When the lecturer started to speak, an invisible aura enveloped the hall, forcing everyone to stay silent and pay attention to the lecture.
"Today we will talk about basic geography and the Law of Balance, but before we start the lecture, I would like to remind you of something important. When you decided to join the sect, you made a silent agreement with the sect. The sect will support you, but we will also expect your loyalty. So, when you are outside the sect, you should always remember that every action you take will be seen as the will of the sect."
He paused for a second.
"This is also why today I will teach you about the division of power in the world of cultivation and the balance of the kingdom."
As Brook had mentioned, the day-long lesson focused on basic knowledge unrelated to cultivation. For simplicity's sake, the lesson was divided into two parts: the political geography of the continent and the Law of Balance.
The first part was easy to understand, even if it was bloated with useless information—like resource distribution across the continent or the names of important families that only existed and had influence on the other side of the continent. In Yun Qiang's opinion, if someone removed all the useless information, the geography part would only last an hour or so.
While the second half of the lecture, left Yun Qiang more confused than anything else.
It dealt with the so-called "Law of Balance." A strange concept that was described as "the art of stepping down when needed and stepping up when proper, ensuring that all parties emerge without loss."
Even if Yun Qiang felt disappointed by the lecture, and in his heart he had already decided to go fishing with Brook and Sun next week, he didn't feel it was a loss—at least now he had a general understanding of who dominated the continent.
From what Yun Qiang could understand, there were four main powers in the world. The Western Coalition that was situated on the western coast of the continent. The Sacred Empire located on the eastern coast. The Crow Dynasty which occupied most of the central land. And the Rose Kingdom a vassal state of the Crow Dynasty that was sandwiched between the Sacred Empire and the Crow Dynasty.
Except for the Western Coalition, all the powers followed the same power structure: an Emperor or King on top, supported by a series of noble and influential families who managed the land on the ruler's behalf.
In particular, the Rose Kingdom where Yun Qiang was currently located had two main families. The Liang family, managed the southern part of the kingdom. While, the Mo family which founded the Black Fiend Sect, controlled the north.
Liang family mansion
The twenty years old Liang Wei set aside the weekly report from the Sky Pavilion. While leaning back on his leather chair a rare smile appeared on his face. He closed his eyes seemingly resting from the strenuous job that was organizing his family reports.
After an unknown amount of time, he opened his eyes again and looked at his desk. On it countless reports coming from the whole continent were piled up in an orderly fashion. In this pile different types of documents were mixed together; Some of them were ordinary tax reports, some were combat reports, some of them were even spy reports gathered by the shadow network he had painstakingly built in his early years.
However, what caused him to be happy was the recruitment report from the sect that his family managed. This document listed the names and talents of those who had joined the Skyward Pavilion that week. The current page he was on was that of a particular disciple:
Yun Nian
Age 16
Spiritual root level:9
Attribute: Earth
Suggested specialization: sword techniques
Special notes: Has a less talented brother who was assigned to the training dummy class
Wei smiled again. At last, the Skyward Pavilion had found another disciple with a ninth-level spiritual root. After eleven long years, he would no longer be the only one.
Many sects longed for a disciple with such exceptional talent, but few truly understood the immense value a ninth-level spiritual root held. Wei was one of the few that understood it, because his spiritual root was also a level 9.
He had begun cultivating at the age of six, reached the Foundation Realm by ten, and stepped into the Golden Core Realm not long after. Now, at just twenty years old, he had already entered the Soul Wandering Realm; a level nearly on par with the elders of his clan.
Moreover, Liang Wei knew that he could use a special artifact to forcefully break through and reach the Nascent Soul realm, officially reaching the level of the elders in the family. But he never dared to use it since it would lower the level of his spiritual root by one.
However, the simple fact that he could reach the Soul Wandering realm in slightly less than 15 years was enough to prove the potential an individual with a 9th level root held.
Still pleased by the sect's discovery, Liang Wei turned his thoughts toward a more pressing concern: protection.
