Abyssal Road Trip

Amdirlain’s PoV - Demi-Plane

With only the barest plan in mind, Amdirlain sought to get her conscious mind out of the way and followed her instincts. She sang the principal theme of the new Demi-Plane aloud while silently supporting over a hundred thousand additional songs. As the intro washed out further, she grinned at Kadaklan and danced to its beat. Though the seed had grown to the usual limit after being released into the Chaos, Amdirlain stretched the boundary until it reached a radius of five thousand kilometres.

Though not a ‘big one’ in a genuine sense—the dome’s flat surface was nothing compared to the land space afforded by a planet—it was still the biggest she’d populated with land-based fauna and flora. It would afford her nearly ten times the space of those she’d based on the template of Australia’s landmass that she usually created for the training complexes. The environmental rules Amdirlain had set into the seed took care of the atmosphere throughout the expansion.

She mentally touched Kadaklan’s mind and shared a light understanding of the work, at least to the limits of his capacity. Amdirlain ensured he registered two key elements among all the other information: Pain Eater’s steady reports of health being burnt and the speed of her healing. One thing that Amdirlain felt quickly caught his attention was the heads-up display she’d set decades ago on the Cliffs of Lust. Her mental snort caused Kadaklan’s curiosity to shift, and he turned his attention to the cacophony of music and the effort she was putting into sustaining it. The irritating burr that had occurred with Ki flowing through her spiritual net prompted her to flow along and shift with the burr to nudge it gently to the proper pitch; her body glided with the notes, one with the music as the Ki was part of her. Amdirlain’s intent shifted within the music, carrying and uplifting it, providing a feedback loop to her motions. Her dancing helped smooth that intent as she found her balance within the songs and intuitively shared it with the life that bloomed into existence.

When she’d achieved the intended expansion, Amdirlain formed a crust that she segmented with mountain ranges, their function was to allow her to isolate the biomes from each other and serve as markers.

The spokes created by the ranges, lakes and rivers split up the regions. After they’d formed, she laid out tributaries to ensure a water supply for a mixture of complex biomes, including swamps, grasslands, rolling hills, woods, forests, and even jungles, where the airflow concentrated the humidity. The combination of progress from Gideon’s exercises and Anna’s gift allowed Amdirlain to plan out these interlocking ecosystems. As the first biomes stabilised, it freed some of Amdirlain’s attention for those requiring a finer touch. She repeatedly tweaked aerial currents and water flows to ensure the long-term maintenance of the various wetlands. While she was tweaking the melodies to ease away their clashes, more connections slipped into place.

When she finally finished, eight mountain ranges formed even spokes, with the valleys between and the ocean running along the outer boundary containing a diversity of life. Despite the possibility of the Demi-Plane's rules and Mana sustaining life, she interwove the ecosystems, from the microfauna and flora to higher levels, to establish a self-sustaining life cycle.

[Crafting Summary (Category: Biome fundamentals)

Interlinked self-sustaining biomes x 138

Total Experience gained: +11,027,500,000

Olindë: +11,027,500,000

Olindë Levelled Up! x11

Harmony [G] (16->17)

Phoenix’s Rapture [G] (107->108)

Resonance-Prince [G] (1->2)

True Song Genesis [G] (11->18)

Dance [G] (23->24)

True Song Architecture [G] (14->30)

Physical Geography [Ad] (3->14)

Planetary Biome [M] (29->52)

Note: Are you doing some warm-up exercises for the job I’m still waiting on?]

Amdirlain ignored Gideon’s note and focused on the other content. Her first action was tossing all the free attribute points into Willpower.

I need to work out how to stretch Harmony; it’s shown untapped potential besides helping cycle my Ki.

The biome count was 138. The mountain ranges all join at the hub, so I can understand why they’re considered one biome, and the sea around the perimeters also counts as a single one.

Her fingers twitched, and Amdirlain felt more ripples through her True Form as the strength of the new levels surged within her body.

