That went quite well if I do say so myself. Still, not sure how I pulled it off, but crisis averted.

With an extra pep in his step, Felix entered the third floor. The trio and Yang Mei’s heads turned at his entrance. As the trio’s admiring gazes met his, Felix tried to remove what he now realized could be classified as a shit-eating grin from his face. The three kids barely seemed to notice though Yang Mei fixed him with a considering look.

Well, they seem to be getting along just fine. Hopefully, these kids will be happy cultivating an earth-based technique. Though it may be worth investigating other elements and then checking them again. Still, I am not sure if I should just let them cultivate my technique or try something else…

With a comported semblance of nonchalance, he pulled his gaze away from the trio and Yang Mei to the one occupant in the room who showed no surprise by his reentrance. Xue’s flat look made it easy to keep the grin off his face.

Okay, one crisis averted, and another created.

Forcing down the myriad emotions that look invoked, Felix walked over to sit between Chu and Xue.

“Well,” said Felix with a clap of his hands. “We certainly have been sidetracked by a lot of things today. Who knew that giving advice could be so hard? You three, Disciple Everglade said that you can simply meet her at the medicine Pavilion after this.” Felix let out a forced laugh. “Now, let's start focusing on picking you guys a cultivation technique. Any questions before we start?”

One of the trio nearly bounced off his chair in excitement. Felix rolled his eyes and nodded to the rambunctious ten-year-old.

Great, they are excited to learn. Kid’s name is Hai Rong or something?

“Senior Brother Felix!” Said Hai Rong. “How did you convince Senior Everglade to leave so easily? Can you teach me?”

Felix stared at Hai Rong for a moment and then sighed.

“Does anyone have an actual question?”

The three went quiet for a moment before Chu coughed and spoke up.

“What cultivation level are you at?”

“I am currently at essence gathering five but that is only temporary due to an accident. I will be back near the peak of essence gathering soon.”

Felix waited for another question but the four seemed content with that.

Maybe helping these four was a bad idea.

“Alright…” Said Felix. “I will assume that is it for initial questions and move on. Now here is how I see it. We are not going to rush this. I want you guys to continue to read the books Xue has recommended to you. I currently plan to give all of you some type of earth cultivation manual. Yang Mei?”

Yang Mei snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Felix. “Yes?”

“I will need to read your cultivation technique but first I need to scan you with a technique Elder Shen showed me. Would that be alright? I just need to hold your hand for a bit to do it.”

Yang Mei hesitated but nodded.

“Is that what you did with us?” Said Chu.

Felix smiled, nodding as he grabbed her calloused hand. With little fanfare, he performed the scan.

[Name: Yang Mei]

[Race: Human]

[Gender: Female]

[Age: 17]

[Cultivation: Essence Saturation Peak

[Constitution: None]

[Bloodline: ??]

[Roots: None]

[Potential Points: ??]

[Sword: Potential]

[Earth: Potential]

[Cultivation Method: Unknown]

Huh, it looks like it specifies if it is body cultivation or not. That’s nice. I will need to figure out what cultivation method she uses. If it is earth base, then considering her potential it may be worth it to just do the same for her as I am doing for the kids.

Felix realized he had closed his eyes. Opening, he found everyone in the room looking at him and a particularly concerned Yang Mei staring at him. Coughing, Felix hurriedly let go.

“Well, um, everything seems to be in order. Is it alright if I see your body cultivation technique? It really is needed if I am to help you.”

Yang Mei glanced around at the three kids and then at Xue. Finally, she looked back at Felix and slowly nodded.

“I think that would be alright,” Said Yang Mei. “My technique isn’t in the library yet. It was actually made by Elder Jackie. He told me he didn’t want to add a technique that can’t be done without help. I do have a copy on hand.”

She reached into a pouch at her waist and pulled out a book that looked more like a stack of papers tied together. Felix gingerly accepted the barely held together book but then gave her a look of confusion.

“Wait, what do you mean you need someone’s help?”

Yang Mei glanced at the trio but then shrugged.

“Well… you can’t cultivate the body Saturation or Body Forging without someone helping.”

At Felix’s blank look, Xue spoke up.

“Those are the essence gathering and essence condensing equivalents. There are more names depending on region and other such things, but those two names are the common nomenclature used by the Sect.”

“Oh, I am so sorry Felix. I forgot.” Said Yang Mei. She glanced at the trio who were beginning to become unnerved by the constant looks. “So, you can read it in the book, but the technique is all around receiving precise strikes from someone. The Essence Saturation step has the assisting cultivator use strike to ensure the energy reaches all parts of the body. The book says that you need someone of at least core cultivation and ideally a body cultivator to be able to ensure peak efficiency and prevent injuries. However, Elder Jackie told me that one really needs a Nascent soul cultivator to ensure it is done right.”

