INTO THE FIRE/ THE CRYSTAL CAVES

I could hear birds…strange…I hated the outdoors.

I sighed, feeling dust flutter on the ground I was lying across. How strange, when was the last time I had been outside at all?

Ever since my illness settled into my spine and took my ability to walk for very long, I had spent less and less time doing all the things outdoors I loved— that was when I was fifteen…it had been ten years since then, and 25 years old and an introverted shut-in was not what I had in mind.

But it was what it was, and I had been determined to squeeze a little joy out of my life no matter what, so I turned to video games, cultivation games being my specialty. I had read every story, played every game, studied every source for my obsession. And had spent much time having to sit during my treatments to meditate and focus on my Qi. I lay with my eyes closed, thinking it all a dream— that is still a splash of ice-cold water dropped onto my face.

"WAH!" I bolted upright and looked around, "Wait��where am I?" I shifted my weight a bit and glanced down at my body.

Now half lying in a stone cavern on the bank of a large lake. I was soaked, probably just spat out from the body of water behind me quite recently.

I paused, and tugged at myself.

But I wasn't in the same clothing I had worn.

Long robes of magenta and white swayed about my body— and my hair, what once was sheared short due to my condition requiring the least maintenance— was now flowing on the ground like rivulets of ink. "whoa…wait…did what just happened…like…actually happen?" Pausing I took stock of myself and looked about."

The scenery was something even I could dream of, vast swatches of green and along with darker shades and bright yellow highlights of dancing sunlight through the canopy above.

The lake was fed by a mountain stream cascading down in a waterfall to the right of where I sat, light mist from the falls cooling my skin. Closing my eyes I inhaled the scent of mountain flowers and herbs crushed underfoot.

"Did I get sent to the game world!?"

Suddenly I gasped and felt herself all over, realizing I could feel my legs. "C-can I…" moving them was stiff; it felt as if boulders were on my legs, and it pained my joints to move from a long time of being unused. But move them, I did as tears swamped my vision. "Okay, calm down, Chyou, first. Let's figure out where we are; if this is a game, there must be a system, right?"

I couldn't think of anything to do after waving my arms, pressing the air in front of my and looking about my personage did not lead to bringing it up.

((Wait, this is about Cultivation…)) With a deep breath and closing my eyes, I thought of my quiet inner self. "System!"

Light exploded before me, and for a moment, I thought I would get sucked back into my old world, but a square with information on it blinked at my transparent.

Chyou Liú

Age: 18

Height: 152.4 cm

Cultivation Potential: 0

Attributes: Cursed Body

Skills: Pain Tolerance, Charisma, Kind Soul, Gentle Touch, Enamored Aura

"Wait…what?" I blinked a bit, and shook my head, and re-read the attributes; there weren't other panels, and from what I could see, I was starting at rock bottom! I tried to shake the sense of foreboding off of me— this was not about to stop me. Sitting down, I breathed in and focused on Qi. I attempted to pull it in from around me, but I could feel it halt halfway and explode outward as if repelled whenever I tried.

"Oh my…" I said deadpan. "I guess I do have a cursed body…"

Sighing, I glanced up at the darkening sky, realizing it was about to rain. "I need food…and I also need water, which is already taken care of." I glanced at the crystal clear pool and noted that it was potable. "Thank goodness for being in this…" I glanced around, "mountainside." Noting there were fruit trees in bloom, I got up haltingly with the cramping in my legs; gathering a couple armfuls of peaches was exhausting, and I found herself collapsing in the cave nearby, panting from exertion. "I am so weak…" I felt tears trickle past my eyes, "I need to get stronger."

Eating a peach and savoring the brightness from the fruit, I sighed and glanced about the cave. Something about it just was—odd?

I scooted herself on the floor to the back where light from the setting sun allowed me to see better, and within moments I spotted something glowing.

"What's this?" I pulled what looked like a manual from the rubble. "Whoa! A manual! Let me see…"

Here is the manual from the Tayi Sect. I noted blood upon the outside and gulped; what had happened to the owners of this manual? Alongside it was a small glowing stone buried amongst the rocks and debris. It looked like there had been a camping party of some kind— the residue was a fire pit, and off to the side, there were a few packs tucked away into the crevice of the rock formation. "To anyone who finds this— we fear we are the last of our Sect. Should you need to learn Cultivation, come to the Pass of Enlightenment to meet your Masters. - Qiu Si"

I tapped on the glowing orb and gasped when a small water creature bubbled up from the rock. "Hmm?" It gurgled in harmonious tunes of liquid. "Am I awake?" Yawning wide as its form began to shift in and out of solidity and fluid, it glanced at me. "Are you my new master?"

"I-I don't know, what are you?" I asked, poking at the creature.

"I am a System! I was placed here and told to wait for my master— since you have woken me up, I need to initiate to see if you are indeed them."

A series of electrical sounding noises and a cascade of grid-like light patterns enveloped me, who sat perfectly still.

