


    Time passed as they traveled and before he knew it, they¡¯d arrived at a bustling town that nestled at the foot of the mountain that had once seemed so far away. All of his worries fled his mind, and he couldn¡¯t help but stare around wide eyed as their wagons entered the town.


    To his young mind the town was a massive place, easily dwarfing the small village he''d come from. He could barely believe the number of people he saw, milling in throngs so thick they crowded the edges of the road the caravan traveled down. He drank in the sights around him, eyes wide, listening as the sound of hawkers crying out their wares filled his ears. Different scents filled the air, including strange foods, the smell of which made his mouth water.


    Yu Chen hadn''t believed a place could be so full of humanity.


    Their journey through the town eventually led them to a small river that meandered through its center, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but notice the change in the quality of the buildings and environs once they¡¯d crossed the river. Things seemed to improve dramatically as they moved closer towards the mountain, as the buildings here were all built of stone, and it was quieter, while the few people on the streets were dressed in nicer clothes than any he''d ever seen.


    They¡¯d nearly made it through the other side of the town before the wagons finally came to a halt right outside of a cozy inn, two stories tall and made of stone. The tinker hopped off his wagon and cleared his throat before calling all of the children together, and Yu Chen joined the other children as they all hurried to go stand before the man.


    ¡°We¡¯ve finally made it.¡± The man said as he smiled at the children before him. ¡°This path behind me leads up the mountain and directly to the Golden Mist Sect, the largest sect this side of the yellow river.¡± He pointed his finger behind him as he spoke, and Yu Chen¡¯s eyes followed the path as it trailed into the woods, before disappearing into the dense mist that surrounded the mountain as the sect¡¯s name suggested.


    ¡°From here on I can no longer help you, and I know not what tests the Sect will have for you. I only know that arriving at the Sect is the first test, as it is said that the unworthy cannot pass through the mists and make their way up the mountain.¡± He rubbed his face as he spoke, as though he wasn¡¯t sure what to make of it.


    ¡°If you are rejected or cannot make it through the mists I will be staying at this inn here for the next three days. As long as you return to me before the three days are up I will ensure you make it back to your parents safely.¡± The tinker spread his hands as he finished speaking.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The children milled there, uncertain what to do, so the tinker waved his hand towards the path and added. ¡°Now go on, there is no point in waiting, the sooner you try and fail the more likely it is that I can get you back to your homes.¡±


    Yu Chen gulped as he looked at the dirt path that disappeared into the woods. Without waiting for the others, he steeled himself and took his first step onto the path. As he began walking the other children joined him, one after the other, until they were all marching down the path in a tight huddle.


    The path curved back and forth as they walked, winding its way up the mountain. Before long the mists began to thicken, clinging to the children and obstructing their vision, making it difficult to see too far in front of them. Yu Chen didn¡¯t falter and kept marching forward, although around him he heard some of the other children begin to bitterly complain.


    Soon however, he was forced to stop as the group encountered their first obstacle. The mists had thinned out a bit, allowing them to see that the path up the mountain had now split into three, and there was no way to determine which one they were supposed to choose. While Yu Chen ruminated over the choice a few of the boys who were a bit more hot blooded picked a path and started up them.


    Yu Chen shrugged and picked his own as well, deciding that sticking to the middle was just as well as any of the other directions. Some of the children followed him on the path he chose, while others went their own way, but he paid little attention to them.


    The next time he encountered an intersection he didn¡¯t even pause, just continuing to barrel straight down the middle path. He kept going in that manner, passing intersection after intersection, until he arrived at one where he couldn¡¯t help but to stop and frown. The few other children who had stuck with him this far also stopped and they all looked around in consternation.


    ¡°There¡¯s footprints everywhere.¡± One kid said.


    ¡°Lots of them!¡± Another added.


    ¡°The path so far has been clear; I don¡¯t remember seeing footprints before¡­¡± A third voice chimed in doubtfully.


    Yu Chen tilted his head as he examined the area. The shifting mists made it hard to identify anything, but he swore he remembered the tree that stood between the right and middle pathways. It¡¯d caught his notice before, standing out as it was split down the middle where lighting had struck it.


    And if that was the case¡­ ¡°We¡¯re going in circles.¡± He announced firmly, and a few of the others nodded while some sighed.


    What should he do now? He¡¯d only picked the middle path so far and that had just brought him back around to where he¡¯d started from. Perhaps he should try the left path this time? Once again he started walking. Some of the other children seemed to share his thoughts and followed, while others decided to try another path.


    By now only two other kids remained beside him as he went down the left-hand path, and at the next intersection he lost another. The air grew colder as night set in, and the clinging mists carried a definite chill to them now. Intersection after intersection appeared in the mists and eventually he found himself walking down the pathway alone.


    The fourth time he encountered the split tree he paused, sitting for a spell while he thought. He¡¯d taken every path leading from this intersection by now, and while he hadn¡¯t tried every branching pathway up the mountain, he had a feeling that none would take him to the top.


    Was it his destiny to not make it to the sect? They said the mists were here to weed out the unworthy. Was that him? His eyes drifted back the way he came as he thought about it. There was one path he hadn¡¯t taken yet¡­ Was that the trick? He got up and turned around, leaving the intersection from the path he¡¯d come, determined to arrive at the top.


    His determination didn¡¯t seem to matter much, however. He didn¡¯t have to walk far before he felt the mists begin to dissipate, and he knew without a doubt he was simply descending the mountain.


    Frustrated Yu Chen turned around and walked back to that first intersection, where he paused and thought some more.


    And some more.


    And some more.


    He wasn¡¯t sure how long he sat there for, but eventually an idea came to him. No one had specifically said he had to stick to the path had they? He¡¯d only been told to reach the top of the mountain. He glanced around, noting that despite the mists that obscured everything and confounded his senses, he could still discern up from down. With a determined nod, he stepped off the path.


    Digging his toes in he began running up the side of the mountain.


    He used the burning sensation in his thighs as a compass to continue moving upwards, even as the mists swirled around him and tried to lead him astray. It was all the confirmation he needed that he was on the right path as he used his powerful physique to dodge trees and bushes and as he bullied his way through the undergrowth in a rush to reach the top.


    He didn¡¯t stop moving, and he didn¡¯t feel tired no matter how far or hard he ran, but it had always been that way for Yu Chen. The harder he pushed his body, the harder his heart pumped, and the harder his heart pumped the better he felt.


    His thoughts and worries fell behind as he raced through the wilderness, and he didn¡¯t even notice when the mists surrounding him began to disappear, revealing the mountain around him. He simply kept running and running, until he faintly began to make out the sight of lights sparkling around the peak of the mountain.


    The sight of those lights in the distance gave him a second wind, and he redoubled his efforts as he scrambled towards the peak. Eventually the path he carved up the mountain intersected with a dirt pathway, and he stopped and thought. It was less direct than the route he¡¯d been carving up the mountain, but paths led somewhere, so he decided to continue on that way now that the mists had dissipated, and he could see again.


    He slowed his mad dash now that he¡¯d found a pathway and began walking again at a normal pace. Just running up the side of a mountain for a short distance would have left anyone else winded and gasping for air, but the only sign that Yu Chen had exerted himself at all was his slightly elevated heart rate.


    The peak of the mountain grew closer, and Yu Chen felt his heart tremble in trepidation.


    Faintly, in the distance, he could make out a large gate looming out of the darkness. Yu Chen made his way towards it, and as he grew closer, he began to make out the walls that encircled the sect.


    It was quite possibly the most awe-inspiring sight he¡¯d ever seen in his life.


    He reached the gates and realized they were tightly shut. Worry wormed its way back into his heart and he began to fear that he¡¯d taken too long, and the entry trials were already over.


    Yu Chen paused, unsure of what to do. Looking around for some sign, he noticed a small door set into the side of the gate.


    What other option did he have? Drawing up his courage, Yu Chen walked up and knocked on the door before he could talk himself out of it.


    He waited there for someone to come. The silence around him stretched, and Yu Chen began to feel foolish standing there in the dark. Screwing up his courage he knocked again, louder this time.


    This time he heard movement inside, followed by the sound of numerous locks unlatching in quick succession. The door slammed open, and Yu Chen hurriedly stepped back as an angry man started yelling.


    ¡°Hey, who¡¯s the fellow with balls! You know Elder Gu will have your nuts and your head if you¡¯re playing games with the Sect¡¯s security!¡± The man yelled as he looked around before settling a baleful eye on Yu Chen.


    ¡°Explain yourself, don¡¯t be shy now!¡± The man stated as he crossed his arms and glared at the boy before him.


    ¡°Ah, apologies sir!¡± Yu Chen said as he hurriedly bowed his head repeatedly. ¡°My name is Yu Chen and I¡¯m here for the entrance exams; I hope I¡¯m not too late!¡± He kept his head low, not daring to look up at the man.


    This was a cultivator in front of him, a real one! Yu Chen could feel the power radiating off of him, and he was careful not to offend the man as that was a quick way to a painful death.


    ¡°Entrance Exams?¡± The man said under his breath, and Yu Chen could feel the man¡¯s eyes boring into him. ¡°Look up!¡± The man demanded.


    Yu Chen looked up as commanded, but he studiously avoided the cultivators'' eyes lest he offend the man.


    ¡°You know the entrance exams are only for those 12 and under, right?¡± The man said as he closely examined Yu Chen.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Yu Chen replied. ¡°I am twelve, I¡¯ve always been big for my age.¡±


    The man simply grunted in reply as he continued looking at Yu Chen. After a spell he turned and shouted over his shoulder at someone inside the guardhouse.


    ¡°Hey Zhang Lie, didn¡¯t you say that there wouldn¡¯t be any kids out here until mid-morning at the earliest?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± A voice replied from within the guardhouse. ¡°The formation controlling the mists won¡¯t run out of power until around noon, and no one¡¯s getting up the mountain as long as it¡¯s powered. You know how the elders are, this whole test is supposed to show their perseverance or something.¡±


    The cultivator looked at Yu Chen and cocked his head.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s this one doing out here?¡± He said in consternation.

 Tributary: Chapter 3 - Joining the Sect

    After he¡¯d come out of the guardhouse Zhang Lie had been dumbfounded. He stood there scratching his head as he looked down at Yu Chen.


    ¡°But Li Ming, how did he get here?¡± Zhang Lie asked suddenly, addressing the first cultivator.


    Li Ming didn¡¯t reply, instead turning and staring at Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen gulped as he looked back and forth between the two cultivators, one still looking angry and the other seeming confused.


    ¡°I ran sir,¡± Yu Chen said as he bowed his head again. ¡°Up the side of the mountain.¡±


    The two cultivators looked at each other before looking back at Yu Chen.


    ¡°Is that even possible¡­¡± One muttered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± The other replied.


    ¡°The mists didn¡¯t affect you?¡± Li Ming, asked next, still looking confused.


    ¡°They kept trying to lead me astray, but I just ignored them, using the strain in my thighs to guide me up the mountain.¡± Yu Chen said honestly.


    The two cultivators broke out into chatter amongst themselves, and Yu Chen stood there quietly as they discussed his fate.


    ¡°This is a matter for Elder Gu.¡± Li Ming finally said.


    ¡°He won¡¯t be happy to be disturbed at night.¡± Zhang Lie replied gloomily.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be even more unhappy if he found out there was a disturbance at the gate and he wasn¡¯t informed.¡± Li Ming replied reasonably.


    Zhang Lie sighed before replying.


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± He said. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go and wake him?¡±


    Li Ming coughed and the two men eyed each other. Yu Chen, bemused, felt his conception of cultivators change as he watched them begin playing a hand game to determine who would wake the elder.


    Li Ming lost. Cursing, he shot Yu Chen a dark look before returning into the guardhouse and running off.


    Zhang Lie chuckled and seemed much more at ease now that it¡¯d been decided he wasn''t the one who had to wake Elder Gu from his slumber. Smiling, he motioned for Yu Chen to follow him inside the guardhouse and told him to take a seat at the table while they waited.


    The cultivator ignored him after that and busied himself with cleaning up the room, in what Yu Chen supposed was anticipation of the Elder¡¯s arrival.


    He looked around the guardhouse, finding it to be little more than a large room between the walls, connecting the inside and outside of the Sect. It was rather empty, but a cozy fire burned in the hearth, and it boasted a pair of chairs as well as a table upon which a bunch of playing cards were strewn. There was also a staircase that led to a second floor. Yu Chen wondered what lay up there.


    His thoughts scattered when the door leading into the sect slammed open, as a burly man strode into the room with Li Ming following close behind. Yu Chen watched as Zhang Lie jumped up and bowed his head at the old man, and Yu Chen hastened to follow suit.


    The burly man ignored the other cultivator, walking past him and stopping right in front of Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen gulped, not daring to look up at the man.


    ¡°Straighten up boy.¡± The Elder commanded, and Yu Chen did so, feeling his trepidation increase as he looked at the burly man in front of him.


    Despite being covered in luxurious robes the Elder looked like a hard and brutal man. His head was shaved bald and covered in scars, and one of his ears looked closer to chewed gristle than something you¡¯d hear out of. His countenance did nothing to soften his features. His thick gray eyebrows were drawn together tightly as he frowned at Yu Chen.


    ¡°Li Ming tells me that you are seeking to join the sect. Is that correct?¡± Elder Gu barked at him.


    ¡°Yes sir!¡± Yu Chen squeaked as he looked over the Elder¡¯s shoulder, not daring to meet his eyes.


    ¡°What reason do you have for joining the sect?¡± Elder Gu said as he looked the boy up and down.


    Yu Chen paused, gathering himself before replying to the question.


    ¡°There are rumors of a war, sir.¡± he told the elder.


    Elder Gu¡¯s complexion changed and Yu Chen realized that despite his appearance the elder hadn¡¯t truly been angry before, because now he was incensed.


    ¡°There is no room for cowards here!¡± The elder barked at Yu Chen. ¡°To cultivate we must fight against the heavens, This is not a path for those afraid of a little war!¡±


    Yu Chen felt his emotions rise up as the elder berated him, and the sting of the insult drove him to yell back.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a coward!¡± Yu Chen spat out angrily. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask to come here, I was sent! My mother worried they¡¯d conscript regardless of my age!¡±


    Li Ming¡¯s eyes shot up in disbelief as Yu Chen yelled at the elder, while Zhang Lie''s face paled.


    Yu Chen knew he should stop talking and bow his head and apologize. Perhaps even fall to the ground and ask for forgiveness. However, all of the emotions and stress of the last week had finally caught up with him, and they demanded to be heard.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather die fighting side by side with my brother than run off and hide on a mountain!¡± Yu Chen yelled, tears streaming down his face as his emotions overwhelmed him.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The room fell into silence, broken only by a few sobs as the young boy tried to pull himself together. He could feel the pressure of Elder Gu¡¯s gaze upon him, and see the two cultivators in the back standing as still as rocks, tense and afraid.


    However, the eyes the elder regarded Yu Chen with had softened, and he waited for the boy to pull himself together before speaking.


    ¡°That, at least, is the attitude a man should have.¡± Elder Gu stated approvingly before slapping a hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Now, I am told that you have climbed a mountain to be with us tonight, and that is no small feat. You¡¯ve done so despite the mists being bewitched to confound and confuse the senses. Is this true?¡± The elder asked, and Yu Chen gave a small nod in reply.


    ¡°You abandoned the paths we laid out for you, and thinking you knew better, you chose to make your own way, is that it?¡± The elder asked, gazing intently at the boy.


    That wasn¡¯t exactly how he¡¯d put it, Yu Chen thought to himself but he still gave a small nod.


    ¡°Auspicious!¡± The elder proclaimed as he beamed at Yu Chen. ¡°We must all forge our own paths, and the sooner you start on yours the better.¡±


    ¡°However,¡± The elder frowned as he looked at Yu Chen. ¡°The test of personality is only the first one you must pass. There is still the matter of whether or not you are even capable of pursuing cultivation.¡±


    ¡°Hold this.¡± The elder said as he fished around in his robes before pulling out a fist sized rock.


    Yu Chen took it from him and looked it over. The rock was clear like quartz and filled with smoky gray wisps.


    The elder then reached out and grabbed Yu Chen¡¯s other hand, covering it with one that was rough and thickened with calluses.


    ¡°This next test is very dangerous.¡± The elder said, deadly serious as he looked Yu Chen in the eyes. ¡°I will have to channel qi into you. This is considered extremely invasive and in the future there will be very few circumstances where you will accept such a thing. However it is necessary if I am to test you. Do you accept it now?¡±


    Yun Chen swallowed, nodding tightly.


    The elder chuckled grimly before speaking again. ¡°Good. Now, this test will see if you have the ability to channel and control qi. It is not without dangers either. If you lose control of the qi it will run rampant throughout your body, causing a backlash.¡± Elder Gu instructed Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t flinch, or even so much as blink and the elder nodded his head in approval.


    ¡°Of course it is only a small amount of qi, so the damage will be minimal.¡± The elder said before continuing. ¡°I¡¯ll now channel some qi into your right hand. The test is simple, you must take control of that qi and let it flow through your body, out of your left hand, and into that stone.¡± He said as he motioned towards the stone in Yu Chen¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Do not worry if you cannot grasp it at first, I¡¯m willing to give you a few tries. Still, it¡¯s best to temper your expectations. Most people fail this test.¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t say anything. At this juncture what was left to say?


    ¡°If you are ready, close your eyes.¡±


    Yu Chen closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, doing his best to clear his mind. Which was the time his repressed thoughts decided to steal his attention.


    What if I can¡¯t sense it?


    What if I can¡¯t control it?


    What if I fail?


    Yu Chen ruthlessly crushed his doubts, breathing in and out as he focused on the solid stone in his hand. It was then, in between breaths, that he felt something foreign worming its way into his body.


    A strange energy was slowly pushing its way in, filling up his right hand. It was a weird sensation, and it felt somewhat like a morning mist had somehow formed on the inside of his skin like dew.


    He focused on the energy and tried to bring it under his control, visualizing the way he imagined it should move down his arm. Mentally, he tried to pull at it. When that didn¡¯t work he attempted to push it along, but that also seemed to do nothing as far as he could tell.


    It was like he was dipping his hands into a pool of water and trying to push it around. Instead of moving in the direction of the force he applied, it instead swirled in place, defying him. Unable to bring the energy under his control, beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.


    Nothing he did seemed to be working. He tried again and again to force the energy through his arm, but no matter how he struggled it continued to stubbornly defy him at every turn.


    Yu Chen paused, taking a deep breath as he thought about how to advance from here. The energy was intangible and formless, and although he could feel it, it simply slipped through his mental grasp whenever he attempted to handle it. As he was thinking about ways to force it along something the elder had said tickled the back of his mind.


    How had the scarred man put it? He¡¯d said something about the qi flowing through his body. Yu Chen¡¯s eyebrows unconsciously creased in thought as he began considering the issue from another angle. How exactly did the energy move throughout his body in the first place?


    Now that he¡¯d stopped attempting to grab at it he noticed that despite being amorphous the energy hadn¡¯t simply spread throughout his hand evenly, but instead seemed to pool and accumulate in specific areas.


    He approached one of the spots the energy had accumulated and gave it an experimental prod, and to his surprise he felt a response. He prodded it a little more, and realized to his delight that it was moving, flowing down his arm through some sort of imperceptible channels.


    Watching in fascination, he cajoled the energy to move faster and it picked up speed, its acceleration increasing the further down his arm it traveled. A realization struck him that the energy had always wanted to flow, and it was his body itself that was the impediment to its travel.


    He could feel the energy picking up speed as the resistance against it dropped, the channels it flowed through widening as they approached his core. By the time the energy neared the center of his body it was moving completely without any encouragement from him.


    Then the channels opened up into the equivalent of a yawning cavern, and the misty energy fell like rain before pooling into the center of his body, Its mad rush stopping in the same way water does when it hits the ground.


    A slow smile spread across Yu Chen¡¯s face. He could feel the energy now, and it pulsed when he breathed, as though it were part of him. However, his smile faded again as he realized he had another problem. He now had to figure out how to force the energy out of him.


    His first attempt involved pulling at the energy in a vain struggle to move it up his arm. If before the energy had been formless like water, he could now feel it, solidified and sitting in his core like a heavy mountain, utterly unresponsive to his struggles.


    Finally, after great effort he managed to draw the energy out of his dantian and into his left arm, but as soon as it began moving it would recoil, violently snapping back into place with enough violence to cause Yu Chen physical pain.


    Yu Chen gritted his teeth in frustration, and his concerns about joining the sect fading away, replaced by the single minded refusal to lose out to the ball of energy. He marshaled all of his willpower and gathered beneath it, pushing and straining until, with great reluctance, the energy began to sluggishly move out of his dantian.


    The wide channels that had been so beneficial at pulling the energy in seemed to work against him now as he wrestled with the energy. However he refused to stop, and instead kept pushing, forcing the energy down his arm until, with a triumphant gasp, he felt it move into left hand.


    The energy left his body as the stone tugged at it, leaving him feeling strangely empty. He smiled and opened his eyes to see the stone in his hand emitting a soft gray glow as the energy swirled within.


    ¡°Hmm...¡± The elder said critically as he looked at the stone, and Yu Chen sensed a faint hint of disappointment on the elder¡¯s face as he looked at him.


    ¡°Is it good?¡± Yu Chen asked.


    ¡°Good enough.¡± The elder said, turning away. ¡°In my role as elder let me be the first to congratulate you on joining the sect. As of now you¡¯re an outer court member of the Golden Mist Sect. Zhang Lie and Li Ming will take care of you from here.¡±


    Yu Chen let out a relieved sigh.


    The elder let out a short laugh at his reaction. He once again bid the two cultivators to see to Yu Chen before exiting the room, leaving behind the dumbstruck boy and two bemused cultivators.

 Tributary: Chapter 4 - A Mysterious Voice

    Yu Chen, still dazed by his quick admission, watched quietly as the two cultivators argued over who would take responsibility for getting him settled into the sect.


    It fell to Zhang Lie, as Li Ming argued that he had been the one to wake Elder Gu, which is how Yu Chen found himself following the man as he led him through the sect. They walked in silence for a while until Yu Chen worked up the courage to say something.


    ¡°Excuse me senior.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± Zhang Lie said, looking back at Yu Chen quizzically as they walked.


    ¡°Was there something wrong with my results?¡± Yu Chen asked a question that had been nagging at him since the elder¡¯s abrupt departure.


    ¡°No, why?¡± The older cultivator asked, looking at Yu Chen in surprise.


    ¡°It was just that the elder¡­ he looked disappointed or something.¡± Yu Chen said hesitantly.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Zhang Lie chuckled. ¡°No, I''d say your results were fairly average. Perhaps even a touch better than average.¡± He said, shrugging his shoulders.


    ¡°Nothing to worry about. Honestly, I think he¡¯s taken a liking to you.¡± Zhang Lie continued as he looked at the boy out of the corner of his eye. ¡°Most likely the elder just had some unrealistic expectations after hearing that you¡¯d run up the side of a mountain to get here. After all, you arrived here a day earlier than the rest.¡±


    Yu Chen titled his head and began asking another question, but the cultivator cut him off before he could finish speaking.


    ¡°It¡¯s late and there¡¯ll be plenty of time for your questions tomorrow. There are a few things we will have to do to get you settled in and I¡¯m not going to be the one to wake up any of the elders to do it.¡± Zhang Lie said with a laugh. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to your room for now. Get some rest and I¡¯ll show you around in the morning.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded and swallowed his questions, choosing instead to look around as they walked, intrigued by what the sect looked like. Unfortunately for him, it was difficult to make out anything in the dark, and he had to content himself with trailing behind Zhang Lie as the cultivator strode down a cobbled road.


    They traveled for a time, and Yu Chen thought that if the amount of distance they¡¯d crossed were any measure it appeared as though the sect was actually a massive place. The cultivator had led him on a winding path that crossed up and down the mountain, and past many buildings that loomed out of the shadows before eventually stopping in front of a low stone building that was so large it disappeared into the darkness.


    ¡°These are the dormitories, where the new recruits stay.¡± Zhang Lie said as they stood in front of the building. ¡°Follow along, and don¡¯t forget which room is yours.¡±


    He started walking again, passing dozens of doors before the building turned at a sharp right angle, and continuing on until he finally halted in front of a small door near the middle of the U shaped building.


    It wasn¡¯t obvious, but Yu Chen could tell that the distance between the doors had gradually gotten smaller as they approached the center of the building, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel as though this was one of the smallest rooms available.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing fancy and there¡¯s not a lot of privacy,¡± Zhang Lie said, with his hand on the door. ¡°But it is warm and dry.¡±


    He pushed open the door and Yu Chen looked inside the small room, seeing that the only things within were a tattered rug and a bed that looked as though it was on its last legs.


    ¡°Nice!¡± Zhang Lie exclaimed. ¡°My first room didn¡¯t have a rug!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± The cultivator said with a laugh when he saw the look on Yu Chen¡¯s face. ¡°If you work hard you won¡¯t stay here forever, there are ways to improve your situation. For example, if you receive enough contribution points it¡¯s possible to acquire private housing, or even a spiritual cave, but the quickest way to get better accommodations is to fight for them.¡±


    Yu Chen looked at Zhang Lie and for the first time the jovial cultivator¡¯s face turned serious.


    ¡°You are new here, but you will realize that within the sect, no, within the world of cultivation, strength is the only virtue. The strong are rewarded and the weak get the scraps, and while the sect does not condone theft, duels are encouraged. Anything and everything can be fought over, whether it is cultivation materials or housing.¡±


    ¡°So don¡¯t slack off and make sure to train hard.¡± Zhang Lie said with a laugh.


    ¡°Anyways, get some rest and I¡¯ll see you in the morning.¡± The cultivator said before turning and walking away.


    Yu Chen watched the cultivator disappear into the distance before turning around and entering his new room. The place was small enough that he could stretch his arms out and touch both walls, but that didn¡¯t bother him. He used to share a room with his brother after all, and it hadn¡¯t been much bigger than this.


    Yu Chen sat on the bed and put his hands on his knees, and he was surprised for the first time to realize they were shaking. His whole world had changed and it was hard to imagine a week ago he¡¯d been sitting in a pasture laughing with his brother. Somehow he¡¯d managed to be accepted into a sect but he was quickly realizing that he had no idea what came next or where to go from here.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    He hated feeling so uncertain, and he¡¯d never before had any reason to have fears or concerns about the future. His life before had been nothing if not routine and stable. Now? He opened and closed his hands. Now he was realizing that he had no idea what tomorrow could hold.


    He laid back on the bed and made himself as comfortable as he could on the lumpy mattress. Regardless of what it was that came next, he¡¯d face it after a long night of uninterrupted sleep. His mind was whirling with thoughts as he lay down, but his body was tired and he fell asleep to dreams of qi running through his channels.


    Yu Chen startled awake in the pitch blackness and looked around confused, trying to remember where he was.


    The last thing he recalled was falling asleep in his bed at the sect.


    Except¡­ where was his bed?


    The world around him was pitch black and he was unable to see anything. In fact he couldn¡¯t even feel anything. Not the bed or even a floor beneath his feet. It felt as though he were floating in an infinite, inky black void.


    Yu Chen started to panic.


    Something moved in the darkness. He couldn¡¯t see it but he could hear it shifting around, the raspy sound of something sliding over something, and then a wave of dry heat rolled over him as the incomprehensibly vast thing in the darkness breathed out.


    ¡°What do we have here?¡± A voice rumbled out of the darkness, filled with a bass so thick it set his bones to vibrating. ¡°What is your name?¡±


    Yu Chen felt a primal sort of fear at the sound of that voice, the sort that caused a little voice in the back of your head to repeat, ¡°I¡¯m dead, I¡¯m dead, I¡¯m dead,¡± over and over again.


    ¡°Speak boy!¡± The voice roared as Yu Chen remained silent, and this time he could feel the darkness itself vibrate from the words.


    Yu Chen hastily prayed to all of the gods he could recall as he slapped his fists together and bowed towards the darkness.


    ¡°This one is named Yu Chen, senior,¡± He managed to croak out.


    ¡°Hmm..¡± The voice rumbled, and Yu Chen could feel the thing in the darkness watching him. It reminded Yu Chen of how he¡¯d felt the time he¡¯d seen a wolf in the distance while guarding his sheep.


    Like prey.


    ¡°I take it that you¡¯ve made it to the sect then? I felt the presence of qi enter your body earlier.¡± The voice rumbled out of the darkness.


    ¡°I have.¡± Yu Chen hastily replied, perplexed at the line of questioning but too terrified to do anything other than answer. ¡°They¡¯ve accepted me in, senior.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The voice rumbled out of the darkness again, and this time there was a definite note of satisfaction. It reminded Yu Chen of something, of the day he¡¯d left home. He¡¯d heard a voice in his head the night before he¡¯d left hadn¡¯t he? He¡¯d thought he¡¯d imagined it but¡­


    ¡°You told me to go to the sect.¡± Yu Chen said, half asking and half stating.


    ¡°Of course.¡± The voice rumbled in assent. ¡°Now that was a lucky chance, I only awoke because of the scent of qi in the air.¡±


    Qi in the air? Yu Chen fell into thought before he recalled that was the day he¡¯d seen a cultivator fly by, raising his hand towards the two young boys in a pasture. Was it possible that that chance encounter had awoken something?


    Something dangerous by the sound of it.


    ¡°W-who are you?¡± Yu Chen marshaled his remaining willpower to ask the thing a question.


    Another wave of dry heat washed over Yu Chen as the thing in the darkness snorted arrogantly.


    ¡°I am Huanghe Shenlong, Sovereign of the Yellow River.¡± The voice declared pridefully, before launching into a list of its great deeds and exploits.


    ¡°Among all the creatures who¡¯ve graced the branches of the world tree I am first, the one that rules the world! It was I who overturned the Dragon¡¯s Palace and caused the oceans to run red with blood, and I am the one who delivered Chang¡¯e to the moon and brought fire to man, raising the wretched creatures out of the mud.¡±


    ¡°I am known as the tyrant of the west, the one who commands the wind to dance and the rain to fall! Mountains have melted and bled beneath my molten fury! I¡¯ve carved valleys with a sweep of my tail, and canyons and gorges are the result of a flick of my claws.¡±


    The voice paused and Yu Chen almost thought it was over before it launched into another list of exploits.


    ¡°I am the first under heaven, the ruler of all that is seen and unseen. To this day I am unbroken, unbeaten and unmatched. I am the one who turns the wheel of fate, and my deeds are nothing less than the stories that have shaped this world.¡±


    The voice rumbled out that last part in pride, its voice rumbling with a faint vibrato like a cat.


    Yu Chen nodded his head. Well that answered that, however there was still another important question.


    ¡°Why are you in my head?¡± Yu Chen asked.


    A light cough came out of the darkness.


    ¡°Do not question the Will of Heaven boy.¡± The voice snapped, ¡°Of all the things that walk and crawl upon the earth, you are the one who has been blessed with a drop of blood infused with my divine will. Rejoice!¡±


    Yu Chen swallowed before replying.


    ¡°As you say, senior.¡±


    The darkness rumbled with satisfaction before the voice spoke again.


    ¡°As my blood flows through your veins I will consider you as a descendant. You may refer to me as Shizu, Huanghe Shizu.¡±


    Yu Chen perked up at this, feeling a little hopeful at this sudden twist of fate. If Huanghe Shizu was as amazing as he¡¯d stated he was, then didn¡¯t this mean that Yu Chen¡¯s future was bright?


    ¡°Yes Shizu!¡± Yu Chen said earnestly as he bowed towards the darkness. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for your help.¡±


    The voice in the darkness snorted before replying.


    ¡°Yes, well, there isn¡¯t much I can do for you now. If you wish for me to assist you, you must work hard to become a qi condensator and step into the realm of cultivation as soon as possible.¡±


    Yu Chen opened his mouth to say something more but the words wouldn¡¯t come out. He felt as though something was pulling him, tugging right behind his navel as the darkness around him became hazy.


    ¡°Time runs short.¡± The voice came again from the darkness. ¡°Cultivate, Yu Chen, and become stronger. We will meet again.¡±


    The world around Yu Chen faded away as the voice finished speaking.

 Tributary: Chapter 5 - The Feng Brothers

    Yu Chen awoke with a gasp, momentarily flailing around until he realized his bed was reassuringly beneath him again. With a groan he threw his legs over the side and sat up, putting his head in his hands.


    Was that real? He thought to himself, bewildered by the strange events in the night. What was that thing lurking in the darkness? Shenlong. A dragon perhaps?


    He flexed his hand as he thought. It had said something, that he had been blessed with a drop of its divine blood, right? He frowned in thought, but for the life of him he couldn¡¯t figure it out. He¡¯d lived a simple life herding sheep in a small village, surrounded by the same people doing the same things.


    In fact, the most exciting thing in his memory had been the cultivator he¡¯d seen. Could that have had something to do with it? Yu Chen doubted it. Something about the way it had spoken implied it had been there far longer than a week or two.


    Despite the danger Yu Chen still felt a thrill of excitement about the possibilities. If Shizu was to be believed it was an ancient being with profound knowledge and the potential to greatly assist Yu Chen.


    He was snatched from his reveries by someone banging on his door. He paused for a moment before hurriedly standing up and rushing over. The events from the night before had driven all other thoughts from his mind and he¡¯d forgotten that he was expecting Zhang Lie to stop by.


    He opened the door and frowned in surprise, an apology to the cultivator dying on his lips. It wasn¡¯t Zhang Lie as he¡¯d expected, but instead three young boys roughly his age stood there.


    Yu Chen watched them take a step back as he opened the door and felt a small hint of satisfaction at the way they had to bend their necks to look up at him.


    ¡°I told you Li Feng, I heard the door open last night.¡± A weedy looking boy in shoddy clothes said deferentially as he looked towards the boy standing in the middle.


    Yu Chen looked at the boy the weedy one had addressed. He stood there with a confident air, and Yu Chen could tell he led the group. He was tall and well muscled, possessing a valiant build, although he was not as tall as Yu Chen himself of course. He was dressed in the same sect uniform as the other two, except he had a thin red cloth wrapped around his forehead, and his clothing was of a much higher quality.


    However, it was the third boy who strode forward and arrogantly addressed Yu Chen.


    ¡°Hey big fella, you''re new huh?¡± The boy asked with a sneer. ¡°Let me tell you how things work around here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my big bro, Li Feng,¡± The boy said, hooking his finger towards the boy behind him. ¡°He¡¯s in charge around here. He speaks and you listen, got it?¡±


    Yu Chen cocked his head quizzically as he puzzled out what to do in this situation. He¡¯d never encountered any cocky fellows like this in the village and wasn¡¯t sure how to respond as he looked between the three boys.


    ¡°Oy, are you hard of hearing big fella?¡± The arrogant boy said as he raised his hand and pantomimed cleaning out his ears. ¡°Let me make this simple for you. The sect gave you a couple of pills, right?¡±


    Yu Chen opened his mouth to reply but the boy held up a hand and cut him off.


    ¡°Look, you can give us those pills and we can all be friends. Or we can fight for them, your choice.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes went wide as he realized what was going on. It was a shakedown. They thought they¡¯d found an easy target with the new kid. Zhang Lie had said something about dueling over resources but still, this was a bit abrupt.


    There was just one problem.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any pills to give you.¡± Yu Chen said with a shrug as the boy did his best to loom over him intimidatingly, although it wasn¡¯t working very well given their height difference.


    Hearing Yu Chen¡¯s words Li Feng frowned in the background, crossing his arms. The cocky boy in front of Yu Chen grew a big smile, and the eyes of the weedy boy, standing to the side, shot up.


    ¡°Really,¡± Yu Chen said, bemused at their behavior. ¡°I arrived late last night and haven¡¯t received anything from the sect yet.¡±


    ¡°Have it your way.¡± The cocky boy said with a grin, and Yu Chen¡¯s eyes widened as the boy threw a fist at him. He hurriedly ducked out of the way, managing to avoid the blow by a hair, but the boy was already pressing towards him as he flowed into another attack.


    Yu Chen hurriedly backpedaled, avoiding the next few punches that came his way, but, before he could take more than a few steps, his back hit the wall of the room. With nowhere left to go the next punch slammed hard into Yu Chen¡¯s stomach.


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes bugged out at the blow, and he fell to his knees, retching as unbelievable pain radiating out from his gut. He raised a shaking hand to wipe his mouth, belatedly realizing he¡¯d made a mess on the floor. Was this the strength of a cultivator? He grimaced, leaning on one hand as the other cradled his stomach.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Yu Chen looked up as he heard the voice and watched as the arrogant boy squatted down in front of him. ¡°I gave you a choice, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    Filled with pain, Yu Chen felt rage begin to bubble up, boiling inside of him. His face flushed red, and he could feel his heart begin to thump faster as his body reacted, threatening to beat out of his chest.


    He had done nothing to these people, he hadn¡¯t even been in the sect for long enough to have more than a night¡¯s rest, and they had barged into his room and assaulted him. His heart thumped faster and faster, and he felt the pain recede.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Yu Chen croaked out from behind gritted teeth as he began pushing himself up to his feet.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± The arrogant boy said, spitting on the ground before leaning over and grabbing a handful of Yu Chen¡¯s hair. ¡°You want some more?¡±


    Yu Chen struggled to pull his head away, but the other boy held him in place, his fist wrapped tightly around Yu Chen¡¯s hair like an iron vice, preventing him from rising to his feet.


    ¡°When you wake up, remember Wu Feng was here.¡± The boy said with a malicious smile, before pulling back his arm and sending his fist crashing into Yu Chen¡¯s face.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------


    Zhang Lie found Yu Chen laying there some time later and stirred him awake.


    ¡°You look rough.¡± Zhang Lie said conversationally as Yu Chen arose with a groan.


    ¡°My head is ringing.¡± Yu Chen said, groaning as he rubbed at his face before pulling his hand away with a sharp hiss at the stinging sensation.


    ¡°Concussion probably.¡± Zhang Lie said nonchalantly.


    Yu Chen lay on the ground for a moment, trying to recall where he was and what had happened, before the memory of the three boys outside of his door came crashing back.


    ¡°Wu Feng!¡± He shouted as he bolted to his feet. His eyes darted around the room looking for the boy, but he was already long gone.


    However, there were other things to notice. Despite being nearly empty his room was now a disaster. His bed was overturned, and the mattress was sliced open, its dirty stuffing spilling onto the floor where it mingled with the dried vomit that had caked into his rug.


    Even his clothes had been destroyed, he realized belatedly as he stared in dismay at his disheveled robe. One of his sleeves only hung on by a thread, and the other was missing entirely. He felt rage threatening to overtake him again, and he clenched his fists hard enough for them to turn white.


    This wasn¡¯t over, not by a long shot. He¡¯d be seeing Wu Feng again soon, him and his brother both, Yu Chen promised himself silently. Turning, he looked towards the only other person there, and saw Zhang Lie staring back at him in interest.


    Yu Chen took a deep breath, and gathered himself, before greeting the cultivator.


    ¡°Greetings senior. I apologize for the mess.¡± Yu Chen said sincerely as he bowed his head.


    Zhang Lie waved his hand dismissively.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. We¡¯ll leave whenever you¡¯re ready.¡±


    Yu Chen took a brief moment to make himself presentable. He straightened his robes as best he could and pulled off the sleeve that was barely hanging on with a grimace. Touching his face gingerly, he felt the swelling that surrounded his eye, but there was nothing he could do about it.


    Mustering what face he had left; he bowed to the cultivator and informed him that he was ready to go. Zhang Lie simply nodded, and turned, leaving the room. Yu Chen hurried to catch up to him, falling into place behind the cultivator as he led them through the sect.


    He blinked as the light of day hit him, and a few stars swam across his vision. Shaking it off he looked around, taking in the sect that he¡¯d been unable to see in the dark. The room he was in was part of a long sloping building that lay low to the ground, spreading into a u shape that had a large grassy courtyard in the middle.


    There was a fountain in the middle of the courtyard, and he could see a few other boys, no, cultivators, surrounding it. Some were drinking and laughing, chatting away, and others were sitting nearby in peaceful meditation. Zhang Lie led him right through the middle of the courtyard. Yu Chen could see a few curious gazes cast their way, but Zhang Lie either didn¡¯t notice or didn¡¯t care.


    Soon they¡¯d made their way to the main road, having passed a few similar dormitories along the way, which were also full of outer sect disciples doing their daily activities. The sect was lively, and plenty of other people passed them as they walked along. Yu Chen asked the cultivator how many disciples there were in the outer sect and Zhang Lie had just shrugged offhandedly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the exact number. Hundreds at least.¡± Zhang Lie said as he came to an abrupt halt. ¡°Our first stop is here. This is the Assembly Grounds.¡± He said, waving his hand around.


    Yu Chen was once again awed as he looked around. The assembly grounds were a massive amount of empty space in the heart of the sect. The space was covered in paved stone, and massive carved pillars rose around the edges of the square.


    There were more cultivators here, some passing through on business, some talking and chatting, but he could also make out various amphitheaters spaced throughout the grounds. He could make out cultivators lecturing within them, surrounded by crowds of listeners.


    ¡°Whenever there are important announcements for the outer sect or the entire sect you will assemble here. Inner disciples, guest lecturers and occasionally elders will also give lectures here, and you can attend at the cost of some contribution points.¡± Zhang Lie said as he shot Yu Chen a look. ¡°You¡¯ll soon realize that resources will be your greatest limitation on your path of cultivation, and it will only be worse if your talent is limited. After all,¡± he said as he gestured towards Yu Chen¡¯s eye. ¡°That is the very reason you earned that marvelous bruise on your eye.¡±


    He gave Yu Chen a weighing look before he continued speaking. ¡°Still, I¡¯d advise you to not ignore these lectures. Many receive a bit of enlightenment or inspiration from the teachings within this courtyard. Even as little a thing as hearing a difference in perspective can provide the impetus to get you over your toughest hurdles.¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    With a nod of his head, he continued walking, and Yu Chen followed him through the rest of the sect.


    Zhang Lie pointed out various places as they traveled, and Yu Chen kept turning his head as he took in the wonders of the sect. First, Zhang Lie pointed out the Spiritual Gardens, the edge of which lay not far from the assembly grounds. He informed Yu Chen that this was a good place for outer disciples to earn contribution points, however you had to earn the right to work within them.


    The Medicine Pavilion was past the Spiritual Gardens, a massive three storied building that, according to Zhang Lie, contained the wondrous arts of pill making and medicine refinery. Most of the sect''s cultivation materials, in the form of pills, elixirs and powders were made within. Zhang Lie informed him that this was another source of contribution points, as the sect assigned constant missions for their production, and many cultivators funded their own cultivation by providing medicines for others.


    The journey continued in this way, with Zhang Lie taking him past building after building and explaining their use. Such as the sect forges and refineries, and the Formation Pavilion, places where disciples tirelessly worked to produce valuable goods for themselves and the sect.


    Zhang Lie stopped again when they reached the Training Grounds. It was a large grassy field surrounded by a dirt track, and one end was filled with circular arenas of sand where, as Yu Chen watched in awe, sect members trained and fought against each other.


    ¡°Cultivation is intertwined with the martial arts.¡± Zhang Lie said, as Yu Chen watched a nearby sect member flow through a complicated sequence of movements. ¡°Cultivation is the mastery of oneself, purifying our self-nature and scraping away the dross. To that end we must master our bodies as well as our minds.¡±


    Zhang Lie watched, ensuring Yu Chen was paying attention before continuing. ¡°We will stop by the Manual Pavilion shortly, and there you will receive a complete copy of the sect''s foundational techniques. You must master them, or the path of your cultivation will stagnate before it can even begin.¡±


    Seeing how serious Yu Chen¡¯s face looked, Zhang Lie broke into a smile before continuing. ¡°Every secondsday and foursday the sect will provide group training here for outer disciples. This will not cost contribution points, so I highly recommend you join them. Beyond that you are welcome to train here as often as you like.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded solemnly as he looked around, and he could already imagine the time he¡¯d spend here. He was already starting to form some idea of what life in the sect would be like, and he felt his worldview shifting to accommodate. He looked at the people, no, the cultivators, that filled the courtyard and felt his heart swelling with a sort of vicarious joy.


    These men who were out here sparring with one another, fighting in the middle of the morning sun, dust sticking to their sweat-soaked skin, were struggling mightily to improve themselves. Every day they would do some sort of work, earning contributions that they could spend on materials to enhance themselves, practicing their movements and techniques, learning from whoever and whatever was available.


    Perhaps it was nothing, or perhaps it was his first hint of enlightenment, but Yu Chen grew a little then, imperceptibly enough that he himself didn¡¯t realize it. A part of the young boy he still was, was stripped away at the sight of those hard-faced men, fighting earnestly with their brows furrowed. His future spread before him, and for the first time since leaving home something began to feel right.


    He touched his eye again, but this time he didn¡¯t pull his hand away as it stung.


    Soon they were walking again, as Zhang Lie led him deeper into the sect, where they stopped in front of another building.


    ¡°Mission Hall.¡± was all Zhang Lie said, before leading him inside.


    Yu Chen followed him into the building. He paused once they entered, and Zhang Lie waited patiently, watching in amusement as the boy''s eyes widened, looking around. The Mission Hall was the largest building they¡¯d come to yet, and it was the busiest as well. Yu Chen looked around in awe at the press of humanity within.


    Cultivators streamed in and out, some approaching the large boards that dominated both the left and the right wall, where they occasionally pulled down a note or placed their own. Others streamed towards the back of the hall, where a long desk split the building, behind which people sat, talking animatedly with the visitors.


    ¡°There are two ways to earn contribution,¡± Zhang Lie said, having to speak slightly louder to be heard over the buzz of the crowd. ¡°The most common way is there,¡± he said, gesturing towards one of the boards. ¡°Missions are posted there, by the sect, or by your fellow cultivators, and completing them will earn you points.¡±


    Zhang Lie cocked a quizzical eye at him and Yu Chen nodded to show he understood.


    ¡°The second way is to be assigned work by one of the elders. You can work in the Spiritual Gardens or in the forges, in the formation hall or even working behind a desk here, the Manual Pavilion or elsewhere.¡± Zhang Lie paused as he made sure Yu Chen understood.


    ¡°For example, I work under Elder Gu. He¡¯s one of the strongest cultivators in the sect and is in charge of the sect¡¯s defense.¡± Zhang Lie said with a hint of pride. ¡°As such, I report to my assigned duties and earn contribution points for doing so. Of course, I still take on other missions here whenever I have time.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded his head again, as the intricacies of his new life in the sect settled in. Zhang Lie seemed satisfied and led him back out to the road.


    ¡°There¡¯s only a few more places we need to visit.¡± Zhang Lie said, entwining his hands behind the back of his head as he strolled down the path. ¡°At this intersection ahead, you¡¯ll see a large path that cuts deep into the mountain. The path within splits in two. One side will lead towards sealed cultivation rooms that lie deep within the heart of the mountain.¡±


    He shot a look at Yu Chen. ¡°They are very helpful with cultivation, but the cost is massive. You most likely will never see the inside of one unless you become an inner disciple. Still, if you have the contribution points, they can dramatically improve your chances of breaking through to the next realm.¡±


    ¡°The other path leads to the Ancestral Hall. Make sure to visit and pay your respects one of these days, you are a member of the sect now.¡± Zhang Lie admonished lightly, and Yu Chen bowed his head in reply.


    The path they took began to lead further up the mountain, and soon they¡¯d left the majority of the sect behind, and the wildlife began taking over as the buildings and foot traffic thinned out the further up the mountain they progressed.


    Eventually two buildings appeared in Yu Chen¡¯s view, situated at what appeared to be the edge of the sect, although the path continued to cut up the rest of the mountain. Zhang Lie once again brought him to a halt once they reached the buildings.


    ¡°On your right,¡± Zhang Li said, gesturing towards the building closest to the edge of the mountain, ¡°Is the Treasure Pavilion. You can exchange contribution points here for all sorts of valuable goods.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes lit up as he heard that.


    ¡°On the left, Zhang Li gestured towards a building that was set into the side of the mountain, and it was easily the tallest building Yu Chen had seen in his life, stretching more than five stories. ¡°Is the Manual Pavilion. All the techniques the sect has ever created, acquired or found are stored within.¡± Zhang Lie waggled his eyes as he looked at Yu Chen. ¡°You can earn a substantial amount of contribution points if you can bring them a technique they¡¯ve never seen before.¡±


    Yu Chen smiled at the thought, but he knew such a thing was unlikely, and if possible, a far way off. Zhang Li did as well and laughed as he slapped Yu Chen on the shoulder. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve still not accomplished that feat, but men should dream, no?¡±


    Yu Chen smiled back at the cultivator, before following him as he led them into the Treasure Pavilion on the right. It was a spacious place, Yu Chen thought, although it couldn¡¯t awe him after the immensity of the Mission Hall.


    He stood there in silence as Zhang Lie spoke back and forth with a man at the desk, exchanging laughs with the fellow he apparently knew. After a time, the man got up and walked away, disappearing into the pavilion, before returning with his arms full of things.


    Zhang Lie took the goods and thanked the man, before walking away and beckoning Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen walked up to Zhang Lie and the man unceremoniously dropped the pile of goods into his arms before explaining what they were.


    ¡°These are the typical things all of the new Outer sect disciples receive. You¡¯ll find a couple of sect uniforms in there, as well as some fresh linens for your bedroom. On top of that there is this,¡± Zhang Lie held up a thin jade slip, before adding it to Yu Chen¡¯s pile. ¡°That piece of jade records your status and contribution in the sect, so do your best not to lose it. It¡¯s not expensive to replace, but it¡¯s not cheap either.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded as he gingerly took the piece of jade off of the stack of linens and slid it into one of his pockets. He felt good finally having these things. He¡¯d noticed the uniforms, how could he not? Everyone else in the sect wore the same white robes trimmed in spots of gold, and he¡¯d stuck out like a sore thumb in his poor farmer¡¯s garb, drawing curious looks everywhere they¡¯d gone.


    ¡°Then¡­¡± Zhang Lie said, drawing out the words. ¡°There¡¯s this.¡±


    He dangled a small pouch in front of Yu Chen before opening it, revealing three small white pills resting within the pouch. Yu Chen was enamored by the sight, and reached out his hand to touch them, but Zhang Lie pulled them out of his reach.


    ¡°Aht, aht, ah.¡± Zhang Lie said with a laugh. ¡°These three little guys are qi gathering pills, and are doubtless what earned you that,¡± he said, as he pointed at Yu Chen¡¯s eye.


    ¡°These little fellows will help you absorb and refine spiritual energy, condensing qi from the environment and speeding up your cultivation.¡± Zhang Lie gave the young boy a considering gaze before speaking. ¡°Why don¡¯t I hang on to these for a bit. I¡¯ll give them back to you when you¡¯re ready, after you¡¯ve familiarized yourself with the sect''s techniques and can make use of them."


    Yu Chen hesitated for a second, filled with a desire to snatch the pills before they disappeared. However, once he thought about it, he realized he didn¡¯t really have a choice. Zhang Lie was strong, much stronger than Wu Feng, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t even stop the latter from taking them if they¡¯d wanted to.


    Besides, Zhang Lie had helped him thus far and hadn¡¯t shown any signs that he was willing to cheat Yu Chen. Deciding to depend on the other¡¯s magnanimity, and unwilling to risk offending him, Yu Chen bowed in acquiescence. Zhang Lie nodded and tucked them into his belt. ¡°Smart choice. Don¡¯t worry, these pills don¡¯t mean much to me. I¡¯m only holding on to them because Elder Gu told me to take care of you. Once you¡¯ve become a bit stronger, I¡¯ll return them to you.¡±


    Saying that, Zhang Lie turned around and walked out of the building, with Yu Chen following close behind. They made their way across the street and entered the Manual Pavilion.


    Yu Chen¡¯s first impressions were that the manual pavilion was much different from the Mission Hall and the Treasure Pavilion. For one, there weren¡¯t many people here. Whereas the Mission Hall had had an endless stream of people in and out, and the Treasure Pavilion had at least seemed busy, the Manual Pavilion was only filled with a handful of people, moving silently among the towering stacks of bookshelves.


    While Yu Chen was gawking around, Zhang Lie had made his way to a counter that stood near the entrance. Yu Chen hurried up beside him, joining the older man as he bent into a respectful bow towards the woman behind it.


    ¡°Elder Shu.¡± Zhang Lie said, continuing to bow deeply as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯ve brought a new outer disciple; he joined the Sect last night.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± The elder¡¯s voice was light and lilting as she spoke, and Yu Chen found it pleasing to the ear.


    As Yu Chen looked up, he couldn¡¯t help but be enamored by the woman in front of him. Despite Zhang Lie calling her elder she was anything but, seeing as her appearance was more youthful and stunning than many of the sect members they¡¯d walked past on their way here.


    Within the frame of Yu Chen¡¯s limited experience, she was by far the most beautiful woman he¡¯d ever seen. However, despite having captured his attention, she¡¯d paid him no mind beyond the first curious glance she had cast his way. Instead, she was staring at Zhang Lie, whom, Yu Chen belatedly realized, had yet to rise.


    ¡°Zhang Lie, Look at me.¡± Elder Shu spoke again, and a hint of exasperation tinged her musical voice. ¡°Enough of these games.¡±


    Yu Chen watched, thoroughly confused, as Zhang Lie trembled for a second before raising his head, a wretched smile firmly fixed in place upon his face. Elder Shu seemed to consider him for a moment, as though looking for something, but Zhang Lie looked over her shoulder, refusing to meet her eye.


    Elder Shu sighed, tapping her cheek as she pouted, examining Zhang Lie. Yu Chen felt his heart start beating faster at her cute expression, and, almost as if she could hear it, the elder shifted her attention back to him with a laugh.


    ¡°So, you are our newest disciple then?¡± The elder asked, her eyes sharpening. She¡¯d appeared cute while examining Zhang Lie, but he felt himself quailing as the weight of her gaze hit him. ¡°What is your name?¡±


    ¡°Yu Chen.¡± He quickly replied, unwilling to offend the elder.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± She said as she cast a critical eye over him, before bending down and rummaging underneath the counter.


    ¡°Here.¡± The elder said, as she slid a piece of jade towards him. ¡°There are a handful of books recorded within.¡±


    Yu Chen reached out and took the jade from her, curiously running his fingers over it. Earlier Zhang Lie had spoken of recording his contributions in jade, but he¡¯d imagined they would be carved into it or something. Now, holding this unblemished piece of jade and being informed there were multiple books contained within it, he couldn¡¯t help but feel bemused.


    ¡°First, you¡¯ll find a copy of the Golden Mist Manual. It is an introductory text, and will give you valuable information about the sect, including its history, beliefs and values. It also contains an introduction to qi, explaining what it is and how to harness it.¡± Elder Shu recited before saying, ¡°You¡¯re a cultivator now, so be sure to study it well.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded as he moved the jade through his hands.


    ¡°Beyond that there are copies of the Iron Mist Breathing Technique as well as the Mist Condensing to Iron Martial Forms. These are the two core techniques of the sect, and all members are expected to become proficient with them. Any questions?¡± The elder asked.


    Yu Chen was glad to finally have a bit of direction. Of course, he still had plenty of questions though, such as¡­


    ¡°How do I use this?¡± Yu Chen asked, raising up the piece of jade in his hands.

 Tributary: Chapter 6 - Training Begins

    It turned out to be rather simple once it was explained to him. All he had to do was hold the piece of jade up to his forehead and close his eyes, and it would then display a lifelike image of its contents within his mind''s eye.


    So, he did just that, settling down cross legged onto the rug in his room. He¡¯d just finished putting it back into order after arriving home for the night. After he¡¯d received the piece of jade there hadn¡¯t been much else said, as it was clear that Zhang Lie was in a hurry to leave the manual pavilion. Yu Chen was still confused about the strange atmosphere between the cultivator and the elder, and Zhang Lie had done nothing to illuminate him, remaining mostly silent on their walk back to Yu Chen¡¯s home.


    Before he left, the elder had bid him to return again after he¡¯d managed to condense his qi and achieve small success in both of the sect''s martials arts. Once he¡¯d done so, He¡¯d be freely allowed to pick out one technique from the lower level to complement his training, and from what Elder Shu had told him, the options were nearly endless. After that, he could always return and exchange contribution points to study new techniques on the first floor.


    However, those concerns were for the future. Yu Chen was brimming with barely contained excitement as he stared at the small piece of jade in his hand. Within this small piece of green rock lay his future, and it would form the foundation of the path he would now tread upon.


    With a deep breath, Yu Chen closed his eyes and brought the piece of jade to his forehead.


    He felt a slight tug, so imperceptible Yu Chen thought he imagined it, and then three books appeared, floating in his mind¡¯s eye. The first and largest one was a thick bound tome; of a style he was unfamiliar with. As he examined it he felt a sense of threat and foreboding coming from the golden symbols stamped onto the front, forming the words Golden Mist Manual.


    The one in the middle was the smallest book, really nothing more than a long curling piece of parchment, with the words Iron Mist Breathing Technique scrawled across the top. The final book appeared as a large ream of unbound papers, and the first page read Mist Condensing to Iron Martial Forms.


    He focused on that one, and the book began to rapidly flick through its pages. An imposing man was inscribed on each page, his body smoothly flowing through various poses as the pages turned.


    Yu Chen watched enamored, the other two books forgotten as he unconsciously rose, and, eyes still closed, began to follow the man in his mind as the movements repeated themselves.


    At first, they were a bit difficult to follow, his body protesting slightly as he put it through the unnatural movements. It didn¡¯t take long for him to warm up and loosen though, and any initial discomfort he¡¯d felt was soon forgotten as he flowed through the movements alongside the man in his mind. After going through the motions for the tenth time, Yu Chen slowly came back to himself and opened his eyes, surprised at the change in his body.


    There wasn¡¯t anything physically different of course, not from such a short bout of exercise. Instead, it was more of a feeling, as though his body were resonating with the sensation one has after eating a fulfilling meal. It was as if the flexibility and strength required to go through those movements, movements that would have left anyone else a trembling mess, only served to sate a hunger he¡¯d never known his body had felt.


    Satisfied, he stretched and sat back down, resuming his cross-legged position and focusing on the first book in his mind. The Golden Mist Manual spread open, and Yu Chen found himself captivated once again at the story that unfolded, half history lesson and half indiscriminate boasting about how mighty the sect was.


    It began with the tale of how the sect was founded by a martial master centuries ago. Patriarch Jinshui had come from upstream of the yellow river, chasing a murderous criminal who¡¯d long escaped justice. It was in these very mountains that he¡¯d finally caught the man, clashing in a fight that shook the mountains themselves and lit up the night sky. It was said the surrounding villages didn¡¯t see darkness again for nearly a month.


    During the fight the Patriarch had a spark of inspiration, creating a technique that won him a hard-fought victory, one that had been inspired by the deep mists surrounding the mountains he¡¯d fought within. Afterwards he¡¯d chosen to settle down in the area and formed the Golden Mist Sect, leading it to become a regional power in the time since then.


    The book continued on, covering the time from then till now, measuring it in terms of the grandiose battles the sect had taken part in and won. The introduction seemed keen to impart certain morals to the reader, and at some points the text even outright stated that cultivators of the Golden Mist were expected to destroy evil and demonic forces wherever they might appear.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know what propaganda was, but even he felt it was laid on a bit thick at times. He did, however, enjoy reading the various battles described throughout the introduction.


    After the introduction came a description of the sect itself, and the buildings and services available within it, but Yu Chen simply skimmed that section, having visited most of them already with Zhang Lie. He noted the few he hadn¡¯t, including areas that were said to be good for cultivation, or ones that provided some other advantage.


    The book finished by detailing exactly what cultivators were in the eyes of the sect, expounding on the nature of qi, and what was expected of him as an outer disciple. Which, as it turned out, wasn¡¯t much.


    According to the book, there were no formal classes he was expected to attend, no strict curriculum, and no teachers to guide him.


    Instead, everything in the sect was entirely based on contribution. He¡¯d been provided a few techniques for free, and there was martial training twice weekly in the training grounds, but beyond that, everything else had to be exchanged for.


    It appeared as though Yu Chen would have to find something to do. Then he could accumulate contribution points and exchange them for all the things that might be useful for his cultivation, including lectures, techniques, pills and elixirs.


    To cultivators, cultivation was the only thing that mattered, and no expense would be spared in its pursuit. After all, cultivation was a journey that lasted a lifetime, one of constant improvement, seeking one¡¯s true nature, and striving to step into the heavens themselves.


    And that journey began with manifesting a single drop of qi, which was where the final book, the single page almost too short to be termed such, came in. According to the manual, mastering the breathing technique was the first step in connecting with the natural energies that surrounded him.


    Yu Chen settled in as he read through the page, and decided it wasn¡¯t too late to attempt it. He sat quietly, trying to clear his mind and enter a state of meditation. It was difficult at first, as intrusive thoughts kept distracting him, thoughts of his family and fears edging at his mind. Gradually, he began to tune them out, regulating his breathing and moving it through the patterns outlined on the page. He lost track of the time as he sat there, slowly repeating the rhythm until it was ingrained, at which point he began working on timing the proper intervals between his breaths.


    It was a more taxing process than Yu Chen would have ever believed breathing could be. However, he kept at it, until all of a sudden, he realized he¡¯d unconsciously become aware of a strange energy filling the room. He was unsure when exactly it happened, but once he noticed it, he felt suitably awed, and understood instantly why the manual had termed it the power of heaven and earth.


    He didn¡¯t try to absorb it yet, content instead to simply sit there and examine it, mesmerized by the energy that he¡¯d been unknowingly immersed in his entire life. It was as if he¡¯d been gifted a brand-new sense, allowing an entirely new facet of reality to make itself known to him.


    The sensation slowly faded away and Yu Chen felt himself coming out of his trance. He sat there for a time, not at all in a hurry to get up right away. He¡¯d taken in a lot of information for one day, but strangely enough he didn¡¯t feel overwhelmed.


    In fact, he felt good. Even though he¡¯d only practiced the martial forms for a short time, they¡¯d left his body feeling satisfied, as if a pent up need he¡¯d been unaware of had been released, and the recent meditation had clarified a lot of his thoughts, leaving his mind clear and orderly.


    Despite the rough introduction in the morning, he found himself looking forward to his future. Yu Chen stood up and stretched, looking around in contentment before crawling into his bed and falling into a dreamless sleep.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The next few weeks flew by as Yu Chen slowly became acclimated to his life in the sect. After he¡¯d awoken the next day, he¡¯d had the misfortune to run into the third boy who¡¯d been with the Feng brothers. It turned out his name was Xu Wei, and he was one of Yu Chen¡¯s neighbors.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Which made him one of the weakest in the sect, doubtless the reason he¡¯d been playing lackey to the two stronger boys. Xu Wei had introduced himself when Yu Chen left his room in the morning, apologizing for the trouble of the day before, and claiming he had simply told the older boys a new disciple had arrived, not expecting any trouble to come of it.


    Yu Chen hadn¡¯t replied, and just stared at the boy coldly as he fumbled around asking him questions. His attempts at duplicity were amateurish, and Yu Chen abruptly informed the boy that Zhang Lie had taken the pills, calling it a ¡°service¡± for showing him around. Xu Wei looked like he¡¯d swallowed a sour plum at the news, but in the days that followed Yu Chen never received a visit from the Feng brothers, so he assumed they¡¯d accepted his answer.


    Forgetting about them, he soon found himself falling into a routine, one that began with going to the training grounds in the morning, where he would spend the earliest hours of his day flowing through the forms of the Condensing Fist, reveling in his body¡¯s joy at going through the movements. He didn¡¯t neglect his physical training either of course, joining other disciples as they ran the lengths of the grounds, and performed various other exercises in the yard.


    He also made sure to attend the free martial courses during the week. To his surprise, it turned out the instructor was none other than Li Ming. Apparently, the martial classes fell under Elder Gu¡¯s purview, seeing as he was in charge of the Sect¡¯s defenses, and as an inner disciple underneath the elder, the responsibility had fallen on Li Ming to lead them.


    The martial training began with them running multiple laps around the training yard, after which Li Ming had them spread out and begin weight training, lifting and swinging great iron bells that were spread throughout the yard. He pushed them hard, and although the routine would only leave Yu Chen feeling refreshed, most of the other students would end it gasping, drenched in sweat.


    After training they would begin to practice the martial forms. All the outer disciples in attendance would line up before Li Ming, copying him as he flowed through the forms of the Condensing Fist. Yu Chen always found a spot close to the front, ensuring he didn¡¯t miss the smallest movement as he watched the cultivator move through the forms with a level of grace that was envious.


    He didn¡¯t only learn martial arts from Li Ming, however. It turned out the man was also a notorious gossip.


    ¡°You¡¯re asking about Elder Shu?¡± Li Ming said conspiratorially, fixing Yu Chen¡¯s elbow as he glanced around. ¡°Quite beautiful, isn¡¯t she? She¡¯s the youngest in recent memory to assume the post.¡± Li Ming cackled under his breath.


    ¡°Is there a reason Zhang Lie doesn¡¯t like her very much?¡± Yu Chen asked quizzically, as he flowed to the next stance.


    ¡°Zhang Lie doesn¡¯t like her?¡± Li Ming said in amusement, as he rolled his eyes at the dense headed boy. ¡°Everyone likes her. Not only is she gorgeous, but she¡¯s also the most talented cultivator of our generation. She managed to form her Golden Core two years ago, when she was still in her twenties.¡± Li Ming snorted. ¡°Do you know how many cultivators form a Golden Core in their twenties?¡±


    Yu Chen shook his head, thinking about it as he moved through his forms. He understood a bit of what Li Ming was speaking about, as the various realms of cultivation had been laid out in the sect¡¯s manual. The first level of cultivation was called Qi Condensation, and the people at this rank were typically outer disciples, forming the main body of the sect.


    The second level was termed Foundation Establishment. While you would find a few supremely talented individuals at the realm of Qi Condensation within the inner sect, most of them personally apprenticed to an elder, the majority of inner sect disciples were those who had entered Foundation Establishment. It was these disciples that formed the backbone of the sect and its main fighting force.


    Only the most powerful of these inner sect disciples would form their Golden Core. Any who did so would immediately earn the designation of elder within the sect, becoming people of great import and renown in the region. They would have no choice but to take their place as the heart and brains of the sect, determining its future.


    If there were further heights beyond that he wasn¡¯t aware of them, beyond a vague statement in the book that the road of cultivation was unending.


    Yu Chen pondered it as Li Ming walked away to berate another cultivator who had fumbled his forms. If Elder Shu had only become an elder a couple years ago, wouldn¡¯t that mean her and Zhang Lie had once been peers? He wondered if they had been friends or rivals, and asked Li Ming as much the next time he came by.


    ¡°Friends?¡± Li Ming replied, before laughing lecherously. ¡°Oh yes, they were friends. Very close friends in fact. I think Zhang Lie was only a few days away from working up the courage to make things official with his friend.¡± Li Ming shook his head sadly, although Yu Chen only saw mirth in his eyes.


    ¡°But that was before she broke through. He hasn¡¯t spoken to her since then of course.¡± Li Ming said, and this time there was a touch of sympathy in his voice.


    ¡°What? But why?¡± Yu Chen asked, so surprised he almost dropped his stance.


    Li Ming shrugged his shoulders. ¡°Pride I suppose. After all, Zhang Lie is very talented himself. Within the inner sect he¡¯s currently ranked within the top three, and it¡¯s not clear that he¡¯s ranked number three among them.¡± Li Ming stroked his face before continuing to speak. ¡°Elder Shu doesn¡¯t care one whit, but Zhang Lie isn¡¯t willing to enter an imbalanced relationship. He refuses to court her again until he forms a Golden Core of his own.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded his head. This was something he could understand. After all he¡¯d lived the life of a mortal, in a world where men were naturally stronger than women. However, when it came to channeling inner power, the heavens hadn¡¯t chosen to discriminate between the sexes.


    It was an irrational feeling for a cultivator, but a man still had his mortal nature, and it insisted that he be strong enough to protect the ones he loved. How must Zhang Lie feel knowing he was destined to be the weaker one in the relationship? That if it came down to it, she¡¯d be the one protecting him?


    ¡°You¡¯re quite good at this.¡± Li Ming observed offhandedly, changing the subject and interrupting Yu Chen¡¯s thoughts as he practiced the martial forms. ¡°You¡¯ve only been here slightly over a week and your movements already appear natural. I believe you¡¯ll achieve small success soon.¡±


    Yu Chen smiled, a hint of pride filling his chest at the cultivator''s words, and he redoubled his efforts as Li Ming went back to strolling among the others.


    Of course, training only took up his time in the morning, and he still had the rest of the day to fill. His evenings were spent meditating and practicing the breathing technique, and he¡¯d become quite proficient at sensing the heavenly energies around him. It was becoming easier and easier to slip into the meditative state, but despite becoming increasingly familiar with the energy that flowed through the world, he¡¯d yet to have any luck drawing it into his dantian.


    However, the majority of his day was spent at his new job. It had taken him some time to find one, as unfortunately, the majority of the mission board was off limits to him. He had to at least become a qi condensator before he¡¯d be allowed to take on any of the missions that required him to leave the sect. Because of that he couldn¡¯t take many of the more profitable avenues of work, such as gathering wild herbs and rare materials from the surrounding mountain.


    He¡¯d also been turned away from the Medicinal Pavilion, the Spiritual Gardens, and the Refineries, where being able to channel qi was considered the most basic requirement, and he was expected to display talents in more skills beyond that.


    Dispirited, he¡¯d raised the topic with Li Ming, hopeful that perhaps he could find work under Elder Gu, but the older cultivator had laughed so hard that Yu Chen had felt his ears turn red. It turned out the absolute last place a mortal could find work within the sect was the defense department.


    In the end there were really only two jobs he was qualified for. The first was janitorial. A not insignificant portion of the outer sect disciples did nothing more all day than sweep and clean the sect, scouring, polishing and scrubbing on their hands and knees until the entire place shined.


    Which is how Yu Chen found himself making deliveries.


    It didn¡¯t offer much in the way of contribution points, but neither did cleaning, and at the end of the day he felt he¡¯d rather be a pack mule than a sweeper. He found it more entertaining to run around the sect all day delivering letters from one cultivator to another and taking loads of materials from one place to the next.


    Not only did running around carrying the heavy deliveries help to train his body, but the job also had the unintended perk of allowing him to network, and he felt himself becoming more integrated into the sect as he met people through his job. At first, he¡¯d simply bow as he dropped off the goods, but soon enough he found himself greeting people by name and exchanging friendly remarks with them.


    ¡°Jin Hua! How are things today?¡± Yu Chen asked as he greeted one of the desk attendants at the ever-busy mission hall.


    ¡°So-so.¡± The tall man behind the desk said as he waggled his hand back and forth. ¡°You¡¯ll get some practice holding your breath with this one.¡± Jin Hua said with a laugh as he unlatched the counter and waved the boy behind it.


    Yu Chen had met Jin Hua the first time he¡¯d been tasked with going to the mission hall, and he¡¯d felt an instant connection with the other boy. He was a talented outer sect member who¡¯d already reached the fourth stage of the Qi Condensation realm, and he wasn¡¯t far away from establishing his foundation.


    The two chatted casually as Yu Chen followed him to the storage rooms in the back of the mission hall.


    The other boy had a warrior¡¯s spirit, confiding in Yu Chen that he planned to contribute to the sect¡¯s defense once he became an inner disciple, and was only working at the mission hall temporarily.


    Yu Chen nodded his head at the sensible notion, but his face twisted into an expression of disgust once Jin Hua opened the storage room door.


    ¡°Yea, the smell is pretty disgusting.¡± Jin Hua confirmed, waving his hand in front of his face. ¡°Some hunters got lucky and ran into a herd of spirit beasts. Nearly a dozen twilight dappled deer skins.¡± He said, gesturing towards the pile that lay on the floor.


    Despite the smell, Yu Chen knelt and touched the skin in fascination. It was soft beneath his fingertips, and the hair upon it shimmered and shifted at his touch.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± Yu Chen said breathily.


    ¡°Very.¡± Jin Hua agreed. ¡°These ones won¡¯t be going directly to the Treasure Pavilion like the other orders you¡¯ve taken, as they¡¯ll need to be processed first. You¡¯re to deliver them to the Refineries, here¡¯s the mission slip.¡± he finished speaking, tossing a jade slip to Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen nodded, before saying, ¡°See you in the morning?¡±


    The things they had in common included a penchant for physical activity, and after they¡¯d seen each other at the training grounds they¡¯d begun working out together.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Jin Hua flashed him a smile before continuing to speak. ¡°I¡¯ll see you there, but for now I¡¯ve got to get back up to the front.¡±


    Yu Chen gave him a wave as he left, and then bent down and lifted the heaping pile of deerskins, which were much heavier than they looked. It wasn¡¯t quite enough to make his arms tremble yet, but it was still a long walk to the refineries. With a grunt of determination, Yu Chen started moving, placing one foot in front of the next.

 Tributary: Chapter 7 - A New Realm

    Yu Chen watched the small waves forming upon the pond below, from atop the small cliff top on which he sat. He had stumbled upon this secluded place while making his deliveries, finding it to be a quiet place without all the other disciples around.


    Since then, he¡¯d taken to coming here in the evenings after work to meditate. He was more at ease within nature, and better able to relax his mind. He¡¯d ruminate about his daily life and his future as he sat there, watching the cattails blow in the breeze as the soft buzz of insects filled his ears.


    He¡¯d been in the sect for some weeks now, and he¡¯d settled into a routine. He¡¯d made new friends and formed grudges, began to learn martial arts and had even perceived the energies of heaven and earth, laying eyes on wonders he¡¯d never imagined existed prior to coming to the sect. And through it all, he¡¯d come to learn some things about himself.


    He came to this pond for a reason beyond the scenic landscape. He realized he preferred being outdoors in the midst of nature, because it was in the wild, untamed places of the world that he found joy, peace, and comfort. It was something he¡¯d had a vague sense of before, but after weeks of meditation, it was now a realization, a visceral truth about the nature of himself.


    The senseless boy that he¡¯d once been was finally gaining a bit of self-awareness.


    However, with every layer he peeled away from himself, another was revealed, more questions to answer in the pursuit of self-understanding. Right now, he was compelled to ask, why? Why did he enjoy being outdoors while others preferred to stay indoors? Was it the wild he craved, while others clung to civilization? Was it the silence, the escape from the hustle and bustle? And each person was different, some preferring to be surrounded by people, and some displaying no preference one way, or the other.


    Perhaps it was something vital to his nature, something intrinsic to his being, like his height or his hair color, or the pattern of the freckles on his arm. Was it something stamped upon him, determined before he was born?


    Or was it somehow caused? Perhaps his nature was formed by the experiences he went through and the choices he made. The foods he preferred were the ones that reminded him of home, and fond memories of his brother accompanied him when he stepped into the wild.


    He wasn¡¯t sure why the answer mattered to him, only that the question had arisen days ago, once he¡¯d begun questioning who he was, and since then it¡¯d returned again and again, filling his mind and interrupting his meditations.


    He felt as though the answer would reveal something important, and so he chewed at the thought, like a dog worrying a bone. He was still young after all, his thirteenth birthday only having just passed, and he could be quite stubborn, unwilling to quit until he found the answers he sought.


    His thoughts turned, and he considered the time he¡¯d spent in the sect so far, and the changes it had brought.


    So far it had been gratifying, and as time passed, he found himself becoming more grateful that he¡¯d come. He still felt the absence of his family, but as the days turned, he¡¯d found himself becoming wrapped up in his new life at the sect.


    The hard work he¡¯d put in had begun to return dividends. He¡¯d achieved the realm of small success in the Condensing Fist forms, and his motions were now smooth and seamless. These days even Li Ming couldn¡¯t find fault with them. Lately however, it seemed that he¡¯d hit a wall, and he was no longer seeing any improvements, regardless of how hard he trained.


    Li Ming had advised him to focus on his cultivation, and Jin Hao had agreed, claiming that the physical movements he¡¯d mastered were only the outer half of the technique. The sect was for those cultivating the energy of heaven and earth after all, and so he¡¯d yet to realize the true purpose of the martial forms, because, despite the weeks that had passed, he¡¯d still yet to condense a single drop of qi.


    Yu Chen let out a low sigh that might have once, to his untrained mind, sounded out of place in the halcyon scene. He however, no longer possessed feelings of disparity with the natural world, and as his sigh blended into the tableau of reality, Yu Chen allowed his thoughts to flow with it, filled with all of the concerns for his family, his frustrations at his bottleneck, and the fears surrounding whether or not he could condense qi.


    Such thoughts served no purpose at the moment, although they did speak to who he was. He breathed in, breathed out. Slowly he fell into the rhythmic breathing patterns that he¡¯d ingrained into his bones. With every breath his focused attention waned, and the sharp lines that delineated his reality began to fuzz at the edges, as the thought of himself began to fade.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    His thoughts, even those that determined who he was, only distorted reality. He breathed in and breathed out. With every breath the edges of his perception widened, increasing to the point where discrimination between himself and others became meaningless. He realized perception for what it was, nothing more than the indivisibly thin line that separated himself from the world.


    Separated himself from the world?


    When had it been determined that they were separate? The thought crashed into his mind like a thunderbolt, almost startling him from his meditative state. As long as he could remember, he¡¯d always been Yu Chen, and everything else, regardless of what it had been, was not Yu Chen, and that included the heavens and the earth, and everything upon and in between them.


    Where then did the heavens end and the earth begin?


    Where did the earth end and mankind begin?


    Where did mankind end and the heavens begin?


    The three concepts spun like a circle in his mind, before melding into one. The heavens, and earth, mankind as well, the three were inseparable. How could you speak of one without the other?


    Did he enjoy the outdoors before he¡¯d stepped foot outdoors? It now seemed such a funny thought in his mind. Yu Chen wasn¡¯t separate from his experiences, there was no him and them, any more than there was a difference between him and the world around him.


    It was the energy of heaven and earth, and Yu Chen was in no way separate from the two.


    Something clicked into place in his mind, and Yu Chen let out a deep, full-bellied laugh as he felt his Dantian begin to hungrily suck in the energy around him. It was as though before this moment his body had been a dead thing, cut off from the world around him. Now that it had returned to life the energy of the world rushed to fill in the empty void, In the exact same manner that heat dispersed into cooler areas.


    He let go of worries he¡¯d been unaware he was carrying, sinking deeper into his meditations as he felt the hazy line delineating him from the world around him dissipate. His mind relaxed, and he became one with the breeze brushing against his awareness and the lazy croak of the frogs making themselves known as they wallowed in the pond.


    The energy of heaven and earth swirled around him, ebbing and flowing with the pulse of his breaths, breaths that were unconscious, rote, and the energy followed a rhythm that led straight to his Dantian, where it pooled, gently swirling in place. With every breath more energy was sucked in, but Yu Chen didn¡¯t notice, having immersed himself completely in the meditative state.


    It wasn¡¯t until much later that Yu Chen, taking a breath so uncomfortable it had set him to coughing, was brought back to his senses. Frowning he searched for the source of the discomfort and realized the feeling came from his Dantian, marveling at the sense of fullness that now suffused his being.


    Yu Chen slowly blinked and looked around, wondering how long he¡¯d been meditating for. The world around him was covered in darkness, and the barest sliver of moonlight cut through the clouds, illuminating the pond below him.


    He roused himself and stood up on the small cliff overlooking the pond, clenching his fists tightly as his shoulder length black hair billowed in the wind. A small smile hung upon his lips as his robes moved in the breeze, pressing against his body and hinting at the well-defined muscles beneath.


    He¡¯d finally done it. He¡¯d taken his first real step into the world of cultivation, managing to condense qi on his own for the very first time. It¡¯d only been a scant few months since he¡¯d come to the sect, but already so much of the young boy had been sculpted away, leaving behind a young man ready to face the world.


    He lightly jumped down from the cliff edge, and, unconsciously, some portion of the qi within his body responded, causing his leap to take him further than planned.


    Yu Chen let out a delighted laugh, in awe at the changes simply accumulating a bit of qi could cause. He started a light jog back towards his dormitory and he couldn¡¯t help but notice the increase to his speed, the way every step propelled him just a bit further, as the addition of qi seemed to improve even his standard running speed.


    And this was without any technique! Yu Chen was mesmerized, awed by the power that now filled him. Was this what had powered the blows Wu Feng had hit him with? Yu Chen could already imagine how powerful his punches would become with qi filling them.


    It was a heady feeling. Yu Chen didn''t want to stop moving even after arriving back to his room, he was so captivated by the energy that now filled his body.


    He was helpless however, to a deep yawn that fought its way out of his mouth, and, despite his desires to the contrary, he lifted his hand and opened the door. He didn¡¯t even bother to look around as he stepped into the darkened room, tired enough that he fell asleep moments after falling into bed.

 Tributary: Chapter 8 - Meeting Xiao Huang I

    Bright rays of sunshine splayed across Yu Chen¡¯s face, startling him out of his sleep. Groggily he sat up and rubbed at his eyes, before looking around and blinking in confusion.


    ¡°W-w-what¡­¡± Yu Chen stammered out as he peered around him. Why was he outside?


    Where had his room gone, and why was he lying in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by thick grass on all sides? He reached out and ran his fingers through it, unsure if he was dreaming, but it felt solid as it brushed against his hand. He could even feel a light breeze playing against his skin, further confirming he was indeed outside. He stood up, confused, and looked around, hoping for some sort of sign to tell him where he was.


    ¡°Come.¡± A voice rumbled out, filling the air around him. Yu Chen leapt to his feet, startled by the unexpected sound. Looking around, he couldn¡¯t find the source of the voice, his vision filled with nothing more than an unending sea of waist high grass. Strangely enough, other than himself, there weren''t any other signs of life as far as he could see.


    ¡°Come!¡± The voice resounded again, and this time it carried a hint of irritation. Now that he was paying attention Yu Chen could determine the direction the sound had come from. He took a slow gulp, tamping down on his rising fears and began walking, stepping through the tall prairie grasses as he made his way towards the voice.


    ¡°This way,¡± the rumbling voice spoke once more, slightly to the right of where he¡¯d been traveling, and Yu Chen adjusted direction as he followed it.


    Eventually, the steady sound of rushing water entered his ears, and he picked up the pace, making his way towards the sound. Suddenly, the grass gave way and Yu Chen came to a halt, his eyes widening. He¡¯d reached the banks of a great river that snaked as it carved through the land, and to his surprise its waters were the bright golden yellow of sweet honey.


    Yu Chen approached the water¡¯s edge and squatted down beside it, admiring the beautiful color of the waters. After a spell he tore his eyes away and looked around for the source of the voice he had heard.


    Craning his neck, he tried to find the mighty creature that had summoned him. However despite his best efforts he couldn¡¯t see anything in the midst of the river, until the sound of splashing water entered his ear. Yu Chen turned and looked, and to his surprise he could just faintly make out the head of a creature poking out of the water in the middle of the river.


    He¡¯d had his suspicions about the voice, and he was sure it was the same one he¡¯d heard in his head two times before. He had no idea where he was, and had been sweating internally, ill prepared to meet the terrifying beast that haunted his mind.


    However¡­


    ¡°Huanghe Shizu?¡± Yu Chen called out doubtfully as he looked at the creature playing in the middle of the golden-yellow river waters.


    ¡°Who else would it be?¡± The voice rumbled out in annoyance, its deep timbre filling the space between them despite the distance, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but feel the corner of his lip twitch. He let out a hasty cough as he brought his hand up to cover his smile.


    Senior, what a mighty voice you have, and what a tiny body! He thought to himself in mirth.


    ¡°Apologies senior, this one did not recognize you at first.¡± Yu Chen bowed at the waist, and didn¡¯t raise back up until he was sure his face was under control. Shizu seemed mollified by his apologies, and the little creature swam closer to the shore without further comment.


    As it approached, the creature suddenly dove beneath the waters, before leaping out with a splash, twisting through the air as it flew towards Yu Chen. He felt a flurry of emotions as he watched Huanghe Shizu approach and couldn¡¯t help but lament what a majestic sight it would have been.


    If not for the fact that Huanghe Shizu was no bigger than his pinky!


    This little fellow was the Huanghe Shenlong he¡¯d met in the darkness? The tyrant of the west? The ruler of all that was seen and unseen?


    This adorable guy was the one who had terrified Yu Chen? This was the fellow who had proclaimed himself the Divine Lord of the Yellow River? Didn¡¯t he think those pants were a little big for him?


    Yu Chen chuckled internally. How about I call him Xiao Huang, my little yellow friend?


    Despite his amusement, Yu Chen still couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of awe. It truly was a marvelous sight to see a dragon in person, even one as diminutive as this. He found himself captivated as Xiao Huang¡¯s serpentine figure twisted, spiraling gracefully through the air. His sinuous form was adorned with finely detailed scales that shimmered with a lustrous golden light, a sharp contrast with the white scales that covered his underbelly.


    Two elegant horns swept back from the top of his head, framing a face that peaked in a dangerous-looking row of spikes that ran down the back of his spine. Graceful whiskers flowed from the dragon''s snout, and the hair atop his beard and brows was as soft and white as fresh driven snow. He had four short limbs, each ending in clawed feet tipped with wicked talons that would have been terrifying on a larger beast.


    Yet, it was the two eyes set deep into Xiao Huang¡¯s skull that truly captured Yu Chen¡¯s attention. Regardless of the creature''s size he could sense the depths of profound wisdom and latent power that lay within them.


    ¡°Excuse me senior, but where is this place?¡± Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but ask, as he waved his hand around him.


    ¡°Your Inner Realm of course. Where else would we be?¡± The tiny dragon replied with a snort as it frolicked through the air.


    ¡°But¡­ How? Did you do this?¡± Yu Chen said, looking at the changes to his Inner Realm.


    It was vast, beyond vast, and even the horizon disappeared beyond where his eyes could see. The inky black space that he recalled from before was gone, replaced by earth and sky, and even the simulacrum of a sun hung far above, illuminating the rolling plains that now covered his Inner Realm. Far into the distance he could make out a beautiful palace lording over the land as it sat atop a massive hill, and the yellow river carved a path through the plains that led directly to it.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Xiao Huang replied arrogantly. ¡°Do you think just anyone can create an Inner Realm?¡±


    The dragon stared at him with a critical eye before continuing to reprimand him.


    ¡°You, however, are not just anyone. The blood of Huanghe Shenlong flows through your veins.¡± Xiao Huang said as he reproached him.


    For his part, Yu Chen found it difficult to take the tiny dragon¡¯s admonitions seriously. He¡¯d eaten fish bigger than this little guy after all.


    ¡°Maintaining a proper Inner Realm is the least I expect from someone who shares my blood, and don¡¯t think being a little Qi Condensator is any excuse.¡± Xiao Huang continued speaking, seemingly unsatisfied with Yu Chen¡¯s behavior.


    ¡°Yes, Shizu.¡± Yu Chen said as he bowed his head again. He wouldn¡¯t even know where to begin when it came to making an Inner Realm, but he knew he couldn¡¯t go wrong showing respect to the arrogant dragon.


    His uncle had once told him how some men who were shorter than others would compensate for it in other ways, and he felt a pang of sympathy for the little fellow. He was small enough that if a fisherman had caught him, they¡¯d toss him back to grow a little. That had to sting someone so self-important.


    Xiao Huang continued to lecture him on Inner Realms, oblivious to the boy''s thoughts, although he¡¯d certainly be spitting blood if he knew Yu Chen had mentally labeled him a little fellow and was drawing all sorts of conclusions from it.


    Eventually the lecture ended, and the talk progressed, as the dragon began questioning Yu Chen about the Sect. His questions were probing, drawing out all the details Yu Chen had absorbed, as they discussed everything from his training to the cultivation levels of the sect¡¯s elders, and what sort of sect he¡¯d ended up in.


    ¡°This place will serve for now,¡± The dragon said as it spun through the air in a lazy circle. ¡± But know this little hatchling, a dragon is not a frog, to stay stuck in a well.¡±


    Yu Chen lapsed into silence at the dragon''s words. The topic of his future was something Yu Chen was still confused about. He explored his feelings, finding that the idea was almost foreign to him. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    After all, he¡¯d never expected to even leave his home, and, before arriving at the sect, had never desired anything more than spending another day laughing with his family and shepherding sheep.


    What was it that he truly wanted to do in his life? Chance had made him a cultivator, but even that decision had simply been a means to escape a looming war and not something he¡¯d dreamed and fought for.


    ¡°You¡¯re telling me to aim higher, but what exactly should I aim for?¡± Yu Chen didn¡¯t have the answers, but he thought that Xiao Huang might.


    ¡°To become a dragon of course, what else could possibly be worth doing?¡± Xiao Huang said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°You may have the blood of a dragon running through your veins, little hatchling, but you are no dragon yet.¡±


    Silence filled the air as Yu Chen thought about Xiao Huang¡¯s statement. Was becoming a dragon something to be desired, Yu Chen wondered? It sounded fantastical, and he¡¯d had no complaints about being a human so far.


    ¡°How would I do that?¡± Yu Chen asked doubtfully.


    ¡°You humans have stories,¡± Xiao Huang snorted as he replied, ¡°Follow the path of the carp.¡±


    The path of the carp? Yu Chen thought back to stories his mother used to tell him when he was still small enough to be interested in such things.


    ¡°Are you talking about leaping over the Dragon¡¯s Gate?¡± Yu Chen asked, amused at the notion.


    ¡°Foolish hatchling, ready to fly before he can swim.¡± The dragon drawled as he swam through the air in lazy circles around Yu Chen¡¯s head. ¡°Dreaming of the Dragon¡¯s Gate when you haven¡¯t touched the river.¡±


    ¡°First you must reach the river, and then you must find its source, just as the carp of the yellow river know to swim upstream when the time to return comes.¡±


    Seeking out the source of the yellow river, Yu Chen thought to himself as he gazed out at the honey-colored waters that burbled as they split across his Inner Realm. He¡¯d heard of the yellow river of course, although he¡¯d never seen it. It lay far away, nearly a week''s travel from his family home.


    The thought that it might have had a source had never crossed his mind. Rivers did have to spring from somewhere he supposed, but in his mind a river was a sort of ever-present thing, and he¡¯d never imagined that one might have a beginning.


    He nodded and found himself coming around to the idea. Finding the source of the yellow river. He could do that. After all, he had no other goals to accomplish and nothing to strive for, so it would be interesting to see the place little yellow called home.


    Xiao Huang let out a low rumble of satisfaction as he floated close to Yu Chen¡¯s head, coming awfully close to the purr of a cat.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you have some sense,¡± Xiao Huang said as he floated away. ¡°Now come, it is time to begin your lessons.¡±


    ¡°Lessons?¡± Yu Chen asked as he followed the dragon.


    ¡°Yes, lessons. Unless you trust this¡­ sect,¡± The dragon drew out the last word with disdain. ¡°To teach you anything of worth.¡±


    Yu Chen followed the dragon as he floated through the air, following the river towards the palace that lay at the heart of the Inner Realm. He watched in fascination as the dragon occasionally dove into the waters of the river, before coming up with a splash, sending droplets of water dancing through the air, where they glittered like gold in the sunlight.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know how much time passed as they continued in this way, but eventually the dragon brought them to a halt as they arrived outside the gates of the palace that stood in the center of the realm.


    ¡°To begin with, your Mind Palace.¡± The dragon said, lifting a claw and gesticulating towards the large building that filled his vision. ¡°The Mind Palace is yours to cultivate, and I will have no part in it.¡± he continued, looking at Yu Chen expectantly.


    Yu Chen rubbed his head uncomfortably as he stared at the palace. ¡°... er, what is its purpose and how do I cultivate it?¡±


    The dragon sighed, muttering something unpleasant about sects before replying. ¡°The purposes are many. It serves as a mental repository of accumulated knowledge, skills and techniques. A well-organized Mind Palace makes it many times easier to recall knowledge and see the connections between the things you¡¯ve perceived and the information you¡¯ve learned.¡±


    ¡°It can also serve as a space of internal meditation and reflection. By retreating to your Mind Palace you will find it much easier to enter a meditative state and will experience greater benefits as well.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded his head as the dragon explained the various benefits of the Mind Palace. He still hadn¡¯t the faintest idea how to use it, and the dragon didn¡¯t seem to be particularly concerned with getting around to that part yet.


    ¡°It is getting late.¡± The dragon said with a frown, breaking off its explanation and looking up at the sun that hadn¡¯t moved an inch since Yu Chen had been there. ¡°Time moves differently for you here, and there isn¡¯t much left. We will now begin your first lecture. Sit and listen as I explain the Will of the Heavens.¡±


    Yu Chen bowed towards the tiny dragon and followed it into a pristine courtyard within the gates of the palace. Following the dragon¡¯s instructions, he approached the singular bright red cushion that sat in the center of the space, and sat down, making himself comfortable. The dragon positioned itself before him, making sure Yu Chen was paying attention before speaking.


    ¡°Of foremost importance to cultivators is the Will of the Heavens. Phenomena fulfill their purpose according to that will and cultivators spend their lives harmonizing with it.¡± The dragon began, his voice resonating throughout the courtyard. Yu Chen found himself instantly enraptured by the lecture, his thoughts whirling with ancient wisdom as the rich textures of Xiao Huang¡¯s voice imparted his draconic understanding.


    ¡°The Heavens dictate the natural order of things, immutable and omnipresent, and neither man nor beast may counteract their will. The tiger fulfills its role as a predator in natural accordance with the heavens. So too do the trees and the flowers as they flourish according to that same will. Over the countless millennia all things maintain these patterns imparted upon them by the heavens, only departing from them as necessary for survival.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded as the dragon went on about how the heavens governed the nature of the universe, determining and balancing all things in harmony. As the dragon spoke, he found that his understanding of his role in the universe - that of a cultivator - was slowly clarifying.


    ¡°What purpose do you suppose humans serve?¡± Xiao Huang asked abruptly, drawing his student into the conversation.


    Yu Chen fell deep into thought. What role did humans fulfill under the heavens? Did they exist to dominate and rule over the world? Or perhaps to create, Or¡­ His mind raced, grasping at possibilities, before arriving at an answer he thought suitable.


    ¡°Humans exist to realize the Will of the Heavens. Through cultivating the energy of the world, they harmonize with, and step into the heavens.¡± Yu Chen said with some certainty, as he looked to his draconic teacher.


    Xiao Huang snorted, and the faintest wisp of smoke curled from his nostril. ¡°That is why cultivators exist, hatchling, and cultivation is not something limited to humans. The heavens did not reserve such a task for your kind alone.¡±


    ¡°Then, perhaps the place humans take in the natural order is to rule over the earth and the creatures upon it?¡± Yu Chen suggested, offering his second idea.


    This reply caused Xiao Huang to roll over in the air. His Deep laughter shook the courtyard and caused even the leaves of the nearby trees to begin trembling, as if the world itself were sharing in the dragon¡¯s amusement. The laughter went on for so long that Yu Chen felt his face begin to warm, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel vaguely insulted.


    Was his suggestion so absurd, Yu Chen wondered? The dragon¡¯s laughter gnawed at him, and he clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the sting of embarrassment he felt at Xiao Huang¡¯s merriment.


    ¡°Humans, could you imagine?¡± Xiao Huang finally spoke, his voice filled with mirth. He wiped a talon across his eye before arrogantly adding, ¡°Of course dragons were the ones created to rule over all things, seen and unseen. We are the crown jewel of creation, and stand at the apex of all that lives, breathes, and dreams.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Shizu,¡± Yu Chen said, nodding his head. His own embarrassment turned to amusement as he watched how the tiny dragon preened at his acceptance. Seeing his teacher''s good mood, he seized the moment, earnestly asking, ¡°What then is the purpose of humans?¡±


    ¡°It is this one''s opinion,¡± Xiao Huang replied after a moment of contemplation, as he absentmindedly wrapped one of his long whiskers around a tiny claw, ¡°That the heavens created humans to change. Unlike the birds and beasts, grass and trees, humans are in constant flux. They exist to turn what has been into what will be.¡±


    Yu Chen was struck by the profundity of it, the dragon''s words resonating deep within him. Humans existed to change? The realization shook him, reshaping his understanding of the world, and his place within it. The way of cultivation was not a path towards power, but rather a constant journey of transformation.


    He hurriedly leaned forward, touching his head to the ground. ¡°Thank you Shizu.¡± He whispered in gratitude, and as the words left his lips, he realized he truly meant them.


    All of the changes from his simple life before had been so sudden that Yu Chen hadn''t had a chance to find his footing. Since he¡¯d arrived at the sect he¡¯d felt as though he¡¯d been balancing on a tightrope, afraid to fall as he moved forward without a purpose. He¡¯d lacked even a real understanding of what it meant to be a cultivator and possessed no reason for even wanting to be one.


    It was safe to say that before entering his Inner Realm and speaking to Xiao Huang he¡¯d been confused, and worse, he¡¯d been unaware of his own confusion.


    However, his conversation with the little dragon had dispersed the fog in his mind, giving Yu Chen a goal, a hint of purpose, and clarifying what it meant to be a cultivator.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t exist to remain the same. The heavens themselves insisted that he change, and so he would. He¡¯d already begun his transformation by becoming a cultivator, and now¡­ Now he¡¯d learn everything he could from the sect before setting out to find the source of the yellow river and see what changes that place had in store for him.


    He¡¯d arrive there one day and see if the little fellow had told him the truth, if it was possible for him to transform and become the dragon Xiao Huang believed he could.


    The thought thrilled him, but it also filled him with a deep uncertainty. Yu Chen wondered if the essence of who he was could survive such a transformation, or if he would lose himself in the process.


    Perhaps, when faced with the choice he wouldn¡¯t become a dragon, and instead he¡¯d see how far the path he could walk as a man stretched.


    After all, not everything had to change.

 Tributary: Chapter 9 - Training Continues

    Yu Chen awoke the next morning, filled with a fresh determination to pursue his cultivation. He¡¯d enjoyed his life in the sect so far, but he hadn¡¯t realized how much a lack of purpose had been holding him back. Now¡­ He put a hand on his stomach and smiled at the feeling of warmth that lay under his palm.


    He was a cultivator in truth now, and thanks to the little dragon whose blood he shared, he had a dream and a desire. It was foursday, and there was martial training to look forward to at the training grounds. He hurriedly clothed himself and rushed out of the door.


    ¡°Hey, Yu Chen!¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s head swiveled at the sound of his name as he looked over the crowd in the training ground. He caught Jin Hua¡¯s eye who was excitedly waving at him as he made his way towards him.


    ¡°Jin Hua, how¡¯s your day progressing?¡± Yu Chen asked, as he greeted his friend politely.


    ¡°Never mind that!¡± Jin Hua exclaimed before wrapping an arm around Yu Chen¡¯s shoulders. ¡°When did you break through?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yesterday, during my evening meditation.¡± Yu Chen replied breezily, but a hint of pride filled his voice.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re able to leave the sect now we¡¯ll have to visit a restaurant and celebrate, my treat!¡± Jin Hua was naturally a loud fellow, and quite a few of the nearby cultivators looked over as he spoke. Some just glanced in confusion, while others who recognized Yu Chen, shot him nods of approval.


    Yu Chen waved at them in thanks, before falling into conversation with the talkative Jin Hua while they awaited Li Ming. He was just in the middle of telling Yu Chen about a pair of foolish disciples who¡¯d tried to cheat a bounty by returning to the mission hall with some fake ¡°artifacts¡±, when their animated conversation was brought to a halt by the arrival of Li Ming.


    They cut off their conversation and joined the other disciples as they began running laps without complaint. Most of the morning exercise flew by, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but be appreciative of how much better it was with a friend by his side. After the fourth lap they all fell back in line to begin practicing their martial forms.


    Yu Chen, as usual, had made his way to the front row, where he had the best view of Li Ming as he moved through the forms, when he realized something strange that he hadn¡¯t noticed before. Perhaps it was a result of him becoming a qi condensator, but he could now see that, with every movement, Li Ming was channeling his qi as he flowed through the motions.


    Yu Chen¡¯s own movements slowed, coming to a halt as he watched his instructor, but if Li Ming noticed he didn¡¯t say anything, continuing through the movements with his usual grace. Yu Chen didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t even really notice, when Li Ming had returned to the first form, instead watching intently as he flowed into the second, and then into the third.


    Not an ounce of his attention was spared, until, at first hesitantly, then with a bit more assurance, he began to try to copy the older man. It was difficult, more so than Yu Chen would have assumed from watching, to will his qi to move into the patterns, but he bullishly persisted.


    He¡¯d reached the peak of small success in the forms a while ago, and he¡¯d been stuck unable to advance. Now he knew why. He¡¯d had an insight, or perhaps an epiphany, upon seeing Li Ming propel his qi through the forms, and he now realized why the martial art had been called the condensing fist.


    Or, more appropriately, Mist Condensing to Iron. Qi flowed like a liquid, or that was the feeling one had when channeling it. Like mist in his body, it was vaporous. His foot slammed into the ground, as he thrust out a fist, and he used the impetus to propel the qi down his arm where it splashed helplessly.


    Yu Chen frowned, but he didn¡¯t stop the forms, a sharp rotation of his hips sending a leg lashing out. Yu Chen breathed, propelling his qi in unison with this attack, repeating it again and again as he went through the various movements of the forms.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Li Ming¡¯s qi did not splash helplessly. Yu Chen¡¯s frown deepened as he considered the problem. Instead, at the very moment of impact, all of that vaporous qi that he had sent rushing down his arm condensed, and his hand struck out with an audible noise that split the air.


    It continued in this way for some time, until Li Ming wound things down, and the class came to a halt. Yu Chen stood there for a time as the cultivators around him broke up, some of them leaving the field and others mingling to chat. He was torn between joy and frustration.


    No matter how he tried, Yu Chen just couldn¡¯t manage to condense his qi at the point of impact. On the other hand, though, the difficulties he had in propelling his qi through his body had almost vanished. By the end of the daily exercises the movement of qi throughout his body had almost felt natural.


    ¡°Very respectable, Yu Chen.¡± Li Ming said to him, as he finally made his way to the young cultivator.


    ¡°You¡¯ve only been a Qi Condensator for how long? You¡¯ve already managed to break through the small success realm, and you¡¯ve even made a great deal of progression past that. Maybe Elder Gu wasn¡¯t wrong in thinking there was something to you.¡±


    Yu Chen felt his ears warm at the praise and he hurriedly bowed as he thanked the older cultivator.


    ¡°Thank you senior. However, I just can¡¯t seem to manage to condense my qi at the moment of impact, in the same way you do.¡± Yu Chen relied, making his frustrations clear.


    Li Ming let out a short laugh. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t expect to, if you can manage that you¡¯ll reach the peak of large success with these martial forms. Practice while sitting and see if you can¡¯t condense your qi into a smaller space. You¡¯ve seen what it should look like, and if you need more examples, spectate the sparring rings.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded slowly, as he turned the thought over in his head. It was true that he didn¡¯t really have an idea of how to condense his qi. In fact, he realized he didn¡¯t really know how to do anything with qi. After all, he¡¯d only had it for two days now and hadn¡¯t even begun to scratch the surface.


    ¡°After that, you can focus on integrating it into your movements. It¡¯s one thing to cause your qi to solidify while you are sitting, it¡¯s entirely different when you are moving or fighting.¡± Li Ming explained, and Yu Chen had to admit the man made a surprisingly good teacher.


    ¡°You¡¯re talented to realize it so quickly Yu Chen.¡± Li Ming said with a smile as he slapped a hand on his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m afraid there are some sods in this group with a higher cultivation than you who still haven¡¯t understood what the Condensing Fist means.¡±


    Yu Chen thanked him again, and they parted ways. Yu Chen was still thinking about what Li Ming had said as Jin Hua fell into place, walking alongside him. The principle was simple in theory. There were only two ways to improve the impact of a fist. Either you had to speed it up, or you had to put more weight behind it.


    The Condensing Fist did just that, increasing the speed of the qi as it moved throughout his body before sharply increasing it in density, culminating into a devastating blow at impact. This was the power of a technique. He¡¯d already realized that the qi diffused throughout his body had given it a general boost, but it was nothing when compared with directed intention.


    This also made him think. If diffusing qi throughout his body had increased his general abilities, could flooding it into specific body parts improve them further? It was something to test for later. Or he could simply ask his friend.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Jin Hua said as Yu Chen posed the question to him. ¡°It¡¯s perhaps the most common use of qi. You can flood it into your legs to leap over a chasm for example or fill your arms with it to pull yourself up a mountain or something."


    Jin Hua put his hands behind his head as they walked, frowning in thought.


    ¡°In fact, it¡¯s often how rogue cultivators fight. Without a specific technique, many of them simply flood their fists with qi to hit things harder. Well, most cultivators do possess some techniques. They may not be as powerful as our Condensing Fist, but they can utilize qi in all sorts of strange and profound ways.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded his head thoughtfully. It was an eye-opening discussion. He hadn¡¯t realized just what qi meant to cultivators, but he was starting to see a hint of it now. He really needed to go to the manual pavilion and pick out a new technique to practice. Perhaps finding new ways to manipulate his qi would improve his cultivation.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t lying about going to a restaurant,¡± Jin Hao said suddenly. ¡°And you can leave the sect now. How do you feel about going on a mission and earning some real contribution?¡±


    Yu Chen was startled at the unexpected invitation and shot Jin Hua a look of surprise.


    ¡°What sort of mission?¡± Yu Chen asked, unsure, but the idea of getting out of the sect excited him.


    ¡°A couple of us will be going on an expedition into the wilderness surrounding the sect. Looking for signs of spirit beasts, rare herbs, anything of value really.¡± Jin Hua said in reply.


    Yu Chen thought about it, but he already knew he¡¯d agree to go on Jin Hua¡¯s expedition. They shook on it, and Yu Chen promised to meet up with the boy in a couple of days.


    Eventually they departed, and Yu Chen watched him leave, before turning and making the long walk to the Manual Pavilion.

 Tributary: Chapter 10 - Exploring the Manual Pavilion

    Yu Chen stepped into the Manual Pavilion and paused, looking around him at the stacks of bookshelves. The Pavilion wasn¡¯t a small space, but the shelves were tightly packed, giving it a more intimate feeling. He was surprised to see that it was a fair bit busier today than the last time he came, as he saw more than a few disciples moving around inside


    Tearing his eyes from the books he made his way towards the desk where he had encountered Elder Shu last time. In her place was a pretty young girl who appeared to be a couple of years older than him, and he could tell by the trimmings on her robes that she was an Inner Sect disciple.


    ¡°Senior.¡± He said, quickly bowing his head in greeting.


    She waved at him to rise as she began speaking.


    ¡°Yes? How may I assist you?¡± She asked, clicking her nails rhythmically against the countertop.


    Yu Chen went to speak, but found the words twisting in his throat now that he was face to face with the strange girl. She stared at him with a bemused smile as he stammered out his words, face flushed.


    ¡°Ah, yes, um, I¡¯m here for a technique,¡± The words stumbled over each other as they came out, and Yu Chen felt a wave of embarrassment cross over him. A life of herding sheep hadn¡¯t given him much experience with the other sex, and while he¡¯d met a lot of people through working in the sect, communicating with female disciples was still rare for him.


    She quirked her eyebrow as Yu Chen fumbled his attempts at communication. ¡°The people who come here are usually looking for techniques.¡± She couldn¡¯t help but dryly state, and her amusement grew as this comment caused more color to appear on Yu Chen¡¯s face.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s true.¡± Yu Chen said, coughing into his hand. ¡°Is Elder Shu here? She told me to return here after condensing my qi.¡±


    ¡°I see, you must be new.¡± The young girl said, her voice a touch softer. ¡°Let me see your Identification.¡±


    Yu Chen reached into his pocket and pulled out the smooth piece of jade that kept track of his contributions within the sect. The young girl held it up to her forehead and closed her eyes.


    A few heartbeats passed before she opened them, passing the stone back to Yu Chen.


    ¡°Yes, you do have a credit available. Not that I doubted you,¡± She said with a smile, and Yu Chen felt his heart beat a little faster. ¡°But it¡¯s my job to check. You may pick any technique on the first floor, all of them are suitable for Qi Condensators. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.¡±


    Yu Chen thanked her before turning away and moving deeper into the Pavilion.


    He began walking through the aisles, greeting his fellow sect members as he passed by. His brows frowned thoughtfully as he looked around, attempting to make sense of the system the sect had in place for organizing the books.


    He couldn¡¯t help but feel overwhelmed at the sheer variety of books around him. He had hardly imagined there could be so many in the entire world, let alone on the first floor of a single library within one sect. A part of him doubted if even the library of the Emperor himself could match it in volume .


    It didn¡¯t take him long to pick up on how the Manual Pavilion arranged things. At least in the section he was in, the bookshelves were dedicated to a single weapon. Some of the more popular ones, such as the spear or the sword, had spilled across multiple shelves, while the last bookshelf seemed to be stuffed with a collection of techniques that covered all sorts of esoteric weapons, from needles to chains, hammers, and scythes.


    It seemed as though the sect possessed techniques for even the most obscure paths disciples might choose to pursue.


    Setting aside the variety of techniques, the variety amongst the books themselves were breathtaking. There was no uniformity among them. Some were thin, covered in hide and other soft supple materials, and others were thick, leatherbound, with spines of wood or stranger materials. There were scrolls, plain and innocuous, and others covered in gaudy brass knobs. Once he would come across a pile of unbound sheafs of parchment on a shelf. After picking it up, he realized that the Pavilion had used an ingenious method to sew the pages together, keeping them in place.


    Yu Chen poked around in the weapon section for a while, finding it fascinating to examine the wealth of information the sect possessed. In the end however he left to explore other sections, deciding to focus on mastering the martial forms he already possessed before picking up a weapon.


    The scale of the world began to sink in as he moved through the pavilion, exploring the different aspects of cultivation. There were entire sections of the shelves filled with alchemical treatises and recipes. In other places there were endless books dedicated to talismans, formation techniques and array diagrams. There was even a small area in the back dedicated to the cultivation of spiritual beasts.


    And there was still more for Yu Chen to explore.


    One section of the Pavilion contained books dedicated to nothing other than the insights of cultivators, filled with writings from prior masters who¡¯d shared the moments of enlightenment they¡¯d experienced in the pursuit of their Dao.


    Curious, he picked a short treatise off of the shelf, flipping through ¨¢o H¨¤o N¨¢n¡¯s Expounding the Heavens.


    The Heavens spread out like a tapestry, a vast weave of interconnected forms. To cultivate is to contemplate your place within it, determining what your thread within this great weave represents. For every thread is a life, and every intersection a choice, determining how lives weave together into a collection of moments that form the greater pattern, the very fabric of existence.


    Yu Chen closed the book, a contemplative frown on his face as he regarded the text. The words had lit up his spirit, although he found the author¡¯s perspective a bit lacking compared to Xiao Huang.


    He understood why the Pavilion had found it necessary to gather them, and these books no doubt held a great deal of value to the other disciples. However, Yu Chen had someone to turn to for insights, and he had no reason to spend his credits or contributions on books like these.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    He continued meandering around the library, mindless of the time that had passed. He took his time, picking up and putting down various texts and techniques, as he slowly broadened his understanding of what constituted cultivation.


    Eventually he found another interesting section, where the bookshelves were filled with breathing techniques and meditation methods. He flipped through a few of the books in fascination. It wasn¡¯t something he¡¯d considered, but it made sense. The technique he¡¯d been given couldn¡¯t be the only one for condensing qi.


    However he couldn¡¯t help but frown after picking up and flipping through a few of the books. They all contained a simple diagram of breathing patterns, but they were filled with the most grandiose promises.


    The first one he¡¯d opened, The Heavenly Breathing Technique, swore to make one unparalleled under the heavens, and even claimed that those who reached the peak could seal the heavens themselves.


    Meanwhile The Nine Cycles Breathing Technique promised even more, claiming that through practicing it one would become a legend, the kind about whom men whispered tales of, in the same breath as demons and gods.


    Even this was topped by the meanest, ratty looking book he found tucked into a corner near the bottom of the shelves, the Spirit Returning Breathing Technique, which claimed that practicing it would result in one cultivating an eternal will, immortal and unbreakable.


    ¡°Really? You¡¯re interested in breathing techniques?¡± An amused voice spoke out from behind Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen turned around, surprised to find the girl from the front desk hovering behind him.


    ¡°Um, well.¡± He said, blushing a bit at the unexpected attention. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware there were so many.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes,¡± She replied, nodding her head seriously. ¡°Breathing techniques are as common as sand. For the most part they are only repetitive patterns of breathing after all. Creating a new technique isn¡¯t much harder than changing the beat of a drum.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Yu Chen said, unsure what to make of this information. ¡°Is that all a breathing technique is? I thought there was more to it.¡± He said doubtfully, his shyness forgotten.


    ¡°Well certainly there is more to it. Some breathing techniques are complex, very complex. Conversely, most are rather simple.¡± She explained, and Yu Chen found himself nodding. ¡°You won¡¯t find much out of the ordinary on the first floor of the library though.¡±


    Yu Chen thought it made a certain amount of sense. After all, as far as he could tell, the technique was just a tool. It was a mental framework to visualize the absorption of qi, and the pattern of breath merely aided in concentration.


    ¡°There are some with truly unique effects. The right technique can not only assist you in drawing qi faster, it can also purify your qi, or grant it an affinity.¡± She said before casting a critical eye over the manuals Yu Chen was holding. ¡°And I have to say, the technique the sect gave you will serve you better than any of those.


    ¡°I¡¯m just looking.¡± Yu Chen said awkwardly, but she was already waving his words away.


    ¡°How about I help you?¡± She offered, before gesturing to herself. ¡°I¡¯m Ling Xia, what is junior brother called?¡±


    ¡°Yu Chen.¡± he swallowed, before hesitantly speaking. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate senior sister¡¯s assistance.¡±


    ¡°Have you considered a movement technique?¡± She asked as she pointed towards a section of the Pavilion Yu Chen hadn¡¯t explored yet. ¡°It is the general recommendation of the Manual Pavilion for a first technique. A movement technique will complement your martial arts well, and now that you can channel qi they will prove very useful.¡±


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t.¡± He said hesitantly, looking in the direction she pointed.


    ¡°Come on then.¡± Ling Xia said, as she turned and strode off into the pavilion.


    Yu Chen bowed his head, before following her as she cut through the bookstacks, leading him towards a yet unseen part of the Pavilion. She knew exactly where she was going, and Yu Chen had to hurry a bit to keep up with her lengthy strides.


    They arrived at the section for movement techniques and Yu Chen was surprised to find it was another large one, perhaps half the size of the entire section for weapons. He once again found himself impressed at the sheer variety the Pavilion had to offer.


    ¡°You¡¯ll want to consider these,¡± Ling Xia said, pulling books off the shelves as she strode through the aisles, her stride filled with the confidence of someone who knew what they were about. ¡°They¡¯re classics. Many of the movements inside are considered foundational.¡±


    Yu Chen took the books as she handed them to him, finding himself slightly bemused at the size of the pile he was accumulating.


    ¡°This technique here comes from the Yellow Viper clan,¡± She said as she added another book to his pile, ¡°and I must say it is one of the best techniques we have to offer for qi condensators. We even have its continuation on the next floor.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Ling Xia said, stopping in her tracks as a thought struck her, and Yu Chen had to stop himself before he accidentally ran into her. ¡°Actually, I wouldn¡¯t bother with these for now,¡± she said, pulling a few of the books out of his pile.


    ¡°It¡¯s better for you to focus on a technique that will improve with you.¡± There were only three books left in Yu Chen¡¯s pile once she was done, and he eyed them with interest as she continued speaking. ¡°I know for a fact that all three of these books have forms on the higher floors for cultivators who have reached Foundation Establishment.¡±


    Yu Chen read the title of the first book in his pile. It was called Three Moons Illusory Step, and he found the title enticing.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t like the sound of the second one, Bounding Steps of Rabbit and Hare, but the girl in front of him was giving him an expectant stare, so he gave her a weak smile in return.


    He was about to look over the third book, the one from the Yellow Viper clan, when a book sitting on a nearby shelf, its spine bound in gold, caught his eye.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Yu Chen asked, setting down the techniques he¡¯d been given. Reaching over, he pulled the book off of the shelf, finding its cover ornate, and its make of a higher quality than those around it.


    ¡°An Earth Realm movement technique.¡± Ling Xia said, her voice solemn as she regarded the book Yu Chen was holding. ¡°An elder contributed it many years ago, having found it on the body of an evil cultivator he slew.¡±


    Yu Chen felt his heart race as he cracked the cover, but his face fell as he turned the pages. Nearly a third of the book was simply missing, and an entire section near the back was burnt and unreadable.


    ¡°Unfortunately, it is unusable despite being quite profound. After all, if it were complete, it wouldn¡¯t be found on these shelves.¡± Ling Xia said, her eyes still locked on the book in his hands. ¡°Elder Shu keeps it here anyways. She believes enough remains to serve as a source of inspiration, and there¡¯s always the chance that someday someone will unlock its secrets.¡±


    Yu Chen looked at the book in his hands, and then towards the small pile Ling Xia had handed him earlier. He chewed at his lip as he thought.


    Ling Xia meant well, and doubtless the books she¡¯d given him before were among the best choices he could have for his first technique. He knew he should pick one of those and focus on mastering a completed technique. He could always accumulate some contribution and return later, picking up the earth grade technique for inspiration.


    He couldn¡¯t help but think about the tiny dragon that was floating around somewhere in his subconscious.


    Yu Chen smiled. ¡°I think I¡¯ll take this one.¡±

 Tributary: Chapter 11 - Meeting Xiao Huang II

    Yu Chen awoke once again in his Inner world, manifesting himself inside the courtyard of his Mind Palace. He regarded the great doors to the palace solemnly before turning away. It wasn¡¯t the time to open them yet, and he¡¯d come here with a different purpose in mind.


    He was here to speak with Xiao Huang, and see if he couldn¡¯t help him piece together the technique he¡¯d chosen at the Manual Pavilion. Ling Xia had tried to dissuade him, but in the end Yu Chen had refused to change his mind, much to her consternation.


    Although he hadn¡¯t actually gotten the book. It turned out they were much too rare and expensive for that. Instead Ling Xia had asked him for his jadestone again, and used some mysterious technique of the Manual Pavilion to place a copy of the book inside it.


    Yu Chen shook his head free of his thoughts as he strode out of the palace, making his way towards the river he knew the dragon enjoyed so much. To his surprise, Yu Chen found that he enjoyed the Inner Realm as well.


    It was much more peaceful, now that he wasn¡¯t trying to figure out where he was at and could simply enjoy the place. It truly wasn¡¯t any different than reality. He could feel the sun that shone in the sky and feel a light breeze playing across his skin.


    His concerns fell away as he walked across the rolling hills, moving through the waist-high grasses that bent around him while the soothing sounds of rushing water filled his ears. It was highly effective for his mental state, grounding, and centering him.


    A short noise broke the air and Yu Chen realized he was laughing. It was his Inner Realm, what else should he feel if not centered?


    He squatted down once he reached the riverbank, in no hurry to find Xiao Huang despite his earlier urgency, content to lose himself for a moment in the honey-colored waters. They were mesmerizing in the way they swirled, drawing a hypnotic pattern that pulled at his spirit.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed it the last time he was here, seeing them as nothing more than a strange, if beautiful, sight. They were different this time, weighty in a way, as though they were filled with some hidden potential he couldn¡¯t quite see. They seemed to him a promise. Of what though, he couldn¡¯t say.


    He could see why Xiao Huang had loved them enough to name himself after. He couldn¡¯t wait to see them for himself.


    He came out of his reverie and shook his head, remembering why he¡¯d come. He looked around, trying to spot the small dragon he knew was nearby, only to see Xiao Huang close at hand, observing him in interest.


    ¡°Shizu!¡± Yu Chen uttered in alarm, bowing his head towards the sinuous dragon that was slowly curling through the air a few feet above his head. The tiny dragon looked down at him, regarding him silently. Yu Chen felt the silence stretch before Xiao Huang let out a snort that caused a small cloud of smoke to curl out of one nostril.


    ¡°Your awareness is lacking, hatchling.¡± Xiao Huang said, drawing the words out as he spun lazy circles around Yu Chen¡¯s head. ¡°A good trait if you do not wish to see tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Shizu.¡± Yu Chen said, chastened by the reprimand. It was a refrain he¡¯d heard often from his brother and father, who¡¯d impressed upon him the importance of remaining vigilant, something Yu Chen seemed to have forgotten in his time in the sect.


    ¡°As long as you know.¡±


    The dragon rumbled, leaning in closer as he fixed his golden eyes on Yu Chen.


    ¡°How are you progressing?¡±


    Yu Chen began telling Xiao Huang about his time in the sect, telling him about the people he¡¯d met and the things he¡¯d learned. Xiao Huang seemed to perk up when he mentioned the techniques he¡¯d been given and was positively fascinated by the description of the Manual Pavilion.


    The dragon turned out to be an attentive listener, only interrupting occasionally for clarification.


