Tao Cai sits quietly on the balcony of his issued room, looking out into the sprawling gardens of the inner courtyard that sat at the center of the city-lord's mansion. He sits in a meditative position, circulating Qi throughout this body as he continued to train his cultivation, and nourish his meridians.

'Attending the royal academy... I wonder how long I'll be away...' Tao Cai quietly pondered in his mind as he sat, wondering about his current situation. 'I wonder if this physique of mind is dangerous. Even that Imperial agent seemed to ponder on many things as he explained things to me, as if he too was attempting to learn more about my physique...' Tao Cai sighed as he attempted to calm his mind. Though he wasn't a particularly experienced cultivator, he could still feel his Qi tremble and shift due to something within him, though he couldn't tell what. "Damn it." Tao Cai suddenly spoke aloud as he slowly climbed to his feet. "It feels like that agent knows so much more, but he's not telling me anything!" Tao Cai raised his voice a bit as he grew frustrated. "Maybe I should ask father If I can head into the city; I could go to the Kinman Central Library. There must be something in the history books."

A sudden knock echoed into Tao Cai's room from the front door as Tao Cai stood there, leaning onto the railing of the balcony while looking down into the gardens. Hearing the knock, Tao Cai quickly made his way out of his bedchamber and into the sitting area. He gently pulled the door open, finding Ao Jīn standing there.

"Greetings, young lord." Ao Jīn smiled, saluting Tao Cai while bowing his head. "The Lord is preparing everyone to return to the Li Residence, and he sent me to get you." he stood up straight once more as he continued. Tao Cai nodded as he stepped out into the corridor, closing the door behind himself.

A group of maids alongside a more senior looking male stood several feet back, lined up a single line. "We will handle the cleaning and ordering of the room, young lord." the male servant bowed his head, the maids immediately following suit. "Travel safe, young lord."

Tao Cai happily bowed in return before Ao Jīn and himself began to make their way down the corridor. "Your sudden awakening on the training fields was quite impressive, young lord. So, if I might ask, how do you feel your cultivation progressing?" Ao Jīn suddenly inquired as they continued.

"I don't really know." Tao Cai seemed unsure and aloof. "Since I got back from meeting with the Imperial agent, my Qi's felt strange." Tao Cai couldn't really explain it, though he knew it didn't feel right.

"Have you been feeling... conflicted?" Ao Jīn inquired in a soft, inquisitive voice.

"Yeah, about a lot of things." Tao Cai scratched the back of his neck, feeling confused and unsure.

"I see." Ao Jīn sighed. "Conflict in the heart can cause a great deal of difficulties to a cultivator. It can cause your Qi to tremble and spasm, and make your meridians reject your Qi." Ao Jīn explained. "You must be confident in all things, young lord. You are the heir of the Li Family, future head of the Li Martial Clan. You will surely do great things, and I'm sure that agent Piao, that Imperial agent, thinks the same." he did his best to make Tao Cai feel more confident.

"He certainly seems to think I'm capable of great things, but I don't know." Tao Cai still seemed conflicted, looking down, though his mouth crested into a half smile as he spoke.

"The Li Family will always stand at your back. Earl Shi will stand at your back. We will stand at your back, young lord." Ao Jīn assured Tao Cai as he bowed his head.

"Thank you, Ao Jīn." Tao Cai smiled completely as he looked away for a moment.

"I serve you and the lord the best I can." Ao Jīn responded with a proud and happy smile of his own as the two continued down the corridors. They eventually reached the doors of the grand hall once again, entering quickly.

The guards of the Li Family were organized into a large formation, Wu Yin and Wei Jie standing just behind Lord Li who stood out front it. They quickly stepped into the formation, Tao Cai standing next to his father, and Ao Jīn moving into a position just off next to the left of Wei Jie.

Lord Li looked down at his son for a moment with a smile for a moment before looking back up at Earl Shi, addressing him directly. "I thank you for helping me with my son." Lord Li spoke loudly and appreciatively as he put his hands into a salute while bowing his head. All of his men, alongside Tao Cai and three cultivators quickly followed suit, offering their thanks loudly.