It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s feeling weird. Should I have waited until things had settled down before seeking more levels? Do I have time to wait with Bahamut’s concern about the levels I can contain? Do I take something like Sora Master and level it as fast as possible before I run out of luck?

Amdirlain gestured dramatically to conceal her fingers twitching again, and hundreds of scrying points opened before the Gate to show Kadaklan the Demi-Plane’s key locations. “All done. Doesn’t it look sweet?”

When she lowered her hands, Amdirlain crossed her arms behind her back and tapped a foot in mid-air as if impatiently awaiting Kadaklan’s answer.

“You didn’t pause during that,” Kadaklan noted when Amdirlain finally stopped. “How big is this place? You gave me a sense of its breadth but nothing concrete.”

“I’ll show you a map later, but first, tell me what you felt about what I shared?” asked Amdirlain. “Does it ease your concern about me developing a distorted Dao?”

“I’ll get to Pain Eater in a moment, but what were those numbers at the bottom of your field of vision?” Kadaklan asked. “They looked like something from one of Qil Tris’ vehicles.”

“Those are just some key stats,” laughed Amdirlain sheepishly.

Kadaklan’s eyebrows lifted towards his hairline. “I kept all my curiosity to myself while you worked. I’ll restrain myself from commenting on the rest, but if you don’t answer that question, I’ll suffer terribly from curiosity.”

“Really?” laughed Amdirlain. “That little presentation piece is what you’re the most curious about?”

“Yes,” insisted Kadaklan. “Experiencing even a fragment of the process while you created so much life gave me some enlightening insights, yet felt far beyond my grasp. I’ll need to meditate on what you shared before I have questions about most of it. Even then, I’m not sure I’ll ever properly understand it.”

“Fine, the numbers. To tell you the truth, I’ve had them in place so long that checking them is automatic,” admitted Amdirlain. “However, I’ve set them up so they’ll shift colour as the numbers drop through different stages, so their shift should draw my attention. They display my health, Mana, Psi, and Ki.”

“From your record?” Kadaklan asked, his brows furrowing in confusion. “I’m not even going to comment on the size of the numbers. How do you have them showing to you constantly? Is it a song or an enchantment?”

“I can see what the Qil Tris consider a record at will, but the same Skill that allows me to do that lets me continually monitor key snippets,” explained Amdirlain. “I could have my vision cluttered with numbers if I wanted, but those four, well, five, are enough.”

“I only saw four numbers,” countered Kadaklan.

“Once my health gets below half, then a percentage gauge appears, so I don’t have to do the maths,” explained Amdirlain. “Useful for when I’m bathing in energies that want to rip me apart.”

Kadaklan coughed. “Freakish.”

A giggle escaped from Amdirlain before she fixed him with an affronted look. “Such a scandalous way to talk to a lady!”

“You just told me I was among your circle of friends. Can’t a friend be truthful?” questioned Kadaklan.

“I don’t know. You want to be all formal, and now it’s fine to call me names,” huffed Amdirlain playfully. “That’s a pretty quick turnabout there, Kadaklan.”

“Yeah, I know you’re teasing, and I’m not going to bite,” snorted Kadaklan, holding his palm up to her. “Isn’t that what you did with Kli?”

Amdirlain sobbed pitifully and pretended to wipe away tears. “Meanie.”

“Is Sarah the designated straight-laced actor to balance the comedy of you and Isa?” asked Kadaklan. “She’s always tightly composed.”

Only mostly.

“Maybe,” replied Amdirlain. “But I won’t comment on that. Let’s move along, shall we? This is the biggest place I’ve created yet. Amid that effort, how did Pain Eater react?”

“With all the emotion of a clerk reporting bags of wheat in a stack,” said Kadaklan. “Honestly, experiencing it made me feel like I’d been someone’s fussy old aunt talking about a craft I had zero knowledge of. It certainly isn’t what I expected after Sarah was so concerned over your use of the Skill.”

She had personal reasons to be concerned about my relationship and attitude towards pain.

“Sarah was mostly concerned about what I did to earn the Skill, but I’ll admit the experience was quite different while I was levelling it,” admitted Amdirlain.

