Cultivating Chai

11:

It’s so pretty, Xiao Feng thought, as he held the slender spiritual herb in his hand. It’s texture and surface reminded him of ginger, but instead of forming in knobby clusters like it did on earth, it stretched out into a long line, with a cluster of thin, hair-like roots stretching outwards on one end.

Of course, that was not what Xiao Feng saw.

In his gaze, he was holding onto a canister of faint, liquid blue Qi that was suspended in mid-air, the roots registering as a network of meridians that were complete on some pathways and spotty on others. Perhaps because the spiritual plant had been yanked out of its original habitat.

Though the most interesting thing he discovered was a floating orb that was suspended within the canister of Qi, bobbing up and down as he moved the spiritual plant around. It was faint growing fainter by the minute, but the Qi contained within the spiritual plant surprisingly did not diminish.

It’s not a dantian, Xiao Feng thought, contemplating on the matter. But it functions similarly. Beasts have cores from birth to house their larger than human Qi reserves, but only after reaching the Core Formation stage do their cores take on a physical form. I guess it is the same for plants, because I’m pretty sure I won’t find a table tennis sized ball if I cut this spiritual root open.

So interested was Xiao Feng in this discovery, that he lost the focus he had been dedicating to maintaining the Essence Cultivation Art.

“Cultivator Xiao Feng,” Senior Alchemist Lan Huang called out his name, snapping his attention towards her.

It took every bit of willpower he possessed for him to not reply with an annoyed ‘what?’ in response, as he abandoned his attempt at re-establishing the Essence Cultivation Art.

Instead, he replied with a polite, “Yes, Ma’am?”

“There is someone who wishes to meet you. They are waiting for you, outside the classroom,” Senior Alchemist Lan Huang explained, her tone oddly deferential as she held on to a small paper note.

As he observed Lan Huang’s expression, he noticed that there was surprise reflected in her gaze.

Wonder what that’s all about, He thought, before responding in affirmative, “Very well, Ma’am. Permission to go and meet them?”

“Permission granted,” She replied, the Foundation Establishment level alchemist betraying a tone of elation in her tone as she did so.

Xiao Feng nodded, before scooting out of his chair and walking towards the exit.

Stepping outside the sliding door and closing it behind him, Xiao Feng found himself face-to-face with a raven-haired woman. She wore the same formal light-green hanfu as Senior Alchemist Lan Huang, the embroidered patch on her robes suggesting a similar status.

Her glossy hair was combed back into a neat ponytail, her light-green eyes containing depths that seemed familiar to Xiao Feng. Her figure was neither slender nor overly full, as balanced as the sense of poise and grace she was effortlessly exuding as she took his own features in.

“Cultivator Xiao Feng,” She began, her words calm and measured. “I am Senior Alchemist Lianhua Wu. Please allow me to apologize for my father’s misguided actions,” She offered, before bowing in apology.

A flabbergasted Xiao Feng took in the bowing figure before him, not understanding what had just transpired.

Wait, those gray eyes. That presence. Her status as a Senior Alchemist. Don’t tell me… she’s that old codger’s daughter? Xin Wu… Lianhua Wu… Of fricking course.

“Please rise, Senior Alchemist. I cannot see any reason why you should be apologizing to me,” Xiao Feng hurriedly replied, his tone barely managing to keep the panic out.

Lianhua Wu straightened her back, before meeting his gaze. “The Alchemy Division would lose all face before the Azure Lotus sect if it came to light that we treated a war hero so poorly. Again, I request you to please accept my apology,” She said, her tone polite but not vulnerable.

This time, Lianhua Wu did not bow.

“Again,” Xiao Feng began. “Actually, can we walk while we have this conversation?” He asked in a lowered tone, gesturing to the class behind the closed sliding doors. The perception of a cultivator, even as weak as a Qi Gathering realm one, could likely overhear their conversation with ease.

“As you wish,” Lianhua Wu placatingly replied.

“So,” He addressed the matter only after they had walked a fair distance away from the classroom. “As I was saying, I do not see the need to apologize to me.”

Lianhua Wu blinked, her tone seeming uncertain. She peeked at Xiao Feng’s expression, only to find earnestness there.

“Forgive me for my brazenness, but are you being sarcastic here, Cultivator Xiao Feng?” Lianhua Wu decided to address the issue directly instead of letting any misunderstandings fester.

“Uh, not really?” Xiao Feng replied. Perhaps you can tell me why I should be offended, He thought, finding the situation a bit amusing. Okay, more than just a bit amusing, if he was being honest.

“My father placed you in a class of Qi Gathering Cultivators taking their first steps towards both cultivation and the Dao of Alchemy, hoping that you would take offense at the humiliation and quit. Granted, he was not aware of who you were then, but it is still inexcusable behavior.”

Wow, he really had it out for me. Or, really had it out for Xiao Feng, ordinary cultivator of the Martial Division. Guess it wasn’t a test. I don’t really care but it’s weird, his daughter doesn’t seem appalled by the idea, He thought, clearly not understanding something that was fundamental to the matter at hand.

“Why?” Xiao Feng asked.

“My father is not an unjust man,” Lianhua Wu said, her tone flaring with pride.

“He has dedicated his life to the Dao of Alchemy, so it is only natural for him to expect genuine interest from students. I mean no offense to you, Cultivator Xiao Feng, but the ones that have transferred before you saw Alchemy as a means to an end rather than a Dao to be cultivated. While my father greatly respects the peace the Martial Division fights for, he believes our contribution to the Frontier Sect is equally important. To that end, he has no interest in dedicating resources to students that are not interested in the craft.”

Only the sound of their own footsteps was audible as they walked down the passageway for a few long moments, as Xiao Feng considered his response.

“I see,” He said, his tone one of understanding. “But Senior Alchemist Lianhua, you need not worry about me. I still do not see any reason to take offense at the Grand Alchemist’s actions. It is I who requested the transfer to the Alchemy Division and inconvenienced you all. Not only would it be brazen of me to complain about the class I’ve been placed into, but it would defeat my purpose. I am here to learn, not fight.”

It was not surprise, but shock that flickered across Lianhua Wu’s visage, before she managed to compose herself.

“Xiao Feng,” She addressed him, her tone far more informal than before. “What is your reason for coming to the Alchemy Division?” She asked the martial cultivator who did not act, behave or talk like a martial cultivator. A war hero who carried with him none of the pride foisted onto him by virtue of his title. A man who defied the heavens to cultivate, yet possessed a demeanor more befitting a mortal.

“Well, if I am being honest,” Xiao Feng smiled, genuinely smiled at Lianhua before answering,”I wish to learn how to brew tea.”