Wuxia -CH3-

Ash had spent the night cultivating.

From the time he sat down on his bed to the moment the sun touched his skin in the morning, he cultivated and cycled his Qi.

Nourishing his body with the energy of the Heavens.

Letting out a slow breath, Ash let his cultivation end.

Sitting in his room he contemplated what to do next. Soon he’d have to head to the training sect and begin the day.

He didn’t feel tired for having been up all night. He attributed it to having never cultivated before, and this being the first time.

We should see if we can pick up an ability.

If we can win some matches today, we can start gaining some of that multiplier, right?

Though if we lose, it’ll set us ever further back.

I’m confident in my martial skills. If it’s simply a trial of combat, I could win.

That means… we should focus on a cultivation movement ability? Something that can help us keep speed with our opponent?

Looking at the ring on his finger Ash was momentarily puzzled.

It looked significantly less damaged than it had previously.

Many of the scuffs and scratches were gone. Healed over as if they’d never been a problem.

In fact, even the large deep crack that had run throughout it was sealed over.

Feeding a trick of his Qi into the ring, Ash immediately had his answer.

Much of the visible surface of the ring had indeed been repaired. The damage throughout was still very much there though. Just beneath the visible layer.

Then the ring responded to his Qi, and dragged him into the training world it held.

Ash was standing once again in the courtyard in front of the old building.

It no longer looked as if it were a moldering wreck, about to fall over at any second.

“Now it just looks like a shithole,” Ash said aloud. Walking to the door he was surprised to find it was repaired, and was even attached at both hinges.

Opening the door, Ash stepped inside the deceptively large library.

“Locke?” Ash asked.

“The Chosen one has returned. The library has been cleaned up. Free floating Qi that the Chosen one was unable to capture was transmitted into heirloom to speed recovery.

“At the current rate, it will take two-hundred and three years to repair the treasure,” Locke said.

“That sounds like a while,” Ash said. Moving past everything, he headed straight for the Evaluation Chamber.

I imagine there was a lot more to do here before Locke integrated himself into it.

There was probably a need to familiarize ones self with everything that was available.

“Locke, I need a movement ability. I want to try and win some fights today.

“I’m fairly confident in my ability to fight without cultivation, but they tend to cheat when it’s obvious I’m going to win,” Ash said.

“Two abilities given the Chosen one’s current limitations are most suited to the request,” Locke said immediately.

“And they’re both something I can learn and utilize today?” Ash clarified

“Correction, one ability,” Locke responded. “One other ability required a month of practice to completely utilize.

“There are many more abilities available, however, the limitations of the Chosen ones body has severely restricted these numbers.”

“Uh huh. Believe me, I get it. Need to work on leveling all that up as quickly as possible.

“Oh, speaking of leveling up, what rank am I currently?”

“Level two body refiner. The Chosen one’s body has absorbed enough Qi to move to the third level, but has not cultivated enough to do so.”

Ash nodded his head and stepped into the center circle of the Evaluation chamber.

“So what’s the movement ability?” Ash asked

“Coiled Spring Step,” Locke said. “It’s an ability that is activated prior to use. It stores kinetic energy which can be expelled rapidly to generate force in a direction of one’s choosing.

“In effect, propelling one’s self.”

“That sounds… interesting. And the amount of force stored?”

“Normally it would be uncontrollable and the notes in the back of the skill book recommend that this not be something that is always being utilized. But more of a preplanned move.

“Due to my presence, this is no longer the case. A limiter can be set on this ability.”

“In other words, it’s a toggled ability now,” Ash said. “I can turn it on and off at will and it’ll just… hit the set level and remain there.”

“Correct.”

“Great. How much of my Qi do I need to expend to keep enough kinetic force to move five feet in any direction?”

“Two-point six percent. One that amount of force has been met, Qi will no longer be spent.”

“Great. Transfer the ability over to me, and set it at that for now. That’s… not too bad. That means I can use it quite a bit,” Ash said excitedly. “This’ll be gre-”

The sudden intrusion of the skill book into his mind cut him free of any and all further thought.

***

Ash warily stepped into the sects primary court yard.

It existed for the sole purpose of training up new recruits to join larger sects.

In truth, this sect was simply a smaller branch academy of a much larger sect that had a contract for this job.

Every city had several training sects like this set up to filter students upward. While they weren’t all the same, one could always say that the opportunities they granted were equivalent.

Ash stepped out of the way of an Outlander slave hauling a sack of rice.

The black iron slave collar bound around the man’s neck was a clear indicator of his status.

This was how the vast majority of Outlanders spent their time in the nine kingdoms. They were captured in the other Veils.

Captured and bound, lashed to servitude.

Until they died or were freed.

The latter being rather unlikely since someone had paid good money to purchase them.

“Ash, good morning,” came a soft voice at his side.

Turning his head, he found Jia standing there.

Now that he knew Jia was indeed a woman, he wondered how he’d ever managed to believe her when she’d stated she was a man.

