Rix and Luna shared another look before nodding eagerly. There was no need to discuss. The prospect of actually making progress with his cultivation after so many years erased any lingering doubts he may have had about their bargain.

"In practice, each of you will need distinct lessons," said Breaker, "but for now I will explain the basics to ensure we start from a position of understanding."

He cleared his throat. "What you are undertaking is called cultivation. It is the art of improving yourself by absorbing and manipulating the force known as qi. Qi is the fundamental energy of the universe. It is all around us, in the air we breathe, the mountains we summit, the storms we endure. For our purposes, qi can do many things. It can enhance our physical forms, making us faster, stronger and more durable. It can be harnessed in powerful techniques, calling rains of fire or ripping the earth from beneath our enemies' feet. It can bring us understanding of, and harmony with, the foundational concepts of the universe. And it can be condensed and sculpted to augment our souls."

"When we met last, you basically said the System was a pale imitation of cultivation," said Rix. "But honestly, a lot of what you just said sounds similar to what we do as Martial Souls."

"A puddle looks like an ocean to a parched man, child," Breaker said with a sneer.

"But there is a relationship between the two?" asked Rix, aware he was pushing. "It seems like too much of a coincidence that both use meridians and a dantian."

Breaker hesitated. "There is. Technically, you are already cultivating, though I am loath to use the word for so rudimentary a process."

"I don't understand," said Luna. "The System is cultivation?"

"In a manner of speaking." Breaker weighed his explanation for several seconds. "Think of it like this. Imagine all the power in the universe as a grand landmass. What you have now is a map, meticulously drawn by another's hand. It shows you clear paths, named destinations — your rank-ups, techniques, attributes. It guides you along predetermined routes and makes the journey seem straightforward, but it also binds you to those well-worn paths."

He spread his hands, his voice taking on a tone of grandiosity. "True cultivation, on the other hand, is exploration. Despite what the map might tell you, the territory is vast and uncharted. A dark, endless expanse of secrets. It demands that you read the stars, the wind, the very pulse of the universe to navigate. The map is easier, safer perhaps, but you will never discover even a fraction of what the land can offer you if that's all you follow."

"Why?" asked Rix. "Why would someone make the System if cultivation is so superior?"

Breaker shrugged. "There are those who would rather take the easy path than the right one."

"But then why is cultivation forbidden?" asked Luna, repeating Rix's question from the last time they'd met. "Why not just give people a choice?"

"People in power rarely share truths that would let others surpass them," said Breaker.

Both these answers were cryptic and unsatisfying, and Breaker must have seen that on their faces, because after a moment he let out a sigh. "I understand you have many questions, but to break down all the boundless mysteries of the universe at this early stage would only serve as a distraction. Some knowledge is not for fledglings. You spoke of trust? Well, in this, you must trust me. As your master, I will ensure you know everything you need to progress."

While his tone was mild, there was an edge underneath that said that pushing further was dangerous. Judging by Luna's expression, she realised that too.

"Apologies, Breaker," said Rix. "Please continue." Much like Wing had said about the treasures, the 'whys' didn't really matter to him right now. If Breaker could make him stronger, that was all that really mattered.

Breaker inclined his head. "As I was saying, it is widely acknowledged that there are three paths to cultivation: body cultivation, energy cultivation, and spirit or soul cultivation. The lines between these do blur somewhat at the edges, but fundamentally, body cultivation is about strengthening the vessel, energy cultivation is about harnessing qi to its fullest potential, and spirit cultivation tempers the mind and builds connection with the soul."

"Do people do more than one?" asked Luna.

"Of course. The three paths complement each other substantially. A stronger vessel, for example, allows a cultivator to tolerate denser, more potent qi. There are some purist groups who insist on focusing on a single path to the exclusion of all others, but they are simply crippling themselves for the sake of tradition. Most of us pursue all paths to varying degrees, depending on exactly how we wish to direct our cultivation."

"So where do we start?" asked Rix.

Breaker spread his hands. "With qi. Regardless of where you begin, the first step for any cultivator is developing a sense for qi, and then learning how to build your own supply within your dantian." A shadow crossed his face. "Since I suspect you are wondering, I should make it clear that you both already have qi to some extent."

"Our mana?" Rix guessed.

Breaker nodded. "Much like your System itself, your mana is a little more than a watered-down version of qi made to serve limited purpose. It may be convenient, but it has been stripped of much of the vibrancy and power a true cultivator needs. True qi will not come to you nearly so easily. We will be building your process from the ground up, but the rewards will be worth the effort."

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Rix and Luna both nodded. Again, Rix had questions, but they could wait.

"I understand you have already undergone some version of this process, Zao Rixian, but nonetheless, I think it prudent to run through the proper approach to touching qi for the first time. For you, Kai Luna, this constitutes your first lesson. For Zao Rixian, perhaps this will reveal where we need to look next."

Rix was happy to start from scratch if it meant actually getting to progress.

Breaker cleared his throat. "As I said, qi is all around us. It is both matter and energy simultaneously and binds all things together as one."

"That sounds similar to how you described entropy," Rix said.

One side of Breaker's mouth quirked up. "An astute observation. Indeed, more than a few philosophers posit that entropy is merely qi's opposite. Regardless of where you stand on that matter, there is a key difference. Entropy wants all things to literally become one, while qi merely unifies through connection while maintaining the fundamental nature of everything it touches."

"I see," Rix replied.

