Elder Ru let the awkward silence build for long moments before finally speaking. “This world is yours?”

“Pretty much.”

“Did Silver Fox bring you here to claim it?”

Ales shook his head, revealing his jade ring glowing with an undeniable brilliance he normally hid with an act of will, its divine origins were now unmistakable. “He gave me this ring. Using this ring, I brought this palace into existence and forged this realm.”

“You, a Bronze cultivator, forged a world.” Chun An’s deadpan voice washed over him.

Alex shrugged. “It was originally intended as a palatial garden. But as someone who understands the power of compounding, being allowed to double its size any number of times with the Soul Stones I brought to bear resulted in a garden with a two-thousand-mile circumference. I’d say that counts as a world. At least a small one. Wouldn’t you?”

The older man chuckled softly at that. “Of course it was WiFu who gifted you with the ring that forged a world, tiny as it is. Did he also lead you to the divine tome in your hand?”

Alex grinned. “Actually, this tome I forged myself while dancing between life and death and forging my first Pristine Bronze Cord.”

Elder Ru blinked, speechless.

“But perhaps a physical demonstration would be best, no?”

Alex refused to flinch under the weight of their intent gazes as he slowly unsheathed one of his wickedly sharp sharktoothed blades. Moving with such deliberate slowness that none could call it an attack, though the tension was suddenly so thick Yingpei looked ready to feint.

Willpower check made. You have successfully cleaved your index finger without flinching!

Power Healing engaged! Current regeneration rate will fully restore 60 pounds of bio matter per hour = 9.6 ounces per minute.

Index finger weight = 3.2 ounces. Time to fully regenerate missing finger = 20 seconds.

“I wouldn’t call my creation as flawed as all that,” he said, as three speechless cultivators stared at his finger regenerating before their eyes.

“Perilous? Sure. If you dare embrace the forbidden art at the back of the book that pairs so well with White Crane and Eternal Fox as a whole, that might be a problem, unless you’re either absolutely chaste, or Silver.” He cleared his throat. “And perhaps there is a pristine cycling technique in back that would reforge your very soul, and in so doing, open the path for a divine cultivation base, so long as you are willing to forsake the wheel of rebirth entirely, at least within the Golden Realms.”

He quickly raised his now fully restored hand, before they could immediately condemn, especially fearing a wide-eyed Yingpei’s bitter words when his friend finally realized just how perilous the path he now walked truly was. But no one said a word, their eyes still fixated upon his completely repaired finger.

“But let me assure you that I also have a perfectly good Light Qi Cultivation technique that can take anyone of any combination of affinities able to ascend at least to Bronze and bring them all the way to Gold… so long as they have a thousand years to devote to slow and steady cultivation, much like the giant redwoods back home on my own world. So, as long as you avoid the chapter on Silver Swan, and resist imprinting your own soul upon the divine pattern within, I think you’ll be fine.”

Elder Ru swallowed, before bowing his head, solemnly and low, Lady Chun An quickly following suite. “I do believe you have revealed remarkable treasures and secrets both, friend Alex. And you may rest assured, Chun An and I will hold your secrets close, as I’m sure your friend Yingpei Lin will as well.”

Yingpei immediately flowed into Dogeza. “Zhu Bi and I will never reveal your secrets to outsiders, lest you will it. I swear that upon my heart and soul… Sifu Alex.”

“Please, just Alex, Yingpei.”

And the pleased glow Alex felt at the awed gazes locked so intently upon him that he refused to feel bad about turned instantly to worried alarm when Elder Ru’s gentle smile broke into a bout of ragged coughing and desperate wheezing for breath that just wouldn’t come.

“Grandfather! Rest. You must rest. Come, sip your tea. It will ease your lungs. It’s been an exciting evening has it not? Let’s get you back to bed.”

Alex swallowed, heart in throat, fearing he might already be too late, wondering if the strain of even reading his tome would be more than the ancient cultivator could bare before he had any chance to master its secrets sufficient to halt his aging, repair failing organs, or otherwise rejuvenate himself.

Assuming whatever body cultivation technique he had learned however many centuries ago would even allow for the addition of Eternal Fox, which even Alex recognized as a most unorthodox art.

Long anxious moments passed before Elder Ru was once more settled in his propped up position, a clay cup of green tea in hand, the ancient man flashing a relieved smile as his breathing eased once more.

“As much as I know every man must face his destiny, and I have been afforded the chance to savor life’s victuals for far longer than most, it’s clear that life’s passing will be no easier for me than it is any man, no matter how humble or grand their circumstances,” his voice was little more than a dry whisper.

