Blossoming Path

"Lan-Yin, what's your dao?"

"Huh?"

She paused her work, staring at me in the same way Wang Jun did. Married couples really do act alike!

I dramatically raised my hands. "Your way of living, the belief that guides your every action. Every thought. It's the very air we breathe, the ground that settles on our feet. That is the dao."

"Is this another one of those nonsensical quotes from your cultivator books?"

"They are not nonsensical!" I gasped, as though she committed blasphemy of the highest order. "Humor me, Lan-Yin! What's your philosophy?"

She gave me a half-hearted shrug. "I don't know, my family? Being in the present?"

"Gah, maybe something a little more profound? Even Wang Jun had something nice to answer the question with."

The girl rolled her eyes at me. "You don't pay me to answer that. Now, can you help me put this up? It's heavy."

I sighed. Another one that was unable to comprehend the dao. I guess some aren't blessed with the insight to do so. No matter!

Her shrug was half-hearted but the message was clear - she didn't care much for philosophical inquiries. Her focus was on the present, the tasks at hand, her family, her duties. To her, life was simple and straightforward. The tangible world around her was the priority, not the complex intricacies of one's belief systems.

The small display of potions and elixirs was perched just above my head. Accommodating the essences and potions on my shelves took a bit of planning. Lan-Yin was quite skilled at designing, especially when considering how customers would enter the store. They would see my new products the moment they entered my shop. Although she wasn't helpful when it came to contemplating philosophy, she was quite good at interior design!

As we worked on the display of potions, the scent of different herbs filled the air. It was a mix of bitter and sweet, spicy and cool, each scent distinctive and yet mingling seamlessly with the others. The smell of the herbs was heady and intoxicating, each one reminding me of the journey it had taken to reach the shelves of my shop.

After hashing out any last-minute tasks for her to do, I went out into the garden where Tianyi rested. She seemed to notice my intent and fluttered towards me, happily perched on her spot by my right shoulder. With my iron staff in my other hand, It was time to complete one of the tasks I'd been looking forward to all day.

Completing the cultivation quest!

Quest: Cultivation Technique (Wood)

- Find five different areas that have sufficient wood qi in the surroundings, and meditate in them for one hour. (4/5)

- Areas with sufficient wood qi will be marked with a glowing, yellow orb only visible to you.

After Elder Ming's home became saturated in qi thanks to Tianyi's skill, I decided to measure just how long it took for the skill to take effect. I counted it at the banyan tree where I hosted my hand to hand combat sessions with the Village Head, and I realized exactly how long it took.

It was nearly three days of Tianyi's presence. But obviously, I didn't stick around at the tree for consecutive days and neither did she. It was over the course of half a month. Tianyi's skill was powerful. From what I could see, the Qi Haven didn't fade so long as she revisited the area atleast once a week. My shop and the surrounding area was always teeming with energy, and since I lounged frequently at Elder Ming's home, it became another place where I could cultivate my qi without holding back.

The Village Head appreciated Tianyi's presence. His posture and energy improved since Tianyi regularly attended our meetings, and he gave her a small plate of sugar water by his dining table as thanks. How beautiful!

With that knowledge, I searched for the appropriate place where I could complete the quest. It could've been anywhere, from Master Qiang's forge or just a small distance away from my shop for convenience. But I had a better idea.

My feet carried me through the village, and further into the coast where the fishing boats were. The smell of seafood and saltwater greeted my nose. It was far more intense here, and I waved to the locals. They cooed at Tianyi, admiring her glimmering wings. She had become a celebrity of sorts amongst the inhabitants of Gentle Wind Village. The delicate Spirit Beast preened under the attention and I could feel her smugness through our link.

I didn't know how smart Tianyi was, but clearly she could comprehend other people's words. I wonder if she'd be able to formulate words if our bond grew deeper, or if she went up another cultivation rank.

We went past the fish market. With the upcoming deposit I'd receive from the Azure Silk Trading Company and the completion of my quest, I'd celebrate with a hearty meal after I was done. The fishermen would be carrying loads of salmon, and I'd need plenty if I were to eat it. I'd invite Wang Jun and Lan-Yin for dinner, since salmon was one of the few dishes I knew how to cook.