    ¡°Do you perhaps have a technique you could teach me?¡± Yu Chen asked, his eyes shining as he made his request.


    It was something he¡¯d been considering for some time now.


    ¡°Dragons don¡¯t have techniques, hatchling.¡±


    Xiao Huang chortled; his voice filled with mirth.


    ¡°We breathe as a dragon breathes, move how a dragon moves, fight how a dragon fights. Only man finds the need to imitate others.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Yu Chen said, disappointed. Ever since he¡¯d left the library, he¡¯d been harboring a wild hope that Xiao Huang might have something more to teach him, but he supposed if he had a better breathing technique or martial form to offer, he would have passed them on months ago.


    Perhaps sensing Yu Chen¡¯s disappointment, the dragon puffed himself up before continuing. ¡°However, I am Huanghe Shenlong, and if I claim to be second between heaven and earth, none will dare claim to be first. Show me your techniques, hatchling, and I¡¯ll offer my advice.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Shizu!¡± Yu Chen said, truly grateful as he bowed low.


    It wasn¡¯t the new technique he¡¯d secretly hoped for, but if Xiao Huang could help him master the ones he already had, that would be a great boon too.


    Yu Chen began moving through his martial forms as he stood there beside the riverbank, enjoying the feeling of exercising his body outdoors. He thrust out a fist and then stomped his leg, falling into the flow as he went through the movements, form by form. He began slow but picked up speed as his body limbered up.


    Once the forms repeated themselves, he began to move his qi, in time with his momentum as he shifted from step to step. He¡¯d once found this part difficult but by now his qi flowed freely throughout his body as he twisted through the movements.


    At the beginning of the third repetition of the forms, he began the attempt to compress his qi, condensing it as it rushed into his fist, but it still wasn¡¯t quite correct. Ignoring it, He twisted his hips into the next form, hooking a leg up into a kick, and the qi flowed through his leg to fill and compress in his foot.


    Again and again, his qi splashed uselessly at the edge of his blows, nothing like the sharp cracks that Li Ming let loose, but Yu Chen didn¡¯t let that distract him. He was in a different mental state today, and he felt as if nothing could shake him, focused as he was on only displaying the technique as best he could for Xiao Huang.


    There was something there, he could feel it as the movements wound down. His qi was at the verge of doing something, but whatever it was, it was fleeting, and he couldn¡¯t quite grasp it. He finally came to a stop, and only a slight uptick in his breathing signaled that he¡¯d just gone through a blistering set of motions that would have left anyone else panting.


    Although why he had to breathe at all within his Inner Realm was a question he shelved for later.


    Yu Chen waited patiently, looking up at the dragon who was staring at him thoughtfully.


    ¡°So this is how humans train,¡± Xiao Huang mused, running a claw over one of his long whiskers. ¡°It¡¯s an interesting method to help you understand qi, but quite useless in a fight.¡±


    ¡°Useless?¡± Yu Chen said, taken aback at the dragon¡¯s words.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Xiao Huang snorted in amusement. ¡°Or do you expect your enemies to stand still while you do all of those fancy movements? Perhaps you imagine they¡¯ll oblige you by moving into the right positions?¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know what to say. No one in the sect had said anything like that, and most of the fights he¡¯d seen in the sparring grounds seemed to feature disciples using the forms.


    ¡°Or perhaps you think I¡¯m lying?¡± Xiao Huang said, the amusement sliding from his voice like water off of sheep''s wool.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Yu Chen said in a hurry, ¡°If Shizu says so it must be true.¡±


    ¡°Must it?¡± The dragon rumbled rhetorically. ¡°I suppose it must.¡±


    Satisfied, Xiao Huang spun a lazy circle through the air before continuing.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see the truth of it once you¡¯ve tasted combat. What is the name of this¡­ technique?¡±


    The dragon said, drawing the last word out as if tasting it.


    ¡°It is the Mist Condensing to Iron Martial Forms, Shizu.¡± Yu Chen said, looking towards his teacher.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°A basic technique to master qi compression. A useful enough skill for combat.¡±


    Xiao Huang floated to a halt before Yu Chen¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Now, have you considered what the implications of this technique are?¡±


    ¡°The implications?¡± Yu Chen asked, confused by the question.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know a dragon could roll its eyes, until Xiao Huang did just that.


    He started muttering under his breath about sects again, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but wince at the disparaging words the dragon was uttering.


    ¡°This¡­ technique¡­ teaches you to compress your qi, hatchling. If you can compress your qi, perhaps it¡¯s possible to do other things with it?¡± Xiao Huang said slowly as he led Yu Chen along.


    Yu Chen nodded slowly at the words, and he couldn¡¯t help but think about what Ling Xia had said to him earlier that day. Breathing techniques were just patterns of breath. Were martial forms so different? At first, he¡¯d thought their purpose lay in the movements, in the forms themselves, but he¡¯d already been disabused of that notion, hadn¡¯t he? Perhaps the true purpose of martial forms lay in the patterns they created for qi, in providing a new perspective on how it could be formed and used.


    If he could compress qi what else could he do? He flexed his hand, thinking about it.


    ¡°I can move it and compress it. Can qi be sharpened?¡± Yu Chen asked, staring at Xiao Huang.


    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s a favorite of those dullards who pursue the sword path.¡± Xiao Huang said with a snort of disdain.


    ¡°Qi is derived from the energy of heaven and earth, and it contains all the potential of heaven and earth. It can compress and expand, it can sharpen and dull, it can burn you, freeze you, or lift you through the air.¡± Xiao Huang said, his voice filling with the rhythmic, expansive notes Yu Chen associated with a lecture.


    ¡°Accelerate it and you can hit faster, compress it and you can hit harder, revolve it and you can penetrate deeper. What would happen if you could not just compress it, but ignite it at the point of impact? What if you could force it to expand, or even explode when you hit something?¡±


    Yu Chen fell silent as his mind whirled with the possibilities. It was true, he¡¯d seen techniques in the Manual Pavilion that had mimicked some of the things Xiao Huang spoke of. He¡¯d lingered for a time over a technique that promised to teach one how to form a fiery serpent that carved a path through the sky to incinerate your enemies.


    He¡¯d considered choosing that one before Ling Xia had impressed on him the importance of a movement technique.


    She¡¯d also mentioned that he¡¯d find it impossible to move qi outside of his skin until he¡¯d established his foundation, and that was enough to cool the last embers of desire in his heart.


    He could always pick it up in the future after all.


    However, according to what Xiao Huang said, the way he¡¯d been thinking so far was a grave mistake. It was wrong to associate such abilities as the products of a technique, when in reality they were manifestations of qi itself.


    The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. The technique was just a recipe after all, one that showed him what he was capable of.


    ¡°You will find, hatchling, that what limits those on the path of cultivation is not their level, their techniques, or their heavenly treasures. What truly limits them is their understanding, their ability to conceptualize their own potential.¡± Xiao Huang spoke, and Yu Chen listened.


    ¡°Learn whatever techniques you can,¡± Xiao Huang rumbled, fixing Yu Chen with his gaze. ¡°Expand your vision, cultivate a wide perspective. Cultivators are the sum of their knowledge and their experience.¡±


    Yu Chen bowed his head, thankful for the teaching. If understanding was the limit of his path, then perhaps Xiao Huang¡¯s teachings would prove an immeasurable treasure, far beyond the value of any single technique he could offer.


    Speaking of which, Yu Chen was harboring one last hope.


    ¡°I do have one more technique I¡¯d like to share with you Shizu.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Xiao Huang asked, furrowing his brows as he observed Yu Chen. ¡°Let¡¯s see it then.¡±


    ¡°This one is incomplete, and I find myself unable to connect the dots together. I¡¯d appreciate any assistance Shizu could offer in solving this puzzle.¡±


    ¡°A puzzle?¡± Xiao Huang said, his interest piqued. ¡°Well bring it out.¡±


    Yu Chen hoped his idea would work; it was based on something Xiao Huang had told him the last time he¡¯d come. The Memory Palace served as a repository of the various techniques he¡¯d learned.


    He¡¯d spent the rest of the day in his room memorizing the new technique, didn¡¯t that mean there was a copy of it somewhere within him?


    Yu Chen closed his eyes and concentrated, trying to remember the technique that he¡¯d spent all day looking at. For a brief moment nothing happened, and Yu Chen was afraid his plan wouldn''t work. However, to his delight a copy of the book formed in his mind¡¯s eye.


    He felt something click, and he opened his eyes, a smile crossing his face as he saw a hazy copy of the book floating in the air before him. He¡¯d been off put for a while now about having no control over his own Inner Realm, but it appeared with a bit of effort he could manipulate things here as well.


    ¡°Oh? What is this?¡± Xiao Huang said as he considered the book. He gave a small whirl of his talon, and the book blinked, disappearing to reappear in front of the dragon.


    Xiao Huang waved another claw, and the hazy book was brought into focus, sharpening until it was as solid and real as everything else around them. He gestured once more and the book broke into numerous thin pages that spun through the air, growing in size until they partially covered the sky.


    ¡°Interesting!¡± The dragon¡¯s booming voice startled Yu Chen, as he watched in surprise as Xiao Huang examined the thin pages that were illuminated from behind by the shining sunup above.


    ¡°This technique was copied from the Ice Phoenix, then? No, I think not. The movements are similar, but coarse and unrefined.¡± Xiao Huang muttered to himself, and his talons were now wrapped around one of his long white brows, tugging at it as he contemplated the technique.


    ¡°It must be a descendant then. But this far from the World Tree?¡± Xiao Huang continued, appearing lost in thought. Yu Chen leaned in close so as not to miss a word. ¡°We aren¡¯t even near the Yellow River¡­¡±


    Yu Chen frowned at that. They weren¡¯t close to the river, but it wasn¡¯t so far. A few weeks travel when he¡¯d been a mortal, and doubtless half that by now.


    ¡°Perhaps the technique has come from elsewhere? But, no, look at the transition from the fourth movement to the fifth, and what is that posturing in the sixth? Incredibly derivative, a copy from a weak bloodline.¡±


    Yu Chen examined the movements too, although he couldn¡¯t see whatever it was that Xiao Huang did. They didn¡¯t seem too dissimilar from his martial forms, although there were no thrusts or blows involved. Instead, the movements in the picture seemed focused on footwork, each picture requiring precise steps from one movement to the next.


    ¡°Ah! Perhaps A migratory species? The Ice Phoenix isn¡¯t exactly particular with her charms after all.¡± Xiao Huang was muttering to himself again. ¡°But which one?¡±


    Yu Chen watched in silence as the dragon spoke to itself for a time, mumbling under its breath as it pondered the technique.


    ¡°If we consider the position of the arms in the sixth and eighth movements, then the natural continuation in the seventh¡­¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s jaw fell open as the pages in the air began to shift in place, moving over accommodatingly as new ones spun into place, outlining the missing motions of the technique.


    Xiao Huang was incredibly focused, concentrating on replicating the missing pages that had been ripped out of the book. He had no idea how the dragon did it, but each new movement was such a perfect fit that Yu Chen had no doubt they were correct.


    Xiao Huang stopped for a spell, examining the fixed technique before attempting to recreate the part of the book that had been eaten by fire. He let out a snort, and smoke curling from his nostrils, turned a serious gaze towards Yu Chen.


    ¡°To create the first techniques man copied the movements he found in nature, often imitating beasts and birds.¡± Xiao Huang began speaking and Yu Chen settled back, gratified to receive the knowledge.


    ¡°Even today, the vast majority of the techniques of man spring from this source. However,¡± he continued, and his voice, deep and bassy filled the air. ¡°However, for the beasts that inspire them they are not techniques to be learned or mastered.¡±


    ¡°The flow of qi is something intrinsic to their form. Part of their very being, it is something as natural as the bones beneath their skin and the blood that flows in their veins.¡±


    ¡°This,¡± Xiao Huang said, crooking a talon towards the towering pages that filled the sky. ¡°Is a mystery to you.¡±


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but agree.


    ¡°But I¡¯ve already explained the secret!¡± Xiao Huang chortled. Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but feel his behavior was undragonlike, but he still bowed his head and professed his ignorance.


    ¡°I admit I don¡¯t see it.¡± Yu Chen said.


    ¡°This is all very basic, hatchling.¡± Xiao Huang said, taking the time to admonish his student. ¡°When something is natural it is not arbitrary, it is what is best.¡± Xiao Huang said. ¡°Qi flows like water, following the path of least resistance.¡±


    ¡°We must identify the pattern it follows, knowing that the pattern is the one that fits the beast most perfectly. Identifying the constraints of the movements, and the pathways through which qi flows, will show us how the technique progresses.¡± He waved a talon, and more pages appeared in the sky, revolving into space, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but be amazed at how naturally the movements fit within the technique.


    ¡°And of course, we can¡¯t forget our muse.¡±


    A last lazy flick of his talon and an entirely new row of pages appeared, directly above the first, and as Yu Chen looked it over, he realized the pages contained the elegant waddle of a goose about to take flight.


    It was only too obvious once they were next to each other. The slight hand movements in the technique revealed themselves as the flapping of wings, while the precise steps of the technique were the pitter-pattering dance of bird''s feet.


    ¡°The technique was no doubt derived after someone observed the Blue-breasted Snow Geese. They fly south every year, chasing the winter when the north warms. It must have been a very fortunate event for the cultivator who created it.¡±


    A frown crossed Xiao Huang¡¯s face as he examined the technique. ¡°Although I believe he must not have gotten a very close look. This step here,¡± he said, and Yu Chen watched as one of the original pages in the movements shifted ever so slightly. ¡°And here, both are off quite a bit. And this thing with the hands, it really should look more like this."


    If Yu Chen had been impressed before, his mouth was now open. He watched as Xiao Huang corrected small flaws in the technique, something he¡¯d never even imagined possible.


    ¡°Yes, I think that looks a bit better.¡± Xiao Huang said, a slight smile on his face as he examined the new technique. ¡°If you find more puzzles like this in the future you must bring them to me.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Shizu.¡± Yu Chen said as he bowed towards the dragon. Bring him more puzzles? Yu Chen would overturn heaven and earth to bring Xiao Huang incomplete techniques if this was the result!


    ¡°I suppose you are planning to use this technique?¡± Xiao Huang said, as he shot a penetrating glance at Yu Chen. ¡°I must say it¡¯s not very dragon like to go around imitating a goose.¡±


    Yu Chen was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of what to say. He examined his options before speaking.


    ¡°Perhaps Shizu could show me how a dragon moves then?¡± Yu Chen said hopefully.


    Xiao Huang only let out an arrogant snort in reply. ¡°As if a dragon can be imitated.¡± He seemed to ponder for a moment as he floated there, spinning lazy circles in the air.


    ¡°Perhaps there is one technique I can share with you. It is a secret of dragons, so you must promise not to show it to others.¡±


    Yu Chen felt a sense of excitement bubble into his chest.


    ¡°Of course, Shizu!¡±

 Tributary: Chapter 12 - First Mission

    It was the height of summer, but despite the sun beating down upon them it was still cool in the mountains. The mountains which, it turned out, were rather beautiful when they weren¡¯t covered in fog and Yu Chen could see further than two handspans in front of his face.


    They probably would have been even more impressive if he could catch more than a fleeting glimpse.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s not too much further!¡± Jin Hua shouted towards him as their group raced through a bamboo forest that stretched across the mountain range.


    It was a unique experience for Yu Chen. He wasn¡¯t used to being the one struggling to keep up with others, as he trailed behind Jin Hua and the two other outer sect disciples the boy had gathered to help them complete the mission he¡¯d told Yu Chen about a few days ago.


    Yu Chen had asked why they¡¯d needed so many people when they were on a simple gathering mission for the sect, the sort of open-ended request that was always available, but Jin Hua had assured him the extra help was necessary.


    It turned out the mission wasn¡¯t so simple.


    A few weeks ago, Jin Hua had stumbled across a patch of Moonlight Orchids, a spiritual treasure that was highly desirable for their use in various pills and elixirs, in a small valley a few hours away from the sect.


    Unfortunately, he¡¯d discovered they were guarded by a spirit beast.


    It wasn¡¯t uncommon to find such beasts lingering around such treasures, as they were drawn to them as much as humans were, but it was a bit of bad luck for Jin Hua who could have earned a substantial amount of contribution if he¡¯d been able to bring the flowers back alone.


    Instead, he¡¯d had to form a group to take the beast down. Still, it wasn¡¯t so bad, with the addition of the spirit beast¡¯s core, as well as its corpse, there should be more than enough contribution to satisfy everyone.


    Jin Hua slowed his pace a little to accommodate Yu Chen.


    ¡°I can understand the girl,¡± one of the unknown cultivators rudely complained, ¡°her stealth skills might come in handy when we attack the beast, but why would you bring the boy? He¡¯s only at qi awakening, he can¡¯t be of much use!¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s steps faltered at the words, and he frowned, but he kept his mouth shut and continued running, pretending he hadn¡¯t heard what the boy said. Jin Hua had introduced him as Han Li, and he was also at the fourth level of Qi Condensation.


    Jin Hua glanced over his shoulder and flashed an apologetic smile at Yu Chen, before turning around and speaking to the other boy.


    ¡°He¡¯s already agreed to take a smaller cut so what are you complaining about?¡± Jin Hua said to the petty boy. ¡°Besides, he¡¯s a decent martial artist. You are still struggling around with the Iron forms, aren¡¯t you? Inner Sect disciples are expected to master the Steel forms you know.¡±


    As the two boys bickered back and forth, Yu Chen cast a glance at Xue Lan, the fourth member of their group. If she had heard what Han Li had said, she didn¡¯t say anything about it, simply running along with a look of single-minded focus.


    Yu Chen followed her lead and kept silent as they ran, thinking about what the older boy had said. It was true, he was the weakest of the group, as he hadn¡¯t broken through that long ago. The other disciples in the group were at least a few small levels above him.


    He thought about the information he¡¯d read in the Golden Mist Manual.


    There were four smaller levels that made up the Qi Condensation realm, with cultivators becoming progressively stronger as they progressed through them, as each of the small realms brought some substantial change to the quality of one¡¯s qi.


    Yu Chen was only in the first level, which some called Qi Awakening, and others Qi Gathering. It was the level where one managed to awaken and draw in qi for the first time, circulating it throughout their body.


    Once you managed to accumulate enough qi, you stepped into the second level of the Qi Condensation realm, called Qi Stabilization, where your focus was on gaining complete control over your qi. Xue Lan was at this level, and nearly at the peak.


    The third level was called Qi Refinement, and Yu Chen knew little more than it involved cleansing one¡¯s meridians and purifying their qi. The exact process was a mystery to him.


    And then came the fourth and final level, the eponymous Qi Condensation stage. Cultivators here focused on condensing their refined qi into a more compact and powerful form. This was the level the two older boys were within.


    Yu Chen had sparred with Jin Hua a few times and had personally experienced the vast differences those levels made in one¡¯s strength. If Jin Hua didn¡¯t restrain his qi, he could as well be facing a toddler instead of a Qi Awakening cultivator.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    It was a humbling experience. I won¡¯t be that weak for long. Yu Chen promised himself.


    He was already hard at work on entering the Qi Stabilization level, although accumulating enough qi to break through took time.


    Still, it wasn¡¯t too early to practice. At the peak of the Qi Stabilization, one would possess near complete efficiency when gathering and using their qi, while mastering it would allow one to use their qi for long periods of time without becoming tired or running out of energy.


    It was the first step to creating a stable foundation for the future.


    Another far off goal for him.


    He contented himself with focusing on the little things he could control, determined to become stronger step by step. Right now, he was focused on the wasted potential he was exerting as he used his qi to run, noticing the leakage that occurred when he was too wasteful with energy. Every step he took caused a bit of qi to splash into the world around them, marking his level for all to see.


    Unlike the others. Unlike Xue Lan.


    He glanced over at the girl as she ran, envious at her perfect form. She was a small mousy thing, with a knack for blending in and disappearing when you didn¡¯t keep your focus on her. As far as Yu Chen could tell she had perfect control over her qi, each step perfectly synced without the faintest hint of leakage or wasted qi. Even the two older boys couldn¡¯t match her level of control, despite being at a higher realm.


    Yu Chen wondered if it was a technique she¡¯d learned that helped her control her qi so well. However she did it, it was impressive.


    The two boys finished their bickering, and the group lapsed into silence as they all continued running.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t mind; he was just happy to be able to leave the sect and enjoy the wild places of the earth once again. He¡¯d been cooped up in the sect for months, since the early spring, and was glad to be out exploring once again.


    Places like this bamboo forest, which was ancient and dignified, older than any Yu Chen had ever seen. Places like this rarely saw any humans at all and were filled with spiritual beasts and all sorts of earthly treasures. Places he¡¯d never have seen if he hadn¡¯t begun this journey.


    Jin Hua finally brought them to a halt after they had penetrated deep into the depths of the forest, to a place where the sky was so crowded with ancient trees that only the faintest hints of light made it through to the bottom, dappling the dark greenery of the verdant undergrowth.


    ¡°The clearing isn¡¯t too much further ahead, so let¡¯s go over the plan.¡± Jin Hua said as he eyed the group seriously.


    ¡°Xue Lan,¡± Jin Hua nodded towards the girl, ¡°Has done some research based off of my observations and has come to the conclusion that our foe is a Blackscaled Asp.


    Han Li swore.


    ¡°An asp? You said it was a Tier 1 beast! You dragged me all the way out here to tell me the damned thing is venomous?¡± The older boy said as he cast a baleful glare at Jin Hua.


    Now that they had all stopped running Yu Chen took the chance to look over the older boy who was similar in strength to Jin Hua.


    Han Li was tall and lanky, his robes unembroidered like all outer sect disciples, but his defining feature was a face that women would kill for. A face quite at odds with his rough demeanor.


    Yu Chen failed to hold back his snigger, and a light sound of amusement escaped his lips.


    ¡°What the hell do you find so funny?¡± Han Li demanded, as he whirled about to face Yu Chen. ¡°One bite from that damned thing and you won¡¯t live to see tomorrow. I hope you don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to save your sorry ass.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I said I had a plan, didn¡¯t I?¡± Jin Hua asked placatingly, before Yu Chen could reply.


    ¡°Xue Lan is also an apprentice in the Formation Hall, and she¡¯s arranged an array for us that will neutralize the snake¡¯s venom.¡±


    Han Li settled down a bit at the words, only to be immediately riled up by Jin Hua¡¯s follow-up.


    ¡°The plan, short and simple. Xue Lan and Yu Chen will be responsible for setting up the formation. Han Li and I will be responsible for distracting the snake while they do so. Any questions?¡± Jin Hua asked.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Han Li shouted; his eyes livid. ¡°How the hell do you know the formation works? Why the hell do I have to be the one to distract it? And, even if we can get rid of its venom, how do we kill the damned thing?¡±


    ¡°The heavens are fair. Venom is its strength; it won¡¯t be so powerful without it.¡± Jin Hua said confidently. ¡°Even in the first place, it¡¯s still only a Stage 1 beast. If the four of us can¡¯t manage to beat it, do we even deserve to be called cultivators?¡±


    ¡°As for why we have to distract it,¡± Jin Hua continued, ¡°look at them, they aren¡¯t strong enough to go toe to toe with a spirit beast yet.¡± He said, as he gesticulated towards the other two disciples.


    Han Li opened his mouth to say something else, but Xue Lan beat him to it.


    ¡°I¡¯m in your care, senior.¡± She said softly, as she bowed, casting her eyes towards the angry boy.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Han Li said awkwardly at last, the tips of his ears turning red.


    With a sigh of defeat, he fell back, listening as Jin Hua finished outlining the plan.


    The whole thing seemed rather simple to Yu Chen, and he had to admit it seemed sound. Jin Hua would approach the glade first and catch the beast¡¯s attention. After it set upon him, Han Li was to intercept it, splitting its focus between the two.


    Meanwhile Yu Chen and Xue Lan would be in charge of placing the formation talismans that Xue Lan had prepared in a large circle around the circumference of the fight. If everything went to plan, the snake''s venom would be neutralized and they would join in the fight, providing support and backup to the two older fighters.


    They continued on their way, walking this time, after the briefing wrapped up, walking in silence until they reached the outskirts of the glade. Jin Hua and Han Li parted from the others with a silent nod, before making their way towards the center.


    Yu Chen and Xue Lan split in separate directions, circling around the glade from the left and right, keeping one ear open for the sounds of battle that were sure to begin soon. Yu Chen was slapping a talisman on a tree every 20 paces or so, and he¡¯d made it almost to the halfway mark when he suddenly froze in place.


    His face went ashen, the color seeping away as he made eye contact with a massive black snake that was slithering through the underbrush.

 Tributary: Chapter 13 - Fighting For His Life

    Time froze as Yu Chen locked eyes with the snake before him.


    The black snake seemed as astonished to see him as Yu Chen was to see it, but the look of surprise quickly disappeared, replaced by a menacing gleam as it eyed the boy before it. The snake slowly lifted its form off of the forest floor, rearing back until its massive length loomed over Yu Chen. Its head tilted towards him, and a thick black tongue slid out of its mouth, flickering as it hissed threateningly.


    Yu Chen gulped, his heart beating harder than ever before. He hesitated for half a second, before making the wise choice. He took off running through the undergrowth, his thoughts about the talismans he was supposed to place fleeing from his mind.


    He began circulating his qi, flooding his legs with it as he ran all out, dashing around trees and tearing through bushes in a mad attempt to stay one step ahead of the creature that was crashing through the forest behind him. He glanced around as he ran, before picking a direction and angling towards the center of the clearing.


    Or at least, where he thought the center was. It was a bit hard to get your bearings when a murderous snake was trying to kill you after all.


    Another hiss came, filling his ears and sounding near enough to make him panic. He glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the snake rear back, tensing before it leaped towards him, its massive body leaving the earth as it flew through the air at Yu Chen. Yu Chen desperately dove out of the way, hitting the ground hard. The snake almost had him, but Yu Chen managed to escape by a hairsbreadth, and he watched as its black-scaled form flew past overhead. The snake disappeared from his sight, landing somewhere in the overgrown plant life that covered the floor of the ancient forest.


    Yu Chen scrambled to his feet and took off, racing to escape before the snake reappeared.


    Fear filled him as he shoved his way through the underbrush. Now that the snake was out of his sight, he felt more stressful if anything. He worried that it would reappear any moment, striking when he least expected.


    Yu Chen tried to regain control of himself as he ran, taking deep breaths to slow the beating of his heart, which pounded like a physical force beneath his skin, reverberating throughout his entire body. Yet as hard as it beat every pump brought with it a surge of energy that washed away some of his fatigue, reenergizing him and allowing him to push through, despite his low level.


    It even felt as though his emotions were changing with the beat of his heart, his previous fear giving way to a sort of ruthless focus that only grew stronger the more he ran.


    The rustle of nearby bushes was the only warning he had. Yu Chen cursed, dropping to the forest floor, as the snake once again struck out of the forest at him. Rolling to his feet, he prepared to run, but the snake was prepared this time. It hadn¡¯t overshot itself, and had already recovered, flicking its tongue menacingly as it slithered into a wide circle, surrounding the young boy.


    Yu Chen darted to the side, attempting to escape before the snake could close the circle, but he had to dodge back as the snake¡¯s head struck down at him. Again and again, he attempted to escape, and each time the snake corralled him back into the center of a circle that was becoming increasingly smaller.


    This back and forth went on for a spell, the snake toying with him much like a cat with a mouse. Regardless of what he tried, the snake was simply faster, and was able to cut off his avenues of escape before Yu Chen could scramble out of the situation.


    Surprisingly, despite the lengthy exchange Yu Chen didn¡¯t feel exhausted. His qi was still lively, despite his continued usage, and every pump of his heart seemed to fill him with more of the endless energy.


    The snake reared back, striking while he was distracted, and the world seemed to slow as it sprung towards him. Yu Chen knew he wouldn¡¯t be able to avoid the attack this time. His mind had reached a state of complete focus, and with nothing left to lose, he once again flooded his legs with qi. This time, however, he didn¡¯t simply flood them with qi, or even move according to the Condensing Fist forms, instead moving through the pattern of the technique that Xiao Huang had recreated for him.


    As the snake closed in, he pushed, leaping to the left as he attempted to avoid its snapping fangs. To his surprise that one push hadn¡¯t resulted in a simple short movement, but instead had sent him floating through the air, leaping clear over the snake and landing some distance away. He turned around, pleased to see the look of surprise and anger on the snake¡¯s face as its meal escaped once again.


    Yu Chen revolved his qi and pushed again. He continued in this way for a short while, channeling his qi according to the pattern of the Snow Goose¡¯s technique. Every step he made sent him bounding through the forest, moving fast enough to rapidly outpace the snake that chased behind him.


    He stumbled a bit the next time he landed, and decided to begin running on foot again, now that he¡¯d cleared some distance between himself and the massive snake. His dantian now had a hollow feeling, and he finally began to feel as though he were running low on energy. The technique wasn¡¯t cheap, having guzzled up his qi, a sizable chunk having evaporated despite only using the technique for a few steps.


    Yu Chen decided to conserve what energy he had until he met up with the rest of his team.


    The snake was gaining on him again, but Yu Chen could see the glade at the center of the forest and was making a beeline straight for it. It was now a race to see who would reach who first.


    The sound of the snake crashing through the underbrush grew louder as the snake closed in. Yu Chen revolved his qi again, activating the technique once more to give himself one last burst of speed. He pushed off the ground and flew up, higher than the lowest tree branches.


    He landed on one such branch and with a last grunt of effort pushed off it, bursting out of the forest and into the open clearing, and soaring over two boys who looked up in astonishment from beneath him.


    ¡°Snake!¡± Yu Chen yelled at the top of his lungs as he flew past, his heart pounding as he landed clean on the other end of the clearing.


    The two boys barely had time to react to his words before the snake burst out of the forest, sunlight gleaming off of its black-scaled form as it relentlessly chased after its prey.


    It paused for a second, confused at the unexpected sight of more people. Its head flickered uncertainly between the two boys and Yu Chen in the distance, as it considered its options.


    Jin Hua didn¡¯t give it time to think, quickly throwing a rock at the snake to catch its attention.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡°Over here dummy!¡± Jin Hua shouted, dodging as the snake struck out at him.


    ¡°Tell me you finished placing the damned flags!¡± Han Li yelled towards him, joining Jin Hua in distracting the snake.


    ¡°I ran into the snake before I could finish!¡± Yu Chen yelled back at the older boy.


    Han Li let out a string of curses strong enough to make Yu Chen¡¯s ears bleed.


    ¡°Well, what in the hell are you still standing around here for? Go finish the job! If I die because I get bit by this damned snake, I swear I¡¯ll haunt seven generations of your family!¡± Han Li said as he avoided a strike from the snake¡¯s tail as it whipped around towards him.


    The snake paused its attack for a second, considering the two boys that had intercepted it. It turned a baleful eye towards Han Li, before rearing its head back and spitting, sending two streams of venomous liquid spewing towards the boy.


    Han Li let out a vivid litany of curses as he danced out of the way, narrowly avoiding the attack that ate away at the ground and left two smoking holes where he¡¯d been standing.


    Yu Chen paled and turned, ready to run back out into the forest, when a hand fell on his shoulder. He hadn¡¯t sensed anyone nearby and the sudden touch caused him to flinch.


    ¡°No need, the formation is complete.¡± A soft voice came from behind him, and he turned his head to see Xue Lan standing there smiling at him.


    Yu Chen turned to look at the marred ground of the glade and the two holes where residual trails of smoke still appeared and raised a skeptical brow towards the girl.


    She gave a very unladylike snort before lifting up a small compact disk that was inscribed with symbols that seemed to mysteriously change before his eyes.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Yu Chen asked, momentarily distracted from the fight happening in the background.


    ¡°An array disk. Place it in the center of the formation and put this in to power it, it will activate the array and neutralize the snake¡¯s venom.¡± Xue Lan said, as she tossed the disk towards him along with a tiny spirit stone.


    After saying as much she turned and made her way towards the fight. She slowly blended into the environment as she walked, until she melded completely, disappearing despite Yu Chen having watched her the entire time.


    He looked towards the two boys who were still engaged in a frantic fight against the snake, made all the more difficult by their inability to risk taking on the asp in hand-to-hand combat.


    Yu Chen made his way towards the center of the glade, denoted by a small patch of flowers that fluttered as he approached. They were doubtless the Moonlight Orchids Jin Hua had found.


    The flowers became clearer as he neared, and their sight momentarily ensnared his mind.


    The orchids had long slender stems, with thick, waxy leaves at the base. Each flower had three petals surrounded by three sepals, that danced entrancingly in a nonexistent wind. They were striped with the colors of midnight and pure white, separated by a dark purple that bled into both. The flowers shimmered in the light, appearing otherworldly to his young mind.


    Yu Chen pulled himself together, doing his best to avoid stepping on the flowers as he made his way to the center of the patch, where he held up the array disk and quickly examined it. It was well made, created with some metallic material Yu Chen wasn¡¯t familiar with, and intricately carved with esoteric symbols. There was a divot at the center of the disk, the exact size of which fit the spirit stone Xue Lan had given him.


    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, channeling his qi and letting it siphon off and into the stone as he filled it up. A shout of alarm reached him, and Yu Chen¡¯s eyes shot open, seeing Jin Hua waving his arms at him in fear. He turned his head slightly and saw the giant snake had shifted its attention towards him, barreling its way towards him from across the clearing.


    Yu Chen hurriedly shoved the stone into the disk, pushing at it until it slotted into place with the faintest of clicks. The symbols on the disk blazed to life, and Yu Chen dropped the disk, channeling his qi again as he used his new movement technique to leap far away from the flower patch.


    The snake changed course as Yu Chen flew through the air, following him with a hungry gleam in its eyes as he soared towards one of the sides of the clearing. As Yu Chen landed, the air filled with a brief sensation of static, and then an invisible wave of power pulsed through the clearing, causing the snake to momentarily stop in its tracks.


    ¡°The formation is active!¡± Xue Lan called out, and Yu Chen looked over at her in shock, as she appeared nearby, seemingly from out of nowhere.


    She thrust out her arm and a hook flew out of her sleeve, attached to a long length of rope. Yu Chen watched, dumbfounded as she whirled it over her head a few times before tossing it towards the snake, wrapping around its body and hooking it in place.


    The snake tossed its head back, using every inch of corded muscle as it attempted to pull itself free. It proved strong enough to yank her from her feet, but Xue Lan turned out to be much stronger than she appeared. She landed with a grunt, and her qi churned, filling her entire form before condensing, solidifying in place as she dug her heels into the ground, straining to hold onto the rope.


    Jin Hua and Han Li arrived to assist as Xue Lan struggled to hold the beast in place, and the cultivators sprung into action, forces of devastation now that they were free from the threat of its venom.


    They launched countless blows at the snake, every strike filled with the force of condensed qi as they pummeled it into submission.


    The snake hissed out in pain, rearing back as it attempted to spit venom again. Xue Lan gave a sharp tug at the rope right as it spat, sending the stream of venom flying off course. Despite the formation It still retained some potency, as two small holes once again appeared, smoking as they ate through the grass, but it was nothing compared to the wreckage of its earlier attacks.


    Yu Chen roused himself and dove in to join the other boys, summoning his resentment as he lashed a foot up and into the side of the damned snake that had threatened his life. His qi flowed into the attack, almost, but not quite condensing as theirs did.


    Regardless, he didn¡¯t stop, throwing away the forms as he attacked the snake in rage, pivoting to drive his momentum into another punch that struck the black-scaled beast that had terrorized him. He unleashed blow after blow into the beast¡¯s side, filling his blows with as much qi as he could as he sought to damage the snake.


    Jin Hua and Han Li did the same, and it was clear to Yu Chen that Jin Hua was much more experienced in the Condensing Fist than the other boy. He was using the technique in ways Yu Chen had never imagined possible, condensing qi not only in his hands and feet, but also his elbows and knees, his head and any other part of his body he could utilize as a potential weapon to harm his foe.


    Yu Chen had an epiphany, as he remembered the words Xiao Huang had spoken to him. This was what it meant to fight as a cultivator. There were no easy patterns or forms to fall back on when one''s life was on the line. No, instead one¡¯s whole body must become a weapon, capable of dealing damage in the most straightforward and ruthless ways possible if one wanted to press unerringly towards victory.


    Emotion filled him, thoughts falling away only to be replaced by a single-minded desire to finish his foe before it could recover. He threw out another punch, and this time it felt different, his qi surging and condensing in a way it never had before. His next attack struck the snake with a deep thump, and he felt his blow reverberate through the snake, and saw the way it flinched in pain.


    A grim smile spread across Yu Chen¡¯s face, as the new emotions took hold, and he found himself overcome with the joy of battle. His smile slowly grew, as his heart pumped adrenaline through his veins and he relished in unleashing blows on his foes.


    Every punch, every hit, was filled with a density of qi that smashed into his opponent, chipping black scales from its precious hide. His energy levels had begun to recover, his heart pumping energy into his body as qi surged in the environment, Yu Chen unwittingly drawing it towards him with every beat of his heart.


    Even using the condensing fist as he wasn¡¯t enough to outpace his rate of regeneration, and Yu Chen only felt himself growing stronger as the fight wore on, until with a last cry laced with pain, rage, and regret, the snake finally toppled over, unable to withstand the combined blows of the three boys.

 Tributary: Chapter 14 - A New Friend?

    Once the fight was over, Yu Chen was left with nothing but a hollow feeling in his core, the surge of energy that had filled him fleeing as fast as it came. The battle joy that had filled him also faded away, leaving behind a deep sense of exhaustion in its place.


    ¡°Good job.¡±


    Yu Chen felt a strong hand squeeze his shoulder and turned his head to see Xue Lan giving him a soft smile. He gave her a weary smile of his own in return, enjoying the rare praise as he looked around to see what the other two boys were doing.


    Jin Hua and Han Li were already hard at work skinning the beast, salvaging what they could of its hide to take back with them. The black scales had been remarkably resistant, and Yu Chen was sure the hide would fetch quite a lot of contribution points.


    Yu Chen watched as they hacked at the thing, until with a savage grin, Han Li pulled a small stone the size of a marble from the beast''s stomach, holding it up to the light.


    The marble glittered as it caught the light of day, casting a green haze, and Yu Chen could faintly make out some sort of wisps slowly spinning inside it.


    ¡°The beast¡¯s core!¡± Jin Hua whooped in victory, and the rest of them joined in, filling the glade with a sense of excitement. It was Yu Chen¡¯s first time seeing one, although he¡¯d heard of them, and he wondered what purpose it served.


    Jin Hua and Han Li returned to their butchery with renewed vigor, and with nothing left to do Yu Chen made his way towards the patch of Moonlight Orchids that had brought them here in the first place.


    Xue Lan followed him, and stood beside him in silence as Yu Chen admired the flowers. They were gorgeous, just as beautiful as before, and unmarred, despite the recent battle that had shaken the glade. The sight of them eased his mind, calming his heart after the hectic fight that had just taken place.


    Xue Lan broke from the spell first, and strode off into the midst of the flowers, in search of her array disk. Yu Chen followed after her, moving slowly as he looked around at the picturesque scene. He took a deep breath, enjoying the light sweet scent that filled the air when, out of the corner of his eye he noticed something strange.


    Curious, he changed his path, walking over to the strange spot. It was a small depression that lay in the midst of the flower patch, a trail of crushed flowers leading from it. He frowned, bending down as he examined the area, and to his surprise found what looked to be small pieces of cracked black pottery littering the area.


    He picked up a couple of the pieces, looking at them in confusion as he examined them. He rearranged them in his hands, finding they fit together along one edge. Intrigued, he picked up a couple more pieces, rearranging them in his hands as he assembled them.


    To his surprise he began to recognize the shape that was gradually unveiled. He¡¯d only arranged one side, but already he could tell it wasn¡¯t pottery at all, but what looked like some sort of strange eggshell.


    He cast a fascinated glance around, wondering if the creature that had spawned here was still nearby. However, try as he might, he couldn''t spot anything other than Xue Lan in the nearby vicinity.


    ¡°To your left!¡± An annoyed voice rumbled through Yu Chen¡¯s head, and he felt a moment of disorientation at the unexpected sound.


    ¡°Since when can you speak whenever you please?¡± Yu Chen thought in his mind, shocked at the unexpected intrusion.


    A snort of annoyance reverberated throughout Yu Chen¡¯s mind.


    ¡°You pull so hard at your bloodline and act surprised when it responds? Using your gift drags me closer to the surface, hatchling.¡± Xiao Huang¡¯s deep voice rumbled within his mind.


    Yu Chen paused, considering the dragon¡¯s words. What did he mean by pulling at his bloodline? He supposed there was that feeling he got during battle, once his heart was well and truly pumping, filling him with energy and a sense of reckless abandon. He¡¯d thought it a kind of battle lust, the sort he¡¯d heard older cultivators talk about before.


    Was it in truth another gift from Xiao Huang? Yu Chen patted his chest in astonishment. He¡¯d inherited a bloodline, and blood did come from the heart after all.


    ¡°Perhaps deal with the matter at hand first?¡± The dragon rumbled in irritation.


    Yu Chen¡¯s face flushed as he turned, cocking an eye at the flower patch on his left-hand side. He bent down and cast a critical gaze over the area but could see nothing out of the ordinary.


    ¡°Not with your eyes!¡± The dragon reprimanded him, and Yu Chen winced as the sound of its voice battered the inside of his skull. ¡°Sense it, look for what is out of place within the eddying flows of energy.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, closing his eyes briefly as he reached out with his other senses. He opened his eyes, and the world was once again alive with heavenly energy. It diffused throughout the air, moving in ambient waves as it drifted, pushed along by some impetus Yu Chen was unaware of.


    It was also concentrated within the flower patch, every single orchid laden and rich with qi, filled with many times the amount as the surrounding trees and grasses. To the extent that they actually emitted it, causing the glade to contain a density of qi that was several times thicker than the surrounding area.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Now that Yu Chen could see this, he wished to stay here a while, to cultivate in peace. The thick qi would do wonders for his cultivation, pushing him towards the next level much faster than he could manage back in the sect.


    He shook the thoughts away and concentrated on the area that Xiao Huang had pointed out to him. As he focused, he could just make out another source of qi hidden in the depths of the flower patch, a small bundle of energy that was wrapped tightly around the base of one of the Orchid¡¯s stems, and he could sense a slight tremble in its form.


    ¡°Come out.¡± He called softly towards the creature. He was unsure why he did, but he felt compelled to do so.


    The small bundle of energy stilled its movements, as though it thought there was a chance to still avoid his detection. Yu Chen repeated himself once more, but this time his words were filled with a surprising sense of authority.


    He sensed the energy slowly unwind itself from the stem of the orchid, before slithering out of the flower patch and into the empty depression before Yu Chen. Yu Chen was surprised to see it was a small serpent, a bit shorter than his forearm. Unlike the larger snake, this one was only partially covered in black scales, the rest shot through with purple and white like the orchids it had been born amongst.


    As Yu Chen watched, the small snake suddenly reared its head, causing the boy to fall back in alarm. However, the small snake didn¡¯t strike but instead slammed its head into the ground. It repeated the strange movement twice before falling still and laying there, unmoving.


    ¡°Did¡­ did that snake just kowtow to me?¡± Yu Chen thought in bewilderment.


    ¡°Very good.¡± Xiao Huang rumbled in satisfaction, while Yu Chen sat there in stupefaction, trying to figure out what¡¯s going on.


    ¡°What¡¯s good about it?¡± Yu Chen replied in confusion, dumbfounded by the strange activity of the tiny spirit beast.


    ¡°It¡¯s recognized your authority of course, submitting itself to your will. Its life is now yours to determine what to do with.¡±


    Yu Chen was unsure what to make of the situation. It had recognized his authority? What authority? And, if this little one could recognize it, why didn¡¯t its mother?


    Another snort filled his mind.


    ¡°Obviously, it recognizes your bloodline. Among spirit beasts, those that are inferior submit to the strong, in accordance with the natural order.¡± Xiao Huang said, lecturing the boy. ¡°And the mother did recognize you, which is why she chased you for so long. She was faced with the decision to submit or rebel. She determined that she was more powerful than you and decided that you would better serve as food, rather than master.¡±


    ¡°After all, there are other ways to acquire a bloodline than through birth. Although most of them involve consumption in one form or another.¡±


    Yu Chen slowly nodded his head as he considered what to do with the little snake that had submitted itself before him. He glanced around, filling a tinge of guilt as his eyes landed on the corpse of the large snake laying in the distance, and a sense of urgency filled him as he saw Jin Hua and Han Li beginning to make their way over towards them.


    ¡°Is it a threat to me?¡± He quickly thought in his head.


    ¡°No.¡± Xiao Huang rumbled back in reply. Yu Chen made up his mind, and held his hand out near the little snake, quietly urging it to climb up his arm. The serpent hesitated for half a second, but it had already succumbed to its fate, slithering across the boy''s skin as it sought refuge within the sleeves of his robe.


    Yu Chen nibbled at his lip, a bit worried about having a venomous snake resting so close to his skin, but if Xiao Huang had said it was safe then he¡¯d believe the dragon. Perhaps he could find him a new home, or maybe the little guy would make a nice pet, although he¡¯d have to ensure he could feed it properly. He couldn¡¯t help but feel responsible for the small thing, worried as he was about its chances to survive in the forest after the untimely death of its mother.


    Yu Chen stood up, dusting himself off as the snake made itself comfortable somewhere deep within his robes. Finished, he turned, stepping out of the flower patch and making his way over to greet the other two boys as they approached.


    ¡°Well fought!¡± Jin Hua said, beaming at Yu Chen as he slapped him on the shoulder. ¡°It looks like you had another breakthrough as well, how auspicious!¡±


    Yu Chen thanked him, exchanging a few quick words with his friend before Han Li walked up.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t half bad. A damned sight better than I expected.¡± Han Li said, as he gazed at Yu Chen, and a wild look still lurked in his eye. Blood was streaked across the boy¡¯s doll-like face, and a happy smile hung on his lips. ¡°What was that movement technique you used? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen it before.¡±


    ¡°Just something I picked up in the Manual Pavilion.¡± Yu Chen replied easily, a good deal more comfortable with the boy now that they had fought side by side.


    ¡°Should we take the chance to rest and recover?¡± Xue Lan said as she rejoined the group, her array disk back in hand.


    Jin Hua looked around, considering the area before nodding in affirmation. ¡°The energy is thick here. We might as well absorb what we can before we gather the flowers and head back. The snake¡¯s territory should still be safe for some time.¡±


    The others happily agreed, spreading out and taking a seat at the various corners of the flower garden before entering a meditative state one by one. Yu Chen breathed deeply, enjoying the scent of the flowers and relaxing into the thick energy that whirled around him, flooding his dantian.


    He sat there as time passed, running through the events of the day in his mind. He¡¯d finally managed to properly use the Condensing Fist, and he¡¯d even managed to utilize the new movement technique he¡¯d learned. Although he could still feel that there was plenty of room to improve there. He didn¡¯t believe he¡¯d even scratched the surface of what the technique could offer.


    In truth, he hadn¡¯t even properly utilized the technique. He hadn¡¯t practiced it before as some of the pathways he needed to send qi down were clogged, his meridians blocked and unusable. He¡¯d used only a shallow imitation, his qi having to travel through the inefficient pathways available, sharply diminishing the efficacy of the technique.


    Soon enough his meditations came to an end. The energy in the air had begun to thin out, causing the cultivators to stir and awaken. Yu Chen stood up, and his dantian felt surprisingly full, and he could tell that he¡¯d managed to accumulate a good deal more energy than before.


    After all, the dantian was like a muscle that had to be continually worked and stretched to grow, and the battle had turned out to be very beneficial to his development. He could already feel himself pressing at the boundaries of the second level, this one trip having saved him several weeks of gradual cultivation.


    Yu Chen raised a hand to his waist, feeling the small warm lump that rested against his belly, laying atop his belt, and smiled as he felt the snake respond to his touch. He turned, joining the others as they began to gather the flowers and prepare for their return to the sect.

 Tributary: Chapter 15 - Mission Complete

    The journey back to the sect was mostly uneventful. They were in no rush to get back, now that they had achieved their goal, giving Yu Chen plenty of time to enjoy the scenery as they traveled. Still, they were cultivators, and they made pretty good time even when they weren¡¯t trying to move as fast as possible, and they managed to arrive back at the sect right as the sun was setting for the day.


    As they reached the gates of the sect, Yu Chen turned around, looking back the way they¡¯d come. The sun lay heavy on the horizon in the distance, draping the mountain range in a riot of oranges, reds and yellows, as the last light of day cast a blaze of glory across the world. A hazy mist covered the deep valleys that lay between the mountainous peaks, obscuring the deep forests that lay hidden beneath.


    Those were the wild places of the world, untouched by man and unspoiled, and something within him stirred at the sight. He¡¯d only just arrived back at the sect and already he yearned to be back out there, exploring the mysteries that lay hidden in the wilderness.


    A hand fell onto his shoulder, shaking Yu Chen from his reveries. He looked up and saw Han Li smiling down at him. Any earlier animosity that had existed between the two was long forgotten and the older boy treated him like a close friend. Jin Hua and Xue Lan were also nearby, wearing smiles now that they¡¯d all safely returned to the sect.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and see how much we¡¯ve received from this trip.¡± Han Li said to him in excitement, as a wolfish grin appeared on his lips, looking a bit out of place on his porcelain face.


    ¡°Another successful trip.¡± Xue Lan said, yawning as she stretched her hands towards the sky. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see what we¡¯ve earned this time.¡±


    ¡°To the Mission Hall!¡± Jin Hua declared as he led them into the sect. Yu Chen followed behind, enjoying the feeling of easy camaraderie that now existed between the group, the kind that only came naturally to those who had fought and survived together.


    They managed to make it to the Mission Hall right before it closed for the day, and after a short discussion with one of the clerks, they followed him to a small room they all just barely fit into. Without preamble, Jin Hua pulled out the snake''s skin and laid it down, followed by the bundles of flowers they¡¯d gathered, filling up the remaining space on the table.


    Last but not least, he rummaged into one of his pockets before pulling out the greenish beast¡¯s core.


    A brief look of surprise crossed the clerk¡¯s face as he took in the number of materials they¡¯d brought back to the sect.


    He was a professional however, and quickly recovered, taking his time as he examined the items one by one. The skin he was quite critical of, a frown crossing his face as he turned it over once or twice before putting it back down and leaving it alone. He analyzed the core rather quickly as well, but he paused for a moment after opening the first bundle of orchids. He tapped his chin, before leaving the room and returning with a long scroll, referring to it as he picked through the flowers on the table.


    Finally, his inspection came to completion, and he turned towards the group, giving them his attention before speaking.


    ¡°Well, the skin is quite damaged but it¡¯s still mostly intact. I believe the Mission Hall can reasonably grade it a C. As far as the Orchids go, they vary in quality, somewhere between the C- and B grade. I¡¯ll grade the entire lot at an average of C+, how does that sound?¡±


    ¡°Acceptable!¡± Jin Hua said without hesitation, and Yu Chen watched as the other two nodded along with him. Xue Lan had a large smile on her face, while a greedy look had entered Han Li¡¯s eyes.


    Yu Chen wasn¡¯t quite sure what was going on, so he simply nodded as well, trusting the others.


    ¡°Good.¡± The clerk said, before reaching beneath the table and pulling out a scale. He weighed the items and referenced his scroll a few times before offering a number that made Yu Chen¡¯s eyes bug out. Even split four ways, and even with his smaller cut, Yu Chen¡¯s portion was greater than the amount he¡¯d earned working in the sect the last few months. It was no wonder everyone considered missions such a lucrative source of income.


    Once he finished tallying their goods the clerk added the contribution points to each of their jade slips. The next thing Yu Chen knew, his group was spilling out of the Mission Hall, saying goodbye to each other as they all headed off on their separate ways.


    Yu Chen glanced up at the sky, at a loss as he considered what to do next. The sun had already fallen below the horizon, and only the faintest rays of sunlight still lingered to guide him. There wasn¡¯t much time left in the day, so he decided to return to his room, where he fell into a well-deserved slumber.


    In the morning Yu Chen woke up feeling refreshed, and quickly fell back into his daily routine, beginning with his morning exercise. It happened to be a training day, and Li Ming was present, teaching the class. They had a good conversation, and the older man congratulated him once he realized Yu Chen had achieved another breakthrough in the Condensing Fist.


    ¡°Quite good.¡± Li Ming said approvingly. ¡°You¡¯re quite talented. It seems you are close to entering the next level as well? You¡¯re progressing fairly fast. I think you¡¯ll be an Inner Sect disciple sooner rather than later.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°If the heavens will it, senior.¡± Yu Chen said, bowing his head towards the older man. He liked Li Ming, finding his company enjoyable, although the man had a tendency to talk too much. He was also a close disciple of Elder Gu, and Yu Chen still entertained thoughts of working with the defense department one day, so he did what he could to remain in the man¡¯s good graces.


    Once his morning training was finished, he went off to the baths, a part of the sect that Yu Chen found quite luxurious, especially for a boy who¡¯d once been a simple shepherd''s son.


    The baths were great marble pools, cut into the side of the mountain. Filled with heated water, they provided a relaxing environment for cultivators to rest and recover. Yu Chen used to wonder how they managed to keep the water at such a temperature, but he now knew such miracles were the product of formations. How else would men have managed it?


    Perhaps if he was born rich, he could have experienced this every day, he thought, as he sat in the shallow pool comforting his tired muscles. His fellow cultivators came from all walks of life, some born from businessmen who lived in the nearby towns, others from more humble beginnings such as himself, and still others from an even higher caste.


    Yet, it was something that was never mentioned. Cultivators themselves existed on a separate stratum from mortal folk, and anyone who relied on such clumsy reasoning as birth to justify their position wouldn¡¯t make it far in the world of Immortals.


    The only thing that mattered here was the level of one¡¯s cultivation.


    Once he had finished cleaning himself, he returned to work, where he spent his afternoons making deliveries around the sect. In truth he found it less exciting than he once did, his thoughts turned more and more to returning towards the wild, and the mysteries within. Now that he''d had a taste of the world outside the sect, he had a desire to go and explore, discovering the unknown. Perhaps Jin Hua would be willing to go on another expedition soon?


    Or perhaps it was time to strike out on his own.


    Either way, Yu Chen planned to cross into the Qi Stabilization stage before leaving the sect once again. The limitations that he¡¯d felt himself pressing against in the forest had only become more defined as the days passed, and Yu Chen felt as though he would soon be ready to surpass them.


    There was, of course, one major change to his daily activities after his trip. Part of his day now revolved around caring for the little snake who had joined him in the forest. The small serpent was even younger than Yu Chen had previously thought, and he found himself becoming attached to it as he cared for it day after day. He¡¯d even given the little fellow a name.


    He¡¯d decided to call her Lan She, after the flower patch where she¡¯d been found.


    Taking care of Lan She had become a serious concern to him, and Yu Chen had even returned to the Manual Pavilion, chatting with Ling Xia about various techniques for rearing spirit beasts. She¡¯d helped him pick out some books, using some of his contribution points to purchase information about spirit beasts. Truthfully, most of the books in the Pavilion weren¡¯t particularly useful to him. Yu Chen had no need for a bestiary, or for techniques on how to calm and tame wild spirit beasts. She did, however, help him find a guide on contracts, and he spent many nights reading it.


    Honestly, he didn¡¯t think he needed a contract at all, as the snake had already submitted itself to him. However, from his reading he came to understand that the relationship between a cultivator and their contracted beast was something more personable and intimate than whatever it was that he currently had with the snake.


    Truth be told, he didn¡¯t particularly care to feel as though he were the little snake¡¯s master, ruling it through force. Spirit beasts were more than a pet, and not something that could be owned and possessed. Having awakened the ability to cultivate, they were many times more intelligent than a regular house pet.


    If a spirit beast reached Foundation Establishment it would have intelligence at least on par with a human, and even in the Qi Condensation realm, beasts were akin to children intellectually. Yu Chen¡¯s conscience wouldn¡¯t allow him to accept the current relationship they had, and he¡¯d determined to form a contract with the little fellow, viewing himself as something closer to an older brother than a slave master.


    He¡¯d picked up another book as well, one Ling Xia had recommended to him after he¡¯d told her what he was looking for. The large manual contained hundreds of little tricks you could perform with your qi, and it was fairly cheap to acquire, not costing many contribution points. Most cultivators seemed to consider such things useless, after all, and focused on using their points to purchase strong techniques, so it wasn¡¯t considered very valuable by the standards of the Manual Pavilion.


    Yu Chen however, had the guidance of a dragon, and his thoughts constantly turned towards what Xiao Huang had said. Techniques provided a pathway for your qi to follow, allowing you to accomplish all sorts of wondrous things. However, all of those things were accomplished by the qi itself.


    Which is why he¡¯d resolved himself to master his qi, becoming as flexible in its usage as possible.


    After all, wasn¡¯t it possible that Yu Chen could simply will his qi to do those things others needed a technique for? Well, it was still something that would be exceedingly difficult if you didn¡¯t know the way. It was like stumbling along a path of daggers blindfolded and hoping one didn¡¯t fall off the edge.


    That was the benefit behind acquiring the qi manual, however. It provided direction on accomplishing all sorts of neat tricks, such as providing a way for his qi to circulate, generating warmth on cold nights, or a rather neat one that he wished he had before, that coated his body in a light layer of qi, repelling dirt and dust.


    There were many such tricks, from extremely practical ones, such as ways to soften your footsteps, to useless techniques that simply spun his qi in an interesting vortex. He spent some time every night practicing different qi patterns, and he felt his control slowly growing as he did so.


    Even if the tricks weren¡¯t valuable on their own, perhaps they¡¯d provide the foundation of something greater in the future.


    He did have one meeting of note. He¡¯d run into Zhang Lie while walking through the sect, and the man congratulated him on his first successful mission. Yu Chen wondered how he¡¯d found out, but he assumed the older man had heard it from Li Ming. He was a notorious gossip after all.


    Zhang Lie had given Yu Chen back the spirit gathering pills that he¡¯d received from the sect a few short months ago. Yu Chen had thanked him, making small talk for a short time before parting ways and heading in different directions.


    Yu Chen considered the small pills that lay in his palm and a smile slowly grew across his face. With them in hand he finally felt as though he were ready to make the attempt at stepping into the next level.

 Tributary: Chapter 16 - Another Level

    Yu Chen sat on the cliff¡¯s edge once more, revolving a small white pill between his fingers as he overlooked the pond below. He was holding the spirit gathering pill the sect had given him of course. With it, Yu Chen was finally prepared to enter the next small stage of the Qi Condensation Realm.


    He was only waiting for his mental tranquility to reach the perfect state before beginning.


    And so he sat, watching as slow waves spread across the pond, pushed about by the light breeze that filled the summer air. The sounds around the pond had changed now that the seasons changed. The trilling mating calls of the birds from spring had given way to the incessant chirps of nestlings calling for food, interspersed with the steady, rhythmic calls of cicadas as they loudly buzzed around the water.


    Yu Chen had spent the last few days absorbing information as he prepared for this day, talking to his friends about what to expect before he attempted to breakthrough. They¡¯d spent hours discussing the nature of cultivation, filling in the gaps of his knowledge to ensure he didn¡¯t make a mistake.


    After all, success wasn¡¯t guaranteed when one attempted to cross levels, even the smallest ones such as these. There was always a chance of failure, and one risked damaging themselves, setting their cultivation back weeks, months, or even years.


    In the most dramatic cases, someone could even find themselves stuck permanently, having to remain at their current level for the rest of their lives.


    Of course, Yu Chen was only attempting to cross the smallest level. There was little risk in such a thing, but breakthroughs and bottlenecks served to weed the weak from the strong, and even the simplest served as a test for cultivators.


    A test of their will, a test of their mentality, and a test of their understanding.


    Yu Chen had never questioned his will to succeed, and neither his spirit nor his conscience bothered him, leaving his mental state pure and untainted. However, he felt he was lacking when it came to his understanding regarding cultivation. He¡¯d spent the last few weeks pestering his friends, consulting Ling Xia in the library, and even asking questions of Xiao Huang. Yu Chen soaked up knowledge wherever he found it, doing his best to perfect his understanding.


    His focus was primarily on understanding the Qi Condensation realm, coming to terms with the purpose it served on his path moving forward.


    What he¡¯d come to understand was that each of the small levels had been given names, like Qi Stabilization, or Qi Refinement, but really, they were just terms created by cultivators, a way to set expectations as they progressed. In truth, each small stage simply represented a gradual but persistent change in the quality of one¡¯s qi as they progressed along the path towards Foundation Establishment.


    It was a continual process of condensing and refining one¡¯s qi until they had the strength to reach out towards greater heights. The realms of Qi Condensation he¡¯d been taught before were only a vague framework, guidelines put down by those who had come before. The only thing that mattered was the purity of one¡¯s qi if they desired to advance to higher realms.


    Xiao Huang had told him that in many parts of the world Qi Condensators weren¡¯t even truly considered cultivators. It was nothing more than a preparatory phase for most, to purify their body and qi, in preparation for the road ahead. It was an immensely important stage that set the foundation for your future.


    Towards that end, even the smallest breakthroughs held the utmost importance.


    Yu Chen ceased his reveries, as his mentality reached its peak. Everything fell away as he breathed out, unifying with the world around him, becoming one with the light scent of summer, the soft breeze upon the wind, and the croak of bullfrogs that filled the night air.


    He didn¡¯t hesitate, popping the small pill into his mouth, and swallowing it as he began circulating his qi. He could feel the pill slide down his throat and into his stomach, where spiritual energy burst forth. Yu Chen fought furiously for control, seizing the energy and circulating it into his dantian before it could run rampant throughout his body.


    His senses sharpened as the qi flooded his dantian, and he felt more alive than ever. He could sense the particulates in the air around him and smell the slightest hint of smoke in the air that spoke of distant fires. A small vortex grew around him, as qi surged towards him, drawn in by the pill to fuel its reaction, and his dantian hungrily gobbled up everything that appeared.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Yu Chen continued circulating the qi throughout his meridians as the energy rapidly grew in strength, its mass increasing as more of the energy that was pulled into his body rushed to join it. It was a heady feeling, possessing more energy than Yu Chen had ever dreamed of.


    He didn¡¯t hesitate. With a deft flick of his wrist another pill entered his mouth, sliding down his throat to join the other.


    A second surge of qi flooded him, and the energy in the environment was pulled towards his body even faster than before. Yu Chen fought desperately to maintain control over the qi as it roared through his body, scouring his meridians clean.


    Tiny specks of ichor began to dot his robes, as light splotches of brown and black began to bleed through his skin. Yu Chen didn¡¯t notice the stench that arose, focused as he was on controlling the tyrannical qi that threatened to savage his body.


    If Yu Chen was a normal man this would be enough, he could stop here content that he¡¯d done enough. In truth, he might have already gone too far.


    But, he wasn¡¯t a normal man. The blood of a dragon flowed within him. Almost since birth his heart had pumped that draconic blood through his veins, influencing his body as he grew. His meridians were thicker and stronger than others his age, more flexible, and this small amount of qi wasn¡¯t enough to finish washing his meridians.


    Following Xiao Huang¡¯s advice, Yu Chen popped the third pill and resolutely swallowed it.


    The pill had barely reached his stomach when the energy from the other two attacked it, tearing it to pieces and letting loose a flood of qi so wild that it threatened to tear his body apart.


    A small groan escaped Yu Chen¡¯s lips as the qi wreaked havoc on his insides. Marshaling his will, he used every iota of inner strength he had to force the qi to obey him, slowly forced it into his dantian, before circulating it to join the rest of his qi on its path through his body.


    The energy rampaged through him like a living force, stretching his meridians to their limits as it moved through his body. It savagely scoured his meridians, scrubbing free every trace of debris that might have impeded their flow through his opened channels. Yu Chen circulated the qi time and time again, as it grew stronger, fed by the energy the pills created as they burnt away in his stomach.


    Finally, with a relieved gasp, he felt the pills putter, flickering like a candle as whatever strange reaction it was that fueled their effect ran out.


    However, the energy that still remained in Yu Chen¡¯s body had to be dealt with if he was to truly consider this a success. He gathered himself once more, pulling all of his qi back into his dantian, stretching it painfully.


    A sense of worry arose as the pain grew, and he was concerned he¡¯d truly overdone it by taking all three pills at once, but he shoved the thought aside. It was too late to stop or go back now. Instead, he remained focused, slowly revolving the qi in a circle through his dantian as he mentally pressed on it, willing it to condense.


    A battle emerged as the energy fought against him, unwilling to change forms. The young boy pit his stubborn will against the indifferent will of heaven and earth, betting that he would come out on top.


    Slowly, unbelievably, the energy condensed half a step, and his dantian relaxed in relief. He continued pressing, until, grudgingly, the energy condensed once again. A slight ache lingered in his dantian, proof of the hard-fought battle Yu Chen had won. A weary smile crossed his face, as he examined the qi that now filled his dantian, much thicker and denser than the one from before.


    His dantian still felt uncomfortably full, so Yu Chen gathered the remaining qi, circulating it throughout his body until he directed it towards the blocked meridians in his legs. This was normally reserved for the next level, but Yu Chen still had plenty of energy remaining, and he thought it would be a waste to not put it to use.


    The levels themselves were just guidelines after all.


    He frowned in concentration, as the dense qi flowed through his meridians. He speeded up the circulation, moving it faster and faster until he sent it crashing into the blockages in his legs. His thick qi tore deep into the blocked meridians, washing away some of the debris that clogged them, but it wasn¡¯t quite enough. Yu Chen wasted no time, as his energy had grown much weaker after that assault, circulating it once more before sending it crashing into the blockages again.


    He repeated the process again and again until only the last bit of his energy remained, just enough to trickle through the now cleared meridians and complete the circulation within his body.


    Unfortunately, the energy had run dry before he could finish scouring the meridians completely, leaving them only partially opened. Still, Yu Chen believed it had been worth the effort, and he was sure they¡¯d be a great boon when it came to using his movement technique.


    He opened his eyes, a fearless grin spread across his face as he stood up, examining the changes in his body. The new energy that pumped through him felt many times stronger than what he¡¯d possessed before, and he was filled with joy as he sensed himself progressing.


    It wasn''t strong enough to block the stench that arose off of him however, and he examined his robes in dismay. He¡¯d actually liked these robes. Now they were covered in blotchy spots of an oily residue, the remains of the detritus that had been pushed out of his meridians.


    It looked like another trip to the bath was called for.

 Tributary: Chapter 17 - A Mission Alone

    Yu Chen dashed through the forest surrounding the sect, following the tracks of his prey. This close to the sect the undergrowth wasn¡¯t as tangled as the verdant wildlife in the ancient forests, and the trees were widespread enough to allow light to filter down to the forest floor.


    He found himself here after taking on a hunting mission from the Mission Hall, which were very popular among the disciples. The sect offered an additional bounty on top of paying for the spirit beast¡¯s hide and core, so it came as no surprise that they were a favorite.


    An Ironback Boar had been seen near the base of the mountain and had been spotted ranging a little too close to the town. It was powerful enough to pose a threat to the mortal population, so the Mission Hall had marked it for culling.


    He¡¯d been searching for it most of the day, and had recently closed in on the spirit beast, finally stumbling across some fresh tracks as he searched. He paused as he heard some deep grunts in the distance, the wet sounds of the boar rooting around entering his ears.


    Yu Chen narrowed his eyes, slowing down as he stealthily approached his target.


    The boar appeared in his sight, and Yu Chen could see it snuffling at the base of a tree. It was nosing the dirt as it searched for treats. The boar squealed in delight as it found something, and the coarse gray fur on its back rippled as it munched in contentment.


    Yu Chen bent his knees slightly, and then pushed off the ground, circulating his movement technique as he dashed towards the unsuspecting boar. The technique was many times more efficient due to his newly opened meridians, and Yu Chen flew through the air as he struck out at the beast.


    The boar seemed to suspect something as he approached, twisting around at the last moment, its blazing red eyes widening in confusion as it took in the boy who was already upon it. It was too late for it to dodge, and Yu Chen let out a roar of triumph, as, heart pounding, he twisted in the air to land a kick with the full force of the Condensing Fist technique against the side of the boar¡¯s head.


    There was a brief moment as his foot connected, where the sheer density of the boar warred with the force of Yu Chen¡¯s blow, and time froze, as if reality itself were unsure who would win. Then the moment was over, as the boar was blasted away, tumbling across the forest floor until it hit the side of a tree with a loud thud.


    A few leaves fell from the large tree at the blow, slowly floating to the ground, and Yu Chen softly landed, smiling as he looked towards the fallen boar. He started walking towards it when to his surprise, the boar slowly stood, shaking its head dumbly before turning around to stare at him, eye¡¯s filled with spite and malice.


    Yu Chen¡¯s strongest attack had only left a small cut on the thick, metallic hide of the spirit beast, marring the side of its face, but it was little more than a flesh wound to the powerful creature. The boar pawed at the dirt, steadying itself as it regarded him. Tossing its head, it charged at him, its sharp tusks rushing forward like twin spears aiming to impale the boy.


    Yu Chen danced out of the way, easily avoiding the boar. He threw out a few attacks of his own in return, each one slamming into the spirit beast with the full force of his empowered qi. The boar turned, squealing wrathfully as it charged again and again as Yu Chen evaded its attacks with ease.


    His heart pumped harder as the fight went on, once again filling him with an endless source of energy that seemed to nurture his spirit, sharply increasing his qi regeneration. A reckless confidence overtook him, and he became more daring, risking his body as he sought to inflict more damage on the spirit beast.


    He laughed as he danced out of the way of another blow from the ill-willed boar. The attack was a near one, but the joy of battle filled him, and he used the opportunity to slam a fist into the boar¡¯s side, buckling its legs. The boar got back to its feet, chest heaving, and turned around, continuing its ceaseless attacks.


    They went back and forth, the boar striving to hit him as Yu Chen avoided the spirit beast. He spun on his feet, landing a kick into the boar¡¯s hips, knocking it off balance and using the opening to strike it two times in quick succession. Yu Chen felt like a god, his heart beating faster than ever, pumping endless energy to empower his blows.


    The boar made an attack towards his left-hand side, and Yu Chen once again spun out of the way, dodging the attack. It was then that the boar showed the first spark of intelligence in the fight, revealing its malicious intent as it shifted, revealing the first attack to be a feint. Yu Chen tried to compensate, flooding his legs with qi in an attempt to circulate his movement technique.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    It was too late. Filled with arrogance and convinced of his victory, Yu Chen had made a mistake, and the boar landed its first blow of the fight.


    Its tusk speared through Yu Chen¡¯s right side, goring him, and splashing his blood across the forest floor. The boar squealed in victory, and tossed its head back and forth, mangling the boy as it battered him across the clearing.


    Yu Chen had a stroke of luck, as a chance toss of the boar¡¯s head as it rampaged ripped its tusk free and sent him flying into the distance. Yu Chen quickly stumbled back to his feet, dazed and confused, holding a hand to his bleeding side as he stared at the boar in disbelief.


    The creature pawed at the ground again, and Yu Chen could swear a sinister grin crossed its face as it tossed its head once more, one tusk dripping with gore after having savaged him, and the soft sound of his blood hitting the dirt reached his ears.


    Yu Chen¡¯s heart beat. The sounds of the forest disappeared, replaced with the sound of his blood beating through his veins. It roared in his ears, filling his mind until it was all that he heard, replacing his reckless abandon with an all-consuming rage, a rage set to burn down the world, an equal match for the boar¡¯s enmity.


    The boar charged at him, refusing to give him a chance to recover, and Yu Chen moved on instinct as he dodged the wild assault. He pulled his hand from the bleeding wound at his side and slapped his wet palm across the boar¡¯s eyes, obscuring its vision as it blew past him.


    The boar faltered as it came to a stop, shaking its head back and forth as it tried to clear its vision.


    It needn¡¯t have bothered. Yu Chen was already upon it, grabbing hold of its clean tusk with an iron fist, before using his other to slam a blow into the side of the boar¡¯s head, targeting the open cut he¡¯d made earlier. The unexpected hit took the boar off of its feet, and Yu Chen followed it down, striking again and again before it could recover.


    Its hard hooves scrabbled against Yu Chen¡¯s side, scratching him and tearing his robes to shreds, but he ignored it as he smashed his fist into the boar, accelerating his qi as it sped down his arm and condensing it into his fist, using it to batter the boar senseless.


    Yu Chen didn''t know how long it was until he returned to his senses, his cramped hand slowly letting go of the boar¡¯s tusk and letting its lifeless body slide to the ground where it lay still. He was dizzy, his arms shaking, and he rested there for a second, taking slow wracking breaths as he filled his body with air. By the time he moved again, the once hot blood that covered him had become sticky, and he had to unpeel himself to stand up from the forest floor.


    He observed the corpse in silence for a moment, before a sharp pain in his side reminded him he still had a slow bleeding wound to attend to. He took out a small pouch containing a healing salve, grimacing as he dabbed it over the gaping wound. Yu Chen didn¡¯t know how it worked, but he hoped it did given the large amount of contribution points it had cost him. Once that was finished, he tore a sleeve off of his robe and tied it around his waist, staunching the wound.


    If he was still a mortal, he would have already died from such a wound, but a cultivator could survive such things.


    Hopefully.


    He took his time skinning his kill, peeling the iron-thick hide from the monster¡¯s flesh. Once that was completed he dived back in, searching around the general location the beast¡¯s core appeared. He yanked it free when he found it, giving a small hiss as the movement pulled at his wound.


    He slid the core into his pocket before wrapping up the skin and tossing it on his back. He winced as the weight of it settled across his shoulders, and prepared his weary body for the long trip back to the sect.


    It was taking him much longer to return than it had to arrive, wounded as he was. Around halfway back, the hairs on the back of his neck went up, and Yu Chen immediately reacted, dropping the boar¡¯s skin, unburdening himself as he looked around for the source of danger he felt in the air.


    ¡°Well, what do we have here?¡± A voice called out of the forest.


    Yu Chen looked around, frowning as a group of boys appeared amongst the trees, surrounding him in a loose circle. He recognized the one in charge of the group, as well as the one calling out to him, but the other three were unknown to him.


    The Feng brothers. Yu Chen hadn¡¯t seen them since his earliest days in the sect, but it seemed that streak was over with.


    ¡°A boarskin? It might be worth something I suppose.¡± Wu Feng said, as he swaggered closer to Yu Chen, looking the boy over. A slow smile crossed his face as he took in the wound on the boy¡¯s side, but his eye¡¯s flickered in surprise once he made out his face.


    ¡°I remember you! It seems our little newbie has grown up. As I recall you still haven¡¯t paid your dues, have you?¡± Wu Feng said, leering at Yu Chen, before staring at the spirit beast¡¯s hide with unhidden greed.


    Yu Chen stiffened, rage flickering in his heart. He still hadn¡¯t had the chance to avenge the first slight, and here the boy was, ready to step on him again. He clenched his fists, unsure if his heart could stomach another insult.


    ¡°I don¡¯t owe you anything. I¡¯m on a mission for the sect, and I don¡¯t have time to talk, so kindly remove yourself from my way.¡± Yu Chen said through clenched teeth. Adrenaline filled him, and his heart began beating a bit harder, sending a fresh wave of energy to fill his tired bones.


    ¡°You don¡¯t owe me anything?¡± Wu Feng said slowly, as if tasting the words. ¡°But what if I say you do?¡± He said softly, a malicious grin crossing his face, as he examined the boy.


    His older brother snorted, and the mocking laughter of the other boys filled the air. The sound seemed to empower Wu Feng, and a cruel look spread across his face as he regarded Yu Chen.


    ¡°Make it quick Feng¡¯er, we have our own mission to get back to.¡± Li Feng said with a bored tone.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Wu Feng said, as he launched himself towards Yu Chen.

 Tributary: Chapter 18 - Highway Robbery!

    Yu Chen pedaled backwards as the older boy rushed him, quickly circulating his qi as Wu Feng closed the distance between them. The older boy thrust a fist towards him, but Yu Chen blocked it, wincing as the force of the boy¡¯s condensed qi blew his guard open.


    The next attack was already coming his way, as Wu Feng pivoted to take advantage of the opening. Unable to block it, Yu Chen hurriedly threw himself backwards, landing hard on his shoulder and rolling as Wu Feng leapt towards him, stomping at the downed boy.


    Yu Chen¡¯s heart was beating hard, refilling his depleted qi stores, but his hectic movements had already torn back open his wound. He winced in pain, the salve having only recently managed to scab it over. He left a splatter of blood droplets across the ground as he rolled back to his feet.


    Yu Chen let out a roar of rage and pain, circulating his qi, before launching himself towards Wu Feng, giving up defense as he sent vicious blows flying towards the boy one after the other.


    A frown crossed Wu Feng¡¯s face as his momentum ground to a halt, as Yu Chen fought back. The two boys were evenly matched as they brawled in the forest, flowing through attacks as the scales of victory teetered back and forth, neither holding an edge over the other.


    Wu Feng was older, and his cultivation was higher, but Yu Chen was a talented fighter, and he possessed a matchless furiosity. In many ways he fought more like a beast than a man, not relying on the forms as the other boy did, but instead using an instinctive understanding of momentum, distance and timing to strike every opening with the most force possible.


    However, Yu Chen found himself slowly losing the exchange, despite his bloodline reinvigorating him and filling him with power. He was still exhausted, having gone through one hectic fight today, and was unable to draw out his full potential, wounded as he was.


    Still, he relished the feeling of the fight, recklessly throwing himself forward in an attempt to harm the older boy. He feinted, drawing Wu Feng¡¯s attention, before pivoting on his foot, and using his momentum to lash out with a hard blow that struck the boy across the face.


    For the first time it was the other boy¡¯s blood that fell across the forest floor.


    Wu Feng snarled, his complexion turning beet red as he made eye contact with Yu Chen. A curse escaped his lips, and he threw himself back into the fight. Yu Chen raised his hands in preparation, but the older boy flickered as he approached, using some strange technique to close the distance, and he struck him hard in the chest before Yu Chen could adapt.


    Yu Chen let out a gasp as the blow knocked the air from his lungs, causing a cruel smile to cross Wu Feng¡¯s face. With a bloodthirsty shout, the other boy twisted his hips and drove the back of his heel into Yu Chen¡¯s bleeding wound, ruthlessly delivering a crushing blow that drove him to his knees.


    Pain vibrated through Yu Chen¡¯s form. He staggered and fell, retching onto the forest floor. He could barely focus, blinded by pain, but he could hear the soft crunch of the other boy¡¯s footsteps as he crossed the grass to reach him.


    A heavy hand curled into Yu Chen¡¯s hair pulling the boy¡¯s head back, causing him to look up at Wu Feng through unfocused eyes, blurry with pain.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you last time you had a choice?¡± Wu Feng said with an ugly chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s just an animal skin. All you had to do was lower your head and offer it to your elders like a good boy.¡±


    He struck Yu Chen across the face.


    ¡°But honestly,¡± Wu Feng said as he leaned in close, and Yu Chen could smell his hot breath as the boy whispered in his ear. ¡°I prefer it this way. It¡¯s so much better when they fight back.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s blood boiled in his veins, his heart beating harder than ever. He looked up at the boy, barely able to see him through his one good eye, the other one already starting to swell closed from the vicious blow the boy had delivered.


    He saw the gloating look on his face, the cruelty that lurked in his eyes, and Yu Chen smiled back at him, baring his bloodstained teeth in a show of defiance.


    He still had a trick up his sleeve.


    Yu Chen grabbed the arm holding him, gripping it tightly in return, and flung his other arm up, aiming it at the boy. Wu Feng, tilted his head back, thinking to dodge Yu Chen¡¯s punch, but instead Lan She came flying out of the remaining sleeve of his robe, latching onto Wu Feng¡¯s face and biting deep. The boy let out a howl of pain, releasing Yu Chen as he crumpled over, as the snake sent its venom pulsing through his veins.


    Yu Chen looked up, his sense of satisfaction disappearing as he saw Li Feng rushing towards him, rage filling the older boy¡¯s face as he took in the screaming form of his brother. He was another Outer disciple a step away from forming his foundation, and he was moving fast, his speed close to, no faster than, Jin Hua¡¯s had been.


    Yu Chen¡¯s face paled, and he took a moment to snatch up Lan She before making a run for it. The little snake resisted for half a second, giving one last bite before unlatching her fangs. Once he had a hold of her he cycled his movement technique, pushing it to the max. Every step sent him leaping forward, flying through the treetops as he attempted to escape.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    However, Li Feng still managed to keep up with him and was even closing the distance. He was circulating a movement technique of his own as he chased after Yu Chen, but he had to eventually stop, ending the chase as the sound of his brother¡¯s wails grew faint in the distance.


    ¡°You¡¯re a dead man!¡± He howled, his voice hounding Yu Chen as he ran into the depths of the forest, heedless of his direction in his mad dash to escape.


    ¡°You hear me! You¡¯re dead! dead!¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t stop running, circulating his movement technique until his qi ran dry, his dantian unable to keep up with his expenditure even with the qi regeneration provided by his bloodline. His speed slowed, but he didn¡¯t stop, stumbling deeper into the forest as he ran as far away from the boys as he could.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know how long he ran for, but he kept going until his body physically gave out on him, depositing him onto the forest floor in a quivering heap. He rested there for a moment, groaning in pain as he took stock of his body.


    Yu Chen shrugged off his tattered over robe, letting it fall to the ground, little more than shredded rags at this point. Lan She shivered at the unexpected change, and the small snake slithered from her usual resting place near his waist to wrap around his bicep. He examined his wound and found it had closed once again; the healing salve apparently having remained hard at work.


    Yu Chen groaned again, rubbing his aching face. The swelling around his eye had reached its peak, halving his vision, and he was covered all over in bruises that spread in a riot of colors across his body.


    Thankfully his pants were still intact, although they had some small tears in them from the prolonged fight. He¡¯d had to leave the boarskin behind though, and Yu Chen cursed bitterly under his breath at the loss. Without the skin he had no way of collecting his mission reward and would have to miss out on all of the contribution points it offered.


    A thought struck him, and he rummaged in his pocket, before pulling out the small core that he¡¯d taken from the boar, giving a small sigh of relief at the sight. At least he¡¯d managed to escape with something, so it wasn¡¯t a total loss.


    He examined the core in his hand as he lay there with his back against a tree. This one was the color of iron, a metallic gray, different from the green one they¡¯d received from the large snake. Like the other, Yu Chen could see small wisps of some strange energy rotating within the core.


    Lan She let out an interested hiss, and slithered down his arm, approaching the core. Her tongue flickered, hesitantly at first, briefly tasting it. She let out a slow hiss of excitement, vibrating in place, and raised her head to look towards Yu Chen.


    ¡°Do you want this?¡± Yu Chen asked hesitantly, as he pondered the core in his hand. He wanted to keep it, as it was his only chance of earning any profit out of this situation, but then the memory of Wu Feng¡¯s wailing face entered his mind, and a wicked grin crossed his face.


    ¡°Go on then,¡± He said wearily, smiling down at the little snake. ¡°You earned it.¡±


    Lan She hesitated for a moment, looking back and forth between him and the core, before striking out quickly, swallowing the little marble whole. He could sense it explode into energy, filling the little snake¡¯s belly, and she wobbled in place, looking for all the world like a tiny drunk.


    She gave a lethargic stretch, before slowly moving back up his arm, wrapping around his bicep and falling asleep as she absorbed the remains of her meal.


    Yu Chen titled his head back, letting it hit the tree as he looked up, thinking about his situation. He was wounded, had no idea where he was, and he had nothing left to his name, other than his pants and a snake.


    Still, a sense of happiness filled him, despite the events of the day. He might have lost the boarskin but he¡¯d made them pay quite a price for it, and even now he imagined they were racing back to the sect, rushing to help Wu Feng.


    A savage sense of joy filled him at the idea.


    Yu Chen pushed himself up from the ground, groaning as he looked around, examining his options. He couldn¡¯t remain here. The light of day was fading, and he¡¯d already been through two tough fights today. He¡¯d be easy picking for any Spirit beast that stumbled across him at this point.


    He considered the bloodstained rags that were once his robe, but decided to leave them on the forest floor, after doing his best to scrub off whatever dried blood remaining on his body that he could. The scent would doubtless attract some unsavory beasts, and Yu Chen felt it was best to leave them behind.


    He looked around and was about to set off in a random direction, when a voice stopped him.


    ¡°Wait.¡± Xiao Huang¡¯s voice rumbled through his head, filled with a note of excitement. ¡°I can sense something in the distance.¡±


    Yu Chen looked up in surprise at the intrusive voice, before beginning to walk, following Xiao Huang¡¯s direction. He looked around as he went, keeping an eye out for any lurking spirit beasts. The forest gradually gave way to more mountainous terrain as he walked, boulders, rock and gravel starting to intersperse the grass on the ground, and the few trees that remained stood tall and proud as they stretched towards the open sky.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t recognize the terrain, but it slowly sloped upwards, and he realized with a jolt that he had reached the base of another nearby mountain.


    ¡°To your right, hatchling.¡± Xiao Huang¡¯s voice rumbled through his head once more, and Yu Chen felt a slight tug on his attention, as the dragon tugged mentally, directing him towards a small cave in the rocks.


    Yu Chen entered into the cave, stumbling as the ground gradually sloped down, slowly following a path that disappeared down into the earth. His breath began to grow colder as he traveled, but each breath also seemed to reinvigorate him, filling thicker than that from above ground.


    He paused, adjusting his vision, and looked around, realizing that it wasn¡¯t just his mind. The air here was thicker, practically bursting with the energy of heaven and earth. He could sense it billowing forward from somewhere deep within the cave, and he began walking faster, a sense of palpable excitement filling his veins.


    Finally, the tunnel opened up, and Yu Chen entered a wide cavern, his eyes going wide as he took in the sights around him. There was a small crack in the cavern floor, and he could sense energy bubbling forth from it like a small spring, but what truly caught his eye was the pond that filled the center of the chamber, casting a soft glowing light across the space. To his eyes the deep pool of frigid water was alight with spirituality.


    ¡°Finally.¡±

 Tributary: Chapter 19 - Meditating in a Cave

    Yu Chen looked around, ensuring the cave had only the one entrance, before sitting down to rest with a groan. He laid back, resting his head against the cave wall and making himself as comfortable as he could. Despite it not being his intention to do so, his head soon began to nod, and he fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.


    He awoke in the morning feeling refreshed, despite falling asleep on the hard cavern floor. His side ached, the wound there still not fully recovered, even after the expensive salve he¡¯d used upon it. It was only a medicine provided for Qi Cultivators after all, and not some miracle elixir.


    Yu Chen yawned and stretched, looking around the area as he thought about his future plans.


    The cavern Xiao Huang had led him to actually contained an essence well, a spiritual spring that bubbled with the energy of heaven and earth, drawn deep from the heart of the world itself. These veins ran throughout the earth and were part of the natural order. They pumped energy across the surface and were integral for life¡¯s existence.


    They were known to be an extraordinary boon for a cultivator.


    He could leave it behind and return to the sect, but in his heart, he didn¡¯t want to. This place represented an incredible opportunity. Besides, the Feng brothers would no doubt be waiting for him, and even if they weren¡¯t, they knew where he slept. He was in no hurry to return. His mission had ended up a failure, and the only thing waiting for him back in the sect was a lousy paying job delivering packages and his daily training within the sect grounds.


    There was only one real option.


    Yu Chen settled down to meditate, restoring his qi reserves and soothing his spirit that was still shaken from the day before. By now he had already achieved large success in the Condensing Fist, and his martial arts were fine. Instead, it was his spiritual energy that was in need of cultivation. Perhaps before he would have been content to take it slower, enjoying his life in the sect, but he feared that his next meeting with the Feng brothers would only end in death.


    There was no underselling the benefit the essence well provided towards this end. Almost no amount of contribution could have bought him such a thing. Perhaps if he was among the very best of the inner disciples, he would have been considered qualified enough to have earned his own spiritual cave.


    As a Qi Condensator and an outer sect disciple to boot? Don¡¯t make him laugh.


    He let go of the thoughts, breathing out as he meditated in the middle of the cavern. The air in the cave was cool against his shirtless skin. More thoughts flowed through his mind, but he didn¡¯t acknowledge them, maintaining a conscious level of attention that was both focused and aware, refusing to be drawn towards any one thing. The thick energy in the cavern began to move, flowing around him, spinning in a hazy vortex as he drew it into his dantian.


    It was dense beyond description. Yu Chen couldn¡¯t compare it to the level of energy that typically surrounded him as he meditated, whether in the forest or the sect. It was even many times denser even than the cloud of energy that the orchids had produced, and it didn¡¯t seem to matter how much of it his dantian hungrily sucked up, as the essence well merrily bubbled away, refilling the energy in the room.


    Time passed as Yu Chen sat there and Lan She slumbered. Once his dantian was full he awoke from his meditations, a small frown crossing his face as his stomach let out a low rumble.


    He stood up, considering his options as he looked around the cave. He didn¡¯t want to return to the sect yet, and he didn¡¯t know how far away the town was. He supposed he would have to hunt and forage for food, living a bestial life for the time being.


    A savage grin crossed his face at the thought.


    Yu Chen left the cave, returning to the surface world. He took his time exploring the area around his new home, looking for anything significant. Before traveling too far he stumbled across a small stream not so far away from the cave, burbling as it came down from the mountain. He took the chance to bathe himself, drinking deep from the clean spring waters. They were comfortably warm under the summer heat, although a tinge of chill remained within, carried from the dark places beneath the earth.


    Once he was finished, he resumed his search, quickly covering ground, a perk of being a cultivator. He kept his eyes peeled as he traveled, looking for the telltale green sprouts of wild onions and leeks, finding plenty of them around the cave. He also found some golden mushrooms lurking in the shaded ground beneath the forest canopy, and discovered a copse of mulberry trees, their branches filled with fat, dark-purple berries he knew were safe to eat.


    He had his pick of meat as well, the nearby land was filled with abundant wildlife, a variety of birds and small mammals like rabbits and squirrels. He found a pond as well. The stream from before led into it, and it was filled with a variety of large fish that would make good eating.


    Before he knew it a week had already passed at the cave.


    Most of his time was spent in meditation, and he awakened from it only to go hunting for food. He ate what he could raw, but he roasted any meat he obtained atop a small fire he had made on the surface. He felt his qi reserves growing stronger as time passed, and he emptied and refilled his dantian day after day.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    He was, of course, still within the Qi Stabilization realm, and it would do him no good to neglect his practice as he focused on increasing his qi reserves. Towards that end he resumed his training, practicing the Condensing Fist for an hour per day, focusing only on making sure his usage of qi was as efficient as possible.


    He also began training his movement technique, which Xiao Huang referred to as the Snow Goose¡¯s Flight.


    He didn¡¯t neglect his fundamentals either. Often during his meditations he would split his attention, running his qi through some of the simple techniques from the large book Ling Xia had given him.


    Time passed in this manner, and the days soon turned into weeks, as his cultivation steadily grew. Lan She awakened from her hibernation during this time, close to when the wound in his side finally healed over, leaving behind a nasty scar that was a sharp reminder of the perils of hubris.


    His control over his qi had also increased. He was capable of performing most of the small tricks in his technique manual and had even reached the level of small success in his movement technique, able to channel it with minimal loss of efficiency.


    Lan She had grown as well, her hibernation having added a handspan in length and the slightest amount of girth to her form. She was livelier these days, and often flicked her tongue in what Yu Chen interpreted as a simulacrum of speech. Unfortunately, whatever she was trying to communicate was often lost on him.


    The next time he left his cave, he had a different purpose.


    He strode out into the world, blinking as the light of the sun hit him. It burned low in the sky; the worst of its heat having passed as summer drew to a close. It wouldn¡¯t be too much longer, and fall would soon arrive. Yu Chen¡¯s bronzed skin shone under the sunlight, and hard muscles rippled beneath his skin as he walked. A large scar marred his side, adding a hint of danger to his powerful form.


    His training in uncivilized places had hardened his body, burning away most of the boyishness that had remained. Life and death battles had tempered him, and Yu Chen felt as though he had been reborn out here in the wilderness.


    He leapt from the ground, easily circulating his movement technique as he leaped far away from the cave. He kept his senses peeled as he traveled, and it didn¡¯t take long before he found what he was searching for.


    He landed softly after his last bounding leap, and began striding through the forest, caring not if his prey noticed. He¡¯d had enough of hunting simple beasts just to survive, and he¡¯d approached the limit of what practice could do for his techniques.


    His heart began pumping as it entered his vision.


    It was a Bloodthorn Stag.


    It was a fairly prevalent spirit beast in the surrounding area, and he recognized it from his time in the Manual Pavilion, the creature having been heavily featured in the various bestiaries.


    Its hide was a bright tawny in color, and a massive rack of antlers adorned its stately head. They were brown, crooked things that faded to a dark red at the tips, the same color of dried blood. It was a regal beast, and it cast a lofty look towards Yu Chen as the boy approached.


    The stag tossed its head, snorting in warning as the young cultivator entered its domain, but Yu Chen strode forward, fearless. Once it became apparent the boy had no plans to turn around the stag lowered its head, charging down the foe who dared to invade its territory.


    Yu Chen channeled his movement technique, making the lightest of motions as he pushed off the ground, moving in a way that seemed neither fast nor slow, but managed to take him a step further than he otherwise would have traveled.


    He avoided the charging stag and lashed out as it passed, throwing a heavy kick into an economical arc that smashed into the stag¡¯s shoulder, sending it stumbling off balance.


    He landed beside it, touching down lightly, and followed up with a flurry of blows, chaining punches and kicks in quick succession as he attacked his foe, beating it to the ground. The stag¡¯s hide didn¡¯t offer the same protection the boars had, and every strike caused real damage as they slammed into the side of the spirit beast.


    The beast buckled to its knees from his blows.


    Yu Chen raised his fist, and was right about to deliver a crushing blow, when the stag turned its head towards him, its eyes flashing as it looked at Yu Chen. A feeling of danger suffused him, filling him with alarm. He was much more attuned to the trickery of these beasts after his encounter with the boar, and he quickly activated his movement technique, leaping backwards away from the stag.


    He was just in time. Using some strange technique the blood-colored tips shot off of the stag¡¯s antlers, flying through the space Yu Chen had just occupied. A cold drop of sweat ran down his back. Those thorns had earned the stag its name, and they carried a heavy paralytic poison that rendered one immobile once it entered their bloodstream.


    It would have been the end of his journey if they had struck home.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t hesitate now that the beast had exhausted its most dangerous attack and leapt forward to finish the beast off. The stag tossed its head, leaping about as it tried to ward him off, but he would not be denied. He struck at it relentlessly, and it struggled to avoid him, but he finally caught a hold of an antler in a triumphant grasp and proceeded to beat the beast to an ignoble death.


    Yu Chen was breathing heavily afterwards, and a grin spread across his face as his blood exulted at the savagery of the fight. This was the second spirit beast he¡¯d taken down on his own, and this time he¡¯d managed it without being wounded.


    He quickly gutted the beast, but he didn¡¯t skin it right away, throwing it over his shoulder and carrying it back towards his cave. Once he¡¯d arrived back to the place he¡¯d turned into a home he unceremoniously tossed it down and removed its core before quickly skinning it. He fed the bloody core to Lan She, who accepted it with relish, and rolled the hide up, carrying it into his cave.


    There was still the rest of the creature to deal with. The meat from spiritual beasts was a great deal more beneficial than that of normal creatures, and it was worth a good deal. If the boar hadn¡¯t been too heavy to drag back, he would have gladly tried to return its entire corpse to the sect.


    Here he had no such concerns. He cut thick steaks from the stag¡¯s ribs, roasting them over the fire before greedily tearing into the meat, a low moan escaping his lips at the pleasurable taste. He could feel the rich energy that suffused it and knew that it was yet another boon for his cultivation.


    He didn¡¯t waste the rest of the meat either, cutting it up before setting it out to dry, preserving it for the future. Once that was finished and he¡¯d cleaned up the area, he turned around, entering his cave.


    There was still one final matter to deal with. He had fully recovered, no he had improved, and he was finally ready to face the frigid pool of spiritual water that lay within the cave.

 Tributary: Chapter 20 - Body Tempering I

    Yu Chen stood before the pool, looking down at it with his spiritual vision. He could see the roiling clouds of energy suffusing the deep waters, giving them a soft glow that illuminated the small cavern. The dim light was enough for him to see by.


    He¡¯d known when he¡¯d arrived that it wasn¡¯t the energy well that had drawn Xiao Huang here, that was just a lucky coincidence. Or perhaps it wasn¡¯t. The energy the essence well had pumped into the environment was probably the catalyst that has created the spiritual waters in the first place. Years spent in a rich environment suffused with spiritual energy had led to the creation of this natural treasure.


    That treasure, the deep pond in front of him, was what Xiao Huang had sensed.


    Many months ago, he had a conversation with Xiao Huang about various techniques, and the dragon had passed one on to him. The Yellow River Tempering technique, a hidden technique the dragon claimed to have invented himself. Yu Chen had kept it in the back of his mind, having no use for it until now. According to the little dragon the technique was powerful, but it had very strict requirements, and Yu Chen had been unable to perform it.


    It was a technique Yu Chen didn¡¯t have much experience with, seeing as body tempering wasn¡¯t actively taught in the sect. If it wasn¡¯t for Xiao Huang, Yu Chen might have never stumbled across it. According to the dragon, body tempering was something that cultivators in other parts of the world took very seriously. If he ever traveled up the Yellow River he would encounter numerous strong beings that had not only refined their spirit and mind, but their body as well.


    The Yellow River Tempering technique was unique even among tempering techniques. It tempered one¡¯s body using the five elements, relying on the natural interactions between them to achieve the most harmonious results. It didn¡¯t matter which element you began with, but after that you would be locked into a strict cycle, using the energies of one to nourish the energies of the next, increasing the potency of each tempering to shocking heights.


    If Yu Chen were to start here with water, he would have to follow it with wood, as water nurtured wood, and then fire, as wood nurtured fire. Earth would come after and finally metal, each element feeding the strength of the next, until the last tempering empowered the first.


    Even that wasn¡¯t the end. Once completed he would have to temper his body within the Yellow River itself, whose waters contained strange properties of life and death.


    Once he completed the technique Yu Chen¡¯s body would become a natural treasure in its own right, stronger than most of the weapons and armor cultivators used. His body would become a force of nature, able to fight with others on equal footing even without the use of qi.


    The thought made his heartbeat with excitement.


    Yu Chen settled down at the side of the pool, entering a deep meditation as he prepared for the grueling task ahead. He focused his mind and regulated his breathing, taking his time as his mentality slowly reached its peak. Once he felt ready, he stood up and without hesitation pushed off the edge, dropping into the center of the pool.


    He sank deep into the chilling waters, slowly falling until he came to rest many feet down at the bottom of the pool. The water surrounded him, dense with energy and pressing against his body with a heavy pressure. Yu Chen began circulating his qi, using a technique Xiao Huang had shown him, and the energy in the water began to be pulled into his body, seeping through his skin and deep into his muscles and tendons. The sensation was both invigorating and painful, the energy carrying a burning chill that seemed to seep into every pore of his being.


    He grabbed the energy that was flowing through his limbs and torso and pulled it into his dantian, refining it using Xiao Huang¡¯s technique, before sending it back out and diffusing it throughout his body, where it began the work of tempering him.


    It began at the surface, as waves of heat and pressure built up within his skin, causing him extreme discomfort. The water closest to his epidermis bubbled, and it felt as though some mad being had caught him within a vice-like grip, squeezing him and wringing him dry.


    His earlier pain was soon eclipsed as the spiritual energy within his body constantly intensified. His skin itched uncontrollably as the dense energies ate away at the impurities within his body. The itching sensation increased with every breath, threatening to distract him and drive him out of the pool.


    He resisted the urge, redoubling his focus as he pulled more energy into him, steadying his mind as his body continued its purification.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    After a time the pain subsided, once his skin was fully cleansed. Yu Chen rested for a second, cycling his breathing technique as he stabilized his mind.


    Once he felt ready he directed the energies deeper into his body, filling his muscles and tendons until they swelled, growing taut and cramping, causing waves of excruciating pain to vibrate throughout Yu Chen. He resisted the pain, focusing on directing the energy as it refined his muscles, burning away the impurities within.


    His breath was growing short as it finished scouring his muscles clean, but he still had two more layers. He didn¡¯t pause this time, hurriedly cycling the technique and directing the energy to flood into his bones. Another round of pain and pressure began, and he felt his bones creaking as the energies washed across them, polishing and driving out any impurities.


    Yu Chen was nearing the end of his breath as he directed the energies even deeper, pushing it deep into his bones to flood his bone-marrow, cleansing his body from the inside out. As the energy increased to the maximum, Yu Chen realized it contained a strange property he had never sensed in qi before. The energy from the pool gave him a sensation of wet and cold, of thirst and drowning, and he realized that there was more to the spiritual waters than he¡¯d previously thought.


    It wasn¡¯t just energy in water, it was aspected - the energy tinged somehow with the flavor of water, the energy of heaven and earth having transformed, like light cast through a prism. He was struck with a deep sense of enlightenment, as he grasped what water was on a more conceptual level.


    It was adaptable, able to mold itself to any situation, flowing around obstacles, gentle or forceful as nature necessitated. It was fluid, and one could represent that fluidity in thought and action as they navigated the challenges of life.


    It had a persistence to it, capable of eroding the greatest canyons given time, erasing mountains, overcoming all resistance with an endless patience. If one could embody that resilience, then through persistence and steady effort they could overcome anything.


    There was a depth to it, and when calm it was like a mirror, reflecting all, but holding on to nothing. When one touched on this depth through introspection, they achieved clarity and insight, revealing what lay beneath the calm surface.


    Water was potential.


    It was the origin of life, that which sustained and connected all living things. It held the possibility of growth and creation. If one could express even a hint of this potential, there was nothing that was beyond belief.


    Yu Chen forgot everything else, so deep was he in the midst of his new realizations, and not even the deep wracking pain of the spiritual energies hard at work remodeling his body could draw him from them. The energy around him continued to pour into his pores, and was now attacking his organs, and even his dantian had found itself the target of the strange energies.


    No part of him was ignored as it ruthlessly purified his body.


    Finally, the energies seeping into his body began to wind down, and Yu Chen slowly returned to himself. He pushed off of the bottom of the pool, leaping out of it in a spray of water, landing lightly on the cavern floor. His bronze skin gleamed in the dim light as water rolled off of it, flawless and unmarred, aside the small birthmark by his lip and the scar at his side. The muscles beneath his skin were like corded steel, tight and overflowing with strength. He felt lighter now, and his body more flexible. Any tightness from before was gone, and he felt himself brimming with latent power.


    His skin, bones and organs were still full of refined qi, resonating with the lingering essence of the spiritual waters. Yu Chen examined his new body in silence, before clenching his hand into a tight fist. He circulated his qi, amazed at how quickly it now responded, moving through his body unimpeded. He activated his movement technique and shot out of the cave and into the night sky.


    He landed, running for a while, each step sending him dashing forward as he ran with abandon, barreling across the ground and through the forest until he sensed a powerful presence in his awareness. With a powerful leap he sent himself across a stream, where he landed, making eye contact with a large cat whose coat shimmered with the color of the night sky, staring at him with its ears laid back.


    There was nothing said, nothing to say.


    Yu Chen launched towards the panther, moving far faster than he had before, but despite his increased speed the spirit beast matched it. The cat dodged and his fist smashed into a boulder that shattered as his condensed qi hit it, sending shards of stone flying around the area.


    He flexed his fist, amazed. It didn¡¯t even hurt, and Yu Chen felt his excitement grow, a savage grin crossing his face. The cat let out a low growl, raising its hackles as it launched an attack of its own, pouncing towards him with its claws peeled, aiming a ferocious swipe towards his face.


    Yu Chen moved just enough to avoid the blow and unleashed a terrifying uppercut in return that slammed into the cat¡¯s underbelly, blowing it away from him. He pushed off of the ground, reaching the spirit beast before it could recover and slammed a vicious punch into the skull of the beast, ending its life.


    Yu Chen stood up. Despite the fight his heart was still beating normally, and his breath was light and steady. Before he would have considered this spirit beast a tougher opponent than the deer or the boar, as a predator naturally was, but now it appeared an opponent on this level wasn¡¯t enough to excite him.


    If this was the changes the first level of the tempering technique had brought him, what would he be like once it was finished?

 Tributary: Chapter 21 - Returning to the Sect

    Yu Chen breathed out, his breath misting before him. It was deep winter, and the land around his cave was covered in a thick layer of snow, blanketing the world in a serene whiteness. The nearby stream had frozen over, and the fish in the pond were in a deep hibernation beneath a layer of ice. The fruit trees and wild greens he¡¯d survived on were also long gone, having gone dormant for the year.


    A soft crunch of something stepping on snow entered his ears, and Yu Chen exploded into a flurry of motion, circulating his qi as he quickly struck out at the unsuspecting spirit beast. The hare leaped in surprise as he approached, attempting to bound away, but he had timed it perfectly, catching the poor beast in midair.


    Yu Chen let out a wolfish grin as he wrung its neck, securing dinner for the day, before making his way back towards his home. He skinned the beast outside his cave, pushing its core into Lan She¡¯s sleeping mouth, before spearing the rabbit and placing it over the fire he¡¯d built.


    Once finished he rolled the skin up, taking it into the cave and unceremoniously depositing it into a pile that had grown large over the last few months. He still had yet to return to the sect, having been content to spend his days here meditating.


    Despite his seemingly primitive life, it was actually a lavish one by any cultivator¡¯s standard. He feasted on the flesh of spiritual beasts every day and drank his fill from the spiritual waters in the cave. He meditated on top of an energy well. His days were spent practicing his martial forms, perfecting his techniques, and increasing his cultivation.


    Due to the advantages here, he¡¯d made great strides in moving through the Qi Stabilization level, despite lacking the medicines the other cultivators in the sect relied on to speed up their cultivation. Already, he felt himself touching the boundaries of this level, and knew he would soon be ready to take the next step.


    It was a bittersweet feeling.


    It meant he¡¯d have to return to the sect soon, but he found he¡¯d come to appreciate this life. He loved the outdoors. He¡¯d found he was the type to not only survive in the wild but thrive, and he felt more himself here than he had back in civilization. He thought he could live like this forever. A rough life in the wilderness might not be for others, but for Yu Chen it was a tonic for his mind and soul.


    His time in the wild had been formative for Lan She as well.


    The tiny snake had spent most of it in hibernation, only awakening to feed on her diet of beast cores. She hadn¡¯t grown much longer, perhaps another handspan, but her scales were now sleek and lustrous, and her presence had grown in Yu Chen¡¯s senses, appearing as a bundle of potent energy.


    He left the cave, returning to the surface, thinking about his plans for the future as he squatted, eating the roasted hare. Its skin crackled beneath his teeth, the meat rich and oily from its winter fat.


    He would take the hides with him, as many of them as he could carry, and hopefully he would be able to earn some decent contribution from the spirit beast skins. He¡¯d use that to purchase another set of qi gathering pills and prepare himself to break through to the Qi Refinement level.


    It would be good to see his friends again and see how things had changed for them over the last few months, although the issue of the Feng brothers still hung over him like a storm cloud. He doubted the passage of time had managed to cool their enmity, and Yu Chen wasn¡¯t ready to let it go either.


    Twice now they had assaulted him, robbing him of what was his.


    The next time they met Yu Chen would be the aggressor. He clenched a fist, feeling the coiled energy within his muscles tighten beneath his skin. He had done all he could for now, and once he stepped into the next level, he¡¯d approach the two and beat them senseless.


    He stood, throwing the remains of the rabbit into the fire before kicking snow over the flames, burying them. He turned away, entering the cave once again.


    He gave the cave he¡¯d called home one last look. A large pool of water filled the center of the cavern, its spiritual waters illuminating the room. A pile of various dried grasses lay in one corner, the simple bed he¡¯d made to sleep in, and a bunch of animal skins were piled into a dark corner of the cave, far enough away to limit the stench they¡¯d produced, but in truth Yu Chen was long used to the smell.


    And of course, a small crack lay in the ground, gushing forth invisible energy from the bowels of the earth.


    He¡¯d be back, if he could. This place was still the best area for cultivation he could dream of, and he wouldn¡¯t give it up until he had to. He made his way towards the pile of skins, picking through them as he determined which ones to take.


    He first picked out those that were the lightest, many of them smaller spirit beasts he¡¯d caught. Then he chose the most valuable, picking out the panther¡¯s skin, as well as those belonging to a few more predators he¡¯d encountered. He rolled them all together, and hefted the bundle, deciding he had room for a few more.


    Once he was finished, he strode out of the cave. He¡¯d long since figured out the direction back, and dashed off in the direction of the mountain peak belonging to the sect.


    He ran fast through the familiar forest. The trees were now tall and bare of leaves, and their branches bent low, hanging heavy with snow. The forest floor that was once a vibrant riot of greens was now hidden beneath a layer of snow that softened its contours, rocks, roots and fallen logs disappearing into blanket uniformity.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    He¡¯d left the cave in the early morning, but despite his new physique and increased speed, it still took him most of the day to arrive at the base of the mountain. A sense of nostalgia filled him as he looked around, still able to make out familiar pathways despite the depths of winter.


    Without further waiting he ran up the side of the mountain, each step he took light and balanced. The undergrowth didn¡¯t hinder him. This journey was much different from the first time he¡¯d climbed the mountain, tearing through the undergrowth in the dark. Now he lightly leaped over obstacles, clearing chasms he once would have found dangerous as he made his way upwards.


    It wasn¡¯t long before he could make out the gates of the sect in the distance, and with a happy grin he circulated his qi, dashing towards the sect. However, before he could get much closer, two massive qi signatures appeared in his senses, approaching fast. Their presence hit him like a wall, and his movements slowed, feeling as though he were running through jelly as the combined force of two Foundation Establishment cultivators fell on him.


    ¡°Halt!¡± A booming voice cried out, and Yu Chen¡¯s steps faltered, coming to a stop.


    Zhang Lie and an unknown cultivator landed nearby, both of them frowning as they observed him.


    ¡°Uninvited guests are not welcome, cultivator. State your business or leave.¡± Zhang Lie said, as he glared towards Yu Chen, and the other man with him slowly moved, circling around the other side of the boy.


    A bemused smile crossed Yu Chen¡¯s face at the rough welcome, and he let out a low laugh.


    ¡°Is this how you greet your junior brother?¡± Yu Chen asked helplessly.


    ¡°Junior?¡± Zhang Lie said, his brows creasing in anger. ¡°Every cultivator who has left the sect recently is accounted for, and I do not recognize you. I don¡¯t know what game you are playing, but I assure you, the Golden Mist sect is not the place for them.¡±


    Yu Chen scratched his head in confusion as considered the older man.


    ¡°Do you really not recognize me? I am Yu Chen. I admit it¡¯s been some time, but you once showed me around the sect and did me a favor by holding onto some pills for me.¡±


    Zhang Lie looked like lightning had struck him. Recognition dawned in his eyes as he looked the strange boy over. Yu Chen had grown in his time away. He had always been tall for his age, but he¡¯d grown a few more fingers in height. His skin, still bronzed from summer, covered muscles that rippled with strength, and a nasty scar crossed the right side of his body.


    Zhang Lie compared the current image with the shy boy who he¡¯d once walked around the sect nearly a year ago and felt a sense of disorientation as the two images collided. The boy before him now gave off a palpable sense of danger, despite his cultivation level being rather low, and something about his body reminded him of Elder Gu.


    ¡°Yu Chen? We thought you were dead! Where have you been the last few months?¡± Zhang Lie asked in bewilderment.


    Zhang Lie and the unknown cultivator were shocked to hear about how he¡¯d survived, and before long, he found himself quickly brought in out of the cold, telling his story in the guardhouse close beside a roaring fire.


    Zhang Lie left for a time before returning to tell Yu Chen he¡¯d sent an outer sect disciple to fetch him some new robes, only after informing Elder Gu of course.


    They provided food for him as they waited there for the elder to arrive, and Yu Chen happily slurped at the bowl of thick stew, exchanging anecdotes with the two older boys. Before long the door to the sect slammed open, and Yu Chen experienced Deja vu as a grizzled old man strode into the room.


    He quickly stood, bowing low with the other two cultivators, but the Elder impatiently waved at them to stop.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve come back. Well then, tell me about it.¡± The elder said, fixing Yu Chen with a stern gaze, his eyebrows furrowing as he stared down at him.


    Yu Chen launched into a brief explanation of his time in the wild, beginning with his encounter with the Feng brothers. He was careful with his words, not wanting the elder to think he was trying to denigrate others but gave him a close approximation of the truth. He even told the elder of LanShe, pointing towards where she curled around his bicep asleep.


    He spun a tale about finding an earthly treasure that he¡¯d used to refine his body, but he¡¯d omitted any mention of the cave, having long decided to keep it a secret.


    The elder remained quiet as Yu Chen spoke, and any thoughts he had were a mystery. Yu Chen finished speaking and the silence stretched as the elder kept his gaze on him without speaking, long enough that the boy started shifting uncomfortably.


    Finally, Elder Gu turned his head, looking towards the bundle of skins laying on the floor, and Yu Chen got a good look at the ruined cartilage the man called an ear.


    ¡°That¡¯s a large pile. You killed all these beasts?¡± The elder asked, his tone giving no indication of what he was thinking.


    ¡°And more. Those are the ones I could carry back, elder.¡± Yu Chen respectfully replied.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± The elder said. ¡°And the cores?¡±


    ¡°I fed them to my spirit beast.¡±


    Elder Gu looked at the snake on his arm and nodded slowly, although a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.


    ¡°Show me the forms.¡± The Elder said quietly.


    Yu Chen paused for a moment, looking around, but the two foundation cultivators had already begun pushing tables and chairs out of the way, clearing a space for him.


    Yu Chen shrugged, walking into the middle of the empty room, and began going through the forms he¡¯d long practiced. He flowed effortlessly into the first movement, and then into the second, each punch snapping forth with the full power of the Condensing Fist. He pivoted, the third movement a kick, and then into the fourth. Each movement was perfect, economical, displaying no wasted effort or qi as he went through them.


    He repeated the movements a second time and had started into the third when he noticed the elder beginning to lose interest, sitting up. Yu Chen smiled, thinking of what a little dragon had once told him. The forms were just forms, and so Yu Chen adjusted them, adding in movements he¡¯d begun practicing himself.


    His kick turned into a knee, the qi traveling a shorter distance before condensing in a devastating strike. He used his momentum to strike forward, throwing an overhand fist, before spinning, moving his qi into his elbow and unleashing a deadly strike that cracked the air.


    Elder Gu was sitting forward now, his eyes shining as he looked at Yu Chen. He didn¡¯t say anything as the boy continued his movements, no longer the standardized forms of the sect.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t notice. In his mind he was no longer within the guardhouse, he was back in the forest, fighting a mental creation in the form of a Shadow Panther. He ducked as the cat leaped at him and twisted, lashing out at it with a foot that sent it flying. He turned with the movement, driving an elbow into the face of another one that had appeared behind his back. There was a frantic flurry of motion that followed, as he fought desperately within his mind. By now he''d thrown away the forms completely, even going so far as to condense qi into his shoulder, ramming an invisible foe.


    This was the way Yu Chen trained these days, replaying fights between him and his strongest foes, meticulously piecing together how to improve his fights. He finally came to a halt, his body warm and primed, and opened his eyes, breathing lightly.


    His eyes met Elder Gu¡¯s, seeing the man staring at him with a look of excitement.

 Tributary: Chapter 22 - A New Home

    ¡°In the beginning you were using the Iron Forms. Have you ever practiced the Steel Forms, or seen them practiced?¡± Elder Gu demanded as Yu Chen¡¯s movements came to a halt.


    ¡°The Steel Forms? No elder, I wasn¡¯t really aware of them.¡± Yu Chen replied, thinking back. He thought Jin Hua had mentioned it before, but he couldn¡¯t remember when.


    ¡°How did you learn to use the Condensing Fist with other parts of your body?¡± The elder asked, his eyes narrowing as he considered Yu Chen.


    ¡°My friend Jin Hua condensed qi in his elbows and knees while fighting a Blackscale Asp. I thought it was a very practical ability, and so I trained to use it against the spirit beasts I¡¯ve fought as well.¡± Yu Chen said honestly. He wasn¡¯t sure what the big deal was, or why the elder seemed to find it so important. It made sense to him.


    Elder Gu stroked his chin, evaluating the young boy in front of him. He seemed to come to a decision, turning towards the other two disciples.


    ¡°Zhang Lie, do you have a copy of the Steel Forms on you?¡± The elder said, looking over at the older man.


    Zhang Lie shook his head in reply, but the other cultivator in the room spoke up. ¡°I do, elder.¡±


    Elder Gu impatiently waved his hand and the other man rummaged through his pockets before pulling out a small slip of jade, which the elder tossed to Yu Chen.


    ¡°Study that. I¡¯ll give you five minutes, and then I want to see you perform it.¡±


    Yu Chen caught the piece of jade, examining it in curiosity before holding it up to head and closing his eyes. It didn¡¯t take long until, like before, a sheaf of papers materialized in his mind¡¯s eye.


    He concentrated, and the pages began flipping one after another in his mind. The image of a man appeared on each, moving as he flowed through various poses. They were similar to the Iron Forms he was used to, but each movement seemed oddly truncated, ending in blows using a different part of his body. A punch would turn into a feint, leading with an elbow, what would be a kick transitioned into a knee, and more than once the man¡¯s head became a weapon, attacking from a pose that was seemingly unbalanced.


    Now that he saw the forms he recognized Jin Hua¡¯s movements within them, and realized where the man had learned the techniques he¡¯d used. It turned out they were the Steel Forms, a continuation of the Iron Forms that resulted in one condensing their qi in unexpected places.


    Yu Chen stood there with his eyes closed as the movements repeated themselves, and gradually he began moving through the forms in tandem with his mental image, the only difference being that he filled his blows with condensed qi.


    He repeated the movements a second time, and then a third, perfecting the forms, before slowly awakening from the meditative state he¡¯d entered. He looked around and saw Elder Gu looked pleased, incredibly pleased, although the other two cultivators had an expression of shock.


    ¡°You have indeed chosen to carve your own path, as I imagined you would.¡±


    ¡°You!¡± Elder Gu suddenly barked, wheeling on the cultivator who had provided him with the jade slip. ¡°Have you finished mastering the Steel Forms?¡±


    ¡°No elder.¡± The man said, looking chastened.


    ¡°And yet this boy has never even practiced the Steel Forms and is displaying a level of understanding close to the realm of large success.¡±


    Yu Chen felt uncomfortable under the elder¡¯s scrutiny, but he didn¡¯t let it show, straightening his back as he stood there. Zhang Lie was looking at him as though seeing him for the first time, while the other cultivator stared at the floor, a hint of color appearing on cheeks.


    ¡°Remarkable. Come with me then.¡± The elder said, leaving through the door that led into the sect.


    Yu Chen hurriedly followed after him, not wanting to keep the elder waiting. As he stepped outside he almost bumped into an outer disciple who was standing nearby, holding a bundle of clothing.


    ¡°You can take those back, he won¡¯t be needing them.¡± The elder said.


    Yu Chen wanted to protest, but thought better of it, and kept his mouth shut. He followed the elder as he led him through the sect, heading towards an area Yu Chen had never been before.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    They walked through the assembly hall and past the spiritual gardens, following the same path Zhang Lie had taken him back when he¡¯d first arrived. They reached the outskirts of the sect and kept going, passing the Manual Pavilion and The Treasure hall as they followed a long trailing path that curved up and around the side of the mountain.


    There were no buildings in this area, the road cutting through an empty stretch of wild mountain that would doubtlessly have been full of life and beauty in the warmer months, although the trees were currently barren, and the ground lifeless, covered beneath a serene layer of snow that crunched as they walked.


    After a short while they arrived before a sizable house perched on the mountainside. Elder Gu strode into the courtyard, and a short, rotund man appeared, wearing embroidered robes that marked him as an inner sect disciple.


    ¡°Elder Gu, you¡¯ve returned! Ah, who have you brought with you?¡± The man said, casting a doubtful look towards Yu Chen.


    ¡°Yu Chen, this is Ji Rong.¡± Elder Gu said. ¡°Ji Rong is my assistant, and he is in charge when I¡¯m not around. Ji Rong, Yu Chen here is my newest disciple, take care of him and get him situated into the inner sect.¡± Yu Chen¡¯s jaw dropped at the elder¡¯s words.


    The elder paused for a second, thinking quickly before speaking again.


    ¡°Oh, and provide him with a copy of the Steel and Diamond Forms.¡±


    Yu Chen wanted to say something but the elder was already walking away. He saw a hint of surprise flicker across Ji Rong¡¯s face, but whatever the man was thinking he didn¡¯t say.


    ¡°As you say Elder.¡± Ji Rong spoke, bowing low towards the older man¡¯s back. ¡°Let''s get you situated then. Come, come, the elder has important things to attend to.¡± Ji Rong said as he walked up to Yu Chen, leading him away from the house.


