They moved into the room the hearth warming the space noticeably. Each of them took a seat in the chairs. Ah Yin was noticeably and understandably confused. Bibi Dong sat in the chair beside her.
As Tang Yuan sat down, he turned his attention to them. He would leave the start to his friend, partly because of the awkwardness of this situation. He had never expected to be a part of such a talk.
Bibi Dong composed herself before starting "So you don't understand? Why I was so mad at that man? Is that right Ah Yin," Bibi Dong asked the question. Even as she wondered why she was like this.
Ah Yin considered the events of the last few minutes. Mr. Han and Brother Yuan had a disagreement or fight. Sister Dong grew wrathful with the former upon meeting him. She understood that, but not what happened. "What exactly did Mr. Han do to earn your anger, Sister Dong?"
Bibi Dong had already somewhat expected it. Yet how did this sister not know this after so much time? Or maybe this was normal? Her early years weren't quite normal she knew. She knew about the relations between men and women long ago.
"So first has Han's gaze ever made you uncomfortable," Bibi Dong started. Wondering if she had ever noticed it. That would serve as a start.
Ah Yin didn't really need to think. "There have been times I felt his gaze on me. But whenever I turn around he stops. It is a bit uncomfortable to me, I don't understand why he was staring. I didn't sense any bloodlust."
Bibi Dong pursed her lips. So she had noticed, but didn't understand why. That was the reason she hadn't stopped it. "He desires your body. When he looked at me he showed lust as well," she spoke plainly.
Ah Yin wrapped her hands around herself. It was a rather concerning statement after all. The way she understood, "So he intends to devour me." That sounded right for the situation.
Tang Yuan felt like laughing at the misunderstanding. Well, this was an attempt to teach a plant about the birds and the bees. "The statement is not quite right. Let's put it in terms of plants then. You know that flowers often have bright colors." he would start from her side to help.
Ah Yin knew that of course. "Then the colors of flowers have some meaning in this." She wondered how color would tie in.
Bibi Dong wondered how they shifted to flowers. Weren't they talking about Ah Yin's inexperience? How was this going to help exactly?
"One reason flowers have bright colors is to invite pollinators. In the same vein girls attract boys via their beauty. Then through time and courtship, they develop a relationship." Tang Yuan explained to Ah Yin more logically. It might be more explainable to her.
"Courtship, and pollination," the words slipped from her mouth in repetition. As they did so, she felt her face grow warmer. This was about how humans and non-plant soul beasts found mates!!! About the continuation of the species!!!
Hearing that Bibi Dong understood. It was still a strange comparison to make. Though looking at her sisters blushing face it was effective. Still, she should continue "courtship rather that is the time spent together by two people. It should deepen the relationship between the two individuals."
"Or the time together will come to naught. Perhaps the two will be merely friends, or they will go their separate ways. It all depends on the two in question." Tang Yuan told them both. Trying to add more to the discussion. Not every relationship bloomed in this context.
"Yes, I suppose so. Unfortunately, men have a habit of wanting women without knowing them. Like wanting to pluck a flower," Bibi Dong's voice had darkened. Her words were bleak, and her face was scrunched at the thought.
"Then Mr. Han is lusting after me? He wants to take me as his mate or wife?" Ah Yin felt she understood something much better. Many men had glanced at her similarly. Though many also felt differently. She glanced at Tang Yuan for a moment.
Seeing that he was the one being looked at. "Yes, he was looking at you with lust, want, and desire. You will face more stares. You have to judge those looks yourself as too far or not. Either way, if it truly causes discomfort then tell them. That or leave their sight, or simply ignore them."
Ah Yin nodded along as she listened to his words. Understanding his meaning perfectly, along with the hidden one. She thought about it, his gaze. It hadn't been uncomfortable. He hadn't stared at her for long only a few moments.
So a man would look at women they found beautiful. Then the man would pursue the woman for mating? Ah Yin knew a bit about that from the non-plant soul beast. Yet with humans their was courtship based on feelings?
Humans were rather complicated Ah Yin realized once more. She had already learned this before. Yet now there was another thing supporting that. What did this complicated process serve exactly?
Seeing their new friend in a contemplative state. Tang Yuan and Bibi Dong waited for her to draw her own conclusions. There would be more questions more than likely. In the meantime, they could enter their Mind Palace.
