Mana 5 Chapter 2 (Patreon)

Back at what was once the Ying Family Estate, mages from my world were sprawled throughout the courtyard. Most were meditating, but others were practicing and training together in large groups.

We operated far more orderly and militant than the immortals I’d seen so far. Here, they seemed more focused on the individual versus the group, but as immortals, they also had the benefit of time.

In the mortal world, the need to progress quickly was more important. Time wasn’t as lenient for us.

And being in the immortal world hadn’t changed that for me. I still felt a sense of urgency as I stepped across the threshold onto The Alliance’s property, taking in all the mages working in the courtyard.

“Isaac.” Jonny’s round form stuck out among the others, who were far more fit. His fourth rank mana beasts, a serpent of the dark element and a peacock woman of the light element, trailed behind him.

Unlike the city proper, this area was like my home. Mana beasts roamed at the side of their mages doing work and training along with them.

The immortals of this world didn’t bind mana beasts like my home. “Everything alright, Jonny?”

“Perfectly fine. I just know you are getting ready to take off, so I wanted to catch you.” He wrapped me in a massive hug. “I wanted to let you know that I’m heading off too.”

“Really?” I was surprised; it was the first he’d said anything about leaving. “Come with us?”

But he shook his head. “No, if I travel with you, I’ll always be in your shadow. Steve and I are heading over land, towards a far-off city. Wenxi told us about it, a city on a mountain that scrapes the top of the clouds. Cloud City. We want to see it for ourselves.”

“Are you sure?” I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. “You aren’t doing this to avoid another rematch, are you?”

“Ha!” Jonny laughed loud enough to get the attention of the nearby cultivators. “No. I don’t fear you, oh wise head of the Ferrymen.”

It was everything I could do to not roll my eyes. “So be it. Be safe my friend, and I hope we meet again.” I paused before turning back. “If you hear of my father or my family, send word back here to Murdock?”

“Will do.” Jonny gave me a blinding white smile.

Giving my friend another hug, I patted him on the back and kept moving. Steve and Jonny had been my friends since we were young. Watching them go was like losing a bit of home, but I knew they had their own journeys. I truly hoped our paths would cross again.

Pushing aside the pang of their leaving, I kept moving through the estate. Within it were five large buildings. There had been more than five sects that had come with us, but we’d collectively decided that keeping to those sects would end up weakening us. We needed to be united.

So instead, we’d structured the buildings to represent the five primary elements. Earth, Wind, Water, Fire and Metal.

Those that practiced none of those, like Jonny, were extremely rare. So we broke everybody out based on their preferred element to train together. It had succeeded in creating its own unity among residents, creating new bonds across sects and powerful training groups.

My family had taken up residence in the central and largest building, Metal. I may have started with Aurora’s life mana, but I used Quinn’s metal mana frequently enough.

“Father!” A young woman tackled into my side. A bright mop of red hair burrowed into my chest before Kat’s and my daughter looked up at me with a big smile. “Mom was looking for you.” Ember tugged at my arm with the strength of a third ring mage.

I let her drag me through the building. As we passed other cultivators, they quickly stepped aside, giving us plenty of room as we wound our way through the halls. I would have liked to think that it was because of my leadership in the sect, but I knew better.

No one would dare mess with Ember. I hadn’t actually heard it confirmed. I had no doubt that everybody was terrified of angering Kat through her daughter. As a result, Ember had lived a rather sheltered life, bouncing her way through the sect and largely doing whatever she pleased.

“There you are.” Michelle was the first to look up from our overly lively residence as we walked in. Our many kids were present.

The Hua sisters had given me one child each. Kat and Thea had given me three children, and the rest had given birth to two.

I smiled at my family as I noted the guests that joined them.

“Vess, Yessa. Good to see you two.” The two women had been a part of my adventures through the mortal world, and helped me win battles more than once. But they’d remained independent and never joined my family. And I was fairly certain Yessa was into women.

But that didn’t stop her from hanging around my family. She’d taken on the role of master of Celina’s first born, Ryan. Our tomboyish daughter had blossomed into a lovely young woman who, like her mother, cultivated the poison arts of the Thousand Blossom Sect.

And Vess was an extension of Kat, one that was entirely subservient to her and the family. She had been a broken woman, who Kat was able to put back together using soul magic. As a result, she’d committed her life to serving Kat.

