Ten paces from the Hall of Knowledges entrance sat a shelf marked by disuse. It was not damaged but in remarkably good condition. Nor was the shelf exceptionally dirty but it had accumulated a fine film of dust. In Neat black lettering, the shelf was marked, visible to all who walked on their way to the library's second floor. The wording read ‘Mortal Martial Arts’.

Just as those who walked by ignored that isle so too did Felix ignore them. His hunched shoulders and focused expression blended in much as the shelf did. Another part of the background. Another distraction on the way to immortality.

Those new to the library or had not been in its papered halls in a long time occasionally did look his way. The rapid rustle of pages from [Thousand Words, Thousand Pages, One Glance] filled the room, loud enough to become audible even over the library's many dampening features. He wasn’t the only one utilizing the technique any more, as a few other individuals with contribution points had been able to purchase the upgraded technique.

Felix didn’t pay these individuals any mind, reading his way through the shelf from top to bottom.

It is weird that ‘Mortal Martial Arts’ even exists in this world. I mean there are other incongruities such as the shelf labeled ‘Mortal Medicine’. There is value in it, of course, since if you truly want to understand what cultivation does, you need to understand the starting point.

Felix slowed down on the next book he pulled from the shelf. It’s worn leather cover and nearly cracking pages required a gentler hand.

This technique [Rising Dragon Falling Snow] works best at essence gathering one and is nearly useless by essence gathering three. That's the third level of the very first realm of cultivation! I could tie such a person in notes. Yet I barely saw anyone it would be useful to when I went to that town with Xue. Does that make sense?

Gingerly placing the book down on the shelf, Felix shifted through a few motions of the technique. From the outside, the movement technique almost looked like a high knee workout. He played with it a bit up and down the aisle.

It's pretty clever when you don’t have much qi. Essential the qi in your pathways stimulates the qi that naturally permeates the body to increase your movement. A body cultivation method stronger than essence saturation 2 (body) would ruin this and the efficiency isn’t worth the diminishing returns for essence gathering 4 (Dantian).

He stopped prancing up and down the shelf as he brushed a hand through his hair, lost in thought.

Still, it is too complex for someone who will soon go up in cultivation. My high realm and, not to brag, my own talent, made learning it easy. But for your average lower-realm person… Maybe my perception of how many low-level people there are is wrong? Perhaps there is such a large population stuck at essence gathering three that books like this are a natural occurrence. No that doesn’t make sense with the ambient qi I’ve experienced in my travels. Maybe there are qi-devoid regions? Does this help me any?

Oh, Cixi?

He raised his hand in greeting, but she had already stridden past the aisle.

Looks like a woman on a mission. Wait, I wanted to warn her about that Elder!

He frantically started putting away the books he hadn’t correctly replaced. A few that had piqued his interest found their way into his bags of holding.

She was already disappearing down an aisle near the staircase when he reached the main corridor. By the time he had reached the aisle, she was gone. With a sigh, he began to comb that end of the floor for her. The size of the place made it daunting but aside from a few disgruntled sect members being annoyed at a guest near their favorite spot, the natural order of the library made it straightforward.

He finally found her at one of the many hidden alcoves, tucked between two shelves. She sat at a low table with just enough space for three people to squeeze onto the purple seat cushions.

It also gave the occupants a good view of anyone approaching. Cixi set down her book when their eyes met. He returned a chagrined look and slid in next to her.

"Senior Felix," she said. "To what do I owe this pleasant surprise."

"So formal," said Felix with a laugh. "I would have thought traveling together for months and then nearly dying would have let you relax a little. Though you were like that at the beginning too.”

"Some of us have culture," said Cixi, a stiffness to her words. “Sorry, but the lessons of my merchant father make it easy to fall back to a more mannered approach. How have you been?"

"Well, enough, I suppose," said Felix. "Do you mind if I sit down?"

“You are sitting down,” she said.

“I know but you said I am uncultured and just wanted to show how polite I am.”

"In that case, please do," she said with a tiny smile.

He matched her smile and glanced at the clutter on the desk. Books from various treaties on the nature of forging to the history of the Kingdom covered it.

"What's all this then?" said Felix, leaning over her to see a few other books stacked at her side. "Founding of the Kingdom, Hidden Treasures of the Nobles. Are we going on a treasure hunt?"

"We are doing nothing," said Cixi with a frown. "This is just research for now."

So serious. Need to resist the urge to tease.

