Chapter 42- Northern Soldier

“Would it cost you too much energy to tell me what that is?” Tian’s eyes were fixed on the swimming… whatever it was.

Not at all. What it is specifically is a Qi Spirit. These occasionally appear in places with really intense levels of qi. It has taken the shape of a… hmm… patron deity? A primordial spirit? Not really sure how to describe it to you. Imagine a magical beast that was a sort of embodiment of Water as an elemental principal, as well as a few other things. It’s hard putting words around something like this. For example, some people think the combination of turtle and snake is meant to be a representation of yin and yang, flexibility versus rigidity, but in either case, longevity.

“Once again, the answer has given me more questions. It’s a yin-yang beast of some kind?”

No, it’s a Qi Spirit that has taken the form of the totem auspicious beast that represents water and that some bored humans slapped labels on.

“And… what should I do about it?”

That one is up to you. But for right now, I’d keep cultivating. Check your skin. That Hong girl is going to stamp her foot with jealousy.

Tian looked at his hands. Somehow, despite fighting in the desert and working in a desert base for more than a year, he was even paler than he had been at the temple. His skin had turned the rich white of mutton fat, though not quite the blinding white of a Go piece. He ran a finger along his arm. It was a sheer pleasure to touch. Soft with a hidden resilience, smooth and utterly free of blemishes.

“Did I get any taller?”

You did not.

“Cultivation is a scam.” Tian patted his head in irritation. He was growing well, but Hong was too. Somehow, the hooligan girl was still taller than him. Proof, if more was needed, that the world was ruled by a mad god.

He patted his head again. He had read about things described as “soft as the finest silk.” Tian had never seen “the finest silk,” but it was probably almost as nice to touch as his hair.

“I still have no idea how to defeat this… being.”

Particularly since it doesn’t seem to be interested in fighting you.

The strange turtle was swimming through the cavern, seemingly without any purpose. It looked… content, Tian supposed.

Until a stalagmite made the worst damn mistake of its life.

The reckless fool had spent uncountable years slowly rising up, and now it would pay the price for its arrogance. It stood in front of the turtle, forcing it to stop swimming for a moment. Tian saw spirit go still. Its turtle eyes narrowed. The serpent slowly drew back. Then… it struck!

The ghostly snake lashed forward, long fangs biting into the rock. The turtle wasn’t going to let the snake have all the satisfaction. It lashed out with a heavy claw too. The stalagmite was too stunned to respond. The turtle-snake didn’t let up. The turtle actually reared on to its hind… legs? Clawed flippers? Tian wasn’t sure what to call them. Whatever they were, the spirit got planted and started slapping with both front claws while the snake struck from cunning angles.

It should have looked silly. It did look silly. Tian was irresistibly reminded of the armored mortals who lined the road during the annual spars. They looked so serious and covered in armor, just like the turtle. Such fierce looks on their faces. The turtle looked pretty fierce too. And while the slapping might not be some exquisite form of boxing, if the enemy was something other than a pointy rock, they would probably be killed by it.

The turtle didn’t seem to be getting bored. It was laying into the stalagmite with ruthless determination. The longer Tian watched it, the stranger it became. Slap, slap, slap. Whip, bite, jab. Leaving aside the insanity of an energy spirit attacking a rock, the sheer coordination of the turtle and the snake were extraordinary. Tian was fascinated. The longer he watched, the more mysterious it became.

It really wasn’t some exquisite boxing technique, nor was the snake displaying some subtle art. They just moved naturally, and as one. There was a charm to it all that he really couldn’t look away from.

“Grandpa, am I crazy or-”

You aren’t crazy. Focus! This is an immense opportunity if you can grasp it.