“Let me get this straight. We’re going to bring three newly awoken cultivators into a rift none of us have ever explored before?” Alex winced internally at the hard glare this earned from Dui Zhong and the looks of chagrin and fierce determination exuded by the three caravan guards.

Alex ignored the tightened brows of Qing Wu and Reny, refusing to shy away from Dui Zhong’s glare either. Perhaps it was out of character for a young mixed-blood basic cultivator as he appeared to be to question his supposed betters, but he refused to back down from stating his concerns.

“Yes, Alex, that’s exactly the case,” Dui Zhong stated flatly.

“Begging your pardon, young master, but it’s our lives on the line, and we’re willing to take the risk,” the guard known as Luo stated. Of average build and appearance, he looked completely unremarkable and would have easily blended in with any crowd of desert folk. Yet he was also the one who had enjoyed sweetest fortune, with two meridian channels now fully cleared.

The man next to him, Xiao, gave an enthusiastic nod. “We owe you and Lady Wu a debt we’ll never be able to repay. So at least let us guard your backs and make use of the decade of experience most of us have, handling beast and bandit along the trade roads. And should we actually manage to come across some of those sacred fruit, just like in the campfire stories you shared with us just the night before, well, how delightful would our own life stories be, if we could brag about not just one, but two fortuitous encounters in a single caravan run?”

Li, the third newly forged cultivator, younger than the others, gave an excited nod. “My great grandmother was an apothecary who was actually sought after by cultivators, once upon a time. She made it clear that some spiritual herbs work best in carefully distilled tinctures, and others are best eaten right off the vine, especially in rifts! With Lady Reny Wu here to pluck free the choicest prizes to infuse into the most wondrous of tinctures, and Lord Qing Wu here to point out the fruit to be eaten at the peak of ripeness the moment we find them, we’re willing to face whatever dangers might come our way, doing our best to guard the flanks of the revered cultivators who helped raise us up from nothing!”

Alex frowned thoughtfully, before giving a reluctant nod. The men were right. No matter how perilous the risk might be, the men had every right to seek their fortunes in whatever way they deemed best, even if there was risk involved. “Actually, the wonders of exploration might do more to enhance your insights and revelations than pretty much anything else. All the better if you’re being forged in the crucible of combat, and those spirit beasts can be pretty damned tasty, in terms of locked away potency,” Alex conceded with a smile, despite their confused looks, before his gaze hardened. “Just so long as you follow your commander’s orders to the letter. I don’t think I have to tell you just how quickly an ambushing Spirit puma, boar, or bull can turn the sweetest of tales to the darkest of tragedies, or that I’ve seen more than one man slaughtered by beasts he thought he could master.”

Those words earned him a round of solemn bows. At least the newbloods were taking it seriously, he thought, for all that Dui Zhong snorted.

“The Ruidian boy speaks out of turn, but I’ll let it go, this once. Because he’s right. We’re daring the most perilous of tales, risking fate’s folly as we plunge her depths for sweetest fortune. So I expect you all to follow my every order and not go cavorting off like fools for every shiny prize you see or think you see, because death is just a single ambushing monster away. Are we clear?”

He glared at the three caravan guards who all gave deferential nods.

Dui Zhong then turned his powerful glare Alex’s way. “And you—”

“Will be foraging ahead, with Reny, guarding her back,” Alex boldly stated, making his position clear. “While respecting your command of your men. If I see trouble, I’ll holler a warning, but I won’t shout any orders. I’ll leave that to you.”

This earned a snort from Dui Zhong, and a frown from Reny.

“Although I’m grateful to have both you and my husband so determined to watch my back, hunting for spirit herbs is no casual undertaking. If you don’t have a knack for it, you’d be of more benefit following Dui Zhong’s lead.”

Alex couldn’t quite hide his smile. “I understand. If I fail to impress you within the first ten minutes or so, I’ll gladly defer to Captain Dui Zhong.”

Ya Ling nodded. “And I’ll happily...”

