Elder Shi took Jie's hand, and her dark purple qi enveloped them both. The world turned hazy, then swirled in a chaotic mess of dark purple clouds as the world twisted, warped, and rushed around them at incredible speed.

  They lurched to a stop and Jie stepped out of a cloud of Elder Shi's qi, still enveloped by her power. The world returned to its dreamy look. The same as when Elder Shi hid her from view before.

  So that's her movement skill? Feels weird... Jie thought.

  Elder Shi pressed a finger to her lips and led Jie through the academy grounds, far from the residences or anything of note, and into a forested section that Jie had never bothered to explore.

  The woods were dark, but the moon offered enough light to see by and Jie easily kept up with the older woman.

  Finally, Elder Shi stopped in a seemingly random patch of forest. The ground was littered with a variety of leaves, moss-covered rocks, roots, and small plants.

  As usual, everything looked so alive and vivid. So many colors of such ferocious intensity...

  You were right old snake... this world is beautiful... Jie thought.

  "It should be safe for us to speak here without being overheard. What did you wish to discuss?" Elder Shi asked.

  "I want you to come with me to the Cursed Lands," Jie said.

  Elder Shi laughed. "You can't be serious! The headmaster's right. It's suicide to go there. I have half a mind to stop you from going. There's no way I'll follow you into that hellhole," she said.

  "Obviously, I can't force you," Jie said, "but before you say no... I think there are a few things you should know. After you hear them... you might change your mind."

  "I doubt it, but go on," Elder Shi said as she motioned for Jie to continue.

  Jie looked Elder Shi straight in her purple eyes. "I'm not from this world," Jie said.

  Elder Shi's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" she asked.

  "Why do you think nobody can find my family here? Why nobody knows anything about me? I've only been on this world for about two years. And, that's how long I've been cultivating for," Jie said.

  "Don't be ridiculous. That's not possible. Not even you could advance that fast," Elder Shi said.

  "Why do you think I don't understand so many things in this world? But I know I don't need to convince you. I think you already suspected it and you can probably sense that every word I'm telling you is absolutely true," Jie said, "I'm taking a risk sharing this with you. I trust you. I hope you won't let me down."

  Elder Shi's look of disbelief melted into a thoughtful frown.

  "I won't. But why are you telling me? If you think that you being from another world changes anything--" Elder Shi began.

  "How do you think I came to this world with no cultivation?" Jie asked.

  Elder Shi's purple eyes flashed with understanding. "Your mysterious master..." she said.

  "I was nothing. A nobody. Doomed to die without ever really living. He found me and gave me everything. Forged this body for me. He's more powerful than you can imagine," Jie said.

  "To forge a body... he'd have to be..." Elder Shi muttered.

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  "A god," Jie finished, "He's also kind, strong, noble, and wise. If I'd listened to him from the start, Pan Tian would still be alive and the Chen family wouldn't even know enough to hate me," Jie said.

  Jie clenched her hands into tight fists and stared at the forest floor. "I made a mistake. I thought I could avoid killing. I thought... well... it doesn't matter now. I was wrong," she said, "Now, I realize that some people just have to die."

  Jie looked back up at Elder Shi. The older woman looked contemplative and calculating.

  "I've accepted that I can't shirk that duty just because I don't like it. Just because I don't want to stain my hands," Jie said.

  "Why are you telling me this?" Elder Shi asked.

  "Because I've changed my mind. I'll help you destroy the Chen family," Jie said coldly.

  Elder Shi's lips split into a bloodthirsty smile.

  "But before I do that... my master is hurt... I think he's dying and he's not getting better," Jie said.

  "That's why you've been asking everyone about something that can heal a god!" Elder Shi exclaimed before bursting into laughter, "If those fools only knew!"

  Jie nodded.

  "He needs a healer. I have no idea how long he has... I can't take the risk of how long it'll take to go around the Cursed Lands. If I could, I would, but I'm worried it would be too late. So, I'm going. And, if you stop me and he dies, I'll kill you. I don't want to... I like you... but I owe him everything," Jie said.

  "So... we heal your master and he kills the Chen family? Is that your deal?" Elder Shi asked.

  "No," Jie said, "I can't speak for him. But if he doesn't, I will."

  Elder Shi frowned, looking more dubious now.

  "How long do you think it'll be before I'm strong enough? You've seen how fast I'm growing. And, even if he doesn't kill them... he could help us grow and protect us if we need it. I'm sure he'd be grateful for your help," Jie said.

  Elder Shi paced. "I... I don't know... I respect you standing by your master... and I'd give anything to see the Chen family burn... but us getting killed won't help save him," she said.

  "I don't intend on dying," Jie said, "I understand that the Cursed Lands are... horrible."

  Elder Shi scoffed. "That's an understatement if I've ever heard one," she said.

  "But we won't be going into it blind like most people do. With the headmaster's help, we'll know more about what to expect and how to prepare than anyone," Jie said.

  Elder Shi shook her head. "Even with that..." she said.

  "I don't want to put you in danger... not after I just lost a friend... I hate even asking you to come with me, but I know I have a better chance of making it with your help.

  "Did you hear what the headmaster said about how the Cursed Lands attacks your mind? Your qi is like dreams or something from what I can tell. It's mental at least. You're perfect for getting us through there," Jie said.

  "Yes... it's dream qi... but, I don't know how good it'll be at protecting us from that place," Elder Shi said.

  "Better than nothing," Jie said.

  "Possibly..." Elder Shi mused.

  "I can't force you," Jie said, "and I admit there's a good chance we'll both die there. But, with or without you, I'm going. And I could use your help."

  "Will your master be coming?" Elder Shi asked.

  "No," Jie said, "He's in no condition to travel. I don't think he can even hear me... if we go, it'll just be us."

  Xue meowed.

  "No, Xue. You won't be coming. You're not strong enough," Jie said.

  Xue flicked his tail and gave her a defiant look.

  "Spirit tigers are notoriously resistant to mental attacks... of the three of us... he'd probably be the safest," Elder Shi said.

  "Well... maybe he can come then... but I don't like it. Does this mean you're coming?" Jie asked.

  "I... I don't know," Elder Shi said, "I'll have to think about it."

  "It'll take me a while to review what the headmaster sends me and prepare as much as I can... when I'm done, I'll be going. I'll understand if you don't come with me," Jie said.

  "If I go with you... if we make it to the Shining City and somehow heal your master... you'll help me bring down the Chen family?" Elder Shi asked. She stared into space at something only she could see.

  "I'll help you anyway... if I survive," Jie said.

  Elder Shi smirked and met Jie's gaze. "You're terrible at bargaining," she said.

  "Maybe," Jie said, "but I'm trying to be... I hope to be... a good friend. And, a terrible enemy."

  "Ugh... you're so earnest... we'll have to work on that. If you're determined to do this... I suppose I'll have to come with you," Elder Shi said.

  "Thank you," Jie said.

  "Don't thank me. This is insane and if I die, I'm blaming you," Elder Shi said.

  "I understand," Jie said, "before we go... I'd like you to help me make a memory stone. It's a long shot... but maybe it'd help keep my friends a bit safer..."

  "A memory stone that makes them safer?" Elder Shi asked.

  "You'll see... I think you might even like it..." Jie said.

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