Chapter

Congratulations! You have defeated – Rank 2 Silver Wujen.

You have deferred Killing Blow.

A fraction of your opponent’s endless potential is now forever your own!

Experience earned!

Alex got up with a surprised gasp, for a moment terrified that an unexpected attack had sent him catapulting to oblivion… before he felt the soft cool cotton sheets lining his down stuffed mattress that could mean only one thing as he gazed about the darkened room.

“Lights.”

And as quickly as he thought it, his room was bathed in soft cool moonlight, exactly what any half-asleep guest might desire in making their way to the bathroom just long enough to relieve themselves before sinking back into invitingly warm covers and drifting immediately back to sleep once more.

“Full daylight.”

Alex smiled as the sourceless light dialed itself up to what one would expect in an aerie room at noon, plenty of light for studying, training, or socializing with friends. He spent a few brief moments just savoring the sheer wonder of a palatial suite that would be the envy of any lord or business tycoon, eyes flickering over priceless treasures and gameboards of gold and jade, brilliant jeweled pieces inviting games evolved around elegance and beauty as much as cutthroat tactics.

And he could all but sense the promise of his interface, that should he but invest a single Rank 1 Gold Soul stone, his entire palace would be upgraded to Gold tier, and all the servants within would awaken to true life as every suite would transform into grand apartments suitable not just for a single guest or pair but for an entire family, growing as each generation came into being over countless decades, food and resources growing to accommodate the needs of the palace’s eternal guests.

All it would take was a single Gold Core, wherever he chose to invest it within his palatial masterwork. Whether increasing his guest capacity from 100 individuals to ten fold that number of entire families to improving his library with any number of priceless advancements that would make it all the easier to find the perfect tome, free of traps or pitfalls.

Or he could invest that single Soul Stone into bringing to life a host of entertainment options and Gold ranked master performers which a part of him was almost certain he could shape not just into comedic or athletic entertainment, but perhaps the resurrection of his favorite roll playing games of all time, complete with Gold ranked Dungeon Masters who would devote their lives to designing and running the most intricate and exciting campaigns he could imagine.

Or masters of chess and go, he thought with a smile as he gazed upon the priceless game boards in his suite, the tantalizing sense of dungeon masters and cheerful actors who would happily embrace the roll of comedic NPCs and gaming villains fading to a halcyon dream, Alex’s heart aching as he caught sight of the bemused smile of the DM who had run so many of his favorite games along with his older brother and sister when they weren’t playing Solar Realms, however many years ago it had been. Friends he had felt so close to, like they were family.

Just a single wish away.

Alex took a deep shuddering breath and forced himself fully awake and in the moment, demanding his psyche let go of his pair of priceless Golden orbs, treasures that had such incredible potential.

He knew he’d be a fool to waste it on anything save himself.

But when he thought of the incredible world that he had forged, now exceeding 2000 miles in circumference, including great lakes or perhaps miniature oceans, or the now over 500 somewhat restless and uncertain souls that now called this place his home, he knew he had far more important things to do than be haunted by ancient memories, or hunger for what he could never have.

He had forged a world.

It was time he took responsibility for it.

Interface accessed.

You have summoned your seneschal.

Dong Xiao is now before your door!

“The humble seneschal Dong Xiao greets his esteemed master in all things. May the world rejoice, the Child of the Heavens has returned to us!”

Alex smiled to behold a prostrate Dong Xiao who seemed to be sobbing into the plush woolen rug as he kowtowed before Alex.

“We are so grateful for your return to life, master! For two weeks you had lain comatose, and some had feared the worst. But I was certain you would come back to us in time, and how right I was!”

He positively beamed, taking Alex’s measure. “And if my eyes do not deceive, you are now looking more fit than ever!”

Alex grinned and nodded. “Happy to say I broke through to Rank 7 Bronze. I just needed a couple weeks to stabilize my foundation and teach my disciples all I could.”

“Of course, Master Alex! And may I say again how it warms my heart with joy to see your eyes alight with life’s passion! Now you must be famished, master. Shall I have the kitchen prepare your favorite meals?”

Alex gave a pleased nod. “You know what, that sounds like a—”

“Your food is ready, master.”

Alex blinked and turned around, and sure enough, the sleek hardwood table in the center of his suite was absolutely covered with every delectable treat he could imagine, with a pair of smiling young women dressed in soothing blue silk qipaos presenting both his father’s favorite red wine and a tall frosted silver flask filled with what he just knew would be his favorite childhood treat.

Alex wasted no more time on words, stuffing his face with deep dish pizza, cheesecake, absurdly rich Wagu burgers with crisp buns flooding his mouth with an explosion of umami flavor, before washing it all down with an ice cream shake so decadent it would leave any politician absolutely green with envy, before he finally came up for air.

“Alright,” he said at last. “Before anything else, what’s the status of our guests?”'

