《The Martial Master》


 1 Su Min

    In a back alley, three burly men flickered with mocking expressions under a dimly lit light which met a tattered and worn teenager boy, who could only be described as skin and bone. His face seemed to be shaped with age and stress whilst grey hairs fluttered clearly on his bleak, black hair.


    A simple looking stone hung down the boy''s neck on a rusted neckless, from which he clenched.


    One of those looming shadows approached the limp boy and laughed whilst pulling on the boys wafer thin hair. He hunched his back toward the face of the boy, smiling whilst looking at the two shadows behind him.


    "Hey, this little shit here fucking refused to give me cigs and told me that I have no id! Can''t you see that I am obviously at the age anyway? Huh?"


    Listlessness shone in the boy''s hazy eyes as he looked at the 3 gazes, remaining unchanged to everything. He just sat there as they pummelled him like a ragdoll, staring right into space...


    People may not understand, but he chose this life. He, with conviction, chose to live a life of weakness. It may not make sense, and it may seem absurd, but he chose it. He chose it because of memories he doesn''t want to rekindle.


    However, there are costs to this way of life. Costs that, even if you disregard your own wellbeing, matter. It''s a cost that, when you are weak, you are powerless to help. Powerless to save someone you like, someone you know, someone who helps you.


    He will understand such costs soon. He will burden the cost with fire. With Anguish.


    And he will bring hell because of it...


    ...


    ...


    An aggrieved echo resounded in his soul.


    ''W-what is t-that? Su Min what''s in your eyes?!''


    ''M-monster!''


    *COUGH*


    Spraying a layer of sharp pained blood on the rough tarmac, a rugged and aching boy staggered under a few shattered bones, here and there. Remnants of a chilling fire shone in the boy''s eyes before completely going hazy. As that happened his clenched hand let go of the rock and fell to the ground with very little strength.


    The shadows of the three figures trembled with laughter down the alley, fading over time. The boy silently waited for it to dull into silence until a malevolent laughter shook with a deep melancholy.


    "HA GHAA! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!"


    Not even having the strength to punch a few scattered bottles around him, Su Min whimpered under the seemingly unending night. Rodents of all sizes scattered around him, either ignoring his existence or trying to bite at it.


    However, as he was shouting, a light spring of steps emerged from the end of the alley, where a girl revealed herself under the lamp. She has a petite appearance, but her face was full of worry.


    "Su Min, you here?!"


    She shouted out as she walked down, and with a pause, she saw Su Min on the floor.


    "Goddammit! What is with you doing things like that? Huh?! Stop getting yourself into trouble..."


    She spoke with a soft anger as she looked at his disfigured frame, and without his consent, she walked up to him and supported him by holding his shoulder. However, Su Min, with a light flail, pulled himself off her and spoke with a hoarse voice.


    "Miss Yu... Y-you should get back, I can get up myself..."


    "W-wait!"


    Not giving her a chance, Su Min stumbled to a limped walk and went out of the alleyway towards a desolate apartment complex, glittering with a couple fly light traps. The girl stood listlessly as she watched him stumble down the alleyway, looking like she wanted to say something.


    However, paying no heed, he passed by a few houses neighbouring the apartment complex that looked equally as run down, from which the expressions of a couple homeless near sighed at his slumped body.


    With a shaky yet incredibly hopeful hand, he eventually pushed the key into the damp door before a *clack* rang out as the door, under the force of the leaning weight, slammed open causing Su Min to trip over due to the sudden momentum.


    *CRASH*


    A thump thudded as he stumbled into the room, and like an instinct,laid for a while before pushing himself off the floor and locking the door behind him.


    A simple sofa in front a small tv stood out in front of Su Min, and the only other piece of decor which accompanied it was a miniature fridge and a grubby microwave on a shakily built counter with a sink. There were also various medical appliances scattered around the room, almost reminiscent of a hospital environment.


    Su Min hurried to the sink before twisting the knob and guzzling the luke-warm water down. He ignored the sharp pain of walking or breathing, as it was practically what he always felt, nearly numbing it completely.


    Regret dwindled in his hazy eyes as that cry resounded in his head until it was eventually silenced.


    *Poof*


    Collapsing on the worn sofa, Su Min stared at space for a while before turning on the television for the news channel awaiting, which was enough for him.


    "Breaking news!"


    "The Mortal Ranked Dojo ''Limitless'' has officially announced its yearly Tournament~######_@~##"


    "Ah. The signal''s gone out again..."


    Su Min sighed as he switched the TV off and snuggled into the sofa for a sense of comfort. He brought down the blanket beside him and drooped it onto his frail body. The blanket had an intricate design wove in the middle of it in the form of a beautiful tiger roaring, carrying a surreal majesty.


    Su Min shone with a soft gaze as he started to caress the blanket, but it also contained a hint of sorrow.


    ''At least I got a new sofa today so I better get to sleep-!? What''s this hard thing?''


    Su Min felt a painful sensation on his backside, resembling that of a hard object, so, he shoved his hand behind him and stumbled to find the object that was delaying his sleep.


    "B-book?! When did I get a book? Must''ve been in the sofa since I brought it..."


    What he found was what most would describe as an antique from a historic era. It was covered in a crusted brown leather and accompanied with cracked edges and worn outlines. Its thickness was equivalent to an encyclopedia which in turn gave it a rather hefty weight.


    A contoured title was woven on the front of the book with the presence of rushed calligraphy, further emphasized with the rotting leather.


    All it said was 3 simple words.


    "''The Martial Book''?"


    Su Min yawned in an aggravating manner as he stared at the book which appeared out of nowhere, obviously uninterested at whatever content it contains.


    "Fuck off!"


    Su Min couldn''t be bothered to care about a book with the immense fatigue weighing on him, so he just went and threw it onto the floor before collapsing onto the arm of the sofa, following which a smack sounded out on the floor, where a book now lays.


    ...


    *BEEP*


    A bloodied and withered boy stumbled on himself as a piercing beep swept into his dazed consciousness and forcing him out of his dream.


    A straining headache throbbed in his head, which he seemed to be unable to get rid of.


    "Agh..."


    Still half-asleep, Su Min clambered onto the side of the sofa until his hand slammed onto an already dented plastic alarm, and with a clank, silence prevailed once again.


    Su Min yawned before sitting in an arched upright position, scratching the dry wisps of blood on his face.


    "Hrmmm, work huh?"


    Su Min stared at the flickering time on the alarm before stretching his distorted body on the sofa, moaning occasionally in pain or pleasure. However, he couldn''t help but shiver as his headache continued to ache at an increasingly booming rate. He began to worry as he thought about something from his memories.


    ''That isn''t meant to awaken for at least 1 month... So.. It can''t be that, right? Although I should probably take some meds...''


    Feeling the required reaction to move like a normal human, Su Min decided to ignore the headache and proceeded to settle his feet on the ground and walk to rinse his face in the sink.


    *Splash*


    The blood flakes on his face flickered under the streams of water as it tumbled down into the sink, and with this Su Min blankly stared at the small whirlpool of warm, bloodied water sinking into the plug. The uneasy feeling in his mind grew with an unbridled momentum as the thumping headache grew and grew in his head until it began to even affect his thoughts, and with this Su Min couldn''t help but grunt at the piercing pain in his head.


    He panicked as the ''thing'' that he didn''t anticipate was about to happen.


    ''H-how?''


    *BADUM*


    The water continued to drain as his heart surged with blood and sped up and up, booming with a rattling stutter until Su Min''s consciousness seemed to snap and the haziness in his eyes went crazy and thrashed at what seemed like a boundary in his pupils. Terror gushed out of the haziness before, with a light cough, a darkness lit and scarred itself in its trembling place. If anyone were to see him right now, then they would find that both of Su Min''s pupils had somehow turned into an inhuman blackness.


    "N-NOW?"


    *BADUM*


    A deep rush of emotions flashed into Su Min''s mind as his body turned limp. With this, an intense call emerged from deep within his blood as a spew of immeasurable pain thrashed at his soul.Su Min''s facial expression distorted and his hands crackled, forming two fists with Droplets of blood fluttering around them as sharp nails dug into his flesh, supplemented with the tearing of already scabbed cuts and bruises.


    "Ah...."


    Bloody tears welled as his tempered will shattered under a intense mental stress, and with this, he became unable to retain his consciousness and collapsed.However, the pain didn''t let him sleep and forced him back into the world.


    As he looked around, the room he was in was nowhere to be seen, instead, a sprawling environment replaced it. Yet, he didn''t seem shocked at all...


    The call from his blood had disappeared, but Su Min seemed to have expected that as he looked around.


    This place seemed to reject his gaze as his eyes bled over and nearly ruptured, yet he still saw the vague form of a simple looking hut in front of him. Accompanying this, screeching winds shrieked around him as numerous black blades of air pierced towards him.


    It was like he has been transported to another world, leaving his apartment completely.


    Su Min realised this, and although the pain was gone, despair replaced it. He ignored the incoming wind that wanted to eat him alive; like he knew something was going to happen.


    "Why am I here again? This shouldn''t happen for a month!"


    As he shouted, a strange field of white surrounded him as the rock on his neck glowed a weak light; the light made tearing noises at the surrounding space, where the blades of wind crashed into it at an ever-increasing rate. They were beyond strange, but Su Min didn''t seem to care as he ignored them completely. Instead, he stared at the hut in front of him.


    The hut stood there with a shaky gait as if it could topple at any moment. However, With Su Min''s stare, the hut trembled ever so slightly, causing a tuft of blackness to flutter towards him, swaying with the shrill wind that was shoving endless pressure onto him. The grating intensified as the light that enveloped Su Min was forced to retreat.


    An agonising pain pierced into his soul as his body shivered with a coldness of death, causing Su Min to tremble with a sad smile. Though it was like the pain was nothing to him, and that he has felt it numerous times.


    "Ah, shit..."


    Su Min couldn''t even breathe in this space as he felt this crushing pressure surround him; following this, desperation started to fill his eyes as the tuft slivered towards his eyes, disregarding the tattered glow enveloping him.


    With this, his eyes seemed to quiver, and a cluster of black blood seeped into his pupil. An uncanny ocean of blackness invaded Su Min''s remnants of haziness, and as if such a haziness represented his sanity, Su Min''s mind started to rupture and descend into a point of no return. Although it seemed that this wisp of blood had no ill intentions, the vessel of a mortal is too brittle to support it.


    Su Min''s mind blanked as he felt himself lose touch, where death was starting to approach him; looming over him with an everpresent scythe.


    However, such a tuft of blood seemed to be unable to remove that stubborn haziness in that short moment, and with that Su Min''s eyes lit up with a never seen before determination that made the muscles on every inch of his body to ignore whatever weighed down on them and convulse rapidly to attempt clench at the strange rock on his neck, nonetheless no matter how hard he tried he could only lift his arm halfway.


    The stone on his neck shuddered as it released an intense light, but it seemed to be unable to leave and enter his body. Su Min saw this, and like it was his hope, he trembled.


    "N-NO!"


    With this Su Min felt an eternal, foreign power rumble in his mind and body as all pain he felt became petty and a burning overwhelming heartbeat rattled in his body. Nevertheless, with this a muggy feeling strutted itself around his mind, clouding his existence but also replacing whatever pain he felt with a sharp, piercing cold trickle of undaunted agony.


    *BADUM* *BADUM*


    It is the type of agony where simply lacerating your pain sensory system by tugging nerve by nerve out of your body could only be considered minor in front of it. Though, where most would die, this vigorous agony ties you with rope and plunges you with it in a sea where death is but a fairy tale.


    It is the tiger of tigers that cries with the burning blaze of anguish.


    Su Min''s face seemed to become limp before he could even scream. His whole body started to wither and decompose as it experienced something that no mortal vessel can handle, yet, With the last remnants of his hazy sanity that contradicts his mortal stature, he forced that constricted arm to draw on what little muscle it has and throw itself at the stone on his neck.


    An unreal light shone from the stone as an absolute force reinforced the shield supporting him, giving him time to breathe.


    *BADU-*


    *THUD*


    "AGHHHHHH!!"


    A mysterious force spread out from that stone until it went throughout Su Min''s body.It seemed to scan his entire being before focusing all of its attention on his eye.


    The force looked at the eye with a strange intelligence before forming a pale white film around his black pupils. This film seemed to be semi-corporal as it started to constrict with numerous popping sounds until the wisp of blood in Su Min''s eye started to cry in frustration as it became unable to contend with the force.


    Though, maybe it was because he wasn''t prepared, the stone that hung on his neck crumbled just afterwards. It sprinkled its remenants on the dirt that laid beneath him, fading out of existence with the wind...


    His vision became blurry as he lapsed into unconsciousness, but within this was a hint of ease.


    *poof*


    After an unknown amount of time, Su Min laid like a dead man on his apartment floor as the remnants of his fiery black eyes faded and shifted once again into a dull hazy grey gaze at his left, bloodied hand.


    On his hand, the index finger was clearly bent in a way it shouldn''t be followed with knuckles that revealed traces of brittle bone and inflamed flesh. He also seemed visibly thinner as his bones started to protrude under his skin.


    He felt weaker than weak.


    "Shit."


    Su Min brought his other hand and thrust the dislocated finger back into place without even flinching. After making sure his hand still functions, he pushed himself off the counter and checked the time.


    "Work..."


    Realising that it was 7:10 in the morning, Su Min brought some medical bandages from the counter and wrapped them around both of his hands with the skill of a medical professional, although not as shakey.


    Whilst doing this, Su Min walked towards the sofa and folded up the blanket with the same care earlier and drafted it onto the side of the sofa. He paused for a moment as a slight smile broke his usual frown, only to disappear again.


    Unnoticed by him, however, an old looking book laid in the corner of the room, fluctuating with a mystical presence. It seemed excited as a silent, surreal feeling swept over Su Min.

 2 Martial Artists

    7:30- 20 minutes from Su Min''s apartment.


    On the side of a cracked pathway, a rusted sign glistened with age under the morning sun, displaying the simple words "Yu''s Grocers". Below the sign stood two foggy panes of glass, from which a door was placed between them. You could see various fruits and vegetables behind the windows, giving the place a market vibe.


    On the door hanged a "Closed" sign which swayed back and forth occasionally. Su Min stood in front of the door as he opened it, took off the sign and stumbled towards the counter in the corner of the store. Behind the counter was the staff only door, but Su Min didn''t bother to enter.


    *Clang*


    Pressing the old-fashioned button on the cash-register, Su Min got a chair and sat down to rest, but he always kept some of his attention towards the front door to allow him to react if something unexpected happens.


    ''Guess I can''t rely on predicting it anymore...''


    Before he could finish his thought, a loud whack struck the wall behind him as the staff door was thrown to the side, revealing a large crate being held up by a young girl. She had her brown hair tied in a bun and wore simple work clothes. She frowned as she grunted under her breath, although it looked rather comical on her dainty face.


    "Why does he always refuse my help? Hmph!"


    Nonetheless, after a few steps, she abruptly stumbled in shock as her eyes looked at a weak looking figure sitting down behind the counter.


    "Ah?"


    *BANG*


    The numerous boxes flew to the ground as the girl stumbled to her knees, where the shocked expression slowly turned to faint anger. However, within this was a sadness as she looked at his broken body.


    "Will you please announce your arrival, Su Min? Please?!"


    Su Min remained emotionless as he continued to play with the register, but, pausing, he spoke.


    "I''m sorry Miss Yu, let me help you-"


    "Someone as weak as you will only be a burden!"


    Yu Yan "humphed" at Su Min as she moved in his way and started picking up the boxes herself. Su Min sighed as he went to sit down again, hearing the occasional cursing at the inanimate objects.


    Eventually, all the boxes were placed at the back of the store, from which Yu Yuan breathed deeply and placed the ''open'' sign behind the door. Afterwards, she began to pace around the store, fixing and placing food.


    "Su Min! Remember that an important guest is meant to be coming soon, so don''t do any of those stupid things you do!"


    Yu Yan glared at Su Min as she looked at the door with a serious expression.Su Min remained expressionless as he remembered what he was told by the old man of the shop a few days earlier.


    ''A martial artist is visiting our shop tomorrow, Su Min, so make sure to create a good impression for this old man as those people are difficult to sway. Even with what little our family has had from our ancestors.''


    He doesn''t really pay attention to anything to do with martial arts, but he neve really liked the word.


    ''Martial Artist, huh. Is it worth it... Old man.''


    He truly lives a life of torture, but where there is darkness there is always light, and he felt that this speck of light is his daily job. Although he doesn''t get paid that much, he finds it to be a rare moment of something he hasn''t felt for a long time, and due to this, he feels that losing it would cause him to fall into that abyss.


    As he was pondering, the closed door suddenly swung open, following which a blast of cold wind whooshed and quaked throughout the store, blowing some lose apples onto the floor. After this, the air seemed to become solidified as a man stepped in with dull strides.


    It felt like an ant was looking at a primal beast when you gazed at his muscles which carried an inhuman proportion and his face which shone with a ferocity of bloodshed, especially the eyes. The man breathed deeply as he looked around until he locked his gaze at Yu Yan where a slight smile broke his usually expressionless face.


    "Haha! So you''re that old man''s daughter! I''m Li Zhi, I''m guessing you still want that recommendation to get your shop into the Martial Union? That old man''s ancestors really surprised me with that item, so It''d be rude not to oblige!"


    As Li Zhi laughed, Su Min''s pupils shrunk unnoticeably as he stared at the man who seemed to be a tiger in disguise, but he suppressed the feelings in his heart that kept rushing wave after wave.


    The normally angered face of Yu Yan became extremely respectful as she looked at Li Zhi, although anxiety flickered under it.


    "Junior here is grateful, a-and-"


    "No need to be so respectful Miss Yu, as I am deeply thankful to your father for giving me that treasure. However..."


    Li Zhi smiled as he looked at Yu Yan, however, this smile made Su Min feel uneasy, causing his eyes to tremble.


    "I have one condition."


    Yu Yan shook as she thought about the debt their store was facing, especially her father''s predicament.


    "I-I''ll do anything in my power for senior."


    Li Zhi''s smile grew wider as he swished his hand to produce a piece of paper embroidered in gold. It glowed an unearthly majesty which caused Yu Yan to fidget. She saw the hope for her family in his hands, but she didn''t dare take it.


    "If that''s the case, and as you may know these are rather difficult to get, I''ll give you a chance so that I know that you are worthy! All you have to do is become my servant for a year to give me an idea of whether the next generations of this store are worthy to hold the responsibility!"


    An eery smile lit up on the man face, from which an unscrupulous pressure suddenly crashed down on the entire shop.

 3 Loss.

    An eery smile lit up on the man face, from which an unscrupulous pressure suddenly crashed down on the entire shop.


    Yu Yan, although able to stand, felt that the being in front of her could utter but a word to end her life. The pressure seemed to bring out her primal instincts as it screamed at her soul to accept fate and hope for the best, and she had no way of suppressing this urge. Just this alone has already caused her mind to submit, but the pressure not only crushed her spirit but her body. Everything felt heavy, breathing felt suffocating and standing felt like running consecutive marathons.


    ''Refuse and die, is your life really that meaningless?'' was the only thought in her head at that moment,and although she didn''t understand the full enormity of being a servant to a martial artist, she could only clench her teeth.


    "S-senior I-"


    "No!"


    Just as she was about to agree, a ruffled and hoarse voice echoed across the room, causing her to instinctively pause.The source came from the counter at the side, where one could see a toppled-over chair and a boy.


    Li Zhi became surprised as he looked at the counter to the side, causing the pressure to increase by onefold. Cracks started to burst and crackle under his feet, where the pressure was the most concentrated.


    ''Hm? A mortal can have that level of mental strength?''


    Behind the counter stood the same frail-looking youth with a shaky gait. His normally expressionless face shone with a glint of something unexplainable and his hazy eyes churned with an emotionless glare, ironically, though, his breathing was ragged and his body emitted endless fatigue, telling him to just... end it.


    His eyes sagged due to his body losing too much energy, and from this, you would only see a weak youth.


    Li Zhi''s eyes shook the second he met that gaze, he has never seen eyes so resolute in his life before. They were inhuman eyes, eyes that contain a will of steel tempered under the sun. They were unyielding, unyielding to anything and everything, including Li Zhi...


    Though maybe it was due to exhaustion, Su Min''s head tilted down to the counter as his body slouched, removing his glare at Li Zhi.


    "Those eyes..."


    Su Min''s eyes looked tired as his body began to reach a breaking point that would cause any amount of willpower to fragment and become but a hopeless belief. This exhaustion didn''t originate from his soul but his body, as although your soul can evolve indefinitely. If the vessel is unable to keep up then it is but a lantern without oil.


    She, a person who has helped him a countless number of times, has never asked anything from him. And now that she is in trouble, he can''t even help her? It''s laughable, to be honest... Yeah...


    Bleakly looking at the counter, he found that he couldn''t move anymore, no matter how much he told his body otherwise. He felt that his mind was starting to reel and a strange feeling started to overtake his everything. Like it was sucking him into another world.


    It was a familiar feeling, a call from his blood.


    "You... No..."


    His lips muffled two final words as his body started to crackle under the pressure, forcing his eyes to close and his legs to slump over the desk. He didn''t seem conscious, but the man couldn''t remove the dread he felt, although the youth was but a mortal.


    Yu Yan blankly stared at Su Min as he collapsed. Her thoughts became muddled as confusion and despair overtook her, making tears well in her eyes.


    "Y-you did something stupid again..."


    Li Zhi''s shone with a strange flash as he went up to the boy and looked closely for a second. That gaze was enough for him to pay attention. Nonetheless, He could sense that he would die in about an hour if nobody tended to him, so he just left it.


    ''What strange eyes for someone in their deathbed... Bwah whatever It''s not like I can just reject the request from young master to not get the girl.''


    Li Zhi took another glance before releasing the pressure in the room. He put the recommendation down, another sheet of paper, grabbed the bleak Yu Yan, and just walked out.


    Just like that.


    ...


    ''Don''t... Huh, Black? I really went unconscious? Hah? aha, A Martial Artist, of course! haha haha....''


    A blackness invaded Su Min''s eyes as he eventually regained his thoughts. He could feel that his body hurt a lot, but he didn''t care at all when he thought about how Li Zhi looked at Yu Yan.


    ''Open! Open!!''


    He gathered any ounce of strength muster itself in his eyelids until they slid open. His blurry vision couldn''t make out much, but the counter he expected to be laying on disappeared, along with anything remotely similar to the shop he''s used to. Instead, a familiar but forbidden view replaced it. A hut, as shaky as before, stood out in front of him. The same scowling winds reeked everywhere, and the same rupturing pain in his eyelids came and bled, allowing him to just see its outline.


    He has no strength, not even to move, let alone get out of the place, so a feeling of unwillingness erupted out of him. He didn''t want to believe it, but he is probably going to die today...


    ''Ah...''


    However, contrary to the same old, he could see a floating book right in front of him. It was covered in a crusted brown leather and accompanied with cracked edges and worn outlines. Its thickness was equivalent to an encyclopedia which in turn gave it a rather hefty weight.


    A contoured title was woven on the front of the book with the presence of rushed calligraphy, further emphasized with the rotting leather.


    All it said was 3 simple words.


    ''The Martial Book?...''


    For a moment only blankness covered Su Min''s eyes whilst he ignored it and paused for the impending doom to sprawl and eat him alive, except it never came. Uncertainty flickered across his face when he peered at the book, remembering nothing that would hint to its origin. That was until he finally found the strange memory of him finding the exact same book on the sofa.


    ''That book?''


    The uncertain feeling only grew as he stared at the book. The feeling he got from it seemed different


    from before, especially the title, where it was ... familiar?


    He couldn''t explain it, but those three words caused him to tremble, a tremble that resonated in the depths of his soul, giving him a feeling that he hasn''t felt for a long time. Strength.


    It wasn''t a lot however he felt that he could move his body enough to grab the book, but nothing more.


    ''It wants me to take it? Well if it is but a chance to get me out of here then I don''t care what this thing is!''


    Su Min didn''t hesitate to use that slither of strength in his body to push his arms and shuffle on the rough dirt. The roaring winds in the backgrounds seemed to screech at an ever-increasing uproar that caused his vision to blur a little.


    Yet, for some strange reason, the blades of black wind never got close to him, like they were avoiding something. That something was, of course, the book in front of him.


    His hazy eyes grew weaker and weaker under the booms that were far more terrifying than the pressure he felt back then, but it was still the difference of the heavens and earth when compared to that black blood so he didn''t care.


    A faint memory stumbled into his mind as he grunted under the pressure, making his eyes teary.


    "I will repay you, Old man!"

 4 Dojo Limitless

    "Su Min! Su Min!"


    A man in his late 50s shouted out as he stood in front of a grocer''s shop. An embellished coat of paint seemed to have just been put on earlier as the sign hanged with the title - ''Yu''s Grocers''.He went to every dark alley he could see but still found nothing. The concern in his voice grew and grew every time he found no one.


    "Su Min you punk!"


    The man didn''t seem to care for the neighbours around him as dusk approached, and it was only until a few people who lived next door shoved him back into the shop did he stop shouting. Frowning, the man slumped into the staff room and glugged himself some alcohol.


    "What does he expect to happen when he''s that weak..."


    As the man mumbled at himself with a pout, the door leading upstairs moved open until a gentle girl revealed herself with a timid gaze. Her eyes dwindled in the background for a while until she shyly asked.


    "Uh, dad?"


    "Wa-"


    The man''s back shivered and he nearly dropped the glass in his hand when he heard a voice that didn''t announce itself. He turned around and looked at the small girl in a haste before sighing a breath of fresh air.


    "Ah! You are going to give this poor man a heart attack if you keep scaring me like that, sweety."


    The girl let out a mischievous smile as she hopped to him and asked him.


    "Dad is that weird boy here?"


    She continued to look around with a curious gaze, causing the man to frown even more. Guzzling another cup of alcohol, he spoke.


    "He somehow got himself in trouble, ah..."


    The man''s voice became grave a she looked outside of the window, revelling in memory not too long ago. In fact, it was only a few days ago...


    ...


    ...


    *COUGH* *COUGH*


    A malnourished boy, under the relentless rain, coughed with a hoarse grunt as he sat in the corner of an alley. His eyes seemed to light up as he watched a muscular man pick up crates of food opposite him; standing on the side of a cracked pathway.


    A shop stood behind the man, glistening with a new coat of paint, displaying the proud title ''Yu''s Grocers''. The man was soaking wet as he grunted with annoyance. A girl, with a similar age to Su Min, opened the door as she laughed at the drenched man.


    "Hehe! Dad, you look funny!"


    The boy''s eyes seemed to quiver at the sight, where melancholy seethed. Turning his head, he watched the pitter patter of rain sink into the drain near him...


    His eyes seemed to be muddy; like death was looming above them. He was more like a man in his twilights then a young boy...


    "Huh? Dad, someones over there!"


    The girl''s eyes glistened as she spotted an inconspicuous boy in an alley not too far away from them. It unknown whether it was fate or not, but, by such a sentence, Su Min''s life changed...


    *step Step STEP*


    Su Min continued to sit on the rough concrete as looming steps approached him, revealing a girl and a man. The man had a rough appearance, with a stubbled chin and wrinkled lips.


    "Dad, he looks weird..."


    The girl''s eyes widened as she stared at the inhuman figure in front of her, causing her to step back. The man in turn leaned down and took a closer look.


    What he saw made him gasp...


    "W-what? Quick! Bring him in!"


    Like he saw someone dying, the man went and grabbed the boy with his rough hands. The boy gasped at the sudden movement, yet he was too weak to do anything...


    Before he knew it, he was being dropped onto a table...


    *SLAM*


    "Quick, get me some water!"


    The man had a worried look as he grabbed a cup of water, tilting into the boy''s dried lips.The boy''s face was white and his body didn''t seem to contain muscle, outlined by the protruding bone.


    *CO-COUGH*


    Responding, the boy gagged as his seared throat got an undulation of water, making him cough. The man breathed a sigh of relief, but looking at the malnourished figure, he frowned.


    "Dad, is he ill?"


    A girl, tiptoeing to the table, glanced at the coughing boy who laid like a patient.It was like she was examining an Alien.


    "Ah... Nevermind that, it''s your bedtime, so go!"


    "Aw..."


    The man, even as he spoke, was rummaging around the storefront as he grabbed some fruits and vegetables. He even grabbed a blender.


    Not giving the girl a chance to refute, the man gave her an angry stare, making her humph before marching into the staff only area.


    "Nobody should ever experience stuff like this..."


    *PSHEWWW*


    The man grabbed the blender as he turned it on, blitzing fruit into a fine paste. He grabbed it and poured it into a cup, then proceeded to feed the boy...


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "GODAMMIT!"


    The book continued to float there, just above Su Min''s malnourished head. It blew strange hums in the air which caused any of the wind to shudder until it dissipated. Su Min couldn''t see this, though, as his head continued to be dragged by his torso on the muddy ground. He knew that trying to lift up his head would only be wasteful, and he didn''t crave seeing whatever was in this torture chamber.


    He felt the hums as his head hit the books crude surface, and with this, he gritted his teeth and using the last of his strength, swivelled his arm and threw it at the book.


    ''Go!!''


    As his palm hit and compressed itself on the book, the expectant Su Min held his breath when the book shuffled a tad due to the force.However, what he expected was shattered as the world distorted and twisted in a surreal motion, making everything illusionary and vague.


    The book vibrated with an intense shiver that pierced right into Su Min, and although nothing happened,before Su Min could even react, the trembling grew even more intense as he felt an extreme force pull him towards the entrance of the hut. The speed made him feel sick, yet before he could even start to have an idea of what was happening, his vision went pitch black and a sizzling impact followed.


    *VSHOOM*


    ...


    Behind the counter of a desolate shop, a boy lay with a weak breath and malnourished limbs. His face was covered in a thin layer of sweat whilst his expression was tensed and turned inwards. This was, of course, Su Min.


    His eyelids opened slightly and after some time his tensed expression relaxed at a moderate degree. He found it strange that he could even move his face at this point but didn''t bother to ponder about as he knew that he was alive!


    He looked at the surrounding area and confirmed that Yu Yan was nowhere to be seen.


    ''I don''t even know where he took her and even if I barge in he could just kill me. I daren''t tell the old man for now as he may get himself in trouble...''


    He attempted to get up and, to his surprise, he had the strength that allowed him to get up on his knees and stand. His weight was still dangerously below the human average, but it was incomparable to being just skin and bone.


    Maybe it was due to that strange vibration from the book, but he felt a strange feeling exist in him, although it was still too faint for it to mean anything.


    He saw the recommendation letter and another piece of paper wrapped next to it. He put the recommendation letter into his pocket, pondered until he went to read the piece of paper next to it.


    -- ''I offer my sincere apologies, old man, but your little girl Yu Yan seemed to be unable to hold herself back and asked to become my disciple! Although that seemed a bit farfetched for me, I still offered a job of being my servant and she decided to take it. Unfortunately, I have a private matter that cannot be disturbed, so I''ll have to trouble you to wait it over.


    My condolences, Li Zhi.''--


    Silence overran the shop as the piece of paper in Su Min''s hand trembled. The finger holding it started to squeeze until even his arms shook due to an intense rage, shaking with an uncontrollable gait.


    ''You... Bastard!''


    Su Min''s facial expression could only be described as tragic when he confirmed his speculation. It was obvious that they just kidnapped her, because why would he lie like that?


    The crumbling piece of paper was firmly shoved into Su Min''s pocket after what seemed like an eternity of rage. It was through this rage that a thought invaded his mind. It was a thought that he would never want to go on, but by any stretch of the imagination, it was the only one that seemed to be able to give him a chance.


    ''To become a martial artist...''


    There is a reason why he is so weak when he works in a grocer, or why he never tried to become strong enough to fend for himself. It was due to the one and only clear memory of his past. And all it was was a declaration to himself.


    It stated, with a voice similar to his, that,


    ''For yourself, those who you cherish, those who they cherish and anyone enveloped in their karma, never step foot into the path of the strong. Be forever weak! Weak to anyone and everyone!''


    It was a declaration that imprinted itself in his soul, and due to this, he didn''t question the declaration as it felt like second nature to him. But how could he just do nothing? For the old man and for Yu Yan, he must repay what they have done for him all these years...


    "Fuck it."


    Su Min bit his lips as he went towards a crate, grabbed it, shoved various foods into it and threw some loose change onto the counter.


    ...


    "Strange..."


    Sitting in a rundown apartment, the ruddy expression of a youth displayed himself behind a crate of half-eaten goods. His body was visibly fatter and looked nearly normal, and on his lap lay an ancient book with the title ''The Martial Book''.


    When he got to the apartment, the book was still on the floor where he left it. It confused him greatly, because how could the book have been in that strange space in the shop as well?


    Considering this, this supposed book won''t open, as no matter how much he tried it just wouldn''t budge.


    "Hm... What''ya know, it''s durable."


    If he couldn''t open it now then all he''d do is wait till he could. Because how could a normal book appear in the hellish space he couldn''t even explain?


    Su Min sighed as he picked the book up, held it across his waist and went outside.


    ''Quite convenient for this ''Limitless Dojo'' place to hold a tournament to take in disciples...''


    There were apparently many smaller tournaments held all over the place, and for him, the nearest was about an hours walk away. He only knew this from the news channel, of course.


    ...


    In a sprawling square, numerous people in all ages and sizes spread themselves out to form a dense crowd. A youth looked at 4 piercing spiralling pillars made of aged stone. They each had a blank scroll hanging from them, and connected to these 4 pillars was an arena the size of an averagely sized basketball court.


    The youth held a number plate, saying.


    "93?"

 5 What?

    Su Min held a number plate, saying.


    "93?"


    He guessed that every other person in this square had the same number plate he had. The gate gave him one of these, although they tried to discourage him from attending due to his abnormal body size...


    Whilst he was looking at the number plate, a group consisting of 2 females and 3 males walked up to him with sneers. One of the girls giggled as the leader of the pack walked towards Su Min and coughed when he saw the book at his waist.


    "Pfft! Nice book. Hey, do you think you can fight with words? You see, although it may not look painful, getting punched fucking hurts."


    The mocking tone in his voice was apparent as he sneered at Su Min with his emphasised expression. Su Min remained emotionless, ignoring them.


    He disregarded the gaze of the man and walked towards the numerous chairs placed around the stadium. He picked an indistinct spot and just sat down.


    ''I don''t really know how to fight, but this is the only scheduled disciple tournament this year...''


    *THUD*


    He held the book with a firm grip when an echoing clash struck behind the stadium. It evoked a dull silence as all the participants looked up with emotions trailing from excited fervour to silent trepidation.


    A man appeared behind the stadium, walking towards a podium just in front of him. The podium was positioned at the back of the stadium and was centred.


    The man wore simple white robes and held a crooked cane. His face was wrinkled in the folds, conveying his old age. He rocked as he took step after step onto the small podium that allowed him to gaze down on everyone.


    "Ehum. I, Jiang Shun, commence the forty-fifth honours tournament in Sector D2!"


    A reverberating bang struck once again behind the old man as everyone seemed to become filled with fighting spirit. The old man''s expression remained the same as he hooked his back and sat down.


    "For those who don''t know the rules, they''re simple. Each and every one of you will fight someone at random, and those who win will fight each other, and the losers will fight each other as well until both sides get a top 10. Those 20 will then fight to make the final top 10! Now, one second please."


    The workers around seemed to be about to place markers on the stadium when the old man unexpectedly shifted his gaze to the centre of it. He slowly lifted his stick and struck down, causing a dull thud that smashed at the podium he sat on.


    The thud seemed ear-splitting, although the podium he sat on didn''t show any signs of collapsing. Yet, as this thud spread out from him it seemed to materialise and thrash at the end of the stadium the old man sat behind. A sprawling crack crackled through the solid concrete at the pace of a car, causing a woosh of wind to blow at everyone''s fluttering clothes.


    This crack seemed to be alive as it thrashed to the other end of the stadium and pushed both segments apart with an unreal force. The crushing sounds of mud and cement whistled in the ears of everyone, causing those at the front to unconsciously step back.


    The workers gulped as they looked at the markers they were about to place. It was safe to say that they were going to separate the stadium, but the old man had, for some reason, split it in half instead...


    The old man slumped himself into the chair as he ignored the commotion and looked at the sky. He looked for a while until he sighed and glanced once again at everyone.


    "Now that the stadium has been separated into two, one is for the losers and the other for the winners. The first round is, of course, the random selection! Each of you will fight once, and whether or not you are unlucky has nothing to do with me."


    He seemed to be finished as he closed his eyes to what most presume was to sleep, although no one dared underestimate that weak figure of his.


    "Martial Artist''s can do that?!"


    "Come on, what can''t they do? They are the reason we are even alive today after all."


    "Do they always separate the stadiums like that? Isn''t that... Like expensive?"


    Excited and uneasy conversations spread out everywhere as some of the staff looked at the gaping crack with wryly smiles, but they didn''t dare say anything and could only curse in their heads.


    ''Hm?''


    Su Min didn''t feel an ounce of shock at the display, as only he has seen a whole world distort and rumble before getting himself thrashed into a hut, which is the difference of the heavens and earth compared to sundered a small stage like that.


    It was instead due to the number plate in his hand, which was glowing a warm heat for no apparent reason. He looked up and saw that nobody else near him had that happen to their number plates.


    It was only until the old man grunted and spoke in an annoyed tone, still with his closed eyes, that he understood.


    "Are you guys retarded or something?! The two with the glowing number plates, go and fight!"


    "Ah..?"


    Everyone''s gazes seemed to shift onto him as he realised he was meant to fight, so he could only get up and stroll towards the arena with that insignificant figure of his.


    "How can he fight? Truly pitiful..."


    "Sh! He may be a black horse!"


    "Him? Even I can see protruding bones from here, so how can he possibly throw a punch?"


    "He''s holding a book? What''s he going to do with that? Beat his opponent with it? Haha!"


    The scrolls on the pillars shone with an unreal light as it wrote the 3 simple words, ''Su Min V Qiu Jin''.


    The muffled voices of many seemed to merge as he walked past everyone, although his eyes were unaffected. He eventually got to the stage, but his speed seemed to be slow as he found the opponent was already standing there.


    ''That guy?''


    On the stage stood the same guy that mocked him first, although as Su Min didn''t really pay attention, he noticed his exquisite and defined muscles and how they contrast with his mere skeleton frame. Qiu Jin''s eyes shone with bright arrogance as he bent his knees down and grinned.


    "Oh? Wow, I guess fate really hates you!"


    Qiu Jin had a nonchalant expression as he strode towards Su Min whilst stretching his muscles. Su Min gulped, and putting himself in a fighting position, he waited.


    "Wrong posture. Move your right arm up a bit!"


    *WOOSH*


    Qiu Jin, as he got within arms reach, mocked before tossing a casual punch towards Su Min. His whole body tensed for a second, hurling an explosive force.


    "Ah-"


    The punch''s speed was unbelievable and didn''t even catch Su Min''s lines of sight as it dodged his vision and hurled itself into his ribs. It was only until a second passed did he realise that a fist had shoved itself into his stomach, compressing his insides with a tyrannical strength.


    *THRASH*


    *GUH*


    He felt his body rupture while a mouthful of blood shoved itself into his throat. He couldn''t breathe as he threw it up in successions all over the floor.The book he held at his waist fell as he became unable to support his weight, so he fell with it.


    Qiu Jin''s breathing was quickened yet triumphant when he saw how injured Su Min was. Some of the people in the crowd shone with looks of alarm whilst others blazed with fighting spirit.


    "Ah, sorry there, I did say that getting punched hurts..."


    The old man opened his eyes slightly when a hint of praise shone in them. He was about to ask the staff members to pick up the injured kid when his eyes widened at a sight that made people gasp.


    "Agh..."


    Su Min, whom everyone thought wouldn''t be able to stand after having his organs punctured, suddenly sighed as he picked up the book to his side and just... Stood up. No hint of pain shone in those hazy eyes of his. Instead, he seemed to be used to it, like it was a daily affair of his.


    "Wa..?"


    "Is he human?!"


    Su Min expression remained unchanged as he walked off the stage, sighing as an occasional sliver of blood drooped from his mouth, dripping onto the floor with a pitter-patter.


    "I lost..."

 6 Inten

    "I lost..."


    Su Min couldn''t help but sigh at how naive he was, especially the fact that he held hope to win in a fighting tournament. A tournament solely focused on something he has no experience in.


    ''Mhm, Though I still have another chance...''


    He looked up at the other stage where the last of his hopes lie, it was a bleak hope full of unwillingness. But he can''t just leave, because what is the point? It''s that resolute will in himself, the will that has been tempered with the coal of perseverance that endures like an undying weed. That hazy will of his can endure torture beyond the physical limits, so how can he just stop trying?


    As Su Min''s hope dwindled with but one remaining strand, that strange book in his hand let out a silent hum. It was the same hum he felt in the space, and although nobody could feel it, he could.


    "Hm?"


    Su Min grabbed the book and stared intently at it, expecting something, something that will give him the sliver of a chance!


    ...


    "Pfft. So what? He''s still obviously injured! Maybe he numbed his body with drugs!"


    Qiu Jin snorted as he went off the stage and sat on a seat closest to the stadium. All he needed to do was wait for the second round, as this was just a warmup for him.


    The various people around him trembled when he came close, causing them to back away. Most of the people here are just that, people. They live ordinary lives and were curious about the world of martial arts, so they participated in the hopes of finding they have some hidden talent.


    However, they didn''t expect to find someone so inhuman within them, as although they could punch well how could they defend against a fist that their eyes can barely track?


    Although this was the case for most, some aspiring youths and middle-aged men shone with fighting spirit. You could say that these people were the true competitors.


    Fight after fight sped through the day as the losing and winning side began to form, from which some were lucky and some just plain powerful. The old man only praised twice, once for Qiu Jin, and the other for a nimble looking girl.


    She was the type that would make men protective for, yet her elegant moves were terrifying to be up against. It was to the point that the contestant fighting her was pummeled with 3 broken ribs and a slight concussion.


    Eventually, everyone fought their fight.


    The old man nodded and once again opened his eyes and gazed down at everyone, lingering only on Su Min whom he got a strange feeling from. Nonetheless, Su Min was just looking at a book, resembling someone going senile. The old man decided that it must be in his head, so he just announced the results.


    "The first round is finished! 48 have won and 49 have lost! Round 2 will work a tad different this time, where instead of getting randomly chosen, each of you will go onto the stage and get challenged. The more you win the higher the chance you have to be in the top 10!"


    He looked at everyone before flicking his wrist, cause a strange rune to be thrown midair. It glowed with a glimmering gold as it descended into the form of a token. The old man grasped the token and smiled at everyone.


    "Only three of you here can participate in the main tournament of Dojo Limitless! I don''t care if you die here, as the world you are entering is brutal and cold. Now, I''ll wait to see who the three lucky ones are!"


    His smile made everyone''s souls feel cold, making some even shiver. Although Su Min didn''t seem to notice anything as that book took all his attention.


    *BZZ*


    Consecutive buzzing sounds rang out as numerous people were sent up onto the stages. Yet, Su Min heard none of this as his eyes grew dull with a strange sense of tranquillity.


    He didn''t really understand, but he felt an image light up in his head and perform a push. If it was just a push then it wouldn''t catch his attention, but whenever he looked at it that simple movement became inexplicably confusing. It resembled a thick layer of fog that couldn''t be breached, even with his indomitable spirit.


    It was like when someone imagined a scene, but this scene in his head was clear to the point that he can ''see'' it in his vision.


    Although this was the case, as he looked at it, a strange call surfaced from deep within him. It caused his expression to pale as a familiar headache pierced into his mind. It caused the haziness in his eyes to tremble with fear, but this time was different...


    The book on his lap seemed to connect with Su Min as a strange hymn emerged from it and shrouded Su Min''s body. The headache in Su Min''s head quivered as the call deep within Su Min paused when the hymn reached it, and like it was agreeing to something; Su Min felt the incoming threat dissipate.


    However, just as Su Min was breathing a sigh of relief, the book on his lap trembled and shot an invisible strand into Su Min. The strand disappeared right into Su Min''s body, and Su Min himself couldn''t find where it went. Yet, just as he was about to think he was going insane, his blood began trembling as a newly formed call emerged.


    Though no headache emerged from it, and the call itself was so minute that Su Min felt that it posed no threat to him. With this, the call transformed into a force that permeated his whole body, causing pain to ring throughout it. Nevertheless, it wasn''t enough to be of any threat to Su Min, so he just waited for it to subside.


    After a while, like he passed a trial, the pain across his body dissipated like it had never happened and the call within his blood died down until it couldn''t even be felt. But, Su Min was surprised to find that a strand of something had formed in him. It wasn''t energy nor was it anything he could explain, but it seemed to carry a unique property that was his only.


    It encompassed his body, and without his control, a energy started to emit itself out of it. It causedthe air to minutely shiver around him. The people sitting near him also seemed to feel something as looks of pain emerged on their faces, where they looked around with confusion.


    "Why am I suddenly feeling pain?"


    "Hey me too! What the hecks happening?!"


    At this moment the number plate in his hand started to burn and buzz, wakening him his reverie at the strand in his body. Though the strange strand continued to emit this energy, and like this everyone around him moved away with pained faces.


    As Su Min looked at the strand, a piece of information emerged from it. All it said was one word.


    ''Intent? It''s called intent?''


    Su Min sighed, and with one last try, the vision of the push emerged from his mind. He saw it the same way, but this time a strange comprehension rang in his mind as the fog that blurred everything dissipated to a degree that allowed him to follow it with some success.


    ''I feel like I can perform something similar to that push...''


    He got up and wandered towards the stage in a daze-like state. Nonetheless, the enlightenment he gained didn''t last long as the same fog once again shrouded the push. Although, he now has a deeper understanding of it. It is like he has entered a new level, where even though he can''t see any further, he can at least perform the push.


    Su Min felt that the push didn''t just encompass pushing itself, but everything. He felt that the way he was moving is wrong, so he corrected his stance to a minute degree until he felt that what he was doing was right enough.


    It looked like a normal walk to everyone else, and even then they wouldn''t think he was walking any differently, but...


    *Step*


    The old man''s closed eyes shivered the instant he heard that step from the injured youth. He opened his eyes in a hurry before a look of confusion overtook them as he rubbed them twice.


    "Martial Technique?! That can''t be!"


    The old man said in disbelief, although nobody could hear him.


    ...


    "He hasn''t given up?!"


    "I admire his guts at least..."


    "Guys make sure to be gentle as I want a turn to get a free win!"


    Standing on the stage once again, Su Min breathed deeply as he stretched his muscles whilst following the pushes guidlines. He felt that because he was following the techniques way of moving, everything has become easier to do, like he has improved his efficiency of using his body.


    The crowd below him seemed to churn with excitement at the sight of such an easy opponent, and due to this, it didn''t take long for a muscular man to jump onto the stage.


    His eyes blurred with sympathy when he saw the youth''s beaten-up body, which was odd in this bloodthirsty atmosphere. He pondered for a second until he said two simple words,


    "Surrender, kid."

 7 Pain.

    "Surrender, kid."


    The words echoed at Su Min, causing him to shudder for a second. His dwindling eyes seemed to light up as he turned to look at the man, and without any warning, he just started walking.


    The man lamented at the boy before going into a simple fighting posture, waiting for Su Min to approach. He didn''t really see him as a threat.


    However, contrary to everyone''s thoughts, the old man at the podium didn''t seem to take this fight lightly at all. In fact, you could say that he was watching Su Min''s every movement.


    Only one person noticed this, and she was the genius fighter Yi Zan. She seemed to know a touch more than everyone else, so when she noticed the solemn expression of the old man she couldn''t help but hesitate.


    "Am I missing something here?"


    The walk continued as Su Min shifted his weight to his arm and formed a pushing motion like he was experimenting. It was ordinary beyond belief, yet the muscular man couldn''t help but get an eery feeling when he saw that pushing motion.


    However, it was too late to act as Su Min had already appeared before him, so he just decided to ignore it and punched out.


    For most people, this punch could be considered top notch for any mortal, yet Su Min didn''t seem to fluctuate with fear or unwillingness, instead, a strange glint shone in his eyes. He followed as the punch closed into his chin, and only then did he move.


    *PSST*


    The air seemed to wither as Su Min brought his hand back and flattened it. An invisible string of the intent strung itself around his hand as his body tensed to a terrifying degree. The air seemed to freeze under the strange law coming from the intent as the man''s eyebrows wrinkled. The push also brought with it a mystical feeling, yet it was too faint to pinpoint


    "Hm?"


    Just as that punch was about to thrash into Su Min''s face, that same pushing motion showed itself once again...


    *THUD*


    The demeanour of Su Min seemed to change as he pushed that hand out. It made everyone''s hearts shake without warning as his body released an otherworldly feeling... In conjunction with this, the intent that shrouded Su Min thrummed before emitting an intense wave of energy.


    *PSHHH*


    Before the punch even hit the palm, the man shuddered with a shiver that quaked deep within him. It was a feeling that he has never felt before, but as he looked at Su Min''s palm, it pierced right through him. It made his mind reel with agony as everything became so painful that simply moving was like he was peeling his own skin off.


    He didn''t know what it was, but a strange ripple had spread onto him from that push, and it made his body shiver with intense fear!


    "W-what.."


    Before he even realised, that half-finished punch of his just fell to the side as his body froze without control. The push, however, didn''t seem to care as it jostled itself onto his chest.


    "GUH!"


    The man''s chest stood strong as it got pushed, yet, something seemed to have invaded his chest and burned with an intense pain that made his eyes dim. A feeling that surpassed the physical limitations pierced his soul and brought with it a painful law that sundered everything in his mind.


    "AGHHHHHH!"


    An agonising shriek stuck the silent stage that made even the most firm of hearts waver. It was an endless shriek that didn''t care for whether he had breath or not, and in no time that shriek became hoarse to the point of sounding inhuman. The air seemed to freeze, making it impossible for him to breath.


    The world darkened for a second as a crackling sound broke through this shriek, making everyone turn pale with fright.


    "Agh..."


    The distressing howl continued to whimper from the man as the noise grew weak over time until the man just lied there, twitching. All that remained was a slumped youth, breathing deep gulps.


    Dead flakes fluttered around him as the concrete below him had somehow decomposed an inch.


    "What..."


    Everyone felt incredulous as their eyes locked onto the bloody mess which was once a proud man. However, the old man was the only one who shone with a mysterious light.


    "Martial Technique..."


    Even now, the man''s body seemed to decay at a startling rate as everything around Su Min got covered in a layer of dust. Some of it was from the concrete below, and some the dead corpse.


    Enlightenment shone in his eyes as he finally understood that instinctual feeling he has right now.


    ''It seems that, due to the intent, I can induce pain to anything, living or dead. How ironic...''


    ...


    The youth just stood there until he realised something and stared at the crowd below. They shook as they saw that strange bloodlust in his eyes, like it wanted to devour all of them to win.


    The old man wryly smiled as he coughed, making Su Min pause.


    "Ehum. Su Min! I don''t understand why, but now that I know that you can perform a Martial Technique, there is no point for you to continue! I''ll personally bring you to the main tournament as a representative of this sector, so you can get off the stage."


    Su Min paused and looked at the old man. He thought for a while before speaking in a haggard voice full of frailty. However, within this was a lost melancholy and a deep hatred towards a certain man.


    "Does it let me become a disciple of this Dojo?"


    The old man looked bewildered for a second until he gave a strange gaze at Su Min. He could intuitively feel a hatred from him, but it wasn''t any of his business.


    "As a representative of this sector, if you are able to get within the top 1000 in the tournament then of course!"


    Su Min looked at the old man, nodded and went off the stage. He sat down and once again stared at the book in his hand. He wasn''t able to control the intent, so it unendingly emitted the strange and agonising energy, although it was a lot more subtle compared to that push which catalysed it.


    This in turn made everyone around him feel as if a fine pike was aimed at their soul, looming there like it could torture them with but a thought. This instigated a burning sting in their mind that made their bodies shiver; prompting them to disperse even faster with looks of horror.


    Unknowingly the area around him became completely deserted, with only a girl left. She was one of the contestants that everyone deemed to be guaranteed a place, and now that she was persisting in that fearful area around Su Min, everyone glanced over.


    "Su Min?"

 8 A sect of clouds.

    "Su Min?"


    A soft but resolute voice resounded in this desolate area where most presumed a wild beast lay. This beast was, of course, Su Min. He remained expressionless as he glanced at her.


    A layer of sweat was covering her voluptuous body already, and when Su Min''s gaze landed on her that looming feeling on her soul shrieked with a destructive law, yet she still persisted.Su Min could feel that his eyes contained a concentration of the intent, thus making his gaze terrifying. Making him pause.


    ''I guess it is in my eyes as well...''


    Seeing that he hasn''t said anything, Yi Zan asked again in a hurry.


    "You''re Su Min right?"


    Su Min could tell that she was in a lot of pain, and him looking at her seemed to catalyse it. He lamented before shifting his eyes to the book once more.


    "Mhm."


    Yi Zan felt the looming feeling dim the second his gaze left, allowing her to breathe. However, this was enough to tell her how terrifying this person is.


    ''His mere gaze can do so much..? He can''t be from such a small sector, so...''


    She sweated at the thought, nevertheless, instead of feeling down, a bright smile replaced her pained expression. A mysterious glint flickered in her expression when she looked at Su Min.


    "Thank you..."


    ''Huh?''


    Su Min felt confused at why she thanked him,so he could only cough it up to doing something unknowingly. Su Min decided to glance at her again, where he asked.


    "What are you thanking me for?"


    She didn''t say anything and only looked at him with sincere gratitude. She smiled and turned around, shakily pacing away. Although it was obvious that she was having trouble persisting through the pain, making it rather comical.


    Su Min looked down again as he realised that fact, however his normally expressionless face contained the trace of a confused smile.


    ''Although I don''t know what I''ve done, I''ve never been thanked before...''


    ...


    Riding on a strangely desolate highway, a black limousine sped through with a speed similar to a plane. Inside, 3 people sat around a wine table, where the last one sat in the corner, looking rather lonely...


    They were the winners of the tournament in the sector, and the 3 on the wine table included Yi Zan, Qiu Jin and a youth carrying an engraved sword sheath.


    The atmosphere seemed tense as they all glanced at the dazed boy in the corner of the car. The same book sat next to him, although he wasn''t studying it.


    The sword youth hesitated before coughing and asked.


    "Uh, What made you guys join the tournament?"


    Qiu Jin remained silent as he transitioned from looking fearfully at Su Min to snorting in contempt. On the other hand, Yi Zan smiled and spoke in a dreamy voice.


    "To protect our sector, of course."


    The sword youth pondered until nodding, then his hesitant expression followed to Su Min in the corner.


    "S-Su Min?"


    Su Min seemed to realise that he was part of the conversation, but he didn''t bother to move his gaze to them, as that would just make the situation torturous for them.


    However, a deep melancholy and hate erupted out of him, speaking.


    "To find someone..."


    "Eh?"


    ...


    In a desolate field with no grass nor life, a group of people stared wide-eyed at something.


    Accompanied by an ethereal atmosphere, an exquisite cloud floated next to a limousine.The group of 3 stared dumbfoundedly at it as it just floated there like it was from another world, although Su Min still didn''t care.


    "A... Floating cloud?"


    As this was happening, a sudden voice broke the strange atmosphere as the same old man floated above them with a cane in his hand. Qiu Jin looked shocked as he saw someone flying before him, and so was the case for the sword youth and Yi Zan, although she seemed to know about something.


    "Mhm. I''ll keep it brief, but the world of martial arts and mortals are strictly controlled, meaning that I cannot show any of my true abilities in front of them, hence the reason I took you here with a car."


    "...However, now that we''re out of our mortal sector... Well, it doesn''t matter as you''ll find out soon enough."


    He smirked before jumping onto the cloud. Though, Everyone just stared at him.


    "Stop giving me that damn look and jump on!"


    The group paused until they went up to the cloud and trudged on it with careful steps. Eventually, everyone was on the cloud, causing the old man to snort with a smirk. He pondered for a while until a terrifying grin lit up on him, where brought the cane up and patted the cloud twice. Su Min tensed as a strange feeling rang in him, especially due to that devilish grin.


    *WOOOOSH*


    "FU-!"


    Su Min was about to say something when the sky suddenly blurred and an air pressure similar to breaking into the atmosphere enveloped everyone in the form of a white cone. However, the old man smiled and chanted a confusing word that immediately shrouded the cloud in an invisible field.


    The cloud resembled a scintillating meteorite as it raced through the atmosphere and ascended into a terrifying altitude. The old man smiled with pride as he looked at the shocked expressions of everyone, although he frowned at how calm Su Min was.


    Su Min sat in the very corner, mostly so that the energy that his intent emits doesn''t touch the group.


    "If you haven''t guessed already, A part of Dojo Limitless is actually built on the clouds!"


    As he spoke, the blurred surroundings churned and became clear as a sonic boom rang out in the air with a thunder-like smack. The surrounding clouds around them shifted away as they rose up, where sunlight that seemed to resemble the heavens shined on them in fantasmal rays.It looked like a new world as clouds replaced the ground for as far as the eye can see, making their floating cloud seem infinitely small.


    The clouds seemed to be moving at a constant pace as streams of celestial sparks spat out whenever a cloud rubbed against another, making everyone''s hearts flutter.


    They could see that the clouds they were above seemed to be so corporal that you could practically stand on them. Everyone gasped at the sight, where the old man suddenly brought out a token as a strange field shrouded them, containing a light killing intent.


    "I, Sector Lord of Sector D2, request a permit to the Mortal Tournament!"


    The jade glowed a bright light until it shattered and left sparkling starlight in the sky, where the shrouding force field left silently. The old man then sat down onto the cloud, sighing.


    "All of you come here and sit down!"


    Everyone could tell that he was serious, so they just went and sat down around him. Su Min was the only one who felt strange, as he could tell that some unknown force was negating the aura he emitted, although the force seemed to be struggling.


    ''I really need to learn how to control this...''


    When the old man saw that everyone was around him, he nodded and chanted something indiscernible as the falling starlight from that crushed jade lit up with a dazzling pillar of light around them.


    A rainbow rumbled and intersected with the pillar that connected to a faraway realm, and with a loud snap, the pillar imploded with a screech and pierced the bright sky at a deafening speed, leaving an empty floating cloud.

 9 The Multiple Intents.

    A mystical tugging force enveloped the group as their vision shifted to a starry sky. Blues and reds dotted the starry sky in the form of numerous strings strung together, however before they could even comprehend the surreal sight the world got blinded by a force that stretched existence itself. Those strings in the sky trembled, causing one to fling itself at them. It wrapped and strung around them with incomprehensible motions before a tugging force erupted on the string and hurled them upwards.


    Time didn''t seem to follow the naturals laws as their minds blanked and an overwhelming chasm of red and blue engulfed them.


    *PSSH*


    "Huh?"


    Confusion and nausea overtook the group as they suddenly found themselves on a platform. There were numerous platforms like this which were enough to count in the thousands. On top of these platforms, hundreds of mystical lights lit up before propelling people onto them with dull thuds. The rate only increased as a terrifying amount of people filled the area.


    Contrary to what most would expect, the platforms weren''t on clouds but on a solid metal. The metal shined from time to time and emitted illusionary depictions of strange and luminescent beasts, yet whenever you tried to look at them they would just fade out of existence.


    On Su Min''s platform, the old man had a neutral expression whilst Qiu Jin, Yi Zan and the sword youth were all vomiting non-stop. Su Min, on the other hand, was deathly pale, yet he didn''t vomit as that strange intent seemed to be able to absorb some of the force. It was like a cushion, protecting him.


    Su Min eyes blazed as the remnants of that tyrannical aura was shattered. However, his body was having a considerably arduous time and had been exhausted. Due to this, he felt that if he hadn''t attained that sliver of intent from the book, then he most likely would''ve undergone severe bodily damage, which put him in a cold sweat.


    ''I hope that I get some rest before the tournament...''


    He knew that he needed to strengthen his body as quickly as possible, and the only way for him to do that was to make himself go through an exercise that would make anyone go wild from pain.


    He already had an idea of what to do, although it made his body quiver; like it telling to never do such a thing.


    As Su Min was being hopeful, the world seemed to tremble as, out of nowhere, a completely black chasm ripped into space above them. Two middle-aged men walked out of the chasm, containing an aura that made everyone hold their breaths.


    One of the men wore a red robe who seemed to distort space around him with an intense heat, whilst the other had a blue robe and countered the heat with a refreshing aura.


    Despite this, the sky still trembled and shifted colour due to this fierce but passive clash of auras, causing beautiful blues and reds to flutter in the atmosphere, forming delicate azures, albeit terrifying.


    The red-robed man didn''t even gaze at them and just spoke to them with an insufferable arrogance that reached right into his bones.


    "I, Elder Du Fang, of the Du brand in Dojo Limitless announce the official change in statuses of all of you! From now on, you are no longer considered mortals but as Disciples! Although, those who don''t succeed in the tournament can only be servants."


    He smirked at their confused looks, although he still wasn''t looking at them.


    "The reason for this is that you know too much! Ever wondered why the mortal world doesn''t have flying clouds as transport? Well, there you go! So please enjoy your new home! Although you''re quite lucky because your home is one of the 3 only Mortal Dao Dojos of humanity!"


    Constant thunderous smacks resounded in the atmosphere as sonic booms rang out due to the aura of both of them surging with a brutal intensity. The numerous contestants felt like mere ants whilst the sector lords had solemn expressions on their faces.


    The 2 men thought for a second before raising their hands and bringing them down again in a simple movement. In response to this, a fierce roar shook the very foundation of the platforms, when a gaping tear screeched through space and forced out an incomparably massive limb.


    It was impossible to tell what it was, but just one of the scales was enough to squash all of them to a meat paste. It was massive, massive to the point that the limb became the sky. It was unknown how it did this, but the limb creaked with a slight turn and caused numerous pillars of light to cover each and every platform.


    The men clasped their hands at the limb with a deep respect before speaking for the last time.


    "You will now be transported to your own training area by the guardian beast. You have a month before the tournament officially starts!"


    Nobody could even breath before the sight of the limb, and it seemed that the stronger you are the more intense this feeling felt. It was only Su Min who felt a trembled hymn come from this book, which in turn caused the intent in his body to shake as well. With this shake, the intent seemed to collapse in on itself, yet before Su Min could gasp, it reformed on the spot.


    ''What?''


    What was strange was that the intent seemed to have changed its nature. In fact, the intent no longer emitted energy outwards but directly towards Su Min''s mind. It was unknown how, but Su Min felt the pressure coming from the beast lighten to an immense degree, making him able to breath.


    A shocked expression overtook him as the intent continued to bestow him with a passive calmness that made it so that no matter what, he would remain calm to a certain degree.


    Su Min took a closer look and saw the same strand envelop his body, but within this strand was something new. He saw two symbols engraved in the intent; one of a figure screaming in agony and the other of a beast roaring with unyielding eyes. It seemed that the screaming figure represented his pain intent whilst the beast represented this newly formed one.


    Su Min also felt an instinctual control coming from these two symbols, where he could, with but a thought, change it back to the pain intent and vice versa. It was like he had two modes for it.


    ''The intent doesn''t just give pain?''


    The only vague answer he got from this change was that the martial book had everything to do with this, but he wasn''t able to find an answer why.


    ''I first need to force my body to become strong enough to win this tournament...''

 10 To Force Ones Body

    In a quiet room, where only a mat lay, a frail boy sat. Next to him was a thick book with the words ''The Martial Book'' penned on it with hurried calligraphy.


    However, contrary to his frailness, the eyes of this boy glowed with a chilled light that churned and flourished through him, instinctively making him shiver. It was a light that shone with the words that no matter what... I won''t stop.


    The beast symbol shimmered in the intent that shrouded him, exploding with a resolute energy that reinforced his mind, preparing him.


    He looked at the matt when a sudden extreme seriousness erupted from him. He put himself into a push-up position, breathed deeply, and pushed.


    "One."


    For most people, with a body like his, they could at most do 10. It isn''t that doing more is impossible, it''s just that nobody would want to torture themselves like that. Unfortunately...


    "Ten."


    To live a life of torture seems to be the only way to break through all obstacles. It requires effort. An effort that transcends such trivial feelings like bodily fatigue or the deep resounding voice that tells you to stop. For who cares when it warns you that death is the only thing that comes if you carry on?


    "Thirty."


    It''s quite simple, just don''t die. As long as you survive, then who cares whether you bleed till you can''t bleed or wither till you''re but a mangled wreck.


    "Seventy!"


    The need for breath or the pain of fatigue can only go so far until it burns and falls. However, how could strength be so easily gained when you can surmount such trivial pain? If you can handle 10 times the pain then you get 100 times, survive that then you get 1000 times. There is no end to suffering when you cruise into it without a care.


    "One... Hundred."


    Su Min''s eyes quivered with an intense resoluteness, even as his body started to crack and burst with scraping sounds that would make people cringe. He looked on, and he carried on!


    The ancient book by the stained boy''s side seemed to tremble at the sight and released a new soul trembling hymn that made the sky shiver and the hearts of powerhouses tremble. Without even realising it, the boy was no longer inside his room but on rough dirt, and next to a shaky hut.


    It was like he was half there, and half in reality. Like he was between the two spaces. Two Worlds.


    The screeches of the wind echoed like they were made to induce primal fear, yet the boy''s vision was already tainted with blood, making him only rely on instinct to continue.


    "One. Hundred. And. Ten."


    *HYMMM*


    The book trembled even more as the hymn it released pierced right into Su Min and towards the intent that was trying to keep Su Min''s mind afloat. In fact, without the new intent he gained, he would probably be unconscious right now...


    He couldn''t really understand, but the world seemed to slow down as he felt a mystical feeling erupt inside of him due to that hymn. He glanced at his body, and found that the intent had collapsed completely! In fact, unlike what happened before, it didn''t reform immediately but shiver like it was bearing something it couldn''t handle.


    *MMMMM*


    However, the book by Su Min''s side trembled even more, forcing the intent to reform whether it liked it or not. A new symbol etched itself in it, and it carried something so terrifying that Su Min only needed to gaze at it to make his mind reeled with fear. It was a picture of a simple figure, the figure was completely golden, and had muscles that made one''s eyes hurt.


    Su Min gasped, yet as the calming intent had been replaced, the overwhelming pain from overexerting his body kicked in, making him grit his teeth just to stay awake. He watched as the intent shivered repeatedly until it was forced to separate into strands before wrapping around Su Min''s entire body.


    Su Min quivered as a feeling that stung emerged and wrapped around every inch of fragmented muscle fibre in his body, making them wriggle and churn in a way that defied description. The intent didn''t emit energy but took it in. It was the exact opposite of the pain intent!