“You’ll stay with us, child,” Qing Wu quietly stated. “With your spear at the ready, of course. And should we tell you to retreat for the portal, you will race full speed back to the sands that are your sanctuary and salvation, delaying for nothing and no one. Is that clear?”

Ya Ling scowled, pouting for just a second, before deferentially bowing her head. “It will be as you say, honored elder.”

“Good. For though you are a natural desert queen, if Alex truly did see something besides a heat mirage, and this turns out to be anything more than a final exercise before we accept fate’s decree and continue our journey to Liushi, accepting our losses… there’s a very good chance that you will find yourself in an environment quite unlike the one you’ve known all your life. Think of a vast, endless forest far beyond your family gardens, with a canopy so grand it blocks out all but the most diffuse of light, the soil dark and loamy and entirely free of your element, the air rich with the scents of your favorite flowers and your spirit will be lifted like never before.” His gaze hardened. “But you will be the weakest you’ve ever been outside of your parents tiled training yards.”

Ya Ling’s eyes widened. She looked both intrigued and frightened, before settling on an excited smile. “Understood. I’ll stay dutifully by your and Reny’s side, and follow your orders. Now let’s stop wasting time. The more hours of daylight remain, the greater our chances of finding spiritual treasures!”

“Assuming there’s anything to be found at all,” Qing Wu allowed with a final glance Alex’s way.

Alex, for his part, immediately took the lead, making his commitment clear. Remarkably, no one voiced any protest, following his lead. And when he felt a soft hand tentatively clasp his own, Alex just smiled and gave a nod of approval as a fully armed and armored Ya Ling used her spear haft as a walking stick much as Alex and all the armsmen did, more for form’s sake than anything else. Because of course, she was one with the desert sands. He instinctively patted his storage pouch on his hip, having made excellent use of his time when not cultivating, practicing switching spear for fangtian ji under the starry night sky over the last couple of days. He had also practiced drawing and striking with his saber-like dao in a single beat, taking full advantage of the training targets Ya Ling was happy to leave behind before heading to bed herself.

He hadn’t been awarded any new interface skills for progressing either knack, but even if there wasn’t a formal iado skill, he could sense it definitely pushing his Golden Realms kung fu ever closer to Rank 11. He also took great comfort that what had originally taken long seconds of concentrated focus, switching one polearm for another when he first familiarized himself with his new pouch of holding, now took mere moments, and the practice, and his efforts to truly be in tune with his claimed prize had pushed his Artificer skill halfway to Rank 8, which made it clear just how specialized a knack it was.

He was pulled free of his thoughts by the young woman now squeezing his hand with fearsome strength, in that moment making it clear that she had been holding back more than even he had realized.

“Alex, I think… I think that must be the rift!” an excited Yu Ling gushed as Alex furrowed his brow, peering thoughtfully at the wavering corona of spiritual energies radiating like a heat mirage from the desert sands… just feet away from where they stood.

Alex couldn’t help but flash a teasing smile. “I think you’re right. And you’ve been holding back when we spar, haven’t you?”

Ya Ling winked. “Maybe a little bit, hero. The midday sun has been very, very good to me, and you look so adorable when you’re hovering over me with that triumphant little smirk of yours.”

Alex blinked, nonplussed, but before he could think of anything to say to that… had she actually broken through to a new rank and didn’t even mention it to him? Now that he thought of it, she had been moving so fluidly and fast with their morning practice while the others had been getting ready, as if filled with sudden fiery hope… but Ya Ling had already turned to holler Qing Wu and the other’s way. The half dozen others comprising their party were having far more trouble striding through treacherous sands than their desert princess, or the man whose hand she held so tightly.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Uncle! We found it!”

Alex saw the scowl on the distant man’s features, even if he couldn’t make out the words that Ya Ling clearly heard, no doubt somehow conveyed by the sand they all strode upon. She chuckled throatily, peels of husky laughter caressing Alex’s ears.

“Ya Ling, did you actually ascend?”

