Chương 18: Party

Rowan Instructor Sutter's stick came smashing down onto Rowan's desk.

"Explain the polarities - starting with Yang!" Rowan straightened his posture with a smile.

"The Yang polarities are Greater Yang, Lesser Yang, and Bright Yang. Greater Yang describes the pinnacle of Yang. It represents Yang's nature most directly. Greater Yang is the giver, the cause in cause and effect, the subject of a statement. It is represented by the sun."

"By contrast, Lesser Yang is the approaching Yang, the dawn to Greater Yang's high noon. It represents transformation, improvement, sometimes growth. It is the first light in the darkness, the potential to be lit, which is why it is represented by light.

"Finally, Bright Yang is Yang without Yin. It is the most concentrated form, to the point where it exceeds the physical. Unlike Greater and Lesser Yang, it's not represented by its tangible object, but by the idea of a throne. That which is known, that which is uncompromising, that which is bright. It is the Heaven that cultivators speak of." Sutter nodded.

"Now, explain the three Yins." Rowan let out a deep breath. He was glad his memory was decent, so he could spew Instructor Sutter's exact definitions back at him.

"The Yin polarities are Greater Yin, Lesser Yin, and Fading Yin. Greater Yin describes the absence of Yang. It represents the shadows cast by every candle that's lit. Greater Yin is the void, the places that light has failed to reach. That's why Greater Yin is the opposite of Lesser Yang.

It is represented by the dark nothingness of the deep ocean, the vastness of deep space, and also the moon, which makes me think the ancients weren't watching the sky very closely, because the moon can-""Rowan Helsing," thundered Instructor Sutter.

"No personal opinions."

"Sorry. Where was I? Lesser Yin is what is thought of as the opposite to Greater Yang. It is the effect in a cause and effect. It is the receiver. It is universally influenced, which is why it's represented by reincarnation, by the night, by autumn."

"And Fading Yin?" asked Sutter.

"Fading Yin, unlike Bright Yang, which is the most concentrated Yang, is the least concentrated Yin. It is what has already been forgotten. It is the last day before Spring, and the last moment of darkness before the dawn. It is forever-changing to contrast with the inflexibility of Bright Yang. Fading Yin is hard to explain, and associated with many other things that are hard to explain, like Karma and ghosts.

Fading Yin is the boundary where Yin becomes Yang, both impossible to reach and impossible not to notice." With a skeptical look, Instructor Sutter muttered "good" before continuing his lecture on how to identify polarities in nature. Lee elbowed Rowan with a grin. Rowan tried not to smile too broadly, feeling like the sky was beautiful and the breeze smelled wonderful. This time, he wasn't a mortal giving an academic explanation of cultivation as the only person who hadn't started yet.

He wasn't the black sheep in the classroom still stuck without a Qi Sea. All thirty or so students wore the flax-yellow sect robes of true outer disciples of the Righteous Mountain Sect. Rowan included. However, his mood was dampened as the other students around him began gossiping about the upcoming tournament.

"I'm sure that the House Decatour will be winning this year," said Pia.

"Have you seen Damion? He's got a rank-two manual and he's been cultivating diligently!" Decatour pretended not to hear her, but could not stop himself from preening.

"There's no way," said Lavinia.

"The Lothesby Family is on the rise, and our boy Lee is so much better at fighting."

"You're just saying that because your mother works for the auction house," said Pia, rolling her eyes.

"Has he even beaten Rowan?"

"No," said Lee.

"I haven't. And now Rowan has the only A-grade Qi Sea in Righteous Mountain, so I don't think I ever will." Rowan found it hard to disagree, but it was impolite not to try.

"You've got a scripture from the Inner Sanctum, I'm sure it'll-""Probably not," said Lee, cheerfully.

"But I'll still try my best." Pia crossed her arms.

"Anyway, now that we're outer disciples, we're basically adults, so we can actually bet on the matches. Do you think I could bet on myself losing and make a fortune?" Lavinia scoffed.

"Your chances of winning are a thousand to one if that. Which means if you lose on purpose, a thousand taels will net you a single coin of profit."

"But what if we're matched against each other?"

"I'm not losing to you!"

"Will you lose to me for a thousand taels?" Instructor Sutter banged his ruler on Lavinia's desk.

"There will be NO GAMBLING," he shouted.

"And keep your mouth shut during the lesson." As Instructor Sutter went back to lecturing, Lee nudged Rowan.

"Doesn't that sound like a good business opportunity? I could run a little gambling ring and make a fortune. We just have to find a proper dark horse that everyone will bet against. And then the house will win." Decatour couldn't help himself.