    ''Three different intents?!''


    The intent seemed to cause an ancient roar to bellow from every inch of his body, making the dirt around him to tremble with uneasiness. Although it was subtle, an intense thunder clap seemed to rupture his mind, making him collapse onto the ground without warning.


    He struggled to stay awake, he needed to see what was happening! However, without him realising it, the real world was starting to fade whilst the dreary view of a hut grew clearer and clearer.


    The air around him froze as a weak suction force emerged on Su Min. It didn''t target the real world but the primal space, and with this, it sucked at it. This suction force, albeit vulnerable,somehow seized a strand of invisible aura from the unknown world and threw it onto his body. It seemed to be uncommonly weak, yet when it seeped into Su Min''s body a howl of anguish was the only thing that responded.


    "AGHHH!!"


    His body riggled and crackled, causing an incomprehensible feeling to bellow in his mind. It wasn''t painful, but it made him want to peel away his skin and throw himself off a cliff. It was at a level that made even his mind quiver with intense alarm.


    ''The intent is changing my body!''


    Strangely, though, the book beside him started to resonate signs of life. A sigh emerged from it and fused with space, reverberating into his mind. It felt like the world was speaking, and for the most part, it is probably true.


    It was like Su Min had reached a point that allowed it to activate to a certain degree; although Su Min had no idea why. Su Min also gasped as he saw the last remnants of his room disappear! He is now in the primal world that he dreads!


    "The Martial envelops the infinity of Dao, and you, the one with the blood of a Martial, are the only true being who can cultivate it. However..."


    The world seemed to crackle and burst as the sigh struck his inner core, and from somewhere unknown a deep growl shook the sky of the primal world. It was a thunderous growl that quaked, seemingly glaring at the book. It issued a killing intent so vile that it turned the sky a deep crimson almost instantly.


    A hysterical laughter shook from the book as it glared back at the sky. Although it didn''t even move, Su Min felt that gaze from the book, he felt a vicious hatred.


    "How could the heavens let such people who can cultivate every Dao roam freely? Hahaha!"


    The voice ached in the world as the growl in the sky concentrated to a degree that sundered the sky. However, an invisible force that seemed to be above all emanated from the primal world and thrashed at the growl in the sky. Time shuddered and accelerated as a thunderous smack struck in the air, however, Su Min''s eyes were blank as his flesh continued to wriggle at a rate that defied logic.


    He didn''t know how, but a strand of information was thrown into his head from the newly changed intent. It was rather simple, yet it made Su Min hysterical. Su Min''s body continued to change, even as he was thinking.


    ''The Ancient Body Technique? How..?''


    Su Min could feel the existence of a technique, and even the exact method of this technique. It was strange, but the words it contained were even stranger. It was a technique that needed to use the ''essence of the world'' to cultivate, although he didn''t know why...


    The information seemed obscure, and no matter how much he tried he couldn''t obtain more. He didn''t even know what the names of the stages were, because it stopped before even explaining them. He only got the method to actually cultivate it, that''s it.


    All he knew was that the intent seemed to cause the world to bestow him with an ability a human shouldn''t have. It was probably that the only beings who could cultivate this technique were an ancient race, yet despite this, he has somehow gone against that rule and been bestowed with the ability to cultivate it instead, and it was all due to the intent. It was also clear that because his intent was too weak he couldn''t even retrieve all the information about the technique, and it seemed that the limit of cultivating it is rather close. Like he is locked to only a minute amount of its potential.


    To put it simply, the new intent he currently has is made to reform his body into that of another races. It uses the energies of the world as a catalyst, and by a mystical law, it changes his humanity and bloodline to its core. It''s heaven-defying beyond belief.


    The only lacking part is the intent, which is nowhere near the level to complete the transformation, thus, he will only gain a miniscule bloodline of the race in question.


    However, his thoughts were beyond messy as that strand from the world continued to infuse itself into his flesh, and he needed to concentrate fully or he may lose his mind.So he could only forget about it for now.


    ...


    "Hey! That Su Min hasn''t been out of his room for a week. Are you still saying that we shouldn''t disturb him?!"


    A girl that would make anyone take a second glance pouted whilst eating. A youth with a sword sat next to her and could only sigh, whilst,on the other side of the table, a boy full of contempt snorted.


    "Hmph! That Su Min is probably scared shitless, cause I bet that he isn''t actually able to do that move again! He must''ve used a rare treasure that his family had!"


    These people were, of course, Yi Zan, the sword youth and Qiu Jin. Yi Zan was about to retort when a bang suddenly erupted from a room upstairs. Everyone jumped instinctively as shocked expressions overtook them.


    Yi Zan was the first to speak as she put on a pondering expression.


    "That was from Su Min''s room, right?"


    The sword youth gulped and nodded whilst Qiu Jin put up an unwilling expression.

 11 Race.

    "That was from Su Min''s room, right?"


    The sword youth gulped and nodded whilst Qiu Jin put up an unwilling expression. The bang continued to reverberate with a metallic racket as the house stabilised, yet this shocked everyone even more.


    "I swear these houses were made out of metal... Maybe it was something else?"


    Uncertain expressions flickered on them, yet as they renounced the thought of Su Min having the ability to thrash the house down, an inhuman whistling noise blew without warning.


    It seemed to have started at the corridor upstairs, yet within seconds they heard a rumble closing in towards the open door in the room they are in.


    "SHI-"


    *WOOSH*


    Before they could even escape a crazed afterimage tore past them, accompanied by a light gush of wind and a velocity that surpassed their cognitive abilities.


    *CRASH*


    A sharp crash ruptured the wall in front of them as a visible dent rasped under the sudden force, nearly peeling the metal. A groan followed as a tired looking youth frowned, removing his face from the wall.


    Everyone took a step back whilst Yi Zan rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn''t hallucinating. A stark image shone in her eyes as she looked at Su Min, making her nearly gasp on instinct.


    "S-Su Min?"


    His clothes were torn to shreds like they had ruptured, where the only part that remained intact were half his trousers. However, this only made everyone reveal incredulous looks when they saw what had caused his clothes to burst.


    "W-was he always that muscular..?"


    Ferocious muscles glimmered under the daylight as they stared with wide eyes. His abs had somehow taken form into a 8 pack whilst every other muscle became so clearly defined that you could count them. It wasn''t just this, but a mystical symbol slowly rotated on his chest. It was so blurry that they were unable to make out the image, but it made their hearts quiver with uneasiness.


    ...


    ''I can''t control my strength...''


    Su Min, currently with a pounding head due to thrashing it onto a metal wall, could only wirily smile. He had lost consciousness for God knows how long, and when he was finally able to wake up he didn''t realise the situation with his body, thus...


    ''I hope they don''t fine for damage... Though right now I need to actually get up.''


    He looked at his legs before attempting to plant himself off the floor with as little strength possible. Unfortunately...


    *BANG*


    It seemed that he still put too much force onto the floor, resulting in him darting headfirst onto the metal ceiling, only to plummet back onto the cold hard ground with a dejected look. Silence prevailed as everyone looked at the newly formed dent in the ceiling, then at Su Min who produced it.


    "Uh... Su Min, are you alright?"


    Su Min jumped when he heard Yi Zan speak, causing him to turn around and look at the three of them. He hadn''t actually realised they were here due to him facing the wall for the whole time.


    ''Shit.''


    He sighed at the whole scenario, and now that he was being watched by everyone he couldn''t just throw himself at the ceiling again.


    ''I think I have got semi-used to it... Although I don''t think I am human anymore.''


    He gazed at the blurry image on his chest with a strange look, as he could feel that a constant supply of energy emanating from it. It wasn''t immense, but he felt that it is enough to overcome the necessity of eating. It seemed to work in a similar way to how he absorbed that wisp of aura from the strange world, just excessively weaker.


    He found out when he woke up that the symbol was what would allow him to cultivate the body technique. However, he couldn''t do anything with it as the symbol didn''t listen to his commands and just listlessly sat on his chest.


    He expected this, though, as you had to cultivate the technique a different way...


    He knew that with this body he had the bare minimum requirements to cultivate the Ancient Body Technique, but because his body was just at the requirement his talent would, in conjunction, be at the lowest level as well.


    He coughed at everyone''s strange expressions, so, displaying an inhuman level of mental concentration, he exerted a minute amount of strength on his legs that wouldn''t launch him into the ceiling. He pondered as his towering shadow overtook everyone, breathing a sigh of relief.


    ''I wonder what would happen if I used that push with this body... There''s also the three intents I have, which can at least hide itself now. Unfortunately, it seems that the Ancient Body intent doesn''t actually help in combat but is used to reform my body into the races, though because my intent is too weak I cannot reform my body to a higher degree.''


    Anticipation shone as he thought about what would happen if his intent was stronger. It would allow him to acquire the actual bloodline of that race, giving him a tremendous talent in the technique. It seems that the race, even without cultivating their technique, has an inhuman body. This is because he hasn''t even started to cultivate the technique, plus he is only using the strength that''s gained by having his body partially reformed.


    Su Min thought back to when he was training and couldn''t help but remember the words from the Martial Book. Although he didn''t really understand what was being said, it was pretty clear that he isn''t human. Such a revelation caused a strange feeling to arise in his heart, a feeling of solitude and confusion.


    ''Not Human, huh. I guess I really am a monster.''


    The painful memories of a past that isn''t his blazed with a blurry nature in his mind, that, although incoherent, contained words that made him quiver.


    ''W-what is t-that? Su Min what''s in your eyes?!''


    ''M-monster!''


    Even if he was human, his new body now contains characteristics of an unknown race that focuses on cultivating the body, and he presumes that if he reformed his body enough he would eventually take their race''s characteristics completely. However, he knows that the only reason for him being able to acquire the intent is because of the book in his hand; the book that perplexes him.


    He looked at everyone with his same hazy eyes, where they all stared at him with questioning expressions. He couldn''t be asked to think of an excuse, as the mental fatigue of experiencing what he just experienced is immense, so he just turned to the clock on the wall, asking.


    "When is the tournament starting?"

 12 How is this a tournament?

    "When is the tournament starting?"


    Yi Zan paused at the sudden request, however before she could reply Su Min suddenly looked outside with a dignified expression. As if the world was responding to his solemn look, the whole building started to tremble and stumble when, out of nowhere, an oppressive aura bolted onto it.


    The aura made even standing tiring, and due to this Yi Zan was the first to collapse onto the ground. Qiu Jin and the sword youth both felt the same way and with the last ounce of strength, they stumbled to sit down on the chairs with ragged breath. Su Min was the only one who didn''t seem fazed at all by the aura as he stood straight, shining with a strange dignity that originated from somewhere far, far away.


    "A Martial Artist?"


    His hazy eyes quivered as his gaze landed on a red-robed man in the distance. Those hazy eyes of his churned with a chilled light as his vision magnified to a degree that neared the boundary that surpasses a mortal.


    It seemed that due to his body evolving to a higher state, his dormant soul had started to awaken. A soul that has been tempered with the illustrious blood of a Martial. It is this soul that has been ground and trampled onto to a disastrous degree, yet by sheer will, it has remained intact through it all. Although its quantity is that of a mortal, its quality is something else...


    The man took no heed as, in only a few seconds, he appeared before the group like an illusion. He remained emotionless at Su Min''s defiant nature like he was looking at an ant.


    A raspy voice quaked out of his mouth as he looked at the group with indifferent eyes.


    "By the orders of Elder Du Fang, I have been ordered to send you to the first trial of the Mortal Tournament."


    The man grumbled under his breath before lifting his hand in the air. Su Min''s eyes lit up when he saw the gesture, as although it looked simple it somehow held the same characteristics of the push technique. He looked at the book in his hand with a strange light while it became more incomprehensible in his eyes.


    *MMMM*


    A vibration shook the entire building which was started to shine with a glaring light. The man remained indifferent as patted his red robes, flew into the air and left with several words.


    "Be careful as the ride may be a little bumpy. Hehe."


    As if responding to his words, the building shuddered with an even brighter light that pierced into the sky. Yi Zan''s face became pale as she felt the gravity around her become nonexistent and the air solidify.


    Su Min decided to sit down, as an annoying headache kept pestering him. It looked peculiar as he cruised towards a chair with casual motions. At least compared to everyone else who was nearly vomiting with nausea.


    ''I at least wanted some sleep...''


    ...


    In a lush forest that stretched an unknown distance, a brilliant piercing light shot through the air and onto the peaceful ground where numerous insects lay. This light was accompanied by a looming object that, without delay, crashed into the dirt with a metallic thud.


    A shockwave expanded out for a couple meters as a gush of wind bristled against the various trees in the perimeter. Whilst the shockwave faded out of existence, a clear indentation revealed itself on the compressed mud.


    A contrasting object laid upon this crater where a clear contrast glimmered under the rays of sunlight. Its bulky metallic frame and modern design dazzled the forest as a dreamy light hovered above it with an otherworldly appeal.


    All it displayed were the two letters that lay familiar with everyone.


    ''D2''


    Its light wasn''t inconspicuous to any degree, instead, it manifested itself in the air to the point where someone a kilometre away could easily spot it. Under the silent hymns of the ethereal sign, a cough blasted inside of the house.


    "F-fuck! Gua"


    Lying on the floor with a pale face, a gagging youth who seemed to be within the realm of vomiting cursed at the floor.


    "Come on Qiu Jin... I thought that you were the strongest out of the three of us, excluding Su Min of course..."


    A moderately less pale youth smiled as he attached the sword scabbard to his loose robes. A strange scene revealed itself in front of him as he saw a girl with no colour in her face hug on to Su Min''s leg with closed eyes. It was probable that she was unconscious, but Su Min didn''t seem to know what to do as he just stood there with a blank look.


    Seemingly noticing the sword youths gaze, Su Min glanced back at him with a helpless gait. The sword youth laughed under his breath as he spoke in a playful tone.


    "I guess leaving her like that wouldn''t be the best... Just pick her up and put her on the sofa over there."


    The emotionless facial expression on Su Min seemed to rupture when he heard that, where a rare look of embarrassment replaced it. However, seeing that the sword youth wasn''t going to do anything, he could only grit his teeth and carefully pick her up.


    His eyes were bloodshot as a constant mutter broke under his breath.


    ''Careful...''


    Holding her in his hands, Su Min felt that he was trudging on a thin wire of the level of strength he should use, as he still doesn''t have full control over his body.


    '' Just don''t throw her onto the ceiling...''


    Luck seemed to be on his side as he placed her on the sofa with shaky hands. Blowing a sigh of relief, he glared at the sword youth for a second before grumbling. He looked outside to see where the heck their building was thrown to. The sword youth also did the same, as he was the only other person who was able to function.


    "A f-forest?!"


    The endless forest seemed to stretch throughout the whole world, yet within this prehistoric jungle, numerous lights shone in this infinite expanse, just like the one above them.


    The closest one was at least a kilometre away and was the only one they could actually read, even with Su Min''s supernatural vision.


    "C3? Sector C3?!"


    The sword youth seemed to have caught the clues and realised that the light a kilometre away was actually where Sector C3 was, which was using the logic of the D2 symbol above their housing.


    Of course, anyone with a brain would be able to deduce such a fact, thus across the forest where various lights shined, people from the numerous sectors gasped. Su Min didn''t really understand why the sword youth was having such a reaction, but he was soon enlightened.


    *BRRRR*


    A tremble that shook the world spread out in the sky and ruptured it with a momentum that surpasses any form of boundary. A fissure that seemed to be able to engulf the universe sprouted in the heavens, firmly planting itself with a tyrannical force.


    Two figures, red and blue, walked out of the fissure in a celestial light as they gazed at the world. The red robed man smiled and bellowed to all creation.


    "For those who don''t recognise me, I Elder Du Fang, am here to explain and announce the tournament! Don''t complain about why it''s too early as life can be unfair sometimes!"


    His eery smile was beyond terrifying to anyone who saw it, making most look at the ground with a trembling heart. Su Min''s eyes shone with a firm resoluteness at the aura that pressured most in the mental dimension, so he just continued to look up.


    The intent in his body, with a glowing beast symbol, calmed and reinforced his mind. His pain and ancient symbols were dim like they weren''t powered.


    Elder Du Fang seemed to notice a couple lingering gazes in the crowd, but he remained indifferent to it all.


    "For any retards out there, your living spaces have been quite masterfully thrown into this special forest built just for you! Above each of your lovely homes is a sign that tells everyone around you that you are there! However, it isn''t recommended to have a party with the other sectors as your own house will be constantly attacked by beasts! These beasts will start off weak, although, as that would be boring they will, of course, get stronger!"


    His smile only grew wider as he looked at the world with a piercing gaze which seemed to cause a rumble to occur. A blinding light started to gather in the sky behind him as he bid his farewell.


    "Killing is fine, and make sure to defend your base core well! Oh, and you can only leave when each wave of beasts ends, enjoy!"


    The fissure around the two shuddered before contracting with immense force, swallowing both of them as the light in the sky gathered to form a line of text.


    The light in the air displayed a countdown and a number depicting the wave.


    ''0:59: 1st Wave''


    The sword youth gulped when he looked at the decreasing time, muttering.


    "How is this a tournament?"

 13 Beas

    Given the literal preparation time of a minute, numerous contestants stammered with frenzy and anxiety towards the anonymous nature of a ''beast''.


    These people were, after all, mortals who came from the mortal world. A world of peace and business, where fantasy is firmly locked out. The only beasts they knew off were creatures like tigers or bears, yet, with the new addition of ''everything that''s impossible is possible'' in the world of martial arts their realistic outlooks are now warped, as the term ''realism'' can''t be used in a world where people can fly.


    ...


    Staring at the countdown with a gloomy expression, Su Min looked at the unconscious girl and the, still, vomiting youth on the floor. He gazed at the house, where the only opening was the metal doorway that led into the kitchen. Everything else was firmly closed and by some unknown transformation, making the house no longer had any windows.


    ''At least there won''t be anything that is able to sneak in... Well, I need to find that base core, although we should be fine if our house doesn''t get invaded.''


    The sword youth seemed to have similar thoughts as he ran into the house and looked for some sort of core. Unfortunately, the countdown didn''t take heed and was already at the 10-second mark.


    He didn''t know whether it was his imagination or not, but the ground seemed to shake to a minute degree as the countdown close in. Although the only reason he felt it was due to his supernatural senses that bordered that of a true martial artist.


    A serious expression overtook his face as he stared into the distance, waiting.


    ''0:05''


    ''0:03''


    ''0:00''...


    ''Nothing?''


    Contrary to his expectations, a still silence prevailed throughout the forest. The gentle breath of wind and the occasional tumbling leaf seemed to freeze as a calm but silent aura shrouded over the atmosphere.


    *BOOOOOM*


    A deafening boom struck the air as, in a faraway area, a tuft of everlasting smoke shot into the sky, tinged in red. The boom reverberated a blasted shockwave through every inch of the forest, causing the ground to vibrate in turmoil.


    The shaking ground produced numerous blasts of dust in the air as the whole forest got covered in a thick haze. Strangely, though, as the booms echoed faded in and out of the ears of everyone, a tense stillness overtook it.


    Su Min''s expression turned as he found that his vision was being obstructed by the dust, and the only way for him to see through it would be to force his eyes to draw on his dormant soul, although that would prompt his body to exhaust itself due to it being unable to cope.


    *Creak*


    A dauntless creak moved behind him as the closed metal door opened. A youth with his hand rested on a sword scabbard walked out with a tense but excited expression. He peaked at the thick dust then at Su Min who was standing in the middle of it.


    He spoke in a whisper, trying not to arouse whatever was going to attack them.


    "Hey, uh, shouldn''t we stay inside in case we get ambushed? I also found the core, and it''s in the basement, even though I didn''t know we had a basement-"


    As he was speaking, Su Min''s expression changed when he felt a disturbance not too far away rustle a couple leaves, and before he knew it a strange creature had flown past him with a velocity matching that of a ball propelled by an athlete.


    It was too far apart for him to catch it, so he could only watch it zoom towards the speaking sword youth. It had a disgusting appearance that resembles a worm with numerous sharp teeth that sprawled on a mouth that frothed with madness.


    *SLASH*


    The sword youth seemed to notice, and like an impulse, he drew his sword in a dazzling arc and slashed at the air with an inhuman swiftness. A muffled groan rang as a bucket of blood splashed around the sword in two disconcerting streams. A halved creature nosedived onto the floor, rolling with a lifeless gait until halting at the youths white robes, leaking a trail of gruesome insides.


    The streams of blood smeared onto his once white robes in a green whilst the metal walls around him got its fair share as well, dribbling with splintered guts.


    He patted his robes with a sigh before getting a cloth and wiping his now green sword. He drew the same arc and shifted his sword back into the scabbard, moaning.


    "Man I nearly died there!"


    The strange thing was that as the beast died a wisp of light darted straight towards the symbol above their house. It dispersed within the light when, incidentally, the symbol started to shine with an even stronger illustrious light that surpassed the kilometre range from before. Within this, a tinge of crimson mixed in as it suddenly grew an inch, emitting a thin slaughter aura.


    Su Min didn''t have time to worry about this as he looked at the beast that seemed to have come from a horror movie. It resembled a black worm, and although it was small, its swift speed and razor-sharp teeth could kill with ease. It was just that, though they aren''t that terrifying alone, it''s a different story if they came in groups.


    Just as Su Min was thinking of that possibility, numerous rustled erupted from the silence as he heard an abrupt shrill scream echo in the distance.


    *ZOOM*


    Numerous sounds of the light disturbances in the air swept into his senses when he saw a seemingly endless array of oversized hellish worms fly at him and the sword youth in a maddened fashion.


    "Hm?"


    Su Min crackled his fists as the suppressed strength in him gushed out and into his inhuman muscle fibres that surpass humanity. The symbol on his chest churned with a faint golden light as a continuous stream of energy surged into his veins. It was unknown whether it came from the ancient race, but a charge of primal battle intent rushed out of him that provoked the flying beasts to shiver.


    *PSSH*


    He clenched his fist and drew a simple fighting stance by instinct. He didn''t have any fighting techniques from the ancient technique, but just the brutal strength alone could topple anything in his way. His eyes locked onto the first.


    *THRASH*


    A gruesome crunch struck the air as one of the beasts flying at him was hurled onto the ground by an unmovable fist, causing a tuft of dust to billow into the air. Blood gushed out of its orifices as a small crater hammered the terrain around it. Following this, a light whimper cried out from his dismembered mouth, fading over time.


    Su Min remembered what the technique said at this moment, and anticipation grew in him.


    ''To cultivate the technique I need to kill. So here I am!''


    A strange feeling rose in him as he felt the existence of a life force from the dying creature, and without a thought, the symbol on his chest churned and sucked it out of the worm on the ground, making it wither at a noticeable rate.


    A comfortable feeling rose in him as his gaze swept towards the numerous beasts flying towards him, and in a brutal motion he shot towards them and pounded at anything that moved.


    *CRASH*


    A constant drumming sound echoed as creature after creature got thrashed onto the ground. Su Min was drenched in green gunk but he didn''t seem to care as an increasingly crazed expression flickered on his face. With this, a constant supply of that strange lifeforce darted from the twitching beasts and into his chest, making him gasp in pleasure and unknowingly reveal a rare smile.


    *BANG*


    A velocity that caused light winds to spring around him swept throughout the area as he shot through the air in a blurred manner. Whatever creature he passed got thrashed with a harsh smack that flung it into the mud, forming a copious amount of small craters.


    The sword youth quivered at the sight of the single drenched madman who smiles in such a scene. He didn''t even need to move as he watched whatever creature that could get near him get pummeled onto the ground with a dripping green fist.


    The numerous dead bodies seemed to cause an infinite supply of light to dive into the symbol in the sky, soaking it in crimson but also causing its volume to expand at a drastic rate. The sword youth felt compelled to close his eyes as the blinding light reached God knows how far into the distance.


    "F*cking hell..."

 14 Life Force

    In an unknown location, a wooden table was set out. 3 people sat opposite each other in pondering gazes, as if they watching something far away. A dimly lit floating orb of light pushed the darkness away and shone on their faces, albeit with little intensity.


    Each of them was in dazzling robes that illuminated the dark room. One had the colour red, another blue and the last white. The primordial robes each carried a unique majesty, like fluttering starlight.


    On each of their robes shined the initials, Du, Chen and Long.


    In one of the seats, the red-robed elder grinned, gazing at the blue-robed elder next to him.


    "Hehe, Chen Tai can''t you see that my idea was great!"


    Chen Tai grumbled under his breath as he watched the tournament. Sighing, he said.


    "Du Fang, the casualties have already reached a record-breaking amount! I thought that we wanted to recruit disciples, not slaughter them? Isn''t that true, Elder Long?"


    As they were glaring at each other, Chen Tai, in an abrupt manner, swished his head towards the peaceful old man opposite them. He had a white beard that reached down to his knees, yet skin that shined with vitality. His white robes brought a tranquil atmosphere. As if nothing could faze him.


    He smiled before speaking in a kind voice.


    "Although it is rather brutal for my taste, some pretty interesting contestants have appeared due to it. After all, fighting hoards of beasts is a great way to grow..."


    ...


    Under the daunting sun, Su Min stood beneath a layer of pounded corpses and mangled organs. He didn''t feel tired at all, though, as that strange lifeforce surged through him. Although this was the case, he had used the majority of it in the fight, so only a sliver was still left over.


    ''Use the essence of the world to cultivate the body...''


    Su Min was reminded of something as the Ancient Technique resurfaced into his mind. To cultivate it you focus on an area of the body and force the ''essence'', or in this case, the lifeforce, to thread into that area. You can thread it in the bones, the muscle and the skin.


    The more lifeforce the muscle and the bone absorb the more golden they become, and this is known as the first stage, it''s just that Su Min doesn''t exactly know the name of it due to the incomplete inheritance he has. In the case of the skin, he has no idea what would happen. He just hoped that he wouldn''t turn golden.


    Through the mystical properties of that blurred symbol on Su Min''s chest, Su Min could view his body structure, albeit vaguely. He realised something as he gazed at his own body.


    ''Nothing is golden?''


    The truth was that with his current strength he assumed that he would at least have some infused golden muscle fibres, yet he had none. He gasped at the realisations that the innate physical prowess of the race is strong to such a degree. That, and keep in mind that his bodily talent is at the bottom of the scale and can be reformed further.


    ''Terrifying...''


    He couldn''t even imagine what a real member of that race would be like, let alone someone who has cultivated to the first stage in bone, muscle and skin.


    Gulping, Su Min tried to manipulate the life force that is in his chest, but no matter how hard he tried it wouldn''t heed to his command. It was like his mental command had no backbone.


    ''Maybe due to my body having the lowest talented body of the race, It doesn''t have the ability to manipulate the life force? How do I manipulate it then?''


    Su Min isn''t technically the ancient race nor a human, it was like he was a merge of the two. However, it wasn''t balanced, because he is still primarily human. It seemed that the lifeforce would just stay in his chest without doing anything, so Su Min decided to leave it for now. Albeit unwillingly.


    Pondering, Su Min looked at the sky to find a countdown once again. It seemed to disregard whether people were still fighting or not and counted down with the same speed.


    ''7:46: Wave 2''


    ''7:43''


    Realising that he has some breathing time, Su Min went back inside and past the bewildered sword youth. He couldn''t go too far from the entrance in case something unexpected happens, so he just sat on a chair.


    ''Now that I think about it, my intent seems to originate from something deep within my blood. If I really am not human but a ''Martial'', then it wouldn''t be wrong to assume that the ''awakenings'' that I had were due to that. It also means that this intent in me is due to me being such a thing...''


    He looked at the book he left on the table and felt that without it he would most likely be dead or insane. It was like it controlled that blood in him and weakened it to a degree that allows him to use it. Thus giving him the intent and its ability.


    Before it was like trying to make a kid use a weapon the size of Mt Tai, but now, due to the book, this Mt Tai is but the size of a brick. Although its nothing compared to Mt Tai, it''s at least usable and won''t crush you if you try to lift it.


    ''Being called ''The Martial Book'' doesn''t seem to be a coincidence... I guess I need to become stronger and see whether I can awaken more of that blood and strengthen the intent.''


    Most of the desire came from the Ancient Intent in him. By his hypothesis, if he would be able to awaken more of that strange blood in him and strengthening his intent, then he would be able to gain a more talented body! Even a complete inheritance to their techniques!


    However, he felt that it couldn''t be that easy, as, after all, he has experienced the terror of that black blood almost eating him alive. It was just that, now that he has grasped the significance of the book, he will keep it with him at all times.


    *Creak*


    The sword youth, with an odd expression, strode in and sat down. He looked at Su Min, who was dripping wet in blood, then at the unconscious Qiu Jin on the floor. Yi Zan, on the other hand, seemed to be nearing wakening up, probably due to the stench that hazed around Su Min.


    Looking outside with a wary expression, the sword youth spoke in a soft tone.


    "You may not have noticed, but it seems that whenever we kill a beast the symbol above our house gets brighter... And now it looks like a blazing sun compared to everyone else''s, so uh..."


    The sword youth paused before looking at the dazed Su Min who didn''t seem to be listening, but he carried on anyway.


    "That means a lot more people can see us!"


    His expression was regretful as he spoke but contrary to what he thought Su Min remained emotionless. It seemed as if he was staring into space, deep in thought, and without a care towards the looming threat that they face.


    "Mhm..."


    "What do you mean by ''mhm''?!"

 15 Sector D2?

    "Mhm..."


    Seething with a strange sense of melancholy, Su Min sighed. He grabbed the book by his side and held it on his lap, shifting his gaze to the sky where the countdown still stood. Surprisingly, he could see a minuscule spark gathering above the countdown, making him squint.


    *PSHEW*


    Out of nowhere, a rapid undulation of starlight streaked through the atmosphere. A breathtaking display of supernatural waves and streaks interwove and strung together, performing a symphony of unprecedented proportions.


    Seconds passed and before Su Min realised it a table had formed in the sky. It would dazzle the eyes of anyone who saw it, even Su Min. Not taking heed to this, a muffled roar pounded at the atmosphere as a list was inflamed onto the table.


    ''1ST: Sector D2500 POINTS


    2ND: Sector A2456 POINTS


    3RD: Sector A1448 POINTS


    4TH: Sector A3400 POINTS


    5TH: Sector B1378 POINTS


    .... ''


    ''...''


    "W-what?!"


    The sword youth was the first to go wide-eyed as he stared at the list, with emotions iterating between joy and trepidation.


    Nevertheless, without any warning, numerous sparks in the sky were roused by a mystical force. Countless pillars of light enveloped the whole forest, some small and some large.


    The largest, though, was right above Sector D2, and resounding in an awe-inspiring manner, the pillar pierced through the air. Su Min didn''t even get a chance to see its descent as it arrived at the ground instantaneously before dissipating just as quickly.


    *PSHEW*


    Countless rays shot through the sky and in the blink of an eye, everything returned back to normal.Su Min was surprised to see that a small metal box hovered right in front of him, blowing faint hymns in the room.


    Above the box flickered a light hologram, emanating a mystical presence


    ''1st Prize Box''


    Below the hologram, shining with a faint gold, a mystical button shone, glimmering with the word ''Open''.


    The sword youth, sitting at the side, gulped at the unexpected prize then looked at Su Min eagerly.


    Pondering, Su Min went and pressed the button with a light touch, and without delay, the crate threw itself open.


    "Huh?"


    What revealed itself was a rough black jacket, outlined in gold. It emitted an eery murderous aura as everyone felt danger arise in their hearts. It was in fact intense enough that it forced Yi Zan to lapse out of unconsciousness.


    The sword youth looked startled for a moment as he murmured "W-wha..?".


    Su Min eyes dazzled with a strange glint, and without delay, he went and picked up the jacket. He looked at the sword youth and asked. "Do any of you want it?"


    The sword youth coughed as he shook his head, speaking with sincerity.


    "It''d be rude for me to ask you, as you are the reason we obtained it anyway."


    Pondering for a second, Su Min proceeded to drape himself in the rather stylish black jacket. This in turn cause murderous aura to envelop Su Min, emitting a chill that crawled in the room and into the hearts of everyone.


    Muttering under his breath, the sword youth grumbled with a wry smile.


    "He looks even scarier..."


    ...


    "What is this bullshit? How come we''re only second?!"


    A skinny man with a boney face raged in a similar metal room. He didn''t look weak though, as a creepy aura enveloped him and shrouded over everyone.


    A majestic necklace was draped on his neck as he held a worm in his hand, which was screaming in agony.


    In front of him, two burly men shone with fearful expressions.


    "Sir, the Dojo won''t lie-"


    "So you''re saying that someone more talented than me appeared in that shithole?"


    A maddened expression roused on skinny man''s face, frightening the two men. One of them, trembling,spoke in a reassuring manner.


    "There''s still wave two, sir, so... We can just wait and see!"


    ...


    ''0:20''


    ''0:19''


    "Hmm..."


    Placing the book in the conveniently large pocket of the jacket, Su Min nodded with praise.


    ''Now I can carry it around with me.''


    In no time at all, the countdown was already in the nearing completion so Su Min got up. The subtle tussle of the jacket created a strange but dignified appearance, and shifting the door open, he strode out.


    Behind him, a red-faced girl glared angrily at him as the sword youth grinned, recounting what happened. Nevertheless, after a while a shocked expression overtook it, and with twinkling eyes, she spoke: "We''re first?".


    ...


    ''0:01''


    ''0:00''


    *BOOOOOM*


    A crackling smack resounded far, far away as the countdown hit zero. Silence didn''t prevail, though, as numerous roars followed afterwards. They weren''t majestic nor frightening. Instead, they shrieked, shrieked atop their lungs.


    "ROAAR!!"


    A spring of light wind fluttered around Su Min as two, bright red eyes locked on him. The air seemed to shiver as a beast the size of a tiger trudged towards him. Its back was pierced with an uncanny amount of razor-sharp spikes, piercing with an ink black. A dense cover of grey fur covered it as a head that resembles a tiger growled with ferocity.


    Su Mins pupils contracted an unnoticeable amount as alarm bells rang in him, but instead of making him waver, a fierce battle intent erupted from the blurred symbol on his chest.


    ''Win...''


    Crouching, a crackling sound exploded out of his joints as a light wind sprung out from him. A faint but ancient aura shrouded him as a beastlike nature exuded out from him.


    The beast''s eyes quivered as it felt something that made it feel like it was facing its ancestor, yet its maddened eyes only grew more bloodshot as it pounced with an inhuman quickness.


    Fluttering in the wind, the ground beneath Su Min''s feet crunched under a sudden force, and in no delay, a blurred human silhouette shot with a rumble, diving straight at the beast.


    Two figures, heading straight at each other, both formed two concave whirlwinds as a thick layer of dust spurted around them.


    *SSSH*


    A muffled boom reverberated as a whoosh of air from both sides struck at each other, causing the dust to part. Paying no heed, Su Min clenched his right fist and thrashed out. The beast growled in response as it leapt at Su Min, exposing its razor-sharp mouth.


    *CRASH*


    A fist that possessed a brutal power crashed onto the beast''s head with a swift motion, resounding with a smack.A fierce shockwave spewed out from the collision, blowing a gush of air outwards that made unstable trees sway.


    The beast''s eyes grew bloodshot and its muscles twitched under the relentless force that threw it to the ground. The dirt compressed beneath its feet with a choked crunch as its legs shook under the relentless force. Eyes shining with hatred, it slowly started to push back up!


    Su Min, with an emotionless gait, lifted his foot and sprung it back without hesitation.


    His muscles convulsed as he, with a terrifying glare, breathed deeply. Then, with a wild smack, tossed it at the beast''s stomach.


    *SMACK*


    An unmovable foot shoved itself right into the beast''s gut, and due to it being unable to contend with the overwhelming strength, the beast cried out as its body attempted to shoot into the air.


    However, Su Min didn''t let this happen as he threw his free hand at the beast and clutched at its spiked back, pressing it back down.


    *GUH*


    The pain of getting stabbed didn''t seem to faze Su Min at all as he continued to push the beast into the ground, driving his foot right into its stomach.


    Having nowhere to exert the force, the foot punctured into the beast''s abdomen and, with an anguished moan, shattered its ribs. Yet, it didn''t seem to stop as Su Min continued to thrust up.


    Silence invaded as the beast, unable to cry, gurgled with agony whilst its spine bent at a creaking angle. Su Mins eyes grew a tinge of bloodshot as he shoved all his weight onto the beast''s backbone, gouging his leg into the beast''s abdomen.


    The beast seemed to reach a breaking point as its breath began to became unsteady and a writhing splatter of blood spewed out of the beasts choking mouth, flailing and trying to bite at the arm that held it down. Yet, Su Min clenched his other fist again and pounded at its back.


    *CRACK*


    A crack vibrated out at the beast''s back, splitting it in two with an anguished grunt. Blood drenched Su Min as the struggling beast collapsed onto the ground with a stifled bang. Both his hands were dripping with red and green blood, and his breath was ragged.


    He looked at the twitching beast, then at the sky.


    "This should be it..."

 16 What?!

    Looking at the starry sky, Su Min kneeled onto the drenched floor with fatigue. Numerous corpses sprang around him, wafting with a nauseous stench that would make anyone gag.


    Su Min observed the beast for a while until, without warning, his pupils suddenly constricted with an intense shudder. A trembling glow rumbled on the blurry symbol on his chest as an intense lifeforce revealed itself in the beast.


    Gasping, Su Min''s eyes quivered even more as streams of flakey blood rose and began to string together above the beast. The flakes assembled at an extreme rate and swished with viscosity whilst becoming denser and denser.


    A surreal and beautiful sphere of blood formed above the beast. It seemed dense enough to form a liquid and wobbled in a strange fashion, emitting a fragrant smell.


    Su Min eyes shuddered as a remarkable call welled out from the blurred symbol when the refreshing fragrance hit it, and with no hesitation, he shot forward and grasped at the dense lifeforce.


    "GUH!"


    An invigorating and strange feeling welled up inside of him as that blood seeped right into his skin and churned into the symbol. It was as if someone had grasped at his veins and had started to tug at them with a gentle but exhilarating clutch.


    As this happened a golden light shrouded his chest and enveloped the blurred symbol, humming in roiling waves of a bizarre ancientness across Su Min''s body. Su Min found that all the lifeforce had gathered in his chest, but he wasn''t able to control the lifeforce at all. Instead, it seemed that the symbol had a mind of its own as a mystical sound started to reverberate through every inch of bone and muscle in his body.


    A distinct crackling sound echoed from every joint and every muscle as his flesh convulsed in a peculiar fashion, beating in rhythm with his heart. However, a strange scene occurred as those convulsing muscles started to shrink at an alarming rate. They wriggled and churned in a monstrous demeanour that thrashed into Su Min''s mind, waking him from his reverie.


    His expression turned to shock as a situation that was unknown to him occurred, yet he could do nothing about it even if he wanted to.


    His body continued to squirm for an unknown amount of time until his once oversized and lofty muscles had condensed to a degree that they halved in volume!


    Nonetheless, instead of becoming less distinct, a terrifying set of muscles that looked inhuman replaced them. Although they were now averagely sized, they were somehow so clearly defined that anyone would have to rub their eyes in disbelief to comprehend it.


    It wasn''t just this, though, as a new ancient vitality started to emanate from them that seemed strangely noble. In fact, although it was faint, the ground beneath Su Min had unknowingly crackled for a split second.


    The symbol on his chest flashed as if it had finished and released a burst of this aura in concentration. The aura didn''t seem to conform to reality as the colour around Su Min flashed golden, distorting the air in a peculiar fashion.It was just a flash, but it seemed to cause the world to shiver for just a moment.


    "Uh?"


    Su Min looked confused as he inspected his body with a strange expression. He found that neither his muscles fibres nor his bones were remotely golden, even with all that lifeforce disappearing. Instead, they seemed to have changed their structure as Su Min discovered that each of his fibres and bones carried a new faint and blurry symbol!


    Su Min pondered until he decided to focus on one of the symbols in his right arm. However, when he tried to rouse the symbol it just proceeded to sit there with no response. He didn''t feel anything remotely unique about them, in fact, they seemed to be as plain as daylight.


    ''I don''t remember this being in the technique. I guess I really need to get the complete inheritance...''


    It seemed that no matter how much he tried he wouldn''t get an answer, so he sighed and rose back up with a swift motion. He patted his jacket to shed some of the blood only to find that it had none. He blinked before checking underneath the jacket, and found that no blood was there as well!


    ''It absorbs blood? Pretty convenient.''


    Not thinking too deeply, Su Min nodded with praise at the strange jacket, believing that it was right choice to take it.


    He clasped his hands and strode towards the house with a steady and slow pace, as now that he finished the wave he might as well take a nap. He felt that he truly needs one.


    However, fate didn''t seem to align with his thoughts as the door slammed straight open right in front of him with a metallic bang. A face filled with rage glared at him before staring at the background with eagerness. It seemed that he wanted to get out, so Su Min moved out of the way.


    Pausing for a moment, Su Min spoke with the same emotionless tone.


    "Congratulations in waking up."


    He was, of course, Qiu Jin, and paying no heed to Su Min he drove past him and into the corpse-ridden yard. Su Min yawned without a care as he walked in and found the same seat. Hunkering down, he placed the book onto the table and shut his eyes.


    Yi Zan and the sword youth jumped in surprise when they saw the leaner build on him which gave off an odd feeling.


    The sword youth grumbled with confusion as he stared at the muscles that seemed to surpass humanity. He couldn''t quite put his finger on it, but a strange atmosphere enveloped Su Min, almost like something noble, yet not quite...


    Su Min didn''t seem dangerous nor threatening, it was just weird. As he was pondering, he heard a gasp outside as Qiu Jin ran back in whilst holding his breath.


    He looked with disbelief at Su Min then at a corpse outside, emotions swelling.


    "H-how?"


    ...


    "Huff. Huff. Huff."


    A ragged man with a boney body breathed intensely under the piercing sun, shrouded with a dense creepiness. He wore a majestic necklace laced in silver on his neck and held a dagger that would bring uneasiness to any mortal.


    A disfigured bite mark scraped down the arm that held the dagger, bleeding enough to drip streams. He bit his lips with pain, but within them shone with confidence.


    Two men with even more fearful gazes ran up to him in a hurry and bandaged his arm. The man looked at the table in the sky with expectation as his lips curled into an eery grin.


    "Let''s see if you can beat this... Dogshit genius!"


    A few seconds only passed when a sudden rumble shook the sky as the whole list was lit ablaze with a black flash. The number one spot revealed itself under the flash and shone an even deeper gold, yet the man''s gaze became distorted as he saw it.


    A deep and horrifying growl spewed out of his mouth, spitting at the air around him with saliva.


    "What?!"

 17 A fragmented hear

    *BRRRR*


    A surge of fluctuations shook the core of the forest as numerous beams of dazzling pillars shot from the sky and onto the ground. A subtle tremor crackled through the dirt swept under a metallic box the size of a small building.A couple of holes with the width of a straw poked through the front of the box; where a finger poked out.


    It resembled that of a prison cell, and for the most part, it is...


    *COUGH*


    Two girls, kneeling on the cold sheeted floor, started to cough out a dark muck. Their pale faces shone under the streaking but dimly lit rays of light that pierced through the wall; eloquently shining on their skin.


    Murky dust fluttered through the rays; thrashing against the metallic walls with silent bounces. One of the girls welled with a despaired whimper; echoing in the empty confinement.


    A delicate hand patted her head as a hoarse but feminine voice whispered in her ear.


    "It''ll be alright. It''ll be... Alright."


    The girl quivered before leaning against the figure next to her; huddling with a tight hug. Her eyes were watery and her face resembled that of toddlers; she was obviously a kid.


    She looked up with a despaired gait, speaking in a childish tone.


    "Yu Yan. H-how do you know?"


    Smiling, Yu Yan patted her head once more before speaking with an overexaggerated tone; full of reassurance.


    "You see, somewhere far, far away someone is protecting us! He may look weak, he may seem ordinary, but don''t be fooled by such a look! For he can fly in the sky, thrash mountains and heal any disease known to man! Even ours!"


    She tickled the girl''s nose as she swished her hand through the air and circled it through space in a playful manner. The girl''s eyes brightened and her face lifted as she giggled; trying to push Yu Yan back.


    "S~stop! Hehehe!"


    Yu Yan laughed as she started to play with the girl, bringing more laughter into the desolate container.


    Yet...


    *Bang* *Bang*


    "Hey! Shut your mouths and be the good dogs you are! The Young master is in a bad mood right now, so you better be prepared!"


    A male voice shouted at the container as Yu Yan held her breath and covered the girl''s mouth. Although she was still smiling, within her eyes lay a listless light, a light that could only grow.


    ''Someone protecting us... Really?''


    ...


    ...


    In a dozed state, Su Min yawned as he felt a rumble sweep past him which threw him out of his nap. His heart seemed itchy, yet he couldn''t grasp why. It was an itch that just would not go away...


    "Mhmm, the reward?"


    His blurry eyes set themselves onto the familiar silver crate. It hovered in the middle of the room, shrouding itself in a fantasmal light.


    Yi Zan, standing up from the sofa, stared wide-eyed at the crate; spurting out.


    "This is the reward for getting first place?"


    Su Min paused as he heard her, and for an instant, a smile flashed on his face. He looked at the crate; muttering.


    "So we''re still first..."


    She seemed to hear him, but she didn''t say anything as a mysterious light shone in her eyes. It faded just as it appeared when she spoke in a playful tone, though.


    "Can I open it?"


    "Hm?"


    Although Su Min was interested in what was inside, it wasn''t like he coveted treasures nor was it likely that it would have anything useful to him. Except for the self-cleaning jacket he has right now, of course.


    He nodded with a tired demeanour before shutting his eyes halfway; watching with half his attention.


    An excited expression lifted on her face as she hopped to the crate and pressed the ''open'' button. It resembled a child on Christmas galloping onto a present that she has been anticipating for months.


    A woosh swept through the room as the container flew up, revealing a smokey canvas. Su Min could only wryly smile at the intentional smoke effect, but as the object that was inside faded into existence, a gasp could be heard behind Yi Zan.


    "A Psuedo Spirit Sword!"


    It seemed to cut the air as it silently sat on the ground; exuding a supernatural sharpness. A flame was engraved on its handle that seemed to emit a subtle heat that felt warm to the touch.


    The sword youth was about to run up to it when a thought suddenly passed him, making him turn his head to Su Min. His eager gaze was apparent, and it wasn''t like Su Min was a swordsman nor did he want to be one; so he just nodded like always.


    A look of gratitude covered the sword youth as he stammered to the sword like it was his long lost lover. He drew a dazzling arc as the sword in his scabbard was drawn out. He seemed to murmur something as he placed the sword on the floor with care and even affection.


    Su Min rubbed his chin as he watched the strange actions, making his perspectives broaden just a tad.


    ''Swordsmanship isn''t just about using a sword?''


    The sword youth trembled as a slight tear flickered in his eye, but a determined gaze shone thereafter when he set his sights on the martial sword. He breathed a deep breath as his hand shot at and grasped the sword handle.


    A buzzing sound rang out in the room as sweat started to overflow on the sword youths head, yet he persisted and lifted the sword up. His grip tightened as he drew the same dazzling arc in the air, and swished the sword into his scabbard.


    A tearing sound shrieked through the air as a clear-cut flashed; as if it had been cut.


    Su Min''s eyes shone with surprise as he looked at the air. He saw a lot more than most, and it shocked him.


    ''The air was cut as if it was a material?''


    As he was thinking, a new and different tremble suddenly shook the sky, causing the metal base to levitate. A scream rang out in front of the door as a ragged youth was thrown into the base from outside; he was Qiu Jin.


    Qiu Jin raged as his face rammed into the wall, cursing all the way.Yi Zan waddled on the floor as she tried to plant herself onto the sofa, although it didn''t seem to be working. The sword youth sighed as he pulled her onto the sofa and sat down with her; his eyes seemed excited as he caressed the sword scabbard with a fervent touch.


    Su Min remained expressionless as he looked at the door which was somehow closing, speaking.


    "It seems that wave 3 is different..."

 18 Ism tired so shut up!

    *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*


    Atop of barren grassland, an uncountable number of metallic bases flew from the air; slamming onto the ground with a shuddering thud.Each of these bases was equipped with a blinding sector symbol, albeit some were far more brilliant than others.


    It seemed that the bases were quite close to each other, where they were separated with the rough measurement of 10 meters in every direction. However, this wasn''t far at all.


    Pale faces appeared one by one as they examined the remote grassland that didn''t seem to end. In a base with the sector symbol ''E2'', two twin girls waddled out of the front door with uncertain expressions.


    In fact, their faces were filled with confusion as they looked at the familiar but unfamiliar space. It took only a few seconds before one of the twins couldn''t help but ask in an incredulous voice.


    "I thought we left after the first round? Why are back here?!"


    Many people had similar thoughts as they gulped with fear. The true fact was that during the first round, most weren''t able to defend against the worm beasts that required supernatural senses to even fight against. Those who were lucky enough to survive chose to leave without hesitation; shaking with fear.


    However, now that they were shoved back into this place, it was like they were thrown into a nightmare! What was more was that when they looked into the sky they saw that it was wave 3!Although it was strange that no countdown displayed itself this time.


    "We''re fucked..."


    The twins spoke in unison. Their legs became shaky whilst despair enveloped them and their souls. With little hope left, they decided to look at the score table for some sort of comfort, and this was due to a shocking event that happened in wave 1...


    "H~hey... The gap widened!"


    Their eyes widened when they saw the top 5 sectors in the sky.


    ''1ST: Sector D22500 POINTS


    2ND: Sector A21789 POINTS


    3RD: Sector A11650 POINTS


    4TH: Sector A31200 POINTS


    5TH: Sector B11000 POINTS


    .... ''


    Just as they were reeling in shock, a blazing blood red light shrouded the entire grasslands as a base flew through the air and landed ten meters away from them; thudding.The symbol, ''D2'', above the base burned with an absolute authority that pressured every other symbol; making them flicker with uneasiness.


    The twins gaped when they saw the majestic symbol that made their hearts go cold with trepidation. It was intense to the point that the air seemed to go still; a dreary silence to overtake the field as the twins and every base near them held their breaths.


    *Creeeak*


    A metallic racket squelched with a raspy nature as the metal door creaked open. Three figures revealed themselves as they walked out with strange expressions at the oppressive aura emanating from their base.


    They were Qiu Jin, Yi Zan and the sword youth. Qiu Jin shone with an arrogant expression as he stood with pride; as if he was the reason for them being number 1.


    Yi Zan had an uneasy smile when her eyes felt the many gazes aimed at them. She couldn''t help but grumble at the strange nature of the person who caused this kerfuffle.


    The sword youth seemed to have gained a piercing nature as he held the sword scabbard in his hand, making him seem dangerous without being scary. He sighed as he muttered towards the pouting Yi Zan with a smile.


    "It seems that Su Min is tired so we''ll have to deal with whatever is coming our way. Come on... It''s not like we''re weak!"


    Radiating with a newfound confidence, he glared back at the numerous gazes focusing on him with a provoking grin. Yi Zan frowned and was about to pull him back, but it seemed that she was far too late...


    "Hmph! Just a bunch of trash!"


    A contemptuous snort echoed through the silent atmosphere; shattering it completely. A headstrong man who bulged with veiny muscles smiled in pride as he marched from seemingly nowhere and towards the group of three. He wore blue attire that shined with pride; etched with the symbol ''A3''.


    An elegant girl in similar clothing stood behind him, yet contrary to the man''s contemptuous expression she shone with anxiety and uncertainty. She would sometimes whisper in his ear, yet he didn''t seem to listen.


    *Poof*


    A dust of fragmented dirt billowed into the air with a thump as the man stood right in front of the group; banging the ground with his shoe. The sword youth frowned as he felt an inhuman vitality coming from the man, although it was a tad plain compared to Su Min.


    "Uh, may I ask why we''re trash?"


    Speaking with a polite tone, the sword youth inwardly cursed at his bad luck, yet he was stunned to find that the man was in a daze. He was about to ask if he was alright when the man started to sweat; trembling ever so slightly.


    He, on instinct, walked towards him, but the man trembled even further and stepped back in sync. The sword youth''s expression turned strange, yet before he could do anything else an aggravated yawn echoed behind him.


    "Gah! Why can''t I just take a quick nap? Why is it that every time I try, some goddamn thing disturbs me! Can''t you see that there isn''t a countdown? So why rush and cause stupid conflict for no reason?!"


    The sword youth''s expression paused when he heard the unexpected rant behind him, but he just sighed and walked back to the base. A youth appeared in the man''s vision, walking out of the metal base whilst rubbing his eyes.


    The air seemed to distort around the youth as a thick killing intent permeated around him like fog. His ordinary face didn''t seem threatening at all, yet his body exuded a strange aura that made everyone''s heart cringe.


    It felt noble, yet they couldn''t understand it at all like they weren''t qualified to understand. It was beyond confusing.


    "Who are you?!"


    The man gulped as he stared at the youth approaching him. He could tell that something was off about him just from the strange aura exuding of off him.


    The youths expressionless face shone with something inexplicable as he replied with a rough voice, carrying a strength that seemed primal.


    "Su Min."


    The man trembled even further when he heard it,not because he knew the name, but because he didn''t! It seemed that everything pinpointed that this guy was the reason that Sector D2 had become first!


    Su Min grumbled as he rubbed his eyes, looking at the man with a still, hazy gaze. The girl behind the man took a step back when she saw the gaze, trembling even more than the man.


    The man seemed to make his mind up at that moment; deciding not to risk it. Putting on a smile, he said, "H-haha! Su Min, huh? I congratulate you on getting first place! Now-"


    "Shut up."


    Su Min''s expression was emotionless as he interrupted the man. However, Su Min himself felt that after the strange transformation earlier his personality seemed to change. He was just too tired to care right now...


    ''If I''d known that I''d get this tired from undergoing that transformation then I would''ve postponed it. Mhm, it seems that my explosive strength has increased due to it though... By At least half I think.''


    A thought flashed through Su Min''s head when he looked at the man, and without warning, he clenched his fist. The man seemed to notice that something was wrong, but it was all pointless.


    "Don''t disturb me again."


    Su Min lifted his fist, then with seemingly no effort, he threw it at the man in blue. The man''s face grew cold when he saw how casual Su Min was, causing the pride within him to erupt like a tide.


    "Don''t underestimate me!"


    Muscles convulsing, he prepared to throw a punch back, yet before he could even move a light wind had already flung onto his nose. Eyes trembling, he saw a clenched fist encompass his view.


    The man gasped with trepidation as his body turned stiff.


    "W-"


    *BANG*


    A ruthless punch that wielded a velocity beyond his comprehension hurled right into his face with a fixed bang; resounding with a smack. A shockwave sprung around him as the dust below his feet bounced then thrashed back onto the ground.A brutal wind formed around the punch and shoved a layer of dirt off the floor with fury.


    *WOOSH*


    A crazed power entered the man''s head as his body seemed to become as weightless as a feather.Consciousness blurred with intense shock, a wind sprung around him and he shot through the air like a missile.


    He seemed to reach a speed similar to a thrown baseball, yet before he could look around a metallic wall appeared behind him; oh so looming...


    *CRASH*


    "GUH!"

 19 Ism tired...

    *CRASH*


    "GUH!"


    Thrashing into a metallic wall a visible dent splintered across and rippled to the dirt with an unreal viscosity. It resembled that of a bomb thundering into the atmosphere as a shockwave shook around the man; splintering through the air for a few meters.


    Gulps of blood spewed out of his hanging mouth where broken teeth and shattered bone trickled down. A crack resounded out as the wall behind him split apart. He slid down the collapsing wall he was plastered in; falling with a poof onto the cracked dirt.


    A visible circular mound of dirt was scattered around him where the shockwave settled; having a radius of a couple meters. It looked like a mini-crater, all it lacked the indented ground.


    The man''s eyes raged with unwillingness, but he couldn''t even move his body...


    *Poof* *Poof*


    Two consecutive poofs thudded on the ground as two girls stared dumbfoundedly at their base, then at the man who rammed into it. They could only look back at the half-asleep youth who caused it with incredulous expressions.


    "Our base..."


    Su Min seemed to notice their gazes as he rubbed his chin; strolling towards them. They shivered as they watched the person who broke all commonplace rules stride towards them with such a casual expression.


    Looking at the clear indentation on the base, Su Min spoke with a thoughtful expression.


    "Uh. I didn''t intend for this to happen... Mhm! How about having the two of you join us."


    Speaking like it was something trivial, the girls gaped at how uncaring he was to the reputation to his team, as who on earth would let people like them join the number one sector?


    The girl on the left seemed to have made up her mind as she clenched her teeth and spoke with a reverent gaze.


    "Y-yes!"


    Su Min didn''t really understand why she was looking at him with such a strange gaze, but he didn''t have the mental capacity to think about it as he felt himself start to doze off.


    "Mhm. Just go to Yin Zan over there. I need to get some sleep so try not to disturb me..."


    Yawning, Su Min strode back to the base with a hunched back. However, this made everyone watching gulp even more. The girl that was with the man seemed to have disappeared, but Su Min didn''t bother to think about it.


    "He made it seem so casual!"


    "I''ve never heard of someone called Su Min..."


    "I thought this was a competition between mortals! How can a mortal do that!"


    Su Min didn''t seem to care as he hunkered onto a seat where he stretched a few times before closing his eyes. Yi Zan could only watch him as he seemed to disregard everything; even the wave that could start at any time.


    *Sigh*


    She sighed with a deep breath, but within this came a newfound pride and excitement. She looked at the dazed twins for a while until she shouted in a playful tone.


    "Hey, you two, stop dazing around and come here!"


    ...


    ''Why am I so tired...''


    Su Min hadn''t realised it till now, but something unnatural was happening to him. It was happening ever since that unprecedented transformation happened. It was a fatigue that seemed to grow and grow without hindrance, yet he doesn''t feel any hostility towards it.


    ''Maybe it could help me...''


    He decided to stop fighting the fatigue that surmounted on him and shut his eyes completely. It seemed that due to his inhuman will the fatigue had grew to an unbelievable level, so, as the fatigue spewed onto him he didn''t even need to try to sleep.


    *PSSSST*


    He felt a tranquil suction power spew onto his soul as his consciousness turned blurry for a second. It felt similar to how he entered the martial space, but something was different...


    *MMMMM*


    A strange sound entered his ears as his vision gained a certain clarity that allowed him to view around him somewhat. All he saw was fog; a blurry and annoying fog that made his mind itch with irritation.


    He stood on a white plain that stretched as far as he could see, which was a few meters due to the fog.


    However, what was strange was that he could move freely around this space. Every move, every motion and every thought felt as real, as realistic as the world.


    ''Huh?''


    An inexplicable feeling seemed to shroud him every time he moved; like it was saying that what he was doing was wrong. Wrong beyond belief!


    "Everything feels irritating... It''s like I am doing nothing right."


    It felt torturous to even stand, but he didn''t care as his eyes churned with a chilled light; shining with a will tempered to the extreme.


    "If what I am doing is wrong, then I''ll do it right!"


    He couldn''t understand this dream-like space he was in, but if he could further his strength with it then he couldn''t care!He must grasp every and any opportunity that comes, even something like this.


    He closed his eyes as he forced his mind to go a still as a frozen lake, from which he felt the feeling that shrouded him. It was like he was submerging his body in water; where he could only move it in certain ways or everything would collapse.


    His mind entered a tranquil state as his body started to move in a peculiar fashion that seemed to rouse a law; a law that shouldn''t be roused.


    "Left. No, right a bit. Forward, down. No up."


    A constant mumble emerged from his mouth as he moved in a motion similar to that of a punch. However, he turned and swivelled in specific ways that seemed to contradict what most would think was a punch.


    He continued to make subtle changes to his movements as he tried to make sense of the feeling that shrouded, nevertheless...


    Contrary to what he expected, Su Min only felt that wrong feeling advance in an exponential notion as he continued; everything seemed to be even more wrong. It was like the way he breathed was even wrong, no, it was like his existence itself was wrong!


    This feeling would make anyone go crazy, yet his mind remained as still as it was before; like nothing could faze him. He continued to persevere, preserve with all his might!


    "Right! No, move left! Up, down, straight!"


    Su Min''s movements continued to refine themselves as he pursued any sort of rightness in this movement! Anything! Even if his talent was dogshit, so what?!


    *RUMBLE*


    A horror-inducing feeling started to exude out of the simple punch movements he was performing.It felt aged; aged through the limitless oceans of time. Yet, he still felt that it was more wrong than right! Like no matter how far he pursued he would always perform it wrong!


    He growled, growled right at the sky!


    "Although my talent is weak, so what?! I''ll break talent! I''ll break everything!!"


    A resolute and unyielding will shrouded him and Su Min''s face only grew more and more ferocious as he punched. He punched and punched till that punch is his everything. His life.


    ...


    ...


    "H-hello..."


    Two shy girls stuttered as they got stared at by three people. Qiu Jin snorted, yet he seemed to gaze from time to time at the corpse ten meters away; leaning against the ruined base.


    Yi Zan could feel countless envious and jealous gazes land on the twins when they spoke. She felt unsafe, so she went and ushered everyone back into the base before closing the door with a thud.


    Seeing Su Min who was dozed off on the seat, Yi Zan sighed and spoke to the twins. The sword youth seemed to be used to it where he went upstairs whilst holding the scabbard.


    "Su Min is a deep sleeper so you don''t need to worry about waking him up."


    She looked at Su Min, half believing what she said. Considering this, Why would he wake up from a simple arrogant shout, yet sleep through them talking in the same room as him?


    The twins nodded, although they still spoke with quietness.


    "If it''s okay to ask, why does your sector have such a person?"


    Yi Zan paused as she proceeded to sit down on the sofa with a helpless expression.


    "He just appeared out of nowhere, so I honestly know nothing about him... Come, stop acting so distant and sit down!"


    The twins were about to refuse, but Yi Zan went and grabbed both of them, bringing them with her.


    ...


    On the opposite end of Su Min''s location, a couple of kilometres away, a metal base which contained a similar but weaker blazing light shrouded the entire land for hundreds of meters; its symbol shone with the word ''A2''.


    Next to the base was a small metal box with a few holes poking out. A door was planted on the front of it; it was shut tight.


    In the base next to the box, a thin man picked his teeth with a toothpick as he looked into the distance; unknown what he was thinking.


    Two men stood behind him, both muscular and trained. The man spat onto the floor as he looked on with boredom; speaking.


    "Hey, when is this wave 3 going to start?"


    One of the servants pondered for a bit before speaking in a respectful manner.


    "As there is no countdown, it seems that this wave has a different purpose. It seems that nothing is stopping us from killing the contestants near us so we could try to experiment..."


    The skinny man licked his lips as he grabbed a blood ridden knife from his robes, his eyes seemed to chill the room when he looked outside.


    Snickering, the man stood up with a lanky gait.


    "Hehe... I really want to meet that dogshit genius."

 20 Ancient Fist Ar

    *RUMBLE*


    "Huh?"


    Sitting on the sofa in a daze, Yi Zan jumped as she felt an intense rumble fluctuate and throw her up in the air for a moment. Before she could even react, the world shuddered even more intensely as the sun up in the sky got blotted out by an oval, blood red moon.


    The sky and the earth trembled with an intense shiver and before they knew it, the whole world was shrouded in a pitch black. It was a black that seemed to seeth with an eery nature that made Yi Zan shiver. It was as if, within this darkness were nightmarish beasts that she couldn''t fight against.


    It was the fear of the unknown; similar to how a kid would fear what was under his bed in the middle of the night... It was such a darkness that throbbed and palpitated with a static greyness that you couldn''t see through.


    Quivering, Yi Zan tried to see through the murky darkness that encompassed everywhere, yet it was pointless. As she was panicking, two equally frightened voices whispered next to her.


    "Yi Zan, you''re here right?"


    Yi Zan jumped when she heard the two voices next to her; forcing her out of her panicked state. She breathed in before speaking in a serious tone.


    "Stay put, I think wave 3 is coming..."


    As if the darkness were responding to her, a sudden thunderous echo blazed through the atmosphere as a solidified boom struck the ground; blitzing through everyone''s ears.


    A bright flash that ignored reality pierced into everyone''s sight as a laughter shook the earth and the heavens.


    "Hahaha!"


    It shook her and the twin''s minds as they felt a soul-chilling wind sweep through the entire world. As this happened, numerous shrill screams that made the heart squeal screeched through the darkness; some near, some close.


    Yi Zan''s heart went cold as she heard one of these screams occur right in the same room as her; moving through the capitulating darkness.


    Her body froze and her thoughts slurred with despair as her ears perked and tried to pick out the subtle sounds in the darkness.


    *Scratch*


    An abrupt scratch squeaked on a wooden chair as she felt a subtle gush of cold wind settle on her face. She couldn''t see anything, but her heart seemed to thrash in her chest as she held her breath for God knows how long.


    Well until something unexpected happened...


    "Uh..? Who turned off the lights?"


    A yawn grumbled as a familiar voice struck the eery silence. Yi Zan''s eyes shone with panic as she felt a similar gush of wind fly past her and towards the source of the voice.


    "Huh? Why''s a black thing flying at me..."


    The voice shone with a confused tone before drifting into silence again. Yi Zans heart pummelled at an even more fierce rate as she dwindled in the silence; waiting for something, anything...


    *SLAP*


    "GAAAAH!!!"


    A boom struck something as a squeal screamed in agony, yet before it could even finish another dull thud struck the floor; squelching as if it was grinding flesh into a pulp.


    An aggravated voice struck the room; containing a faint demand that echoed within it.


    "This darkness is annoying..."


    The darkness seemed to shiver as it felt a faint pressure smash onto it; thrumming with a beast like might that wanted it to kneel.


    As this happened, a hoarse growl shuddered through the air; speaking with a fierceness that seemed almost primal.


    "Fist. First Form."


    The darkness seemed to shudder even more after that growl; as if it feared it, but it wasn''t over.


    "Might of the Ancient."


    A rumble that shook the very foundations of the earth streaked through the air as a gust of wind sprung out from within the room. The wind spread out with a silent and tranquil motion; as if it were inconspicuous and harmless.


    Yet, wherever it went crackling noises reverberated as the darkness seemed to constrict before getting thrashed onto the ground with an inexplicable pressure.


    Yi Zan''s eyes widened as that simple gust of wind swept past her and, without warning, an unstoppable might exerted itself ontop her. Her face fell as she was shoved into the sofa; her lungs compressed and her consciousness blurred.


    The darkness fumed with despair as it dissipated into the ether; making everyone''s hearts quiver. Only a few seconds pass when a sigh emerged as the intense pressure shrouding room blew itself away with the same tranquilness from before.


    The room was no longer pitch black!


