Destiny in Cinders

Imperial Sky again? An Jing recalled that the text they had used to learn to read was the Imperial Sky Classic. It was only to be expected. Imperial Sky referred to the Olden Heavenly Father, the main deity worshipped by most within Grand Chen, with many more believers across the world of Void Embrace. The text was also a keystone to much of Grand Chen's cultural customs and laws.[1]

But unlike the Imperial Sky Classic, this manual was merely attributed to the Olden Heavenly Father much like many other technique manuals possessed by Grand Chen and other cultic sects. The fact that Direlife Manor had a technique named like this meant that it was backed by a cult rather than a cultivation sect.

An Jing opened the manual and read it page by page with great attention. The manor lord observed his behavior really closely. When An Jing was done flipping through it, the old man asked, "What do you think?"

An Jing gave it some thought before answering. "The core principles within might be ancient, but the overall training methods are still concurrent with the times. Manor Lord, I believe that Abyssedge Stake Aura Refining and Armorpierce Impetus are parts of this manual, right?"

The old man didn't respond, so An Jing continued. "The Imperial Sky Seethrough Nurturing Art as a single work is split into one general volume and four partial volumes. The first part is the general volume. The first partial volume focuses on contemplating the heavens absent of the self and one's wants and desires. Just like how the Olden Heavenly Father grants each lifeform its destiny, this volume teaches those who have awakened their lifearcs the basics of spiritual practice. The second part is Abyssedge, prompting one to cultivate one's innate qi without fear. The third part is Seethrough, as in seeing through one's own spirit without any doubts. The fourth part is Profoundstep, as in taking steps forward without hesitation."

An Jing looked up and smiled at the manor lord, meeting his gaze. "Abyssedge Stake Aura Refining and Armorpierce Impetus correspond to the second and third parts respectively. All in all, the Imperial Sky Seethrough Nurturing Art aims to push one to be doubtless, decisive, fearless and selfless. The 'Direlife' in 'Direlife Manor' similarly echoes this theme. Though we are born to the earth, our dire lives are subject to the whim of heaven. When heaven and earth come together, man is begotten. When man adapts to the four seasons, he shall derive a source of heaven and earth.[2]

"Absent doubt, hesitation, fear and ego, we will be able to adapt to the four seasons, that is, all sorts of situations. By using the legend of the Olden Heavenly Father as an analogy for stepping onto the martial path, we utilize ancient wisdom to complement current understandings."

An Jing concluded, "This manual covers cultivating our mind, qi, martial techniques, and footwork, making it a true orthodox manual that can carry us all the way through the Five Vistas of Fortification and even the Hundred Meridians Clearing Realms."

"Very good." The manor lord smiled pleasantly from the depths of his heart for the first time since the meeting began. "You were able to understand everything just by reading through it once and you even have your own thoughts about it. I'm sure you have already realized this, right? Abyssedge, Seethrough and Profoundstep can help you to break through all the way to the Tide Aura Stage. This is what the instructors use to cultivate. If you are able to awaken your lifearc, you may also use the egoless spirit-nurturing technique to break through in the Fortification Realm."

The manor lord observed An Jing and said in a curious tone, "However, why would you feel that this is a cultivation technique for Hundred Meridians Clearing as well?"

The Clearing Realm came after the Fortification Realm. Once the entire body underwent an awakening of wonders, a martialist would be able to use their wonders as a basis to reforge the body, clearing the paths for meridians that connected to heaven and earth, in other words, one's environment. Only a few great martialists would be able to achieve the tripartite harmony of heaven, earth and man.

"It's simple." An Jing raised the booklet and quoted a passage he had read out loud. "When man adapts to the four seasons, he shall derive a source of heaven and earth. He who knows all shall become the heaven's child.

"In other words, there are four seasons that correspond to heaven and four that correspond to the earth. The Imperial Sky Seethrough Nurturing Art focuses on nurturing one's inner force to enable more power generation. Even though it is already sufficient, there are other parts that are required for the technique to become complete. So, I guessed that there must be a complementary Imperial Earth manual that focuses on refining the body. It must be split into parts that focus on spiritual cultivation, qi control, unarmed combat, and armed combat aspects."

A look of surprise once more surfaced on the manor lord's face.

An Jing pondered even more deeply and gave his true conjecture. "Even if we add all that together, they're only just meant for establishing a basic foundation. The Imperial Sky part nurtures the spiritual and mental bases, while the Imperial Earth parts refine the body into a vessel one uses to traverse through the world. 'When heaven and earth come together, man is begotten.' Only after training in both the Imperial Sky and Imperial Earth parts can one manifest wonders for the Clearing Realm where one can achieve Mahesvara Heaven's Child. This part of the manual is the true beginning of the advanced orthodox technique."

The manor lord stood up in shock. "You... You..."

He pointed at the youth before him, the wrinkles on his face crinkling like never before. There was a hint of a green glow coming from his eyes. "You actually managed to see through it to this extent!"

When An Jing met his gaze, he felt like he was looking at a burning flame. His eyes felt a scorching sensation, forcing him to close them to prevent any injury. This was one of the wonders that one could manifest at the Fortification Realm, Ocular Blaze. It confirmed An Jing's guess that the manor lord's cultivation was indeed at the Fortification Realm, a rather high stage too. He just didn't know what kind of lifearc he had or how many wonders he had manifested.

