Standing outside the Hawthorne and Seahorse Refiner Gate, memories came flooding back to Hunter. Not long ago, he had stood before his own Refiner Gate, gazing up at the Holly and Horse emblems adorning its surface. He stepped back to give He Xiangu space to take it all in, watching as her fingers traced the obsidian outline of the seahorse, embossed in gold and intertwined with Hawthorne leaves and berries.
“I’m ready to enter,” He Xiangu said, finally meeting his gaze. “Any words of advice?”
“Draw on what you already know. You’re an excellent fighter. Expect the unexpected, and if you fail, it’s not the end. You can respawn and try again. Keep going, but take a break when you need it. I’ll see you once you’re well on your way.”
“Good advice. I’m stubborn; there’s little chance of me bowing out early.” He Xiangu grinned, turning her attention back to the seahorse symbol. Her personality was well-suited to the life of a cultivator, and Hunter had no doubt she would succeed in the end.
“I wish you good fortune. I think you make your own.” He bowed his head in farewell. He Xiangu returned the gesture.
Tower: If you have any concerns, you may ask me. Make use of your connection to the cultivation system. As Hunter mentioned, rest when you have used up your chi or plasma. At this stage, your chi pool is very low, so do not strain your core. It is likely you will see each other in the guild room over the coming days during your breaks. And I recommend you visit the library, as there is a cozy cultivation nook there where you can replenish your chi. There are some chi foods in stock in the guild room; please help yourself, and Hunter will restock as soon as he visits the city of Delphare.
He Xiangu nodded, then turned and entered the Refiner Gate. The gate swung open, and she marched in without looking back. The gates closed with a heavy clang.
Hunter rubbed the back of his neck, staring at the gate as if it would reveal secrets about how He Xiangu would fare. Even with the same time limits that he had, he knew there were no guarantees she would successfully complete the gate without straining her low-level core.
“Tower, do you have any predictions on how He Xiangu will progress at the Refiner stage?”
Tower: I sense worry in your voice. He Xiangu has the necessary skills, but her temperament may be her undoing. Time will tell. I am 95% confident she will complete the Refiner Gate.
Hunter’s brow raised. “That seems like good odds. Can you keep me updated on her progress?”
Tower: As long as He Xiangu gives me permission, I will do so. Now, it’s time for you to concentrate on your own progress; there is much to do and little time to do it.
Hunter nodded and made his way back to the guild room, passing the sign for the basement. The chains rattled as before. Hunter was so used to it he leapt over without thinking.
“I see those Muscovy ducks are as feisty as ever!”
Tower: As long as my Earth core is vulnerable, they are on high alert.
Dodging leaping leeches, Hunter made his way back into the guild room. He rubbed his hands together, eager to get started. “So, it’s my turn to enter the Founder Gate.”
Tower: Not yet. Remember I mentioned renovation tasks? They are not going to get done without your intervention.
Hunter held back a sigh. While he had enjoyed crafting weapons and tools in the blacksmith area and cultivating in the library, he hadn’t enjoyed his task with the slimes in the water garden. He wasn’t squeamish; he was just eager to tackle tasks directly related to his own progression. He was also preoccupied with thoughts of visiting his sister and the world outside the tower. His uncle and the other evil bastards lording over the city had gone away. Perhaps it was a bit selfish, given everything the tower had done for him, but by doing these renovation tasks he was helping the tower come back to its former glory.
But that thought made him smile. “What would you like me to do?”
Tower: I need you to increase the power to the water garden regulator.
Hunter’s face fell.
Tower: This wouldn’t be a priority, but now your pet water dragon has increased the need for higher humidity and increased water consumption, which means it has to be pumped in at a faster rate, and that takes more energy.
Hunter could almost still hear the rattling chains from the basement. “Well then, this is the perfect time to pay those Muscovy ducks a visit so I can help fix your Earth core.”
Tower: The whole reason those ducks were acting so feisty when you passed over the trapdoor was because they sensed you and wanted to tear you limb from limb. Our bond is not strong enough yet for them to see you as a natural extension of me. Not to mention, you'd be flamed alive as soon as you set foot anywhere near my Earth core.
