If it wasn't any easier, Pauli exclusion's principle was something I was so rigorously drilled on while doing my PHD. And the dissection? Fuck my lecturers.
"First, the standard form of the principle is ψ(r₁, σ₁, r₂, σ₂) = -ψ(r₂, σ₂, r₁, σ₁) where the wavefunction ψ must be antisymmetric. If two fermions occupy the same quantum state then ψ(r, σ, r, σ) must equal zero."
"Right, continue…"
"Lets say your meridians are Hybrid State, H. Since the mana bosons are symmetric under exchange and the fermions obeys Pauli exclusion in an antisymmetric opposite system, H(𝐫,σ) = q(𝐫,σ) ⊗ m(𝐫,σ). But the problem is under particles exchange, H₁₂ = q(r₁, σ₁)m(r₁, σ₁) ⊗ q(r₂, σ₂)m(r₂, σ₂). This is an issue because fermionic terms require q(𝐫₁,σ₁)q(𝐫₂,σ₂) = -q(𝐫₂,σ₂)q(𝐫₁,σ₁) while bosonic terms only allow m(𝐫₁,σ₁)m(𝐫₂,σ₂) = +m(𝐫₂,σ₂)m(𝐫₁,σ₁)."
"Where are you getting at? I know that the combined state cannot be consistently symmetric or antisymmetric and therefore mathematically forbidden but so what?"
"Right, the conclusion im getting at is your body isn't merging these two statistics—it is forcing entirely new statistics on this plane of existence in the form of this equation: H′ = e⁻ᵝᴼ̂ (q⊗m) where ᴼ̂ is the volating operator. This state is neither Fermi nor Bose statistics, but a parastatistics in the form of H′₁₂ = (-1)ᶿ H′₂₁ where θ ∈ (0,1) that implies anyonic behaviour."
Her eyes widened. Jackpot baby.
"In summary, iħ ∂H′/∂t = [-(ħ²/2m)∇² + V(𝐫) + g|H′|²]H′ shows that your cultivation path alters quantum statistics locally."
"You shouldn't exist. Yet here you are."
A silence lingers—heavy, suffocating. Then, a shaky whisper.
"I-Isaac…"
I internally scoff. Yeah. Cry some more. See if that changes anything.
"T-that's the first time someone has ever…"
"I get it." My voice cuts through her trembling words. "But stand up. Are you seriously sniveling when you should be training? Studying? Proving them wrong?"
"B-but—just give me some ti—"
"No." The word leaves no room for argument. "Xue'er. No. Get up. Suck those tears back in. If you want to shove their words up their asses, then bark louder. Fight harder."
A sniffle. Then, slowly, she pushes herself up, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
"I understand. Thank you, Isaac. I'll be indebted to—"
"No, you won't." I wave her off. "I'm just stating facts. I'm not someone you should call a friend." A pause. But allies? That's different.
"But… allies?"
A final push.
Step 4: Form camaraderie
She meets my gaze, resolves hardening. "Allies."
I grip her hand—firm, unyielding. The grip of someone broken and reforged.
Yes. Success.
I don't need her as a friend. And I definitely don't need some cliché romance blooming just because I didn't treat her like garbage. The last thing I want is to get tangled in the Wǔlín's bloody politics over some misguided affection.
Oh shi一
"A-ah Xue'er sorry to hold you again?"
"Hm?"
"I forgot to ask. Can you explain the hierarchy of the Jiǔxiāo Empire to me?"
"Oh… Sure."
.
.
.
The feeling of intellectual and psychological superiority.
The euphoria is intoxicating—knowing how every move will play out, watching the pieces fall exactly where you predicted. Even when she lunged at me, fingers digging into my throat with terrifying strength, I couldn't help but marvel.
The First Stage of Cultivation. And their already this strong?
Her grip was iron, her rage raw and unfiltered. I'll admit, for a heartbeat, fear slithered down my spine. But more than fear? Fascination.
