Once Kang Shanxi returned, the weeks flowed past like water, turning into months. More snow came, but another storm did not pass through Anhe village.
Xiyun had officially begun walking, and had added a number of words to her repertoire. Furthermore, to her, Jintian was "Dindi", and Kang Shanxi was "Kanshi". And among her favorite words were "No", "dun wanna", and "stop id". The last one was especially popular whenever Jintian rubbed her increasingly hairy head.
Jintian spent this time much like he'd spent the weeks before, with cultivation in the morning, Qi technique practice and martial training in the afternoons, and Go and spell theory in the evenings. Although Kang Shanxi had never beaten Jintian in a fair game again, they had begun practicing by having Jintian play from increasingly disadvantageous starting positions.
For instance, he would begin play in a game that was underway as black, where black had a losing amount of territory. Or, he would play as white, while black got to play at first with two star points, and then three star points at the beginning of the game.
It was during one such game that Jintian finally brought up the matter of the fortune teller he'd encountered in Chenghe. Kang Shanxi had taken four star points at the beginning of the game, and now Jintian was desperately clawing territory into his possession.
"Hmm…" Kang Shanxi had murmured in thought, stroking his beard. "I cannot say that I know of any other cultivators that reside in this mortal realm, but that does not mean there are none. Most who reside with mortals do so out of obligation to a family member, or disgrace. As such, the less attention we draw from one another, the better."
Jintian nodded, finally placing a white stone down, connecting his small corner of territory in the bottom right side of the board to the pocket he had clawed out towards the middle.
Kang Shanxi considered the move for a time. "Perhaps, when you venture out, you can attempt to find her again." He mused, placing down a piece of his own to attempt to shut out Jintian's advance. "It may very well be fate that you two met when you did."
The two continued to exchange moves for a time. Kang Shanxi's defense was growing impregnable, and yet Jintian somehow managed to find cracks in it, slivers that he could dig into and expand his territory one piece after another.
"I plan on leaving once the snow melts." Jintian said finally, and Kang Shanxi paused, before gently playing another piece.
"You could stay a little longer. At least until the first harvest." He said, and Shen Jintian shook his head slowly.
"No. You yourself said that Wu Mingjie was already at the Great Circle, only a step away from Foundation Establishment. If I wish to catch up to him, we both know that I cannot afford to delay any longer." He murmured, and Kang Shanxi studied him for a few moments.
Finally, he sighed, and nodded. "Very well. Then, I will explain what your next steps will be." He said, before sweeping his hand over the board and stowing the pieces away. "It is my loss anyways. You crafty little rascal."
Jintian chuckled, waving a finger to stow away the board with Qi manipulation, before listening attentively to Kang Shanxi. His master stroked his beard, before reaching into his bag of holding and pulling out a scroll. Unfurling it, a large map was revealed to Jintian.
"This," Kang Shanxi began, pointing to a southern corner of the map, "is where we are currently. The mortal realm of the Three States. And here, at the northern tip, is the city that is guarded by the Wu clan, Jianling. It is the entrance, and exit, to this mortal realm. You should have no troubles exiting. It is only entering cultivators that face obstruction. However, you must go past Jianling, into the wilderness."
Jintian followed his master's finger, as it slowly began to trace upward, past the peninsula that he had spent the entirety of his life on. Finally, at a distance that was nearly double the full length of the entirety of the Three States away, he tapped his finger.
"And here is the first cultivator city you will find, Shan'an. It is in this place that I sent my inquiry to my cousin. He has responded positively, however with certain conditions to be met."
Listening attentively, Jintian memorized the location. Given his speed, he thought that he could reach the city within three months traveling on foot, barring any kind of obstacles he might encounter.
"In six months, there will be a selection process that is hosted by three of the Middle Cultivation Sects near this region." Kang Shanxi continued. "The first is the one I mentioned previously, the Iron Breaking Mountain Sect. The other two are the Lofty Cloud Sword Sect, and the Azure Sea Cove Sect. Middle Sects stand above the Lower Sects, but below Great Sects, and are two steps below Ancient Sects.
