Abyssal Road Trip - 663 - The Arrival (Patreon)

Amdirlain’s PoV - Remote beach - Northwest region of Xīfāng

Rachel’s words brought a burst of warmth to fight the cold pit forming in her stomach. The ongoing heavenly tribulations twisted into pillars of silvery lightning; the strikes overlapped. The thunderous claps sent animals fleeing, despite the temptation the intense qi offered demonic beasts. Ozone clashed with the brine and the stench of sun-heated shellfish the birds left behind.

“I only suggested your wife come along.” Sun Wukong said.

From the lightning pillars, a phoenix blazed skyward and vanished.

That was Kadakalan! Did Klipyl come as well? She’s got no classes that would translate to cultivation.

Amdirlain shot Sun Wukong a glance. “Who did Maker send along?”

“Sarah, Livia, Jinfeng, Gail, Rainith, Klipyl, and a phoenix named Kadakalan.” Sun Wukong rubbed his face. “They’re all far weaker than you or your brother. Though Kadakalan is a golden immortal because of his species.”

“He was already an immortal phoenix in our realm,” Amdirlain advised, frowning at the lines around his eyes. “Is there something wrong?”

“I’m going. Sarah is nearly as old as you, and her mindset differs from the dragons I’m used to so much it gives me a headache.”

“I’m not losing any of these people,” Amdirlain said. “I’ll use rebirth so they don’t lose their memories if things go wrong.”

“That’s fine. Cutting into someone’s soul or using it for fuel gets people into trouble, not extending a soul’s memories across multiple lives. Judge Po simply doesn’t like change. Too bad Wèilán couldn’t see past her preconceptions. Some of your friends fight back against rules, and that’s affecting their translation. No one looks like they’ll get injured, so it’s nothing you can’t help them grow past.” Sun Wukong vanished.

Unsure how close was safe from the heavenly tribulations, Amdirlain ran toward the continuing lightning strikes. She reached the ridgeline at the top of the beach that the impacts targeted before the electricity prickling along her skin warned her off. One small glassy crater showed where Kadakalan had stood, but the lightning hid the others. A pit at the far end of the line was a couple of li across on its own, and at its centre she could make out the silhouette of a serpentine dragon form.

The closest tribulation cutout, releasing a busty woman with shoulder-length black-and-red hair wearing a black cotton cheongsam embroidered with drifting cherry blossom petals.

Amdirlain teleported her to a patch of soft grass clinging to the dry sand at the top of the beach below. The prone figure cracked open one eye; her red iris gleamed with mischief, a playful smile curved her plump lips. Her alabaster flesh possessed a low-foundation rank strength. Now, away from the ongoing tribulations, the sensual music that emanated from the woman made her identity clear.

“That’s you, isn’t it, Amdirlain?”

“Yes, Klipyl.”

“Hey, sis. You look different, but I like the silver hair. I can taste my mouth. Is that normal for mortals? Because it really tastes foul. I have a heartbeat. That’s weird, the way I can feel it pulsing in different parts of me.”

The bright, dancing notes within Klipyl’s theme twitched at the corners of Amdirlain’s mouth. “It just becomes background noise after a while, Klipyl.”

Klipyl ran her hands down her body, taking stock before she lifted them to pat her breasts. “These aren’t the biggest boobs I’ve worn, but they’re acceptable.”

“You might be glad for that,” Amdirlain said.

“I don’t believe I’ll ever be glad for smaller boobs.” Carefully sitting, Klipyl rose to her feet and wiggled her toes in her black cotton shoes. “I feel so fragile. Pity Kadakalan couldn’t stick around. I bet the orgasms are intense. Can you break your spine in convulsions?”

“I never heard of anyone managing that through sex. Still, let me address something to start,” Amdirlain said, and activated the rebirth technique. White flames flared around Klipyl, briefly shaping into a phoenix that retreated and compressed into a twisting flame in her dantian.

“That tickled,” Klipyl gasped, rubbing her arms. “What was that for?”

