Chapter 9 My San Seals
Time seemed to slow as a light flashed deep inside his obstinate black eyes before they fluttered opened, Tang Yun willed himself in front of his San Seal's floating inside his spiritual sea. Now on a mission his bare astral feet touched down on an enormous mountain range. Without hesitation, he walked through the energy field of the first dome and stopped in from of what looked like a rough silver statue.
Tang Yun's ethereal form stood before the silver statue, his hands resting on his bony hips, his deep black eyes taking in this near blob of metal. The silver statue was unremarkable in appearance but with a slight hinted of femininity contrasting with the rough and blurred details. It seemed like a poor imitation of a statue.
With a curious spirit guiding his movements, Tang Yun extended his ethereal hand, gently gliding it over the smooth, cold surface of the silver statue. Beyond the mere sensation of Shen energy, his senses tingled with intrigue as his chin tilted upwards in contemplation.
As his touch met the statue, a subtle shift occurred, as if he swept away an invisible veil, revealing hidden depths and unexpected revelations. Among them was the surprising presence of his own abundant soul qi, intermingling with the enigmatic energies of the statue.
As the dull metallic sheen reflected scant light within his spiritual sea, Tang Yun found himself lost in thought, pondering the mysteries encapsulated within the statue's form. Yet, beneath the surface of his contemplation, a faint hint of something else lingered, teasing his senses with its elusive presence. With each moment, his hand absorbed the subtle vibrations of energy, an unspoken quest for answers driving him forward.
The silver gleamed with the infusion of his spiritual senses a faint glow its muted lustre teased at hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. Tang Yun strengthened his senses and deepened his connection to the statue as he explored its surface. However, his mental probing came to an abrupt halt as if met with an impenetrable barrier.
Frustration etched across his face, Tang Yun's astral eyes narrowed as he fixated on the enigmatic silver statue, striving to recollect the teachings of the San Seals. He stood tall, one pale, lanky foot suspended mid-air, hoping this would help him focus on the task at hand. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he endeavoured to drink the statue in, his eyes stared, transfixed.
However, a nod of acknowledgment followed, everything seemed like a playful game in her presence. Yes, he was certain it was a female statue. What made it even more peculiar was the indescribable warmth that emanated from his gut, as if he recognised the statue, entwining him completely in her captivating aura. Could it be that this enigmatic statue held some sway over him? His mind jolted, causing his eyes to twitch with nervousness. He discreetly glanced out of the corner of his eyes; his lower lip caught between his teeth.
Dimly, he recalled Elder Deng's teachings on the uniqueness of each person's San Seal, a reflection of their individuality and personality traits. San Seals manifestations could take any shape or object from birds to swords type objects even detailed paintings, Elder Deng had explained. Tang Yun rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Indeed, for me, they manifest as statues," he reflected aloud.
Another bit of information that was more important was the simplest, yet most valuable benefits of San joining was the ability to establish location locks and facilitate basic communication among San siblings. Tang Yun bored again playfully poked his tongue out and rolled his eyes, fully aware of his tendency to doze off during the rest of the lesson. He contemplated banging his head against the statue, surmising it might yield more insights than the meagre fragments of information he managed to retain.
As he rubbed his astral chin, Tang Yun was astonished to feel a smooth, slick sensation against his ethereal form. Despite his distraction, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was reaping the fruits of his own actions. Stuck and uncertain of how to activate the seal, Tang Yun found himself grasping at straws. With a heavy, drawn-out sigh, he couldn't help but wonder if this was yet another challenging life lesson being thrown his way.
Tang Yun placed his astral hands on his hips, he directed a more focused gaze at the silver sculpture, which seemed to come alive before his eyes. As he looked at it more intently, it took on an ethereal quality, almost appearing to dance with its arms waving in graceful motion. Was this a figment of his vivid imagination?
As each passing moment unfolded, Tang Yun's eyes became captivated by the intricate details, while his spiritual senses delved deeper into the essence of the rough sculpture. Gradually, a vague recognition began to take shape—a sense that it depicted Bi B, the dancer. He shifted his gaze from one figure to another, a growing confidence welled within him.
As he continued to examine the statues, their identities became clear. The silver statue depicted Bi B, the graceful dancer, while the golden one portrayed his older sister, Chen Chu-Hua, with her characteristic fighting stance. The familiarity of their forms stirred emotions within Tang Yun, a bittersweet reminder of the bonds he held with these cherished individuals. This profound connection, supposedly fixed to his soul, was what he had been told. His left brow raised in disbelief, questioning the validity of such claims.
The first figure exuded a subtle grace and lightness, as if it could effortlessly dance through the air. The second figure carried remnants of strength and regality, embodying the spirit of a fierce warrior. As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, a resounding click echoed in Tang Yun's mind, signifying more than a moment of realization.
When his thoughts aligned, he looked at the statues and noticed how the intricate shapes of their faces shimmered in the light. The intricacies of their hair and facial features became clearer. Now revealing delicate strands and lifelike expressions. The silver statue seemed to emanate a stronger sense of grace and elegance. Tang Yun turned and could see the golden statue exuded strength and determination.
