Fatherly Asura

The [Paifang] had been entered some hours after Gao Fu had visited to once more bring [Mind] and [Spirit] into equilibrium.

Such progress nourished them.

The boons were clear - [True Wind God Arts], [Tempestual Phantom Tribulations], [Cloud Dragon Sutra] and insight into the [Primordial Law of Tribulations] could only prove that his sun-facing twin had not stood idle.

Nor had they.

Nor did they now.

Those of [Spring’s] Empire would name his current realm a nexus. That which tethered multiple [Mystic Realms].

He stood before its third [Paifang], a hand upon the intricate blue archway. “Sister,” he spoke, knowing the outpost of [Cherry River Spear’s] scribes would not hear without heads upon their shoulders. “If you have thoughts on this mystery, I would see it.”

Long’s instructions were a riddle, but still her pincer met the wood.

“It’s a branch. A shaving. One that’s ever yearned for the first rain, and one that’s never due to return. All you’ve to do is remind it.”

Grandmother Hua would frown at such improper speech, and perhaps Shuidi shivered at the notion as she repeated these words verbatim.

“This Gao Shuidi would offer thus: to affect a [Paifang] is no feat of mortals. An immortal might try their hand until the sea turns to mulberry fields, but leave nary a scratch upon them. In written word there is no [Dao] to manipulate them, nor has our history provided any but Cheng Rao and Udvah that might nudge their nature. If those that might tamper are few, it is only because all others do not possess the resource to do so. A [Paifang’s] first rain.”

A half-satisfied hum rumbled inwardly. “Deduction is guesswork if not confirmed, youngling. Continue.”

“Less than a thousandth’s thousandth might employ [Primordial Qi], and is not the energy of [Constellation Seeds], and so - [Mystic Realms] and their parts?” the [Spirit Crab] offered.

Storm-tinged clouds wisped into being, coalescing into the Old One’s ephemeral form. “Do so, then.”

As one, Shuidi, Hushi and Fu Gao set a limb upon the wood, injecting a sliver of [Primordial Qi] from their [Core].

[Ink] wisped forth as the [Paifang] resonated.

[Mountain Tiger’s Lament]

[Summer]

[True Lord Grade] [Earth Qi Abundance] [Metal Qi Abundance] [Treasure Realm]

Then came a sensation like that of a flame’s first spark, or perhaps that of a flame that… had yet to be sparked.

Some evocation of permission, affirmation and promise.

These three ghosts responded with a spike of [Primordial Qi], and the glowing wall between both pillars winked into nothing.

Fu Gao almost smiled.

[Divine Sense] spoke of more, however, for there came a profound shift in the ambient Qi. A reservoir of [Primordial Qi] that had been held within the [Paifang’s] open archway now fled as though a fleeing fish, wisping through the air and towards a position some many li distant.

“Towards the true [Reliquary],” noted Fu Gao. “A question for Bingbai, I should think. How might the realm’s energies fluctuate now that one egress is closed? If it no longer spills into Clear Sky lands then will the density and purity here grow as a result?”

“An insightful question, youngling.”

A nod was given in thanks, and the wind swiftly tore them towards their next duty.

🀧

The [Mask of Pale Changes] had them become that of a flame-haired, youthful cultivator and his twinned [Spirit Lynxes]. As such their demeanour turned to one of quiet pride, befitting those of the [Cherry River Sword’s] discipleship.

All citizens in all streets bowed at their passing, nigh shattering the mountain-hewn steps that spread underfoot with the ferocity of each kowtow.

[Mountain Tiger’s Lament] was a peak in entirety and no [Spring] realm.

That one seat of the [Cherry River Sword’s] power was now tethered to the Heavenly Roaming Prefecture promised troubling times.

That another… puppet from the House of Ma had taken residence here was a show of the Heaven's favor towards serpents.

“Junior brother,” giggled Anfang, having her own physical alteration [Art]. “Please, take care when transporting our fellow’s rations. It would be shameful to spill them.”

Fu Gao repositioned his hands upon the slender crates of marinated eels. “As you say, senior sister!” he called, ascending another set of rocky stairs.

It was a mundane method of infiltration, but held its purpose as they entered into a vast walled plateau and the sparse structures that littered its interior. Many thousand jian-wielders swept forth in practiced motions across three training courtyards, graduating through their motions at differing stages.