    Yi Zan''s breath was ragged as she forced herself to look up, where she saw Su Min. It was strange, but his eyes seemed to blaze with something puzzling. Like It was an unyielding nature that seemed to reject the world; like it was mocking the heavens.


    Su Min''s eyes swept past the group as he scratched his head and apologised.


    "Ah, sorry about that. I didn''t realise that you were here with me, so..."


    Yi Zan jumped as she was forced out of her reverie; nodding. The twins sitting away from her gulped with fear at Su Min; asking.


    "Did you have a... nice sleep?"


    Su Min''s gaze turned strange as he looked at the both of them, deciding to ignore their question, then at the outside. It was strange beyond belief, like everything but their room was black. Even then, the black from the outside seemed to want to retake what was stolen.


    Su Min''s expression turned serious as he squinted to try to see past, yet to no avail.


    ''It appears that even with my vision I can only see around 1 meter in front of me...''


    Su Min paused with a thoughtful expression; crackling his fists as he stretched a bit.


    ''I''m guessing that I obtained some more of that ancient races inheritance. It seems to be a technique called the Ancient Fist Art, mmm. I can only perform the first and second form, though, and even then very poorly.''


    The technique itself, that he received at least, was incomplete to a massive degree. It was to the point that he doesn''t actually know how to practice anything further than the second fist art, and even then he only knows the name of the first one.


    However, whether it was indirect or not, the technique has allowed him to discover something that had been a mystery to him, and that was the symbols engraved on his bones and muscle. It was because when he performed the first fist art earlier, something strange happened.


    It was like, for just a moment, those symbols in his muscle and bone formed a loop around his body causing a strange energy circulated through it. This strange energy didn''t last long, but some of it left his fist when he punched out.


    ''My memories are a bit fuzzy...''


    He could remember the first half of when he got transported into that dream world, however, the second half was but a blur. It was like something engrained itself in his mind before muddling his memories up; inadvertently or not.


    It was like he instinctually knew how to perform the two fist arts; As if he engrained them in his head. He didn''t know why, but he also felt that he wouldn''t be able to further the technique without going back into that world, or he will forever remain at the stage he is now at.


    ''I wonder what would happen if I use the second fist art...''

 21 Light in Darkness...

    Staring into the dark abyss outside, Su Min heard numerous cries echo around the world with a raspy momentum; it was eery beyond belief. They seemed enraged at something; like somebody had insulted them!


    The voices shuddered unlike anything he had heard before, and they rammed right towards him! It seemed that because of him, the whole world had locked onto his base with the intent to kill!


    "Agh... This is annoying."


    Su Min''s eyes narrowed when he felt the overwhelming killing intent lock onto him and the inhabitants within the room; he didn''t realise that killing one of those sick beasts would rouse the whole colony!


    Yi Zan and the twins seemed to have the same vague premonition as beads of sweat dripped down their faces with an unbridled nature. They tried to say something, but the fear they felt seemed to surmount any sort of rational thinking they could muster.


    Sensing the enclosing beast stampede, Su Min guessed that he had around a minute of time to waste before the base would get surrounded!


    His expressionless face remained unchanged as he muttered under his breath with a vague battle intent that reached to the stars.


    "Well, let''s see how far I can go..."


    Yi Zan seemed to hear him as her bloodshot eyes went wide, yet before she could speak him out of it Su Min turned around and stepped into the foreboding darkness outside.


    "Ah..."


    ...


    ...


    *Thud*


    "I wonder how the old man at the shop is doing..."


    A slow, desolate string of footsteps crackled on darkened dirt; echoing and echoing with a listlessness of a man who''s facing death. His fists crackled with an intense vitality that thrummed and hummed with a weird, noble aura.


    His biceps and his widened shoulders seemed to pierce through the darkness with an inhuman stature that jostled an inexhaustible potential. In addition to this, those legs of his thrashed onto the ground with every breath, holding a momentum that seemed unstoppable.


    Eyes that were as placid as a lake shone in such a darkness; containing a will tempered by the flames of anguish.


    *Thud*


    *Thud...*


    *Thu-*


    "Ah. They''re finally here..."


    Those placid eyes of his seemed to brighten as they locked onto something far, far into the distance. There, a cloud of blackness penetrated the already pitch black darkness; shooting right at him.


    A foul odour of resentment and death wafted out from this cloud; sweeping an uncanny stream of murkiness that would make one gag with disgust.


    Streams of dust billowed around his two legs; cleaving with circular shockwaves that, as silent, as his eyes were placid, swept through the dirt for a few meters.


    His legs began to wriggle with an intense strength; kneeling down a bit as tufts of dust fluttered and waved in the wind around him.


    Those two tightened fists of his sprung next to both sides of his ribs as his body pivoted towards the piercing cloud with a swift motion that ripped the earth off the ground; tearing it into the dark air above him.


    His feet clenched and burrowed right into the dirt, generating numerous popping crackles that split through the ground with an unruly drive. Those two eyes glistened with a beast-like urge as numerous screeching sounds roared around him.


    He was surrounded.


    ...


    "Fucking hell! These things never fucking end!! FUCK!!"


    A crazed roar that chilled the darkened night sprout out from a thin man drenched in black blood. An odour that could induce mass vomiting spewed out of the black blood without restraint, but the man didn''t seem to care as he ran with a maddened gait.


    "I''m sorry that I killed on~uh~some of you!!"


    The man held a dagger in his left hand which would occasionally sweep in the air; causing an anguished screech to bellow out. He couldn''t actually see what he was killing, but he had acute senses that had somehow allowed him to survive.


    Minutes passed without stop as he ran for an unknown distance, but the cloud of black behind him didn''t seem to care as it continued to chase right after him.


    The man''s face was pale and his breath was coarse, but he continued with the same madness as before. His eyes surveyed the bleak darkness in the hope to find something, anything!


    "Ah! Someones over there!"


    His eyes shuddered as he saw an immense black cloud that surpasses the one behind him frothing with rage toward someone. He licked his lips as he thrashed his feet onto the ground and shot towards the massive culmination.


    "Hahaha!"


    A velocity that made him appear like a blur piercing forward, carrying a surreal silence that made it seem like he wasn''t even running. Wisps of a chilled light strung around him that swept with a frigid nature; covering the dirt below him in a layer of frost.


    It didn''t take long for him to reach whoever attracted such a large swarm, but when his eyes surveyed the surroundings, they quivered with an intense shock.


    "W-wha-?"


    A barren wasteland stretched around him as for as far as he could see in the darkness. Scattered corpses twitched and visible craters trounced on the ground in numerous positions as a near ocean of dirty black blood spewed.


    He couldn''t hear it then, but a faint rumble shook the ground every now and then. The corpses on the ground vibrated under this rumble; flopping up and down in the air with muffled squeals.


    The man had no time to think as he felt the cloud behind him catch up, so he clenched his teeth and dashed towards the rumble!


    *Squelch*


    His feet sludged through the undulation of rotting corpses that drenched themselves in their own tissue; howling with dismal wails that shot his face with the paleness of anxiety.


    "Who the fuck can cause this?!"


    His face grew more agitated as he ran through the seemingly endless array of corpses that scattered around him; where it seemed that no matter how far he ran he wouldn''t be able to leave this hellish place.


    *Bang* *CRASH*


    Minutes went by as that rumble in the distance mutated into a muffled bang to a deafening crash, and before he knew it, he was only a few meters away.


    The darkness surrounding him seemed to be shivering, shivering with a fear that is being thrashed right into it. It shook and churned around him; almost dissipating even.


    The man gulped as he hesitated for a second, however, he wasn''t given a choice as the beasts chasing him closed in.


    "Gah- dammit!!"


    He clenched his teeth till they seemed to shake, then with a shaky step, leapt into whatever was beyond the darkness.


    *Poof*


    *BANG* *BANG*


    Just as he stepped in, his vision blurred as sudden daylight struck his eyes; causing his pupils to constrict. He had to rub his eyes to make out the environment, where he saw something he would never forget...


    "GUH!"


    A lone youth, standing among a blood-drenched wasteland, staggered among corpses stacked so high that they lifted him to the sky. His gaze seemed to bring a dense bloodied intent that pummeled the darkness away from his body.


    A string of dense blood red wisps fluttered around his body, emitting a dense killing aura that seemed to be more beastlike then human.


    His body was draped in a black jacket, where a book sat in its pocket. Strangely, though, he was spotless in this blood-drenched environment.


    "HAHAHAHA!"


    His expression was that of utter madness as a continuous stream of wails screeched around him, where groups of black blobs darted towards him in an endless stream.


    *THUD*


    His fists swung into the air with clumsy strokes that seemed to contain no power, yet as those black blobs entered his range, those two weak fists blurred and thrashed each and every one of the blobs right into the ground.


    Squeals cried with agony as beast after beast got thrashed onto the terrain that was made of their flesh and blood; piling them up more and more. Some of them wept on the ground with faint groans as his feet crushed everything beneath him into bloodied pancakes; spurting with cracked organs.


    Of course, he couldn''t stop them all as one of those black blobs was able to dodge his fist and stuck to his body; trying to bite his limbs off.


    However, it seemed that his skin was tough to the point of being inhuman as those grotesque teeth appeared to strike at metal. The youth''s eyes churned a fierce light as he grabbed the black creature, and with nothing but his grip, squashed it in his grasp.


    *SQUELCH*


    "GAHHHHHH!"


    A shrill scream escaped from the beast as a burst of black blood splattered onto the youth''s body, where a dense killing intent lay. His jacket seemed to seeth with a strange vibration as all the blood on him seeped into it; leaving the world forever.


    The endless streams of beasts didn''t seem to faze the youth at all as he continued to swing those rock hard fists at anything living. Streams and streams of withering lifeforce swivelled around like a whirlpool from hell; shuddering into his chest at a constant rate.


    The darkness around him had already got pushed back by such a dense killing aura, creating a staggered 10-meter radius area of light that only grew wherever he moved.


    The man''s body shook as an even denser killing aura shrouded the entire aura with a crimson; it was as if it had emerged from the purgatory of shrouded despair.


    "Monster..."

 22 For me!

    ''Another...''


    Standing above the unending corpse trail, Su Min breathed deeply once again. The unending night that enveloped him seemed to be torturous.


    Thrash after thrash struck creature after creature as Su Min''s mind went into a dazed tranquilness; like a machine.


    ''Huh?''


    A flutter sprung into his vision as a boney man appeared ten meters away from him. A dense pack of blackness seemed to be piercing toward him; far away.


    Su Min''s mind seemed to boom as a familiar scent faintly sprung out from this man, where he unconsciously muttered.


    "Yu Yan?"


    Time seemed to slew as all beings in his view paused, where he saw a faint sliver of something that strung around that man. It fluttered without much thought, but Su Min''s eyes went wide as his gripped fists drooped to their sides.


    His vision strung out and right towards that man as a low growl shuddered outwards; catching the mans attention.


    "You..."


    A desolate pitch shrouded Su Min''s voice as he stared at the dumbfounded man who looked back at him. His eyes were bleaker than a dying star and his mind was more blank than a painted wall.


    Without even a thought, Su Min''s feet struck the sludged ground as he moved through the numerous beasts flying at him; eloquent and casual.


    The steps of uncertainty and unbridled excitement echoed like a lonely elder who stared at his wife''s grave, yet it was even graver than that.


    *STEP*


    Flutters of chilled wind strung around the man as his eyes quivered at Su Min, yet Su Min just continued to walk... Walk till he was right in front of the man.


    "S-stop.!!"


    Su Min''s eyes remained still like the placid sky, and with as much thought as emptiness, he grabbed at that faint, familiar feeling around the man. The feeling seemed dark; like it came from a dead person.


    Su Min''s heart sank as a stark conclusion came to him, but he didn''t want to believe it!


    *SLASH*


    A crazed slash interrupted Su Min as a dagger swiped right through his arms, spraying a dark blood onto the ground which wriggled with an inhuman vitality.


    Su Min''s eyes fluttered under the night as a brutal kick thrashed into his stomach with an inexplicable coldness; throwing him a couple meters back.


    *GUH*


    A layer of frost covered Su Min''s jacket as he coughed out, where a splatter of blood threw itself out of his mouth. The sky seemed to darken as a desolate image of a man bleeding profusely shone in the rare daylight.


    His eyes looked down, finding a constant stream of blood escaping him; splattering on the floor like syrup. No panic shone in his eyes, though, it was just nothing.


    An absolute nothingness.


    Without warning, a swift spring of wind fluttered on Su Min''s jacket as a crazed boney man appeared right before him; bringing a dagger right toward his neck.


    "Death..."


    Su Min''s eyes watched as the dagger got closer and closer; like he was watching his own execution. Closer. Closer. Just a needles thread more and he''s dead.


    Death is but that distance apart, its a needle threads distance. So small, yet so large...His pupils constricted as that dagger penetrated the tip of skin, and he continued to watch.


    However, an emotion brewed in those blank eyes of his. A rare motion.


    He was unwilling! Unwilling to accept death, even if what he lives for is gone!


    "Why should I die?"


    His eyes burned for the first time in his life as a motivation that strived for himself sundered into his mind and soul. His heart thrashed a rapid thrum as all the remaining blood in his body leapt into his legs and rammed the ground!


    "Even if she''s gone! I won''t die!!"


    That blade by his neck swiped at nothing but air as a boom ruptured the sky, revealing a bloodied youth a few meters away.


    His eyes contained a newfound clarity where he brought his fists to his ribs and breathed deeply. The constant trail of splattering blood dripped from his slit arms, reflecting a crimson as deep as ancient times.


    "Fist. Second Form!"


    His pupils shone an inexplicable colour as a low rumble shattered the air around him like smashed glass. A tuft of golden light sprung into the air as his fists started to glow!


    It was a magnificent glow that seemed to fill the air with a might that vaporised all darkness; resembling that of a small sun in the night sky.


    Su Min''s, with eyes glowing gold, clenched his right fist as hard as he could and threw it to the sky!


    One fist above him, one fist by his chest, the youth with a light as inexplicable as the sky breathed one last time and roared with a primal might!


    "Golden Eclypse!"


    An unearthly light shrouded his entire body in a golden glow as a faint stream of majestic gold gathered atop the fist pointing at the sky, causing a rumble to echo in the darkened clouds.


    For the first time in what seemed like forever, a blitzing daylight pierced right through the murky night and onto Su Min; bathing him in a holy light!


    The whole world seemed to rever this light like he was some sort of angelic prince, trembling with an excitement that hymned around Su Min''s glowing body.


    For hundreds of meters, a light sprung into view, dazzling anyone in it. The beasts shuddered and cried with pain as their bodies smoked with an intense heat.


    Su Min''s fists popped as he twisted his body in an arc and struck it out!


    *PSSSST*


    A blinding light enveloped the area around Su Min as a muffled scream rang out within it. It seemed to burn with the very essence of power, yet it was but a flickering spark as it faded out of existence as quickly as it appeared...


    *Huff* *Huff*


    A charred ground that fluttered with dust emerged under this light as a shocking 10-meter radius crater of bleakness shone in the encompassing pile of corpses.


    It was like someone just scooped up all the corpses around Su Min and vaporised them on the spot, leaving a strange indented and spotless space in the mountain of corpses.


    Before Su Min, a man kneeled with listless eyes. His skin was charred to an excruciating point and his hair was non-existent; sprawling on the ground around him.


    Su Min body heaved with an immense fatigue as the wounds on his arms continued to bleed without pause, wetting the dried ground beneath him. He looked at the clear sky above him then at the weakened darkness that was forced hundreds of meters out.


    The listless man shuddered as Su Min''s hand grabbed his neck, dragging him somewhere.


    "Let''s find your base..."


    ...


    ...


    "W-what the fuck?!"


    A group of people stared with incredulous expressions as they saw the bright sky; devoid of darkness. One of them rubbed their eyes, spotting two figures in the distance.


    "Someones over there!"


    The group of five all huddled around the boy as they peeked out of their bases door.


    *Step* *Step*


    A constant sound rang in the distance as a bleeding youth entered view, dragging what seemed like a corpse. A strange air was around the youth that was noble, yet not quite...


    "W-wait... The person behind him looks familiar..."


    A person within the group spoke with an uncertain tone, making everyone try to make out the figures even more.


    The steady pace of the youth and the corpse seemed to rouse the attention of many as he left a trail of crimson blood; following him like the plague.


    A blazing symbol entered Su Min''s view as he saw what he looking for.


    "A2, huh?"


    The man getting dragged behind him seemed to shiver when the youth spoke; like he was terrified even when he''s half a step in death.


    "T-that''s Li Huang!!"


    An incredulous shout burst from one of the bases as Su Min continued to drag the corpse; not stopping in the slightest. More and more people seemed to realise who the half-dead person was, causing an intense fear to spring towards that unknown youth.


    Su Min''s eyes shone as he stood before a base that is, for the most part, a place you should avoid at all costs.However, right now the base seemed to be deathly still as no one came out to greet Su Min.


    Su Min seemed to emit a deep melancholy as he looked at the base, where he eventually found a small box right to the side of it. His eyes trembled and his heart wavered as he looked at it, where a foreboding instinct installed itself on him.


    "Don''t tell me..."

 23 To be Condemned.

    A world of thoughts passed through Su Min''s head as he stared at the metal box; expelling an aura that felt as familiar as the daylight in the sky.


    A faint crack was on the scrunched door; where bite marks pierced the thin metal. His hearing perked as a whimper fluttered into his ears, piercing his mind and body.


    "Who is that..."


    His hands trembled as his grip on the half-dead man''s arm tightened, where a simple snap struck the air.


    A dense killing intent fluttered around him as his black jacket hymned with a soul-chilling aura that seemed to freeze the air. The people closest to him shivered on instinct as a faint stench of blood permeated for tens of meters.


    "Why do I feel her, yet she''s not there..."


    His eyes seemed to crackle as that unfamiliar whimper continued in an unending fashion. He daren''t believe it, but there was only one person alive in there.


    *Step*


    Dragging the corpse without a care, Su Min leapt through the air and, in a literal blur, flashed to the metal box. A spring of wind swept around him as the dust atop the dirt meters around him got driven outwards.


    His hand, smothered in his own blood, clutched the door''s handle and hurled it open with a strength that neared a boundary beyond mortality.


    *Snap*


    The metal seemed to become brittle as it snapped in half with a tragic burst, where a dust spewed out from inside. Su Min''s eyes quivered as he felt a sudden urge to cough, but due to his bodies immense vitality it didn''t affect him too much.


    "Dust?"


    He muttered as the darkened room got revitalised with refreshing daylight, yet it was anything but that as Su Min''s eyes seemed to crack.


    "He~lp"


    A muffled cry resounded; like it beneath something. Su Min''s gaze shifted to the corner of the room, where a blackness that was unnatural in the light stood.


    A beast, sprawled with teeth so sharp that it could perforate metal, enveloped something as the occasional crackling snaps and pops rang in the room; like bones were being grounded.


    Droplets of blood fluttered around the black beast a the faint sight of a leg could be still seen, flailing under it. It was pale. Pale as death. It was such a paleness that struck Su Min to the core.


    Without any warning, Su Min''s body frothed as an intent he hasn''t used for a long time spewed out without remorse. It seemed to clatter with a soul-piercing shriek as it, like a pike, jammed itself right into the beasts incomplete soul.


    *GAAAAAAAAAAH*


    A scream that didn''t seem to be from this earth roared forth as that beast shuddered before throwing itself towards Su Min; dashing forth in despair.


    It slammed its body on the metal crevices with a maddened glare that seemed to want nothing more than death, but that pike in its soul didn''t care as it forced its consciousness to feel a torture that surpassed the limits of any maddened thought.


    It was like you were forced to sink into a pool of lava, and no matter what death won''t let you escape; unendingly drowning you there. With no escape, what could you do?


    A shrill screech continued to blast out from the beast as Su Min''s fist threw itself over it, pummelling it to the floor and splattering whatever remained of it into mush.


    Though, Su Min didn''t even care as droplets of crystalline tears scraped down his face with screeches; Pitter-pattering on the cold, metal floor...


    "Hah... Fuck..."


    An image that engraved itself right into his nightmares shone in his eyes as half a body strewn itself onto the floor. Its guts spewed with a gunked blood; covering the floor in its chunks.


    A visible hand seemed to scrape at the floor as indented scratched marks floundered on the metal like anguished calls for help. Echoing, echoing for it to stop...


    Behind the corpse sat a huddled girl, rocking back and forth, eyes as insensate as a carcass. She stared into space, where a burst of blood showered her already drenched clothes. She didn''t seem old, about 9 to 10, and Su Min saw that. He didn''t want to guess, but he couldn''t help but mutter.


    "Yu Yan protected... Her..?"


    A sadness that billowed to the depths of listlessness spewed out from him without care. It was like the world had collapsed in his view whilst crazed thoughts shuddered through his mind without pause.


    ''Why?''


    ''Why??''


    His fists crackled and his body seethed with an unwillingness; staring right into the sky. Eyes that could cause anyone to shudder thrashed right through the wall and into the ethereal, bright sky.


    "Why does the world condemn me?!"


    A shuddering cry raged out of his mouth, roaring outwards and enveloping the entire forest under a single sentence. Everyone heard this, and every single one of them quaked; quaked with an anguish.


    His soulless eyes continued to stare at the sky, where the world in Su Min''s eyes seemed to lose colour, where meaning dissolved with but a breath. He seemed to wait, wait for a response.


    Yet none came...


    "Hah... HAH!"


    His eyes trembled with madness as a dispelled and dying laughter echoed into the sky; fluttering like an anguished cry. His everything blazed, blazed with even more unwillingness!


    "So what?!"


    A low muffled howl erupted out of his voice, flying high into the sky. It was quiet, yet it seemed to be clear to the point of being unreal. It carried an intense, unwavering growl. A growl that defied the world.


    The world seemed to churn as a faint growl replied back, shrouding the sky in an aura that made one''s hearts shake with a deep, primal dread.


    However, it seemed to leave just as it appeared; snorting at the ant that dared defy it. In return, Su Min''s body was drenched in sweat as he body slumped over, but he stood straight. Straight and continued to look right up!


    ...


    ...


    "Hm..?!"


    A table, simple and coarse, glimmered under a flickering flame. Three people sat opposite each other in pondering gazes, as if they watching something far away.


    Each of them was in dazzling robes that illuminated the dark room. One had the colour red, another blue and the last white. The primordial robes each carried a unique majesty, like fluttering starlight.


    A gasp could be heard from the white-robed elder as his face shone with clear shock, and just as this happened a low growl shrouded the entire world; directed toward an ant.


    The white-robed man quivered even more intensely as he, with a hurried gait, stared right at the sky; speaking.


    "Heaven''s Will? How can he arouse the Heaven''s Will?!"


    His hands grabbed the table as he stood up with a nervous gaze towards the sky. The other elders, albeit with a delayed reaction, did so as well.


    However, it seemed that no action was needed as the growl in the sky dissipated like an illusion. The elders all wore serious expressions as, without warning, they disappeared in thin air.


    A mumble echoed in the air, shining with uncertainty.


    "This era may be a strange one..."


    ...


    ...


    "What''s your name?"


    A tired looking youth said with a kindness that didn''t seem to match his appearance; drenched in perspiration. A cute girl laid in front of him as she continued to stare into space, like a lifeless doll.


    They stood outside a metal box, where it was firmly shut.


    "...Mine''s Su Min anyway..."


    Su Min''s smile was sad, but he kept it on as he tried to communicate with a girl who went through something that would break anybody. However, she seemed to quiver as she heard his name; like she had heard it from somewhere.


    Su Min''s face trembled, but the girl didn''t seem to reply as she once again stared into space. Su Min''s eyes grew even sadder, but he didn''t give up and swished his hand out to her; giving a motion to hold hands.


    A visible scab scraped past both his arms in a diagonal strike; wriggling ever so slightly. He seemed to hold an indiscernible maturity, one who''s seen through many lifetimes.


    *Clasp*


    The girl, who wouldn''t respond to the world, trembled as she looked at the hand. With a sudden movement, her eyes moistened a bit as she grabbed him so tight that it made her arm shake.


    Su Min''s mind blanked as that disturbing scene flushed again, but he thrashed it back down without mercy. His expression reflected this, but it was too subtle to notice.


    He looked at the girl with the same smile; taking a slow walk forwards. She was still covered in blood, so he needed to find somewhere to get rid of it.


    "Now... Let''s find a safe place for a while. Shall we?

 24 A Genius. A Freak.

    Holding hands, Su Min trodded out from sector A2''s base with a girl. Her eyes were bleak, and so were his...


    "T-the madman!"


    It was unknown who started, but numerous gasps reverberated as Su Min smiled with a child soaked in blood. A faint whimper echoed behind Su Min as a fried man dragged himself across the floor; going towards the entrance with struggling eyes.


    "He''s the reason for this?!"


    Everyone saw the dazzling light from before, and it was apparent that it was what caused Li Huang to become so ghastly.


    "He''s a C-cultivator?!"


    Nobody could believe that this youth was a mortal, as who on earth could use a technique that sundered the darkness to shreds? Who could snap a reinforced door with but his hands? Who?


    Su Min continued to walk as he passed by every single base which gazed at him with dread.


    "If you want to, I can pick you up and show you something cool..?"


    Su Min whispered at the listless girl who clung onto him, smiling. She paused with a sudden stop, making Su Min halt as well. Su Min didn''t say anything as the girl''s eyes became watery, and with a subtleness that would be hard to notice, she nodded.


    "Haha, Alright!"


    Su Min laughed with a hearty roar as he bent down and brought his arms under to girls legs; playfully grinning. It would be a strange sight for anyone who knew him, where they would hardly believe that such a detached youth could laugh.


    *WOOSH*


    A sudden force threw her in the air as the girl''s eyes fluttered and her visions blurred. A blinding blue sky surrounded her as she saw a beautiful plain that stretched without end.


    It made her eyes quiver and her heart tremble; She had never seen something so pretty...


    She seemed to hover in the air for a split second as the whole world paused in her perception, where the chirps of the birds sung and the roaring winds wooshed past her face.


    "H~eh!"


    A cheery smile lit up on her face as she laughed high in the sky; giggling as a kid would.


    *WooooOOOOSH*


    The world started to blur again, yet before she even fell halfway down a blurred figure shot right past her; grabbing hold of her.


    "Hahaha!"


    Su Min laughed as he, too, started to fall to the ground with her. Adrenalin rushed into his system as the ground encompassed him without mercy. The girl flailed her arms as she also felt the intense wind race onto her, and with an innocent laugh, she screamed.


    "aaaaAAHHHH!"


    *RUMBLE*


    Su Min''s legs clenched with an inhuman intensity as he landed onto the ground, where his knees bent and bent; transforming the sudden force into nothing but a light thump.


    The ground around him shook with a minute vibration as a tuft of dust spewed out; throwing itself outwards.


    "You see, how wasn''t that cool?"


    Su Min''s grinned with pride, flexing his abnormal calves on his legs. They seemed sharp to a strange degree... But also noble, noble to the world.


    The girl giggled, where she ran up to him and hugged his intimidating figure. It was like a rabbit relaxing with a tiger, something you wouldn''t expect.


    Su Min smiled as he patted her head. His eyes momentarily looked into the sky, where a blazing intent shone; defying the world.


    "Now, we need to get you washed."


    The girl seemed to nod as she looked at him.


    "Haha, you want me to pick you up?"


    Nudging, Su Min picked up the girl and zoomed ahead with a speed that spewed a light wind; producing a trail of dust that scattered into the horizon.


    ...


    ...


    "Quick, quick!"


    A rushed voice rang out as two young looking people flew through the air with an immense speed. Sonic booms thundered through the air as two mountain peeks pierced into their view, where they breathed deep breaths and flew even faster.


    A luscious paradise spread out without an end around them as ancient caves and spacious but modest wooden houses smoked in their chimneys. It was like a completely different world, where technology didn''t even exist.


    They wore white robes as they flew to the middle area of the left peek. An all-encompassing white palace struck the mountain as it issued a majesty similar to that of a legendary being.


    "Elder Long, we hope that you can spare some time for us!"


    They spoke with respect as their countenance changed to that of an honoured scholar. However, only a light breeze blew past them as no reply was heard.


    The two frowned, where they spoke to each other in a strange communication that ignored physical travel.


    "Has the elder already heard..? Or?"


    "He can''t have... That only means that something with great importance is going on. Otherwise, he would be here."


    "But what could there be? The only thing that''s happening right now is that stupid Mortal Tournament, but that shouldn''t get his attention!"


    "Well there''s no point moaning here, so we might as well just hand it to the office..."


    "Mhm."


    ...


    ...


    "Why is there such a cute girl with you?!"


    A glowing woman spoke with reverence as she looked at the girl that clung onto a fearsome leg. Su Min became blank as he looked at Yi Zan who was bleeding from her nose.


    The girl''s listless eyes shook as her eyes became watery, causing Su Min to frown.


    "Do we have a bath?"


    His voice was gloomy as he spoke, brooding with sadness. Yi Zan seemed to notice this, where she in turn saw the subtle flakes of dried blood on the girl. She also saw the abnormal deadness in the girl''s eyes; as if she had been through a trauma beyond imagination.


    "Ah..."


    Her expression went pale as she gasped, but Su Min''s expression became more unsightly as he gave her a look. She clenched her teeth and nodded, speaking.


    "It''s upstairs to the second right."


    "Mhm."


    Su Min nodded as he moved upstairs with the girl. It was unknown when, but the sword youth sitting down behind Yi Zan started sweating without stop. His gaze seemed to linger on Su Min''s body, where he felt a faint aura shroud Su Min.


    It was an aura paved in blood, and like a beast in slumber, will only awaken when needed. It was like an unsheathed sword; brewing with a danger that only those with acute senses could sense.


    The sword youth shivered at the thought of when such an aura would show itself; drowning the world crimson.


    "How did he get such a killing intent..."


    ...


    ...


    *BOOOOOM* *CRACKLE*


    The world screeched and rumbled with an intensity that seemed to make it collapse a little, and without delay, a vortex sprawled itself into space; hovering above the world.


    It was pitch black. In fact, it was so black that describing its colour as black is an understatement. It carried a blackness that could darken the mind, darken the sky.


    "Hahaha! What a fine lot we have here!"


    An arrogant voice sundered the clouds and billowed on the earth as it ruptured itself into everyone''s'' ears without a care. Revealing themselves, three figures appeared in the sky with fluttering robes.


    Their literal existence distorted the very essence of the world as three, incomprehensible aura enveloped the sky in white, red and blue.


    Strange cracks appeared in the space as the untimely cries of space itself echoed. Everyone gulped, and carrying on, the red-robed man continued.


    "For the tournament has ended!"

 25 Sloped Lands

    "For the tournament has ended!"


    "..."


    "Huh?"


    "Don''t tell me.."


    Everyone trembled as they all turned their heads and looked at the leaderboard in the sky. There, a table that shook everyone''s hearts shone.


    ''1ST: Sector D256300 POINTS


    2ND: Sector A214600 POINTS


    3RD: Sector A15300 POINTS


    4TH: Sector A34900 POINTS


    5TH: Sector B12600 POINTS


    .... ''


    "How..?!"


    "How many did that monster kill to achieve such a score?!"


    ...


    "You done?"


    Su Min, leaning against a metal wall, spoke aloud at the closed door next to him. His eyes seemed to carry a troubling weight as the everpresent haziness clouded his pupils: swishing with a faint grief that couldn''t be relieved.


    "Mhm."


    "Hm... I think we need to go soon..."


    Su Min titled his head up to the sky as he felt an intense dread fill his chest; strutting around his body and filling him with a shivering sensation. An ancient light seemed to dwindle in his eyes as he looked right at the three existences; It was like a sixth sense, where no matter how hard someone hides, he will know they are there.


    ''To make me feel such dread...''


    It was an unbeatable presence, where no matter how hard he tries it is but a futile effort. It is the worst type of dread; a dread with no escape.


    *Creeeak*


    The door beside him opened with a soft touch as a girl walked out in a simple t-shirt and skirt. Her blue eyes were lifeless, like a corpse; although she still carried an adorable disposition with her silky, black hair.


    "Lets g-"


    *CRASH*


    A sudden crash resounded as the door, not too far away, slammed open without care. An arrogant figure emerged, pressuring outwards with a disciplined frame, making the girl next to Su Min jump back.


    "Hmph!"


    Staring at Su Min, Qiu Jin snorted before walking off into the hallway, presumably downstairs. Su Min just sighed before saying to the girl who had somehow ended up all way to the back of the hallway.


    "He isn''t dangerous, so don''t be scared. Even if he was it wouldn''t matter, considering I am pretty strong myself, remember?"


    The girl seemed to pause as she nodded, where she stumbled towards Su Min with a fragile plodder. Just as Su Min was about to leave as well; the ground shuddered as it sprang into a trembling motion that shook the world. It was at a rate that made the girl nearly lose her balance, throwing her onto the wall in the hallway.


    Following this, the same arrogant voice thundered through the ears of everyone, roaring with an intense vigour.


    "Haha! Of course, since it ended, we might as well send you off! Although, you could consider this a test too... Hehe!"


    Grabbing the panicking girl, Su Min frowned as he felt himself become weightless. A faint whooshing sound rang outside as the building he was in had somehow flown into the air, shining in the sky like a metallic meteor.


    He looked around and found nothing useful, so, lamenting, he sat down. However, he just ended up floating in midair; bobbing up and down. He looked at the terrified girl hugging him, rubbing his head in confusion on what to do.


    "Uh..."


    ...


    ...


    *THUD*


    A sudden, intense thud smacked at a grassland. There were numerous hills in the distance, sloping with subtle to steep curves. Small huts were scattered around these planes, where the occasional figure ran out holding an axe.


    *THUD* *THUD THUD THUD*


    Dilapidated metal bases hit the earth at a quickening pace that resembled artillery fire. It was like a shower of boulders falling from the sky, yet the ground beneath these boulders didn''t fragment nor shatter; instead, it stood still like it had the toughness of iron.


    *WOOSH* *WOOSH WOOSH WOOSH WOOSH*


    "W-WHA..?!"


    Each base that landed only had to wait a few seconds until a strange force shrouded it with a welcoming embrace, flinging the inhabitants out of their shelters like kites in the wind.


    "AHHH!"


    "I-I''m going to p~puke..!"


    Piles of people got shoved face first into the grassy dirt; either puking or screaming with muddled minds.


    *THUD*


    Within this atmosphere that was slowly turning horrific, a common thud rang out as it slammed into the solid ground. The door wooshed open as always, where the same strange force shrouded it like the devil.


    *WOOSH*


    "..."


    "Where''s my sword?!"


    "Hm~ph... Guh."


    An unconscious girl, a panicked robed youth and a pale arrogant figure all flew out in succession,flying face first into the rock-hard dirt; however, Su Min never appeared...


    *BOOM* *WOOOSH*


    Instead, an immediate, rupturing boom smacked the air inside the base as a blurred figure got thrown out of it. Flying at a terrifying velocity, the figure darted towards a sloped hill that protruded out of the ground for a few metres.


    It only took a second for the blur to travel 50 meters as a solidified wind flourished around it, nearly materialising into a cone. A fierce shockwave spread out due to this; causing the grass to ripple outwards.


    *BANG*


    A bang that resounded like a bomb exploded out from the hill as an even more intense shockwave clawed at the air and forced some people to step back. Trying to open their eyes, the few who had recovered gaped at the scene.


    "All I wanted to do was walk out slowly..."


    An annoyed sigh spread out from the hill that had somehow remained unscathed, where a youth plopped down a listless girl onto the floor. She seemed fine, though.


    "Mhm... What a nice view."


    Su Min''s expression changed as he saw the glimmering daylight shine rays onto the thatch houses in the distance, where chimney smoke billowed. He could see a forest even further back, where figures walked up and down, carrying massive logs of wood and heaving axes.


    Although, due to how far away they were, they seemed like ants to him.


    "Ah, someones coming."


    *RUMBLE*


    A now familiar rumble shook the plains once again, although the world seemed to stand its ground as it remained unchanged. The only thing that trembled was the air; although it was like comparing the heavens and the earth with how the tournament forest shook down to its roots from before.


    "Nice view, eh? Well, this is your new home anyway, outer disciples!"


    A single figure appeared within the ruptured slit above their heads, wearing red robes. However, for some reason the aura he emitted didn''t change the sky nor did it pressure everyone''s souls; instead, the red robed man seemed more like a scholar than a cultivator. Ignoring the fact that he was flying, of course.


    For the first time, people could look up to him and see his features. His skin was like precious jade whilst his red hair blazed in the subtle winds that blew around him, roaring with a thunderous heat that distorted space itself.


    However, people found it strange that whenever they tried to recall what he looked like, all they got was blankness. As everyone was trying to remember his features, the man roared once again, although a lot quieter compared to before.


    "This is the outer world of our sec- ah! I forgot to tell you, but we are known as a sect in the cultivation world, not a dojo. Anyways, now that you are in a world made for immortals; don''t expect to be able to break it easily. Hehe."


    He seemed to be looking at Su Min as he said that, which aroused some people with keen eyes. In return, Su Min only felt confusion.


    ''When did I break the tournament world?''


    The girl beside Su Min quivered as she saw the man who floated in the air with an otherworldly air. Su Min patted her head in reassurance, waiting for what he had to say next.


    "Now, please wait for a second!"


    *CLAP*


    The red-robed man looked at the huts in the distance, clapping twice. The claps resounded through space as they seemed to travel across the world almost instantly. Just afterwards, a wooshing sound rang as a man carrying an axe flew over with a speed that neared half the speed of sound.


    A rupturing smack resounded as he halted in front of the red-robed man, clasping his hands in respect. His body seemed to be inhumanly large as his muscles bulged to the point of being ridiculous. He carried an intense pressure that, although passive, forced some onto their knees. It was a physical pressure that, due to his fleshly strength transcending the mortal limit, made his body exude a supernatural sense of power that materialised.


    "I''m guessing Elder Du Fang wants me to the do the same old with these new disciples?"


    He glanced at the dumbfounded disciples below as he smiled; like he was accepting a monthly delivery. The red robed man laughed before nodding with the same ''You know what to do'' look.


    "Hahaha! I guess I don''t need to explain myself, although..."


    He paused for a second as he looked at the man holding the axe. It was only brief, but everyone felt that something weird just happened; although they didn''t know what.


    "Well, now that you know what to do I''ll be seeing myself out!"


    The red-robed man coughed before stepping back into the slip in space, disappearing from the world.


    Su Min''s eyes shone with a strange light as he looked at the burly man remaining.


    ''Bodily strength huh?''

 26 Martial Condensation

    ''Bodily strength huh?''


    Su Min pondered as he looked at the man who seems to excel in strength; although he didn''t have much time to do so as the burly man turned to look at everyone.


    The light smile on his face was nowhere to be seen where a cold indifference overtook it. He seemed to hold an immense power as he glared at everyone, making people step back and even wet themselves.


    "Follow me, rookies!"


    He grinned at them as he spoke, and without caring about those who are still unconscious, he sped off into the distance. He still seemed like a blur, although his speed was substantially slower compared to before. It seemed that he was going towards a group of thatch houses a couple of kilometres away; numbering at fifty.


    Numerous disciples grumbled as they set off to run after him, leaving behind the people still face first in the mud.


    Su Min frowned as he looked at how Yi Zan was still unconscious, but it seemed that the sword youth noticed this as he picked her up with a smug face.


    "I''ll leave you alone, eh?"


    He hopped off as he started to walk towards the direction the burly man went into, seemingly laughing at himself. Su Min scratched his head as he went and shifted the girl by his side onto his shoulder, looking rather confused.


    "Why is he looking at me like that?"


    The girl who sat on his shoulder seemed to laugh as she waved her arms beside him like an aeroplane. Su Min knew that she becomes more of a child whenever he picks her up; although he has no idea why exactly.


    ''Kids are strange...''


    ...


    ...


    "How peaceful..."


    A gasp resounded as the sword youth looked at the numerous huts that were scattered around a couple sloped hills. He could now see the forest more clearly, where the normal looking trees now looked massive; although they were still at least ten kilometres away from himself.


    Similar compounds surrounded theirs as they smoked a woody scent; they were close enough to walk to in a few minutes, although some had larger thatch houses compared to theirs.


    The number of them was uncountable, like an endless stream of thatch compounds separated by the hills.


    Su Min, arriving with a casual walk, also paused as he saw the separated tranquil huts. He plopped the girl on his back onto the lush ground before looking into the air, waiting for the burly man. Although, his eyes seemed to contain a trace of uncertainty as he stood there. However, he didn''t get a chance to ponder as a cute call spoke next to him.


    "Min, Min! Is this where we''re going to stay?"


    A girl jumped up and down as she grabbed his black jacket, confusing Su Min greatly.


    ''Huh? She''s gotten so lively... Uh.''


    It wasn''t like Su Min thought that her recovering was bad, but he knew a lot more about trauma than most. And unless she''s a talent, nobody can just brush off such a thing...


    "Mhm. Probably, we just have to wait a bit to see! Look."


    Speaking in a calming voice, Su Min pointed at the sky as his eyes glowed an ancient flicker, seeing through the world and pinpointing an existence. He already knew someone was here, even if he didn''t want to; for the symbol on his chest wouldn''t care.


    "Hm?"


    A shocked voice rang out in the void as a man appeared out thin air, looking at Su Min with a strange expression. Su Min seemed to ignore him, though, as he rubbed the girls head.


    "Quite cool, eh?"


    "You can make people invisible?!"


    The girl gasped with a shocked gaze as she looked at him with a zealous light, skipping around with a laugh.The man''s expression became even stranger as he looked at the person, the person who had somehow seen through his technique.


    ''That''s Su Min? I guess what the elder said was correct...''


    More and more people arrived over time as the compound became packed with spent disciples.They looked more like zombies than humans as they staggered around with half-closed eyes, making Su Min stand out with his playful companion.


    "Be careful and don''t be fooled by that monster''s appearance..."


    "I don''t feel safe..."


    "Can you two shut up! I haven''t slept for two days, TWO DAYS!!"


    "SHHH!"


    The burly man just silently stood in the air as he waited for everyone to arrive, and without notice, he grinned.


    "Make sure to get a good nights sleep today. Hehehe!"


    Shivering, the whole crowd dulled into silence as they saw a diabolic light cast itself around that grin of his; like it was ready to ravage them all. However, as they all glanced at the man with shock; the man was nowhere to be seen.


    Su Min sighed as he went to walk up to a hut. The sword youth saw this, hesitating to follow him. Nobody obstructed Su Min''s path, though, and in no time at all Su Min found an inconspicuous hut.


    It contained only two rooms with mudded grounds. The entrance led to the largest room, although it was still pretty small, which contained a large table with a couple axes. Inside laid a narrow doorway which carried them to a smaller room with but two straw beds, not looking that comfortable...


    Looking at the bare living quarters, Su Min nodded before sitting down on one of the beds. The two beds were against the left and right walls, creating a tight space between the two where the doorway stood.


    The girl sat on the side with him as she swung her legs on the dusty floor, staring into space. Su Min sighed and picked her up, swinging her in the air until she got to the opposite bed.


    "He~he!"


    "Now, although I won''t let you do any work, you still need to sleep. Right? Mhm?"


    ...


    ...


    Looking at the pitch black sky, Su Min stared at the fluttering stars that twinkled starlight onto the lush grass. In fact, he wasn''t inside the bedroom but standing in the main room, peering out of the doorway.


    He wasn''t tired at all.


    "Why does he seem so similar to that man~hm?"


    Su Min mumbled as his eyes caught a dusted book by the side of the room. It seemed completely inconspicuous, but Su Min felt curious so he went and picked it up.


    It was pretty thin, but its material didn''t seem of this world, carrying the weight of a chair.


    ''Martial Condensation: Limitless.''


    "Huh."


    Su Min''s interest peaked as he looked at the familiar word that went deep in his blood. The word ''Martial''.


    Opening up the book, Su Min was greeted with a peculiar drawing of a man sitting down. His hands were slouched and a complete cycle was drawn in his body. It started from the bottom of his belly button, flowing up the right side of his body until it ended up to his head. Resembling a roller-coaster summit, it curved before falling back down to the opposite side; ending back at where it started.


    It formed a shape similar to an elongated circle, whirling and circling with a strange rule that seemed to be just right...


    "Martial Energy?"


    Su Min''s brows quivered as he spotted a passage below the drawing, striking his heart before he even read it.


    ''Cultivate to the martial condensation stage, reach beyond mortality and step onto the path of immortality. For Martial Energy is the key to shattering the sky and breaking everything in your path!


    Disciple, I, Master Limitless, hereby welcome you into the world of cultivation!''


    Su Min couldn''t explain it, but the text seemed to thrum into his head and billow his mind into a cold sweat. He thought that he was facing a God when reading the passage, where each word resounded with an intense vigour.


    It took a while for Su Min to collect his thoughts as he found himself drenched in perspiration, but within this came a distant memory, echoing into his soul.


    It similar to when he started on this journey, but this time it sounded a lot graver. Like he was about to commit something horrific.


    ''Cultivate, and wretched torment will be the only thing that accompanies you. Hell, it will blast you till death, blast you with misfortune that never ends. Submit! Submit yourself and be weak! For it isn''t worth it... ''


    It was a voice that sounded just like him, but it was someone else completely. Yet...


    "Submit? Hah!"


    Su Min''s mind blasted as he laughed at the voice that bellowed at him.


    "After that shit-show, you''d expect me to submit? Submit to the world that will fuck me over till I live for no reason at all?!"


    That bloody memory surfaced in his mind as his expression turned pitiful. He had questions, questions that nobody could answer.


    "What is the reason for my existence? Why am I here? Why aren''t I normal?!"


    Those hazy eyes of his churned with a darkness as the sky shined in his view, illuminating him. However, as his mind darkened, a light ruffle sounded behind him as he heard the light breathing of a girl. She was asleep, but she seemed on the verge of waking up.


    She was having a nightmare.


    ''The girl... It isn''t just about me anymore.''


    Those skinking memories of his sprung up as he saw the corpse that protected her; he saw the agony it went through to shield her. He saw what SHE went through... Just to protect someone. What would happen if he became that corpse, what if he became Yu Yan, unable to fight back... At all.


    His depressed eyes quivered, where he clenched his fists till they started to bleed. Now that he has a responsibility, how can he just disregard it? He wouldn''t forgive himself, even in death.


    "I''m a monster! I don''t care what monster it is, but I''ll embrace it!"


    Although he said this, he said it with a hoarseness that felt wrong.It was like he was about to disregard anything that he lives for. But he couldn''t just abandon life and go back to how it was. He is on a tiger, and jumping off isn''t that simple...


    "I''ll cultivate!"


    Gritting his teeth, he proceeded to read.

 27 1st Step.

    Under the starry sky that shined an ethereal light; Su Min gripped the manual and wandered outside. He looked at the healthy grass that sprinkled the ground with dew from a fairyland; he saw the numerous huts surrounding him, captivating the night with a primal touch of simplicity.


    ''She needs to fight it... Strength can only be gained by yourself... Right?''


    A thought that some may consider being ruthless entered his mind. However, he isn''t being ruthless at all. His future is a muddy road; a road that may cause his end. So how could he let her rely on him all the time?


    Looking at his chest, Su Min realized that an immense amount of life force was currently swirling there. Though, he still couldn''t control it.


    ''Maybe I''ll be able to control it once I cultivate.''


    *Hahh...*


    Breathing a deep breath, Su Min sat on the grass and looked at the manual. Pausing, he moved in the same position as the diagram and closed his eyes. His breathing relaxed and his demeanour slouched; resembling a monk.


    ''Huh..?''


    Su Min felt strange as he tried to follow the technique that didn''t seem like a technique at all. All it told him to do was breath in a specific pattern and try to sense the world. Nothing more, nothing less.


    However, without even needing to try, Su Min started to feel a strange presence around him. It was an all-encompassing energy, tingling up his body with an etheral breeze. It was like the whole world was absolutely covered in it, and he had just realized its existence. It''s like air, but even more ever-present.


    However, as he looked closer, he felt two different energies! One was golden and fierce; one was black and simple. They floated around him, scraping past his back as he watched.


    ''Gold and black?''


    Su Min felt that the golden energy resonated with the symbol on his chest, thrumming with a hymn. Considering this, the black energy was completely different. It was simple and didn''t carry anything peculiar at all, and from this, Su Min guessed that it was Martial Energy!


    ''The manual didn''t say anything about what happens when you can sense two energies... Does it have something to do with the ancient race?"


    Su Min remembered the technique he has from the ancient race, but it said nothing about a unique energy. All it said was that you need to absorb the essence of the world.


    ''Maybe the race has its own energy? But then what is martial energy? Why is it martial condensation? Why can''t we cultivate a different form of energy?''


    Su Min felt confused as the two forms of energy swished around him, and no matter how hard he tried to think he couldn''t think of an answer. Of course, now he has a dilemma.


    ''What would happen if I absorbed the golden energy through the symbol?''


    Su Min got curious, so by his will, he directed one of the golden strands of energy towards the symbol on his chest. The energy didn''t fight back at all, making Su Min surprised.


    *SWISH*


    The symbol on his chest trembled as it sucked the strand with a great force. Su Min wanted to see whether he could cultivate the lifeforce technique with this energy, reinforcing his muscles.


    However, instead of this, a strange occurrence happened...


    ''Huh- The symbols!''


    Su Min gasped as he saw the numerous symbols that had engraved themselves all over his body light up, causing the strand of energy in his chest to dart towards the closest one.


    However, the symbol that touched the strand didn''t absorb it, instead, it propelled it forwards! The strand, without Su Min''s control, started to dart around his body. It began at his arm then, within seconds, it had zoomed to his right foot. Yet, it still wasn''t the end as the strand became faster and faster, darting to each and every symbol in Su Min''s body.


    ''Uh...''


    Su Min groaned as the strand became so fast that it was practically travelling across the whole of his body every second. Though it didn''t stop, instead, it was still getting faster!


    ''What is happening?!''


    The strand seemed to become a blur as it got the point that it seemed like his whole body contained the strand; like the strand was everywhere at the same time. His bones and his muscles contained the strand, although it was just an illusion due to how fast it was going.


    However, instead of feeling discomfort, Su Min felt a strange strength blast into him. It was different from simple fleshly power, it was like he could manipulate it to do things only immortals could do.


    At this moment, Su Min''s mind trembled as he realized something!


    ''The ancient fist arts!''


    Su Min remembered that whenever he performed the art; a strange energy would emerge from the symbols on his body! It was this energy that allowed him to perform the technique, and by all means, the strand he has darting around him must be this energy!


    It is like the life force is what builds his body, and this golden energy is what fuels it!


    However, what would happen if he absorbed the martial energy as well? He isn''t limited by the races energy; he can use both the human''s martial energy and the ancients races golden energy!


    ''What would happen if I cultivate like a human and the ancient race?''


    Su Min clenched his teeth, and with a bold move, he manipulated a strand of the black energy surrounding him to dart towards his chest. However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t get the symbol on his chest to even react to it!


    ''I guess I can''t absorb it that way... I''ll try the manual''s method.''


    Su Min wasn''t disappointed, though, as the symbol on his chest is probably only able to absorb a specific energy. Instead, he went and tried to absorb it the way every cultivator does, by seeping it into their skin.


    The strand fluttered under Su Min''s control with unseen precision. If any Martial Condensation cultivator were to see this, they would gasp in shock at the sight.For most, even achieving 10% of the control Su Min has would be considered a lifelong task.


    ''Ah?''


    The black strand seeped into his skin, although it was a lot more difficult than he thought. It even made him feel a bit tired. Nevertheless, as the strand entered him, none of the symbols reacted to it; even the golden energy ignored it.


    ''Cycle it through the body!''


    Su Min''s eyes blazed as he conjured all of his mental capacity to manipulate that strand to complete a cycle around his body. It started at the bottom of the belly button, known as the lower dan tian, and cycled towards the top of his head.


    Su Min felt an intense fatigue billow on his mortal soul, but he continued to persist! From the top, the strand went in an arc and started falling down the other side of his body. It continued, continued till it reached back to where it started...


    *BOOM*


    Like a thunderous bang, Su Min''s mind boomed as the strand completed a completed cycle around his body. The world seemed to respond to this, and by a mystical law, 12 points in his body suddenly trembled and opened. They were known as meridians, and as they opened, a gush of the black martial energy outside rushed into them!


    The meridians were all around his body, where due to the strange law, the meridians trembled even more and connected to each other with a thin line, forming a path. Through this, the martial energy that was sucked up by Su Min started to cycle through his body.


    Like parched water getting drenched in the morning rain, Su Min felt a refreshing feeling rush into him as the martial energy cycled and cycled through his body. A blackness seeped out of his skin as his soul and body got cleansed.


    Martial energy stopped gushing into his body as he reached a point of saturation, where he hit the limit he could hold. However, now that he has a constant cycling line of martial energy circling him, he can consider himself a cultivator!


    He is at the first step of Martial Condensation!


    Although, as it is but a passive cycle, the martial energy travelled at a snail''s pace; requiring an incense stick of time to finish a cycle.


    ''Incredible...''


    Su Min looked at the intricate cycle that, with his newly opened meridians, gave him a strange power. He felt that he could manipulate that energy in him, and do things he could only dream of!


    However, as he watched it, he also watched the darting golden strand that continued without stop. It was strange, but both of the energies seemed to avoid each other because they didn''t even come in contact at all.


    Yet, Su Min discovered that the strand had finally stopped accelerating. It seemed like a hazed blur, but with this, it seemed to allow him to manipulate the life force in his symbol!


    ''Where should I focus first... Mhm, I should probably increase everything evenly, otherwise, my body will become a mess after a while...''


    Su Min decided that focusing on a certain body part is probably not a good choice, as if he had an extremely powerful right arm and nothing else, he may kill himself due to the rebound force... Although that is a guess in itself.


    ''Spread!''


    Su Min directed his will into the symbol, causing the darting golden strand to rush towards his chest, lighting it up in a holy golden halo. Strands of lifeforce emerged from the symbol as they spread out to every part of Su Min''s body, where they seeped into the symbols on his bones and muscle fibres.


    Su Min had already guessed the symbols on his muscles and bone were the way to absorb lifeforce, it was just that he didn''t expect them to have another use; that is to drive an energy he didn''t even know existed.


    ''Huh?''


    Su Min became dazed as the golden strand of energy that moved the lifeforce got depleted almost instantly. Thus, he could only move a small amount of life force from the symbol, and even then the change was so minute that it couldn''t even be considered a change at all.


    He, in layman''s terms, had run out of energy... It was like he had a massive factory, but he only had an ounce of coal to power it. He still had an immense amount of life force left, but he doesn''t have enough energy to move it...


    Rubbing his chin, Su Min breathed a deep sigh. He probably couldn''t cultivate like this, as it would take him forever to get anywhere.


    ''I guess I have to choose an area to focus on...''


    Making a decision, Su Min''s eyes glistened under the ever-present darkness. The symbol on his chest hummed as an intense stream of golden energy rushed into it. It was at least a ten-fold more compared to what he absorbed last time.


    A light grin erupted from his face as the thick strand encountered the symbols, propelling it across his body; increasing and increasing in speed.


    "Haha! I will pioneer a new cultivation!"

 28 Get your axes!

    Watching the thick strand of gold dart across his body, Su Min closed his eyes and focused his senses onto the symbol on his chest. The symbol trembled as his sense locked onto it, humming and shining with an exorbitant amount of lifeforce that he absorbed in the tournament.


    *SHEWW*


    The darting strand of gold in his body seemed to have reached its peak velocity as it blurred through him. The cycle of his martial energy outlined the golden blur, looking like a golden canvas that is been wrapped with black. It was strange, yet beautiful.


    Su Min breathed, then with his fatigued will, he commanded that golden strand to fly towards his chest!


    *PSHEW*


    A blinding halo rose from his chest, liting up the area around him with gold. An invigorating spew of lifeforce exploded out of the symbol atop his chest, cramming his body with vitality!


    Watching this, Su Min remained calm and guided the lifeforce towards the central part of his body. The spine!


    *SHHING*


    It was unknown whether it was due to the symbol, but the lifeforce was shining a deep gold as it travelled down him, dazzling him. As it got near his spine, the symbols covering it seemed to flash as a weak but mystical suction force erupted out them.


    The lifeforce, like a shimmering golden stream of syrup, poured itself right onto his spinal cord as those symbols gurgled and sucked it up with glee, disappearing forever...


    This continued on for a few seconds until Su Min started to run out energy, and regarding this, a few seconds more was all he had left. So, he pushed himself and poured as much life force as he could into it!


    ''More!!''


    Surges and surges of lifeforce spewed onto his spine without end, yet it still seemed that he wouldn''t be able to deplete his lifeforce reserves!


    *Mmmmm*


    He, unwillingly, had started to run dry as the golden energy strand thinned out with a vigorous nature. And in no time, it was used up.


    Feeling the golden strand of energy run out, Su Min sighed as his glowing chest dimmed and the remaining lifeforce within it become dormant. But, without warning, a distinct crackling sound shuddered out of Su Min''s body as his spine started to shiver.


    It was like someone had shoved a skewer right into him and plucked at his spine whilst wiggling it around, making him feel a sharpness pierce right out of it. His body froze as this strange feeling shrouded him, and accompanied with numerous small pops, an orchestra of bone curdling bursts began to play a symphony in him.


    It didn''t last long, though, as the sound died down after a few seconds of constant thrumming. Afterwards, Su Min felt a sickly pain emerge from his spine and everywhere in general. It was a peculiar feeling that originated in his bone.


    Deciding to look at it, he gasped.


    ''It really can turn golden!''


    Numerous grains of gold were scattered across his spine, sparkling like jewels. Although, the number was too sparse for anyone to notice them without looking closely. The symbols on his spine also seemed to be tinged with a drop of gold, making them look abnormal compared to the ordinary ones everywhere else.


    If he were to sell his spine in an exhibition, then it would most likely be considered modern art.


    Nevertheless, maybe it was due to him having the worst possible body to practice the technique or maybe it was just normal, but an unending ache quivered down him, making him hunch his back like an old man. He felt his strength get zapped as he became weak, so, staggering onto his knees, he got up and stumbled back into the hut.


    ''I need some sleep...''


    ...


    ...


    *Chirp* *Chirp*


    A couple of birds covered in an illustrious air flew through the blue sky with a surreal majesty, lighting up the world with cheerful chirps. Turning, Su Min''s eyes trembled as he opened to see daylight spewing into the room.


    *Pop* *Pop* *Pop*


    A successive number of popping sounds erupted from his back as he moved it, wakening him with a throbbing ache. Nonetheless, his mind felt beyond refreshed as a constant cycle of martial energy breathed life into him...


    It was just that he didn''t know what to do with it. He doesn''t have any techniques that utilise martial energy, and the benefits of superhuman vision and strength didn''t even improve his current self. Of course, now that he has this energy his endurance has shot up again, and the only other real benefit was the strange transformation with his soul, where it seemed to now contain a wisp of something no mortal can have.


    It happened when he stepped into the Martial Condensation stage, where, like a law, his soul evolved!


    This caused his soul to become in touch with the world, allowing him to sense martial energy with a lot more ease. Or, in his case, Martial energy and the golden Ancient energy.


    ''I need techniques...''


    Su Min knew that he can only rely on the strange golden energy for now, but he can''t store it in him like Martial Energy! The only reason for this is that the energy will dissipate, even when inside of his body.


    At most, he can hold the energy in his body for ten minutes before it disappears. If this was just it then it wouldn''t be a problem, but the requirement for him to actually use the energy requires time in itself.


    He has to wait for those symbols engraved in every part of his body to propel the golden energy, propel it till it reaches an insane velocity. Only then can he use it.


    Luckily, it only takes a couple seconds...


    "Uh..."


    Whilst feeling a headache coming along due to the strange rules his body has, Su Min scratched his head as he saw the girl that was meant to be sleeping on the other bed hugging his leg, huddled like a pillow.


    She was sleeping with him...


    ''My plan on getting her independent isn''t going well.''


    With a wry smile, he pulled her off his leg and got up, leaving her there.


    ...


    ...


    "Hm..."


    Su Min rubbed his eyes as he stared outside, where some people were standing around chatting. One or two seemed to notice him, where they gulped before walking away.


    Although, near him stood a man in white robes, holding a sword scabbard. His eyes lit up as he walked towards Su Min. A woman followed him, and so did an arrogant man.


    "Aye! Su Min, your up?"


    Speaking, the sword youth eyed him up before looking at the hut behind him. He pondered for a second and spoke.


    "Is the kid still eh... asle~!"


    "Will you shut up!"


    Just as he was about to finish, a thud smacked the back of his head as Yi Zan glared at him. Su Min, albeit confused, remained placid at the sight and just asked.


    "Uh, do you know what we''re meant to be doing?"


    Everyone paused until shaking their heads. Yi Zan spoke, following this.


    "No clue. I think we should just wait for that scary fellow to come... Ah! Su Min, did you find that cultivation manual as well?"


    Yi Zan''s eyes glistened as she asked him, causing Su Min to look at her with surprise. To be honest, although was book wasn''t exactly hidden, with everyone being tired, they probably would''ve ignored it yesterday.


    "Mhm."


    Nodding, Su Min rubbed his hair, finding that it was pretty greasy.


    ''That black gunk that came out yesterday needs to be washed off...''


    Looking at the dilapidated huts, Su Min could only sigh. Yi Zan, on the other hand, laughed and said.


    "Well, I tried to do what it says, but I got nowhere... How exactly are you meant to ''sense the world''?"


    As if she was questioning Su Min, although there wasn''t a reason to, Su Min replied with bluntness.


    "Just sense it."


    "Uh..?"


    *BANG*


    Though, just as Yi Zan was questioning the redundancy in what he said, a terrific bang ricocheted in the atmosphere as a burly man revealed himself in the sky.


    Su Min, for the first time, felt something different as he looked at the sudden arrival of the man. He saw numerous strands of black energy seep out of the man and gather, supporting him by creating a platform of black beneath his feet. In fact, his whole body was covered in the energy, holding him in the air.


    ''You can do stuff like that?''


    Feeling enlightened, Su Min felt that he should try it some time. Despite this, the quantity of energy coming out of the man was beyond anything he had seen; it was like a comparing tsunami to a pond.


    Considering this, he would probably run out of energy before he could even cover his whole body in energy and the only way to recover the energy is to sit down and cultivate...


    "Oi! You lot, get your axes in the count of five!"


    A sudden shout erupted from the man as he glared at everyone below him, making some quiver. Su Min didn''t feel shocked, though, as he has already seen people here carry axes with them, so why wouldn''t he?


    "Quick, quick!"


    "Axes? Huh?"


    Panic spread as group after group ran to their huts and scampered to get an axe, not knowing why. Su Min did a light step and darted towards his hut, grabbing an axe and leaping back out. He looked like a literal blur to everyone.


    ''Wow...''


    Su Min''s expression changed as he felt a stabilisation in him; it came from his spine. In fact, his spine now had a strange property that absorbed forces to an amazing degree. It also seemed to be able to bend, yet it carried a hardness that surpassed iron.


    Put simply, moving at his top speed felt a lot easier now; he could make abrupt turns without hurting himself, and also do things like rapidly punching without feeling strain. This all boils down to the fact that everything he does draws upon his spine, so when his spine strengthens his everything becomes more stable and unmoving.


    If it was like before, then if he moved the way he moved right now, he would feel his spine jerk due to the sudden forces he exerted it on it! Now, however, he can move as he pleases without even affecting it!


    His shaky foundation has now been reinforced!

 29 Trees.

    *CLAP*


    "Aye, now that you have your axes, we can start work!"


    With a booming yell, the man floating in the air declared with utmost potency. Confusion sprang out everywhere as people paused with incredulous expressions.


    However, he didn''t seem to care as he fluttered to the floor, rattling the ground with a thud. Then, with a steep stride, he started to head north.


    "Follow me, or you''ll regret it!"


    "Work? Why are we working?"


    "Maybe it is something else... No, it couldn''t be what I''m thinking..."


    Standing by himself with a shimmering axe, Su Min rubbed his chin and thought that it was about time that the girl would wake up; unless she could sleep through all this racket...


    ''Should I bring her with me? It should be pretty safe here though...''


    As he was thinking this, a plod erupted out of his hut as a teary eyes girl stammered out. She had dark circles under her eyes, and with a panicked expression, she swept the area and looked for someone. She seemed that she was about to break down...


    "Ah..."


    Su Min sighed as he walked up to her, and without delay, she noticed him. She, with a scamper, ran up to him and grabbed hold of his jacket, speaking with a whimper.


    "I had a nightmare..."


    Deciding not to say anything, Su Min rubbed her head as he gazed at the sky. It seemed like a natural habit from him to do so. However, soon, a firm decision soon planted itself in him.


    He crouched down, and with a whisper, he spoke with a smile.


    "Hey, I have to go somewhere for a while, so I can''t bring you with me. Would you be fine if I left you here for a while, hm?"


    The girl quivered as tears started to well in her eyes, but just at this moment, a sudden step broke the tense air.


    "Hey, how about I babysit her?"


    "...Yin Zan?"


    ...


    ...


    "Goddammit! We''re cutting down trees!"


    "These aren''t trees!"


    Around ten kilometres north from their compound, a stark and overwhelming scene laid itself out in front of the group. A limitless expanse, expanding without care, enveloped the horizon in a thick jungle of trees.


    There were three types of trees in this jungles, each smaller than the last.


    The largest pierced into the sky with a trunk as thick as two people, galloping with a vigorous age. It''s beautiful green leaves and branches that seemed to hold the sky struck everyone to the very core.


    The bark of the tree glimmered with a strange metallic nature, and, due to some unknown transformation, sparkled gold!


    Next to such behemoths, smaller, more petite trees stood as well. They were about the size of an oak tree, but their lustre surpassed that greatly. Like it was a rule, these trees also sparkled, but it was a sparkle of silver! They were about half the size of the golden trees, but they still seemed out of this world.


    Going down the ladder, the last type of tree was about the size of a palm tree; although it was like a small baby compared to the golden tree, it contained a strange nature as it glowed bronze.


    "Hehe, different, eh? Well, this forest is going to be your home until you reach 3rd step in Martial Condensation."


    Many gulps were heard as he spoke the word Martial Condensation; it was clear that word had spread about the manual.


    "As you lot are weak, we won''t ask a lot! All you have to cut is one bronze tree! "


    The tense atmosphere seemed to dissipate as the man said something that seemed so simple that it was eery. And, indeed, it was strange.


    "It shouldn''t be too hard, right?"


    "Mhm..."


    The man''s grin seemed to widen as he looked at the hopeful expressions of the disciples, and, licking his lips, he spoke once more.


    "Once you''re finished, just go to the collection area 500 meters back. Of course, you have to bring your log back. You''ll get all the information you''ll need from there, so ask them and not me!"