    Yu Chen cast a glance towards the large house the elder has disappeared into, shocked at the sudden turn of events. He hesitated for half a second, filled with questions and wanting to demand answers, but instead he turned, following the other man as he strolled down the mountain.


    Elder Gu¡¯s disciple? He didn¡¯t know what to think. He¡¯d found himself in an unexpected situation, and he had no choice but to go with the flow, seeing where this would take him, and he hurried to catch up with the older man.


    It turned out Ji Rong was quite the talkative fellow, and he spent most of the walk explaining what changes he could expect now that he was the Elder¡¯s disciple. The elder would now provide him with a monthly stipend to cover his cultivation needs, so Yu Chen no longer had to work, but he was still more than welcome to take on missions. In fact, it was encouraged, as they provided a valuable service to the sect while also providing a form of training for the disciples.


    He¡¯d be provided with a new residence as well, this time in an area of the sect where the spiritual energy was denser, and if he had the contribution points, he could rent a spiritual cave at a significant discount. Not that he would do that of course. Yu Chen already had a cave he could use if he needed to.


    They stopped by the Treasure Pavilion on their way back down, where Ji Rong procured for him a few sets of the embroidered robes the inner disciples wore, another set of qi gathering pills, as well as a few other odds and ends. Yu Chen took the opportunity to trade in his bundle of spirit beast skins, unburdening himself and collecting some much needed contribution points.


    They then crossed the street, entering the Manual Pavillion, where Yu Chen received a copy of the Mist Condensing to Steel, as well as the Mist Condensing to Diamond Martial Forms. Ling Xia was present, and her eyes went wide as she noticed the robes Yu Chen was carrying in his arms. Yu Chen exchanged a bit of small talk with her, but Ji Rong was waiting and he had to leave.


    Afterwards they made their way towards the area of the sect that had been set aside for the inner disciples. It was a smaller area and more quiet than the parts of the sect the outer disciples resided within, which were much more populated and filled with a variety of dormitories.


    The path they walked down contained small houses every couple hundred feet, some of them were decorated but many of them seemed plain, and all were clearly lived in.


    Inner Sect disciples resided in private homes, and they even contained a small courtyard to practice within. There weren¡¯t very many Inner sect disciples after all, perhaps a hundred all together, and they formed a small community of their own within the sect.


    Ji Rong stopped before an empty house.


    ¡°This one hasn¡¯t been occupied for some time, so do your best to make yourself comfortable. I¡¯ll return when the elder has orders for you. Do you have any questions?¡±


    Of course Yu Chen had questions, many of them practically bursting to be answered, but he asked the one that was most important in his mind.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t prepared for this, and the elder didn¡¯t mention anything to me, what exactly does he expect from me?¡±


    Ji Rong snorted.


    ¡°That is the elder¡¯s way. If he chose you then it is for no other reason than he thought you were talented.¡±


    A distant look entered Ji Rong¡¯s eye as he looked off of the mountain and into the distance.


    ¡°In some ways the heavens are fair and in others they are not. You will find that within the Inner Sect you will have more benefits and greater opportunities. He has only placed you here to give you the opportunity to maximize your potential.¡±


    Ji Rong fixed him with a serious stare.


    ¡°The elder expects the best, so you must do your best so as not to disappoint him. You have been given a rare chance, so be sure to make the most of it.¡±


    Yu Chen bowed his head in acceptance at the older man¡¯s words.


    ¡°Good.¡± Ji Rong said, as he flashed him a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll be expecting great things from you as well! We will meet again soon, so be sure to train your hardest!¡± Finished, Ji Rong turned around, making his way down the snowy path that led to Yu Chen¡¯s new home.


    Yu Chen took a deep breath, before turning around and getting to work cleaning up his new home.

 Tributary: Chapter 23 - Meeting Xiao Huang III

    Yu Chen laughed as Han Li cracked a crude joke. The cultivator was deep in his cups, his porcelain face rosy and curled into a lecherous grin. Xue Lan threw an empty cup at him, and he ducked it with a laugh.


    He was in conversation with Li Ming who sat beside him, and they were animatedly talking about how beautiful Elder Shu had looked when he¡¯d stopped by the Manual Pavilion the other day, seemingly oblivious to the thunderstorm that was brewing on Zhang Lie¡¯s face in the corner.


    However, Yu Chen noticed Li Ming spoke just loud enough to ensure the other man heard. The man took great pleasure in antagonizing his friend.


    They were in the small town at the base of the mountain, Jin Hua having planned the trip to the restaurant he¡¯d promised Yu Chen all those months ago, although the situation had changed since then. Instead of celebrating him becoming a qi cultivator, they were celebrating Yu Chen¡¯s entrance to the Inner Sect, and his discipleship under Elder Gu.


    Jin Hua had also entered the inner sect in the months Yu Chen had been away, having established his foundation, becoming a strong cultivator. He¡¯d also been accepted into the defense department, achieving his dream.


    As far as Han Li went, he had yet to break through, although he was getting close, and he was still part of the Outer sect for now. Xue Lan on the other hand, had managed to step into Qi Refinement, having managed to advance her cultivation as well.


    ¡°So, what happened between you and Wu Feng?¡± Jin Hua asked him quietly, ignoring the antics of the others. ¡°Half of his face is paralyzed, and the word in the sect is that he¡¯s out for blood.¡±


    Yu Chen snorted.


    ¡°He got what he deserved. He tried to rob me, him, his brother, and a handful of others. They attacked me while I was wounded, thinking I was easy prey, but Lan She showed them otherwise.¡± He said, raising a hand to pet the striped snake that was wrapped around his neck. Lan She flicked her tongue in response, tilting her head at his touch.


    ¡°Those two have always been trouble.¡± Jin Hua said with a sigh, ¡°Still, you should be careful. Li Feng doesn¡¯t know you are back yet. He¡¯s been in sealed meditation for the last few weeks, preparing to break through to foundation establishment. Once he finds out you¡¯ve returned to the sect, things there might become dangerous for you.¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t say anything, spearing a piece of meat off of his plate and slowly chewing it. The taste made him grimace. After feasting on spirit beasts for so long, he found the meat of normal animals to be lacking a certain vibrancy.


    ¡°I reckon he¡¯ll be even angrier once he comes out and finds the state I¡¯ve put his brother in. My business with Wu Feng isn¡¯t finished, and I¡¯ll be seeing him soon.¡± Yu Chen said, punctuating his words with another stab at his plate.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to do that?¡± Jin Hua asked in worry. ¡°Li Feng won¡¯t be able to do anything to you directly given your difference in realms, the sect won¡¯t allow such a thing. But there are a million ways he can make your life difficult, and the sect won¡¯t always be around to protect you.¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t say anything, instead continuing to eat in silence. He might have been able to make peace with the duo once upon a time, but their second fight had destroyed any possibility of that now. Even if Yu Chen was inclined to forgive them, which he wasn¡¯t, the serious injuries Wu Feng had sustained meant the brothers wouldn¡¯t forgive him.


    Only enmity could exist between them now.


    Perhaps noticing his mood, Jin Hua decided to change the subject, and soon the atmosphere at the table became lighthearted once more. The rest of the night passed in happy laughter as the group celebrated Yu Chen¡¯s return.


    -------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen groaned as he stumbled into his new home, making his way to his bed and falling into a deep slumber.


    To his surprise he found himself awakening in a familiar place, having been pulled into his Inner Realm. He looked around blurrily, trying to find his bearings, only to find Xiao Huang hovering nearby, examining him with a look of contemplation on his face.


    ¡°Hatchling, you¡¯ve returned. Come, let¡¯s begin your lessons.¡± Saying so, the tiny dragon took off, curling gracefully through the air.


    Yu Chen followed in silence, his mind clearing rapidly, despite the few drinks he¡¯d had earlier. It seemed as though he was mostly unaffected by physical maladies within his Inner Realm. Surprisingly the dragon didn¡¯t lead him towards the river, instead choosing to cut a path through the open field, diving in and out of the tall grasses as they traveled.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but feel envious at the sight. He enjoyed his human form, but did Xiao Huang have to make being a dragon look so fun? Yu Chen would give much to be able to fly through the air in graceful spirals.


    Xiao Huang must have noticed something in his expression, coming to a halt within the field.


    ¡°Is there something on your mind, hatchling?¡± He asked in his deep bassy rumble.


    Yu Chen hesitated before speaking. ¡°I was just wondering what it must be like to be able to fly through the air.¡±


    Xiao Huang preened as he undulated in the air, artificial sunlight gleaming off of his glistening scales.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Xiao Huang said in a plaintive tone. ¡°It must be so troublesome to be landbound. There is not much that is comparable to flying, feeling the wind against your scales as you cut through the air. Unless of course it is diving into deep waters, exploring the mysteries that lie beneath the surface.¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Yu Chen watched in silence as the little dragon spun through the air in slow, sinuous circles.


    ¡°What is it like to be born a dragon?¡± He asked suddenly.


    Xiao Huang slowly came to a stop in the air, weighing Yu Chen with a considering gaze.


    ¡°Would you like to hear the story of my birth hatchling?¡±


    Yu Chen nodded.


    ¡°My mother is known as Qing Long, the uncreated. She is never-born, spun into existence by the Heavens themselves to maintain the natural order, and she is closer to a living force than a living being, although when the time is right she can manifest form. She is the guardian of the east, but she is also present in the winds of spring, and it is she who brings rain and fertility, nurturing the lands.¡±


    Xiao Huang¡¯s voice was low and reverent as he spoke of his mother.


    ¡°Perhaps you are unaware, hatchling, but understand this, there are forces in this world even greater than I, and I am among the greatest. I was only one part of a clutch she laid among the roots of the World Tree, one of a hundred and twenty eggs.¡±


    His voice grew soft as he spoke, and his eyes gave the impression of one recalling fond memories.


    ¡°I was born into strife and death, hatchling. The sound of battle was my lullaby, and as I pierced my shell, the light of day touching my eyes for the first time, it was the sight of one sibling devouring the other that I saw.¡±


    ¡°I was little more than a beast then. Driven by hunger I joined the fray, rending my siblings with tooth and claw. The fight between us all went on for weeks, although the unworthy didn¡¯t survive the first day. With every death I became stronger, smarter and more aware, until at last there were only two of us remaining.¡±


    Yu Chen listened, rapt with attention as Xiao Huang recalled his earliest memories.


    ¡°This may seem strange to you, but this is the way of dragons. It is how we determine the worthy. It was never our mother¡¯s intention for more than one to survive, but still she spread her power one hundred and twenty ways, so only the most deserving would inherit it.¡±


    ¡°My brother was a true dragon, fearless and strong, his scales gleaming with the same azure color that our mother¡¯s did. He was long of tooth and claw, and smart as well. I could see that the wicked gleam of intelligence within his eye matched my own. Together we might have conquered the world, but dragons do not form societies. There is only room for one at the peak.¡±


    ¡°Our fight was a beautiful thing, taking place beneath the watchful eye of our mother as we vied for her affections. We struggled against each other fourteen days and nights, neither willing to submit.¡±


    Xiao Huang¡¯s voice filled with nostalgia as he recalled the violent memories.


    ¡°In the end I stood above his broken body, victorious. Huanghe, my mother named me, as my scales were the same color of the river that spread across the world. I felt her touch for a single moment in time as she cradled me, and told me of my purpose.¡±


    ¡°And then she disappeared into the wind, and that was the last I ever saw of her.¡± The dragon¡¯s voice had become tinged with sadness, and his eyes were shaded with melancholy at the memory of his mother.


    Yu Chen bowed his head, his heart heavy for his little yellow friend, and the two sat in silence for a time, and no one but them knew what they were thinking.


    ¡°And so we come to today¡¯s lesson, hatchling. During your body tempering you experienced something, yes?¡± The dragon asked as he cast a penetrating gaze towards Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen looked up, startled, but Xiao Huang regarded him with a knowing gaze. ¡°Yes Shizu, how did you know?¡±


    The dragon snorted, shooting forth a tiny trail of smoke from one nostril.


    ¡°I am Huanghe Shenlong, what is there that I do not know?¡± The dragon said with an arrogant flick of its claws. ¡°I was waiting for you to mention it to me but I grow impatient.¡±


    Yu Chen cheeks flushed red, and he chewed his lip as he looked up at the dragon.


    ¡°Apologies, Shizu. Within the pool I came to realize that there was some strange property to the energy within the water. The energy itself contained something of the water. Or at least that¡¯s how it felt. As I absorbed it I felt as if I understood what water was on a deeper level.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Xiao Huang practically purred the words, and Yu Chen could sense the dragon¡¯s satisfaction, though he tried to hide it. ¡°What you felt was something very important, something many, no, most, cultivators go their entire lives without touching upon.¡±


    The dragon spun a lazy head around Yu Chen¡¯s head as he spoke, his voice taking on the resonant tones common to his lectures.


    ¡°You touched upon the Concept of water itself. The Concepts are the Laws of Heaven and Earth and understanding them is key to advancing your cultivation. Eventually, your ability to comprehend them will be your main impediment towards moving forward.¡±


    ¡°For many cultivators a single Concept can become everything to them, and they will hinge their entire lives upon it. Take those dullards who follow the sword path.¡± Xiao Huang said in disdain. ¡°Fools who externalize their path of Cultivation. They all dedicate themselves to the sword, but only the talented among them will develop a Concept.¡±


    Yu Chen sat enthralled, his mind awhirl as Xiao Huang filled it with new information.


    ¡°It begins with the Sword. Perhaps, if they are a once in a generation talent, they will develop a Concept of Sharpness,¡± Through Xiao Huang¡¯s voice the words carried a deeper meaning, ringing with some note just beyond Yu Chen¡¯s hearing. ¡°And a peerless talent will form a Concept of Slicing, or perhaps even Severing.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s head began to ache as Xiao Huang enunciated each Concept, the depth of meaning contained within them too much for him to grasp.


    ¡°And how many of those unparalleled talents do you think can follow a sword all the way to its most Fundamental Law, forming a Concept of Division?¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s head rang as Xiao Huang ground out that last word, the world itself seeming to shift as it was uttered. He watched red drops fall, hitting the grass, and realized absentmindedly that his nose was bleeding.


    Xiao Huang paid it no mind, fixing him with a stern glare.


    ¡°You must be able to grasp these abstract Concepts if you truly wish to become powerful, hatchling. The sword is a physical thing, and easy to understand. If one can form a Concept of it, they will become deadly when wielding one. However, if one can form a Concept of Sharpness, then anything that is Sharp can become a Sword.¡± Xiao Huang¡¯s lecture continued, and Yu Chen focused through the pain, doing his best to grasp exactly what the dragon was saying.


    ¡°And if one can understand Severing, then even a blade of grass can become a Sword capable of cutting through anything.¡± Xiao Huang said, and his voice shook the Inner Realm as he spoke.


    ¡°Conceptualize Division, and your Mind itself becomes the Sword.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s heart palpated as Xiao Huang spoke, possibilities streaming through him.


    ¡°Of course, a dragon has no need to become a weapon, for a dragon already is a weapon. Remember this hatchling, if you forget all else. The only thing a dragon cultivates is their own nature. What value lies in exploring a hunk of metal that¡¯s been beaten into shape?¡±

 Tributary: Chapter 24 - Binding Lan She

    Yu Chen didn¡¯t leave his house for 7 days or 7 nights, meditating on what Xiao Huang had said.


    He felt as though he¡¯d only had the briefest of touches with the Concept of Water. He¡¯d sensed the endless potential that lay within it, and knew it would be the work of a lifetime to plumb its depths. Still, If Xiao Huang was to be believed, even that shallow touch had imparted some intangible benefits that would help him on his path of cultivation.


    Rousing himself, Yu Chen headed to the Manual Pavilion, determined to know more. He spent the next few days making his way through the section containing teachings and lectures from long gone cultivators, hoping to discover something that would help him, but no matter which book he picked up he found no mention of Concepts or Laws. It seemed that what Xiao Huang had shared with him wasn¡¯t common knowledge.


    Or perhaps it just wasn¡¯t common knowledge for Qi Cultivators. This was the first floor of the library after all, containing information relevant for those beginning their journey, and what was the likelihood that one would touch upon a Concept so early? It could only be the result of some extraordinary chance, such as the one Yu Chen himself had experienced.


    Dejected, he turned his attention elsewhere, looking through the various techniques in the Pavilion that were somehow related to water. If there was nothing else, he felt that might be a way to help him deepen his understanding of the Concept. It turned out the sect contained many techniques that involved water, one way or another.


    Yu Chen knew this was to be expected. The Golden Mist Sect was primarily metal oriented - Even their core martial arts followed this theme. Mist Condensing to Iron used such a conceptual framework, and it was the interplay of metal and water that had led to such a refined technique.


    Metal nourished water after all, and could greatly increase the strength of such techniques. In fact the founding Patriarch had possessed metal-aspected qi, utilizing water techniques to great effect, their strength greatly increased by the nurturing presence of his metallic qi.


    He had developed one such technique himself, inspired by the mists that covered the surrounding mountains, which had inspired him to settle and create the Golden Mist Sect.


    Despite this, as Yu Chen looked through the techniques available to him, he found most of them to be unsuitable for his goals. Most of the texts were preparatory, preparing one for the advanced techniques they could use once they entered Foundation Establishment.


    Without the ability to externalize his qi, it was impossible for him to manifest most of the techniques that utilized water in some form. In the end he decided to pick another martial art. He chose the Crashing Wave Palm, as the pavilion recommended it as a good complement to the core martial arts.


    It wasn¡¯t a complex series of forms like the Condensing Fist, containing instead various diagrams that showed how one could use the rhythm of their body to deal a devastating palm strike. The technique wasn¡¯t directly related to water, but the principles that had led its creation had come from observing the movement of water.


    The technique generated power through the imitation of waves, gathering and redirecting momentum to strike with heavy force. Yu Chen felt a sense of compatibility, and hoped his understanding would help him master it quickly.


    Finding nothing else of value, he picked up something he¡¯d been meaning to get for a long time now, a book that contained instructions on forming a simple beast contract. Yu Chen had looked through most of the books related to spirit beasts in that tiny section of the Pavilion before determining which one best suited his needs. He¡¯d decided on a contract that would allow maximum freedom to both parties, and it even allowed the spiritual beast the opportunity to sever the contract if it desired.


    Whatever he might become, he¡¯d never be one to enslave others.


    Once he was finished he returned to his home, where he began to make preparations for the contract. The spirit beast contract was a sacred pact between him and his chosen companion. According to the text, it would allow them to share power to some degree, strengthening the other. It would also deepen the bond between the two of them, allowing one to sense the other¡¯s emotions, and even to communicate mentally.


    The only requirement was a harmonious relationship between beast and man.


    Yu Chen and Lan She had spent many months together by this point, and they were well acquainted with each other. They were constantly connected, skin to skin, and Yu Chen knew the snake¡¯s tiny heart beat as well as his own by now. He had no doubts they could fulfill this requirement, as Lan She had proven herself obedient, and more than willing to follow his lead.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Thinking as much, Yue Chen reached into his robes, retrieving the small snake that lay close to his waist, enjoying the comforting warmth of his body heat. He laid her down on the table, and she flicked her tongue at him inquisitively.


    ¡°I have a gift for you,¡± Yu Chen said, speaking to the little snake. He wasn¡¯t sure if she could truly understand him, but he spoke to her anyway. It was a habit he¡¯d fallen into during his time alone in the wilderness. ¡°It will make you stronger, and bring us closer. Will you accept it?¡±


    Lan she flicked her tongue at him again. Yu Chen could feel a sense of acceptance from the tiny snake. She¡¯d long ago submitted herself to him, and he knew there would be no resistance to the contract. Truth be told, Yu Chen didn¡¯t care so much for her unresisting nature, feeling it was a result of his domineering bloodline. He hoped the contract would give her a bit of independence back.


    He absently petted her as he considered the next steps. She wrapped her head around his palm, nestling into it as she relaxed. Languid flicks of her tongue signaled her contentment, while her brilliantly colored scales expanded and contracted in time with her rhythmic breaths.


    Pulling away he began the work of laying out the contract.


    He began by placing a block of ink into a shallow bowl. Pouring a small amount of water into the bowl, he began crushing the ink block into a paste. Adding a bit more water, he used his pestle to slowly bring the mixture to a smooth and fine consistency. Once it had reached a uniformity he was satisfied with he set it to the side, and began the next step.


    Picking up a sharp knife, Yu Chen made a small cut across his thumb. He concentrated, summoning a drop of his blood essence that slowly welled to the surface. This tiny drop of blood contained the purest, most vital essence of his body, representing his life force itself. Yu Chen shook his thumb, allowing the small drop of blood infused with his strength, spirit and vitality to drop into the bowl of ink, and he felt himself weaken as it left his body, landing with a splash.


    He turned towards Lan She who was observing him with interest, and motioned for her to do the same. She was intelligent enough to understand him, and the small snake twisted, biting her tail. A small drop of blood welled up, and she shook it, dropping it into the bowl of ink to join the drop he¡¯d already placed. She sagged afterwards, looking as though it had taken a lot out of her.


    The two drops of blood mingled, swirling into each other as they spread throughout the ink bowl. The next part required a steady concentration, as they infused the mixture with their qi. Yu Chen touched the bowl with one finger and Lan She copied him, laying the tip of her tail on the rim of the bowl.


    She followed his lead as he began infusing the bowl with his qi, matching his steady output. The bowl was specially made for this task, and Yu Chen had contributed a fair amount to acquire it, but it had been well worth the price. The bowl hummed with energy as their qi flooded into it, and small symbols lit up across the rim as a tiny array carved into it activated. The mixture of ink, qi and blood essence glowed brightly before fusing together, becoming a singular, vibrant red liquid.


    Yu Chen could feel the intensity of the moment, as energy surged around them, unable to stop now even if he wanted to. Reaching over, he grabbed a brush he¡¯d prepared earlier before dipping it into the softly glowing liquid before carefully writing down the contract he¡¯d chosen.


    ¡°Let Heaven and Earth bear witness,


    As we freely give this drop of essence,


    To bind our spirit and power as one.


    We freely make the following vow:


    In peril we share our strength,


    In peace we share our fortune,


    Our fates forever intertwined together.¡±


    Finishing, Yu Chen signed his name with a flourish at the bottom, and looked expectantly at Lan She. She understood his intent and dipped her tail into the bowl, using it to make a mark across the paper.


    It seemed to work. A flash of light erupted as the words on the page lit up, burning brightly. The ink remaining in the well began to bubble, dissipating into the air as if consumed by an invisible flame. The heavens claimed their life essence, proof it had accepted the contract.


    Yu Chen¡¯s head throbbed sharply as his essence burnt away, part of his life force disappearing and leaving him with a gnawing sense of emptiness deep within his chest as something vital slipped away. But it was soon replaced, the void filled by the presence of a growing bundle of emotions that swirled in his mind. Strange and unfamiliar, but undoubtedly her - the feeling of Lan She making herself known.


    Master?


    Her voice, gentle as an orchid¡¯s touch, floated into his mind. The softest hint of a lisp on her s, made the words sound so delicate in his ears. Yu Chen¡¯s chest tightened at the words, though he had expected them. The word felt wrong coming from her. No. He thought firmly, pushing the thought away. Brother.

 Tributary: Chapter 25 - Delivering A Challenge

    Yu Chen awoke early the next morning, but he didn¡¯t go to the training ground as he usually would. He¡¯d long felt himself outgrowing the lessons for the outer disciples there, so instead he began training at home in his inner courtyard, beginning with the Iron and Steel forms.


    He flowed through the movements, warming his body up before deciding to examine the newest techniques he¡¯d acquired. He began with the Diamond Forms, as the Condensing Fist formed the core of his fighting style, and he was committed to perfecting it.


    To his surprise the Diamond Forms appeared to be exactly the same as the Iron and Steel forms, only it looked like someone had woven the two together. Wait, that wasn¡¯t true, he thought with a frown. There were slight variations included in the new forms, so minute that they almost escaped his notice. Like that movement right there. In the Iron Forms it was typically a punch, but now, there was a finger thrust out -


    Yu Chen drew in a deep breath of surprise as the profundity of the new Forms hit him. They were the culmination of the two previous forms. In the Iron Forms he¡¯d learned how to condense his qi before impact, empowering the blow, while the Steel Forms had taught him how to utilize that qi throughout his entire body, not just limiting it to his hands and feet. Well, in truth he¡¯d taught himself, but it turned out that it was observing the Steel Forms that had given him the idea.


    The Diamond Forms on the other hand fused the two disparate teachings into a unified whole. This form taught how to condense your qi into an infinitesimally small point, increasing its destructive potential manyfold, its power limited only by the cultivator¡¯s ability to compress their qi.


    It was an advanced technique, one that demanded the utmost amount of concentration and willpower as well as an extraordinary level of control over one¡¯s qi.


    It was a revelation so beautiful that Yu Chen felt embarrassed. Until now he¡¯d simply flooded his fists and feet with qi as he used them. Even when he¡¯d begun utilizing other parts of his body, such as his shoulders, knees and elbows, he¡¯d still simply flooded the area, not bothering to control his qi. Now that he saw the true Condensing Fist he felt ashamed to have been using it in such a sloppy and inefficient manner.


    Now that Yu Chen knew what to look for, he saw it in every movement. He watched as the man in the Diamond Forms condensed his qi into the individual knuckles of his fist, creating a punch that struck with four points of qi instead of one, and each point contained a denser amount of qi than Yu Chen poured into his entire fist. The man struck out with his fingertips, his toes, and any tiny point where he made contact with his foes.


    Yu Chen was humbled.


    It turned out there were mountains everywhere. He¡¯d thought he¡¯d come close to mastering his martial art, only now realizing he¡¯d been scratching the surface.


    He began to practice the Diamond Forms, losing track of time as he familiarized himself with the motions. His heart was at peace, and he couldn¡¯t help but smile, as he once again began to feel the sensation of progress. The technique itself wasn¡¯t so hard to grasp, as it was based on the Condensing Fist that Yu Chen had been using for quite awhile now. Still, it was slow going, and by the end he¡¯d only managed to condense his qi a hair further than normal.


    The biggest issue was time, there was only so much time in which to act after all. In a fight things were hectic, and even the forms had a rhythm to them. Condensing one¡¯s qi into a fingertip within the space of a single movement was far beyond Yu Chen¡¯s current capabilities.


    Once he finished learning the new forms he examined the technique he¡¯d picked out in the Manual Pavilion, The Crashing Wave Palm. The technique wasn¡¯t filled with movements as the Forms of the Condensing Fist were, instead they contained diagrams showing how to properly utilize one¡¯s movements to generate force in a fight.


    The first thing Yu Chen realized was the importance of maintaining a proper rhythm, as the technique revolved around conservation of momentum. It was a delicate balance. When a wave rose and fell, the heights it could reach were determined by how low it could sink, and the lower the trough, the greater the crest that followed.


    It required one to be adaptable in their movements, and he imagined the technique would be tricky to master for anyone that still fought using forms.


    It was the perfect technique for his free training, and so Yu Chen began fighting against the imaginary foes in his mind as he incorporated the new technique into his attacks. It didn¡¯t click right away, but once he grasped it the first time, the entire technique became obvious. The trick to it was to maintain a sort of rolling motion, and he did just that, mimicking a wave as he weaved beneath an invisible attack before bobbing back up. As he fought his momentum became a tangible thing, and rotating his qi, he slowly internalized the feeling.


    Yu Chen could see how water had inspired it. The technique had a depth to it, and there was more within it than what appeared on the surface. It could be used to strike hard, of course, with the relentless force of a pounding wave crashing ashore, but it could also be soft, gentle as the ocean¡¯s touch, as peaceful as receding water. As long as you retained your momentum, that ebbing flow could transition into a deadly force of destruction at any moment.


    It was an elegant technique, one that gave his movements some much needed structure. Once he¡¯d given up on using the forms his attacks had become more vicious and unpredictable, but they lacked purpose beyond inflicting damage as quickly as possible. With this new technique he found that his previous thinking had been limited, and that there were more things to learn before perfecting his fighting style.


    However, training would only help him so much. A savage grin crossed his face. He needed a fight to really grow, and he knew just where to find one.


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Yu Chen kicked in the door with a crash.


    The boys in the room leapt up, startled at the unexpected intrusion. Turning, they looked to see who dared intrude on their territory. Didn¡¯t this idiot know who they were? Which fellow was it who¡¯d awoken today thinking he had balls?


    A tall boy filled the doorway in their vision. He was brimming with muscles, and his black hair was pulled back into a long ponytail, revealing the sharp image of his face. He wore the embroidered robes of the Inner Sect, although not quite properly. One of his arms was unsleeved and lay within his robes, resting languidly at his waist, while a vibrantly striped snake lay coiled around his neck, occasionally flicking her tongue as she observed the boys in interest.


    Their eyes flickered in confusion as they took him in, looking between his face and his robes. Yu Chen gave them a moment, and he could see the exact moment recognition flickered into their eyes.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that-¡± One of them began speaking, but he was cut off by another that strode forward towards Yu Chen aggressively.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know where you got those robes, but if you think - ?¡± He began to speak out as he approached, but he had to stop as he fell to the floor choking, when Yu Chen struck him in the throat.


    Yu Chen smiled grimly, looking around the room, before stepping over the boy lying on the ground coughing and wading into the midst of the others. They were the same five boys who had been with the Feng brothers, and had participated in their blatant robbery against him.


    He kicked one of the boys out of the way before pivoting and driving his fist into a second.


    Why do I count six though? Yu Chen thought, ducking forward as a third boy threw a desperate blow at his head. Oh well. That small movement had closed the distance between them, and he probably thought Yu Chen couldn¡¯t effectively target him from so close.


    Wrong.


    Yu Chen lightly pushed off the ground, condensing his qi as he slammed his shoulder into the boy, driving him into the wall hard enough to crack it. The boy slumped down to the floor, cradling his side. He¡¯d be lucky if only a few of his ribs were broken.


    The fight was short and brutal. There¡¯d been six of them in total, but Yu Chen had managed to incapacitate one before the fight began. Not that it mattered. They were nothing more than a collection of lickspittles and bootlickers. Yu Chen doubted any of them possessed the will to even make it to Foundation Establishment. They barely knew how to fight, despite being in the sect for who knows how long? Yu Chen judged that only one of them had achieved the level of small success in the Iron Forms.


    They lay battered and bruised, scattered across the small room. Yu Chen¡¯s heart had hardly begun to beat heavily, and he frowned, unsatisfied at the short fight.


    I¡¯m not really the sort to hold a grudge, he thought, looking down at the beaten boys in disdain. It was the sort of thing that would only be a hindrance to him and wouldn¡¯t serve him in the future. The road of cultivation was long and endless, and this fight wouldn¡¯t even be a footnote in his history.


    Okay, maybe he had a bit of a grudge.


    He gave the closest one a hard kick, enjoying the pained cries he elicited.


    ¡°Get up.¡± He said, kicking the boy again.


    The boy slowly rose to his feet, looking towards Yu Chen in fear.


    ¡°Go and get Wu Feng! Make it quick. Tell that dog I said to hurry.¡±


    The boy ran off, tossing a glance behind in fear but Yu Chen paid him no mind. Instead, he picked out a chair from the mess in the room and made himself comfortable while he waited for Wu Feng to arrive.


    It didn¡¯t take very long, something Yu Chen was grateful for. Apparently, the boy hadn¡¯t been too far away, as shortly after sitting down he heard the loud crunch of snow entering his ears, the sound of two sets of footsteps running in his direction.


    Yu Chen had placed his chair at the entrance of the house, so he had a nice view of the other boy as he ran into sight.


    He let out a cold smile when he saw Wu Feng¡¯s face. The right half of his face was as ugly as ever, but the left half was now frozen in a curled rictus, the muscles around his cheek and eye pulling his skin tight to one side. Two vibrant red streaks marred the affected area, gifted by Lan She.


    ¡°You!¡± Wu Feng shouted, and his eyes flared red as they met Yu Chen¡¯s. He began to furiously approach the boy, but his face quickly paled once he noticed the snake wrapped around Yu Chen¡¯s neck.


    ¡°T-That evil thing! You still have it?¡± Wu Feng said as he came to a halt, fear coloring his voice as he observed the striped serpent.


    ¡°Lan She?¡± Yu Chen said, raising a hand to gently tickle her chin. ¡°She is my chosen companion, and we have sworn to walk this path together, no matter how far it goes. Of course she is still with me.¡±


    Wu Feng stood in place, his feet refusing to move as though they were stuck. He was filled with warring emotions, filled with rage as he shivered in fear, unable to approach the snake that was now looking directly at him, flicking her tongue. He swore the ghost of a smile crossed her serpentine face as she bore her fangs at him.


    Yu Chen snorted. ¡°Coward.¡± He said lightly, and the word struck Wu Feng like a blow. The boy bristled at the words, but he didn¡¯t reply, knowing them to be true. Yu Chen nodded his head. It was a measured attack, and he knew he had just created a demon that would reside in Wu Feng¡¯s heart, stalling his cultivation in the future.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    ¡°In three days, we will duel at the training ground. I want you to put up everything you have. In return I offer my place in the Inner Sect. Do you accept these terms?¡±


    Wu Feng¡¯s face turned red, but a greedy flash crossed his eyes as he looked towards Yu Chen. Wu Feng didn¡¯t need an incentive to agree to the fight, but he couldn¡¯t resist the allure of the added rewards. He didn¡¯t fear losing to Yu Chen in a fight.


    Wu Feng wasn¡¯t a bum like the hangers-on that he surrounded himself with. He wasn¡¯t as strong as his brother, but he¡¯d still managed to enter Qi Refinement and was a full level higher than Yu Chen, who gave off a noticeably weaker aura.


    For now at least.


    "Fight you? I''ll fight you!"


    ¡°But that beast cannot come, I won¡¯t allow it in our fight. If you¡¯re not a coward, leave it behind and face me like a man. I¡¯ll crush you and make you pay for what you¡¯ve done to me.¡± Wu Feng said angrily, as he pointed at Lan She. She hissed in anger, moving her head towards the boy and he shrunk back in fear, cowed by the little snake.


    Let me bite him again.


    Yu Chen raised his hand, absently petting the small snake.


    Do not presume to command Lan She,¡± Yu Chen said coldly. ¡°None may dictate her actions, not even I.¡±


    Lan She let out a slow hiss of agreement as he spoke.


    ¡°Still, this is between you and me. I will gladly meet you alone.¡±


    Yu Chen stood up and dusted himself off, addressing Wu Feng one last time.


    ¡°Remember, three days. I¡¯ll be seeing you.¡±

 Tributary: Chapter 26 - Cavern Redux

    Yu Chen sat in the cave in the wilderness, having run most of the day to get here. It was a long journey down the side of the ice-slicked mountain and through the snow-covered forest, but he thought it was worth the trip. He¡¯d given Wu Feng three days just so he¡¯d have enough time to make it here and back.


    The place hadn¡¯t changed since he¡¯d been gone, remaining exactly as he¡¯d left it. The dried grasses he¡¯d piled up to sleep on lay on one side of the pool, while on the other side the remaining skins he hadn¡¯t been able to carry lay huddled in a corner.


    The pool of frigid water was much the same as before, although its luster had somewhat diminished after he¡¯d absorbed so much of the energy within it. He hoped that he hadn¡¯t caused any lasting damage, and that over the years it would return to its original glow. Cultivation to him was a path that harmonized with heaven and earth, and he wouldn¡¯t ransack either needlessly for his personal gain.


    The energy that filled the cave was still dense and potent, and he could feel his pores opening up as he sat. Which was good, as he¡¯d returned here with a purpose in mind. He¡¯d touched the boundaries of the Qi Refinement level long ago and finally felt himself ready to make the next step. He¡¯d received a second set of qi gathering pills from Elder Gu, and he planned to combine their effect with the thick energy of the cave, ensuring his successful passage to the next level.


    After all, when it came to cultivating, an energy well was a gift from heaven and earth. The sect contained many such caves, and each was considered an important resource. Most were kept by the Elders for their own gain, and a few were provided to the most promising Inner Sect disciples. Still, there were a couple available for others to rent.


    Those sealed cultivation rooms were expensive however, dreadfully so. Most disciples would never be able to afford to enter one, and even for those that could, the prohibitive costs meant that they¡¯d only ever be used for important events such as breakthroughs between levels and realms.


    Yu Chen might have been able to afford one on the stipend Elder Gu had gifted him with, but thankfully he didn¡¯t have to waste his contribution points on one. Not when he had a perfectly good cave all to himself less than a day¡¯s travel from the sect.


    He breathed out, aligning his thoughts with the world as he brought his mentality to the peak.


    The energy of the world was thick and dense, revolving around him in slow, powerful currents as his dantian opened up, pulling the energy into his body. He looked at his hand in which lay a number of soft white pills, compressed amalgamations of various spiritual herbs created through an intricate process Yu Chen didn¡¯t understand.


    Eyes flashing, he tossed one into his mouth.


    He was prepared this time, as a strange reaction caused the pill to burst into energy as it began to dissolve in his stomach. It greedily snatched at the energy in the air, sucking it in to fuel its reaction and causing the spiritual energy in the cave to revolve faster and faster as it created a vortex around him.


    The density of energy within the cave was far beyond what was present the last time he¡¯d used one of these pills, and for a brief moment he worried he¡¯d made a mistake, as spiritual energy ceaselessly poured into him, filling him faster than he could react.


    He steeled his resolve, ruthlessly seizing the incoming energy and circulating it through his dantian before sending it crashing against his clogged meridians. Again and again, he repeated this process, each revolution of his qi eating away at the blockages and burning away some of the energy within him. However, more energy continued to pour in, keeping him near his limits.


    His entire body felt taut, radiating heat as he continued his bombardment. Without hesitation he popped the second pill, upsetting the precarious balance. His shoulders hunched over as the reaction in his gut intensified, drawing even more energy towards him, at an even faster rate.


    All of his extraneous thoughts fled, as he turned the entirety of his concentration towards controlling the rapid influx of energy, transforming it into qi to continue his endless assault against the detritus that had clogged his meridians, impeding his growth.


    He refused to be cowed, to be shackled by his own limitations, and ruthlessly purged his body, revolving his qi faster and faster until his meridians shook, stretched to their limits by the qi streaming through them.


    He felt a momentary flash of satisfaction as first one, and then a second meridian were scoured clean by the tyrannical energy that rampaged through his body. Even the two half-cleared meridians in his legs that had resisted him before were swept clean, unable to stand up to the intensity of his revolving qi.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    He paused, catching his breath and slowing his circulation, letting his meridians stabilize as he opened his palm to reveal his final card. Two pills lay within, the one Elder Gu had gifted him with, and another that he had used his remaining contribution to acquire.


    A faint smile touched his lips.


    Xiao Huang had told him before, his meridians were larger and thicker, more flexible than those of the others around him. Not only could they accommodate more energy, they demanded it. He would be unable to properly cleanse them if he didn¡¯t push his body further than others would.


    Perhaps three pills would have been enough. That¡¯s what he¡¯d used before, with far less environmental energy to draw on. Besides, when other disciples broke through, they would only use one, or perhaps two pills, but Yu Chen wasn¡¯t like the others.


    He threw both pills into his mouth, swallowing resolutely.


    They exploded into energy simultaneously, sharply increasing the reaction occurring in his gut. He felt it burning, causing him physical pain from within. His stomach clenched, cramping violently, and with a grunt he thrust a hand forward, steadying himself on the hard cavern floor as the pain threatened to force him over.


    He gritted his teeth, digging his fingers into the unyielding stone as his body trembled, until blood ran from his fingertips, staining the cavern floor as he hung on, refusing to succumb to the rampaging storm that threatened to tear apart his stomach.


    Spiritual energy from all around poured into him ceaselessly, until he began to feel less like a man and more like a vessel of raw energy. His body convulsed with pain and his mouth opened in a soundless scream as he fought to take control of the overwhelming power flooding every cell of his body.


    Slowly, inch by agonizing inch he dragged the wild energy into his dantian, refining it, before sending it surging through his body, attacking his meridians. It was a brutal process, and time lost its meaning as pain became his only reality. Each pulse of qi scoured his meridians, reforming them for the future.


    He scraped them clean, one by one, circulating his qi in relentless cycles. It was no longer a conscious act, his mind having washed away in agony - but his will remained and it stubbornly refused to succumb, a towering pillar standing firm within the ocean of pain that had submerged him.


    The energy in his gut slowly fizzled, flickering with a dying light, and Yu Chen felt his awareness return as the influx of energy receded. He became conscious of his qi revolving at an incredible speed, spinning through his body in a pattern he¡¯d begun and unconsciously continued, tracing an unbroken path through flawless meridians that appeared born anew.


    The unimpeded flow of qi was astonishing. Every trace of the dross and debris accumulated over a lifetime had been swept away, removing the barriers that had been hampering his ability to channel and increasing his abilities manyfold. It was a pivotal step, and few managed to complete it so thoroughly.


    He wasn¡¯t finished, however. With a look of deep concentration, he gradually brought his qi to a halt, before flooding it into his dantian until it stretched painfully. He shuddered at the sensation, but he didn¡¯t stop. As it threatened to rupture, he began to compress it, forcing his qi to condense into a denser form. It was stubborn, unwilling to move, but Yu Chen pushed until something shifted and the energy within him thickened, taking up less space in his dantian but resonating with a deeper power.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    Breathing hard, he used the dim embers of the pill-energy within his core to pull as much of the surrounding spiritual energy as he could into his dantian, filling it to bursting once more. Yu Chen let loose a roar that shook the cavern as he mentally seized the energy, squeezing it down again.


    It resisted, moving like a living force as it mightily fought against him, but he would not be denied, pressing and pressing until the energy reluctantly condensed once more. He gasped, slowly raising a trembling hand to wipe the sweat-soaked hair that was stuck to his face. His fingers shook, a testament of his effort.


    He stood, and as he clenched his fist, he could feel the power that lay coiled beneath his skin, lurking just beneath the surface. It took the slightest effort to circulate his qi, and he summoned it with a thought, watching in fascination as it slid through his meridians with ease. It reached his fist far faster than before, filling it with a dense qi.


    That was when the smell hit him.


    With a grimace he circulated his qi and launched out of the cave, watching the landscape blur as he ran past, before eventually coming to a stop in front of the frozen pond that had fed him for so many months. He cracked the ice that lay atop it with a single blow, before plunging into its frozen depths, circulating his qi to keep himself warm from the inside.


    He picked up a handful of soft sand from the bottom, using it to scrub his flesh clean. Impurities that had once clogged his meridians had oozed from his skin, covering him in a dark, oily ichor that clung to his body, but he scrubbed and scrubbed until they were swept away by the chilling water. Once clean he shot back to the surface and ran back to the cave, his long steady steps propelling him far further than before.


    This step, more than the others, made him truly feel as though he was a cultivator for the first time. Qi Gathering had taught him to accumulate qi, and Qi Stability had taught him to control it. However, it was here in Qi Refinement that his growth truly began, transforming his body into a vessel that could properly cultivate the energy of heaven and earth.


    He arrived back at the cave, slipping on the fresh set of embroidered robes he¡¯d prepared before tightly lashing them at the waist. He bundled up the remaining skins to take back with him before gathering up Lan She, who¡¯d been waiting patiently for him to finish.


    Prepared, he began to return to the sect. It was time to finish things.

 Tributary: Chapter 27 - The Duel

    ¡°It¡¯s not too late to change your mind, you know?¡± Jin Hua said, blowing into his hands as he stood in the cold.


    Yu Chen snorted in reply.


    ¡°This was my idea, Remember?¡±


    Jin Hua shook his head in exasperation at Yu Chen¡¯s stubbornness.


    ¡°This will only cause you more problems with Li Feng. You¡¯re in the Inner Sect now, it¡¯s time to bury the hatchet.¡±


    ¡°Good. I want problems with Li Feng.¡± Yu Chen said, shrugging off his embroidered outer robes to reveal his bronzed skin and the dangerous looking scar that marred his left-hand side. He raised a hand to his shoulder, holding it as he rotated his arm, loosening his muscles for the fight to come.


    He tuned out Jin Hua¡¯s words as the boy continued speaking, trying to persuade him to change his mind.


    The two of them stood on the outside of one of the dueling circles which had been swept clean of snow, revealing the soft sand beneath. A small crowd was spread throughout the area, filling it with a low murmur of conversation. Some were friends of Yu Chen, and he nodded towards those he knew, but others were clearly here to support Wu Feng.


    The majority of the crowd, however, were just here for the fights. Plenty of people enjoyed dueling, ensuring the dueling rings were always filled with disciples. They were a popular pastime, and there were more than a few taking place today.


    Yu Chen looked across the sands, locking eyes with Wu Feng. The other boy was squatting, crouched down low on the edge of the arena. He was staring back at him, and a hungry gleam lurked within his eyes. He reminded Yu Chen of a wolf in the midst of the snow, one whose skin was pulled close to the ribs, and the more dangerous for it.


    Another boy leaned down to whisper something in his ear, glancing towards Yu Chen as he did so, but Wu Feng ignored the boy, maintaining eye contact with his enemy. His lip curled into a snarl, causing the paralyzed half of his face to pull painfully.


    Yu Chen stared back coldly.


    He cracked his neck from side to side, standing tall as he stared down at the other boy. A chill breeze filled the air, caressing his bare flesh, but it didn¡¯t bother him as he circulated his qi to stay warm. Lan She, who was resting on his shoulder, raised her head and hissed, taunting Wu Feng.


    Yu Chen gave a bloodthirsty smile as he watched the boy¡¯s complexion change.


    ¡°Jin Hua.¡± He said softly, not taking his eyes off the other boy.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Jin Hua said as he approached, holding his arm out with a dubious look on his face.


    Lan She flicked her tongue towards Wu Feng one last time before crawling down Yu Chen¡¯s arm and across to Jin Hua¡¯s. She made herself comfortable on his shoulder, settling down to watch the fight.


    Yu Chen took the first step into the ring. His stride was domineering, his shoulders back, and each step pressed firmly into the sand as he strode forward. Wu Feng stood up as he entered, his eyes gleaming with repressed desire as he also stepped into the ring, approaching Yu Chen.


    There were no words between them, only sudden violence.


    Wu Feng started increasing his speed, crossing the sand in low loping bounds as he ran towards Yu Chen. He stayed close to the ground as he moved, undoubtedly channeling some movement technique.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t wait for him. With a revolution of his qi he pushed, leaping off the ground and springing towards his opponent, closing the distance in two long steps. He smiled coldly at the look of surprise that crossed Wu Feng¡¯s face as he closed in, before sending a powerful fist crashing towards the other boy.


    It wasn¡¯t that easy of course.


    Sand sprayed as Wu Feng circulated his qi, spinning across the ground to escape the blow, but Yu Chen was already moving after him, flowing into his next attack. He landed on one foot before twisting at the waist, condensing qi into the heel of his other foot and sending it crashing into the other boy¡¯s guard.


    Wu Feng condensed his qi into his forearms to block the blow, but he was still sent tumbling backwards. It was evident that he¡¯d trained in the Steel Forms as well and was fairly skilled in their use.


    Yu Chen smiled coldly. He was worried it wouldn¡¯t be an interesting fight, but apparently Wu Feng was more capable than he¡¯d given the boy credit for. Yu Chen strode forward, relentlessly chasing after the boy as he scrambled to get to his feet.


    He caught up to him and threw a heavy punch towards the boy, following it up with two more. Every movement flowed into the next, not giving Wu Feng time to recover, as Yu Chen continuously battered him. Every attack was heavy with condensed qi, but the other boy turned out to be rather skilled with the Steel Forms and blocked each one with qi of his own.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    They were evenly balanced as they fought, and Wu Feng was able to block every attack that came at him. Yu Chen had the stronger body, and they had both reached Qi Refinement, but he¡¯d just stepped into it while the other boy was well established, giving him the stronger qi.


    And then, one of Yu Chen¡¯s attacks were diverted instead of blocked, and his own eyes widened as he hurriedly threw his head back, avoiding the sudden counterattack. Wu Feng pressed his advantage and moved into the opening, beginning to weave in attacks of his own.


    The fight had reached a new balance, both of them striking out with punches and kicks while blocking incoming blows. However, Wu Feng was pressing him hard and Yu Chen felt more and more that his attacks were becoming stifled, as more of his time went towards blocking.


    They were close enough that Yu Chen could see the whites of his eyes and the hungry gleam that filled them, a sort of desperate desire tinged with a hint of insanity. Yu Chen snorted in frustration, His brows furrowing as he took another heavy blow.


    A slow realization dawned on him. Wu Feng was the better fighter. Well, that wasn¡¯t quite true. He was more practiced, more experienced. The Feng brothers had been in the sect years before Yu Chen showed up, and Wu Feng had trained longer and seen more battles than he had.


    That was fine. Wu Feng might be more experienced, but Yu Chen could be more savage.


    His heart began thumping as the battle heated up, filling him with energy. They exchanged blows in the center of the ring, attacking and blocking in turn as each strove to get an advantage over the other. Yu Chen attempted to incorporate the principles of the Crashing Wave Palm into his fighting style, but it felt wrong to pull back and conserve his momentum. It wasn¡¯t that the technique was hard to grasp. Yu Chen¡¯s understanding of the Concept of water actually made it rather easy for him, as it gave him an intuitive sense of the underlying laws that defined the movement of water.


    No, the issue was that the technique was fundamentally incompatible with his fighting style.


    His heart was beating furiously, and he found his emotions were being washed away, replaced by a sharp focus and a ruthless desire to crush his opponent. In this state he was unstoppable and relentless, his body demanding that he strike forward in an unyielding manner, refusing to retreat or give up half a step.


    It was directly at odds with the Crashing Wave Palm whose principles of redirection turned a foe''s force against them. It would give up two steps, retreating, so it could advance three more.


    In the state he was in where his blood had risen and his foe was before him, Yu Chen wouldn''t retreat, no, he couldn''t retreat.


    His enemy was before him, and a small draconic voice in the back of his mind demanded that he advance.


    With a roar he kicked off of the ground, slamming a shoulder into Wu Feng and taking him to the ground. If techniques wouldn¡¯t work, perhaps pure, unadulterated savagery would. He stuck close to the boy, using his superior size and weight to his advantage as he brought his tempered body into play.


    Using his formidable force he slowly overpowered Wu Feng, holding his wrists steady and pressing them into the cold sand. A bestial smile filled Yu Chen¡¯s face as he flooded his forehead with condensed qi, before ruthlessly slamming it into Wu Feng¡¯s face.


    The boy shouted in agony as blood spurted from his face, and an audible crack filled the air. Yu Chen raised his forehead, blood slowly dripping from it, to reveal Wu Feng¡¯s broken nose smushed to one side. Yu Chen grinned in delight and slammed his forehead down once more. The other boy managed to turn his head at the last second, causing Yu Chen to miss his mark, sliding off the side of Wu Feng¡¯s head instead.


    Letting go of one arm he raised a fist and brought it smashing down into his face. He was about to do it again, when a sudden blow to his side brought his attack to a sudden halt. Wu Feng had managed to twist his body, pushing off of the ground and driving a knee into Yu Chen, forcing the bigger boy off.


    Wu Feng rolled to his feet, barely able to see through the blood smeared across his face and let out an angry shout as he lashed a kick into Yu Chen¡¯s side, sending him rolling across the sand. He followed up on the attack, kicking the boy again and again.


    To the outside observers, the fight had turned ugly, and a low murmur began building in the crowd. This was no clean fight between cultivators and no talented display of martial arts. This was pure violence, two beasts fighting as though their lives depended on it.


    Yu Chen caught the next foot that came his way and yanked it, pulling Wu Feng off balance. The boy landed awkwardly, and tried to scramble away, but Yu Chen had his claws in him now. Slowly, terrifyingly, he pulled himself up Wu Feng¡¯s body, refusing to let go as the other boy showered him with kicks and curses.


    Raising a hand, Yu Chen slammed it into the kneecap of the leg he was holding, feeling pleased as Wu Feng let out a howl of pain. He repeated the action, and was rewarded with a sharp crack, as something gave way in the boy''s knee.


    Yu Chen let go of the boy, scrambling up as Wu Feng bent in pain, clutching at his ruined knee, the fight between them forgotten. Yu Chen summoned his full force and struck him across the face, knocking him to the floor, senseless.


    He stepped on the boy''s knee and ground his foot, eliciting another cry of pain as he raised his arm preparing to-


    ¡°Yu Chen is the victor!¡± A firm voice shouted out from the sidelines. Yu Chen looked up to see the Inner Sect disciple who was overseeing the duels watching him with a stern eye, a hint of disapproval lurking within.


    ¡°Tch.¡± Yu Chen stepped away from the beaten boy, before striding across the sand to claim his reward. True to his word Wu Feng had brought a large bag containing the various treasures and wealth he¡¯d accumulated over his time in the sect.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t bother looking in the bag, carelessly slinging it over his shoulder as he walked back towards Jin Hua, who was eyeing him with concern.


    ¡°That was quite brutal.¡± He said softly, looking towards Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen didn''t reply as he shrugged his embroidered robes back on before lashing them at the waist. He retrieved Lan She before grabbing his bag and walking away.


    His time in the wilderness had changed him. Fighting spirit beasts in life and death battles had brought out more of the dragon within him, and he now possessed a certain ruthlessness, firmly believing that when it came to one¡¯s enemies the only path forward was to be merciless and unyielding.


    For some reason, he felt hollow inside as he headed home, despite his overwhelming victory. What should have been joyous turned into a long, lonely walk through the snow.

 Tributary: Chapter 28 - Gains and Losses

    Yu Chen sat in the living area of the small house he¡¯d been given. It wasn¡¯t a grand place by any stretch, but it was clean and furnished, and even bigger than the small home he¡¯d grown up in where four people lived. The extra space only emphasized the emptiness, a void he wasn¡¯t large enough to fill on his own.


    It lacked the laughter he once recalled, the warm presence of others, the commonality of shared emotion that truly made a place a home. Yu Chen didn¡¯t normally feel this way, but today the loneliness that had weighed on him since coming to the sect was the heaviest it¡¯d ever been.


    His fight with Wu Feng had left him with a bitter feeling despite his victory.


    Feeling his mood, Lan She butted her head against the side of his neck, reminding him of her presence. Yu Chen raised a hand, absently cradling the small snake.


    ¡°I know.¡± He said softly.


    He wasn¡¯t alone and never would be as long as Lan She was by his side. She at least could understand him. Life was simpler for beasts. Death was commonplace and understandable as the natural order dictated that the strong survived on the weak.


    She could understand why Wu Feng had to die.


    Through his veins flowed the blood of a dragon, and something of one¡¯s personality had begun to take root within him. A dragon¡¯s pride was not emotion, it was identity. It was inviolable, demanding that every wrong be righted and that he straightens out any who crossed him.


    ¡°Ah.¡± He softly said with a sigh, realization filling his eyes.


    He realized why the feeling of loneliness suffocated him. If others hadn¡¯t been present to stop him, he would have murdered Wu Feng in that ring. If he had done so, he would have lost one of his only friends. Jin Hua wasn¡¯t the sort of person who could stomach such a thing. His friend preferred peace and couldn''t understand how animosity could fester to such a point.


    Yu Chen knew. The Feng brothers had assaulted him twice, breaking his things and robbing him of his hard-earned spoils. Li Feng had already threatened to kill him as well.


    ¡°I would have done it.¡± Yu Chen said, a melancholy look in his eyes as he stared across the room, looking at nothing in particular. Lan She hissed, and he felt a sense of agreement travel through their bond.


    When it came to weeds Yu Chen knew that if you didn¡¯t pull them out by the roots, they would only return next season to trouble you again.


    He stood up, dusting himself off before walking over and retrieving the bag he¡¯d deposited by the door unceremoniously. He carried it to the low table that sat in the middle of the room, before sitting down and rifling through its contents.


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes widened; his spirits partially restored as he examined his rewards.


    The first thing he pulled out of the bag were some small pieces of quartz like crystal filled with a smoky gray energy. They were spirit stones, a commonly accepted currency among cultivators. They were small, but still worth quite a bit to a qi condensation cultivator, and a small pile of them began accumulating on the table.


    Next, came a hefty bag, a few kilos in weight. Yu Chen opened it, causing an enticing scent to spread through the room, alongside the presence of spiritual energy. The bag was filled with small white grains of spirit rice; no doubt grown in the sect¡¯s own gardens. It could be acquired from the Treasure Pavilion for some contribution, but Yu Chen had never purchased any. This was a large bag, and Yu Chen wondered what unfortunate victim had lost it.


    Either way, he couldn''t wait to try it. Yu Chen was already thinking of how it would pair with a bit of roasted spirit beast meat, perhaps from a stag, or even a boar. He¡¯d never gotten to taste that ironback boar, after all, he thought as he unconsciously licked his lips.


    He set the small bag to the side before moving on to the next item, picking up a small pouch containing a number of pills. Yu Chen¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he realized they weren¡¯t that impressive. There were a few nurturing pills, which increased your rate of health regeneration, as well as a couple blood clotting pills, useful for sealing wounds.


    They would surely come in handy in the days ahead.


    There were a few other odds and ends within the bag. A couple of trophies from various spirit beasts, such as a claw or a fang that might be worth something, as well as a couple of beast cores that he set aside for Lan She. He was nearing the bottom of the bag, pushing a few articles of clothing out of the way, when the strange sensation of a qi infused object touched his hand.


    He stilled, his thoughts turning as he considered the object.


    The item felt warm, but it wasn¡¯t the sort of warmth he would have associated with heat. Instead, it felt like body warmth, or like sunlight, the sort that filtered through the leaves of a dense forest to alight on your skin. It almost seemed to pulse, and he realized it was, matching the rhythm of his own heart. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He grasped the object and the sensation became sharper, more real, as the feeling of the qi grew clear in his mind. It was soft and resilient, reminding him of life - but not simply life, something much more. No, this was a life that flourished, that blossomed, that sprouted, strong and flexible, vibrant as the world itself.


    He pulled the object from the bag, revealing a skinny glass tube that stretched from the base of his palm to the tip of his finger. It was filled with a thick, golden-green liquid and he watched in fascination as it slid like molasses when he tilted it sideways.


    Honey? He thought in confusion.


    Curious, he peeled the stopper out of the bottle. The sharp scent of fresh pine wafted forth, and a thick qi, many times denser than that released by the rice, filled the room. Sap. He realized, as he examined the bottle.


    He didn¡¯t know where Wu Feng had found it, but this was a true spiritual treasure, and Yu Chen could only imagine what sort of tree must have produced this.


    Drink It.


    The voice reverberated in Yu Chen¡¯s head, surprising him and causing his body to tremble. He didn¡¯t bother questioning Xiao Huang, abruptly tilting his head back and letting the liquid slip down his throat.


    Surprisingly, despite the warmth he¡¯d felt from it, it didn¡¯t burn, sliding down his throat with ease to pool in his belly, where it sat unreactive. He frowned for a second as he examined it, unsure of what he¡¯d expected. There could only be one reason Xiao Huang would have told him to eat a thing as rich in wood qi as this, so Yu Chen began to revolve the Yellow River Tempering technique.


    His qi began twisting, moving through his body in a strange pattern. At first nothing happened, but eventually the pile of sap in his belly began burning, slowly emitting a dense wood qi. The feeling of it was enjoyable, and he found himself relaxing as the new qi spread throughout his body.


    This time the tempering process began with his organs, slowly working its way outwards towards his extremities. Wood qi slowly seeped into them, resonating with his body¡¯s own rhythm as it slowly reworked them. His lungs were becoming stronger, and he was taking deeper breaths as his capacity for air increased.


    His kidneys were flushed, his liver reworked, the wood qi even spreading throughout his heart to improve that as well. It was as though his entire body had been enveloped by the very essence of vitality and growth, wrapped in the feeling of gentle warmth, like the bright rays of spring sunlight coaxing new life out of the soil.


    What was Wood anyways?


    The thought entered his mind unbidden, and Yu Chen entertained it, reflecting on the feelings the thick qi diffused throughout his body brought to him.


    It brought a sense of growth, and inevitability. True growth, like that of a tree, occurred in its own time and couldn¡¯t be forced or hurried along. Embody this, and achievement became the natural result of patience and persistence.


    It gave and received. He could sense that. It took in nourishment from the earth and provided something in return, enlivening others. It provided shelter for those in need, and even fuel when the time came. Living like this, one obtained purpose and found meaning.


    It was life. It represented an entire ecosystem and the interconnectedness of all things. Filled with this energy one couldn''t help but see that every action he made influenced the whole. It brought with it a deep sense of responsibility, stability, and gravitas.


    Wood was change.


    It was the cycle of life, from beginning to end, from seed to maturity, decay, and rebirth. It was a stubborn mix of resiliency and flexibility, of vibrancy and distinction. If he could hold just a bit of this potential, there was nothing he could not accomplish.


    Yu Chen breathed a sigh of contentment as the feeling washed over him. By now the wood qi had well and truly penetrated through his body, and a strange reaction began to occur. As the wood qi worked its magic, moving on from his organs to strengthen his tendons and expand his muscle fibers, it encountered the remnants of the water-aspected spiritual energy that had previously reworked his body.


    That energy empowered the wood qi, feeding its remodel of his body. His joints became more flexible, their elasticity increasing. His ligaments thickened and stretched. It even affected his meridians, filling them with a soothing energy that slowly refined them, removing any burrs and imperfections, and minutely increasing his qi circulation.


    This was one of the secrets of the Yellow River Tempering Technique. By using the elements in a harmonious way one could enhance the end result, increasing the effect of the tempering. By now, the wood qi within his body had become much livelier as it went about its work, reinforcing his body.


    At last, the wood qi made its way to his skin, reworking and fortifying the outer layers as it toughened the dermis and made it more resilient. The cool air in the room lost some of its sting as his skin was reformed, and it seemed to now provide some small barrier against the elements.


    He sat there for a while, meditating in peace as his body was once more transformed, tempered into something stronger. With a soft sigh he opened his eyes once the energy had fled, missing it already.


    He could feel his body was now brimming with vitality. He¡¯d already possessed a superlative ability to mend himself, at least compared to others. Now, however, it seemed to have improved even further, and he had the sense his regenerative abilities had increased severalfold.


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes flashed as he stood, and though he couldn¡¯t tell, his body now possessed a heavy aura of its own, emitting a dangerous feeling to any who might stand nearby. The second tempering had brought powerful changes with it, powered as it was by the first.


    Yu Chen wrinkled his nose, before looking down in dismay at the first set of embroidered robes he¡¯d managed to ruin. He wasn¡¯t sure where they¡¯d come from, but it appeared his body had once more ejected some impurities.


    Another trip to the baths was in order.

 Tributary: Chapter 29 - Preparing for the Future

    Ji Rong visited Yu Chen early the next morning.


    Yu Chen had just woken up and walked outside, where he stood watching the sun rise up over the horizon, when the sound of soft steps crunching through snow entered his ears. He tilted his head doubtfully at the unexpected noise. He hadn¡¯t been expecting any visitors, let alone this early in the morning, and was surprised when he turned to see the rotund man approaching his home.


    ¡°Senior.¡± He said, bowing his head as the other man arrived, before looking up at the older man in askance.


    ¡°Yu Chen.¡± Ji Rong said with a soft smile as he looked towards the young boy. ¡°I heard about your fight. I¡¯m glad to see your training has been going well.¡±


    Yu Chen bowed his head as he accepted the praise, but he wondered what the older man was here for. Ji Rong was an important figure in the defense department, second only to Elder Gu himself, and he doubted the man had come all this way just to make small talk with him.


    ¡°Of course, senior. A loss would have reflected poorly on my master, so naturally I had to win.¡± Yu Chen said, putting on the guise of an honorable student. In truth Yu Chen hadn¡¯t seen much of the elder, and felt their connection was tenuous at best.


    Ji Rong gave a small grunt in reply, before walking over to join Yu Chen in viewing the sight of the sun rising over the mist filled mountains.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure your master¡¯s honor was at the forefront of your mind,¡± Ji Rong stated, but his dry tone indicated his true thoughts. ¡°It had nothing to do with this yearlong feud you¡¯ve been involved in, yes?¡±


    Ji Rong waved away Yu Chen¡¯s reply as he opened his mouth to speak.


    ¡°Listen, I¡¯m here to deliver a message to you. Elder Gu wants me to tell you that there are to be no more fights in the near future. A heavenly opportunity will soon become available. As such, the elders have sent down a blanket prohibition, banning all fighting between inner sect disciples for the next few months.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded his head slowly, his brows furrowing at the words. He didn¡¯t enjoy having his actions dictated by others, and he unconsciously crossed his arms in frustration at the unexpected news.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already spoken with Li Feng.¡± Ji Rong said conversationally, ignoring Yu Chen¡¯s reaction. ¡°He¡¯s left his closed meditation by the way. He¡¯s stepped into Foundation Establishment and entered the Inner Sect, and he¡¯s also been warned against pursuing revenge for his younger brother.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s frown deepened, and he opened his mouth to speak once again, but Ji Rong raised a hand, halting him before he could.


    ¡°The elders aren¡¯t doing this to interfere with your business, don¡¯t worry. As I said, an opportunity is coming, and the sect needs every inner sect disciple in fighting shape if we are to seize it. Six months from now, the entrance to a secret realm will open. At that time every inner sect disciple who meets the requirements will be able to enter, seizing as much good fortune for themselves and the sect as they can.¡±


    ¡°Elder Gu expects you to prepare yourself. Whatever you need for your cultivation at this time will be made available. But,¡± and Ji Rong turned with this word, locking eyes with Yu Chen. ¡°You are to stay away from the Feng brothers. Both you and Li Feng are important for the sect¡¯s plans in the near future.¡±


    ¡°Yes, senior.¡± Yu Chen said bowing his head once more. ¡°As the elder commands.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡± Ji Rong said, a smile breaking across his face at the words. ¡°Then prepare yourself, and may you find your time in the Secret Realm fortuitous indeed.¡±


    They stood together in silence, forming a tableau of two men and a snake as they enjoyed the morning sunrise. It was the sort of serenity only winter could bring, when everything was still, blanketed in a white tranquility.


    Until Ji Rong broke the scene, clapping Yu Chen on the shoulder before turning around and trudging away. Yu Chen listened to the soft sound of snow crunching as his footsteps slowly faded into the distance.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------


    Time passed, and winter eventually broke its icy hold over the mountain. The first fresh green shoots of new life arose, poking through the rocky terrain, and the chill air of early spring rustled through the newly formed leaves on the trees. The sound of birds trilling had returned to the sect, alongside the buzzing of insects making themselves known.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Yu Chen had spent the last few months split between his home and his cavern retreat, consolidating his qi reserves and bolstering his cultivation. Between the energy well and the resources the elder had provided him with, Yu Chen had made great strides in advancing through the Qi Refinement realm.


    His martial arts hadn¡¯t suffered either. The elders had prohibited fights between the Inner Sect, but he¡¯d still been free to take on missions from the Mission Hall. It gave him the perfect excuse to frequently leave the sect, allowing him to cultivate on his own in peace. There was also a part of him that secretly wished to give the Feng brothers the opportunity to thwart the elder¡¯s will.


    Alas, they never did. Yu Chen didn¡¯t see anyone during this time, spending most of it alone, and he hadn¡¯t even seen much of his friends lately. Jin Hua had found work within the defense department, a job that kept him busy and often away from the sect, while Xue Lan and Han Li were both Outer Disciples. Yu Chen could have found the time to meet up with them, but he had responsibilities of his own.


    After all, the elder expected him to prepare himself for the upcoming event. Besides that, Yu Chen was a cultivator, and he would always put his advancement first. He wouldn¡¯t rely on anybody. It was only through his own strength that he could walk to the end of his road.


    So, he continued, spending his time the way he thought was best, exploring the wilderness around the sect. In between hunting wild spirit beasts, he would meditate in his cavern, paying no mind as spring gave way to summer. Even his birthday passed without his notice.


    He¡¯d spend his days training in the Diamond Forms, slowly improving his control. He¡¯d found the Crashing Wave Palm to be incompatible with him, but during this time he still found ways to incorporate the principles of momentum into his fights, using it to improve his techniques.


    Lan She hadn¡¯t slacked either, growing at a formidable rate. She hadn¡¯t grown much longer, but her qi had thickened, and she¡¯d begun to hunt smaller beasts on her own. Most of her fights were over in one move, as she struck with a speed Yu Chen found envious, delivering an often-lethal dose of venom before retreating to wait for it to work.


    It was exactly this movement that had caused Yu Chen¡¯s current moment of enlightenment. He dropped to the lush forest floor as the snake¡¯s strike replayed through his mind. The rich, damp scent of soil filled his nose while the strong rays of the summer sun filtered through the canopy to warm his skin.


    He didn¡¯t notice.


    Lan She hissed in victory from atop her kill. It was a blossom hart, quite a rare find. A deer made miniature, with a silvery white hide that shimmered when the sunlight hit it just right. Its antlers were closer to branches, woven with blossoms that changed with the seasons. They were currently sporting tiny sunflowers right now.


    He paid her no mind either. She gave up getting his attention with a huff, before worming into the beast, fetching the core on her own.


    The only thing he could think of was the way she¡¯d struck just now. She¡¯d been a coiled spring of lethal intent, moving on instinct as she struck out in a movement that wasted no motion. He could see the way her muscles had rippled beneath her skin, forming a strike that was precise, relentless, and admirable.


    He saw it in perfect clarity, and he stood, doing his best to replicate it. He coiled his body, building tension in his form much as she did, before using the conserved energy to stretch out, striking his arm forward as he mimicked her strike.


    His arm rippled, blurring as he thrust it forward, striking with a quickness and strong enough to kill a mortal in one blow.


    Yu Chen frowned.


    The punch had been no different than his ordinary one. There was something to the technique he was missing. It had to do with the way the snake moved its qi to generate the speed it had. He wasn¡¯t sure what pattern it moved through, but he knew that he would figure it out. He clenched his fist in determination.


    Blinking his eyes he returned to himself, staring around the clearing before bending down and beginning to skin Lan She¡¯s kill.


    He returned to the sect, waving at the gate guards before making his way to the Mission Hall, where he dropped off his goods and received his reward for the rare quest. Afterwards, he stopped by the Treasure Pavilion, picking up a couple odds and ends that he needed.


    He made sure to buy another bag of spirit rice, as he¡¯d found he had a taste for it. He also picked up some spiritual herbs that were used in cooking to give the rice a fragrant and appetizing aroma.


    He wouldn¡¯t be eating the hart of course.


    Lan She had pumped that beast full of venom, and he had plenty of other spirit beast meat. Anymore, the food of mortals felt bland to him, lacking a certain vitality he¡¯d come to expect in his meals.


    He stopped by the baths before heading towards his house, washing off the dust of the outside world. He stayed for a while, finding the hot water comforting, and he passed the time making small talk with some cultivators he knew from around the sect.


    He set out again, his mental state much improved.


    He arrived outside his home and entered, putting his things away before preparing his meal and sitting down to eat. He bowed his head, offering gratitude to the heavens before eating his fill, as his mother had once taught him. Lan She contented herself with some of the roasted spirit beast meat, but she turned up her nose when he proffered some rice.


    He leaned back, resting on one elbow as he ate, the two enjoying an easy peace between them, enjoying their last comfortable moments before being thrust into the unknown.


    After all, tomorrow was the day they¡¯d begin the journey to the Secret Realm.

 Tributary: Chapter 30 - Setting Off

    For the first time in many months Ji Rong once again appeared at Yu Chen¡¯s door.


    Yu Chen was waiting for him, having awoken early in the morning to prepare himself for the upcoming trip. Not that there was much for him to do. He¡¯d put on a fresh set of robes and picked up Lan She before grabbing the small pouch of restorative pills he¡¯d received from Wu Feng.


    ¡°Senior.¡± Yu Chen said, bowing low and greeting the man as he met him at the door.


    ¡°Junior.¡± Ji Rong said, greeting him with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re ready then?¡±


    Yu Chen nodded.


    ¡°Good, good, there¡¯s no time to waste.¡±


    Yu Chen followed Ji Rong as he left the courtyard, leading him down a path that crossed most of the mountain. It was a beautiful day, the heat of summer softened by the cool mountain air. The walkway was well shaded as well, lined with trees planted for that purpose, making for a pleasant journey.


    Ji Rong was an affable fellow, and very talkative, making easy conversation with Yu Chen as they traveled on their way. He spoke to him much like an equal, despite the vast difference in their level of cultivation.


    ¡°What is the Secret Realm, senior?¡± Yu Chen asked during a lull in the conversation, laying out his most pressing question.


    Ji Rong didn¡¯t respond right away, looking towards the sky with a contemplative air as he walked.


    ¡°That¡¯s a question that has puzzled the elders of this sect for many generations. Most of the time the realm is sealed off from the world, but every decade or so it is possible to enter, for a short while at least. Even then, it is a difficult place to study, as no one above Foundation Establishment is allowed within.¡±


    ¡°One thing we have managed to divine is that the remains of an ancient sect lie within the area. Elder Gu is of the belief that this sect is responsible for the anomalous behavior that has led to the creation of the Secret Realm.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded at the words. Even at the level of Foundation Establishment there were many things a cultivator could not do. If an ancient sect was involved, then it made sense they¡¯d be unable to plumb the mysteries of the realm.


    ¡°In fact, it is likely the work of some strange formation that is keeping the realm sealed away. The elder believes that the reason it only opens occasionally and with such strict requirements is to allow new blood to enter the sect.¡±


    ¡°Regardless, whoever created the place is dead and gone, leaving behind an opportunity for the rest of us.¡±


    Yu Chen was well aware that Ji Rong wouldn¡¯t be so open with everyone.


    The hierarchy within the sect was a strange one, and Yu Chen had spent a lot of time trying to wrap his mind around it. Age meant something when it came to determining status, as did strength, but in many ways, the divide between those with potential was greater than the divide between the inner and outer sect.


    He¡¯d realized early on, when he was still in the Outer Sect, that the disciples played an important role in keeping the sect functioning, providing a large workforce for all the required manual labor and filling many of the necessary jobs that kept the place going.


    The majority of those Outer Sect disciples hadn¡¯t been youths like him.


    Most were older, young men in their twenties and thirties. There''d even been a few graybeards, people with so little talent they¡¯d never manage to surpass the Qi Condensation Realm. The Inner Sect was no different. Even less inner disciples possessed the impetus to form a Golden Core. The majority of the Inner Sect disciples were actually older men, with little prospects for future advancement in their cultivation.


    Ji Rong was one such man. Not that he was weak, Yu Chen didn¡¯t believe that. If you searched the entire Inner Sect he wasn¡¯t sure you could find one person who could beat the unassuming man in a fight. He was at the very peak of Foundation Establishment, as strong as you could get without forming a Golden Core, but there was little chance he could take the next step.


    Men like him made up the majority of the sect. They were the lifeblood, the beating heart that kept things running. They managed things on behalf of the Elders, who had a million things to do, not to mention having their own cultivation to worry about. Without them, the entire place would fall into chaos.


    It created a strange dynamic for Yu Chen, one where the people who were older and stronger than him were only nominally in charge. In truth, Yu Chen was more valuable to the sect than any number of Ji Rong¡¯s, as he had the potential to form a Golden Core and one day become part of the sect''s leadership.


    It was the reason Elder Gu had taken him in of course. If you were a Qi Condensator in the Inner Sect it meant that it wasn¡¯t a matter of if you could form a Golden Core, but when. Towards that end there were no resources the sect wouldn¡¯t spend, as he, and others like him formed the future of the Golden Mist Sect.


    Without realizing it, Yu Chen had become an important figure in the sect.


    Ji Rong took a turn, and Yu Chen realized the man wasn¡¯t leading him towards the elder¡¯s house, as he¡¯d assumed, nor was he leading him towards the assembly hall. Instead, he¡¯d taken a path that spiraled around towards the back half of the mountain.


    Yu Chen hadn''t been here before, having no reason to come this way. As far as he knew there wasn¡¯t anything on the back of the mountain, other than the overgrown wildlife native to the area. Yet the path they were walking down was remarkably well maintained. The sensation of spiritual pressure appeared, growing steadily stronger as they approached, informing him there were people ahead.


    Eventually the path came to an end, the trees opening up to reveal a stone platform a hundred paces across poking off the side of the mountain. A few people stood upon it and his eyes raised when he realized that many of them were elders.


    He recognized Elder Gu among them, and Ji Rong brought him to stand beside the grizzled old man. Ji Rong leaned over, whispering into the elder¡¯s ear, but Yu Chen couldn¡¯t hear what was said. He paid them no mind, instead looking around at the small gathering.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Elder Shu was another one he recognized, the beautiful woman was the youngest elder in the sect, not even thirty years old. She was in charge of the Manual Pavilion, and Ling Xia stood by her side. The pretty young girl smiled at him, waving, and Yu Chen waved back at her. The small interaction caused the tips of his ears to turn red.


    Two other elders were present. Yu Chen didn¡¯t know either one, but the robes they wore displayed their rank. Besides that, their presence was a palpable thing, each one emitting a strong aura, although none compared to Elder Gu''s.


    The first was a tall, middle-aged man who was extremely broad with a shock of red hair. His long arms were covered in small scars and plenty of burns. A white headband with the symbol for fortune upon it hung above his furry brows, and a large hammer hung from his waist. A young disciple stood beside him, looking like a miniature version of the larger man. His hair was the same shock of unruly red, and his robes were also peppered with dust and a variety of stains.


    The final elder was a small scrawny man with thick spectacles, and his hair, what little that remained, was a stark white. He was by far the oldest elder Yu Chen had ever seen. The old man wasn''t paying attention to anything around him, appearing as if in his own world as he scribbled away on a piece of parchment.


    He also had a young disciple beside him, and Yu Chen realized with a start that he knew her.


    ¡°Xue Lan?¡± He said in surprise, calling out to the other girl.


    ¡°Yu Chen.¡± She replied cheerfully, rubbing her hands together. ¡°Funny seeing you here.¡±


    Yu Chen paused for a moment, speechless.


    ¡°That¡¯s my line!¡± He said with a laugh. They began bickering like old friends, but they didn¡¯t have time to exchange more than a few words before more people reached the stone platform, interrupting them.


    A formidable Inner Sect disciple was the first one to emerge from the path, emitting an aura not too dissimilar from Ji Rong, and a group of around fifteen Inner Sect disciples followed after him. The disciples who¡¯d been there first, standing near the elders, were all at the level of Qi Condensation, while each of these new disciples were at the level of Foundation Establishment.


    This made up the disciples within the sect that were qualified to enter the Secret Realm, less than twenty people all together. Ji Rong had told him on the way that the realm had strict requirements, and that it would reject any that were older than twenty years of age, preventing them from entering.


    Jin Hua was among this new group, but before Yu Chen could greet him, he realized Li Feng was among them as well.


    They locked eyes, and the animosity Yu Chen felt was reflected back from the other boy. Li Feng hadn¡¯t changed in the months since he¡¯d seen him last, although he now emitted a stronger aura. Yu Chen gave the boy a cold smile and raised a hand to pet Lan She, who leaned into his cupped palm.


    Li Feng¡¯s complexion changed, his eyes narrowing, but before anything could happen a powerful energy engulfed the platform. The intense aura caused Yu Chen¡¯s knees to shake, falling on him like a powerful weight. He was powerless against the violent force, strong enough that it could sweep him away like a leaf in a storm.


    The feeling disappeared as quickly as it came, and Yu Chen looked around in confusion, trying to understand what had happened. To his surprise he realized that a new person had arrived, one whom he¡¯d never seen before, and was now standing at the very edge of the platform furthest from the mountain.


    He was a thin man, and tall, with straight black hair that fell below his shoulders. His face was coarse, with deeply set eyes, at odds with his fine robes of misty blue, threaded throughout with golden embroidery. A slender straight sword hung in a battered sheath at his waist. It looked out of place amidst the finery, but Yu Chen could sense a dreadful aura emitting from the plain weapon.


    Ji Rong placed a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up, seeing that the older man, and even Elder Gu, had bowed their heads in reverence. With a start, he hurried to join them, bowing his head low.


    ¡°Rise.¡± The man spoke, his tone low and gravelly. Yu Chen could clearly hear his voice, despite the distance between them.


    ¡°There isn''t much time, so I¡¯ll make this short. The Secret Realm will be opening within the next few hours. Once we arrive you will only have one week within the realm, to seize as much good fortune as possible.¡±


    He looked around at the assembled disciples, nodding when no one spoke.


    ¡°We will not be the only ones looking to take advantage of this opportunity of course. The formation guarding the realm will weaken at four different locations, and many forces from the region, including rogue cultivators and demonic forces will use this chance to enter.¡±


    ¡°Ensure that you represent our sect well and give none a reason to disparage us! And remember, The Golden Mist is a righteous sect. As such you must slay any demonic cultivators you encounter! Return with proof and the sect will reward you well for ridding the world of such evil.¡±


    Yu Chen looked around as the sect head spoke and saw Jin Hua¡¯s face light up with passion at his words. He was firmly nodding his head as the man continued to speak.


    Yu Chen snorted softly.


    He¡¯d long been suspicious of the monikers of demonic and righteous. Not that he wasn''t willing to fight any demonic cultivators that appeared before him. Or perhaps¡­ He thought, eyeing Li Feng before turning his head.


    No, the time wasn¡¯t right yet. Yu Chen had advanced far within the realm of Qi Refinement, but he was still a far way off from being able to fight someone within Foundation Establishment.


    He would have his chance one day. Casting the thought from his mind he turned his attention back to the sect head, who was still speaking.


    ¡°Time flows differently within the Secret Realm. Despite spending a week within, minutes will pass in the outside world. It is for this reason the realm is not depleted of resources, but instead constantly brimming with spiritual energy, overflowing with rare spiritual treasures, and filled with rare spirit herbs and ores.¡±


    He paused, looking around before continuing his speech.


    ¡°Be careful. This, combined with the fact that only those within Foundation Establishment or lower can enter, means that there will be powerful spirit beasts lurking within. The rewards come with risk, so be cautious, as there is danger around every corner.¡±


    ¡°There are things within that will enhance your cultivation manyfold, as well as many items the sect is in desperate need of. You will be provided with a list, and the sect will pay you for any item that you bring back.¡±


    He drew his sword as he finished speaking, tossing it away from him. To Yu Chen¡¯s surprise the sword did not tumble down the mountain as he¡¯d expected, but instead remained nearby, floating gently next to the stone platform.


    The sect head flexed his qi, enveloping the back of the mountain in a powerful aura that washed over Yu Chen like a physical force, and he watched in awe as a spiritual sword manifested in the world, superimposed over the plain steel one that floated in the air.


    The new sword was massive, nearly a hundred paces wide, and a few hundred long, formed out of solid qi. The sect head took a light leap, landing near the tip of the blade and the elders joined him, followed by the younger disciples.


    Yu Chen screwed up his courage and leapt off the mountain, landing on the spiritual blade. Despite his eyes, he¡¯d fully expected to fall to his death, and was relieved to be standing instead.


    How was it done? He wondered in awe, as he examined the qi beneath his feet. He¡¯d never externalized qi before. Actually, he¡¯d never even seen externalized qi before, but still, he knew he was looking at something that was truly remarkable.


    With a jolt, the sword shot off in the middle of his contemplations. Yu Chen¡¯s heart leapt into his throat, watching as the world flew by. He¡¯d fully expected to be flung off by the sudden momentum, but the qi beneath his feet had become tacky, rooting him in place.


    Before he knew it the mountains he¡¯d spent the last year within had disappeared into the distance.

 Tributary: Chapter 31 - Brave New World

    The manifested qi sword flew over the land, carrying the cultivators atop it.


    Yu Chen watched mountains, plains, rivers and valleys pass beneath them as the sword sliced forward unerringly towards its destination. Innumerable villages, like the one he¡¯d been born within, many towns, and even a few cities disappeared as well, as they cut a path through the sky.


    He hadn¡¯t realized the world was such a large place, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer amount of land that passed beneath them as the sword ate up the distance. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the lives of the people they flew over, and the spiritual beasts and hidden treasures that lay hidden in the vast wilderness they crossed over, just waiting to be found.


    His world view shifted as they traveled. He¡¯d lived his life like a frog in a well, and at the tender age of fourteen he comprehended that there was more to see than he could ever manage to lay eyes on.


    A contemplative air arose around him, not quite the fullness of enlightenment, but more of a restructuring, as things shifted in his mind. More than ever, he felt the call of Xiao Huang, directing him towards a future he could barely see.


    What wonders would he see, once he left the sect and began his own journey?


    Outwardly he remained steadfast, imitating Elder Gu¡¯s studied indifference as they zoomed over the landscape. The wind pressed against him, sending his clothes dancing against his body and forcing his skin hard against the bone.


    How far they traveled he couldn¡¯t say, but the sun had reached its zenith before they reached their destination. The sword changed direction as they arrived, swooping low before coming to a stop alongside a flat mountaintop. It overlooked a lush valley overgrown with wildlife. Towering trees stretched skyward, forming a majestic canopy above the verdant undergrowth.


    It was a wild place unlike any Yu Chen had ever seen, so thick with life that the energy of the place overflowed, spreading across the nearby land. He imagined he could make out the outlines of buildings, barely visible and covered in greenery, peeking out from within the depths.


    The others began jumping off the manifested sword and Yu Chen tore his eyes away, leaping with them.


    Once everyone was off the materialized qi evaporated, disappearing like dew under the morning sun, leaving behind a fine straight sword that hung in the air. The sword vibrated shortly before shooting off and rotating, landing in the outstretched hand of the sect head who sheathed it at his side.


    To his surprise Yu Chen realized there were others already standing on the mountaintop. He¡¯d been distracted by the view, failing to see the two other groups they shared the space with, both of a similar size to their own.


    The sect head had disappeared in that brief pause when Yu Chen wasn¡¯t looking. He glanced around before spotting the man off in the distance standing beside two strange cultivators. One was a tall woman, incredibly beautiful and wearing pristine white robes, and she gave off an icy aura.


    The other was a plain, unassuming man who wore practical robes in a deep brown color, tightly belted to his waist. Yu Chen noticed the man carried a plain sword as well, emitting an aura not too dissimilar from the one the sect head carried.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know what they were discussing, and he had no way to find out. Instead, he busied himself examining the other two groups. One of the groups was enveloped in a cold aura, and he assumed the tall woman was their leader, as they gave off a similar energy.


    All of their members were well dressed in similar silken white robes, and many of them were looking towards their group as well, examining the new arrivals with interest.


    The other group appeared more insular, standing a fair distance away and not paying attention to anyone else. They gave off a sharp aura that Yu Chen could feel from far away and all of them had a sword somewhere on their body, some hanging from the hip, others over the shoulder. Many even carried two swords, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but take note of one strange boy near the front who had three hanging from his waist.


    Their affiliation was clear to see. They were doubtless some of those sword loving dullards Xiao Huang loved to go on about.


    He wondered if he would get the opportunity to fight one. Given the sect head¡¯s friendliness with their leader, he assumed they were also considered a righteous sect. If that was the case, it was unlikely he¡¯d have the chance to exchange blows.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Still, who knew what would happen in the Secret Realm?


    The sect head began walking towards their group, as whatever discussions he¡¯d been engaged in came to an end. The elders met him on the way back and they all walked together, exchanging words in hushed tones.


    Arriving before the group he stopped and began to speak.


    ¡°Gather up, the Secret Realm will be opening in a few minutes.¡± The sect head spoke with a commanding voice, and the members of the Golden Mist Sect crowded around him.


    Not that he had to speak very loudly to be heard, they were a small group after all.


    Besides the handful of elders who¡¯d traveled with them, there were only fifteen Foundation Establishment disciples, alongside four more in the Qi Condensation stage. This small group represented the future of the sect itself, and every one of these twenty odd disciples would play a major role in the sect in the years to come.


    The other groups appeared to be much the same size, and Yu Chen did some quick math. The sect head had stated that there were four entrances in the area, and if each one had, give or take, sixty disciples entering, that meant roughly two hundred and forty cultivators would be spread throughout the Secret Realm fighting for resources.


    There would be rogue and demonic cultivators among them, as well as dangerous spirit beasts roaming the realm.


    And none of them would be scrubs. Each cultivator who managed to enter was someone with great potential in the region, destined to be among those who would one day control the surrounding territory.


    ¡°Hurry up and pass out the items.¡± The sect head commanded.


    One of the elders waved his hand and an older disciple, not among those who would enter, began passing out small bags to the group.


    ¡°These bags have been embroidered with a spiritual array, increasing the space within. Use them to obtain as much as you can while you are within the realm. Do not lose them! They are very expensive, and the sect will be expecting them back.¡±


    Yu Chen stopped paying attention, opening the small bag in his hands. He felt a spiritual tug, and, curious, he sent a small thread of qi into the item in response. To his surprise various items appeared within his mind¡¯s eye, resolving into the shape of familiar pills and a small piece of jade. He concentrated on the piece of jade before sticking his arm into the sack, feeling it enter his hand.


    He pulled it out, looking at it in amazement before pressing it to his head and closing his eyes. It contained a list of various items the sect was looking for within the secret realm as well as how much the sect was willing to pay. There was also an incomplete map that showed various disjointed sections of the realm, with short descriptions of where certain items had been found and what various landmarks existed.


    The atmosphere subtly shifted.


    Yu Chen sensed it, storing the piece of jade in his robes as he turned his attention towards the anomaly that was forming nearby. The air around the overgrown valley had begun to shimmer, shifting through a variety of hues, while a low hum began to form. The pressure around them increased, until even the nearby pebbles began to shake and shift, vibrating at an intense frequency atop the flat mountaintop.


    The sect head shouted something, but it was lost in the wind, Yu Chen unable to hear him over the sound of the nearby anomaly. The low hum had transitioned into a high-pitched whine that filled the air, and the wind had picked up, whipping at his clothes and causing them to swirl in the sudden storm.


    Then, it appeared, and Yu Chen knew this was what they had been waiting for. The violent storm that had arisen atop the flat mountain top was at odds with the calm portal that had appeared, floating some few feet away. Despite the ferocious wind that had arisen, and the intense energies being unleashed, a serene path had appeared leading into the valley.


    Yu Chen watched as the sword sect approached first, their twenty odd disciples leaping into the portal one after the other. He frowned. They disappeared upon entering and he couldn¡¯t see them anymore. Wherever they had disappeared to, it was somewhere else.


    The Golden Mist Sect was next, and the disciples lined up, those in Foundation Establishment leading the way. Yu Chen watched as they made the leap, Jin Hua among them, each one disappearing into the aether. Before he knew it, it was his turn to jump.


    He leapt after the others, doing his best to appear calm as he entered the portal, despite his heart beating wildly as if threatening to leave his body. A strange sensation, akin to static, ran across his skin as he passed through the portal.


    He flailed his arms, expecting to see the empty sky before him, given he¡¯d jumped off a mountain, only to realize the floor of the valley was inches away from him.


    He hit the ground hard and tumbled, roughly rolling across the dirt in front of him. Despite the unexpected pain he reacted quickly, using his momentum to spring to his feet and look around, warily taking in the strange place around him.


    He¡¯d appeared in the midst of a dense jungle, containing a thick spiritual energy, denser even than that within the cavern he used to meditate. There was also an abundant wood qi all around him, a product of the overgrown wildlife that had run rampant, covering everything in sight.


    Sweat broke out on his brow as he looked around, caused by the steamy temperature of the lush jungle, filled with a heavy heat that pressed down upon him. The world around him was alive with sound. The croaks of some large frog filled the air, alongside the buzz of insects and the shrill screeches of some unseen monkeys somewhere in the distance.


    All the noise put him on edge. He felt hypersensitive, twitching every time he heard something slither through the undergrowth.


    Of course, there was one immediate problem.


    He was completely alone.

 Tributary: Chapter 32 - Exploring the Secret Realm I

    Yu Chen barely had time to get his bearings when the monkeys arrived, effortlessly leaping between the treetops. They came to a halt as they saw him, screeching and hooting at the stranger from the vines and branches they hung from.


    There were dozens of the little beasts, ranging from two to four feet tall, each covered in a shimmering coat of golden fur. Their long, prehensile tails were banded in black fur, and their amber eyes contained a hint of mischievous cunning.


    Their chatter began to irk him, so Yu Chen shouted back at the monkeys, waving his fist at the annoying creatures.


    That was a mistake. They let out sounds of rage, insulted by his insolence, and leapt down from the trees attacking him. They swarmed around him, but he activated his movement technique, avoiding their encirclement with deft steps.


    He landed clear of the crowd, but another was already leaping towards him. He spun out of the way, grabbing the monkey¡¯s foot as it flew by before sharply spinning it around and throwing it towards the gibbering mass of simians.


    The monkeys dodged out of the way, causing their unfortunate friend to slam into a tree, dazing him. Yu Chen couldn¡¯t capitalize on the opening as the rest of the monkeys swarmed towards him, continuing their attack.


    Two of them managed to get ahold of him, clinging to his robes as they beat at him with their fists. He ripped one off of his body, lifting it high overhead to toss it aside when another monkey landed on his back, screeching loudly before biting deep into his shoulder.


    Yu Chen let out a roar of pain, dropping the monkey he was holding as he scrabbled to grab the one on his back. It bit him again before he managed to get ahold of it. Channeling all of his anger he slammed the surprised monkey into the ground.


    It hit hard, rolling a few steps before trying to pick itself up with a dazed look in its eyes.


    That was when Yu Chen¡¯s boot smashed into it, ending its life.


    The rest of the monkeys gave up their attack at the sudden violence, retreating to the treetops where they continued yelling. They shook the branches they sat upon as they watched him, hooting and hollering, before one picked something up and pelted him with it.


    The hard object struck his face with a thump, cutting Yu Chen¡¯s forehead open. The monkeys squealed at the sight, those who¡¯d observed the throw shaking their branches even harder. More monkeys began seizing whatever was at hand, and the air soon filled with objects that came flying towards him. He watched in dismay as the smaller monkeys began racing down the trees, bringing back small rocks and other things for the older ones to throw.


    Yu Chen was more than willing to fight, but the monkeys refused to get close to him after what had happened to their friend. In the end he¡¯d been forced into an ignoble retreat as they¡¯d redoubled their efforts, bombarding him with various objects.


    The monkeys chased him from their territory as he left, and Yu Chen had to bitterly listen to their shrill victory cries as he pressed further into the jungle.


    He¡¯d thought the worst was over once their shrieks faded into the distance, but he soon realized he¡¯d ended up in deeper waters. Literally. The ground he was walking on had become soft, and then it was soggy, before turning into a squelching marsh that sucked at his boots and bogged down his footsteps.


    It stretched endlessly around him. Some trees still dotted the landscape, but mostly it was a vast expanse of thin, golden reeds, interspersed with large puddles whose still waters reflected the sky above. Waters that had soaked into the earth around him, making travel miserable.


    More than anything, the marsh was alive, filled with a vibrant cacophony of sights and sounds.


    Turtles lay lounging on a fallen log, next to signs of a muskrat den. A group of egrets watched him from off in the distance, graceful, long-legged birds with a striking white plumage. Yu Chen didn¡¯t know what species they were, but a sharp crest rose from their heads, and intelligence lurked in their eyes. Fish and other small creatures swam in the shallow pools, while insects of all sizes filled the air.


    The frogs and toads as well, the marsh was filled with them. They covered most empty surfaces, filling the air with their loud croaks.


    What shocked Yu Chen, however, was that every single one of the creatures was a stage one spirit beast. Some of course, were just barely so. Many of the fish and small amphibians contained negligible amounts of spiritual energy, but it was still there.


    Others, such as the egrets in the distance and a large turtle he¡¯d spotted, were much stronger. Beyond even the typical beasts he¡¯d hunt around the sect. Even so, he didn¡¯t chase them down. The secret realm contained much greater treasures than spirit beast cores, and he was intent on finding the strong source of energy he¡¯d sensed, that lay somewhere in the direction of that large hill in the distance.


    Which was when the large hill moved.


    Yu Chen froze in fear, watching as it turned, splitting in half to reveal a gaping cavern of a mouth. A massive tongue was unleashed from within, shooting through the air to wrap around a dragonfly the size of a horse, dragging it into its mouth.


    The soft crunch of chewing came from the massive toad, filling him with a palpable sense of fear. The hair on the back of his skin stood up, and he was fearful of swallowing, fearful of making the least bit of noise as he retreated as quietly as he could.


    He didn¡¯t stop, even after it was out of sight, moving as far away as possible.


    That monster had reached the level of Foundation Establishment, making it a stage two spirit beast. Such creatures were rare, and almost none existed around the sect. Among spirit beasts they were considered lords, ruling over a vast territory. More than that, they could possess the intelligence of humans.


    The toad was something Yu Chen was incapable of fighting.


    He wasn¡¯t sure how he¡¯d escaped its notice. Perhaps it simply hadn¡¯t noticed him, or perhaps he hadn¡¯t been worth noticing. It could be simple laziness, the toad content with the food it already had. Whatever the reason, he thanked all the gods he knew that it hadn¡¯t chosen to chase after him.


    Before long the ground started to become firmer, and the puddles grew sparser. He could see the woods thickening in the distance, and he was close to leaving the marsh when an excited ribbit entered his ears. He turned, seeing another toad behind him, this one the size of a man and emitting a strong aura.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The toad was eyeballing him in excitement and Yu Chen gave a wolfish grin in return.


    It attacked him before he could react, a hungry gleam crossing through its eyes. Its mouth split open in much the same way the larger one had, shooting a long tongue towards Yu Chen. He hurriedly dove out of the way, splashing into the muck as the attack flew overhead.


    He scrambled to his feet only to have to hurriedly dodge again as the tongue sliced through the air towards him.


    ¡°Enough.¡± Yu Chen said to himself in anger.


    He cycled his movement technique, running across the soft ground with light steps. The toad¡¯s eyes opened in surprise as he neared and its mouth dropped open once more, shooting its tongue out.


    It cut through the air as it flew at the young boy and Yu Chen ducked beneath it, close enough to feel the air it displaced.


    He closed the distance and reared back, slamming a fist full of condensed qi into the toad¡¯s side. He hit it again, striking it as many times as he could before it could pull its tongue back into its mouth. The beast seemed surprised at the power in his blows, letting out a deep croak of pain as his fists struck deep into its thick, oily hide.


    Yu Chen followed up on the attacks, not letting go of his advantage as he pummeled the toad into submission, sending its high-pitched croaks of worry resounding throughout the marsh.


    Before he could finish it, the toad hopped back, escaping him. Instead of fleeing however, it leapt forward, slamming its heavy body into the young boy in an attempt to finish him.


    However, at this point Yu Chen¡¯s body wasn¡¯t so different from that of a spiritual beast. Two temperings had helped him bridge that great divide between beasts and humanity.


    After all, Jin Hua had brought a group with him to take on the Blackscale Asp for a reason.


    The Asp had been at the peak of stage one, and its spiritual pressure was stronger than that of most Qi Condensators. Common sense said that in an even fight the spirit beast had the edge, and it was common practice to send two, or even three cultivators to defeat a strong beast.


    Yu Chen on the other hand, possessed a body that was no more than a half step below that of a beast, and a vitality that matched even the greatest of them. Every blow of his was filled with more than condensed qi, containing a sort of primal power, raw strength that promised to only increase in the future.


    He took the brunt of the toad''s attack, in return slamming a hard fist into the toad¡¯s soft forehead, putting an end to its plaintive cries.


    At least his trip to the marsh had earned him something. He cut into the beast, retrieving its core. Walking to one of the shallow puddles nearby, he leaned down, cleaning the bloody core before dropping it into the spatial pouch the sect had provided him with.


    A heavy aura settled over him.


    ¡°Shit.¡± He whispered, turning to see the massive toad in the distance. It leapt, covering a large swathe of the marsh as it drew closer to him, before landing with an impact he could feel from all the way over here. It gathered itself, leaping again. Yu Chen didn¡¯t hesitate, burning his qi without regard as he activated his movement technique to the max.


    Lan She stuck her head out from within his robes, her nap interrupted as the beast appeared. She hissed in concern as she took in the sight of the colossal toad.


    "Don''t worry." He said in a voice tight with anxiety. pushing her back in as he dashed into the distance.


    A whistling noise filled the air, and Yu Chen threw himself to the ground as a tongue thicker than a tree trunk cracked overhead with an audible noise, striking hard enough to cause a temporary vacuum that sucked in the nearby air.


    He rose, ears ringing as he desperately cycled his movement technique.


    The thick tongue flew through the air once more, but this time Yu Chen was further than it could reach, and he listened as it cracked behind him. He realized with relief that he was outpacing the strange beast. Then, the feeling of qi in the air intensified. It reminded Yu Chen of something, filling him with a familiar sensation that he recalled from -


    Pain flashed through his body, and Yu Chen dazedly realized he was bleeding from a finger sized hole in his side. The sensation arose again, and he dove out of the way, barely able to make out the sight of a pressurized bead of qi filled water shooting through the air.


    His face screwed up in pain, as he moved erratically, dodging the angry toad¡¯s qi attacks. The water bullets carved up the landscape around him as he ran, drilling through nearby trees and cutting into the soft soil, destroying various bushes and plants that had begun to dot the jungle floor as he left the marsh behind.


    Thankfully the giant toad refused to leave the marsh, filling the air with angry croaks as Yu Chen escaped its attack range, disappearing deeper into the jungle.


    Yu Chen stumbled through the wilderness, pressing a hand against his injured side. He¡¯d only been here for a few hours, and he¡¯d already been attacked three separate times. He¡¯d been wounded as well, and his body ached, sending pulses of pain with every step. His qi reserves were beginning to dip dangerously low, and there was no sign of safety anywhere.


    He hadn¡¯t even found a single spiritual treasure to boot.


    He sighed, lowering with a grunt to rest beside a large tree. He fished into the pouch at his side, pulling out one of the nurturing pills he had and swallowing it. It dissolved in his stomach, and he sighed in relief, feeling it go to work.


    The pill-energy bolstered his natural vitality, further increasing his rate of health regeneration. It even had an ancillary effect, its revolutions helping to draw spiritual energy towards him, refilling his dantian.


    He rested there for a time, waiting until his wound had stopped bleeding. The angry bite marks had closed and the new wound in his side scabbed over. The pill had created a maddening itch in his wounds, and he stood up, continuing to walk as he did his best to keep his mind off of the sensation.


    He hadn¡¯t gone far when his nose twitched.


    An enticing scent reached him, and he stopped, itch forgotten. His eyes turned, searching for the source of the rich qi scented smell. He activated his spiritual vision, seeing the energy diffused through the air all around him.


    Without hesitation, he began walking towards the dense source of spiritual energy.


    It was a short trip through the undergrowth of the jungle. He pressed through the bushes and wilderness, crossing over a small creek and stepping between two trees before entering a clearing where he found the source of the rich scent.


    As well as someone else.


    Yu Chen locked eyes with the strange cultivator, warily examining the young boy. He was roughly his own age, wearing thick red robes with a long pole across his back, composed of some strange material. The boy had a domineering gaze, and stood with his shoulders back, staring at Yu Chen with furrowed brows.


    A dead jaguar lay on the ground near him, its beautiful hide leaking slowly coagulating blood from numerous wounds.


    A tall tree stood in the middle of the small clearing; the source of the enticing smell Yu Chen had been following. Golden seedpods, thin and glossy, hung from its branches. They gently swung in the wind, releasing a tempting aroma that carried a hint of sandalwood and vanilla.


    The other boy¡¯s frown deepened as he saw Yu Chen¡¯s gaze shift towards the tree. He took a step forward, blocking his view.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± The young cultivator asked, crossing his arms.


    Yu Chen paused for a moment, letting the silence grow before replying.


    ¡°Yu Chen, from the Golden Mist Sect.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°Cang Wuji.¡± The other boy replied with a fierce look in his eyes.

 Tributary: Chapter 33 - Exploring the Secret Realm II

    Soft light filtered through the canopy above, dappling the emerald-green grasses waving gently across the glade. The rich smell of vanilla and sandalwood filled the air, wafting from a large tree who''s gnarled, silver-hued trunk thrust up out of the center of the clearing.


    The leaves of the large tree rustled in the wind, causing the light to dance, tiny spots of illumination swaying across the two boys who stood in the clearing.


    One wore dirty white robes that were stained and streaked with blood, filled with holes and torn embroidery. Despite that, his well-muscled form stood tall, emitting a dense aura. His eyes flashed, promising violence.


    The other wore thick red robes that appeared sweltering in the jungle heat. A long pole hung over his back, and his dark black hair was cut short, to avoid blinding his eyes. He was handsome, in a roguish way, although right now his dark eyes were serious, containing none of the charm you might expect.


    Yu Chen¡¯s palms began sweating as he observed the strange boy. His breath rose, and his heart beat faster, signs his body was preparing itself for a fight.


    ¡°You¡¯re not from a sect?¡± Yu Chen asked.


    The other boy maintained eye contact, but didn¡¯t reply, so Yu Chen took a few steps to the side, slowly circling around him. The other boy turned as he did so, keeping Yu Chen in his vision.


    ¡°You¡¯re not from one of those demonic sects, are you?¡± Yu Chen asked doubtfully as he looked over the boy.


    He had to ask, although the boy didn¡¯t give off that feeling. Indeed, Cang Wuji¡¯s face flushed red, anger overtaking him.


    ¡°No, I am not from a sect, nor do I practice demonic arts. I¡¯m the disciple of the late Tempest Sage of Baixian City!¡± the boy snapped, and Yu Chen noticed he was twisting a ring on his finger, out of some nervous habit perhaps.


    Where the hell was Baixian City? Yu Chen thought. And who the hell is the Tempest Sage?


    He thought about it for a second, before ignoring the questions.


    ¡°Have you seen anyone wearing robes like mine?¡± Yu Chen asked instead.


    ¡°You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve seen.¡± Cang Wuji said, eyeing Yu Chen warily.


    ¡°Really?¡± Yu Chen replied, looking around doubtfully. ¡°This place should be crawling with Foundation Establishment cultivators, but I haven¡¯t sensed anyone either.¡±


    Cang Wuji snorted, crossing his arms.


    ¡°What sort of piss poor sect have you crawled out of? You don¡¯t know Qi Condensators are dropped into a different area from those in Foundation Establishment?¡±


    Yu Chen scratched his head, embarrassed. Perhaps Ji Rong had mentioned it, and he hadn¡¯t paid attention?


    He gave a light cough, ignoring the question as he turned his attention back towards the large tree in the clearing.


    ¡°Do you mind sharing?¡± Yu Chen asked, casting a covetous gaze over the seedpods. Whatever they were, they¡¯d surely be worth something back in the sect.


    ¡°Share?!¡± Cang Wuji shouted in outrage. ¡°I risked my life fighting this damned thing,¡± He said, kicking the dead jaguar, ¡°And you stroll in asking if I want to share?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like you own it,¡± Yu Chen said reasonably. ¡°Besides, I fought a toad, and you don¡¯t hear me bragging about it.¡±


    Cang Wuji looked stupefied by Yu Chen¡¯s logic.


    ¡°What does fighting a stupid toad have to do with anything? That jaguar was guarding the tree! I killed it, so I earned the reward.¡± Cang Wuji crossed his arms, staring defiantly at Yu Chen.


    Yu Chen spread his hands. ¡°You killed that cat, so naturally its corpse belongs to you. Spiritual treasures are different though, they don¡¯t belong to anyone.¡±


    Cang Wuji''s face twisted into a scowl, and he spit to the side.


    ¡°Come on then.¡± He said, cracking his hands.


    Yu Chen¡¯s face broke out into a grin. He pushed, cycling his movement technique as he closed the distance between them. Cang Wuji¡¯s eyes widened slightly, but he didn¡¯t blink, slapping the other boy¡¯s fist out of the air as it approached.


    He reacted immediately, using the momentum from the misdirected blow to twist into a spinning heel kick, lashing out with his opposite leg. Cang Wuji¡¯s eyes widened further as he cycled a movement technique of his own, taking two short steps back and pulling away from Yu Chen.


    ¡°Not bad!¡± Cang Wuji said conversationally, as Yu Chen lowered his outstretched foot.


    This time Cang Wuji came forward, the air around his feet moving strangely as he used his movement technique to close the distance. His attacks flowed easily, one after the other, and it was clear the boy was a talented fighter. His attacks, much like Yu Chen¡¯s, had surpassed the rigidity of whatever forms he¡¯d studied. Still, Yu Chen could see the hints of them within his attacks. He found the other boy¡¯s martial arts very strange, much different from the ones he¡¯d learned.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    It wasn¡¯t so easy to do away with their influence. His own attacks were still filled with many straight thrusts and kicks, as these sorts of attacks were foundational to the Iron Forms. They were integral to learning how to condense one¡¯s qi, making your strikes more powerful.


    Cang Wuji¡¯s martial arts on the other hand, contained lots of spinning movements, each attack slowly building into an increasingly vicious storm of blows intended to overwhelm their opponent. Yu Chen wondered what the movements had been intended to teach.


    A kick flew towards Yu Chen, and he ducked it, before leaning back as another leg came his way. A punch flew out and he stepped to the side. Each attack seemed to feed the next, empowering it.


    To Yu Chen¡¯s surprise an attack weaved through his guard, landing suddenly and striking with astonishing power. As if that wasn¡¯t enough, Cang Wuji¡¯s qi seemed to twist at impact, blasting Yu Chen away from him.


    Yu Chen tumbled across the clearing before standing up, dusting himself off as he stared towards the other boy in astonishment. That blow had been filled with more than just the power of qi.


    ¡°You¡¯re a body cultivator as well?¡± He asked, eyeing Cang Wuji in a new light.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Cang Wuji said proudly. ¡°At least this much is expected from a disciple of the Tempest Sage.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s gaze sharpened, and his heart began heavily thumping. A slow grin spread across his face.


    Without a second word he launched himself at Cang Wuji. He no longer held back, unleashing powerful blows filled with condensed qi at the other boy. Cang Wuji fought back, dodging Yu Chen¡¯s strikes before surging into attacks of his own.


    Yu Chen quickly realized that the boy could not be allowed to build momentum. He recognized some of the principles of Cang Wuji¡¯s movements from the Crashing Wave Palm, although they weren¡¯t quite the same.


    The palm move emphasized conversing one''s momentum, ebbing and flowing like the tide. On the other hand, Cang Wuji was more like a hurricane. If left unchecked, his momentum would steadily increase, growing into rampaging winds that threatened to swallow everything around him.


    Even when dodging, he spun around Yu Chen¡¯s blows, using every revolution of his body to increase his force.


    Yu Chen roared as Cang Wuji¡¯s attacks poured down upon him. He rotated his qi, giving up the back and forth, choosing to dive into the heart of the storm instead. A look of surprise crossed the other boy¡¯s face as Yu Chen entered his space, driving a shoulder into him and halting his rhythm.


    Yu Chen was in his element now, close and personal to the other boy. He felt most comfortable fighting in the tight spaces, where he could coil up and unleash pain with short sharp strikes. Two swift blows hammered into Cang Wuji¡¯s ribs, and he bobbed, ducking an attack from the other boy before unleashing a vicious uppercut, smashing a fist into Cang Wuji¡¯s jaw.


    Cang Wuji faltered, his feet stumbling, and Yu Chen¡¯s eyes flashed, a feeling of enlightenment descending upon him. He watched as the other boy reeled away from his blows, just far enough to -


    Yu Chen¡¯s arm coiled in upon itself, building tension throughout. His qi unconsciously spun through some strange pattern, demanding to be released and he unleashed it, dropping his shoulder and twisting his hip as his arm struck out towards Cang Wuji in a blow that felt remarkably close to the strike of a little snake he knew.


    The other boy felt the sharp aura of sudden violence emanating from the fist and let out a mighty shout, circulating his qi and activating his movement technique as he attempted to slip out of the way, his eyes widening as the fist grew in his vision until it was the barest millimeter away from him.


    He escaped Yu Chen¡¯s attack by the thinnest margin, swiftly retreating across the clearing and taking deep breaths as he examined the other boy. The aura of violence around Yu Chen had dimmed, his eyes appearing strangely peaceful as he examined his fist, attempting to internalize the feeling that had come over him.


    The moment stretched out, neither boy pressing the attack.


    Cang Wuji gave Yu Chen a curious look, squatting down as he patiently waited for the moment to pass.


    Yu Chen gave the boy a soft smile in return and closed his eyes, letting out a sigh as he tried to recall the movement his qi had taken.


    He¡¯d been so close. He¡¯d almost had it but now it was out of reach.


    There was just something missing.


    He opened his eyes, smiling across at Cang Wuji.


    His spirit reignited and he took a fighting stance, ready to continue their fight. Perhaps a few more rounds and he¡¯d be able to find the feeling once more.


    Cang Wuji held up his hand, stalling the other boy from attacking.


    ¡°You¡¯re an interesting fellow Yu Chen.¡± He said, as he examined the other boy.


    He cast a glance at the tree, considering, before looking at Yu Chen again.


    ¡°How about this? We are alone in this Secret Realm, but we don¡¯t have to be. We could journey on together, sharing any fortuitous opportunities we find?¡±


    ¡°Beginning, of course, with this tree.¡±


    Yu Chen only had to think about it for a moment.


    ¡°Ok.¡± He said, easily agreeing.


    He wouldn¡¯t have accepted if the other boy had been a weakling, but he¡¯d found Cang Wuji to be a talented fighter, roughly equal to him in skill. He¡¯d be a good friend to have beside you in a fight, and he could trust him to watch his back in this secret realm.


    There was an old story that said through crossing blows with someone you could know their heart, and Yu Chen thought he¡¯d come to an understanding of what sort of person Cang Wuji was.


    The other boy was mercurial, his anger easily aroused until he raged like a storm, but despite that he would remain calm throughout, as unfazed as the eye of a hurricane. He was the steadfast and honorable sort, and Yu Chen knew he could find him trustworthy.


    That¡¯s what his fists had told him.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Cang Wuji said in surprise, interrupting Yu Chen¡¯s moment of reverie.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Yu Chen said, looking down to see what the boy was talking about. He chuckled. Lan She had poked her head out, making herself known now that the fight was over.


    She was a sneaky thing, always prepared for an ambush.


    ¡°This is Lan She, my companion.¡± Yu Chen said, reaching in his robes to withdraw the snake before draping her over his neck for Cang Wuji to see.


    Cang Wuji stared at the striped snake in fascination, and Lan She flicked her tongue at him in return, before closing her eyes, ignoring the two boys.


    Their differences settled; they got to work harvesting the golden seedpods from the tree. By the time they finished collecting them all, Yu Chen had a large pile of pods a few kilos heavy, and he happily shoved them into his spatial pouch with a grin.


    When he wasn¡¯t looking, Cang Wuji¡¯s pile had disappeared as well.


    Finished, the two boys determined a new direction before setting out together.

 Tributary: Chapter 34 - Exploring the Secret Realm III

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Cang Wuji shouted in alarm.


    Yu Chen activated his movement technique, dashing out of the way of the sudden attack. The dark beetle flew by, missing him, and instead rammed into one of the towering insect mounds that covered the rocky terrain, sending up a cloud of dust and shattered soil.


    Tiny termites flew out of the broken mound, buzzing angrily around Yu Chen¡¯s head. He didn¡¯t pay them any mind, hastily dodging to the side as another Obsidian Horn Beetle dug itself out of the earth.


    ¡°I could use some help!¡± He called out towards Cang Wuji.


    ¡°I''m a little busy myself!¡± The other boy called back, whirling his unusual staff through a tight rotation before bringing it down, cracking against the carapace of another beetle that was attacking him.


    Yu Chen cursed under his breath, warily eyeing the two large insects that had flanked him. They were nearly his height, standing on their hind legs like a man and covered in a gleaming black carapace that formed a chitinous fortress around them.


    The namesake horn, tipped in a sharp crescent edge, thrust out of their heads like a jagged shard of obsidian. Two more sets of limbs stretched out from their shell, each tipped with vicious pincer-like appendages.


    Yu Chen kept a cautious eye on that horn, as it gave off a dangerous aura. It seemed more than capable of rending through armor, let alone any protective energies a cultivator might muster.


    He clenched his fist in frustration, as he considered what to do. They¡¯d been following a dense source of spiritual energy located somewhere in this area when they¡¯d been set upon by these large insects.


    Yu Chen let out a low breath, before tensing his muscles and dashing towards the beetle on his left. It reared back, lifting its four front limbs as he approached, as if welcoming him into its embrace. Yu Chen was prepared however, and used his movement technique to sharply accelerate, dodging to the side.


    He capitalized on the opening, slamming a fist into the insect¡¯s unguarded shell.


    The punch didn¡¯t cause a dent, ringing against the hard carapace like a bell. A deep thrumming sound arose and he struck again, before having to hastily retreat as the second beetle closed in on him.


    ¡°Attack their chest, the armor there is much weaker!¡± Cang Wuji called out.


    Yu Chen spared the time to toss him a glance, watching as the boy twisted his staff through dizzying movements, striking through a beetle¡¯s guard and punching deep into its chest.


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Yu Chen called back sarcastically.


    Did the other boy have to make it look so easy?


    All Yu Chen had to do was avoid the deadly horn, dodge the four pincer-tipped limbs, cose in near enough to the beetle for it to bite him, and strike a deadly blow to its chest. He wouldn¡¯t admit it, but perhaps there were some advantages to carrying a long stick around with you.


    Yu Chen breathed out, releasing his frustrations as he settled his stance, a determined look crossing his face. He dashed in close to the nearest one, ducking under the limbs that flew towards him. Dropping low, he twisted, generating enough force that when he kicked his foot up it drove into the beetle¡¯s chest. To his surprise his foot had smashed right through the soft carapace.


    Green fluids poured out, covering the ground.


    The insect fell back with a chittering sound of dismay. Before Yu Chen could celebrate his victory, he had to leap back, avoiding the counter attack of the other beetle as it flew towards him in rage.


    A groan escaped his lips as he saw two more beetles dig themselves out of the ground. Clicking angrily, they joined in the attack.


    The clash began anew, and Yu Chen no longer had time to think. The fight ebbed and flowed, the waves of battle drawing him and Cang Wuji close together, fighting back to back, before driving them apart as the tides shifted.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but admire Cang Wuji¡¯s sharp battle instincts, noticing how the boy seized every opportunity to strike with precision. Adapting his approach, Yu Chen began changing his attacks to exploit Cang Wuji¡¯s reach. He crafted openings, attacking in ways that would send his opponents off balance, and Cang Wuji would flow in, striking with his staff to capitalize on the subtle gaps Yu Chen had engineered.


    It wasn¡¯t a quick victory, but slowly, they managed to grind out their tough opponents.


    Yu Chen was breathing heavily by the time the fight was over. There were close to ten of the large insects scattered across the clearing, leaking from their broken carapaces.


    Cang Wuji stood nearby, panting as he leaned on his strange staff. It was an unusual piece. At first glance the staff gleamed the dark gray of iron, but Yu Chen had now seen the other boy put it through its motions, and knew it was no simple weapon.


    Light had danced across its surface when Cang Wuji spun it around, illuminating subtle hues that reflected from deep within the staff itself. Hints of deep mahogany appeared, flashes of bright violet, and a trace of green the color of old forest growth.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know what metal it was made from, but the staff was undoubtedly a spiritual weapon of some sort. Strangely, he couldn¡¯t sense any aura arising from the weapon. It was as though it didn¡¯t possess any spirituality at all, although Yu Chen thought that an obvious lie.


    Once they¡¯d recovered somewhat the two boys began harvesting the spirit beast cores from the dead beetles before examining the area, searching for the source of the spiritual energy that covered the land. Usually, it was fairly easy to find the source of energy, one only had to find the point where it was densest.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    However, the spiritual energy throughout the surrounding area was quite uniform, only appearing a bit denser near the opening of the termite mounds. Yu Chen frowned, examining one. Could the source of the energy somehow be related to them?


    ¡°Over here!¡± Cang Wuji called.


    Yu Chen left the mound alone for now, making his way over to the other boy. Cang Wuji was standing in a small clearing near the middle of the hives. He noticed the other boy had been digging, and the spiritual energy around the small hole was slightly thicker than elsewhere.


    ¡°It¡¯s below the earth then?¡± Yu Chen said, immediately realizing what was going on.


    ¡°I believe so.¡± Cang Wuji confirmed. ¡°The energy was too uniform, and there was no obvious source, so I imagined it must be leaking out of the ground. I started digging, and the energy in the air increased.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded and hurried to join him. It didn¡¯t take long before they¡¯d dug a sizable hole into the earth.


    The scent of rich spiritual energy grew stronger the deeper they went, until finally, they struck something with a metallic thunk. Both boys began working in excitement, flinging dirt out of the hole as they enlarged it, uncovering whatever it was that lay beneath the earth.


    Yu Chen''s movements came to a sudden halt, as a low hiss escaped through his teeth.


    ¡°Is that?¡± He asked, and his eyes contained a hint of fear as he looked towards Cang Wuji.


    ¡°I think it is.¡± The other boy said slowly, drawing out his words.


