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Chapter 8: "Under Pressure."

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Shae passed the rest of the night mainly by reading through the various practices. Reading had always kept her awake and it let her pass the time easily until morning. She first found the single line in Silent Stretching Senses that suggested it would affect her other senses.

> You'll find the first steps stretching all your senses, and slightly amplifying their sensitivity.

The first steps didn't involve qi use, so it was up to the reader to intuit that qi use would amplify all the senses further. Only with hindsight was it clear, anyone could make that mistake once. I'll have to read the rest much more diligently.

She did spend more time meditating with Silent Stretching, and she used the extra pain sensitivity to run more qi through injured areas to speed healing. Still not sure if this is efficient, but better than nothing. Her calm divine qi would soothe her pain, but she didn't freely throw that around as it wasn't replaceable. She had only used it mixed with her personal qi for her stomach meridian as that seemed more important.

She was alerted to the morning by the sun warming her skin. Then her ears perked up at other cultivators moving around. This led to her quickly backing out of the stretching practice so there wasn't another incident.

A group of civilians were dragging a small cart to a long table set up near the edge of the marked off sect area. She hadn't noticed the small flags in the night, but now saw they marked the area off. It reached out about a hundred and fifty paces from the edge of the geyser's lake.

The lake itself looked serene and beautiful in the morning rays. Steam rose up, denser near the cultivators, and caught the light. Shae kept seeing the edge of a rainbow from the corner of her eye, but it was always gone when she looked for it.

The civilians from the caravan were setting out a buffet of breakfast foods. Several of the meditating cultivators had stopped to line up. Two stepped up to help out with the menial task.

Shae's stomach turned at the thought of food. Both from the discomfort still remaining after the spicy fire qi, and simple hunger. Hmm, I wonder if there will be other consequences from that... Ugh, gross. Let's hope not. She wondered if she could ask Master Long for something to make her future less unpleasant; it was his fault after all.

She didn't see the old man but quickly spotted Elder Bai passing nearby her position.

"Pleasant morning, Miss Shae."

"It is, Elder Bai. I had a slight question." She tilted her head towards the buffet.

"Ah, I suppose you don't know the whole plan." He nodded to himself. "We plan to stay another full day and night, the area is great for new cultivators. The caravan will move ahead then we will catch up near the next town. Guren Town, I believe it's called."

"Uh, that's... Wait, I thought you all were acting as guards for the caravan?"

"Hmm? Oh, so why are we abandoning it? Heh heh." He shook his head. "There's more danger here, right around this geyser than the next fifty Li out. And we brought the guard change, so will send those relieved with the caravan."

"Here? What's dangerous here?"

"Spirit beasts love to snack on cultivators. Anything above mortal, really. Here there are so many just sitting around, ignoring their environment to focus on cultivation. So we must guard against ambushes. Though, just having the guards around does the trick." He paused to let her scan the area. "Do take this as a lesson. Never cultivate alone in the wild, it will go poorly for you."

She swallowed, "Right. Thank you for the lesson." She offered a bow.

"Was there anything else? A question about forming a core or something else beyond you that will make a scene."

She frowned at him, then flattened her expression. "I was here for something else but since you prodded. I am actually more qualified for core formation than most as I have already survived a tribulation."

"Eh?"

"Now, my real question: may I eat from the buffet? And could you recommend something to counter that spiteful fire qi in Long's Bao."

"Eh?" He took a full two breaths while staring at her with his mouth slightly agape. Finally clearing this throat, "Ahem. Well yes, we can easily spare food for one more. For the Bao, if you are not writhing in pain, then you have fought it off. But stay away from more spice, and maybe just lighter foods for this morning. You might know what you will handle better than my guesses."

"Thank you, Elder Bai." She bowed.

His qi swept over her. "The Staff Sergeant really spoiled you with that sword. Take care, Miss Heavenly Shae." He nearly whispered the title.

She smiled wide anyway and set off for the buffet.

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Shae snacked on the variety of foods prepared for the sect cultivators. It wasn't particularly fancy, but was probably the best of what the caravan had to offer, and was definitely better than her own trail rations.

She chatted with Scribe Bai as they ate, taking advantage of his freely shared knowledge of the sect.

"So these classes, is it one mandatory track, or do we get to make selections?"

"Nobles always get to make selections for the first year, they always arrive with most of the early training complete, some even start right in on the second or third year classes."

"And the peasants have to catch up?"

"All of the less fortunate. Merchants and minor nobles can't get the more specific cultivator training, some just challenge the simplest classes."

"Oh challenges, that's handy. I could probably do that, at least for reading and writing. How advanced are the first year classes?"

Bai froze his chewing to stare at the girl. "So arrogant. Be careful in how you ask for a challenge. Some will take it as open ended."

"Wha-? They'll get petty at us wanting to skip a class we don't need?"

