Jin Huang paused. He had already stuffed another pastry into his mouth, but at Ximen Ming's question, his chewing slowed. "A body cultivator?"
He swallowed. "You know... I'm not entirely sure what that is."
Mo Kuang's wild eyes widened slightly.
Jin Huang scratched his cheek. "Is it related to energy cultivation in some way?"
Ximen Ming and Mo Kuang exchanged a glance, then Ximen Ming gave a small cough. "Truthfully…"
He adjusted his spectacles. "We're not entirely sure either."
Jin Huang stared at him with a confused look. "Then why did you ask?"
"Because your aura is strange," Ximen Ming sighed.
"The Magic Beast Society has dealt with countless different magic beasts and thus studied countless forms of energy and cultivation throughout its history. However, the only established cultivation system in this world is magic cultivation."
Jin Huang nodded slowly. "That makes sense."
Ximen Ming continued as Mo Kuang leaned forward. "However, in more recent years, we came across something that the Founder of our sect once studied. A Demonic Beast."
Jin Huang's eyes widened.
"After finding it, I scoured our sect's records. That was how I found out that our Founder had once studied a demonic beast in the first place." Ximen Ming took a breath.
The way Mo Kuang seemed to live for his every word, it was evident that even he had been kept in the dark on certain matters.
"What we found out, while trying to ascertain the source of the demonic beast's power, was that demonic beasts have an entirely different internal structure. There was none of the telltale signs of magic cultivation, yet they were definitely empowered by something."
Suddenly, Ximen Ming shifted focus. "You mentioned energy cultivation, Jin Huang. What exactly is that?"
Jin Huang thought for a moment. "The best way I can explain it is... It's the process of strengthening the body and spirit using the natural energy of Heaven and Earth."
He shrugged. "That's basically the extent of my knowledge."
There was a brief silence, then both Ximen Ming and Mo Kuang suddenly perked up.
"The body and spirit?" Mo Kuang asked.
"Using the energy of Heaven and Earth?" Ximen Ming added.
"Yeah."
The two looked at each other. Mo Kuang's expression became increasingly intrigued. "That sounds…"
"Very similar," Ximen Ming finished.
Jin Huang blinked. "To what?"
"Body cultivation. At least, based on the conjectures of our Founder."
Jin Huang leaned back. "Oh?"
Ximen Ming placed his hands together. "According to what we know, Body Cultivation is a practice somewhat similar to what you described. However, rather than simply using the natural energy of Heaven and Earth, it involves something called…"
"Qi."
Jin Huang's brows rose. "Qi?"
"Yes." Mo Kuang nodded enthusiastically. "Apparently, qi is used to strengthen something called the body's internal force."
Jin Huang stared at him. "Internal force?"
"Yes."
"And then what? You suddenly get ripped?"
Coughing dryly, Ximen Ming said, "It seems as though qi is used to cultivate something the Founder referred to as... the Inner Universe."
Mo Kuang looked toward Ximen Ming; Ximen Ming looked toward Mo Kuang.
Jin Huang's expression slowly went blank. " The what?"
Neither answered.
"I'm sorry, " Jin Huang recalibrated. "The what?"
"The Inner Universe," Ximen Ming repeated.
Jin Huang put down the glass he had been drinking water from. "I'm so lost."
"We are too." That answer came so quickly that Jin Huang actually stared at Ximen Ming.
"But you're the one explaining it!"
"I said we weren't certain," the Beast Master defended.
"You made it sound like you knew, though," Jin Huang groaned, feeling as if he had just been edged.
"I was hoping you did," Ximen Ming sighed.
Jin Huang was astounded. "Why would I know!?"
The three stared at one another for a short space of time. Eventually, Jin Huang sighed and picked up another glass of water.
Gulp.
He drained it, then poured another.
Ximen Ming watched him quietly as he drank glass after glass of water. The enormous amount of food that had previously covered the table was now entirely gone.
Jin Huang leaned back, satisfied. Ximen Ming and Mo Kuang exchanged another look. This time, Ximen Ming spoke more carefully.
"Truthfully, we thought you would know because of the fact that your aura is... different."
