Lan Wangji
This boy in class, is intriguing, and it starts with his looks.
To determine how strong a cultivator is, the indicator of their strength, is their skin and natural aura.
Indeed, Wuxian was powerful for their age.
Having met other heirs, nobody was as strong as Wei Wuxian. Wangji swore to surpass the gentle boy in class in cultivation.
Everything about him is serene, and gentle, but there were times he looked melancholic and...nostalgic?
He was also kind to his friends, though must he vandalize walls to make talismans, even if its clean afterward?
He was also intelligent in class, jia grades and his recitations are sound.
His brother also has good things to say in his flute class.
However, that one night, he reeked of deadly danger and malice in his smile when Jin Dongli tried to steal from his room for laughs. Only Nie-gongzi and Jiang-gongzi were keyed in so they can safely come in and out. Everyone else, no.
It was then Wangji learned that there are different types of smiles as a result of that experience.
His deadly smile, and that one smile that made his heart beat and flutter, and heat to crawl from his neck up to his face.
Beautiful...errr handsome.
Dangerous, Wangji thought, shaking his head as his heart just won't stop.
Is he sick?
Even worse, he's his seatmate.
xxx
One week of vacation later...
He thought that was over, but seeing him again? His heart beats for his classmate.
He doesn't understand why.
So he suppressed his emotions again and trying hard NOT to look at him.
He groaned.
Well, one thing of note is that Jiang-gongzi's cultivation as well as Nie-gongzi's cultivation improved.
Out of all heirs of Five Greats, in order of strength?
His brother: five steps away to Upper Golden Core Realm and Body Cultivation: Low-level Bone Refining as he wasn't much for martial arts unlike him even if his swordplay is deadly...but he was more magically-inclined like Wei Wuxian. But in cultivation, he was stronger.
Himself: step away to Middle Golden Core Realm and Body Cultivation: Low-level Bone Refining. His Bone Refining was slightly stronger than his brother's as he was more combat-inclined that he trains both body and mind equally. He's hoping to be Middle-Level Bone Refining by end of this year to match his Golden Core level. Assuming Xichen stays where he is, that is...he really should work harder.
But Body Refining is more difficult than Spirit Cultivation. And that's saying something as the higher you go, the harder it is to advance to next level as you need Spiritually-Rich Feng Shui Grounds to go beyond. There's a reason why there are those called Five Great Sects. Their ancestors luckily found spiritual gold mines ahead of anyone else upon founding their sects. Those in these Great Fives can go beyond. But talent and potential is still a factor to one's rise.
Jin Zixuan: two steps to Middle Golden Core Realm and Body Cultivation: Low-Level Bone Refining at the same level as Xichen's.
Jiang Cheng: six steps away to Middle Golden Core Realm and Body Cultivation: Bone Refining. The Jiang Sect emphasizes more on body cultivation with good reason, so his Bone Refining is superior to Wangji's that in past tournaments, he was so fast and more durable that Wangji worked to catch up with strict discipline and improving his own swordplay.
Wen Chao: Low Golden Core Realm and Body Cultivation: Skin Refining and even then it's at the lowest end. Pathetic. He has no excuse and instead rides on the coattails of someone else's accomplishments in his clan and is arrogant about it when he's nothing special in the end.
Nie Huaisang: Foundation Establishment due to his fears of cultivating with the Saber that he slacks off than lose himself, and Body Cultivation: Skin Refining but even then he was physically stronger than Wen Chao as like the Jiangs, the Nie was more into Body Cultivation as wielding a saber was harder than sword-wielding. He was just timid due to literal no fighting ability. His brother understands his fears but in the world of Cultivators, one cannot afford to be weak he worries as anything can happen. Anything, that might make Huaisang step up to the plate!
But given who he's friends with, Wen Chao will truly be, the weakest heir as Huaisang's friends were pulling him up. Huaisang's lucky to have good friends.
Then there's Wei Wuxian.
His Middle Golden Core Realm was seven levels away from Wangji, making him the second strongest disciple-class Spiritual Cultivator second only to his brother in terms of spirit. While most students cannot read how powerful he was, the Lans could, thanks to their studies and uncle was in shock.
