Tomo regarded Lin Liqin as a true prodigy. His ability to cultivate to the Disciple Realm without proper instruction while being element neutral was unprecedented. With Tomo's help Lin Liqin was relearning the basics of cultivation, but this didn't negatively impact his realm. As Tomo explained it, his realm acted as a counter weight when acting on the environment, lowering the elements' resistance. What they were doing now was effectively adjusting the pulley system, but that wouldn't reduce the weight attached.
Chi techniques manipulate the elements through physical forces. Those that awaken elements like earth, water, and wind favor vector manipulation. And those that awaken fire or ice favor heat transference. As someone that's element neutral, Lin Liqin wields pure vibrations, which Tomo theorized was also what drew him to music. Tomo went on to explain that vibrations were the foundation for both vectors and heat, but Lin Liqin would need to learn how to properly transition from one to the other if he wished to wield his power effectively.
Unfortunately for Lin Liqin this was not a straight forward process. Vibrations needed to create impacts in a uniform direction to create a vector, conversely nonuniform vibrations could create friction to adjust heat. This was not only a round about way of achieving the same effect as those with an inherent elemental affinity, but if the vibrations weren't carefully controlled they could easily work at cross purposes, thus drastically reducing Lin Liqin's efficiency.
Despite Tomo's eagerness to learn how Chi and Ki may be combined he discouraged Lin Liqin from exploring it further until he had finished relearning the basics. In addition to his studies Lin Liqin was also teaching the others how to refine their Ki, providing tips and answering questions through his Encyclopedia page. Like many prodigies he was also an overachiever and was having Ming Jia Ying teach him the Druids' sensing technique on the side.
Ming Jia Ying told him that it used their Chi as an extrasensory organ and that in the same way that their Chi allowed them to pull at the elements it could let them feel the elements' pull in turn. However, her advice ended there. She used the earth because it was the element she was most comfortable with and he would have to figure out how his affinity for vibrations would fit in to the equation.
During their ride in the stagecoach with Ku Shen Lin Liqin had pretended to be asleep while he practiced. Ming Jia Ying suggested that limiting his vision at first would help him adjust to the technique, but wearing a blindfold with the prince may have seemed suspicious. He recalled Tomo mentioning that everything, even people, have a unique resonance frequency and focused on that. Lin Liqin managed to grasp the fringes of the technique, but now it would activate any time he closed his eyes.
Ming Jia Ying's use of the technique wasn't omnipotent, it was closer to a map allowing one to orient themselves and she could fill in additional details if she focused. However there were limits, namely that she couldn't see things that weren't touching the ground and details became vaguer with distance. Lin Liqin found that his was similar to a telescope, providing intense detail but limited context related to distance or direction. Every time he closed his eyes he became keenly aware of a random object in the room. Closing his eyes for a moment, the contents of a person's pocket flitting behind his eyelids, but he could not tell where that person was or even whose pocket it had been.
The trio finished checking in and Tsubame was holding the key to their room as if it were a marvelous treasure. Thoughts of the shower the innkeeper had described were dancing through her head. As the three turned towards the stairs one of the other contestants final worked up the courage to talk to them. A mousy young man approached and gave a bow. His stature and mannerisms didn't mark him as much of a fighter. As Lin Liqin blinked he was assaulted by the turbulent energies radiating off the man. At this range the vibrations were so strong that they blocked the rest of the room from his new found sight. Quickly, he placed himself between the young man and the ladies. He took a second to glance at the man's badge and read the name, “Ku Wang Xiaobo.”
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Following the man in the hawk mask's line of sight, Ku Wang Xiaobo could tell that the man had not recognized him by appearance. Some of the tension in the young man's posture seemed to dissolve at this realization. “I was worried Prince Shen would ask you to target me, but it seems such worries were unwarranted. I am, as ever, unworthy of the Prince's notice,” Ku Wang Xiaobo said self deprecatingly.
“You have my attention.”
Lin Liqin's statement was made with a bit more force than intended and caught Ku Wang Xiaobo a bit off guard. Some of the young man's timidness seemed to return as he replied, “I do? The Ku Wang branch lacks the pull and resources of the other branch families. As such, I was forced to enter the tournament solo when we couldn't put together a proper team. If I'm being honest, I don't much like my odds. Perhaps we could work together during the preliminary stages of the competition? I need to make it through the first few rounds to save face for my family before I can bow out of the contest gracefully.”
Tsubame stepped up and took Lin Liqin's arm, nudging him in the side as she did so. He inclined his head in deference as he answered, “That is a generous offer Young Master Ku Wang, but I must decline. We aren't looking for partners at this time. Furthermore, we don't know what form the tournament will take, so who's to say if such arrangements would even be possible or advantageous.”
Ku Wang Xiaobo looked disappointed, but not surprised. “I see. If you reconsid...” he began to say until he was interrupted.
“That's enough Little Xiaobo. You shouldn't pester Cousin Shen's team. Can't you see they are eager to get settled in their room,” Ku Yu Zhengzhong stated flatly with a dismissive wave of his hand. Ku Wang Xiaobo gave another bow before turning to leave. Ku Yu Zhengzhong watched him depart before continuing, “You shouldn't worry about him, he's not your concern.”
Lin Liqin glanced at the newcomer's badge before giving him a polite nod. “Thank you Young Master Ku Yu for the words of advice. Here are some of my own: Xiaobo should have us all worried and concerned.”
Ku Yu Zhengzhong raised an eyebrow at Lin Liqin's words but made no move to respond. A moment later another young man stood beside him as they both watched the trio ascend the stairs. “What was that about Zhengzhong?”
Ku Yu Zhengzhong shot Ku Qin Zemin a playful smile. “Who knows? Cousin Shen seems to have found an intriguing team though,” he said with a shrug before glancing in Ku Wang Xiaobo's direction. “Maybe this year's tournament will be more interesting than we thought.”
After making it to their room where she was sure they were away from the prying eyes and ears of the others, Ming Jia Ying confronted the other two, “What happened back there? You two have been on edge since Ku Wang Xiaobo approached us.”
Lin Liqin sighed, “I'm honestly not sure. There was something off about him... something dangerous...” He turned to Tsubame and inquired, “You nudged me earlier. What did you notice?”
For once Tsubame was being serious and completely embodied the professional spy and grifter she was at heart. “I don't know about dangerous, but he was definitely lying. He's used to acting meek and being overlooked. He uses that to hide his true intentions. What those are? I don't know, but I doubt he entered the tournament solo by accident.”
Originally they had been looking forward to the tournament. The contest seemed like a fun way to get better acquainted with the Gaian Empire's inner workings, especially among the royal family itself. Now there was a miasma of foreboding pressure hanging over the three as they milled about in an ill-fated attempt to relax. Tomorrow's challenges looming large in their minds.