The main “prize” at this event was the central geyser, which could not only spew out Qi but also suck it back in. Thanks to this, cultivators at the Qi Condensation Stage [1] and the Foundation Establishment Stage [2] could enter the “ancient Qi dimension” where all the geyser’s stores of unleashed Qi were located, along with piles of priceless treasures. Because of the way the geyser’s energy reacted to cultivators’ Qi, only those at or below the tenth level of Foundation Establishment (20) could enter that world. Anyone more powerful would simply be “spat” back out.
Hence, our task was supposed to be treasure-hunting outside, plus the chance to get into that mysterious dimension and loot whatever we could, then carry it all away safely. The trouble was, enemies were also wide awake, gladly snatching up anything not nailed down and mercilessly killing anyone who looked like easy prey. Therefore, the main burden fell on cultivators of the higher levels of the Foundation Establishment Stage [2], while those at Qi Condensation [1] were viewed mostly as porters and servants. In fact, people typically preferred not to let Qi Condensation cultivators into the hidden dimension at all, since they had virtually no chance of surviving there.
Matters were further complicated by the fact that no one knew in advance where the next geyser would erupt. It could burst out in the middle of the lake, or it could break through at the top of a hill. So cultivators had to spread out evenly across the entire central area, hoping they could slip into the passage before it closed.
While this riveting lecture was under way, the very “Heavenly Ark” that O Gee Zer had told us about flew past. Cultivators were crammed into it like factory workers into an early-morning Japanese subway trains in rush hours. Seeing how ‘comfortable’ travel was in that prestigious mode of transportation, I was glad to be flying in the open air and in comfort.
“I’m not so eager to earn the privilege of riding on that ark anymore” - I remarked, observing the faces squashed against the porthole window.
“But they’ll arrive in a couple of hours, while we’ll only make it by tomorrow morning” - our transporter ‘cheered’ me up. - “There’s also a chance we’ll be late and unable to enter the ancient Qi dimension. Though with your level, it’s better not to dwell on that. Even just being near an erupting geyser can raise your cultivation by one or two levels.”
“Is it true that you can only get inside the geyser’s central column right when it first starts erupting?” - one of the disciples asked.
“Yes. That’s exactly why it’s so important to arrive at Geyser Valley right at the start. The luckiest ones will get to stay in the geyser for all three days that it’s erupting. History knows of instances where cultivators advanced three, or even four, levels in that time.”
Everyone breathed a dreamy sigh, imagining how great it would be to shoot up through the levels for free, without endless meditation or spending one’s last resources on insanely expensive pills.
Just as De Sad had promised, we arrived at our destination the next morning. I still couldn’t understand why they didn’t use the “Heavenly Ark” to make several trips and transport everyone in decent conditions. Most likely, it was a question of that vehicle’s status or a limitation on its operational resources.
No sooner had we landed than De Sad dropped us off at the “landing pad” and flew away, clearly eager to reach one of the geysers as quickly as possible. Another local manager came over to us and started sorting the arrivals into small groups, assigning each one some escorts.
“You’ve arrived just in time” - he informed us. - “The geysers are going to erupt in half an hour. You’ll all be assigned to teams now, and you must listen to your leader. And remember this: the central spiritual geyser erupts four times. The first time, you can break in and enter the ancient Qi realm. On each of the subsequent eruptions, you can use it to leave that realm. If you don’t use that final fourth eruption, you’ll be stuck inside for ten years. Of course, there’ve been cases where cultivators managed to survive under those conditions, but you’d be better off not even thinking about it. That’s all — off you go.”
All disciples were herded off in various directions, and I was left standing there like an idiot.
“Are you Tan Ji Tao?” - another local official approached me.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Yes.”
“Come with me. You’re being put in charge of a group of Inner Court disciples. Elders are really hoping not to lose their new grandmaster alchemist, so the disciples will cover you if you get attacked.”
I didn’t bother voicing my doubts about who would be covering whom, because by then we’d arrived.
“This is Tan Ji Tao, a grandmaster alchemist” - I was introduced to nine cultivators with cultivation levels ranging from the seventh (17) to the tenth (20) stage of Foundation Establishment [2].
Immediately after that, our “management” disappeared, leaving us to figure things out on our own.