And his Body Cultivation? Two steps into Body Recreation that he can't even classify as Low Body Recreation like Nie Mingjue. But he was still the strongest in his age group in terms of body so he prioritized body over spirit that despite how he looks, he's very hardy despite what those arrogant Jins believe. In body he's second to Nie Mingjue. He must have found a place with really good Feng Shui to get so far for one of his history!
Intelligent but humble, but also mischievously-friendly and powerful. Truly one to admire and see as inspiration that Wangji had been hard at work to catch up. He hoped that by end of this year, he could be more than his current standing. He hopes to get stronger and better.
xxx
"So much for preventing thiiis!" Wuxian groaned as he played his flute to quickly calm down the enraged boys who are about to punch each other's face off. When he played his song, black wisps left the boys and calmed down.
'Oi, black stuff came out of Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan!'
'What is that?'
'Well, are you guys calm now?' Wuxian asked the two boys in question. 'What led to this, guys?'
'This peacock, insulted my sister!' Jiang Cheng grumbled, his temper now calmed down that he can only complain. 'He hasn't even seen or met her yet, he dares to call her plain and boring?!'
'Jin-xiong?' Wuxian inwardly was annoyed but put on a mask of worry.
Apparently, Jin Zixuan heard rumors, and the bad kind which influenced his opinion and that got Jiang Cheng further annoyed that Huaisang had to hold him back before he explodes.
'Jin-xiong, sometimes its better to see with your own eyes than listen to slander by ill-willed people.' Wuxian gently chided. 'You must meet Jiang-guniang and then form your own, unbiased opinion.' he said. 'When you want the full, unadulterated truth, investigate for yourself, then see and hear for yourself instead of relying on malicious rumors to avoid fights like this.' he advised. 'This time, you are in the wrong.' Jin Zixuan balked at being in the wrong this time when all he did was listen to his peers, while Jiang Cheng looked vindicated. 'Cheng-cheng nearly reshaped your face for this one.'
'Don't call me Cheng-cheng!' Jiang Cheng sputtered, red-faced at the nickname, but at least his friend made it clear the peacock's screwed the pooch!
'Cheng-cheng, to avoid further future unjust malicious slander against Jiang-guniang by no-gooders who might be jealous of her by speaking ill within Jin-xiong's hearing range, perhaps chaperoned meetings are in order with unbiased chaperones.' Wuxian suggested in emphasis, making quote marks in the air. 'When school is over.'
'We can arrange that if peacock cooperates!' Jiang Cheng huffed while Jin Zixuan scowled as both boys armfolded in chagrin.
'Alright.'
'Until then, ignore malicious gossips and see the truth instead OK? Nobody's gonna be beautified anytime soon with a fist~!' Wuxian clapped his hands happily.
'And while violence is averted in peace,' came Lan Qiren's gruff, not-too-happy voice, making Wuxian jump in surprise and cling to a branch above him. 'Jiang-gongzi and Jin-gongzi will come to my office immediately for disciplinary sanction. Your parents will hear of this.'
'Teacher you're like a ghost!' Wuxian sputtered in complaint, clinging to said tree branch...
But!
SNAP!
Wuxian went (O.O) before falling.
'WAAAH!'
'Wuxian!' Jiang Cheng yelped, wide-eyed as Wuxian fell, still clinging to the tree branch and Qiren had to save him.
'And you, are in need of retraining if you can't even sense me behind you. Perhaps taking combat classes is in order when you've finished with Spirit Flute Classes.' Qiren smirked at the terrified student whom he caught before setting the shaken boy upright. 'And dispose of that broken branch properly. Good work averting violence.' he praised the boy for his work as violence can lead to suspension or expulsion, depending on the damages. These boys should be glad he saved their skins!
'T-thank you sir...' said Wuxian, still shaken by his experience.
'Now, except for Wei Wuxian, Jin Sect and Jiang-gongzi follow me. Now.' and nervously, the boys went with an unhappy Lan Qiren for detention.