"Well, I won't pry if you don't want to tell me."

"It would not affect you anyway," said Cixi. "Besides I want to help with the war effort. Getting stronger personally is great but it isn’t a quick solution."

"Yeah, I'm the same. Or not really. I hadn’t thought of it like that," said Felix "I'm mostly invested in the cultivation portion purely. That is a long-term solution as you say. If the war comes to a quick close, then I can’t see us contributing much."

"I know but I feel we should make a bigger difference."

I feel the same way.

"We foiled the Empire's sneak attack. That is a pretty big difference for some low-level cultivators," said Felix.

"I know you're right but that has made me even more determined to make a difference. It showed us the real difference between us and them. I don't see how it hasn't affected you like that. I mean you saw a Severing Stage cultivator! From the little we could sense and hear when we were fleeing, it must have been terrifying."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Severing Stage?"

"Oh right, it was a spirit beast, wasn't it? I am not sure if they call it something different."

"No, not that. What is the severing stage? Stupid question. It is the next stage after nascent soul, isn't it?"

"Yes, that is correct. I am surprised you haven't heard of it with all your reading."

"Allusions to it. In retrospect, I suspect the elders hide any mention of it."

"I haven’t heard it was a restricted topic." She said.

“Goes to show they are doing a good job.” Said Felix, then side-eyed her. “So how do you know about it?”

“We merchant girls have our ways."

"Right.” drawled Felix. “So, what happens in it?"

"Oh, I was never given a good explanation for it. I assume you sever something. Don't tell me cultivators become eunuchs!" said Cixi.

"..."

"What, that could be it. At least entertain the idea." Said Cixi.

"You mean at least entertain the joke? So much for having manners. And what about female cultivators?" said Felix.

"It’s not that weird of a suggestion!” said Cixi. “... but all I know is that you sever something to enter that stage and apparently you don't do it only once. My father never explained more than that."

"Okay, I believe you,” said Felix, running a hand through his hair. “Seems kind of weird though."

"How so?" said Cixi.

"Well, the first four stages sort of have a logic to them about why they are ordered the way they are. Severing just seems out of the blue. I would have guessed... well I'm not sure what I would have guessed for the next stage. Not severing." Said Felix.

"It isn't something we need to concern ourselves with right now." Said Cixi.

"You are right," said Felix. "And you better not be right about your joke. Dirty-minded woman."

"E-excuse me! I am not dirty-minded." said Cixi. "Eunuchs do exist you know."

"I know people have accidents. Poor bastards."

"No, that is not what I meant. Eunuchs are intentionally created for certain positions in the Kingdom and Empire. I thought you had studied the two nations?"

"I’ve honestly only read a little about them."

"This isn't exactly a hidden topic," said Cixi dryly. "It naturally piques people's interest."

"Why would anyone do that?" said Felix.

"Well, the reason varies," said Cixi "Though I said the Kingdom, it is a much more common practice in the Empire. I’ve heard rumors that they even selected boys at a young age to serve the emperor. Private attendants that would protect him and the imperial line.”

Poor boys. Just talking about it is giving me the hibby jibbies.

[Orange Voice] Don't be a baby. Eunuchs are people too.

I'm not- ugh. Don't critique my thoughts, me, and I wasn’t looking down on them… Hello? And he’s gone.

“What’s the point though?” said Felix, "Isn't there some fear they will grow it back? I mean it isn't easy to grow limbs back, but it is doable. It just usually leads to some complications. I can think of a handful of manuals I would use that are centered around regenerating body parts."

"The manuals they cultivate often make it impossible."

"That seems a little... huh," said Felix, sitting back. "I could see how that could be done."

"You do?" said Cixi. "Considering a cultivation change?"

"Certainly not." said Felix “Dirty-minded woman.”

"It isn't weird if you want to Felix," said Cixi snidely. “Some of the world’s most powerful people live through it. Well, at least some of the most influential. Proximity to power is a power.”

"Others' take on it is irrelevant. My wants are my own," said Felix. I’m kinda of annoyed now. "Now I actually came to warn you about something, not talk about whatever this conversation has become."

"Pardon me, Felix," said Cixi, losing some of her animation. "About what?"

"Are you familiar with Elder LongShi of the Dragon Spear sect?" said Felix.

"I have not had the pleasure, no," said Cixi. "Is he the one threatening you before the elders meeting a few weeks ago?"

"Yes, that's the one. So, up to this point you've had no interaction with him?"

