So much for standing my ground.

Felix sat and sighed as Everglade bustled around her house. A pot of tea was already boiling on the stove.

“Do you want the same tea as last time? It may help if you are still having that issue,” said Everglade.

“Didn’t you say they were expensive?” said Felix. “Something only used by higher rank cultivators?”

“Well yes, but you did come quietly, so I can spare a little. Just remember how much you owe your big sister Everglade.”.

I did come to quietly… Must be tired. Aren’t I supposed to be the one that has that ‘voice’? A fat lot of good it's done me. On the other hand, Everglade has always given off that social butterfly vibe. So, falling under her sway isn’t too bad.

Felix poked one of the several empty bowls in front of him. A few remaining bits of rice rolled around inside from the prod.

She made me eat so much. Felt like I was in trouble with a parent. I suppose I might have been missing a few, well several meals over the past weeks but I’m an adult!... My body is sixteen. Wait, do I even need to eat this much since I am at essence condensing. Never got a hard and fast number on that.

Everglade hopped up on her counter and bent over to rummage in a cabinet high up.

It really is nostalgic. Sitting here like this… a more mundane life perhaps wouldn’t be so bad.

Tell her that, while maintaining eye contact.

You be quiet! That piece of advice doesn’t even make sense.

“Felix, are you alright.”

“Yes,” said Felix, looking up to see Everglades' concerned face. “Really, I’m good.”

“You seem to be suffering from the same issue as last time. Maybe even a little worse. I better make the tea extra strong!”

Ahhh, look at what you made me do? Now she knows I am going crazy. I mean, now she thinks I’m going crazy,

You sure you aren’t?

I’m not you asshole. I mean we’re not, I mean… Pronouns aren’t designed for this Bull shit!

Everglade gave him a few more concerned looks and Felix forced on a smile.

God, this is so awkward. Well, ‘voice’, what should I say now to fix the situation… And once again you don’t answer when I want you to, typical.

Resisting spitting in disgust, Felix turned his attention to his hand. Clenching and unclenching his hand, he watched the tendons play beneath his wrist.

I was so overwhelmed in Tai Wei’s presence that I barely even registered when I reached Essence Condensing. Man, that place was broken. Even with the environment being that amazing, how did I reach it that quickly? Qi alone shouldn’t have allowed me to increase my levels because I need to refine it and stuff first. Nearly injuring myself in the cultivation cave with too much qi showed me that. That feeling of guidance… he must have helped, which I didn’t even think was possible. Frog in the proverbial well.

Beneath the skin and tendons, he could feel the condensed coursing in his body. Even undirected by a technique, its presence alone made his every movement more.

This power… a person could become addicted to it if they weren’t careful.

A shadow fell over him and Felix looked up to see Everglade. Sort of. Her eyes were only slightly above his even with him sitting.

Wait, did she positioned herself so the light from the window silhouettes her, and is she slightly pointing her nose in the air? Man, she is really trying hard to look taller, isn’t she?

“You are thinking about something unflattering, aren’t you?” Said Everglade.

“What?” said Felix.

“Or are you just thinking crude thoughts?” said Everglade, smirking. “So that is why you are looking at your hand so much. But it was just dirty thoughts making you space out, and here I thought you had a real condition. It turns out you are just a teenager.”

Did she just make a joke? Or is this some weird flirting?

You are an idiot.

I don’t want to hear shit from you!

“Did I break you?” said Everglade. “

“No, sorry, lost in my thoughts again. You know me,” said Felix.

“Do I?” said Everglade. “Do I really?”

“erhem, yes. Yes, you do, and I was staring at my hand while thinking about what it feels like to be in this higher realm of cultivation. I reached it so quickly due to a strange series of events, and so quickly that I haven’t yet adjusted.”

“Oh, and what were these ‘strange’ events?” said Everglade, taking the seat nearest him as she poured them both tea. “I never got the story of what happened on your trip. No with you hiding in that damn tower for weeks. How about you tell me that?”

“I can't,” said Felix.

