I have no choice, but I'm stuck with this technique. Thinking about it now, what if this is a high-grade technique? I'll run a quick search to see what grade it is. I enter the Golden Pavilion to access the Jade tablet. It only works if you are near the tablet. A bit disappointing that I can't use it outside the pavilion.

I search the whole "database", but I didn't find anything about the Bladed Hand technique. Now I'm unsure if this technique is appropriate for my martial tool nor what grade it is. However, I don't have any other choice but to use this technique.

I still have time to get to my QI cultivation class. But before I go there, I must first go to the elemental assessment dome.

The dome is located at the center of the gold peak. It's where the spiritual vein is located. That is why the spiritual energy is denser there than any place in Gold Peak. When I got there, I found Elder Ling already waiting for me. She is one of the Elders that has access to the dome. She is also the one who will oversee the test.

I gave her a customary bow, but she didn't say anything, only gesturing to follow her. We entered the dome, and as soon as my foot stepped on the ground, a wave of refreshing energy entered my body. It was like I was closer to nature than I have ever been.

We walk inside, and at the center of the dome is a small fountain of liquid I'm unfamiliar with. It was the clearest liquid I have ever seen. It gave me the impulse to have a drink of it like it is pulling me. Thankfully elder Ling's voice rang in my ears.

"This is the spiritual fountain connected to the spirit vein underground. That is pure spiritual energy, in liquid form. Touch it, and your body will explode."

I step back, gulping with fear. I this Elder Ling intentionally did it to scare me. Why are you telling me this only now? I almost got myself killed.

Out of thin air, Elder Ling produces a glass goblet and a knife. The goblet moved by itself and scooped a small amount of liquid spiritual energy. The goblet stayed floating in front of me. This shows her cultivation level because she can move objects without touching them.

"Blood is needed."

Elder Ling handed me the knife, which I reluctantly received. It looks like I have to wound myself, which of course, I'm not thrilled to do. However, I'm afraid she will do worst if I don't comply.

The knife is razor-sharp, so I steadied my hands to make sure I'll make a clean cut. I slide the blade on my palm, and the stinging pain almost made me drop the knife.

I glanced at elder Ling for confirmation before squeezing my hand to let the blood drop in the goblet.

A trickle of blood mixed with the clear liquid, yet no changes happened first, and the blood dissolved, and the liquid stayed clear as before. Then the clear liquid slightly glowed and changed into the dark liquid.

I can help but ask: "What does black mean?"

"The color of the Black Tortoise. Your affinity is with water." She replied with her monotone voice.

The goblet and knife on my hand vanished.

"It's done. Out!"

I'm not a dog! You don't need to be rude,

Okay, I have an affinity with water. I was hoping for earth or fire; water for me seems a tedious element. I know the Black Tortoise is considered a sacred animal in Chinese Mythology. But I find them boring and weak animals. The Azure Dragon and Vermillion Bird are way cooler than the Black Tortoise, if I say myself.

I arrived at the cultivation courtyard with these thoughts.

When it comes to Qi cultivation, we need to follow a sect's structure/program. Unlike training techniques where we can choose whatever we want to train

There are predetermined techniques chosen by the elders for each elemental constitution. In my case, who has a water constitution, I have to use Qi cultivation techniques deemed the best. The best techniques to cultivate a water body constitution.

To put it simply, it's like in school. We follow the syllabus designed by the school/teacher for a specific subject area. It is designed based on the "ideal" standard of learning for the subject matter.

I don't know if I'm making sense, lol.

After entering the courtyard, I directly approached the teacher and reported the result of the test. He then gave me the first Qi cultivation technique that I need to master.

He gave me a manual called the Relaxed Tortoise Technique.

The first page is a brief introduction to the technique. This is "How to cultivate water constitution 101". Let me summarize it for you.

They're a little bit of all five elements in each of us. But we all have a dominant element, which is our Elemental Type/constitution. Our type is something we're born with and has gifts as well as challenges associated with it. This technique will help in purifying the body so that only the dominant element remains. This will allow the body to absorb water energy with ease, without conflicting with the other elements.