“It's to prevent you from losing memories between lifetimes if something happens to you.”

Klipyl paused with pursed lips. “You mean die.”

“Yes.”

“My bow isn’t coming into my hand,” Klipyl grumbled.

“The rules of the realm differ.” A recurve bow made of layers of bamboo and horn appeared in Amdirlain’s hand.

Klipyl accepted it from her with a broad grin. “Mongolian style will do nicely. No arrows?”

“It will draw qi to form them.”

“Qi, not ki?”

“Think of it as a merge of ki and mana,” Amdirlain said. “I’ll explain once everyone finishes transforming. We’ll have to have some lessons for people to adapt.”

“Did it give you trouble?”

“Yes.”

“Phew, it’s not just me,” Klipyl chirped, wiping her brow dramatically.

Stepping closer, Amdirlain enfolded her in a gentle hug. “It’s good to see you. I’m sorry this trip will see you separated from Kadakalan.”

“He knows I love him, and we’ll figure something out. We’re both in the same realm, and you’re not carrying the burden alone. Kadakalan said he’d see what he could prepare on the heavenly plane ahead of our arrival there,” Klipyl replied, pressing her cheek against Amdirlain’s, and administered a back pat with her free hand.

“I actually have a brother here with me; his name is Drakon,” Amdirlain said. “We’re still getting to know each other.”

“One of your brothers jumped here with you before we got an invitation?”

“Yeah, I’ll let him explain.”

“I have so many questions, but most I’ll keep until later,” Klipyl said. “I’m so glad we’re here with you. Let me play with this bow and get used to my new body.”

Amdirlain stepped back and created a chest guard for Klipyl and a set of silk robes. “You might want some protection.”

“Oh, new clothes.” Klipyl swapped the clothes for the bow and, unabashedly, stripped off on the spot, then put on the garments and the chest guard. She whirled around and stretched, checking the silk's fit. “The titan’s maze emblem?”

“Drakon set up a sect while I was cultivating.”

“You know Maker told us you’d been making some noise, and that’s why we got an invitation,” Klipyl said. “Care to comment?”

“I just broke up a bit of slavery in some nations, made some shrines, built some roads, and bullied a kingdom into setting up an education system. Nothing much,” Amdirlain said. “I also destroyed a demon prince and left an area saturated with Yin qi.”

“Sounds like they’re in a tizzy over nothing.” Klipyl stretched her arms wide and smirked at Amdirlain. “Multiple nations of slavers? Are you repeating yourself, Ammie?”

“Not ten this time,” Amdirlain drawled.

“Then they got off easy. Really not sure what the creator of this place and Maker were worrying about,” Klipyl said, looping her free arm around Amdirlain’s waist.

“I also manifested a realm tree that is converting far chaos energy into local qi, reinforcing the three planes in this realm. A phoenix that I brought into existence guards her brother.”

Klipyl giggled. “What’s her name?”

“Zoe. She picked it,” Amdirlain replied. “The tree’s name is Bǎi Xǔ; I’ll introduce you to him soon.”

“Of course the tree is aware. Have you made many friends?”

“A few,” Amdirlain admitted. “People here are wary of stronger cultivators, and I’ve had some problems managing memories. I’m having to keep continual control over my reactions.”

“That sounds tiring.” Klipyl turned Amdirlain to face the lightning. “We’ve got a pretty light show to watch while we wait.”

“Weren’t you going to use your bow?”

“In a bit, I won’t be able to think through this until I adjust. Just getting dressed was a distraction enough. Human flesh is weird.”

A few minutes later, a second tribulation cut off, and a green-haired beauty, with the luminescent skin of an energy cultivator, slumped to the ground. She wore dark blue cotton robes with silvery jian embroidery at the cuffs. Amdirlain teleported her to rest nearby, her eyes snapping open, revealing jade-green eyes that declared her identity as clearly as her song. A straight nose and high, rounded cheekbones framed her intense gaze.

“Jinfeng. How much thought did you give the situation before you accepted Maker’s offer?”