“Shush, Grandfather. Just drink your tea and rest.”

She turned to Alex with a strained smile. “This foolish cultivator hopes you will forgive my rashness this evening, Alex.”

Alex bowed his head. “There is nothing to apologize for. Would that all granddaughters were as dedicated to their elders as you are.”

She flashed a relieved smile. “Thank you for understanding, Alex. And thank you as well for allowing us to purview your tome. Should I judge it suitable… I will most certainly allow grandfather to read what might be his last tome, taking joy in the exploits of a clever young fox accomplishing far more than any Ruidian before him could possibly have hoped to.”

Alex bowed his head, understanding the gentle dismissal. But he dreaded the thought of any further delay even more than he hated the thought of earning Chun An’s ire, any more than he already had.

“Before I go, however, I would like to at least share the properties of this fruit, available to anyone who wishes to savor it’s pearlescent flesh. Both it’s boon, and the price it demands.”

Chun An’s brow furrowed. “Alex, it’s late…”

“Silence, child! I would hear about this mystical fruit. If nothing else, I can enjoy his tale and perhaps savor something sweet to help me forget my aching bones before I drift off for as long as the pain will let me.”

Chun An flashed an apologetic smile. “Of course, grandfather.”

“Thank you both,” Alex carefully said, before solemnly placing the apple on the table now between Elder Ru and himself.

The ancient cultivator’s eyes widened. It almost seemed that the apple had taken on a subtle glow, now that Chun An was allowing the fire to fade to dull embers, as if to emphasize the hour.

“Chun An. Can you not sense the spiritual energy emanating from this sacred treasure?”

His granddaughter frowned, before she froze, catching her breath, gazing transfixed at the fruit, then Alex. “You weren’t speaking in riddle or metaphor today, were you, Alex? Nor were you taking on the role of any who had come before, wearing the mantel of hero.” She slowly shook her head. “You really did ascend all the way to Jade. And this fruit truly is the final prize before the gods would damn any foolish dreamer who dared think himself worthy of ascending to their level.”

Alex nodded. “Correct.”

“Alex?”

“Yes?”

“Please, tell us about the magical treasures growing in our own backyard. Tell us all you can.”

And hesitating no longer, Alex did just that, describing his ascent to the Hall of the Gods in as much detail as he dared.

For long moments both elders held his gaze, before solemnly kowtowing thrice before his highly embarrassed feet. He wanted to say something, but the glare Elder Ru flashed him when he cleared his throat instantly stilled him. Leaving him feeling very small before people supposedly paying him the highest respect.

What was worse was a trembling Yingpei, who refused to raise his head, even when the elders brushed off their robes, Chun An helping her grandfather in a comfortable position once more.

“Um… Yingpei…”

“Leave him alone, Alex,” said Chun An. “He only now appreciates who and what you are, and is no doubt horrified by his previous lack of reverence.”

Alex blinked. “I’m the same guy I was yesterday, grateful to have found cultivation paths that seem to work for me and my disciples, and as worried about breaking through to Silver as any Bronze before me, I’m sure.”

She chuckled softly. “If that is the story you wish to tell yourself, then by all means. Continue to do so. And I will keep your confidences close, as will everyone in this room, if conflict is truly the catalyst you need to grow.”

“How could it be otherwise? Chosen disciple of WiFu that he is,” said Elder Ru.

“And so much more than he ever was before.”

Elder Ru nodded. “True.” His eyes then strayed back to the fiery gold apple, longing and apprehension warring across his features, before he gave a tired sigh, shaking his head. “Such a boon, but at such a high cost.”

Alex sighed. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. When you consider all the wondrous cities and towns that comprise the Golden Realms, and the vast glorious wilds all around, full of majestic forests, beautiful snow covered mountaintops, vast blue lakes and just millions of square miles full of possibility and adventure, being eternally tied to my tiny world of a mere two thousand miles hardly seems like a fair trade. But what I can tell you is that I have every intention of nurturing it, feeding it, and watching it grow.”

His eyes lit up with excitement as he shared just a few of the things he hoped to incorporate within his realm. “The forest undergrowth is made almost entirely of precious spirit herbs, and the fields are covered in wildflowers and alchemical treasures as well. And all one has to do is walk a few hundred yards to experience any number of perfectly ripe fruits and nuts of a dozen different varieties, the perfect golden sunlight and Silver tier spiritual aura at least as rich if not richer than any part of the deepwoods we savored back home.”

