In cultivation, as in nature, all things flow in cycles. The breath of trees matches the pulse of earth, while water rises to become clouds before returning as rain. To understand these patterns is to glimpse the fundamental rhythms of existence.
— Sage Master Liu Yue, Walker of the Midnight Path
Xiulan hummed while drawing precise strokes across the talisman paper. The kanji flowed from her brush in elegant patterns, each character more beautiful than any English letter she remembered from her past life.
The artistic quality of the symbols brought a smile to her face—perhaps living with them daily had created a bias.
What if I wrote something in English right now? She glanced up at her mentor and imagined Ming's reaction to seeing the "ancient dead language" suddenly appear on her practice sheets. The mental image made her bite back a laugh.
She would march straight to Master Qingfeng about my lack of subtlety. Another lesson about keeping a low profile would surely follow. That... That wasn't desirable. Her shoulders tensed at the thought.
Across the table, Ming focused intently on her own talismans, brush moving in practiced motions. The scratch of bristles against paper filled the comfortable silence between them. Incense smoke curled lazily through shafts of afternoon sunlight, creating calm patterns in the air.
The peaceful moment stretched beyond an hour. No hostile classmates. No political minefields to navigate with instructors' relatives. Just the meditative flow of ink and the occasional soft clink of brushes being cleaned.
Xiulan dipped her brush in the inkstone again, appreciating the simple rhythm of practice. Her anxiety melted away with each careful stroke. She didn't need to calculate every word or movement. The characters flowing from her brush required only concentration and coordination—no social manipulation required.
It brought a sense of harmony that combat training hadn't yet provided. Though she knew those skills were essential, this felt more natural. More like something she could be at home with.
Ming placed her brush in its holder with a soft click. "That's enough practice for now. We should eat."
Xiulan tensed. "In the dining hall?"
"Where else would we go?"
"This room feels peaceful." Xiulan gazed at the window.
Ming shook her head while gathering the brushes and papers from the writing table. "You'll need to adjust to being watched. As a visiting elder's direct disciple, you're practically a minor celebrity here."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it." Xiulan stood and helped clear away the practice materials.
Ming chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Besides, Master Qingfeng won't stay here forever—we'll move on in a few years."
A cold knot formed in Xiulan's stomach. The casual mention of 'a few years' struck another reminder of the vast difference between mortal and cultivator perspectives on time. That disconnect still felt alien.
God, I miss just hanging out with Mei Chen and Feng Yu. Xiulan sorted through the practice materials, putting away the brushes.
Her friends didn't make her feel so out of place. Probably because they were close to her own age. Whatever that was with the mess of transmigration muddying it.
Not that Ming wasn't great company. She excelled at teaching and showed genuine kindness—exactly what an older sister should be. Heh. Senior Sister indeed.
"When do we start taking missions?" Xiulan stacked the last of the practice papers.
Ming tucked away the inkstones. "Soon. We'll likely run regular weekend patrols to Themis when you're not in classes."
"There seems to be a lot of focus on that town." Xiulan wiped down the writing table.
"Small city," Ming smiled. "And yes, it holds significant importance."
They finished tidying Ming's room and stepped into the hall together.
Xiulan fidgeted with her sleeve as they walked. "Senior Sister, I've been thinking about adding talismans to my combat form, like you do. The spear work is important, but martial fighting always feels awkward to me. I prefer techniques."
"Specializing makes sense." Ming nodded while leading them down the corridor. "But even talisman users need martial ability and coordination. It's not a way to avoid combat training."
"I understand." Xiulan kept pace beside her mentor.
Ming glanced sideways at her. "I'll teach you more advanced formations. Though I wonder if your interest in talismans also relates to Mei Chen needing body repair scripts?"
A weak laugh escaped Xiulan as she scratched her cheek. "Senior Sister, you see a lot."
"I'd like you to show me that 'thunder god' technique later when we're out." Ming turned down another corridor. "The way you manipulate yin-yang aspects so naturally intrigues me. And those names—where in the heavens did you come up with them?"
Heat crept up Xiulan's neck. "I improvised after hearing Ren Chun shout his techniques while fighting the Blood Lotus."
Ming hummed thoughtfully.
The dining hall opened up at the end of the corridor, its high ceiling supported by carved wooden pillars wrapped in golden spirit vines.
Xiulan followed Ming to the service counter where attendants ladled steaming dishes onto jade-inlaid trays. The aroma of braised duck and ginger rice mingled with hints of star anise and green onion. Her tray filled with delicate portions—strips of glazed meat, perfectly shaped rice balls, and bright vegetables.
No pointed stares greeted her today, unlike her first week. Still, discrete glances followed their path through the hall. She could sense the weight of observation from various corners as she walked beside Ming.
At least Lei Shan and Su Yin aren't here . The absence of those two particular worries made the meal far more appealing. She hadn't crossed paths with either since their initial encounters, and she preferred to keep it that way.
Ming set down her chopsticks. "How's your progress with the Five Elements Blade manual Master Qingfeng gave you? It's been over a month now."
Xiulan picked at her rice, avoiding eye contact. "I've studied the first pages, but the initial epigraph for the first method still eludes me."
"The Tree Sigh Method?" Ming took another bite of duck.
"Yes—wait, you know about it?" Xiulan stared at Ming.
Xiulan studied the scene. Sunlight filtered through dense leaves overhead, casting dappled shadows on the crystal-clear water. Birds called from branches above while insects buzzed among wildflowers dotting the banks. The air smelled fresh and clean.