"I have never even seen the man until then," said Cixi. "Did you get me caught up in something?"

"That was my first time meeting him so no. At least I don't think so?"

"Then why would he even care about me? Aren’t you the one who upset him? Maybe you mentioned my name or something."

"Doubtful. Honestly, the only thing I saw was that he couldn't take his eyes off you, but he couldn’t have known we were connected yet. I am actually worried that he is a pervert."

"Oh, that's all," said Cixi. "I am a very attractive woman, Felix. It is only naturally I get some stares."

Fair point. Maybe I’m making mountains out of molehills.

"I mean fine, but he has to be 80 or something," said Felix.

"Not exactly what I am looking for, but I am 24. I don't think that makes him a pervert. If I get married, an age gap is something I will have to deal with. I've accepted that since I was a young girl."

“Not sure I like that.”

“I’m not thrilled by the concept but neither am I upset. Regardless he was just looking and as long as it remains just that then I have more important things to focus on,” said Cixi. “Thanks for bringing it to my attention though.”

"Well, I won’t argue if you’re okay with it but he just gave me a bad vibe," said Felix. "I mean he looked so surprised when he saw you so he must have been truly taken with your beauty. Must be nice to be able to rap someone around your finger like that."

"Surprised?" said Cixi. "Surprised how? You mean stunned. Once again that is a compliment of a type for my beauty."

"Now that you ask, maybe shock? Like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing," said Felix. "You know I feel like I am splitting hairs here but more of a shocked expression."

"That might be a problem," said Cixi, shifting uncomfortably.

"A problem I can do something about?" said Felix.

"Not this one. I am going to have to think about this. Please don’t ask me anymore." said Cixi. "Thank you for warning me, Felix."

"You’re welcome and I better get going," said Felix. "I've taken too long of a break and whatever our issues are, a stronger cultivation should help."

"There is some truth to that simple wisdom."

He paused before exiting the alcove and glanced over at Cixi. She did not look comforted or happy.

Hopefully, I accomplished more here than just ruining her mood. I feel like I should be doing something! Maybe the elders? No, she wouldn’t want me to get involved yet. What about improving her manual? I don’t want to tell more people though, there are already rumors too close to the truth in the sect.

"Felix," said Cixi, noticing he was still there. "Do you need something?"

"Haha, uh no. Just lost in thought," said Felix. "Reach out if you find a way I can help.”

—---------------------------------------

The cultivator cave interior had grown more familiar than his room at Elder Rong's place.

As he had done for weeks, he went through the steps of cultivating [Elemental Soul Cradle].

Today was different. He felt the power in his body was on a precipice.

Even as he pushed through the routine, he reviewed the technique.

[Pillars of the Earth]

[Cyclonic Humming Hawk Body]

[Lucius Eel]

[Fire Wheel]

These four body-cultivating methods make up the basis of [Elemental Soul Cradle]. Funnily enough, they essentially are cultivated separately but to maintain a balance I need to follow a certain order and rhythm between each of them.

He finished the final spin of the [Fire Wheel] portion and grabbed a towel to wipe away a thin layer of impurity-laced sweat.

So close to breaking into the next layer of the boiling blood realm. That’s what I’m feeling.

But should I keep going when I still haven't figured out how to change my Dantian cultivation method to match it? Let’s test how well they work together.

Focusing, he let the power that circulated through his pathways rev up. The flavor of his method gave it its unique taste. He pushed the tiniest bit of it into the flesh of his arm and held it there.

At first, the earth qi just sat there; the nature [Heavenly Earth] had bestowed upon it just different enough from [Pillars of the Earth] that it didn't get along well. Then after a moment, he felt open rejection that almost felt like pain. The fire, water, and wind qi in his cells finally awoke and forcefully rejected the[Heavenly Earth] qi.

With a flex of his bicep, the power stored in his muscles poured forth and washed the spec of qi away.

Interesting. Not as big of a rejection as I thought. On the other hand, I did cultivate [Heavenly Earth] and [Pillars of the Earth] at the same time. Xue helped me pick them out since their nature should be somewhat similar. I will need to make sure when I build upon my Dantian method with other elements, they line up with the ones in my body method.

But is that enough? It would be better if I could bridge the gap between the body and Dantian.

A question for another time.

Felix opened up the next batch of ingredients for his body cultivation and began preparing the process. The preparation was just as important as the methods of execution. Once prepared, he assumed the first stance of [Pillars of the Earth].

For I need strength now.