Huh, I suppose that would allow the new cultivator to avoid making mistakes at least since-

“Wait,” Said Felix, giving Yang Mei a disturbed look. “You mean Elder Jackie has been hitting you?”

Yang Mei blushed under the incredulous stares of all five of them. She hurriedly shook her head.

“Yes, but that part of the method isn’t painful or anything. That is actually unusual as far as body cultivation technique goes. In fact, I believe there would be more body cultivators who would do it if it was this painless. Still, Elder Jackie said that the time it takes to do is normally not worth a higher cultivator’s time and that this method has other possible pitfalls without his supervision. I am actually really grateful since it means I have suffered no injuries during these steps and Elder Jackie has been teaching me the ins and outs of body cultivation during every training period. So, I’ve been as diligent in completing any of the steps that don’t need his help. I don’t want to be a burden on his kindness.”

Felix stared at her a moment longer.

That just sounds like abuse. Possibly even child abuse considering how young she must have started. Though these thoughts must be coming from the original Felix.

“Well…” Said Felix. “You will have to let me see one of these training sessions sometime.”

He glanced at the manual she had handed him. Across the cover in ink was scrawled the barely legible title, ‘Sculpting Stone in Flesh.

At least the title is accurate. But getting hit for body cultivation and that isn’t even one of the tough methods… I am going to have to make sure I am up to the pain of the method before I start upgrading one. Let’s take a quick peek with the system.

[Sculpting Flesh in Stone (Mortal 1)]

Power: Below Average

Comprehension: Beginner (0/10)

Stage: Qi Gathering

…I want it. It has a power level just below Xue’s technique. Though I don’t want to be dependent on someone else to cultivate but still… Well. I can at the very least learn from this.

Felix set the manual to the side.

“Alright, that will work.” Said Felix. “Now, where was I? Oh, that’s right, I will try to figure out a method that is curtailed to your method, Yang Mei. That actually leads me back to you three. I also want to try picking out a body cultivation method for each one of you. I am actually planning to choose one myself soon. Hopefully, all four of you will leave with a qi gathering cultivation method by the end of the day to try. As for the body cultivation method, you will need to give me a bit more time.” Felix tapped the manual at his side. “And this will be the start. So, before I let you guys start reading again, I will ask one more time, any questions?”

“Senior Brother Felix,” Said Hai Rong. “Forgive me for asking this but what is earth qi? I know it has to do with earth but as these books have begun mentioning all these different elements, I’ve realized I don’t actually know what that means. The element of earth they speak of doesn’t seem to just mean the earth beneath our feet. So then what does that mean for qi?”

Felix opened his mouth and closed it. He tapped his chin for a moment then looked toward Xue.

“Senior Xue. Could you enlighten us? I fear I cannot answer this question satisfactorily.”

Xue gave him that same flat look and then let out a breath.

“Alright, well I suppose we should ask the first question then, shouldn’t we? What is qi? Does anyone know?”

Everyone returned blank looks and Xue nodded.

“Exactly. We don’t know or we don’t have a complete definition. Qi has many properties that our language sometimes has a hard time describing. To know more than that, you will need to travel outside this sect or discover it yourself. However, as for what it does, well.” Xue gestured with her hand, encompassing the whole room. “Just look around you. We have tens of thousands of books on what kind of things it can do, and it is still possible to find new things. However, I am sure this has just confused you more hasn’t it? So, for now, we have qi and it can do stuff.”

“Now, let’s move on to your original question. What is elemental qi? Well similarly, I don’t know.”

They gave her an incredulous look and she returned a dismissive expression.

“Okay, we know more than that. I just want to make sure you all realize that what I tell you is incomplete, possibly misleading, and potentially wrong. However, we can also produce results so some of it must be right. So, you remember how I just said qi is something that can do stuff? Well, earth qi is qi that is really good at doing stuff in line with the earth element.”

Xue tapped her ring absently and suddenly there was a 12-sided wooden die in her hand. She placed it on the table

“So, let’s assume this die represents some quantity of qi. Then we can assume each of these numbers,” She said, tapping a face of the die. “Represents an element.

She picked up the die and tossed it with a flick of her fingers. It ricocheted off Felix's head and then landed on the table. Ignoring Felix’s affronted look, she glanced at the result.

“Alright, a five. Let’s say five is water. So now the qi is water”

Chu nodded excitedly.

