"BLEARGH"
"AW GROSS, DON'T DO THAT
HERE!"
I was getting criticised
as I vomitted out the death Qi. It did no good to stop me however, in fact I
clenched my stomach a little harder so my vomit could reach to the feet of
those criticised my lack of skill on darker acts.
"It is ok Tianyou, just
let the Qi out until you are free of taint."
I tried to nod towards
teacher but all I could do was vomit harder. Eventually the beads I swallowed
popped out of my mouth but before they even landed on the floor they
disappeared.
"This is what happens, if
you try to use a technique you are incompatible without proper practice and
preperation or strong foundation." Teacher provided as he held the two beads,
which were somehow sparking clean, between his fingers.
"Unfortunately for us
however, no one can know which principle they are most suited for until they
try all the paths. Although if you cultivate long enough like me, you can skip
a few steps like this!" with that Teacher Li threw the undead beads in air and
caught them with his mouth as they fell back, as if he was just eating snacks. Without
any warning a chilly and rotten Qi spread from his body to entire room,
freezing all the students in their place.
Teacher's eyes were now
faintly red instead of his welcoming blue eyes, his rather silky and dark hair
spiked up and with blue at its tips. Tattoos were slowly forming around his
eyes and neck and suddenly, he spit the beads out. All the changes disappeared
in an instant.
"This is how Vessel
Cultivation works. You take in Foreign Demon and Spirit Beads forged by a soul
smith and use their undead Qi to empower yourself. Alas it is not a cultivation
method fit to be used by everyone, even though it is our Sect's most prized method."
I sighed as I unconciously
tuned out the lesson I spent many times listening. This was the unfortunate
truth for Outer Sect disciples. Repeated lessons. It was useful if you didn't
get the lessons first time around but materials repeated once in every 6
months. This was my 4th time listening the same vessel cultivation class. It
was simply not a method for me. So I had to cultivate more mundanely and
couldn't benefit many of the uses of Foreign Demon Beads. Spirit Beads were good enough
to replenish me every once in a while but it was also the most common currency.
Currency I needed to spend my daily needs and some... pleasures I enjoyed. Class
ended soon and students were released to pursue their own training for the day.
I got up lazily, not even realising how my left hand positioned itself over the
sheated sword on my hip to rest nor how my right went to my pockets instantly.
I exuded an air of relaxation and calmness despite my inner turmoils. Perhaps
that was why no one seemed to realise when I had problems. Not that I care.
A small sprint that is
just short of a movement technique carried me to training area. I could be out
of breath at times but my leg strength was coming along fine for someone at my
level at cultivation. I found a mostly empty spot in area and drew my sword. A
fine Jian. Not enchanted nor cursed by the blood of a demonic cultivator.
Merely a balanced blade crafted by a common blacksmith. I felt this blade spoke
to my soul more. It felt easier to use it.
I started going through
the sword forms. Some felt odd with a Jian in my hand, either moves for a
heavier blade or for someone who could put much more strength behind his
attacks but most felt right. After a considirable lenght of time I could smell
the impurities pouring outside from my body and the fatigue. I didn't waste
anytime and quickly sheated my sword and left the training area and crouched at
the closest greenery I could find. Which was easy for sect was covered by
trees. I crossed my legs and assumed the position for the meditation. My hands
quickly found my pouch of declaining spirit beads and grabbed a one for me to
swallow. I felt the bead go down to my stomach as I used it as a imaginary
core. I forced it to release the dormant Qi in it and push all the impurities I
managed to unravel with my training. Four hours I spent cleansing my body. Five more
beads were spent and barely managed to get rid of the impurities.
"It is getting harder to
cleanse recently. Perhaps I can finally breakthrough into Qi gathering stage. "
I mused outloud, uncaring if I was heard. Then a slight worry gripped my heart,
what if someone heard it, then dismissed impurities
I gave a shaky breath.
Opening my eyes I could see the dark sky.