Tang Nuan walked along the hall each step echoing. Like the steps of a great beast. Her face was a controlled mask of control. Only her downturned lips and icy eyes betrayed her.
Yue Guan watched her like he would a volcano. One that would erupt at the slightest disturbance. Perhaps it would do so even without. That was his concern. Never before had she been in such a mood as this.
Yue Guan could only imagine her inner state right now. His own wasn't actually that good either, considering everything. Imagining the two children's predicaments was quite disheartening. His own wasn't much better.
He, Gui Mei, and perhaps even Elder Guanling. All three of them might face the wrath of their superiors. Including the pope, Tang Chen, and Grand Worship. He wondered which was the worst one amongst them.
Tang Nuan stepped into the room unmindful of her companions' thoughts, or fears. Her gaze fell onto the four who were present. Quickly Dugu Bu became the target of her gaze. She pushed away her slightly irrational anger.
Even the Fifth Worship had been caught off guard this time. Compared to him Dugu Bo had a long way to go. So did she for that matter. Elder Guanling left the two of them behind to save their group. Because they, no she wasn't strong enough.
It had happened again she realized as she sat down. She was too weak once again. Here she had actually thought she had achieved strength. But no it was only circumstance that helped them.
"Has that Senior gone to find the children?" Dugu Bo asked the clearly upset Tang Nuan. Aware that her own thoughts might be the most dangerous and upsetting.
Tang Nuan glanced at him a trace of turmoil in her gaze. Feeling irritation at his presence. "Yes, he has. Amongst the members of Spirit Hall, besides two others he is the fastest. I would only slow him down." Voicing the last part racked her deeply, even as she knew it was the truth.
Dugu Bo could understand the feeling running through her. "Is this your first time facing this situation? Uncertain, and unsure about your child's condition?" he asked the woman he had allied with.
Tang Nuan looked at him with irritation. The questions were like pokes at her that she despised. Yet she took a breath to calm down. Her bad temper had always troubled her in her earlier years. Even now with decades of maturity that was sometimes the case.
"My husband was there for the other two trips. So yes, it is the first time," she spoke tersely. He always had a habit of making everything feel safe. Sometimes she disliked that even as she loved it. She could feel safe and relax with him present.
"As one parent to another it will never get easier." he patted her shoulder a few times. "Until someday it does. For me, it was quite sudden. Before we entered the desert in fact." he admitted to her readily.
Tang Nuan glanced at him caught off guard. Distracted from the worry that burned into rage at least for the moment. She supposed she understood that. His son had been severely poisoned, and death was inevitable.
Using Whale Glue would grant several more years. Years that could be used for both father and child to grow. It was a grace period of uncertain length. One that was both precious and potentially expensive. Both sides had realized this early.
Dugu Bo glanced at his newfound ally. "Your son has the method or methods of dealing with our poison. So I truly wish him safety." He had already obtained two: Whale Glue and evolution to dragonhood. The second was unlikely, and the second would give grace. What about the next?
Tang Nuan supposed that was true. She also realized he had effectively distracted her. Using his own interests to do it as well. For someone so reclusive, he was a good friend. Yes, they were growing to be friends she felt.
"I suppose I should thank you. Now I will get to work, that will distract me. So starting with those two." She glanced at the mother and daughter pair. Jiao Zheng's child and the woman who birthed her.
A slight dark joy blossomed in her before being snuffed out. She doubted that bastard even cared. No he was cold and calculating, the opposite of how he showed himself. That brought her concern, "Have you learned anything from them? Especially, what the point of his actions was?"
Dugu Bo had a strange face at that. "Not so much. As you expect they were considered expendable. Perhaps if they succeeded they would steal your bloodline. Instead, the mother betrayed them for her daughter and herself."
"I have learned several things from them already. Including a harem similar to an imperial type centered around Jiao Zheng." Dugu Bo revealed to his comrade.
Tang Nuan considered that statement. She already realized the man had many liaisons. All of his guards were women, after all. Multiple women weren't uncommon for powerful soul masters. It was that or people found love and pursued only that love.
Still, an imperial harem was its description, did he fancy himself an emperor then? Of what this Endless Desert? It did cover a large area of the continent after all. That posed two further questions, one new and the other already considered.
