Deciding to take no chances because he wasn’t a complete idiot, Alex slashed open the palm of his hand, allowing the blood to flow. Blood that immediately took on the hue of pristine Dark Qi. A coating that he allowed to flow over not just his hand but his entire body, because now was sure as hell not the time for half measures.

You have successfully covered your body in a thin patina of blood!

Rank 10 (15) Dark Qi Projection mitigates all Qi drain!

Alex flashed a fierce smile as he allowed his ebony hand to grasp the door handle… before filling the lock with liquid darkness, eyes widening as he sensed a truly intricate Fire ward… before choking it in the endless deep void of pristine Dark Qi.

Alex found himself along a narrow corridor carved directly from the stone, quickly walking up a narrow set of steps that opened to another door booby-trapped exactly as the first had been, Alex finding himself more comfortable than ever popping open the lock by squeezing his dark Qi like liquid steel, struck with sudden insight about the nature of Fire and Wards as he felt the highly destructive trap flare and die in endless darkness.

Artificer skill check at +10 (Dark Qi saturation) made! You have successfully ruptured multiple Gold Tier Wujen Wards! You have gained significant insights in the nature of Fire Qi and death wards! You sense the links between Forbidden Ward, cursed collars, and blood magic! (Unorthodox application of Water & Wood Qi).

Artificer is now Rank 7!

Blood Mastery is now Rank 3!

When he opened this second door he found himself in what looked like a wine cellar that opened up into the servant’s wing of the palace. Alex had to give his enemy a nod of credit in his choice of evil villain exit points, at least, as good a place as any for any servant to be found, retrieving a choice vintage for their master. It was also a location that any Silver, perhaps even a Gold seeking his own choice vintage, might logically make use of. And no one would be slinking into the corridor at the very back of of a selection of clearly forgotten casks that smelled quite strongly of vinegar in what was otherwise an orderly and well stocked wine cellar, unless they had business there.

Alex flashed a hard smile as he reclaimed his protective coating of liquid darkness before making a few choice pilferings of his own in the most well lit and well-kept section of the cellar, his Biochemical mastery skillcheck making it quite clear that he had just found a choice selection of vintages that he just knew Master Panheu and Lady Jidihu would enjoy.

In the meantime, holding an oak casket and wearing the very same servant’s robe he had made extensive use of in Royal Phoenix Academy might be a weak cover, but it was infinitely better than no cover at all. He had already spotted at least a handful of servants wearing nearly identical robes, and if it brought him just a couple seconds of confusion until he was able to dart into the gloom outside the main palace hall… he was all for it.

Of course, the best disguise, he thought, as he approached the open doorway, was to not be seen by anyone at all.

Qi Perception check made! You sense a handful of servants and guards in the hallway beyond.

You have darted back around the entranceway!

Alex spent long tense moments waiting for the heavy steps of a pair of armored guards to pass while the voices of servants hung heavy in the air.

“Did you hear the alarm? Is there a thief who would dare that bridge?”

“I heard we’re under attack.”

“By who?”

“Who cares? Let’s just get out of sight if we don’t want to be ground under the heels of our betters.”

Of course that was when a pair of young women darted into the wine cellar, but Alex had already taken steps.

“Chen, there should be a lamp lit at the entrance at all times. Quick, light it! It’s our heads if anyone finds out about this now!”

“Did you feel a breeze, Xu?”

Bullrush!

Bullrush!

Qi Perception check made. You sense the layout of central palatial corridors.

Alex froze between Bullrushes as he darted across the spacious hallway of a true palace, wasting no time to admire the exquisite architecture or the masterworks of calligraphy hanging in banner form upon the walls.

Instead his eyes strove desperately up toward balconies hidden in shadows, where servants must attend to light the chandeliers gracing the hall, for just a moment remembering the bemused smiles of so many fleeing students from Dragon Academy gazing at the student balancing on a single leaf of the tree Ning Jing had tossed him at, after he began kissing his Hao Chan just a bit too passionately than was good for either of their Dantians.