“Really?” said Everglade, setting the pot back down with a sigh. “And here I thought you wanted to get to know me better. What is a little secret between friends?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to. Elder Shen told me to say nothing about it.” said Felix. “I’m not even sure if I’m supposed to talk about the fact that it is a secret. He was kind of insistent about the whole thing.”

“Really? Is your entire trip a secret?” said Everglade, finally leaning back.

Awe, that was a good view

“No, just certain parts, which include the ones that allowed me to reach the essence condensing realm.” said Felix

“Those are some of the ones I want to know the most,” said Everglade. “You said you would help me catch up to Xue and then you dangle this in front of me, only to say you can’t tell me about it.”

“Everglade, I really can’t tell you about that,” said Felix.

“Then you owe me.” said Everglade.

“Alrgiht. I owe you.” said Felix

“Fine,” said Everglade with a sniff. “Then I suppose it is okay if you tell me the rest of it right now then? To make up for keeping that secret from your big sister Everglade.”

Oh, she played me.

“Fine, fine,” said Felix, leaning back as he looked down at her over his nose. “You just have to give me the details on what exactly happened between you and Xue.”

Green eyes met brown eyes as they stared at one another. Felix felt his left leg twitch to move but forced it still. Finally, Everglade broke eye contact.

“I suppose that is a fair trade,” said Everglade. “But not now. I need time. First, explain to me what happened.”

“Agreed,” said Felix, taking a sip to hide his smile.

Everglade sent him an annoyed look anyway. Felix ignored that though, the clarity of the tea washing through him once more.

Truly a miraculous feeling. Even if it can’t cure my condition. Considering how many variables seem to be involved with my problem, nothing with such a singular effect should be able to fix it… I wonder…

“Felix!” said Everglade, her face turning from annoyed to pissed off. “That tea should help center your mind, not distract it.”

“Sorry, sorry,” said Felix. “I really am thankful for it. It just gave me an idea. Now, where was I? Oh yes, the trip. Not much to say really. We went to investigate the Endless wilderness. On the way, we uncovered an entire local clan that had allied with the Empire. We of course solved it quickly and continued on our way. Once we reached the endless wilderness, we found that the previous plot was only part of a bigger one. It was all to lay the groundwork for the empire to travel through the endless wilderness south of the Beast’s Claw, taking a huge portion of the Central Region in one swope. Story over.”

Felix felt a delicate hand grip his wrist. It hurt

“Felix, that wasn’t very detailed,” said Everglade. “What happened to Xue!?”

“She's fine, I am getting to that. Unhand me woman,” said Felix, wrenching his hands free. He massaged his aching wrists. “I was just messing with you. Our stumbling around is what really uncovered the whole plot. We nearly died and only lived because Xue and then Elder Zhenzhen came to the rescue. We were divided and due to circumstances, ones I can’t tell you about, I got back first. Xue and the others are safe. However, Elder Shen told me that their return is slowed because of the fighting that is even now going on down there.”

“Perhaps I should go to her?” muttered Everglade as she stood up.

“Don’t be crazy,” said Felix. “She will be fine, and you can do more good here.”

Everglade hesitated but eventually sat back down. They remained there in silence once more, lost in their own thoughts.

Man, she really loses her cool when it comes to Xue. I thought it was a onetime thing with that misunderstanding between them.

“Sooo, want to talk about something else?” said Felix.

“Fine, but I’m not done with you. I want a more detailed description than that though.” Said Everglade, pouring herself more tea. “So, have you paid attention at all to what is going on in the Sect? The Martial Alliance?”

“…No,” said Felix. “Should I have been?”

“Have you talked to anyone besides me since you’ve been back?” said Everglade. “Wait, I found you up in the Hall of Knowledge living like an animal, of course you haven’t.”

“Hold on a moment, I talked to a disciple when I first came back.” Said Felix

“When you first came back? You mean weeks ago.” said Everglade, “You are just proving my point.”

“Well, I’ve also talked to Elder Shen and some of the other elders.”

She returned a pitying look.

“Just be aware that you have to be more careful now.”

