Numbers.

  Simplest was four, for it totalled the ceremonies held in as many days. Eleven then, to put a value beside all that had succeeded.

  Three Heads whose [Prowess] left Fu well satisfied.

  Three schorly initiates, to mark their small group of [Array] and Alchemist disciples all fully inaugurated.

  Xiong, Sonali, and the third, Jinjin.

  It led to five for those that walked the Martial Path.

  Bo, Parvati, Wei Mo, Zhangsun, One Hundred and First Kavya.

  Eleven again for hanfu dispensed and half-humoured warnings to have one ever-maintained and clean, giving rise to eleven bemused looks that knew nothing of [Of Perennial Shade].

  Fu found this number recurring.

  Eleven spatial rings, if unsuppressed until Pinxui could decipher how best to inscribe them thus. Eleven sets of pills to match the inaugurated’s [Season]. Eleven choices of weapons, pilged from the empty vault of the Three Intricacies cn.

  And one.

  One fool.

  One pallid wretch whose trial had again unleashed the quaking, unsubtle [Far Whisper] upon Five Silences City’s surrounding nds.

  “It is a fool that tries to bleed water from stone,” said Fu, faced with his Wayward Winds and one. “It had thought you cy, cultivator. But no more.”

  Three.

  Such was the body’s limit to his [Innate Soul Impacting Bile] and the punishment meted for continual transgressions. So it was that Fu’s dispassionate gaze fell upon the fool kowtowed before him, pitiless as he drew the poison forth.

  His [Hundred Immunities Fruit] told of its mingling with the [Dantian] there, how entrenched the bile had become in vein, [Channels] and blood, and still he drew.

  Swiftly.

  One corpse fell.

  One [Spirit Serpent] faded.

  The Wayward Wind’s senior had the poison transform, bolstering his [Inner Q. But he did not look upon his palm, nor the scene. This was a thing of face. A measure of he and his disciples, and a measure of him by his disciples.

  Yet, truthfully, Gao Fu had nothing to mask. Nor did he feel that inspiration need be drawn from a more vilinous front.

  In this they were aligned.

  “There is pride in this moment, of our sort. It does not arrive with a resounding bell, nor a bzing of nterns. No, it delivers as ghosts should, with a darkening of shadows,” Fu spoke, feeling the weight of many eyes. “With silent whispers upon these wayward winds. All I ask now is all that you have done. Strive. Continue, so that the children of [Spring] might soon learn what it is to fear the dark.”

  Ghosts did not cheer. In pce of it, they rose to give importance to another number.

  Fourteen.

  For this many weapons punctured the cloud-wrapped skies of their Warship in respect, toted high and silent to celebrate a first step met.

  Fu drew from his spatial ring, having a bckened shawl appear to drape upon his arm. The creases told of an item concealed there, and one he gently set by his feet. “Disciple Sai?” he suggested.

  A foot battered the yet-present corpse to one side, giving Su Sai cause to inspect the hem of his bckened hanfu. “Senior.”

  “The dark holds many treasures,” Fu said after a curt nod. Then he drew the shawl to expose what was hidden below.

  What shadows had cast upon the deck suddenly dimmed, turning grainy as a solitary, onyx candle flickered to life. White fme bzed about the wick, solid and unmoving as though no winds might ever touch it.

  Almost in unified step, the disciples fell into their lotus positions before the insight this reaped [Dao Treasure] imparted might have them colpse. Ten [Spirit Beasts] fell into this fold, partners each of his juniors, and all took swiftly to their cultivators’ sides.

  The Heads, did not.

  Fu saw how Pinxui and her swarming ants staggered, intent on battling the profundity that this candle exuded.

  “It is a gift,” Fu said.

  “Senior Gao, a [Dao Treasure] is priceless,” came her response. “An immortal would not give this freely even if they cannot gain insight from it themselves.”

  “Within the [Sixty First], a war might be waged for this,” affirmed Aarushi. “If the [Dao] are to be measured, then this artifact might deliver many to the [Second Pool] of insight if its lessons are to be imparted.”

  Hushi seemed amused, knowing the reason Fu had chosen this particur treasure.

  “Oh? There is such a good thing?” he smiled.

  A tail rose from Su Sai’s shoulder, wiping his minorly damp forehead. “The phoenix’s [Dao] was one gift. Now you’ve granted another with the same casual abandon. Gao Fu, you’ve not a crinkle to your brow.”

  Udvah chuckled. “This cking disciple is eager to know the [Dao] as his senior does.” Then, summarily, he cut from conversation and sat amongst his juniors.

  “Gratitude, old man,” chimed Anfang, and joined him.