Earl Shi smiled while nodding once. "You have nothing to thank me for, my friend. Helping a person need, especially friend, is only natural."

"Then we shall take our leave, my lord." Lord Li bowed his head once more before continuing. "We shall be back in a few days to sort everything out with your... guest."

"We shall be waiting." Earl Shi nodded.

The large formation of men turned about, splitting into two halves as they let Lord Li, Tao Cai, and the three cultivators through. As they passed through, the formation closed once again as they marched behind. Making their way outside and down the steps of the manor, their horses were already prepared by the manor's soldiers. Quickly mounting them, they began their ride back into the city, and toward the Li Residence.

Navigating their way through the crowded city streets, they eventually make their way to the large gates and high walls of the Li Residence. The gates quickly open as they approach, allowing the sizable group to enter into the large open space that sits in front of the residence.

"Please excuse me father." Tao Cai immediately dismounted as he stopped next to his father, close to the doors. "I wish to greet mother before heading to my chambers."

Lord Li nodded, excusing Tao Cai. As his son quickly ran into the residence, Lord Li loudly sighed. "Return to your duties, all of you, I wish to speak with my bodyguards." Lord Li spoke as he gestured toward Wu Yin, Wei Jie, and Ao Jīn. The Li Family guards all immediately saluted and bowed before riding toward the side of the residence.

"Do you think my son becoming a cultivator was a good thing?" Lord Li sighed, sounded conflicted as he spoke. "If feels like he's changed... like he's... different."

"If I might speak frankly, my lord, it will take him to adjust. He holds a great power in his hands, one that he will have to confront and understand." Wu Yin spoke sympathetically.

"He received his official invitation earlier today, to the royal academy." Lord Li suddenly spoke as he looked toward the residence. "Do you think him leaving, being on his own, is a good idea?"

"There is no better place for him to learn and train outside of the major sects." Wu Yin spoke, and Wei Jie and Ao Jīn quietly nodded in agreement, all of them clearly of the same mind.

"He knows so little, though. Will he be okay?" Lord Li looked back at the three of them while responding.

"Perhaps, if you are willing to give your permission, Wei Jie and myself can take Tao Cai to the training grounds outside of the city. Impart some knowledge and give him a few pointers." Ao Jīn spoke suddenly. "Maybe we can even figure out what seems to be causing such conflict in his heart."

Lord Li pondered for several moments before responding, "Please teach him, and help him." Lord Li bowed his head and saluted them. "Just give him some time before going to him."

"There is no need to bow your head to us, my lord." the three of them seemed to speak in unison. "We live to serve the Li Family." each of them bowed and saluted at once.

"Thank you." Lord Li gestured to Wu Yin as he spoke. "Just make sure he's safe." he continued as Wu Yin and himself dismounted, hitching their horses to the railing before entering the residence.

Several hours passed with Tao Cai sitting quietly in the large courtyard at the center of the Li Residence. He sits under a small gazebo on a small island surrounded by water, connected to the rest of the gardens by a wooden bridge.

Sitting there, quietly cultivating, he heard footsteps approaching him as the wood of the bridge creaks and shifts. Slowly opening his eyes, he finds his sight meet with Wei Jie's. The two kneel as he looks up at them. "What are you doing here?" Tao Cai inquired as he cocked his head in curiosity. "I though the two of you are normally out training at this hour?"

"We came to ask if you would like to come with us today, out to the training fields for soldiers beyond of the city walls?" Wei Jie asked. "You had always seemed interested in visiting them and inspecting them."

Tao Cai's eyes widened as he responded, "Can I really go with you? Father has always told me I'm not allowed to go."

"Lord Li has already granted us his permission, young lord." Ao Jīn spoke with an excited voice of his own. Tao Cai couldn't help but smile widely as he heard Ao Jīn respond.

"If you would like to come with us, we'll be heading out soon." Wei Jie interjected once again with a smile.

