Dual Cultivation

Dual Cultivation

Even though I had everything we needed Well, I still didnt know what exactly I had to do to start growing this thing.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Did I just plant em next to each other and start singing? What did I sing at all?

Somehow I dont think busting out the few thrash metal songs I actually liked would produce the desired results.

You got any ideas, bud? I asked Big D, and the rooster started to obviously ponder my question.

It had been a bit of a shock when I suddenly felt his Qi ignite. At first I had been confused about what had been going on, but Bailu and Seiyu had been adamant that he was now a Spirit Beasta sapient, Qi Empowered animal, that was roughly as smart as a human.My little man hadnt actually changed, well, at all really. I asked him what he had wanted to do with his life, but he just hopped on my shoulder, crowed, and then started attacking bugs like always.

Hey, if that's what he wanted, that was what he wanted. Hells, he even refused his own bed and spot at the table, instead continuing to sleep with me, so he clearly liked spending time with me.

He also seemed to have a sixth sense for when Bailu and Seiyu were doing something dumb again, and he always called me over so I could put a stop to it.

I looked at the little man pondering my question, when Big D nodded, before he leapt off my shoulder. He looked back and hopped up and down, clearly wanting for me to follow him.

So we went to the edge of the island, where Big D hopped up onto a large rock and crowed.

You tell em Big D. I said out of reflex, as I clambered up onto the rock beside him, and looked out onto the vast horizon.

It was a beautiful view, the thousands of islands that made up Soaring Heaven Archipelago stretching out over a shimmering sea. The wind tousled my hair, and he spread his wings, as if to show me all of it.

I mean, I still had no idea what to do, but A for effort, little man.

I ended up falling asleep on that rock with my rooster, looking up at the stars above.

================================

That night, I had a rather strange dream.

I dreamed of a massive deer, as big as a house. His coat was a rich shade of brown, with a white underbelly. His hooves seemed to be made of stone, and his antlers were living, growing wood.

What do you yearn for the most, child? the great deer asked me.

I thought about the question, because it was a strange one. What did I yearn for the most? There were plenty of things I wanted. But what did I want the most?

I wouldnt say I was content with my life, but right now, it wasnt a bad one. My belly was full, I had Bailu, Seiyu, Big D and Minyan to keep me company.

But I knew it couldnt last forever.

I had died twice, now, from circumstances outside my control. I was a person of interest for a sect that might kill me if the truth got out. I was locked to a tiny island. Unlike other protagonists, I didnt even have a ring grandpa or a cheat system!

I thought for an eternity, and an instant on the answer, before I finally spoke.

But instead, they instantly recognised the signs; the signs of an enlightenment.

His eyes began to glow green; ethereal horns formed upon his brow; the seeds and core he had collected lifted into the air and began to whirl around his form.

And then he looked upon her.

His Yang Qi touched against her, questioning, but firm. Bailu flushed.

Oh, Young Master~ How bold! How assertive! How like a proper Young Master!

How could she deny him, when he was like this? His Qi ran up and down her own Yin Qi, like he was asking her to dance, and she could tell it was doing the same to Seiyu.

It felt right.

Bailu gave herself over to Her Young Masters Qi, as did Seiyu, as their Young Master lifted the seeds, his Qi pouring off him.

A second instance of Yang Qi joined the first, of wind and fire, and Bailu huffed that the chicken had a role to play, adding his own spark to the seeds and the core.

But then it was her and Seius turn. She felt her Qi mingle with her young Masters as wings formed for a brief instant upon her back, and birdsong drifted in her ears.

Her Young Masters voice rose in an ancient, nameless song without words, booming and deep; and their voices rose with his.

Neither were the leaders of this song; neither were the followers. Yin and Yang worked and mingled in perfect harmony.

The horns sloughed off his head; and the ground opened up to receive the seeds and the core.

The wings fell from their backs, feathers absorbing into the earth.

Her Young Master knelt, and gently covered the seeds.

And then, she heard her him begin to whisper; it was some manner of poem, or oath, defiant and proud.

Take my love, take my land, take me to a place where I cannot stand; Take me out, far away, tell my mother, Ive gone astray; You can burn the land and boil the seas

But you cant take my sky from me.

There was a pulse of Wood and Earth-aligned Qi and then all of them sagged. Bailu abruptly felt exhausted, and Seiyu was at their Young Masters side as he suddenly slumped.

Her friend blinked sleepily, then eyed the rooster. This time, however, Bi De offered no screeching chastisements. He simply nodded and pointed with his wing up at the stars.

.it looked like they got to snuggle up with their Young Master after all!

They walked to the rock, without looking back.

And little green shoots poked up from the ground.