[As Petals Upon the Stream]. The [Cherry River Sword’s] first, sixth and twenty third set of motions - in practice. To wrongly look upon this would have nine generations of one’s family slain simply to ensure secrecy.

“Hua may hold insight into this technique, but we do not. This wizened catfish would enjoy its study. Youngling, your thieving junior might already possess it.”

The guise of delivery took them upon a servant’s path some ways from the sight of these training disciples, navigating around the sparse, open-air bunkhouses in which they slept. It was a place of bare necessities and exacting standards, though that the [Cherry River Sword] allowed his juniors to sleep at all was a mark against him.

A store was entered, and soon mists flew to silence what transpired within.

“Junior, I would know more.”

Anfang pilfered several [Formation Grade] fruits, biting the solitary one that did not vanish into her spatial ring. “First, we’d inform you on what a mundane task this has been. Truly no duller mission exists beneath the Heavens,” she said, mid-chew. “Your House of Ma are reckless fools- and no, they do not act as such to mislead us. They’re… queer, in ability and personality.”

His silent stare was all the affirmation needed for Anfang to both correct her posture and continue.

“Ten [Blood Qi] cultivators of late to peak [Core Formation], possessing a shared [Heritage] of puppetry, cleansing, manipulation and extreme [Internal Arts]. There’s rarity in that each of their partners exists as flocks, allowing the propagation of techniques across wide ranges.”

“Better,” said Fu Gao.

“Moreso, they name themselves as Virtues. From what it’s derived, I don’t know, though of the two I’ve slain both embodied certain characteristics. Sharing and Equanimity.”

That struck a curious chord.

“This Gao Shuidi would know how junior Anfang discovered their qualities of Sharing and Equanimity. Such concepts are not well aligned with the moon-facing cultivators they appear to be. Take care that you are not grasping at reeds.”

Before Anfang might snidely retort, Qiqui, her [Spirit Spider] partner, descended. Expressive limbs wagged as she chastised her cultivator before dipping towards Hushi and Shuidi.

Fu accepted the impressions. “[Dao Principles] and Martial techniques of the same name. Hmm. It is possible. There are more mysteries beneath the Heavens than grains of sand upon all the world’s shores. These seem a daoist’s virtues however, not that of assassins.”

“We’ve merely shared what we’ve witnessed.”

“This wizened fish will peruse the scriptures. Ten Virtues. A thing of ancient history and older Vajra.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Gratitude, old master.

“Pinxui detailed the figure this House of Ma has supplanted. Puttika, inner disciple of the [Cherry River Sword’s] collective. How would you proceed, junior?”

A wry grin spread across Anfang’s features. “This fool’s Virtue is Renunciation. I’d see how faithful she is to it.”

🀧

A [True Lord Realm] forbade the talents of higher realm cultivators, and so the great [Arrays surrounding this [Cherry River Sword] estate fell swiftly, and to add more insult, Anfang herself dealt the crippling blow.

Her [Prowess] in thievery was only outmatched by her greed, leaving this hall bereft even of the dust on forgotten shelves.

Senior and junior reconvened as late evening neared, arriving with some many thousand disciples to dine beneath the arriving stars. It was no place for finery, but a bare collection of bowls and central stove over which a bland congee boiled.

Though Hushi had seen to its spices.

Puttika herself stood stoically as her juniors filled each bowl for the line of waiting thousands, seeming a wise and patient sort in her silence. Unmoving upon the hilt of her four jian were four [Spirit Starfish], the likes of which Anfang stated that she could not recall facing, but such thoughts were mere curiosity and met with swift chastisement.

This false disciple spoke once all were seated upon the bare, mountain ground. “Amituofo,” he said, lifting his own bowl. “The blade that strikes grass will grow no sharper.”

Those under the [Cherry River Sword] chimed back in perfect symphony. “The blade that strikes grass will grow no sharper.”

“The blade that strikes rock will only shatter.”

Again the retort came in unison. “The blade that strikes rock will only shatter.”

Puttika’s arm was dramatic as it thrust Heavenward. “Only the blade of one’s martial spirit sharpens amidst all.”

“Only the blade of one’s martial spirit sharpens amidst all,” came as the preface to some thousand raised bowls and the ensuing slurps as congee entered their mouths.

