My flesh burned and my veins screamed as the darkness cleared and I returned to consciousness.

“Senior sister, you are awake!” a soft voice next to me said rather loudly. .

I pushed against the pain and forced my eyelids to open. A familiar face nearly covered by brown hair was hovering over my face.

“Anna, for someone who shows these impeccable manners, you certainly do not carry the necessary refined look,” I said and winced as each word sent spikes of pain through my body. It was an old joke between us. Anna liked to be formal, but she always looked rather raggedy and unkempt, which was ill fitting for her affectations.

“This is no place to joke. I thought you would die after that final strike.” My friend chastised me.

I recalled the battle, which led to my condition. Fear gripped me as I recalled Arthur’s words before I drowned in pain. I reached deep inside me, but I could not feel my dantian. instead of the foundation of my cultivation deep inside of my body,but all I could find now was only emptiness.

Arthur made good on his promise, but I could not believe it at the moment.

“What happened?” I asked, as my voice showed my fear as Anna looked at me even more worried than before.

“After Arthur struck you… you were screaming so terribly. I and a few of our fellow disciples got you to the infirmary once you lost consciousness. Luckily Elder Zhin was here and could help you,” she explained to me.

It was good to have friends, but that was not what I wanted to know right now, “What about my cultivation,” I asked. I needed to know, nearly as much as I dreaded the answer.

Anna frowned, “This is not a time to care about such a thing. You stopped breathing. I could hear it! You are lucky to be alive!” she was avoiding the answer, which was answer enough, but I had to know.

“What about my cultivation?” I repeated my question, and I grabbed her hand trying to force her to answer, but she easily slipped from my grasp as pain shot through the nerves of my hand.

“Tell me, I beg you.”

“Elder Zhin said that the asshole's attack shattered your dantian.,” she finally answered me after a long moment of silence clearly paraphrasing the Elder’s words

“Then it is over,” I looked at the ceiling of the infirmary. I knew the answer deep down. I read the stories of those whose cultivation was destroyed and the stabbing pain in all nerves and veins of the body was typical symptoms of torn meridians and I could not find my dantian anymore. My journey towards immortality was over.

“You are still alive and that is the important thing. I am sure Elders will fix you in no time. You are on the cusp of breaking through to the stage of Flowing soul. You are the strongest of the outer sect disciples,” Anna tried to offer me a respite, but I knew better.

“I was the strongest of the outer sect disciples. I think Arthur Esset proved stronger than me rather decisively,” I noted.

“He is a freak of nature, who has heard of anyone who could break through the Earthly body stage and blast through that whole stage in under a year.”

“It just shows that he is a true genius, and you should always run from the path of such beings as him,” I said and remembered the reason I ignored my advice, “What happened to the girl Delan was bullying?”

“I do not know. I was keeping an eye on her as you asked me, but she went with Elder Zhin once we got you to the infirmary and it was clear you would not die in the moment,” she answered my question.

“Could you please check on her from time to time for me?” I am pretty sure Delan will keep to himself for the time being, but I am afraid she might do something she will regret.

“I will kick that little lickspittle in the vulnerables for you.” Anna offered.

I smiled at the suggestion, but that was an impossible dream. Image of Delan getting kicked a few good times even overpowered the sense of pain and I got a chuckle out of me.

“It is a good idea, but you cannot do that. Delan will complain to Arthur and next time you know you will be on the infirmary bed.” I reminded Anna of the reality of the situation.

“I am sure the elders will punish Arthur. He cannot get away with what he has done to you,” she said, but there was no certainty in her voice..

“I hope you are correct, but he is a genius and you know the world is not fair,” the smile I could hold on died on my lisps and the pain grew worse as I considered what might happen.

Anna's smile vanished too. She knew very well that the world was not fair; she shared the tale of her brother and Imperial justice with me.

“It was brave of you to stop Delan from bullying that neophyte, everyone knew he was under Arthur’s protection.” she said, looking at me with eyes full of admiration.

I recalled the young girl on the ground as she called for help. Delan was over her smiling that half smile he wore, when he was attacking younger disciples. He raised his hand for a strike. There was a crowd of outer disciples around them, but no one moved to stop him from beating the neophyte down. I knew the risks, but I moved for a strike and pushed him away.

He landed on the ground with a nice thud and a very surprised expression. He immediately took flight to his good friend. Arthur showed up a moment later screaming at me for hurting his friend and demanding a duel for the wound I caused his friend.

I tried to refuse, but he looked at Anna and the young neophyte Delan attacked and I could see he would take revenge on them, if he could not extract it on me.

“Thank you,” I fell silent.