“Oh?” inquired Kadaklan drily. “Would you care to share?”

Amdirlain coughed. “If it breaks through the threshold of what I can handle, the Skill throws up its hands and goes: enjoy swimming in agony. I’ve been through far worse on three occasions, and I’ll admit it has made me a bit cavalier about pain.”

“So we were right to be concerned?” asked Kadaklan.

“Yes. However, I keep it within the threshold now during my construction work,” advised Amdirlain. “The only times I’ve breached that threshold since I stopped using the potions haven’t been intentional. Dealing with the Eldritch isn’t exactly a relaxing experience after all.”

Kadaklan nodded in appreciation. “I’m sorry for sticking my nose in.”

“You’ve been better about doing that than many people, and you’ve not tried to manipulate me into changing. You told me your concerns and then stopped. That’s why you got to experience my creating this firsthand,” said Amdirlain, waving at the distant landscape beneath them.

“You’ve created so much life here,” Kadaklan said, peering around at the majestic view. “I felt enough to realise this is far larger than your training complexes. What do you plan to do with it?”

Amdirlain laughed sheepishly.

“We’ve got some dragons coming to teach magic and I think Sarah is planning to play matchmaker,” Amdirlain whispered dramatically. “So, I figured providing a neutral location for mating flights was best. That, combined with wanting to see what I could do with Grandmaster ranked True Song Genesis, gave us this place. I haven’t hit the limit yet.”

“What’s next then?”

Amdirlain grinned. “Nothing for now. I’ve got a sparring session for which I don’t want to be late.”

I should talk to Gilorn again. Would she let me play her, or will I need Grandmaster or higher in Floor Harp? Given how fussy she was about Gail I’d bet on the latter.

“Very true,” agreed Kadaklan. “Shall we go back now?”

It was a quick double hop of Planar Shift to the Outlands and then a Teleport into the courtyard. When they appeared, Sarah caught Kadaklan’s presence and started for the door of her workshop. Across the mountainside, Amdirlain noted a few key individuals: Klipyl flirting at a student dining hall outside the inner gates, Ilya going through a mound of documents, and Isa transferring a few thousand contribution points to a baffled farmer.

“Since you’re expecting visitors, why don’t you fancy the courtyard up a bit?” asked Kadaklan. “The lack of seating and decorations, combined with the bland stone, make it look a bit stark.”

Amdirlain considered the flat slab of stone that made up the courtyard and undertook some adjustments. The perfectly flat ground developed grooves to lend the stone the appearance of sturdy tiles, with schools of carp swimming around the edge of each. Sets of benches appeared in the corners closest to the training hall steps, while six red and gold silk banners dropped from the awning to frame each door.

“It doesn’t look so grim now,” allowed Kadaklan. “Though it’s still not good Feng Shui. While I’m not concerned, some here get fussy about such things.”

“I’ll have to get someone to provide me guidance in that respect,” replied Amdirlain. “Resonance doesn’t give me any context on what culturally counts as good energy flow.”

Kadaklan pretended to be taken aback. “Are you implying it’s not a universal truth?”

"That’s not what I said," Amdirlain replied. “My senses focus on different energies than what Feng Shui aims to influence, so I’m not experienced in the finer points of that art.”

“Such a diplomatic response,” laughed Kadaklan. “I was born on the side of a volcano. What would I know about Feng Shui?”

“Is that a convenient excuse for you whenever someone comments on the layout of your lab?” Amdirlain inquired. “It’s cluttered like rocks tossed from my birthplace, so the energy flow reminds me of home—do you use lines like that?”

Kadaklan snickered. “I’ve not tried a tale like that before. Now you’ve got me wondering if anyone would believe it.”

“You’d share a fib with them?” gasped Amdirlain, pretending to be in wide-eyed shock. “What sort of educator are you?”

“One who repeatedly tells them to check and verify only to experience frequent disappointment,” responded Kadaklan. “Maybe including some misdirection will get them to pay attention.”

“Without having to resort to a vivid Demi-Plane trip?”

