A finger-sized bolt of indigo lightning flew through the training courtyard and struck the waiting wooden training post. Upon impact, splinters burst into the air, and a black scorch mark scarred the torso of the post. A wisp of smoke emanated from the impacted area, filling the air with a now-familiar scent. After an hour of practice, the post bore over a dozen similar burn marks.

  Lowering his extended right hand, Ishin said, “This will work.”

  Hou Lei, who stood behind the newly admitted Eight Oaths Resolve disciple, let out a whistle. “Lightning qi is pretty nasty.”

  Ro Ishin shook his arm, trying to regain feeling. After cycling lightning qi through his arm meridian so many times, it had begun to grow numb. “Destruction is the one thing it has going for it.”

  He looked back at the damage he’d done to the training post. Each one was built to match the durability of an Adept Realm cultivator. If his new Indigo Sky Bolt technique could deal this much damage to them, it would be devastating against an Initial Realm opponent.

  Ishin studied his twitching hand, focusing on his pointer and middle fingers. The technique required him to aim with those two. In contrast to the Pale Azure Lightning Force Strike, which emitted from his palm, this one was far easier to aim. Consequently, it was only about a third as powerful. As far as Ishin was concerned, that was a fair trade—especially since he could use this technique a dozen times before needing to rest, instead of just once a day.

  This technique probably won’t kill anyone in the Initial Realm as long as I don’t strike them in the heart or head.

  Because of that, he’d been practicing by targeting non-vital spots on the post. It had been easier than expected. Strangely, while still uncomfortable, the sensation of lightning qi flowing through his meridians was no longer as irritating as before. In fact, feeling was already returning to his arm and hand.

  Hou Lei stepped up beside Ishin and let out a deep laugh. “When it comes to combat, destruction is all that matters!”

  Closing his hand into a fist, Ishin replied, “Perhaps. At least now I have a technique I can use during the selection process.”

  It had taken him all of yesterday to understand the new technique. Today was his first time actually practicing it, and the sun had just reached its peak, casting long shadows across the training courtyard. More than once, he’d spotted the familiar orange-and-blue parrot circling overhead. Ishin now understood it wasn’t a normal parrot—likely a spirit beast—but he didn’t dwell on the matter. What mattered was that he still had a little less than two weeks before the selection process.

  Hou Lei stretched his arms overhead. “Care to spar? You can try out that new technique.”

  Ishin shook his head. “Maybe in a few days. I can’t risk sparring until my injuries heal more. I don’t want to anger Physician Hui.”

  And I can’t use my technique anymore right now.

  “A fair point.” Hou Lei immediately dropped to the ground and began doing push-ups. Despite his rapid pace, he made it look effortless, his thick muscles bulging even beneath his blue-and-orange robes. Ishin envied his powerful friend.

  “So what will you do until you’re recovered?” Hou Lei asked, never slowing. His breath was steady, and his voice clear.

  Ishin retrieved his spear from where it leaned against the courtyard wall. “I can at least practice my spearmanship. That, and cultivate.” What little lightning qi there is...

  “I’ve never seen someone so devoted to the spear,” Hou Lei said, still exercising. Ishin guessed he’d already passed sixty push-ups, but he hadn’t broken stride.

  Ishin brought up his spear and began working through the first stance. “There aren’t other spear wielders at the school?”

  “There are. Not as many as sword wielders, but still a fair number.” Hou Lei shifted his pace, now performing push-ups in an agonizingly slow motion. Ishin had asked about this method before, and Hou Lei had explained that slower repetitions were excellent for straining muscles. “Most who use the spear treat it as a backup after they’ve exhausted their qi,” he grunted. “Or they use their techniques to supplement their form.”

  With a final yell, Hou Lei completed his last push-up. “Two hundred!” Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. “Point is, I’ve only seen you practice without using any qi. It’s more basic.”

  That’s because I didn’t have qi until recently. Ishin stopped his movements and looked up at the distant azure sky. I don’t even know how to incorporate techniques into my spearmanship. He frowned. Something else I’ve neglected.

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  With a snap of his wrist, he twirled the spear in a blur of motion, then suddenly stopped it, locking it in place. The abrupt halt created a faint gust of wind.

  Ishin didn’t notice—too distracted by his own thoughts—but Hou Lei’s eyes widened in surprise at the feat.

  At least I can use basic qi cycling to improve my ability. Is there a master at the school who could help me?

  The door to the courtyard creaked open. Ishin turned as Master Guoqiang stepped inside, arms folded within his sleeves. The School Master’s eyes went to the scorched training post.

  “I see you’re taking to your new technique quite well,” Guoqiang said, striding forward.

  Both disciples bowed in greeting.

  “I am grateful for your gift, Master Guoqiang,” Ishin said. “It’s nice to have a technique I can use against others without fear of harming them.”