“So that’s a strong no then.”
Tower: I’m afraid so.
“So what’s the alternative? I don’t know any sources powerful enough to gather near the tower. Do you have any suggestions?”
Tower: Yes, I do, of course. How good of a swimmer are you?
Hunter paled. Memories of close encounters with sharks and falling from great heights into the sea came flooding back. Despite that, he was a good swimmer, just not eager to go back in the water anytime soon.
Tower: It will only be a short excursion for a clam.
“I’ve had plenty of experience, as far as I know. Clams about that size take some time to reach, but I can hold my breath for a few minutes, thanks to my cultivation. I’m not invincible.”
Tower: There is a rare giant clam that has developed a chi pearl inside its shell, all thanks to its location next to my underwater foundations. I allowed it to cultivate chi, and it has progressed much quicker than I expected.
Hunter scratched his jaw. “My concern still stands, how do I reach it before I run out of breath? And as strong as I am, how do I open the shell to get the pearl?”
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Tower: There is a network of caves and water shoots that lead from my base to where the clam is located. You only need to follow the water shoot, I will ensure there is no water by placing a chi barrier. Once you leave the chute, it will be a short distance to the clam and...
A crate appeared on the ground.
Tower: I have the tool you can use to coax the clam open.
Hunter peered inside and removed what looked like a large shovel but with a flat head. It wasn’t very sharp but it could probably pry open the shell.
Tower: See, the rune. It makes it nearly indestructible. It’s not suited as a weapon but is perfect for what you need to do.
Hunter put it in his inventory and took a moment to check that all his items had been returned now that he was back in the tower. It included the Night Mare totem. She would be good for flying in the skies, but for this task, he’d have to rely on his own skills, swimming, and brute force strength.
“Tell me where to go and let’s get this over and done with.”
Tower: Return to the corridor and find the door with the whirlpool emblem and inscription “Gateway to the Brine.” Follow the path inside. I will make sure it is lit further when you go down. It may be a little slippery with residual water. I will use wind and fire chi to dry the floor as much as possible.
“Thanks, Tower. I appreciate your help.”
Hunter helped himself to a bite to eat, replenishing his stores, knowing he’d need to be in top form to take on a mighty clam.
At least he wouldn’t encounter any sharks this time.
It wasn’t long before Hunter found himself outside the door, which opened with a rusty creak like itself had been brined. True to his word, the tower lit the way with Fire chi stones protruding from its wall. He loosened the collar of his tunic as the heat rose the further he went. Leaving the tower confines, he noticed the damp rock face where a natural tunnel network of sea caves connected with the tower. Walls were covered in moisture, and there was a drip-dripping sound.
Inhaling, the thick, humid air made it difficult to breathe. It wasn’t long before he noticed the cracks growing larger and more frequent, and the thrum of chi in the air weighed heavily on him. If he hadn’t reached Peak Star Refiner, he wouldn’t have made it this far, given how high the ambient chi was.
“Tower, how much further?” Hunter asked, pointing at the cracks. “It looks like this place is going to crumble apart. It seems only your chi shield is holding it together.”
There was no answer from the tower.
Had it something to do with the barrier or the high levels of chi? He tried again but still no answer. He kept going until the floor nearly crumbled beneath him, but the chi barrier stopped him from falling into the watery depths where the tunnel led.
It took a moment, but Hunter soon realized what had happened: down below were chunks of rock where the tunnel must have collapsed. It probably had something to do with the interference by the tower heating and drying it out. Feeding chi into his eyes, he could make out the glint of a white shell.
Judging the distance, if Hunter could make his way through the barrier and into the water, he might reach the clam, holding his breath. He searched his inventory and took out the shovel blade. It was heavy and would help him sink faster.
Try as he might, he couldn’t force his way through the chi barrier. Focusing on his core, he sent chi through his limbs and activated the Dust Storm Whip. His chi weapon crashed into the barrier, forming a small opening.
Hunter took a chi-filled breath and dove right in, letting the blade weigh him down. As Hunter plunged into the icy depths, guided only by the faint light filtering through the water above and the heavy weight of the shovel blade pulling him downward, his senses heightened. Each shadow that flickered in the murky waters sent a jolt of adrenaline through him. His eyes darted, searching for the glint of the clam's shell.
