A Cultivator in Equestria

By Staadnauthursil

Chapter Two: Spirit Oracle

Theme Music: Kirin Theme (Original Concept Music) by Nathanaël Wsiaki

Disclaimer: I do not own anything copyrighted. This includes all of the youtube videos I use to give a touch of flair to my stories, please support the official releases along with those who work hard on these great youtube videos. As well as those YouTubers who make fantastic original works on their own

[Location: Freshriver Lake]

The clothes I was given were of a higher standard than I'd expected. They felt more the robes of a scholar, magister, official, or even a wizard. Not something a mere Disciple like me should wear. They were purple in color with gold trims on the sleeves and bottom edges of the robe. With a sash made with a similar colour theme. Beneath it, I wore a clean white silk shirt and a pair of dark blue silk pants with my hooves left bare.

Looking at myself I ponder just where they got such expensive clothes from.

As if reading my mind the old tortoise known as Elder Hardshell spoke as he was writing down something on an unfurled scroll. "Those clothes were used as payment for medical treatments by a traveling scholar twenty years ago. I would have denied him the need to pay me seeing how he had been injured by bandits and needed what little money he had to get home. But he insisted on paying me back with his clothes and just took some average clothes in return. Nobody here wants to wear them but I thought they would fit you. He was a kirin like you, though you are a bit larger and with less fur."

"I see." I look at my clawed hand, unlike the ancient kirin Tiān Léiyǔ was my body more scales than fur. I still had some of it on my head portion from the neck up, along my back, and over my thighs and buttocks. But other than that I was mostly covered by scales. Not counting my mane or the small patch of hair growing above my hooves.

I need to get used to this body and fast or my training and cultivation will be hindered exponentially. "For now I need to have a light exercise and get a feel for my body. See what might have changed during my short coma."

The old tortoise nods and puffs a mouthful of smoke as he writes. "A wise decision. The courtyard at front of my house is open for your usage as long as you do not block the way to the door."

"Thank you Elder Hardshell." Giving him a light bow I move out to the courtyard. It was not the biggest but not the smallest I'd ever seen. Only a simple road going through a slightly overgrown field of grass. No real bushes or flowers, but no weeds or moss either.

Walking over to a decent spot a bit away from the path leading to the house I untie my newly acquired robe and fold it up, placing it on the edge of the veranda. Without the weight of the robe, I flex and shift my joints, stretching and jumping to soften up my body.

After five minutes or so I feel properly warmed up and I get into a stance. My seven unarmed fighting styles were straightforward in their purpose and I have decided to learn them since they let me combine many of their moves. They were named for the purpose as well.

[Bone Breaking Ape Art] focused on heavy punches, grips, and kicks to break bones or bruise the body. [Savage Tiger Art] was a type of lethal martial arts similar to muay thai kickboxing art with a focus on using the hands, fingers, feet, elbows, and knees to deal cut-like damage to foes. [Bending Grass Art], was a bit of a combination of yoga and jujutsu, using a strong and flexible body to use the weight and momentum of your foes against them.

[Graceful Crane Art] was a movement art that involved using light steps and jumps along with good control over your body to seemingly glide or fly over the ground, not even disturbing the grass beneath you. [One Strike Kill Scorpion Art] is a pressure point art that involves using pinpoint finger and toe jabs to target the nerves, meridians, and other vital points of the body to cause various effects from weakening, paralyzing, numbness, pain, or even death.

[Iron Turtle Art] was a solid defence art that involves blocking, grappling, and counter striking your opponent while enduring their blows without moving too much. [Soul Tearing Dragon Art] it was a basic full-body art that focused not on solid heavy blows but soft heavy blows. Using a smooth, simple momentum of your body to get close to the target. Get one part of your body in contact with the target and then push your entire body's force through the area of contact, pressing into the interior of the body to harm the insides.

I know people normally focus only on a single art or a selection of arts that fits the same category. But I picked these seven arts because of one simple factor. They were so basic and easy to comprehend that I could very easily combine various moves into combinations or even new techniques.

Imagining my opponent I steady myself. A featureless humanoid entering a similar stance of my own. The best combatant to learn from is the one who uses the same techniques.

Taking a soft breath I narrow my eyes and then dash forward, my opponent does the same. We meet on the grass with him trying to kick me in the gut, I slide to the side and try to punch his left shoulder. He sways to the side.

I focus entirely on my opponent and just let my actions speak through my new body's muscles.

Straight punch to the gut. Sudden frontal step. Slam shoulder into foe's chest area. Hold hands together and use the strength of both arms to slam an elbow into the opponent's solar plexus. Press up with palm and push strength into their chest, targeting the left lung.

The opponent punches at me, I parry with a wrist. Then I lash out with a stomp kick at his leg. He evades. Body free I step forward with three light skips. Moving left, right, and left in a short but quick zigzag pattern. I then slam my fist into the opponent's side, he blocks with an elbow. I kick with my knee into his other side.

He clutches broken ribs and falls to his knees. I raise my left arm, fold it, elbow held high, and I slam it down upon the head of my foe. The strength of his neck and head will determine if he lives or not. But in the end, it is my victory.

Standing straight I slowly stretch out my arm, holding my fingers together. I then raise them, and I start to stretch. After five minutes or so I go through the katas of my unarmed combat styles. I need to get used to the lightness and strength of my body. Not to mention my tail adds a whole slew of problems and possibilities. For none of the arts I know have accounted for one having a tail.

So I improvise, lashing out with my tail in a low sweep a couple of times, I have a wide reach. Then I strike at the air, seeing how fast I can move I can tell it is three times as fast as my jabs if I truly focus. And though I cannot physically hit anything without the risk of possibly damaging myself or the object can I still test out my tail's strength. And I do so by laying down on my back and using my tail's muscles to lift my lower body. It is not even a challenge. My tail is strong enough to hold my entire body in the air for a long amount of time.

My tail can be used for new techniques adapted into my combat techniques. And not only the unarmed ones.

"Good I have some control over my tail now. But my Qi is the most important thing." Sitting down in a classic cross-legged position I focus my breathing and try to circulate my Qi as I did during the ritual. I feel a sudden surge of warmth flow through my body and I can feel my Qi flow like water through my veins.

