the multi

Chapter 38: Nourishing Flurry

Xiulan signaled to the guards. "Move that brazier closer." She pointed to the desired spot, watching them shuffle the metal container across the stone courtyard. "Now the wire rack—yes, right there."

The makeshift grill looked ridiculous, but after adjusting the height of the rack over the coals, she nodded with satisfaction. This should work well enough.

Behind her, the borrowed table displayed the chaotic aftermath of her kitchen raid—various bowls, ingredients, and utensils scattered across its surface. All the kitchen staff except for the head cook had fled after her whirlwind of demands, leaving only their supplies behind.

Half the garrison packed the courtyard, their faces a mix of awe and terror as they watched the spectacle. Manager Han moved through the crowd, murmuring reassurances, while Xiulan focused on her improvised cooking setup.

The source of everyone's fascination proved impossible to ignore.

Steel rang against steel as Feng Yu and Ren Chun clashed in the center of the yard. Their forms blurred with impossible speed, weapons singing through the air faster than most eyes could track. Each strike sparked and echoed across the stones.

"Remember your promises!" Xiulan called out as a particularly loud clash made several guards flinch. "No spiritual arts, no property damage!"

The duelists acknowledged with quick nods, never breaking their deadly dance. Their blades continued to flash and spin, testing each other's limits without crossing into truly dangerous territory.

Xiulan stifled a yawn as she watched the two cultivators trade blows. The initial excitement of their duel had faded after an hour of repetitive clashing. Even their superhuman speed and precision failed to maintain her interest.

Who would have thought watching a duel could be so... dull?

The absurdity struck her—here stood two fighters demonstrating skills beyond mortal limits, and all she wanted was a proper burger. Her past life's American tastes demanded satisfaction.

"Manager Han!" Xiulan waved the nervous man over. "I need ground beef prepared. Finely minced, not the usual chunks."

The head cook failed to hide his bewildered look as she demonstrated the proper thickness for cutting potatoes. His confusion deepened when she fashioned a crude deep-fry basket from spare wire mesh.

"Honored Miss Lin..." The head cook stuttered at her next request. "That much salt would cost more than premium cuts of meat."

Xiulan pulled out a heavy pouch of silver and clanked it on the improvised table top. "The cost is irrelevant. Bring me the salt!"

The cook's eyes widened at the casual display of wealth. "Miss… you don't actually need to pay me. The salt belongs to the house already." He bowed deeply and scurried off to fulfill her request.

Xiulan rolled the seasoned meat between her palms, forming perfect spheres before pressing them flat into patties. The familiar motions transported her back to backyard barbecues with college friends before her student debt had ruined her prospects. 

The salt arrived, and she hurried to add it to the meat. Satisfied with the result, it was time. Each patty sizzled as it hit the heated rack above the glowing coals.

The pot of oil began to bubble. She lowered the heat under it a little by moving the coals. Then she dropped the cut potatoes into the makeshift fryer, stepping back as droplets popped and danced. The aroma of frying potatoes filled the courtyard, drawing curious looks from the guards still watching the ongoing duel.

Definitely not Five Guys quality, but it'll do.

Her knife moved with practiced precision across the wooden cutting board. Onions fell into thin rings, tomatoes into perfect circles. The unfamiliar Chinese lettuce proved more challenging—its leaves broader and tougher than iceberg—but she managed decent-sized pieces.

"What manner of dish is this?" The head cook peered over her shoulder.

"Something from far away." Xiulan said before turning to the jury-rigged deep-fryer. She lifted the wire basket, golden fries draining above the oil. After she set them out in a basket, she scattered salt across them while still hot, the crystals adhering to the crispy exterior.

The patties needed flipping. She slid the spatula beneath each one, revealing perfectly browned undersides. The bread—not quite right for burgers but passable—waited in neat slices on a clean cloth.

No mayonnaise, no cheese. The thought pained her, but she pushed ahead. Layer by layer, she assembled each burger: bread, lettuce, meat, tomato, onion, more bread. The finished products looked almost right.

Xiulan pointed at the finished burgers. "Make these for everyone."

The head cook bowed deeply. "At once, Miss Lin." He hurried inside, no doubt to round up the scattered kitchen staff.

"Ren Chun! Feng Yu! Fighting's over—time to eat!" Xiulan shouted across the courtyard.

The clashing of steel intensified. Their forms blurred faster, each strike more ferocious than the last. The air crackled with competitive energy as both fighters pushed for a decisive victory.

"Stubborn idiots." Xiulan waited another minute before shouting again. The only response came in the form of accelerated attacks and thunderous impacts.

Fine. We'll do this the hard way.

Xiulan stepped away from her cooking station. Wind buffeted her face as she approached the dueling pair. The force of their strikes created visible ripples, distorting the space between them.

"Ren Chun! Feng Yu! Stop that right now!"

They remained lost in their battle-trance, oblivious to her commands. Well, not oblivious. They were both obviously working to make sure their fight didn't slam into her.

Xiulan channeled qi into her palms, compressed it tight, then slammed her hands together above her head. The resulting thunderclap shot skyward in a visible shockwave.

The duelists froze mid-strike, weapons locked together as they turned to stare at her.

Xiulan crossed her arms and glared at them both. "Three hours. You've been at this for three hours, and I'm done cooking. Now put those away and come eat."

"Y-you can't just interrupt a duel like that!" Ren Chun lowered his blade, sweat dripping from his brow.

Feng Yu nodded in agreement, her amber eyes fixed on Xiulan.

Xiulan straightened her back and lifted her chin. "This is my family's home, and you are both guests here." She gestured at the surrounding courtyard. "Lin family traditions are quite strict about duels. They cannot last longer than an hour, and they must stop when dinner is served." The lie flowed smoothly from her lips. "As guests, you need to respect our rules."

Feng Yu's amber eyes narrowed after a few seconds of silence. "Did you just make that up?"

"I spent over an hour cooking something special for you both." Xiulan stuck out her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. The scent of grilled meat and fried potatoes wafted between them now that the air calmed down.

Ren Chun pressed his hand against his mouth, but a snicker escaped anyway. His shoulders shook with barely contained laughter.

A smile tugged at Feng Yu's lips as she fought to maintain her composure.

"If you insist on continuing..." Xiulan raised her hands to the side of her face, ready to raise them and clap again. "I'll keep doing this until you're done."

"No!" Feng Yu sheathed her sword in one fluid motion and raised her hands in surrender. "I'd rather not end up buried in the wall."

Ren Chun sheathed his blade as well and then placed his fist in palm and saluted Feng Yu. "Your skill with the blade surpasses expectations. We should continue this match at a more... appropriate time and place."

"Indeed." Feng Yu returned the formal salute. "Best not to test family traditions—especially those involving spiritual art cultivators." She glanced at Xiulan. "That Thunder God Claps technique proved quite fearsome."

Did she just... Xiulan squinted at the casual way Feng Yu butchered the name.

"That?" Ren Chun snorted. "A little thing compared to Thunder God Splits the Sky."

Heat rushed to Xiulan's cheeks. She planted her hands on her hips and fixed Ren Chun with an icy stare. "How would you feel if someone called your sword technique 'Stone Sundering' instead of 'River Stone Sundering Strike'?"

Ren Chun blinked rapidly. "I'd think they got it wrong?"

"Exactly!" Xiulan jabbed a finger toward Feng Yu, whose amber eyes widened. "The proper name is 'Thunder God Claps for Arrogant Young Masters!'"

The finger swung toward Ren Chun. "And it is 'Thunder God Splits the Sky and Fucks You Up!'"

Xiulan lifted her chin. "Get it right!"

Feng Yu's jaw dropped, her composed demeanor shattering for a brief moment. She turned to Ren Chun. "Are these names real?"

"They are." Ren Chun nodded slowly. "I can hardly believe it myself."

Feng Yu leaned forward, amber eyes bright with curiosity. "What other terrifying techniques does Master Qingfeng teach you?" 

Xiulan frowned. "Qingfeng?"

"You mentioned he was your master," Ren Chun said.

"Oh, no." Xiulan shook her head. "I made those techniques up myself."

The courtyard fell silent. Both cultivators stared at her with identical expressions of disbelief etched across their faces.

"Made it up..." Ren Chun started.

"...on your own?" Feng Yu finished.

The smell of cooling food snapped Xiulan's attention back to the table. "Tsk. You're wasting time with all this talking." She gestured at the perfectly arranged burgers. "The food will get cold, and fries are best eaten hot. If you don't want to ruin all my hard work, come eat now!"

Xiulan looked over her shoulder with satisfaction as both cultivators followed her to the table, too bewildered to argue further.

After everyone was seated, she lifted her burger with both hands. "Watch carefully. You hold it like this, and bite straight through all the layers." She demonstrated, savoring the familiar taste of grilled beef, the crunch of fresh vegetables, and the fluffy bread.

Ren Chun studied the strange food arrangement before mimicking her grip. His first bite sent a tomato slice shooting out the back of his bun. "This is... messy."

"That's part of the appeal." Xiulan gestured to the fries. "These you eat with your fingers."

Feng Yu picked up a single fry with practiced grace, examining it before taking a delicate bite. Her amber eyes widened. "The salt brings out the taste of the potato."

"Always strange." Ren Chun shook his head while assembling his burger back together. "First those Thunder God techniques, now foreign dishes that require instructions to eat."

Feng Yu dabbed at her lips with a napkin, fighting back a smile. "The combination proves quite innovative, though perhaps challenging to maintain proper etiquette."

