While I lay comfortably on the ground, he sits cross-legged, observing me.

The stars tell me the lessons I seek to learn.

The immortal and the sage are not the same. The sage is a teacher of spiritual wisdom. While the eternal keeps his secrets.

I find myself forced to take on the role of the sage—a teacher who wants to be a wanderer.

There are no lessons I can teach. I am merely a student of the heavens.

My dao grows as I contemplate my place in the universe.

At dawn, I practice the martial arts I learned from the Callo City teacher.

The first day I practiced, Jack observed as I spent the morning cultivating my art.

"Why do you practice the low arts?"

I didn't even know my practice was considered low.

"Because it's what I know."

Not the most profound of answers. But it truly is what I know.

As the days pass, Jack shows an interest in my training regimen.

At first, I only felt comfortable practicing the strikes with him. But, gradually, I gained some trust in my follower.

We begin to grapple. It's a dangerous art to practice with a one-time enemy.

But, the added uncertainty causes me to try harder to win.

Time passes on our journey, and the tundra gives way to desert.

A sign reads of a village on the horizon—a solitary oasis in the desert.

Trees line the watering hole of a village.

The trees are built for the desert climate. Not the evergreens or broad-leafed trees of the forest.

Occasionally, I'll spot a sand lotus from a sand-swept part of the desert. The value of this plant comes from its long roots.

I carefully harvested the beautiful flower before carrying on my way.

When we come upon the village, I can't help but notice the poverty of it.

As we approached, a gang of boys stands in our path.

"If you're entering our village, you gotta pay us," a leading boy calls out.

Jack extends a tendril of chi out to crush the boy into the ground.

I hastily send out my energy to neutralize Jack's attack.

The boys are none the wiser as Jack looks at me in confusion.

I take a handful of copper pieces and walk to the leading boy.

Delight plays out on the boy's face as he shows the wealth to his party.

With more respect than I might have expected, the boys move off the road to watch us pass.

The village is rundown and old. The shacks that make up the homes need to be built with proper planks. Rather, knotted and warped wood from the desert trees is used.

The boys were the only ones with the confidence to face us strangers.

We aren't hiding our chi signature. But I doubt any immortals are hiding here.

One lone shack stands, built of proper wood. It says, 'General Store.'

How do people in this small village earn their wages?

Whatever else, I have items that I hope to purchase.

As I enter with Jack on my tail, I hear a greeting.

"Welcome," comes a friendly voice.

The shop owner looks us over with interest.

"What can I do for you, strangers?"

"Just browsing."

The man observes us as I examine the items.

I spot what I was hoping to find, a mortar and pestle.

"I'll take this," I say as I pick up my purchase.

A set of knives and several glass flasks catch my eye.

When I pull out a coin to pay the man, a bright smile claims his face.

"Thank you, valued customer. Please, do come again."

I can't help but think I'll never be here again.

I pass by and collect some water from a common well.

"Master, what was that all about," Jack asks as we make our way to a new road out of the village.

"Would you cut it out with the master foolishness? My name is Rook."

"Rook, then." I can tell he'd rather not call me by name. "What was that all about?"

I roll my eyes as I pull out the tools of my trade.

I wish I knew some of the recipes for cultivators' medicinal pills. But I settled for making an elementary health potion.

The water turns red as the ground-up peace blooms and assorted ingredients dissolve.

My first crafted potion looks to be a success.

I offer the potion to Jack, "Try it."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

He looks intimidated by the command but settles for taking a swig.

The change is subtle. But, almost immediately, he becomes more alert and present. He looks at the potion in his hand, a smile crossing his lips.

"Master, this is amazing!"

The corner of my mouth twitches at the honorific. But, I hold my peace.

Day passes into night as we find a place to settle down for the night.

I watch the stars while Jack watches me.

"Master, what do you see?"

"Hmm. Oh, well, the stars tell the stories of who we are.

"There is the knight who guards against the shadows—the wanderer who travels the unknown path. Then there is the immortal who sits in self-absorbed thought.

"There are many characters, and I know but a few.

"Each constellation tells the story of who we are at the varying stages of our lives."

Jack quietly absorbs the information before looking to the heavens.

"Could you teach me to read the stars, master?"

I let out a sigh as I pulled out my astrology tome.

"Help yourself," I say as I toss the book to the man.

I return to my stars. While Jack consults my book, he often turns his face to the sky.

Our days and nights pass. Occasionally, I pass the time working on my alchemy.

The world is a grand stage. The path ahead is wide and branching.

My thoughts turn to my family. My path takes me ever farther from them. But peace comes over me as I think of them living their daily lives. They will survive without me.

Jack is surprisingly loyal. Despite our way of meeting, the man is open to the lessons I share with him.

"How did you come to be a cultivator?" I ask.

Jack looks hesitant to answer but says, "The Crescent Moon sect abducted me.

"I spent years working under the dark masters. Eventually, I had a breakthrough and formed my soul stone.

"From there, I rose in the ranks of the sect. It was a lower sect and had many challengers.