“No, as a reminder before I send them on the Demi-Plane trip,” clarified Kadaklan. “Anyone so silly as to question my lab arrangements obviously needs a reality check.”

A group of twenty heading towards the training hall with Master Payam among them drew Amdirlain’s attention. “My sparring partner is coming this way. Are you going to be sticking around?”

Kadaklan gave an exaggerated sigh. “I’ve got my students to teach this session, though I’d like to bear witness to a lesson in humility.”

“Mine, or Master Payam’s?”

“Master Payam’s humbling. I’ve got confidence in your abilities from what I’ve witnessed and the tales Master Cyrus has shared,” advised Kadaklan. Stepping back, he exchanged bows with Amdirlain and headed off. His feathers left a blazing trail above the rooftops. Amdirlain caught the edge of Sarah’s mental greeting and Kadaklan’s cheerful reply.

As the glow from his departure faded, Sarah exited her workshop dressed in battered leather and a metal-splotched apron. “Welcome back. You set his mind at ease.”

“And added another bunch of levels,” admitted Amdirlain.

Sarah frowned with concern and gently squeezed her shoulder before letting go. “I don’t feel anything different from you. Does your Charisma still feel under control?”

“I’m more aware of it, but it’s like a limb or a muscle waiting to move at my command,” replied Amdirlain. “Resonance lets me hear its force clearly, and it’s not leaking.”

“Yeah, don’t leak that over anyone,” laughed Sarah. “I think you’d be repairing brain bleeds and heart attacks.”

“I have an issue,” sighed Amdirlain. “My Quickness lags far behind what I can sense.”

“Your physical speed doesn’t slow down your casting or songs,” countered Sarah.

“But it affects my dancing,” countered Amdirlain. “That then affects how much I can smooth out.”

Sarah hummed thoughtfully. “Are you giving up on another Monk Class?”

“I don’t know yet,” sighed Amdirlain. “I will admit that I enjoy dancing to True Song, but I’m pushing my luck. The levels are causing impacts on my True Form.”

“It might be the strength of the Class you’re levelling as well. Many combat classes involve Quickness instead of Strength or Endurance as their primary attribute,” advised Sarah. “You could also increase your infiltration skills and go for an evolved Scout Class to get increases for only Quickness, or Quickness and Intelligence. Combined with Resonance, the Scout powers and skills might help you manage all the information you’re getting.”

“Something to think about, but I’ll talk to Cyrus to find out if there are Class options that might help,” said Amdirlain.

“He won’t be able to give you exact details,” cautioned Sarah. “I’ll scour my memories and see what I can find for you.”

Amdirlain shrugged. “If he can give me some Class names, I can check them. Are you going to stick around and meet my inbound guests?”

“You’ve got no servants to handle introductions,” noted Sarah. “Shall we shock the socks off them instead?”

“Oh?”

A telekinetic nudge from Sarah shut the doors to her workshop and forge. “I’ll wait in the training hall until they come up the steps. At the right time, I’ll open the doors to give them the big reveal.”

Amdirlain grinned mischievously and rubbed her hands together. “Muah ha ha ha.”

“Just don’t monologue,” sighed Sarah. Her clothing shifted, and the battered leathers exchanged with a gossamer-thin dress barely concealing anything. “Would this make the right impression?”

“Temple dancers wear a lot more,” observed Amdirlain. “Though you said dresses like that shocked the Sanctuary’s Cove locals.”

Her dress became solid plate armour made from gleaming diamonds, and Sarah turned in a circle as if showing off a dress.

“Your natural hide gives more protection than that,” noted Amdirlain. “Are you having fun playing dress up?”

The battered leather returned, and Sarah casually shrugged. “I’ll figure something out. Whatever first impression you want to make starts with the courtyard. Do you want to add plants around the courtyard and a water feature to soften it?”

“Oh! How about water channels like my uncle’s greenhouse?”

“I think Feng Shui is more about fountains,” replied Sarah. “You could put channels around its base with big-arse goldfish or koi.”