First, a thought that had occurred to her before. If there was one city in this desert could there be others? The oasis could provide possible places along with other rivers. Once more were there hidden families dotting this realm? As always the possibility was high, hidden experts who never step forward.
The second question "Then what major threats lurk in this harem of his. Or does he eliminate them before that?" The highest-ranking members would likely contribute to his forces. Perhaps the most powerful or simply most useful.
Dugu Bo understood well enough. "That woman was rebellious, and punished or tormented often. That's my impression. She was far from a confidant. The woman was likely afraid of being eliminated." It meant that she was less likely to be an infiltrator. But she also knew less as a result.
"Still she knows some I think. But she's holding onto it right now. Until she trusts us enough, or her child's safety is secure." He could understand and consider her current circumstances. Still, he felt it would not be difficult to obtain it from her.
"Though it seems that most everyone of importance has left. Over the days we traveled here, they left. Along with portions of the treasury I suspect." Dugu Bo revealed the final piece of news he had learned. Something they all had suspected from the start.
Tang Nuan sighed at this. She knew this was a mess of a situation. How long had this city stood, the coliseum was several millennia old. This was the source of how much trouble the hall had faced. How much of that trouble had now scattered or remained hidden in the dunes?
"We are going to face trouble from this Jiao Clan again." Jiao Zheng, she gritted her teeth thinking about him. He played them, and they still didn't know why. He along with that crocodile had become the targets of her ire.
She would kill them both at the first chance she got. "Very well, I'm going to where we fought that first beast. He wanted it dead. So it likely had something he wanted." That was her current assumption. The only thing that made sense of the sacrifice of a city.
Dugu Bo watched her walk away. A newfound understanding of her, and her temper. Looks like he wasn't the only vengeful one. Though he understood her in this case.
Tang Yuan walked into the apothecary's front section. Spotting Ah Yin who was preparing several tools. A number of empty containers were beside her. "A supply run, into the forest maybe?"
Ah Yin turned to her friend with a smile. Her voice tinged with focus, said, "Yes, several things have been used up. The nearby forest has several herbs I can use. I should be back by tonight." She continued her preparations as she worked.
"Then will you allow me to accompany you? Perhaps I can help a bit. Though you may end up teaching me something." Tang Yuan offered reasons to her. Not his true ones in this case, but believable ones.
Ah Yin glanced at him for a moment. Turning away from him as she continued her preparations. "I suppose you can come along," Her voice was soft and slightly nervous. Distracted by his offer of company, after yesterday's conversation.
The two of them walked from the house. Leaving Bibi Dong at the shop. "So how far away is the forest," he asked his companion.
Ah Yin glanced at him "It's a bit of a distance via walking. I want to walk there though if that's okay with you." she asked him for his decision.
"It's fine with me to walk." Tang Yuan answered her. He glanced at her with interest. She seemed a bit distracted, or was she being evasive? How curious he wondered why. Actually no it likely had to do with yesterday in some way.
The two of them walked in comfortable silence mostly. Sometimes Tang Yuan would start a conversation with her. Learning a bit more about her, the village, or the forest. Though she remained a bit uncertain or shy, he had decided.
"So what was your time with your clan like?" Tang Yuan asked her. She had already made a few mentions of them. He wondered what she would say in response.
Ah Yin felt a bit startled by the question. Still, she answered the question as best she could. "They were always of gentle company. Especially our elder his presence reassured me. Thanks to that I could journey through the world."
Tang Yuan nodded at her explanation. She was portraying herself as the lady of a hidden clan. It wasn't incorrect only the clan was not a human one. "I suppose it's been a while since I walked my clan's halls." He knew it had been two years since then.
"Is that so, what's your clan like?" she asked curiously wanting to know more about a human clan. That it was his clan was even better.
"We live in the mountains. Our home is carved into a mountain like a labyrinth city. Nearly everything is carved from the mountain's stone." he painted a picture of his home to her. Some fondness in his voice at the memories.
Ah Yin listened as he continued his explanation. She began to imagine the landscape he told her about. It seemed quite awe-inspiring to her. Compared to her forest life, she wondered if she could someday see it. Perhaps one day far into the future.
Time seemed to pass quickly as they arrived at their destination. Though in fact, they had taken longer than expected. Neither felt bad about that fact though. The walk had been a rather pleasant affair after all.
