Chapter [B3] 19 — Qi and Gu

Chapter [B3] 19 — Qi and Gu

Labby stood behind a tree, watching over the field within the sect premises where the various mortal children practiced the forms that an instructor showed them. Or... not mortal any more, she supposed.

She watched intently as they all stood moved their bodies, guided by the instructor and with Chi inside of them.

She could sense it flowing from here, the different kind of energy that filled their dantians and moved through their bodies as they did, slowly shifting and flowing, like waves rising and falling on the shore.

Labby continued to watch from behind, feeling a strange motion in her chest. She wanted to have it too. It was her path and purpose to follow her great master, to be just like him. But here she was, still stuck where she had been before, unable to even possess Chi, while Mo Lin had somehow gotten an entirely new kind of it. It was unfair.

After a while of practicing forms, the children moved on, sitting on the grassy grounds with their legs crossed as they began to meditate, that she moved together in synchronized rhythms, flowing in and out around the world. She could sense the connection of that Chi, all of it flowing in and out from around the world that tied them together, eventually flowing to anchor itself to her great master. Just like her own spirit was. And yet she did not have any Chi inside of her.

Labby turned, starting to walk away. She did not want to stand there any longer or to watch them practice. What was the point? She had tried so many things, practiced, learned, read, and yet still nothing. She did not even know what she was doing wrong. She did not know what the right thing was, either.

It was like everyone else had an answer, but did not want to tell her what it was.

She walked in a huff, feeling frustrated and sad, and was about to go to her chamber and sit around when a familiar presence reached out to her.

“Sister!” The voice said, playing in her head.

Labby turned around to see Twilight seated top Sheldon as the two walked closer. “Senior Sister!” Twilight exclaimed, bobbing happily. Labby smiled as she picked up Twilight in her hand. The little plant spirit had gotten a lot better at talking recently, and Labby would often sit with her to read words and teach her as well.

Sheldon looked up at her, the turtle’s eyes far more discerning as he reached out to her.

“What is wrong?”

Labby looked down at the turtle, feeling unsure of how to reply. Would he be able to help if she told her? She didn’t know, but she certainly wasn’t doing any better on her own.

“Labby is tired,” she replied. “No matter how much Labby practices, she is not able to grasp this Chi. Even Mo Lin got her own, and it’s an entirely new kind as well! Labby feels like a failure,” she replied, looking down as she sulked.

“Have you told your Great Master about this?” Sheldon asked.

Labby shook her head. “The Great Master is busy. He’s doing lots of important things, and working on the sect. Labby doesn’t wanna bother him.”

“A master is there to teach. When the disciple is stuck. They must ask the Master. Such are the roles the two play. The disciple asks. And the master, will guide. To be a good disciple. You too must ask,” Sheldon said, looking at Labby. “Do you wish to be a good disciple?” Embark on an adventure to the origins at Nøv€lß¡n#★

Labby nodded.

“Come then. We will take you to him,” Sheldon said, as labby felt water forming around her feet. She jumped, surprise, but the water continued to rise, as it carried her up in the air, before seating her on top of Sheldon’s shell.

The turtle rose in the air, a wave forming around him as he rapidly began to move.

Twilight sat in front of Labby, near Sheldon’s head, standing up and jumping around excitedly as if guiding a ship.

“Chii!” Twilight exclaimed, as the three were off.

***

My mind still remained on the void nuke we had just created, but my responsibilities still had me moving. I worked with Qiao Ying to make sure our test hadn’t alerted anyone, or brought the wrong kind of attention. We reinforced the formations and wards, before I stepped out, looking out at the wintery overcast skies with a strange feeling lingering in my chest.

Just what kind of world was I creating here? And what kind of war would it create? Questions like that haunted my dreams. It was a good thing I barely slept anymore. Sometimes, I felt like I would be able to, even if I tried.

Before my thoughts could spiral to dark places, I felt a familiar presence moving closer to me. Sensing who it was I looked on in surprise, before a frown came over my face. Had something happened?

“You have the wolf spirit. Wolf possesses only one half. The half she does not have. The two can help each other. Reach and learn. Of the other half they miss,” Sheldon said to me.

I thought over it for a second. “Thanks actually quite a good idea. Meeting Ash could be beneficial for Labby. And he’s right here too,” I said.

“Do you want to?” I asked Labby.

The little girl thought over it, before giving me a nod.

“Alright, then follow me. I’ll show you the way,” I said, leading the three of them in.

At the back of my mind, I knew this had served as a distraction from all my concerns and worries at what I had created, but I put that thought out of my mind for the moment, heading in to see Ash.

The giant wolf sensed me coming, walking out to greet me, and I gently brushed his fur. A moment later, his eyes went to Labby and Sheldon.

“Hey Ash, this is Labby, Sheldon and Twilight,” my other spirits, I said, before looking down at Labby who stood behind me, as if afraid.

“You can come out here, he doesn’t bite,” I said.

Ash leaned closer at my words, but instead of looking at Labby, the wolf sniffed Twilight.

“A seed. Of something different, and new,” he said, before looking down at Labby.

“We do not hurt children,” Ash said.

“Labby is not a child!” Labby protested, forgetting her fear for a moment. Ash growled, almost laughing.

“As you say, child,” the wolf said, leaving Labby stomping her feet as lightning crackled around her.

“Alright alright, no fighting,” I said, putting a hand on Labby’s shoulder. “He’s just teasing you, we all know you’re big and strong,” I replied, gently placating Labby. “Let’s head in first, then we can work on how to proceed for you two,” I said, following Ash into his cave.

The wolf pups ran around, noticing our arrival, but seemingly not caring too much as they continued to chase each other. Ash quietly sat down on the ground, resting, though his tail wagged behind, and I could tell he was happy to see me here.

“Alright, so Labby has a similar problem to you Ash. Both of you need Qi and Gu respectively to form Chi but have been unable to. And I figured, maybe working together can help the two of you,” I said.

Ash looked at me. “Will the child... not be hurt? It is a difficult thing to do for one such as her.”

I frowned. That was true.

“Can reach within spirit. Learn. And then attempt. We can help. Bring them to the realms.” Sheldon said. I nodded at Sheldon’s words.

“Alright, let’s do that then,” I said, before finding myself a seat with my spirits all around me. Closing my eyes, I reached out to Sheldon, the turtle’s spirit easily reaching out to mine. Together, both of us reached out to the rest of my spirit, and I began to circle the Chi inside my core.

A moment later, I felt my consciousness sinking, pulled inside of me, and soon, I found myself standing in the familiar darkness.

Ash stood nearby, dark flames covering his fur, and a giant Sheldon stood next to me as well.

Twilight sat on my shoulder as normal, while Labby stood nearby, still in her human form.

I looked at all of them, smiling, before looking forward.

“Let’s go meet the big spirit of the Divine tree.”