[Tian] 1:24 (Patreon)

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LIUFAN TIAN STOOD BEFORE HER… FRIEND?

She wasn’t sure what to say; this was their third time meeting— it was the same place as before. By the zakra tree, shedding its beautiful leaves at the turn of the season. Xuan didn’t say anything either.

In fact, the other girl’s attention was fixed on the tree itself. She was inspecting it, as if there was something she could see which Tian couldn’t. And perhaps there was. Tian was not a Cultivator, while Xun had already ascended, becoming a Bloom at such a young age.

And that was why the two girls were meeting. Because Xun had promised Tian to teach her how to become a proper Cultivator. As much as Liufan Tian enjoyed mother’s lessons, she didn’t feel like she had progressed much from it. She was learning things, but not really learning things at the same time.

Was Tian being impatient? She thought so— but she believed Xun’s words when the other girl said she would help. After all, the last time they met, Tian was taught that she was thinking of Qi wrong.

Before, she believed that Qi was almost a physical thing. She believed that her meridians were no different from the veins that run through her body. Tian thought that Qi flowed in her blood. And that her core was in some place near her stomach.

But no— Tian had never received formalized lessons. What she was taught by mother had always been so abstract, she never really understood it. So, when she learned that Qi was an ethereal thing— that it was a manifestation of her soul, gifted by the Dao to every Cultivator, she had been completely caught by surprise.

“Do you mean that Qi isn’t actually ours?” Liufan Tian has asked, wide-eyed.

“Well, it is ours. Simply put, ascension and cultivating ourselves puts us one step closer to becoming one with the Dao. Once you become a Spring, your soul and the Dao are intertwined.”

Xun’s explanation was slightly confusing, but ultimately comprehensible. Perhaps it was due to how similar in age both were. Regardless, that conversation had happened the last time they met.

Right now, neither had said anything to each other apart from their greetings. Maybe I should say something? Tian fought over the thought. She would have spoken more, but Xun immediately turned her attention to the tree. What’s so fascinating about it, anyway? Zakra trees are all over our sect.

Tian crosses her arms, feeling a sense of displeasure building in her chest. It feels like it wants to simmer up, and escape through a sigh or a huff, or anything else to make it clear that she was annoyed. But she suppressed it.

She glanced up at Xun’s back— as the other girl leaned forward and tapped the wood of the tree. There was another reason why Tian agreed to let Xun mentor her. Beyond just the necessities of it to become a proper Cultivator. Tian… kind of liked being around Xun—

The other girl spun around, and Liufan Tian immediately averted her gaze.

“So,” Xun said and placed a hand on her chin, “I think this is good enough.”

Tian blinked, looking up at her with a puzzled expression. “This is good enough… for what?”

The other girl stepped back, puffing up her chest as she placed her hands on her hips. “I want you to observe this tree.”

“Observe… the tree?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “One of the most important things you need to cultivate your coore and unlock your Qi is to understand how Qi works. As I told you last time, your Qi comes from the Dao. It is your connection between the Dao and your soul. The same goes for every living being in this world. Even the trees.” Gesturing for Tian to step forward, she spoke softly. “Go ahead.”

The girl hesitated. Would it really work? She approached the zakra tree’s trunk, stopping beside Xun who placed a hand on her shoulder. Her face went red— it burned so much, she wasn’t sure if she could concentrate on anything but the other girl.

But a soothing voice calmed her. Xun whispered into her ears, leaning forward. “Here, I’ll guide you.” She took hold of Tian’s hand, bringing it to the bark of the tree. Gently clasping her hand over Tian’s, she continued, “Now, I want you to close your eyes and focus. Not on the world around you. But on the tree itself.”

“W-what am I focusing on?” Tian couldn’t help but feel nervous. She stuttered even as she tried to maintain her composure. Mother taught her a few meditative exercises, and yet none of them came to mind at this moment.

“You want to focus on its soul. Think about it: a tree has to breathe, just like me and you. It has to have a way to cycle Qi too, right? It does it in a simpler way than us people. So, starting with observing a tree is better for a Bud.”

The girl listened carefully to Xun’s explanation. She leaned forward, squinting, trying to make out what she could about the tree. She saw the wrinkles running down the wooden trunk— the vibrant brown that was on the surface of every tree. Other than that?

Nothing.

“I... am not sure if I see it, Xun,” Liufan Tian said, apprehension obvious in her voice.

“It’s fine. Just keep focusing.” Xun tried to reassure her. And reassured, Tian felt.

She stood there, focused. She didn’t know how many cycles passed. Just that the world around her slowly began to fade away. All that was left for her was to grasp the soul of the tree. To understand it.

To Tian, the grass was gone. The falling petals of the tree had vanished. The pain— the hardships she had been through— were all left behind. It was just her.

Her and Xun.

The presence of the other girl calmed her. Previously, it made her anxious. But now— now that there were only the two of them— she felt relaxed.

Her breathing slowed. It grew gentle. It fell into a rhythm. In, out, in, out. Except, she wasn’t thinking about it at all. It simply happened; she only had a single thing in her mind, and it was to find the soul of the tree.

Trees. Did they have souls? She never thought about it until now. And now, she was told that they did. Where would they hide their soul? A person’s soul existed in their core. That was where their Qi lay, inert for a Bud, active for a Cultivator.

The Patriarch had said that only people and Sacred Beasts could ascend from a Bud. Those that could control their core. That was what separated them from the rest of nature— from the animals, the plants, the insects. It was why Buds were shunned, forced to work in the fields.

If they couldn’t achieve their true potential as a person, then were they even people?

Liufan Tian didn’t agree with that, but the Patriarch had admonished her for it. He said that she had a skewed perspective— a bias because mother was a Bud. But he told the girl that Tiao was not truly a Bud. That she had ascended to Florescence before.

