Absolute In/Existence

Smiling, Heaven looked at Cai Ling train whilst he painted.

It had been a week since he had her begin training in the Basic Fan Technique and she had made some small progress. She was still within the practice realm, still a distance away from the beginner realm.

It only showed Heaven just how poorly she trained with her fan.

At her current mastery, it made no sense to give her any of the more advanced knowledge of the Basic Fan Technique. Much like him, Cai Ling will only be practicing in the beginner level of the Basic Fan Technique until he believes she's ready for the Intermediate level.

In the beginner level, the Basic Technique only contains the basic moves. No follow ups, no special moves, no variations or anything like that for the matter. Just those 11 simple moves.

Finishing the painting, Heaven put away his paint supplies and rolled up the painting before grabbing stepping close to Cai Ling.

Without any warning, he lunged forward with a fist strike. Simple and unadorned with any beauty, all rustic.

Cai Ling narrowly dodged, her eyes turning to look at Heaven with a narrowed gaze.

"Good," he praised. Waving his hand, he slapped away Cai Ling's attack easily and broke through her defense. "But you need improvement."

Heaven had the upper hand, not just through fighting experience, but from his basic techniques already being at the Fluent realm, ways away from the practice realm.

Normally, he wouldn't be Cai Ling's match because of her overwhelming strength, but he convinced the silent beauty to restrain her strength.

Continuing forward, Heaven attacked Cai Ling whilst she stood her ground. She didn't take a single step back, but frantically tried blocking every attack from Heaven.

He placed her in positions where she had to use the most effective move to either defend, or attack. However, she was either too slow to react, or she would use the wrong move.

"Ling, you would have been dead by now if all of this was real," Heaven suddenly said after a while.

He stopped attacking and stepped back.

"Remember, the essence of fighting can be simplified into four realms.

Application of Knowledge, Profoundness within Simplicity, Swiftness equates Invincibility, and Back to Nature…"

Heaven explained to Cai Ling every single realm of combat.

Application of knowledge is about knowing when is the perfect moment to strike and which move is the best to use.

Profoundness within simplicity seeks in honing the intent of the moves, not the form. To not seek perfection in form, but in the intent of the technique. The more simple, the stronger the moves.

Swiftness equates invincibility, to defeat anything with speed. If one can land their attack first, then their opponent may as well be dead. With supreme speed, one can achieve the realm of invincibility.

Finally, back to nature, this realm is up to each person. Everyone understands something different for this realm. And in Heaven's case, it's simply about using every move as naturally as breathing. To make every move a part of the body, as if it was nature itself.

After explaining these four realms of combat, Cai Ling lowered her gaze into a thoughtful expression.

Nodding his head, Heaven turned his attention elsewhere. During this week, he had managed to capture various insects and mix them into special mixture.

Even Cai Ling's master, Jae-Hwa, helped her little disciple by giving her a rare treasure. One of an unknown grade which he and Cai Ling are unaware of. A small bead that gathers the energy and moisture in the air and transforms it into water.

The amount of water is extremely pitiful, but it's just barely enough to support the seeds and the trees.

To keep the back of Cai Ling's abode pleasing to the eye, Heaven created a fairly large well. He used what he about building and creating to create the ring of brick and the wooden support on top. It wasn't extremely artistic since he never practiced his craftsmanship, but he fixed it by carving into the bricks and painting over the wood.

Sooner or later, Heaven might need to delve into craftsmanship to keep himself busy.

Entering his herbal garden, Heaven found the planted seeds to be growing just fine. Even the tree saplings appeared much livelier after a couple of days.

While Cai Ling returned to training, Heaven went to take care of the budding seeds and growing trees.

…

The sun was setting and all the disciples of Yin Desires either returned to their abodes or left for missions. A usual routine they did to keep the night quiet and somber. Something that Jae-Hwa appreciated and enjoyed as she strolled around the empty grounds of the sect.

"Sect Leader!"

While Jae-Hwa was taking a stroll through the sect, a shadow flashed and an older woman appeared next to her. The older woman kneeled on the floor in respect and lowered her head as she spoke.

"Speak, Elder Wu."

"The demonic beasts south of us are preparing to attack us! They are gathering their forces and are heading here."

Jae-Hwa frowned.

Demonic beasts are creatures that are very violent, eating beings to grow stronger. If they are angered enough, they turn berserk and can kill many people.

Once the demonic beasts gather, their strength will skyrocket as a group.

"When will they arrive?"

"In two months!"

"Inform the disciples and have them focus on their cultivation. I will also be retreating and going into closed door cultivation."

Jae-Hwa watched as Elder Wu cupped her fist and retreated.

Retracting her gaze, Jae-Hwa was unconsciously stroking the chain necklace around her slender neck. The wisdom aura on the necklace was helping her at all times. The aura helped her remain calm and remain undistracted. All confusion would just disperse.

Transforming into a wisp of black smoke, Jae-Hwa floated into the air and returned to her abode.

…

Far away in a small mountain, covered by many trees and a long flowing river surrounding it, many animals were entering the small mountain.

