The aftermath of the raid was felt the next day worse than the night before. No one was in shock now, all that raw emotion was felt by everyone in the tribe. I hadn't been out into the tribe as I didn't even get out of my sleeping bag, I just didn't feel like doing anything today. The missing sounds of the hassle of daily tribal life were far more muted than usual. My guess is that neither did anyone else. To avoid getting up for a while longer, I opened the interface to see a new notification icon on the quest tab and tapped it right away.
[Event Mission Fight Fire with …? Complete!]
[Objective: Survive the Raid and ensure Sokka, Katara, and Hakoda remain alive. 3/3]
[Bonus Objectives Complete: ⅔]
[Bonus Objective A: Engage in Combat and survive]
[Bonus Objective B: Kill a Combatant]
[Bonus Objective C: Kill the Southern Raiders Leader]
[Congratulations! You have completed your first Event Quest! You have gained a level! You are now level 2. You have gained 1 Talent Point and 5 Campaign Points to spend in the universal shop. Spend them wisely.]
I stared dumbly at the message. I had completely forgotten there was a possibility for a reward after that accursed raid. It made me sick that I gained something from what had resulted in Kya's death.
[You have also been bestowed the first part of your third gift. This is Master's personal Cultivation Manuel. Use it to grow stronger.]
I blinked at the new message. I felt enraged at the fact that if I had that Manuel, I could have saved Kya. Deep down I knew it had to happen, I just didn't want to accept it. I wanted to change it, it also got me wondering if I could actually change the outcome of the series if I wasn't careful. And consequences of changing things from big to little. I spent the next hour going over a plan on what I remembered from the series of what I could change and what I needed to be careful of. It was difficult as it had been over at least 15 years since I last watched them. But I still came to the conclusion that I needed strength to change anything first.
Knowing I had some points to use on the interface, I first went to the Talent Point Shop Lists. It was overwhelming to say the least. It was sorted into Tier lists, most being greyed out. The current ones unlocked were from this universe, a C Ranked world and others being D Ranked worlds. I opened the Avatar list finding most also greyed out bar 4 at the top of the list. Naturally they were the 4 bending elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Air. Seeing them, I nearly chose one right away, having to stop and think about it before I brashly choose something I would regret later.
I closed the window to take a moment to think about the choices I saw. The only universes I could choose from were, the Avatar universe or my old universe. Out of the elements for bending, I couldn't decide between Water or Air as it was giving me a choice. But I was hesitant to pick one and be locked into an element I’d regret. The safest bet was Water as I lived in the Southern Water Tribe. Picking Fire would be the most dangerous for that very same reason. Earth would be the next safest as no one was on guard against an Earthbender in Southpole. However I would need earth, to Earthbend. It wasn't readily available when I lived. Leaving Air, that would be the most conspicuous though not as dangerous as fire, it would draw undue attention causing a raid 10 times as worse in the future.
While going over my options, I decided to open the manual master had left me. Calling up the interface again, not knowing which tab to select when I spotted the inventory tab glowing. What awaited me was an ancient looking thick purple Tome with yellow gilded sides, sitting in the black abyss I called an inventory screen. Tentatively, I reached out to grab the book like M.I.C.A suggested after I stared at it for a minute. My hand passed through the screen with ease and I grabbed the cold odd leatherbound book.
The ornately bound book was smooth to the touch. Only when pulling it out of the interface, the weight settling into my hand did I realise how big this Tome was. Nearly dropping it in the process. Having gently sat it on my pillow, I opened it up to find all but 3 pages were stuck together firmly enough that a boy of 10 wouldn't be able to pry them apart.
The first page was the Title page showing mystical patterns around the title of the book. 'Primal Celestial Aura Technique' was written on the centre of the page in very fancy writing. What surprised me the most was that it was in English. It had been 10 years since I saw this language but I could read it clearly. I considered what that meant for a bit before turning the page. It had a basic overview of what the technique did in small writing covering the page nearly to the borders.
It explains how the first stage of cultivation is tempering the body to set a base for cultivation to be built upon. There were more stages with a few tiers within those stages in the future. It explained that there are three paths to cultivate oneself, each with its own corresponding dantian. The first was Essence, the profound path. It is focused on the Lower Dantian underneath the navel. It pertained to the cultivation of Energy systems and worldly laws eventually. The second path was the cultivation of one's own body. Its corresponding dantain is the middle dantian located in the heart. Refining it to the point that one could fly through the centre of a star with just one's body alone. And the third was Spirit with its corresponding dantian being the upper dantian located in the head. The most esoteric of the three. It pertains to the mysteries of one's soul and how it interacts with the world.
