The teens had spent the following days in search of a book, or scroll, or even a piece of parchment, that could give them more information on cultivation techniques, but to no avail.

The library bustled with life, a constant stream of scholars and nobles filtered through its entrance. It was a large and sprawling chamber, with row upon row of bookshelves.

Lingqi and Ruyi had been there for hours and had yet to find anything of value. Scores of scrolls and books piled upon their table, but none of them contained any valuable information.

The pair's mood had been dampened, and Lingqi was growing more and more impatient, his frustration evident in his tone.

"They're all the same books I've already read at the academy," the boy groaned and plopped down in his seat, releasing an exasperated sigh.

"Maybe she was right," The teen muttered.

Ruyi had been skimming through a scroll when her ears perked up, and she looked at him.

"Who's right?"

Lingqi looked up and was met with the girl's curious gaze.

"She--" He paused. He recalled the mysterious woman he had met in the library of the academy - she was like a shadow on the wall, a phantom that had spoken in riddles and rhymes, her voice had echoed in his mind.

"She who?" Ruyi's lips twitched, and her brows furrowed.

"It's nothing, sorry," Lingqi shook his head. Master Zhang hadn't trusted her, that much he could tell. Knowledge of her presence alarmed him, and Lingqi had been sworn to secrecy.

'The answer is in your Prana'

It was vague, but her words stuck with him, spurring him to cultivate on his own. Still, Lingqi feared treading in the dark, he was afraid of his own Prana, afraid of the things he was capable of.

Ruyi watched him, her eyes narrowed. The silence stretched between them, the boy had been lost in thought, his gaze distant.

"Let's start with what we know," Ruyi suggested to him. "What are the basics of cultivation?"

"Meditation," Lingqi began, his gaze was focused, and his thoughts returned to the present. "And breath control."

"And the fundamental technique of cultivation is Ohm," she continued.

"Yes, Ohm is a breathing technique," he added. "The purpose is to circulate the Prana, to expand and contract, and allow it to flow."

Ruyi raised a finger and spoke in a scholarly tone, "And the technique of using your Prana to enhance your physical abilities is called Shui."

A prideful smile tugged at her lips. She had learned much about cultivation in a short amount of time due to the extensive amount of research she had done. Lingqi's demonstrations also served to help reinforce what she had learned.

"Right," he nodded, and his gaze turned to the books and scrolls on the table. "But none of these books talk about the exceptions to the rule. They all say the same thing, the same basics, nothing else."

"Let's take a break for now," Ruyi suggested. "We'll get some fresh air, stretch our legs, and come back."

Lingqi nodded. He was tired of looking at pages and ink, his eyes were strained. "Yeah, that sounds good."

The two left the library and ventured to the courtyard of the Opal Palace. Beyond the palace gates were street market stands selling various goods. Merchants and peasants were everywhere, the streets were alive with activity.

The pair walked the streets and observed the vendors, admiring the wares that were on display. Food was the main attraction, the scent of cooked meats and roasted vegetables lingered in the air, scintillating their senses. They stumbled upon a pork bun stand, and their stomachs growled, demanding their attention.

"Two, please," Ruyi said and pointed at the buns, handing the vendor two copper coins.

"Here you go, kids," the merchant nodded, and he handed the pair the warm buns, wrapped in brown parchment.

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They took a moment to sit on a nearby bench before they partook in their meal. Lingqi tore his apart and savored the flavor of the pork and cabbage, while Ruyi nibbled on hers, biting small bits of the bun.

"One of my friends told me that the pork buns would be good," Lingqi mused aloud, thinking of how excited Chen would be if he had been with him. The boy could imagine him scarfing down the whole stand, his mind was filled with the image of his friend eating with fervor.

"Your friend has good taste," the girl giggled.

The two continued to eat in a comfortable silence, the people and the noises of the street market were a calming and soothing presence.

"You know, maybe you should ask Elder Zhu for guidance after all. I know he's been busy with organizing the envoy, but he is your teacher, and you're his disciple. Maybe he can give you some tips," Ruyi offered.

Lingqi had a downcast gaze, and his lips were pursed. His expression was distant, and his mind was elsewhere. He had considered asking his master for assistance, but guilt had kept him at bay.

"I've been cultivating on my own," He admitted, and he could feel her gaze on him. "That goes against what I've been taught."

"And he will forgive you for it," Ruyi assured him. "He is your master, Lingqi. You need to trust him."

