Equal parts pride and frustration came as Fu searched for his Wayward Winds.

  This pride stemmed from the fact that Udvah led them so deftly, and to such an extent that their discovery proved impossible. A true ghost, in Warship form.

  The frustration stemmed from unknowing.

  Hushi shared an old affection, mounting his chest so he might deliver reassurance through a squeeze.

  “Xiong,” called Fu. “The [Paifang] stands below. Let us meet it.”

  Purple stained the man’s temple, indicative of a recent blow, but he did not compin as he urged the vessel gently into descent.

  The [Paifang], as the other had, stood alone. Wardens of gently rising, rocky peaks, where rarely travelled paths were beaten.

  But unlike that which led to the great phoenix’s realm, here was destruction.

  Dull, or pale now. The arch stood as a broken husk. A four pilred affair with decorative struts aside the main threshold, and each of these held splintered tops as if some Heavenly hand had torn off its cap.

  Fu set a palm against it.

  Shuidi.

  The [Spirit Crab] mirrored his gesture, sharing her mind with their whiskered sage. What returned were impressions of tent power. Not vestiges, or remnants, but undiluted profundity.

  “New sights, Gao Fu. Such circumstance brings novelty.”

  Truly?

  “The [Paifang] retains strength in abundance. Even shattered, it does not fade.”

  Aarushi arrived. “Senior, the [Paifang’s] state, this sixty-first rate disciple might guess Senior Udvah’s task is complete. As you have done, the [Mystic Realm] beyond lies colpsed. Are we to begin the next steps?”

  “The phoenix’s realm was of [Core Formation Grade], this, of [Foundation Grade]. Seven days have passed since our entry to the trial there, between then and now, he may well have emerged. How long it took for the [Paifang] to become this, only the Wayward Winds will have held the days in count,” he said, musing. “I have witnessed a colpse before, in a realm of simir grade. Not its end, but the haste employed to strip it of resources.”

  On a fool’s hope, Fu pushed Qi through his brooch.

  As his nature dictated, Su Sai emerged to begin commentary. “Time, then. How fortunate, for I’ve many questions about this blind act you’ve had us perform.”

  “Few things can be said that you have not witnessed. The [Reliquary] was entered, its [Trial] complete. To share more would cross a line between what cousins, such as you and I, might say,” said Fu.

  “My, this sudden remembrance of Sect propriety, it seems to ebb as tides do,” Sai said, frowning towards the [Paifang]. “You’ve perplexed me. Have the Clouded Courts always employed such methods? One hand to poison initiates and- oh, forgiveness, the same hand to deliver benefits untold?”

  Shuidi impressed that she might dissolve his flesh with [Hundred Poisons Synthesis].

  It betrayed caution, but Fu now viewed such open challenge as less of a priority where this cultivator was concerned.

  Owed perhaps, to the gratitude felt at the [Trial’s] completion. Done not by ghosts but through Su Sai’s persistence.

  Or perhaps for the Loosened Tongue Draught he had applied during the great phoenix’s delivered [Epiphany].

  “Cousin Su Sai,” he smiled. “Why would you say so dishonourable a thing?”

  The man’s face twitched. “To undermine your authority before disciple Aarushi and ensure my survival,” came unwanted words, having his [Spirit Serpent] hiss violently. “I- There is an ailment within me.”

  A resonance returned through Fu’s brooch.

  Su Sai could not know this, and poisoned, his body reflected this. Fists curled minutely, his serpent coiled, and pupils straightened. “Cousin Gao Fu, it’s clear the [Trial] has overcome me. Our game cannot be pyed like this.”

  “The [Trial]. There is credit owed for it. You completed it where I could not, nor disciple Aarushi. But one bucket does not quell a fire long set,” said Fu, and returned to inspection of the [Paifang] so his back might stand exposed. “The game, as you called it. It will end.”

  [Senses] betrayed nothing, yet certainty was never the ghost’s game.

  “End. Such finality,” taunted Sai.

  His [Qi Suppression] learnt, the man’s techniques would come without warning. If he employed [Inner Q to reduce his poison’s effect, this too would be hidden.

  So Fu felt the wind, expectant. “There is an [Oath], and if survival is valued then you would swear it.”

  It was [Intent] that flew in pce of violence.

  Shuidi impressed disappointment, for it was one of rage, and equal parts doubt.

