Mulan drop before them head of beast what she slain. "No, I'm not demon. On road this beast attack me and I killed it. Sadly, I didn't find any stream or pod to wash myself after that." She explained to them with patience.
As he entered meditation state, his mind expanded. He was slow... maybe lazy or maybe just cautious... meditaion took him twice as long, as it should normally... His consciousness expanded, he senses sharpened, his awareness of his body grew... When he opened his eyes, it was late into the night... Lian Cai, sat leaning against the wall, her eyes closed, her breathing steady. She must have fallen asleep.
'You'll need some more rest,' Cao said, 'And some medicine.' His cat ears laid along his head, 'Not too well, finding a decent place to meditate and all that isn't easy while taking care of you.' 'You think you'll be fine here while I go looking for some herbs?' Cao asked.
The woman smiled, as she seemed quite happy to have a client for another day. "Of course, that will be another spirit stone. Will you be taking bath?" She asked. She seemed to be little surprised by the lack of meals stipulation, but not terribly bothered by it.
At the sight of the head, both man quickly moved back a few steps. One gave a shreak of fear. "I-is that awakened beast?" He asked with fear. "Miss, are you perhaps... a cultivator?" the other asked, cautiously.
"Thank you. And yes, I will take a bath after dinner." Luo Fei smiled, "I presume the meal is ready?" She asked, ready to eat her meal, take a bath, and finally start meditating to become a cultivator.
The man gave a tired moan. "Mountain herbs should be enough, if you find some of them outside." He gave a deep breath as he described the plant. He also told Coa how to prepare them, before falling asleep. Cao looked outside. It was dark and rainy... he could go out and try to find the plants... but he could get lost in this weather.... Or he could meditate, and try to breakthrough. Truthfully, the pointers that he received from the wounded man, were enough... and he was close, he knew it!
She couldn’t process the sights as fast as they came to mind, but the connection was simply felt. Interwoven with all living things, the world as the sum of the whole. Each animal and something as mere of a blade of grass, a life of it’s own, each with it’s own soul. Life existed. It was random. It was chaotic. It was also beautiful. The universe and creation nothing more than random chaos…there was no point. No higher purpose. Life existed as it was….all a twisted joke. Beauty and despair…it described the universe perfectly. But as she contemplated that blackness of hate tempted her again…it was very strong. Very compelling. This was what others who reached this stages experienced, seeing the world for the mess it was and falling into darkness as a result. It was a seductive force that threatened to draw you in with it’s allure and drag you to it’s depths…but…did you really need to feed into evil to see the beauty of chaos? In the projections of her mind, it was as if the stars gleamed to echo her thoughts. There had to be a way to strive for truth without also falling into being a mere fiend. It became more clear. More aligned. Her idea…no, her obligation, was to oppose order and expose the truth of how it was used to crush people under their boot. She wouldn’t succumb to darkness to be a demon either. This must be it. The spirit of true rebellion. She reached her conclusion. Her cause was her own justice. She didn’t have much desire to be a leader, but as someone who peered into the truth, she had to teach the simple truth to others, to live for their own well being. That was her mission.
Mulan cross her arms on chest and smile confident. "Yes, I have such skills to call myself like that. From your reaction I would tell that you already know these beast, so I guess mayor of this town offer reward for slaying it. I'm right?" She asked.
'I'll head out and look in the morning, get some more rest,' Cao nodded to Ye. He had little else to do but hope they'd be unmolested for the night. Moving to a quiet spot, Cao folded his legs and closed his eyes, concentrating on that last cusp to his breakthrough.
Luo Fei was given a meal, which was rather poor, only rice and some vegetables. A far cry from what she had in the sect. The bath was simply a tube outside, filled with warm water... She realized, how many things the sect provided. As she returned to her room, and started meditating, she quickly discovered, that the limit she was breaking, was but a first step. Her senses improved, her strength grew... no, her control over her body grew. Spoiler: Awareness 31 - fail As she opened her eyes, it was late into the night... but she could feel like a new person...
As Torri slowly opened her eyes, she realised that a long time must have passed. It was dark outside, and quiet. A middle of the night. Li Zexi lied on the ground, her head in Tori's lap, as she was sleeping... Tori could feel it, her new powers. A window, that allowed her to see a wider word... Yet she knew, that right now, she was the lowest, among the cultivators...
As she crossed her hands, she realised she dirtied her dress with blood... more then it already was. "Ai... Lord Kong Ru, has set a bounty for this creature. It has ripped apart several villagers. "The guard paused. "Wait here - I will go ask superiors. The Lord might want to see you..."
As Cao closed his eyes and entered the mediation state, he quickly realised, that Yu Chao's tips and teachings, altroguh small, allowed him to already reach his limit. Sure, the sect created basis, but Cao always lacked this something, that would push him to new heights. As he finally broken through his limit, he could fill the control of his body grow. He could feel the enretgy flow of his body, he was more aware of each muscle, wound - it was as if a blind person opened his eyes, and started seeing. So that's how it was... His control over Qi sorred and he became cultivator! Slowly he opened his eyes. It was getting bright, the rain stopped... and Yu Chao was paler then yesterday.
"Heh." He chuckles to himself, taking time to test his new senses of his body. "Hey." He snaps his fingers in front of his female companion. "It's done."
Mulan cursed how she ruined her dress, there worse fact that she have nothing for change and now these guards want to meet her with lord. "I think there is no need to rush. I would like at least wash my clothes and bath away the blood, before I meet lord Kong Ru, to not show disrespect. Just give me bascet of water." She said. It won't be a bath, but if they are realy so hurry, she could at least get fresh.
For the first time in a long while Cao felt good... and free. It was time to head out and look for those herbs in the morning twilight.
As her eyes opened once more, Luo Fei grins. "Yes! Finally, now they can't say I'm useless just because of my low amounts of Qi." She said to herself, as she takes a deep breath. "Now then, I should test out my new found powers." She hummed, standing up and doing a few stretches to loosen herself up after hours of meditation. "Mm. But first, I suppose I'll have another meal." Luo Fei smiles, deciding to ask the innkeeper if there was still a meal available.
Snap. At the sound, Lian Cai's head snapped up. She quickly recovered, and her eyes looked at him. "Elder brother... You... seem different..." She said in wonder. "Is it done? Have you succeeded?" She asked, carefully.
Before she started speaking, the man already ran away. He returned after a moment, with an officer. "Please! Follow me!" He said, and not waiting for acknowledgement, he started leading her in direction of large mansion...
