Celistar and I left the room together a few hours later, partly to cover for the fact she needed to rest after expending power against the Sect Master. Yuèyīng and Steeve had left the soul space… err, 'Soul Sea', as Celistar had called it, with us.

Towards then end of our discussion, as though she knew it was coming, Steeve had finally stalked down the poor bird. Who had just laid there, resigned to her fate as the fox pretended to eat her in various ways, one of which included summoning side dishes and silverware out of thin air, something that didn't escape my notice.

For our part, we didn't get much farther down the cultivation rabbit hole, as my head was starting to spin with all the terms Celistar had already whipped out, and we both collectively agreed to pick it back up at a later date. I did learn that a lot of my apparent 'power' – and the prestige that came with it – came from the extreme amount of Nebula and its inherent ability to affect other forms of power by converting or subsuming them.

The Moon Fairy even commented that I was making up for my poor control via overwhelming quantity, and that that my 'true' strength would undergo a qualitative change once I rectified this issue. I couldn't deny she was right about that, it was pretty obvious to me that I'd have failed many times previously if I couldn't throw the weight of my Nebula around like I did. The time I was able to 'capture' Steeve was an example.

I once again felt the 'whooshing' feeling of my internal energies being pulled away from me as we rematerialized in the real world, but as usual, it didn't have much of an actual impact to my state. I was unsure why it was only her that caused that, since I'd apparently summoned both Steeve and her emergency food supply back into being as well.

Said emergency rations immediately shot out of the hole in the roof like a rocket once she had her bearings, although I knew that the only reason Steeve didn't immediately catch her was that the fox was more interesting in snuggles than sneaking out.

Celistar, Steeve and I proceeded out of the room without Yuèyīng. The hallways were decorated with stone planter boxes along their length, with assortments of small plants growing in them. At first I wondered how they were making such a thing possible indoors, but my questions were answered two fold as we rounded the corner. A pair of junior disciples were recharging the overhead lights and the planter boxes themselves with Nebula. Looking at their auras, I could see that the one working on the planters had a Nature Alignment, and the one reaching towards the light had what I thought was a Light Alignment, but it looked… off, somehow. It was too 'yellow' in my eyes, but I wasn't sure what that meant.

I was about to ask Celistar about it, but then the pair spotted us and scuttled off to the sides, bowing towards us.

"May the winds blow in your favor," they said, bowing. Celistar just nodded gently at them, something they seemed happy about. I was guessing what they said was some sort of standard greeting, as it had the flavor of that sect motto or whatever it was I'd seen inscribed on the gate. The one that had a bad case of 8-year-old syndrome.

I nodded as well, hoping to cut off any further similar proclamations, so I wouldn't die of awkwardness. This seemed to go over well and we proceeded. I took the time on the walk to examine the architecture, something I'd glanced at in the past but not had time to take an in depth look at. Here in the Main Hall complex, the ornate wooden structures gave way to the complexities of stone – the walls and the floor both featuring opulent amounts of the stuff.

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Not just any stone: this stone had many inclusions, particular that which made up the floor. It was grey and black, shot through with bright blue and white crystals in jagged patterns. It took me a few moments to realize that it was symbolic of the thunder and lightning at the core of the Circle's philosophy.

Celistar caught me looking at the floor. "It's grown that way, Benefactor," she said, using the same term she had before in case listening ears were around. She'd mentioned before we left my Soul Sea that the best way to ensure the safety of everyone we'd brought was to keep up the ruse I'd started. I'd also gotten a compliment from her for thinking on my feet.

I'm not blushing, you're blushing.

We were headed back to the Main Hall to work with Brother Cháo, whom I'd found out was now Senior Brother Cháo, thanks to being Yuèyīng's favorite perch. Turned out the favor of the spirits had been good for his career trajectory even if it was only that he was the most comfortable place to sit. That meant the Sect would dedicate more resources to him than it had prior, and he'd have positions of more responsibility.

"More resources?" I asked Celistar as we walked. "What does that mean."

"There are certain natural resources that disciples here can use to improve themselves," Celistar explained. "Objects that have have formed a nexus of Will for natural energies to congregate around."

"Oh, so Artifacts with specific Alignments," I said, translating the strange 'cultivator-speak' that Celistar used into something more familiar to myself.

"Something like that," she said, "With diligent work and the presence of these object, they're often able to integrate the Will inside the object or otherwise persuade the latent energies to assist them in some way. It varies from person to person, as each individual has their own path to power."

"Do you think that my disciples can convert to this method?" I asked. In this case, 'my disciples' was shorthand for the two other people in our group who had Nebula: István and Viktor.

"I think so, yes. They aren't too far along their journey." She looked at me, "You are obviously too far along in your journey for these techniques to be of any benefit." Her eyes glittered. "However, I think that it would be of great benefit to us both to exchange pointers on our cultivation such that we can continue on our journey."

Obviously, this meant time for more conversations in my Soul Sea, allowing Celistar time to rest. With the ambient Will of the World much stronger, she'd be able to come and go essentially as she pleased, so long as I allowed it, which I saw no reason to change.

We arrived at the Main Hall, where Brother Cháo was waiting. He bowed the moment he saw the two of us, something I don't think I'd ever get used to.

Celistar gestured to the man grandly. "Our junior has promised to take those individuals who wish it under his wing, and see to it that they progress in their cultivation in our way."

I dipped my head to him, holding my arms out in my sleeves slightly - it was a form of respect… a bow that wasn't one. "You have my sincere thanks for your efforts."

"It is the least I can do to repay you for bringing the Founder back to us." He said, bowing again, deeply. This was another thing that'd taken me by surprise - that Celistar had, in effect, 'Founded' the Stormwing Circle. She told me there was more to the story, but we had limited time and she promised to explain it later.

Brother Chào continued. "Having already spoken to them, I do not doubt they will take to our ways like a duck to water. The one in particular has a zest for learning the equal of which I've never seen."

I had a solid idea who that was.

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