Ren Zexian's opportunity to begin to encourage the two water users to cultivate came around a week later.

His overall plan was simple, first set Tyler upon the path of cultivation and once Nathan saw the results of his training (and by that he was thinking of the greater increase in volume of water Tyler should be able to produce), Ren Zexian believed that Nathan would wish for his own abilities to be better; in order to care more for his plants. Unfortunately, what Ren Zexian could not decide was how to approach Tyler in the first place. The man was stubborn of mind and steadfast of opinion. He did not believe that the meditation techniques would improve his abilities.

However, as well as stubborn, his mind was logistical. Others formed the bigger picture, while he focused on the smaller details. Dexter had instructed a wall to be built so that they could survive in this world of zombies and mutant beasts, Tyler was focusing on their food supplies so they could survive through the winter and early spring.

He knew they were fortunate to have Nathan who knew what best to grow for winter months, but as he had been a bachelor that survived on ready meals, it was not as if he knew how to preserve food outside of a fridge or freezer. Pickles and jams came in a jar, sauces were prepaid. What did he know of making chutneys? Of course, the basement was a boon; the temperature in the basement was cooler so some things would last okay, but it was not the same as the redundant electrical devices.

"If only we had someone to produce ice," he considered aloud as he pondered over this in the kitchen. If someone could lower the temperature in the basement through making ice or freezing icepacks each day, they might be able to store some things at lower temperatures, keeping them for longer.

"Oh, producing ice is not impossible," Ren mentioned as he overheard this and decided to speak. "Those with roots of Water are able to manipulate water into forming ice."

Tyler looked at the man, his eyes heavy with scepticism. "You are suggesting that I can make ice? And Nathan as well?"

Ren Zexian nodded his head once and said in agreement; "Yes. I can only tell you the theory of it for my abilities lie elsewhere, but it should be possible. Although, you are better suited for it than Nathan."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tyler asked, his voice becoming a little cold as if Ren Zexian was insinuating something. The apocalypse had definitely not shaped his tact nor quirk of jumping to conclusions.

"Nathan relies heavily upon his instincts," Ren Zexian replied, completely unaware of Tyler's mood. "He wishes to water his plants and so he produces water. He wishes to communicate with his garden and so he does. As he has no need for ice, he will not produce it. Also, he has two roots, more difficult to train than the pure, lone root that runs within you and Dexter. It is not incorrect to say that your ability of water has greater potential than Nathan's at this point and likely so in the future as well."

"I see." Tyler couldn't help but feel just a little smug over this, for despite Nathan's social difficulties, he was far more likeable than Tyler. The boy's contributions were also a bit greater than his own seeing as he was producing part of their food as well as their water and Tyler was just producing water. The rest of the squad were busy building the wall, but Tyler was not very physical, had always relied on his brain to earn money to eat. It was a little frustrating that for all his intelligence, he was lacking these days. If it wasn't for his ability, he would have been stuck in the old 'refuge' farming and everyone was well aware of what occurred in that place. He shuddered at the thought.

"What would I need to do?"

*****

Somewhat convinced does not equal completely convinced and Tyler had more than a little trepidation as he sat with cross legs in the entertainment room in which Ren Zexian was patiently talking him through a few steps. The Chinese man called it the 'technique of the North Water Dragon'. It sounded both impressive and delusional, like something spouted by a new-age cultist. He could not help but wonder if Ren Zexian had actually been one of those questionable cult leaders that drained their brainwashed followers of all of their funds and self-will, but he shook the thought away as low even for him.

As much as he could not accept nor believe the things Ren Zexian taught, it was true that he had identified and awakened an ability in Patrick and seen Dexter's abilities become greater and more impressive. The man had also instructed Dexter to cultivate with the crystal which captured the lightning bolt which Dexter swore was aiding his strength even further. In the time that Tyler had known Dexter, the former construction worker and squad leader was not one to say black was white nor up was down so Tyler could only believe him. Still...

"This is not working," Tyler said in the next breath.

"You are not concentrating," Ren Zexian chided him. "Your root is water, thus this element will likely shape your inner sea. Think of water, the first image that comes to mind when you think of water and focus upon that image." Tyler did as instructed, unable to shake away the cadence of the words that had his mind enraptured and instinctively following. An endless still pond appeared to form and as it did, the waters stirred with ripples as a single additional droplet fell into it. "You do not need to tell me what you see, but once the image is firmly in your mind's eye, I want you to say those words I taught you. Just once is enough this time."

Tyler felt his face heat with embarrassment as he repeated the words. As he said the twenty or so words that he could not understand the meaning of, the waters churned, stirring as if something was spiralling beneath the surface. The waters became still a minute following. Curious, Tyler repeated the sentence again and again and the waters twisted each time, stirring then bubbling slightly and then he felt a gentle coolness begin to spread from his centre, drawn as if along a network of tiny veins until his entire chest cavity felt refreshed.

Ren Zexian's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he watched Tyler slip deeper into the trance. The technique he had chosen was not the best for those that sought to be masters of ice techniques, but would improve both his capability to produce water and manipulate it in ways that leaned towards the focus of ice, but it is not as if he would no longer be able to turn water to steam should he figure out how to. And besides, out of all of the high quality water cultivation techniques, it did sound the most impressive.