"I am happy to say that the majority of your inner counsel has been making diligent use of your library, and Prince Caojin personally wanted to express his most extreme gratitude in being permitted to peruse one of your priceless Jade tomes." At which point his seneschal sighed. "He further wished to inform you that there were no less than three perilous passages he uncovered in the first half of the tome, and whether this was due to transcription error, or simply a genius who had neglected to instruct future readers about potential pitfalls and prudent precautions... he would recommend that none but the most proficient masters of Flame dare that tome, lest their pursuit over the mastery of flame consume them as well."

Alex's eyes widened at those words. "Really!"

"I'm afraid so, my lord. But fear not, your counselor is unharmed, though I fear one of your courtyards is somewhat the worse for wear.

Alex felt a cold chill with those words. "Please don't tell me anyone..."

"Oh no, master. The Yellow Prince had the prudence to embrace his studies away from the more public areas and our growing little... community. He does, of course, hope that such doesn't constitute a violation of his oath."

Alex smirked. "I"m almost afraid to ask how much damage we suffered..."

"The loss of 27 fruit trees and the complete obliteration of one of the courtyard in question."

"I see."

"But by no means should the tomes be forbidden. Caojin's express words, as the prince did report a phenomenal breakthrough... just a perilous one."

Alex frowned. "Alright. Well, lesson learned. It's apparent that not all our tomes are safe for all our cultivators. And even golds..."

"Might find tomes of Jade calibre challenging. Thus I am absolutely ecstatic to report that both Master Ru and the former Royal Phoenix academy staff now under his direction have done an excellent job of overseeing the library and those cultivators who wish to make use of the tomes within."

Alex smiled. "That's a relief. I get the feeling there's a lot more to it than simply leading prospective students to their desired tomes."

"Indeed, Master Alex. Your counsel and Elder Ru have also taken steps to assure that all power struggles and disputes are settled in the most civilized of manners. At All the suites are presently occupied. Elder Ru, your counsel, and all the former staff of Royal Phoenix Academy who have dared your gates now enjoy their quarters uncontested, all others fight for weekly rights."

Alex nodded. "Excellent. I assume the instructors are at least earning their keep?"

His seneschal nodded. “Save for your personal advisors, all of those possessing royal suites dedicate at least six hours a day to instructing our remaining guests, managing the library, or otherwise working for the betterment of the collective, as Elder Ru directs. All our guests spend at least eight hours a day cultivating, sparring, or perfecting various specialized techniques, save for harvesters and crafters. A full one fourth of our guests spend the majority of their days in the collection of Qi infused spirit herbs, in addition to harvesting bushels of fruits and nuts rich in spiritual energy to service the nutritional needs of our guests.”

Alex frowned at this, immediately sensing the problem, even if his seneschal was gracious enough not to say it directly. “They have fruit and nuts aplenty, and the spiritual energy infusing those trees and my world as a whole probably assures they’re quite healthy. But I seeded this world with little in the way of edible vegetables, worried only about planting as many alchemically useful plants as I could in the time I had. Add to that the fact that I didn’t think to bring along any livestock whatsoever…”

His seneschal gave a sympathetic grin. “I am happy to report that the northern are fields full of wildflowers and spiritual herbs that would be ideal for any number of goats, sheep, or cattle. Other areas nearby are more than suitable for pig troughs and whatever poultry you choose to stock this world with.”

Alex grinned, then his eyes widened. “I can seed this world directly, with any number of beasts, right from my interface!”

His seneschal nodded. “I sense you have the reserves to shape this world in whatever miraculous ways you see fit.” He then smiled. “Alternatively, as our realm is now in perfect resonance with our neighbors, any herds you might bring over will no doubt adapt quite well to this environment.”

Alex nodded. “And I’d make sure to purchase only the best quality livestock available, since they would effectively be seeding my entire world.”

“That would be best, Master Alex.”

Alex frowned thoughtfully. "I don't suppose there's some easy way for me to summon my advisers without knocking on their doors?"

His seneschal nodded, a bell of brilliant shimmering crystal appearing in his hand as if by magic. "Of course, my lord. Though I'm afraid to say that only two of your advisors are here at present."

"I see."

"It seems that both Caojin and Cheng Lei both feel the pressing weights of their station and to their credit, they've been awaiting your arrival for the past two weeks without knowing, precisely, when you would be available." Dong Xiao flashed a regretful smile. "It seems your kung fu brother in particular was worried you might take their absence poorly. He hopes you will forgive him, and left this note."

Alex didn't hesitate to open the wax-sealed letter.

I hope this finds you well, kung fu brother, and I hope as well that you will forgive my abrupt departure, after all we have been through. For as incredible an experience as it is to witness your world growing before my eyes and the eyes of those with the wit to understand what the ever expanding horizon truly means, there are few people more than yourself who can better understand what a dire threat our shared nemesis is... and how perilous is the position of the kitsune girl who has touched both our hearts.

I pray you will forgive my abrupt departure, but I too have multiple pieces in play and must tend to them before all is lost. Caojin will be joining me, and if all goes well, we will be returning via the exit portal placed at the forest line near Baidushi's eastern gate. - I'm beyond grateful to you, Alex, for all you have done for me and mine. And for the gate.

