6 The White Brush

Elder Ling scratched his scraggly white five-o'clock shadow before continuing.

"Typically, dual affinities are viewed as the best type of cultivation. This type of cultivation requires twice the insight compared to single-element cultivators. People with higher innate soul talent will be able to comprehend these insights quickly, overcoming the hurdle. In addition, you must evenly split your qi between two elements. In a sense, you are forced to learn techniques from two elements. Failing to master the different techniques will leave you with only half the stamina of a normal cultivator.

"Since there are drawbacks, there are surely benefits. The first benefit is that you can use battle and support techniques from two elements. The second benefit is that you can choose a supporting profession if you possess strong enough soul force. For example, dual wood and fire attribute cultivators with strong soul force can become alchemists, and metal and fire attribute cultivators can become spiritual blacksmiths. The third and final benefit is that with the right combination of elements, you can fuel the techniques of one of your elements with another."

"How does fueling work?" he asked. Elder Ling, sensing his interest, was quite pleased to continue.

"Fueling is a phenomenon that takes place through the augmentation in the five elements," said Elder Ling. "Wood fuels fire, fire creates earth through volcanoes and the like, metal is found in the earth, metal carries water, and finally, water feeds wood to complete the cycle. Conversely, some elements have a destructive relationship. Water extinguishes fire, fire melts metal, metal cuts wood, wood grows in the earth, and soil soaks up water.

"If one were to cultivate metal and water, for example, one could use the metal qi that is cultivated to fuel a water technique. As a result, that person's ability to execute water techniques will approach that of a pure-element water cultivator, despite only cultivating half of his qi as water qi. That person would also gain the ability to use metal-based techniques.

"That said, few people choose to cultivate elements in the destructive cycle. Destructive relationships, such as metal and wood, only harm each other. Not only can one not reinforce wood with metal, using metal qi on wood techniques would weaken the technique. Therefore, people rarely choose such combinations. Spiritual blacksmiths are an exception to the rule—you can't forge metal without fire, and so this sacrifice is necessary to become a spiritual blacksmith.

"On the plus side, body-refinement techniques usually require destructive interactions. For example, a person can strengthen their body with metal and subsequently refine their body with fire, gaining great defense and physical strength. These body refiners will have lower battle prowess when utilizing their qi in battle, but some of this loss will be made up with physical strength.

"Given these characteristics, the academy has a couple of silver-level cultivation techniques in each of the five augmentation relationships, as well as fire and metal destructive cultivation techniques. The best of these techniques in the academy are Burning Forest Script, the Lord of Magma method, the Total Defense Sword Cultivation Art, the Frost Sword Sutra, the Healing Heart Sutra, and finally the Forged by Iron and Fire body-cultivation method.

"Similar rules apply to triple affinities. Five of the three-elemental affinities have an augmentation relationship and five of them have a destructive relationship. Likewise, we also have one silver-level cultivation technique for each augmentation type. I myself cultivate the 'Living Inferno' cultivation technique, due to my three affinities in water, wood, and fire. Likewise, I split my qi into three parts. My water qi can reinforce my wood techniques, and my wood qi can fuel my fire techniques. Coincidentally, I am also able to dabble in alchemy and healing due to cultivating these three elements."

Cha Ming pondered this for a few minutes before he looked back at Elder Ling and asked, "Can you feed water to wood, and use wood to fuel fire? Conversely, can you fuel fire with wood and use the stronger fire to refine metal? If you use metal refined by fire, can you better destroy wood due to the higher quality of the metal qi remaining? Does refined metal carry water better, or is cut wood a higher-quality fuel for fire?" If there was one thing Cha Ming was good at, it was asking questions.

"Those… are difficult questions to answer." Elder Ling hesitated a little before continuing. "With any of the cultivation techniques in this academy, you will not be able to do any of these things. You would first need to find a better cultivation technique and replace the one you pick here. Unless you disperse your cultivation in the future, you would need to continue cultivating in the same elements, and your ability to make the switch will depend on luck.

"The Living Inferno technique that I practice is not from the academy, but rather my original sect. I would share it if I could, but I can't share the technique outside the sect due to a Dao oath." He looked at Cha Ming apologetically. He really liked the kid, and he would have passed on the cultivation technique if he could.

"Elder Ling, I understand," said Cha Ming, "Let's ignore the issue of a cultivation technique for now. What I really want to know is if it's possible—and under what conditions it would be possible—for each of these situations. I play to win, and I wouldn't let a small setback like my initial cultivation technique hold me back from my full potential."

Elder Ling was very impressed with his confidence and enthusiasm, so he continued his explanation. "Right, right. One should never let themselves be held back by their initial circumstances. That's what being a cultivator is all about, after all. Forever improve, and if the heavens try to stop you, fight the heavens!

