piratefiction Chapter 31: Library
Chapter 31: Library
Chapter 31: Library
Early the following morning.
Where do you want the strawberry plants, Auslen?
Hearing Vincents voice coming from behind him, Auslen stopped fiddling with the bamboo shoots in front of him before raising his soil-covered hands from the ground.
Turning his gaze, Auslen pointed towards the soil behind him as he answered, They should go in this plot. I just germinated those seedlings, so you can just replant them in that empty section on the first row. Right in front of the tomatoes.
Okay!
Auslen focused his attention back on his task, looking a bit worried as he glanced back and forth from the large wooden container on his right to the small bamboo shoots that lined the row in front of him.
I know that Ive already replanted them, but I still cant help but worry.
These lucky bamboo were labeled as a clumping variety, so there shouldnt be any danger of excessive spreading. I mean, they grew well within the isolated containers, but
Fuck it. Ill get Vincent to line this row with some kind of preventive barrier tonight. Just in case.
Using his wrist to wipe the faint sweat from his brow, Auslen grabbed the wooden container from beside him and stood from his kneeling position.
After stepping out from Plot A and onto the tiled limestone, Auslen sat down with a soft huff. He then took out a soft towel to cleanse the bits of soil from his feet as his eyes swept the Spirit Plant Cultivation Chamber, slowly gauging the process of his and Vincent's reorganization project.
Occupying five of the six plots of Spirit Soil were a large variety of Pseudo Spirit Plants. From fruits and vegetables to grasses and herbs, the colorful and vibrant vegetation that lined the plots covered a wide scope of species and categories.
Most of them were not too far cultivated, as the majority only had a singular strand of Profound Qi. However, there were a small minority that were already nearing the Peak of the Pseudo Spirit Plant realm.
In fact, Auslen had already produced several usable Peak Pseudo Spirit Plants, which he had contained within white jade boxes that were stored away in his spatial ring.
The organizational schema within the Chamber had evolved substantially over the last six months.
Initially, Auslen hadnt used much of a systematic approach, choosing to raise his Pseudo Spirit Plants wherever it was convenient. It had worked perfectly fine at first, due to the small number of plants he was raising at any given time.
But now that he had expanded his operations, he made the recent decision to, with Vincents assistance, restructure the space. This time, certain important characteristics would be kept in mind when planting seeds, at least where Alchemy was concerned.
Each of the five plots had been given a letter name, from Plot A to Plot E, each designated for plants with specific corresponding Aspects.
Starting from Plot A, which was the plot nearest to the entrance of the Chamber on the right-hand side, to Plot E, the plot sitting to the far right corner of the Chamber, the structuring was as follows.
Plot A held Pseudo Spirit Plants with the Cooling Aspect, such as cucumber, broccoli, watermelons, and the newly added bamboo.
Plot B was for Pseudo Spirit Plants with the Warming Aspect, such as peaches, coriander, onions, and leeks.
Plot C contained Pseudo Spirit Plants with the neutral or Grounding Aspect, like rice, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots.
Plot D had Pseudo Spirit Plants with the Healing Aspect, such as Aloe, Turmeric, Gingko, and Chamomile.
And finally, Plot E held Pseudo Spirit Plants with the Poisoning Aspect. This Aspect ranged from various hot peppers, like paprika, serrano, and cayenne, to toxic flowering plants, like purple foxglove and oleander.
He was saving the final plot in the far left corner for another purpose, which was why it was the only one within the Chamber left empty.
Happy with how the Spirit Plant Cultivation Chamber was coming together, Auslen smiled before giving a sudden clap to grab Vincents attention, who had just finished replanting the remaining strawberry plant seedlings.
Thats enough for now, Vincent. Lets get cleaned up.
Within the Training Chamber that was covered with reinforced stone walls, Auslen and Nathaniel were facing each other in silence.
Their figures were dressed in their loose Outer Sect robes, both of which holding their wooden weapons in a combat ready stance 10 meters apart from one another.
After a few more moments of inactivity, Auslen nodded towards Nathaniel as he said, You can make the first move, cousin.
Nathaniel didnt need any more convincing.
Quickly mobilizing his Profound Qi, his slightly trembling leg kicked the ground without hesitation, causing a loud sound to echo off the stone floors as the boy dashed forward with his wooden sword raised.
Nathaniels short form turned transient, the edges of his physical body blurring and distorting further after each swift step that he took.
Vincent, who had been sitting patiently on a wooden chair placed near the doorway, immediately stood from his seat once he saw Auslen exiting the Training Chamber.
Glancing back at Nathaniels distant backside, Vincent tilted his head towards the fleeing boy and asked, Whats wrong with Nathaniel to make him run off so fast?
With a dismissive wave, Auslen calmed his laughter and answered, Dont mind him. Grab your things and follow along. Were almost late.