They ate and chatted for a while; the conversation flowing between safe topics. But there was something Xiulan wanted. She looked at Feng Yu.

"Your schedule permitting," Xiulan set down her half-eaten burger, "would you consider helping with my next task? Ren Chun assisted with the blood lotus collection—we both benefited from that venture. The dawn serpent scales could offer similar opportunities."

"Schedule..." Feng Yu paused mid-bite. "I lack specific commitments at present. Though hunting that bounty seemed promising—a thousand spirit stones might prove difficult to obtain helping you."

"Something to consider." Xiulan nodded.

"But—" Ren Chun started.

"Don't worry." Xiulan cut him off. "I plan to work on your earth reinforcement pill tonight once the Treasure Pavilion delivers my supplies. If everything proceeds smoothly, you'll have it tomorrow."

Feng Yu paused mid-bite. "Fairy Lin is an alchemist too?"

"Ha!" Ren Chun swallowed his mouthful of burger. "She knows herbs and spiritual arts. The only thing she lacks is any skill at martial arts or techniques."

"That sounds rather lopsided." Feng Yu replied.

"You should have seen when I tried teaching her Water Stepping Foot. You know what she did...?" Ren Chun leaned forward.

"What...?" Feng Yu's amber eyes sparkled with interest.

Xiulan glanced between them, a frown deepening on her face.

"Instead of doing it properly, she just used her monstrous qi to make a big disc twice her size to stand on!" Ren Chun slapped the table.

Heat rushed to Xiulan's cheeks. "What do you mean? What else was I supposed to do?"

Feng Yu pressed her hand to her mouth, but a soft laugh escaped anyway. She picked up another fry, studying it with renewed interest. "What other pills can you make? Maybe a fire reinforcement pill?"

Xiulan tapped her chin, considering the ingredients and processes needed. "With the right materials, I could probably manage it."

"Hmm." Feng Yu held up the fry like a tiny wand. "I need one. If you could help me get one, I'd definitely come help with your mission."

Ren Chun stopped eating and looked unhappy. "What! But the favor…"

Xiulan's eyes lit up. Treasure Pavilion would have any ingredients they couldn't collect for the fire pill. The five basic elemental reinforcement pills were all made the same way and wouldn't be a problem with the pill furnace.

"Haa, that sounds like a plan!" Xiulan grinned.

Chapter 39: Pondering Wisp

Xiulan studied the empty guest room with a critical eye. The bare wooden walls and stone floor provided an ideal neutral foundation for alchemy work. There were no lingering spiritual resonances to interfere with delicate processes.

"Remove everything." Xiulan pointed to the remaining furniture. "Even the wall hangings need to go."

The servants rushed to comply, carrying out tables and chairs while others carefully rolled expensive tapestries. Dust motes swirled in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows.

"Scrub the floors thoroughly." Xiulan directed from the doorway. "And wipe down the walls. I need this room completely clean."

After an hour of intense cleaning, the room stood empty and spotless. The stone floor gleamed with a dull sheen, and the wooden walls gave off a fresh scent from the cleaning. She waved in the servants with a new set of carefully selected tables, counters, and cabinets.

Xiulan unpacked her new supplies from the Treasure Pavilion, arranging each item with methodical precision. The pill furnace dominated the center of the room, its bronze surface etched with intricate spiritual arrays.

A box of refined spiritual charcoal sat ready beside the furnace.

The jar of spiritual water from the Spirit Spring caught the light, its contents shimmering with ethereal energy.

Three qi-sealing containers lined up against the wall, their protective seals glowing faintly.

The mortar and pestle of spirit-imbued stone took its place on a low table, its smooth surface cool to the touch.

Twelve jars of purification herbs formed a neat array, each labeled with precise characters.

A pouch of spirit-infused grinding sand waited beside the mortar.

The small brazier for alchemical preparations stood ready near the furnace.

A set of spirit-reinforced measuring vials completed the basic setup.

Xiulan placed her precious blood lotus and earth heart roots into two of the qi-seal jars. I'll need more storage containers soon if I plan to build a proper ingredient collection.

Finally, she arranged eighteen spirit stones on a wide ceramic plate, their soft glow casting gentle shadows across the room's new workspace.

Xiulan frowned at the coarse spirit-infused sand. She was going to need to grind them before she could even start.

She settled cross-legged on the floor with the mortar and pestle, channeling qi into her hands. The stone tools felt cool against her palms as she began grinding. Each circular motion required precise pressure—too much would damage the sand, too little would fail to refine it.

"Definitely should have haggled harder," Xiulan muttered, watching another patch of impurities burn away from the glowing grains. The repetitive motion made her shoulders ache, but she maintained the steady rhythm. The aching was probably all in her head, anyway.

An hour passed. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she poured continuous streams of qi into the grinding process. Finally, the last impure grains crumbled away, leaving behind a fine powder that sparkled like captured sunlight. 

It was worth every moment of the tedious work. She deposited her precious product into a small ceramic container without cleaning the mortar itself.

Now for the Earth Reinforcement pill. Xiulan reached for fresh paper and an ink set. The recipe floated hazily in her memory, not as familiar as the Meridian Opening pill she'd practiced countless times. Better to write it down properly.

She dipped her brush in ink and began recording each step, pausing occasionally to search her memories. Details surfaced slowly—she almost forgot a few things, too. Yeah, this was a good idea.

With the complete recipe in front of her, confidence replaced uncertainty. "Let's do this right the first time," Xiulan whispered, surveying her workspace.

She arranged the brazier first, positioning it beside the pill furnace. A clean cutting board came next, along with sharp kitchen knives she'd borrowed. The simple steel blades would suffice—Earth-Heart roots required crushing more than precise cutting.

Xiulan opened the jar containing the roots, selecting one with a crystalline core that pulsed with earthy energy. She carefully placed it on the cutting board. 

The root pulsed with a soft emerald glow as she brought the knife down in precise, measured cuts. Each cube sparkled with concentrated earth essence as it separated from the whole.

She transferred the glowing cubes into the spirit-infused mortar. The leftover grinding sand from earlier sparkled against the dark stone—no need to add more.

The pestle moved in smooth, practiced motions as she ground the root into a fine powder. Earth essence mixed with the shimmering sand, creating an ethereal display of golden and emerald light that danced across her face.

When it was half processed, she turned to the array of purification herbs. 

The ginseng root emanated steady earth qi, while the ironweed leaf carried traces of mineral essence. The stone orchid completed the trio with its grounding resonance. She measured each into a pot, along with exactly one liter of water.

That went atop the alchemical brazier to boil. A single spirit charcoal provided the steady flame at a measured rate.

While the hourglass measured time, Xiulan returned to her workstation. The knife cleaned easily under her practiced hands and then she continued grinding the earth-heart powder to an even finer consistency.

Two turns of the hourglass later, she carefully drained the purified liquid into a thick-walled container. Steam rose in lazy spirals as the mixture cooled on the side table.

Steam curled from the herb-infused water as it cooled in the pot. Xiulan settled into a light meditation stance, letting her qi settle after the intense grinding work. An hour passed in peaceful silence as the liquid's temperature dropped.

A bittersweet memory flickered through her mind—Mei Chen eagerly helping with the tea. An image of her friend using her icy fingers to cool things off rapidly flashed by. The thought brought a painful mix of laughter and grief. I'm terrible.

Xiulan moved to test the water with a quick touch. Perfect. She retrieved a glass dropper, carefully measuring three drops of spirit-infused water into the herbal mixture. Blue energy blazed through the liquid, illuminating the workspace with ethereal light.

Taking one of the spirit stones, she placed it in the power slot of the furnace and then activated its array. It lit up with a blue hued energy along the golden formation inlays. The glowing mixture went in first. The earth-heart root powder followed in a steady stream as she stirred methodically to prevent clumps from forming.

Spiritual charcoal clicked into place in a slid out chamber beneath the furnace. Xiulan pressed her palms against the metal surface, channeling qi through the ancient formation arrays. Spirit stones would work faster, but they cost too much to waste when I can do this myself.

Energy flowed from her hands in a steady stream. The furnace hummed with power as heat built inside. Pure white steam escaped through the ventilation holes while the formation field contained the precious essence within.

Maintaining the precise flow rate demanded intense concentration. This makes excellent qi control practice. Each minute stretched as she focused on keeping the energy perfectly steady.

The hourglass marked a full hour. Xiulan released her qi flow and opened the small access door. A single brown pill rolled out onto her palm. Success!

She activated the furnace's purge function. A solid chunk of blackened waste dropped onto the table with a dull thud—all the spent and useless material separated cleanly.

She held up the earth reinforcement pill, holding it toward to one of the lantern lights. The pill looked utterly ordinary. Well, it was one of the most basic pills. What had she expected? She wasn't even sure if there was a golden version of it.

That takes care of things for Ren Chun.

Xiulan adjusted her light silk robe and settled onto a cushion at the low table. Steam rose from her teacup, carrying hints of jasmine through her bedroom.

The familiar scent brought a moment of peace after the long day of taking care of Mei Chen, meeting with Qingfeng, clapping arrogant young masters, cooking, and alchemy work.

Ugh, it was the most loaded day so far, maybe. Enough to leave her head wooly, even with her cultivator's endurance.

She unrolled a detailed map across the polished wood, securing the corners with small weights. The parchment displayed the territories between Blackmere and Dawn Valley in precise detail. Next to it, she placed a scroll about dawn serpents.