For some reason her dusky features took on a flush, and she wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Everyone knows that a broken cultivator has no business ascending, no matter how in tune she feels with the sands caressing her feet, the sun caressing her skin, the warm smile of her partner caressing her soul.” She turned away, squeezing his hand once more as she stared out into the deep blue horizon. “But when inspiration strikes, when you feel life’s story take hold, you accept and embrace it, and pray that tomorrow’s joy will be far sweeter than yesterday’s sorrows.”

Alex blinked, not quite knowing what to say.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I did. That’s why Reny was so… understanding of the possibility of you sweeping me off my feet and taking me away.” She chuckled awkwardly. “She said a match as strong as ours, training and forging ourselves in my element, is almost as good a balm as the most exotic spirit fruit. And even if there’s still… damage, an ascension not forced by cultivation pills or months of deliberate focus… but just the simple culmination of nature’s intent, will leave scars far less significant than any other path forward with a damaged foundation, and might actually be better than foiling my own ascension.”

Alex could sense her sudden vulnerability, the mixture of pride, hope, and worry that she felt. She was no fool. Alex could tell she knew she would have been better off waiting for a miracle cure. But yesterday all had seemed hopeless, save for the joy and inspiration she felt during the hours they trained together. And when inspiration transformed to an epiphany, a breakthrough worthy of a Bronze tier rank all on it’s own, even Alex knew it should always be embraced. So he squeezed her hand with the tender warmth of a friend who would stand by her side… even if he could promise the beautiful desert rose smiling so hopefully up at him nothing more.

At least not yet.

Not until he had time to grieve.

Not until he finally knew.

But he could still stand by her side as kung fu brother and beloved friend, and let nature take its course for them both.

But no desert rose that blossomed in the fiercest of climes did so without the sharpest of thorns and the strongest of wills. So the gentle kiss of tender affection meant for her brow became soft warm lips fiercely claiming his own, Tier 1 Bronze Strength fiercely applied made it clear she would capture him as fiercely as the desert sands now howling about them both when a powerful sweep found them both lying prone on the desert sands.

Soft brown eyes blazed into his own. “The desert would claim her prize, Alex. And the prize I would claim is...”

“Ya Ling! We are here! Show us this rift!”

The girl froze, locking eyes with Alex for long moments as he just lay there, shaken by how hard it was to keep control. To keep absolutely still and do nothing when the once-more blushing girl hurriedly stood up, brushed herself off, and jerked Alex back to his feet as the blinding whirlwind that had been surrounding them petered to nothing, revealing the bemused smirks and exasperated glares of half a dozen fellow cultivators who were now all staring right at them!

“I was just, um, practicing a new technique, uncle.” Ya Ling cleared her throat, forcing a smile. “I need better defense against Wind Qi. Learning to harmonize Sand with Wind… and best of all, there was no strain at all!”

Qing Wu gazed at his niece for long seconds before sighing and shaking his head. “Manipulating your element in the heart of your territory, and right after you enjoyed a breakthrough, mother nature’s gift to a girl who has found her heart’s desire. Of course you’re feeling no strain at all.” He crossed his arms and glared. “Had Reny not argued your case so well, I’d think you a fool. As it stands, we will declare it the benefit of a fortuitous encounter that at least mitigates the damage suffered by those who would see us fall. But make no mistake, your foundation is still cracked, and best we see if we can mend it fully before you enjoy any further ‘breakthroughs’ or shifts to your foundation.”

Alex blinked as Ya Ling’s cheeks absolutely blazed. “Wait, are you saying that...” He froze, realizing that there were far too many expressionless faces staring their way, and Ya Ling’s cheeks were absolutely blazing. This was obviously her uncle’s form of discipline, putting her on the spot, and Alex wasn’t going to make it worse, even if a boy would grin with pride where a girl might wish to hide.

Qing Wu rolled her eyes. “Of course, boy. Where were you raised? Don’t answer that. But yes. Embracing certain acts does put a strain on anyone’s Dantian. But it’s mild enough that no cultivator with a sound foundation should worry about it, save for various sects of eccentric ascetics. For the rest of us, we’d be a fool to denigrate that which our very survival depends upon. That which we’ve evolved to account for. And as I said, if your foundation is strong and stable, the act does nothing more than signify your own coming of age, and you damn well better be able and willing to care for that which you would claim, Alex!”

