Fenghuang Yu appeared and glanced around at her new location. Her jaw dropped as she spun in a circle, taking in the luxurious surroundings of her breakthrough “room.”

Directly in front of her, she saw a tall square wooden table with two chairs in front of a fireplace apparently carved from a single piece of unknown white stone and polished to a glittering sheen. She was shocked to see a full meal prepared and sitting on that table. She even saw steam rising from the food and tea, telling her that the cook was either still there or had just left. How fascinating.

As she continued to pan across the room, Yu saw a small kitchen and three additional doors. Wandering around, Yu found a bathing and overall self-care room holding a large tub under a spigot of some sort and two colored stones likely to control water flow.

Next to that was a contraption Yu had read about but hadn’t seen before. It was another spigot but wider and longer and with numerous tiny holes in it. It was in the ceiling above her and was called a shower. Apparently, some set of enchantments would allow the water to reach the top of the spigot and pour down onto Yu. In the floor was a grated drain which took the dirt and soiled water and did who knew what with it.

Against the wall hung a stool with a padded pillow on it. The pillow was odd in that it looked shiny and when Yu ran her hand along it, it felt slick like stone but soft like cloth. Not a clue what to do with it and grinning like a loon, Yu went to the next room which was a luxurious bedroom. A folded note was on the obviously soft bed and Yu picked it up to read after she checked out the final room. That turned out to be a dark meditation center with incense and a single soft ether light.

Sitting at the table she picked up the chopsticks and started eating while unfolding and reading the note.

Disciple Fenghuang Yu,

As discussed, this room is for your sole use so you may advance in secret. You are not to use this as anything but a breakthrough room unless you pay the same contribution points any other disciple would. There is a jade tablet by the door you can pay at if you decide to use it in such a way. I trust you not to abuse the privilege and that is all I will say on the matter.

You will eventually meet my trusted servant who will prepare your restoration meals and clean up after you. Once again, I trust you to treat him well and will say nothing else about it. You should find all the clothing and other normal materials you need in the bedroom. That you are never seen entering a breakthrough room will raise suspicion but I will claim that I am working with you directly, which you will repeat if ever asked.

The bathing room is set up for you to conduct your actual breakthroughs and a stool which will resist water is provided. You simply sit on the stool under the shower and use that shower to clean up after. I recommend a bath be prepared in advance and that, after the impurities are cleansed, you use it to allow your body a recovery time. A recovery-specific meal will be waiting for you afterward and then you will rest for a short time and step back to your normal room and return to your normal daily schedule.

Do not use your mission days as meridian cleansing days, those must be used for their original purpose: your point allocation and your required practical hands-on growth. You have your evenings free for a reason.

Although I likely do not have to say it, I want you to focus on combat or crafting missions. For this night, once you have a short rest in the bed and have recovered, I will step you back to where I took you from. After today you will be stepping yourself in and out. I am not your rickshaw service.

In the future, I recommend you bring something for your bond to do or leave him with those you trust or in the beast areas as it will be very dull for him. He is getting older and will require more stimulation, even if he is too young for training. We will discuss him in a future visit. If not next week, then the week after.

Grow strong, disciple. It is critical you grow strong. Do not disappoint me.

Your Master

Well, that was something. When her parents said she was going to be taken on as a direct disciple, she had thought she’d be given a little more personal training. She never needed (or wanted) material things, especially given her desire to earn her away. But knowledge was important to her.

Sighing, she looked around. Thinking it was too bad she couldn’t live there permanently, Yu finished eating, meditated in the side room to center herself, and then went for her fifth cleansing.

***

Yu felt the water pour from above her head, washing all the filth down the drain. She found the energy to lift her face and found water pressure helped reduce the sting in her eyes. Having hot water pour down on her was a luxury Yu absolutely had to make sure she maintained throughout her life. It was too amazing to lose.

Once all the impurities were gone, she relaxed in the large stone bath and even allowed Bai to join her when he padded in and gave her a look that made her both laugh and feel guilty at the same time. They both luxuriated in the water and Yu ate the meal that was waiting for her when she got out. The warm feeling on her insides matched the soft red robe which she found in the bathroom after her bath. They then climbed into the bed and fell into an exhausted dreamless sleep.

Yu was awakened by a roar an unknown amount of time later. Yu climbed out of the bed with a grumpy Bai, got dressed in her standard disciple clothes and robe, and went back to the suite. She tapped her badge and found it was between the 23rd and 24th hour. Turning in a circle, she spoke hesitantly to the empty room, “Umm. I’m ready, master.”

The response was immediate and Yu suddenly found herself back by the boulder her evening had started at. She saw a dark sky of stars and a half-moon. As she was not all that tired after her nap, Yu walked towards the Skills Library, determined to fulfill at least one of her too-delayed goals.