“Since I have the highest cultivation level, I’ll be leading this group” - announced a guy of about twenty, looking at me arrogantly. I didn’t waste words, just drove my club into his gut, folding him in half and sending him flying straight into the nearest tree.
“Since I’m the strongest here, you’ll listen to me” - I declared my claim to leadership. - “Besides, my status is way higher than yours, so if you don’t obey, I won’t hesitate to punish you.”
They all gawked at me, then at the “leader” who was now puking his guts out. From that moment on, my alpha status was firmly fixed in their minds. There were a couple of quite attractive girls in the group, but for now I decided not to focus on that. The Qi geysers awaited, and time was short.
“Let’s head out.” - I waved my hand. Everyone took to the skies while I stayed on the ground. - “Do something like that again, and I’ll beat all of you to death” - I snarled, leaping through the air to catch up to my gaping subordinates. - “You, carry me until you have fatigue” - I ordered one of the disciples.
He gave me a condescending look and tried to lift me with his Qi. Only I happened to be holding Skull Crusher at that moment, so I weighed close to ten tons. The cultivator, at the eighth (18) level of Foundation Establishment, couldn’t handle that load. As soon as I dispelled the support under my feet, he plummeted down with me like a dive-bomber.
“Weakling!” - I muttered once my “porter” crashed into the ground and sank about a meter deep. He never realized why I’d suddenly become so heavy, so he didn’t even think to let go. - “Hey, all of you, try lifting me” - I ordered my still-stunned subordinates again.
They gathered together, coordinated their efforts, and began lifting me into the air. They managed to take off, but all they could think about was how to stay in sky and avoid crashing. With each passing second, their fear of me grew, because people tend to fear what they can’t understand. After all, they’d seen me casually hopping through the air just a minute earlier.
“Let’s head that way” - I said, pointing in one direction while scanning the surroundings with my psionics.
“Geyser Valley is in the other direction” - one of my “bodyguards” enlightened me.
“Which way is that?” - I asked.
“Over there.” – he showed opposite direction.
“All right, then we’ll fly that way. And if that’s the wrong direction, I’ll beat all the crap out of you and then make you eat it” - I threatened in a cold tone, which made not only our ‘Ivan Susanin’ of a guide but everyone else break out in a sweat.
At last, I could sense the area within a couple of dozen kilometers. It was still a rough perception, but that was enough for now. Ahead of us, I could already feel thin streams of Qi shooting up from underground, growing stronger by the second.
“By the way, you’ve all heard my name, but I don’t know yours. How should I address you?”
In response, I got another puzzled silence. I really couldn’t figure these cultivators out.
“All right, then I’ll call you by numbers. You’ll be Number One” - I pointed to the strongest cultivator present, at the tenth (20) level of Foundation Establishment [2]. - “You’re Number Two, Three, Four…”
“My name is Ryu Dzu Bei!” - Number One practically shouted.
“Too late. I’ve already assigned you your combat titles. Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine. Or would you like to dispute a grandmaster alchemist’s order?” - I asked, suggestively twirling my club. No one volunteered to break the chain of command. - “You can call me Boss, got it?”
“Yes, Boss” - the disciples answered in unison after a short pause.
“Excellent.”
I secured my club with protective barriers, and my porters exhaled in relief at the reduced weight. I then took off my gold-embroidered grandmaster’s robe and remained in my ordinary Outer Court disciple’s clothes. Now no one would recognize me as someone important, and in the event of a fight, I’d have the advantage of surprise. And my psionic senses were already telling me that a fight was inevitable.
“Does anyone know how to use this thing?” - I asked, taking a trophy artifact out of my ring.
“That’s a Spiritual Compass!” - Number One exclaimed. - “Only members of the Radiant Fingers sect can use them.”
“What do you know about how it works?” - I asked the only “expert” in the group.
“Well… these rings pick up Qi currents, then a pointer forms inside, showing the direction to the desired target. But without knowing the secret technique of the… Radiant… Fingers…”
While Number One was trying to convince me that using it was impossible, I started scanning the compass with my psionics, simultaneously sending my Qi into it in diagnostic mode. I quickly discovered a simple seal inside that controlled the movement of the rings and the appearance of the glowing pointer in the center of the artifact. The rings spun, tuning in to Qi with rather unusual characteristics. Through my psionic sense, I felt how this item let me “peek” into the astral plane to find something corresponding to my requirements.