Before a nonplussed Alex could respond, Qing Wu turned to his now kowtowing niece.

He sighed and gently lifted her to her feet. “I fear you stumbled, child. Now let’s focus on what matters. Where exactly is this rift?”

Ya Ling’s embarrassment instantly transformed to professional focus. “It’s right here, uncle. See how the sands shimmer and vibrate where I’m stepping?” Her eyes widened when she suddenly lurched forward.

Alex quickly claimed her hand, just as she was about to fall right into the shimmering twist of light and spiritual energy that Alex found dizzying even to look at.

She flashed a grateful smile. “Thanks, Alex. I almost slipped, there.”

Alex nodded. “Sometimes Earth Qi manifestations can affect gravity itself, especially Jade tier manifestations.”

Alex was surprised by the sudden weight of so many stares.

“Wait, you’ve encountered Jade tier manifestations?” Ya Ling asked in breathless awe.

Alex forced a laugh. “Who knows? Maybe I did in a previous life. We were all heroes once, after all. Am I right?”

This earned more than a few grins, Alex already knowing how the caravanners enjoyed telling tall tales by the campfires, and few things were more exciting than contemplating which among them might have been a prince or a king in a previous life.

Qing Wu gave an exasperated shake of his head. “Never mind that. Please, show us this rift, niece. You know how much depends upon it!”

Ya Ling’s bemused smile stiffened into a flinch at her uncle’s abrupt tone, as if only now appreciating the desperation that her normally benevolent and easygoing uncle—and how incredibly rare was that for a Silver? —Had so masterfully kept in check. But here and now, at the brink of salvation, Qing Wu’s eyes were desperately searching for that which Alex realized, to his profound surprise, that the man couldn’t spot, no matter how intently he looked.

Even with Ya Ling guiding him to the very spot while Alex carefully holding her hand, feeling how the sands suddenly sucked at their feet. How a sudden surge of Earth Qi gravity almost forced him right into the rift.

And how oddly everyone else was looking at the pair of them.

No one else feeling a thing.

“Uncle, you’re hovering right over it. It should be pulling you in!” Ya Ling cried with actual dismay, wilting under the suddenly cold stare her uncle and the others were giving her and Alex both.

“If this is some sort of game, child...”

Ya Ling gazed at her uncle with growing dismay. “Alex, they don’t even see it. They keep twisting around it whenever they even get close!”

Alex nodded, locking gazes with the increasingly anxious-looking girl beside him as she wilted under hard stares that were increasingly becoming glares. “I think we both know what we need to do.”

Ya Ling froze for long moments, before finally giving a determined nod, a soft smile coming to her lips. “So, just how good a forager are you, Alex?”

He couldn’t help but smirk at that. “I think you’d be surprised.”

He purposely clasped her hands, preparing to lead them through the rift.

“Wait, Alex!” He blinked, surprised to see Reny toss him a small satchel he instinctively caught. “Assuming you two are doing more than wishful thinking, and have actually stumbled on to something that the rest of us are simply blind to… take this with you. If you find any plants rich in spiritual energy that you can safely claim, transplant the roots with some of the original soil into the pouch and it will preserve those cuttings indefinitely!”

Alex blinked, profoundly touched by the worth of the gift and the trust being shown. He had no doubt that this was among Reny’s most prized possessions, and could sense the spiritual treasures she already had inside. “I will protect it at all costs,” he assured.

“Ya Ling’s far more important, but other than her, do so,” was Reny’s dry rejoinder.

Qing Wu gave them both a sardonic smirk. “And if this is all part of some convoluted plan to strike off on your own… please return the pouch before you do so.”

This earned a chuckle from Ya Ling. “I guess you’ll just have to see for yourself, uncle!”

She exchanged a cheeky grin with Alex. “Shall we?”

“Let's.”

With those words they stepped through the portal visible only to those who could sense both Dark and Wood Qi, or were one with the desert sands.