There are three common types of observation techniques in the Hall of Knowledge: enhancement of your sensory organs, something akin to qi sonar, and techniques utilizing divine sense. Divine sense isn’t well defined in the books, but it operates almost like a sixth sensory organ. A metaphysical feeler, you can extend outside your body. That doesn’t do me much good since it usually manifests during the Core Stage. Nascent Soul at the latest.
Felix pushed Qi into his eyes and the world sharpened. The many troughs that littered Yang Mei’s training ground were crystal clear. Elder Jackie had still not returned from his mission, yet she carried on alone. She struck her body with open and closed hands, each blow with enough force to kill a mortal. The method had remained largely the same since she had stepped from essence saturation (body 1st realm) into blood boiling (body 2nd realm). Felix could spot the slight alterations from his improvement. He had become intimately familiar with its intricacies as he worked on it. However, the training remained a devotion to cultivation’s masochistic side.
Yang Mei, like me, should have improved senses from body cultivation. This improvement also occurs in Dantian cultivation but is much less pronounced. This isn’t a technique but a passive improvement of oneself. The extent of this will depend on the cultivation technique.
He stopped holding back and crammed Qi into his eyes. There was resistance as they began to hurt. He pushed through and they started to glow.
This is the most primitive type of observation technique. Just cram the sensory organ with qi. It isn’t that effective but works in a pinch.
He looked away from Yang Mei to the manuals arrayed before him. The tree he had chosen for his perch had plenty of room.
Unfortunately, the techniques in the Hall of Knowledge aren’t much better.
[GODLY EYES OF THE ETERNAL WATCHER (Mortal 1)]
Power: Trash
Comprehension: (1/1)
[Stage: Technically a Manual]
[Peeky Eyes (Mortal 1)]
Power: Trash
Comprehension: (1/1)
[Stage: Technically a Manual]
[Ebony Iris (Mortal 1)]
Power: Trash
Comprehension: (1/1)
[Stage: Technically a Manual]
[Smell The Flowers (Mortal 1)]
Power: Trash
Comprehension: (1/1)
[Stage: Technically a Manual]
Objectively terrible. The only good ones are the Elders' manuals. However, everyone they showed me had special requirements I couldn’t replicate. Elder Shen’s in particular involved Buddhist philosophy I haven't seen anywhere else. Elder Kang’s is the single one they shared that is useful.
[Treasure Eyes (Mortal 1)]
Power: very weak
Comprehension: (10/10)
[Stage: Essence Condensing]
He redirected the qi in his eyes to several pathways in his head. Only after traveling a circuitous route did the qi enter his eyes. The view of Yang Mei improved but he found other things stood out more: impressions and details of the items she had brought for her cultivation, the quality of her clothing, and a long piece of jewelry in her left ear.
Then there are these secondary characteristics of the techniques. Kang’s [Treasure Eyes] is meant for spotting valuables, and what use is that to me? I barely even leave the sect! The other utility methods I’ve found won’t work either. I am stuck until the elders figure out a deal with the allied sects, or Daiyu comes through with her uncle.
Yang Mei paused in her training as Cixi walked onto the training ground.
Huh, I haven't seen Cixi since I confronted her. I wonder what she needs from Yang Mei.
[Orange Voice] Or maybe she is a normal friend and just talking with her. Instead of, you know, hiding in a tree.
Are you awake?
[Orange Voice] Barely. Enough to see this travesty.
Get over it. How does our mind feel for you?
[Orange Voice] What type of question is that?
Felix repressed a roll of his eyes and visualized Orange Voice’s mind. It’s spotty but relatively whole nature. It’s ‘location’ in their mindscape. The way a slight twinge of pain occurred at the border of their minds.
How does my part of our mind feel to you?
[Orange Voice] This is tiring.
Please! We have to figure this out.
Orange Voice complied. It was jarring, like hearing your voice in a recording for the first time. It also came with a package of judgment.