After reading the introduction, I turned to the next page. This page shows the steps of entering meditation.

The Relaxed Tortoise 1. Sit cross-legged with hands on your knees, eyes closed, and straight back. 2. Begin visualizing yourself as the black tortoise. A tortoise entwined together with a snake. 3. Stay like this for about 30 minutes. You might feel some chill in your hands after a while; this is quite normal; the Qi is trying to move to the dantian.

Then the next page.

Pushing Water: 1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hands at Tai Tien level with palms facing ground and fingertips pointing forward. 2. Slowly bring hands up to the shoulder level. Imagine your hands bringing up water with them. 3. Now slowly push the water down. You should stop with your hands at tan tien level.

There are also diagrams and drawings of body postures to follow. Performing the first few pages was easy since I already have been meditating every day. However, the remaining pages are getting harder to follow.

So far, I haven't felt any changes, but I felt more relaxed, like floating on a boat, on a calm lake. Then minutes later, I felt raging waves splashing on the boat.

Then I lost my sense of being. Now I am water. I am a significant part of the living world, as most living things need me to survive. I usually come down from the sky through snow, rain, or hail. I quench the thirst of plants, animals, and humans. It can also be poured down into rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

I am water; I have no taste, no color, no odor; can't be defined, and ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself. I take a limitless form. Water is obvious but mostly misunderstood. I'm invisible yet a part of every moment of existence.

I express elegance in the grace of a babbling brook. Great power in the force of a surging whirlpool. Or an epic surfing wave and devastating destruction as a tsunami. I'm unassuming but alive with energy, seemingly inert, but the personification of vitality. I gave life, but I can also take it away...

I almost lost myself as I meditated deeper into the mystery of water. I never thought of how water can be something more. Now I have an inkling of what is Qi cultivation. It's not merely absorbing spiritual energy but much more. As the manual says, understanding is part of cultivation.

After cultivating for some time, I felt Ashley stirring within my sea of consciousness. It's been some time since I felt her move. I found her to have grown taller, and she now has wisps of white-colored hair. She is releasing a whitish glow barely noticeable.

Why do I feel that it's getting cold in here? That's not possible; maybe I just imagine things.

I observe her for a few more minutes. Still, nothing happened. I'll have a closer inspection later for any changes, let's continue cultivating.

Time flies, and our Qi cultivation reached its end. I never feel this calm for a long time. Qi cultivation indeed nourishes not only the body but also the spirit. I also felt that my Qi increased significantly, nearly breaking through another star.

Since I have free time before dinner, I meet with Lou Yi at our usual spot. She is with herself as always, but she smiled after she saw me coming.

"How was your elemental affinity test? What is your elemental constitution?"

Why is she excited? Did something good happen?

"It went well smoothly, but I had a feeling Elder Ling hates me. And oh yes, it's water. Anyway, what's yours?"

"I thought I mentioned it before; it's earth. So how is your Qi cultivation technique? If I'm right, it's called the Relaxed Tortoise."

"..."

"How did you- nevermind... It was excellent; Qi cultivation is the best. Anyway, I noticed you're in a good mood."

She gave me a mysterious smile. "You will know later. I think it will be announced during dinner."

I wanted to ask for more detail, but Lou Yi changed the subject. We talked about the difference between our Qi cultivation techniques. As I had expected, our technique is similar in general exempt on the part of drawing out the environment's elemental energy.

Dinner time came. Tonight, most of the elders of the gold peak are present, including the vice peak master. Usually, they don't come to dinner because they don't need to. I'm guessing a big event is coming.

"Good evening! Before we start, I have something to announce. The yearly tournament is coming --

Fuck! I forgot! It's already more than 3 months since we entered the sect. A tournament is scheduled this time, every year, and all 4 peaks will participate. A tournament is a form of assessment and a chance for sect members to showcase their training's fruits.

Shit is about to go down!