After officially registering his vocation as a Spiritual Alchemist, Shuren received an updated curriculum. He needed some sigils to purchase materials as he wasn't at the level to recognise useful flora in the mountains.
Shuren had met up with Wu Ming and Huang Shi Junyu at the Cloud Missives Crystal board.
"If we work together on this missive, even though we have to defeat more wolves, the split sigils will be higher than working alone." Wu Ming was vehemently trying to convince Junyu.
"Fine, fine, it's also easier in general. Collecting all the wolf tails as proof though, eurgh. Can't we just burn them all to death?" Junyu shuddered at the thought.
"Relax, I'll handle all that." Wu Ming grasped the hilt of his sword. "I've got the perfect thing to cut it nice and clean."
Shuren had noticed a missive that wasn't too far from his manor. He bid farewell to his two new friends. "I'll be off. I've got a good quest to do. May you both be blessed with lots of wolves." He waved as he walked off.
Ming Wu had his sword sheathe resting on his shoulder, fidgeting. "That's a disappointment. He could've joined us and gotten a decent share. Faster for us, too." He also glanced at Shuren's staff, hoping to see it in action one day.
***
Shuren had finally chosen his first battle missive, to subdue or exterminate the Twin Tailed Ash Tiger razing the local farmhouse's livestock. A beast of Qidense Realm at Stage 6. A mission he should be fine doing alone.
The local farmlands were properties of the Seven Clouds, so they had a duty to respond to issues in their land, while also making it a practical experience for their disciples to handle. Shuren also got to use this as an excuse to travel back home, borrow some of his father's Woodspirits creations back. Of course, he also needed to bring some Candeseal tea leaves.
Finally, it was time to put his father's masterpiece to the test. After ruminating on it for a night, he named it the Ruyi Staff, unabashedly copying from the Dan Zi scriptures.
Shuren started cycling his Qi from his body, but the staff absorbed it, retaining it inside. It appeared there was a mechanism engraved in the staff that handled the Qi on its own, almost pulling more Qi out of Shuren's body.
In essence, the staff got stronger the more time was spent cultivating with it. A complete symbiotic relationship, a specialty of the Silvents.
His father said it was a new category of a Zeal Artifacts, a cultivator's weapon. Zeal Artifacts were only wieldable past Rank 2; Path Foundation, requiring adequate development of the soul, and were incredibly expensive and rare, requiring powerful backing.
Shuren's father dubbed it a Spiritude Grade weapon, as it could grow alongside the user. Despite being considerably weaker than the weakest grade of Zeal Artifacts; Earth Grade, it turned out to be a worthwhile long-term investment.
Theoretically, he could go from Qidense Realm to Nascent Soul, and the weapon would strengthen itself akin to a living being. Theoretically.
It was still a weapon in development.
And the downside being he'd have to eat, sleep, and defecate and still have this weapon nearby. Sealing it back in his soul storage pouch or ring wouldn't help develop it as well in the future.
It also was a callback to the habit of all Liu Clan members. Not even their Immortals bothered to hide their weapons in a spatial storage, always walking around with it sheathed by their side.
Manifesting his flying nimbus, Shuren set off to a farm west of his manor in the Cloud city. Right past the borders of Cloud City, farmland was abundant.
It was also the first bastion for refugees to enter from, so more farms were employing guards to protect the vicinity.
Shuren took out his left hand and focused Qi on the metal band around his wrist. Reshaped from a cloudmulet, he brought up the basic information of the missive. Twin Tailed Ash Tiger, suspected to be sixth stage Qidense beast. A native of the Volkahor Mountain range.
"What's a Volkahor native doing all the way here?" Strange coincidence, since he also planned to collect Candeseal leaves back from home. The Seven Clouds Sect and Cloud City bordered on the central, southern, and eastern continents. The Volkahor mountain range spanned from the west all the way to the middle of southern borders. "Could it be a Deviant Beast? Surely not."
Mortals supplicate to the heavens, and beasts prostrate to the earth.
Every human was born at the same starting point, having to cultivate and strengthen from the beginning, thus they stride on the Grand Paths provided by the heavens. Beasts were born of the world itself. They did not have the concept of absorbing and cycling the Qi of the heavens to cultivate, but rather gaining predetermined strength at birth.
Unfortunately, heated debates across the world still raged about whether the other races derived of human; such as Silvents, Vulfoans and the rest, were considered human or beast.
Memories of the Liu Clan raised up in his thoughts for a moment.
Twin Tailed Ash Tigers would, at most, be at mid stage as a Rank 1 Beast.
Every life has their trials and tribulations. Beasts can sometimes break through their limit and become stronger, faster, and adapt to various circumstances.
