Xue searched Felix’s eyes as if looking for something. Then she gave a little shrug.

“It’s a good start.” Said Xue. “You can give the two spoiled brats the same technique. That way we don’t have to waste your ability on improving too many different techniques. I know that you also wanted to share your cultivation method with Chu but remember what I said earlier. Knowing the details of a cultivator cultivation method can teach you their weaknesses. Since you have changed it so much, even people with knowledge of the original method will be misled. Spreading the improved version would potentially negate that advantage. Still, he is part of a Sect. Just first observe his character for the next few days.”

Xue absently flicked a stray hair out of her eyes.

“Yang Mei is another matter. In her mind, she is looking for a qi gathering cultivation method to support her body cultivation. This is quite different from you and me who strive to fully take advantage of both methods. However, do not think less of her, as few cultivators keep the two in balance. The resource and time required make the already arduous journey of cultivating exponentially more difficult. Also, body cultivation is often extremely painful, which discourages many.”

“Wait,” said Felix with a frown. “but aren’t their huge benefits to doing both.”

“True, or at least mostly true. But you don’t need both to become immortal, so if that’s your goal, then you truly don’t need it. If power is your main concern, then someone with really high cultivation can still crush someone with low cultivation. So why not focus on one to the extreme?”

“I suppose that makes sense but why couldn’t you get really good in one and then go back and catch up in the other. Once you become a Nascent Soul, you will have the power to gather the resources to catch up in the body cultivation equivalent.”

“You would think.” Said Xue. “But having the two out of balance can cause issues in cultivating the lower one later. The bigger the difference between the two, the more extreme the issues.”

“But isn’t your technique both a body and qi cultivation method at the same time? I know you said the combination made it slightly easier than normally doing both at the same, but you still should be cultivating much slower than otherwise. How then are you the first disciple to reach core cultivation?”

Xue’s face lit up with a full brilliant smile, leaving Felix a little dazed.

“Felix, you are looking at it in the wrong way. The fact that I am basically doing two different categories of cultivation at once is why I am not further ahead than the others in the Sect.” Said Xue. Her gaze briefly turned distant. “That may also be one of the sources of conflict between Everglade and me. I am not just ahead of her, but ahead while doing both qi gathering and body cultivation. She may be at the peak of essence condensing in qi cultivation, but her body cultivation is at the bottom of body forging.”

Xue then waved her hand, as if trying to brush away an annoying fly.

“That said, I think your plans for you personally might need to change. You need to start looking at more techniques and particularly focusing on movement techniques. Maybe just try out a few and then use your… ability on the one you think is best. Though please check with me first when you pick one. We should also find someone for you to fight with who uses the blade. This will allow you to integrate your knowledge of the technique into the proper battle flow. Plus, I have a suspicion that the practical knowledge gained from a real fight may help your ability as well.”

Felix nodded

“Well, should we get back to studying then?” Said Felix

Xue gave a little smile, and they began walking back to the third floor.

Felix sighed as he set down another manual.

Wow, my eyes are starting to strain from so much reading. Reading the “Lumpy Earth, Piecing Water step” technique was a questionable expenditure of time.

He raised a hand to his brow, trying to massage his headache away.

I understand why people give their manuals ostentatious titles. Who doesn’t want their technique to sound amazing? However, what makes people give their manuals weird names with words like Lumpy? Did the author have an aneurysm?

Sighing, he gave his forehead one more deep knead and then looked around at his reading companions.

Yang Mei sat cross-legged on her chair; her large form hunched over a book. Her hands delicately paged through the small manual, brown eyes going back and forth with each line of text. Felix hid a smile at the incongruity of the image.

Glancing to his right, he found the recruits similarly distracted. He felt a pang of pity as Chu flipped through page after page of pictures.

I never even considered that he’s practically illiterate. Talk about barriers to power. I wonder how many people have been unable to escape their circumstances because of that. In this world, the saying knowledge is power is so much more real… Well, anyway, Xue was pretty great about it. Somehow noticing and giving him manuals with only pictures without saying a word. Honestly, I need to look at those myself. A lot of information is contained in those drawings.

