16 Leaving the Mortal World Entering the Shattered Grove

When the four of them exited the throne it was late at night. With all the things that had happened in the throne room to Wei, it had felt like much longer. As Wei walked alongside Zixin he felt a rare burst of pure satisfaction. I am finally stepping onto the path to become an immortal. For as long as he could remember Wei had always felt empty and hollow inside however he always tried not to dwell on it instead, choosing to focus on the pain of his illness and how to cure it. Still, it was not always so easy, the emptiness was sometimes even worse than the pain.

While Wei sometimes felt emotions they were almost always faint and extremely short-lived as if he simply couldn't be influenced by them for long. Ever since he had entered his 'mindscape' he had speculated with increasing surety that it was directly linked with his illness, his body's frailty and his mental qi.

As he walked alongside Zixin feeling as light as a feather Wei felt that the world of cultivators would do much to alleviate him from his emptiness. He waved the flag to and fro entranced by its vivid color and the way the fluttering cloth seemed to absorb the surrounding light. It doesn't seem to be distracting me anymore I wonder how he deactivated it.

Looking away from the flag Wei saw that Zixin was walking rather slowly, studying the surrounding building with an expression of nostalgia. "Senior Zixin here is your flag," Wei said handing it to him. Zixin grabbed the flag without looking and continued his observations. Seeing that they were getting closer and closer to unfamiliar territory and that Zixin didn't want to be disturbed Wei kept quiet and simply kept walking. A few minutes later they reached a completely deserted area and stopped.

With a single fluid motion, he sat on the floor cross-legged and beckoned for them to join him. Xing and Wei sat down immediately copying him but Chen Ping looked distastefully at the dusty ground and when he saw everyone sitting he squatted down seemingly to avoid dirtying himself a fact that didn't escape Zixin who narrowed his eyes at him.

I wonder how long he can keep that up for. Wei wondered idly. His amusement at Chen Ping's actions was cut off when Zixin began to speak drawing his attention.

"To be a cultivator is to go against heaven. Even though heaven selected you as Chosen, it is more of a curse than a blessing. The heavens see all mortals as specks of dirt. Our lives have no meaning to the heavens" As he said this his smile strained slightly and he sighed deeply looking at that moment like a tired old man.

"In the countless years that cultivation has been practiced very few cultivators have flourished and those who were satisfied with the lives they lived are even fewer. It is a life often plagued by regret and sorrow. In the mortal world death is the end of the world of cultivation that is not always so. Sometimes death is only the beginning of great torment. It is a cruel yet beautiful world." Saying this he paused looking up at the stars as if looking for answers in them.

"In the world of cultivation power comes above all. In the cultivation world power is the same as the mortal world except the scale is greater than you could possibly imagine. Perhaps I will have the chance to show you. Most importantly, however, are the opportunities to gain power and move forward in your path and having the will to seize them."

Hearing the sincerity in Zixin's advice Wei and Chen Ping watched Zixin intently and even Xing who had been half paying attention listened closely. "When an opportunity presents itself to you, take it! Be smart, decisive, and cunning and even then you still may fail. But perhaps, perhaps one day you will achieve something great," he made to speak more but decided not to and with a final look around Zixin stood up prompting everyone else to as well.

With a flick of his fingers, a wooden boat the size of a pebble flew out with a dull blue glow and swiftly expanded until it was around thirty feet tall floating a few feet above the ground. Wei's slightly enhanced vision let him barely see what had happened. Chen Ping, on the other hand, gasped loudly having witnessed a huge boat appearing seemingly out of nowhere.

A magic transportation treasure, very nice, still compared to the silver coin it doesn't measure up. Is its energy weaker? No the feeling it gives off is much weaker.

"Come along Wei, Chen Ping," with a casual jump he soared through the air and landed gracefully on the boat. The action was effortless and was quickly mimicked by Xing. Chen Ping looked at the boat seemingly trying to figure out a way to get on board Wei on the other was thinking of whether he should just up and leave.

He really didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. Lady Seer and Madam Song would surely get the news soon if they hadn't already. Still, it bothered him greatly a fact that Zixin seemed to see. "Wei, you will have a chance to do whatever it is you need to do and say whatever it is you need to say. The ties we had in the mortal world usually have little effect on our future paths but there are always exceptions.

You will have a chance to return if you survive the trial." That's not ominous at all. What trial? I guess I'll find out later. The information Madam Song was supposed to give me will have to wait until I return.

"Senior Zixin I need help," as soon as he said the words a sharp wave of self-loathing and disgust hit him as if he had lowered himself to the level of a beggar.

I really need to get access to more knowledge. The treasure may still have some sentience left. It has been warping my personality more noticeably than the first time.

The boat floated downwards until it touched the ground. As soon as the two chosen got on, the boat shot towards the sky and quickly disappeared.

High above the clouds, the magical boat zoomed across the sky towards lands unknown. The wind howled every so often as it blew past the boat and added sharp bursts of cold that chilled Wei to the bone. Looking around for anything to distract himself Wei quickly came to the realization that he would be very bored for the majority of the trip. He had not a single thing to amuse him. The only things he had were the clothes on his back and his purse full of coins. Everything else including his painting materials and books he had left behind.