When she arrived, the bottom floor was mostly empty, which was unsurprising given the hour. As Yu had no time limit for this visit, she slowly wandered around and entered the entire layout into her memory. That done, Yu walked to the section for Water Aura skills. There were many tablets in that section but, upon review, most were garbage, which was not surprising. What had surprised Yu though was the cost. She could actually afford to buy one. Or at least she thought she could because Yu realized she had no idea how many points she actually had gained and spent. So she said, “Sign. Sect Points.” What appeared surprised her.

Sect Points:

40,015 (+4.5%)

It was more than she thought. Yu did smile slightly at the (+4.5%) to the right of her total. That was her reward from Ren for the combat test.

It turned out that he calculated his mystery reward based on beast grade and awarded “beast points” for each kill. She apparently received five points for low grade 1, fifteen moderate grade 1, and thirty-five for high grade 1. Low grade 2 jumped to one hundred, and then two hundred fifteen, and three hundred eighty-five after that.

As she first killed one then two and then three of each, she had managed to end a total of thirty-six illusionary demonic beasts worth 4,530 beast points. Once Yu saw that she was almost tempted to see what a low grade 3 could give her, but she was able to recognize her weakness and managed to stop herself from finding out. Barely.

Ren had first given her the choice of directly trading those combat points in for an immediate gain of 4,530 sect contribution points. That was tempting but two other options were offered before she accepted. Both would be hidden from any who did not see her sign, and thus nobody but she and Ren would know.

The first was a hidden reduction of all purchases in the guild by 4.5%. The second was a gain of all points awarded by the same amount. She decided on that last option thinking it was the best long-term gain, although, in the end, a reduction in cost and an additional gain would amount to the same. At the time she had listened to her gut, which Yu now thought was possibly her Spatial foresight. Maybe. But what difference would it make and why affect that particular choice? Yu figured it was more likely just her gut and nothing else.

Refocusing on the skills in front of her, Yu reflected that it was too bad she wasn’t allowed to stay in Water Warrior class and see the various skills in action, nor could she ask for assistance from the instructor. Instead, she was on her own and thus was debating between two.

Skill Name: Liquid Armor

Grade: 1

Qi Type: Aura

Affinity Type: Water

Meridian Requirements: 1 to 4

Qi Requirements: 2 per second per meridian

Price: 18,300

Description:

This skill pulls water that the wielder is in physical contact with and surrounds them with a thin layer. This layer of armor is neither strong nor something one should depend on, but it can act as a last line of defense from heat. Be warned, the water will increase in temperature based on environmental factors. The more meridians, the thicker the armor layer.

Note: This skill is often used as a training tool for Water Warriors to learn the basics of Water Qi and close combat with the affinity.

Skill Name: Water Knife

Grade: 1

Qi Type: Aura

Affinity Type: Water

Meridian Requirements: 3

Qi Requirements: 12 per second

Price: 14,100

Description:

This skill allows the wielder to pick up water and shape it into a short curved stabbing weapon. This “blade” will be dispersed by even a moderately solid object so its use is limited to cloth, unenhanced skin or fur, and other soft objects. It also will not slice as it is rounded; this is a piercing weapon only.

Yu thought both were total trash but decided to pick up the Liquid Armor skill after a short one-sided discussion with Bai. He apparently was not terribly interested in Qi skills. And he was still grumpy about being woken up. At least the Bao elder could not stop her from attending class any longer.

Next would be Wood Aura, then Darkness Aura. After that, Yu would switch to a Mana combat skill in Fire and Wood Affinities. So Yu headed to the Wood Aura section. She already knew the skill she wanted.

Skill Name: Nature’s Spines

Grade: 1

Qi Type: Aura

Affinity Type: Wood

Meridian Requirements: 1 to 34

Qi Requirements: 3 per second per meridian

Price: 13,900

Description:

This skill creates sharp piercing and slicing spines to appear on the cultivator’s skin. The number of meridians applied defines how many spines are created as well as their offensive and defensive capability. They can be broken by the application of stronger force or Qi and are particularly vulnerable to flame.

Yu learned of this skill in the first Wood Aura class and really liked the idea of increasing her hand-to-hand combat viability. That the skill had such a high meridian ceiling was an encouragement as far as Yu was concerned and—as it was surprisingly inexpensive—she bought it immediately.

At that point, Yu decided to make a circuit around the floor and pick out her future skills for each. It wasn’t like she had anything better to do other than go home and sleep.

After finding her potential future Darkness Aura skill, she found the Fire and Wood Mana ones and did some quick math. Yu would need another 56,000ish points for all three. She headed to the check-out desk to unsurprisingly find there was only one person on duty that late into the night.

“Hello. I’m buying two skills today and I have another two to pick up for my healing class. They should have been granted by the elders.”

The young inner sect disciple tiredly looked at her and told her to tap her badge. She did and he confirmed, “You are purchasing Liquid Armor and Nature’s Spines.” He yawned and then mumbled, “Water and Wood dual affinity, huh? That is a nice combo that can amplify skills. Too bad it isn’t Mana or you could be a healer. They make points and coins hand-over-foot and everyone loves them.”

Then he looked closer at the tablet and spoke, apparently more awake.