“Did you know why Delan attacked Siri?” I asked out of nowhere,

”Siri received her monthly allotment of circulation strengthening pills, when Delan showed and demanded she give them to him. She of course refused, but something in a way she set the lickspittle off. He tore the bottle away from her, threw her on the ground and insulted her. I was able to get her to tell me at least this before Elder Zhin took her away. She described you as a great hero coming to the rescue of the downtrodden. I think you left quite an impression on our fellow cultivator.”

“Well, at least I was good at something,” I said weakly, the pain was tiring me out quickly. It was nice to know the name of the girl I protected.

“What will you do Mei?” Anna asked and I could see tears forming on her cheeks.

“I will go home to my clan. We are rich. I will not lack for anything. I will be quite okay,” I said but even as I was trying to tell her I cried too. My dreams were over. I would never discover more techniques and walk the path of immortality. I would never talk with my friends, for mortals and Immortals walked completely different paths.

We cried together for some time until a medic standing guard chased Anna away and I was left alone with my sorrow.

I drifted into a half sleep, before a sharp jolt of pain woke me up again. It was the middle of night, but there were voices coming from the room next door.

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The pain from before was now a bunch of sharp needles piercing every nerve of my body, so to escape the pain I closed my eyes and focused on the voices.

I recognized those voices.

“Thank you for coming here on such a short notice, Brother Zhin,” Elder Zhin welcomed the others.

“When our fellow Elder calls for an emergency meeting, we will come, despite our very important jobs,” nasal voice answered with a tone clear he was not happy to be here. The voice was rather recognizable, and I winced as I heard it. It was the voice of authority every disciple dreaded.

“Fellow Elder Baran, I am sure your disciplinary duties do not consume so much time, that you lack a moment to confer with your fellow elders,” a female voice reprimanded the dissatisfied Elder.

“Miria, There is no point in arguing with the grumpy bear. We must count ourselves lucky he deemed my request important enough to walk away from his lair,” Elder Zhin said in a mirthful tone.

“You raise a good point Jorn, I expected nothing short of an attack on the sect would get Qianfan out of his office,” Elder Zhao said in response.

“This matter is of utmost importance. One of our students shattered the dantian of another. These are serious matters. And where is Elder Newman?” Elder Baran asked.

“You are indeed correct, but allow us some levity in this situation, fellow Elder Baran. Humor is the spice of life after all. But to the matter of our fellow Elder Newman. He considers this matter of the outer sect and thus out of his jurisdiction,” Elder Zhin placated the ever serious Elder Baran.

I perked up. They were talking about my situation. They surprised me by discussing it so openly, but one look around me showed me why. The infirmary was empty. I was the only patient here. All the other beds were empty. It was not an uncommon sight, thanks to the skill of Elder Zhin, but it meant I was the only one here and I was supposed to be asleep. Only the sharp spike of pain woke me up.

“Yes, it is indeed a serious matter. How is the injured student?” Elder Zhao asked. I held my breath in anticipation. I would know how bad off I was.

“Waves of Earth Qi pumped directly into her dantian tore apart. The attack spread through her meridians rupturing them too. It is a miracle she is alive,” Elder Zhin explained my condition. I knew it was bad, but this was even worse than I imagined.

“That is horrible, but how could a mere outer sect disciple learn such a technique?” Elder Baran asked.

“Arthur Esset is a genius. One of our scouts discovered him when he was practicing an advanced meditation technique aimed at helping flow of Qi in his meridians. He had no previous education and no access to manuals describing the technique. He had to discover such advanced meditation on his own. It is probable he simply invented such a technique.” Elder Zhao explained, but it was no end of praise as even Elder Zhin joined the chorus celebrating the one who crippled me.

“He advanced with incredible speed since we admitted him to the outer sect. He is on cusp of breaking into the Flowing Soul stage after just a year of training. I concur with Miria. He might have simply invented such a technique. It is not exactly a complex one, even if its effects are devastating.”

“His skill is admirable, but its usage leaves a lot to be desired.” Elder Baran pointed out.

“That is true, but let's return to more important matters. Can you heal the unfortunate girl?”

“This is not a simple rupture of the dantian caused by improper circulation of Qi. For all purposes Mei does not have dantian anymore. Healing her, so that she will cultivate again is beyond my power. The damage is extensive enough that self-devourment syndrome will undoubtedly occur.”

I closed my eyes as they pronounced the doom of my future. It was the end. I knew what the Self-devourment syndrome was. It was mentioned in every cultivation manual of the sect.

Power of refined Qi infused and strengthened the body making it greater than the more mortal body, but it came with a price. Once cultivar reached the stage of Earthly body refined Qi became part of her flesh, if the cultivator lost access to the Qi suddenly her body would seek a source of Qi and slowly devour itself as her own flesh was the only source of Qi available to sustain her advancement.

When Arthur ruptured my meridians all refined Fire Qi fled from my body and joined the natural world. This left me without a reserve of refined Qi, which would let me down gently and ensured I would die from the Self-devourment syndrome.

