Disciple Bloodforge.

  Qing was alerted when Jianrong finally rose.

  When he saw her image, he frowned.

  There was something about her he could not put his finger on.

  Whether it was the tilt of her head, the coldness of her eyes, or the fact that she wore her armor in the ship surrounded by her ‘family’, everything about her felt cold.

  Shen Lian caught her in the dining hall.

  Where her presence was once soft and approachable because she sealed away her Aura, now she was no different than anyone else.

  A stifling pressure that warned others to tread carefully.

  As she passed by, she saluted, her face completely impassive.

  “Disciple!” He called out. Jianrong stopped and turned.

  No words, just waiting.

  “You don’t have to wear your armor here; the arrays of the ship will protect us from intruders,” Shen said amicably.

  Rong glanced down at his own armor, then at the people sitting nearby in armor, then back at him.

  “Thank you for the clarification, Excellency.” She replied, then saluted and left.

  Lieutenant Shen touched his token and spoke softly.

  En route to her room, Jianrong was met by Captain Han Weixun.

  “It is good to see you out and about,” Weixun said with a smile.

  Jianrong stood at attention and saluted.

  Weixun waited a moment, then spoke. “Why not join me? I am headed to the training hall.”

  “Yes, Excellency,” Jianrong stated immediately.

  Weixun smiled. “Cultivation enlightenment happens through questions and speculation.” He said.

  “Go ahead, take a guess why it matters to align the Spirit and Soul.” He pressed.

  “If pressed to answer, I would speculate it has something to do with belief and overcoming physical or mental inadequacies.” Rong offered.

  A short time later, the two stood watching several cultivators moving through the forms.

  “Do you know why they move like that, Disciple?” the captain asked.

  “No Excellency,” Jianrong stated.

  Weixun took a slow breath and let it out.

  “The flow of Qi, the alignment of Spirit and Soul are essential.” He explained. “Why do you think that is?”

  “I have no idea, Excellency,” Rong replied.

  “Could there be more to it?” he asked.

  “Cultivation and the world at large are filled with mysteries; the likelihood that there is a deeper meaning to this being helpful or important is likely high,” Rong replied.

  Weixun nodded. “You see, they use the Jian. Have you ever considered such a blade?” he asked.

  “No Excellency.” Rong shook her head.

  “Why not Disciples?” The captain keeps pressing.

  “The weapon style is flimsy for me and does not interact well with the environment. “ Rong replied.

  The Captain was silent for a moment.

  He felt she was constantly attacking what it meant to be a cultivator, yet she offered reasonable explanations without emotion.

  It was frustrating, but on a different level, he enjoyed the interactions because they forced him to consider what he had always accepted as ‘truth’.

  “Would you allow me to see the weapon you used against the puppets?” he asked.

  Jianrong turned her hand, and a heavy saber appeared.

  He reached for it as she set the tip on the ground.

  “Please be careful, Excellency, it weighs 30 kilograms with most of the weight at the end of it. I came across one by accident and copied the design; they called it a Yuntou Dao, or Cloud-head Sabre.” She offered the handle. “You can take it, I know you will want to test it, it's just compressed earth and Qi.” She explained as she turned back to watch the people moving and returning to her silence.

  The Nascent Soul moved to lift it and realized he needed to reinforce his body.

  “How do you wield this?” he asked, confused as it was akin to lifting a sword with a block of stone at its tip.

  “Full rotations and momentum, Excellency,” Rong replied.

  His Spirit Sense delved into the weapon as he held it with two hands. What he discovered there was just as she said: earth packed so tightly it might as well be rock.

  “What are the threads I see?” Weixun asked quietly. As he saw, they interlocked the entire blade, densest at the handle.

  “Solid Qi filament Excellency,” Rong replied, not turning.

  There was a prolonged silence.

  “Where did you procure the filament?” The captain asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

  “I made it, Excellency.” Rong turned her hand, and a coil of semi-transparent thread appeared.

  “You can have it, don’t pull hard on it, you will lose a finger.” She warned.

  The training ended, but the Captain remained rooted.

  Jianrong turned, “Was there anything else, Excellency?” she asked evenly.

  He turned, his eyes tinged red. “Jianrong, how hard is this material to make?”

  Rong’s brow rose, then she looked at the film and counted on her fingers.

  “That is about three hundred thousand joules of energy, so a base Core Formation Dantian’s entire reserves, Excellency.”