Elder Ru nodded, chuckling softly. “And the precious boon savoring this apple’s sweet flesh would grant anyone. A soul blessed with only a single meridian channel would be blessed with seven perfect meridians, Wood Qi affinity and the potential to ascend who knows how far, to Bronze at the very least! And for those of us who have reached the peak of Silver, to find that our barren nest of Silver cables might give birth to a blazing bright Golden Core after who knows how many lifetimes of striving for, yet never achieving that lofty goal…” he chuckled softly, ruefully shaking his head. “I cannot tell you the temptation to bite into that sweet, succulent flesh even now, my young friend. To enjoy power I could scarce dream of before, and find the dooms of an ancient Silver dissipating like a bad dream as I awaken to the body of a newly forged Gold in his prime.”

Alex couldn’t help grinning at the thought. “That is the bright side of it. And this world, small as it is, can still hold two Sacred Cities, a population of twenty million, plus the countless millions who might one day hunt, gather, and farm the woodlands, hopefully while living in harmony with the forests as a whole.”

Chun An flashed a sympathetic smile. “Only a fool would dare to call conversing with a god forging his own planet anything but illuminating, Alex, but you have to understand…”

“Yeah, two cities isn’t very much. But with just a couple more, well, improvements… you’d be surprised just how big I can make this world.” He then blinked, realizing what else had been said. “And I’m not claiming to be anything other than what I am. A Bronze cultivator with impossible dreams he’ll do anything to achieve, and who might just be a bit tougher to kill than most people realize.”

“As it should be,” Elder Ru noted. “For all that they fled here in desperation, there are a number of Silver here with the pride of jungle cats and the desire to challenge anything or anyone they fear might outrank them, eager to prove their worth and secure their place in the court of this realm’s ruler, preparing for the day that he condescends to reveal himself, as opposed to letting seneschals and youlings speak in his stead.”

Alex blinked at that, recalling hearing that term a number of times. He chuckled softly. “So, how many Silvers who have taken up residence here think me just a harmless fool, perhaps a hanger-on within… what… WiFu’s court?”

“Enough that they are cautious about challenging you for your quarters directly, for all that you have forced a number of hands with your own challenges,” said Chun An. “Because mocking smiles they will freely gift you with, and cold eyes wondering at your true strength, but they would never have achieved the heights that they had, and avoided Dongfang Hong’s numerous traps, if they were complete fools. Only when they understand where you truly lie within the pecking order here will they seek to more firmly put you in your place.”

Alex nodded. All he had to do was recall the hostile, measuring gazes of the Bronze teams he had fought to know what an affront him even being there had been to so many of them. And how bad it must look that the one silly fool to their minds who was all but guaranteed a room didn’t defer with gratitude but instead had the gall to fight to seize yet more rooms for his own purposes.

The cautious courtesy of a certain Silver Wujen turning to dark hostility, perhaps born of resentment when Alex had seemed to prove himself a weak, easily overcome opponent utterly unworthy of what most no doubt considered Silver privileges when he was caught off guard by ward-piercing fireballs that inflicted spiritual injury that his dragon form didn’t absorb as it did burning damage, told him all he needed to know about that. Especially when the Wujen in question suffered no retributive heavenly strike, and it was suddenly apparent to all that Alex was as vulnerable to loss as everyone else there. And it was only when Alex actually managed to pull a win that the man’s bitter hostility turned back to something approaching cold tolerance once more. As if Alex’s victory alone vindicated his worth and his right to stand among them.

Of course their feelings might be different if he had actually presented himself as this domain’s lord. But he hadn’t. He had wanted a certain measure of anonymity. To be able to profit from the growth that conflict would naturally bring to him, his own feelings about preferring a peaceful life aside.

So they didn’t see him as this world’s creator, or their hero, save for a few notable exceptions, people who had witnessed him opening, or at least revealing the gates for him. From them alone he received a certain amount of gratitude. Either near-fawning, or cautiously respectful, or just the solid rapport that comes when friends help friends. What he far preferred. But to most of the refugees, he was little more than a presumptuous stranger. Perhaps at best, an eccentric jester the lord of this realm used for his own purposes. And perhaps most had been content to ignore him. But after throwing his gauntlet in the middle of the ring, daring to claim not one but three rooms of his own, he doubted he’d be allowed any such peaceful retreat again.

He chuckled ruefully at the thought. “I have no doubt that I won’t have to look very far for sparring opponents in the future. And come next week, I’m almost sure I’ll have as many as I could possibly want.”

Elder Ru chuckled softy, though his laughter petered into a cough, his eyes twinkled with mirth. “If conflict is what you desired, little fox, I can almost assure you that you can expect far more than you ever bargained for. And I cannot tell you how much hearing of your exploits reminds me of tales far older than you. Far older than me as well.”

