Chapter 21: SeaPearl
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Chapter 21(2/2): Sea-Pearl
“Yanyue, Shadow, approach,” Yao Shen softly requested, as he sealed the Heart Cleansing Sea-Pearl with a flourish of his hand.
A dazed Yanyue trailed behind her senior sister, Shadow, whose expression remained as impassive as usual. As one attuned to the Water Element, even Yao Shen’s domain could not obfuscate the spike in Water Qi she had felt moments earlier, the purity so unnaturally high that Yanyue struggled to describe the experience. She had merely taken a glimpse at the blue orb held in her Master’s right hand out of curiosity, not expecting an almost magnetic sense of attraction to ensnare her as the Water Qi within her thrummed in resonance— only breaking out of the trance when Yao Shen resealed the orb.
Yanyue realized that she had covered the distance across the hall and was now standing in front of her Master, her mouth slightly agape as she stared at the sealed box with a mix of wonderment and caution.
“Master... what is that?” The question slipped out of Yanyue’s mouth before she could second guess herself, sheer curiosity superceding any sense of propriety she felt in that moment.
Yanyue’s question brought a mischievous smile on Yao Shen’s face as his fingers lightly drummed on the box’s surface, before he answered, “This is the reason behind the Xue Family’s continued hegemony. Or at least, a part of it.”
“Master?” Yanyue stuttered in disbelief, any instinctive desire she felt for the orb turning into revulsion. She could not understand how her Master had a prized possession of the Xue Family in his possession, unless...
‘“This is the gift I have prepared for you,” Yao Shen replied, his words spoken with the dignity of a Patriarch— firm and domineering at the same time.
“M-Master... this... I can’t accept this....,” Yanyue’s pupils dilated in shock as she took long, deep, breaths in an attempt to calm her pacing heartbeat— the selfish yearning for the sea-blue orb once again rekindling in her chest. A cultivator could naturally sense treasures that resonated with their element, and Yanyue struggled to imagine the benefit it could bring to her cultivation— she would hardly be considered a water cultivator if she were not drawn to a natural treasure that stood at the very pinnacle of her Dao. But the Xue Family’s heirloom had to be at least at the Nascent Soul level while she, a mere foundation establishment disciple, was not even qualified to know of its existence, let alone dream of monopolizing it.
“I understand why you feel conflicted, Yanyue. There is still much you do not understand about the sect’s inner workings, but I have a feeling that it will not remain that way for long. Are you curious why Dongmei Xue accepted my proposal?”
Yanyue nodded.
“As you well know, a healer is an invaluable resource in any sect. In the Heavenly Sky Sect, our healing techniques are predominantly based upon the water element, it’s supple, nourishing nature making it ideal for regeneration and rejuvenation of the physical body. Conversely, those same properties make Water Qi far more challenging to effectively wield in combat, more potent elements like Fire and Wind easily overwhelming Water Qi in direct clashes. And as time progresses, many healers grow comfortable behind the secure walls of the sect, rewarded amply for their contributions. Dongmei Xue is an exception to that trend, as competent a fighter as she is a healer, but most, upon reaching a bottleneck, become contented with their privileged lives— knowing their protection would be prioritized in times of crisis. Do you see now, why the Xue Family guards their reputation so fiercely?”
“I think I do, Master,” Yanyue replied thoughtfully, as she tried to look past the bias she held for the Xue Family.
“One’s reputation precedes them among the Righteous Path, and this saying particularly rings true for the Xue Family, for its primary reliance is not martial might or a powerful cultivation technique.... but rather the goodwill they had accrued generation after generation, carefully crafting an honorable and virtuous image within the Heavenly Sky Sect—- which served as a banner for its allies to rally under. To touch the Xue Family is equivalent to offending every disciple, guardian and elder who had, or whose ancestors had, once received their life-saving treatment,” Yao Shen finally divulged the reason why he was so hesitant to shed all pretenses with the Xue Family,
“But Master, why not choose to expose the Xue Family for what they truly are?” Yanyue struggled to keep emotion out of her tone, but ultimately managed— her Master had given her no reason to doubt his intentions, but she still needed to know why,
“Because, child, as much as I understand your desire for revenge, it was not enough. The Xue family does not offend the powerful, and the powerful are not inclined to criticize those who may, one day, decide whether they would live or die. Dongmei Xue did not wish for the Xue family’s reputation to be tarnished under her rule and for that she was willing to pay the price. But that aside, even if the recording stone was enough to irreparably damage the Xue Family’s reputation, Dongmei Xue could not be exiled— for there is simply no healer left in the sect who was qualified to lead the Healing Hall," Yao Shen did not withhold the truth from Yanyue, but his statement only held true for the current Heavenly Sky Sect.
