“So… these are the pills you say?” Granny Lang said, picking up one of the Qi crystals as she inspected it. “Sure, doesn’t look it to me. Though its definitely got Qi in it.”“Yup, that’s the Qi crystal. I’d expected it to be like ice, but it’s more like rock candy, except not sweet. I made a batch with some sugar too, which seems to crystalise the liquid Qi faster, but also drops the purity a good bit,” I said, popping one of the Qi crystals on my mouth. The crystal fizzled, melting as it fizzed into nearly pure Qi that rushed through my body all at once, giving me a brief Qi high.“Almost too much like a drug now,” I murmured, as Granny stood around, still holding the Qi crystal as she shone it against the sunlight coming in through the window. Yin stood behind Granny, and I handed her one of the sugar Qi crystals as well. I almost felt like a grandma handing out candy. I’d have to keep this entire batch hidden from all my spirit, or they may very well become true addicts.“C-can I

Yin watched the flames burning underneath the cauldron, as she carefully held the spirit herbs in her hand. The flames were light now, simmering beneath the cauldron as she threw in spirit stones to adjust their intensity whenever they started to dim. Trying to focus, she listened to Yuan talk.“Qi gathering pills. The most basic pills that we know of, and the first one I’d learned to make. The ingredients are simple, needing just spirit grass. Technically, all pills are just variations of Qi gathering pills, as any you may eat will provide you with Qi. What we’re making is a step above, a Qi crystal. It uses more water, to dilute and pull out the Qi from the crushed herbs into a solution and then evaporate it in vapours that we condense and crystalize,” Yuan said, standing behind her.“The first step is simple. Fill half of the cauldron with water,” he said, and Yin nodded.Taking the jug full of water from what looked to be a water spirit stone, she poured it into the cauldron. The

It’d been three days since I’d taught Yin, and the girl had been making steady progress. She hadn’t made any proper crystals so far, but she was getting the hang of the process so it was only a matter of time. A part of me felt slightly relieved at the lack of instant success on her part. If she’d managed to do it immediately, my self-esteem may not have survived the blow.I walked around my home, inspecting the perimeter of my garden. My home was one of the larger ones in Taizhou, with a structure not unlike the rest given it had been made with my model. There was a good bit of space up front where the land had been ploughed and tilled by oxen carts with the help of the farmers, but nothing grew in the soil besides the scant few weeds here and there.The area behind was a pond for Ren to play around in. It’d sort of become the new hangout spot for the village children to play with my spirits, and sometimes even Nyan, who mostly seemed to enjoy the attention.Behind my home, a bit fur

It took me a moment to think again. My thoughts came slow, distracted, a powerful rush within my dantian still swirled as I sensed the little sapling of unity stir. Anchoring myself to my thoughts, one at a time, I picked up Twilight in my hands.“What do they mean by being part of home?”“Have come! To be safe! Heals!” Twilight twirled in my hand, her hands dancing around in jittery excitement.“The garden heals?” I asked, looking around in surprise, as the spirit plant nodded her head.“Heals. Protects. It is home.”The word caught my ear. Home. There was something about it that felt… different. A concept kept within what she meant to be a home. And whatever that was, these creatures wished to be a part of it.My eyes drifted across the village. People had begun to gather, watching the many spirit beasts heading my way. I saw many children looking this way in fascination, as their parents held them firmly. Both afraid, yet unwilling to miss a mystical sight.I almost sighed. My Disn

I could see Yin fidgeting, as she watched me work. Little murmured, and whispers echoing on the wind, and the quiet, but ever-present thud of her racing heart.Results:Qi Crystals (Yuan):Qi value: 180-200 cycles.Qi purity: 60-80%* (Approx)Qi Crystal (Yin):Qi value: 160-180 cycles.Qi purity: 50-60%* (Approx)”“Yup, definitely Qi crystals. Pretty good ones too. Not quite what I can make, but better than most Qi gathering pills,” I replied, turning back towards Yin.“Please forgive me! I’ll do better. I’m sorry for wasting your time,” Yin replied bowing her head deeply.I scratched my head, not sure of how to respond. “I think you didn’t hear me, Yin. These are Qi crystals. You did it,” I said once more.Slowly, the girl raised her head, looking at me as if I was insane. “I… did it?” she asked.“You did it,” I replied, nodding.“I… but I thought…” the girl trailed off, just staring at my face, and then back at the Qi crystals. “I… thought that- it just, even when you taught me, thi