Miaole nodded.
"You Ren."
He spoke the name after all.
A-Hu stood where she was, her short golden hair resting against her ears. The golden light that had yet to fade from the cave fell into her eyes, illuminating her amber irises.
Miaole straightened his sleeves and bowed solemnly.
"I offended you before."
A-Hu returned his bow.
"What's past is past."
"Besides, you imparted the Dao to me and granted me a great blessing."
"It was only right that I helped you."
Miaole straightened and shook his head gently.
"You are the true yang within Kan, ascending to the Palace of Li-the tiger becoming the Li Woman."
"With the primordial order reversed, utmost yang turns to utmost yin, answering the hollow yin within Li, and your fire takes on the nature of Ding."
A-Hu did not interrupt.
Miaole continued gently, "Would you open your hand?"
A-Hu opened her palm as he asked.
Miaole held his fingertip above her palm and lightly tapped the air.
A dark red spark emerged from the lines of A-Hu's palm.
Its light was dim, burning quietly against her skin.
"Ding Fire draws on emotion, in accord with the yin talisman."
"You were born of the seven emotions. Once this fire ignites, your very nature becomes fuel for its flames."
A-Hu lowered her gaze to her palm, where the dark red spark flickered with her breathing.
Miaole continued, "Emotional impulses come and go, and Ding Fire arises and fades with them."
"But not in your case. The stronger your thoughts grow, the deeper the fire will burn."
"Once it enters your Spiritual Terrace, your true heart and deluded thoughts will become hopelessly entwined."
"From this, a tribulation will arise."
"It is called the Seven Emotions Tribulation."
A-Hu's fingers stirred slightly.
The spark immediately retreated along the