Cultivation is Creation-Chapter 180: Posturing

The thing about cultivators is that we tend to overcomplicate everything. Take something simple like defending a village from spirit beasts - in theory, it should just be "everyone work together to stop the monsters."

But no, first we need politics, posturing, and probably at least one dramatic duel. Because heaven forbid we face a deadly threat without first establishing a proper pecking order.

I found my team at the Golden Reed Tavern, which was about as far from golden as you could get while still technically being a building. The wooden walls were stained dark with decades of cooking smoke, and the floor had the kind of sticky quality that made you wonder if someone had spilled wine there during the founding of the empire.

"Welcome to the finest establishment in Floating Reed Village," Su Yue said dryly as I approached their table. "Where the tea tastes like pond water and the wine... well, actually the wine's not bad."

"The wine's terrible," Liu Chang corrected. "You just can't taste anything after the first cup because it numbs your tongue."

I slid into an empty seat, noting the careful way they'd positioned themselves: backs to walls, clear views of both exits, and enough space between them to move freely if needed. Standard cultivator paranoia, though given recent events, maybe not so paranoid.

"How was the family reunion?" Su Yue asked, pushing a cup of the allegedly terrible wine toward me.

"Good," I said, then because that seemed inadequate: "Really good, actually. They're... they're well."

She nodded, understanding what I wasn't saying.

Most cultivators came from cultivation families: they didn't have to deal with the gap between mortal and immortal life, the knowledge that everyone you grew up with would age and die while you remained unchanged. Having parents who were genuinely happy just to see you, who didn't measure your worth in cultivation stages or sect rankings... it was rare enough to be precious.

"The other teams have arrived," Liu Chang said, smoothly changing the subject. He gestured around the tavern, and I took my first proper look at our fellow defenders.

The first thing I noticed was the qi: five different teams meant twenty cultivators, all at least Qi Condensation Stage 7 or higher. The amount of spiritual energy packed into one room was enough to make the air feel thick, like trying to breathe underwater.

The teams from the Heavenly Jade cultivators sat in two distinct groups, though their matching green-trimmed white robes made them look like a single unit. Their leaders: both Qi Condensation Stage 9: were engaged in what looked like an intense discussion, complete with dramatic hand gestures.

The Yan Clan team was... interesting.

As the leading clan of the empire, I'd expected more obvious displays of power.

Instead, they seemed almost deliberately understated. Their purple-and-gold robes, while clearly expensive, weren't ostentatious. Their qi, while powerful, wasn't being flaunted. Even their table manners were impeccable, which in a place like this was somehow more conspicuous than poor etiquette would have been.

"Master, the other team from our sect seem…," Azure said, “uncertain about something."

He wasn't wrong. The other Azure Peak team kept glancing between Liu Chang and the Heavenly Jade leaders, their expressions growing more concerned with each look. Something was brewing, and I had a feeling we were about to find out what.

"Politics," Chu Feng muttered, noticing my observation. "Always politics. Even with beasts about to overrun a village, we can't escape it."

He wasn't wrong. The air was thick with more than just qi: there was tension here, the kind that usually preceded either violence or very aggressive negotiations. Possibly both.

"Brother Liu," a voice called out, and I turned to see one of the Yan Clan cultivators approaching our table. He moved with the kind of grace that spoke of extensive combat training, and his qi... well, let's just say I was glad he seemed friendly.

"Brother Yan Li," Liu Chang stood, clasping hands with the newcomer. "It's been too long."

"Three years, two months, and sixteen days," the Yan cultivator replied with a slight smile. "Not that anyone's counting."

"Still as precise as ever, I see."

"Still as casual as ever, I note."

There was history here, the kind that could either make a mission run smoother or explode spectacularly in everyone's face.

I watched their interaction carefully, trying to read the undercurrents. The way they moved around each other, the careful balance of formality and familiarity in their speech: it had the hallmarks of people who'd fought together before.

"You're looking well," Yan Li continued, taking a seat without waiting for an invitation. "The sect life suits you."

"Better than court life would have," Liu Chang replied with just a hint of an edge.

Ah. So that was it. Someone: presumably Liu Chang: had chosen not to follow the expected path into imperial service. Given the Yan Clan's position as the empire's leading family, that had to have caused some waves.

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"Hey, outer disciple," one of the Heavenly Jade cultivators called out, interrupting my analysis. "We heard you're some kind of formation expert?"

I turned to face the speaker, a young man whose qi suggested Qi Condensation Stage 8. His tone wasn't exactly hostile, but it wasn't friendly either.

"I know a few tricks," I replied mildly.

"A few tricks?" Su Yue snorted. "He's a registered Level 2 Formation Expert. Passed the guild trials and everything."

That caused a stir. Formation Experts were rare enough that even a Level 1 certification carried weight. Level 2... well, let's just say people tend to pay attention when a Qi Condensation cultivator reached that rank.

"Is that so?" the Heavenly Jade cultivator's tone shifted from dismissive to evaluating. "Interesting. Very interesting."

I was saved from having to respond by a commotion from the center of the room. The two Heavenly Jade team leaders had apparently finished their discussion, one of them stood up.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with the kind of classically handsome features that probably got him out of a lot of trouble in his youth.

"We should discuss command structure," he announced in the kind of voice that expected and demanded attention. "With five teams present, we need clear leadership to coordinate our defense effectively."