Opening my eyes I look at my hands and blink in shock. Earlier had my Qi aura been the light blue mist of a 2nd rank low-tier cultivator. But what I was seeing right now was a flowing and blue glowing liquid that was floating out of my body. I trace my finger through it and indeed. It feels like water to the touch.

This was the 5th rank of low-tier Cultivators. How did I break from 2nd rank to 5th in an instance!? This was surreal.

I would have to keep from cultivating for a while and focus on building up the base abilities of my body and learn to control my Qi. The problem was that I was lacking manuals. I had no way of obtaining the knowledge of how to properly cultivate as I was right now.

If forced to I might have to improvise, and that is not really a good idea when your cultivation is at the lower tier. A mistake might cost you years if not permanent loss in your cultivation progress. There was a reason for why our sect taught us only what we were ready for rather than showing it all down our throats at once.

What do I do?

A voice suddenly speaks up inside my head. "We can aid you."

"Gah!" Yelping in surprise I fall over from my seated position and jump up, looking left and right with my hands ready should there be an attacker.

But there was no one there. Slowly lowering my arms I slowly relax, though still attentive. "Did I imagine it?"

"No. You did not." My left eye twitches a little as I hear the voice again.

Once more I look left and right, still, I see no one nearby. But maybe... the voice is not what I think it is? Could it be that someone is speaking to me telepathically?

"Well sort of. But not really. It is more like we can comprehend you through your emotions. And because of your bond to us, we can send our intents to you in reverse. You can do the same once you improve." Again the voice speaks and I rub my head in contemplation for a bit. Unnerved with having someone reading my mind, even if through my emotions.

Sighing I cross my arms and sit down cross-legged on the grass again. "So who are you?"

"We meet you back at the burial ground during the ritual. We were to be the judges of your promotion in the sect. When whatever disaster struck that brought you here, it brought us with you. Fused us and some others to your body."

My eyes widen as I see small sparkling blue fairy-like sprites in the shape of kirins emerging out of my body. "You're spirits... kirin spirits. But how?"

The spirits float together to shape a singular head-sized kirin shape, a structure made up of many spirits. Its lips move as the spirits speak to me. "We do not know. But we do know that whatever brought us here with you changed your body into what it is now by fusing our essence into your Qi. Binding us together and altering you into a strange new kind of kirin."

Rubbing my forehead I cannot help but swear a little as I ascertain the situation. "Ah... well, fuck this is awkward... I would apologies if I didn't already know it would be pointless to... not to mention you do not sound very upset right now."

The spirit manifestation nods and floats around me a little, seemingly with approval as I cannot feel any hostility from the spirits. "You are indeed bright-minded and understanding. Your soul has an age to it that does not fit your body. Similar to that of a shaman or spirit oracle."

Okay, that was not something I've heard of before. Sure I had heard about oracles before, but that was in my old world. I had some knowledge of the shamans of the jungles in the world of cultivation I was reborn in. But I have not heard about anything called Spirit Oracles. "I've heard of the shamans in the southern jungles using spirits and blood magic. But spirit oracles is not something I've heard of before."

It floats in front of me once again its body suddenly shifting into the image of a robed man with a staff with rings on the top. Small sprites of various spirits floating around him. "It is a lost profession. They were people who gained insight through spirits to cleanse lands of corruption and to prevent disasters. Many called them seers or oracles. But in truth, it was the spirits they contracted that gave them their powers. They died out a thousand or so years ago during a great pandemic that claimed many lives of beasts, cultivators, and common folks alike."

The floating image of the oracle starts moving in a walking position, small piles of bones along its path release small pricks of light that join the oracle's body. "They would bind spirits to their Qi and bodies, gaining parts of their powers in return for letting the spirit experience the sensations of life again. It is not completely identical to what happened between you and us. But it still applies."

I just nod and look at the image of the spirit oracle as it resumes the shape of a kirin spirit. "Ah... that does sound a bit similar to our situation. So what did you mean by that you could help me with my cultivation?"

In the warm morning sun, the sparkling mass of spirits waved a hoof a bit nonchalantly. "All of us died with at least centuries worth of knowledge and memories about the cultivation of not only spirit beasts but humans and other beings as well. Your body is a combination of man and spirit beast, thus it stands to reason that the cultivation techniques of both apply to you. And since we know a lot of both human and spirit beast cultivation we will be able to guide you during your training so you do not lose your foundation."

This was indeed a good thing, but why exactly were they going so far to aid me? It made me feel a bit confused, not anxious, the spirits had ample opportunity to harm me or even deny me knowing their existence yet they did not. "I see. This is indeed a great opportunity for me. But two things. With my rapidly expanded cultivation will I not already be handicapped? And, not to sound rude, but why would you help me? If not for me you would not have been taken her with me."

The spirit floats around me casually as it speaks, my nose itches as some of the sparks hit my cheek. "You are not at fault for that. We are members of your sect through our kin Tiān Léiyǔ and will aid you to grow stronger. Plus we can get a second chance to experience life through this bond and to even witness an entirely new world. Why would we not want you to survive?"

I think I get it. There's no need to thank them for anything, I am helping them as much as they are helping me. Because as spirits they are unable to feel the physical world. But through my body as a medium, they can.

They float over to a nearby patch of weeds and touch it, I can see the grass bending beneath their touch, and yet I somehow know no one else but me can see them. It was hard to describe it but I just know that anyone else would only see a piece of weed being pushed down by an invisible force. "And secondly. Indeed, your cultivation was rapidly enhanced by the ritual. But that was its purpose. The ritual will enhance those who are able and worthy to become 3rd rank Low tier Cultivators. Though even if you broke into the 5th rank is your body already adapted to it because of the ritual. But from here you have to train and cultivate properly to enhance your future possibilities as a cultivator."

Nodding I cross my arms I thought, closing my eyes as I do so. I had already made that guess after I realized how strong my body was. It might have been reinforced and improved in all aspects but I needed to get used to it before I accidentally hurt myself or someone else. "So what I need to do now is start learning how to control this new strength and how to utilize my already existing techniques into it. Though I do not have any Qi techniques beyond the basics do I have a lot of physical arts."