Alex grinned. “I’ll be honest, sir. It humbles me to think that you might have been alive for most of the time I lived countless incarnations.”

The elder’s smile turned sad. “And how many lives have you lived, my precocious young friend?”

Alex sighed and looked away. “Too many. Even from the flashes of dreams that haunt me, and memories that aren’t mine… I think I lived too many. Even if the only one I’m aware of, really, is the one I’ve embraced for the past two years that somehow turned to a decade, after waking up in a Ruidan raiding ship with enough poison in the cargohold to take out all of Yidushi. Or at least, soften her up for a major invasion.”

The elder flashed a gap-toothed grin. “Before you and a certain inspector got the best of those pirates, blowing up their hull and then leading Lady Jin Yu and her artillery right to the bluff overlooking the sea, giving her the secrets she needed to send the entire fleet sinking to the bottom of the sea.”

The ancient cultivator chuckled while Yingpei gazed at Alex in slack-jawed disbelief.

“Silver Fox and The Western Hero. One of the very first tales about a mysterious Ruidian who made friends with the god of mischief who was somehow also Yidushi’s chief inspector. Or at least, that was the role he embraced when not seducing all the noble ladies of the court.”

The elder’s gaze turned reflective, even wistful. As if he wasn’t just reciting history but pulling up ancient memory. “For a handful of golden years, their stories were sung throughout the city. Living legends of their own time, and a favorite of bards and minstrels.” He shook his head sadly. “But then came a night of bitter tears, when the court’s corruption grew so black and overflowing that they dared to move against a living god. And after that night…”

But Alex was no longer listening, eyes squeezed tightly shut, head bowed, tormented by the screams of children and a woman he had once loved. For a heartbeat in time, he was there.

Heart racing with panic.

Throat raw with screams.

Fighting desperately to save his loved ones still trapped inside the inferno, caring nothing for his seared lungs or burning flesh.

Until his mentor pulled him out of the flames.

And together, they had hunted down the mortal masterminds behind that horrific betrayal, and took vengeance upon those corrupt, blackened souls. Souls Alex almost thought could sense at that very moment, caged off and screaming for all time in perfect blackness.

Souls that would never rise again.

“Alex? Alex!”

Yingpei’s voice, from a far off distance.

Alex gasped, as if he had been holding his breath deep, deep under water, where only dark things and darker memories lived.

He took a second shuddering breath, snapping his eyes open, surprised by the hot sting of unshed tears.

But not as much as by the looks Elder Ru and Yingpei were giving him.

“Yingpei? Elder Ru? What’s wrong?”

But they just stared at him intently for long moments, before Yingpei gave his shoulder a friendly pat.

“It’s been a long day, Alex. No doubt you’re tired. And Elder Ru as well. You could both do with some rest.”

Alex just gave a tired nod after bowing as low as he dared, thrice, before a strangely sympathetic looking Elder Ru. And why did that man look so sad? He was the one nearing the end of his final autumn days, even if Alex was was so tired he couldn’t even remember what exactly they had even been talking about.

“Goodnight, Elder Ru.”

“Goodnight, Alex. I will think long and hard upon your exquisitely generous offer. And whatever I decide, my sincere gratitude to you will remain unchanged.”

Alex just smiled and nodded, heading back to his quarters with an oddly sympathetic Yingpei by his side. He wasn’t an idiot. He knew Elder Ru had absolutely no intentions of eating that apple. And why should he? For all it’s flaws, the world they had left was home to over a hundred cities with populations in excess of 10 million, and that was just in one country in a single massive empire stretching what would have been over a dozen worlds the size of Earth, and the world was bigger still. With such sizes, scopes and wonders to be seen and explored, and only a tiny tiny fraction of all the world’s unfortunate souls made to pay the bitter costs directly, could he blame any soul for passing on this tiny world with a mere 500 residents, even now risking death fighting for the hundred or so truly enchanted quarters of his palace that made all the struggles worth it?

He sighed and shook his head, leaning back against soft down-stuffed pillows after a solemn Yingpei bid him a good night. And even as he allowed his eyes to close and deliberately embraced soothing dreams of lying upon warm sands with his eyes closed to the gentle warmth of the sun as seagulls cried overhead and the soothing surf caressed his feet… he knew the dying screams of the first woman he had ever loved were just a single nightmare away.

It was a sound he would do everything he could to make sure he never heard again.

No matter how much blood he must spill to achieve that goal.