Felix focused on the page currently open in front of Chu. A man was drawn in a stance reminiscent of a horse stance was shown in frightening detail. Next to the man, was an identical outline of the man with all the meridian pathways used in the technique drawn in the appropriate location. Arrows indicating the proper flow were shown at various locations on these paths.

Damn, that is impressive. It has its own disadvantages, but it is definitely easier to understand.

Felix’s eyes traveled back up to Chu’s face, where the child’s brow was scrunched in concentration.

His determination is admirable. Hours of looking only at pictures and he is still trying to get as much out of it as possible. I don’t have time to teach him, but I also don’t know how our Sect addresses that issue. Surely, he isn’t the first disciple with such an issue. Well, I can just read the manual I choose for him out loud for now.

Felix glanced at the other two recruits, whose names he had finally learned.

Hai Rong and Eun Fai. Each of them are from rich families, with Hai Rong's parents being merchants and Eun Fai’s having a history with artificing. Still, they aren’t too bad for rich kids. Hardworking and they don’t complain much.

Then he remembered Xue’s response when she realized he didn’t remember the two’s names.

Like, come on. People forget their names. I mean I am normally good at remembering names. I remember Martel’s name. I also remember Xue’s name, Everglade's name, Yang Mei’s name….

Shaking his head, he held back a yawn. Closing his book with an audible clap, he smiled as Chu and Hai Rong jumped in their seat.

“Alright everybody, I think we should get some sleep.” Said Felix. “We aren’t immortals yet, especially you three. We need to get some sleep if we want to get anything out of class tomorrow.”

Sleepy nods greeted his statement and a few them even yawned as well. Xue slowly looked up from her book.

“Speak for yourself, Felix. A core cultivator such as I am not so restrained by mortal necessities.” Said Xue. Then she leaned forward to speak into his ear, a few strains of her hair falling on his face. “However, I shouldn’t leave you undefended, even in the Sect. Luckily for my studies, Elder Shen told me he was keeping an eye on you remotely, so you can walk back yourself safely enough. Then I can pick you up in the morning before class. Still, you should also take this just in case.”

Felix felt a weight fall into his hand.

“Elder Shen said this talisman will keep you safe for a bit. At least until help can arrive.

Xue then leaned back into her chair, already focusing on her book. Felix blinked, trying to shake away the smell of fresh pine.

Man, I need to keep myself under control.

Ignoring the confused looks from Yang Mei and the recruits, he started walking down the stairs.

Felix watched the other disciples take different mountain paths away on their way back. As they disappeared, he glanced down at the protective treasure in his hands.

Xue said that an elder is probably watching me but will this really protect me. I mean, I’m not scared- of course, but you never know in this crazy world.

He held the talisman between thumb and index finger to his eye. Green of the deepest forest, each side of the cut stone was covered in large bold characters. A case of gold wires wove between these characters, coming together to attach to a golden chain.

Hard to believe that something so small could do anything. It's beautiful but I can't really feel any power in it. Though high cultivation objects being beyond those of lower levels isn’t anything unusual.

Putting the chain around his neck, he began to make his way back to Elder Rong’s house.

There really were too many movement techniques to choose from. It really is tempting to choose one of those that has a cool name. Who doesn’t want to say they practice Heaven’s Step or Titans Trail? Of course, not the ones labeled trash by the system, I can’t waste resources as I did with my cultivation technique. Though I still think it has potential...

As he meandered through stone tiled trails, he came across one of the more unusually straight stretches on the mountain. Looking at the nice uniform flooring of the trail, he nodded to himself.

Mmmm, let's at least try one of the techniques I read today. Maybe [Stone Skipping March]? It was labeled as extremely weak by the system which would still make it one of the better movement techniques I saw. Xue also said it is notoriously easy to learn. I was even able to achieve 2/15 comprehension according to the system just by reading it once.

Felix reached out to his internal qi, feeling it sit in his dantian. A reassuring strength returning as it headed his call. Focusing, he slowly changed his leisurely pace to match the movements described in the manual. A foot spacing just so. Feet angled every so often out instead of in. His stride started to look as if he should be marching in formation, knees reaching waist-high. Once he felt he had the motion down, he began guiding the qi through the appropriate meridians. Felix found himself growing impatient as he got the timing wrong again and again.