A wise fool he had been called then, and he supposed he could still be called such now, as he found himself balancing on a fragile wicker structure never meant to support more than a handful of lamps that servants would hook and refill with oil regularly, let alone the weight of a man with Gold Tier Strength. Yet at that moment Alex weighed no more than the light and shadow playing on the hallways below as a handful of anxious-looking palace guards fully kitted with lamellar armor and guandao in tense grips quickly marched through, intimidating a pair of flinching servants they completely ignored, eyes scanning wildly for what they themselves were probably unsure of, before marching out the central palatial hallway as fast as they had entered.

Alex took advantage of those moments of absolute stillness, making full use of his senses, noting the same discretely placed ventilation ducts as had been in place at the former job hall at Rising Phoenix Academy, which shouldn’t surprise him, considering how similar the architectural styles of the buildings were. And as grandly appointed as the palace was, the underlying foundational designs allowing for fresh air and temperature regulation remained the same.

So if, by wildest chance, a frowning elderly servant chose that moment to gaze up at the chandelier lamps as if detecting the faintest irregularity in the play of light and shadow, he would have seen nothing at all.

Though perhaps he would have heard the crack of splintering wood. Because the air slit was a tight fit, and Alex was just a big wider in the shoulders and chest with a Gold dragon’s strength than he had been a few short months before, and he didn’t have time to waste.

It was all he could do not to laugh in the comforting embrace of darkness as he took a deep breath of fresh air, sensing the increasing tension in the clusters of men below as he Bullrushed through the air, silhouetted against a cloudy night sky such that no one saw a thing as he raced back the way he came, for the central courtyard where it looked like a performance was just drawing to a close.

Dozens of nubile young women and powerfully built men radiating the aura of performers delighted in a warm round of applause from actual Gold Titans who could decide the fate of cities and entire provinces.

At which point Alex abruptly ended his flight, dipping into a shadowy boughs of an elder tree sheltering a spray of chrysanthemums, all his attention on the guests an entertainers of the Red Prince’s informal soiree.

That was when he spied Dongfang Hong himself, the man’s bemused smirk as he watched the performers showing a sudden flash of alarm when Alex spotted a shadowy figure whispering in the man’s ear. The man glared at the Golds present while all their focus was either on the performers or the luxurious spread of food upon multiple banquet table laid out for them by hostesses whose twinkling eyes and bold smiles made it clear they were happy to serve their powerful and wealthy clients in whatever way they desired.

The smile Dongfang Hong flashed most certainly didn’t meet his ice cold gaze.

“Forgive me, honored guests, matters of state demand my attention. But please enjoy the festivities in my stead. Quarters have additionally been prepared for any of you that wish to avail yourselves of our hospitality that any of our hostesses can take you to. The competitions for our elites won’t begin until afternoon on the morrow, so I invite you all to savor the fruits of your efforts to the fullest tonight!”

Dipping his head politely to cheerful grins in a few cases, and calculating nods in others, because most Golds weren’t fools, the Red Prince made his exit with a quartet of his elites in tow.

Alex was increasingly alarmed to find that the could see no trace of his disciples, or Panheu, for that matter.

“Hao Chan? Yinzi? Where are you?”

“Over here, Alex. We’re getting ready to cross over with the others that refused to wear the man’s colors.”

Alex’s eyes widened at that. Clearly he had missed something important. “Alright, I’m heading that way now.”

he soon found himself in sight of the silver bridge crossing the mercury-tinted river that would spell instant death for anyone to cross, save for a tiny handful of souls, two of which were sedately walking beside Elder Panheu and Jidihu at that very moment, turning to give Alex an incomprehensible look, before her hands flashed in a sign that made his blood run cold.

Instantly understanding the peril.

Hating feeling his hand forced to do that which he swore he would avoid if at all possible, even as the intent gaze of a youth who had enjoyed looking at coffee table books filled with sleek architectural marvels of glass and steel long before he had ever read a cultivation wuxia adventure gazed at the bridge for long intense moments before worry turned to dread, seeing that which he most definitely didn’t want to see.

