The Hindel were nothing if not enthusiastic about this new method of travel. Their whoops of delight and aerial acrobatics only became more daring and boisterous during our journey to the Sect. Even the one time their noise attracted the attention of a Griffin, they simply dispatched the creature and continued to celebrate.
I didn't help as they fought with the Griffin, watching instead, hoping to gain some understanding of how they coordinated their attacks. The battle was over too soon for me to gain much; the only thing of note I managed to glean was that the pod acted as one.
The matrix of Qi that linked the individual Hindel into a whole was centered around Baamai. The pulses of commands that resonated along something similar to a hive mind were too fast to process.
At least until I had a chance to meditate.
One of the benefits of having reached the Qi Gathering Realm was the photographic memory and eidetic recall I had gained. I would be able to replay their attack and defense against the Giffin as often as I needed to gain understanding.
Activating the [Dao of Movement] would allow me to dissect their movements in slow motion if needed. This type of deconstruction and review of action and reaction would enable me to gain at least initial enlightenment into their activities. It was something I would come to rely on to further the perfection of my martial techniques.
Now that I was aware of the ability. Elder Shadow had been instrumental in training and refining my martial arts, but he had been negligent in rounding out my knowledge. I had reached the Qi Gathering Realm, but what that exactly meant had been left for me to figure out.
Sometimes, I lamented that Elder Cix had been left behind at Flowing Water Sect.
"Welcome to Four Element Sect, Alpha," the Patriarch said once everyone had landed near the villa that abutted the mountain. "I will arrange for rooms where you and your people can freshen up. In the meantime, feel free to explore the Sect. Outer Sect members are willing to stand as a tour guide if you'd like."
"Would you mind if we examine the lake?" Baamai asked before the Alpha could reply.
"Her question might seem rude, but we would appreciate it if you would allow us that liberty," the Alpha agreed. "There is something about the water element here, something resonating from the lake that calls to us."
"A water treasure?" Wu Chen wondered.
"Perhaps," the Alpha admitted. "It's also possible the harmony between the four elements that have grown here naturally has changed the water element itself.
"I give my word as Alpha that whatever we discover will be shared with Four Element Sect."
"Jai, accompany the Alpha," the Patriarch ordered me. "Make sure she or any of the Hindel do not come to any harm. You can contact me using the communication token if you need help," the Patriarch replied, unwilling to deny the Hindel, also reluctant to see them harmed in her territory.
Permission granted and orders received, the Alpha, her pod, and I dove into the volcanic crater lake. The water was colder than either the Hindel or I preferred, but our ability to cycle Qi allowed us to ignore the temperature. It was more inconvenient than anything else.
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I followed behind, not sure what they were looking for. The water seemed like any other body of water to me, but the Hindel's perception of what was normal and their ability to perceive a difference made sense for creatures born of water.
The Hindel were methodical in their search. The Alpha's consort instructed the pod into formation; each member was assigned a grid pattern to reduce overlap. The search was conducted efficiently. Key individuals were selected to act as the boundary, determine the grid framework's position, and the location and area to be searched.
They were mapping the lake as they progressed, recording the difference in water solubility, temperature, and Ph. The map they were creating was a layered three-dimensional construct that the Alpha maintained. As we descended or moved laterally, the map would be updated.
The mapping feature I possessed was similar, the one that I had gained after bonding with Storm more holistic than methodical. The Alpha used color to distinguish variables; her construct comprised striations and water layers that were reminiscent of the same patterns found in layers of earth and stone.
"We investigate the lake's perimeter before diving deeper," Alpha explained as I followed. "This helps us understand the forces at work to replenish water, contain it, and filter it for freshness and impurities.
"This technique is similar to what we would do if we were planning on building a permanent structure on the ocean floor. You need to understand your environment before you go about changing it.
"The ramifications of acting and destroying an eco-system you failed to account for might have unforeseen consequences."
"There is something different about how you map," I pointed out. "Something beyond what I am able to emulate."
"We combine sound elements combining sonar with Qi perception," Alpha explained. "It gives us a more detailed glimpse at the surrounding area. The sound we project is what you hear as whale song. It adds dimensionality to our world. One that allows us a spherical view of our surroundings from the very moment we are born.
"I’ve noticed that Elves tend to have tunnel vision, even those Elves that have higher Realms. They seem to focus only on what is in front of them.”
“Probably because we spend the first few decades of our lives not being able to see the world around us,” I agreed. “Our actions as children are focused on what is in front of us. Only when a sound or a flicker of light in the peripheral of our vision grabs our attention, do we consider anything else.”
“You approach negotiations in the same manner,” the Alpha replied. “Elves are capable of taking the long view, you need to be since you live so long, but you seldom consider other points of view.
“I’m not sure if it is a lack of empathy, an inherent failing of your race, or something you’ve learned to protect yourself from the world around you without the benefit of sonar and Qi perception.”
The Hindel were efficient in mapping the area, and it wasn’t long before we started diving deeper. Strangely, instead of a lack of light, the deeper we swam, the more light illuminated the surrounding water.
The lake had formed in a volcanic crater, so I first thought the light was from a lava flow. But the surrounding water was getting colder, not warmer, and there were none of the gases being released that happened when lava and water combined.
My understanding of geology and the earth was limited; I wasn’t even sure lava emitted light this deep and within this large a body of water; I would have to discuss that with someone later if I wanted to know.
We had gotten close enough that my perception could make sense of what was going on. The lake opened onto another shore. This opening might be part of the rift that had opened on my land—an area of planar intersection that was merging two worlds.
It was like a cyst, an intersection of contamination that had settled into place—a fold in space that allowed the joining of two worlds.
The planet’s expansion was why mapping and claiming the world was so complicated. These mystic folds between worlds were scattered across the recess of our planet. New territories that might have you moving thousands of miles between one familiar landmark and the next.
The Sect would have to be informed; it might mean the Rift that had formed on my land would be ignored as the cultivators focused their attention on this location. But that couldn’t be helped.
That might work to my advantage.
I had never informed the Sect or Elder Shadow about the Hindel’s report that a Mystic Realm was about to open near the rift. If the people inside the Rift I had discovered and those detailed to the area were re-assigned or shifted their interest, it would be easier to hide the Mystic Realm when it opened.