The next two days, I focused on hunting new dark water spirits to try and surpass my rank. After defeating dozens of mid-level spirits, my progress hit a wall. No matter how much chi I absorbed from the kills, I couldn't break through.
I considered asking Wong to kill a high-level dark spirit for me, but finding one would be a challenge. Plus, I'd have to stay close to him during the fight, which would distract him. And from the baboon's stories, I knew high-level spirits were full of nasty surprises—they might pull something desperate if cornered. I didn't want to put Wong at risk, especially since he'd helped me so much without asking for anything in return.
During the battles, I honed my mastery over waterbending to a level most mid-level spirits couldn't match. My favorite trio of techniques became second nature, and I even developed a new one: *Cutting Armor*. It creates moving streams of water that both protect and deal damage on contact. Even for me, it's exhausting to use—I have to focus entirely on it. But its power is unmatched. In one fight against two strong mid-level spirits, it shredded them in two seconds.
The biggest problem was the gradual, subtle change in my mind. I kept suppressing foolish impulses, and thinking became harder. Even Wong noticed, but he didn't know how to help. He suggested I visit the Spirit of Knowledge, a being who rarely lacks answers and helps peaceful spirits without hesitation.
Deciding not to waste time, I said goodbye to Wong, who looked a little sad. It was unclear when we'd meet again. I thanked him for everything and filled a vessel with water while he drew rough maps and symbols in the dirt to guide me to Wan Shi Tong. The journey, he said, would take about a week. He offered to escort me, but he had spirits under his care who'd be vulnerable without him.
I assured him I'd be cautious, avoiding strong spirits and handling mid-level or weaker ones easily. After a firm handshake, I set off for the library.
Knowing a place is extraordinary is one thing; seeing it is another. Along the way, I encountered over a hundred spirits—I stopped counting after that. It felt like there were spirits for everything. I had to detour around some areas to avoid high-level dark spirits. Staying focused on my thoughts and actions was crucial; one wrong impulse from my lower spirit nature could be fatal. I'd only recently "come to life," and I wasn't eager to die.
After eight days, I finally reached the library. It was stunning—or would have been, if it weren't in the middle of a desert, with only its tower visible. As I approached, I wondered about giant owls and their love of burying libraries in sand.
Inside, endless rows of books seemed to stretch into the sky. This was the Spirit of Knowledge's domain. If I wanted to solve my problem, I needed to find him quickly—time was against me. I was about to call his name when my voice caught in my throat. Before I could speak, Wan Shi Tong stood before me. A massive owl with no hint of hostility in his eyes, yet his gaze felt like he'd dissected me and was ready to study further. I couldn't move until he finished examining me.
"It's been a while since outsiders appeared in our world," Wan Shi Tong finally said.
"Huh?" I froze, terrified, but when nothing happened and he remained calm, I relaxed. "Greetings, Keeper of Knowledge Wan Shi Tong. My friend Wong suggested I seek your advice," I blurted out.
"Ah, that insufferable boy Wong," he said warmly. "Enough formalities. I've met spirits like you before. You all share one curse—or gift, depending on how you see it. Follow me."
As I trailed behind him, Wan Shi Tong explained what was happening to me. Occasionally, spirits from other worlds appeared here. I was the sixth he'd known of, but he'd only met three in person. The other two were aggressive and attacked indiscriminately, meeting their end quickly.
He observed that our gift was absorbing residual chi left by spirits, assimilating it harmlessly. We also had immense compatibility with the absorbed element, mastering it far faster than native spirits. In theory, if we kept growing, we could acquire more elements. But our curse was incompatibility with this world—our origins made it impossible to rise above a lower spirit unless we became part of the world itself.
There was a small chance, though. A second birth was required, and that could only happen in a more material world—the human world. While in a human mother's womb, a process of energetic binding or initialization would occur, making me part of the world. He'd helped other spirits like me, which was why he had so much confirmed information.
"Why do you help us so freely?" I asked, puzzled. "I'm grateful, but I'm curious."