He was fully aware of the Sacred Empire's spies lurking in the shadows, and he knew it was only a matter of time before Yun Nian became the target of assassins. At the end of the day talent was just potential strength, not real strength. During his first few years of cultivation, Yun Nian would be vulnerable, and Liang Wei was determined to ensure he was properly protected.
As Liang Wei read again the report, a chilling smile crept across his face. Thousands of schemes began forming and just as quickly being discarded; as his mind sifted through the possibilities. Then he paused. His smile deepened. He had found exactly what he needed.
His hands moved with precision as he began copying the report, inserting fabricated details while skillfully erasing others. Each stroke of his brush was done with precision, skillfully imitating the calligraphy of the original writer. When he finished an almost exact copy of the report was in his hands. He carefully analized it, searching for any detail that might give away his scheme. After finding none, he burned the original report. Erasing with fire any proof of his actions.
While carefully placing the report in the pile, his expression returned to one of indifference; but inwardly he was laughing, while thinking about the face his enemies would make when they inevitably discovered the truth.
Liang Wei continued to work as if nothing had happened.
Flat river -West of the Skyward Pavilion-
Yun Qiang was enjoying the scenery while fishing with his friends. The sun was shining brightly, and the river was calm; Yun Qiang felt this was the perfect day for fishing.
Suddenly Brook stood up, catching everybody's attention. His muscles were tense, and his fishing rod was almost completely bent looking like it might snap at any moment.
"Help me this is a big one!" The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.
Yun Qiang eyes followed the line into the water. There he could see a massive shadow approximately two meters long, hurriedly moving thing to break free from the line. He was stunned for a second, but he didn't hesitate. That fish would make for an excellent lunch. He grabbed one of the sharpened sticks that Sun had made earlier and stabbed into the water trying his best to hit the moving fish.
It was difficult but after Sun managed to hit the fish with one of his sticks, Yun Qiang also managed to land a hit killing the fish in the process.
When the fish died, Brook managed to drag it out of the water with the fishing rod. The fish was two meters long, its blue scales forming a flawless and enchanting pattern, interrupted only by two holes; one on its head and the other on its tail. Near its chest, the scales shifted to a yellowish hue, resembling the sand of a desert.
"Such a big fish" murmored Sun, his voice echoing everyone's thoughts
A huge wave of information surged into Yun Qiang's mind, making him feel dizzy. His legs gave out, and he fell face-first into the water. As the information continued to flash through his mind, he lost consciousness.
When he woke up, his lungs burned as he coughed, water came out of his mouth. Beside him Yun Qiang could see Sun completely drenched in water; luckily Sun was there, or Yun Qiang would have drowned.
"Qiang are you okay?" Sun's voice was filled with concern
"Yes, I was just dizzy;" He coughed "Jin went a little overboard this week"
"I guess you are right." Sun paused for a second "If you want to rest, I will tell Instructor Jin that you are sick, so you won't get beaten this Monday"
Brook's voice came from the side "No you won't I don't want to get beaten"
"Don't worry about your body is still though, you can resist for a day or two, right?" Sun responded jokingly
Yun Qiang continued coughing as he watched the duo bicker about who would get beaten up by Jin. He couldn't help but smile; Only two weeks had passed since they had met each other; yet they were already so concerned about his wellbeing. Then his gaze shifted to the still intact fish, Yun Qiang eyes flickered with anticipation as he carefully recalled the information he had just received.
"Race: Yellow Flag Carp
Cultivation: Ranges from the first stage of Qi Gathering to the second stage of Foundation, depending on age.
Medicinal properties: The heart can improve the speed of cultivation if eaten raw.
Notes: The medicinal effect of this fish only works on cultivators with low quality root, no effect is observed on cultivators with spiritual root above the third level; no effect can be seen on cultivators above the Foundation realm.
....
....
Final notes: The special reproductive habits of this fish make it difficult to breathe them in captivity or hunt them consistently. Large scale exploitation is considered impossible.
"
Yun Qiang smiled, this was a huge opportunity for them. Even if the increment was minimal to people like them that had the slowest cultivation speed this was the equivalent of a heavenly treasure. He glanced at Brook and Sun again, they were still arguing.
