Chapter 12: True to Form (1)

Chapter 12: True to Form (1)

Unfortunately, making his way back up the ravine was far more difficult than his chosen method of falling down.

Sure, hed climbed his fair share of walls and cliffs in his adventuring days, but he also never had to deal with continuous stretches of near-vertical inclines. It was only through generous usage of Flash Step and the associated build-up of Soulburn from the Third Level spell that hed made his way from foothold to foothold, scaling up the cliff-face back to the flatlands that marked the border of the state of Wu.

Nice one! Quanhao praised, as Sylar reappeared with a rush of air from where he had been ten metres away. Though his words were well-intentioned, the fact that Quanhao had breezed his way up the wall made them seem almost mocking. Come on! Weve got to share the good news with everyone!

Quanhao waved him along, pointing toward where the others were already assembled.

Well, then. Here he had been, thinking that he and Quanhao might have had at least some chance of putting up a decent competition. From the look of annoyance that Yang Xingling was giving him, it was clear that they had been waiting for them to finish up.

Evidently, though self-satisfied at having uncovered yet another piece of the grand puzzle that was cultivation, when put into perspective he definitely still had quite some ways to go. His expertise with spells was far superior to theirs, sure, but in matters of physical endurance or martial combat he still left much to be desired. The battle with the Demonic Beasts themselves had ended fairly quickly but the journey there and back had taken much more time, since he couldnt manoeuvre around the chasms as agilely as they did.

Then, to his surprise, Xinglings brows furrowed. Elder Hua, however, was the first to speak.

Huh. Elder Hua cocked her head to one side, seeming as though to measure his worth for the first time. Then, she shrugged. Well, guess there might have been some truth to Elder Yangs words after all. Congratulations, I suppose. At least you finally start to make some semblance of sense.

Youve broken through to the First Comprehension? Guanzhong asked, a tinge of amazement colouring his otherwise measured tone. His robes were ruffled and littered with dirt and soot, a sign of the battle that he had undergone alongside Liu Yao. That how?

Before Sylar could answer, Quanhao interrupted. You werent kidding, boss, he said, grinning widely, still caught up in the rush of battle. Now I get why Elder Yang arranged for the bout between you two. Xingling, Yao, Shurui you three should have seen what he did against those beasts! He used Spiritual Arts Ive never seen before; and so many of them! He turned toward Sylar. Hey, show them again, wont you? I know theyd love to see them!

Not now, Im afraid. Im about close to my limit, Sylar spoke up, finally having the chance to get a word in. Maybe next time.

Those last couple of spells had been about to stretch his Soulburn capacity, and coupled with the repeated usage of Flash Step, he hadnt yet had the chance to vent it away. A few more spells were all he could pull off at present, and he still needed to cast a Phantom Steed lest he wanted a piggy-back ride back to Penshan.

Xingling still glared at him, but rather than a look of annoyance, there was a sense of intent contemplation. Perhaps achieving the First Comprehension in the manner that he did was quite a feat, but considering the circumstances, Sylar privately wondered whether it was more embarrassingly amazing that he and the entirety of the mage community of Resham hadnt reached the stage that all cultivators here considered to be mere initiation into the art.

From what he gathered, the crux of this first bottleneck lay in gathering Essence, and in tapping upon the energy released as it turned into Soulburn. Once sufficiently built up, it forced open a network of channels that he still knew little about, save for the vague awareness of its presence ever since the events that had taken place near the end of the battle earlier. So long as one got the hang of knowing just how to pool that phantom energy that he still barely understood, the major limiting factors from then on in achieving this first stage would be the rate by which one could draw in the appropriate Essences, and how much Soulburn one could hold and dissipate over the course of practice.