I looked around, nodding to my children. Most were present, from my oldest Catherine to my youngest, Ember. But only two of my sons were present. The third, Rob, was still back on the mortal world running the Ferrymen.

“Alright everyone, let’s not be so stiff. Take a seat.” I motioned to the egregiously long table that would seat my whole family and any added guests.

“You’re leaving.” Tom said, sitting down across from me. He was my second eldest and craved more responsibility.

“Yes, I am. But the question remains, who is leaving with me.”

“Me.” Ember practically jumped out of her seat before her older sister slammed her back into her seat and told her no with a shake of her head.

Catherine looked up from scolding her younger sister to stare into my eyes. She had some of the same intensity as her mother, but her eyes didn’t have quite the edge of Kat’s. Catherine hadn’t been broken down and reforged. She was still more pure. “We’ll look after the alliance here in Murdock. None of us can keep up with you on your adventures.”

Some of the younger ones looked shocked, clearly wanting to join, but the older all nodded in agreement.

“Correct. You won’t be following me on these adventures. But there is plenty for you to do here. You need to grow and expand The Alliance here in Murdock. The Orchid Pavilion will shelter you while you are here, and the Su family is an ally. It is a great place for all of you to expand your influence and cultivation.” As I talked, Michelle came around the table, placing large dishes in the center to be passed around.

“But you always said that struggles make great mages.” Ember piped up, quickly dodging Catherine’s attempts to keep her quiet.

I sighed; each of them had been taught through trials. “Appropriate struggles make great mages. But if you take on too much too quickly, it has the potential to break you. And any harm to you could break me. Blueheavens is not a place for a third ring mage.”

Half my children deflated at my statement. “But. Once we are established there, it will be safe for those of you who are fourth ring to explore the city. I need you to be strong enough that you won’t be easy prey for somebody wanting to push you into an alley and kill you for your purse. You need more strength. So if you want to go to Blueheavens, you’ll need to grow stronger Ember.”

Kat’s youngest pouted, and her mother gave me a supportive smile. She knew I didn’t enjoy keeping our children from adventure.

And Ember was still adjusting to the immortal world. She’d been allowed to run free in the mortal world, but there, she had been a prodigy. And a fourth ring guard could join her and defend against most threats. The same wasn’t true now that we were in the immortal world.

In Blueheavens, fourth rank immortals would be as numerous as hairs on an ox. A fourth rank guard wouldn’t be able to protect her as thoroughly. And I also wasn’t convinced she could avoid causing trouble that would draw attention.

For now, I wanted my children in Murdock.

“So, what do you think, wives? Who’s coming?”

“All of us.” Michelle declared, looking over across the table and confirming with each of the surrounding women. “Though we are splitting up. The Hua sisters are moving to the Orchid Pavilion in Blueheavens. Celina and Kat will stay with you, and I will go with Thea with the goal of establishing a residence there.”

Her eyes wandered to Rachel, and she paused, letting the girl speak up for herself. She had gained quite the backbone since she followed me out of the Orchid Pavilion.

“I’ll follow you to the Wenxi family estate as your concubine.”

I choked on a piece of meat. “As my concubine?”

“You have enough status and power to have them, and I’m afraid as your wife I would only lower your status.” She looked down at her hands in shame.

“Nonsense.” I was upset that she still looked down on herself. Since the event with Tracey, Rachel had been more assertive, but also more conscious of her actions. “You’ll stay by my side as my fiance. Wenxi’s family will just have to adjust.”

My words made a few of my children chuckle. They knew I enjoyed shaking up the status quo. But they were also used to me doing it more forcefully, as one of the most powerful mages around. For now, I had to tread a bit more carefully.

Blueheavens was going to be a whole new level of cultivation, and I was no longer at the peak. It seemed like with every move I made; I found myself surrounded by stronger enemies. More power was drawing more attention.

But I was used to that. It wasn’t unusual as a cultivator to step out of one stage in cultivation, once again becoming a small fish in a bigger pond.

I’d have to keep finding greater challenges to grow, and I’d have to dive into deeper waters to find my mother’s family.

“Good. Now let’s talk about lighter topics. How was everyone’s day?” I relaxed into my seat, letting myself get lost in their stories.

***

The next day, my wives were gathering up by the north gate in front of the carriage. I looked it over, wondering how they were all going to fit.

Tianxue had joined to send us off, and she looked over my wives and I with narrow eyes. “It seems you like to collect women.”