    The two boys stood in silence before Yu Chen knelt, using his trembling fingers to dig out the smallest piece he could find. He was surprised to realize that he had to strain a bit to lift it, the object surprisingly hefty despite its size.


    He felt a sense of awe as he looked at it, turning it over in his hand. Cang Wuji came closer, standing beside him as they stared at it together.


    It was a fossilized piece of bone, emitting a shocking amount of spiritual energy.


    Yu Chen carefully set it to the side for now, as the two boys returned to finish uncovering the skeleton. Once the entire thing was revealed, they just stood there, looking at it in trepidation. The spiritual energy emitted by the thing was obscene, many times greater than the energy well back in Yu Chen¡¯s cavern.


    The two had essentially uncovered a portable energy well, and a powerful one at that.


    Realistically, that was probably the lowest benefit this skeleton offered. When it came to the bodies of powerful creatures there were innumerable benefits to be gained.


    Yu Chen wasn¡¯t knowledgeable enough to say what sort of spirit beast this had been, other than that it was a small four legged beast, roughly the size of a human.


    Regardless, to emit this much energy in death it must have been quite fearsome alive, and Yu Chen looked around, a hint of worry in his eyes at the thought that another of the long dead creatures might be lurking somewhere nearby.


    ¡°Do you think this came from a stage three beast?¡± Cang Wuji asked hesitantly. ¡°Or..¡±


    The other boy didn¡¯t want to say it and Yu Chen didn¡¯t want to think about it.


    Cultivation was a path that brought one closer towards the heavens, and the higher one climbed the starker the contrasts became. Even the differences between the small levels in a realm were astonishing. Yu Chen had personally experienced that when training with Jin Hua.


    How much greater was the gap between full realms, such as Qi Condensation to Formation Establishment?


    A stage three beast would be a calamity to the two boys, something greater was unthinkable.


    Yu Chen had only managed to escape the stage two beast because it had been unwilling to leave its territory, determining that whatever secret it protected was more important than the revenge it sought.


    A stage three?


    Yu Chen let out a hopeless chuckle at the thought. A stage three spirit beast would be stronger than an elder of his sect, let alone¡­.


    Yu Chen banished the thought, refusing to entertain it.


    The bones were a true spiritual treasure. Just the ambient energy they emitted had been enough to draw a group of stage one beasts to nest here. They were something even the elders in his sect would covet.


    They could be crafted into a great weapon or armor, or even ground down and used for cultivation materials. If he wished to, he could just toss them in a pile on the floor and use them to ease his meditation along.


    He suddenly didn¡¯t feel safe with the amount of spiritual energy that was beginning to rise up around them. He urged Cang Wuji to hurry up and help him divide the spoils, before quickly fleeing the area.


    Two days passed.


    Scenes like this repeated themselves as the boys rampaged throughout the surrounding area, trampling over any spirit beasts they found and stealing their good fortune.


    Yu Chen plundered the land without hesitation. The sect head had informed them that time flows differently here, and abundant resources were always available. Yu Chen realized how true that was. Despite taking everything he saw, he continued stumbling across new treasures as they went on their way.


    The two boys also grew closer as they traveled.


    Yu Chen saved Cang Wuji when he was nearly beheaded by a Crystalline Mantis, but that was a small price to pay for the Scarlet Bloom Lotuses they¡¯d looted from the small pond it was guarding.


    Yu Chen, on the other hand, had taken a solid hit from the tail of a Mireclaw, a large monitor lizard they¡¯d encountered near the outskirts of the marsh, and only the quick intervention of Cang Wuji had saved him. They¡¯d received some Moonroot Crystals in exchange.


    Yu Chen became more appreciative of Cang Wuji¡¯s martial arts as they fought, and he couldn¡¯t help but think the other boy¡¯s techniques were of a higher quality than his own.


    The Condensing Fist was a good technique, with solid principles, and the Diamond Forms were on an even higher level. But Cang Wuji¡¯s techniques possessed a spark of inspiration that his own lacked.


    Not only that, he possessed two separate Martial Forms, a fist art and a staff art, and the two were complementary, and obviously designed to work together. Yu Chen had to admit, whoever the Tempest Sage was, the man possessed some good skills.


    Yu Chen knew however, that no technique was as important as the man using it, and focused on improving his own skills. The countless skirmishes had a honing effect, and with someone at his back he could fight a bit more recklessly than he did when alone. That sort of fighting style was the one that fit him best after all.


    Eventually, their third day in the secret realm came to a close as the two sought out a place to rest for the night.

 Tributary: Chapter 35 - Exploring the Secret Realm IV

    ¡°So, where are you from?¡± Yu Chen asked Cang Wuji, as they sat around the small campfire they¡¯d made in the midst of the rocky terrain.


    Cang Wuji grunted in reply, turning the leg of the boar that hung over the fire and watching as fat drops of oil sizzled, landing in the crackling embers.


    ¡°Me? I¡¯m not from anywhere.¡± Cang Wuji said, staring into the fire with a wry look on his face. His lips were crooked in a slight smile, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just another river rat.¡±


    Yu Chen frowned at the term. He¡¯d never heard it before and looked in askance at the other boy.


    ¡°What¡¯s a river rat?¡±


    ¡°You really are from a third rate sect aren¡¯t you?¡± Cang Wuji said with a laugh.


    Yu Chen tossed a small rock at him, but there was no anger behind it. Cang Wuji leaned back, letting the rock whistle by before continuing to speak with a shrug.


    ¡°It¡¯s a slang term for all the orphans that grow up around the river. There¡¯s a lot of them, so many they swarm around like rats. No matter where you go you¡¯ll find a few of the dirty little buggers.¡±


    Despite his words his tone was fond.


    ¡°The river wouldn¡¯t be the same without them.¡±


    Yu Chen cocked his head as he looked towards the other boy. ¡°River? You mean the yellow river?¡± That was the only river he¡¯d ever heard of after all.


    Cang Wuji looked at the other boy as though he¡¯d lost his mind.


    ¡°Is there another one I don¡¯t know about?¡± He said, his face full of confusion as he looked towards Yu Chen. ¡°Ah!¡± He said, snapping his fingers. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that some of these tributary systems do name their local branch of the river. What do you all call it around here? The Tianyun river?¡±


    Cang Wuji¡¯s words only further confused Yu Chen. He knew what Tianyun was of course. That was the name of the empire, the one he was technically a part of, and the same one from which he¡¯d escaped conscription. However, he¡¯d never heard of the Tianyun river.


    The conversation lapsed for a while as Yu Chen gathered his thoughts. The meat had finished cooking while they talked so he made himself busy cutting some off of the leg, enough for both him and Lan She, who was comfortably nestled on a warm rock near the fire.


    He laid her meat on a rock beside her, before taking a look around the area.


    They were sitting outside of a small cave they¡¯d cleared of inhabitants. They¡¯d found it while looking for a place to sleep. The urge had crept up on them, the boys having lost track of the passage of time under the unchanging sun. It turned out that the formation that controlled the flow of time here hadn¡¯t affected the motion of the heavens.


    As such, it was still as bright as midday, despite Yu Chen having been in the realm long enough to feel tired.


    ¡°So you were born along the yellow river? What¡¯s it like?¡± Yu Chen asked before taking a large bite out of the steaming meat. He¡¯d always been curious about the place, given Xiao Huang¡¯s connection to the river, and he was interested to hear the other boy¡¯s thoughts.


    Cang Wuji¡¯s fingers stilled, the meat halfway to his mouth hanging forgotten as he looked towards Yu Chen in astonishment.


    ¡°You¡¯ve truly never laid eyes on the river?¡± The boy asked in disbelief as he stared at Yu Chen.


    ¡°No?¡± Yu Chen said in amusement. ¡°I grew up in a shepherd¡¯s hut. Before going to the sect I¡¯d never been further than half a day''s travel from home.¡±


    Cang Wuji stared at the boy in wonder, before falling back laughing.


    ¡°Not just a third rate sect but a country bumpkin as well!¡±


    Yu Chen felt his ears go red as Cang Wuji rolled on the floor, laughing until he cried.


    ¡°What do you mean!¡± He cried, leaping across the fire to pummel the other boy.


    Lan She ignored the two boys as they tumbled across the ground, giving the meat a sniff instead. Satisfied, she took a delicate bite, eating like a lady. Eventually the two boys stopped their roughhousing and stood up, returning to their seats to eat.


    ¡°You¡¯re too sensitive Yu Chen!¡± Cang Wuji chided. ¡°I¡¯m just teasing you. At least you had people who cared for you right? That¡¯s gotta be worth something.¡± Cang Wuji said, his eyes flashing with mischief before continuing. ¡°Even if it means being born in the ass-end of nowhere.¡±


    Yu Chen ignored the barb. He began probing Cang Wuji for information, trying to dig out whatever it was the other boy knew. Geography wasn¡¯t something Yu Chen had never considered, having had no need for it. As far as he knew his little village was just one of many that made up the mighty Tianyun empire, and the yellow river was just some stream of water that ran throughout it.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Of course to Cang Wuji the idea was laughable. Comparing the tiny Tianyun empire to the mighty Yellow River? The river could swallow the empire without a gulp, and no one would know it was gone.


    Yu Chen simply didn¡¯t have the frame of reference to grasp what the other boy was saying. The largest body of water he¡¯d ever seen was a creek, and in his mind a river was really just a big creek. Even if it was a really large creek, maybe the size of a lake or pond in width, so what?


    According to Cang Wuji, his view was entirely backwards. It was water that covered the world, and land was just a small part of it. All of the sages knew it to be thus. How wide was the Yellow River? It was the passage of weeks, to cross it, and one might never see land. How far did it run?


    According to Cang Wuji, no one knew, and if any had reached the end they¡¯d never return to tell the tale. You could go upstream or downstream, it didn¡¯t matter. As far as Cang Wuji knew the river ran to the edges of the earth, and you¡¯d die of old age before arriving there.


    And there was only the one river, no others.


    A million streams fed into it, and a million more led out, crisscrossing the land in a vast connected weave, but each one was still the Yellow River, in the same way the roots and branches formed a tree.


    To the people of the world the river was a sacred place, and the source of all life. It was the cradle of civilization, the lifeblood that fed and sustained the countless millions that thronged its shores. This was the reason behind Cang Wuji¡¯s disbelief.


    The river was everything to his mind, and to depart from it was only to travel towards ruin. The further one went the more savage and unforgiving the land became. It was the domain of spirit beasts, and only the strongest could survive in a land so bereft of energy where treasures were few and far between.


    Yu Chen felt humbled as he spoke. He knew he came from simpler beginnings, but he¡¯d truly had no idea how large the world was. His heart began beating palpably as the urge to see the river rose up once more.


    How powerful was Xiao Huang exactly? The thought entered his mind unbidden. The little fellow was a braggart and quite full of himself, but the things he¡¯d spoken of


    The World Tree at the source of the river, and the creatures that existed there, dragons, phoenixes and more. He¡¯d told him tales about the true legends of the world, and had even claimed to have been birthed from myth.


    They were things that Cang Wuji, someone who¡¯d spoken of the yellow river with reverence, hadn¡¯t even mentioned.


    ¡°One day you¡¯ll see it for yourself.¡± Cang Wuji said with certainty as he saw the look of longing cross Yu Chen¡¯s face. ¡°The strong are drawn to the river like iron to a lodestone. I can tell that you¡¯re no different.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ll be there to see you see it!¡± Cang Wuji said with a laugh. ¡°Now that would be a sight. You¡¯ve never even seen a stretch of water you couldn¡¯t see the other side of have you?¡±


    Yu Chen shook his head in denial, an amused smile on his lips. See it? Truth be told, he couldn¡¯t even imagine it.


    He finished his dinner in amiable silence before dusting himself off and bidding Cang Wuji goodnight, retreating into the cave to sleep.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------


    They woke early the next morning, setting out to explore the realm for more treasures.


    They¡¯d spent the night at the foot of a small mountainous section that thrust out of the valley like an angry finger. Leaving the cave, they circled around it, heading deeper into the jungle. Yu Chen was still thinking about the conversation from the night before when his steps faltered.


    There was a strange aura emitting from this part of the rock. He looked at Cang Wuji and the other boy nodded. In lockstep they approached closer, coming to a halt once they saw the visible deposit of jadeite pressing out of the surface of the rock.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Cang Wuji asked conversationally as he glanced towards the other boy.


    Yu Chen raised his hand to his chin considering the treasure in front of them.


    ¡°It gives off a soothing feeling.¡± He said. ¡°It must be a treasure of some sort, but I don¡¯t see anything guarding it.¡±


    Cang Wuji gave a light snort, pulling his staff from his back before twirling it through his hands.


    ¡°Yea, well they¡¯re there, they always are. Let''s get on with it then.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded in agreement and the two stepped forward, approaching the rock wall. Nothing strange appeared, so he began hammering away, attempting to break the jade free of the wall. As he hit it for a third time a sudden sense of danger suffused him.


    He looked up, watching as a piece of the mountain peeled away, falling upon him. He let loose a curse as the heavy thing hit him, knocking him to the ground. It thrashed atop him, and Yu Chen let out a shout of pain as it bit into him. Rolling away, he watched in horror as more pieces of the mountain rose up, defending the treasure.


    They were lizards he realized, great big things that had camouflaged into the wall to the point they¡¯d blended in seamlessly. He let out a groan, rubbing his injured bicep, before leaping back into the fray.


    Cang Wuji was already laying about with his staff, spinning like a tempest, and every blow he landed cracked with the sound of broken bone. Yu Chen wouldn¡¯t be outdone, and set about with his fists, stunning a lizard with every blow.


    Even Lan She joined in the fun, shooting out of his collar to bite deep into an unsuspecting lizard that had tried to approach him, hanging on to it as it slowly stumbled to a halt before falling to the ground, venom coursing through its veins.


    The fight didn¡¯t take long, coming to a quick end once their foes revealed themselves. The lizards were apparently ambush predators, and displayed no other great advantages.


    Finished, Yu Chen went back to prying the jade out of the wall, while Cang Wuji busied himself retrieving the beast cores from their corpses.


    With a final grunt the rock pulled free of the wall.


    The soothing effect he¡¯d felt from a distance had only grown stronger as he¡¯d approached. Now that it was in his hands, the only thing he could feel was serenity. It was as though all of his negative thoughts, all of the concerns and worries, had dissipated, disappearing into the aether.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Cang Wuji asked as he came to stand beside him.


    ¡°Dunno, seems valuable though.¡± Yu Chen said in response, still enamored by the chunk of jade he held.


    ¡°It¡¯s a chunk of soul-cleansing jade. Useful for soul refinement, but not much else. Well, it can also help one when breaking through, by cleansing negative emotions and memories, but that¡¯s a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense.¡± Cang Wuji said sagely, putting his hands behind the back of his head before turning around in surprise. ¡°Who are you?!¡±

 Tributary: Chapter 36 - Exploring the Secret Realm V

    Yu Chen turned around in surprise, seeing a beautiful young girl standing behind them.


    She looked like a fairy brought to earth. Her skin shone with a soft luminescence, highlighting the lustrous black hair that fell in shining waves around her flawless face. Her clothing was immaculate. Her silky gossamer robes embroidered with delicate images that appeared finer even than those worn by the sect head.


    Where she had come from Yu Chen couldn¡¯t say. He¡¯d never sensed her arrive. Even now, he was looking at her and he still couldn¡¯t feel her presence.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Yu Chen asked the strange girl, repeating Cang Wuji¡¯s question. He eyed her warily, unsure of her motives.


    The strange girl looked between them before placing a hand over her mouth and letting out a lilting laugh. She gave off an impression of innocence, but Yu Chen didn¡¯t believe it for a second, seeing the appraising look in her eyes as she sized them up.


    ¡°The brave warriors wish to know about little old me?¡± She said, batting her long eyelashes at them. ¡°Why, I am the one who has come to conquer this secret realm.¡±


    Yu Chen looked towards Cang Wuji, and saw the other boy had a perplexed look, sharing in his confusion.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to conquer?¡± Yu Chen asked, bewildered. ¡°All there is to do is seize as much good fortune as you can.¡±


    She pouted at his words, tossing him a pitying look. ¡°There is good fortune and then there is good fortune, brave warriors. And what one considers fortunate may not be enough for another to pick their teeth.¡±


    ¡°In the end it depends on the size of your appetite. Those with the largest appetite will not be content unless they eat the most.¡±


    The strange girl raised a hand to her face, framing her impeccable features. Quirking an eyebrow inquisitively, she looked between the two boys before speaking.


    ¡°Tell me, how large are your appetites? what desires drive you, where does your path lead?¡±


    Cang Wuji clenched his fist and spoke out instantly, speaking with a firm voice.


    ¡°To Baixian City!¡±


    ¡°Baixian City?¡± She repeated, and Yu Chen could hear the surprise in her voice. ¡°Now that¡¯s a name rarely heard. You have quite the appetite indeed.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you can stomach it?¡± She teased with a mischievous smile.


    Cang Wuji¡¯s ears turned red, and she let out another tinkling laugh that echoed enchantingly.


    ¡°What about you?¡± She asked, looking towards Yu Chen inquisitively.


    Yu Chen looked back at her, but he didn¡¯t truly see her. Instead, he saw a vision of an endless river, and a tiny dragon swimming through its waters.


    ¡°One day I¡¯ll reach the source of the Yellow River and see what few others have.¡± He said softly, but with a deep certainty that made it hard for others to doubt his words.


    If she had been shocked at Cang Wuji¡¯s words, she was truly dumbfounded by Yu Chen¡¯s.


    ¡°With an appetite like that, I should call you big bro.¡± She said with a soft sigh, crossing her arms.


    ¡°The two of you humble me.¡± She said, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯ll offer you an opportunity.¡±


    Her face suddenly turned serious at the words, and she looked between the two boys to see their reactions. Cang Wuji shuffled in place, impatient, but Yu Chen simply nodded at her to continue.


    ¡°If you truly wish to fill your bellies and see your desires become a reality, there is something in this Secret Realm that can help you, and I know where to find it.¡±


    That caught the two boy¡¯s attention. They gave her their full attention and the strange girl nodded in satisfaction.


    ¡°Deep within this jungle lies the remains of a once powerful sect. This is well known of course, and plenty of cultivators seek out the ruins in the hopes that there is some heavenly treasure waiting to be found.


    ¡°What¡¯s less well known is that this journey through the wilderness and the countless spiritual beasts that cover the land, all of this is just a trial the sect had in place for new disciples. And, what almost no one knows is that this is just the first trial. There are further trials, just waiting to be activated somewhere within the ruins.¡±


    ¡°Is that true?¡± Cang Wuji asked with a wild look in his eyes, and Yu Chen was a bit surprised. He hadn¡¯t realized the other boy had such an avaricious streak.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Or perhaps reaching Baixian City just meant that much to him. Yu Chen could understand that. He¡¯d seize any opportunity himself in the pursuit of his own goal.


    ¡°Of course.¡± The beautiful girl said, tilting her head in a way that caused her hair to cascade around her face enticingly. ¡°However, the trials are not designed to be entered alone. So, here I am, seeking out all of the brave warriors who are willing to seize a once in a lifetime opportunity.¡±


    ¡°If you are interested in joining me, then prove yourself worthy by reaching the ruins. Well, I''m off to find the others. I¡¯ll see you there, if you make it of course.¡±


    She winked at the two boys before turning around, beginning to walk away.


    ¡°Wait, we haven¡¯t heard your name!¡± Yu Chen called to the girl as she turned to leave.


    ¡°Oh?¡± She said, casting a dazzling smile his way before dashing away, calling out over her shoulder, ¡°I¡¯m Tianyun Lingxuan of course. I¡¯ll see you brave warriors at the ruins!¡±


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen and Cang Wuji discussed the strange girl as they broke apart the soul-cleansing jade, splitting it up.


    ¡°She¡¯s related to the royal family somehow.¡± Cang Wuji stated confidently, pocketing his chunk of jade.


    ¡°I suppose so.¡± Yu Chen said, puzzling over the encounter.


    The girl had been beautiful, distractingly so, and Yu Chen didn¡¯t know how trustworthy he found her. He preferred straightforward people, and everything about the girl had been contrived, her actions performative, intentionally designed to entice and manipulate.


    But¡­ He still believed her words. There doubtless were ruins deep in the jungle, and the trials likely existed as well. As to what she truly needed them for? He had his doubts.


    Even so, he knew he knew he¡¯d go, and she knew it too. She¡¯d set the hook deep and the rewards she promised were just too great for the two boys to do anything else.


    They began traveling again once they were finished. They were no longer wandering aimlessly, however. They now had a purpose, and began making their way in the direction the young girl had pointed out.


    As they walked, Cang Wuji shared what he knew about the secret realm.


    Before, he¡¯d told Yu Chen that those who entered the realm went to different places, but there was more to it than that. The entire valley had been split down the middle, containing two paths. Those in Qi Condensation had been sent to the left-hand side, while those in Foundation Establishment had been sent to the right-hand side.


    Originally the two halves of the realm had been mirrored, at least according to the reports Cang Wuji had, but year after year the changes had compounded, drastically changing the environment over time.


    It was believed that originally each side had only had Stage 1 or Stage 2 beasts, but that had changed in the years since the realm had been abandoned. The realm had other strange properties as well. Given the way time worked within the realm, a period of darkness followed the months of light. This was a time in which many beasts went into hibernation, and even the vegetation fell dormant, slumbering for months on end.


    The strange cycle had created many unique treasures that were hard to find elsewhere.


    ¡°Where did you get all this information about the Secret Realm from anyways?¡± Yu Chen asked the other boy.


    Cang Wuji shrugged, putting his hands behind his head.


    ¡°Information is a currency as well, you know? Rogue cultivators such as myself have our own meetings. If you know where to look you can find the gatherings, where people trade trinkets, information and even techniques and martial arts. I found out about this secret realm at one such meeting.¡±


    ¡°I paid a hefty price just to find out about a realm everyone knew about.¡± The other boy muttered, kicking a rock. ¡°The least they could do is provide some good information.¡±


    Yu Chen gained a bit of respect for Cang Wuji. The other boy¡¯s resourcefulness was enviable. It wasn¡¯t easy to walk a path of cultivation unsupported by others. It was only due to strange events that Yu Chen had found himself walking this path, and it inspired him to see someone so self-motivated.


    As their path took them further into the jungle Yu Chen began to see the remnants of civilization. Hints of what had once been a cobblestone road appeared in the undergrowth, sections of individual stones that peeked through the vegetation covering the floor of the jungle, destroyed by the trees that had grown right through the middle of it.


    As they pushed, he saw the remains of a stone building appear, the moss and vines covering it giving a clear indication of its age.


    ¡°Help!¡±


    The two boys stopped as the frantic cries carried through the jungle.


    Exchanging glances they cycled their movement techniques, dashing through the undergrowth towards the sound of the cries that were growing louder. Yu Chen¡¯s eyes shot up as they approached, and he burnt his qi, dashing ahead of the other boy.


    He knew that voice, it was Ling Xia, Elder Shu¡¯s disciple. The sounds of battle became louder as he approached, and he noticed with a hint of surprise that Cang Wuji had caught up to him, refusing to be left behind.


    They burst through the trees, arriving in a clearing.


    Ling Xia¡¯s robes were ripped, and blood streaked her face as she dashed across the clearing, fighting off two older boys in robes of deep black. Another cultivator in black robes stood on the other side of the clearing, and Yu Chen watched as he drove a dagger into another boy that lay crumpled on the ground.


    Yu Chen recognized that shock of red hair. He¡¯d been one of the disciples who entered the realm with them. He didn¡¯t react to the blade entering his body, and Yu Chen felt a sickening feeling rise in him as the black robed man stood up, making eye contact with him.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t hesitate, diving in to join the fray.

 Tributary: Chapter 37 - Exploring the Secret Realm VI

    Yu Chen¡¯s footsteps resounded as he dashed through the jungle, attempting to reach Ling Xia before the men closing in on her could. She turned, and he could see the fear in her eyes as they met.


    Relief washed across her face.


    That split second of attention cost her. Yu Chen watched as one of the two men chasing her tossed a dagger in an underhanded throw. It whistled through the air before lodging in her leg, taking her feet out from under her. The beautiful girl fell with a soft cry, collapsing to the ground no longer able to use her movement technique.


    The two men closed the distance, attempting to finish the job, but Yu Chen was there.


    He reached Ling Xia before them, landing with a ferocious shout as he threw his fist out to meet the closest one. The man hurried to block the sudden blow, revolving his qi as he activated some strange technique. It didn¡¯t do him any good. The force of Yu Chen¡¯s condensed qi backed by his tempered body slammed through the man¡¯s guard, blasting him across the clearing and sending him tumbling away.


    A sinister gleam flickered in the other man¡¯s eyes as he struck out at Yu Chen. He hadn¡¯t even spared a glance as his friend was sent flying away, using the opportunity left behind by the boy¡¯s formidable attack to strike a deadly blow at the young boy.


    Yu Chen¡¯s face paled as the man slid close to him, the dagger coming up in a sweeping blow. He cycled his movement technique, desperately attempting to retreat, but he wouldn¡¯t make it in time.


    Cang Wuji arrived in the nick of time. Roaring, his staff appeared, knocking the other man¡¯s knife off course. He twirled his staff, moving in to engage the sinister man.


    Yu Chen cast a relieved look his way, leaving the boy to handle their opponent as he rushed over to check on Ling Xia. The young girl was pale, the skirts of her robe wet with blood that was steadily gushing forth from the wound in her leg. Yu Chen cursed. The knife must have nicked an artery.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Yu Chen said softly, as he knelt beside her. ¡°Help is here. What happened?¡±


    She looked up at him, beginning to speak as Yu Chen opened his pouch, pulling out a nurturing pill, offering it to her.


    ¡°They came out of nowhere, I don¡¯t know why they attacked us.¡± She said, her face drawn tight with pain. ¡°Yan Tie distracte-¡±


    A look of dismay crossed her face. She grunted, trying to push herself off of the ground, only to fail and fall back down.


    ¡°Where is Yan Tie?¡± She said, panicking as she tried to push herself up again. ¡°We have to help him; he was fighting a powerful foe!¡±


    Yu Chen was about to reply when a warning from Cang Wuji sounded out from behind him.


    ¡°They¡¯re returning.¡±


    Yu Chen looked up, seeing Cang Wuji standing between them and the strange men in black, his staff held firmly in both hands. The sinister man stood before Cang Wuji, silent. He¡¯d broken off his attack, waiting for his allies to arrive.


    Yu Chen could see them in the distance. The man he¡¯d sent flying had risen to his feet and was coming closer. Another approached, a bloody dagger still dripping in his hand. He could sense a dense aura roiling from the man.


    ¡°Give me a minute, Ling Xia,¡± Yu Chen said with steel in his voice.


    Ling Xia cursed, trying to push herself up again as she watched him walk to stand beside Cang Wuji.


    ¡°They must be from your sect, eh?¡± Cang Wuji said, glancing towards the girl on the ground.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Yu Chen said shortly, assuming a martial stance beside the other boy.


    The three men attacked and there was no more room for talking. Yu Chen found their silence unnerving as they moved in tandem. No sign of emotion crossed their face, besides the one who still had a sinister glint in his eyes.


    Yu Chen swayed as they first attack came, dodging a dagger that came streaking towards his midriff. He grabbed his opponent''s wrist as it passed by, holding him in place as he prepared to strike him with his other hand.


    He was forced to abort the attack as another man sliced towards him with a dagger. He bent out of the way, maintaining his grip on the wrist he held, before spinning back around to strike again. His eyes widened, seeing the knife¡¯s edge coming towards his face.


    The other man had switched hands when he wasn¡¯t looking. Yu Chen let go of the now empty wrist as he leaned back, desperately avoiding the deadly stab. He felt the edge of the blade cut a thin line across the side of his chest and cursed, unable to believe he¡¯d fallen for such a simple maneuver.


    He pedaled backwards, making distance as he looked over to see Cang Wuji battling the man with the dense aura, who was avoiding the staff with unnerving ease. Cang Wuji¡¯s face was screwed up in concentration as he spun through complex maneuvers Yu Chen had never seen.


    Then the two others were on him again, and the fight dissolved into a brawl.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Fighting against men was different to fighting against spirit beasts. It was true that spirit beasts were stronger, but the men fought strategically, balancing their strengths in a way no beast could.


    Yu Chen blocked an attack from one, but he had to duck as the other man¡¯s dagger flew towards him again. The attacks he did manage to land were powerful enough to blast one¡¯s guard open, but he was unable to follow up, as the other appeared to distract him.


    The fight went back and forth, neither side able to gain an advantage. Yu Chen was stronger than either one of them, but together they put up a good enough fight that he could only persevere, waiting for his opportunity.


    A flurry of attacks came towards him, and he spun out of the way, avoiding them. Another attack came, forcing him further to the left when a grin crossed his opponent¡¯s face for the first time.


    ¡°No!¡± He shouted.


    They¡¯d tricked him, maneuvering him out of position and placing themselves between him and Ling Xia. He could only watch in horror as the man furthest from him turned, dashing towards the unprotected girl.


    He cycled his movement technique dashing to intercept the man. The man turned before he reached the wounded girl, and Yu Chen was relieved, thinking he¡¯d arrived in time.


    The man didn¡¯t move to attack however, just staring at the boy, expressionless, and Yu Chen felt the cold pain of something sharp entering his back. They¡¯d used the girl as a distraction, and he¡¯d paid dearly.


    ¡°Yu Chen!¡± Ling Xia gasped, watching the knife enter his back.


    He roared, spinning around to see the man with the sinister smile standing behind him.


    Yu Chen stumbled, but he firmed himself, remaining on his feet through will alone. He realized he was taking deep breaths, and he felt his heart thumping like never before.


    The two men began approaching once again, flanking him from both sides.


    The spiritual energy in the air began swaying gently. Then it moved, tugged towards the bloody young boy who stood in the clearing breathing heavily. His dantian opened up, happily accepting the gift. Yu Chen felt revitalized, his discomfort sloughing away like a second skin.


    His concerns disappeared, his thoughts for himself and others replaced by a cold feeling of ruthlessness that subsumed his being. A cold grin crossed his face as he stared towards the man who had stabbed him. His grin widened as he saw the smile on the other man¡¯s face falter before sliding away.


    Yu Chen took a step forward, and then another. The two men paused, uncertain as he approached, but Yu Chen didn¡¯t stop moving forward, he¡¯d never stop moving forward.


    Dragons didn¡¯t retreat, they advanced.


    He cycled his movement technique. In his clear minded state, his qi responded like never before, livelier than ever as it rushed through his meridians to flood into his muscles, dramatically increasing his speed.


    They began to react, but he was already there. The sinister man¡¯s eyes widened but Yu Chen had already struck out, hitting him in the arm hard, breaking the bone. For the first time the man made noise.


    Screaming he grabbed his arm, the bloody dagger falling from his limp grasp to land on the jungle floor, forgotten. The other man came rushing towards him from behind, brows furrowed as he attempted to help his ally.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Lan She!¡± He didn¡¯t even look as he threw his arm up. The small snake hissed with excitement as she came flying out of his sleeve, landing onto the man as he approached.


    ¡°Wha-¡± He began saying, but Lan She had already latched onto an artery, pumping him full of venom. He didn¡¯t realize it yet, but he was already dead.


    The entire time Yu Chen hadn¡¯t taken his eyes off of the man before him, feeling the slow trickle of blood running down his back. The man clutched his broken arm, looking up at him with hatred in his eyes.


    Yu Chen simply raised a foot, kicking him in the chest.


    The man hit the ground hard, and Yu Chen¡¯s blood rose, an intense feeling welling up within him. He spared a glance at Ling Xia¡¯s wounded form, before striking downwards, ending the man¡¯s life.


    Yu Chen¡¯s feelings battered at the edges of the bubble of ruthless focus that had engulfed his mind. A feeling of revulsion welled up in him, sickness at having ended a person¡¯s life, but also¡­


    Joy, the intense visceral reaction of a beast that had grappled with death and come out victorious. Pride, in his own strength and abilities, and a deep sense of satisfaction that Yu Chen did not want to unpack right now.


    A pained cry sounded out, pulling Yu Chen from his reveries. He glanced up to see Cang Wuji reeling backwards as their last opponent pressed his advantage. Yu Chen didn¡¯t hesitate, dashing across the clearing to help his friend.


    He blocked a blow that would have seriously injured the other boy and exchanged several quick blows with the man while Cang Wuji recovered. To his surprise he found the strange fellow to be a superior fighter, one who was somehow even stronger than him.


    In a few quick exchanges, the other man had already managed to get the upper hand.


    Yu Chen ducked a blow aimed at his head, before hastily dodging a dagger that swept towards his side. He wasn¡¯t quite fast enough, and the blade drew another crimson line across his stomach. The other fighter was beginning to press him, and Yu Chen felt beads of sweat build up on his forehead.


    Soon, it was all he could do to avoid the other man¡¯s unusual techniques. The man remained expressionless, even as he sent his bloody knife cutting towards Yu Chen once more.


    And then Cang Wuji returned.


    The other boy¡¯s staff slid in, deflecting the thrust. The two boys turned the tides, beginning to press the other man back. Together they were more than the sum of their parts, the countless life and death battles having given the two boys an instinctive understanding of each other.


    ¡°Tch.¡± The strange man said, expressing emotion for the first time. His brows narrowed, a frown appearing as the three whirled together through the strange steps of their deadly dance. Cang Wuji sent the other man¡¯s dagger flying high and Yu Chen unleashed a mighty shout, summoning his remaining Qi and condensing it into his fist to deliver a devastating blow.


    However, it was not to be. The black-robed man utilized a strange movement technique, abandoning the fight as he turned to run off into the jungle.


    Yu Chen hurried to chase after him, but his steps faltered as Ling Xia¡¯s wounded form entered his vision.


    He sighed, watching the black-robed man disappear into the distance.

 Tributary: Chapter 38 - Exploring the Secret Realm VII

    The specter of death hung heavily over the clearing, spreading like a suffocating blanket that smothered all sound other than a young girl¡¯s choked sobs.


    Yu Chen had hurried to Ling Xia¡¯s side, checking on the young girl once the man had fled. He¡¯d helped her up, and although she¡¯d wavered, she¡¯d managed to stand on her own two feet.


    Together, they¡¯d approached Cang Wuji, who stood over the crumpled form of a young boy wearing the embroidered robes of the Golden Mist Sect. A shock of red hair framed his lifeless eyes, mingling with the growing puddle of pooling from the countless stab wounds covering his body.


    Ling Xia let out broken sobs as she fell down, cradling the dead boy in her arms. She paid no heed to the blood that soaked into her ruined robes, staining them further. She lifted a trembling hand, brushing the red hair out of his face.


    ¡°No, Yan Tie¡­¡± She mumbled as she looked down at the young boy she held. ¡°You should have fled, why didn¡¯t you flee?¡±


    Yu Chen turned away from the scene, walking away to give her some privacy as she grieved. Cang Wuji followed along, uncharacteristically silent.


    ¡°Did you know him?¡± Cang Wuji asked hesitantly, speaking in a low tone.


    ¡°No.¡± Yu Chen said, shaking his head in negation. ¡°We never had the chance to meet.¡±


    The two walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.


    Yu Chen thought the world was always strangely peaceful after a fight, and in the moment, he couldn¡¯t help but feel as though the heavens were cold and uncaring. Dead bodies lay strewn across the bloody ground that was torn up from the fight. Did the world care? Birdsong filled the air, the jungle alive with the sound of countless creatures going about their lives.


    Who would care when he was gone? Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    He shook off the strange mood, approaching the two bodies of the men they¡¯d slain. He looked down at the two men, and Lu She, still curled over her kill. One¡¯s face was filled with an unwilling expression, and the other was a rictus of pain, with bloody gouges showing where he¡¯d clawed at his neck.


    Cultivation was supposed to be a path that brought one closer to the heavens. Why, then, was it filled with so much blood?


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know the answer. Death was simply part of the natural order. One might as well ask why the world was filled with sunshine. He let out a low sigh, before bending down and beginning that oldest of traditions.


    Robbing the dead. Or, as he preferred to think of it, retrieving the spoils of victory. He patted them down, rifling through their pockets and taking anything of any worth. Although it didn¡¯t appear as though they had much.


    Between them, the two men only had a couple of qi gathering pills and a handful of spirit stones. One of the pills stood out however, a small brown one with a rich aroma. He recognized it as a meridian-washing pill - something that was useful for helping more untalented cultivators when breaking through.


    It would sell for a decent price back within the sect, they were a very popular item. He rummaged through one last pocket, and frowned, feeling something hard and square. He pulled it out, revealing a small piece of jade not so different from the ones he¡¯d received from the sect.


    He blinked before examining the item, but it didn¡¯t seem out of the ordinary.


    Closing his eyes, he brought the small piece of jade to his forehead. He was only slightly surprised to see a small collection of books appear. A few were simple treatises, and one had some garbled message Yu Chen couldn¡¯t decipher, but there was a new technique hidden among them. Concentrating, he brought it to the forefront, reading the words Abyssal Fang Martial Forms.


    The images of the form flickered through his mind, and he realized it was a dual technique, with separate Martial and Dagger Forms. The technique mimicked the fangs of some beast, and it seemed designed to help sharpen one¡¯s qi. Daggers provided a physical aid to help in mastering it, besides being a useful weapon all on their own.


    Yu Chen silently memorized the technique, filing it away into his Memory Palace where he could examine it later. He didn¡¯t know how useful the Martial Forms would be, but there was inspiration in everything. He¡¯d take what he could get.


    He opened his eyes to see Cang Wuji looking at him in interest.


    ¡°Keep it.¡±


    Yu Chen tossed the piece of jade to the other boy before pocketing the rest of the items. The technique within would be worth a lot to the right person, but Yu Chen would rather have the items. Besides, he¡¯d already received a copy of it.


    Cang Wuji closed his eyes, examining the item as well. Yu Chen had expected him to light up in happiness at the sight of the technique, but his face turned pale as he examined the jade¡¯s contents.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Yu Chen,¡± He said, his voice low and serious as he looked towards ¡°We have a problem. Those were reavers.¡±


    Yu Chen stared back at the other boy nonplussed.


    ¡°What¡¯re reavers?¡± He asked in confusion.


    ¡°What¡¯re -¡± Cang Wuji began before stopping. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before speaking again.


    ¡°Reavers are a group of demonic cultivators that roam the Yellow River, although they are officially known as the Blood River Sect. They practice a strange art that allows them to increase their cultivation through killing others.¡±


    ¡°If they¡¯re here¡­ It isn¡¯t safe to be here.¡± He said, looking around with obvious fear on his face. ¡°You don¡¯t understand Yu Chen. They¡¯re like a wave of locusts that plague the river. Everywhere they land things die. Towns and cities, Men, women and children, even sects are swallowed up in their wake! They¡¯ll kill anything that breathes, even the beasts and spirit beasts.¡±


    Yu Chen stood still, processing as he came to grip with the news.


    ¡°If we are lucky a single ship landed, and the masters outside will be able to fight them off.¡± Cang Wuji said, as though trying to convince himself. He didn¡¯t seem very convinced.


    ¡°If we are unlucky?¡± Yu Chen asked.


    Cang Wuji gave him a bleak smile. ¡°If we are unlucky, everyone is dead.¡±


    Yu Chen chewed in thought, looking at the other boy for a long moment before turning around and walking back to Ling Xia.


    ¡°Hey.¡± He said gently, kneeling beside her and placing a hand on her shoulder.


    She blinked, looking up at him with tears in her eyes.


    ¡°We have to leave now; it isn¡¯t safe to stay here.¡± Yu Chen said, staring into her eyes.


    Ling Xia was silent as she processed his words, before nodding slowly.


    ¡°Yan Tie¡­ At the very least, we have to bury him.¡± Her voice was full of sorrow, but conviction filled it.


    Yu Chen simply nodded.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The three of them reentered the jungle, leaving the dead behind them.


    They moved slower than before, accommodating Ling Xia¡¯s wounded leg as she followed along listlessly behind the two boys. Yu Chen kept his eyes peeled for danger, the jungle feeling more menacing than it had before. Alert, every sound in the undergrowth echoed in his ears, as the sweltering heat pressed down upon them.


    The signs of civilization grew more apparent as their journey continued. Broken building became a common sight, peaking from the undergrowth, alongside moss covered statues and broken walls, the last remnants of a ruined sect.


    He heard a hiss on indrawn breath from Cang Wuji up ahead, and hurried to reach him, finding him standing over two bodies that lay on the jungle floor.


    ¡°Dead.¡± Cang Wuji said shortly, and Yu Chen knelt to examine them. Both bodies were covered in multiple stab wounds, but the smell coming from the bodies told him they¡¯d been there a while.


    Yu Chen cursed softly under his breath as he examined the bodies before looking around warily. Saying a few short prayers over the dead, they continued on their way.


    Hours passed, and eventually they had to come to a halt, Ling Xia¡¯s tired form barely hanging on. Yu Chen had found a low stone building that was still mostly intact, although it was overgrown to the point that he¡¯d nearly mistaken it for a small hill.


    They entered it after ensuring it was safe. Yu Chen and Cang Wuji discussed a plan to keep watch as Ling Xia fell into an exhausted slumber. Yu Chen took the first shift, and Cang Wuji walked to another corner of the room, quickly falling asleep.


    Yu Chen winced as he slid down to rest against one of the walls, gingerly probing his wounds as he examined them. He¡¯d taken another nurturing pill himself as he¡¯d walked, leaving him dangerously low on medical supplies.


    Not that the two he had left were worth much right now anyways. One of the strange properties of medicine was that your body built up a natural resistance to it with sustained use. Yu Chen had taken multiple pills in quick succession, and he could already feel the effect from them slowing down.


    Thankfully his natural vitality was very powerful, to the point that the cuts he¡¯d sustained would heal overnight, despite his resistance to the medicine. Although the deep puncture in his back would take longer to heal.


    The rest of his watch passed quietly. Yu Chen woke Cang Wuji when it was his turn, before taking his own well-deserved rest. The night passed in a dreamless slumber, and Yu Chen awoke feeling refreshed, the worst of his aches and pains gone.


    Ling Xia didn¡¯t look quite as fresh, but she looked remarkably better than she had the night before. The only real injury she¡¯d sustained was the wound to her leg, and that was already feeling better. It was able to hold her weight without pain, and she shouldn¡¯t have any trouble walking on it.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± The girl asked, as they began walking again.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to meet a strange girl named Tianyun Lingxuan. She claims to know some secret about these ruins,¡± Yu Chen said, waving around at the hidden remains of the sect all around them.


    ¡°Tianyun Lingxuan?¡± Ling Xia interrupted him in surprise, looking as though she recognized the name.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Yu Chen said, looking at her in askance. She didn''t say anything else, so he continued speaking.


    ¡°According to Cang Wuji, the men who attacked you are well known disciples of a famous demonic sect. Apparently, they are very dangerous. We should meet up with others, there¡¯s more safety in numbers.¡±


    Ling Xia slowly nodded her head, a dark cloud crossing her face at the mention of the strange cultivators. She opened her mouth, beginning to say something, when Cang Wuji¡¯s voice came echoing to them.


    ¡°Quiet!¡± The boy called back in a low tone. ¡°There are voices up ahead."

 Tributary: Chapter 39 - Exploring the Secret Realm VIII

    The two of them hurriedly moved up beside Cang Wuji, joining him to listen to the low murmur of voices that came from just up ahead. They exchanged glances before nodding to each other, slowly moving forward as one as they made their way forward through the jungle.


    They spread out as they approached, putting a bit of distance between them. Yu Chen moved from tree to tree, doing his best to remain hidden as he moved through the underbrush, listening as the sound of voices slowly became clearer. He was getting closer, almost close enough to begin making out words, when Cang Wuji let out a startled shout.


    All hell broke loose.


    ¡°Protect the princess!¡± A wild shout had come from the man who¡¯d leaped down from a tree to grapple Cang Wuji. Yu Chen watched as multiple qi condensators responded to the sound. He could see their shadows leaping through the trees as they approached the source of commotion.


    Yu Chen swallowed a curse, cycling his movement technique as he ran to help the other boy.


    Cang Wuji was rolling on the floor in a desperate struggle with the strange cultivator. He pushed the man away and leapt to his feet but before he could do much else he was forced to react as more cultivators appeared. They set upon him from all sides, and it was all he could do to defend himself, unable to even unsheathe his staff.


    Yu Chen arrived, driving a fist into an unsuspecting foe, creating some breathing room for his friend. The others were surprised at his sudden arrival. He managed to get a few more hits in before they readjusted, accounting for his presence.


    Attacks flew towards him, smothering him from each side. It wasn¡¯t enough. He threw a punch, blocking two more as they came, grinning as he felt the pressure mounting. He bobbed, weaving around the attacks that came his way before launching a counter.


    He fought back, but he was slowly being overwhelmed. That was when Ling Xia arrived, a determined look on her face as she waded into the brawl. She lay about, the Condensing Fist looking strangely graceful in her hands.


    Now that the three of them were together they began to regain some ground in the fight, pushing the others back a little. They exchanged more blows, fighting their strange foes when a voice cut through the chaos.


    ¡°Stop.¡± The light voice of a young girl sounded out over the jungle carrying the weight of command. ¡°They¡¯re among those I invited.¡±


    Yu Chen frowned in disappointment as the men stopped their assault, pulling back upon hearing the words. He¡¯d hardly had a chance to enjoy the fight and it¡¯d already come to an end.


    A familiar figure stepped into view, coming out from behind a tree. She gave him a coy smile as she noticed him looking her way, her long lashes blinking slowly as she observed him in return.


    ¡°So the brave warriors managed to arrive in time, and it looks as though they¡¯ve found a friend along the way.¡± She said, looking over at Ling Xia.


    Cang Wuji scowled towards her, resting his staff over his shoulder.


    ¡°That was quite the greeting.¡± He said with a huff.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± She replied, her tone noncommittal. ¡°You¡¯ll have to forgive me, it seems the jungle is much more dangerous than we had first assumed.¡±


    ¡°The reavers.¡± Yu Chen stated, crossing his arms.


    Surprise flickered across Lingxuan¡¯s face. ¡°So you are aware. I take it you¡¯ve encountered them then?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Three of them attacked Ling Xia, but we managed to fight them off.¡±


    ¡°Three¡­¡± Lingxuan muttered to herself. She looked towards the ground, brows furrowed in thought. A moment passed before she looked up again, casting a beaming smile towards them.


    ¡°Well, come on then. No point in standing around here.¡±


    Yu Chen and the others followed behind the young girl as she led them into the sect itself, passing through a shattered gate that rose near as tall as the trees. A crumbling wall ran from it, disappearing into the depths of the jungle.


    It was grand, far grander than the entrance to the Golden Mist Sect, and Yu Chen felt suitably awed stepping through it. There was a stark contrast between the inside and outside of the gates, the stone flagstones of the sect proper having given little in its silent struggle with the jungle outside.


    Although the inevitable greenery covered everything, the trees were sparse and few between, having found little purchase within. They continued following Lingxuan as she led them further in, flanked by the five men they¡¯d fought outside.


    He could see them more clearly now that they were out in the open. Each one was a hard man, evidently well trained, and they formed a defensive cordon around the young girl. They wore fine robes as well, emblazoned with a symbol that marked them as members of the Imperial guard.Stolen novel; please report.


    Once grand buildings, now deteriorated, lay all around. Yu Chen examined them in curiosity as they walked past, wondering about the lives of the people who had once called this place home. However, his musings were interrupted as they entered into a vast open square, in which dozens of people milled.


    They came to a halt. This was the space the princess, Tianyun Lingxuan, had claimed, making a base camp where she¡¯d gathered a number of cultivators from within the secret realm.


    ¡°Rest and get your bearings. I have some things to attend to, but I''ll send someone for you in a few hours. We¡¯ll talk then.¡± Lingxuan said as she flashed them her charming smile.


    She was about to leave when Yu Chen interrupted her.


    ¡°Wait, what about the hidden trials you told us about?¡±


    She paused, before turning back towards him.


    ¡°We will finish preparing today, and hopefully enter them tomorrow. I¡¯ll fill you in on the details later ok?¡± She asked, but it was clear it wasn¡¯t a question.


    Yu Chen could do nothing but watch as she strolled away, surrounded by her bodyguards. Cang Wuji gave a dissatisfied grunt.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t like explaining herself does she?¡± He said, and Ling Xia shook her head helplessly.


    --------------------------------------------------------------


    It had been a few hours since Yu Chen arrived, waiting for the princess to share her plans.


    She¡¯d asked them to be patient, and after consulting with the other two, they¡¯d gone their separate ways, planning to meet up later. Ling Xia simply wanted to rest, while Cang Wuji had plans of his own. With nothing else to do, Yu Chen strolled around a bit, observing the people she¡¯d gathered.


    There were all manners of strange cultivators here, coming from all walks of life. He saw at least eleven different designs among their robes, each as unique as the cultivators that wore them. More than a few were embroidered in the manner his own were, and he realized that this was fashionable among the sects, as a means of identifying their members. Others, like Cang Wuji, wore simpler garments, and he fancied he could point out every rogue cultivator in the bunch.


    He couldn¡¯t help but notice that many were wounded, sporting injuries of one sort or another. Some of them seemed to have come from encounters with spirit beasts, but many others carried wounds that could only be caused by weapons.


    Perhaps they weren¡¯t the only ones who¡¯d encountered the reavers.


    Although Lingxuan had managed to gather dozens of cultivators together, Yu Chen found he only recognized three of them, having seen them before entering the secret realm. One of them was a cold girl with silky blonde hair who emitted a chilling aura. The other two cultivated the sword, and appeared aloof, sticking to themselves and not paying attention to the others.


    Neither of them were wounded, and Yu Chen recognized one of them as the strange boy who carried three swords on him, as if one wasn¡¯t enough.


    To his dismay, despite wandering the crowd he didn¡¯t find Xue Lan among them. He could only hope she was safe. With Yan Tie dead, she was the only disciple from the Golden Mist unaccounted for.


    He sighed as he thought about the other boy¡¯s death. He¡¯d never known him, to really feel sorry, but it brought a sharp reality to the risks involved in pursuing his path. Cultivation was a dangerous pursuit.


    The sect had known the risks, accepting them. They¡¯d sent four children into danger, risking the lives of their best and brightest in the hopes that the experience would temper them. That they¡¯d return stronger and more capable, bringing treasures back with them. Some did of course. Others were reserved as payment, the harsh price paid to pursue the peak.


    Who knew how many fell on that path towards the peak?


    There was still time left so he walked around, exploring the ancient sect, and the broken buildings within. Most, if not all of them, had been ransacked at some point in the past. Yu Chen explored a few, finding nothing except a few broken shards of pottery and the remains of what might have once been chairs, tables and beds, except they were so ancient and decayed that only the memory of them remained to give some indication of what had been.


    To his surprise another wall ran throughout the sect, dividing it in half. It was still perfectly intact, not even a hint of the surrounding greenery staining the tall marble walls. They were smooth to the touch, incredibly so, and he could feel a slight tingle coming from beneath his fingertips. A mystery for later.


    Finding nothing else of interest, he returned back to the square in the heart of the sect.


    He found the others, exchanging some small words before turning to look towards the princess, who was in an animated discussion with one of her bodyguards, gesticulating wildly. She looked around, and upon seeing him began walking towards Yu Chen and the others.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to wait for tomorrow, We¡¯ll be entering the hidden trials soon so get prepared. Movement has been spotted through the trees. The guards worry the reavers are approaching.¡±


    Ling Xia looked around at the crowd around them before hesitantly speaking up.


    ¡°We have the numbers, surely they aren¡¯t a threat here?¡±


    Lingxuan shook her head, before pointing around the square. ¡°Those cultivators over there were attacked by five men yesterday. At roughly the same time, that group and that one,¡± She said, pointing out even more people. ¡°Were attacked by groups of three and four.¡±


    ¡°The icy one over there,¡± Lingxuan said, pointing towards the girl with the cold aura. ¡°Arrived hours before you did. She lost three sect members. They were attacked by a group of over ten cultivators.¡±


    Cang Wuji cursed under his breath.


    ¡°I suppose there is no chance it was a single ship then.¡± He said with a sigh, looking forlorn.


    ¡°Well, it was nice knowing you all. Even if we survive this realm, there is no telling what we will find outside.¡±


    Lingxuan pinned him with a serious gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t be foolish. Experts from my family are in the surrounding area, we have nothing to fear from some demonic cultivators.¡±


    Cang Wuji gave a dissatisfied grunt. He didn¡¯t look convinced, but he didn¡¯t say anything else either.


    Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden commotion as a bloody cultivator dashed into the large square, making a line for Lingxuan.


    ¡°Young miss, young miss! You must hurry, the enemy is upon us!¡± He said, gasping as he fell before the princess. She bent down, talking to him in a low voice.


    Yu Chen looked back the way the man came, drawing in a sharp breath as he saw a black-robed qi condensator enter the square, flanked by two more. They all gave off a dense aura, but the one in front was on another level. Even Yu Chen felt threatened, seeing the man.


    He could see more shadows moving in the distance, passing between broken buildings as they approached.


    He looked at the princess, expecting her to react, or say something, but for the first time she had nothing to say, a look of fear slowly spreading across her face.

 Tributary: Chapter 40 - The Trials Begin

    Yu Chen watched as the square descended into chaos.


    More of black-robed cultivators began pouring in, streaming around the powerful trio who¡¯d entered first. They remained in place as the others ran around them, observing the princess without speaking. The others spread out like ghosts, not waiting for a command as they began the attack in eerie silence. The sound of men fighting began to fill the air as the assembled cultivars fought back, exchanging blows with their sudden enemies.


    ¡°We can¡¯t stay here any longer. Inform the others that we make for the trials!¡± The princess snapped at one of the bodyguards who surrounded her. ¡°Hurry, there¡¯s no more time!¡±


    Two of the guards bowed before dashing out, following her orders to spread the news around the square. A sense of fear and desperation filled the air as the press of men entering the square increased further, turning the area into a pitched battleground.


    The princess paled as the fighting neared her. She didn¡¯t wait for her guards to return, moving out as she ran towards the trials.


    Yu Chen and the others standing nearby joined her, following the princess¡¯s lead as she led them away. The few cultivators who had received the warning rushed to join them, but others saw and surged towards them, following as they fled the area. Those that could broke away from the fight, joining them as well.


    Unfortunately not everyone made it. The battlefield had become a whirlpool, sucking many of the assembled cultivators into a fight that had built to such an intensity it prevented them from leaving. Panic filled their eyes as they fought, a sense of despair gradually rising within them. They gave as good as they got, but they were inevitably cut down one by one.


    Yu Chen said a silent prayer for the dead, refusing to look back as he followed the princess through the streets, black-robed shadows nipping at their heels.


    The princess cursed as she ran, an unlikely expression from the perfect girl. Yu Chen could see the sweat building on her brow and she nibbled at her bottom lip, an expression of concern that looked out of place upon her face.


    Yu Chen stuck close beside her, remaining within her cordon of guards. Cang Wuji and Ling Xia ran alongside him, along with the other cultivators who had managed to escape the slaughter in the square. With Lingxuan and her guards, less than thirty odd cultivators had managed to escape.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t count the number of black-robed men that chased after them. He had trouble believing a single sect could muster the numbers to send so many into the Secret Realm. After all, throughout the entire Golden Mist sect there were only four disciples in the Qi Condensation stage that had the qualifications to enter.


    His boots squeaked against the pavement, following the princess as she took a sudden turn, cutting between two buildings. Perhaps Cang Wuji had been right, He thought with a snort. He really did come from a third rate sect.


    He stopped thinking, focused only on staying a step ahead of their foes. Thankfully the roads throughout the sect had remained mostly intact, and he didn¡¯t have to worry about anything impeding his steps. Unfortunately, it benefited those behind them equally well.


    Buildings flashed by as they sprinted through the streets of the ancient sect, following a path only the princess knew. To his surprise, a familiar sight rose in the distance, the strange untouched wall that Yu Chen had seen earlier in the day. Seeing it, he couldn¡¯t help but feel as though it was the source of their journey.


    He¡¯d felt a strange energy when he¡¯d touched it before. After some thought he¡¯d come to the realization that some strange formation still empowered it, but there hadn¡¯t been anything he could do about it. He knew nothing of formations after all. Perhaps the princess did?


    He was proven wrong. Right as they approached the base of the wall the princess cut once again, running parallel to it as they raced against their opponents. The princess ignored the wall, intent on some other destination.


    ¡°There!¡± She called out, pointing, and relief filled her voice as it carried through the air. ¡°We must reach the top of that platform up ahead.¡±


    The group found their second wind, redoubling their pace as the destination appeared before them, making for the raised platform that stood facing the inner wall. Its details became clearer as they approached closer. It was a tall platform, perhaps three times the height of a man but still much shorter than the towering walls it faced. A wide staircase led to the top, and the platform itself was ringed by an intricate railing, waist-high.


    His thoughts were interrupted as a dagger came whistling through the air, lodging into a young boy running nearby. Yu Chen could only watch as he dropped with a cry, before ducking as more daggers came flying towards him.


    It wasn¡¯t that easy. Every one of the cultivators the princess had gathered were powerful people, the pride of whatever sect they¡¯d come from. They activated movement techniques, dodging the thrown weapons as they moved in erratic patterns, splitting up as they dashed towards the platform.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Yu Chen channeled his own technique as well, leaping ahead of the others. If one looked closely they wouldn¡¯t be remiss if they confused his steps with a waddle, but it appeared a graceful one, unlike any beast they¡¯d have ever seen. He moved as though in a dream, every step taking him further than he had any right to go.


    He was among the first to reach the platform, racing up the steps to the top, where he landed just one step ahead of the princess herself. She cast a surprised glance his way, but it passed quickly as she turned around, calling out orders to the others.


    ¡°Hurry up, we need everyone to quickly gather! The platform won¡¯t activate until enough people are present!¡±


    A low hum began building as she spoke, as more and more people arrived, racing up the stairs to step onto the platform. The icy girl was among those who made it, although she now bled from a slash that marred her side, as well as the boy with three swords, although his friend seemed to be missing.


    He watched as a heavyset man landed on the platform next, moving with a graceful fluidity despite his size. And then Cang Wuji arrived, followed by Ling Xia, and Yu Chen sighed in relief as he saw them. The low hum rose another notch, now clearly audible in the afternoon air.


    One by one, more cultivators sped up the stairs, arriving atop the platform.


    And then, the first black-robed man arrived. The cultivator¡¯s nearest to him let out shouts of rage, rushing forward to engage the man. However, even as they cut him down more and more demonic cultivators arrived to replace him. They pressed up the stairs, and the cultivator¡¯s gathered by Lingxuan made their final stand, forcing the demonic cultivators to pay in blood for every step they took, fighting like the cornered beasts they were.


    Everything hinged upon this moment. And Yu Chen didn¡¯t know what would happen, hating that his life was in the hands of the conniving princess. Either her plan would work, or they¡¯d all died, swept away like flotsam upon a bloody river. Rage filled him at the thought, so he joined the fray, fighting alongside the others as he exchanged blows with one of the strange cultivators who fought in silence.


    It was a quick fight. Yu Chen offered no quarter, ending him in five exchanges, before pressing forward, seeking out more opponents.


    Lan She appeared as he fought, striking with deadly impunity as she covered his back, watching over his blindspots. The blows Yu Chen struck out with were heavy, aimed to kill or maim. The men he was fighting against were intent upon murder, so he didn¡¯t pull his punches, aiming for the neck and the groin, gouging out eyes and breaking limbs as he flowed through the oncoming horde.


    It was as if this wild, reckless brawl had been made for him. The tides of battle were constantly shifting, bringing him before new foes, and moving old ones away. He didn''t have to worry about his opponents tactics and strategies, the fight was too chaotic for such things to have much meaning.


    It was a brutal violent affair and Yu Chen felt at home, his heart thumping in operatic joy. All his thoughts fled, he couldn¡¯t remember why he was here, or where his friends were. He didn¡¯t even notice as the thrum in the air slowly increased until it became a keening noise that irked, screeching just at the edge of hearing.


    All he could see was the endless flow of battle, and he carved a bloody path through it. A smile grew across his face as he dodged a sloppy kick, grabbing his foe''s leg and driving an elbow into it, using his formidable force to break it in two. The black-robed man fell to the ground screaming, and Yu Chen stepped over him.


    Another stood nearby, about to stab a downed cultivator. Yu Chen let out a shout and leapt towards the man, slamming a stiff hand, filled with condensed qi, into the back of the man¡¯s neck. He heard a crunching sound and the man fell to the floor like a puppet whose strings had been cut.


    He ignored the startled shout of thanks, rushing towards another fight.


    Three black-robed men surrounded a young girl who was bleeding from numerous wounds, appearing hard pressed. A small part in the back of the mind recognized her as the icy girl from before, but he ignored the voice, letting out a laugh of pure joy as he waded into the fight.


    He lay about him, lashing out with heavy blows and alleviating the pressure on the young girl. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him fight, and she quickly rallied, refusing to be outdone. They fought together, quickly overpowering the three men.


    The girl nodded towards him, offering silent thanks. Yu Chen nodded back absently, looking around for the next fight when the platform flickered, and Yu Chen found himself alone in the darkness.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Wake Up.


    Wake Up.


    Wake Up!


    Yu Chen startled awake, groaning as he sat up. His mouth felt dry and full of cotton, his lips cracking as he opened his mouth to take a deep breath. That breath turned into a cough as the hot air scorched his throat, and he couldn¡¯t help but let out a moan of pain.


    Blinking he looked around, shading his eyes from the harsh sun that beamed down upon him, seeing only the endless desert that stretched out on all sides, the same as always. He stood up, wavering as he stumbled to his feet before taking a step, and then another, his pace gradually increasing as his steps firmed beneath him.


    He walked as he always had and he couldn¡¯t say how far he¡¯d traveled. He didn¡¯t know for how long he¡¯d been walking for, or how far he had left to go, but those were things that didn¡¯t matter. The only thing that mattered was this step he was taking, and then the one after that.


    Thoughts and sensations pressed against the edges of his mind, demanding his attention. The beating heat of the sun above and the thirst that ached in his scratchy throat. The pain in his bare feet as he strode across the scorching sand and the hazy feeling of unreality that pervaded the scene.


    However, in the face of the next implacable step nothing else mattered. Everything else dissolved into a single-minded focus as he took it, and then another.


    At one point he¡¯d had questions, he remembered that. He¡¯d left them behind too. They were lost somewhere in the sands behind him, cast away long ago.


    They didn¡¯t matter. Nothing did.


    He ignored everything beyond the next step, trudging through the endless desert.

 Tributary: Chapter 41 - The Trials I

    The days passed, blending together into one long blur as he continued his endless pilgrimage through the desert.


    The clothes that had once covered his body had long since been ruined and destroyed, left behind like so much else in the unending sands. They didn¡¯t matter, he didn¡¯t need them. He journeyed on naked, ignoring his bare body as it baked beneath the harsh sunlight that shone down upon him.


    His skin had dried out under that ruthless heat, his flesh cracking open and creating weeping wounds that exposed raw nerve endings. They screamed with every step he took; the jerky movements of his body opened them up to the environment. He didn¡¯t care. Disregarding the pain, he lifted one foot before placing the next, relentlessly walking forward and leaving behind a trail of bloody footprints to mark his path.


    Every moment was agony, and it had subsumed his entire being. He felt like collapsing, falling to the ground and giving up, but something within him refused. He didn¡¯t know why, he only knew that he wouldn¡¯t yield, no he couldn¡¯t, it wasn¡¯t in his nature. He¡¯d chosen his path, and he¡¯d follow it to the end, no matter how burdensome it became.


    There was a time when he hadn¡¯t known this about himself.


    The voice had helped reveal it to him. Of course, it had demanded a price in return. What was the cost to know the truth? He¡¯d asked. Everything, had come the whispered reply. There was no room for it to be otherwise, the journey he was on demanded no less.


    He¡¯d accepted the offer without hesitation, and the voice had attacked, greedily seizing everything that made him who he once was, except that which he truly was. He had nothing left now; except memories of memories he¡¯d once had. There was only one thing he knew to be true, the one thing that had remained with him throughout every nerve-wracking step.


    He¡¯d chosen this.


    All it had taken to realize the truth was stripping away everything he¡¯d believed he was. The person he¡¯d thought he¡¯d been had been scoured clean, wiped away like so much mud overlaying the surface of a priceless gem. What was revealed once that grime had been cleared away was who he truly was, the facets that made up his being now perfectly reflected within the pure light of reality, without any falsehoods or illusions to hide behind.


    And now he knew.


    He was diligent and earnest, a sincere lad who enjoyed hard work. He was reflective and self-aware, always examining himself in the pursuit of self-understanding. He was vindictive, stubborn and unyielding, never able to forgive a slight, to retreat or give up.


    He¡¯d once had a name, but names were like clothes, you could take them off or put them on at your leisure. His was gone now, buried somewhere behind him in the sands of time. He¡¯d once had a family, and friends as well. All that remained to him of them were vague sensations, impressions left behind by people he couldn¡¯t quite recall. There¡¯d also been a place he¡¯d belonged to and teachings that had once meant something to him. Now he recognized them as nothing more than the vague idealizations of half internalized beliefs.


    The folly of youth.


    He chuckled, before wincing in agony as the dry skin pulled at the corner of his lips, causing them to tear and bleed. He groaned as he felt it, and his head dipped low, his spine bending under the tortuous heat of the sun. He refused to stay down, however. He proudly raised himself back up, defying the pain that threatened to cow him. He took another step, and the blazing sand shifted beneath his feet. He no longer felt it, any nerve endings there having long since burnt away.


    None of this mattered. The only thing that mattered was advancing and continuing to move forward.


    He lifted a foot to take the next step, and paused, hovering there uncertain as a thought struck him like a thunderbolt from the blue. Why? He knew advancing mattered, that it was important, that to stop was to falter, to falter was to fall, to fall was to die - The thoughts ran through his head in circles, but he still didn¡¯t take that next step. There was something deeper here, something that he was still missing.


    The sun beat down on his back as he considered it, gradually corralling his thoughts.


    He¡¯d had a reason to advance once, long ago. But it had been stripped from him as well, wiped away alongside all his other thoughts and memories.


    But now, above all else, it mattered.


    ¡°Purpose.¡± He muttered, his dry voice cracking as it came out in a hoarse whisper, unrecognizable even to himself.


    Ceaselessly advancing forward, as if that was all there was in life¡­ He laughed again, a dry, ugly sound that tugged on his sunburnt skin. How childish.


    He¡¯d had a purpose once, but he knew now that it had been but half a dream. It hadn¡¯t been real, not real enough to survive whatever this was.


    He looked up, staring at that blazing ball in the sky that reigned on high so far above him. He felt his spirit ignite as he looked at it, an intense desire welling up within him. He wanted to be able to walk beneath it without fear, to know a day where the light no longer burned when it touched him. No, he wanted to see the day where he could reach out and touch it, grasping it within his own hands. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    A day when perhaps he himself shone as bright as that light in the sky.


    He laughed again, but this time joy tinged it for he finally recalled - no, he hadn¡¯t recalled, he¡¯d realized, realized exactly what it was that drove him.


    He no longer advanced without purpose, mindlessly moving forward.


    He finally placed his foot down, taking that next step.


    He advanced in pursuit of the heavens.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen snapped awake, breathing heavily. He clutched his head, groaning as he waited for the inevitable feeling of pain to wash over him. It never came, instead -


    ¡°You¡¯ve successfully passed the trial of Mind. Remarkable results. When you are ready, you may progress onto the next.¡± The voice spoke, sounding out from all around him.


    ¡°What?¡± Yu Chen croaked out, as he heard the unexpected sound. He blinked, looking around blurrily, no longer seeing the shifting sands of that endless desert. The blinding brightness was gone as well, and his eyes struggled to adjust to the sudden change.


    ¡°Where am I?¡±


    He could make out the room, he just didn¡¯t recognize it. He lay within a solid square of white marble, wide enough for two men to stand arms outstretched and still not touch the walls, the same walls which shone with a faint luminescence, lighting up the space around him. He didn¡¯t recognize the place, and he¡¯d no idea of how he got there. His memories were full of endless scenes of that damnable desert, and he had trouble recalling anything before that.


    ¡°You are currently undertaking the trials arranged for the disciples of Flowing Eternity. The ones put in place for those who wish to advance into the Inner Sect.¡± The voice said before adding helpfully. ¡°So far, you have managed to successfully pass one such trial. I must say you¡¯re doing quite well all things considered. Most who awake simply lie there screaming.¡±


    Yu Chen stood up, reeling as his memories came flooding back and he recalled where he was.


    Who he was.


    It took some time for him to get his bearings. The heat of that fictional sun still lingered in the back of his mind, despite its irreality. He felt the muscles across his back and shoulders twitch, writhing as they responded to the imagined pain he half recalled.


    No phantom pains came from within his feet. They hadn¡¯t hurt in a long time, even within the dream. He took stock, finding his body mostly intact, his clothes present and his spatial pouch still there. Physically he hadn¡¯t changed, but mentally was a different matter. The experience had aged him in some strange way.


    He didn¡¯t know how long he¡¯d spent in that other world, although it seemed not much time had passed here. He couldn¡¯t say if it had been eons or a single fleeting moment, it made no difference. Time had lacked any meaning there, days tumbling by with the same ease that water had when poured from a cup, as his personality was ruthlessly scraped clean and measured.


    Only his indomitable willpower had allowed him to endure. He had to admit, no matter how painful the process had been it was edifying, bringing with it some indescribable benefits.


    His conviction had been tested within, and his vision had clarified. He no longer possessed doubts about who he was, or his purpose, feeling a sense of surety about himself that only much older men possessed.


    He let out a low breath, banishing his lingering thoughts, and taking time to center himself before replying to the voice in the room.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Yu Chen asked. His voice was hard and even now, his tone filled with a new confidence.


    ¡°I¡¯m not really anyone at all. I simply oversee the trials. Nothing more, nothing less.¡± The voice replied, its tone ambiguous.


    ¡°Are you a person?¡±


    ¡°No. At least, not in the sense that you mean. I am not a human but a tool.¡±


    Yu Chen looked around, seeing nothing but the blank walls that surrounded him on every side. The room he was within was completely unadorned, void of any distinguishment. Without the pull of gravity weighing him down, he wouldn¡¯t even be able to say which was up.


    ¡°Where do I go now?¡± He asked the voice.


    No reply came, but the marble before him seamlessly split, revealing a path that descended downwards.


    ¡°The trial of Body awaits you below.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, stepping through the door.


    He followed the path as it sloped downwards, spiraling through the earth before splitting in two. Yu Chen stood at the intersection, and he could feel two separate breezes blowing from down below, each carrying the rich scent of qi. The path on the left brought a dry heat with it, and it bathed him in the heavy sensation of rich fire qi. The breeze from the right carried a deep chill within it, and Yu Chen sensed the familiar sensation of strong water qi emanating from that direction.


    The voice had called the path ahead the test of Body. Yu Chen nodded to himself before stepping down the left-hand path. The heat increased as he walked until it became sweltering, causing sweat to begin to bead across his forehead.


    He continued forward, moving down the tunnel until it finally came to an end, opening up into a wide cavern that was full of a dense roiling heat that threatened to overwhelm him. Thick magma bubbled all around, occasionally popping with a splash that flung small drops of molten rock across the cave.


    A single, thin band of crumbling earth snaked throughout the cavern, creating a path that was longer than it had any right to be, leading to an opening on the other side. Rich fire qi filled the air, bubbling up from the depths of the earth like a massive aspected energy well.


    This place was heaven to anyone that walked a path of flames, and hell to all else. Yu Chen grinned.


    Perhaps even hell could be turned to his advantage.

 Tributary: Chapter 42 - The Trials II

    Yu Chen stood at the edge of the turbulent pit, looking down at the seething pool of lava only a few feet away. The roiling sea of molten rock stretched out before him, filling the wide cavernous space, illuminating even the distant peaks of the stalactites that hung far above.


    It churned as he watched, swirling in agitated waves that moved back and forth, swaying entrancingly. The occasional bubble welled up, and one exploded not too far away from him, releasing trapped gases that had risen out of the depths.


    The magma before him had been brought forth from the molten core of the world itself, and it brought with it a rich spiritual energy that wafted forth, filling the air with a rich, aromatic scent that caused his nose to twitch. The energy was so thick it was almost cloying, and Yu Chen considered what to do next.


    This place was only half a step away from being a spiritual treasure itself, and cultivating here would have untold benefits for those who could utilize the fire aspected spiritual energy. Yu Chen was not such a person as the Golden Mist Sect didn''t provide any techniques that aspected one¡¯s qi to those at the level of Qi Condensation. He knew they existed for the Foundation Establishment cultivators, as many in the sect would eventually choose to aspect their qi towards metal, to better utilize some of the truly profound techniques the sect possessed.


    He couldn''t cultivate it, but he just so happened to possess a technique that could utilize the aspected energy. A small smile crossed his face at the thought as he realized he might actually be able to utilize the cavern, transforming this hellish test into a stroke of fortune that he had he¡¯d be a fool to not take advantage of it.


    He inhaled deeply before breathing out, clearing his mind in the space of a thought. It took no effort at all, not after the trial he¡¯d just gone through. Clarity came naturally, no longer the product of some behavior he¡¯d engage in, but a reflexive action instead. His thoughts and concerns disengaged, disappearing from his mind.


    He didn¡¯t even sense them lurking around the edges, where they would usually retreat, waiting for the perfect moment to steal his attention. Instead, his mind felt clear, clinically so, and he observed everything around him with the focused detachment he normally associated with fighting.


    He began cycling the Yellow River Tempering Technique as he stepped out onto the thin, crumbling path that snaked across the magmatic sea filling the large cavern. His dantian activated and a small vortex formed, pulling on the fire-aspected spiritual energy that swirled in the air. The thick energy poured towards him in waves before entering his body.


    He winced in pain as his dantian pulled the energy within him. It burned as it entered his pores, making him feel as though the fiery energy were scorching him from the inside out. It was alien than the other energies he¡¯d tasted, unique in some manner all its own.


    The Water Qi had felt relatable. In many ways it had felt essential, like something intrinsic to his own nature. Rejecting the water qi would in some strange way be like rejecting himself. Bathing within those spiritual waters had been painful, but it had never felt foreign.


    The Wood qi was similar, although there were aspects to it that felt different. The wooden, earthy feeling it gave off had been far from his realm of reference. Even so, it had been so full of life, possessing a nurturing energy, that made one feel comfortable when submerged within. It had felt like snuggling into a comforting blanket on a cold night. Something like the feeling of a warm hug on a dark, depressing day.


    Fire was different, far different from the other two.


    There was nothing gentle about it, it didn¡¯t pretend to nurture or provide anything. It only consumed, flickering with intensity as it ate away at everything before it. The destruction it wreaked only empowered it, helping to fuel its continued existence.


    His muscles twitched as the fire aspected energy began to rework his body, causing his movements to become jerky. He ignored it, taking another step as he continued his journey across the molten sea. His steps were steady, despite the incessant twitching. He maintained his full concentration, ensuring he didn''t misstep, as the thin band of rock was the only thing keeping him from a painful death.


    Time had taken its toll on the path, as it had across everything else in the sect. The lava had eaten away at the trail, leaving its once uniform shape time worn and irregular, a mess of oddly ruined pathway. It had originally been the width of a man¡¯s outstretched arms, but now most of it was less than half that size. At one point the trail even narrowed to less than a handswidth. It was no difficult feat for a cultivator to cross, but it was still a nerve-wracking experience as his muscles trembled and jerked, the bubbling magma just inches from his flesh.


    The magma turned in the pool below him as he watched, driven by unseen currents as it rolled about. The heat from it rose up around him in waves, warping the atmosphere and causing it to shimmer, appearing hazy in his vision. The haze increased as he made his way deeper into the cavern, transitioning from an uncomfortable feeling to one that was nearly unbearable as he approached the halfway point.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    It was here, where the temperature had risen to such a point that even his well-made robes, created within the sect from some strange materials, began to smolder upon his body. He had to cycle his qi to prevent his own flesh from bursting into flames. His skin slowly turned red even with the thick layer of protective qi, an intense reaction caused by the heat in his air.


    Reaching the center of the cave he sat, resting on the thin walkway and cycling his tempering technique pulling in as much of the fiery, rampaging energy as he could. The fire aspected energy was at its thickest here, filling the air around him with dense waves.


    He breathed deeply, pulling the energy into him where the yellow river technique seized it, using it to temper his body.


    The energy roared as it entered, spreading to penetrate deep throughout his body. A body that, twice strengthened, resisted against the intrusion mightily. The fire wouldn¡¯t be denied however, raging throughout his body until there wasn¡¯t a single cell that had been left untouched, as the consuming power of fire burned away what it could of the remaining impurities that filled his body.


    He let go of himself as the energy rampaged throughout his body, shedding off Yu Chen like a pair of old clothes. Melding with the world he harmonized with the energy, becoming one. He took in a deep breath of air that scorched his lungs as he began to understand exactly what he¡¯d seized hold of.


    Fire was an energy that was unruly and chaotic, refusing to be tamed or brought to heel. It only knew how to exist unrestrained and was wholly unwilling to submit itself. It was the path of true freedom, living in the manner of those truly lived. A life where one burnt brightly at every moment, embodying their own truth.


    It was the source of all passion and desire, a raw, untamed force that demanded you embrace it even as it burned you alive. Resist, and you were destined to suffer a life of subdued mediocrity, one shackled by fear and hesitation. Choose to embrace it however, and you¡¯d burn with a furious light, living a life true to yourself - as fierce and free as fire itself.


    It was light and clarity, that which shone in the darkness, providing a way forward for man. It illuminated that which was obscured from sight and revealed that which was hidden away. In its presence, falsehoods shriveled and died, unable to survive under the unforgiving luminescence of its presence. Grasping this aspect allowed one to discern truth from lies, separating mud from water and dragons from worms, separating the dross with its purifying flames.


    Fire transformed.


    It was the beginning and the end. The universe itself had been birthed in primordial fires. They would come again, returning at the end of days to engulf everything in its all-consuming embrace, reducing what was into ashes. Yet it was this very destruction that fertilized the mindground of reality, providing the nutrients for that which was to come.


    It was creator and destroyer, turning in endless cycles.


    Yu Chen let out a shudder as he returned to himself, feeling a new strength brimming within him as the purifying flames reworked his body. He let loose a grunt of pain as the energy encountered the remnant wood qi within him and he felt it quicken, redoubling its efforts as the latent energy nourished it.


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes shone as a thought emerged. He slapped his spatial pouch, injecting a small jolt of energy that caused four large lotus flowers to emerge, hovering around him. He snatched them out of the air, arranging them and watching as they began to swell, absorbing the rich, fiery energy around him for themselves.


    They were of course the Scarlet Bloom Lotuses he had retrieved with Cang Wuji, one of his many spoils within the Secret Realm.


    The energy in the air seemed to be perfect for them and they greedily sucked it in, absorbing the fiery qi in the air. The effect was twofold. First, it caused more of the fiery aspected energy to be drawn towards him, the suctional force of the spiritual flowers dramatically increasing the size of the vortex that surrounded him. Secondly, they gave off a dense aura of their own, causing the already crowded and fiery atmosphere to become almost overbearing as the flowers added their own energy.


    Bathed in the mixture of fiery energies, Yu Chen¡¯s body was slowly remodeled. His muscles, burning from within, were scoured to a cleanliness beyond reality, to the point that they were changed on nearly a conceptual level. It was as though every doubt had been erased from within, leaving behind what could only be Muscle, in every sense of the word.


    His tendons and joints were likewise reimagined, his bones and organs as well. At every step it was as though the fire that washed through him had erased any contrary ideas about what could possibly be, leaving behind only the pure truth of what was. It was a painful baptism, as the fire swept through his body. In his Dantian a new light appeared, as a small flame flickered to life within him, burning brightly.


    And so, it came to an end, the tempering technique running through its final cycle.


    Yu Chen opened his eyes, blinking as ash fell from his eyelashes. He exhaled sharply, causing more ash to fall, and the tiny pebbles on the path before him trembled, dancing about from the force of his breath.


    The impurities he¡¯d forced out of his body had been burnt to dust by the intense heat around him, covering him in a solid shell of filth and grime. He stood up in one smooth motion, emerging from the cocoon of ash like a freshly molted butterfly.


    The heat that had once threatened to ignite him, felt like a summer afternoon now that he¡¯d been reforged. A very hot summer afternoon, but nothing more. An internal fire burned within him now, and what blaze of glory could compete with his own?


    Bending he retrieved the flowers from the ground. He couldn''t leave them behind. They were fat and full of fiery qi, and he could see new orange stripes running through the crimson petals.


    Cracking his neck, he ran his hands through his dry hair, shaking out the black specks of ash that fell, littering the ground.


    A strange light flashed in his eyes as he grinned, almost looking as though they were illuminated from within.


    Stepping forward, he followed the long snaking path to the end of the cavern.

 Tributary: Chapter 43 - The Trials III

    Yu Chen made it to the end of the path, stepping down onto the other side of the cave.


    His back felt toasty warm as he walked away from the flickering magma pool, departing the cavern without looking back.


    He walked through a long winding tunnel, similar to the one he¡¯d entered from, only this one gradually sloped upwards as it approached the surface. The rough hewn stone floor gradually gave way to a more refined appearance, before ending in a flat wall.


    As he approached the dead end the stone peeled away, opening up to reveal another large room. He stepped within, finding himself inside a room of white marble that glowed softly with an internal luminescence.


    It wasn¡¯t as uniform as the chamber that had come before. This one sprawled, forming a wide rectangular shape that was both expansive and unnatural. The floor before him only stretched halfway across before abruptly ending in a sharp ledge. He approached it, looking down to see a yawning abyss, shrouded in a swirling, ghostly fog.


    He peered into the depths, looking at the mists churning far below. The thick vapor within the pit clung close to the ground, obscuring it from vision as it flowed slowly towards the right in an endless stream. As he watched, silvery tendrils of ethereal fog reached towards him, twisting and writhing as though alive.


    Yu Chen instinctively leaned back, a shudder passing through him despite the distance, watching in fascination as the roiling waves of mists floated by. Curious, he looked around for a source, before spotting a shadowy alcove in the wall from which the fog gushed forth in rolling waves, tumbling down to pool in the pit before drifting onward, vanishing through some unseen crevice on the other side.


    He¡¯d never seen such a thing, and curious, he approached the misty waterfall, reaching out to touch it -


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t advise that.¡± The invisible voice spoke again, surprising him. Yu Chen stopped, warily eyeing the misty waterfall. Heeding the voice he took some steps back, avoiding the living fog that was now stretching towards him.


    ¡°Very good. I see that you¡¯ve managed to survive the trial of body.¡± The voice said, speaking in dulcet tones that resounded out from all around him.


    Yu Chen opened his mouth, but it continued before he could say anything.


    ¡°How peculiar!¡± It said in surprise. ¡°It appears that you¡¯ve actually come out stronger. I have been conducting these tests for many years, and I must say that this is a first.¡± Yu Chen felt a small surge of pride as he heard the voice speak.


    He wasn¡¯t a vain man, but he felt happy that he¡¯d managed to surprise the enigmatic being.


    ¡°The next test before you is the trial of spirit. I must warn you, this test is considered very dangerous and many who take it never return. You are a talented cultivator, and can take pride that you¡¯ve passed two tests. From here however, it¡¯s best if you turn around. Just say the words and you can leave, going off to live a long life.¡±


    Yu Chen snorted loudly in reply.


    A test of spirit? His spirit truly wouldn¡¯t be worth much if these words were enough to break it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the test, thank you.¡± He said, speaking in a confident tone.


    ¡°Very well.¡± The voice replied, its tone dropping low as it continued. ¡°What you see before you is the River of Eternity, the greatest heavenly treasure the Flowing Eternity Sect has ever produced, crafted by one with an unfathomable understanding of the Concept of Time. Step into its waters and you will experience a life that could have been.¡±


    Yu Chen frowned at the words, considering what the voice said. ¡°What is the test?¡±


    ¡°You will know when the time comes.¡± The voice said, speaking ambiguously.


    Yu Chen nodded, looking down at the shifting mists churning in the pit beneath him. He would know when the time comes, huh? He raised a hand, scratching his chin as he considered what was to come.


    Well, it didn¡¯t matter in the end. Whatever it was he¡¯d face it in the same way he had everything else. There was nothing for him to think about, he¡¯d known he would take the test, whatever it was, before he¡¯d even walked into the room.


    He clenched his fist, confidently speaking to the voice.


    ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡±


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    ¡°Time to wake up, you lousy good for nothing layabouts! Awake with you, awake!¡±


    The shouts came, accompanied by the harsh screech of metal banging against metal. The noise reverberated throughout the early morning air, cutting through the stillness that had blanketed the world. Yu Chen bolted awake at the noise, groaning as he rubbed at his face.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Every morning with this,¡± He complained, the words ending in a big yawn as he stretched his arms out wide.


    ¡°It¡¯s for our own good Xiao Yu.¡± His brother chided.


    Yu Chen blinked as he looked up, smiling at the sight of his brother. He watched as Yu Mo tightened his armor, pulling on one of the cords that bound the mass of overlapping metal, leather, and lacquered plates together. The plates of his lamellar armor were reinforced with steel and decorated with designs in red silk.


    Yu Mo always awoke earlier than most. It was a habit from his youth. He¡¯d grown up as a shepherd and was used to being awake before first light, earlier even than those tasked with awakening the battalion.


    Yu Chen had always preferred sleeping in a bit himself.


    Eventually the clanging of the metal gongs came to an end as the ralliers completed their duty, having ensured the camp awoke on time. Yu Chen stumbled to his feet, joining Yu Mo and pulling on his own armor.


    The one he owned wasn¡¯t as nice as his brother¡¯s, nothing more than a simple sleeve of padded leather with some thin metal plates sewn in. The difference in their armor didn¡¯t bother him, but he couldn¡¯t help but cast an envious glance towards the fine straight sword that hung on his brother¡¯s hip. Not that he wanted his brother¡¯s things, but the sword, and what it represented, was something everyone in the army desired.


    The sword was reserved for those in command, a symbol of power, while Yu Chen only possessed a spear, like the vast majority of the army. Yu Mo had been promoted to squad leader recently, and was now tasked with the command of ten men, having caught the eye of the company commander.


    Not that it was hard to get a promotion.


    The war was endless and attrition was rampant. Every engagement left new openings to fill, gaps left behind by the dead. Yu Mo was very charismatic and well liked by the others, and it hadn¡¯t taken him long to earn a higher position. It also didn¡¯t hurt that he was a talented fighter, having survived more than ten engagements by now.


    Yu Chen on the other hand, had been passed over time and again. He was a talented fighter himself, but he lacked his brother¡¯s easy affability. An unspoken truth in the military was that positions of command were as soon political as not.


    Not that Yu Chen cared. Sure he¡¯d love to have a sword of his own, and all the trappings of rank, but he was just thankful that they had been allowed to remain together, unlike their father whom they hadn¡¯t seen in over a year. He¡¯d been transferred early on, and the last they¡¯d heard of him he was fighting in a battalion somewhere on the other side of the Empire.


    It had been a long year for the two brothers, but fighting side by side had brought them closer than ever.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Yu Mo asked, as he gathered his long black hair into a tight ponytail, before placing his conical steel helm atop his head. A red plume rose from the top of it, brushing the roof of the tent.


    Privately Yu Chen thought the feather stupid, but he¡¯d never tell his brother that. Whose bright idea had it been to mark out the officers for their enemy to see anyways? It seemed a good way to have your leadership targeted.


    ¡°Almost.¡± Yu Chen said with another yawn, shaking the thought away. He was still half asleep, going through the motions as he tugged on his padded leather before laying the thin chainmail skirting on top.


    Finished, he twisted and stretched before bending over, touching his toes, ensuring the armor didn¡¯t tug anywhere. It fit him like a glove, having molded to his body over the last year. He bounced on his feet a bit, feeling satisfied, before following his brother out of the tent.


    They stepped outside and Yu Mo grabbed his spear from where it lay resting against the side of the tent. Yu Chen copied him, grabbing his own before following his brother throughout the encampment.


    They passed familiar faces as they walked, and Yu Chen smiled, waving towards his squad mates and nodding at the others in his company. He shared an easy camaraderie with these men, treating them like brothers. The battlefield was a strange place, bloodshed bonding men together in a way nothing else could.


    They nodded back at him as he passed, going through their own motions. Some were hunched overeating whatever breakfast they had, others honing their weapons or chatting in easy conversation, half dressed as they prepared for the day.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but feel the somber atmosphere hung over the camp, and he knew why. Battle was on the horizon. The men around him, hard bitten in the war that had stretched throughout the seasons, had varying looks upon their faces. Some appeared excited, sharing bloodthirsty smiles as they joked with each other, while others were quiet, appearing contemplative in the early morning.


    The heavy sound of laughter came from a nearby group of men, and Yu Chen came to a halt as Yu Mo stopped beside them. The rowdy group was tossing dice in the compacted dirt between two tents, filling the air with shouts of excitement, and low groans of disappointment. Yu Chen stood beside his brother, mirroring his look of disapproval, but in truth he felt like laughing himself.


    Military camps shared one commonality no matter when, or where. Regardless of what time of day it was, there were soldiers somewhere, gambling on something.


    ¡°Chen Rui!¡± Yu Mo said, slapping a hand on the shoulder of one of the men playing the game. ¡±Finish up, we have to report to the commander.¡±


    ¡°Go away!¡± The sallow faced man kneeling down on one knee spoke as he tossed the dice, before groaning at the two single pips that showed up. He threw his hands up, before looking at Yu Mo and complaining bitterly. ¡°You¡¯re a bad luck charm! I always lose when you come around.¡±


    Yu Mo snorted in amusement. ¡°You¡¯re the unlucky one friend, and you ought to thank your stars you met me. I¡¯m the only reason you ever walk away with a little change still jingling in your pocket.¡±


    Chen Rui sighed, muttering under his breath before picking up his helm, a twin of the same one Yu Mo carried. The others in the game complained as the man stood up to leave but Chen Rui only threw some rude gestures towards them before walking away.


    They continued on, not missing a beat as Chen Rui left, groans of despair and wild whoops of joy following the three as they strode away into the distance.

 Tributary: Chapter 44 - The Trials IV

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why we have to attend these meetings anyways,¡± Chen Rui muttered as they walked. ¡°The old bastard never shares anything of value, it¡¯s always the same old bullshit.¡±


    Yu Mo shook his head at his friend, looking amused despite his attempt to appear serious.


    ¡°He¡¯s not so bad.¡± Yu Mo said loyally, but he rubbed his earlobe as he spoke, a tic he¡¯d had since childhood, and Yu Chen knew he didn¡¯t believe what he was saying.


    Chen Rui looked at him incredulously. ¡°He¡¯s not so, - Who¡¯s not so bad? He doesn¡¯t even bother to give us proper orders. Last time he didn¡¯t even bother to greet us. He just waved us away as soon as we entered the tent. All he said was, you know what to do.¡± Chen Rui said with a snort.


    Yu Mo sighed, shaking his head, but he didn¡¯t say anything, pretending to ignore Chen Rui as he continued speaking.


    ¡°He¡¯s right, I do know what to do.¡± Chen Rui muttered rebelliously, speaking to himself as he stared towards the sky. ¡°I should be the one giving him orders.¡±


    Yu Chen stayed quiet as he walked alongside them, listening as they bickered back and forth as they made their way towards the Commander¡¯s tent. The streets they walked down were kept clear, wide enough for two wagons to pass side by side. The general at least ensured the camp was kept organized. He demanded the tents be arranged in neat patterns, each a set distance from the next.


    He ran a tight camp, something Yu Chen was thankful for, as the commander had never bothered. For the most part mustered troops served under whatever local lords ruled over the land they lived in, and they were no different. The brothers served in one of several companies fielded by the Tiexue clan, and they were currently under the command of one of lord¡¯s nephews.


    The man hated the role, despite the prestige it brought him. He left the troops to their own devices more often than not, preferring to pretend he was still in one of his family''s palaces, enjoying a decadent lifestyle.


    Before long they¡¯d arrived outside the large command tent, easily ten times the size of the one Yu Chen shared with his brother. It was located at a busy intersection, and there were plenty of people milling around the outside of the tent, occasionally entering or leaving.


    Chen Rui ceased his grumbling as they arrived, quieting down. Yu Mo approached the tent, lifting the flap to enter, but paused as the sound of loud shouting poured out from within.


    ¡°Find some, I don¡¯t care what it costs! Turn the whole damn camp upside down if you have to, or send someone off to search for it, but don¡¯t come back until you have it!¡±


    Yu Chen stepped out of the way as a harassed looking man in an ill-fitting uniform ran out of the tent, the loud, angry shouts whipping at his back. He was mopping the sweat from his face with a white silk handkerchief, and Yu Chen could hear him muttering under his breath as he ran out.


    ¡°Red wine, and the proper vintage, he says, as if these hillbillies possess any for me to buy. I¡¯ll have to visit Lord Cangxuan¡¯s steward, I heard the man recently received a delivery.¡±


    Yu Chen shook his head in amusement as he watched the man disappear into the distance, before turning and following the other two into the tent. Somehow, despite the uniform, he doubted the man had ever stepped foot on a battlefield.


    Yu Mo and Chen Rui had ignored the scene entirely, well used to the Commander¡¯s behavior, approaching the large table that filled the middle of the tent after they entered. Yu Chen didn¡¯t follow them over there, splitting off to join the other miscellaneous retainers who crowded around the edges of the tent.


    He found a spot beside two men he knew well, making himself comfortable as he watched the proceedings.


    The commander filled the room with his presence as he leaned over the large table, using it to brace his considerable girth. He was glowering around the room, and his angry eyes landed on Yu Mo as the two approached. Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but notice his rosy cheeks, already red from drink, despite the early hour.


    ¡°Took you long enough boy. I was about to send someone after you.¡± He said, turning his ire towards his brother.


    Yu Mo paused, giving a short bow, perfectly textbook as he clasped his hands in front of the commander. ¡°Apologies my lord. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but notice that there were only two other squad leaders present, the rest having not yet arrived, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel annoyed at the large man¡¯s antics.


    The commander grunted, pushing himself up from the table and turning away, walking towards a desk that was situated in the back corner of the tent. His wide back was turned towards them as he picked up an ornate wine glass and took a long drink, before letting out a sigh of relief. Satisfied, he turned around, looking towards the rest of the room as he held his cup out, not paying attention to the servant who hurried ran over to refill it.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°It¡¯s a fight today.¡± He said shortly, before moving his large body back towards the table, stabbing a fat finger towards the map positioned atop it. He took another long gulp before waving his cup around, gesticulating as he spoke.


    ¡°Those bastards from Hunyuan have been gathering on this hill over here.¡± He said, pressing his finger into the map before picking up a tiny figurine with a grunt, dangling it in the air. ¡°The general expects you all to be ready in a few hours. He¡¯s planning an assault on that position.¡±


    Chen Rui let out a small groan, just loud enough for the commander to hear. The large man looked up, giving the squad leader a sweetly sick smile. ¡°You don¡¯t like the sound of it eh? You¡¯ll like it even less when you hear the rest. Scouts report a large cavalry detachment in the area, and they¡¯ve sighted a complement of Spitters as well. Dragon¡¯s breath, by the looks of it.¡±


    His smile widened as he eyed the young man¡¯s look of dismay. ¡°Have fun.¡±


    Yu Chen paled as he heard the words, and a low murmur spread through the room as the mood suddenly plummeted. The commander looked around at them, snorting in disdain before taking another swallow of wine.


    No soldier liked to hear they¡¯d be facing Spitters. It was a slang term the soldiers had created for the variety of deadly anti-personnel weapons fielded by the enemy. Their presence always signified a bloody battle.


    Dragon¡¯s Breath was among the worst of them all, a violent tool that flung out sparks in a wide arc, showering men in hot streaks of molten metal that blinded, burned, and disoriented, causing massive casualties wherever they were fielded.


    Morale in the camp would collapse if the news spread, and it would become nearly impossible to force the men to charge into the deadly fire. No doubt the general had desired to keep the news under wraps. Unfortunately, the commander could care less, ruining carefully laid plans for a brief moment of cruelty.


    A tale always grew in the telling, and it wouldn¡¯t take more than a few hours before a miasma of despair descended to smother the camp.


    Yu Chen was interrupted from his thoughts by the sound of the tent opening. He turned, watching as a uniformed man strode in, walking up to the commander and whispering something in his ear. A lecherous grin spread across the large man¡¯s face as he listened to the other man.


    The commander tipped his cup back, drinking thirstly, and Yu Chen watched as his cheeks grew redder. Finished, he slammed it onto the table with a hard thump before addressing the room.


    ¡°Yes, well, some things have come up so I must take my leave. You all know what to do, so get to it. And don¡¯t embarrass me. If the general is unhappy, I¡¯ll have your heads!¡±


    He paused after speaking, before walking around the table to address Yu Mo, shoving a fat finger into his chest before speaking. ¡°Explain the situation to the other¡¯s when they arrive, boy, and don¡¯t be late again.¡±


    Yu Mo bowed to the man¡¯s back as he walked out of the tent, his uniformed toady following along by his side. It was a long moment before he raised back up, his face clear of emotion, giving no hint towards his own thoughts.


    The atmosphere in the tent changed once the commander left the room, a sense of relief running through the assembled men as they broke into worried chatter, talking amongst themselves.


    Everyone was more comfortable now that he was out of sight. The commander was like a force of nature, a natural disaster that brought no blessings, and the best thing you could hope for was that he¡¯d blow past you without delivering a calamity.


    Yu Mo had leaned over, gripping the table tightly as he looked down at the map. Yu Chen approached him now that the commander was gone, walking up to stand beside him before putting a hand on his brother¡¯s shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly.


    The others in the room might be happy that the man had left, but Yu Chen knew his brother took his responsibilities seriously and felt the additional stress the commander heaped upon him by shirking his own duties. It was a heavy weight on his shoulders, and he found it hard to bear.


    He looked down at the map his brother was staring at, examining the little figurines placed across it. Drawn lines covered the map, denoting borders, with small markings signifying the towns and villages that lay nearby. Notable features, such as trees, hills, and rivers were also notated.


    The Tianyun Empire stretched across two thirds of the map, starting from the bottom left corner. It was bordered by the Hanyuan Empire to the north, while a large river bordered the right side of the map.


    Yu Chen felt something strange at the sight of that river, but he couldn¡¯t say why. Frowning, he shook off the feeling, looking at the small figurines placed atop the map that showed the positions of the various armies.


    The empire possessed dozens of battalions, and their markers were spread all across the map along the border. There were many representing troops from the Hanyuan Empire as well, at least the battalions the empire knew about.


    The little figures representing the battalion they were part of were placed near the middle of the map, next to figures that represented two other nearby battalions. There were also two enemy battalions represented, but judging from the number of outriders, enemy scouts that had been spotted, Yu Chen thought there was doubtless another large detachment somewhere in the area.


    ¡°What is the plan?¡± Yu Chen asked, looking towards his brother.


    Yu Mo shook his head as he looked down at the map. ¡°Truthfully, I don¡¯t know. The general isn¡¯t a fool, if he¡¯s planning an attack he must have some trick up his sleeve.¡± He sighed in frustration as he looked at the map. ¡°There¡¯s not much we can do, other than trust in the general¡¯s vision and hold the line the best we can.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, lost in thoughts of his own as he looked down at the map, not paying attention as more squad leaders entered and Yu Mo began repeating the commander¡¯s words.

 Tributary: Chapter 45 - The Trials V

    Yu Chen twisted the spear in his hands nervously as they marched. He always felt jittery on the eve of battle, and he looked towards his brother, feeling his reassuring presence. Yu Mo cut a fine figure beside him, his plumed helm waving in the warm breeze that carried over the assembled troops.


    Men spread out around them in an endless wave as the entire battalion marched together. The two other battalions traveled alongside them, their armor filling the air with the sound of metal and creaking leather while the footsteps of thousands of men formed a drumbeat that resonated through the earth itself. After a year on campaign they marched in perfect order, every step they took striking with the precision of a hammer blow.


    A convoy followed behind the army consisting of the commanders and generals surrounded by their honor guard on proud horses. Servants, camp followers and other noncombatants were in the very back, accompanying the wagons that followed in their wake.


    It wasn¡¯t the entirety of the camp, but it wasn¡¯t far off.


    They marched for miles. The summer sun beat down upon them, the heat sweltering in the midst of so many people. Beneath his armor, Yu Chen was covered in a pool of sweat by the time their destination appeared in the distance. A large hill rose out of the endless prairie, providing an advantageous position for the army on top. The smoke from countless fires rose from atop the hill and a forest thicket lay nearby, several of its trees reduced to stumps.


    Yu Chen could see men swarming around it like a kicked ant hill as the three armies approached.


    They¡¯d been busy. Yu Chen''s stomach dropped as he took in the fortified position. Spiked logs had been carried from the nearby thicket and hammered into the ground, forming an imposing barricade with only a few openings. They¡¯d created multiple layers, designed to funnel the attackers into deadly chokepoints.


    Rudimentary watchtowers lined the hilltop as well, bundles of sticks and logs hastily lashed together. Yu Chen could make out movement within. They might appear rickety, but archers lined them, provided with an advantageous position from which to rain down fire upon their foes.


    Horns blew from behind them, and the armies came to a shuddering halt just short of the hill, far outside of bowshot. The horns blew once more and the armies separated, moving according to the signals. The battalion Yu Chen was a part of curved to the left, while another circled right, surrounding the hill from all sides.


    A heavy sense of anticipation filled the air as they waited. The news about the spitters had spread through the army, affecting morale, and the sight of their foe''s preparation had dropped it further. The dismay he¡¯d felt upon seeing the fortified hill was reflected in the faces around him, and none looked happy to begin the attack. They were used to fighting pitched battles on open fields, and they knew this assault would come at a dear price.


    Well, not everyone was so concerned.


    He turned, looking behind him. The servants had bustled forth, dragging tents, tables and rugs from within the carts as they arranged accommodations for the nobility and the other men of power. Large flags waved in the wind, signaling their position. The commanders sat beneath them, lounging on silk divans, sipping tea and drinking wine as they chatted as if on a picnic.


    Messengers ran between the varied camps, delivering messages to and from a massive pavilion striped in the colors of the empire that dwarfed even the sizable command tents around it. That would be the general¡¯s residence, the finery of it befitting his status.


    Such was the way of the world. Yu Chen gripped his spear tightly as he turned back around, looking at the hill in front of him. A chance of birth and he¡¯d have been back there too, safely tucked away, viewing the battle as if watching a play.


    It was the young and the poor who were sent to die, a timeless truth. Perhaps if he achieved some remarkable merits in battle, he might be able to better himself, joining the men of status in the back. That was not guaranteed. Yu Chen would settle for survival, returning home safely to his mother and his sheep.


    Unlike Yu Mo.


    He looked at his brother who stood tall, cutting a fine figure as the light reflected off of his armor, the red silk threading through it appearing dashing in the afternoon sun. His brother wasn¡¯t cowed by the same aura of despair that covered most of the other men.


    He¡¯d stepped out of rank, walking through the squad as he addressed his men. He clapped some on the shoulders and shared a few whispered words with others. Some he¡¯d just stare into the eye before giving a solemn nod. It was as though he knew what every man needed, and Yu Chen noticed how backs straightened as he passed by, their looks of fear replaced with grim determination.


    No, Yu Mo wasn¡¯t destined to return to herding sheep. After all, he¡¯d found a new flock to guide.


    The trumpets blew two short notes, and the carnage began.


    There was no mad dash. It started with a low rumble, as the men took uncertain steps towards the hill, hesitant at first. Their stuttering movements slowly turned into a stampede, as the unstoppable mass of humanity at their backs forced those in front to run faster, fear in their eyes as an unstoppable momentum pushed them towards the spiked logs at the base of the hill.


    A lone scream began, before turning into a deafening cacophony as a thousand more rose to join it, the entire battalion erupting into a single undulating voice laced with fear and excitement. Yu Chen screamed along with them, screaming until his voice turned raw as he ran alongside his brother.


    They slammed into the back of the soldiers before them, pushing them forward even as others hit them from behind. The army stalled, forming one solid mass as the choke point ahead prevented them from advancing further. Yu Chen gasped for breath in the press of humanity, fighting to stay on his feet as they shifted around him.


    The grass beneath their feet was churned to mud from the force of so many people moving in concert. His size served him well. He was more than a head taller than those around him and he used it, shoving through the mass as he sought out some breathing room.


    It was Yu Mo now who stuck beside him, alongside the rest of their squad. They used Yu Chen as the tip of the arrow, pushing forward until they suddenly broke through to the other side of the choke point. He took a few deep breaths, gasping for air. sweat poured down his face as he looked around, seeing a second layer of spiked logs not far away.


    They split the path in two directions, circling the hill in either direction.


    With a shout Yu Mo led them to the left, their squad joining with the others who¡¯d also decided to go that way. They reached another break in the logs and the army split again, streaming in different directions.


    An ominous feeling started to rise in Yu Chen as they approached the next choke point, seeing a mass of enemy soldiers waiting to receive them. The logs had played an insidious trick, he realized, stealing the momentum the army had once had. The men were now barely trudging along, their impetus stolen by the journey through the spiked tunnels.


    The choke point was tight, only wide enough for seven or eight men to pass with ease, and it was filled with soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder. The morale that had risen at the beginning of the attack had fallen once again, and Yu Chen could see hesitation spread around him as they took in the fresh opponents waiting before them.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    It was Yu Mo who broke the stalemate. With a wild cry he charged forward, and Yu Chen cursed, cursed himself for his own moment of hesitation that had led him to being half a step behind his brother. He hurried his steps, moving as quickly as he could to arrive by his side.


    Yu Mo dodged as multiple spears struck towards him. He moved like a dream, rotating as he ducked beneath the attacks before striking out in a textbook lunge that took a man through the throat. Panic filled his eyes as he fell back gurgling, blood pouring down his armor.


    A spear came flickering towards Yu Mo, striking before he could recover, but Yu Chen was there to block the blow.


    He roared, twisting the spear in his hands and slapping the attack out of the way before thrusting forward, cutting a wicked line that sliced across his foe¡¯s arm. The rest of the squad arrived before their enemies could press them further, causing the battle to descend into madness.


    Men on both sides fell screaming as they cut at each other, hacking away until the mud of the small hill ran slick with blood. There were no duels, and no honor in this fight. Only the poor cutting each other down like wheat, and for what purpose, the gods only knew.


    Yu Chen ducked as a spear lanced his way, and rotated his own, knocking two more out of the way. He kept his eyes open as he fought, a tactic he¡¯d learned long ago on the battlefield. It was strange, some men tended to close their eyes the moment they struck a blow, or received one in return, an instinctive reaction they¡¯d never quite lost.


    A fight was won or lost on the thinnest of margins. Yu Chen leaned slightly as another spear came his way, cutting a thin red line across his cheek but Yu Chen drove his own spear deep into the man¡¯s armpit in turn, rotating viciously as he ripped his spear back.


    The man fell back with a cry, and Yu Chen watched as another near him fell as well, cut down by one of his squad mates. His eyes flashed as he roared, pressing forward into the gap before more soldiers could come to fill it.


    He lay about him, fighting desperately to gain ground. He knocked aside the spears that came his way as their foes tried to push him from the position. He refused to be moved however, and soon more of squad mates joined him. Together they pressed forward, driving like a wedge through the gathered men and splitting the solid line in twain.


    That was all it took, the attacking army soon dividing the men and dividing them again, until they fought in small pockets, surrounded on all sides. They fought feverishly, but eventually they all fell, cut down to the ground.


    The army behind them streamed forward now that the choke point was clear. Yu Mo allowed them a moment¡¯s pause, letting them catch their breath. He didn¡¯t give them long before he was waving them forward once more, a grim look in his eye.


    The scene repeated as they pushed their way up the hill, the combined armies slowly smothering all resistance. However, the choke points only became tighter, the resistance growing more fierce the higher they climbed. It was here that the battle truly became hellish, as Yu Chen heard the whistling sound of arrows filling air.


    He looked up, watching as the men in the watchtowers filled the air with the scream of death, their arrows notched to demoralize all who heard. The army pressed forward with greater intensity, the nearby men desperate to close with their foes where they would be marginally safer, at least from an unseen death.


    The last line of defense fell as they broke through the final chokepoint, streaming into the unguarded camp.


    Yu Chen heard the flicker of ignition. Fear filled his heart, and he looked up, sighting the two large wooden contraptions that faced the opening of the hill. Fiery waves billowed forth, and he dove to the ground watching in terror as the men who had rushed ahead fell to the ground, blazing like human torches.


    Then the contraptions coughed, and the second wave of terror began. Liquid sparks of molten metal flew forth, showering the next wave of troops. The flaming shower drilled through their armor and bit deep into their skin. The sudden pain caused many to collapse, and the entire line soon fell apart. The archers up above continued to draw and loose, filling the men with arrows. They targeted those that had remained standing, cleaning up what the Dragon¡¯s Breath cannons had missed.


    Suddenly the sound of trumpets reached Yu Chen, carrying over the tumultuous waves of battle.


    They were a mass of conflicting signals, urging retreat and attack. The earth around him trembled, and he couldn¡¯t help but glance over his shoulder looking towards the camp behind them. His face paled as he saw a mass of horsemen had come out of the nearby forest thicket. They were a few hundred strong, wearing fine armor that marked them as the most powerful of shock troops.


    They were in full sprint now, galloping across the open plains, and Yu Chen watched in horror as they crashed into the command tents. It was a massacre, beyond what he¡¯d ever seen, and he had the sinking feeling the war had changed in this moment. Nobility and the command were rarely ever targeted, and if they were it was to capture them, taking their finery and holding them hostage for ransom.


    Not here. They were slaughtered without mercy, servants and nobles alike.


    Yu Chen looked around him and felt his heart breaking as he saw the faces of friends, people he¡¯d fought and bled with lying dead in the dirt around him. A good portion of the army still stood, but it wavered, the men on the edge of breaking as the fresh enemy combatants strode towards them.


    Yu Mo still stood nearby, his once fine armor now bedraggled and caked with mud. He¡¯d lost his spear somewhere and so he¡¯d unsheathed the fine blade by his side, its unmarred metal gleaming beautifully in the afternoon sun.


    Yu Chen pushed himself up, standing beside his brother.


    More joined them, soldiers shouting in defiance as they rose to stand beside them, forming an unbroken line to face the foes in front of them. With a roar the two armies clashed, and the top of the hill dissolved into a pitched melee.


    Yu Chen¡¯s heart began thumping heavily as the fight went on. He roared, cutting down his enemies as they approached, but they appeared endless, more rising to replace the ones he slew. He watched as more faces he knew were cut down and he wept, feeling a sense of loss with each death.


    At some point a fog had begun to rise around the battlefield, and he realized with despair that they were losing the fight. The horsemen in the distance had finished their bloody work and had begun circling the hill, cutting down any who fled the battle, leaving no escape to be had.


    His heart was beating mightily, harder than it ever had before as the tides of battle separated him and Yu Mo. He could see his brother¡¯s plumed helm in the distance, the last one still waving on the field as he lay about him with his sword, beset by enemies on all sides.


    ¡°No!¡± Yu Chen roared, summoning a power he didn¡¯t know he had as he sent half a dozen men flying with one sweep of his spear.


    Yu Mo was surrounded by men who fought desperately against their foes, but they were slowly being cut down. It didn¡¯t matter, Yu Chen would save him. He was like a god as he cut through the oncoming army, each swing of his spear leaving the ground littered with the dead. He knew not where this strength came from, but it was enough to save his brother, if only he could reach him.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to go.¡±


    Yu Chen turned as he heard the words, panic written across his face as he saw Chen Rui standing behind him. He appeared oddly peaceful, his clothes untouched and his straight sword still sheathed at his side. The battle seemed to flow around the man, leaving him strangely untouched.


    ¡°We will, but we have to reach Yu Mo first!¡± He said, pointing at his brother as he yelled at Chen Rui, ignoring the other man¡¯s strange appearance.


    The fog was growing denser, a good sign. He didn¡¯t know where it came from, but he thanked the gods for its appearance. It would help obscure them from view as they fled, allowing them to escape the horsemen on the open plains.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to go.¡±


    Chen Rui repeated himself once more, and Yu Chen stared in confusion, looking back towards his brother, watching in terror as another man near him fell. His heart shuddered. He ignored the strange man, racing towards his brother once more. The fog rose around his feet, reaching towards him, and he felt a growing warmth against his leg, something in his pocket resonating with the strange mist.


    He ignored it as he drove forward, his mighty spear slapping men out of his way like children, fueled by a strength he didn¡¯t know he had as he hurried to reach his brother in time. He watched as two more men were cut down. The warmth against his leg increased, beginning to burn, and with a hurried curse Yu Chen shoved his hand in his pocket, trying to -


    He stumbled to a halt, before falling to his feet no longer working. Tears streamed down his face. He pulled the item from his pocket, raising a trembling hand to reveal a small chunk of jade that emitted a soothing sensation.


    A spear stabbed into Yu Mo, causing his eyes to bug out in disbelief, but Yu Chen paid him no mind, turning to look at Chen Rui. He hadn¡¯t noticed it before, but the man¡¯s eyes were ancient, tinged with a hint of eternity.


    The vision around him shattered. He closed his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to go.¡± Yu Chen said softly, his voice heavy with pain.

 Tributary: Chapter 46 - The Final Trial

    ¡°You¡¯ve returned.¡± The voice sounded out all around him, inflectionless.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t reply, ignoring it as he sat beside the misty river, tears streaming down his face. In his hands he cradled a small piece of jade, allowing its aura to soothe the pain in his heart. Memories filled him, of a life he¡¯d never lived. Now he was here, and it felt as if something had been stolen from him. Possibilities of what might have been, that for a brief moment, had.


    Blinking the tears away he looked around, realizing that at some point he¡¯d crossed to the other side of the river, though he knew not when.


    The test had come close to breaking him. Perhaps in some way it had. He hadn¡¯t realized how much he¡¯d longed for what that brief time with his brother had given him. Intimacy came easily to mortals, but cultivation was a lonely journey, the stairway to heaven only wide enough for one to walk abreast.


    The choice between saving his brother and returning to this lonely world hadn¡¯t been an easy one to make, and he¡¯d nearly made the wrong decision. The insidious test had reached deep within him, finding the one thing he both feared and desired with all his heart. He¡¯d been completely trapped within the illusion, but only because he had so desperately desired the trap.


    In the end it was only a twist of fate that had saved him.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have survived.¡± The voice sounded conversational, but Yu Chen felt a stab of condemnation at the words.


    It was right, he shouldn¡¯t have. If it hadn¡¯t been for his quick thinking to pocket the soul-cleansing jade before entering the river, he¡¯d still be caught within the web of lies, living out the false reality within. Whatever spell it had cast was powerful, even managing to suppress the jade, at least until the misty river had risen in full force, making itself known.


    It was the first experience where Yu Chen had truly felt close to death. Like so many men, it was his heart that was almost the end of him.


    He ruthlessly shoved the feelings aside, balling his emotions up for later. His eyes flashed as he stood up, staring into the void as he addressed the voice around him. ¡°Regardless, I passed your test.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± The voice said, sounding as if it was considering his words. ¡°Treasures are a sort of strength, as is the luck to acquire them. Still, I highly advise that you temper your spirit, young man. You are incredibly vulnerable to spiritual attacks.¡±


    A look of confusion crossed Yu Chen¡¯s face as he heard the words. He¡¯d never heard of spirit tempering before, and he made a note to ask Xiao Huang about it the next time they spoke. He¡¯d do whatever it took to prevent this feeling of helplessness in the future.


    ¡°Very well.¡± The spirit said after a brief pause. ¡°You pass the test of Spirit. Continue on then, your final challenge awaits.¡±


    Yu Chen looked up at that, somewhat startled at the words. ¡°There¡¯s still another challenge?¡±


    ¡°Of course, you still have to face the Guardian. I deem that your mind and body are sufficiently strong, and while your spirit may require some work, you have managed to make it to the other side, one way or another. Now that you meet the qualifications, you have the right to attempt to enter the Inner Sect.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s interest rose at the words. ¡°A fight?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yes, a fight.¡± The voice replied.


    Yu Chen nodded. He didn¡¯t know how long he¡¯d been stuck within these trials. Perhaps he¡¯d been here a short or long time, but either way, it felt like half an eternity. He looked towards the mists that lay behind him, oddly docile now, and rage slowly began to simmer inside of him as he recalled the sight of Yu Mo being driven through by a spear.


    ¡°Very well.¡± Yu Chen said. ¡°Let¡¯s fight.¡±


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    This time the path opened up into a cavernous space filled with a large sandy pit. Yu Chen strode out onto it, looking around for the guardian the voice had told him to face.


    He couldn¡¯t sense anything around him, or even see anything for that matter. The arena was completely empty, excepting the large boulder at the other end of the pit. Just as he began to frown, the boulder shifted and Yu Chen watched in fascination as it seemed to break apart before standing up to reveal a humanoid figure composed of solid grey rock.


    It looked at him, and a vivid green light shone where its eyes should be. It was a contrast of oddities, appearing thick and rough hewn in some places, while others were sleek, and obviously well crafted.


    To Yu Chen¡¯s surprise the stone man was emitting no qi signature, yet a heavy aura still emanated, a testament to its raw strength.


    Lan She would serve no purpose against this enigmatic being. Even if her fangs could bite through stone, there was nothing for her venom to course through. He gently retrieved her from within his robes and placed her down to lie on the nearby sands. He moved a few steps away, assuming a fighting position as he faced the strange being head on.


    It tilted its head, examining him in what almost seemed like curiosity, but if the stone man had any feeling it didn¡¯t express them.


    Yu Chen was tired of waiting. Cycling his qi he dashed forward, crossing the area in a few short steps. However, just as he approached the thing, it moved. Before he could react it was upon him, striking a heavy blow into his defenseless form.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Yu Chen was still caught up in that strange movement, as the stone fist connected with his flesh. It was as if the intervening space had ceased to exist. The strangeness even spread to the golem¡¯s punches, and a small part of his mind watched in fascination as he was mercilessly pummeled by the creature, trying to reason out the secret behind its attacks.


    Its arms moved as they approached, and Yu Chen would swear they didn¡¯t travel through space to do so. It was as though its arm was down there, cocked back, and the next moment it was slamming into his gut, causing him to let loose a wheeze of pain.


    Thankfully, his body was thrice tempered, and able to resist the blows, despite the creature¡¯s physicality. Still, the onslaught was unending and Yu Chen found himself slowly becoming overwhelmed. The strange creature seemed to possess no sense of exhaustion, its untiring form ceaselessly striking his body.


    This couldn¡¯t go on.


    Yu Chen let out a mighty shout, pulling on his dantian heavily as he cycled his movement technique, leaping away from the golem. His powerful muscles pushed against the ground, moving his body at a speed that surprised even him.


    The strange creature didn¡¯t hesitate, utilizing a movement technique of its own as it chased after him, and again, it moved. It didn¡¯t flicker, as some cultivators did, those who¡¯d reached speeds that tested the eye. No, this was something else, and Yu Chen could feel the difference in the world around them.


    It was as if the distance between them shortened, no, it simply ceased to exist, one step taking the golem from over there to right beside him.


    Yu Chen cycled his movement technique again, continuing to dash away from the stone golem, but it kept up with him effortlessly, appearing where he was as soon as he landed.


    Frustrated, he decided to change tactics.


    Eyes flashing, he threw out a punch as soon as his feet touched the ground, aiming for the exact spot he knew the golem would appear. That blow, filled with all his pent up rage and sorrow, landed with a satisfying thump as the golem came into existence, and he followed it up, attacking again.


    The golem was now the one on the defensive, and Yu Chen pressed it hard, laying into it with blows that contained the full force of his condensed qi. His time within the Secret Realm had begun to show its fruits, and with every blow he rained down the qi was forced into smaller and smaller concentrations. His attacks were powerful, ringing out with an impressive noise, his strength dramatically increasing the longer he fought the golem.


    His next blow lifted the golem off of its feet, as he drove a sharp uppercut into its gut before following up with an overhand punch from his other hand, sending the monster flying away from him. His hands didn¡¯t hurt as he struck the rocky golem, even when he used all his force. His strength had long passed that point of consideration. Sure, he scraped his knuckles, but then his fearsome vitality went to work, and he could feel, almost in real time, as it began reknitting his flesh.


    It didn¡¯t happen in seconds, it wasn¡¯t that freakish yet. But in the course of a few minutes most minor abrasions, and even some small wounds, would find themselves healed, his body as good as new.


    He was becoming increasingly hard to injure. The brief beating he¡¯d received from the golem had only left bruises and a few small cuts, although his lip bled from when the golem had smashed a rocky fist into his face.


