He subtly nodded towards Jing Xu, who promptly stepped forward. Clad in purple robes that fluttered slightly with his movement, Jing Xu approached Aqua and began to elucidate. “The paths you may tread are Yin and Yang, order and chaos, ice and fire. Understand, however, that they are not embodiments of good and evil.”
As Jing Xu placed his palm gently on Aqua’s back, the blue kobold experienced an extraordinary sensation. A chilling energy, surpassing even the coldest ice he had ever conjured, began to seep through him.
“This one is attuned to Yin,” Jing Xu announced, withdrawing his hand as the icy sensation subsided. Leaning closer to Aqua, his voice softened, “Your constitution is good, suited for my training.”
Aqua, still reeling from the experience, found it hard to grasp Jing Xu’s words fully. The chilling energy that had coursed through his body was not painful; rather, it was exhilarating, liberating. It felt as though it unlocked dormant parts within him, awakening a newfound sense of freedom and potential.
Aqua was jolted back to the present as Jing Xu finished assessing everyone's natural affinity. Ifrit and Ventus had a predisposition towards Yang energy, while both Aqua and Brix resonated more with the Yin path.
The group swiftly divided, each duo accompanying their respective mentor to separate rooms at opposite ends of the corridor.
“In the lotus position, please,” Jing Xu instructed. Noticing the puzzled expressions on Aqua and Brix’s faces, he revised his approach. “Forget that. Sit comfortably, and I’ll guide you.”
Aqua and Brix complied, positioning themselves side by side with a hint of hesitance.
“Space yourselves out a bit; you’ll need room,” Jing Xu advised, demonstrating as he elegantly crossed his legs into the lotus position. “Relax your muscles. It will come naturally.”
Aqua attempted to mimic Jing Xu, the elder assisting by gently pushing his knees outward. The position stretched his thighs taut, akin to over-dried jerky, teetering on the brink of snapping. Aqua clenched his teeth, drawing deep, calming breaths, striving to ease the tension in his muscles.
Brix effortlessly settled into a flawless lotus position, his less developed thigh muscles posing no obstacle, unlike the sturdier build of the kobolds. The seriousness of the situation didn't completely suppress his mischievous nature; a snicker escaped him as he observed Aqua's struggle. Aqua, hearing the sound, could only respond with a subdued grunt, focusing on his posture.
“Excellent, you’re both correctly seated in the lotus position,” Jing Xu acknowledged, positioning himself in front of them. His tone shifted to one of earnest instruction. “Before you embark on meditation and cultivation, there are essential concepts you must grasp about both the Yin and Yang paths. This foundational understanding is vital for anyone beginning their journey.”
He paused briefly, clearing his throat for emphasis. “The initial phase of cultivation involves gathering qi during meditation. This qi, in its original form, is colorless and pure, untainted. To harness its potential, you must infuse it with your essence, your spirit. This process allows you to manipulate, transform, and even create the very laws of the universe. It’s through this personalization of qi that your true cultivation begins.”
Jing Xu’s voice deepened, becoming a hushed, captivating timbre as he delved deeper into his explanation. This shift in tone drew Aqua and Brix in, their attention captivated as if by a gravitational pull.
“And remember,” he continued, “all universal laws—fire, ice, earth, sand, poison, illusions, blessings, and curses—originate from the two primary paths: Yin and Yang. Some mistakenly equate Yang with righteousness and Yin with malevolence, good with Yang and evil with Yin. Dismiss such notions. Both Yin and Yang can manifest as good or evil. The purest forms of Yin and Yang are the roots of true evil, yet it is in their interaction, their balance, where true goodness emerges. Yin and Yang should not be perceived as separate entities, but as two halves of a singular, harmonious whole.”
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Noticing the furrowed brows of Aqua, signaling confusion, Jing Xu chuckled softly, his beard rustling as he stroked it. “Fear not the complexity of these concepts. Clarity will come as you progress in your cultivation journey.”