"My aura?" Jin Huang frowned.
"Yes," Ximen Ming admitted, his expression becoming serious. "During the alchemy gathering, both of us noticed something unusual about you."
Mo Kuang nodded. "We've encountered many strange energies before. Magic beasts possess all sorts of peculiar auras, and my master has lived long enough to recognize things most cultivators wouldn't even notice."
Ximen Ming adjusted his spectacles. "But that aura of yours…" He shook his head. "We couldn't identify it."
Jin Huang remained silent.
"It didn't feel like magic," Ximen Ming continued. "Yet it wasn't ordinary physical strength, either. It was something deeper."
Mo Kuang's eyes narrowed. "Something that seemed to permeate one's entire existence."
Ximen Ming nodded. "And when we thought back to how our Founder described qi and internal force …that was the closest comparison we could imagine."
Jin Huang thought about that as he looked down at his hands. His body certainly was strange- he knew that for certain. There were countless things about it that he couldn't explain. The Supreme Immortal Body alone was enough to make his existence incomprehensible, and recently, there had been even more bizarre occurrences.
His sudden alchemy prowess. That strange arrogance he exhibited. The sensations he sometimes experienced. His body seemed to possess secrets even he didn't understand.
After a moment, Jin Huang shrugged. "My body is a little unique."
Mo Kuang's eyes twitched. "A little?"
Jin Huang nodded as Ximen Ming stared at him. Jin Huang reached for another glass of water while saying, "I don't really know much more than that."
The answer was so casual that Ximen Ming wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. In the end, he simply smiled. "Then perhaps we should investigate it. Together."
Jin Huang looked up. "Investigate my body?"
"Yes." Ximen Ming leaned back.
Jin Huang suddenly began to cover and guard himself with his arms, like a blushing princess who had just been walked in on by a lecher.
Ximen Ming raised a hand in his defense and said, "I mean I would like to invite you to the headquarters of the Magic Beast Society so we can study this matter."
"Where's that?" Jin Huang picked his teeth.
"The Central Region. Near the Great Chasm."
Jin Huang's interest immediately sharpened as he considered it.
The Central Region. The Great Chasm. The heart of the world which he knew nothing about, aside from hearing it mentioned a few times. He would definitely be able to find out more about everything if he went.
That alone sounded interesting.
"And you think that together we stand a chance of figuring out this body cultivation thing?"
"I cannot promise that." Ximen Ming shook his head. "But the Magic Beast Society has accumulated knowledge for countless generations. If there is somewhere in this world where we might find an answer- with your help- it would be there."
Jin Huang nodded. "Alright."
Mo Kuang grinned. "Then it's settled?"
"Sure." Jin Huang stood. "Once I'm done with my chores for Xiao- er, Lord Obsidian... I'll stop by the Magic Beast Society."
Ximen Ming and Mo Kuang stood, the former clapping Jin Huang's shoulder with his hand. With the other, he presented Jin Huang with a peculiar token. "This is a Beast Master Token. With it, you will be granted unrestricted access to our sect. Please, come find us at your earliest convenience."
Jin Huang gratefully received the token, then put it away before he walked over to the unconscious Luo Ran. He grabbed the vines binding the young man and hoisted him back over his shoulder.
Luo Ran's head lolled backward as a faint groan escaped him. "...Mmm…"
Jin Huang glanced at him and nodded. "Still alive."
"Unfortunately," Mo Kuang muttered.
Ximen Ming gave his disciple a sidelong look and Mo Kuang shrugged. "What? He was threatening to kill us earlier. And our families. And... our pet turtles? I'm sure he'll continue when he wakes up."
As if proving his point, Luo Ran suddenly groaned in his sleep. "...I'll... kill... you…"
Jin Huang snorted.
"See?" Mo Kuang showcased with his hands and Ximen Ming almost laughed. The three left the private room together. Behind them, the table was covered with empty plates.
Once they exited, they said their final goodbyes and then went their separate ways. With Luo Ran still out cold on his shoulder, Jin Huang went off to locate Xiao Chen and Meng Lan.