Sky Pride

Once again, there were a handful of identical looking reeds listed, and the descriptions of the taste were incomprehensible. How, exactly, was one meant to know the difference between ”Almost Tasteless” and ”Bland?” Tian considered whether the blue aura his teacher had put around the plant was a clue, but there didnʼt seem to be a connection beyond the obvious water affinity of the plant.

It was quite difficult to get past the memory of drowning. That wasnʼt listed as a side effect in any of the descriptions either. He picked through the words in the descriptions carefully, finally landing on ”Useful in cases of scorching and treating poisonous smoke inhalation.” Initially, he thought that something that made you feel like you couldnʼt breathe wouldnʼt be useful for treating something that resulted in you not being able to breathe. But wasnʼt inhaling smoke an influx of hot, dry qi? Combatting it with cold, wet qi made at least some sense.

”This one. Whiteflag Marshgrass.”

”Correct.”

The page was copied out, and Tian started wondering how he was going to get home. For that matter, how was he going to come back tomorrow? Teacher Voidcatcher didnʼt seem the type to pick up and drop off his students.

”The Myriad Colors Holy Land is easy to navigate for birds and those of us who can fly. Less so for those at the Earthly Realm, but we have so few visitors of that level itʼs not really a problem worth solving. I was going to rent you a little flying artifact, but, hmm.” Voidcatcher trailed off. It seemed Tianʼs broke-ness perturbed him.

”How far is it to walk back to the guest quarters, Teacher?”

”The distance isnʼt the problem, though it is also a problem. The problem is what, and who, is on the ground between here and there. We have established flight paths that everyone is required to respect. While the entirety of the Holy Land is the property of the White Peacock, the guests and disciples living here are territorial over ʼtheirʼ patch of dirt. I know I certainly am.”

Voidcatcherʼs throat wobbled. Tian thought it might be with amusement, but he wasnʼt really sure.

”Ah! I know. I will have you prepare and apply my skincare regime every day. It will only take you thirty minutes or so, once you get it down. My poor old disciple was truly skilled at it, always leaving me so refreshed. Perhaps you can match one percent of his ability.” Voidcatcher nodded happily. ”Basically all you do is brew up a medicinal water and lightly mist it over me. I usually do it for myself, but handing the job to you seems reasonable.”

Tian agreed that it was so, and bowed appreciatively. Voidcatcher summoned a flying leaf from his storage ring. You had to look quite closely to see the veins within the leaf had been grown in a most curious set of shapes and patterns, and faintly glowed with energy.

”Here. This will carry you between the guest pavilion and my cultivation ground. And nowhere else. People wonʼt try to kill you if you tresspass, but there are many ways to kill yourself, and watching people do it is considered a rare entertainment up here.”

”Your Student is grateful for Teacherʼs care and reminder. I wonʼt wander.”