The hall was decked out in an opuleerribly oyle, and Daiyu felt distinctly unimpressed, though she hid it well, her beautiful fa expressionless mask. Red and gold drapery was everywhere, along with fgs of the Party and the try. Gaudy statues of founding Party members and heroes were pced at strategic points, and the expensive crystal deliers that lit the hall were decked out in full with brightly bzing dles, and along the sides of the room were an array of tables, upon which sat opulent colles of dishes and drinks, whole roasted animals beside towers of champagne gsses and other such delights. Ready to serve, handsome waiters aiful waitresses were decked out in pristine uniforms, and already some of the less nervous or wary guests were talking to them, partaking of the rgess.

  Of course, behind them is a different dispy of power, ohat serves as a warning to all, should they not be blind to it. She observed the burly soldiers in their perfeiforms standing to attention, automatic rifles by their sides. There were even a couple with handheld RPG’s, which was overkill for such a task. Holding in a sneer and a sigh, Daiyu looked away, allowing herself only an imperceptible shake of her head.

  Sihey know there will be Cultivators here, they are taking no ces. Yet, against automatic ons even I would stand little ce, and against so many… Qi could not stop steel, not in this age of faded glories, anyerhaps in time the old arts would be revived, and new ones learnt, but until then… no, I o show willing, while as little aid as I get away with. My Honourable Patriarch demands nothing less.

  Once more casting her gaze over the hall she realised she could see several Cultivators, though few of note. Oing the gaze of one, a handsome young man, with short bck hair and hazel eyes, earing a suit that looked out of p him, she smiled slightly. Not that I look any more fortable in this gown.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]The man sauntered over, though his eyes were stantly darting about, taking in the positions of every possible threat. Wise. He is a true adherent of the Path of Swords. A shame, he was u ooday…

  “Beautiful Daiyu’er, what a pleasure to see you here.” he said, bowing to her. “I had heard rumours you had been gifted by the Dao this new opportunity. Of course, I expected no less, after all, if not you, then who?”

  He was Wei Feng, a Peak-stage Qi Refiner from a Sect that had associations with her own. To have reached such a stage at the tender age of twenty made him one of the prodigies to be watched. Though he is of course inferior to my talents. Regardless of that, it is heartening to see one I am not at odds with here…

  “Likewise, Brother Wei. I trust your sword remains as sharp as ever?” she replied politely. “I also expected that those of us who have the favour of the Heavens and the Dao would be called.”

  “My sword is not at hand, yet it is within my heart.” he said piously, f his hand into a fan shape, mimig a bde. “And it is sharper than ever. It will o be too.” he remarked cautiously, seeing the crowd of people in the hall. Already there were nearly two thousand people there, ranging from nervous-looking peasants to civil servants, military men and women, and even bureaucrats.

  “Yes, there is quite the attendance here. If all have been grahe blessing, then the Heavens and the Dao are quite profligate with their gifts.” she replied, uo keep the biting ill-humour from her voice. I hate it here, it has no eleganot like the halls of my Sect. Besides, I was nearing a breakthrough, so to have to spend my time on such pathetic matters…

  Before she could speak further, the door at the back opened, and a score of people filed out. Some of them were clearly very high ranking members of the Party, while others… her eyes widened involuntarily at a couple of the faces, esg even her rigid trol.

  Surely not… this is… troubling. My Honoured Patriarch must be informed, for he could not have foreseen this…

  Behind the lead figure, earing the formal military dress of the Party, his uniform decked with numerous medals, were two very familiar faces to her.

  g Gui, master of the Unquenchable Sun, one of the Five Great Sects. Long-time rival to our own Incorruptible Jade. While it was hardly proper to hold… hatred… for a member of anreat Sect, irying times where their influence was low, she found it hard to deny she loathed the old swine. Even at the age of sixty he retained a muscur figure, but his long white beard and moustache that he thought gave him a patri air only made him resemble the old pervert he was. Tales of his libido and… casual disregard for sent… were legendary amongst the Sects, and rumour had it he had sired over two hundred children, of which dozens had some degree of talent. Still, that was not what had made her eyes widen in shock.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]He has broken through to the Foundation realm? She could feel the Qi in him, far strohan before. Like her father, he was stuck at the bottleneck of Peak Qi Refining, but now… He is blessed and my Honourable Patriarch is not? The Heavens are cruel… also, he was not the ohat his Sect admitted to, so either they were lying, or there is another blessed within their ranks…

  Behind and beside him was Xiao Xia, another leader of a Great Sect, the Emerald Lotus. She was in her forties, but had lost none of her beauty, and the green gown she wore was sdalously cut, and very out of pce here.