  "You're saying this weapon contains... multiple cultivators' worth of Qi?" Weixun asked in a hoarse voice.

  Rong looked at him. Made a face of understanding as she looked at him and looked away.

  “All matter has energy within it. But your question is whether my Sabre has multiple cultivators’ worth of Qi. We will assume you mean externally processed and embedded Qi, then yes, there are likely three Dantian’s worth of Qi in that blade. It slowly consumes it to retain its structure but also acts as a blade that is imbued with Qi when it strikes, depleting it after each blow.” She replied.

  The man stared at her, neither kindly nor angry. There was an exhaustion to it.

  Then he remembered the brief about affinity armor.

  “Was the demonstration armor you wore the affinity armor?” he demanded.

  More people were filing in; another instruction was about to begin, yet they still stood there.

  Rong closed her eyes and sighed.

  “No. That was condensed Aura.” She replied.

  The Captain looked at the Disciples who were staring at them, mainly because the woman had animal ears and a tail.

  He realized he had already forgotten about that; her words were more compelling than her looks.

  “I-we would like to talk to you later to walk you through what life in the Sect will be like for you. If you would not mind, we would like to see your armor once more. It was…compelling.”

  Jianrong nodded. Then gave a salute and walked away.

  A chime later, a Disciple knocked on Jianrong’s door.

  Rong followed the Disciple who kept stealing glances.

  When she reached the General's door, she saluted.

  “I am Disciple Tong,” The young man blurted.

  “Thank you for your effort, Disciple Tong.” She nodded to him, then knocked on the door.

  A call to enter came, and she moved into a large apartment.

  Jianrong realized she was at the back of the ship.

  She knew it because she could see the ocean far below through a large expanse of windows. She had the impression they were not moving fast.

  “First time traveling by Airship disciple?” Qin asked, turning away from the view to face her.

  “Yes, Excellency,” Jianrong said.

  To her right, the Lieutenant and Captain sat on a large couch.

  “Do you know why I have called you here?” He asked.

  Jianrong nodded. “Excellency has a question.”

  Qin was about to respond when her non-answer made him stumble.

  The man smiled finally and leaned forward while resting his elbows on his desk, his fingers steepled.

  “Yes, well, it's more accurate to say we have questions,” Qin said, watching her face.

  He expected anxiety, fear, pride, and arrogance.

  What he got was her closing her eyes in resignation.

  “Child, why are you stagnant? Your cycling is so slow that your Qi shielding is not in place, but you wear armor?”

  “Where I am from, the Qi shielding and Aura draw the enemy. So, we learned to rotate Qi at the bare minimum, Excellency.” Rong explained.

  “Demonstrate your Qi shield,” Qin ordered.

  A moment later, a dense dampening field settled onto Jianrong.

  Qin nodded. “Wearing armor on board isn’t necessary… you're safer with just cycling,” Qin stated.

  Jianrong saluted.

  Qin glanced at the two items on his desk and spoke. “Can you show us the star you made at the demonstration?”

  Rong took a long breath and let it out while moving her hand and igniting a tiny star that she sent sailing his way, which stopped over his desk.

  Qin stared at the light with both his eyes and his Spirit Sense.

  His brow furrowed, then he glanced at his subordinates, then back to Rong.

  Her head tilted, and she made a striking motion, and the star split into three stars, one for each man.

  Qin finally looked at her. “How are you doing that?”

  Rong blinked. “Expending Qi to illuminate air particle Excellency.”

  "That's... not an answer," Qin stated. "We KNOW you're using Qi."

  "How are you CONTROLLING it?" he finally asked, growing agitated.

  Rong looked at him and blinked.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “I- “ she opened her mouth, but was confused that they were confused. “I am expanding my Qi through my Aura to saturate the air where I have condensed my will, with the thought in mind of the outcome I want. I feed it Qi, hence the light. As I control the singular point of Qi, I can move it at will within my Qi field…Excellency.” She explained.

  "Can you attack through this field?" Lieutenant Shen asked.

  “No idea, never tried Excellency,” Rong replied.

  "What happens when you fight another cultivator?" Captain Han asked.

  “I generally either shoot cultivators with an arrow or stab them, Excellency. Magic is expensive and easy to discern like flaring Aura.” Rong offered.

  "Why couldn't we detect the saturation?" Qin asked.

  “You're focusing on the externalized event, the byproduct of my spell. Qi is moving through the Soul phase of reality, the same way Mana is. You can't see Mana with your eyes because it's out of phase.” Rong offered.