Levers and pins indicating that the enchanted silver bridge wasn’t nearly as permanent a structure as one might think. As Alex could tell by the pair of amulet wearing guards not leading but rather waving the handful of independent Golds and Alex’s charges through. Smiling a bit too smugly when even Golds felt the pressure of the ghostly echo of the river of souls even through the enchantments. All save for his own proteges of course, who’s sprightly feet bounced forward with effortless grace, earning a rueful chuckle and an admiring glance from a pair of disgustingly handsome Golds who bowed their admiration towards Panheu, not hiding that he was their patron and sire, having deliberately fostered the role of a doting father looking for the strongest match possible.

Panheu’s eyes twinkled, nodding right back, when he froze.

As if hearing the creak of long unused but still carefully maintained cogs and gears turning, Jidihu’s concerned gaze turning suddenly frantic.

“Run!” Alex screamed in his proteges’ mind. To their credit, they didn’t hesitate as Alex did what he knew he must. Something he wouldn’t dare, if his Hao Chan was still on the bridge.

You have successfully placed one gate underneath Silver Bridge.

Gate is inviolate to all forces below Jade Tier.

Accords with Shui Jun leaves World Seed inured to the effects of oblivion, for it too now echoes with the seasons of life, death, and rebirth!

Stabilizing pins have been removed by enemy agent.

In the blink of an eye, Hao Chan and Yinzi were on the far side, exchanging hard glares with a pair of stumbling Silvers on the far side who looked as alarmed as Alex felt when the bridge abruptly creaked. Yet that was nothing compared to the wide-eyed looks of genuine terror Alex saw in the faces of men who had once ruled battlefields, commanded cities, or simply savored the fruits of centuries overcoming life’s challenges and refining themselves until they had finally become the legends of their dreams.

Only for it to all end abruptly, tragically, thanks to a doomed bridge. And the furious horror he saw in so many faces, realizing that the stories of their lives, their valiant struggles and fierce obstacles overcome meant absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things, that a single mistake, a tiny miscalculation could doom them all, turned to soft curses and relieved chuckles when the bridge stilled with hardly a jostle.

Impermeable gate successfully supports Silver Bridge!

One of the Gold Titans turned to a shaking Wujen. “Last time I accept one of his invitations,” the giant said with a chuckle, before glaring at the confused-looking guards at the other side. “These CuiJing fools play with forces they hardly understand.”

“Let’s just get off the bridge,” said the anxious woman now squeezing his hand, clearly more than just an acquaintance, and Alex couldn’t help but smile in fondness for them both, guessing their story might be the stuff of legends. And if they actually had children… Alex could see them cutting their visit short, no matter the confidence with which they had first participated.

But of them all, it was Panheu’s bemused gaze that humbled Alex most of all.

The gratitude of a beloved mentor for a student who had seen a sight that would haunt him for years to come. The raw vulnerability in Panheu’s eyes, the naked terror of knowing that far from having centuries to make peace with his karma, that his life was going to be cut brutally short just two years after his ascension and that he had nothing but purgatory to look forward to for his theft of his enemy’s soul stone. No matter how cleverly they had mitigated the karmic sting, using contracts, obligations, and broken commitments that showed intimate familiarity with the darker side of contractual law, perhaps the only thing keeping Panheu in the land of the living as it was.

Yet the bemused wink and smile Panheu flashed Alex, somehow sensing exactly where he was hiding in the gloom, made him chuckle. As if the man was cheekily smiling at tragedy narrowly avoided and cajoling Alex not to take life too seriously, but to enjoy and savor its wonder even as he fiercely fought for every scrap of power he could claim. That, and a heartfelt thanks to his future son-in-law… Alex could read it all in the man’s gaze.

Before turning away, cheeks flushing, to glare at the guard booth on the palace side of the bridge that had been a new addition he should have noted from the beginning. A booth that did indeed have several odd looking levers within. But as to the culprit, he saw no trace of anyone at all. Merely a couple of confused-looking sentinels at the other end, even now being castigated by an irate monster of a Gold.

“Foolish madness, placing a bridge over waters like that. Damn thing isn’t even solid!”

“Please, honored cultivators, we had no idea that anything was amiss!” The guard said, immediately flowing into a kowtow.

