Wu Jian and Wu Meiying were in the library as per usual. They had finished exercising, gone to their classes, and were ending the day by reading. Grandpa Son had found them a book called The Rock Maiden. It was about a girl named Ling Lee, who fell in love with a kind, young fisherman. When the fisherman was lost at sea, she never gave up hope, climbed to the top of the cliff overlooking the sea, and was turned to stone by a powerful Deva Realm cultivator who took pity on her. The young fisherman eventually returns, sees his wife frozen in stone, and convinces the Deva Realm cultivator to return his wife.

“This story is really touching,” Wu Jian mumbled. He wiped at his eyes. He wasn’t crying. This was eye sweat.

“You think so?” asked Wu Meiying.

He looked at his friend. “Do you not agree?”

Wu Meiying frowned. “I don’t know…”

Something bothered her about this story, but he couldn’t for the life of him figure out what. It was proof to him that even powerful cultivators had hearts.

“Would you wait for me if I vanished one day?” asked Wu Jian.

“Of course, I would!” Wu Meiying puffed out her chest. “I’d wait for an eternity to see you again!”

“Heh heh. Me too. I’d wait forever if it meant being with you. Oh, but is it even possible to turn someone into stone like that?” asked Wu Jian, tilting his head.

“Hmmm. I wonder,” Wu Meiying muttered. “I think it’s possible. There are cultivators who are skilled practitioners of the earth element. I’m sure some are powerful enough to turn a person into stone. Mmmm… however, I thought they specialized in body enhancement. Maybe if someone gains a strong enough affinity for earth, they can turn people into stone?”

“Should we ask Grandpa Son?” asked Wu Jian.

“No. Let’s not bother him with this. I don’t think he could answer it anyway.”

Grandpa Son was the most knowledgeable person either of them knew. Rumor had it he had memorized every book within this library. Wu Jian couldn’t think of another person who would be able to answer his question, but if Wu Meiying said he couldn’t, then he believed her. She was the only person he believed knew more than Grandpa Son.

They closed the book and brought it to the front, where Grandpa Son sat behind a table. He smiled kindly as they set the book down.

“Done already?” he asked. “What did you think?”

“It was an interesting story,” Wu Jian said with a smile.

“Though I do have to question why a Deva Realm cultivator would bother turning a woman to stone, only to turn her back when her husband returned, and for nothing in return. That does not sound like a powerful cultivator to me,” Wu Meiying said with crossed arms.

Is that what bothers her about this story? I-I guess she has a point. Would a Deva Realm cultivator really bother doing all that for nothing in return?

The Deva Realm was known as the realm of true strength. While no cultivators of this level existed in the Shang Kingdom where Wu Jian and Wu Meiying lived, they formed the core of the larger kingdom’s militaries and sects. The Xia Dynasty was said to have several hundred Deva Realm cultivators at their disposal. A number of powerful sects wouldn’t even accept someone into their ranks unless they had reached the Deva Realm or were supremely talented. Many cultivators considered this realm to be the first step into godhood.

“Ah ha ha ha,” Grandpa Son laughed. “You bring up an interesting point. There are many folktales like this that do not make sense. It is common sense to assume that no cultivator would do anything for free, much less one who has reached the Deva Realm. They are people on a higher level of existence than the rest of us and generally do not care for those they deem beneath them. So, then, why would someone write a story like this? Do you have any thoughts on the matter?”

Wu Jian remained silent as Wu Meiying furrowed her brow in thought. What was she thinking? He had his own thoughts on the matter, but he really wanted to know what she thought about the questions Grandpa Son posed.

Her expression cleared up a moment later.

“I can think of two reasons,” she declared.

“Oh?” Grandpa Son raised a white, bushy eyebrow. He seemed interested in her answer. Of course, he was. Wu Meiying was the smartest girl her age. She was even smarter than many of the adults.

“The first reason is because humans want to believe in a higher power. Even if that higher power has no real interest in them, many will make up stories of powerful cultivators helping normal people because it gives them hope.”

Grandpa Son nodded and stroked his beard. “Humans are nothing without hope. There is truth in what you say. And what is the other reason?”

Wu Meiying took a deep breath and gave a troubled smile. “The other reason is that someone paid these people to write these stories to make cultivators seem nicer than they are. It is common knowledge that we live in a world where strength means everything. Those who have strength have the right to trample on those who don’t. Why would a Deva Realm cultivator ever help some random couple when doing so is clearly beneath him? This feels like a propaganda piece written to make cultivators out to be nicer people than they are.”

I would have never thought of this… is she right? I mean, of course, she is right, but is every cultivator like that? Can’t there also be good cultivators who would help normal people?

“You are far more cynical than I would have given you credit for.” Grandpa Son wore a strained smile as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. “But, well, you are not wrong. While cultivators do protect regular humans to an extent, it is also true that most cultivators do not put the common people in their eyes. They would not bother harming a normal person as doing so is beneath them, but they would not help one without being given a suitable reward either. This is an important lesson to remember, you two. The world of cultivation is cruel and only the strong survive. If you want the freedom to choose your own path in life, then you must also become strong.”

“We’ll remember this,” Wu Meiying wore a serious expression.

Wu Jian nodded. “I’ll engrave these words on my heart.”

“Good. Now be off, you two. Tomorrow is a big day. You should get some rest,” Grandpa Son said, his grandfatherly smile seeing them out.

Wu Jian and Wu Meiying left the library. As they stepped outside, Wu Jian stared at the sun as it slowly set behind West Fang Mountain. He still recalled the terror he felt when he and Wu Meiying were attacked by the Spotted Snow Lion. He also remembered how useless he had been. Remembering that filled him with shame.

Magical beasts were generally stronger than human cultivators, though Wu Jian did not know the reason for this. The Spotted Snow Lion had been at the second subrealm of the Asura Realm. That was one realm higher than his father and also the reason why it had taken the combined might of his father and Wu Taohua to defeat. Even though it lost in the end, it had done better than a human cultivator of the same level would have. Either of them would have died if they fought it one on one.

I have to get stronger. I need to keep pushing myself until I can protect everyone I love… until I can protect Mei from anyone who would try to take her from me.

“Tomorrow is the Wu Clan’s Test of Strength,” he said at last.

“It is,” Wu Meiying said.

“Do you think… I’m strong enough to not bring shame to the clan?” asked Wu Jian.

“Of course you are,” Wu Meiying declared. “You’ve been training a lot harder than anyone else in the Wu Clan. And you’ve had the help of several alchemy pills and even a rare natural treasure. You know, I’ve read up more on the Silver Lotus. It's formed when cold yin chi gathers into one spot and crystalizes. Not only does it help fortify your body, but it also cleanses you of any impurities, allowing you to train even harder.”

“I read something similar,” Wu Jian said. He placed a hand against his chest, took a deep breath, and released it. “I guess we’ll just have to see. I won’t know how well I’ll do until I actually do it.”

“That’s right. There’s no sense in worrying about it right now. Let’s leave tomorrow’s problems for tomorrow,” Wu Meiying added with a smile.