I am not wishy washy!
A feeling of amusement was all he got back as the Orange Voice fell apart again. Felix refocused on the shared impression. From the outside, his mind felt brown.
That's odd. That isn't the orange voice but another region of his mind. If I combine our two perspectives, a third becomes clear. Maybe if I…?
Felix reached for it. Something was there at the periphery of his mind.
The crunch of leaves caused Felix to open his eyes and look down. A man waited below in a Clear Sky Uniform.
“Disciple Felix?” said the man, performing a polite bow. “I hope I am not interrupting you at a bad time?”
“You are,” snapped Felix, the feeling annoyed. “You couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
“I’m sorry?” said the man, caught off guard by the acerbic response to what was more of a greeting than an actual question. “I would have been more silent. Were you cultivating in an open area? You really shouldn’t do that.”
“So, I’ve been told. No, it was just a train of thought,” said Felix, running a hand through his hair. “What do you need? Wait, how did you find me?”
Felix looked to his left, where the nearest path was. It could barely be seen through the trees.
“I am from Clear Sky Sect of course,” said the man, straightening himself proudly. He tapped the front of his uniform, marked by a large, closed eye. “Seeing things that others cannot is what we do. The best in the continent.”
Not for long.
“So, what did you need?” said Felix.
“Our elder wishes to talk to you,” said the man, standing up. “He asked me to go fetch you.”
Elder Phallow? Wow, maybe destiny is on my side.
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Like many of the major sects in the Martial Alliance, the Clear Sky sect had been given a permanent building. As it housed nascent souls, they had wasted no time in altering the location to suit their needs. Its walls were decorated with eye motifs in sky blue and teal.
This is quite fortuitous to have Elder Phallow reach out to me like this. What should I say to him? I've had this whole walk to think it over and I still can't come up with a good pitch. Am I rushing things? Elder Shen said he would figure something out.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Hey! Are you going to stare or are you coming in,” yelled the guard at the guest house door. “Pan Bai, what are you doing with that man anyway?”
“Excuse my fellow disciple, he has always been a bit rude. The elder is right inside,” said Pan Bai.
“Oh, sorry,” said Felix. “I hadn’t seen your guest house before. It is impressive artwork.”
“Hold on, you are here to meet the elder? I wonder why he wants to talk to a little essence-condensing cultivator like you. Though your face is familiar.” said the guard, leaning on his spear. “Wait, I’ve heard of you. You're that disciple who keeps picking fights with the Dragon Spear sect.”
“I wouldn’t say I’ve been picking fights,” said Felix, trying to ignore Pan Bai’s confused looks. “It was a simple misunderstanding.”
“Yeah, it’s you. People are saying you always zone out at weird moments. Looks like that rumor is true as well.” said the guard.
“I do not do that,” said Felix.
“Sure,” said the disciple “You stop randomly in the pathway there and stare. I can see it now, Daoist Blank Stare. The boys are going to love this one.”
“We need to see the Elder, senior brother,” said Pan Bai, stepping between them. “Can you let us through?”
“I suppose. In you go,” said the guard, opening the door. "Daoist Blank Stare, I crack myself up."
"Again, sorry about that,” said Pan Bai.
“No problem,” said Felix.
They went to the third floor and his guide opened a door for him. A familiar old man stood inside. His robe was also white like the Pan Bai and the guard but the eye in the center of the chest wasn’t closed. Instead, it was open, and its pupil colored a brilliant sky blue. It was not Elder Phallow.
“I am sorry sir, but I am here to see Elder Phallow?” said Felix.
“Elder Phallow?” said Zetsu, “Oh I see the misunderstanding. No, it was I who sent for you. Elder Phallow was sent back to the sect a few days ago. The sect master had some questions for him.”
“Well, I suppose I should be going then,” said Felix. “Thank you for your time.”
