Cultivation is Creation

I sat cross-legged on the floor of my quarters, idly turning my formation guild token between my fingers as I contemplated my next move. Through the window, I could see disciples hurrying about their daily routines in the courtyard below, their voices a distant murmur.

"Well," I said mentally. "I guess we need to adjust the training plan.”

The original schedule was weekly formation lessons with Elder Chen, team practice with Wei Lin and Lin Mei, and any spare time in this world devoted to studying formations and manipulating plants, but with Elder Chen Yong no longer available, that would need to change.

"Yes," Azure agreed. "But the gap between level two and level three formations is substantial. Even with guild resources, it's not something we could master before the tournament.”

"With level two, we're basically just juggling pure qi in fancy patterns,” I added. “Sure, it needs to be precise, and yes, the formations can respond to basic stimuli, but at least qi behaves predictably."

I traced one of the spiral patterns in my notes. "But level three? That's when we start playing with elemental energies. Fire qi that wants to explode if you look at it wrong. Water qi that'll flood your entire array if you don't maintain perfect flow control. And don't even get me started on trying to create sustainable elemental circuits."

Through our bond, Yggy sent an impression of curiosity about the formations, along with what felt like a suggestion that plant-based qi might be easier to work with.

"Sorry, little friend, but wood qi can be just as tricky," I chuckled. "Plus, we'd need completely different materials. These copper and silver anchors wouldn't cut it anymore – we'd need specialized elemental inks, high-purity jade, probably some beast cores...I'm not sure the payoff would be worth the time investment."

"Master, your current formation skills are sufficient to support the group during the tournament,” Azure cut in. “Perhaps it's time to focus on your personal cultivation?"

I smiled slightly. Azure had a talent for stating things diplomatically when he tried to. What he really meant was: you need to get stronger, fast. Wu Kangming was already at the seventh stage of Qi Condensation, and by the time he returned from his "training journey," he'd likely be even more powerful.

"Speaking of which," Azure continued, "breaking through to the seventh stage will require further development of your inner world. And given Elder Chen Yong's observations about your potential to create life..."

"The Blue Sun Academy," I finished the thought. "Yes, I've been thinking about that too. If I could learn to better control the blue sun's energy, theoretically I could create life forms in my inner world even at the Qi Condensation realm." I paused. "Not only will that trigger a breakthrough but it would be... unprecedented."

Yggy sent an impression of excitement, the idea of more plant-based life, or perhaps just any life in general, in my inner world clearly appealed to it.

"However," Azure cautioned, "before we attempt any world-walking, we need to properly conceal both suns' energy signatures. The last thing we need is to attract Vayara's attention."

"Yes, she's killed me enough times already,” I suppressed a shudder. “I'd rather not add to that tally."

The plan was simple. Enter the Two Sun’s world, pretend to be a normal mortal, running away terrified for his life, and only when I was far enough that Vayara couldn’t sense me, then I could figure out a way to get to the Blue Sun Academy.

Unlike the Skybound, who were feared by the masses, the Lightweavers had cultivated a righteous, welcoming image. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find their academy. They were 'priests', so there should be churches around, right?

Closing my eyes, I shifted my awareness into my inner world. The familiar landscape spread out before me – mountains in the northwest, the garden quadrant in the northeast, open spaces for future development in the southeast, and meditation plateaus in the southwest. At the center, the Genesis Seed towered majestically, an array of runes surrounded it.

Above it all, the red and blue suns traced their eternal orbits. I focused on them, willing them to descend into the Genesis Seed's shade. This time, the blue sun complied easily enough, seeming almost playful as it ducked beneath the massive canopy. The red sun, however...

"Come on," I muttered as the crimson orb stubbornly maintained its position. "Don't be difficult."

The Genesis Seed, apparently sharing my impatience, extended its branches. Root-like tendrils shot upward, wrapping around the red sun and physically dragging it down into concealment. I could have sworn I heard the blue sun chuckling.

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"Right then," I said, focusing on the connection between the suns and their world. "Let's try this again."

"Master, wait!" Azure's voice carried unusual urgency. "Take a look at the golden fruit."

I glanced up at the highest branches of the Genesis Seed, where the mysterious golden sphere had appeared after our repeated world-walking. What I saw made me frown.

The fruit, which had been perfectly formed and radiant just days ago, was now showing signs of decay. Its golden surface was dulling, developing patches of darkness that seemed to spread even as I watched. Small motes of light occasionally broke free from its surface, dissipating into nothingness.

"What's happening to it?" I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I already knew.

"The connection to its world appears to be breaking down," Azure confirmed my fears. "Once that connection is completely severed..."

"The fruit will disappear, and we’ll lose our chance to find out where it leads," I finished. "How long?"

"Days at most, likely only hours. It's difficult to be certain with something this unique."

I crossed my arms, considering our options. The original plan had been straightforward – visit the Blue Sun Academy, learn more about controlling the blue sun's energy, possibly create some life forms in my inner world. The golden fruit had been a fascinating mystery, but one I'd intended to investigate later, after I'd grown stronger.

But now...

"If we stick to the original plan," I thought aloud, "we lose whatever opportunity this fruit represents. But if we investigate the fruit, we delay our training at the Blue Sun Academy."

The way forward was obvious to me, but I decided to ask Azure what he thought.

"The Blue Sun Academy will still be there later," he agreed. "This fruit, however..."

"Won't be," I nodded. "And we have no idea what we might be missing if we let it fade away."

"So, we're changing the plan?"

"Yes, the Blue Sun Academy can wait for a little longer," I confirmed. "Let's see what this golden fruit has to show us."

Moving closer to the Genesis Seed, I extended my hand upward. The great tree seemed to understand my intent, its branches bending down to deliver the golden fruit into my palm. Up close, the decay was even more apparent – what had once been pure, living gold was now mottled with patches of dull brown and black.

I turned the fruit over in my hands, studying it from all angles. It was perfectly spherical, about the size of my fist, and despite its deteriorating condition, it still pulsed with that strange, primal energy I'd sensed before.

"So..." I glanced at Azure. "How exactly do we activate it? I mean, it's a fruit, so theoretically I could eat it, but..." I gestured at my current form – a spiritual projection within my inner world. "That seems problematic."

"Perhaps try taking a bite anyway?" Azure suggested. "The normal rules of physics don't exactly apply here."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's your advice? Just bite the mysterious golden fruit and see what happens?"

"Do you have a better suggestion?"

He had a point, I couldn’t think of anything else.

Taking a deep breath I technically didn’t need, I raised the fruit to my lips. Its surface was warm, almost fever-hot, and I could feel that strange energy buzzing against my skin. Well, my spiritual projection's skin. Whatever.

"Here goes nothing," I muttered, and took a bite.

For a moment, nothing happened. The fruit had no taste, which was probably for the best given its decaying state. Then the energy that had been gently pulsing through it suddenly surged, washing over me in a wave that made my spiritual sense tingle.

The sensation was... odd. Not precisely uncomfortable, but definitely strange. It reminded me of that moment just before world-walking, that feeling of being between realities, except more... more everything. More intense, more real, more...

The thought trailed off as the world around me began to blur. The Genesis Seed, the carefully arranged quadrants of my inner world, even Azure's presence – all of it started to fade away.

The last thing I heard was Azure's voice, saying something that might have been "Good luck" or possibly "Don’t die too soon.”

Then everything went dark.

A/N

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