He coughed trying to get his friends' attention. Nothing, it looked like they didn't hear him.
He coughed again, this time louder than before. Still nothing.
He decided to use a more direct approach to get their attention.
"Stop arguing, I have something important to say" Yun Qiang continued "We need to --"
Brook cut him off almost immediately
"Yun Qiang, I know you don't want to get beaten, but a true man must face every difficulty. I'm doing this for your own good"
"What? hen why don't you take the beating in his place? Sun interjected. "You should show him the right way!"
"It's because..."
And just like that, they resumed their argument, completely ignoring what Yun Qiang was trying to tell them.
"These guys…" Yun Qiang muttered as he resigned himself to waiting until they finished.
In the meantime, he started crafting an excuse for his sudden knowledge about the fish's heart.
When they calmed down he explained everything.
"So, you are saying that after we eat this, we will cultivate faster?" Brook was staring at the fish hearth while slowly massaging his head.
Yun Qiang looked at Brook with pity; As he recalled the brutal beating that Sun gave him.
"Yes, I read it in a book"
"You know how to read?" Brook sounded surprised.
"You want a beating again? Only homeless people don't know how to read the common tongue" Sun interjected, there was a hint of trepidation in his voice "Besides we were going to eat it anyway eating it raw or cooked makes no difference"
He cut the heart into three equal parts and started eating his portion. Brook and Yun Qiang looked from the sideline; the former looked at him because he didn't trust Yun Qiang source, while the latter watched because he was curious about the process.
How could eating a hearth affect one's cultivation speed? Was it the Qi in the meat? A special kind of bloodline? A gift from heaven? Several hypothesis clouded Yun Qiang head as he watched Sun's reaction.
When Sun finished eating, Brook and Yun Qiang couldn't wait anymore.
"So?"
"It really works" his eyes were filled with surprise "The improvement in speed is about 10%..."
After hearing Sun's answer, Brook didn't hesitate even for a second and swallowed directly the fish's hearth, Yun Qiang followed shortly after.
Yun Qiang started to meditate. Even if he already knew the rate of improvement, his pupils shrank in surprise. With this hearth the time he would need to reach the Qi gathering realm shortened by a month.
"Truly magical" he murmured.
Brook started laughing "The others will become green with envy when they hear about this"
"By the way where are they?" While saying this Yun Qiang thought of the guys that were with him in the training ground.
"Oh, Qui took a special permit and went back to his family and" his face suddenly darkened "Fergusson, was sent to the Rainy Fort for additional training..."
"The Rainy Fort..." echoed Yun Qiang
Yun Qiang had heard of this place during last week's lecture. The Rainy Fort was a fort situated on the border with the Sacred Empire; It was a dreaded place for cultivators affiliated with the Rose Kingdom due to the constant conflicts at the border.
Seeing the sudden change of the atmosphere Sun decided to change subject
"Yun Qiang if we catch another fish, can we further improve our cultivation speed?"
"It's difficult to say. It should be possible, but I don't think we will catch another one, this is a very rare fish"
"I know" Sun smiled "But this fish didn't appear out of nowhere; It should have a pack or family somewhere in this river"
"Yeah..." echoed Brook
"Yes, but this kind of fish will reach the Foundation Realm during their adulthood"
Sun's and Brook's eyes were filled with greed. But Yun Qiang words were like pouring cold water on their spirits. They soon calmed down.
"Well let's just eat this fish now. We still need to have lunch"
Their day continued normally, and after eating the fish they went back to sect. When they entered nobody stopped them or questioned them, it was apparent that the sect didn't care if small fishes like them exited the sect without permission.
When he arrived home, Yun Qiang immediately sat down to meditate. Thanks to the fish heart, he estimated that he would only need four more months of cultivation to reach the Qi Gathering Realm. For someone with first-level roots, such progress would be considered heaven-defying.
But Yun Qiang wasn't satisfied. He wanted to go faster and reach a realm that others would respect. He was tired of getting beaten up by his instructor.
Lying down later that night, his heart was still filled with desire
"If only I could go faster…"