"We're sorry, Breaker. We were detained," Rix said, moving in closer to the man. "The Warden threw us in solitary."

Breaker stepped out from the shadows of the rock pile. Though it had barely been more than a week, in the dim, jaundiced light of this new part of the realm, he looked weary. The edges of his form seemed less distinct than usual, as if the effort of maintaining his physical presence was costing him.

"Solitary?" Breaker looked them over, a sharp crease appearing between his brows. "You are already in a cage. How much smaller did they make it?"

"Extremely bleeding small," said Rix. "The prison has these punishment boxes. They wring the mana out of you like a sponge. It hurt like hells. They kept us in them for a week."

The color drained from the man's face. "Draining arrays." He covered the space between them in a blink, gazing down at Rix's chest as if trying to see beneath his skin. "Were you damaged?"

Rix hesitated. While their teacher was ostensibly expressing concern for Rix's wellbeing, the choice of language irked him, like he was a tool being inspected for rust.

"Somewhat," he replied. "I think they were supposed to only interact with mana, but since mana and qi are basically two sides of the same coin, it got ahold of both. The array pulled so hard it actually tore the walls between my mana meridians and my qi channels."

"Is your cultivation intact?" There was a rare tremble to Breaker's voice as he spoke.

"It seems to be," Rix replied slowly. "We fought a fade before, and I was able to cycle and use my gate just fine. Though there are…side effects. My networks seem to be sort of fused now. I can push qi into my mana meridians. Funnily enough, it actually makes my System techniques stronger."

Breaker took a few moments to parse this. "But there are no other ill effects?"

"Not that I can tell," Rix said.

"I'm fine too, by the way," Luna chimed in, not entirely masking the hurt in her voice. Breaker glanced over at her for the first time, clearly having forgotten she was there. Ever since Rix had called him out about the way he'd spoken to Luna earlier in their relationship, Breaker had seemed to be making an effort to treat them equally, but his panic had revealed that perhaps his feelings hadn't really changed.

The entire discussion left a sour taste in Rix's mouth. He understood the reality of the situation. They were engaged in a transaction — knowledge for help. But it had also felt like the three of them were forming at least a somewhat genuine master-apprentice bond. How much of the man's interactions with them were simply a performance to get what he needed from Rix?

Breaker seemed to realize his mistake. After a moment, he nodded to himself, his usual expression of cool indifference returning to his face. "I am pleased to hear it," he said to Luna. "I take it your networks are not 'fused' like young Zao Rixian's here?"

She shook her head. "This one was doing the Mountain Gate cycle in the box. I'm not there yet, obviously."

"Fascinating," said Breaker.

"Have you ever heard of this happening before?" asked Rix.

"No, though I have spent little time with System users. Most of my understanding of your…situation is academic. What you say about your techniques makes sense though. At their core, System techniques are still built on a foundation of cultivation. You are simply witnessing them properly fed for the first time."

"Is there any danger in doing it?" asked Rix. "To be fully transparent, it is kind of painful. Even though it works, it's pretty clear the System doesn't like it."

Breaker's expression darkened, and he took a moment to choose his words. "Ordinarily, I'd suggest pain is the path to growth, but in this instance I don't think the payoff is worth the risk. Enhancing System techniques is like sharpening a wooden sword — you may add an edge, but it will never truly be a blade. We have so much else to dedicate our efforts toward, and the rewards of your cultivation will far outstrip whatever you can achieve with this novelty."

It seemed dismissive to Rix, but he'd expected nothing less when it came to System matters.

Breaker clapped his hands. "Speaking of your cultivation, we have lost time. I can see your tier-ups were both successful — your bodies are denser, the System has done its crude best at thickening your hides. Now, we must return to our real work." The man grimaced. "I can feel the pull of this place growing ever greater on my being. Initially I believed we had several years to prepare you, but I think perhaps I overestimated. We may have a year, or a little more, so we must make haste."

Rix shared a look with Luna. She gave a tiny, almost imperceptible grimace. They'd spoken some more, and agreed they had to tell him.

"We have less than that," Rix said.

Breaker blinked several times. "Excuse me?"

"We don't have a year," Rix repeated, his voice steady. "There was a reason we were thrown in those boxes. Xu Sho, the First Master of the Horizon Exchange, knows we killed his son. Or he suspects. The whole thing was an interrogation."

Breaker's face twitched. "You told me this would be the end of it."

Rix looked away. He had said that, though it had been more hope than fact. He hadn't seen any point in telling Breaker about something that may never come to pass.

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But now it had.

"I was wrong," Rix said.

Breaker drew a long breath. "You say he 'suspects'. So he has no proof. Why does this accelerate our timeline?"

"Because he hasn't given up. He's bringing in a specialist. A Truthseeker."

Breaker went very still. "A Truthseeker," he murmured. His eyes narrowed, clearly playing out what that meant in his head.

"Are they real?" Luna asked, her voice small. "Sho said they could peel a mind like a fruit. Is that… is that actually possible?"

Breaker turned his gaze to her, his expression grim. "It is a crude metaphor for a sophisticated violation, but yes, there are such bloodlines out there. Though I didn't realize any System-user would have access to them."

Rix cleared his throat. "If they get in my head, it isn't just Han they'll find out about—"

"I understand the ramifications," Breaker snapped. The man was rattled once more. His face had turned flushed and his breathing was quick and sharp. "How long do we have?"

"Three months," Rix replied.

Breaker closed his eyes, as if willing the whole discussion to be a bad dream.

Given how the conversation had gone so far, Rix was hesitant to say what came next, but he steeled himself. "We're planning on escaping before they arrive," Rix continued. "If we can find a way. It's the only way we can think of to protect you."