  "You've been saturating our ship with your Qi this entire time?" Qin accused.

  Rong’s brow rose. “Everyone with Aura is…I feel like I mentioned it travels through my Aura.” Rong offered, then trailed off in thought.

  "Can you... " Listen through your field?" the captain asked, standing up.

  Rong dismissed the stars and turned her head. “I feel like perhaps you don’t understand how fluid dynamics works. All of us cultivators have a blob of Aura and magnetism moving around us; it's not like a spell, it's nature. I am simply moving Qi through that field, which is smaller than this room. Our cultivation level determines how far it reaches. The more I release my Aura, the farther I can travel. Can you listen to people in your Aura Excellency?” Rong asked, unsure.

  "...No. We cannot." Qin finally admitted ignorance.

  "Is this... common knowledge where you're from?" Captain Han asked.

  Jianrong shook her head. “It's just something my brothers and I have been playing with for years. I couldn’t do the light trick until more recently. We were stuck playing with Air, Earth, and Water.” She explained.

  "What cultivation realms are they?" Lieutenant Shen asked.

  “Core,” Rong replied.

  "Have other sects recruited them?" he pressed.

  “No one has ‘invited’ them, Excellency.” She said, raising her hand and making a two-fingered gesture to invite.

  Qin glanced at Han, who nodded.

  "Why couldn't you do the light trick until recently?" Qin asked.

  Rong shrugged. “Busy with other stuff, once I figured out lightning, it was pretty easy, Sir.” She sighed.

  "Is this bloodline-exclusive or learnable?" Captain Han asked, still standing, his eyes burning with emotion.

  “No idea, don’t care, Excellency,” Rong replied.

  There was a long and unpleasant silence.

  Finally, Han asked without looking at Qin.

  “Demonstrate lightning.” He demanded.

  Rong rolled her eyes, then sighed. Then she rubbed her hands together and clapped twice.

  “Oh, great Quetzalcoatl, grant me your power.” She said it deadpan, then pulled her hand away.

  Lightning danced between her hands in vibrant violet and azure.

  “woooooow,” she said while it happened.

  Han stood with his fists clenched while breathing hard.

  He wanted to punish her, but she was doing what he demanded.

  She was doing something impossible.

  She looked around. “Any other elements, or was that all the questions, Excellencies had?”

  “Demonstrate Fire,” Qin ordered as he stared at her, watching her every movement.

  Jianrong rubbed her hands, then waved one that ignited in an orange conflagration that rolled off her finger into a small sun. Then she raised it to her face and blew on it, making it slowly change color until it was an ice-cold white with a blue hue.

  Then, with a close of her fist, it was gone.

  “The excitement never ends.” She murmured to herself.

  “Water!” Lieutenant Shen demanded to join Han.

  Rong’s head rolled, and she drew air through her nose while she reached out her hand, and all the moisture in the room raced to it.

  Then she turned her hand, making the ball of opaque water spin, forcing all the impurities out in a few breaths.

  “Ice, I take it?” Rong asked dejectedly.

  “Ice,” Qin nodded.

  Rong pulled the heat from the ball with a gesture and sent it to Qin’s desk, where it landed with a thump, white mist rolling off it.

  “How effective is this as a weapon. Qin asked in a detached way.

  Rong thought about it. “Compared to the invention of the sword? Not very.” She admitted.

  “Why?” Qin asked.

  “Energy expenditure versus outcome. Even making an elemental weapon or armor is more cost-effective than using it directly. At least for me, it is Excellency.” She explained.

  Qin’s hand came to rest on the earth sword on his desk. “Weapons like this.”

  “Yes, Excellency,” Rong replied.

  "Do you understand what you're demonstrating would change everything?" Qin asked.

  “Not for me…not my world, and in the end, that is all that really matters, Excellency,” Rong stated.

  The silence that followed was different from the others.

  This one was heavy.

  Qin leaned back in his chair slowly, his fingers leaving the earth sword. He studied her face - still impassive, still waiting.

  "Not your world," he repeated quietly.

  "No, Excellency," Jianrong confirmed.

  Lieutenant Shen shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Captain Han remained standing, but his fists had unclenched.

  “Just because you are forced to be here doesn’t mean you cannot make a difference.” Qin offered.

  Jianrong smiled. “How, letting Disciples shoot lightning at one another, scribes burning Qi to light a room instead of a candle?”

  Qin considered her words, then spoke. “Show us your Aura Armor.”

