The full spectrum of [Core Formation], the unknown, Fu found few indications as to this realm’s standing.

What cultivators roamed, what measure to make of its [Spirit Beasts] - the early [Core Formation Realm] spiders that had ambushed them some hours prior - did they represent the average strength?

Perhaps the stolen documents pillaged from the foreign Imperial settlement might hold some clue, but such insight required time. And only a fool would guess when lives were in peril.

In another clearing, Aarushi met him as he stood from the latest [Spirit Beast’s] corpse, core laden, and presented herself for further instruction.

First among the eager.

Rivaan, second of the doctoral initiates, was at her back, near prostate where before it was a mere knee or supplicating bow.

“Senior Gao,” came her attention.

“Initiate Aarushi. What troubles you?” he returned, knowing all here might bloat a well with answers of this concern.

A quiet formation assembled at this, drawing those he had deigned to know.

Pinxiu, Sai and Anfang respectively.

“This initiate desperately wishes to test her [Qi Suppression’s] progress against the standard, if only that she might achieve some fragment of use for her senior.”

Shared affirmation granted through the ranks. All ranks.

Eager. This is good.

Shuidi wearily imparted her reconnaissance, if well winnowed from constant expansion of her [Senses].

Sister?

Hazy images returned. Silhouettes.

Fu’s lips drew thin, flushing a gentle [Intent] across the leaf-strewn ground. No killing force, and intended only as a means of test.

All but three [Dantians] were exposed, and with foolish guesswork, one [Core] if his estimations might be trusted.

“Brother Udvah, if you might aid these initiates? I will tend to our other troubles.”

The enigmatic Vajra granted a smile. “Amituofo. A pleasure.”

“Disciple Sai, Anfang, and you, initiate,” Fu continued, selecting an as of yet unnamed. “I would have you accompany me. The state of your [Qi Suppression] is pleasing.” The winds whispered leaves by in a passing breeze, and he withdrew a greying douli to match their hue. “Stalk my footprints, and we will see if these Imperials feel the same.”

The tranquillity of the forest’s peace was disturbed by the rhythmic crunch of a matching gait. It progressed under the ghosts’ watch, passing below the canopy in which they had soon found themselves to prowl.

One yellow-clad cultivator - styled monastically - if disparate from any true ascetic, was first among their marks. The expert looked wistful, ever pondering the trail that wormed ahead, sparing neither thought nor concern for the wagon and ‘reds’ to his rear.

Nor the peril of the crowded leaves above.

Anfang edged upon her branch, well balanced, only to half-wilt as Fu stilled her with a gaze.

The same eagerness. Was I so impatient those few [Seasons] ago?

Owing to his rest-deprived state, reminiscence crept forth. He knew Yunhan would straighten these arrows, and for his absence… a thought was drawn.

A fisherman could not teach beyond nets and winds, but his own senior’s techniques were peerless.

Notes will come after this trial. I must remain clear of mind.

Fu drew a breath.

Shuidi.

Mist expanded as [Half Cloud Step] danced him amongst the upper branches, descending in such short order that the ‘yellow’ drew steel to hand in a single moment.

“Wilted ones,” she spoke. “Hold. No natural fog appears, or are you as blind as your station suggests?”

[Dao of Withdrawal].

One stroke.

Fu’s blade erupted, breaching from this ‘yellow’s’ neck and spilling all with the same swiftness.

Here, the initiates descended. Hesitant save for Sai, whose slaughter was a well practised affair. How the sun-facing Sect’s talent translated here - perhaps the two sides were in closer alignment than any might care to admit.

Cattle beasts, [Spirit Yak] and variations thereof, represented these ‘red’s’ partners. Yet it was around half of those that dissipated by Sai’s efforts. The others, remained, if allowed only for several more breaths.

The weight of Fu’s attention turned Anfang’s hand sure, and the mewling pleas that now surfaced began to lessen in an ascending order of strikes. Certain slashes, dispensed upon the edge of the initiate’s valai-tadi.