“So, does that mean that qi of one element can be turned into another?” Said Chu. “We can just reroll the ‘dice’ and get a new element? But what is plain qi then?”

Xue gave a shrug.

“Sure it can be changed. From my understanding though that this is more trouble than it's worth in practice. More importantly than changing one qi to another is learning the properties of the element of the qi you use and how that type of qi will interact with qi from different elements. One thing to learn from this is that some types of qi are farther away from each other. Some types are natural opposites. Just like the relationship between the numbers are important in a game of dice, so can the relationships between numbers matter in real life.

I won’t extend the metaphor any further than this as you will start making false assumptions. There are not only 12 elements and their relationships are neither this simple nor straight forward. There are some patterns that can give us clues on how elements might interact. Look for patterns in nature to find many of these. In fact, our sect is based on the interaction between four elements; fire, earth, wind, and water.”

The five of them remained silent for a moment as they absorbed this.

So, there are more than the four elements of the seasons. A few of the books did allude to that so I should have realized. Now that I think of it, didn’t Everglade just tell me that her element is wood? Come on Felix, you need to be better than that! Okay, so qi is some natural existing particle? No, let’s say stuff since the concept of particles has too much baggage. So, it is some stuff that can take on the attribute of the elements. Though I can’t help wondering why Xue carries around a twelve-sided die?

“Xue,” Said Felix. “If qi is taking on the attribute of an element, earth qi for example taking on the aspect of earth, then what is an element outside of qi? I mean, is the earth beneath our feet the physical manifestation of the element or… or what?”

“Alright…” Said Xue. “That’s a fair question. I will tell you the theory I ascribe to. Be aware that there are a number of theories, many of which you can find in this building. There are rules. Rules that govern everything. The elements are a name to describe a category of these rules or laws. Everything you see around you is the result of the interaction of these rules. Earth qi is qi that has been primed to the rule of the element of earth.”

The trio gave her confused looks, but Felix noticed that Yang Mei seemed to agree with Xue’s statement.

Okay, this is crazy. Though if it is true it just generates a thousand more questions.

Felix shook himself out of his thoughts and looked around to see that the rest of them seemed to be lost in thought of their own. Even Yang Mei seemed to have learned something from Xue’s speech

I would’ve thought she would know this stuff from the general cultivation class. Xue must really know her stuff.

Then Felix felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see that Xue had somehow gotten behind him without his noticing. Her smile could be described as frosty.

“Disciple Felix, now that they have something to think about, we can let them get back to reading. We however need to discuss a few things.”

Before he could offer a word of protest, Xue dragged him up the stairs to an isolated corner on the fourth floor. She then spun him around to face her, letting go so they stood face to face. Then she waited, tapping her left foot in a steady beat.

“Well?” said Xue.

“What? You don’t like my plan for Yang Mei and the Disciples? I thought it was pretty reasonable. It both meets their needs and tests out what my ability has shown me. Plus, the body cultivation part lets me begin working toward choosing and improving my own.”

Xue rolled her eyes.

“Oh, come on. You know I really brought you over here to ask about what you said to Everglade.”

Felix floundered. As his tongue seemed to become heavy, he shuffled through his feelings on the matter. As usual, a chorus of both reasonable and unreasonable feelings struck him. Running through the event again, Felix snatched the spark of anger and fanned it into a blaze. His eyes hardened.

“And what would you have me do?” Said Felix

Xue’s head flinched back.

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said.” Said Felix, the anger growing as he codified the source of the feeling into words. “Xue, you said you would help me, right?

Xue hesitantly nodded?

“And you still have my trust.” Said Felix. “However, what am I supposed to do when my trusted ally is suddenly causing conflict with someone who has not only shown themselves to be helpful to me but is so much stronger than me. For the Dao’s sake Xue, I am only essence gathering five. Yet you are starting some shit with someone near me who is at peak essence condensing.”

Xue snorted.

“For one thing Felix, I am a Core cultivator. As things stand, I would easily subdue Everglade. Even ignoring that, we wouldn’t have actually fought. Neither of us are insane enough to actually fight in the Hall of Knowledge. Our elders may be lenient but both Everglade and I know a death sentence to bring down the library.”

“You don’t get it, Xue. I don’t know that. I don’t know a bunch of stuff about the politics in the Sect. I am not sure if you and Everglade are just rivals and this is just jockeying for position or I should be expecting to be assassinated in the middle of the night if I offend her. What I do know is that she has been nice and your enmity seems personal. I just tried to make the best of the situation with my limited understanding. If Everglade is a monster though, you just need to tell me and I will stand with you. I don’t mind standing with you at the drop of a hat for a life and death situation. I would hope however that you would avoid dragging me into something not because you need my aid but simply because you can’t be bothered to keep me out of it.”