"More students now means less work for them later, when their cultivation is higher. The teachers are paid for it, just in sect comp, but still."

"Comp? I think someone else mentioned that too."

"Compensation. But it is just an internal monetary system. Many of my associates get a lot of work balancing the books, as they say."

"Ah, accountants. Yes you would need a few."

"Why do you know that word?" He squinted at her.

"Um. Read it in a book. Probably."

"And you understood its exact meaning?"

"With context clues, yes... ?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Well if you're really reading at that level, you probably could challenge the language class."

"Oh! That's good to hear. Though, it does seem like a high bar for children that hardly know how to read their own name."

"It is, but gathering all the information from a technique you are learning is vitally important. Just a simple oversight, like a practice affecting your senses, can cost you your life."

Shae dipped her head, and resisted a blush, or hoped she did. "Right, of course, the first mistake would be a valuable lesson. And is less likely to be deadly at my level."

"Mhmm." He nodded.

"Oh look, the geyser is starting."

"A bit of a boil is hardly enough."

"Oh, sure. It's been going a while, though." She looked over at where Bai had been working. "Is all your stuff still out?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Ugh. Yes. Thank you." He walked off, taking several bizarrely long strides that covered more ground than they should have.

Shae watched as more cultivators noticed the lake and scrambled to get back into their meditation. Most just dropped to a seated position where they stood.

Master Long appeared near the food tables as they cleared, not suddenly, just with impeccable timing. Grabbing a plate and filling it as he glanced over at the geyser every few breaths. Shae looked at her own scoured plate and quickly stepped over to get seconds.

"Ah, Miss Shae. Pleasant morning."

"It is, Master Long."

"You're choosing food over the wonders of the geyser, I see."

"Little wonders both. But I think I prefer to stay dry this morning."

"Am I that obvious?"

"When there is no one else around to do it, yes."

"I could let some through, you probably need a wash."

"So direct, yet blunt. Is that a swordsman thing?"

"I should hope not. We'd be out of work fast."

Shae niffed at her travel robes. "You might be correct. Though, I'd bet I can bathe over at the caravan side."

"True, but you really should stay here."

"For the food? Are these dumplings your doing?"

"Ah, yes, well spotted, do try them, they are excellent. I made them this morning, as an apology for the unfortunate mix up yesterday."

"Hmm, thank you. Are these spicy as well?"

"They are completely mortal fare, I assure you. But the recipe does call for some heat, yes."

"Still, wouldn't that further upset my newly tender stomach? Surely you have something more soothing?"

"Ah.. well. That is a fair point. I would still... hmm, no you'd best not. Unless we have a healer clear you first. My sincere apologies, Miss Shae, I will make it up to you."

"And such a shame, the Bao were quite delicious. Alas I fear my memory of them is tainted by how they-"

"Yes, yes, I've apologized. Don't be greedy!" He snapped his chopsticks in her direction.

She could only smirk. When he looked away, she grabbed a dumpling anyway.

A call rang out across the lake and the geyser erupted. Shae's smile held throughout, changing from the teasing smugness to joy at seeing a natural wonder at work.

Up close the fury of the steam and water pressure was the focus of the show. Mist rushed out in every direction and instantly filled the sky with clouds and rain.

Master Long did something qi related and the rain missed the table of food, save for a few drops hitting Shae's upturned face. Even that didn't spoil her mood.

She mumbled about something else, "Ahh, qi pressure? I should have expected that." It felt to be around meridian cleansing. A similar strength to what Cultivator Chen had challenged her with in Minlin City, and still too weak to slow her down.

"Quite revelatory, isn't it?" Master Long smiled wide and looked expectantly at her, then across at the meditating cultivators.

Gradually, golden beams of light began to cut through the steam and mist. Enlightenments from several of the seated cultivators.

Shae sighed. "Is it just that simple for them?"

"Simple?" He shook his head. "Don't spoil the mood, girl."

"Hmm." She frowned at herself, I think Captain Hua's attitude rubbed off on me.

Shae finished her second plate of breakfast snacks. Looking out over the area, she saw the steam and mist were starting to clear. "I think I'll head over to the caravan for that bath you suggested."

"Hmm? Oh, no need, we can set one up here." Long offered.

"Not just for me. I've other business there too. Should have stopped there first last night. Probably just slept there too, honestly, I'm going to be- well, you don't need my complaints or itinerary."

"If you insist I'll send a guard with you. You've met Guard Tu, yes."

"I did, is that really needed? Can't be that dangerous crossing a road."

He waved a hand. "It's fine, his shift is ending, he might need to go anyway."

She shrugged.

A short conversation later and they were walking away from the geyser.

"Pleasant Morning, Heavenly Zhi."

"It is, Senior Tu."

"Ah, if you don't mind, Guard Tu while I'm on duty."