Amdirlain grunted. “Actually, I take that back. It’s best not to risk water for now. I remembered something about there being some awful spots to put water features, but I never learned the details. That would turn people off.”

“Water is associated with yin, so it’s likely about attracting negative energy,” agreed Sarah. “Plants?”

A metre-wide garden bed appeared, framing the courtyard with a mixture of golden chrysanthemums and marigolds in full bloom. Amdirlain tied songs to maintain them into the hall’s crystal anchors.

“There might be a touch of overload on gold and yellow, but that’ll do for now,” said Amdirlain.

“Success, prosperity, luck, and other things,” commented Sarah. “With your red and gold banners, you’re at least semi-inviting if the references are the same.”

“They are, according to my peeks into the library,” advised Amdirlain. “Let me sort out a few things in the hall before they arrive.”

“You are a bit lacking in furniture,” agreed Sarah.

“Maybe I should create some odds and ends to give the place character,” laughed Amdirlain.

As Amdirlain laughed harder, Sarah regarded her with suspicion. “Exactly what sort of dust collectors are you planning?”

Amdirlain winked and headed into the training hall, ideas already tumbling around in her mind; ideas prompted by Klipyl’s question about dwarves, the organic appearance of Anar buildings, and Christmas baubles all bumping into each other.

Setting up a personal library and reading space seems low-key, so maybe do something else? I need something so those observing fights can also get a clear view, though I don’t want a stadium inside the hall.

A cheeky smile appeared briefly before Amdirlain started singing. Bookcases grew along the wall on either side of the doorway; though they had a True Song Crystal core, they were sheathed in a solid layer of black diamond with mithril and adamantine arrayed to look like veins. As matching pillars and spiral staircases rose from the ground, platforms extended from the bookcases to create floors in front of it with eight-metre-tall ceilings.

Sheer silk drapes with enchantments to prevent sound carrying provided privacy barriers at regular intervals, with drink trays serving hot or cold beverages. Tables and chairs that could shift form to support whoever sat on them appeared near the bookcases and along the platform’s edge to allow comfortable viewing of the training areas.

Other minor items also popped into existence, from self-filling pens to high-durability weapons that filled racks by the sparring areas. Meanwhile, the bookshelves filled with copies of texts that Ebusuku had gathered for Amdirlain’s study and replicas of thousands of texts she’d heard within Claughuthruuazex’s hoard. Songs she placed in the library's cores copied arcane volumes in the immediate area and then stretched out. After completing the latest attempt to perfect her concealments, Amdirlain allowed it to settle around the anchors along with the kilometres of crystal within the bookcases and platforms.

[Crafting Summary (Assorted)

Assorted magical items x5,372

Assorted texts x27,539

True Song Crystal Structure x1 (Disguised)

Total Experience gained: 119,786,950

Olindë: +119,786,950

Note: You don’t even have to punch someone to start trouble. At least it’s only arcane lore you’re after with this thing.]

Yeah, just Spell lists and everything arcane, including information on planes, nothing much.

Thousands of minor and not-so-minor items add up; on top of the crystal library—and though it gave me enough experience to boost me to level sixty-six in a new Class—now it doesn’t even net me a single level.

“You did this just to stir them up, didn’t you?” laughed Sarah.

Amdirlain placed a hand on her cheek and slowly blinked. “I don’t know what you mean. Do you think the platforms will endure for long?”

“I can smell the diamond, mithril, and adamantine in the bookcases and platforms,” Sarah said as she turned to look over the weapon racks. “So I’m sure there is something else underneath. Personally, I’d say it would have been better if you’d coloured the sheath red.”

“I wouldn’t want to have poor imitations of your scales on display,” countered Amdirlain.

Embarrassment and glee surged within Sarah and, though she barely stiffened, Amdirlain caught the hint of a blush. “I recognise some of those weapons as duplicates of things distributed from Claughuthruuazex’s hoard.”

Did Sarah take that as flirting? I need to learn more about dragons.