Both were subjects that Sylar knew well, having been exposed to Essence Studies since the beginnings of his apprenticeship to Master Rynwald more than a dozen years ago. Were he truly starting off on the same foot as the initiates among the ranks of the Righteous Heart Sect, perhaps his feat might truly be seen as a miraculous anomaly, but putting his circumstances into account, a week seemed like a reasonable span of time. He knew that Qiyu, for instance, was still struggling to draw and activate the equivalent of a Zeroth Level spell every fifteen or so minutes, while he could indefinitely chain together such spells with ease.

He didnt quite feel like performing the mental calculations, knackered as he was but comparing the ratios of the rates in which they could draw and burn Essence between them, it seemed to fit the notion that a neophytes years of training could be condensed into the span of a week for any experienced mage.

Well, good work, everybody. Disciples, this concludes the end of our training exercise. The moment that Elder Hua addressed the gathered members of her Sect, they paid the fullest attention to her words, showing the utmost respect. She gave a mischievous smirk. Good showing against the Demonic Beasts. Fastest clear goes to Yang Xingling and Qin Shurui, but Ive got to agree with Disciple Song Quanhao our foreign friend does have a good taste for the Spiritual Arts.

Shed been observing them? All three of their groups?

Oh, come on! She laughed, savouring the looks on their faces. You didnt really believe me when I said that Id let those Demonic Beasts devour you, did you? The Elders and the Grandmaster would never have allowed that!

Sure, Sylar had fully bought into that lie, but it wasnt what had truly surprised him.

No, what he couldnt understand was how? How had she been able to watch over them?

He was a Diviner, and he prided himself over the acuity of his senses. With his Diviners sight, it was nigh-impossible for anyone not versed in spells of Illusion to mask their spellcasting in his presence.

Where had Elder Hua been observing from and how hadnt he noticed her presence? There were means of doing so he was familiar with, but he doubted it could have been a spell of scrying.

Xingling, we will discuss further of your next steps in progressing through the Nine Unification Processes later. Liu Yao, Qin Shurui, Song Quanhao, meet me individually back in the Sect, and Ill give you my input of how you three can improve as well. Wu Guanzhong, Ill leave Elder Yang to continue overseeing your training.

Then to Sylars surprise she spoke to him as well, offering a brief shrug.

Not quite sure what to make of you, Sylar Spellsight. Even if we ignore the many differences in the formations you utilise, your Spiritual Arts dont pertain to my Second Comprehension, or its Revelations. Cant tease out what the nature of your Path is as well. I must admit, youre quite the puzzle.

She paused, and for the first time, seemed to be taking him in critically. What I can say, though, is to be prepared going forward. Most people find that achieving the Second Comprehension of the dao through cultivating the spirit is usually harder than the First, because one is too accustomed to cultivating the body. Its backwards in your case since youve already demonstrated expertise with the Spiritual Arts but Id put in a good wager that your current status of spiritual cultivation will impede your progress in bodily cultivation. Gathering qi for the opening of your meridians is one thing, but finding your First Revelation will be harder yet and the subsequent ones even more so.

It was a lot to take in. His understanding of the whole process of cultivation was still hazy, and there were many unknowns.

But therein lay opportunity, and Diviners loved nothing more than to capitalise on such moments.

Elder Hua, he said with a slight bow, attempting to mimic what he had noted of the local customs. It may not be my place to ask of this, but Id like to pay another visit to the Righteous Heart Sect to ask some questions of my own at some point, or potentially see if we can engage in mutually beneficial discussions. Much of the teachings from my homeland differs from what I have seen of your Sect.

Hmm? she made a distracted sound, having already decided that she was done with her debrief. Eh, sure, go ahead. Ask what you want of these five. Wu Guanzhong, youre the most responsible you make sure none of them goes into the details of anything past Outer Disciple level of secrecy. Play nice, now.

With that she leapt from where she stood.

In the next instant, as power accumulated over decades of bodily cultivation surged out from within her core, Wind Essence was sucked in from the ambient air, clinging to her form. As though an Air Elemental, she drifted into the air, her physical form fading from sight, turning transparent as motes of Wind Essence coalesced all around her.

And then, she flew away.

