Chapter 9
I lay there for a second, still reeling from what just happened. I was definitely thrown but it didn’t feel like a physical or psychic force was responsible. I keep trying to replay the events in my head as Hao Yi inches closer to me. With a pained groan, I lift myself up. My whole body aches and my face hurts worse than before. As I try to stand, Hao Yi rushes up to take my arm. Though I don’t need the help, it’s a nice gesture at least.
“How did you do that Hao Yi?”
“Do what?” They turn to face me once I’m on my feet.
“How did you flip me without touching me?”
“Well, that was because of my clan’s footwork and spear arts. The [Twenty-Three River Serpents] spear art and the [Nine Strides Of The River God]. All members of the [Hao Clan] train in these from the moment they are born.” That’s a hard-core dedication to a particular way of fighting, though the ‘footwork’ Hao Yi mentioned intrigues me. Before I can ask more, the Instructor walks up to us as the disciples begin to disperse.
“Now do you see?” I can definitely see what he meant, even kids can toss a grown man around with cultivation arts. This makes this world all the more dangerous than it was. The peaceful nature of the places I’ve visited so far has made me lower my guard too much. I’m not used to feeling like I can sleep soundly, every day before was a wishing game on the front lines. I got lucky when I was called back for that [Teleporter] test.
“Yes, I do.”
“Though you did show some skill, so we won’t have to start with the basics like I thought we would.” Hao Yi bows to us both and scurries away with the other disciples. Despite how it looked in the beginning they seem to be getting along fine now.
“What will we be doing next?” I wipe a new drip of blood coming down my nose. I lay my hand on top of my nose gently, spreading my psychic energy across the area. I tune my senses to find each damaged part. Thankfully it isn’t broken too badly, using the spread-out psychic energy I begin to correct the broken parts. Lining each piece inches back at a time. It’s not like the real healing ability that some psychics have, they can heal most deadly wounds and reattach severed limbs. All I can manage is a simple first aid we are taught before we can get proper treatment. The Instructor watches me carefully as I finish up. With my nose somewhat fixed I turn back to the Instructor.
“We will be seeing Elder Deng Jian now.” This guy seems to like pushing people's buttons. Calling people when he wants and leaving you alone at the door to some strange place you’ve never been before. Before I can curse him anymore the Instructor sets off at a brisk pace back to the outer courtyard. I follow along, jogging more than I’d like to admit to keep up. Turning back into the outer courtyard, disciples leisurely walk in and out of the gate, some heading to the buildings and out. The ones coming back from somewhere are in tatters. Some still have fresh blood on their clothes while others have dark shadows over their heads. These disciples look to be in their teens, the oldest being no older than maybe sixteen. What could they have gone through to come back like this?
Without missing a beat, we continue walking towards the large building in the back. Getting closer I can finally see how large this building really is. It stands as tall as our turret towers on the [Border Wall] back in the New Republic. Six roofs line the tower with a balcony in the middle. The windows and doors are all shut and the quiet talk of various people filters through the halls. Walking through the door the first room seems to be a reception area. A couple of chairs and furnishings line the room, in each direction, there is another door leading further in. A symbol of what seems to be a spearhead wrapped in wind is on each door. The Instructor walks through the right door, leading further in with windows on the right side and doors leading to other rooms on the left. The hallway is decorated with various things from paintings to flowers and even writing on expensive-looking scrolls.
We walk up a couple of flights of stairs before stopping on the balcony floor. This floor has more rooms with doors open, letting me take a peek inside as we pass. Each room is set up in the same with where the desks, chairs, and tables are arranged. The only difference between them were spears and clothes. A couple had a bookshelf stuffed with books that look to be ready to crumble.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“We are here.” We come to a stop in front of a closed door that’s had its color fade with time in the sun. He slides open the door to reveal a room like the others I saw, only this one smells like incense. The inside is pretty plain considering the others. The only thing of note is a smaller bookshelf tucked in the corner beside the desk with a few old books. A piece of metal sits next to them, holding them upright. Deng Jian lazes on a couch near the back with a book in his hand.
