The road stretched out before us, a winding path bordered by thick forests and rolling hills. The decision to bypass Crescent Bay City was a simple one—time was precious, and the journey back to my village was long enough without unnecessary detours. Besides, the thought of dealing with the city’s bustling streets and watchful eyes didn’t exactly thrill me. So, Lan Sheng and I stuck to the quieter path, our cart trundling steadily along.
He sat beside me, his usual easygoing demeanor making the journey feel less daunting. We’d been chatting since we left the sect, mostly about my recent advancements.
“You know,” Lan Sheng said, breaking the comfortable silence, “what you’ve done with your qi reserves is pretty impressive. It’s not every day someone raises their level to that of a second-class disciple after just one elixir.”
I shrugged, trying to play it off. “The beast cores did most of the heavy lifting.”
Lan Sheng chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re too modest, Kai. Sure, the beast cores were potent, but not just anyone could have absorbed that power without some serious consequences. Your reserves are comparable to those of a second-class disciple, and Tianyi? She’s at a rank that rivals a sect elder. That’s nothing short of remarkable.”
“When you put it like that... I suppose it is pretty crazy. I wonder what would've happened had I drunk the whole thing myself.”
He grinned, leaning back against the cart’s wooden seat. “Let me put it this way: We had a senior disciple in our sect who took an elixir just like yours. His qi surged, his power grew, and for a brief moment, he was the strongest in the sect.”
My interest was piqued. “What happened to him?”
The man's expression turned grave, his voice dropping to a low whisper. “He exploded.”
I nearly choked. “What?!”
“Yep. Boom. Bits and pieces everywhere,” Lan Sheng continued, his tone ominous. “The sky was filled with his remains for days. Birds wouldn’t go near the place where it happened for years.”
My heart skipped a beat as I stared at him, horrified. “You’re joking, right?”
The serious expression on his face cracked, and he burst out laughing. “Of course I’m joking! Come on, Kai, you really think Elder Zhu would let you take something that risky?”
This is why I didn't like Lan Sheng. He was a mischievous man, almost the complete opposite of Feng Wu in some ways.
“You really had me there for a second.”
“Lesson learned—don’t believe stories that sound too dramatic.”
“Alright, alright. What’s the real story? What would’ve happened if I drank it all?”
Lan Sheng’s tone shifted, though the amusement lingered. “It’s about more than just a potent elixir. Compatibility is key. Some people—or spirit beasts—are hyper-responders. Their physique, affinities, and the medicine all align perfectly. When that happens, the effects are amplified. It’s rare, but it happens.”
“So it’s not just the elixir’s strength, but how well it meshes with the person?”
“Exactly. Your body and affinities were in sync with the beast cores. Everything lined up perfectly. Tianyi must have had an even higher compatibility, which is why she ascended so fast. If you’d taken it all, your reserves would’ve been higher, but not as drastic as you might think.”
I glanced at Tianyi, who fluttered around while Windy was huddled under my robes. “So, a perfect storm—right place, right time, right conditions.”
Lan Sheng nodded. "But even with that, there’s a limit. The more you use one type of elixir or pill, the less effective it becomes as your body gets used to it. That’s why you can’t keep taking the same pills and expect endless growth."
"That’s why variety matters," I added. "Different ingredients, different effects."
“Exactly. You keep your cultivation on its toes. But even then, you’ll eventually run out of pills that give significant gains. That’s why the path gets harder the further you go. You have to rely more on your own efforts and less on external aids.”
The further we traveled, the more convinced I became that sharing the elixir with Tianyi and Windy had been the right decision. Sure, I could’ve hoarded it all for myself, raised my own power to ridiculous heights—but what kind of legend would I be without my companions by my side? The tales they’ll tell won’t just be of Kai, the lone cultivator with his two spirit beasts trailing behind him. No, we’ll be known as something far more grand—a trio that defies the heavens together, a force of nature that leaves entire sects trembling.
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"And qi can only do so much. Even though your reserves are comparable to mine, it doesn't mean you could hang with me in a fight."
I turned to him with a raised brow. "Is that a challenge?"
"Is that what you think it is? I didn't mean it that way," He said amiably, scratching the back of his head. "Just meant it as a cautionary tale. Can't have you challenging second-class disciples with your head getting too big, they'll make minced meat out of you!"
"Oh, you look down upon this young master? How about you see if you can make minced meat out of me? I challenge you to a spar!"
Of course, it was all in jest. But having the opportunity to let loose against someone of Lan Sheng's caliber... it was an opportunity that was rather hard to come by. It might be the last until I go and visit the sect again.
He looked at me in surprise, before looking left and right. There was nothing but rolling hills covered in a blanket of frost and snow.
"Well, I suppose we've covered enough distance. This would give the horses a chance to rest."
We stopped at a nice, flat area and made a small camp. I placed Windy in my fur-lined coat beside the campfire, while Tianyi fluttered around aimlessly. After I made sure the horses were well-situated with some food and water, I stood in front of Lan Sheng with no small amount of apprehension.
I still remembered our first spar; boosted with potions to enhance my mental acuity and physical prowess, I still had no chance against him.
But what about now?
With the Memory Palace technique, I had the opportunity to review his tells, habits, and moves over and over again. Having the second-class disciples to practice against in my mindscape was crucial for refining my techniques. They were on a different level, both physically and mentally, from the younger generation like Li Na and Han Wei.