It was fascinating and more than a little terrifying. He knew of Spellsongs specialising in Transmutation that could mimic that feat with the use of potent spells such as Aspect of the Tempest or Maelstrom Avatar, for which the exact matrices and activation methods for their constituent Essences were secrets closely guarded by their practitioners.

Her method, however, was clearly different Transmutation magics altered physical form directly through the inherent power that lay within Essence, blending flesh, bone, and sinew themselves into air when first cast, only to be reverted to their original forms at the end of their duration. Instead, it appeared as though Elder Hua melded raw Essence around her corporeal being through the bizarre energy that was cultivated qi, turning her into a quasi-Transcendental being. In fact, it perhaps wouldnt be far off to describe her present state as a hybrid between a mundane being of flesh and bone, and a transcendental creature much like an Air Elemental.

With that revelation, he knew just how she had evaded his notice when the scattered groups had been thick in the midst of their respective battles. For all the strange powers of insight and perception that his rudimentary cultivation of Fate-Fate brought him, they hadnt drawn any awareness to the cluster of Wind Essence that was her Transcendental Form back during the battle. She had to have been flitting around the different battlefields, observing the three groups at work.

Sylar looked back toward the five remaining members of the Righteous Heart Sect. Well, I guess Ill be relying on your expertise, then.

Yang Xingling didnt even deign to respond. Before Sylar had even finished his sentence, she was already moving as a blur along the path back to Penshan, ignoring his presence entirely.

I dont think she likes me very much.

Hah! Dont worry too much about her; Senior Yang doesnt like anyone very much. Quanhao paused, then looked at Guanzhong. Well, except for Guanzhong, of course.

Can we please stop talking about our previous relationship?

Aha! So you admit it!

That wasnt my point at all

Um. Sylar coughed. Shouldnt we at least try to catch up with her?

Trust me, its best to leave her on her own when shes in this sort of mood, Yao advised.

Guess well have to make our way back by ourselves. Quanhao turned toward his cultivation partner over the past several weeks of training beyond the Sects borders. Hey, Shurui! Up for a race?

We are meant to accompany Sylar, Quanhao, Guanzhong sighed, shaking his head. He looked toward Sylar, a faint smile on his face. I hope that Quanhao hasnt given you too much trouble earlier.

Heh, trouble?

Quite the opposite, really, he denied, sporting a wolfish grin. His demonstration showed me just how much I didnt know about your local cultivation practices and feats.

Quanhao scratched at his cheek for someone as bold and outspoken as he was, it seemed that he was not one to bask in compliments. Still, you managed to achieve that breakthrough on your own. Its only the first step, but it sure is something. He whistled. You wouldnt happen to be one of those geniuses that come once in a thousand years, would you?

Sylar snorted. Genius? Him?

Hardly.

Quanhao laughed. What, that? That little sheets just a mental aid given even to the most junior of Outer Disciples. Sure, its technically a secret of our sect, but its only one piece of the Path Establishment Manual. Its probably been circulating in the black market for generations now.

It was careless of me to forget that something as basic as that belongs to our sect, Guanzhong added. Still, without the theory and methods of cultivating in accordance to the trigrams that have been refined over generations of our predecessors, its completely useless. Im sure the Elders will turn a blind eye to it.

Oh.

It was, all things considered, rather fascinating. From what he heard so far, it wasnt too far-fetched to think that these two factions each utilised eight out of the thirteen Essences in various ways in their cultivation techniques and Spiritual Arts. Among the trigrams, while there werent perfect fits between his terminology and that of the locals, and while all he could do was extrapolate the concise descriptors written beneath each pair of trigrams, he could roughly match their trigrams to one specific type of Essence.

Chaos and Order were notably missing, however; and as much as he tried shuffling the way he matched them around, it was the best interpretation he could come up with. Given that he knew that the locals utilised both types of Core Essences even now, they were still burning it, for Planes sake it stood to reason that perhaps they wielded ten out of the thirteen Essences. Eight were the basis for the trigrams, and the two Core Essences played a different role.