All three paths were distinct from each other with their own trials and tribulations. At the bottom it outlined that this technique is an Essence Path cultivation manual. This intrigued me enough to forget for a little while the previous night as I read and reread the page to understand it clearly. The next page was set into two sections, one looked like a workout routine while the other was an odd description on how to create channels for your Ki to circulate through your meridians along with a mantra to focus on.
Looking it over, I nearly blanched at the workout routine. It was not something a normal person could accomplish in a day. And yet, that's what it wanted me to do. How a kid of only 10 was meant to do 200 push-ups a day was beyond me, let alone the rest of it once I could accomplish that minimum bar.
[New quests available!] The feminine electric voice notified me while I was staring dumbly at the second page.
"New quests? Again?" I grew irrationally angry about more quests after the first event quest, and that it deemed it a success bothered me. Setting that aside, I begrudgingly asked M.I.C.A how I put things back. It told me to for now, just the screen how I got it out. It alluded to there being others like I had hoped. I had read many novels where they had rings that with just a touch, I could store items into my storage device.
After storing the manual, I switched over to the mission page to see these quests M.I.C.A mentioned. There were only 2 missions waiting for me on the screen under the F Rank section.
[F Rank - Individual Threat]
[Mission: Build a Foundation]
[Quest: Prove your worth]
I wasn't sure what the differences were between a mission and a quest at first glance. A quick question to M.I.C.A told me that a mission was mandatory while I could choose to complete the quest at my leisure or reject it if I felt like it. That was relieving to know I could reject some tasks given to me by the interface. Swiping the interface away with a gesture, I didn't bother opening any of these tasks as I had my fill of quests or missions or whatever the hell they are called for today. I got up out of my sleeping bag. I had wallowed in my sorrow enough for this morning as I knew I had chores to attend. The tribe was now down in manpower so I needed to pitch in more to do my part.
The tribe was as slow going as I believed from inside. Grieving women and forlorn men walked around the tribe with their heads down, doing the bare minimum needed for the day. Anyone who wasn't grieving, seemed to be throwing themselves into their work to forget the events of the prior night.
I didn't see Sokka or Katara again for a day or two as they didn't seem to come out of their Igloo. I didn't blame them for not doing so. I would have taken it harshly too if my mother was the one killed. In this life or the last.
—
A few weeks passed as the Tribe got back on its feet, most done with their mourning though still solemn in their tasks. Sokka had come outside after 2 days while Katara took more time to process the event of her mother's death and the guilt she and Sokka must feel might dwarf mine. Hakoda soldiered on leading the Tribe, dissuading the brash men from striking out after the Fire navy vessel on our own Warships on a suicide mission. Life went back to its usual rhythm albeit battered and bruised.
It took me a couple of days to work up the nerve to open the Mission page again. I wanted to see what this Master of mine wanted me to do. As, if it wasn't M.I.C.A making them as it claimed, then it would need to be my master who sanctioned them.
[Mission: Build a Foundation - F Rank]
[Start your path of cultivation. Enter the Martial Foundation Realm
[Objective A: Complete the basic workout regimen and keep it up for a year.]
[Objective B: Complete the first cycle of Primal Celestial Aura Technique]
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
[Bonus Objectives: Hidden]
[Quest: Prove your worth - F Rank]
[Prove to the Tribe you are a competent Hunter. Hunt a few Animals around the South Pole before the return of the Avatar.]
[Failure will result in Tribal Reputation Loss]
[Objective A: Hunt a Tiger Seal]
[Objective B: Hunt a Owl Wolf]
[Objective C: Hunt a Polar Leopard]
[Objective D: Hunt a Polar Bear Dog]
[Bonus Objective: Hidden]
The mission was acceptable in my eyes as I was meant to start training the cultivation technique anyway but the quest was crazy! I didn’t know how I was meant to even hunt a Polar Bear Dog, and I wasn't sure if there were any wild packs left of these powerful beasts out through. Master wouldn't want me to hunt other Tribes tamed beasts, he knows my character so he claimed. That I wouldn’t do that type of thing without actual reason. So there must be wild creatures I’m meant to hunt. It also mentioned that I had until the time that the Avatar arrived and if I’m not wrong, that meant I had 5 years to hunt them all. That was agreeable to me at least. Loss of reputation didn’t bother me too much as I knew I wouldn’t be staying here forever. I then accepted the quest.
