The peach felt more like a ball of sweet water when he bit into it. And the next thing he knew he was left with a palm sized pit. While playing with it he sat in a standard cycling position.

Is that it?

With the meals that his teacher made he was able to feel as the strength returned to his body, but with the peach all he could feel was a slight cooling effect in his stomach.

Maybe if…

Mareus turned his perception inward the way his master had taught. Gradually he sunk deeper into concentration until he stood at the edge of an endless ocean of energy. The surface was calm with barely a ripple, but below the surface he could sense a violent current that would easily tear him apart.

As if compelled by something, Mareus reached out with his spirit. Something more like an imaginary hand than a real one dipped into the ocean.

It didn’t feel like anything. Rather it was more accurate to say that he couldn’t touch anything. The ‘water’ running through his semi-transparent hand.

Of course it wouldn’t work, this is just in my mind.

At his thought the ocean rushed at him running up his arm and down his body where it crashed into his navel, filling his body to the brim. Even then, the torrent didn’t stop and the endless energy kept coming towards him. Gritting his teeth he did the best he could to endure it with his master’s words in the back of his mind. He wasn’t supposed to fight this? How? It felt like if he let up even just a little then he’d explode. It was too much.

The more he resisted the more it pushed against him. And he could swear he saw his limbs swelling to almost twice their size. The sound of heavy rhythmic pounding filled the empty world.

Mareus frantically clawed at his chest. Air, I need air. I can’t breathe. His mind rushed to find any way out of this. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t pull his mind out like before.

“Don’t fight it.” Fu Kong’s gentle voice flowed through the world. And with it came a faint shadow that rushed around his head. “Be at peace.”

He couldn’t feel the aura of this shadow unlike the ones she used before. But as the dark stream seeped between his brows a sense of calm came over him.

Every muscle relaxed and he let go, allowing the energy to freely fill his body. As he grew used to it, the feeling changed from the aggressive torrent to more of a current lazily drifting down a river.

Curious, Mareus drove his consciousness deeper and watched as the energy ran through invisible channels and filled his muscles and bones. Something like a flame painlessly ran through his blood leaving a darker almost purple color behind.

The energy was being used almost as quickly as it was coming into him, and whatever wasn’t being used made its way back through his meridians toward his soul.

Now that he got a clear look at his soul, it was a giant ball much like the ball he was able to manifest. The only difference being that this one was larger than his mental image of himself. That and a shell of dark crystalline energy that surrounded it. The energy from before rushed towards hairline cracks in the shell before disappearing beyond the barrier.

Mareus watched for what felt like hours before the energy had finally dissipated. His body now feeling both denser and lighter than before.

“That’s a good look on you. Now you look more like a young man than a lost child.” Fu Kong congratulated as his awareness returned to the outside world. “Don’t stay up too much longer though. There will be plenty of time to examine yourself when training tomorrow.”

Over the next few weeks Mareus spent everyday in an almost identical way. His mornings would consist of him waking up before sunrise and following the breathing technique his master had taught him to guide the energy already inside of him and cycling until mid-day.

He would trace the path of the heavenly energy he could sense downward as he inhaled. Then hold as he compressed it in his center. Until the pressure reached his limit and he would exhale as he spread the energy throughout his body. While holding his breath again he would do his best to keep it from leaking out through his pores. The whole process taking him over a minute for a single breath before he would do it all over again.

From there he would climb down the cliff and spend the afternoon exercising and collecting wild vegetables and other ingredients for his dinner. Though he hadn’t had any meat since the last of the rabbit was eaten, which had surprisingly stayed fresh for the entire two weeks it took to finish.

He thought about trying to hunt one himself on more than one occasion, but his master had advised against it and told him that he would have trouble getting close enough to try because of a charm she placed on his robes.

After his training he would return to the cliff side and spend his evening listening to Fu Kong tell him stories of her travels and guide him on his training. Some more fantastical than others with details she would only know if she was there, yet they sounded so far in the past that it didn’t make sense she could have been.

After the first week of this she told him how it would be best for him to gain some experience in different types of weapons so that he can sooner find a style that worked best for him. She added that it wouldn’t hurt to have some more options on hand for flexibility in real battles. In the end, she manifested a spear from her shadow and showed him a few simple moves before passing it to him.

“It may be a simple weapon, but simplicity is best for diversity. The shadow that I crafted it from is durable enough to withstand attacks from a sage level practitioner and, provided you develop the skill, you could even damage one with it. For now, you should carry it everywhere and become accustomed to it. When you reach the level at which it feels as if it has become an extension to yourself, we will move on to another weapon type.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*thud*

The black spear embedded itself into the side of a tree, a smaller rabbit beast darted out from the bush below it before vanishing into the trees.

Tsk, I can’t believe I missed my chance.

Over the past few weeks Mareus found that there was a range to his master’s protection, and that as long as he could keep his prey on the outer edge of that circle he could track them down. The image of his master praising him for going beyond her expectations slowly faded into disappointment. He pulled the spear from the tree and examined the sheen of its body.