"As per tradition, I'll give you the first three moves." He rolled his shoulders, shaking his legs, before transitioning into an open palm stance.
With his demure grin and half-lidded eyes, it would've been easy for the average person to think he wasn't on-guard.
But I knew. It was just a facade. One hiding a hand-to-hand combatant superior even to Feng Wu.
Without giving a signal, I dashed forward starting the fight with a swift jab to his solar plexus.
He parried it with ease, although whistled at the punch.
"Fast. You didn't take that potion of yours, did you? What's it called..."
He casually ducked under my kick, scratching his head.
"... The Ambrosia of Glowing Sunrise?"
"That's not what it's called!"
I threw another punch, but this time, he caught it, pulling me forward to take me off balance.
"Ha, sorry about that. It's a mouthful, you must admit."
As I stumbled, I could see the incoming leg sweep, which would inevitably leave me face-planting onto the snowy ground.
Just as I expected.
'ROOTED BANYAN STANCE!'
I tensed my core muscles, yanking my arm back in a hasty, incomplete version of the Rooted Banyan Stance. The defense was weak, but enough to keep me from being swept off my feet.
His lower shin made contact with my ankle, grinding against each other for a brief, painful moment. But I stayed standing.
Before he could respond, I let loose a burst of qi, infusing it into my next punch. The air cracked as my fist shot forward, aimed straight at his chest. But Lan Sheng, ever the seasoned warrior, sidestepped at the last possible moment, his movements fluid and precise.
My fist sailed past him, and before I could recover, he countered with a swift palm strike to my solar plexus. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through my body, knocking the wind out of me and making me heave as I staggered backward, clutching my stomach.
Lan Sheng’s eyes widened, and he immediately stepped back, his hands raised in apology. “I’m so sorry! My muscle memory kicked in. I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.”
I waved him off, still trying to catch my breath. “N-no worries. Just… give me a second.”
He waited patiently as I composed myself, the sharp pain in my chest slowly subsiding. Finally, I managed to straighten up, offering him a wry smile. “Guess I’m not quite there yet.”
He returned the smile, but his tone was apologetic. “I won't lie, that was impressive. I didn’t expect you to react like that. But remember, it’s not just about the qi. Your body and mind need to improve in conjunction with it. Qi is like the fuel for your attacks, but if the vessel isn’t built to handle it, you’re going to crash.”
He paused, then added, “Think of it like a bow and arrow. Your qi is the string, your body the bow, and your mind the arrow. If the string is strong but the bow is weak, the arrow won’t fly true. And if your mind isn’t focused, even the strongest shot will miss its mark.”
I nodded, the metaphor sinking in. “So, I need to strengthen all three—body, mind, and qi—to truly become formidable.”
I'd always understood it to be that way. It's why I strived for a balance rather than specializing in one particular area.
"Although, your growth rate... It's quite frightening. Perhaps there is some merit in your title as a genius, eh?"
I couldn't suppress the grin spreading across my face. I puffed up my chest, a playful swagger entering my step. "At this rate, I'd be able to take on Ping Hai in a straight fight, wouldn't I?"
He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
Then, he looked up at the sky and spoke. "Ah, the snow is falling so beautifully today, don't you think, Kai?"
I stared at him, my jaw agape. "That's not an answer!"
He simply shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We can rest here for about an hour, then continue. Qingmu isn't far now."
"Lan Sheng!" I groaned, playfully shoving his shoulder. "Don't dodge the question!"
The snow continued to fall, a silent witness to our lighthearted banter as I relentlessly pestered him for a straight answer.
----------------------------------------
As the village of Qingmu came into view, a surge of nostalgia washed over me. The last time I had seen this place, it had been under siege by Wind Serpents, its streets filled with fear and uncertainty. Now, as I breathed in the crisp winter air, I could see that the damage from those attacks had been repaired. The houses stood tall and sturdy, their walls freshly mended, and life had returned to the village.
Excitement bubbled up inside me as we drew closer. The village was more vibrant than I remembered. Children played in the snow, their laughter ringing out through the cold air, while adults tended to their tasks, their expressions relaxed and content. It was a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere I had encountered before.
As Lan Sheng and I strolled down the main path, I noticed how quickly the villagers recognized me. Whispers spread like wildfire, and before I knew it, people were approaching us with broad smiles and words of gratitude.
“Kai! It’s really him! The one who saved us from the Wind Serpents!”
“The hero of Qingmu has returned!”
In no time, I was surrounded by villagers, their faces glowing with appreciation. They crowded around me, some clasping my hands, others bowing their heads in thanks. The attention was overwhelming, and I could feel the familiar warmth of embarrassment creeping up my neck.
The second-class disciple, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, leaned in with a grin. “So, how does it feel to be the village’s savior? They might start building a statue of you next.”
I chuckled awkwardly, trying to deflect the praise. “I’m just glad I could help. No need for statues, really.”
But just as I was beginning to accept the adulation, a piercing scream cut through the air, shattering the celebratory mood. The villagers around me froze, their expressions shifting from joy to alarm as they turned to look at the source of the scream.
A woman stood a short distance away, her eyes wide with terror. She was pointing directly at me—or rather, at something near me. Confused, I followed her gaze and realized what had caught her attention.
My ever-curious companion, had poked his head out from my collar, his serpentine eyes gleaming innocently as he took in the scene.
...Perhaps bringing a Wind Serpent into a village that had been attacked by Wind Serpents wasn’t my brightest idea.