Over the next three weeks, Bernard-Dai Ming adopted a routine of near extreme isolation. Each morning, he consulted the Calculator before leaving his quarters.
"Path analysis complete," the System would inform him. "Liu Feng scheduled for morning training at Eastern Combat Arena. 87% probability he will take the central pathway. Recommend southern route to Medicinal Fields."
Bernard-Dai Ming learned to trust these assessments implicitly. He slipped through the sect like a shadow, timing his movements to avoid not only Liu Feng but anyone the Calculator flagged as potentially troublesome. When forced to interact with other disciples, he maintained a careful facade of meekness, hunching his shoulders and keeping his gaze lowered.
"You're looking better," Li Wei commented one afternoon as they passed on the path to the communal baths. "Those injuries must have healed."
Bernard-Dai Ming immediately adopted a pained expression and pressed a hand to his side. "The physical wounds, perhaps," he murmured. "But the damage to my meridians... the physicians say it may be permanent."
Li Wei's sympathetic nod was exactly what he'd hoped for. The rumor of his crippled cultivation continued to spread, providing the perfect excuse for people to overlook him.
The weekly cultivation lesson proved the greatest challenge to his deception. Master Feng's hawk-like gaze seemed to penetrate every facade, examining each disciple's qi circulation with unnerving precision.
"Adjust your breathing pattern," the Calculator instructed during one such session. "Current efficiency 12% above expected level for public display. Reduce by introducing minor fluctuation in third meridian."
Bernard-Dai Ming deliberately created a small disturbance in his qi flow, watching Master Feng's attention slide past him to focus on more promising disciples. The relief was palpable each time he avoided notice.
His days at the Eastern Medicinal Fields became the cornerstone of his existence. Elder Wu rarely spoke, but his silent approval manifested in increasingly complex assignments. What began as basic maintenance evolved into delicate propagation techniques, the harvesting of volatile essences, and even basic alchemy preparation.
The plants became Bernard-Dai Ming's companions, their silent consciousness responding to his wood affinity with increasing sensitivity. He learned their rhythms, their needs, their subtle communications. The Azure Cloud Grass now bent toward him when he entered the greenhouse, while the mischevious Silver-veined Heartleaf tried to trip him with it's vines every time he entered the greenhouse.
"Your technique has improved," Elder Wu remarked one day, his usual terseness making the compliment all the more valuable.
Bernard-Dai Ming bowed deeply. "Thank you for your guidance, Elder."
That evening, Elder Wu had handed him another book, this one bound in shimmering green leather that seemed to pulse with life. "Advanced Botanical Cultivation," the elder had said simply before walking away.
Merit points accumulated steadily in his account. Thirty points per day from his work with Elder Wu, with occasional bonuses when particularly rare herbs flowered under his care. By the third week, his balance had grown to over seven hundred points, still modest compared to those near the top of the Outer Sect rankings, but a fortune to an outer disciple who had started with almost nothing.
Most importantly, Bai Yao had not appeared again. Whether she had accepted his withdrawal or simply been too occupied with her own training, Bernard-Dai Ming couldn't be sure. But her absence meant Liu Feng had no reason to seek him out, allowing the rumors of him having become one of the many 'cultivation wastes' to solidify into accepted fact.
Each night, in the safety of his quarters, Bernard-Dai Ming devoted himself to true cultivation. The Calculator guided him through increasingly complex modifications to the Verdant Sapling Breath, test running routes to maximize his cultivation affinity. The blockages in his meridians had dissolved one by one, each breakthrough accelerating his progress toward the next level.
Now, twenty-three days after beginning his modified practice, Bernard-Dai Ming sat cross-legged on his sleeping mat, feeling the familiar pressure building in his dantian. The sensation had been growing all day, a pleasant heaviness like ripe fruit ready to fall from the branch.
"Breakthrough imminent," the Calculator announced. "Qi density approaching threshold for Fifth Level Qi Condensation.
Recommendation: Complete final circulation pattern to trigger advancement."
Bernard-Dai Ming took a deep breath, feeling the ambient qi of his small room responding to his intent. The energy flowed into him like water finding its level, streaming through his optimized meridians with barely any resistance. As it reached his dantian, the concentrated spiritual energy began to vibrate at a higher frequency.
