The Third Realm - Chapter 5 preview (Patreon)

The next day, much to Wu Ying’s and Pan Chen’s disappointment, was dedicated not to further exploration of the jian but an introduction for Wu Ying to the village’s archives on bloodlines. The building, to his surprise, was not located within the village itself, but a short distance away in a cave hidden behind a powerful illusion formation.

It took them nearly an hour to bypass the formation and allow Wu Ying into the exterior annex, where glowing spirit lamps shed light on bare stone tables. A series of books and scrolls had been laid out in anticipation of Wu Ying’s arrival, each of them detailing the clan’s research into bloodlines.

“And this section,” the attendant, a wizened old woman pointed, “is our manuals on Body Cleansing.”

“I… did not ask for that,” Wu Ying said.

“And yet, here they are.” The attendant waved Wu Ying away, before stomping off back towards the other door, rapping on it sharply. “If you have trouble… don’t call!”

“Thank you, Elder.” Wu Ying called out, watching them disappear through the doorway. After a second, he laughed to himself and started browsing through the documentation. Bloodline first, since he had always found a lot of information on that area not as useful for his particular situation.

Hours passed, a serving of steamed buns allowed him to deal with the hunger, while he kept reading. One scroll and manual after the other, long discussions about immortality, musings on changes and dry recordings of what had happened passing by, all mixed with lengthy notations about herbal baths, variations in spiritual herbs, pills and even various spiritual springs.

For the most part, Wu Ying skimmed, attempting to gain an overview. Certain manuals and scrolls, he set aside. Mental notes about attempts or variations that he might look into deeper. Variations in location, in the process and conceptual ideas he absorbed and added to his understanding of bloodlines.

Bloodlines were an esoteric subject matter, partly because bloodlines were rare, had a tendency to appear or form or disappear from a variety of circumstances. Tou He and the dragon blood he had provided the other man might have enacted a bloodline change in his friend. Or it could have just improved his body and cultivation without making the kind of fundamental change required.

Spirit Beasts who intermingled with humans, achieving a level of transformation that allowed them to procreate were almost always guaranteed to pass along part of their bloodline to their children. It was almost certain that that had been what had happened with Liu Ping’s ancestors.

However, bloodlines and their strength faded soon after the initial progeny. Grandchildren might only exhibit minor variations in features, in chi or physical characteristics. By the time great-grandchildren arrived, the bloodline might have faded significantly, only triggered by circumstance or alchemy.

The process of triggering a bloodline, forcing its evolution was an interesting study and it was in here that Wu Ying found the research done by the clan particularly useful. It seemed that the process of bloodline strengthening came about due to two different processes.

In bestial bloodlines like Liu Ping’s, a bloodline when awakened could evolve, growing stronger much like Spirit Beasts grew stronger through the process of living, fighting and consuming others. The simple process of being the creatures that they were, accepting the dao of their own existence, would see them evolve and ascend in time.

When individuals had such bloodlines, the goal was to create an environment, to feed the slumbering bloodline the necessary spiritual herbs to produce such an evolution. Knowing the type of bloodline and the beasts involved would, in a manner similar to Body Cleansing, see its progress. In many ways, such practices began to thread the line between Body Cleansing and bloodline development, since both could evolve an individual, potentially even seeing ascension to being an immortal.

This was entirely unlike the bloodline progression that happened with immortal bloodlines or those that were by themselves already highly evolved – not requiring further evolution. Humans, in many ways, culd be considered such beings – not requiring an evolution of their bloodlines to grow stronger. Or at least, that could be argued. Others did not agree, since what was Body Cleansing and the evolution of meridians but an evolution of the body?

However, and what was important to Wu Ying; was the fact that dragons were – generally – considered to be like immortals. Already highly evolved, or at the apex of immortality, already perfected by the Dao and as such, unable to progress further. The documents theorized then, in great detail, that in such cases, the next best thing was not to attempt a bloodline evolution but instead, to gather such bloodlines together.

With dragons or phoenixes, or immortals, one just needed to gather and refine such blood. The village had, of course, looked at arranging marriages to do so. However, that was, obviously after so much time, insufficient.

Instead, spiritual herbs, alterations to Body Cultivation techniques and the process of infusing such immortal blood – which, eventually, was reproduced within a body – was the goal. All of it, to enhance the production of such blood and improve the concentration.

“So that’s why the Body Cultivation techniques are here,” Wu Ying muttered, glancing over at the other pile. Since Body Cultivation required the cleansing and replacement of parts, as one strengthened the body, turning it into a treasure or element, the very processes and techniques could be adapted to concentrate an immortal bloodline.

He just had to work out which ones worked for him, how they worked with his own Body Cultivation technique which was based upon his Wind Body and then adapt it all.

In theory.

Exhaling, Wu Ying rubbed his eyes. More studying, more testing, more pain. More expense. Because, of course, he would definitely make mistakes. And such mistakes would hurt him. And his pocketbook.

