Chapter 56

The smile on my face was strained as I stared down almost a hundred cultivators. Luckily, none of them were staring at me. Instead, all of their gazes were locked solidly above my head and behind me. Littlebird sat dead still on my shoulder.

The Emperor’s hot, humid huffing breaths rolled over my shoulders as he puffed air out of his nose with pride. There was something off about the meeting hall. The qi in the room moved oddly, all being pulled in one direction. I wondered if it was the natural formation of the Stormwall at work.

The meeting hall was in stunned silence. The elder sitting on the stage held an implacable impression. I maintained a clasped fist before inspecting the Elder and the stage.

[Elder Grim Shui the Drowning Storm, Darkrain Scion Path Cultivator, ??? Realm Cultivator]

[Storm Qi Formation Key]

The platform the Elder was on wasn’t just a stage — it was a massive formation key, accumulating qi from the region all around us. It all flowed into the Elder. To progress to an Elder of the Grim Tempest probably meant never slacking in cultivation. Even here, he continued to inch toward progress.

And for his name… the system listed an epithet instead of a name, only including the two last names of the Elder — Grim, for the Grim Tempest, and Shui, for his family name. It had listed Wen’s epithet too, but didn’t list his last names — nor his status in the clan.

It confirmed a thought I had. The system was giving the names that people held for themselves, not the ones the people around them gave. My own status still named me as Feng Sai.

I maintained a placid face as we continued a quiet staring match. With no one breaking the silence, I slowly started inspecting the cultivators around the room. Every single Scion here cultivated the Darkwind Scion path.

[Grim Feng Jin, Middle Third Realm Darkwind Scion Path Cultivator]

I froze, locking eye contact with my brother. My heart trembled. Middle Third Realm? He had only just touched the Third Realm weeks ago. It should have taken months to refine his cultivation to the point of progression two temperings. Even if the Grim Tempest threw resources at him, advancing so fast should have damaged his foundation.

The Elder finally broke his silence.

“Excellent work. Catch.”

The qi in the entire room shifted as the Elder pulled something out of his spirit ring. It was a water element treasure, that much I could tell. The room felt more humid just from him revealing it. He flung it at me casually.

I caught it, inspecting a sea shell of glowing blue azure light.

[Seajade Shell, Middle Grade Ocean-Qi natural treasure]

[Low Grade Inner Realm Foundation Object]

My eyes flicked up to the elder and back to the treasure. Then, with an exercise of my qi, I sucked it into my spirit ring.

“My thanks to the elder.” I said. “May I ask the reason for your generosity?”

“There is no generosity here. You have shown fantastic initiative in completing the first trial before arriving. The others here could stand to learn from the pro-activity of your intelligence gathering.”

I did?

“Where is your attendant?” Elder Shui continued, staring down at me. He hadn’t looked at The Emperor at all. He was the only cultivator in the room looking entirely my way.

“Apologies to the Elder, we encountered trouble on the way. I went ahead, leaving Feng — “ I paused on my words. There were whispers between friendly cultivators in the crowd now. “I left Grim Wen behind.”

The elder nodded.

“You’ve done well to come here safely. And your name?”

“Ah, apologies to the Elder. I am called Feng Sai.”

“Visit me this evening for personal instruction, Grim Sai. Today, go and find the Stablemaster here. I hope the Alligator you’ve captured is as well behaved as he appears. You will have to compensate if he devours anyone else’s mounts.”

The Elder’s scowl like expression slowly broke as he continued talking. I almost could swear I saw a glint of excitement in his eyes.

Nervous energy filled me at the thought of the Elder personally instructing me. I should have been below his notice. But I couldn’t refuse such an offer. It was valuable to me, for one, but for another, refusing would be a grave offense.

“Yes, Elder.” I gave another clasped fist salute.

“As for the rest of you… what are you waiting for? Go and catch up. Do not think to waste any of the three days you’ve been alloted!”

The hall was still stunned and waiting for direction. Many of them looked toward the Outer Disciple attendants that accompanied them.

Jin was the first to move. My brother crossed the room quickly, staring directly at me. The rest of the crowd started moving a moment later, walking as fast as could be considered respectful toward the exit.

 I stared at him as he walked toward me. My fingers twitched near my sword. He maintained eye contact the entire way. Elder Shui stared at us too.

“We will talk after the dinner hall tonight.” Jin spoke clearly and without stopping. Bai didn’t even look my way and the crowd filtered around The Emperor, some even choosing to take other exits entirely.

Littlebird chirped angrily at him as he walked by.

I stood and waited as the crowd filtered out around me. A minute later, an attendant approached me. He had graying hair, and looked to be in his forties or higher.

[Grim Ming, Qi Condensation Realm Cultivator]

[Identify] revealed that he was a cultivator who never broke through the First Realm. I wondered if he had a qi alignment that was unfavorable to the Darkwind Scion path.

“Excuse me, Young Master Sai.” He offered a slight bow. “I will take your… pet… to the stables. Or would you prefer I take it to the harvesting hall?” Ming sent a nervous look at The Emperor.

“The harvesting hall?” I asked.

“To have its core and valuable resources processed. One operates here during the storm tournament.” Ming explained.

“To the stables, please. Show me the way.”

Ming hesitated. He looked like he wanted to say something.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It would be my honor if you left this task to me.” Ming said with a bow.

“I’ll accompany you. I want to know where my friend is being kept.” I said, putting a hand on The Emperor’s scales.

The color of them had continued to grow steadily darker.