Then, with a sensation like ice cracking on a spring lake, something shifted within him. The pressure released in a wave that rippled through his entire body, leaving behind a cool clarity he had never experienced before. His awareness expanded, suddenly perceiving the faint spiritual signatures of disciples in neighboring rooms, the subtle energy flows in the very walls of the building.
"Breakthrough achieved," the Calculator confirmed. "Host has successfully advanced to Fifth Level Qi Condensation.
"I did it," he whispered, allowing himself a moment of genuine pride.
"Warning, spiritual pressure surge detected. Probability of external detection: 47.3%. Recommend immediate spiritual energy suppression."
Bernard-Dai Ming's elation vanished. He quickly employed the suppression technique he'd been practicing for just such an eventuality, drawing his spiritual energy inward and masking its signature. The last thing he needed was for someone to notice his breakthrough and question how the supposedly "crippled" disciple had advanced so quickly.
As his spiritual presence diminished to appropriate levels for a struggling fourth-level practitioner, Bernard-Dai Ming considered his next move. The fifth level of Qi Condensation represented a significant milestone, most disciples would spent years reaching this point. With his accelerated progress, he could potentially reach the coveted Foundation Establishment stage.
As his spiritual presence diminished to appropriate levels for a struggling fourth-level practitioner, Bernard-Dai Ming considered his next move. The fifth level of Qi Condensation represented a significant milestone, some disciples would never reach this point. It represented the halfway point through the Qi Condensation Realm and with the System, he held the potential to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.
But advancement brought its own dangers. Higher cultivation meant more attention, more scrutiny, more potential enemies. He needed to continue his careful balancing act, advancing in secret while maintaining his facade of mediocrity.
_______________
"Optimal opportunity detected," the Calculator's voice interjected into Bernard-Dai Ming's thoughts. "With recent breakthrough and accumulated merit points, host should acquire techniques to enhance survival probability."
Bernard-Dai Ming paused mid-stretch. "What kind of techniques?"
"Concealment and movement arts represent highest utility-to-cost ratio at current stage. With current merit point total, both are now accessible."
Bernard-Dai Ming considered this as he rolled up his sleeping mat. The Calculator's assessment made perfect sense. He'd been so focused on cultivation speed that he'd neglected actual combat and utility techniques. What good was advancing in level if he couldn't defend himself or escape when necessary?
"The Techniques Hall, then," he murmured, pulling on his outer robe. "What's the safest route and time?"
"Path analysis complete. Senior Disciple Liu Feng currently in closed cultivation following yesterday's sparring injury. Probability of encounter: 3.7%. Optimal route: northern path past Elixir Garden, arrival time recommended within next forty-two minutes during shift change of hall supervisors."
Bernard-Dai Ming slipped from his quarters, keeping his head down as he navigated the winding paths of the Outer Sect compound. The morning air carried the scent of mountain flowers and distant rain, the sun not yet high enough to burn away the lingering mist that clung to the valleys between peaks.
He'd passed the Techniques Hall many times but had never entered, lacking both the merit points and confidence to seek out combat arts. Now, as he approached the imposing structure, Bernard-Dai Ming felt a flutter of anticipation in his chest.
The Techniques Hall rose before him like a monument to martial glory, an enormous pavilion reminiscent of the Parthenon with towering columns of gleaming white stone. Unlike the utilitarian Merit Hall or the practical Medicinal Pavilion, this structure was designed to inspire awe, its roof adorned with intricate carvings of legendary cultivators locked in eternal combat, its massive doors crafted from ancient ironwood and inscribed with formations that shimmered faintly in the morning light.
Bernard-Dai Ming paused at the foot of the wide stone steps, taking in the grandeur of the building. Four distinct levels were visible from the outside, each more elaborate than the one below, with the highest tier capped by a dome of what appeared to be pure crystal that caught the sunlight and scattered it in prismatic patterns across the courtyard.
"Analyzing structure," the Calculator noted. "Ground floor: accessible to Outer Disciples. Second floor: Inner Disciples only. Third floor: Core Disciples. Fourth floor: restricted to Elders and Peak Masters. Detection formations present at each threshold."
Bernard-Dai Ming climbed the steps, passing between two stone guardians whose blank eyes seemed to follow his movement. The massive doors swung open at his approach without a sound, revealing an interior that made him catch his breath.
