Tribulation to Rest

"Well, it's nice to meet you. But I'll have to take my leave—please don't be too harsh on Ryu, he's just underestimated a lot." She nodded before walking off with a gentle smile.

Kaida sighed.

{"At least he has a reason to be that way. I thought it was going to be just 'I'm angry because I can be'."}

A melodic series of chimes rang out across the sect and its peaks. Kaida moved swiftly toward the sound. She knew it was either an elder or the Sect Leader. Her feet barely touched the ground, and at the edge, she used Qi to enhance her leg strength, launching herself forward and falling with increasing speed. Before impact, she compressed the air below her with Qi, softening the landing. She arrived as other disciples gathered.

Standing at the front by the bell was a tall woman with long, pale yellow hair. Though she looked young, Kaida could tell she was powerful. Her movements were composed, and her voice had a soft Germanic tone blended with various accents. Her clothing made it clear—she was wealthy.

{"Definitely an Elder. The first one must've been the Sect Leader; he felt stronger than her."}

"Everyone's here?" Her tone wasn't truly questioning—more of a formality. "Since no one's missing, welcome to the Waning Sky Sect. I'm Veliona, an Elder. First, each of you may claim a home if you wish. You can also stay with a friend or family. To claim, go to the entrance and inject Qi into the diagram there—it'll shoot up a flare to show it's taken. A barrier will form, scaled to withstand attacks from others at your cultivation level."

The disciples murmured among themselves about the housing. Kaida kept to herself, but a familiar presence caught her attention. She saw a normal-looking student, but the malice in his aura was unmistakable—he was either from the Underworld or someone destined to cause trouble.

[Warning, Malicious Aura Nearby. Not directed toward you.]

{"No need, he's not looking at me. I know. But thanks."}

"The simulation inside your home can be used four times per week. You may increase that with missions or other tasks. Since the currency system is a bit long to explain, you'll each receive a manual specific to your cultivation level. Please enjoy yourselves—and be good sports when sparring or training." She smiled and waved them off.

Veliona floated down, personally handing each disciple a tailored manual. Kaida overheard conversations as she received hers—some students teased lower-level cultivators, while others avoided them outright.

"You know who she is?" one boy asked a girl beside him—likely his sister.

"No. She looks weird and new. But she came from the Foundation Peak, so let's just avoid her." The girl glanced sideways at Kaida.

"Yeah, she seems arrogant. No thanks."

Kaida heard them but didn't care. The less people bothered her, the better. She glanced their way briefly, then turned away.

{"Well, at least this isn't perfect. I'd have been confused if it was."}

Just as Kaida was about to leave, a voice called out from behind. A smug-faced boy stood there.

"Hey! You're oddly quiet. What's your name?"

Kaida stayed on guard, just in case. "Kaida," she answered in a monotone voice. "I'm not here to chat."

"Heh, you really wanna go? What, can't handle a fight?"

"I'd rather not waste energy proving myself. I'll spar if needed."

He clicked his tongue but didn't push further. Kaida turned away, leapt up the mountain, and climbed to its peak. There, she spotted Wenxu at her house, confused by the unclaimed diagram.

"What are you doing?" Kaida asked.

"Ah—well, you left, and I wanted to drop off a gift. But I didn't know which house was yours since you didn't claim one."

"..? We just met." Her tone was calm—more surprised than accusatory.

"True. But I do this for people who aren't jerks," he said with a light laugh.

{"Didn't expect a compliment."} She paused. "Alright. Just hand it over. I'll be claiming this home anyway."

She took the present—wrapped in red and yellow with a star-shaped top—and used her free hand to inject Qi into the diagram. A flare shot skyward as the barrier formed, scaled to her current level: Qi Condensation. She'd need to strengthen herself soon in case anyone checked her cultivation.

{"Ugh… Cinder, what Realm am I at?"}

[You're currently at Qi Condensation VI. Three stages from peak and approaching Foundation Establishment. But Tribulation is coming.]

{"Great. I'll have to leave home again as soon as I return..."}

She walked back and tapped Wenxu on the shoulder.

"Hm? Oh, Kaida. Something wrong with the gift?" His expression turned concerned.

"No. Just hold it for now. Also—where do people go for Tribulation?"

"Ah, usually the center of the peak. Less chance of debris falling and hurting others."

She nodded, handed him the gift, and headed toward the center. After about a minute, she arrived. A familiar boy stood nearby, boasting to friends. She ignored him.

{"How long until Tribulation starts?"}

[Instant, if you use two pills. Don't worry—you'll get better ones, if you survive.]

She sighed. She didn't want to rush it, but preparing defenses was a must. She moved the pills into her mouth, swallowed one, and felt Qi swirl visibly as black tar spilled from her mouth. She started sweating. A minute later, she took the second.

[Peak of Qi Condensation Reached. Tribulation Incoming. Inner and Outer Tribulation will occur.]

Clouds churned. Wind howled. Disciples around her stared and backed away. Kaida sat cross-legged, controlling her Qi. Her calm mind strained under the pressure. The whine of building static preceded the first strike of lightning.

The pain was real—others might scream—but Kaida remained still. Her memories trembled, her inner world shifting as if pieces of her identity were being peeled away. She clenched down, focused.

Another strike. Stronger. Her soul quivered. A Qi foundation took shape—not a sphere, nor a cube, but a city: ancient, thriving, vast. The sky above it pulsed blue; its structures shone gray.

