Dejiu opened his eyes with a calm breath and stared at his dark room. He quickly sat up and looked around.
Damn! How many hours passed? He frowned as he wiped away the sweat from his brow.
It’s a habit he had whenever he focused too intently on his core and cycling no matter how little he accumulated… time passed too easily whenever he cultivated.
Stumbling in the dark, his foot stepped over the curled scripture Teacher Jiansu told him to study.
“Ah sorry, Teacher. I’ll study it twice as much tomorrow,” he said to himself, now acclimated to the dark. Bending over to pick it up and store it somewhere else, he also lighted the only lantern provided in their shared chambers.
However, when the lingering remnants of his dazed cultivation session flushed away, he remembered what Teacher Jiang mentioned before he left. I wonder what gift Teacher brought me?
Folding away the thin mats they slept on, he lifted the small stone top, which harbored a small compartment with Jiansu’s few possessions, which were allowed despite being an ascetic.
Dejiu had mischievously rummaged through the small compartment before, but tonight he didn’t need to listlessly search to find what his Teacher Jiansu had managed to obtain.
He whistled in surprise. In the center of Teacher Jiang's possessions was a familiar black stone lined in glowing orange, small enough to be covered inside his measly fist.
A Hell Shard…what favor or accomplishment did Teacher do for the Arhat Disciples, no, maybe even an Arhat to allow this? he thought, grabbing the Hell Shard.
Although some senior or warrior monks would personally foster a child as Teacher Jiansu did, favoritism and nepotism are strictly forbidden. Even as Teacher Jiansu descended the mountain to save lives from fearsome daimons, he was only allowed to claim the Hell Shards to empower himself or provide for the temple, not their personal disciples.
Pilfering it was out of the question, so his teacher must’ve done something remarkable to provide this.
Thank you, Teacher. He thought as he crushed the Hell Shard.
[You have acquired a Hell Shard (Tainted)]
Wha– It’s a Tainted level Hell Shard, not an Impure one? Dejiu frowned. Now it made even less sense how his teacher was able to procure a Hell Shard an entire level above what he received from the Abbot seven years ago. To obtain a Hell Shard of that level, his Teacher had to not only kill and harvest a Tainted daimon, but also be permitted to give it to Dejiu!
Welp, no matter. It’s a gift after all. Though, it’s a shame that I must refine this abundant hell element prana into ice element for our temple’s Path in the future, but it’ll bring me closer to—
Dejiu’s eyes raised the moment he absorbed the Hell Shard before he focused on his prana core.
…Hey, hey, hey! This can’t be right!
But before he could even inspect the odd feeling, he instinctively knew that he couldn’t wait to act — immediately dropping to the floor, he returned to a lotus position. His prana core… was on the cusp of breaking through.
Shit! Where Teacher when you need him? I… I just have to form the walls of my core with this prana, right!? His mind nervously raced. He’s an idiot. The breakthrough wouldn’t have been this startling if he summoned his Seekers Accord after cultivating or before he absorbed the Hell Shard.
He heard it once from his Teacher long ago — prana backlash or deviation, a risk that came along with cultivating or recklessly breaking through without supervision and a teacher guiding him. The best case was he’d throw up blood and must abstain from cultivating for a while… and the worst case was he’d cripple himself.
But this was a chance of a breakthrough! Too late to go back now!
Dejiu steadied his breath. He still felt the raw energy from the Hell Shard prickling inside him, stirring his prana core like embers waiting to ignite.
“Keurk!” He grimaced before he spat out some blood — already making the mistake of letting his prana run wild.
He forced his focus inward, centering his senses as his body vibrated with the pressure. This is the problem with Hell Shards — the destructive and chaotic nature of hell element prana made it unwieldy, forcing those who wish to absorb Hell Shard to refine the prana into something more workable slowly. But at least for them, they had a choice!
Pah! Too late now to worry about such things, Xue Dejiu! He thought with gritted teeth, tasting a bitter metallic tang on his tongue.
He carefully began weaving the prana that swirled in his navel, thickening the walls that would form his core. He focused on the fragments he had already formed in his seven years of cultivating before coalescing into a proper and complete core with a dark, eerie pulse.
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The walls… just form the rest of the walls, he reminded himself again, trying to ignore the throbbing of his heart. It pounded louder, syncopating with a rhythm he’d never experienced before. His fingers pressed into his knees as he concentrated. A wave of clarity washed over him, and somehow, without having practiced this before, his prana core shaped itself into tighter layers with surprising ease. Each breath seemed to deepen the flow, pulling the cloud of prana right where it needed to go.
In what he felt was minutes of intense concentration, he finally felt the efforts from his years of slow cultivation and the Hell Shards blend smoothly, forming the sturdy foundation of what he knew was the next stage—Mid Initiate.
And just as he could visualize his newly formed prana core, he heard the familiar monotone voice of the Seekers Accord sound in his mind already confirming his core’s status.
[Congratulations, Seeker Xue Dejiu. This step on your Path is but a mere speck that will lead to all you seek.]
[Your Blood Deepens.]
[Prana Core: Mid Initiate]
[Prana: 29/29]
For a moment, he stayed in stillness, letting the new sensation soak in before his lips stretched and laughter escaped his lips. “Ha! At last! The Tainted Hell Shard even pushed me beyond 25!”
His eyes opened as the core settled. He felt stronger, centered—yet couldn’t shake the faint impression that something about the process had felt too natural as if he’d been led without realizing it.