The Spiritual Origin Library was nearly the largest building within this entire Outer Sect Mountain, second only to the Palace of Methods and Techniques. Although the Spiritual Origin Library was just an offshoot branch from the main library located within the Core area of the Five Profound Elements Sect, its architecture and dcor were nothing to scoff at.
Auslen, Nathaniel, and Vincent had just finished walking up the stately set of white marble stairs, which was full of many other traveling disciples, to arrive in front of the tri-gate entrance of the seven-story-tall Spiritual Origin Library. The exterior was plated with blue and gold glazed tiles depicting fantastical battles between legendary Demonic creatures and Immortal supremacies.
The three open sets of 10-meter-tall wooden doors were perhaps the most gorgeous doors Auslen had ever seen. They were painted a vibrant gold and garlanded, decorated with ornate carvings, while the thresholds were carved with a dense array of ancient vector patterns.
Once the trio maneuvered around the exiting disciples and stepped through the central entrance, they were greeted with the sight of the Librarys jaw-droppingly opulent interior.
The entire flooring was tiled with white and black marble. From the central walkway, patrons could glimpse all the way up to the stained-glass domed ceiling, as each of the higher floors were split in two sections that were held to the left and right hand sides of the library with densely carved stone pilasters. Each of the upper floors were lined with ornamental cast-iron balconies, the tallest of which rising nearly one hundred feet above the central walkway floors.
A graduated stack of books lined every wall and corner, and dark stained shelving spanned the floors in organized rows. The books perfectly sitting upon each shelf were even color coded, the hues gradually shifting through the spectrum of colors as one gazed around the interior.
The Spiritual Origin Library held books covering any cultivation-related topic that one could think of, to a certain extent. However, most of the books were locked behind a transparent barrier, requiring varying amounts of Merit Points to read for limited amounts of time. All of the books on the first floor were free to peruse, but that's no longer the case from the second floor onwards. And the value of the knowledge only increased the higher one ascended the Library.
Auslen, Vincent, Nathaniel, over here!
The trio's attention shifted to their right to see Tarek waving them over from a distant seating section, full of long stretching tables, each of which being occupied by conversing Outer Sect Disciples.
With a smiling nod in Tareks direction, Auslen held Nathaniel and Vincents hands as they cut through the disciples. Eventually, they arrived at the long table where Tarek was reclaiming his seat.
Sitting to Tareks right was Mia, who was warmly smiling at their group, radiating much more confidence than she had when they had first met.
Hey guys!
After his cheerful greeting, Nathaniel practically skipped behind Tarek before sitting himself right next to Mia, glancing nervously in Auslens direction before starting up his own conversation with the girl.
Auslen smiled towards the two of them before sliding into the chair to Tareks left. Vincent, who nodded to Tarek and Mia quietly, immediately seated himself beside Auslen.
After he adjusted himself, Auslens eyes focused on their Senior Brother, Michail, who was seated on the opposite side of their table.
His blue eyes lifted from a large tome sitting on the table in front of him before he focused on Auslen. He then reached into his robes, pulling out a small box that was tied with a ribbon.
Tossing the box over to Auslen, whose brows were raised in surprise, Michail smiled and said, Happy seventh birthday, Auslen. Its a joint gift from Tarek, Mia, and I.
Before the shocked Auslen could even thank the group, Tarek threw in, Since it seemed like you werent planning on telling us about your birthday, we could only come up with this small gift. If Senior Brother Michail hadnt informed us a few days earlier, we couldnt have even gotten you this much. What do you take your friends for?
Mia didnt speak, but she did look a little annoyed as she looked down the table at Auslen from two seats down.
The confrontational atmosphere bore down on the unprepared Auslen, whose expression showed genuine confusion. He glanced at Michails smirking face feeling slightly wronged.
I didn't even remember my own birthday, okay! Besides, since when have we ever discussed this kind of stuff?
And how come I didnt know that Michail was such a busybody.
Nathaniel leaned over the table and butted in, sounding highly mistreated as he spoke, Why didnt you tell me that todays your birthday? Im your cousin! I bet you told Vincent, didnt you?!
Vincent, who was silently watching their squabbling, froze guiltily when Nathaniel indignantly stabbed his finger towards him.
Pushing down the recurring urge to smack his cousin upside his angry looking head, Auslen smiled with visible embarrassment while ignoring Nathaniel, nodding in grateful apology towards the other three. Once he put away the gift box into his spatial ring, he took a couple of secretive deep breaths to calm himself.
Somebody, change the subject. Please.
Thankfully, Michail seemed to have suddenly gained the ability to read minds.
Okay, okay. Thats enough, you all. We didnt come here to blame Auslen for his forgetfulness. You can all share your birth dates after our review.
Closing his hefty book, Michail winked towards Auslens pointed gaze as he leaned back in his wooden chair.
Todays the final day that I have available to answer any of your questions regarding the Apprentice Alchemist Examination taking place next week. Who would like to go first?