“After, could you lead me to my room?” I asked.

“I live to serve the Grim Tempest.” Ming replied with another bow. “Follow me, then. But to forewarn you, the stables are ill-prepared to receive any young master.”

“I’ll be fine.” I said as we headed out.

The crowd parted around us — mostly around The Emperor as he slapped forward through the hall.

A gigantic hallway encircled the towering building. In one direction, the hallway slanted up. We headed through the hall the other way, corkscrewing on a downward incline.

The Grim Tempest had established an all out compound here. It must have remained occupied year round. There were estates and houses for cultivators to remain while guarding this place. Almost every guard I saw was no higher than the Third Realm. I wondered if an Elder always occupied the halls to defend it from greater threats like Spiritbeast hordes.

The halls were well maintained and renovated. Some manner of formation kept even the stone floors and walls warm to the touch. Great windows had been installed, allowing me to view out over the golden lake.

Just beyond the compounds edge, the ever-present rain of the Stormwall was redirected away, forming a darkening curtain that obscured the distant skyline. Very few drops of rain crossed that curtain and reached this compound.

It took several minutes to reach another large double door which revealed a downward staircase. The smells I associated with a stable wafted up from it.

Contrary to my expectation, the stable was anything but simple. Different pens were maintained for different needs; a few, including the one the attendant brought me too, featured an entire pool with a maintained artificial bog inside. The water bubbled and steamed.

Attendants fed or groomed strange Spiritbeast mounts in the many pens, but most of them remained empty. The hall stretched out before me. I frowned.

“Are we under the lake right now?”

“Yes, Scion. Do not worry, the central compound is well maintained and leak proof. I have personally lived here for over five years without incident.” Ming said, opening the metal gate.

The Emperor rushed inside, all but throwing himself in the heated water. I frowned. Five years was a long time to live in such an isolated segment of the Stormwall.

“Will I need to return to feed him?” I asked.

“Food will be provided for your capture, Scion.”

“Please, call me Sai.” I said, exasperated at the formalities on display. “The tournament hasn’t even begun. We may be peers some day. You’ve lived here for five years?”

“It is my honor, Young Master Sai. As for the tournament…” for the first time, Ming visibly frowned. He let the gate fall shut with a squeak. “You have already completed the first trial. Subduing an Omen Alligator so easily is impressive. Your status cannot be so ordinary.”

“Subduing an Omen Alligator… that’s the first trial?” I asked, turning to look back toward the entrance.

Ming noticed, stepping forward to lead me.

“Yes. Elder Shui is being hard on the recruits this year. The first trial for my own tournament wasn’t even as difficult.” Ming said, leading me up the ramp .

“How did you place?” I asked.

“I… did not pass the second trial. They are different each year. Often left to the venerable wisdom of the Elder in charge.” Ming said.

“What was your trial?” I asked.

“To gather a rare spirit plant found deep underwater. I was unable to hold my breath long enough to dive that deep.” Ming said regretfully. “But I do not mind. I have come to enjoy my station in the Grim Tempest. After showing my competency in managing the stables at the Outer Sect, I was sent here with better pay and resources. I am sure I will break through to the Second Realm soon.”

I nodded along.

“Good luck, brother Ming.”

“You honor me, Young Master Sai.”

As the hallway turned upward and rounded on itself, more and more massive rooms were revealed in each door, carved out of the stone brick of the tower.

Ming led me to a closed door, reaching to where there should have been a knob and instead was a piece of wood marked with several characters.

I used [Identify.]

[Low Grade Wooden Seal Key]

[Used to seal or unseal a simple doorway. Acts as a functional lock. Vulnerable to brute force.]

Ming presented the key to me.

“Enjoy your stay. I will return to fetch you for the opening of the dinner hall. Please take the time to explore the amenities inside.”

“I’ll see you then.” I said.

After stepping inside, I had to reapply the key to the door to lock it. It sealed when the key was attached. I pushed, trying to budge it, but it wouldn’t move. The door easily slid to the side when the key was disengaged.

The room did have amenities, including a massive heated bath and running water. There was no kitchen or food storage, but there was a closet for clothes and storage. A massive bed covered one corner. Blinds shielded the window. Against the wall was an unlit firepit. I inspected it, looking up to see the chute bringing smoke away.

It had to be more expensive to use burning wood to head these rooms than qi here. They would either have to import the wood or dry it all. I shook my head, continuing to explore. The most interesting part was in the corner.

[Minor Storm Qi Formation Key]

[Inactive formation qi. Drains a trickle of energy from the surrounding formation to the center. Remotely activated by another sequence]

I inspected the raised stone platform. It was just wide enough to sit on in lotus, elevated several steps from the floor. I didn’t see any way to activate it manually. I supposed I would just have to wait.

Littlebird flew from my shoulder and climbed inside the curtains. I pulled them back to find him staring out the window with curious eyes.

“What are you looking at?” I asked him.

Littlebird looked up at me. His eyes squinted as he focused.

‘An entire new world.’ Littlebird transmitted across our bond. I blinked at him. It was more coherent than The Emperor’s rudimentary communication.

I wasn’t sure how much Littlebird had picked up in passive information from our bond. I joined him in looking out into the rain.

“I suppose it is a completely new one for you, huh.” I said. We hadn’t gotten much of a chance to talk since he hatched. “This is the world I grew up in.”

I was going to have a busy night. First, The Elder. Then, the dinner. And then, my brother.

I had to find out how he stepped so far into the Third Realm so quickly.

And then I had to figure out how to replicate it.