  It left Pinxui, Sai and Aarushi uncertain.

  “This sixty-first rate disciple might wonder if Gao Fu’s magnanimity knows no bounds? To be imparted once is the highest gift, that he offers a second chance-”

  Those already with the [Dao] are pulled less. It is curious that Sai fares better than Aarushi, no? Shuidi, can you sense a previous [Dao Principle] within him?

  Nothing returned.

  “A gift is offered freely,” he said. “Take it, or do not. It would take a loftier cultivator than I to force understanding, nor would I wish to. The [Dao] that is sought is not the [Dao], no?”

  Slight, a golden breeze rose at his words.

  Aarushi remained as the others parted to look upon the onyx candle. “Should our senior not sit first? It is only right.”

  “Your consideration is kind, Aarushi. However, I know the [Dao] another way. And I would remain to ward my juniors,” he said, dipping his douli towards the meditating mass.

  Already had one disciple broken, for a bloodied nose told of how the imparted visions overcame her.

  “Gratitude,” bowed Aarushi, clearly surprised.

  To think I chose such a treasure for its colour. That should remain a secret, Hushi, Shuidi, lest these fresh disciples discover my guesswork.

  Fu folded his own legs and sat, beginning his watch.

  There was much to ponder on.

  ?

  A dawn passed.

  “Zhu would make sense of this.”

  Shuidi’s pincers moved out of level with the other, and little impression was needed. At the table’s side, swallowing [Spirit Fish], Hushi shared a simir opinion.

  “Disciple Zhu would care nothing for its mystery.”

  Despite himself, Fu chuckled. “No, I suppose he would ignore it. Or y waste to pride by commenting upon its appearance.”

  The [Splinter].

  The cw of snow-white bone upon his tea table.

  It was a thing of broken words. Of conjecture Fu wished to speak only to find that all he might say would sound foolish. “That it is here- Perhaps it- The Empire must be using it to-”

  Mortal babblings.

  Thus, Fu had taken to observation. When the [Hollow Hegemon’s Splinter] had closed neither he nor Zhu had dared to inspect it. More so, when given to [Of Perennial Shade] the chance had vanished as if snow upon a stove.

  Yet then was not now, and then was a time wherein but one voice had called his mind home.

  “Old Master. Is this a trouble that we wish to dip our hand in?”

  “Gao Fu thinks his hand dry?”

  A stroke of the whisker had Fu struggle to think of adequate replies. “Its presence was curious. Knowing only of our Elder’s reaction I had thought it better in our hand,” he said, conceding that other factors had pyed their part. “Then on, it was a reasonable excuse to pilge the Three Intricacies vault.”

  The Old One impressed mirth. “Shame. This old old does not feel it. Acquiring resources, is this not the way of the Jianghu? Severed as you have made this realm, emptying their vaults is a crippling blow.”

  “I am not ashamed,” shared Fu. “Only that the Wayward Winds might suffer for so loud an act. Ever more do I stray from caution, and it pains me. My children should greet me whole, not quartered as these Imperials would have it.”

  “Peace.”

  Shuidi’s [Senses] suddenly bred in warning, and Fu’s chain shed out on direction.

  Warring metal met as Anfang’s vai-tadar flew loose, embedding itself in his quarter’s wall. At her appearance he suppressed his [Might], snapping the chain back before it tore through her neck.

  “Old man. Or no, the o-other one?” she said, wide-eyed.

  “Disciple Anfang,” Fu cautioned.

  “Our lesson draws near, but if you’re of a mind for combat I wouldn’t say no…” The lithe girl paused a moment. “Is that a treasure from the Three Intricacies cn?”

  In pce of the scowl Fu knew he should draw, he welcomed her to sit. There was a conversation to be had, long overdue. Sensing its nature, Shuidi repealed the mists that now streamed about the room’s flooring.

  “Would another senior overlook his junior’s trespass?” he asked.

  Of all things, the brazen youth shrugged. “You’re not another senior.” Her [Spirit Spider] csped its forelegs in greeting, which Hushi was too occupied to return. “This disciple had also thought you’d like to witness her [Dao].”

  Without warning her hand snapped to the table, and all about it became scorched and bckened.

  “My wall is punctured and my table is charred. Was your insight into the [Dao of Belligerence]?”

  Anfang straightened, if only slightly. “Apologies,” she said. “The [Dao Treasure] imparted visions aligned to painful light and vast darkness. My insight is the [Dao of Forked Shadow].”

  We chose well, brother. If all disciples hold such a subtle [Dao]...

  “Then I would congratute you. My [Senses] did not pce it as a conjuration of the [Dao]. Although the heat from your [Lightning Q is present. It masks your [Arts] from sight, no?”