Or so had named Udvah when queried.

“Hold,” Fu called before the last was slain, and took note of how the nameless third initiate had joined with a pretence of aid. Sweat-slick, without any effort dispensed.

Unready. The prison’s initiation may well have swallowed him whole.

Hushi prowled from his midden as Fu neared Anfang, engulfing the final ‘red’ and burrowing an acute [Intent] from each arm.

“The fate of your comrades need not be shared, friend.”

Stammering. Urine. A nearby [Spirit Ox’s] groan of protest.

“Who holds power in this realm, and what affiliation do you hold to them?”

“[Sixth Under Heaven] holds all realms within his domain, master cultivator- I-I do not know what else to say! A man of red might dream of affiliation, but it is only that- a dream!”

With a subtle nod, Fu set his initiates upon the wagon. “Then he will not come for these goods?”

The red’s eyes flitted between Fu’s feet and the wagon’s wheel, daring to lift no higher. “N-no master cultivator, the yield of produce from a March of Yellow is far below his notice.”

The clouds, indeed, they are of much importance.

“Speak on these Marches, and these colours. I would know their meaning.”

Pale disbelief crowded the man’s face. “The Marches?” he puzzled, well bemused. “Red holds we of red and so forth, I- forgiveness, I-”

Hushi slackened in both [Intent] and grip.

“Peace friend,” said Fu. “The Heavens will grant you freedom for such aid. Simply speak more, that is all we require.”

Further stammering led to a shaking finger, one levelled against the fallen yellow. “The guardian held one fragment of the [True Orchid Path], relics may hold better insight than this lowly man of red could share.”

There came a sudden crack, made before the speaker’s body fell limp.

“Time and discovery. But two factors for consideration,” Fu shared, trying best to emulate his own senior. “Su Sai, you have a bearing of [Might]... This scene must be cleared.”

The sun-facing man irked a curious brow, enforcing a pause before he drew a dire looking chain-hammer from his spatial ring.

Violently loud in Qi, unlike a ghost’s.

“Gratitude, cousin,” Fu said, watching him begin to cut, and reap, both wagon and contents. “Initiate, lend what aid you can,” came his direction to the silent third.

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Anfang approached, proferring the yellow’s belongings - her ring and various trinkets.

“Those of the scholar’s group should open this, I see an [Array] in effect as protection,” he said. “Gratitude, once more. Tend to their robes, and I shall address the remains.”

Fu shuffled a plethora of vials throughout his [Hundred Poison’s Synthesis], fingering droplets of his collection to concoct what was required.

His palm draped over the yellow’s face, sizzling the flesh until her mass might be easily stowed, then put a weary look to the others before hoping his [Inner Qi] might last.

🀦

The [Twenty Eight Figurations] were a common basis of education between those of the alchemical Path and those upon that of Feng’s - the Path to [Array] mastery. Something Fu was not aware of until those from both vocations, of which he held a number, had begun their craft.

When the time comes, I will ask further.

Perhaps…

To look upon those gathered presented their situation as a beacon, for the assembled had to muster their full number to inspect, and open, the yellow’s spatial ring.

Shuidi had impressed her desire to try, if only to be warned that they could not remove an [Array], simply bypass on disrupt it for a time.

It would be unfavourable to endanger the contents with this method, nor endanger any information on this [True Orchid Path] they might gain within.

Sweat soaked, Pinxiu met Fu, presenting all they had found.

“An inventory, senior,” she bowed.

“Diligent, that you have this to hand, initiate. Gratitude.” He caught her dismay as all was vanished into storage. “The Heavens would not smile on a lengthy study as we are. Unless you believe you might filter through scrolls upon the march, which I would welcome.”

“Senior Gao need only ask it.”

Fu gave a sharp nod. “Your juniors, the alchemists and [Array] initiates, I would leave the same question in your care, should you need to ask it. There are other matters.”

So saying, they moved.

A methodical march ensued, crossing sections of the great leave-strewn forest floor at distance to the winding path.