When I got the chance, I took off by myself to begin practising the workout routine and the meditation mantra without being disturbed. I had always believed myself a fit youth, once I started the routine however, I was sorely mistaken. My body has ached every day since I began with only more pain in the foreseeable future. Only in the third week did I remember something I had overlooked, that may help in my training. I also gained Campaign points as a reward for surviving the raid.
Sitting back on my usual spot atop the glazier overlooking the incapacitated old warship, I opened the interface and found the Universal Shop Lists tab. There were an abundance of things that I could trade the points for from my old universe as well as this universe. Most things coming in sets as the 1 to 1 ratio wasn't worth the purchase so that was nice compensation. I searched continuously down the list until I found the type of items I was looking for, medical herbs and medicines. I knew these were usually what cultivators rely on to train and heal themselves.
I selected a set of rejuvenating pills that looked the size of gumballs in a big glass jar, hoping that they would help ease the pain of my sore muscles, enabling me to train harder. It didn't appear in my hands like I thought but straight into the inventory. I didn't know what else to choose so I decided to switch over to the inventory tab. There sat the black screen I was used to seeing, the Tome and Jar floating there next to each other. I reached in and touched the cold Jar sending shivers down my spine, without any resistance I withdrew my hand with the jar tailing behind through the void out into the open.
I caught it with my arms, setting it aside on the snow so I could pry the lid off. As it came off, a strong herbal smell permeated the icy air causing me to take a deep inhale of the fresh air. I picked up a single pill and replaced the lid tightly. I didn’t want them to lose their potency so put them straight back into the inventory screen. Trusting the effects were as they described in the shop list, I threw it into my mouth and struggled trying to swallow it whole and after a little difficulty managed to gulp it down. Instantly as it slid down my throat, I felt it disintegrate and spread around my body like an icy wildfire. Soon after I felt all the tension and sore muscles melt away like powder into water. The relief was instantaneous, making me stretch and yawn at the pleasurable sensation. I felt I could run a marathon with the vitality that was rushing through me. Getting up, I got into the first stance of the set of stretches I was required to do. I lasted an hour going through the stretches, being able to push a little further on each stance. Some of which would have made me scream if I hadn’t taken the medicine allowing me to actually finish a set start to finish. I was pleased with my effort. I even looked forward to going further into the second set after I completed the rest of the routine.
I spent the rest of the afternoon completing the more physical side of the routine before heading back to the tribe. I had to dampen my cheery mood by the time I got back as the rest of the tribe didn't have much humour after everything. The lose was too great to have them bounce back so quickly. When I returned to my Igloo, I went about the usual tasks I did before bed, ate dinner then went to retire behind the bear skin rug I used as a partition to have privacy deciding to sit down and meditate. Activating the Apathy of the Enlightened, I started reciting the Mantra provided by the Tome, this time having a much clearer mind due to not having the burn of muscles I usually did distracting me with every small movement of my breaths I took.
The clarity was just enough to feel something gathering within my gut region where I knew the Lower Dantian was located. It was faint but I could feel it better than I ever could before. I meditated long through to midnight before stopping as I needed to sleep so I could do it all again tomorrow. Laying down and getting comfortable, I felt as though I was on the right path, a new path leading to greater heights slowly drifting off to sleep.
—
I continued training for another 3 weeks before I was able to complete the whole workout routine from the running, stretching to lifting weights with high reps and such. It was the most intense workout that I've ever seen before. 6 Weeks after the raid and with the help of those herbal pills, I was able to complete the routine to the first level. And I was making remarkable progress as I saw it, in gathering that energy I read was called, ‘Atmospheric Energy’ needed to make a cycle mentioned in the Tome. I had attempted a couple of times to cycle the energy around my body in the directed path written out. It only got so far by the time the energy dissipated and I had to gather it all over again. It was frustrating losing that first batch I gathered as it was predominantly made up of the energy I gathered before I purchased the pills. I had to gather the energy again, this time doubling the amount I had before.
Of course I had that dissipated half way through the cycle leaving me more worn out than I had been after taking the pills daily. I hadn’t realised until that moment why it was necessary to work out intensely in preparation for cycling energy around one's own body. It was a surprisingly difficult and draining task to complete. If I didn't have the stamina from the pill remaining and had to rely on myself to reach this level, I would have needed triple the time to achieve what I could today. It was a daunting revelation that made me take this meditation more seriously. I had again built up even more energy in preparation. I did a lighter exercise before this so I would be in better condition. All set, I began to cycle the energy around my sitting body. All attention focused on the task of guiding it around the specified path. It was a seemingly random path, after what I perceived as half way, the energy began to get willful. That had been what made me lose control last time. I was ready for it this time, with all my will, I made it continue around the cycle, like grabbing an electrifying snake, I guided it forcefully down where I desired. I could feel the sweat slowly rolling down my face, paying no attention I forged ahead until it was nearly connected. At that moment, the energy surged, trying to scatter and avoid being connected. I used every bit of my concentration and will on not letting the energy dissipate for a third time at a crucial time like this. I could only imagine the exhaustion that awaited me if I did.