Finally, he spotted the giant clam resting on the seabed, its shell glistening with a strange luminescence. Hunter's heart thudded in his chest as he approached, his movements slow and deliberate to avoid startling the creature. But as he neared the clam, a sudden, sharp pain struck his side. Twisting around, he saw nothing but a swirl of sand and silt. His mind raced—had he been hit by debris, or was there something else lurking in the shadows?
Then, out of the gloom, a massive shape emerged, its sleek, gray form unmistakable. A tiger shark, its dark eyes lifeless pits of hunger, cruised silently towards him. Hunter's blood turned cold. The shark moved with a graceful, terrifying precision, its muscular body undulating with power through the water.
Hunter knew he couldn't outrun the shark; his only hope was to fend it off. He gripped the shovel blade tight, positioning it between him and the approaching predator. The shark circled, its dorsal fin slicing through the water like a knife. Hunter rotated with it, keeping the makeshift weapon aimed at the shark’s gaping maw.
The shark lunged.
Hunter thrust the flat of the shovel forward, catching the beast on the snout. The impact reverberated up his arms, nearly wrenching the tool from his grasp. The shark recoiled, thrashing wildly, its tail whipping through the water and sending a powerful current that nearly knocked Hunter off balance.
For a moment, the shark seemed to reconsider, its eyes rolling in its head as it assessed its prey. But then, with a surge of ferocity, it charged again, faster and more aggressive. Hunter braced himself, angling the shovel to deflect the shark's powerful jaws. Metal clanged against teeth as the shark bit down on the shovel blade, its teeth scraping along the metal with a horrifying screech.
Hunter pushed back with all his might, chi energy coursing through his limbs, amplifying his strength. The shark's jaws snapped shut inches from his face, the sound ominously echoing in the underwater silence. Using the shovel as leverage, Hunter shoved the shark aside, but the creature was relentless. It circled back, preparing for another strike.
Hunter kicked hard against edge of a underground rocky wall to reach the surface. Knowing he couldn't keep this up much longer, Hunter glanced at the clam.
It was now or never.
He took a deep, steadying breath—filling his lungs with chi-enhanced air—and dove towards the clam. The shark, sensing the movement, darted after him with increased speed.
Hunter reached the clam just as it began to open, perhaps sensing the disturbance. He plunged his hand inside, searching frantically for the pearl. Behind him, the water churned as the shark closed in, its massive body cutting through the water with lethal intent.
With a triumphant grasp, Hunter's fingers closed around the smooth, cold surface of the chi pearl. He yanked it free just as the shark bore down on him. Twisting away, he felt the brush of rough skin against his leg, the shark's teeth missing him by mere inches.
Heart pounding, Hunter kicked upwards, propelling himself towards the opening in the chi barrier as the clam snapped shut, catching the edge of his tunic.
In a desperate bid for freedom, Hunter tore at the fabric, ripping it to free himself. He burst through the water's surface, gasping for air, the pearl clutched tightly in his hand. He barely made it back through the hole in the barrier when he felt the shark's snapping jaws just behind him. Gasping in great lungfuls of air, he was never so glad to be back on dry land.
Dripping wet, he staggered back to where the tunnel met the opening in the tower.
Tower: What happened to your tunic?
Hunter raised his voice, a mix of frustration and adrenaline fueling his words. "There was a shark, and guess what? It was hungry. I had to improvise."
Tower: That’s a great way to learn, and challenges like these push you to progress faster. It's good news all around. I thought I saw a bruise on your ribs; you might want to have that looked at, but otherwise, you seem unharmed.
Hunter raised a brow at that, keeping his thoughts to himself. It felt more like a near-death encounter.
He gritted his teeth. Something he’d have to get used to as the first initiate of the tower.
Seeking consolation, he thought about what he’d like to do next. “I think given what happened, it’s time to visit the city. I need to buy a new tunic.”
The tower remained silent. Hunter didn’t take it as a good sign.
“Are you there, tower?”
Tower: About that, there are some developments since your last visit.
Hunter did not like the sound of that at all.