A third strike made her eye twitch. A fourth left her shivering. And even with that she could smell something charred. Her eyes going haywire with the electrical voltage from Lightning but they could handle it. The sound of crackling and the shock through her ears causing loud ringing.

{"Dammit. Maybe I should've prepared better."}

[Warning: Memory Sacrifice Required. Store it?]

{"Do whatever. I'm not giving up memories just because something above said so."}

[Memory stored. Next strike will be double in power. Recommend using Qi to shield.]

She could feel the missing memory—familiar, like a person or a place, but unreachable. It didn't matter now. She channeled Qi, wrapping it around her like armor.

"You can do that!?" someone cried out in awe.

The fifth strike came. Her body absorbed part of it, refining her Qi. She began stabilizing the forming foundation.

Elders wouldn't interfere unless destruction loomed. She knew that. Another strike. Then another—the seventh. Each one stronger. Her clothes, flowing like water, conducted more than they shielded.

{"Crap... I might not be able to handle the last one."}

[Would you like to restore the memory?]

{"...Keep it stored. I'm not bypassing what's necessary. That'll only lead to disaster later. Just make sure it's saved."}

The eighth strike was different, Kaida felt a ting of copper in her mouth? It wasn't normal at least to her, a burning feeling with the shock across her body. Her Foundation stabilized Her body visibly shaken as the final strike, The Ninth struck down causing the ground to start sizzling.

Her mind was in shambles but that didn't stop her she got up as her Foundation was stable and perfected, the sea of Qi inside. Her physical body repaired itself as she felt it substantially stronger. She shook her head but the feeling of something in her mind was gone there. It wasn't to worry about right now but if it was important she was sure Cinder would've given it back.

She looked to the side seeing the guy who confronted her at the bottom of the peak speak. "Y-You reached Core Formation!?"

"Foundation Establishment." She sighed, he'd either be cocky or sigh in relief.

"Ha, and Here I thought you were some Genius-"

"...Okay" She turned away and walked off towards Wenxu.

On the other hand Wenxu was standing there stunned for a bit before she flicked her head. "Huh- Oh uhm, How'd you do that? I've never seen someone deal with tribulation at the 9th bolt."

"Qi armor, wrap it around yourself, I saw the Core Formation Disciples doing that. They'd probably share."

"Well- They're very secluded and only talk to their friends, only about a few hundred Core Formation in the Sect. And even less of those in the Astral Formation."

{"Different Realm, not Nascent Soul. Now I love this."}

Wenxu looked surprised, he noticed a soft smile on her face with her eyes softening. She looked at him and turned confused. "Something wrong?"

"No, it's just, you look a lot nicer now, not the distant type..."

"I didn't expect you to be that direct. More Confident now? Good." She didn't even notice her face softened, but her smile went back to a calm expression.

"I- Uhm, Sorry- Wait Good? Huh." He was stuttering confused at what she said.

"Yeah, More Confidence is better, Keep it up. Also I saw you got stronger."

She shook her head slightly due to the lingering feeling from the final strike. Her hand to her head holding it softly rubbing it. She noticed Amaris looking at her from somewhere her face looking concerned. To which Kaida waved at her looking back at Wenxu.

"About the gift."

"A-Ah, Yes! Here." He sounded nervous. Her hand reached and grabbed the gift with her nodding while clearly happy. She walked over too her home but alas, someone stopped her.

"What do you need."

"Come fight me in the sparring Arena. Even if you survived Tribulation I doubt you could take me on who's almost at the peak!"

"..." She wouldn't take up the offer unless something made her-

[If you fight him you'll be given Extra Pills for the stage your at.]

{"You really know how to win me over huh, I'm not overdosing on those though."}

"Sure, why not. When are we doing it? I still have a h...headache from that."

"Next Week, you'll be fine by then." His face was smug, but she could genuinely care less about that. She went into the living room, sitting down. She held the gift and opened it carefully just in case nothing broke.

"...Tea Leaves?" She looked at the pouch with tea leaves there, but she didn't mind it. It fit Wenxu to give it, He probably couldn't make pills and she wouldn't complain. She'd never had Tea or Coffee in her life.

["Ma'am! DO NOT have coffee, You will destroy the house."]

{"Huh? It's just tea, what's wrong with it?"}

["From what I've seen in your body, your brain isn't capable of digesting this Tea at least until later. And you aren't old enough."]

{"...What. Do. You. Mean. Old. Enough?"}

["I-I Uhm, It means exactly that... Your information says you're Biologically and Chronologically 3 days old... Well four tomorrow but-"]

{"...Oh yeah."}

["Ma'am please don't scare me like that" Cinder is Sweating... Metaphorically]

Kaida looked confused. She sighed putting the box down and leaving the room to get some Spirit stones and get Furniture. She'd rather have a place to relax after taking that Tribulation.

"Already done with the Tea?" Wenxu spoke somewhat loudly from his home with him looking concerned.

"Not yet, I'm getting some stuff to rest on before I drink it."

"Alright have fun then!" He waved bye with a smile. The girl sitting in front of him clearly annoyed-

"You have fun as well... With your girlfriend." She didn't give time for him to refute it, she could see it in his face due to it turning lightly red.

"I- WH-" She stuttered confused at what Kaida said.

The girl was stunned for a second before smiling softly. Kaida ran off reaching the edge of the peak and jumping towards the Sect's medicinal pavilions.