As the sun rose above the horizon the morning dew was still fresh in the air and silence in the forest as if every being in the forest was still waking up. it didn’t take long for the silence to be broken by a shout scaring away a few birds perching on a nearby tree.
Long Tianyu stood facing a tree with his face calm except for his trembling lips. After an incense of time went by he sighed and opened his eyes looking at the deep fists groove on the tree. He turned his head around and observed the area only to see that most of the trees surrounding the cave were either half-broken or completely splintered.
“It has been a few weeks already and I have only managed to temper the bones in my hand and arm. The past few weeks have been just me fracturing my bones, healing them, and resting then repeating every day” Shaking his head Long Tianyu stretched his body.
After stretching and feeling his muscles relax he felt a rumble in his stomach and feeling hunger attacked him he began walking deeper inside the forest away from the small clearing he made by cultivation.
‘I hope that there is something in the traps I made’ he thought after following a set of trees and retracing the path when he explored the area. Along the way, Long Tianyu kept his senses on high alert for any animals but also demonic beasts.
At the end of the path, a simple cage trap leaned against a tree. Observing from a distance away Long Tianyu noticed that the bait he placed down was missing but the trap was undisturbed.
Letting out a sigh Long Tianyu grabbed a few pieces of fragrant fruit out of his robe and placed them under the cage. Satisfied with the new bait he began walking in the other direction. Soon a giant tree with a trunk the size of a 3 grown adult came into his vision.
Long Tianyu Stared at the tree for a few moments before he climbed the tree by jumping on the low-hanging branches the thickness of a thigh. Long Tianyu climbed higher and higher, he soon saw a view of the forest. Everywhere he looked the forest filled his vision only to be broken by the occasional hill and mountains in the far distance reaching high into the heavens with its visible peaks covered in snow.
Still taking in the sight of the forest he was soon disturbed by a rustling sound nearby. Slowly approaching the noise, he saw the culprit. A bearded lizard the size of a newborn baby with marks on its body resembling a fiery fire.
As Long Tianyu slowly, silently, got closer, he saw the lizard enjoying a batch of eggs inside a nest. Before the lizard notices Long Tianyu, he jumps toward it and kicks it off the branch. Seeing the lizard fall to its death, Long Tianyu grabs the remaining eggs inside the nest before descending the tree.
As his feet touched the ground, Long Tianyu saw the lizard''s body bleeding from its mouth. Grabbing the lizard by its tail, he grinned at finally having some meat to eat.
“Finally, some meat, I have been eating nothing but wild vegetables” While making his way back to the cave. on the other side of the forest a demonic beast with gray fur ferociously bit down on the neck of a white tiger killing it before dragging it in the direction of its home.
Arriving at the place he had called home for the last few weeks, Long Tianyu quickly made a fire and cleaned the lizard before sticking it on a sharp stick and roasting it by the fire. He also placed the eggs near the fire to cook them. While waiting for his food to be ready, Long Tianyu sat near the warm fire, crossing his legs.
Closing his eyes he circulated his qi and soon a small black ball of energy floated atop his palm. Manipulating the ball, he transformed it into a thin blade horizontally across his right fist.
‘’Somehow, I comprehended this strange energy since I came out of that rift. I only managed to form this ball after experimenting with the energy before forming a blade” After a few seconds, Long Tianyu dispersed the energy causing it to disappear.
‘’I can only keep up the energy for 5 seconds before my qi is depleted, luckily the qi here is plenty’’
After eating his meal, Long Tianyu entered the cave and sat down to replenish his qi reserve. Concentrating on absorbing the qi in his surroundings, the subtle glow on the black ring on his finger went unnoticed.
Inside the spatial space of the black ring, a stone pillar stood still in the center countless runes darting across its surface and floating around the giant pillar. On its body were lifelike engravings of beasts and immortals. As if it came to life a primordial aura filled the space of the ring causing it to tremble before calming down.
Nearby the giant pillar a white jade pendant moved up and down as if floating with the waves of energy coming from the pillar.
Long Tianyu, oblivious to the chaos inside the ring continued his cultivation till the next day only stopping when the sunlight shone on his face.
Walking outside, Long Tianyu took a deep breath, savoring the morning air. After stretching his body, he walked to a nearby tree and examined it first. Then, gathering his qi to form the black blade from yesterday on his right fist, he quickly slashed it across the tree, cutting it cleanly in half without any problems.
Stepping back in surprise, Long Tianyu didn’t think the strange energy would be so sharp. Quickly dissipating the energy before his qi was depleted, he clenched his right fist only to feel a bulge on his finger.
Looking at his right hand, the ring on his index finger gave off a primordial aura. Looking closer at the ring, Long Tianyu noticed a pillar in the center with runes engraved on it.