It was already unnatural that it would continue to wander so far from its home, unless there were territorial issues within the Volkahor Mountains itself.
Shuren took his time to cycle his Qi through his body and staff. Cycling while on a flying nimbus that wasn't camouflaged was typically a death sentence in the wilderness, but this was the domain of the Seven Clouds Sect. His Ruyi Staff was reverberating, almost numbing his hand, edging for battle.
Shuren finally spotted the farmland where the target was sighted. "The caveat to this power must be its requirements to be charged up before battle. During a sudden fight, it would take too long to strengthen it to my level, at least until it's developed with me."
A farmer was cleaning up the remains of a deceased livestock when he glimpsed a flying nimbus. "Thank the clouds they're sending more reinforcements!" In an instant, he dropped his tools to run back to the farmhouse, ready to receive their new guest.
Liu Shuren stood, clasping his hands behind his back. In front of him were a few farmers, bowing to him. The one in the middle, a bald old man that was well dressed in ornate fur clothing, spoke. "Oh great cultivator, we greet you to our humble abode."
"Raise your heads." Signalling his palm to them, Shuren announced. "I am here on orders from the sect to assist you. Speak of your experiences."
"Let the other honourable one know if you meet them." He whispered to his workers, before continuing, "Great cultivator, the demonic beast has been hounding at our livestock for the past week. They've even attacked other farms of your sect, but it last appeared here two nights ago." While red faced with sweating rolling off his bald head, the old man struggled to control the urge to smack his forehead on the floor to beg. "Please, great cultivator, vanquish this demonic creature."
It's just a native animal from the Volkahor Mountains, no need to exaggerate.
"Be at ease. This beast will be of little trouble. First, explain to me, who are you referring to by the other honourable?"
"We have already received a great cultivator from your sect, and they went to investigate the area."
"Very well. Lend me one of your farmers to show me the locations of these incidents. I swear on my sect that we will remove this creature from your lands," Shuren commanded, his dominating presence bringing relief to the farmers. They had eased up and, compared to the previous cultivator, he felt like a true lord.
They escorted Shuren to three of their most recently attacked livestock. He had sent away the farmer while he thought to himself, naturally clasping his hands behind his back. Strange, I definitively accepted the missive and it should be under my name. No one else could've come.
So far, all the incidents occurred near the border of the farmland. Beyond lay only a vast grassy prairie, with the Kallas Jungle peeking on the horizon. The Seven Clouds would've ensured there would be no forests or ecosystems nearby harbouring such creatures destroying farmlands.
Shuren grabbed his Ruyi Staff with intensity, crouching himself within the reeds. A sweat trickled down his forehead as he intensified Qi around his eyes, slightly enhancing his vision. There was a person there with a strong flow of Qi around them. A distinct form of a branch emanated from their head. "Wait…"
***
A young Silvent was busy inscribing a formation on the earth, using a gem ornate staff as a conduit.
As a Beast Tamer, Aerestia excelled in formations that allured and trapped mythical spirits and beasts. Her eyes closed shut as she concentrated. Eventually the last layer being inscribed. When she finally opened her eyes, she yelped and fell down. Shuren was standing in front of her.
"You…get up." Shuren facepalmed with irritation. Aerestia got her bearings together, standing up and brushing off the grass.
"W-what are you doing here?" She stammered.
"Did you accept the missive to eliminate the Twin Tailed Ash Tiger." Shuren got to the point.
"Y-yes, why do you ask? I've already accepted it. You shouldn't be here."
This girl struggles a lot with talking, huh? Shuren thought. "Check your cloudmulet. You should have the missive registered."
Aerestia sent Qi through to the flower on her branch crown. She wore her heart on her sleeve, as a multitude of facial emotions fleeting across her face; perplexity, despair and self resignation. "I didn't accept it…"
Shuren heaved a sigh. "I've already accepted this missive, so I'll go on ahead. You go back home. I can't send or share sigils, so there's no use asking that."
Aerestia grumbled, almost tearing at her utter embarrassment and waste of a day. She reminded him of his little Yuxi, his younger sister, whenever she acted the same. But there was no point spoon-feeding her, unless she spoke up Shuren would offer no help.
She started manifesting her flying nimbus until she was asked a question. She had forgotten to even dispel her formation. "Aerestia, what do you want to do?" He employed an old strategy he used on his siblings.
"I…there's no point."
"Speak up." Shuren reiterated.
"The… Ash Tiger, it was suitable for my techniques. I wanted to make a contract to be my Spiritual Beast. But there's no way now."
"Is that what you think?" Shuren inquired. "The missive was to deal with it in exchange for sigils. I need those quickly to get my own room" He stared at her with a neutral face, prodding her for an answer.