"Lower Sects are typically headed by a patriarch or matriarch at the peak of Foundation Establishment, or who have just entered Core Formation. In these Lower Sects, even reaching Foundation Establishment is enough to make you an Elder of the Sect. And in some cases, Great Circle cultivators can be considered for this position as well.
"Middle Sects are vastly above them, typically headed by a patriarch or matriarch in the Nascent Soul realm. Unlike a Lower Sect, if you wish to be considered as an Elder, there are strict time scales that one must reach realms by. To reach Foundation Establishment, the limit is forty years, and for Core Formation, the limit is one hundred years!"
Jintian felt his mind beginning to spin at the information, as well as the time scales Kang Shanxi had said. Seeing his expression, Kang Shanxi cleared his throat. "The other two types of Sects, Great and Ancient, are of course headed by cultivators in realms so high that I dare not even utter them. Furthermore, as it stands currently, you have no need to learn of them yet. You only need to focus on the Middle Sects."
Shen Jintian heaved a sigh of relief at that, rubbing the back of his head bashfully. Kang Shanxi smiled, and flicked his sleeve. "My cousin Kang Zhiyi informed me that he is an Foundation Establishment Elder, which means that he reached Foundation Establishment within his first forty year cycle. That little punk. I do not know where he stands now, but he has told me he can pull some strings, but like I said previously, there are requirements.
"The selection process has two separate qualification parts, passing either of which will lead to admittance into a Sect that offers to take you. The first part is simple, age and cultivation level, as well as meridian assessment. Most undergo this assessment, and pass or fail accordingly. Unfortunately… this will not work for you. Your heart meridians are severed, and thus under normal circumstances, most Sects would not even allow you to attempt to join them. However I've informed my cousin that you are in possession of a unique method to one day reform them, thus he has advised that you go through the second method, which is… combat testing!"
Jintian pursed his lip at that. "I thought you said that combat was not everything to cultivation…" He grumbled, and Kang Shanxi chuckled, before sighing.
"Indeed, it is not everything. But you will find that very few cultivators make it far without being at least somewhat capable in combat. Thankfully, we have already been preparing you for this with your Qi technique practice and martial training." He said, and Jintian nodded reluctantly. Kang Shanxi's eyes crinkled with his smile.
"Do not look so worried, young Jin. You already stand above the average riff raff that will be joining the selection process, I guarantee it. My cousin said that so long as you pass the qualifying round, which will be combat against a Beast equivalent to your Circles, then he can guarantee acceptance. Furthermore, if you can directly compete against other cultivators and get into the top sixteen, then he will make personal arrangements for you to join the Outer Sect. This will be a great starting point for you. But even if you do not, then it is no cause for worry. Qualifying is all you need to concern yourself with!"
Only after being assured several times by Kang Shanxi that he would be fine, did Jintian finally accept it with reluctance. In truth, he was grateful that he was even given this chance. From what it sounded like, without the good fortune of having Kang Shanxi as his master, even this much would have been nearly impossible for him.
Kang Shanxi turned his attention back to the map, before stroking his beard. "Young Jin, there is a vast wilderness that stretches between Jianling, and Shan'an. Although the danger will be lessened due to the routes frequently being traveled between the Wu Clan and the City, there will still be danger. Beasts can ambush you at any moment, so you must maintain the utmost vigilance. Still, it will also allow you to continue your bodily cultivation, so it will not be all bad."
Jintian nodded, taking a deep breath. In fact, he was most excited by the thought of facing Beasts during his journey. His teacher had returned with three Beast Cores, so he had now subsumed one hundred and three of them. But other than that, progress had stalled completely on his bodily cultivation, so he was looking forward to make advancements once more.
Having explained everything that he needed to, Kang Shanxi rose from the table, and the two parted ways for the night.
And Jintian, like always, woke the next morning from his inescapable nightmares, his face grim as he looked outside of his window to see the bright sun slowly beginning to melt the layers of snow outside.
-
Two weeks later, Shen Jintian stood at the doorway, his hands folded inside of his robes as he looked around at the house. He was filled with a sense of melancholy, and a strange nostalgia. He had spent nearly a year here, including his time unconscious.
Kang Shanxi exited his room with Xiyun, having instructed Jintian to wait a few moments. His little sister had been beside herself when she learned that he was leaving, screaming and crying. Now, as Kang Shanxi set her down, she clutched tightly onto his robe and kept her head turned away from Jintian.