    The golem hit the ground, before flipping back to its feet in one smooth motion. Yu Chen grinned as he noticed the hairline crack he¡¯d created within its side, a potential weakness to exploit later. It was crumbling in a few other spots, and he watched as loose pebbles flaked away, falling to lie within the sands.


    His powerful body seemed to have had an effect, but as he watched the golem pulsed, issuing forth a wave of qi. Yu Chen¡¯s eyebrows narrowed as he watched the crack on its side close before his eyes.


    A battle of attrition then.


    He cycled his movement technique, but before he could dash forward the golem moved. Yu Chen felt it again, the strange sensation as the space in between them seemed to dissipate, the golem appearing right before his eyes.


    The golem¡¯s arm moved next, and in a blink it jumped forward, but Yu Chen was already moving himself, flowing backwards as he dodged the anticipated attack. The golem had the advantage however, and it was faster than he was. Another strike suddenly appeared in his vision. Realization struck Yu Chen as he felt that now familiar tug, the sensation of space moving around them.


    This golem¡¯s techniques were fueled by Concepts! It had pulsed with qi earlier, but that had only seemed to heal it, and perhaps empower it. He¡¯d thought it was using its strengthened body to contest him, seeing as it was equivalent to, no, stronger than, a peak stage 1 beast.


    But it was more than that. It also possessed some inkling of understanding regarding an esoteric Concept, and had somehow managed to use it to empower its movements. It was a dumbfounding idea, one that made Yu Chen realize the heights that were still before him.


    This was what Xiao Huang had meant when he¡¯d spoken of Concepts before. Perhaps this was how cultivators truly fought. He reevaluated the Flowing Eternity sect, suddenly aware of how unfathomable a place this must have once been, if Inner Sect disciples were expected to be on this level.


    Unfortunately, Yu Chen didn¡¯t possess a deep enough understanding of any Concepts to apply them as the golem did. What he did have, however, was a raw physicality of his own. He¡¯d been pushed to the backfoot again, but he refused to stay there. The next time he landed, he dug his heels in, gritting his teeth and accepting a blow to give one in return.


    The golem¡¯s fist struck him in the shoulder but Yu Chen rotated with the force, landing a massive blow to its side in turn. He roared, his heart pumping hard against his chest as he pressed forward, taking another blow but once again driving another fist into its side.


    The golem fought back, but Yu Chen accepted the attacks, not caring as they battered his body, as long as he gave one in return. With a roar he slammed his fist down like a hammer, targeting the same spot again and again.


    The golem pulsed again, a wave of qi issuing forth and Yu Chen watched as the damage he¡¯d caused began to seal up, thin flakes of rock stretching out to scab it over.


    He refused to allow it. It cost him a blow to the head that rang him like a bell, but he struck the spot once more, shattering the thin shell that had begun to cover the crack. The golem moved, and it was elsewhere, far away from him.


    This time the pulse didn''t come, perhaps it couldn¡¯t use it in such quick succession. Yu Chen growled, cycling his movement technique as he dashed towards it.


    It moved, but Yu Chen stretched out, grabbing its arm before it could disappear. He refused to let it disappear again, and once more slammed a fist into its broken side. The rock crumbled, before splitting apart to reveal a glowing core the size of his fist. It was a perfect sphere, made of some dense spirit stone and covered in intricate carvings of exquisite formations.


    The golem fought desperately, thrashing in his grasp as it attempted to flee, but Yu Chen would not be denied. He smashed his fist into the crack again and again, scraping his knuckles against the stone as he widened the crack further, until there was enough room for him to yank the core free with a vicious shout.


    Yu Chen felt a strange sort of catharsis as the golem¡¯s lifeless form collapsed to the floor before him.

 Tributary: Chapter 47 - Aftermath

    He¡¯d been led to another room after defeating the golem, made of the same luminescent material of the ones that had come before. He was currently seated within, listening to the voice that had guided him this far.


    ¡°Unfortunately, the portal to the Inner Sect has been sealed.¡± The voice spoke out, resonating around him.


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyebrows shot up at the words.


    ¡°What do you mean sealed?¡± Yu Chen asked in disbelief, shocked at the words.


    ¡°Sealed. Shut off from the world, closed for business. However you prefer to put it.¡± The voice said, and its tone was offhand, as if speaking about the weather.


    Yu Chen rubbed his temples, feeling a headache forming. He looked around the room as he thought over the voice¡¯s words. He hadn¡¯t gone through all this trouble for nothing had he?


    He¡¯d harbored a suspicion that it was the Inner Sect that lay behind the ensorcelled walls he¡¯d seen before, and had hoped that he might find some heavenly treasures in the unspoiled area that no one had entered before.


    He asked about it, but the voice cut him off as he began speaking.


    ¡°What?¡± The voice exclaimed in disbelief. ¡°You imagine that to be the Inner Sect? That area is a simple outpost containing the portal leading to the Flowing Eternity Sect.¡± Its tone was filled with amusement as it spoke. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you encountered these ruins and thought the sect was destroyed, did you? Rest assured young disciple, the Sect is perfectly fine, the same as it¡¯s been for eons.¡±


    It gave a light cough.


    ¡°Although you¡¯ll have to find another portal to enter from.¡±


    Yu Chen''s eyes narrowed in suspicion. It was official. There was definitely a headache forming.


    ¡°Explain.¡± Yu Chen said shortly, rubbing his temple.


    According to the voice, the true Flowing Eternity Sect resided in an actual secret realm, within a dimension entirely apart from the known world. Despite this, they maintained influence through dozens of cadet branches scattered across the breadth of the yellow river. The area they¡¯d been exploring was merely one such branch - a meticulously crafted haven designed to funnel talent into the Inner Sect, allowing it to accumulate a fearsome amount of power.


    The key to their plan lay in the time-manipulating formations they¡¯d mastered. The sect employed these arcane constructs across all of their cadet branches, creating pockets of space where centuries passed with every revolution around the sun.


    Within these formations an outer sect flourished, drawing in students from the surrounding mortal villages and towns teeming with life, their inhabitants blissfully unaware of the wider world around them. Some of these cadet branches were smaller, like the one he was currently within, while others stretched across vast swathes of land that encompassed kingdoms, and even empires.


    Generations of mortals lived and died within these pockets of time, their brief lives nothing more than a small part of the sect¡¯s grand design. The most talented in every generation rose up, like cream to the top, and The Flowing Eternity Sect was there to skim them out.


    It was an ingenious system they¡¯d created, but Yu Chen''s stomach churned at the thought. He had trouble believing it, even as the voice spoke with cold detachment, describing it with an unsettling certainty. The countless lives were nothing more than cogs in an enormous machine, existing only for the purpose of furthering the Sect¡¯s grand ambitions.


    The sheer power necessary to sustain such a system overwhelmed, and his thoughts spiraled as he tried to grasp the magnitude involved.


    Even having created this system, the sect still accepted others, giving no preference to their own. Talent was the only thing they cared about, and as long as you passed their tests, proving yourself worthy, you would learn the truth of the sect and be invited to enter the hidden realm.


    Yu Chen had passed these tests, and been invited, not that it mattered. He couldn¡¯t get in if he wanted to. He frowned, upset at the news before a thought struck him.


    ¡°What about the others?¡± He suddenly asked, raising his head and looking around. ¡°Did any of them pass the tests?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± The voice replied shortly, and Yu Chen felt his heart drop at the news.


    ¡°Although only a few died. Perhaps half, which is a good deal better than usual.¡±


    ¡°What happened to them?¡± Yu Chen asked, looking around.


    ¡°Some passed a test or two. One young girl even made it across the river, although she turned around when faced with the golem. In the end they all chose to give up the trials and were ejected back into the outer sect of course. What else?¡±


    Yu Chen clenched his fists, filled with worry. The area directly outside had been swarming with the black-robed men, and he could only hope they¡¯d been ejected to some other area.


    With luck Cang Wuji and Ling Xia would survive. Hopefully the others as well.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    His head ached, and he suddenly felt the need for fresh air. He stood up, ready to leave. Perhaps if he hurried, he could reach them in time, before anything dangerous happened.


    The voice spoke again.


    ¡°Wait.¡± It said, ¡°Don¡¯t be so quick to run off.¡±


    Yu Chen stopped, waiting to hear what the voice had left to say.


    To his surprise a piece of jade materialized out of nowhere, floating in the air before him.


    ¡°All members of the sect are expected to practice our techniques.¡± The voice chided gently. ¡°Be sure to train them well. I¡¯ve also included a map within, it should help point you in the direction of the nearest portal.¡±


    Yu Chen reached out a hesitant hand, carefully grasping the piece of jade that had been formed into a delicate coin that was a deep bluish green in color. It was cold to the touch and sparkled as the soft light that suffused throughout the room hit it. He examined the coin as he held it, seeing that the surface was carved with intricate loops that seemed to feed into each other, without beginning or end.


    One detail truly caught his attention, a snake curled around the outer edge of the coin, consuming its own tail.


    ¡°Prick your finger and pour some blood upon it.¡± The voice said. ¡°This piece of jade marks you as a member of our sect and is soul-bound. You¡¯ll never have to worry about losing it.¡±


    With a quick movement Yu Chen lifted his hand and viciously bit his thumb, tearing a piece of flesh loose before pressing a bloody thumbprint into the surface of the coin. It flashed, emitting a piercing light that quickly faded away, leaving him blinking in surprise.


    It grew warm to the touch, as though his blood had brought it to life.


    Yu Chen''s hand slightly trembled as he raised it, touching it against his forehead. Closing his eyes, he saw two techniques appear within his mind, alongside a detailed map that showed the nearby land for thousands of miles in all directions. He ignored it for now, examining the technique on the left first.


    It turned out to be a sophisticated breathing technique. It was an incredibly intricate one, forming an elaborate tapestry that illustrated the flow of energy, depicting the various channels qi flowed through as it spiralled throughout the body. His eyes widened at the precision involved, the technique demanding precise timing as one breathed in specific intervals. Timing was important with all breathing techniques, but here it was the focal point, seeming somehow more.


    Joy filled him as he observed it. The technique was many times more profound than the one he currently used, and he resolved to master it as soon as possible.


    The other technique appeared to be a set of Martial Forms, but they were far more complex than the ones he was used to. The thick tome contained thousands of movements, and each one seemed to display an intricate understanding of time and space. Together, the movements formed a silent symphony, as if each motion happened to the beat of an unheard melody, landing perfectly on time without any superfluous effort.


    He knew of course that it was more than a simple series of movements. He¡¯d learned with the Condensing Fist that even a relatively simple technique contained unplumbed depths.


    This technique went even further, somehow forming a fusion of body, qi and concept.


    He¡¯d always considered them to be separate, disparate entities that were unique in their own way. However, he could tell from simply glancing through the technique, that the three were somehow intricately connected.


    He felt something there at the edge of his consciousness as he considered this, the vaguest feeling of enlightenment forming. What was the relation between the three? He could see how they fit together. Body provided a form to move, and Qi the energy to drive it. Concepts, concepts were the ideas that guided it, giving it direction. The three melded in his mind, verging on almost becoming one. Almost, but not quite.


    It slipped away before he could grasp it.


    Still, he was left with a deep sense of profundity. Moments of enlightenment like this were rare for cultivators, but among the greatest of boons. After all, nothing in the world could compare to the realizations that one brought upon themselves. You could lose everything, your treasures and your health, even your cultivation, but as long as you possessed your mind, the things you learned would never leave you.


    A mere glance at the technique had brought him to a moment of near enlightenment, how much greater would it be when he practiced it?


    He opened his eyes, before bowing his head low, facing in no particular direction.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He whispered.


    ¡°No need, you¡¯ve earned it.¡± The voice replied dismissively. ¡°You¡¯re a rather interesting fellow, I¡¯m sure we will meet again one day.¡±


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen stumbled as the wall peeled back, a thick wave of qi surging forward and disappearing down the tunnel he¡¯d come from. He stepped out onto the surface, blinking as the bright afternoon light hit him. The tunnel had delivered him into the walled outpost that hosted the portal leading to the Inner Sect.


    The tunnel closed behind him, seamlessly merging with the wall and locking him within the outpost. Yu Chen frowned, but it wasn¡¯t unexpected.


    He wandered the outpost, stepping over scattered rubble as he made his way through the deserted streets. Strangely, despite the scene of devastation and the ruined buildings strewn throughout the area, there were no bodies in sight. In fact, the entire outpost seemed devoid of life entirely. Items lay scattered around - overturned carts and broken pottery - mundane remnants that spoke of what had once been.


    The outpost centered on a massive ziggurat that appeared half crushed, appearing as though something colossal had smashed into it. A broken half-circle crowned the once flat-top, whatever purpose it had once served was no longer possible.


    Yu Chen¡¯s brows furrowed as he glanced at the structure. The voice hadn¡¯t elaborated when he¡¯d questioned it about what had happened to the sect, only vaguely stating that the portal was closed. He couldn¡¯t suppress a snort now that he saw the crumbling ziggurat. He wasn¡¯t so sure about that version of events.


    Originally, he¡¯d been in a hurry to leave, hoping to reunite with the others and ensure they weren¡¯t in danger. Perhaps it had to do with the memories from his alternate life, but more than ever he treasured the relationships he¡¯d formed, bonds formed in shared bloodshed.


    But now it was too late. Time only flowed differently within the area designated as the outer sect. Now that he¡¯d stepped foot inside of the outpost, he¡¯d returned to the same rate as the rest of the world. From his perspective, whatever events had taken place within the outer sect were already over.


    Even now, as he walked these streets the sects outside would be gathering their survivors, preparing to head back to their homes. When he hadn¡¯t arrived, they¡¯d no doubt considered him lost, another casualty of this strange realm.


    Unfortunately, that meant Yu Chen had missed his ride.

 Tributary: Chapter 48 - Compression

    Yu Chen sat atop the broken ziggurat, legs crossed in lotus position.


    The air around him was thick with the spiritual energy that gushed forth from the multiple energy wells he¡¯d found exploring the outpost, springs ran forth from the heart of the world, but instead of water they brought forth the rich energy of heaven and earth.


    They were doubtless one of the reasons the Flowing Eternity Sect had chosen to build a cadet branch here. They were also one of the reasons Yu Chen still remained within the outpost, and hadn¡¯t already left himself. With nothing to absorb it, the energy had built up over time, creating a dense trove of spiritual energy just waiting to be claimed.


    He hadn¡¯t even spent a full day within the outpost before his dantian had begun to feel uncomfortably full. After all, it¡¯d been many months since he¡¯d entered Qi Refinement, and he¡¯d long since managed to stretch his dantian to full capacity, having filled and refilled it many times since then.


    Letting out a deep breath of contentment, he felt the last stresses of the past few weeks leave his body. It had taken him some time as he¡¯d rooted through his consciousness, but he¡¯d finally cleared his mind, overturning all of the fears and concerns that had been piling up and weighing him down.


    It was all in preparation for this, his breakthrough to the next level. His journey through the secret realm had provided him with the experience he¡¯d needed, and he was finally ready to take the next step, determined to reach the fourth stage of the Qi Condensation realm.


    He had no pills to help him this time, not that he needed them. His meridians were flawless and perfectly clear, and the powerful bones he¡¯d scattered around him were radiating a dense qi of their own that only added to the endless energy that surrounded him. It was more than enough for his purposes.


    Taking rhythmic breaths, he began moving his qi through a strange pattern as he cycled his new breathing technique.


    The surrounding energy reacted immediately - It was as though his dantian had transformed into a yawning pit, and spiritual energy surged forth to fill the vacuum, pouring into him so tremendously fast that his dantian immediately felt the strain. Yu Chen¡¯s eyes went up, and he cut the breathing technique off, extremely shocked at this turn of events.


    Breathing deeply, he centered himself.


    He didn¡¯t know what he¡¯d expected, but it wasn¡¯t that. The breathing technique he¡¯d been using for so long wasn¡¯t much different from the others he¡¯d seen. All of them utilized the body¡¯s mechanics alongside qi, to generate a powerful suction force that pulled in the surrounding energy.


    When he¡¯d used the Golden Mist technique for the first time the spiritual energy in the air merely drifted towards him, floating so slowly that one would be hard pressed to say it was pulled. Over time it had increased to the point where he¡¯d create a discernable vortex, the energy swirling in lazy waves as it was pulled towards his dantian.


    This technique was nothing like that, however. Through some mystical means his dantian had become akin to an empty nothingness that emitted an immense pull - But it only appeared as such, in truth, the energy was not pulled at all. No, the spiritual energy in the air moved on its own accord, traveling in the same manner in which liquids flowed downwards, and gases rushed to fill a void. And it turned out spiritual energy could move far faster than water.


    It was many times more profound than he¡¯d imagined. It was as though he¡¯d just uncovered a natural phenomena that had surrounded him his entire life, but he¡¯d never paid attention.


    While spiritual energy did accumulate, if given the chance it would diffuse throughout the environment. He knew that from a treatise he¡¯d glanced at when he¡¯d explored the Manual Pavilion. Some scholar had said as much, also stating that the end of the universe would come about like so - All of the heavenly objects in the sky dissipating as the spiritual energy of heaven and earth finally achieved a state of perfect uniformity.


    Yu Chen had tossed the book aside, thinking it was nonsense. He¡¯d lacked a frame of reference, and believed it to be nothing more than the rambling of some mad man. This strange phenomena made him recall it, and he now pondered, thinking deeply about the words he had read.


    What level did one have to reach to create a technique such as this, he wondered. Whoever that mysterious person had been, they must¡¯ve seen things he could only dream of.


    Yu Chen hesitated, almost fearful of the powerful technique he¡¯d acquired, but he shoved the feeling aside, intent on going through with his breakthrough. It took two breaths this time, inhaling and exhaling with perfect form before he could shed himself, harmonizing with the world around him.


    He cycled the new breathing technique once more, and through some profound method his dantian became void, endlessly irresistible to the natural energy around him. The energy poured into him, far more than he could handle, as he continued to cycle his qi through strange endless loops that fed back into each other.


    The sheer amount of energy was threatening to rupture his dantian, so he seized it with a firm mental grasp before squeezing, doing his best to condense it into a less vaporous form. Even as he did so, more energy flooded into his dantian, diluting his work before he could complete it.


    He simply couldn¡¯t stop. Clamping down with all of his formidable mental force, he pressed, and to his surprise it shifted, easily condensing in size. The energy continued to pour in, but he paid it no mind, condensing it further.


    In truth he¡¯d been ready to take this step for some time, and the energy molded to his desires with surprising ease. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    By now it was more than halfway finished, less than half the size of his dantian, which had grown over time. The qi reservoir in his body had originally been the size of a fist, only holding perhaps a few cups worth of the precious energy. By now it had expanded to roughly the size of a bathtub, and he could use the equivalent of gallons of qi without running out.


    To step into this final stage he had to take that vast amount of qi and compress it down until it was once again the size of a fist. He bent his mind to it, and though the energy was being constantly diluted and resisted him fiercely, he slowly forced it into submission despite its unwillingness to change forms.


    Through sheer tyranny of will he pressed upon the energy, forcing it to condense into a smaller space.


    To his surprise it worked. His qi was roughly the size of a fist, and beginning to shift forms, solidifying into something that was slightly less vaporous. He breathed out, a sight of relief, beginning to wind down now that he¡¯d condensed his qi and stepped into a highe-


    ¡°Continue!¡±


    The shout shattered his equanimity, and the mental jolt caused him to lose control of the half finished ball of qi. He watched in dismay as it billowed back to its regular state, and hastily vented what he could from his dantian before it overflowed. Yu Chen sighed in frustration, before blinking and opening his eyes.


    ¡°Xiao- Shizu?¡± Yu Chen asked hesitantly, looking around in confusion. ¡°Why have you done that?¡±


    It¡¯d been some time since he¡¯d heard from the little fellow. Yu Chen was used to it however, often going months without speaking to the dragon. Old monsters viewed time differently, and even the elders back at the sect had seen nothing wrong with spending a few years in meditation.


    ¡°Why have I -.¡± Xiao Huang¡¯s voice was filled with rage, despite sounding faint and far away, as if the connection was tenuous. ¡°I should be asking you! What are you playing at?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Yu Chen asked in confusion. ¡°I was almost finished Shizu, I¡¯d finally condensed my qi to the size of a fist!¡±


    ¡°A FIST-¡± The outraged voice cut off, and Yu Chen was subjected to a lengthy diatribe about the inadequacies of sect¡¯s and their teachings. ¡°Listen carefully, hatchling, before you make a complete embarrassment out of me. I don¡¯t care what nonsense this sect has taught you, but even mindless beasts know that this step requires you to compress your qi to a size smaller than a marble. Are you trying to cripple yourself?¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes widened at the words. Compress? Was the true fourth stage then Qi Compression? Or perhaps it was some higher stage, beyond even the fourth? To Xiao Huang such distinctions didn¡¯t matter, but he was a human and had an itch to quantify things.


    More than ever he felt that his knowledge was sorely lacking. Xiao Huang said that he¡¯d nearly crippled himself. But wasn¡¯t this the same method that all disciples in the Golden Mist used? They couldn¡¯t all be cultivating improperly could they?


    He turned the words over in his head as he thought about it, before letting out a rueful chuckle. Of course they could.


    He couldn¡¯t help but remember how grand the Manual Pavilion had once appeared to him, and it hadn¡¯t even been that long ago. He¡¯d only been cultivating for little more than a year, but already his world had experienced massive changes; it was as if every other day some part of what he¡¯d known of cultivation had been upended.


    In one day he¡¯d gone from practicing martial arts to flying through the sky on a massive spiritual sword, and in that moment he¡¯d felt his horizons expand. After which he¡¯d encountered others, Cang Wuji and a scheming princess, as well as an inscrutable voice that spoke from thin air. Each had been more knowledgeable than him by far, and each encounter had helped widen his eyes.


    Through them he¡¯d managed to see how impressive the hidden world of immortals truly was. Forget a small sect in the middle of nowhere, there were those who could travel through dimensions and control the flow of time over vast territories, ruling over millions of others who lived their entire lives blissfully unaware.


    And even then, there was always a larger fish.


    He looked towards the source of the destruction that had damaged the ziggurat so destroying the portal atop it, alongside much of the rest of the outpost. Just the sight of it sent Yu Chen¡¯s heart into palpitations. It was a giant handprint, appearing as though a massive palm had reached out of the heavens and pressed down, crushing everything beneath it.


    He sighed, banishing the thought as he recentered himself, preparing to finish his breakthrough. From the beginning to the end, the most unfathomable entity had always been Xiao Huang, and he¡¯d yet to steer him wrong.


    ¡°I understand Shizu.¡± He whispered, closing his eyes, and beginning to cycle his breathing technique.


    The spiritual energy began pouring in from all around him, thick and dense, but he was prepared for it this time. It only took a few precious seconds for his dantian to refill, straining at the edges as qi rushed to fill the void. At the right moment he seized the energy in his mental grasp, bearing down on it and once again forcing it to compress.


    It wasn¡¯t as much of a struggle as before, and it didn¡¯t take long before it was once again the size of a fist. Now, however, the real challenge began. Bringing the entirety of his will to bear down upon it, he forced the amorphous ball of qi to compress further. It begrudgingly obliged, lurching a half step smaller, but it stubbornly refused to repeat the process once more.


    Sweat trickled down Yu Chen¡¯s temples, stinging his eyes, but he didn¡¯t blink. A glint of excitement could be seen within, and he was fully focused on the task at hand. That small shift, as the energy gave half a step, was all the proof that he needed. He knew it could be done. Determination blazed within him as he redoubled his efforts, pressing down on the dense bundle of qi with renewed intensity. Yet the energy was inflexible, refusing to compress further as it mulishly resisted him.


    Yu Chen wouldn¡¯t be denied however. Gritting his teeth, he let loose a roar, a raw sound that scraped at his throat as he shouted and twisted his will upon it. The added torque as he pressed down created a conflicting force that caused the energy to shudder, its resistance weakening. The strain of holding the writhing mass of qi felt like fire racing through his veins. A small drop of blood landed on the ground before him and he noted it absently, a testament to the pressure involved in maintaining concentration.


    And then¡ªit happened.


    A barely perceptible tremor resonated through his dantian as the qi yielded, shifting into place. Yu Chen collapsed to his knees, taking ragged breaths as the world spun around him. Gasping for air he turned his vision inwards, seeing a small marble of incredibly dense qi shimmering faintly as it slowly rotated in the center of his dantian.


    A surge of triumph ran through him at the sight, and he pushed himself up on trembling limbs, a fierce grin crossing his face.

 Tributary: Chapter 49 - A Brief Reprieve

    Yu Chen was in no hurry to leave after breaking through.


    With no quick way home he decided to stay for some time. There were no pressing issues waiting for him, and no threats he needed to be wary of, so he spent the next few weeks solidifying his realm and getting a handle on his new power.


    He also took the time to explore the ruins, looking for anything of value.


    Despite being a broken husk of its former glory there were still numerous benefits waiting to be seized. He¡¯d begin every day by meditating in front of the giant palmprint for a few hours, drawn to the profound attack and trying to reason out the secrets behind it. It had been generations since the outpost had fallen, so long ago that the place had been forgotten in the mists of antiquity, but after all this time the attack still radiated a deep sense of intent, a testament to the unyielding will of the cultivator that had left it behind.


    He didn¡¯t know what benefits might be gained from it, but his attempts to glean something did bear fruit. Just being in the presence of that formidable strike was a test of his will, honing his own intent into something formidable.


    In the afternoon he practiced his Martial Forms, and found he was now able to imbue his attacks with a hint of his own martial will. It was only a tiny seed, but planting it now would allow it to one day grow to powerful heights, if the palmprint was anything to judge by.


    He practiced his new forms as well, quickly memorizing the movements, but he couldn¡¯t fully utilize them, unfamiliar as he was with whatever Concepts gave them power. Still, he kept at it, knowing how beneficial they¡¯d one day prove.


    At night he would meditate, utilizing his new breathing technique to absorb as much of the dense spiritual energy as he could, filling and emptying his dantian over and over as he expanded it. In the span of a few short weeks he¡¯d accomplished what would have taken him months, perhaps even half a year, to have accomplished outside.


    The thick spiritual energy was a factor, but it was the new technique that truly pushed it over the edge, allowing him to cultivate at a speed that astounded him. The combination of the two was truly a blessing.


    It was no wonder cultivation was such a time consuming process, and heavenly treasures were in such high demand. Cultivators would fight and die over this place if given the opportunity, and Yu Chen took full advantage, progressing his cultivation by leaps and bounds.


    During the middle of the day he¡¯d explore the outpost, completing his routine.


    The first thing he noticed was how there were no living beings to be found, outside or inside the buildings. There wasn¡¯t even a houseplant, or a bit of shrubbery to be seen. How it came to be was still a mystery, and Yu Chen had no easy answers as to why. Thankfully his spatial pouch was stuffed full of meat from the various spirit beasts he¡¯d killed, alongside a wide variety of spiritual fruits and herbs he¡¯d found in his week exploring the secret realm.


    He¡¯d spent months in the wilderness before, learning to live off the land and was thus always prepared, eating like a king even in an area devoid of life.


    The living might have left, but the trappings of their life still existed, and he looted what he could with a reckless abandon.


    A number of the buildings appeared to be residential, containing nothing much of value. Many of them were ruined as well, crushed beneath the massive palm. Still, he¡¯d managed to find some nice robes hanging in the cupboard of one such place. They didn¡¯t appear fancy, being rather simple, and a plain white in color, but they were still many times better than his own.


    He¡¯d given them a simple tug, and when nothing happened, he¡¯d frowned, pulling harder. No matter how he tried, he¡¯d found them impossible to tear, even with his formidable strength. Amazed, he¡¯d hurriedly put them on, replacing his own ruined robes.


    There were numerous halls as well, and it seemed the outpost did, in many ways, function as a smaller extension of the sect. One place he¡¯d recognized as a sort of Treasure Pavilion, but unfortunately it had been wiped clean, doubtlessly cleared out when whoever had been here fled.


    There¡¯d also been a small training ground, large enough for perhaps fifty people at most, although it¡¯d be tight to fit them all in. Yu Chen judged the outpost had been home to no more than a hundred people at any one time, give or take a few. That was probably all it took to manage the outer areas.


    There was a large meeting hall and various cultivation rooms, as well as a place he assumed was used for alchemy, although it was many times smaller than the one he¡¯d seen in the Golden Mist Sect. The refinery was easier to spot, placed as it was near a series of forges, now cold and dark, that lay against the far edge of the outpost. A small room nearby appeared to have been used for talismans, as it contained numerous inkwells that sat on a shelf, alongside a fine quill, which he pocketed. He didn¡¯t know if it had any worth, but there was no reason to leave it behind.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    His two most important discoveries came elsewhere however. The largest building still intact had been close to the wall where he¡¯d entered, and furthest from the palm print that had destroyed so much else. He¡¯d known what it was the second he¡¯d stepped inside, recognizing the low counters and the boards hammered to the wall, from which ancient, yellowed scraps of paper still hung.


    The place was a mission hall, doubtless used by the sect to incentivize whatever poor bastards ended up on duty out here. He explored it, but it was as empty as the treasure pavilion, wiped clean apart from a small steel ring that looked remarkably similar to the one worn by Cang Wuji that he¡¯d found on a dusty shelf in one of the offices.


    It appeared mundane, and he had thought it to be nothing more than another mortal object, like so many of the other items he¡¯d encountered in the outpost. He picked it up anyways, almost dropping it when he felt a faint sense of static run through him.


    Despite its appearance it contained some mystical property, and Yu Chen¡¯s gaze sharpened, activating his spiritual vision as he stared at it intensely. Even to his other senses it appeared entirely mortal, nothing more than a band of plain steel. He pondered the mysterious object, but he had no idea what purpose it might serve.


    With nothing else to do he attempted to shove it into his spatial pouch, but to his surprise it refused to enter, some mysterious force repelling it. It was as if he were trying to force two identical poles together, and the magnets refused to touch.


    He contemplated the item for a moment before sliding it onto his finger with a shrug. It wasn¡¯t that he was unaware of the possibility that it might be cursed or somehow detrimental, but he thought it worth the risk. He¡¯d be more upset if it slipped out of his pocket while he was running, or fighting, or doing any number of other improbable acrobatic stunts.


    Even this wasn¡¯t the largest benefit. That had to be the small manual pavilion he¡¯d found, tucked away in a remote corner of the outpost. Through sheer luck it¡¯d somehow managed to avoid the palm strike, precariously perched on a thin sliver of land between two fingerprints. Yu Chen had to utilize his movement technique and leap across a yawning chasm to reach it, but the place was too intriguing not to.


    Entering, he was ecstatic at what he found. To his surprise there were still numerous books on the shelves, and he greedily took them all, filling his spatial pouch with a small library consisting of a mess of leatherbound books, paper scrolls and jade slips.


    He spent many hours pouring over them, organizing what he¡¯d found and learning what he could. Of course, there was nothing of any particular value among them, if there ever had been. There were a few techniques - A variety of martial forms, a few movement techniques, and even a couple for breathing, but each and every one were many times worse than what he already possessed.


    There was nothing among them that could compare to the Diamond Forms he¡¯d been given at the Golden Mist Sect. He had to admit, the technique he¡¯d been given wasn¡¯t half bad. Even Xiao Huang had called it serviceable, which was practically a compliment coming from him.


    Even if there was nothing awe inspiring, knowledge had a value all its own, and Yu Chen greedily absorbed what he could from the new books, and they provided him with some ancillary information regarding cultivation he¡¯d never had the opportunity to learn.


    He didn¡¯t know it, but in some ways he was receiving the sort of education a young scion might, one whose parents had reached a profound level and were providing him with the sort of education a young master deserved. Many of the texts were considered fundamental in the world, teachings from renowned scholars who¡¯d studied for centuries, or even millenia, passing down their knowledge for others to purview.


    This was the level of the Flowing Eternity Sect after all. These treatises might be considered invaluable if returned to the Golden Mist Sect but they weren¡¯t worth much around here.


    The Treasure Pavilion, residences and refineries, alchemy and refinement halls? Wiped clean. The Manual Pavilion? They hadn¡¯t even bothered to grab these items when fleeing.


    Still, they were invaluable to Yu Chen. In those few weeks he found himself acquiring an education he¡¯d scarcely realized he¡¯d needed, and many of the things that he¡¯d once found obscure were now revealed.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen breathed out, before standing up and taking one last look around the ruined outpost that had provided him with so much over the last few weeks. The sun was setting over the ruined and crumbling buildings, casting the entire area ablaze in a glory of orange, yellow and red highlights.


    He was atop the crushed ziggurat, a place he¡¯d often returned to during these last few weeks, and he¡¯d come to know every ruined stone and broken building, and indeed, every inch of the gigantic palm print, as he did the back of his own hand.


    But his time here had come to an end. He¡¯d felt it coming for a while now; he¡¯d found everything worth finding, and collected a great deal of knowledge. He¡¯d advanced his cultivation even further, and solidified it a fair bit, already well on his way towards the next realm. He¡¯d explored a secret realm, gathered many treasures, and even passed a series of excruciating trials that had earned him admittance into a hidden sect, removed from the world.


    He¡¯d surpassed his limits, and expanded his vision to a point where others could scarcely see.


    And so it was time to leave. There was still plenty of spiritual energy in the atmosphere, and if he wished he could safely cultivate here for a good deal of time to come. However, that wasn¡¯t what he needed anymore.


    He¡¯d need more experience to take the next step and so he finally left, using the hidden exit the voice had told him about.


    A section of the wall peeled back, and Yu Chen stepped outside, before coming to a sudden halt, surprised at the scene of devastation that greeted him.

 Tributary: Chapter 50 - The Earth is Scorched, The Heavens, Indifferent.

    Yu Chen frowned as he surveyed the shattered expanse of destruction that stretched out before him in every direction. Such a scene of devastation could only have been caused by the clash of many powerful cultivators. The acrid stench of scorched earth still lingered in the air, mingling with the rusty scent of old blood. An oppressive silence smothered the battlefield, broken only by the soft trilling of birdsong, the normalcy of their tune underscoring how indifferent the world was to the struggles of man.


    Cycling his movement technique, he made for an area where the fighting appeared particularly dense. His eyes went up as the first of the dead began to appear, strewn carelessly across the land like ragdolls left out to play, and a bitter taste crept into his mouth at the sight.


    No one had bothered to inter them, leaving them to rot under the summer sun.


    The fight had been a brutal one, and the ground all around him was covered in scars. Some powerful attack had gouged out deep, pockmarked holes, creating pits that had already begun to fill with water, and Yu Chen could see the series of picturesque ponds it was destined to become once time took its toll. There seemed to be no end to the devastation. A nearby forest was entirely gone, the area it¡¯d once been now black and ashy, burnt to the ground by some ferocious fire that had blazed through the area.


    Crushed fragments of jade were pressed into the dirt, alongside splinters of wood and jagged shards of metal, the remnants of broken weapons and shattered artifacts that now littered the ground, their once-brilliant glow as dim and lifeless as the corpses they lay beside. It appeared the cultivators had fought desperately, using every hidden trump card they¡¯d possessed in the hopes of surviving.


    The battle had taken place on the northwestern edge of the valley, relative to where he¡¯d first arrived. Yu Chen paid close attention to the corpses that littered the ground, puzzling over them as he attempted to put the pieces together. He recognized the symbols on the robes of some of the dead cultivators, their insignias marking them as members of certain demonic sects he¡¯d been warned about.


    After all, before they¡¯d entered the Secret Realm, the sect had gone to great lengths to warn them about the demonic cultivators they¡¯d meet within and provided them with information on what to look out for. He¡¯d never seen any of the demonic cultivators, although he had, as it turned out, run into some demonic cultivators.


    They just hadn¡¯t been the ones he¡¯d been warned of. The local sects had been nowhere to be seen, and Yu Chen now knew why.


    This must have been the portal the reavers had used to enter the Secret Realm, and it appeared they¡¯d begun their killing spree before even entering, ruthlessly slaughtering the other demonic cultivators without regard. Many of the black robed cultivators strewn around had been marked with that bloody insignia, and it appeared their sect showed as little concern for their corpses as they had the others.


    A thought struck him then, and he dashed towards the small mount his own sect had arrived at. It was fairly far away, but if the reavers were as insatiable as Cang Wuji had said¡­


    His heart dropped as he approached. The stretch of clear land was quickly becoming riddled with scars again, only increasing in number the closer he came to the mountain.


    The dead began to appear, the closer he came, and every one of them was a black-robed cultivator. Somehow, they must have been forewarned, causing the reavers to pay dearly for their assault. Perhaps some survivors had fled, warning the others, or perhaps some sign from the other battle had set them on edge, such as an entire forest going up in flames.


    A chasm appeared as he ran, and Yu Chen leapt across, landing and leaping again as another appeared. The ground around him was torn to shreds, as though some mad butcher had decided to hack away at the earth itself. He could feel a deep intent emanate from each, so sharp and vicious he felt liable to cut himself just from leaping across.


    It was nothing, however, when compared to the intensity of intent radiated by that giant palm strike.


    Patches of blue had begun to appear as well. From a distance he¡¯d confused them for small lakes, glistening under the sun, but as he approached, he found the ground to be covered with frozen patches of ice so conceptually sound they still emanated a freezing coldness weeks later, each one containing a still frozen corpse.


    At this point weren¡¯t they nearly a spiritual treasure? Yu Chen gulped, imagining the level you had to reach to be able to produce treasures with a simple attack. This was the level of the truly powerful, one where the aftermath of their attacks, be it the swing of a sword, or the remnants of a spiritual attack so profound it refused to disappear, could be a treasure for those who found them.


    He shook the thoughts away as he entered a forest, leaping through the treetops. Even here, there were great sections missing, with many ancient trees cut down and destroyed.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    With a last leap he left the treetops, arriving at the base of the mountain. He raced forward without stopping and leapt up the side, taking light steps that launched him upwards dozens of feet. He put mountain goats to shame, finding impossibly small footholds and using them to quickly climb the sheer face of the mountain, arriving at the top in no time at all.


    His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene of devastation.


    There were more black robed cultivators lying dead atop the flat mountain top, but there were others mixed in as well. Many of those among the dead bore the insignia of the sword cultivators, and it appeared as though they¡¯d fought to nearly the last man.


    Only a few of the icy cultivators lay among the dead, and perhaps most of them had managed to escape in time.


    But Yu Chen scarcely noticed this, only briefly taking in the situation before racing towards the area his own sect had been standing.


    The dead were scattered thickly here. He ignored the ones in black, as he began turning over those wearing his own sect¡¯s robes, looking for faces he knew. The first few were strange and unfamiliar, although one he somewhat recognized as a foundation establishment disciple who¡¯d arrived traveled with them.


    Approaching another body, he grabbed it, and felt his heart drop when he turned it over.


    The eyes were missing, the cheeks ripped to shreds by the scavengers that had eaten away at the soft tissues. What remained was desiccated, having been exposed to the elements and dried out in the long weeks since. But even so, Yu Chen recognized the face. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he gently sat the man back on the ground, rocking back on his heels as he shook his head.


    It was Ji Rong, and Yu Chen was pained to find the rotund man in such a state. He had always been friendly, and he was the one who had helped him get adjusted to the inner sect. He¡¯d been an affable fellow who loved to talk, often stopping by to visit, bringing with him messages from Elder Gu or sometimes simply sharing the latest bit of news he¡¯d heard.


    And now he was left dead and lifeless, food for the vultures. Yu Chen stood up, and his fists unconsciously began to ball as he approached the next corpse.


    Even from behind he could recognize the fine robes covering the man, despite the blood and gore that covered them, and the fact they were half missing. If seeing Ji Rong had caused his heart to drop, it now sank like a stone, and a soft curse escaped his lips before he could prevent it.


    Yu Chen hurried forward, dropping down and touching a trembling hand to the shoulder of the sect leader. He tried to turn him over but stopped as he felt a slight resistance. Frowning, he pulled harder, tearing apart the long crusted blood and viscera that had bonded the corpse to the mountaintop.


    With a sickening sound it rolled over, revealing the gaping wound that had destroyed most of his midsection, taking with it an entire arm, leaving him half the man he once was. Yu Chen let out another deep sigh at the sight, and he worried whether or not the Golden Mist Sect could survive the loss.


    He left the man behind, resuming his search as he examined the others, but he found no one else of note. Neither Xue Lan or Ling Xia were present among the dead, nor were any of the elders, Elder Gu included. Well, he hadn¡¯t seen Xue Lan in the secret realm either, and it was possible she hadn¡¯t survived the bloodbath within.


    But he still remembered her formidable stealth skills. She had made it out, he was sure of it, but a small part of his mind still held a tiny sliver of fear that she might be dead.


    To his relief there were only a handful from the sect among the dead. He harbored hopes that most of the others had survived, escaping with the elders while the sect leader and a handful of others held the demonic cultivators back.


    Cang Wuji was right, he thought, shaking his head as he observed the number of corpses littering the mountain top. They truly were like locusts, swarming across the land and cutting down all in their way. They hadn¡¯t stopped there, looting the dead, and in many places defiling the corpses as well.


    The reavers were a terrifying force, and he could see why the other boy had been so fearful to see them. He could only hope that Cang Wuji had managed to escape the destruction they¡¯d brought with them.


    Walking over to the edge of the flat mountain top Yu Chen looked off, seeing signs of battle marring the land in all directions, although the massive valley in the middle was untouched. The time controlling formations remained unbreached despite the devastation that had been wreaked across the land.


    He didn¡¯t know how many there were, but it must have taken a small army to kill so many cultivators. It appeared they¡¯d attacked all four portals, determined to kill everyone in their path in order to advance their cultivation.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but shake his head at the brutality, feeling there was something obscenely wrong with this method of cultivation. He¡¯d always been skeptical, and would never call himself a righteous man, unconcerned as he was with such things, but if this was the path of demonic cultivation then it rightly deserved to be wiped out.


    They were like men with rabies, mad animals that had to be put down before they could infect all else.


    Yu Chen let out a low sigh, and a helpless chuckle escaped his lips as his body relaxed.


    He¡¯d been ready to storm off that very moment, charging forward blindly to put an end to them, but his gaze lingered on those patches of still frozen ground in the distance. He was still an ant, despite his strength, and there was nothing he could do in the face of this horde.


    For now he could only keep his head down and stay out of the way, hoping he didn¡¯t run into some powerful being that could end his life. His eyes turned towards his sect members who lay littered the ground, dead behind him, and they lingered on Ji Rong¡¯s lifeless corpse.


    It wouldn¡¯t always be that way. There¡¯d come a day of reckoning, and Yu Chen always paid in full.

 Tributary: Chapter 51 - The Yellow River

    Yu Chen walked through the bustling streets of Jingnan, a small countryside city that had once been a simple intersection of two roads, centuries ago. Now however, it hummed with life. It had grown over the years, situated as it was at an important crossroads that was integral for the flow of goods throughout the Empire.


    This was information he¡¯d picked up over the last few days, strolling through town in the guise of a mortal.


    He walked along, his hands clasped behind his back as he eyed the world around him in interest. His plain robes allowed him to blend into the crowd, appearing not so dissimilar from the others around him. He appeared to be nothing more than another young man out about town, and none would have taken for a hidden immortal.


    Yu Chen was doing his best to avoid notice. These days, it was dangerous to be an immortal, and being a mortal wasn¡¯t much better.


    If word spread that an immortal was seen in Jingnan, death would follow. He¡¯d seen it happen before, in cities not so dissimilar from this.


    The people around him filled the air with endless chatter as they spoke of the mundane matters that pertained to them. Rising prices were always a popular topic, and salt was a main concern of the people, Yu Chen had heard many complain bitterly about the scarcity the ongoing war had created in the market. They spoke endlessly of the war as well, and everyone seemed to have family or friends who were on the frontlines fighting.


    However, these weren¡¯t the most popular topic on people¡¯s lips these days. That would be the rumors currently spreading that a second front had emerged, and an unknown enemy had risen up, advancing into the heart of the Empire.


    Yu Chen came to a halt next to two men who were arguing in front of a nearby fruit cart, making a show of examining the produce as he listened in on their discussion. If they registered him at all they paid no mind, continuing to discuss the latest news in the world.


    ¡°Shiqiao was burned to the ground, just two weeks ago, leaving nothing but ashes. They say not even the animals escaped alive, let alone the men and women.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong, it was Hongtu!¡± The other man rebutted, shaking his head. ¡°Had the news from the baker on plum street just this morning. He heard it from a caravaner who saw it with his own eyes.¡±


    ¡°Bah!¡± The other man exclaimed, waving angrily. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m a fool? Hongtu¡¯s to the north, Shiqiao is to the south, how would I get them mixed up?¡±


    Yu Chen placed down a bit of mortal coin on the stall, before taking a bite of the apple he was holding as he slid past the two, continuing on his way. They paid him no mind, continuing to bicker back and forth.


    There wasn¡¯t much point in the argument as far as Yu Chen could tell, they were both right after all.


    Shiqiao had been destroyed, and Hongtu, along with half a dozen other cities, and the numerous villages, towns and outposts that lay in between them.


    It¡¯d been weeks since Yu Chen had left the Secret Realm, and he''d traversed over a good bit of the Empire. It hadn¡¯t taken long, however, for the first rumors that he¡¯d come to associate with the bloody reavers reached his ears. They¡¯d spoken of a new enemy, one that had come from the sea, and how they¡¯d destroyed some famous port well known for its pearls.


    Then the next rumor had come, and another after that, and Yu Chen realized they¡¯d been troubling the Empire for quite awhile before the massacre that¡¯d happened at the Secret Realm.


    Everything, including at least three sects, had been destroyed in a path of destruction that had managed to bisect the empire, nearly entirely. It didn¡¯t take a man with eyes to see that it was forming an arrow aimed straight for the seat of power, one that had cut down everything in its way.


    The lives of countless mortals had already been lost, but those outside of that line of annihilation were relatively safe, at least for now. Immortals on the other hand, weren¡¯t so lucky. The reavers seemed to have a particular lust for cultivators, going out of their way to lay waste to the surrounding sects and any area they¡¯d heard one might be located.


    The swathe of devastation they¡¯d created had also neatly divided him from the Golden Mist Sect, cutting off any chance he had of reaching it alive. From what he¡¯d heard they¡¯d not only cut a path across the empire, they¡¯d also formed a strong chokehold along the southern coast, blockading it and preventing others from passing through, not that anyone had bothered to try.


    Thankfully they seemed rather confined beyond that, intent on reaching the Emperor¡¯s palace, and Yu Chen had reasoned as to why that might be the case.


    The Bloody River Sect walked a path of demonic cultivation, and a particularly vile one even among demonic cultivators, one that drove you towards indiscriminate killing, becoming stronger in the process. If that was the case, wouldn¡¯t the strongest among them seek out the strongest prey to hunt? Perhaps it was the head of their sect himself who had left the river, cutting a path inland to slay the strongest cultivators in the Empire.


    Yu Chen hoped that was the case, and shuddered to think that it might be otherwise.


    Because if not, wouldn¡¯t that mean their leader was stronger still?


    Yu Chen shook away the thoughts.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Letting out a low breath he walked through the gates, leaving the city behind. He walked along the busy road, waiting until the people around him disappeared before he cycled his movement technique, leaping forward as civilization began to recede, the land turning wild again as the uniform fields that covered it gave way to a large forest that spread throughout most of the region.


    It only took a quick push for him to leap off the ground and land amongst the treetops, a method of travel that had quickly become his favorite way to travel.


    He ran forward, leaping from branch to branch with graceful steps as he moved through the canopy with hardly a whisper, watching as the forest rapidly flashed by beneath his feet. He followed a large road that cut through the forest, creating a path towards the next civilized area.


    He stuck close to it, having learned his lesson about delving too deep into these forests. He¡¯d made that mistake once before, when he thought to take a quick shortcut, only to narrowly avoid a confrontation with a Stage 2 spirit beast.


    He came to a halt as the forest ahead split into an intersection, one path leading towards the south of the empire, and another leading towards its outer edge.


    His thoughts turned over as he sat above the crossroads, weighing the momentous decision that had been churning in his heart.


    If he took the path to the left, he would risk his life to return to the past, settling things there.


    He truly did wish to return to the sect and his old life, seeing which of his friends had survived and helping them weather the storms to come with the sect leader¡¯s passing. Even more than that he wanted to visit with his family again, to see his mother¡¯s face and laugh with his brother, and once again hear his father¡¯s stern but gentle voice guiding him in what to do.


    That was what he truly wanted.


    However, that would only reignite the bonds of karma they¡¯d already severed.


    Just seeing them from a distance couldn¡¯t be remiss, could it? Perhaps he could drop off some coin, ensuring they lived in luxury. They didn¡¯t have to know it came from him did they?


    He sighed, a low soft sound tinged with sadness, loss and remembrance that blended into the environment around him.


    Making his choice, Yu Chen set off, continuing to move throughout the treetops.


    Hours passed as he traveled, leaping high above the mortals who journeyed along the road beneath him. Some of them were lone travelers, while others formed small groups, or even larger caravans that were filled with the trade goods they carried across the empire.


    Not a soul saw him pass, and if they heard a slight noise, the rustling of tree branches as he lightly landed above them, by the time they looked up he was already gone, far out of sight.


    The sun slowly set behind him, fading over the horizon.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t stop moving, and a journey that would have taken others weeks passed in a single day as he ran ceaselessly through the night. He landed in the grasses below as the forest around him finally came to an end, continuing to run as it gave way to bare grasslands that gradually transitioned into rolling hills as he moved through the land.


    Villages appeared and disappeared in the distance as he traveled, until one appeared directly before him, blocking his way forward. Yu Chen didn¡¯t bother to go around. It was the dead of night and he raced to the walls like a shadow. It was the matter of one small step for his powerful body to take him to the top of the walls, where he leaped, running from rooftop to rooftop as he passed through the town like a ghost in the night.


    He ran until morning arrived, bringing with it the first rays of dawn¡¯s light that pierced the night sky. The pervasive blackness around him began to fade, giving way to hues of dark blue, before softening into a deep purple. The sun climbed higher, lighting the sky with a riot of color that showered the horizon in stunning reds, oranges and yellows.


    The world around him came alive as Yu Chen ran into the sunrise. The birds were beginning to stir, and he heard their chirps in the brief moment between when he¡¯d land and leap again. Then the insects appeared as the sun climbed higher, filling the air with a low buzz as they went aloft, beginning their daily activities.


    Yu Chen frowned before cycling his qi, covering his body in a thin aura that kept away the worst of the bugs. No one ever mentioned it, but they became a real pain when traveling at high speeds.


    A strange noise rose up in the background, catching his attention, coming upon him so gradually that he hadn¡¯t noticed it at first. It was a low rhythmic sound, like a distant murmur that tickled at the edge of hearing, soft and insistent.


    He sped up, tirelessly approaching the source of the noise and listening as it gradually grew louder. It crashed, and then a lull would appear before he heard the noise swell up and crash again, some grand creation rhythmically pounding away as though he were listening to the heartbeat of the earth itself.


    The ground transitioned again, bluffs beginning to appear as the terrain turned rocky, forming into great stone ranges that pierced into the air, dense with vegetation. He left the road, approaching the source of the noise. Springing into a nearby tree, he used it as a launchpad to send him up the side of the cliff, where he found some tiny outcrops from which to continue his ascent.


    He leapt from precipice to precipice, having to climb higher and higher as he continued his approach. The noise had grown to the point that it practically roared, the crashes now forming sharp, explosive cracks that reminded him of the worst of the siege weapons within his dreams.


    He landed on the ground, running towards a break he saw in the trees ahead -


    And then he was through to the otherside, stumbling to a halt right before he ran off the edge of the thin slice of rock that jutted out, overlooking the most awe inspiring sight he¡¯d seen in his life.


    An endless expanse spread out before him in all directions, great roiling waves of honey-yellow waters that swirled in mysterious currents, waving entrancingly. The waters swelled before him, crashing into the rocks below with a mighty roar that echoed all around, sending up a spray of water that glistened like amber in the early morning light of the sun. A soft hissing filled the air as the water pulled back, the foam and spray sliding down the slick rocks to run back into the river, before the waters swelled forward, crashing against the rocks once more.


    Boats meandered all across the surface of the mighty yellow river. Some were tiny things, little more than specks of dust adorning the face of the river, while others were massive contraptions of wood and steel that loomed domineeringly, cutting a formidable figure as they sliced through the waters.


    He could see a city further down the coast to his right, nestled into a bay in the river. It was a great rambling thing built across the bluffs in many layers, surrounded by a series of concentric walls. Fine marble palaces adorned the top of the bluffs, the housing growing gradually worse through each successive layer of walls until it devolved into a sprawling mass of half built shanties that had spread to cover the coastline for miles around.


    The large bay formed a natural harbor, and Yu Chen could see many boats and ships docked to the great wooden piers that stretched forth, anchoring them in place. He smiled as he saw his destination finally appear in sight.


    In the end, A dragon always advances.


    END OF BOOK ONE

 Confluence: Chapter 1 - A Boat, my Kingdom for a Boat!

    ¡°Fish, Fresh daily!¡±


    The cries of street vendors rang out around him as Yu Chen walked through the streets of the sprawling shanty town. He paused, watching in amusement as a gaggle of children ran in front of him, laughing as they played some game in the streets. A much younger boy trailed behind the others. He looked up as he passed Yu Chen, gracing him with a wide, gap-toothed smile before toddling along, waving his chubby hands in the air as he aped the others.


    Yu Chen smiled at the sight. He continued down the street once the children passed, moving deeper into the overcrowded slums that clung to the shore of the river. Dilapidated buildings loomed on all sides, cramping the small streets and turning the area into a claustrophobic warren where alleyways popped up at random, leading off to side streets and back streets that twisted back upon each other in a confusing maze.


    This was far from the city proper - the streets here were simple, rough things of unpaved dirt marked with deep ruts from the wagons that regularly passed through.


    They were filled with mud more often than not, but that didn¡¯t bother Yu Chen. He¡¯d never minded a bit of dirt, and whatever managed to cling to the hem of his robes would wipe away easily enough, thanks to whatever strange properties had imbued them.


    He¡¯d passed through many towns and villages on his journey, exploring a good many of the countryside cities as well, and had begun to think himself somewhat cultured. But even he had to admit that the slums were a lively place. The sheer press of humanity he¡¯d encountered here had been far beyond his expectations.


    It was true what they said, the yellow river was the source of all life in this world. Countless humans filled the streets he walked through, more than he could begin to count.


    A handful of day laborers rushed by, and Yu Chen moved aside, stepping closer to a pair of women covered in garish makeup and little else who stood in a nearby alley. One winked at him, waggling her eyebrows suggestively, but Yu Chen simply gave her a polite smile, shaking his head at her before continuing on his way.


    She gave him a quick pout, but she¡¯d already turned, smiling at the next man before Yu Chen even turned the corner. A consummate professional.


    He didn¡¯t have to go much further before he found what he was looking for. He squeezed down another alley, this one barely wide enough for him to walk through without turning sideways, and glanced around for the battered wooden sign he¡¯d been told to look for.


    Yu Chen spotted it, swinging in the wind at the end of the street, where it hung unevenly from two rusted chains that looked liable to snap at any moment. Someone had burned an image into the signboard, that of a near-empty cask, leaking from a hole in its side. It was attached to a low, dark building that someone had squished between two others, close enough that you couldn¡¯t fit a pinky between them.


    A pair of hard men stood near the front, eyeing Yu Chen as he approached but he paid them no mind, walking past them and entering the building. Only, he didn¡¯t go in through the front, walking instead down a series of low steps that led into the basement of the establishment.


    He opened the door, his nose wrinkling ever so slightly as the smell of cheap wine rolled out, mingled with the charred scent of smoke and the musk of unwashed men. The air felt thick and heavy, filled with a stench that had lingered for years. It was loud and boisterous within, but as soon as he stepped inside the noise faltered, the eyes in the room shifting towards him.


    Yu Chen stood at the threshold for a second, looking around. It was a decent sized space, but it somehow still felt suffocating, with every inch crammed full of people and objects. A few dim candles hung from the walls, casting long shadows across the room, but they were barely enough to illuminate the seedy men within, hunched over tables covered in cards and dice. Faces turned towards him, hardened by years of rough living, looking up from their games of chance as they eyed the newcomer.


    Yu Chen¡¯s white robes, plain as they were, still looked out of place in the flickering light of the dinghy room. They were clean and unstained, unlike the others within. His long hair was neat and well kept, his face sharp and angular, and a deep strength filled his eyes that was at odds with the dirty, sweat-streaked men who sat around gambling with desperation in their eyes.


    The noise slowly returned as he strode towards the counter, although it was more muted than before he¡¯d arrived. Some of the men cast nervous glances his way as he passed, but Yu Chen ignored them all.


    He only had eyes for one man.


    The barkeep scowled towards him as he approached, but Yu Chen paid him no mind either, dropping into a seat beside the only man who hadn¡¯t bothered to look up when the door had opened.


    The man was hunched in his seat, leaning over the bar as he stared into a mug he was cradling in his hands. His long black hair was unkempt, hanging about his face in oily curls, and his face was covered in a patchy beard he hadn¡¯t bothered to shave. He practically reeked, smelling as though he hadn¡¯t bathed in weeks.


    ¡°What d¡¯ya want?¡± The bartender asked in an unfriendly tone.


    Yu Chen gave him half a glance as he placed a bit of coin on the counter, before nodding to the man beside him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take what he¡¯s having, make it two.¡±


    The surly bartender snatched the coin off the counter, moving so fast Yu Chen had half a thought the man might be a cultivator himself. He gave the coin a hard bite before letting out an irritable grunt, pocketing it as he turned around and busied himself pouring the drinks.


    Yu Chen studied the strange man beside him, who still hadn¡¯t reacted, not even acknowledging that someone had sat beside him. He was just staring into his empty cup, despondent, oblivious to the world around him.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Two mugs slammed into the counter with an audible thump that caused cheap wine to slosh over the sides, not that the bartender cared. He was already walking away to deal with another customer, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but notice he hadn¡¯t left any change behind.


    He ignored it, unwilling to squabble with a mortal over a few coins.


    ¡°Thirsty?¡± He asked the man beside him, pushing one of the mugs closer.


    This at last, finally had an effect. The man looked up, fixing him with a listless stare that gradually sharpened as Yu Chen¡¯s words cut through whatever fog filled the man¡¯s mind.


    The broken man numbly pushed his empty cup to the side before picking up the proffered one, sucking down deep gulps that seemed to bring a hint of life back to his eyes. Yu Chen joined him, swallowing his own cup down before sliding some more coins on the counter and motioning to the bartender who¡¯d come back around.


    The two of them drank in silence for a while, going through enough cups that even the surly bartender started to eye him with respect. The man slowly grew warmer, and the wine itself became better as the man broke out the good stuff.


    Although better was a relative term - the good stuff here was still worse than the swill served at other establishments.


    Thankfully Yu Chen¡¯s cultivation gave him a bit of resistance towards mortal poisons like these, allowing him to keep up with the strange man. If he truly wished to get drunk he¡¯d need a wine brewed with water from a spirit spring, alongside other wondrous ingredients.


    The despondent man still hadn¡¯t spoken, not even to say thanks. It wasn¡¯t until sometime around the eighth cup that he finally turned, fixing Yu Chen with eyes that were surprisingly clear.


    ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± The man asked. He was no longer gulping it down, instead he was sipping the cheap wine as though savoring the taste.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t respond right away, taking a sip of his own. Truthfully the man hadn¡¯t been exactly what he¡¯d expected, and he wasn¡¯t sure how best to approach him.


    Well, he couldn¡¯t go wrong with telling the truth.


    ¡°You¡¯re Sun Yuan right? I¡¯ve heard that you¡¯re a passable navigator, and one of the few that¡¯s been upstream. I could use your services.¡±


    This seemed to catch the man¡¯s attention, and for the first time he gave Yu Chen his full attention. A depth lurked in the man¡¯s eyes in the brief moment he looked him up and down before they slid away, staring back into his cup.


    ¡°Passable? I¡¯m the best navigator in this whole damned city, top or bottom.¡± The dirty man muttered, sounding vaguely offended. ¡°Unfortunately I¡¯m retired. Thank you for the wine, but do me a favor and piss off.¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t move from his seat, drumming his fingers on the table as he thought. Retired? The filth and dirt gave him an older appearance, but Yu Chen could tell the man didn¡¯t have more than a few years on himself. He wasn¡¯t nearly old enough to be retired, let alone wasting his life away in a place like this.


    ¡°If it¡¯s the danger you¡¯re worr-¡± Yu Chen began, but the man cut him off with a snort before he could finish.


    ¡°Danger?¡± Sun Yuan asked, angrily waving his cup around. ¡°What do you know about danger? Have you ever clung to the mast in a river storm, when the waves rise up so high they blot the sky, and heavenly thunder crashes down around you? How about fighting pirates on a deck slick with blood, trying to keep your footing as the ship heaves back and forth?¡±


    He took a deep gulp from his cup, emptying it before placing it on the counter before him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me about danger boy.¡± The man said, his tone turning vacant once again as the brief surge of anger ran from his body, leaving him nearly as lifeless as before. ¡°I¡¯ve seen things you¡¯ve never imagined.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen my own share of troubles.¡± Yu Chen said, swirling the cup in his hand.


    Sun Yuan grunted in reply, picking up the fresh drink the bartender laid down. He was moving with remarkable alacrity now that he¡¯d realized Yu Chen would keep the coin coming, not even waiting to see it before setting a fresh set of cups down.


    ¡°Of course you have. What sect are you from anyways?¡± The man asked in disinterest as he took another sip from his cup.


    Yu Chen shot him a look of mild surprise.


    ¡°The Golden Mist Sect, how¡¯d you know?¡±


    Sun Yuan rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Who else wants to go upstream? traders simply hug the shore on the way up and down the river, and have no need for a navigator. In which case, you wouldn¡¯t be talking to me.¡±


    Yu Chen settled back in his seat, impressed with the man¡¯s deduction. Maybe there was more to him than he seemed.


    ¡°You have a boat then?¡± The man asked suddenly, looking up at him through the rank locks of greasy hair that swung in front of his face. His gaze was intent, piercing, and Yu Chen was taken about by the sudden intensity within.


    ¡°No.¡± Yu Chen replied with a sigh. ¡°I have some coins though, we could buy one.¡±


    ¡°Some coi-¡±, The man began, looking at Yu Chen incredulously. ¡°You think you can simply buy a boat that can traverse the deep waters of the Yellow River?¡±


    Yu Chen looked at him in askance. The man turned away, muttering something that was lost as he swallowed a mouthful of wine.


    He looked up, giving Yu Chen a considering look before deciding to explain. ¡°Look,¡± He began. ¡°I appreciate the drinks, so you should know this. The yellow river is no ordinary thing. It is full of spiritual energy that only increases the further you move away from land, to the point that it breaks down all mortal objects upon it.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes widened, it was the first time he¡¯d heard this.


    ¡°Only a spiritual treasure can survive for long within the deeper waters, and you won¡¯t be acquiring one of those with some simple coin.¡± The dirty man let out an ugly laugh, swirling his cup in his hands. ¡°You could try visiting Jiang Ming. That old fellow specializes in crafting spirit vessels. I hear he just finished a fine commission, maybe you could get your hands on it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a thief.¡± Yu Chen said, his voice hard and low.


    ¡°And I¡¯m not a navigator, not anymore.¡± The man said with a forlorn chuckle. ¡°You can take that boat or find another, it doesn¡¯t matter to me. Either way you won¡¯t make it far upstream without one.¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t reply, swallowing his wine before slamming his cup down. He stood up, pushing his stool back, leaving without another word.


    He left the rancid den, taking a deep breath of fresh air from outside before exhaling slowly. It looked like he¡¯d have to acquire a boat, one way or the other.

 Confluence: Chapter 2 - A Destined Meeting

    The moon was bright tonight.


    It hung low in the clear night sky, fat and heavy, close enough for Yu Chen to make out the depressions in its sterile surface. A chill breeze came in off the water, sweeping across him as he sat on the edge of the retaining riverwall, observing the twins, H¨¢n Zh¨± and B¨¬ L¨²n, on their lazy orbit around the large satellite.


    They were illuminated against the backdrop of the larger moon they spiraled around like two small marbles, and Yu Chen loved to gaze upon them when given the chance. One was a vibrant green in color and the other a deep blue, and to see them so near was a rare sight.


    For most of the year, they were hardly visible, and it was only now, when they stretched close to the earth below, that one could clearly observe them. Since his childhood Yu Chen had always gone out on this night, spending his holiday staring up at the moons in the sky.


    To him they were a marvel, a sign of the endless mysteries in the world, and the sight of them only made him wonder what else lay out there.


    To others they were an omen.


    They called them the twin eyes of God. The left saw the future, the right saw the past, and when one stared upon them, they stared back. The particularly superstitious would put their children outside on this night, leaving them to sleep beneath those two eyes in the hopes it might bring some blessings upon their young.


    In the little village he¡¯d grown up in, today was called the Festival of the Near Moon. It was a small celebration, intended to honor nature and give thanks for the harvest.


    Here, it was known as the Harvest Moon Festival, the time of year when the moon approached closest to the earth, and the city had turned it into something nearing a carnival. Banners had been strewn across the streets, musicians played on the corners, and street vendors sold the season¡¯s delicacies - mooncakes filled with red bean paste, candied sweet potatoes and Yu Chen¡¯s favorite; sweet golden honey cakes filled with carrots and walnuts.


    He hadn¡¯t come out to enjoy the holiday, however.


    Yu Chen judged the time was about right. The dead of night had arrived; the moon had passed its zenith and was now on the downturn, beginning its approach towards the horizon once more. The sound of laughter reached his ears, drifting on the wind despite the late hour, but Yu Chen ignored it, pulling the brown cloak he wore close to his body as he stood, making his way towards a meeting few knew about.


    He dropped off the wall, landing on the beach and cycling his movement technique, taking off with steps so light they barely left a depression in the soft sands as he bounded away. The air grew cleaner as he ran further away from the city, the scent of smoke and men disappearing as nature took over, and even the fishy smell from the docks dissipated in the distance. It didn¡¯t take long, a few minutes perhaps at the speed he traveled, before he came to a halt, arriving at the small, recessed valley that lay at the bottom of a jagged ravine.


    He pulled his hood up as he arrived, stepping between the two cultivators guarding the only entrance, both of whom emitted a crushing aura. Yu Chen knew they were at the peak of Foundation Establishment. It might be a meeting of rogue cultivators, but the sects were far from the only powerful groups in the world.


    In many places loose cultivators had grouped up out of necessity, forming coalitions that presided over their areas with a rough sort of governance. The port city contained one such group, and they currently resided over the meeting, ensuring nothing untoward happened within.


    As best they could of course. The world wasn¡¯t one where you could so blindly trust others, so Yu Chen had taken some precautions of his own, such as wearing a robe and obscuring his face, as many of the others did. He was also very wary of splashing any wealth, lest he make a target of himself.


    Still, despite the danger they offered too many opportunities to be simply ignored.


    He¡¯d been tipped off about their existence by Cang Wuji, and he¡¯d sought one out the first chance he¡¯d found. It was only a matter of finding a hidden immortal. Every city had a few, and there were always more passing through. It was only natural that over time they¡¯d form small communities among themselves, meeting up to exchange goods and information.


    It was in this very place that he¡¯d learned about Sun Yuan, when he¡¯d sought out information about how to travel further upriver.


    He scowled thinking about it. The meeting hadn¡¯t gone exactly as hoped, but it had provided him with further information to act upon. Sun Yuan was a hard nut to crack, but Yu Chen planned to, one way or the other.


    Looking around he couldn¡¯t help but notice the event was lively today, with more cultivators out than normal. He imagined it was on account of the festival, but perhaps there was some other reason. Either way, Yu Chen made his way deeper into the valley, seeking out the informant he¡¯d spoken with last time.


    He passed many cultivators on the way, the valley was packed with scores of them. Some were reserved like him, while others wore all manner of strange garb - robes that flowed like waves when they moved or shimmered under the moonlight. They stood around talking, old groups of friends that had met up, or manning the stalls placed around, from which immortal cultivators hawked goods in the same manner as the mortals in the city not so far away.


    Yu Chen ignored these for now, knowing he¡¯d find their wares of little value. The areas in the front were manned by Qi Condensators, selling the skin and cores of Tier 1 beasts, alongside various spirit herbs and grasses. Some had the occasional talisman for sale, or an artifact or more esoteric goods, but nothing caught his eye.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    After all, Yu Chen was filthy rich. They¡¯d probably murder him outright if they were aware of all that was within his spatial pouch.


    Never mind the remaining fruits and herbs he still carried from the Secret Realm, or the stacks of spirit beast meat he kept on hand, just the handful of cores he kept on hand to feed Lan She would cause a commotion. Let alone the Soul-cleansing Jade or the Scarlet Bloom Lotus Flowers - Those were enough to make a Foundation Establishment cultivator sweat.


    And if he brought out those ancient bones he¡¯d found?


    Yu Chen chuckled grimly at the thought. Chances were some ancient monster would appear out of nowhere, taking his life before he even knew it. Somehow, he¡¯d acquired some substantial wealth, only he couldn¡¯t show it without risking this dear life of his.


    Yu Chen could sense more powerful items radiating from deeper within the valley, but he firmly ignored those, intentionally so. That was where the Foundation Establishment experts gathered, forming their own meeting within the meeting.


    He didn¡¯t dare risk drawing their attention.


    Being a lone cultivator carried substantial risks, and Yu Chen always remained wary. Even among the righteous sects there had been those willing to steal and kill, taking that which didn¡¯t belong to them. Out here in the wild? Morals were a loose, gray thing without much meaning.


    He found the man he¡¯d come to see near the middle of the valley, perched atop a large boulder where he sat at ease, with one arm laying across his raised knee. He cocked his head as Yu Chen approached, and the owlshead mask covering it tilted, staring at him inquisitively.


    ¡°And Hooo do we have here?¡± The man said, elongating the word in a fashion Yu Chen found extremely annoying, though he wouldn¡¯t voice the thought. ¡°I do believe I recognize you. How was the meeting with Sun Yuan?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve had better.¡± Yu Chen replied shortly. The man lived and breathed information, and Yu Chen knew these questions were just a way for the man to acquire more of his favorite currency.


    ¡°Yes, I imagine you have. He¡¯s a hard one to talk to these days, especially after what happened.¡± The man said, the last of his words filled with a provocation, as if daring him to ask for more.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Yu Chen said, tone noncommittal.


    ¡°Would you like to hear the boy¡¯s story? It¡¯s quite tragic I assure you.¡± The man asked enticingly.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Yu Chen firmly said. In truth he did wish to know. Perhaps there was something there that could help him recruit the man, but the informant knew it as well, and would no doubt price the information accordingly.


    ¡°What do you know about Jiang Ming?¡± Yu Chen asked, cutting off the other man before he could continue speaking.


    ¡°Jiang Ming?¡± The man said as if tasting the word, before his eyes widened behind the mask. ¡°You''re not asking about Old Ming are you? The legendary artificer?¡± The man asked in surprise, but his tone went flat as he continued. ¡°Nothing, and if anyone asks, you¡¯d better say you didn¡¯t hear it from me.¡±


    Yu Chen stared back nonplussed, not expecting a rejection from the man.


    ¡°Can you tell me where to find him?¡± Yu Chen asked finally, when it became clear the other man wasn¡¯t going to say more.


    ¡°That, I can do.¡± The man said, and Yu Chen could swear he was smiling behind the mask. ¡°50 spirit stones, or their equivalent.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes shot up at the words. The price was ridiculous, nearly ten times what he¡¯d paid to learn about Sun Yuan. He hesitated for a moment, before turning around, making a show of walking off only to quickly return.


    ¡°Forty. That¡¯s my limit.¡± Yu Chen¡¯s voice sounded pained, and if one didn¡¯t know him, they might truly believe his words.


    The man stared at him, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t see whatever thoughts crossed his mind from behind the mask.


    A silence stretched between them, and for a second Yu Chen thought he¡¯d been seen through. Right before he was about to open his mouth to speak, the other man slowly nodded his head.


    ¡°Alright.¡± The man in the owl¡¯s mask said slowly, crossing his arms as he looked at the boy.


    Yu Chen looked around slowly before reaching his hand into his pouch, willing four beast cores to appear. He pulled them out with an unwilling expression, moving his hand hesitantly towards the other man.


    The informant took them without looking and slipped them inside of his robes before speaking once more.


    ¡°He lives near the docks, in his workshop. Facing the river, turn left and follow them all the way to the end. It¡¯s a large building, bright blue, gaudy and nearly impossible to miss.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded at the description, before stroking his chin.


    ¡°What can you tell me about spirit vessels?"


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen left the man a short while later, a bit poorer than when he¡¯d arrived.


    He didn¡¯t leave the meeting straight away. Instead, he walked around the rest of the gathering, taking a look at the goods on display now that he¡¯d gotten what he¡¯d come for, not that he saw much else of value.


    He¡¯d seen most of it already, but he always made sure to double check in case he stumbled across a rare find.


    That was the moment his life changed forever.


    He¡¯d just picked up a small rock that was emitting a fair amount of earth qi, wondering if it could be of any use in the next step of body tempering, when a strange feeling struck him. It was as though heaven and earth had been reversed, turning around as the fabric of reality folded in upon itself.


    Wrong was right and right was wrong, as the entire world twisted, conceptually inverting.


    Compelled by something beyond reason he looked up at that moment, and for a brief, beautiful second locked eyes with a luminous figure - a shining fairy who¡¯d appeared in the night sky, looking at him through a flickering portal of iridescent light that had arisen from nowhere at all, shimmering beneath the light reflecting off of the three satellites hanging in the sky.


    Time stopped as her eyes, wide and radiant, met his. He felt the tiniest, most infinitesimal tug within as something new appeared from the void. Unbeknownst to him a slender red thread, thin as gossamer, had unfurled, unseen as it stretched across time and space to connect the two.


    She looked startled to see him, panic welling in her eyes before she was gone, the portal collapsing as it vanished from sight. It all happened so fast that he couldn¡¯t truly say that it had happened at all. He grabbed at it as the memory slipped away, fading from his mind, but it was like trying to grab smoke and vapors.


    A short while later he blinked. He looked away from the sky, a strange ache in his chest, his heart thundering for reasons he couldn¡¯t explain.

 Confluence: Chapter 3 - The River Luo

    ¡°He didn¡¯t see me, did he?¡±


    Her chest tightened with panic, causing her breaths to come in short gasps as her trembling hands fumbled around, hurriedly shutting off her connection to the iridescent portal, causing it to flicker, before shimmering out of existence.


    A heavy silence filled the air as she stood on her balcony, gazing up at the massive globe that loomed in the night sky before her.


    The banded planet was an awe-inspiring sight, girdled with a thick belt of yellow from which innumerable threads branched off, spreading across the planet like veins. She looked upon it and couldn¡¯t help but wonder which of those thin, glittering strands of gold represented his little slice of existence.


    Perhaps even now he was staring up at the moon, meeting her eyes despite all the distance between them.


    She turned, running to throw herself upon her bed. The boy had been weak, far weaker than he should be at his age. But he had been so well proportioned¡­ She cut off the thought, crushing her face into a pillow.


    His aura, however, had been something else entirely. People couldn¡¯t hide from her eyes. She saw all the hidden things that made them as they were, even the tiny hint of brutality he¡¯d hidden away, lurking somewhere beneath the surface. Seeing that had made her shiver, and she couldn¡¯t help but worry about what kind of man he was.


    She¡¯d seen other things as well. A hint of divinity from a bloodline so weak it was nearly nonexistent, and the sort of inner strength that shone from within, which few others had.


    Despite his apparent weakness he¡¯d appeared fearless to her eyes, perhaps even regal. A cub still half grown, but one day destined to be a lion among men. Her cheeks burned at the thought of the sharp angular face that was still fixed in her vision, but her thoughts were cut off as the door to her room slammed open, followed by the stern voice of Tian Sheng.


    ¡°Qing¡¯er, what are you doing?¡± He said with a hint of accusation, cocking his head back like a dog as he sniffed at the air.


    She froze, the blood draining away as she looked up to see his cold eyes scanning the room, a subtle frown tugging at the corner of his lip.


    ¡°I smelt a hint of¡­¡± He cut off as his nose wrinkled, and a disapproving look crossed his face, as it always did when she¡¯d done something to let him down.


    ¡°I did inform you that the Patriarch of the Winding Way was visiting today, didn¡¯t I?¡± His voice was weighty with disapproval as he looked her up and down. ¡°He¡¯s traveled all this way to personally seek advice from the oracle, and you lie here, frivolously wasting your powers." She¡¯d prefer if he sounded upset, but he almost never did. Instead, he wielded disappointment like a cudgel, and every word fell like a blow upon her fragile ego. ¡±You have a duty Qing¡¯er, there are people relying on you to use your gifts for the proper purpose.¡±


    Her shoulders fell, a knot forming in her stomach as she looked down, nodding her head in agreement. Her cheeks flushed, turning red with shame.


    ¡°Qing¡¯er, has the temple ever wronged you?¡± His voice hardened as he continued, sounding almost betrayed, and he gave her a look that was filled with condemnation.


    Yun Luo Qing wilted under his words, as she always did when they came. In truth, Tian Sheng had always been good to her. She was familiar with the high priest, after all he¡¯d been the one to help care for her for most of her life. He was an important man too, only one step below the Hierophant himself, and despite his important position he¡¯d still chosen to personally look after her.


    She felt worthless at the thought that she might have let him down.


    ¡°I was onl-¡± She began, but the high priest cut her off, his voice sounding almost frustrated as he continued speaking.


    ¡°Since birth you have worn only the best clothing, sustaining yourself with only the finest spiritual nectars and heavenly fruits. We lifted you up from the earth where you lived in squalor, and gave you a home, teaching you cultivation and providing you with the finest techniques and materials in order for you to fulfill your potential.¡±


    ¡°And all we¡¯ve asked,¡± his voice went low, filled with vexation. ¡°All we¡¯ve asked is for you to use your talents to help others.¡± He met her eyes, stressing the last word.


    She nodded, feeling a deep sense of chagrin as she heard his words. She¡¯d been blessed with a gift, and she¡¯d squandered it, using it for her own selfish desires.


    ¡°Have we asked too much of you?¡± This last was said almost regretfully, coming from beneath his breath, as though he were truly talking to himself instead of her. His eyes fell to the floor, and his shoulders sagged, appearing truly remorseful.


    Her stomach churned, guilt surging within Qing¡¯er as she heard his words, and she couldn¡¯t help but jump to assuage the man''s fears.


    ¡°Not at all!¡± She fiercely denied. ¡°It was but a tiny thing, please don¡¯t be mad. I was only practicing some small tricks! I¡¯m not even tired, I can still do six, twelve, or twenty divinations, whatever you need!¡±


    It would tax her body, sorely so, but she truly didn¡¯t mind. After all, the temple had taken her in and given her a wonderful life, asking so little in return. How would it look if she turned her back on them now?


    Only¡­ The Patriarch they wanted her to divine was sure to possess an unfathomable cultivation, and peering into the ever-shifting currents of his destiny would be a troublesome task, one that would leave her body indisposed for weeks to come. Even so, it was a small price to pay to help others.


    ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Tian Sheng said with relief. ¡°The Patriarch had already made a rather sizable donation to the temple, and I¡¯d hate to have to inform him that you were indisposed.¡±


    She looked over her shoulder as she followed the high priest out of the room, her thoughts turning back to the boy she was destined to never meet.


    Qing¡¯er had never heard of the Festival of the New Moon. She¡¯d grown up in the temple, where days contained a symbolic meaning, and the day the moon came closest to the earth was referred to as the lover¡¯s lament. It was a day for star-crossed lovers who were destined to never meet.


    She¡¯d had a foolish fancy, wondering what, in another life, might have been. So she¡¯d cracked open the veil, using the auspicious alignment of the heavens to assist her in seeing the person she was fated to never know. It was nothing more than a fantasy, and if it wasn¡¯t for the confluence of the celestial bodies making it a trivial task, she would have never even considered using her divinatory abilities for her own devices.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    After all, the temple needed her.


    Even so, she felt a strong urge to help him well up within her. The temple had told her to use her gift to help others, so wouldn¡¯t it be alright if she gave fate a little nudge to help him along?


    But what could he need?


    She eyed the priest¡¯s back before raising her hand, absently playing with the small crystal that hung from a thin golden chain around her neck. It was a divinatory aid, the first she¡¯d ever acquired. Her talents had outstripped it long ago, but it still carried quite a bit of sentimental value to her.


    Besides, it was still capable of performing a number of small tasks.


    It wouldn¡¯t even require that much energy; he was just a tiny qi condensator after all¡­


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    ¡°Damn your mother!¡±


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but let loose a curse as he stared at the sprawling complex before him.


    He¡¯d been swindled, tricked into paying forty spirit stones for directions to the largest business in the entire city. The informant had called this a workshop? Ming & Co. Shipwrights, the words had been scrawled in large letters across a massive sign that hung above the gates of a fence that blocked off nearly a third of the dockyard. It wasn¡¯t a single warehouse that lay within, but instead a series of them, all painted a gaudy blue and set between open courtyards that were filled with various building materials and equipment.


    Multiple quays stretched forth, extending far into the river, and he could see hundreds of men moving throughout the area. They were hard at work, unloading shipments of wood off of the heavy-laden carts arriving in an endless stream, and hammering nails into ships that lay half built in the courtyards. Others were swarming across ships that hung in the air, swinging in the covered drydocks that lay within the complex.


    Yu Chen pinched his brows, a low sigh of frustration escaping his lips at the small loss he had taken. Gathering himself he approached the gates and flagged down one of the men guarding the compound.


    ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯m looking to speak with Jiang Ming. Is he available?¡±


    The man gave him a dumbfounded look, exchanging glances with another nearby guard before letting out a shared belly laugh.


    ¡°You want to talk to the old man?¡± The man hooted. ¡°And who are you supposed to be, the Emperor himself? Even the Governor wouldn¡¯t stroll up asking to talk to Old Jiang.¡±


    Yu Chen scratched his head uncertainly at the words.


    He hadn¡¯t expected the man to be someone of such importance. Truthfully, he¡¯d expected to find an old man holed up in a workshop somewhere, tinkering on things, and was still taken aback at the sheer size of the place he¡¯d arrived at.


    He examined the guard closely, but he was a mortal through and through. In fact, all the men streaming throughout the compound were mortals, and the ships they worked on were quite ordinary, although they were still extraordinary to Yu Chen¡¯s eyes, who¡¯d never seen such vessels up close.


    He couldn¡¯t help but feel surprised at the turn of events. It was uncommon to see an immortal so tightly wound into the mortal world. Although perhaps it wasn¡¯t so strange, he thought, as his eyes drifted towards the nearby yellow river. A deep sense of spirituality rose off of it, even this close to the shore. Perhaps even mortal vessels required a touch of something more to survive for long upon the water.


    ¡°Is there someone else I could talk to?¡± Yu Chen said, turning his attention back to the guard. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I have a request that only he can help me with.¡±


    ¡°Ah, one of those huh?¡± The man said as he stroked his face, a glimmer of recognition appeared in his eyes, and his behavior became much more obsequious.


    ¡°I regret to inform you that Elder Jiang is currently unavailable. He¡¯s currently working on a very important commission, but I can take you to one of his apprentices, I¡¯m sure they are more than capable of assisting you.¡± The man¡¯s tone had become oddly formal and stilted, and it had the sound of an oft rehearsed statement, as though the guard were used to repeating it.


    Yu Chen simply nodded in reply.


    The man seemed relieved at his response, as though he¡¯d expected Yu Chen to argue, and his head bobbed up and down, bowing low as he led him into the compound. He needn¡¯t have been worried. The last thing Yu Chen would do in a situation like this was cause a scene.


    After all, his cardinal rule was to avoid the ire of those more powerful than him, and this old man Jiang must be quite powerful indeed, if everything he saw was any indication. It would be unreasonable to expect him to appear every time a fellow at qi condensation showed up to his doors.


    Yu Chen could only hope one of the apprentices could help him.


    He followed the guard as he led him on a trailing path throughout the compound, watching in interest as the men within went about their routine, building the ships that would one day sail across the yellow river.


    The air was cooler, now that summer had run its course, but the light of the midday sun was still fairly hot, causing the men clambering about the skeletal frame of a half-finished ship to appear drenched in sweat. Hammers struck against nails with a rhythmic pounding that reverberated throughout the air, forming a steady beat that echoed across the busy dockyards.


    More men milled around the massive piles of wood that lay around the edges of the worksite, raw and unpolished, delivered from the nearby lumber mills. They went about their work as they expertly sawed the planks to the proper length and ensured they were a uniform width, producing massive slats that were then carted to the waiting skeleton by other men, where the wood groaned in protest as it was shaped to the ship''s body and nailed into place.


    The entire process was alien, foreign to him. Before he¡¯d arrived at the banks of the yellow river the largest source of water he¡¯d seen was perhaps a lake, or pond and he could scarcely imagine the necessity behind such large vessels.


    And they were large vessels.


    They were building ships that varied in size, some nearly large enough to fit his entire village. The smallest produced would easily bear twenty men, with others easily holding double, or triple that, or perhaps even more.


    The gate guard didn¡¯t stop until they reached a small warehouse with no discernable openings that sat in a remote corner, offset from the rest. Approaching the door, he drummed a quiet beat in a rapid series of movements that seemed to hold some meaning, before waiting in silence for a reply.


    It didn¡¯t take long. Yu Chen heard a series of locks turning and latches unlocking, before the door swung open to reveal a bustling workshop, starkly illuminated by a powerful light source that radiated from up above. He blinked stars out of his eyes as he looked around, seeing half a dozen men within, each one emitting the aura of a cultivator.


    The mortal man bowed low, greeting the men inside before speaking.


    ¡°Seniors, this one came to the gates asking about Elder Jing, and said he was looking for something special. I brought him here, hoping you could assist him."


    One of the nearby cultivators looked up from his work and gave the man a nod. The gate guard shot him a grateful look, before turning and hurriedly leaving, as though he wished to be as far away as possible.


    The apprentice within, wearing the stained and marred robes of a craftsman turned and looked at Yu Chen.


    ¡°Well, what do we have here?¡± He asked, musingly.

 Confluence: Chapter 4 - Its Simple, All We Have to do is Steal a Boat

    Yu Chen sat at a cluttered table, studying the apprentice artificer across from him. The man was tall and thin, his robes scuffed and stained from long hours in the workshop. He wore a long leather smock over them, and it appeared well-used, scarred and pockmarked with burn holes - the marks of his craft.


    For their part, the other artificers ignored Yu Chen, focused entirely on their work. They were clustered around a table, their hands filled with tools and materials as they worked together on something he couldn¡¯t quite see. He leaned forward, curious as one of them stood up to fetch something. To his surprise it was a miniature ship, not so different from the larger ones being created just outside.


    It almost resembled a toy, perched delicately atop the thick metal stand that held it in place. Yu Chen watched as one of the men, using a thin pair of tweezers, carefully positioned a small metal plate against the hull of the miniature model. Another artificer leaned over, pressing a fingertip glowing with qi energy against the piece of metal. The first man withdrew just as the ship began to glow, light rippling across its surface as the energy infused it.


    The process took longer than expected. The tiny ship let out a hum as it absorbed far more qi than it should for its size, greedily sucking in energy until the artificer finally lowered his finger with a tired sigh, his face pale and drained. The plate had vanished, seamlessly blending into the rest of the hull as though it had always been one piece.


    He tried to get a closer look as another artificer lifted a small object, perhaps another plate - but his view was cut off as the artificer who¡¯d stood up returned, carrying a small tray full of gleaming objects. He set the tray down as he took a seat, blocking Yu Chen¡¯s view.


    Yu Chen turned his gaze away, letting his eyes roam across the rest of the workshop.


    The long, low tables scattered throughout the room were laden with objects of every size and shape. Despite this the room didn¡¯t appear messy, only full, giving off an air of organized chaos. The room was polished and spotlessly clean - although the same couldn¡¯t be said of its inhabitants. All of the artificers bore some stain or mark on their smocks and robes, and many had unkempt hair that looked as though it hadn¡¯t seen a comb in weeks, if ever.


    Everything was starkly illuminated by the recessed spirit stones embedded in the walls that emitted the blinding light he¡¯d first seen when he¡¯d entered, and there was no room for dust or shadows to hide under that harsh radiance.


    He turned his attention back to the artificer across from him, who was eyeing him in growing interest. Yu Chen felt his skin prickle beneath the man¡¯s gaze. The way it flickered across him, as if gathering all the details it could and effortlessly collating them, left him feeling exposed, and he fought the urge to look away.


    ¡°My name is Yan Ziqi, how may I refer to you?¡± The man said as soon as Yu Chen¡¯s attention landed back on him.


    ¡°This one is Yu Chen senior.¡± He said, bowing his head towards the older man. Yan Ziqi might be an apprentice, but he emitted a much stronger aura than Yu Chen himself, one that placed him squarely near the middle of Foundation Establishment.


    ¡°And why have you chosen to visit Ming¡¯s Shipyard?¡± The artificer asked as he rubbed his chin, leaving behind a soot covered mark when he pulled his hand away. ¡°What is it we can help you with?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for a Spirit Vessel that can carry me upstream. I was told that I might be able to acquire one from Jiang Ming, so I¡¯ve come to see if that might be the case.¡± Yu Chen said, speaking plainly.


    The man didn¡¯t say anything for a few short seconds, simply observing Yu Chen, and he couldn¡¯t say what the man was thinking behind those sharp, expressive eyes.


    ¡°Who was this person who told you to come visit Jiang Ming?¡± The man said finally, breaking the silence.


    ¡°Sun Yuan, senior. A navigator I encountered.¡± Yu Chen replied honestly, seeing no need to lie about the referral. Of course, he left out the part where the man had recommended stealing it.


    Yan Ziqi leaned forward with a sudden intensity that surprised Yu Chen, staring at him in surprise before speaking.


    ¡°You¡¯ve met Sun Yuan?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Yu Chen said slowly, unsure what exactly had caused the man to react like that.


    ¡°How was he?¡± Yan Ziqi asked, crossing his arms as he spoke.


    ¡°Drunk.¡± Yu Chen said, scratching his head, although he couldn¡¯t help but recall the clarity within Sun Yuan¡¯s eyes. ¡°Or at least, playing the role of one.¡±


    ¡°Still?¡± Yan Ziqi sighed. ¡°The old man will be glad to hear he¡¯s still around at least. He worries about that boy, especially since what happened.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyebrows climbed up at the words. Sun Yuan¡¯s stock rose in his estimation, as he unexpectedly found out he had some relation to the enigmatic Jiang Ming. More than ever, he found himself determined to recruit the man.


    ¡°You were looking for a navigator, eh?¡± Yan Ziqi said, as he gave Yu Chen a knowing look. It hadn¡¯t taken him long to piece the puzzle together, although in truth it wasn¡¯t a hard one to figure out.


    ¡°Sun Yuan¡¯s not a bad choice.¡± He said, and his eyes shone as he spoke. ¡°I suppose he turned you down though. A shame, it would be helpful for the boy to get back on the river. He¡¯s been wallowing in misery ever since his father passed.¡±


    Yan Ziqi stared at him consideringly, and Yu Chen could see the wheels turning in the man¡¯s mind.


    ¡°I think you should meet Elder Jiang.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyebrows went up again. Meet Elder Jiang? That was an opportunity he couldn¡¯t pass up.


    They left through another door, and Yu Chen blinked, finding the light of the midday sun a relief after leaving the starkly lit workshop. They didn¡¯t have to go far, walking towards a large building that sat nearby.


    ¡°Old man!¡± Yan Ziqi called out, pushing the door open. A wave of heat rushed outward, washing over Yu Chen, and he could feel the low hum of power vibrating through the air within, causing the hairs on the back of his arms to stand up.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The center of the room was dominated by a massive forge. At its heart lay a raised circular pit that crackled with a vicious blue flame so intense it warped the air above it. Waves of heat ran in all directions, causing even Yu Chen¡¯s forehead to bead with sweat.


    What sort of fire could burn with such intensity? He couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    A short, squat man stood before the furnace; his back hunched over as he peered deep into the flames roaring within. His hands, rough and calloused, flickered, moving strangely in tune with the fire as he manipulated something Yu Chen couldn¡¯t see. He didn¡¯t look up as they entered, paying no mind to Yan Ziqi¡¯s words.


    Yu Chen could see the light of the fire reflected in the wide, round lenses of the mask covering the squat man¡¯s face, his gaze inches away from the flames that billowed forth from the furnace. With a swift swipe of his hand the flames suddenly faltered, swelling down into a remarkably tiny flame and revealing a glowing bar of metal that the man pulled out of the heart of the forge.


    He carried it over to a nearby anvil and sat it down with practiced ease before casually flicking his fingers once more.


    Yu Chen watched in awe as the two massive hammers that hung in the air sprang to life, slamming down on the molten iron in a rhythmic beat as if pounding away at mochi. The metal rapidly flattened beneath them, lengthening along its width as it was beaten into a rectangular panel by the weight of those enormous hammers.


    Each blow rang out across the room like an audible attack, and Yu Chen quickly covered his ears as the noise sliced through the air with a force that caused his palms to sting. Even with his hands over his ears he knew he¡¯d be left with a dull ache, hearing the sound of ringing for days to come.


    The metal cooled rapidly once out of the fire, fading from a blinding white into a bright yellow that dwindled down to a soft red. As it solidified it began to resist the blows. The sound of hammer against metal changed as it rapidly hardened, the softer tones from the near-liquid metal now ringing out harshly as it turned rigid.


    The short man flicked his hand once more and the hammers paused, hanging poised in the air as though frozen. He turned away from the anvil, dusting soot from his robes as he approached them.


    He paused, as though a sudden thought had struck him.


    Reaching up, he peeled off the strange mask that covered his entire head. Bushy gray hair sprang up as the mask came away, wild, and untamed as it ran in all directions with a sort of frenetic energy. Curiously it wasn¡¯t damp at all, despite the heat from the forge filling the room. Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the mask held some mystical properties, perhaps allowing it to absorb warmth, or sweat, preserving the wearer¡¯s comfort in addition to other things.


    The short man smiled up at him, revealing a mouth with only a few remaining teeth. Yu Chen found his wrinkled face quite odd for a cultivator, different from his expectations. In his experience, cultivators were vain. They¡¯d never admit it, but they prided themselves on their appearance and at his age they¡¯d take beautifying pills and elixirs, staving off the ravages of time for as long as they could.


    It appeared Elder Jiang had never bothered with such things, although the aura he emitted was fierce, beyond that of even Elder Gu, and shockingly pure. It was as though he¡¯d funneled all of his essence into refining his spiritual powers and honing his craft, even at the expense of his own health.


    ¡°And who is this?¡± The old man asked, looking towards Yan Ziqi who stood at his side.


    ¡°His name is Yu Chen elder. He came to visit, asking about purchasing a spirit vessel.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡± The elder said, cocking his head as he looked towards Yu Chen dubiously. ¡°That hardly requires my attention. Why is he here then?¡±


    Yan Ziqi cast a glance towards Yu Chen before addressing the elder once more.


    ¡°He told me that he¡¯s met Sun Yuan recently.¡±


    The old man¡¯s eyes lit up as he turned towards Yu Chen, the smile returning to his face.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so! Sit, sit! Ziqi, boy, go and make some tea for our guest, would you?¡±


    Yu Chen felt petrified as he watched Yan Ziqi bow his head and walk off. The old man grabbed his hand, leading him toward a seat and urging him to sit.


    Only a few seconds passed before Yan Ziqi returned, carrying a tray with a steaming kettle, multiple tiny saucers and cups, and a glass jar filled with tiny green leaves. A tantalizing aroma came off of the jar, causing the back of Yu Chen¡¯s throat to water.


    The elder rambled on about Sun Yuan, reminiscing fondly about the boy, but Yu Chen hardly heard him, his mind filled with one question. How had a Foundation Establishment cultivator ended up serving him tea?


    Yan Ziqi sat beside them and began carefully lifting the tea leaves from the jar, his movements slow and deliberate as he placed them into the waiting teapot. He reached for the kettle of steaming water with a quiet grace and slowly poured it into the teapot where the leaves began to unfurl and infuse the water around them.


    He let the tea steep for a brief moment, before pouring that first batch across the small saucers and cups, washing them as he discarded it. The bitterness gone, he filled the teapot once more with fresh water, allowing the tea to bloom, filling the air with a rich scent.


    ¡°So how is he then? Where did you see him?¡± The elder eagerly asked, interrupting his thoughts.


    Yu Chen tore his eyes away from Yan Ziqi, who was once more filling the cups with tea.


    ¡°I only spoke with him for a short while.¡± Yu Chen hurriedly said. ¡°He seemed very depressed, drinking in a seedy gambling den. The Leaky Cask, I believe it was called.¡±


    Elder Jiang sighed, before nodding in thanks as he received his cup of tea, swirling it in his hands for a brief moment as he stared at it contemplatively. He didn¡¯t respond right away, instead holding the cup up as he observed the color of the tea and bringing it close to smell the aroma drifting from it.


    Yu Chen hurried to copy him as he accepted his own cup from Yan Ziqi. He sniffed the cup, and his eyebrows widened, finding the smell electrifying. The steam rising off it caressed his face, and he felt his pores open up and his body relax, as though he were sitting in a hot sauna.


    The elder took a small sip, letting out a sigh of contentment and Yu Chen followed suit, before letting out a small cough as the trickle of tea pouring down his throat and into his gut erupted with a shocking amount of spiritual energy that coursed through his body, energizing him.


    ¡°He always was a troubled one.¡± The elder said, taking another sip before speaking. ¡°I¡¯m afraid he found his father¡¯s death hard to bear. You said he spoke with you, yes? Would you tell me what it was about?¡±


    The old man listened attentively, as Yu Chen spoke, reiterating the conversation he¡¯d had with Sun Yuan. The elder nodded when he found out Yu Chen had approached him looking for a navigator, only to sigh when he heard what the man¡¯s parting words had been.


    ¡°Bah. He¡¯ll always be a navigator. He was born to roam the yellow river, as his father before him and his father before him. I should know, I designed every vessel they ever helmed.¡±


    ¡°You are looking for a spirit vessel, yes? That¡¯s easy enough, and I¡¯ll even let you have one I¡¯ve personally created. All that you must promise me in return is that you take Sun Yuan with you when you leave. I won¡¯t have that boy wasting away, he needs to be out on the river fulfilling his destiny, not sitting around drowning himself in mortal swill.¡±


    Yu Chen blinked in surprise as he looked at the elder.


    ¡°Of course, Elder. but how will I get him to follow me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s simple enough. All you must do is go and retrieve his father¡¯s spirit vessel. As long as you have that vessel, Sun Yuan will follow you all the way to the end of the river!¡± The elder let out a long laugh, as though he found the idea extremely funny.


    Yu Chen let out a soft sigh as he took another sip of the tea. Of course there was a catch.

 Confluence: Chapter 5 - A Heist!

    Yu Chen stood at the bow of the spirit vessel, watching as the yellow waters of the river parted before them.


    Yan Ziqi stood atop the quarterdeck behind him, one hand on the massive wheel that steered the ship. Although it wasn¡¯t strictly necessary, as Yu Chen had come to find out. If he chose to, he could command the vessel with nothing more than his mind. Spirit vessels were soulbound items, and once attuned it was less an independent object and more an extension of one¡¯s own self.


    He wore the same robes Yu Chen did, along with the other artificers who paced the deck, attending to the various components on the spiritual vessel. Black, grungy robes, marked with a few flairs of colors and oddly patched.


    The vessel had also been turned pitch-black, through some means or another. Even the spirit veil, in the form of a banner, was black, and it hung from the mast with the single character for death marked upon it. It gave off a shockingly oppressive aura that gave the entire ship a vicious and domineering look as it cut through the river.


    Few birds appeared this far out as the land had long since faded into the distance, leaving nothing but endless water for as far as the eye could see. However, the occasional marine life made itself known, such as the river dolphins that currently swam alongside the vessel.


    They frolicked in the waters around them, cavorting around as they easily raced against the ship. Occasionally one would duck beneath the waters, only to appear on his other side, playing some game he knew nothing about. A foreign intelligence lurked in their eyes, showing they weren¡¯t simple creatures.


    Each one possessed the aura of a Stage 1 spirit beast, nurtured as they were by the spiritual waters that surrounded them. Thankfully, such beasts couldn¡¯t survive in the shallower areas of the river, as they¡¯d choke to death in waters that didn¡¯t possess a sufficient level of spirituality. It was the way of the heavens, and it left room for mortals to exist alongside the boundless river.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but wonder just how much energy was hidden within the waters that spread out endlessly around him. What was currently being emitted was akin to the patch of orchids he¡¯d found Lan She in, as though the entire river was a spiritual treasure, one that had only increased in power the closer they traveled towards the center.


    He felt the small snake shift against his waist as he thought about her, as their connection caused her to stir. She was currently resting against the warmth of his stomach, as she often did, content to sleep away her days. He couldn¡¯t help but smile at the thought as he slipped a hand into his robes to caress her.


    That was more than alright, he thought as he rubbed a thumb across her scaled head. He¡¯d always felt a sense of responsibility towards the little snake, and he was content that she was able to sleep in peace.


    His thoughts were interrupted as he saw the faintest smudge appear in the distance. Cultivation had made his eyes sharp, and he watched as it slowly grew in his vision, resolving into a small island as they approached.


    They were far beyond the point where mortals could safely travel, the spirit beasts were proof of that. The depths of the river were a place where only immortals set foot, but that didn¡¯t mean they were empty.


    Far from it.


    After all, mortal cities dotted the coast, as numerous as the stars in the heavens, giving birth to countless millions upon millions of people. More cities lay further inland, empires that stretched thousands of miles in every direction, and this mass of humanity created more than its share of immortals.


    And immortals lived a long time.


    Besides which, the river itself contained such intense spirituality that many along its shores found themselves drawn to journey the water, and for those ship hands and crewmates who made a living on the sea, breathing, even without a technique, could cause one to eventually break through.


    Islands too, existed in these deep waters, like the one they were currently on a course towards. These small spits of land contained cities full of immortals, powerful sects, and more besides.


    Indeed, the river was a lively place, filled with its own ways and customs.


    Of course, it had predators as well.


    There were those who preyed on others, pillaging their good fortune, robbing and looting as they made their way, cultivating less favorable techniques.


    Pirates, for lack of a better word.


    The island grew clearer in his vision, transitioning from a dot on the horizon to a large landmass that spread out before him. Jagged cliffs jutted out of the earth in the shape of a horseshoe, creating a natural harbor that protected what was inside from inclement weather and prying eyes.


    Yu Chen turned away from the sight, climbing the quarterdeck to speak with Yan Ziqi, who stood helming the craft.


    ¡°Senior.¡± He said, bowing his head slightly as he approached the other man.


    Yan Ziqi nodded back towards him as he approached, his shoulder length hair blowing in the strong winds that helped push the ship along. A fierce grin crossed his face as he gestured towards the horizon.


    ¡°Not too much longer now, eh?¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, glancing towards the island that was rapidly nearing.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure they won¡¯t be expecting us?¡±


    Yan Ziqi simply shrugged his shoulders, briefly casting his eyes towards the sky. He turned his attention back towards Yu Chen, and his voice was musing as he spoke.


    ¡°Am I sure? No one can be sure of anything, I fear. Still, the old man was the one who laid out the plan, and I trust him with my life.¡±


    Yu Chen hesitated briefly at the mention of the elder, before asking a question that¡¯d been weighing on his mind.


    ¡°Why did Elder Jiang choose to send me after the vessel? Why not just send Sun Yuan himself?¡±


    Yan Ziqi sighed, and Yu Chen could see the thoughts turning in his head as he considered what to say. The man cast a glance his way, weighing him in that analytical way of his before speaking.


    ¡°Truthfully, the old man would have. He was only waiting for Sun Yuan to approach him himself.¡± Yan Ziqi said, speaking slowly as he turned his gaze back towards their destination. ¡°The elder was close to flying off on the spot when he heard what happened, planning to retrieve the vessel himself.¡±


    ¡°After all, he cannot stomach the idea that something he created would be used to commit atrocities.¡± The man shook his head, looking contemplative. ¡°Only, Sun Yuan never showed up.


    ¡°Instead, he spent his days grieving, and eventually turned to drink. The old man was still holding out hope that one day the boy would wake up and come demanding justice.¡±


    Yan Ziqi sighed, and a complicated look appeared in his eye.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°In truth, I have no idea what the elder is thinking, only that he desires to see Sun Yuan return to himself again.¡± He cast a glance Yu Chen¡¯s way, and he once again felt as though he were being weighed and measured.


    ¡°Perhaps he sees something within you. You possess a vision few others have, and that might just be the catalyst Sun Yuan needs in order to shake himself from his misery.¡±


    The older man fell silent, and Yu Chen did as well, watching as they sailed through a break in the cliffs that formed a small channel between the sharp rocks around them. Reaching the other side, they entered into a quiescent bay where the waters shifted in slow, lazy currents.


    A crescent beach appeared, covered in soft white sands that yellow waters gently lapped against. Not too far away a small town had formed, and the buildings within were a strange mix of the mundane and esoteric. Some were ramshackle things that were barely held together, composed of driftwood and the bones of river creatures, while others were much stranger, seamless metal spires that reached into the sky and floating pagodas that were tethered to the ground with chains.


    It was a pirate¡¯s haven, and how the artificers had known to find it Yu Chen couldn¡¯t say.


    Docks ran out into the bay, long wooden piers to which a number of black ships were lashed, each one flying a banner that marked it as the property of murderers, thieves and rapists.


    One in particular caught his eye. Most of the vessels were grungy, ill formed things, but not this one. It was of an obviously higher quality than the others, and its luminous metallic hull was inscribed with dense scripts that shone like works of art.


    It was beautiful, and Yu Chen could tell an immense amount of painstaking detail had gone into its creation.


    Even the sails that hung from its thick mast were finer than the others, woven from spirit silk that shimmered under the light of the sun, and the figurehead seamlessly attached to the prow had been carved into the face of a beautiful woman. Her eyes were closed, as if in deep repose, and all manner of protective wards had been carved into her surface.


    Their ruse seemed to work. No alarm came as they slid into the dock alongside the magnificent ship, although a few strange glances were cast their way. Yu Chen watched as a large man began approaching their ship, walking with a bit of swagger in his step. Perhaps he was what passed for a dockmaster in these parts.


    A gangplank lowered to the dock and Yu Chen played along with the others, laughing and jostling as they strode off the ship, looking just like a group of pirates off to enjoy a bit of time in the town.


    Their group came to a halt as the dockmaster stopped them, and one of the artificers stepped forward to speak with the man, distracting him. Yan Ziqi took advantage of the distraction, and while the two conversed in the background he strode up next to the gorgeous ship, where he pulled out a talisman emitting a sharp aura that Yu Chen immediately recognized as belonging to the elder.


    He tossed the talisman, and it flew out, floating through the air to rest against the ship¡¯s hull. The protective aura surrounding the ship shattered like glass at the touch, and Yu Chen heard startled shouts ring out in the air as the men aboard panicked, rushing around at the sudden event.


    The dockmaster looked over, startled, and the artificer he¡¯d been speaking with took advantage of the momentary distraction, striking him when he least suspected. He fell to the ground unmoving, and the others leaped into action, boarding the ship. Yu Chen joined them, cycling his movement technique as he jumped atop the vessel.


    The deck rolled beneath his feet as he landed, but he hardly had time to notice, having to hurriedly duck out of the way as a sharp sabre came flying towards his head. The man wielding it emitted an aura at the peak of the Qi Condensation stage, but Yu Chen only gave him a cold smile.


    He pushed, leaping across the deck, and his thrice tempered body brought him alongside the man in an instant. The sabre wielding fellow¡¯s eyes barely had time to widen before Yu Chen¡¯s fist slammed into his chest with an audible noise, sending him tumbling across the deck. Yu Chen took another step, bringing him next to the man once more, and threw a hard overhand left that let out a sharp crack as it connected with the man¡¯s jaw. This blow sent him overboard, where he landed with a soft splash in the yellow waters below.


    More pirates began swarming the ship, some boiling up from belowdecks, while others ran up the gangplank that led from the docks. Not all ran towards the ship, however. A few were running away from the fight, no doubt heading into town to warn the others.


    ¡°Hurry, they¡¯ll be on top of us soon!¡± One of the artificers called, and Yu Chen responded, jumping back into the fray.


    He was in his element as he moved across the deck, striking the pirates with the full force of his condensed qi. Every blow downed a man as he danced through them, avoiding the sharp steel they sent his way.


    They weren¡¯t very skilled. They were the sort that used numbers to their advantage, overwhelming their foes, but Yu Chen¡¯s powerful movement technique and brutal blows ensured they could never bring their numbers to bear.


    It was a near thing the elder had planned, and they¡¯d arrived precisely on time to attack when the ship was least defended. Somehow, he¡¯d caught wind of a meeting taking place between a number of the pirate captains, including the one that had been responsible for murdering Sun Yuan¡¯s father and stealing his spirit vessel.


    Yu Chen frowned as he cast a glance towards the town that was boiling with men, looking like a kicked ant hill. The man was somewhere out there, along with the strongest in his crew.


    Well, not all of the strongest.


    He winced, stumbling to his knees as an intense wave of power washed over him. Turning, he looked up towards the quarterdeck to see Yan Ziqi engaged in combat with another Foundation Establishment expert.


    To Yu Chen¡¯s eyes they looked like gods as they clashed atop the ship. The mighty pirate the artificer was facing fought with both hands, a glowing sabre had spun into existence within his left, while his right shot forth trails of flame that circled through the air to strike at the other man.


    Yan Ziqi on the other hand fought using the tools of his trade, quite literally in fact.


    The items he used to refine his artifacts were artifacts in their own right, and they swirled around him a maelstrom of terrifying energy.


    Metallic hammers alight with glowing runes flew through the air alongside sharp chisels in all sizes, tongs, pliers, and even a small pair of tweezers, wicked sharp. An etching brush, an inkwell, a lens, even scissors - Yu Chen had to tear his eyes away as the sheer number of artifacts crackling with power oppressed him from a distance.


    Warning bells rang out from the town before amplifying mystically, sounding terrifyingly loud as they spread across the entirety of the hidden cove.


    Yu Chen let out a soft curse, launching himself towards the nearest pirate and landing a devastating kick to his chest that sent him overboard. The artificers fought all around him, in a style all their own. They lacked the numbers, but they were much more skilled, and they fought using techniques that clearly outclassed the pirates.


    Another wave of power erupted behind him, and he turned, watching as artifacts were sent flying through the air as the pirate let out a mighty roar, pulsing with power.


    ¡°Yan Ziqi, they approach!¡± One of the artificers called out, the sound of worry in his voice.


    Yan Ziqi didn¡¯t blink at the words. He threw up an arm and all the artifacts spinning through the air came flying back, diminishing in size as they flew up his sleeve.


    He threw out his other arm, and Yu Chen watched in awe as a veritable armory appeared behind him. A thin steel crescent arched towards the sky, and numerous weapons hung from it, each crackling with a unique energy. Swords, axes, hammers, sabres, each meticulously crafted.


    ¡°Gungnir.¡±


    He spoke, and a spear lifted off of the rack, bristling with power. A truly wicked aura spread out to cover the ship, and the pirates all around quailed at the oppressive energy it emitted.


    The face of the mighty pirate he was facing barely had time to pale before it disappeared forever. He¡¯d tried to raise his saber, using it to shield himself from the blow, but the spear hadn¡¯t even faltered as it passed through, turning his head into a red mist that lingered for half a second before falling to the deck below.


    Yan Ziqi let out a soft sigh, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but notice the way his hand had trembled. It appeared as though the attack had taxed him dearly, but he didn¡¯t rest. The last of the pirates fell and he flicked his hand once more, causing the ship they¡¯d arrived on to rapidly shrink as it flew towards him to nestle within his sleeve.


    Finished, he strode to the helm and grabbed the wheel, taking control of the vessel. The talisman Elder Jiang had given him had not only broken open the defensive wards on the ship, but it also interfered with the control its current owner had over it.


    Not that he was around at the moment.


    Yu Chen helped repel the pirates that continued to leap aboard as Yan Ziqi began reversing the vessel, burning the spiritual energy stored in the mast with abandon as they as they left the cove.


    Suddenly, an intense wave of spiritual energy washed over them, and Yu Chen¡¯s face paled as he saw a powerful cultivator flying through the air, anger writ across his face.

 Confluence: Chapter 6 - The Great Escape

    Yu Chen¡¯s heart pounded against his chest as he watched the man soar out of the town, hovering in the sky above them.


    A thick aura rolled off the pirate, blanketing the cove in a suffocating energy. His long, black hair twisted wildly in the air, lifted by the raw power radiating from him. His face, framed by a bushy black beard, was twisted into a rictus of rage as he glared down at the fleeing ship.


    Yu Chen knew the sight should fill him with fear, but a rebellious joy filled him instead, a giddy thrill that only came from snubbing your nose towards someone more powerful.


    The feeling was tempered by the grim realization that he might not live to tell the tale, and he hoped Yan Ziqi had a plan to get out of here.


    Yu Chen turned to look at the man behind him, steering the ship in its mad dash toward open water. Yan Ziqi appeared unperturbed by the threat, and it comforted him to see his impassive face, showing no concern for the powerhouse raging behind them.


    The other ships started to undock, beginning to pursue them through the cove. Yu Chen wasn¡¯t worried about them, though, it was unlikely they¡¯d catch up. Not only did they have a head start, but the vessel produced by Elder Jiang was meticulously built, undoubtedly capable of outrunning the shoddily crafted vessels most of the pirates crewed.


    He felt two more auras rise into the sky behind them, joining the first.


    Those? Those worried him.


    The suffocating energy in the cove intensified further. Yu Chen¡¯s heart sank as he looked over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing as he saw the three Golden Core cultivators hovering in the air. To his surprise they seemed weak for their stage, coming nowhere near the standard of the elders he¡¯d encountered before. Maybe they were in the early steps of the stage, or perhaps they¡¯d broken through with a subpar foundation.


    Either way, it didn¡¯t matter to him. A Golden Core was a Golden Core, and any of them could crush him like a bug.


    Yu Chen cursed under his breath as the bushy bearded pirate shot towards them, streaking across the bay. Thankfully the other two held back, maintaining their position in the distance as they watched the pursuit unfold with cold interest.


    Yu Chen glanced around uneasily, his eyes darting over the artificers as they rushed around the ship, activating the various formations and arrays inscribed aboard. One of them leapt to the prow, slapping a hand atop the figurehead and injecting it with a sharp jolt of qi.


    The defensive formations carved into the figurehead flared to life, and a shimmering shield exploded outwards, encompassing the entire vessel. It was an exact replica to the one they¡¯d had to break to board the ship, and he hoped it¡¯d prove sturdier this time.


    A fiery energy surged throughout the ship, powering the formations, and the rest of the scriptures inscribed across the vessel lit up as well. The deck atop the forecastle peeled back and a ballista rose up from within, mounted on a rotating axis that allowed it to pivot 360 degrees. The hull shifted as well, and barrels emerged, reminiscent of the weapons of war he still occasionally heard in his sleep.


    It didn¡¯t take long before the ship was bristling with weaponry and ready for war.


    By now the mast was literally glowing with power, and the barely discernible buzz in the air had grown into a loud hum that resonated deep within his bones.


    The mast functioned as a giant battery, powering the vessel as it journeyed across the river, and its value, if sold, was enough to take a mortal deep into Foundation Establishment. To create one a massive chunk of spirit stone had to be quarried whole, then carved into a long cylinder and encased in a unique alloy that allowed it to conduct energy throughout the entire ship.


    In essence it housed the power of the ship¨Cand was a significant part of the cost of its creation.


    Yu Chen ran up the quarterdeck, standing beside Yan Ziqi as the bearded pirate gained on them.


    ¡°Can we escape?¡± Yu Chen asked, his voice tinged with worry as he watched the man hurtling towards them.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Yan Ziqi¡¯s reply came swiftly, but his voice was tight, and his eyes narrowed in stress. ¡°Don¡¯t worry Yu Chen. There¡¯s no need to fear any number of pirates, Golden Core or not. Not as long as the ship still has energy.¡±


    As if to underscore his words the ballista atop the forecastle let out a sharp twang. Yu Chen watched as a jagged bolt of lightning shot forth, slicing through the air towards the oncoming pirate.


    The man rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the shot, only to scramble again as more bolts of lightning streaked towards him, cutting through the intervening space.


    ¡°You dare?!¡± He screamed in anger, his voice echoing with such force that rocks and pebbles tumbled down from the cliffs around them.


    The attacks had stalled the man, buying them precious time, but it came at a cost.


    Each shot had drained substantial energy from the ship. After all, they were powerful enough to threaten a Golden Core cultivator. Even so, the mast has barely dimmed, capable of holding an enormous amount of power.


    They were halfway through the short passage leading to the yellow river when the pirate finally caught up to them.


    His face was purple with anger as he let out a furious shout, dodging another lightning bolt that came his way before slashing down with the glowing sabre he wielded. A black tidal wave of spiritual energy poured forth, crashing down onto the vessel with terrifying force.


    Yu Chen watched as the crackling energy washed over the shield, causing it to flicker. It lingered, eating at the shield, but in the end, it held firm, resisting the blow of a Golden Core cultivator.


    The powerful blow sent them lurching forward, out into the open waters of the yellow river. Yu Chen stumbled as the deck heaved, and he had to grab the railing to avoid going overboard. Yan Ziqi was unfazed, yanking the wheel sharply now that he had room to maneuver.


    The artificers were ready as the ship turned, and the spiritual artillery let out a volley of blasts as they came alongside the pirate, showering him in a wave of energy. He was sent flying backwards, smoking, from the force of the blows.


    The deck rocked as the artillery barked once more, unleashing a barrage of energy that took various forms. Piercing beams of radiant energy shot forth, alongside balls of fiery qi that exploded in midair. The pirate dodged what he could, but some of the blasts displayed homing properties, forming bolts of pure energy that locked onto their target with unerring accuracy.


    The attacks dimmed the mast considerably, but the pirate had received the worse end of the deal. His clothes were ripped and torn, and he bled from multiple places. His beard was smoldering, but his eyes were still lively, filled with a viperous rage as he glared down at them.


    He revolved the sabre in his hands with a shout, swinging it over and over again as he sent vicious waves of black energy crashing down upon the ship. The shield flickered as the sheer number of attacks began to overwhelm it, but the vessel shot out another volley, forcing him to abandon the attack.


    They hadn''t stopped moving, putting some distance between themselves and the pirates cove as they outpaced the ships that had taken off in pursuit.


    The fight would be determined by who ran out of energy first.


    After all, the pirate couldn¡¯t maintain his flight forever, and he spent more energy with every attack and defensive maneuver.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Although, they didn¡¯t have endless resources either.


    The ship had proven capable of holding off a Golden Core cultivator, but it wouldn¡¯t be able to do so forever. The mast had already lost half its intensity, just from the short fight they¡¯d engaged in so far. Yu Chen watched as some of the artificers hurried over, placing their palms upon the mast and using their own energy to recharge it.


    The pirate recovered from their latest attack and was about to renew his assault, when he stilled, looking over his shoulder.


    It took a second before Yu Chen felt it, but soon he sensed two powerful auras approaching in the distance. They grew closer, and his stomach fell as two new shapes appeared on the horizon.


    They rapidly closed the distance, and Yu Chen saw that they were the two Golden Core cultivators from before. One was a man, wide and burly with a hint of mischief lurking in his eyes, while the other was a woman, beautiful in a roguish way. A wicked scar ran across her face, disappearing beneath an inscribed patch that covered her eye.


    They surrounded the battered pirate who hovered in the air, breathing furiously.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see the day when Black Tide Zhu was outwitted by a handful of baby cultivators!¡± The woman said, and her laughter resounded across the water, clearly audible to Yu Chen and the artificers.


    Pirate Zhu glowered at her, flexing his empty hand open and closed.


    ¡°Funny. But if you¡¯re not going to help then get the hell out of my way!¡± He said with a roar as he lifted his sabre once more, sending another tidal wave of spiritual energy crashing towards the ship continuing to flee.


    The black wave never reached them however, as the wide pirate interposed himself, blocking the blow with a large anchor that appeared out of nowhere.


    ¡°Iron Han, what is the meaning of this!¡± Pirate Zhu yelled in rage, but the other pirate only gave him a cold smile in return. ¡°What happened to the truce?¡±


    ¡°What truce?¡± The woman on his other side cackled. ¡°The truce was between captains, and without a ship you¡¯re not a captain!¡±


    Pirate Zhu clenched his teeth, his beard bristling as he looked back and forth between the two cultivators blocking his way to the ship.


    ¡°Good! Very good!¡± He yelled; his eyes filled with rage. ¡°Fine! Tell me what you want! Help me get my ship back and I¡¯ll even give you half of what¡¯s in the hold!¡±


    ¡±But I¡¯m warning you, continue to stand in my way and you¡¯ll find out why they call me the Black Tide!¡±


    The woman let out a harsh laugh.