Cui Chan has chosen to stay, spending her days studying your sacred tome and her nights blessedly free of dreams. She prays her mother will understand her choosing to live in a realm where she feels safe, and her karma is untainted by the horrors she was forced to witness and endure. I do as well.

And please do not fear for our newest Kitsune companion. Xun Hu actually managed to find a rather impressive collection of historical tales and plays, studying them almost as intently as the rest of us study our cultivation manuals! I am doubly glad you secured counselor quarters for Cui Chan and Xun Hu both. It is a blessing to both of our beloved companions, for reasons we will no doubt keep to our graves.

Your friend in all things - Cheng Lei.

Alex was surprised to find himself both as pleased as he was by his friend's thoughtful letter. And troubled as well. "It seems like I'm not the only one playing the long game in Baidushi."

These words earned a too knowing smile from Dong Xiao. "I would be extremely surprised if you were, sir."

"Well, I'm glad the pair of princes cared enough to say farewell, but more than a bit troubled to find an unexpectedly opened gate."

His seneschal raised a polite eyebrow. "I had assumed you had summoned it forth. Shall I have it closed, master?"

Alex blinked. "You can do that? Wait, hold on, okay, I sense it." he frowned thoughtfully. "Okay, maybe I did forge it, even if it did feel more like a memory of a dream at the time. And I sense it's both invisible and linked to them, so no unsuspecting peddler or farmer will find himself popping into our realm. Alright, we'll keep it open, at least for now, so our friends have a safe way to return."

"Very good, sir."

Alex swallowed, forcing himself to ask the question he had been putting off, filled with anxiety and hope in equal measure. “I sort of um… well, that isn't the only gate I opened during the weeks I was, well, preoccupied.”

Dong Xiao bowed his head, his small square top hat not moving a hair. “You have indeed, master.”

Alex cleared his throat. “Has anyone come through?”

Dong Xiao solemnly shook his head. “No one has, master.”

A crestfallen Alex gazed down at the table still filled with enough extravagant dishes to satiate any fever dream, suddenly finding his appetite had left him, despite his increased bulk and what was now definitely inhuman strength. “I see.”

Dong Xiao raised his brows in polite concern. “Is something wrong, master?”

Alex gave a quick shake of his head. “Not really, it’s just that…” he frowned, having no desire to throw his metaphoric weight about at all. In fact, if he had it his way, his touch would be so light that few would have any idea of just how significant his role was. Still, there were some things he wouldn’t compromise on.

“It’s just that, well, if a tall, incredibly beautiful young woman, or a kitsune with ebony ears and tail, or no fox ears or tail at all, but with crimson eyes that note all sorts of things that most people politely pretend never to notice come through? Please make sure they are shown all courtesies and given rooms as close to my own quarters as possible. Oh, and the kitsune might or might have her shadow with her.”

Dong Xiao furrowed his brow before nodding. “Of course, Master Alex.”

Alex raised a finger. “But we have to do this tactfully… how about either you or Elder Ru pronounce that the lord of the palace is expecting several very important guests, and though he is quite pleased with the arrangements already in place, assuring both wisdom, growth, and the pursuit of excellence are what compels our guests, nonetheless, two more rooms are in dispute. The losers will be granted extra private lessons with Elder Ru or whichever other instructor is willing, or perhaps a cultivation potion… and the guests whose rooms adjoin my own shall graciously move to those freed up pair of rooms.”

His seneschal beamed. “An excellent plan, Master Alex. It is always best to consider the moral of your citizens. Though I assume your counselor's rooms shall also remain sacrosanct?”

Alex winced, still not sure how comfortable he was, thinking of anyone as his citizen or himself as a lord, more than happy to have a quiet retreat where he could study and train with a few choice instructors and friends, and maybe one day settle down with the girl he was pretty sure he was going to marry. He smiled, taking momentary comfort in the fantasy of he and Hao Chan enjoying a home where their family would be able to live happy safe lives, no matter how horrific the twisted games of gods and kings in the world he both loved and at times hated, just a single golden portal away.

But there was no way he was going to turn his back on what were now 500 souls so desperate that they were willing to jump through gates to unknown worlds to escape Dongfang Hong and madness he represented, waiting for them in the world they had left behind.

Still, if Alexcould fade into the background or, perhaps even better, as much as he hated to admit it, embrace whatever competitions or conflicts might naturally occur, that would probably be to his long-term benefit. Because peaceful serenity was great for the soul, but as he learned in the two months of tranquility he had enjoyed with Elder Panheu before everything changed, his growth would be equivalent to that of any talented mortal cultivator, and no more than that.

It was only when his life was in constant peril that his soul blazed like a shooting star, and he grew by leaps and bounds.

Or, as his old gamer friends would have put it, it was only when he was fighting for his life or otherwise claiming a bit of the infinite potential, or experience points of his enemies, that he was able to level up and ascend.