A surprised laugh escaped her lips. The creatures matched exactly what she remembered from Phoenix Kingdom Chronicles —massive scaled beasts that players had to defeat for quests and experience. But harvesting their scales while the beasts were alive? That element never existed in the game.

Her finger traced eastward along the map, crossing through two counties before reaching Fershere. The territory sprawled across craggy mountains where mining operations dotted the landscape. Most of the region consisted of bare rock and steep cliffs, except for one notable feature—Dawn Forest.

It was nestled in a mountain valley, surrounding a permanent lake. Despite the abundant water source, no mortal settlements existed there. The territory was just inside the wilds, making it too dangerous for anyone without cultivation abilities to survive.

Xiulan sat back and took another sip of tea. The journey would require at least a week of travel, assuming perfect conditions. Then there remained the trek from Fershere's city to the forest itself. Add in time to actually collect the scales...

Two to three weeks, minimum. She drummed her fingers on the table.

The timeline stayed within Mei Chen's safe range, but anxiety still gnawed at Xiulan's stomach. She traced the route again, calculating distances and potential delays.

Feng Yu's help would make a significant difference, though the thought of bringing both her and Ren Chun flickered. 

But she still didn't know what it would take to acquire the thunder root. Qingfeng hadn't offered her information on it, so that was difficult to plan. She didn't have any other developed connections to advise her.

She'd probably need help with that, too. Better to keep Ren Chun in reserve, then.

One step at a time. Xiulan leaned back against the cushioned wall, forcing her tense shoulders to relax. The silk of her robe whispered against the fabric as she adjusted her posture.

The Treasure Pavilion missions served dual purposes—strengthening vital relationships while working toward Mei Chen's cure. But surviving the looming catastrophe would require more substantial backing. Her knowledge of future events remained frustratingly incomplete.

Four seals. One lawful kingdom deity spirit. A princess at the center of it all. Xiulan rubbed her temples as she recalled the game's lore fragments. The broken seals had shattered the deity's protection, leaving the kingdom defenseless against the swarm of evil cultivators who descended like locusts to devour everything in their path.

It was a bog standard tragedy tale just meant to be the background for the chaos players were shoved into.

She had no idea what the princess looked like, and a parchment listing all the imperial family members had no 'Phoenix Princess' on it at all. She didn't even bother going through the list of names because it was two pages long. The emperor had two dozen concubines and seemed to be very vigorous.

Unless something killed all the emperor's sons in the next few years, there wasn't even a crown princess.

Xiulan stared at the map, its carefully inked borders representing a realm that would cease to exist unless she found a way to change its fate.

She traced a finger along the map's edge where one crucial detail burned in her mind—at least one seal lived inside the princess herself. The lore had made that clear—three broken seals, and then the death of the princess and the last seal inside of her had ended things.

Xiulan pressed her palms against the cool wooden table. Breaking past body refining stood as just the first hurdle. Qi gathering would follow along with selecting an elemental path, and finally beginning qi refinement. Only then could she even contemplate addressing the seal situation.

Five years stretched ahead—an eternity in mortal terms, but barely a blink in cultivation time. The game's lore painted a glacial progression through the stages, yet players advanced at an accelerated pace. If she could somehow mirror that progression...

"Ugh." Xiulan tugged at her hair, twisting the strands between her fingers. The weight of future knowledge pressed against her skull like a vise.

At least she'd begun building a network. Master Qingfeng provided valuable guidance. Ren Chun offered martial expertise. And Feng Yu seemed like she'd be a potential friend too.

And of course Mei Chen when she was saved.

Four young heroes to challenge fate?

Xiulan tsked and folded her papers and finished the tea and looked for her bed. As if it would be that easy.

A year or two at one of the major schools might accelerate her advancement, but entry posed its own challenges. 

The schools accepted only the most promising candidates through a single annual test. Worse, all four academies conducted their trials simultaneously, forcing applicants to make their choice.

Xiulan shook her head sharply, dispersing the swirling thoughts. The cool night air drifted through her window, carrying the scent of blooming spring. She rolled the map with precise movements, tucking it away in its leather case.

One step at a time. The immediate challenges loomed large enough without drowning in far-future concerns. Dawn serpent scales and thunder roots posed deadly enough threats without adding the weight of kingdom-saving schemes.

Master Qingfeng's promised tool would arrive within a day or two. That gave her time to focus on some more training. The wooden floor creaked beneath her feet as she crossed to her bed.

Martial arts beckoned. It was a glaring blind spot, and she needed to at least be able to not get stabbed in three seconds, even if she focused on other things.

Maybe she could convince one of her new allies to properly teach her a Qinggong skill? The silk sheets whispered against her skin as she slipped under the covers.

Xiulan grabbed her pillow and hugged it close. The memory of Feng Yu and Ren Chun's laughter echoed in her mind—their shared amusement at Chun's description of her clumsy attempts at Water Stepping Foot. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she buried her face in the pillow.

Just wait. She'd master as many techniques as she could learn or make up on her own. Then they'd see who laughed last.

Chapter 40: Potential Clouds

The morning sun cast long shadows across the city manor's courtyard as Ren Chun struck a dramatic pose.

"Did you think I'd sit around here and pine away for you to return? No! I have to go on a quest! For justice!" Ren Chun punched the air with enthusiasm.

Xiulan exchanged a bewildered glance with Feng Yu. The cool morning breeze rustled through the courtyard's cherry blossoms, scattering pink petals around them. "I thought you'd stay around for at least a day or two to help me train."

Ren Chun jabbed a finger toward Xiulan. "Ha! There you go, assuming other people's time like the world revolves around you! Even if you are a county princess, you should know better now! If you had asked me yesterday, I would have made time, but I've had an epiphany and need to go cultivate it!"

Heat crept up Xiulan's neck. "You're right. I apologize for assuming."

"I thought you wanted to finish our duel later," Feng Yu said, adjusting her sleeves.

Ren Chun spun toward her, finger tracking the movement. "Ha! You replaced me in a single day. Just because you're good with a sword and have a pretty face doesn't mean you deceive me!"

A pink flush spread across Feng Yu's cheeks as she stared at him in obvious confusion.

Xiulan pulled the earth pill from her sleeve pouch, its polished brown surface gleaming in the morning light. "This is yours regardless, according to our deal."

Ren Chun snatched the pill and thrust it skyward. Sunlight sparkled off its surface as he examined it with wide eyes. "Amazing! So you aren't a fraud!"

"So about the training—" Xiulan started.

Ren Chun thrust his palm toward her face. "No way! I have my special quest now. I'll come back and see if you're around later."

The morning sunlight glinted off the earth pill in his other hand as he bounced on his heels. Xiulan crossed her arms. "The dawn scale mission will take weeks."

"Weeks? A mere breeze of time!" Ren Chun puffed out his chest. "Plus, my quest is pretty big. I'm going to finish my bone reinforcement!"

"I hope you prepared enough painkillers." Feng Yu shifted beside Xiulan.

Ren Chun winced and studied the earth pill. "At least this will help some. But I'm not totally without resources—I'll manage. Been planning this for a while, just didn't have enough spirit stones before. Now I do!"

Cherry blossoms drifted around them as Xiulan smiled. "Thank you for helping with the blood lotus. When you're done, I hope you'll come back and show off your progress."

"Ha ha. Of course!" Ren Chun spun on his heel and waved without looking back as he strode through the main gate.

Feng Yu turned to Xiulan. "Is he always like that?"

Xiulan watched the gate where Ren Chun had disappeared, considering her words carefully. "Sometimes. Though I suspect he's not quite as naïve as he wants people to think." She smiled. "But he's okay."

"Sometimes that might be a defense mechanism." Feng Yu brushed a fallen petal from her sleeve.

Xiulan clasped her hands behind her back and stepped closer to Feng Yu, putting on her most winning smile. "Sooooo... about that training? We can't leave until the scale collecting tool arrives anyway..." She batted her eyelashes for good measure.

"Haa..." Feng Yu sighed and shook her head, though a slight smile tugged at her lips. "Okay. I suppose we can spar?"

Xiulan nodded eagerly and turned toward the clear area near the residence entrance. The morning sun warmed her face as they walked away from the gate. "I'd love to practice sparring for sure, but I was also hoping you could help me with some qinggong?"

Feng Yu stopped abruptly, her boots scuffing against the stone path. "Qinggong?" Her brows drew together in a deep frown. "That's a bit too much, isn't it? Sparring is one thing, but qinggong and qi techniques?"

Xiulan spread her hands in a pleading gesture. "I only know water stepping foot, and apparently I've been doing that wrong this whole time."

Feng Yu's frown deepened, creating small creases between her brows.

"Besides, Ren Chun helped teach me without issue." Xiulan straightened her spine. "And I'll make you that fire pill as promised. We're going to work together anyway—wouldn't it be better if I'm skilled enough to not be a burden?"

A cool breeze swept across the courtyard as they settled onto the covered balcony outside the residence. Petals danced past their feet while sparrows chirped in the nearby trees.

"But..." Pink crept up Feng Yu's neck. "We just met and teaching qi techniques is... intimate."

"Intimate?" Xiulan blinked rapidly. "What do you mean? Ren Chun taught me and it seemed perfectly normal?"

The pink on Feng Yu's neck blazed into a full crimson flush across her face. "I-I actually thought you two were a couple after hearing about it. I didn't realize you were just quest companions."

"C-couple?" Xiulan sputtered, nearly choking on air. "But Master Qingfeng taught me several things as well!"