"That's what you look like. A house." Rowan wasn't worried about anyone's performance but his own. While Rowan did really love his sect, he'd heard the whispers of a prize that would be impossible to get in Righteous Mountain - ten Vast Qi Pills, perfect for someone in Qi Condensation - and also a chance to earn an arena ticket at the faraway Platform City, a marvel of the world.

While Lee and Damion were the supposed best cultivators of their generation, it was fair to say that Righteous Mountain was amongst the weakest of the sects in the Earthly Harmony Alliance. His own cousin Ash would likely be competing, as a member of Blackscale Sect. And there were a lot of other sects who would send their new and promising young cultivators as well. That was to say nothing of the hundreds of clans and small sects who were allowed to participate from the peninsula.

He still didn't have a manual - at least, nothing good. Right now he was really feeling the sting of leaving the rank-four manual with Ash. Even if the bloodstone claimed he didn't have any affinity for Dry Fire, that was all in the past. He had a new body now. Things were probably different.

"It isn't just Dry Fire that's the issue, but that rank-four manual is limited. The techniques are incomplete, only going up to Foundation Establishment. The direction of your cultivation is the most important. It is something that will follow you for the rest of your life. Don't waste it on that trash," the stone transmitted into his mind. The bloodstone hadn't spoken in days. Rowan tried to act casual, remembering he was in a public setting. He mentally transmitted a message to the bloodstone.

"Senior, even getting to Qi Refining would be a dream. This one dares not hope for advancing any higher. My only wish is to get revenge for my father and crush as many demonic cultivators as possible. Dry Fire is one of the best counters to demonic cultivation. It would align with my goals." Although the senior didn't audibly sigh, he felt the bloodstone get a fraction heavier as though in weariness.

"Kid, heaven gifted you a new body - not only is your Bloodwood lineage thriving, but so is your Forgegod Spirit Root. You could stand to aim a touch higher." The senior did sigh now." You want to defeat demonic cultivators? Fine. So do I. Dry Fire is potent against evil - but a few other elements are even better." If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"Really?"" The absolute best element for dealing with demonic cultivators is actually one that you are extremely compatible with. Living Wood techniques." The bloodstone's tone of voice turned almost nasty." Isn't that what the Helsings were known for? Was that not the power of your First Ancestor? What has always been the strongest weapon against that which is demonic?" Rowan didn't know." The wood of a fruiting tree. Living wood. Do they teach nothing of use nowadays?"

Rowan's attention had been completely diverted from class and the ensuing tournament gossip. He walked back to his dorm in a daze, sitting on the bed.

"Senior, where can I find a wood technique manual?" he asked helplessly." Do you expect me to do everything for you?" The bloodstone was being difficult again. The senior's voice turned a bit softer, and Rowan didn't know if he was imagining it, but it sounded almost frustrated for the first time." I require sustenance too, Rowan Helsing. I'll tell you the truth. I'm only a small bit of qi away from activating my full power. Then, I can really help you." Rowan didn't trust it." Smart," said the bloodstone."

It's good that you're not just making deals with anyone who offers you power." A banging on Rowan's door pulled him out of the conversation like he'd been struck by lightning.

"Come in," he called, hiding the bloodstone in his sleeves. Pia flung the door open with a worried look on her face.

"Rowan, come quickly! It's an emergency!" Rowan shot to his feet.

"What's going on?"

"Lee's room!" she replied, already sprinting down the hall. Did something happen to Lee? It hadn't been long since classes ended. His chest clenched at the thought of something bad happening to his best friend. Maybe someone had waited for him in secret, trying to extort him. Everyone knew the Lothesby Family was rich. And there were a few unsavory characters among the outer disciples. His feet pounded against the ground as he ran for Lee's room, hoping he wasn't too late. The door was slightly ajar.

Once he opened it…

"Surprise!" Rowan blinked. The small dorm was filled to the brim with about half of their classmates - the half that didn't outright disdain Rowan, or at least just ignored him. There was also one person that Rowan didn't recognize at all - a man in his twenties, wearing the autumn-gold robes of the inner disciples. He seemed pompous, like he'd rather be anywhere else but here, and his face was narrow and weaselly. Lee beamed at Rowan, a metal cup in his hand.

"Congratulations on forming your Qi Sea!" he said.

"Our fellow classmates might be poor, saving every last scrap of spirit stone for their cultivation, but my Lothesby Family isn't so stingy. I asked my dad to send this over for you." Lee handed Rowan a shiny black token with a character inscribed on it. Rowan couldn't stop a giant smile from forming on his face, feeling warm. He hadn't expected any kind of celebration. Rowan caressed the token's smooth surface, as though looking for clues.

"Thanks, Lee. I really appreciate this… er, what is it?"

