The elders had told Xue to hurry, and she listened. A resigned princess hold later, they made it to the Hall of Meeting. Xue brought Felix around the building to a backdoor and knocked. Elder Harold opened it.

“Ah good, you two are here,” said Elder Harold and ushered them in. “Quickly now, get in here. We don’t have much time.”

Xue and Felix exchanged looks and then she set him down gently. They followed Harold in. Like the inverse of the grand meeting room, it was small and unadorned. Besides a few chairs and a table, the room had only a single thing of interest. A map strewn across one wall.

As soon as they entered, Elder Harold started pacing and pulling on his beard. He didn’t stroke it like Elder Rong but yanked it, his fingers gripping the curly mess. His worry nearly distracted from the room’s fourth occupant, Elder Zhenzhen. She focused on the map. It was decorated with four colors of pins: red, blue, green, and yellow. The first three obviously corresponded to the Empire, kingdom, and central forces based on their locution. The yellow seemed to be placed at random through all the major forces. One was even stabbed into the Thousand Season Sect.

That Empires lines have advanced so far?

A line of red pins cut between the endless wilderness and the beast’s claw. It continued up Serpent Path and all the way to Pale City. That wasn’t different from any of the reports Felix had read. What was different was how far the red pins showed the Empire’s forces had gone in the conflict located between the black ebony mountain range and the tip of the beast’s claw. It was tens of kilometers further than it had been.

“Elder, should we be seeing this?” said Xue.

Elder Harold looked up at them and then at the map.

“Bah, most of that will be known to the public at some point. It won’t change anything,” said Elder Harold. He frowned at the Empire’s advance. “This should be our alliance’s focus. Instead, they play these games.”

“I told you politics are better left to the stupid and unimaginative. You are too smart for these things,” said Zhenzhen, focusing still on the map. “Though shouldn’t you have more experience with politics.”

“I am a man of war. Politics are for politicians.” Said Harold.

“Politics, war, it’s all power. It’s all anyone ever cares about in this dirty world,” said Zhenzhen. She had stared idly rolling balls of her cloud and stacking them into little cloud men. Then she would squash them. “Elder Brother, you are the one who said we don’t have much time.”

“Yes? Yes, of course,” said Elder Harold. “Disciple Felix, have you been telling people about your abilities?”

“Sorry?” said Felix. He shared a look with Xue. “I haven’t been telling people anything. I don’t really talk to people outside my friend group.”

“Then you’ve been telling your ‘friends’?” said Elder Harold. “What have you been telling them? Who do you mean by a friend?”

“Whoa, whoa what is this about Elder? I’ve been supporting the image we wanted of me being involved in the manual improvement but just a participant. It seemed our only option since rumors kept spreading. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“So that’s what your friends believe,” said Harold.

“Well Xue knows more,” said Felix.

Harold gave a dismissive wave.

“I am obviously not counting Bao Feng Xue. Anyone else.”

“I am pretty sure disciple Everglade knows I am the real source of the improvements. Yang Mei has some idea.”

“It would be better if they didn’t know but fortunately those two are too closely tied to the sect to leak any information. Anyone else? Disciple Martel?”

“I don’t think he has any idea,” said Felix.

“Disciple Cixi knows,” interjected Xue. “However, she just learned of it a day ago and has been with us until an hour ago. Whatever has caused your concern couldn’t be from her.”

“And you haven’t leaked it to anyone else? Not those disciples you recruited with Xue or anyone else you know.”

“Chu and the kids? No, goodness no. I have a few friends I play cards with from other sects who brought the topic up. A one Min Jie from the Mammoth Sect. It's hard to tell if he believes the cover story we pushed or suspects more.”

“I’ve noticed a lot of who you’ve slipped up around appears to be women,” said Zhenzhen lazily, setting up a scene of cloud people holding an execution. She cut off the head of the cloud prisoner with a finger. “I think I am beginning to see a trend. We need to be more careful with our disciple Elder Brother.”

Kind of hot. It’s nice to be around for these moments. [Orange Voice]

“That is enough out of you sister. We don’t need that right now.” Said Harold glaring at Zhenzhen. The anger rallied him as some of the strain bled away. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter if you let it slip since either way, the other sects know or suspect, so the point is moot.”

“Is it such a bad thing for them to know about Felix?” said Xue. They all looked at her, even Zhenzhen. “Felix needs to have access to more manuals, and I know the plan was to negotiate for it. I imagine that was quite hard without explaining why he needs them.”

“It’s the timing that makes it difficult,” said Harold. “I understand your point, but it is only myself and Zhenzhen at the sect currently.”

“That makes sense. Elder Zhenzhen must be one of the strongest members of the alliance. I saw her clash with the Grand Inquisitor and that Wolf Guy.”