"Right! If I just form a contract, it'll be subdued and you can get your sigils." Aerestia said in excitement. Shuren had a feeling she was about to start a spiel of gratitudes, so he nipped that in the bud. At the very least, she came in the top ten and should be a useful assistant.
"Tell me about your formation. I was planning to use the livestock to lure it in, but you may know a better method."
Aerestia gripped her staff with a dimpled smile. "My beast formation uses the surroundings to act as a second sense for me. The plan was to wait until the Ash Tiger came into its vicinity. Once that happens, I just need a few techniques to wear down its body and capture it."
Shuren felt that it was a solid idea, enough of a support for him to test his weapon. "Here's how we do this. I'll leave some livestock over here to lure it near the formation. After that, I'll subdue it. You only need to do your contract afterwards." The Ruyi Staff felt immensely heavy even though Shuren stopped cycling Qi in it. It had condensed all the absorbed Qi and kept it inside like a container. He regretted not practicing it before coming on a missive.
Aerestia retorted, "I'll help fight it."
"No need. I need to test my weapon. I'm receiving the sigils anyway. You go relax at the farmhouse. It'll be some time before the Ash Tiger makes an appearance. You'll sense when I've dealt with it." Without bothering to discuss it any further, Shuren walked towards the livestock to use as bait.
Shuren found a herd of cows loitering nearby. He stood for a moment, calculating how to move the cow. He patted the neck of the largest cow, trying to drag it away. It cried out from Shuren's grip and tried to scurry off. Maybe I should carry it instead.
Shuren went to the second largest cow, staring at its udders. He changed his mind and tried pushing it from the side, steering it in a single direction. Once again, the cow was startled and moved away. Shuren leaned his staff against his shoulder, rethinking his plans. "I suppose I should get a farmer to help."
"You're so silly. You need to be gentle with these animals." Aerestia said, stepping next to him.
Shuren crossed his arms. "I was gentle. I didn't even use any Qi. You got any better ideas?"
Aerestia walked up towards the two startled cows, gently caressing them. A faint glimmer emanated from her forehead, glistening at the tip of her branch horns as her silver hair flowed.
Shuren leaned against a nearby tree, spectating the Silvent's power. Aerestia led the docile two cows towards her formation. He waited until they stopped, lest his appearance scared them again. After tying her staff around her back, Aerestia scurried back to convene with Shuren.
"So the Beast Tamer Path allows you to communicate with animals?" Shuren asked.
"Not necessarily. For now, it's more like conveying your emotional state. What I used is a unique skill I learnt back home. But yes, eventually Beast Tamers can communicate with animals to a higher degree later on."
Shuren's eyes shined. "So even I could do this? Let's say I get a Crescent Eagle, or a Cloud Li Crane as my own mount, I can give them basic directions with my thoughts?"
Aerestia shook her head thoroughly. "It's not that simple. What I used is a skill I've gained after living with animals for a long time." She pointed at her two branch horns. "Without a pair of these, it's not possible. But if you reach Core Genesis, you can tether a single creature to your soul. It's really difficult, but you don't have to be a Beast Tamer for that."
"I suppose brute strength can't lead you to everything. Heh, one day I'll get a dragon as my mount." Shuren said with conceit, raising his nose in the air.
Aerestia gave a blank stare, like she just saw a kid say he wanted to become a rank 9 cultivator. Shuren instantly regretted saying it.
"Anyway, I need your help to grab some hay feed for the cows. They'll walk off otherwise." Aerestia led Shuren back towards the farm, and they both hauled some feed.
"If you're going to lie near the cows, we should decide on a signal to let each other know when the Ash Tiger approaches," Shuren said.
Aerestia looked as if an idea bloomed on her head. "Oh, I know. I'll send out a whistle, then you can go subjugate it."
Shuren nodded, walking off towards a tall tree to sit on. Meanwhile Aerestia laid behind the cows, her side facing towards the farm to shroud her appearance. If the Twin Tailed Ash Tiger approached, she would sense it with the cows.
Shuren spent a few hours reading his book of spiritual tea and its effects on cultivation. He didn't want to admit it, but the fanatics inside were steadily converting him into one of them. A crazed tea drinker that would use even high grade artifacts just to marginally improve the efficiency of brewing tea better. At his side, the Ruyi Staff felt overwhelmingly dense. Shuren couldn't quite figure out its mechanics in drawing out the Qi. At some point he started twirling the Ruyi Staff with a hand while he continued to read with the other.
I should reach stage seven soon in Qidense, then maybe I can control the Ruyi Staff more.
As evening drew near, a loud and sharp whistle alerted Shuren. The Twin Tailed Ashen Tiger had begun to make its move, but when Shuren glanced out to see, he saw its miserable state.
The Twin Tailed Ash Tiger was dying.