With an ill advised grunt that was loud enough to wake my mother on the other side of my Igloo, I locked the energy in place, securing it to the start of the energy cycle. When I did, a slight glow rippled out with me at the centre causing me to open my eyes and see the igloo as though a bright night light was shining before I realised it was me. It dimmed as soon as it came, letting the darkness envelope the Igloo again.
“Cade? Are, Are you okay?” A sleepy voice that was my mothers voice, sounded out behind the rug. The slight commotion, if you could call it that, having woken her.
“Yeah mum, I'm fine, what about you?” I responded obligatorily even though I knew she was fine.
“I'm good, sweetheart, I woke up when I heard you grunt and then nearly was blinded by that light. What was that, do you know?” Concern colouring her voice as she pulled back the rug to see how I was doing. It didn't take long to reassure her and promise to go back to sleep before she left and I could examine my body while in my sleeping bag. The difference was noticeable as soon as I closed my eyes and looked inward. I could feel more than see the cycle of energy pulsating gently throughout my body. I felt more powerful than I ever had before. It was concerning that my breakthrough made a commotion, so I will need to take that into consideration. Feeling great, I fell asleep.
—
Having spent most spare time training, I did about as much as I was required around the Tribe before heading off alone. I was just glad no one looked astray at me as I was known to do this from time to time.
After a while Sokka came to find me while I was working out near my usual place. He was more despondent than usual but I didn't expect anything less for someone who lost their mother a little over 2 months ago. Having seen some of the workouts I’d been doing, and a new drive to get stronger to protect his family, he wanted to join me. I had thought of sharing the Tome a while back but decided better of it as it was in English and only I could read it. I didn’t trust that the chief wouldn't take it from me to train his troops, leaving myself without a cultivation manual. Nor did I have the materials to make a copy and I wasn't going to waste my points on a book copying kit. It was there, I checked.
I did however get cultivation medical information that proved its usefulness immediately as the encyclopaedia had a chapter on medicine dilution and proportioning. It turned out I had been misusing the pills. While taking one directly had tremendous effects, it was a waste to use it for my level of training. It suggested diluting the pill in a bottle of water to lessen the effect for prolonged usage so as not to waste the medical potential of the pill. Grabbing my water skin, I had done exactly that. This way I could also share it with others without revealing the pills. I'd have to explain where it came from but I had a lie prepared.
When Sokka asked, I gave him half the workout load I started with and had him drink some of what I was referring to as spirit water. It sounded better than pill water. He gave it a solid try, getting further than I did in the routine before he collapsed in exhaustion.
“This- This is difficult, how are you doing this?” Sokka asked through uneven breaths, laying in the snow where he fell.
“I practised everyday since, since that day.. And the exercise isn't all there is to it. I can, Teach you a bit but the results are up to you.” I replied cryptically trying to catch his interest. I wasn't sure he would be able to cultivate, but I sure was willing to try at least.
“Not all there is? You can teach me though, right?” Sokka eagerly jumped on the bait I laid.
“But of course my young padawan, Now sit and listen to this wise old sage.” I sat mimicking an old sage sitting cross legged before him.
“You’re a weird Kid, Cade. But go on, I’m listening.” Sokka laughed and sat cross legged with me. Intent on learning what I had to offer. I always appreciated that about Sokka.
I spent the rest of the afternoon and way back to the Tribe, explaining what I knew about the routine, down to the best breathing techniques to use to improve the results. I even explained the benefits of meditating. As it was a lot, I decided to just have him practise for now. Not sure if he will be able to cultivate but I'll let him have the first chapter of the Cultivation Manuel to see if he has any talent to cultivate. If so, he can keep training with me as long as he can. The benefits are too good to pass up.
Only when the settlement came into view did I stop my explanations on the meditation. He was too worn out to question where I had gotten my knowledge from. I'd have to think up an excuse later, to lay his suspicions. He would be feeling better in the morning when I give him the daily dose of spirit water I'd been taking.
I hadn't been able to make the energy cycle again no matter how hard I tried. Though I had achieved one objective on the Mission, I still had to continue the workout for another 8 months before the first Objective would be complete and I finished that Mission. The quest however, I didn't even know where to start.