“Tenth, I am ranked tenth,” said Zhenzhen.

“Yes, and she is still injured from that fight disciples,” said Harold. Felix glanced at Zhenzhen who looked away. “Oh, you won’t be able to tell but others did, somehow, and that is probably because some of our guests who remain are those also high on the list.”

But… This is my home. I am supposed to be safe here.

“Can’t we put off talking to them,” said Felix. “We have a war going on and all. Maybe I can leave the sect on a mission.”

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea,” said Zhenzhen, meeting Felix with an ambiguous look. “However, whoever figured it out has called a meeting and is pushing to meet you immediately. We don’t have time to come up with a reasonable excuse. They are literally on the other side of this door.”

“Surely we can just ignore them?” said Xue. “This is an Alliance but the thousand season sect is the strongest.”

Zhenzhen’s look devolved into something more.

Elder Zhenzhen, this isn’t the time.

Elder Harold reached out and grabbed Elder Zhenzhen by the head. She squawked as he shoved her into her cloud, pushing until she was submerged. The cloud had enough substance to muffle her protests. Xue gave them a confused look.

“Normally you would be right Disciple Xue. However, we are not so strong that we are hegemonic. Some of our allies are bold enough to leverage moments of weakness. While there are things in place to protect the sect, it can’t be denied that the number of other sects’ nascent souls currently present makes things… precarious. Especially since we need to both protect you and this alliance.”

“But what could they hope to gain? I mean, you aren’t going to give me away. My gift is too valuable to do that.”

“I don’t know. Maybe they are just trying to negotiate for a better deal.”

Elder Zhenzhen’s cloud pulsed dark green and Elder Harold quickly retracted his hand. It had burns and was smoking. Zhenzhen slowly rose out of the cloud to glare at Elder Harold. He ignored her.

Negotiate for a better deal…

“Oh, if it’s the elders then I might know someone. They told me more than asked.”

“Who?” said Elder Harold.

“Elder Zetsu.”

He recounted his conversation with the Clear Sky Elder. Elder Harold nodded as Felix finished.

“So, you think it was Elder Zetsu,” said Harold. “Damnit, why didn’t you mention this first, boy?”

“You asked who I ‘told’ so it didn’t come to mind, but the timeline matches,” said Felix. “He said he would give me a few days to think about it and it has been a few days.”

“Strange,” said Harold, “Elder Zetsu wasn’t the one who brought up the connection. That was the Hidden Badger Sect. Zetsu only talked once they had. Was that misdirection or…”

Harold’s and Zhenzhen’s heads snapped up to look at the door to the meeting room.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Looks like we are out of time. Immortal’s balls! Felix, I need you to be on your toes here. Xue, help him withstand the nascent souls. They’ll try to play their little games since we are on the back foot, but they can take a little cold,” said Harold, striding up to the meeting room door. He stopped for a second and gave Zhenzhen a look. “And please Zhenzhen, no shenanigans.”

He opened the door with a jingle of bells.

Only ten Alliance members were present, leaving more empty chairs than not. Half were nascent souls, and the others were only peak core cultivators. Unfortunately, the nascent souls were strong and weren’t holding back. Felix felt suffocated from his first step.

Elder Shan of the Mammoth sect sat in the middle, snacking on food as always. He let out a burp as he watched their group walk over. Elder Longwei of the Dragon Spear sect sat to the right and idly rapped the table. The remaining nascent souls were Elder Lok of the Hidden Badger, and two nascent souls were from the Bloody Buddha Monastery. Lok watched them from beneath a dirt-stained cowl and the monks wore inscrutable expressions.

Felix didn’t recognize the other five members but knew their sects. Represented were the Little Boulder Sect, the Writhing Love Sect, the Absent of Sin Sect, the Lunar Clan, and the Yin Lilly Sect. The Yin Lilly sect was allegedly as strong as the Hidden Badger Sect but lacked a Nascent soul to spare.

Did Xue not say the Absent of Sin Sect and Lunar Clan barely qualify to be part of the alliance? I bet these two are their most powerful cultivators.

“Finally, the disciple in question is revealed,” said Elder Shan through a mouth full of food. “Not much to look at, is he? Do you even feed your disciples? Poor boy is so skinny. Though there is something familiar about him.”

“Don’t play dumb Elder Shan, this boy has shown up in these meetings an alarming number of times for an ordinary essence condenser. It looks like we now know he is no simple neophyte.” Said Elder Lok.

“Do we?” said Elder Longwei, squinting at Felix. “All we have is conjecture at this point.”

Felix and Xue took seats across from the assembled elders. Elder Zhenzhen and Harold joined the elders’ side of the table. Felix felt a slight nip in the air and glanced at Xue.