  Rongs Aura flowed out and around her as Qi fed it, and it solidified.

  Soon, it looked as if she were coated in a layer of honey.

  Qin stood while the other men moved closer.

  Eventually, Han placed a hand on it and pressed. The entire armor gave a small ripple, but grew firmer the harder he pushed.

  “Explain,” Qin demanded.

  “Qi shields dampen attacks. The faster the attack, the more force they disperse through the body. When it works, damage is reduced; when it fails, what remains passes through, causing injury.”

  The three men knew this better than she did.

  “Aura defense is different,” Rong continued. “It does not spread force. It confronts intent directly. The Soul bears the contest, and if it holds, the attack is stopped before it reaches the body. If it fails, the damage is not greater — it is deeper.”

  Rong gave a soft, sad smile.

  “What you are looking at is Aura infused with Qi and willpower to control its shape and nature. The Qi feeds the structure in a closed cycle, returning to circulation rather than dispersing. The three systems interlink to create a single system we call Aura Gel Armor.”

  “How protective is this?” the Lieutenant asked quietly.

  “It absorbs around fifty to eighty percent of the attack's damage if it’s a base weapon. Attacks with Aura infusion or Qi-powered attacks are more likely to pierce it, but it recovers easily, and if you can anticipate, you can fuel the armor to tank the attack.” Rong explained.

  Lieutenant Shen Lian felt something close to vertigo.

  He'd been uncomfortable before—at her coldness, her strange detachment from Feng, the way she wore armor among family. But those were quirks, oddities to be understood.

  This was different.

  She'd just equated cultivating the arts with burning Qi to light candles and dismissed the entire purpose of the Sect—advancement, enlightenment, the pursuit of Heaven—as frivolous waste.

  And he couldn't... reasonably... argue with her.

  His mind kept circling back: She asked why people would escalate to lethal force over common disputes, as if the question itself was absurd.

  Shen had killed three men in duels over "common disputes." One over a slight to his master. One over-cultivation of resources. One reason is that refusing would have shown weakness.

  At the time, those reasons felt sufficient. Necessary, even.

  Now, watching her Aura solidify into protective honey-colored armor, he felt the uncomfortable weight of a question he'd never asked: What if she's right? What if we ARE just... monkeys?

  Captain Han Weixun pressed harder against the armor, feeling it resist, flow, then harden.

  His anger had burned out somewhere around the lightning demonstration.

  What replaced it was something colder and more useful: tactical assessment.

  She'd said fifty to eighty percent damage absorption against base weapons.

  That meant his entire squad's doctrine—fast strikes, coordinated pressure, overwhelming volume—would be reduced to a war of attrition. And she'd already demonstrated Nascent Soul-level striking power.

  His hand remained on the armor, testing, calculating.

  If ten of my men attack her simultaneously with coordinated blade work...

  The math was brutal. Even if they landed eighty strikes—enough to kill any normal Core Formation cultivator three times over—they'd only deliver perhaps thirty effective wounds. And she'd demonstrated she could heal.

  He glanced at the earth sword on Qin's desk.

  He remembered it contained three Dantians' worth of Qi. Remembered her saying she could make more.

  This armor is the same principle. Condensed protection that regenerates.

  Then his tactical mind asked the question that made his stomach drop:

  What happens when she makes this for her squad?

  Not if. When.

  Because someone like her didn't demonstrate capabilities without purpose, she showed them exactly what she could do—and, implicitly, what she could teach.

  His hand finally fell away from the armor.

  "How long does it last?" he asked quietly, keeping his voice professionally neutral.

  “As long as I have Qi, but if in battle, it can last all day. It's by far the cheapest skill I have, but it's limited to defense and boosting strength Excellency,” Rong replied.

  Qin noted Jianrong’s lack of Qi armor.

  The silence stretched.

  "Dismiss the armor," he finally says.

  The honey-colored shell dissolved, and her Aura was drawn back in.

  "You said your brothers worked on this for years," Qin continues carefully. "Core Formation cultivators. Playing with air, earth, and water." He pauses. "Who taught you?"

  "No one, Excellency. We figured it out."

  Another silence. Captain Han makes a sound—not quite disbelief, not quite anger.

  "The Sect," Qin says slowly, "will want to understand this. All of it. They will ask you to teach."

  Jianrong chuckled but said nothing.

  Qing’s brow furrowed at her dismissal.

  His eyes moved to the sword. “How long will this remain in a solid form?”

