The next day, we are up before the sun in preparation to get to the portal. Sun is extra tired, but the results of his late nights are clear to see. He’d broken through to the fifth level of qi awakening at some point in the night, his qi flowing through him in a more relaxed manner. His spirit is also stabler with his breakthrough, with no fluctuations in it from the other personalities.

The four of us go to the front room to meet Aunt Mai. She gives us all some breakfast and the conversation stays quiet with the early morning atmosphere. The light is just starting to brighten as the sun peaks over the horizon, when she introduces us to the person who will be guiding us on our trip. The guide is quiet, not saying a word when they are introduced, simply bowing. All physical features of the guide are hidden by cloth. The scarf wrapped around their head only shows their eyes, a soft shade of brown.

With little fanfare, we set off into the morning light. After a moment, I pick up Ai, carrying her on my back so that we can travel at a faster rate. Everyone here, including the guide, is a cultivator, and Ai is still a young child, unable to keep up with the four of us. She falls asleep quickly, and my shoulder feels slightly wet from her drool.

The guide that the woman of the Watchful Crows had gotten us doesn’t say a word as they lead us down the road. By the end of an hour, the road we are traveling on turns into little more than a trail through the hills.

It’s another couple of hours before we come upon the portal, a shimmering gateway that rests underneath the branches of a large plum tree.

Two cultivators sit in a meditative pose in front of the portal. They wear the robes of the Heavenly Truth Sect and have their swords unsheathed on their laps. A third cultivator sits not too far away, writing on a table that looks out of place in the natural environment.

The two cultivators sitting in front of the portal rise in a fluid motion, their swords held ready.

Our guide pulls something from their clothes, a medallion with a symbol I can’t see from behind them.

The guardians relax, stepping aside from the portal. Our guide walks over to the portal, bowing and motioning for us to enter.

Kun Lu bows to the guide as he passes by, fist to his palm as a martial artist. “Thank you for your guidance.”

Sun and I copy him. I walk forward, leading the four of us up to the shimmering gate to another realm.

I take a deep breath, memories coming to the forefront of my mind unbidden. My first sight of real death came from a portal like this. My first experience of true fear.

I let my breath go, relaxing my body. Then I step through the portal.

The world instantly changes around me as I find myself in a completely different forest, the leaves of the trees now a dark shade of purple. The sun is now high in the sky, approaching the afternoon.

A cultivator of The Heavenly Truth Sect nods to me, his hand on the sword at his waist. I nod back.

A moment later, Kun Lu and Sun appear beside me.

Sun stretches out his arms in a large motion. “Where to now?” he asks, yawning into his hand.

“Shia?” I ask quietly.

The snake constricts slightly around my waist where she is resting. “Move away from those we don’t know, once we are in the forest proper, I will lead you to where we are going.”

I nod, stepping forward and motioning for my two companions to follow me. I adjust Ai as I walk, she wakes up from the movement, before promptly falling back asleep.

The forest darkens as we move through it, the branches of the old growth blocking out the sun. We walk until I feel that we are far enough away, then I call out again. “Shia?”

Shia slithers out of of my robes, moving towards the left.

Kun Lu and Sun both stare at the snake.

“Has that been in your robes this whole time?” Sun asks, his eyes unable to leave Shia.

“I am called Shia. I would recommend you do not mention my presence. Things could get… deadly.” Shia slowly expands in size as she slithers into a coil to stare at my companions. Now the length of two carts, she continues into the forest. Her movements don’t even leave a disturbed leaf on the ground.

Kun Lu and Sun turn to me. I shrug and follow Shia. Ai fully wakes up as we follow a natural trail through the forest.

As we walk, the forest starts to subtly change. The trees look healthier and bigger, while the qi seems to enrichen.

Finally, Shia stops at a large tree, easily wide enough for ten grown men to wrap their arms around. She gathers qi, then sends it forward towards the tree.

A wave ripples through the air as her qi dissipates. Her job done, she slithers back to me, going up into my robe to wrap herself back around my waist.

The three of us wait for something to happen. Nothing does, except for Ai stretching her arms out as she wakes up.

“Hello there.”

I jump, turning towards the voice. I hadn’t detected their appearance at all.

An older woman leans against the tree, her clothes simple and form fitting. Dirt patches coves her knees, as if she’d been kneeling on the forest floor, and her gray hair is loosely tied back in a simple ponytail.

I set Ai down and bow, the two boys and Ai copying my movement. “Hello Senior. I am Core Disciple Jia Lin of The Flowing River sect. A friend has led me here, saying that you might be able to help me.”

“Oh?” The woman stares at me, her eyes looking me up and down. “Shia. Don’t think you can hide from me. The girl’s spirit won’t hide you when you’re right in front of me.”

“Forgive me Senior Gardener.” Shia reappears, leaving my robes through my right sleeve. “Better you see me, than some others.” Her size returns to her as she slithers up to the woman, reaching the size she was when I first met her.

“I am amazed to see you free of your prison so soon.” The Gardener looks over the four of us again, her eyes lingering on Ai. “For what reason do you bring a demon to my garden?”

“To make a request of my sister.” Shia responds.