Feng Yu shook her head, some of her composure returning. "That's different—masters naturally teach their disciples. Their cultivation level towers so high above that we are just a mere raindrop to them. But between people of similar age and cultivation..." She smoothed her robes. "The connotations are entirely different."

Heat blazed across Xiulan's cheeks. She bit the inside of her cheek, then sprang to her feet. "Ren Chun! I'll show you some justice!"

The clatter of porcelain made her spin around. A wide-eyed servant stood frozen with a tea service, the cups rattling against their saucers. Xiulan cleared her throat and took the tray, focusing on the familiar motions of preparing tea to calm her racing pulse.

Feng Yu pressed delicate fingers against her lips, but couldn't quite contain her musical laugh. After a deep breath, she lowered her hand. "Alright. I'll teach you some qinggong. It would help the mission go smoother."

"But you just said that it was—"

Feng Yu shook her head, sending ripples through her sandy brown hair. "It's fine. You're interesting enough already to be my martial sister."

Ice crystallized in Xiulan's veins. The word 'sister' echoed through her mind like a death knell as cold sweat trickled down her neck. "S-sister."

Feng Yu darted forward and clasped Xiulan's hand between her warm palms. "I apologize! With everything happening, I forgot about... I shouldn't have mentioned family."

The gentle pressure of Feng Yu's hands anchored Xiulan to the present moment. "No, no, it's fine. That's not..." The words died in her throat as memories flooded her mind.

Sister. The word sparked something dark and visceral inside her chest. Qian's sneering face flashed through her thoughts, followed by Fei's mocking smile. Even Suyin's betrayal burned fresh in her memory. Each image carried a weight of bitterness that threatened to choke her.

Xiulan pulled her hand free and straightened her spine. "But martial sister? That seems rather intense. Do you make everyone you meet your sister after a single day?"

Feng Yu settled back onto her cushion, amber eyes studying Xiulan with keen interest. "You possess remarkable talent. Your meridian cultivation shows promise, and you create spiritual techniques with startling intuition. Not to mention your budding skills in alchemy." 

She lifted her tea cup, steam curling around her fingers. "Like Ren Chun's martial prowess, your abilities stand out. Building connections with talented peers of our generation makes sense for the future."

Xiulan suppressed a wince. Talent? The golden meridian pill had done all the work. Following the precise steps and timing to create it hadn't required special skill—just expensive materials and careful attention to detail. And the memories of a certain game obsessed earth girl named Li Mei…

Xiulan traced the rim of her teacup with a finger. "I'd be honored to be your martial sister. Truth is, I don't have any backing or..." The words caught in her throat. "Many friends. My knowledge of cultivation comes mainly from observation and trial and error."

Steam curled between them as they sipped their tea. The gentle clinking of cups against saucers filled a brief lull.

"But surely Master Qingfeng guided you through the fundamentals before your breakthrough?" Feng Yu set her cup down with practiced grace.

"I broke through on my own." Xiulan stared into her tea. "Before that, Qingfeng didn't teach me anything at all."

The cup in Feng Yu's hand froze halfway to her lips. Her amber eyes widened as she blinked rapidly. "On... your own?"

Xiulan nodded, her fingers tracing the delicate pattern on her teacup. "I took a golden meridian opening pill."

The quiet rustle of Feng Yu's robes accompanied her sharp intake of breath as she leaned back. Sunlight caught the amber flecks in her eyes. "How did you find a peerless treasure like that?"

A smile tugged at Xiulan's lips. "It was a bit of fate."

Feng Yu tilted her head. "Does Ren Chun know?"

"It never really came up?" Xiulan shook her head.

Feng Yu hummed softly, a thoughtful sound that mixed with the gentle chirping of nearby sparrows. "Maybe he thinks you like him then. Maybe he's courting you for his future wife?"

Tea sprayed across the wooden planks as Xiulan choked mid-sip. "What!"

Feng Yu's laughter rang across the courtyard like silver bells. "I'm just teasing!" She wiped tears from her eyes.

The mirth faded from her face as quickly as it appeared, replaced by an intense stare that made Xiulan's skin prickle. "Or am I? Perhaps you'll need to break his heart in the future."

Heat crept up Xiulan's neck as she gripped her teacup. "What... what? Why would I need to turn him down?" Not that she was considering accepting any advances, either!

A predatory smile spread across Feng Yu's face. "Because I'm claiming you first!"

The teacup slipped from Xiulan's fingers, clattering against the saucer. "Whaaaat?"

"As martial sister, of course!" Feng Yu bounced on her cushion. "I'll teach you everything about cultivation, and you'll make all the fire pills I need!"

Xiulan peered over the rim of her hastily recovered teacup. "I'm not your alchemy slave!"

"Of course not!" Feng Yu's grin widened as cherry blossoms swirled between them on the morning breeze. "You're my alchemy sister!"

Xiulan traced the rim of her teacup. "Aren't you being a bit too greedy?"

Feng Yu tilted her head back and drained her tea in a single gulp. The empty cup clattered against the saucer as she set it down with a triumphant grin. "I'm the greediest person in the world! I want so much that my friends can have plenty too."

Feng Yu turned toward the sky. The playful energy drained from her eyes, replaced by a distant longing that made her seem older than her years.

"We're just small roots climbing up an infinitely tall cliff." Feng Yu's words carried on the gentle breeze. "We won't get far alone."

The weight of those words settled in Xiulan's chest as Feng Yu spun back around. She propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her clasped hands, amber eyes sparkling with renewed mischief. "Maybe I'll go talk to Master Qingfeng myself after we finish training."

The words sparked fresh anxiety. What did Feng Yu plan to discuss with Qingfeng? The morning sun suddenly felt less warm as unease settled in her stomach. 

Something had shifted during their conversation, but Xiulan couldn't pinpoint exactly when or how. 

One moment they'd been equals, and now... now she felt like a stray kitten that had been scooped up by an overly enthusiastic mother cat.

Chapter 41: Cultivating Flutter

Xiulan sprawled across the packed dirt of the city manor courtyard, chest heaving as she stared at the drifting clouds overhead. Her spear lay just beyond her fingertips, the wooden shaft still warm. Sweat trickled down her temples despite the cool afternoon breeze.

Feng Yu's face appeared above her, blocking out the sun. "I can't believe how terrible your endurance is."

"Aaaaah." Xiulan expelled a long breath. "I haven't exactly had time to work off a lifetime of idleness and easy living."

"How old are you?" Feng Yu's eyebrow arched skeptically.

"Uhh, sixteen, I think?" Xiulan paused, mental calculations spinning. Twenty-four as Li Mei plus sixteen as Xiulan... twenty? Forty? The math made her head hurt worse than the training. Twenty seemed right, but her current body was definitely sixteen. "Yes, sixteen."

A predatory smile spread across Feng Yu's face. "So I'm a year older than you, little martial sister. Just listen to your big sister now—every time you start moving, you forget to breathe properly. That's ruining your endurance because it's choking off your qi flow."

Xiulan pushed herself up to sitting, muscles protesting. "I know that's the problem! But how am I supposed to breathe when you're swinging your sword at me nine hundred times per second while chasing me around? This isn't training—you're just torturing me!"

"But this is how I was taught." Feng Yu scratched her chin thoughtfully. "And I'm not actually that fast yet!"

Yet? If she even gets close to that number, it'll break the sound barrier and blow everything up. Haaah. Xiulan climbed to her feet, brushing dirt from her training clothes. "And how many years did it take before you got anywhere? We only have today before we leave."

"Good point." Feng Yu brightened. "How about we focus on qinggong instead? You can run away while I fight things."

A weak laugh escaped Xiulan's lips as she contemplated more "training" with her enthusiastic new martial sister.

"I'd love to learn how to jump around and move faster," Xiulan said. Her muscles still ached, but those pains flowed away quickly as her qi flowed better with her regained breath.

Feng Yu strode to the nearby table and snatched up two cushions. She placed them on the ground facing each other. "Sit."

Xiulan settled onto one cushion, crossing her legs. The fabric felt cool against her sweaty skin. Feng Yu mirrored her position and reached across the space between them. Her hands clasped Xiulan's, warm and soft despite years of sword training.

"You know basic cultivation meditation, right?" Feng Yu asked.

"Uhh..." Xiulan hesitated.

"Oh, come on." Feng Yu squeezed her hands. "You've been using qi techniques. You must know the basics. Close your eyes and focus on your meridian flow."

The request clicked into place. Xiulan closed her eyes, sinking into the familiar meditation state. Her qi flowed smoothly through each of the five main meridians in a continuous circuit. Each breath maintained the harmony—inhale drawing energy in, exhale pushing any excess through the system and out of her body. The dantian pool in her core radiated warmth at her center.

"Exactly." Pride colored Feng Yu's words. "Good job."

Heat bloomed in Xiulan's palms, followed by an alien energy that crept through her hand meridians. The sensation burned red-hot against her own starry blue qi, making her skin tingle. She yanked her hands back, breaking contact.

"That was me." Feng Yu tilted her head. "Did it startle you?"

"A bit." Xiulan flexed her tingling fingers. "I've felt something similar with Mei Chen when—" She stopped short as Feng Yu leaned forward, amber eyes intent. The realization struck that she'd kept Mei Chen's condition mostly private, sharing only with Master Qingfeng.

"My friend suffers from an illness." Xiulan chose her words carefully. "She produces too much yin energy. I provide qi to help stabilize her condition." The simplified explanation felt inadequate to describe Mei Chen's state between life and death. "Master Qingfeng watches over her while I complete the missions to help her recover."