And speaking of ascension…

“Dong Xiao, about the pair of trees in the center courtyard…”

“You mean the Sacred trees that blossomed to fruitful life under your touch, branches overhead now filled with the most luscious, exquisite apples any man could possibly want?”

Alex grimaced. “Yeah, those. Has anyone…”

His seneschal gave a firm shake of his head. “No, Master Alex. Please forgive my presumption, but considering the boon and cost of partaking of those fruit, I made it clear that none save the lord or his chosen were permitted to savor that bounty.”

Alex let loose a breath he hadn’t even been aware he had been holding. “That’s good. At least for now.” He furrowed his brow, gazing intently at his seneschal's serene countenance. “Wait, you mean you forbade them from harvesting fruit probably more powerful than any other spiritual treasure I’ve ever heard of, a bribe the gods themselves have used for thousands of years to entice any would be Jades to never ascend beyond the mortal plane… and a group of five hundred power hungry cultivators accepted your decree?”

Dong Xiao’s smile widened. And for perhaps the first time, Alex sensed the deadly storm of potential behind those guileless eyes. “I am the seneschal. The caretaker of these lands. When you are not here, I make sure that all is as it should be.” He chuckled softly. “And I was most pleased to find such a strong ally in Elder Ru, so gracious as to enforce my gentlest words with the steel of his own command.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Alex said, his mind then reflecting on everything he hoped to accomplish while still keeping as low a profile as possible, and he thought he knew just how to do it.

But first, to make sure his unexpected charge was okay. “How’s Xun Hu?” His brow furrowed. "I know she's the only one of my counselors without noble title or a Silver or Gold's power. No one has troubled her or tried to challenge her for her quarters, have they?"

His seneschal flashed a reassuring smile. “The young kitsune is doing quite well, I assure you. She has attached herself to Cui Chan and Chun An and assists in the library on most days. She seems particularly fond of reading tales of history and legend, appears to do very little actual cultivating, and I believe she frequently eats with Elder Ru and the princes as well. Perhaps sensing the friends she keeps, no one has dared to challenge her for her rooms. Of course, it could also be because she cloaks herself in Shadow at all times, save when reading books under her friend's watchful eyes."

Alex flashed a relieved smile. “Good. I was afraid that... well, anyway, I’m glad that she was able to ingratiate herself with people both powerful and kind.”

Dong Xiao dipped his head in agreement. “Your counselors agreed to keep their roles as discrete as possible. Because her position would raise the most eyebrows if known, she has been reluctant to reveal that which would most likely bring unwanted attention your way."

Alex sighed. His seneschal was right. No one would think his other friends were anything less than the royals they were, even Cui Chan, despite all she had endured. Few would challenge them, or question if it turned out they were advisors of the lord of this realm. But a still too-thin kitsune waif? Few would accept her position without challenge, eager to savor the pleasures and benefits of magically rejuvenating rest, the sweet bliss of godlike dreams, and endless meals of whatever treat you could imagine, rejuvenating your dantian as much as it did one’s flesh.

Alex could only imagine how fiercely they all fought for those rights already.

“Alright, thank you for letting me know. If she has any problems…”

His seneschal bowed his head. “I will be sure to let you know.”

Alex nodded. Though he had every intention of cloaking himself and squeezing every iota of conflict and potential he could from his fellow cultivators, he wouldn’t do so if it meant the frightened girl who had trusted him to save her was thrown in the metaphoric cold.

For Xun Hu, being able to embrace blissful sleep free of any nightmare or regret, able to dream sweet halcyon dreams of peaceful idyllic memory or fantastic adventure free of bitter memory, was a blessing almost as important as survival itself.

And Alex wasn’t going to let anyone take that away from her.

Even if he had to take steps.

“Child of the Heavens? Is something wrong?”

Alex furrowed his brow, wondering what had made his seneschal blanch.

As if he had just glimpsed death itself.

“No, nothing at all. Why?”

Dong Xiao flashed a relieved smile. “No reason, Master Alex. How may I further assist you this night?”

Alex winced. “I’m sorry, what is it, two in the morning?”

“It is whatever time you wish it to be, Child of the Heavens.”

Alex gave a firm shake of his head. “No, nope, not doing it, no sir. No messing with time on my watch!” He winced. “Bad pun. Anyway, I’ve read enough novels to know what happens when idiots go down that route. Let’s stick to just waking up Zhu Bi and Yingpei. Assuming they’re up to a little late-night adventure?”

Dong Xiao closed his eyes. Before opening them abruptly and giving a polite little cough. “I don’t think you have to worry about waking them up, my lord. But I do recommend waiting a good, hmm… half a glass.”

Alex blinked. “Oh.”

“Quite.”

Alex took a thoughtful sip of his refilled and still ice-cold milkshake, appetite returned. And considering that his Strength and Vitality had both hit Rank 1 Silver, he thought it a more than reasonable for his body to crave as much sustenance as he could give it. He was awed and quietly overjoyed with his tremendous boost in power, and he could only wonder what effect the dragon blood was having on his metabolism.