    "Oh, and, there isn''t a time limit to this task, Hehe."


    Finishing, the man grabbed the axe on his waist and walked into the forest, disappearing from their view without a pause.


    ''Cut down the tree?''


    Standing alone, Su Min swayed the axe by his side back and forth, feeling it''s weight. It was strange, but as he moved it a resonating shiver ran through his arm.


    ''The Ancient Fist Art?''


    Through a surreal instinct, the way he moved the axe started to change, and before he knew it, it followed a law he knew. The law of the Ancient Fist Art. It was the passive law of the art, not like the first and second fist forms he performed in the tournament.


    Following this, his chest seemed to open without his command and suck in a strand of gold.


    *SWEEP*


    A tremble broke through the air as Su Min moved the axe, cleaving it. And with a light shimmer of gold, a streak of wind pierced out of the axe and darted into the atmosphere.


    ''W-what?''


    Su Min, with wide eyes, stared at the sharp blade of wind as it dissipated in the horizon. It didn''t stop until it hit the 50-meter mark, which was extraordinary.


    However, this wasn''t what made him shocked. It was because of the faint glimmer of gold that enveloped the axe when he swiped it. This gold came from him!


    Taking a closer look, he proceeded to swipe again, yet the glimmer didn''t come. Pondering, a guess came to his mind. With a strange glint, his eyes blazed as the symbol on his chest hummed, and from the world, a strand of gold was absorbed by it.


    He intended to wait a few seconds for the energy to reach the right speed, but it didn''t even need a second to complete, and this was due to the sparkling symbol on his spine!


    Watching, he saw that whenever the golden strand touched any symbol on his spine, a noticeable push blasted it. It was at least two times more powerful compared the ordinary symbols.


    ''The more lifeforce the symbol absorbs, the faster it propels the golden energy? Not only this but now that I look at my spine, I seem to be able to see a number...''


    Su Min paused with confusion, and with this, an invisible strand seemed to thrum out of his spine and pierce into his head, imprinting a line of information into his sight.


    ''Spinal Mortal Refinement: 0.5%''


    ''...0.5%? How terrifying is this race?!''


    Realising that he was starting to forget the reason he absorbed the golden energy, Su Min calmed himself down before focusing on the mission at hand. He raised his axe, and watching the golden energy in his body, slashed down.


    *SWEEP*


    As he examined his body, the golden strand inside of him, with an intense speed, darted into his arm and out into the atmosphere, then into the axe.


    The same glimmer of gold glowed from the axe as an intense slash of air swept through the sky, darting into the atmosphere... It was unknown how much power it had, but Su Min felt that it was enough to halve a steel wall.


    ''Huh. So the Ancient Fist Art isn''t just for punching...''


    In essence, if Su Min were to follow this, then he could probably do the same thing with his fists. It was just that, in the tournament, he didn''t have access to the golden energy, so he wasn''t able to show the full potential of a simple punch from his race.


    You could say that that the Ancient Fist Art is the main fighting technique, encapsulating the way to handle energy but also the technique that manipulates it.


    Ignoring the contradictory name, Su Min scratched his head. He guessed that this would probably be useful for cutting trees, so he went and absorbed 10 more strands of energy into his body.


    ''Maybe they''ll last longer now...''


    Hoping that he''ll be able to store the golden energy for more than ten minutes, Su Min threw the axe onto his shoulder and strolled into the forest with absent thoughts.


    ''I never really thought about it, but what would happen if I forced the golden and martial energy to touch...''


    ...


    ...


    *WACK WACK WACK*


    Sweating, a white-robed youth with a sword scabbard thrashed a bronze tree with a cleaving axe. However, a strange metallic shimmer was all that responded as the tree only got inflicted with minute dents.


    "I ain''t using my sword to chop a tree!"


    Call him stupid, but even when he has a sword that is obviously sharper than the axe, he has a devotion to the arts...


    *Step WACK WACK Step*


    Su Min, holding an axe on his shoulder and with his hand other in his pocket, strolled towards the aggravated youth. The sword youth seemed to notice him, and with a light laugh, wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled at him.


    "Aye, Su Min, you finally decided to stop dozing off there! I hope you now understand that swinging an axe at the air doesn''t REALLY achieve anything,"


    Speaking sarcastically, the youth patted Su Min''s back before walking back to the bronze tree. Su Min, not sure what to say, decided that it was best not to think of an excuse and found his own bronze tree to pummel.


    "Mhmm, let''s try..."


    Staring at the tree, Su Min mumbled before gripping his axe tightly and throwing it into the air with an exaggerated motion.


    *WOOSH*


    A gold glimmer shone from the axe as it hovered above Su Min head, and with a deep breath, Su Min threw the axe right at the tree!


    *CRASH*


    A resounding, metallic crash reverberated out of the tree as the axe shoved itself into it. A sharp screech like scraping chalk screamed out from the small cut as a solidified streak of air blasted right into it.


    *PSSST*


    Sparks spewed out of the tree as the blade of air continued to hammer at the tree without end.


    "W-what the fuck?"


    The sword youth rubbed his eyes as he watched the blade of wind dig itself into the tree, well that was what he was seeing anyway.


    *PSSss..st*


    After a few horrifying seconds, the air blade finally seemed to lose all its energy as it dissipated with the wind, and what revealed itself a steaming cut.


    "Ok, even with all that, the tree only got cut 1/10 the way in?!"


    The sword youth, even more shocked, stared at the tree that had somehow dealt with a blow that surpassed the boundary of a mortal. In fact, if a cultivator were to see the move, they would all without a doubt say that strike had the strength of a 1st step Martial Condensation Cultivator!


    Looking at the cut, Su Min''s eyes blazed with battle intent... At a tree.


    ''What if I use 2 strands of energy instead?''

 30 Memory.

    Facing the defenceless tree, Su Min''s eyes started to blaze as a new idea came to mind. The Sword Youth stepped back as he watched the tense exchange, leaning against his own tree.


    ''Use two strands!''


    Su Min, with his axe up high, commanded two golden strands to enter the axe. Moving like fantasmal whips, those two strands, at a near instantaneous speed, pierced right into the axe!


    *SHINNNG*


    A golden light enveloped the axe as a tremble shook the tree it faced, swivelling in primal fear. Su Min, with trembling eyes, tensed his inhuman biceps and thrashed right at it!


    *SWIPE*... *BOOOM*


    A deafening smash rang around Su Min as all the trees within a 5-meter radius bristled against a rush of wind. Yet, this was only the beginning...


    *WOOOSH*


    A blade of wind that surpassed the one before formed around the axe and, with a sonic boom, propelled itself right into it!


    *SCREEEEEECH*


    "Su Min, S~STOP!"


    The sword youth clenched his ears as a dense shockwave force him backwards. Following this, a near thick, materialised layer of dust formed an oval shape around Su Min, and with a muffled bang, it threw itself out in every known direction.


    *PSSSST*


    "W-wha~!!"


    The sword youth coughed as his eyes closed, where a layer of dirt started to form on his pristine white robes. Whilst this was going on, an ever-present screech continued to resound on the tree; as if it was wailing with pain.


    Su Min, standing with his axe firmly in the tree, breathed deep gulps as the blade of wind continued to thrash itself.


    *PSSsst-tt--st...*


    It was unknown how long it lasted, and for some, it was like hell, but finally, the blade of wind diminished into nothing. Yet, just afterwards, a scraping noise soon supplanted it as a looming tree capsized onto Su Min''s head.


    "Ah..."


    Su Min, watching the tree fall onto him, found that he was unable to move at all.


    He had wounded himself...


    *SNAP*


    Reaching breaking point, the remaining piece of wood that held it snapped under the intense torque, and with a intense speed, it tore through the air and towards Su Min.


    *CRASH* *Flutter*


    A painful crack echoed across the forest as a few birds, whether intentionally or not, scampered into the horizon with a light flutter. Su Min, still standing straight, now supported a tree on his head...


    "Uh... Su Min?"


    Looking puzzled, the sword youth spoke. Su Min, remaining motionless under the tree, realized that he may have pushed his body a bit too much...


    ''I think I dislocated something...''


    Su Min, standing straight because he felt that he''d break something if he didn''t, could only wait for the tree to remove itself. However, the tree remained right on his head, stubborn as hell.


    "PFFT!"


    The sword youth didn''t seem to be able to hold himself back as he laughed at the absurdness of everything. Su Min, staring at him, could only stay in the same position.


    "Ok ok. One second!"


    The sword youth after a while remembered the bloodthirsty scenes of the past. He shivered at the thought of Su Min going crazy, so without delay, he went up to Su Min and pushed the log off his head.


    *THUD*


    Su Min, able to now somewhat move, bent his back in a weird angle.


    *POP*


    "W-what the fuck?"


    Breathing a sigh, Su Min could finally move. However, a droplet of sweat formed on his face as he thought about what just happened.


    ''If it wasn''t for me reinforcing my spine, I probably would''ve killed myself here...''


    Su Min found that his spine was aching even more profusely than before, and although it didn''t affect him, he still needs a working spine. Not only this, but as he gazed at his right arm, he found that it was drenched in blood.


    Taking a closer inspection, he saw that almost all of his muscle fibres had split right in half, even causing some of his skin to rupture. He couldn''t move it, so it just flailed on him like a lifeless limb. Not only this but everywhere, in general, had taken some damage, though his right arm took the brunt of it.


    *Drip*


    "Uh..."


    Su Min, recognising that his body has a limit, could only sigh at the whole ordeal. His right arm no longer works and his spine had nearly split in half, so he needs to take it easy for a while...


    "Your arm..."


    The sword youth had a blank look as he stared at the mangled arm. Su Min just nodded, and with a shaky walk, went up to the tree. He could probably only use 50% of his strength right now, otherwise, he would dislocate his spine again.


    ''I didn''t realize that my spine is so vital...''


    Su Min felt that reinforcing his spine was the right choice, as although it didn''t increase his strength, his endurance had taken a leap. At least, he can somewhat handle two strands of energy because of it; ignoring the fact that it would destroy one of his arms in exchange.


    *WOOSH*


    Using his left hand, Su Min grabbed the tree and tossed it on his back like it was an easy thing to do. Though, it was still heavy.


    *Thud* *Thud* *...Thud*


    Stepping with thuds, Su Min left the dumbfounded sword youth and strode towards the collection area. His arm, as limp as a corpse, swung back and forth as it wriggled; healing at a rate that was nearly visible to the eye.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *THUD*


    "The collection area?"


    Staring straight on, Su Min saw a bronze wooden temple not too far away. It was similar to the ones of ancient China; it had 4 floors that towered atop each other; where the higher you go, the smaller they were.


    Carrying the bronze tree, Su Min proceeded to walk the last one hundred meters in no time.


    *DING*


    As the entrance of the temple enveloped him, a strange ding erupted out of the temple. With no delay, a white-robed middle-aged man sauntered out with a dignified look, staring at Su Min.


    "Uh-"


    "Welcome, Outer Disciple, to the bronze collection temple! Please, come this way so we can deposit that tree of yours."


    Announcing himself, the robed man with a rather rude demeanour ushered Su Min into the temple, not giving him time to retort.


    What displayed itself was a large room with two floating tables. Each table was a complete bronze and the size of a 5-meter square, glowing with a hover.


    Su Min, hurdling the tree into the room, looked at everything with no emotion.


    ''Why are the tables floating...''


    The man, with a look, swished his finger, causing the tree on Su Min''s back to buzz before floating out of his grasp. Su Min didn''t stop him though, as holding the tree was tiresome.


    "Now, one second please..."


    The man, pointing his finger once more, made the tree shiver before throwing itself at one of the bronze tables.


    *SHHHMPH*


    Contrary to the expecting bang, the tree, with a tremble, disappeared out of thin air as it went right through the bronze table; although it didn''t come back out.


    Even though this was strange, Su Min was more enamoured at the technique the man just used. Even though it was too fast for him to perceive it all, he saw what seemed like hundreds of thin black threads twist around each other to form a sort of rope.


    With this energy rope, the man wrapped it around the log and pulled it into the air.


    ''Lots of small threads...''


    Of course, if you used just one thread then it would snap before even pulling the tree; however, with hundreds of strung together, it''s a different story.It was more efficient than just using a large amount of martial energy and forming a thick strand, as it would nowhere near as strong.


    Considering this, Su Min was also confused. If he could just copy the technique the man was using, then what was even the point in manuals?


    Not realising that Su Min was in the process of doing something shocking, the man grunted and walked up to the table, and as if it was responding to him, the table trembled before spewing out a token.


    Not even picking the token up, the man threw it towards Su Min with his finger before speaking.


    "Now that you understand how it works, do it yourself next time. To use it just go to the shop over there."


    Gazing at the token, Su Min nodded before imprinting the method the man used to manipulate the martial energy for later use. It was strange, but it was beyond easy to remember it. In fact, he felt that he could replay it in his mind like a movie, and see every single detail he saw right now.


    ''Weird...''


    Throwing himself out of his daze, Su Min turned his head to find the shop he was looking for. However, just as he was about to stroll forward, a collection of thuds similar to his rang outside as laughing chatter spewed into the temple.


    "Hahaha! Getting the Manipulation Technique should be possible with this harvest!"


    Resounding with a hearty roar, 6 men walked in. They had inhuman figures, in fact, even Su Min looked small in front of them...


    "Eh? A rookie?"


    The largest man in front, looming at 7 foot, paused as he saw Su Min. Su Min didn''t seem to care, though, as he just walked up the shop to see what he could get.


    "Hey, shouldn''t you let us go first? We are your seniors after all... Isn''t that right, Li Zhi?''"


    One of the men behind the burly man shouted nonchalantly as he patted a figure next to him, however, it was anything but that to Su Min.


    "... Li. Zhi?"

 31 Li Zhi.

    "..Li. Zhi?"


    A tremble rammed into Su Min''s body as he, with a peculiar calmness, turned his sights onto the group. The group in turn paused as they saw the calmness in Su Min''s eyes, making them gulp.


    "Huh, you know Li Zhi?"


    The man, with the same nonchalant gaze, spoke with a surprised expression. However, just as he was about to continue, the figure next to him shook.


    "Y-you!?"


    A confused and surprised echo resounded in the room as a man revealed himself out of the group of 6. His muscles were toned to an unbelievable degree, making him look more like a beast than a human.


    Although he wasn''t as large as the leader, he was still a couple foot taller than Su Min. Though, Su Min didn''t seem to care...


    Taking a deep breath, Li Zhi calmed down and spoke with mockery.


    "Hahaha! So it''s you from that stupid shop! You''re not dead? What was your name again? Wait, I don''t think I asked for your name at that time..."


    A strange atmosphere shrouded the two as the remaining five men had puzzled expressions, well, that was until Su Min spoke.


    "Su Min..."


    "W-what?! That genius who wrecked Li Zhi''s bro?"


    One of the men in the group shuddered as he looked at the youth in a new light. However, it was a pitiful light, as Li Zhi was right in front of him...


    "You... Impressive. I guess I''ll tell you anyway, but that girl of yours is probably dead. So, don''t even bother! Hahaha! "


    Li Zhi, glaring, spoke as his fist crackled. An intense pressure shrouded the room as Su Min felt the air solidify. Though, he still didn''t care...


    "I have waited... A while. So..."


    Speaking with the same calmness, Su Min''s eyes became sad as an undulation of crimson fluttered out of his jacket. A horrifying killing aura countered the pressure, and it seemed it was evenly matched!


    "I will repay it... Twofold."


    Just as everyone started to sweat with shock, Su Min''s whole demeanour transformed! His right arm, although still ruptured, ignored its injuries and formed a fist!


    A glow erupted out the fist and spewed a dazzling gold right into everyone''s being. However, it was different compared to the glow that lit up Su Min''s axe when he chopped the tree down.


    It had an intent to kill!


    Everyone felt their blood boil as a strange dread shrouded their entire existence. It was an angered dread. An anger from a being they should never provoke!


    "...Regret it... Regret... It."


    A dead roar erupted out of Su Min as his calmness got ruptured with rage, causing a firm instinct to take its place. It was an ancient instinct, and it pulsated out of his ancient body...


    "Haha! Kid, don''t push yourself!"


    Li Zhi, suppressing the eery feeling he had, roared as he took a similar stance. This was a battle between two people who train in the art of the body; a fierce battle where the fists do the talking...


    However, Su Min didn''t seem to want to give Li Zhi any chances at all, and with an even scarier mumble, he spoke two words that originated from somewhere far, far away; a place that''s been washed in the waves of limitless time.


    "Fist. Second Form."


    The 7 golden strands in his body seemed to tremble under such words, and with complex movements that would make anyone go blank, they pierced out of his body and surrounded him, ushering a newfound aura. It was like they resonated with a law that could pressure the sky, an aura, that although impure, surpasses everything and anything.


    It was an aura that transcended whatever Su Min could create just by injecting the golden energy into his fists. It was an aura created by the law that came from the Ancient Fists Arts...


    Comparing it to how Su Min used the golden energy to cut down the tree, it''s on a totally different level. There, Su Min didn''t even use any laws and just crudely shot the energy into his axe, but here, by using a technique, he is able to rouse the law his race uses; although it is but a tiny law that''s as insignificant as a drop in the ocean.


    *PSSSSHHH*


    A blinding golden glow enveloped Su Min''s body as a primal, ancient aura thrashed itself onto everyone. Everyone, even the man who ran the shop, shivered at such an aura. It was beyond terrifying.


    Li Zhi took a step back as he felt his whole body slow down, his blood pause, and his heart tremble. It was like he was looking at the forefather of all strength, a being who invented the very essence of ''Might''.


    "Goddammit!"


    Eyes bloodshot, Li Zhi roared as he forced his body to rebel against the awed feeling that continued to thrash at his heart, and with a boom, he leapt towards the blinding light.


    "...Golden Eclypse..."


    However, at that split second, even with the immense speed of Li Zhi that surpassed the first step Martial Condensation, the world seemed to pause as Su Min uttered two irrevocable words. Following this, a burning sensation blasted onto all creation, making Li Zhi gasp.


    The golden light solidified around Su Min''s fist, and it was directly aimed at Li Zhi.


    *BOOOOM*


    A horrifying explosion ruptured the air as a fist encompassed Li Zhi''s view, and although it wasn''t that fast, Li Zhi felt his body stiffen. His eyes went even more bloodshot as he thrashed his fist towards it to meet it!


    *PSHHHT*


    Yet, maybe it was because Su Min used 7 strands of energy, a primal, vigorous light enveloped Li Zhi before he could even fight back. His eyes, as bloodshot before, shook with fear as his whole began to smoke. Though, he prevailed and continued to punch!


    *SSSSSSS*


    Su Min, breathing a deep breath, met Li Zhi''s fist with his own!


    *SMACK*


    A rupture seemed to tear the air against the two gigantic strengths as a vicious shockwave ruptured the marble floor with a sharp crack. Though, it was obvious that Li Zhi was stronger as he forced Su Min back!


    However, this wasn''t what made Li Zhi well with despair. No, it was because of that glowing light that enveloped Su Min''s fist. It was a gold that dazzled him, a gold that made him want to prostrate himself in front of it...


    *SHINNNNG*


    A strange cry reverberated out of the collision as Li Zhi''s whole body shivered with a horrifying danger. Yet, before he could do anything about it, Su Min''s fist, with an ancient shriek, blasted a beam of golden light right onto his body.


    It was like the light commanded him to die, commanded him to die a death that''d make him want to die!


    *SHEWWW*


    The whole room seemed to be displaced by an eclipse of gold, where that colour became the world and everything in it. The 5 men all shivered as they were forced to look away from the radiance that shrouded Li Zhi, and so did the man managing the temple.


    *PSSSSST*


    "AHHHHH!"


    An excruciating shriek arose as the glow flickered away within seconds, unveiling something that made everyone want to vomit. A gold fire, shrill as death, blazed atop Li Zhi as he rolled on the floor with anguish.


    Though, the flames didn''t seem to follow the laws of the world as they continued to blaze, blaze and blaze without care.


    "F-FUCKKK!!"


    The man''s whole body became crisp as his hair disintegrated and his body smoked with it. Standing not too far away, a youth on all fours watched the whole thing. A pool of blood-drenched him and the floor, seeping into the cracks generated by the collision.


    His left and right arm were mangled; his body was ripped and his face was as pale as death. Yet, all that seemed to be irrelevant as he watched Li Zhi toss and turn...


    "STOP IT!!!"


    The flames had already seeped into Li Zhi''s flesh, burning his insides out, and no matter how much he tried, he couldn''t put it out.


    The people left were dazed as they watched him, not knowing what to do...


    "Uh..."


    "I don''t want to touch that fire..."


    Everyone gulped as they watched the golden fire blaze with a suppressive aura, seeming to originate from a time long ago. Minutes passed through the shrill screams, and these minutes felt like years to the group.


    Though, it was until a thud reverberated through the entire room that it ended.


    *Poof*


    The golden fire, like it had confirmed something, blew itself out as it dissipated into the air as if it had never existed. A literal skeleton revealed itself and rattled onto the floor as it shined in everyone''s eyes.


    It had no flesh, not even ash. It was just a charred skeleton. Nevertheless, before they could gasp...


    "Hahahahah!"


    A maddened laughter shook the deafening silence as Su Min roared. He looked like a wreck, probably weaker than even a mortal, yet everyone saw him as a terrifying beast. A beast who disregards pain.


    "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"


    *THUD*


    Laughing without a care, the mangled figure known as Su Min grasped at the floor before pushing itself up. Standing like a zombie, Su Min stumbled towards the pile of bones and crushed each and every one...


    *CRACK* *CRASH* *CRUSH*


    "Who the fuck is this kid..."


    The leader of the group of the now 5 mumbled as he watched the insane, stubborn nature of Su Min. Although Su Min could die at any moment with that amount blood loss, he was somehow moving...


    "Now..."


    Su Min, feeling satisfied, moved his body that was broken inside and out, and went to the shop...


    "H-he..."


    *S-step* *Step*


    Staggering, even more, Su Min pushed his body towards the floating screen before him. He rummaged through his jacket before finding the token; making sure he still has his book, he looked at what was to offer.


    ''[Techniques] [Pills] [Materials] [Miscilenaneous]''


    "Hm..."

 32 Will.

    ''[Techniques] [Pills] [Materials] [Miscilenaneous]''


    Staring at the mystical display, Su Min paused. To be honest, although he would like a technique, he has more important problems to deal with right now...


    ''Pills...''


    Moving with a slurred action, Su Min pressed on the pills button. He felt his mind become muddy as his body continued to spew blood everywhere, drenching each and every surface surrounding him.


    *SHING*


    ''Partial Blood Pill - 1 Bronze Token


    Heals basic mortal wounds when in an emergency.


    Blood Pill - 5 Bronze Tokens


    Heals any form of basic injury and can rejuvenate a diminished vitality.


    ...


    ..... ''


    Su Min''s eyes shined as he focused on Partial Blood Pill; it seemed to be what he wanted.


    ''Buy...''


    "Don''t tell me he''s buying that pill..."


    Shaking like he was death patient, Su Min threw the token at the screen. It wasn''t like he knew it would just accept it, but he didn''t have the strength to move anymore.


    *SHING*


    Luckily, the token disappeared without a trace, causing a new *SHING* to ring from the screen. A faint tremble shook the air as a small slit in space formed, and with a soft force, a blood red pill got thrown out.


    Su Min, not even caring what it was, grabbed the pill and threw it into his mouth. Just at the instant, numerous gasps could be heard behind him as everyone went wide-eyed.


    "Although it''ll heal him, the pain will kill him instead!"


    A shout quaked as one of the men in the group blurted out. Though, the leader seemed to have a different thought as he gazed at Su Min.


    "Maybe not..."


    Just as they were discussing, Su Min, with a burst, suddenly collapsed on the ground. His body wriggled with a cringe-inducing crackling pop; his bleeding arms and his ruptured skin scabbed, and his dislocated bones were pushed back into their sockets.


    The pain coming from this would make anyone faint, yet Su Min''s eyes remained unchanged as he just waited for his body to fix itself.


    Mumbling, he spoke as if he was impressed.


    "I need a few of these..."


    It was shocking, and everyone couldn''t even believe their eyes. Though, the leader, with a mysterious glint, spoke like he was reminiscing.


    "He''s similar to senior..."


    *Scrape*


    Su Min, clenching his fingers, stretched his arms as he brought himself off the floor; he seemed fine. His eyes, with a hazy gaze, lingered on the crushed bones on the floor.


    "Not enough..."


    His glare was that of utter hatred as he recalled the past.He didn''t feel satisfied with just this. It was like an unquenchable thirst, never-ending.


    ''Li Family... I need to become stronger..."


    Feeling his body, Su Min felt the urge for strength smudge his rational thoughts. Even though he was healed, that was just on the surface; he actually felt that his body was weaker than usual. Like his injuries would flare up if he exerted himself too much; 50% at most.


    ''I need to rest for a while. Though, It seems that recovering would take at least a couple days at this rate...''


    It seems that the healing pill will only stop life-threatening damage, not injuries deep in his body. Such injuries will take a while to repair, even with his intense vitality.


    "I guess I''ll take it easy for a while."


    Making up his mind, Su Min proceeded to take heavy steps toward the exit. However, just as he was leaving, the leader of the group coughed before asking.


    "Uh, you''re Su Min right?"


    Halting, Su Min nodded. The man, looking like a giant, nodded before adding on.


    "Just so you know, there''s a genius who has quite a similar mentality to yours... Especially concerning your abnormal Will. Maybe look out for him if you ascend from this godforsaken place."


    Su Min, feeling confused, nodded once again without thinking too much.


    "Mhm."


    ''Will, discipline? I know all too much about that...''


    ...


    ...


    *Step* Step* *THUD*


    Looking at the bright day, flashing with an everpresent sizzle, Su Min arrived at the hut compound. Glancing at the numerous humble abodes, Su Min sighed.


    "Hehe! Yin Zan, you''ll never catch me!"


    A sudden laugh echoed out of the compound as a girl ran up one of the grassy hills, following her was a young lady. They circled up and down the hill, causing Su Min to flash with surprise.


    ''I thought she would be cutting down those trees...''


    Su Min, pondering, went back to the hut to make sure that something was there.


    ''I left my axe back where I chopped the tree down. I think there was another one here.''


    Revelling at his own forgetfulness, Su Min gazed inside. It seemed that the two on the hill hadn''t noticed him yet, which was good for him.


    ''Hm? He brought my axe back?''


    Su Min found that the axe he used was on the table, and now that he looked at it a strange golden glint shined occasionally. Though, it was strange that the sword youth would just go and put his axe back for no reason.


    Taking out a seat, he went and hunkered down to recover a little. Only a couple days to go...


    "Ah! Su Min!"


    A surprised shout echoed behind him as Yin Zan ran up to his hut with the girl. Su Min grunted, but he still stared back at her and spoke.


    "Mhm... Did you see the... Sword guy come here?"


    "Sword guy? Pfft! I forgot that you didn''t know his name!"


    As they were speaking, the girl with an excited expression stumbled up to Su Min and jumped onto his broad shoulders, making Su Min''s expression shift to that of helplessness, though he continued.


    "Uh... What is his name then-"


    Just as he was about to ask, the girl on his shoulder jumped and interrupted him.


    "Min, Min!"


    "W-what?"


    "I saw someone like that a while ago!"


    Not really getting anywhere, Su Min just gave the ''You probably know what I was saying'' look to Yin Zan, waiting for her answer.


    "Name? No clue. Though he did ask to be called ''Sword Master'' when I asked. "


    "..."


    Feeling a headache coming, Su Min rubbed his forehead and spoke again.


    "Did he say anything when he came back?"


    Su Min found that coming back just to put his axe back was pretty stupid, so following his instinct he asked.


    "Uh... Ah! He said that some people were looking for you, Li Family or something."


    "Hm?"


    Trembling, Su Min''s eyes flashed as a sudden killing intent shrouded his body. Although it was too quick for anyone to notice.


    "... W-when he found out that you weren''t here, he just said that he''d deal with it himself..."


    Su Min''s hands tightened as he, with a serious expression, placed the girl back on the floor and grabbed the axe on the table. The girl, confused, spoke with teary eyes.


    "Min, you just got here!"


    "Mhm... I need to do a quick errand. I won''t be long, alright?"


    Eyes containing an exceptional calmness, Su Min patted the girls head as he threw the axe onto his shoulder, gripping it.


    "Which way did he go?"


    "N-north!"


    Yi Zan, trembling under his eyes that were welling with something hair-raising, stuttered out. Su Min nodded, and with a light step, blurred into the distance...


    ...


    ...


    *BANG*


    "Hahaha! You? You want to defend that piece of shit? That beast?"


    A mocking laughter roared out as a beaten up robed youth coughed up a mouthful of blood, sliding backwards. A fist, connected to a mighty arm shone under the daylight, hurling a booming shockwave. It was pressuring, pressuring to the body.


    "Li Zhi himself has declared him to be dead!"


    The man had an intense arrogance, an arrogance that seemed to burn right to his bones. Though, it could be described as a stupid arrogance...


    "So what? The only reason I''m here is because of that beast you speak of! He brought us to the top, and he''ll bring you down as well! Hahaha!"


    Eyes as sharp as a sword, a youth drenched in his blood yelled, spewing out a few broken teeth onto the hard grass.


    "Ignorant! Li Zhi is at the peak of the 1st step! He practices our family''s prestigious body technique, already excelling in the second stage! You may not understand, but he can already break that ant in two!"


    The man draped in a vigour of a brute laughed in response, glaring right at the ragged youth. Two similar people stood behind him, reflecting his gaze with mockery.


    "Well... I have always wanted to try this sword."


    The sword youth, rubbing his chest that had just been punched, mumbled with a frail grin. He grasped his sword sheath, and with a swift action, drew the sword out in a dazzling arc.


    "I''d wonder if you can block this with your fists?"


    "Hehe, who said we don''t have any methods against such things? You, a mortal, can now understand the gap between a cultivator!"


    The man, with an even wider grin, spoke as his body trembled. A thick, black string of energy seemed to materialise around his hand, swirling like a dragon.


    Crackling his fist, the man''s eyes blazed as he spoke.


    "Come, I''ll break your stupid beliefs."


    *SWIPE*


    "I''ll be the one doing that!"


    With an acute slash, a visible tear streaked through the air and towards the man. The sword youths eyes shone as he aimed directly for the neck, yet...


    A fist, swift enough to cause a blur in his eyes, interrupted the slash, and with a reverberating clang, the sword smacked against the back of such a fist.


    *CLANG*


    The black dragon around the man''s fist trembled before turning transparent with a shake. It looked like it could shatter at any time, but it was still there...


    The man''s face was pale and his hand shook, but he gritted his teeth and shoved the sword back with his knuckle, causing the dragon to shatter completely.


    "A pseudo spirit sword?! What a waste!"


    He, gritting his teeth, stood his ground.

 33 Why...

    Standing his ground, the sword youth gulped as he looked at the beast-like figure of the man in front of him. He grit his teeth, and with a roar, leapt forward.


    "I''ll repay him!"


    The man, with a sneer, shoved his arms to both sides of his chest and thrashed the ground with his foot. A tuft of dust sprung out, covering his whole being in a haze.


    *SWIPE*


    The sword youth, swiping at the dust with his glistening sword, stumbled before falling onto his knees. He found that his sword had hit nothing!


    *WOOSH*


    Faltering, the sword youth''s back stiffened as a woosh of piercing air reaped behind him. He, gazing at the ground, saw a looming shadow materialise and encompass him. The shadow had a wild grin, eyeing the back of his body.


    "NO!"


    The sword youth''s whole being shivered as his heart gushed with an unending stream of danger, but, before he could stammer away, the shadow giggled.


    "Who said I''d take your strike?"


    Lifting his palm, the shadow the sword youth saw thrashed the air before darting its fist right onto his back!


    *BANG*


    Eyes going wide, the sword youth felt the world spin as his body thumped the ground. A multitude of shallow cracks sprung then billowed out around him, creating a surreal and beautiful shockwave that flung outwards.


    *COUGH*


    A thick sweetness gushed out of the sword youth''s throat, and with a splatter, spewed a crimson blood onto the fractured dirt. He, laying on the floor, felt his back snap and a feeling of numbness spread.


    "S-shit..."


    His eyes became muddy as, within a second, he sensed his whole body go limp. His head rolled to the side; his throat began to gag and he choked on his own lack of control. His body twitched and his mind seethed as he felt his 5 senses dissipate from reality.


    Black.


    Black encompassed his everything as he stared at his own self. Coldness, even with his lacking senses, seeped right into him like a scythe, growing and growing. Pricking his very essence with a needle of death.


    ''Where?''


    The sword youths mind went blank as he became locked in his own body, a body which couldn''t move, breathe, think, feel, see, smell and hear. All he felt was the coldness, the dense absolute coldness. It was so cold that he wanted a blanket, but in this black space, he found no such thing.


    ''?''


    His mind, collapsing in on itself, became confused as it forgot its purpose; its goal. He forgot what he was doing, he forgot his past. And with this forgetfulness, he shivered with a cold as bitter as ice.


    ''...''


    And so, death springs for those who are cold. He, with a mind as blank as death, washed away in itself and left the world...


    "Nice sword."


    Staring at the twitching corpse, the man grunted as he bent down and grabbed the warm sword from the sword youths grasp. He, thinking for a second, looked around and found the sword scabbard as well.


    *SWISH*


    Cutting the air, the man nodded with praise as he looked at the unreal sharpness, though, he felt eery as he took another glance at the corpse.


    "It must be nothing..."


    Brushing the feeling off, the man, with the two people accompanying him, strode off with a sword from a sword corpse [1].


    ...


    ...


    *WOOSH*


    A blurred silhouette, speeding through the plains of grassy hills, ran and ran for what seemed like an eternity. The silhouettes eyes were gloomy, yet within this was worry.


    *BANG*


    Halting, the silhouette materialised into a lean but muscular youth draped in black. His eyes were that of haze, and his body was that of a shimmering strangeness, glimmering in his chest with a dim gold from time to time.


    "..?"


    Staring at the planes, Su Min froze as he saw an inconspicuous patch of dirt a hundred meters away. He smelt blood.


    "No..."


    Propelling himself with a leap, Su Mind darted toward the stench. His eyes, with a blaze, locked onto the patch as it grew in size.


    He halted, and with a slow walk, stood before a corpse.


    "..."


    His eyes, with a chilling gaze, shivered in disbelief.


    "Sword guy..."


    A pool of blood, drenching a white-robed man, dried under the daylight. He, feeling at loss, collapsed on his knees before the corpse.


    "I..."


    A multitude of thoughts wept in his abnormal mind, a stuttering stream of thoughts. He felt his world begin to die as a familiar voice whispered a verse that made him quiver.


    ''For yourself, those who you cherish, those who they cherish and anyone enveloped in their karma, never step foot into the path of the strong. Be forever weak! Weak to anyone and everyone!''


    It was like a warning, a warning that will be forever right. For the world condemns Su Min.


    ''Why...''


    Anger, sadness, confusion. Such feelings gushed without feeling for him. He didn''t want to believe it, but it seemed that the world is unfair...


    "It''s my fault, right?"


    He whispered, maybe to himself and maybe to the dead youth in front of him, but he felt no sense of right in it. All he felt was regret.


    "I''ll... Kill them all."


    Whispering once more, he leaned over and closed the eyes of the despaired face of the sword youth. He picked up his axe and stood right back up.


    "But first."


    Gazing at the sword youth with a sad smile, he went and picked him up.


    "Let''s at least bring you some peace."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Standing in a large room paved in marble, a man sitting on a throne draped in red spoke.


    "Li Tao."


    "Yes, elder."


    "Where''d you get this sword?"


    Gazing at him, the man on the throne held a warm sword. Li Tao, pausing, explained.


    "It was from one of the lackeys of the person who attacked our young master. Elder."


    The elder paused for a second, but in this second the atmosphere within the room darkened. Li Tao''s face broke into a sweat as he felt even breathing become difficult.


    "You did what?"


    A stark voice erupted from the elder as he frowned at Li Tao, making Li Tao himself confused.


    "E-Elder, I thought we were meant to be punishing that ant?"


    "That ant?! That ant is the ant who killed Li Zhi!"


    The elder gripped his throne as he roared back at Li Tao. Li Tao in return went wide with shock, then, a fearful expression erupted in him.


    "I.."


    "Li Zhi was at the level of an elder in the Martial Union. An elder! That ant you just spat at is a tiger, a tiger you can''t deal with!"


    The elder shouted in fury, fixing his beastly gaze on Li Tao. Li Tao himself finally couldn''t take it and collapsed onto the ground, kneeling down.


    "Get out of my sight!"


    Speaking his final worlds, the elder closed his eyes, deep in thought. Li Tao, struggling onto his knees, stammered out of the red room covered in sweat.


    The elder, sighing, muttered under his breath.


    "Even if I wanted to protect you, I will have a hard time fighting against someone who can kill Li Zhi in one move..."


    ...


    ...


    "I refuse to believe it!"


    Roaring, Li Tao punched a wall next to him as he gazed outside. The two same people walked up to him with confusion, but no matter how much they asked Li Tao wouldn''t tell them what the elder said.


    "Come on, we need to find that ant and kill him before he recovers!"


    Ushering the two out, Li Tao walked down a long hallway and into a room named ''Armory''. A couple floating orbs shone in his eyes, pure white.


    Placing his hand on one, he paused for a moment as he brought a couple tokens out of a bag that hung by his side. They were brown, identical to the one Su Min had.


    A stream of information emerged in Li Tao''s head, displaying numerous items. He pondered for a bit before choosing a specific item.


    ''Three flying plates.''


    A vortex, a couple feet wide, emerged above the orb as 3 miniature metal boxes got thrown out. They floated midair, swirling around Li Tao''s head.


    The vortex was a tad different compared to the one Su Min saw; like it was unstable and had a shaky foundation.


    *Grab*


    Throwing two of the boxes to the two men behind him, Li Tao grabbed the last one before striding back out into the hallway.


    His eyes, glowing with hatred, shone as he threw the metal box out, and with a woosh, it expanded to the size of a mat.


    *Step*


    Stepping onto it, he flew forward.


    ...


    ...


    *Woooshh*


    A silent wind blew on a fluttering jacket as Su Min held a corpse in his arms. He, looking at a green spot on a hill, nodded before placing the corpse down.


    "I''ll bury him here..."


    Gripping his axe, his chest fluttered with a shimmer of gold as strands of energy darted into his body. With a swift swing, his axe blurred into the air, and with a fierce plunge, his axe struck the grassy ground.


    *SLASH*


    A shining gold erupted from the axe as the strand in Su Min''s body enveloped it. A materialised blade of air pierced out of the golden shine as it got near the ground, accompanying the plunging axe.


    *BANG*


    A harsh bang rattled out as the axe and the blade of wind smacked the dirt, rupturing it with chunks of debris.


    *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*


    Not waiting, Su Min breathed once more and thrashed the ground again with the glowing axe. His body churned as a constant stream of gold spewed into his chest and, taking only a second, onto his axe, straining his muscles and bones.


    He continuously repeated the cycle until a cloud of seared smoke wafted out from the terrain.


    "This should be enough."


    A rectangle, outlined with 4 cuts, revealed itself from the smoke. The rectangle was about the size of a human, with a depth of a couple meters.


    Stumbling back to the corpse, Su Min picked the sword youth up and placed him in the hole. He, with a sad gaze, kneeled for a few seconds before throwing dirt onto the corpse.


    "I''ll finish what I started..."


    [1] -Metaphor, not a literal sword corpse

 34 Hey, take me to your family.

    "I''ll finish what I started..."


    Gazing at the dirt patch on the hill, Su Min stood still for a while as he immersed himself in the distasteful silence. He, looking at the grave, spoke a final whisper.


    "Lets... Find them... Shall we?"


    Swaying his axe back and forth, Su Min''s face lit up with a smile as he turned around and walked away. It wasn''t a friendly smile, to say the least...


    ...


    ...


    A whooshing sound rang past three men as they flew through the air on metal plates. The surroundings raced by at a quick pace, rivalling a speeding car.


    One of the men in the back, with interest, asked.


    "Sir, how do you know where he is?"


    Li Tao frowned in response, but after a while, he spoke as his locked on to something in the distance.


    "Lets first go to the corpse. Then, all we need to do is wait."


    So, calculating in his mind, Li Tao swivelled to the side and rushed forward at an even greater velocity. The air boomed as the other two did so as well, following Li Tao.


    Minutes passed, and just as Li Tao was about to reach his destination, a dot revealed itself in the horizon. He spotted it, and with squinting eyes, continued and tried to make it out.


    "Hey, let''s take a look down here."


    Li Tao made up his mind, and with a swerve, darted towards the dot out of curiosity. It didn''t take long for it to take the shape of a human, and this made Li Tao excited.


    "Quick! That could be the fucker!"


    Not thinking too much, Li Tao pushed the metal plate to its absolute limit and rushed to the figure, however, as he got close, his face frowned.


    A figure, standing still, looked at the three of them as they halted to a stop. Li Tao scowled as he jumped off the metal plate, staring at the youth who didn''t seem at all frightened. He spoke, though he didn''t really have any hope as his eyes narrowed.


    "Are you Su Min?"


    Li Tao, taking a closer look, still had the same expression as he analysed the youth. The youth seemed ordinary, although he gave him a weird feeling, it wasn''t much nor did it scare him. He also found no martial energy in the youth, which either meant that the youth had none, or that he was too injured to cultivate.


    ''Godammit, I thought he was Su Min...''


    Su Min remained placid as he got glared by the three. He looked around for a while and, ignoring Li Tao, asked a question.


    "Who are you?"


    Li Tao''s expression stirred as he frowned at the casualness of the youth. It especially angered him when he saw the still eyes, they were eyes that didn''t fear him at all. Even if this person wasn''t Su Min, he felt compelled to teach him a lesson.


    ''Hmph. This must be a newbie! Ignorant!''


    He guessed that this person must be an idiot, because why wouldn''t he be scared right now? So, seething with pride, Li Tao replied with arrogance


    "Are you blind?! I am from the Li Family. One of the three families that form the Martial union! THAT Martial Union, the one you mortals fear!"


    Grinning, he awaited the shocked reaction. Nevertheless, Su Min, still standing there, remained unfazed as he continued to stare into space. Nonetheless, just as Li Tao was about to explode, Su Min, with a sudden turn, grinned right back at him and spoke.


    "That''s good."


    It was a grin that fumed with a crimson killing intent, exuding a danger that shrouded the air with blood red. His jacket, in turn, fluttered beneath the wind and surrounded Su Min in a beautiful whirlpool of illusionary red.


    Li Tao felt his mind shiver, and by instinct, he gripped his fists and went into a defensive movement. Though, Su Min didn''t seem care as he strode towards him, swinging an axe head to toe.


    "I''ve been waiting for a while... So I need you to guide me back to that prestigious family of yours..."


    His grin was like that of how a beast studies its prey. It disregarded any notion of the prey being able to fight back; comparatively, the beast is so strong that it''d never even need to think of that...


    Li Tao felt this, and it made all the hairs on his body stand up. He, thinking back to what the elder said, couldn''t help but break into a sweat.


    "S-Stand back!! ANT!"


    Stepping back, Li Tao acted like a rat being cornered by a cat, yet Su Min didn''t seem to listen as he continued onward.


    "Hold still, or it''d hurt..."


    Gazing down at Li Tao''s legs, Su Min spoke with the same grin. Then, with a blur, darted right towards Li Tao. Li Tao froze as he attempted to dodge, but with a speed that''d make anyone dizzy, Su Min materialised right in front of him. He, staring at him, lifted his axe and slashed, rupturing the air with a glowing gold.


    An air blade, as instantaneous as the slash, formed and thrashed towards Li Tao with a sonic boom. Li Tao didn''t even see it coming as a gruesome blade of white embedded itself in his kneecaps.


    *SPLATTER* "AGHHHH!!"


    His face went a pale white as he felt his legs halve. He looked down, and with an expression of despair, saw both his legs roll off of him.


    *THUD*


    His body tumbled to the ground as what remained of his calves fumbled up and down. Rolling on the floor, his mouth tasted sweet as he coughed up a gurgling stream of blood.


    Su Min, standing in front of him, watched it all with the same grin. Though, he turned expressionless as he kneeled down and pulled Li Tao into the air by his hair. Li Tao dangled, and his mind blurred due to the endless gushing of blood coming out from two gaping wounds on his legs.


    "You can''t die on me now."


    Su Min''s eyes stared right into the man''s being as he lifted up his palm. Then, with a mumble, he spoke.


    "Fist. Second Form. Golden Eclypse..."


    A sizzling glow exploded from his fist, making the air seer with fright as an ancient aura billowed outwards. Li Tao shook with terror as his blood halted and his lungs constricted.


    It was like the world had darkened, and that a desolate being had taken form. A being that originated to the source of his bloodline, to the source of his everything.


    "Wh-who the fuck are you..."


    He stuttered out as he swung up and down from his dangling hair, though, Su Min ignored him and, waving his fist a bit, grabbed what remained of Li Tao''s leg. He looked at it for a second, then, with a swift thrust, shoved his fist right into the gaping wound.


    *WHOOSH* *SSSSSSSSSSS*


    "FAAAAAAAH!!"


    A sizzling muffled pop ensued with a crisp crackle. Li Tao flailed, but he couldn''t escape Su Min''s grasp. An agonising few seconds passed, and seeing that the wound had scabbed over, Su Min nodded and grabbed the other leg, shoving his fist right into it as well.


    *WHOOSH* *SZZZZZZZZ* PSS-SST* "GHAHAAAH#!~!"


    After a few more seconds his glowing fist died down and the ancient aura shrouding him dissipated in the wind, letting the two men watching this whole ordeal to breathe.


    "W-wha..."


    In fact, they still couldn''t breathe after what they saw. It made their scalps tingle and their minds despair at the thought of it happening to them.


    Su Min rubbed his chin as he grabbed the listless Li Tao, looking at the two remaining.


    "Hey, take me to your family or whatever."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Where''s Li Tao?!"


    A man, roaring at a servant kneeling before him, frowned as he sat in his throne. He didn''t know why, but he felt like something disastrous was about to happen.


    "Sir, we''re trying our best..."


    *THUD*


    With a dense bang, the robed man sent the servant out and stared into space. However, just as he was about to move, numerous gasps could be heard outside.


    A group of servants, halting with gaped breath, stared at the sky with wide eyes. They could see a silhouette plunging towards them at a rapid speed, growing from a dot to a figure that, with a booming pace, tore through the atmosphere, and with a bang, thrashed the area like a mace.


    *BANG* *SSSSS*


    A corpse, missing its legs, smashed face first onto the dirt in front of them, then with a painful slide, drove through such dirt and onto the servant''s foot.


    "What the fuck?!"


    The servant jumped back as he swore out loud with an incredulous expression, staring at the sizzling corpse beneath him. Everyone else gathered around and looked at it.


    "It can''t be..."


    Everyone held their breath as they stared at the broken body. This lasted for a few seconds until one brave servant, with a quick movement, broke the silence and pushed the corpse over.


    *Slide*


    "It''s him!"


    A listless face shone in everyone''s eyes as they stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar expression of the man, deep in despair. However, as the servants revelled in their shock, not too far away,three silhouettes emerged from the horizon.


    Two in front, one behind. The two leading were shivering, shivering at the person behind them. That person, in fact, was Su Min. Who, stretching his arms, frowned.


    "I missed..."

 35 Isll kill you.

    Gazing at the temple, Su Min, with a smirk, shined under that daylight that blazed the earth. His eyes, lighting up with a faint ancient glare, shone with various auras that flourished in the air.


    His chest hummed as it, by instinct, done this, revealing every existence within the temple. Though, Su Min rubbed his chin because of it.


    "Mhm..."


    He could see at least a hundred, if not more.


    "This may take a while..."


    The two in front quivered on instinct as they heard that mumble, yet, in a matter of seconds, their heads tumbled as a swift blade split past them...


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Li Tou!"


    Numerous servants scampered around as they held a corpse that''s knee deep in death. However, just as the servant spoke, a fierce woosh darted towards them.


    "W-"


    With wide eyes, a servant in the middle of the group stuttered out but one syllable, and then, with a swift slash, a blurred blade cut through his neck.


    *PLOD* *SPEWWW*


    His head, with the same expression it had just before death, slid right off the neck and onto the floor with a plod. A gush of crimson blood spewed outwards as everyone froze with horror.


    Li Tou, whom they disregarded, thudded back onto the floor as everyone went limp. Some even fainted, yet, nobody dared move as a shrill silence thoroughly enveloped them in a cocoon of abject terror.


    *BANG*


    A second, at most, passed as a distant bang thundered out from the complex. Some, with a shivering turn, stared at where the silhouette blade went.


    A hole, piercing right through the temple''s front wall, displayed itself in its cracked ridged wood. They couldn''t see that far in, so all they perceived was that hole that was made to haunt them.


    The temple was made out of hardened materials, so for it to do such a thing? They couldn''t even imagine it.


    *SSSSS*


    Nevertheless, the silence was broken as a sudden swift piercing wind emerged from the temple. It didn''t take long for that faint wind to become a booming streak that targeted the hole and, with an excessive force, a blurred blade penetrated right out such hole. Everyone, with a gasp, plummeted to the floor as the blade whooshed past them.


    *WOOOSH*


    It was as if someone had called such a dangerous thing back, not even needing to pick it up. Like how someone would attach a string to an object, throw it, then pull it back with such string.


    Although this took a while to describe, a second at most had passed in this series of events. It was in but a blink of an eye.


    "Hm..."


    And after this blink, a mumble echoed out from the horizon as a figure appeared, draped in black. His eyes, hazy yet clear, stared right the temple with a bloodthirst so hair-raising that it made the air shiver around him.


    He held out his hand as, with a *THUD*, an axe flew right into his palm. He gazed at it with a smile, thinking.


    ''I guess that rope method works well...''


    In fact, as he gazed at the axe, a string of black energy connected to his palm and it in question. It was thin to the point of looking like a string, yet it was made of at least a hundred individual strands of minuscule fibres.


    Yet this isn''t it, as within these fibres a few glistened a gold. They seemed to repel the black energy, causing a small space to separate it from all the others within the thin string. It seemed to carry an abnormal strength, and with a tensile force that surpassed the black by at least tenfold; it made the thin strand capable of withstanding all the force Su Min could muster.


    Though, because it rebelled against the majority of black energy, Su Min had to use a constant supply of mental energy to keep it at bay. You could say that your mind controls the energy of the world, and Su Min''s mind is anything but ordinary so he can endure for a while at least.


    "Now, I need to do this quick before your boss comes out..."


    Gripping the axe, Su Min grinned at the listless group of servants, then, with a swing so swift that it seemed instant to them, a new blur hurdled right for them.


    *SLASH* *BANG*


    "R-RUN!"


    A new head, a new death. Su Min, throwing the axe to his grip, threw it once again with a new, looming slash.


    *SLASH* *SLASH* "AHHHH!" *SLASH* *SLASH*


    He continued to walk closer as he threw and threw, smothering and covering every inch the temple with crimson, and also bombarding it with numerous gaping holes.


    The remaining servants went pale with fear and scampered away, so, he experimenting a bit, grabbed at the glistening strand of black and gold, and swung the axe like a goddamn whip.


    It swung in circles above his head, resembling that of a cowboy. Though, after a few seconds of swinging, its speed had become so intense that an unending stream of tense air spewed out.


    "Hey, come here."


    Hurling the swinging axe at a group, Su Min grunted as he became impatient.


    *SPSPLSSPLPSL* "AGAGAGAG"


    "SOMEBO-"


    "FU-~"


    "I DON''T WANT TO DI-~GHAH"


    Like a blender, a group of five cried out as they dissipated into a blood mist. Su Min, grabbing at the trembling energy wire, directed the swinging axe at more pitiful groups that remained.


    "HELP!!"


    "WHOOSH* *WHOOSH* *WHOOSH*


    The air, becoming so dense with blood that you could taste it, dyeing the whole front with an even deeper crimson. A crimson that seeped into the dirt and stunk like hell.


    "Ah, took you a while..."


    Su Min, pausing, looked ahead as his eyes felt a person rush towards him. Then, not a moment later, a resolute and raging bang erupted from the square.


    "WHAT GAL!!"


    A man in robes roared as he drove the temple''s doors open with iron fists, making them crumble before they could even slam. Su Min, halting the swing of death, stood there as a rain of blood formed.


    The clouds, in fact, had become tinged with red as they thundered in the sky, and without a care, spewed droplets of tinged blood rain onto the already drenched dirt.


    *Pitter Patter*


    It was like an announcement of a Death God incarnating into the world, streaming with an undulation of blood that reeked with the hellish demise of unsuspecting servants. Even if they are innocent, Su Min doesn''t care.


    "Gal? Hah! FUCK YOU!"


    Su Min, laughing as a whirlpool of blood streamed into his chest, roared with madness under the fierce blood rain. The man, frowning at the sight, gazed at the numerous corpses with worry and despair.


    Su Min saw this, and with a grin, walked a couple steps and grapped a listless man by the hair.


    "You looking for this person?"


    Like a miracle, Li Tou was alive as he swayed with the wind. Although he was unconscious and crimson.


    "Y-you..!"


    The man visibly shook as he stepped back, staring at his legless son. Su Min''s eyes glowed as he watched this, revelling in sweet revenge...


    "Don''t worry, I didn''t do too much. Just enough, you know, to repay what he did... You know what I''m talking about, right? Ha?!"


    The man''s eyes widened, and with a venomous glare, spoke with a commanding tone.


    "Stop! Just let him go, and we call it even! I won''t punish you for what you have done, but... If you continue, then you''ll regret it!"


    Su Min''s eyes trembled, yet it wasn''t a fear induced tremble, no. It was a rage. A kindled, fire.


    A fire that will bring hell.


    "Hahaha!"


    He, with a despaired cry, gazed right at the clouded blood-red sky. The man''s expression turned, but just as he was going to try to refute, Su Min''s eyes glazed over as a maddened cry reverberated out of him.


    "HAHAHAHAHAH!!"


    It was disturbing, disturbing to the point that it made the man shiver. Though, Su Min, with a sudden turn, swished his head from looking at the sky and aimed it right at the man.


    He stopped laughing and his expression turned still. The rain around him shivered even more; starting to even avoid him.


    He, with a hoarse voice, spoke a simple line.


    One that, although soft and calm, resounded with a roar in the man''s consciousness.


    "I''ll kill you."

 36 Deal.

    "I''ll kill you."


    The man felt his heart thump in his chest as he heard that declaration; it felt unmovable. And, as such a voice echoed into the pitter-pattering air, Su Min gripped his axe.


    A thumping hum thrummed in Su Min''s chest as his voice faded, then, with a furious throw, Su Min walloped the air with his grip and launched the axe straight at the man''s shin.


    *SHEW SHEW SHEW SHEW*


    Spinning and spinning, the axe plunged like a scythe onto the man, yet the man remained unfazed as his whole body got drenched in a dark haze of martial energy. A faint image of a burly ape seemed to materialise behind him, roaring with a strenuous might.


    Su Min, though, felt his chest remain unemotional to such a figure; like it was unworthy of its attention. So, he, as the axe darted right towards the man, leapt into the air with it and clenched his fist.


    A supply of gold darted into his chest as both his fists lit up the air with a light that blinded like a sun. Though, it flickered like a candle flame in torrential rain.


    Su Min felt his body crackle as it reached its all-time limit, any more and he would break something.


    "Petty tricks."


    The man, pressing his fist against his chest, threw a punch at the flying axe! A swirl of black enveloped his fist in a dense fog as this happened, pressuring everything surrounding him.


    "You''ll pay for being such an arrogant bastard!"


    *CLANGGG*


    A clear-cut indented itself in the hazed black energy swirling around his fist as the axe sludged what force it had into him, though it wasn''t enough. A striking clang slapped the air as the man''s fist, unbelievably, propelled the axe backwards!


    *BOOM*


    "Sure."


    Su Min, arriving with a booming blur, smirked as he swivelled his fists to his chest and struck out!


    *SMACK*


    The air, with a visible cry, distorted as a boom rang by. Shifting at a speed that rivalled the peak of the Martial Condensation first stage, Su Min raged as he slammed it towards the man''s face.


    "Petty. If that''s all you got then you shouldn''t have come here."


    *SHHH*


    The man''s face lit up with mockery as his whole arm got enveloped in the black haze. In conjunction, the ape-beast behind him growled and merged with the man, performing the same movements.


    "Battle Ape Form!"


    The air around the man froze as his aura leapt, and as if the ape had boosted him, a newfound strength blasted out. Though, the man''s face went pale as his whole body got zapped of its strength from the ape.


    Su Min''s eyes trembled as a newfound strength glistened in his view, one that surpassed the first stage he knew!


    "Second stage..!!"


    *BANNNNG*


    The man, meeting Su Min''s fist with his apely might, smirked as he overwhelmed Su Min to a ghastly proportion. His fist ruptured the air with a newfound boom that materialised a faint cone of sonic speed, doubling and tripling what Su Min could ever muster.


    *WHOOOOSH*


    Su Min, like a kite in a hail storm, sped away with a darting boom that reverberated with a thundering clap. His body mangled with aching pain tore by for a hundred meters in a shaking flash.


    *CRASH*


    That was until, a sudden hill, like a blitzing car ramming full speed into him, thrashed at his back with a crackling crash!


    "GUH!"


    Coughing out a gallon blood, Su Min felt his back pop and pop. It popped for what seemed like forever; only ending as Su Min felt his body numb all over.


    "Shit..."


    Feeling crazy, Su Min grumbled as his mouth dripped with blood. It seemed that what his ancient body sensed wasn''t always right.


    ''I had an instinct that I could fight him when the symbol on my chest sensed him. But I guess not, huh.''


    "Pfft! Is that all you got?!"


    The man, landing on the ground with a thud, stared at Su Min who was embedded in the hill. Su Min felt his blood boil as a familiar feeling brewed within him. It was the feeling of weakness.


    "Won''t talk? Well, I''ll send you off!"


    Laughing, the man strode towards Su Min as he crackled his fists. Su Min, still unable to move, watched as he grew closer and closer.


    ''I''m going to die?''


    It was a strange feeling, death. A thing people fear, the true unknown that envelops the world. Nevertheless, He doesn''t have time to fear death, as he cannot die today...


    ''Godammit...''


    Maybe he was fated to kill himself by walking into a death trap? Yet, just as the man walked up to him, a faint sizzle emerged from deep within him. The book in his pocket also started to tremble, and without warning, his body began trembling also.


    "Wow, you''re shivering out of fear?"


    The man''s smile grew wider as he hunked over Su Min and grabbed him by the neck.


    "Enjoy your death."


    Su Min felt the world turn upside down as the man''s sneer became his everything. The eyes, enjoying the show; the wide grin, glistening with white teeth. He sees it, the view he will have of his last few moments of breath.


    ''I need to uphold my promise...''


    He felt anger, anger beyond repair. He wanted to rip their family to shreds, he wanted to do it all!


    Though, as his breath died down, his body went limp and his eyes caved in, he found that he couldn''t. His world turned black, and his meagre breath collapsed.


    Though, not like others, his raging consciousness remained clear as he joined a strange world...


    "Huh?"


    Before he knew it, he was sitting on a simple wooden chair next to a simple... Wooden table. The table was of a average size, and a cup of tea brewed atop it. Steaming with a wafting aroma that calmed the mind.


    "Tea..?-"


    A sudden voice interrupted his incredulous expression as the endless black fog stirred.


    "Heh. Truly tragic."


    A figure, hazed and fogged in an abyssal black wandered out of nowhere and sat down opposite him. His voice was raspy and rough, almost like scraping metal. However, within it was a strange playfulness that made Su Min''s skin crawl.


    "Your strange book awakened me, Su Min."


    Continuing, the black figure moved his fogged hands and grasped the teacup. He, with an elegant demeanour, sipped at the tea with a slurp.


    *Ssss*


    Su Min, frozen as he watched this, saw the figure place the teacup down and stretch his body.


    "Gahhh! You know, you can''t beat a good cup after sleeping for a goddamn eternity. Right?"


    Not knowing what to say, Su Min clenched his fists as his death played past his mind again and again.


    "Angry, right? Well, I would be too if I went and jumped into the jaws of death whilst roaring that I''d murder such jaws. Pfft!"


    *BANG*


    As if he couldn''t hold himself, the figure slammed the wooden table with a fist as he covered his face, shivering with laughter.


    "Hey, at least your not dead. We can be best buddies now, forever and ever. Literally, PFFT!"


    *BANG**BANG*


    Wobbling with a creak, the table stammered as the figure banged it whilst holding his giggles in with a shut mouth. It continued for seconds, and just as Su Min was about to lose it, the man paused.


    "Hm. How about we... Do a deal? Eh? Don''t worry, it''s not a deal with the devil! It''s a deal with yourself! PFFT!"


    Shaking, Su Min''s eyes widened as he stared at the figure who was having trouble containing himself. Though the figure shook as a strange hymn hit the air, and with a glare at the sky, the man grumbled and spoke.


    "It''s simple, I let you live again, and you give me something in return."


    Slumping on his chair, the figure scratched his arse as he yawned. Though, Su Min spoke with a shaky breath as he heard the sentence.


    "Really?"


    "Yes. Are you stupid?"


    Grumbling, the figure continued to slump on the chair. Su Min rubbed his forehead as he felt his mind hurt from confusion, but he knew that this must be a chance!


    "What do you want!"


    Like a bulb had just lit for the figure, a sudden chuckle erupted out of him as he sat back up with a fierce motion; his expression serious but playful.


    "Oh. Nothing. Just some of your emotions."


    "Emotions?"


    Su Min, with a reflex, muttered back as his mind went blank. The figure tapped the table as he hummed with a whistle, and only as Su Min''s expression went sour did he speak.


    "Yeah, you know empathy and all that... But! You get to live again..! Heh? Good trade right?"


    "Wait..."


    "Oi! You ungrateful bastard, no normal person even gets a chance to live again! You, given the choice, would rather choose to die just because you want to feel? Priorities man!"


    Waving his hands in the air, the figure spoke with shock and dismissiveness as he watched Su Min''s expression. Su Min, gripping his fists, shook his head as he spoke.


    "Is there no other option?"


    Scratching his chin, the figure spoke as he eyed Su Min.


    "Hm, nope! Well, if you want you can just stay here forever. You are, after all, dead!"


    Speaking with a resoluteness, the figure''s sternness shone in Su Min''s eyes. It was true, he was dead.


    ''Either live or die...''


    Thinking, Su Min clenched his teeth as he spoke.


    "Deal."

 37 A New World.

    "Deal."


    With a resolute gaze, Su Min clenched his fists as he stared right at the blurred black figure. The figure in turn, with a smile, leaned right into his face and whispered.


    "Hehe. You won''t regret it. Not that you''d be able to feel regret anyway, pfft!"


    "You, as the Martial holder, will be driven by power, and only power! Ruthless, uncaring, deathly still, no sexual drive, the lot! You''ll be a doll, a doll of death! Enjoy it, as with your anger filled heart, the world will reek!


    HAHAHAHAH!"


    The figure, with a snarly voice, roared at Su Min as the world shook with a terrifying ripple. A chasm, seemingly originating from the abyss of time, sprawled in the air as an echoing thunder ruptured the sky.


    "HAHAHAHA! You, you will know, know the pain of loss! See, as you have decided to fuck your beliefs, let us see you fuck the world!"


    Widening his gaze, the figure stood up and patted his skinny legs with a teacup in his hand. The sky swirled into a vortex of blackness that would make anyone shudder with terror, yet Su Min''s eyes glazed over at that very moment.


    He felt his soul lose something, something precious.


    "Huh?"


    *BANG* *DIIIIIING*


    The chasm, resembling a beasts growl, scowled as everything became such a chasm. Su Min, finding himself weightless, got engulfed into the blitzing blaze, where the only thing that echoed in his ears was the last sentence the figure cried...


    "Hahaha! Fuck the heavens!!"


    *SSSSS*


    His mind, with a spasm, switched off as a strange feeling erupted in him. It was a feeling of life.


    *BANG*


    "?"


    Maybe a year had passed, maybe a second, but in this split second for Su Min, he felt a rough ground barrage into reality. A light, piercing with wavy streaks that flapped under the numerous leaves, shrouded over him.


    "Hm?"


    Su Min, blinking, looked around and frowned. He didn''t recognise this place.


    *Wooosh*


    A wind, calm yet chilling, blew across him. Yet, this simple wind made Su Min''s mind scamper and revel in danger!


    "?!"


    Su Min, in instinct, leapt off the floor as a sudden piercing blade shot at him. It was silent, and its speed made Su Min''s already fatigued mind dizzy...


    *GRAB*


    However, by some strange occurrence, his body moved by itself as Su Min grabbed the blade with his bare hands.


    *SHATTER*


    Gripping, the shining blade shattered!


    "My body..."


    Su Min felt the world around him seem strange, his body, his eyes, everything was different...


    *SCAMPER*


    Twitching, Su Min felt a faint flutter of leaves scamper away from him in a bush near him. Not thinking, not even changing expression, Su Min leapt forward and with a blur that was instantaneous, he appeared right at the bush.


    "W-what?!"


    A view entered his eyes as a half-naked man, running, looked back at him with an incredulous expression. His body was covered in strange tattoos, tattoos that seemed alive. Not only this but on his forehead shone with a simple symbol of a circle.


    "Die."


    Su Min, feeling nothing but anger, uttered one word as his body grasped the air with his hand, doing it without his command. A strange phenomenon happened, where the man with widened eyes, choked under an invisible force. His body lifted in the air as he kicked the ground, yet it did nothing.


    "GUHUH!"


    *CRACK*


    Not even taking a second, the man''s neck ruptured as his eyes shone with unwillingness and disbelief. Su Min, though, was focusing on his hand.


    "W-what was that...?"


    Su Min eyes glistened as a world he''d never think he would see erupted out of him. Like his senses had returned, a realm full of gold shuddered around him. The gold was clear, concise, and beautiful.


    "...Law?"


    Su Min felt his mind get bombarded with information as a stream of talent techniques sundered with an invisible wave from his newfound bloodline.


    "Ancient Law?"


    Su Min rubbed his eyes as the strange information muddled his thoughts, though, without him even thinking, that simple movement of his hand roused every golden strand surrounding him for metres. It was like a resonance, resonating with his palm.


    Shaking, Su Min performed the same grabbing movement he did before.


    *BANG*


    The golden strands, as if they had found their master, trembled before gathering at a fixed point a few meters in front of Su Min. A booming slap reverberated in the air as a shockwave rustled a few twigs on the ground.


    "My body..."


    Su Min, feeling empty, gazed at his body. His chest, like it had been revitalised, was no longer blurry!


    "A Golden figure?"