I ended up at the beach. It was far from hustle and bustle, and for good reason. This area was barren during this time of the year. The beach was a place of tranquility, a place where the sea met the land, where the sky met the earth. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on the white sandy beach. The waves lapped gently at the shore, rhythmically washing over the fine grains of sand, each wave leaving behind a frothy trail as it receded. The serenity of the beach, coupled with its significance in my life, made it the perfect place to meditate.

It was also the place where we held our funeral rites for those who passed on. The body is placed on a boat with mementos from their life as well as gifts that their family believed they should take with them to the afterlife. Once it was all laid out, the boat would be set adrift at a high tide, with everyone watching as they're carried off further than the eye can see.

This was where I had said my last goodbyes to my parents.

It was a place of significance to me, as well as most of the village. At the end of the summer, we'll be hosting the annual Feast of Tides event, where we celebrate life, death, and rebirth. I know that Elder Ming has already begun coordinating with most of the village folk with summer coming to a close.

I've been spending more time here with Tianyi by my side. It was a quiet area, and not extremely far like the banyan tree. It was ideal, and had an especially beautiful view under the moonlit sky.

A place of life and death. To honor my parents.

There was no better place to complete this quest. Today was the day, according to my calculations, that Tianyi's Qi Haven skill would trigger.

And so, I went about my own training. A quick warm-up to get the blood flowing throughout my body, followed by staff practice.

My first excercise was two-hundred downward swings. It was the most basic move, and thereby the most important. I didn't think it'd be so difficult. But when done with an iron staff, doing a hundred was a difficult task.My forearms felt like they were on fire, and my shoulders felt like lead after the first training session. Getting it up to two-hundred swings was no easy feat. and it showed through the transformation of my upper body.

I had gotten used to training without a robe. My body, which was fairly average prior to training, now had definition and untold strength. I exhaled with every swing, sweat pouring down my face as I neared the end of the set. Each strike of the staff echoed through the quiet morning, each thud a testament to my dedication. I could feel the resistance of the air, the strain in my muscles, and the sharp intake of breath as I drove the staff down. It was a symphony of exertion and willpower, each move building upon the last.

Hands grasping the staff firmly, but not tight. Making sure to stay loose until the point of impact to reduce the amount of energy used per swing. Imagining the staff as an extension of my arm.

These were just the few things that I had to remember during my training. Some I learned through constant repetition and adjustment, but the most important thing was my attention to detail. From the first rep to the last, I made constant adjustments. A slight twist to my foot. The timing of my swing. The distance between my hands as I held the staff. They all made minute differences to my form that added up over time.

With a small exhale, I concluded the last of my two-hundred swings and sat down to rest. Being so close to the ocean helped cool me off, and I splashed myself with some water and ran it through my hair. It was getting terribly long now. Tying it up into a pony-tail would be a good idea.

"Well, onto the next set."

I repeated the two-hundred swings for different moves. One-handed downward swings. Overhead strike. The straight thrust.

By the time I finished, I could barely hold my hands over my head even without the staff.

I flopped to the sandy beach floor and glanced at Tianyi. She was content to flutter around, close to where the sand transitioned into the earth. Keeping focus throughout my training was important, but I couldn't help but glance over at the butterfly just in case the yellow orb appeared. I sat down and meditated, trying my best to keep my mind off things. I delved into my memory palace and reviewed the numerous training excercises I did with Elder Ming. He rotated through plenty, from ones that tested my core, conditioned my fists and feet, or even my ability to block and defend!

I was limited in what I could do by myself and without the usage of qi, but I settled on a few for today that I could do. Holding the advanced form of the horse stance, which was just making myself drop into an even deeper squat. I hung my arms limply over my staff and kept it on my neck as an additional weight.

Twenty minutes passed until I could no longer hold it. Training without Elder Ming wasn't as intense, but I had a good understanding of how much I needed to get better. There wasn't anybody to tell me what I should do, and why. Feng Wu's display of martial prowess stuck in my mind as a baseline of what I should be capable of, but it was still a far goal to reach. My physical capabilities were slowly bridging the gap, but the difference in technique was like a massive chasm. The idea of entering a sect entered my mind once more, but I brushed it off as soon as it appeared.

a glow of light just from the corner of my vision caught my attention, and I turned around to see that after almost two hours on the coast, the yellow orb I had been waiting for finally appeared. My fatigue temporarily forgotten, I jogged over and giddily began meditating. It took me a few minutes to settle the excitement bubbling up within my gut as I tried to focus.