“The Silver bridge was made by a master artificer. We were told it was indestructible!” Cried the other, also falling to his hands and knees, shivering before the killing aura of the irate titans before them.

The glaring body cultivator turned to frown back at the Palace. “That bridge felt as rickety as a plank made out of twenty-year-old bamboo. The king will hear about this absurd farce of a security measure, you mark my words.”

The other Golds, however, wore the gazes of men and women who understood the bitter games of power far better than most could ever dream, and wore smiles of benign tolerance now only because they had already claimed their boards, having long since crushed whatever opposition had hindered their own ascension, whether years or centuries ago.

None of them were fools, however, allowing the one blustering Gold to deflect the pair of guards as they exchanged glances, all under the cloak of Jidihu’s presence, respectful nods making it clear that they were both aware and appreciative of Jidihu’s actions.

Lesser Shadow Qi Affinity in Play. Spirit Qi in play.

You have pierced the veil!

“Any doubts now, my friends?” Said none other than a beaming Panheu, who’s ice blue eyes were just as cold as the snow-capped mountain peaks in the far off distance.

The Wujen Gold who had been holding her partner’s hand so tightly peered intently Panheu’s way. “We should be dead, shouldn’t we?”

Alex allowed the trapdoor like floor panels to drop at that very moment, his gate retracted. Panels that any body cultivator worth his salt of even Bronze stature should have been able to avoid, springing to the sides and grabbing ahold of the admittedly smooth-faced sides that in truth would hardly allow for any grip at all. Especially since the awful pressure exhibited by the river had left even Golds feeling as weak as a mortal with a full pack stuffed with rocks secured to their back.

Death would have been all but assured.

The sharp cries of surprised dismay this brought from the pair of guards made it clear they were no more than patsies themselves. And most definitely served to emphasize Panheu’s position, perhaps the most recently ascended and one of the weakest Golds among them in terms of pure power. Even if the half dozen Gold could probably claim an entire province to themselves, should they be united in their intent and not have to fear retribution from greater powers still.

“Fascinating how even the most vaunted claims of strength and durability crumble to nothing in the face of true peril, no?” Panheu quipped. “I’m sure there’s a lesson to be learned there, somewhere.”

His words were met by several sharp hisses and gasps.

“This was a deliberate attempt to kill us. We should take him out right now, and set an example to any noble that thinks he can hide behind a title to stick a dagger in the back of his equals!” Roared one swarthy cultivator, glaring the way of the palace with a furious gaze that promised bloody retribution, before he winced in sudden alarm. “What bloody curse is this?” He held his side. “He must have poisoned us. Even voicing that thought allowed pains me!”

He hissed at Jidihu’s touch. “Really, friend Toulin. Did you forget so quickly your oath, the price for entering the competition?”

The man furrowed his brow, before blanching in dismay. “Wait… you mean our oath to cause the headmaster no deliberate harm? How the hell does that… he’s an usurping king who just tried to assassinate all of us who wouldn’t immediately role into bed with him in an act of cold-blooded treachery so vile the emperor himself would sneer his contempt! He’s not even in the school. He’s politicking in Cui Zhe’s palace! And I’m still held to that oath as tightly as a Basic swearing himself to his personal master?”

Jidihu’s smile was all teeth. “An oath sworn on an artifact otherwise known as a soul talisman. An artifact that can cause even a Gold’s foundation to crumple, if said oath is broken.”

Toulin turned red and began to tremble with repressed rage.

“All things in good time, friend Toulin,” Jidihu soothed. “For nothing would please our enemy more than goading you into destroying himself, after that treacherous weasel failed to do it himself.”

Toulin’s seething glare turned to a thoughtful look, then a cold smile, showing that he was no fool, despite his hot temper. “A challenge match supersedes all other strictures, does it not? If he accepts a duel.. then we’re free to strike as hard and furious as we like.”

“So long as such actions are part of the terms, that is correct. First we maneuver our pieces into position, and then, when we’ve forced our prey off balance, when he is most vulnerable, he will have no choice but to accept our challenge.” Wise kitsune eyes flickered over to where Alex stood cloaked in gloom, looking right at Alex as she spoke on. “Our enemies will get the surprise of their lives, and we will be up a pretty penny indeed.”