    ¡°Your hold? I¡¯m more interested in what''s in your ring, Black Tide Zhu.¡± She said, her tone mocking.


    Pirate Zhu¡¯s face paled, and he took a half step back in the air.


    ¡°What are you talking about Mei?¡± He said, crossing his arms.


    ¡°Someone in your crew has loose lips,¡± she said, her eyes narrowing as she looked him up and down. ¡°The rumor going around is that you intercepted a prize not too long ago, a sect vessel headed to the Auction Ship.¡±


    She rose higher in the air, staring down at him imperiously.


    ¡°There must have been many good things aboard, yes? Bring them out now, or I¡¯ll show you why they call me the Tidebreaker!¡±


    She tossed the bearded man a sickly smile.


    ¡°But you already know why they call me that don¡¯t you?¡±


    The three figures faded into the distance as they fled, but Yu Chen could still hear them clearly. Their voices sounded out across the river, amplified by qi.


    ¡°Yu Chen, run down to the hold and bring up any spirit stones you find! Quickly now!¡± Yan Ziqi called out.


    Yu Chen looked over at the words and saw Yan Ziqi wave his hand towards the mast, which had begun to dim, dangerously so. Yu Chen responded instantly, diving off the quarterdeck and scrambling down the short staircase that ran beneath the ship.


    The space below seemed larger than its outer appearance would suggest, and Yu Chen had to run past a series of empty bedrooms, a galley and an open mess hall before he reached the door leading to the cargo hold, although he didn¡¯t open it. He took a deep breath instead, calming his heart before reaching forward and placing his palm atop it.


    Every spiritual vessel contained a cargo hold covered in spatial formations, allowing it to hold far more than it should have been capable of, like larger versions of the pouch he carried. Yu Chen closed his eyes, concentrating.


    The connection had only been active a few seconds before he stumbled back, his concentration breaking apart at the sheer volume of items that flooded his mind.


    The artificers wanted spirit stones?


    They¡¯d get spirit stones. Yu Chen laughed as he placed his palm back atop the door, willing the spirit stones within to appear.


    The door opened and a veritable fountain began pouring out, but Yu Chen was prepared. He opened his spatial pouch, catching what he could as they fell, and the rest clattered down around his feet. Hundreds, no, thousands, of spirit stones poured forth in a wide variety of sizes and purities, and he collected them all without discrimination.


    A shout came from up above and he cut off the connection, stumbling across the loose spirit stones rolling around the heaving deck as he ran back upstairs.


    He arrived at a scene of devastation.


    The mast no longer possessed a visible glow at all, and the shield surrounding them flickered, on the verge of collapse.


    The three Golden Core cultivators fought in the air above them, Black Tide Zhu cursing viciously as he fought off the other two with desperation in his eyes.


    Wicked attacks flew through the space between them, carving up the water below and occasionally striking the ship itself.


    Yu Chen stopped in his tracks, captivated by the three powerful cultivators fighting in the air. it wasn¡¯t until Tidebreaker Mei sent a gushing torrent of water racing into the sky that he finally caught it, realizing what he¡¯d been missing, and his eyebrows shot up as he realized the true profundity of their fight.


    At their level every attack contained a Concept, he simply hadn¡¯t noticed it at first. It wasn¡¯t until he felt the Concept of water resonate with him that he¡¯d realized what was going on.


    Now that he knew what to look for he could see that Black Tide Zhu¡¯s attacks were tinged with the concept of decay, and he recalled how they¡¯d eaten away at the shield surrounding the ship.


    Iron Han, on the other hand, seemed to have some concept of weight, or density, in his attacks, and he fought with an iron anchor that radiated an impressive aura.


    Yu Chen watched as a tidal wave of decay rolled across the sky towards the Tidebreaker, but she just lifted a hand, and the energy fell apart as it washed over her.


    His jaw dropped, and he felt he¡¯d truly witnessed something profound. His mind raced with ideas of how she could¡¯ve done what he¡¯d just seen.


    She¡¯d simply destroyed the attack, like she¡¯d deleted it from existence! Or did she Cancel it? Perhaps it was Negation?


    ¡°Hahahaha!¡± His thoughts were cut off as Iron Han spoke out. ¡°Your Null Tide is most impressive Meimei! It won¡¯t be long before you form your false domain!¡±


    She crooked a smile as she glared down at Pirate Zhu, who appeared helpless, and beside him with rage.


    ¡°I¡¯m still far from forming my seed, brother Han.¡±


    ¡°The furnace! Hurry!¡± One of the artificers called out, bringing Yu Chen back to the present. He turned, seeing the man pointing towards a squat steel contraption near the mast, rising up from belowdecks.


    One of the artificers who¡¯d been clinging to the mast wavered, collapsing to the floor completely drained, and the other followed shortly after.


    Yu Chen hurried over as the sound of fighting resumed overhead, shoving the lid of the furnace open. A wave of heat billowed out, but Yu Chen paid it no mind. He shoved his bag against the opening and willed the spirit stones out, watching as they tumbled forth, falling into the heart of the furnace.


    They were consumed within, transformed into raw energy that fed directly into the mast.


    Whatever detritus remained was ejected somewhere beneath the ship, but that didn¡¯t concern Yu Chen right now.


    He watched the mast in worry, letting out a sigh of relief as it began to glow once more. The shield around them firmed as well, once again shimmering with a radiant light.


    The ship even increased in speed. He turned towards Yan Ziqi, seeing beads of sweat break out on the cultivator''s forehead as he pushed it as hard as he could.


    Cries of frustration came from Pirate Zhu as they began to pull away, disappearing into the distance.


    Yu Chen hurried back below deck, retrieving more spirit stones to feed into the furnace, continuing until the mast was humming at full power.


    He collapsed on the deck once he was finished, relief washing over him as the three terrifying presences disappeared from his senses. The waters had become calm once again, and even the sounds of fighting had disappeared.


    Even so they didn¡¯t slow down, continuing to move at full speed across the yellow river.


    ¡°This ship is so powerful! How did the pirates ever manage to acquire it?¡± Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but ask as he rose to his feet, approaching Yan Ziqi.


    ¡°Deceit and trickery, how else?¡± The man said, shortly, focused only on moving the vessel as quickly as he could. ¡°But that¡¯s Sun Yuan¡¯s story to tell, not mine.¡±


    Yu Chen only nodded in reply.


    He lapsed into silence as the artificers activated the formations again, this time hiding the weapons and releasing the shields. Now that the other systems weren¡¯t draining energy, The ship sped up again, moving even faster.


    Once they¡¯d gone further than the pirate''s senses could reach, Yan Ziqi activated the spirit veil, cloaking the ship.


    To Yu Chen¡¯s eyes nothing changed, but the banner hanging from the mast shimmered, and the ship''s speed cut down dramatically, the vessel shifting power around to hide them from sight.


    Even so, Yu Chen continued to stare behind them for a long time to come.

 Confluence: Chapter 7 - Seeking Guidance

    A few hours later Yu Chen felt a terrifying energy fly across the horizon, just beyond his line of sight. His heart pounded as he waited, thinking they¡¯d been found, but the spirit veil did its job. Whoever it was hadn¡¯t sensed them, and he felt the aura disappear somewhere off in the distance.


    Beyond that, the rest of the trip to the coast was uneventful, but Yu Chen still spent it in nervous anticipation. He remained restless, expecting a Golden Core cultivator to appear at any moment.


    His fears never came to pass.


    Night fell before they left the deeper waters, and the shore appeared, illuminated by the moon that hung high in the sky, orbited by its two satellites.


    Yan Ziqi turned the vessel, hugging the coastline as they traveled downriver, choosing to remain cloaked on the journey back to the city. It was an expensive maneuver. The number of spirit stones remaining in the hold shrank dramatically, but it was a small price to pay to return intact with their lives and the vessel.


    Once he was sure there was no imminent threat, Yu Chen retreated to one of the bedrooms below deck. The long day had left him exhausted, and so he laid down in bed, preparing to sleep for the night. The gentle rocking of the ship should have lulled him to sleep, but it refused to come. His mind was whirling, filled with thoughts of the battle he¡¯d seen earlier that day.


    The three cultivators fighting in the air hadn¡¯t possessed the same aura of power that he¡¯d sensed from Elder Gu and Elder Jiang, but even so, seeing Golden Core cultivators cross blows was a terrifying sight.


    And an impressive one.


    The way they¡¯d fought was nothing like the martial arts he¡¯d so painstakingly drilled into his body. It was beyond even the Foundation Establishment experts he¡¯d seen fight.


    They¡¯d fought with something more than physical force and sheer qi, fighting with attacks imbued with Concepts themselves.


    The idea of imbuing your attacks with Concepts wasn¡¯t completely novel to Yu Chen. The Flowing Eternity Sect seemed to fight in that manner, after all the golem he¡¯d fought had utilized them in some strange manner. Indeed, even the Martial Forms he¡¯d received from the sect had required him to utilize them if he wished to draw out their true power.


    What Yu Chen had done was nothing in comparison. He¡¯d only ever used his small understanding of a concept to help him learn a technique.


    The Golden Core cultivators however, had truly manifested their Concepts. Pirate Zhu¡¯s attacks were no longer a simple thing of pure qi, but a living force of decay that caused the things it touched to rot and warp at a fundamental level, if it didn¡¯t destroy them outright.


    Tidebreaker Mei had been even more impressive. Her Concept of water had allowed her to pull on the river itself, utilizing its power to fuel her blows, and the way she¡¯d simply nullified the attack coming towards her¡­


    The technique had been beyond impressive, and something within Yu Chen demanded answers, yearning to know more.


    He was filled with too many questions, and they were causing his path forward to begin to cloud once more. The many twists of fate he¡¯d experienced in his recent past had changed him, causing his worldview to expand over and over again.


    Thankfully he knew someone who could answer them.


    He hadn¡¯t visited the little fellow in a while, and it was time to see how he was doing.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen awoke with a gasp, finding himself in the midst of a waving sea of waist high grasses blown about by an unseen wind. His skin was warmed beneath the simulated sun that hung in the blue sky high above.


    He stood up, making his way towards the sound of rushing water he heard in the distance. It was peaceful here, a place of perfect serenity where not even the trilling sound of bird song or the buzzing of small insects broke the stillness of the air.


    Of course the sound of water was omnipresent.


    He stepped through the grasses onto the banks of the yellow river that carved through his Inner Realm, and for the first time the significance of such a thing struck him. He¡¯d been out upon the yellow river himself now, traveling across its boundless waters, but since the day he¡¯d first cultivated, a small part of the river had been running inside of him as well.


    No, before even that, he thought, as his eyes rose up to meet Xiao Huang¡¯s.


    The small dragon appeared unusually solemn as their eyes met, observing him in turn as he gently floated above the river in the distance.


    It had appeared whenever this little fellow had first taken root in his soul, long before he¡¯d begun cultivating. By now the yellow river was as much a part of him as the shape of his body or the fruits of his mind, more so even than his own name.


    Yu Chen tore his eyes away from Xiao Huang, looking at the running waters that cut a path through the grasses that waved across his Inner Realm.


    It was much smaller than the river outside. The one in the real world seemed endless, stretching further than the eyes could see. It¡¯d taken him days of travel to reach the small pirate town, and even then they¡¯d never ventured into the truly deep waters that lay at the center of the river.


    This one in his spirit wasn¡¯t wide at all, the varied grasses waving on the other side clearly visible. Although it did appear slightly bigger than before, Yu Chen thought with a frown.


    He glanced from the river to Xiao Huang, looking him up and down. Was it just his imagination, or did the tiny dragon appear to be a bit larger as well?The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Xiao Huang slowly grew as he approached, cutting a curving path across the river towards Yu Chen.


    ¡°Hatchling.¡± Xiao Huang said, as he spun a lazy circle around Yu Chen¡¯s head.


    ¡°Shizu.¡± Yu Chen said with a bow, as he gathered his thoughts. ¡°I seek your guidance.¡±


    It¡¯d been some time since he¡¯d truly spoken with the dragon. He¡¯d experienced much, and fought many powerful cultivators while gathering and witnessing extraordinary techniques.


    Xiao Huang purred at Yu Chen¡¯s words, positively preening at the idea that his assistance was required.


    ¡°Go on.¡± The dragon rumbled, coming to a pause in the air before Yu Chen.


    Without further preamble Yu Chen began speaking, filling the little dragon in on the events that had occurred since they last spoke. He proved to be an apt listener, hissing in rage as Yu Chen spoke about the demonic cultivators, and nodding in approval when Yu Chen outlined the trials he¡¯d passed through.


    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± The rumbling answer came when Yu Chen mentioned he¡¯d made it to the yellow river, but that was the extent of his knowledge - He found news of the pirates surprising, and let out a long laugh when he heard they¡¯d stolen a ship right from under their eyes.


    Once he finished bringing the little dragon up to speed, he began explaining what he¡¯d really come for, asking about the golem he¡¯d fought in the sect, and the abilities the pirates had displayed in their fearsome battle over the sea.


    ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve formed some idea of what cultivation is by now, yes?¡± The dragon said, and Yu Chen found himself transfixed by the alien intelligence lurking within those vertical pupils. ¡°Let me tell you how I see it.¡±


    The river itself stilled as the dragon spoke, and the sound of rushing water disappeared as it went silent. Even the surrounding grasses bent, turning towards the dragon as he opened his jaws to speak.


    ¡°The first step in cultivation is to harmonize with the heavens.¡± Xiao Huang began, his deep voice resonating in the air around them. ¡°This attunement reveals the pervasive energies of heaven and earth that swirl through the world all around you, allowing you to seize and control it.¡±


    He twisted higher into the sky, his form reflecting off of the still river below as he stared down at Yu Chen.


    ¡°You humans love to name things.¡± Xiao Huang said, sounding amused. ¡°You call this step Qi Gathering, and consider it to be the first stage of cultivation.¡±


    ¡°The second step is to solidify this energy within you, so that you may grow as a cultivator. It is this unification of one''s bodily and spiritual energies into a unified whole that is called forming a Foundation. To complete this step one must harmonize with the world around them, spreading their awareness and their qi, beyond their physical form.¡±


    The dragon¡¯s gaze locked onto Yu Chen, and he felt his breath catch. Xiao Huang¡¯s next words boomed, reverberating throughout the space around them.


    ¡°In this stage that you call Foundation Establishment, one¡¯s body becomes the world, and the world becomes one''s body!¡±


    Xiao Huang twisted around Yu Chen, who craned his head around to watch his sinuous form move through dizzying changes.


    ¡°Many, both up and down the river, consider the next stage to be powerful, and consider those who reach it to be people of some import.¡±


    The dragon snorted, shooting wisps of smoke out of his nostrils and causing his long white whiskers to flutter in the wind.


    ¡°To me, it is only a step towards what comes next.¡±


    ¡°What you call the Golden Core is nothing more than the manifestation of the preliminary stages, the perfection of one¡¯s foundation. To reach this level everything must be in perfect balance, for the heavens themselves will test whether or not you are worthy to form a core - a physical embodiment of what you are.¡±


    Yu Chen bowed his head, thinking the words over. These were the three realms he was familiar with, but in Xiao Huang¡¯s mouth they found an expressiveness he¡¯d never quite grasped. The little dragon was like a sieve, taking in mud and shaking away the dross, leaving behind only the purest of water for one to drink.


    Yu Chen looked up to see, Xiao Huang silently observing him.


    ¡°Go on.¡± Yu Chen said, and there was a hint of challenge in his voice.


    Xiao Huang purred once again at the words, circling around the boy before speaking.


    ¡°Good, very good! One of my blood must at least be like this! I told you before that your ability to conceptualize will limit your path forward, and this is the truth of what I meant.¡±


    The dragon moved behind him, disappearing from sight, and a hot breath tickled his neck as a rumbling voice whispered in his ear.


    ¡°Stepping into the fourth realm is marked by the formation of a Conceptual Seed.¡± Xiao Huang said.


    ¡°If the Golden Core is a manifestation of what a cultivator is, then the seed is the manifestation of what a cultivator knows and believes.¡±


    ¡°This belief matters, for the truly powerful know that every fight is not a simple brawl, but a battle to determine the truth of what is.¡± Xiao Huang said, his deep voice reverberating throughout Yu Chen¡¯s inner realm.


    ¡°This has always been the case, even among mortals. There are battles in the physical realm occurring all around you, but they are only manifestations of a deeper fight; one that takes place in a world of ideas.¡±


    ¡°People fight and die in a war between knowledge and ignorance. The poor seek to overturn the rich, the strong to oppress the weak. These are the fights that determine the very nature of reality.¡±


    ¡°After all, what is reality?¡± Xiao Huang asked, fixing Yu Chen in his draconic gaze.


    The boy didn¡¯t know how to answer. Truly it was something he¡¯d never considered before, too deep a question for him to grasp.


    ¡°What if I told you that for the powerful, reality is what you make it?¡±


    Yu Chen bowed his head, his hands clutching his robes in a white knuckled grip as he stood at the edge of the river.


    Reality was what he made it? Was that what everyone was doing the whole time? He felt like a frog in a well, the world opening up as he grasped the truth behind the events he¡¯d witnessed.


    Everyone was fighting for the truth of their reality - Was that how the golem had fought?


    Pirate Zhu¡¯s reality was one where his powers ate away at the world, slowly destroying it, while Pirate Mei¡­


    Within Pirate Mei¡¯s reality the attacks of others were simply nothing, she lived in a world where they didn¡¯t exist.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but wonder what would happen if she encountered someone more powerful than her. Perhaps she¡¯d be like those ancient philosophers from the books he read, the ones who¡¯d once believed it was the sun that revolved round the earth.


    The day had come when their world had been upended, and they realized they¡¯d been living a lie.


    Yu Chen squared his shoulders, looking up and meeting Xiao Huang squarely in the eyes. ¡°And then?¡±


    Xiao Huang hummed, the air around him rumbling.


    ¡°Then comes the realm of Dominion, hatchling, when one¡¯s seed becomes so complete that it forms a Concept all its own.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s blood raced at the words, his mind turning as his vision expanded. The significance of the path before him became apparent the more Xiao Huang spoke. First to perfect one¡¯s form - and then to perfect one''s ideals, forming a concept powerful enough to change reality itself.


    He raised a hand, realizing it was slightly trembling. Excitement. He dropped it back to his side, clenching it into a hard fist before speaking.


    ¡°What comes-¡± Yu Chen began,


    ¡°Enough.¡± Xiao Huang rumbled out, cutting him off.


    ¡°Focus on the path before you. You already possess the experience and I¡¯ve clarified your vision, but your foundation must be sturdy! You still haven¡¯t finished tempering your body!¡± The dragon admonished.


    ¡°Yes Shizu.¡± Yu Chen said, bowing his head.


    ¡°Good. Now show me these new techniques.¡±


    Yu Chen closed his eyes, concentrating as he summoned a copy of the new forms he¡¯d received. By the time he¡¯d opened his eyes Xiao Huang was already looking them over, pouring over the movements within.


    ¡°Decent.¡± He commented, one claw scratching his scaly snout. ¡°The Concepts expressed within are truly powerful. If you wish to master these techniques you¡¯ll have to form an understanding regarding both space and time.¡±


    Yu Chen sighed, perplexed by how he¡¯d manage to accomplish such a task, but he froze as Xiao Huang turned, fixing Yu Chen with his implacable gaze.


    ¡°It will not be easy, hatchling, but there will come a way.¡±


    ¡°As long as you continue to move forward, that is.¡± The small dragon added. ¡°You must leave the past behind and continue up the river, experiencing all that you can. Perhaps visit this new sect, I¡¯m sure they possess the means for you to grasp these concepts within.¡±

 Confluence: Chapter 8 - A Gathering of Heroes

    A few days passed before the sprawling port city came into view.


    Yu Chen stood, arms crossed over the balcony, as he observed the river leading into the quiet bay. It was teeming with life, and watching the countless ships navigating the open waters left him with a sense of awe, a reminder of how vast the world truly was.


    The larger ships, mostly mercantile in nature, glided across the water in straight lines to and from the city, their towering masts piercing past the horizon. Smaller fishing vessels bobbed about in the wake they left behind, as numerous as leaves on an autumn pond.


    Nets trailed behind many of them as they skimmed across the waves, but the sun was high enough in the sky that more than a few were already heavily laden with the day¡¯s catch, their hulls lying low in the water as they headed back towards home.


    The distant cry of gulls echoed from up above, blending with the milieu of creaking wood and crashing waves that filled the air.


    Yu Chen heard a few startled yelps come from the nearby fishing boats as the spirit vessel shimmered into view, the veil hiding it from sight lifting as the shining flag atop the mast lost its luster.


    Not all of the fishermen were so surprised, the astute ones had already noticed something was wrong in the river. The illusory formations could hide the appearance of the wake they left behind, but it could do nothing about the actual changes in the water left by the vessel.


    Yan Ziqi steered them past the small ships, bringing the vessel into the docks controlled by Ming Shipwrights. Mortals approached as they docked, well used to seeing the strange metallic ships, grabbing at the ropes the artificers threw overboard as they lashed the ship tight to the docks.


    Yu Chen shared some last few words with the artificers, whom he¡¯d come to know fairly well during their short journey. They¡¯d become close, having shed blood together in a life and death battle, and they exchanged kind words before he left, wishing him well on his future journey and cracking a few jokes about the pirates they¡¯d fought.


    He took one last look around, watching as they scurried about the vessel, diving straight into the work of repairing the ship now that they were back in port. The pirates had apparently lacked skilled artificers, leaving the ship in rough shape from its time away.


    Yan Ziqi departed the ship and Yu Chen followed behind, shadowing the man as he entered the compound, heading towards the small residence where they¡¯d encountered Elder Ming before.


    ¡°Old man!¡± Yan Ziqi called out irreverently as he pushed his way into the house.


    No wave of heat billowed forth this time, the forge quiescent and peaceful. Instead the elder had company, sitting at a table with a tea tray and a still steaming pot of water placed between him and another young man whom Yu Chen had never seen before.


    He examined the new face in curiosity.


    The man was only a bit older, a few years at most, and the blue robes he wore were clean and well crafted, appearing freshly pressed. He was impeccably groomed, his black hair pulled back into a shiny topknot that revealed the sharp line of his jaw.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯ve made it back!¡± Elder Ming said, looking up as they entered. He gave the two of them a wide, gap-toothed smile. ¡°I take it the trip went well?¡±


    ¡°Well indeed. The Sleeping Lady is no longer in the hands of the cutthroats who¡¯d apprehended her.¡± Yan Ziqi said, as he gave the old man a short bow.


    ¡°Good, good,¡± Elder Ming began, but he was cut off by his guest, who looked up with startled eyes.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± The strange man said, casting a glance at the elder as he pushed himself up from the table, alarm in his voice.


    Elder Ming glanced up at him, letting out a soft snort as his brows furrowed.


    ¡°This young man over here came asking me about how to acquire a Spirit Vessel.¡± Elder Ming said, nodding towards Yu Chen. ¡°He¡¯s looking to head upriver, but the price was rather steep, so I told him about one he might be able to acquire.¡±


    ¡°The Sleeping Lady?¡± The young man said, his tone both hopeful and full of disbelief.


    ¡°Indeed.¡± The elder said, drawing out the word. ¡°The lady has returned. She¡¯s currently docked out front.¡±This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    The young man practically leapt over the table, hastily making his way to the door.


    ¡°Sun Yuan!¡± The elder called out, his voice stern. ¡°Don¡¯t be in such a hurry, we still have much to talk about.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes widened, and he cast a startled glance towards the young man.


    He supposed there was some resemblance towards the man he¡¯d seen in the pub, but really, he looked nothing alike to that unwashed fellow he¡¯d seen before. This man was extremely handsome, appearing almost noble, but there was a sullen look lurking in his eyes that matched the face in his memory.


    ¡°But elder, I have to see her!¡± Sun Yuan said from near the doorway, his voice low and emotional.


    ¡°You will, but first things first.¡± Yu Chen felt an invisible force grab him as the elder gave a wave of his hand, pulling him to the table where he collapsed into a chair. Sun Yuan flew back across the room as well, tumbling through the air, and even Yan Ziqi couldn¡¯t resist.


    Before he knew it all four of them were sitting across from each other, and the elder motioned towards Yan Ziqi to pour out the tea.


    ¡°El-¡± Sun Yuan began speaking, his eyebrows drawing in as he frowned, but the old man silenced him with another wave of his hand.


    Taking the hint Yu Chen remained silent as well, waiting patiently until after the tea had been poured and the elder had taken his first sip, letting out a delighted sigh.


    Yu Chen obediently followed suit, letting out a soft sigh of his own as he felt the burst of energy explode in his stomach.


    ¡°Now,¡± The elder said, turning around to look each of them in the eye. ¡°Yu Chen here is looking to head upriver, and has acquired a vessel fit for that purpose.¡±


    ¡°As for you.¡± Elder Ming said as he fixed Sun Yuan with a stern glare. ¡°What happened to your father was tragic, but I will not allow you to waste your life away, wallowing in misery. He needs a good navigator, one who has journeyed to the confluence before.¡±


    Sun Yuan didn¡¯t respond, staring down at the table looking conflicted.


    ¡°The Sleeping Lady needs a steady hand at the wheel. Will it be you or shall I find another?¡± The elder said, and even Yu Chen could feel the force of the gaze he directed towards the young man.


    The air in the room grew heavy. Sun Yuan¡¯s shoulders slumped, trembling a bit as he chewed at his lip. A few moments passed before he sat up in his chair and squared his shoulders, determination crossing his face as he looked around the table, his eyes briefly lingering when they met Yu Chen¡¯s own.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± He said firmly.


    ¡°Very good.¡± Elder Ming said, sounding pleased.


    ¡°As for you.¡± He said, turning his attention towards Yan Ziqi. ¡°The dangers of the river are endless, and every decent spirit vessel needs an artificer on board. You¡¯ll be joining them as well.¡±


    ¡°Elder!¡± Yan Ziqi said, sounding shocked. ¡°I can¡¯t leave now, there is still too much for me to learn.¡±


    The elder gave him a hard look before leaning over the table and flicking the young man on the forehead. Yan Ziqi brought a hand up, rubbing his smarting forehead, but Elder Ming paid it no mind as he continued to speak.


    ¡°Do not try to fool a fool boy. You know half my techniques as well as I do, and the other half you can learn whether you are here or there. Regardless, you are another one I won¡¯t allow to waste away in this little backwater.¡±


    The elder glanced at Yu Chen, including him in a look that encompassed both him and Yan Ziqi.


    ¡°Sun Yuan may have traveled upriver with his father, but neither of you have, so I¡¯ll tell you what to expect. The path is a long one, even with a spirit vessel. It is a journey measured in months, and may take a year or more depending on your fortune.¡±


    Yu Chen was shocked at these words. He¡¯d already spent days upon the river, but he was still trying to come to grips with the enormity of it all. Months of travel, and that was only to reach the main branch?


    It seemed impossible for there to be so much water in the world.


    ¡°The path will be neither quick, nor easy.¡± The elder continued. ¡°You¡¯ll have to weather riverstorms and heavenly thunder, fighting past terrifying spirit beasts and vicious pirates as you search out safe ports from which to resupply. If the vessel is damaged, repairing it will be a task that can leave you stranded for days, Even with Yan Ziqi aboard.¡±


    The elder looked around to make sure they were all paying attention.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t all so bad. There are innumerable secrets hiding in the deep waters of the river, and only some of them bring death. If luck is with you, you will encounter chances to seize good fortune.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded as he sat forward. He needed all the good fortune he could find.


    ¡°The last thing to know.¡± Elder Ming said.


    ¡°Your destination is a confluence in the yellow river, where three smaller tributaries feed into the main branch at the same location. The waters here are treacherous and unpredictable, and at their heart lies an immortal place known as Baixian City.¡±


    ¡°It is the gathering place of all of the greatest heroes for tens of thousands of miles around.¡±


    The elder raised his voice, drawing all of their attention.


    ¡°Fourteen months. That is all the time you have until the next Immortal Fate Assembly convenes.¡±


    ¡±I hope the river treats you well.¡± He said, looking at each of them in turn. ¡±If you arrive in time, participating in that tournament will bring you benefits you can scarcely imagine.¡±


    His eyes lingered on Yan Ziqi as he spoke, and the older man gave him a slight nod in return, a contemplative look crossing his face at the words.


    ¡°The tournament is only open to those who are under twenty and have reached Foundation Establishment,¡± He said, glancing between Yu Chen and Sun Yuan. ¡°So all of you should work hard if you wish to participate.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, as did the others.


    Elder Ming glanced around one last time before letting out a gleaming smile.


    ¡°Excellent!¡± He said, before turning his attention back towards Sun Yuan. ¡°Let us go see how the Sleeping Lady has fared in her time away.¡±


    The young man leapt up from his seat, disappearing from the room before Yu Chen could blink.


    Fast. He couldn¡¯t help but think.


    They left at a more leisurely pace, following the elder who preferred to take his time.


    It was only a short walk to the docks, where they found Sun Yuan staring at the gleaming spirit vessel, tears streaming down his face.

 Confluence: Chapter 9 - Setting Sail

    The next morning, they set off in the Sleeping Lady, now fully repaired. Its hull gleamed as they cut across the bay, alighting the river from underneath with a mystical glow as the scripts inscribed on the bottom activated, propelling it across the water. It was a matter of moments to reach the main water stream, leaving the quiet bay behind as they began their voyage to the yellow river.


    The vessel was wholly theirs, now that Elder Ming had forcibly destroyed any connection the pirate still had with it, and the ship had been turned over into Sun Yuan¡¯s hands. Under the Elder¡¯s supervision the young man had pressed a bloody palm to the mast, and using some incantation, bound it to his own soul.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t mind. The ship moved like a dream under his hand, and it would take him wherever he needed to go.


    Besides, the death of Sun Yuan¡¯s father hadn¡¯t been the only thing driving the boy to despair, the loss of the ship had played a role as well. It turned out that for the navigators of the yellow river, a spirit vessel was necessary for their cultivation. Without one, they would only stagnate, their path forward forever cut off.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but recall what Xiao Huang had told him before and consider how the various paths of cultivation differed. A navigator¡¯s reality was one that was intimately tied to the river, discovering the paths it took, teasing out its hidden currents and secret ways. Without a vessel to carry them along, they truly couldn¡¯t move an inch.


    He walked up, standing beside Sun Yuan as he helmed the wheel, carving a path deeper into the waters of the yellow river. Looking over, he couldn¡¯t help but notice the changes in his face.


    Just this brief time back on the river had an effect. He appeared closer to what Yu Chen imagined his true self to be, the sullen look he¡¯d had before disappearing, and for the first time since he¡¯d met the young man, a hint of desire lurked within. It was as though the broken parts of him had slowly been pulled back together, and while he wasn¡¯t the same man he once was, he was something better, his experiences having reshaped him into something new.


    ¡°How are you doing?¡± Yu Chen asked softly, turning his gaze away to look into the distance. They¡¯d left the coast behind, and there was nothing but water surrounding them on all sides, stretching out endlessly until they merged into the horizon.


    ¡°Better.¡± Sun Yuan said, but his hand trembled slightly where it gripped the wheel.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t reply, standing beside the young man in silence.


    A stiff breeze rose up, causing his robes to billow around him. Sun Yuan gestured, and Yu Chen looked up, watching in interest as the fine sails bound to the mast unfurled, the ship speeding up as they caught the wind.


    ¡°There are enchantments on the sails as well, you know.¡± Sun Yuan said, breaking the silence.


    Yu Chen turned, looking at him, but the young man didn¡¯t meet his eyes as he continued to speak.


    ¡°If no wind is present, you can activate them, and they¡¯ll spin one up for you. Useful when you have to be somewhere in a hurry.¡± He paused, before letting out a soft chuckle. ¡°Terribly expensive though.¡±


    ¡°I grew up on this ship,¡± he said suddenly, turning to meet Yu Chen¡¯s eyes. ¡°Spent my whole life here, clambering across the rigging and standing beside my father as he carried us from port to port.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, but he didn¡¯t say anything, letting the man speak his peace.


    ¡°I never knew my mother. Never even knew what happened to her really, my father never would speak of it. That was ok though, It was still the best life a boy could ask for. Besides, I never felt the loss. I grew up surrounded by aunts and uncles more than willing to show me the ropes.¡±


    ¡°Literally in fact.¡± There was fondness in his voice as he spoke, and his eyes left Yu Chen¡¯s, roaming around the ship.


    ¡°You might think The Sleeping Lady is just another ship, but to me she is everything. I never thought I¡¯d see her again.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He said, looking back towards Yu Chen, his eyes watering with gratitude, but deep within lay something more, a resolve to shake the heavens. ¡°Whatever you need, I¡¯ll be there. I owe you my life.¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t reply, what was there to say? He simply gripped Sun Yuan¡¯s shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The next few days passed in relative peace, and the three boys fell into a routine. Yu Chen found life on the river to be a simple and relaxed affair.


    He¡¯d spend his mornings on the deck alone, practicing his Martial Forms. He began with the Diamond ones, where he¡¯d focus on compressing his qi before releasing it in quick violent movements, inching closer and closer towards perfection. It was not an easy task. He¡¯d become faster and stronger, and he only had a split second to condense his qi before he struck.


    Still, he made progress, and even though he hadn¡¯t approached mastery his blows blasted forth with a tremendous amount of force.


    Afterwards he¡¯d run through the strange forms he¡¯d received from the Flowing Eternity Sect. The techniques they¡¯d provided moved his qi through strange patterns that seemed almost contradictory at first, avoiding the straight lines the Diamond Forms and others he used had. Instead, they¡¯d loop back on themselves, oftentimes feeding backwards from the intended direction.


    The end result was almost similar to compression in some ways, but it produced all sorts of strange and contradictory results Yu Chen couldn¡¯t fully comprehend. He assumed it was because he lacked any understanding of the Concepts forming the basis of the teachings. At times his fists seemed to cut through the intervening space without any motion at all, while alternatively his strike would slow down as he punched, far from the sharp movements he was used to.


    They were a total mess, but he resolved to keep practicing them, paying close attention to the qi patterns in particular, as he sought out an understanding behind what they were intended to do.


    Despite that, he had no luck as the days passed, and disgruntled, he could only determine to keep at it.


    A fair amount of the day was spent locked inside his cabin, where he engaged in seated meditation. His reserves were fairly full, but the elder had made it clear that he¡¯d have to reach Foundation Establishment if he wished to compete in the upcoming tournament, so he continuously pushed himself towards the boundaries of the next realm, accumulating as much qi as he could. The spiritual energy in the air only grew denser the deeper into the river they ran, but he still tossed out the ancient bones he¡¯d found before, using them to enhance his cultivation.


    His new breathing technique was truly marvelous, allowing not even a wisp of spiritual energy to escape the room, the dark hole in the pit of dantian ruthlessly seizing and absorbing everything around.


    The rest of the day was spent engaged in various activities - reading through his collection of books and expanding his knowledge or meditating on the concepts he¡¯d already learned.


    Concepts were something he was still parsing, as every successive conversation with Xiao Huang expanded his vision. Originally, he¡¯d assumed they were just an understanding regarding the natural laws of the world, as one came to understand the truths that lay behind the word.


    They still were something like that, but that wasn¡¯t all they were. In some sense they were malleable, creative, and to step onto the world stage he¡¯d have to figure out what he wanted the world to be.


    But that wasn¡¯t an issue he¡¯d resolve so quickly.


    He¡¯d also check in on the other two, taking time out of his day to meet with the two boys he shared the ship with. They¡¯d formed a habit of having their meals together, and even Lan She would make an appearance, eating the food they placed out.


    Everyone had their own patterns.


    Yan Ziqi for instance, spent most of his time in the small workshop belowdecks, containing all the accouterments he needed to pursue his craft. He rarely left, not even to his own cabin, often spending days and nights locked away.


    Yu Chen would often stop by to talk while he was within, watching as he tooled about, working on his latest project.


    Although the space was somewhat humble it lacked nothing. A long table divided the room, and a compact forge took up a corner of the space, emitting a shocking amount of heat. It was one and the same as the furnace that fed the mast, a true work of art that fulfilled many roles aboard the ship.


    Besides which, a number of storage containers filled the rest of the space. Tool racks hung across the walls, mostly empty, while a number of storage chests had been bolted to the floor. The chests were compartmentalized, featuring dozens of odd drawers filled with who knew what.


    Sun Yuan on the other hand never left the wheel, even in his sleep, as though he were afraid the ship would disappear if he stepped away. Even when a light rain arose, he hadn¡¯t left the deck, standing there with his eyes fixed on the horizon as his robes blew around him.


    The young man did grow more talkative as the days went by, and Yu Chen could see the stress of the past leaving his body. It appeared in the way he stood, in the way he talked, the way he occasionally grinned when they hit a hard swell, and the nose of the craft went up, water breaking across the deck.


    Even Yu Chen felt the healing effect of the river. He still carried a lot of feelings for the people he¡¯d left behind, and hoped to one day be able to return, to perhaps see his family and check on the sect he¡¯d left behind.


    And to get revenge on the reavers, who only left the dead in their wake. That grudge hadn¡¯t been forgotten, and one day Yu Chen would return to repay matters in full.


    Likewise, he wondered how Cang Wuji had fared, and if he¡¯d managed to escape the danger. They¡¯d only spent a few days together, but Yu Chen considered the boy a friend, one he hoped had managed to survive.


    However, the more time he spent on the river the more he came to realize that Xiao Huang was right. His future lay before him, a thought shared by all three of the young men aboard as they sailed away, leaving the past behind.

 Confluence: Chapter 10 - A Chance Encounter

    Time was a strange thing on the river. If it wasn¡¯t for the sun crossing the sky, Yu Chen would struggle to say it passed at all, the days on the water blending together in an endless moment.


    They¡¯d traveled far, long since passing the pirate cove where they¡¯d liberated the ship, going further than Yu Chen ever had before. He couldn¡¯t be sure just how far, of course. Distance was a hard thing to judge when your only frame of reference was the sight of endless water, broken only by the occasional sight of a distant island or marine creature breaching the surface.


    Well, more than occasional. After all, the river was a rich ecosystem, brimming with life and vitality.


    Just beneath the surface, vast schools of iridescent fish darted about. Their scales, faintly glowing in hues of green, silver and gold, flashed like sparks as they turned, forming constellations that glittered across the yellow waters.


    All sorts of fish filled these waters, alongside more strange and wondrous creatures. Gelatinous beings would occasionally rise from below - translucent, unlike anything Yu Chen had ever seen before. Long tendrils trailed behind them like silk ribbons, glowing with a soft light that lit up the river at night.


    Most curious of all, they didn¡¯t seem to swim, not in any way he recognized. Instead, they bobbed along the surface, content, pushed about by the current and waves.


    Yu Chen found the sight quite fascinating.


    There were other creatures in the river as well, ones he thought best left undisturbed. Once, he¡¯d seen a massive form lurch up from the depths and break the surface, lifting an ancient tentacle that writhed with luminescent patterns as though nature itself had inscribed the beast.


    Thankfully, it had been far away, showing no interest in them, but the sight of the creature still humbled him.


    The river was unfathomable, and there was no telling what monsters lurked around the corner - or beneath the surface.


    It was a force all its own, a living thing in constant motion. A motion they resisted, pushing against the current as they fought their way upriver. It wasn¡¯t an easy task, the spirit vessel burning through vast amounts of energy just to move them forward.


    For Yu Chen, however, the struggle only made every step of the journey all the more rewarding.


    They¡¯d take turns refilling the mast every night, draining whatever energy they¡¯d accumulated during the day. Yan Ziqi was more powerful, so he¡¯d fill it himself, and the next day Yu Chen and Sun Yuan would do it together.


    It wasn¡¯t much. The ship lost energy far faster than they could refill it, but it helped them offset their consumption, allowing them to travel further than otherwise possible.


    Yu Chen knew he could do more, if it became necessary. His breathing technique allowed him to refill his dantian with ridiculous ease.


    Yu Chen looked up, his thoughts fading as he watched a massive sturgeon breach the surface off in the distance. Nearly as large as the ship, it landed with a splash that sent plumes of water shooting high into the sky, rocking the spirit vessel back and forth.


    That small motion adjusted their course by an infinitesimal degree, too faint to notice. It was, however, just enough to ensure they¡¯d meet a ship they would have otherwise never seen.


    Was it fate, or was it chance? That would be a curiously difficult thing for most to determine.


    A few hours later, Yu Chen saw it, right as the afternoon sun began its descent in the sky, on its way to rest somewhere off beyond the horizon.


    A tiny dot crested the waterline, so small that he didn¡¯t spot it immediately. It grew rapidly in his vision, eventually resolving into the sight of a lavish spirit vessel drifting gracefully down the river.


    Yu Chen stared at the flag that hung from the mast, whipping about in the air. As the ship drew closer, he made out an image emblazoned on the blue silk - a white medicinal pill. Sharp runes inscribed on the vessel¡¯s metallic hull flashed with a green light, and the ship abruptly changed course, bearing down upon them.


    The fragrant smell of medicinal herbs wafted across the river, tickling Yu Chen¡¯s nose. To his surprise he noticed large bags full of them hanging from the rigging, drying in the warmth of the waning sun. Strange, luminous creatures he¡¯d never seen before trailed in the ship¡¯s wake, adding to the mystique of the alchemical vessel.


    ¡°That vessel has Elder Ming¡¯s mark, although I can¡¯t say I recognize it.¡±


    He started, turning to see Yan Ziqi standing beside him, staring in interest at the vessel that was rapidly approaching.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Yu Chen turned back around, admiring the figurehead that thrust from the prow - a fiery bird with its wings folded back, an imperious gaze in its sharp eyes - when a shockingly powerful aura erupted from the vessel.


    Yu Chen¡¯s face paled, and he fell to one knee, overwhelmed by the sheer force pressing down on him.


    Yan Ziqi cursed. It sounded so odd coming from the man¡¯s lips that Yu Chen would have been surprised if he hadn¡¯t been struggling to stand on his feet. Yan Ziqi¡¯s legs were trembling too, but he maintained enough strength to leap forward, landing on the shoulder of the sleeping lady gracing their own vessel and injecting her with a jolt of qi.


    A shimmering shield billowed forth, rapidly expanding to cover the entire vessel.


    Yu Chen let out a sigh of relief as the pressure on him faded, and he found himself able to stand once again.


    He looked around as he stood, seeing the same concern he felt etched across the faces of the two other young men.


    ¡°What do we-¡± Sun Yuan began saying, but he was cut off when a booming voice rang out across the river.


    ¡°I have you now, you bastard! Come out little Zhu, come and face your death!¡±


    A plump man flew off of the other ship, soaring high into the air. His flamboyant robes billowed around him as he raised an arm, summoning a massive, crackling storm of green energy. It condensed as he threw it, slamming into their shield with a loud crack and exploding into a thousand glittering lights.


    ¡°On second thought, I won¡¯t kill you!¡± The fat man sneered as he floated higher into the sky. ¡°That¡¯s better than you deserve! Some simple Transmutation, and you can live out the rest of your days with a pair of raisins where your balls once were!¡±


    ¡°After I crush your dantian of course!¡±


    Yu Chen''s heart dropped as he watched the man raise his arm once again, summoning another wicked storm of energy.


    ¡°We¡¯re not pirates!¡± He shouted up desperately, at the same time Yan Ziqi yelled,


    ¡°Pirate Zhu isn¡¯t aboard!¡±


    The alchemist paused for a second, glaring down at them as they continued to shout.


    ¡°Enough!¡± He said, letting out a cold snort as he threw another ball of energy down at them. This time faint cracks spiderwebbed across the shield as it exploded, and Yu Chen felt a burst of alarm as the mast dangerously dimmed.


    ¡°I¡¯m a student of Elder Ming¡¯s!¡± Yan Ziqi called out desperately, and this, at last, seemed to catch the man¡¯s attention.


    ¡°En?¡± The rotund man said doubtfully. ¡°Elder Ming? Is the old man aboard?¡±


    ¡°No, he¡¯s not on board, it¡¯s just us!¡± Yu Chen shouted in frustration at the man floating in the air.


    A look of anger crossed the alchemist¡¯s face, and he reared back once more.


    ¡°Do you take me for a fool! Tell little Zhu to show himself at once, while he still has the balls to do so!¡±


    Sun Yuan let out a gasp beside him, and Yu Chen turned to see a look of recognition cross his face as he stared into the sky.


    ¡°Stop, stop!¡± Sun Yuan shouted as he slapped the mast, causing the shield to dissipate.


    Yu Chen¡¯s face paled as the force of the aura returned, once again dropping him to his knees. He let out a curse of disbelief, shocked at the sudden turn of events.


    ¡°Uncle Tao, It¡¯s me!¡± Sun Yuan called desperately, looking up into the air from where he¡¯d also been pressed into the deck near the mast.


    The alchemist didn¡¯t release his next attack as he glared down at them. His gaze scanned over the three of them before his eyes widened in recognition, the terrifying energy crackling above him slowly fading away.


    ¡°Yuan¡¯er?¡± The man called out in disbelief. Yu Chen didn¡¯t have time to blink, before the man was upon the ship, standing beside them.


    His aura was even more oppressive up close, and Yu Chen had a better view of him.


    The man was truly large, his bulbous flesh pressing against the flamboyant robes he wore, but the shocking aura he emitted gave no doubts to his abilities. Each of his fleshy fingers were covered in rings encrusted with fat gemstones, and his round face was covered by a well styled beard and moustache, heavily oiled.


    To Yu Chen¡¯s surprise he realized a parrot-like spirit beast sat crouched on one of his shoulders, letting out a sharp squawk as it noticed him observing it.


    The bird emitted a powerful aura of its own, although it¡¯d been dwarfed by the alchemists at a distance.


    ¡°Uncle Tao!¡± Sun Yuan said, his voice breaking as the older man swept him into a powerful hug that lifted him from his feet.


    ¡°Ah, little Yuan¡¯er, is that truly you?¡± The alchemist asked in disbelief as he stared down at the young man.


    ¡°I always knew you could do it, my boy!¡± The fat man said as he grabbed Sun Yuan, crushing the young man against his chest.


    ¡°But how did you manage to get your father¡¯s ship back from that contemptible bastard?¡± He asked, setting him back on the ground.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take the credit, Uncle Tao.¡± Sun Yuan said, staring down at the deck in shame. ¡°In truth it had nothing to do with me, I spent my days wallowing in misery, doing nothing of any purpose.¡±


    His fists clenched as he spoke, bitterness filling his voice as he expressed disgust at his own weakness.


    ¡°It was my two friends here who did the deed, along with Elder Jiang. They¡¯re the ones to thank.¡±


    Uncle Tao looked over, giving the two of them a considering glance before bending his large body into a deep bow.


    Shock crossed Yu Chen¡¯s face, and he hurried to speak, unable to accept the deference of such a powerful expert.


    ¡°It was nothing,¡± He began speaking, but the alchemist cut him off with a wave of his arm.


    ¡°Say no more. I am indebted to you two for helping this nephew of mine. Tell me what you need and I, Lu Tao, will provide.¡±

 Confluence: Chapter 11 - The Alchemists Vessel

    They dropped anchor, the shimmering shield billowing forth to protect the ship before they followed Lu Tao aboard the Alchemist¡¯s vessel.


    Yu Chen glanced around as they leapt aboard, seeing a multitude of people all going about their work.


    Some leaned over the side, hauling up water from the river down below, while others stood around, practicing their techniques on deck.


    Many were busy dealing with the spirit herbs he¡¯d seen before, that lay scattered across the deck in great big piles. He watched as they sifted through them, determining what to hang up and what to keep, packing some of the leaves into netted bags they hoisted into the sails and carrying bundles of the others below deck.


    Lu Tao glanced over, seeing him observing the cultivators hard at work.


    ¡°The largest piles are just regular spirit grasses,¡± he said, nodding towards the biggest piles of herbs that were being bagged up and hung. ¡°They aren¡¯t very powerful, but they are absolutely integral for the creation of most pills.¡±


    The plump man raised a finger before wagging it in the air.


    ¡°Some of the cheaper alchemists try to skimp on them to save a few coins, but that never works out.¡± He said, a smile crossing his round face as he noticed he had Yu Chen¡¯s full attention. ¡°It always costs more in the end. Spirit grass plays a pivotal role in slowing down the reaction between the various reagents. Without them to temper the pill, the energies become too chaotic, destroying all of your hard work.¡±


    Lu Tao shook his head, before waving at the other herbs aboard the vessel.


    ¡°As you can see, there¡¯s nothing too dramatic this time around. Some Iron-leaf Ferns,¡± Lu Tao said, pointing towards a medium sized pile of featherlike fronds, greenish grey in color. ¡°They work amazingly well as a blood restorative. If properly processed they can even be used to mend broken bones and cure all sorts of bodily ailments.¡±


    ¡°And of course we had to purchase a bunch of Azure Clover.¡± He said, pointing towards one of the largest piles of herbs other than the spirit grass. They were small bunches of heart-shaped leaves that were tinged sky blue around the edges. ¡°The clover grows best in areas dense with water qi, so you see a lot of it along the river. It¡¯s a helpful herb for qi absorption.¡±


    For a moment his voice took on the tone of a lecturer.


    ¡°It¡¯s a tricky herb to refine, however. You have to properly balance the water qi, or it¡¯ll run rampant and ruin the whole batch.¡±


    ¡°But spirit gathering pills always sell,¡± Lu Tao¡®s eyes gleamed with greed as he licked his lips.


    ¡°Where did you get them?¡± Yu Chen asked curiously.


    ¡°At auction of course.¡± The alchemist said, running a hand through his oiled beard.  ¡°I told Bo Wei years ago he¡¯d be better off selling it to me directly, but the old fool insists.¡± He couldn¡¯t stop the delighted chuckle that escaped from his lips. ¡°His loss, there wasn¡¯t much competition this time.¡±


    Yu Chen absently nodded, turning his attention towards the other cultivators on the vessel.


    Most of them were alchemists, and he assumed they were apprenticed to Lu Tao. They were a mixed group of men and women, all wearing similar green robes, lashed tightly with a many-pouched belt from which hung a jade pendant engraved with their rank.


    They were novices, but at least one among the group had the markings for journeyman. He stole a glance at Lu Tao¡¯s pendant, seeing it marked him as an adept.


    Other cultivators, such as the tanned man helming the vessel, clearly didn¡¯t follow the alchemical path. He not only lacked the pouched belt and pendant, he also appeared to have eschewed both his inner and outer robes. He cut a dashing figure standing there with one hand on the wheel, his sun kissed skin bare to the world.


    Two more men sat in a distant corner of the ship, far removed from the others. They appeared to be quietly chatting amongst themselves, but Yu Chen could sense a sharp aura rising from them, and whether they were guards or passengers he couldn¡¯t say.


    It appeared the alchemist had a full ship, and Yu Chen counted nearly a dozen cultivators milling across the deck.


    The three of them followed Lu Tao as he ushered them below deck, leading them towards his personal chambers, although they had to dodge an artificer who stumbled out of a side room, mumbling to himself as he headed towards the deck.


    The alchemist''s chambers turned out to be as flamboyant as his robes. It was a lush picture of indolence and ease; all soft surfaces that were covered with the finest silks and satins money could buy. The room exuded an air of decadence, the floor covered by plush carpets that sank beneath their feet, while fine tapestries covered the walls, intricately patterned in all the hues of the rainbow.


    ¡°Sit, sit.¡± The large man said, gesturing towards a silk divan that stretched in a half circle around part of the room. They piled onto the lavish couch, more than large enough for all four of them to sit around comfortably. Lu Tao waved his hand, and a flagon of wine appeared on the table between them, alongside four fine cups of a gleaming, mystical metal.


    ¡°Let us drink and discuss what has happened since the last time I saw you.¡±


    The elder said, including them all in the gesture as he looked towards Sun Yuan.


    Yan Ziqi leaned forward and began to serve them, perhaps out of habit. Picking up the flagon he poured out a glass for each of them, starting with the large alchemist. Lu Tao nodded in thanks as he accepted the cup, but his eyes never left Sun Yuan¡¯s.


    Yu Chen waited for the older cultivator to drink before taking a sip. He let out a violent cough as an explosion of qi took place in his belly, sending fiery lines of energy racing through his veins.


    He raised a hand, his eyes watering.


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± He croaked out, his cheeks flushing red as everyone looked his way.


    The others began drinking, and Yu Chen took another sip, more reserved this time. Another small blast of energy filled him, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel inwardly shocked at the powerful drinks these Golden Core Cultivators loved to consume.


    He¡¯d be even more shocked if he knew the price tag just one flagon of the wine commanded.


    ¡°Last time I saw you,¡± Lu Tao said affectionately. ¡°you didn¡¯t even reach my waist.¡±


    ¡°Your waist was much thinner the last time I saw you.¡± Sun Yuan replied dryly as he looked towards the older man.


    The large man laughed, raising his cup to that.


    ¡°Indeed it was. I enjoyed serving with your father, but it turns out you eat much better if you captain your own ship.¡±


    Sun Yuan¡¯s face clouded over at the mention of his father, and Lu Tao''s own face dropped as he sensed the change in mood.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame what happened to him, my boy.¡± The large alchemist said, wringing his hands in angst. ¡°And at the hands of that worm as well! Your father was only ever kind to little Zhu, giving him a home when he had none, and helping him advance up the ranks year after year. I could scarcely believe my ears when I heard of his betrayal.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Sun Yuan didn¡¯t speak, his knuckles going white as he gripped the cup he still hadn¡¯t drank from.


    Yu Chen looked back and forth between the two, comprehension dawning on him as he pieced the puzzle together. ¡°The little worm turned out to be a clever one.¡± Lu Tao said bitterly, swallowing the rest of his cup with a gulp. ¡°A thief in the night. As if he could fight Sun Wudi in broad daylight, when he stood on the deck of his own ship.¡±


    ¡°Coward.¡± Lu Tao stated, snorting angrily.


    Sun Yuan abruptly sat down his cup, spilling wine over the side. The parrot let out a disapproving squawk, but Sun Yuan ignored it, the words tumbling out one after the other as they fought to escape his mouth.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t just my father, but Zhao Feng and Cao Zhi, and Li Wei, and, and¡­¡±


    He cut off, his voice breaking as he clenched his robes in a hard grip.


    ¡°I know lad.¡± Lu Tao said, leaning over the table and placing a meaty hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°But it wasn¡¯t you.¡± He said, squeezing hard as he pushed Sun Yuan back, raising his face to meet his eyes. ¡°It wasn¡¯t you. Your path still lies before you, and you¡¯ll be a greater man than your father ever was, I know it.¡±


    ¡°As for that little worm Zhu, if he still breathes, he will get his due.¡± Lu Tao said, his eyes locked on Sun Yuan¡¯s. ¡°I swear it.¡±


    Sun Yuan nodded, his grip relaxing as he unclenched his robes, and the atmosphere in the room grew a touch lighter.


    Lu Tao gestured, and Yan Ziqi poured them all another round, the talk slowly shifting to more enjoyable topics. Lu Tao listened as they told him the exploit of stealing the ship, laughing hysterically at the plight that befell Pirate Zhu when the other pirates had turned on him.


    ¡°Betrayal for a traitor, how fitting!¡± The alchemist yelled, his wobbly cheeks a touch red from the drink.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t know how long it carried on for, but the world felt a bit hazy by the time the alchemist pulled himself up.


    ¡°Now, I believe I promised you all a reward.¡± Lu Tao said, running his bejeweled fingers through his oiled beard.


    He turned to look at Yan Ziqi first, regarding him with eyes that were surprisingly clear.


    ¡°You¡¯re an artificer, unless I miss my mark.¡±


    Yan Ziqi opened his mouth, but the large alchemist cut him off, speaking over him.


    ¡°No need. The calluses across your thumb and along your inner finger give it away, they never came from wielding a weapon.¡±


    Not to mention all those tiny creases around your eyes.¡± Lu Tao said, pointing at the artificer¡¯s face.


    ¡°You are too young to squint so much. You should consider investing in some skin-smoothing pills, they aren¡¯t just for women you know.¡± Lu Tao admonished.


    ¡°Well, you also mentioned you were Elder Ming¡¯s apprentice.¡± The man said with a sly wink.


    He twisted his hand and like a magic trick, a small golden orb appeared, perched upon his fingers.


    ¡°This is a Spirit Forge pill, suitable only for those who pursue a path of refinement. I can¡¯t help but notice that you haven¡¯t properly cultivated your body. That is a grave mistake if you wish to join the Immortal Fate Assembly.¡±


    ¡°How did you know we were headed towards the Immortal Fate Assembly?¡± Yan Ziqi asked, a note of amazement in his voice.


    The alchemist snorted.


    ¡°Three young cultivators, traveling upriver? Where else would you be headed? Besides, Elder Ming sent you off. I know that old fool and his tricks.¡±


    Yu Chen was fascinated by the pill in the alchemist''s hands, but Yan Ziqi stared at it with open thirst.


    ¡°Using your spirit as the forge and your will as the hammer, iron out all the impurities in your body!¡± Lu Tao loudly recited, holding the pill high in the air before handing it to Yan Ziqi, who accepted it with trembling hands.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to talk to Elder Ming,¡± The alchemist grumped, ¡°You really should have taken something like this before stepping into foundation establishment. Just be glad that it¡¯s not too late.¡±


    ¡°I rushed it, entering without the elder¡¯s knowledge.¡± Yan Ziqi said with a blush. ¡°He was furious when he found out the pills he¡¯d prepared for me were no longer suitable.¡±


    The alchemist snorted, but he didn¡¯t say anything else, turning his attention towards Yu Chen.


    ¡°I can sense that you¡¯ve already cultivated your body, using a technique that¡¯s quite powerful.¡± The alchemist said, praising Yu Chen. ¡°Perhaps you could use a pill to help you step into Foundation Establishment? I can sense you¡¯re not far from it.¡±


    Yu Chen paused, hesitating briefly before he shook his head.


    ¡°Senior, this one¡¯s body cultivation isn¡¯t yet finished. I still need a strong source of Earth-aspected energy.¡±


    The alchemist sat back, sinking into the sofa at these words. Rubbing his chin, he looked towards Yu Chen.


    ¡°Strong earth energy, and suited for tempering?¡± He muttered, absently playing with one of the jeweled rings on his finger. ¡°There¡¯s the Stonehide Pill¡­ No, no, that won¡¯t do. Earthroot Vitality perhaps? Hmm¡­ That¡¯s more focused on healing though, perhaps if I made a few changes to the formula?¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡± He said, beaming as he sat straight up. ¡°I know just the thing!¡±


    ¡°You just need earth qi, right?¡± He flexed his fingers, and a dense brown marble appeared, emitting a shocking aura. ¡°This¡­¡± He said, drawing the words out slowly, ¡°Is a Petrification pill. Imbibing it will engender a permanent state of petrification, at least until the energy of the pill wears off. If you truly need a dense source of earth qi, I can provide nothing better.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes widened as he observed the pill the older man held out. Dangerous, he thought, but with the Tempering Technique to utilize the energy¡­


    Ducking his head, Yu Chen thanked the man as he accepted the pill.


    ¡°Now for you,¡± Lu Tao said, turning his attention towards Sun Yuan. ¡°The only son of my dear friend.¡±


    He twisted his fingers, and another pill appeared, this one radiating with an incandescent light.


    ¡°This is no reward for saving the ship, but rather payment for a debt owed. Your father supported me when no one else would, giving me a place to practice my cultivation in peace. For that I am forever thankful.¡±


    He leaned forward, placing the pill in Sun Yuan¡¯s palm and clasping his hand around it.


    ¡°Your father commissioned this pill from me, as a gift for when his son was preparing to step into Foundation Establishment.¡± He locked eyes with Sun Yuan as he continued speaking.


    ¡°He never got the chance to pay me for it, but it has always been intended for you. Take it now, as a gift from us both, and use it to go further than either of us ever could.¡±


    Sun Yuan regarded the glittering pill with wide eyes.


    ¡°What is it?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    ¡°A Heavenly Transmutation Pill, the only one in existence.¡± The alchemist let out a wry smile as he leaned back in his seat once more. ¡°If I presented that to the Alchemist Hall In Baixian city they¡¯d give me my Masters mark, see if they wouldn¡¯t!¡±


    He let out a soft sigh, his gaze one of contentment as he looked at the pill in the young man¡¯s hands.


    ¡°You¡¯ll never find another like it. That pill has been infused with my own understanding, and its efficacy is unmatched.¡±


    ¡°Take it when you go to step into Foundation Establishment, and it will reform not only your qi and your body, but your spirit as well. It is truly a heavenly pill that will transform you into a higher state of being.¡±


    Sun Yuan appeared shocked at the words, and even Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but feel impressed. Xiao Huang¡¯s tempering technique was nice and all, but it had never promised to elevate him to a higher state of being.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s drink!¡± The alchemist declared, raising his glass back up.


    ¡°Another one!¡± The parrot on Lu Tao¡¯s shoulder suddenly squawked, and they all looked towards it in surprise.


    The alchemist was the first to recover, smiling towards Yu Chen.


    ¡°You have a friend as well, don¡¯t you? Don¡¯t be shy, bring her out. I sensed her long ago.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded his head, scratching a spot that bulged near his waist. Come out. He thought.


    Lan She hissed in his mind, an unwilling sound. Still, she responded, slithering across his back as she twisted her way up his body. She poked her head out of his robes near the chest, where she eyed the parrot in trepidation.


    ¡°I suppose a gift is in order for you as well.¡± Lu Tao said as he gave the parrot on his shoulder a rueful look.


    For his part the parrot was unbothered, ignoring both his master and the snake that gazed at him cautiously.


    ¡°A gift!¡± He squawked, paying them no mind as he preened himself.


    The alchemist tugged at his beard, his brow furrowed in thought. It was the space of half a moment before he lifted his head and snapped his fingers, causing another pill to appear.


    ¡°Beast¡¯s Ascension. It¡¯s a transformative pill to help stimulate her bloodline. Feed it to her when advancing a stage and her chances of having an adaptation will dramatically increase, strengthening her natural abilities and potentially bringing forth new ones.¡±


    Yu Chen gave a deep bow, accepting the pill on Lan She¡¯s behalf.


    ¡°Enough!¡± The alchemist exclaimed, ¡°Come now, let¡¯s enjoy the night!¡±

 Confluence: Chapter 12 - A Light Spar

    They left early the next morning, right as the sun began to crest the horizon.


    Lu Tao had come aboard as they prepared to leave, glancing at the dim mast with a sheepish smile.


    ¡°I suppose my attacks drained quite a bit, didn¡¯t they? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    They protested but the alchemist waved them off, already placing a hand on the mast. A bright glow erupted around him like molten sunlight as a thick stream of energy flowed into the mast, lighting it up as the power of a Golden Core cultivator filled it.


    The mast thrummed, the sound growing louder and louder until the entire ship vibrated in resonance, the deck beneath their feet moving as though it were a living thing. When he finally stepped back, the mast shimmered, radiating with a palpable energy.


    ¡°That ought to do it.¡± He said as he dusted his hands. ¡°Take care now.¡±


    They exchanged their final goodbyes with the alchemist before setting sail, watching as the alchemist¡¯s ship disappeared over the horizon.


    ¡°Hey, Sun Yuan,¡± Yan Ziqi asked, casually leaning over the railing. ¡°You don¡¯t happen to have any other mysterious uncles lying around, do you?¡±


    Yu Chen laughed, and even Sun Yuan joined in. For the first time his laughter rang out across the river - a sound that was real, unguarded, and surprised even him.


    The gloom that had covered the young man for so long finally dissipated, revealing a hint of the boy he¡¯d once been. Elder Ming had managed to pull the fractured pieces back together, but meeting with Lu Tao had finally begun to mend them, weaving them into something whole.


    The night they¡¯d spent with the alchemist had broken down most of the barriers between them. Now they moved about the ship with an easy camaraderie, laughing and joking when they met on deck, and frequently finding one another just to chat.


    Sun Yuan had even begun to leave the wheel of the ship. His determination had been reignited, and he focused on his cultivation with renewed fervor, refusing to be left behind by the others.


    It turned out meeting with Lu Tao was a gift, in more ways than one.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen woke up with a yawn on the second day after they¡¯d left the alchemist¡¯s ship, laying in a bed nearly large enough to swallow him whole.


    He was in the captain¡¯s cabin, which had once been Pirate Zhu¡¯s. No one else had wanted the room, so Yu Chen had happily claimed it, seeing as it offered extra space along with some privacy, being the only room at the stern of the ship.


    Yan Ziqi had claimed a room near the workshop, preferring to remain close to the place he spent all his time holed up within, while Sun Yuan had returned to his childhood room, unwilling to move into what used to be his father¡¯s quarters. The memories surrounding those events were still too raw.


    It was spacious, hosting four large windows on either side of the ship, lashed shut by a pair of fine silk curtains. They allowed only some slight slivers of light to make it through, faintly illuminating a room that was still filled with many of Pirate Zhu¡¯s old things, although Yu Chen had gotten rid of most of the useless junk the man had strewn about.


    He¡¯d kept the furniture however, seeing no reason to get rid of it. Beyond the bed large enough for five and the stately wardrobes that graced one wall, there was also a solid wooden desk that stretched across a third of the room.


    Carved bookshelves covered most of the remaining space, overflowing with various books and strange astronomical objects, as well as charts of the river and the stars, each one rendered in excruciating detail.


    It was by far the nicest room Yu Chen had ever had, the empty spaces on the walls covered with various tapestries and fine art, and was nearly larger than the home he¡¯d grown up in.


    Its best feature, however, was the array that had been carefully engraved into the floor, constantly gathering ambient energy from the surrounding environment.


    Perhaps every captain had one. Lu Tao¡¯s room had also possessed dense energy that was much thicker within than in the space outside.


    Or perhaps it was only the best ships that contained spirit arrays designed to enhance cultivation. After all, it wasn¡¯t unheard of for Foundation Establishment experts to have a spirit vessel of their own, but it was rarely one as fine as the Sleeping Lady. Elder Ming¡¯s artifacts were truly works of art, and it was clear he designed them with Golden Core experts in mind.


    After all, who else could afford them?


    At that level it became increasingly hard to cultivate through normal means. The amount of energy your body demanded was extraordinary, which was why so many cultivators traveled to the middle of the river or fought their way upstream.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Even the ones who chose to live on land would seek out some special means, living in areas that were dense with spirituality, whether from an energy well or through some other natural treasures.


    In any case, Yu Chen wouldn¡¯t complain about having an advantage, even if it was one he hardly needed. He already cultivated too fast as it was, but perhaps it would become more useful to him when he stepped into the next realm himself.


    He pushed the thoughts away as he stood and stretched. He took one last look around the room before leaving it behind, walking up a short flight of stairs and out onto the open deck, holding up a hand to block the bright sunlight that threatened to blind him.


    Blinking, he looked around him in confusion, surprised at the sight of Sun Yuan flowing through some strange martial art.


    The young man held a saber in one hand as he flowed through various forms, dancing across the deck in front of Yu Chen. He swung it around him in wide, graceful arcs, a movement that seemed designed for use when facing multiple attackers. Drawing the blade back, he twisted it through a tight figure eight, before dropping low as he ducked an imaginary blade.


    He came back up with the saber held tightly in both hands, swinging it in a crescent arc so vicious it took him off his feet.


    The swing spun him through the air, and for a split second he became the spinning fulcrum of a vicious circle of steel, moving so fast that Yu Chen could not tell where the blade began or ended. The movement occurred in the space of a second and he was back on his feet, laying about with the saber as he looped it through patterns with such speed that the blade blurred as it moved.


    Yu Chen settled down, watching in appreciation.


    He felt truly at ease, for the first time in a long time as he watched Sun Yuan flow through his motions under the bright morning sun. A cool breeze caressed his skin, blowing across the open river surrounding them on all sides.


    He was truly at ease here, he realized. He¡¯d always been fond of the outdoors, and being on the river was that times a thousand. It was a place more alive than any forest he¡¯d ever passed through.


    At times he still missed the friends he¡¯d left behind, but he had new ones, and they shared his interest in growing stronger.


    Yu Chen watched Sun Yuan¡¯s eyes flash as he brought his saber up, blocking an invisible thrust that came his way. Twisting the blade in his hands he counterattacked with a savage cut that would have decapitated his foe, before bringing the blade back into a guard stance before him.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t take it any longer.


    Standing up, he walked over to join Sun Yuan. The young man had been so caught up in his practice he hadn¡¯t heard Yu Chen come up on the deck, and blinked, surprised to see him.


    ¡°How about a spar.¡± Yu Chen said with a smile, as he rotated an arm, loosening up his muscles.


    Sun Yuan cocked his head as he examined the other boy. Eventually he shrugged his shoulders. ¡°Alright. Remember, you asked for it.¡±


    Concentrating, he channeled a thin stream of qi into the blade to dull the edge. Spinning it in a tight circle he waved Yu Chen forward.


    Yu Chen gave a wolfish grin. There was no preamble, he moved, cycling his movement technique as he dashed towards the other boy.


    Sun Yuan¡¯s eyes shot up as Yu Chen appeared beside him, moving far faster than he¡¯d expected. He hurriedly brought his blade up to block, but it was too late. Yu Chen had already moved past his guard, striking him hard in the chest.


    Sun Yuan stumbled back a few steps, a frown crossing his face as he raised the curved saber back up.


    ¡°Again.¡± He said, and Yu Chen obliged, attacking once more.


    Sun Yuan was more prepared this time, swinging his saber through a series of dizzying arcs that formed an impregnable fortress of steel, forcing Yu Chen back and preventing him from getting close.


    Yu Chen backed up a step as he judged the boy.


    Sun Yuan was a serviceable fighter, a cut above the pirates he¡¯d fought before. Serviceable wasn¡¯t good enough, however.


    The other boy''s eyes lit up as Yu Chen retreated, taking the movement as a sign of hesitation. Going on the offensive, he sent out a testing blow, the blade licking out with a viperous grace. Yu Chen simply slapped it to the side. Before the boy could bring the blade back up, He stepped in close and delivered a vicious blow to Sun Yuan''s ribs, bending him over. Seizing the opportunity Yu Chen hooked a foot behind one leg and slammed a hard shoulder into him, sending him tumbling to the ground.


    Yu Chen stepped on the saber as it fell, preventing the other boy from bringing it to bear.


    ¡°Again.¡± This time Yu Chen spoke, looming over the young man.


    He reached down, pulling Sun Yuan to his feet, where they continued to spar.


    It was clear to Yu Chen that the other boy¡¯s technique was a high quality one, and he¡¯d mastered it well. Sun Yuan¡¯s movements were well balanced and properly executed, but he lacked the fighting experience Yu Chen had, and the killing intent that could only be honed through life and death battles.


    He¡¯d also wallowed in misery for far too long, causing his abilities to atrophy and grow rusty over time.


    Again and again, Yu Chen found a way past the blade, striking the boy and sending him to the ground. Yu Chen¡¯s estimation of Sun Yuan went up as he persevered, rising back up not matter how many times he fell, determined to land a blow of his own.


    It wasn¡¯t to be. Yu Chen wasn¡¯t the sort to take it easy, or spare someone¡¯s feelings. That would only lead to death on the battlefield. In truth he never even had to go all out, but he still found the spar helpful for him as well.


    Yu Chen needed more experience fighting people with weapons. He¡¯d never picked one up himself, but most of the pirates he¡¯d fought had used a blade of some kind, and sabers appeared to be particularly popular on the river.


    Sparring with Sun Yuan gave him valuable insight into the way they moved, and the patterns and angles of attack they were capable of. They fought for close to thirty minutes before Yu Chen called a halt, seeing the other boy begin to breathe heavily.


    ¡°Let¡¯s pick it back up tomorrow.¡± Yu Chen offered.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Sun Yuan said, wiping away the sweat beading across his brow. ¡°You¡¯re pretty good.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not half bad yourself.¡± Yu Chen said. ¡°You just need a little practice.¡±


    Sun Yuan nodded, but there was a new hint of respect in his eyes when he looked towards Yu Chen.


    For his part, Yu Chen admired the resolve he could see in the other boy¡¯s eyes. They walked different paths, and for the first time in a while, Sun Yuan had taken another step forward along his.

 Confluence: Chapter 13 - Land Ho!

    The end of autumn approached as they made their way upriver and the days grew colder as time passed.


    Yu Chen¡¯s routine had changed, and he now began every morning by meeting Sun Yuan on the deck to spar, fighting together as they practiced their techniques. Occasionally Yan Ziqi would show up but he¡¯d only watch for a while, never sticking around to exchange blows of his own. Yu Chen had found it a bit strange at first, but he knew Foundation Establishment experts had methods all their own.


    He grew a bit stronger as the days passed, his techniques becoming more refined now that he¡¯d found a worthy opponent to spar against. All of the fighting had an unintended effect as well, helping him adjust to his body''s heightened strength and speed, and he found himself once again making progress in the Diamond Forms.


    They would remain on deck after sparring and stay for as long as they could. Either meditating or just hanging out, but always keeping an eye out for an empty island where they could nest up for a little while.


    Yu Chen had been itching to swallow the petrification pill he¡¯d received ever since they¡¯d left the alchemist¡¯s vessel, but Yan Ziqi had advised against it. It wasn¡¯t that the other man didn¡¯t want to take his pill, in fact the artificer wanted to more than Yu Chen himself, having already delayed his body cultivation once, but he didn¡¯t think it was safe to do so while the boat was still moving.


    They had been lucky so far, and hadn¡¯t encountered anything too dangerous on the river, but it would only end badly for them if they finally did so while immobile from medicine.


    Sun Yuan didn¡¯t care either way. He¡¯d been instructed to take his pill while breaking through, so he¡¯d have to wait a little while longer in any case.


    Yan Ziqi¡¯s voice interrupted his thoughts, ringing through the open air around them.


    ¡°Look, up in the sky!¡±


    Yu Chen looked up, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he craned his neck around to see what the other boy had spotted.


    Far off in the distance a number of birds wheeled about in the sky against a backdrop of fluffy clouds.


    A strange sight this far into the river, that could only mean one thing.


    ¡°Land ho!¡± Sun Yuan¡¯s voice rang from atop the quarterdeck, and Yu Chen turned, watching as their navigator snapped shut his spyglass. It was a fine object, gifted from his father, covered with sprawling lines of inscription that allowed him to see much further than otherwise possible.


    Shoving it into his pocket, he heaved at the wheel and the ship turned, the prow swinging around to head in the direction of the birds flying in the distance. Yu Chen ran to the front of the ship, hopping up onto the railing where he stood alongside the figurehead, watching the ship move through the river.


    At some point dolphins had appeared once more, racing against the vessel as it cut across the waves. Wet river spray hit his face as the ship broke through another swell, approaching the land in the distance. The island rapidly grew in his vision, going from a brown smudge smeared across the horizon into a great landmass, large enough to split the river in twain.


    Sun Yuan pushed the ship hard, bringing them as close to the shore as he could and nearly running the vessel into the soft sands of the beach. At the last moment they all leapt from the ship, and with a wave of his hand it shrunk, flying into his robes as they landed in the shallows.


    ¡°What now?¡± Yu Chen asked, looking around in interest.


    The island they¡¯d arrived at was massive, far larger than the small pirate¡¯s cove they¡¯d visited before, which had been nothing more than a tiny shanty town perched on a thin crescent of land. This place was far different, covered in a wild forest of dense trees and lush vegetation so overgrown that it stretched nearly to the coast. It even hosted a small mountain that rose up in the distance, right at the center of the forest.


    ¡°We find a safe place,¡± Yan Ziqi said, licking his lips. ¡°and swallow these pills.¡±


    ¡°The mountain is probably the best bet,¡± Sun Yuan said, pointing towards the peak off in the distance. ¡°We can find a small cave to hole up in until the medicine finishes its job.¡±


    ¡°Works for me.¡± Yu Chen said with a shrug.


    Yan Ziqi agreed as well, and they dove into the forest, making their way towards the mountain.


    The forest was alive with noise, the sound of twigs crunching underfoot, the trilling sound of birdsong echoing from unseen places up above, and the soft rustling of small creatures scurrying through the underbrush reached his ears. It was a wild place, the long, tangled vines hanging down from the trees making it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. They traveled through an undergrowth featuring a chaotic mix of ferns and shrubbery, and the air was rich with the damp scent of fresh earth, moss and decaying leaves.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The forest grew darker around them as they pressed further in. The trees crowded together as they fought for space, creating a thick canopy that blocked the sun up above. Only the odd beam of light made it through to dapple the ground below, revealing a dense carpet of fallen leaves and ancient roots that rose from the dirt like gnarled fingers, threatening to trip them if they made a single misstep.


    A stifling atmosphere rose up the further they traveled, and Yu Chen had the unsettling feeling that they were being watched. He peered around nervously, but he couldn¡¯t see anything around them.


    He looked towards the others, who were both shifting around uncomfortably, clearly unnerved by the feeling in the air.


    ¡°Should we continue?¡± Yu Chen asked uneasily.


    Sun Yuan jerked around, looking concerned as they heard something rustling through the underbrush nearby.


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait for a moment.¡± Yan Ziqi said, closing his eyes as he sent his senses out, spreading across the nearby forest.


    Only a few heartbeats passed before he opened them again, looking around him with a frown.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s safe.¡± He said, speaking slowly. ¡°I can¡¯t sense anything particularly dangerous. There are some spirit beasts scattered around, but all of them are weak.¡±


    Yu Chen looked over at Sun Yuan, who gave him a shrug in return.


    ¡°Alright.¡± He said and they continued on their way, pushing deeper into the forest.


    This forest was nothing like the ones he¡¯d traveled in the sect or during his journey across the empire, more reminiscent of the jungle from the Secret Realm he¡¯d once explored. This close to the river the verdant undergrowth oozed with life, practically brimming with a deep vitality that was reflected in the creatures within.


    It appeared Yan Ziqi was right, Yu Chen thought, looking around. The occasional spirit beast had appeared, but they¡¯d all scampered off upon sensing the older boy¡¯s aura. They didn¡¯t bother chasing the creatures, having no reason to pursue them as they concentrated on reaching the mountain before them.


    Of course, right as he thought that the first howl sounded out, a low keening noise that rose in pitch as it cut through the forest air.


    It happened right as they were crossing a small stream meandering through the forest, causing the boys to look around startled.


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t sense anything!¡± Sun Yuan yelled, as more voices joined the first, letting loose howls that rang out all around them.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± Yan Ziqi said, looking concerned.


    The howls approached, and as they grew closer Yu Chen began to hear the crashing sound of something moving through the underbrush.


    ¡°Damn.¡± Sun Yuan cursed under his breath, looking around nervously.


    Not that Yu Chen wasn¡¯t doing the same.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry.¡± Yan Ziqi said, his voice tight as he took off towards the mountain, cycling his movement technique.


    The other two boys joined him, keeping pace with each other as they ran towards the mountain. Yu Chen looked around, unable to prevent a curse of his own from escaping as he saw the long loping forms that would occasionally appear, running through the trees around them.


    He couldn¡¯t quite make out their forms but they sounded like wolves. They easily kept pace with the group, the boys unable to outrun them despite utilizing their movement techniques.


    A howl rose up from his left, causing the hair on the back of Yu Chen¡¯s arm to begin to prickle. Another rose up from the right and more from behind, the entire forest sounding as though it had come to life with the screams of wild beasts as they began to corral them in a certain direction.


    Yu Chen could see them now, the occasional wolf leaping out of the undergrowth to nip at their heels as they desperately scrambled towards the mountain. He slowly came to the realization that they couldn¡¯t outrun the wolves even if they wanted to, the hanging vines and rampant growth that hindered their path doing nothing to slow the beasts behind them.


    Yan Ziqi came to a sudden halt before them, causing Yu Chen to almost crash into his back.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to fight.¡± The older man said grimly, staring up.


    Yu Chen¡¯s gaze followed his, drawn to the massive wolf perched on a rock jutting from the forest floor. It lay there, Its sleek, black fur glistening under the soft light filtering through the canopy. The beast slowly rose, the black tongue lolling out of its mouth retracting as it stood. It regarded them with an imperious gaze, its burning eyes - one silver, one red - glowing with a silent intensity.


    It threw back its head and howled, letting loose a noise that rattled Yu Chen¡¯s eardrums, and he winced as he felt a heavy aura settle across him.


    A white wolf, small and lithe, appeared at the sound, gracefully loping up the rock to join the first one where she lay at his feet as more howls rose up around them. Yu Chen felt Sun Yuan back into him as more wolves slunk out of the forest, surrounding them on all sides.


    ¡°He¡¯s a big bastard isn¡¯t he?¡± Sun Yuan muttered under his breath, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but agree.


    Thankfully, the massive black beast was the only one in Stage II. That made it a problem for Yan Ziqi to deal with, but it still left more than a dozen for him and Sun Yuan to handle.


    Yu Chen tossed his head side to side as he cracked his neck, before looking over his shoulder at the other boy and seeing that Sun Yuan had drawn his saber, holding it tightly despite his ashen face.


    ¡°Come on then!¡± Yu Chen shouted, the first to break the frozen tableau.


    Cycling his movement technique, he lunged towards the nearest wolf, striking out with a heavy fist. The unexpected blow cracked its skull before it could react. The clearing erupted into pandemonium as the wolves leapt forward, letting out outraged howls at his sudden attack.

 Confluence: Chapter 14 - Those Terrifying Eyes

    Wolves leapt towards him from every direction, all snapping jaws and slobbering fangs, but Yu Chen was already moving as he dodged out of the way of the beasts. He¡¯d long since learned not to stay in one place, lest he become easy prey himself.


    A pained yelp sounded out from behind him.


    Throwing a quick glance over his shoulder he saw an arc of red blood go spraying through the air as Sun Yuan landed a vicious slash to a wolf¡¯s side. The boy¡¯s face was pale, but he fought with the same grace he sparred with, moving with a quiet intensity as he revolved his saber through tight arcs, keeping the spirit beasts at bay.


    A wolf dashed in low towards Yu Chen, attacking while he was distracted, but he let out a cold snort, lashing out with a kick that sent the wolf rolling. A mighty howl rang out, reverberating through his bones. He snapped his head up, seeing the black wolf staring down at him with pure malevolence, letting out a low growl as it leapt from the rock on a collision course with Yu Chen. He took half a step back, his eyes widening as the powerful creature soared through the air.


    The wolf was suddenly flung off course as a small hammer, glowing with thick lines of runic script, flew through the air and slammed into its side. It landed with a hard tumble, rolling across the ground before springing back to its feet and turning its mismatched gaze onto Yan Ziqi.


    Its hackles rose as it observed the older boy, another growl beginning to build in the back of its throat, but it cut off as more artifacts came flying its way. Hammers, pliers, tongs and more smashed down upon its ebony hide, surrounding it in a maelstrom of chaotic energy.


    The wolf let loose a howl of rage as the attacks battered it, sending a pulse of invisible energy radiating across the clearing, causing artifacts to fall to the ground like puppets with their strings cut.


    Leaping forward, the wolf raced towards Yan Ziqi before the boy could recover.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t see what happened next. A group of wolves had encircled him, cutting him off from the others. He dodged the first one that leapt towards him, snapping its jaws, and delivered a powerful kick to the second that leapt over the first. It tumbled across the clearing before unsteadily standing back up on quivering legs.


    The third came his way and he moved, avoiding its strike. He realized too late that he¡¯d been tricked, as a wolf he hadn¡¯t seen locked its jaws around his arm and gave it a wild shake. Yu Chen let out a curse, his eyes taking on a wild look as he glared down at the beast.


    It couldn¡¯t pierce his robes despite trying its best, and attempted to let go. Yu Chen moved with it as it pulled back, practically shoving his arm down its throat to hold it in place. Lifting his other arm, he drove a heavy fist into the side of its head before it could recover. He struck it three times in quick succession, punching until something gave and it fell to the forest floor, blood leaking from its skull.


    Yu Chen stepped over it as the light slowly drained from its eyes.


    Yelps of rage rose up, and two more wolves slammed into his back, bowling him over. More piled atop him, scrabbling at him with hard claws, and Yu Chen desperately threw his arms up to keep their gnashing jaws away from his flesh.


    A flash of indignation and rage shot through his bond, Lan She striking out before he could react. She shot out of his robes, sinking a pair of venomous fangs into the neck of one of the beasts and sending it rolling backwards, yelping in pain.


    The beasts tore at him, and his heart began to thump, his blood rising as they viciously nipped at his flesh, tugging and clawing and worrying at his robes but unable to break through the fine weave protecting him. Thankfully, Lan She¡¯s attack had given him some space to breathe. He had enough room to reach up and grab a beast by the scruff of the neck, using his formidable strength to toss it away as he fought tooth and nail to get back to his feet.


    His blood practically sang in his ears, and he felt refreshed, despite the circumstances. Letting out a furious roar of his own, he sent wolves tumbling away as he surged upwards, regaining his footing.


    He turned to look for Lan She, eyes alight with a furious rage.


    The first wolf she had struck was already dead, or near enough, its eyes had rolled into the back of its head and foam frothed in its mouth as it lay there convulsing on the forest floor. Lan She hadn¡¯t stopped there - she¡¯d already locked her fangs into another, her lithe body flailing in the air as the wolf ran around in circles, trying to dislodge her.


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes flashed as he watched another wolf run up behind, opening its jaws as it snapped at her tail. An outraged shout escaped his lips as he cycled his movement technique to its maximum extent, taking two short steps to cross the distance. He twisted, lashing out with a side kick that sent the beast to the ground with an audible crack.


    The wolf let out a piteous whine as it lay on the floor, unable to move, but Yu Chen only gave it a cold glance as he smashed a foot down, ending its life.


    He looked over, watching as the wolf Lan She had been riding collapsed to the ground.


    Yu Chen moved, snatching her up as the other wolves approached, but he quickly whirled around as he heard a pained shout sound out behind him.


    Sun Yuan had managed to hold his own so far, creating a cage of steel around him as he twirled his saber through complicated patterns. They¡¯d eventually caught up to him however, and he fell to the ground as the surrounding wolves leapt forward and began savagely mauling him.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t hesitate, leaping across the clearing to help his friend whose pained cries rang into the sky. He flung his arm out as he approached, sending Lan She shooting forth to claim her third victim. Yu Chen arrived half a heartbeat behind her, laying about him with wild blows that sent wolves flying across the clearing.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Can you stand?¡± He called down, as he stood over his friend who lay in a pool of blood, whimpering in pain.


    Yu Chen glanced around, warily eyes the wolves as they regrouped, circling around them in a tight formation.


    ¡°I think so.¡± Sun Yuan said, his voice laced with agony. He used one hand to push himself up onto wavering feet, looking around the clearing with a grim eye.


    He bled from all over. He¡¯d used his arms to block the wolves, but his robes didn¡¯t offer the same protection Yu Chen¡¯s did, leaving them a mess of scratches and bitemarks. One of his pants legs was turning red at a concerning rate, and a flap of open skin hung from his forehead; a gaping wound that left the boy half blinded with all the blood pouring out of it. He maintained a firm grip on his saber despite this, and his mouth was curled into a vicious scowl. He was no longer as ashen as before, his own blood having risen, and his eyes were filled with rage as he observed the remaining wolves around them.


    Their standoff was interrupted by a terrific crash, and Yu Chen looked around to see the black wolf stagger to its feet.


    A powerful attack had sent it flying into the rocky outcropping, leaving behind a broken crater in the massive stone jutting from the forest floor. The white wolf let out a low whine from atop the rock as she looked down at them in concern. The black wolf ignored her, meeting Yan Ziqi¡¯s gaze with two mismatched eyes, each burning with a palpable fury.


    Yan Ziqi¡¯s bloodied face was twisted into a terrible scowl as he confronted the wolf. The thin band holding his hair back had snapped, sending dark strands flying up, dancing in the terrifying aura radiating from him. His robes whipped back and forth in a nonexistent wind as the tools of his trade spun in a perfect circle behind his back, each one an artifact crackling with repressed power.


    The sharp, metallic smell of blood hung in the air, thick and heavy like the silence between the two enemies. The two young boys and the wolves alike froze, transfixed as they waited to see what would occur next.


    The black wolf made the first move, his red eye flashing as it suddenly glowed with an intense light that steadily increased in strength. Crimson lines began to creep across the beast¡¯s flesh, like red hot lines of magma peeking out between obsidian cracks.


    It threw back his head and howled as it leapt forward, its form blurring as it crossed the ground with a speed that dizzied Yu Chen. Yan Ziqi hurriedly reacted, rotating his artifacts into a shield which the beast crashed into with a mighty bang. Artifacts flew out in every direction, but they quickly recovered, flying back to block the enraged beast once again.


    Yan Ziqi¡¯s face had gone white, his brow furrowed in concentration as he fought to control all of his many objects at once, moving them to attack and deflect the wolf pressing forward with a berserker¡¯s rage.


    Yu Chen paled as he watched Yan Ziqi pedal backwards, narrowly avoiding an attack from the wolf as it moved with blinding speed, smashing through all the defenses the artificer could throw up.


    The wolf''s one red eye must have been a sign of a bloodline technique, a rare and powerful ability that only certain spirit beasts ever possessed. If that was true the danger in this fight had just skyrocketed, and he began to worry about whether they¡¯d survive.


    Yan Ziqi¡¯s face tightened, turning into a rictus of rage and frustration as he was forced to retreat.


    ¡°Enough!¡± He finally shouted as he viciously bit his thumb and waved it around, sending blood flying across the clearing. The air fell still, and even the leaves on the trees around them ceased their rustling as the artificer activated a secret technique of his own. His aura rose up, soaring more furiously than ever before as it rose high enough to pierce the canopy above them.


    Yan Ziqi flung out an arm, and for a brief moment it appeared as though a single steel wing had materialized out of nowhere, his floating armory appearing behind him. Powerful weapons of every shape and size hung from the thin crescent of steel that swept towards the sky in a graceful arc, any one of which would be a worthy companion for a Foundation Establishment expert.


    ¡°Ravage.¡±


    Yan Ziqi practically spit the word out, grinding his teeth as he said it.


    Powerful daggers fell from the steel crescent like feathers, each one radiating a wicked energy as they spun up into a vicious vortex, surrounding the beast and swallowing it whole.


    The daggers found flesh, and howls of pain rang out from the center of the tornado as the whirling blades sliced the poor wolf to shreds.


    It¡¯s over.


    Something strange occurred as the thought crossed his mind. Yu Chen frowned, staring closer at the whirling tornado of death. An odd, silvery light had formed at its cente-


    Another howl rose up from the center of the storm, but this time it sounded neither angry nor pained. Somehow it was more soulful, a melancholic sound of yearning and loss that cut right to the core of Yu Chen.


    The boy fell to his knees, blinking in confusion as he raised a hand to grasp at his chest. He ached from the inside, as though something had reached into him and swiped a cruel claw across the very essence of his being.


    He watched in stupefaction as the daggers fell out of the sky one by one, landing with a soft thud on the carpeted floor of the forest around them.


    It took a force of will to turn his head to the side, where he found that Sun Yuan had also collapsed nearby. His knuckles were white as he clawed at the dirt, lying nearly supine upon the ground, and tears dripped from eyes that were filled with an intense sense of pain and loss.


    Yan Ziqi stumbled nearby, but managed to stay on his feet, holding his forehead as he wavered back and forth. A thin trickle of blood poured out of his nose, backlash from a technique that¡¯d been forcibly broken.


    Yu Chen turned, seeing the wolf regarding them. A complicated but regal expression crossed its face, and this time it was the one silver eye that was alight. The crimson one had faded, leaving the eye dull and lifeless, but the other had become bright enough for two. The rage seemed to have left it, and a mournful expression crossed its face as it strode forward, intent on finishing the job.


    Not one, but two.


    A grim chuckle escaped his lips, and he didn¡¯t even bother to curse his luck. What were the chances that a Stage Two beast had awakened two bloodline techniques? There was no doubt the beast would reach Stage Three one day, ruling over the entire island.


    They¡¯d just had the misfortune to cross it. Yu Chen clenched his fist as he watched death approach.


    A bolt of blue lightning appeared, striking the black wolf without warning. It let out a pained yelp as it was sent tumbling across the forest floor, smoke rising from its fur. Two more bolts struck in quick succession, each one sending wolves flying as explosions of dirt and rock showered the clearing. Only afterwards did the noise come, a loud crack rolling over the clearing to signal the violence that had already occurred.


    The remaining wolves broke and ran, fleeing in panic from the strange attacks, even as their leader rolled back to its feet. It regarded them for half a second, its gaze unwilling, but the panicked barks of its mate won over in the end, sending it retreating with the rest.


    Yu Chen let out a low sigh of relief as he looked around, seeing three arrows buried deep in the dirt, their ends knocked with strange feathers he¡¯d never before seen.

 Confluence: Chapter 15 - Barbarian from the West

    It was dumb luck and sheer chance that had washed Serbo au Serbo, a cultivator from the western wastes, onto the shore of the uninhabited isle instead of at the bottom of the yellow river where he rightly belonged.


    It hadn¡¯t been chance, however, that had caused the ship he¡¯d been traveling on to capsize. No, that had been sheer stupidity, the sort of inevitable result you really should expect when hitching a ride with a captain who had no business helming a ship, let alone navigating one through a riverstorm.


    Unfortunately, Serbo au Serbo hadn¡¯t known any better, having never seen the river a day in his life. Or any stream thicker than his own piss for that matter.


    He was a stranger to these indolent lands, lush with green life that had grown fat on the riches of water. His home was elsewhere, a place where only the strong survived and the yellow river was but a dream of a dream. Somewhere far away, beneath a scorching sun that had turned the earth into a cracked and barren wasteland. A place where water was a commodity, and titanic beasts roamed the land, shaking the ground with every step.


    It most certainly wasn¡¯t out here with these, these, these¡­


    Wetlanders.


    The river and the plants weren¡¯t the only thing full of water out here. The very air itself was full of moisture, as were the men who lived in these places. Sweat, they called it, as if it was normal for a man to simply leak water. Their skin was smooth and supple, and they had a habit of constantly sweating. They reminded him of a child¡¯s nappy, so full of water that it practically poured from their bodies just like the dripping cloths his mother used to pull off his brother.


    Not to mention, the few he¡¯d spoken to had had the intelligence to match.


    The comparison rolled through his head as he stared down at the idiots fumbling their hunt down below.


    Serbo au Serbo could only come to a single conclusion.


    Too much water makes the brain weak.


    He couldn¡¯t help but grunt in disappointment as the wolf howled, unleashing a spiritual attack that cut through all three of the cultivators, dropping them like flies.


    Stupid.


    He might have done a disservice in comparing them with children. Even the smallest in the Serbo tribe knew enough to hone their spirits. After all, if they didn¡¯t, the titans roaming their lands would be all too happy to snatch up their souls.


    He knew knee high children who could¡¯ve taken that attack without blinking. His little brother would have taken it with a smile and struck back even harder.


    A smile crossed his lips at the thought of the little Serbo, only four feet tall but all hellfire and gumption. He¡¯d lead the hunt one day as the chief of the tribe, having formed his foundation at not even half of his brother¡¯s age.


    Serbo au Serbo might be the eldest, but he was the reject of the tribe, replaceable enough to send out into the world to attend some tournament and earn a bit of glory for the Serbo tribe. Something he couldn¡¯t do while stuck on this island.


    After weeks of waiting, it looked like a way off had finally arrived.


    It might have been chance that had washed Serbo au Serbo up onto this island, but it was an entirely different sort of chance that had brought the three young cultivators to an island they should have never visited.


    And that sort of chance was a fickle thing, the result of one small change that had reverberated through time, setting into motion a series of events that should have never occurred.


    A shocking aura flared to life around Serbo au Serbo, erupting for a single brief instant before he tightly restrained it. He pulled the beasthair string back to his ear and a light creak came as the hornbow he held flexed dangerously far.


    Bright blue lights raced across the arrow, crackling with a formidable energy.


    He breathed out.


    The arrow left the string, racing across the intervening space like lightning to strike the black wolf. His hands blurred and two more followed, sending the rest of the wolves scattering in fear.


    Serbo au Serbo let out a snort as he watched them run off into the woods yelping.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen pushed himself to his feet as the wolves ran away.


    He had to pause for a second, barely able to keep standing as an intense wave of nausea washed over him. Nope. nope, no- He bent over as the sensation overwhelmed him, vomiting onto the forest floor before raising a trembling hand to wipe his mouth.


    Physically he was fine, mostly so at least. There were some scratches and bites, but the wolves had been unable to penetrate the fine weave of his robes, leaving him covered mostly in bruises. His body simply ached, but his very spirit radiated with pain. He felt as though someone had skinned away the very edge of his being, turning every inch of him raw and sensitive to the slightest change.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He tapped his spatial pouch, all the movement he could muster, letting out a sigh of relief when the soul-cleansing jade appeared, emitting a soothing energy that spread out around him. The pain dissipated a notch, and he felt as though his spirit had been wrapped in a mother¡¯s warm embrace.


    Once his head finally stopped spinning, he cast a glance down at Sun Yuan. The boy was still bent over, his hands tightly clenched into the soft earth of the forest floor. Yu Chen kneeled down, placing the piece of jade between them, so the other boy would receive some of its healing energies.


    The soft crunching of leaves entered his ears as Yan Ziqi made his way over, collapsing onto the ground beside them. He seemed to have taken the attack a bit better than the other two, but his face was still pale, his nostrils bloody from the backlash of energy he¡¯d received.


    ¡°Damned mutts.¡± The boy cursed uncharacteristically, as he wiped at his face with the sleeve of his robe.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll return?¡± Yu Chen asked, after some moments had passed.


    Sun Yuan didn¡¯t respond, or even looked up, continuing to stare at the ground. Between the three of them he¡¯d received the worst of it, having been attacked while his spirit was still in the process of healing.


    ¡°Right now, I¡¯m more concerned with that.¡± Yan Ziqi said, nodding towards one of the arrows sticking out of the dirt.


    Yu Chen nodded as well, casting a wary glance around the clearing. He could only hope their mysterious benefactor was friendly and hadn¡¯t saved them for some nefarious purpose.


    Not that they¡¯d be able to do much in any case.


    The wolf had done a number on them, possessing not one, but two bloodline abilities. Its red eye had sent it into a berserk state after activating, increasing its strength and speed, while its silver eye had formed a spiritual attack strong enough to harm all three of them and forcibly break Yan Ziqi¡¯s attack.


    It had also left them nearly defenseless.


    A large weight hit the ground nearby, jerking him from his thoughts. Yu Chen turned to see a wild savage standing in the center of the clearing, more beast than man.


    Yu Chen scrambled to his feet, worry shooting through him at the sight of the strange man, but it was tinged with shock as he realized the man met his gaze at eye level.


    The stranger was basically the same height as Yu Chen, and his shoulders had the breadth and depth to match. His arms were massive, corded with dense muscle, and his bare chest was well defined. The skin he kept covered was wrapped in the furs of unknown spirit beasts, giving him a barbarous appearance. He¡¯d shorn his hair close to the scalp, and large hoops of some unknown metal pierced his ears.


    For the first time in a long time, Yu Chen had met a man he couldn¡¯t look down on, and a powerful one at that. Not even the slightest hint of qi escaped from his form, but Yu Chen still recognized the dense aura his body emitted, stronger even than his own.


    Yan Ziqi had jumped up, standing alongside him, and even Sun Yuan struggled to his feet, casting a suspicious glance towards the barbarian.


    The savage looked around at them, small wrinkles appearing around his eyes as his mouth stretched into a smile far wider than it had any right to be.


    ¡°The wolves give you trouble, eh wetlanders?¡± The man said, his deep voice rolling with rhythmic intonations as he waved his hand in what Yu Chen assumed was intended as a friendly gesture.


    The gesture, like the smile that had revealed a strong set of teeth bookended by sharp canines, did little to make them feel comfortable. It was hard to feel safe when the man was a picture of violence, countless scars crisscrossing skin that shone like burnished copper under the sun.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t let down his guard, casting a hesitant glance sideways at Yan Ziqi. The older boy regarded the barbarian with a frown, looking as though he were trying to work out a puzzle.


    ¡°That was you then?¡± Yan Ziqi asked, nodding towards the arrows.


    The barbarian nodded as he began to move around, picking up his arrows.


    ¡°Thank you for coming to our aid, but why did you help us?¡± Yan Ziqi asked. Although his tone was measured, his eyes were narrowed as he looked towards the strange man.


    "What? You think Serbo au Serbo lets little wetlanders fall to wolves?" The barbarian said, looking aghast as he tugged an arrow out of the dirt.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Sun Yuan said in a hard voice, clutching at his side as he straightened up. ¡°Frankly, most would.¡±


    Serbo muttered something under his breath, speaking in a guttural language Yu Chen couldn¡¯t understand. He paused, and when he spoke again it was in the common tongue, his words halting, but full of disgust.


    ¡°This¡­¡± He shook his head, exhaling sharply. ¡°If hunt fails, tribe dies. What man not help?¡± He shook his head in wonder as he held an arrow up, examining it.


    ¡°Wetlanders.¡± Serbo sighed.


    Sun Yuan grip tightened on his weapon, not buying the words.


    Serbo looked over, frowning at the boy.


    ¡°Ah!¡± The barbarian said, scratching his head as he looked them over. ¡°You want fight? Serbo au Serbo not recommend.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s face paled as the energy of a Foundation Establishment cultivator crashed over them, far stronger than Yan Ziqi¡¯s.


    ¡°No.¡± Yu Chen said, his face paling. ¡°I don¡¯t think we do.¡±


    He nudged Sun Yuan and the other boy dropped his saber, hurrying to agree.


    ¡°Good!¡± The barbarian said, his aura disappearing as he cast a beaming smile across them. ¡°Come, come, little wetlanders follow, yes? You need rest.¡±


    ¡°First, heal.¡± Serbo said as he began to move, waving at them to follow. ¡°Later, you tell Serbo why you come visit island.¡±


    The three of them exchanged glances, and though they didn¡¯t speak a silent understanding passed between them. They didn¡¯t have much choice but to follow the strange man. After all, they were dead if the wolves decided to return.


    Yu Chen and Yan Ziqi stood, but Sun Yuan was wavering on his feet. He¡¯d be useless in a fight, and while most of his wounds had ceased bleeding, they¡¯d reopen at the slightest exertion. Both his body and spirit were on the edge of collapse.


    Yan Ziqi gave a small nod as the barbarian looked back to see if they followed, seemingly oblivious to their silent conversation.


    ¡°We¡¯ll follow you then,¡± The artificer said.


    ¡°Good!¡± Serbo exclaimed. ¡°You feel better soon, after Serbo au Serbo cooks you a meal!"

 Confluence: Chapter 16 - Culinary Contemplations

    Serbo au Serbo was true to his word.


    The rich scent of cookery filled the air, mingling with the smoke pouring off the roaring fire. Its flickering light sent long shadows dancing across the hard lines and raised ridges of the barbarian¡¯s muscles as he worked, tossing various ingredients into the pot of boiling water hanging above the flames.


    All the while he muttered under his breath in a guttural language Yu Chen couldn¡¯t understand. A handful of root vegetables went in first, followed by fresh herbs. The bright green leaves released a burst of fragrance as they hit the pot, making Yu Chen¡¯s mouth water and his stomach rumble.


    Usually, as cultivators grew stronger, they didn¡¯t need to eat as often. However, Yu Chen was a body cultivator, and still ate as much as he had as a mortal - more even. It was necessary, if he was to keep up with the energy his body constantly expended.


    Someone like Sun Yuan, who was in the same realm but hadn¡¯t tempered his physique, could go all day without eating and it wouldn¡¯t bother him too much. Yan Ziqi, on the other hand, might go days without feeling hungry, or even weeks, given a couple fasting pills. His body would eventually begin demanding nutrients, however, and he¡¯d have to eat something.


    Yu Chen had also acquired a taste for food rich in spiritual energy. His eyes were drawn to the big haunches of meat rotating on a nearby spit. A tray had been placed beneath them, catching all the juices that bubbled to the surface. Every few minutes Serbo would pick up a little mop and dip it into the bowl of drippings, daubing at the meat with the care of an artist and ensuring that every inch was moist and glistening.


    The wind changed directions, and Yu Chen pressed closer to the fire as a wave of cool night air passed over him. He looked down at Sun Yuan as he shifted in his sleep, shivering. The other boy was practically comatose, as they¡¯d laid him as close to the fire as they could. He¡¯d collapsed on their way up the mountain, and Yan Ziqi had been forced to carry him the rest of the way.


    He was doing slightly better now, after they¡¯d shoved some pills down his throat. His breathing had stabilized, and Yu Chen could see his nose twitch every time the smell of food rolled over him.


    Lan She was also nearby, her body coiled on a warm rock near the fire. She¡¯d been radiating with contentment ever since the fight, and even now their bond was filled with a warm feeling of satisfaction. Surprisingly the soul attack seemed to have had little effect on her. Perhaps it was a side effect of the binding, or perhaps she was simply stronger in that aspect, Yu Chen really couldn¡¯t say.


    He turned his head, looking towards the last member of their party. Yan Ziqi sat a bit away from the rest of them, his face half shadowed in darkness as he stared at the ground. He¡¯d always been the quiet type, more inclined to spend time with his own thoughts than in the company of others, but he¡¯d been more taciturn than usual since the fight. He hadn¡¯t spoken to anyone during the last several hours.


    Yu Chen could practically see the wheels turning as he sat there deep in thought, his furrowed brows a sure sign that he was worrying at a problem.


    He knew what the issue was, and it had nothing to do with Serbo or Sun Yuan or even their current situation. No, it was something much deeper and more personal. He¡¯d been forced to grapple with his own mortality in the face of that final attack, and he¡¯d felt the specter of death approach him in the form of a wolf whose one bright eye glowed with a terrible silver light.


    Yan Ziqi was an artificer after all, and for most of his life he¡¯d lived in relative safety, working on his craft. Under Elder Ming¡¯s protection, how many times had he really had to fight for his own life? Even if he was alone, thanks to the elder, he¡¯d always possessed some means of escape. He¡¯d never truly had to look death in the eyes with no way out.


    Yu Chen had.


    He¡¯d felt that same feeling himself, many times. Nowadays, he welcomed death like an old friend, and when he felt it calling he greeted it with recognition. There was a kinship there, a familiarity. One that he didn¡¯t want to think too deeply about.


    Serbo au Serbo seemed immune to the atmosphere around him, and began to sing as he cooked, the words resonating oddly in that guttural language of his. He¡¯d gotten a hold of a mortar and pestle at some point, and a peppery aroma floated across the wind as he ground away at something within.


    Yu Chen turned, warming the other side of his body against the fire as he watched Serbo grab a large pinch of whatever was inside. He set the mortar down, using two thick fingers to sprinkle the strange spice all over the meat as he turned it. Finished, he dusted his hands off, giving the pot a quick stir before hurrying over to flip the bread he was baking on the hot stones surrounding the fire.


    Yu Chen had to admit the man was a talented cook, going through his motions with an easy grace.


    The sun had long since sunk below the horizon, and he leaned back, letting Serbo¡¯s strange song wash over him as he stared up at the stars scattered across the sky. The moon was large tonight, and B¨¬ L¨²n, the green eye rotating around it, appeared particularly bright and unusually close to the earth.


    As strange as it was, Yu Chen felt some connection to that distant sphere, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel safer beneath its watchful eye.


    He chuckled at his own silly thoughts. Leaning over, he picked up a rock, running it through his fingers before flinging it away. Of all the things within heaven and earth, what were the odds he was the one it was looking out for?


    Yu Chen stood up, walking away from the others as he went to relieve himself. It turned out Serbo¡¯s base was nothing more than a little cave tucked away in a crevice halfway up the mountain they¡¯d spent the day approaching, and he had to travel a fair bit to find some privacy.


    A small frown crossed his face as his thoughts turned towards the strange man.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Serbo might be slightly odd, but Yu Chen hadn¡¯t sensed any ill will from him. He¡¯d also saved their lives, and that went a long way in Yu Chen¡¯s book. He¡¯d tried talking to the man after arriving at his home, but Serbo simply grunted something about eating first.


    Yu Chen¡¯s nose twitched as the rich scent of roasting meat reached him. Licking his lips he finished up, adjusting his robes before heading back towards the fire.


    He¡¯d never eaten wolf before, but he couldn¡¯t wait to try it.


    A dried flake of blood fell off as he idly scratched his nose, and he watched it fall with a grimace. No, he certainly wouldn¡¯t mind eating a wolf.


    Thankfully the fight hadn¡¯t injured him too much, outside of the attack that flayed his soul. Most of his collection of bruises and scrapes had already disappeared, healing completely. Some of the deeper gouges still remained, but even those would be gone by the morning.


    He made it back and collapsed by the fire, watching as the strange barbarian put the finishing touches on the meal. The smell coming off it was so nice that even Sun Yuan stirred, cracking an eye halfway open as he took a blurry look around the rocky outcropping.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± He asked, sounding almost delirious.


    ¡°We¡¯re halfway up the mountain. It turns out Serbo¡¯s been living up here.¡± Yu Chen said, nodding towards the muscle bound man pulling the pot off the fire. ¡°You should sit up and eat something.¡±


    Sun Yuan sat up with a groan, raising a hand to rub at his aching forehead. The pill they¡¯d given him had done wonders, and most of his wounds had healed over as well. Still, it couldn¡¯t replace all of the blood he¡¯d lost. He might be a bit dizzy for the next few days, but there would be no long term effects.


    ¡°So we¡¯re safe?¡± Sun Yuan asked, looking around, and though his gaze lingered on the savage by the fire it wasn¡¯t as harsh as it once was.


    ¡°Safe enough.¡± Yu Chen said with a shrug, as he picked up the piece of jade he¡¯d sat by the fire, staring into its mirror-like surface. Not only did the soothing aura it emitted help heal them, it also went a long way towards balancing the tensions in the camp.


    They all felt better in its presence. Not that it showed on Yan Ziqi face.


    His thoughts were interrupted as Serbo brought over the food, carrying a massive metal platter he¡¯d pulled from somewhere. It was overflowing with piles of piping hot flatbreads, haunches of roasted meat and bowls full of some indistinguishable soup that nevertheless smelled amazing.


    Serbo au Serbo didn¡¯t say anything else as he set the food down, bowing his head low for half a heart beat before tearing into it, eating with his bare hands. He gripped a bowl of soup in one hand, and tore apart pieces of flatbread with the other, using them to scoop up the slow cooked meat.


    His eating was loud and unabashed, punctuated by noisy sips from his bowl between bites. Shock crossed Yu Chen¡¯s face as Serbo dipped his whole hand into the bowl of broth, meat and bread alike. Shoving the sopping thing into his mouth, he sucked at his fingers with a childish glee.


    It was quite a savage way of eating. Yu Chen had come from a peasant family and even their manners had been more refined than that. Although he had to admit, as Serbo grabbed a now bare bone and broke it in two, greedily sucking out the marrow within, that it did look good.


    And it smelled so delicious. Yu Chen hesitantly reached forward, grabbing a piece of the flatbread for himself, before wrapping it around some of the meat. With a shrug of his shoulder he took a bite, his eyes widening in surprise the explosion of flavor spreading through his mouth.


    The meat was smoky, and heavily spiced, far beyond what he was used to. It was peppery and earthy, and every note complimented the rest, blending together in a symphony of flavors.


    He hurried to pull some to the side for Lan She.


    Sun Yuan joined in after watching the speed with which the snake devoured her portion. Yan Ziqi was the last to join, and while he still didn¡¯t speak he ate without hesitation.


    Yu Chen thought the wolf was slightly gamy, but the spices covered it well. Although they made his nose burn and caused his sinuses to open up. Even so, he couldn¡¯t stop eating. The taste was addictive and he even began to find the spicy heat enjoyable.


    The soup was more mellow, and he could see why the barbarian sipped it after every bite. It paired perfectly with the meal, cutting the heat of the spicy mixture.


    They ate in silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. It didn¡¯t take long until the platter was nothing more than cracked bones and empty bowls, without even a scrap of flatbread remaining.


    Yu Chen leaned back with a comfortable sigh, his belly tight and full. He rubbed his stomach, feeling the constant stream of energy nourishing him as the food digested.


    Serbo picked at his teeth, shadows moving across his face in the light of the flickering fire.


    ¡°We talk now, yes?¡± The big man said, one muscled arm laying atop an unraised knee. ¡°Why you come to island?¡±


    Sun Yuan didn¡¯t say anything. He was snoring, having already fallen back asleep. Yu Chen looked towards Yan Ziqi, but the older boy just waved his hand, gesturing for Yu Chen to speak.


    Yu Chen turned back to Serbo, who was observing them with interest. More than a hint of intelligence lurked in the man¡¯s eyes. The barbarian might be strong, but that didn¡¯t mean he was a fool.


    ¡°Cultivation.¡±


    Yu Chen said as he met the man¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Two of us are close to a breakthrough and we¡¯d prefer not to risk it on the river.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡± Serbo said, nodding his head in agreement. ¡°Sensible, for wetlanders.¡±


    ¡°Er, yes.¡± Yu Chen said.


    Wetlanders? Yu Chen hadn¡¯t paid it any mind when he¡¯d heard it before. What does he mean by that?


    ¡°Why are you on this island?¡± Yu Chen asked in return. ¡°Do you live here?¡±


    Serbo au Serbo let out a deep belly laugh, before suddenly growing serious.


    ¡°No. Serbo is stranger here. Serbo was crossing river many days ago,¡± he opened and closed his palms rapidly as he spoke, spreading his fingers wide each time. ¡°When storm hit,¡± he made a sudden motion, smacking his palms together with a sharp crack. ¡°Everyone else gone, but Serbo somehow wake up here, still alive.¡±


    Yu Chen leaned back, and from the corner of his eye he saw Yan Ziqi listening with interest, clearly intrigued by the barbarian¡¯s story.


    ¡°Serbo help wetlanders.¡± The barbarian said, his shadow lengthening behind him as he leaned forward. ¡°Wetlanders help Serbo, yes?¡±


    Yu Chen frowned at the words, stroking his chin as he glanced towards Yan Ziqi, who still hadn¡¯t said anything.


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± The artificer finally spoke, absently playing with a tool in his lap. ¡°Where are you trying to go? We are heading towards Baixian city, but we could drop you off anywhere along the way.¡±


    ¡°Baixian¡­¡± The barbarian said slowly, as though he were tasting the word. ¡°Ah!¡± His eyes suddenly lit up.


    ¡°There is tournament there, yes?¡± Serbo said, a wide smile crossing his face.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Yan Ziqi said, slowly drawing out the words. ¡°There is a tournament in Baixian city, the Immortal Fate Assembly, where the greatest cultivators on the river gather together.¡±


    Serbo au Serbo was nodding his head in enthusiasm as the artificer spoke.


    ¡°Good! You take Serbo, yes?¡± The barbarian said, flashing them one of his extra wide smiles. ¡±Serbo win big tournament, bringing glory to Serbo¡¯s everywhere!¡±


    This time it was Yan Ziqi who looked towards Yu Chen, gauging his thoughts.


    Yu Chen tilted his head, chewing on his lip as he thought about it. In the end he couldn¡¯t see any reason to say no. Looking up, he gave the artificer a nod.


    ¡°The river is dan-¡° Yan Ziqi began warning the barbarian, but the words died in his throat as the man shifted position. The man was a mass of coiled muscles and covered with more scars than anyone else present.


    ¡°Well,¡± Yan Ziqi said with a sigh. ¡°Give us a few days. We still need to recover and perform our breakthroughs. But when we leave this island I promise there will be room for you onboard.¡±


    Yu Chen missed the satisfied gleam that passed through Serbo au Serbo¡¯s eyes.

 Confluence: Chapter 17 - Earth Tempering

    The next few days passed in a blur.


    Sun Yuan awoke the next morning feeling better, and it wasn¡¯t too much longer before he was back to his old self. Serbo on the other hand would disappear during the day, nowhere to be found, but he¡¯d return every night to cook for them, making small talk about his time on the island.


    Yu Chen had to admit the barbarian¡¯s way of cooking had grown on him.


    Yan Ziqi spent his time in meditation, focusing his spirit and stabilizing his mind in preparation to take his pill. Physically he was fine, but the fight with the wolf had affected him mentally, so he took the time to work through his thoughts, lest a heart demon rise up to interfere with his cultivation.


    He entered the cave once he was ready, while Yu Chen and the others stood guard outside, ensuring nothing interfered with his tempering process. Yan Ziqi¡¯s pained grunts could faintly be heard from within, an undercurrent to the ringing sound of smashing hammers that poured out from within the cave.


    Yu Chen could see why Lu Tao had called it the Spirit Forging pill. The other boy had only swallowed a bit of medicine, but it sounded as though an entire smithy was hard at work within the cave. Heat gradually built up in the rocks around them, until the entire area grew uncomfortably hot, despite the cool weather of fall.


    With a final bang, a wave of heat billowed forth from the cave, and a long moment passed as they waited there in silence. Yan Ziqi¡¯s battered form eventually appeared, his torn robes and bare flesh covered in a layer of black sludge. He gave them a crooked smile, but Yu Chen could see a new strength behind his eyes, and he emitted a dense aura that wasn¡¯t too far off from the strange barbarian¡¯s.


    The artificer disappeared to wash his body. Yu Chen gave a small sigh, entering the cave himself.


    He cast a quick glance around, but it was nothing more than what he¡¯d expected, a simple stone cavern barely large enough for him to meditate in peace. Lowering himself onto the stone floor he exhaled, relaxing as he centered himself.


    He gave his spatial pouch a light tap, and a brown pill flew out and landed in his hand. Looking down, he rolled the shiny pill between his fingers as he contemplated it. It was heavy in his hand, and although it had only been a second a strange scent had emerged, tickling his nose. The smell was somewhere between that of freshly turned clay and dusty rock, although there were hints of things stranger still lurking somewhere within.


    Lu Tao hadn¡¯t lied when he had said it was a potent source of earth qi. There seemed to be little else to it, the pill appearing as though the alchemist had managed to condense the very essence of the earth itself into a small lozenge.


    Staring at the pill, he contemplated the journey that had brought him to this point.


    In some ways he¡¯d already lived two lives and was well into his third. The first had been that of a hapless shepherd¡¯s son, dreaming of nothing more than a flock of his own and an eventual marriage. The second had been his time in the sect, where he¡¯d practiced basic martial arts while grasping his first thin thread of qi.


    He¡¯d come a long way since then.


    Months had passed since he¡¯d fled the secret realm, traveling halfway across an empire and many times that distance up the Yellow River. In that time, he¡¯d seen things that beggared belief, such as Golden Core cultivators strong enough to affect reality itself.


    He¡¯d fought formidable beasts along the way, and found allies he could trust to watch his back. However, one thing had become clear. He desperately needed to become stronger.


    He tossed the pill into his mouth and resolutely swallowed it.


    It exploded into energy as soon as it reached his stomach, sending dense, roiling earth qi spilling out to infuse his body, causing startling changes to occur, beginning with his extremities. Yu Chen felt panic rise up as he realized that his fingers and toes had begun to go numb, followed by his ears and his nose. The feeling gradually spread to his hands and feet before sinking in towards the core of his body.


    He couldn¡¯t help the startled gasp that escaped him as he looked down and saw the state of his hands in his lap. His fingers were reminiscent of the stone of the cavern he was sitting in, and the strange malaise continued to spread even as he watched, moving at a rate that was visible to the eye.


    What he found most surprising, however, was the lack of pain, even as his body changed form. It was as if he¡¯d simply lost sensation in those parts of his body, unable to feel anything. Frowning, he tried to twitch his fingers, but they ignored him, stubbornly refusing his command.


    The dense sensation of earth qi began to overwhelm him as it reached his throat, and he felt as if he were suffocating in its thick, acrid presence that threatened to completely engulf him in its rocky embrace. His thoughts raced as his body literally turned to stone before him. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what would possess someone to commission such a pill, but he knew that the world of cultivation was stranger than he could imagine.


    Maybe it was useful to someone in some way, or maybe it was just another poison pill.


    It was said that medicine and poison were simply two sides of the same coin. But this saying also meant that if you knew the way, even something that was meant to poison another could be used to your advantage. Fortunately, Yu Chen knew such a way.


    He didn¡¯t wait for the petrification to progress any further. He already felt a strange sort of desperation as the pill continued to work its magic, turning more and more of his body into unfeeling stone. Taking in a deep breath, he banished his fears and worries and activated the Yellow River Tempering Technique, harnessing the rampaging earth qi that permeated his body.


    The energy resisted him of course. The energy had been infused into the pill with a purpose, having been created to perform a specific task that it stubbornly sought to accomplish. Xiao Huang¡¯s technique was truly tyrannical however, not caring not one bit about the wishes of an unthinking pill.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    It seized the energy with all the ease of a mother cat dealing with a wayward kitten, it grabbed it firmly by the scruff of the neck and gently guided it towards a new direction.


