To Huang Jin, a formation was like a pulley or a lever or a gear. A means of utilizing the inherent properties of the world as a force multiplier, a way to ‘cheat’ input/output systems. In short, every formation could be described as a machine built to facilitate an energy conversion. Only, qi operated in bizarre, impossible ways.
There existed a pattern designed for Sect scribes to isolate flaws in duplicated scrolls. This strange formation would take a sample, a completed work, and compare it to a second work. Flaws in the second would be highlighted with mystical energy.
There also existed a formation to detect mystical highlights, and delete the information to which they were bound.
The little prince knew how and why each of these formations operated, and how they might be combined and miniaturized. He wasn’t sure even his Master would think to use them the way he would. Both of the aforementioned formations acted on a nebulous and general concept of ‘information.’
What was DNA, if not a complex set of biological ‘information?’
He worked hard. The concept was easy, the execution took outrageous effort over an extended period of time. The twin formation had to be miniaturized to a microscopic level, the samples cured of all possible contamination, and he had to make sure the whole shebang only targeted the genetic information. In this way, he pared the genes in the sample of his own blood down to match the genes of the water dragon as closely as possible.
And then, only after this had been done could the real work start. It was well-known that Wood was the element best suited for regrowth and regeneration, but Huang Jin had an uncommon understanding of the underpinning mechanics there: Wood-element qi could regenerate biological structures to an ‘ideal state,’ another complex and fiddly ‘Dao’ thing. He needed to figure out how much Wood qi to use, and with what intensity to bathe the reduced DNA. Therefore, he needed many, many samples, all prepared in the same way with the microscopic twin formation method.
By the end, the water dragon scale had been almost entirely abraded, and he’d drained a concerning amount of blood for the cause.
Throughout this weeks-long process, he could not neglect the rest of his work. He had to keep up his sword forms; if his understanding of the Sword Dao atrophied, it would have disastrous effects on his overall abilities as an artificer. The animals needed to be fed and trained, taught and cared for. More had to be obtained, and both Dog and Tiger, along with all of the new arrivals, had to be treated with the Serum of Awakening.
Finally, a check-in with the genetic experiment turned up a ninety-nine-point-five percent similarity to the scale’s sample, which meant he’d gotten it right. And yet, ‘the hard part’ kept moving. It turned out that the process of turning a genome into a living organism was a hundred times harder than the work he’d already done, even incorporating liberal formation use.
Spring rose high, then collapsed into the heat of summer. Just as summer approached its apex in turn, it all came together.
-
It was a perfect day. A gentle breeze rippled through the trees at the edge of the clearing, carrying a hint of relief from the morning heat. It was worth the effort of bringing the spirit beasts out of the Master’s hidden realm… though Ox had required extra effort, at his size. Huang Jin didn’t want them to miss the hatching, and he didn’t want his new friend to enter the world in an artificial environment.
He cradled the orb with both hands. The implanted carp ovum had grown to the size of a chicken egg, and taken on a pearl-like opalescence. The others crowded around, eager to witness the exact moment of emergence. There were eleven, now, and they awaited the twelfth.
Most kept a respectful distance. Tiger tried to look aloof. Pig was just happy to be outside. Rooster, Rat, Snake, and Sheep… well, they hadn’t quite gotten used to the whole ‘sentience’ thing, seemingly. Only the occasional spark in their eyes spoke of the intelligence underneath. All of the other animals, even Ox and Rabbit who were born spirit beasts, had learned to use mental speech thanks to the enterprising Pig. Those four, however, just did not seem to understand the concept.
The stalwart presence of Ox kept the whole congregation stable. This was his first time outside the confines of the Master’s hidden realm, and he did not appear all too impressed with the change. Another force kept the curious Monkey and Rabbit from getting too close to the prince and his treasure: Dog sat directly at his feet, the threat of his disapproval a cowing menace to all. The pressure he emitted managed to suppress even Horse’s boundless spirit.
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The boy himself could hardly spare a thought for the spirit beasts around him. All of his concentration sank into the precious object in his hands, the result of months of difficult work and great expense.
It moved, shifted, rolled around in his palms. Alive. A tiny, hairline crack formed from the inside. A bump took shape, and the crack widened to reveal a little nub of horn. Temptation struck Huang Jin to interfere, to tear away the confinement and help the baby into the world… but he knew better. Likely, he’d do more harm than good.