"Then... if it's okay with you, I would like to come!" Tao Cai seemed unsure for a moment, but if his father had already given his permission, he was more than willing to go. Both of them nod in response, gesturing for Tao Cai to come with them. Climbing to his feet, Tao Cai follows behind them as they cross back over the bridge and make their way through the gardens. Making their way through the residence, as well, they're greeted by male and female servants alike.

After several minutes, they reach the front of the residence. A group of four guards stands around three horses, holding onto them, and saluting as Tao Cai with Ao Jīn and Wei Jie. Stepping back from the horses, the guards bow while the three of them mount the horses.

"Thank you for preparing our horses." Wei Jie saluted the guards while bowing.

"Of course, sir." the guards responded in unison.

As the gates to the Li Residence begin to open, Tao Cai looked around slightly perplexed. "It's just going to be us?" he questioned curiously as they began to ride out of the gates, the gates being closed behind them as they ride into the streets.

"Indeed, young lord. For today, it will just be the three of us." Wei Jie responded while nodding. Tao Cai immediately grew excited.

Their small group of three rides through the crowded streets of the city, navigating the crowds of people, and the carts and carriages of the nobility. "The streets feel more crowded than usual." Tao Cai commented as they road down the streets. "But I grow tired of seeing the people so happy and lively," Tao Cai contently chuckled, "I just hope every city in the empire is as happy and wealthy as Kinman."

Ao Jīn and Wei Jie quietly smiled, contentedly listening to their young lord talk and laugh happily. It felt like a good change of pace from Tao Cai's uncertainty and gloom. The rest of their ride through the city went quickly as the navigate the tight streets, numerous citizens, and the countless shops and stands that filled the roads with bustling movement.

Eventually they reached a small side gate that led out of the city, opening up into the open fields that surrounded the city. Closer to the walls, in between the battlements of the city and the crop fields of the plains, were dozens of stone-outlined training fields and dozens of large tents scattered about. Hundreds of soldiers were clashing blades on the training fields, sharpening their weapons, and tending to their armor, firing arrows at targets, and more. It was bustling with soldiers and officers. They continued through the flattened-out paths that led through the hustle and bustle of the area until they reached an empty field and unoccupied tent.

As the stopped and began to dismount, a group of attendants approached them, taking their horses by the reigns as they led them to wooden posts nearby to hitch them. At the same time, Tao Cai, Ao Jīn, and Wei Jie set up inside the tent. The tent itself was more like a posted-up canopy, covered on three sides, but open-faced toward the training field in front of it.

Inside the tent was a large table and several seats, numerous empty platters sitting on it. "Please have food and drinks brought to us." Wie Jie ordered to one of the attendants. The man quietly saluted while bowing his head before he departed. The other attendants quietly bowed as well, saluting the three of them as they moved into position around the tent.

"I'll let you take it from here." Wei Jie gestured to Ao Jīn, sitting down while doing so.

"Understood." Ao Jīn nodded before gesturing for Tao Cai to follow him. "Let us enter the stage, young lord." Ao Jīn continued as he and Tao Cai step out of the tent, walking up to the field before stepping into it. "Are you ready to begin?"

"Yes, I think so." Tao Cai seemed rather excited as he spoke. Ao Jīn nodded.

"Then I'll be teaching you several techniques commonly utilized by cultivators, such as us, which are not connected to any Sect." Ao Jīn gestured by toward Wei Jie as he explained. "Please bring us some targets." Ao Jīn spoke to directly to the attendants, quickly prompting them to go behind the large tent, returning several moments later with several targets. Quickly placing them onto the field, they depart back to the tent. Each of the targets were made of intertwined hay in the shape of person.

"Cultivators can gather Qi in numerous ways in combat, even without using a martial art. Qi itself can be shaped into many weapons and shapes." Ao Jīn explained as he paced back and forth for a moment. Tao Cai listened quietly, intaking everything as he learned. "Take this, for example." Ao Jīn took a sudden step toward the targets, Qi gathering around his hands before shooting forth as two swirling balls. As they impacted the targets, the balls of Qi blasted large holes through their chests as a shock of Qi reverberated around them. In an instant, he switched stances, conjuring two folding fans made of Qi into his hands. Throwing fans, they flew quickly toward the targets, removing their heads as the fans dissipated.