"Huh. You have a lot going on, don't you?" Feng Yu extended her hands again. "Sharing qi flow makes technique learning easier—you'll feel everything through your own meridians." A pink flush spread across her cheeks. "That's what makes it intimate."

"Ren Chun's method differed." Xiulan traced the memory of their training sessions. "He tracked my qi flow but only pointed out mistakes."

"Huh." Feng Yu's brow furrowed thoughtfully. "Maybe he didn't want you feeling what he felt? Seems rather one-sided." She wiggled her outstretched fingers invitingly. "Ready to try again?"

Xiulan drew a steadying breath and reached out to clasp Feng Yu's hands again. Her qi quivered within her meridians like ripples across a disturbed pond, betraying her nervousness.

"Relax." Feng Yu's amber eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm not going to eat you."

Haha…

Closing her eyes, Xiulan pictured her meridian network—starry blue lines tracing through her body in familiar patterns. The alien heat trickled into her palm again. Instead of pulling away, she tracked its progress as it followed her qi flow like a glowing thread, circling through her pathways before exiting through her other palm.

A gasp escaped her lips as some of her own qi slipped free, flowing unbidden into Feng Yu's meridians. The sensation pulled her awareness along, revealing an intricate network unlike her own.

Feng Yu's qi burned like contained fire—not painful, but radiating intense warmth through four open meridians. Smaller pathways branched and wound between them in complex detours, creating an elaborate labyrinth for the energy to traverse.

The journey through Feng Yu's system stretched far longer than her own direct routes. When their qi finally completed the circuit, the two distinct streams flowed between them—fire and starlight intertwined.

"Ha... ha..." Feng Yu's eyes widened. "So this is the power of the golden meridian pill. Your qi flows are truly peerless."

Xiulan sensed the shift in Feng Yu's qi—a darkening of the warm flames into something heavier, sharper. The other girl's amber eyes flickered with naked envy. Xiulan instinctively pulled back, but Feng Yu's grip tightened, holding their connection steady.

"I'm just human too." Feng Yu drew a steadying breath. "Let me show you the Two Heavenly Steps technique."

The fire-bright qi flowing between them changed, pooling at specific points along Xiulan's meridians. The careful precision of each placement drew a map in her awareness—ankle, knee, hip, shoulder. Red energy pulsed through their joined hands, flooding Xiulan's pathways with alien warmth that settled into those same critical junctions.

Each inhale brought Feng Yu's essence deeper into her system. The qi burned like cinnamon and cloves across her tongue, spicy-sweet and impossibly intimate. Their breaths synchronized as the technique's pattern etched itself into Xiulan's mind with crystalline clarity. The precise arrangement of energy flows formed a template she could never forget.

"Open your eyes," Feng Yu whispered.

Xiulan's eyelids fluttered open. The training yard tilted oddly beneath them—because they hovered a foot above their cushions. Her stomach lurched at the strange sensation of weightlessness.

Feng Yu planted her feet on the packed earth, guiding Xiulan down with their still-clasped hands. A gentle squeeze preceded her nod toward the compound gate. "Heavenly Steps is about picking a spot and moving to it perfectly."

"What do you mean?" The residual qi from their connection tingled through Xiulan's meridians.

The answer came not in words but action. 

The charged qi in Xiulan's pathways activated with a snap. Everything blurred. Wind whipped past her face as they jolted toward the gate faster than her mind could process. 

Before she could catch her breath, another surge of energy launched them sideways.

"Two steps." Feng Yu released her hands.

Xiulan puffed out her cheeks, trying to settle her churning stomach from the instantaneous movement. The distance they'd covered in mere heartbeats would have taken dozens of normal steps.

"It goes a lot higher than two steps, but this is the first to learn." Feng Yu brushed dirt from her robes. "You can use it while moving, falling, anything. But qi barriers or solid objects will stop you cold. Get it wrong and you'll smash yourself into things."

"That's still really..." Xiulan paused, searching for words to describe the incredible technique. "A lot better than I thought."

A predatory grin spread across Feng Yu's face. "Now it's your turn."

"What?" Xiulan's eyes widened.

"Trying while I'm here to help is the best plan." Feng Yu squeezed Xiulan's hands encouragingly.

"Haah, okay." Xiulan closed her eyes and concentrated on directing her qi flow. Tiny specks of red energy from Feng Yu guided her own starry blue qi, nudging it into precise configurations through her meridians. The foreign warmth tingled as it traced the correct pathways. "Is that right?"

"Yes, but you need to do mine too or we'll rip apart—and trust me, that would hurt." Feng Yu's amber eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Oh, right." Xiulan focused on threading her qi through Feng Yu's system. 

The convoluted pathways twisted and turned like a maze, causing her energy to stutter and stall. Feng Yu attempted to guide the wandering thread, but it snagged on a dozen different blockages before reaching even the first point.

Frustration bubbled up in Xiulan's chest. Why did these pathways need such complexity? Her qi bumped against another minor blockage. Instead of following the winding detour, she shoved her energy straight through.

"What..." Feng Yu gasped.

The Second point filled. Xiulan pressed forward, forcing her qi through the obstacles. Pop. Pop. Pop. Her energy threaded rapidly between the designated points, ignoring the prescribed paths completely before returning to her own meridians.

Feng Yu's fingers clenched around Xiulan's hands. She released a sharp puff of air.

Xiulan frowned. "Is it wrong?"

"Try it out." Feng Yu drew a measured breath. "Just focus on the two spots and release at once."

The world blurred into streaks of color as Xiulan's qi surged through the designated points. One heartbeat they stood by the gate, the next they materialized across the courtyard. The technique pulled at her meridians with each jump, leaving tingling aftershocks in its wake.

"Great job!" Feng Yu panted, doubling over slightly. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

"Are you okay?" Xiulan steadied her own breathing against the rush of movement.

Feng Yu nodded and released their joined hands. The connection between them unraveled like a loosened thread, her fiery qi dissolving into Xiulan's cooler flow. Pink crept across Feng Yu's cheeks as she straightened.

"I just didn't expect..." Feng Yu dabbed at her forehead with her sleeve. "When you opened those blockages so suddenly..."

"They felt really bothersome." Xiulan flexed her fingers where the phantom sensation of their shared qi still lingered. "We both seemed frustrated trying to work around them."

"They were." Feng Yu nodded again. "They definitely were."

"Why so many blockages?" Xiulan rubbed her palms.

Feng Yu sighed. "Not everyone gets a golden meridian opening pill." 

She crossed her arms. "Most cultivators unlock their paths with a master's help and inferior pills, or even manually with just their dantian and qi pressure. You started with everything pristine and perfect." 

A trace of envy crept into her voice. "The rest of us work through Body Refining step by step—clearing meridians, strengthening ourselves. You only need to focus on your body."

"Oh." Xiulan frowned. "But if I could help clear those blockages, why didn't your master do it for you?"

"They make us learn the hard way." Feng Yu pouted at Xiulan. "And apparently that golden pill makes you an expert at that, too. What a cheat."

"Also..." Pink bloomed across Feng Yu's cheeks, spreading into a deep crimson. She waved her hands frantically. "Just... it's... don't do it with just anyone, okay? It's intimate! There are connotations! Don't do it!"

Heat crept up Xiulan's neck. "Okay, okay!" She cleared her throat. "But why doesn't everyone just use a golden pill?"

Feng Yu's jaw dropped. "Everyone use a—how would we get them?" She shook her head in disbelief. "I only know of one, traded for a heavenly dragon spirit sword years ago."

Feng Yu peered at her. "Master alchemists spend centuries trying to recreate it. They go bankrupt before succeeding! Maybe Flameheart Sanctum knows the recipe but they would keep it as one of their school treasures, hidden in a vault."

Oh. Xiulan's stomach clenched. Actually, that sounded familiar. Hadn't she come on the recipe timing and method when looting fragments from that very school's ruins?

Her game knowledge wasn't just useful—it was priceless. Master Qingfeng's request... was she in danger?

Feng Yu wrapped an arm around Xiulan's shoulders. "You did great learning the technique. I'm sure this was better than that dumb Ren Chun's attempt!"

Xiulan smiled and nodded, but her thoughts raced with concerns about the value of her modern memories.

She glanced around the courtyard, measuring the distance they'd covered. "The qinggong surprised me, though. It's impressive, but different from what I imagined."

"What do you mean?" Feng Yu tilted her head.

"I thought qinggong would let me jump across rooftops and float between things." Xiulan gestured vaguely at the surrounding buildings. The instant-movement technique still left her meridians tingling with residual energy. "This teleporting step thing seems way more advanced than what I expected."

Feng Yu pressed the back of her hand against her mouth, but failed to contain her laughter. The sound rang across the courtyard like wind chimes.

"What?" Xiulan blinked. The qi in her meridians pulsed with uncertainty.

"That's the most basic thing ever." Feng Yu lowered her hand, amber eyes sparkling. "Just wrap qi around your body and push in whatever direction you want to go. Can that even count as qinggong?"

The blood drained from Xiulan's face. Her mouth fell open as the implications sank in. "It's that easy?"

"I need a drink." Feng Yu shook her head, sandy brown hair swaying with the motion. "My new little martial sister stands so crooked with her skills and knowledge. Any more lopsided, and you'll topple without touching a drop of liquor."

Heat rushed to Xiulan's cheeks. "Hey!" She bit her lower lip, fighting back embarrassment.

A commotion erupted at the gates. They both turned toward the sound of creaking wagon wheels and clanking metal. Two guards escorted a cart bearing an enormous bronze bell—no, not quite a bell. The metallic construct resembled an oversized pill furnace, although it was strangely different.