"I guess I did that," he murmured, his fingers tracing the contours of their forms, feeling the subtle shifts in energy. As he moved from one statue to another, he witnessed a remarkable transformation. The statues seemed to be changing, their forms becoming more fitting and detailed.
And the transformation continued before his eyes, as both statues gracefully shifted and morphed, assuming the likeness of his two San Sisters. Tang Yun observed the remarkable metamorphosis with a sense of expectancy. He wasn't astonished by these changes, for deep within him, he now understood the profound power of their San bond. It was a connection that transcended mere physical forms, an unbreakable tie that bound their souls together.
A blank, faceless look adorned his features, his eyes gleaming with a vibrant light. But soon, a deep, rich smile spread across his young face. In his heart, a warmth enveloped him, a recognition that this was right.
A sense of familiarity washed over him, as if he had known them all along. A natural feeling of closeness emanated from both statues, resonating with his own essence. In that moment, Tang Yun knew deep in his soul that these were his San Sisters, his companions in cultivation.
"Do I talk to them?" Tang Yun's mischievous gaze taunted the silver statue, reflecting the playful expression they both shared. With a whimsical spirit, he allowed himself to be drawn into the rhythmic movements of the dancer. Extending a playful invitation to Bi B, he called out, "Where's my sticky rice? Will you bring it to me? Please, please, please bring me my sticky rice!" His words filled with childlike excitement as he danced and sang around the statues.
A burst of laughter flickered in his eyes as he vividly imagined his sister's joyful response, their playful banter filling his thoughts. But as the minutes passed, his shoulders slumped and his mind began to drift, the chant gradually quietening. The initial excitement waned, leaving a tinge of disappointment in its wake.
"Old flea bag!" A despondent sigh escaped Tang Yun's lips, his melancholic tone resonating through the depths of his spiritual sea. Pausing to immerse himself in the surrounding silence, he allowed his thoughts to unfurl. In a moment of revelation, he exclaimed, "Could it be that, just like the soul lamp, these statues require energy?" The question hung in the air, swirling with uncertainty and curiosity.
With a flick of his wrists, tiny globules of willpower flew towards each statue. Anticipation bubbled within him as he watched with excitement. "Sticky rice, now!" he shouted in his mind, pouring his energy into the statues. But as minutes passed, he couldn't ignore the growl of his stomach. "This can't be happening," he thought, "despite all my hard work, I'm even more hungry?"
The hunger pains continued as he considered the idea of sticky rice, yet to his dismay, nothing happened. Rubbing his ear, he contemplated that perhaps the connection didn't work both ways. A realization struck him: they needed more power! A mischievous glimmer filled his eyes as he exclaimed, "Let's see how you enjoy being drowned in Shen!"
With an enthusiastic flourish, Tang Yun unleashed streams of Shen, resembling wild, thin eel-like streams, soaring towards the statues with unyielding force. Continuous beams of energy flowed from his hands, filling the space around the statues with vibrant and dynamic power.
"Sticky rice right away!" his voice filled with playful exuberance as he danced and twirled around the statues, envisioning his friends joining in the merriment. The sheer joy of the moment made his sides ache, but he couldn't help but revel in the happiness it brought.
As much as he enjoyed the playful act of splashing Shen at the statues, a twinge of sadness tugged at his heart. The realization that he couldn't be physically present with his friends dampened his spirits. Nonetheless, after what felt like an eternity of tossing and laughter, a hint of embarrassment coloured his astral cheeks.
His once joyful expression faded, giving way to a sense of longing and despondency. Tang Yun's blank face mirrored his inner emotions as he crossed his arms and let out a sigh of regret. "Those smelly statues," he muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment, "draining my power."
Regret and self-reproach filled his eyes as Tang Yun realised the consequences of his lack of attention in class. He became his own worst enemy, burdened with a deep sense of remorse for the situation he had landed himself in. An upset expression washed over his astral face as he pondered, "Am I doomed here forever to be found as a brittle skeleton?"
With unwavering determination, Tang Yun stomped his foot, a resolve burning in his eyes. He believed it was the moment to bring the statues to life. In the blink of an eye, he shifted to the radiant white sphere in his lower dantian, feeling a newfound warmth emanating from the golden stove area. With a graceful wave of his hands, he gathered two handfuls of white qi, resembling delicate snowballs. Silently affirming this place was growing on him. In a split second, he transported back to the statues, their energy resonating within the depths of his spiritual sea.
Within the vast expanse of Tang Yun's Spiritual Sea, the white qi transformed into a delicate and ethereal mist, swirling gracefully like a soft veil. An idea sparked in his mind, igniting a flicker of determination. He pondered the possibility of harnessing the power of this realm to refine the white soul qi. With a focused gaze and unwavering concentration, he summoned two small eddies of energy to form above each hand, like miniature whirlpools of potent energy.
Memories of the soul well he had crafted months ago flooded Tang Yun's mind, evoking a deep sense of familiarity. The process of creating vortexes and shaping Shen objects had become second nature to him. As if he were born with the innate ability. It felt as effortless as a fish gliding through its own spiritual waters. With a confident smile adorning his face, he gently placed each white qi ball into the centre of its corresponding vortex. Poised and ready to channel the energy.