"Now, close your eyes and draw a deep breath," Breaker said, demonstrating. "The universal nature of qi means that right now, the very air you breathe is vibrating with it. It presses upon your skin and echoes in your ears. The first step to cultivation is learning to feel the presence of qi. All beings can theoretically do it, but most don't know how to look. For now, be still and observe. Quiet the endless chatter of your thoughts. In that silence, you'll begin to sense the currents that have always flowed around you. For you, Zao Rixian, when you feel ready, fill yourself with qi the way you usually do. But do not rush. Take time to linger in that sensation first."

With his eyes closed, Rix could feel what Breaker spoke of, like an all-pervasive cloud, impossibly fine and thrumming with life. He spent a few minutes exploring that sensation, though in truth he already knew it well. While the book he'd learned from said nothing about this sort of meditation, Rix had spent countless hours poking every facet of his nascent cultivation, looking for ways to continue his progress. It had always frustrated him that qi felt so abundant and yet he could only steal the tiniest portion of it for himself.

Once he felt ready, he reached out the way he'd done thousands of times before, clenching the spiritual muscle that was his dantian. He dragged qi into himself, but it dispersed again just as quickly. He was already at his limit. Pulling more was currently an exercise in futility.

"That will do for now," said Breaker.

Rix opened his eyes to see Luna looking disgruntled. Breaker let out a short laugh.

"What?" said Luna, defensively. "For a 'universal energy,' it isn't exactly easy to find."

"I did say it would take months," Breaker replied with more than a little smugness in his voice.

"Didn't mention it would be months of sitting down though," she grumbled. "How do you all stay awake?"

"You expect to swallow the moon whole before learning to open your mouth," Breaker replied. "It will get easier with time and dedication." The man then turned his attention to Rix. "Obviously, you can sense qi, but your gathering technique is…rudimentary to say the least. Now I understand why someone might have tried to burn the book that taught it."

It was said as a joke, but the words were like a knife to Rix's gut. "The book was burned when my parents were killed." The words came out unbidden, cold and sharp.

Both Luna and Breaker stared at him for a beat. The older man cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise. I merely mean I can teach you something more…modern."

Rix nodded, not trusting himself to speak. This happened sometimes, some stray comment that ignited all his childhood anguish once again. He was usually able to manage those emotions better, but something about the dismissiveness of Breaker's tone broke his normal walls. Rix regretted the outburst immediately.

Breaker got to his feet. "Kai Luna, for now you should stay here and continue your meditation while I take Zao Rixian to work separately."

"You just expect me to sit here alone, actively paying no attention to my surroundings until a fade comes and eats my face?" said Luna.

Something about the way Breaker's frown deepened made Rix think that was exactly what Breaker had been hoping for, but after a moment, the man shook his head. "Worry not. You will be safe from the fadeborn. When I allow them to feel my strength, they flee like cockroaches in the light."

"If you say so," Luna replied, though she didn't seem entirely convinced.

Breaker led Rix away to another of the ruined structures nearby where they once again sat. The man sized him up. "Is your mind clear?" he asked.

Rix hesitated. His instinct was to simply nod, but in truth that sick heat hadn't entirely fled his chest yet. "I'm not entirely sure my mind is ever clear."

Breaker nodded calmly. "Emotion is an invaluable part of anyone's cultivation, particularly at higher tiers. The more you climb, the more fully yourself you become, and that requires a deep interrogation of your motivation and perspective. Ultimately, cultivators draw power from those things, so feeling deeply is good, in some situations. But for you, that time is a long way off. For now, your lessons call for clarity and emptiness. So, whatever you are feeling, push it aside. It will still be there when we are done."

Rix glanced away. It wasn't so easy to just compartmentalise himself like that. That anger fuelled him. Even when truly distracted, it was there, a bubbling undercurrent.

He closed his eyes and drew several deep breaths, letting his mind empty as much as possible. If he needed to temporarily set aside his anger to eventually sate it, then so be it.

"I'm as clear as I'm going to get," he said.

Breaker nodded. "Good. Okay, the technique I'm going to teach you is called the Breath Bridge. I'm not sure exactly what you are visualising when you use your current technique, but it looks as though you're trying to grapple with qi, to force it into submission. Qi isn't something to conquer. It is something to embrace. To welcome."

Rix frowned. "Why does my approach to drawing in qi matter? I assumed my problem was the amount of qi I have."

"They are one and the same. A flawed approach to gathering leads to flawed storage. In fact, without knowing the specifics, I suspect the technique you're currently using is actually dangerous to the long-term health of your spiritual network."

Rix blanched. "How?"

"Am I right in assuming you are, for lack of a better word, clenching your dantian to drag qi in?"

"Pretty much."

Breaker gave a grave nod. "Okay, picture your dantian as being made of leather. When pulled tight, it is rigid and prone to cracking. It cannot be stretched or shaped. This is what you're doing when you clench. Not only can your capacity not grow properly in that state, but you risk tears or fractures, things from which there are few options for recovery."

Rix let out a long breath. "I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't. Cultivation has myriad approaches for almost everything. Every master, every clan guards their favoured techniques closely. You were merely unfortunate enough to stumble upon something dangerous and assume it the only path forward."

"Does that mean this Breath Bridge is a secret technique?" Though it was only a simple gathering technique, there was an allure to the idea of gaining access to something exclusive. So much of the Martial Path was gated behind walls Rix would likely never scale.

One side of Breaker's mouth quirked up. "You could think of it that way. Though I have far transcended my clan now, everything I have achieved has been atop the foundation they built. And they hoarded their knowledge tightly."

Breaker clapped his hands. "Anyway, let's begin."

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