Is this… my talent? Ha, I must be talented all this time! Damn, those geezer monks. Their nonsense rules can’t hold back my talents! He laughed.
Also, his blood deepens? Whatever that meant… but he had something better to think about! He’s stronger!
Celebrating alone in his dim room, he jumped and skipped. There were four levels inside the Initiate Stage — Low, Mid, High, and Pure. The Seekers Accord made it easier with numbers, each level being apart by increments of 25. Although the other monks-in-training that were present on that faithful day where he was bestowed his wretched class were likely all at the Peak Initate Stage or above, Dejiu finally was able to feel that his efforts weren’t in vain.
Then again… most of them were older than me that day. So if I can reach the High Initate Stage in a few years, I won’t be that far behind, right? Right!? He grinned, wiping away the trickles of blood leaking from his mouth.
Opening his window, he threw his head past the sill, basking in the cold air and moonlight. He silently breathed in the icy air, staring at the distant moon. “Hell element prana isn’t compatible with the temple’s Path. But if they aren’t going to teach me the cultivation method and its techniques… then what’s stopping me from taking Hell
Shards to help me breakthrough without refining them to ice prana?”
He laughed, not too loud to wake the neighboring chambers of the White Blossom Monastery this late in the night, but he laughed nonetheless.
—
As the morning sun poked atop the many jagged peaks of Mount Xuedou, the cold air settled into the wooden prayer halls. Dejiu found himself kowtowing a little past the prayer halls’ entrance. Deeper inside, the rhythmic chanting of his fellow junior monks filled the air.
“Righteous in wrath,” Senior Monk Liang’s voice rang out, echoing the teachings of the Heavenly Snowy Temple. “We gather not to indulge in strength but to harness it, to focus our resolve against the corruption that encroaches upon our world.”
The daimons… Dejiu thought with closed eyes, wishing Teacher Jiansu was faring well against them.
Senior Monk Liang continued, “Admit your shortcomings, request teachings, and dedicate yourselves to our sect’s Path of Enlightened Winter.”
At Senior Monk Liang’s mention of the prized Path of their temple, Dejiu silently sighed, quelling a storm of conflicting emotions within him.
Dedicate myself? You geezer! How could I if I’m not even taught the first step?
A ringing bell chimed through the prayer hall, signaling the end of the prayer. With that, Dejiu took advantage of his routine of remaining as close to the entrance as possible — leaving before the others could talk to him.
Without a word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the hall, leaving the others behind. Their voices faded into the distance, replaced by the whistling winds of the mountain air. As he stepped into the biting cold, a sense of liberation washed over him. Here, away from the presences that felt like chains, he could finally breathe — if only for a moment.
“Junior Monk Xue Dejiu.” A voice reminiscent of howling wind said from behind.
Dejiu froze before swiveling on the spot. “Ah, hello Senior Monk Liang.” He said respectfully, clasping his palms together in a formal bow. Damn it Dejiu, you spoke too soon!
Senior Monk Liang tilted his head at Dejiu, studying him. “You… you’re of the Mid Iniate Stage, now?”
Attentive… Dejiu inwardly thought, his head still lowered into his robe’s sleeves.
“Yes, this one has managed a breakthrough yesterday,” Dejiu said respectfully.
“Amitabha, a great achievement… though if I do recall from the other Senior Monks, I thought Warrior Jiansu was forbidden from teaching you our temple’s cultivation method?” Senior Monk Liang asked pryingly.
Dejiu's face twitched, fortunately away from Senior Monk Liang’s sight. “I managed to do so without guidance. Teacher Jiansu played no role aside from providing a Hell Shard.”
“Ho… I see, I see.” Senior Monk Liang said before adding, “Then your duties must reflect your circumstances. Usually, another would do this, but I need someone to descend the mountain — you know of the Heifeng Prefecture, no?”
“I don’t. I wasn’t ever permitted to leave the temple grounds.” Dejiu said and lifted his head.
“Ah, right. You won’t miss it then. It is a bustling city just a few paces from the steps leading down the mountain. They are our temple’s liaisons for the world outside our temple. Reach the city and find the central square. Ask any noble, city guard, or city official for Senior Monk Xue Yuan. There, he will tell you of your duties, tell him you’re taking over for the usual monk in their stead.”
Dejiu frowned. There’s a catch, right? His suspicion stirred. “...May ask why I am being sent down the mountain?”
“Hmph. Because you should be strong enough to fend the environment alone. Now I needn’t send someone else for this small task when it's time better spent training.”
It seemed like a cruel joke. He’s being sent because he’s strong enough? As if they didn’t hinder him from being strong in the first place?! Dejiu stifled a scowl. “Very well, Senior Monk Liang. I’ll set off immediately.”
“Amitabha, I wish you safe travels, Xue Dejiu. Make sure you bring along a pack frame.”
Dejiu respectfully bowed once more and waited until Senior Monk Liang turned around before he lifted his head.
Of course, of course! Give me the menial duties. He sighed before he defeatedly walked to his sleeping chambers.
It didn’t take long for him to gather his things — he presumed he didn’t need much after all. But his eye was pulled towards the end of the room. Leaning against a wall by a small weathered shrine, stood an old wooden pack frame and Teacher Jiansu's spare monk’s spade.
It’s customary for a monk to be able to defend himself, right? Teacher won’t find fault with this. He thought, fastening the pack frame onto his back while eyeing the weapon.