“Or perhaps he’s great enough to draw this many and more.” Michelle said it kindly, but the fierceness in her stance challenged the woman to object. And despite becoming a mother, Michelle had not lost her warrior edge. It was easy for anybody to see the threat she could pose.

The two women evaluated each other for a moment before Tianxue nodded. “You have a regal bearing and a firm resolve. I don’t think any of you are simple women.”

“It sounds like your Su family has many of its own challenges.” Michelle pressed, clearly wanting to understand more of the family dynamics before we ventured out.

“Yes, as do most. But you will have more of a challenge to overcome your lack of ties to an ancient family. You will need to be strong enough...” Doubt crept into her voice as she finished. I knew that Wenxi’s mother and aunt were trying to back Wenxi’s play, but they clearly had doubts on its success. They had yet to understand how powerful my family was, despite not being one of their ancient families.

Michelle smiled, accepting the challenge. A character formed on her forehead, and she exploded with the power of the black tortoise bloodline. As if some signal set off the rest of my wives, all six of them blossomed with power as they let loose their own bloodlines.

I stood there amazed, staring at my beautiful women. The pressure of all six of them showing their bloodlines felt like someone had just dropped a mountain on the area.

Tianxue’s eyes popped wide open. “Ah. I see.” Her voice wavered under the pressure of the power.

Joining my wives, I opened up my own power, tapping into Quinn’s bloodline of the gold dragon. Suddenly the surrounding pressure increased several fold, and Tianxue stumbled. For the first time, she looked at me with a bit of awe and fear on her face.

Satisfied, I withdrew my power and my wives followed suit.

“I underestimated you. Apologies.” She dipped her head slightly, sweat running down the side of her face. “That sort of ability will get you far in Blueheavens, but know that plenty of sixth rank immortals dwell in the city. There are even a few seventh rank immortals in the city. So while you are powerful and clearly have potential, do not run roughshod without understanding the city. There will be those that want to tear you down before you reach that potential.”

I pointed to Wenxi. “That’s what she’s for.”

“I see.” Tianxue said, her eyes calculating before seeming to come to a conclusion. A look of understanding spread across her face. “Just as she is using you for power, you are using her to guide you through the city’s politics.”

“Exactly.” I pulled Wenxi to my side. “Wasn’t that our agreement?”

“It was.” Wenxi nodded, though an expression I couldn’t place flitted across her face. I wanted to ask her about it, but I couldn’t in front of her aunt.

The look was gone in an instant, and Wenxi started moving. “Let’s go. I don’t want to put on any more of a show. Auntie, take care of the city. Don’t poke The Alliance or I’ll have a very upset fiance.”

Tianxue nodded, biting her thumb in thought as everyone filed into the carriage.

I paused for a moment at the door, peering inside. It was far larger on the inside than the outside. I smiled, suddenly far less worried about the trip.

But before I could step inside, I sensed something under the carriage. Stooping down, I came back up with a writhing young lady. “Ember, what were you doing?”

Kat turned back. “Daughter, how long were you under there?”

“Since dawn.” She answered proudly.

I sighed and rubbed at my forehead before realizing a solution. “You always say you want to grow strong enough to kick your old man’s butt. Well, this lady here is a cultivation above my own.” I handed Ember off to a stunned Tianxue.

“Really?!” She looked up excitedly at Tianxue. “Let me become your disciple.”

“What?” Tianxue stumbled, suddenly confused at what had just happened.

“Take good care of her.” Kat call as she pulled me into the carriage.

"I haven’t even agreed yet.” Tianxue shouted.

But the way that Ember was fixated on her, I didn’t think she’d have much of an option. Either way, Ember would pester her for the next week or so and stay out of trouble.

Once we were all in, the door closed and Wenxi moved to a station, setting our course. The carriage started rolling forward immediately after.

Although I couldn’t have told you we were moving without looking out the windows. Inside was stable and smooth, as if we were just sitting in somebody’s home.

I took in the interior. The inside of the carriage was the size of a small two-bedroom home, including a kitchen and room for lounging.

“With all your wives, the bed might be a squeeze, but I figured you’d make it work. Rachel can, of course stay in my room.” Wenxi watched me as I moved around, taking in the space.

Thea was right behind me and rubbed my back. “We’ll make it work.”

I thought about my four mana beasts joining us as well and knew it was going to end up a pile with me on bottom. Getting out of a harem filled bed was always a fun morning game.

“We’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you. Are you going to be okay sharing this small space with all of us?” I asked.