“I thought as Thousand Season disciples we would be fine. We are in the dominate position politically speaking, aren’t we” said Felix.

“People aren’t stagnant water. They ebb and flow, both filling and cutting into the existing ground.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” said Felix.

“It means,” said Everglade, poking Felix in the chest. “That the disciples are already making factions amongst themselves. Nothing clear cut, the elders wouldn’t stand for it, but they are jockeying for position. While we can get by ignoring such things to an extent, it can matter a lot to the smaller sects. We can’t ignore it totally, not if we don’t want a knife in our back.”

“Okay…”

“Have you at least considered what you are going to do about Hue Hei?” said Everglade.

“Who?” said Felix.

That name sounds really familiar… like it's important somehow…

“The person who you so valiantly rescued Yang Mei from?” said Everglade.

Rescued Yang Mei… Does she mean in the chase? No, she must be talking about the sect. Did I ever help her against any ‘bullies’? I mean, I gave her some positive comments when she was sad.

“The person whose face you literally stepped on?” said Everglade with a sigh.

“Ohhh, that Hue Hei.” Said Felix. “Yeah, I and him talked it out. Everything is cool now.”

“Everything is ‘cool’, is it?” said Everglade. “Could you please tell me how in the Dao, that happened? Or is that another secret you can’t tell me?”

“We just talked it out like men.” Said Felix.

“You talked it out like men.” Deadpanned Everglade. “You literally cracked the earth with his face, and you just talked it out? I was going to give you some suggestions but if you fixed it… Why do I even bother when I could have apparently just beat people's faces in to get along with them?”

“To be honest, it was more a set of coincidences that led to our reconciliation. A moment of clarity that shifted his perspective,” said Felix

“Ah, so it's just like the so-called secret. Another set of ‘coincidences’” said Everglade

“No, it's not like that.” Said Felix. “I don’t know what you are getting all worked up about.”

Everglade blinked, and then frowned.

“I’m not sure why I am getting upset either. Maybe I’m the one who needs a break…”

And now I feel like an asshole. She is just trying to help her even while her ‘friend’ is still in danger.

“Everglade, can you hand me your manual?” Said Felix.

“I said no working!” Said Everglade.

“I just want to help you.”

“Don’t give me that nonsense. No, means no.” said Everglade. They stared at one another until Everglade rolled her eyes and open a hidden draw. A plan manual hidden underneath bags of herbs. “Fine, just be careful with it, okay?”

-----

“I can’t believe I let you convince me,” said Everglade. Paging through the now heavily marked book. “And why did you go all weird while writing in the book. Only responding with grunts when I tried to talk to you.”

“I was focused. I more surprised you didn’t kick me out when it took the entire night to finish my work,” said Felix. and cost me a bit of KE points to. “

“Yes,” said Everglade. “And you aren’t to tell people about it. Even if it was just you doing… whatever you were doing to my manual, it would be bad for my and your reputation.”

“Yes mom,” said Felix. “I think I know how to be discreet. Now tell me how your new manual’s feel? I only worked on your cultivation and weapon manual but I feel like you will appreciate the difference.”

“I really can’t believe it,” said Everglade, shaking her head. She paged through the final pages and closed the book. “When you said you could help me, I didn’t think it would be so… direct.”

“This is just the start,” said Felix. “Stick with me, and you will never go hungry again!”

“...What?” said Everglade.

“haha, just quoting something, ignore me.” said Felix. “Anyway, I only did this here because Elder Shen told me the other sect elders should stay away. Really, I should have stayed in the Hall of Knowledge just to be safe.”

“Oh… when did they decide that?” said Everglade. “They didn’t tell me about it?”

“They mentioned it when I was studying these past few weeks. Something about tightening security. Might have to do with the growing politics you mentioned yesterday. So, more improvements will only be done in the hall of knowledge and only on the top floor. That way we know it's safe.

“You can really do more.” said Everglade. “How did you even do any of this to begin with.”

“You underestimate me,” said Felix, puffing out his chest. “I am a man of profound talent after all.”