All of my work for eight years was for naught and now I was looking to join the ancestors early. Yet the dark chasm did not open and devour me. Darkness did not claim me and the world continued to move as the Elders continued their conversation. I wanted to rage, but I could not summon any rage. There was only a dark pit inside of me. How could I tell this to my friends? How could I tell this to my parents? The words of Elders pierced the darkness, and I focused on them. I did not wish to dwell on my coming end.

“Then Arthur Esset permanently and willfully crippled a fellow student of the outer sect leading to her death. I will prepare for the expulsion ceremony,” Elder Baran moved to the point. The dour Elder was often a scary presence in my life, but never did he let an offense against the rules of the sect go.

“Let's not be hasty,” Elder Zhin said.

“What do you mean? This case is simple and the decision clear,” Elder Baran asked.

“Your wisdom is clear and your understanding of sect rules impeccable, but there are mitigating factors you have not been considering in your zeal to punish the guilty.” Elder Zhin persuaded Elder Baran.

“I see no mitigating factors. Arthur Esset is guilty and must be punished,” Elder Baran said.

“First, he struck her down to avenge the injury his friend suffered. That is an admirable quality in a cultivator of his power and skill. Second, I believe he did not understand the effect his strike would have, otherwise he would have stayed hand and used a different technique, then there is the outer sect situation.” Elder Zhin presented his case.

“These points do not lessen his guilt. He should have known better.” Elder Baran looked dubiously at Elder Zhin, ”And I do not see what does the disposition of the outer sect have to do with anything.”

“Mei Silverhand was closest to reaching Flowing Souls stage at which point she would certainly join the inner sect. The only student close to that stage is Arthur Esset, if you expel him from the sect we lose all students who can reach the inner sect this year and if my guess is correct for several years after that at least. We had no luck in getting truly talented students lately,” Elder Zhin pushed his argument.

“It is true we have been lacking in students worthy of joining the inner sect for some time, that a third yearly tournament should pass with no one joining would be a dark omen for the sect,” Elder Zhao added. She always cared for the status and future of the sect.

“This is highly unconventional. To not punish transgressor against rules, but to reward him with advancement to the inner sect is highly irregular. It would bring the discipline in the sect to ruins, not to mention it would not be just,” Elder Baran resisted.

“Many in the outer sect look at Arthur’s hard work and swift advancement in awe and admiration. It will not surprise them, he entered the inner sect. And like I said he struck in vengeance for his friend, which many will admire. As the Elder responsible for the Outer Sect I see no significant issue arising from this course of action,” Elder Zhin spoke the most outrageous lie I have ever heard out of his mouth. Arthur was not well liked, everyone feared his temper and need to seek fights and that anyone would see helping the bully Delan as a good thing was even great untruth. My normal self would have jumped out and cried out, but it did not matter to me now. I was a dead woman walking.

“You raise a good point, but how can you claim Arthur acted in defense of honor of his fellow cultivator and ignore the preceding incident? Delan struck first and Mei was defending Siri. Rewarding Arthur and letting Delan go does not seem equal,” Edler Zhao pointed out.

“That problem solved itself, Siri asked me to leave the Fiery Peak sect. She will leave tomorrow morning. Mei was defending someone who walked from the path of Immortality at the first sign of trouble. Siri was mortal in her heart. Mei struck a fellow cultivator in defense of a mortal.”

“Siri Zoishen left?,” Baran focused on that part, “Do you have any idea how hard I worked to get her into the sect? I spent weeks persuading her mother that our sect was the perfect destination for her daughter.”

“Why would you spend so much effort on one recruit? This is a waste of your time.”

“Because her father belonged to the Redclays. She could have been our door to that clan.” Elder Baran complied.

I knew Redclays were the biggest landholders around the three rivers, but I would never guess Siri was a member of that clan. She lacked the typical hangers ons any clan daughter would have. It made sense, if she did not carry the Redclay name.

“That is fate. I am sure your skill will open new opportunities for our sect,” Elder Zhin offered platitudes.

“Thanks for the compliment, but I am against Arthur escaping without punishment.” Elder Baran said.

Elder Zhin sighed, “That is your right, but other Elders can overrule you, if we move as one. First Elder will join with the majority in the matter of discipline and I already gained agreement from Ix, which means I only need agreement from one of you.”

“You raise good points and Arthur will be a great asset for the sect in the future. I will agree with the course of actions you have recommended,” Elder Zhao said. She had chosen convenience over justice and still I did not care.

“I will protest to the First Elder,” Elder Baran said, but there was a hint of resignation in his voice.

It seemed I was correct, There would be no justice for me. The world was indeed cruel and now I was facing death at sixteen. The Elders left the infirmary leaving me to my thoughts and the pit of darkness in my stomach as I restlessly drifted to sleep despite the pain.