The spiritual vortexes held an aversion to spinning the white qi. Tang Yun lobbed some Shen energy balls into the mix and watched the vortex almost slow to a crawl in minutes as his Shen disappeared. He tapped his foot in frustration, aware this would take all night. Tang Yun's hands continued to fling globs of Will Power into each vortex, pausing briefly to inspect the progress. However, time and again, the whirlpools reverted back to wispy clumps as soon as he stopped adding Shen.
With unwavering determination, Tang Yun abruptly jerked both arms backward in a forceful pulling motion, as if summoning a torrent of liquid Shen. The clear and shimmering willpower rippled and glistened, its brilliance reflecting in Tang Yun's excited astral eyes. Like two giant anacondas, the cascading Shen surged up his arms, swirling and writhing with a mesmerizing intensity.
The energy coiled tighter and tighter, wrapping around his shoulders like a constricting grip. Nearly strangling his astral body. Then, in a display of astonishing speed, the serpent-like heads of the Shen energy twisted and swiftly stretched outwards, aiming with precision at each tiny vortex. With a striking force, they made contact, merging and intermingling with the swirling energies within.
The Shen snakes pulsed with a radiant light as they fed the vortexes with their energy. Tang Yun's right eyebrow raised, noticing the influence of his anger on his Shen summoning. The manifestation of his spiritual power appeared more aggressive and intense than before This was interesting, he thought, his mood affect what strength was summoned. It was fortunate he wasn't that aggressive. "But I guess I need to control my emotions," he mused. With a calm demeanour, he continued to channel two streams of energy towards the vortexes, maintaining a steady focus.
A grin spread across his face as he revelled in working with spiritual power. It felt like second nature to him, with an innate sense of responsiveness, creativity, and control. Now learning from his previous attempts, he realised that by continuously channelling his Shen, the refinement process gradually unfolded. Bit by bit, he witnessed the transformation of the white qi into two solid specks of dust.
Tang Yun rubbed his chin, emulating the habit he had observed in Elder Deng. A moment of contemplation passed as he considered the potential risks. However, he quickly dismissed any concerns, thinking, "Nah, it's unlikely." With a determined focus, he carefully positioned each speck between the eyes of the respective figurines, assuring himself that there was no harm in doing so.
When using the vortexes, he moved both specs to each status; "now, let's time this, right, eh?"
A brief moment of anticipation filled the air as Tang Yun waited for a reaction. His eyes widened with excitement as the white specs and vortex vanished, perfectly hitting their intended mark on the San Seal statues. The accuracy granted by his newfound spiritual awareness made it seemingly effortless. However, to his surprise, nothing happened. A sense of disappointment washed over him as he realised that his efforts had yielded no immediate results.
Ethereal tears welled up in Tang Yun's eyes, his lower lip quivering with fatigue and frustration. The weight of the situation became overwhelming, threatening to engulf him. As he surveyed his once neat dormitory, his heart sank. The room now lay in ruins, with cracked walls and scattered debris of broken furniture and bedding strewn across the floor.
The lingering scent of ash hung in the air, a haunting reminder of the chaos and destruction that had unfolded in these indescribable days. Tang Yun couldn't help but wonder about the fate of his precious journals, filled with his work, pictures, and study materials. The loss of those treasured possessions left a void in his heart.
While rubbing his eyes with his fingers, Tang Yun attempted to clear his ghostly vision, hoping to dispel the remnants of uncertainty. As the haze lifted, a small white speck materialised dead centre of each statue's third eye. Tang Yun's breath caught in his throat, a flicker of hope igniting within him. Could this be a sign of progress? He pondered, his eyes shifting anxiously between the statues.
Excitement and trepidation pulsed through his veins, his heart pounding in his chest. Doubt crept in, and for a moment, he questioned his own actions. "What am I doing?" he exclaimed, a surge of fear gripping him tightly.
His mouth dropped open in astonishment, his eyes wide with anxiety and curiosity as he witnessed the two statues come to life. Little whirlpools formed around the white qi particles, creating a mesmerizing dance of energy. As the spheres in his Spiritual Sea spun on their axis and emitted a radiant glow, a wave of uncertainty washed over him. Was this the right thing to do? Should he have tampered with these statues, these sacred San Seals? Panic began to set in, and a nervous twitch appeared at the corner of his lips, his eyes widening with anticipation and apprehension.
Restlessly shifting from one foot to another, a sense of urgency and restlessness consumed Tang Yun. His face contorted from a nervous grin to a concerned frown, his brows furrowing with worry. The overwhelming desire to escape and leave this unsettling situation behind was strong within him. Guilt and worry washed over him as he wrestled with his next move. Just as he was about to flee, a surge of determination welled up inside him. With an intensity and desperation, he never expressed before. He called out to the statues, his voice filled with urgency, "Bi B and Chen Chu-Hua, my door is stuck, please get help. Please find someone!"
His heart trembling with uncertainty, Tang Yun abruptly retreated from his Spiritual Sea.