The main hall stretched before him in impossible dimensions, far larger inside than the exterior suggested. Shelves upon shelves rose from floor to ceiling, extending farther than his eyes could track, each laden with scrolls, books, and jade slips that pulsed with faint luminescence. Disciples moved between the shelves like ants in a colony, some browsing, others seated at study tables, a few demonstrating hand seals under the watchful eyes of senior students.
At the center of it all stood a circular desk where a disciple in blue robes with silver trim sat examining a jade slip. He barely looked up as Bernard-Dai Ming approached.
"Outer Sect token," the attendant said, holding out his hand without bothering to make eye contact.
Bernard-Dai Ming produced the simple wooden token that marked his status and placed it in the attendant's palm. The young man pressed it against a formation carved into the desk, and the token briefly glowed with azure light.
"Dai Ming, Fifth Level Qi Condensation," the attendant read from whatever information the token had revealed, causing Bernard-Dai Ming's heart to skip a beat. The token had somehow detected his recent breakthrough! "Merit points: seven hundred twenty-three. Access granted to basic and intermediate sections only. Twenty Merit points per hour."
The attendant handed back the token with a disinterested flick of his wrist. "Return any jade slips or books to the collection points before leaving. Copying or damaging sect techniques will result in severe punishment."
Bernard-Dai Ming bowed slightly. "Where might I find concealment techniques?"
"Eastern quadrant, third aisle, green section," the attendant replied, already turning his attention to the next disciple in line.
Bernard-Dai Ming moved in the indicated direction, his eyes darting everywhere, trying to absorb the incredible wealth of knowledge surrounding him. The Techniques Hall was the true treasure of the sect, containing arts and methods accumulated over thousands of years.
As he navigated the labyrinthine shelves, he passed disciples practicing hand seals, memorizing incantations, or simply staring intently at jade slips pressed to their foreheads, absorbing the knowledge contained within through direct spiritual communion.
The eastern quadrant was less crowded than the central area, with most disciples apparently more interested in flashy combat techniques than the subtle arts of concealment. Bernard-Dai Ming found the green section easily enough, marked by a small placard showing a faded silhouette against a forest background.
"Scanning available techniques," the Calculator announced as Bernard-Dai Ming began opening the different cultivation manuals and jade slips. "Cross-referencing with host's cultivation base and meridian configuration. Simulating concealment techniques."
The shelves held dozens of scrolls, books, and jade slips, each labeled with names that ranged from straightforward, "Twenty-Three Steps to Basic Concealment", to the poetically obscure—"Whisper of the Absent Dragonfly." Bernard-Dai Ming ran his fingers lightly over the spines, feeling faint pulses of spiritual energy from some of the more advanced methods.
"Processing... processing..." the Calculator droned mechanically inside his head. "Concealement technique section identified. Host is requested to read as many techniques as possible within the three hour time."
Bernard-Dai Ming grabbed as many as his arms could hold, piling them onto a nearby reading table and diving into their contents with the desperate enthusiasm of a starving man at a feast.
"Caution: Merit point expenditure in progress," the Calculator warned. "Current rate: fifty merit points per hour.
Bernard grimaced. Merit points were precious currency in the sect, and he had precious few to spare. He would need to be efficient.
"Simulation progress: forty-three percent complete," the Calculator announced as Bernard flipped through a particularly ancient tome describing something called the 'Phantom Fox Step.' "Warning: some techniques fundamentally incompatible with host's water-wood affinity. Rejecting unsuitable candidates."
For three grueling hours, expending 150 merit points, Bernard absorbed as much as he could, moving to the movement technique section as well, and letting the Calculator work its mysterious analytical magic while he tried to make sense of cultivation terminology that seemed deliberately designed to confuse newcomers. What exactly was the difference between "ghostly evasion" and "spectral displacement," and why did one require circulating qi through the kidney meridian while the other demanded focus on the spleen?
"Simulation complete. Recommended concealment technique: Misty Willow Shroud, compatibility rating 86.7%. Recommended movement technique: Flowing Stream Steps, compatibility rating 84.3%."
Bernard blinked, looking down at the two manuals the Calculator had identified. Neither was particularly high-level or flashy, in fact, they'd been passed over by most disciples judging by the layer of dust on their covers, but the Calculator seemed quite certain.