Note to self: Aggravation triggers violent outbursts. Good. That's leverage.
And damn, if she is emotionally weak. Strength like that, untamed but precise—useful. Very useful.
Finally, I can breathe.
My body collapses onto the bed with the grace of a sack of potatoes. The mattress groans in protest as I sprawl across it, limbs akimbo. Bath? The thought flickers through my exhaustion-addled brain before I dismiss it.
Later. I'll bathe lat一
Wait.
What time is it even? My eyes darted around the room. The ancient wall clock mocks me with its faded numbers: 4:41 PM. I should really get a watch, obviously, because future-me keeps screwing over present-me on basic life organization.
One hour and eleven minutes since history class.
A groan rips from my throat, loud enough to startle the neighbors. The sound hangs in the air, a perfect summary of my existence一equal parts exhaustion, resignation, and the crushing weight of confusion.
Xue'ers words linger like a parasite.
…
"Wǔlín is the kingdom of Cultivators located at the antipode of Elenos, ruled over by the Jiǔxiāo Empire where the emperor balances mortal politics and the 11 Great Sects' eternal power struggles. Each sect controls a region and practices unique 'Wǔshù' or what you call martial arts."
I then asked. "You said you belong to the Liánhuá Sect right? What are the others?"
And my goodness did she yap.
In summary:
- First Great Sect, The Tiāntáng Zhīmén (Heavens Door) who house cloud-walking sword saints. They act as the emperor's personal guards; elitist and detached.
- Second Great Sect, The Xuèyǐng (Blood Shadow. They produce the finest assassins who use their own blood as cursed weapons via poisons and toxins. They are the imperial black ops; feared but distrusted.
- Third Great Sect, The Lónghǔ (Dragon Tiger) where brutal physical cultivators who shun swords in favour of fist, crushing foes one by one. They are the Military backbone; populist and loud.
- Fourth Great Sect, The Liánhuá (Lotus Monks). Xue'er's family. They are the pacifists who pursue cultivation over all else; their gardens grow spiritual herbs to form the finest pills in the kingdom. They are the neutral mediators who have the strength to force a settlement.
- Fifth Great Sect, The Tiěshān (Iron Mountain) where craftsmen forge the finest blades in the entire world, weapons of the highest quality. Apparently they are the people who the 3 Great Kingdoms royal family rely on to produce and maintain their weapons; politically neutral but wealthy.
-Sixth Great Sect, The Bīnglíng (Ice Spirits). An entire sect of Aristocratic women who wield moonlit ice blades. They act as the most reliable spy network for the entire world, only operating in the safety of the night.
- Seventh Great Sect, The Yěmán (Savages) are Tribal warriors who bond with soul beasts, the Wǔlín equivalent of Spirits. They are the wildcard mercenaries and apparently they hate Aurelthian nobles.
- Eight Great Sect, The Xuánwǔ (Black Tortoise) are the shield-bearing tanks who work in tandem with the Tiāntáng Zhīmén, acting as the border guards against all threats that may emerge from the ocean.
- Ninth Great Sect, The Huǒyún (Fire Cloud). Unlike their Liánhuá counterparts, they are the most rebellious sect where the members blast flames left and right. A formidable yet annoying culture.
- Tenth Great Sect, The Wújí (The Limitless). The sect the emperor favours the most. It acts as the political arguments to end all political uprise in both Wǔlín and elsewhere. Apparently they often quarrel with Valmont.
And finally, the classic Xian Xia bullshit trope:
- Eleventh Great Sect, The Mójiè Zhīyuān (Abyss of Demonic Tribulation). The Emperor's most hated sect. They are unrestrained cultivators who reject celestial harmony in favor of unrestrained, blasphemous power. Where others seek enlightenment, they seek dominion through corruption.
An entire kingdom with fleshed out history, politics and, most importantly, unpredictable people.
Jeez…