In truth, he was not entirely sure which hurt him more – the physical pain or the one from his pocketbook.

***

More sword practice the next day, finding the beat and rhythm of movement, finding the beauty and joy in the jian rather than elegant simplicity. Seeing the weapon for more than just a weapon. Showing and working with Pan Chen details of his own style, improving upon it together with the child, watching him stride ahead with Wu Ying desperately attempting to catch up.

Manuals, tossed from his ring as distraction, while the child studied and he practiced the new movements, discerning the dozens of options that each new change offered. Desperately practicing, varying each movement so that he could continue the conversation.

Learning, more than teaching, except for the occasional moment. Where age and experience, differences in skills and body types and hard-won experience revealed gaps in Pan Chen’s knowledge. A position that might lead to a takedown, a shoulder charge or a spit in the eye from someone all too close.

A day of training, learning and then…

Revelations.

“Exactly why do we both have to be using this at the same time?” Wu Ying grumbled. He looked around him, a stone cavern heated by bubbling hot springs in the center, running off down one side of the sloped hollow. The water was fed into two individual circular wooden hot tubs – the only two of the four currently occupied – both of which smelled in terms divine and earthy and musky.

“That’s because of the formations,” Liu Ping said, raising one languid and much more muscular arm to point at the flags and enchantments inscribed all around the top of the cavern. “They take a lot of spirit stones to empower.”

Wu Ying sighed, but he had to admit; they were right. Still, it was rather disconcerting to be lounging in the bath with the woman. Especially considering they were both in their small clothes. Or so he assumed – he certainly was. Liu Ping had been inside her tub when he had arrived and he certainly made sure not to look too closely.

“So, that herbal bath. It’s the same one you’ve always used?” Wu Ying said, casting around for a topic.

“For the most part. I had the majority of the herbs available, but was missing a few items. The village was kind enough to offer me the use of their stock and suggested some replacements.” She traced her fingers along the water, picking up a floating flower and regarding it in hand. “It feels… good.”

“Good?”

“It’s warm. Makes me relaxed, and… hungry.” There was something dark in her eyes as she stared at Wu Ying. He gulped, uncertain if she meant to eat him or… well. Eat him.

“I’m not Tou He. Don’t have food for you…” He trailed off, remembering what he had in his storage rings. “Well, beyond travel rations.”

She made a face. Travel rations – dried sausage and jerky, dried tofu skin, compressed meat and fat and soybeans or hardened bread – were necessary for the times when you needed it. But no one wanted to eat it. Not if they had a choice. Especially after spending so long travelling as they had.

“It’s fine. They’ll bring food for me,” Liu Ping said, waving a hand languidly. She swam over to one side of her big bath tub, stood up and reached over the side. Wu Ying’s eyes widened a little and he turned away, since she had begun to flash a decent amount of skin when she did that. “And I always bring my own.” When he did not answer, she added. “Catch!”

The wind informed him of what was moving, coming over at high speed. He raised a hand, not looking over since the wind had also informed him that she had stood up to throw it. The bao landed in his hand, squishing a little as the outer, soft white covering compressed, before he took it in hand. The smell of mixed steamed flour with just the hint of bamboo from being steamed and the glazed mushroom made him smile. Along with the steamed flour, a muskier, female scent lingered on the meal in a roll that he held, one that was enticing for a man who had been… abstinent for a while.

A long while.

“Thank you,” he called out.

“You’re no fun.”

A splash as she had sat down. Not looking at her helped, but the wind had a way of letting him picture things that he did not see, the flow of liquid and warmth, the rising steam from the body as she stood up. Her smell, so close and exciting…

“Teasing me is fun?” Wu Ying said, turning around to rest his arm and head on the edge of the hot tub.

“Why not?” She grinned. “Why deny what fun we can have? When our lives could end tomorrow?”

“Is that all then, for you? Eating, drinking, sleeping, bathing, having fun?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Remembering what he knew of her bloodline, how she could ascend further… and her own professed disinterest in immortality, he found himself without an adequate answer.

“Nothing. But that’s not for me.”

“Of course. Immortality – or the journey towards it. Why?”

“Why do I want to be immortal?” Brows drawn together, his voice grew contemplative. “You know, I asked myself that when I first got the chance. Back then, it was to explore. To make the most of the opportunity that was given to me. Because, really, it was never something I had a chance at. A mere peasant, becoming a full immortal? What a joke.

“But now….”

“Now?” Curious now, more than ever. Her voice grew lower, huskier.

“Now, I’d like to be immortal to continue doing what I’ve done.” Wu Ying said, softly.

“Meddling in kingdoms? Fighting Core Formation cultivators?”

“Seeing the world.” Wu Ying raised his hand, watching water trickle off it and land in the tub. Listened to the wind, as it told him the secrets that the village probably never realized he was learning. Secrets that they might not even know, for the earth, the wood and the heat, they all spoke to him. “Experiencing it. There’s so much to learn, and see and do.”