    A simple symbol glittered atop his chest, one of a golden man sitting down in meditation. He was inside of a circle, one where 8 more unoccupied spaces accompanied him.


    Just as he trembled at such a revelation, the information in his head finally became somewhat readable.


    ''Ancient Fist Arts-


    Ancient one, be blessed with the complete manual of the forbidden ancient arts. Fist arts, body arts, law. Cultivate the second energy of the universe, the might of the ancient energy.


    One to nine. Cultivate each symbol, and ascend the energies laws. Surpass your techniques and ascend the nine nirvanas! You, a primal being, have the duty to fight for our race''s survival!


    Slaughter the fiends, the fiends of the heavens race and the martial race, ancient one.''


    As if he had gained what he was always meant to know, his mind fell into a daze as a string of words imprinted themselves into his mind. He, curious, gazed at his muscle fibres and bone, even his skin.


    "Gold..."


    It was all gold, shining with a mystical beauty. Each of his muscle fibres, each of his bones, they were precious. In fact, although his skin wasn''t gold, tiny runes glittered atop his skin like jewels.


    ''I wasn''t cultivating the races techniques, I was cultivating my body to be able to cultivate their techniques...''


    Su Min, realising this, paused. He didn''t gasp, though, but he felt a strange feeling.


    It was a feeling of power, something that made him happy.


    ''I''m at the very beginning of the first stage...''


    Su Min knew that he had just reached the first stage, and even though the symbol on his chest was clear, it wasn''t complete by any standard. It glowed, but the glow contained a flicker that was dull and insignificant


    But, because he had just reached the first stage, he could control the ancient energy of the world in a 5-meter area around him. Merely with a wave of his hand...


    ''I''m not human?''


    Su Min, looking for the familiar intents his old body had, found nothing. He couldn''t sense the martial energy of the world, and he couldn''t feel the intent


    In fact, just as he thought about that, he shuddered as he remembered something.


    "The book..!"


    Scampering, Su Min shifted his vision onto his body. He, just discerning that he was wearing a jacket, also saw the book resting in its pocket. Somehow, his jacket had stayed with him...


    "Hm..."


    It was confusing, as wasn''t he the Martial Race? Was he going to fight himself? For him to cultivate the ancient but not the martial energy made no sense to him.


    Though, no matter how hard he thought he couldn''t come up with an answer. Everything already made no sense, including how he had reincarnated; how he had gained an ancient body with an unknown talent, and how such a body was fully cultivated in the beginner technique that he had just started a while ago...


    "Though, where am I..."


    Looking around, Su Min grumbled. He was in a forest, though everything felt different. To be exact, old. The trees were old, the soil, everything. Though, because of this, he felt right at home...


    "How am I going to find where I live?"


    He wanted to run back and kill that bastard, but it seemed that he couldn''t. He may as well be on the other side of the world for all he knows.


    "Well, maybe I can go and ask those tattoo people."


    Sighing, Su Min rubbed his shimmering golden hair, dazzling with a faint shine that blinded with a pressuring gold. In fact, now that he examined the area, everything around him was trembling from his presence.


    "Tattoo people..."


    Remembering their appearance, Su Min hopped as he felt the surrounding space around him. The ancient fist arts remerged from his head as he thought.


    ''I can control the golden energy around me, so shouldn''t I be able to fly?''


    Eyes glistening, Su Min focused his attention on the endless golden energy surrounding him, and with a sudden hymn from his chest, the energy darted toward him with a violent manner!


    *BANG* *ZOOOOOM*


    "Fuck."


    Not controlling it properly, the energy slammed into Su Min with a thud, hurling him backwards for an unknown distance, nearing that of a mile. Only sensing a tingling sensation on his skin, Su Min sighed with annoyance.


    It seemed that his control was lacklustre right now; coinciding with his mind that was having trouble getting used to his new body. His mind was trying to catch up with his body with its control over the laws of the golden energy, and this may take a while.


    In fact, he had a strange feeling from his chest. It was as if space was there, one similar to the space he learned the two fist arts form.


    "Guess I''ll run."


    Feeling a headache coming from all the new technique methods that were imprinting themselves into his mind, Su Min breathed deeply and looked ahead.


    *Wooosh*


    A bristling wind, and a strange sky, Su Min gazed with an emotionless frame that made the trees quiver and the air shudder. A being, his being, his bloodline. It is such a bloodline that the world hasn''t seen since the beginning of time, and it will now usher a new era.


    "Gold is bland, to be honest."

 38 Two Pitiful People.

    "Gold is bland, to be honest."


    Crackling his fists, Su Min sighed as he stared ahead. His eyes glistened with a primal gold, pinpointed the fading aura of the dead tattooed man, so he, with a leap, darted toward such a location.


    *SHHH*


    The surroundings, as if he had teleported, blurred at a surreal motion as within a literal split second he appeared before such a corpse. The unwilling eyes and strange circled symbol displayed itself on the dirt floor.


    "Hm..."


    Su Min found that a sliver of the corpses aura strung before him, leading towards the north, or behind the corpse. It was like he had caught the scent of the man, and could now follow the tracks of where he had been.


    "Guess I''ll follow this."


    Making up his mind, Su Min once again trod on the ground with a muffled boom and whistled off into the distance. A visible sonic boom shuddered around him as a piercing line cut the forest.


    ...


    ...


    Two males, covered head to toe in what seemed like tattoos of prehistoric creatures stood atop a stone gate. The gate, towering so high that it pierced the clouds, seemed to exude a majestic presence and a pressuring atmosphere.


    The two beings sighed as they, with a language that felt ancient and inconceivable, spoke to each other.


    "You heard, the juniors have been sent out to hunt some beasts."


    "Hm? Where?"


    "The south forest. It seems that it has become quite lively in the last couple of years. Tribes left and right keep starting camp, so we, of course, have to exterminate them."


    "Mhm. There are way too many of those pests..."


    However, just as they were speaking, an infitisimal boom reverberated far in the horizon.


    "Hm? Hey, you hear something?"


    "Aye. Start the defensive measures, must be some madman."


    Not even panicking, the two looked with attention toward the horizon. A shimmering glow erupted from their foreheads, where 3 circles shone!


    "Mhm, notified the engineers."


    "Sure, though this one may be a little troublesome."


    Speaking with a strange formality, the two frowned as that distant boom become a thundering echo that blasted an ear-splitting sound wave far, far in the distance...


    "This being must have a considerable battle prowess, get prepared."


    "Mhm."


    *BANG*


    Emerging from a peaked horizon, a sundering shockwave swelled as it swept and continued to pursue a trail that travelled for hundreds of miles.


    "Gold?"


    The two became perplexed as they saw a faint gold shroud the shockwaves, in fact, the sky had shifted a faint golden above the looming figure, although it spread for only a couple of meters.


    "A race that uses the ancient energy? Never thought I''d see one in the heaven''s region..."


    *BOOOOM*


    Just after that mumble, the figure at a hair-raising speed transformed from a dot into a figure draped in black. He was only a couple meters away from such a massive wall, and, he felt like an ant.


    "Ah. I found it."


    Gazing, Su Min found it hard to imagine how such a structure was constructed. It reached right into the heavens, and with its pure white stone and majestic atmosphere, it made him truly feel tiny.


    "How on earth do I get passed this thing."


    Su Min mumbled as he leapt toward it, however, just as he got halfway there, a white cone of energy materialised right in front of him.


    "Uh.?"


    *BANG*


    Although he wasn''t going at a speed that he considered ''fast'', a dull crash smacked as, with a sudden thud, he thrashed right into the white barrier. He rebounded back a couple meters, where, with a crystalline shimmer, the barrier dissipated into nothingness.


    "This is going to be difficult."


    Still not wanting to give up, Su Min''s eyes glistened with something inconceivable as his chest which circled with one figure thumped.


    The sky seemed to darken as his fists crackled, and with a stream of ancient strands counting in the hundreds, a mighty glow lit up the sky for hundreds of meters.


    "Take my fist!"


    Throwing his fist back, Su Min glared at the air as his grip, reifying with a gold, threw itself outwards. The punch, as if it had enveloped the world, forced a shadow to loom and tremble over the entire ground for kilometres.


    *SHIIIING*


    Not even caring, the same white wall emerged from space it expanded and thickened. Though, Su Min''s gaze shone with a resoluteness as he swivelled his chest and propelled his fist right into it!


    *BANNNNNGGGGGGG*


    Enveloping the world and everything in such a world, a crazed force entered the white barrier as a shockwave so massive that it defied description thundered around Su Min.


    *CRACK*


    Trembling, the barrier loosened as Su Min''s fist dug into it without reserve! Though, even as he continued, the barrier continued to thicken with him.


    "Hmph."


    Grumbling, Su Min''s eyes glistened as an arrogance that drenched his very bones erupted out of him. A wall dared to stop him? Hah?


    *SHEWWWW*


    His chest, thumping without a care, sucked in an unending stream of golden energy as Su Min''s fist that was starting to slow glimmering with a newfound strength!


    *BANG*


    Flying with a momentum that surpassed its previous record, and with a startling tremor, Su Min''s arm constricted as its golden muscles and bone finally seemed to become semi strained. Though, this wasn''t its limit yet. Nowhere near.


    *SHATTER*


    Nevertheless, a punch containing at least a thousand strands of ancient energy seemed too much for such a barrier to handle. So, with a crack that echoed with despair, its white light split apart as it lost any sense of conformity.


    "Now. I can finally get to the wall."


    Watching the light dissipate, Su Min lowered his arm and smiled. What amazing power!


    ''I used at least 1000 strands of energy there, yet I don''t feel any fatigue! A barrier that enveloped the sky was destroyed by me, haha!"


    Getting overwhelmed in an emotion that was addicting, Su Min blurred with a dense sonic boom as he appeared before the stone wall that seemed to hold the sky.


    "Maybe jumping up?"


    Feeling the smooth surface of the wall, Su Min pondered as he looked at it. Its size was so colossal that he assumed that it would be troublesome to destroy such a structure, although he didn''t really know whether he could even destroy it.


    "Die."


    However, just as he was going to try to do such a thing, two simultaneous voices echoed in his mind as a pair of black figures emerged from behind him. A visible killing intent pierced right onto Su Min''s back, fluttering as a faint wind sprung onto his back.


    The two figures were right next to Su Min as if they had been waiting in ambush. They held two razor-sharp daggers, and being within a couple centimetres from Su Min, were already in the process of stabbing him.


    Except...


    "Did you really think that I didn''t see you?"


    *GRAB*


    Su Min, with a mocking gaze, grabbed the two daggers that aimed right for his neck and laughed. His eyes shone with an ancient glare; as if it could see through the world.


    "What?!"


    The two figures gasped as they, with a sudden jump, let go of the daggers and leapt backwards.


    "Oh? Three circles? I guess I have still got a way to go..."


    Eyeing the figures Su Min muttered. He needed to reference his strength, as he wants to know where he is in the food chain at least...


    "Intruder! Please surrender."


    "If you don''t, then even if we die, reinforcements will arrive."


    Both, speaking, stared at the strange being in front of them. For some reason, whenever they looked at Su Min''s chest, they felt an inexplicable terror rise in their hearts...


    "Hm... Can I just visit-... Uh, who are you people even called?"


    Scratching his head, Su Min didn''t seem to care as he ignored the threat. The two ''s expression changed as they frowned, not believing that he could be that ignorant.


    "So you choose to fight?"


    "No. I just want information..."


    "Stop mocking us!"


    Becoming incensed, the two roared. Su Min grumbled in return, not knowing what to say.


    "Mhm, I''ll just kill you two then. Not like I''m scared of death or anything..."


    Sighing, Su Min reminisced as he, with a simple move of palm, punched out in front of the two. He didn''t suck up any golden energy, no, he was trying out the law his body has control over.


    *PSSST*


    "What?!"


    The two felt their hearts jump as an unknown danger tricked on them. They, jumping, fled on a reflex.


    However, they were only a meter away from Su Min, and Su Min, opening his palm, grasped the air with a grin.


    *WOOSH*


    Like the world had turned on them, the two felt an impenetrable might swallow their everything without mercy. Before they could even try to avoid it, this might magnified one hundred fold as a solidified crack spewed in the air.


    *CRACK*


    "GUH!"


    A golden energy, embracing them, arose from oblivion and wrapped itself around them in the shape of a cacoon. Though, without remorse, this cacoon constricted till a pitiful wail shrieked within.


    *SSSHHHHH* "GAHHH!"


    Waiting a while, Su Min opened up his palm and dispersed the golden energy.


    "Damn."


    Two corpses that were beyond recognition collapsed onto the ground with a thud. Su Min, feeling a slight strain on his mind, felt that this law was a lot more powerful than he had thought. Although it had a limited space.


    Kicking the corpses with a dazed expression, Su Min stared at the wall high in the sky.


    "Guess I can jump up now."

 39 Village #1023

    "Has my heart gone cold?"


    With a mutter, Su Min tensed his body and breathed as he stared at the lifeless corpses. A strange shiver shook the air as everything fluttered to a halt. It was as if the air, space, and the sky knew what lied ahead.


    ...


    ...


    Within a metallic room, the size of a basketball court, at least a hundred tattooed people stood with their eyes closed. On their foreheads shone three circles, intertwining with a strange law that made them pop out with surreal motions.


    "Hm?"


    One of these people, standing in an inconspicuous location within the crowd, frowned as her forehead shone with a tremor, then died down. She opened his eyes, and with a strange movement, appeared a hundred meters away with a swift blur.


    It was silent, though, like she had merged with the wind.


    "Sir."


    Facing a door that was at the back of the room, the woman bowed as she awaited a response.


    "Come in."


    Taking a second, the door opened with a tug. The woman walked in with a calm gait.


    Sitting on a simple strewn mat, a man with deep eyes sat in a lotus position. The air seemed to carry a strange serenity, where the floor and walls were made out of some sort of old oak.


    "What brings you here?"


    Smiling, the man opened his eyes as 4 circles glimmered under the shaded atmosphere shrouding him. The woman, gazing at him with a hint of awe, spoke.


    "Sir, our two gatekeeper''s connections at the southern gate has been lost. Their last report was that an intruder was nearing them."


    "Hm... Did they describe the being?"


    The woman paused as her face became uncertain, almost fearful, but she hid it quickly and continued.


    "Mhm. They said it was a being who used the forbidden energy, sir."


    "Ancient energy? In heaven''s region? I thought the higher races had wiped them out a long time ago... Hm. Must be a stray, although powerful if it could get past the barrier."


    The man''s eyes shone with a mysterious light as he mumbled. The woman, waiting, eventually asked.


    "Sir, would you like to send reinforcements?"


    However, to her surprise, the man shook his head as he stood up. His eyes seemed to contain anticipation, and with a yawn, he spoke.


    "I''ll deal with the being personally, as I have never fought those forbidden races before... I would like to have a taste of the great war that happened in the wasted era."


    "Sir..?"


    The woman gasped as she stood back, yet the man took no head and strode past her, entering the control room. A couple people who were awake like the woman gasped as their forehead''s three circles trembled. It was a tremble of admiration and fear, swishing together to form an awe that a beggar would feel towards a king.


    "Heh. Ignore me, I won''t be long. If I haven''t come back by tomorrow, then notify the council that a being with a threat level of at least a 5th circle mage has emerged within our grounds."


    Smiling, the man expression was kind as he gazed at the numerous people in the room, though his eyes were tired and bored.


    *WOOSH*


    Disregarding their reactions, the man''s existent fuzzed as his whole body faded away in a light gush of wind. Next thing they knew, he had appeared on the other side of the room, grasping the metal door and walking out.


    "A 5th circle mage?!"


    The woman, stumbling out of the man''s room, spoke with shock as she stared ahead. She couldn''t hide her awe when she said such words, in fact, it was more of a feeling like that of a worshipper saying the name of God.


    ...


    ...


    *BANGGGGG*


    With a boom that thrashed at the sky and parted the clouds, a figure flashed like a piercing bullet and tore right into the sky with consecutive desolate smacks.


    "Ah. I made it over."


    His body, shrouded in a hazy gold, floated within the sky as his momentum dwindled away with gravity. Beneath his feet was where the gold was most concentrated, and this gold was what threw him into the air.


    "Guess smashing myself with energy has its uses..."


    Staring at the gold beneath his feet, Su Min sighed as it dispersed with his will. A will which was way too tired right now.


    "Oh?"


    Staring ahead, Su Min caught a glimpse of what lay behind the majestic wall, and it made him curious. He, kicking the air and propelling himself onto the walls massive pathway atop it, took a closer look.


    "Old..?"


    A vast plain that most would describe as a paradise stretched out in front of him. He was so high up in the sky that everything looked like dots to him, though he could tell what they were.


    Villages. An uncountable number of villages scattered around these green and lush plains, where simple forest interspersed in some corners and mountain in others. The villages had simple wooden houses, nothing fancy.


    "Hm... A village might have some information."


    Rubbing his chin, Su Min looked down, seeing the ground that stretched out like an unreachable target. Anyone with a fear of heights would tremble at such a sight, but Su Min didn''t really care as he had already jumped up the wall.


    "Though, where are the reinforcements?"


    Pausing, Su Min glanced ahead as he thought back to what those two said. All he saw was villages, so where was the mighty sect that runs this place and the wall that stretched over the horizon?


    "Eh, whatever. Maybe the sect is too far away for me to see, I''ll see them eventually anyway if needed."


    Jumping onto the wall''s erected ledge, Su Min closed his eyes and just... Fell off.


    *wwwooooOOOOOOSSSSSHHHHHHH*


    Like he was about to commit suicide, a wind that blasted his ears at an ever-increasing magnitude rushed by him...


    ...


    ...


    "Village #1023?"


    A man, draped in black, spoke a dull sentence as he stared at a wooden sign in front of him. It was mouldy and smelled a bit.


    "Hahaha! Come back here!"


    He was standing on a dirt pathway, where a couple of meters behind such an old sign stood numerous wooden huts. A couple kids, running around, rushed right towards him. Their skin was covered in tattoos, although it was a lot fainter and unfinished.


    "Ah! Who''s that?!"


    The kids, gasping, halted to a stop as they stared at the random man who was staring at their village sign. His hair dazzled them, gleaming with a colour that they had never seen in their lives.


    "Why doesn''t he look like us?"


    The kid''s eyes sparkled as they stared at the man''s face and body frame. His body was strange, it had no tattoos... His face was ordinary, etched with plainness.


    His everything exuded a simplicity, even his golden hair was simple, although dazzling. It was at the level that would make anyone ignore him; as if he could just blend into the background. He no longer held the strange nobless of his old self, no, he had reverted way back and become someone who exuded nothing but bareness.


    "Kids?"


    Su Min, glancing at the two kids, mumbled as he gazed ahead of him. He didn''t care if people saw that he wasn''t like them, as he had long lost any emotion to care. If he had to kill half the village to get answers then he would do such a thing.


    ''I guess I really did lose empathy...''


    Realising this, Su Min felt a feeling of loss encompass him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t feel. No matter what, even if someone were to go up to him and torture a random helpless child with strewn screams, he wouldn''t care.


    He couldn''t care; so he wouldn''t care. He will only care if caring brings him what he wants. His heart is frozen, frozen with a placid ice that will never be shaken. Never, and ever...


    *BANG*


    Stomping the ground, Su Min grabbed the sign and with a grip of pure strength; the sign shattered into dust. A shockwave scattered out from him, alerting everyone.


    "What was that?!"


    A startled shout erupted out from the closest hut as a tattooed man ran outside. His forehead shone with a single circle, and his gaze carried an inhuman glare that surpassed humanity.


    "Single circle..."


    Su Min gazed at him without caution, waiting.


    "Our sign?!"


    The man''s expression turned fierce as he stared at the dust that sprinkled out of Su Min''s rough hands. However, just as he was about to become enraged, Su Min spoke with a smile.


    "I don''t recommend doing that."


    Su Min turned his head as his eyes stared intently at the man. Though, whether it was intentional or not, the man felt the whole world become Su Min''s gaze, a gaze of gold. His eyes shifted to that of hysteria as he stammered out one word.


    "W-..."


    As if the world had clasped him down with a brutal palm, the man''s body froze with a petrified shiver. His head dripped with sweat, and his breathing was dull and ragged.


    "Good..."


    Removing his gaze, Su Min nodded as that faint law dispersed around the man. In Su Min''s eyes, numerous golden strands that had stuck onto the man''s body disbanded.


    "W-what do you want..."


    The man''s eyes were full of despair as he caught his breath. It was because this being wasn''t from his race! The only way for this to happen is that he broke past the wall, and the strength needed for that... Well. He could only guess.


    "Get all your villagers out here."


    Su Min spoke as he rubbed the remnants of the sign off his hands.

 40 Raging Wind.

    "Hm.."


    Su Min mumbled under his breath as a collection of tattooed men and women gathered before him. Some were confused, some frightened. Some hid behind others, some held their loved ones.


    However, one thing was in common between these people; they each had a single circle atop their foreheads. Though some were blurry, some half finished and some not even moving.


    The village head, the person Su Min met earlier, was the only person who possessed a clear and concise circle. It spun and glistened with an atmosphere that made him seem different, abnormal.


    Though, this made Su Min feel a certain disgust. A disgust that writhed in his chest, one of hate and resentment. Nevertheless, whatever aura it was, it was feeble and unworthy of his attention.


    "You, all of you, where am I?"


    Su Min, voicing out with a deep rumble, spoke to the group. It was a simple question, one that made everyone frown.


    "Are you messing with us?"


    A burly man, hidden within the crowd, spoke in reply as his face shone with anger. However, he hid it quickly as Su Min directed his placid gold gaze toward him.


    "No."


    Of course, he was serious. Despite this, everyone didn''t seem to believe him as despair filled the group. They spoke in hushed whispers, figuring that the golden-haired man in front of them was just playing with them.


    "The heaven''s region, sir."


    However, a sudden voice escaped from the scampering and uncertain crowd as a young tattooed boy answered. He was at most 15, maybe a little less.


    "Heaven''s region?"


    Su Min''s face shone with interest as he stared at the boy, eyes glimmering with a pressuring gold.


    "Tell me more."


    Crouching down, Su Min spoke as he eyed the boy. The boy in turn took a step back as the world in his eyes shook and became golden, this gold scared him...


    "A-about the heaven''s region?"


    The boy stuttered out a question as he clenched his teeth and stood still, everyone surrounding him had already retreated, so he was left to fend for himself.


    These people pitifully stared at the boy, as if they had already sentenced him to death.


    "Mhm."


    Su Min nodded, taking no heed to the group who didn''t believe him.


    "W-well, where we are is referred to as the lower heaven''s region. We are accompanied by two other regions, but I don''t know the name''s of them. So..."


    Su Min rubbed his chin as he thought.


    ''Two other regions? Could they be called the Martial and Ancient regions?''


    Feeling enlightened, Su Min asked the restless boy another question out of curiosity.


    "Ever heard of humanity?"


    However, when the boy heard the question, his expression turned clueless.


    "No..."


    "Mhm... Ok."


    Su Min nodded as he got up with a slow stride. He felt that it was likely that humanity lives in the Martial Realm, assuming that there is one such realm.Otherwise, why would they cultivate the martial energy?


    Seeing that Su Min hadn''t killed the boy, everyone questioned why this man was even here. Couldn''t he had just asked some random straggler to get the same information? Why did he need to break past the wall?


    "Hey, you can go now."


    Waving dismissively, Su Min sighed as he walked past them and towards a forest close by. Though this made them even more confused...


    "Why is he going to the forest?"


    "Was he actually serious?!"


    Su Min didn''t seem to hear them as his figure blurred after a couple steps, rupturing the air with an intense speed that surpassed their cognitive abilities.


    "Ah, I don''t have an axe."


    Su Min grumbled as he appeared before the forest a kilometre away, but thinking for a second, he lifted his right palm and flattened it. His gaze flickered for a moment until he decided on something, causing him to swish his hand and throw it right at a tree.


    "I need a house."


    ...


    ...


    "Interesting."


    A man, covered in tattoos, stood atop a mighty wall that pierced the skies and clouds. His forehead shone with 4 circles, making the air shudder and the atmosphere brighten


    "Definitely one of the ancient races, strength above all, eh."


    He looked down, staring at two strewn and decaying corpses that lie on the downcast ground. It didn''t seem like he cared about their deaths; as if he had seen it all too often.


    "Now..."


    Removing his gaze, the man spun around and looked towards the uncountable villages that diverged throughout the land. Nevertheless, it didn''t take him long to find one that caught his attention.


    "No sign?"


    Pondering, the man decided on something and, without even rustling a single sound, dissolved out of existence like an illusion.


    ...


    *BANNNNGG*


    A thunderous bang slashed through the sky as a small forest, once standing tall, got smudged in a dense whirlpool of dirt and bark. The whirlpool didn''t take long before it encompassed and swirled like an aggressive tornado, making everyone in the village gasp.


    A light wind sprung over them as if it were signalling a doomsday.


    "What the?!"


    *WACK*


    Following this, a second, more resolute smack reverberated within the whirpool. It shuddered, then with a strange pop, exploded outwards with a massive shockwave that spanned at least 500 meters.


    The whirlpool collapsed inwards as a dense array of trees tumbled to the ground within it, though some didn''t even get a chance to as they got swept by the blitzing shockwave.


    "R-run!"


    Panic-stricken, everyone lost their wits as a terrifying ocean of air spewed outwards and right towards them. It was like a raging tsunami, rising with a tantalising clutch that desired to engulf them in a mighty air pressure.


    *wooooOOOOOOSSSH*


    Winds rising to insane degrees, the shaky huts of the villages started to get tugged out of the dirt, though they were still somehow holding. However, if this continued, the whole village would eventually get flung.


    "Hm..."


    Just as this was happening, an inconspicuous figure appeared within the crazed atmosphere of the village. His expression was calm, and as if the wind couldn''t even affect him, he stood before the approaching shockwave that shook the sky.


    "Why did he attack a forest?"


    The figure was confused, but sighing, he swished his palm outwards and simply pressed the air in his grasp. Though, this simple movement was anything but that...


    "Heaven''s Wind."


    The four circles on his head shone with a strange light as the sky thrummed with a quiver. Then, with a rupture, a light gathered atop the figures palm. It was white, an awe-inspiring white that made the villagers halt with hysteria.


    "A mage!"


    *SSSSSSS*


    The white energy seemed to resonate with a certain power within the world as a strange, pure wind started to gather around it. The wind was calm, yet the shockwave that faced it shuddered.


    "Block."


    The figure''s eyes shone as all the white energy surrounding his palm transformed into that strange wind. The wind encompassed him, then with a sudden spring, encompassed the village.


    It was as he had just stretched the wind, stretched it to cover the sky. The shockwave, not caring the least, thrashed into the strange wind like it was the descent of a God.


    *SMACK*


    Resounding with numerous shockwaves, the wind blasted past the cocooned village with an extreme rush that caused the ground to tremor and the clouds in the sky to change directions.


    "Stillness."


    The figure, waving his hand down, spoke once more as the tensile wind stood its ground. Though, through this word, the wind vibrated ever so slightly.


    *MMMMMM*


    Like the controller of the world, the raging winds that thrashed at the world shivered, then with a tranquil flutter, relaxed till it halted.


    "Hm?"


    However, as the terrifying shockwave settled, the figure became startled as he stared at the clear view of the dilapidated forest. A man draped in black stood before a wide array of floating logs. He swished his hands, and like an orchestra, directed numerous logs to crash into the ground perpendicular.


    He was building something...


    "The records did say that these races were mad..."

 41 First Form!

    "The records did say that these races were mad..."


    The figure materialised in the air as a simple tattooed man shone into view. His skin was dark with a dense accumulation of tattoos that wreathed with vigorous depictions of celestial beasts that seemed holy and majestic.


    "H-holy one!"


    Though, just as appeared before the village, a simultaneous exclamation rang out as everyone kneeled down face first. Their expressions shone with fervour, fear and awe...


    "Mhm. Stand."


    The man nodded a tad as he motioned for them to stand up. He gazed at each of them, where the faint suppression of his four circles made the villagers lower their heads.


    "Did you speak to that man over there?"


    Pausing a bit, the man spoke with a soft voice as he pointed toward the uncaring figure who continued to pummel the ground with logs upon logs.


    The group of villages tensed a bit as they heard the question, then with a nudge, a boy popped out with shaky legs. He was the same boy Su Min talked to, though his eyes were riddled with fear.


    "I-I talked to him."


    The boy stuttered out a sentence as he kicked the ground out of nervousness, twiddling his thumbs and gazing at his feet. The man, showing interest, asked once more.


    "What''d he ask?"


    The boy paused, then with a gulp, spoke some quite strange words.


    "He asked where he was, and about a race known as ''Humanity''... Nothing more, holy one."


    The man''s eyes seemed to glimmer with a mysterious nature as his face broke into a smile; it was as if he was confirming some suspicions.


    "You did well facing that man, now, I''ll try doing so."


    Patting the kids head, the man grinned as he stared at the run-down forest in the distance. The boy''s face became frightened at the sudden action, though he didn''t dare move.


    "Now, please my children, shelter yourselves."


    Speaking, a light wind fluttered around the man as his existence hazed with a frizzly blur, and, in the time it took to blink, he had disappeared. Everyone felt their legs weaken out of pure stress, but the kid was different. He gazed, with intent, at the forest a kilometre away!


    ...


    ...


    "Hm... This should do."


    Standing atop a piece of rubble, Su Min nodded as he stared at a simple wooden house in front of him. It was made out logs, large logs in fact, and exuded a faint gold from the dissipating strands that manoeuvred them.


    It was simple, but it was enough for Su Min to get some shut-eye. Too much has happened, and he needs some rest... He needs to sleep away the worries he has back at home, all of them, commingling onto his emotionless self.


    *Wooosh*


    However, just as he was about to step in, a faint wind sprung beside him. His face glistened with the same expression, but his body reacted differently...


    *BANG*


    Like he was swatting a fly, his still hand seethed as he slapped at the empty air with an intense boom. The sky trembled and the logs beside and under him shattered into dust, all from a simple thrust...


    "Good!"


    A man, revealing himself in the wind, roared as he stood before Su Min in the newly formed crater. Su Min frowned as he stared at the house he had just built, one which was now nothing but sawdust.


    "My house..."


    Su Min frowned, then looked at the man who had disrupted his sleep. It annoyed him, so he with a raspy rumble spoke at the grinning man. He needed to teach this annoying bastard a lesson!


    "You''re the reinforcements those two spoke of?"


    The man''s smile widened and spoke with an ignited excitement.


    "Yep! Now, you who came from the ancient realm, would you like to duel? Don''t worry, our race originates from a real heaven''s race, so I assure you that you may be surprised!"


    Su Min''s eyes shined as he heard the comment.


    ''Originates from one of the heaven''s races? So that''s why I felt such disgust! Although it''s so faint...''


    Feeling enlightened, Su Min felt obliged to follow the commandment of his race. He is THE Ancient Race. The true, one and only, Ancient Race! Above all, the pride of the entire Ancient Realm!


    "Heh? You originate from a heaven''s race? Guess I have to clean this filthy realm up, as it is my mission, you see."


    Su Min, lifting with a terrifying smile, laughed as he glared right back at the man. It was a glare of gold, and it made the mans bloodline shiver out of pure eeriness and unscrupulous warning. It was as if it was trying to make him stop; like he was about to rouse a beast he should never rouse!


    "Alright! Then achieve such a mission! Ancient Scum!"


    The man''s eyes glimmered as he, with a sudden tremble, disappeared without a trace. Su Min''s eyes remained unchanged as he stood there, though, his eyes gleamed a mystical light that shrouded the world.


    "Petty tricks!"


    Thrashing the air behind him, Su Min grasped a shocked silhouette that was aiming at his neck. Not taking heed, and with a grasp of pure iron, Su Min walloped the man right onto the ground!


    *WOOOOSH*


    Though, just as he was halfway there, Su Min felt his grasp clench at air as the man somehow escaped his grip. He turned with a frown and looked at the man who was appearing a couple meters away from him.


    "Impressive!"


    The man''s eyes thrummed with a passion as he laughed, though through this his eyes gained a certain seriousness.


    "Then I''ll show you a spell made to kill beings like you!"


    MockingSu Min, the man, with a sudden press, grasped the air with a firm palm. A strange shiver permeated throughout the realm as Su Min felt his blood that had remained unchanged until now quiver.


    "Heaven''s Declaration!"


    A majestic voice, echoing outwards and into all beings, erupted out of the man as his palm got enveloped in a dense milky light that came from his body. Though, Su Min''s eyes turned as he stared at the light.


    The man wasn''t commanding the energy in the world, no, he was using the energy in his body. It was different compared to Su Min, who had some control over the world''s ancient energy.


    "Heavens energy?"


    Just as he was pondering, the whole sky shimmered as a blinding beam of light ripped like a clawing beast and descended with a feeling of absolute suppression.


    "Death!"


    The man''s voice became hoarse as he pointed at Su Min, where that beam of light, with a faint roar, flashed and shot right towards Su Min! Nevertheless, Su Min didn''t seem fazed as he watched it fall.


    "This law... Is too weak!"


    Su Min''s eyes glistened as he spoke towards the incoming beam that wanted to vaporise his existence. A strange hum erupted out of his chest as all the ancient energy within a 5-meter radius responded to his will.


    *MMMMMMMMM*


    A faint rumble shook the ground as the beam nosedived with a peaking blast, leaping right onto Su Min. Su Min, in turn, with a muffled breath, spoke.


    "Fist arts. First Form."


    He didn''t move nor did absorb any energy, no, he commanded the ancient energy around him to move for him! An aura that seemed to surpass anything in the world erupted out of Su Min as the man''s expression changed.


    "?!"


    Before he could even react, a blitzing aura seemed to erupt out of space as a golden glow shrouded the clouds, the heavens, and the earth. It made the villagers, the man, and any other being with a couple kilometres shudder with an intense trepidation that flooded their bloodline.


    "Might of the Ancient!"


    His roar, echoing out like a mighty law, sundered the clouds and thrashed them out! With this, a desolate and strange wind emerged and covered the sky and everything in it for hundreds of meters...


    The falling beam, as if it had met its nemesis, shrieked with an intense hatred.


    *BANG*


    However, before it could even retaliate, the golden laced wind that shrouded the world snapped and thrashed! A faltering illusion of a golden being enveloped the sky as, with a single palm, it pushed down on the entirety of the landscape!


    *POP POP POP POP BANG!!*


    The man''s eyes became dismayed as he stared at the golden figure in his sky. His legs weakened and his heart rate boomed in his head like thunder. That figure, why was it so scary..?


    "What is that..?"


    Not caring the least, Su Min''s solemn eyes flickered as that massive palm annihilated the beam as if it were a speck of light and crushed it to oblivion. Though, Su Min''s face became a pale ashen as the figure in the sky shuddered and became unstable.


    Subsequently, the figure seemed to be unable to support itself as the all-encompassing palm disappeared out of everyone''s view. If it were to carry on... Most felt that they would''ve been crushed.


    "What are you..?!"


    The man stammered out as he calmed his pounding heart and bloodline, gaining some form of sanity. He couldn''t understand it, but that move made him feel as if he were a beggar fighting his countries enemy king. It was indescribable, but the fear it induced was enough to make him lose it.


    Su Min''s face was pale as he wiped his brow that was wet with sweat. He, glancing at the shaky man, spoke.


    "Someone lost in this world..."


    Currently, Su Min felt his mind seething with dauntless pain and fatigue. It seemed that controlling that figure strained him way too much...


    ''Mhm, I need to finish this fight quickly... Let''s hope this guy loses it.''

 42 Fourth Circle Mage.

    ''Mhm, I need to finish this fight quickly... Let''s hope this guy loses it.''


    Pulsating with wisps of materialised golden striped strands, Su Min gazed at the sky with a deep breath. His everything seethed as his black jacket tumbled under the hellish winds that wooshed without a stop.


    *Whistle*


    A crimson emerged from such a jacket and, as if it had been drenched in the horrors of life, shrouded the sky like a plague. The man''s shocked eyes reverted as he felt his body quiver, where he looked at the seething Su Min.


    "You... You''re from the higher realm..."


    The man''s voice was strange, it was fearful, but it was also confused. Why would such a being come to their realm? Though, he cannot question it, for he knows the consequences of this man''s presence.


    "I must kill you. Kill you when you''re this abnormally weak!"


    A resolute light blazed within the white-robed man''s eyes as the four circles atop his head stammered and began to revolve. A strange aura emerged from the four circles, encircling the man in a dazzling milky light that made Su Min''s eyes shine.


    "You are indeed a descendant of the Heaven''s race!"


    The man''s face turned gloomy as he heard Su Min, where a similar pride erupted out of his bloodline. The Heavens are meant to be worshipped and served with zeal, yet this man came from a realm that dared fight it?!


    "I''ll show you the might of the Heavens!"


    A white glow blazed in his eyes as he commanded, however, Su Min remained unfazed as his face lit up with a smile.


    "It''s unfortunate that you''re but a small race that can only draw upon a faint shred of the true Heavens aura! Not even that in fact!"


    He mocked, then with a swivel that directed his battled fist toward the man, a booming gold sundered the air as an undulation of ancient energy wafted into his chest. This puny race, one who can only look up to their true counterparts, dared to teach him a lesson?


    He''ll show this robed man the true might of the race that has stood on equal grounds with their Gods! Even though he may have never seen one such race, even though he has never fought a true Heaven''s being; he knows that this man is nothing but dirt compared to them!


    It''s in his blood, in his bones, in his very essence! He knows, and those who dared to fight him must at least have that qualification!


    *WOOOOOOSH*


    The man''s eyes shook as he saw the unyielding eyes of Su Min, though he couldn''t back down now. So he, with a glimmering head, grumbled out a spell that would make anyone shudder.


    "Fourth Circle. Heaven''s Tribulation!"


    A dense white erupted out of his body as the sky shook with a tremble that resonated right with it. An endless stream of clouds wafted out such a shaky sky, glistening with purple sparks that induced fear onto all creation.


    "I summon the Heavens for its power!"


    The four circles on his head reeled with a strange hymn that resonated with the sky, it was obvious that he couldn''t control the heavenly laws. He didn''t even have the qualifications to, of course.


    "Interesting."


    Su Min''s fists crackled as he finally stopped absorbing the ancient energy, besides, to count the number of strands that are in his body would be absurd. It numbered in the thousands, and it made Su Min radiate a golden glow that pressured the sky and the ground.


    *BANG*


    In fact, as if it couldn''t take the pressure, the ground beneath Su Min concaved inwards and the air discharged numerous crying booms that sparked with a frivolous friction.


    It was if he was made to pressure all creation; as if he was made to thrash them right through the ground and make them grovel right before his feet!


    "Take my fist!"


    Su Min roared as he pushed the ground with a mighty force that seemed to rupture the earth, provoking a shockwave to sprawl and crawl under everything for hundreds of meters. It was massive, massive to point of senselessness.


    The clouds in the sky and the milky white aura seemed to get thrashed at by such an immense shockwave. Nevertheless, it was clear that the clouds couldn''t fight back as they sundered outwards.


    The robes on the man flapped with shrill tears as he, with gloomy eyes, pointed at the man that was about to rush towards him. The sky in turn shook an even greater rumble as the clouds that were about to be propelled away got reinforced by a strange white.


    It wasn''t a white that came from him, it a white from the world. A law of the world that the man had requested! It was awe-inspiring, making the beings under it feel the need to worship it.


    *WOOOOOOOOOSH*


    Su Min disregarded the law''s existence as he, with a rattling boom, darted right towards the man! His speed ruptured the sky and the earth as a visible white tear scraped around him. It was as if he was ripping through the air like a madman, and this was true.


    *BOOOOOOOOM*


    The man''s eyes flickered with terror as he barely held his sight and followed the crazed movements of the golden Su Min. The ground has already parted beneath him, exposing a deep crack that travelled for God knows how long into the earth''s crust.


    However, just as Su Min was about to reach him, the dark and mystical clouds high in the sky shuddered as a sudden purple lighting bolt struck out from it!


    It travelled at a speed beyond cognition, and disregarding the unruly velocity of Su Min, it beamed right onto him!


    *CATCHAA*


    A flash of purple enveloped the world like the descent of an otherworldly being as Su Min got blasted by the sizzling bolt of purple. His speed plummetted and his eyes shook.


    *SSSSSSS*


    "AGAIN!"


    The robed man''s eyes jolted with madness as his face grew pale, but he continued to point at the halting Su Min. Thus, with a desolate boom, another purple bolt spewed into the world and onto Su Min!


    *CATCHAAaaa*


    Resounding with a thunderous blast, Su Min''s eyes shook even more as he stopped right in front of the man. A dense sparkling purple pulsated around him like mini dragons of divine retribution.


    "A-AGAIN!!"


    The man''s breath was hoarse as he continued to point at the sizzling figure, but the clouds within the sky didn''t heed to his call as they dissipated. In fact, he soon found out that the four circles on his head were flickering with a deathly white.


    "This heaven''s law really is troublesome..."


    Su Min, patting his seared jacket, grumbled as he glanced at the charcoal that encapsulated the landscape. The robed man''s face became horrid as he saw Su Min; he was unharmed!


    "You...!"


    Taking a step back, he found that no words were able to come out. He, staring dumbfoundedly at the ground, realised that he was floating in the air!


    "Choke, you ant."


    Su Min, grasping the air with a shimmering palm, stared at the robed man as he uttered a soul-shaking grumble. The man''s eyes staggered as he felt an invisible force clench onto his neck, tightening with an oh so looming grip.


    "W--"


    *BANG*


    Gripping the air, the man''s eyes bulged as he kicked the air out pure insanity. Though, he felt his body and mind get locked down by a terrifying gold that wrapped right around him.


    *C-CRACK*


    Not even taking a second, a sudden tremor erupted out of that fragile neck of his. It echoed across space, and as if it was declaring the death of a holy being, a mournful air permeated with it.


    *SPLATTER* *THUD*


    The man''s body went limp as he plunged into the ground with a dull thud that shook nothing and brought nothing but a light wind. His face shone with fear and shock, mixing together to form a desolate image of a fallen divine man.


    "What a mess..."


    Su Min''s were gloomy as his hand returned to his jacket''s pocket. He gazed at the looming crater that sizzled with purple and the house that was nowhere to be seen.


    The remnants of that lightning continued to arc around his body, though it didn''t really affect him as he repelled it with a couple of golden strands.


    "Hmm... I guess I have to steal one of those houses from the village."


    Gazing in the distance, Su Min yawned as he leapt over the battlefield that has been wrecked to shreds, blitzing towards the village.


    ...


    ...


    "W-what..?"


    Standing in a daze, a group of villagers collapsed onto the ground as they felt the world turn meaningless in front of them. They saw it all, the lightning, the deathly gold, the being who sent shivers down their spine.


    "He lost?"


    A boy, looking on with a resolute gaze, muttered as he gaped at the swirling remnants of the terrifying lightning in the sky. Nonetheless, as he was watching this, a darting shockwave announced itself over his head.


    *THUD*


    A man draped in a black jacket thumped the ground as he emerged into everyone''s view. A faint killing intent shone in his eyes as it gently hid away, though just this was enough to make everyone sweat.


    Su Min didn''t even look at the villagers as he strutted to a slow walk toward a random hut. Though, something caught his attention.


    ''That kid?''


    His eyes shimmered with a faint gold as he locked onto the only person still standing. It was the kid, and his eyes resembled his old self... They were resolute, resolute as if the kid had a will tempered under burning iron.


    "Hm..."


    Su Min felt a strange sensation arise in him as he saw this scene, and it made him pause for a brief moment. The boy in turn shivered as his legs turned jittery, but he still endured.


    Grinning, Su Min kneeled down as he stared right into the boy''s eyes and spoke.


    "You... What do you think of me?"


    Resounding with a raspy rumble and echoing in the boy''s ears like thunder; the boy felt as if he was being glared by an Ancient Beast, yet, he continued to persist! He breathed a deep breath then uttered a sentence that made Su Min''s eyes sparkle!


    "You''re a Martial Artist!"

 43 Black Figure Returns

    "You''re a Martial Artist!"


    "Hm?"


    ...


    ...


    "Uh..."


    A boy, lazing with a sleepy daze in a dark room, grumbled as he stared at a glowing screen in front of him. Numerous dots of different magnitudes shone on the screen, pinpointing the location of what was assumed to be people.


    Half-eaten meats were scattered around him and accompanied by numerous strange contraptions. A sweaty smell wafted out of this mess, blending right into the background.


    "I knew that building that wall was stupid..."


    He rubbed his eyes as he stared at a specific part of the screen with a half troubled half tired face. His forehead shimmered under the dark light, gleaming with an unknown number of circles.


    "I really liked that 4th circle mage as well..."


    As if he had realised it, the boy''s eyes opened for the first time and prompted the small room he was in to shudder with a collection of hard thuds. A divine white emerged, yet it was hidden just as quickly.


    "Hm... I''ll send a couple of those creepy bastards."


    Lifting his hand that glistened like jade, the boy poked thin air with a simple finger. It provoked no reaction, but he nodded as he slouched down again and half closed his eyes once again.


    The trembling room erupted into silence as it went to how it always was. Darkened, wizened, and that of a bored teenager.


    ...


    ...


    *BANG*


    "Sit."


    Su Min draped in black stared at a shakey boy who was in his teenage years. The boy scurried to the closest wooden chair inside of the unadorned hut; his expression was that of fear but also confusion.


    *Creeeak*


    Su Min, relaxing on another chair, stared at the boy with a questioning gaze. Why did he call him a martial artist? He doesn''t and couldn''t even cultivate the Martial energy...


    ''Maybe because of my true race? But that doesn''t make sense...''


    Su Min''s eyes shined with a glimmering gold as he stared at the boy with an intense gaze. He looked and looked as if he was looking for something that may answer his question.


    ''Ah? What''s that?''


    Staring at boy''s Dantian, Su Min''s eyes narrowed as he caught a wisp of something black. It felt familiar to him; like it was part of him.


    ''Martial..!''


    He gasped on instinct, yet just at this moment, his world turned black as everything that was real became unreal. His eyes shuddered as he noticed the room he was in and the boy who had a trembling face dissipate in front of his eyes.


    An all-encompassing black shrouded him and the world as if it had come from nothing, making anyone feel like an ant in front of it.


    "Hm?"


    Su Min found himself within seconds standing in front of a simple wooden table, where a teapot wafted out refreshing steam atop it. A foggy and familiar world replaced his own, somehow.


    "Su Min. Your book awoke me. Again."


    A black figure, materialising right in front of him, spoke with a serious voice as he sat down and sipped some tea.Su Min''s expression turned and his mind seethed with confusion, what on earth was happening?


    "Su Min, it seems that you have died once again. "


    Still with a serious expression, the man nodded as he mumbled to himself and to Su Min. Su Min''s face returned to being emotionless as he sat down, feeling a headache coming.


    "Su Min, how could you! I gave you an Ancient One''s body, yet you died in a villagers hut with an underage boy! I can teach you the ways of not dying, trust me. I have lived for an eternity after all."


    Swirling his tea like he was bored out of his mind, the figure grumbled with an even deeper seriousness. Though, Su Min felt that it was becoming stupid.


    "Kidding, of course. Su Min."


    "Ok."


    Su Min replied without emotion as he awaited whatever the reason he was thrown back into this black world. Nevertheless, it didn''t really make sense of how reality just disappeared in his view.


    "PFFFT!!"


    The figure, holding his mouth and with watery eyes, suddenly gasped with a hoarse laughter that roared as if it were a stampede. He banged the table like a looney and gaped with derangement. Su Min just sat there with the same placid expression, just staring...


    "Ah... Man, I really wished you had died again..."


    Reminiscing on the not so long ago past, the figure looked at the sky. The sky in return shuddered as if it was growing impatient and billowed a cold wind onto him, so the figure grumbled and shifted his gaze back onto Su Min.


    "Wahh! Whatever you old book. Su Min, I am here to tell you about your current situation. Courtesy of the Heaven''s making life difficult as always. PFFT!"


    Su Min remained unfazed as he waited for the deranged figure to calm down, and so he did.


    "Remember that familiar black thing you saw in that boy? Yeah, uh that''s actually part of you. You''re quite LITERALLY inside of him if you know what I''m saying, eh? Naughty."


    "What?"


    Su Min felt even more confused as he rubbed his brow and felt troubled on what to believe. A part of him is inside of that kid?


    "Ah, well, I''m guessing you have realised that you can''t sense that nice black stuff that covers everything like the fucking plague. Well, that''s because reincarnating comes with a few complications that I... Well, it''d be annoying to fix them if you know what I''m saying."


    Starting to feel dread, Su Min paid close attention to what the figure was about to reveal.


    "I just had to, well, uh... To put it lightly, scatter your Martial Bloodline onto the lower Heaven''s Realm. All of it to be exact. So... Hm."


    "?!"


    Su Min scowled as he continued to give a stare at the figure. His Martial Bloodline? What?


    "Aye! Don''t give me that look, it''s not my fault that I had to do that! Blame the heaven''s instead, they''re the shitty fuckers who hate your existence anyway!"


    The figure grumbled as he received the half confused and half frowning stare from Su Min, grimacing at his fate as the guy who had to spread ''Su Min'' onto the world.


    "All I''m saying is that you just have to go and well, find it. The more you find the more complete your bloodline becomes, allowing snazzy and cool functions to bide into your hands! Though dying in the process won''t help. So don''t die; I recommend not killing races for starters."


    The figure explained the situation vaguely, making Su Min even more confused.


    "So why do I have an Ancient One''s body?"


    The figure lifted into a smile as he heard the question, revelling at himself and his greatness.


    "Compensation of course! I gave you a low ranking body of the fifth highest bloodline of the Ancient Race, how isn''t that cool? It''s not like your NOT used to it, as that stupi-awesome book allowed you to transform into part of that race in your previous life!"


    "Fifth highest?"


    Su Min shivered as he thought about what he could do, yet he was only ranked fifth in the Ancient Race''s bloodline?


    "Don''t be greedy, as you can''t steal the real Ancient bloodline just yet, because that''s rude and you are an ant. Ants don''t steal from kings, though you stole from nobles instead... Well! You need to unlock your martial bloodline... And find it. Just make sure that you cultivate as much as you can with both the Ancient energy and the Martial energy because you can become SUPER strong. Ain''t even joking, those people are scary in the higher realm."


    Shivering as the he remembered something , the figure paused as his eyes shined with a mysterious glint. Su Min had an enlightened expression as he thought about it.


    "Oh! I also need to say that you should REALLY surpass the Stage 1 Ancient Energy Realm because you''d basically become undefeatable below the Martial Condensation Stage. You just need to completely cultivate your first symbol, though that might take a while..."


    "Hm? I still only have the battle power of someone at the Martial Condensation stage?"


    Su Min gasped whilst also feeling troubled. He''s still weak?


    "Pfft! You''d make those human cultivators cough out blood if you dare say that again! There are 9 known cultivation stages in the Martial, and you''re at the peak of the first one! Humanity only has a couple at that realm, so you''re pretty damn strong when compared to them. Although..."


    The figure put on a pondering expression as he paused, making Su Min feel anxious, though he continued after he felt that it was enough.


    "Human''s can only be considered a mid-range lower race, so you''re strong, but not THAT strong, you understand, eh?"


    Half understanding, Su Min felt the need to question further.


    "Then wh-"


    "Oi, Shh! I don''t have that much time considering I have suspended time. Uh... Ah! One final FINAL thing you Martial bastard! Heheh."


    Deciding that its best not to argue, Su Min nodded with hesitation and listened on.


    "I made it so that you would stare at the kid for ten minutes straight in the real world, so enjoy!"


    "Huh?"


    *PSSSSHHH*


    Not even getting a chance to hinder the figure''s actions, Su Min watched as the world dispersed in front of him as the familiar hut re-entered his view. Though, something was different...


    "I-I''M SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!"


    A kid, drenched in sweat to the point that he looked like he pissed himself, bowed and bowed in front of Su Min as if he was going mad. Su Min frowned while he returned to reality, remembering what the figure said.


    "Uh..."

 44 Return.

    "Uh..."


    Shaking his head, Su Min sighed and gazed at the black wisp inside of the boy''s formless Dantian. It just sat there, listless and unreactive.


    ''I hope that only I can sense this..."


    Hoping that would be true Su Min grimaced at the suddenness of what he now has to do. He has to find his bloodline, and to do this he has to travel to every inch of this God forsaken world.


    "Stand still."


    Pushing the problem aside Su Min decided to gather the first of the unknown number of wisps that he has to collect. What will he gain from such a thing? He has no idea.


    *SHING*


    Standing up and waving his hand, a great fluctuation of Ancient Energy trembled under his command and wooshed towards him; a five-meter radius, to be exact. Hundreds of these strands dived under Su Min''s control, encompassing seemingly everything in the boy''s eyes.


    "Ah...!"


    The kid gave a stare of hysteria as he leapt on instinct, but he had already been pushed onto the chair under the firm lock of a couple strands.


    "This may hurt... A lot, or not at all."


    Su Min mumbled out as his eyes glistened with a pressuring gold that made the hut emit distinct crackling sounds. Pop and pop; crackle and crash, numerous trembling noises tore into the room as the kid felt his scalp tingle.


    *WOOOSH*


    A hundred, if not more, strands of gold smudged the air as they whooshed past the ears of the boy and seeped into his body. An agonising tremble shook his dauntless mind as if a thousand pin needles were getting driven right into his skull.


    "Gu-UH!"


    "I guess it.. burns? Huh."


    Su Min''s eyes shone without a tremble as he watched the boy grasp the chair and gurgle. A couple of villagers outside heard such gagging cries, and they quivered with helplessness.


    *SSSSS*


    The boy''s eyes jolted with a deep light as that once dormant strand within him stammered with signs of life. Though, it was the sign of something interrupting its long-lasting doze.


    "I''ll make sure to thoroughly enslave you this time, slowly but surely. I''ll be the ruler of my power, and you won''t rule me!"


    An unyielding light shone within Su Min''s glistening gold pupils that made the sky shudder and ground tremble. It was a gold that glistened with a luminous profound array of darkened hues and brightened oranges, mixing and commingling to form a colour that swishes and churns at a constant revolution.


    They are eyes that people can get lost in; lost in the limitless mystical gaze that seemed to originate from a world that transcends and enters a boundary nobody could ever perceive.


    Though they will only show when needed, and in any other circumstance, will look simple and plain. It is this bareness that would make people disregard him, ignore him. And that''s fine, as he hates attention anyway.


    It is a sheathed sword, one that shines with the dazzling sharpness only when drawn. For how can a sword be sharp when it is tossed around nonchalantly? It is only truly sharp when such a sharpness is used to cut the enemy. And only cut.


    *SCREECH*


    The black tuft seemed to become alarmed as a sudden blinding gold enveloped its being, coming from the boy''s head. This daunting gold swivelled and trickled, glooping right towards the boy''s belly button; and as such the strand that inhabits it.


    Of course, this strand hated such a gold. It was its natural enemy, and not only this, it belonged to Su Min. The Martial.


    "HISSSS"


    It straightened and vibrated with a sudden hiss as its body began to resemble that of a snake that had become enraged. It was as if it was about to snap at the gold, peck and peck with a furious rage that instilled chills.


    "Fight all you want."


    Su Min smirked as his eyes glistened an even deeper fluctuating gold that boosted the already thrumming gold to shroud the tuft of black. However, inside his calm gaze, a fatigue started to billow.


    He was controlling at least two hundred strands around him, and this was no easy undertaking. To describe it is to say that he is multitasking two hundred different tasks at the level of a master in each. He cannot exert too much strength, and he cannot make the strands move too much too the left nor right.


    It''s finicky and annoying; so even his unnatural mind will sag after a while.


    *WOOSH*


    Just at this moment, the strand as if it was a rat cornered by a cat rushed out of the boy and leapt into the room. It shivered with joy, then with a muffled boom, plunged right towards the already half shattered door.


    "Stupid."


    Su Min''s face lifted into a sneer as his left hand abruptly raised and grasped the air with a strange motion. Not even taking a second, a moment, the air that was in front and all around the escaping strand twisted and churned as a gold surfaced.


    It formed a shimmering screen, and it made the tuft screech.


    *BANG*


    The tuft, with its blitzing momentum, crashed into the gold with a visible echo. Su Min didn''t care, though,as he leapt and rushed towards the strand that was about to rebound like a bouncy ball.


    *GRAB*


    "Gotcha." *SSSSS*


    Su Min breathed a sigh of relief as he gazed at the wriggling ''thing'' that throbbed in his hand non-stop with a glare.Of course, he didn''t care.


    *WOOSH*


    Not even questioning it, Su Min swivelled his arm and thrashed his chest with the tuft and shoved it into his body. Then, as if the tuft had entered a forbidden zone, it shivered and started to act as if it were drunk.


    It passed through his chest and through the intricate array that powered his ancient symbol and strutted towards his head on instinct. It wobbled as its existence began to haze over, and before Su Min knew it, the strand was dissolving within him.


    "Hm..?"


    Su Min felt his mind tremble as the strand adorned a black fog that encased his head. His right pupil that had returned to its normal plainness shuddered as a black that vastly surpassed it invaded and threw the gold out as if it were trash.


    "Black?"


    He gasped on instinct as that pupil of his became a light ink black that made his ancient bloodline tremble out of unease. It was as if he was housing two beings, one a king and one a peasant. How could he expect them to chat and be courteous to each other? It was obvious who was the mighter being at least...


    Though, the reason he gasped was that his once gold environment shuddered like reality was being split. Then, before he knew it, a new black entered his view. He knew what this black was; it was Martial Energy!


    "Strange..."


    A murmur escaped out of Su Min''s lips as he twiddled his thumbs and played with a strand of black and gold. In fact, he found that his comprehension on the Martial Energy is minuscule compared to the Ancient Energy that was gifted by his body.


    He inherently didn''t understand how the Martial Energy worked. It''s hard to describe the feeling, but its one of enlightenment; he feels more enlightened on the ways of the Ancient Energy. It was as if he was comparing a ten-year-old maths student and a renowned professor in mathematics.


    Naturally, their skills are different. Like his.


    "I guess I need to focus on Martial Energy for a while and comprehend it."


    To cultivate and comprehend are different yet similar terms. One can cultivate, and one can comprehend separately. In particular, this is what separates geniuses to the mediocre.


    This is because someone who comprehends more understands the energy more, and as such, they can use it more and do more with it. They may be able to create a flame, and they may even be able to command the energy if they understand it enough.


    The advantages are huge, so, the disparity is indisputable. This is the same reason why Su Min can easily overpower people without even using his body; he has comprehended an energy to a degree that allows him to use it without absorbing it, and also manipulate it to resonate with the laws of the world.


    Cultivation is what gives you the power, and comprehension is what allows you to control such power.


    Though, this doesn''t need to be explained...


    "Ah, you can go now."


    Realising that the kid was still in the half broken room, Su Min waved his hand and ushered the dull boy out. The kid wasn''t dead, but that may be about it...


    "Hrmmm."


    Su Min grumbled as he tapped the cracked table, thinking. A faint feeling kept troubling after he absorbed the strand. It was small, but it told him that if he absorbed a couple more strands than a change will occur.


    "I just need to take it slow... Hm?"


    Su Min, in the middle of a thought, trembled as his right golden pupil shimmered and pinpointed someone far in the distance.


    "I got more visitors..."


    Standing up with a helpless smile, Su Min strutted out to meet them...

 45 Come out!

    "I got more visitors..."


    Su Min stood up as he thought for a second. He couldn''t die, so he didn''t want to fight for no reason...


    ''Maybe I can avoid them?''


    As he pondered, Su Min had already pushed open the hut''s door as he stared out to take a closer look outside. Nobody was visible, but he had the clear feeling that somebody was closing in on him. It was a strange sensation, like an instinct.


    However, Su Min decided to wait for a while and see whether he could sense that feeling more. Or as such, procure the strength of whoever was coming to, well,kill him.


    "Hm?"


    In no time at all his gold eye shook as a faint ripple emerged from the horizon, wafting a faint aura of blue. He could only catch a wisp of it, but this told him enough.


    He felt their strength, their strength which although faint, was enough for him to know that dealing with whoever was coming would be troublesome. He could win, but to do so he may have to expend some strength, and he cannot do that.


    ''I need to stay at my peak until I find about who the top power is in this place. Dying isn''t an option.''


    Deciding on this, Su Min fled with a firm heart. His pace was that of a blur as he rushed out of the hut, nevertheless, he didn''t emit any shockwaves nor any sounds. He was silent, but this required a scrutinous mind to repel any shockwave that came with golden strands.


    Even with him trying his best, he couldn''t stop a faint wind from emerging.


    *woosh*


    "W-what was that?"


    A villager who was patting a trembling girl shook as he saw a sudden blur whistle out of the dilapidated hut that was now a forbidden zone from the corner of his sight. He rubbed his eyes but found nothing that would hint to anyone moving.


    "Maybe that fiend left?"


    He trembled as a thought emerged from his head, but he didn''t have the courage to check whether such a being had left...


    "Maybe..."


    ...


    ...


    "Gheheh! It has been so long since I got fresh air!"


    A single man draped in black giggled as he zoomed through the atmosphere like a blitzing bullet. The mountains on the ground and the clouds in the sky seemed like trivial things in his eyes as they passed by him at an everpresent blur.


    However, he didn''t make a sound nor did he induce a faint echo. He was silent, so silent that it was as if he was the wind himself.


    "Hrmmm, Village 1023 right?"


    The man''s eyes glimmered with a bright blue as he scratched his frazzled blue hair that fluttered to his waist; though his forehead was covered by the robe. A strange air permeated him, and it made odd crystalline icicles form and flutter past him.


    They dazzled the eye as they refracted the light, but within this light was a chilling coldness that spewed onto the air and froze it within seconds.


    Thus, this man, with his chilling blue hair and eyes, left a trail of frozen ice in the air as if he were ice himself. Was he the wind, or ice? No clue.


    "Found ya!"


    He let out a wide grin that revealed his razor-sharp teeth as he saw a simple villager not too far away. Though, ''far'' for him was vastly different compared to ''far'' for a mortal.


    Seconds passed, and with a sparkle of ice, the man tiptoed onto a patch of dirt as he stared at an absent sign a hundred meters away from him. He appeared like a ghost, and nobody saw such a ghost.


    He breathed a deep whiff as the icy aura that surrounded him hid, making him seem ordinary. He looked around and saw the massive crater not too far away, and also the thunder that sizzled around it.


    "Interesting..."


    He pondered with a strange light as he strolled up to the village. It was as if he lived there, but numerous gasps were the only thing that responded as a couple villagers spotted him in no time.


    They were only just recovering from what had happened earlier, and most didn''t notice the strange occurrence that happened at the hut Su Min stayed in. So, they were tense beyond belief.


    "Who are you?"


    A burly villager within the group and marched up to him with a faint anger. He had already been stepped on by Su Min as if he were trash, so he couldn''t help but feel anger towards a new intruder.


    Though, he was careful, as this person could be another monster like the one who had just ruptured the sky and tortured a kid for no apparent reason.


    "Me? Ehum. One second!"


    The black-robed man''s eyes narrowed into a playful gaze as he stumbled around to find something on his robes.


    "Ah! Found it!"


    He smirked as he picked up a small bag within his black robes. It was the size of a tennis ball and was encrusted in a dark leather. He opened it and took out a small ball, then tossed it into his mouth.


    "Can you stop wasting time!"


    The burly man become incensed as he saw the black-robed man twiddle the bag around his pinky, but the robed man didn''t seem to care as he continued to do so.


    "Hmmm. I''m guessing a being that made you piss your pants was here earlier? Otherwise, why do all of you look so tense... Just let it go man!"


    The black robed man spoke as his eyes stared with intent at the dazed burly man. His eyes glimmered a blue, and the aura that he was suppressing started to billow outwards...


    "W-who are you?"


    He took a step back as he felt a strange chill creep up his spine and tingle his mind. It made him shiver on instinct, and before he even noticed it, the air surrounding him had begun to frost!


    "Eh, an investigator known as Jin Ru. Now, trash, move. I need to find and bring that stray to master!"


    Jin Ru grinned as he wandered past the shocked burly man and stepped into the village. The burly man, with a sudden shake, became unable to speak as he felt his body freeze over.


    "He~lp..-"


    Everyone took numerous steps back as they watched the burly man sway in a gentle breeze, then, with a slow but gradual tumble, fall and shatter onto the frosty dirt.


    *BANG*


    A collection of unwilling shards spewed out and onto the trembling floor as everyone witnessed frozen crystalline blood seep into the ground, displaying a smashed man who was alive just a second ago...


    "W-what?!"


    "Idiot."


    Jin Ru disregarded the deadly coldness that seeped out of him as an array of sparkling icicles began to spit around him. It was as if a sovereign of ice had revealed himself in front of everyone!


    "Get back!"


    The villagers panicked as they watched the ground below them ice over and the air around them shiver and pulsate with a wafting blue. Some ran, and some froze with shock, then with coldness.


    "Beast, Beast! Come out you fucking Ancient thing!"


    Jin Ru brought down the hood on his robe as he roared, where a forehead shimmering with 4 circles revealed themselves. However, what was strange was that a faint outline of a fifth trailed around it!


    "Holy one!"


    A holy aura spewed out of him as a magnificent white submerged the whole village, making each villager tremble and pause whatever they were doing. They felt an undeniable and unquenchable instinct spew into their bloodline, invoking awe and worship.


    "Come out! I don''t want to come looking for you now!"

 46 A high jump.

    "Come out! I don''t want to come looking for you now!"


    ...


    ...


    "What a nice looking town..."


    Su Min, staring into the distance, sighed as he grabbed a dark cloak and draped himself in it. A corpse laid beneath his feet, one whose eyes shone with unwillingness and shock.


    In the distance, a sprawling town pierced his view. It was surrounded by a stone wall, one that shone with a bright white that exuded a faint majesty onto all creation.


    Nonetheless, confronted with the wall that Su Min soared over, this is but a trivial speck in his eyes. One that, although mighty to mortals, was something he could topple with a simple palm...


    "I hope they have hotels..."


    Sighing on his lack of rest, Su Min walked down a narrow dirt path and headed toward the gate of the town. His face was covered in a dark cloak, and so was his body, making him blend into the background.


    He didn''t rush, he didn''t run, he just walked the pace of a mortal...


    *WHIP* *NEYYY*


    "Quick! We can''t be late for the opening ceremony!"


    Just as Su Min began his walk toward the town a couple of kilometres away, a crazed carriage getting tugged by two white horses blitzed behind him. The horses had one horn atop their head, and their eyes shone with a strange intelligence.


    "Hm?"


    Su Min paused as he took a glance at the carriage soaring right at him. At the rate it was moving, it would collide with him within seconds. Of course, Su Min wasn''t worried about that.