"Amazing..." The manor lord breathed in deeply a few times, struggling but managing to suppress the jubilation in him. He sat back down and looked at An Jing happily, eyes still burning. "What an impressive insight you have. You've seen through the core of the orthodox method. I wouldn't have believed someone like you existed, yet here you are!"

The old man nodded and confirmed An Jing's guesses. "You are correct. The Imperial Sky and Imperial Earth are parts of a whole. There is an Imperial Earth Divine Body Refinement Art to go with the Imperial Sky Seethrough Nurturing Art. From the Imperial Sky, we get no doubts, no hesitation, no fear, and no ego. From the Imperial Earth, we forsake rage, hate, desire and attachment. Combining the two will get you the complete technique meant for the Clearing Realm.

"Only by awakening the lifearc and cultivating these two complementary techniques can one be said to have obtained the complete orthodox technique. An Jing, given your intelligence, I'm sure you've already guessed what kind of organization Direlife Manor is, right? Do not worry. Given your talent, it won't be difficult for you to awaken your lifearc. Once you are properly initiated into the sect, the Lord Inspector of the North will personally take you to the headquarters to teach the Imperial Earth Art to you."

"Thank you, Manor Lord!" An Jing didn't have a good grasp of what the organization was. Even though he wanted to ask for more details and who the Lord Inspector of the North was, he shelved these thoughts and bowed in gratitude.

The manor lord left his seat and handed the Imperial Sky Seethrough Nurturing Art manual to An Jing. "No need for thanks. This is all by the books. If a rare talent like you ends up not being taught the orthodox technique, then it will end up being a problem for me."

He patted An Jing on the shoulder and was delighted to see how strong and calm the youth was. "You are ever so calm and steady. Were you born this way?"

An Jing didn't answer and merely smiled. The manor lord shook his head slightly and motioned for him to leave, seemingly smiling in resignation.

He left the apothecary with the manual in hand. It was already the twilight hour; he had spent quite some time flipping through the manual earlier. The fact that the vice apothecary had been willing to wait that long showed how much goodwill he afforded An Jing.

The manual wasn't that thick, but it was by no means thin either. There were many diagrams depicting the human body in great detail, down to the muscles and organs. Among the information were detailed instructions on how to circulate and exert force. The text was written in a smooth, flowing manner that did not impede understanding in the least.

An Jing's doubts had shifted beyond Direlife Manor at this point. "The Lord Inspector of the North and headquarters... This seems like a proper sect. I doubt there are that many of these in Grand Chen... Greater Ebony, Greater Clarity, Astral Eminence, Sacred Dragon, Heavenly Demon, True Fiend..."

He tried his best to recall the great cults of Grand Chen, but he lacked knowledge on this topic and couldn't come to any clear conclusion. All of a sudden, his brow furrowed as an unlikely possibility occurred to him. "Don't tell me it's the demonic—"

"Hey, Little An, aren't you going to your meal?" Right then, a voice came ringing from behind An Jing. It was an apothecary that was familiar with An Jing. He was leaving the apothecary building with a cart full of concoctions, similar to the ones that were fed to An Jing and the rest alongside servings of beast flesh.

He saw the manual in An Jing's hand and gave him a friendly greeting. "I'm sure if you hurry now, you'll still be able to enjoy your meal while it's warm!"

"Thank you, Master Wu." An Jing snapped out of it and left the building with Apothecary Wu, only to find that the apothecary didn't join him on the way to the canteen and went somewhere else instead. Most people wouldn't think twice about it, but An Jing immediately began to ponder.

The cart was full of concoctions that were meant to be consumed by somebody. Even though concoctions didn't necessarily work better if they were fresher, he recalled that the ones that they had been given were mostly freshly brewed. If Apothecary Wu wasn't bringing them to the canteen, where would they be sent?

After some thought, he decided to stalk the apothecary with his presence hidden. The man wasn't at the Aura Realm, so he was only a normal person with basic martial techniques. As such, he wasn't able to detect An Jing in the slightest.

According to him, he was one of the failed candidates without the slightest martial talent, but his insight into herbs gave him a spot in the apothecary. This was one of the reasons An Jing didn't want to doubt Direlife Manor. There were many living examples of failed candidates being given other posts to serve.

The apothecary hummed a song along the way to the eastern mountain farms, one of the farm plots that flanked the manor. An Jing had never been there before. When he ascertained that the apothecary was really on the path towards the farm plots, he turned around and headed to the canteen.

There, he was once more the recipient of many congratulatory remarks. Nobody ever doubted that he deserved his position as the senior disciple.

An Jing smiled and took the praise with class without giving away any of his deeper thoughts. He also consumed his serving of concoctions and beast flesh without any hurry, having suppressed all the powerful urges that they induced.

Once everyone was asleep deep in the night, An Jing's eyes popped wide open.

1. Olden Heavenly Father, or 老天爷, refers to the Jade Emperor, the ruler of the heavens in Chinese folk religion. ☜

2. This part of the text is partially inspired by the Huangdi Neijing. ☜