The manifestation speaks again, its voice echoing through my mind as I close my eyes in thought. Approving my decision to take it slow. "That is a wise decision. No need to rush through anything. Reaffirm your control before improving yourself further. That is the basic law of Cultivation. One who does not learn how to control their own strength will be ruined by it."

Nodding I stand up and the spirit floats up with me as I do. Putting on my robe again I look towards the entrance to the garden leading out to the village. "Hmmm... well I guess for now I have at least attained some control of my body at least. I will work on the rest later but for now, I need to get hold of my weapons if they survived the trip."

A loud rumble echoes out of my gut, causing a bright red colour to ride up on my checks. "Ehe. Though I might need to eat first."

The spirit gives off a gentle laugh before fading away. "Also a wise decision young Master."

I am a bit curious about what kind of food is available in an anthropomorphic society. I mean, I guess they have some non-intelligent animals to eat, possibly monsters? But I will not eat anything sentient, which doesn't feel right to me.

"Hello! I am back!" The young mare Berryjuice comes walking into the garden carrying what looks like two large bamboo steamer baskets on her head, a clay pitcher in her left armpit, and a ceramic bowl with a lid in her right hand.

Bowing slightly to her in greeting I step over and offer my aid, carrying the large steamer baskets, they are hot to the touch. "Let me help you carry that."

She smiles in gratitude as we enter the small mansion of the elder. "Oh thank you. Elder Hardshell asked me to get some extra food up here for you two since he is not a decent chef and you need a lot of food to recover from your deep sleep."

That was mighty kind of them. Though I do wonder why she said that he asked for extra food. Does he always get his meals from Berryjuice and the other villagers? "I see. Thank you. Does Elder Hardshell rely on the rest of the village for his food?"

We enter the living room where a low round table with cushions for seats is placed. Several cupboards and shelves decorate the walls with various trinkets, artworks, and ceramic bowls and cups.

Nodding she puts down the ceramic bowl and pitch on the round table. Before moving over to a cupboard to take out round bowls and cups. "Oh yes. My mother told me that he has never had the time to learn how to cook because he has always been busy learning or working for the village and giving medical care to others since he was young. So we pitch in and give him some food now and then so he doesn't accidentally starve himself."

Placing down the two steamers on the table I help her place out the bowls and cups. "That is mighty kind of you all to aid the elder like this."

She just smiles and places down plain wooden chopsticks by the bowls. "He has always done his best for this village and though he might not look like it is he a magic-user who has fought bandits many times over the years. Even if he is only considered middle-aged for his kind is his body not that strong."

I look up at that. this was the first time I had heard about magic. This world was far more fantasy-aligned. "Magic-user? What kind of magic?"

We jump slightly as the elder enters the room, reading a book with his pipe in his mouth. Explaining his magical powers as he walks over to the table. "I utilize a combination of barrier and physical enhancement spells. I am just a grade 1 mage so my magical power is not what I'd call impressive. But I do have a higher energy capacity than your average grade 1 mage."

Bowing in greeting to the elder as he takes a seat I too take a seat and I am too curious to not ask further. "I see. How does the grading of a mage work? I assume it involves tests of some kind?"

Nodding Hardshell taps out his pipe in a small bowl by his seat as he explains it to me. "Most magic users are graded using a magical reagent, item, object, or creature. The mages channel their magic into the chosen test item and depending on the reaction of the item your base strength as a mage will be determined. There are some ways to improve this but the most common is to spend many years of training and studying to improve your magical abilities. The grade of the reagent is also a factor since the higher the grade the higher the requirement of making a reaction."

As we discuss this Berryjuice starts removing the lids on the baskets and the ceramic bowl. Revealing one basket filled with steamed rice, one filled with various steamed buns, and a bowl filled with what smelt like a spicy meat stew. "So a grade 1 mage would be the lowest tier?"

Shaking his head the old tortoise pours himself a cup of juice from the pitcher on the table. It smells good. "No. The grading system for magic users is a bit unique. We utilize titles for it. From lowest to highest it goes like this. Commoner. Acolyte. Apprentice. Mage. Archmage. Sorcerer. High Sorcerer. Wizard. High Wizard. And finally Arcane Master."

"Each title bears a separate Ranking. From 1 to 5. Making it a total of 50 ranks in the Magic-User Grading. And believe me. Even if I am categorized as a grade 1 mage is it because I am specialized. Had I tried to learn all magic I could, would I not even have become an apprentice. You can bypass ranking by being a specialist in your chosen field of magic and ignoring the rest. It took me twenty years to reach the rank I am at now and I am content with that." Finishing his explanation the old tortoise picks up a steaming bun from one of the baskets and chomps into it with a content hum.

"Thank you for the explanation elder Hardshell." Giving a light bow to him I take a bowl and I fill it with rice before filling the other with the fragrant stew. I can see bits of meat, I think chicken, in the sauce. Thankfully I won't have to go vegetarian here.

Chuckling the old tortoise swallows another mouthful of his bun before sipping some more juice. "No worries. It is good to ask questions if you feel ignorant. Otherwise, how will you learn?"

Very true. And as I look at the table I see no spoon, only bowls, cups, and wooden chopsticks. This nation was very similar in traditional eating manners to my earlier world. Though even there we had spoons to eat stews and soups, can't have everything I guess.

Thankfully I know how to use chopsticks to eat stew and rice together, a necessary skill to learn in a world of asian culture. Taking some of the stew and placing it in the rice bowl I chew on it and the flavours hit me instantly. It was tender meat, it had a mild flavour like chicken and with the vegetables, in the spicy soup, it made it easy to eat with the rice.

A sip of the spicy broth and some more rice enters my mouth and as I chew I can't help but feel euphoric. It is as if my tastebuds are dancing. The stew has a citric tang to it with a decent thickness with the sweetness of some kind of fruit. With the almost overboiled vegetables melting into the sauce as I chew. I want more.

I blink and see that the rice and stew are gone. Reaching up to rub my chin I can taste spicy stew in my mouth as well as some corns of rice. My stomach is filled and I feel content. A couple of chuckles shakes me out of my stupor and I look to see Berryjuice and Hardshell chuckling together.