And there it was: the politics Chu Feng had mentioned. Because of course we couldn't just work together to save a village. No, first we had to establish a pecking order, prove who was stronger, more worthy, more..."

"I nominate myself," Mr. Classically Handsome continued. "The Heavenly Jade Sect has extensive experience with beast wave defense, and our superior cultivation methods—"

"Superior nothing," one of our Azure Peak seniors cut in. "This is our territory. We should lead."

As the other teams began to lay their claim, Yan Li spoke up, "we have no interest in leading this mission."

The room went silent. The Yan Clan, turning down a chance to assert dominance? That was... unexpected.

"This is a defensive mission," he continued. "Our expertise lies more in... offensive operations. We are, of course, happy to contribute our strength, but leadership should go to those with experience in such matters."

Clever. Very clever. By deliberately stepping back, they maintained their dignity while avoiding any responsibility if things went wrong. Plus, it let them observe how the other sects handled the situation.

"We have the most experience," Liu Chang cut in. "Three successful defenses this year alone, with minimal civilian casualties."

"Experience isn't everything," the other Heavenly Jade leader joined in. "Our sect's techniques-"

"Are irrelevant if we can't coordinate effectively," I found myself saying. All eyes turned to me, and I realized I should probably stand up if I was going to join this discussion. "This isn't just another village to defend. This is my home."

The room went quiet for a moment. In cultivation society, defending one's home territory was seen as both a right and a responsibility. It wasn't quite enough to settle the argument though.

"Your home?" one of the Yan disciples spoke for the first time. She was a delicate-looking woman whose qi felt about as "delicate" as a forest fire. "You're from this mortal village?"

I could hear the subtle emphasis on 'mortal,' the slight curl of her lip that suggested she found the very idea distasteful. And suddenly, I was very tired of cultivation politics.

"Yes," I met her gaze steadily. "I'm from this mortal village. My parents still live here.”

"Sentiment is all well and good," Handsome cut in, "but beast waves require experience and power to handle properly. Our sect specializes in such threats."

"As does ours," Liu Chang countered. "Or did you forget the Battle of Three Rivers already?"

That caused some muttering among the Heavenly Jade disciples.

The Battle of Three Rivers had been a major victory for Azure Peak, though I only knew about it from sect histories. Three massive beast waves converging on a river junction, threatening to overwhelm several major trade routes. Azure Peak disciples had held the line for three days straight, saving thousands of lives and earning significant prestige.

"That was your elders' achievement," Handsome dismissed. "Not yours. The Heavenly Jade Sect's noble tradition—"

"Oh, shut up about noble traditions," Su Yue interrupted. "This isn't about prestige or reputation. It's about keeping people alive. And if you'd spent less time polishing your jade sword and more time actually fighting beast waves, you'd know that coordination matters more than individual power."

I had to admire her directness. Most cultivators would have dressed that up in flowery language about the dao of leadership or something equally pretentious. But Su Yue just went straight for the throat.

"If I may," Liu Chang stood, his presence somehow filling the room without any obvious display of power, "there is a traditional way to settle this."

"Traditional way?" Handsome raised an eyebrow.

"A single exchange," Liu Chang explained. "One technique each. Winner takes command, no further disputes."

I didn’t know exactly how to feel about this, it was exactly the kind of pointless display of power that got people killed in actual combat situations. But on the other hand... well, try getting a group of proud cultivators to follow orders without first establishing a clear power hierarchy.

Handsome smiled, an expression that showed too many teeth to be friendly. "Terms?"

"Single exchange, no lethal techniques, victory by clean hit or forcing the opponent to move from their starting position. Agreed?"

"Agreed. Though perhaps we should take this outside? I'd hate to damage the mortals' tavern."

The tavern keeper, who had been doing his best to pretend twenty powerful cultivators weren't having a political standoff in his common room, looked relieved at this suggestion.

"Master, this is foolish," Azure commented as we stood up. "Wasting energy before a beast wave..."

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"I know," I replied silently. "But without this, no one would follow orders when the real fighting starts. Better to establish hierarchy now than have it fall apart mid-battle."

"The arrogance of cultivators will get them killed one day."

"Probably. But at least they'll die knowing exactly who was in charge of getting them killed."

We filed out into the street, forming a rough circle around the two leaders. The villagers, sensing the imminent violence with that special instinct common to civilians in a cultivation world, had already cleared the area.

"This is going to be interesting," Su Yue murmured. "Liu Chang doesn't usually go all out in front of others."

"Think he will this time?" I asked.

"He'll have to. Heavenly Jade cultivators are known for their pure yang energy techniques. One hit from those can cripple even someone two stages higher."

I studied our opponent more carefully. Now that he was preparing for combat, his qi had a different quality: sharp and bright, like staring into the sun. The yang energy would make his attacks incredibly powerful, but it also meant...

"His defense will be relatively weak," Azure confirmed my thoughts. "Pure yang techniques favor overwhelming offense over protection. If Brother Liu can weather the initial strike..."

The two cultivators took their positions, about twenty paces apart. Despite the situation, I couldn't help but admire the technical display. Both were at the peak of Qi Condensation, their energy control refined to the point where even standing still looked like an art form.

Handsome drew a jade sword, while Liu Chang simply stood there.

"One exchange," Yan Li’s voice cut through the tension. "No lethal techniques. Begin."