At least he had plenty of room for more pizza!

He then looked to his study desk, across his spacious room and poured out the contents of each of the pouches he had claimed from his enemies a little over two weeks ago, though he had had no chance at all the count the spoils until now.

Sometimes deferred gratification was truly worth it, he thought with a soft chuckle sometime later, gazing at his piles of silver and gold and platinum coins, a silver chalice now full of spirit pearls, and a plate filled with sparkling lesser beast cores of multiple grades.

A truly fantastic fortune.

And the handful of sparkling jewels and cultivation tomes was quite the find as well.

But nothing made him smile quite so much as the magical treasures he had claimed, laying them out on the thick plush rug to better admire the collection of finely made spears, axes, dao, and the suits of warring states style armor and shirts of fine steel mail, ideal for speed cultivators, though none of those items were magical treasures. But the true prizes of his haul included a slender jeweled jian radiating sharp metallic Qi that he was wise enough not to unsheathe and mock fence with, having had no training at all with the weapon, a ruby hilted dao of exquisite workmanship that radiated a fierce deadly heat, even sheathed, a bladed staff that seemed to flow in Alex’s hand as if made of Water Qi, and perhaps most valuable of all the Adepts treasures, at least as far as Alex was concerned, was a lamellar hauberk made of stone tiles that looked exactly like the suits of stone armor ancient Qin soldiers wore thousands of years ago. Only each stone tile was infused with potent Earth Qi, and Alex was almost certain that the armor would ward otherwise killing blows almost as well as the nearly indestructible steel helmet he had claimed from a fallen foe during his original journey to Baidushi.

Artificer skillcheck made!

The stone armor was heavy, he noted, once he was sure that no curses or traps lay upon any of the prizes he had pulled out so far. Weighed down with so much Earth Qi that he had no doubt even the strongest Olympians would have been slowed to a plod.

But Alex had reforged himself into being so much more than he had once been. If a score of 10 was the human norm in this world, 18 a professional athlete back home, and 20 a gold medal Olympian, each point taking one ever further from the standard bell curve, his Strength and Vitality had both reached 66. Nothing like any absolutely absurd superman caricatures of fantasy. But a wonder woman level of Strength, at least? He’d like to think he was getting pretty darn close to just that.

Just one advantage of balancing his physical stats as best he could and daring to embrace even a dragon's deepest secrets for blessings he could pass on to his own descendants, assuring them an incredible boon of future strength and good health, no matter what cultivation paths were available to them, or how blessed or challenging their lives became, even if they couldn't tap into the whirlwind of spiritual energy he could now sense all around him, thanks to White Crane, or the tsunami’s worth of power inherent in Silver Swan, an art that had proven such a boon for survival. All he had to do was hold out until he and Hao Chan finally broke through to Silver, and pretty much any life dream he could imagine would be available to him, including the one he was already devoted to.

Ascending the cultivator's path just as fast and fiercely as he could for the sheer joy of his own growth, and the dream of becoming so strong he need fear no threats nor enemy taking what he had fought so hard to acquire.

But in the meantime, no reason not to train while waiting for his friends, he thought as he flowed through Silver Swan and White Crane forms in his gloriously spacious room with slow precision, revling in a physique and finesse that allowed him to balance the many hundreds of pounds of armor now protecting his hips and torso with the help of just a few artfully tied towels as he practiced his forms until the knock he had been waiting for rang against his door, and it was an excited Alex who sprung open the door.

To behold the glaring countenance of a powerfully built giant of a man somehow radiating the aura of a living mountain who was glaring down at Alex, heavy brows sheltering beady black eyes in a bony face Alex had never glimpsed before, damp oily hair tied in a careless topknot an odd contrast to the pristine white silk gi sparring uniform that he wore.

The man chuckled with something akin to fierce exultation as his eyes caught Alex magnificent spread of food and the two patient servitors still awaiting Alex’s pleasure with hands filled with drinks and the most patient of smiles.

Before turning his glare back to Alex. “Where is she?”

Alex ground his teeth, but did his best to remain civil. “Where is who?”

“The girl!”

“What girl?”

The massive body cultivator snorted, shouting over Alex’s armored head.

“A new week’s upon us, kitsune, and the aspirant’s quarters are up for challenge once more! Meet me in the courtyard, girl, or forfeit your rooms immediately!”

Alex smirked as the man turned and stalked off, not even sparing Alex, who had carefully blocked view of all his treasures, a second glance.

Be for groaning and bumping his armored head against the door, promising himself that the next time someone knocked... he would use Qi Perception before assuming that he knew who they were. Because once he took his safety for granted... that was when he was most vulnerable.

Alex turned to smile at the pair of girls looking far too ripe and beautiful in their sheer blue silk qipaos. “Thank you for a wonderful meal, ladies. Please, enjoy the repast in my steed. I’m off for a fight.”