Udvah combed the canopy beyond him, serving as one prong of this well blunted fan while reliant, as Fu was, on Sai’s assumed [Prowess] to ward danger from those with less martial experience than their own. Leaving only the true ghosts to advance above.

The fatigue-borne haze over Fu’s eyes was as film, and he did not dismiss the possibility that a [Heart Demon] would foster from the stress he endured.

Home.

His children.

Debt.

His life.

Udvah’s.

These initiates’, three of which were already lost.

Foolishly, for he had spoken against it not moments, or hours prior, he searched for the fragment of this [True Orchid Path].

Within the canopy’s peak, he would not topple. Yet, to take his eyes from the lengthening shadows and rushing piles- whipped by the shallow breeze…

A jade chit emerged, its feel and look that of shaved bamboo.

And it held a constellation.

Hushi was distant, but impressed a muted sense of safety.

Time. If fleeing. Gratitude, brother.

Fu pushed his [Senses] upon the chit, finding a response in the stars inlaid. Signatures, traces, impressions or such - he saw the stars flare in dull orchid, and in a singular line.

Then to simple white: Blotches tethered to another, and another, to then web myriad lines from each in red, orange and yellow.

Though it was not void of blues and greens, for these gramed the far edges of what he looked upon.

Marches?

[Dao of Wayward Breezes].

That the initiates started, gasped and drew no weapons even five breaths past his landing…

Fu’s lips thinned as he shared the [True Orchid Path] fragment with a swiftly bowing Pinxiu. “Add this to your understanding, initiate, if it does not harry your movements,” although his [Dao] whisked him away before he might hear an answer.

[Control] had him land upon a toe some many branches distant, to another matter entirely.

A trouble of equal measure.

Udvah was skeletal in the moonlight, and it was no kindness of the Heavens that Mangalam looked so gaunt. No prideful Vajra, Fu’s companion taxed himself with duties at his own behest- for none but these two might.

If these reasons were a verse to be sung throughout the streets of the Four Corners Prefecture with the same regularity as they rose now… both felt that no songstresses would yet remain.

A pause between ghosts, held as Fu’s mouth dried.

Should he lead like this? Where best to dedicate efforts? He could not solve all problems in a single stroke, that was as clear as limpid water. But, could he alleviate the strain?

“Brother, have you taken a vow to abstain from rest?” he said, some long span of minutes after their meeting.

In response, the Vajra smiled. It was no reassuring picture. “The [Dao of Fatigue] and the [Dao of Weariness]. Amituofo, they are cruel mistresses to chase, no? And so distant from the path this wandering disciple wishes for.”

Fu found himself grunting, lacking for words.

But Udvah continued in his stead. “No place is this to rest one’s head. If this poor, weary disciple held choice he would beseech his senior for a bath house or eatery.”

“Your senior is cruel?”

“Amituofo. Merciless,” grinned Udvah. “He keeps us lean, no? Even the Clouded Courts allow for free time once per [Season]. This is why he orders us to march continually through [Spring] realms? So we might forget that even the Heavens grant a reprieve to some.”

A kindness there, if an unnecessary one. Truly, Fu was not so weary that features of [Sixth Under Heaven’s] domain would go unnoticed.

Shuidi impressed trust. Or the need for it.

I- I cannot discredit you, sister. Only state that a bridge burnt once is no easy thing to mend.

The Vajra’s features were sunken to have him measure beyond his years, and his [Spirit Toad] seemed more aged rock than living beast.

If still possessing of their gleeful kindness.

“In place of Master Ban, friend, I would ask more of you,” Fu finally said.

Mangalam’s eyes firmed. Resolute, he thought, over averse to further hardships. “Ask, Gao Fu, for it should be known that this lacking disciple never views your words as command.”

Once healed, a rawness of skin plagued Fu’s thumb. And once more, he troubled it.

