Heaven's Eye had opened, painting the skies in hues of red and gold, while Shuren was up exercising in his courtyard. In the grass at his feet was a red oak bo staff.
He stretched out his hand, controlling a sliver of Qi to extend out of his body. A fine line invisible to the eye barely met the staff. With this, he could improve his flexibility and deftness in using Qi Tether.
"I have to maintain it without dropping concentration throughout the day. Once I do that, I'll be a mere step away from breaking through to Stage 7 Qidense." Shuren massaged his arm, breathing his Qi in a specific rhythmic cycle taught by his grandfather. The Body Forge breathing style.
When you embark on the path to become a cultivator, your body and mind are graced by Qi. There were limitless ways of moving that Qi throughout your body.
Shuren's clan specialised with the sword, and their swordplay honed the body to its upmost peak. To wield the sword as an extension of your limbs, you must understand your limbs themselves, in and out.
So the Liu Clan's breathing method focused on coursing and shifting Qi throughout his arms and legs. To feel every blood vessel, nerve, ligament, muscle and bone through your Qi, the understanding and control of your limbs would naturally increase. If breathing Qi was like a wave washing over the body, the Liu Clan's method was thin strips of ribbons that pulsated and wrapped around every corner of their body. Even with a staff, it was suitable for Shuren, improving his martial prowess.
The one taught by his grandfather was similar, except it incorporated doing it throughout one's entire body. From his head down to his toes, and everything in between.
A torturous breathing style he had long gotten used to.
Once he could maintain this breathing style autonomously even in his sleep, he could begin learning the first technique taught by his grandfather.
The Sword Saint Style.
Those that joined and were raised by a faction would also learn their techniques when it came to the basics such as cycling Qi. No doubt the Seven Clouds Sect would teach Shuren their version, suitable for their teachings.
Stretching to grab his staff, Shuren called out a guardsman, "Hebi, up for a spar?"
A hardened guard walked towards Shuren, brushing his teeth with a stick. Carefree as he was, Shuren knew this man was his father's most trusted aide at times of need. "Young Master Shuren, you think you'll win today?" He went to grab a training weapon in a rack nearby. "I'll go at you with a short sword and shield today. No more bucklers." Smacking his weapons, Hebi lead Shuren to the manor's training ground, paved in sand dirt within the grassy prairies.
Shuren spun his staff, Qi enhancing at his fingers. Releasing all fingers but his index, Qi gradually moved into his staff, spinning it like a whirlwind. A little trick with no offence, it served to test the boundaries of stage 7.
There was 12 stages to mastering Qidense Realm. The first three focused on absorbing Qi to envelop the entire body. It was like pouring water in a broken vase; though it could not hold the water, it would still be cleansed.
Stages four to six focused on repairing that broken vase, to turn a body into a vessel that can hold Qi. To learn how to cycle Qi and understand the biological functions of the body, paying attention to the nerves, muscles and bones.
And stage seven onwards would begin to forge Qi into martial skills, movement techniques, powerful breathing styles and stances. Anything that required your body as anchor.
After all that, past stage ten in the Qidense realm, you would focus on transmuting Qi to tap into the world's laws; The Paths. It was the prerequisite to breaking through to Path Foundation.
***
"That looks fun. Use it on your sister's birthday next time!" Hebi yelled, dashing forward and closing the gap between them with his shield raised up. Shuren's grip tensed as he initiated a stance with his staff, right palm facing outward, left palm facing inward. Vessels on his arms bulged, enforced with Qi. Shuren riled himself up. "So what if you've got a shield? I'll still disarm you!"
Hebi forced his dash to a halt, swinging his sword at Shuren's waist while turtling his upper body with a shield. Ring. The resounding force rebounded Shuren staff off the sword, a numbing sensation travelling to both their wrists.
Shuren had noticed that Hebi's sword arm had numbed, so he swung his staff at the shield. Hebi grimaced as he stepped back, re aligning his stance.
Shuren now has enough force to consistently numb my limbs, so I won't give him a chance to strike. Hebi thought to himself, bracing to dodge. Shuren's hands gripped further on the staff, speeding up.
More force was more speed.
The tip of the staff slid off the shield as Hebi parried it. Hebi glided his sword on the staff, slicing towards his opponents' fingers. He taunted at Shuren with a devious grin, his white teeth at full display. Letting go of his right palm, Shuren kept a defensive posture.
I'll need to force an opening and continue being passive, then disarm him. Shuren taunted, "This is only just a warmup, Hebi, come at me!"
Hebi dashed forth, his smug riddled face speaking for itself. The drum beats of wood clashes continued, with Shuren vigilantly backing up in defence.
Shuren frowned. This guard won't even let me win once. A burning desire to start the day off with his first victory caused adrenaline to surge throughout his body. Shuren swapped his guard, twisting his staff back to swing on the offense.
Hebi dropped his sword, ramming Shuren's face with his shield.