"However, Yanyue, the true reason behind my actions has little to do with pragmatism," Yao Shen plucked the box from the table and held in Yanyue's direction. "I simply choose to believe in the future, while the legacy families remain fixated upon the idea of restoring their former glory. I choose to believe in you, Yanyue, like my master had once chosen to believe in me. If you desire to see Dongmei Xue exiled, then strive to become the alternative— the Heart Cleansing Sea-Pearl alone is far from enough, but it an irreplaceable first step in your journey," Yao Shen offered, already having ascertained his disciples' resolved— choosing to phrase it as an investment as opposed to a gift, the only way he saw Yanyue accepting it without feeling burdened and providing her with a goal at the same time.
Yanyue struggled to hold back the tears as her small hands gingerly wrapped around the box, bowing deeply to Yao Shen immediately after.
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Chapter 21(2/2): Sea-Pearl
“Yanyue, Shadow, approach,” Yao Shen softly requested, as he sealed the Heart Cleansing Sea-Pearl with a flourish of his hand.
A dazed Yanyue trailed behind her senior sister, Shadow, whose expression remained as impassive as usual. As one attuned to the Water Element, even Yao Shen’s domain could not obfuscate the spike in Water Qi she had felt moments earlier, the purity so unnaturally high that Yanyue struggled to describe the experience. She had merely taken a glimpse at the blue orb held in her Master’s right hand out of curiosity, not expecting an almost magnetic sense of attraction to ensnare her as the Water Qi within her thrummed in resonance— only breaking out of the trance when Yao Shen resealed the orb.
Yanyue realized that she had covered the distance across the hall and was now standing in front of her Master, her mouth slightly agape as she stared at the sealed box with a mix of wonderment and caution.
“Master... what is that?” The question slipped out of Yanyue’s mouth before she could second guess herself, sheer curiosity superceding any sense of propriety she felt in that moment.
Yanyue’s question brought a mischievous smile on Yao Shen’s face as his fingers lightly drummed on the box’s surface, before he answered, “This is the reason behind the Xue Family’s continued hegemony. Or at least, a part of it.”
“Master?” Yanyue stuttered in disbelief, any instinctive desire she felt for the orb turning into revulsion. She could not understand how her Master had a prized possession of the Xue Family in his possession, unless...
‘“This is the gift I have prepared for you,” Yao Shen replied, his words spoken with the dignity of a Patriarch— firm and domineering at the same time.
“M-Master... this... I can’t accept this....,” Yanyue’s pupils dilated in shock as she took long, deep, breaths in an attempt to calm her pacing heartbeat— the selfish yearning for the sea-blue orb once again rekindling in her chest. A cultivator could naturally sense treasures that resonated with their element, and Yanyue struggled to imagine the benefit it could bring to her cultivation— she would hardly be considered a water cultivator if she were not drawn to a natural treasure that stood at the very pinnacle of her Dao. But the Xue Family’s heirloom had to be at least at the Nascent Soul level while she, a mere foundation establishment disciple, was not even qualified to know of its existence, let alone dream of monopolizing it.
“I understand why you feel conflicted, Yanyue. There is still much you do not understand about the sect’s inner workings, but I have a feeling that it will not remain that way for long. Are you curious why Dongmei Xue accepted my proposal?”
Yanyue nodded.