The pair of girls gazed at him in speechless awe. Had what he said really come off as that strange? He shook his head and sighed, this time using Qi Perception before leaving his room. Before realizing he was still being an idiot.

You have stored Prizes of Battle in 1 of 5 Rings of Holding.

You have pulled up your Eternal Palace interface sheet.

Eternal Palace Interface tab combined with Rank 21 Eternal Garden interface.

You sense all the pieces of interest in your world map!

Alex stumbled for a heartbeat, half a ton of Qi enhanced stone and his own momentary disorientation as his mind incorporated the sudden flood of 500 green and white dots within his interface, not quite enough to make him fall completely over with 66 Strength and 35 Finesse, but he was damn sure going to practice maneuvering in his armor before accepting a fight with a man who obviously wanted one.

And Alex couldn’t help flashing a dark smile, looking forward to the fight at least as much as the glaring Silver Giant eying him from across one of the several courtyards he now saw on his interface, after racing through the corridors and ignoring the pounding sound of his footsteps on indestructible tiles, noting that the man was definitely not a green.

Insight check made!

And it made sense, when he actually spent a second thinking about it. The cultivators who knew who he was, who had seen him forge golden doors of salvation before their eyes, might feel a sense of awe, gratitude, or perhaps fear of crossing him and being forced out of his sanctuary.

But Alex had only interacted with the smallest fraction of the cultivators now inhabiting his realm. Most had probably given their oath with no idea at all about who had forged of those golden gates or that he was anything other than another competing annoyance for limited resources.

Which suited Alex just fine.

The massive body cultivator’s glare hardened. “What are you doing here, Ruidian?”

Alex smirked. “What does it look like, genius? I’m accepting your challenge. So long as we agree to the terms of our fight.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “I challenged the kitsune, not you. Though I’m happy to claim both your quarters, and sell one for future favors.”

Alex smirked. “You shouted at empty air and left. But if you’re looking for a fight? I’m always game.” Even as he said the carefree words, Alex was wise enough to twist and move, getting a sense of the fearsome burden weighing down his frame, and exulting in the fact that his absurd strength meant that he felt no more sluggish than he had as a mid-Bronze, savoring the delightful little burn in his quads as he hopped back and forth from leg to leg before unleashing a few lazy wheel kicks, noting the way the heavy stone tiles draping over and protecting his crotch made his lifts just a tiny bit more sluggish, demanding a bit more jerk as he cocked his kick. Though no problem at all when he unleashed his roundhouses, he definitely wanted to keep his foe at range, and was going to hold off on sweeps until he had measured his opponent in full.

His would-be opponent glared. “You dance around like a monkey wearing armor of stone. Is that a remnant of your arcaic path, your Ruidian heritage, or are you truly as much a youling jester as you seem?”

Alex smirked, taking his time to measure the man’s shift in balance, his moves, his tells. “Only one way to find out. I challenge you to a fight to submission using whatever weapons or techniques you like, stopping only when one opponent is too stunned to cry yield.”

The man chuckled coldly. “You’ll bleed for those terms, monkey, but yes, I accept.”

Find Weakness skillcheck made!

A hot fierce surge of anticipation, of battle joined once more.

He knew it was madness, his hunger to push himself, to fight, to feel the fierce killing surge of deadly Qi coursing through his channels, caressing his soul.

An adrenaline junky in another life.

He didn’t care.

He would revel in the fight and the insights and revelations it might bring.

And if he proved himself an overconfident fool, completely underestimating his opponent as he laughed and hopped back as the Silver Giant snarled and jogged forward, if he was put in his place by a surprisingly fast overhand punch that stunned him cold, even if his helm kept his skull in one piece, he would welcome even that bittersweet lesson.

Knowing that his fight was in earnest, a contest of conflict and mastery. Just short of a deathmatch. A battle wherein they could both forge themselves in the crucible of conflict and grow.

Despite knowing how foolish his baiting the Silver before him, he couldn’t help chuckling as his muscles tingled with fierce coiled power, his armor growing more and more comfortable as he continued to dance back with an increasingly irate Silver now chasing after him with Speed and Quickness that of a well-trained professional athlete, and no more than that.

A man who had forged himself as a towering mountain of resilience and strength, refusing to deviate from the purest path to his ascension, whose practiced movements and careful gaze made it clear he had done his utmost to compensate with countless hours of footwork and training. A truly deadly Silver whose Finesse was closer to Bronze Rank 1 than a talented mortal’s 15… but who had yet to surpass it.

And who was Alex to say it wasn’t the absolute best path for the Earth Body Cultivator before him? A path so pure it had allowed him to break through to Silver. A feat that less than 1 in a hundred thousand could hope to achieve.

Soul Sight skillcheck made. +3 bonus for using Familiar Technique! You now sense the flow of Qi through your foe’s meridian channels!

He could respect the man’s focus, his deadly power, having forged a cultivation base so strong he could unleash a titanic Avalanche of a spinning backfist that would have shattered even the massive stone walls guarding the Sacred Cities dotting the world below. Unleashed not in the many seconds of concentrated focus Alex would have to spend, but in the simple windup of his blow.