The creature lit up with energy, "you ARE my master!" Bubbling up in what appeared to be a jump, it swirled around me excited, "hello master! It is so good to see you, I have waited many years to meet you a— wait…" glaring at me suddenly the creatures water began to boil as if mad. "What on earth happened to your body master? You are hurt! How is it you came to be cursed!"

I sighed and felt defeated, "I don't know. I only just got here little spirit."

"Hmm, well, I suppose there is nothing for us to do but this." They were engulfed in what looked like white space; it went on forever in all directions.

"Where am I?"

"Spirit space." The creature puffed up proud. "This is a space for you to suspend time and learn to do what is needed to cultivate and become who you truly are."

"Who am I truly, though?"

The creature shook its head, "only you can know that, my lady. Now let's see your Karmic Currency…whoa!"

I glanced around them, "what is it— wait, TWENTY MILLION?!"

The little spirit bounced around with glee, "my master had accumulated so much Currency!"

"Wait, I don't think I did anything that deserving in my past life…" I fidgeted in my chair and blushed deep. "Did I?"

"Let's see," the creature pulled up what looked like a screen and rewound backward— "you've always given smiles to people who needed it, you helped others even though you were in pain yourself, even through treatment you were always donating half of your money to children who were hungry as well."

"It's only because I had so much…" I rubbed my arms, feeling self-confident, "it's how it should have been."

"My lady, if I may be so bold, a life of suffering and yet spending what little you have on being joyful and giving joy to others— that in itself is worthy of much good Karma."

I felt herself choke up. "S-so little spirit, are you saying all that suffering meant something?"

I watched the fast forward of those last years, all the needles, all the straightening of muscles where it was twisted with the fascial distortion method. The inability to stroll gets worse and worse, and I could see an outsider attempting to garner happiness. The patience and kindness that emanated from my old face.

Sighing and feeling a bit more at peace, I wiped my tears, "thank you."

"You're welcome. However, it appears you were brought over. And with that, part of your condition blocked your Meridians. You have Qi stored inside; it appears you did much Tu Na. A-and wait a moment, you can do Taixi!?"

"Wait, that's Embryonic breathing? I could never do that in my past life, it just wasn't possible, but, I did Tu Na as part of my at-home treatment."

But the spirit was waving me off. "No, my lady, look!" They pulled up the screen they had, "see here— you have to do Embryonic Breathing exercises rather than Tu Na, it will bring you closer to nature, for some reason— your body is cursed and with it trying to garner Qi through normal means will not be possible. Something to do with your lungs."

I blanched…did my illness follow me to this world?

I shuddered and tried to think of something else.

"How do you have more information?" I asked, poking the screen in front of me.

Spirit danced around in liquid form, looking happy, "it is my job. And once you reach Foundation Building, you can call upon items and objects from your old world to help you here!"

"Whoa, really?" I gasped and smiled; that sounded amazing!

"And once you reach Core Formation, I will have stock of many items you can purchase to assist you on your journey. But first— master, I need a name and a form!"

"Wait, a name?" I sighed and thought for a moment. "I shall name you Jia."

"And my form?"

I thought about it some more and smiled.

With a poof, a broad foreboding mix of wolf and Tibetan mastiff sat before me with white fur and red markings.

"My lady, you have quite the imagination," Jia said with a sardonic expression. "But I am here to serve you and, think of a human form that I may assist you when needed."

I did as asked, and before me stood a lovely white-haired girl with red eyes and porcelain skin, her robes hung in black and red about her as her hair piled high in ornaments. "Very nice!" Jia said with a whistle, "this is the first time I will be female. I find this quite pleasing."

I smiled.

"Now…the hard part…we need to open your Meridians and get rid of the blockage, it will not get rid of the curse on your body, but with the scroll, you found hopefully you can do Embryonic Breathing but can formulate a core as well. My lady, this shall be painful. Are you ready? And after we must head deeper into the cave."

I inhaled and nodded, "yes, I am."

I was far from ready— my entire body felt as if it were being burned alive.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After what seemed an eternity of burning, I was flung back into regular space with a thunk.

Jia caught me and set me upright. "Good job, my lady!"

"T-thank you, Jia. W-wait, it's night time; how long were we in Spirit Space?"

"Oh…well…about a day," pausing, Jia glanced around, suddenly interested. "Do you realize where we are?"

"A cave?"

"No, my lady, these are the crystal caves! Remember what I said prior about having to go deeper? I think there is something hidden in here."

"Aren't crystals supposed to be pretty?" I said, getting up much easier this time around. "Ahhh, I haven't been able to walk in such a long time." I took a few experimental steps and smiled. "Ready, Jia?"

Taking the beast form assigned, Jia gave a nod and wagged my tail, "Yes, my lady."

Walking along the narrow path with a ball of water hovering above them, as moonlight started to trickle in from the holes in the ceiling, I began to understand why this was called the crystal caves.

The light had fragmented off the rock and shot across, illuminating what had looked like ordinary stone burst forth with rainbow faceted color. Slowly it spread through the entire cavern till their way was lit entirely.