“Now hold on young Felix.” Said Elder Zetsu. “I want to talk to you.”
“That is quite alright. I only needed to talk to Elder Phallow.”
“And you are leaving as soon as you find out it was me?”
“I- well I apologize if I am being rude Elder. I have been told I have a bit of a one-track mind.”
“Oh, I’ve heard, and I am sure I can answer any question for Elder Phallow you have. I may not look it, but I was a core cultivator when Elder Phallow first joined the sect. I know everything he knows.”
Tempting actually… and I am in the sect so he shouldn’t try anything too crazy. What is the worst that could happen?”
“That is very generous of you.”
“Great! Let us step into a private Room. It is a bit nippy out here. Pan Bai, your help is no longer required.”
“Of course, elder,” said his guide.
“Maybe you should speak to one of my elders instead,” said Felix. “Surely, they can help you more than me.”
A hand closed around his right bicep. Felix tensed.
“I insist.” Said elder Phallow. “I just want you to listen to what I have to say.”
Felix nodded and was soon settled at a low table. A Clear Sky disciple brought them tea and the silence lingered as Zetsu observed him.
“Elder Zetsu, what do you want to discuss? Do you mind if I ask my questions first or do you want to say your part first,” said Felix.
“I want to know how you are involved in the manual improvements that your sect is dishing out.” Said Elder Zetsu
“You will have to ask the elders. I’ve just been assisting,” said Felix, the well-trodden lie flowing easily now. “I know this rumor has been spreading but it has gotten out of hand. You don’t know how much trouble this has been causing me. I am sorry I can’t help you, Elder.”
“Young Felix, I am aware of what the rumors are saying. They are quite queer.”
“I am not sure what to tell you, I am just an assistant.”
“Oh? Just a lowly assistant?” said Zetsu. “You have nothing to do with the process?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“And your request has nothing to do with the manuals?”
“That is correct.”
“Then I suppose I was wrong then. I apologize for wasting your time,” said Elder Zetsu.
Huh, a reasonable elder. This is nice.
Felix rose to go but Zetsu raised a hand.
“What was your request, young man? I don’t mind offering a little help,” said the elder.
“Can I get access to your sect’s observation manuals? Even the less important ones?” said Felix.
“Why? Didn’t you tell me just now, that your request had nothing to do with manual?”
Really me?!
“The elders did offer me the choice to choose what to focus on next. So, I started thinking and realized there hasn’t been any utility manual improved so far. Of course, I am sure my elders would be willing to share the results since we are in an Alliance,” said Felix.
“I believe I see where you are going with this. You have some issue you need my sect’s techniques for and want to push for some kind of exchange.” said Elder Zetsu “And you are just an assistant.”
“Yes,” said Felix. “Maybe it was a little arrogant asking personally.”
“I am not opposed to the idea,” said Elder Zetsu. “Many of us have begun to notice the change in your sect.”
Success! I can’t believe it was this easy.
“However,” said Elder Zetsu, “I have a little theory of mine I would like you to indulge.”
“Of course, Elder. What was it?” said Felix.
“There was a disciple that you had gotten close to not too long ago, named a strange name, Edward, wasn’t it? He went on that mission with you, the one where you discover the Empire’s plot.”
“Yes, I thought I saw him die, I-” said Felix, before stopping and taking a calming breath. “I am sorry but what is this about? You’ve lost me.”
“I see you are still distressed, but please bear with me. All I am pointing out is how strange he was, and the level of protection your elders gave him. Strange indeed. So strange that I did a little investigation.”
A file was laid on the table with Edward’s name on it.
“I fail to see your point,” said Felix.
“People rarely do, and I didn’t either until a report of a child massacring creatures arrived at my desk. Same fighting style and same appearance,” said Elder Zetsu. Felix felt his stomach drop. “The most startling thing about this person is that the reports claim he was stronger and faster at killing people the longer he went.”
“My junior brother is a little sick in the head. That is why I looked out for him.”