“I see it ended pretty quickly.”
“Yes, Elder Deng.”
“And, the results?”
“He lacks most of the basics, he is confident and strong-willed but that is all he has compared to our disciples. He is completely ignorant of the world and will not last long in the outside world.” That was a pretty unfiltered bashing. It seems without ‘Qi’ no one will think you are a threat. That could turn out to be an advantage if used right.
“That can gained through effort and guidance, what of the nature of his strange ‘Qi’?” Are they talking about my psychic powers? I did use my [Telekinesis] a bit in that fight but I’ve seen people ride around on flying objects and flying themselves. That should only be possible with psychic power.
“It is not a ‘Qi’ I have seen before, truthfully I don’t think it is ‘Qi’ but a part of a unique martial physic.”
“Sorry, but what is a martial physic?” The look the Instructor makes looks like he’s going to skin me alive and eat my boiled skin.
“Calm yourself, Instructor Liang Bao.” Instructor Bao tenses before moving to stand beside Deng Jian. “Martial physic is a special body that gives someone incredible talent in cultivation. There are many types and each has their own benefit and limitation. What I have seen so far from you is not a martial physic. Now, since I answered your question, answer mine. What is the power you have been using?”
“It’s called [Telekinesis].”
“I see, and what does this power do?” I’m still not sure if I can trust these people, so it’s best if I keep my [Electrokinesis] hidden for now. I’ll stick to using [Telekinesis] instead until I can protect myself or escape safely.
“[Telekinesis] allows me to interact with objects and matter through my psychic energy. So long as it’s in my field of view and within my range, I can make objects float or crush them without moving a finger.” This takes them both aback. Deng Jian ponders while Instructor Liang quietly waits.
“This power does not use ‘Qi’ correct?”
“Yes, it uses something called ‘psychic energy’.” It seems they’ve never heard these terms before.
“How interesting, well since it’s not ‘Qi’, we can rule out you having learned a [Demonic Art]. Which means we can the training immediately.” The switch is giving me a bit of whiplash from how quickly things are moving.
“What is my first training going to be?” Deng Jian smiles a smile that gives me the feeling I’m going to hate what it is. Without a word he gets up and walks out the room, heading down to the stairs. I rush after him as we walk back out into the courtyard. We walk towards the entrance as the sun begins to set towards evening time. Instead of going to the inner courtyard or the residential buildings on the other side, we walk back out and down the stairs of the sect. We pass the library and [Pill Hall], making our way to the lower level. In the daytime, everything looks much more normal. We walk past a lining of minor general stores set up by students in tents it seems. They sell various items from jewelry to books and weapons.
“What is this place?”
“It is the [Plum Market], the sect allows disciples to make trades with each other from what they gather and create. Cultivation takes a great deal of resources, and only the talented are given special treatment. So many disciples set up stales here to gather funds and trade treasures.” So basically the disciples have their own economy that’s separate from the sect. Or at least a minor economy. Passing the [Plum Market], we make our way into a forest that touches the lower level of the sect. The energy coming from it is ominous like there’s something dangerous inside. We walk deeper into the forest, following a well-worn trail that leads into a large set of mountains further in. I didn’t see them when we entered the forest so how did they appear? We step off the trail heading towards a slightly cleared area with tree stumps leading in. Eventually, we reach a large section of forest that has been deforested recently with a few piles of wood and an axe stuck in a stump.
“So what are we doing here?” Without a word, Deng Jian walks over to the axe and picks it up. He chucks it at without warning.
“Hey! What the hell!” I stop it from spinning with [Telenkinesis], pulling it safely into my hand.
“You will cut this wood from sunrise to sunset, then you will bring the chopped wood in the cart I will leave you to the [Merit Hall]. You will do this every day until I think you are ready to move on.” This can’t be the extent of the training, right?