Anfang sat southward in this mass, and her senior, east. Both their internalized [Dao] masked the pair from sight, yet within a house of the [Cherry River] another might roam with the talent to discern them.

Thus they performed, but did not partake.

As the first cheeks reddened, Fu Gao inwardly sighed at his junior’s plan.

Pink mists fumed from both the [Cherry River] disciples and their [Spirit Beasts] as though the night had grown cold.

This was not so.

The [Hundred Immunities Fruit] yearned to devour the ambient poison - this immortal-grade aphrodisiac that Anfang had liberated from the Four Tiger Pill Society - but Fu Gao focused only on Puttika’s reaction.

“Junior brother,” flushed a more mature, female disciple. “That hilt grows dusty. How shameful. Perhaps I might instruct you in polishing it?”

A noble seeming adolescent fixed her with eyes that could only be named improper, and in lieu of words his [Spirit Tiger[ purred.

Loudly.

“Ha, senior, I too grow hot on this [Summer’s] night,” roared a well-muscled woman to her rapidly undressing fellow disciple.

“There is a stream some half-li west. I would have you join me so we might trade pointers,” he retorted.

“Why move so far?” asked another.

Such lewd speech became a chorus, and in heartbeats, a cacophony.

“Disciples! Take hold of your mind,” warned Puttika, sniffing deep of the congee until her eyes rapidly narrowed. “Someone has tainted this meal. Inner disciples, seek the concocter of these shameful deeds!”

A call to deaf ears, for the inner disciples were already concocting shameful deeds of their own.

Heartbeats followed.

Brother.

Hushi was as a plague-carrying wind as his [Innate Soul Impacting Bile] gushed from below Puttika’s feet, there, and gone just as swiftly.

The ghosts saw their quarry stagger, a hand to her throat as these fumes mixed with that of the insidious aphrodisiac.

But she did not fall.

Let us see her commitment to the role. Once rumor spreads of this disgrace beneath her supposed command, the [Cherry River Sword] will send emissaries to rectify this slight. Will she remain and contend the pressure, or flee and puppet another?

Of the four jian upon Puttika’s hip, she drew a fifth. A subtle blade that drew a nimble hand high and brought her fingers to move as though touching a string-filled loom.

“[Karmic Ties]. The coward chooses flight,” impressed Shuidi.

The House of Ma is unattached to this, to leave loses them nothing.

Puttika cut through a force that Fu could not perceive, having her drawn blade turn to bloody vapour after its use. It melded with the fuming clouds and the dense volume of carnal actions to ensure none among these disciples noticed.

Then she blurred.

🀁

[Hall of Eternal Glimmers]

[Winter]

[True Lord Realm] [Illusory Qi Abundance] [Beast Realm] [Dao Profundity]

A day passed in pursuit and this Virtue gave no indication of stopping.

[False Northern Realms]

[Summer]

[Core Formation Grade] [Spatial Qi Abundance] [Celestial Event: Convergence of Spheres]

It grew late.

[Eternal Crimson Landmark]

[Autumn]

[True Lord Grade] [Blood Qi Abundance] [Trial Realm] [Martial Profundity] [Dao Profundity]

“Prepare, junior. The Virtue may well know of our presence,” he shared, landing within what was hopefully the last realm of this pursuit.

The locale was as stark as their Mistress’ abode within the Chimes of Black Serendipity, possessing only a single monolith in the realm’s center.

One crimson tablet of sky-touching scale and innumerable flowing streams that ran from its length as though a punctured skin of spirit wine. To where they flowed beyond the base no expansion of [Senses] could detect, though the [Spiritual] pressure was strangely akin to that of the [Primordial Realm].

Anfang’s form lowered, though not from ill posture. “The challenge is worthy.”

“That monument possesses vast rejuvenative properties, youngling. A wise move, to recover from your [Innate Soul Impacting Bile]. But such actions do not eliminate that they have discovered you.”

Fu Gao nodded inwardly.

Under their internalised [Dao], these ghosts held no complaints over the sparsity of cover in this crimson-soaked realm, and swiftly moved to loom upon the monolith’s polished face to gain a vantage over the prey below.