“As you well know, a healer is an invaluable resource in any sect. In the Heavenly Sky Sect, our healing techniques are predominantly based upon the water element, it’s supple, nourishing nature making it ideal for regeneration and rejuvenation of the physical body. Conversely, those same properties make Water Qi far more challenging to effectively wield in combat, more potent elements like Fire and Wind easily overwhelming Water Qi in direct clashes. And as time progresses, many healers grow comfortable behind the secure walls of the sect, rewarded amply for their contributions. Dongmei Xue is an exception to that trend, as competent a fighter as she is a healer, but most, upon reaching a bottleneck, become contented with their privileged lives— knowing their protection would be prioritized in times of crisis. Do you see now, why the Xue Family guards their reputation so fiercely?”
“I think I do, Master,” Yanyue replied thoughtfully, as she tried to look past the bias she held for the Xue Family.
“One’s reputation precedes them among the Righteous Path, and this saying particularly rings true for the Xue Family, for its primary reliance is not martial might or a powerful cultivation technique.... but rather the goodwill they had accrued generation after generation, carefully crafting an honorable and virtuous image within the Heavenly Sky Sect—- which served as a banner for its allies to rally under. To touch the Xue Family is equivalent to offending every disciple, guardian and elder who had, or whose ancestors had, once received their life-saving treatment,” Yao Shen finally divulged the reason why he was so hesitant to shed all pretenses with the Xue Family,
“But Master, why not choose to expose the Xue Family for what they truly are?” Yanyue struggled to keep emotion out of her tone, but ultimately managed— her Master had given her no reason to doubt his intentions, but she still needed to know why,
“Because, child, as much as I understand your desire for revenge, it was not enough. The Xue family does not offend the powerful, and the powerful are not inclined to criticize those who may, one day, decide whether they would live or die. Dongmei Xue did not wish for the Xue family’s reputation to be tarnished under her rule and for that she was willing to pay the price. But that aside, even if the recording stone was enough to irreparably damage the Xue Family’s reputation, Dongmei Xue could not be exiled— for there is simply no healer left in the sect who was qualified to lead the Healing Hall," Yao Shen did not withhold the truth from Yanyue, but his statement only held true for the current Heavenly Sky Sect.
"However, Yanyue, the true reason behind my actions has little to do with pragmatism," Yao Shen plucked the box from the table and held in Yanyue's direction. "I simply choose to believe in the future, while the legacy families remain fixated upon the idea of restoring their former glory. I choose to believe in you, Yanyue, like my master had once chosen to believe in me. If you desire to see Dongmei Xue exiled, then strive to become the alternative— the Heart Cleansing Sea-Pearl alone is far from enough, but it an irreplaceable first step in your journey," Yao Shen offered, already having ascertained his disciples' resolved— choosing to phrase it as an investment as opposed to a gift, the only way he saw Yanyue accepting it without feeling burdened and providing her with a goal at the same time.
Yanyue struggled to hold back the tears as her small hands gingerly wrapped around the box, bowing deeply to Yao Shen immediately after.
Chapter 212/2: Sea-PearlYanyue, Shadow, approach, Yao Shen softly requested, as he sealed the Heart Cleansing Sea-Pearl with a flourish of his hand. A dazed Yanyue trailed behind her senior sister, Shadow, whose expression remained as impassive as usual. As one attuned to the Water Element, even Yao Shen's domain could not obfuscate the spike in Water Qi she had felt moments earlier, the purity so unnaturally high that Yanyue struggled to describe the experience. She had merely taken a glimpse at the blue orb held in her Master's right hand out of curiosity, not expecting an almost magnetic sense of attraction to ensnare her as the Water Qi within her thrummed in resonance only breaking out of the trance when Yao Shen resealed the orb. Yanyue realized that she had covered the distance across the hall and was now standing in front of her Master, her mouth slightly agape as she stared at the sealed box with a mix of wonderment and caution. Master... what is that? The question slipped out of Yanyue's mouth before she could second guess herself, sheer curiosity superceding any sense of propriety she felt in that moment. Yanyue's question brought a mischievous smile on Yao Shen's face as his fingers lightly drummed on the box's surface, before he answered, This is the reason behind the Xue Family's continued hegemony. Or at least, a part