"I had thought you would be hungry but for you to devour enough rice and cockatrice stew for three people in one sitting was rather surprising." Elder Hardshell said with a grin as he lights his pipe to take a smoke.

Rubbing my neck in embarrassment I look down at my empty bowls. It was rather bewildering and frustrating, I'd have like to enjoy that meal more. "I... well I guess I was more hungry than I thought. Can't even remember eating all of it."

"The living body can act in mysterious ways and this is not one of the strangest I've ever seen," Hardshell comments as he blows out a cloud of smoke from his mouth.

Berryjuice just munches on a steamed bun with a grin on her face as I quietly pour myself a cup of juice. I think I need to hydrate myself after all that spicy stew.

The rest of the meal was spent with some light conversation as I asked about the immediate areas and their dangers. And there was plenty to learn.

Apparently was the region Freshriver Village was located in named the Golden Hills, famous for its farming communities and the fact that the largest and longest river in the land, the Golden River, starts its journey from the western Feng Hoof Mountains. It is controlled by the Minister of the West, who is chosen by the Gold Horse Emperor's Imperial Court.

Beneath the Minister of the West is the Regional Lord, who is the equivalent of a General in ranking, or War Lord as they are called in this land. The current Regional Lord is an elderly bull by the name of Skalderus Ironskull. Apparently, were the naming traditions of different species quite different from one another. This elderly lord was a bit of a passive person who gave most duties over to his lower ranking followers who in turn gave instructions to the War Lords, the City Lords, and the Clan Lords.

And apparently are there no titles for higher or lower lords, only a ranking to determine their wealth, land ownership, military strength, and so on. Though only in three measurements. Bronze, Silver, and Gold. A rather lackluster way to handle the titles of nobility. So far I had only heard of Lords, Emperors, and Ministers. Just adding extra bits to your titles instead of making new words for them was a very lazy way and a very wordy way to describe a noble title.

The current Minister of the West was a horse stallion by the name of Bright Might who had been ruling the area for ten years. And his reputation was high among the nobility, but not so much among the military, trade, and common folks of the land.

There were several monsters in the region, most of which were the main source of meat for the people of the region since apparently there were no real tame animals or beasts in this country. Or, well, nobody has ever tried. Horse-sized chicken lizards called cockatrice, giant variations of reptiles, ground swimming reptiles land sharks, meat-eating plant canines called grass hounds, and many other beasts.

Bandits were a common sight in the region as well, with the numbers increasing every couple of years because of the lack of military presence in the region. Elder Hardshell even commented on the fact that many nobles and ministers were more focused on their own success than the health of the region. Even the Minister of the West didn't seem to care much for the region, since he never seemed to leave the Imperial Palace.

I can't help but feel anxious about this. This region was a hotspot for lawlessness and monsters. How could the officials of the nation not realize that not maintaining the order of the region would cause harm to the rest of the country as well? Not to mention the lack of action will more than likely cause many villagers to turn to banditry themselves just to survive.

No doubt some good souls were trying to maintain order. But they were most likely outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the corrupt elements of the region.

In short, the Golden Hills was a mess of lawlessness and corruption. And I can only hope it is not as bad as I fear. Or that the rest of the empire is worse than this.

For now, I just need a bit of time to digest my food and thoughts. Then I can search for my weapons.

Wait... why am I so certain I had weapons with me? Didn't I leave them in my room?

I trained with practice weapons when I was summoned to the Elder... I left my training weapons behind when I left... I did not go to my room to retrieve my personal weapons... so why can I not shake off this feeling that something is missing?

The spirits within me give me an answer, speaking into my mind without manifesting as I sit by the table. "It might be possible that when you were brought into this world, you brought something with you from the burial grounds. There were several items among our bones and it is quite possible that one or two was dragged into the vortex."

I... am not comfortable knowing this. That's the equivalence of stealing from the sect! That's not a light crime!

"You should not worry about it for now. Try only to retrieve what you find yourself seeking, then you will know for sure." Their words comfort me and I calm down.

They are right. I should not worry about this until I know more. There is too much I don't know. Cannot act in panic and fear without even knowing what happened.

But I definitely need to search for whatever it is that is calling out to me.

[Location: Freshriver Village]

[3rd Person's Point of View]

The village of Freshriver was located in a rather isolated location. By the eastern border of the Feng Hoof Mountains, the village was put right next to a place where the fresh mountain waters poured forth out of the rocky terrain in a powerful rapid river. This river is called the Fresh River, and it ended into the Freshriver Fall which spills out into a large lake known as the Soothing Lake that in turn has a small rapid river that feeds into the Golden River.

This was one of many water paths that feed the massive Golden River. The area directly around the lake is mostly flatland covered with fields and trees. But further out is a thick old forest growing all around the village and its farmlands. The vast forest grows from the side of the Feng Hoof Mountains and eastwards before stopping suddenly at an uneven border next to the fields and hills that names the Golden Hills. The woodlands covered over a week's journey on a wagon and almost a month of walking. It was one of the largest forests in the Golden Hills, known as the Sorehoof Woods.

There were several other villages and small towns in the woodlands but the Freshriver Village is located furthest to the west.

The village itself was split up into two places. The walled-in region on the cliff next to the river rapids that flow out into the waterfall. This is where the village elder lives along with a holy shrine to the gods, a barrack for the militia, a brewery, a warehouse for food and tools for emergencies, and the local herbalist and alchemist, an old goatman by the name of Joorgin Halfhorn who not only works with salves and potions but with the planting and harvesting of rare plants and materials in the region. It was also the main meeting point of the village during emergencies, the four watchtowers built along the walls offering good protection against bandits and beasts.

Down by the side of the lake and the fields were the lower section. It was more of a spread-out mass of buildings for families of farmers, fishers, crafters, and the occasional shop. Close by the lake were several water fields for rice plants, but the majority of the fields were wheat and potatoes. With around a dozen orchards of fruit trees planted close by the woodlands. The main source of profit for the village were their rare herbs, food, and alcohol.

But there was one additional source of income the villagers got from the lake itself. Because of how the Fresh River flows through the Feng Hoof Mountains is there always some chance for items, treasures, ore, and even valuable gems to come pouring down into the waterfall. The mountains were filled with ancient temples, bandits, treasure hunters, and so on. So more often than not one could find some trinkets or even valuable items on the sandy shores of the large lake.