Animals of varying sizes flooded the mountain, each one carrying a strong and ferocious aura. Every animal had a bloody smell to it. And at the very center of all these animals, one particular animal had a very dense bloody smell that covered them in a red mist.

A strong and powerful beast with fur made of steel and explosive strength.

Northern Black Ape, the leader of all these animals.

At their level of strength, all of these animals had already awoken their sentience after stepping away from the mortal realms. Those that have managed to advance further gain the ability to speak and have better intelligence.

"We starve!" The Northern Black Ape yelled in broken sentences, a deep and guttural sound escaping from its mouth. "The humans have been hunting us down! Our numbers are dwindling, eating each other is no longer an option!"

The animals roared and cawed in agreement to the words of the Northern Black Ape. A murderous and bestial aura erupting into the air.

"Now! We hunt them!" roared the Northern Black Ape. "My underling Mountain Eagle had been scouting the areas around us for the past year.

And finally, we have found our first target! A group of women hiding inside a cave within a canyon!"

All the animals roared and cheered.

Between all those demonic beasts, a large tiger stood quietly. Under the tiger, a small feline beast with bright and curious eyes stepped beneath it.

The tiger cub mewed and fell to the floor. Unlike the other beasts in the surroundings and its parent, the tiger cub was devoid of the murderous and bestial aura.

It hasn't been long since it was born, and it has only been fed the flesh of other mortal animals.

"We're going on a trip, young one," the tiger roared, lowering its head to look at its cub.

***

Within Yin Desires, Heaven was practicing his skills beside his field of herbs. Repeating moves a thousand times before following up with different moves.

Heaven struck forward with fists, fingers, claws, tearing at the air. His every movement was simple and direct.

The Basic Martial Technique was the greatest creation of his.

It aided Heaven to master the basics of martial arts and ingrain them into every inch of his body. Allowing him to easily master more difficult techniques in the future.

Beside him, Cai Ling was also practicing her Basic Fan Technique. After what Heaven had told her the previous day, she had begun making faster progress. Her attacks turned faster and her attacks carried a purpose within them.

"Saintess, I have come bearing important news."

Halting their practice, both Heaven and Cai Ling walked over to the front of the abode. Finding an older woman standing with her hands behind her back. With her head tilted up, her eyes looked down at them.

Or at least towards Heaven.

She respectfully lowered her head slightly toward Cai Ling, casting Heaven an odd glance.

"Send the slave away. What I'm about to say is only for disciples of Yin Desires," Elder Wu said, shooing Heaven away with a wave of her hand.

Turning, Heaven was going to leave, not really caring. But the moment he lifted his foot, Cai Ling had reached over to him and grabbed his hand. She pulled him towards herself and looked at Elder Wu with a firm gaze.

With a displeased look on her face, Elder Wu spoke up, "It has been confirmed that demonic beasts are making their way towards us. Prepare for the battle that will erupt in two months. Focus on training and cultivating for the next two months."

Cai Ling frowned at the news and Heaven stood to the side quietly, his thoughts turning. Each receiving the news their own way.

But that wasn't the end of the news, Elder Wu opened her mouth, her mature voice coming out.

"The sect master has also gone into closed door cultivation, she won't be available until the day the demonic beasts attack," Elder Wu said.

Cai Ling nodded, extending her cupped fist to Elder Wu before grabbing Heaven's hand and dragging him back to practice their skills.

"Disrespectful juniors…" Elder Wu muttered, shaking her head.

Whilst Elder Wu turned to leave, Heaven was busy thinking. He had a small frown on his face, wondering what will happen in two months. He doesn't have the ability to protect himself and the chain on his leg prevents him from escaping.

With Jae-Hwa being unable to be contacted during that time.

Rubbing his chin, Heaven knew that he needed a way to defend himself. Yet he is severely limited by what he is capable of here by not just location, but resources as well.

Especially whilst chained.

Removing his worrying thoughts, Heaven focused on his training. He glanced at Cai Ling, her little brows furrowed together. Her eyes were clouded within his eyes and he looked at her forceful movements.

Shaking his head, Heaven looked around and found a decently sized stick. It wasn't too long, but neither was it short. It was tough and Heaven found it pleasing to the eyes.

'This will be my teaching stick,' he thought, making his way to Cai Ling.

His eyes flickered as he looked at her movements, seeing countless flaws. Sticking out the stick in his hand, Cai Ling's arm fell straight to it, as if she did it on purpose.

However, it was something Heaven was expecting. The basic fan move she was practicing wasn't supposed to touch his stick if she performed it correctly. 

"Ling'er," Heaven called out, a little affectionately. "You need to calm your heart. If you can't keep your heart stable and calm, you will end up dead the moment you move."

Cai Ling's furrowed eyebrows relaxed a little as she listened to his gentle voice. She took a deep breath and relaxed as she let out her breath. Her troubled gaze cleared a little as she looked at him.

"The world is testing you. If you fail, you will die."

His words made Cai Ling tense up, but as he grabbed her hand and stroked it gently, he continued speaking.

"But once you survive and pass the test, you will be able to take a step forward in your life and become stronger," Heaven said, his eyes bright. "Now, let's practice.

I will guide you. Train you to be ready for anything that will challenge you and your way of life."