  “Approximately a month, Excellency, unless used to hit things.” She replied.

  Qin narrowed his eyes. “We will be holding onto this for the short time.”

  Rong shrugged.

  “Return to your quarters. We will discuss this later.” Qin stated.

  Jianrong saluted and then turned to leave.

  Han spoke first, “Are we documenting this?"

  Qin shook his head. "Not yet."

  "General, if we don't report—" Shen spoke up.

  "I didn't say we won't report. I said not yet." Qin clarified.

  Long silence settled.

  "So, what DO we report?" Han asked.

  Qin considered. “We have recorded two bloodlines we don’t have on record. She is a Spirit Fox cub, or something close to it. We were sent with orders to recover whatever or whoever caused the Nine Heavens Trials alert.”

  He moved to the windows and looked outward at the endless expanse of water.

  “We need to understand enough that when we report it, we don’t look like fools. “

  The days that followed were filled with endless questions.

  From their observations, they concluded that nothing the fox did followed the orthodox path, since she had no teachers of the path.

  She could sense mana in the environment.

  But she did not draw it in; it simply moved to her as if drawn in.

  She had no Qi breathing technique.

  If placed in the same mana-rich environment, a cultivator drew in mana faster but had to focus on it.

  Jianrong simply…lived. She did not sit in the lotus position to cultivate.

  She drew pictures of people she knew, repaired her armor, or read books.

  The outcome was similar; the path was completely different.

  The more they interacted with her, the more they realized she seemed to disdain every single encounter with them.

  With Disciples, she was neutral.

  With Qin, Han, and Shen, she did not hide her feelings.

  When they finally reached land, any interaction was painful.

  What should have taken one question now required ten to thirty precisely worded follow-up questions to reach the answer they sought.

  Even something as innocuous as “How are you feeling today?” would elicit what Qin had described as ‘weaponized apathy’.

  Every ship that returned home had a specific route it took to land.

  There were several logistical reasons for this, but the top one was simple.

  “Impress the passengers.”

  The Celestial War Doctrine Sect was massive.

  They had over one million people in their ranks.

  From mortal farmers to over two dozen Soul Formation Elders that made up its ruling class.

  The reality was Qin Renshu, Elder and General of the Celestial War Doctrine, was not a man who could make decisions.

  He followed them and ensured their intent was expressed.

  So, as he moved the people to the observation area to be offloaded by skiff, while watching the sect in its glory, a seed of concern sprouted.

  A dozen other people who had been ‘recruited’ stood transfixed as the Sect revealed itself to them. Each one dressed immaculately, their hair tended with care.

  The young men would inspire poems, the young women adoration and affection.

  Tall, picturesque mountains that had great cranes flying in formations as disciples trained with their mounts.

  Nascent Souls and higher simply moved to and from through the air when urgency was called for.

  Training grounds that could hold entire regiments, because they regularly did.

  Twelve sets of eyes peered down in excitement and anticipation. Their voices were full of excitement at the opportunity that awaited.

  Then he turned.

  There, his eyes fell upon Jianrong. Eyes closed, her attire a dismal dark grey, and her bright crimson body armor vest was worn.

  Her clothes were wrinkled.

  Her hair was in a rough, uneven braid.

  Her apparent care with first impressions was somewhere between not caring and hoping they wouldn't be offended.

  “Jianrong, don’t you want to see your new home?” he asked gently.

  The woman opened her eyes to look at him and shook her head.

  Then she closed them again.

  The process was always the same.

  A half dozen of the most impressive Disciples arrived with an Elder who would take them, over a month to a season, to learn how best to integrate them.

  The Disciples were the next generation of leadership.

  People who would lead them into a mission or a battle.

  This served several purposes on both sides.

  The outcome was always the same.

  The doors opened to the skiff, and a woman with a dazzling smile moved forward.

  On one side, men who already looked like heroes, on the other, women who stole one's breath.

  “Greetings, young ones. Please come forward and introduce yourselves. We will segregate you at first while you get settled, then you will be able to move freely.”

  The Elders' voice was calm and reassuring. Her Aura was welcoming, while those around her felt a spark of excitement, as some of them would become friends or subordinates. Deciding which to start now.

  The men moved first, giving sharp salutes and giving a brief description of themselves, including their affinity and cultivation path.

  Qin watched. Most of the time, this was a joyous and momentous occasion.

  Fresh blood from fresh faces invigorated the Sect. It opened up ideas, and for many, it meant learning to be a student or a mentor. Some would take on their first Disciple from these ranks.