Breathe in, breathe out. Focus on the present, and cleanse my mind of thoughts about the past or future. Only the present is what matters most.

The soft, nigh-imperceptible touch of Tianyi on my shoulder was followed by qi circulating through my body, chipping away at the fatigue and soreness built up from today's training session.

As I settle into my meditative state, the rhythmic lullaby of the sea immediately captures my attention. The gentle ebb and flow of the waves against the shore create a soothing, repetitive melody that anchors me in the present moment. Every so often, a wave crashes against a nearby rock formation, the sharper sound punctuating the steady rhythm, a stark reminder of the sea's untamed power.

I take a deep breath, the salty tang of the sea air filling my nostrils. It's a scent so familiar and yet so complex, carrying hints of seaweed, and fish. As I exhale, I imagine my stress and worries being carried away on the sea breeze.

Beneath me, the sand is cool and slightly damp. It conforms to my body, grounding me and connecting me to the earth. I can feel the faint vibrations of the earth beneath me, the subtle movements that are usually overlooked in the bustle of daily life.

The cries of seagulls echo in the distance, their calls blending with the softer sounds of other seabirds. Every so often, the splash and chitter of a sea otter or the blow of a distant whale adds another layer to the symphony of natural sounds.

As I delve deeper into my meditation, I become aware of the ebb and flow of the sea's own immense energy, a powerful yet calming presence that mirrors my own breath. All these sensations blend together into a tapestry of awareness that keeps me firmly anchored in the present moment. As I meditate, I feel a deep sense of peace and connection with the world around me, a reminder of my place in the grand scheme of things.

And when I opened my eyes, it was to a message. My quest was complete.

Quest: Cultivation Technique (Wood)

Due to your status as Interface Manipulator, your rewards will be adjusted accordingly.

The mentorship you received from an elder with a fire alignment has influenced your reward.

Your Qi is transforming.

Your pathways are now stronger and more resistant to status ailments such as Qi Reflux, and Qi Deviation.

You can now utilize the skill, Crimson Lotus Purification Technique

A sensation akin to a sudden lightning strike floods my consciousness, as if a vast tome of ancient knowledge has been abruptly dropped into my mind. The Crimson Lotus Purification technique; it permeates my thoughts, effortlessly weaving itself into my understanding of the world. Just like that instance with the Rooted Banyan Stance. No, it was far more profound.

I feel it, the life force around me, the pulsating rhythms of nature, the inherent vitality of the wood-aligned qi that I've been nurturing since I started on this path. The budding contemplations I had about my dao were brought to the forefront of my mind. Suddenly, the cryptic response of Elder Ming when I asked him what his dao was started to make sense, their true meanings surfacing from the depths of my comprehension. A candle. But he didn't point at that, he pointed at what made it so significant.

The flame.

I can see it now, the essence of wood, the ceaseless growth, the tenacious persistence, the budding potential. And there, intertwining with it, the fire. It's not mere destruction; it's a purification process, a renewing flame that burns away the old and unnecessary to make room for the new. This is the balance, the harmonious dance between creation and destruction, growth, and rebirth.

Suddenly, everything clicks into place, like the pieces of a puzzle that I've been trying to solve for ages. Elder Ming's teachings up until now taught me about the transformative nature of flame, its ability to cleanse and purify, to induce change.

This cultivation technique, this Crimson Lotus Purification, it's not just about harnessing the vitality of wood or the destructive power of fire. It's about combining them, learning to cultivate life energy like a thriving, ever-growing tree, and then purifying it, burning away the impurities, in the way of a cleansing, revitalizing fire.

It's about the cycle of life, about understanding that in nature, even destruction is a form of creation, that rebirth follows death, and that growth and decay are two sides of the same coin. This is what my master was trying to teach me, and this is what the Crimson Lotus Purification embodies.

This isn't just a technique. It's a new perspective, a new way of understanding the universe and my place within it. I feel like I've taken a significant step on my journey of cultivation.

I let out a breathless sigh, as my mind tried to process all the information. And once it was all digested, I picked up Tianyi and ran off to the fish market. It was time to celebrate and I needed to pull Wang Jun and Lan-Yin together for a grand feast!