It doesn’t matter how powerful of a weapon it is if I don’t have the skill to use it.

Mareus gathered his things as he let his mind wander. It had been weeks since she had promised to properly train him, but all he has been doing is breathing and running around the valley.

Defeated, he decided to head back to the cave early today. And as he approached, a bitter stench snapped him back to reality.

Ugh, I hope she isn’t planning on having me eat some stink glands now.

Mareus pulled out some strong smelling leaves and covered his nose, though his efforts might as well have been pointless as it grew even stronger the closer he got.

“Good, I’ve seen you’ve returned from your trip safely again today. How was it? Did you manage to catch one of the rabbits you’ve been stalking?” Her tone was slightly teasing.

How did she know?

Mareus couldn’t focus on her question while swimming in that awful smell. And strangely she didn’t seem bothered by it, as if she had completely ascended all of the filth of the world and it could no longer reach her. It wasn’t until he recognized her face that he realized she had said something.

“I’m sorry to report, Mistress, that the only one I was successful in tracking ran away after I missed with my initial strike.” He hesitantly cupped his hands together as he bowed.

Fu Kong sighed as she emptied out a pot. Apparently the source of the smell. “That is alright child, you have already greatly improved in your movements and you are becoming more familiar with your weapon. When you are able to extend and throw your spear as if reaching out to your target you will be able to strike anything you desire.” She looked like she had suddenly remembered what she was working on. “Perhaps this could improve your mood.”

It wasn’t often for her to show an emotion like excitement, even when he was successful in something she had taught him. He had a bitter taste in his mouth from the new sight, but kept his face covered as she continued to explain.

“I have collected various things in order to make some pills to help further develop your foundation.” Obviously he was grateful, but not even his elders were so excited over their own advancement. Were all immortals this unfathomable?

“Is that what that was?” He pointed at the pot. She only replied with her regular half smile. “What exactly is it meant to do?” He asked.

“I was wondering if you’d ask or if I should simply tell you.” She picked something up from the stone table and gently rolled it between her fingers. “This pill will help to strengthen your body further and leave behind a lingering effect you’ll most likely find enjoyable. But I think I’ll leave that feature as a surprise and hope that you won’t be relying on it too much.” She placed a small bottle of the thumb sized pills in his hand while still displaying the other. “The most common name for these is the Phoenix Elixir, which I find quite poetic seeing as it helps to kill your old self and raises you anew from the ashes.”

A pale face washed across Mareus’ face as he accepted the bottle.

“Figuratively speaking.” Placing the last pill in his hands she continued, “Of course, the effects depend both on your talent as well as your fortune. The more you are able to endure the burning energy as you cycle it the greater the outcome. Personally I have witnessed great success as well as great failure with this elixir. So I will leave taking it up to you.” A cold glee filled her voice. “I still have ingredients to make more if you find yourself enjoying the experience and wish for a slightly enhanced effect.”

Though he had become somewhat used to the smell he still held reservations about swallowing something with such an odor. Mareus was reminded of the stories of great heroes who stepped onto difficult paths and gambled with fate to obtain great rewards. He was prepared to go through all of that to get justice for his people.

“I'll take them, I promise not to disappoint you Mistress.” He resolved.

“Your enthusiasm is promising, my child.”

“Just a moment master, you said that I need to cycle these. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you haven’t taught me a proper cycling technique yet.”

“Have I not? The technique to cycle elixirs is the same as the one to test your aptitude. However, instead of drawing your internal energy out, you cycle it to specific points in your body depending on the elixir. Most of which will come with a diagram on which meridians and I recommend not to take one unless you know which ones exactly. Come, I can guide you on which meridians you need to direct the energy through.”

“Is it that simple?” He asked.

“With experience you’ll often find that the practice of techniques is quite simple and at times even boring. But, comprehension of the deeper truths is where the true challenge lies.” She stopped at the entrance before saying. “There is one more step to the cycling technique I taught you that will make a difference like that of heaven and earth.”

“Really?!” He squeezed the pill while fighting the urge to pop it in his mouth right away.

“Of course this will increase the effects of cycling elixirs as well. Both the benefits and the… tribulations.”

He looked down at his hands for a long breath before looking back at his master. “I can handle it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They returned to the cave, only this time Fu Kong had Mareus follow her through a connecting passage and sealed the entrance behind them with a smokey veil.

“Sit in the middle in your cycling position and I will go over the fundamentals of meridian cycling compared to soul cycling.” He sat down and prepared himself the best that he could, but he couldn’t have predicted the number of hours and the amount of detail that went into the most minute details. “With that, I do believe we have covered the basics. Why don’t we begin the practical portion of our lesson now?”

Mareus’ mind had long gone numb from the sheer amount of theory recited to him. Hopefully his mind would increase in ability as he cultivates and not just his body. His teacher was like a living library and it was frightening in a different way than usual.