  “You’d have me bind myself to you? Forsake the righteous and dwell in shadow. No, Gao Fu, this won’t come to pass.”

  Fu rebuffed his [Intent]. “Why?”

  “The Su will be no base cn. Their name- my name demands to be known!” hissed Sai, now a likeness for his rearing beast. “A toil of generations delivered me here, to see that undone discredits everything. When all is done, when [Thrice Clouded Boa] cuts free this nd and her lesser twin arrives in tow, my tale will be spoken. And the stain of dishonourable deeds will not crowd it!”

  A fisherman could not judge deeds done for family, and yet, a ghost could not allow errant candles to reduce the dark.

  [Half Cloud Step] put Fu at Sai’s ear, and such an act bzed the rage-thick [Intent] outward. Its density such that Aarushi crumpled against the broken [Paifang].

  Fu only suffered it until his next whisper. “But what tales are spoken of victims and unfound corpses?”

  Dense shadow cast atop the cultivators as the sun was blocked, now obscured by the descending bulk of a dull-teal Warship. The bridge extended aside Su Sai’s silence, nding some few strides from the [Paifang].

  “Amituofo,” sounded Udvah, moving with gun-supported step. “This humble disciple greets his senior.” How the met three were arranged did not escape his notice, and his bow showed wary eyes.

  Aarushi dispensed her own bow, still frail from the showing of [Intent. “Senior Udvah, this sixty-first rate disciple extends greetings,” she said, and came to his side. “If she might tend to these wounds?”

  The Vajra smiled kindly, lifting a fold to bare a well mangled shoulder. “Amituofo. Aarushi has good eyes. But duty comes before pain, yes?”

  “The world is vast, but I would think your task a success to see the [Paifang] shattered,” said Fu. “Is this so?”

  Passing by the still-silent Sai, Udvah proffered the [True Orchid Path] fragment. “First, a different answer to different questions,” he said, and stamped his gun before the [Paifang]. “Amituofo, this cking disciple hopes he is forgiven.”

  Touched by the [Shaving of the First Gate], violet overcame the shattered wood. Some ghostly silhouette spread from its fragmented tips to reach higher, reconstructing both pole and cap alike to have it show as whole.

  Fu set the fragment against it. “It is not [Imperial Realm 6,514]. Not that which you colpsed,” he nodded. Indeed, the connecting star upon his map highlighted a realm some few connections distant. “Then to ruin a [Mystic Realm] does not eliminate the power to travel between them. Brother, have you tested this?”

  “Amituofo. Ten times, for this number removes much guesswork.”

  A look showed bckness where Udvah’s [Trial] had taken pce, leaving but one connection to another realm. The phoenix’s, soon to vanish.

  [Senses] interrupted, finding movement as Hushi impressed… confusion.

  What comes? This moment holds many factors, let us hope more are not added.

  Conscious of Su Sai, Fu looked to the surrounding ground. To small crevices and darkened pces that birthed an emergence of flicking tongues. Great then, was the susurration of a thousand serpents as they flocked towards the Wayward Winds.

  The sun-facing cultivator met them, emboldened by his exuberant [Spirit Serpent]. “She has come,” he grinned with no handsome smile. “Can’t you feel this? It’s as if we walk through the Divine Clouded Mountain. The reverence of serpents.”

  Then he speaks true. Our Elders have come, or at least walk among the Imperial Realms.

  He had encountered [Spirit Serpents] in his recent travels, and none had behaved as these did now. Almost dismissive of the cultivators’ presence, for they passed by unconcerned.

  From the mortal beasts amongst these ranks to those on the cusp of attaining [Spirituality].

  Su Sai embraced the sight. “[Thrice Clouded Boa’s] exalted [Bloodline] extends even here. You’d best put in your eyes, Gao Fu. My Elder sees all, and to arrive when you spout such demands tells much, no? She is displeased.”

  A true beast stalled before them. [Foundation Realm], dense, and of snow-white scales. Stark against the deep green irises that flicked between both men.

  “Displeasure,” mused Fu, then addressed the serpent. “Is this why you have come?”

  Aside, Su Sai’s own serpent hissed.

  The snow-white beast spurned it, and instead dispensed a bow in Fu’s direction before ascending the bridge. This unsteadied Sai’s legs as one by one, the Wayward Winds left him to kneel alone upon the ground.