Which, had become one of the favourite past time of the village children. To search for treasures among the sandy beaches.

A group of kids with shovels and sacks eagerly ran across the soft sands of the lake's shore. A nearby villager who was sitting on a dock fishing shouts out at them as they start digging into various spots in the sand. "Oi, kids! Don't dig too much now! It will be dinner time soon and you don't want to make your parents upset!"

The kids were too excited about looking for treasures to hear the villager who just chuckles and adjusts his straw hat before tossing out his line after removing a fine-sized carp from the hook.

A soothing wind blows over the lake and the children cheers as one of them find a pebble of jade among the sand. Leaves blow out from the nearby trees and flies through the active fields and streets of the village until they pass by a smoking chimney sticking out of a central building in the village. A tea house with food in their service as well.

There were two kitchens, a large stone stove with a cauldron with boiling noodles by the counter, and a second stone stove inside where broth, vegetables, and meat were being prepared as part of the noodles. The small eatery was running full time to prepare for the lunch hour. A family of four young and two middle-aged horses working together to prepare everything.

A gust of wind blows a small handful of dried herbs off the counter and out over the nearby rice fields where farmers can be seen wielding sickles and spears to cut out weeds and to spearfish whatever fish might cause harm to the rice plants.

The well-scented breeze travel past the rice and out over grain fields where farmers carry pots of fresh lake water. Laid out across the field was a network of pipes made of carved-out bamboo. Following the lines of wheat and vegetables planted there. Together the farmers empty the freshwater in the pots into the lines of bamboo. The water flows down along the half pipes and starts watering the crops as the lines of small holes lining the bottom of the half pipes allow the water to drip down onto the half-dry soil beneath the pipes.

Rain was not rare in the Golden Hills but there had been droughts in the past so people were well learned in maintaining their crops with various watering systems.

The wind blows through an orchard of fruit trees bearing peaches and apricots. Where various species were working together to harvest the fruits with ladders, magic, or flight. A young pegasus mare places a peach in her baskets before suddenly sneezing as the herb-filled air blows past her face.

It flies towards the woodlands, past the small huts and houses built near the main road leading through the woods. In a nearby watchtower can a pair of guards be seen watching the surroundings. The green dried herbs finally end their trip as they fly through the branches of a large tree and are caught in the web of a black and purple coloured spider the size of a hand.

The spider doesn't react, its eight eyes motionlessly looking over the area. As beneath the tree where its web is spun, a pair of hooded figures are hiding among the vegetation. Looking out at the village with a pair of binoculars.

One of the figures hums and looks at the other while lowering their binoculars. "Hmmm... I can't see any possible dangerous people over there. Only a few militia members around Levy strength from what I can see. What do you think?"

The other hooded figure nods while still looking through the binoculars. "These people are nowhere near enough to handle us with the boss and our new weapons giving us support. Can't see anyone dressed in even mid-ranking robes or casting advanced magic so no magic users of high note either."

Nodding the first figure looks up at the midday sun before looking over at the shadow of the tree. It was almost perfectly aligned with the straight center of the tree, leaving only the shadow of the branches. A good indicator that the day was soon to be entering the afternoon hours. "Well, we still have until sunset before we need to make a report. Better take a moment to rest while we still can."

[Back with Guo Long, still 3rd person]

Elder Hardshell was not very old for his kind. Several tortoises had grown well over five centuries old. He was just a bit over 150. He had seen a lot of through his one and a half-century though. The prosperity during the rule of Emperor Silver Grain, the civil war that ended with the 3rd prince Golden Armour claiming the title of Emperor.

After that mess came the mad rule of the war-loving Emperor Sowing Blade who ended up disintegrated by the Queen of Equestria along with half of his army. The two weak emperors who came next were too afraid to act even within their own nation, Soft Song and Jaded Tree, content in hiding in their palace until they died. Then came the rule of the current Emperor, Iron Judgement, who was as harsh as he was fair.

Though even Iron Judgement was by no means an excellent ruler with his inability to aid the common folk of his nation. Elder Hardshell had not seen a decent person of high rank of any sort within this nation for over fifty years.

That is why he was so impressed by the newcomer who went by the name of Guo Long. Though he was young and obviously of higher birth than most, was he a humble and down-to-earth kind of person. The young kirin was currently walking next to him down the long path leading down to the lower areas of the village, and he was careful to keep pace with the old tortoise as to not rush ahead.

Young Berryjuice, bless her heart, had left to check on her family home to make sure they had eaten as well. LEaving him alone to guide the youngster through the village. But that was fine, he needed the exercise.

Taking a blow of smoke through his pipe the tortoise spoke as they kept walking slowly down the path. "So young man. Can you explain to me a bit about this thing you call Cultivation? From what I can make out does it sounds similar to the teachings of Buthism combined with the base teachings of Warriors."

Shaking his head the young kirin calmly explained that it was not a proper description. "From what I can tell so are your warriors mostly if not only, focused on the achievements of battle and the grade of their gears. And if Buthism is what I think it is, am I afraid it is not like it, well it shares in baselines the same purpose but a completely different manner."

Humming Hardshell blows a cloud of smoke as he carefully slides down a steep part of the path, landing gently on his feet without so much as falling over. "I see. Please enlighten me."

Carefully kicking aside a branch off the path to not let anyone trip the kirin looked out over the village below them as he explained some more. "Cultivation has a long and ancient history. Nobody truly knows its purpose or origin. But the basic of it is that it involves the teachings of breaking the limits of your body, mind, and soul to achieve great strength in various forms of combat. Though this might sound similar to your warriors, is the means far different as we focus almost entirely on our physical, spiritual, and mental development to achieve the enlightenment that grants us the ability to break our limits and reach for greater heights."

Nodding Elder Hardshell stepped down the final steps of the path and began to slowly walk down the road leading to the village square. His right hand holding his pipe to his mouth and his left hand held behind his back. "Hmmmm... that does indeed not sound like the warriors. They are almost completely focused on just getting better gear or obtain achievements to raise the ranks. It is said that most warriors nowadays are far more greedy than they were in the past."