Jia mused to herself, "hmm, well, this seems a bit easier than I thought, but I doubt we shall not run into any danger. This appears to be an Immortal Cave."

They had finally reached the bottom of a flight of steps that opened to a vast underground space. "Oh my…" I walked forward and could see a manual floating in what was spiritual water in the center, a shaft of moonlight beaming down on it. It swirled and danced when I got closer. "It's so pretty!" I said, smiling.

Jia nudged my foreword with a big fuzzy headbutt.

I nodded and reached out; within moments, the water engulfed me and sank into my skin, the manual floating into my hands and falling open.

"It' 's blank?"

"You will only be able to see it in spirit space," Jia said with reassurance. "Come on, I think I see a way out!" But as they continued on, Jia made a comment that caused a bit of concern. "Ah, so it is an Immortal Cave."

I stopped and balked at an entryway I had bumped into, a gate made of crystal stone shining rainbow in the moonlight from the open cavern above.

"Isn't an Immortal Cave a place that is abundant with energy?" I stopped, "am I in someone's HOME?!"

"You are a little fairy." A deep voice said from behind me in a bored tone.

Gasping, I spun and kowtowed, "this foolish girl did not mean to stumble upon your home."

A black shoe was all I could see peeking up from my hair. The black-haired man before my was trying not to smile behind his fan, floor-length locks pulled high upon his head and encased in gold ornament, while red and white robes flowed on an unnatural wind that blew through. Jia sat quietly, watching but lowered herself when my master glared from under my arms.

"I find myself surprised you managed to get your hands upon the manual cursed one."

I gulped and held it out, forehead still pressed into the dirt, "please take it back. I am no there. I apologize for offending you! Please show mercy!"

A chuckle, "I have lived here for many a century, and yet no one has visited me." Sighing, he sat, took a few steps back. "That manual is not my own. Even I could not have gotten it, and believe me, I have tried."

Suddenly I could feel the fan under my chin pulling my head up to meet crystal green eyes that shined like the stone around them. "What a beautiful spirit of Bodhisattva you have.

"N-not me, I am not worthy of such praise." I kept my eyes downcast for fear of making this obviously powerful, being angry.

Sighing, the man stood back up, "on your feet, little fairy."

I did as asked, dusting my robes off and glancing at him occasionally. "T-thank you."

"You need a place to stay for the moment?" He asked.

"Y-yes…"

"Feel free to stay in the guest quarters," his tone bored as he walked back into the estate, the gate opening as if by magic, "come on now, I am sure the cooks will have something made for you already."

Jia and I glanced at each other; each raised their eyebrow as Jia changed into my human form and followed my master in.

"I think my mother once said not to take invites from strangers." I muttered to Jia.

"Your mother is a sagacious person," the man said in his tone of long-suffering patience, "but fear not, I am not an evil being." A glimmer of mischief in his gaze, "I promise." A broad smile now that dazzled the two of them.

((Oh my god, how is he this hot?!))

Jia glanced at my master and nudged them forward till they reached on the opposite side of the courtyard a small home, "here is where guests stay. Enjoy your visit, little fairy."

"It's Chyou."

He paused, glancing over his shoulder, "I am simply known as Jinhai."

I bowed with my hands clasped with respect.

A soft chuckle again, and he was gone.

"W-wait where'd he go?"

Within moments they were sucked into Spirit Space.

"MY LADY, DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT WAS?!" Jia screeched into the void.

"No! Obviously not!"

"He is the legendary Jinhai of the Crystal Mountain, otherwise known as the Mountain Guardian!"

Wiggling a pinky in my ear, I tried to look impressed, "so he's that popular?"

"More like powerful, he's already reached, Nascent Soul!! And already has his golden core!"

"So that means soon he will be immortal?"

"Yes." Was the simple answer.

"It was a good thing I was not insolent; losing face in front of someone like that would not be a good thing for me." Sighing, I sat down in vast emptiness.

"Indeed, it is as you say, but first, let us put that aside and look at that manual!"

Perking up, I pulled out the manual and opened it. "You who were brought from water, with water's mystical nature in your blood. Learn well these teachings, and be just for all. Like the river flow of the mountain. Cut rock or iron, cut through any who lay in your path to do you or others harm." I pondered for a moment before opening the manual and seeing the instructions. "These are done with embryonic breathing." I sighed, "where can I do that?"

"I am sure we can find a garden for you to relax in, but for now, your body needs sustenance."

"Right, I am ravenous." Nodding together, they left the spiritual space and noted that already platters of fresh fruits, baked bread, and stew were waiting on the table.

"W-what happens when I am in this space?"

Jia looked sheepish, "well you kind of look spaced out or like you're meditating."

"Spaced out?"

"That is, if you don't close your eyes, someone could wave their hand in your face, and you wouldn't react."

Groaning, I covered my face, "as if I weren't already dying of embarrassment!!"

"Come on, master!" Jia said, smiling, "let us eat and then get you cultivating!"