Wenxi sighed. “I’ll make it work.” She echoed Thea.

With that I decided and enough space for them, I released my mana beasts.

Aurora, Mei, Quinn and Lumi popped into the space around me.

It wasn’t even a second before Mei flit between the rooms and jumped on Wenxi’s bed, smacking her now five fox tails around and covering the bed in fine black hairs.

I gave Wenxi my best smile. “Mei, that’s not our bed. Our bed is that one.” I pointed to the other room. The fox girl jumped off the bed to go tackle the pillows on the other bed and flail.

Quinn stood still, looking around curiously. “Is this a spatial artifact?”

“Yes, it is.” Wenxi said, sounding impressed. “My family only has a few of these. I am surprised they sent it for me.”

“Your mother is trying to make a statement.” I guessed. It sounded like Wenxi’s close family was in a tight spot. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent such a powerful member to keep an eye on Murdock. They either didn’t have many options strong enough or too few they could trust.

I wasn’t sure if Wenxi understood the implications, but I was expecting to walk into a tight situation. “Anyway, Wenxi, why don’t you regale the girls with stories of Blueheavens. We know little to nothing about the city we are all about to be staying in.”

Mei perked up and wandered back out of the bedroom, still clutching a pillow to her chest. She sat down on a couch and beckoned me over to lie in her lap.

I took one step before Aurora sailed past me, taking the offered spot as she plopped down on Mei’s lap. Mei frowned but knew better than to move a settled Aurora as the kunpeng rapidly fell asleep.

Lumi hung by my side like my personal guard, ready and eager to help however she could.

Wenxi found a spot nearby as we all settled in on the couches or at the bar in the kitchen, ready to listen. “The city is… far larger than you probably imagine. It is tiered; the top tier of the city is owned entirely by the Feng family. They are royalty among the ancient families. Their bloodline comes from the phoenix.”

A number of my wives sucked in a tight breath. Phoenix was a legendary creature, on par with the dragon. They were often confused with the vermillion bird, but they were very different creatures.

“The Feng family runs the city. The second tier includes my family’s estate. There are a dozen prominent ancient families there, and even more smaller families. All of them are larger and more powerful than the Ying family. To be on the second tier, you need at least three sixth rank immortals in your family.”

“How many does the Su family have?” Kat interjected.

“Eight. My branch of the family has only my mother at the 6th rank.” Wenxi said the end quietly, looking down as a bit of shame dusted her cheeks.

“Yet.” I jumped in, wanting to defend her. “Growth and the next stage of cultivation is always on the horizon.”

“En.” She made a determined noise and nodded her head. “There are smaller ancient families among the second ring, but the whole area is ancient families and their close associates. The outer ring is the largest. It houses everyone else.”

“Will we be welcomed in the middle ring, as close associates?” I asked, remembering what her aunt had said.

She hesitated. “Your presence there will be tolerated, contingent on your relation to me and us making a good impression on my family.”

I was starting to understand how our arrival would need to play out. My wives seemed to agree.

“He needs to show his prowess. Do we need to give a similar demonstration to what we gave your aunt? Would our bloodlines cause problems for you or help?” Nikki sought solutions. “How about the Orchid Pavilion?”

“It’s also in the middle ring of the city.” Wenxi said. “The Orchid Pavilion is a strange entity in that it has ingratiated itself with many ancient families.”

I thought back to Madam Orchid and my time serving in the Pavilion back in Murdock. It seemed she valued relationships, and there were rumors of it being a selection ground for young masters.

It only made sense for that sort of model to continue in Blueheavens, where it would be more effective.

Maybe I’d have to pay Madam Orchid another visit. So far, she’d been a strong ally. She’d trained two of my wives, and she knew my mother. While she still had held back information, presumably to not invalidate one of my mother’s predictions, she hadn’t given me cause to distrust her.

I would feel better if I knew what my mother had promised her.

While I’d been lost in thought, Wenxi had continued to answer questions about the city from my wives. But one of her responses was swiftly broken off when an alarm went off. Wenxi stopped and frowned. “Ambush.”

“But we haven’t even been on the road for more than an hour.” Diana complained. “We are close enough to Murdock that it would be stupid for someone to attack us.”

I sighed, realizing we had just started what would likely be a longer journey than I’d been anticipating. I turned to Wenxi. “Would your family send someone to stop us en route?”

The look on Wenxi’s face told me all I needed to know.