Myrkas experienced an acute episode of severe, sudden disappointment, to say the least.
His supposed priceless artifact did not bother to explain any further. A spontaneous hint on what the "basic requirements" entailed would have been much appreciated. Asking for further details did not work. Even a more straightforward approach of "How to develop Meridians" did not reveal any secret method.
Myrkas' immediate plans went down the drain. The boy would have to suffer the blight on his Assessment report for a while longer. He went back to the tried and true method of simply following the guiding mode's next suggestions.
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[Guiding mode activated for Assessed Myrkas Hakhmir]
[Please select focus]
Suggested focus for Assessed [Myrkas Hakhmir]
Techniques:
* Develop current meditation technique
* Acquire a new meditation technique
* Acquire a Body meditation technique
* Treatise on Opening Gates
Skills:
Spiritual:
* Improve internal Qi manipulation
* Acquire external Qi manipulation
* Develop Qi-sense
Martial:
* Unarmed combat
* multiple styles available
* Evasion
* Acrobatics
Expand Crafting and Social? [Not recommended with present Assessment]
[Please select focus]
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So much to do, so much to learn! Myrkas wanted them all. He needed them. Impatience bubbled below his skin. His fingers trembled with contained energy. He had to focus. The one running after two hares at once would catch none. One thing at a time. Ambition was good in moderation, lest one be blinded by greed. No purpose in biting more than one can chew. Choking was not a pleasant death.
Emboldened by his recent achievements, Myrkas chose three focuses to work on. The first one was obvious. Qi-sense had not been his only gain from his near-death experience.
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[Acknoledged selection]
* Improve Internal Qi manipulation
current level: Beginner
Definition: Affect and directly manipulate internal Qi (body, Qi-plane, soul) through willpower and intent.
Practical exercises
* Foreign Qi invasion
* Noxious Qi wound
* Unavailable (significant Meridians needed)
* Qi pooling
* Gate erosion
* Unavailable (current known meditation technique too crude)
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At first glance, there was quite the overlap with the methods previously listed to acquire Qi-sense. It suddenly made a lot more sense how Myrkas had unlocked internal Qi manipulation without meaning to. But Myrkas had somewhat learned his lesson. The next time the boy messed with aggressive Qi he would use a lot less: half a morning's discarded Jade Grass oil instead of the full amount.
The remaining options were both intriguing and frustrating. Despite the succinct and impersonal tone of the Assessor, Myrkas could not help but feel nagged at by some of its word choices. He must be imagining it. Ancient and wise cultivators were definitely above adding unnecessary snark to their legacy artifacts. Just like the unwieldy communication must be a residual symptom of great age and immortality. The creator must not have thought much about the degree of explanation needed for people truly new to cultivating their Dao, their path. The Assessor could not be dry and minimally helpful on purpose. Who would design a feature meant only to annoy future users? No immortal sage, for sure. They could not be petty like that.
And so, after a little more back and forth, Myrkas accessed the exercises’ detailed descriptions.
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* Foreign Qi invasion
Improves one’s control over their internal Qi by directly infusing foreign Qi in the cultivator's body, and their subsequent need to identify and purge or assimilate it before a Qi deviation, or other adverse events, occur. In accordance with external types of exposures, aggressive and noxious types of Qi tend to be more effective than neutral ones, with the minor consequence of carrying more risk of adverse events. Small quantities are preferred at first exposure.
Foreign Qi is usually inserted in the cultivator's body by meditating in a highly Qi-filled environment (neutral Qi excluded), ingestion of a specially prepared concoction or natural treasure, delivery of a venom or poison (needles, injection, or through a spirit beasts' bite preferred), or through the use of an appropriately weak spirit parasite.
Warning: As expected, may cause Qi deviation, Qi overload, increased impurity accumulation, crippling conditions, and/or death. Unprepared fools, and weak-willed cowards should abstain.
The cultivator will need to exercise their will and intent in order to isolate and then neutralize the invading Qi. Such can be accomplished either by purgation or assimilation of the foreign energy.
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* Noxious Qi wound
Stimulates the development of internal Qi manipulation by providing a concrete internal, though superficial, target. A flesh wound using noxious Qi has to be freshly made before the apprentice cultivator enters a meditative state and attempts to excise said noxious Qi with their own internal one.. Most commonly used are Sword Qi or Sharp Qi, Ice Qi (or Deadly Ice Qi), Fire Qi (or Inferno Qi), Poison Qi, Death Qi, or Madness Qi (or Chaos Qi). A proper cultivator should be available to inflict the wound. In their absence, an advanced soul weapon, a sufficiently powerful spiritual beast, or a weak curse can be used to achieve similar results.
Warning: Higher risk of Qi deviation, Qi overload and/or death, especially in non-talented individuals. However, this method tends to be quite effective. May cause permanent damage or crippling injuries to those unable to deal with the noxious Qi.