“Good morning yourself, Jia,” Ash said, grinning at her.

Jia blinked at him, her brows drawing down low over her eyes.

“You are rather… bright… this morning,” Jia said, her tone odd.

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be? I mean, you always tell me to look on the positive side. Don’t you?”

“Yes. Though you typically scoff at me and dismiss my wish.”

“Maybe I finally took your words to heart,” Ash said.

Two junior acolytes wandered by, both eying Jia as they did so.

Ah… if they only knew.

Though… it could be fun to mess with her a bit.

“What’s your idea woman, Jia?” Ash asked, changing the topic.

“I… beg your pardon?”

“Your ideal woman. You always have the girls chasing after you. Eventually you’ll need to settle down.

“What’s your ideal?”

“I have not considered it. And it’s a frivolous thought,” Jia said, her lips pressed into a line as she glared at the two women walking by.

“Is it so frivolous though? I mean, look at it from my point of view. If I fail my examination, I’ll be looking to secure a wife and get a job.

“For you, you’ll be heading to start your life as a cultivator, but I can’t imagine you won’t be traveling a similar path.

“So… what would be your ideal woman?”

Jia’s brow was furrowed, her eyes staring into the middle distance.

“Do you think it so likely that you’ll fail?” she asked. “And if you did, what kind of woman would you look for?”

“Up to this point, there’s been no indication that I’d ever pass. As to a woman I’d look for,” Ash said as his thoughts turned inward.

He really hadn’t considered it. He was largely tolerated and mostly ignored by everyone in Xing city. This went for women as well.

It’d never really been a concern or a question, since it seemed like he’d have to strive valiantly to turn a woman’s favor toward him.

Deciding to mess with Jia instead of take her question seriously, Ash smirked.

“It’s a shame you’re a man Jia, your personality is right up my alley. You’re also far too pretty. Got any sisters that look just like you?” Ash asked.

Jia glared at him now.

“I have no sisters that I would ever allow you to meet,” she said in a frosty tone.

“Don’t have to get so defensive. Only asking. I mean-”

A low toned bell was rung, signaling all acolytes to proceed to their designated duties.

“Another time,” Jia said, dismissing the conversation with a wave of her hand.

Ash nodded his head.

His Dantian was finally open.

He’d cultivated and had a Qi sea.

The power of the Heavens had fed his body.

Ash desperately wanted to see what he could do.

Walking alongside Jia to their practice room, he felt different.

He was excited. Brimming with a want to see how much he’d improved since the last time. To see if he could return the favor that’d been given to him so many times.

I’m going to break Lim’s jaw if I can.

Jia yanked his sleeve suddenly. Looking at Jia, Ash found himself practically in the fighting ring. He’d almost just walked into the ring before they’d even begun so lost in his own desires.

And the fantasy of breaking Lim. Over and over.

Everyone else in their examination group was already present. They were all looking to Ash.

Even Elder Shin seemed at a loss for Ash’s seeming lack of awareness.

Suppose I do try to avoid fighting until I’m forced.

“So eager to begin us off today?” the Elder said.

“Ah, that is-”

“Wonderful, come, come. Step into the ring. We’ll have you start us off. Jia, since you seemed interested, you may join him,” Shin said.

That’ll work just fine. Jia fights me fairly so… this’ll be an excellent warm-up.

Moving to the center of the room Ash waited. No sooner had Jia joined him there then he pressed his fists together in front of himself and bowed his head fractionally to her.

Jia was on him in a flash. Her feet sliding one over the other as she flowed toward him.

Except, where he normally was forced to the utmost of his ability to simply watch her and be able to react, he now viewed her as if she were moving normally.

The whipcrack speed she’d had prior to this was gone.

Frowning at the change, Ash chalked it up to now being a formal cultivator.

Jia flicked a fist toward his face as she moved.

Catching it and diverting it to one side with his forearm, Ash took a step back habitually to redirect the force that her attacks generated.

Though there was none to redirect.

The force of her attack was that of a young woman, no longer the heavy blow it was even just yesterday.

Her attacks were still smooth, filled with a liquid grace. They were still sharp and felt pronounced and practiced.

But the speed and strength that had threatened to overwhelm him were gone.

Ash felt his heart-rate skyrocket. He could fight them evenly. Fight them evenly and their natural benefits of being cultivators would do them no good.

I can win!

Leaping forward Ash closed in on Jia as fast as he could. His body was on her before he realized it.

Her eyes widened as Ash loomed over her.

Unsteady, and unsure of himself, Ash made a short uppercut with his right arm, turning himself into the blow.

Catching her just below her ribs, he felt the air whoosh out from her lungs.

I caught her! I caught her?

Jia crumpled at the middle, the force of his blow apparently too much for her body to handle.

Catching her with his left arm, he held her around the middle.

“I’m so sorry Jia, are you alright?” Ash asked, not wanting to drop her.

She was holding to his arms, her fingers clasped tight to him.

“Strong-blow,” she said between two gasps. She tilted her face up to him, her eyes wide and brows raised.