Once more the youngster seemed to be thinking deeply. A good sign for one so young to be able to contemplate and understand things. Hardshell had to say he had not met many warriors who could think as deeply as this young cultivator. "I cannot say I understand for while I do know weapon specialist among cultivators are there not even internal qi users who would let their physical development hinder their progress. Our bodies are our foundations, what we build ourselves upon. There is a common saying among us cultivators 'If the mighty oak's roots are weak, it shall be felled by the wind.' In short. Without the proper foundation to hold you up when you start to develop your fighting style, you will fall to your own haste and hubris."

Nodding the elder just hums a bit as they move past the small home of one of the local fishers. "We have a similar saying, though not many use them nowadays as many warriors do not appreciate being talked down to for not training in anything else than techniques. 'Even the tallest mountain may crumble if its body grow weak.'"

"Indeed. Maintaining your body's health and strength is important. But to grow complacent and not improving because you consider it enough is spitting in the face of the ancestors who fought for your survival when they did not have such luxuries. 'Do not live in the past, but learn from it.'" Once more another set of wise words from the young kirin. It felt a bit awkward thinking of the learned youth as a fighter when he had such depths to his character beyond combat.

It reminded the old tortoise of his own father.

Sighing Hardshell looked over the lake he had known his entire life, the faded figures of long-dead friends and family. Including the large tortoise warrior who had raised him carrying him down to the water to cool down during the high summer. "True words there. So many people forget how harsh the world can be or how things were for those who fought without the luxury of improving past their limits. I myself do not remember much of those times, but I remember that my father was built like an ox and could crush boulders with his hands. Yet he was also a kind and intelligent old tortoise who had seen much ill of the world, I can still remember the scars on his body and shell when he was put to rest when I was thirty."

The youth folds his hands into the sleeves of his robe, and looks out over the children running back to their families as the call for food is sounded. "My family's current fate is unknown. I was recruited when I was six. And sect members live among the sect, cutting off most contact with the outside world until we are deemed ready to leave on our own. But they were farmers, it was a harsh life. I never actually had anything to do but help with the chores at home."

"I see. Did the sect compensate for recruiting you?" The unsaid 'Or did they steal you from your family?' could still be heard even if he did not say it.

If he knew of Hardshell's sinister comment Guo Long did not seem to react. He just nodded and kept talking. "Yes. They paid my family enough money to keep them fed for ten years. But, do not think I am angry about it. They were farmers, family members die almost every year from disease or starvation. For one of their young to be recruited was an honour for sure, but the money would keep them alive for close to a decade if they managed it properly. I doubt they do not regret it a little, but they know it was for the best for them and myself."

Quietly watching the young kirin the old tortoise taps out his pipe before putting it aside without a word. And the two walked silently through the village. He thinks to himself with a bittersweet smile on his lips as he remembers similar tales from the farmers of not only his village but the entire region. *Indeed. It is not a sad fate for the son of a farmer to be recruited and taken from his family. One of their children will be given opportunities they never could grant them, and it would mean that their child would survive to adulthood as well. While also ensuring that the family would have a better chance to improve their lot in life with the money granted to them.*

Looking out over the fields of rice, grain, and vegetables the old tortoise just thinks of the harsh life of the common farmers. To be able to even handle such workloads they have to have large families to have workers that do not demand too much in upkeep. It is sad but true, the life of a farmer is one of work, work, and more work. Though many learn to appreciate the reward of labour, there are still many who are born into such families who are totally unfit for such work. *Sure it is a sad and depressing thought not knowing of the fate of your child. But it is also a blessing for the family and the child. Even if the heart hurts, it will recover with the knowledge that the child will have a future beyond farming.*

Moving past the local eatery the smell of the broth filled the air. Hardshell enjoyed visiting the eatery every once in a while, but most workers in the village ate there during the midday hours to get a quick but filling meal before working once more. Sitting on benches and rocks around the eatery were over two dozen workers and ten children eating noodles.

One of the servers, a teen filly by the name of Soft Grains, waved at him as he and Guo Long walked past the fenced area of the eatery. "Hello, elder Hardshell. Are you here to get a meal as well?"

Waving back the old tortoise smiled kindly at the youngster. "Not today child. I and my new friend here are going to the pawnshop to see if some of his belongings might have washed down the river."

Her eyes look at the kirin next to the elder and they grow wide as she recognizes him. "Oh! You're the one papa fished up from the river!"

Guo Long bows in respect, his left fist pressed into his right palm, and he thanks the soon-to-be mare and her family. "Greetings. I am Guo Long, Disciple of the Léiyǔ Sect. I am eternally grateful to your family for saving my life. I will repay this debt to you, this I swear."

Young Soft Grain was completely uncertain of what to do. This tall kirin was bowing to her in respect. Something normally only reserved for when greeting officials, nobles, and officers of the empire. She shyly covered her face with her serving tray and started stuttering while blushing cherry red.

Her mother Soft Dough came to the rescue, carrying a tray of bowls she walked over to her blushing daughter and patted her on the shoulder while laughing. "Oh, no need for that young man. One should not ask for rewards for doing the right thing."

Guo Long just keeps bowing but nods his head. "That may so be, but I am still indebted to you. I do not know when or how, but I will do what I can to repay you for this kindness."

Soft Dought just snorts good natural while shaking her head. "Hmph. Stubborn child, no need to think about such things. Just enjoy the fact that you still have your life to live and cherish. You only live once after all."

For some reason, Guo Long looks like he's trying to stifle a sneeze or snort. He just silently nods and begins to walk away, his lips twitching as he's restraining himself from laughing for some reason.

Not that everyone saw this or understood it as such.

Elder Hardshell was one of those people but he let the amuse kirin be, it might be that he was feeling a bit of relief for being reminded that he had nearly died but been saved and almost burst into tearful laughter of relief.

It was all wrong but no one but Guo Long knew the truth. And so it would remain a mystery for others.

[The Two Spies Outside Freshriver Village]

Meanwhile out by the two skulking figures in the woods, one of them is looking over the village as the other one sleeps by the tree. Having concluded that one could rest half the duration while the other kept watching before they switched places.

