Chapter 24: Demonic Light

"I will teach you the Soul Light now."

Xin became excited. That was something he was looking forward to all the day. He always had a passion for cultivation, hence many manuals he had read. There was a little setback when he learned that he has only Six Meridians, but now he's going to study a new and completely unknown system. Maybe there he will be a genius or cure his illness.

Suddenly, Xin remembered something. A cold breeze extinguished the fire burning in his chest. Right, he had a question to ask. However, he should probably do it after the first session. A potential answer may upset him.

"What should I do?" He asked.

"First, come closer."

Maha was sitting farther from the formation, her back to a tree. The ground was completely black there, so Xin had to be careful when stepping. It will soon turn into a habit, he thought.

"Now sit down and look into my eyes."

Xin sat, the ground was uncomfortable with several roots twisting under his rear but tried not to show his sufferings. He concentrated his gaze on the yellow pupils before him. They were still, like frozen, and bigger with each second. Their shine was immensely attractive in the darkness. Soon the eyes started to engrave themselves on his mind. He felt a strong urge to turn away.

"Don't worry." Her voice was emotionless but somehow calming. Wait, her voice… She wasn't opening her mouth. A surge of bad memories made Xin's body jolt. He quickly closed his eyes.

"Ah!" Then he heard a scream. He immediately opened them and saw the girl resting palms on her eyes and breathing hurriedly.

"W-what happened?"

"Nothing." She said, her breath calming down.

"When you closed eyes connection was several, I've lost a portion of my Light."

"I… I sorry." Has he hurt her? Xin clenched his teeth.

"Don't, it isn't your fault." The girl blinked several times and slowly focused her gaze. She looked at him once more.

"It is good that you are defensive about your mind. A rare quality for non-demon."

Seeing her so resolute at not scolding him Xin's mood turned even worse. Now he felt guilty for feeling bad for feeling guilt…

"We should not waste time. While I am recovering, I will explain the basics for you."

Xin nodded trying to engrave every word in his mind.

"To begin with, you need to know what the Demonic Light is. Essentially it isn't different from the Soul Light, however, it is much more potent, and can only be produced by a Demon. Do you know what the Soul Light is?"

Xin repeated after her in his mind and flinched, then shook his head.

"Then you should have asked. This lesson is for you, you need not be shy."

The boy's ears reddened and he slightly nodded. Meanwhile, Maha has already started explaining, paying no attention to his reaction:

"The Soul Light is the source of all physical activity. When one desires to raise a hand or to open his eye - everything is the Soul Light. Animals produce it in their heads, Demons… it is hard to explain."

"Unlike you, we aren't creatures of flesh. That is only an outer shell for our true bodies: Demonic Crystals. While you are just flesh. Do you understand?"

It was easy to imagine. Still, the image of a jewel growing a meat around itself was quite strange for Xin.

"Are you born like crystals, too?'

"Yes, but I do not want to discuss it."

On a second thought, Xin didn't too. He still could remember when Shan was teaching him about human's way of reproduction. "It is a necessary education for any Young Master, Young Master. During the mating people are generally in their most defenseless, it is a very good time to use your assassination techniques…" He was saying while placing some strange pictures before him. Pictures that Xin probably will never forget…

The boy shivered.

"Cultivation of Demonic, Soul Light requires absorbing of the lights of the outside world. Usually with the eyes, for they are the mirror of the soul. Then the light is accumulated in the Demonic Core which grows and produces more light of its own."

Then what about humans, Xin wanted to ask but decided to listen until the end asking questions.

"There are several Ranks by which the degree of crystal's development is divided, from the First Rank to the Fifth, and then the Rank of Immortal."

"Just ranks sounds bland", thought the boy but didn't voice his thoughts. However, Maha somehow read his mind. Maybe even literally.

"The more simple the system, the more advanced it is."

"The Light can be used for Light Arts, most of which concern the mind of a being, as well as unique for each demon ability that is able to afeсt the external world. There are in different shapes: the emission of light, the field of light… Can you keep up?"

"Kind of, but it's hard to remember everything."

"Then we shall stop with the theory for now. Look into my eyes again, relax your mind, I will pass the way of cultivating the First Rank directly into your Soul Light."

This time Xin didn't turn away. Slowly he felt Maha's words. Exactly, felt, as if she was thinking in his mind. Very strange feeling.

"I am going to start transmission. Are you ready?"

"Yes." Xin thought.

Then he started "knowing", bit by bit. The way of catching the light, the way of guiding the light… He suddenly became aware of many currents in his body; he was aware of them before but only now could name and discern them.

Truly, the power of knowledge. It ended after a minute or so. Slowly Maha left his mind. The "Separation", right. Now he knows a term for it.

"Digest it for some time and you will be able to use your Light. Frankly speaking, the strength of your Light always will be times slower than that of a normal Demon. I am not sure why Ying Zheng wants it. Humans should train their own way, it is more beneficial"

Xin could only agree with her. What was passed to him, that adjusted for humans method was very different from what she described for the Demons. It was roundabout way, like trying to eat using legs to put the food through the nose…

Very good comparison. He praised himself silently.

"Enough for today, you can go." Said Maha.

Xin stood up but suddenly felt like he forgot something. He went still, trying to remember what it could be.

"Something wrong?" Asked the girl.

"No, I…"

It was something connected to Maha and demons, but what exactly...

"Look here, kid."

Xin looked back without thinking, then something caught his face. The boy was a bit frightened at first, seeing a dark silhouette standing before him, but then he saw a fire lit up.

It was Ying Zheng. He was holding a little shiny red crystal in his hand. His face was also red because of that light.

"Open your eyes wide."

Xin did, not sure about what was going on. Ying Zheng looked at his eyes and shook his head. Then he lowered Xin's face and touched the back of his neck. The boy felt a slight jab. Only after that Ying Zheng let him off. Xin immediately started massaging his neck. He gave the man a wondering gaze.

"Congratulation." Said Ying Zheng as his face faded with the red light of the portable lamp.

"Looks like you haven't been brainwashed still."

Yes, that's why they took him in the first place. Xin remembered the reason he was on that trip.

"You seems proficient in sneaking around." Said the girl in a scornful voice.

"Integral part of my profession. How much has she passed to you?"

"Don't act like I'm not here." Said Maha. "I have only taught him the way to reach the First Rank."

"Well, that's to be expected. Proxies rarely have good speed."

Neither Xin nor Maha knew what he was talking about.

"Anyway, time to sleep, kid. I don't want to drag you tomorrow."

After saying that he went toward the formation. Xin followed him. After several steps, he stopped and gave the final look to Maha. She has already closed her eyes, so he could see only the dark silhouette.

"Good night."

He said and quickly walked forward.