    Under the watchful eye of the technique, the earth qi found a new purpose and began to reshape his body instead of simply turning him to stone.


    Yu Chen became nothing more than iron in the forge, the earth aspected energy only the latest in a series of hammers designed to drive the impurities from him, the energy pressing down on him with all the weight of a mountain, dense, heavy, and unyielding.


    The pressure grew as it surrounded his body, crushing it in an iron grip. He felt like he was being squeezed, his form compressing as the muscles across his chest and arms lost some of their thickness and his waist slimmed half an inch. The breadth of his shoulders remained unchanged however, as did his height - the power of the technique doing nothing to affect his actual bone structure.


    For now, at least.


    That was when the second phase began, and Yu Chen let out a low groan, although he surprisingly felt little pain. Despite that he somehow knew that he should. Oh yes, he should. However, the petrification pill had served to dull his nerves and deaden his senses, leaving him almost incapable of perceiving the torment his body was enduring.


    During this stage the earth energy suffusing him with all the weight of the world fractured, splintering into dozens and then hundreds of different forces that rubbed against each other, sending intense vibrations reverberating throughout his body where they came in contact.


    They shifted against each other like great tectonic forces, in some places pressing against each other like ethereal subduction zones, and in others the forces diverged, leaving behind wide gaps. In some places where they touched, they merely slid horizontally against each other, creating a series of conflicting pressures that remodeled his body.


    This was the point where the true power of the yellow river tempering technique was revealed, as the lingering fire qi in his body became aroused, flaring up before being forcibly drawn into the technique, where it mixed with the earthen energy within him to form something new. Yu Chen was entranced, watching in fascination as the new energy bubbled beneath the surface, the volatile fury of the fiery qi turning the solid earthen qi into something liquidic.


    It rose up, rushing into the gaps where the forces diverged with a furious force where it filled them with earthen qi that began to rapidly cool.


    Elsewhere, the cool earthen energy would liquify as it was subducted beneath itself, pushed deeper into his body where more of the fiery qi still lurked. The newly liquid earth qi would shoot back up towards the surface, spreading across his skin where the process would end and begin again.


    This would happen over and over again. The earthen qi provided by the pill seemed to be nearly endless, continuing long past the point where the fiery qi remaining in his body had burned away. However, the fiery tempering he¡¯d undergone before had left him with an internal flame all his own, and it constantly emitted a small amount of fiery qi that was just enough to keep the process going.


    Yu Chen was hardly able to sense anything while this all was happening, and with no idea of when the process would come to an end he retreated further into himself, focusing on the rampaging earth energy that continued to flow through his body, reforming him.


    He frowned, concentrating on the energy alone and tuning everything else out. For the first time during a tempering, no insights arose, the Concept of Earth continuing to elude his grasp. He didn¡¯t let that stop him however, taking in a deep breath as he meditated on the sensation of the earthly energy that had slowly encased his body, preventing him from moving.


    He could feel something there, just beyond his reach, but he couldn¡¯t quite grasp it, despite his focus.


    Yu Chen let out a soft cry as a wild surge of earthen energy arose, before disappearing as his senses, his understanding, and his very being, became one with the earth. For an endless moment he felt as though he¡¯d become rooted in place, and everything became so very obvious.


    The essence of the earth was stability, remaining grounded no matter the circumstances. If one could embody that they¡¯d become immovable and clear minded, able to maintain their composure in the face of any adversity.


    It was resilient, and despite all that came and went it endured. Even in the face of complete destruction it would return, unable to be entirely destroyed. Fiery energies might liquify it, and watery ones may erode it, but once they¡¯d run their course the earth would return, as unbothered and impassive as ever. Merely touching on this aspect would allow one to survive that which would destroy anyone else.


    There was a weight to the earth, a density that spoke to its reliable nature. More than any other, it was substantial, its presence something real and concrete. A quiet, unyielding power radiated from it, representing a strength and confidence few could match.


    Earth was Solid.


    It was all things that never took center stage, cavorting about for the attention of others. It didn¡¯t have to, for when you pulled back you realized that it was the very stage itself, something so large and grand that it dwarfed whatever else was placed upon it, and in doing so escaped notice, despite its ubiquitous nature.


    It was like paper to an artist, or space to a musician. It was the blank canvas upon which all things lived and died, breathed and dreamed, laughed and loved.


    Yu Chen felt that it was deep beyond all others, although that might simply reflect how deeply engrossed he¡¯d truly become. To him the earth was something that overshadowed all else, and even the mighty yellow river was nothing more than a feature upon it.


    He slowly awoke from his thoughts, almost before he realized it, letting out a slow breath as his lungs took in a deep gasp of air. Blinking, he looked around, feeling the changes that had come over his body.


    The earthly forces had come to a halt, having finally run their course, and the last remaining bits of energy seeped deep beneath his skin to rest until the day came where they¡¯d be called upon once more.


    Standing up, he wrinkled his nose, smelling the scent of the thick impurities that had sloughed off his skin. Thankfully he¡¯d had the presence of mind to remove his robes before beginning, although he doubted the fine weave would be affected by such a thing.


    He was once again left wondering where all the detritus had come from, but the question disappeared as he examined his body. He was definitely thinner than he¡¯d been before, although not dramatically so, and though his body was leaner and less bulky it weighed nearly the same. All of that weight had been packed into a smaller form, making him much denser, although he still felt lithe and limber despite it.


    Flexing one arm, he watched as the muscles expanded to an impressive size, at least the equal of what he¡¯d possessed before, but now they were as dense and fibrous as hard-packed clay. The earthen energy had seeped into his bones as well, hardening them past the strongest stones, and it had also flooded his meridians, ensuring their stability no matter how much energy he poured into them.


    This fourth tempering had done the impossible, pushing his body further than any cultivator had the right to expect. He knew the dense force radiating from him was stronger even than Yan Ziqi¡¯s, who was an entire stage above, and no less than Serbo au Serbo¡¯s, a powerful body cultivator in his own right.


    A grim smile crossed Yu Chen¡¯s face.


    This wasn¡¯t the end. After all, he still had two more to go.

 Confluence: Chapter 18 - Once again on the River

    Their last night on the island passed in relative peace, the four boys each lost in thoughts of their own.


    Serbo au Serbo was the most relaxed in the group. He¡¯d fallen asleep almost as soon as he¡¯d finished eating, right there on the hard ground where he sat, snoozing away in the open air without a care in the world.


    Sun Yuan sat up with the others a little longer, but he didn¡¯t say much either, staring into the dying embers of the fire for a long while before curling into a ball and falling asleep. Yan Ziqi followed soon after, and in the end, Yu Chen found himself alone.


    A gust of cold wind passed over them, and the last flames of the fire flickered before going out completely. It had reached the end of its life, and the warmth that had once radiated from it had already begun to fade, until its once lively presence was nothing more than an old memory, like all the other things Yu Chen had left behind.


    It was hard not to feel melancholic on nights like tonight, nights when he felt alone, despite being surrounded by the presence of other people. He looked around at the other three boys, each fast asleep in a world all their own.


    But, he wasn¡¯t alone anymore was he?


    He''d somehow managed to piece together a group with the strength and skills to reach Baixian City, and perhaps even further, towards whatever came next. Sun Yuan was a talented navigator who handled the ship like it was an extension of his own body, while Yan Ziqi was an expert artificer, capable of repairing any damage their ship could sustain.


    Yu Chen¡¯s gaze turned towards their newest addition, looking at the barbaric man peacefully snoring as he lay on the cold ground. Serbo au Serbo was a powerful fighter who loved to cook, and he¡¯d surely prove to be a valuable member on their journey upriver.


    Which left himself. What did Yu Chen bring to this rag-tag collection? He didn¡¯t have a particular skill like the others, and he wasn¡¯t the strongest in the group either. He grappled with the question as the air grew colder and the moon rose higher in the sky.


    His gaze crossed the others again, and a chuckle escaped his lips as a thought struck him. No, he might not be the strongest or the most skilled, but he had a power all his own, and it had nothing to do with brains or brawn.


    What he had was that ineffable something that people gravitated towards. He was the one who had pulled them together, dragging Sun Yuan from the taverns he¡¯d been wasting away within, and Yan Ziqi from the tiny workshop he¡¯d spent all his life within. Without him, Serbo au Serbo would still be stuck on a random island in the middle of nowhere, untold miles away from home and without the prospects to return.


    What Yu Chen brought was vision and purpose, leading them towards a destiny they could scarcely imagine, one he could scarcely imagine, though he saw it in his dreams at times. Visions of a massive tree, one that he¡¯d never seen before. Its trunk dwarfed the mountains beneath it, and its canopy overshadowed the land. Even the mighty yellow river was nothing before its majesty.


    Dragons and Phoenixes nestled within the branches of that mighty tree, alongside stranger things still, things Yu Chen would one day lead them to see.


    That was what Yu Chen brought to the group.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    They left early the next morning, departing the camp shortly after everyone had awoken. The walk back to the coast was relatively uneventful, and their journey through the forest was almost enjoyable without the wolves around that had plagued them on their way in.


    They eventually made it to the coast, white sands and yellow water appearing as they left the forest behind. Sun Yuan threw out his hand, a small model ship flying out from within his robes. Serbo watched with unabashed interest as Sun Yuan summoned the ship. The small model rapidly enlarged as it flew through the air, forming into a full-sized spirit vessel that was the equal of anything else sailing across the river. The ship fell into the water with a splash once it was fully grown, displacing a ton of water as it rocked back and forth in the shallows.


    The four of them jumped aboard, beginning their journey anew.


    They fell into a routine as they began traveling the river, the days passing one after the other as they pushed their way upriver. During this time, the barbarian proved himself a useful addition to the crew, taking only half a look at the galley before making himself at home.


    They were happy enough to leave him to it. They¡¯d grown attached to the barbarian¡¯s peculiar seasoning as time passed, but it turned out he knew more familiar ways in which to prepare food, having taken an interest in the cuisine of the places he¡¯d passed through.


    Serbo au Serbo turned out to have a particular fascination with fish as well, spending his evenings fishing above deck, seemingly delighted at the ease with which he could just pull food from the river. He seemed to be fascinated with finding new ways to cook them, but beyond that he passed time much the same as the rest of them.


    Except when it came to sparring. Serbo au Serbo turned out to be a demon in a fight, and he didn¡¯t have to be asked twice to join in. Or once for that matter. He¡¯d hurried forward the first morning he¡¯d seen Yu Chen and Sun Yuan battling across the deck, calling out to fight the winner.


    Which was how Yu Chen found himself standing across from the broad-shouldered man with his wide smile that showed each and every tooth, including his sharp canines.


    Good. The thought crossed his mind as he stared at the older boy, who he was happy enough to fight.


    In truth, sparring Sun Yuan hadn¡¯t been enough to really test him and show off what his newly tempered body was capable of. Their habit of sparring had helped the other boy improve his skills, but he was still far away from being able to take Yu Chen in a fair fight.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    However, if the dense aura radiating from Serbo au Serbo was anything to judge by, Yu Chen had found a whetstone to hone him.


    Yu Chen frowned as he stared at the boy across from him on the deck. Serbo appeared content to stand there patiently, forcing Yu Chen to make the first move.


    He was more than happy to oblige, bursting into sudden movement as he dashed towards the muscular boy, but Yu Chen felt that something was off. The realization came too late that Serbo had been calmly tracking his every move. If the barbarian found his speed at all surprising, the only noticeable sign was the slight quirk of his eyebrow as he leaned slightly, avoiding the punch coming his way.


    Instead, Yu Chen was the one who was surprised that his fist had missed so completely. He didn¡¯t hesitate, however, using the momentum of his punch as it pulled him forward. Stomping down hard with one foot he pivoted, swinging his other fist around in a vicious backhanded blow that went right over Serbo au Serbo¡¯s head.


    That was when it happened.


    His fist smashed through empty space, barely grazing the short hair of the man''s head, but he hardly had time to register it before he felt a firm grip cinch around his waist. He barely had time to blink in surprise before the sky filled his vision. He was lifted into the air, but before he could fully grasp what was happening a new problem confronted him.


    The deck was approaching, rapidly growing larger in his vision.


    Disorientation. Confusion. Yu Chen blinked, looking around as he tried to make sense of his surroundings, but the world around him shifted hazily. Several moments passed before he remembered who he was, and the whole time his head beat like a drum. The ringing in his ears made it hard to focus, but he pushed himself to his feet anyways. He didn¡¯t make it further than two steps before the deck swayed and took his feet from under him.


    He put one hand on the deck, bracing himself as his stomach roiled. What happened? He thought, as he fought back the urge to vomit, but a heavy hand clapped him on the shoulder, and he looked up to see the barbarian¡¯s strange, wide smile grinning down on him.


    Ah, right.


    The man was a wrestler. Yu Chen stifled a groan as he bounced back to his feet, his nausea already dissipating as his body began its regenerative process. He shook his head as the last of the dizziness left him.


    ¡°Again.¡±


    Serbo au Serbo had spoken, and Yu Chen looked up, watching as the older boy paced across the deck before turning around to face him. This time he took a stance, one foot sliding over as he dropped his hips and raised both arms up before him.


    It looked almost silly, the way he stood there, slightly crouched with his arms bobbing in the air before him. To Yu Chen¡¯s eyes it didn¡¯t even look practical. Not only had he left his center wide open, but his peculiar stance also meant it would be difficult to quickly shift his footwork, giving up speed for stability.


    It also seemed an impossible stance from which to block a blow. His arms were raised, but they weren¡¯t doing much to cover his face, and any kicks towards his legs would be awkward to block.


    Yu Chen knew it wasn¡¯t so simple, despite the apparent weaknesses. He¡¯d already felt the man¡¯s power, and the purpose of the stance was clear to his eyes. It invited attack, but that wasn¡¯t the point, the truth was that it put Serbo in the perfect position to get his hands on you.


    And he couldn¡¯t see any way to avoid it. He frowned as he analyzed the other boy, who still hadn¡¯t moved. No matter how he looked at it, even if he landed a blow there was no way to prevent Serbo from digging his claws in. Not that he was sure he could manage it.


    The memories of those two missed attacks ran through Yu Chen¡¯s mind.


    He gritted his teeth as he considered his options. Being grabbed might be unavoidable, but he could get at least one hit in.


    He dashed forward, attacking with a calculated swing that never reached its target. Serbo grabbed his arm as it flew towards him and twisted his hips, using Yu Chen¡¯s momentum to throw him over his shoulder.


    Yu Chen hit the deck, rolling hard. He growled in frustration as he leapt back to his feet, attacking once again.


    He lost track of how many rounds they went, eventually falling to the deck of his own accord, gasping as sweat poured off of him.


    Serbo was a fine wrestler, but that was only the tip of his skills. He¡¯d thrown Yu Chen to the deck over and over again, but eventually he¡¯d grown bored of that, and begun to engage him with his own traditional martial arts.


    The barbarian¡¯s attacks didn¡¯t contain a lot of punches, his preferred method of attack being the side of his palm or the point of his fingers, hard blows that threatened to maim or injure. He attacked with the base of his palm as well, using the straight bone of his arm to strike forward in a dangerous blow.


    He watched in interest as Sun Yuan approached, taking a turn to spar with the stronger boy.


    Thankfully Serbo au Serbo seemed to know his own strength, and he kept it tightly contained as he sparred with the younger boy. Yu Chen could tell he was taking it easy, but he certainly didn¡¯t show it, giving Sun Yuan the same respect he¡¯d give any opponent.


    Sun Yuan for his part, struggled mightily, but no matter how he tried, fighting against the Foundation Establishment expert was even more hopeless than fighting against Yu Chen. Still, it was a valuable experience. He twirled his saber around masterfully, looping it through tight circles, but Serbo always found a way through.


    At some point the barbarian pulled out a weapon of his own, although it wasn¡¯t the large bow Yu Chen knew he carried. Instead, he carried what looked like two meat cleavers, roughhewn artifacts crafted from a dark metal of unknown origin. They might be crude, but they glistened with a wicked aura.


    He was skilled in their use, but Sun Yuan actually started to perform better now that he was facing another weapon. He was more experienced fending off cuts and stabs that the quick attacks and strange throws the barbarian preferred to use.


    To their surprise even Yan Ziqi appeared, and from that day forth he began sparring with the other Foundation Establishment cultivator, focused on improving his skills as he came to grips with his newly tempered body.


    It also became evident why the other boy hadn¡¯t wanted to spar with them before.


    Yan Ziqi didn¡¯t seem to know any traditional martial arts, and he quickly fell apart whenever Serbo managed to get close. Which, to be fair, wasn¡¯t too often. Fighting in Foundation Establishment was quite different, and the two cultivators concentrated much more on using their special abilities than they did on using their physical forms, although Serbo combined both.


    Yan Ziqi fought as he always did, swirling dozens of tiny tools through the air, and his newly tempered body gave him some much-needed mobility as he leapt about the deck avoiding the attacks Serbo sent his way.


    At first, he¡¯d fought to get close, but when it became clear that Yan Ziqi was too wily to allow it the barbarian had finally unveiled his bow, using it to send charged arrows his way. Serbo always came out on top in the end, but the fights were far closer than Yu Chen would have assumed.


    They continued to press up the unchanging waters, the four of them gradually growing in stronger in their own ways as the days passed.


    Until the day came when the waters finally changed.


    Smoke drifted across the water, and on the horizon, Yu Chen could see a fire raging in the sky.

 Confluence: Chapter 19 - Pirates!

    Sun Yuan swiftly spun the wheel and changed course, approaching the source of the raging fire that was sending a black plume of smoke high into the air.


    ¡°What do you think it is?¡± Yu Chen shaded his eyes as he asked, squinting as he looked into the distance.


    ¡°A fire this deep in the river?¡± Sun Yuan replied, his tone grim. ¡°There¡¯s only one thing that could be.¡±


    The other boy took a hand off the wheel, digging into his robes to find his spyglass. He pulled it out, expanding it with a quick flick of his wrist as he brought it to his eye. He was silent for a moment as he observed the fire in the distance.


    ¡°There¡¯s two vessels tethered together, and both of their sails are on fire.¡± The navigator said as he stared across the water. ¡°There¡¯s a third one as well, but it¡¯s further back. Pirates, I think. They must have found some easy prey.¡±


    Yu Chen cursed under his breath, exchanging a quick glance with Sun Yuan before leaping off the quarterdeck and running below to fetch the others. It only took a few moments to gather them, and soon they all stood atop the quarterdeck together.


    Yan Ziqi¡¯s impassive face gave no hint towards what he was thinking as he stared at the fire, but Serbo au Serbo¡¯s brows were drawn into a tight frown, clenching his fist as they relayed the news.


    ¡°What should we do?¡± Sun Yuan asked, chewing his lip as he looked towards the fire.


    ¡°We help, yes?¡± Serbo was the first to reply, and Yu Chen nodded, agreeing with him.


    The three of them turned to look at Yan Ziqi, who seemed to consider it for a moment. Yu Chen watched a flash of something cross his face. It wasn¡¯t quite fear, but more a sense of inevitably, the look of a man who¡¯d faced down death and knew that it wasn¡¯t a matter of if, but of when.


    He didn¡¯t let it phase him, whatever it was he thought.


    ¡°Of course we help. Come on, let¡¯s go find out what these pirates are made of.¡± Yan Ziqi strode to the mast after saying so, busying himself with activating the formations aboard.


    Sun Yuan held the wheel in a white knuckled grip as he pushed the vessel harder, moving them closer to the embattled ships.


    The four of them prepared for the upcoming battle in their own ways. Yu Chen cracked his knuckles, shaking out his arms to loosen them up for the fight to come, as he watched Serbo au Serbo pluck his bowstring, bringing it up beside his ear as he listened to it hum.


    He was filled with anticipation for the upcoming fight. Pirates were an endless scourge on the river, and he was more than happy to put them down when they appeared. He didn¡¯t feel too worried either. He felt as though their little group was more than strong enough to face down most others on the river. The presence of a Golden Core cultivator was about the only thing that could really threaten them.


    Even then, so what? They possessed two powerful Foundation Establishment experts of their own now, and they¡¯d already faced them down before. Yu Chen believed that even in the worst circumstances they¡¯d at least be capable of escaping with their own lives.


    The sound of fighting greeted them as they arrived, desperate shouts rang out above the crash of hardened metal, coming from men who fought for their lives in a frantic melee that took place aboard the deck of one of the tethered vessels. Pirates leapt from the deck of the black ship that had lashed onto it, hooking it in place.


    The crew fought and died, doing their best to hold back the tide of black robed pirates invading their vessel.


    The third vessel appeared as they neared, just visible in the distance behind the two that were lashed together.


    Yu Chen turned his head as he heard the distinctive noise of the hornbow being flexed. The layers of horn and sinew groaned in protest as they compressed and stretched, pulled taunt in Serbo au Serbo¡¯s unyielding grasp.


    The man¡¯s perfect form showed as he pulled the bowstring to his ear. Each and every muscle stood out in an unbroken chain that ran the length of his body, from his forearms through his arms and further still, through his shoulders and his back as well. It was all one solid mass of muscle that appeared rock solid as he held the string tight for the short moment it took to find a target.


    And then he released, sending an arrow soaring across the river like a jagged bolt of blue lightning to strike a pirate dead, piercing through his body and pinning him to the deck.


    His fingers flickered and more arrows flew forth, each one cutting through the space between them to take a pirate''s life as they swarmed across the decks of both ships.


    The other ship had come closer, bearing down on them as they intervened in the fight. Yu Chen heard a cough sound out from the vessel, and turned, watching as a burst of fiery qi shot forth from the single spirit cannon that had been installed in the front of the ship.


    The fiery ball of energy struck their shimmering shield, but it barely caused a ripple. The single attack was incapable of doing much against something that could hold off the blows of Golden Core cultivators with ease.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    As long as it had enough energy.


    The other ship began to turn, attempting to bring the majority of its artillery to bear, but Sun Yuan was savvy and followed suit, spinning the wheel in a hurry as he turned the ship counterclockwise to avoid being caught broadside. The quick maneuver had brought them closer to the other ships, near enough for Yu Chen to see the terror in the eyes of the crewmen being ruthlessly slaughtered by the invading pirates.


    ¡°Go!¡± Serbo au Serbo shouted towards him, gesturing towards the two ships lashed together before turning around and bringing his mighty bow to bear on the unmarred vessel. ¡°We take this one, yes?¡±


    Yu Chen nodded as he looked towards the two ships. He couldn¡¯t sense anyone aboard the other vessel who was particularly powerful. At the very least, no one had shown up to block Serbo¡¯s arrows.


    He backed up as Sun Yuan approached as near to the entangled ships as he could. Taking a deep breath, he cycled his movement technique to the maximum and ran to the edge of the deck where he pushed, leaping off the ship.


    For a brief, eternal moment he floated across the river, watching the yellow waters fly by beneath him at an unbelievable speed. It was the closest he¡¯d ever come to flying himself, and he let out a laugh of delight as he felt something, the barest hint of a Concept he couldn¡¯t grasp brushing the edge of his mind.


    A feeling washed over him, possibilities swirling through his mind as his movement technique broke through to a higher level.


    For a while now, Yu Chen had felt as though he¡¯d mastered the technique, but it appeared as if there were still some secrets he had yet to unlock. It only made sense that it was soaring through the air that had shown him what he was missing. The technique had been created after mimicking the movement of a spiritual beast after all, one that was incredibly powerful and had a penchant for flight.


    Before he knew it, he arrived at the tethered ships, landing gracefully on the deck of what appeared to be a merchant''s vessel. He took a step back as two men passed nearby, swinging their blades at each other in a deadly storm of steel.


    To Yu Chen¡¯s eyes it was clearly the black-robed pirate that had the advantage. He was the one that was pressing the issue, ruthlessly chopping his sabre down in blows the other man tried desperately to guard. With a shout of triumph, the pirate slammed the merchantman¡¯s blade to the side, before drawing back his own in a bid to impale the man.


    It would have been a clean victory, if Yu Chen hadn¡¯t been there.


    He pivoted, lashing out with a fist that used every ounce of his force as perfectly as he could, honed through endless fights against Serbo au Serbo. It took less time for him to condense his qi into the points of his knuckles than it took for his heart to beat, the exact same amount of time it took for him to swing his tempered arm forward, into the side of the pirate¡¯s head.


    It wasn¡¯t a pretty sight.


    Yu Chen had tempered his body to a level most would never reach, even among those who tempered their bodies. He hadn¡¯t realized it yet, but the strange density his fourth tempering had imbued him with had turned his physical form into something that was more than a match for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Combine that with the impressive level of control he had over his qi, and his ability to condense it into the tiniest points of his body¡­


    Well, the pirate''s head simply didn¡¯t survive contact.


    The truth was, most cultivators didn¡¯t bother tempering their body in the first place, unless they came from a powerful background, or were inner members that belonged to a strong sect. Their actual bodies weren¡¯t so much stronger than that of a mortal, aside from the qi that imbued their form.


    Against foes like that, He was the proverbial fox in the henhouse.


    A wolfish grin crossed Yu Chen¡¯s face at the same moment the merchant before him blinked, his face warring between relief and horror as he stared down at Yu Chen¡¯s gore slicked hand.


    Yu Chen ignored the man, exploding into motion. He crossed the ship like a whirlwind of death, and wherever he passed pirates fell, to never move again. His strength was a terror to behold. Now, even a grazing blow broke bones, and may the gods have mercy on those he struck with a solid hit.


    They were like wheat before the scythe, and he was the one who¡¯d been called upon to harvest the reaper¡¯s due.


    Another pirate took a kick to the chest, tumbling across the deck to smash into the quarterdeck. Yu Chen spun instead of following up, swinging his fist around in a hard backhand that caved in the face of a pirate who¡¯d ran up to stab him from behind, screaming like an idiot.


    Yu Chen turned, looking for his next victim. His eyes landed on a pirate that was gleefully hacking away the corpse of a man lying on the bloodstained deck. He went to leap forward but right as moved a baleful aura rose up from behind him, followed by a sharp pulse of qi.


    Yu Chen hit the ground instinctively, hurriedly ducking into a roll. Leaping back to his feet, he turned to see a piece of the mast, all tangled up with burning sails, crash down right where he¡¯d been standing. A wave of heat billowed out from it, spreading across the ship.


    Smoke rose from the fire, filling the air with particles that obscured their vision. Yu Chen frowned as he peered through the air shimmering with heat, looking up towards the quarterdeck where he saw another cultivator staring down at him, a baleful look in his eye.


    Seeing he¡¯d caught his attention; the man shoved his sabre deep into the gut of the merchant he was holding before throwing him to the side. The merchant hit the floor, moaning in pain.


    A frown crossed the pirate¡¯s face as he looked down at Yu Chen, his face curling into a snarl.


    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± The man spat out as he raised the sabre towards Yu Chen, blood dripping from its tip to land on the deck beneath him.


    ¡°This is my prize. You think you can just leap aboard and steal it from me?!¡± The man was practically foaming at the mouth as he shouted. ¡°Bring forth your mother, I want to see which bitch gave you the balls!¡±


    Blood rushed to Yu Chen¡¯s face as his heart kicked into high gear, pounding beneath his skin in agitation. He¡¯d never been so insulted in his life. He didn¡¯t hesitate, although the aura coming off of his opponent indicated he was a full realm above him.


    He slammed a hard foot on the ground, and leapt forward, the space between them practically disappearing as Yu Chen suddenly appeared in the pirate¡¯s vision. The man began to hastily backpedal but it was too late, he was already within range.


    Blood sang in Yu Chen''s ears as he spun into motion, punching out in a rapid series of motions that exploded across the pirate¡¯s body, sending him reeling backwards.


    A wave of shock crossed the pirate¡¯s space as Yu Chen beat him, but he paid it no mind. Slamming a hard fist into man¡¯s side with enough force to bend him over, before following it with a kick that sent the pirate crashing to the ground. The man coughed, before spitting out another curse as Yu Chen brought a foot down, mercilessly stomping his opponent.


    It seemed this was too much for the pirate to bare. His aura exploded, igniting a fiery pulse that pushed Yu Chen backwards and created some space. The man leapt to his feet, raising a hand up to wipe away the blood that was leaking from his mouth.


    ¡°Good! Very Good!¡± The pirate shouted, as he glared at Yu Chen. ¡°I''m going to gut you like a fish, boy.¡±

 Confluence: Chapter 20 - Fight or Flight

    Sun Yuan furiously turned the wheel, pulling away from the two entangled ships. The knobbed wood spun with familiar ease beneath his hand before he caught it, straightening out the vessel.


    He risked a glance over his shoulder as he left the ships behind, watching as Yu Chen burst into motion, effortlessly tearing through the pirates aboard the ship. The sight sent a shiver through him, and he couldn''t help but feel grateful the boy was on their side. It was hard to believe he was only a Qi Condensator.


    Sun Yuan still remembered the first time he¡¯d seen him, appearing out of place in the midst of a dinghy bar. He¡¯d stood head and shoulders above everyone else, and even back then he¡¯d radiated a dangerous energy.


    In wasn''t until the fight against the wolves that he¡¯d truly seen Yu Chen in action. Even then he¡¯d seemed impossibly strong. Now, however? He beggared belief.


    He returned his attention to the present as the Sleeping Lady crashed through a swell, sending a spray of river water pouring over the deck. The enemy''s spirit cannons barked, firing a volley their way, but Sun Yuan had ensured they were out of position. The pirates were merely wasting energy, as most of their shots fell into the river below.


    He was a navigator after all, like his father and his father before him, and no lousy pirate could outmaneuver him on the open river.


    Spinning the wheel once more he finished the short maneuver he¡¯d begun three steps ago, suddenly bringing their ship alongside the other. He shouted out, but he needn¡¯t bother. Yan Ziqi was already prepared, activating the formations that controlled the vessel¡¯s formidable artillery.


    It was a rough ask for a single artificer to manage all the weapons the Sleeping Lady carried aboard, but Yan Ziqi did a commendable job. The only sign of exertion was the single bead of sweat that rolled down his forehead as he willed the spirit cannons to fire, sending forth a volley of destruction that slammed into the pirate¡¯s ship.


    It was a direct hit. A truly stupendous amount of chaotic energy crashed against their shields, causing them to flicker dangerously.


    A smile crossed Sun Yuan¡¯s face as he watched the barbarian draw back his bow, preparing to launch an arrow at the opposing ship.


    They could do better than that.


    ¡°Hey, Serbo!¡± He shouted, infusing his lungs with a bit of qi. It was an old trick his father had taught him, useful for shouting commands over the din of battles and storms.


    Serbo au Serbo paused, turning to look at him.


    ¡°If you want to shoot some arrows, then man the ballista!¡± Sun Yuan slapped the wheel with one hand, injecting the ship with a jolt of energy. He pointed towards the foredeck with his other, drawing the barbarian¡¯s attention to the large siege weapon that lifted up from belowdecks.


    A look of delight crossed Serbo au Serbo¡¯s face. His bow disappeared with a twist of his hand as ran towards the ballista.


    Sun Yuan turned his attention away, looking towards the other ship as they managed to release a volley of their own, rocking the Sleeping Lady.


    This was the difference between a capable navigator and whatever dogshit these pirates had controlling their vessel. Sun Yuan¡¯s clever maneuvering kept their ship at constant odd angles, ensuring more than half of the opposing volley missed them completely, landing in the open waters between. The spiritual attacks that struck the Lady barely diminished the mast, and the difference in quality between the two ships quickly became apparent.


    Sun Yuan tuned everything else out as he spun the wheel again, feeling the vibrations from the ship¡¯s hull reach him. The wheel was more than a simple tool to control the ship. It was his connection to the river beneath them, and through it he could feel every subtle nuance. Not even slightest shift in currents escaped his notice, nor the signs that signaled an oncoming swell.


    It seemed the other vessel was on to him now, having caught wise to his tricks. The two ships spun in concert as the pirates attempted to bring their cannons to bear once more, but Sun Yuan had long since anticipated this. It was the effort of half a thought to activate the formations inscribed upon the sails, flooding them with a brief burst of wind.


    He held the wheel as it bucked beneath his grip, fighting against him as he committed the ship to a sharp turn that caused the Lady to wail, her metal hull creaking as the increased momentum combined with the sudden change in direction inflicted opposing forces upon her.


    It was a risky maneuver, especially if one didn¡¯t know their vessel, but there were few who knew a ship as well as Sun Yuan knew the Lady. He knew every inch of her body and he could trace her curves in his sleep.


    He knew exactly how far he could push her.


    The pirates were unprepared at the sudden change. Even Yan Ziqi was caught off guard. He frowned in surprise as they appeared broadside the pirate ship, and he hurried to activate the spiritual artillery once more. The cannons barked, sending waves of fiery qi and icy blasts of energy flying through the air where they smashed into the shields, pushing them to the edge of breaking completely.


    Which is exactly what happened as a massive bolt of lightning streaked across the river, bringing with it the smell of ozone, and striking right at the dead center of where the bombardment had hit. Serbo au Serbo was a keen shot, and he struck with perfect timing, destroying the shield before it had time to recover.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    It shattered like porcelain glass, breaking into panes of energy that slowly faded away as they fell out of the sky. The bolt had been slowed as it passed through, but it hadn¡¯t been stopped, and it still struck the pirate¡¯s deck with enough kinetic force to send pirates flying in all direction.


    The barbarian crowed, letting out a high-pitched trill like the laugh of a hyena as he leapt away from the ballista. With a wave of his hand his bow reappeared. He fired off shots, peppering the pirates with arrows, and each one claimed a life, pinning them to the deck like gruesome trophies.


    Yan Ziqi activated the formations one last time, sending out a volley that blasted men from the deck and destroyed their railing.


    The pirate''s commander seemed to decide that enough was enough and cut their losses, turning the ship and fleeing into the distance.


    Sun Yuan debated pursuing. He hesitated for a split second, but he turned around in the end, returning to help Yu Chen.


    ¡ª--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The pirate made the first move, raising his palm and blasting a wave of fiery qi at Yu Chen.


    Well, now he knew how the sails had caught fire.


    Yu Chen dived to the side, rolling out of the way, but the pirate''s attack followed him, an unceasing stream of flame gushing out of his palm. It chased Yu Chen as he ran, leaping across the deck and onto the railings, doing everything in his power to avoid the flames.


    The pirate didn¡¯t seem to care who he torched in his indiscriminate blaze, lighting up not only the merchantmen aboard but his own crew, burning everything down around him in an indiscriminate blaze.


    Yu Chen felt a pulse come from his bond, but he quickly squashed it, sending strong feelings of denial towards the little snake. This wasn¡¯t a fight she was prepared to intervene in, no matter how much she wanted to help.


    Eventually the pirate¡¯s flames sputtered to an end, and Yu Chen leapt forward, intent on ending the fight as soon as possible.


    He didn¡¯t get the chance. A whirlwind of flame erupted around the pirate as he approached. The blistering heat forced Yu Chen back, but the pirate followed, twirling his sabre through a complicated pattern as Yu Chen instinctively raised an arm, blocking his face from the heat.


    He shouldn¡¯t have done that.


    The sharp sabre lashed out of the flames, biting deep into Yu Chen¡¯s forearm. He let out a shocked gasp as he felt the metal grind against bone, fighting but failing to cut through. He cycled his movement technique to the maximum and leapt backwards, a spray of blood shooting through the air as the blade pulled out of his skin.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t stop moving and leapt back twice more, retreating all the way to the stern of the ship. He slapped his spatial pouch along the way, snatching the thin strip of cloth that appeared, floating in the air. He hurriedly used it to wrap the wound, lashing it as tight as he could.


    He tried to move his hand once the bleeding was staunched, but his fingers barely bent in response. The blade had cut something deep, something vital, leaving him at a severe disadvantage.


    In truth, Yu Chen hadn¡¯t been too sure of beating the man when both his arms were working. Now that he had only one it would take a miracle. He slapped the pouch again, hurriedly swallowing the regeneration pill as it appeared, hoping against hope that it could work its magic quickly.


    ¡°Hahaha.¡± The pirate cackled in the distance as the whirlwind of flame surrounding him dissipated. ¡°What will you do now boy? I¡¯ve only just begun to carve you up, don¡¯t get cold feet.¡±


    Yu Chen gave a low growl, gritting his teeth. His heart was thumping in his chest, and he felt a strange sense of focus settle over him as his thoughts dissipated leaving behind a simple fact.


    A dragon advanced.


    ¡°Just stay put.¡± Yu Chen said, lifting his good arm to point at the pirate. ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon enough.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± The pirate threw his head back and laughed, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. They were filled with a maniacal rage. ¡°Come then, come and face the Emperor of Bones!¡±


    Yu Chen let out a cold snort.


    ¡°Emperor of Bones? You¡¯re just another shitty pirate with a title too big for himself.¡±


    He leapt into action as the man began to sputter, spittle flying from his mouth as he started shouting in rage. Whatever thought he¡¯d had never formed into coherent words as he was forced to defend, throwing up a billowing wall of fire between him and Yu Chen.


    But who was Yu Chen? He¡¯d already tempered his body with fire, and so he advanced, diving into the flames. The fiery energy raged around him for only half a moment, licking against his skin as it attempted to burn his flesh, but a flame of his own burned deep within his heart, helping to reinforce his qi as it held the flames at bay.


    He burst through to the other side mostly unscathed, but the same couldn¡¯t be said for his spatial pouch. The full powered attack of a Foundation Establishment expert had overwhelmed it, and it shattered with a tinkling noise. A roiling vortex of spatial energy appeared for a split second as Yu Chen¡¯s possessions exploded out, scattering across the deck in every direction.


    The image of that twisting mass of spatial energy seemed to imprint itself on his mind. Whispers began to fill his head, mad murmurs that spoke of something beyond his ken. He frantically tore his eyes away, looking towards the pirate whose eyes had widened in disbelief as Yu Chen appeared before him.


    He didn¡¯t give the man a chance to regroup, laying into him with a vicious combination of blows. The pirate twirled his sabre around, desperately spinning it through combinations of his own as he tried to keep Yu Chen away from him, but it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Yu Chen had fought against sabres countless times by now and frequently sparred with someone who was much more skilled in their use than this shitty pirate. He slipped the blade once, lashing out with a low kick that connected with his opponent¡¯s calf with an audible noise. The pirate swung the sabre back around with a bellow of rage, and Yu Chen ducked it this time, slamming his shoulder into the cultivator and taking him to the ground.


    The pirate yelled in impotent rage as Yu Chen straddled him, attempting to raise his blade once more, but Yu Chen slapped it to the side with his bad hand, letting out a hiss as his wound erupted in pain.


    ¡°You little bast-¡± Whatever the pirate was going to say was cut off as Yu Chen smashed a fist into his face.


    ¡°Fuck your m-¡±


    Yu Chen hit him hard, striking him before the slurred words could escape through a bloody mouth full of broken teeth.


    A wave of energy began building up in the pirate¡¯s hand, but it dissipated as Yu Chen struck him once more, continuing to hit him until the pirate breathed his last.


    Yu Chen took deep ragged breaths before staggering to his feet, looking around at the remaining cultivators who still lived aboard the vessel. They regarded him with mixed expressions of awe and fear. The air filled with the clattering sound of metal as the pirates dropped their weapons attempting to flee.


    As a lowly Qi Condensator Yu Chen had done what was nearly impossible, killing a cultivator a full realm above him.

 Confluence: Chapter 21 - A New Direction

    Deep, ragged breaths ran through Yu Chen as he stood over the dead cultivator, looking around at the pirates fleeing in all directions. They shouldn¡¯t have bothered. The few merchants who¡¯d survived the attack watched in silence as he leapt forward, hunting them down one by one. In short order, every pirate aboard had met the same fate.


    Yu Chen should have felt elation at his victory, but instead he was left with an empty feeling.


    Death surrounded him everywhere he looked. The very air he breathed was tinged with iron from the blood of the dead men strewn across the deck around him. Gutted merchantmen littered the floor, victims of the dead pirates who lay among them with their chests caved in and their skulls crushed. Some of them were still on fire, and the stench of cooked flesh drifted from the burning pyres that had been created from their bodies.


    He blinked, as something that shouldn¡¯t be there suddenly appeared.


    A black qi from their corpses, an oily, misanthropic thing that stank of death. No, Yu Chen realized, the feeling it gave wasn¡¯t hatred for humanity but of life itself, that which was antithetical to its very being.


    It was the first time Yu Chen had encountered something like this. Of course, he¡¯d seen aspected energy before, but to see it originate so naturally, from a clear and visible source¡­ It was unprecedented. Energy didn¡¯t just form spontaneously, out of nothing.


    A thought struck him, his perspective twisting to fit a new understanding of reality.


    The energy hadn¡¯t formed entirely by itself, had it? It had a catalyst, the death of an obscene number of cultivators had necessary for the energy to appear.


    But it went against everything he knew. Spiritual Energy was created by natural phenomena, physical things like earth and water. They were things he could grasp and hold in his hand.


    Death wasn¡¯t such a thing, but it hardly mattered, Yu Chen realized. It wasn¡¯t something, but rather the absence of something, and that absence was more real, and more natural than any other.


    You could try to rationalize with it, but in the end words and rationalization mattered not at all.


    In the end, it was all that was left.


    It roared before him, a bonfire of energy formed from the corpses of the dead. What was it exactly? Perhaps the detritus, the imperfections left behind when something finer and more subtle than this world escaped its grasp. If death wasn¡¯t a natural phenomena, then nothing was. Yu Chen thought as he watched the mass of black energy churn and boil. It raged impotently, fighting to expand, to consume, but it couldn¡¯t, held back by some strange laws of nature Yu Chen knew nothing about.


    But he could feel their presence, and he was thankful they existed. Because he could feel the Death qi as well, and the potential within it that fought to escape. Enough to consume the entire world in the blink of an eye if it ever escaped the reins.


    Just imagine, the thought crossed his mind. With enough death -


    Yu Chen cut the thought off, shuddering as it passed through him, but despite his best efforts it squirmed to the front. He was unable to prevent himself from realizing the truth.


    As long as one has death one could generate endless death qi, and if one could cultivate it¡­


    Was this the secret behind the so-called demonic techniques? In truth, death was not nearly as cheap for cultivators as it appeared. Death qi might appear from time to time, but it wasn¡¯t a common occurrence for dozens of cultivators to die at once. Cultivators avoided pitched battles when given the chance, preferring not to risk themselves unless need be.


    He couldn¡¯t help but think back to the Reavers and the destruction they¡¯d left behind them. Even the weakest of cultivators possessed many times the energy of a mortal, but at a certain point quantity began to outweigh quality. If the slaughter of a few dozen cultivators generated this much death qi, how much could you produce by torching a city full of millions of mortals¡­


    Yu Chen shuddered, growing sick at the thought, but his thoughts trailed off as the death qi danced entrancingly before him. It filled his vision, flickering with the dark promise of power, and he felt a desire well up within him to embrace it.


    Demonic cultivators might seek out this sort of energy, but really, what was wrong with cultivating it? He¡¯d absorbed all sorts of other natural energies and death was a natural phenomenon, after all. His dantian twisted, cramping in anticipation as some deep, primal part of him hungered for it.


    The arguments came easy, worming their way into his mind. In truth, Demonic cultivation was about how one cultivated, not about what one cultivated. Yu Chen had no desire to go about killing just to do so, even if death came, well, came so easy. He cast a glance across the deck, his gaze running over the dead merchantmen and the pirates alike.


    The truth was that sometimes¡­ Sometimes, people deserved death. Simply by killing these pirates he¡¯d made the river a little bit safer, and he¡¯d even managed to save a few lives along the way¡­


    The remaining merchantmen began moving, avoiding the strange boy who was staring at the black energy with intensity in his eyes, but it dissipated before long, whatever phenomenon had caused its creation having finally passed. With it went the strange hold it held over Yu Chen, and he blinked, snapping out of it.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    What was that? He wondered, looking around in confusion. He¡¯d been cultivating for a while now, but he¡¯d never felt such temptation. For some reason he¡¯d felt drawn to the death qi, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel as though there was an unusual connection between them.


    Yu Chen shook his head, shoving the thoughts away as he saw a merchant bend down, picking up a small piece of bone radiating with power. He snapped into motion, snatching the item from the merchant¡¯s fingers. He frowned, giving him a disapproving look before dashing across the deck to pick up the powerful items that had been sent flying when his spatial pouch exploded. He was in the midst of grabbing up a fiery lotus when he twisted around, sensing a powerful aura approaching.


    A smile crossed his face as he saw a familiar sight from an unfamiliar perspective, watching as the figurehead of a sleeping lady split the river in half as it crashed through a wave, sending yellow drops of water spraying high into the sky. Serbo au Serbo stood at the prow, radiating an intense aura as he cast a hawk-eyed gaze across the two ships lashed together.


    A smile crossed the barbarian¡¯s face, although it was far too wide and showed entirely too many teeth, a look of pride as he took in Yu Chen¡¯s bloodied form and saw he was still alive.


    Serbo au Serbo leapt from the ship with effortless grace, crossing the vast gulf of the river in a single bound to land nearby.


    ¡°You still live, yes?¡± Serbo said as he stood up and looked Yu Chen in the eye. He approached, raising an arm to clasp Yu Chen on the shoulder, but paused in midair as he stared in confusion at all the items in Yu Chen held in his hands.


    ¡°Eh? Why you carry so many treasures, Yushen?¡± He said, the words sounding funny in his broken common.


    Yu Chen was taken aback by the strange greeting, casting a quick glance down towards the items he held clutched in his arms. ¡°Er, my spatial pouch broke.¡± He said, looking down towards his hip where the pouch had once hung.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with ring?¡± Serbo said, speaking slowly as he stared at Yu Chen¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Uh, what ring?¡± Yu Chen said, not knowing what to say.


    Serbo au Serbo muttered something under his breath in that guttural language of his before, strolling forward and pushing a hard finger into the ring on Yu Chen¡¯s hand.


    ¡°This ring!¡±


    Yu Chen looked at the ring he¡¯d nearly forgotten about. He¡¯d picked it up many months ago, but he¡¯d never figured out what strange magic it held. Filled with consternation he looked towards the other boy¡¯s hand, and to his surprise saw he wore one just like his. Thinking back, Cang Wuji had worn a strange ring, and Yan Ziqi wore one as well -


    He let out a small groan as his stupidity crashed over him. Every elder he¡¯d ever seen had worn rings, sometimes more than he could count. Even those stupid pirates had talked about a ring while they¡¯d bickered in the air. How had he missed it?


    No one had ever even mentioned it! They went on and on about flying around on swords, and breathing fire, but he¡¯d never once heard anyone say, oh yea, cultivators carry stuff around in their rings!


    Yu Chen focused on the artifact in his hand, sending a thin thread of qi inside it, much as he did when utilizing his spiritual pouch. To his amazement a massive space opened up in his mind¡¯s eye, entirely empty aside from a jade scroll and some stockpiled rations.


    This entire time¡­


    Well, no use in crying about it. He quickly willed the items in his hands to disappear, sending them inside of the ring with a wave of his hand. The fire lotuses he still carried, his favorite bit of soul cleansing jade, a handful of pills and a collection of ancient, but incredibly powerful bones, made up the bulk of his collection. There were also the spirit stones, and some spirit meat and herbs he¡¯d gathered along the way.


    Of course, he''d only grabbed the most expensive things, and had to go around, sheepishly collecting the rest of his wealth.


    He looked around, but if any of the merchant''s crew were watching what was in his pockets they didn¡¯t show it, studiously avoiding his gaze. After watching what happened to the pirates, they seemed scared to talk to him at all and went to work, cleaning up the deck. They threw the pirates overboard unceremoniously, feeding whatever spirit beasts lurked in the water, while they gathered their own dead and took them below deck.


    By now the lady had arrived, and Sun Yuan threw out ropes that Serbo grabbed, lashing their boats together. Once they were close enough Yan Ziqi jumped across, naturally taking control of the crew as he directed them to begin fixing up the ship, using his expertise as an artificer.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t say anything, making his way to the quarterdeck where a merchant lay, half unconscious in a pool of blood.


    He was moaning, his face tight with pain. It was the same merchant the pirate had run through as he set his sights on Yu Chen, and he appeared to be the last remaining Foundation Establishment expert aboard, among those alive. Perhaps he could tell them what happened.


    Yu Chen kneeled beside the man, placing a hand on his shoulder. It was the work of half a thought to summon a pill, causing it to appear directly in his hand. Yu Chen stifled his amusement at the sight, his face growing serious as he fed the pill to the man. The regeneration pill began its work in short order, and the merchantman''s brow unclenched as he relaxed, breathing more easily.


    He waited patiently beside the man, watching in interest as the crew went about their work restoring the ship. Yan Ziqi was a natural leader, at least in these small settings, quickly able to take command of the listless crew and make them work more efficiently. Perhaps it was a product of his time in the workshop, where he¡¯d been in charge of the others.


    A short while later the man¡¯s eyes blinked open, looking around blurrily as he tried to push himself up.


    ¡°What..¡± He began saying before jerking in shock, suddenly remembering the circumstances. ¡°The pirates, what about!¡±


    ¡°Dead.¡± Yu Chen said, speaking simply. It was a single word, but it contained too much. The experience from earlier refused to leave him so easily.


    ¡°They are all dead. I¡¯m sorry, we were too late to save most of your crew.¡± He said, bowing his head down low.


    Yu Chen was a person who¡¯d never particularly cared about titles like righteous, but that didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t a good person. He was just pragmatic, and more inclined to believe there were truths on both sides. That didn¡¯t make him ok with the deaths of innocents.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± The merchant said, letting out a low hiss of pain, and Yu Chen could tell it wasn¡¯t because of his wounds. ¡°It¡¯s a shame,¡± The merchant said, staring into the distance. ¡°But on the river, we celebrate the living, not the dead.¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t look up right away, thinking about the merchant¡¯s words. It was different from the life he recalled as a mortal, where one often wasn¡¯t celebrated until they were dead.


    ¡°I hate to ask more of you,¡± The merchant said, looking around the ship. ¡°Would you be willing to accompany us to the Auction Ship?¡±


    Yu Chen gave the man a bemused smile.


    ¡°How about we start with your name?¡±


    The merchant¡¯s face colored. ¡°Sorr-¡± He cut off with a cough, before speaking again. ¡°Liang Hu. My father is expecting this shipment, and he¡¯s waiting for me aboard the Auction.¡±


    Yu Chen looked up in surprise, but the merchant hurried to speak, continuing before he could say anything.


    ¡°We could use the help, and he would be more than willing to compensate you of course.¡± Liang Hu said, shooting the boy a hopeful look.


    Yu Chen thought for a short second before giving him a nod


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk it over with my friends.¡±

 Confluence: Chapter 22 - The Auction Ship

    True to his word, Yu Chen spoke to the others.


    It didn¡¯t take much for him to convince the others to accompany the merchants the rest of the way to their destination. Serbo¡¯s eyes had lit up at the mention of a reward, while Sun Yuan was simply intrigued to hear about the Auction Ship. They couldn¡¯t leave right away though. The merchant¡¯s vessel was no longer river worthy, its sails having been ruined by the pirate¡¯s flames, and its mast shattered to pieces. The ship hadn¡¯t been left immobile however, despite the damage it¡¯d sustained, although it would take a long time before Yan Ziqi could get the ship back in working condition.


    The broken mast would make travel difficult, but spirit vessels weren¡¯t driven by the wind that filled their sails. They utilized spiritual energy, and the sigils inscribed upon their hull, to propel them along the river. It was one of the reasons they were so power hungry in the first place. After all, the river was truly massive in size, and sails weren¡¯t enough to get anyone anywhere fast.


    Yan Ziqi rallied the handful of merchants that remained, and they leapt to work as the young man began shouting out orders. They moved with alacrity as they prepared the ship to get back under way.


    One of the pirate¡¯s ships had escaped after all, and there was no telling when it might happen to return.


    Yu Chen listened in as they spoke amongst themselves. According to the merchants it wasn¡¯t uncommon for a ship controlled by a Foundation Establishment realm expert to be part of a larger armada. It was likely they answered to a Golden Core cultivator lurking somewhere nearby.


    Yan Ziqi also made sure the pirate vessel was in order, although it hadn¡¯t sustained as much damage. It was mostly intact and reasonably charged, already more or less river worthy. They¡¯d earned it after all, having slain the pirates and driven them off, and there was no way they¡¯d leave it behind.


    The sun had already begun to sink by the time they finished repairing the two vessels, but they decided to get underway as everyone wanted to be as far from the scene of the battle as possible. Sun Yuan took the lead, and their two ships flanked the broken merchant vessel as it limped along, ensuring that it was safe from danger.


    Unfortunately, the pirate¡¯s vessel didn¡¯t possess a shrinking function like the Lady did, which meant Yan Ziqi had to helm the other ship, shadowing them on their passage back up the river.


    It was a long week, an uneasy time during which Yu Chen was a ball of nervous energy, just waiting for the pirates to return. The ships stuck close together as they traveled, close enough that he could use his movement technique to move between them, delivering messages and communicating with the others.


    He didn¡¯t enjoy the beauty of the river much during this time, worried as he was, but he did get to speak with Liang Hu and the other merchants, learning more about the Auction Ship, and what exactly it was.


    ¡°Eh? No, it doesn¡¯t travel.¡± Liang Hu said, twisting a finger in his ear as he cast a bemused smile towards Yu Chen. ¡°Although I suppose it could. It is a ship after all.¡±


    ¡°What exactly is the Auction Ship?¡± Yu Chen asked. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the name once or twice, but no one has ever mentioned what it does.¡±


    ¡°It hosts auctions of course.¡± Liang Hu said as he rubbed his fingers together, examining something before flicking it away. ¡°Cultivators always have items they can¡¯t use and ones they are looking for. They need a safe place to trade them, and that¡¯s where the ship comes in.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡± Yu Chen said, slowly nodding his head. The idea had some merit. He¡¯d bought and traded information before, but he¡¯d never really considered how he might sell his things. He¡¯d always been worried about being robbed after all.


    ¡°It¡¯s completely anonymous as well,¡± Liang Hu added. ¡°Although the ship does charge a small fee for the service. You¡¯ll even be able to sell that ship you¡¯ve captured.¡± The merchant said, nodding towards the pirate vessel Yan Ziqi was controlling.


    ¡°Sounds like we would¡¯ve wound up heading there anyways.¡± Yu Chen mused, looking at the river ahead with anticipation in his eyes.


    ¡°Most eventually do.¡± Liang Hu said with a laugh. ¡°The Auction Ship hosts one of the largest gathering places for cultivators along the river, and not everyone is there for the auctions.¡± Now it was the merchant whose eyes held a hint of anticipation as a lascivious grin had spread across his face.


    The pirates never did return, and they made it to the Auction Ship unmolested.


    It was nighttime when it appeared in their vision as a faint light in the distance. It wasn¡¯t a single light, Yu Chen realized as they approached, but a vast series of ones spread across the river like the stars blanketing the sky above. There were so many that he began to doubt his eyes.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    This was a ship? If so, the auction ship was massive beyond belief, a titanic vessel that dwarfed their little convoy. The vessel was easily large enough to hold hundreds, no, thousands, of cultivators, and it looked less like a ship and more like a moving mountain that floated upon the river as they approached.


    Yu Chen was dazzled by the sight, bathed in the splendor of ten thousand lights glowing with an intensity that lit up the river for thousands of feet all around. At least a hundred ships were docked or floating in the nearby waters around it, and he could see more in the distance, arriving and departing at any given time.


    It was also the first time Yu Chen received a proper glimpse at the sheer number and variety of spiritual vessels that sailed the river. Not everyone traveled in large ships like the Sleeping Lady, capable of holding a dozen cultivators with ease. Some vessels were even larger, the size and shape of frigates, but many were smaller, more personal craft.


    It seemed that a number of cultivators preferred low sloops, traveling in boats that were barely large enough to carry one or two cultivators at a time, designed more for speed than anything else.


    Liang Hu used a method they¡¯d devised to signal them, and they slowed down, letting him take the lead now that they¡¯d drawn close to the ship. It continued to grow as they approached, yawning above him, so large that it had its own docks stretching from a hole that had been cut in the bowels of the ship.


    That was where Liang Hu brought them. They followed suit as he docked his ship, throwing ropes overboard to the people waiting down below, and the dockhands began lashing the damaged merchant vessel to the Auction Ship with practiced ease. Yan Ziqi did the same with the pirated vessel, but Yu Chen and the rest simply leapt to the docks as Sun Yuan activated the strange shrinking formation, pocketing the lady.


    Yu Chen walked up behind Liang Hu after landing, overhearing the animated conversation he was having with the dockmaster.


    ¡°Seven hells Xiao Hu, what have you done with the ship?¡± The dockmaster said, staring up in consternation.


    ¡°Pirates, Wei Zhi.¡± Liang Hu said, his voice turning gloomy. ¡°They were waiting for us. They somehow knew what route we¡¯d take.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t mean-¡± The dockmaster began before cutting off as he saw Yu Chen and the others walk up.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid so,¡± Liang Hu said, ignoring them. ¡°I need to speak with my father as soon as possible. Can you take care of things around here for me?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Xiao Hu. I¡¯ll have it shipshape in no time at all. What about that one?¡± The dockmaster said, nodding towards the pirated ship.


    Liang Hu turned around, casting them a quick glance before looking back towards Wei Zhi. ¡°I imagine they¡¯ll want to sell it. Just keep an eye on it for now, ok?¡±


    ¡°Apologies.¡± And for his part, Wei Zhi truly did look apologetic. ¡°Words come down from the top. No one docks for free.¡±


    Liang Hu gave a soft snort, rolling his eyes.


    ¡°The old man wants his cut. Fine, charge it to my father¡¯s account. It¡¯s the least I can do after they saved my life.¡±


    He said his goodbyes to the dockmaster before heading further into the ship, and the dozens of cultivators milling about on the docks parted to let him through. Yu Chen exchanged glances with the others before following behind, looking around in wonder as they entered the large spirit vessel.


    He didn¡¯t know exactly what he¡¯d expected when he¡¯d first heard about the ship so long ago, but he could definitely say that this wasn¡¯t it. It was so much more than he could have ever expected, and he had to tear his eyes away from wonder after wonder as Liang Hu led them on a twisting path that led up the ship.


    The lowest level was filled with establishments in which countless cultivators cavorted around like mortals. There were bars stocked with rare and expensive brews, and rooms that contained games of chance, and fortune tellers as well. Even among cultivators there were those willing to spend their coin foolishly, believing in blind luck and random advice.


    It was a madhouse of debauchery.


    Soon enough they passed through the area, climbing up the ship. A pleasant aroma filled the air of the second level, and his senses tingled at the smell. Most of the cultivators they passed now were in Foundation Establishment, with Qi Condensation cultivators few and far between.


    The rooms were different on this level, gone was the chaotic mess on the lower levels, replaced by what seemed to be nearly identical box rooms, overlooking something down below. Some were empty and austere, but plenty were occupied, and whoever was within was blocked from sight by thick panes of fuzzy glass.


    Yu Chen cast a glance into one of the empty rooms as they walked by, curious about what was going on down below. To his surprise he saw a stage in the middle of the floor, and he could faintly make out the sight of figures moving about below it, and through that window he could see it was surrounded by glass boxes on all sides.


    This was the true Auction Ship.


    Those boxes were filled with cultivators, bidding on the items that were being presented on stage. There seemed to be some sort of hierarchy involved. The boxes towards the top were larger but more scarce, doubtless reserved for the more powerful experts.


    He had to tear his eyes away as Liang Hu led them up once more, bringing them to the third level of the ship.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but notice how their surroundings changed the higher they climbed. The rooms had grown more opulent and the hallways less crowded, and the level of cultivation had increased once more.


    He felt well and truly out of place now, as the occasional Golden Core cultivator appeared in the halls they traveled. He was secretly shocked at their number.


    Ever since leaving the sect he¡¯d never seen more than a few together, no, even before leaving the sect. But on the auction ship some of their mystique was lost. They were almost regular people, softly chatting with each other in the hallways or sitting in one of the affluent boxes.


    It seemed anonymity wasn¡¯t a concern this high on the ship. Many of the rooms the cultivators sat in didn¡¯t feature the fuzzy glass the rooms below had.


    They went up one last flight of stairs, climbing even higher up the ship. Liang Hu took several sharp turns before coming to a sudden stop. A massive box, its glass walls opaque lay a short distance away, guarded by a couple of cultivators emitting a deadly aura.


    Liang Hu turned, giving them a serious look.


    ¡°This is my father¡¯s room. I want to bring you in to meet him.¡± Liang Hu began, before hesitating. ¡°I¡¯ll warn you in advance, he can be a bit harsh.¡± He finished without meeting their eyes.


    Yu Chen cocked his head. Well, that certainly sounded ominous.

 Confluence: Chapter 23 - The Elder Liang

    The room they entered was pure austerity, void of all adornment. A single man stood within, looking through a glass window that overlooked the auction hall. He didn¡¯t turn around as they entered.


    Liang Hu walked forward, bowing low behind the man¡¯s back.


    ¡°Father.¡± He said, remaining bowed. The man didn¡¯t speak, staring down below, and enough time passed that Yu Chen began to feel awkward.


    ¡°Son.¡± The man eventually said, without turning around, his tone giving no indication of what he was thinking. ¡°I hear you ran into trouble.¡±


    A pregnant silence filled the room as Liang Hu didn¡¯t reply right away.


    ¡°You¡¯ve heard.¡± The young merchant finally said, and to Yu Chen¡¯s surprise the words sounded almost accusatory.


    ¡°I have.¡± His father replied evenly as he observed the events below.


    ¡°Of course you have.¡± Liang Hu stated them, bitterly. ¡°You hear everything. Did you know they were waiting for me? You could have warned us, or sent help for me.¡±


    ¡°I could have saved you, you mean.¡± His father corrected, his voice even and cold.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Liang Hu spat out the words. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Yu Chen began to feel out of place watching the family spat. He wasn¡¯t the only one, as Sun Yuan shifted uncomfortably nearby.


    ¡°You know why.¡± His father ground out the words as he spun around. ¡°You call yourself a merchant, sailing up and down the river? You can¡¯t even protect yourself, let alone your crew and your cargo.¡±


    Liang Hu didn¡¯t speak, but his face flushed red.


    His father continued, ignoring his son¡¯s obvious discomfort. ¡°You think I didn¡¯t look out for you? I ensured that there were no Golden Cores around, and you still lost to a single pirate with a busted Foundation.¡±


    ¡°What have you lacked? Techniques? Pills?¡± His father asked, spitting the words out rhetorically. ¡°Nothing! You¡¯ve never lacked for anything, and that is your greatest problem.¡±


    The elder turned his gaze from his son, giving the four of them a glance, but his eyes lingered on Yu Chen.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one then?¡± The elder said with a snort. He raised a hand as Yu Chen opened his mouth, cutting him off before he could speak. ¡°No, no need. I can feel it from here. It¡¯s rare for one¡¯s body to reach the level of Foundation Establishment before their qi, but it isn¡¯t unheard of. Most impressive.¡±


    Yu Chen bowed low in reply, but he didn¡¯t miss the flash of jealousy that crossed Liang Hu¡¯s face at the words.


    ¡°You have saved this worthless son of mine.¡± He said, looking at all four of them. ¡°For that, I suppose you deserve my thanks.¡± The elder snorted, casting a gaze down at Liang Hu.


    Yu Chen cast a glance around him, but none of the others seemed inclined to reply. Serbo au Serbo was staring out the window in interest, seemingly oblivious to their conversation, while Sun Yuan stared at the ground, saying nothing at all. Yan Ziqi said nothing, but a slight frown crossed his face as he stared at the elder.


    ¡°My son has already promised to pay your docking fees, but that¡¯s hardly enough of a reward for saving the only son of Elder Liang. Accept this.¡± The man said. With a slight movement of his hand a sparkling key appeared, and he tossed it towards them.


    It flew towards Yu Chen, who stood in the middle. He caught it and looked down, giving it a quizzical look. The key was the length of his palm and shone with a deep, emerald luster, having been carved entirely from jade.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Yu Chen asked, looking at it in interest.


    ¡°An Auction Key.¡± The elder said, his voice tight. ¡°What else could be worth the life of my son?¡±


    Yu Chen nodded in response, but he cast a slight glance to the side. Yan Ziqi seemed to take the hint.


    ¡°What does it do?¡± The artificer asked, his tone containing a hint of deference despite his frown.


    ¡°That key marks you as a favored member of the Auction Ship. With that, your docking and lodging will be free, for as long as you choose to stay with us. You¡¯ll also receive access to a box on the third floor and enjoy a slight deduction in the cost of any goods and services aboard the ship.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes rose as the man rattled off the benefits.


    ¡°Show it to the men outside, they¡¯ll find a place for you to stay.¡± The elder said, turning his attention back towards his son. ¡°Now, if you don¡¯t mind, can you give me some time with this son of mine? We have some things to discuss.¡±


    It might have been framed as a question, but Yu Chen could tell a dismissal when he heard one. The elder was a Golden Core cultivator, at least, and his level of attainment was so great that Yu Chen couldn¡¯t truly fathom it.


    They said their goodbyes to the young merchant as they left the room behind them, empty besides the two men within it, who couldn¡¯t be further apart despite being so closely related.


    Would Liang Hu¡¯s father truly have let him die? Yu Chen wondered, but the answer never came.


    They showed the key to the cultivators standing guard outside the door of Elder Hu¡¯s room, before following one as he led them to a fancy suite with enough rooms for all four of them.


    It was ostentatious. The sitting room they entered contained lush couches and divans, suitable for cultivators with a good deal more status than they had.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like him.¡± Yan Ziqi said, casting a wary glance towards the door as it closed behind them.


    ¡°Me either.¡± Sun Yuan agreed as he threw himself onto one of the soft couches.


    Serbo simply grunted, looking disinterested. ¡°How long we stay here for?¡±


    ¡°Not long.¡± Yu Chen replied. ¡°We¡¯ll take a look around, sell some stuff and then be on our way.¡±


    The others agreed, it seemed no one wanted to stay on the Auction Ship for long. Even Sun Yuan¡¯s earlier enthusiasm had dampened after the meeting with the elder. The others began chatting amongst themselves as Yu Chen walked away, opening the doors as he looked through the suite.


    Most of them led off to large bedrooms that were as grand as everything else filling the ship, the floors were well carpeted, and the beds were covered in lavish bedding and soft linens. Steam flooded out of one of the rooms he opened, revealing a deep-set bath that covered the floor, and was filled to the brim with warm water.


    With nothing else left to do they eventually all fell asleep.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    They split ways the next morning.


    The others headed off in different directions, exploring the Auction Ship on their own, but Yu Chen began by just wandering aimlessly, looking in interest at everything around. The hallways were mostly empty today, and the glass boxes were clear now that the auction had finished. There weren¡¯t as many people either, but it was still lively, hosting the most concentrated force of cultivators Yu Chen had ever seen in his life.


    Hundreds of cultivators still remained on board, even after the auction concluded, and many of those he passed were a great deal more powerful than he was. Which made sense, given the third level floor they¡¯d been assigned to was reserved for Golden Core Cultivators.


    He began to feel out of place in those rich halls, so he made his way down the ship, exploring the various shops and things he¡¯d overlooked the day before.


    It turned out the Auction Ship hosted a number of other businesses, renting out space to others and giving them a place to sell their wares. Some of them offered inscription services, drawing talismans and glyphs for a price, while others sold cheap artifacts and amulets that offered questionable protection.


    Even alchemists had set up shop, although none had any wares close to what Sun Yuan¡¯s Uncle Lu had offered.


    There wasn¡¯t much of value in these places, at least not for him. Small shops like these simply offered a convenient place for cultivators to pick up the sundry goods they needed when traveling up and down the river. The true things of worth always ended up on the auction block.


    There were still two nights to go until the next auction would take place, so he¡¯d made his way to the docks overlooking the river.


    Yu Chen found a bit of respite here, sitting on the edge of the ship and watching the yellow waters of the river flow by him. It was peaceful here, where he could see the sun shining down upon them, and feel the cool breeze floating through the air.


    It was so different from being within the bowels of the giant ship where time lost its meaning. Everything inside was bathed in the constant glow of charged spirit stones embedded in the walls at even intervals. They cast a soft light that spoke of neither light nor day, but rather of an ever-present now.


    No doubt it encouraged the cultivators inside to stay longer and spend more. Yu Chen himself had felt that urge well up within him, which was one of the reasons he¡¯d come out to the docks, where he could touch water and ground himself.


    He looked over at Liang Hu¡¯s ship that hung in dry dock nearby, a number of artificers swarming over its hull. Yet another service offered by the Auction Ship it seemed. Or perhaps the ship employed them for their own purposes, it no doubt took a small army of them to keep the ship intact.


    Time passed as he sat there watching the ships come and go up the river, but he eventually stood with a sigh as the sun rose high in the sky. There were still some things he had to do. After all, the Auction Key they¡¯d been given was auspicious indeed, providing them with many different benefits, and there was still one that Yu Chen had yet to take advantage of.


    The auction of course.


    They¡¯d agreed to put the seized pirate vessel up for sale, but Yu Chen carried a number of personal items as well, things he¡¯d gathered through his short journey. Most of them were relatively simple, but there were more than a few that he could put up for auction, such as the Scarlet Lotuses he¡¯d charged with fiery energy and the powerful beast bones he¡¯d carried this far.


    Which was how he found himself ushered into a private room, sitting across from an auctioneer.


    In truth Yu Chen wanted to keep these things, as he never knew when they might come in handy. The bones in particular he¡¯d grown fond of, using them as an assisted cultivation device. But between his new breathing technique and the spiritual array, he wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯d still need them.


    However, when it came time to lay them out, he just couldn¡¯t do it.


    He''d brought out the rest of his collection instead, most of them things that he¡¯d gathered in the Secret Realm alongside Cang Wuji. The auctioneer¡¯s eyebrows rose as the Scarlet Bloom Lotuses he¡¯d found long ago hit the table, emitting a formidable energy, followed by the Moonroot Crystals they¡¯d received after killing a Mirelurk.


    But it was the innocuous golden seedpods that made him adjust his glasses as he picked up one to examine it.


    ¡°Sunveil pods!¡± The man exclaimed as he turned a seedpod over in his hand. ¡°Unmistakable. You see this tiny golden vein running through them, darker than the rest?¡±


    Yu Chen gave a dubious nod as he looked over the seedpod the man held out. Truthfully, he thought it looked rather uniform, but he didn¡¯t say that.


    ¡°Quite a treasure you have here my boy, quite a treasure.¡± The man said as he carefully counted out the seedpods. ¡°One of the Nine Eternal Stabilizers. These will fetch quite a price, I assure you.¡±


    ¡°The nine what?¡± Yu Chen asked, leaning forward curiously. He¡¯d carried them around for so long he¡¯d nearly forgotten about them. He hadn¡¯t expected they¡¯d actually turn out to have some value.


    ¡°The Nine Eternal Stabilizers. They are rare ingredients, sought after by alchemists everywhere. While spirit grass is fine for stabilizing the more common pills, you use something like this if you want to produce anything powerful.¡±


    The auctioneer said, adjusting his glasses.


    ¡°Sunveil pods are among the more common ones, but then again, none of them are truly common, are they?¡±


    Yu Chen nodded, leaning back as the auctioneer went over the other goods.


    ¡°These Moonroot crystals are only so-so, but these Scarlet Bloom Lotuses¡­¡± The man stared at them for a long while before speaking again. ¡°They don¡¯t normally go for very much, but these contain far more energy than normal¡­¡±


    The man steepled his fingers as he looked across at Yu Chen.


    ¡°I will say that we attract cultivators from all over, and if a few of them happen to cultivate Fire qi¡­ Well, they could sell for quite a bit, otherwise they¡¯ll only fetch the typical amount. What would you like to do?¡±


    Yu Chen thought about it.


    No doubt he could sell them directly or trade them for something beneficial if he met someone who cultivated Fire qi and guarantee himself a good price. He didn¡¯t really need to however, and besides, he¡¯d seen how greedy the spirit vessel could be. If push came to shove, he¡¯d rather have the cash to burn, than some amazing items burning a hole in his pocket.


    ¡°I¡¯ll put them up for Auction.¡± Yu Chen said.


    ¡°Good.¡± The auctioneer gave a simple reply before tallying the goods and carefully separating them, arranging them in lots that would be placed up for auction in a few days.


    The Auction Ship typically took fifteen percent of whatever was sold, but after the bonus from the key was factored in, they kept less than ten.


    Yu Chen returned to his room after he¡¯d finished handling his affairs, meeting up with the others. They spent the next few days relaxing and exploring the ship, finding there were always new things to see.


    It wasn''t long before the night of the next auction arrived.

 Confluence: Chapter 24 - The Auction I

    Yu Chen looked up as a light knock sounded on the door.


    The other boys looked up at the noise as well, exchanging glances with each other before turning to look at Yu Chen. He met Sun Yuan¡¯s eyes, tilting his head towards the door. The other boy took the hint and stood up without hesitation, checking to see who was outside.


    ¡°Yes?¡± The navigator said, pulling the door open to reveal the cultivator standing outside.


    The man bowed low, first towards Sun Yuan, who was holding the door, and then towards the others within. He wore robes that marked him as a member of the Auction Ship¡¯s crew, and when he spoke it was in a respectful tone.


    ¡°Honored guests,¡± The man said, bowing his head, first towards Sun Yuan at the door, and then the others still sitting within. ¡°Young master Liang has sent me to inform you that the auction will start shortly. If you¡¯re ready to leave, I can take you to the box he has arranged for you.¡±


    ¡°I think we are ready.¡± Yu Chen said, looking around at the others.


    Yan Ziqi gave him a nod and Serbo au Serbo lifted an uncaring shoulder.


    He tossed a glance towards Sun Yuan who still waited by the door.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± The boy said impatiently.


    They stood up, joining him before following the servant on a winding path through the third floor of the Auction Ship. It seemed they weren¡¯t the only ones to be summoned. They passed many other groups led by members of the Auction ship along the way, although most of them contained at least one Golden Core cultivator.


    Their small party elicited some interest on their way to the box seeing as they lacked one, and Yu Chen did his best to avoid the strange gazes that came their way. It made him uncomfortable. He felt that attracting attention from those more powerful than him, particularly Golden Core cultivators, was undesirable.


    It didn¡¯t take long before they arrived at the glass box that had been reserved for them. It was currently transparent, and any who walked by could see the lavish room within. The way it was furnished gave off an understated elegance, quite at odds with the gaudier rooms on the floors below.


    The low couches running the length of the room were masterfully made, exuding a restrained luxury that was unpretentious. Scrolls and tapestries displaying striking images covered the walls, and potted plants sat in the corners of the room, radiating with an aura that Yu Chen could feel from outside of the room.


    ¡°Your key, please.¡± The servant requested in a deferential tone, drawing his attention away from the room.


    Yu Chen sent a small jolt of spirituality energy into the ring on his finger as he twisted his hand, causing the key to appear out of thin air. He could see why so many cultivators favored the design. It really was quite a bit more convenient than the spatial bag he¡¯d carried.


    The servant took it with a bow before turning to press it against the glass. There was no keyhole or anything else as mundane as that, but the key itself lit up with a soft glow before the glass flickered and disappeared.


    The servant returned the key to Yu Chen and motioned for them to enter the box.


    Yu Chen cast a dubious glance around as they all piled into the room, but there didn¡¯t appear to be anything out of place. It was exactly what it appeared to be, a sitting area large enough for a small group to sit in comfort as they watched the auction occurring down below.


    ¡°Honored guests,¡± The servant spoke, drawing their attention. ¡°If I can have your attention for a moment.¡±


    They turned, looking towards the man. He¡¯d followed them in, and the glass had reformed at some point, turning opaque behind him. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve already noticed, but through that window,¡± he said, gesturing towards the one now behind them. ¡°You¡¯ll be able to watch the auction as it¡¯s occurring. Also, the auctioneer¡¯s voice will come out of there,¡± the man said, pointing towards a small jade pillar that rose up between the couches and the window.


    ¡°If you wish to make a bid you can either press the button on top or speak into it, as you please.¡± He said, looking between them.


    ¡°Do you have any questions for me?¡±


    The four of them shook their heads to the negative.


    ¡°Very good. Can I fetch some refreshments for you gentlemen to enjoy?¡±


    ¡°Refreshments?¡± Serbo au Serbo said slowly, giving the man a quizzical look as he tested the word.


    ¡°Ah,¡± The man said, a look of consternation appearing crossing his face. ¡°Perhaps something to eat, or some drinks?¡± The man replied.


    ¡°Yes.¡± The barbarian grunted before turning around.


    A bemused smile crossed the servant¡¯s face, but he smoothed it over quickly. ¡°Is there anything else I can get for the rest of you?¡±


    The rest of them put in an order and the man left shortly after, stepping through the opaque glass as though it wasn¡¯t there. Yu Chen was always wary, and he found the ease with which the man could come and go slightly disconcerting.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    He put it out of his mind however, looking down in interest at whatever was occurring below.


    It appeared as though the auction was just getting underway, as men wearing robes marking them as members of the Auction Ship moved back and forth setting things up. It was a wide, open space, the entire middle of the vessel having been hollowed out to provide enough room for the ring of glass boxes overlooking the auction space.


    The boxes appeared to be made out of a two-way glass that appeared opaque to observers while allowing you to see through it. It gave him a good idea of which rooms were occupied, as the glass surrounding some of them appeared cloudy, but the ones that were unoccupied remained clearly visible.


    Time passed, and their refreshments eventually arrived. The servant seemed to have hedged his bets, delivering a small feast for the barbarian to enjoy. And enjoy it he did. Serbo paid attention to little else as he tore into the food, and Sun Yuan joined him, giving the other boy a run for his money as he ate with gusto. He sent the servants out to fetch more drinks, seemingly intent on turning the entire event into a party.


    Yu Chen ignored them, staying focused on the scene before him. Yan Ziqi sat beside him, similarly occupied. He was the serious sort, more intent on analyzing the world around him than engaging in its pleasures.


    More of the rooms around them began to obscure as more cultivators arrived to attend the auction. It was the rooms at the bottom that filled up the fastest. They held the worst view of the stage and contained either inconsequential cultivators or cheap ones.


    Or those who were here to buy and sell bulk goods. The spirit herb farmer Lu Tao had spoken of was the sort who might reserve a room down below, as he was only there to see what price his goods sold for. Lu Tao, as an Alchemist Adept, would be there to buy, and would find a room with a better view, one on the second, if not the third, floor.


    It was a subtle hierarchy but clearly obvious, one of the unspoken perks of status and power. Soon the entire first floor had filled up, and most of the second. The third remained less than half full, even though the auction was ready to begin.


    A feeling of pride ran through Yu Chen as he looked below him, one atypical to his nature. He couldn¡¯t stop it, or the thoughts that followed. It was chance that brought me here, but one day soon I¡¯ll earn my place at the top.


    Then Serbo au Serbo burst into song, interrupting his thoughts. Red-faced, Sun Yuan joined him, although he didn¡¯t know the words. The two carried on for a bit, but Yan Ziqi shushed them as the voice of the auctioneer came through the jade pillar.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± The auctioneer¡¯s voice was almost cartoonish, filled with a high-pitched glee. ¡±First, let me welcome you all to the Auction Ship!¡± The man paused, looking around at the glass boxes around him before giving a low bow. He spun on his heels, including them all before standing up and speaking once more.


    ¡°Now that the formalities are out of the way, let the auction begin!¡±


    Yu Chen leaned forward, watching in interest, but it quickly waned as he realized the most mundane items were auctioned off first. The Auction Ship played a vital role in the economy of the yellow river as a place where lots of spiritual grains, herbs and ores were sold.


    These basic goods were necessary for the production of everything from artifacts to talismans, but it was ingredients for the production of pills that sold for the most. The bidding was quick and furious as lots of Ironbark root, Mistleaves and spiritgrasses all crossed the stage.


    The same couldn¡¯t be said for the crafting materials.


    It seemed to be a slow day for artificers, as both mundane lots of Earthstone ore and rarer stuff like Cloudsilver were sold for a cheap price. Yan Ziqi sat forward, his eyes gleaming in interest as various goods were brought forward, but it was the appearance of a small lot of metallic objects that made him truly sit up.


    ¡°Next up, we have lot 47G! Thirty-three catties of Blackiron Shards, quarried off river!¡± The auctioneer said as he held up a tray full of dull, blackened shards. Yu Chen thought they looked unimpressive, but at the very least they were clean cut. ¡°I don¡¯t have to tell you fine gentlemen about how rare these are, so we will go straight to the bid!¡±


    The auctioneer slowly turned looking around dramatically before raising his voice and speaking once more.


    ¡°Starting bid is 300 spirit stones!¡± The man called out, and the room erupted into fury.


    Boxes all around them lit up, flashing with a green light to bid on the goods.


    ¡°350, 400, 450!¡± The auctioneer yelled, rattling off numbers one after another. Most of the rooms stayed a stubborn green, but as the numbers increased more and more began to turn red and drop out.


    ¡°700 spirit stones!¡± He roared, and only two rooms remained lit. ¡°750!¡± One of the last remaining rooms finally gave up and flickered, turning red.


    ¡°750 spirit stones, going once!¡± The auctioneer shouted, ¡°Going twice!¡±


    Yan Ziqi looked as though he was warring with himself, but as the auctioneer opened his mouth to speak once more, he leaned forward, slamming a hand down to bid.


    The auctioneer blinked as their room, formerly opaque, lit up green. He took it in stride, and his half-opened mouth spread wide to roar once more.


    ¡°800 spirit stones for the Shards of Blackiron!¡±


    Yan Ziqi didn¡¯t move, remaining locked in his seat as their room glowed a soft green.


    ¡°850!¡± The auctioneer shouted, and the other side finally gave in, their room flickering red in defeat.


    ¡°Going once, Going twice!¡± The auctioneer paused, looking around to see if anyone else would throw in a last-minute bid. ¡°Sold!¡±


    Yan Ziqi looked around with a slight smile of satisfaction as the auctioneer turned his attention towards the next item, hawking a lot full of Amberflame Crystal. The small stones were fairly popular items as they emitted not only light, but heat, making them useful for warming a cultivator¡¯s ship or cave.


    ¡°Elder Ming would consider it a steal at 40 stones a cattie.¡± The artificer said, stretching with a smug look on his face.


    ¡°What do you plan to do with it?¡± Yu Chen asked, giving the other boy a curious look.


    ¡°I¡¯ll forge something of course.¡± Yan Ziqi said, a frown crossing his face as he leaned back in his seat. ¡°Truthfully, I haven¡¯t yet formed an artifact that¡¯s suitable for me to carry to the end of Foundation Establishment. The ones that I have are serviceable, but they just aren¡¯t up to snuff.¡±


    Yu Chen gave a light snort. If the weapons he carried were serviceable, then what would you call those carried by everyone else? Well, yes, Serbo au Serbo¡¯s hornbow was quite powerful, despite being crude, and Sun Yuan¡¯s sabre wasn¡¯t weaker than anything the artificer carried either.


    And Cang Wuji¡­ Well, he¡¯d never quite plumbed the depths of Cang Wuji, and he¡¯d never forgotten the way the boy''s spiritual weapon had emitted no aura at all. What secrets was it hiding, when even the sword carried by the sect leader of the Golden Mist couldn¡¯t help but emit a baleful aura?


    Still, Yan Ziqi¡¯s weapons were far beyond anything he¡¯d seen carried by a pirate, and he had a vast armory full of them that he could unleash. Even if his weapons did lack something in quality, they more than made up for it with quantity.


    Yu Chen told him as much.


    ¡°What?¡± Yan Ziqi said, blinking his eyes as he stared up at the tall boy. ¡°A weapon? What are you talking about? I''m going to craft a hammer.¡±


    It was Yu Chen¡¯s turn to blink. He didn¡¯t say anything however, simply nodding towards the other boy before turning his attention back to the auction.


    Of course Yan Ziqi would spend 800 spirit stones to make a better hammer, why wouldn¡¯t he?

 Confluence: Chapter 25 - The Auction II

    It appeared as though the Blackiron Shards were among the last of the crafting materials on auction today, and only a few more lots followed before the auctioneer brought the show to a halt. There was a short intermission as the men shuffled below, taking things away and bringing new items to the stage.


    They moved along quickly, and Yu Chen hardly noticed the time pass before the auctioneer returned, having seemingly found a burst of energy during the break. He had been bubbly before, but now he was practically exuberant, bouncing on his toes as he stood there.


    ¡°Honored guests!¡± He yelled out, and Yu Chen noticed the way his gaze had shifted towards the boxes up above, ignoring those on the lowest floor now that the more mundane goods had been sold. ¡°Now the true auction can begin in earnest!¡±


    ¡°I have a special treat for you today,¡± the auctioneer continued as he stalked across the stage. The man turned his head, looking over the crowd as he touched the corner of his nose and tossed them a wink. ¡°A rare beast egg, discovered by some intrepid explorers in the endless jungles south of the river!¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡±


    Yu Chen looked up at the noise.


    Serbo au Serbo had appeared at some point, staring out the window in interest at the large egg the man was holding up. It was large, and crooked black lines shot through the off-white shell. The auctioneer had to use both hands to hold it above his head.


    ¡°Strong beast!¡± The barbarian grunted as he scratched his chin.


    Yu Chen had to agree. Even from here he could feel the aura radiating off of it.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you cast a bid?¡± Yu Chen asked the barbaric man. ¡°Perhaps you could tame it.


    The barbarian gave him a snort. ¡°Serbo hunt beasts.¡± was all he said in response before turning away to fetch another drink.


    Yu Chen shook his head at the strange boy before turning his attention back to the auction below.


    ¡°I wish I could tell you what beast lies within this egg, but even the ones who found it couldn¡¯t say.¡± The auctioneer continued to speak down below. ¡°But what I can tell you, is that it¡¯s nearly at the peak of Stage 1, and it hasn¡¯t even hatched yet. It will undoubtedly prove to be a powerful companion for the right cultivator!¡±


    Serbo gave a grunt of agreement as he appeared once more, drink in hand.


    The auctioneer looked around, eyeing the boxes at the top.


    ¡°Bidding begins at 1,000 spirit stones!¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes almost bugged out of his head. Was an unknown spirit beast worth so much? He reached a hand into his robes, absently patting Lan She. She twisted as he petted her, and he could feel the slow rhythmic flicks of her tongue as it brushed against him.


    Perhaps it was a cheap price. The small snake had been by his side for so long he sometimes took her presence for granted, but he¡¯d never forgotten how she¡¯d saved his life against Feng Wu. Without her he would have been beaten to an inch of his life and left for dead in the woods long ago.


    Since then, she¡¯d helped to protect him again and again, whether it was against the Reavers in the secret realm or the wolves on the island they¡¯d recently left. A thousand spirit stones didn¡¯t begin to cover the value she¡¯d brought to his life.


    It seemed as though the other cultivators shared the sentiment, nearly every box around him lit up green. Even a few on the second lit up, but for the most part only a Golden Core cultivator could hope to acquire such a powerful beast.


    ¡°1500 spirit stones!¡± The auctioneer called out, but no room changed color. His eyes flashed at this sight, and he began increasing the number with intensity. ¡°2000, no 3000 spirit stones!¡±


    This at last caused some boxes to flicker, as some on the lower levels dropped out at this outrageous price, although a large number still remained. It must be said for a beast to be born at the peak of Stage 1 was truly outrageous, and there was little doubt that a beast with a powerful bloodline lay within, even if they didn¡¯t know what it was. It meant that the third, or even the fourth, stage was not out of the question.


    It sold for a price Yu Chen found truly outrageous, but he didn¡¯t have time to reflect on it as the auctioneer never stopped, bringing out more and more items, although they weren¡¯t at the level of the spirit beast egg. Perhaps he¡¯d kicked the auction off with a powerful item to get the crowd interested.


    If that was the case, then it worked. Every item that appeared received a flurry of bids.


    Almost immediately after the egg a variety of spirit forged weapons crossed the stage, apparently made by the same craftsman. Yu Chen cast a glance towards the boy beside him, but none of them seemed to catch Yan Ziqi¡¯s attention. The artifacts were well made and sold for quite a bit, but they didn¡¯t meet the artificer¡¯s exacting standard.


    A variety of pills were sold as well, sometimes in large lots that Yu Chen imagined only a sect leader could bid on. Collections that contained dozens of pills for low level cultivators, such as Qi Condensation pills, Foundation Establishment pills and more.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    The rarer pills were sold in single lots and elicited as much, if not more, interest than the larger ones. Three separate Foundation Consolidation pills, useful for those who¡¯d established a shaky foundation, sold for a high premium across the second floor, while a Golden Marrow pill, useful only for someone in a higher realm caused a furious bidding war.


    ¡°It¡¯s the ship!¡± Yu Chen yelled in excitement as the pirate ship they¡¯d seized appeared next on the auction block.


    Through some means a three-dimensional image of the ship floated above the stage, although Yu Chen couldn¡¯t tell how it was done.


    ¡°Next up we have an unnamed spirit vessel, fully functional and in working order. It¡¯s a mid-sized ship, more than capable of holding fifteen to twenty cultivators in relative comfort. It features a solid-core mast, a working spatial storage and a complement of spiritual artillery! Eight cannons to a side, engraved with standard inscriptions for fire and ice.¡±


    The auctioneer paced around the image, pointing out features of the ship as he moved. Yu Chen had to admit the man was good at his job. He made the refurbished ship sound as though it was brand new, and not a ratty pirate ship missing more than half the features the Sleeping Lady held.


    ¡°Do I hear 2,000 spirit stones?¡± Yu Chen¡¯s eyes widened as the man yelled out. That was even higher than the beast egg had begun at. He was surprised but he really shouldn¡¯t have been, the mast along could fetch that price.


    The boxes around them seemed to agree, and they lit up green all around him. This time however, it was the top row that was ambivalent. Golden Core cultivators had little use for such a poor ship, unless as an addition to their armada. But for a Foundation Establishment expert thinking about setting out on his own? Well, buying a secondhand ship was the best they could hope for.


    The price steadily increased until the commandeered ship eventually sold for the staggering price of 6,000 spirit stones. In truth, it was perhaps a bit under market value, but the ship wasn¡¯t the greatest either. Yu Chen was more than satisfied in either case and felt a good deal more comfortable knowing they¡¯d have the extra spirit stones on hand if they ever needed them.


    Sun Yuan was the most excited at the sudden windfall, and he licked his lips as he stared down at the stage. ¡°Are we splitting it down the middle?¡±


    Yu Chen shrugged his shoulders. ¡°We should make sure we keep some on hand, after all we burnt thousands of spirit stones when we fled the pirate¡¯s haven.¡±


    Sun Yuan appeared greatly put out at the words, the wind leaving his sails, so Yu Chen hurried to add. ¡°If you see something you need, it''s fine, go ahead and bid on it.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s words seemed to perk him up and he turned around to watch the auction again. Items continued to be brought forth, including the Moonroot crystals and the other items Yu Chen had put up for sale. The crystals added a few hundred spirit stones to his pockets, but it was the lotuses that really caused a stir as no less than three high level cultivators put in furious bids.


    In the end the items Yu Chen had put up sold for a few thousand spirit stones, far more than he¡¯d ever possessed before. His body might have broken through to Foundation Establishment, but technically he was still in the Qi Condensation realm, with enough money to nearly buy a Spirit Vessel of his own.


    His thoughts trailed off as the next item arrived.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special treat for you today!¡± The auctioneer called out, as two men carried out a spear bristling with energy. Yu Chen recognized it instantly, turning to stare at Yan Ziqi once more.


    The other boy gave him a slight shrug. ¡°First I''ll forge my hammer, then I''ll forge a better spear.¡± He said simply.


    ¡°Although this spear was forged by a journeyman artificer, it displays some truly brilliant features! It was crafted from refined steel and inlaid with thunderstone. A series of unique inscriptions have been carved into the spear, giving it a keen edge and homing properties, allowing it to unerringly find its target.¡±


    The auctioneer threw a dramatic hand out as he spoke.


    ¡°Simply aim and watch as it destroys whatever you target! It will even return back to you once finished!¡±


    The spear seemed to attract some attention among the Foundation Establishment cultivators present, earning Yan Ziqi 1500 spirit stones of his own. Servants arrived shortly after this, bringing them their payments for the goods they¡¯d put up for auction.


    Apparently artificing paid well, Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but think, as he turned and gave the other boy a considering look. Yan Ziqi looked back with a satisfied gleam in his eye.


    The rest of the auction was relatively normal, as the auctioneer brought forth the last items. Hidden techniques were trotted out, and more artifacts, some of them exceedingly peculiar.


    Two of them caught Yu Chen¡¯s eye. The first was a soulguide lantern. The treasure not only helped one to refine their soul, but it was also useful for corralling wayward spirits. The second was a pair of voidwalk boots, an artifact that gave one the temporary ability to briefly walk on air or teleport short distances.


    Soul refining was something Yu Chen had been interested in ever since his weakness in that area had been exposed, while the boots seemed to contain some mysteries related to space, which might help him understand the Martial Forms he¡¯d received from the Flowing Eternity sect.


    Unfortunately, both sold for sky high prices, and Yu Chen could only watch in discontent, despite his newfound wealth. In fact, besides the crafting materials Yan Ziqi had purchased, none of them had enough spirit stones to buy anything at the auction.


    They could only watch in desire as the powerful items danced before their eyes.


    ¡°Honored Guests.¡±


    Yu Chen looked up as the auctioneer spoke, his voice suddenly becoming unusually solemn. His exuberance seemed to have faded, and his eyes were drawn tight, appearing serious as he stared at the cultivators above.


    He realized with a start that at some point nearly a dozen powerful experts had appeared, crowding the small space around the auctioneer. They filled the air with an overwhelming aura, and Yu Chen realized in shock that they were all Golden Core experts.


    ¡°Today I have been blessed with something incredibly rare.¡± He began speaking as he looked around the room. He was a professional, and acted as such, but Yu Chen could see the hints of nervousness in his actions as he lifted a small box before him.


    ¡°What I am about to reveal is something that rarely, if ever, comes up for auction.¡± He cracked the box open the slightest bit. Space seemed to warp around him, and a baleful aura spread forth, seeping throughout the auction ship.


    Even the Golden Core cultivators nearby were cowed, let alone Yu Chen, who shrunk back, his heart beating in palpitations. The aura emitting from within threatened to overwhelm him, and even Serbo au Serbo, the most powerful in the room, felt its effects.


    ¡°A crystallized fragment of a True Domain,¡± The auctioneer said, his clear voice ringing through the dead silence that filled the air. ¡°Useful for anyone aiming to establish or expand one of their own.¡±


    All hell broke loose at his words .

 Confluence: Chapter 26 - The Auction Ship III

    ¡°Bidding begins at 100,000 spirit stones!¡± The auctioneer didn¡¯t have to shout, the words carried just fine to everyone within.


    Hearing the price Yu Chen¡¯s eyebrows rose so high they nearly disappeared.


    What sort of sum was that? It was more than enough to outfit an entire fleet of spirit vessels! What shocked him even more was the number of boxes that lit up all around, glowing a bright green.


    Yu Chen barely had time to ride the high of his newfound wealth before being dropped back into reality. What were a few thousand spirit stones when a powerhouse threw out a sum so easily?


    ¡°Do I hear 150,000?!¡± The auctioneer yelled, holding the box up high. Even he had to shrink back from the aura it emitted. What sort of power was contained in the fragment of a True Domain? If what Xiao Huang had said was true, then what the auctioneer held in his hand was a piece of crystallized power from someone two entire stages above a Golden Core cultivator.


    It was no wonder the Auction was bidding with such a frenzy.


    An uneasy feeling washed over Yu Chen as he watched a few of the cultivators around the auctioneer shift in place, frowning as they stared towards the ceiling. Even the auctioneer himself seemed to notice, suddenly stopping as he looked at a nearby cultivator in fear.


    Yu Chen exchanged an uneasy glance with Yan Ziqi.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time to go?¡± The artificer suggested.


    Yu Chen agreed. He would have loved to continue watching the scene, but if something happened it would be too late to cry. That fragment was something that could attract the attention of not only Golden Core cultivators and False Domain cultivators, but even True Domain cultivators as well. It wasn¡¯t something to take lightly, and Yu Chen wanted to be nowhere near when things came to a head.


    Sun Yuan and Serbo au Serbo seemed to agree. They¡¯d delivered Liang Hu to his father, and they¡¯d sold the ship they¡¯d come to sell and a few more things besides. There was no reason to stick around any further.


    One of the servants who stood nearby gave them a respectful bow as they left the box, preparing to leave the ship, but they hadn¡¯t made it halfway down before a massive aura burst out from above, washing across the ship and stifling them.


    ¡°Damn,¡± Yu Chen cursed under his breath as his heart sank. This was no Golden Core Cultivator.


    ¡°Xiao Yue!¡± A voice called out from above, and though it was outside the ship and far away, it reverberated all around, as though the man was standing beside them. It was a smooth and silky voice, cultured but containing an unmistakable hint of menace. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you¡¯d found something so nice?¡±


    ¡°Ren Xiangjun.¡± An aged voice replied in an even tone as another aura erupted from deep within the ship and surged forward, pushing back the one smothering the ship. Yu Chen took a deep breath as the energy stifling him faded, and he felt as though a weight had been lifted from his chest.


    ¡°Is it still best to leave?¡± Sun Yuan asked, his face fearful as he stared towards the ceiling as though he could see through it and into the night sky beyond. ¡°Are we any safer with that man out there?¡±


    An answer never came, as a feeling of power welled in the sky. They instinctively flinched the moment before the attack hit the Auction Ship. As massive as it was, it still rocked back from the force of the attack.


    Thankfully the shield surrounding the ship stopped the worst of the attack thrown their way, but the sound of shattering glass rang out as the boxes shattered, revealing rooms full of startled occupants. The four boys exchanged a short glance before bursting into motion as they dashed towards the lower floors. The other cultivators seemed to agree, and soon the hallways were packed as they all rushed to escape the ship that had suddenly turned into a battlefield.


    Yu Chen might have found the sight of so many Golden Core cultivators running around in disarray funny, if the sight of Golden Core cultivators running for their lives didn¡¯t terrify him.


    ¡°You dare!?¡±


    The angered shout rising out of the bowels of the Auction Ship filled Yu Chen with dread and he stumbled to his knees, his heart pounding, as a force beyond any he¡¯d ever felt erupted beneath him before shooting into the sky.


    The ship shook and the lights flickered as the man tore through the ship itself to rise into the sky, paying no heed to the destruction he caused along the way.


    Deep in his heart Yu Chen cursed once again, this one for the bastard who¡¯d brought the item to auction.


    ¡°Do I dare?¡± Ren Xiangjun replied with a laugh; his cultured voice tinged with amusement. ¡°Throughout the heavens and earth, what is there that I dare not do?¡±


    ¡°Good, very good!¡± Xiao Yue yelled in rage. ¡°Do not think that you can escape with your life!¡±


    ¡°Come and take it if you can.¡± Ren Xiangjun replied in derision. ¡°But bring that fragment with you when you do.¡±


    It seemed as though they¡¯d had enough talking, as powerful attacks exploded like fireworks through the sky above them, and though Yu Chen couldn¡¯t see them he could feel them. This was quickly turning into one the worst possible outcomes he could have imagined.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    For better or worse Yu Chen no longer held much fear of Golden Core cultivators. Or, more accurately, he believed that as long as he could reach the deck of the Sleeping Lady, he had good odds of escaping or outlasting them.


    But against a practitioner who¡¯d stepped far beyond the Golden Core and formed a False Domain of his own? Yu Chen had little hope. Still, he¡¯d take his chances with the Sleeping Lady, rather than the Auction Ship which was quickly beginning to feel like a coffin as it shook beneath the powerful attacks that continued to strike it.


    Who knew how long its shields would last?


    They¡¯d pushed and shoved their way to the bottom floors only to find they were more crowded than the ones above. Yu Chen and Serbo au Serbo formed the tip of the spear, using their size to fight through the crowd, even as the ship rocked and shook around them.


    At some point the cultivators around them had begun to fight each other, desperate to escape the auction.


    They moved faster, determined to escape the Auction ship before it devolved into a vicious melee, but not everyone was so lucky. A nearby girl fell back with a cry as she was struck by a slash from a wayward sword. Yu Chen was about to step past when the curious glance he tossed her way caused him to freeze.


    ¡°Xue Lan?!¡± He yelled out in surprise, but his voice couldn¡¯t penetrate through the din around them. He leapt towards her, bending down to lift up the wounded girl who stared up at him with pain-filled eyes.


    Men continued to jostle around him as they fought to free themselves, but they might as well have been leaves in the wind for all they managed to move him. His fearsome physique rooted him in place, and the others split around him like a rock in a stream.


    ¡°Yu Chen?¡± She whispered, as she looked up at him in disbelief. ¡°Is it really you?¡±


    ¡°Xue Lan!¡± Another boy called out as he leapt forward, but he came to a sudden halt as Yu Chen looked towards him with danger in his eyes. He cast a wary glance at the others as they hurried over to surround Yu Chen, keeping them safe in the midst of the brawl.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok.¡± The girl said as she pushed herself out of his arms with a grimace. She¡¯d taken a vicious cut, but determination shone in her eyes as she fumbled out a pill and swallowed it. It did little to staunch the bleeding, but she fumbled a piece of cloth from somewhere as she spoke again.


    ¡°I know him.¡± She said, but it was impossible to tell if she was talking to Yu Chen or the strange boy at that moment.


    Yu Chen frowned at the other boy, looking him up and down. Recognition flickered in his eyes as he realized he¡¯d seen him before. It was none other than the strange boy he¡¯d seen inside the Secret Realm, the member of the sword sect who¡¯d carried three swords with him.


    He was surprised to see him here.


    The rest of his sect had littered the ground with their dead, appearing to have fought to the last man. Well, it turned out at least one of them had survived, although he hadn¡¯t seen the boy since the last time the reavers had attacked, forcing them into the trials.


    ¡°Yu Chen.¡± Sun Yuan spoke as he looked around, his eyes filled with worry. ¡°Perhaps you can catch up later?¡±


    ¡°Do you have a ship?¡± Yu Chen asked Xue Lan, ignoring the other boy for a moment.


    She shook her head to the negative.


    ¡°Not of our own. We were hired to guard a merchant ship, but I have no idea where they went to.¡± She cast a glance around her but there were no answers to be found. The auction ship was a den of madness, and there was no telling who was where within the chaos.


    ¡°Come with us then.¡± Yu Chen said, lifting her to her feet before casting a glance at the other boy. ¡°Your friend as well. It isn¡¯t safe here any longer.¡±


    At some point members of the Auction Ship had arrived, doing their best to quell the riot that had occurred. Yu Chen and the others didn¡¯t stick around to see what happened however, making their way towards the docks where they froze, staring into the sky in awe.


    Yu Chen shivered as the cool breeze of the night air caressed his skin. Somehow it felt out of place, too normal when faced with the spectacle in the air up above.


    Two cultivators floated high above the Auction Ship, exchanging lightning-fast attacks that caused the air around them to crack and explode. They were like gods in the young boy¡¯s eyes, and their attacks caused the very world around them to shift and transfigure as they bent it to their will.


    One of the cultivators was much older than the other, and a long grey beard covered his wizened and ancient face. It was hard to look directly at him. He¡¯d suffused the world around him with his power, causing him to appear like a radiant sun in the night sky, lighting up the world around him. It wasn¡¯t just him either. The space surrounding him glowed with a golden hue, as lustrous veins of metallic gold flickered into existence all around him.


    He seized them as they appeared, seizing hold of that crackling energy and using it like a whip to lash out against the man he was facing.


    Yu Chen assumed the other man was Ren Xiangjun. His long, flowing black robes were high necked, rising right up to a pale face filled with an expression of cold amusement as he watched the attacks coming his way. With a wave of his hand the world around him turned a deep red the color of blood, before condensing and whirling around him in a thick viscous form.


    The whips of gold fruitlessly slammed against the revolving shell of blood, but try as they might, they just couldn''t break through.


    ¡°Come now!¡± Ren Xiangjun¡¯s mocking voice rang above the open river as it sounded out from within. ¡°Is this the might of the Auction Ship?¡±


    The blood rotating around him came to a halt before vibrating, filling the air with an audible buzz. Ren Xiangjun let out a sudden shout and the blood shot forward, blasting across the empty space towards the old man. A bloody hue remained behind as his false domain stained the air around him.


    An unsightly frown crossed the old man¡¯s face as he hurried to revolve his qi. This time the gold surrounding him condensed, forming into a golden shield that intercepted the blood streaking towards him.


    ¡°What does a dog know of might?¡± The old man yelled as his face twisted into a rictus of rage. ¡°You¡¯re just a lapdog who sniffs the ass of its betters!¡±


    Ren Xiangjun¡¯s face flushed red at the insult, but a tightlipped smile crossed his face as he dashed forward, closing the distance. The false domains crackled around the edges as they met, red and gold warring in the sky for dominance.


    ¡°How is your Patriarch doing?¡± Xiao Yue cackled as he danced back from the other man, raining Ren Xiangjun with a golden shower of crackling energy as he approached. ¡°I heard he made you bark real loud; the last time you failed your challenge!¡±


    Ren Xiangjun let out an indeterminate noise of rage, something halfway between a cry and a howl as he threw a hand up, pulling a massive wave of water up from the river itself. It rose high into the sky, high enough to touch the tip of his domain which rapidly stained the yellow waters blood-red. It was as though a reaction was ignited, and the waters of the yellow river erupted as the fearsome wave crashed down upon the old cultivator.


    ¡°We have a problem.¡± Sun Yuan said quietly.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Yu Chen said, tearing his eyes away from the fight above.


    ¡°That.¡± The navigator said, pointing out at the river before them.


    The Auction Ship was surrounded, encircled by dozens of ships flying a black flag. A flag Yu Chen recognized. It was a simple design, with only a single streak of vibrant red the color of blood piercing the blackness. No, not a streak.


    A river.


    ¡°Damn.¡± Yu Chen whispered as Xue Lan let out a horrified gasp by his side.


    The reavers had arrived at the Auction Ship.

 Confluence: Chapter 27 - The Battle for the Auction Ship I

    Havoc erupted across the docks as more cultivators arrived, pouring out of the bowels of the auction ship. Wails of alarm and shouts of terror filled the air as the new arrivals looked around them in dismay, taking in the dire straits they were in.


    Fear took hold of the crowd at the sight of the reaver ships surrounding them, and panic began to spread, causing tempers to ignite as the cultivators jostled in place, pressing against each other.


    Yu Chen began to worry as he felt violent auras crackling to life nearby. His small group was powerful, at least relative to their level, but they were nothing special within the vast crowd of cultivators flooding the dock. A crowd that teetered on the very edge of erupting into a riot once again.


    The panic reached a peak, threatening to boil over into chaos once more. It never happened, as the oppressive aura of a Golden Core Cultivator fell over them, quelling the crowd.


    Two powerful cultivators flew out of the ship, hovering in the air above the docks and the nearby cultivators shrank back as the blazing auras fell over them. The two cultivators didn¡¯t pay any mind to those beneath them, instead glaring out at the pirates surrounding the Auction Ship.


    More Golden Core cultivators shot out from within the ship, rising up to join the first two. Yu Chen¡¯s body shook, threatening to come apart as no less than a dozen Golden Core cultivators arrived, spreading out to guard the auction ship on all sides.


    Yu Chen swallowed dryly, any saliva he might have produced having long since dried up in fear as the situation rapidly grew beyond his ability to control. His heart beat like a drum against his chest and he clenched and unclenched his hands helplessly by his side.


    Fearsome auras of energy erupted from the enemy ships as black robed cultivators leapt from the decks, soaring into the air to face down the Golden Core Cultivators who¡¯d flown out to defend the Auction Ship.


    Yu Chen looked back and forth between the cultivators filling the sky, weighing his odds and finding any hope of escape diminishing by the second. Never mind the two old monsters fighting in the sky who could kill him with a glance, any one of these Golden Core Cultivators were well beyond his ability to face.


    There were dozens of them facing off in the skies above him, and fleeing a single one had already been difficult enough. Yu Chen didn¡¯t see a way out of this that left his life intact, and he silently cursed the day he¡¯d met Liang Hu.


    ¡°Honored Guests.¡± A cold and even voice rang out across the Auction Ship, startling Yu Chen from his thoughts.


    ¡°Apologies for the interruption, but it appears as though the Auction Ship has an unannounced guest tonight.¡± The cold voice continued, coming from a figure that slowly floated out of the Auction Ship and rose high into the sky.


    The figure emitting a bleak aura came to a halt near the two figures fighting through the sky, far above the Golden Core cultivators. His fine white robes swayed in the wind around him, and the gold trimming the edges marked him as a member of the Auction Ship.


    His were different from the others, however. Xiao Yue¡¯s trim ran nearly halfway up his sleeves and looked as though they¡¯d been dipped in gold, but the new arrivals trim was extremely minimal, a token gesture towards propriety and nothing more.


    ¡°On behalf of the Auction Ship, I must ask for your assistance in handling this matter today.¡± He spoke again, and despite being so far away they could clearly hear his cold words as he impassively watched the two figures fighting through the sky.


    Xiao Yue was currently retreating, desperately dodging the waves of blood that swelled up from the river and threatened to swallow him whole.


    The austere cultivator cast a glance down. Yu Chen let out a sharp gasp, tingles of shock racing across his skin as he realized that he recognized the man. It was none other than Elder Liang, the father of the merchant they¡¯d rescued before.


    When they¡¯d met Yu Chen had felt as though his cultivation was unfathomable, but he truly hadn¡¯t expected the man to be a False Domain cultivator, among those who¡¯d formed their Conceptual Seed and taken a huge stride towards immortality.


    ¡°Who among you stands with the ship!?¡± Elder Liang¡¯s eyes flashed as his voice roared, crashing over those aboard and within. It was the first expression of emotion Yu Chen had ever seen from the man.


    ¡°I will!¡± A voice rang out, and a shocking aura flooded out of the ship as another cultivator soared into the sky to float beside Elder Liang. The black robes he wore had been cut into ribbons, and they whipped about him, rippling in the wind. He wielded a long spear that shone with a wicked gleam, and his brows were tilted in a stern gaze as he looked towards Ren Xiangjun.


    Another False Domain cultivator, but the aura he emitted was beyond any of the others.


    ¡°The Azure Waves Pavillion stands as well!¡±


    A commanding voice carried across the ship as another aura erupted within. A portly man wearing deep blue robes shot into the sky, revolving a trident through his hands. He blew past Elder Liang and the spearman as he swung his strange weapon in a sweeping circle, sending a wave of energy shooting out towards Ren Xiangjun.


    The black-robed cultivator backpedaled, surprised at the sudden attack, but only a moment passed before he enforced his will.


    It was as though the world itself bled as the bloody aura surrounding him gleamed with a viscous light before exuding droplets of blood that manifested in the air around him. He spun the blood in a tight circle, dissipating the energy before casting a ferocious glare at the incoming man. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could speak another voice floated out from within the massive spiritual vessel.


    ¡°Now, now boys,¡± A feminine voice said, the words lilting up at the end in a teasing manner. ¡°You can at least wait for me before you get started.¡±


    Yu Chen¡¯s face grew red at the words, and his heart skipped a beat though he didn¡¯t know why. His heart hadn¡¯t stopped pounding, but now it felt different, in some strange way he couldn¡¯t define.


    Try as he might, he couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away from the voluptuous figure rising out of the Auction Ship.


    She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, no thin wisp of a girl full of innocence and unspoiled charm, but a mature woman, well-endowed and in the full flower of her beauty. Her black hair stretched to her ankles, a shimmering river that danced entrancingly under the moonlit sky. It framed a doey-eyed face that was full of mischief as she stared towards the pirate who glared back at her in shock.


    Her bright red lips parted seductively as she came to a halt, before twisting into a soft smile as she met the eyes of the cultivator from the Bloody River Sect.


    ¡°Why, Ren Xiangjun, it¡¯s been so long!¡± She said with a soft laugh as she twirled a finger through her hair. ¡°I must say, you seem to be doing well these days. Have you missed me?¡±


    A stormy look crossed the man¡¯s face before twisting into a rictus of rage. ¡°Y-y-you slut!¡± He sputtered in anger before gaining control of himself. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    She filled the air with her tinkling laughter, but the humor didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you are still mad at me Xiang¡¯er, it was oh so long ago.¡±


    Her full lips turned downwards as she pouted at him, and Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but let out a sigh. Countless other cultivators did so as well, and the sound startled him, snapping him out of his daze. He looked around, seeing a few of the other cultivators looking around in confusion, but most continued to stare into the sky, entranced by the female cultivator.Stolen novel; please report.


    Yu Chen cast a glance to the side, seeing Xue Lan staring at him with a frown. He raised a shoulder into half a shrug, an apology, though he wasn¡¯t quite sure for what. He gave Sun Yuan a rough shake, waking up the boy who had a bit of drool forming in the corner of his mouth. He jostled Yan Ziqi slightly, getting his attention, but the boy appeared fairly clear minded and not deeply entranced.


    Surprisingly it was Serbo au Serbo who appeared to be the least affected. He paid the beautiful woman no mind at all, instead looking towards Xiao Yue in interest. Ren Xiangjun had been pressing him back before, but he was rapidly recovering now that their battle had reached a lull.


    ¡°Good, very good!¡± Ren Xiangjun shouted as the five cultivators spread out, circling around him. He turned, watching them with a wary eye, but it was clear he was outmatched and outnumbered. ¡°I was still going to offer you a path towards life, but that chance is gone! We will see who deserves to sit as the head of the Bloody River Sect after I torch this ship and feast on your Death qi!¡±


    ¡°Attack!¡± He roared, madness filling his eyes as he activated a hidden technique. His aura rose until it was far beyond the others, pressing down upon the river with a baleful intent.


    Alarm shot through Yu Chen as he felt two more powerful auras erupt as a couple of False Domain cultivators flew into the sky to join Ren Xiangjun.


    The new arrivals appeared to be twins. Their faces were identical in shape, although one had pulled their hair back into a tight ponytail and the others was kept long and flowing. The robes they wore were identical to those worn by Ren Xiangjun, crafted from fine black silks with the emblem of a bloody river streaked across the chest.


    They didn¡¯t exchange words, pelting their foes with storms of bloody raindrops as they sprang into action.


    The battle in the sky began in earnest with their arrival, and the world shook with so much unleashed energy that Yu Chen felt it begin to bleed into the environment around them.


    To form a False Domain one had to first form a Conceptual Seed, a manifestation of one¡¯s understanding of the laws underlying reality itself. This was only the first step towards the creation of a True Domain, a space where reality was nothing less than what you determined it to be.


    Strange things could happen in the presence of a person who¡¯d taken this step, beginning to influence the world around them. Seven? Yu Chen wasn¡¯t entirely sure reality was prepared to handle seven of them at once.


    Beginning with Xiao Yue, the invisible aura of power surrounding the cultivators in the sky crackled to life. The golden glow of his aura spread out, staining the world around him. Physical veins of gold continually blinked in and out of existence in the space that he¡¯d claimed, appearing and disappearing in an uncertain existence, until the old man reached out a hand to grasp a strand.


    Then it was uncertainty that disappeared as the strand of gold manifested into reality, as real as the skin on Yu Chen¡¯s body or the snake within his robes. Xiao Yue lashed out with it, furiously whipping it across the sky to slam into the domain Ren Xiangjun had suddenly manifested.


    Blood exuded from reality, forming a shell that encased him within, stronger and more well defined than any he had made before. It gleamed under the golden glow cast by Xiao Yue¡¯s aura, reflecting the unfathomable depth of power within.


    The golden whip crashed uselessly against the shell, but Xiao Yue would not be deterred, swinging the whip again and again.


    As if on cue the other cultivator''s domains erupted, flaring to life like children showing off their toys.


    The domain of the twins accompanying Ren Xiangjun appeared exactly like his, and they stained the world around them a bloody red, but the domains of the others were more varied and unique. The world around the man wielding the trident erupted, turning a deep blue the color of a winter pond. His domain raged around him like waves on a stormy day.


    The voluptuous woman¡¯s was much more subdued, appearing as a faint rosy hue that outlined her figure and spread like spores throughout the world around her. She became even more alluring as her domain spread, to the point that Yu Chen could no longer bear to see her, and he tore his gaze away to stare at the last two.


    Elder Liang¡¯s aura was¡­ different. It was empty, cold and harsh, and the air around him became still as though the wind itself feared to move within. The air around him flickered as strange things came into being, expressions of a concept so esoteric Yu Chen simply failed to grasp it.


    As for his friend, the black robed cultivator whose clothes had been cut into ribbons, his aura filled with a piercing sheen, as though a literal edge had been made manifest in the world around him. Yu Chen didn¡¯t consider himself an expert on such things, but he imagined the wicked spear gleaming in his hands was deadly beyond compare.


    He had to tear his eyes away from the battle above as the air around filled with thunderous roars. The cannons inscribed with elemental glyphs exploded from aboard the Reaver vessels, sending great burning balls of fiery qi flying towards the Auction Ship, alongside freezing shards of icy energy and literal bolts of lightning that zigzagged through the space between, showering the spirit vessel in a deadly storm of energy.


    Yu Chen had seen the power of the Auction Ship many times since he¡¯d arrived here. He¡¯d come from the Golden Mist Sect where he¡¯d never even heard the term Domain, but the Auction Ship contained two cultivators at that level, and countless Golden Core cultivators besides.


    Did the Golden Mist Sect even contain half a dozen Golden Core Cultivators? Yu Chen wasn¡¯t certain it did, but the Auction Ship had at least twice that many. Even so, it was clear the Reavers were a cut above.


    The Auction Ship responded to the incoming attack, its hull sliding back to reveal more spirit cannons than he¡¯d ever seen, more than he¡¯d ever even believed a ship could hold, before erupting in a furious blast of energy that sent the ship swaying back and forth. Yu Chen fought to hold his footing, but that was the least of his concern as another battle began taking place.


    The Golden Core cultivators had flown off the reaver ship, flying through the air to attack on their own, and at the same time, the cultivators from the Auction Ship rose into the sky to meet them.


    Yu Chen had never felt more hopeless than in that moment.


    This was a battle beyond anything he could have ever imagined, taking place on three different levels, and he was among the weakest in the fight, unable to affect the smallest thing.


    In the skies far above the ship, high enough to border upon the heavens, the False Domain cultivators fought like gods as they warred to turn reality itself to their cause.


    Ren Xiangjun and the twins fought as one, their false domains combining to turn half the night sky the color of blood. The size of his original domain had vastly increased, approaching dangerously near to the yellow river below. This proved to be a great boon as they pulled upon the river, unleashing the signature move of the Bloody River sect.


    Three separate streams rose up from the river, twisting through the air as the cultivators pulled on it in unison, and the yellow waters of the river were dyed the color of blood as they entered the domain of the black robed cultivators. The technique ignited the latent energies that lay within the yellow river, causing the waters to emit a fearsome aura as they were sent to crash against their foes.


    Ren Xiangjun appeared crazed after his fearsome transformation. His bloodshot eyes glowed with intensity and the dark veins on his face bulged out against his pale, ashen skin as he sent the massive bloody wave he controlled crashing down on Xiao Yue.


    The old man hastily revolved the gold around him into a shield, but the energy crashing down upon him was far greater than anything Ren Xiangjun had sent before.


    The energy from the attack began to overwhelm Xiao Yue, causing cracks to begin appearing in the golden shield, but Elder Liang arrived just in time, reinforcing the older man. Yu Chen didn¡¯t know what strange concept the elder cultivated, but his false domain seemed to overlap the others, creating a complimentary effect. The golden shield suddenly gleamed, beginning to repair itself, and it seemed to take even less energy to do so than before.


    Working together, they barely managed to withstand the powerful technique the reaver sent their way, but the mysterious cultivator wielding a spear had to join the fight, before they could take the upper hand. He flew in close, his spear flickering across the intervening space in sharp stabbing motions that forced Ren Xiangjun to retreat. The sharp aura he emitted enhanced the attacks, allowing them to tear through the bloody aura itself.


    He was the real deal, and Yu Chen felt a deep sense of respect as he watched the spearman carve a path across the sky, pressing back the powerful cultivator despite his transformation. There was no stopping his sharp aura as it cut a path forward through the bloody domain in the sky.


    While the three cultivators fought together to oppress Ren Xiangjun, holding him back until his transformation ran out, the other two had paired off against the twins, fighting very different battles within the night sky.


    The man with the trident sent azure waves of his own crashing against the bloody waves a twin sent his way, while the voluptuous woman played cat and mouse with the other. Each cultivator fought in their own way, walking the path they believed would take them closest to heaven.


    The second battle took place beneath this, as the Golden Core cultivators skimmed across the river and flew through the air above, exchanging devastating attacks that contained the hint of concepts that had yet to solidify. They fought in their own way as well, and for many this fight was an opportunity, a chance for them to pit their ideals against one another as they fought for the day where they could take their rightful place even higher in the sky.


    But it was the third battle that concerned Yu Chen, the one that took place upon the river as the Auction ship exchanged blows with the dozens of pirate vessels surrounding it.