* Unavailable due to inadequate meridians
* Qi-pooling
This method, while most effective during meditation or other Qi-gathering techniques, can be attempted at any time. The concerned cultivator needs to actively accumulate their internal Qi in a specific location, usually one of their dantians or a vital organ. Many use Qi-pooling as a way to build up Qi before forming a technique scaffold or an accessory core.
Warning: Improper accumulation of Qi may damage fragile meridians and cause irreversible blockages. Stagnant Qi is at higher risk of deviation and adverse events. Unstable Qi-pools may explode unpredictably, causing damage concordant with the amount of energy accumulated prior.
* Gate erosion
Necessary step to form a proto-core. Effective gate erosion technique requires a non-insignificant accumulation of mobile inner Qi. By focusing their willpower and intent, the experienced cultivator can grind at their inner gates. A drill or boulder shape is usually favoured, although some impatient individuals may prefer a chisel approach.
Warning: Mistakes in gate erosion can cause fractures and dantian rupture with subsequent cripple state and inability to store and retain Qi outside of one's physical plane. Improperly opened gates may devolve into body and soul dissociation and/or death. In some rare cases, irreversible soul damage and immortal soul death have been observed.
* Unavailable due to simplistic meditation technique.
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Mixed feelings arose inside Myrkas. On the one hand, the next steps weren't so hard to comprehend. They even seemed almost easy, once one knew how to focus their intent and will inside their body. On the other hand, absolutely no explanation on how to achieve this focus outside of a life-and-death situation could be found through the Assessor. And again, the warnings below each technique spelled trouble. Warnings Myrkas found infinitely more instructive than previous.
One fact had become quite clear, however. It was no surprise Myrkas had developed the beginning of internal Qi-manipulation seeing as the first two exercises listed were basically the same as for acquiring Qi-sense. With practically the same risks on the side. Despite his progress, Myrkas was less than enthused about repeating his literal "bloodbath" in the near future. Sure, he had already planned to use lesser quantities in any further attempt, thus mitigating the risks. Although, in all honesty, the boy had envisioned such future attempts much further away in time than the Assessor and his current goals suggested. In a year or more for example, not with his next scheduled medicinal bath.
The pain Myrkas had suffered had been excruciating. He broke out in cold sweats at the thought of repeating the experience so soon. The benefits versus the risks were harder to balance with this new information. The cat had been scalded and it now feared all water, even cold one.
Myrkas had time to decide. He would either not modify his next bath, using only the usual, mild reagents provided by his uncle, or decrease by a lot the amount of Piercing Jade Grass oil he would add. A quarter instead of half a morning's worth, on further reflection. No! One-eight. Yes, one-eight was great. Sensible. Utterly reasonable.
Next, Myrkas looked at the advice offered to improve his meditation technique. To his grand disappointment, the alleged guidance on the subject was quite lacking. Most sections were marked as "unavailable." So not helpful. As if Myrkas needed to discover some hidden universal truths before being handed the keys to infinite wisdom.
The "body meditation" techniques weren't much better. They amounted to a mix of exercising while in a meditative state while ingesting "adequate Qi-filled products." Of course, again, how to reach this meditative state or a precise list of ingredients was not included. Myrkas deeply regretted not having learned any taichi or fancy yoga poses in his previous life. They suddenly looked like the ultimate missed cheats. Otherworldly shortcuts. Such missed opportunities!
Myrkas was frustrated. His recent achievements felt lessened, somewhat. As if he still stood at the starting line, yet to take a significant step on his road to personal power. As if his months of efforts so far amounted to one small grain of rice instead of the full bowl Myrkas thought he had gathered. So much was locked out of his reach. The small hill the boy had climbed had revealed a mountain, taller and steeper. But there was no point in self-pity while walking the long road. Myrkas only had to keep on walking. To stand back up if he tripped. As Nirrina liked to say: "the True Mountain was not climbed in a day."
Myrkas breathed from his belly. He had progressed. So what if the Assessor hadn't revealed an overpowered technique yet? It would come. Myrkas believed. His efforts bore fruits, sweet though small. Myrkas needed patience. The True Mountain was not climbed in a day indeed. Myrkas stood at the base, gathering equipment, experience, and momentum. Proverbial wisdom: never forget.
Reassured, Myrkas smiled. He indulged in stroking his long, imaginary gray beard. The boy was young and not in any immediate danger. He had time, more than enough certainly. Protagonist shenanigans could wait for a while. The troublesome prince had made no hint of his presence whatsoever. Myrkas deserved a break. He should concentrate on self-care a little. Keep a balance, take it easier. Continue with his current training and consolidate his skills.
A decision made just in time for the special nonat of the Summer Solstice Festival to start. How serendipitous. A whole nine-day stretch to spend having fun. What luck! What tremendous fortune! Myrkas left at once to grab Martine. The girl needed a protector to visit the sights. And Myrkas was a responsible Young Master, ready to volunteer himself to look after the little terror. It was his duty, not at all an excuse because Myrkas did not know anyone else close to his age and free to spend time with him. The boy would graciously act as her big brother, seeing as her actual big brothers were currently unavailable. It was only proper.
Onwards! To the Summer Solstice Festival!