  Guoqiang glanced again at the charred post. “Without harming them?” he asked dryly.

  Hou Lei slung a heavy arm over Ishin’s shoulders. “He means without killing them, Master.”

  Ishin gently removed his friend’s arm. “Yes. What Disciple Hou Lei said.”

  Master Guoqiang scratched his chin. “I’m surprised you were able to learn the technique in a single day.”

  Ishin shrugged. “With my injuries, I had nothing else to distract me.” Compared to the complexity of the Pale Azure Lightning Force Strike, the Indigo Sky Bolt had seemed simple.

  Guoqiang didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he reached into his robe and pulled out a coin pouch. Ishin watched as he retrieved five gold taels.

  “Your cut from the sale.” He handed the coins over.

  “Thank you, Master.” Ishin stared at the money. It was nearly double what he’d had before. “It’s more than I expected.”

  “I sold it to a friend at the Cloud Bridge Tannery. She gave me an excellent price for the body and even extracted the chakra for free. Afterward, I sold the chakra to a former disciple of mine at the Three Crowns Exchange Chapter House. Total profit came to seven gold and two silver taels.”

  Ishin looked at him in awe. He didn’t fully understand how local economics worked, but it sounded like Master Guoqiang had made him a small fortune. It was almost as much as when he’d sold six chakras several weeks ago.

  Or maybe I underestimated the value of a spirit beast carcass.

  Considering the coin in his hand and how quickly the deal had been made, Ishin felt Guoqiang had more than earned his share. He bowed again. “Thank you, Master.”

  “You are now a disciple of our school. As a master, my role is to assist your development.” He looked once more at the training post. “Now then—how do you intend to prepare for the selection process?”

  With the weight of his newfound wealth in his pouch, Ishin couldn’t help but grin. “By going shopping, Master.”

  Two and a half hours later, Ishin stood in Central Square, just outside the Clear Sky Cauldron Pavilion.

  Hou Lei, curious about Ishin’s plans, had decided to accompany him. Shielding his eyes from the sun with one hand, the blood cultivator exclaimed, “This is an impressive building! It looks just like the sky!”

  “It does.” Ishin stepped toward the entrance. Unlike his first visit, he was no longer clad in road-worn robes or coated in grime. Now he bore the colors of one of the prestigious Three Martial Schools. “Let’s go.”

  Upon entering the establishment, Ishin was relieved to spot Attendant He Chao standing near the central staircase, just as before. Smiling, he approached the man, while Hou Lei gawked at the endless rows of glass cases that filled the first floor.

  He Chao welcomed him with the warm smile of a seasoned salesman. “Welcome, honored disciple of the Eight Oaths Resolve School, to our prestigious establishment! My name is Attendant He Chao. How may I—” His voice trailed off as Ishin drew closer. Recognition flickered in his eyes when he spotted Ishin’s distinctive scars. “You…” He blinked in astonishment. “You’re back. And you’re a disciple of the Eight Oaths Resolve School?”

  Seeing the man’s stunned expression only made Ishin grin wider. “I am, Attendant He Chao. It’s good to see you again.”

  He Chao looked genuinely uncertain how to respond. After a pause, he bowed deeply. “My apologies for suggesting you were involved with the Dueling Pit during your last visit, Honored Disciple. Had I known you were affiliated with a Martial School, I never would have made such a foolish assumption.”

  The gesture stunned Ishin. “There’s no need for that,” he said, slightly embarrassed. “I only recently joined the Eight Oaths Resolve School.”

  Hou Lei wandered over to stand beside him. “And he only joined our school because I found him fighting at the Dueling Pit.”

  Hou Lei!

  Attendant He Chao’s eyes widened as he looked up at the imposing figure. “Is… is that so?”

  “Yes!”

  “Attendant He Chao,” Ishin interrupted, quickly redirecting the conversation, “I’d like to purchase another set of Rupture Wailing Storm Pills, if you have any in stock.”

  That seemed to snap He Chao back into his usual professional rhythm. “Of course.” He paused, eyeing Ishin carefully. “We do have some, but are you certain you want to purchase them again? We have other pills that are… more comfortable to use.”

  Ishin narrowed his eyes. He could tell the man was trying to upsell him again. “Do you have any that provide the same quantity of lightning qi and cost less than eight gold taels?”

  He Chao opened his mouth—then closed it. Shaking his head, he admitted, “I’m afraid not.”

  Retrieving his coin pouch, Ishin drew out seven gold taels. “Then I’ll take the Rupture Wailing Storm Pills.”

  He Chao accepted the payment with a respectful nod. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with your order,” he said before heading up the stairs.

  As soon as he was gone, Hou Lei turned to Ishin. “What are the Rupture Wailing Storm Pills?”

  “Hell.”