"The answer to your question is simple: Yes. It is theoretically possible to fuel two elements consecutively in the creation circle. The person in question needs a very stable cultivation, and the requirements on the technique are rather high. The qi must also be very pure, and this detail is also dependent on the cultivation technique. Finally, you need to remember that you would potentially be feeding three times as much energy into the final element as you normally would be. In addition, the original water qi fueling the wood, unless completely consumed by the wood-element qi, would counteract the fire. Very strict control and finesse are required when fueling a technique in this fashion.

"To answer your question on refinement, wood-fueled fire will refine the best metal, assuming the wood is completely consumed prior to the flame reaching the fire. Otherwise the metal being refined will fight against the wood qi. Assuming you are successful, the final refined metal would be lower in quantity but much higher in purity. Any refined element will provide much higher-quality fuel for the corresponding technique, but the loss in the refinement is usually much greater than the gain. Conversely, the refined element will be the best refining agent, but the lower quantity of refining agent—say, water-quenched flame, for example—will only be able to refine a much smaller amount of its opposing qi."

A bright look had appeared in Cha Ming's eyes after hearing Elder Ling's explanation. He clasped his hands and bowed. "Thank you for explaining, Elder. This has helped me a great deal. Are there any four- or five-element techniques available?"

Elder Ling pondered a moment and dug out an old bronze scroll. He dusted off the scroll as he shook his head and placed it back on the shelf.

"What is this cultivation technique?" asked Du Cha Ming curiously.

"This technique is the Lesser Five Elements cultivation technique. To cultivate this technique, you need to split your qi into five. Unfortunately, even by using a fueling effect, you would only have access to the mid-level skills of each element. You could also do things like use two or three attribute skills, though these skills are quite rare. Regrettably your small qi pool in each element would also make it so you can't practice consummate skills in any specific element. All of the professions are available, but splitting your attention between all of them dooms you to never accomplishing anything great in any of them.

"While five-element affinity is rare, there was once a great emperor, Emperor Qin, who practiced all five elements. He created his own cultivation method, and eventually the Lesser Five Elements cultivation technique became available in all kingdoms. Unfortunately, it is only a bronze-grade technique, and people rarely practice it. Guidance is almost impossible, and so people must advance without the aid of a competent teacher. I do not advise that you practice this method." Elder Ling once again shook his head in sorrow. "This technique was clearly incomplete, otherwise Emperor Qin would never have risen to prominence like he did."

While the Lesser Five Elements cultivation technique was perfectly suited for Cha Ming, the path he would need to travel would be harder than any other. Sacrificing perfection for variety was a great taboo for most professions; this was also considered an unwise choice in the cultivation world.

Cha Ming sat down cross-legged and pondered for an hour. Many groups of grades three and four students came and went. One by one, they obtained a copy of their respective cultivation techniques and quietly left. A memory of his past life surfaced as he saw these many students following their suggested path, with only the illusion of choice. This memory strengthened his determination, after which he stood and pointed his finger.

"This one. I choose the Lesser Five Elements cultivation technique," said Du Cha Ming calmly.

A few of the surrounding teachers and elders escorting students gave Cha Ming and Elder Ling a strange glance. They would never under any circumstance recommend such a choice. However, they were quite afraid of Elder Ling, and they continued their quest in escorting their various students.

"Are you sure you want this one? It is very difficult to turn back once you've started a cultivation method," Elder Ling warned sternly.

"I'm sure," replied Cha Ming. For the very first time in his two past lives, he felt like he'd made a significant choice, one that would affect his entire destiny.

Elder Ling took the scroll to a contraption with two platforms. The scroll was placed on the platform, and another identical but newer scroll appeared. Elder Ling then put away the old scroll and handed the new scroll to Cha Ming.

"Cha Ming, this is an illusory scroll, which will persist for five days, after which it will fade away. It has been recorded under your identity, and if it is leaked, we will immediately know. If you fail to memorize this technique before it fades away, you will have another chance to take a scroll. However, your choices will be more limited due to your low perception. You would not get access to this fourth floor ever again. I'll once again give you one last chance to change your mind."

Elder Ling didn't want Cha Ming to live with regret, but he also did not want to take away his freedom of choice. Cha Ming declined, as expected.

As a new Grade 3 student, he was allowed to choose a single treasure, and so they made their way to the treasure pavilion.

--

From the outside, the treasure pavilion looked a little like a very large green silk tent with golden posts and a conical roof. A very burly monkey holding a spear was standing guard at an entrance flap to the pavilion. It sat down meekly as it saw Elder Ling bringing Cha Ming inside.

Elder Ling chuckled. "I raised this monkey since it was a little child. It always treats me like its parent."

Elder Ling really did dabble in everything under the sun. Talismans, alchemy, healing, and raising beasts. Elder Ling telling Cha Ming not to divide his attention was like the pot calling the kettle black.