'Jeez, good thing you came...' Huaisang sighed in relief. 'Jiang Cheng and I are about to leave for town when he overheard the Jins talk badly about Jiang-guniang and it escalated...I can't stop them you know!' he whimpered. 'But what did you do? Black wisps left those guys.'
'That is resentful energy I exorcised out of them to calm them down to avoid an all-out fist-fight.' said Wuxian as his words piqued Huaisang's interest. 'By draining resentful energy out of enraged people, tempers cool down that the angry people will now listen to reason, and violence averted! Problem solved!' said Wuxian cheerfully. 'I guess its you and me shopping now since Cheng-cheng's in detention.'
'Yeah, I guess we better buy him a snack...' said Huaisang. 'And Wei-xiong?'
'Hm?'
'Can your ability...work in another way?' Huaisang asked him hopefully.
'You're gonna have to explain what you're asking about...'
xxx
'So how did it go?' Huaisang asked Jiang Cheng after dinner that night, chomping on a pork bun.
'Gotta copy rules on a handstand and that, is gonna be a miserable experience.' Jiang Cheng said sulkily.
The rules he had to copy was:
Do not succumb to rage.
Do not act impulsively.
No vulgar language.
And Jin Zixuan's was:
Do not make assumptions about others.
Talking behind other people's back is prohibited.
Do not insult people.
Be careful with your words.
Steer away from bad men. - this rule is to be copied on 600 papers back to back BECAUSE trouble started with him listening and believing in slanderous diatribe, leading to the other rule in the list: do not make assumptions about others. - Lan Qiren's words.
100 papers, back to back PER RULE. On a handstand!
It's the Lan Sect's harsh way to make rule breakers grow up. Obey the rules and carry them to heart for life, to avoid strife and conflict.
'We'll be doin' that on a weekend till we finish it.' Jiang Cheng pouted. 'Because it's classes for two more days.'
'Rest while you can Jiang-xiong.' Huaisang advised sheepishly and Jiang Cheng looked miserable.
'On the bright side, you only have to do 300 pages. Jin-xiong has to do 1000.' said Wuxian wryly, cheering up Jiang Cheng. Last time, slandering shijie went unpunished! This time he pays. Diplomacy works! If only he wasn't hot-headed last time...
'Oh yeah!'
'Well, let's avoid as much trouble as possible.' said Wuxian. 'Or you might get shipped here a second time.' Jiang Cheng choked at the very idea of being shipped back here. Hell no! He wants homecooking! And he's getting sick of meat buns already!
'Yeah, this is my third year here already.' said Huaisang weakly. 'I wanna go home this time too.'
xxx
The year went by with some difficulty.
While Wuxian was being a good student that he was in Lan Qiren's good books this time, he has no idea what effect he has, on his classmates.
Lan Sect Members use the Cold Spring during the day, so Guests can use the spring after having dinner, or on weekends.
Wuxian exploits the benefits of Cold Springs that he never got to last time. He predicts that by end of the year, Jiang Cheng and Huaisang will be stronger.
That was what he thought.
But given his cluelessness and lack of knowing in norms...he unknowingly causes discomfort just by existing due to his looks, and it does not help with the way he talks, his newfound manners, and the worst part, was time in the springs. He ties his hair up like women do in hot springs!
The first time was so devastating, that Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang had to teach him how to put his hair up the manly way.
Huaisang was the first to be aware, and he roped Jiang Cheng on his mission: keep Wei Wuxian innocent mission because the way things are going, everyone will become cut-sleeves for the poor guy who simply, didn't know any better due to growing up alone.
They think Wuxian was innocent when in reality, he was NOT.
He was aware of what's going on and considering how bitter he was towards the cultivation world, he's having fun trolling everyone else, while ensuring who's dear to him are OK. He will manipulate their heirs in his favor as revenge for what they did to him in the past, just to covet that stupid amulet!
Lan Zhan was right that it was nothing but trouble.
