Still Learning To Live As A Cultivator

Chapter Sixty Four - Three strikes and you are out!

"All aboard!" The Handler said some ten minutes later after the ringing in his ears had abated and he'd calmed the Griffin enough for it to fly. Carmen indicated that Sun should help her rise; she had been one of those who'd crumbled beneath the pressure.

Merylin looked down at her as she climbed carefully aboard the Griffin; "So weak," she said with exaggerated pity before adjusting her skirt as she sat with a straight back in her seat. Maimai sat down beside her, offering Sun a quick apologetic glance.

Carmen grumbled beneath her breath. So what if she was 'weak'. A true lady did not need to be physically strong, such would make her no more than a boorish woman. But then, wasn't that what this girl truly was beneath her airs and graces? Feeling that she'd cursed the odious girl satisfactorily in her heart, she felt more at peace and proved that she could climb and take a seat upon the flying beast just as, if not more, elegantly than the other!

Following Sun aboard was those two seniors and a few others who either learned or worked in the school as perhaps caretakers or cooks.  The two seniors sat behind Sun and continued their discussion from earlier.

"Those lightning strikes certainly seemed to be in the direction of the mountain for closed cultivation.  Do you think that Teacher was successful?"

"How can it be?!" the other refuted.  "To complete Body formation one will receive Heaven's wrath with one times nine strikes and for every stage above that they will receive that they received before plus another nine strikes.  Teacher Compari was reputed to be attempting to breakthrough to the high level of octonary stage, must then receive three times nine strikes, not just three strikes!"

"What do you think caused those strikes then?"

"Maybe someone managed to create some legendary Pill or artefact?  Don't know anyone foolish enough to do so inside the boundaries of the Institute though..."

A certain Teacher that happened to be a certain youth's direct Master sneezed, before scratching his nose.  Was someone speaking ill of him?  Not possible, he was way too awesome... unless it was his brother, Corne...  Corvus grumbled somewhat under his breath.

Back on the Griffin, others were listening into the conversation and drawing their own conclusions.  "Brother Sun," Carmen's eye's twinkled with interest as she drew his attention to her.  "Didn't you mention that my... I mean... Jin Li went into closed cultivation.  Could it be he that caused the lightning strikes?"

"I... shouldn't think so?" Sun denied, weakly.  "It's doubtful, I mean, he is just trying to form his core..."

"But its not impossible, right?"  Her imagination drew an image of his silhouette standing tall upon a mountain peak with lightning flashing behind him and his long, midnight hair flowing in the wind.  She clasped her hands together.  "He's just so majestic...!"

Merylin, who happened to be across from them, sat up even more rigidly in her seat, glaring beneath the shadow of her long lashes at her sister, though her voice remained like a warm summer breeze not the cold winter winds her eyes might have otherwise suggested.  "Sister, you did not mention that Jin Li entered Closed Cultivation..."

"Hmmm?" Maimai wasn't sure how to respond the the question nor undertone that she had long since learned to identify.  "Well, um... it happened just as winter break ended.  I haven't really had much chance to talk to you... and I didn't think it was that important."

"Of course it is," Merylin reprimanded her, softly.  "I could have assisted brother Jin Li with some pills... cloudy spiritual pills maybe or tranquil mind pills for once he's succeeded in breaking through..."

Maimai attempted not to roll her eyes.  Could her darling sister even make tranquil mind pills?  More than likely, she'd ask the Head of Sunset Peak of the Sect for them.  "I'm sorry, sister," she apologised, insincerely.  "I didn't think..." it was necessary!

"I'm certain that Jin Li would not need to accept pills from outsiders," Carmen clicked her tongue, openly expressing an opinion as if it was not directed towards her adversary at all. 

"That is true," Merylin nodded in agreement.  "He certainly need not accept pills from outsiders... He only need inquire of me when he is in need, I'm willing to provide whatever he needs.  Just as last time..."

Carmen glared, her face reddening with emotion that was barely restrained.  Sun and Maimai prayed inwardly that the flight back to the Institute would be over soon!

Author's note; laoniang is the feminine version of laozi, basically meaning something like 'this superior' or 'this teacher'.  It works like Jin Li's 'this Lord' or 'I, your father' in more modern period books x (at least this is my interpretation of it!)