Tang Yuan glanced at the forest's entrance. At least it didn't seem all that dangerous. Perhaps his life so far had simply made it seem ordinary. That was an aspect of being a soul master he supposed. The two of them side by side stepped into the forest.
Qian Daoliu stood with his hands crossed behind his back. His eyes focused on the center of the room. "The core remains stable for now. No signs of collapse, or critical flaws." his eyes and senses saw things most clearly looking for flaws or signs of trouble. He also sought an example for his own future attempt.
In the center of the room Falling Devil Douluo continued his meditation. His soul core had successfully been formed, and his soul power had risen to level 96. However, it had revealed weaknesses in his cultivation. Now he sought to deal with a few of them.
Had Falling Devil Douluo not created the soul core the exposed flaws would have remained hidden. They would become the end of his cultivation. Though level 96 would not have been beyond him, beyond that however. It would have taken decades of time to find, and resolve them.
The worshipers watched closely examining the core. This was the first success, the first soul core they gazed upon. Each hoped to glean from it insight for later formation of their own.
Qian Daoliu closed his eyes having a better understanding of the core. It helped refine ambient energy as it was cycled reducing impurities. It also compressed and compacted soul energy with startling efficiency. All the while even outside of active cultivation it continued working.
The Limit Douluo let out a sigh. He had been told about a soul core's power. Still seeing it up close was another thing entirely. He might be unstable at level 96 but his combat power. It had already surpassed most at that level.
Soul Cores, it would seem that child's method had worked. It still required a measure of refinement perhaps. Yet the world would change from this especially their Spirit Hall. They would enter a new level of strength.
Even if he learned of them from a legacy, fortune is also strength. Once more this method had been created by him. His friend's child had a terrifying talent for comprehension. Combined with everything else Soul Sage no Soul Douluo was the minimum.
In this current world with Whale Glue, and now Soul Cores. Titled Douluo would be highly likely as well. Yet given his fortune already. Was that truly his limit at all, he doubted it.
Qian Daoliu wondered about that child's future. Perhaps the Clear Sky Sect would welcome a second Tang Chen. Perhaps not, Limit Douluo was a peak of peaks. Still, he would go far.
He let out a sigh thinking of his own son. Still stuck at level 95 for the moment a step away from 96. Yet he couldn't step over, until perhaps now. If he could create a core then he could advance at least once more.
His son would likely not be able to inherit his seat. Ha, he hoped that his grandchild could. Whenever he or she was born of course. Perhaps he should remind his son about that. No, it seemed he and Lan Ling had grown close. So he wasn't completely helpless.
His gaze turned back to matters at hand. He could worry later about his son's love life, and lack of grandchildren. Speaking of family he frowned. Turning his gaze to where his friend had been.
His friend had a bad feeling and left. Something must have happened with his family. The instinct of a Limit Douluo should never be dismissed casually. He wondered what unexpected thing had occurred.
They had been traversing the forest for a few hours. The two of them had made it deep into the woods. Finding several of their targets along the way. With additional findings along the way of interest.
"This gray mushroom is good as well. It would be used in several concoctions including ones for pain." Ah Yin spoke crouching before a group of mushrooms. She began to harvest them carefully with a blade.
Tang Yuan watched the process, examining the mushrooms. They were a gray color with a darker gray center. They were rather large as well the smallest several inches tall. The largest an inch or two short of a foot.
After the mushrooms were stored away they continued onward. The forest had been easy to move through. Not a single soul beast to be found. Perhaps the forest was too small or more likely they were too strong.
As they walked they stepped into a small clearing. "This looks like a good place for a break. Would this work for you Sister Yin?" he asked his companion.
Ah Yin looked around the clearing. She didn't spot anything that would take away from the location. "I'm fine with that." Her gaze focused on a large rock in the clearing. "Let's rest against that rock while we sit," she suggested.
The two of them walked over to the rock. One of its sides seemed okay to rest against. They sat on the ground as they leaned against the rock. It was tolerable for both of them.
With their seating decided they rested for a few moments. Before retrieving the fruits that would be lunch. They had brought some, and collected more on the walk. Now they dug into those same fruits enjoying them.
"Ah, these really are good aren't they?" Tang Yuan mused as he continued eating fruit. They really were good. He glanced at Ah Yin as he continued eating, wondering how he should start.