“Wait. You are also being granted Fluid Regeneration and Nature’s Relief?”

He glanced up at her and peered with slitted eyes.

Then they opened wide. “You’re her!” he whispered.

Yu coughed and responded with a blush, “I don’t know if I am, but I do need to pick up my skills.”

He blinked at her and asked, “So it’s true? You can use all the Qi types?”

Yu sighed and nodded silently, having relegated herself to this reaction at least until the next shiny thing got everyone’s attention.

“Wow!" he exclaimed. "That’s incredible. No wonder the sect leader chose you. I mean it would have to be someone amazing to get his attention right? I’m just an Air Mage and they keep making me do scouting and exploration missions or help with the weather.”

Yu was taken aback by that statement. “Did you say you can change the weather?”

He shrugged. “Sort of. I’m simplifying things but the weather is basically a measure of wind and moisture. Air Mages can learn skills to do that. Of course, it is only to a point. We just nudge it slightly here and there. Nobody wants to be responsible for totally screwing up the weather. That causes massive storms or droughts or worse. You wouldn’t believe the stories.” He was getting pretty into his discussion at the end.

Nodding, Yu said, “Well, that would certainly be bad. I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Fenghuang Yu.”

“Oh! I’m Shunxu Wen.” Then he bowed his head.

Yu responded with a bow of her own, put Bai on the counter, and said tentatively, “It is nice to meet you. Would it be possible to get my skills? I need to head home and get some sleep. I have an early day tomorrow.”

Shunxu Wen glanced at Bai and said uncomfortably, “Umm. . . You really aren’t supposed to bring bonds in here.”

Yu had no idea. “I apologize. I didn’t know that. I’ll not bring him again. For now, my skills?”

He jumped and scrambled around to get her the four scrolls, apologizing the whole time. She reassured him it was fine as he was just doing his job and then departed.

Feeling much better about herself having actually accomplished something, Yu walked to her suite to find the girls asleep, as expected. She went into her room, changed, washed up, laid down on her bed, and withdrew each scroll progressively to learn them, including the one she had purchased back at the beginning, Frozen Qi. She actually had to stop and cycle to refill her Qi after every other skill as they each took about half her Qi to learn. Once she learned them all, Yu decided to do something she hadn’t done since before she arrived at the sect and spoke quietly. “Sign.”

Name:

Yu

Clan:

Fenghuang

Clan Rank:

Young Mistress

Sect: Black Dragon Sect

Sect Points:

7,815 (+4.5%)

Sect

Level:

Outer Sect Disciple

Sect

Rank:

25,041

Ki Type:

Granted: Ether

Blessed: Aura, Mana

Ki Affinity:

Primary: Spatial

Secondary: Darkness, Fire, Earth, Water, Wood, Lightning

Cultivation Level:

Stage: Formation

Age:

9

Max Ki:

2,330

Available Ki:

904

Might:

81

Agility:

102

Resilience:

108

Spirit:

233

Perception:

96

Meridians:

5/156

Martial Forms:

Kung Fu: (Adept)

Tai Chi: (Initiate)

Weapon Capabilities:

Hook Swords: (Expert)

Jian:(Initiate)

Bow: (Initiate)

Whip: (Initiate)

Dual Jian: (Novice)

Staff: (Novice)

Spear: (Novice)

Qi Skills:

Aura:

Mana:

Ether:

Grade 1:

- Qi Construct

(Initiate)

- Flame Thorns (Initiate)

- Stunning Grasp (Initiate)

- Fire Summoning (Initiate)

- Fire Sword (Novice)

- Fire Shield (Novice)

- Flaming Acceleration (Novice)

- Earthen Armor (Novice)

- Liquid Armor (Novice)

- Nature’s Spines (Novice)

Grade 1:

- Qi Construct (Initiate)

- Follow the Water (Initiate)

- Soothing Flow (Initiate)

- Regeneration Vines (Initiate)

- Nature’s Blessing (Novice)

- Bolt Strike (Novice)

- Flashing Burst (Novice)

- Shadow Meld (Novice)

- Silencing Darkness (Novice)

- Stone Spike (Novice)

- Water Control (Novice)

- Thundering Breath (Novice)

Grade 1:

- Qi Construct (Initiate)

- Beast Bonding (Initiate)

Grade 2:

- Frozen Qi (Novice)

Grade 2:

- Frozen Qi (Novice)

- Fluid Regeneration (Novice)

- Nature’s Relief (Novice)

Grade 2:

- Frozen Qi (Novice)

Grade {unknown}:

- Transformation (Novice)

- Enchant Lightning* (Novice)

Status:

None

Honors:

*Tribulation Supplicant

Titles:

The Corrupted

The Blessed

Tiger’s Blood

Heavens above, the gods granted her the rank of Expert in her swords.

“Woah,” she whispered.

Amazed with that surprise, Yu struggled to sleep for a while. Finally, her exhaustion took over and her last thought brought a smile to her face—not about her swords, but about how that Bao elder would be so angry he had to take her back into his class.