Not to mention I only upgraded your techniques a few times. I can’t waste my points unless I can make the most of it and your manuals aren’t common to the sect. I was only able to recover a few points, leaving me with 330 KE points in total.

“Still, it is amazing, Felix, really,” said Everglade. Then her familiar smirk appeared. “How about we test it. I can show you a few of my moves. We can even use this opportunity for you to get more familiar with your new realm. I may love tending to my gardens, but even I know that battle is good for such things.”

“Wait… but what about letting me rest?” said Felix, following her out the door.

“You napped on the floor for a few hours between whatever you were doing with my manual, right”?” said Everglade, leading him to a side patch of the garden. “Believe me, you look a lot better than before.”

“Right,” said Felix. He eyed the surrounding plants. “Are you sure we should be fighting in the garden? I thought spiritual plants are fragile.”

“Some are. If we were fighting over there, then I would be concerned.” Said Everglade, pointing downhill. “The ones in this patch are either weeds, plants I have been messing around with or have… other needs”

She began rummaging in her robes

“What other needs?”

“Well,” said Everglade, pulling out what appeared to be a rope. “Blood for some of them.”

“Blood?” said Felix. “Is that a whip?”

“Oh, this old thing?” said Everglade, holding it up. She gave her wrist a little flourish and the whip snapped, striking a tree next to her garden. A crack sounded out as splinters and chunks of the tree fell from the point of content. A spray of sap accompanying them. “mmm, I might need to switch to the practice whip…”

“You think!?” said Felix, backing up a little. “I knew that the manual was for a rope like weapon, but I thought it was a ribbon or something. No wonder I had such a hard time improving it.”

Everglade eyed the still seeping wound on the tree.

“Yeah, a practice one would be for the best.” She eyed the surroundings and sighed. “And if I am not ‘teaching’ you, then we might as well go somewhere I don’t have an advantage.”

“Advantage?” said Felix.

“Do you think I decided to fight in my own garden because I like to destroy my plants?” said Everglade.

“You just said it was a weed and weird blood thing.” Said Felix, tossing his hands in the air. “I just believed you.”

“Oh, stop being dramatic. I thought you would have picked up on it. You are weirdly socially selectively blind…” said Everglade.

Tell me about it…

“Look, we are really just doing this to see how you feel different.” Said Felix. “Me fighting is just a bonus. How about you just wave it around a little.”

“Fine Felix. Please back up. No, all the way next to that large purple herb.”

Felix gave her a raised eyebrow but acquiesced. She made sure he followed her orders and then closed her eyes. She raised her hand above her head and started to slowly bring the whip around by rolling her wrist above her head. The rope seemed to stretch slightly, its tight braids giving so that its trailing end outlined a four meter circle.

It almost has a hypnotic quality to it.

The surrounding plants started to stand straighter despite the slight breeze building around her. A creak made Felix’s head whip around to stare at the branches. Not only them, but entire trees were bending toward the short women,

It is a light, I wouldn’t have even noticed it wasn’t for that sound. I wonder if that is intentional or a side effect of her technique? It didn’t seem intentional, and I should know it better than her.

He turned back to see that she had spun up. So that the slowly spinning whip had created a half sphere around her. It continued to speed up until it began to blur even to Felix’s eyes and then her arm snapped out. The rope undulated down its length, sending its tip like an arrow. Her arm blurred causing the whip to create a sound like a gunshot as it changed directions. Yet the tip was already brought to the other side of her and she performed the same motion, causing a second crack to sound out,

The blows started only at about head level but then Everglade began to use more than just her arms. His entire body moving and undulating with the strikes. The whip coiled and squirmed, striking out at odd angles.

Wow, it is almost a living thing. Awesome but scary. How is someone supposed to defend against something like that?

Then she stopped, the whip losing its tension as it recoiled back toward her. With a twirl of her arm holding the whip, she caused it to loop around it until it was bound around one arm. Then she turned and smiled.

“Alright, warm up completed. Let’s have a quick spar.”

“Hell no!”