"Is that the dawn serpent scale collection array?" Feng Yu bounced on her toes.

"I... guess so?" Xiulan scratched her head. "Nothing else should arrive today."

A Treasure Pavilion servant approached with measured steps and offered a crisp salute. "Miss Lin, Master Qingfeng's requested item has arrived." He extended a wooden scroll case. "The usage methods are detailed within. The master wishes you and your companions good fortune in your endeavor."

Feng Yu darted to the wagon before Xiulan could respond. She scaled the wooden sides with practiced grace and rapped her knuckles against the bronze surface. The hollow echo rang across the courtyard.

Xiulan gaped as her martial sister climbed atop the massive device. "What are you—"

"This will be awkward to carry." Feng Yu balanced on the curved surface. "The size alone makes it top-heavy. It'll throw off your balance when you're wearing it."

"Wearing it?" Xiulan's stomach dropped. "How could anyone possibly—" The implications hit her like a hammer strike. They needed to haul this monstrosity up a mountain. Through a forest. 

Master Qingfeng hadn't mentioned a word about transporting such an enormous piece of equipment.

Why didn't he warn me about this? Is everything a test? The thought echoed as she stared at the impractical collection device.

At least they could prepare and head out for Fershere in the morning now.

Chapter 42: Violent Wash

Fire cleanses all, but those who wield it must take care not to burn what they meant to protect. The strongest cultivators know when to unleash their power and when to hold it in check.

— Sage Wei Huang, Keeper of the First Flame

Rain drummed against the barn's wooden roof, each drop echoing through the musty air. Xiulan pulled her cloak tighter as she watched the stablemen secure the wagon with thick hemp ropes. Water dripped from the edges of her hood, running cold trails down her neck.

Feng Yu strode forward once the men finished, producing a yellowed talisman paper from her sleeve. With a practiced motion, she channeled qi into her fingertip until it glowed like an ember. The paper crackled as she traced a burning symbol across its surface.

The talisman slapped against the metal with a wet thud. "Listen carefully." Feng Yu's amber eyes locked onto the stable hands. "Anyone who touches this wagon burns to death. Understand?"

The stablemen's faces paled. They dropped into hurried bows, nearly stumbling over each other as they scrambled backward through puddles and hay.

Xiulan followed Feng Yu out into the downpour, their boots squelching in the mud. "What if it actually triggers?" The inn's weathered walls poked through the gray curtain of rain. "A fire would destroy everything."

Feng Yu's laugh cut through the drumming raindrops. "Just a bluff. That talisman will just make a piercing shriek." She shrugged, sending water cascading from her shoulders. "Enough to wake the whole inn, but no flames."

"Smart." Xiulan ducked under the inn's covered entrance, shaking water from her cloak. "Talismans, though—could you teach me about those later?"

"Of course." Feng Yu wrung water from her hair. "I have some cheap blank papers we can practice with. Fair warning—I only know a handful of basic forms."

The inn's common room buzzed with activity. Laborers hunched over bowls of steaming food, their clothes still damp from the rain outside. Xiulan noted how they pressed against the walls and tables, creating a clear path as she and Feng Yu approached the bar. The sharp scent of rice wine mixed with woodsmoke from the hearth.

The innkeeper bowed deeply, his weathered hands polishing a ceramic cup. "Your room awaits, honored guests. Would you prefer to dine in private or join us here? One tael covers both your meals."

"In our room—"

"The common room—"

Xiulan turned to Feng Yu, who smiled at their synchronized response.

"The locals might have useful information." Feng Yu gestured toward the crowded tables. "Even simple gossip can be useful."

Xiulan eyed the packed room. Workers' voices overlapped in a constant rumble, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter. "Not sure we'll catch anything useful through all this noise, but I don't mind staying." She slapped down a single coin.

The innkeeper set down his cup, and the tael disappeared. "I'll have your meal brought to your table right away."

Feng Yu weaved between the crowded tables toward a quieter corner. She selected a small square table tucked against the wall, gesturing to the corner seat with an exaggerated flourish.

"The safest spot for my martial sister."

"Hah." Xiulan slid onto the wooden bench. "What dangers lurk in a simple roadside inn?"

A few minutes later, the floorboards creaked under approaching footsteps.

A server balanced a laden tray, setting down steaming plates of braised pork belly in dark sauce, stir-fried water spinach with garlic, and bowls of fragrant congee studded with preserved egg and strips of ginger. Two ceramic cups clinked against the table, followed by an earthenware pitcher of rice wine that smelled strongly fermented.

Xiulan breathed in the aroma of star anise and soy sauce from the dishes. The quality couldn't match the refined cuisine from Lin Manor's kitchens, but her stomach growled appreciatively. She retrieved her chopsticks from their cloth wrapping, the worn bamboo smooth against her fingers.

She savored each bite, observing the bustling common room through wisps of steam rising from her congee. Workers laughed and joked, sharing dishes and stories—a scene both foreign and achingly familiar.

Memories of fluorescent lights and plastic trays flickered through her mind. College cafeteria lunches with friends seemed like another lifetime now. In many ways, they were. Those carefree days had ended long before the truck had transported her into this world.

Feng Yu hummed softly while picking at the last bits of braised pork. Her chopsticks froze mid-motion. Xiulan glanced up, eyes sliding over her companion's shoulder toward the entrance.

Five figures pushed through the door, rain dripping from their dark cloaks. As they lowered their hoods, Xiulan spotted the telltale cut of martial outfits beneath the wet fabric. The outline of sword hilts pressed against the cloth.

"Feng Yu, there—"

A slight shake of Feng Yu's head silenced her. 

The innkeeper scurried toward the newcomers, bowing repeatedly with promises of premium wine and fresh dishes. A serving girl passed by with a tray of empty bowls. One of the men reached out and grabbed her, making crude suggestions about "sampling the women" instead.

The innkeeper guided them to a nearby table, still bowing and scraping. Xiulan's eyes narrowed as she detected the faint ripple of qi emanating from the group. Cultivators, throwing their weight around like common thugs.

She suppressed a sigh. Another group of arrogant cultivators. The encounter with the arrogant young master earlier in the week still irritated her, and now this nonsense. Across the table, Feng Yu's hand drifted to her sword belt, loosening the tie with practiced ease before lifting her cup to take a measured sip.

The cultivators' voices carried across the room, their words slicing through the ambient chatter. "That Blackmere bounty?"

"Waste of time." Another cultivator snorted. "Too many dogs fighting over one bone."

"House Chao wouldn't pay anyway—greedy bastards."

Their leader slammed his cup down. "Forget that. The real money's in hunting the hunters."

Every muscle in Xiulan's body tensed. Her fingers tightened around her chopsticks as qi instinctively gathered in her meridians.

The cultivator nearest their table turned, his gaze sliding from Xiulan to Feng Yu and back again. A predatory grin split his face. "Hey... speaking of hunters. We've got two right here."

"What?" Their leader pushed back from his table, wooden legs scraping against the floor. He fixed them with a glare that might have intimidated common folk. "Well, well. Quite rude of you ladies not to come say hello."

Feng Yu raised her cup again, taking another unhurried sip. "Sit down. Trash like you don't even come up to my knees."

Ah, fuck. Xiulan exhaled slowly. So much for a quiet meal.

One of the men's elbows crashed through their own table. Splinters and ceramic shards exploded outward as he roared, "What did you just say?!"

Chairs scraped against wooden floorboards as patrons scrambled toward the exits. The acrid stench of fear mixed with spilled wine and food. Xiulan tracked the chaos through narrowed eyes, calculating angles and distances.

"Please, honored cultivators!" The innkeeper dropped to his knees, hands clasped. "My humble establishment cannot—"

The leader's palm struck with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed across wooden panels as the innkeeper sailed through the air, crashing into a rack of wine jugs. The ceramic shattered, dark liquid pooling beneath his motionless form.

Metal sang as Feng Yu drew her blade in one fluid motion. The nearest cultivator jerked backward, a thin red line appearing across his ear. His stumble knocked over another table, sending more bowls clattering across the floor.

Xiulan snatched her spear from its resting place, muscles coiling as she rose. The familiar weight settled into her grip. Her qi crackled beneath her skin, begging for release—but the inn's wooden beams wouldn't survive that kind of power. The ceiling would collapse, crushing everyone inside.

A blur of motion drew her attention as Feng Yu's foot connected with another cultivator's chest. The impact launched him through the outer wall in an explosion of wooden splinters and torn paper. Feng Yu pirouetted, her sword arcing toward the leader's face.

Two cultivators lunged at Feng Yu's exposed flanks. Xiulan darted forward, pressing against Feng Yu's back. Her spear flashed outward, forcing the one on the left to retreat. The weapon's length kept him at bay while Feng Yu focused on her opponents to the front and right.

Steel clashed as Feng Yu's blade danced between the three attackers. Each strike rang with precise force, deflecting their swords with masterful control. Xiulan thrust her spear at her own opponent, the weapon's reach negating his shorter sword's advantage. He cursed, unable to close the distance.

Movement flickered in her peripheral vision—the cultivator from outside charged through the ragged hole in the wall. Xiulan channeled qi into her foot, slamming it against the floorboards. Water Stepping Foot ripped through the wood floor, sending a jagged spike erupting outward. It impaled the charging cultivator and shredded what remained of the wall.

Feng Yu's laughter rang out bright and clear, as if they were sharing tea rather than fighting for their lives.