“You know, I still don’t understand how you two can be related, you don’t show any of this rapid increase of strength like some of the reported ones.”
“Some of whom?”
Zetsu laid another file on the table.
“A young girl whose parents were killed near the endless wilderness edge, near the mammoth sect, far from where your little group was, obtains the strength of a core cultivator in a month. She suffered a qi deviation and died.”
Another file is laid on the table.
“A member of the bloody Buddha Monastery starts talking about words in the air. He suddenly has a knack for finding inheritances. Unfortunately, he died in a skirmish with another sect.”
A third file was placed.
“A failed alchemist apprentice starts out performing his master in the western part of the Tang Kingdom. He is now missing, and the local baron is furious.”
Felix felt the blood drain from his face as the list went on and the stack of files grew.
“You see young Felix, there are always geniuses in the world, or at least what the common person calls a genius. Now and then you see true monsters that break the paradigm. Innovate and reshape the world. But two such geniuses in a single year? Three? Four? No, something is going on. Then we have you here, ‘assisting’ with your elders.”
“I am just assisting,” said Felix.
Elder Zetsu laughed.
“Oh, don’t lie to me, young man. I had my suspicions months ago when the young Heiress interrupted our talk. Now I have enough information to transform my guess. You are tied up in all this. Another little monster.”
“What do you want?” said Felix, his fear replaced by deep tiredness. “Why all this drama.”
“Why access to your gift, young Felix? And to make sure we keep you safe.”
“What?”
“The nail that sticks out is hammered down. Young Felix.” Said Elder Zetsu, laying his hands on three of the files. Each of their subjects had gruesome endings. “How many of you are dead now? I might be one of the first in the alliance to see the pattern, but I won’t last. I don’t know what your elders are thinking. You have made such a spectacle of yourself. If it was an item or classical inheritance, I am sure it would have been taken by now, regardless of how caring your elders are. I was going to approach you slowly, but I fear we can’t wait.”
Elder Zetsu pushed several files to the side. They were individuals in the Tang Kingdom and the Han Empire. The files were thinner than the central ones.
“We have fallen behind and I’ve only realized it today.” Said Elder Zetsu, a manic look in his eyes. “You have your manuals but what gifts do the others have? A new side of the conflict has begun and most of us don’t even know it.”
There are that many system holders? I remember I was labeled experiment 667 before the system went strange but I kind of assumed most of us weren’t viable.
“Why are you telling me this?” said Felix.
“Since the elders can’t take this inheritance from you, that means you have some sort of control over what is improved. Reaching out to you personally means I am not being middle-manned by your elders. I will bring this up with the alliance soon. We cannot afford to let the empire and kingdom get ahead of us on this. Think of my offer here as a courteous head up. A way to initiate our relationship before the big reveal. If you decide to reach out to me before then, who can blame you?”
Alright, he has a point. He is just too squirmy. I am on the back foot here.
“Elder Zetsu, can you even offer me what I need?”
“Disciple, didn’t you just tell me? Observation techniques.”
Fuck.
“I… I’ll think about it.”
Zetsu smiled.
The building shuddered.
“So close. Come along. I don’t think our little formation will survive if she gets really angry.”
They made their way outside and found Elder Zhenzhen floating there. A few dozen meters away the guard cowered.
“Elder Zetsu!” exclaimed Guard Lei Quan, running forward. “I asked her to stop but she wouldn’t listen.”
“I can see well enough,” said Elder Zetsu. “Fairy Zhenzhen, may I ask why you are acting so aggressively? We are my sect’s representatives.”
“I was told that you had taken one of our precious disciples,” said Zhenzhen. “And I see I was right.”
“Oh, I was just trying to ask him a few things. I will be happy to meet with the Thousand Sect elders and tell you exactly what I told him,” said Zetsu.
He gave Zhenzhen a small bow and walked back inside. She glared after him.