The spirit world is broken and in desperate need of a restoration. True heroes and ancient beasts that once walked are now a thing of the past. Between the empty spaces of forgotten treasure halls there are whispers of one who has returned. One lege...
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Sun Ritsu knew that he should have been focusing more on building his qi, but that was really hard with Sun Zhaoling going through his trial in front of him.
The Barefoot Sun took his galaxy staff and planted it in the center of the arena lawn. He used both hands to drive it down in the earth about halfway before turning it as one would a key in a lock. Then he let go of the staff and backed up fast, tugging his crewneck off in the process, revealing a body that was lean, darkened by the sun, and built well enough. In seconds the sweater was knotted about his waist so that it wouldn't get lost.
"Oh, ho ho. Someone's out here getting serious. Would you just look at that, Chow!"
"I am, Dan. Respectfully even."
"Now that's a body trained and molded by Sheer Will Academy if I'm not mistaken."
"Absolutely, Dan. One forgets how deceptively strong Sun Zhaoling is in his everyday attire."
"I'll say!"
While Zhaoling was backing up, something was happening at the opening in the ground where his staff, Nebula's Parting, slightly trembled. Roots bubble up from the grassy turf. Little sprouts popped their heads out.
Zhaoling, not only barefoot, but shirtless too, was preparing to leap toward the growing little geyser. Ritsu could see him thinking about where to plant his feet as he shuffled into a wider stance. It was all about timing it seemed. The sun clone was determined to make it work. Ritsu's heart raced as Zhaoling warmed up his body.
Then it happened, Dear Traveler. Roots whipped out, striking parallel to the ground in Zhaoling's general direction. The monkey saved himself with a backflip — one that was slow and mesmerizing until time rushed forward again, the rest of Zhaoling's movements registering as explosive feats of athleticism.
The roots swept and swelled about themselves, forming a wondrous braided cork. Sun Zhaoling managed to liberate his staff from the source and used it to pole vault himself vertically up the muscular, winding trunk.
"Sweet immortal peaches, I didn't know he was going to go this all out," Sparkplug whistled under his breath. He folded his arms and leaned back in his seat. "But I'm here for it. Go get 'em, Senpai! Teach that tree a thing or two!"
He's doing all of this without any immortal peaches. Ritsu smiled to himself. And to think, Zhaoling prefers it this way.
"Chow, am I going nuts or is Sun Zhaoling using hisfeet to tame the dangerous branches of what appears to be a... a bonsai tree?"
"Prunus serrulata, as the species is known, can be grown ornamentally or in the wild. And yes, it seems that Zhaoling is carving a silhouette out of the more rebellious growth media. This is difficult enough when the tree is not moving and one is working with tools and their hands."
