161 Interlude: Violet Wind Master

Gong Lan's orange kasaya fluttered as she landed on the aptly named Violet Wind Mountain. Waves of purple gas buffeted her as she walked up the remaining steps leading to the ancient monastery. Three men walked behind her—they were her senior apprentice-brothers, monks who had been carefully selected and raised by her master. While she'd originally wished to leave them behind, the bodhi seed had convinced her otherwise. The trip was dangerous, and she was here to find out why.

They remained unfazed as they climbed the enchanted steps one by one. They were different than those protecting the World Tree Monastery. Instead of reflecting one's innermost heart, they caused the climber to brood on their future. The only way to climb the steps was to focus on the present moment. It was no wonder that the Violet Wind Monastery hadn't received any visitors other than monks in the past hundred years.

"Greetings, World Tree Master," a middle-aged monk said as they reached the end of the stairs. "The master predicted your arrival. He awaits you at your earliest convenience."

"I don't dare share a title with the Violet Wind Master," Gong Lan said humbly. "I am but a junior who has taken up a heavy mantle. Please call me Gong Lan."

The man shook his bald head. "Seniority must be respected at all times. It is what keeps us united, no matter what tribulations we face." He led the way through their modestly built cloister, where each building was built from an odd purple stone. The wondrous material naturally repelled spiritual force. The monks in the Violet Wind Monastery were strongest due to the constant polishing their souls received.

They soon arrived at the Violet Wind Monastery itself. The large purple building had been built tall, and the edge that faced the constant purple wind was sharp as a blade. They climbed 999 steps before reaching the top floor, where an older monk waited. He was accompanied by six men who had all reached the resplendent soul realm, a watershed in the Buddhist soul-cultivation system.

Gong Lan sat down on the cushion directly in front of the aged master, while her followers obediently sat behind her. "I assume Violet Wind Master knows why I am here?" she said.

"The World Tree Master is wise," the old man said. "In private, Violet Wind is fine."

"Then in private, you may call me Gong Lan," she said. "Though I hardly deserve to be called wise. All master's apprentices know of your prophetic abilities."

"I call you wise, not because you know of my abilities but because you are not doing this alone," Master Zi said. "Sibi was rash and impetuous. He should have waited for one of the masters to resolve the issue in the Song Kingdom. Unfortunately, he let his pride cloud his judgment. It is good that you have not followed in his footsteps."

Gong Lan kept her head bowed. "I have come to request two things. First, I wish to borrow the Spirit-Banishing Pagoda and men capable of using it. Second, I wish to request a foretelling."

"I know of these requests," Master Zi said. He placed a small golden tower in front of Gong Lan. It was a precious core treasure, but he parted with it without batting an eyelash. "These six monks will accompany you. I have briefed them on your journey, and they are aware of the gravity of this situation. Each of them has been studying how to use the Spirit-Banishing Pagoda for the past year, and they are ready to die to fulfill this mission."

Gong Lan smiled. "Master Zi is indeed worthy of his reputation. I thank you for your timely assistance."

"As for the foretelling," Master Zi said, "I will do what I can. Unfortunately, the heavens loathe it when I share their secrets. Therefore, I can only impart scant information to you. It comes in the form of three pieces of information. The first is a warning: If you go to the tomb with your current forces, you will certainly die."

Gong Lan frowned. "You mean to say that even the equivalent of ten core-formation cultivators aren't enough to ensure success? It's only one evil spirit!"

"I can't say any more on this subject," Master Zi said. "The second piece is that you will find a friend in Songjing City. Should he accompany you to the tomb, you will stand a chance."

Gong Lan nodded slowly. "Very well, I shall seek out aid in Songjing. What is the third piece of information?"

"Another warning," Master Zi said. "You are the only one who can resolve the Song Kingdom's crisis, but you will also be responsible for a much greater battle. It is best that you give up on the Song Kingdom if you cannot salvage the situation. Even the Violet Wind Monastery can fall, but the World Tree Monastery must always remain."

Over the course of their conversation, Master Zi's face had paled and was now covered in a sheen of sweat.

"I thank Master Zi for his guidance," Gong Lan said, bowing. "I will take your words to heart." As she stood from her cushion, she sent a wisp of green qi to the old monk. To her surprise, however, he rebuffed it and sent it back.

"The bodhi seed's energy is far too precious," Master Zi said. "It's a waste to give it to a dying old man like me."

Gong Lan shot him a concerned look before leaving with the nine other men. Their next stop: Songjing City.