“I’m a copycat,” Amdirlain agreed. “Hopefully Morgana isn’t upset to see them, or the texts I copied. Our guests are nearly here so I’d better greet them. I’ll leave the timing of the reveal up to you.”

Amdirlain winked at Sarah and stepped onto the veranda, allowing the doors to close behind her.

With her guests now on the last stretch towards the training hall, Amdirlain tucked her hands in her sleeves and waited. Two students opened the courtyard gate and held it wide to allow the two lines to enter. Master Payam headed the procession of students beside a young lady who seemed barely out of her teenage years. Her position next to the older Master might have suggested she was a favoured disciple if her glossy curtain of black hair, jade green eyes, and delicate skin didn’t lead someone into other assumptions.

While not the stereotypical peerless beauty from so many cultivation stories Amdirlain had read, the lady’s looks and confidence were eye-catching. More importantly, Amdirlain could sense the theme of the Immortal Spirit Power and a faint thread of energy akin to a Dragon’s bloodline that ran within her. As they entered the courtyard, the stone tiles that Amdirlain had replaced the gravel with caught the lady’s interest.

Without hesitation, Master Payam strode inwards and stopped in the middle of the courtyard. He waited while those following settled themselves into position before he spoke. “Lady Am, it is good to meet you again.”

“Likewise, Master Payam,” replied Amdirlain. After returning his bow, she descended the steps to move forward to greet them. “I’ve not met the Master beside you. Would you do me the honour of introducing us?”

The young woman gave Master Payam a sideways glance before she bowed to Amdirlain. “Lady Am, I am Master Lu Jinfeng. I hope you don’t mind me introducing myself. We’re involved with different pavilions, and for him to handle the introduction would proclaim him my senior.”

Universal Communication's deeper translation of her name’s meaning surprised Amdirlain.

Her family name comes from the Chinese word for musical note, and her given name means Golden Phoenix. Really? Is someone playing games?

“Thank you for letting me know, Master Lu. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance,” responded Amdirlain. “I hope the auspicious nature of your name continues to bear fruit for both of us.”

“It’s interesting that you see my name that way. Might I ask why you consider it auspicious?” asked Jinfeng. Though her expression was composed, a sharp rise of tension stabbed through Master Lu. The sharpness in her gaze gave her the intensity of a drawn sword and transformed her beautiful features into those of a steel rose, cold, hard, and unflinching.

Do I apologise for whatever offence I just gave, or would that insult her further?

Amdirlain smiled slightly. “I’m already friends with one Phoenix and have learned to appreciate their symbolism. Also, your family name relates to music, something particularly relevant to me.”

I won’t tell her my sigil is a Phoenix, and it glows golden if I cycle pure Ki—that would make four connections, though we can likely draw more.

“A dual connection of names some might consider auspicious, though most seers consider nothing beneath three to affect one’s fortune,” replied Jinfeng. “Perhaps it is simply enough to allow us to meet in the right frame of mind.”

That would be an improvement since I’ve already annoyed you.

“I’ve not spoken with anyone knowledgeable about fortune-telling,” replied Amdirlain. “Perhaps we can discuss them after I’ve sparred with Payam or following our session later today.”

After all, Precognition and fortune-telling are leagues apart.

“Perhaps,” agreed Jinfeng before she nodded respectfully to Payam. “But I’m taking up Master Payam’s sparring time.”

“After Lady Am puts me in my place again, I’m sure there will be plenty of time to talk,” said Payam. “Perhaps I should allow you two to talk first so I might rescue myself with a stalemate when our time elapses.”

“That’s hardly fair, Master Payam. The duty pavilion might consider my job failed if I don’t spar with you for the full allotment of time.”

Payam snorted softly. “I determine when I’m satisfied, not the duty pavilion. This courtyard looks to have more space than the arena’s stage.”

Amdirlain stepped to one side and directed them towards the training hall doors. “Shall we spar within the hall?”

“I’m not sure if it will have enough room,” said Payam. “From what I remember, it is barely half the width of this courtyard.”

