Chapter 12 – New Technique, New Home

Sher staggered under the sudden barrage. With her Immortal Soul she was nigh-invulnerable to both mental and soul attacks, but this assault was truly transcendent.

A slight pause, Sher readied to interject but was all too easily foiled.

“You have such a refined aura, surely you are looking for some elegant and equally refined Art. Are you partial to burning enemies, or electrocuting them? What kind of Spiritual Root do you have? Oh, it is so fun, you haven’t run away from me yet. That’s smart! I am the most knowledgeable about the techniques here, I will prepare the best set you could hope for! We will have you an Inner Disciple, nay, Core Disciple, in no time, believe me!”

“Rubati, was it? I’ll need you to stop and take a slow, deep breath, alright?” Sher stopped to give Rubati a moment to calm down but immediately noticed the other woman readying to launch another attack. “You may help me, but only if you let me answer you, and we can actually talk. As in both of us do the talking.”

“Oh, I am sorry, I’ve been told I ramble just a tiny, little bit sometimes. Don’t worry, I can control myself very well, when necessary. Our cooperation will be swift and efficient, no excessive talking, no wasted time, no, fellow Daoist, not at all. I can hold myself to the highest standards of silence adepts, you won’t…” Rubati’s prattle slowed and finally faded under Sher’s steady, unblinking gaze. “Um, so what technique are we looking for?”

“I’d be glad to find something complementing the Tiger Palm technique, either overall body enhancement or another striking technique that would flow well and vary possible attack patterns.”

“Are you sure? You could…”

“I’m sure. You offered to help me, but I don’t want to impose. I can just search on my own.”

“No! I am sorry, Tiger Palm technique it is.” Rubati panicked. Her demeanor changed, a thoughtful look appeared on her face and her eyes darted across the clusters of scrolls. Almost silent, just muttering beneath her breath, she walked along the aisle.

Sher watched as Rubati picked a scroll from one shelf, a stone tablet from another. Two more scrolls joined the growing pile in her arms, then a jade slip and finally another tablet. Rubati tried to reach out for another scroll, when the pile in her arms shifted dangerously, then the scroll simply floated from the shelf to settle atop the hoard.

“Here we go!” Rubati returned with a big smile on her face. Tablets and scrolls started floating one by one to Sher. “Here is the Tiger Claw, a similar attack and it may be redundant. And this is the Black Shell technique for defense. This one is an auxiliary technique to White Tiger Blawan, though some Elders are critical of its effects in higher cultivation realms. And these are Tiger Prowl, Phoenix Ascent, Seven Azure Steps and Black Emergence movement techniques.”

“Thank you. Could you give me a moment to familiarize myself with these? From the sound of these names, it seems that the Arts Pavilion poses many techniques originally from the other Great Sects.” Sher balanced the techniques in her arms, her curiosity piqued especially by the four movements techniques.

“These days the sects are on amicable terms, but the history is long and often bloody. Many techniques were won on the battlefields and many lives were lost. Back when Elder Aqar-Nabû was the acting Sect Leader, after the passing of Sect Leader Ira and before Sect Leader Xian took the position, there was an especially vicious struggle…”

Sher allowed Rubati to continue, but her attention was already focused on the content of the scrolls. She read through the techniques quickly grasping their strengths and weaknesses, analyzing their usefulness and comparing to the techniques she had acquired back in the waking world beyond the Dream.

The attack and defense techniques were mediocre at best. The ‘enhancement’ for the White Tiger Blawan was atrocious that if she ever reached the position of an Elder in this sect, her first act would be to have it purged.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

The movement techniques were excellent, however. Each had strong points. The Tiger Prowl mixed stealth with the movement aspects of the technique; the Phoenix Ascent displayed the most explosive motions; Black Emergence started the weakest but prepared the user to finally incorporate spatial elements allowing for almost instant short-range teleportation.

While Black Emergence was even more tempting because of her Spatial Spiritual Root, Sher didn’t want to be narrow-minded and confine herself to the same tricks in all her abilities. She would be able to incorporate her Spatial attribute to other movement techniques, if to a lesser degree.

