103 Chapter 97

The next morning, Mao arrived to find both Wang and Ai waiting outside the tent. Wang had busied himself with his own cultivation practice while Ai had been stretching. His movements simple and easy enough to do. Shaking his head, Mao made his way to the two, his arms crossing while looking Ai over. "Though that will help normal Cultivators. That won't really do much for you." he said. His voice pulling both Wang and Ai from there motions. Ai's face darkened in embarrassment as he looked down, feeling a bit embarrassed. Wang pressed his lips, moving to rub the youths head. "He just wanted to be ready for his training. It wasn't like you really explained what he should be doing." he said some what forcefully.

Despite everything, Wang still wasn't all that happy that he couldn't help Ai. He didn't understand the difference between cultivation for Spiritual Beasts and Humans. There really wasn't' anything he could do. Even in the game, the characteristics of Ai's race were set up based on the ideals that a human would be playing it. So the programming was very basic and had been designed with human abilities in mind. Maybe that's why Ai's make up now was flawed the way it was now. Without the proper understanding, it was really hard to really create something without some kind of basic set up after all. Ai gave a weak smile, looking towards Wang before his gaze turned back to Mao. "So, what do I need to be doing?" he asked.

The male shook his head, not at all wanting to argue with Wang about the situation at hand. However he really did wonder how the two managed to get as far as they had. Clearly they were still lacking in understanding of this world. "First of, Ai will need to take a medical bath. It will be different from the ones you had when starting off with Pill making." he began, taking out some herbs from his spiritual space. "I'll set the bath up, it will be rather painful and will help strengthen and help balance the faults within your physical body. You're bones, muscles and veins will be altered to better suit the mental power you have now." he stated. His comment caused Ai to blink a bit. Some what confused. Was it he only needed to bathe? What about physically training his body then?

Mao let out a laugh, seemingly understanding the youths thoughts. "You'll be training after the body is in a better condition. I can't just have you start training with the current state you are in. It would only cause more strain rather then helping." he said while heading towards the tent. "I'll go set the bath up. Did you want to follow now? Or have me call you?" he asked over his shoulder, not minding either way. Ai glanced at Wang, who seemed unsure of this. However after a swift nod, Ai hurried after the male, leaving Wang outside to focus on his own cultivation. Even if he wanted to go in, it wasn't like he could help with anything. If anything he'd most likely just be in the way.

Standing to the side, Ai watched as Mao moved around, adding in the spiritual herbs and placing some stones to set up an array. Each movement was done with ease. Ai's brows pressed together as he bit his lip, trying to figure out how another Spiritual Beast was able to create something like this. Even Mao himself had stated that Spiritual Beasts hadn't been able to set arrays or become pill makers. Yet he himself was doing so? Was it all a trick? His expression only caused Mao to pause, his head tilting. "This isn't the typical array you are thinking of. I'm not using my own ability to create it. Rather its preset by an Elder of the sect I stay at. I just need to place them into the proper place for it to activate. As for the bathe, you yourself will be activating it after you get in. I'm just adding what is needed to the water." he said. "I'm sure you'll understand how to do so after getting in. If you hadn't studied in herbs and Pill making. Then this wouldn't work. We'd have to wait until we had another Pill maker to activate the water."

Ai nodded some what understanding. Though he was a bit shocked that there was a way for an Array master to preset objects for later use. Elder Fei only really spoke on Pill making, and wouldn't really teach much about Arrays so he didn't quiet understand them. Wang had been teaching himself the Arrays, and could only do the simple ones that blocked enemies of lower ranks or setting up the tent. That was about all he was able to do. Anything about strengthening the spiritual energy or promoting something else was out of his league. "The Elder is a Grand-Master like yours. However, he focuses his research on Arrays instead of pills. There isn't any other that I know of, that can do something like this." He stated. Clearing up Ai's thoughts.

"Okay, the water is read. I'll step out so you can get it. It's best to stay in until the water is cleared of the herbs." he stated while brushing his hands off to the side. Taking one last look around, he nodded to Ai before heading out, leaving Ai alone. "If you feel like something is wrong, just call out. I wont really be able to do much, but I can at least prevent you from dying." he said shrugging. This was really out of his league, but it wasn't to much to stop it if anything. Ai swallowed slightly, not really saying anything as Mao left. His gaze moved back to the tub, unsure of what to expect. He had to take a few moments to calm his thoughts before he moved, letting the rob drop to the side as he eased himself into the herb bath.

The water rested all the way to his shoulders, the tingling sensation starting of slow and building as the pain began to hit. Biting his lip, Ai gripped onto the edges of the tub while regulating his breathing. The Spiritual Energy in his body shifting in a chaotic manor. Slowly, he began to gather that Energy, guiding it as if he had before, moving the energy around his veins. It took a lot of effort, and the pain was great. However as time began to drift passed, the sensation of pain was pushed to the back of his mind. The Medical bath slowly doing its job and adjusting the body to be better suited for his Spiritual Energy. While doing so, the current of Spiritual Energy began to move a bit easier. Though he'd never felt anything wrong when cultivation. He now could tell just how it was improving. The fluid turning from a gentle current to more of a stream of energy.

The feeling was both soothing and odd. The same Cores that had formed the day before took in not only the Energy that he moved through his Spiritual Veins, but the herbs that his body soaked in. Each Core slowly beginning to turn and change slowly. They each became more solid and firm, as if they were being simulated to promote by the bathe he was currently in. When the only thing remaining in the tub was pure water. Ai let out a low sigh, his body feeling weak and tired as he leaned back, resting against the edge of the tub. His eyes closing while he tried to calm his breathing. Mao, who had been waiting outside turned to look at Wang, watching the male attempt to keep himself distracted. "The bathe is over. Did you want to go help him dress? Or should I?" he asked, a provoking smirk on his lips.

Wang quickly adjusted from his pose and glared at the male. "I'll do it." he stated through gritted teeth while making his way into the tent. The motions were swift and careful as he helped Ai from the tub and wrapped him into a cloth to dry him. "Love, I'm going to take you into the room to dress okay? Be sure to dry off so you don't get sick again." he said, carrying the tired Ai to the bed to set him down. "I'll step out so you can dress alright?" He stated, though he'd come in to help Ai, he wasn't sure how the little one would feel. They still hadn't gotten that fair into being together again after all.

Ai only nodded, not minding to much as Wang carried him from the tub. It wasn't until the other had left that he realized why Wang was acting so odd. His mind clearing some what. Sighing, Ai pulled on his robes before laying on the bed, his eyes closing. Mao who had been outside the tent keeping an eye on the youth with his Spiritual Energy turned to look at the annoyed Wang. "He's asleep. I'll be heading out for the night. I'll be back tomorrow. Be sure he eats properly later yea?" he stated, patting the males shoulder. Wang just shook him off, heading back into the tent.

"Really, he's to adorable. Clearly unable to stand me, yet not able to say anything." Mao muttered in a laugh. "There, I saved him. Happy? Can you leave them alone now?" he then stated, his attention moving to the shadow off to the side. The shadow shuttered before fading back into the darkness. "Hmn…Guess that's a no." Mao stated with a sigh, "Oh well. " his comment drifted out as he headed back into the forest.