of it. Master? Yanyue stuttered in disbelief, any instinctive desire she felt for the orb turning into revulsion. She could not understand how her Master had a prized possession of the Xue Family in his possession, unless... This is the gift I have prepared for you, Yao Shen replied, his words spoken with the dignity of a Patriarch firm and domineering at the same time. M-Master... this... I can't accept this...., Yanyue's pupils dilated in shock as she took long, deep, breaths in an attempt to calm her pacing heartbeat the selfish yearning for the sea-blue orb once again rekindling in her chest. A cultivator could naturally sense treasures that resonated with their element, and Yanyue struggled to imagine the benefit it could bring to her cultivation she would hardly be considered a water cultivator if she were not drawn to a natural treasure that stood at the very pinnacle of her Dao. But the Xue Family's heirloom had to be at least at the Nascent Soul level while she, a mere foundation establishment disciple, was not even qualified to know of its existence, let alone dream of monopolizing it. I understand why you feel conflicted, Yanyue. There is still much you do not understand about the sect's inner workings, but I have a feeling that it will not remain that way for long. Are you curious why Dongmei Xue accepted my proposal? Yanyue nodded. As you well know, a healer is an invaluable resource in any sect. In the Heavenly Sky Sect, our healing techniques are predominantly based upon the water element, it's supple, nourishing nature making it ideal for regeneration and rejuvenation of the physical body. Conversely, those same properties make Water Qi far more challenging to effectively wield in combat, more potent elements like Fire and Wind easily overwhelming Water Qi in direct clashes. And as time progresses, many healers grow comfortable behind the secure walls of the sect, rewarded amply for their contributions. Dongmei Xue is an exception to that trend, as competent a fighter as she is a healer, but most, upon reaching a bottleneck, become contented with their privileged lives knowing their protection would be prioritized in times of crisis. Do you see now, why the Xue Family guards their reputation so fiercely? I think I do, Master, Yanyue replied thoughtfully, as she tried to look past the bias she held for the Xue Family. One's reputation precedes them among the Righteous Path, and this saying particularly rings true for the Xue Family, for its primary reliance is not martial might or a powerful cultivation technique.... but rather the goodwill they had accrued generation after generation, carefully crafting an honorable and virtuous image within the Heavenly Sky Sect- which served as a banner for its allies to rally under. To touch the Xue Family is equivalent to offending every disciple, guardian and elder who had, or whose ancestors had, once received their life-saving treatment, Yao Shen finally divulged the reason why he was so hesitant to shed all pretenses with the Xue Family, But Master, why not choose to expose the Xue Family for what they truly are? Yanyue struggled to keep emotion out of her tone, but ultimately managed her Master had given her no reason to doubt his intentions, but she still needed to know why, Because, child, as much as I understand your desire for revenge, it was not enough. The Xue family does not offend the powerful, and the powerful are not inclined to criticize those who may, one day, decide whether they would live or die. Dongmei Xue did not wish for the Xue family's reputation to be tarnished under her rule and for that she was willing to pay the price. But that aside, even if the recording stone was enough to irreparably damage the Xue Family's reputation, Dongmei Xue could not be exiled for there is simply no healer left in the sect who was qualified to lead the Healing Hall," Yao Shen did not withhold the truth from Yanyue, but his statement only held true for the current Heavenly Sky Sect. "However, Yanyue, the true reason behind my actions has little to do with pragmatism," Yao Shen plucked the box from the table and held in Yanyue's direction. "I simply choose to believe in the future, while the legacy families remain fixated upon the idea of restoring their former glory. I choose to believe in you, Yanyue, like my master had once chosen to believe in me. If you desire to see Dongmei Xue exiled, then strive to become the alternative the Heart Cleansing Sea-Pearl alone is far from enough, but it an irreplaceable first step in your journey," Yao Shen offered, already having ascertained his disciples' resolved choosing to phrase it as an investment as opposed to a gift, the only way he saw Yanyue accepting it without feeling burdened and providing her with a goal at the same time.Yanyue struggled to hold back the tears as her small hands gingerly wrapped around the box, bowing deeply to Yao Shen immediately after.