Just not in the way he thinks it is. He himself is more than OK and at home with the power. No harm to him at all. Physically and spiritually that is. But like the Nies, it DOES enhance his negative feelings. But unlike the Nies, it won't make him Qi Deviate. Their method was all wrong for cryin' out loud...no wonder they don't live long.
It's society that's the problem. How they'll stoop so low, to get what they want. Even vilify innocent people. Himself, Wen Qing's family...!
A semester since the near-brawling incident, Nie Mingjue paid a visit to the Lan Sect during week-long vacation.
His brother wrote him a letter about his school friend...who actually has the ability to completely heal him, not just cleanse him. And BEGGED he come.
Wei Wuxian is knowledgeable about Resentful Energy because he apparently, studied it simply because nobody does. And for growing up alone, he was left to his own devices as nobody taught him any better. Who would bother about orphans on the streets? And given how Wuxian was treated by bystanders, he doesn't care what anybody thinks or feels, the boy will do what he wants to do.
That mindset is in a way, dangerous its a miracle he was good friends with Jiang-gongzi and his brother.
Upon arrival, he greeted his longtime friend, Lan Xichen.
'Xichen.' Mingjue greeted and its reciprocated with a smile.
'Welcome, dage.' Xichen greeted. 'A-sang told me about an interesting topic last month, and Wei-xiong and I had...quite a debate with it in the matter.' he said as they walked together into the recesses. They would go to Mingshi together where the needed people are.
'He was left alone all his life and no adult did the right thing so he was left to his own devices, doing what he thinks is possible and pursues it, but when he knows its impossible, he quits.' Xichen continued. 'Said impossible being it hurts him. If it hurts him it will surely hurt anyone else. Silly boy uses himself as test subject.' he sighed. 'I had Wangji and Uncle help me cleanse him because just like you, Resentful Energy amplifies his negative emotions. In his case, it was loneliness and gloomy thoughts due to being alone for so long...and resentment due to how society sucks as he puts it. He saw the worst of people too early that he honed a nifty skill...character judgment. So he would know who to give his trust to or not by their feel alone.'
'I imagine old man wasn't happy.'
'He was not, but he couldn't berate Wei Wuxian. He was alone and nobody taught him right or wrong. That as he lived, nobody did the right thing by correcting him so he ran amuck in his curiosity and experiments all by himself. And lived near Burial Mounds, unaware that Jiang Fengmian was looking for him when he got wind his parents died. Had Jiang Fengmian found him, none of this would happen. But also, that means this ritual will never be created by one curious child.'
'What?! As a kid?!' Mingjue sputtered, wide-eyed. The Burial Mounds, was a lost cause. It was a mountain brimming with Resentful Energy as it was once a battlefield, and later a corpse-disposal grounds, that people had no idea what monster they created. The Wen Sect tried - and failed - to exorcise it centuries back.
Xichen shuddered in response. Mingjue can only gulp audibly at the notion.
'He lived there just to see if a Cultivator can develop resistance over time. Like poison.' Xichen shivered at the very notion alone. 'He started slow...and edged closer and closer while within safe zone, meaning, no evil spirits or fierce corpses nearby. It took him nine years and it did work. But while it no longer harms his body and spirit that he will not develop Qi Deviation, it amplifies his negative emotions instead as I said earlier. He then developed what he calls Exorcism Songs. But while he can cleanse others, he cannot cleanse himself...you can just imagine how long it took us to cleanse him during school vacation...when we did?' Xichen giggled.
'He became a bubbly, energetic, cheerful boy as opposed to the melancholic teenager with a morbid sense of humor as his peers knew of him when he woke up from the ritual at Mingshi. He was like an energetic toddler...with a fixation on Wangji...'
'Oh boy...' Mingjue now looked amused.
'And gave Wangji a pair of male rabbits. No pets rule but Wei-xiong won't have any of it...and remembered a memory from his past which was why he went to get said rabbits.' Xichen continued. 'My family headed to Yunmeng for Yunmeng Discussion Conference on a snowy night. On the way there, apparently, Lan Wangji gave a kid his rattle drum. That kid was Wei Wuxian himself...at age seven. So he decided to repay that toy with rabbits when he could come here after wondering 'where is that boy now?'.'