A blow Alex dodged effortlessly. A Finesse and Quickness his interface now pinged as a precise 17, damn impressive compared to most mortals, was no match for his own stats, to say nothing of 14 Ranks of unified Bronze arts, and another 7 Ranks of Golden Realms allowing Alex to move as gracefully as the deadly dance he and his disciples had practiced for so many exhilarating weeks he still wasn’t entirely sure had been a mad dream or ice-cold reality.

A dream of fluid grace and motion as he leaped back from the deadly wave of Qi surrounding his foe’s fist before trusting his growing battlefield awareness, and the sense of his own strengths and limitations with the massive weight he would don until it was a part of him. That tingling sense that NOW! This moment was the moment to act, to embrace madness fully, to strike.

Skillcheck made! You have successfully used Bullrush with Silver Ranked Artifact (Earth’s Boon.) Triple normal cost paid! 142 out of 145 (20 points reserved) Qi Points remain!

Find Weakness Skillcheck made!

Piercing Strike Skillcheck made! (Your opponent is using no Qi Ward. Internal resilience techniques alone are in play.)

You have struck the base of your opponent’s spine.

Double penetration bonus pierces Granite Mountain!

Spinal column cracked. Integrity maintained.

Your foe saves versus crippling blow!

And when Alex sensed just when and wear to strike, he lashed out as his opponent stumbled forward, as if both were performers in a dance.

A dance that could only have one outcome as Alex sprung away from an elbow strike that could have shattered his face effortlessly if his foe had connected, the man roaring and spinning around before the giant’s eyes widened in surprise when a lightning fast fist whipping forward with the power of the storm and sea slammed into his jaw, the audible sound of impossibly hard bone cracking echoing across the courtyard as Alex leaped back, heart racing, lips tight with the sheer exhilaration of battle as his giant foe’s furious gaze met his own.

“There is no way you could pierce Granite Mountain. My technique is flawless. You’re no Silver!”

Alex winced. “Please stop talking. Your face is twisting with every garbled word.”

The man’s eyes widened with fury. He roared.

“I’ll tell you what, you refrain from Elemental attacks beyond the Qi that flows through your art, and I’ll do the same.”

The man lurched to a stop, titanic feet pounding the soft loamy ground, and Alex could tell how much his movements were starting to hurt him, before the Giant gave a begrudging nod. “So be it, monkey. No more stabbing me in the back with enchanted weapons. Show me what you can do with your art alone!”

And Alex did.

Weaving past blows that had no hope of connecting.

Lashing out with roundhouse kicks whipping forth with the power of a tsunami channeled through every blow.

Paying a price as even reinforced shins bruised against Silver defenses, darting back and Power Healing in the heartbeats his furious foe spun around to charge the challenger who repeatedly struck form his blindside before Bullrushing back, easily outpacing his now badly limping foe.

Before finally being caught off guard by a hooking blow that his Qi Perception and inhuman reflexes had utterly failed to catch, only partially deflect, the fierce grin upon his opponent’s features filling Alex with the chilling awareness that he wasn’t the only one who had mastered deadly battlefield techniques in this world. That even with his advantages, there were no doubt arts that would catch even him off guard.

Such as a blow so perfectly timed it struck even between his beats.

A blow to the solar plexus that his enchanted stone armor kept from shattering his rib cage and perhaps rupturing his heart.

As it was, he was sent flying through the air, feeling as if he had been slammed in the chest by a massive wall of sand bags as he crashed to the ground, wheezing for air that wouldn’t come.

You have been critically hit by Fatal Blow delivered by Silver Giant! Silver Ranked Earth’s Boon artifact and Draconic Resilience mitigates damage! Multiple ribs cracked! You have suffered 2 Medium Wounds.

You have suffered Stunning Blow!

And what a stunned Alex felt then was sheer terror as his foe’s plodding footsteps could be heard.

Forgetting that this was a bout to submission.

Viscerally recalling the horrors a Silver Strength cultivator could and had inflicted upon his flesh not once but multiple times in the last month.

Horrors he refused to suffer again.

Power Healing Engaged!

Rank 12 Eternal Fox modifiers in effect. You have snapped free of Stunning Blow.

Bullrush!

A desperate lurch and leap and he was darting through the air, a finesse check allowing him to land without falling in a desperate lurch, for all that his thighs burned.

His foe spun about, snarling, glaring at Alex.

“I had you dead to rights, fool. The match is already mine!”

Despite the surge of adrenaline causing his voice to shake ever so slightly, Alex smiled and slowly shook his head.

Mastering his fear.

Knowing his maneuverability advantage, timing, and newfound insights into his opponent’s Hidden Blow technique were all the cards he needed.

Even if the next blow could kill him.

“That was a damn fine blow, no doubt about it. But as you can see I’m up and…”

You have resisted crying out in pain! Your nerves are in perfect health and firing better than ever. Your ribs are fully healed!