The world was flipped upside down, and the grass became the sky. The taste of iron seeped into Shuren's mouth as his bruised nose bled.
Hebi chuckled, dropping his shield to the floor. "You really dropped your guard while blocking, aye? Did you not learn to keep your wits about? Your enemies will always do the unexpected, so expect it." Hebi whistled out while looking at Shuren's body.
Hebi put his hands on his hips, pondering for a moment. He shook his head with disappointment, which was rare for the carefree guard, and chided Shuren for the first time.
"Stop looking down on your opponent and getting caught up in your thoughts. On the battlefield, such distractions lead to death, or worse in this world."
Shuren smashed his fist on the ground near him. "Damnit. Maid! Bring me a handkerchief. My nose is bleeding, you fool." Shuren scowled in pain, angry at another loss. A maid came over with a basin of water and a towel. Shuren wiped away the blood but couldn't wipe away his shame.
I can take care of a bunch of brats, but this guard Hebi still puts me down like a dog everytime.
Washing his face in the basin, he proclaimed to Hebi, "We'll continue sparring. Give me an hour, and I'll win. Tsk, the gap between those kids from the exam and a single trained guard is really too large." Standing up, Shuren went to warm up with some stretches, clearing up his muscles.
Hebi sighed, picking up the weapons he dropped. "Very well young master, I take it this is a bonus wage for my part?"
"How much more do you want, Hebi? You already have the highest salary here." Shuren said.
"I'm paid to be a guardsman, not a gladiator."
Shuren chuckled. "I'm more likely to see the Volkahor Mountains explode with magma than see you guard something."
"Oh, has learning all that poetry given you the Divine Art of Bantering?"
"Always have something to say, Hebi."
Hebi gazed at the assortment of training weapons, switching it up for the next spar. Shuren sparred and exercised until the sun reached noon. It seemed yet again that victory was out of reach.
But if there was any benefit, he could definitely feel the cracks of stage seven Qidense soon.
***
One more day and I'll have to say farewell to this place. I'll pack up a few things later.
Shuren marched down the hallway with his hands behind his back, noticing the recent additions to the wall. His father had installed new spirit sculptures from around the world. To the left of his father's study room was an ancient earthen dragon, its wings flapping from time to time.
It was a Spirit Sculpture.
The spirit sculptures used the nature of Qi and a Spirit Sculpturer's techniques to retain animation with the inanimate, granting it an essence of life. There were even legends of hand made puppets gaining an almost human like sentience. Though such a thing sounded absolutely outlandish to Shuren.
What surprised Shuren more was the presence of Hebi at his father's door.
"It's rare to not see you lounging around outside, Hebi." Shuren said with mockery.
"Your father is meeting with a guest right now. He's just sent the signal to allow you to enter in, so be on your best. Entertain your guest," Hebi firmly said, his stance unperturbed with his hand on the hilt of his ornate sword. Qi pulsed in a subtle but intimidating aura around Hebi. For once, he truly looked like a captain of the guards.
"Hmm, good. Very good. You should be more like this." Shuren patted his shoulder, stealing another glance at his crescent sword. The unique curved but sharp blade impressed him, as he only ever saw Hebi hold the same weapon as the rest of the guards; standard, simple, made of steel.
Shuren performed the Liu Clan's rhythmic knock, a tradition that spanned in the family.
"You may enter." A strong, domineering voice resounded, a tone his father rarely used.
While Shuren felt surprise at what he saw, he held stoic, no expression leaking from his posture and face. A man with dark olive hair, elongated ears and a pair of branches at the crown stood at his father's study desk. A Silvent from the south, and on his shoulder a small fuzzy bird, almost as round as a ball. At the window behind his father's study was an ashy white messenger crane, ruffling its beak into its feathers. Shuren initiated a deep bow, neck bare and his eyes closed in trust. It was a sign of utmost respect to bow while revealing your vulnerabilities.
"This young child greets the honoured guest of my father. May I have the honour of learning your name?"
A soft smile came across his face, raising his palm up. "Young man, you may raise your head. I am called Eurestale. Just a mere merchant from the south." A man from a distant land, he wore not the iconic robes often seen in the City of Clouds, but a simple brown overcoat laced with intrinsic sigils that hummed with green.
"I will take my leave now, as I have finished discussing business with your father," Eurestale said, slowly walking towards the door.
"Honoured Eurestale, please spare me some of your time," Shuren softly spoke. "As the young master of the estate, my dignity does not allow you to leave empty-handed." With a click of his fingers, Shuren called out, "Maids, bring me two boxes of Candeseal Tea Leaves sealed!" A single maid came inside the room to acknowledge the request, as another went to fetch it.
Eurestale stood smiling in front of Shuren, curious about the gift. "You have come from afar, Honoured Eurestale. You must take some of our local specialties."
"I am interested young man, please educate on what these tea leaves are," Eurestale asked.
