"This is as far as I go. May the heavens bless your trials, Junior."

"Administrator Zhao, please accept Junior's immense gratitude. I cannot express how much I value Senior's assistance."

Beaming, he nodded toward Lance before turning away, merging with the crowd behind.

Lance spun toward Karma, extending him a Jade Slip.

"It was nice meeting you, friend. Alas, duty calls."

"You as well."

Clasping his hands in farewell, Lance then disappeared through the stone gate.

Left alone, Karma realized he'd yet to plot his next steps. Shrugging, he thought, I'll enter the city first. Mmm, a hot cup of tea wouldn't hurt.

**

In a dimly lit hall illuminated by sparse candles, two men sat face-to-face.

"Senior Zhao from the Abyssal Crow Sect dropped by."

"And?"

"He was escorting a Junior; advancement trial, standard affair."

"Analysis."

"The relationship with Senior Zhao remains stable."

"The child?"

"Nothing notable. But, that can mean many things. I've arranged level two monitoring. I've recorded them as 'neutral interest.'"

"What of the attack? Has it been handled?"

"Three divinations, two informant agencies, and one bounty. No leads so far."

"Your evaluation: orange zone, four points above red. Dismissed."

"Yes, father."

**

Mid-way between the Abyssal Crow Sect and the Solaris Trading Capital, Administrator Zhao landed on a mountain peak.

Calm as death, he strode to the cliff's edge, hands folded behind his back.

Inhaling sharply, he screamed.

And screamed.

And screamed some more.

Boarding his flying sword, Administrator Zhao's features reverted to their usual apathy.

"If I ever hear 'Big Bro Zhao' from that Junior's mouth, I will rip him in half."

**

Karma sneezed, snorting tea out of his nose.

Grabbing a napkin, he sheepishly avoided the surrounding patrons' gazes as he cleaned himself off.

What the shit? Do I have allergies or something?

Karma gave his cup a dubious stare, setting it down on his table.

Hmm, just in case, he thought, scooching it further.

Signaling a waiter, he requested, "Excuse me, could I order something else? I drank this flavor for breakfast."

Okay, planning time. First on the docket, which of my bounty do I seek first?

"One moment, sir."

I have yet to look into what hunting for a 'Starprowler Doe' or 'Aurora Nectar' entails. I suppose I'll buy encyclopedias for those two and divine their locations when I'm ready.

"I've brought our sage lemongrass brew."

"Wonderful. Yes, set it there please."

Decapitating a fifth-stage Qi Formation entity shall be deferred to a later date. The only hurt I've doled out has been self-inflicted; best to get some practice beforehand.

Karma sampled his tea. Pausing cautiously, he resumed drinking with renewed trust when no malignant effects arose.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Offense-wise, the only weapon in my arsenal is the spirit flame. Mastering slicing, not to mention snipping some golden threads, still tops my to-do list. Let's tackle all three and start with the doe.

Satisfied, he intercepted a passing waiter.

"Do you offer any snacks? Tasty steam buns, perhaps?"

"I'm afraid we only serve tea."

"Shame."

Karma set down a stack of spirit notes before ambling out of the shop. Rubbing his hands together, he couldn't help but shiver in excitement.

Forget the mission. Hell, even the steam buns can wait. Time for ol' Karma to get his fight on.

**

Karma ventured out from the stone gate. Bronze-white light blazed briefly, leading him off the official roads into an adjoining forest.

Navigating the terrain at a leisurely pace, a grave expression flickered across his face.

Someone is following me. That won't do; how can it be alone time if I'm not alone?

Summoning the bronze ouroboros to each eye, he mumbled under his breath, "Who?"

White-golden threads arced through the surrounding trees, quickly entangling his pursuer. Following a series of rhythmic pulses, vague impressions streamed into Karma's psyche.

Female, third level Qi Formation, Selenium Clan informant, enjoys mahjong and rice wine …

"Spying on me, are ya, Lance? And I let you call me friend."

Eyebrows raised in minor amusement, he chanted inwardly, "Ouroboros, please turn around."

**

Cindy blurred from shadow to shadow, deftly traversing the leafy grounds as she tailed her mark.

Hmph! The kid ain't nothing special. What a waste; a standard merc could've done the job easy-peasy.

Despite her doubts, Cindy maintained her usual diligence. What right did an ant have to question a dragon?

Don't these sect whelps prefer the indoors? Scavenging for berries, little runt?

"Indeed they do."

Cindy stumbled before going stalk still. She recognized that voice.

"Face me."

With bated breaths, Cindy swiveled on her heels, donning a look of utmost devotion.

"Cindy pays respect to Lord Lance! How can this insignificant one serve the Lord?"