Then Felix got it right. He found himself speeding along, desperately tried to maintain the technique, and not look like a complete idiot. Every footfall sent him flying forward, his body seeming to skip across the ground with each step like a flat stone thrown just right across the water.

Wow, this is weird. As cool as it is to do, I feel like I look like an idiot. The technique is said this is meant for large groups to travel across roads at high speed. I would love to see that.

Stifling a laugh at the thought, Felix missed the timing of qi circulation in his ankle. A sharp pain followed the error and was suddenly stumbling to a stop. Hopping on one foot, he grabbed and cradled his left foot. He gritted his teeth as the sensation of hitting his funny bone emanated from his ankle.

…Well that sucked. Not exactly painful but it feels weird as shit. Man, imagine how much of this nonsense cultivators have to go through when learning techniques. Thank god for the system making my life easier.

Then he paused, as he realized he was practically doing a vertical split while standing on one foot.

Huh, pretty damn good balance and flexibility. Not really magical all things considered but still, cool.

The pounding of feet cut off his introspection. Still standing on one foot and cradling another, he looked up to see a large figure hurtling toward him. BAM!

Felix found himself flying through the air. Then his body made contact with the shrubbery on the left side of the path, bouncing once and rolling through a number of bushes. Groggily, he staggered to his feet.

So much for the fucking Talisman! Sister Xue and Elder Shen, we are going to share words!

Orienting on the moon illuminated path, he saw his assailant squinting back at him. Felix’s angry curse died on his lips as he took in the sheer size of his night time assailant. Built like a mountain of muscle, the man toward over Felix. The man wiped his brow, adjusted his grip on his equally large burden.

…Is that a bathtub?

The man's eyes finally found Felix among shrubberies’ shadows, and the boyish face broke into a happy smile.

“Sorry about that little buddy.” Said the man, easily hefting the tub from one shoulder to the other. “Rushing on the elder’s order. I didn’t think anyone would be out this late.”

The man awkwardly reached with his free hand toward the pocket on the other side of his robes. Inhibited by his own muscles, the man could quite reach it. With a shrug, the man tossed the tub in the air and caught the tub with his other shoulder. Then he reached into his pocket with his now free hand, pulling out a bottle and tossing it to Felix.

“Take these qi pills as an apology. The names Han. I hope that's enough but come find me if you have an issue. I need to go, elder's orders.”

Then Han turned and sprinted the way Felix had come.

Felix blinked for a moment and then cupped his hands to his mouth.

“I’m Felix!”

The man gave a backward wave with his free hand, running into the night with his bathtub.

Did that really just happen? Freaking weirdo…

Shaking his head, Felix stood up.

Who the hell runs around with a giant bathtub. I mean, how am I supposed to know what’s normally when this stuff happens? These ridiculous scenarios are just piling up.

Despite a slight ringing in his head, Felix found a smile bubbling to the surface.

Holy shit, I am both pissed and happy. The guy was just so goofy that he was charismatic. Yet part of me can’t stop being pissed. Ugh.

Ignoring his emotions, Felix got back on the trail. He absently walked for a bit, feeling for any injuries.

Okay, no injuries. Did the Talisman activate or did I just not get hit hard enough? Whatever.

Felix called upon his qi again, attempting to use [Stone Skipping March] once more. Having started too fast once, Felix started with only a few strands of qi. His speed was similarly reduced, and he focused on the nuances of the move. Finally, after he felt he had a better handle on the technique, he started ramping up the speed.

Wow… this is awesome. The movement reminds me of running on a moving walkway. Almost a disconcerting difference between how fast I am actually moving and how fast I expect to be moving. According to the manual, there is definitely more I can get out of the technique once I master it. With this kind of power, no wonder Xue thought this was important. No mortal could keep up with this.

He found himself in a rhythm where he kept chugging along, feeling for each nuance of the movement. Finally, Felix slowed down stopping to be bathed in the full moon.

Wow, not bad at all. Oh, and my comprehension went up to 4/15. Damn, was that enlightenment or just training.

Then he blinked and looked around.

…Where am I?