“History- much of it will be shared. On the Cloud Gathering division, on the attacker beneath our Sect - Cheng Rao - a shade from forgotten days. But there is a thing we must speak on. Before our departure, I stole three treasures from him. Their like… you would not soon forget.”

A moment drew three, visceral [Constellation Seeds] into Udvah’s palm. “Amituofo. This lacking disciple agrees. Of a kin with all taken these passing days, in tournaments and in gifts, tes?”

“As you say,” sighed Fu. “Of a kin. It-”

What use are fish if never eaten? And Udvah… this may stave off starvation.

“Brother Mangalam, you will know best what treasure suits your Path, for few are the treasures that cannot be included, even in part. My hunter, Cheng Rao, he was of the Wandering House. One of our Sect, a senior and leaper of [Mystic Realms]. Therein,” he gestured to the three bloody articles. “We might find aid.”

Fractured wood, the colour of fortune.

A wishbone of crystalline look.

One leaf, flush as it drank in all the [Lunar Qi] about them.

“Amituofo, Gao Fu turns benefactor as well as senior. Is there such a good thing beneath the [Boundless Dao]?”

Silence.

Within the precarious canopy, Mangalam fretted. Never a swift beast, yet now one turned to bemused indecision.

“These treasures. Of Qi, and [Spirituality]. Amituofo, they are unparalleled. At the risk of ingratitude, this undeserving disciple would ask one question of Gao Fu - if it is permitted.”

Fu let silence voice his assent.

“The children are below. Here, above, none stand. Gao Fu’s gift of this speaks much on his belief of the situation, no? Or perhaps it does not, and this disciple is guided by the [Dao of Foolish Ramblings],” Udvah shared a grin, and moonlight caught the dried blood upon his lip. Deposits where his nose had ruptured from incessant strain from his [Dantian] and [Dao]. “It is disciple Zhu’s Path, bluntness, but another’s thoughts are a kindness to know.”

“As [Sixth Under Heaven] razed the Four Corners Prefecture, our Sect fished in troubled waters,” said Fu. “Here, I strive to find a glimpse of something we might catch.”

Udvah’s smile did not drop as he dipped his head towards the treasures. “To leap blindly, Gao Fu often speaks of fools and haste. Amituofo, with these- here it is greed that might rush fingers. Too eagerly.”

In short moments the Vajra had plucked the red-stained wood.

“Branches are no place for it. The act of adding a [Constellation Seed] to one’s [Ink], one’s [Path], it would have fish drown and worms choke for breath. When day breaks I will have Shuidi watch.”

Udvah bowed deeply. “Amituofo. Senior sister deserves much gratitude. If the Heavens allow it, this disciple will seek her watchful eye.”

The [Spirit Crab] returned this bow. Impressions told how her fondness for the man had grown for she took great pleasure in this exchange.

And yet-

It was far from proper that Fu decide this course. He held no rank to allow it, to reveal Heaven’s mysteries, or worse, that of the Clouded Courts and Cloudy Serpents. Upon return, the judgement levied against him was surely to be a sea of fire.

Cacophonous calls filtered through the canopy, though among them he sensed no hissing nor rush of serpentine bellies though the leaf-heavy ground.

No unwelcome burn through the [Three Eyed Spying Array], revealing that Gon Ma, or [Gleeful Viper] had not set their gazes upon him. Perhaps, that these distant lands where he now tread were just that.

Distant.

If the immortal’s reach does not extend here-

Fu pondered this, manifesting his chain to fall neatly into his singular hand.

Within this Empire, are we all that remain of the Cloudy Serpent Sect? If we walk myriad lands apart, untouchable… then are not all decisions made here not done by their most senior disciples?

Weariness had such foolishness blossom.

Hushi’s impression then chimed loud.

“The [Spirit Beasts] return,” he whispered, prompting his fellow disciple to nod.

And so the ghosts flew, swiftly, now broken from thought and what minor breaths they might steal.

Towards a ruckus of flying leaves and a violence of padding paws.

To the first peril faced this hour, and what the Heavens would surely mark as the precursor to myriad more.