Chapter 17: Big Fish Small Pond OR Small Fish Big Pond?

Having a star in your soul is weird enough. Having one that's trying to grow leaves while potentially threatening to yeet you into another dimension? That's a whole new level of "my life is not normal anymore."

"Your qi fluctuation patterns are becoming increasingly erratic," Azure observed as I sat cross-legged in my usual spot in the western garden. "89% chance of breakthrough within the next three days."

The seed had grown from marble-size to softball-size and the first true leave was halfway emerged, which according to every manual meant I was approaching a breakthrough whether I liked it or not.

"That's what I'm afraid of," I muttered, glancing around for any sign of purple robes.

The past few weeks had been an exercise in futility - no matter which training ground I picked, no matter what odd hour I chose to practice, Wu Lihua seemed to materialize like a particularly persistent spirit. And where she appeared, the pale figure of Wu Kangming wasn't far behind, lurking in shadows or behind pillars with an expression that grew more unsettling by the day.

Sure, only seconds passed here when my soul went dimension hopping, but Wu Lihua had already noticed something 'special' about my cultivation. The last thing I needed was for her to detect my consciousness briefly vacating reality during one of her increasingly frequent training 'coincidences.'

"You're still concerned about dimensional stability?" Azure asked. "The probability of another Two Suns incident is difficult to calculate without more data points."

Ah yes, Two Suns. Where my last breakthrough had sent me on an unexpected vacation to a world where magic-wielding zealots turned people into red mist in the name of their sun god. But then again, I guess this world wasn’t any better…

"Your Worldwalker's Sojourn ability remains largely undefined," Azure continued as I tried to focus on stabilizing my qi circulation. "Though I note your soul essence seems particularly responsive to dimensional fluctuations."

"Where’s a tutorial when you need one?" I sighed, watching my inner world ripple with each pulse of energy.

Though if I was being honest, the whole dimension-hopping thing would be pretty amazing if I could actually control it. When my cultivation is higher - maybe after reaching Foundation Establishment where I'd at least have the power to defend myself - exploring different worlds could be incredible. Learning unique techniques, experiencing different cultures, maybe even finding cultivation methods that didn't exist in this world... it had real potential.

But right now, at the measly Second Stage of Qi Condensation, getting yanked across realities without my consent was like being a toddler thrown into the deep end of a very dangerous pool. The problem wasn't the traveling itself - it was being too weak to handle whatever I found on the other side.

"Perhaps some research would help ease your concerns?" Azure suggested as another wave of energy made the half-formed leaf flicker like a glitch in reality. "The sect library must have some relevant texts."

"Worth a try," I agreed, pulling back from meditation. Better than sitting here waiting for my inner world to decide which reality it preferred.

***

The sect library was quiet, most disciples probably doing something sensible like actual cultivation practice. I wandered through the philosophy sections, picking up anything that looked remotely promising.

"'Mysteries of the Heavenly Dao'," I read from one dusty tome. "Think this'll have anything about accidentally hopping between worlds?"

"Scanning... mostly metaphors about clouds and mountains," Azure reported. "Though there is an interesting chapter about what happens to cultivators who achieve the mythical state of ascension."

The more I read about these "ascensions," the more a pattern emerged. Powerful cultivators reaching the peak of their cultivation, breaking through to a "higher realm," and then... nothing. They vanished, leaving behind only legends and empty robes. Not a single account mentioned anyone coming back.

I couldn't help but laugh, earning a stern look from a nearby disciple organizing scrolls. "You know, Azure, I bet some of these 'ascended masters' just broke through into another world and found out they weren't hot stuff anymore. Imagine being the strongest cultivator in your realm only to realise your ‘supreme talent’ doesn’t qualify to protect you from ending up as cannon fodder in the next one."

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"Actually, based on cultivator psychology and ambition metrics, I calculate the probability of that being true is—"

"It's like being a big fish in a small pond versus being a small fish in a big pond," I interrupted, flipping through another useless text. "Wonder which is worse? Though I suppose with my world walking ability, I'll end up experiencing both eventually.”

"Given your current cultivation progress and general talent metrics, I estimate you'll be experiencing the 'small fish' scenario approximately... indefinitely," Azure replied. "Though I suppose there's always a non-zero chance you might eventually find a pond small enough. Perhaps one inhabited solely by spiritual algae."

I glared at the empty air where I imagined Azure's smug non-existent face would be. "Your confidence in me is overwhelming. Truly touching to have such a supportive spiritual companion."