  “Gao Fu,” cried a voice ten breaths ter.

  It was ignored.

  “Senior,” it came again, and Fu slowed. “I would not be nameless.”

  Shuidi ccked her pincers, much disgruntled as her cultivator returned his own words. “Then be named as ghost, for all know this title. In honor or not, fear holds no small reputation.”

  ?

  Udvah regaled Fu with his [Trial’s] tale long into the night, and in turn the details of the phoenix’s were shared. In truth the content mattered very little, save for a basis on which to study further attempts in further realms.

  Yet Pinxui had already colted numerous reports. Those upon his table, set aside fragrant, bitter tea.

  The scene stirred longing, for his Vajra companion - a newfound second - was no Zhu. In turn, Zhu could be no smiling daughter or diligent son. So they poured over all that was scrawled in quiet, exchanging each leaf when done.

  When ‘[Consteltion Seeds]: Observations,’ was finished, Fu’s nose wrinkled. An impression that roused Shuidi from her inspection of the two treasures before her.

  The [Trials’] rewards. One cerulean phoenix feather, and Udvah’s cim, an iridescent conch that sat aside it.

  “Tell me again, brother. What do the initiates know of our task?”

  Udvah looked up from his papers. “Amituofo. Small things. The connection between [Trial] and closure is pin as wind on one’s cheek. Yet it was this disciple and Anfang that entered. All others remained aboard the Warship. [Consteltion Seeds] were not named.”

  “Our heads, and Su Sai hold this dangerous knowledge alone then,” Fu mused.

  A croak sounded from Mangam as his cultivator granted a thin smile. “Amituofo. Our. Forgiveness, Gao Fu, but our heads are your heads.”

  Fu only nodded. “I speak as the Clouded Courts, if such a thing is allowed. A frog separated even from the smallest well.”

  The surrounding quarters remained as they had on his arrival, clean and tended. He had no desire for any of the furniture or fineries pilged from the opposing Warship some days ago. But this had it sparse, Fu thought, cluttered where small serpents found empty corners in which to rest.

  Those bold enough to enter his chambers, at least.

  It drew his thoughts.

  “Reverence of serpents. Is it a mortal thought to wonder on the range of our Elder’s [Bloodline]? [Thrice Clouded Boa] or [Gleeful Viper]. A fool would rest easy to know they are near, no? But the [True Orchid Path] is unparalleled in vastness.”

  In his absence, Pinxiu had discovered more fragments, and as such Udvah presented his own. A thousand, thousand stars that comprised the Empire of Abundant [Spring’s] domain. “What is best said? Ships in the night? Amituofo, ghosts pass unseen, and no whisper has come of Serpents but this fresh flood,” he said, indicating the resting, mortal beasts.

  Hushi impressed thoughts of the phoenix.

  “The [Trial’s] guardian told that our way home lies at the end of this [True Orchid Path]. At the end of distance untold, some thirty thousand [Mystic Realms] wide. Our Elders, our Cloudy Serpent Sect stands somewhere between here and there,” mused Fu. “For that, we must act as though their presence is yet to be revealed. We cannot rely on their support until our paths finally cross.”

  Udvah stared contemptively into his tea. At thinning steam. “Su Sai’s acts believed otherwise, no?”

  “My hope is that the [Oath] will simmer these passions of his. He completed the [Trial] where I could not. The blind might see his use, if directed. If not, the realm holds many dangers.”

  His companion left some time ter, having delivered all he had come to say. Notes on the colpsed realm, [Consteltion Seed], and behaviour of Fu’s initiates. Of which, spurred by the impressive viliny aboard the enemy Warship, many had progressed their [Clouded Ghost Arts].

  Now he turned to his own, knowing well it was a neglected thing.

  [Ink] unfurled.

  [Stifling Stream Revolutions]

  [Peak] transcended. [False Imitation, Early] reached.

  [Might] +35, [Control] +20

  [Three Wisps from Breath]

  [Late] attained.

  [Capacity] +15, [Push] +5

  As the Heavens willed, to look upon the insight soon brought him into equilibrium. A benefit from the test trial. Opportunity granted despite his failings.

  Hushi shared great shame in what had come to pass. Not in ck of victory, for neither cultivator nor Bond were prideful souls, but in their impotence against the memory-ridding effects their trial had included.

  With the [Old One’s] unparalleled recollection to aid, their state of absent memory returned in crity.

