The news about new Weird cultivators had everyone in a commotion. John and several others looked very concerned. Chloe was indifferent. Benjamin looked contemplative.
"They're probably going through the same thing we did." John voiced what everyone was thinking.
"We aren't the only ones anymore..." Benjamin mumbled.
"It's not just the Rainy Cloud sect, we were never the only ones." Chloe said matter-of-factly.
John froze for a second, but it was obvious once someone said it out loud. the Rainy Cloud Sect is where he ended up but probably every decent sized sect on the continent was doing the same thing--preparing cultivators who could fight Weird threats. John was sure the most powerful cultivators could handle demons already, though. He just wasn't sure what was stopping them from doing so, raising new cultivators like John instead.
John really needed to discuss some things with the Sect Leader. If the new wave of Weird cultivators were handled the same as John's cohort, the Sect Leader would likely be showing up tomorrow morning. John would have a chance then.
After some more deliberating, John advised everyone to go to sleep, there would be plenty to do tomorrow morning and very little could be accomplished now.
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John awoke to the early grey light and the constant patter of rain, just like always. His sleep had been fitful, too much worry about what would come today. John was quite disoriented to realize the large square had increased from thirteen to twenty houses overnight. Thirteen newcomers in this batch, just like their own. Some would be living in the houses of now dead cultivators from the original cohort, how grim.
Most had died in the battle with Peter, who took down his own three buddies and one from their side. Another died while John was away from the sect. It was a tragic statistic but a big part of John found it difficult to notice the burden. Whether he liked it or not, he thought like a cultivator now. John still intended to take care of all the victims he could afford to protect, but the world wasn't going to wait around until he had enough strength to deal with it.
The practical reality was that only John, Mark, and Benjamin were advancing fast enough to contend with the challenges ahead. Chloe was finally advancing at all, but she had a lot of catching up to do. Even with that said, Benjamin's cultivation made him suitable for alchemy and not combat directly. Mark had his own problems, he hadn't brought it up with John, but John suspected that Mark was slowly petrifying his own body as a side effect of his cultivation, and he had no idea how to handle that.
John regained his focus when the Sect Leader, Elder Catherine, and thirteen miserable wretches rounded the corner and walked into the center of the square. It was a mix of girls and boys, John couldn't call them men and women. They looked so young, their eyes were haunted and faces gaunt despite the radiant youth and healthy aura coming off their forcefully empowered bodies. No doubt they were right off the back of a horrifying vision. John estimated they were only a year or so younger than the original cohort, but it felt like five years. John couldn't help but see Violet in each girls face. Yes, John would have his revenge as sure as the sun rises. Seeing these victims was the kick he needed to focus his anger.
"Elder Catherine will be taking care of you from this point forward. Your senior cultivators are here as well. Don't disappoint me." The sect leader intoned seriously, looking around the square. John caught his eye.
"It will be taken care of, Sect Leader." Elder Catherine bowed.
One moment John was still in the square, the next he was standing in his pagoda with the Sect Leader standing only a few feet away.
"John, my Vice Leader informed me you wanted to speak to me."
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It grated John's nerves to do so, but he bowed "Yes, Sect Leader." Nothing would be gained from pointless resistance here.
"Speak."
John pulled out his Morning Dew Peach, "In the course of performing a mission, I failed to protect this fruit. I believe I have been unfairly punished for this."
"Hmm, perhaps. But to reverse the situation would cost me political capital, there is nothing you can offer me now as a worthy exchange." He smiled, "I'm happy to see your growth, being the first to reach Foundation Establishment among all the deviant cultivators is an accomplishment. You must understand that disaster and opportunity walk hand in hand, for cultivators especially. Why not eat the fruit and plant the seed, see what blessings you can grow."
John was annoyed that the Sect Leader hadn't canceled his debt like he hoped but his knowing look about the fruit made him reconsider. Maybe there really was something valuable to be had.
"Is this advice related to how you made those Weird spirit stones?"
The sect leader could sense his capital 'W' in Weird and arched an eyebrow. "Who can say."
"We could really use more of those spirit stones...." John grumbled, but the Sect Leader didn't respond.
It took John a minute to work up his nerve for the next comment. The Sect Leader seemed to expect it was coming, because he remained silent and standing.
"Why did you do this to us?!" It burst out more forcefully than he meant it to. "I mean, why create the Weird cultivators, surely you can deal with the plants and the demons with barely a thought."
The Sect Leader sighed. "Just because I can smother a campfire doesn't mean I can douse the forest fire. You lack foresight, and who can blame you, as young as you are. Calamity is coming John, many will be powerless. I could indeed take care of these small threats through indirect means, but it is more efficient to raise warriors who can fight the adversary head on."
John considered what the Leader said. It made an infuriating amount of sense.
"Did you need to subject us to such pain and humiliation, just to make us cultivators?" It was an insolent question that could readily get himself killed, but he had to know.
The Sect Leader did not kill him, but smiled mirthlessly. "John, what makes you and your peers are the first trial? The body needs to be strengthened before it can survive the reconstruction of such chaotic spirit roots. A broken spirit aids the drugs that allow the first vision."
It dawned on him all of a sudden. Of course it had been purposeful. Of course the sect had sacrificed countless lives in order to perfect the needed cruelty to create its warriors. Of course every sizable sect across the continent had done the exact same. It was an unthinkable waste of life. It infuriated and cowed him at the same time.
"There must be a better way..."
In his despair, John lost all the will to hide his dubious secrets and spilled his theories and experiences with cultivating the Butterfly Dream Scripture. Understanding the distinction of things was key, and the bizarre and terrifying visions were indeed helpful in finding that starting point. John and the Sect Leader discussed the use of illusory arrays, sensory deprivation, mind altering drugs, any alternative. The torturous pills were too much. It would be better to use a more mainstream strengthening approach. Accept disciples with sufficiently chaotic spiritual roots. Train their bodies and minds over a longer period of time to reduce the strain.
The Sect Leader made it clear that expediency was needed, and the pills and visions provided sufficient expediency. John countered by arguing for the increased number of Weird cultivators coming from a primary recruitment. Small batches of thirteen victims was much less efficient, no matter how quickly you could make them.
John discussed his insights into the cultivation method, the general trends across his peers. Reconstruction of the spirit roots into a new dantian, enlightenment for foundation establishment. The recurring seizures and visions with each stage of advancement. John's personal understanding of the distinction between things: the ability to recognize the distinction was to be in the normal, waking world. To lose sight of the normal distinctions, or to realize new Weird ones was to advance in cultivation.
Eventually, the Sect leader agreed to try some of John's improvements. John was drained but satisfied he might have made a difference for all the Weird cultivators to come.
"If any of your theories come through successful, you will be rewarded. Keep up the good work." The sect leader vanished after that.
John signed in relief. He grudgingly admit to himself that he respected the Sect Leader slightly more. He would respectfully kill him when he got the chance.
John trudged out to the square, where his cohort was comforting and guiding the newcomers. They needed to be sorted into new homes, given cultivation manuals, learn the rules, and so much more. John was still the leader, so it was up to him to ensure things went smoothly. Elder Catherine had done it last time, but she was content to let John take the reins. When she spotted him emerging from his pagoda, she nodded to him and deposited a pile of manuals, rulebooks, and some supplies to help settle everyone in.
Time to get to work.