    ''Guess I''ll ride that.''


    Instead, a strange idea surfaced as Su Min retreated off the road and watched it close in on him. A cloud of dirt spewed out of the road as the two horses darted past him, accompanied by the incessant commands of a fat driver.


    *WOOSH*


    Su Min didn''t care, though, as he blurred through the air and jumped atop the golden encrusted carriage that was being tugged by the two fierce horses.


    *Creeeak*


    "I really ain''t made for stealth am I..."


    A sudden creak titled the floorboards as Su Min stumbled to prevent any further noise. Nevertheless, it didn''t seem anyone heard him as the carriage continued to drive right towards the town at a supernatural pace.


    Minutes passed and Su Min lazed on the carriage, yet his eyes seemed to glimmer as he watched the carriage arrive. The walls looked like giants to him as they stood tens of meters high, though it was still trivial.


    "Madam! Quick!"


    The driver jumped off the reigns and ushered whoever was inside the carriage to get out. It seemed that something important was occurring, though Su Min didn''t know what.


    "Mhm."


    A feminine voice whispered out of the carriage as a woman dressed in simple clothes walked out. However, her face was pale and her gait weak, yet she seemed to contain an ethereal beauty not seen often. She was young, having skin fair like jade and a figure men would drool over.


    "We have to win this no matter what, miss! Otherwise..."


    The fat man''s eyes tightened with sorrow as he looked at the struggling girl, yet he shook himself out of it and shuffled to her. The girl''s eyes shone with a deathly white, and with a dry whisper, she spoke with a sad smile.


    "You shouldn''t do this for me... I''m a lost cause anyway. Right?So stop that idiot from fighting in the duel... Please..."


    The fat man shook even more as heard that, but he gritted his teeth and remained silent as he escorted her towards the gate. Su Min, watching this with a yawn, remained unchanged to it all. The only thing he felt was curiosity.


    "I wonder why she doesn''t have any of those stupid circles on her head..."


    Scratching his cloak Su Min''s eyes shimmered as he jumped off the carriage like he does it on a daily basis. He watched as the two got questioned by a couple guards, where they handed in a strange metal and walked in.


    "A fee?"


    Su Min grumbled as he proceeded to wander up to the gate, where three guards bearing white armour stood. Two circles swirled on each of their foreheads, glimmering with a radiance that pressured the air around them.


    They caught sight of Su Min walking toward the gate, where one of them took a step forward and blocked his path.


    "Stop. Hand in 200 Heaven Stones."


    He gazed at Su Min contempt as he gestured for a currency Su Min had never heard of. Su Min, hiding under the black cloak, pondered. He obviously needs to pay, but he cannot do such a thing...


    "Can I owe you?"


    Su Min replied, but the guard''s expression turned as the two circles on his forehead shuddered then bathed him in a dim holy white. He, with an incensed voice, spoke back with an irritated voice.


    "Fuck off if you''re going to waste our time!"


    If anyone else were to be in Su Min''s position, then they would have without a doubt raced away out of pure terror. However, Su Min here didn''t feel the slightest thing as he continued to just, well... Stand there.


    The guard''s expression dropped even further as he frowned. This cloaked person didn''t even react to his tyrannical aura, how? He has been told to keep the gate in check; so he cannot have people think that you could just do this!


    Who would dare insult the towns guards? Especially this cloaked man who appeared to be but a mortal from a village!


    "I''m warning you!"


    He bellowed out an even louder uproar as the two guards behind him joined him and stared at Su Min with pressuring gazes. It seemed to arouse quite a lot of attention as a couple people on top of the walls gazed down.


    "Uh... I guess I just have to force myself in."


    Su Min sighed as he gazed at the vicious stares of the three guards. He didn''t really want to cause a commotion, but if he has to then it is only fate...


    "Arrogant!"


    The guard in front finally lost it as he seized a sword beside him and slashed at Su Min. Su Min, not even budging, just watched it fall above him. A trail of thoughts ran through his head as this happened, calm as ever.


    ''I can''t just kill them out in daylight, so maybe I can just rush in? I need to be low key after all.''


    Nodding at himself, Su Min''s muscles tensed with a sudden tremble as the ground beneath him shook. The three guards eyes widened as they watched the black-clothed figure in front of them kneel down. He gazed at them with a single simple golden eye beneath the black hood, almost as if he was grinning at them.


    Of course, he didn''t have just one eye, but because his other eye was black, they couldn''t see it underneath the cloak.


    "?!"


    *BANG*


    The guards trembled as Su Min, with a sudden leap, darted right over the wall with a speed so fast that their eyes couldn''t even catch his silhouette. Then, not even taking a split second, he disappeared over the wall to never be seen again.


    Just afterwards a crazed white emerged from the wall and formed a barrier, but it became confused as it found nothing to block.


    "What?!"


    The three guards blanked out for a couple seconds as they tried to figure out what on earth just happened. The cloaked man, to their eyes, jumped over the wall..? The wall wasn''t that tall, but it wasn''t something you could just jump over...


    The barrier was one of the reasons, but that cloaked man seemed to have literally bypassed it? They couldn''t even imagine the speed needed to do that...


    "A-alert the commander!"


    The guard in front, with a face drenched in sweat, stammered out a sentence as he thought about what he had just done.


    ''I-I insulted such a monster?''


    ...


    ...


    *Thud*


    "Hrmmm, I need a new disguise now..."


    Su Min, falling onto an empty street within the town, grumbled as he gazed at the simple houses that plagued his view. He still found it hard to get used to this ancient way of living, but he guessed that cultivators were just strange people.


    "I wonder where that sick person went..."


    He patted his robes as he started to walk down the street. He could sense a large number of people not too far away, and they all seemed to surround something.


    "Maybe over there."


    Wandering down the quiet stone streets that were packed with houses, Su Min followed his senses. Thus, it didn''t take him long to reach the large group of people. They were surrounding a small block of stone, where two people stood facing each other.


    The crowd was roaring, roaring in excitement.


    "Lucky me."


    His gaze flashed under his hood as he eyed the commotion.

 47 A Kids Dream

    Standing atop a slab of stone, a kid, draped in simple cloth, blazed with a determination unnatural for his youth. A wind fluttered beneath his clothes and his bunned hair, where two white eyes shone into view


    A faint scamper, scrawl, shivered down his spine as he stared at a man who looked him in the eye. This man, clothed in a dazzling white fur, smiled as he tapped the floor and rubbed his hands. His forehead was shrouded in a haze of cloud, making it near impossible to pinpoint his strength.


    He had a look of serenity and indifference; as if he was proud to the point that everyone here was trivial ants. The opposite of what most would call, humble.


    *Thud thud thud thud*


    A crowd, scampering towards him, formed beneath him and around the platform as they stared with eyes of either fear or fervour. Groups discussed this confrontation with expressions that they have seen this far too often...


    What was strange was that the audience members, for the most part, had hidden their cultivation via a similar method to the proud man. The only exceptions of this were, of course, the youth atop the platform and some beggars hiding in the crowds.


    In fact, the reason for this was quite simple, and that is to hide their strength. Most wouldn''t want to display whether they are weak or not outwardly to everyone, as then they may gain unwanted attention, or even get taken advantage of.


    It was a simple technique, one that anyone with a glimmer of talent could step into rather fruitfully. Though it was unknown where such a technique came from, it is sold for cheap in the shops of towns.


    Although people high in the strength hierarchy may not bother, such as the 4th circle mage Su Min fought.


    One such group, containing 2 males and a female chewed on some meat. The girl, wearing a voluptuous dress and holding a dagger, sniggered.


    "The Young Lord is duelling with another?"


    A middle-aged man next to her licked his lips as he finished a drum of something similar to chicken, speaking with eyes half pitiful in return.


    "Yeah, I wonder what he promised him that would make that weak kid do such a stupid thing."


    A younger, more vibrant man standing a little closer to the platform glanced at the middle-aged man, and as if he saw the hint of pity, reprimanded him with a laugh.


    "Hope sure is dangerous, and I just can''t bring myself to pity such a stupid boy. So don''t even bother, Qian Yi."


    The girl also joined in and nudged the man and spoke with a similar giggle, one that was more seductive than cute.


    "Exactly, who hasn''t heard of the young Lord''s strength now? He doesn''t even have the right to be a guard yet he wants to fight the heir to the town? Utter stupidity if you ask me."


    Qian Yi could only give a helpless smile as he nudged her away from him and stared at the platform that was heating up with excitement. He sighed, then spoke with an old voice.


    "Hmm, well let''s see. Who knows, this kid might cause a miracle."


    ...


    ...


    "You know, you are pretty stupid, aren''t ya?"


    The proud man, twirling his finger on a strand of soft fur, laughed as he gazed at the serious face of the boy. The boy remained still as he gripped his fists and grasped a shaky sword scabbard attached to his brown shorts.


    Though, the shorts were messy and torn, smelling of something rotten. His gaze lingered on the man, fear was evident, but he threw it away whenever it came and peered down at the crowd for someone.


    The man''s eyes followed the boys with a strange interest, and with a pondering gaze, spoke with a caring voice that drifted into something more insidious.


    "Oh..? The death patient is coming to attend your death? I can help her die with you if that''s what you want, as, for real, you getting medicine from me is but a dream!"


    The boy visibly trembled for a second, but he breathed and calmed down again. He continued to look, but after a few seconds, no one came...


    He nodded as if he expected such an occurrence and smiled, though it was bitter tasting.


    "That''s good..."


    Directing his gaze back towards the man who was staring at him with a grin, he gripped the sword sheath and drew a dazzling arc that resembled a certain someone...


    The sword was rusted in places, where the only thing that supported it was a wooden hilt that had cracked and chipped. The proud man didn''t seem to mind as he stared at the boy''s eyes that wanted to eat him alive.


    His grin faded, and as if a beast was about to awaken, a sparse tremor agitated the air. A soft white glare spat out of his forehead and bathed his being, causing the boy''s cultivation to flicker with undaunted danger.


    He laughed, laughed with a venomous glare as he licked his lips, where the crowd beneath him and everyone in the proximity of this white glare shook and halted to a quiet biting stillness.


    "Tragic love... I love it!"


    *BANG*


    No longer holding himself in, no longer hiding, the man''s forehead pulsated with even more detrimental glare as the whole platform got enveloped in his white haze. Crackling spurts sparked the air and even the sky as a faint disturbance rocked and slung a cloud a couple centimetres off course.


    The boy''s face turned pale as he staggered to his side, but he held himself and gripped his sword with more strength, more grit!


    Widening into a snarl, the man laughed as the air shook with a thunderous bang that made it seem like a holy being has descended.


    "Good! Take three of my moves and you''ll get your spirit medicine!"


    Not even pausing after speaking, the man sprawled into a leap as he accelerated to a startling degree. The air around him wrapped his being as, with a silent whoosh, he appeared in front of the widening eyes of the boy.


    "First Move. Fire BOMB!"


    His hands swirled in the air as a thick stream of heaven''s energy spewed out of his head and swirled across such a palm. It trembled, then with a strange resonance, dispersed in the wind until none was left.


    The boy, trembling at the strange sight, lifted his sword in return and attempted to slash. However, just at this second, this split second, the dissipated Heaven''s energy bloomed into his sight as a blue, scorching ball of solid flame sprouted in the man''s palm.


    "AGH!"


    *SMACK*


    The air tumbled with a sudden flare as a sizzling pop smacked it due to the intense change in temperature. The boy''s eyes trembled as a dense layer of white emerged from his head and halted the heat from touching him.


    Though, this was just the start as the man chuckled with contempt and threw the flare of flames right towards the boy with a fierce swing.


    *SSSSSSSS* *WHOOOSH*


    It resembled a deadly hellish bomb, and the boy''s legs shook as he trembled out of despair. But, he gripped his sword even more and uttered the only technique he knew.


    "White Slash!"


    His sword lifted, then with all the heaven''s energy he could muster from inside of him, glowed a deathly piercing white. The man''s eyes remained calm as he watched the dense ball of searing flames fly towards the boy at a rapid pace.


    *SLASH*


    *...*


    Commencing his slash, the sword halved the air itself and parted it as if it were tofu, then landed on the blazing ball.


    *BAAANNG*


    A fierce shockwave sprawled around the platform as a spring of fierce wind speeded past everyone''s clothes like a typhoon. However, only seconds past as a dense spew of bright blue flames erupted within this shockwave and covered the platform in its all terrifying light.


    *SSSSSSSSSSSSS*


    Some rubbed their eyes and some just continued to watch as if it was nothing to them, but the scene that shone still made them gasp with a hint of surprise.


    "Hahh. Hahh."


    A boy, bare-chested, heaved breaths as a circular radius a meter free of the fire revealed itself around him. His sword crackled under the heat, then with a snap, shattered in his grip and sprinkled its remains on the still white platform.


    The man, standing within the flames, paused. Though, this pause was then thrashed with a fierce laugh.


    "Good! Good! Nice technique, however, you won''t be so lucky in this move!"


    Stepping out of the blue flames and onto the tiny radius that surrounded the boy, the man lifted his palm and straightened it to a single finger. The finger started to blitz and pop as a visible undulation of white wrapped around it with no end in sight.


    "Here the second move. The Swipe of a Flame!"


    As he spoke, the dense white around his single finger once again trembled with a similar but different hymn and then dissipated in the shrivelled winds.


    The boy''s eyes shook as he found that he had run dry, so he could only watch as that simple finger begin to get engulfed by a blue flame.


    "Your a rare one to have made me use this move, kid."


    Glimpsing at the despaired eyes of the kid, a rare light shone in the man''s eyes as his blue finger swiped down and towards the boy''s forehead.


    *WOOOSH*


    The kid, watching it fall, smiled. The word seemed to turn slow for him, where that looming finger in his eyes halted to let him a glimpse, just for a second, to an inconspicuous corner.


    "Miss..?"


    A worried face shone into his view that was being engulfed in blue flames, one of a fat man and a pale woman. The woman was, in his eyes, screaming at him as she cried. Though, he continued to smile as he felt a strange happiness.


    "Well, I did try..."


    Staring back towards the finger that was inches above his head, the boy waited for death to sprawl. He closed his eyes and jerked a tear for his demise.


    "..."


    "..."


    ".."


    "."


    "?"


    He didn''t know how long he had waited, but he found no searing pain nor no glimpse of the reaper that should''ve slit him with its black scythe. No, he heard nothing, just a silence.


    The wooshing winds of the flames and the faint whispers of the crowd were nowhere.He thought for a second and guessed that maybe he was already dead, but he still felt his heart beating. Thumping.


    "W-who..?"


    To his surprise, an unexpected shout thundered into his confused ears, prompting him to open his eyes out of pure incredulous.


    The finger, inches above his head, was held by a single hand draped in black robes. He gazed upwards out of shock and saw a single gold eye stare at him beneath a hood.


    The finger blitzed and popped with the blue flame, but as if it were a mere candlelight, the finger remained there and clenched it with an unmoveable grasp.


    "A miracle..?"

 48 Black Inside.

    "Is this what they call ''fate''?"


    Contemplating with lazy eyes, Su Min yawned as he grasped at the blitzing blue finger. The flame, fuzzing under his palm, attempted to fight back as it imploded and engulfed his grasp.


    Though, Su Min''s eyes remained unchanged as that fluttering flame, under his gaze, shivered with a trembling gold. It was as if a glorious might had descended onto Su Min''s palm, as strand upon strand of Ancient Energy wrapped around the spitting finger and constricted without mercy.


    *SSSS*


    Like he had just pinched a candle flame to darkness, the burning blue got gnashed with the barely visible gold that swirled around Su Min''s hand. Then, as it dwindled into a trembling spark, the strands around such a hand seemed to bark and then pounce onto the spark.


    *Poof*


    Resounding with a muffled boom, the blazing finger within Su Min''s grasp stuttered then blasted into a poofing cloud of smoke that got blown astray within the wind. Though, it was so minute that nobody even noticed such a small cloud puff out of the grasped finger getting held above the kid''s shocked head.


    In fact, although this took a while to describe, it happened in a matter of milliseconds. To the audience and to the two on the stage, it was as if Su Min had just grabbed the magma hot finger and snuffed the flame out like it was but a trivial speck.


    "?!"


    Exclamations rang out like buzzing cries as numerous members in the crowd gasped in shock. They were incredulous due to many things, including how Su Min stopped a move midair; how he destroyed such a move and the basic fact that he even interfered in the first place.


    The same group of three, staring with wide eyes at the frightful scene, gaped as the young vibrant man spoke with doubt within it.


    "Who is that..? Does he have a death wish by interfering with the match?!"


    The lady next to him had trouble speaking as she tried to find words to say, but found that she couldn''t understand the thoughts of this cloaked person.


    "What''s the point in saving a peasant just to anger the Lord''s son? Hasn''t such a being heard of the infamous rumours?"


    However, as the two were feeling confused, the middle-aged man standing behind them gasped and choked on his drumstick with widened eyes.


    "Cou~gh -#~ H-he..!"


    It took a few seconds for him to collect himself as he found that the two''s attention was now drawn to his sweat riddled face. They were about to ask, but he answered for them as he spoke with a tremble.


    "He''s the one who bypassed the town''s barrier earlier by jumping over the goddamn wall!"


    "Huh?"


    The young man''s face changed as he, with a quick glimpse, stared at the robed man, then at the middle-aged man a couple times.


    "You sure?! He''s that monster? Inform the guards then..!"


    The crowd around them seemed to hear the commotion as they listened in, only to hear what the young man said.


    "Guards?"


    Tension started to riddle the air as the young man disregarded the crowd and ran off with a shaky gait. This made everyone more curious about what was happening, but the middle-aged man and the lady didn''t say anything as they stared onwards for a while then at Su Min with solemn expressions.


    ...


    ...


    "Get off of me..!"


    Pulling and pulling, a finger fixed in Su Min''s palm tugged and tried to escape. Yet, Su Min remained unmoved as he watched the proud man scamper around whilst trying to escape his grasp.


    It was as if a mountain had locked onto the man''s finger, where no matter how much you tore and hauled, you wouldn''t move the mountain. It is impossible, even if you used 200% of your strength.


    Su Min thought for a while as he saw the increasingly angered and fearful expression of the man, where a thought popped into his head.


    ''Gotta be low key...''


    Firming his gold and black eyes, Su Min let go of the finger and lazed his hand back to his side. The man, who had been tugging with all his strength, tumbled backwards as he attempted to stabilise himself with a huff.


    The fear that was starting to bubble inside of him got thrashed out as anger and rage refilled it and boiled. He felt humiliated to an amazing degree. People will think he''s a laughing stock if he backs down now, so, ignoring the brutal strength Su Min displayed, he stepped forward and roared.


    "Who do you think you are?!"


    The hushed whispers in the crowd died down with a sudden pause as the roar blasted past them, forwarding their attention back onto the confrontation itself. Though, the boy became irrelevant as everyone felt excitement towards the new fight between two people who seemed to be at equal strength!


    They haven''t seen a fight like this since the national tournament between all the towns, and only some were able to seize a place to watch the main fights take place.


    Su Min froze as he heard the furious bellow, though it wasn''t out of fear but annoyance. Nevertheless, everyone else perceived this as the former, making them sneer at Su Min, forgetting what he had just done.


    "I guess he has just realised the enormity of the situation, pfft!"


    "Yeah, the Young Lord ain''t in the top 100 for nothing."


    Though, two remained silent as they stared on. They were the lady and the middle-aged man, who had grave expressions towards Su Min.


    They both, with a mumble that couldn''t be heard over the roaring buzz of the crowd, spoke to each other.


    "I hope the Lord will come soon, otherwise..."


    "If he wants to kill himself then I can''t do anything about it..."


    *Step*


    Su Min sighed a deep breath as he stepped forward and turned around, facing the boy. He ignored the trembling glare of the proud man, instead, he stared at the boy.


    Nonetheless, it was less at the boy himself, and more at the boys Dantian. It was as if he was staring at something inside of the kid, something black, something unruly.

 49 One Favour.

    "I found another one..."


    Staring at the kid, Su Min''s eyes jumped as they glimmered with a rare shimmer that exuded a blackened gold. It was as if two glowing orbs had just started to brighten, displaying a hidden profundity that would make any 4-star mage gasp.


    However, this kid''s comprehension of the world''s energy was nowhere near the level to feel the terrifying depth of Su Min''s eyes, instead, he only saw the shining glimmer of a strange gold and a wizened black. It wasn''t eye-catching to him, and it didn''t force any sort of instinctual emotion.


    No, instead all he felt was an artificial fear toward an unknown. It is similar to dreading darkness, where you cannot see, cannot guess what is lurking in it. Would it kill him? Is something prowling in that pitch black corner? These are stark scenarios, yet, a similar dread is still induced by an unknown. It is a dread created by his own questions, ones that, as ethereal as darkness is, cannot be answered.


    Su Min remained unchanged as he saw the apprehensive expression of the kid, though, just as he was about to speak, a raging bellow of hot air scurried from behind him as an angered bang thumped the ground.


    "Don''t ignore me!!"


    The crowd held their breath as a silence started to echo from that sundering roar. Though, Su Min only frowned as he leaned back and took a glimpse at the fuming proud man.


    His eyes shone without a tinge of emotion, not even a hint. It was as if these people were but lifeless things in his eyes, especially that proud man; a proud man seemed to be an ant so easily squished that he could do it with but a wave of his hand.


    "One second."


    His simple words resounded within the silence as everyone went wide-eyed. But Su Min didn''t care as he swished his head around and stared at the kid again. His eyes continued to glimmer with that faint gold and black as an unknown tremble shook the air around him.


    It was as if he was about to unsheath his sword, a sword of hidden might and shaking black. And when he does such a thing, the world will tremble and the skies will rumble with a newfound aura that could pierce the heavens.


    An absent stare broke into his gaze as he continued to scan the kid''s Dantian; though, as the proud man was about to erupt with something vile, Su Min asked the boy a question.


    "Hm... You remind me a little of someone, and considering what I may have to do soon, I''ll grant you a favour. What do you want? I can kill that guy behind me, or I can cure that girl over there... Anything."


    He spoke it slowly and calmly; as if what he said was but a simple matter. Though, to the ears of everyone else, it thundered in their reasoning with such a stupid notion. Was this man senile? How could such tasks be so simple?!


    The vast majority sneered at him as they thought about. This cloaked man must have gone insane, so he doesn''t care about death... Surely? The proud man also thought such a thing, but he was also incensed. He has a pride, a pride as high as the heavens, so to have it blasted by such an insult really rubbed him the wrong way.


    He, the son of the mighty lord that everyone feared, was spoken as if he were someone you could just kill. Someone you could just flick to oblivion? Bullshit! He''ll crush this cloaked man before everyone and set an example to those who dared think of opposing him!!


    "You... Promise?"


    However, contrary to everyone''s expectations of the kid thinking similarly and just giving up, he spoke with shocking words. Words that held a faint hope, a hope towards the strange man who saved his life.


    The kid already knew that he would be dead without that saving palm, that saving grace, so he owes his life towards such a being. How he can just accept death when he had just escaped it? He couldn''t, he couldn''t! No! He had already gone with the mindset of death, so to have a chance, he will grasp it and throw himself to depths of its unknown future.


    All for that glimmer, that dazzling speck, one that, even with such uncertain odds, may save his unfortunate fate.


    "Heh? Of course!"


    Su Min face shone with a faint smile as he glanced around him and at the proud man. Though, instead of taking this seriously, numerous audience members sniggered with contempt.


    "He''s gone insane, and although I can''t see his face, it must be a pale white!"


    "Haha! I never thought that I would see such a comical show!!"


    Comments originating from copious sources sprang out as people laughed and watched the show with amused eyes. Of course, they were waiting for this cloaked man to get pummelled to death as the kid loses all exits of hope.


    The proud man seemed to finally lose it as his veins bulged and his luxurious coat trembled. Then, like a shatter of glass, the haze that shrouded his forehead dispersed as 3 circles glimmered into view!


    "You''re going to regret messing with me..!!"


    His roaring might descended like a declaration of the heavens as an intense thrum of white enveloped the sky and the platform. The black robes swayed in the shrill wind as Su Min sighed and straightened his back with a simple disposition.


    He watched as the white hummed then strung around the emerging proud man like he was a holy being, prodding the ground with its blinding light and encapsulating the sky in its severing might.


    The ground crackled under its unending pressure and the crowd shuddered as those with weak dispositions got driven to their knees with pale faces.As this happened, an aura started to billow out of such a bright man that made the shuddering air slow and the bright sky dim.


    It was one of a faint holiness, one that made any mortal, anyone below him, feel the need to prostrate themselves before him. It didn''t care whether you wanted to or not, it forced it upon you!


    For its a will of the heavens, a will that you should never disregard, never ignore, never go against!


    "Your race really bugs me, you know..."


    Su Min, standing as the shrill winds fluttered beneath his dark robes, sighed as he muttered a sentence under a single breath. He glanced at the many fearful expressions of the weak; the excited expressions of those who could still watch, and the trembling legs of the kid behind him.


    He thought for a second, then gazing back at the proud man who was getting ready to battle, he made up his mind and spoke to the kid.


    "As he decided this on himself, I won''t count it as a favour."


    Leaving the dumbfounded kid, he redirected his concentration back onto the man who didn''t really make him feel anything.


    "Pale in awe from my techniques prowess! Fire Hell!!"


    The man, as he finished revelling at the power galloping through his veins, grasped his fists as a huge supply of heaven''s energy blasted out his forehead and around him. The already white light encompassing him blasted to an amazing proportion as the whole world seemed to be replaced by such a colour.


    However, as this colour illuminated the heavens and the earth, it shivered and then dissipated at a rapid revolution. Before anyone even realised, the light was gone and was replaced by a still silence.


    Though, as this silence overtook everyone, it was quickly disregarded once more. A blue, so hot and mystical, erupted out of nowhere and grew.


    Su Min found the white to be annoying, so, considering this, as he watched the white get replaced by a blitzing blue fire, he found it to be much more pleasing.


    It was a bright blue that seemed to sear the very clouds in the sky, causing a dense steam to waft out and replace the soft white collections of water vapour with a strange charred black. It was as if he just burnt the water to crisp, and it was a peculiar sight to behold.


    This blue flame didn''t seem to be constricted by any simple boundary as it swiftly enveloped the whole sky and the podium Su Min stood on. The proud man''s eyes flashed as he uttered a resolute cry.


    "Get burnt and cry in anguish!!"


    It was a cry that, with a shrill emergence, caused the enormous flames enveloping the world to target Su Min. They blitzed with bangs and shrouded echoes, flying at terrible speeds toward the single small figure within the blue world.


    Nevertheless, as Su Min watched the flames crawl and attempt to engulf him, his expression remained unchanged. In fact, as his eyes started to shine an even brighter light, a strange gold began to shroud him.


    *PSSSSST*


    In this single moment, that single split second, a sudden change occurred that made the proud man gasp and crowd tremble.


    "How..?!"


    A sight that seemed to etch in the very being of everyone presented itself before them, where a single man, facing the world of flames, glowed an otherwordly gold...


    "Annoying..."

 50 A Higher Law. Fist Form, Golden Eclypse!

    "Annoying..."


    Standing before the terrifying heat that billowed, and the dense undulation of flame, Su Min grumbled as he simply swiped his hand up into the air. A dense tremble shook this air, and with a sudden flash, his eyes gleamed a terrifying light that blazed with a golden black.


    "Tremble beneath me, Fist. Second Form!"


    His stark words seemed to hammer the very sky as a sudden fissure of gold struck the space above his palm. A couple of strands of gold, if not less, formed then swirled as they trembled and resonated with a law that originated from a greater world.


    The world beneath Su Min, the audience, and the proud man suddenly felt a striking danger billow into their hearts, yet they didn''t even have time to react as a blinding gold reflected itself into their pupils...


    "Golden Eclypse!"


    *SHIIING*


    Su Min''s roar growled into the very hearts of everyone as those shivering strands atop his hand broke into a shrill cry. Then, out of nowhere,a blinding gold erupted out of pure nothingness and encompassed everything.


    The blue light shining off the flames and the worlds daylight suddenly got overwhelmed with such a gold, having no choice but to stand down and let it reign supreme.


    "Puny Flames, Scatter beneath a higher law! Destroy!!"


    His eyes shined like never before as all the blue flames within his sight shook and emitted painful wails. Then, like something higher had descended, an indescribable aura began to billow out of Su Min''s gaze that shook the very essence of the blue flames.


    The proud man''s face went wide with terror as he felt his body go light, yet before he could even blink, before he could think, he found that the flames encompassing him vanish like the puny things they really were...


    "Dissipate into nothingness, you heavenly flame!"


    Su Min''s roar reverberated once more as, like a snapping bang, the whole world boomed and the world of flames shook like a waving tsunami. Then, within everyone''s gasping sights, it simply dissipated in the wind without a chance to fight back.


    It was as if it was simply too weak to even contend with the golden light, like an ant facing an emperor of fire.


    *SSSSSS*


    An instant later, and the sky was revealed once more as the world returned to what it once was, where no single blue flame resided. As this happened, the man''s heart thumped in his chest as he took a step back with disbelieving horror.


    "Wh-WHAT?!"


    However, Su Min didn''t seem to care as, atop his blinding palm that glowed gold, a sudden spark ignited with a bang.


    *PSSST*


    The gold illuminating the world shook with this ignition and, with a surreal motion, got sucked into to the spark like a tidal wave. It was as if the spark was engulfing the very light of the gold.


    "Form, gold spark!"


    Su Min''s eyes flashed as he grasped the spark. The spark intern shook even more as all the golden light illuminating out of Su Min''s palm got sucked into it without remorse.


    *SSSSSS*


    The sky returned and the simple colours shined through the daylight, yet everyone''s hearts seemed to become heavier as they gazed at Su Min''s palm with absolute fright.


    "N-NO!!"


    The proud man''s expression turned even more as he stammered back with a face tinged with death. He himself didn''t understand what was happening, but he felt something he had never felt before when he gazed at Su Min''s palm.


    It was a feeling of absolute dread, one so strong that it made you feel like an ant beneath it. In fact, as he gazed at such a palm, an illusion of massive spark encompassing the world came into view.


    One where, he as but a tiny ant, got swept in its infinite heat that blasted from the very furnaces of hell.


    "Pl~ease! I''ll get you that kid''s medicine!! Nothing but that!!"


    Yet, Su Min''s face remained unchanged as his gripped hand loosened. Whilst this happened, with a trembling light, his eyes seemed to glimmer with a deadly killing intent that tinged the sky with blood and shook the hearts of everyone even more intensely.


    Some paled as they went unconscious, and some hiccupped out of pure shock.


    "Burn to dust. Heaven''s slave... Also, you, hiding back there, burn as well; for I can see your killing intent!"


    As he spoke, with a swift turn, his gaze locked onto a faraway place where nothing but empty air stood. However, as his voice reverberated through the sky, a gasp resounded as someone revealed themselves.


    "W-wait..!"


    *BOOOOOOOM*


    Though, Su Min''s grasp had already loosened as a tiny gold speck revealed itself. It fluttered in the cold wind, yet, this cold was soon replaced by a intense heat.


    A heat that was so hot that the very ground Su Min stood on melted to oblivion almost instantly. The whole world shook as the clouds in the sky evaporated, the grass seared into blackened tar and everyone surrounding the stadium screamed in panic.


    However, this speck of light didn''t seem all too dangerous as it floated there with a dim light. It flickered like a small candlelight, almost blowing out from a single cold breeze.


    "I don''t have time for this nonsense."


    Su Min''s face lifted into a grin, then like he was tossing a snowflake, the speck got driven forward in his palm.


    *PSSSST* BOOOM POP*


    "GAH!"


    A strange tube of steaming hot air rose into the sky as it got propelled right toward the proud man. The man''s eyes shone with fear as he saw that tiny spark pierce the air and melt the floor beneath it.


    "Stop..!"


    As the proud man''s shone with unwillingness, a sudden shout erupted from behind him as a solemn face shone into view. He travelled at a speed beyond cognition, then stepping in front of the spark that was about to take his son''s life, he threw out both his palms.


    "Lord.!!"


    The middle-aged man and the lady gasped as they barely held their heads through the heat. Their eyes shone with hope, but as they stared at the gold spark that was already halfway there, they couldn''t help but gulp with a cold shiver.


    The Lord''s expression was grim, but as he gazed at the speck of gold light that was advancing and closing in, he grit his teeth and roared.


    "Family Technique. Heaven''s Imitation Flame!!"


    His words carried a strange holiness as his fogged forehead glimmered with an intense white light. Then, with an ear-splitting bang, a white flame erupted and formed a wall in front of him.


    It''s flame wafted out a similarly gross heat that charred the air and melted the stone podium with the speck. Molten rock spewed out and onto the ground surrounding the stadium, causing some unlucky audience members to get covered in a terrifying heat...


    "BLOCK!!"


    His eyes raged with madness as he watched that infinitesimal gold speck collide with the white flames. Nonetheless, as the white and gold touched, no booms nor bangs split the sky as most would perceive...


    *SSSSSSS*


    Instead, a strange searing noise sizzled from the collision. The man''s eyes shook as an uneasy feeling sprung into him, but he held a firm belief in those white flames!


    This noise continued to burn everyone''s ears for what seemed like an eternity. Those who were able to remain standing in viewing distance held their breaths as they watched the white flames engulf the gold speck without mercy.


    *PSSSt pssst*


    "Hm?"


    The man''s eyes shone with a tremble as he looked on, where those flames of his had actually begun to shake! It wasn''t intense, but within literal seconds it had magnified to a degree that it looked like a spasm.


    *POP SSSSSSS*


    His eyes shook with an incredulous as he watched a tiny hole break open from the wall, where a tiny gold speck flew out. It seemed unharmed, and to man''s eyes, extremely dangerous.


    "RUN!!"


    His face went pale as he pushed his frozen son off the stage, yet he didn''t have time to do so for himself as that speck sprawled onto him...


    *BAAAAAAANGGGGGGGGGGGGGG*

 51 Anger!

    The man, sighing as his son got thrown out of the way, gazed at the spark that was about to impact him. The billowing heat made his forehead sweat gallons and his face solemn, yet as a mysterious thought raced through his head, his expression turned into a grin!


    "Town Array, activate!"


    "?"


    *PSST*


    Su Min paused as he, with his all-seeing ability, felt a strange premonition from the words of man. It was one that, although not dangerous, induced a certain eeriness that he disliked.


    "You dare?"


    Just as he spoke such a sentence, Su Min''s expression changed and his eyes flashed as he looked around him. It was unknown what he was thinking, but his eyes began to blitz with a grim light as he gripped his hand without mercy.


    As if it responding to his grip, the spark trembled with a fervent shiver that seemed to shake the sky. However, just as it trembled, the very ground the town stood on shuddered as a faint white revealed itself.


    A mystical pattern emerged from such a white, where a massive symbol shined into view and replaced the terrain of the town. What it depicted was a rather horrific portrait of two people bathed in white gazing down from the heavens with dignified arrogance. One a man, one a woman. Both handsome beyond belief, both with indifferent gazes.


    Those heavenly beings had hazed foreheads, yet just the depictions of them seemed to induce a pressure that shrouded the entire town. It was pressure, that although faint, far surpassed the 4 star''s aura Su Min knew. However, due to it just being a depiction, the pressure was far too faint to make Su Min react, and it only contained the profundity of the aura, not the intensity.


    Beneath these two people laid an immeasurable number of trembling men and women with dull golden eyes. They were eyes of fear, unwillingness, and hatred. Chains, as thick as trees, as black as the night sky, wrapped around the entirety of the golden-eyed people like massive pillars that tied them down without mercy nor care.


    Some had the chains hammered into their limbs, some even in their dead heads. Death and famine spread through such a precarious ground, where only a significant few remained standing beneath the mountain of corpses and rotting carcasses.


    Those significant few were only two men and two women; a bloodied bearded man, and a young aspiring youth drenched in his own brethren. The bearded man wore a tarnished golden crown, and his eyes shown with a simple wisdom, yet right now his normally dignified self was overcome with despair!


    He held his wife, his son, and his daughter. He held them with his firm and powerful grip, and with his seemingly last dregs, a golden forcefield sprouted around him and protected him and his family!


    And thus, the depiction finalised, one of an arrogant couple killing a fallen king; like divine punishment.


    They were, of course, an Ancient race! They may not be a great race of the Ancients but a race from the lower realm, they may not be that lofty compared to Su Min''s heritage, they may be hundreds if not thousands of times more insignificant to his bloodline, but that view touched a nerve that shouldn''t be touched for Su Min!


    His hidden jacket hissed with a chilling creeping cold as the already red sky turned blood crimson. It was crimson that carried a anger, an anger towards not just the man, but the heaven''s races in general!


    He is entering a new world, one that has revealed something that he could have never imagined! It is a world similar to one he used to live in that small apartment, one of cruelty, contempt, and conflict.


    He knows that he is ignorant to the feud between the Heavens and Ancient races, and most wouldn''t even pay attention to such depictions because how could they know what those gold eyes represent? However, he knows what those golden eyes represent, and knowing this, even if he just has the body of an Ancient One and isn''t truly ''one'', he will feel anger. Fury towards the Heaven''s who his race must fight; must kill!


    And so...


    "You think that you''ll be able to survive?"


    Su Min''s expression turned, thus, with a newfound glare toward the man, he spoke once more. He didn''t know what an array was, but that goddamn white pattern on the ground didn''t bode well for him conserving strength.


    The Lord''s eyes remained fixated on that spark as he continued to grin, but with the dense crimson that shrouded him, he did waver a bit.


    "No! This array was made to defend against a 4-star power, maybe even a half step 5th... "


    However, he firmed his grip once more as he commenced the array.


    Yet...


    Su Min didn''t seem to want to wait for the spark to collide with the man, so as it was still a couple seconds away from impact, Su Min in an abrupt fashion clenched his fists even more and uttered a raging roar!


    "Gold. Burn!"


    The Lord was taken back, but he didn''t have time to consider this as the spark started to expand! Popping sounds echoed out like divine thunder as that tiny spark suddenly erupted into a blazing ball of flame the size of an elephant.


    The flame glistened with a beautiful and mystifying gold. Yet it was nothing but that in the eyes of the everyone, in fact, it gave them a certain terror that they haven''t felt ever.


    It was one that seemed to suggest that that ball of flame was specifically designed to slaughter their bloodline!


    "Annihilate!!"


    Su Min''s chest shined with a thrumming gold as the ball of flame, following his lawful command, shattered!


    *BAAAAAAAAAAAAANGGGG*


    It was a deafening shatter that crashed into the eardrums of everyone. Yet, this alone seemed to make their minds sear with the very pain of rage and suppression!


    "W-what?!"


    "GET THIS OUT OF MY HEAD!!"


    "AGHHHH!!"


    A collection of agonising screams rang out of the audience and the whole town as everyone''s mind tumbled into madness and agonising burning. Yet, this was but the start as a sudden blazing light splintered atop the stadium and right onto the Lord''s pained expression.


    *SHING*


    A strange chime echoed out of that light, one that made everyone shiver with even more fear. Some even found that their blood had shifted to a stop, even trying to escape their bodies!


    "Pay the price for your ancestor''s sins!"


    Su Min, watching the Lord and everyone around him, uttered a commanding call as that light suddenly shrouded the entire town and growled a subtle but soul-shaking roar in return.


    It was a primal roar in fact, and, not even caring, the whole town was suddenly lit with a blazing golden flame that vaporised the very air.


    *GA-"


    *PSSSSST*


    An instant went by, yet this instant was all that it took for the once bristling town to break into a flattened pit of ash that had been roasted many times over. The stadium Su Min stood on no longer existed, and the very audience no longer lived...


    Except for a couple. A boy, a girl, a fat man, and...


    "Huff. Huff."


    *RUMBLE*


    A staggering Lord who was currently shrouded in a strange white light. The very same symbol remained etched on the terrain as if nothing had even happened.


    The forcefield covering the man was flickering with a weakness, yet it still stood after such an attack...


    "You... You''re like those slaves in the array..."


    The man, gazing at the now non-existent town, spoke out as he looked at the golden eyes of the dead in the symbol on the ground and Su Min''s one, blazing golden eye.


    Su Min remained silent as he sighed, then lifting his hood, he revealed his crystalline golden hair and simple face.


    "Hah! So you really are from those bastards! I thought our ancestors slaughtered you lot in the war, but it seems that a couple got through! Even if I die, I can laugh at you in the heavens once our sect sends out the High Elder to torture you to oblivion!! HAHAHA!!"

 52 A little price to pay.

    "Hah! So you really are from those bastards! I thought our ancestors slaughtered you lot in the war, but it seems that a couple got through! Even if I die, I can laugh at you in the heavens! Believe me, once our sect sends out the High Elder to torture you to oblivion!! HAHAHA!! The look on your face will be glorious!"


    The expressionless face of the Lord, with a widening madness, erupted into a disturbing grin as he stared at Su Min''s golden hair and golden eye.


    "High Elder?"


    Su Min, who was about to move, paused as he glanced at the maddened Lord. His now dormant golden eye seemed to shimmer with a faint something, where he himself also widened into a grin.


    "Heh... That sounds interesting."


    A light laugh echoed out of his rumbling mouth as it spread through the listless and charred air. This laugh seemed to finally wake those couple people around him from their reverie...


    The boy was the first to awaken, where he stood just behind Su Min like before. He felt confused, and then to his realisation, he discerned that he had dozed off just as the fight had started.


    "W-what..?"


    "Everyone''s gone?"


    "Where''s the town, how did it..."


    Of course, how could he just fall asleep in such a critical moment? And as these thoughts entered his head, his eyes laid upon the single man in front. His glistening hair and his simple posture, all of it revealed itself before him.


    However, as he looked around him, he caught the sight of the Lord! This person was such a being he would never be able to even see, even speak of, yet here he stood facing that golden-haired man before him.


    That golden person must be the mysterious person who saved him, who gave him a chance, and he''s still alive! Following this, judging by the situation, the boy gasped at the realisation that such a person was winning!


    Such a powerful being, how?


    He gazed at the man who was gazing at the Lord, and spoke with a little stammer of excited fervour but also dreary confusion.


    "Senior..?"


    Su Min, who was about to speak, halted when that boy spoke. However, it was only for a moment as he ignored the kid and focused back onto the wizened Lord and the shaky forcefield.


    He didn''t have time to sort out that ''thing'' inside of the kid, and even if he hates the race, he decided to keep his promise and keep the girl and the fat man alive. Of course, the boy hadn''t actually asked for this, but he was pretty sure that that would be the kid''s wish.


    "Lord or whatever your name is, I''ll be waiting for your laughter in the heavens, as I''ll be the one visiting you!"


    His eyes suddenly lit up as he, no longer hesitating, clenched his right fist and began to take slow but steady steps toward the insane Lord. They were bleak steps, and as the daylight shined down onto the steaming hell of a ground, the only sound that prevailed was the feeble crackling sound of crushed tar and sizzling ash.


    "One day..."


    His voice rumbled across the entire town as he continued to take each step at a time, getting closer and closer every second that passed. His fist crackled, and his body tensed.


    "You''ll see."


    *RUMBLE*


    Eyes shining with a dim gold, a sudden tense stream of ancient energy billowed into his chest. His fist thrummed and his chest hummed, and as the ground rumbled beneath him with miniature shockwaves, Su Min smiled and took the last step.


    *WOOOSH*


    "You see, I have a certain idea..."


    His fist, sprawling toward his chest, tightened as he shifted his weight and swivelled into a punching position. Though the expected golden glow never came as his chest remained colourless and his fist simple.


    Yet...


    Every second that passed, every moment, a strange danger seemed to magnify at an ever-increasing rate. It was invisible and ethereal, though it was as clear as day to the Lord.


    "You beasts always resort to such primal instincts, pfft!!"


    His maddened gaze intensified even more as that danger etched into his heart. Nevertheless, Su Min didn''t seem to even listen as he continued to hold his fist right there...


    *Woooosh*


    It was as if a time bomb was ticking away in Su Min''s palm, where that bomb grew without restriction. From a tiny shell to a massive culmination of TNT, that simple fist exuded and erupted with this invisible aura unendingly.


    From ten times to one hundred, it spread and covered the sky!


    *Hiccup!*


    The Lord''s face seemed to finally reach a breaking point as he hiccupped out of pure terror, where even his body had sprung to give up under the persistent and growing threat that was now shrouding the entire town!


    It was an instinctual feeling, one that everyone has!


    "How about I take a couple million with your death? Hm? It''s like killing two birds with one stone!"


    Su Min''s words were slow and steady, just like his fist. Yet, in the couple seconds that it took for him to speak, that inexplicable threat that billowed out of his fist magnified once again to an unimaginable degree!


    *HISSSS*


    The very sky seemed to shake as, in a rather surprising fashion, the array beneath Su Min''s feet rose to shake with a faint killing intent aimed at him!


    In fact, with twitching eyes, Su Min realised that the terrain surpassing the boundary of the town had begun to gleam with a vague white. It seemed that, without a doubt, this array didn''t just cover this single town!


    If that were the case, then the power it could hold would be troubling, even for Su Min.


    "That''s unfortunate..."


    Su Min sighed as he realised this. Although he could carry on absorbing ancient energy, he doesn''t want to cause too much trouble for himself right now.


    Well, he can just consider this a small price. He has plenty of time to disrupt the very balance of this realm, or maybe even more...


    *SHAKEEE*


    Deciding to stop, Su Min''s chest slowed to a stillness as the remaining strands within him darted around his body and into his fist. He guessed there to be around 5 thousand strands of gold, and the reason his fist didn''t glow a gold was that he was simply holding it in.


    Why? Well, to conserve the energy within him! Its efficiency, as if he would let his fists glow, then he would be letting out some ancient energy in the form of waste. Of course, how could he let such a thing happen?


    Nonetheless, this takes a lot more mental energy to keep the strands under control, but its worth it as the explosive power contained within his fists has increased by roughly ten per cent.


    So, with 5 thousand strands, adding onto the ten percent increase in already potent power, what would the result be?


    Heh, you see...


    "Take my ancient fist!"


    Propelling his fist and letting the dormant but blazing energy within it go wild, Su Min roared with a godly sound wave as the entire world suddenly paused.


    It was strange, but in the eyes of the kid and the frozen Lord, that fist seemed to relax down to a speed that wasn''t fast nor slow. Yet, for the Lord, it felt impossible to dodge. Impossible to fight back, absolute.


    It was as if a paramount power had just emerged!


    *Wooooshh*


    Prevailing with such a fist as it moved toward the barrier, a rather quiet whoosh of wind spread out. Yet, somehow, it sounded as clear as day to the Lord. It was as if the very fist was right by his head, bristling gentle waves of wind into his ear canal like a sweet symphony...


    "GUH!"


    Nevertheless, this gentle sound sounded nothing like that... It was because of his body. His body which, with the very most it could muster, threw and set off all of the alarm bells!

 53 There will be a *large* release tommorow.

Sorry, content is lost, You are reading Novel on Novelhall.COM, we will fix it as soon as possible, thank you

 53 Bloody Array

    With a fist flying through the air, Su Min''s eyes remained emotionless as it crashed into the barrier. A shocking screech erupted from such a collision, where a heaven splitting bang thudded out with a brutal boom.


    The barrier shook, then with a squeal, it shattered! The Lord, watching said fist pummel right for him, went slack as a life-threatening danger trounced into him.


    Yet, he didn''t even have a chance to fight back as that fist bristled right into him with a velocity so intense that it made him shudder.


    *SPLATTER*


    His eyes went wide as he coughed, then shifting his neck to face his body, he saw a firm hole punched right through his chest! Within the hole was an arm, Su Min''s arm! And such an arm was currently throwing itself forwards with a blinding force!


    "S-shit..."


    He staggered backwards, but to his realisation... He couldn''t move. In fact, he couldn''t breathe, and then in another moment, he couldn''t even think.


    *BAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNG*


    His eyes turned listless as, with an immediate thundering bang, the fist that went through him slapped the air and detonated with a force so vile that it disintegrated the very air around him.


    Including him.


    Su Min''s eyes remained placid as he watched the ground thunder with brazen shakes, when, with a sudden stream, a dense shockwave tinged with gold pierced right out of his fist!


    A dense stream of ancient energy flew out of this punch, and with an instantaneous whoosh, the shockwave blasted and destroyed everything in front of Su Min.


    The reason that the shockwave was gold was that Su Min propelled half of the ancient energy within him out with the shockwave! He used the other half to actually drive his fist, but as the shockwave contained the brutal Ancient Energy, it''s destructive power was detrimental.


    This shockwave has a power surpassing that of a 4th step mage. It was unknown what power it now contained, but it verged on the mysterious boundary of a 5th step mage.


    The whole world shook and everything got encompassed in this shockwave, and it flew at speeds that allowed it to instantaneously travel a kilometer.


    However, the array beneath Su Min shined with a deathly light as it erupted into a terrifying roar.


    The whole world reverberated with such a roar, as before the shockwave spread even a couple of kilometres, the ground beneath it shined with a dazzling white as the array revealed itself.


    Numerous images of desolate deathly figures and ancient kinsman getting slaughtered were shown in such symbols, and each of them erupted with a maddened barrier that leapt around the massive golden shockwave.


    Popping sounds rang out like divine thunder as that shockwave suddenly started to slow down. Given this chance even more arrays lit up in the far horizon as the barrier thickened and thickened till it resembled that of the massive walls that protected the sect.


    Su Min was shocked, but he eventually sighed as he watched that unruly shockwave get pummeled to a stop by the barrier. The 2500 strands that encompassed such a shockwave halted as well, and Su Min couldn''t do anything to change that as he can only control the ancient energy in a 5-meter radius around him.


    The array roared once more, where it even seemed to realise those 2500 strands that remained motionless there. The fact is that the ancient energy covered everything, but if it isn''t used it cannot be sensed nor be seen by other races except for the ancient races.


    However, as Su Min has thrown the strands out and revealed them to the world, the array can now sense them.


    The array''s roar was heaven splitting, and as if it was incensed that such an aura existed here, it sprang onto the strands and suddenly started to devour them!


    It was a crazed bloodthirsty scene, making even Su Min''s eyes tremble as he watched those omniscient strands dissipate in front of him in a seemingly anguished cry.


    With the immense light of the arrays that covered the world, those strands stood no chance as they all disappeared within the white. The arrays trembled as this happened, but after sensing no more energy, the white encompassing the town and the horizon dimmed down until the symbols faded out of existence.


    The array atop Su Min''s town did so as well.


    Su Min grumbled as he sat down with a light breath, he was a tad tired after all that. Of course, he was just trying to vent his anger from seeing those snarly images, but it seemed that nothing is that simple...


    The kid, frozen behind him, shook after the still silence echoed across the land. He, of course, couldn''t even comprehend what he saw in that moment.


    Though, he still knew that he could be squished like a mere ant if he were to get on that golden man''s bad side, so he gulped and stuttered out with his head facing the ground.


    "S-senior?"


    Su Min remained silent as that boy''s voice sounded into his ears, and as the boy started to sweat, Su Min finally seemed to have decided on something and spoke.


    "The girl you wanted to save is behind you."


    Hearing this, the boy trembled as he looked behind him. He hadn''t even surveyed most if not anything around him since he had awakened, in fact, he had been frozen in place the whole time.


    He was too tense to move, and with the monumental battle, he couldn''t keep his eyes off of Su Min.


    "L-lady!"


    The boy''s eyes shined as he saw two people unconscious on the ground not too far away. It was unknown why they were unconsciousness, but the boy could tell that they weren''t dead.


    He, with a pause, suddenly looked at Su Min again as he grit his teeth.


    Although the boy didn''t take a close look, he could tell that the girl wasn''t doing too well. In fact, she seemed even worse than what he remembered. Her weak breath seemed to be tinged with frailness and her pale face with deaths white all contributed to this.


    It made him scamper with a tide of emotions, he doesn''t have a lot of time! Yet, he cannot just rush the man in front of him. So, with a rough expression, he spoke once again towards the still back of Su Min.


    "You know the favour..? Can you... P~perhaps heal her?"


    Su Min''s figure remained unchanged as that voice once again took its place in the silence. Seconds passed and the boy became jittery, yet he didn''t say a word as he continued to wait.


    Su Min tapped the earth as he looked at the sky with a dazed expression. A multitude of thoughts sprang into his head.


    ''To help a heaven''s race? No. I have to keep my word, for although their ancestors have killed... Mhm... It''s tiring really.''


    He sighed, then in front of the boy''s quivering eyes, he lazed back up and turned around. His eyes stared at the boy, displaying two colours.


    Not taking heed to the boys rushed expression, Su Min ignored his gaze and glanced ahead at the two unconscious figures.


    "I''ll take a look, though I cannot guarantee anything."


    Su Min sighed as he suddenly sped forward and appeared before the two. His eyes locked onto the pale girl, where they shone with a strange light.


    His golden eye remained unchanged, yet by some unknown transformation, his other eye tinged with a black suddenly churned as a strange aura shrouded it.


    Su Min''s face flashed with surprise, but he decided to let it do whatever it wanted. Nonetheless, as he decided on this, the world he saw changed ever so slightly.


    ''There''s an energy inside her?''


    A rather confused thought instilled itself inside of him as he stared at the girl with a newfound sight. He didn''t know what it was, or what this feeling was, but he could somehow see a strange red gloop inside of her. It floated around, and it would sometimes suck away a unknown energy from the girl''s body.


    It was like a parasite, and as Su Min pondered, he also remembered that the girl didn''t have any circles on top of her head.


    "Weird..."


    With a black eye shining with a wisp of something inexplicable, he felt an instinctual feeling erupt inside of him. He paused before lifting his hand up into the air. A strange reaction occurred as this happened, where the red parasite inside of the girl froze.


    Then, with a tiny pop, a thin strand of that strange aura that shined on Su Min''s black eye fizzled out of it and swayed toward the girl''s body.


    It was way too small to be seen, yet Su Min could tell that the colour of this aura was a greyish black. It carried a different feeling compared to the Martial Energy, where Su Min couldn''t actually figure out what it was.


    It wasn''t energy, so what was it?

 54 Healing with a black eye. Devouring with a black eye.

    Watching the energy flutter in the air and toward the girl, Su Min could only give up on figuring out what it was. All he knew was that it came from his bloodline that he had just recovered to a tiny degree, and if that were the case, it wouldn''t be anything simple.


    *Hisss*


    "Hm?"


    Su Min''s face changed as he watched that thin line of greyish black pass through the girl''s body like it never existed and target the red blob of energy. Su Min hadn''t realised it till now, but that red thing was starting to tremble with terror!


    A sudden excited feeling erupted out Su Min''s black eye and into his mind. It was one of thirst, a hunger! Su Min couldn''t help but feel that hunger, and it gave him a deep desire to devour that red parasite.


    Of course, Su Min didn''t find a reason to stop it, so he let that tiny black aura impact with the red blob. Then, with a widening gaze, Su Min watched that parasite scream with anguish.


    The girl''s body trembled as her face became even paler, but Su Min didn''t care as he watched the stupifying transformation take place within her.


    "Huh..."


    That minuscule strand looked like an ant compared to that blob, yet by an unknown change, that strand that came from his eye began to swell until it overtook the blobs enormous size in comparison.


    It was like watching a tiny ball enlarge into a skyscraper within seconds, defying any sort of reasoning that most would expect. Then, beneath Su Min''s interested gaze, that red blob suddenly emitted a heart-wrenching screech as it got smothered by a greyish black.


    It didn''t take long for the whole parasite to get covered in the black, and it seemed that no matter what it did it couldn''t escape.


    *SSSS*


    The girl''s body spasmed with a chilling cough, and as she done so, a blitzing silhouette of a swelled strand of greyish black popped out of her stomach and flew into Su Min''s eye.


    It''s size shrunk as it flew, and as it approached Su Min''s eye, it had already reverted back to its original size. That blob seemed to have just disappeared, like it was never to be seen ever again.


    *POP*


    Su Min, allowing it to pierce back into his black eye, suddenly felt an unquenchable craving erupt out of the eye. It was tens if not hundreds of times more intense compared to before, and it made even Su Min waver.


    "No! I control you!"


    Su Min''s expression changed as his resolute spirit thrashed that urge. He felt fatigued, but he eventually ridded himself of such an urge and reinstalled his usual calmness. He knew that if he were to allow that feeling to take place he himself would change. He would lose himself, and that cannot happen!


    With a still mind, Su Min watched that tiny greyish thing perforate his eye. Nothing seemed to change for him, but with a sudden booming crash within his consciousness, a vision of a small black space erupted out of nowhere.


    It was empty and the only thing that remained was a dense darkness. Yet, by some miracle, a tiny strand rushed into it. Su Min''s eyes shined as he watched that strand expand, then with a poof, a red blob got propelled out.


    It staggered a bit, and with a crazed shiver, it blitzed with a leap and attempted to flee from such a place. Nevertheless, the strand that had just spat it out didn''t seem to care as it escaped from the space and back into somewhere unknown.


    ''Is this a space within my eye? Why does it seem to be oddly similar to that world...''


    Various questioning thoughts entered Su Min''s mind, but he didn''t have time to even ponder as that crazed red blob that was flying suddenly froze. Following this a mystical tremble shook the gloop of red as it began to float in mid-air.


    It was as if the red parasite didn''t dare move, and as Su Min noticed this, he also noticed an insignificant black condense in front of the blob. The black made the red parasite shake, but it froze even more as it just floated there with a dim light.


    Then, with an intense wave, a stark and old sound encompassed and passed into Su Min''s mind and the red parasites.


    "Martial... Intent. Devour... Red Giant Curse. Acquire... Red Giant Bloodline."


    Its voice was ethereal and emotionless, and it resembled Su Mins!


    ''?''


    The blob trembled with despair, but it could do nothing as the whole space shifted into a 1-meter radius pool of black water, where that blob was immediately submerged into it without remorse in an ocean of black.


    "By the... Martial Law. Condense with... The Red Giant."


    The voice echoed once more, where a sudden droplet of pure red emerged out of the shaking waves of black. It glistened with a strange light, but without taking heed, the voice resounded once more!


    "First Technique... Martial Intent. Form... Bloodline."


    As these words spread, the waves of black suddenly shifted. Then, in front of Su Min''s very eyes, a hard black ground formed and replaced the water. The ground was the same size as the pool, being only one meter in radius. What surrounded it was a fogged black; as if it was floating within a void.


    The droplet of red shook, and as if it wanted to escape, it rocked even more intensely to escape from the invisible force that held it in place. Nevertheless, it didn''t even budge as it watched that tuft of black materialised into a strange being in front of it.


    The ground was suddenly submerged in a dreary fog, where two white eyes twinkled atop a black silhoulettes head.


    Emerging with a lanky gait, and with a snarly smile, the figure took a step forward and clutched the red drop without mercy. He licked his lips, then gazing at the sky, he plopped the frozen drop into his mouth.


    "Mhm... Red Giant? I''m impressed, Su Min."


    Su Min''s mind thundered, but he didn''t have any chance to question the figure as the man dissipated in a woosh of wind. The ground stood still as Su Min felt troubled.


    But, with a slight tremble, a sudden sprout erupted from the plain ground as a tiny plant grew! Its stem was white and, as it flourished, a single petal took form. This petal was a dark red, and, with a blazing aura, a strange strand of information got pushed into Su Min''s mind.


    The ground around the petal was dyed with a faint red, but as it continued to grow, that red got sucked away.


    "Inheritance? No, this is different..."

 55 Martial Intent returns.

    "Inheritance? No, this is different..."


    Su Min flashed with shock as his mind processed what had just been thrown into his head. He got a couple of bits of information, and some seemed to come from the very ground of the strange world in his eye.


    '' Red Giant, Martial Race. -


    Ranked#34 in the Lower Realm; known for their massive bodies and brutal strength. They rely mostly on instinct and live for war.


    Bloodline Acquired: 23%


    Bloodline Talent: Average. ''


    "Uh..?"


    Su Min struggled to not question this. How on earth did he get this information? However, as this question sprung, he stared wide-eyed at the ground as a sudden tremble shook it.


    The red-petalled flower looked rather beautiful, even dazzling, but as this tremble shook the ground, its light dimmed as if it didn''t dare contend with something.


    Then, out of nowhere, half the ground got smothered in a golden light as a sprout spewed out of the soil. It started off small, yet the sprout didn''t even take a second for it to overtake the flower, and with a thickening stem, it started to grow bark.


    The golden ground beneath it only lightened a bit, so the stem continued to grow without restriction until it transformed into a log of a thin tree. A dense surge of gold then got sucked into the tree, where numerous golden leaves grew atop it.


    A shadow formed as it shrouded the small flower in a glorious power. Each leaf shined with a shimmering gold that blinded the eye as if they were made of pure nuggets of dazzling metals.


    The tree continued to suck in the gold-tinged ground, making its bark wriggle as it thickened and became spotted with pellets of shining gold.


    It was only after the tree had grown to the point that it nearly overtook the entire 1-meter radius ground that it stopped. It held a truly overpowering aura as it stood proudly, and compared to the tiny red flower, it was like comparing a firefly to the very sun that spewed daylight onto the earth.


    Then, with a quiver, Su Min''s mind got blasted with a new line of information.


    '' Ancient One, Ancient Race. -


    Ranked #5 in the Great Realm; known for their Godly powers of controlling the Ancient Energy and their potent bodies that can only be rivalled by the Ancient Dragons.


    They carry an innate hatred toward the Heaven''s Races.


    Bloodline Acquired: 1%


    Bloodline Talent: Bare Minimum. ''


    "Ancient Dragons..?"


    Su Min found that he has learned a little more about the world, but also about his own bloodline. That black figure, who could he be?


    "I guess I can try them out later, especially that Giant Technique."


    Su Min, from instinct, knew a bit about these sprouts. He got a technique from the red flower, and well, he got nothing from the golden tree.


    It was obvious that he already had the bloodline from that black figure, and that it was just taking form in this space.


    ''I wonder... If I can double my size, would my strength double?''


    As these thoughts entered his head, Su Min let go of that space and focused back to reality. He realised that only a couple seconds had passed.


    The girl in his eyes was even weaker now, and he couldn''t do that much to rectify that. However, the main source and the reason she was dying was solved, so she shouldn''t pass anytime soon.


    Though, he was confused on how she even got that red blob that sucked her life away day by day.


    "She isn''t of the heaven''s races?"


    Su Min''s eyes flashed as he took a closer look, where although he couldn''t tell what race she was, he knew for certain that she wasn''t from the heaven''s race. He didn''t smell any sort of detestable aura.


    "S-senior? Is she cured?"


    A light scamper rang behind Su Min as the boy emerged with concern. He saw her paler face which made him bite his lip, but he awaited Su Min''s response with patience in case he would incur the wrath of a being that could topple the sky.


    "Yes."


    Su Min spoke a single word as he pushed that thought aside. He could feel his body changing, and a red aura brewing. In fact, he felt a constant gush of this red come out of his black eye, as if it were changing him.


    ''It seems that I am going to gain some characteristics of that race...''


    A subtle tiredness began to billow within Su Min as he yawned. He felt his body pop from time to time, and as this red aura seeped into him and caused unknown changes, he felt an inheritance start to gather.


    It was a real inheritance to a race, or more specifically, the red giant race! He, by the mystical technique of the Martial, was going against common laws of the world!


    "Go find another village close by, and I''ll visit you once I''m done with a couple errands."


    Su Min rough voice entered the ears of the boy. He didn''t understand what made this golden being interested in him, but he couldn''t question it.


    "Yes senior! Also... Thank you!"


    Nodding with enthusiasm, the boy''s face brightened into a smile as he picked up the unconscious girl and fat man. He had an inhuman strength, so this was an easy feat for the kid.


    Su Min remained expressionless as he watched the kid run off into the distance.


    "Mhm... I should probably leave this place."


    Rubbing his chin and with a strange haze of red, Su Min smiled as he leapt into the air and looked down onto the world. A thin layer of gold formed beneath his feet, allowing him to just float there.


    ...


    ...


    *WOOOOSH*


    "Hm?"


    Scratching his blue hair in a village covered in ice, a black-robed man suddenly shook as a faint shockwave wooshed a breeze past him. His eyes lit up, then staring into the horizon, he jumped and disappeared in the ice-cold wind...


    "That sounded scary, but I like scary! HAH!!"


    It was unknown what village he was in, but it wasn''t the same one Su Min had visited. So, he left behind numerous sculptures of frozen people, dyed in red from their own frozen blood...

 56 Sleepy Man.

    Inside a darkened room, where only a dim hazed screen of milky white shone, a figure laid on the floor. His eyes were closed, but from the light that gleamed on his face, a beautifying expression relaxed.


    Rubbish was scattered around his room, and on the screen that shined with its dim blue light, a sudden beep sounded.


    *BEEP* *THUD*


    "Guh..?"


    His eye trembled as he awoke, and with an aggravated yawn, he looked toward the screen. On the screen displayed a map, and in a certain part of this map, a town was located.


    However, this town suddenly exploded with a red light. This light spread, and before the handsome man knew it, it had covered nearly 5 times the area of the town.


    A warning blizted onto the floating screen, stating with pressuring words.


    ''HEAVENLY ARRAY ACTIVATED''


    ''MAJOR POWER UNLEASED IN THE HEAVENLY FLAME TOWN''


    "Uh..."


    The man rubbed his eyes a couple times, yet that bleeping message wouldn''t leave his sight. It took him a while, but he decided to actually look properly and see what the heck was bothering him.


    His gaze widened, and with a sudden outcry, he spurted out some incoherent blabber.


    "W-? Ho#!Fuck?"


    He grasped the floor as he stood up in abrupt motion. His gaze lingered on the screen that bleeped and bleeped. He though for a while with a sleepy head, and eventually remembered something.


    "Uh... Ah! I sent one of my disciples to capture a stray. But why is a town destroyed and how did a force capable of activating the heaven''s array show up?"


    He mumbled for a while, and with a pause, his face turned as he spoke once more.


    "Did he fight it in a fucking town? When did I raise such an incompetent mage? Fuck! I gotta fix this before the council gets on my ass!"


    His eyes went jittery as he rushed to the side of his room and grabbed a dirty robe. He patted it a bit, and with a sigh of anger and annoyance, he draped it onto his heart throbbing body.


    *woosh*


    He raised his hand as he done this, propelling the door to the end of the room open. A bright daylight shone in, but he ignored this and walked straight out.


    "Ah... Daylight, I thought I would part with you for at least a couple more years."


    He paused as the bright sunshine eclipsed the darkness he loved, but he could only grunt and gaze ahead of him.


    What revealed itself was a rather modest hut behind him and a dull tree, one with strangely white leave fluttering on its couple branches. The peaceful serenity encompassed this location, where the only sound was the light bristle of leaves and the occasional whoosh of fresh air.


