Chapter 352: Paths

~~~

Another twelve-hour cycle ends, and Liu Jin synchronizes his memories with those of his copy once more. Though not quite disorienting, the experience does leave him with a slight headache. Liu Jin thought he’d be used to it by now after all the time he allowed his copy to walk about in the palace, but reconciling the different sets of memories has grown harder instead. It is probably because, being in the Dead Plains, his copy’s memories have become further removed from his standard frame of reference.

“Any news?” Xiao Shuang asks him. She and Liu Jin are sitting face to face on the clean floor of the training room.

“Is it that noticeable?” Liu Jin asks her, rubbing his temples.

“Not really,” Xiao Shuang replies. “But I have memorized the cycles.”

She does not say more, yet anxious energy radiates from her body. If Xiao Shuang had any less self-control, she’d probably be shuffling nervously.

“We have not found Elder Brother Xiao Nan yet,” Liu Jin answers her unspoken question. Xiao Shuang visibly deflates. “We did, however, find the site of his last training battle with the Duke… It was quite something.”

Just remembering that black chasm that kept going on forever gives Liu Jin an instinctive urge to shiver. A long time ago, he and Elder Brother Xiao Nan talked about tournaments and why it was often the younger generations that fought in them. Xiao Nan claimed that if the strongest cultivators from every faction fought, entire cities would be destroyed.

Liu Jin now understands how true that is. If the strongest fought, even if the best precautions were taken, the entire empire and the surrounding areas would likely be reduced to nothing. The land would become no different from that black chasm.

“I see.” Xiao Shuang breathes a sigh of relief. “I am relieved he seems to be alive and well, though if he had become an Emperor, you’d have already said it. That means the Renegade Realm still has him.”

“We cannot always enjoy a perfect fortune. He’s alive and seemingly in the upper levels of the Renegade Realm,” Liu Jin says. “That is already good enough. The rest, we’ll need to work on little by little.”

“You are right, of course. Still, if Cousin Nan is that strong, the Duke you told me about is likely his equal,” Xiao Shuang points out. “Aren’t you worried?”

“Not particularly,” Liu Jin says. “The Duke cannot touch me as long as I am in the palace. Usually, that means I’d have to worry about the damage he can cause to our cities, but that’s not going to happen.”

Xiao Shuang leans closer. “Oh?”

“The Duke cares about the Storm Dragon Empire enough to threaten my life over it,” Liu Jin says. “That care should still shine through even if he’s in the highest levels of the Renegade Realm. It’d be an issue if he had lost control, but that does not seem to be the case.”

Xiao Shuang looks at him in silence for a moment.

“It is strange that you choose to take comfort in the character of someone who promised to kill you if you fail to meet their standard,” Xiao Shuang points out.

“I have long ago given up on retaining a semblance of normality in my life,” Liu Jin admits.

“That is bleak, husband,” Xiao Shuang says. “Please, do not hold it against me if I strive to remain normal.”

“I would not dream of it,” Liu Jin replies while thinking that Xiao Shuang believing she is any way normal only shows how abnormal she is. However, voicing that sort of thought is usually ill-advised. “Let us return to what we were doing, then.”

Xiao Shuang gives him a suspicious look, no doubt sensing he is thinking something unkind. However, her scrutiny is only rewarded by an innocent look from Liu Jin.

“Very well,” she says at last, closing her eyes and letting her Qi rise.

A thin layer of frost spreads over the training room as Xiao Shuang slows down the flow of Qi through her body and even stops her breathing. All of it is done with deliberate slowness so Liu Jin will not miss a second of it. That is why he is able to notice something far more important. More than ice or cold, something else is taking shape. It covers Xiao Shuang’s body like a cloak, making space itself come to a halt.

Perfect Stillness.

[Everfrozen Age]

Created by Meng Yue of the Divine Frozen Palace, the technique imposes a state of perfect stillness on its user. In other words, as long as one is under the effect of the technique, they cannot be hurt in any way. That is how Xiao Shuang completely nullified an attack empowered by tribulation lightning.

However, the technique is not without downsides, and one of them is currently laid bare before Liu Jin. Perfect stillness means Xiao Shaung cannot move for as long as she is under the effect of [Everfrozen Age]. Liu Jin watches her hold the technique for several seconds before finally letting go. It happens slowly, but this time, it is not for his benefit. That really is as fast as she can return to normal. Even once her Qi has begun flowing, it is not doing so as fast as before. That is the second weakness of [Everfrozen Age].

