Every day John spent some time in the sea of spiritual totems, inoculating himself against light element. Or perhaps that wasn’t quite right, because the whole point was that he wanted it to remain peacefully rather than trying to annihilate it or rid himself of it entirely. That was the state things were in by default.
The rest of his day was spent sparring with Deirdre or Zacharie. He could have battled Cuah’arn herself, but it wouldn’t have achieved the desired results. She was naturally light element infused as her very nature- the way she controlled spiritual energy was different from humans. He very much appreciated her watching over him as he meditated, however. It allowed him to split his focus with less concern that he would horribly maim himself. There was still some possibility… but that was why he was taking things one step at a time.
If he was going to attempt to break into the Exalted Soul Phase in a decade or so, he wanted some reasonable certainty he would succeed. Perhaps that was a bit arrogant, but he wasn’t asking for a true guarantee. Just some surety that it would be worthwhile- that his chances of success were high enough that what he could do if successful would be greater than simply spending the rest of his life at a ‘lower’ cultivation. The Ascending Soul Phase would never be something to be ashamed of. He hoped that the current stability didn’t rely on him being alive, but he’d rather not bet on that.
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They stopped at several other sects within the Sunfields, though more briefly than their other destinations. They could get away with a limited amount for being on a set route, but completely bypassing certain groups would have the opposite of the intended effect. John found he quite preferred people coming to him even if it meant a busy schedule back at the Crossroads.
It would be nice if he could somehow be important enough to keep his secure position without people wanting to meet with him. That was rather impossible, however. Though maybe once the Six Elements Crossroads had a longer history, their elders would have sufficient sway to take over most diplomatic duties. Ayhan and Lir were strong enough to garner significant respect now. A cycle of core elements was not something to be taken lightly.
Viriato was slightly higher rank and had his own impressive style of cultivation, but he wasn’t usually present at the Crossroads itself. He did already carry some of the diplomatic weight, but he was focused more on economic aspects. Perhaps cultivators would come to see that as more important than personal power at some point, but it wouldn’t be soon. Nor would that necessarily be a better perspective.
After the Sunfields was the Phoenix Forest. The last stop before they would return to Astrein. John was glad to be almost done with the journey. He had gained a large number of insights, but some weeks of minimal activity to sit and digest everything he had learned would be well received.
Firepine Palace was the stop that John was most looking forward to. He’d had great success training with them previously.
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Once a cultivator became ‘old’, it was difficult for them to return to a youthful countenance even if their cultivation increased and their lifespan expanded. There were methods, of course, but all carried side effects in different areas. John could determine how serious certain cultivators were by whether or not they let themselves retain an aged appearance.
Charlotte might have looked slightly younger than when they first met, but not so much he imagined she was using any techniques to alter her features. Stepping into the Ascending Soul Phase came with a large enough increase in theoretical lifespan that it would be stranger to have no changes at all.
“Got any good insights for me?” John grinned after they finished the formalities.
Charlotte pondered for a moment. “Are you planning to take up the true path of fire and earth? If not… no. But as the guest, shouldn’t it be you who comes with astounding insights?”
“Hmm. How about some grass that exists in a semi-perpetual state of conflagration?” John had brought the firegrass for his own study, but it would certainly be of interest to the Phoenix Forest as well.
“Alas,” Charlotte said. “I have encountered firegrass before. The methods of its burning are quite different from that of the Phoenix Forest.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of tri elemental synergy,” John commented.
Charlotte shook her head. “I suppose we wouldn’t be opposed, but it takes too much work to grow here. It doesn’t thrive naturally without proper light element. With ordinary sunlight levels, it is a rather pathetic sight, and does not stand up well among the local flora.”
That was one difference between plains and a forest, of course. Grasses could still exist on forest floors, but they would generally be more subdued.
“I don’t have anything specific,” John admitted. “Though I might suggest you take the opportunity to interact with the Succulent League. They’re practically neighbors, after all.” They were most of a region away, but that wasn’t that far. “They’re not fire based at all, but their perspective on earth element is interesting. And their recent growth is quite significant.”
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“It certainly would not hurt,” Charlotte agreed. “Especially if most of the Muted Crags remain unfriendly to us.”
“It’s mainly the Black Peaks and allies being stubborn,” John said. “The eastern groups don’t seem particularly swayed, but have thrown in their lot with them. At least the western end was clearly their own faction. We already have some future meetings planned. Of course, I planned to include the Rolling Dunes and Phoenix Forest in that.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Charlotte said. “Being on better terms with our neighbors will be an excellent improvement.”