“Act decisively. You taught me that, Sifu. I feel weird,” Jinfeng said. “I can’t feel my pools of ki and mana.”

“Cultivation here is different, though there are similarities. Hold still for a moment; I’m taking some emergency precautions,” Amdirlain said, and enfolded Jinfeng in the rebirth technique.

As the flame in her dantian twisted between spark and phoenix, Jinfeng raised her hands. “Interesting. My skin is glowing?”

“You need to learn to control your aura and the flow of energy through meridians,” Amdirlain said. “In some ways, it’s easier than manipulating ki through your sigil.”

Jinfeng rose and settled into seiza, hands resting in her lap. “I’ll hold my questions for the others.”

A pair of platinum blondes toppled as their tribulations freed them. Amdirlain brought them close and caught them in her aura before they hit the ground.

Klipyl checked on them both as they settled to the ground. While their themes were stable and healthy, it took a few minutes for them to stir. They shared similar features: sharp cheekbones and pointed ears that peeked out between strands. Instead of the Anar's gold irises, Gail had black irises with red starbursts that reminded Amdirlain of Lilith, while Rainith’s were a warm hazel.

“I’ve gone deaf,” Rainith grumbled, frowning as she lifted her hands to her ears. “Mostly deaf. Or is there no true song here?”

“No true song, though I’ve learnt to perceive things musically, so we’ll see if you can duplicate it.”

“My body is ignoring me, so no protean?” Gail asked. “This is going to be weird; I’ve always had control of my flesh.”

“I wouldn’t say you’re always in control,” Rainith corrected.

“There are ways to mimic it when you are stronger. I didn’t have access to shapeshifting for a while,” Amdirlain said.

Gail winked at Amdirlain. “The things I endure for my Auntie Am.”

“I’m flattered you came along. Now hold still a moment,” Amdirlain instructed, sheathing them in the white flame of rebirth.

“That felt toasty, but why?”

“Reincarnation here typically strips you of past-life memories,” Amdirlain advised. “That technique adjusts the souls so you don’t forget.”

“So immortal spirit doesn’t work here,” Jinfeng said. “Sorry, I was going to hold my questions.”

“No, the rules of our old realm supported that power. Here, each reincarnation, you’re reborn in a new species and gender.” Amdirlain used their songs to find them all within her karmic ties. “Judge Po only allows golden immortals and higher to avoid reincarnation.”

“Not dying has always been a top priority for me.” Gail stood and drew Rainith to her feet. “We seem far from anywhere. Do you actually have a home, or have you been wandering, Am?”

“Yes, I have a home, though I’m unsure if that is the best location for new arrivals.”

“We’re still waiting on Sarah and Livia, I assume,” Klipyl said.

“Are we there yet?” Gail quipped

Rainith tapped her nose before she could continue. “Don’t start.”

Klipyl stuck out her tongue at Gail. “I just wondered if Amdirlain knew who was in the lightning.”

“Yes, Sarah and Livia, according to the realm creator,” Amdirlain said.

“You’re avoiding naming them,” Klipyl noted.

“The situation is complex, but he has so far treated me fairly, as far as the realm’s rules allow. I’ll go into it once everyone can hear.”

“So the challenge ahead of all of us is gaining strength according to this realm’s rules,” Rainith said.

As they talked, the wind shifted direction and carried the scent of more sand melting into glass; the minerals in the blue sand adding harsh, chemical tones.

“Yes.”

“To think I used to worry about not hearing the Lómë half of the true song,” Rainith laughed nervously. “This is so disconcerting. I feel off. Incomplete.”

“No adventures for a bit, while people adjust,” Amdirlain said.

“I’m sure Master Cyrus would have something to say about sitting under a pine tree,” Jinfeng said. “I lost my sword on the trip. Do you have a spare?”

“We won’t be turning into shrubs,” Amdirlain drawled, handing over a jian.

“Thanks, I need to get used to my new strength.” Jinfeng bowed and stepped away from the group.