'Why rabbits?'
'Because Wangji was like an ice block...a stark difference to the boy he once encountered...so he thinks anything cute will make him smile, so fluffy rabbits it is. Both male to avoid population explosion of course.' Xichen smiled. 'Wangji was both embarrassed and happy because of how Wei-xiong sees him. Uncle...was er...conflicted.' he coughed with a snort. 'So to avoid anyone griping about it, Wangji is to keep the rabbits out of sight to avoid nepotism accusations.'
xxx
At Mingshi...
A lot of Lan Elders are there, as is Nie Huaisang and a girly-looking kid in black robes. There are two arrays. One bloody array on the floor, and the one above them made of spirit energy. That must be his brother's friend.
But...shit. This kid is strong. He may very well be the strongest disciple in all Sects, as Xichen no longer qualifies, being an adult in the eyes of the law.
'Dage!' Huaisang burst out excitedly. 'You're finally here!'
'It took me a while to clear my desk just for this day.' said Mingjue. 'Wei Wuxian, can you explain how this works?'
'Sure!' Wuxian chimed like an excitable kid. 'You can see how we are all seated in this array right? We had to ahem, collect a lot of blood from the local butcher shop downtown just to draw this array. The blood serves a purpose...to absorb the Resentful Energy in your body and your saber. Once it's gone, the blood array will disappear and my role is over. But the spirit array above us will remain until you are fully-healed by gongzi.'
'As for our positioning...three of us will be in the middle of the circle...me to your left, and Lan-gongzi to your right.' Wuxian continued. 'Then the Lan's most powerful elders in four cardinal directions will act as his support by providing him power...because two of us will perform a Restoration Duet with our flutes. I'm the Exorcist, he is the Healer. Because the Healer, must have a close, positive relationship with the patient.' he said.
'Positive Emotions and Negative Emotions have an effect on ALL spells despite what people believe from books. So Lan-gongzi is your Healer as Sang-sang said you two are best friends. If the healer has negative feelings towards the patient, it will make you worse instead, so when we do this ritual, be careful who you choose as Healer, if Lan-gongzi's not around. Because if the healer hates your guts, the song will turn into spirit poison instead. It will double your current state.' Wuxian warned before his expression turned dark. 'In the event that is sensed, kill the poisoner before the ritual is finished to reverse the effects or it will set in...by then it'll be too late to find a trusted Healer. Certified and Confirmed by 20 brains in this room.'
'And in society, it's easy to hate over petty reasons to the point small issues are enough reason to murder someone or worse, ruin your life by spreading slander about you to gullible masses with sheep mentality and gossip spreads like fire on oil until lies become 'truth' to their ears, giving you no chance to explain your side that it'll be an unfair condemnation.' Qiren and his fellow elders frowned at Wuxian's morbid outlook on society. It'll take a while, to set this boy straight.
Huaisang and Mingjue gave Wuxian a slackjawed what-the-hell look while Xichen looked pained and he sighed.
Not all people are evil for crying out loud.
'I see...so its a matter of trust between Healer and Patient.' Mingjue mused, diverting the subject. He can definitely trust Xichen!
'Yup. Sang-sang was willing to purchase the patents of this ritual from me but uh...y'know the rules.' Wuxian shrugged. 'Sect Matters are out of my hands since like my parents, I'm a Rogue. I act if I'm allowed to if I'm lending aid to someone in a Sect. And as this is a Healing Ritual, Patient Consent and their Family's Consent is needed too. And this ritual is 5000 silver taels due to difficulty rate, because of trust issues involved. And even if the Exorcist's role is done, they cannot leave the circle as that counts as spiritual obstruction and the one getting damaged is the patient. So Exorcist must remain inside their position until Healer is done. Outsiders also cannot step in, unless it's to kill the poisoner.'
'Dage, please purchase it for our clan's sake!' Huaisang pleaded. 'We really need this so our clansmen won't die young! Wei-xiong can teach this ritual to our clansmen if we have the patents!'
'I'll think about it.' Mingjue told Huaisang while looking thoughtful. 'For now, let's give this a shot.'