Alex couldn’t hide the wince in his features as ribs ground and twisted before splinters healed together, Power Healing showing no mercy as it forced him back to fighting fitness as quickly as possible, Alex not daring to lose focus for even a second, sensing a quartet of greens rapidly approaching.

“I’m feeling great! How about another round?”

A roar was his opponent’s only answer, charging forward with clenched fists, and never had Alex felt so fiercely satisfied as when he stopped holding back, weaving past his opponent's increasingly clumsy blows while unleashing a fury of shin strikes, sweeps, and heel kicks the finally sent his monstrous opponent crashing to the ground.

You have successfully crippled your opponent! Your opponent is refusing to concede the match.

Elder Ru has intervened.

You are power healing shattered forearm and cracked shin!

“That’s enough, Shan! You have been bested, accept it! You gain no honor letting foolish pride get the best of you. You gain no mastery letting your opponent pound you to splinters when your legs will no longer carry your weight, no matter how strongly the mountain roars in your blood!”

Shan blanched before the frail cultivator who simultaneously radiated such a deadly killing aura Alex didn’t blame the trembling Silver Giant one bit for kowtowing as much as his maimed body allowed before the elder.

Yingpei Lin, Alex’s clever friend with a merchant’s knack seemed equally cowed, as did Zhu Bi, the beautiful kitsune by his side, ears wilting with fear. A girl Alex felt both a deep-seated affection for and fiercely protective of. A young woman who just might be Alex’s descendant, some ten generations back, from a life that was no more real to Alex than any halcyon dream that might pierce his heart with a bitter sharp ache for ancient loves lost, before fading as quickly as it came.

“It will be as you say, Master Ru.”

“Of course it will,” snapped the Elder, turning to Seneschal Dong Xiao. “Our most recent guests from the Blue Pagoda are still recovering, I believe. If I may trust him to your expert care?”

The merest flicker of a glance Alex’s way and the man smiled, dipping his head in acquiescence. “I would be happy to assist, Elder Ru.” And two blank-faced assistants seemed to appear before their eyes… but had always been there, a stretcher between them, somehow bearing the burden of shifting and lifting up the now groaning Silver Giant before leading him away, a softly tutting seneschal with the memories of a Deep Silver healer walking by their side.

Elder Ru then turned to Alex, pinning him with his ancient eyes, his ivory white robe blowing in a wind Alex couldn’t quite feel. Alex suppressed a shiver under the terrible weight of that gaze, and he couldn’t stop the hot flush touching his cheeks, understanding with exquisite precision just how deeply the man before him thought him both savior and fool.

Before flowing into Dogeza, a suddenly alarmed looking Zhu Bi immediately following suit, as did the boy who had claimed her heart, too savvy to dare remain standing when their betters prostrated themselves so completely.

“Um… really…”

“Shut up.”

Alex swallowed his words.

But aloud, all the elder said was. “These humble students of The Way before you give sincere and heartfelt thanks for the munificence you have shown us, Child of the Heavens, favored disciple of Silver Fox, deity of Chaos and Change.”

Alex flushed, sneaking a sidelong glanced at his friends. But both had their heads lowered in such deference he couldn’t even see their faces.

He swallowed a groan, seriously hoping this wouldn’t affect their friendship. He had thought Zhu Bi, at least, understood the ramifications of him being her ancestor, sort of. But it appeared that it had only truly hit home, now, after visiting what he supposed really was his personal world.

“For providing us shelter from the most terrible of storms, sustenance for our minds and bodies, and tranquility for our souls, we owe you a debt we can never repay. You have our gratitude, our deference, and our commitment to honor you and be worthy of the boon that you and your patron have bestowed upon us.”

For long moments Alex just stared down at the now utterly silent and still Elder Ru, and his friends, feeling his flush deepen. “Um… you’re all more than welcome, I’m glad you’re enjoying your stay, and please feel free to get up and not bow to me anymore. Please.”

Elder Ru rose with a fluid grace greater even than Alex’s friends, despite his extreme age, flashing Alex a bemused gap-toothed smile. “You may rest assured that I’ll show my deference only when I feel it’s appropriate, Master Alex.”

Alex winced and nodded. It was strange how those claiming deference could simultaneously make it abundantly clear who was the wizened master, and who was the student with a hell of a lot to learn.

“Whatever you feel is best, Elder Ru. But you really don’t have to call me Master Alex.”

Alex swallowed under the weight of the man’s gaze.

“Would you rather I call you Child of the Heavens? WiFu’s Eternal Disciple?”

Alex winced. “Master Alex is fine.”

“Or perhaps Alex after all, when the situation merits, as I would never insult you by calling you a fool without prefacing it with wise.”

Alex didn’t think his cheeks could blaze any hotter, with the way his friends were gazing at him. At least Yingpei cracked a grin.

“Sure, Elder Ru. Whatever you like.”

The elder just sighed and shook his head. “Come with me, hero. We have many things to discuss.”

Sharing a wince with his friends, he did just that.