  A rare, energetic nod passed. “All manifestations. I’d never heard speak of the toll, though. [Insight] is not my strength, and even this is tiring.”

  Fu nodded. “If the [Boundless Dao] are the privilege then this is the cost. A thing to be grateful for, that you are ready to know them at all. But, disciple, I would know something now that you have entered without asking.”

  The [Spirit Spider] scurried to Anfang’s p in preparation, no doubt sensing the shift in his tone.

  “The [Hollow Ivory Splinter] within your [Consteltion Gate]. There is a tale there, and I would know it. Indeed, I would hear your thoughts on this,” he said, gesturing to the imposing [Splinter] set between them.

  Anfang’s boldness… simmered. “Well, that is the simplest answer. We’ve not seen such a treasure before. For our tale- ah, it’s of the same simplicity. Before I stumbled across the Clouded Courts, I stumbled across this [Consteltion Seed].”

  Mid-stroke of his whisker, Fu arched a bow. “One does not simply stumble across a [Consteltion Seed]. Pinxui has colted… what details I have granted, and the presence of so many among our Heads should not fool you. These are no common thing. Within ten million souls, one cultivator might possess such a treasure.”

  The young woman shrugged. “A fateful encounter then. One moment we were… seeking benefits within the confines of a smaller Alchemist’s shop, and the next we were running through the back avenues where we came across it.”

  “No back avenue in the Four Corners Prefecture-”

  “Qiqui and I don’t come from the Four Corners Prefecture, Gao Fu, that’s simply where we ended up,” she said, presenting her [Spirit Spider] as it crawled about her wrists. “Our vocation was of simir honor to the Clouded Courts. Smaller collectives would hire us to, heh, seek benefits from the various establishments of the Grand Silk Lake Sect.”

  “A thief,” smiled Fu.

  “The thief, old man. The Grand Silk Lake is a Sect-city. A pebble against the Four Corners Prefecture filled with backwater cultivators and bare resources. Its Elders are Late [Core Formation Realm], thinking themselves almighty. So there, I was the thief.”

  Our own Thousand Shore City was not so different. A frog in a well, not knowing the immensity of Heaven and Earth.

  How Anfang emoted when speaking of this old home spoke pinly of her disdain for the pce, for her features wore disgust in curled nose and shaking head.

  “So the thief stumbled into fortune?” he asked.

  Anfang simmered once more. “A fortune in bloody pools. The bone- the [Hollow Ivory Splinter] was curled under a sughtered pile of Sect cultivators. Butchered in the rain.”

  “Alone?”

  “Alone? Were we alone? Yes. It’s barely lucrative to share spoils,” she smirked.

  If Yuling spoke in such a manner…

  Contrary to his thoughts, Fu felt a fondness rising for the brazen youth. If one that near exhausted his limitless patience. “The [Consteltion Seed],” he said, drawing from Master Ban’s words. “Those of the [Hollow Ivory Splinter] are seldom alone. More so, there is often an accompaniment. The treasure there.”

  Her eyes filled to look upon it.

  Restraint held Fu back. Hushi and Shuidi simirly.

  There was no Qi there. Not as any of the three had ever known. Profundity, perhaps. [Gu], as the [Demons] held came close. To stare at the snow-white [Splinter] flooded them with a sense of unparalleled vastness.

  Some force beyond Qi.

  “My eyes worked then, old man. There were bodies. Rich bodies. The spirit stones I liberated from their robes paid my way to the Four Corners Prefecture. [Spatial Arrays] in backwaters cities don’t come cheaply. But this cw wasn’t there, neither were these others.”

  Fu stroked his whisker, and vanished the [Splinter].

  Anfang looked disappointed. “You’re not going to share more, are you?”

  “No, junior. I am not,” he said. “Only the words of a wiser man than I. That this is no mystery we wish to be part of.”

  Making to leave, Anfang recalled Qiqui to her arm. “Well old man, if that’s all.”

  Shuidi ccked her pincers, stalling her.

  “Oh no. Propriety must be observed, disciple,” he smiled, and [Intent] began to ooze from his skin. “That you are so confident in your [Dao]- enough to break into your senior’s quarters no less, why you must be eager to progress your other lessons, no?”

  ?

  Routine.

  Deep into his personal exercise, Fu’s quarters were once more infiltrated. Anfang’s transgression and subsequent training had freed much time for his own musings on the [Clouded Ghost Arts].

  That of [Body] was complete, masking his physical aspects. [Core]. Breath. The ambient Qi his motions might stir. Thus now, he sought [Mind], and recalled the simplest of wisdoms. One his fresh disciples had given him cause to remember.