Toulin glared Jidihu’s way for long seconds before at last sighing and giving a nod. “There is a time and place for everything. For us, that time will be when that bastard is away from his defenses, we united in purpose, and he least expecting it.” He flashed a chilly smile. “Especially if its after we’ve already plucked all his pretty prizes free. Very well, Lady Jidihu, we will wait. And when the time is right for a challenge...”

Panheu winked. “Our dear prince will be savoring a most perilous path indeed,” he assured. “In ways you will find most fitting, I should think. I can all but promise you that.”

“But how is it that we’re even still alive?” Asked the exquisitely beautiful woman dressed in golden silks that sparkled with wards and protective enchantments that would have availed her nothing in the River of Souls, even its shallowest tributary that shouldn’t be here at all.

“Oh you have Alex to thank for that!” Gushed a positively beaming Yinzi, doing pirouettes for them all as Hao Chan shook her head and sighed. “But you can’t tell anyone. Because it’s a secret. Right, Mother?”

Jidihu’s ears flattened. “It’s time you added some wisdom to the more foolish elements of your heritage, child. Or at least, discretion.”

The largest of the titans, a good seven and a half feet, frowned at that, though the Wujen in Gold and her husband spun around to lock gazes with the eccentric kitsune girl nonetheless stepping with exquisite grace to a dance she alone could sense, who didn’t seem at all put off by her mother’s scolding.

“Wait. You mean the Ruidian boy. The Silver ranked fool who dared to mock Dongfang Hong with his smile after each challenge sent his way? Daring to mock a king who has already claimed this province in all but name? As if he knew Dongfang Hong despised him. Knew he was setting the boy up to die, and still the youth mocked Hong right to his...” The woman radiating so much deadly power paled, giving a nervous shake of her head. “No boy should be capable of that. And all three of your proteges, Elder Panheu. Radiating the powers of a Gold, for all that they’re Silver. To achieve even a fraction of what they have when their faces are the farthest thing from ageless perfection. Your daughters look like they should still be clearing their meridians. Or Rank Bronze 1 at best.” She gazed intently at Hao Chan, as if sensing her youth beneath the makeup and dancing attire. “All of you, hardly more than children.”

Her husband’s look of concern turned to outright alarm. “We have no interest in the perils of religious conflict. My wife and I consider our interest in the matters of Baidushi closed.” The pair then bowed solemnly and low before a smirking Yinzi and her parents. “By your grace, we bid you all good fortune in the trials ahead.”

Panheu was all smiles. “Of course,” he said.

The body cultivator’s stoic expression didn’t change, but the ageless looking beauty at his side smiled with relief. “Our thanks to your associate for assuring our safety. Should you all ever find yourselves in JiuDushi during more peaceful times, please let us know. We’d consider it an honor hosting you as our esteemed guests.”

“That would be lovely,” Jidihu assured. “We bid you safe journey.” She then discretely handed the woman a jade flag with that same symbol emblazoned on its center that Alex had seen just a short while ago. “The Southern gate would be your best option. I would avoid the High Road, at least for the next few days.”

“Is the hour really so late, then?” the wujen whispered as her partner’s arm wrapped protectively about her.

Jidihu nodded. “It is.” She flashed a hard smile. “Why do you think the bells were rung?”

“Jade,” the woman uttered, eyes widening with a fair bit of awe. “To think that anyone would dare the golden steps so far. To think that anyone could, outside the emperor’s own...”

Just by chance, perhaps, her eyes fell upon Hao Chan’s figure as she gazed up at the heavens, silver eyes twinkling with reflected starlight, and how touched Alex was to see her looking so replete and at peace with the world as the moving meditation that was dance moved her as well.

The wujen paled, eyes widening with what was almost horror before looking at a winking Yinzi and a coolly smiling Panheu. “Fearless,” was all she said, before bowing low once more.

“Come, husband. Our children have been too long without us. Let’s give them the benefit of our company for at least the next decade or so.” She grabbed her partner’s hand and led him toward the south gate at a fast clip.