“Are you sure you want to attempt this?” Xiao Shuang asks him. Though she tries her best to mask it, Liu Jin does not fail to notice the stilted way in which her tongue moves. She has already shown him the technique three times. Any more could be potentially dangerous. “The technique relies on stillness. My master attempted it because she believed that was the shape of her Dao. She was mistaken, but she is undoubtedly a genius. I could imitate her because I possess a body of Extreme Yin, her personal instruction, and many years of learning to harness the power of cold.”

And he does not have any of those things. She said as much when he asked her to teach him the technique.

“I understand the difficulties involved,” Liu Jin says. “Nevertheless, I believe this is worth attempting.”

“Very well,” she says. “Go on, then.”

Taking a deep breath, Liu Jin allows his aura to rise around him and gradually synchronizes it to his breathing. As his breathing slows down, so does the movement of his Qi. Eventually, he stops breathing altogether. It feels weird, but there is no danger in doing so. The days when breathing was vital for him passed him by a long time ago. This is simply the easiest way to stop his Qi.

However, that’s not enough. If stopping the flow of his Qi was all that it took, the technique wouldn’t be anything special. The real difficulty lies in immersing himself in a state of perfect stillness. Lady Meng Yue and Xiao Shuang can do it despite Stillness not being their Dao because they both possess special qualities.

Liu Jin does not possess those qualities. However, there is one thing he has that they do not.

Permanence.

Of all the qualities dragons possess, that is the most dominant one. Dragons are proud creatures that refuse to change. They simply become more themselves. That natural stubbornness is so powerful that it persists even after death. The flesh of a dragon will refuse to be consumed, and the bones of a dragon will seek to mend themselves even after being fashioned into items.

As the descendant of the Storm Dragon, Liu Jin possesses the aspect of Permanence. If he taps into it, it should not be impossible to emulate the stillness required for [Everfrozen Age]. Liu Jin takes a deep breath and allows his mind to think back to his fight with the Wandering Wind, to the time the world felt like an illusion.

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To the time when he was the Storm Dragon.

Xiao Shuang gasps as his Qi spikes and scales grow over his flesh, covering his arms and rising to his neck. However, she makes no attempt to stop him, and her Qi remains undisturbed. Liu Jin feels the attention of the Storm Dragon suddenly turn to him. The Shadow still slumbers as ordered, yet its consciousness is not unaware of what happens in the palace. Liu Jin can almost feel it smiling as blood flows down his forehead, and a single horn breaks through his skin.

He is a Dragon.

This is his Empire.

There are no impossibles for him here.

An implosion washes over him as his Qi stops moving and his heart stops beating. Even his nervous system stops sending out signals to his brain. The dragon’s aspect of Permanence takes over everything Liu Jin is. It wraps around him and envelops him until he has become a fixed point in time. A space in between breaths. He is…

Falling.

The stillness breaks. Liu Jin falls slowly, as if he were moving through honey. He barely manages to hold out his hand in time to stop his face from hitting the floor.

“Th…a..t…wa…s…un…pleas…ant,” Liu Jin says, feeling his tongue heavy in his mouth. He blinks slowly. “Oh…really un…pleas…ant..”

“It will go away eventually,” Xiao Shuang says. She rises and walks to the side of the room. There is a tea kettle there. She pours a cup and brings it to him. “That you managed anything at all in your first attempt is incredibly impressive, husband.”

Liu Jin blinks slowly. The motion leaves his eyes closed for a few seconds.

“You do not… sound impressed,” Liu Jin says, slowly accepting the cup.

“I have learned not to underestimate you. If you couldn’t do this much, I’d be worried.”

“I think you might be holding me to a too-high standard instead,” Liu Jin notes, not without some nervousness.

“A full sentence. Excellent,” Xiao Shuang says, with an approving nod and a smile. “And I’m not. Our enemies are beings of overwhelming power. Thus, overwhelming power is needed. I will ensure you reach it, and I shall reach it with you, husband.”

The eyes of the girl who believes herself to be normal shine with power and resolve.

“Shall we continue?”

