Chapter 127: You Might Blame Yourself

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    You?!

    The same word is spoken at the same time by two very different people. One says it with outrage, the other with surprise. One is a rising star, the other a forgotten tool.

    Well, not completely forgotten.

    Pan Qiu? Liu Jin says incredulously.

    Pan Qiu, the disciple who tried to impress Lu Mei by fighting him. The disciple who took part in the plot to steal the herbs Liu Jin and Huang Shing were transporting to Ember City. The disciple who fought them in the Summer Forest and was punished in the Medical Pavilion.

    Looking back on it, it is hard to believe one person can be so closely tied to so many events.

    You have been hiding in the Apothecary all this time?

    Liu Jin had been on his way to the isolation chamber prepared for him when he found Pan Qiu deep in the bowels of the Apothecary, wandering around like a restless spirit. It has been weeks since they last saw each other. Though such a short amount of time is not enough to alter the body of a cultivator in the Spirit Realm, Pan Qiu has definitely changed.

    When they first met, Pan Qiu walked with his head held high. Arrogance bordering on confidence marked his every step. Now, Pan Qius shoulders are hunched, and his muscles are taut, ready to flee at the first sign of trouble. No longer a predator but prey.

    Where else could I have gone? Pan Qiu yells. His voice echoes across the empty, narrow corridors of the Apothecary. I am no longer of any use to Lord Feng Guis faction, yet there is no way Id ever be welcomed by Lord Feng Shangs faction. What else is there for me to do but hide?

    Pan Qius existence had been crucial for taking control of the Medical Pavilion. However, that uniqueness hadnt lasted long. As they discovered more disciples who had been experimented on, Pan Qiu became less and less special.

    Now that the trial is over and done with, Lord Feng Guis faction doesnt need Pan Qiu anymore. There is no merit in protecting him. That they went out of their way to restore Pan Qius dantian and saved him from becoming a pill is more than enough recompense for his services.

    In other words, nothing is stopping Lord Feng Shangs faction from killing Pan Qiu should they get their hands on him.

    In that regard, staying inside the Apothecary is probably the most sensible thing he can do.

    However...

    Can you even enter most of the rooms here? Liu Jin asks, knowing full well most rooms in the Apothecary are locked for those without the proper permissions.

    The glare Pan Qiu shoots at him is venomous and, as most venoms are against Liu Jin, futile.

    Of course, I cant! Pan Qiu shouts, throwing one arm to the side. I walk and walk and walk, yet most of these doors wont open for me! Sometimes, Ill switch floors without even realizing it, and Im certain there are wild beasts kept somewhere around here!

    Carnivorous plants, actually. Though with how animated some of them can be, the difference is merely academic.

    However, its too late for me to pretend to be neutral. If I try to leave the compound on a long-term mission, Im certain someone will try to kill me out of spite. Shameful though it may be, Id rather keep wandering this dark place than face the harsh judgment of the outside world.

    Ho, that is rather wise of you. Seeing Pan Qius nostrils flare up, Liu Jin quickly raises his hands and adds, I mean no jest. I truly do believe Brother Pan is being prudent right now. The Eternal Flame Clan would be far more peaceful if everyone could follow your example.

    Of course, if Elder Xue didnt want Pan Qiu here, hed probably have been thrown out a long time ago.

    Liu Jin supposes this is her way of showing sympathy.

    So, I was right? Pan Qiu asks with obvious eagerness, almost taking a step towards Liu Jin before he catches himself. Is the outside as horrible as I imagine it to be?

    Most of the violence is happening under the guise of guaranteed challenges, Liu Jin says. It still hasnt reached the point of open warfare.

    It would be good if things stay like this, but thats probably just wishful thinking on his part.

    Those fools. Pan Qiu clicks his tongue and spits on the floor. To think Bei Duyi kept pestering us to join Lord Feng Guis cause.

    Liu Jin blinks thrice as his mind supplies a face for the name.

    Just like Pan Qiu, Bei Duyi was one of the disciples who had not been happy with their quick rise to Inner Disciples. He also did not seem to get along with Bei Hong for reasons Liu Jin had never inquired about.

    However, if Bei Duyi wished them to join Lord Feng Guis faction...

    If Bei Duyi wished that, why did you steal from the Apothecary?

    The plan may have been for Liu Jin and Huang Shing to be blamed for it, but they should have realized what would happen if they failed.

    Right?

    Through the lower dantian, the foundation is built.

    Though the middle dantian, the body and soul are connected.

    Breathe.

    Liu Jin dives in.

    It is like squeezing through a narrow cave. It is dark and almost painful as if the depths were trying to reject him, yet Liu Jin keeps pushing.

    An ocean waits for him on the other side.

    Clear blue water all around and endless light filtering in from above. The seafloor is made of white sand that looks soft to touch interspersed with large, jagged rocks surrounded by greenery. A closer look reveals the vegetation is made of medicinal herbs, some of which Liu Jin has only seen in books.

    Liu Jin floats in a daze, staring at the blue horizon that stretches forever.

    This is his soul.

    After so many years as a cultivator, Liu Jin has reached his soul.

    His physical body is now but a faint sensation, one Liu Jin might even forget if he doesnt pay attention to it. To get lost within your soul? Is something like that possible?

    The ocean does not give him any answer other than its infinite vastness.

    That is enough.

    Liu Jin starts swimming, picking a direction at random. Though the oceans depths surround him, the idea of not being able to breathe never once enters his mind. This is his soul, and so, he belongs here. There is nothing more natural than that.

    The snakes, however, come as a surprise.

    Liu Jin comes across them multiple times, swimming lazily through the waters. Sometimes it is just one. Sometimes it is groups of them. Snakes of all sizes and colors keep appearing in his path, swimming through his soul as though they belonged in it. Some are even sleeping on the warm seafloor.

    It is inevitable hed bump into one eventually.

    At first, Liu Jin does not realize why he has stopped. His hands reach out and find the water in front of him has become solid.

    Solid and scaly.

    A massive blue eye larger than Liu Jins entire body opens, and as it does, Liu Jin realizes he has bumped into the body of a gigantic snake. The enormous beast draws its head back, allowing Liu Jin to better appreciate how thoroughly dwarfed in size he is. Compared to this snake, he is like an ant before an elephant.

    The snakes body is a vivid blue without markings of any kind. It is why Liu Jin did not see it in time. Despite its size, it perfectly blends in with the sea around him.

    This is his soul, Liu Jin reminds himself.

    Nothing can hurt him here. Nothing will hurt him here.

    He hopes.

    I am looking for something important, Liu Jin says, his voice carrying despite being submerged in water. I dont suppose you can help me?

    The snake stays still for a moment before floating away, leaving Liu Jin torn between disappointment and relief. Those, however, quickly turn to panic when the giant snake suddenly swivels back. Liu Jin tries to back away, but he is nowhere near fast enough to outspeed the beast. The snake swims under him and picks Liu Jin up on the back of its head.

    ... Okay, Liu Jin says, sitting down on the snakes head, realizing he has little choice in the matter. I suppose you want to show me something.

    After a day passes, the plant life in the seafloor grows poisonous and even vicious, and more and more snakes appear in their path. Some are so massive their fangs are the size of Liu Jins body.

    Of course, none are as big as the one carrying him.

    The clear blue waters grow poisonous, eventually turning into a thick purple miasma, one so dense most people would struggle to even see two feet ahead. Still, Liu Jin does not panic or try to flee from the giant snake.

    On the third day, they reach their destination.

    It lies unguarded, buried deep in the seafloor.

    A beautiful blade with a jeweled hilt.

    ~~~