"Wow, you're so powerful!" Tao Cai excitedly exclaimed as his eyes went wide, his mouth left agape. His expression clearly screamed awe and admiration. Ao Jīn couldn't help but smile proudly, blowing air from his nostrils with satisfaction.

"While it is impressive in some ways, I'm still only an expert of the 5th layer of the Qi Genesis Realm. That's only a few layers above yourself." Ao Jīn clarified while nodding toward Tao Cai. "With enough training and guidance and resources, you will have no problem not only catching up, but far surpassing myself. And I have no doubt you will receive all of that when you attend the royal academy."

"But being at your current level at 16 is still good, right?" Tao Cai innocently questioned as he moved next to Ao Jīn.

"It's good, I suppose, but I'm still only a single realm above the Thirteen Meridians Awakening Realm, the lowest realm of cultivators." Ao Jīn scratched the back of his neck as he replied. "But not much can be done without a sufficient supply of pills." he sighed while speaking aloud before continuing. "Though considering most won't ever reach even the Qi Condensation Realm, I suppose it's not bad." he chuckled.

"What's that?" Tao Cai asked as he looked up at Ao Jīn. "Or I suppose I should be asking you where it is?" Tao Cai gently scratched his head while questioning.

"It's the realm three places above my own, and a notoriously difficult to reach realm despite being relatively low in the hierarchy of cultivation." Ao Jīn nodded in contemplation before he began a short explanation. "Cultivation is a lot harder now than it was long ago. Truly nourishing and pure Qi is rather rare outside of ancestral and ancient sites, most of which are controlled by powerful sects or martial clans." Ao Jīn quietly stroked his chin while speaking, quickly continuing after a moment. "But none of that is important at the moment. Please assume the stance I just went into."

Tao Cai nodded, moving into the same stance Ao Jīn took when he shot the balls of Qi. He gently placed a hand on Tao Cai's back, tapping into his Qi as he helped him circulate it. "I'll be guiding the Qi into your hands to form the Qi orbs." Ao Jīn explained as he began. After a few moments, glowing orbs of swirling Qi began to form in his hands.

"Good, good, now prepare to discharge them toward the target." Ao Jīn explained as he slowly pulled his hand away from Tao Cai's back, stepping up next to him. Tao Cai quietly looked down at the swirling maelstroms of glowing energy in his hands, his face speaking to the amazement of the moment. After a few moments, Tao Cai looked up from them and stared at one of the targets. Mimicking the motions that Ao Jīn took earlier, he discharged the balls of Qi toward the target, ripping through it as hay was sent flying across the field.

"That was good, but you'll need to practice the energy you put into it." Ao Jīn explained as he stepped forward. "You'll notice that hay was sent all over the place when your Qi hit the target," Ao Jīn pointed over at the target. "While no Qi was dispersed when mine hit those." Ao Jīn pointed over at the targets that he hit. "My Qi destroyed the hay it came into contact with because I put more pure energy into it, something you'll need to practice doing going forward."

"Understood." Tao Cai nodded as he thought on what Ao Jīn said. "Maybe you can teach me about that later?"

"As you wish, young lord." Ao Jīn happily bowed as he took a step back. Smiling, Tao Cai gathered Qi around his hands once again, blasting several more holes into the target as he proudly laughed. He took several steps back after doing so, looking up at Ao Jīn with an excited smile before looking back at the targets.

"You learn quickly, young lord." Ao Jīn sounded proud and happy as he spoke, a wide smile across his face.

"Would you mind if I asked you something?" Tao Cai suddenly spoke, sounding a bit conflicted.

"Of course, young lord." Ao Jīn spoke a questioning, curious voice as he kneeled.

"Why didn't you and the others attend the Xuě Gōng Academy?" Tao Cai glanced up at him as he asked. Ao Jīn took in a breath while cocking up his head, nodding a few times as he stared up at the sky for a moment.

"That's... a long story."