The spy notices a flash of gold in the village and focuses his attention on the center of the huts. His eyes widen as he sees a young kirin dressed in purple and gold robes, talking with the village elder, a blue-robed tortoise. "Hey wake up. I see robes. A newcomer. They look expensive. Purple silk with gold trims. What does purple mean now again? It's not a mage, warrior, magister, officer, or thief."

At the word purple, the other spy broke out of his slumber and grabbed the other one, and spoke with an excited tone in his voice. "Purple!? Did you say purple with gold!?"

A hand covered his mouth as the other spy made a hush motion to him. "Shhhhh! Yes. I did. Now quiet down."

Snatching the binoculars from the other spy's hands, forgetting he had his own, soon sees the person in question. "Purple is not used often. It used to signify a scholar before they changed it to white, nowadays it signifies a member or relative of nobility. The gold marks them as either a leader of a low ranking group or a member of a mid-ranking group."

The younger person just starts writing down the details on a piece of wood with some coal as the older scout speaks out all the details he can make out from the young kirin. Before he became part of their group he had been trained as a thief before he was abandoned during a mission, he might be an outlaw but he still had the skills of a trainee thief. "From his age, he must have obtained them recently, thus we can disclose the scholar theory. I can tell from the quality of those clothes he could be related to one of the magisters if not the imperial family. The gold trim on the cloth is an indicator he is a member of a wealthy group. Possibly a guild or a private club. From the looks of him, I think he's either a poet or a painter."

His colleague pauses in confusion before asking. "Why those two occupations?"

The older outlaw starts explaining all the details he could see that let him assume the young kirin's occupation. "A few things. He's talking with the village elder. They seem to be in a deep and contemplating conversation. He keeps examining his surroundings and doesn't stop talking even as he does. And the elder seems to be in deep thought of what he says. Plus, he is not carrying any instruments on him, and I could have spotted a flute in the folds of his robe if he had it on his person."

A blank look appears on the younger outlaw's face as he tries to follow the 'few details' the older outlaw was talking about. "He must be a very skilled poet or painter. Few non-combatant professions require such attention to their surroundings and not many fighters have the depths to discuss such matters with a person far older than them. And he's far too young to be a philosopher. This marks him as either a poet or painter."

Scratching his cheek in contemplation the younger spy once more voices his thoughts. "What is such a big shot doing out here in the bonnies? Seeking inspiration out here seems like a waste of time."

Shaking his head the older outlaw hands back the binoculars. "Who knows. But one thing is for certain, he will regret having come here when we take him prisoner. A ransom for a relative to a noble is worth more than ten years' worth of loot put together."

A look of glee appears on the other outlaw's face as he realizes the opportunity they had now. "Return early to inform the boss then?"

Nodding the other outlaw starts packing up what little gear they had. "Indeed. We can't risk this golden goose getting away."

[Back with Guo Long and Elder Hardshell]

In the village's general store was a large fat boar male sitting fanning himself in the summer heat. He was smiling at Elder Hardshell and Guo Long as they stood in front of his counter. His name was Grubber and he was the owner of the store and also acted as the head salesman for the local scavenge finds in the river and lake.

Elder Hardshell was speaking with the large boar as he looked over the store in contemplation. Remembering the past generations that used to work it. "You found something in the lake yesterday?"

Nodding the boar stood up from his seat and walked over to a small shelf behind his counter. "Yes. I thought it might have belonged to our young guest so I put it aside just in case it belonged to him."

Guo Long once more found himself bowing in respect to a member of the village. Touched by their kindness. "I am Guo Long, Disciple of the Léiyǔ Sect. I am eternally grateful for this village's kindness."

Laughing the old boar pulls out a bundle of cloth from one of the shelves. "Heh. You sure are a polite one. So unlike that ill-mannered son of mine."

Elder Hardshell suddenly turns and gives the old boar a judging look. Like a grandparent would give their unruly child or grandchild. "Were you not as ill-mannered yourself Grubber? I remember you brawling with wild beasts whenever you could in your youth and ended up a mess. Messes I would have to clean up and treat nearly every week."

The boar gets a bit of a nervous look on his face and laughs nervously. Looking left and right like a chided child, no one in the village could not forget how the old tortoise was when he wanted to teach you a lesson. Many painful bottoms and ears could be remembered. "Hehe. Please do not speak of my dark past Elder Hardshell, I have learned my lesson."

Huffing in amusement the old tortoise shook his head at the old boar in front of him. "Hmph. Show us the items you found."

"Ah yes. Here they are." Grubber places the bundle on the counter and the eyes of Guo Long seem to lit up at what he sees.

Though unheard by anyone else. Were the kirin spirits inside Guo Long's body speaking to him as they sense the artifact. Telling him the name of the artifact on the table, one he recognizes.

A name Guo Logn speaks out loud. "[Wind Serpent, Fangs of the Sky]."

It was a pair of chakrams. both of them were not complete circles like normal chakrams were. And for good reason. These were twice the radius of normal chakrams and were designed with a handle in the center with long fangs carved into wicked blades going out from both ends of the handles.

As if speaking their name was a trigger the two primal chakrams start to vibrate and twitch on the table. Before suddenly flying out towards Guo Long's face. Grubber and Hardshell both opened their mouths to shout out a warning.

Only for Guo Long's hands to smoothly reach up and catch the inner curve of the two chakrams and catch them with his index fingers. The two blades spin on his fingers for a few seconds before hanging limb on his fingers. A gust of wind blowing through the shop emits from the two chakrams for instance as they stop.

Slowly he lowers the lethal weapons and turns and bows to the gaping people in the room. "Thank you for returning these artifacts of my sect."

[At a Bandit Campsite, Two hours Later]

Two hours past midday the two spies of the band of outlaws came running out of the woods to the large clearing where their campsite laid. Seven large tents, twenty outlaws in total, with four large cages on wagon wheels covered by cloth located in the center.

For the past ten years had their bandit group raided the region known as the Golden Hills. They were not the largest but they were all strong and well equipped. Though normally they would seek easy targets were they now more daring than ever after receiving a blessing in the shape of good enchanted weapons that came floating down the river a few days ago.

Of course, they were not the ones to find the items. They just took them from the scavengers who were taking them to sell at a nearby town. Now with twenty enchanted weapons, they were more than eager to raid the large village of Freshriver.