There was question there.

“Yes. It did. That was an unaided blow,” Ash said softly, hoping that his words would only reach her.

A small smile flitted across her face and she nodded her head.

Taking two steps away from him, she seemed to have regained her balance.

Moving back to where she’d come from, Jia sat down. She tilted to one side, apparently favoring the side the blow had struck.

Pressing his fists together, Ash bowed deeply to Jia, then turned to Elder Shin.

“I’m ready for my next opponent,” Ash said.

Elder Shin didn’t respond to Ash. Instead, his eyes were narrowed. His entire focus seemed to be on Ash’s body. Or more to the point, something inside of his body.

“So… you managed to unlock your Dantian,” Shin said. His tone was odd, a frown pulling at the corners of his mouth. “We shall continue with the practice matches as we always do.

“Though I do expect you to abide by the rules.”

“I shall obey the rules, exactly as if I were Lim,” Ash said, pressing his fists together. Unable to help himself, he wanted to pay back some of the rage and insults he’d suffered here.

Shin’s face turned red with anger at the implied insult, since everyone knew Lim had broken the rules at every single match.

“Hmph, let’s have another opponent brought up immediately then. Go on up there Gong,” Shin said, indicating another acolyte.

He was the second strongest in the class. Just after Lim.

Though he was much more of a bully than Lim was if that were possible. He didn’t just break the rules, he looked for opportunities to do so.

It didn’t help matters that he was seemingly Lim’s personal toadie.

I guess that means I get to use Coiled Spring Step, doesn’t it.

Ash smiled and pressed his fists together toward Gong.

The other man charged Ash the moment he dipped his head toward him.

Apparently we’re beyond any sense of respect as well.

Ash was once again surprised at how slow Gong seemed now in comparison to previously.

Gong’s fist was cocked back and then launched forward, red streaks screaming off of it as if it were scorching the very air as it cut through it.

Surprised and unwilling to take the blow head on, Ash immediately stepped to the left. At the same time he deflected Gong’s fist wide, and then slammed his fist into the man’s shoulder as he passed by.

Stumbling sideways, Gong practically fell over himself as he tried to recover from his wild swing.

“Elder, would you please warn Gong? I do believe that was an ability just now.

“I’d truly hate for him to be injured if his ability somehow failed him and caused him a problem,” Ash said. 

The room got quiet as all eyes turned to Shin.

This was normally when he’d admonish someone for using an ability on Ash. Not being lectured by Ash for not judicating the match appropriately.

Shin snorted and crossed his arms in front of himself.

“Watch you manners Ash. Gong… do not use abilities,” said Shin.

Gong turned, roared, and charged at Ash again.

Before he’d even gotten halfway to him, his fists were once again glowing with bright red streaks of energy.

Fine.

Ash didn’t care anymore. He’d been pushed around long enough, and if this was how they were going to treat him even after opening his Dantian, then he’d respond in kind.

Moving in close to Gong Ash shortened the distance, stepping straight into the gap. Moving down low he rotated his body around, pulling his right shoulder back.

Gong’s arm passed uselessly by Ash’s head, doing absolutely nothing.

Exploding forward, Ash triggered his Coiled Spring Step as he punched with his right fist.

The rapid acceleration of his body, along with the force of the strike, was devastating.

The sound of Gong’s ribs crackling like twigs being stepped on was audible. That wasn’t the end of the punishment Ash was going to give to Gong however.

Before Shin could stop the match, or Gong could surrender, Ash let loose a left uppercut, triggering his Coiled Spring Step once more.

Gong’s head spun to the left, his jaw snapping to the side. His knees went out from under him and he collapsed to the ground as if he were dead.

Elder Shin shot to his feet, his face pale.

Rushing over to Gong’s side, he began to lay his hands about the young mans head and neck.

“Oh dear,” Ash said in a flat tone. “It seems he didn’t listen to Elder Shin and hurt himself. With the amount of strength he put into those strikes, even my weak strikes must have caused great damage.

“Should I go summon another Elder to let them know Gong has fallen?”

There was a problem with that of course.

The moment someone else was notified about an acolyte getting hurt, they’d want to investigate what was going on.

If they started poking around into it, it would be likely that Elder Shin would be revealed for one and all to see.

It didn’t matter if others were doing it as well, all that would matter is that Shin had been revealed. And his enemies would use it to their advantage.

“No,” Shin said decisively, pushing something into Gong’s mouth. “He’ll be fine, he just needs to sit to one side as he recovers.”

“Great, I’m very glad to hear that,” Ash said in the same flat tone. “I was concerned for his health. I leave him in your care.

“I’m ready for my next fight, Elder Shin. I look forward to it. Since I’ve now defeated the top two acolytes, I believe Lim would be next.”

Ash turned to face the young man in question, and pressed his fists together.

All eyes turned to Lim, wondering what would happen next, and excited to see it.

Nothing got the heart beating faster in the nine kingdoms than things like this.