  Spoiler

  [colpse]Beside her, Wei Feng spoke in a whisper, trusting her ears to pick it up, his hand obsg his face lest anyone read his lips. “Two of the Five stands with the Gover? That bodes ill indeed.”

  That it does, that it does. The situation is worse than my father thought. It might be ce that the Party asked for her by name, or one of the prese masters might have sold out their fellow Cultivators, but… there are people from all walks of life here, even peasants and farmers. Without some way of divining the blessed, this would not be possible. My Honoured Patriarch is right. I need more information and trusted allies before ag…

  Even with her might, she was uo e out best in a fight against two Sect Masters. Raw power could be tamed by the crafty, and she had no wish to hunt the cicada, only to be taken unawares from behind.

  “So, I think we are natural allies in this situation.” Wei Feng tinued, and she muttered her approval near-silently.

  It was then one of the people at the front cpped their hands, the loud noise sileng versation and drawing all eyes. As the burly Party member stepped aside, the man in uniform spoke. He was a handsome man, in his te forties maybe, still strong if starting to run a little to fat, his hair greying, but his eyes were dark and steely. His voice too was strong, used to and.

  “I am Shang jiang Qin Wang-lei, of the noble and righteous ese unist Party. I am grateful you have all wisely heeded the call of your try, for we have need of you now more than ever. Some of you may be fused, out of your element, or even fearful of this. But know this…” he boomed. “… we shall stand beside you, as you give your all for the Party, the Nation and the Ideals of lorious President.”

  With the opening preamble done, he got to the point. “I have beeed the head of the newly formed Department for Managing of Divine Mysteries. My vice-ministers will be g Gui, Xiao Xia and Wu Shing.

  This could not be worse. That Wu Shing looks like some sort of political official, no doubt in internal affairs or polig, but having two Sect Masters with such a position… would they really sell out our fifteen hundred long years of effort and history to the Party, just for some cheap gains?

  Qin Wang-lei tinued. “Those others you see around me are also trusted members of my Department. I shall introduce them in due course. But first… allow me to y down the most important rules you will all follow. I see fusion amongst you, and those that do not uand this opportunity will be taken under our wing, and educated properly, so that you may serve this try that has nurtured us.”

  Nurtured? These upstarts have… what… seventy years of history? We guided this try before it even had a name, for thousands of years, against foes undreamed of. Even when Kunlun seceded, leaving us behind in this spiritually barren nd, we formed the new Five Great Sects and protected the nd for fifteen hundred years… nurtured… exploited, I would wager is more apt.

  “The first step is to colte information. I uand you are eager to start eating and drinking, what with the generous spread you have been honoured with…” Qin Wang-lei’s joke fell ft, disappearing into the nervous silence around the room. “… but first my staff will be asking you to fill out these questionnaires. I… ence truthfulness, for only through accurate information and ho rep of resources we allocate proper roles for everyone, for the greater good.”

  Daiyu waited in silence as a group of men and women in military uniforms passed by, handing everyone a clipboard, to which was attached a list of questions. How will they know if we are lying? Perhaps in the same way they identified those of us in attendance? What would my Honourable Patriarch want?

  The questions were unfortunately quite perti. Her gaze strayed to the two Sect Masters who were now vice-ministers, barely able to keep the animosity from showing on her face. They were chatting with each other and the other Party members, ughing and joking. Damn traitors. Sect business should be kept far from secur matters… no doubt they were involved in the formution of these questions.

  They were asking about the throughput of spiritual energies and Qi, the area one’s spiritual influenpassed, any notable features such as mystical trees or sources of elemental Qi… The CCP could not have e up with this themselves…

  Taking her pen she scribbled down her answers, not telling any lies or omitting anything of value, yet… somewhat cagey in what she revealed otherwise. Beside her, Wei Feng had the good seo be doing likewise, but beside her, a young, handsome woman was frowning, her eyes wide with nervousness and fusion. I should leave it alone, but…

  Turning to the suit-wearing woman beside her, who robably in her early twenties, her dark hair pulled into a tight bun, pinned by silver hair sticks, she spoke gently. “Are you struggling? Perhaps I help.”