The back of the head followed after, then two front legs took hold of the shell, scrabbling at the surface for leverage. It hauled the rest of its long, thin body from the egg, millimeter by millimeter. A dragon; from the tip of its round snout to the wet, feathery end of its tail, it was only a little longer than the prince’s extended hand. Nubby, budding antlers, glistening scales of a radiant green hue, and those eyes… rings within rings, just like that memory hovering at the edge of awareness.
Huang Jin loved all of his animals. Dog was his precious companion of years, Ox was stalwart and soothing, and Rabbit chose him without reservation. He’d fallen in love with Tiger at first sight, Rat managed to charm him even without being pretty or learning speech. There were jolly, inquisitive Pig and curious, astute Monkey, who learned to speak so quickly. Snake’s white scales were lovely and she never tried to eat the others, Horse was… Horse, but his pompous attitude was entertaining. Sheep just wanted to fit in despite clearly not understanding what went on, and that was adorable. And Rooster, well, all chickens were funny in an odd, silly kind of way and Rooster was no exception.
What he felt looking at this tiny life he’d personally brought into the world, he could not put into words. This was on an entirely different level; this dragon came from his blood, it was the culmination of all of his knowledge, it was a part of him.
The tiny dragon moved in his hands, pushing aside the eggshell. Its back legs gripped his fingers as it raised its body as high as it could, taking in the assemblage. Then, it let go, floating in the air like a balloon for a brief moment before settling back onto his palm.
The spirit beasts made no sound, apparently just as enchanted as their master. As was appropriate, Huang Jin was first to break the silence. “Welcome to the world, little Dragon.”
Seven mental voices echoed the words, much closer than they were a moment ago. All of the animals, even those who didn't speak, had pressed forward to get a closer look at their final number.
The prince gave each of them in turn a chance to come close and smell the new arrival. Dog had to growl at Tiger to get him moving after his chance came; the cat was just as enchanted with Dragon as Huang Jin himself. Throughout this parade, a strange thought built up in the boy. He would never call his creation anything but ‘Dragon,’ not in front of the others. He was committed to the bit, and had been since Dog. But in his heart of hearts, this one could not go without a name of his own. As the greetings wound down and it came time to return to the cabin, he decided on the name Baoshi, for this Dragon was his own precious jewel. Maybe he could find a time or a place to pass it to him out loud… maybe.
With Dragon moved to the collar of his gi, he led the spirit beasts back inside. Only Ox required special effort, and Huang Jin took the time to ask, “What did you think of your first time under the open sky?”
The giant bovine cocked his head. Then he lumbered through the prepared displacement formation, and back into the Master’s vast prairie chamber.
The prince took one last moment to focus on the blue sky overhead, before he followed after. Now he had to make sure Dragon grew up strong and healthy. This was not an end to work, only the fulfillment of a single project. He had plenty more to attend to.
Come to think of it, it wasn’t even the project the Master had given him, was it? The thoughts struck him all at once. His head had been in the clouds and in a succession of beakers, formations, animals, and petri dishes for months now. In a panic, he traced back the days, leaning on the perfect memory provided by [Cognitive Enhancement].
Master had been gone for a little over five months, and he’d only completed one marketable product of two. He hadn’t even started the second, not even considering the concept before getting sidetracked. The Auction was less than a month away, and he had nothing.
“Wow, she wasn’t kidding about the wisdom thing. I’m not actually very smart, am I?” he said to nobody in particular, though the infant Dragon clinging to his collar squeaked in reply.
Could he trust the rest of the Zodiac to take care of raising a mythical creature from birth while he focused on his actual trial? He didn’t want to risk it. Reality set in: he would have to draft, plan, mix, manage, and craft the final product while giving Dragon around-the-clock care the whole time.
He breathed, in and out, long and clear. Right. He’d made the Zodiac because he’d sensed that their alignment would have a balancing effect on his qi manipulation techniques. That balance would act as a force multiplier; he could take advantage of that somehow, he just knew it.
Huang Jin got to work, again. There wasn’t a moment to waste.
fantastic and atmospheric series that I got to read before it was available to the public. If you're looking for something simultaneously chill and exciting, I cannot recommend it enough!