Chapter 20: Healing and Cultivating

Chapter 20: Healing and Cultivating

Weiheng Wus peak rushed up. Descending to the earth at the base of the clearing, Weiheng Wu stepped off his sword and let go of Hui. Hui stumbled, half-expecting his knees to give out again, but aside from a slight light-headedness and a bit of a wobble, he was fine. He turned his hands over, then patted his abdomen down. The bleeding had ceased, and as he watched, his wounds closed over. Those pills are effective!

Weiheng Wu reached out for his neck, head tilted. Hui jerked back. Master, what?

Scales shifted against his neck. Weiheng Wu ran a finger over Zhubis head. I see youve chosen a pet.

Ah? Yes, I Zhubi and I met on the peak the other day. Hui snorted at himself. I forgot he was around my neck.

Mm. I also like to keep pets. Take good care of him, his master ordered.

Of course, of course, Hui agreed.

Weiheng Wu cast a glance at the pill furnace to the side. I see you have no talent with pill-making.

Hui blinked. Itits only been a day, Master. I havent had the chance to try yet!

Weiheng Wu paused, then nodded. Then, as you will. He turned toward his sword, which hovered at ankle-height, awaiting him.

Master, wait! Hui called.

One foot on his sword, Weiheng Wu looked back.

Dodo you have any lessons to impart to this small disciple? Any magical techniques, or body cultivation tips, oror sword skills?

Silently, Weiheng Wu shook his head.

Ah. Well, it makes sense. He said he didnt have time to use the pills in the second stage, right? A genius like him probably hurtled through Foundation Building in a single month, or something equally ridiculous. Of course he wouldnt have techniques suited for such a low level of cultivation.

Hui bowed respectfully. This small disciple thanks Master for saving me.

Mn. Stay quietly on this peak for a while. Im on the verge of a breakthrough.

He bowed again. This disciple hears and obeys.

Nodding once, Weiheng Wu stepped on his sword and swept away into the sky.

Just bite me? In the neck, please.

Zhubi did a little wiggle that almost looked like a shrug and struck. Pain bit into Huis neck.

Instantly, his qi slowed. Hui clasped a hand against his neck and sunk down. Wait, I forgot. Zhubis venom affects qi flow!

No, no, thats exactly what I need! Turning his focus inward, he clamped down on his dantian again. This time, he bled his qi away more quickly than it could replenish itself. The qi in his dantian diminished steadily, falling away.

Sweat ran down his back. His head ached. The pain faded as the sensation from his body faded. His muscles lost the strength to hold him upright. He slumped further, drooping toward the ground.

This is it! Further and further he pushed, down to a single spark. The spark began to fade. With it, his life faded. Sensation diminished. His vision dwindled.

Ten. Fifteen. Twenty.

The spark blinked. Huis heart skipped a beat.

Hui released his hold on his dantian. Qi rushed in, filling the void. He circulated it desperately, protecting his passages. The spark strengthened to a flame, no longer flickering. His dantian expanded, but not enough. Too much qi rushed in, so much he couldnt handle it.

I need to open another meridian!

He shoved at his meridian with his qi and mental energy. The meridian twitched, but no more. More power! Hui stopped circulating the wild qi pouring into him. He gathered it in his dantian, filling it overfull, until it strained to bursting. Swirling his mental energy, he drew it together, then blasted it at the meridian all at once.

The meridian burst open. Hui circulated his remaining qi through his newly opened three meridians. Regulated by three meridians, his qi quieted once more.

Hui opened his eyes, sucking a deep breath. His breath caught in his throat. He coughed and spat a blob of impurities and Zhubis venom into the grass beside him.

Concerned, Zhubi hovered close by his face, reptilian eyes watching him.

Shaking his head, he broke out into a smile. We did it, Zhubi!

Zhubi hissed a happy hiss.

Hui fell back into the grass, tired. Though he didnt need much sleep at the second stage, Zhubis venom left his qi sluggish, which, in turn, made him sleepy. He yawned. I almost killed myself for real, again. Playing dead is one thing, but dying is another step entirely! Can I really cultivate this method?

He drew out the manual. Defying Death, Defying the Heavens, it blared back at him. He laughed once, quietly. Still as audacious as I remember.

Sliding the manual back into his robes, he flopped his arms out to either side of him. He closed his eyes. I need a nap. I'll figure all this mess out... tomorrow.