"So the Tree Sigh Method needs running water and trees?"
Ming stepped off the path toward the clearing. Xiulan followed. They emerged onto a level patch of ground covered in soft grass.
"This will do nicely." Ming surveyed the clearing with satisfaction.
"So I need to meditate with trees...?" Xiulan raised an eyebrow.
Ming chuckled. "The location is ideal, yes, but it'll be a bit more than simple meditation." She pulled out a large linen and unfolded it and spread it out.
"I'll help guide you through it." Ming settled onto the grass. "You have experience cultivating with others, yes? With Mei Chen and Feng Yu?"
"Right." Xiulan nodded.
Ming hummed thoughtfully. "I'm surprised you can say that with such a straight face, considering what I remember from those types of things at your age."
Heat rushed to Xiulan's cheeks. Wait—was Ming suggesting she had 'that' kind of relationship with her sisters? "That's not—I didn't—we never—" The words tangled on her tongue before she froze. Her eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to provoke me into embarrassment?"
Ming burst into laughter. "Your red face is quite entertaining."
"This is a new side of you." Xiulan pouted. "Abusing your junior sister's emotions like this."
"Don't worry." Ming smiled. "I'll help guide you through the method. I'm sure you can handle it."
Xiulan settled onto the soft grass beside Ming, who smoothed her pristine purple robes.
"We'll start with a simple primary meridian connection." Ming adjusted her posture. "Then I'll guide you through the method. Once you master it, the process should take about an hour."
"Okay." Xiulan shifted into a lotus position across from Ming, aligning their knees. The grass and linen cushioned her legs, while a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves overhead.
She closed her eyes and extended her hands, letting them hover until Ming's knuckles brushed against hers. The contact point tingled with potential energy.
Ming's qi manifested as a delicate thread—barely thicker than a spider's silk but radiating steady power. It pulsed against her skin, waiting for her to accept the connection.
Xiulan drew the ethereal strand inward, weaving it through her first primary meridian. The qi carried Ming's essence—notes of lavender and sun-warmed cotton filled her awareness. She guided it through her dantian where it merged with her own energy before flowing outward again through the interconnected channels. The combined qi emerged from her other hand, completing the circuit back to Ming.
"I'll take the lead now." Ming's qi shifted subtly. "Pay close attention to what I do."
Ming's qi thread pulsed through Xiulan's meridians like a gentle river current. "First, observe the trees. Notice how qi flows naturally through them, from roots to crown."
Xiulan focused on the towering trees surrounding them. Their branches swayed in patterns that matched the flow of energy Ming guided through her Du Mai meridian.
"The trees draw strength from below, just as we channel qi through the Ren Mai." Ming guided the thread, tracing the path along Xiulan's abdomen. "Feel how the energy rises like sap through a trunk."
The qi stream split into three distinct channels. Ming directed each branch through separate meridians—up the spine, across the abdomen, and through the core.
"These three paths must join perfectly." Ming adjusted the flow until the streams merged at Xiulan's dantian. "Like tributaries feeding a lake."
Warmth spread through Xiulan's chest as the merged qi circulated. The sensation mimicked the gentle lap of water against shore.
"Now for the twelve gates." Ming's thread traced each major meridian point in sequence. "Each opens like a flower to morning sun. Match your breath to the rhythm of the trees."
Xiulan synchronized her breathing with the swaying branches overhead. The qi responded, flowing smoother with each cycle.
"Nature's breath becomes your own." Ming demonstrated the proper timing. "Let body, mind, and spirit move as one, like leaves dancing in the wind."
Xiulan suppressed an internal eye roll at the flowery metaphors. Why does cultivation advice always sound like poetry? At least her senior sister was showing her the actual technique instead of just spouting cryptic nonsense.
The physical sensation of Ming's qi threading through her meridians painted a clear picture. Each movement showed exactly how the energy should flow, where it should split, and how it merged back together.
Ming's presence faded gradually until Xiulan guided the qi alone. Her first attempts stumbled—energy pooled incorrectly or scattered before completing the circuit. But with each cycle, the pattern grew clearer.
The stream's gentle burble drew her attention. Water seeped into the soil, feeding countless tiny roots beneath the surface. Those roots pulled the water up through wooden trunks into branches and leaves. When leaves fell, they decomposed into soil that filtered more water. Everything connected.
Xiulan threaded her qi through the twelve gates. Each point opened wider than before, like windows letting in fresh air. Her dantian expanded with each completed circuit.
A cycle within cycles. She repeated the pattern, feeling her spiritual core stretch further with every revolution. The method clicked into place.
She continued repeating the method and her dantian expanded steadily.
Time blurred as she repeated the technique. The stream's burble mixed with the sighing of leaves overhead while her qi flowed in endless circles. Tree Sigh Method. The sensation of growth gradually diminished until her dantian refused to stretch further.
Xiulan opened her eyes. Afternoon sunlight slanted through the trees, casting shadows across the clearing. Ming lounged against her travel pack, fast asleep.
"Senior Sister." Xiulan touched Ming's shoulder.
Ming blinked awake and smiled. "Well done!"
"Thanks, but..." Xiulan glanced at the sun's position. "Will we reach Themis before dark? This took longer than planned."
Ming laughed. "Don't worry. The path down moves much faster than climbing up."
A knot formed in Xiulan's stomach. Something about Ming's casual tone set off warning bells. Why does that not sound reassuring at all?