Just past the entrance flap was a large greeting hall. The inside of the building no longer looked like a green tent. A figure that looked a lot like a Saudi Arabian vizier walked up to them, a large smile plastered on his face. His beard was heavily oiled and merged with his mustache into a single large curl.

"Gentlemen, it's my pleasure to welcome you to this humble establishment! And you, Elder Ling, it has simply been ages since our last meeting. I assume this youngster is here to pick his introductory treasure? I highly recommend this wonderful sword. It is definitely first in its class, and he will not be disappointed." He held out the sword while Elder Ling waved his hand, shooing him away with a gust of hot wind. The man continued smiling despite Elder Ling's assault.

"This is the treasure pavilion keeper," Elder Ling said in a low voice. "He's technically not a part of Green Leaf Academy but a part of the world-renowned treasure pavilion. All the people inside are his employees, and all of the profits are handled by their corporate office. This gentleman is the highest authority here. For the most part, they will try to con you. Every Grade 3 or higher student can choose treasures here, but we give them a fixed payment for each student. He's simply trying to maximize his profits!"

Elder Ling gave a quick humph and kept walking with Cha Ming in tow. The pavilion keeper kept smiling and greeted the next batch of guests. It was quite lively inside due to the large influx of students.

The treasure pavilion was gigantic and could likely accommodate a dragon's treasury. Treasures were crammed onto shelves here and there with no semblance of order. Cha Ming was instructed to wander through and see if there was anything he liked. In the future, he would be able to accept assignments to earn contribution points and trade them in for items. Alternatively, he could just pay for them with any money he made. Elder Ling seemed unimpressed.

Cha Ming wandered about for a whole two hours. He picked up items, swung swords, inspected seemingly ordinary goblets, mirrors, and talismans. He tried on a pair of boots, swung a staff, and tried to lift a huge greatsword. After the excitement wore off, he walked through the remainder of the pavilion at a brisk pace.

About three-quarters of the way through the pavilion, a small item caught his eye. It looked like a paintbrush. Curious, he picked it up and began inspecting it in detail. It seemed quite familiar to him. The paintbrush was the purest white in color, with thin, barely visible lines forming patterns.

Suddenly, it struck him. The little brush looked just like the staff that he'd seen prior to disappearing in his previous life! Where the black patterns had appeared previously, thin golden lines now passed through. Where the five colored runes once were, thin engravings were present. The brush was very light and only twelve inches long. The bristles were held together by a golden ferrule, which had previously been pierced into the ground. The bristles were thicker near the base and quite thin near the tip. The brush would be capable of both very broad strokes as well as thin, precise strokes.

The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like fate that he'd seen the brush that day. If there was anything else he needed, he could always come back for it later. But if he didn't choose it, where would he find it if someone else took it? As he continued examining the brush, the thin engravings seemed to transform into a string of words. The words were very small, barely large enough for Cha Ming to make them out.

Three made many, and choices are infinite;

Do not let worry color the landscape.

Why not paint the heavens

With this Clear Sky Brush?

Why not paint the heavens, he thought. What a bold statement. But indeed, there were too many things to worry about in life. Cultivation techniques, occupation, money, marriage, fortune, and disaster. Everyone had too much to handle. The worries created are endless. But the brush was saying, "Why worry? There are so many details ordained by the heavens."

Painting the heavens? The brush was telling him to overthrow his fate and forge his own destiny. This enlightenment strengthened Cha Ming's resolve in choosing his own path.

Since he had made his decision, he slowly walked back to the desk, enjoying the scenery. Elder Ling had been with him all day and noticed the change in temperament.

Cha Ming smiled as he placed the paintbrush on the desk. "I would like to take this paintbrush."

Elder Ling shot him a strange look, but the pavilion keeper was quite happy. Elder Ling clearly recognized the brush and had already judged that it was quite an ordinary but very specialized treasure. The pavilion keeper also didn't see it as a very expensive item. It had been around for ages. Both Cha Ming and the treasure pavilion were very happy with the exchange.

Once they exited the pavilion, Elder Ling instructed Cha Ming to register at the student residence, where he would be assigned a room and given his monthly allowance of ten spirit stones.

"You have a lot of possibilities to choose from, but a lot of opportunity to go astray. I also know that you're not a very rich student. Since you've decided on five-element cultivation, you would be allowed to learn as an apprentice alchemist, but they wouldn't put a lot of effort into teaching you. Those old coots are very stubborn and proud. However… well, I find that your talents suit talisman crafting quite well. You also picked that old talisman brush that's been there for some hundred or so years, and I'm a little intrigued.

"No need to answer now. You'll need to reach at least the third level of qi condensation before being able to start practicing any professions. Just come find me at my home if you ever decide you want to learn from me, and don't be a stranger!"

With that, Elder Ling placed his hands behind his back and walked away, whistling happily.