“I think you’ll find there is plenty of space inside,” countered Amdirlain. “And I’ve set up a sparring area that won’t allow one to slip out accidentally.”

“Now I’m concerned that it might benefit you more than me,” said Payam, but he started forward, and the others followed suit. As he drew level with her, Amdirlain turned and matched steps with him.

As they stepped up to the awning and were in the correct position to experience the full impact, Sarah stepped out through the training hall doors wearing her figure-hugging red leathers. Master Payam froze, and his jaw slackened from shock as he gazed through the opening. Meanwhile, Master Lu’s attention seemed divided between Sarah and the expanse behind her.

“You have a magic door to let us travel elsewhere?” managed Payam.

As Sarah scanned the shocked group, her expression remained composed despite the laughter roiling inside.

“Not quite, Master Payam. Rather than placing a vulnerable doorway, I expanded the space within the building itself,” advised Amdirlain.

Her explanation set the students whispering between them, but neither of the masters bothered to hush them.

“The prime reason for taking the more complex approach is normally ego,” observed Payam. “Or does it have to do with Master Livia’s change in status?”

“This is the simplest secure approach, but I thought you were here for a sparring session, Master Payam. It’s not my place to comment on members of the monastery,” rebutted Amdirlain. She directed his attention to Sarah, whom Master Lu hadn’t taken her gaze from. “Master Payam and Master Lu Jinfeng, I’d like to introduce you to Grandmaster Artificer Sarah,” said Amdirlain. “Usually, her rank would be simply Grandmaster, but that would clash with other ranks within the Monastery.”

“Ensuring clarity is a good thing,” Payam agreed. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Grandmaster Artificer Sarah. You look very young for such a prestigious title.”

“That’s because Grandmaster Sarah is a Dragon, Master Payam, and I imagine she can look however she wants,” stated Jinfeng. “Is that not the case?”

Payam glanced at Jinfeng in surprise before fixing her with a slight frown of disapproval.

“That’s so, but I’d be interested to know how Master Lu can tell I’m a Dragon,” said Sarah, and continued. “Not that it gives us any reason to come into conflict, as I doubt anyone from your kingdoms has ever encountered one of my kin since they don’t venture to the Material Plane.”

“I can sense the untapped Ki within you, and it cries out your nature,” stated Jinfeng. “The scourge-”

‘That’s a neat trick. I’ll have to ask Kadaklan if he knows it and see if I can block it,’ projected Sarah. ‘Should I play bad cop, or do we keep things polite?’

‘They’re here at my invitation, so let me see if I can ease the tension,’ returned Amdirlain, and she cut in before Jinfeng continued. “Chromatic dragons arguing over territory caused the scourge. Since the monastery has received an offer of help from metallic dragons, perhaps only blame those involved.”

“Perhaps,” grunted Jinfeng.

“It is only fitting that punishment should not be sought by distant relatives nor extended to those unrelated to terrible events,” confirmed Payam.

Not wanting the topic to continue, Amdirlain ushered them in. “There are staircases to upper platforms, Master Payam, where those watching will find seating and refreshments.”

“I’m sure my students will find your hospitality does them great honour and will conduct themselves in a manner befitting it,” replied Payam.

“With your permission, Master Payam, I’ll supervise their behaviour,” offered Jinfeng.

Master Payam nodded. “They are in your hands then, Master Lu.”

As Amdirlain led Payam further into the training hall, Jinfeng stepped to one side and repeated Amdirlain's advice to the students along the procession. Sarah simply stepped back with her arms crossed and left the young master to repeat the instructions.

“Would you prefer the sparring area for physical conflicts only or the one that will protect the audience against spells and Ki, Master Payam?” asked Amdirlain.

“I seek a contest of our martial skills today,” replied Payam.

Does that include Ki tricks or not? I’ll follow his lead on that one.

Amdirlain extended an arm towards a square kilometre cut off by a faintly opaque blue barrier. “As I mentioned, we should have space for gymnastic manoeuvering, Master Payam.”

Payam stroked his moustache, and his pace picked up. “It appears that way, Lady Am. Shall we begin?”