  “A harshness, and lesson. But do not let it weigh.”

  Fu found no consotion in this.

  “Recall, Gao Fu. My centuries were washed just as your small span of moons were. The toll was upon all.”

  A rare rage surfaced in his palm as he stared into the murky tea, and Fu crumbled the dish with unconscious effort. The contents stained his documents below, as did shards scatter across all he had read.

  “We forgot them, old one,” he growled, spittle driving through clenched teeth. “The Sect. The Clouded Courts. Our travels. Our [Tributions]. Take any and my heart could not change. Yet I had no recollection of their faces, names, or existence. Our Path has made us bck-hearted and vilinous, reapers of lives, liars, schemers and more. But never have I felt such shame as to forget my own children.”

  Shuidi broached his knuckle, restraining him from the fist that so wished to turn this table to kindling.

  “Circumstance has had us act with little foresight,” he said, vacant-eyed for long, long moments. “Loud, where ghosts should not be.”

  Impressions shared such concern, but none dared take a breath even now. No. In pce of undeserved rest, the three partners moved to empty space and set into a stance. Understanding through [Prowess] had lessened the toll of his new techniques.

  [Three Wisps from Breath] unfurled, and mist spilled forth to hug the edge of a now-drawn chain. What [Inner Q was required, less turbulent for his improvement - and so he began to cd it in his [Clouded Ghost Arts].

  This manifested Qi, outwith his own body.

  And failed.

  Twice.

  Thrice, and on to the hundreds.

  That same aura expanded in attempts to quiet it, of an ilk with [Senses] or how he had cimed this Warship’s [Core]. Interaction beyond touch. And this had him recall his first steps upon the shaded Path: the breath taken to suppress and insute [Channels], [Meridians] and [Core] alike.

  A lungful. A breath in.

  Shuidi shared her thoughts, for her intrinsic suppression shared simirity. One unteachable for those without carapace or a [Spirit Crab’s] organs.

  What then of the breath out?

  Fu ceased his chainwork, reaching for the air he blew through nostrils. Unaligned, or undetectable. Qi was not found in its wake despite how it flowed from an [Air Q-rich chest.

  Perhaps…

  Pincers ccked as Shuidi agreed.

  ?

  It came to interrupt the makings of routine.

  The third day.

  Adrift by Pinxui’s guidance, the Warship was moored amidst drifting cloud. Masked so they might glean the activities of the vast city below, in part.

  As the Wayward Winds had yet to descend for a detailed inspection, her myriad reports had outlined all that might be sight from such a vantage. From the curiosity of structures to, this, [Imperial Realm 340’s] various [Laws of Origin]. Specutive, perhaps, but of better use than descending as blind fools.

  “There is more, senior,” she said, and her [Spirit Ants] presented a thin stack of scrolls that night reached Fu’s own height. “Sister Aarushi has aided in compiling observations on the various medical properties within the several Castes, approximating and confirming statistics involving diet; role; Qi receptivity; likely Qi impartment of [Imperial Arts]; regional [Affinity] of [Spirit Beasts] and their habitats across the various realms; migration patterns of both cultivators and beasts; and natural treasures as they rete to [Dao] and unique benefits.”

  Of the aforementioned routine, Pinxui could never be included. Their talk was no grand or scheduled meeting, for each time their paths crossed another stack of simir height and density would be… gifted.

  In the Alchemical initiates’ space- a series of unused and converted quarters that now held the bulk of their cauldrons and [Arrays] - several of their number gasped as Fu’s bow.

  “As is said regurly Pinxiu, gratitude.”

  Though silent, the erratic disciple’s mouth had continued to move before speaking “...and there is the matter of the training hall conversion. Here we forsake appearance for function: the [Arrays] work as intended.”

  At [Foundation Realm]... It is unfathomable that she finds any time to sleep.

  The [Old One] roused at this, almost mirthful. “Genius, Gao Fu. This disciple would be desired by many.”

  As Fu was narrated to the site in question, he had to agree.

  Routine flourished here, if only in a pce he did not recognize. Gone was his inner hull, for a welcome gloom coated all. Training implements, targets, initiates and the framework of jutting eaves that extended from a sand-strewn floor.

  Shuidi held no love for the [Demonic] heat that resonated from below.

  Yet the two remaining partners felt nostalgia.