Xue stared at him with a conflicted look, still seemingly stunned by his outlook. He actually felt nervous for a second when a flash of anger crossed her face. Then she sighed and seemed to deflate. Running a hand through her hair, she avoided his gaze.

“Alright… that’s fair. I keep forgetting how much you forgot. Just know that Everglade wouldn’t assassinate you. She wouldn’t do something like that, not to a fellow disciple…. Well at least if it's not me.”

They stood awkwardly for a moment.

Oh, come on, you can’t stop there. I need to give another push.

“So… What is going on between you and Everglade? She told me there is bad blood but I don’t know what that means. Did she betray you?

She seemed to be struggling with something and then let out a long breath. She finally faced him again, meeting his eyes.

“I guess I can tell you about it. Everglade was my first and only real friend at the Sect.”

“…is that a joke?” Said Felix.

“I wish it was. When I first came to the Sect, I knew exactly what I wanted. A young merchant’s daughter who realized that there are few things that could be a better return on investment than immortality. As another extremely driven first-generation disciple, Everglade and I found a natural kinship in one another. We would train together, discuss techniques, do everything together. We actually chose the option of sharing a house.”

Xue’s eyes began to wander again, absently going from book title to title but not reading a word.

“Then I am not sure what started it. A few years in, and we had both already reached essence condensing, placing us amongst the best of the first generation. The others who could compare to us were pretty reclusive so who else could we compete with but each other? Who could break through first? Who could do that? Honestly, we both loved it. As the months went by, the contest became less friendly. Our words became more barbed. A thorn behind every gesture, poison in each sentence.”

Xue gave out a bitter laugh.

“Do you know,” She said. “We actually even fought over a male disciple at one point.”

Felix perked up and Xue rolled her eyes at his response.

“It’s not what you think.” She said, a momentary smile appearing and then disappearing just as quickly. “The poor idiot named Yige Shague didn’t know what was going on. I had just heard she liked him and then decided to mess with her. Our relationship had already deteriorated to the point of open enmity by then. The funny thing is, she had no such feeling but when I indicated I liked him, she did the exact same thing. It quickly led to a ‘spar’. The idiot tried to break up the resulting fight and when neither of us stopped, we both realized what happened. After knocking the poor fool out, we continued our fight.”

I feel like I am taking the wrong thing from this, but I just don’t want to end up like poor Yige Shague.

Felix observed Xue’s faraway look. Noticing both the flashes of anger and even sadness.

Ugh, it's like seeing a character in a story and knowing their doom is coming. How can two friends turn out like this? Yet the die has been cast…

“So, that’s pretty much it.” Said Xue, turning back to him. “There were a thousand more little incidents, none quite as ridiculous as that though.”

“Mmmm, I don’t like it,” said Felix.

“Excuse me, what?” She said bewilderedly.

“I mean, this sounds like you two are just being idiots. Honestly, if you were mortal, I would simply say you two should literally stop interacting or one of you move. However, you two not only are part of the same sect but are cultivating to live longer. How long will you two let this fester? This means you two should either address this or expect to have a person who should have been a close friend be a knife at your back.”

Xue opened and closed her mouth.

Well… might as well keep going.

“Don’t worry,” Said Felix. “I can help you two.”

“…You mean you want us both to beat you up?”

It was Felix’s turn to roll his eyes though he couldn’t help putting his hands up and taking a step back.

“Uh, no. Hopefully not. I mean you two should become friends again.”

“Felix, we have literally spent more time as enemies than friends.”

“Look, Xue, it seems to me that you two are going to become enemies due to a thousand cuts if this continues. You can at least try. When I told Everglade about how you said something nice about her, she didn’t react with anger but just confusion. So maybe there is still hope.”

Xue just began to rub her forehead.

“How about this,” Said Felix. “I already asked Everglade for help before I knew about all this. I can begin to butter up to her and find out if she is up to the possibility of bygones being bygones. Wouldn’t it be great if you could go back to being friends?

Xue shook her head.

“It is a nice thought I suppose. It’s just not that easy.”

I don’t want to buy that, but we will see…. Why do I feel like Elder Shen now?

“Well, we can try. I just want to ask you to try. Just be nice to her and I'll see what I can do. At the very least, this will hopefully stop the situation from devolving.”

Xue bit her lip but then nodded. Felix

I think I shouldn’t try to push her any farther. Honestly, I am just glad I didn’t get beat up. Now distraction time!

“Now, what do you actually think of my plan for the kids?“