Hefting her bow, Klipyl stepped aside as well, using the white froth of the waves as target practice; each draw generated an arrow formed of wind qi.

Gail sat beside Amdirlain to watch Klipyl practice and drew Rainith down onto her lap.

The heavenly tribulations released Livia next. Her curtain of white hair formed a streaming banner as she leapt away from the column of lightning that continued around Sarah. Even as she moved, Amdirlain teleported her to the ridgeline. Livia adjusted to the shift without the slightest stumble. A solid core sat in her dantian, and all her meridians vibrated with an orderly strength.

“Hello, Livia.”

“Good afternoon, Móðir,” Livia said, clasping Amdirlain’s hand. “You’ve changed, but I still recognise you even without my aura reading.”

“She has older eyes now,” Klipyl chirped.

“Yes, I feel that weight. Older than my mother and father combined,” Rainith added.

“Maker said you unsealed some memories,” Livia noted.

“All of my memories,” Amdirlain confirmed. “Though I’m still working through them, I’ve got some particularly irksome old wounds out of the way.”

I really don’t want Sarah hearing about my mourning dirge at Jade Peak. Though isn’t that dishonest of me? And since she’s translated as a dragon, they might be the biggest help I can get her as she adapts. 

The sky was darkening before the heavenly tribulation enfolding Sarah cut off. Bluish-silver scales sheathed her massive serpentine form, which sat at near-peak core rank. The sharp scent of ozone and a metallic aftertaste emanated from her body. She rose from the crater, shook her head, before going still when she caught sight of Amdirlain and the others.

“Do you need a tip on how to shapeshift?” Amdirlain projected, taking in the way Sarah’s attention had locked on them. 

A snort of amusement rolled across the ruined stretch of bluish sand below the ridgeline; seven craters having melted into glass.

Muscles rippled beneath Sarah’s scales, and she swam through the air to join them on the ridgeline, compressing as she moved. Before she reached their spot, Sarah had taken on a near-human form, though the iridescent pearl on her forehead and solid silver eyes betrayed her as a dragon.

“Hey sweetie,” Sarah purred, her gaze drinking in Amdirlain. “We got offered a temporal jaunt, so figured we’d meet up.”

“What did Maker actually tell you?” Amdirlain sighed as Sarah swept in for a hug.

“Maker told us the local creator thought you were making too much noise,” Klipyl offered. “I didn’t see how that could be without Sarah here.”

Amdirlain and Sarah groaned in stereo, drawing laughs from others, but Rainith blushed.

“You’re terrible, Klipyl. Please never change, sis,” Amdirlain said.

“I like to change in good ways.”

“They didn’t tell me a lot, but they told me enough,” Sarah said. “That you’d been healing, and their concern was that you’d fall into the same emotional trap as last time without others on your journey.”

“Also that Maker felt our presence would help accelerate your growth,” Livia added.

“Hmm, they said they’d tell you what you needed to know to make a choice, but it sounds like Maker has an interesting definition of need to know.”

“All I needed to know was that you were on a journey.” Jinfeng strode up from the beach, sheathing the sword. She tucked it into her belt.

“I was too young to help last time; I didn’t want to miss out again,” Rainith said. “I felt remiss.”

“You weren’t selfish; you were feeling justifiably isolated, Rainith,” Amdirlain said. “How many choirs were helping with the planetary work you were doing?”

Rainith tilted her head towards Gail. “No choirs, just the two of us. It was all changes within an Anar’s octave range. Now that it's set in motion, the planet has millions of years of evolution ahead.”

“I’m glad they didn’t interrupt time-sensitive changes,” Amdirlain said.

“How long has it been for you?” Sarah asked.

“Eleven-ish years and a lot of memories,” Amdirlain admitted. “Lots of time spent healing pain and guilt from ancient memories.”

“Guilt and regrets are signs you tried, and were paying attention enough to see what resulted,” Jinfeng offered. 

“Is there somewhere we can lie low while we learn about the abilities here?” Gail asked.