Trying to read the runes on the pillar only made his head throb in pain. Looking away from the runes, a warm glow caught his attention. Looking on the inside of the ring a row of words slowly appeared with the glow.
“Within this ring resides the first pillar of the heavens. I as the invincible Immortal warn whoe…………..”
As Long Tianyu read the text a booming voice echoed in his head causing him to hunch over and clutch his head in pain soon after a pressure forced one of his knees to buckle.
“So, you’re the descendant of that brat”
Still holding onto his head Long Tianyu felt his blood dripping out of every orifice. Clenching his teeth he slowly stood up with every movement, tearing his muscles apart and cracking his bones.
Standing tall, Long Tianyu gripped the ring with his left hand and pulled with all his might, forcing the ring to come off. Even after using the meager strength that he had the ring didn’t budge.
The voice boomed in his head again” Hahahahahahaha, you passed kid”
the moment the voice disappeared so did the pressure on Long Tianyu. Breathing in heavily he wiped away the blood on his nose before quickly trying to take off the ring.
Before he could even try, the ring became hotter and hotter causing another bout of pain to appear on his face. the pain is as if his soul were set on fire and oil kept on being added to it and burned brighter and hotter every second.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
As the ring burned the voice spoke in an ancient language before the skies turned dark and heavenly thunder clouds appeared on the realm raining down lightning.
“Kid from this day onward you are to be the owner of the first pillar of the heavens”
As soon as the voice disappeared, so did the dark clouds reverting the sky to normal.
Long Tianyu clutching onto his right hand passed out soon after from the pain. As he lay there on the ground sound asleep a soothing energy came out of the ring and surrounded his body.
As Long Tianyu opened his eyes a clear blue sky greeted him. Feeling the soft grass on his body he stayed like this for a few moments more before raising his upper body and examining his surroundings.
Turning his head around a beautiful grass field surrounded his vision. The grass swayed with the soft wind that is neither cold nor hot, just the perfect temperature. Standing up he could see that the grass field stretched as far as his eyes allowed him to see. Deciding to walk forward he felt tranquil. Soon on his path, a humble bamboo hut appeared in the distance with a cherry blossom tree swaying with the wind. Every time the tree swayed the pink leaves gently flow with the wind.
For some strange reason, Long Tianyu didn’t rush toward it but kept walking with steady steps. With every step, he could see more details appear, and as he got closer to the bamboo hut a flowery scent carried by the wind entered his nostrils. Looking to the right he saw a garden filled with flowers and strange plants of all sizes and colors. Ignoring the scent Long Tianyu kept on walking forward.
Standing next to the hut he could see tools hanging on a rack nearby, probably for the garden, and a table next to it. On the table, a tray holding an intricate tea set and two cups of pinkish tea releasing steam into the air.
Staring at the two cups of tea a sweet plum blossom scent caused Long Tianyu to stare at them for far too long and soon his eyes turned a pinkish hue. He stood there frozen as if in a daze.
“hahaha kid don’t stare for too long if you want to stay alive”
With a light laugh from the deep voice Long Tianyu''s eyes soon returned to normal. And quickly looking away he noticed that the endless grassy field soon ended a bit further from him and in its place stood a cliff.
At the edge of the grass field, a man sat there with their back towards Long Tianyu.
“kid bring me a cup of tea will you, my throat is starting to dry”
Compelled by the voice Long Tianyu''s body moved on its own and walked to the edge with the tray in hand. The man wore pure white armor inlaid with jade and a sword leaning next to him.
Setting down the tray Long Tianyu sat on the left side of the man. Looking in front of him and down what filled his eyes was the world at the edge of the cliff.
As soon as he sat down the man turned his head to look at Long Tianyu. Quickly opening his mouth Long Tianyu asked the man “Who are you and where am I”
“You young kids sure don’t know any manners now huh? You must serve the elders first before asking questions”
Before Long Tianyu could pick up the teacup a hand reached for it “hahaha relax kid I’m not that strict. Let us enjoy the tea before I answer your questions”
Carefully holding the teacup in his hands Long Tianyu glanced at the man’s face. He looked middle-aged and had a handsome face with sword-like brows and fierce eyes that said I won’t go down without a battle.
“Kid, I like women, ok? I don’t swing that way and besides you''re too young”
Nearly dropping the cup in his hands Long Tianyu felt like punching the man beside him.
“Elder I also like girls and besides you’re too ugly for my taste”
“You dare call me ugly, brat speak carefully before I beat you black and blue”
A subtle smile appeared on the man’s face before he took a sip of the tea.
Seeing the man drink the tea Long Tianyu Brought the cup close to his mouth and smelling in the same sweet plum blossom scent, Long Tianyu didn’t dwell on the scent too long this time.
drinking the tea, the light sweetness coated the inside of his mouth leaving a pleasant aftertaste and making his breath steady. Only after a few moments, a rush of qi entered his body forcing Long Tianyu to concentrate otherwise the massive amount of qi would overfill and explode his body.