"Long said you just got off?"

"Err, well, this is Master Long's request, so... and I just prefer it."

"Very well, Guard Tu, I don't mind. Now, if you don't mind, I've taken a liking to Wise Shae."

"Hmm, you don't seem like the monk type?"

"True, but I made a few monk friends, and they liked to use it, so."

"Still, Heavenly is quite the impressive title, do you dislike it?"

"No, not as much as I dislike Fairy. For myself I mean, others may enjoy it as they like. Heavenly just seems so... pomp- err, well, it's just too much, isn't it?"

Guard Tu shrugged, "Seems fine to me. Though you are quite new. It is quite the auspicious title for one so young."

"Ah, there. Auspicious... that's... hmmm... well, I'm not sure if that is the right word either."

"I think it means something that is quite important, very favorable and promising."

"Thank you Guard Tu, but I did know what it meant."

"Oh! Well done then, I only figured it out this year, before that I was running on context alone."

"Hmm, yes, I suppose I was the same when I began reading."

They crossed the road about this time.

"Already a reader! And if I'm not mistaken, you're no noble or gold-blood."

"Gold blood? Meaning wealthy? No, my family were farmers, not abysmally poor, but no merchants or ministers."

"You must have put in quite a few hours of study then. Um, If I may, abysmally?"

"Like severely. From abyss, which is like a large hole or crevice, like a bottomless chasm or pit. So it works well for intensifying negatives."

"Ah... that was quite clearly explained. Thank you, Wise Shae." He took a moment to stop and offer her a bow.

She returned it out of politeness. "Guard Tu. I must ask. Have you been pressuring me with your qi this whole walk?"

"Err, my apologies, Miss. But it's an order from Master Long."

"And did he say why you were to do this?"

"Well, not directly."

"But you still know why."

"Yes, Miss."

She waited with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm impressed, you are handling it quite well, Miss."

"But why! Guard Tu," she snapped out while trying to keep her voice level.

"Right, yes. Well I don't know the specifics. Not how it works, really. But all sect cultivators, when they arrive at the Jian Quan for the first time, must stay there a full day, more is better. Something to do with getting used to the pressure."

"So, it's a type of tempering."

"Ah, yep, that's it. You've heard of it?"

"I've completed it, which Master Long knows, because Bai told him yesterday."

"Err, completed? Didn't know you could do that."

"The goal is to make our bodies more accustomed to qi pressure, yes?"

He nodded.

"Right, if you are only here for that... Well, I don't mind if you follow a bit, but you can stop wasting all your effort. I appreciate the gesture, from you and Master Long. Yet it does nothing for me."

"Alright, Miss Shae, I would stop but Master's orders... he's a pleasant Master, but I'd rather not mess this up."

"Okay." She nodded, an unrelated twitch affecting her left eye. "And you're sure he said to apply qi pressure to me? It didn't sound like that when he asked you to accompany me."

"Right, yes, it wouldn't. Rules are that we don't really tell all the new recruits. They can get themselves into trouble if they think extra pressure is good for them. So, we just accompany them in the rare event they need to leave."

She sighed. "That makes sense." Then tilted her head and frowned. "Are you concerned that I'm lying or something?"

"Uh, err, not as such, you are the Heavenly Zhi, but it wouldn't be the first time someone was too uncomfortable and wanted a break from it."

She huffed, "So lets say, I was lying, then I would be affected by stronger pressure, yes?"

"Mhm, yep." He nodded.

"So, how strong, high cleansing or right into meridian cleansing? What should stop me from moving?"

"Err low foundation, that's meridian cleansing as you say. Low foundation should slow you down at least. Upper or peak foundation could freeze you up, and you might topple."

"I've fallen much further than my own height before. I'll be fine taking a small spill. So, you're nearing peak, or at it? And you've probably practiced pressure exercises, yes? So, let's have a test, you hit me with as much pressure as you can, and I'll walk away. Then you can go tell Master Long I didn't need incidental tempering."

"I'd rather not hurt you, Miss Wise Shae. I can reach low core pressures, Elders confirmed it."

"I'll be fine, trust me. Or you can trust me more and just drop the pressure and enjoy the rest of the walk with me?"

He cleared his throat. "Right, well, I'll have to count this as fair warning then. And I do apologize, but I have to stick to the letter of my orders, miss." He nodded a question.

Where in your orders lets you crush the person you're supposed to be with? She nodded as a ready signal and his qi pressure swung into overdrive. Not bad Tu, I expected you to hold back. She waited a breath or two, to see if the pressure would waver, but Tu held it strong. "Well, done. That might be stronger than Elder Ngoc's. For the tempering, Elder Bai can confirm it as well, he knows where I was before Minlin City. Good day, Guard Tu." She bowed and walked away.

The qi pressure only dragged at her a little. She kept her back straight and did her best to not show it.

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