He couldn't even talk to anyone.

As soon as they had started flying Xing had taken Chen Ping to a corner of the boat and had been speaking to him ever since. Zixin, on the other hand, was sitting cross-legged on the bow of the boat seemingly in deep meditation.

Meditation is something that cultivators do often. I should get try and get used to it.

Watching his step Wei walked to the front of the large boat and observed Zixin for a while then he sat next to him. The bow of the boat easily accommodated them. Wei sat still and cross-legged for what felt like a long time but when he opened his eyes the sky was still as dark.

For a short while, Wei tried to focus his mind and meditate but to no avail. Slowly he allowed his thoughts to wander and contemplated many things; his painting, gambling, Madam Song, Lady Seer, mental qi, and cultivation. Unconsciously he started resolving his mental qi and entered a state of deep meditation.

Deep as he was in his meditation Wei didn't hear his name being called until the fifth time Zixin did so. "Yes, Senior Zixin what is it?" He asked. "Enough of your games child the next time Senior Zixin calls on you and you don't answer immediately I will teach you a lesson you won't forget," Xing threatened. Before Wei could even think of a response Zixin who was standing next to him raised a hand "Peace Xing. You will not speak this way to him again or I will punish you. Do not undo the progress you have made by falling into bad habits" While Zixins voice was kind his message was hard as iron and Xing hurriedly bowed and asked forgiveness.

"You question why I was so sharp with you," When Xing made to interrupt Zixin continued on unhurried "This child is special. In just a few days he entered deep meditation. He did nothing wrong and yet you took him to be faking. Did you stop to question why he would even do such a thing? Think before you act and if you are angry think thrice. Understand?"

Xing bowed his head once more and went to stand next to Chen Ping. Wei meanwhile was shocked by what he heard. Deep meditation what is that? Several days without food how is that possible with my body I wouldn't last a day.

When Wei voiced his thoughts Zixin explained that the reason he had been able to last was due to fasting pills. A single pill left one without the need for food and water for two weeks. Deep meditation helped cultivators to absorb and replenish true qi faster as well as understand magical techniques quicker and later on even meditate on the concepts of the laws faster. When Wei asked him what the laws were exactly Zixin laughed at him "It will do you little good to know now, when it is time to know you will. Until then focus on the upcoming trial."

"And what trial exactly will we be undertaking Senior Zixin," asked Chen Ping. Wei listened carefully as he would also be participating in these 'trials'. This time it was Xing who spoke up "The blood trial is a proving ground where Chosen fight with dangerous mortal criminals and mercenaries to the death. The winners will have a chance to join the top sects and cults without having to go through any examinations or needing any references as for the losers;" he turned his head to look Wei in the eyes "they die."

Although he wasn't threatening Wei he was blatantly provoking him but since Zixin didn't rebuke him again he smiled taking his small victory.

What a petty guy. No wonder he needs special training. Why else would it be called the blood trials? Still, I will have to do a lot of research before then so as to make the most of my mental qi.

"The trials will occur in a month and that is why by coming with me you will have a great fortune.

The first is that I will take you early to the House of Survival so that you awaken early and have ample time to train and prepare for the trials and second I will take you to a place where you will see the pinnacle of power in the Enlightened Realm so that you may feel an earnest desire to seek it," he said this his voice heavy and terrible.

"Now be silent all of you and prepare your hearts and minds. For tomorrow we see the birth of a False God."

The entire boat became as silent as a graveyard and only the odd howl of the wind could be heard that night. It was as if the words Zixin had spoken had affected everyone inexplicably. The rest of the night the question of where they were going and what a False God was agitated Wei like an itch he couldn't scratch so to distract himself he tried to enter deep meditation again. Two hours later and he hadn't made any progress. Giving up for the time being Wei laid down on the cold wooden floor of the boat and watched the stars. They shone and glittered like gems full of power beckoning Wei towards them and feeling tired he did.

For the second time in as many days, Wei woke up to his name being called. This time he woke up before any repetition it still didn't stop him from being annoyed at being woken up so early. "Were you in deep meditation again?" Chen Ping mocked. It seemed that he had joined Xing in his dislike of Wei for no apparent reason. Wei paid him no heed the entire trip Xing had been conversing with Chen Ping it was no surprise they shared the same opinion of him. The only thing he could pay attention to was the movement of his mental qi. Before in the presence of Zixin Wei's mental qi had been a bit skittish and sluggish but now it roiled and seethed in excitement. Wei searched for the cause but couldn't find it.

While searching he immediately he noticed that the boat was now surrounded by a thin blue dome of true qi. No wonder I could sleep at all. Otherwise considering how damn cold it was last night there's no way I could've dozed off.

"We are entering the Shattered grove. For your own sake know your limits if you don't then your mind will shatter like glass and I won't be able to save you."

With those final foreboding words, the boat flew towards the Shattered Grove.