He glanced from the moon illuminated path to the shadow-filled surroundings. Only a few residential buildings with their lights off on the downward slope side of the trail.

Mmmm, I don’t think I’ve been here before. Referencing the mountain top, I probably just missed my side trail a bit ago. This is what I get for focusing on my technique so I can ignore my emotions.

He scratched the back of his head and looked up at the stars.

I wonder if immortals do dumb things like this too.

A sharp rapping sounded from behind. Felix unleashed a remarkably high pitched scream in response.

With a curse, Felix spun as he simultaneously called upon his Ragnarök technique. The familiar connection formed, and an energy sword descended from the sky. Down it flew, aimed right at the head of a cloaked figure. They stood silently a meter away, concealed in a tree’s shadow that split the path. Even though the blade fell with the full force of Felix’s panic-driven will, Felix felt his connection to the energy blade shake and then snap. Not even halfway to the target, the sword fizzles into brown motes with only the hint of a golden hue.

Swallowing back the blood at a small backlash, Felix strove for that familiar resonance once more. No such response was forthcoming, and he found himself beginning to step back, readying to use [Skipping Stone March]. Then the figure stepped fully into the light of the moon.

With quick motions, the diminutive figure pulled out a similar small chalkboard. He stared in shock as the masked Onooka Clansman wrote furiously.

HOLY [email protected]!*% Why are they in the sect-

Felix blinked and his tense expression eased.

Oh right. They must have come from Greenwood. Wow, this is embarrassing.

The writing gave him time to comport himself. Then the clansman flipped over the board, displaying a line of text.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. Why did you attack me? I suppose that is answered by me scaring you, huh? What are you doing over here?”

“Ahem, uh, sorry about that.” Said Felix. “I didn’t expect to meet anyone so late at night. What is an Onooka Clansman doing here?”

“Some of your Elders came and picked us up from Greenwood at the behest of one of our sect’s elders. Apparently, there is an imperial incursion nearby. Did you know that? We are staying in the guest house over there.”

The Onooka clansman pointed with the chalk to the dark buildings.

“Oh,” said Felix. “I suppose that makes sense.”

“What are you doing over here so late?” Wrote the Clansman. “Is there a training ground nearby?”

“I got a little absent-minded as I pondered a movement technique. I took the wrong path on my way back from training.”

It was the Onooka Clansman’s turn to stare. Felix resisted the urge to squirm under the stare of the mask’s creepy black eyeholes. Then the clansman shook their head and wrote again.

“Excuse my staring. I am just surprised you are lost in your own sect. That must be really embarrassing.” Read the board. Felix couldn’t help but wince a little. “I had originally thought that you had perhaps come to visit one of us. By the way, why do you look familiar?”

Felix paused at that last question and then smiled. A memory playing in the back of his head.

All right, I need to take back the initiative.

“Well, we have met before.” He said.

The figure stared at him again, and Felix began to contemplate sticking his finger through the mask’s eyes.

“Are you sure?” Wrote the clansman. “I have met very few of you.”

“I would of course not mistake the little miss of the Onooka clan. “

The Onooka girl stepped back, cocking her head to the side. Then she wrote out another message.

“How did you realize it is me? Oh, I now remember we met at Greenwood. You were with Senior Xue, correct? But how did you know I was the young miss? People often have trouble telling the difference between us when we are wearing our full clan garb.”

Um… because you are just as short now as you were in the city?

“I am very observant. Covering your face won’t stop me from seeing the true you.”

“…What a weird thing to say. You say weird things.” Wrote the Onooka Clansman, cocking her head to the other side.

The silence dragged on and Felix found he was getting more comfortable at waiting out awkward pauses. Eventually, the young miss broke it by writing another message.

“So, what about your movement technique were you pondering so deeply that you went the wrong way?”

“I was actually deciding what one to choose next. That was just to see if it felt right.”

“You mean the one you just used that made you look like you were playing the kid game Hippie Hoppie the Cultivator’s Dead?”

Felix winced.

“Ya? I guess? I want to find one that will compliment my sword techniques before I begin sparring.”

The Onooka Clansman rapped her board excitedly

“Oh, that’s neat!” She wrote. “I also use a sword like many of my sect. I didn’t know your sect had any pure sword cultivators.”