  Udvah rapped upon the screen, entering in far more decent a manner than the brazen youth had some hours prior. Words were exchanged. Small whispers from among the recently inaugurated or from the Heads as they boured with fresh [Dao] or their own cultivation.

  Then, the smile. “Amituofo. This cking disciple makes for a cking teacher.”

  The interior of Fu’s quarters accommodated the pair well, and so they met with a bow some strides from the central tea table.

  Two signatures fred as Udvah retracted his [Clouded Ghost Arts] and spoke a single, bemusing word. “Bubbles.”

  Indeed, Hushi and Shuidi returned bnk expressions while their cultivator could only blink for several heartbeats.

  “Bubbles?”

  “Amituofo. Bubbles,” grinned Udvah. “[Spatial Q is no cousin to [Air Q, nor to mists. To show this cking disciple’s own tome on the [Clouded Ghost Arts] however, this would show no difference. Sister Linhua’s was once used as comparison.”

  Fu parsed his lips. “Left bnk so the talented might be challenged. That wheat might be cut from chaff. This is always the way of techniques, no?”

  The Vajra hummed in affirmation. “As Gao Fu says. To copy another’s pattern when forming the [Clouded Ghost Arts] is sure to inflict [Qi Deviation] when [Affinities] collide. Amituofo. It is hoped that bubbles might help, yet-”

  “None will reach their destination with both feet upon the shore. Please,” said Fu, gesturing for the demonstration to begin.

  With focus upon both Udvah and Mangam’s [Dantian] through [Senses], the show progressed.

  At first the [Dantian] was clear, and to close his eyes Fu felt the presence of any cultivator that did not tread the same path as they. A sun-facing soul at the peak of [Foundation].

  Then, a shift.

  An expanse of void centered from Udvah’s navel marred the whole that exuded from his body. The gestalt force that marked any on the Path. From skin, to hair, the very air breathed, it was an aura of subtle Qi that could be noticed before any might y eyes upon another’s [Ink].

  Now less.

  The void moved from Udvah so it became a coating to obscure all sense of this, save for an area that stalled at his crown.

  “As Gao Fu might know breath, this cking disciple knows absence. The essence of [Spatial Q. A boon Mangam has shared well,” he said. He then circled his crown with a finger, and waggled, as if hooking the lip of a carp. “Here is no absence.”

  His [Clouded Ghost Arts] sealed, despite the finger.

  “A bubble,” said Fu.

  “A bubble.”

  Mangam croaked.

  Fu stroked his whisker.

  A bubble. A shell. Udvah forms his Qi as an external barrier to seal in his [Inner Q and [Dantian]. The nature of our technique means that I can sense no further.

  A prideful man might have ceased there. One who wished to be revered as a talent, or some prodigy.

  “Brother, expin as you would to a child,” he said.

  And Udvah did.

  First on small motions of Qi that Fu imitated as soon as his words concluded, and then to circutions that required more tact, more conscious thought to copy.

  [Air Q behaved unlike a void.

  Yet he loosed breaths to join it.

  “Amituofo. This disciple imagined a great [Channel]. Paths outwith. That which revolves about you is a cim. Take these paths and twist so that the flow matches that beyond them,” Udvah continued. “Yet absence is absence and breath is breath.”

  Concentration had Fu silent as his breath wound, and the small [Control] he held over [Qi Manipution] circuted around his body. One loop. Two. On to twelve before sweat beaded upon his forehead.

  But he continued.

  Udvah stood all the while, moving into a rhythmic practice of his gun technique. An incense stick, wafting in fme aside him.

  Three burned in this time.

  Countless loops had solidified about Fu’s body, Hushi’s and Shuidi’s in turn. But the time burned had revealed more.

  Udvah’s trailing staff had revealed more.

  Fu’s [Dao of Wayward Breezes] consumed his consciousness. The waft borne of a passing weapon. A slightness of air from beneath his quarter’s screen. All within his lungs. All he released.

  “Air cannot be constrained. It begins without start. It fades without end. It is motion… it is transformation,” he whispered, and then his breath conformed to such words.

  Suppressed breath rose from his [Clouded Ghost Arts], that of [Body], and streamed into the empty air. It repeated. His lungs filled and [Core]... shifted. If a fvour, his suppression became as the space about him.

  Slowly.

  The fvours merged.

  And more, for his breath became the air he walked through, and this air became his breath. Suppressed in equilibrium.

  There came a rap upon his quarter’s floor as Udvah’s gun stamped. “Amituofo. Now, for this cking disciple’s payment.” A fist extended, palm open.

  Fu grinned.

  “A little joke, yes?”