The Gardener’s gaze sharpens on the snake whose body fills up the clearing. She has no fear in her gaze. “What is this request?”

“It is not my request to make.” Shia responds, turning her head to me.

The Gardener looks to me, waiting for me to answer the question.

I lower my head. “I am unable to protect Ai from those who want to harm her. I humbly request that you protect her until I am able.”

The Gardener snorts. “I am not the one you should be making the request to.” She pauses, thinking. “You are welcome into my gardens. But only you and the girl. You may make the request to Shi Lan in person.”

The Gardener turns, disappearing into a ripple of space. Shia follows her a moment later.

I look at the boys, who shrug, motioning me forward.

“We weren’t invited.” Kun Lu adds.

I hold my hand out to Ai, who takes it. Her body trembles slightly.

We walk through the ripple, following the Gardener and Shia.

On the other side, qi flows thickly, brightening the world. Plants and trees of all shapes and sizes stand proudly, their flowers in full bloom. One tree in particular catches my attention. It’s the largest tree in the Garden, it’s leaves are shaped like blue crystals and they point towards the ground, each one filled with qi.

As I follow the Gardener and Shia, I walk past plants on fire and plants surrounded by ice. Flowers shaped like birds and thorns dripping with blood. Some of the plants are close to sentient, their spirit filled with power.

I quicken my pace to catch up to the Gardener and Shia. Ai runs to match me.

Eventually we stop in front of a cave, glowing mushrooms lighting the entrance.

“Shi Lan!” The Gardener calls out. “This is the last time I do your job! You’re supposed to guard the entrance, not me.”

“Yes, Senior Gardener. My apologies, I was distracted with news.” A powerful voice, similar to Shia’s, but different and older, echoes through my mind.

Two large eyes shine from the darkness of the cave entrance, each eye is the same size as I am tall and the head of the creature in the cave nearly fills up the entrance as she takes everyone in.

“Sister! What a surprise. I’d assumed you’d be imprisoned in that tiny realm for another century or two. Did mother set you free?” The head finally moves forward, entering the light. Red and black scales cover the head of the snake, two flaps that would usually mark a cobra extending elegantly back down the length of her neck.

Shia rises, lifting her head into the air. She’s still smaller than the terrifying spirit beast that dwells in the cave. “You underestimate me, sister.”

The snake in the cave reveals its fangs, two large monstrosities that make my heart skip a beat. Then she starts shrinking until she is out of sight.

Steps echo as a woman wearing an elegant dress steps out of the cave. Her eyes are shaped like a snake’s, and her hair reflects the light like her scales did. Her dress is red and black, made out of a beautiful fabric I’ve never seen before. “You are weakened. Unable to even take the form of a human.”

The Gardener interrupts the two, turning to me and Ai. “I have my own duties to attend to. Strike your deal, than walk back out the way you came. Do not touch any under my care, for if you do, your protection will be revoked. These treasures under heaven are not meant for you.” With that said, she turns away, moving deeper into her garden.

I look at the plants she so casually walks by, knowing that each one must be a powerful treasure to any alchemist.

“Why have you sought me out, little sister?” The spirit beast, now in human form asks.

Shia simply turns to me.

I bow to the spirit beast, Ai copying me. “I am Jia Lin, Core Disciple of the Flowing River Sect. I come here humbly for your help.” I glance at Ai before turning back to the spirit beast. “I would like you to protect this child from the demon within her and those who are after her, until I am able to do so.”

The spirit beast looks taken aback, her eyes going wide from surprise. She steps closer, looking at Ai who moves to hide behind my robe. “I am Shi Lan, guardian of the Gardener Lia and this Immortal Garden.”

Shi Lan peers into Ai, spirit extending from her and into the girl. “Your seal is well done, it will hold as long as the girl’s mind does.” She smiles, revealing two fangs. “Oh, that demon does rage, doesn’t he? He hungers to be let free.” She looks into Ai’s eyes. “You do well to ignore his cries of hunger.” Finally, she turns to me. “I assume you brought payment? This is no small task you ask of me and my sister would not expect me to act upon sympathy alone.”

I put qi into my ring, pulling out the dagger that had been used to stab Ai during the ritual that brought the demon into her.

A flash of greed shows in Shi Lan’s eyes as she stares at the dagger in my hands. Still dyed red, black veins pulse down the dagger’s length. “You still have not claimed this prize Shia? You surprise me.”

“The little one and I get along. I would not ruin that by taking something that is not mine to take.”

I very purposefully don’t think about the book that she had swallowed.

Shi Lan looks up into my eyes, spirit gathering around her as she speaks. “I will protect and keep the girl safe until you are able to do so. In exchange, you will give me the dagger you hold in your hands.” She holds her hand out, qi gathering to a point in her palm.

Ai pulls on my robe, making me look at her. “I-I don’t want to leave you.”

I sigh, kneeling down to her. “I will come back for you. But I don’t want to see you die in my care.” I pull her close, kissing her on the forehead.

I stand up, then reach out and grab the hand of Shi Lan. Her qi and spirit mix with mine, flowing through me as a deal is struck. In that moment, I get a glimpse of how powerful she is and it surpasses anything I have ever seen.

Shi Lan smiles wide, showing both of her fangs.