  In the centuries that passed, no one would forget this moment, or the names of the people they met.

  Then he turned, and Jianrong still had not risen. She was waiting for the last person to finish.

  Then the last woman spoke, and all eyes moved to the fox girl.

  The men's eyes widened at her beautiful face.

  The woman’s face blanched at her attire and presentation.

  Jianrong sighed and rose as if ordered to toss herself into a fire.

  She moved with visible reluctance, then stood straight with military precision and saluted.

  “Jianrong, several affinities. Farmer.”

  She ended her salute and moved to the women's side.

  Everyone stared in confusion. She felt empty. Her Aura was completely retracted as she projected no emotion whatsoever; her cultivation was equally elusive as she seemed not to cycle her Qi actively.

  The elder turned and looked at Jianrong, who had moved to a seat and already sat down, and closed her eyes as if waiting for the world to end.

  The woman blinked and smiled at everyone.

  “Take a moment to introduce yourselves. I will need a moment to perform the official hand off.” She spoke reassuringly, but her eyes snapped to Qin, who flinched.

  Elder Tian Shuyuan was called Heaven’s Balancing Scale.

  Her job was to assess talent and place it. She would oversee every aspect of new Disciples brought in from outside and tested for acceptance.

  Qin breath trembled as she stood in front of him, smiling.

  “What have you done that was so egregious that the only Spirit Fox in the history of the Sect looks like we are transporting her to be executed?” she asked quietly.

  “Excellency, during the transition to our care, it was revealed that our normal process is to limit family interactions and focus on their growth. We reassured her that the family would be adequately cared for as part of her acquisition, but when we found out how powerful she was, it was mentioned that the Sect would need her to remain as she was invaluable.”

  Elder Tian blinked, then finally spoke. “Your trip was several weeks; at what point after her arrival did you explain this to her?”

  Qin swallowed. “After her demonstration, we had her heal and elder she harmed during the sparing, at which time we left the area with her in our care once we transferred funds to the Sect who had signed her. Due to her ability, we have not provided her with a contract as she will not be eligible for release.” Qin spoke more calmly after reaching the ground he felt comfortable in.

  “So, she fought, you made her heal our Disciple she harmed, and then you left while she was healing?” Elder Tian’s voice was filled with disbelief.

  “Ah, Excellency, I should point out we weren’t having her heal, she was uncrippling our training elder who acted out of turn, attacking her after she had defeated him. She has a powerful healing skill.” He explained, thinking it strengthened his case.

  Elder Tian stood frozen, staring in horror.

  “So, at that time…you explained she would never leave the Sect and would not receive a contract and did not allow her to say farewell to family or friends or bring any personal items?” She asked.

  Qin’s mouth moved as he blinked rapidly, then he nodded. “Correct Excellency”

  Elder Tian’s Aura bloomed.

  Not flaring.

  Not pressing.

  Balancing.

  “General Qin,” she asked, “are you familiar with the phrase salting the well?”

  He nodded, once.

  Her gaze shifted.

  “Captain Han.”

  Han straightened, the tip of a sword resting against the deck.

  “Why are you holding that weapon as though it might fall through the floor?” Elder Tian asked, “And why does it resemble packed earth?”

  “This is Jianrong’s weapon,” Han replied carefully. “We confiscated it for study, Excellency.”

  Elder Tian nodded.

  “Did you confiscate anything else belonging to her?”

  Han glanced at Qin.

  Qin shook his head.

  Silence.

  The balance had been struck.

  Elder Tian glanced between the two.

  “Captain Han, return the sword to its owner.” She stated.

  “Excellency, this …there is, it could change everything.” He stammered.

  “Now.” Elder Tian reiterated her will.

  Han bowed, then moved to the skiff.

  Elder Tian turned to Qin.

  “Talent can be acquired. Trust cannot be taken.” Tian stated, then turned to the skiff.

  “You will be returning with us. I cannot allow what has taken place to transpire again. I was told you used all your funds to purchase a recruit, including your own money….Perhaps that's why you were blinded to even the most basic human cultivator realities.” She stated.

  Qin blinked, then spoke. “Excellency, if you would give me a short time to collect my personal effects and say goodbye.” He asked.

  Elder Tian looked at him, waiting, and realized he did not see the irony.

  “No, get on the Skiff now, as there will be many questions for you. Some will not be good for your career.” Tian stated as she got on the skiff.