It was different from what he was accustomed to in Resham. While there were institutions dedicated to specific wielding of the various spell disciplines, a general understanding of all types of Essences was expected of any mage beyond their days as a neophyte.

And then, of course, there are those of the Evil Path.

Faces darkened at that, but save for the ominous nature of the words, Sylar was clueless. What?

Our mortal enemies. In all other Sects Orthodox or Unorthodox we are taught that cultivation and the power we gain through it bears a responsibility. We do not shy away from death, but we dont seek to needlessly cause it, either, Guanzhong explained. Those who walk down the Evil Path, however, kill as their very basis of cultivating. Their dao, and the purpose they have pledged their existence to, are based upon the foundations of delivering death and causing destruction.

Sylar had earlier thought the term to be a general descriptor when he first heard it during his meeting with Elder Yang, albeit one that bordered on the grandiose and pretentious. To know now that it bore a specific meaning, however

Then the ones that infiltrated Jins home and caused Qiyus suffering you think they are part of the Evil Path too?

Elder Yang believes so, and I trust in his wisdom and judgment.

What did happen in Penshan, anyway? Shurui asked, curious. Elder Yangs message only told us that an unknown sect had attacked the magistrates daughter, and to maintain vigilance in the ongoings within Jinxiang Province.

Sylar exchanged glances with Guanzhong. Well

It took another fifteen minutes to retell the story, beginning with his fortuitous meeting with Wenchai until his reverse-engineering of the Horrid Nightmare and the development of a counterspell. Just as Guanzhong had been during their first meeting, the others were surprised that he had crafted what they thought was an array for a novel Spiritual Art from scratch over the period of a hectic night.

You used the daoshi to remove the curse? Quanhao marvelled. Is that even possible?

It was a gamble, Sylar said, downplaying what they thought to be a grand achievement. More than anything, I was lucky.

To think that our enemy would have subjected himself to such a horrid means of Qi Deviation in order to preserve his sects secrets, though Shuruis words trailed off thoughtfully. This must be larger than just a single incident.

Qi Deviation. That term had come up several times before, now. It had a link to Soulburn that much was obvious but there seemed to be subtle differences in context.

Is there anything you can tell me about Qi Deviation? he ventured the question. Im familiar with something similar from my homeland, but there have been some differences gnawing away at me.

The first steps of cultivation involve drawing upon natural energies of the world to be pooled into the dantian; a stage that you have just broken into, Guanzhong said. As a cultivator progresses further, however, special care needs to be paid into how they build successive layers upon the foundation that has been laid down. Improperly cultivating incompatible energies can result in Qi Deviation, and a crippling of mind, spirit, and body or, in the most extreme cases, death.

Interesting. Sylar had thought the unknown cultivator he had fought to have killed himself by accumulating far too much Soulburn for his body to handle. Was Qi Deviation truly the culprit here? Were they even two separate entities?

Of course, you could be a genius like Senior Brother here, Quanhao teased. Hes the only one in our generation with the right spiritual roots to practice the Four Yin Mystical Tempering art.

Hells. Now there were spiritual roots as well?

Quanhao, Guanzhong warned, but then returned to addressing Sylar. You should be careful, Sylar. Your First Comprehension and the foundation of your Path doesnt feel like any of the cultivation methods used by the Righteous Heart, or even those of the Crystal Path and Radiant Star sects. The dangers of Qi Deviation will only grow as you continue advancing further along in your cultivation.

Ill bear that in mind.

Sylar was thankful for the advice. He was pretty much winging it here, from the sounds of things, what they called Foundation Establishment seemed to be a basic step, where drawing upon the energies of any of the Essence pairs into the dantian would suffice. He was no stranger to risk, and as a Diviner, he felt that he had a better grasp of what he was doing, even if he was venturing into unknown territory.

That was for him, however.