"It's a token for the Stone Dragon Refinery - the best refinery in the city! I heard you'd sold your old sword for a few taels, so I thought you'd find a replacement weapon useful. This token is for one basic qi weapon forged by Master Luzon. If you want any unique touches, you'll have to cover the extra yourself. The token was hard to get, as the master is semi-retired." Rowan tried to give back the token a few times, overwhelmed by such an expensive gift, but Lee staunchly refused.

"I don't know how to repay you," muttered Rowan.

"You don't. That's what gifts are." Still, Lee hadn't been exaggerating when he said that the Stone Dragon Refinery was the best in the city. The old Master Luzon had come from an important city in the north, only settling down in this small place by chance. A qi weapon was the true signature of a cultivator. Most outer disciples didn't even have one. Lee and Rowan spoke for while after that, catching up.

Rowan told Lee and the other partygoers about his recent travels - omitting everything about the rank-four manual and Blackscale Cove. Lee laughed boisterously as Rowan described the food fight with Ash's sect mates, and waggled his eyebrows when Rowan mentioned seeing a girl pretending to be a wandering immortal.

"She was really pretty, and from an important clan," explained Rowan.

"Silver eyes, dark hair."

"Really pretty," echoed Lee, looking thoughtful.

"It's said that the girls of Righteous Mountain are the prettiest," protested Lavinia, who had sidled up next to Rowan. They sat on the edge of Lee's bed, their knees almost touching. The inner disciple was hovering near her, glowering yet not participating.

"Don't you think a girl from Righteous Mountain would be a good match for someone like you?" Lavinia had never shown Rowan any attention before his change. In the past, Rowan had a decent appearance, but he still seemed a bit sickly and malnourished no matter how much he ate. He was unused to the feeling of a girl smiling at him. He was also very aware of the inner disciple glaring daggers at him. He coughed.

"My house will probably handle my marriage. I don't have too much of a say, anyway…"

"So, Helsing, what is your scripture?" asked the inner disciple, speaking at last.

"I haven't chosen a path yet," said Rowan.

"Who'd betroth their daughter to someone without a scripture?" said the Inner Disciple, unable to help himself.

"Hmph. Forget even that. How are you going to bring glory to our sect in the tournament? Can you learn anything in only one month? I suppose my Fross Family's Vast Mountain Sealing Sutra will have to carry the day once more. We always do." Rowan had heard of the Fross Family's sutra - everyone had. It was one of the most powerful arts practiced in Righteous Mountain.

"I hope you perform well," replied Rowan politely.

"We are sect brothers. I wish you only the best."

"Well, that makes one of us. I think anyone that takes four months to form a Qi Sea is destined to be a failure." Rowan's heart darkened. Lee cleared his throat.

"Relatively speaking, everyone in our class just got their scripture. I doubt the elders have any expectations of us. Rowan, can you continue your story? I think we got sidetracked."

"Uh, yeah," murmured Rowan, tamping down the fire in his spirit. He resumed his tale. He described the local lands around the Main Road, as no one listening had ever been past the gates of Righteous Mountain City. One detail, however, made Lee's brows scrunch. His reddening face became a little more serious.

"Drought?" Rowan nodded.

"I ran into a few bandits - although, I'm not even sure they were part of an organized group. They looked so gaunt. Maybe they were regular villagefolk driven to extreme measures out of hunger." He paused.

"That's something that's been on my mind, actually. We're so close to the sea. Why is our city and Deepwhale Pier fine, but the land in between starving?"

"I don't know…" Lee seemed rather disturbed about the revelation.

"I'll ask my dad if he knows anything about it." There was a knock on the door.

"Door's open," called Lee. Damion Decatour peeked inside at the party.

"Not for you. Door is actually closed. Please close the door," said Lee. Decatour scowled and opened the door wider. Beside him was Instructor Sutter.

"Is the door open for me?" said Instructor Sutter.

"I knew something fishy was happening here," said Decatour triumphantly.

"No large gatherings are permitted, as per the bylaws of-""Please return to your room," Instructor Sutter told Decatour, and to the crowd at large. Students started filtering out like they had escaped from the jaws of death, in disbelief that the instructor was letting them off without any punishments. At the end of the line, Rowan too tried to squeak by Instructor Sutter. A thin hand fell on his shoulder. He looked up.

"I didn't get a chance to congratulate you for forming your Qi Sea," said Instructor Sutter quietly.

"Good job."

"Thank you, sir," said Rowan, feeling uncomfortable.

"Your father was a good boy, who became a good man," said the old instructor, looking conflicted. He didn't speak for a while.

"Hurry along now." Rowan went back to his dorm. That inner disciple had been rude, but he was also correct. He needed a scripture. A good one. He pulled out the bloodstone.

"A small bit of qi, hm?" Well, he did have fifty-seven spirit stones. The senior had spat on the Dry Fire Codex, a rank four manual. Undoubtedly what the senior in the stone had for him was even better.