Quantum Cultivation by Jace Kang (simple e reader TXT) 📕

launch the Xingyi Metal Pattern at you. When you see me move, you will counter with the Fire Pattern. Now.” Ryu stomped in with the motion, going at one-tenth normal speed and putting no power behind it.

Ken’s Fire Pattern was the perfect counter, his hands buffeting Ryu’s Metal position.

“Fire Tempers Metal.  Now, Metal!” Ryu snaked in with the Wood Pattern.

Kentaro sliced forward with the decisive Metal strike, which cut off the Wood attack.

“Metal Prunes Wood. Now, Wood.” Ryu sank into a low Earth attack.

Imitating Ryu’s technique from a moment before, Kentaro engaged with the entangling motions of the Wood Form, which moved around Ryu’s defenses.

“Wood Roots Earth. Now, Earth.” Flowing with the Water technique, Ryu attacked with a fluid series of punches.

Kentaro’s low Earth stance and sinking arms channeled Ryu’s motions downward.

“Earth Furrows Water. Now, Water.” Ryu attacked with a fiery flurry.

The Water movement flowed around the Fire motions and buried them.

“Water Douses Fire.”

They repeated the cycle over and over again, and Kentaro’s form went from passable to decent faster than many of the clan children. Despite his inevitable fatigue, his expression brightened.

Ryu held up a hand, allowing the boy to rest.

“Master,” Kentaro said, “The Xingyi forms show how one Element overcomes another, but they are fixed motions.”

“Yes. Remember, each Element is a means of describing the nature of the Ten Thousand Things. Xingyi Fist is just one aspect, but it gives you a framework for understanding the Elements.”

Kentaro’s forehead crinkled. If he pondered any harder, he might break something.

“Think about the Earth Form.” Ryu stomped into the low stance, combined with the sinking hand motions. “The offensive and defensive nature is sinking. It’s perfect for redirecting the fluid, adaptable nature of Water. However, it is vulnerable to the tenacious, probing, and spreading nature of Wood.”

Kentaro’s head bobbed, but he didn’t look like he fully understood.

“It’s the concept, not just the motion. Execute the Earth pattern.”

Kentaro complied, sinking in his stance. Ryu darted in, tangled up Kentaro’s arms, and landed six gentle punches in a second.

Eyes widening, Kentaro retreated a step. “What was that? It wasn’t Xingyi; at least, not what you taught me.”

“No, it’s not Xingyi. It’s Wing Chun, a Wood Yang style. Notice how I tied your arms up so you couldn’t defend yourself.”

Kentaro nodded.

“Wood generates Fire. The entangling of your arms is Wood in nature, which was followed by the Fire: namely, a rapid flurry of attacks.”

“So what you’re saying is that any martial form can have multiple Elements, but is predominantly one or another?”

“Yes!” Ryu patted him on the head. “And that each Element manifests in different ways with each style. Generally, the Cycle of Control works in countering.”

“Generally?”

“I, as a Fourth-Ranked Water practitioner, could overwhelm a Third-Ranked Fire Cultivator, and easily defeat a Fourth-Ranked.” Ryu pantomimed splashing water downward and made a fizzling sound with his breath. “However, a Fifth-Ranked Fire Cultivator would be difficult. I would win, but possibly sustain injuries.”

“What about a Sixth-Ranked one?” Kentaro looked up with those puppy eyes.

“Like a fire boiling water.” Ryu flicked his fingers upward. “A Sixth-Ranked Fire Grandmaster could overwhelm a Third-Ranked Water Adept.”

Understanding bloomed in Kentaro’s expression. “Like fire boiling water into steam.”

“Yes!” Ryu nodded. The boy was quick. “And imagine a Sixth-Ranked Fire Grandmaster against a First-Ranked Water Initiate.”

“Instant vaporization,” Ken said.

“Like water being separated into hydrogen and oxygen.” Ryu shook his head. “Of course, you can’t just stand there and guess what Element you’re being attacked with, and then think of a counter. As you practice more and more, it will become a natural reaction.”

“Can we do the Xingyi patterns again?” Kentaro looked at him, expression pleading.

“Part of Cultivation is rest. You don’t want to push yourself too hard. Not on the first day, especially.” Ryu’s ears, their hearing enhanced by the Water Path, twitched.

Someone was hiding behind a tree about sixty meters away, coughing. The wet, phlegmy sound brought back memories of his own youth, when his lungs had been so weak.

Ryu reached out with his Qi through the Water Vapor, sensing.

Yin predominant, she was a female, with brittle Metal and infertile Earth, clogged meridians, and a small, empty Core.  Not so frail as the XHumans, though, since she seemed to have the potential to Cultivate.

“Come out,” Ryu said. “I know you are there.”

Kentaro startled and looked in the same direction.

A head poked out from behind the tree, with a thin helmet and visor covering her face. It was the same headgear many of the tactical Peacekeepers wore.

Kentaro dropped into Xingyi’s Metal stance. It was low-key cute, given there was nothing he could do from this range.

“I’m Bodhi,” she said, voice a light rasp that probably only Ryu’s enhanced hearing could detect.

“She says she’s Bodhi.” Ryu gestured Kentaro to follow.

“She?” Kentaro came out of his stance and hurried to catch up. “Bodhi was a male. Maybe the Peacekeepers reviewed the footage and are setting a trap for you.”

Ryu chuckled. “It wouldn’t be a very good trap, since she’s here alone.” He stretched out his Qi, just to ensure that was the case. With so much water vapor in the air after the rain, his senses reached even farther. There was no one within a hundred meters.

“She’s wearing a Peacekeeper helmet. Those are almost impossible to come by, unless you’re a Peacekeeper.” Kentaro slowed a step before hurrying to catch up again.

“Like your ear dot?” Ryu grinned.

Kentaro chuckled nervously.

Even if Bodhi wasn’t male as he’d to be appeared at Kyoto Central, the brittle Metal, infertile Earth, and clogged meridians suggested she’d been telling the truth about having cystic fibrosis.  Which meant… “She’s Purebred.”

“No, a Purebred can’t be a Peacekeeper.” Kentaro shook his head. He raised his voice, addressing the interloper. “What’s your real