"How can you laugh at a time like this?" Xiulan gritted her teeth, maintaining her defensive stance.

The leader stepped back, spreading his hands with exaggerated casualness. Feng Yu seized the opening—her blade flashed silver through the dim light. A red line appeared across one thug's throat. He stumbled backward, hands clutching uselessly at the spurting wound.

Xiulan thrust her spear in quick succession, forcing her opponent to retreat. The cultivator circled left, boots crunching over broken pottery. She recognized the tactic—he wanted to flank her. Xiulan pressed back until she felt Feng Yu's shoulder blades against her own.

Perfect. The idiot had positioned himself away from his allies and with no civilians behind him. Qi surged through Xiulan's meridians, flooding her palms with swirling energy. She brought her hands together in a thunderous clap. The air itself seemed to compress before exploding outward in a devastating shockwave.

The blast caught her opponent square in the chest. His body sailed through the air like a rag doll, taking the corner of the building with him. Wood splintered and stone cracked. The inn's frame groaned ominously but held steady.

Xiulan spun to face the remaining threats. A wave of crimson fire rolled toward her, distorting the air with its heat. Feng Yu stepped forward, left hand extended. The flames swirled into her palm like water down a drain. With a grunt of effort, she redirected the inferno upward.

The ceiling erupted into flames. Burning timber rained down as it flash ignited and spread across the wooden beams.

Ah, fuck. The leader surged forward with his remaining companion, their blades glinting in the firelight. Feng Yu swept her hand across her sword in a fluid motion. The steel ignited, transforming into a ribbon of living flame.

Well, double fuck. The entire inn would burn at this rate. Heat pressed against Xiulan's skin as smoke curled toward the ceiling.

The blazing sword proved more than a mere spectacle. Xiulan pivoted to guard Feng Yu's flank as she swung at the second cultivator. Despite being well beyond striking distance, a crimson arc peeled away from the blade. The fiery afterimage sliced through the air, painting a burning line from the cultivator's head to groin. His agonized screams pierced through the crackle of flames as he collapsed onto his knees.

Feng Yu's burning blade intercepted the leader's desperate charge. Xiulan darted through the opening, driving her spear deep into the kneeling man's shoulder, impaling him.

Less than a minute had passed since the first blow. Only the leader remained standing.

Feng Yu unleashed a relentless series of strikes. Each time the leader's sword blocked her blade, waves of fire rushed past his guard to sear his flesh. A final sweep sent flames cascading across his face. His screams cut short as Feng Yu's sword separated head from shoulders.

Xiulan couldn't help but stare as flames backlit Feng Yu's form, casting her in an otherworldly glow that spoke of power barely contained. One precise swing extinguished the flame on her blade before it disappeared into its sheath. The surrounding inferno seemed to bend away from her, creating a pocket of calm.

Fire raged around them, yet Feng Yu remained eerily composed. The inferno reflected off her amber eyes like distant stars. In an instant, her coldness vanished, replaced by her usual demeanor. She grabbed Xiulan's hand, the touch startlingly cool despite the surrounding heat, and pulled her toward the exit.

Smoke billowed out behind them as they burst into the rain-soaked night. "Well, so much for resting at the inn..." Xiulan coughed, wiping soot from her face.

"Stay here." Feng Yu released Xiulan's hand. "Don't follow me into the fire." Before Xiulan could protest, Feng Yu spun and strode back into the blazing building.

"What are you doing?!" Panic surged through Xiulan's chest as flames engulfed the doorway behind her companion.

"I'm immune to weak flames!" Feng Yu's voice carried over the roar of the fire. 

Xiulan bit her cheek. There wasn't anything weak about the burning building's fire!

The shifting orange glow illuminated the other woman's silhouette as she knelt beside the fallen cultivators, methodically searching their bodies.

Xiulan blinked rapidly. "Looting the corpses?"

Through gaps in the burning walls, she spotted Feng Yu efficiently rifling through clothes and pouches. The fire spread upward, consuming the second and third floors in a terrifying display. Feng Yu emerged, making her way to the cultivator Xiulan had launched through the wall earlier.

Looting...

The concept clicked in Xiulan's mind, but something about it felt wrong. They had likely planned worse for them—robbery, murder, or worse. Yet watching Feng Yu strip resources from their cooling bodies made her stomach turn queasy.

She stared at the burning inn, raindrops sizzling as they hit the flames. The memory of her servants dragging bodies into Lin Manor surfaced—how she'd ordered them to search the corpses of the arrogant young master and his thugs. Her hands stayed clean then, but the result remained the same.

This world doesn't care about clean hands. The thought settled like lead in her stomach. More fights would come, more deaths would follow. Standing on moral high ground wouldn't keep her alive. She's already killed plenty of people herself. Why was she suddenly worried about going through the pockets of men who had meant her and her friend harm?

Xiulan's eyes narrowed. It was just echoes from a more peaceful world.

Smoke and ash swirled through the rain as she stepped toward Feng Yu. Her boots splashed through puddles reflecting orange firelight. "Find anything worthwhile?"

Feng Yu straightened from her crouch, pocketing a small pouch. "Two dozen spirit stones between all of them." She held up an oddly shaped ring. "This looks interesting. The rest?" She kicked a discarded sword, sending it skittering across wet stones. "Trash weapons. These idiots probably couldn't even qualify as sect fodder. Got kicked out."

Xiulan wiped rain from her face, studying the burning inn. "I hoped we could sleep indoors tonight. Camping in this weather sounds miserable."

Feng Yu glanced toward the adjacent structures, flames reflecting in her amber eyes. "We should extinguish the fire before it spreads to the barn."

"The barn?" Xiulan's heart skipped. Their wagon sat inside that barn—along with all their supplies and the massive dawn serpent scale collection device. She sprinted across the muddy ground, boots splashing through puddles.

"Wait!" Feng Yu's shout cut through the crackle of flames. "Don't use that thunderclap technique—the air burst will feed the fire!"

"Argh!" Xiulan stumbled to a halt, rainwater dripping from her hair. "Do something then!"

Chapter 43: Foothills Lull

Every city must maintain a delicate balance between cultivator freedom and mortal safety. Too much restriction drives away talent, too little invites chaos. The most prosperous regions master this equilibrium through both force and incentive.

— Master Lin Feng, Scale of Heaven and Earth

The cart lurched over another rut, rattling Xiulan's teeth. She adjusted her position against the rough wooden planks, trying to find a comfortable spot beside the collection device.

The air grew thinner with each mile toward Fershere City, but the qi density actually increased. She certainly didn't feel any effects from the elevation.

Patches of bare rock dominated the sparse landscape where grass should have grown. As they crested another hill, the county's capital emerged against a towering cliff face—a cheerless sight of gray stone buildings surrounded by a wall that hooked into the cliff on both ends.

Xiulan glanced up at the massive bronze bell shape that dominated the wagon. Feng Yu sat cross-legged atop it, maintaining perfect balance despite the constant swaying. She hadn't moved in hours, not since they broke camp that morning.

How does she do that without falling?

The cart wheels squeaked as they rolled onward. Xiulan twisted to study their drivers. Both men stared straight ahead, maintaining their hours-long silence. The quiet felt heavy, unnatural. Were they truly that afraid of traveling with a noble and her companion?

A hard bump knocked Xiulan's head against the wood. She rubbed the sore spot, wondering if walking might have been less painful than the bone-jarring ride.

The cart creaked around another bend in the hills. Feng Yu landed softly beside Xiulan on the wagon bench, sending a small puff of dust into the thin mountain air.

"It looks miserable, but Fershere counts among the richest counties in the province." Feng Yu gestured toward the sprawling gray buildings. "The metal and jade mines ensure that."

Xiulan studied the walls, noting the precise stonework and lack of weathering. "The defenses appear well-maintained at least."

"More than mere stone." Feng Yu traced a pattern in the air. "Talismans line every section. No cultivator crosses those walls without permission. The guard force makes sure of that."

"In Blackmere, only Treasure Pavilion could afford that..." Xiulan frowned at the implications.

"Blackmere barely attracts a single cultivator—well, before your bounty stirred things up. I can only imagine it's a punishment post." Feng Yu adjusted her position as the wagon hit another bump. "Here? They swarm like locusts. We'll need sharp eyes. Treasure hunters might see two lone fairies as easier marks than mining claims, regardless of the city guard's cultivation level."

"The magistrate pays guards in spirit stones?"

Feng Yu nodded. "The mountains shake loose plenty of wealth. With luck, we won't face competition in the dawn forest, though. Most hunters prefer easier grounds. The valley offers nothing special beyond the serpents."

Xiulan studied Feng Yu's casual recitation of local facts. "You seem quite knowledgeable about Fershere. When did you research all this?"

"Ha!" Feng Yu's laugh echoed bright and clear against the stone walls. "I maintain detailed knowledge of every major province. Such awareness comes with my calling."

Before Xiulan could ask what that calling was, the wagon slowed to a halt behind a line of merchant carts. Two guards in polished armor approached, their cultivation levels radiating subtle pressure against Xiulan's senses.

"Travel passes," the first guard demanded, eyeing their elaborate robes.

Feng Yu produced an ivory token adorned with an elegant silk tassel. Xiulan retrieved her own pass—fresh ink still gleaming on the parchment beneath her family's stamp.

The second guard squinted at the date. "This document appears newly issued, yet word reached us of Lord Lin's death weeks ago."

"I am Lin Xiulan, daughter of the previous lord." Xiulan pulled a lacquered box from her sleeve and displayed her family's seal nestled within. "My brother Zhang Wei now serves as Lord Lin."