Mareus continued to let his mind wander, and of course whenever that would happen it would bring up memories of everything he’s lost. For once though, they were good memories. Good but sad memories. He became nostalgic for things he didn’t particularly enjoy at the time, like helping the elders with various chores around the village, the different merchants around their shops, or listening to Grandma Wei’s unbelievable stories of her adventures with a giant talking turtle.

“Child? Did you have a question?”

“Hmm? Oh, no Mistress. I believe I understand the theory.” I think. “It’s just, knowing the theory and putting it into practice, I believe these are separate from one another. But I’m willing to try.” He quickly added.

“Very well then, we can get started.” She thought before saying. “Remember, that in this world, you can do anything imaginable as long as you have enough power.”

Mareus sat with his hands resting on his knees, while she moved to sit behind him and placed her hands on his back. Words suddenly started flowing into his mind.

[First Chapter of Primordial Sage Art: Mortal Shade]

~~Before the beginning must come nothing~~

~~From nothingness comes the way~~

~~The will of thought creates reality~~

~~The perception of reality shapes the will~~

~~The will guiding the beginning to the end~~

“Now listen carefully child, this technique is far more powerful than what you are currently capable of without proper guidance. It would be dangerous for your body if you allow things to run out of control, all I want is for you to relax your body and focus on the energy I’m sending into you and how it is circulating while reciting the sutra I have passed to you. Then, whenever you are ready, swallow one of the Phoenix Elixirs. But remember that as soon as you do, we cannot stop until the pill has been completely digested. Are you prepared?”

Mareus looked into the black glossy ball in his hand as doubt crept into his mind. He immediately shook that off and strengthened his nerves as much as he could. “ I’m ready Mistress.” He swallowed the pill and closed his eyes as he concentrated on the sensations coming from it.

Fu Kong panicked, “You weren’t supposed to swallow it yet, quickly we have no time. Use your inner senses to follow my movements.”

From the moment he swallowed the pill he felt a hot and cold sensation everywhere it passed through. And as it dropped into his stomach the sensation spread throughout his entire body before becoming more intense. He felt as if everyone of his muscles and veins were filled with fiery needles and the next second he was numb from extreme cold.

Just when it felt as if he could no longer endure it, he felt an enveloping force enter through his back. It quickly spread throughout his entire body swallowing the other sensations. Though, it didn’t smother them like he was expecting it to. It concentrated the sensation almost as if it was a snake coiling around the fire and ice and condensing them smaller and smaller without losing any of their power. It forced everything to collapse into a small ball near his navel.

Then the snake began to circulate around his body and seek out every muscle and tendon, even his skin began to itch from the sensations. Some meridians took more time and effort, the only good news being that the greater the blockage the less he was able to feel the medicine, the downside being that those areas took longer and would slowly bother him more and more.

Hours passed by as one by one his impurities were cleansed and he learned the pattern of the circulation method. As Mareus grew more comfortable, he could sense the energy that reminded him of the feeling his master gave off. A kind of cool embrace that encompasses everything, it was a sensation that he found comforting, though he noticed that there were hints of danger to it as well.

Were they because of the nature of her power or was she simply so powerful that even the simplest of tasks could be deadly if she let her energy run wild?

Fu Kong sighed, “There we are, child, I’m glad you were able to find the circulation pattern. And it even impresses me that you took the initiative to guide my energy along the path. We will continue this for a while more, until the pill has been completely digested. However.” She warned. “Things are going to be a little more challenging for you. I will stop controlling my energy and it will be up to you to intertwine it with your own and guide them through your channels. The more you can control the greater it will benefit you in the future, but I will only continue for as long as you can endure the strain.”

Mareus was silent as she spoke and when she finished he wasn’t able to do more than swallow his saliva and give her a wide eyed nod. As he did, he felt an increasing sense of danger from within his body. The energy was already running wild. He quickly tightened his focus to get it under control and follow the right path. Biting his cheek as he struggled to recite the words.

It was thick and chaotic when it was left to circulate on its own. And whenever the energy would rampage it felt as if his body was being torn apart from the inside. The first few times he experienced that, Mareus tore the silence apart with his screams and did all he could just to remain conscious and regain control.

Hours passed while Mareus struggled to get the foreign energy under control, and when he finally did he was panting heavily. His body was coated in a layer of sweat, blood, and unbelievable amounts of tar like impurities. He actually found it pretty hard to believe that his body could produce so many nasty things, and had an even harder time believing that just trying to get the energy under control could do this to his body.

As he was starting to feel proud of himself for finally getting it under control to the extent that he could let his mind wander, he noticed that the dark line inside him was slowly growing thicker and denser.

“Congratulations.” His master spoke with a flat tone, “You’re able to handle this much so now I will inject a little more power.”

Mareus felt confident that after going through all of his training that he could quickly handle a small increase in power. Yet, he quickly began to realize how arrogant that thought was. Though the energy couldn’t be more than twice as dense as before, it was many times more difficult to control.

“Do try and endure this. You’ve given me quite high expectations of you.”