As the qi entered his meridians they slowly expanded and each time the qi consolidated around the acupoints and meridians new qi would rush in to occupy the empty spot and expand it once more. After an incense of time, the qi in Long Tianyu’s body finally calmed down.
“Kid be grateful I even allowed you to drink a leaf from the harmonious Moon and Sun Blossom tree, I only have a few leaves, but I had to dilute it a thousand times for you. only one leaf on the tree will have absorbed the pure yin qi from the moon and yang qi from the sun it takes 50,000 years for one leaf to mature”
“Thank you for the opportunity. I, Long Tianyu owe the elder a debt,” Long Tianyu said while bowing his head.
“Don’t go back on your words kid, you might regret it when the times come. Now out with your questions. Your face is practically screaming, “Who am I?”
“Where am I, I was in a forest just a few moments ago,” Long Tianyu asked while reaching for the teapot to pour himself another cup.
Before his hand could even reach for the handle another hand had already snatched it away.
“Kid don’t be too greedy your body is still weak drinking too much of the tea will harm your body. To answer your question your body is still in that forest, but your mind is here. Soon you will come to find out what this place is”
“if my mind is here then what happened to my body? Won''t I be in danger then?”
Pouring the tea into his cup the man drank it before answering “You’re body is fine I only pulled your consciousness to this space. Kid, I don’t have much time anymore you only have two questions left”
“My first question is still the same who are you and my second question is what is the first pillar of the heavens”
“I can''t tell you my name, but I can tell you my title, people call me the invincible Immortal I have never lost a fight or battle. As for your second question, you will have to find that out yourself”
“But what is my purpose here then, why am I called here”
“Hmm I guess you could call it a great-great-great grandfather passing down the family heirloom to their grandchild”
Visible confusion appeared on Long Tianyu’s face after hearing the invincible Immortal’s words.
“Grandfather? What do you mean by that and family heirloom…… " Before Long Tianyu could complete his sentence, a rough hand ruffled his hair.
A weak smile appeared on the invincible Immortals face
“Tianyu, stay strong and safe” With a flick of his hands Long Tianyu''s consciousness disappeared from the strange realm. Pouring another cup of tea the Invincible immortal savored the taste of it before a deep voice broke the tranquil silence.
“Old friend is it your time to go”
Silence filled the air for a few moments before the invincible immortal let out a light sigh “Brother, I’m sorry that I made your hard life even harder. You are a noble race but deciding to stand next to me only made your people scorn you. I made you suffer through endless hardship”
The voice let out a laugh that shook the cliffside. As the laugh subsided the somber voice now filled with energy replied “Brother, we were born on the same day and time. We were both hated by our family. I never regretted fighting through the hardship standing side by side”
At the end of the sentence, the wind intensified and blew the cherry blossom leaves towards the cliff edge.
The invincible Immortal let out a light laugh after hearing his brother’s words. Standing up he stared at the world beneath his feet. Before plucking a leave floating in the air and holding it gently between his thumb and finger.
A satisfied smile hung on the Invincible immortal’s face “Then I''m glad it was you who fought by my side, I have no more regrets now. Brother look after my grandson”
“don’t worry brother I will be there to take care of him in your place”
At the end of his words, the wind came to a gentle stop carrying the last of the cherry blossom leaves with it into the horizon.
As the leaves floated further and further into the horizon The invincible Immortal’s body slowly disintegrated into a golden energy starting at his feet and rising upwards “Then I will leave him in your hands”
Before his body fully disappeared into nothingness the invincible immortal looked at the leaf on his finger tenderly “Meifeng, will you brew a pot of plum blossom tea for me and sing me gentle lullabies again”
With those words, he let go of the leaf in his hands letting it float in the air toward the horizon following the rest of the cherry blossom leaves. Soon his hands disappeared and as his head disintegrated the smile never left his face.
The voice watching his brother pass away in front of him stood silent and as the silence carried on for a long time, his spirit soon left the realm and back into his body.
The giant body of the voice soon woke up and soared into the sky tearing the clouds and space into shreds roaring out his anger and helplessness watching his brother die while he couldn’t do anything to stop it.
As the painful roar of the noble beast ended the body of the voice broke through the clouds. A white dragon the size of a small mountain landed on the rough, rocky ground. He took a breath before laying his massive body on the ground. Closing his eyes a teardrop gently fell on the ground. And as the teardrop landed on the rocky ground it soon transformed into a beautiful garden of grass, priceless plants, and herbs.
With each breath of the dragon, the nearby plants swayed with its breath. Up in the air, the aftermath of the dragon mended itself back to normal as if nothing had ever happened.