  The woman was startled by her voice, and she turned around like a scared rabbit. On seeing the speaker was a younger woman, she rexed, only to be open-mouthed at her beauty.

  “Are you struggling?” Daiyu asked gently again.

  “Oh, err, thank you. Yes, I am rather stumped. All of this… it is beyond my prehension.” she said, bowing deeply. “Oh, where are my manners. I am Jang Huifen. Here’s my card.” She passed over a business card, which Daiyu took and observed. It seems she runs an export business, and is the chairwoman. Unusual, she must have some talent.

  “I am Zhao Daiyu.” She answered. “I do not have a business card, but I do have some knowledge of this matter, humble though it is. What are you struggling with, I may be able to help?”

  “Everything, really. All this seems like a dream… no, it was a dream that started it. Caishen, the God of wealth and erce was in my dreams, and I thought it was a good omen, as my business is doing well… but after that, when I y eyes to sleep, I find myself in a strange world. It is frightening and unnatural, yet I hear the whispers of Caishen advising me… I thought I was going mad, until…” She pulled out a small , giggled nervously, and with her fingers she bent it easily. “… I found I was stronger, faster, my mind works quicker, I need less and less rest…” She paused, swallowing, her throat trembling. “… perhaps I colpsed from overwork, and all this is a a-dream before I die…”

  “I am afraid not.” Daiyu shook her head. “This is all too real. You have been exposed to the world that lies beh the surface, hidden for many long years. It seems that the blessings of the Dao are spread widely, not just to Cultivators and the wise.”

  “Cultivators?” Jang Huifen said, fused. “Like… farmers… no, that doesn’t make sense…”

  “I speak of Cultivating one’s own strengths and Qi, following the path of the Dao.” Daiyu replied, feeling amused that modern people were so ignorant of the past. “Perhaps you too call yourself one, since you have received this blessing…” Will the newers here o jois, or start their own? they start refining Qi like we do? So many questions, and so few answers…

  She gnced over at the two Sect Masters again, barely keeping her pt in check. Did they sell us out for the opportunity tthen their ows by inviting all these newers? No, surely they could not be that foolish. The Party will never allow such power to slip through their grasp, not now…

  “Umm, excuse me…” the businesswoman distracted Daiyu from her thoughts. “… I still don’t uand.”

  Perhaps it would be useful to take her under my wing. We o uand how the on folk will react to sudden power and the ging of their worldview. Smiling reassuringly, Daiyu spoke gently. “Uanding will e in time. Let me help you plete your questionnaire and I will expin as we go…”

  ***

  Going through the information that this new Department was requesting once more, Daiyu was both armed and impressed. They obviously have a thh uanding of this spiritual realm, perhaps eveer than my own… and worse, they know what questions to ask to expose our own uanding and assets there…

  She was drinking wine, careful to let her Qi accelerate the funs of her liver to break down the alcohol quickly. It was a waste, but she could not afford to be drunk, not now. The taste was delightful, and beside her Jang Huifen was eating, hunched over like a small mammal trying to make themselves inspicuous in front of predators. In trast Wei Feng was like her, drinking with seemingly no cares, though he too would be making strides to maintain his readiness.

  It was then she picked up on a weak source of Qi moving her way, only to see a young man approag. He was wearing casual clothes, jeans and a loud shirt, but pio his colr was a golden badge of a stoh a tail of fme. Golden Starfall Sect. One of the Five Great Sects. But this one is weak… Early stage Qi Refining, Middle stage at best…

  Seeing her gaze, the young man strolled over. He was nothing special to look at, pin for a Cultivator, but Daiyu was still wary. Wei Feng had also picked up on his approach, and while he arently uned, his free hand was ready to strike.

  “Peace, I want no trouble here.” The man said. “I simply felt the o see the famous Bck Jade that is Ever Beautiful. Where else would su unworthy disciple such as me get an opportunity?”

  I dislike him already… Her thoughts sour, she held back a frown with great effort. Ever Beautiful Bck Jade was the moniker she had been given by the elders of her ow, and it had spread far and wide, causing her no end of embarrassment. I am beautiful, yes. But I wish to be known for my talents, not my looks. “Well, you have seen me, disciple of the Golden Starfall. Have I satisfied you?”

  At her poione, Jang Huifen picked up on the suddenly straimosphere, and she backed away a little, making herself even smaller. Seeing this, Daiyu reined in her disapproval as best she could. Drawing attention to themselves was foolish here. “Well, you did not answer my question, are you now satisfied? I do not see the Master of your Sect, is he not here?”