The Seven Azure Steps Art was well developed and constantly useful as she would move up cultivation realms. Ultimately, what swayed her decision were the similarities between Seven Azure Steps and another movement technique she knew, the Ethereal Flux. Sherenna had learned the Ethereal Flux while soul-searching a Celestial Dragon that had tried to devour her, but she had never quite succeeded in adapting it to a human physique.

Seven Azure Steps appeared to be a successful adaptation of another draconic movement technique and Sher had a moment of epiphany as she considered merging the techniques.

“This is the one.” Sher interjected in Rubati’s still ongoing monologue.

“Are you sure? You barely read them; it is completely fine if you stay longer or you could even take a few of these back home and take your time to decide.”

“Thank you for your consideration, but I’ve made my mind. I’ll visit you again later.”

“Oh, alright. Take care!” Rubati collected the remaining techniques and dumped them on the nearest shelf.

“Right. Farewell.” Sher found goodbyes awkward, especially when the other person seemed eager to continue the conversation.

As she left the Arts Pavilion, Sher noticed another disciple enter, or rather preparing to enter. He stood before the open entrance and seemed to hesitate. She thought she heard him mumble something under his breath: “I can do it, I have meditated in silence for three days, just for this moment.”

Shaking her head, she leapt on her flying sword and flew back to the Inner Sect. It was time to find a home.

* * *

Shi Shi basked in the sunlight, while slowly cycling her Qi. Recently, she had broken through to the late stage of Qi Condensation realm and successfully reclaimed her home from Senior, nay, Junior, Brother Anshar. It was good to live back here on the shore of the spirit lake.

Through half-closed lids, she observed a cute, titian-haired girl flying around, looking into nearby residences. Was she looking for someone? Or has she just advanced to the Inner Sect and was naïve enough to think there would be a free residence to claim in such a prime area?

She tsked, amused by the foolishness of youth. To live here, one had to be powerful enough to wrest a place for herself, and to hold on to it. ‘Like myself.’ Shi Shi smiled triumphantly.

She opened her eyes wider, as Junior Brother Anshar approached the girl. Did he finish his watch at Inner Hall and came looking for a rematch? Or did he simply notice and took pity on the girl and came to explain she had to look for a residence elsewhere?

Anshar spoke for a bit, then gestured towards Shi Shi. Did he brag about where he used to live? ‘How foolish,’ Shi Shi smiled in exasperation.

Shi Shi watched as the girl began flying towards her. Anshar remained behind and watched her in turn.

“Greetings, Senior Sister. I am Song Sher, courtesy name Sherenna, may I trouble you to vacate this building? Senior Brother Anshar explained that it’s customary to claim another’s residence, compliant with the sect’s rules. It’ll be easier for both of us if you don’t struggle.” Shi Shi laughed out loud, oh, the insolence of youth! The junior might have been impressive in the Outer Sect, but it was time to set her straight. What was she? A mid-stage Qi Condensation? Shi Shi wouldn’t even break a sweat.

She stood up and assumed fighting stance. She wouldn’t even need a sword for this. Shaking her head, she said, “I’ll let you have the first strike, before I send you back crying, pipsqueak.”

The girl, Song Sher, foolishly dismissed her own sword, as if she thought this wouldn’t be fair. Well, she was right in thinking that it wouldn’t be fair because Shi Shi would squash her either way!

The girl approached, her body shifting as she prepared to perform a technique. Tiger Palm? Did the girl not choose any more advanced fighting techniques to learn? Shi Shi shook her head and, still smiling, moved to intercept the strike. She would grab the wrist of the extended hand and smash the girl into the ground.

Shi Shi opened her eyes. Why was the sun setting behind the Beast Peak? Her bed was very hard and rocky, did she fall asleep while cultivating outside? She moved her gaze to her home and noticed a girl meditating in front of the entrance. The girl opened her eyes, two emerald orbs stared at her firmly.

“You can go in and collect your possessions, Junior Sister.” Her head hurt, her butt hurt, her pride hurt. Meekly, she went in and packed her things.