His master looked at Jintian deeply, before reaching into his robe and pulling out his bag of holding. After a few moments, he passed over three items that he instructed Jintian to keep hold of carefully.
"This is a Five Jade Beetle pill." He said, passing over a medicinal pill that was a deeply verdant green. "Use it once you are close to reaching the Great Circle, and it will aid you greatly in breaking through the final wall."
"This," he continued, pulling out the very same teapot he had first used to explain the occupation of spirit forging, "is the Witch Mist Teapot. It is a Foundation Establishment treasure, but you can still use some of its function as a Qi Condensation cultivator. It was given to me by my master, and now I give it to you. May it serve you well."
Jintian took the two items gratefully, nodding in serenity to his master. Finally, Kang Shanxi withdrew an urn. It was only the size of the length between Jintian's elbow and his wrist, and looked rather ordinary. It was made of clay, and inscribed on the side was the character for lightning. However, when Jintian scanned it with his spiritual sense, he couldn't help but gasp.
The spiritual energy inside of it was extremely profound, and even just by looking at it, Jintian felt like a thousand lightning bolts flashed across his senses. Shaking his head to clear it, he looked at Kang Shanxi questioningly.
"This is an urn I acquired by good fortune. It has no name, so I have thus taken to calling it the First Tribulation Urn." He explained. "Whenever there is a storm brewing, place this urn outside. It will draw, and catch, lightning, which can be then released against a target of your will. I originally planned to use it during my Foundation Establishment tribulation, however I found that I had only gathered about half of the lightning that would be required for such use. But you may be able to do so."
Jintian looked at his master deeply, before bowing and taking the item with the utmost respect. Kang Shanxi looked at his first and only disciple for a few moments, before smiling and clapping him on the shoulder.
"I wish you luck on your journey, young Jin. And…" He hesitated, before sighing. "No, never mind."
Jintian shook his head. "You have already done so much for me, master. Whatever you ask, I will do my best to accomplish!" He said resolutely, and Kang Shanxi pursed his lips. Finally, he tightened his grip on Jintian's shoulder.
"If you by some miracle reach Heaven Sea foundation, then please return to me immediately." He said quietly. "I am not saying to pursue it. Such a foundation can only be attained by a mountain of good fortune, and exhaustive preparation. Among cultivators who reach Foundation Establishment, less than one in one hundred thousand will ever attain a Heaven Sea. But if you do… I intend to bequeath the method to retrieve my patriarch's… my Master's inheritance, to you."
Jintian felt his mind go blank, his mouth opening widely as he remembered he'd once said that Patriarch Frostheart had left an inheritance only those with a Heaven Sea Foundation could claim. "The patriarch of your Sect was your master?" He asked, and his teacher nodded sadly.
"Yes. In fact, there were three disciples that my master took. The first was nearly eight hundred years ago. He left to explore the world, but never returned. Although I never learned his true name, he went by the Dao title of Icesoul, earned after great enlightenment of the Dao of Ice. He may have left his mark in the vast reaches of this continent, so be sure to listen for this name.
"The second disciple was Shi Zhijian, taken in only three hundred years ago. I do not know the details of his fate, only that he betrayed my master, and married into a Clan, sharing with them some of the secrets of the Sect." He said grimly, and Jintian frowned, committing the name to memory.
"And finally… there was me. Unfortunately, he perished when I was only a Ninth Circle Cultivator. However, he left with me the method to claim his inheritance. If you can attain a Heaven Sea Foundation, then following his will, I in turn will leave it to you." He said, and Jintian swallowed thickly, bowing once more to his Master.
Kang Shanxi chuckled, shaking his head. "This much is nothing. I will be happy, so long as you are healthy and whole." He said, patting Jintian on his shoulder. The youth nodded, and Kang Shanxi looked him over for a few moments. "I have known you for a long time, young Jin. Since you were born. For eighteen years, I have watched as you grew splendidly into the young man you are now. I am most certain that your parents would be proud of you, and would bless your journey."
Shen Jintian smiled, nodding, before looking at Xiyun. She was still refusing to look at him, her head turned resolutely away. He crouched down, his voice gentle as he called to her.
