Decisions

After that first cycle, Zhi Xing had a wonderous feeling course through her body. The sensation was euphoric and tranquil, lasting for but a few moments. It was as if the chaotic disposition of her spirit power had finally agreed on something and coalesced into a fully condensed form that fell through the path she had painstakingly carved for it, all the way to her Spirit Pool as she took to calling it, the repository for all her energy. When it made contact, the small ripples it created undulated throughout her cells, basking her in a high she couldn't describe nor her previous life's memories could attest to feeling so naturally or complete.

It was definitely addictive, at least to someone with her track record of substance abuse. She felt more than she understood that the single session had already increased her Half-Rank Spirit Power to a fully realized Rank One. Forget questioning the speed at which she progressed, any idiot would point out that she literally just awakened and her obvious lack of knowledge regarding cultivation made her previous jumps in conclusions about how to best approach refining her spirit power all the more plain to see; childish leaps in logic.

Yet... She had succeeded. Finding just a little comfort in her invigorated mental clarity and receding headache Xing continued to cultivate even though the process hurt like hell in the hope of catching up to Tang San's ridiculous starting point now that her spirit power was a tad bit more cooperative. She didnt care if all he had was a bundle of grass, the fact spoke for itself, his Spirit was much stronger than hers. If she hoped to bridge that gap, then sitting on her hands and laughing like a maniac at every breakthrough would hardly help.

Unfortunately her body couldn't quite keep up with her desires. Although completing multiple circulations of her spirit power did refine was a form of refinement and her breathing techniques increased her spirit power regeneration by a bit, the entire process induced a huge burden on her mind to control such aggressive energy and her lungs for long periods of time. Not to mention that even if the quality of her Spirit Power did increase everytime she did this; thus promoting her Spirit Power Rank. That energy still had to come from somewhere and she didn't believe for a second that she could eat three meals a day in such a strenuous state.

Barely having started her cultivation journey Zhi Xing quickly recognized that she would eventually reach a plateau in which she would have to take breaks during her cultivation sessions in order to eat, bolster her regeneration through regular breathing exercises and clear her mind before she could continue improving herself. There isn't much of a difference right now between her cultivation speed, regeneration and the down time for her mind to recover if she pushed herself but as her Spirit Power Rank increased, so too would the time and energy required to reach the next rank thus the predicament regarding her regeneration.

*Sigh*

Opening her eyes Zhi Xing and resummonig her spirit she noticed that it had grown by perhaps half a centimeter when she filled that half-Rank gap, and was buzzing around her room chaotically. Getting out of bed she felt cramps and shivers run throughout her muscles and a small sense of nausea, likely from her earlier lackadaisical attitude towards experimenting with spirit power in an unaccustomed body. Upon noticing the nosebleed, she decided to be even more careful later down the line when attempting radical methods on her own. Using the wet rag along with the pale of water in her room she cleaned up the sweat and blood caking her skin before heading over to Grandpa Jack's hut and telling him her decision.

Having experienced living as a hot mess in a modern metropolis and a poor and dirty farm hand in some village in the middle of bumfucknowhere her choice was obvious. She wanted something more out of life than just toiling away in the dirt for scraps of food every day, she wanted to be MORE than the apathetic loser she felt like in her previous life. That single session of cultivation meant nothing, she's still as green as a new stock of corn. If she could learn actual fundamentals of cultivation and meditation at this academy, as well as the history of this world then perhaps she can make something of herself, Half-Rank Innate Spirit Power or not.

Knocking on the door and entering without much care as usual, she came upon Grandpa Jack waiting at the dining table that she helped create alongside doing chores for the village carpenter. Before she could utter a word he had already raised his hand to silence her.

"Zhi Xing you don't have to say anything.... I saw the spark in your eyes when leaving the ceremony." He shook his head with a knowing smile. "I'm just happy you've found what you were missing, managing the village was never something I ever wished to burden you with." He said with resignation as he slowly stood up with his withered old bones.

Xing was... surprised to say the least. Although her adoptive grandfather would rave at every opportunity in adoration of the Spirit Hall and Spirit Masters as a whole, he had never pinned any expectations on her. Never wishing to control her future he had raised and kept her safe for over a year without asking for anything in return and finally when she showed potential for something out of his wildest dreams... he was willing to let her go.

Zhi Xing got on her knees in an effort to prostrate herself in gratefulness on the refurbished wooden planks the two of them had installed together. Instead he caught her in a tight hug before her head could hit the ground. "Silly girl. You have three months before the school year begins, don't bother wasting time with this old man. Focus on your future Xing'er" Hearing his tone of seriousness stilled Zhi Xing's mind, she returned the hug with a firmness and warmth that strengthened her resolve but left her heart heavy. Eventually his shoulder became damp with tears but neither of the two said a word as they held that embrace on the ground. Eventually they broke apart with Zhi Xing choosing to bow instead of groveling on the floor.  "Thank you for taking me in Grandpa" With tears in her eyes she thanked him for every moment of happiness she experienced because of him in this new life and promised that she wouldn't be like those other shitty Spirit Masters and would try to visit the village when she could.

"When I become stronger I promise to put Holy Spirit Village on the map!" She boasted for but a moment before being smacked in the head.

"Owwww...." Rubbing her head Zhi Xing swore she felt inflammation already despite the fact that she was no longer a normal mortal.

"Our village is already on the map you empty headed girl! Hmmph but it's good that you know to visit, us old people can't do much without our children to gossip about" Smiling wildly, he began to lecture her on what she should do to survive on campus and in the city. Although they had the good graces of Spirit Grandmaster Su Yuntao and didn't have to worry about school fees and living arrangements, life would not figure itself out after she left the village. So, they planned ahead on how she would keep herself afloat and properly fed while studying.

