The Pinnacle - Day 4

Xuan Xian had reached the semifinals of 'Sage', an odd card based game that was fast paced. The game consisted of a deck of cards that had the opponents start at the lowest level, and as they battled, they would 'find' methods, techniques, and items. Energy was also involved allowing the players to 'breakthrough' to a new realm as the fight continued. Just like the cultivation world, opportunities and dangers appeared, and the players could customize their 'Dao' to match themselves or any other 'Dao'.

Xuan Xian had created a 'Dao' deck that closely resembled his own, something he called 'Starlight Ascension'. Since today was the semifinals, the two matches today had much fanfare, but not at the same level as the finals. Unlike many of the other events, cultivators of all realms equally participated in these matches. The only factor that separated them was time, so the only divisions were Junior, Senior, and Master.

Xuan Xian and the other three competitors stood on the center stage as their names were announced before they went to their pod. He quickly logged in, and submitted the deck he would use for the match. Soon, his waiting room went dark and he found himself on top of a mountain range. Across from him was his opponent wearing bright red robes.

Xuan Xian remembered it was a man named Lui Ying, and while the latter used fire, it was a unique style. Normally, fire cultivators focused on creating streams, dragons, or balls of fire. Lui Ying was deceptive because his attacks appeared as fireflies.

"The match begins in three, two, one…", the announcer said as a loud tone signaled the start of the battle.

Sage was still a turned based card game, but it weaved instant actions to keep things moving. Both side drew their nine cards, and started throwing out the usually first moves: cultivation method, equipment, and techniques. Both sides started at the Qi Gathering realm, and bright lights flared at the cards played became reality in form of robes, weapons or items.

Xian Xian's strategy was to stall in the early rounds, and wait for nightfall to capitalize during the twilight hours. From what he remembered of Lui Ying's deck, it was designed to constantly attack to keep him from forming a rhythm.

Xuan Xian used his first turn to gather energy, and take an evasive approach. As expected his opponent made a motion and small sparks flew from latter towards the former. The next few turns mirrored the first as Xuan Xian almost achieved breakthrough as he continued to dodge. He knew he had to hurry as he could feel the temperature around Lui Ying rising. On the next round, the number of sparks was getting difficult to dodge, and he took a few hits before breaking through to the the next realm. Lui Ying became concerned, and changed tactics as he commanded the sparks to explode in bright flashes instead.

Xuan Xian turned away from the blinding flashes, and activated his new power, 'Birth of a Star'. This would create a small but bright star on the battlefield that increased his energy levels in the early stages. Unfortunately for him, as he did this, Lui Ying started his breakthrough as well. The two finished at the same time, and Xian created a second star, but true to his strategy Ying peppered him with stronger sparks. This happened for three more rounds before Xian abandoned the tactic from the damage received.

With six stars in total, Xian found dodging the attacks easier as his energy gathering majoring increased. When he saw that his opponent was going to repeat the same attack again, he risked the round by breaking through again to the golden core realm. Ying looked worried as he produced flashes again, but also illusions of fireflies appeared as well.

Xuan Xian tried to take advantage, and attacked using Starlight saber but he hit illusions every time. It was annoying, but at his new realm he could utilize the stars he created better. He could instantly travel to one, and even the creation of one was much faster now. He alternated between attacking with the saber, and creating stars to try and cut off all Ying's escape routes. Just as he though he had Ying, he felt the other breakthrough in an area far away from him.

Xuan Xian cursed that he had been chasing illusions, and went to confront Ying. Ying formed a sword from the sparks, and soon the two were dueling over the mountaintops.

Unfortunately for both contestants, the environment did not favor either cultivator as the cold inhibits the sparks, and the daylight slowed Xian's progress. Both were on even ground for sometime before a large glittering mass left Ying, and spread across the battlefield. Firefly swarm, Xian recognized the technique, and it was already giving him a headache. The initial attack would just spread these sparks everywhere, but once he entered the spark's range, it would chase him. Ying became more aggressive with the massive amount of sparks around, and he recklessly swung his spark sword.

Xian knew why, everything their weapons clashed the sparks would flash before burning intensely. Ying, would follow it up by reaching out his hand and forming a new sword with the 'fireflies' in the air.

Xian went back on the defensive as he continued to make more stars. He was barely dodging everything, but soon his preparation finally assisted him as he felt a surge of energy. He broke through the Nascent Soul realm, and immediately used activated the new ability of his stars as they all twinkled and beams of starlight targeted the 'fireflies' and their owner.

This took Ying by surprise as he took a few hits, and he made his swarm of fireflies into a shield. Momentum finally was on Xian's side, as he continued to use the stars to wipe away the fire fly swarm.

Ying completed his next breakthrough as he sat behind his minions to buy him time. The sun was setting, and the moon rose as the two continued to battle. Xian was trying to make it to twilight, but he already noticed with Ying's last breakthrough, the sparks had increased in speed and power. He knew this was the new ability from the breakthrough, a support skill to increase the capabilities of the fireflies. Even though he understood that the purpose of Ying's strategy, Xian still couldn't help but be frustrated as he was on the defensive once again.