Mother was a person in his eyes. Just… a person that had disgraced themselves. Hence why she was still in the sect, but not really accepted within.

Regardless, Tian didn’t think that was true. And the idea that trees had souls too only reinforced her belief. The question was: where was its soul being hidden?

My core is close to my abdomen. That was what mother said. In that case… Tian’s eyes grew wide. She saw something shifting within the tree. Almost like a glimmer of light that ran through it.

Qi.

But everything had Qi. Even the air did. It was only when the Qi concentrated on a certain area, did it indicate life.

Where was it going? Tian didn’t know, but she was going to find out. She followed the movement of the Qi. She traced her hand through the bark, going further and further down as the Qi gently and slowly made its way lower and lower.

Her gaze was fixed on this thread, clinging onto it like it was the only semblance of hope she had. And perhaps it was. After all, this was the first time she had ever seen any progress.

The Qi sank down— almost as if into the ground. And for a moment, Tian’s spirits fell. But then there was a glorious light. A bright glow that shone like the Heavens above.

It came from below the tree. Under the roots that dug straight into the earth. It was almost like a sphere— except it was just a gathering of particles of Qi. This… this was its core.

Tian stared at it, a gasp leaving her lips. The core— the soul of a tree— was in its roots? Or close to it. That was where its Qi was stored. At least, in a certain sense of the word ‘stored’.

“You see it, don’t you?” a voice asked.

The girl could almost hear Xun smiling behind her. Tian glanced back up, a giddy feeling running through her body. “I… do?” she said, unsure if she was imagining it or if it actually just happened.

She blinked, rubbing at her eyes as Xun nodded. “You did.” The other girl patted her on the shoulder. “It took a few cycles— but you eventually started to see beyond just the physical manifestation of the tree, and took a look at its true form.”

“True form?” Tian asked, confused.

“Well, that’s just what I like to call it. That’s the form the Dao gave it, right? And the Dao is where we’ll all return to when we die.” Xun scratched the back of her head, not meeting the girl’s gaze.

Liufan Tian didn’t really notice this. She was too busy muttering to herself, mesmerized. “I can see its soul…”

After a moment passed, Xun nodded to herself and took a step back. “Anyways, it’s getting a little bit late. Father would have my head if I took too long to return home… again.”

That broke Tian out of her stupor. It’s getting late? But the Heavens are— She paused as she saw the dimming glow of the Sixth Heaven overhead. “How long have I…?”

“Not that long.” Xun waved a hand off dismissively. “Seriously, you’re quite talented, you know? When I first learned how to see Qi, it took me four cycles! It took you… four and a half maybe? Which is impressive, since what I did was considered impressive!”

Tian blushed, shifting her feet as she said, “Thank you.”

“I honestly don’t know how you haven’t become a Cultivator just yet. Well, you’ll get there. You’ve taken your first steps, and there are more to follow soon. See you again next week, alright?”

The girl nodded, unable to muster up any words, the praise too much for her to handle. Xun turned to leave, and Tian realized she didn’t manage to say farewell the last two times they met. So, as Xun ran down the hill, reaching its base. Liufan Tian took a step forward, and with all her strength, called out.

“Goodbye!”

Xun glanced up, hearing the shout. Tian waved her way, much to the other girl’s surprise. And with a final laugh, she waved back at Tian, heading back to the sect.

***

When Tian returned home to her small hut, she was skipping and humming softly to herself. Tiao pulled her curtain aside, greeting the girl.

“Welcome back, my daughter. You seem to be in a good mood today.”

Tian blinked, and her face immediately turned red. “I was— I… uh…” she sputtered, and nothing that made sense came out.

Her mother smiled, shaking her head. “You do not have to tell me about it, if you do not wish. I am simply happy to see your mood has brightened in recent weeks. Especially when you head out to practice your cultivation, as you claim to have been doing.” Tiao winked, and the girl took a step back defensively.

“I-I have!”

“Have you?” Tiao chuckled, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand. “You’ve never been this enthusiastic when I’m teaching you. Nor are you this way on other days you practice on your own.”

Liufan Tian pursed her lips. Of course mother knew something was different. Despite her degrading health, Tiao was always perceptive. “I’ve just… someone else has been mentoring me.”

Tiao’s smile grew thin, almost teasing. “I see,” she said, nodding. “You know, when I was your age, boys only tried to court us at an older age.”

The girl had a puzzled look on her face for a moment. Then she grew horrified. “She’s just a friend!”

Tiao tilted her head to the side. “She?”

“Yes— she’s been helping teach me to become a Bloom. I was…” The girl bit her lower lip. “I’ve learnt a lot from her! I think it’s because she’s around my age, she can explain things better to me…”

Tian’s mother feigned a shock expression. “Oh, as opposed to my teachings. I see.”

The girl’s eyes grew wide. She took a step forward, opening her mouth to protest. But Tiao smiled once more. It was a kindly smile. The same one she always gave to her daughter.

“I’m just teasing you, my daughter.” Those words were enough to stop Tian from continuing. Her mother raised her head slightly, tapping a finger on her chin. “Although, a girl, huh? That’s a little unusual, but not unheard of.” Tiao shook her head. “As I said before, Tian. I simply wish to see you happy.”

Tian gave a small nod. She walked up to Tiao, hugging her mother tightly. “Thank you, mother.”

Running a hand through the girl’s hair, Tiao replied, “Of course, my daughter. I truly love you and will do anything for you.”

The girl smiled. Her heart felt warm. An odd sensation seemed to burn near her stomach. “I love you too.”

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Author's Notes:

2,400 words. 8k done today. Ez clap. Gib thoughts!