Puttika’s form had shed some many [Paifang] before, shifting myriad shells as she fled the halls of the [Cherry River Sword]. Whether the peerless Vajra beauty she now appeared as was representative of her true form, it mattered little.

Only her actions.

An orchestration of [Blood Qi] wove about her as though suspended rivers flew through the air, and these she drew from the monolith’s bloody base. How her hands twisted, and how the former [Spirit Starfishs’] now-avian forms hopped from talon to talon in dance was reminiscent of the [Hundred Rhythms of the Golden Needle], though it sparked no resonance with any technique the Old One had encountered.

With a blur of gestures the Virtue compressed the blood betwixt her palms and a shining gem emerged there.

Anfang descended. “Cultivator.”

The Virtue did not look up. “Amituofo, stranger. An oddity to encounter another in this realm. [Autumn] is fickle, and this humble daoist knows not if this is a beginning or end.”

Let us see how much our junior’s drama might unveil.

“Sharing and Equanimity,” smiled Anfang. “These other Virtues are quite certain of which it might be, no?”

That which flowed about the Virtue ceased as her gem gave a final thrum of power. “Then you will know I am Renunciation, and I have forsworn the simplicity of emotion. Such words will not tempt me to strike first, nor speak more of what you wish to know.”

Her cadence and language were no longer that of a monastic daoist, shifting to a voice of far greater years.

“That is… presumptuous,” teased Anfang. “I had thought the fool I’d gutted from Cloud Dragon Hall to be Renunciation.”

“Cloud Dragon Hall. You dig so purposefully, cultivator. Are you in this Gao Fu’s employ?”

His junior’s laugh came swift. “Gao Fu. That fool is a means to an end. My benefactor holds interest in his circumstances, and how quickly he has gained Mingqin’s ear.”

Fu Gao felt the Virtue’s [Senses] brush the area in subtle fashion.

“Blood reveals all. Though the [Prowess] in your [Qi Suppression] masks you well. With most there is a quickening of pulse. A thrill when lies spill forth. Either your talent conceals this, or it is truth,” mused the Virtue. “All else I will glean from your corpse.”

Slick tendrils burst from the ground underfoot Anfang, though Fu Gao’s junior was no middling talent - blurring by each - even as they gave chase. A hand grasped at the end of each, promising a certain pain by way of jian-like nails.

Her emei blades met the Virtue’s neck.

And burst through her liquid flesh.

A vertical blur carved a bloody canyon through the Virtue’s face, and so followed a bisection from ear to ear, forty five puncture wounds through a well-beating heart, an evisceration of such swiftness that naught but droplets remained.

Yet, it was folly.

For each devastation at Anfang’s hand the Virtue’s flesh rebuilt from the maddening quantities of [Blood Qi] about this realm, or indeed, from her seemingly undiminished [Inner Qi].

Anfang’s onslaught continued with the [Dao] upon her lips.

An assassin does not fight in so protracted a fashion. Otherwise her techniques have become flawless.

“Pride, brother?” impressed Shuidi.

Let us see how she fares. This Virtue’s [Constitution] is not so different from our own. Anfang should know well how to best it.

A whisper surfaced on his junior’s lips, unspoken, but the pattern was known to him.

Shudi would retrain such a habit after this bout.

“[Dao of the Blackened Deluge].”

This Virtue presented her crimson gem as the very ground they clashed upon shifted into that of a vast and gloomy sky, replete with forboding clouds and a rising wind into which Anfang vanished.

[Third Pool]. Indeed the girl has grown.

The [Shrine of Final Skies] grew excited as unseen lightning massed, releasing an inverted catastrophe of bolts skyward to pierce, scorch and make vapor of their bloody foe. An inspiring [Dao Principle], for it embodied all a ghost should yearn for.

Anfang stalled after full minutes of this devastation, and frowned.

Fu Gao’s eyes narrowed.

Crimson light flared from the Virtue’s gem, re-spooling her form with such swiftness it was as though no [Dao] had been called. Yet, more than this, [Profundity] and [Lightning Qi] now visibly and comfortably raged through her form.

“Subtle annihilation,” she nodded. “The Matriarch will be pleased to acquire so… serpentine a [Bloodline]. Gratitude, little snake. This role was played well. But the House of Ma has no further use for you.”

Blood quaked throughout the realm.

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