Speaking of food he heard the awkward sound of her stomach growling while they were talking and eventually put a pin in their conversation to begin cooking dinner. With nothing to do Zhi Xing sat in silence while he cooked and focused on recovering her spirit power and achieving slow but effective circulations of the pattern she ripped off from her martial spirit. Thinking about it again she tried yet another stray idea, after another circulation of her spirit power she summoned her martial spirit in the palm of her hand and pushed the churning power through the connection between them.

Keeping her eyes open hurt her concentration more than the breathing did but she wanted to see if there would be any changes. Despite the large quantities of spirit energy coursing through its exoskeleton the little insect didn't seem at all phased, only shaking its wings excitedly at the gush of power and attention. Rolling her eyes at the lackluster reaction she attempted to gain her spirits perspective again since perhaps she could use it as a camera or knock off spy drone, but no matter how many times she dragged her spirit energy back and forth the experience didn't happen again. Following its unique circulation pattern of the incoming spirit power the insect instinctively flew and landed on her glabella to make it easier to guide the spirit energy back towards herself.

Not giving up Xing shut out the world, and payed close attention to the process to ensure it wouldn't damage her or the Martial Spirit when passing through their link, yet she noticed something else entirely, with each circulation between the two her spirit power would move, twist and contract at her mental proding instead of retaliating like it usually would. It took up more of a mental effort to exchange her energy between the two of them every circulation but she didn't lose much spirit power cultivating this way. Since it was like a closed circuit where nothing leaked out between their formless relation as Spirit Master and Beast Spirit the only byproduct was that it helped her train her mental influence on the energy so she didn't have a migraine by the end of the session just a splitting headache. The way her spirit power circulated still felt uncomfortable and hurt at times since she wasn't a bug, but she figured her body would eventually just get used to it, if not then she'd have to change a few things.

Adopting this method she continued cultivating for about an hour, in a trance like state, having already become addicted to the feeling of her Spirit Power disappearing, growing and regenerating even in the form of miniscule increments. "Zhi Xing! Supper is ready!" However Grandpa Jack did eventually wake her from her stupor. The two sat opposite of each other and ate their respective bowls of congee in relative silence until they were both satiated and began discussing again on what she'd be doing in her first year at the academy to remain healthy for quite awhile until the old man felt that she was sufficiently prepared.

"And make sure you don't focus soley on your studies. I want you to make friends, no one will know you there so I don't want any excuses!" Narrowing her eyes at the request Xing made a mental note to drag someone with her to the village when she returns so he wouldn't treat her like some introvert who can't interact with people her own age. But first... payback.

"So... Do you think you'll get around to asking Ms. Li out for that picnic you were thinking about?" Xing questioned while standing up with their empty bowls and utensils while looking up at him with a narrowed gaze. Hearing her question he went slightly red in the cheeks but turned away just as fast to hide his face. "Just leave the dishes, and go focus on your cultivation. Your still too young to be asking your seniors about such things." He bawked

Rolling her eyes she put the dishes away and went to leave. Swinging the door open, she noticed the figure of a kid half a head smaller than her. It was Tang San of course yet... from his current appearance she could hardly tell. He was marred in a combination of soot and sweat, his figure slightly hunched as if he'd been doing back breaking labor since the moment they split up a few hours earlier. His hand was outstretched, likely trying to knock on the door, smiling slightly Xing leaned on the frame of the door with her arms crossed like some gangster.

"Have you made your decision?" She raised an eyebrow in expectation while seeing him straighten his back. Nodding his head rapidly he smiled. "Indeed, I wish to pursue the path of a Spirit Master" staring at his hands he clenched them tightly. "It's my only path forward, I can feel it"

"Good! I've also made some pretty big choices." Tang San was surprised by her volume. Standing straight herself Zhi Xing scanned him up and down with an appraising gaze while nodding her head in acknowledgement. "I'm going to surpass you" she whispered to herself, as the last word left her lips, she leaned backwards through the door way.

"Gramps! Tang San said he's going for it too!" She said excitedly.

"Hmmph good of that Tang Hao, not standing in the way of something thats good for his son for once!" he harped back from across the room.

Exiting the hut she closed the door behind her. Turning her head she eyed the small boy again then said "You have three months to prepare before we set off for the academy. You better not slack off just because of your Innate Spirit Power or I'll catch up to you in no time" Walking past him towards her own cabin, Zhi Xing swore in her heart to make something of herself. So she can help Grandpa Jack and the village later down the line. So she can surpass Tang San with her own efforts, and so she can prove to herself that she has what it takes to have a life with no regrets unlike her previous life that was riddled with guilt and self hate. Plus if she can gain enough power she wouldn't mind hunting down the Panther that claimed the lives of her family.

Even if the difference between their talent was monumental she refused to believe that her achievements would be any less than Tang San's, especially if she put in the effort. Arriving in her room she kicked off her cheap worn down sandles, summoned her martial spirit and jumped on her bed to immediately begin expirementing and cultivating.

Tang San who was left outside was still staring at the door in which she entered. With a bewildered look on his face regarding her desire to best him. He shook his head in disbelief and looked up at the night sky. 'If only she knew that my Full Innate Spirit Power is a result of cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique since I awoke as a baby, I wonder if she would still have the courage to make defeating me a goal?' He thought quizzically. Throwing a brief glance at her cabin his figure flickered out of view for a second before he disappeared completely like a ghost, leaving behind not a sound or trace of him being there.