She made a low deep throated noise of encouragement.

“An immortal bloodline, hidden in a village of clansmen and…” He trailed off, choosing not to discuss what else he believed to be here. “Wandering cultivators, a rebellion, conspiracies and abandoned monasteries…

“Wonders. Large and small.”

“You make it almost sound enticing.” Liu Ping murmured. Then, he heard another splash, then burbling of water rising from the hot tub as she let it wash over before she pushed upwards. “But sleeping and eating seems more enjoyable.”

Wu Ying snorted, but could not help but smile a little at the girl. At least she had come to her own realization of what she wanted. Even if, it seemed, a lot of her new personality might be driven by her bloodline.

And, he suspected, a portion of that was because she no longer desired to fight, to struggle, as her grief pulled her in.

“Yes, ma’am.”

***

Day after day, step by step. Wu Ying studied, tested and bathed. Practised with Pan Chen, as he expanded upon his style with the aid of the prodigy. Treaded closer to the Heart of his jian and worked his fingers deep into the earth as he grew new spirit herbs and harvested others.

Everything that he learnt, he used to expand his own skills, his own world. New formations, that helped secure greenhouses were added to his World Spirit Ring. Blocks of rock, taken from long sojourns across the hills beside one of the Pan sisters, dropped into the ring and carved with new enchantments. Secured and arranged, to increase the bounty within.

Wind herbs, drawn forth from his ring, added to his herbal baths as he tested new Body Cultivation mixtures. Dragon bone mixtures, hundred year old ginseng, mandrake roots… all meant to enhance the growth and development of the immortal bloodline within himself. To help concentrate and enhance its properties.

No guarantee that it’d improve and develop the wind dragon blood within himself. In fact, as the pixiu had mentioned, it was unlikely to benefit him. Yet, he had to try.

And all the while, he continued his Body Cultivation practice. Though, the herbal baths were only marginally useful for now. Body Cultivation, after the initial stages was unlike Soul Cultivation in its lack of proper gradiations in strength and development.

In the initial stage, to achieve an Elemental Body – or the first major stage of Body Cultivation – one had to replace portions of one’s body, starting from blood, stomach and digestive organs, other organs, skin, muscle, bone and then finally nerves and meridians.

After that, once one had achieved the complete replacement, one would achieve the elemental body. Wu Ying had, mostly, skipped the process thanks to his bloodline and injury – doing the entire thing at once, and only having to refine and clear out minor portions that had not been completed properly.

Each step after the first major milestone of achieving an Elemental Body saw a Minor, Mid, Major and Perfected level of perfection.

After that though, the gradations of development varied. Just having a Perfected Elemental Body meant nothing, since it just made one receptive the development of the aspects of the element for later. And what aspects and how far varied depending on the type of elemental body chose to build upon.

It was why a good Body Cultivation manual was important, and why it was so expensive. Since the next steps not only involved ensuring the body did not regress, but also one enhanced the elements. In the five elements, the inclusion of the elemental spiritual herbs in baths, tonics and foodstuff helped progress the body further, allowing it to slowly take on more and more aspects of the element.

In his case, due to wind formations being what it was – he needed both a mixture of wood and fire aspected herbs, wind aspected herbs and most importantly; the movement techniques that helped him gain a closer understanding and immersion of the various wind chis.

However, whilst he was able to achieve and draw in the five winds, he was unable to touch upon the sixth and seventh winds – heaven and hell. It was only recently that he had begun to find traces of the heavenly wind, and in finding those traces, begin to absorb it and make it part of his own body.

The sixth wind, heaven’s, body movements were different. It had always been rigid and yet, expansive. Movements took up the entirety of the space he was within, as though Heaven’s wind had always meant to expand, and expand, and expand further. Yet, rather than the circular movements of the central or the harsh, explosive attacks of the north, or the energetic movements of the east that blew hard and soft, the Heavenly form was rigid.

Only now, glimpsing heaven on earth, the order that was required to provide rain when necessary, the rise of the sun and the turning of the seasons; for humanity to grow and prosper did Wu Ying begin to grasp. And so, in the embodiment of the Heavenly movement… grow.

The changes, now that he could incorporate the very element into his body saw subtle differences. He grew more flexible, more explosive, faster. Lighter. Using the Earthly Body, Heavenly Soul method grew ever easier it seemed, as he developed.

One day, perhaps, he would be as light as a feather, dancing along the clouds. But for now…

For now, he could but move like the winds of the Twelve Eastern Gales.

Day after day, step by step, Wu Ying grew in strength till days became weeks and then weeks, months. The world turned outside the village, and rumblings of uprisings, of army posts deserted or destroyed trickled in. Yet, in their valley; their lives passed without disturbance.

Till spring finally crept forwards.

And the time for growth and contemplation ended and the greater price for their aid came due.