~~~

The Wandering Wind strides forth.

People give her a wide berth as she passes, but for once, the primary cause is not her status or power. Instead, the culprit is the gigantic white horn she has strapped to her back. The thing is not only larger than her entire body. It is bigger than most houses. That she can pass through several halls and doorways without needing to place the horn in any sort of spatial item speaks volumes about the dimensions of the building she is in.

“Senior Sister, I ask you to reconsider this,” Bright Sword says as he walks beside her. He looks uncharacteristically concerned. “There is still one more test left. Take your time with it. This is not wise. You know this.”’

The Wandering Wind turns, and Bright Sword has to duck to make sure the massive horn does not hit his head.

“You are half a man again,” she notes.

Bright Sword sighs in annoyance. Another uncharacteristic expression.

“He claimed there were things he needed to do and left. Personally, I think he was bored.”

The Wandering Wind blinks.

“That sounds quite troublesome,” she says.

“You are taking this matter with an overwhelming amount of triviality,” Bright Sword notes. “The One-Horned Devourer was meant to give you time to reconsider. The beast’s ability to instantly move between spatial realms has made its capture difficult. It was assumed you would experience setbacks.”

“The inadequacies of others have never been my concern,” the Wandering Wind replies.

Someone claps.

“Well said! Very well said!”

He approaches them with feline grace, not the prowl of an experienced predator but the lazy strut of a cat who has claimed a property as their own despite the owner’s wishes. His body is lithe and without visible muscles. His grey eyes shine like unsheathed steel, and the rest of his face is oddly androgynous. If he wore his hair long, he might get mistaken for a woman.

He wears the white and silver of the Peerless Heavenly Sword Peak.

“It is the height of foolishness to hold yourself back just to quell the anxieties of those who are inferior,” he says, nodding. “I agree completely. It is always wonderful when you find your opinions are shared by someone so eminent. I am delighted!”

“You are from the other side of the Dead Plains,” the Wandering Wind notes.

“Indeed, I am,” the man says, bowing before her. “This one’s name is Xun Huwen. I wished to pay my respects to the Wandering Wind. It heartens me to see someone from my homeland is also here.”

The Wandering Wind judges him in silence for a moment.

“You are in my way,” she says at last.

Xun Huwen laughs.

“Please, forgive me,” he says, dipping his head even lower as he removes himself from her path. “My excitement merely got the better of me. I know I am not worthy of you putting me in your eyes.”

“No,” the Wandering Wind says. “Xun Huwen of the Eternal Flame Clan. I know who you are.”

Xun Huwen’s smile widens to a manic degree. However, he does nothing as the Wandering Wind walks past him. He merely walks in the opposite direction.

Every person has their own path.

“I am surprised you did not kill him,” Bright Sword says once they leave him behind.

“Your Elders love playing with sharp blades,” the Wandering Wind replies. “I would not dream of depriving them of the satisfaction.”

“Please, do not say things like that in this building.”

“I have come to do far worse.”

“That’s the problem!” Bright Sword sighs, but he visibly relaxes once they reach the Room of Offerings. There is an altar there on which to set the horn, but that is merely the first step of many.

He has plenty of time to make his argument.

The Wandering Wind contemplates the room in silence after setting the horn. After several seconds, she picks a small vase and places it on a small pillar in the corner. It sinks two inches. A knife falls into her hand, which she immediately throws to the seventh tapestry from the left. The cat in the tapestry leaps out and runs to the ceiling, knocking down one of the ornaments hanging from it.

From one corner to the other, from a hidden trapdoor, to a mysterious manual that appears out of thin air. The Wandering Wind never hesitates for a second as she breezes through the puzzles. Bright Sword’s eyes grow progressively wider throughout it all.

“How?!” Bright Sword asks, visibly heated as the final puzzle is solved and the large gates blocking the way forward open with slumbering slowness. “That should have taken you months!”

“As I understand it, the record is fifteen days.”

That is the record held by someone who was raised in the traditions of the Peerless Heavenly Sword Peak. Thus, it was possible for him to understand all the hidden challenges in the room. An outsider like the Wandering Wind should never have been able to do it so easily.

Divinities truly are beyond imagination.

“Do not try to stop me and do not even think about following me,” the Wandering Wind says, sparing him a single look. “I would dislike it if you died.”

Bright Sword does not answer. He merely watches as she steps into the inner chamber and the gates close behind her.

He wonders if he’ll ever see her again.

~~~

A mighty pressure hits her as soon as she sets foot inside the room. Everything in this space is already under its control, and now that she has entered it, it seeks to impose its will on her as well.

However, she is the Wandering Wind.

Qi clashes against Qi. The two mighty forces war for control of the room with such force that space wraps around them. A lesser cultivator would have already died, but the Wandering Wind keeps moving forward without showing any strain.

“Was sending me to get that horn supposed to be an insult?” she asks. As soon as she does, the pressure hitting her fades away.

“When one requests an audience, a suitable task must be assigned,” comes the reply from a man sitting on the tall throne. His face is hidden by shadows. “Considering who you are, anything less than the One-Horned Devourer would have been too easy. Did you enjoy it?”

The Wandering Wind thinks it over.

“It was a sufficient waste of time.”

The man on the throne snorts.

“Insolent.”

“I possess an accurate assessment of myself. Nothing more,” the Wandering Wind replies. “That is why I have dared to present myself before you.”

“It is certainly a novelty,” the man says as he leans forward, revealing a dignified face with a short beard. His black hair has multiple streaks of white on it. “Well? What are you waiting for? Speak your case.”

He is the First Sword, the Patriarch of the Peerless Heavenly Sword Peak, and a veteran of the war between humans and demons.

Qin Muchen.

~~~