If this works out, that means his brother will finally get off his ass now that he no longer has to fear their future. He also got stronger as his friends drag him to Cold Spring to cultivate every after class. How lucky is his brother to have good friends who pull him up!
The ritual was performed. It was a solemn, but soothing song as Huaisang watched by the walls, along with other Lan Members as they have to study by watching the ritual and flow of qi. The glowing blood-red array meant to extract resentful energy, is so eerie...Mingjue felt shivers as Resentful Energy was extracted out of him and Baxia...flowing to Wuxian...and the energy goes down to his feet, into the blood array.
Indeed, Wuxian was the first to finish. The blood array vanished after extracting the Resentful Energy out of Mingjue and had the blood array vanish. It was eerie having a Cultivator wield Resentful Energy even if its to heal.
It took Xichen about three more hours to heal Mingjue, repeating his side of the song over and over.
When it was...Mingjue looked younger and refreshed. For his age, he already has forehead creases. But with the ritual, his wrinkles from perpetual-frowning are gone.
The physical change alone, was astonishing!
'I feel kind of different?' he croaked out as he looked at his hands. 'No words can describe how...clean I feel in my head.'
'All negativity is extracted.' said Xichen. 'You'll undergo a temporary personality change like Wei-xiong did. A fully-positive shift.' he said. 'For example, things that make a person annoyed or angry will have little effect on you for a period of time. During being positive, your mind is a lot clearer, like polished mirror.'
'Having a clear head kinda feels nice.' said Wuxian with a snort. 'You don't get angry easily and stuff like that. Also, you won't be easily influenced by mean-spirited people. You can express yourself much better too until the period ends when things balance out again. This ritual is to be performed periodically every few years when you start to feel spiritually-icky. Your current condition certainly counts, Sect Leader.'
'Mm...for now, Huaisang and I will talk about this.' said Mingjue. 'I also thank the Lan Sect for their aid in fully cleansing me.' he said in gratefulness with proper manners.
'We are good friends, dage. All this is possible because of our relationship.' Xichen smiled.
Mingjue felt he detected something underlying his friend's words...that somehow, his idea of relationship is different, but he was indeed, fully-healed.
'Just to be sure, you'll spend three days in our Infirmary.' said another elder.
Thus Mingjue has a three-day vacation in the clan's hospital. Huaisang spent as much time as possible with his brother before he goes home...
xxx
'A ritual worth 5000 silver taels...that's expensive!' Jiang Cheng's eyes bulged on the seventh day of vacation as it's just him and Wuxian now because Huaisang wanted to milk his brother's stay as much as possible. The healers now have a week to study Mingjue's body from the inside to see how 'clean' he is post-ritual with Elders on watch.
Indeed, not a trace left behind. And as Qi Deviation damages the body over time through the blood, his damaged body is thoroughly healed, and his blood vessels dilated and relaxed with no blockages. He was a very clean slate in body and spirit. The ritual was a success!
'Yeah, because it's that difficult because you must have absolutely trustworthy people with you. Healer aside, if even those functioning as spirit providers have ill intent, it will contaminate the ritual and that, is bad. Thus its difficulty bar is stupidly-high.' Wuxian quipped. 'Everyone agreed on my charges.'
'Huaisang is probably the happiest huh? That Nie Mingjue will be like his dad if it wasn't for your ritual.' said Jiang Cheng.
'Yeah...'
'Well, wanna go back to the springs?' said Wuxian. 'We should get what we can while it's still free.'
'C'mon, let's go.' and they went to soak.
Well, ever since they got that high-quality porn worth jia grades, they really had to keep it up or face the terror called HOME. But Jiang Cheng's gotta admit the irony there, and it'll help that he won't be here a second time! His motivation to do well, was two things. Peace and quiet upon coming back, and his sister's food.
He didn't want to be harangued upon coming home, thank you!
He excelled in his studies and then getting dragged to the cold springs to boost his cultivation...yeah, his improvements will warrant him a time of peace at home.
He wondered how his jiejie's doing...