The war between the two revolutionary factions continued to burn across the southern coast, a distant, self-consuming fire that, for the moment, seemed to involve only themselves. But this will most likely last only for awhile, other forces and people will be pulled into the conflicts soon enough. Both factions seemed powerful, the scale of their strength still unknown. Whether or not it was good to wake up these giants early, it's tough to say, but what's done is done and it's just how to proceed from here.
Amidst this period of consolidation and relative peace for Li Yu, he found himself feeling a profound sense of weariness. It was not a physical exhaustion—his new Celestial Leviathan Form was a seemingly endless well of vitality—but a deep, spiritual fatigue. He had been on the road for a long time, moving from one crisis to another. He felt a deep, instinctual pull to return home, to the quiet and familiar peaks of the Green Mountain Sect.
He informed his retainers of his decision. He would leave the southern operations in their capable hands. He truly didn't have much to add to their efforts here, he could help out but it wouldn't make a significant impact. He would take only Jian Xuan with him, who is also not that helpful here, while Spine continued to recover in the sanctuary.
The next morning, as the sun rose over the newly conquered city, Tempest, the magnificent Skyshroud Leviathan, once again took to the skies, turning its head away from the southern seas and back towards the familiar mountains of the north.
The journey home was different from all the others. It was not a mission, not a hunt, not a flight towards a new danger. It was a retreat, a return home to rest, for the world was getting more chaotic.
He arrived at the Green Mountain Sect in the late afternoon. As Tempest descended, its colossal form a breathtaking sight, a wave of awe and excitement spread through the sect. The disciples, both old and new, looked up at the beast and the quiet, powerful young man on its back. This was disciple Li Yu, a figure who had already become a well known name since the beast tide but whose name was slowly fading from the spotlight. Not much was heard about him since then, but the strength he had shown then was still undeniable at such an age.
He did not linger in the public eye. After returning Tempest to the Koi Sanctuary, he, along with Jian Xuan, went directly to the Sect Master's peak to request an audience and deliver his report. As a disciple, there were still proper channels to be followed.
He was granted an audience. The Sect Master and the two now known Grand Elders sat upon their seats, drinking tea and discussing things with one another. Li Yu stood before them, Jian Xuan a silent, imposing shadow behind him but they had already met him before.
Li Yu gave a deep, respectful bow. He then began his report. He spoke for over an hour, his voice calm and concise, but the contents of his story were anything but. He told them everything: of the Golden Tide Clan and their alliance with the Beast Revolution Faction; of the faction's fanatical, multi-continental ambitions; of the sudden, shocking appearance of a rival Human Revolution Faction. He described the holy war that was now beginning to consume the southern coast, a conflict that threatened to plunge the entire continent into a new, dark age.
The three leaders of the sect listened in a heavy, grim silence. The world they knew, a world of contained conflicts between sects and empires, was changing. This was a new kind of threat, an ideological plague that could not be negotiated with. Everytime Li Yu went out and returned, he brought with him news about the quickly changing world around them.
"A chaotic future is in store for us all," the Grand Elder Chen said, his voice a low, worried rumble. "These factions… their conflict will not remain in the south forever. It will spread."
The Sect Master looked down at Li Yu, his expression a complex mixture of pride in this disciple's incredible accomplishments and grave concern for the future of the sect. "You have done well, Disciple Li. The sect is proud of you." He then turned to the Grand Elders. "I will convene the council. We must double our efforts to strengthen the sect, to train our disciples, to fortify our defenses. The Green Mountain Sect has stood for a thousand years. We will survive the storms to come."
With a nod, Li Yu was dismissed. He was the bearer of news, not a member of the council that would decide how to act upon it.
After the formal report was concluded, Li Yu left the peak and made his way to a familiar, quiet pagoda that belonged to his master. He found his Master, Elder Ning, sitting by a table, with a set of tea cups ready.
She looked up as he approached, a warm, genuine smile gracing her features. "You've returned. Welcome back, you must be tired."
"Master," he said, bowing deeply.
They sat together for a long time, the master and the disciple whose power had now far surpassed her own. The initial, slight awkwardness of this new dynamic quickly melted away long ago, replaced by the familiar comfort of their bond over the years. And here, in the safety of her presence, he did not just report events; he shared his worries.
He spoke of the terrifying, uncontrolled power of his soul, of the time freeze, of the hundreds of lives he had extinguished in an instant. He spoke of the weight of the secrets he carried, of the responsibility he now felt for the thousands of people who worked for his guild and his company.
She listened patiently, her gentle gaze never wavering. She could no longer offer him guidance on his cultivation, but she could still offer him something far more valuable, someone to listen to and provide small feedback here and there. Not about the dao, just her own perspective on things having lived longer.
"Power is a river, Li Yu," she said softly when he had finished. "It can nourish the land, or it can be a devastating flood. The strength of the river is not what matters. What matters is the strength of the riverbed that contains it. You have been so focused on strengthening the river, do not forget to strengthen the vessel that holds it. Your heart, your will, your compassion… these are your riverbed. Do not let the flood wash them away."
He felt a great weight lift from his shoulders having shared his thoughts. Though he was stronger than her, he was still, and would always be, her student. It was good to have that kind of release, to have someone he could talk to, not as a leader, but as a child. He's had to grow up far too fast, his childhood a distant memory that he could only vaguely remember now but each memory he did was precious.
He finally returned home to his Deep Water Menagerie. He found Cyra there feeding some of the beasts in the water. She had heard of his return, and a brilliant, joyous smile lit up her face when she saw him.
He spent the rest of the afternoon with her, filling her in on everything that had happened. Some of it she knew from their brief, intermittent conversations through the communication conch, but much of it was new. He told her of his adventures, of the two factions, and, most importantly, of what had happened with his soul. He described the time freeze, the breakthrough, and his confusion over the true nature of his power.
Speaking with his followers was another good release for Li Yu. It helped him organize his thoughts and it was just fun to spare his adventures with others.
She listened, her expression a mixture of awe and deep concern. "A nascent soul that can halt the flow of time…" she murmured, her eyes wide. "That is a power that operates at the level of laws, only by grasping at the law of time could someone do that." She then grew thoughtful. "My people, our very nature is one of complex spiritual energy and shifting forms. Our souls are not just resilient; they are… fluid and strong. It is the source of our illusionary abilities, our power to bend perception and trap others in illusions. My parents are elders of our clan. Their knowledge of bizarre soul manifestations and powers is vast. Perhaps they could have heard of something like this, a power that affects time itself."
A flicker of hope ignited in Li Yu's heart. "Can you speak to them?"
She shook her head, a look of sadness in her eyes. "I do not know where they are. They are wanderers, like much of our reclusive race, rarely surfacing. But… if the opportunity ever arises, if we ever meet them, I know they would help you."
It was a distant hope, for a future he could not yet see, but it was something.
As night fell over the peaceful, familiar peaks of the Green Mountain Sect, Li Yu walked the quiet stone paths he had walked a thousand times before. He knew he would not have much time to rest. The world was growing more dangerous, and the shadows were lengthening. But for now, he was home. And he would enjoy the peace while it lasted but he would still prepare.