Both guards snapped into practiced bows. "Welcome to Fershere city, Miss Lin. May prosperity find you during your stay."

"Thank you for your diligence." Xiulan inclined her head in acknowledgment.

The guards waved them through the imposing gates. The wagon wheels clattered against the cobblestones as they entered Fershere proper.

"Your noble status opens certain doors." Feng Yu stretched languidly, one hand on the collection device for balance. "Though it makes us rather... noticeable."

Xiulan studied her companion's casual sprawl. "You enjoy the attention."

A bright grin spread across Feng Yu's face. "It cuts through tedious formalities. We just need to avoid angering anyone beyond the Qi Refining stage."

Xiulan studied the street through narrowed eyes. Merchants hawked their wares from colorful stalls while well-dressed citizens haggled over prices. The prosperity of Fershere displayed itself in every gleaming storefront and jingling coin purse.

Anyone beyond Qi Refining? The words echoed in her mind as she considered the vast gulf between cultivation stages. Both she and Feng Yu remained at Body Refining—the lowest rung of power. Qi Gathering followed, they would gather their elements and build their qi pool as much as possible with their newly reinforced bodies. Only after mastering that would they advance to Qi Refining, which would mainly be an exercise in control over their new power pools.

The implications of Feng Yu's casual confidence struck her. Did her new companion truly believe she could handle cultivators two full stages above them? That seemed impossible, yet...

Xiulan recalled the fluid grace of Ren Chun's movements, the devastating precision of Feng Yu's attacks. And she knew they hadn't shown her everything. They had always been holding back. Even her own progress had far exceeded normal limits thanks to the Golden Meridian Opening pill. The three of them displayed various abilities that should have been beyond their cultivation level.

A merchant's cart rattled past, loaded with gleaming ore. The sight sparked a realization—Blackmere's isolation had skewed her perspective. Her backwater home hardly attracted talented cultivators. What were the odds of encountering two prodigies of her generation there?

Perhaps the bounty had been helpful in a way. 

Movement caught her eye—a figure in pale blue stood motionless atop a nearby roof. Her muscles tensed. The cultivator's white sash fluttered in the mountain breeze as he stared down at their wagon.

"Relax." Feng Yu followed her gaze upward. "He's one of the guards."

"How can you tell?" Xiulan kept her eyes locked on the silent observer.

"Well, maybe he's just wearing a clever disguise." Feng Yu smirked. "But pale blue and white are Lord Fershere's colors. Didn't you notice the flag at the gate?"

"Ah..." Heat crept into Xiulan's cheeks. "I focused on other details."

"Fair enough." Feng Yu stretched her arms above her head. "We shouldn't face too many problems inside the city walls. It's the journey out—and especially back—that concerns me." She lowered her voice. "Those cultivators we fought on the road? That mindset isn't uncommon. It gets worse when someone competent leads them."

Xiulan nodded, studying her companion's profile. Pure chance had brought Feng Yu into her life, yet already she counted both Feng Yu and Ren Chun as peers—perhaps even friends. She just hoped she wasn't trusting too easily.

"Where should we head, Miss Lin?" The driver twisted in his seat, keeping a firm grip on the reins.

"We need stables near the north gate." Xiulan scanned the branching roads. "And close to the Treasure Pavilion if possible."

"Smart thinking." Feng Yu shifted her weight, causing the wagon to creak. "We'll have plenty to sell after our mountain excursion. No point hauling this monstrosity up there in the wagon, either."

Xiulan rubbed her temples. "Carrying it will be torture."

"About that..." Feng Yu tapped the bronze surface. "I know I joked earlier, but it's doable with the right harness." She paused, studying the contraption. "A spatial ring or technique would be ideal, but finding something worthy of being a sect treasure..." Her gaze snapped to Xiulan, narrowing suspiciously.

The intensity of Feng Yu's stare made Xiulan squirm. "What?"

"You wouldn't happen to have a spatial ring tucked away somewhere?"

"Are you kidding?" Xiulan straightened her robes. "Why would I have anything like that?"

Feng Yu's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Well, you did snag that golden pill. Who knows what other lucky finds might fall into your lap?"

A weak laugh escaped Xiulan's throat. "A treasure like that would help immensely. Maybe we'll find one at the bottom of the lake?"

"You think so?" Feng Yu leaned forward eagerly. "Nobody ever tries swimming down there..."

"Uh..." Xiulan's stomach dropped. "If we spend time trying to swim in the lake—"

Feng Yu's laughter rang out across the street, drawing curious stares. "Your face! So serious! I'm only teasing."

Xiulan puffed her cheeks in annoyance.

The sun dipped toward the peaks as they trudged through Fershere's winding streets. After two exhausting hours of searching, they found a stable willing to house their wagon and collection device, along with an inn that didn't reek of stale beer and unwashed bodies.

Xiulan settled at the small table in their room, steam rising from bowls of rice and vegetables. This time, she had insisted on eating in private.

Feng Yu snatched a piece of bread from the spread, taking a quick bite as she strode toward the door.

"Aren't you going to eat? Where are you going?" Xiulan lowered her chopsticks.

"Treasure Pavilion." Feng Yu spoke around her mouthful of bread. "Need to buy that harness. Should be cheap—the spirit stones we collected will cover it easily."

"Don't you want me to come along?"

"I'll handle it." Feng Yu smirked. "You should practice your qinggong. Unless you enjoy falling on your face?"

Heat crept up Xiulan's cheeks. "Haa... okay."

The door clicked shut behind Feng Yu, leaving Xiulan alone with her meal. She picked at the vegetables, noting how qi saturated the air—nothing like Blackmere's spiritual emptiness. If her father had employed even a few cultivator guards...

Xiulan shook her head. No point dwelling on what-ifs. 

She set down her empty bowl, considering her training options. The basic movement qinggong had proven far more challenging than anything she'd learned so far.

Until now, she'd relied on brute force—flooding techniques with raw qi and depending on her quick regeneration. It worked, but left her vulnerable.

Running out of qi in combat created dangerous openings. So far, she'd been lucky; the bandits and cultivators she'd faced relied mostly on physical strength rather than spiritual attacks.

As long as qi flowed and pooled within her, it offered some natural resistance to spiritual techniques. But if drained to nothing, even a simple spiritual attack could strike through, leaving her exposed—if only for a second. A skilled opponent would exploit any weakness, no matter how brief.

She pushed the vegetables around with her chopsticks. Managing qi flow demanded her full attention. The thunder clap technique drained massive amounts of energy, while qinggong required precise control. She needed to master the latter so she could modulate and control the former.

Xiulan pushed her bowl aside and stared at her callused hands. Perhaps focusing on body refinement would yield better results than struggling with qi control. But…

She just wasn't ready yet.

The thought of strengthening her bones made her wince—without proper cultivation aids and pills, the process would border on torture. She needed to advance her alchemy skills first.

Standard painkillers would dull her mind too much for cultivation. She also had to figure out which elements she'd want to focus on during Qi Gathering and prepare her body to accept those. Ren Chun had focused on earth and water… and Feng Yu was obviously aiming for a fire pill.

Xiulan frowned. What was she going to do? Nothing stood out.

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water made up the five elements. Each contained yin and yang in equal measure. Nothing really stood out to her.

She hadn't really studied Ren Chun's qi, but Feng Yu's had felt full of yang and fire.

The other girl had called her qi a starry blue, like stars reflected on a clear river's surface.

Stars…

Xiulan closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair, balancing on the back legs. Stars represented all the elements in heaven. A little chuckle escaped her. Maybe she could just try to reinforce herself for all the elements? With an equal balance of yin and yang?

That'd be complicated, but it was a legitimate build in the game, too. It just required more resources, and a bit more effort. But nothing would be more versatile.

She let out a sigh and stood up.

At least my current fighting style works. Her techniques capitalized on her unusual qi capacity and regeneration rate. The fully opened meridians gave her advantages most cultivators wouldn't gain until reaching Qi Gathering stage.

Feng Yu's earlier words echoed in her mind. She'd essentially skipped the gradual opening process entirely. No need for the typical meridian opening—she just needed to determine her elements, reinforce her body, step into the next stage, and start accumulating power to prepare for refining.

Xiulan cleared the remnants of her meal and settled cross-legged on the wooden floor. Time to practice.

She gathered her qi, focusing the energy through her meridians. The first attempt sent her stumbling backward. The second barely lifted her heels from the floor. On the third try, qi flowed evenly across her skin, creating a cushion of energy that pushed against the wooden planks.

Her feet lifted from the ground. The sensation of weightlessness triggered a flutter of excitement in her stomach as she hovered three inches above the floor. Sweat beaded on her forehead while she struggled to maintain the delicate balance of energy.

A slight twitch of her shoulder sent her spinning left. She redistributed qi through her meridians, attempting to correct the rotation. The movement jerked too far upward instead and she nearly hit the ceiling. The bed rushed up to meet her as she lost control, landing face-first on the lumpy mattress.

"Ugh." Xiulan pushed herself up and resumed her starting position.

Small adjustments proved the most challenging—like trying to pour a single drop of water rather than emptying the whole cup. She managed a wobbly hover, experimentally shifting her weight forward. The movement sent her drifting toward the wall in fits and starts.

Her gaze fell on her spear propped in the corner. Well, learning qi control was easier than figuring that out.

She refocused on her current task, evening out her qi distribution. The gentle push and pull of energy through her meridians demanded absolute concentration. She steadied her breathing and tried again.