Xuan Xian also had to change how he distributed stars as Ying would position sparks right next to his stars. He barely avoided a few close calls before he started expanding the star field again. The Sun finally set as the first natural star in the sky appeared way above the battlefield. Xian immediately used his movement to move towards it, and with a large gap between the combatants, proceeded to breakthrough again. At this point, he did not want to keep battling anymore, so he activated the new technique, 'Starfield domain', and watched as his stars split into many and expanded. He decided to risk everything at this point and then use Starlight Ascension. Every star he created immediately flew towards him, and was absorbed. Brimming with power, Xuan Xian used Starlight saber again. A large gleaming blade swept the battle field, and Ying desperately tried to use everything he had to defend. Unfortunately for him, Xian was too fast for him and hit him directly.

"Winner of the first match, Xuan Xian", the announcer yelled as the battlefield, destroyed by the last attack, faded away.

Wei Huoran smiled as he watched the last match on the QTV of the bistro he was eating at. Sun & Moon was doing well, winning around sixty percent of the matches so far. He was surprised that the other continents had won as much as they did.

'Your bias is showing', Quanliyuan remarked to his thoughts.

Huoran looked over at the artifact spirit, who currently appeared as a female tiger beastkin.

'There is nothing wrong with cheering for your hometown', he replied.

'I suppose', Quanliyuan commented, 'Have you thought about what you're going to do next?'

'It is a conundrum', he said, 'On one hand, I could continue to adapt and introduce new things. But then recently visit to the harbor in standing out to me.'

'In what way?', Quanliyuan inquired.

'It is probably the first time I have started a project, but not really given input. The citizens here have witnessed enough that they are slowly able to move ahead without me.'

'Are you lonely now?', the spirit teased.

'A small part of me is', Huoran admitted, 'But this was the plan all along. I wanted the island to continue for sometime even if I was not here, it appears that time is quickly approaching.'

'Why would you not be here?', Quanliyuan asked.

Huoran peered at the tiger beastkin, 'I am somewhat aware of the truth of the world. And I'm fairly confident I can do what I need to when it is time.'

'It seems you have known for some time now', Quanliyuan asserted.

'To circle back to past question, I think I will go out more and visit all the places the citizens have worked hard to build up', Huoran said before adding, 'At least until the wedding.'

Huoran looked at the QTV again as the other Sage battle was still in progress.

'It is not so bad if things are quiet now, it will be more interesting when we launch the explorer mission', Huoran said to the artifact spirit.

There was an awkward silence as he sat contemplating something for a few moments before stating, 'I have been an infilial son.'

'What are you talking about?' Quanliyuan could not help but ask as Huoran paid his bill and left the restaurant.

'I built a grave and a shrine to a fake master, but in the many years after the disaster of my home village, I have never returned', Huoran explained, 'I think it's about time to change that.'

Quanliyuan decided it was probably the best time to stay silent as he saw Huoran take out his QFold.

"Boss Wei?", the voice of assistant Lui came out of the speaker.

"I do not believe I have any important meetings for the next few days", Huoran stated, "Something important came up, and I will be out of town. I should return before the end of the tournament, and if anyone needs me just contact me through the normal means."

"Understood, Boss Wei", Lui wished him well.

Huoran looked at the time, and realized Meirong was in the middle of work. He left a short message knowing she would see it later as he arrived at his cave. Since the danger from the Draco empire was gone, he mounted his flying cycle and started flying in a familiar direction, the ruins of his hometown.

Much different than his original trip from village to the island, it did not take too long to reach his destination. He did not even have to hide himself as his aura caused any spiritual beasts in his path to freeze, or flee. He reached the village in the dead of night, and it was somewhat unchanged from the day he left. Using his perfect memory, he could tell that all the graves he had made for the villagers had been raided by spiritual beasts.

"Ah", he said to no one, "I had time during my outings, I should have returned."

Huoran did not understand what came over him, but due to remembering what happened that day, he made a choice. He went out into the forest that he would visit as a child, and felled many trees with ease. He dragged the huge pile over to the village ruins and began processing all the lumber.

Huoran then spent the next few hours rebuilding the village exactly as he remembered. Each house, with the exception of those who escaped the danger, had a shrine of remembrance placed in their homes. Huoran took sticks of incense, and burn three in each shrine, asking forgiveness for his late arrival.

He left his own house for last, "Father, Mother, your unfilial son has returned to right his wrongs. That day, I was at fault for ignoring mother's wishes, and running away from your arrangements. I am here to report that by the next season, I will wed the princess of the merfolk, Zeng Meirong. I have other things to report as well, but I will do so when I honor your memory in the future."

Huoran reached into his sleeve, and took out a bottle of wine he had made himself and three cups. On each shrine he had created, he had drawn from memory a realistic photo of the home's occupants, and his home was not different. He placed cups by each of the pictures he had drawn of his parents and held the third one himself. He poured wine into the three cups before toasting the two on the shrine, and drinking it. The other two he poured over the stone Huoran had carved into memorial, afterwards cleansing it with spirit water.

Huoran stood up, "Father, Mother, I will bring you to meet my future wife. Do not be surprised when you see what I can do."

He pulled out a smaller than normal life realm artifact, and exited the village. He placed the markers down before activating the artifact, and storing it inside the artifact.

He had added something special when he made all the memorial shrines, and when he peered inside the life realm, he could see people.

The memorial tablets he installed in everyone's homes also displayed holographic images of each villager as Huoran had remembered them. He placed the artifact in the space that he had created when he broke through last, got back on his flying cycle, and started heading back to the island.