“Oh, we did until Elder Zetsu shared his sect’s findings,” said Elder Shan, gesturing at the folders on the table. Felix recognized them as the same ones he had been shown. “Once it's all laid out it, is hard not to see a bigger picture.”

“Enough,” groused Elder Harold, slashing his hand through the air. “You’ve made your point Elder Shan. Now what do you want?”

Felix looked toward Elder Zetsu, but the man just appeared frustrated.

A good actor?

“Of course, Elder Harold. Of course. Perhaps then we start with why the Thousand Season Sect hid such a valuable asset when we are literally at war. Mm?” said Lok.

“Oh, don’t be obtuse,” said Harold. “Why aren’t you sharing your sect secrets and treasures? Your special recipes perhaps and disciples? Sects always hide these things.”

“That is different.” Interjected Elder Lok. “We are in a new era. This boy’s ability could, why I don’t even know, but if it is half as amazing as some of these rumored children can do then the heavens are the limit! As for what he can, I think we are all familiar with the rumors of what the Thousand Season Sect, our supposed allies, have been doing with their manuals.”

“Some of which have been given to the alliance rewards system,” countered Elder Harold. “You can’t even pretend we are hoarding, which any normal sect normally would.”

“Mere morsels,” said Elder Shan. “Barely a snack to galvanize the rest of us. Send our disciple to the slaughter while your sect grows fat on the true prizes. Now, I want to hear details. Exactly what can this boy do that we have been missing out on.”

Elder Shan frowned as a few snowflakes fell from the ceiling. Felix shivered as the room had dropped in temperature by a few degrees. The elders looked around the room in confusion as the rate of snow forming to fall from the ceiling continued to pick up. He also noted through a side window an actual blizzard had started outside.

Hopefully, no disciple is nearby.

Felix shook from cold until a hand was placed lightly on his back and a voiceless transmission reached him. The elder’s eyes settled on Xue.

“Do you like the results of your work on my manual? I can protect someone from its effect now.” Sent Xue. “I’ve also gained a little more flexibility. Now my power is waxing faster and stronger. Thank you.”

The alliance elders still glared at them, but Felix couldn’t’ feel anything. Elder Shan snorted. A wave of force scattered and melted all the snow on the floor. The pressure returned for a moment but dissolved as more snowflakes fell to replace them.

Wow, I knew it was better but still. They’ll have to use a technique to intimidate me now, but that would be stepping over the line.

“Elder Harold, what is the meaning of this- What is this ability?” said Elder Lok, some invisible force around him rebuffing the falling snowflakes. “Is this how you treat your Allies who are trying to help?!”

“It’s just our disciple blocking the pressure,” said Elder Zhenzhen with a laugh and a wink, “Surely you big strong nascent souls won’t begrudge our disciple protecting her junior. Unless you can’t handle the cold of course?”

“Bah-“said Elder Lok, and Felix felt relief as he felt no pressure from the man’s obvious rage. “You’ve only strengthened our point. What normal manual could cause something like this? So, your disciple can improve manuals. How?”

I guess you wouldn’t believe me if I said her manual was almost this amazing to begin with, huh? Arrogant bastard! Damn, he is so less scary right now. I mean intellectually I know he could still squash me, but I didn’t realize how much of the fear was automatic. Well, this was bound to get out eventually.

“I am just very good at cultivation,” said Felix.

“How?” said Elder Lok. “How can you be so good.”

“I read and study?”

“Don’t play dumb. There is something more. What kind of inheritance did you receive.”

Like hell, I am going to tell you in detail. I haven’t even told my elders the full truth. Fuck you.

“I am not sure what to tell you, Elder. I woke up one day and was better at reading and understanding manuals. I am sure Elder Zetsu brought up the attack?” said Felix and after a nod continued. “Well, we are just as confused. If it was caused by a treasure or inheritance, I’ve already received the benefits.”

“I think our disciple has said quite enough,” said Elder Harold, cutting Elder Lok off. “You all wanted to hear the details and we acquiesced. He doesn’t know more. You said you wanted to know what to look for to find other gifted people and now you do. Talent. Pure undiluted talent or ability that breaks common sense.”

“He is right Lok,” said Elder Longwei, surprising Felix. “They have been more than accommodating. Let’s take a step back.

“You are just saying that because he discovered the Empire plot that would have allowed them to march to your doorstep,” sneered Lok. “Don’t be soft LongWei.”

“A plot that would have hurt all of us regardless.” Said LongWei.

“It will have to be enough then,” said Elder Shan, the second person to cut off Elder Lok. “The second question is how we should use this ability. We of course all understand why the Thousand Season Sect kept this ability secret, but now is the time to share.”