Wait, I know. Let's try the method that has somehow worked every time

“You seem knowledgeable about these things.” Said Felix with his best smile. “Would you mind helping me train a bit.”

Maybe an easy-going spar to help me get a feel for the movement technique. Make a friend and learn a bit. Xue did say I should spar with someone, and she is probably not too strong. Hopefully.

Felix got another dose of creepy mask stare, then the young miss slipped the board into her cloak. Her glove covered hand came back out with a long, thin, one-sided sword.

Felix’s eyes opened wide as the Onooka girl was suddenly much closer. Then he registered the feeling of cold steel on his neck.

Wtf protective treasure?! Is it broken or do I need to get stabbed in the heart first?

With a smooth motion, she switched out her sword for the chalkboard.

“Didn’t you just want to spare?” She wrote. “That was pathetic. You totally froze up.”

“I didn’t expect you to go straight out and attack me.” He said through gritted teeth.

The Onooka miss returned a vigorous head shake.

“You should be prepared to act quickly.” She wrote. “This is something you should work on. For now, let’s go slower so you can focus on that movement technique.”

“Um,” Said Felix. “I meant could we practice later, you know, not in the middle of the night?”

The young Onooka Girl ignored him, walking several meters away from him down the path. She turned, drawing her thin blade one more. Groaning, Felix hurriedly took out his plain sword and took a defensive stance. Then she was rushing towards him.

Thankfully, she was deliberately moving slow enough he could respond. As he parried a few of her telegraphed strikes, he tried to use [Stone Skipping March] to circle her. He felt the techniques infirmity to hers, as she followed him like a ghost no matter what direction he retreated.

Wow, this sucks. I am being hounded by this damn shorty! Well, let's try this.

After one of the parries, he used [Skipping Stone March] to charge her. Finding himself going much faster in this direction, he did a mini skip, timing their clash with the second step. They both stumbled as the combined force actually sent her back. Unfazed, she easily deflected his next strike when he did the same combination. He tried it again, and instead of blocking it head-on, she deflected his strike to the side, her feet moving to slide around him even as his movement took him forward.

He spun to face her but found her with her sword put away once again. She was writing on her board, which she flipped to face him

“I recognize that technique now. [Stone Skipping March], right?”

He dumbly nodded and blinked as she shook in response.

Huh, she is laughing, isn’t she? Never seen a silent laugh. Weird.

“Your expression is really funny. I thought that hippie hoppie nonsense looked familiar. It is a favorite of some of the stupid Empire’s infantry divisions. It's all about pursuing the enemy, endurance, and unidirectional strength. You seemed to have figured out its advantage in powering one’s attack, but you certainly haven’t mastered it. I would suggest looking at other movement techniques you can use alongside this one to cover its weaknesses or finding a different technique. Some of the disadvantages of this technique would be mitigated if you could pull more of its potential out but I still don’t think it is special enough to pursue in the end.”

Catching his breath, Felix nodded.

“Well, I was just trying it out. I am thankful for the help. It is so different reading about it and then using it. I did not even realize how little energy it was using. Thanks again for the advice.”

Felix sheathed his sword, stretching his sore arms.

Wow, that was more than I wanted at the moment. I am not sure how many of those clashes I could take but I definitely need to body cultivate. Despite that, she had it so easy that she could just toy with me. So much for here not being too strong.

“Well… Thanks again.” Said Felix, giving her a grin.

She erased her board and flipped it.

“My name is Daiyu. You can call me big sister Daiyu”

Felix blinked and then laughed again. Cupping his hand, he gave her a bow.

“Greeting little sister Daiyu. Brother Felix thanks you for your guidance.”

Her hands blurred and she wrote more.

“Your name is weird, and I said, big sister.”

Felix rolled his eyes, turning to look at the silent guest house.

“By the way little sister Daiyu, we’ve been making a lot of noise. How haven’t we woken up any of your clansmen?”

“Oh,” She wrote. “They joined us a few minutes ago.”

He followed her pointed chalk to see several cloaked shadows behind him in the shadow of the trees.

…I hate the Onooka Clan