Knowledge flows like water through the channels of wisdom, but without proper guidance, even the mightiest river may lose its way. A master's role is not to fill the cup, but to show the student how to drink.
—Master Song Lin, Scholar of the Jade Path
Sunlight streamed through a small window, pulling Xiulan from her deep slumber. She blinked away the remnants of sleep and took in her new quarters—a modest space furnished with the essentials for cultivation.
A wooden desk sat beneath the window, its surface bare except for basic writing implements. Against the opposite wall stood a simple bed and storage chest.
The position of the sun indicated she'd overslept. Not the best impression for her first day as Master Qingfeng's disciple. Still, he'd emphasized rest and preparation for today's training. The lack of anyone summoning her suggested she hadn't committed a grave offense—yet.
Or perhaps that assumption would prove dangerous.
Xiulan pushed herself up and crossed to the washbasin. The cool water against her skin banished the last traces of drowsiness as she cleaned herself off. She slipped into her spiritual robe, the turquoise and black fabric settling around her with familiar comfort. The qi-infused material tingled against her skin for a few seconds.
A bronze mirror reflected her face as she sat down—long black hair framed sharp blue eyes. She worked through the tangles with methodical strokes of her comb before securing it with a jade pin.
An odd emptiness accompanied her morning routine without Mei Chen's cheerful assistance. Even during their travel away from Blackmere, the young maid had insisted on helping prepare for each day.
Worry gnawed at her thoughts. The transition to Skyward Institute would challenge Mei Chen's unique nature. Xiulan shook her head, dispelling the concern. Feng Yu and Ren Chun would honor their promise to watch over her friend.
Xiulan straightened her robes and stepped toward the door, ready to begin her new role at the Treasure Pavilion.
She descended the wooden stairs, each step creaking softly beneath her feet. The common hall buzzed with morning activity—disciples sipped steaming tea while others pored over scrolls or discussed in hushed tones.
She scanned the room, searching for any sign of Master Qingfeng. A young man in foundation formation robes sat at a desk, sorting through papers with practiced efficiency.
"Excuse me." Xiulan approached his desk. "I'm looking for Master Qingfeng."
The disciple glanced up from his work. "And you are?"
"I arrived last night with Master Qingfeng. I'm his new disciple."
His eyes widened. "The visiting grandmaster's disciple?"
Xiulan nodded.
"The administration office in the main pavilion should know his whereabouts. I'm afraid I can't help beyond that." He straightened in his chair. "I'm Zhang Hao, by the way."
"Lin Xiulan. Thank you for your assistance, Senior Brother Zhang."
Xiulan stepped into the courtyard. Compared to Fershere's modest pavilion, the Aeris complex sprawled like a city in itself. Cultivators in various colored robes hurried between buildings, some carrying stacks of documents, while others transported spirit items in special containers.
The central pavilion rose above the others, its peaked roof adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts. Xiulan walked toward it, dodging around a group of disciples hauling crates.
Her two-color robe stood out a little among the fine silks and embroidered robes. Every third person seemed to wear jewelry or carry artifacts that cost more than her entire wardrobe.
Inside the main hall, a polished counter stretched along one wall. Two disciples in purple robes managed a steady stream of visitors. Xiulan approached once the line shortened.
"I'm looking for Master Qingfeng."
"The visiting grandmaster is occupied with important business." The disciple barely glanced up from his ledger. "Who might you be?"
"Lin Xiulan. His new disciple."
Both disciples stopped writing.
"Master Qingfeng has assigned a senior to assist with your orientation."
"Oh? Could I meet them?"
"You already have." The familiar voice came from behind.
"Look here." Ming pointed to Guardian Hall's section. "Elder Chang Liu teaches combat mastery and battle strategy. You need this more than herb grinding."
"But Elder Wang Mei's spirit beast medicine could—"
"Your martial skills need work." Ming tapped the roster emphatically. "I watched your duel with Elder Fou. Raw talent won't always save you."
Xiulan frowned at the combat course listings. Elder Zhong Yi's defensive arts looked promising, but Chang Liu's combat mastery included spiritual talisman defense. Both skills would prove useful for future conflicts.
"What about both?" Xiulan traced her finger down the schedule. "Elder Wang Mei's afternoon alchemy session doesn't overlap with Elder Chang Liu's morning combat training."
Ming raised an eyebrow. "Two intensive courses plus your regular studies?"
"I handled—" Retail work and night classes in my past life... Xiulan straightened her shoulders. "I can handle it."
"Your funeral." Ming marked both courses on the schedule. "Elder Chang Liu starts training at dawn. Don't be late—he's notorious for punishing tardiness with extra drills."
"And Elder Wang Mei?"
"After lunch in the Herb Hall's western courtyard." Ming rolled up the schedule. "She's particular about preparation. You'll need proper equipment before attending."
Xiulan nodded, already calculating how to balance both courses. The combination of combat training and alchemy would drain her energy, but the knowledge gained would prove invaluable.
Besides, she refused to rely solely on martial strength when cunning and preparation could tip the scales in her favor.
Alchemy would provide crucial advantages beyond mere martial strength. The right concoctions could enhance cultivation speed, provide combat buffs, or even save lives in desperate situations. Plus, her knowledge from Phoenix Kingdom Chronicles highlighted several rare ingredient combinations worth experimenting with.
And then there was the secret of the Golden Meridian Opening Pill. She still needed to consult Master Qingfeng about that.
Ming tucked the scroll into her sleeve. "Let's get your supplies now. The alchemy equipment comes from your own purse."
"I need to restock on talismans, too." Xiulan said. "Used my last ones fighting the wrathful spirit on the road to Aeris."
Ming hummed thoughtfully. "Speaking of resources, there's something else to consider while we shop." She tapped her chin. "Have you heard about investments?"
"Investments?" Xiulan blinked in surprise.
Ming smiled and gestured at the bustling pavilion around them. "One major advantage of joining the Treasure Pavilion—we can invest our spirit stones and earn interest."
Xiulan perked up. High-Yield Savings Accounts for cultivators? She already had a nice account balance, this sounded perfect!
"The returns aren't substantial," Ming continued, "but they accumulate nicely over decades."
Xiulan deflated. Of course interest rates would stay low when cultivators lived for centuries. The basic economics made sense, even if it crushed her dreams of quick wealth through compound interest.
She needed a more aggressive strategy.
"What about investing in businesses?" Xiulan straightened up.
Ming laughed and shook her head. "You might want more experience before diving into merchant ventures." She adjusted her purple robes. "Though many disciples do exactly that. I own shares in a talisman business I work in myself."
"How does that work?" Xiulan leaned forward eagerly.
Ming straightened her robes. "I create talismans each evening before bed, along with a few others. A small group handles distribution and sales across the treasure pavilions."
"Does it bring in much profit?" Xiulan traced her finger along the wooden railing as they walked.
"The returns aren't spectacular, but I earn a decent amount of spirit stones annually." Ming smiled. "The work stays manageable since I spread it throughout the year. Many of your new brothers and sisters run similar ventures to supplement their pavilion wages."
Xiulan nodded absently. Her mind raced through potential business opportunities. Earth-style cooking flashed through her thoughts first—perhaps she could leverage her modern knowledge of cuisine.
Hamburgers seemed popular enough in Blackmere...