"Another simple day. " I
said looking at stars. It felt like I was wasting my time again. Was
cultivation really the path for me I wondered. Maybe I could have been a
scholar, I was smart after all. My thoughts swirled inside my head as I made my
way to showers and to barracks for Outer Sect students after that. I closed my eyes
on my bed for a quick rest, unread books and trinkets I fancied over my desk.
Soon I was asleep. Another day was spent like many others.
I rose with dawn. It was
more of a reflex developed over the years. My home before the Coiling Death
Sect had a window faced the sunrise and with each sunrise beams of sunlight hit
my face at mornings. It developed a habit of waking up when light or heat hit my
face. I could sleep under light as well but it often led to weird dreams and
uneasy rests. Of course I wasn't thinking any of this while dressing up. I simply dressed up and left for class.
Although I was bored out of my mind during the lessons, Sect frowned upon those
who skipped them. So I did my best to not miss any, out of the worry to not
face any hardships at the very least.
Class was full by the
time I arrived, forcing me to sit in the seats in front, just few moments
before our teacher appeared with a flicker of air.
"A movement technique no
doubt. " someone muttered under their breath. Teacher's smile seemed to grow slightly
due to envy and admiration of his students.
"As some repeating
students already know, today we will talk about using spirit beads for
cultivation. Yesterday's lesson had some mentions already but today it is the
main focus."
I was already losing my focus
but I still tried to listen the lessons I heard many times before.
"Cultivation in it's very
core is actually simple. You first need to be able to cleanse your body from
the impurities it holds. Many ways found for this but as you know our sect's
famous style is truly the most efficient. The Foreign Demon Beads arouses the
impurities within your body and forcibly removes them from the deep corners
within flesh. And then the Spirit Bead acts as a faux core and with
Cultivators focus cleans the impurities away. Unfortunately not everyone is
suitable to use Vessel Cultivation."
With that teacher took a quick glance at
me. I felt a slight ping of anger within me. He was a cultivator almost at the
end of Qi gathering, even if he were to accidentaly look at me he could avert
his eyes before I even perceive the action. No this was a deliberate action,
done simply because I wasn't skilled and he pitied me.
I sighed. There was no
use getting angry. He was right in a way. I was simply not a good fit for this sect. Still I didn't forget. Just because I couldn't act on my anger didn't mean I would forgive. Lesson continued on despite my inner turmoil.
"If one is unfit to use Foreign Demon Beads then they can still use physical exercise to interact with impurities within their body of course but it is generally a harder process and takes much longer than just using beads. Of course even aside from that beads allows us to briefly access to the innate abilities whatever Demonic Beast was used in the smithing of said bead. This alone helped our Sect to turn the tides against Beast Waves as humans have became the hunters once more."
I couldn't help but frown. Listening great success of the Sect and humanity against the Demonic Beasts haunted humankind yet I was not a part of this glorious achievement. Teacher saw my frown and did not make any comments. Considering my body and head was still in one piece, he didn't perceive it as an insult. I saw what happened to ones insulted Teacher Li. His kind smile didn't waver even when was covered in blood of a Outer Sect disciple. Rest of the lesson passed without anything noteworthy, simply Teacher Li going through various cultivation styles that was used in past and how useless they were.
Just as he finished the class and told everyone to go train beside me. He told me to stay behind.
"Yo Tianyou." He gestured me with his head.
"Great Teacher Li." I bowed with my head. This was the respect expected of us Outer Sect disciples after all.
"I am aware of your worries Tianyou, I know your two years of free education is about the end soon alongside the allowence Sect gives you monthly, if you don't do mandatory missions that is."
That was not why I frowned but I nodded with a bow nonetheless. I long came in terms with the fact I had to earn my living expenses. It was the cost of my lack of skill and failure to advance to Inner Sect. Maybe I wasn't as in terms with it as I thought because Teacher Li put his hand over my shoulder in a way to console me.
"Don't worry Tianyou, Coiling Death Sect acknowledges this will be your first mission and so your quota will only be two missions for the first time. Not to mention even if you get a mission to clear out Demonic Beasts the ones we assign to Body Tempering Cultivators will simply be too low of a grade to be danger."
He wasn't very good at consoling people but I still smirked a little and thanked with a bow. He tried at least.