He tried framing it in a way that prioritized Breaker's safety, but it made little difference. Breaker pinned him with a look. "And what of our bargain? You promised to aid me. You promised to sever the bindings that hold me to this realm. Is this what your word is worth?" The older man stalked forward as he spoke until he was just inches from Rix's face. Though he hadn't raised his voice, there was a true undercurrent of menace to his tone now. It reminded Rix that whatever experiences they'd shared, Breaker was still an ancient and terrifying being. A true old monster in the mythical sense. Any attempt at predicting or manipulating him was likely a fool's errand.

Despite the fear clawing at his throat, Rix held his ground. "There isn't anything else we can do! It's not like we asked for this."

"Forgive me if that offers little comfort," Breaker spat.

Rix took a moment to center himself. "We don't want to abandon you, Breaker. We could have just disappeared without a word if that was our goal. You've always been vague about how exactly I'm going to help you. Is there nothing I can do in the time we have left? Maybe Luna can help. She's further along than you predicted, right?"

Breaker stared at him, searching his face. Then slowly, he straightened. He began to pace the small clearing in front of the rock pile. Though his movements were still jerky and agitated, Rix could see the shift on his face from frustration to calculation.

"You don't know what you ask. Three months…that is no time at all. Although…" His eyes flicked to Luna. "Perhaps I was hasty to write you off, Kai Luna. More qi could potentially help bridge the gap."

"I'm happy to help if I can," she replied, sounding a lot more composed than Rix.

Breaker's gaze returned to him. "But even so, what I need requires one person of a very specific constitution. The Mountain Gate is the foundation. But to channel the energy required to sever my bindings, your vessel must be…robust. Flexible. Enduring."

"So it's just a matter of more gates?" Rix asked.

Breaker nodded. "I was expecting to have you open five before we made an attempt."

It had taken Rix months to open just the Mountain Gate. "How many more can I open before the Truthseeker arrives?"

Breaker exhaled slowly. "That is the all-important question, isn't it?"

He turned to face them. The agitation was gone, replaced by a sharp resolve. "With overwhelming dedication, and an increased appetite for risk, I could see a scenario where you are able to open two more in that time."

Rix swallowed hard. He was obviously no stranger to taking risks at this point, but something about the way the man said that put him on edge. "And is there any way that's enough?"

"That is difficult to say," Breaker replied. "This isn't an exact science. My situation is unique and all we really have to go on is my estimation." He clicked his tongue twice. "But perhaps I was being too cautious. With the right two gates, and with Luna's help, there is a chance."

Rix gave a half-hearted nod, though a question lingered in his mind. "What happens if you're wrong?"

Breaker spread his hands. "Then this place will consume what is left of me."

"I meant for me," Rix said carefully. "You basically said my body needs to be strong enough to handle what is coming. The implication is that with only two more gates, there's a chance it's not. That doesn't sound like it will end well for me."

For the first time that day, Breaker shot him a wolfish grin. He seemed back to his old self now, mysterious, arrogant, and charming in equal measure. "I understand your concerns, Zao Rixian, but worry not. I will stop things before they get to that point. I didn't train the two of you only to burn out your cultivation before you have even truly begun to shine. It will be clear to me as we lead up to our deadline whether or not you are capable of what is required. All I ask is that you keep your word and do your best to help me."

"I can do that," Rix said, though the words 'burn out your cultivation' echoed in his ears. He still wasn't certain about this path, but for now it seemed like the best course was to see where it led. He'd angered Breaker enough for one day.

Their master gave a sharp nod. "Good."

"Which gates do I need to focus on?" Rix asked.

"The River Gate will be first. It will give you the vitality to endure the strain. Next will be the Wind Gate for flow and speed of circulation. Together, they give you the best chance of being ready."

Luna chimed in, "You said it would be risky."

"And it will," Breaker replied. "The bottleneck is not the gate techniques themselves — though they will be difficult in their own way. No, the real challenge will be in having adequate qi to open them. I believe I told you before that each successive gate requires more qi than the last. Ordinarily, I'd have you both continue with the Breath Bridge for at least the next year. That is what all novices of my clan do, learning to draw in qi sip by careful sip." He looked between them, a hint of challenge on his face. "But we no longer have the luxury of sipping. To get where we need to go, you must learn to drown."

"So it's a new gathering technique then?" Rix asked.

Breaker nodded. "The Torrential Cycle."

"Sounds ominous," Luna noted.

"It is intense," Breaker allowed, waving a hand as if shooing away a fly. "'Ominous' might be a stretch. It is simply an advanced technique, usually reserved for disciples who have already opened at least three gates. However, given the aptitude Zao Rixian has already displayed, and the resilience he showed during his battle with Han, I believe it is worth the gamble."

"And me?" Luna asked.

Breaker glanced at her. "I will explain it to you both, though I wouldn't recommend you pursue it for now, Kai Luna. As the name might suggest, the Torrential Cycle involves cycling. Where the Breath Bridge stretches your dantian like a bladder through static force, this turns your spiritual network into a centrifuge, applying pressure through motion. Given your lack of experience with cycling, you will find it all but impossible for now. Once you've opened your Mountain Gate, we can reassess."

Luna seemed satisfied by that response.

"This is the risk you mentioned then?" Rix asked. "This new technique?"

"There is some risk involved," said Breaker. "If you stop the flow while the pressure is high enough, you can damage your meridians. But if done with care and under my watchful eyes, this is unlikely." The wolfish grin returned. "No, the real risk comes from where you will be training from now on."

Rix and Luna glanced at each other in trepidation.

"And where's that?" Rix asked.

Breaker paused dramatically. "An entropy field."

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