Dust & Gold

35

The curse was lifted. Lan Zhan and I went through a shift in our cultivation at the same time too. Everything was happening at once and it was a lot to deal with. Being immortal was something that I can work on as the days go by, but this curse being gone, I had yet to get used to. I could feel things before but I could not feel pain, now I can. I felt the pain of the curse lift and since then, I have been a bit more sensitive to touch than before.

I used to pinch myself just to try to feel something. It never worked, like I was always in a dream. Now I can feel it. It's something small but it's all so new. Hopefully I don't turn into a masochist. I just don't know what to do now. I know that I still have to train with this new cultivation but I'm just too overwhelmed right now.

"I take it the curse lifted?" Baoshan asked. We were sitting outside with her after we finished with our meditation.

"Yes, I am now trying to figure out what to do," I said.

"Well, since you have gone through your entire life so far without pain, you will be very sensitive to it for a while. Even if it isn't your own. That is why I want you both to make sure you have each other's backs. Plus this bond of yours is very important. It is the one thing that keeps you safe. Even I know that if anyone tries to harm you, the Lan Sect will take it as a personal attack against them. That's how deep this bond goes. Yes you have each other but this bond is sacred and no one can break it or take it away," she explained.

"We married so we could complete the bond. We thought it would be helpful in keeping me safe," I said, "but also because we wanted to."

"Good," she said, "as for your training, you two are now immortal beings. You may not be able to die but you can still get hurt and bleed. I want you to stay a couple more days to explore your abilities."

I nodded, "do immortals have gifted abilities?"

"Every immortal has their own unique abilities but they also have some abilities in common. They can do the basic things, like manipulating the elements and teleporting around. I must remind you, if you choose to teleport, you have to know where you are going. If you try to teleport to a place you've never been, you could get very hurt," she said.

"So do you want us to learn the basics and find out our own abilities later?" I asked.

"Yes and no, I am hoping you can have an idea of your personal abilities before you leave. This war you speak of is coming sooner than expected," she said.

"What about the Jiang?" Lan Zhan asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Even if they didn't curse you, they still tortured you and abused you. Madam Yu knew of the curse and she used that as an excuse to hurt you further," he explained.

"I will pay them a visit...maybe, but perhaps let them handle their own affairs during the war. I know there are probably some people you care for from there but they need to learn what it's like when all of their support stands aside and does nothing," she said.

I nodded, "alright," I said, "so where do you want us to train?"

"Come with me," she said.

We followed her until we reached a large open area outside. There was an archery range and an obstacle course. There were targets all over the area. This was a training ground, "wow," I said looking around, "this is what I call a training ground."

"Everything here is able to withstand the elements. You two can spend the next few days exploring what you can do. These abilities will help you in the future. Just be careful on who to trust as others may try to use you for your power. Don't let them do that," Baoshan said.

"Lan Zhan and I, since we are married, won't leave each other's side. Not of our own choice anyway. We will do what we can to protect each other," I said.

"Good boy," Baoshan said, "I will return in a little while to check on your progress. There are scriptures in the library you can also read through, but don't take them out of the room."

"Thank you, perhaps we will take a look either later tonight or tomorrow," I said.

"Alright, if you need me, I will be in my office," she said.

"Alright," I said and watched her leave, "So did you want to learn these elements together? One at a time?" I asked Lan Zhan.

"Alright," he said, "what element did you want to start with?"

"Well, when thinking of the elements, water, earth, fire, and air, I would imagine fire or air to be the most difficult to learn. Fire you basically have to find a way to make a spark, and air, you cannot really see," I explained.

"Why don't we have one learn fire and the other water, first," Lan Zhan suggested, "that way if the fire gets out of control, the other can use water to put it out."

I laughed, "that might be a better idea. You look like you can handle water and air well, mostly because you live in Gusu," I said, "I can start with fire."

"I can learn water," he said.

With that, we started to try. Lan Zhan got the hang of using water really well and it didn't take him long at all. Fire was a bit more difficult, but I managed in the end. I was able to hold the fire in my hand and it did not hurt me at all. I remember making fire talismans and how I could do tricks with them. I started to try that with this cultivation. Turns out I can do those tricks and so much more.

We learned the other elements just as quickly. Believe it or not, earth was a bit more of a challenge. That one requires a lot of strength. Lan Zhan did well as he has such incredible arm strength. I learned how to use the earth element to my advantage though. I may not be as strong but I still managed to learn it.

We also learned a few other skills. Aside from earth there was the ability to control plants. It's similar to earth but at the same time, plants are living. It took a bit to figure it out.

"There is a lot to learn yet," I said, "we don't even know our own unique abilities yet."

"We can figure that out tomorrow, it's getting late," Lan Zhan said, "let us go clean up and meet with Baoshan for dinner."

I nodded, "alright," I said. I was still curious as to what else we can do but I had to be patient.