A few weeks had passed since the night six friends parted ways. Ming Cheng and Wei Ning had stayed by Ming Ran's side. They cultivated together, sparred, and began to get to know each other again. Elle had been laid to rest in their hearts long ago, however-- since now they no longer needed to feign ignorance-- their relationship had been allowed to flourish. Wei Ning sparred against Ming Ran in the yard, pushing him to the brink. It was as though he felt the need to prove himself-- to no one other than himself. He pushed himself forward, striking at Ming Ran's weak points again and again until finally, Ming Ran plopped down onto the ground.
I surrender... he signed, and allowed himself to spread out like a starfish in the dirt. Meng Yu watched them from the doorway in shock.
"Okay. I know you got your ass handed to you in the tournament, but that's no reason to beat our poor Shidi into the ground." Both Ming Ran and Wei Ning stared at him. Meng Yu plopped down and took another bite from the apple he was chewing on. "What?"
Cang Yuan chuckled and joined them outside. The way he lounged looked more like a vagrant than a master cultivator who lived for... who knows how long. He peeled a tangerine lazily, and didn't look at any of them. "It's because you don't usually care for your Shidi that they look so surprised. How neglectful you must have been!" Meng Yu huffed and sat down.
"Sit up, Master. You have the poise of a limp tree. You are supposed to be the elder of this mountain! You need to carry yourself with at least some elegance. How are the rest of us supposed to hold our heads up high if you look like a loafer." Cang Yuan pouted and laid back, whining.
"A-Yu! Don't nag me so much! I already have Jin Qirei on my back constantly." he rolled around like an unruly child. Ming Ran watched this scene unfold with a mix of normalcy and oddity. If someone had told Ming Ran that Meng Yu was the elder of this mountain, and Cang Yuan his unruly disciple, he would have an easier time believing it. There was a sudden shrill whistle and three sharp clangs as Wei Ning batted three needles from the air. He stood over Ming Ran guarding him. He looked coldly at his childish master.
"Shizun, you could have hurt him." Wei Ning said. Cang Yuan pursed his lips and rolled over.
"All my disciples are against me! Hmph." he pouted and looked at Ming Ran, "I'll have you know, I can play the part of respectable master too when I want to. I just don't want to right now." Ming Ran got up and bowed in apology. Cang Yuan only rolled over again, "Brat. Only being polite on the surface." Ming Ran poked him, watching as he played dead for a bit. He sat up.
"Enough! I want to eat skewers! We're going on a trip." Meng Yu immediately turned around and walked away.
"I have training to do." Cang Yuan grabbed him and pulled him by the collar over to Wei Ning and Ming Ran.
"What this master says, goes. We are going to travel to the mortal world now."
The "mortal world", as Cang Yuan called it, was a large, crystalline lake in the middle of a swamp. Ming Ran looked at Wei Ning and he shook his head. Meng Yu looked about ready to kill his master then and there.
"Fishing? You brought us out here for a fishing trip?!" Cang Yuan grinned and went to sit by the water's surface.
"Of course. Why else would I bring you to a lake in the middle of the swamp?" he watched the water with relish. Meng Yu growled. In truth, this was not the first time he had been dragged out to this very swamp to fish. It was always this pond. Cang Yuan would say the exact same words every. single. time: "Okay. So, we're all going to work together to catch a fish. No slacking off! Fishing begins now." He'd then sit on the shore and stare into the water. The first time, Meng Yu had tried his best to catch a fish. Even, naively and earnestly asking his master how they would catch fish without fishing gear. His master would reply that they use their hands and skills. So, Meng Yu tried for days to catch a fish using his bare hands. He had not caught one successfully. Cang Yuan finally caught one fish and they went home. Meng Yu, however, was not one to just give up an assignment. He spent months wading the water of rivers, streams, and ponds trying to practice catching fish. He could catch up to fifteen in one trip by the end of his training. Sure enough, as soon as he claimed himself proficient, another chance to fish at that swamp pond came. Again, however, not a single fish could be caught. This happened four times before Meng Yu was sure that he was just bad at catching swamp fish. Then, Wei Ning was brought on as Cang Yuan's newest disciple. He could not catch a single fish either. Not the first, second, or tenth time. Both students had given up and decided to use that time to train instead. However, their master would have a fit each time and they would be forced to stand in the water to try and catch fish.
"Twenty-seven." Meng Yu muttered as he trudged through the water. Wei Ning sighed and did the same.
"Nineteenth." Wei Ning monotoned. He stepped into the water. Ming Ran followed suit and looked into the water. He stared into the depths for a few seconds, then looked at Cang Yuan, then over to Meng Yu and Wei Ning.
There are no fish in this lake. He signed. Meng Yu looked green.
"Master! We should find a different lake. There are no fish in the lake!"
"There are." Cang Yuan insisted.
"There are not!" Meng Yu said again. Cang Yuan sighed.
"Who told you that?"
"Ming Ran."
"He is your youngest shidi and still experienced. There are indeed fish in this lake. Has this master not caught one every time?" Meng Yu groaned. He had nothing to say to this. Ming Ran tilted his head and looked into the lake. He focused his qi and probed the depths of the clear water. His mind reaching out. As he thought, there were no fish in this lake. A sparrow landed on a branch and tilted his head at the humans in the water.
Little cultivator, it chirped. Ming Ran looked around, bewildered, before his eyes landed on the sparrow.
Did you call for me?
Yes, I did, indeed. I can feel the life within you. It is life that rests in me too. We are kin of the same origin.
Ming Ran had noticed that he had a heightened sense of the world around him. The world was more vibrant. Grass swayed and brushed passed his feet as he passed. He had started to walk around barefoot whenever he could to feel the earth beneath his feet.
Why is it you are standing in the water like that?
Are there fish in these waters?
No. However, the one lounging on the rock over there has a herring in his sleeve. If he does not plan to eat it, perhaps he should give it to one of you.
With that, the sparrow flew off, leaving three students and one mischievous fox in swamp.