With the mood lightened, Shuren held a warm smile. "These Candeseal tea leaves are grown locally in the heart of Volkahor mountains, an ashy terrain on the boundaries of Kallas Jungle. Their trees are resilient, growing in places unblessed by Heaven's Eye." A young maid handed over two wooden engraved boxes to Shuren as he continued. "When brewed, the tea brings a burst of energy and clarity. It is great for busy days, where rest for one comes seldom. Of course, there is a limit to its effects. You must drink in moderation. It is quite strong."
Shuren passed one box to Eurestale's hand. The ball with wings flew down to peck at it. "This box is for you to enjoy. Inside are a few brewing recipes for the leaves." Shuren hollered for the second. "And this is for you to do as you wish. Sell it if you desire."
Eurestale placed the two boxes in his spatial ring, revealing his level of at least beyond Path Foundation. The control of void spaces is a vital technique for all experts, but it requires mastery of the cycle of Qi and access to one's inner self. He exhibited a unique bow to Shuren, placing one hand over his heart, and a leg bent behind the other.
"Young master Shuren, I am honoured by your hospitality. May the spirits blessings beholden you." He looked back towards Shuren's father. "Your son is a great man. You've raised him well. I will endeavour that our dealings expand in the future," Eurestale said, finally being escorted out of the manor by the servants. His father beckoned Shuren to sit at the table with him.
"Good, good, good. You've done well, my son. Do not exhibit ignorance and foster foolish superstitions against the Silvents like the others did back home. After all, we are all mortals that walk on the endless paths guided by the heavens," Shuren's father passionately proclaimed. Shuren's heart stung a bit when his father referred to himself as just a mortal.
"You are correct, honoured father. We were all once mud and fire moulded by the Architect," Shuren replied.
"An elder from the Sealing Clouds sent a message. He saw your results and sent over a Cloud Li Crane this morning."
The Sealing Clouds were one of the seven institutes that made up the Seven Clouds Sect, focusing on restrictions and formations. It seemed the race of the elders finding potential disciples had begun in earnest without Shuren knowing.
He was bewildered, raising his eyebrows slightly high. The information that he inferred from this matter was even greater. His father continued, "I received a sponsorship for little Yuxi. He came over yesterday immediately after your examinations to observe her at the training hall."
The benefits of coming first has already been made apparent.
"Do you plan to let her know of this today? I'm sure Yuxi would be delighted with the news."
"Perhaps, but who knows how she'll react? You know how she can be sometimes. She' young and carefree. We need to prepare her to reach at least Stage 4 Qidense." His father held a hand to his forehead, pondering. "The last thing we need is for her to slack off because of this news."
"You are indeed wise, honoured father. I also believe that is the best course of actions."
His father placed the elder's letter in his robes and patted the crane, signalling for it to return. They had discreetly decided the family matter at hand.
"Be sure to be home tomorrow noon. Your mother will be visiting." His father said. He looked out his window, towards the Heaven's Eye, looming eternally in the sky. "My boy, will you continue to practice the way of the staff?" A hint of disappointment in his weary voice.
For innate talent and even hard work, Shuren was the worst in the blade, whether it be daggers, short swords or great swords. It brought about many scenes of mockery and humiliation.
Once, Shuren would stare down at the floor in embarrassment, unable to look his father in the eye when posed this question. "Father." Shuren stood still, like a pillar. Sheathed in the stance of a staff user. The embers of pride rising as he looked at his father, unyielding. "A sword is merely one of the infinite paths us mortals walk upon. I have always felt it, the flow of a Path, when I grasped the staff."
Shuren was too embarrassed to tell his father the truth. He could never give up on the goal of becoming a swordsman. Nevertheless, the staff was enjoyable as well.
Paths were the journey one undertakes. And naturally, in the world, people gravitated to some instinctively, as if born with it. There was no limitations to what a person could strive towards as they enveloped their body, spirit and soul in Qi. The world was vast, and to grasp the secrets of ascension, transformation from mortal to immortal, their ego and sense of self must be firm in their Path.
"Alright." His father held a soft gaze. He grabbed a wooden engraved container made of Aescenwood, a spiritually blessed tree from a distant land. "This is one of my life's greatest masterpiece. Ever since my life as a cultivator ended, I spent every day working on the crafts of Spiritude Artifacts."
The middle-aged man, whose shoulders and back once seemed like a tall mountain to Shuren, now slumbered. Walking towards his son, he said, "That is why we've grown so large, cut from the resources from the Liu Clan. I learnt from my crafts that there is life in the inanimate. This staff will grow alongside you as you nurture it with your Qi. If your will is unbreakable, so will it be. It is not a mere tool, Shuren, it is a partner."
Opening the container, an ornate amber bo staff lay on a cushion, engraved with crimson marks.
"And perhaps one day, you'll understand the true meaning of this sheathe."
Indeed, it is beautiful. As expected of father. Fists clasped together, he held a deep bow for his father, paying his respects.
There was no need for any other words between son and father.