  It is cking only in scarves and Mistresses.

  His walk had him cross above the sands, never to sink as the training initiates did ahead. Halved groups at east and west, with he at their center.

  Unseen.

  Anfang, and her second, adjusting the choreography of the traded blows ahead as initiates of both vocations sat to spectate.

  The scene pyed slowly. Well telegraphed strikes that urged open palms into shoulders or joints, if at gcial pace. An encompassment of kicks, turns and defensive footwork that represented the [Yin Equilibrium Stances].

  The Clouded Court’s foundational martial style.

  Within, Fu’s [Intermediary Wisdom] noted how far this was from perfection. From even [Middle] understanding.

  No harder step exists than the first.

  And then, a scoff.

  Those spectating the exchange stiffened as one among their number loudly protested at the sparring initiates. A woman of Martial heritage and the other, Xiong.

  It came as sand had Xiong’s foot stumble, and summarily ended when Anfang’s second levelled a murderous gre upon the vocal spectator.

  “Little worm. You’d ugh? You, who py at serpents?” intoned Su Sai. “Indeed, you dare. If you think yourself a ghost, then we’d best trade pointers. No?”

  Routine.

  The Wayward Wind’s archives drew next.

  A repetition of Aarushi’s calligraphy, if separate from the progression of her [One Hundred Rhythms of the Golden Needle].

  Here were the first motions from a qiang style named the [Impending Rainfall Arts], which Fu had to perform with one of the numerous pilged spears within their growing armory. A subtle item of metallic feel, and unnatural to a cultivator that had known only chains across his few [Seasons] of combat.

  As it had been with the [Basic Axe Brutalities] of yesterday morning.

  “The figures here are unparalleled Aarushi. Artistry might well have proved your Path was medicine not your calling,” Fu said, white-gripped upon her desk.

  Sleeve before her face, the demure Vajra smiled. “This sixty-first rate disciple is undeserving of such words. A passing interest, no more.”

  Breaths passed, and her gaze grew intense.

  “Ask,” said Fu, pinly.

  Her [Spirit Lizard] regarded Hushi, and the octopus impressed that an [Art] was subtly winding about them.

  “All this disciple asks is that which was asked yesterday. An offence, repeated. Presumption,” she said. “Other matters might hold priority, and the toll of senior’s talents-”

  Hushi retrieved their douli, dressing his cultivator before he moved within.

  “Gratitude, disciple,” he said. “Until tomorrow.”

  Routine.

  Anfang faced him in the lotus position, her [Spirit Spider] opposite Shuidi.

  “Moments of anger. Moments of hatred. Moments of loss. Allow these to pool as tears, and have your soul scream forward,” he said.

  A fledgling [Intent] fizzled.

  Solitary as they were, the woman’s personality was worn as clearly as her hanfu. “It’ll take ten moons of combat to reach that. My Path is of [Might]. We’ve not the centuries of experience you hold, old man.”

  The Heavens are kind that so flippant a youth is not of my kin.

  Fu’s brow remained still, no matter how he wished to raise it.

  Centuries?

  “You go too far, disciple. Unparalleled torment is a second method to develop [Intent]. That we spare you from this is only by Hushi’s direction. His opinion is that you have suffered enough. Yet coins hold two faces, no?”

  Anfang rolled her neck. “My senior from that excursion is not present. You’re the other one now. Can’t we spar instead? Training the initiates progresses my Path little.”

  The fisherman restrained a smile.

  “I would not spoil you,” he said.

  Routine, and not, for Udvah appeared near the end of the first hour. As the first signs of dawn broke across the horizon.

  His passage was swift across the Warship’s peak, crossing from stairwell to balustrade with a haste unseen for the monastic Vajra. “Senior,” came his greeting, prostrate.

  To conduct himself in such a manner set Fu straighter, likewise gathering Anfang from her bone-waring training to set herself upon a knee.

  “Brother Udvah.”

  Mangam croaked, prematurely ruining the charade before it could progress further. As now Udvah’s grin was wide enough to have any think he was moon-touched. “Amituofo. A great shame.”

  “Oh?” asked Fu. “What shame need be delivered so swiftly?”

  Dawn cast the Vajra’s silhouette in jubint, orange light. Afme against the horizon. “The greatest, no? That this cking disciple must once more wait for his [Season] to return.”

  The [Mystic Realm’s] skies then shattered.