He then repositioned Aqua and Brix, guiding them to sit back-to-back and took his place between them. “First, master control over your breathing. Become aware of your surroundings. Attune your senses to the ether in the air. Only then can you start to absorb it through your pores and external paths.”
Guided by Jing Xu's instructions, Aqua closed his eyes, channeling his entire focus into harmonizing with the rhythm of his breath. As he inhaled and exhaled, he gradually began to merge with the essence of nature surrounding him. The external world, with all its cacophony and chaos, slowly faded away, leaving Aqua in a serene cocoon of concentration. His awareness honed in on the elusive ether drifting through the air, embracing it with a newfound sensitivity.
* * *
As the grip of slumber loosened, Thorian’s eyes fluttered open, greeting what should have been a new day. However, the sun, having already soared past its zenith, indicated a day well underway.
I despise daytime sleep, he thought, rising with a grunt.
Donning his robe and staff, Thorian stepped out of his house. The village was bustling: civilians engaged in their daily routines. He observed some wielding basic swords and shields, others delicately handling herbs for alchemists. Goblin women were busy crafting garments and decorating their homes, their nimble fingers weaving fabrics into practical and ornamental items.
Reflecting on the absence of official professions and workshops, Thorian noted how natural it seemed for everyone to carry on with their tasks. After ten years in this system, such simplicity feels almost alien, he mused, a smile curving his lips.
His attention was drawn to the sound of laughter. Young goblins and kobloids played tag, their joyful shrieks echoing through the air. Thorian chuckled, amused that this game transcended worlds and species.
Shaking off his reverie, he prepared to face the day's challenges. Topping his agenda was a visit to the one upgraded building he hadn’t yet explored: The Cultivation Hall.
Thorian’s thoughts meandered as he strode towards the Cultivation Hall. ‘With the arrival of the Yin and Yang masters due to this upgrade, perhaps even the kobolds and goblins can partake in the art of cultivation. I, being a cultivator myself, am proof it’s possible. And who better to introduce meditation to a new species than the hall masters?’
He sought to quiet his inner doubts with this logic, continuing his march towards the hall. Yet, his contemplations were abruptly interrupted by an unusual commotion. Goblins and Kobolds had gathered around the Hall, maintaining a respectful distance from the building, their faces contorted in disgust, hands covering their noses.
Thorian didn’t need to inquire about the cause. Approaching the hall, a pungent, stomach-churning odor assaulted his senses. He instantly recognized it as the residue of monster cultivation, a scent he had become all too familiar with recently.
‘This explains much,’ he thought, a forced half-smile appearing on his face as he pinched his nose and stepped inside.
The hall housed twelve cultivation rooms, six flanking each side of the corridor. The stench intensified with each step Thorian took. He passed one vacant room after another until he reached the corridor's end, where he encountered a locked door, with two occupied rooms adjacent.
Unsurprisingly, the source of the odious miasma was within these rooms, where figures sat cross-legged in deep cultivation.
As Thorian observed his four friends deeply engrossed in their cultivation under the guidance of the two elders, he allowed himself a small smile before exiting the Cultivation Hall. The gathered crowd outside still lingered, piqued by curiosity and concern.
Approaching them, Thorian singled out a goblin from the throng. “Hey, you!” he called.
The goblin, taken aback, pointed to himself in bewilderment. “Eh, m-me?”
“Yes, you,” Thorian affirmed with a nod. “Do you know of anyone skilled in woodworking?”
Confusion clouded the goblin's face briefly before he replied hesitantly, “Ehm-eh, no, I don’t know anyone like that.”
“Then find someone who is,” Thorian instructed firmly. “Spread the word in the village. It's an order from Thorian, your Lord. Ask them to meet me at the village hall. Understood?”
The goblin, now imbued with a sense of purpose, nodded vigorously. “Y-yes, I understand,” he said, then scurried off, echoing Thorian’s command throughout the village.
Thorian, meanwhile, made his way to the village hall. Settling down with a cup of tea served by Melina, he awaited the arrival of a woodcrafting expert.
Perhaps with their expertise, we can address this troublesome issue of cultivation black goo, he pondered, sipping his tea contemplatively.