"Yes, they are." Ah Yin took a moment to agree. Then she returned to eating the fruits. A smile of enjoyment and contentment on her face. The ability to eat and taste was certainly amongst her favorite things of being human.
She wanted to continue enjoying food. Along with traveling to other places. Both things she hadn't been able to do as a plant in the past. Now another thing was added to this enjoyment. She glanced at Tang Yuan, her human friend at least one of two.
Tang Yuan finished eating and began covertly watching his companion. She showed such earnest joy at the taste of this fruit. Once more she had cooked yesterday's meal for them. Cooking and food seemed to be something she took passion in.
The world was peaceful right now, and yet. He couldn't hesitate any longer, he knew that. After all, with each hour, the chance of being found grew greater. So he took a breath and asked the question to start. "Ah Yin, your martial soul is really called the Blue Silver Emperor?"
Ah Yin tilted her head towards him. "Yes, it is," she confirmed easily. She had already shared her martial soul with him and Bibi Dong. Did he want to hear more about it? She didn't mind sharing more with him.
Tang Yuan smiled slightly, it was a sad smile. He moved closer to Ah Yin. He spotted her surprise as she came even closer to her. He did not stop even as his body pressed against hers. His hands wrapped around her in a sudden embrace.
"Ah, what? Are, you?" Ah Yin found herself unable to properly articulate a response. His body was pressing against her suddenly. His strong but gentle hands on her back. His arms wrapped around her like vines.
She breathed trying to calm her nerves, his scent entered her nose. It did not help her current feelings at all. There was a slight metallic scent, with a stronger earthen smell, and a hint of storms. The scent of earth was particularly nice to her.
Ah Yin's mind wandered to yesterday's conversation. Did he intend to court her? Was that what this was about? She felt her face grow warm, blushing was what this was right? It felt sudden, so sudden. Did he intend to court her, or merely make a move?
She didn't understand what she should do, or feel. This wasn't unpleasant. It was however sudden and also confusing to her. He had looked at her in desire/lust once before. Yet this was too sudden as well?
Tang Yuan lost himself for a moment in the feeling. Her body against his especially the two things pressing against his chest. Her scent was like Blue Silver Grass, the forest around them, and wild Land. Yet he stopped himself regaining himself.
"The Blue Silver Emperor, I have heard of it before. Only one Emperor can exist at a time. Decided by the fealty of its subjects the Blue Silver Grass," He revealed his knowledge in a calm voice. He felt it as she stiffened in his embrace.
He knew there were exceptions, but did not voice them. No this was about the truth. He needed her to know that he knew. Besides the others should be far away.
"You, how?" Ah Yin's confusing hazy feelings were suddenly doused. A new feeling filled her, uncertainly transforming into caution and fear. Her hand clutched his shirt as she trembled. She could already feel it coming even as her mind moved slowly.
"The emperor is decided by their subjects the Blue Silver Grass. In other words to be the emperor you must command them. Yet could a human truly do that? Ah Yin, are you truly human? We both know the answer to that already." he kept his voice soft yet he continued.
Ah Yin became limp in his arms. That feeling of confusion and something else turning cold. Fear filled her as she fought not to tremble. Her life was in his hands, he could end her life in an instant.
Tang Yuan gently rubbed her back with his hands. It had been done the mask was torn off. Now he could talk more frankly. "Sister Yin, let's talk frankly now. Our time continues to tick down."
He knew she needed time to regain her composure. So he removed his hands from the frightened girl. So he was crouching before her as she struggled to compose herself.
Jiao Ze sat down as his men hustled and worked around him.Their temporary camp would be set up soon. It would serve them until nightfall. Then they would make their move on that little village.
He looked around at their forces. 100 men strong experienced raiders, if bereft of soul power. His second and right hands were both skilled Soul masters of three rings. Along with himself a Soul Sect with four rings.
Against any large settlement, it would be little. Against a small village in the middle of nowhere perfect. He took a sip of his wine. It was good stuff, might be a while till he could have more.
They would need to move smart for a while. Hit this village then move away for seclusion. Maybe take over a village for use, or something. His mind calculated their next moves carefully.
All the while looking forward to the coming of night. The thrill of blood, plunder, and women. He wondered would their even be much of the three. In such a worthless little village.
Author's Note: I'm attending a wedding this weekend. Spent the day driving already. So my next update might be late. I may also make it on time we'll see.