"Yunyun." He whispered, and he saw her shoulders tremble. "Yunyun, I'm going now. It may be a long time before I come back. But no matter what, I promise you will always be in my heart. And I will bring back many gifts for you too!"
Shoulders trembling, Xiyun finally turned to look at him, thick tears falling down her cheeks and her hands reaching out for Jintian. "Dond go Dindi, dond go!" She warbled. He felt his throat tighten, and he quickly pulled her into a hug as she cried, stroking her hair.
For the first time, she didn't seem to mind it.
After a long time, he stood, and passed her into Kang Shanxi's arm. Wiping away tears of his own, he then took a breath, and bowed once more to his master.
"I'm going, then." He said, and Kang Shanxi nodded, bouncing Xiyun in his arm.
"Take care, young Jin. We will both be eagerly waiting for you to return." He whispered, and with another steadying breath, Jintian resolutely turned around and walked outside.
Closing the door behind him, he took a deep breath. The snow had melted, though the air was still cool as a breeze ruffled his hair. Birdsong chirped through the air, late morning light slowly brightening into early afternoon.
It was early spring, just a few months away from marking a full year since the village's attack. Jintian rolled his shoulders, before pulling his walking stick from his bag of holding, and making his way down the path towards the village.
His stroll was peaceful, almost serene. He passed the broken tree stumps that marked the place of his and his mother's death, but he offered them only a glance. His heart stirred, a dull aching throb passing through it, and he continued past them. Soon, he found himself at the edge of Anhe village.
The village was lively, bustling with vigorous activity after winter's hold. He walked through it, and though he no longer received the rankled stares he had previously, it was obvious by the way that most paused in their routine to look at him that he wasn't quite welcome.
He sighed, but accepted it with a shake of his head. Anhe village… could no longer be considered his home.
Jintian wondered if anywhere was home to him, now.
He walked out of the village, and eventually came upon his old house. He saw Li Liuwen already tilling the earth, driving a plow with one of the oxen at the front. Jintian watched him for a time, before smiling and calling out to him.
"Liuwen!" He shouted, and Li Liuwen jumped in his seat, turning his head to finally see Jintian. When he did he hurriedly ran to greet him.
"Tian!" He said excitedly, pulling him into a hug. "I heard what you did to save the children, during the blizzard! Ai, I'm so proud to have you as a friend."
Jintian chuckled, and then reached into his bag of holding. He procured a small pouch, which he pressed into Liuwen's hands. "Here, Kang Shanxi ground this for you. It's a medicine designed for the soil. It should fix the problem with the black sickness that spread among the crops last year, and will also help them grow healthier and richer too."
Liuwen looked at the pouch, before grinning. "Thanks, Jintian. I was a little worried. Here, I'll be finished plowing the fields in a few hours. Why don't you go in with Feng Yu until then, and we can have a drink?" He offered, but Jintian gently shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I can't." He said quietly, and Liuwen paused, his smile fading as he studied Jintian for a few moments. After only a couple of breaths, his grip tightened on the pouch, his hands dropping to his sides.
"So… you're leaving, then." He murmured, and Jintian nodded. The two looked at each other, before Liuwen clenched his other fist, and bumped it against Jintian's chest. "Good luck then, brother. Come back soon, and tell us all about your fantastical Immortal adventures, yeah?"
Jintian looked down at the fist, before smiling and drawing Liuwen into a hug. His friend stiffened for a few moments, before hugging Jintian back.
"You will come back, yeah?" He whispered, and Jintian nodded, pulling back and clapping his friend on the shoulders.
"I will." He promised. "And when I do, you'll probably have a few little ones of your own."
Liuwen paled at that, pointing at Jintian. "Y-y-you take that back!" He stammered, and Jintian laughed, turning around and walking away. "Hey! You take that back Jintian, you damn bastard!"
Finally, Jintian came to a stop fully at the border between toiled farmland and untamed grasslands. He turned around, looking at the distant form of Anhe village. His grip tightened on his walking stick…
And then he bowed, one final time. Bidding farewell to what had been his home for so, so long.
And then he rose, and turned around, striding toward the rest of his future.
End of Part One: Hidden Cub, Raging Fire