"I prefer the term 'realistic' companion," Azure replied. "But we're getting distracted from the real issue here – none of these accounts match what happens to you. They're all about cultivators physically disappearing into these 'higher realms.' Nobody's writing about their soul taking an interdimensional vacation while their body stays behind for safekeeping."

"Maybe that kind of information exists somewhere," I mused, running a finger along the spine of another ancient text. "Just not where lowly outer disciples can find it."

"You mean like those restricted sections behind the red jade doors?" Azure asked innocently. "The ones with those fascinating warning talismans about 'death to trespassers'?"

"Restricted sections that outer disciples definitely aren't allowed to browse through," I grumbled, closing the last book with more force than necessary. "Great. Because that's exactly what I need right now – either our world knows nothing about dimensional travel, or the knowledge exists but I'd have to break about fifty sect rules to find it."

"Your research approach is becoming rather... chaotic," Azure observed as I started pulling books at random. "I'm detecting elevated stress levels and a 73% decrease in reading comprehension."

"I’m a little stressed about my soul potentially going on another unplanned vacation," I sighed, slumping over yet another useless text.

"We could focus on breakthrough stabilization techniques instead? Those are at least accessible to outer disciples."

"And how often do those actually work?" I asked, already dreading the answer.

"Do you want the optimistic numbers or the realistic ones?"

"Never mind. I don't think my self-esteem can take another hit today."

Gathering every stability technique that I could find and nursing what remained of my dignity, I retreated to my quarters.

"Were you expecting to find some ancient manual titled 'So Your Soul Likes to Travel: A Guide to Interdimensional Cultivation'?" Azure asked as I dropped the stack of books on my desk. "Or maybe a mysterious old immortal lurking in the library ready to reveal ancient wisdom?"

I sighed, caught out. "Is it that obvious? I guess I did think something would just... fall into place. Like in those cultivation stories where the protagonist always finds exactly what they need at exactly the right moment."

"Look on the bright side, most cultivators spend their entire lives hoping to glimpse another realm. You've already visited three, and lived to tell about it. Well, technically died to tell about it, but who's counting?"

I laughed at that. He had a point – my situation was unique, even if it was terrifying sometimes.

"Besides," Azure continued, "your previous breakthrough might have resulted in complete dimensional transfer, but things are different now. Your cultivation base is more stable, your understanding is deeper, and your inner world has better structural integrity. You're not the same cultivator you were back then."

"Azure, it's been what, a month since my last breakthrough?" I shook my head. " I don't think I've changed that much in four weeks."

"...I know," Azure admitted after a pause. "I was attempting to boost your morale. Is it working?"

"Not really. But points for effort." I sighed. "So, what are my actual chances of not falling through reality this time?"

"Actually... let's focus on preparation instead," Azure said quickly. "I've analyzed these stability techniques, and while they might not stop dimensional travel entirely, they could help you maintain better control. Think of it as training wheels for reality-hopping."

I spent the next few hours practicing every technique we found, from basic energy circulation to advanced meditation methods that mostly just made my legs fall asleep.

Soul Essence: 300/300

Spiritual Essence: 250/250

Physical Essence: 220/220

"Your essence levels are holding steady," Azure confirmed. "Though I detect increasing pressure in your spiritual pathways. Breakthrough probability now at 94%."

I stared at my essence readings, thinking about how many times I'd checked them today. The numbers weren't going to get any better than this. I'd studied every accessible technique, stabilized my cultivation as much as possible, and picked the safest location I could find.

"You know what?" I stood up, shaking out my numb legs. "Let's just do it."

"...I'm sorry, what?"

"The breakthrough. Let's do it now."

"Your previous strategy of 'delay until the last possible moment' seemed quite committed," Azure noted carefully. "Are you sure about this change in approach?"

I started clearing a space in the center of my quarters. "Look, delaying is just going to make it worse, right? You said it yourself – waiting increases the chance of a spontaneous breakthrough."

"Well, yes, but—"

"And I'm tired of jumping at shadows every time my qi fluctuates. Better to face it head-on than wait for it to surprise me in the middle of dinner or something."

A pause.

"Your reasoning is…logical."

"Try not to sound so shocked." I settled into meditation position. "Besides, if I end up in another death world, I'm filing a formal complaint with whatever cosmic entity keeps doing this to me."

"I'll help you draft it," Azure said cheerfully. "Now then – beginning breakthrough sequence. Current inner world capacity at 98.7%. Seed evolution imminent."

I closed my eyes and dove my spiritual sense into my inner world. The space felt cramped, but for the first time, I wasn't dreading what came next. Whatever reality wanted to throw at me, I was ready.

Probably.

Maybe.

At least I wasn't getting dragged into it kicking and screaming this time. That had to count for something.