Their leader was no fool however and had ordered them to make camp and scout the village for possible dangers. But the two scouts had only seen a single mage and a lot of trash. They knew the time was right and it was

Together the two spies rushed into the largest tent in the center of camp and shouted out together to the one inside. "Boss Gold Seeker! We have news!"

A tall unicorn stallion with a dark blue pelt and black mane was sitting in the tent cross-legged with his torso bare. Revealing his cutie mark, a dagger stabbing into a gold sack, placed on his back. As the cry from his underling comes the unicorn hums as he looks at something shining on the table in front of him. "Hmm?"

"We have scouted out the village for you. And there are no real threats there from what we can ascertain. Only peasant farmers and a few Commoner grade militia members and two mages, the highest being the elder with a rank of Mage. But you already knew this."

Nodding the unicorn's horn shines as he telekinetically pulls a flask of wine over to his open hand and uncorks it. "Good. But if that was everything you would not have come here so early."

The older of the two nod and begin to explain what they knew. "There is a newcomer in the village. He is a young kirin, hasn't even grown his beard. We saw him wearing an expensive-looking purple robe with gold trims. We assume he is a painter or poet with a distant relation to a noble family. He has no clear escorts, nor a carriage, so we can tell he is alone."

Sipping some wine the bandit leader digests what he has heard and grins as he finishes registering what his underling just told him. "Ohooo? This sounds interesting. Not often even one only associated with nobility would so brazenly wander in the Golden Hills. Without an escort at that."

Standing up the unicorn points his open hand out at the entrance while looking down at his two underlings. "Let us get ready for our raid upon Freshriver Village. We cannot let it go to chance that the noble will leave the village before we can reach him. We must act quickly." The two bandits bow and run off to inform their comrades. Leaving their leader alone in his tent.

Slowly turning around the unicorn looks upon the shiny object on the table and slowly steps towards it and then grabs it and lifts it to look at it. The dim blue light of the object lighting up his facial features in a creepy fashion.

"Hehehehe. So many blessings in one week. New weapons. An isolated village with few protectors. A lone noble. And not to mention you my pretty." The unicorn's face grows into a deranged and twisted grin as he throws away the wine bottle and strokes the object like it was a lover.

"Yes. My first raid with you will be. Glorious. First we shall clear out the wealth of the west. And then. We take the rest. Bit. By. Bit." A burst of deep reverbing laughter fills the air of the tent as outside bandits start putting things into action, carrying out gear and weapons in preparation for their big raid upon Freshwater Village.

TBC

Author's Note

Staadnauthursil: Yet another chapter completed. I hope you guys are enjoying it thus far.

Twilight: I think you should go into more details about the titles and skills of the techniques and titles of this world. There is so much missing information.

Staadnauthursil: That is what this Author's Note is for. I will be explaining the titles of the Mages, Thieves, and Warriors of the world of Gaia. As well as the ranking of artifacts. Though it is good to note that I am using a form of Thief, Mage & Warrior type of class system for warriors in this world.

Twilight: Ooooh! Tellmetellmetellme!

Staadnauthursil: Okay. Calm down. Here are the titles of the ranking system used in the world of Gaia.

Alright, Warrior & Mage Ranks. They are a bit universal and have a ranking system based on titles.

Mage Ranks works in 5 stages. 1-5. A mage achieves a rank for creating, rediscovering, or improving magic spells or through great achievements with magic. To rise to another title a mage has to go through an Evaluation Test. Which requires a magic reagent befitting the mage's current rank.

The power of a mage is based, and evaluated, on their magic power, control, knowledge, and discipline. Forgoing to learn about more than a few magic schools and/or spells is called Specialization and it means that you are more skilled in a specific tree of magic, possibly even unable to use any other kind of magic. But you will have a much easier time to train and improve without having too much magic to focus on.

An example of this would be Sombra who utilizes Shadows and Crystals for most of his magic, at such a length that he was able to take over a nation. This would categorize him as a Umbramancer of the title Sorcerer and around Rank 5 to determine his power, control, discipline, and knowledge of such spells. While Twilight just after her coronation as an alicorn would probably be around High Sorcerer Rank 1.

Note that there exist grades of spells that are titled after the recommended title for using them. It is not a law that prevents a Mage from attempting to cast a Wizard grade spell, but it is not recommended as it might exhaust the caster, go awry, or even kill them.

Titles are as following. From lowest to highest.

Commoner.
Acolyte.
Apprentice.
Mage.
Archmage.
Sorcerer.
High Sorcerer.
Wizard.
High Wizard.
Arcane Master

Thieves is an old term for stealth specialists in the world of Gaia, often used as an insult. Most countries calls them by other names, Ninjas, Spies, Agents, and so on. They have ten titles with 5 grades just like the other classes.

The titles are as following from lowest to highest.

Commoner.
Trainee.
Rogue.
Spider.
High Spider.
Shade.
Phantom.
High Phantom.
Shadow.
Master Shadow.

For Warriors in Gaia, there are only a few things that matter which determines your rank and grade. Gear, Experience, Technique, Achievements, and Discipline. Physical strength and ability are not really considered important. They are a bit like fighters who are only as good as the equipment they are using, only doing the bare minimum physical training to be able to utilize their weapons.

They practice how to wield their gear, but other then that they do not do more then basic training. And please note that this ranking system works for all military forces.

It would be like a level 1 fighter in DnD considering himself better than other fighters of higher level because he has legendary equipment.

These are the ten Warrior Titles, from lowest to highest.

Commoner.
Levy.
Hunter.
Soldier.
Scout.
Veteran.
Knight.
High Knight.
Champion.
Grand Champion.
World Champion.

The Ranking of Gear is a bit different since it only has Seven Titles and not Ten. And it does not have a numeric value to grade them. The name is rather associated with the rarity of the item. And some countries do not used the flowery names and just call them by their rarity.

Earth Grade. (Common)
Sea Grade. (Uncommon)
Sky Grade. (Rare)
Heart Grade. (Very Rare)
Soul Grade. (Unique)
Life Grade. (Legendary)
Eternal Grade. (Artifact)

The Ranking system is not perfect however, one cannot truly rank someone's strength 100%, but this is how the society in the world rank people.

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