"One day, a rival sect attacked. They killed the patriarch of Crescent Moon along with many masters and adepts.

"I ran when I learned of the patriarch's death."

As I listen to his tale, I think of what it would have been like to have stayed with my old sect. To grow in strength and station.

It strikes me as odd that all these sects rely on abduction to fill their ranks.

No one would join them willingly with how they cultivate the acolytes.

Do any sects deserve loyalty?

My thoughts are caught up as Jack continues his story.

"After the sect was destroyed, I wandered here and there. But, I was afraid to be seen without a sect to protect me.

"When I sensed your presence, I was just working as a bodyguard for bandits. I thought I'd be able to take you."

Jack sighs.

"But, master, you are far better an immortal than I."

I give the man an encouraging smile.

"What about you, master? How did you become a rogue cultivator?"

I relate my story to the man I can hardly call younger than me.

He's surprised that the Divided Fates acolytes aren't even fed.

"You should consider eating something now that you can."

I look down at the clothes that hang limply from my skeletal form.

A wry smile touches my lips. I do look like I'm on the brink of death.

Chi may sustain me. But it doesn't fuel growth.

"You're right," I say. "Next town, I'll get something to eat."

Jack looks pleased that I am taking his advice.

In the mornings, we practice my forms of martial arts. We also spar, Jack being a quick study and proving an aggressive grappler. I usually win. But I've had to tap out at times.

My trust for the man grows, and I return to wearing my soul cuffs as we make our way through the desert.

The sand has claimed the road, and we find ourselves lost.

Fortunately, the chi of heaven is plentiful, and we never want food or water.

I find the time I spend in this desert a spiritual experience. The cloudless sky is open and clear.

The stars seem more brilliant as I gaze up into the heavens.

We have long since lost our way, and joy takes me as I ponder how I could stay in this desert forever.

Days and weeks and months. All pass away as we cultivators grow in our art.

There is no fear here. No masters to fly down from the sky. It is a sense of security that I could never have during my time in Callo City.

The rare herb presents itself. Many of the herbs I find in the desert need to be cataloged in my tome on medicinal herbs.

I resolve myself to dabble with the potential potions and pills in the future.

In the distance, I see what looks to be water. That's not a new sight for me. Mirages play tricks on my mind wherever I turn.

But then, I hear the sounds of gulls and rolling waves.

I consult the map I'd bought many months ago.

The Saur Sea.

That's what the body of water must be.

We've traveled across the desert to the Southwest of Callo city.

We are far from home. But, excitement courses through me at seeing the sea before us.

I remove my soul cuffs and store them in my cosmos ring.

Jack catches the hint and does some light stretching.

I waste no time in sprinting forward. Relief from the soul cuffs gives me an ecstasy as I run.

I pay no mind to where my companion is as I displace dunes worth of sand with my every step.

What stood on the horizon comes quickly into view, and then I am upon the water.

I smell the brine in the air. Ahead of me, the sea extends seemingly forever.

A few minutes later, Jack joins me, breathing heavily.

I smile an ecstasy-filled smile as I breathe in the rich, chi-filled, air.

Showing little concern for my companion, I disrobe down to my underwear.

I run into a body of water so great that I could be lost forever.

Jack joins me enthusiastically.

We swim with powerful strokes.

The water is buoyant and warm.

The salt stings my eyes as I swim under the sea's surface.

I spot seaweed, and I'm tempted to collect some. But I decided against it.

The absorption of chi does not compensate for the need for air. However, through my training, my improved physique allows me to stay submerged for extensive periods.

It's as though a brand new world has been opened to me. The underwater world is so alien to the desert just behind me.

Finally, I come up and breathe down the precious air that fuels life in the overworld.

Jack smiles, and we float as the gentle waves carry us back to shore.

We come out of the sea, our joy spent.

I put my clothes back on and feel the salt that coats me dry.

"I've never seen so much water before," Jack tells me.

"I haven't either. But I'm glad to have the opportunity now."

My soul cuffs back on, we follow the shore.

Now that I know where we are, the map provides clues about where we may go.

To the North is a city named Talbuk.

With no better choices, I let Jack know of our destination.

He is a faithful companion and follows my lead.

We could arrive in a day or two if we were to run the distance. But instead, we walk at a slow pace.

At night, Jack asks me about the stars.

"The fisherman, over there," I indicate the star cluster. "The fisherman bides his time.

"He casts his net and waits patiently for his prey to find their way into his trap.

"The fish constellation, over there, is ever as odds with the fisherman.

"The wily fish is difficult for even the expert fisherman to catch.

The stories of the sea are on my mind as I listen to the rhythmic back-and-forth rocking of water.

It's soothing, and I feel my trust in Jack expand. He is like a student. Always seeking new insights.

"What is a dao?" he asks.

I look to my companion. "A dao can be any number of things. The word itself means way. So if you have a dao, you have a path to follow."

I feel the silence as he digests my words.

"What is your way, master?"

His question is a difficult one.