"Enough with the formalities. Your skills are needed elsewhere. Return to the city post haste."

Cindy bent her knee, replying somberly, "As Lord commands."

Lance regarded her with cold detachment, his figure slowly fading to nothingness.

Setting off, Cindy wondered,

Which poor sucker drew the Lord's ire this time?

**

Karma snickered, "I believe that honor will belong to you."

Retracting his scrying abilities, he moved to replenish his spiritual energy. Surveying the dense foliage overhead, Karma sensed a ferocious aura subtly invading the atmosphere, germinating with his every step.

…

"Should be around here … Ah! There we are."

Karma hopped over an overturned canopy, stepping into a small clearing.

"Here piggy-piggy, I know you're watching. Come out, let's duel like proper gentlemen."

Rustle.

A black-furred behemoth emerged from dense shrubbery, stomping into the clearing. Steam spewed out from its nostrils as it lumbered forth, leaving onyx footprints in its wake.

HGGRRMM.

Backing up, Karma winced at the grating growl, speaking nervously, "You're, eh, bigger in person. I was actually looking for your squirrel buddy—"

Snorting, the beast lowered its head and charged, its tusks razing muddy soil in passing.

Karma stared as a murky storm of rage barreled toward him, bloody veins outlining his shrunken pupils. Curling his fingers inward, Karma raised his arm, aiming his palm toward his foe. Massive amounts of spiritual energy coursed through his veins, inducing violent tremors.

SCREEE.

A deafening shriek reverberated as blinding sparks crackled above his outstretched hand, accompanied by a searing heat.

Man and boar were mere steps apart as a plasmic flare erupted in a cone of annihilation. The air warped in its passage, wailing piercing cries, soon joined by a maddened howl.

Karma's bloodshot gaze reflected a sea of brilliant flames. Scouring for unnatural fluctuations, his muscles bulged to their limits as he prepared to pounce.

Gaps soon formed in the fiery curtain; Karma's intense scrutiny met with inactivity. Scanning the clearing, Karma failed to discover his rival's presence.

When his spirit flame finally dissipated, he found the clearing truly empty. Confused, Karma peered down a blackened pit, barely catching sight of a round lump of charcoal.

Speechless, Karma loosed a whistle in awe.

"Maybe I should have started above the second level of Qi Formation?"

Retracing his path to the forest proper, he pondered,

It smells quite nice, actually.

**

Karma’s return to the Solaris Trading Capital met with an unexpected obstacle.

“Greetings, Abyssal Crow Sect disciple. Lance, your dear friend and companion, has appointed me as your guide. Call me Lorenzö, or Renz for short.”

I … may not have thought this through.

“Can I refuse?”

Lorenzö merely smiled in response.

Sigh—"Alright. Salutations, Lauren. Would you, Zoe, be so kind as to bring me to a bookstore?”

“Certainly; I would love to bring us to a bookstore. Right this way, please.”

Under Lorenzö’s direction, they wove through block after block of high-rise pavilions, eventually stopping before a gathering of glossy glass panels.

Lorenzö gestured to the storefront, introducing, “Here lies the famous Library of the Lost. They boast a rich selection of texts for your perusal. You’re sure to find all that you desire.”

“Thanks, Linzîni. Wait outside, would you?”

“I’m unable—”

“Hey, I just remembered your name! Was it Lindy? Bindy? No, what was it? It’s on the tip of my tongue; help me here.”

Lorenzö paled, stuttering, “I—I suddenly need to go to the restroom. Could you wait here for three incense sticks’ time?”

Karma scratched his head, replying, “I don’t know if that’s long enough. You look a bit queasy, Cindenzö.”

“Right! Six incense sticks …?”

“As long as you wash your hands. It would be a shame if someone else had to wash them of—for you. Pardon me, little slip there. ”

Voice rising an octave, he squeaked, “Can I—”

“Go!”

**

Karma sat outside the Library of the Lost, flipping through a hefty tome titled: “Cultivation For Dummies.”

Qi Formation, Embryonic Inquisitor, Earthly Monarch, Heavenly Mandate, Celestial Overseer, Cosmic Arbiter, Transcendent, Principle, and Limitless. Damn, do those sound cool.

“Cough. I’ve, uh, finished relieving myself. Do you have any other destinations in mind?”

“The best steam buns in town, please. Then lodging, but first buns. Thanks, Renzy.”

Wiping away a sweaty lock of hair, Lorenzö said, “Of course! Happy to help.”

Nodding, Karma replied, “I’ll remember that. Welp, let’s get going; sun’s getting real low.”

As their shoulders swiped, Karma whispered, “I hear everything. Be careful that I don’t hear too much from you; I prefer my house quiet, after all.”