Weeks passed, and a new rhythm of life settled over the Deep Water Menagerie. The subterranean training ground beneath Li Yu's pagoda saw frequent use, the muffled sounds of intense, high-level combat a near-daily occurrence. Jian Xuan, with his profound injuries fully healed, proved to be an invaluable sparring partner and a willing, if often bewildered, resident of the Green Mountain Sect.
Inside the Koi Sanctuary, the inner world of Li Yu's koi martial spirit, his retainers had made a full recovery. The rich, vital energy of that unique space was a miraculous healing balm, and in a fraction of the time it would have normally taken, they were back at their peak. It was time for them to resume their mission.
The morning of their departure, a magnificent flying craft descended into the clearing before the menagerie. It was a remarkable vessel, its design clearly inspired by Kui's own defensive technique. The base of the ship was shaped like a colossal, golden turtle shell, and from its top rose a small, elegant three-story pagoda that served as the main cabin. Golden Shell Guild flags, depicting a turtle shell with a mountain on its back, fluttered from its masts. The air around the craft hummed with the power of multiple formations for protection, offense, and speed.
Kui, his face beaming with a cheerful, infectious optimism, turned to Jian Xuan, who had come to see them off.
"Brother Jian!" Kui boomed, clapping the swordsman on the shoulder with a surprising strength. "A magnificent sight, isn't she? The 'Golden Fortress Mark II'! Faster and more comfortable than a simple carriage, I assure you!" Kui had started to commission flying crafts to easily transport goods. Of course only those of high rank or important missions would take the craft. It ran on spirit stones and was quite expensive to run.
Jian Xuan, who was still getting used to the turtle-man's boisterous and friendly nature, managed a small smile. "It is an impressive vessel, Brother Kui. I must again offer my apologies for my actions in the forest."
Kui waved a dismissive hand, his demeanor that of a shrewd merchant who saw no profit in holding a grudge, especially against a now-valuable asset. "Think nothing of it! A misunderstanding! We all survived, and the Wise Host gained a powerful follower. That's a profitable outcome in my book! All's well that ends well!"
With a final, cheerful farewell to Li Yu, Kui and a silent Spine walked up the ramp into their flying fortress. With a surge of spiritual energy, the vessel rose silently into the air and shot towards the south, a golden speck disappearing over the horizon, ready to continue its quiet conquest of the continent's commercial landscape.
A few days after their departure, another Golden Shell flying craft, this one slightly smaller and faster, arrived. It descended with a controlled rush of wind, and from it emerged Xylia, her silver hair whipping in the wind, her expression as fierce and untamed as ever. She had returned for her periodic infusion of energy.
Her team of elite mercenaries began to unload several large, heavily reinforced containers under her watchful eye.
"Boss," she greeted Li Yu with a sharp, predatory grin. "Brought you some new toys." It would seem that her being with humans, more importantly rough, talkative mercenaries all the time had slightly influenced the way she talked now. She was sounding like how one of her mercenaries would talk to her.
She opened the containers, revealing a menagerie of strange and unique aquatic creatures her teams had discovered on their recent excursions. There was a species of fist-sized, bioluminescent jellyfish whose light had a calming, spirit-soothing effect, and a clutch of eggs from a creature called a Deep-water Spitting Serpent, a beast known for its ability to shoot jets of highly corrosive venom. They were all valuable additions, further enriching the ecosystem of the koi martial spirit's inner world.
As she oversaw the careful introduction of the new creatures into the pools, she gave her report. "The White Paw Company is growing fast," she said, her voice filled with pride. "We've expanded our operations into three new territories, and our reputation is spreading like wildfire." She looked over at the Golden Shell craft. "Of course, we couldn't do it without the Guild's backing. It's their gold that lets us operate the way we do. Without it, we'd be scraping by just like everyone else."
She explained that their reputation was built on a simple principle in the often-brutal world of mercenaries: they paid well, and they paid with honor. "If one of our own is injured on a mission, the company covers all their healing expenses. If they are killed, their family receives a generous pension for the rest of their lives. It has earned us loyalty, that we take care of our own." She then gestured to the ship. "I keep telling Kui to have his people design some new models shaped like a bear paw for us. It's time the White Paw Company had its own fleet, flying our own flag—the white bear claw over the black crab, showing everyone who we are and who backs us."
That evening, after Xylia had spent some time absorbing the rich energy within the Koi Sanctuary, she emerged, her aura stronger and more vibrant than ever. It was then that she finally met the menagerie's newest resident.