“This is what I was trying to discuss with all of you days ago.” Said Harold, exasperated. “I wanted access to your manuals so he can work on them, and we would share the improved results with you. All you’ve done with this meeting is put my disciple under unnecessary pressure. The one you will all now ask to help you.”

“No, not unnecessary,” said Elder Lok with a smile. “You see, the problem is your sect still comes out on top.”

“We don’t want any of your manuals,” said Zhenzhen.

“Sure, you don’t. I even believe you,” said Lok, his smile spreading to the limit. “Why would you when they would all be in the head of your disciple? One who will know all our secrets better than us.”

“And?” said Harold, throwing his hands in the air. “Do you want our help or not.”

“Oh, we do, but our dear allies at the Bloody Buddha Monastery can help with that. A compromise we can all agree to. They do after all have blood contracts.”

The room exploded into noise. The surroundings had descended into a full-blown blizzard with inches of snow on the floor. Felix had also gained a thin set of armor like Xue’s, though nothing as thick. The snow scattered as the elders put real power behind their words and Felix was grateful for that armor.

Harold allowed none of it. He denied and denied even as Elder Lok put on the pressure. Many of those gathered, and especially the Dragon Spear Elder, weren’t enthused but supported the idea.

“No”. said Felix.

The shouting stopped as they all looked at him, and the snow started falling once more unabated.

Fuck it, they can kill me. I am not doing anything like a Geis.

Whoa, whoa, let’s calm down buddy. Where there is life there is a way. [Orange Voice]

“Sorry, what did you say child.” Said elder Lok.

Fuck you too Liang Yanmei. I do not agree with some magical Geis.

We don’t even know what the details are yet. [Orange Voice]

“Yeah, sorry old man. If you push, I swear to help anyone for free, except you and your sect.”

I don’t care if it is to be a hero or the opposite. It's never happening. Our very soul has been violated. We aren’t even entertaining any loss of agency.

Huh, you know what? I like this energy. Yeah, fuck them. [Orange Voice]

The room turned quiet. Elder Lok slowly rose to his feet. Harold rose to his in turn, watching the man like a hawk. The Hidden Badger Elder had begun clenching and unclenching his hands.

“You see why we need to be careful. How can we trust such an unruly disciple?” said Elder Lok. He glanced at the other representatives. “Surely you all see how necessary such a measure would be.”

“Now hold on,” said Elder Harold.

“Why, how can we be sure he won’t intentionally put flaws in anything he does,” said Lok, a manic joy filling his words as the room’s mood turned to him. “We aren’t just helping ourselves but protecting every one of our disciples from one boy’s selfishness.”

“Oh, that’s fair,” said Elder Zhenzhen, “Before we decide anything hasty, there is another representative here.”

“What? Everyone else should be deployed?” said Elder Lok, turning to the entranceway. “Who of consequence is even around?”

“You wound me, dirt boy!” Boomed a voice behind Xue and Felix. Xue’s hand was knocked from Felix's back as a figure intruded between them. Arms fell over both their shoulders. “To think I was relaxing, and you all were having fun without me. I’m almost hurt.”

Felix braced himself for the biting cold to return but something else came. An oppressive silence enveloped him. One that kept back both the cold and the elder’s pressure.

“Of course, you qualify,” said Elder Lok.

“Fantastic!” said the Patriarch, the volume hurting Felix’s ears. “I’ve waited my whole life for someone from the Hidden Rat sect to validate me.”

“Hidden Badger.” Said Elder Lok.

“What did I say?” said Patriarch Liwei.

“Let’s stay on track,” said Elder Shan, “Onooka Patriarch, we were just about to discuss how the Thousand Season Sect will share in its good fortune so all the Alliance will benefit. While we are sorry you weren’t invited we are of course happy to have your support in this. It is hard to find you after all. Still, I am sure you will be excited by the benefits. Do you need us to review what’s been said?”

“Oh, no need Fatty! I don’t need the alliance or Thousand Season sect to get Little Felix’s help.”

“What? How do you-” said both Elder Shan and Elder Harold. They looked at one another before Elder Shan continued “You don’t want in on the deal?”

“Well of course, why would I need to negotiate for benefits from my soon to be nephew-in-law?

Excuse me?

“Excuse me?” said Elder Lok.

“Yes exactly! Though it pains me greatly I’ve given away my precious little Daiyu. Someone I would kill for.” The patriarch flashed a brilliant smile.

The patriarch’s arm slid from Xue’s and Felix’s shoulders. The man leaned onto the table and smiled as the muffling extended to the whole room and then outside it. It was quiet. Very quiet.

“But that is a very good point dirt Digger. What exactly are you offering for my nephew-in-law’s help.”