“Yes, what does qi allow us to do?” Jinfeng asked.

“A mix of ki powers, spells, and effects in between,” Amdirlain said. “I know an isolated spot where there is an experienced cultivator. She wanted to repay me for helping her children. While I did set her some tasks to pay it forward, I don’t think she considers it enough.”

“You have that effect,” Sarah said. “And for some people, the idea of paying it forward when you’ve helped them just doesn’t reconcile with repaying a debt.”

“Let’s have some lessons on cultivation first,” Amdirlain said, tossing them jade slips. “Focus on these. Feel the weight in your hand, then imagine it as a handle that opens the door to a familiar room. You’ll feel the contents touch your mind, but you won't learn it automatically. Read the cultivation manual called World’s Breath, and then we’ll go over how to draw qi from your environment. Once that’s done, I’ll collect my brother’s apprentice, and we’ll go get a home base set up.”

I should teach them properly so they get used to jade slips and cultivation references.

Sarah’s eyebrows lifted. “One of those you rescued from Hades is here? How?”

“Maker was speaking to Drakon and Father when I let down my guard with Nüwa. He asked to be sent after me before they knew anything about this realm. He showed up six months after my arrival.”

Klipyl leaned forward, eyes bright. “We get to meet one of your baby brothers? Where is he?”

“He got injured in a fight earlier today, so he’s resting to repair his aura. That location is too much for inexperienced cultivators. Now let’s get on with the lessons.”

I told Líng Xī I’d pick her up today, but we’d better cover the basics first.

They all had different but extensive meditation experience, so once they'd scanned the material, guiding them to sense their dantian took only minutes. Checking all the qi aspects took hours.

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

Líng Xī - South Sendai - Shānxiá

Líng Xī’s gaze drifted over the latest delivery of plates spread across the crowded table. A furnace of fury begged for a sharp release, and she could almost feel the leather binding of her jian cutting into her palm as the blade impacted a young master’s spine.

Just before noon, the town's military commander and his officers intruded on the private dining room where she’d gone to breakfast and talk with her uncle Pán Shí. For her uncle’s career, she’d put up with the perfumed fool's interruptions, but Commander Wu and his slimy, silk-clad sycophants had dragged it past decency. As lunch turned into afternoon drinks and then dinner, the group devoured qi-rich servings. Now, after long hours, she’d fought the urge to yawn in their faces as their dull stories wore her down. She tried to focus on yet another boring story when a translucent songbird appeared on her shoulder.

“Líng Xī, let me know when you’re okay to be picked up. I’m going to set up a sect base near where I established Xuelian, Toko, and Minzhe.”

A crystal-and-silver songbird figurine appeared on the table next to her hand.

“That’s a beautiful piece. Pass it closer, so I might see it,” Commander Wu said. Expectation of obedience dripped from the officer, who stood at the peak of energy cultivation.

“Sorry, Commander Wu, it's not an art piece; I need to reply to one of my sect’s founders.”

“Your tiny Sect?” Wu sneered. “From a distant land?”

“Whatever you believe, she just asked me to make myself available.” Líng Xī’s fingertips brushing the figurine was enough for her to sense the technique within it, already refined to her qi. She sent a thread of her primordial qi into it to carry her message. “Amdirlain, I’m ready now. Though, would you mind putting on a show for my uncle’s commander? It would help my uncle’s career. He is married, and I want to ensure he doesn’t get posted elsewhere.”

Amdirlain appeared in the doorway, and a mild pressure from her aura settled across the room. Her gleaming silver hair drifted slightly in a phantasmal breeze, sparkling in time with the white flames that blazed in her irises. On her, the sect’s black robes appeared like the void between stars, drinking in the room’s illumination. The light warped and distorted, forming a glowing fox-fire halo around Amdirlain’s whole body.

“I hope you don’t mind me being unsubtle?” Amdirlain’s voice laughed in her mind.

“Feel free. Crush their faces into the dirt if you’d like.”

“Oh, they almost completely took over your day. Well, let’s make their social debt to your uncle so much worse.”