  “No, I fear my riarch was not called to this gathering, much as I don’t see your father here.” The man answered flippantly, further raising her ire. “Still, yes, I am satisfied, as any man would be. One would have to be blind not to appreciate your beauty, and more importantly… your influence.”

  At his sudden ge of track, Daiyu paused, momentarily unsure of how to proceed. Seeing this, the man’s smile broadened. “Well then, this humble disciple is Tang Bai. My skills are modest, yet my mind is sharp. It is a pleasure to meet you here, fellow Cultivators.” He o Wei Feng as well. “Would that we met under better circumstahe Party is giving us no fad little honour. This sits ill with me and my Venerable Patriarch. I expect the Masters of your Sects feel the same?”

  Wei Feng nodded, and Daiyu was forced to agree. “Of course. We are not civilians, to e when called like dogs, to answer questions on our most private talents and gifts. Still, what choice do we have?”

  “None, sinehow this Qin Wang-lei knows who is and who is not swept up iides of ge. Therefore I feel we need as many friends and allies as we gather. A united front.” His gaze also strayed to the two Sect Masters who stood as vice-ministers. “I have orders from my Patriarch to find such friends in this trying time. No doubt you are carrying out some tasks of your own?”

  Before Daiyu could ahere was more loud g, and the Shang jiang in charge started talking once more, an array of bck-suited secretarial staff behind him having analysed the ahe crowd had given.

  “I am most pleased at your hoy.” Qin Wang-lei said, the two traitors behind him all smiles as well. “Only through sharing a on purpose and with each citizen w as needed we prosper, proteg ourselves from threats both home and abroad, and now even in strange, mystids.” He strode up and dowage, hands csped behind his back, radiating an aura of authority.

  “Over the few days orders will arrive for each of you. You will move your areas of influen the Spirit Realm to the designated locations, and trate on gathering resources as specified in your tailored pn. When resources are gathered they will be funo your designated liaison. Some of you will have the opportunity to be liaisons yourselves, those whose loyalty and civic spirit meets the standard that the Party expects.”

  He the on to discuss allocation of funds for any required relocations in the mortal realm, as well as various other matters, but what it all boiled down to was… Curse him and his Department to Diyu… may they suffer all eighteen torments!

  “I see. They pn to have the pigs eat us tigers. As my Patriard no doubt yours suspected.” Tang Bai grimaced. “All the more reason we o stick together.”

  “I see that the Party has learned well from the ways of Cultivation.” Wei Feng sneered. “I thought that their goal rosperity for all, but ihey are stealing from us to give to their favoured pets.”

  “And if we roil over and show our bellies in submission, we could be one of their pdogs too.” Tang Bai curred. “Well, Golden Starfall ot be stopped by the wishes of mortal men.”

  “And our Jade arnishes, staying perfect for all eternity.” Daiyu made up her mind. Indeed, it is quite the malicious ploy. All our work will go to bolstering another, creating those of great influence over the spiritual realm, whilst we have to fight over the scraps remaining, like starving curs. No, this will not stand, not at all. But as of yet, we ot oppose them. Not with the traitors, and the unseen hand who has found all of us, despite ifts being hidden…

  Seeing her fellow Cultivators waiting for an answer, she bit down a sigh and nodded. “Very well. We shall share information and work together as best we . However, with my standing, I shall be in and. I will brook nument on this. Someone must lead, and I am qualified. After all, if we work as with o, we even move Mount Tai.”

  As they agreed to her proposal, only one person was looking fused. Speaking up tentatively, as if wary of being scolded, Jang Huifen raised one hand. “Err, I don’t mind joining up with you, you all seem niot that I know what’s going on… but… ah, what’s my area of influence?”

  Daiyu bit down on a sigh. It will be iing to have the perspective of an ordinary human, and those traitors will never expect us to associate with such, so it is worth doing, but despite that… "We shall expin it to you. After this farce of a meeting is over, we shall pool our knowledge and resources. A successful w woman such as yourself will grasp the intricacies in no time.”

  “Are you sure? Oh thank you, I’m grateful!” She bowed repeatedly, and once more Daiyu wondered what she was doing here. My Cultivation was s to new heights. Damn you all who interfere with my path to enlighte… If she could find the one who discovered her blessing and gave her o this Department, she could quite cheerfully wring their neck like killing chis…