    More and more guests flew forward to defend the Auction Ship, as the heads of various sects and groups flew into the sky to fight against the pirates. Even the Foundation Establishment cultivators seemed intent on doing their part, as they boarded or brought forth the spirit vessels they owned.


    Yu Chen exchanged a glance with the others before casting a wary glance towards the sky.


    This third battle wasn¡¯t very important. In the end, everything would be decided by those up above.


    He cast a glance at the armada before them, filled with black robed reavers who lived for the death and destruction of others. Reavers who had killed more than a few people he knew.


    The fight might not determine the future, but Yu Chen wasn¡¯t going to pass up the opportunity to remove a few more of these pests from the river.

 Confluence: Chapter 28 - The Battle for the Auction ship II

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Yu Chen shouted to the others, yelling to be heard over the din of battle.


    Sun Yuan nodded at his words, throwing out his soulbound artifact. It rapidly enlarged as it left the sleeve of his robes, transforming into a sleek spirit vessel that landed in the river with a splash. Displaced water shot into the air, raining down over the sleeping woman gracing the prow.


    They all leapt aboard, Xue Lan and her friend as well, as they swept out into the river to join the other ships sailing off to do battle with the reavers.


    Vessels large and small, and new and old alike came together to defend the Auction Ship, forming a ragtag group as varied as the customers it served. The largest ships belonged to the various sects and groups that dwelled within the river. They were masterful vessels, works of art that cut a sleek figure as they sailed across the yellow river.


    Two of the nearby frigates flew an azure flag, and one in the distance flew a grey flag with blue streaks, like drops of rain across a cloudy surface. They symbolized the pride the cultivators had in their sect, he thought, watching as a flag featuring a rising sun flying over a field of verdant green whipped about in the wind blowing across the river.


    Of course, most of the ships weren¡¯t nearly as large, instead being midsized like the Sleeping Lady herself. They were the property of smaller sects, or individual groups of alchemists and artificers who had the money to spend on a finer vessel than most.


    But it was the small ships that filled the river, more numerous by far. Sampans and sloops with room for only a single cultivator, or perhaps two, and so small they didn¡¯t even have artillery, sailed beside junks and cargo ships that carried three to five, designed to haul the crops and goods belonging to the various spirit farmers and merchants up and down the river.


    Their equipment might be lacking, but in the end, even a single cultivator was a force all their own.


    The Sleeping Lady sailed in the center of this strange armada that cut a path across the river, heading towards the surrounding pirates. The air around them filled with smoke and explosions, obscuring their vision as the spiritual artillery aboard the reaver fleet and the Auction Ship rang out, firing back and forth between them.


    Yu Chen felt his hair begin to lift up, and the robes on his body as well, floating in the air as it became charged from the qi that was filling the environment. Energetic attacks continued to fly overhead, as the attacks coming from the ships and the Golden Core cultivators above refused to let up.


    A deep, whooshing roar filled Yu Chen¡¯s ears. He threw a hand up as he felt waves of heat roll over him as blazing hot balls of fire fell out of the sky, landing in the waters all around him.


    The reavers had halted their assault of the Auction Ship, bringing their cannons to bear on the ragtag fleet that was fast approaching them. Another thunderous roar sounded out, smoke pouring over the river as the pirates opened fire once more, sending chaotic energies blasting across the river.


    Their impressive artillery shredded through the multitude of spiritual vessels.


    Yu Chen shielded himself as a fiery ball of qi smashed into a nearby vessel. The small junk exploded, sending flaming shards everywhere, and the brave spirit farmer aboard didn¡¯t even have time to widen his eyes before he disappeared from sight.


    Was it brave or foolish, Yu Chen couldn¡¯t help but wonder, to sail out into this battlefield without so much as a working shield? He shook his head, turning away from the blazing pyre and the half dozen like it they left behind in their wake.


    The frigates on their side turned, having approached close enough to fire, and unleashed a devastating counterattack that cut through the reaver fleet, piercing a few of the weakened shields. The Sleeping Lady and the rest of the ships used the covering fire to press forward, approaching the enemy ships.


    The river had become a scene of chaos, but the Lady seemed at home as she swept across the massive waves that had been churned up from the depths. Sun Yuan held her in a stern hand as she rose up an approaching swell, her prow cutting across the crest of the wave to arrive victoriously on the other side. A black frigate loomed on the other side, near enough that they almost rammed into it.


    Sun Yuan furiously spun the wheel, the vessel creaking as he swung it into a sharp turn, that brought them alongside the black vessel. Yan Ziqi¡¯s eyes gleamed as he unleashed the cannons, shaking the vessel beneath them. This close to the enemy ship the blow was sharp and concentrated, smashing through their shields and leaving a gaping wound in the hull of the vessel.


    They sailed away, a fire burning in the belly of the half-ruined ship from the sudden blast of energy they¡¯d unleashed upon it. They¡¯d disabled it, leaving it unable to fire again.


    Not that it mattered.


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    Yu Chen cast a glance behind him, watching as the smaller ships arrived in their wake. Dozens of cultivators jumped aboard the ruined vessel, intent on finishing them off. He didn¡¯t end up seeing what happened next; however, his vision was blocked by an explosion of energy that struck the river between them, sending a plume of dark water shooting high into the night sky.


    The fight was chaotic and brutal in the darkness of night, the only light they had to guide them coming from the frequent explosions that erupted across the sky.


    ¡°Another one ahead!¡±


    Panic filled his voice as Sun Yuan called out from the helm, spinning the wheel as he tried to avoid ramming into a black ship that had cut out in front of them.


    The prow began to ponderously swing around as the wheel spun under his hand, but it moved far too slow for the quick-paced fight. It was unavoidable. They braced for impact, rushing to grab ahold of something before the two ships met.


    They came together with the violent sound of snapping timbers as the metallic figurehead on the prow of the Lady tore through the enemy hull, biting as deep as she could before the ship''s momentum was arrested. A shudder ran through the spirit vessel as she finally came to a halt, locking the two ships together.


    The air filled with tension as their small crew looked up, meeting the eyes of the thirty odd cultivators aboard the enemy ship.


    Serbo au Serbo made the first move.


    No warning passed his lips, no wild battle cry or high-pitched squeal as he leaped into action. There was only a twang, a slight reverberation that filled the air as a blazing white line cut across Yu Chen¡¯s vision, leaving a burning afterimage that remained no matter how hard he blinked.


    He blinked again, seeing smoke rising from the lifeless body of a pirate that had been pinned to the deck with an arrow.


    The creaking sound of a bow being flexed filled his ears, but before his thoughts had a chance to catch up another arrow leapt forward claiming another life.


    This at last seemed to break the stillness on board. Auras crackled to life as the cultivators leapt into action. The majority of the black robed pirates were only in Qi Condensation, but there were more than a few Foundation Establishment cultivators among them.


    Thankfully, there were no Golden Core cultivators on board, all of them having taken to the skies.


    They might have fewer men than the pirates, but they held the edge in quality. Not only were Serbo au Serbo and Yan Ziqi both within the realm of Foundation Establishment, but Xue Lan and her friend had also stepped into a higher realm since the last time he¡¯d seen them. Yu Chen himself was only halfway there, but his body was powerful enough that he didn¡¯t fear to fight one on one.


    Sun Yuan was the only one among them who was entirely within the realm of Qi Condensation, but he was quickly approaching its boundaries, and it wouldn¡¯t be long before he stepped into Foundation Establishment as well.


    It made him a liability in this fight, but he fought as though he didn¡¯t care, rushing to the prow of their ship to help repel the boarders. He swung his sabre through intricate patterns, deflecting a blow from a pirate before lashing out and cutting deep into his flesh. The attack sent him reeling back, but more cultivators appeared to replace the man.


    The swordsman joined him, expertly wielding two blades at once, the third one he carried remaining curiously sheathed at his side.


    Swords were a strange sight on the river. Most of the cultivators tended to prefer the heavier and thicker blades of a sabre, as they were useful for not only cutting through men, but ropes and timber as well.


    Yu Chen knew however, that it wasn¡¯t the weapon that mattered but the skill of the hands that wielded it. The swordsman might have been born in the same backwards, inland empire that Yu Chen called home, but they¡¯d at least managed to teach him how to wield a sword.


    Serbo au Serbo sat in the back, calmly picking off the cultivators that tried to swarm up the ship. Between him and the other two, none of the cultivators managed to make it aboard.


    Until a powerful aura fell over them, two Foundation Establishment experts leaping over the fray to land on the deck of the Sleeping Lady. They moved to attack, but Yan Ziqi appeared, erupting with a powerful aura of his own as he faced them down. A burst of will sent his artifacts flying into the sky, where they swirled around him in a deadly storm of energy.


    Xue Lan was nowhere to be seen, but Yu Chen didn¡¯t have time to worry about that as he leapt across the deck to stand beside Yan Ziqi. The artificer wasted no time, bursting into motion as soon as he arrived. He waved his hand, sending his artifacts shooting forward as he jumped in to attack.


    Yu Chen took a light step, dashing forward as well as he activated his movement technique to keep pace with the older boy.


    The two black robed cultivators appeared surprised at their speed, but to their credit they reacted quickly, gracefully unsheathing their weapons. One waved a hand, and a Sabre appeared, burning with a fiery red light, while the other shook his sleeve. A thin blade fell into his hand, somewhat longer than a dagger but still shorter than a sword.


    They clashed with the demonic cultivators, meeting in an explosion of sudden violence.


    Yan Ziqi took the man on the right, the one with a burning sabre, covering him in a whirlwind of chaotic energy. The man waved his blade around impotently, but Yu Chen didn¡¯t have time to watch as he attacked the other.


    A wolfish grin crossed his face as he ducked under the thin blade slashing towards his neck. His biggest strength in times like these was the element of surprise. Yu Chen had kept pace with Yan Ziqi before, but in truth he was far faster than the other boy.


    He burnt his qi with abandon as he accelerated to his maximum speed, twisting his hips and lashing out with a sharp kick that caught the unsuspecting man in the ribs.


    Yu Chen compressed his qi at the moment of impact, in the same way he had time and time again, but this time everything felt right. The blow shattered his opponent''s ribs, sending sharp shards of bones ricocheting throughout his body.


    He paused for a second, his foot still in the air as he watched the Foundation Establishment expert tumble across the deck away from him.


    Something shifted inside, the Diamond Forms he¡¯d begun working on so long ago finally clicking into place, but the foolish grin that had begun to spread across his face was wiped away as his opponent stood up.


    The man spat out a mouthful of blood, casting a resentful look his way. Thin dribbles of red liquid ran down his chin, staining his robes, but the man ignored it, raising his blade before him.


    ¡°You¡¯re a tough one, aren¡¯t you?¡± Yu Chen asked conversationally as he fell into a defensive posture.

 Confluence: Chapter 29 - The Battle for the Auction Ship III

    The man in black leapt towards Yu Chen, and a fierce battle ensued.


    His qi erupted, the blood he¡¯d spat out earlier flying into the air and coalescing into a bloody dart that was nearly invisible against the night sky. The cultivator¡¯s face twisted into a bloody scowl as he made a throwing motion, sending the dart shooting towards Yu Chen.


    The boy was already moving. Cycling his movement technique, he leapt to the side, dodging the attack as he took short pitter-pattering steps that brought him across the deck in an instant.


    Yu Chen appeared beside the man, but this time the cultivator wasn¡¯t caught off guard by his speed.


    His eyes flashed as he calculated the boy¡¯s angle of attack, already swinging his blade before Yu Chen could appear. Yu Chen¡¯s eyes shot up as he tried desperately to abort, leaping out of the way before he even had a chance to strike out with a heavy blow.


    He was caught off guard. He¡¯d pulled back far enough to avoid the worst of it, but the glancing blow still marked him, and he could feel the warm, wet liquid running down his arm to splash against the deck below.


    He took a step back, readjusting, but the pirate didn¡¯t let up, a gleam of satisfaction filling his eyes. He lunged forward, thrusting his thin blade forward in quick, violent motions as he tested Yu Chen¡¯s defenses. Half the ribs in his side had been cracked or broken, but it was as though he didn¡¯t even feel it as he pressed the attack. Yu Chen sprawled backwards to avoid another thrust, and the man¡¯s mouth spread into a wide grin filled with blood-stained teeth as the boy fell to the deck.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t stay down long. He hit the deck with the back of his shoulders, rolling backwards before leaping back to his feet. He dashed forward, attempting to get close to the other cultivator.


    His attack was brought up short as three bloody darts cut across the space towards him, forcing him to hastily leap to the side.


    This was the biggest disadvantage Yu Chen had against Foundation Establishment cultivators right now. His body was as strong, in fact stronger, than most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators he¡¯d met, but he lacked any ability to externalize his qi. He couldn¡¯t fight them from range, and that made it incredibly difficult for him to get close enough to bring his tempered body to bear.


    His heartbeat against the inside of his chest as he considered what to do, sending a stream of energy through him that caused him to feel refreshed even in the midst of battle. Qi surged through his body, demanding to be used as his reserves welled up.


    But all that energy did him little good without any way to manifest it.


    The deck was covered with blood from the wounded and dead, the perfect tool for the demonic cultivator. He smiled as he reached out, lifting it up into the air to form into more bloody darts. Yu Chen smiled back, casting a fearless grin towards the older man.


    The pirate released the darts, sending them flying through the air towards Yu Chen as he ran, but they never came near him. He slid under one and leapt above another, landing on the mast and kicking off to avoid the third. The cultivator pulled on the blood around him, sending more and more darts flying through the air towards Yu Chen.


    He dodged them all, and when his foe least expected it, Yu Chen was there. He accelerated with a sudden burst of speed, cycling his movement technique to the max as he burned his qi without care, every beat of his heart slowly refilling his reserves.


    The cultivator backpedaled a step, bringing the thin blade up to block a blow, but Yu Chen simply smashed a hard fist against it without a care in the world. The explosive blow contained all the might he could muster, the qi surging into his fist to condense into two infinitesimally small points on his knuckles.


    There was a single brief moment as the weapon resisted before it was blasted out of the pirate''s grip, flying across the deck to land with a clatter. Yu Chen¡¯s attack had left the pirate wide open, and the dumbfounded look on his face did little to protect him from the barrage of heavy blows. He landed a heavy fist right below the man¡¯s solar plexus, lifting him off his feet and into the air, where a hard blow to the side of his head sent him crashing into the deck.


    Yu Chen slammed a foot down as the pirate fell, aiming to crush the man¡¯s skull, but some unconscious sense of preservation caused him to roll out of the way. The boy growled in frustration at the near miss, lashing out with a kick that sent the pirate tumbling across the deck.


    He was only delaying the inevitable. Yu Chen took two short steps beginning to walk to the pirate¡¯s side as the man pushed himself up onto his knees, but he came to a halt as the man looked up.


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    The pirate bled from all over, his bones were broken and his ribs were crushed. Even the side of his head was deformed from where Yu Chen¡¯s blow had smashed into it, partially caving it in. But there was no look of terror on the man¡¯s face, or one of pain, or even resignation. Instead, he wore the sly grin of a man who¡¯d watched you walk into a trap.


    Yu Chen felt his skin prickle and began to leap backwards, but a large spike thrust out of a nearby puddle of blood, thrusting through his thigh and pinning him in place. Sharp aching pain erupted all over his body as more bloody spikes formed, spearing through his flesh.


    Two, no three, separate spikes pierced through the arm that had been cut, his own coagulated blood turning against him.


    Another spike pierced through each of his palms, rendering his fists near useless as the blood covering them, blood he¡¯d beaten out of his enemy, was turned into a weapon.


    Yu Chen gave a light cough, wavering on his feet as the other cultivator stood up. The pirate raised his arm, a vicious look crossing his face, but whatever technique he¡¯d been about to activate never came as he collapsed, the life fading from his eyes.


    It was a lesson, Yu Chen realized, as the bloody spikes sticking through his body dissipated, allowing his own blood to leak from the numerous holes they¡¯d left behind. A wounded foe was only ever more dangerous, never less. His thoughts began to slur as the crashing sounds of the battle around him blended together in a thunderous din.


    He fumbled with the ring on his finger, trying two times before he managed to inject it with a thin stream of qi, bringing forth one of his rejuvenation pills. He nearly dropped the small lozenge as it slid through blood-slicked fingers that refused to work properly, but in the end, he managed to bring it to his mouth and swallow it down.


    He cast a blurry look around, watching as the pirates began to swarm across the deck of the Lady. Sun Yuan and the strange swordsman could only hold back so many at once, as many of the pirates simply ran past them and swarmed across the deck of the Sleeping Lady.


    One came running towards him, screaming words that were lost in the noise of battle as he waved a sabre above his head.


    Yu Chen let out a cold snort, wincing in pain as he slapped a bleeding palm against the side of the blade that came swinging down towards him. The blade twisted in the pirate¡¯s hands, and Yu Chen gritted his teeth, slamming the side of his wounded hand into the pirate¡¯s neck as he stumbled past.


    He couldn¡¯t hear the sound of breaking bones and cartilage snapping as the man¡¯s neck failed to stop his hand, but he certainly felt it.


    The sabre fell out of the man¡¯s nerveless fingers as he fell to the deck, gasping for a breath of air that never came. But Yu Chen paid him no mind, wavering on his feet as the pirate choked to death. He felt lightheaded from the blood loss, everything around him appearing as though in a dream.


    He watched as Yan Ziqi killed the Foundation Establishment expert he¡¯d been fighting against as well, crushing him under a storm of artifacts that crackled with power. A much cleaner death than the one Yu Chen had offered.


    Another cultivator rose to take their place, and Yan Ziqi was soon preoccupied again.


    Serbo au Serbo¡¯s bow had claimed more than a dozen lives before a Foundation Establishment expert closed in with him, forcing him into close combat and giving the others the breathing room that allowed them to swarm the deck. He killed the man quickly, and it was a testament to the barbarian¡¯s fearsome power that he reaped lives with similar ease whether he was at range or locked into a desperate melee.


    More cultivators swarmed the man as he swung about him with two wickedly sharp cleavers, rough-wrought but blazing with power. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators fought back against him, but even together they were not enough.


    Sun Yuan and the swordsman had split apart, fighting across the deck as they fought to hold off their foes, when Xue Lan made her presence known. The air around them shook for a brief second as a formation activated, lighting up the deck with a white glow.


    An oppressive aura fell over the ship, slowing the movements of the enemy cultivators aboard.


    Their enemies panicked as their movements faltered, and slowly but surely, their side began to win. A gleam crossed Yu Chen¡¯s eyes as he watched as first one, then another, of their foes broke and ran, rushing back across to the safety of their ships.


    Yu Chen had only had a short respite, but he was already beginning to feel better. The power of the pill combined with his natural regeneration had gone a long way towards bringing him back to fighting condition. His wounds had scabbed over, his skin itching like fire as it knit itself back together again. Even the haze in his head had begun to clear, as fresh blood spread through his body with every thump of his heart.


    Which was good, because some primal instinct welled up within him as he watched his enemies turn and flee. Like an animal, the chase excited him. He dashed into motion, wincing as the wound in his leg pulled. He pushed it out of his mind, diving after the fleeing pirates like a wolf chasing sheep. He showed them no mercy and offered no quarter as he cracked their skulls and broke their bones, leaving a trail of wounded and dead behind him.


    It was Ji Rong¡¯s face that flashed through his mind as he slew a bloody path across the deck.


    Not the face he¡¯d known in life, the full-figured face of a rotund fellow who ate and laughed a bit too much. A face that had always wore a smile that brought out the tiny wrinkles around his eyes, a sign of his good cheer.


    No, it was the face he saw in his dreams. The face he¡¯d seen in Death.


    A hollow thing he¡¯d lifted off of the ground, its desiccated skin pulled tight against the bone, its empty eye sockets staring into his soul. Its lips were nearly gone, the softer tissues torn away by the birds and the beasts, but what remained stretched upwards in a smile laced with mockery, as if it knew some deeper truth that no one else could grasp.


    They killed, and killed some more, fighting for freedom and the river, fighting for life, fighting until the day came when Ji Rong¡¯s mocking smile shifted to gratitude.

 Confluence: Chapter 30 - The Battle for the Auction Ship IV

    Yu Chen was breathing raggedly by the time the fight ended, his aches and pains catching up to him.


    They¡¯d all managed to survive the unexpected fight, thankfully, in no small part due to Serbo au Serbo¡¯s expertise, although the formation Lue Xan had activated had a part to play. Sun Yuan and the others had done their share as well, holding back the pirates that had threatened to overwhelm them.


    Yu Chen turned, his eyes narrowing as another explosion rocked the night. The fight for the Auction ship was hectic, and he couldn¡¯t help but frown at the number of blazing lights he could see shining through the smoke and fog covering the river. Countless ships were now nothing more than wreckage, burning in fiery bonfires that lit the night sky.


    They¡¯d seemed evenly matched in the beginning, but it was quickly becoming worse for the Auction Ship as time went on.


    Many of the ships that were burning in the darkness had black hulls, but most of the reaver vessels were still in fighting form. He could tell; their spiritual artillery held a particular ring as it sounded out across the river.


    On the other hand, less than half of the rag-tag fleet that had sailed forth to defend the ship still remained. It was a staggering amount of loss, although the smaller ships still dotted the river as far as he could see.


    Perhaps resistance had always been foolish.


    There were many paths towards the heavens, and not everyone chose to follow a martial one. Most cultivators learned how to fight, but there was a difference between learning to fight, and fighting to live.


    Every single reaver was among the latter, someone who fought through life every step of the way, pillaging and plundering, killing with ease.


    On the other hand, many of the cultivators who journeyed to the Auction Ship were farmers, or merchants, gamblers, healers or even artists, the paths they took through life as varied as the people that walked along them.


    Unfortunately, that left them at the mercy of the strong.


    Sun Yuan and Yan Ziqi were hard at work, trying to dislodge the lady. They spoke in clipped tones, communicating with each other as the rest of them walked the deck, looting the dead. Yu Chen joined in, taking what he could until the sound of snapping lumber brought him up short.


    They all dropped what they were doing, running to leap aboard the Lady as the prow came loose, pulling them away from the pirate ship. The river swelled forward, filling the void she left behind. The ship began sinking, slowly disappearing from sight as they sailed away to rejoin the battle.


    Xue Lan helped out this time as they rejoined the fray, and it wasn¡¯t long until she¡¯d taken over the cannons completely, shunting Yan Ziqi off to do something else. She was an expert with formations, and under her guidance the cannons began to hum, firing in new intervals as she paced her shots.


    Yu Chen stood beside Sun Yuan at the helm, and Serbo Au Serbo manned the massive ballista, spinning around on its axis to fire on the ships they passed. Sun Yuan kept the ship steady, crashing over another swell as the river bucked beneath them as they sailed half blind through the dense fog of war left behind by the constant explosions of energy.


    A sound caused him to glance upwards, watching two Golden Core cultivators as they battled across the sky.


    A black-robed cultivator utilized some strange technique, stepping through the shadows as he fled from a taller man who wore blood-red robes and carried a ridiculously oversized sabre with a long mane of white hair running down his back. He swung it around him in rage, sending crescent blades of wind shooting towards the pirate trying to escape into the distance.


    Yu Chen sighed, awed by the sight.


    They only had to hold on, the fight wouldn¡¯t be determined by who won or lost down here, but by what happened in the skies above. That was where things would be determined.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    ¡°End this madness!¡± Elder Liang yelled out, casting a cold glare towards Ren Xiangjun. ¡°Take your men and go, before all of you die here.¡±


    The black robed cultivator laughed maniacally, his bloodshot eyes bulging out of his head. Raising a hand, he ran it through his hair as he considered the elder. The laughter that had taken hold seemed to be a momentary thing, cutting off suddenly as he snarled in reply.


    ¡°Madness? Talk to me about madness after I paint the river with your blood and turn your precious ship into a funeral pyre!¡±


    He swiped out with a hand as he spoke, sending a wave of bloody raindrops pelting through the air towards the elder floating across from him. They whistled forward, but the second they hit the austere man¡¯s domain the color in them faded, and they slowed down to a crawl.


    The elder¡¯s brows tightened, a bead of sweat forming as he held off the attack.


    Ren Xiangjun had to let up however, unable to continue his assault as the spearman took the opportunity to dart in towards him. A sound of frustration escaped his lips. His domain erupted with a sudden clarity as blood appeared from thin air, dripping into reality as it was exuded forth from somewhere beyond this realm.


    The spearman¡¯s face didn¡¯t change, nor did he activate some special technique. He simply thrust forward, the tip of his spear shining with a sudden burst of light as it cleaved the domain in two. Droplets of blood were sent flying through the air as the man carved a bloody path towards the pirate commander.


    Ren Xiangjun¡¯s eyes gleamed. His domain had been torn to shreds by the spearman¡¯s attack, but the blood sent hurtling through the air had reformed, congealing into a hundred spears that stabbed towards the man from all around. He swung his spear furiously, knocking away most and dodging the rest, but one spear found its mark in the unexpected counterattack, cutting the thinnest of lines across the man¡¯s face.


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    Roaring in triumph, Ren Xiangjun seized the opportunity, reforming his domain again. This time, the hapless spearman was within his influence.


    Within the confines of the Domain he¡¯d established blood was his to command, and he¡¯d just been given direct access to the spearman¡¯s own. Ren Xiangjun focused, and the man screamed out in sudden pain. One hand grabbed at his face, trying in vain to hold it together as his blood writhed back and forth beneath the surface and tore apart his skin. Half delirious with pain he managed to slash out with his spear and cut apart the domain around him.


    He fled from Ren Xiangjun¡¯s grasp, but the crazed man chased after him, cackling with glee.


    Xiao Yue appeared just then, interposing his golden shield between them and allowing the spearman to escape. Elder Liang arrived as well, bolstering the other man¡¯s domain with his own, as they once again reached a stalemate with the reaver.


    Ren Xiangjun growled impotently as he watched his prey escape, the spearman¡¯s face already beginning to heal.


    The spearman¡¯s eyes flashed with a violent light of his own. He appeared crazed, on the verge of attacking once more, but a pained shriek interrupted them, causing him to glance to the side.


    ¡°AHHHHHHHHHH!¡±


    He turned, seeing the cultivator from the Azure Pavilion crying out in pain. His trident was floating nearby as one of the twins held onto his arms, giving them a vicious twist as he pressed a knee into the man¡¯s back.


    The other twin swung a blade, and they watched in disbelief as he was sliced open, a red line running from the tip of his hairline to the base of his bowels. Their domain erupted, and he truly began screaming as he was flayed from the inside out, his own blood skinning him while he was still alive.


    It was a brutal sight, a bloody one, and one the voluptuous woman watched in fascination.


    ¡°Bo¡¯er, dear,¡± She chided, looking towards the man screaming in agony. ¡°Now why would you do that? A fight really isn¡¯t the sort of place to be getting distracted, now, is it?¡±


    ¡°You, you, you...¡± Xiao Yue sputtered in disbelief as he glanced towards the woman. ¡°Bai Lian, what are you doing? How long have we known each other?¡±


    The beautiful woman cast a look of pity the old man¡¯s way.


    ¡°Come now, Yue¡¯er, don¡¯t be like that. There¡¯s no secrets between us.¡± She said, winking as she raised a hand to cover her mouth.


    ¡°You would choose to help these animals,¡± He said with a shout, ¡°get their hands on a piece of a True Domain!? Have you gone mad?¡±


    Tinkling peals of laughter filled the night sky.


    ¡°Help them? Don¡¯t be so naive, Yue¡¯er dear.¡± Her seductive mask dropped for a moment, a cold and cunning look replacing it as she smiled towards him. ¡°They are here to help me of course.¡±


    The flayed man¡¯s screams turned to sobs in the background.


    Bai Lian winced, a frown crossing her beautiful face.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you do something about the noise?¡± She asked, wrinkling her nose as she looked towards the twins.


    ¡°The more painful the death,¡± One of them replied.


    ¡°The stronger the Death qi.¡± The other finished.


    She shook her head turning back to look at the three remaining cultivators on the Auction Ship¡¯s side.


    ¡°Now be a good boy, Yue¡¯er, and toss me that fragment.¡± Her voice rose as she spoke, the rosy aura surrounding her amplifying by an order of magnitude.


    Hearing the words made the old man¡¯s eyes glaze over, and a small box, radiating with a baleful energy, appeared out of thin air as he twisted his fingers.


    Space warped around it, shifting and moving about as reality became more pliable in its presence.


    ¡°Elder, no!¡± Elder Liang shouted out, shock running through him as he watched the old man make a motion as though to toss it towards the woman. His domain flared to life, an austere zone that measured all things.


    The scale balanced the old man¡¯s emotions, finding them excessive, far beyond what he needed to function. It was wasteful and the domain did not tolerate waste.


    It almost wasn¡¯t enough. The power of his Domain warred against the insidious feelings the woman had built up in the elder over the years, more than enough to empower her own.


    The elder warred in his heart, but common sense won in the end. He jerked his hand back, his eyes clear and shocked at what he had nearly done.


    A scowl crossed Bai Lian¡¯s face. ¡°Enough of this!¡± She said, snapping her fingers. A wave of rosy spores covered the man from the Azure Pavilion, cutting his sobs off with a sigh of relief.


    His head drooped forward as life slowly disappeared from his eyes.


    One of the twins let out a disappointed tsk, but he cut it off short as her eyes snapped towards him.


    ¡°Get on with it.¡± She commanded.


    The twins began muttering, reciting strange incantations that carried across the wind. The breeze blowing around them began to pick up, moving with a purpose as it kicked up a whirlwind of energy that surrounded the cultivators. The flayed man¡¯s body suddenly jerked, moving in a simulacrum of life as his head thrust up, one last gasp escaping from his body along with an oily black energy radiating a misanthropic aura.


    Hunger crossed the twin¡¯s faces as they both took deep breaths, sucking down some of the black qi. Ren Xiangjun waved his hand, greedily pulling some of the energy his way as well, but it was Bai Lian who received the lion¡¯s share. She inhaled sharply, her eyes lighting up in contentment as she sucked down the oily, black energy. It slid through her red lips, and she let out a sigh once it disappeared.


    ¡°Delightful.¡± She said, licking her lips.


    Xiao Yue cast a wary glance towards them, before whispering to Elder Liang while their attention was distracted.


    ¡°Take this and run.¡± He said, pushing the fragment into Elder Liang¡¯s hands. He nodded towards the spearman as well. ¡°Between the two of you, we can keep it out of their hands.¡±


    ¡°What about the ship?¡± Elder Liang protested, but the old man cut him off.


    ¡°The ship is finished.¡± His voice was tight as he spoke, the heavy words landing like a pile of bricks between them. ¡°We can help them no more.¡±


    ¡°My son!¡± Elder Liang cried out, pain filling his voice as he looked at the clouds down below.


    ¡°Go!¡± The old man replied, giving him one last smile, full of affection. ¡°Do what you must, I¡¯ll hold them back for as long as I can.¡±


    Xiao Yue¡¯s Domain erupted as he turned to face the four demonic cultivators.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Time froze as the body of a demigod fell out of the heavens.


    The fighting slowed down, crawling to a halt as an unfathomable aura fell over the battlefield. Every cultivator on the river stopped what they were doing, looking up regardless of faction.


    The Golden Core cultivators were the first to notice, able to feel the energy from much further away, and it was the cessation of their battle that had caused those on the ships to look up in the first place.


    Everyone wondered who it would be, but no one could have expected the bloody form that tumbled from the sky, leaving a spattered, irregular trail of blood behind it. It wasn¡¯t until they spotted the gleaming trident falling beside him that wails of despair began to rise up.


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t understand at first, but he saw that the cries were coming from two of the ships still floating on the water, both waving the azure flags he¡¯d noticed before.


    That was when he began to feel worried.


    Two powerful auras blazed across the sky, shooting into the Auction Ship for half a second before leaping back into the air and disappearing off into the distance.


    The Golden Core cultivators were the first to react, soaring down to land on ships that belonged to their faction, or simply abandoning everything and fleeing through the sky.


    ¡°I think we should go.¡±


    Yu Chen turned around at the words.


    Surprisingly, it was the swordsman who spoke.


    Yu Chen nodded, turning around and calling out to Sun Yuan, who began to turn the ship towards the open river.


    In the end, the fight down here might have been meaningless, but Yu Chen didn¡¯t believe their resistance was foolish. Far to the contrary. The battle down here had given them the chance to prove themselves once again, to fight for their ideas and live and die on their own two feet.


    Attempting, even futilely, to take destiny into their own hands.

 Confluence: Chapter 31 - Escape!

    Sun Yuan swung the prow upriver, joining the rest of the ship¡¯s as they fled the battle. Cultivators didn¡¯t reach an old age without being able to read which way the wind blew, and they knew when to cut their losses.


    Some of the pirate vessels pursued them as they sailed away, but most of them returned to their bombardment of the Auction Ship, firing salvo after salvo until the shield covering it finally broke apart, cracking like an egg under the pressure of the repeated blows.


    The Auction Ship didn¡¯t go down without a fight. Attacks flew out of the ship, blasting apart the reaver vessels as they approached and taking cultivators out of the sky, but the last thing Yu Chen saw as the battle disappeared into the distance was the sight of the reavers swarming over the massive ship like hyenas on top of a dying elephant.


    He turned to say something to Sun Yuan, who was focused on getting them as far away as possible, when a sudden roar filled his ears as a cannon blast erupted from behind. A wave of heat washed over him. Looking up he watched as a great ball of fiery qi flew overhead, landing in the river nearby as it missed them.


    He turned, casting a baleful gaze towards the black-hulled ship that was tailing them. Yu Chen frowned, almost giving the order to turn around and engage, but he knew it would be foolish. There were still too many enemies lurking nearby.


    Then a dense aura fell over their ship, sending the hairs on the back of his arms rising up.


    He could faintly make out a cultivator flying towards them in the distance, catching up to land on the black frigate that was chasing after them, a still smoking cannon at its prow. Yu Chen¡¯s brows tightened as he considered this new problem. He¡¯d hoped the Golden Core cultivators would be too preoccupied with the enemies that matched their strength. The foe he¡¯d been fighting must have fled or died, allowing him to turn his attention towards other prey.


    ¡°We need to move faster!¡± urgency filled Yu Chen¡¯s voice as he gripped Sun Yuan¡¯s shoulder in a hard hand.


    ¡°What do you think I¡¯m doing?!¡± The other boy snapped, shooting him a look of outrage. ¡°I¡¯m pressing her as fast as I can.¡±


    ¡°Unfurl the sails.¡± Yu Chen said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll burn more energy than it¡¯s worth,¡± Sun Yuan refuted, holding onto the wheel in a white-knuckled grip.


    ¡°So, what, we just keep them in range?¡± Yu Chen asked, wincing as another cannon shot roared overhead. ¡°We have the spirit stones and they¡¯re no good if we¡¯re dead.¡±


    ¡°Unfurl the sails!¡± He yelled, and this time he commanded.


    Sun Yuan muttered something under his breath, but moments later the sails unfurled, and the inscriptions across them lit up, blazing to life. An invisible wind manifested, snapping the sails taunt as a sudden burst of energy filled them, pushing them across the river.


    With a burst of speed, the Lady began to pull away from the reavers chasing after her. The cannons erupted, sending forth another fiery blast of energy, but this time it landed well clear of the rear of the ship.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Yu Chen said, squeezing Sun Yuan¡¯s shoulder as he began to cross the deck, checking in with the others.


    For too long he¡¯d held himself back, moving too passively on his journey through life. It was becoming untenable. The men knew what needed to be done, but someone had to take charge if they were ever going to get anywhere.


    He approached Yan Ziqi first. The older boy had turned his attention towards the ship after Xue Lan had taken over the cannons, and the sound of a hammer rang out from where he hung over the edge of the prow.


    He was an artificer after all, and that was his natural role.


    ¡°How is everything?¡± He asked, leaning over the side.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Yan Ziqi said with a frown as he looked up from his work. ¡°We took a bit of damage to the hull when we rammed that ship earlier, but she¡¯s still riverworthy.¡± He cast a glance over his shoulder at the ship in the distance. ¡°At least for now.¡±


    Yu Chen gave him a nod. ¡°Good. Just keep her on the river.¡± He said, looking across empty waters around them. They appeared dark and peculiar on this moonless night. ¡°Check her out thoroughly once we escape from all this.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Yan Ziqi said, giving him a firm nod before turning back to his work.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Yu Chen asked suddenly, looking towards the swordsman who was standing nearby, pretending not to listen in.


    ¡°Xiao Jian.¡± The young man said, speaking slowly as he looked at Yu Chen. His gaze was weighing, and he seemed surprised by what he found.


    ¡°Do you have any skills that are useful on a spirit vessel?¡± Yu Chen asked, raising a single brow.


    ¡°None.¡± Xiao Jian said, shaking his head. ¡°I know how to swing a sword, and that¡¯s about it.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully it doesn¡¯t come to that.¡± Yu Chen replied, staring behind them. The enemy ship had disappeared into the distance, but he could still feel the presence of the Golden Core cultivator chasing after them.


    ¡°Stay out of the way for now. Keep your blades sharp though, you might still need them before the night¡¯s over.¡±


    He put the swordsman out of his mind, looking around the ship as he observed the others. Serbo au Serbo stood at the stern of the ship, arms crossed as he watched the river behind them.


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    Yu Chen nodded to himself. The barbarian was one who would always do what needed doing. Instead, he turned his attention towards Xue Lan who sat beside the mast.


    ¡°How are you doing?¡± He said, squatting down beside her.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She replied, looking up at him. Her eyes were clear and curious, although he saw the hint of a question, or perhaps a challenge, lurking within them.


    ¡°I have to say, I¡¯m surprised to see you.¡± She said. He noticed the slight shake in her hands before she stilled them, grasping her knees. ¡°I thought you were dead.¡±


    He shook his head, kneeling down on one knee.


    ¡°I thought you might be too.¡± He admitted, staring off the side of the ship at the waves that had begun to pick up. ¡°I ended up¡­ stuck in the secret realm, and I only managed to leave after everyone else was already gone.¡±


    He paused, considering his words before speaking. ¡°I came across the aftermath of the battle.¡±


    She nodded, but she didn¡¯t lift her head back up. It hung there, and the hair covering her face kept him from being able to tell what she was thinking.


    ¡°It was a bloodbath.¡± She finally said, and when she spoke, he could barely hear the words. ¡°The Sect leader held them off while we fled with some of the elders."


    ¡°I saw.¡± He said with a sigh. ¡°But at least you managed to escape. Not everyone did, they began their slaughter within the Secret Realm.¡±


    She raised her head up, staring at him with a frown.


    ¡°What,¡± She began, but he cut her off.


    ¡°Later.¡± He said, looking around with a frown. ¡°We¡¯ll have time to catch up later, but we still have some pirates to deal with for now.¡±


    She nodded in agreement. ¡°What do you need me to do?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty handy with the artillery. Have you familiarized yourself with the formations already?¡±


    She gave an unladylike snort, some of her old self shining through the trauma.


    ¡°No, not at all. Whoever inscribed this vessel must have been a master. I can do a passable job for now, but it¡¯ll take a while before I can bring out their full potential.¡±


    The corner of Yu Chen¡¯s lip rose as he took in this new information.


    ¡°Really? You¡¯re already handling them better than he was.¡± He said, pointing towards Yan Ziqi at the prow.


    She glowered at him, insulted. ¡°Better than him? A hamfisted monkey could have channeled them better than him. All he knew how to do was flood them with energy, kapow, kapow!¡±


    Yu Chen swallowed a laugh at her words, the first bit of levity he¡¯d felt this night. The aura behind them remained, however, and he quickly swallowed his cheer.


    ¡°Do what you can, Xue Lan, I¡¯m trusting you.¡± He said, meeting her eyes.


    She stared back, hesitating for half a second as something complicated flashed in her eyes. ¡°Of course. You can trust me, Yu Chen.¡±


    He stood up as she turned away, her eyes closing in concentration as she pressed a hand against the mast. Leaving, he returned to stand beside Sun Yuan as the sound of Yan Ziqi¡¯s hammer rang out across the deck, barely audible over the sound of the small waves breaking around them.


    They sailed through the blackness of night as they traveled the river, one step ahead of the cultivator trailing after them in the sky. He¡¯d expected the river to be calmer now they¡¯d escaped the battle, but it was still agitated, making Yu Chen wonder if a storm was brewing.


    His thoughts were interrupted as a sudden attack fell from the heavens, smashing against the shield that sprung up, surrounding the ship. The shield flexed and shimmered, rippling with a prismatic light as it dissipated the bloody attack. It soon began to strain, however, as another attack came, followed by another, the cultivator in the sky above raining down blow after blow.


    Yu Chen looked up as a brief flash of lightning streaked across the heavens, lighting up the cultivator¡¯s outline against the clouds above.


    ¡°Serbo!¡± He yelled, pointing up above, but he needn¡¯t have bothered the other boy had seen him as well, and he was already on it, his hornbow creaking as he pulled the string taunt against his cheek. The arrow whistled through the air as he let out a breath, blasting through the sky towards the cultivator above.


    ¡°Foolish!¡± The pirate boomed, sneering as he used a quick burst of energy to slap the arrow out of the sky, but his eyes widened in surprise as he saw the one¡¯s following it. He let out a snort as he danced back, dodging the bolts.


    It was the first time Serbo au Serbo¡¯s arrows had missed their mark, disappearing uselessly in the distance, but it had bought the ship some much needed time.


    The barbarian didn¡¯t let up. He continued to fire, and it was a credit to him that his arrows never veered off course as he peppered their foe, even as the wind began to pick up, turning into a stiff breeze that blew across the deck and pressed their robes tight against their body.


    The Golden Core cultivator chasing them avoided the attacks when he could and blasted them out of the air when he couldn¡¯t. He was far stronger than Serbo of course, but that didn¡¯t mean he was immortal. The largest advantage he had was in the size and depth of his qi reserves, and he needed to conserve those if he was going to remain in the sky. Expending too much qi to block the archer¡¯s attacks would only tire him out and force him to land sooner.


    Instead, he chose to retreat, trailing them from a distance outside of his range. More streaks of lightning crossed the sky as the river began to grow choppy, rising up in large waves that slowed down their pace.


    They pressed on though, the cultivator remaining close behind as the storm began to pick up in earnest.


    However, it seemed he could take it no more. A growl of frustration sounded out from behind as a massive crescent of bloody energy bore down on the ship, far more powerful than any before. It crashed against the shield which flickered but held firm, although doing so drained a sizable amount of energy from the mast.


    And then the presence was gone, disappearing with a snort as though it had never been.


    Yu Chen felt a wave of relief run through him at the sudden retreat, but it quickly disappeared as another wave rose up ahead, far larger than any before. The wind blowing around them rose another notch as well, howling as it tore across the deck with all the fury of nature herself.


    Then, a momentary lull appeared, a slight pause for reflection before the sluice gates of heaven opened up, unleashing a sudden downpour. The wind continued to rise, whipping the droplets about with a fury and sending them pelting against the ship and everyone on board.


    Yu Chen felt a small jolt of fear as the fury of nature was unleashed in the middle of the river, feeling more helpless than he had in many a fight. He turned, looking towards Sun Yuan whose shoulder he was holding in a tight knuckled grip. To his surprise there was a wild expression of glee on the boy¡¯s face, a manic grin peeking out between the strands of hair that were pressed against his face, slick with rain.


    ¡°The sails!¡± Yu Chen shouted, pointing upwards.


    Sun Yuan opened his mouth to reply, but he never spoke. It took all of his concentration to hold the vessel steady as the riverstorm swept down upon them. A small jolt of qi and the ship furled the sails as Yan Ziqi and the others rushed around to fasten the hatches.


    It was just in time, as another wave came, filling the horizon. Everyone grabbed onto something, hanging on as the ship titled, riding it upwards. They crested the wave, for a brief moment riding high above the world.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± He asked Sun Yuan, yelling to be heard over the storm as he pointed a finger towards a misty light glowing in the distance.


    A frown crossed the boy¡¯s face as he fumbled into his pocket, pulling out the fine spyglass his father had gifted him. He raised it to his eye, pausing before speaking.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it¡¯s coming this way.¡±

 Confluence: Chapter 32 - A New Challenge

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    the ship plunged down, dipping into the hollow of two waves that blocked out the sky.


    They hung there at the bottom for a precious moment, a moment that grew ponderous with potential as the wind slaked and the water compressed, gathering energy until the water rose once more, lifting them over the next wave.


    Water that was all around them, both above and below, in front and behind. It whipped about on the winds, obscuring the waves from his vision. He only knew what was coming when the prow of the ship began to ponderously tilt, rising until she was nearly vertical, rising until surface tension and habit were the only things that kept her from falling backwards and capsizing.


    Lightning crashed through the sky as they crested the next wave, seeing more and more of the gigantic pillars of water rising on every side, stretching up until they threatened to block the sky. It was a giddy feeling to be so high above the world, but also humbling, as Yu Chen sensed his fragility and insignificance in the chaotic milieu around him.


    The incessant lightning was the only thing that lit up the scene. Without it, it was impossible to tell what was happening in the darkness around them. Yu Chen felt grateful, despite the danger, as they were tossed around on the waves like a child¡¯s plaything.


    The misty light in the distance grew in intensity, as the river pushed them towards it in its chaotic fury. The wind howled, sleeting rain pouring down in sheets around them, drenching the crew as they raced around the deck, securing things.


    Yan Ziqi appeared as they rode to the bottom, his head bowed beneath the rain that pelted around them even in a lull. He stomped up the quarterdeck to approach the helm.


    ¡°Have you seen that fog in the distance?¡± The man yelled out, gripping the railing as the ship rose up to ride another wave in the storm.


    It was a fog, Yu Chen realized in surprise, squinting his eyes as he stared at the misty light. Or was it, he wondered. Normally, fog didn¡¯t glow in the night.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Sun Yuan yelled back; his voice euphoric as they sailed through the riverstorm.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we avoid it?¡± Yan Ziqi hollered back, tightening his brows.


    ¡°Can¡¯t!¡± Sun Yuan replied cheerfully, ¡°The river is flowing the wrong way, and the wind is blowing the wrong way.¡±


    ¡°Besides,¡± He yelled, his tone conversational. ¡°It¡¯s moving towards us!¡±


    Yan Ziqi¡¯s turned, his mouth dropping open as he looked towards the fog. It appeared closer this time, as they crested the next wave. It was hard to tell in the midst of the waves, but perhaps Sun Yuan was right, the fog did appear to be moving towards them.


    It had first appeared in the distance as a small light, gradually growing into a larger one. It wasn¡¯t until Yan Ziqi had approached that Yu Chen even saw it as a fog at all.


    The volume of the thing was becoming apparent, the closer they sailed towards it, and Yu Chen realized that what he thought he saw was still a faint, hazy thing.


    The storm raged around them, unleashing nature¡¯s fury, and it was all they could to subsist. It was obvious why the Golden Core cultivator had fled, it would be tempting fate, risking heaven¡¯s wrath, to soar around in a storm such as this. Long, jagged bolts of lightning struck out from the sky to mar the waves all around them as they fought to stay level.


    They¡¯d long since given up on anything beyond survival as the storm raged around them, and they couldn¡¯t even summon the energy to feel fear, as the luminous fog rose before them, stretching endlessly in every direction.


    There was a brief moment, as all on board took a deep breath. Then, the fog came upon them, and all was quiet once more. It was as though the surrounding storm had suddenly vanished, the river beneath their hull growing quiet and undisturbed as though there had never been a problem.


    The glowing mists around them illuminated everything, or at least what little they could see, with a soft light. Yu Chen frowned as he looked around, before running over to the side of the ship and staring down at the yellow waters below as they moved about in hypnotic patterns.


    They danced entrancingly, same as they always did, but any signs of the storm that had been crashing down upon them just moments ago had vanished entirely.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± Yu Chen asked, his voice hushed.


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    ¡°Dunno.¡± Sun Yuan replied honestly, looking around. ¡°What happened to the storm?¡±


    ¡°No idea.¡± Yu Chen said with a sigh.


    He looked around, relieved to see that everyone was still aboard, although they appeared worse for the wear, haggard and drenched to the bone. They paused for a moment, catching their breath after their harrowing escape.


    The ship continued sailing forward, drifting through the dense fog without guidance. The mists stretched endlessly, even blotting out the sky, leaving no way for Sun Yuan to tell where they were going.


    It was impossible to see more than a few feet beyond the ship, let alone the sky above, and Yu Chen began to fear they might accidentally run aground.


    They had no choice but to rely on Sun Yuan. Sweat beaded the young man¡¯s brow, but his hands held the wheel in a firm grip as he navigated through the mists based on the slightest of changes taking place in the river below.


    Yu Chen left him to it, checking in with the others now that they had escaped from the battle.


    Yan Ziqi had finished his earlier repairs or left them for now. He was currently standing at the prow, looking in interest at the mist around them.


    ¡°What do you make of it?¡± Yu Chen asked as he walked up beside him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s natural.¡± The artificer said, rubbing his chin.


    ¡°Of course it isn¡¯t.¡± A voice said, coming from behind them.


    Yu Chen turned, seeing Xue Lan standing there with a hand on her hip.


    ¡°It¡¯s a formation most likely.¡± She said, looking around them with a frown. ¡°Although I can¡¯t tell whether it¡¯s intended to obscure something from sight, or to confound intruders."


    Yu Chen nodded. ¡°A sect then?¡±


    It wouldn¡¯t be the worst thing to accidentally stumble into a sect¡¯s territory. Unless they turned out to be some demonic sect of course. The worst they¡¯d receive from a righteous sect would be a stern warning and a point towards the borders.


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± She said with a shrug.


    Yan Ziqi tilted his head. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it moving towards us?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what Sun Yuan said.¡± Yu Chen replied.


    ¡°So it¡¯s not an island then,¡± Yan Ziqi began speaking.


    ¡°Unless islands move.¡± Xue Lan muttered.


    Yan Ziqi regarded her for a moment before continuing. ¡°Unless islands move.¡±


    ¡°But could you inscribe a ship with a formation this powerful?¡± He asked.


    Xue Lan muttered to herself as she calculated under her breath.


    ¡°I doubt it.¡± She finally said. ¡°Perhaps, if it''s somehow keeping pace with us. But from what I saw before it seemed gigantic. Way too large for a ship.¡±


    They fell silent as they considered the strange fog around them.


    Yu Chen frowned, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath of the moist air. Somehow the mist felt familiar, his body reacting as though it recognized the qi-rich water.


    ¡°There¡¯s something up ahead!¡± Sun Yuan yelled out from the quarterdeck behind them.


    Yu Chen looked forward, but he couldn¡¯t see anything through the mists ahead. Turning around, he shot the navigator a quizzical glance.


    ¡°The current¡¯s changing.¡± The boy said, responding to the unspoken question. ¡°That means there¡¯s something large ahead, massive even, if it¡¯s large enough to split the flow of the river.¡±


    Yu Chen looked ahead; his interest piqued as a faint sound rose up around them. It crept up so slowly that he thought he¡¯d imagined it, but it continued growing, building into a thunderous roar that shook the air around them.


    ¡°What if it¡¯s natural?¡± Yu Chen asked suddenly, as the once calm river began to churn beneath them. Something unseen was agitating the water, creating a current that pushed them away.


    ¡°Natural? Yan Ziqi replied, shouting to be heard over the thunderous noise. ¡°What about this is natural?¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t reply as the roaring noise became all consuming, brooking no competition. Even if he spoke, they could no longer hear one another, leaving them unable to communicate.


    He had his reasons. The familiar feeling only continued to increase the closer they came to the source of whatever had formed this strange fog. The current grew stronger, pushing against them more forcefully, but they persevered. Whatever secret lay at the heart of this fog lay in the direction of that strange current, smaller and more forceful than those found on the river.


    The inscriptions on the Lady¡¯s prow were strong enough to press against any current of the yellow river, but the resistance continued building until it became too much for even her to handle.


    Yu Chen looked towards Sun Yuan and pointed at the sails. The other boy nodded, before sending a quick jolt of qi into the wheel. The inscribed sails flashed to life, summoning an invisible wind that pushed them forward once more.


    The thunderous sound in the air threatened to deafen them as the current pushed them away. The Lady would no longer be denied, however, sailing across a frothing river that churned about in a foamy mist that had thickened considerably.


    Blue waters had begun to appear, streaking the yellow waters that swirled beneath the ship. They neared the center of the mists, but even with the sails, their pace slowed to a crawl as water sprayed up all around them, showering the ship with rain.


    It wasn¡¯t long before they saw the source of the mist, only a few dozen feet away.


    A solid wall of deep blue water filled their vision, radiating so strongly it threatened to overwhelm everyone aboard. It seemed to fall from the very heavens themselves, smashing into the yellow river with overwhelming power. A reaction occurred as the blue waters struck the yellow ones of the river, creating a dense mist that covered the world around them in a fog of spirituality so intense it bordered on divinity.


    It was a stupendous sight, and it filled every person aboard with awe.


    Energy crackled to life around them as they watched, the space where the blue and yellow waters mixed combining into a swirling vortex that emitted a startling suction force.


    ¡°Turn around!¡± Yu Chen yelled, but his words were ripped away from him, drowned out by the noise of the waterfall beside them.


    Sun Yuan didn¡¯t need to be told, however. He was more than passable as a navigator, having already begun to turn the ship, even as the vortex was spinning to life.


    He pushed the Lady hard, but even he could do nothing to stop that whirling vortex from greedily sucking them down.

 Confluence: Chapter 33 - The Mysterious City

    Water sprayed through the vortex as it spat them out into an empty void, and the six cultivators fell from the ship as it tumbled, stern over bow.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t see anything, falling through the darkness around them. The dense glowing mist that had lit their path before had disappeared on the other side of the portal. The only thing he could sense was the cold air around him as he tore through it, and the sound of it rustling against his clothes.


    ¡°The ship!¡± Yan Ziqi yelled out as he came to his senses. The sound came from somewhere nearby, hard to pinpoint in the dark.


    Yu Chen''s eyes widened. He hadn¡¯t thought about the ship. They would be lucky if they managed to survive a fall from so high, let alone the spiritual vessel they traveled upon. He swiveled his head around to look for Sun Yuan, but he was unable to make out anything in the darkness around them.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it!¡± Sun Yuan yelled back. Thankfully, he was able to recall the soulbound artifact before it could crash into whatever was down below. Although he couldn¡¯t see it, he could tell the exact moment the massive ship disappeared, the currents in the air shifting as the air rushed into the displaced air space it left behind.


    ¡°I see something!¡± This time it was Xue Lan who called out, her voice pitchy and afraid as they hurtled through the void.


    ¡°I see it too!¡± A boy¡¯s voice came from his left, one Yu Chen hardly recognized. It must be Xiao Jian, the swordsman didn¡¯t speak often and kept to himself.


    Yu Chen saw it as they spoke, a speck of light that had appeared in the darkness down below them.


    It gradually grew larger in his vision as they fell.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Sun Yuan yelled, but his voice was faint and hard to hear. They had picked up speed as they fell, and the sound of wind was becoming too strong to hear the others.


    Yan Ziqi yelled something back, but his words were unintelligible, ripped away in the wind.


    Yu Chen focused, watching the light as it rapidly expanded, resolving into the sight of a small city that turned into a large one the closer they came. He began to be able to make out the others, their form resolving out of the darkness as the light of the city lit them up from below.


    The city appeared far different from any he¡¯d ever seen before. Its design was far older and more intricate than the buildings he was used to seeing, and any hope he had for assistance was dashed as he took in their state.


    It might have once been a city, but now it lay in ruins, despite the lingering formations that still lit up the air. And the formations were active, a shimmering patch appearing in the sky as they neared the wreckage. Yu Chen tensed, bracing for impact against the barrier, but to his surprise they passed right through it. An unseen force caught hold of them, slowing their freefall and easing them onto the cracked flagstones below.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± Xue Lan asked. She was the first to speak, glancing around at the ruined city with a hint of concern.


    Serbo au Serbo snorted, crossing his thick arms over his chest. The others looked towards him, but he refused to elaborate, staring around him with a frown of his own.


    ¡°I think what our friend here is trying to say,¡± Yan Ziqi said, stepping in to translate for the barbarian, ¡°is that none of us have any idea where we are.¡±


    ¡°Unless you¡¯ve heard something?¡± He continued, glancing towards Sun Yuan.


    The other boy shook his head in negation.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard things, sure, but nothing about this. It¡¯s the river though.¡± He said with a shrug, as if that was all the explanation he needed. Perhaps it was. ¡°There¡¯s countless strange occurrences and hidden secrets all across it. My father knew more of them than I ever will, but even he didn¡¯t know everything. Not even close to it.¡±


    ¡°Some navigator.¡± Xiao Jian said with a snort, hooking a hand into his sword belt.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell us what you know then?¡± Sun Yuan said with a frown as he cast an unfriendly glance towards the swordsman.


    The other boy spread his hands. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s your job to know about these things.¡±


    ¡°I know about all sorts of things, but the things I know about tend to stay in place.¡± Sun Yuan said in a heated voice. ¡°Would you like to know how to cross the hidden rapids upriver of Baixian city? Did you even know about the rapids? Or do you want to know how to cross Ji Jiang¡¯s passage to reach the floodplains of Cao Yin Du?¡±


    The swordsman opened his mouth to say something, but Sun Yuan cut him off, continuing his diatribe. ¡°That fog was moving in case you forgot. I actually have heard of a moving fog before, but it¡¯s near the southern jungles, and a massive serpent calls it home, so powerful that even the locals avoid it.¡±


    ¡°Moving fog?¡± The swordsman scoffed. ¡°A waterfall you mean. According to you there¡¯s a moving waterfall in the middle of the river.¡± The swordsman muttered these last words with a hint of disbelief.


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    ¡°Stop it, now¡¯s not the time for us to be fighting.¡± Yu Chen said, putting a hand on Sun Yuan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We need to figure out where we are.¡± He looked around, eyeing the ruins. ¡°And how to get out of here.¡±


    The two boys quieted down, but he could tell from the glances they exchanged that the argument wasn¡¯t over. He sighed under his breath, turning to look at one of the nearby buildings. It was made out of some strange stone Yu Chen had never seen with a unique hue; a dirty grey streaked with the lightest shade of blue.


    He ignored the others, climbing the steps to a nearby house. Reaching out, he tried to push the door open but it disintegrated, leaving him holding the tarnished brass door knocker.


    ¡°What,¡± he said in disbelief, throwing a look over his shoulder.


    They were as surprised as he was, erupting into conversation at the sight.


    He paid them no mind, entering the building. It wasn¡¯t so different from the homes he was used to seeing, despite its age. The furnishings inside had held up slightly better under the passage of time, but there was nothing too interesting among them.


    A bed, a table and some chairs, shelves filled with various knickknacks and a writing desk that contained a stack of sheets that Yu Chen couldn¡¯t read. He picked one up, but it crumbled in his hands, fading into dust.


    Clicking his tongue, he turned around and left, returning to the others.


    ¡°Nothing of use.¡± He said with a sigh, looking around at the buildings that stretched out all around them. Some, like the one he¡¯d just entered were smaller while others were larger, rising up into the sky. It appeared much larger from down inside it than it had up in the sky.


    ¡°We should split up.¡± Yu Chen said. ¡°Let¡¯s travel in pairs, we¡¯ll cover more ground that way.¡±


    The others nodded, agreeing with him.


    Yu Chen thought for a second before speaking out loud. ¡°Why don¡¯t you two go together, since you already know each other?¡± He said, glancing between Xue Lan and the swordsman. ¡°Sun Yuan can go with Serbo au Serbo, and I¡¯ll travel with Yan Ziqi.¡±


    Yu Chen hadn¡¯t chosen his pairings arbitrarily; he''d based it on their skills. Each group contained a close-range fighter and a ranged one, so they¡¯d be able to complement each other¡¯s weaknesses. He¡¯d also paired the strongest and the weakest together, so that all of the groups were roughly equivalent.


    The boys nodded, fine with his choices, but Xue Lan hesitated.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Yu Chen asked, tilting his head as he examined the girl.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to travel with you if you don¡¯t mind. There are some things I want to talk about.¡±


    Yu Chen tossed a glance towards Yan Ziqi, but the other boy simply shrugged. As long as the artificer didn¡¯t mind traveling with the swordsman then Yu Chen didn¡¯t care about making the change.


    ¡°Sure, why not.¡± He said. ¡°Let¡¯s each take a direction and see what we can find. We¡¯ll meet up again in a few hours.¡±


    He cast a glance around, finding the tallest building that peeked out above the others. ¡°Over there. You should all be able to find it no matter where you are right?¡±


    They wasted no time after that, taking separate paths as they explored the city. Yan Ziqi and the swordsman headed to the right, while Serbo au Serbo and Sun Yuan disappeared off to the left.


    Yu Chen and Xue Lan headed towards the north, walking in silence as they picked their way across the rubble that was occasionally strewn through the streets.


    ¡°So, what exactly happened after you left the Secret Realm?¡± Yu Chen finally asked, breaking the silence.


    Xue Lan shivered before replying. ¡°We fled of course, retreating back to the sect as fast as we could. His father sent Xiao Jian with us. He was the leader of the Thousand Blades Hall, that¡¯s the sect they¡¯re from.¡± She chewed her lip, thinking for a moment before continuing. ¡°He can be abrasive but he¡¯s really not a bad guy. He¡¯s just dealing with some things, the loss of his father and his sect.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded. He wouldn¡¯t be the first in the crew who had problems with their father.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t he return to his sect afterwards?¡±


    ¡°What sect?¡± Xue Lan said with a bitter laugh. ¡°The Thousand Blades Hall declared a blood vendetta against the reavers after their leader died. They attacked en masse, and as far as Xiao Jian is aware not a single member survived. Not that they had much choice. The sect lay directly in the path the reavers cut towards the capital.¡±


    Yu Chen winced. He¡¯d heard the stories of the towns and sects the reavers had wiped out in the bloody path they¡¯d carved through the empire, but it felt more personal now that he knew someone affected.


    ¡°What about the Golden Mist sect then?¡± He blurted out, asking a question that was heavy on his mind. He¡¯d turned his back on them, but they were like a family in some way.


    ¡°Still around, last I saw.¡± She said, looking towards the ground. ¡°Elder Gu is the new Sect Leader, but so many cultivators fled that it¡¯s now a lot smaller than it once was. Cowards.¡± She said with a sigh.


    ¡°You left.¡± Yu Chen observed, examining the girl. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking, but her earlier words had been filled with self-deprecation.


    ¡°I did.¡± She said, giving him a bitter smile. ¡°So did you.¡±


    He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand, cutting him off.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to hear your reasons. They can¡¯t be any worse than mine.¡± She said with a laugh. It was a fragile sound, and he couldn¡¯t tell if she was laughing at the situation or laughing at herself. ¡°I chased after a boy, off to do something foolish.¡±


    Yu Chen turned, really looking at her. Xue Lan wasn¡¯t the beautiful and delicate sort, a jade beauty who few could touch. No, she was pretty in a different way. She was lithe and strong. Solid muscles hid beneath her soft skin, but there was something delicate there now, something vulnerable, as she chewed at her lip.


    ¡°You care about him.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question but a statement, and there was no need to clarify who he was.


    ¡°I do.¡± She admitted. ¡°I have ever since I saw him refuse to leave his sect behind. His father had to knock him unconscious. He wanted someone to carry on their legacy, to make sure they¡¯re not forgotten.¡±


    She fell silent as she looked around at the crumbling ruins around them. Yu Chen did as well. Was there anyone who still remembered the people who¡¯d once lived here, he wondered, or did they fade away into ignominy, forgotten by everyone they once knew?


    Perhaps that was the end for all of them. Few things in life were eternal, and though that was the goal of all cultivators, he knew of none who had ever reached that peak. At most they stubbornly hung on a few years longer, decades, centuries perhaps, maybe even millennia if they were lucky. But in the end, they were all forgotten, lost to the mists of time.


    How many had lived and faded over the years?


    Once in a generation talents, peerless young masters, crouching tigers and hidden dragons. One by one they rose and fell, making their mark while they could. Forming groups and sects, taking on disciples and passing down their legacy.


    Yu Chen looked around, at the buildings that were in the midst of that very ruin, collapsing and disintegrating before his eyes.


    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder, what did it all matter, when faced against the relentless passage of time?

 Confluence: Chapter 34 - The Mysterious City II

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    They moved in a companionable silence, and though Yu Chen¡¯s mind was awhirl with thoughts, Xue Lan was at ease, as though the brief conversation had lifted some of the weight off her shoulders.


    The sky never changed as they journeyed through the ruined city, occasionally exploring a house or wandering into some of the other buildings. It wasn¡¯t long before they saw the first sign of violence. An entire street full of shops had been broken open and robbed, making it clear that they weren¡¯t the first explorers the city had seen.


    Whether it was the city''s original inhabitants or those who¡¯d come after, both had long since vanished. Now, only their footsteps disturbed the hushed emptiness, echoing through the stillness around them.


    ¡°I was surprised to see you there, at the Auction Ship.¡± Xue Lan said, breaking the silence as they left another building, turning around to head back towards the tall spire they¡¯d agreed to meet the others at before. ¡°How¡¯d you end up on the river anyways?¡±


    Yu Chen didn¡¯t reply right away, clasping his hands together behind his head as he walked. He wasn¡¯t sure where to begin. Thinking about it, he realized he didn¡¯t quite know for himself how he¡¯d managed to end up here.


    Well, he knew how it began.


    His thoughts turned towards the tiny dragon he knew lurked somewhere inside him, wondering how he was doing. But how could he explain it without mentioning the little fellow? Xiao Huang was his deepest secret, and one he wasn¡¯t prepared to share. He thought it over. There was one thing the dragon had done for him.


    Xiao Huang had opened his eyes.


    ¡°I realized I¡¯d been living like a frog in a well, that the world was so much larger and grander than I could have ever imagined.¡± He said, staring into the sky. Above them, the world faded into an inky blackness, giving no hint of what lay beyond. ¡°Just like this,¡± he said, pointing upwards. She followed his finger, remaining silent. ¡°I¡¯d started to sense it even before entering the Secret Realm, but some of the cultivators within¡­¡± He shook his head in self-depreciation. ¡°They showed me how little I truly knew.¡±


    She fell silent, processing his words as they walked up and down a series of rolling hills across which the buildings rose and fell like waves. The fact that they still stood after all this time was a testament to their construction, or perhaps to the strange, greyish-blue stone from which they¡¯d been built.


    Everything around them had been made of that stone, from the wide boulevards that ran between the buildings, paved with row after row of flagstones half a foot thick, to the deep stone grooves that lay between those same streets and the houses. Perhaps water had run through them at one point, or perhaps something stranger still. There was simply no telling.


    They trudged along in silence for some time before he spoke again.


    ¡°When I left the realm, I saw the corpses. Ji Rong. Even the sect leader¡­¡± Yu Chen trailed off, staring into the distance. Staring into the past. ¡°He was the most powerful cultivator I¡¯d ever seen, and he was cut down like so much chaff. If the reavers could do that to him, what could they do to me?¡±


    Yu Chen shook his head, and for a moment the young boy shone through.


    ¡°I had to become stronger, far stronger than him. So, I came to the river, because the river is where the strong converge.¡±


    She hummed at his words, a nondescript sound that was neither support nor condemnation.


    ¡°Is that all that matters to you? Strength?¡± she asked, shooting him a glance, and he knew his answer would change things between them.


    ¡°No,¡± he replied honestly, shaking his head. ¡°But this is the world we live in. If I¡¯m not strong enough to protect myself and the ones I care about, what right do I have to talk about my dreams?¡± He gave her half a smile. ¡°I really want to travel the world, seeing all of its wonders. If I¡¯m strong enough then perhaps¡­ Perhaps one day I¡¯ll even be able to lay eyes on the source of the yellow river itself.¡±


    ¡°What about the sect?¡± she asked, but she already knew the answer. ¡°Do you think you will ever return?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°No, not like you mean. But maybe I¡¯ll pay it a visit, after I¡¯ve grown strong enough to wipe the river clean of all the reavers plaguing it.¡±


    She gave a small laugh; lighter and less bitter than the ones she¡¯d made before. His words were silly to her ears. He was even weaker than she was and hadn¡¯t even stepped into Foundation Establishment, but for some reason she believed him.


    ¡°Some frog you are,¡± she said in amusement. ¡°But I¡¯ll hold you to it.¡±


    The air between them warmed considerably as they continued moving forward through the strange and varied city. There was no particular order to anything; what appeared to be shops were squished next door to a home, every one of which were raised up on stone stilts that lifted them from the ground.


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    They spent the rest of the walk in light conversation, discussing the past as they reminisced about their time together in the sect. He was happy to learn that his old friends had all survived, and were doing well, the last she¡¯d seen. Although it was a bit awkward to find out they all thought he was dead.


    He scratched his head, feeling slightly guilty.


    ¡°Jin Hua was beside himself when you didn¡¯t return. He swore to avenge you and has been relentless in his training. You ought to see him now.¡± She said before rolling her eyes and exclaiming, ¡°Oh, and how could I forget about your admirer?¡± The last word practically dripped with sarcasm.


    ¡°Ling Xia told everyone who would listen about how you¡¯d saved her life. More than once. To hear her tell it, you two were practically engaged.¡±


    Yu Chen let out a light cough, looking embarrassed. ¡°What do you mean?¡± He asked cautiously.


    ¡°Oh, I thought it was over for me when Yu Chen appeared, his broad form standing between me and certain death,¡± She mocked, her voice light and airy. ¡°They stabbed him, but he continued to fight, blood dripping from black as he protected me!¡±


    Yu Chen shook his head. She couldn¡¯t be talking about Ling Xia. The other girl didn¡¯t even sound like that! Besides, she was quiet and kept to herself.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably best if you don¡¯t go back.¡± Xue Lan said sagely, ¡°You might find yourself betrothed. Although I¡¯ve heard dual cultivation isn¡¯t so bad¡­.


    He moved a little faster, and Xue Lan sped up with a laugh, keeping pace beside him.


    Serbo au Serbo was the first one they spotted. The tall barbarian stood on the roof of a building near the spire, keeping watch around him. He nodded as he spotted them, Yu Chen lifting a hand to wave back.


    They rounded the corner next to the building the barbarian stood upon, the street opening up into a wide plaza surrounding the gigantic stone spire piercing out of the ground. Yan Ziqi and the swordsman were within, as well as Sun Yuan, who stood in a corner, off by himself.


    Yu Chen gathered them all around with a wave of his hand.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± He asked, looking towards Yan Ziqi first.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Yan Ziqi replied, shaking his head. ¡°What¡¯ll we do?¡±


    Yu Chen looked around. ¡°Keep looking, I guess. We still haven¡¯t covered most of the city.¡±


    Serbo au Serbo jumped down, landing with a thud nearby.


    ¡°Something moved.¡± He said, pointing up at the large spire they stood beneath.


    Yu Chen frowned staring up. So far there¡¯d been no sign of life anywhere. The others stepped closer together at his words, unconsciously herding together.


    ¡°What was it?¡± Yu Chen asked, looking up as well.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know.¡± The barbarian frowned, and with a twist of his hand his hornbow appeared.


    ¡°Let¡¯s check it out.¡± Yu Chen said.


    They began to approach the large doors at the front of the building, made of some strange metal that hadn¡¯t disintegrated despite the passage of time. Yu Chen stepped forward, going to grab the handle, but a hazy shield formed around the building, blocking his passage.


    ¡°What¡¯s that about?¡± Sun Yuan asked in a curious tone as he walked up to stand beside him.


    ¡°Another formation of course.¡± Xue Lan said, stepping up herself.


    ¡°Do you think you can break it?¡± Yu Chen asked hopefully.


    ¡°I doubt it.¡± She said, frowning as she stared at the area the shield had appeared. ¡°Anything that¡¯s lasted this long isn¡¯t likely to fall apart now. At least not through any methods I¡¯m capable of.¡±


    ¡°So, there¡¯s no way for us to enter?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡± She replied, stepping forward to examine the shield. ¡°Every formation has a back door; it¡¯s just knowing the trick to activate it.¡± She put a hand out, trailing her fingers against the shield as she walked the perimeter of the building.


    A few moments passed before she reappeared once more.


    ¡°Perhaps the secret lies somewhere else in the city,¡± she frowned. ¡°The building is covered in strange runes I saw elsewhere. Maybe we can find a way in if we can figure out what they mean.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded. It was the best idea they¡¯d had so far.


    ¡°Why bother?¡± Xiao Jian asked, shaking his head. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯re trapped here, are we?¡±


    An uncomfortable silence rose up, the group exchanging glances with each other before looking around as Sun Yuan let out a groan.


    ¡°What are you an idiot? Are you trying to tempt fate?¡± He said, shooting a disparaging look towards the other boy.


    ¡°What did you call me?¡± The swordsman said, flushing red. His hand fell to his belt, grasping one of his swords in a firm grip.


    ¡°Stop it.¡± Yu Chen said with a sigh. ¡°We don¡¯t know if we are trapped or not, but if we are it won¡¯t be because of something he said.¡±


    Sun Yuan snorted, but he left it alone.


    ¡°Still, I suppose we should figure that out, now that you¡¯ve mentioned it.¡± Yu Chen continued, looking into the distance.


    ¡°There could be some treasure inside.¡± This came from Yan Ziqi, who was still gazing at the spire in interest. ¡°A lot of the buildings we explored were ransacked. Its obvious others have been through this city before, but the formations on this building are still active. I bet whatever¡¯s inside hasn¡¯t been touched.¡±


    Yu Chen looked down, pausing in thought as he considered what to do.


    ¡°Our first priority should be figuring out where we are. We¡¯ll take a look at these runes Xue Lan spotted, and if we have time, we can explore the city and see if there are any clues. For now, we should see what lies outside of this place.¡±


    Sun Yuan shrugged, still frowning at the swordsman who, along with Xue Lan, agreed to the plan. Serbo au Serbo was as ambivalent as ever, leaving Yan Ziqi as the odd man out.


    The other man was logical however and saw the sense in Yu Chen¡¯s words.


    ¡°Fine.¡± He said with a sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s figure out where we are first. Regardless of what we find out, I still think we should try to get to the bottom of this mystery.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Yu Chen said with a shrug. "It''s not like we are in a hurry. After all, the tournament doesn¡¯t start for a few more months, right?"


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but we don¡¯t know where we are either.¡± Sun Yuan interjected, ¡°We aren¡¯t exactly pressed for time, but if we¡¯ve been teleported somewhere far away that could be troublesome.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s figure out where we are for now, and if we have the time, we¡¯ll spend a couple days exploring the city.¡±


    The others nodded in agreement, but Xue Lan and the swordsman gave him a strange look.


    ¡°What tournament?¡± Xue Lan asked with a frown.

 Confluence: Chapter 35 - The Mysterious City III

    They set out as a group this time, crossing the city together and leaving the roads behind. They were all cultivators after all, there was no need to remain on the ground. It was a moment¡¯s work to leap from the street to the rooftops, taking a path that cut across the top of the city.


    It wasn¡¯t long before they left the center of the city behind them, and the tightly packed buildings that had been clustered together close to the spire. They lost some of their size and grandeur, spreading apart from each other the further they traveled.


    Yu Chen spent the time in thought, turning over the conversation he¡¯d had with Xue Lan, and the past he¡¯d left behind. It seemed so distant. So much had happened since then, and though he thought of those times with fondness, they were only memories now.


    His mind filled with other worries; ones he¡¯d have to have a conversation with Xiao Huang about soon.


    They soon had to return to the roads as the stone began to disappear, interspersed with plots of earth that were a deep, loamy brown, so dark they appeared almost black. The remains of what had once been fields, and with it came the first signs of life.


    Tall, reed-like plants Yu Chen had never seen had taken hold in the fine-grained mud, rich with decayed matter. They varied in color, rippling through shades of blue and green as they swayed back and forth in a nonexistent wind. A bioluminescent moss had spread as well, continuing to grow more common as they approached the outskirts of the city.


    Eventually, the stonework petered out completely, the city simply fading into a wide marshland.


    The ground became moist beneath his feet as he continued on. Wet puddles began to appear, a thick scum of algae covering their surface. Vines crept out of the pools of water, dense with small blue fruits. What looked like ferns, and¡­ kelp? Yu Chen thought he recognized it from his time in the slums. He¡¯d watched them harvest it from along the riverbed before they¡¯d hang it out to dry.


    It was a popular base for many of the soups he¡¯d seen as just a small piece was enough to form a rich stock, full of all the nutrients you¡¯d need. It was particularly popular among the poor, who didn¡¯t often enjoy the bone broths favored among the rich.


    He hoped it meant they were still near the river. Going through a portal was a harrowing experience, and he¡¯d worried he might have well and truly been shunted off to another world this time.


    The ground grew muddier as they continued on, the small pools and ponds around them gradually growing into lakes that left less and less room for them to move freely. Even the space between the lakes began to shrink until, after a while, they pooled together into one large body of water that stretched out before them.


    Yu Chen looked around in consternation.


    They could go no further. The dark waters blocked their path forward, glittering in the soft light of the glowing moss that creeped across the dark mud at the banks.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Sun Yuan asked, the first to speak up.


    His tone was brash, but Yu Chen noticed the waver in his voice.


    ¡°You have a boat, don¡¯t you?¡± Xiao Jian snorted, crossing his arms.


    ¡°It¡¯s called a ship!¡± Sun Yuan said, rounding on the man. ¡°Fishermen sail around in boats.¡±


    The other boy rolled his eyes, but he didn¡¯t reply.


    ¡°Is the water even deep enough to sail through?¡± Yan Ziqi asked, filling the awkward silence that rose up.


    Sun Yuan creased his brows in thought as the rest of them looked around. No one wanted to step into the strange water and test it out.


    ¡°We could follow it around,¡± Xue Lan suggested, ¡°This entire city can¡¯t be encircled by water, can it?¡±


    ¡°It could if it was on an island,¡± Yu Chen frowned as he cast his gaze upwards, ¡°but this sky isn¡¯t normal. Let alone the sun or the moon, there¡¯s no stars or clouds, or anything at all. We could be anywhere right now.¡±


    Serbo au Serbo grunted, leaning down and placing two fingers into the lake. He pulled them out, giving one a cautious lick before spitting it out.


    ¡°Water from river.¡± He said, raising back up to face them.


    ¡°So it is an island.¡± Xue Lan said with a sigh.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that yet,¡± Yan Ziqi shook his head, negating her words. ¡°We should still check the perimeter, there are stranger riverbanks than this out there.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right about that,¡± Sun Yuan agreed, ¡°I¡¯ve been to a place or two where the sun doesn¡¯t shine, this wouldn¡¯t be the first.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Yu Chen said. They set back out, racing in a circle around the outskirts of the city. It was a long run, but welcome. Ever since being cooped up on the boat, er, ship, he hadn¡¯t found many opportunities to stretch his legs like this.


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    The dark, algae covered riverbanks weren¡¯t perfectly even. They twisted in a serpentine pattern, occasionally receding away from or moving closer towards the city. Though its size might change, the water itself never left their vision once until they found their own footprints once more, barely visible against the top of the thick mud.


    ¡°An island then,¡± Sun Yuan said with a gasp.


    ¡°Looks that way,¡± The swordsman drawled, hooking his thumbs in his belt. He was in better shape than the other boy. Not only was he a realm higher, his body had even been tempered. Yu Chen could tell, but privately he thought whatever technique he¡¯d used had been a little bit lacking.


    Or perhaps their techniques were simply better?


    Yu Chen¡¯s came from a dragon after all, and Yan Ziqi had utilized a powerful pill to improve his physique. But then again, the barbarian¡¯s body was incredibly powerful as well, he thought as his eyes drifted over to Serbo au Serbo. It was close to his own, and who knew what strange techniques they cultivated out there?


    ¡°Should we see what¡¯s out there?¡± Xue Lan asked, interrupting his thoughts as she cast a dubious glance towards the dark waters that lay beyond the muddy banks, far beyond what the light from the glowing moss could reach.


    The group fell silent as they considered it. Truthfully, none of them liked the look of that empty void. Anything could be lurking out there, and it was impossible to say how far the cover of darkness stretched.


    ¡°We have lights.¡± Yu Chen said, breaking the silence. ¡°Let¡¯s see what¡¯s out there.¡±


    Sun Yuan waved his hand, sending the Sleeping Lady flying through the air. It rapidly grew before landing in the water with a splash, disturbing the algae lining the banks.


    Yu Chen leapt aboard, and the rest followed, sailing the ship into the impenetrable darkness beyond. A lone lantern lit up at the prow, casting a blinding light that illuminated the waters around them. Another lit up in the rigging, and more in the stern, the spirit vessel becoming a shining beacon that cut through the pitch-black waters.


    The inscriptions on the hull lit up, rippling with a soft glow as they pushed the ship forward, the lights from the city in the distance slowly receding as the waters around them grew deeper and more mysterious.


    Eventually they disappeared completely, and the ship was left alone, a solitary source of light in the void. Yu Chen¡¯s other senses stretched out in that void, the noise of the water lapping against the hull magnifying in his ears, every creak and groan of the ship sounding closer to a wail.


    Time passed at an indeterminate length, the word losing its meaning within that dense blackness. An uneasy feeling began to build in Yu Chen, as they continued to travel. He felt the sensation of movement, but there was nothing external to validate the feeling, no clouds in the sky or trees in the distance to show he¡¯d actually moved.


    The strangeness grew, despite everything remaining the same. Until something changed, a new noise breaking through the darkness. He spun his head sharply, looking around, but there was nothing out of place in the darkness around him.


    What was that? He wondered, a splash?


    Yu Chen scratched his arm, anxiety welling up within him, but the mystery fled from his mind as a hint of light finally appeared in the darkness.


    It didn¡¯t appear as a small light in the distance, gradually growing larger as they approached. No, this light arose like a storm on the river, from nowhere to everywhere all at once, stretching across the sky in its pervasiveness.


    The light didn¡¯t grow larger as they approached, as it already covered everything. It simply grew clearer, what began as a faint haze turning into a glowing shimmer that covered the world like a wall in front of them. The ship jolted to a stop, sudden enough to jostle all aboard.


    None of them said anything to Sun Yuan, not even the swordsman, captivated by the sight before them.


    ¡°Am I dreaming?¡± Xue Lan asked, her voice light with disbelief.


    ¡°I hope so.¡± Xiao Jian said, stepping closer to her. Their hands fumbled against each other before grasping together, their unacknowledged feelings surfacing as they sought comfort in the moment.


    ¡°No dream.¡± Serbo said, a quiver in his voice. It was the first time Yu Chen had heard the barbarian sound unsettled. Even when the Auction Ship had been under attack and False Domain cultivators had battled through the sky, the man hadn¡¯t batted an eye.


    Yu Chen couldn¡¯t blame him.


    A thin shell of shimmering energy was all that stood between them and the wall of water that rose up before them. A primal fear rose up in Yu Chen as he stared at the endless tons of water that lay on the other side, and though he knew it was irrational he couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this would be the moment the shield broke, bringing all that water crashing down on top of his head.


    After all, the city was ancient, the buildings in ruins¡­ How long had this shield been here, he wondered. How much longer would it be here?


    He banished the thought, shaking his head before the fear could take root. Then a new fear took root as something swam in front of them, and though Yu Chen could clearly see it, he couldn¡¯t clearly see it. It resisted his cognition, and some small part of his mind screamed, refusing to acknowledge it. The creature paid no mind to them on the other side of the wall, darting off to disappear into the small forest of kelp that waved on the bottom of the river before them.


    That was where they were, Yu Chen realized in horror as he watched the plants dancing in front of him. What strange sect had thought to form a city on the riverbed itself?!


    Yan Ziqi let out a curse. ¡°How do we get out of here?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the beauty,¡± Sun Yuan said with a hollow laugh. ¡°We don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Quit it.¡± Yu Chen said, shoving the other boy. ¡°Put that energy into something productive.¡±


    He turned, looking around at all of them. ¡°Other people have been here before. Remember all the ransacked houses? There were no bodies lying around, or any dead explorers, there must be some way in and out.¡±


    Yan Ziqi was the first to nod. ¡°We still have to check out the spire as well, perhaps it¡¯s somehow related.¡±


    Yu Chen nodded. ¡°It could be. Let¡¯s not panic. We¡¯ll head back to the city and look around for some more clues, see if we can¡¯t figure out anything more about these runes Xue Lan found.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Sun Yuan said, looking sheepish as he gazed at the ground. ¡°Depression comes easily, you know.¡±


    Yu Chen regarded him with a serious gaze before clapping a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°I know.¡± he said, ¡°But you¡¯re stronger than that. You¡¯re a smart guy; we¡¯ll need your help to figure this all out.¡±


    Sun Yuan¡¯s face brightened.


    He opened his mouth, but whatever he was about to say was lost as something struck the boat hard. Yu Chen stumbled, grabbing the railing before snapping his head around as a loud scream rang out.


    Xue Lan went overboard with a cry as he watched in horror.

 Confluence: Chapter 36 - The Mysterious City IV

    ¡°Activate the shields!¡± Yu Chen yelled out as he dove overboard, Lue She wrapped tightly around his bicep.


    He entered with a splash, diving deep into the swirling waters. Disoriented, he tried to find his bearings when something powerful brushed past him, sending him spinning through the waters once more.


    A primal fear shot through him at the touch and he kicked away, desperate to escape. The feeling threatened to overwhelm him but he tamped down on it, orienting himself before shooting towards the surface. A few kicks later and his head burst through the waves, taking deep breaths to fill his lungs.


    The sound of violence filled his ears, shouts and screams ringing out across the waves as the other boys fought back against the strange thing that had attacked the ship.


    Yu Chen swallowed, bobbing up and down in the disturbed water, another wave of terror shooting through him as he watched a massive tentacle unfurl from the depths. It towered in his vision, rising high into the air before slapping down at the spirit vessel. A glimmering shield sprung to life before it could connect, shuddering under the weight of the heavy blow.


    His mind was a blubbering mess, watching in horror as the writhing flesh, impossibly large, reared back before slamming down again. Strange runes flared to life as it struck, shining with a dark light from within its rubbery skin.


    In that moment he would have given anything to be out of the water, but there was still something he had to do.


    He turned his head, looking at the girl floating nearby. Piercing screams filled the air as Xue Lan thrashed about in the waves, her eyes white with panic. He cursed, hoping she hadn¡¯t drawn the creature''s attention. He kicked through the water, desperately trying to get closer to her.


    Another tentacle unfurled nearby, pushing Yu Chen back as it displaced the water around him. Fighting through it, he surged towards Xue Lan and wrapped an arm around her before dragging her back towards the ship.


    A ship that was currently being tossed about on the waves like a child¡¯s plaything. Three or four tentacles rose up around it to wail on the vessel, but the cultivators aboard didn¡¯t simply take the attack.


    Yu Chen watched as a thick bolt of lightning shot out from near the prow, piercing through one of the rubbery tentacles with a well-placed shot. It shuddered, dark viscous fluids pouring forth as Serbo au Serbo spun the ballista around, shooting at another. It was like blood, only thick and purple, with an acrid scent that sizzled as it hit the water.


    Another bolt of lightning struck the beast. This time the world shuddered, the waters around him frothing as the tentacles retracted beneath the waves. Yu Chen kicked harder, dragging the girl towards the spirit vessel as she wrestled against him, mad with fear. Behind them a vortex appeared, swirling in place as a massive, razor filled maw broke appeared in the center.


    A wail sounded out, the creature feeling pain for the first time in a millennia.


    The keening noise continued to rise until it disappeared, until, with a sharp pop, Yu Chen could hear nothing at all. Blood stained the water around him, trickling from his ears, but he paid it no mind as he struggled to drag the half-panicked woman back to the ship.


    He cast a glance up as he broke through a wave, seeing Xiao Jian watching them in worry as he hung over the side of the ship.


    The other boy waved his hand, shouting something, but Yu Chen couldn¡¯t hear what he said. He kicked harder, nearly at the ship when all of a sudden, his forward momentum halted as an intense force began pulling him backwards.


    Yu Chen kicked his feet, desperate to escape from, from - He cast a glance over his shoulder at the gnashing maw that was half above the water, inhaling it in at a prodigious rate. One massive eye rolled open as he watched, full of malevolence as it turned to stare at him.


    It gleamed with a dark intelligence that promised violence. It narrowed, the creature opening its mouth wider to suck them in, but it disappeared forever as a streak of blue lightning obliterated it from existence. Another keening scream rose up, and though Yu Chen couldn¡¯t hear it he could feel it, his bones rattling in his body as they vibrated at a frequency that wasn¡¯t fit for man.


    The suction disappeared and Yu Chen kicked, pushing through the waves that rose and fell around him as they were thrown about by the raging beast. Tentacles rose out of the water before whistling through the air and crashing against the spirit vessel in revenge.


    Yu Chen¡¯s heartbeat against his chest as the massive ropes of flesh lashed through the air, any one of which would have spelt his end.


    One last push took him through the ship''s shield. Thankfully, he was one of the few people keyed to pass its warding properties. He scrabbled against the hull for something, anything to grip onto and pull himself up, but his hand found no purchase on the smooth metal. The hull rose as the ship bucked, the water churning beneath it as Yu Chen tried uselessly to climb the ship.


    Just as he began to lose hope a rope splashed into the water beside him.


    Relief ran through Yu Chen as he grabbed it, clinging to it as tightly as he clung to Xue Lan. A sharp tug lifted both of them into the air, but before he could celebrate, he was slammed against the hull of the ship as it shifted in the waves.


    He groaned, his head spinning, but a few sharp tugs later they were hauled onto the ship and deposited onto the deck in a wet puddle.


    Xiao Jian ignored Yu Chen, dropping the rope he was holding to gather up Xue Lan who was still shaking with fear. He cradled her gently, opening his mouth to say something Yu Chen couldn¡¯t hear.


    Yu Chen pushed himself to his feet, water dripping from his robes. Xiao Jian shot him a look of gratitude, saying something but he paid it no mind, not that he could hear it anyway.


    He turned, surveying the situation aboard the Sleeping Lady.


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    ¡°Retreat!¡± He yelled at Sun Yuan, pointing back the way they came, but the other boy was already on it, spinning the spirit vessel in a tight circle on a path back towards the city.


    Unfortunately, the vindictive beast wasn¡¯t willing to simply let them go.


    Another roar shook his bones as the water rose up around them, blending into the inky blackness.


    The creature rose with it, a horror beyond his comprehension.


    It was a massive¡­  thing, a thick bulbous head writhing with intricate runes that gleamed in the darkness with a darkness all their own. It was somehow similar to the darkness around them, but different, stranger.


    Oddly¡­ more.


    He listened as the runes whispered to him, bypassing his ruined ears.


    Incomprehensible mysteries forced their way into Yu Chen¡¯s mind. His head heated up as his brain worked overtime, struggling to process what it was seeing, to parse the impenetrable secrets thrust upon him. He grappled with the esoteric Concepts, his synapses firing far faster than normal as they attempted, somehow, to eff the ineffable.


    His mind strained, twisting near to breaking until he tore his eyes away.


    Even so, his mind still struggled to comprehend it.


    Water was there, he¡¯d recognized that, and¡­ darkness? Darkness, darkness, darkness, a part of his own mind whispered back. Water and darkness, the world the creature had lived in, but tinged with a dozen other concepts. Depth and pressure, loneliness and violence, life and death, pain and¡­


    The word escaped him, dodging his grasp. And the word that summed that all up? Was there a single Concept that touched on all of those?


    Yes. His mind whispered back, saying the word, a word that he couldn¡¯t comprehend, a word that caused blood to build in the corners of his eyes and pour from his nose.


    He looked back at the creature, focusing on its eyes in a desperate gambit to avoid the runes writhing across its flesh. One was a bloody ruin, but the other still gleamed with a malevolent fury, glaring at them as it lashed out with a storm of tentacles.


    Serbo au Serbo continued to fire as Sun Yuan pushed the ship hard, sailing beyond the edge of the False Domain it had nearly formed. It wasn¡¯t quite complete. The creature was still a Stage III beast but just barely so, as near to Stage IV as a beast could possibly be.


    Beads of dark water swirled through the air before shooting forward to pelt the ship as they sailed away. The rain battered against the shield, but it held, protecting them until they escaped its range.


    Awe filled Yu Chen as he regarded the beast.


    How old, how ancient was this creature? How long had it lurked in these depths, and how close was it to stepping into the next stage? A year or two? Ten, or twenty? It was impossible to tell, but its power continued to grow along with a crackling energy that spread across the sky.


    And then they were past it. Sun Yuan sent energy to empower the sails, the mast flickering dangerously low as they fled away.


    Yu Chen breathed a sigh of relief as they left the malevolent being behind. The spirit beast kept its gaze on them, its one eye following them as they went, and for one brief moment Yu Chen had the luxury of believing they were safe.


    That they¡¯d somehow managed to escape.


    Then the beast pushed, its bulbous form flowing through the air as it raced after them, abandoning the water entirely. The creature''s body was about half the size of the Sleeping Lady, some 50 or 60 feet, but its tentacles trailed out many times beyond that. They writhed through the air, twirling about as the creature propelled itself along.


    Serbo shouted something in his guttural language as he spun the ballista around, firing on the creature as it approached. Bolt after bolt of bright blue lighting lanced out, but none of them found their mark.


    Yu Chen cursed under his breath as the creature approached. He turned, watching as Xiao Jian rushed Xue Lan below deck while Yan Ziqi stood by the mast, imbuing it with what energy he could.


    Sun Yuan stood at the wheel, holding it in a tight grip as he pressed the ship as fast as he could. The Lady responded, leaping across the waves with surprising alacrity now that the waters beneath the vessel had calmed. The beast had left for the skies, allowing them to make good time as they pressed through the darkness.


    Until the spirit beast caught back up with them at least. Serbo au Serbo held it off for some time, the creature treating the weapon with respect after it ruined its eye, but it wasn¡¯t long before it gave up on avoiding them. It burnt its qi, slapping the bolts out of the sky with abandon as it recklessly spent the deep reservoirs it had built up.


    Then it was upon them, looming above them in the sky as a dark aura erupted, stifling the lights that hung from the ship. It was different from the darkness before, somehow more, filled with a Concept so esoteric that blood had poured from Yu Chen¡¯s orifices at the sight of it.


    Yan Ziqi ran below decks as he watched, before running back up and pouring spirit stones into the furnace beside the mast. The light in it flickered, dangerously low, cracks spreading across the shield as the creature above lashed out at them again.


    Yu Chen joined him, the two of them racing back and forth as they fought desperately to keep the spirit vessel from running out of energy. Slowly, the shield firmed, the energy in the mast stabilizing a bit above halfway full.


    Already, a good deal of their profit from the ship they¡¯d sold had been burnt, but money was worthless to a dead man.


    The creature continued its attacks, but something changed as a tiny light appeared in the distance, a faint flicker of hope appearing in the strange darkness surrounding them. The beast seemed to recoil at the sight, erupting with a deep hiss of indignation as it reared back, letting out another keening roar.


    A bolt of energy smashed into its gullet, Serbo au Serbo seizing the moment to strike a deadly blow.


    The keening roar grew another octave, or so Yu Chen assumed as his bones vibrated at a higher frequency. Purple blood, thick and viscous, poured between the shattered remnants of its maw it spun in a tight circle above them, furious and helpless.


    The world pulsed as it pulled at reality, droplets of dense water forming in the air around it. They Conceptually reeked, emitting an aura that spoke of a dozen things, but Yu Chen didn¡¯t have time to reflect as the creature sent them spinning through the air with a roar.


    The first few raindrops of darkness and death struck the shield as the rain gradually built building into a ferocious storm that harried them on their way back to the city. The shield above them flickered, the faintest of holes appearing as it was suffused with attacks.


    There was still power in the mast, but the sheer number of attacks was overwhelming. The shield simply couldn¡¯t regenerate fast enough, and one by one the attacks began to slip through. They were weakened from piercing the shield but they still carried an unspeakable danger, drilling holes through the deck of a vessel crafted by Elder Ming.


    A piece of railing cracked, falling to the deck, and the sails fared no better, first becoming pockmarked and then becoming useless, falling slack as the energy destroyed enough of the inscriptions to break the spell.


    The wind pushing the ship faded, but they were almost there, close enough for Yu Chen to see the bright stonework of the city shining in the distance.


    And then they were through, the beast¡¯s darkness cutting off as they passed some invisible marker, leaving the creature behind.


    A keening roar rose up behind them, filled with reluctance and rage as they sailed within range of the city. Yu Chen turned, fear filling him as he saw the creature floating in the air behind them, its one rage filled eye watching them escape.


    Its aura spiked as the dark energy surrounding it condensed, twirling together to form a massive shard of watery energy. With a last roar of rage is shot the attack forward, crashing through the invisible marker between them and smashing apart the flickering shield protecting the vessel.


    The giant shard missed the deck, but it smashed into the mast, snapping it in half and sending it crashing down onto the ship. The deck beneath it, already structurally weakened from the rain, shattered beneath its weight, causing the ship to list as it ran aground on the muddy banks of the sunken city.


    Yu Chen stared behind them, watching those dark waters where the strange creature had fled.

 Confluence: chapter 37 - Changing Fates

    Yu Chen looked down, surveying the wreckage of the ship that had dug into the muddy banks. It creaked, listing to one side but barely hanging on. The shredded sails draped like limp rags across the shattered mast that had torn through the deck. Some sections of the ship were simply missing, while others were riddled like honeycomb, filled with holes left behind by the beast¡¯s strange attacks.


    The raindrops hadn¡¯t simply carved through the vessel, the strange concepts within them had weakened the metal, making it brittle to the touch. Doubtless part of the reason the mast had created so much devastation.


    ¡°Is everyone ok?¡± Yu Chen croaked out; his own words deaf to his ears.


    Serbo au Serbo opened his mouth, grunting something from across the ship, but whatever he said fell on deaf ears. The large man looked around him before turning away and glaring in the direction the beast had disappeared.


    Sun Yuan didn¡¯t reply. He stood nearby, hands on the wheel, a shell-shocked expression on his face. His forehead was streaked with dust and blood, but he paid it no mind, staring around in grief at the damaged ship. Yu Chen averted his gaze. It was unlikely the Lady would ever sail again. Yan Ziqi was a skilled artificer, but fixing this¡­ well, that would require a miracle.


    A pile of rubble shifted nearby, revealing the artificer as he pushed his way free. Blood ran from his temple, but he stood up, wavering on his feet. At least he was alive. Yu Chen nodded at him, turning to look for Xue Lan and the young swordsman.


    He frowned when he didn¡¯t see them, before recalling they¡¯d gone below deck.


    Below deck!


    Alarm shot through Yu Chen as he looked at the shattered mast piercing through to the lower deck. He wasted no time, hopping off the quarterdeck and taking the stairs two at a time as he ran below.


    ¡°Xue Lan!¡± He called out with a cough as he inhaled the dust swirling through the air. Fear laced his voice as he peered down the corridor, looking for his friend. He couldn¡¯t hear his own words, let alone a reply so he pushed on, opening the doors one by one as he passed.


    Every room was empty, dread building in his heart as he approached the wreckage with no sign of Xue Lan. Fearing the worst, he stopped, taking a deep breath before pushing open the last door beside the rubble to reveal a room that was half destroyed.


    Xue Lan was there. Relief flooded him as the girl lifted her head, looking at him with red, puffy eyes. Clear streaks ran down her cheeks, trails left behind by the tears that covered her dust-streaked face. He frowned, his eyes dropping from her face to her hand, and the one clutched within.


    He followed that hand to an arm that disappeared somewhere beneath the rubble.


    ¡°Oh, no. No, no, no.¡± he said, falling to his knees beside Xue Lan. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    If she heard his words she didn¡¯t reply, squeezing the broken hand harder as she sobbed.


    Yu Chen looked over, considering the pile of rubble. He shook his head. There was simply no way the young man was still alive beneath the weight of half the deck and the mast itself.


    With a sigh he wrapped the young girl in a hug, a long moment passing as she shuddered in his arms.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yun Luo Qing was having a bad day.


    Of course, few of her days were ever truly bad. Her life was luxurious, for the most part, if rather simple. No, her day was bad for an entirely different reason. Sometimes the temple asked her to read the future of someone she¡¯d really rather not.


    Like the man standing before her now.


    An imposing man, wrapped in black robes. He was tall and brooding, and handsome. Very handsome if she was being honest, with his aquiline nose and his sharp brows, irresistible to those attracted to darkness and danger. He was calculated, powerful, strong.


    Very strong. His cultivation had grown since the last time she¡¯d seen him, far faster than was reasonable for his age. She mentally reevaluated, his position rising several notches in her mind.


    Tiang Sheng had shown him in, even treating him with some respect. The high priest had told her the man was destined for greatness, she wasn¡¯t inclined to disagree. Not after what she¡¯d seen last time.


    She¡¯d only met him once before, but a single glimpse into his future had been enough to shake her.


    Her stomach turned as the memories flashed through her mind. Destined for greatness he might be, but at what cost? The path he carved across the world was a bloody one. Who knew how much suffering might be avoided if she simply ended his life now?


    She knew.


    She¡¯d peered into his future, counting the bodies that lay at his feet as she helped him navigate the tumultuous waves of destiny. She¡¯d seen exactly how much death, how much destruction, this man would bring to the world.


    The temple didn¡¯t care however, which meant she didn¡¯t either. Her hand twitched in her lap, moving involuntarily.


    They were morally agnostic, offering her services to anyone who had the coin, regardless of how much disgust they filled her with. Coins, after all, were an apt metaphor, as Tiang Sheng had explained to her more than once. Good, evil, both were simply constructs of man, two sides of a single coin like the sorrow that accompanied joy, and the death that followed life.


    Nothing walked alone. The existence of this implied the existence of that, and they didn¡¯t exist to judge the relative value of things like some merchants. Privately Qing¡¯er couldn¡¯t help but notice they found a way to attach a price tag to her.


    But that was uncharitable. The temple needed the funds to operate.


    She thrust the thoughts away, tilting her head as she observed the man. The priceless jewels hanging across her veil bounced against one another, tinkling musically as she shifted in her seat.


    ¡°You¡¯ve returned once more.¡± She said, her voice light and ethereal. A quirk of her finger caused the smoke laying close to the floor to rise, swirling through entrancing patterns that appeared mysterious in the dim light.


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    She used to think it was silly, but time had shown her the elders were right. Her powers required a willing participant, and such tricks were marvelous for priming their mind.


    ¡°Yes, your excellency.¡± The man said, bowing his head as he knelt to one knee.


    She rolled her eyes at his words, not that he could tell from below the dais. It was always amusing when they offered her feigned respect. Perhaps they thought there was something to gain from currying her favor, or perhaps they thought she expected as such.


    They should have known better. She didn¡¯t have to wonder what they thought, she knew. She knew them intimately, oftentimes better than they knew themselves. Peering into someone¡¯s fate was no different from reading a book, except the story was of someone¡¯s life, what they would or would not be, determined by the actions that they made.


    And it was those choices that showed her their nature, allowing her to know it as intimately as her own. She knew every step he¡¯d made, having walked in his shoes as he made the thousand, thousand choices that had brought him back to her today.


    It was funny, she mused, how often fate brought them back. But perhaps it was inevitable.


    ¡°Why?¡± She asked, leaning forward.


    He looked up, meeting her eyes with two black orbs that sunk into his severe face. His eyes unsettled her. They were strange, alien things, pure black and unlike anything she¡¯d ever seen before.


    ¡°To seek your guidance, Child of Fate.¡± He said, bowing his head with a sweep of his hand. The words were gentle and elegant, at odds with the monster she knew him to be. ¡°The events you spoke of have come to pass. The balance on the river has shifted, and Bai Lian grows in power.¡± He looked back up, fixing her with his gaze. ¡°But certain things have changed. The Domain fragment has escaped her grasp, disappearing the gods know where.¡±


    She leaned forward, her jewels tinkling as she moved. ¡°There are ramifications for interfering with fate. You¡¯ve peered at destiny once, and now fortune has reshuffled the cards.¡±


    ¡°A good thing I did.¡± He said, his tone warm, something nearing affection entering his voice. ¡°I almost lost my life in that tiny little empire. Who knew they¡¯d possess such a good thing?¡±


    His voice was low, seductive. Almost possessive. ¡°Other than you of course. What else do you know, I wonder?¡± A hint of hunger lurked in his black eyes as he stared up at her.


    She didn¡¯t reply. A shift of her finger, and the fires in the braziers flared to life. The man shrunk back, fear on his face.


    Enough of these charades. Another movement and the lights dimmed, despite the burning fires that hung around the room.


    ¡°Time grows short,¡± It did no such thing, ¡°and the winds of fate are shifting.¡± they always were, it was hardly notable. ¡°Speak your desires so I might show you your destiny.¡±


    ¡°The Domain fragment.¡± The man said, quick and eager. ¡°Where can I find it?¡±


    She shook her head, the jewels crowning her veil tinkling softly. ¡°I can only show you that which is in your future. If your destinies are not intertwined your trip will be wasted.¡±


    The man shook his head impatiently.


    ¡°I know,¡± he said, his voice filled with conviction. ¡°But I will have my hands on it one way or another.¡±


    She nodded.


    It was one of the more common uses of her oracular skills. After all, if you only knew where you were destined to find your lover, or your enemy, or that item that you lost, what was to stop you from showing up just a little bit earlier?


    Perhaps he was destined to encounter that item one day, in some hidden realm or a far away land. And if he knew where he would encounter it, or who he would encounter¡­ Well, destiny had been changed with less.


    It wasn¡¯t something so special. Fate and destiny changed every day, for a million people in a million ways. She was hardly the only oracle around, or the only way someone could glimpse the future. They were ever-changing, and it was understanding what she saw that set her apart.


    A silence stretched, filling the room.


    She was putting it off, as she tended to do when dealing with his sort. The fog in the room deepened as the thick incense in the braziers burned, filling the room with a heady scent.


    She inhaled deeply, circulating her qi as she activated her breathing technique. A dense aura unfurled as power raced through her meridians, fueling the expansion of her Domain.


    Well, her False Domain, her powers hadn¡¯t fully matured.


    A ghostly river sprung into being, twisting around her, far different from the one that graced the world below. No, this river didn¡¯t represent a place but a time, trailing into the far future and the distant past. Her aura billowed out, a hint of resistance appearing as it encountered the man.


    He bared himself, willfully entering her domain.


    A wave of her hand sent the ghostly river flowing forward to pierce through his heart. He fell to his knees with a gasp, and if he was anyone else his eyes would be all white, peering into the back of his head.


    The river shot out of his back and rose, quivering in the air. It was different now, the ghostly waters no longer calm and smooth. Faces and images had appeared, pressing against the surface of the water as though fighting to be free. They were the infinite possibilities of his future laid bare, some more or less certain, but constantly shifting as the world changed around them.


    She beckoned, and the river turned, leaping at her like a child to its mother. It struck her, and her eyes rolled back as the circuit completed, cutting the man¡¯s fate off from the rest of the world.


    The room and the river disappeared, as the man¡¯s future filled her vision, static and unchanging. This was the path he would take once he left the temple, if nothing else were done. Scenes flashed, one after the other as the man¡¯s life played out.


    Stepping into a portal as she left the temple.


    Flash.


    A rousing speech given before hundreds of ships.


    Flash.


    Moaning in the depths of the night as a beautiful woman writhed beneath her.


    Flash.


    A meeting with that same woman and half a dozen others. A cold man glared at her from across the table, twins standing at his back.


    Flash.


    War.


    Flash.


    Blood.


    Flash.


    Death.


    Flash.


    There it was, the Domain fragment. She floated above half a dozen ships, the beautiful woman at her side. A powerful spearman attacked, and a ferocious battle erupted, bringing a bloody end to many lives.


    Betrayal. The spider sank in her fangs when she was distracted. Pain. Death. She survived, but crippled. She looked down at the Domain fragment in her hand. Crippled, but more powerful.


    Flash. Flash. Flash.


    She walked in his shoes as the man¡¯s life continued playing out, but an ache began to build, her powers stretching towards their limits the further she viewed. She summoned her will, beginning to cut off the stream - but.


    Flash.


    What was that? Her heart skipped a beat. Ignoring the pain in her soul she forcefully pushed against the river, returning to the previous vision.


    There. The frame paused, her heart thumping uncontrollably as she looked at the unyielding figure floating across from her in the sky.


    He was older now, the rough beginnings of a beard on his face, his white robes were pristine, and of an ancient cut. There were other changes as well, and she took in every one of them like a man denied thirst given water for the first time. His teeth were longer, his nails thicker and his irises flashed with a golden light, barely visible through the narrow slit they¡¯d formed.


    A strange creature flew about his head, vibrantly striped, exuding a terrifying aura of its own. Although it was nothing compared to his. His aura roiled, thumping like a beating drum as his blood sang, more ancient than the robes he wore.


    He¡¯d changed, he¡¯d changed so much, but she would recognize him anywhere.


    The man she was riding opened his mouth, saying something, and the young man replied, making a sharp cutting motion with his hand. His tone resonated, deeper and more subtle.


    Nothing more was said. Battle erupted between the two, both sides fighting with a matchless fury. The river churned beneath them as they sent powerful attacks crashing down upon each other.


    The young man fought well, holding her off for a time, even landing an attack or two, but it was pointless. The fragment had solidified her Domain, and it erupted around her, True and complete.


    His friends shot into the sky, rising up to join him. One by one they fell, until only he remained, last, like he was first.


    She reached out a hand, twisting, and he fell as well.


    No! A part of her silently protested. This wasn¡¯t how it went! She¡¯d peered into both of their futures, and she knew the two had never encountered, not even close.


    What has changed?


    A feeling of guilt overwhelmed her as she realized what had happened. It was her, she thought, her mind whirling in panic. She¡¯d intervened, meddling in both of their destinies, and now they were on a collision course with fate, one the young man wouldn¡¯t survive.


    It was all her fault.


    She snapped back to herself, panting as she gasped for air with rough, jagged breaths.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± The handsome man asked, looking towards her with a sense of concern that never reached his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She said, waving off his concern. ¡°Your future is greater than most, making it more difficult to parse.¡±


    It was a simple lie, but one easily believed. After all, everyone wanted to believe they were special.


    It wouldn¡¯t be the only lie she told today.


    She wouldn¡¯t be responsible for his death.

 Confluence - Chapter 38: The Mysterious City V

    They buried Xiao Jian in a dry plot of land close to the city.


    A heavy silence lay in the air, none of them speaking as they surrounded the newly dug grave. Sun Yuan and the other boys had heavy faces as they contemplated the dead, but it was nothing compared to Xue Lan¡¯s. Tears streaked her face, filled with loss and regret, and a hint of stunned disbelief lay within her eyes.


    Yu Chen wanted to comfort her, but he knew she needed the space to grieve, preferring to be alone in her pain. She held herself, her arms wrapped tightly around her chest as she stared down at his grave.


    Shadows stretched across the ground, immobile in the unchanging light.


    It¡¯d taken more time to calm Xue Lan than it had to recover the boy, moving enough rubble to pull his mangled corpse from the wreckage. She¡¯d refused to leave, beside herself with grief and unwilling to accept what had happened. They¡¯d eventually managed to move her away, before wrapping the boy in a bit of tattered sailcloth in order to hide the grisly view from her sight.


    His thoughts disappeared as she moved. A complicated feeling flashed through her eyes as one hand fell, caressing the sword that now hung from her waist in a slightly battered sheathe.


    She¡¯d decided to keep it, to have something to remember him by. Maybe she¡¯d even learn to use it one day.


    It was the only thing of his they¡¯d managed to recover, other than his spatial ring. His other two swords had snapped under the weight of the debris, but this one was clearly a cut above the others, despite its simple appearance.


    The hilt beneath her hands had been bound in white cloth, and he knew the blade within the sheathe gleamed, perfect and unmarred.


    It had originally belonged to his father, one of the few remaining treasures of the Thousand Blades Hall, alongside the techniques he¡¯d carried within his spatial ring. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the hilt, the young boy¡¯s spatial ring standing out against her skin.


    Yu Chen knew the swordsman would want her to have them as well. And who knew? Perhaps one day, the techniques would flourish again, finding a new life within Xue Lan¡¯s hands.


    Perhaps, at least for a time, the Thousand Blades Hall would live once more.


    Yu Chen¡¯s eyes left Xue Lan, wandering across the others before looking over at the ancient city, filled with any number of lost and forgotten memories. A deep melancholy filled him as he contemplated his own future. Will this be me one day? Dead and forgotten, with nothing but a few things left behind to show I once lived? He shook away the thoughts.


    They left, once Xue Lan was ready, making their way towards the city in the distance.


    The next few days passed in a blur as they made themselves at home in one of the buildings near the center of the city.


    The joviality they¡¯d once shared had fled, stifled now that the dangers in the hidden realm had made themselves known. A grim, haunting sensation had replaced it, hounding them as they overturned the city, looking for clues that might help them escape.


    It had already turned into a tomb for one of them.


    They split the city up, exploring it in sections. All of them, including Xue Lan, joined in to cover as much ground as possible. The young boy¡¯s death had left her with a renewed sense of determination. She worked herself ragged, every day she was among the first to awaken and the last to return.


    Yu Chen discovered something strange during one of these trips.


    He was traveling with Serbo au Serbo, the two of them exploring a part of the city where the terrain was different than elsewhere. Most of the city gradually transitioned into farmland as they traveled, vast plots of land that had once fed the inhabitants, but the lands around here had become rocky and pitted, filled with strange holes that led down below the earth.


    ¡°Should we take a look?¡± Yu Chen asked, looking towards the other boy.


    Serbo au Serbo nodded in reply.


    They entered together, looking around curiously as it transitioned into a long tunnel. He pulled out a glowing stone he¡¯d purchased on the Auction Ship, a sundry item that was popular with cultivators as they emitted a blinding light when ejected with qi.


    They walked for a while but nothing interesting appeared, other than the tool marks, ages old, that still marked the walls. It was man-made, that much was clear, but Yu Chen couldn''t say for what purpose. He was just about to turn around when the first hints of something strange appeared in the air. He sniffed, feeling his pores open up as he inhaled in the rich scent of qi.


    Qi that was heavily aspected with some strange energy he didn¡¯t recognize.


    He looked towards Serbo in askance. A frown crossed the large man¡¯s face as he considered the scent, but he shook his head, not recognizing it either. He lifted a shoulder in half a shrug before motioning forward.


    The strange energy in the air didn¡¯t disappear, growing denser and more concentrated the further in they pushed. The smell was crisp, a sharp tang that filled the air and left a dry, metallic taste on his tongue.


    The faintest of gleams reflected from the light of the glowing stone he held. Yu Chen squinted, a frown crossing his face as he approached to see a strange chunk of ore glimmered on the ceiling. Yu Chen stopped, furrowing his brows as he regarded it, but his heart skipped a beat as something struck him.


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    He hurried forward, heading deeper into the cave.


    Serbo au Serbo raced beside him, running to keep up. ¡°What hurry?¡± The barbarian asked, as he kept pace with long loping strides.


    ¡°We need to see how much of this metal remains,¡± Yu Chen said, kicking up dust as he ran. ¡°If there is enough Yan Ziqi might be able to use it to help repair the spirit vessel.¡±


    Serbo grunted, not saying anything else.


    The strange energy built to an oppressive level as they ran further in. Yu Chen took it as a sign, hoping that meant there was enough of the metal remaining to fix the spirit vessel Sun Yuan still carried.


    He frowned as his thoughts turned towards the wreckage. Thankfully, Sun Yuan had been able to activate the shrinking charm, even with the vessel in its current state. Although they¡¯d had to ensure all the pieces were touching before they¡¯d shrink. Still, the vessel was far from river worthy and would take them nowhere fast in its current form.


    Yan Ziqi wasn¡¯t sure if he could fix it, but he¡¯d need a source of spirit ore if he was ever going to find out.


    This could be the answer to all of their problems.


    Yu Chen came to a halt as the tunnel opened up into a wide cavern so large its edges disappeared into darkness. Gaping holes had been gouged from the few walls he could see, showing how heavily mined the area was. But it wasn¡¯t empty. A smile crossed Yu Chen¡¯s face as he watched the glimmering veins of ore light up beneath his glowstone.


    The energy in the air pressed down on him, extremely heavy, denser even than the earth qi he¡¯d felt before. It felt sharp, prickling against his skin, and he felt something stir within him.


    A thought struck Yu Chen as he looked around, before smiling up at Serbo au Serbo.


    ¡°Would you be willing to guard me for a bit?¡±


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Yu Chen took in a deep breath, centering himself as he sat on top of a throne he¡¯d hastily assembled out of the spiritual ores scattered around the cavern.


    Thick, metallic qi whirled through the air around him, pressing heavily against his skin. He could taste it when he breathed in. It tingled, numbing his tongue with a feeling of sterility. He took a few breaths, circulating his qi before activating the Yellow River Tempering technique and pulling hard at the energy around him.


    The energy in the air responded, entering through his lungs and pores. Every breath delivered immense amounts of energy into his dantian where the technique seized it, shooting it through his meridians and redirecting it around his body.


    A low hiss of pain escaped from Yu Chen as the technique ejected the energy from his meridians, scraping it across his flesh with a razor sharpness as it began tempering his body. It was as though someone had taken a rasp to him, in a mad attempt to abrade away the impurities that lay within his flesh.


    The energy worked its way outwards from his meridians, slowly transforming his muscles and nerves into something better, something stronger, more real than before. The technique left nothing untouched, suffusing his flesh entirely as it pressed towards his skin, where it encountered the energy pouring in through his pores. The technique seized control of it, and Yu Chen bent over, clenching his robes in agony as a stabbing, shooting pain spread across his skin all at once.


    It was painful, the worst by far of all the elements he¡¯d encountered. Just the touch of the air on his skin sent shockwaves across his raw nerves, as the energy reworked his body an iota at a time, the technique operating on a level smaller than he could see with his naked eye.


    And then the pain was gone as the last remaining impurities in his skin were extruded, pressing up to the surface.


    Yu Chen took a deep breath, but before he could do anything else the pain redoubled. He collapsed off the throne of metal, rolling onto the floor. His skin throbbed, his flesh ached, but that was nothing as the energy turned inwards, penetrating through his dense bones to assault the marrow within.


    It was a slow, painful process as the energy suffused them, driving out the impurities. He felt as though his marrow had become the ore, as the energy smashed down upon it like a blacksmith¡¯s hammer, driving out the last remnants of weakness and reforging it into something stronger.


    Something denser, heavier, more resilient.


    Yu Chen gritted his teeth, doing his best to remain still as his body shook beneath the blows. The remaining earthen qi lurking within him was stirred up by this provocation, rising to the surface as the metallic qi struck again and again. It didn¡¯t linger for long. The energy was seized in a tyrannical grip, brought to heel and used to nurture the metallic energy, feeding its growth.


    He could feel his body becoming heavier, his marrow filling with the dense metallic qi the blows left behind. It didn¡¯t feel unwieldy however, to the contrary, he felt a new sense of control blossom as the energy gave his body a sense of stability it¡¯d lacked before.


    The last blow rang out with the pure note of forged steel, but the technique wasn¡¯t done yet.


    The metallic qi running through his meridians turned molten, scouring them clean. Another hiss escaped him as they were rapidly reconstructed, a deep strength marrying with the flexibility they¡¯d already possessed, preparing him to handle enormous amounts of qi.


    The technique had one last target.


    Metallic qi raced through his veins and arteries this time, reinforcing them on a path that led straight towards his heart. A jolt of energy slammed into it, everything turning white as his heart skipped a beat.


    A buzzing whine filled Yu Chen¡¯s ears, but he ignored it, his mind grappling to make sense of the impressions the metallic qi had left upon him.


    There was so much to understand now- far more than ever before, his mind having been subtly primed by the numerous Concepts that he¡¯d encountered. Forced upon him, more often than not.


    The pain receded as he dived deeper, exploring the layered meanings that lay behind the seemingly simple Concept of metal.


    Metal was refinement, a ruthless refinement no different from cultivation itself, or the body tempering he was currently engaged in.


    It grew stronger in the face of adversity, using the countless trials it underwent as an opportunity to drive weakness from its form. If he could embody that, his future path would no longer be hampered by pain, and stagnation would become his only enemy.


    Suffering made it hard, unyielding, capable of cutting through all in its path.


    Yet that hardness could be a weakness. Too much stress could make one brittle, liable to snap under the pressure. It required not just hardness but flexibility - the thought cut off, his eyes widening as for the first time he saw something more, as the boundaries of the Concept he was exploring changed, merging into another.


    Was that wood? For a split second he¡¯d felt it, the two larger concepts tied together by something in common, before his mind reeled back, returning towards the sensation of metal that suffused him.


    Where was he? Ah, yes.


    Metal was pure, and only through hardship could he himself be purified, transformed into something greater.


    He came back to himself with a gasp, his brows furrowing as he took in the blackness oozing from his skin.


    What was that?


    He didn¡¯t know, but he knew who to ask. It was past time to have a conversation with Xiao Huang.