"These techniques appear unremarkable, but their qi circulation patterns are highly compatible with host's meridian structure," the Calculator explained, as if sensing his disappointment. "With minor modifications, efficiency can be increased by approximately 22.4% compared to standard practice methods."
"And these will actually help me not get murdered by angry cultivators?" Bernard Dai-Ming muttered under his breath, earning a disapproving look from a nearby disciple.
"Probability of successful concealment against cultivators of equal level: 73.2%. Against cultivators one minor realm higher: 42.8%. Against cultivators at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm: 5.4%."
Dai Ming sighed. Not great odds, but better than nothing. He gathered the two manuals and approached the section's record-keeper, a withered old man whose skin seemed as yellowed and fragile as the ancient scrolls surrounding him.
"I'll take these two," Bernard said, placing the manuals on the counter.
The old man barely glanced at the selections before snorting derisively. "Misty Willow Shroud? Flowing Stream Steps? Basic techniques, barely worth the paper they're printed on."
"They suit my... cultivation base," Bernard replied diplomatically.
"Suit yourself," the old man shrugged. "That'll be one hundred and twenty merit points for the full copy transcription."
Holy moley, that's cheap.
As the keeper processed his request, Bernard couldn't help but wonder if the Calculator had deliberately chosen less popular techniques to save on merit points. If so, it was surprisingly considerate for a mechanical voice in his head that usually seemed determined to highlight his every inadequacy.
As Bernard-Dai Ming took the jade slip from the keeper's wrinkled hand, he noticed something unusual. The jade slip bore faint, nearly invisible rune markings around its edges. The Calculator's voice chimed in his mind immediately.
"Warning: Location-binding formation detected on jade slip. Authentication array will render contents inaccessible once bearer leaves sect grounds. Anti-theft measure."
Bernard-Dai Ming frowned, turning the jade slip over in his palm. "I can only access these techniques while I'm physically within the sect?"
The old keeper snorted. "Of course. Did you think we'd let disciples wander off with our precious techniques? One disciple gets ambushed outside the mountain, and suddenly our sect's secret arts are circulating among rival cultivators." He tapped the jade slip with a bony finger. "These only work within the Eight Pillar Sect's formation array. Step outside, and they're just pretty rocks."
"You'll need to memorize everything," the keeper continued, clearly enjoying Bernard-Dai Ming's dismay. "Or pay for supervised practice sessions in the training halls. Another twenty merit points per hour, of course."
Well I have the system, you crotchety old bastard. My dismay is purely at the leeching of merit points that the sect loves to do.
"Is there any way to make a personal copy?"
The keeper's eyebrows shot up. "For an outer disciple? Certainly. Just advance to Foundation Establishment, become an inner disciple, earn ten thousand merit points, and apply for a transcription permit." His cackle revealed teeth stained from years of chewing some bitter herb. "Simple!"
"Purchase complete," the keeper said, stamping Bernard-Dai Ming's merit token with a small seal. "Next!"
Bernard-Dai Ming clutched the jade slip as he walked away, his mind already processing the techniques contained within.
"No need for concern," the Calculator intoned in his mind. "This system has already memorized all qi circulation methods from both techniques at 100% accuracy. The purchase is merely for show, to prevent suspicion if you are observed practicing these movements."
Bernard-Dai Ming nearly stumbled mid-step. "You've memorized everything? Already?"
"This system analyzed and stored complete circulation patterns while you reviewed the physical manuals. The jade slip purchase maintains your cover as a normal disciple following standard learning protocols. Were you to demonstrate these techniques without documented access, questions would arise regarding your knowledge source.
System is currently undertaking simulations of each technique's circulation technique in order to ascertain optimum technique for Host."
"Recommended approach: physical practice of movement forms while mentally reviewing concealment theory.
Estimated time for basic mastery to combat cultivators at the same same level: twenty days with dedicated practice."
Relief washed over him. Praise the gods that be for the system. Bernard-Dai Ming tucked the jade slip into his inner robe, feeling its cool surface against his skin.
"Now," he muttered to himself as he tucked the jade slip into his robe, "all I need is a quiet place to practice where no one will notice how spectacularly bad I'm going to be at this."
___________________________
Bernard realising the System has saved him merit points
Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:St3f and Amirio