    Though, he didn''t like any of it as he walked further and approached a ledge. He was, in fact, standing on top of a mountain! This mountain pierced the sky and his dainty hut stood in a section of it in the middle.


    It was covered in green and white shrubbery, where numerous huts and caves paved with simple doors scattered around it. Although the lower sections of the mountain only had tiny huts whereas the upper sections had luxurious cultivation chambers.


    Next to the peak this handsome man stood on were two others that reached about half its height. Nevertheless, they still surpassed where the man was.


    "Uh... Heavenly Flame Town."


    His gaze paused as he looked around, eventually directing his gaze to the ground that supported the mountain. Nevertheless, this wasn''t actually ground but a large pavement of stone, because the mountains were submerged in a milky white sea!


    This sea glistened in the light and into the horizon, covering any dry land.


    "That bridge."


    However, the sea wasn''t the only thing that encompassed the three mountains! No, there were thirty-three bridges that developed out of the mountain the white-robed man stood on.


    These bridges shined with a surreal majesty and by some inconceivable achievement, they somehow travelled right into the far, far distance. Each went in a different direction, each carried thick stone and each a strange flicker of white.


    The handsome man leapt off the ledge on the mountain, where he quickly approached a specific bridge. It didn''t take him long to land on such a bridge, and as he done so, a sudden flash blinded the sky and he disappeared out of sight.


    The only thing that replaced him was a tiny light that pierced into the distance and followed the bridge...


    ..


    ..


    "Fuck me..."


    A black-robed man stuttered out as he stared ahead of him. A dense blue aura wafted out of his body, producing tiny icicles that glinted in the sunlight.


    Yet, his usual expression of playfulness was gone as he studied a charred ground that sizzled with an unruly heat. There used to be a town here...


    There was a faint white that shrouded such a massive spot of black, where it would sometimes flatten the ground and repair broken structures. It was as if a massive crater was once here, but had been somehow repaired by the strange array that encompassed the earth.


    He held his breath as he thought.


    "I would have trouble dealing with such a blast..."


    His gaze lingered on a specific spot on the charred ground, where a bright red crater impacted the ground. It lingered even after the arrays relentless repairs and this alone told him that a terrifying attack had taken place not too long ago.


    This red came from a sudden force, a force so indisputable and paramount that it heated the very dirt to a bright searing red. It wafted out a heat that even he was reluctant to go near.


    However, as he was pondering, a sudden flash of light erupted out from the horizon. It was directed right towards him, and at a lightning speed, it appeared before the town.


    A tremble shook the air as a sudden dense aura billowed out of this light, but it faded just as quickly as a white-robed man plodded onto the floor. His eyes were tired, but as he stared at the nonexistent town, they narrowed.


    "I guess that beast done this?"


    The black-robed man''s eyes flashed with rare fear, but he composed himself just after and spoke with a tense body.


    "Yes... I hav-"


    "That''s good. I wouldn''t want to know that another one of those slaves had somehow gotten in, right?"


    He interrupted the black-robed man with an annoyed voice, then with glimmering white eyes, he stared right at the man. The black-robed man''s breath quickened as a droplet of sweat formed on his brow, but he just remained silent and stood there.


    The white-robed man ignored this and took a small walk toward the charred ground. He breathed in a whiff of the seared air, and pausing, he sighed and spoke.


    "The council won''t be impressed... Gah, Ok you go back and report this. I''ll find this beast."


    "Yes!"


    The black-robed man''s expression erupted with relief as he nodded with thankful eyes. He then turned around, and pausing for a moment, leapt into the sky and disappeared.


    Watching this, the white-robed man''s eyes shined an even brighter light as he stared into the distance.


    "Maybe I can get some merits if I kill this beast and hand it to the high elder... Mhm... The upcoming position of Head disciple is enticing."


    ...


    ...


    "Why am I here?"


    Sitting on a rough patch of dirt Su Min grumbled as he scratched his golden hair. A red and white flower was next to him and a beautiful golden tree in front.


    He was in fact sleeping, but by some unknown occurrence, he was transported into this space. It was aggravating to be honest, as even though he''s sleeping, he''s not really...


    What was even more annoying was that he had nearly no space to get comfortable, and it was all due to that goddamn tree!


    "No... I can''t moan at it as it is the reason I am powerful after all..."


    He pushed that slight urge to rip it out into the corner of his mind as he yawned. He has no idea how long it has been, but it felt like an eternity for him.


    The only thing that was somewhat entertaining was the flower to the side of him. It wasn''t due to its dazzling red, no, it was because a faint and constant stream of red wafted out of it and into him!


    He guessed that this must be the bloodline he had somehow acquired out of pure luck. Although it was nothing compared to the Ancient One, he was stillinterested in its ability.


    That is, to be gigantic!


    However, he still found it boring to just sit here and wait for whatever the flower was actually doing to complete, so he felt compelled to find something to do.


    "Surely... There must be something I can work on in here."

 57 Energy Realms.

    "Surely... There must be something I can work on in here."


    With eyes that were beggining to flash, Su Min tilted his head and gazed at his chest. A single symbol sat there, accompanied by nothing else but 8 empty spots. It rotated and rotated, and with its incomplete outline, Su Min''s eyes narrowed.


    This symbol depicted a simple golden man meditating, but its lustre and life was incomplete and disorderly. Su Min knew this was because he was at the very beginning of cultivating this symbol!


    However, for what the cultivation stages were called for the ancient races, he has no clue. He only knows that each symbol represented a new level in power. Similar to the Martial Cultivation Stages, but it wasn''t exactly the same...


    "Surpass the First Ancient Energy Realm?"


    A faint thought emerged into his head as he remembered what the black figure told him. This figure told him to surpass the first of the Ancient Energy Realms. He told him that to do such a thing he had to cultivate his first symbol completely, so what was this Ancient Energy Realm..?


    The figure even told him that this would make him invincible to those in the Martial Consolidation cultivation stage! Though it was clear that the Ancient Energy Realm didn''t refer to his power, his cultivation, it referred to something else...


    Su Min conjured a guess that the ''Energy Realm'' was, in fact, the energy he could sense in the world!


    He could see and manipulate two of these energies. The Martial and Ancient! However, he has a paramount skill in the Ancient Energy. It is because he can, by his will, command such energy around him. He can''t do this with Martial Energy, not even close!


    It was as if he was an immense talent in the ways of Ancient Energy, and of course, this came from his terrifying bloodline! Yet, he had never comprehended the energy to get to this stage, no, he was just given it.


    It was like he didn''t even need to bother with understanding the principles, as he would inherently just know. Su Min himself hadn''t even comprehended the energies of the world, and he doesn''t know how to do such a thing.


    Yet...


    "Maybe the more I cultivate this symbol, the more I gain in the comprehension of the world''s Ancient Energy?"


    This thought struck him for a moment, and that was because it contradicted the very essence of comprehension! Su Min may not know a lot about cultivating nor comprehending, in fact, he knows near nothing! But, he can at least summarise that comprehension comes from understanding something yourself.


    You can''t just know, no matter how talented you are. You have to at least bother to study, yet Su Min has never done such a thing. If what he said was the case, then it would truly be an astronomical advantage!


    All he would need to do is cultivate, and the comprehension would naturally follow. For most, this would be a faraway dream that would make them drool, but Su Min has such a dream!


    However, a couple areas seemed to be a little blurry to Su Min. Like what determines how much he naturally understands? Is it the talent of his body, which he knew was ranked ''Low''. If that were the case, would high ranked Ancient One bloodlines have even more unfathomable abilities at the same level as him?


    Also, if what the black figure was true, then surpassing the first energy realm must need, by his conjecture, him to comprehend the energy to its fullest... Maybe it has something to do with surpassing a level in comprehension, like ascending to a new realm, new energy.


    Then what would the advantage be if you surpass the energy realm, would the energy become more powerful, more explosive? He could only guess.


    Another, rather pivotal notion, also came into his head.


    "Though... How do I cultivate this symbol?"


    It was all fine speaking about this ludicrous advantage, but Su Min needed to actually cultivate! Yet, how could he do such a thing?


    This was completely different from the lifeforce method he had to undertake in his previous life. This was because he wasn''t using lifeforce to cultivate no, he was in fact using it to just construct a foundation to cultivate!


    And now that he has gotten to that point through this body, how on earth would he go any further?


    "I can''t seem to even see life force anymore, so I guess that isn''t the correct method to cultivate anymore... The only faint method I have is that strange space I used to comprehend those two fist techniques..."


    "Wait..."


    A sudden premonition struck Su Min!


    "Comprehend... I have comprehended..."


    It was due to the fact that he has comprehended! They were the two Fist Techniques, The Might of the Ancient and Golden Eclypse!


    "Maybe to further my cultivation, I need to comprehend the limitless techniques in that space..? How ironic..."


    It was all too strange for Su Min, as to gain cultivation, he supposedly would have to comprehend? It''s just that he''s not comprehending the energies of the world, but he''s comprehending techniques?


    What''s the difference then? If comprehending a technique isn''t the same as comprehending Ancient Energy, which although he has never done, then what is it?


    "In fact, what are techniques?"


    Su Min felt that he verging on an understanding that most would never touch upon, but even with his concentration he just couldn''t cross that muddy bridge and find out!


    "Bah! I just need to cultivate till everyone on this shitty realm would have to bow before me! Then gaining my bloodline would be a lot more simple. Hm... Now that I think about that, I should probably get that wisp from the kid I took all the trouble to save."


    Eyes beginning to shine with a bloodlust, Su Min gazed out into the abyss with a smile that wasn''t a smile. However, he couldn''t escape from this blackened world just yet...


    "But first... I want to further my strength."


    Gripping his godly fists, Su Min took an abrupt motion and stood up in front of the golden tree. His eyes glimmered with a mysterious light as he took a step and walked right in front of such a tree.


    Each golden leaf reflected itself into Su Min''s one golden pupil, though for some strange reason, his other black pupil remained fogged and obscure. It was as if it contained no shimmer of life; like it was a lifeless dead thing.


    Nonetheless, Su Min still could see out this pupil, and what he saw made him smile.


    "So it works like that..."


    He strolled to the front of the tree, and with a smirk, he saw a strange speck of black float right ahead of it! His golden eye couldn''t see such a speck, but to his black eye, it was as clear as any other item in the world.


    "This Martial Bloodline is truly strange..."


    ...


    ...


    *POOF*


    "Hm... This is the last area."


    With glimmering white eyes and a tired disposition, a robed man yawned as he stared at a small cave hidden in a dense collection of trees. An exceptional halo shrouded him, one that emitted an inexplicable pressure that made the very ground shiver with trepidation.


    "Oh..."


    *WOOOOOSH*


    A strange whoosh of frailing winds blitzed past him, where a sudden thick stream of clouds formed above him and crackled with disheartening thunder.


    *SNAP* *WHOOOSH*


    "The heavens are reacting in such a way?"


    His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the shaking sky, where hesitation shone for a swift second. Yet...


    "I guess that means I''ve found something then."


    Once again locking his gaze on the roughly placed cave and its entrance, the man lifted into a smile. Yet it contained a certain solemnness that dreaded something.


    "Though... It seems that whatever is in there is something I don''t want to fight alone."


    His figure lightly trembled and his eyes shined even brighter. Then, with a sudden shudder in his white sight, an unusual gold revealed itself around the small forest. It wafted out of the cave unendingly, yet, what was strange was that inside of this gold, faint darkness shrouded it.


    The trees and the sky were completely covered in this gold, resembling that of a hazed fog that just wouldn''t go away. This gold was light and slow, yet whenever its dull wisps passed the robed man, his heart would beat just a little faster. It wasn''t worthy of anything, but the man didn''t like it.


    "My life isn''t going to be put on a coin toss..."

 58 A past.

    "..."


    A small room lit up by bright lights glimmered in a strange atmosphere. Two people, both wearing white robes, sat opposite each other as they played chess.


    Their eyes contained a strange profundity and their bodies a bizarre etherealness. It was as if they weren''t really there; like they could simply fade away from time and reality...


    They had young appearances, young like youths. But, it was clear that they had lived far longer than any youth.


    "..."


    No voice broke the peculiar silence in this room, even the chess pieces invoked no dull thud when they moved. Nevertheless, in a certain second, the both of them paused.


    Their white pupils shone with a glint of something inexplicable, then without a word, they dissipated out of existence from the simple seats their figures sat on.


    The table and everything around them also faded away like fog, and within a slow but startling time frame, the whole room dispersed as well.


    A couple of white trees and a tranquil pond unveiled from the now absent building, and in an alarming array of whites, massive clouds blazed past the scenery at a constant rate.


    They were clouds!


    ...


    ...


    "Form the dispersing array!"


    With a mighty roar, a tired man bellowed outwards toward a large crowd of 3rd circle mages in front of him. A cave and a small forest stood far in the distance, and whenever the man looked at such a place, he would frown.


    "Quick!"


    Everyone around him looked rather confused, but they continued without question due to the intense waves of energy that rolled out of this man. It was terrifying to the degree that anyone who dared look at him would go weak in the knees.


    These cultivators ran around with surreal movements on a plain piece of ground a hundred meters wide where a frightening array began to form. It took the shape of a simple figure, one who held an orb of blinding white light.


    This figure had only been partially formed, yet the ground was already quivering and the sky already thrumming.


    The sky was already drowned in dark clouds that stretched far in the distance. Some with a keen eye even saw a dense collection of such clouds above that small cave a couple of kilometres away.


    *CRACKLE* *CATCHAAA*


    The atmosphere was unusually tense but nobody knew why. They already had their guessed, and most pinpointed that the target was in that cave far away.


    "Sir."


    With a sudden whoosh of cold wind, a blue-haired black-robed man formed behind the solemn eyes of that tired man. He bowed, then looking on, he frowned.


    "You reported it, sir?"


    He had a questioning gaze, but the tired man only sighed.


    "When you reach the 5th, you begin to see things most can''t see. And what I saw..."


    His eyes narrowed as his vision pierced right onto that cave that silently stood there, but he quickly removed it.


    "This thing that has broken in, it is something near the level of that... King."


    As he spoke such words, especially at the end, he seemed to growl them out. It was a tremble, a fearfulness; a fury.


    "You don''t mean..."


    The blue haired figure took a step back as he went wide-eyed, but the sheer pressure that was being emitted out of the white-eyed man displayed a seriousness he hasn''t seen for a long time.


    "Although I was only weak back then, even now, I feel like an ant before that beast."


    His eyes glimmered with a subtle ancientness as he looked in the far past. In fact, he couldn''t help but get lost in such a... frightful past.


    ...


    ...


    *MMMMMM*


    With a strange shockwave, a sudden wind tinged with gold swept through the atmosphere and into the horizon. The rubble of broken down houses and strewn wood thumped and disintegrated like dust, and in this pile of limitless rubble, a single boy stood.


    "M-Master?"


    His eyes shined with a magnificent white, but they were teary.He was frozen in place, and his as pale as paper.


    *MMMMMM*


    Another shockwave swept by him, but it instigated no reaction to his listless eyes. He just stared ahead, ahead and ahead.


    *MMMMMM*


    The scattered whistling of golden air continued, but he only kneeled down and grabbed a broken piece of wood. Yet, before he could even hold it up, it dissipated into fine dust and merged with the endless wind.


    The boy trembled, but he didn''t even utter a single groan as he stood back up and stared at the sky. This sky was different from what the boy remembered. It contained a colour he had never seen before, but to his dismay, it felt like he was born to see such a colour.


    "Gold..."


    It formed a beautiful nebula in the sky. It fluttered and would sometimes shake, sometimes expand. It was everchanging, and it was absolute.


    This colour covered the whole heavens for as far as the kid could see, it was as if that colour would now be there forever. It felt that way anyway.


    Yet, within the kid''s dark eyes, a faint shockwave suddenly erupted in the distance and flew straight towards him. Its speed surpassed and reached an incomprehensible measure as the shockwave covered the air for kilometres. It formed and slapped the atmosphere like a massive godly hand that disrupted the very source of life.


    *WHISTLE*


    The boy''s eyes widened as he felt unable to move, and with this, a silent but eery voice tumbled into his ears.


    "Death..."


    *SSSS*


    It carried a bloody killing intent. One that made the boys insides cringe to no end. His eyes despaired and his body went limp. He knew that he couldn''t even contend with this overwhelming force that was about to thrash him to paste. He knew that his life was about to end.


    "I hope you''re okay, Master..."


    His lips whispered out a single sentence as he let the overwhelming fear of death usher him into a realm of despair and morality. Though...


    *CRACK*


    Within his whistling hearing, a sudden crackle blitzed to the side of him as a rough hand patted his frail back. Warm energy covered him, and in that split second, a gasp could be heard.


    "Heaven''s Wind."


    A voice that seemed to contain the world swept in a simple gush wind. It faced the massive palm without fear, and forming a white array of forcefields that ranged in the hundreds, it wrapped around the boy.


    *BANGGGGG*


    "Stillness."


    *SSSSSSSS*


    The huge palm crackled and flashed with a blinding light as it attempted to crush that boy. However, in a surreal whoosh, the numerous forcefields expanded to cover the horizon.


    They wrapped around that palm, and before it even knew it, the whole thing was stuttering to a halt.


    "Guh!"


    The boy''s eyes trembled as he heard an abrupt cough echo behind him, where he turned around and saw a pale-faced man with proud eyes. A white robe was draped on his body, but it was stained and ripped.


    "Master?"


    *CATCHAAA*


    The sky shook and the ground tumbled, but the man stood firm as he pressed the air and forced that gigantic palm to a stop. A sliver of glowing white blood dripped out of his mouth, but he didn''t seem concerned at all.


    "You should get out of here."


    He patted the boys shivery head with a slight smile. The boy shook, but the man''s firm eyes portrayed no ounce of playfulness, only a firmness that commanded him!


    "O-ok!"


    The boy rubbed his eyes as he gritted his teeth and ran past the man''s straight figure. It was this figure that seemed to be able to hold the heavens in the kid''s eyes. It was one that contained a powerful shoulder and a profound knowledge in the world of cultivation.


    However, with a startling gold that erupted out of nowhere, a sudden intense might descended from the sky and formed a glowing man. He wore a golden crown atop his head that shined. A red cape also fluttered beneath the shrill winds, causing the sky to darken and the winds to pause.


    His eyes glowed with a bright gold as he stared at them. He spoke no words, but the man with the white robes shook as his face quivered with panic.


    "Quick!"


    The boy''s face went even more pale as he took a glimpse at the golden man. With this alone he felt his whole body quiver; his heart scream and his breathing quicken.


    "..."


    The crowned man looked at the two of them without emotion, but with his gaze, the whole world shook. The sky brightened, and with a flash of everlasting gold, a powerful glow lit itself in the man''s eyes.


    "I guess this is going to be my last... Hey, king, would you mind sparing this little kid for me if I put up a good enough fight?"


    With a strangely calm voice, the white-robed elder dismissed the panic arising in his face. He then patted his robes and stretched his back. The kid who had already ran a couple hundred meters stammered to a stop as he heard this.


    The glowing man didn''t even react. He grabbed space, where with a sudden booming smack, a trident formed in his grasp. It glowed with a powerful aura. It was as if it could pierce the heavens and split the earth in its entirety.


    The man gripped it with a ghastly strength and lifted it up. Everything shuddered in response as a dense unending ancientness shrouded the entire valley and wafted into the trident.


    "Well, I''ll still try. Kid, keep going!"


    The white-robed man only sighed as he walked a couple steps back and tensed his hands. The kid''s eyes shone with unwillingness, but as he watched that ancient man stretch the trident to his side, he felt weak.


    Then, in front of this kids very eyes, a strange orb of white light formed above that white-robed man.


    "Face a technique inspired from the higher races..."

 59 Soul and Body.

    A calm milky orb formed, and as a strange stream of constant white drifted into it, the man''s eyes lit with a ferocious nature.


    "Face a technique inspired from the higher races!"


    His voice rumbled as he mumbled, but the Ancient man only responded with a shaking aura. The whole world shuddered, then like an echo of an ancient declaration, a massive blitzing strength began to form around that trident.


    The air distorted and numerous booming shockwaves rang out, and before the white-robed man could even finish the move, a disheartening roar erupted out of the Ancient man.


    "Strike-"


    *BANG*


    The entire looming sky that glowed gold paused. The air froze and then disintegrated. Everything became locked down in this strength, even the white orb that lay above that white-robed hand.


    " Trident."


    Then, with a whistling zoom, that trident got propelled right out of the Ancient man''s hand. It couldn''t even be seen as it disappeared from view and ushered a keen cry of fruitful killing intent.


    Its speed was despair provoking and to most would mean instantaneous death. The only person who could vaguely still watch it was the white-robed man, and judging by its speed, he would have no time to finish his move!


    The white-robed man''s eyes trembled into disbelief and panic. However, this only instigated a suicidal action to erupt out of him. He, with resolute and bloodshot eyes, began to burn the five circles on his forehead!


    A dense and sudden rupture of white light blazed into the sky. Following on, that slow stream of milky white energy that trailed into the orb suddenly accelerated to a disproportionate level!


    "HEAVEN''S ORB!!"


    His voice was hoarse and his face pale, yet he paid no heed to the consequences of what he was about to do and bellowed out a hair-raising roar!


    The orb became rabid as it engulfed the fruitful energy that shrouded it. As it grew a strange force began to permeate the broken down sky, however...


    *SPLATTER*


    Even though the orb would only need a fraction of a millisecond to complete, he was still too late...


    *WHOOOOOOOOOSH*


    A shadow of something insidious blitzed through the white-robed man. Then, like a disconcerting realisation, a strange weakness shrouded the man. His face went pale, and as he watched that white orb that was about to complete shudder, his eyes trembled!


    A glaring opening formed in the white-robed man''s chest, and as he looked down, he saw his body disintegrating into fine dust...


    A whistling boom rang past the man as a hole formed by his side. An array of intense waves were thus set off, where the entire earth began to shake and tremble from an extreme power that was slicing it. Slicing it like literal tofu.


    The ancient man gazed at all of this without a change of expression. He lingered slightly on that orb that was in the process of breaking down, but only for a moment.


    *THUD*


    With blood-red eyes and a spurt of such blood, the white-robed man thumped onto the ground with half a torso. His face slowly etched with despair, and as the unending trickle of white blood drenched the cascading ground beneath, he went limp.


    The five circles above his head had already devolved to two, and it wasn''t ending with the massive loss of blood. If it was any other wound his cultivation wouldn''t be affected and he could simply regenerate.


    All mages knew that their cultivation was stored in their head, not in their body. Of course, if you are below the 4th circle then you will still die if your body gets mutilated, but those above can survive from such wounds.


    However, this wound was etched with a constant and chilling aura. It disregarded its placement, and with an unruly drive, it sucked up the man''s cultivation like a parasite on steroids.


    This wasn''t even the end of it, as by some horrifying occurrence, the man found that his cultivation was sealed! This means that even if he had his cultivation, with his body rapidly deteriorating and him being unable to fix it, he would still die!


    This would be the case even if he was at his peak strength, as his body is still as vital as his soul. Without a body he would die, without a soul, he would die.


    Cultivation is the fuel that allows you to produce earth-shattering power. Yet there is a lot more to do with it then such a simple fact.


    If you think about the soul and the body, you would see that one is what holds the other. The body holds the soul. This body also fuels the soul, and what fuels the body? Cultivation.


    However, there is also another factor that many may forget. That is that, whether you like it or not, the more you cultivate, the more your soul evolves. It is unknown why this happens, but it allows you to perceive the world in more detail.


    Or, the world''s energy in more detail.


    What would be blurry would now become sharp with a simple increase in cultivation, and this allows people to comprehend more and more. Nevertheless, it is only a helper, and the only people who actually benefit from it are those who can''t perceive anymore at an agreeable pace with the details they can already see.


    They would reach a bottleneck of course, but with that level of comprehension, they would just need to increase their cultivation!


    Those who are comprehending to the bare minimum won''t find this helpful, in fact, it may hinder them! It is like being unskilled in a job, and as you grow a slow rate, you keep getting pushed into harder and harder tasks that you cannot handle.


    These cultivators are actually getting too much information, where the very information of what they trying to comprehend will be blurred with even more which they cannot even begin to understand.


    Its similar to learning a subject, where you start by learning the very basics. If you don''t understand these you won''t move onto the more advanced areas. However, if you were to increase your cultivation without comprehending, advanced details will begin to show with the basics.


    Imagine a whiteboard where someone is teaching and wrote down ''5 + 2 = 7''


    He is in the process of explaining it to elementary children, but in the middle, he jotters down an algebraic equation.


    ''2x + 1 = 9''


    Of course, these kids have no clue what that means and they will become confused. They can''t differentiate between what they need to learn and what they need to ignore.


    This teacher then decides to no longer explain and sits down. He leaves it up to the children on deciding what they should learn, and this is a problem. Because, what should they learn if they can''t differentiate between either? They don''t know how adding works nor do they know what an algebraic equation even is.


    Then, like a madman, that teacher thinks for a second and rises to jotter down calculus. Whilst doing all of this he leaves the children to stare at the board. A board that was beginning to get hoarded with more and more confusing concepts.


    What on earth do I do? This was what would go through their mind, as they have no clue on where they start and where they finish. It would be a muddled mess of incoherency.


    This is the same for cultivators, as those who gallop ahead would eventually find themselves having no goddamn clue on what they are even comprehending. The path would become muddy and they would verge into stagnation for the rest of their lives.


    There is a reason why everyone isn''t just born with the ability to perceive the world. They need to gradually go up, otherwise, you would just trip over yourself. Nevertheless, there will always be expections, like Su Min who was able to handle a large increase in cultivation through the mystical effects of the Ancient One bloodline. One that, without even trying, would increase your comprehension as you increase your cultivation.


    For people who already understand where they are to a large extent, they would be able to handle more chunks at once. This would benefit them instead of hinder. However, for those who go up on the ladder without bothering, it would, so to say, bite them in the ass.


    So, without the body, your soul would dry out. This is the case for cultivators at a certain level, though, higher? Well, that can be considered a different realm completely.


    The boy, watching this from afar, froze.


    "N-no..."

 60 Someones hiding.

    "N-No..."


    ...


    ...


    ... ~ "Sir..?"


    "Hm?"


    With a sudden quiver, the tired man''s glazed-over eyes refocused onto the group of 3rd circle Mages. His disposition was pale and his breath ragged, and with the strange look of the blue-haired disciple, he coughed.


    "Ah... Yang Ju, overlook the operation for a while, will ya?"


    Yang Ju paused, but he quickly nodded. The tired man bent, then turning around he gazed far into the distance.


    "It seems that they have come..."


    A mysterious glint shone in his eyes as a faint flicker of white emerged from the horizon. A faint rumble shook the sky, then as everyone suddenly shuddered, a figure appeared before the tired man.


    He had vibrant eyes. Eyes that shone with a limitless profundity that contradicted the dull bluntness of the tired man.


    "Aye, Senior Yang Wei!"


    His expression was all smiles as he jumped and lifted his shoulder around the tired man, who was called Yang Wei.


    "I guess you are here to fight the Ancient?"


    Yang Wei, dodging the vibrant youth, spoke out with a dreary tone. However, before the vibrant youth could even speak, Yang Wei spoke once more.


    "I''m fine with it, so don''t bother fighting me for merits."


    His expression was serious but to the vibrant youth, it was normal. In fact, Yang Wei has always been a strange character in the sect, one who although powerful wouldn''t participate in missions nor attempt to go up in the sect''s ladder.


    Now, with this situation where he even left his normal seclusion, many found it strange. Though, not many knew of Yang Wei''s history with the Ancient Race. This is because Yang Wei is one of the oldest disciples in the sect, ranging to around a couple thousand years in age.


    He is always tired and has a strangely sad disposition after that incident. He lost his vigour to blast to the peak of the world, settling in the renowned 5th circle. Nevertheless, when he was young, his talent dumbfounded the elders into a spirited stupor. Not so more now, anyhow.


    "How long has it been since you came out? This must be a truly exceptional enemy to make you do so!"


    The vibrant youth''s eyes shined a peculiar light as he took a glance at the far-away cave. He didn''t ponder too deeply, but everyone including him knew that this tired man was nothing to scoth at. In fact, considering his deep age and strange personality, the actual strength of Yang Wei was unknown.


    This unknown was chilling.


    "Now... I recommend waiting for this array to be finished before you do anything stupid."


    Yang Wei waved his hand as he took a step back. A sudden dense stream of white thus surrounded an area behind him and formed a blinding light. Then, with a flash, a small hut formed and took place on the ground.


    Yang Wei appeared before the door and wandered in, yawning. He took a single glance back at the small forest a couple kilometres away, and with an eventual sigh, he closed the door.


    "Hrmm... I really want to see what''s in there."


    The vibrant youth tapped the ground with impatience as he continued to stare at the cave that was meant to contain an ancient race being.


    "Maybe if I take a quick peek. My stealth technique is taught by the renowned elder after all..."


    Taking a glance at the hut behind him, the vibrant youth found that he couldn''t help himself. So, with a sudden shadowy flash, he disappeared before everyone.


    ...


    ...


    "Ow..."


    With a pale face and ragged breath, a golden-haired man grumbled as he stood in an odd world. This world was surrounded by endless fog, where the only relatively clear area was a 5 meters radius around him.


    "I guess I was correct."


    His eyes shone with a simple gold and a listless black as he surveyed the world for the hundredth time.


    "I need to reach a 10-meter radius to fully complete the 2nd Fist Form... Then, heh."


    He laughed to himself as he gazed at the endless fog that billowed an annoying feeling onto his soul. It was a familiar feeling, one that made him sigh.


    "Though, reaching that seems to be difficult. Maybe because I have a low ranking body?"


    His face adorned a gloomy countenance as he crackled his fists a couple times. A thunderous bang thus ensued from this simple crackle, displaying a terrifying power.


    "Hm?"


    His body trembled as a sudden intuition swept his into his senses. One that told him to wake up!


    *RUMBLE*


    "Someone found me?"


    He grumbled, but deciding against staying here, the world began to rupture and rumble.Then, not taking even a second, everything vanished from his view.


    ...


    ...


    "Darkened gold?"


    With a silent thought, a vibrant youth gazed at a small forest right in front of him. A slow and surreal haze of gold reflected itself in his profound pupils, one that was tinged with sparse darkness.


    Even Su Min hasn''t realised this, so the vibrant youth had no clue what it would be. Though, he at least knew that this golden haze originated from ancient energy.


    "Maybe it''s a half breed?"


    The vibrant man pondered with his hazed existence. An existence that would go undetected even beneath a 5th circle mages casual sense.


    *SNAP*


    "Oh?"


    With a curious gaze, the vibrant man appeared to the side and studied the cave. A faint rummaging sound quaked inside, and as a gradual pitter-patter of footsteps echoed towards him, a silhouette emerged.


    *SHING*


    Golden hair and a simple face etched with ancientness walked out. A pair of calm eyes glimmered outwards, revealing the two contrasting colours of black and gold.


    However, a strange red haze surrounded this man. An occasional tremor would rummage through this haze, causing it to thicken ever so slightly.


    "What am I looking at?"


    The vibrant youth scratched his head as confusion overtook him. Black, red and gold? What on earth?


    He knew that gold represented Ancient, as for the red haze, he also knew that it was something attributed to a races bloodline. He didn''t know which energy realm it came from, but he guessed that it was ancient bloodline energy, as that''s the only possibility.


    Every race is either Ancient, Heavenly or Martial. This means that their everything originates from those three energies, but that doesn''t mean that they have to adorn the energies original colour or properties. Some may be red, blue, orange. And some may be hot, cold, powerful, even weak.


    As for the reason, even he doesn''t know.


    As for that black, well, there was only one word that came into his head.


    "Martial..?"


    However, this guess was way too far-fetched in the youth''s eyes. This was because one couldn''t stray from their Energy Realm. This means that, yes, you can be half one race and half another, but you must be in the same group! Ie, you must only be Ancient, Heavens or Martial.


    No one can surmount this rule.


    ...


    ...


    "I''m not tired..?"


    With a glance to the bright daylight, Su Min felt something he hasn''t experienced for a long time. It was a feeling that made his mind seem clear and energized, a feeling of being awake!


    He has lived for as long as he can remember with the ever-present fatigue, and he just learnt to live with it. Now, with it revoked, what would he be able to do?


    "Oh, someone''s hiding from me..."

 61 Kidnapped.

    ''Oh, someone''s hiding from me...''


    Su Min grunted as he took a quick glance in an inconspicuous spot. However, he didn''t seem concerned as he redirected his gaze to the constant haze of gold and black that encompassed him.


    ''What is this stuff?''


    A confused expression overtook Su Min''s face as he pondered. Why was such a large collection of energy surrounding him and the forest?


    ''Wait, my eye...''


    A sudden thump resounded in Su Min''s mind as his black eye trembled without warning. Then, with an odd illusive shiver, the entirety of that hazed energy shook.


    *WOOSH*


    A strange wind sprung around Su Min, then with fierce spring of power, the Ancient Energy tinged with black got swept up into a storm and rushed into Su Min''s eye.


    *PANGGG*


    "That''s a weird feeling..."


    Su Min staggered for a second as he felt a peculiar burning sensation burst from his eye. It only lasted for a moment and disappeared soon after as if it had never happened.


    The surrounding area became clear once again as everything returned to normal. Su Min, expecting something, found that his eye did nothing of the sort.


    ''Maybe I stimulate the world''s energy unconsciously when I enter that strange world? Though it seems that it must have some sort of benefit for my bloodline... Or eye. Whatever it is that lives inside of me...''


    *Poof*


    Taking another step forward, Su Min sighed with narrowed eyes. He felt that his control over both energies hadn''t improved, so whatever it did obviously hasn''t changed anything for him.


    He knows that the three energies encompass the world. Though how they coexist, he only has a vague guess that the ''Energy Realms'' have something to do with it.


    This is because he can sense both Ancient and Martial Energy. Due to this, he has noticed a couple subtleties. One is that the energies don''t seem to be in the same space; like they are but two different realms that he is peering into.


    The two don''t interact with each other, and they should never do so because of a firm rule that every lower cultivator believes. That is that no living being can be in more than one energy realm.


    You can only control the one energy you are given at birth, and although unique variations may bide into your hand, it will still originate from that one energy!


    Ie, either Ancient, Heavenly or Martial. This means that you should never even come into the circumstance of being able to sense two completely different energies, but Su Min can!


    However, from what that black figure spoke of not too long ago, cultivators have somehow broken that rule in the higher realm! Nevertheless, that''s if what the black figure is speaking is true to begin with.


    ''I guess that I need to complete my... Bloodline.''


    A strange light shone in Su Min''s eyes as he gave up pondering on the issue. He needed to grow in power, and to do so he has to cultivate, cultivate and cultivate!


    He doesn''t have time to worry about such insignificant things as what happens when he enters worlds within his own consciousness. He needs to recapture his bloodline, make use of its supposedly immense abilities, and tread back to humanity!


    He will eradicate that wretched family and crush anyone in his way! Morales and feelings don''t matter to him, a being whose heart has been frozen with the stolen seeds of empathy and emotion!


    Cultivate both Martial and Ancient? If it brings him more power then he will surely do so!


    He will with all his might find his way back to the Martial Realm. It has been on his mind for a long time, all he needs is to find out where he is. And to do that, he might as well ask this sect...


    Slowly but surely, he will cultivate his power till the powerful are but ants. He may not be strong enough today, but who says he won''t be tomorrow?


    Though, he is still unsure whether he should complete his bloodline before returning, or return when he has the ability to do so...


    ...


    ...


    "What on earth?"


    Watching on, the vibrant youth froze as he watched Su Min swallow the hazed energy. However, it wasn''t this that stupified him, it was that silent shockwave that blasted out of Su Min''s black eye.


    It passed him instantly, but in this instant, he felt his heart quiver with monstrous fear. Even now he could hear his heart thumping, yet he could no longer capture that feeling as he stared at Su Min''s eye.


    It was only an instant, and although the vibrant youth had no idea what it was, he didn''t want to find out.


    "Maybe I should go back..."


    With a slightly pale face, the youth drove the technique to its fullest as he trudged on the ground. His already hazed existence blurred even more as even an intent search from a 5th circle mage would be unable to locate him.


    Yet...


    With a nonchalant turn, Su Min''s eyes locked onto the vibrant youth for a second. The youth froze in return, but as if Su Min didn''t even see him, he returned his gaze.


    "He saw me?!"


    The youth peered at Su Min like a frozen statue, shock and uncertainty dwindling on his face. Su Min didn''t respond as he continued to stare into the horizon with a thoughtful look, and seeing this the youth breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Must''ve been a coincidence..."


    *WOOSH*


    No longer wanting to stay in the same vicinity as that man, the youth propelled himself into the air in a silent shockwave. He quickly approached the camp where the numerous mages were preparing the array, but just in that instant...


    "Ah. You seem strangely weak, must be because you seem to specialise in stealth."


    A looming voice shrouded the youth, and in a terrifying instant, an encompassing gold cacoon formed around him.


    "W-"


    *BANGGG*


    The youth thrashed into this wall, and with a thundering bang, it collapsed with a wailing poof. Though, with this, the youth plummeted towards the ground with dazed eyes. He wasn''t injured, just startled.


    *POOF* *SHIING*


    An endless layer of hazed energy flashed, then with a massive blast, a man thudded the ground right in front of the youth. The youth in return threw himself out of the daze and roared.


    "Who are you?!"


    No reply came as time stalled, and in a fraction of a millisecond, Su Min grasped the air.


    *RUMBLE*


    A shocking transformation took place as the world in the youth''s eyes turned gold. It was a dense, unending gold that burned with a power hungry fright in his eyes.


    "W-wait!"


    The youth panicked as he saw this. Even though he was at the 5th circle, he specialised in stealth, not frontal power. Thus, he can at most produce half-step moves in terms of power.


    This wasn''t something that could threaten Su Min when he uses all his might, and he is doing such a thing right now...


    *MMMMMMM*


    A disheartening rumble shook the ground as Su Min took no heed to the man''s plea. What responded was an even tighter grasp, and with eyes shining a solemn light, Su Min pushed his mind to a limit he hasn''t touched since he reincarnated.


    "Goddammit! Heaven''s PUSH!!"


    Seeing Su Min''S unresponsive gaze the youth despaired. His hand formed a simple pushing motion, and in a strange movement, white energy formed and blitzed toward Su Min.


    "Hm?"


    *SSSS*


    Su Min''s expression changed as he watched the white try to encompass him. It was a beautiful white, one that would captivate anyone''s eye. Nevertheless, Su Min remained unchanged and swished his hand with a tinge of gold.


    *BOOOOOOM*


    This simple flick caused a ghastly strength to billow, and in the form of a dense blast of cold wind, it pummelled the energy.


    "W-what?!"


    The energy didn''t even have time to fight back as it got thrashed to the ground. A stream of steam rushed out, and with a massive tumble, the energy dispersed.


    It was at best at a 4th circle attack, so how could it hold up to Su Min''s prowess when he wasn''t even holding back?


    Su Min didn''t seem to care about the consequences of this massive shockwave as he continued to grasp the air. Strand upon strand of ancient energy continued to gather around him and the youth.


    The youth felt suffocated as a blinding pressure continued to build around him. Fear even began to dwell in his heart as he gazed at the gold that writhed with an ever-increasing might, continuing to build up vigour.


    What was strange was that the energy wasn''t expanding with the constant gush of strands, no, it was compressing! It grew brighter and more vivid at every moment, where a single wisp of this encompassing film of gold led a terrifying strength.


    "Hm... This seems to be enough."


    Su Min took a glance at the golden energy that surrounded him, nodding. It had reached the point that it seemed to be solid. If someone outside were to look at it, it would look like a solid gold dome!


    "If this is the power of a 5th circle mage then I may not need to worry..."


    Sighing, Su Min suddenly lifted his grasped hand. The youth, with trembling eyes and gasping breath, watched that solid golden dome compress even more. It, ignoring Su Min, then latched onto the youth''s body and wrapped itself around him like a cocoon.


    He couldn''t even utter a word as that unending pressure magnified itself on his brittle body. A body that was cultivated to be nimble, not powerful. If it were any other 5th circle mage who focused on frontal power then they would be able to break out this trap. But, unluckily, this youth was not one such person...


    "Hm... Where did my bloodline go..."


    With a pause, Su Min took a quick turn and narrowed his eyes. A thin string of gold thus reflected itself in his pupils, one that was attached to something far away!


    "Ah, found you."


    Su Min''s face brightened as he held the string, then gazing at the now completely golden man who was encompassed in energy, he smiled.


    "I''ll send this idiot to the kid, then interrogate him and obtain some more of my bloodline! He must know a lot about the world with him being the at the 5th circle, as they have to be at a high ranking position here... Though he is way too weak..."


    Su Min hesitated, but he shook it off as he felt time running out.


    "He probably focuses on stealth, though that is useless in front of me! Heh."


    Taking a step Su Min approached the cocoon. He grabbed it, and gazing at the sky, he threw his arm backwards and got ready to swing!


    *WOOOOOOOOOOSH*


    Like a golden meteor, the cocoon pierced the sky with a roaring pace. It parted the clouds, and without reservation targetted an inconspicuous spot in the far distance.


    Su Min, gazing at it as it entered the stratosphere, shook as a sudden dangerous feeling swept his heart.


    "Though, there seems to be a monster near me..."


    He glanced at a spot not too far away, locking onto a small hut.


    "Mhm... I should go."


    Although this took a while to describe, a mere moment has passed in real time. It was akin to snatching a defenceless chicken, where most wouldn''t even notice it happened. Of course, due to the massive shockwaves, people will notice.


    The 3rd circle mages haven''t yet discerned that a fight has gone on, but the being who lived in that hut seemed to be about to...


    *WOOOSH*


    With a hard push, Su Min pounced into the air and followed the cocoon...


    ...


    ...


    A silent atmosphere shrouded a man, who with a foreign seriousness, sat down and cultivated.


    *BAAAAAANG*


    "Heh?"


    With an instinctual leap, a tired man inside of a small hut jumped of a mat that laid on the floor.


    "Why do I keep getting disturbed... The array shouldn''t be done anytime soon."


    "Unless..."


    Yang Wei''s eyes widened as he paused.


    "Wait... I swear I asked someone to set up a detection array."


    "Oh... I didn''t due to that sudden... Memory flash. Fuck."


    "..."


    With a slight turn, Yang Wei peered out of the door.


    "Oh for F..."


    "..."


    "I told him not to be an idiot, yet he somehow got himself kidnapped?"


    With shocking speed, Yang Wei analysed the situation outside. He dusted his robes, then with a sigh, stepped outside to calm down the uproared crowd of 3rd circle mages.


    "Guess this array no longer has a use."

 62 A shadows ghastly thoughts.

    In a small area, where a village lay, a glint of something inexplicable flashed in the sky. A light boom thus thundered in the horizon, alarming a few with heightened senses.


    "What is that?"


    Some squinted their eyes as they stared at that tiny flash of gold in the sky. Nevertheless, within seconds, that speck matured into a looming shadow that erupted with a constant, thunderous roar.


    *WOOOOSH*


    Some stuttered backwards as their eyes went wide with shock, yet within this crowd, a boy stood. A girl and fat man were behind him, both with the same fearful shock of incredulous. Though, the boy''s eyes shone with a solemn light as if he knew what that golden speck was.


    "So he came..."


    A piercing shadow erupted into view, and with a muffled cry of truly incomparable stature, it collided with the ground in front.


    *BAAAANGGGG*


    The earth shook and steaming heat wafted out, where a strange golden dome implanted itself in the rough dirt. It was just in front of the village, where if it were aimed a little off, the whole place would''ve been taken with such an object.


    "What is that?"


    "Gold..?"


    A scampering crowd began to form around this foreign object. The air seemed to distort around this golden object due to the heat, so they could only stand around its perimeter.


    The kid remained still as he saw this. It was as if he expected this.


    The pale girl looked at the boy with confusion, then in a quiet voice, she whispered with a flushed face.


    "Do you know what it is?"


    *CRACKLE*


    The object, as she spoke, quivered for a few abrupt seconds. Muffled booms could be heard within it, yet the dome remained unchanged through all of it.


    The boy''s eyes remained fixated on the object for a while. A peculiar glint shone in his pupils, and in a strange sudden movement, he seized the girl''s hand.


    "You should go."


    The girl''s face brightened into an embarrassed red. However, as that distant voice echoed past her, she seemed to sense something wrong.


    "Why?"


    "Because..."


    The boy''s eyes saddened and he paused for a fleeting second. His expression distorted and his pupils brightened. Nevertheless, with clenched teeth and firm eyes, he stepped backwards and glared at the girl.


    The girl saw this, and with evident shock, she tried to speak. But the boy didn''t seem to even see this as he clasped his palm and shifted to the side.


    "Martial."


    A lucid black sprang out of his body, and in a strange motion, it swirled around his palm like a miniaturised dragon. The girl''s eyes widened and the fat man beside her shifted into pure hysteria.


    "What are you doing!"


    The fat man attempted to move, but to his realisation, he found that doing so was impossible!


    "Push."


    A mystical force erupted out of this palm, and in a slow but surreal drive, he pushed out!


    The crowd seemed to take notice to this, but to their amazement, they found that they couldn''t move like the fat man! Everyone was locked down, even speech was impossible!


    The girl''s pupils narrowed as that palm invaded her view. No crisis spewed into her heart, it was sorrow instead. She felt that this palm wouldn''t kill her, it wouldn''t even scratch her.


    Instead, she realised that it will send her away from this village. Why? She has no idea, but this sadness wouldn''t leave her!


    *WOOOSH*


    The entire village, by an inconceivable notion, got engulfed in a blackened murkiness. Every villager felt it woosh over them, and without even being able to fight back, their feet began to leave the ground.


    A soft wind sprung on each of them, and as they hovered gently, the boy finished the move.


    *SHEWWW*


    Without an ounce of warning nor a lightening of a sound, an abrupt all-encompassing black engulfed their view. The entire world became black, and as they all began to panic, this black flashed and disappeared like it hadn''t even appeared.


    "Huh?"


    "What?!"


    The entire group stood dazed for a while. However, as they eventually freed themselves from that stupor, they noticed that they were somewhere else. The village couldn''t even be seen, only grasslands and a faraway mountain.


    Everyone erupted into panic and confusion, where the only person who remained dazed was that single girl. She was more confused than everyone else combined, and it was truly disconcerting...


    ...


    ...


    A boy, sighing, stood in an empty area. A sprawling silence began to overtake the once sprawling air, and through this, the boy spoke to something somewhere...


    "You sure about this?"


    With a blurred and hazed muffle, a faint blackened shadow formed in front of the boy. Its appearance was blurry to a degree that most wouldn''t even call it humanoid, it was more like a blob of devilish matter.


    "You can trust me... He''s coming..."


    However, even though this was the case, the boy seemed to see a clear smile etched on this shadow. It was a smile that would leave people up at night and bring a quivering shiver down their spine...


    "Remember, when he comes, rid your mind of any thoughts of resistance. Allow me to control you and you will survive! That man who saved you isn''t a man, he''s a beast whose sole purpose is to devour people like you! I only was able to awaken due to him, and you are truly lucky that he didn''t devour you there!"


    This smile was alluring and the boy couldn''t help but get lost in the endless temptations within it. However, he promptly shook himself out of it.


    "Why don''t we just escape then? Why do I have to send my family to a foreign place? Can''t I just talk to him?"


    The boy seemed to go into a maddened frenzy as question after question got spewed out of his mouth. Nevertheless, the shadow remained still.


    With this, a sudden fantasmal boom ruptured the sky once more, and in a dumbfounding display, a golden figure began to surface from the horizon.


    The shadow floated there for what seemed like forever as it took a small glimpse at the figure far away. It twitched, then like a fuse had blown, that eery smile of its widened to a startling degree.


    "Ah, he''s already found us... Guess I can''t keep this going any longer, well. It was fun anyway... Heh. "


    Something seemed to snap as the shadow erupted into a senseless giggle. The boy''s eyes widened, yet he didn''t have time to speak.


    "..."


    "Hah... Hahah~HAHAHHH!! *COUGH* *COUGH*, AH SHIT!! You''re naive thoughts really entertain me..!! HAH... Uh, let me just get this straight. That move you just used to transport your dirt of a family is, in fact, a poison! HAHAHA!! They''re all going to die in an hour and you can''t do shit!!"


    "...?!"


    The boy''s face twisted ashen and his heart seemed to even stagger, and with a struggling voice, he mumbled out with hoarseness of chaos.


    "What..? Why..? You''re joking right?!"


    The shadow''s ever-present grin didn''t even flicker as he replied back.


    "Heh, stop dreaming kid! That girl, those you''ve known for all those years, they will ALL DIE IN AGONY! HAH!! Oh and why? Hm... I wonder... Well! Its because I have no fucking chance against that beast so I might as well enjoy what little life I have! And what''s better than to see the agony of a pitiful Heaven''s Slave!!"


    Ridicule and gloating shone clearly on that smile, and to the boy, it was a smile that reeked. The shadow quivered with enjoyment, but this was soon replaced with utter fury as a thought entered its dark mind.


    "You see, it was easy shit back in the old days when we tortured that beast every now and then, but now that these stupid notions have come into his head it has all changed! Even then it was still fine as he was weak, but that stupid, obnoxious, repulsing... Thing! It changed the tides once again against us!!


    He scattered us across the whole FUCKING Heavens realm. All of it!! We are akin to twigs like this and can be easily collected by that fucking Martial now! You don''t understand the anger that seethes in my heart everytime I think of this bullshit!!"


    The shadow began to seethe with a terrifying aura as repulsion and rage consumed the air. The boy felt suffocated beneath this aura and couldn''t even utter a single word. He could only glare at the shadow with an equal hatred, for he has been backstabbed by this entity he has only known since Su Min saved him!


    "So even if I am going to get collected by that bastard I will make it goddamn difficult to do so! With your body and my natural talent, I will waste his strength so that he can die by the hands of a Heaven''s race!! Let''s see what the backstabbing prick would do then, as he must''ve lost all his strength by going against the Heavenly Law... HAHAHAHA!! *COUGH* *COUGH*"


    *RUMBLE* *mmmmMMMMM*


    The sky darkened and the earth shook beneath this shadows maddened rage. The figure closed in, a figure known as Su Min... The Martial who''s here to collect his bloodline.

 63 Face to face.

    "Although I don''t want to admit it, with my bloodline scattered it is at least manageable..."


    Accompanied by roaring winds and blazing scenery, Su Min transversed the sky over a haze of gold. A spectacular view of piercing mountains and frothed clouds whistled past and through him, yet he took no time to gasp at its beauty as a sudden solemn light lit in his eyes.


    "It''s alive?"


    A trace of uncertainty flashed, then with a boom, Su Min accelerated to his absolute limit.


    ...


    ...


    "Hey, if you want to blame someone, blame that beast! If he would''ve NEVER existed none of this wouldn''t have happened!! Right?!"


    Madness glistened like two ghostly lanterns in those disfigured pupils of the shadow. To the boy, though, they were disgusting eyes that induced despair and pitiful confusion.


    He, collapsing onto the dirt floor, mumbled.


    "So quick... I thought I saved her...? Yet, in the next moment, I drove her further down the hole of despair? I thought misfortune comes in pairs, and that''s with fortune, not more misfortune..!!"


    "..."


    A deathly light of anger began to seeth, burn... He kneeled on the ground, and as if he was looking at someone far away, he began to kowtow.


    "I had good intentions... Good intentions... Instead, you will not only end up dying, but everyone else will die... Die because of my naive thoughts in believing in something stupid."


    *CRACKLE*


    As the boy was kowtowing a startling array of disastrous smacks parted the clouds in the sky as that previously slow golden figure hastened! Shockwave after shockwave expanded with a whistling whoosh of steamed air, right past the boy''s ear...


    The dark nearly humanoid blackness in front of the boy panicked for a second as visible anxiety shone in its eyes. However, like a rat cornered by a cat, it quivered with resoluteness and pounced on the dull boy.


    *PSST*


    "GAHHH!!"


    The kid''s eyes quivered before, like someone had inked his eyes, a crimson replaced those one glistening white eyes.


    "DAMN YOU!!"


    With multiple spasms and bulging veins, the kid stammered to a half kneeling pose and roared to the top of his lungs. A wretched air arose around him as his eyes shimmer began to fade into pitch darkness.


    Pain wreaked throughout his joins and muscles as his mind ruptured into eventual insanity. Yet even through these last dregs he still fought with that burning fire of rage and unwillingness!


    Pulsing black wisps began to form around the boy as his body rotted. A snort was the only response from the kid''s immense unwillingness to let the creature take control.


    "Even if you transcended the plain of a mere first stage and reach that beasts level you still wouldn''t be able to fight back! A lamp without oil is the same as a sun without energy! They will still both produce no light, no matter how persistent you are!"


    Its voice contained a visible madness, one that was ready to give its life away! As such, and due to its origin, a dumbfounding aura began to radiate from it that made the boy cough out a tide of blood. It was like innumerable mountains were weighing on his mind!


    "NO..!!!!"


    Haziness started to cloud the boy''s pupils and a murky feeling strutted itself into his soul. It was a strange and uncomfortable feeling, one that was all too similar to Su Mins. It was one of fatigue, but also a spectral wave that somehow strengthened his will beyond what it should achieve...


    "Ah, just like the beast... It must be a defensive reaction, that haziness, right? He was able to form such a great amount of it, an amount that was capable of fighting against us for a bit... But how unfortunate, because what you have formed is only a tiny amount and nowhere near enough to stop this!"


    The shadow grunted with surprise, but it was still trivial in its eyes.


    "Heh, how about I send you to that world? A death by those black blades would be well suited to the heaven''s race. Akin to being chopped like a chicken. A chicken in a world designed to breed monster who slay you!"


    A playful grin erupted on its disfigured face. So, with a sudden tremble, the force that weighed on the kid''s already shaking mind multiplied to an inconceivable degree.


    *CRACK*


    The kid didn''t even have time to scream as his mind snapped under the incomprehensible strain. However, before his soul scattered and verified its death, a tiny vortex formed and engulfed the broken soul. However, as if the vortex couldn''t contain what was inside it, a minute wisp of blackened aura broke out of this vortex, and as it touched the atmosphere in the world, everything seemed to tremble.


    It was a shake of terror, a shake so vile that streams of steaming cracks billowed out for kilometres. Not only this but by a mystical stretch, a dense and unending array on the ground revealed itself for a split second. Confusion was strung around it that moment, but within this confusion was a horror so pure that it would shock anyone who knew anything about the array...


    The wisp wasn''t a pure black, instead, it contained a certain greyness that couldn''t be described. It was one that, even though grey, seemed far darker than any black known to man...


    However, the wisp dissipated far too quickly to be sesed by anyone. In fact, you couldn''t even sense it...


    "I was right to weaken his mind, Christ... He was like an incarnation of the fucker..."


    A foreign voice spoke out of the boy''s lips. His pupils were now just two black orbs; orbs which seemed like two floating black holes.


    "Ah, I''m already rotting..."


    The boy, who was no longer a boy, glanced down and saw that his leg was discolouring. However, as he was going to die today, he didn''t care.


    A vigorous stream of black energy fluttered around him. They emitted dark squeals and strange cries under the creatures control, ones that caused the originally ordinary energy to transform into something unruly.


    It was normal martial energy, but with the addition of a technique that originated from a world far, far away, it began to exude something unparalleled. An aura that seemed to not only be able to block the heavens, but to be able to challenge it!


    It prompted the already parted cloud to dissipate and the ground to disintegrate, and this came from the resonating aura that it emitted alone!


    The boy''s void-like eyes gazed at the sky, where a spring of awe-inspiring gold ruthlessly smashed the sky! A shadow of a figure came with this, where it blasted through the air and toward the boy.


    The gold brought a similar aura of might and exceptional nature, where it began to contend with the martial energy surrounding the boy!


    "What a grand entrance."


    *RUUUMMMMBBBLLEEEE*


    As if responding to this terrifying technique, the world shook as if it couldn''t handle the collision. Chilling chasms formed and dug itself right into the earth''s crust whilst similarly amazing shockwaves rattled the very space in the sky.


    *THUD*


    "I understimated you... To think you could actively think?"


    A golden-haired man, with an acute thunderous thud, smacked the dismembering dirt and mumbled to himself. He gazed at the sky for a second in this mumble, where a shocking sight revealed itself.


    Two colours, black and gold, took two sides of the sky! It was akin to colouring one half of the world black and the other half gold.


    These two forces collided countless times every second, where it seemed that they didn''t even need Su Min''s input anymore to carry on. It was as if the energies were doing it on its own volition; like it was an instinct carved into its very core.


    *PANGGGGG* *PANNGGGGG*


    A constant deafening explosion sounded out in the sky. Su Min''s eyes shined as he stared at the kid; a kid who was now something far more hideous.


    "So I guess I''m going to have to be a bit more forceful now?"

 64 Forced to use Full Force

    "So I guess I''m going to have to be a bit more forceful now?"


    *PANNNNGGGG* *CATCHAA*


    Frightful formations of darkened clouds formed above these collisions, where chilling strikes of thunder broke the atmosphere and lit everything in a purple, undying flash.


    For the first time, Su Min''s expression was that of utter solemnness. He himself knew how terrifying that bloodline of his was, so with this situation occurring he couldn''t slouch in conserving power.


    ''Maybe the kid had a higher quantity of the bloodline, thus instigating it to develop a consciousness? But I don''t remember it being that different from the one I devoured before...''


    Questions began to spread in Su Min''s head, yet he had no chance to ponder on such things as that listless corpse of a boy widened into a smile.


    "Heh... Su Min, you really think you can contend with me by using such a trivial bloodline?! Ignorance! I can already see that you don''t even understand your own power, as your not even using it!! HAHAH~ h *Cough* *COUgh*"


    Wild reckless waves were set off in the atmosphere as those two void-like pupils glimmered. A desolate aura began to radiate off of his mangled body, exuding a presence that seemed to be one of its kind.


    ".!!"


    Su Min''s body trembled as a foreign fear invaded him. It was a chill, a rare chill towards something that surpasses him, something above his beastly Ancient Bloodline. His black eye remained listless, though.


    However, how could Su Min let this feeling take hold of him? Him being below a part of himself? He is the reason such a part even exists, and as such he will force that part to grovel before him!


    "Even if I can''t control my power, this is more than enough!"


    Veins bulged on Su Min''s body, then with an abrupt golden gleam, the energy storm surrounding him magnified and churned!


    *P-PAN NG-GGG* *CATCHAA*


    Whirlwinds of terrifying magnitudes formed, blitzing mountains and evaporating seas like trivial things, where the clouded skies turned even more frivolous.


    *CRACKLE*


    Then, as a massive force superimposed with the half Ancient Energy, the Martial Energy showed signs of retreat! Popping sounds were unendingly discharged from this; as if divine booms were echoing from a realm beyond!


    "You seem to have achieved a greater comprehension in the 5th ranked laws than what I anticipated... Gr.! No matter!! I don''t care, as I''ll still break you..!!"


    Madness and indignation spewed out of the boy''s ghostly eyes as he roared and yanked his arms outwards. With this, and without resignation, dense unending darkness began to gather on his fists!


    ...


    ...


    *CRACKLE* *SHIIING*


    Dark clouds, fluttering like oceanic waves, roared above the sky, and with narrowed eyes, a tired man grumbled.


    "Agh..."


    *RUMBLE*


    The ground shook and strange distant chasms broke in the horizon, seemingly as if doomsday was occurring somewhere far away. Mountains cracked and partially collapsed whilst the ground flourished with an array of spewing cracks.


    Panic spread throughout the group of third circle mages as they glanced at the sky that was as black as night itself. Yet, even though they were so far from whatever was causing this, an everpresent fear seemed to etch itself into their hearts.


    It came from two auras that could feel just a touch off. It was faint to the extreme, yet this tinged faintness exuded an unparalleled might that made their minds waver and their legs stagger.


    "Sir, what is happening?!"


    Someone couldn''t help but call out as they all stared at the only calm person in the group. He, Yang Wei, only gazed back at them with a still face.


    "Uh..."


    Even he had no idea, so what could he say to this restless group which wouldn''t stir them up even more?


    "..."


    Nothing apparently.


    "Sir..?"


    Numerous gulps were heard as they saw that slight confusion shine, but without letting them doubt him, Yang Wei finally spoke!


    "I cannot disclose this matter, so all of you return to the sect and notify the council if they haven''t already noticed!"


    He waved his hand without pausing and threw the dumbfounded crowd upwards. They hesitated, but with the firm eyes of Yang Wei, they decided to let go of that lingering feeling in their hearts and sped off!


    "..."


    With a bead of sweat sliding down his face, Yang Wei stood motionless in the thundering atmosphere. Rain began to fall as those chaotic currents brewed even more disastrous lighting, but it didn''t seem to affect him.


    "He really is at the level of the king... 6th circle..."


    "..."


    "Fuck..."


    A deathly light shone on his eyes as a couple images flashed from his memory. Extreme emotions raged out of these images as reckless thoughts produced a tide in his mind, but he forcefully suppressed such thoughts and calmed himself to his normal placid nature.


    "No... I have to wait until the time is ripe, needlessly risking my life achieves nothing... Anyways, I''m guessing that the two white-robes are watching this as well. If they decide to act then he is dead no matter what, and I can hopefully taste the sweet feeling of revenge by using my bare hands to finish him..."


    A struggling killing intent shone in his eyes. He looked off into the distance where the thunderous auras were colliding, and with a ghostly fade, solemnity lit in his gaze.


    "However, I don''t recognise the aura that is with him... Whatever it is, it is on a similar plane of existence!"


    ...


    ...


    Unbeknownst to Su Min and Yang Wei, in a place far away, a darkened hall blazed into view! The hall was extensive and seemed to reach into the horizon, and in this hall, an uncountable number of black draped people stood!


    An orange haze shrouded each of these silent people, and if anyone with an ounce of knowledge were to see such a sight, they would without a doubt gasp!


    They would gasp"Unique Energy!".


    Each person had their faces concealed in a black fog, one that made it so that nothing but the black robes were visible. Even their hands were encompassed in this substance.


    They all had a sword attached to the side of their robes, and all of them were the exact same.


    Silence prevailed in this hall, where not a single movement nor a single breath broke it. It was a pressuring, outstanding silence. However, with an echoing step, a black-robed figure emerged from a stand at the very front of the hall.


    He was also hazed in orange, but this orange seemed to contain a mysterious nature that surpassed anyone below him.


    Like a reaction, the entirety of the crowd below all lifted their left foot and slammed the ground!


    *BANGGGGGGG*


    "Commander!"


    The boom would make a mortal''s ears rupture and average cultivators ring indefinitely, and not only this but it seemed to loom in the hall for minutes!


    The figure at the stand didn''t speak until the silence returned, and in the exact instant he did, an inhuman voice swept waves outwards.


    "Soldiers, we have been preparing ever since the end of the wasted era. Thousands of years for this moment, and we will destroy the Tatto clan!"


    His voice reverberated into the ears of each soldier, and with this, an excited bloodthirst began to overtake their minds!


    "Their sect was built on the battlefield of the Ancient, where our ancestors lay! We must reclaim the inheritance, wipe them out, and ascend to a Mid Mortal Dao Sect!"


    *ROARRRRR*


    Battle intent and a crazed momentum erupted out of the enormous crowd as they all collectively bellowed out. Their orange auras blazed with fervour, and with this, a drowning sharpness tinged the air.


    "Now, charge and begin our journey of reclaiming what we lost!"


    ...


    ...


    .....


    *BANGGGG*


    A fist and blackened smudged darkness, both colliding.


    The world paused and the air stilled, where an eventual everlasting shockwave spread and two figure separated from the swirling, chaotic air.


    *PANGGGG*


    Trails of broken energy fluttered to the dead ground in springs of gold and black. Desolate and solemn eyes eyed each other, where they with another silent pounce, pummelled each other.


    *BANNNNNNGGG*


    Even more fierce shockwaves spread and even more chasms ruptured the ground and the sky.


    Two figures separated, once more.


    "Hahhh..."


    "Hah..."


    Tiredness tinged both, yet also a blazing determination to cause the death of each other. One wanted one to suffer whilst the other wanted to reclaim what he has lost...


    Neither spoke, as they didn''t even need to or want to. Their minds were utterly and completely focused on that one goal. Nothing mattered, not even that golden cocoon that contained a heaven''s being.


    However, it seemed that both had decided against fighting on endurance. They both took strange postures, and they both mumbled something inconceivable in the air.


    "Fist. First Form."


    "Martial..."


    A pair of blazing golden and void-like eyes shined!


    "Might of the Ancient!"


    "Tribulation!"


    *RUMBBBBLLLLEEE*


    Peak powers entered the world as the golden sky gathered atop a golden fist, whilst in the rather same fashion, the black sky gathered atop a black fist...


    *ROOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR*


    Two techniques that ushered an aura beyond the realm entered such a realm. The heaven''s rumbled and space warped plus, in much the same way, these two techniques were activated to their fullest.


    The intense, bone-chilling culmination of both energies transformed as two techniques fully exposed themselves.


    *MMMMMMMMMMMM*


    A desolate being the size of Mt Tai formed in the air, eyes shining golden, pressuring light...


    However, in this same moment, peculiar darkness shrouded the realm. It was incoherent and messy, yet with a tremble, it condensed above the sky!


    The rainclouds shook then swiftly dissipated as these two techniques blitzed them out of existence!


    The darkness seemed to replace the heavens as it stood above the ancient man who emitted an aura of absoluteness, directly contending with it!


    Using what?


    Well, tribulation!

 65 Techniques Collide

    "That''s similar to the other technique..."


    A strange light shone in Su Min''s eyes as the entire world shook and churned. The beastly light in that massive golden man also shined, where the original blurry outlines of its body tightened and quivered.


    *ROARRRRRRR*


    A sharper and sharper glimmer of ancient might arose within the godly eyes of the figure. As if the sun were being born, it''s bodies originally indistinct features blazed as a clarity of unseen proportions shined.


    To anyone who would behold this sight, they would quiver in fear, for it seemed that a godly golden being had just descended. Each arm could swat out a mountain, each leg could support the heavens!


    *BANGGGGGGGGG*


    The figure seemed to contain a rough intelligence of its own as it thrashed the ground to stand up. Its eyes spewed a magnificent light, where its expression landed upon the thrumming sky of blackened death.


    *CRACKLE* *POP*


    A swirling vortex of limitless will shook where the beasts gaze landed, randomly popping and booming with dull yet hideous thunderous claps. Time seemed to become meaningless as its intensity pierced known boundaries and made it rumble unendingly!