"It's simple," he said, turning his piercing eyes on me. "As an ancient spirit, I can see much that's hidden in you, even things you don't know yourself. And if you were a threat, the world would have removed you. Think about it: why did those two aggressive outsiders appear near a high-level dark spirit's lair, forcing him to interrupt his sleep? Too many coincidences, don't you think?"
"I hope you're clever enough to piece it together," he said, flapping his wings and continuing. "The world has no consciousness as we understand it, but it's still the law here. Rest assured, if it wanted you gone, you wouldn't be talking to me now."
"Another world means new knowledge," Wan Shi Tong said excitedly. "You're an investment in the future. I hope you'll visit me in the human world soon, with books about your world. It's not hard, and you'll fulfill my small request, won't you?" he finished, squinting at me.
I could only nod nervously.
"Good," he said, satisfied. "Ask your questions."
"What happened to the other three? Did they succeed?" I asked, curious about my chances.
First, he explained the process of sending spirits to the material plane. Preparation was key. I needed to strengthen my chi source and send my consciousness into one of my sources—the most crucial step. In the human world, my chi would deplete quickly, so minimizing loss was essential. Then, Wan Shi Tong would open a passage to the other plane and send my body to find a suitable host.
This was where the real gamble began. To be reborn, I needed an embryo matching my chi, unoccupied by another soul. The world wouldn't allow stealing a body with a soul. While searching, my chi would drain, and if it ran out, I'd dissolve and vanish. My luck would be tested, especially since few waterbenders were born, and my chi required a potential waterbender. With the Fire Nation attacking the Southern Water Tribe, such births were rare, limited to the Northern Water Tribe.
Even then, children weren't always healthy. Diseases could kill me during birth if my soul was already bound to the body. It would have been easier if I were an earth or fire spirit, as most humans had those elements. But I couldn't complain—at least I hadn't absorbed a rare spirit with a non-primary element. Then I'd be stuck as a lower spirit forever. Mixed-element humans were rare, almost exceptions. To ancient spirits, humans were still children learning bending, so more non-traditional benders were expected in the future.
What about the three who made it to the human world?
The first, a fire spirit, found a body but died of illness in his first week. It was an era of human expansion, with high mortality from diseases and no healers among earthbenders, firebenders, or airbenders.
The second never got a chance. He searched too long for a host and dissolved.
The third, relatively recent, became known as Chin the Conqueror or Chin the Great.
"Yes, he did great things, but don't be like him," Wan Shi Tong said. "As a young man, he realized he was the strongest earthbender around, and being a spirit gave him advantages. But his arrogance made him neglect his growth, and he met a challenge he couldn't overcome."
During Chin's time, the Earth Kingdom was fragmented, with constant wars and a weak king. Chin seized power, united the kingdom, and left a strong foundation that still resisted the Fire Nation. His last battle was against Kyoshi's peninsula, where he ignored the Avatar's warnings and lost his life.
In a room with a few scrolls on a table, the spirit stopped.
"These scrolls teach how to strengthen your chi and send your consciousness into your source. Once you master them, call me. For now, I have other matters," he said, gesturing to the scrolls with his wing.
"Can I request other knowledge?" I asked quickly.
"There's every piece of knowledge from both nations here," he said confidently. "Speak freely."
"Then I'd like to learn about chakras and how to open them," I said eagerly. From the show, I'd always wondered about the untapped potential of chakra mastery, and I hoped these scrolls would reveal something useful.
"Good choice," Wan Shi Tong approved. "I'll send my assistant with the books. Unfortunately, you shouldn't stay longer. Finish reading and practicing, and we'll begin your journey."
As soon as he left, I started reading the scrolls. They were detailed. Strengthening my chi source seemed straightforward, but sending my consciousness between my two sources was tricky. I'd need to bring them closer and maintain control over both. Losing control during the search for a host could mean losing a source.
Practicing these skills consumed me for hours. I only stopped when I felt gentle nudges. Looking down, I saw a small fox spirit holding books in her mouth.
Thanking the Spirit of Knowledge's assistant, I began reading. The books were packed with useful information, but after eight sleepless days and constant tension, exhaustion set in.
I'd mastered strengthening my chi sources today, which was good. In two days, I'd memorize the chakra books and perfect sending my consciousness. For now, sleep was essential.