"So," she said, her sharp eyes sizing up Jian Xuan with the unabashed gaze of a predator evaluating another. "You're the new guy. I heard you gave Spine a run for his money."
Jian Xuan, who had never encountered a woman with such a fierce and untamed aura, gave a respectful nod. "There was a misunderstanding. I was fortunate that the Young Master was merciful."
Xylia's grin widened. "Mercy is for the weak. The boss is just practical." Her eyes lit up with a challenging fire. "I've also heard you're a master of the sword. Care for a spar?"
A spar was exactly what Jian Xuan needed to continue probing the crack in his spiritual barrier. "It would be my honor," he said.
They met in the subterranean training ground, with Li Yu as the sole observer.
"I will, of course, lower my cultivation level to match yours," Jian Xuan said politely. As a Soul Formation expert, it was a simple matter to suppress his power.
The spar began, and it was a beautiful, violent dance. She was a whirlwind of instinct and feral grace. She moved with a low, predatory crouch, her movements explosive and unpredictable, like a wild beast stalking its prey. She would close the distance in a blur, her fists and feet a barrage of powerful, close-quarters strikes, each blow carrying a crushing force.
Jian Xuan, in contrast, was a picture of refined, orthodox mastery. Even with his power suppressed to the Core Formation realm, his swordsmanship was a work of art. His footwork was flawless, his parries precise, his counters economical and deadly. He was a rock in the storm of Xylia's ferocious assault, his sword a calm, immovable center, expertly keeping her at the perfect distance to neutralize her overwhelming close-range power.
It was a perfect practice session for both of them. Xylia was forced to hone her wild techniques against a technically perfect defense, learning to find holes in a seemingly flawless form. Jian Xuan, by fighting at a lower cultivation level, was forced to rely on pure skill and insight rather than overwhelming power, a process that further refined his understanding of his own sword dao.
The week passed in this new state of productive peace. And then, the next thread of their journey was revealed.
Li Yu was in his pagoda, studying the 'Soul Dominion' technique, when his communication talisman vibrated. It was Fengliu.
"Young Master," Fengliu's calm, professional voice came through the talisman. "I have completed the preliminary investigation regarding the conch shell artifact."
Li Yu sat up, his full attention focused. "What have you found?"
"After cross-referencing the unique forging style, the spiritual energy signature, and the specific materials used in its construction with every known artifact-forging power on the continent, I have narrowed down its possible origin to two factions. Both are located in the southern coastal region."
"Who are they?" Li Yu asked.
"The first is the Crimson Forge Sect," Fengliu reported. "They are a large, well-known sect that specializes in creating powerful spiritual weapons and armors. They are orthodox, powerful, and have a long history. The second is the Golden Tide Clan. They are a smaller, more reclusive clan of master artisans who are known for creating more esoteric and unique artifacts. Both factions possess the skill and the resources to have created your conch."
Li Yu processed the information. Two targets, both in the south.
"Fengliu," Li Yu commanded, "your new mission is to investigate the Golden Tide Clan. Infiltrate them if you can, learn everything about their forging techniques and any connections they may have to the Boreal Empire. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood, Young Master," Fengliu's voice replied, followed by a click as the connection ended.
Li Yu then stood up. He had his own target. It was time for a trip south. And it was a perfect opportunity for his newest retainer.
He sought out Jian Xuan and Xylia. "We are going on a trip," he announced. "To the southern coast. We are going to pay a visit to the Crimson Forge Sect."
He then looked at Jian Xuan. "The Crimson Forge Sect is one of the premier weapon forgers on the continent. Since your old sword was damaged in our fight, this will be a good opportunity to find a suitable replacement."
A flicker of acknowledgement, a quiet understanding, appeared in Jian Xuan's eyes. 'A new sword would be good,' he thought. 'Better than this backup, certainly. But the chances of finding one as good as my old companion are slim.' Still, it was a practical and necessary goal. Xylia, ever eager for action and adventure, simply grinned.
The next morning, the three of them stood before the pagoda. Cyra had wanted to come with them but Li Yu asked her to stay and look after the sect. She hadn't gotten much time to settle down in a single place since being freed and he wanted her to have time for her thoughts in addition to providing some protection to the sect should it need it. Tempest was summoned from the Koi Sanctuary, its magnificent, pearlescent form shimmering in the morning light.
They boarded the Skyshroud Leviathan, and with a silent surge of power, it rose into the air, turning its great head towards the distant, sun-drenched south. Their new journey had begun.