Lingqi nodded, knowing her words were true. The teen had been torn between seeking his master's advice and relying on his own strength.

One side held few answers, the other held many questions.

The choice was his.

"Okay, I'll do it."

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Elder Zhu sat at his study, pouring over the details of the trade envoy. Items needed were weighed and measured with great care and attention, and each document was thoroughly reviewed and cross-referenced.

There were dozens of documents, all written in neat, elegant script. There were ledgers and scrolls and rolls of parchment, all spread out in a vast array across his desk.

All goods had to be accounted for - from a single copper coin to the smallest grain of rice, every item needed to be verified, its origins needed to be documented and recorded. Goods aside, the scholar would be in need of services. Carriage drivers, material attendants, record scribes, and most importantly, a translator that spoke the Khalkan tongue.

Bai Hui did his best to assist him in his endeavors, speaking with fellow diplomats and ambassadors in his search for the aforementioned services.

It was a long and tedious process, one that required immense patience and diligence.

The scholar rubbed his eyes and felt the years weigh heavily on him.

There was a knock on his door, and his ears perked. "Come in."

Lingqi stepped through the threshold and the Elder looked up to regard him with a warm smile.

"Elder Zhu," the boy spoke, his voice was polite. "Sorry to interrupt, but may I have a word with you?"

"Of course, Lingqi," the scholar nodded and motioned for the teen to take a seat on the plush couch near the center of the room. He welcomed the change of pace.

Lingqi sat at the end of the couch while the scholar took a seat on the opposite end.

"Is everything alright?" Elder Zhu asked, his gaze was curious.

"Yes, but there's something I want to talk to you about," Lingqi admitted, and his eyes were focused, his voice was serious. "I know this may be a bad time, but it's important," he added.

The scholar studied the boy's expression, and his own grew concerned. "Very well, you have my full attention," Elder Zhu nodded.

Lingqi took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, and his body relaxed. He was nervous, his hands were clammy, and his heart was beating quickly.

"I've been cultivating on my own--for awhile, actually, and I've learned a lot but," The teenager pressed his hands together, his thumbs encircling one another. "But I want to learn control, since maybe we'll need it on our journey."

"Lingqi..." Elder Zhu's tone was cautious. He knew the dangers that his student had experienced, and the boy had been fortunate that no harm had befallen him.

"I'm being careful," the boy explained. "I'm not doing anything dangerous. And I know the tenets, I know what it says. Cultivation is for knowledge, I understand...but, I'm proof that there's more to it than that."

The scholar's brows furrowed, and his lips were pursed, his eyes thoughtful.

The boy's words were true, and Elder Zhu understood the danger he would pose without proper training. The truth of the matter was that his pupil would seek answers elsewhere if he refused to provide him guidance.

And that would only serve to push Lingqi to her clutches.

"What have you learned on your own?" the scholar inquired.

Lingqi looked up at his teacher and drew in a breath. "I can...see things, without being there. It's like being in two places at once, I don't know how to describe it."

Elder Zhu did little to hide his shock. For the boy to have stumbled on such an advanced technique on his own, it was a truly remarkable feat.

"Yana," the scholar said, and his tone was reverent. "It's the most advanced cultivation technique taught in the academies. It is mandatory for students to perfect the technique to graduate."

"To graduate..?" Lingqi muttered, and his mind was struck with understanding. His friends, they all had graduated, which meant that...

"Many students never learn the technique, Lingqi," Elder Zhu clarified, sensing the boy's apprehension. "In fact, only roughly one in one hundred students may pass."

"I didn't realize," Lingqi murmured. "Does this mean that there's nothing more for me to learn?"

"Not necessarily," the scholar shook his head. "When it comes to cultivation, the destination is the journey."

Lingqi pondered his master's words, his gaze was focused, and his expression was intent. The boy knew he still had much to learn, but the path ahead of him was shrouded in uncertainty.

"Then what's the next step?" Lingqi asked.

"For us to cultivate together," Elder Zhu stated. "I can help you focus and control your Prana, which shall allow you to temper your senses."

The teen's expression was hopeful. "When do we start?"

Elder Zhu's eyes scanned the scattered documents on his desk, observing the mountain of work that he had yet to finish. The scholar knew he had his duty, his responsibilities, and yet, the boy's future was of the utmost importance.

"Immediately," the scholar stated. "I shall meet you in the courtyard."