"My dao is that of the heavens. My way is that of the knight, the wanderer, the slave, and all the other constellations.

"I am a student of the aspects of my soul.

"What about you? What's your dao?"

Jack is silent for a long moment. Then he laughs a self-deprecating laugh.

"I'm not as strong as you master. If I chose a dao right now, I would only lead myself astray."

I smile a gentle smile as I watch the stars.

Time moves forward, and so must we.

Weeks pass as we wander along the coast.

One day, shortly after our morning practice, we spot it on the horizon. The city that my map promised.

As we creep into the bustling city, I turn to Jack. "Cut off your chi consumption. We don't want other cultivators to recognize us.

Jack nods, and we slowly progress towards the city.

My stomach growls as we reach the outskirts of the city named Talbuk.

We're close to the harbor, and several hawks are selling their wares. I find a food vendor and purchase a fried piece of dough encompassing a meaty, cheesy core.

Jack fishes for some coin, but I stop him. I buy the treat for my friend.

Despite his work as a bodyguard, I can tell that he wasn't earning much.

That I can afford a cosmos ring is a luxury he has difficulty understanding.

"You picked herbs to buy your ring?" he asks, surprised.

"Yeah, it wasn't overnight. But, I got there."

"The money I got was spent on cultivation pills."

His mention of pills piques my interest.

"Where did you get them?"

Jack looks into the distance, "My sect had vendors for them before Crescent Moon was destroyed.

"I found another seller afterward. He kept things low-key. Cultivation pills are highly sought-after commodities. Exceedingly expensive, too."

I absorb the new information and turn my thoughts to learning to craft these medicinal pills.

I find myself in need of books that are of a rarer type than my library currently possesses.

Talbuk is an interesting city with all its sights and sounds.

It is both a harbor town and an oasis in the desert.

A few of the ugly desert trees dot the land. But most of the soil is too sandy for life to exist.

I think that Jack would like some free time to explore the city.

"No, master. I can't accept your money. Please do not send me away."

I'm surprised by the man's emotion.

"Okay, I just thought you'd like the chance to rest all on your own."

We navigate our way through the city. As we pass, I notice a few chi gravity wells around the town. I doubt we have to worry about them noticing. But I keep my attention alert.

We weave through the streets, my eyes open to the random bookstore.

In one of the older parts of the city, I find myself standing before a storied building.

Brick and mortar, this building has stood the test of time.

The shop lacks a name that I can see.

Upon entering, I am greeted by the smell of old books.

Books are piled around as clusters, the new covering the old.

"Yes?" comes a voice from somewhere in the building. "How can I help you?"

I send my attention throughout the store until I found the old woman.

I cut a path ahead while Jack follows.

"Hello, ma'am. I was hoping you sold alchemy books."

"Oh dear, but you are handsome boys," the elderly woman comments as we find her.

I wait for the older woman to focus on my inquiry.

"Alchemy, huh? Clever lad, you are to practice that art. It takes much to master.

"And, the books...

"Oh, dear me, it's been ages since I stocked that genre of reading material. Too few buyers."

I'm somewhat crestfallen at her words.

"But," she continues, "I believe I have one tome left for a youngster like you."

The woman begins rummaging about in her search for the item.

"Could you strong lads help me sort these books? All the bending over is such a pain for the back, you know."

Jack and I look at one another before salvaging the fallen books.

The room is tidied up, and we look expectantly to the crone.

"Ah, I knew it was somewhere around here."

The woman turns to a shelf near where she had started. She smiles as she takes the book in hand.

"Medicinal Pills for Cultivation," she reads the title to us.

"It's this that you were looking for, I'm sure."

The crone smiles a knowing smile.

"Yes, ma'am. How much would you like for it?"

"Oh, I couldn't put a price on such an item. It's too rare to sell."

I get the feeling that the older woman wants to squeeze blood out of a copper piece.

I wait for the crone to state her terms. I feel an aggressive change in the air.

Jack is growing impatient, and it's affecting the surrounding chi.

The crone shows comprehension of the danger.

"I was only having a bit of fun..." the bookstore owner placates Jack and names a reasonable price.

"Thank you," I say as I receive my prize.

"Do come again if you have the opportunity."

I nod my parting to the woman.

Jack and I exit the old building.

"You know, you don't have to be so serious," I comment as we find the street.

"I will try to follow your example, master."

I feel disconcerted by the man's faithfulness.

Whatever the case, I have my prize.

I begin browsing the book as we walk.

One pill recipe called for nightshade, bluegrass, and poison nettle. And another requires herbs I can only find in the book on herbs Sebastian gave me.

The pill book talks about the need for a cauldron when crafting pills.

I think about this new tool and all the buildings I have seen in my search for a bookstore.

Several buildings stand out in my mind. Jack joins me in the search.

By the end of the day, I have my prize.

My copper coins are getting spent at an extraordinary pace. I realize just how poor I am when Jack and I find a food vendor.

Still, my life is not dependent on money. And I have everything I need for the moment.