Theres something I want to ask, he said slowly. Ive, uh been teaching Qiyu some of the basics from my homeland.

Guanzhong nodded. Yes, the young lady of the Lu family has been progressing in her cultivation. She has strong fire roots, I believe? You have done a remarkable job, for one who hasnt been part of a sect.

Yeah theres a bit of an issue there, he admitted. Ive just been playing it by ear. Shes still in the very early stages of her training but I didnt know that Qi Deviation even existed until you mentioned it, and

He let his words trail off. It was obvious enough what had been left unsaid.

Its dangerous to cultivate without referring to an established method under proper guidance from a mentor, Guanzhong finally said. Still, theres nothing to worry about at present, since her dantian is not yet developed, and her meridians unopened. From what I sensed of her when we met, she is doing a fine job of building upon her fire roots without tainting her dantian with impurities.

He hesitated momentarily. As a friend, I can only marvel that you managed to teach her that much, considering that you hadnt broken through to the First Comprehension at the time, he said delicately. As a Ranking Disciple of the Righteous Heart Sect, however, I must advise that you take due caution going forward, especially once she successfully opens her meridians. Even the slightest mishap can leave one crippled, and the young lady does not possess the same experience with Spiritual Arts that you do.

Yeah, Im aware of that. Sylar sighed. I dont suppose theres any chance that the Righteous Heart could take over her training?

It hurt his pride to have to give up his first ever student, after having had no students sign up for the Nimbria Academy of Essence Studies, but he knew that he was out of his depth. His expertise lay in Substantiology and the casting of spells, not bolstering ones body and mind with an energy he didnt know even existed up to a week ago. His pride wasnt worth causing lasting harm upon his student.

The other disciples had never met Qiyu, and so Guanzhong spoke on their behalf. I cant say for certain, but I cant imagine that the Elders would turn away a diligent student with strong roots such as herself, he said. She would have to formally be inducted into our sect, however.

I figured as much. Sylar closed his eyes, rubbing at his temple tiredly. Ill have a discussion with her and Jin, and see what they think.

It does not have to happen immediately. For now, drawing energy and establishing the dantian is the most important step, and you have been doing a fine job with teaching her.

Sylar made a soft smile, thankful for the small consolation. Planes, having a student was actually fun, he had been surprised to discover. Still, no two mages were ever alike in styles, specialities, and preferences. Just as it had been back in his apprenticeship days under Master Rynwald, he knew that it would eventually have to come to an end.

Unless

Hypothetically, what would the Righteous Heart Sect say about a collaborative partnership?

A partnership?

I dont mean to brag, but I consider myself decent at the Spiritual Arts, he said, earning a loud snort from Quanhao. I reckon theres a thing or two I could teach even a Core Disciple like yourself about the techniques you utilise. In return, the Righteous Heart assists with overseeing the cultivation of me and my students, beginning with Qiyu.

That proposal came as a surprise to the cultivators. The junior members, who had been quietly deferring to their seniors authority for the most part, seemed shocked by the suggestion, and even Guanzhong appeared to not have been expecting it.

It is a decision that will depend on the will of the Elders, Guanzhong replied, after a long moments consideration. Possibly the Grandmaster, even. And even then, it will be unlikely that they will allow the sects advanced cultivation techniques to be taught to an outsider.

Hmm. Sylar hummed in acknowledgment. Ill need to think about it a bit more before raising the suggestion, then. Thanks.

They continued riding in silence.

I wasnt aware that you had any other students beyond Lu Qiyu?

Not yet, but I intend to set up a school of my own.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but as soon as Sylar said it, there was just a sense of something right about it. Hed failed in establishing his school back in Resham, but Sylar Spellsight was not one to accept failure. All those drafts he had created of old textbooks were probably lying forgotten in his lifeless tower on the outskirts of Nimbria at the moment, but it seemed that they might at last have their time to shine.

A school?

Yeah, Sylar said, grinning. The Nimbrian Academy of Essence Studies.