“Do you need to collect anything, Senior Líng Xī?” Amdirlain asked aloud.

Is she introducing a new rank, or is it part of the act?

Líng Xī jumped from her seat and collected her things. “I’m ready to go, Lady Amdirlain. I understand now what you consider hospitality, Commander Wu. Enjoy the rest of your dinner.”

Now the other officers will expect him to pick up the bill; I’m sure he planned to stick me with it before the evening’s end.

A manicured hand lifted, polished nails gleaming like diamonds, as Amdirlain motioned to her uncle. “You did well in recognising your niece’s potential and teaching her the fundamentals. Is there a gift of payment you would like for your inadvertent service to the Golden Maze Sect?”

“I’m simply glad she found a home with your sect, Lady Amdirlain. I hoped she would join my lord’s army, but heaven did not intend it. May you both ascend far towards the heavenly ranks.”

“Since you did not ask for anything, I will give more generously. Know that you all owe this progress to Duanyuantou Pán Shí and the Golden Maze Sect.” Amdirlain stared across them imperiously, then pressed her aura harder, beading sweat on Líng Xī’s brow. “See.”

I hadn’t introduced him, yet Amdirlain still knew my uncle’s name.

Wisps of primordial qi brushed across the officers and her uncle, and their lingering presence fed the cultivator spirals that burst into existence around them.

“Is that what you had in mind?” Amdirlain asked.

“Just an appearance and politeness from a nascent soul cultivator would have raised him in their eyes,” Líng Xī spluttered. “I’m unsure what ends they’ll go to repay him now.”

“Maybe they’ll stop being arseholes with this hanging over their heads. Apparently cultivators keep better track of favours than kindness,” Amdirlain said, dryly. “I’ve refreshed your uncle’s meridians so he’ll find breaking through easier again. I’ve left a storage ring with his wife that contains spirit coins suitable for his cultivation.”

The impossibility among the string of casual statements caught Líng Xī's thanks in her throat, the shock stopping her tears of gratitude.

“Of course you did,” Líng Xī finally breathed, bowing to Amdirlain, who returned a matching bow despite the vast disparity in their ranks.

“I’ve also given the innkeeper more than enough spirit coin for the bill, including the clean-up from all these meridians opening. Though I’ve asked him not to let the commander know it’s paid.”

“Covering my uncle if they try to stick him with the bill?” Líng Xī asked.

“Yes. The question is, would it be kinder to your uncle to let him reap these benefits or to take him and his family with us?”

“I don’t think he’d welcome travelling.”

“I was thinking sect membership. Our plans have changed. Drakon got injured—”

“Is he alright?” Líng Xī blurted, and Amdirlain’s knowing smile brought a blush to Líng Xī’s face.

“Physically he is fine, but his aura needs time to mend,” Amdirlain said reassuringly, patting her arm. “That isn’t the only reason for the change of plans. My wife and some friends have joined me in this realm. Sarah wouldn’t be happy permanently guesting anywhere, so I’m going to set up a base for the sect and actually grow it.”

“Where are you going to establish it?”

“Near where we relocated people. My question is, did you want to spend time teaching strangers’ children or go to Jade Peak, where Drakon is recovering?”

“Jade Peak,” Líng Xī replied without hesitation.

The tranquil paths of Baiyan’s rock garden suddenly surrounded her, and Líng Xī turned towards the house entrance. A primal cry of pleasure from within shook the mountainside and shattered the stillness.

Lady Amdirlain said he’s physically fine, I guess—

Another guttural scream sounded out, cutting off the thought. She brushed aside her envy and curiosity and leapt the fence surrounding the rock garden. Sheets of ice had already tumbled from the mountain peak, and closed the path to normal traffic. Yet Líng Xī’s gliding steps took her across the loose rocks.

I know they both reach out to sense a place before teleporting people, so she knew what was going on. What would her wife say?

Fighting to keep herself composed, Líng Xī fled to find Shui and Qiang.