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John’s definition of comfortable had changed significantly as time went on. He didn’t think that his early reaction to the Green Sands had been simple because he was used to a relaxing life- for two short lives. Instead, it was measured in terms of absolutes. John didn’t particularly find a person who felt little pain from significant wounds as impressive. Instead, it was those who were able to handle greater levels of relative experience.
Similarly, even though he was currently sitting on a fire lily pad, John didn’t find it as uncomfortable as he had his initial carriage rides into the Green Sands. He was putting far more spiritual energy into the task, but less effort. If he wanted a similar experience, he’d probably have to immerse himself in the lava beneath. He wasn’t planning to do that at the moment, however, as he was focusing on finding a harmonious balance.
Along with the many cultivation Phases he had advanced, having a proper totem really helped. The Ethereal Flames John had attuned to greatly shaped his usage of fire element, though in another way it fit what he already intended to do. Fire was often used as a primary source of damage, as it was readily destructive, but John found that more subtle uses could wear people down very effectively. Rather similar to his early experiences with fire element, in fact.
He had nothing extraordinary to learn from this visit to the Phoenix Forest, but the different environment provided training opportunities he simply didn’t have in the Crossroads. Even the secret valley with condensed spiritual elements only had so much variety.
John did still try to ponder the different forms of ‘eternal’ flame that two styles of plants had. He wondered if there would be a third kind where air element was the input instead of light or earth. It was certainly reasonable, but there simply weren’t any air and fire regions on the continent. That was a surprise given the prevalence of each element independently or mixed with others.
He was aware that just because the firegrass wasn’t consumed didn’t mean that it was actually endless or an infinite source of energy. It was simply light element spiritual energy becoming fire, just like the burning plants of the Phoenix Forest did the same with earth element. The difference, if John had to describe it, was that one converted from the outside, while the other was from the inside.
Earth element came in and up through the roots of various plants, like the firepines. Then it was consumed in fire- but not entirely. A good portion of it remained within the various plants, or the region would have rapidly become solely fire dominant as all the earth was burned away. Furthermore, the fire did eventually feed back into creating more earth element.
John would explain it much like the wick of a candle or lantern, where what appeared to burn was not what was actually burning. While a wick did slowly burn down, alone without oil or wax it would have lasted little more than a few moments. It seemed the plant underneath perhaps grew at a similar pace or slightly faster than it would actually lose mass.
Firegrass was more like heating coils. Except instead of having electricity flow through wires, it was light striking a plant. It wasn’t a perfect analogy, especially since the firegrass itself wasn’t even hot. If his shadow was cast over it, it would rapidly stop burning and he could have touched it with his bare hands. Either way, the heat was less the product of combustion and more that it was simply giving off what it had.
If John could heat up his enemies from the inside… well, they would be dead. If he got access to any enemy it really wouldn’t matter what element he used, it was trivial to kill someone. That was why people needed spiritual energy to defend themselves. Their actual bodies served as only a minimal barrier, perhaps preventing instantaneous intrusion into their most vulnerable parts but little more. Even Diamond Defense mostly absorbed the remains of high impact attacks.
As always, there were exceptions. Ursel had tempered her body so much that she needed far less energy to protect it- but she still had armor, and she didn’t completely neglect spiritual energy in her defenses. She could just use it more sparingly, focusing on the subtle intrusions rather than the large impacts.
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While John didn’t gain any astounding insights, his disciples had much to learn- even from close neighbors like the Firepine Palace. After all, not every one of the disciples had gotten to travel much. The risks were relatively lower than they had once been, but sect disciples still didn’t tend to travel alone to neighboring regions- at least not without specific intentions. If nothing else, they would be more comfortable when traveling with some familiar faces.
Among the two who were significantly enlightened were Fedel and Chi. The two lovers finally ended up in a region that suited both of their elements, and it was one that was stylistically useful for them as well. John was aware that in relationships between cultivators, the one with the dominating element could take more than they should. John didn’t expect that to result in a long relationship for various reasons. If one partner took all the growth, they’d inevitably leave the other behind. Certainly some people would move through life in that manner, but they’d eventually find it difficult to entice anyone of sufficient strength when they had a poor history.
Fedel was perhaps a young fool, but he wasn’t an idiot. Whether it was short term infatuation or lasting love between the two of them, they were fond of each other and at least trying to support each other. The fire cultivator drew upon the earth cultivator, but Chi wasn’t used up. Their overall power was augmented. And the Phoenix Forest had many examples of how to do that even better.
The two of them also didn’t have to run off to seek isolation, so they wouldn’t likely end up in danger. Not that John thought they’d make the same mistake again anytime soon. They’d learned their lesson in the Frozen Heights. Now, they had an opportunity to further their combined growth. John watched to make sure they were having some success. And his other disciples too, of course, but he couldn’t help being biased towards likable fools.