    The golden figure stood straight beneath the barrage of deafening shockwaves from the blackened sky, eyes shining brighter and brighter! It was like a soul was about to be born within those eyes of its!


    "..."


    Then, with a shocking breath, the golden figure spoke!


    "Ancient Might descends to pierce the heavens..."


    It was clear that this wasn''t Su Min!


    Su Min himself felt like his mind was being bathed in molten rock, but he endured! He didn''t know a lot about this first fist technique of his, but to think it could bring a foreign life, it was absurd!


    However, as that beasts voice descended, his eyes quivered with surprise! Those words... They were similar to the 3rd fist technique!


    *FLASH*


    As if it were responding to Su Min''s shocked eyes, the entire world lit itself in a ghastly light of gold. This gold swirled and gathered around the silent God that Su Min had summoned!


    The kid, watching this as well, began to laugh!


    "HAHAHA!! To be able to endure such paramount pain and summon a Mortal Dao Ancient One Spirit, how could you do anything but that?! Well... Even so, surviving the tribulations of my despaired wrath won''t let you get out without a scratch!!"


    *THUD* *THUD THUDTHUDTHUD*


    Deafening booms chimed in the heaven''s darkness as, for what seemed like a striking instant, a dense blinding cloud formed right above the piercing figure that clouded existence itself.


    The golden figure''s eyes took a glimpse at this...


    "A Martial''s anger isn''t trivial, but my existence was given to pierce this source of wrath and light the sky in primal might..."


    An old voice quaked out of the golden figure, and as it done so, the gold that surrounded it quivered! It, instantly gathering into a tiny ball in front of the ancient eyes of the figure, suddenly disappeared!


    Nevertheless, contrary to the intense danger disappearing with it, an even deeper roar seemed to shake the entire realm as a gnash in space formed!


    "W-wait... Second Realm..."


    The void-like eyes of the kid quivered into a deep fear as he saw that faint gnash, causing a striking madness to billow! However, he wasn''t the only one feeling this deep fear.


    "Guh... Shit..!!"


    Su Min''s eyes were bloodshot as veins burst on his neck and arms. His mind felt like numerous mountains were crashing and exploding inside of it, and the pain from such actions was truly heart-wrenching!


    Yet, even through this, Su Min grasped the ground and roared! He will never back down to anything, neither pain nor anguish! Each action he does will be done with his utmost effort, required or not! Otherwise, regret will be the only thing that shadows him...


    His eyes glowed as he stared at the blurry image of a massive golden figure and the striking black sky. He felt a strange sensation as he looked at the gnashed space in front of the golden being''s eyes, one of fear, excitement, even despair.


    "GAHH!! SHOW ME THE THIRD TECHNIQUE!!"


    His gaze locked onto that gnash as anticipation filled his pained mind. He won''t miss the opportunity to see this, as he truly felt that it would bring him a great benefit!


    The kid''s eyes turned even more solemn as he grit his teeth and roared towards the blackened clouds!


    "I can''t wait any longer... Martial Clouds! Tribulation! Strike this Ancient One before me!!"


    *RUMBBBLLEEEE*


    The entire realm seemed to shake as that cloud began to swirl. It was slow, but it carried a surreal temperament that exuded an unsurpassable might!


    "Ancient Speck, form from the second of the nine energy realms."


    The ancient being bellowed out as he took another glimpse at the churning clouds right above him. A rare flash of alarm shook his eyes, but he didn''t seem to care as that gnash in space begun to take full form!


    His body seemed to glow with a gentle aura as that gnash spat something out in the form of a speck. However, the clouds above him also shook and let our a hair-raising crackle!


    *CA---TCHAAAAAA!"


    A bolt of black, shrouded in a terrifying aura, blitzed out of the cloud and struck the ancient being!


    *SSSSSSSSSSTTTTTT*


    The ground vaporised into nothing but energy as a horrifying searing sound broke the very air it was emitted onto! A thick cloud of smoke overtook the golden figure until it''s shimmering glow couldn''t even be seen...


    "..."


    Yet, no cry of anguish tore out, no... Instead, an indignant gleam of something terrifying rose to form within this cloud...


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *CA---TCHAAAAAA!"


    ".!!"


    A hair-raising and clear thunderous bang swept through the realm, where every single living being within the sects ground heard such a terrifying boom.


    "Agh...!"


    One such being, standing atop a wall that parted the clouds, held his head as pain washed over him unendingly. 3 circles shone atop his forehead, but they seemed to be quivering at an unstable rate as that boom echoed past him.


    "What was that?!"


    His eyes were visibly shaking as he regained some of his composure. The resounding strike still shrouded his mind, but as he came back to the world, he dumbfoundedly looked far away in the horizon.


    "And what is that?!"


    A limitless orange haze struck his very sight!

 66 Intruders.

    "What is that?!"


    A limitless orange haze struck his very sight. Killing Intent aimed right at him and the wall that has stood for thousands of years!


    "R-report!!"


    Panic and confusion galloped in the man''s mind as he staggered to the side of the wall and pushed his hand against a small array. A gentle light lit, and as a small shine entered the sky and flew towards somewhere far away, the man breathed a sigh of relief.


    Yet...


    "Holy..."


    His eyes widened till they seemed to pop out, where that original hazed orange in the horizon had transformed! Its size rivalled mountains, and the shape it took was that of a Cannon.


    It was aimed right at him, or more specifically, the entrance of the wall!


    "S-set up the defensive... Procedures..."


    The man''s face was covered in sweat as he attempted to send out a command, but the killing intent coming from that cannon made it excruciating.


    *GRRRRRRRRRRR*


    A growl shook the sky and the earth as a dim blinding light began to take form inside of the cannon. Its rumble, though closer than whatever that thunderous strike was, resounded just as loudly in his ears.


    Despair writhed, and he could only mutter out a sentence...


    "May the Heavens bless my family..."


    *SPEWWWW*


    An all-engulfing beam of orange pierced the air, and in a matter of an instant, it had already arrived! A barrier attempted to form but it was already blitzed out of existence beneath the beam''s slicing aura!


    An illusionary silhouette of a sword slashing the sky seemed to take form, striking the wall!


    *SLASH*


    The man disintegrated without being able to even utter a cry of helplessness. With this, the massive gate that stood and separated two worlds got parted by an undying, orange slash...


    Arcs of thunder wept across the earth as this happened, where a whole hundred-mile portion of the wall collapsed! Deafening booms of pummelling rock and strange minerals fell from the sky, seemingly announcing the death of the heavens!


    "CHARGE!!"


    A cry brimming with battle-intent roared from the horizon as a limitless number of black-clothed swordsmen charged! In no time did they reach the pitiful rubble of that once magnificent wall, where excitement bubbled in their hearts.


    The commander, flying above them, smiled as killing intent clouded his eyes. But, just as he was about to issue the command to begin the slaughter, a second terrifying rumble reverberated outwards!


    *CA---TCHAAAAAA!*


    The sound seemed to be above any other noise as it became the only thing that growled in everyone''s minds. Their very souls seemed to shiver, causing an abrupt pause in their intense, unrivalled momentum.


    The commander''s eyes lit with solemn light, where he didn''t even put the rumble in his eyes and roared once more!


    "Keep going! No matter the obstacle, slice it!!"


    The reignition of their battle-intent erupted, and they all shook that feeling out of their system and charged through the broke rubble! Some flew through the air whilst others remained on the ground, but they all had the same burning desire.


    The desire to kill!


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *CA---TCHAAAAAA!*


    "What''s happening?! This is the second time!"


    *WHOOOSH*


    Inside of a room the size of the basketball court numerous third circle mages scampered around with pale faces. A faint rumble shook the room they ran in, seeming to contain an aura of sharpness that made their skin tingle.


    "We''re being invaded.!!"


    With a roar from an inconspicuous corner, a man drenched in sweat yelled out. The three circles on his forehead were trembling, where a strand of information got propelled out and displayed a blurry image.


    What it displayed caused every person who was clambering around to pause. A silence arose, and what caused it was a deathly image of a roaring, orange cannon...


    And with it, an uncountable number of black-robed soldiers...


    "..."


    No words could describe the feeling in the hearts of everyone. They could only stare at the image, gathering despair on the crazed surprise attack that is happening at the worst possible time...


    Little confidence came from them as they thought about the two beings who were currently disturbing the natural balance of the world. Right in their grounds. Just those two are enough to induce fear, but now a sudden army has knocked on their door?


    They may only be of the 3rd circle, but they are the core of the intelligence agency! The only person above them is Yang Wei, but even he has disappeared.


    How could they not begin to panic with nobody holding them together?


    *BANG*


    However, as they were dwindling into despair, an abrupt boom shook the ground while the door at the end of the room opened. A heavy atmosphere immediately shrouded each person, where a single stern woman stepped in!


    "What''s with this gloom riddled room? Have you forgotten that we''re able to fight back?"


    A feminine voice entered each of their ears, where a petite girl revealed herself. She wore white robes and exuded a paramount atmosphere, though her forehead was shrouded in a fog...


    "Stop running about and communicate my message across all towns and villages!"


    They all paused, where some nodded.


    "I, Elder of the Heavenly Peak, order every capable mage to gather toward the Sects Peaks. The High Elder will soon command us a counterattack to this sudden knock on our Divine Door!"


    Without letting them question her, she disappeared in a gush of wind. Nevertheless, a strange calmness seemed to now embrace the room.


    "R-right!"


    Everyone returned to their places and soon closed their eyes. The circle on their forehead started to glimmer as that message got conveyed to the entire sect...


    ...


    ...


    ...


    In a place near Su Min, and at the time just before the first bolt of lightning, a gentle breeze whooshed by.


    "..."


    Two men, standing in the air, stared at a darkened cloud not too far away. A gigantic golden figure also shone in their eyes, contending with that darkened cloud!


    *CA---TCHAAAAAA!*


    "So it really is a tribulation cloud... I wonder how many it can send out."


    A calm glint shone in one of robed man''s of their eyes; as if he were watching a simple show. However, the one next to this man seemed to be a lot more solemn...


    "High Elder?"


    The calm man asked with surprise, but the solemn man sighed, and with a slow and ethereal voice, he spoke.


    "If possible, I don''t want to offend that ancient man over there..."


    "What?!"


    The one next to him jumped in surprise, but the solemn gaze of the High Elder only brightened.


    "A great mystery shrouds him, something I daren''t collide with. That being said, his ancient bloodline is something beyond, and if he were to burn it, then I would surely pay dear consequences..."


    His gaze seemed to lock onto that indifferent giant that was currently covered in a hazed dust cloud. A tiny glint of gold started to shine within it, and this gold made his mind tingle.


    "To be able to summon energy from the 2nd realm with such little strength..."


    Nevertheless, at this same moment, the High Elder''s expression turned as he changed direction and stared far into the distance!


    "Those... Heathens!"

 67 This week will be difficult.

    @@


    I have around 5 consequtive exams this week so getting time in for writing will be difficult.


    Today unfortunately I was unable to do so, though wednesday will get a chapter and probably thursday.


    Saturday will thus get another mass release (getting into the later stages of this part of the story, and as its saturday I have a load of time to spend). THIS WILL ACTUALLY BE A MASS RELEASE, NOT TWO CHAPTERS HAHAH!


    Sorry, its rough fitting in time for everything :P.


    --- JUST SKIP THIS IF ANOTHER CHAPTER HAS BEEN RELEASED, IT WILL BE DELETED SOON ---@@

 68 Insanity.

    "Those...Heathens!"


    Eyes as cold as the icy Firmaments of Hell glared far into the distance. A blinding whiteness began to shine around him, pulsating with a thriving gait that struck the man next to him!


    "You, keep watch and make sure he doesn''t get in the way. However, no matter what, even if he survives this, don''t attempt to kill him! No matter what!"


    The high elder''s eyes seethed in a disastrous fashion as he took a glimpse at the man. Then, disregarding the whole situation, he dissipated in a frosty wind...


    "What on earth is happening..."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Two void-like eyes, with a rabid nature, stared at an all-encompassing cloud of dust. However, just as these eyes were about to loosen with relief, a tiny speck began to shine through the dust.


    They twitched.


    "GHAAA..!!! Stop BEING so persistent and die for me!! I haven''t even got to your summoner yet, Ancient Spirit, so just FUCKING DIE!"


    *CRACKLE*


    "Martial, again, STRIKE!!"


    The clouds in the sky seemed to rumble with even greater power as it grew unbridled. It''s churning whirlpool gathered in momentum where it seemed to begin to emit an aura that resented everything living...


    *RUMBLE*


    *STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE!!!"


    *CA---...


    ...


    ...


    TCHAAAAAAAAA!"


    A boom that surpassed anything before it ruptured the sky. A bolt as thick as a log descended, emitting a primal stature that gurgled and cried keen roars of deathly killing intent!


    "A single speck, formed from the second might, pierces all before it..."


    Yet, just before that bolt had landed, the same rumbling voice echoed once more from the shrouded giant!


    *SIZZLE*


    Then, in a dumbfounding fashion, a tiny speck of goldish light got pushed out of that billowing smoke and toward the bolt! Its colour was that of strangeness, something gold, but not quite. Something more than gold...


    *P-PSSST*


    A scene similar to an ant shuttling to destroy a mountain shone, but contrary to what most would expect, that ant did such a thing.


    *SLICE*


    A cut, clean and fresh, swept between the bolts swirling arcs of lightning and pierced right through it! Nothing hindered the speck as it continued to split the arc as if it were bullet parting butter!


    "Everything below the second is nothing. Hence, your martial thunder is nothing and your wrath, nothing. No matter whether it is heavenly, martial or ancient, this tribulation is as such. Nothing."


    A calming voice rumbled once more, and as it done so, that tiny speck broke through the bolt! This bolt split off into two separate parts as they swirled and struck the ground around the giant!


    *BANG BANG* *CRASHHHHHH*


    Terrifying booms that caused a limitless array of blackened arcs to form flashed. The smoke encompassing the land got thrashed away in a tyrannical wind, where a blurred figure stood straight.


    His feet were the size of a house, and his body the size of a mountain. However, eventhough the bolt missed, a terrifying and unending pulsation would chime out of the figure''s body, time after time.


    *WANGGG*


    A flash of a sizzling black would follow this, prompting the giant''s impregnable body to blur just a little.


    *WANGGG*


    That bright light in the giant''s eyes that would make any cultivator quiver, quivered...


    "So it is the True Martial Law..."


    A voice echoed out of the giant, where with a slight turn, he gazed at the near-unconsciousness Su Min.


    "And you''re the Martial."


    *WANGGG*


    His eyes dimmed with that once shining intelligence, but he remained indifferent to it all as a rare emotion tinged his voice.


    "Fighting your own bloodline, with ours?"


    *WANGGG*


    Like a ghost, his body soon turned so soft that he didn''t seem real anymore.


    "It seems that the fabled Legend is about to be relit..."


    *W-WANGGGG*


    A blast of excitement sparkled in his eyes, but it didn''t last even a moment as an enraged shudder of concentrated lightning struck his very core. It seemed to be alive, where even if it lost a large portion of its power, it would still latch onto the intended target!


    *CRACK*


    "Oh, even though I''m but a spirit meant to live for a mere moment in time, it sure is exciting!"


    And so, his eyes flickered and died with a poof of collapsing fog. The remnants of those massive foot marks remained, but as if a giant had never existed, nothing remained to step on those marks...


    However, the speck that still remained uninjured and continued to fly up and into those deathly black clouds! It didn''t seem to even need any input but its own pride to fight!


    *ROARRRRRR*


    A troubled roar echoed out of the heavens as a painful tremble shook it. Lapsing spasms intertwined with the swirling vortex known as the tribulation clouds, where soul-shaking cracks began to pierce the blackened sky.


    *WHOOOOOOOSHHH*


    Blitzing waves of incomprehensible magnitudes thundered the ground with near-solid wind cones. A true vision of total destruction commenced as the entire landscape for miles disintegrated and formed a pit that seemed to tunnel right into hell.


    Su Min and the kid''s figure, unworthy of even paying attention to in this massive wave of destruction, plunged into the massive pit like two grains of sand.


    "HAHAHA!! It''s finally dead, those fucking Spirits always clung onto the higher bloodlines!!"


    A burst of laughter beyond the realm of madness echoed out of the mile-deep pothole, where no other sound dared to contend with it. Yet, the clouds in the sky seemed to be reaching breaking point...


    *SSSSSSSSSSSSSS*


    "Ah! How unfortunate, it''s going to explode! Who said I need the tribulation clouds anyway?! I''ll just destroy more of this god-forsaken realm then take Su Min with me!!"


    A horrifying growl followed, where a will that seemed to burn erupted out of it. Su Min, awakening out of his pained daze, gasped as he saw what seemed like a black flame encompass the kid who had landed near him.


    The land and everything around him was pitch black like a massive lightning bolt had struck. The kid in front, however, didn''t even look like one now; with his mangled bones and non-existent legs, he resembled a carcass...


    "You''re burning your... Consciousness? No... Soul?"


    Uncertainty flashed, but as he looked at the sky that seemed to contain a force beyond his imagination, his eyes narrowed. Then, with a rather weak stride, he stood up from the ground.


    "It seems that you''re not damaging anything though... Mhm, I see..."


    His gaze seemed to have changed... It was shining, and the glint of gold that shone was closer to something disturbing.


    "Huh? Hah? You seem to have gained enlightenment? How funny!!"


    The kid''s eyes cracked as that kindled fire continued to burn, and as it done so, a terrifying force began to shroud him...


    Su Min ignored him, where he continued to stare at the sky. He saw a single speck within that massive cloud that enveloped the heavens.


    The tribulation clouds roared unendingly with the presence of this speck, pummelling Martial Energy and bolts of black lightning onto it. Yet, the speck remained unchanged to it all and just floated there...


    Nevertheless, the giant seemed to have planted something within this tiny golden thing, and it was causing it to begin to combust...


    "Everything below the second is nothing..."


    *THUMP*


    His heart thudded and his chest burned! Then, like a request, a faint image of a golden tree sprouted in his view! However, it was focused on a black vortex...


    "Maybe I can use this speck as a method to push my cultivation..."


    Su Min''s black eye flashed as he allowed the vortex to engulf his view. However, instead of completely replacing the world he stood in, it only half merged. The entire world changed, where it was now shrouded in a limitless vague fog.


    He could still see everything that was happening, but he could also feel that mystical sensation erupting from the strange space. It was one of limitless wrongness, roaring in his ears with this uncomfortable feeling!


    Yet, he endured such a feeling and attempted to focus on that tiny speck. His vision distorted, and with a shocking transformation, a miniature gold light pierced his eyes!


    Endless pain stabbed into Su Min''s mind as this light shone, but he still didn''t flinch and focused even further!


    "W-wow..."


    A gasp of pure amazement responded, where a glimpse of something beautiful gleamed in his eyes!


    *RUUMMMMBLLLEEE*


    "Agh...!!! I guess burning your soul really is as intolerable as they say!!"


    The kid wasn''t even paying attention to Su Min''s actions. He didn''t have the capacity to, as, without a single remaining dreg of clearness, insanity consumed him! Yet even through all this, that one hatred remained!


    To kill all, especially Su Min...


    "Explode the sky! Split the heavens!! HAHAHA *COUGH*!!! Martial phrase this and that, who cares!"


    The black flame surrounding his body trembled and churned, causing odd ripples to spread throughout the sky. The tribulation clouds above responded to this, where a faint chasm seemed to want to break through from another realm...


    "What do you fight second realm energy with?! Second realm energy of course!! The second, oh so mighty!!"


    That chasm seethed as a vague outline of it appeared. It was huge, hundreds of times greater than the one the giant summoned!


    "Then, why not use as much as I can?!"


    The entire realm seemed to suddenly shiver! Echoes of desolate cries thus began to scream out of space, where it seemed that the world itself couldn''t support the power that was about to be released!


    "STOP!! ARE YOU MAD?!"


    A sudden cry of panic broke the tearing noises of space and a white-robed man appeared. His eyes were trembling as he stared at the chasm, and he could hardly put up any resistant towards it.


    "Mad? Mad?! Spot on genius!! You see, I''ll proudly wait for that Realm Overseer to crush my rotting remains, because who cares if I shouldn''t summon second realm energy in this lowly shit hole!!


    Fuck all of you, So go fuck my corpse in a broken heavenly world!! Let those higher bastards fix this. HAHAHAHA..!!"

 67 Insanity.

    "Those...Heathens!"


    Eyes as cold as the icy Firmaments of Hell glared far into the distance. A blinding whiteness began to shine around him, pulsating with a thriving pace that struck the man next to him!


    "You, keep watch and make sure he doesn''t get in the way. However, no matter what, even if he survives this, don''t attempt to kill him! No matter what!"


    The high elder''s eyes seethed in a disastrous fashion as he took a glimpse at the man. Then, disregarding the whole situation, he dissipated in a frosty wind...


    "What on earth is happening..."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Two void-like eyes, with a rabid nature, stared at an all-encompassing cloud of dust. However, just as these eyes were about to loosen with relief, a tiny speck began to shine through the dust.


    They twitched.


    "GHAAA..!!! Stop BEING so persistent and die for me!! I haven''t even got to your summoner yet, Ancient Spirit, so just DIE!"


    *CRACKLE*


    "Martial, again, STRIKE!!"


    The clouds in the sky seemed to rumble with even greater power as it grew unbridled. It''s churning whirlpool gathered in momentum where it seemed to begin to emit an aura that resented everything living...


    *RUMBLE*


    *STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE!!!"


    *CA---...


    ...


    ...


    TCHAAAAAAAAA!"


    A boom that surpassed anything before it ruptured the sky. A bolt as thick as a log descended, emitting a primal stature that gurgled and cried keen roars of deathly killing intent!


    "A single speck, formed from the second might, pierces all before it..."


    Yet, just before that bolt had landed, the same rumbling voice echoed once more from the shrouded giant!


    *SIZZLE*


    Then, in a dumbfounding fashion, a tiny speck of goldish light got pushed out of that billowing smoke and toward the bolt! Its colour was that of strangeness, something gold, but not quite. Something more than gold...


    *P-PSSST*


    A scene similar to an ant shuttling to destroy a mountain shone, but contrary to what most would expect, that ant did such a thing.


    *SLICE*


    A cut, clean and fresh, swept between the bolts swirling arcs of lightning and pierced right through it! Nothing hindered the speck as it continued to split the arc as if it were bullet parting butter!


    "Everything below the second is nothing. Hence, your martial thunder is nothing and your wrath, nothing. No matter whether it is heavenly, martial or ancient, this tribulation is as such. Nothing."


    A calming voice rumbled once more, and as it done so, that tiny speck broke through the bolt! This bolt split off into two separate parts as they swirled and struck the ground around the giant!


    *BANG BANG* *CRASHHHHHH*


    Terrifying booms that caused a limitless array of blackened arcs to form flashed. The smoke encompassing the land got thrashed away in a tyrannical wind, where a blurred figure stood straight.


    His feet were the size of a house, and his body the size of a mountain. However, even though the bolt missed, a terrifying and unending pulsation would chime out of the figure''s body, time after time.


    *WANGGG*


    A flash of a sizzling black would follow this, prompting the giant''s impregnable body to blur just a little.


    *WANGGG*


    That bright light in the giant''s eyes that would make any cultivator quiver, quivered...


    "So it is the True Martial Law..."


    A voice echoed out of the giant, where with a slight turn, he gazed at the near-unconsciousness Su Min.


    "And you''re the True Martial."


    *WANGGG*


    His eyes dimmed with that once shining intelligence, but he remained indifferent to it all as a rare emotion tinged his voice.


    "Fighting your own bloodline, with ours?"


    *WANGGG*


    Like a ghost, his body soon turned so soft that he didn''t seem real anymore.


    "It seems that the fabled Legend is about to be relit..."


    *W-WANGGGG*


    A blast of excitement sparkled in his eyes, but it didn''t last even a moment as an enraged shudder of concentrated lightning struck his very core. It seemed to be alive, where even if it lost a large portion of its power, it would still latch onto the intended target!


    *CRACK*


    "Oh, even though I''m but a spirit meant to live for a mere moment in time, it sure is exciting!"


    And so, his eyes flickered and died with a poof of collapsing fog. The remnants of those massive foot marks remained, but as if a giant had never existed, nothing remained to step on those marks...


    However, the speck that still remained uninjured continued to fly up and into those deathly black clouds! It didn''t seem to even need any input but its own pride to fight!


    *ROARRRRRR*


    A troubled roar echoed out of the heavens as a painful tremble shook it. Lapsing spasms intertwined with the swirling vortex known as the tribulation clouds, where soul-shaking cracks began to pierce the blackened sky.


    *WHOOOOOOOSHHH*


    Blitzing waves of incomprehensible magnitudes thundered the ground with near-solid wind cones. A true vision of total destruction commenced as the entire landscape for miles disintegrated and formed a pit that seemed to tunnel right into hell.


    Su Min and the kid''s figure, unworthy of even paying attention to in this massive wave of destruction, plunged into the massive pit like two grains of sand.


    "HAHAHA!! It''s finally dead, those Spirits always clung onto the higher bloodlines!!"


    A burst of laughter beyond the realm of madness echoed out of the mile-deep pothole, where no other sound dared to contend with it. Yet, the clouds in the sky seemed to be reaching breaking point...


    *SSSSSSSSSSSSSS*


    "Ah! How unfortunate, it''s going to explode! Who said I need the tribulation clouds anyway?! I''ll just destroy more of this god-forsaken realm then take Su Min with me!!"


    A horrifying growl followed, where a will that seemed to burn erupted out of it. Su Min, awakening out of his pained daze, gasped as he saw what seemed like a black flame encompass the kid who had landed near him.


    The land and everything around him was pitch black like a massive lightning bolt had struck. The kid in front, however, didn''t even look like one now; with his mangled bones and non-existent legs, he resembled a carcass...


    "You''re burning your... Consciousness? No... Soul?"


    Uncertainty flashed, but as he looked at the sky that seemed to contain a force beyond his imagination, his eyes narrowed. Then, with a rather weak stride, he stood up from the ground.


    "It seems that you''re not damaging anything though... Mhm, I see..."


    His gaze seemed to have changed... It was shining, and the glint of gold that shone was closer to something disturbing.


    "Huh? Hah? You seem to have gained enlightenment? How funny!!"


    The kid''s eyes cracked as that kindled fire continued to burn, and as it done so, a terrifying force began to shroud him...


    Su Min ignored him, where he continued to stare at the sky. He saw a single speck within that massive cloud that enveloped the heavens.


    The tribulation clouds roared unendingly with the presence of this speck, pummelling Martial Energy and bolts of black lightning onto it. Yet, the speck remained unchanged to it all and just floated there...


    Nevertheless, the giant seemed to have planted something within this tiny golden thing, and it was causing it to begin to combust...


    "Everything below the second is nothing..."


    *THUMP*


    His heart thudded and his chest burned! Then, like a request, a faint image of a golden tree sprouted in his view! However, it was focused on a black vortex...


    "Maybe I can use this speck as a method to push my cultivation..."


    Su Min''s black eye flashed as he allowed the vortex to engulf his view. However, instead of completely replacing the world he stood in, it only half merged. The entire world changed, where it was now shrouded in a limitless vague fog.


    He could still see everything that was happening, but he could also feel that mystical sensation erupting from the strange space. It was one of limitless wrongness, roaring in his ears with this uncomfortable feeling!


    Yet, he endured such a feeling and attempted to focus on that tiny speck. His vision distorted, and with a shocking transformation, a miniature gold light pierced his eyes!


    Endless pain stabbed into Su Min''s mind as this light shone, but he still didn''t flinch and focused even further!


    "W-wow..."


    A gasp of pure amazement responded, where a glimpse of something beautiful gleamed in his eyes!


    *RUUMMMMBLLLEEE*


    "Agh...!!! I guess burning your soul really is as intolerable as they say!!"


    The kid wasn''t even paying attention to Su Min''s actions. He didn''t have the capacity to, as, without a single remaining dreg of clearness, insanity consumed him! Yet even through all this, that one hatred remained!


    To kill all, especially Su Min...


    "Explode the sky! Split the heavens!! HAHAHA *COUGH*!!! Martial phrase this and that, who cares!"


    The black flame surrounding his body trembled and churned, causing odd ripples to spread throughout the sky. The tribulation clouds above responded to this, where a faint chasm seemed to want to break through from another realm...


    "What do you fight second realm energy with?! Second realm energy of course!! The second, oh so mighty!! GAHHH!!!"


    That chasm seethed as a vague outline of it appeared. It was huge, hundreds of times greater than the one the giant summoned!


    "Then, why not use as much as I can?!"


    The entire realm seemed to suddenly shiver! Echoes of desolate cries thus began to scream out of space, where it seemed that the world itself couldn''t support the power that was about to be released!


    "STOP!! ARE YOU MAD?!"


    A sudden cry of panic broke the tearing noises of space and a white-robed man appeared. His eyes were trembling as he stared at the chasm, and he could hardly put up any resistant towards it.


    "Mad? Mad?! Spot on genius!! You see, I''ll proudly wait for that Realm Overseer to crush my rotting remains, because who cares if I shouldn''t summon second realm energy in this lowly shit hole!!


    Fuck all of you, So go fuck my corpse in a broken heavenly world!! Let those higher bastards fix this. HAHAHAHA..!!"

 68 Whos in your sect?!

    "Mad? Mad?! Spot on genius!! You see, I''ll proudly wait for that Realm Overseer to crush my rotting remains, because who cares if I shouldn''t summon second realm energy in this lowly shit hole!!


    Fuck all of you, So go fuck my corpse in a broken heavenly world!! Let those higher bastards fix this. HAHAHAHA..!!"


    His voice crackled and gurgled; his throat drying and decaying...


    "DON''T--..." *BOOOOMMM!*


    The world resounded with endless cries of desolate stature, yet nothing could hinder that chasm! It pulsated and wriggled like it was growing from life, yet the aura it was emitting resented life to a whole new death-defying degree!


    However, with a sudden entrance, an unending divine light spewed out of the earth''s crust!


    *ROARRRRRRR*


    Symbols of Heavenly Figures and chained Ancient Slaves encompassed the land, even entering the bottomless pit! Though, the chasm that was beginning to take form didn''t even tremble at such a sight.


    "Pfft! The Heavenly Array decided to finally make an entrance? How entertaining!! Ah, wait... F-!!"


    *CRACK*


    "G-GAHHHHHH!!!"


    Another splintering crack, another maddening spew of agony. The kid''s torso crumbled and his head tumbled, though he didn''t collapse. His eyes were like two smashed plates, yet they remained intact through all this!


    His teeth crunched with the gritting of his jaw, and with another breath, he groaned out a strange cry full of confusion.


    "Ah..! Thinking is really difficult, hahaha..? Such... Despaired wrath? Why... Oh..! It''s to destroy the Heavenly... World? What even is the Heavens... What am I destroying..?"


    *CRACK*


    *POOF*


    His body collapsed in a thud of dust, where the only remaining entity were those two floating eyes. Their original lustre was nowhere to be seen, only a shattered bloody mess.


    A black flame popped and sparked disconcerting streams around this eye, but as if it had lost a purpose, it no longer issued those strange ripples.


    The chasm in the sky had also ceased to grow, where it was, in fact, beginning to fade into oblivion!


    He could no longer speak, but a strange voice still resounded out of those eyes and into the souls of anyone present...


    "... Guh... It hurts."


    The white-robed man, watching this, breathed a sigh of relief. Nevertheless, as that soul sounding voice entered his mind, his eyes trembled with disbelief.


    "This person... He is the true enemy here!"


    "..."


    Yet, before he could do anything, another surreal voice reverberated.


    "Ah... Who am I..?"


    The void-like pupils turned slightly, staring at the faint chasm that was verging on collapse.


    "I feel... The need to complete that... But I also feel that I will die because of... That."


    "..."


    The white-robed man''s expression turned pale. The command from the high-elder rumbled in his head, but he resolved to grit his teeth and pierce towards the two pupils!


    "Huh..? I don''t want to die, yet I want to complete it?"


    *WHOOOSH*


    "You can complete it in your death bed!!"


    A hurried cry echoed, then with a face brimming with killing intent, a white-robed man materialised in front of the two floating eyes. His hand held a single white sword, one that seemed sharp enough to slice diamond as if it were tofu.


    His shrouded forehead broke out of the fogged constraints and blew a ghastly aura! Five and a half circles flashed, and as the man lifted the sword, a power of heavenly might descended!


    The arrays encompassing the world seemed to have finally reached a suitable level as it, with a newfound will, shrouded the heavenly man with a deafening power!


    Streams of Heavens Energy reverberated far in the distance as they bombarded the white-robed man and magnified his strength! It was an absolutely horrifying quantity, yet the man didn''t seem fazed at all as the arrays controlled it to perfectly merge with his power.


    "HA HA!! So the heaven''s want your death!"


    The two eyes shivered in return, where a faint instinct erupted out of its near dead consciousness...


    "I can''t remember... It hurts. It hurts..!"


    Then, with a horrifying spew of darkness from the void-like pupils, the man that was about to slash down felt a dark premonition strike his heart.


    "I cant..!!


    It HURTS!!!


    ...


    Gah! I don''t want to live..!! Complete it!!"


    *ROARRRRRRR*


    The chasm in the sky shook as it was thrown into a stupor. It wriggled even more intensely, seemingly as if it would only need a few more seconds to completely enter the world!


    Nevertheless, in the darkened corner of the pitch black pit, a flicker of gold and red spewed. Then in a rough yet calming voice, a boiling power encircled the entire sky.


    "As per the will of me, The Martial, I''ll... Free you. Descendent of my old self..."


    A single golden speck shined within the heaven''s dark clouds, thrumming with a dormant ancient power that was rising to awaken! Its original combusting state was wrested away by such a sudden move, causing it to reach a brimming potential!


    ...


    ...


    "P-PLEASE!!"


    The commander, in front of a small village, grabbed a random couple of a shivering boy and girl. His eyes shined under the darkened daylight, and with an abrupt grasp, he pulled the girl out in front.


    Behind the man stood a silent unending army of soldiers, watching the commander...


    He lifted his hand, not even grabbing his sword, and swiped the air.


    *SLASH* *SPLATTER*


    "Hahaha!"


    "..."


    She couldn''t even cry as her body halved and sprayed sizzling blood onto the frozen boy and the laughing commander. The boy''s eyes widened, yet in the next moment, his head was severed from his body...


    *SLASH* *THUD*


    "Men, let blood drench this land!"


    The commander uttered a reverberating cry!


    *ROARRRRR*


    A blood-curdling killing intent fermented as the massive army charged into the numerous defenceless villages!


    "HELP!!" "NO!" "AGH-!!"


    Screams upon shrieks upon howls erupted out of countless villages in unison. Blood sprayed and covered the tattered earth, and in no time did hundreds of corpses build small mounds all over the place!


    "Charge!"


    Every soldier spoke in unison as they formed a tidal wave of death that let no single person survive.


    Minutes passed and hundreds of villages had been decimated, but their momentum only grew and their kill intent brew!


    "HALT!!"


    Nonetheless, the commander''s eyes shined as he issued a monstrous command. Even with the insufferable momentum, every single soldier stopped without error.


    They didn''t utter a word and just stood there, drenched in white blood.


    "What gall!"


    Then, with a raging roar, a blinding light erupted out of thin air and formed numerous figures. They all wore white-robes and exuded an unparalleled atmosphere, eyes shining a bright white light.


    The black clouds in the sky couldn''t even contend with the force as they dissipated. However, far in the distance, new clouds would continue to form and attempt to fill the only gap in the encompassed black heavens of the sect.


    Far in distance a faint unending white army also revealed itself. However, it was obviously smaller than the commanders.


    "Hahaha! It seems that you have a slight issue in your sect right now, so I thought to take a visit!"


    The commander eyed the dark clouds in the sky with interest, but he didn''t care enough right now. What he wanted was the death of those in front!


    The group of white-robed elders didn''t respond as they all lifted their hands in unison. A spasm shook the very space of the world, then in a disturbing notion, an amazing stream of heaven''s energy pierced the only hole in the sky!


    "How shameless to fight me all at once! But, do you really think I came unprepared?"


    The commander laughed once more as that haze of orange enveloping him expanded multiple times over. Then, grasping the sword out of his sword scabbard, a terrifying presence started to pulse out of his body.


    "Soldiers, give me your strength!"


    His roar blazed like the sun!


    "Yes, commander!"


    *BANGGGG*


    The entire crowd behind him thudded the ground as they performed a confusing motion with their hand. Then, in a startling revelation, each soldier sprang to emit a steady stream of orange haze right onto the commander!


    "You have always had the advantage in numbers, but I''ll close that!"


    A slicing aura soon enveloped the entire group of elders as a solemnity permeated the air. They both didn''t speak a word as their aura grew steadily, getting ready to strike.


    *THUDDDD*


    The army in the horizon had already arrived, brimming with a similar battle intent.


    A sword silhouette emerged and strung around the commander, but so did a strange white orb from the group.


    *RUMBLE*


    "..."


    Yet, with a certain fearful tone, an abrupt voice erupted out of the commander.


    "What on earth..."


    The group of elders paused, and as they done so, a strange chill fluttered into their hearts...


    *GAHHHHHH!!!*


    When, with a booming cry, the entire world shook as a desolate cry exploded out of space! The realm tumbled and the black sky throffed with a newfound potential, overthrowing the auras of the powerhouses about to fight!


    Following this, and in a frosty disposition, a gigantic chasm formed in the sky and glistened in everyone''s eyes!


    "Who on earth are you fighting against...?"


    The commander''s figure visibly shook and the robes on his body loosened until you could see his face.


    A face ample with scars, but today a paleness...


    "Who is in your sect?!"


    His voice soon boomed into the Elders ears in front, but they didn''t even respond and remained silent.


    *G-GAHHH!!!" *MMMMMMMMMMM*


    Space itself seemed to distort as that desolate cry got fiercer by the second. Those on the ground felt the earth turn unstable, arising panic in a vast majority.


    The group of Elder''s trembled, and with a unified turn, they all stared at the single man who stood in front.


    "H-High Elder?"

 69 Turn the Tide

    "H-High Elder?"


    *CA-TCHAAA!!*


    Streaks of interwoven thunderbolts struck in numerous areas as a world filled with bright flashes appeared. These weren''t summoned on purpose, they were just an after effect of the unbridled friction from the shivering clouds!


    *RUMBLEEEE*


    "Second Realm..."


    A mumble of serenity only responded to the gasping elders, where a man draped in white turned around and faced the chasm! The commander was already stricken enough to forget about the battle at the moment, as what was occurring was earth-shattering!


    That was, the attempt at summoning second realm energy!


    "You..."


    The commander took a step back as he looked dumbfoundedly at the calm High Elder. This was no simple matter to him, this was a case of immense danger!


    Many may not know, but the lower realm is, in fact, an unending collection of worlds! These worlds contain the 3 sections, corresponding with the Ancient, Martial and Heavenly. They are connected in the form of a sphere where each takes a third of the entire world.


    Thus, a world is just a combined form of an Ancient, Martial and Heavenly area! Imagine the world to be a pie chart, where each section takes up 1/3rd of the entire chart, but spherical.


    Ignorance is the only reason one would call this the Lower Heavenly Realm, because it is just a section of one of the seemingly infinite worlds within the lower realm!


    The ''Lower Realm'' is not partial to either 3 energies, it is just a realm full of worlds. That''s not to say that these worlds are of equal size and strength.


    Nevertheless, this lower realm is ample with broken and distraught worlds that have been cracked by a might you should never summon!


    The elusive, unruly power of the second.


    This is common knowledge to those high in power, and the summoning of second energy can cause catastrophic damage to the world''s ecosystem.


    This has never been an issue, though, as those can even approach such a level of summoning the second would have already left such a tiny world! It is akin to being a dragon in a pond if anyone were to do anything but that.


    Yet, that doesn''t mean someone who hasn''t reached a comprehension to summon the second realm energy, can''t! If you have a high enough bloodline or something that originates from a higher realm, then there are methods to forcefully bring destruction if you so desire!


    Bloodline is extraordinary and confusing, and the more noble or powerful it is, the more powerful an exchange will be. You cannot burn your bloodline, but you can burn your soul to force your bloodline to stimulate more of its potential.


    Thus, it depends on your bloodline on how powerful such an attempt to summon second energy would be. And, well, the chasm in the sky originates from anything but an ordinary bloodline.


    These methods normally involve the death of such madmen, but the threat alone allows these people to strike fear into the hearts of anyone they meet!


    They are akin to ticking time bombs, and if anyone were to light the fuse, destruction beyond any imaginable scale is likely.


    It also depends on the quantity of energy summoned to what destruction occurs, and although this chasm doesn''t seem to be enough to destroy a considerable domain of the heavenly section, it will most definitely annihilate the entire sect and those near it!


    Including his own!


    "We must stop this, otherwise, if whoever is summoning such an amount has malicious intent, we''re all going to die!!"


    *CRACKLE*


    Yes, the commander could no longer care about the thousands of years of planning going down the drain! It is irrelevant; as if everything is wiped off the plain of existence, then who gives a shit?!


    "Mhm... I guess your invasion is a fortune vieled in misfortune..."


    The High Elder''s eyes shined brightly as he glanced at the commander. An enemy of an enemy is a friend, and this situation requires such an enemy!


    "However, I should let you know that second realm Ancient Energy has already been summoned... It is but a grain, but this grain is a ghastly danger when we approach!"


    His voice resounded in the ears of everyone, and as the commander heard this striking news, his complexing darkened.


    "How on earth did your sect become a fighting ground between two monsters..."


    But, with clenched palms on his trusted sword, he leapt towards the party of elders and joined them. The Elders, though, kept a safe distance between the commander as they couldn''t just be friends after the mess he has caused.


    With a glance at everyone on the ground, the High Elder spoke.


    "Numbers are meaningless in a battle of this scale, so remain here and guard the broken region of our barrier to stop any who dare sneak into our sect!"


    The High Elder seemed to be leaving his once scholar like disposition as a killing intent shrouded his voice. This killing intent struck fear into the very hearts of both armies, and they didn''t dare reject the proposition.


    *CA-TCHAAAAA!!*


    An earth-shattering collection of whirling strikes of lighting once again boomed in the air. Whirpools of strange clouds formed, and as that chasm continued to grow and wriggle, the world reeled at an increasingly more terrifying pace.


    *WANGGGG*


    Then, beneath the gazes of everyone present, a spasm that thumped the very foundation of the earth''s crust spread out like a tidal wave. Following this, a bright fruitful light spewed out of every inch of ground that could be considered earth.


    "The Heavenly Array!"


    The commander gasped and a faint hope got rekindled in his eyes. The Elders also breathed sighs of relief, though the High Elder didn''t change expression.


    However, contrary to the usual reaction the group was expecting, the array began to emit disastrous quantities of Heaven''s Energy! This Energy travelled in streams, all rummaging toward the area around the chasm...


    "Hm... The Realm Overseer seems to have got the news... Considering it seems to have been manually stimulated..."


    *WHOOOOSH*


    Not waiting anymore, the group of powerhouses transformed into a dazzling combination of white and orange, whizzing off and toward the soul-crushing chasm...


    ...


    ...


    *Tick*


    *...*


    *Tick*


    "Ah, what should I do! I need to find a bodyguard for my darling, yet every beast I find has a heart full of lust! I can''t even choose a woman because of her request to have a man! Gah, she must''ve done this on purpose..!"


    Inside a tranquil room where a single white embroidered mat shone, an old man with a beard that draped the ground grumbled. A strange clock floated behind him, ticking each second.


    *...*


    *Tick*


    "It is a near impossible task to find someone with a heart and soul that caters to my needs, but I must! She cannot be endangered once I leave to the neighbouring world!"


    His heart ached as he swished his hand and summoned a simple picture frame. The image it held was that of the old man and a young girl. The girl had bright eyes, white hair and wore luxurious clothing flamed in red.


    The old man''s troubled face lifted into a smile as he gazed at the picture, but this only caused that troubled expression to magnify afterwards.


    "Although the Divine Sect told me that she would be protected no matter what, I don''t care! Her safety must be of the utmost importance, so a bodyguard is the best option considering that I can''t weaken myself to create life-saving treasures right now... But why a man?!"


    He scratched his white beard filled with age, pondering.


    "I have tried slaves, but their mindless nature really doesn''t match with my adorable darling... Nobody here has the capabilities to create slaves with emotions whilst also being strong enough, goddamn this world! I can''t even travel to the Ancient and Martial sections due to the other overseers!"


    His face grew gloomier per second as every creature for miles felt their heart flutter.


    "I don''t have enough time to practice the art, so... So... Ah..!"


    The old man''s expression brightened as an idea struck him. He knelt down, then staring at the sky as if the room wasn''t even there, he muttered.


    "Oh dear Heavens that I have held to worship for all my life, please show me a way to find a bodyguard that I desire! Uh... He doesn''t need any sort of redeeming feature, he can be ugly, I don''t care! But... I want his heart to be empty, his soul free of emotions that are lustful, loving!"


    His voice, tinged with a strange air, continued...


    "He also needs to be powerful, so powerful that nobody in this heavenly section can face him! In fact, powerful enough to be capable of destroying it!!"


    His voice soon boomed into the sky, filled with hope!


    *...*


    *Tick*


    "Ah... I''m going senile."


    The old man paused as he rubbed his eyes and got up with slight embarrassment.


    Yet...


    *Whoosh*


    "Hm?"


    In a catastrophic wave, a faint aura of absolute strength wooshed past him. His eyes widened, and then in a strange excitement, he roared!


    "Someone summoned second energy!! Hahaha! The Heavens do have eyes!"


    He hopped off the mat and ran out into a beautiful courtyard. His hand pressed the air, where a faint stream of information entered his head.


    "Oh..! Ancient and Martial Energy! Activate the Heavenly Array and hinder them!"


    His voice commanded the faint connection he had, then leaping into the sky, an excited aura seethed out of him.


    "Two..! Hahaha, I have two to choose between! Being the ''Realm'' Overseer for the Heavenly Section of this world really does have its perks!"

 70 Su Mins Enlightenmen

    "Two..! Hahaha, I have two to choose between! Being the ''Realm'' Overseer for the Heavenly Section of this world really does have its perks!"


    *RUMBLE*


    A shiver rocked the sky as his gaze brightened, then in a flash of everlasting white, he disappeared from the courtyard!


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *Thud* *THUD*


    "A split soul, huh..."


    The rumble of the rough voice shook the air around it, and as a collection of thunderous steps pounded, a golden-haired man stepped out of the darkened shadow.


    His whole being appeared to have changed from earlier. His fists seemed to hold the world, and his eyes the sky!


    His entire body was wriggling amidst disconcerting pulses. A red aura razed throughout his entire presence, yet, with those two gold and black eyes, he carried an explosive demeanour of danger.


    It was an aura of absoluteness.


    One that was about to be unsheathed!


    "You..!"


    The heavenly man''s eyes bulged when those two serious eyes locked onto him. In that exact moment, he watched his whole body shiver and then spasm with steaming perspiration.


    *WANGGGG*


    His sword paused mid-air and his heart thumped booms in his ears! A crisis of intolerable dread tingled along his arms and legs, and as he froze up, Su Min''s eyes brightened!


    The Heavenly Array also seemed to sense this, but as Su Min''s aura shrouded the area, it, in a shocking fashion, shuddered and retreated!


    "Although I am severely exhausted, I feel this strange control..."


    Su Min''s hands crackled as he, with a thunderous boom, disappeared from the man''s view!


    "Are you the reincarnation of that Ancient monster?!"


    The man''s breath was ragged as he disregarded the chasm that was starting to seeth and jumped backwards! His sword, whilst doing so, turned crystalline as all the heaven''s energy that the array summoned got forcefully sucked into it!


    *THUD*


    His eyes surveyed every inch of space around him. The sword was rattling in his hand, but he knew that he would without a doubt die if he backed down!


    *SHIING*


    Nonetheless, with a disturbing ringing boom, everything around him got encompassed in a golden hue!


    "A hundred meters..."


    *CRACK*


    A sound that was akin to thunder in the man''s ears thrashed the air as a horrifying quantity of ancient energy sprung out of oblivion! It instantly formed a gigantic glistening fist, then with a shimmer of dense power, it hurdled itself right towards the dumbfounded man!


    *BANGGGGGG*


    A thunderous clap of solidified air encompassed the sky, yet it itself was broken by an even more frightful force, causing even more dreadful shockwaves to rise and break, again and again!


    "How can you control so much energy?!"


    The man stiffened with despair as he watched that fist become the only thing in his view. It was like divine might, those sounds, offering no form of retaliation, only horror!


    The chasm in the sky trembled ever so slightly when the unmovable fist swept past it, but it was clear that it was nothing worthy of mentioning. In fact, the two floating eyes that had the flame encompassing it performed a strange move that allowed it to merge with the world...


    "Gahh!!! I can''t die, I have lived for too long.!!"


    The man''s eyes turned bloodshot as he gripped the sword and slashed down. A vigorous throbbing thumped the atmosphere, where a sudden blinding white slash developed.


    Its sharpness parted the black clouds and issued a blood-curdling shriek as it collided with the fist!


    *SLICEEEE*


    *...PSSSSTTT*


    A blast of ancient energy got swept outwards as thousands of strands disintegrated! The materialised white slash warped and trembled as sparks spat out from the fist like it was a knife trying to cut metal!


    But, this knife persisted and persevered!


    "I don''t have time for this..."


    An annoyed grumble sounded out, and in the view of the widening eyes of the man, a troubling roar echoed from space itself.


    "One Hundred and Fifty meters..."


    *SHIIIINGGG*


    His ears ruptured as an exceptional chime permeated the whole world, then as if the fist was getting driven, an abrupt acceleration hastened out of it!


    "GAH!"


    *SCREEEEECH*


    Blood spurted out of the man''s mouth as he watched on with terror. The sword slash, distorting with even more fierce shaking, began to crack!


    A desolate aura echoed, then in a mighty explosion, the whole world was lit in a blazing white!


    *FIZZZZZZ*


    *...WHOOOSH*


    Then, within this blinding white, a straining golden shape whistled like a piercing arrow and collided with the man!


    *SLAPPPP*


    *THUD*


    "Agh... I am seriously pushing it by trying to control the second energy and this roughly made fist at the same time..."


    A troubled voice sounded out as the white light dwindled, revealing two tired eyes.


    He waved his hand and dispersed whatever energy he was still controlling, then with a fierce gaze, he locked onto the two smashed eyes that were encased in a black flame.


    "Everything is so confusing..."


    His mind ached as he was reminded of what happened not too long ago...


    ...


    ...


    ...


    A couple of minutes ago, Su Min, staring at a single grain of gold in the sky, gasped!


    "W-wow..."


    A beautiful sight pierced his view as a fogged image of a massive orb of golden blasted him. It was akin to a Sun in his eyes with the constant writhing streams of gold spewing out of it!


    "This is second realm energy..?"


    Su Min went into a daze as the strange behaviour of the small sun reflected itself in his pupils. But, not even a second later, he felt an incomprehensible pain strike his soul and his chest!


    Then, in the corner of his eye, he saw a slew of golden blood splutter out of his chest!


    "A--.!!"


    He couldn''t even utter out a single cry as his body twitched then dropped on the ground. His senses switched off out of pure shock and his mind rattled! Then, with a looming presence, the threat of death grasped his feet!


    "G--..!!!"


    Su Min''s mind boomed with terror as he attempted to regain his control, but the pain made thinking extruciating!


    "Agh... You are way too rash..!"


    However, with a clear sigh, a black figure seemed to form behind Su Min''s mind and grab at something.


    *SSSSSSS*


    A cooling feeling erupted as Su Min felt the absurd pain fade. His thoughts began to recollect, and as he finally sensed that looming death vanish, he gasped...


    "W~what..."


    With his vision clearing up Su Min started to feel his body once again. He gripped his fists, then blinking a couple of times, found that he was no longer in the same world!


    It was a world encompassed in black, inked with it! And, in his view, a single black figure stood with a smile. Yet, this smile was heavy...


    "You..?"


    Su Min rubbed his eyes as he confirmed it. That figure was the one who had allowed him to live once more!


    But, the atmosphere was silent, where Su Min found no laugh erupting out of the black figure.


    "Ah... Su Min, just... Take a look at your chest."


    The figure sighed as it rubbed its eyes and waved a hand to form a single seat.


    "My... Chest?"


    Su Min questioned it, but as that memory of his chest spurting golden blood emerged, he gulped.


    "Surely..?"


    With a slow turn, he locked on to his chest...


    "..."


    Su Min froze.


    "Ahh... Su Min, you do realise that trying to perceive the second realm without fully understanding the first is suicidal?"


    The figure tapped the ground as it rubbed its face, sighing.


    "You nearly guaranteed your death by attempting that stunt! Pain has a reason to exist, and although you can defy it, sometimes that is the wrong thing to do!"


    Su Min nodded a little. Quivering.


    "Black.."


    What he saw was a scar, one etched on his first symbol... The symbol of agolden person meditating.


    It was black, a tar-like black. It encased the symbols arms and half its torso. It was akin to a burn, one of life.


    Though, in that exact moment Su Min nodded, an immediate gush of boiling power impacted his soul! He felt his whole body spasm, then gazing back at the figure, confusion and dread overtook his mind.


    "You see, you have forced your cultivation to the peak of the first level!"


    "AGH..!!"


    Su Min felt a overwhelming feeling of understanding clammer in his soul! He grabbed his head, and dropping on the ground, started to groan. He rocked backwards and forwards, but that overwhelming sensation only magnified!


    "Still, you only have half of the power you should have! You have crippled yourself!!"


    "GAHH!!!"


    Su Min''s eyes trembled with shock as the area around him mutated into a golden world full of incomprehensible sights of grandeur. Steaming streams of pure gold impacted the heavens, and then massive figures of ancient times pulverised mountains under their feet!


    Enlightenment to an overwhelming degree batted him, submerging him!


    "Luckily, you can recover because you are the Martial! Very lucky..."


    The black figure gazed at the hair-raising scene without batting an eye.


    "But, as you are now unable to transcend the first plain with your damaged bloodline, I guess you now have a reason to cultivate Martial Energy. Heh..."


    It''s smile widened with a tinge of demonic charm...


    "Well, I''ll lend you some of my dwindling power so that you can finish... your enlightenment? Pfft."

 71 A speck.

    "Well, I''ll lend you some of my dwindling power so that you can finish... your enlightenment? Pfft."


    *SHIIINGGG*


    "G-G...AGHHH!!"


    A vision encompassed in gold shined in Su Min''s eyes. Confusing riddles were confirmed, yet he had no time to even ponder on such confirmations as more branded comprehensions rammed right into his mind.


    *Step* *Step*


    The black figure''s blurred existence hazed as he took a stride and appeared before Su Min. His white spherical eyes narrowed; his forever implanted smile twitching.


    "G-G..."


    Su Min''s, with his mind in a mess, could barely realise the presence of the black figure. Yet, the hoarse and familiar voice resounded just as loudly as it used to.


    "Hm... It seems that the souls are reawakening..."


    It was unknown whether the figure was speaking to himself or Su Min, but a strange light was brewing within those deep eyes.


    "All those from old, thrown into new..."


    The figure dazedly stared at Su Min as a strange light shone.


    "Now all those in the new, the descendants of your old self..."


    His smile hung high as he gazed at Su Min.


    "Heh, ''Descendents''... Time isn''t fair, especially when those monsters bred from your very hands are released..."


    "..."


    *Step*


    He removed his gaze, deciding to stare at the fogged sky that blew a cold air every now and then...


    "Each a split soul from a powerhouse, each locked in your old bloodline. Now, pertaining with an eternity of dwelling, these souls will be relit and thrash the world''s ''harmonious'' state!"


    "... Heh..!"


    "And I shall be the one that will watch each and every one get collected like chickens by your new hands! In and out, these souls that were once beasts, now strewn to a paste!!"


    His eyes shook, where a gruesome smile widened until it etched his entire being.


    "I, the one who was once the smallest, will now laugh at their appalled faces! Their faces when this Martial here finds them; devours them... And become even stronger than them!"


    "...Hahaha!! Devils they are, but I''ll return a smile wider than those devils! That incessant torture that flung this boy around as he walked in a mortal''s body, no more..!!"


    His face grew grimmer, yet his smile wider...


    Su Min, though, was still clenching his fists and biting his lips, roaring in agony!


    "GAHHHH!!!"


    *STEP*


    "Ah yes, delightful! I brought him the Martial Book from the highest realm, and when I am no longer needed, that terrifying book shall take my place! But... I shall be the one to guide him until that time comes, guide him until every fucking wisp of his bloodline is returned. Unplagued with those souls!!"


    *STEP*


    He grasped the chair he made and relaxed, but a bloodthirsty aura soon shrouded his entire being.


    "For they are now twigs, and even if they tried to regroup, I made that especially difficult to do.!!"


    "..."


    "Ah... I''ve only got a taste of their agony, that tiny wisp wasn''t enough.!!"


    His gruesome eyes beamed as he flicked his finger. A tiny vortex formed in the space, where a pale snake-like creature got flung onto the floor. It was transparent, in fact, it resembled that of a soul...


    The figure didn''t even look at the creature. Instead, he lifted his right leg and smashed it down!


    *CRUNCH* *SQUEAL*


    "Gah..! You corrupt beasts are the reason... I want one that can at least speak, it is maddening!! Even now the fresh one is burning its soul, how aggravating!"


    "GUH..!!"


    Su Min, whilst the figure was speaking, coughed out a dark gloop of blood. His trembling muscles subsided, and his breathing began to return.


    "Ah... He''s finally out of that episode..."


    The figure froze as he watched Su Min, drenched in blood, clench his fists and lift himself off the floor.


    *SHIIINGGG*


    His right eye was that of a swishing gold, one that seemed to resemble that of a sun. It would pulse, writhe, and every time it did so, a monstrous feeling would echo.


    Its light was blinding, and it was mighty.


    "Yes... Those eyes! They''re starting to mature!"


    Su Min eyed the black figure, where a multitude of questions sprung. In fact, even through all that pain, he heard nearly all of what the figure had said...


    So, with a slight tremble, that gold eye hummed. Its light dwindled, and that originally intense feeling renounced.


    It became an ordinary eye, that of the colour gold... A dull gold.


    "Who... are you?"


    Su Min''s abrupt voice entered the silent world, but the figure didn''t seem to hear it as that smile widened.


    "Ah, Su Min that isn''t important! Well. I have already helped you break through that rather wild action! So, go and collect the bloodline, oh and also make sure that it is at least remains somewhat alive!"


    *CRACK*


    A thunderous rumble echoed in Su Min''s mind. Then, as a confusing feeling washed over his body, he found himself standing in a world brimming with destruction...


    *CA-TCHAAA!!*


    *thud* *THUD*


    "..."


    "A split soul, huh..."


    ...


    ...


    With a gasp, Su Min eyes refocused. He, gazing at the pit that was brimming with flames and even deeper craters, found that pair of lonely eyes.


    ''I really don''t like the idea, but I guess I have no choice.''


    He sighed, then taking a couple steps forward, he emerged before the two eyes submerged in black flames. They were hovering and seemed defenceless, but he felt a dangerous power shroud it.


    ''It seems to have lost any ability to think... Sorry.''


    Su Min pondered for a second, then redirecting his gaze to the chasm in the sky, he lifted his hand.


    ''I have been suppressing this energy speck from combusting for long enough... Now, to destroy this chasm.''


    His golden eye blazed like a sun as a sudden blast of great power escaped from the clouds seething above. The chasm that was beginning to take full form shuddered, then in a disconcerting pop, a finite speck of gold fell from the heavens.


    It resembled that of a fallen star, but as it grew closer and closer to Su Min, an unbridled tremor rammed the atmosphere and the clouds away from the area.


    *GRASP*


    Su Min, not caring the least, grabbed the speck as it fluttered down before him.


    "I can''t use any techniques to control this speck, so a simple punch is all I can muster... Even then, I may be pushing it."


    A dark light sparked on Su Min''s chest as that single symbol riggled with strain. A searing pain thus insued, warning him that if he were to go too far, consequences beyond redemption would be certain.


    "Yes... I am already a crippled man..."


    Su Min grumbled as he took a simple punching stance toward the sky.


    *CRACKLE*


    The chasm, finally breathing life, exuded a disturbing atmosphere as those two eyes shrouded in a flame flickered.


    "I have to destroy it before it summons any energy, otherwise it is a simple game of who has the most... And I''m pretty sure that whatever is contained within it is a lot more than this speck I stole..."


    Determination sprung. So, with a clenched fist and a single mighty speck, Su Min bit his lips and drew his arm back! That strange red haze around him trembled, and in a stupifying view, Su Min''s height grew!


    Visible muscle tissue grew on his body, seething in red!


    A set of torn clothes scattered into dust!


    *RUMMMBLLEEEE*


    The entire world shook!


    "Ancient Energy, Heed my command!"


    His legs crackled and his abs wriggled, where he soon took the ample disposition of a red giant! His nude body was that of a brutal stature, and each muscle vibrant and destructive!


    A head that clouded over anyone; a fist the size of a boulder ball! His feet brought two craters from the sheer weight, and his eyes although more dilute, sprung with a deadly light!


    "Blast!"


    A simple movement of his shot a dense array of shockwaves, and with a swivel and a tumble, he propelled his mighty fist right towards the sky!


    *GAHHH!!!"


    The world cried out a desolate chime, but Su Min didn''t even hear such a gruesome screech and hurdled his fist right into the chasm!


    His stature was large enough to directly punch the sky!


    *SHIIIIINGGGGG*


    *...*


    *POOWWWWW*


    A tremor beyond description erupted out of Su Min''s fist as it collided with the pitch black chasm!


    *PSSST*


    The entire world suddenly got revoked of colour as a blackness beyond any darkness invaded! Yet, within this nothingness known as night, a twilight from a speck replaced all colour!


    It glowed a sun-like light, invoking awe as if it were the sun!


    *CRACK*


    Nevertheless, that sun soon withstood a strenuous crack as a burst of even more remarkable daylight blasted outward!


    *CRACK CRACK....*


    It grew brighter and brighter, more dazzling!


    "A sun in a speck, the second energy, BLAST THIS CHASM!!"


    A hoarse voice erupted out as a swift gigantic figure slapped that cracking speck!


    *BANGGGG*


    *...CRACK*

 72 The Overseer

    *...CRACK*


    *...*


    *SHIIINGGGG-G-GGGG!!*


    ...


    ...


    *SHIINNGGG...!!"


    "What?!"


    *RUMBLE!*


    "The world..!!"


    Within the view of the stupified elders and the trembling commander, an absolute sound chimed into their ears. Then, like a disconcerting realisation, they found that the world in front of them had darkened...


    *GRRRRRRR*


    Yet, within a single minute moment, a single blink, that darkness became a void-like nothingness! They found that, for miles, no, tens of miles, an empty nothingness encompassed their view!


    "Second..!!"


    An aggrieved cry resounded as the head-elder suddenly leapt back with a face full of fright! The commander was the only being capable of seeing this sudden retreat, and without even thinking, he followed suit!


    *THUD*


    Then, as if it were responding to their outcry, a quiet bang blasted outwards... However, this blast of billowing sound seemed to ignore the physical limits of the world!


    Instead, as if it were light itself, it instantly passed through the world and onto all life within it!


    This thud was akin to a worldwide broadcast, something that you cannot ignore! It is unable to be stopped, and it travels at a speed beyond sound!


    This noise, a glorious racket! It was one that ringed in the heads of the elders closest to its source, ringing like chiming bells that were echoing in their hearts!


    "Run..!!"


    Fear beyond terror suddenly encompassed the entire realm as the elders and anyone in a thousand-mile proximity shook. A collection of paper-white faces brightened, then in a retreat in the dozens, the elders all collectively attempted to escape!


    They didn''t know why they felt so terrified, so utterly incapable of fighting back, but this feeling was the truest they could possibly experience!


    *PSST*


    Nevertheless, within the vision of the widening eyes of the elders and even the commander a couple miles back, a distraught and terrifying shockwave formed within this nothingness.


    Even though it was within this emptiness where even light seemed to be suppressed, its gleam shined right into everyone''s eyes...


    It was pitch black, no, a golden black...


    The instant it formed, the world froze and the heaven''s bled. The void-like area trembled and everyone felt their blood boil.


    "A second realm shockwave..."


    A terror-stricken voice muttered, and with an even more wild aura, the head elder disregarded anyone around him and accelerated to his topmost speed!


    *SHIINGG*


    That shockwave didn''t even seem to conform to reality as it instantly doubled in size! From a mile wide, it went to two!


    "An exponential destruction..."


    The commander''s eyes widened as he gazed at the shockwave seething in a disastrous atmosphere. It''s black tinged gold made his skin crawl, and as everything beneath it got revoked and returned to its most primal powers, he gulped.


    "This is from a single speck?! The rumours were underestimating the power of the second!!"


    His voice roared as his figure warped. He seemed to haze out of existence, and in a massive leap of speed, he appeared a couple of miles away. This was coincidentally where the head-elder was, and the elders who were weaker were only a couple of miles in front.


    Still...


    "I feel dizzy..."


    Those elders seemed to be slowing down... A strange force was permeating the air, one that made thinking, moving and even using techniques difficult. It only grew, but this was not the growth of simple stature.


    It was an exponential growth...


    "It''s expanding again..!!"


    One of the elder''s eyes widened even further as he was trying to escape!


    *SHIINGG*


    And from 2 miles, it, in an instantaneous bellow, encompassed 4 miles of the world in all directions!


    A massive quantity of the world instantly vaporised, where the shockwave had actually encircled that empty nothingness and had finally reached an intact length of the land.


    These elders trembled and quaked with terror as they attempted to fly faster. But, that force that permeated the air had actually doubled in strength!


    "N-No!"


    One of the elders cried out. The figure was of a petite girl, who with a pale face, had an aura of utter despair. She never would''ve thought that today of all days would be her ending grace, for she has lived for hundreds of years!


    The longer you live, the less you want to die! That is a plague of cultivators, and when death befalls, feelings of indignation and unbridled horror would sweep them out of their usual illusive countenance!


    Why does she have to die? She has lived a life of luxury as if she were the heavens herself, gazing down onto the many who could only be in awe of her beauty and power!


    Yet, within a literal moment, that all falls before her in a cataclysmic shockwave beyond any common ground! Who said she would want to die for this sect? Who said that such a grand power would revoke any form of resistance?!


    *SHIINNGGG*


    Though, within her unwilling eyes, as she flew only a couple hundred meters more with the immense force weighing down on her, that same sundering chime thrashed her soul!


    "THIS DOESN''T MAKE SENSE!!"


    Her eyes turned bloodshot as she watched that shockwave that had paused twitch. This twitch seemed to play all too long in her eyes, and in the next moment, only blackness...


    A blackness tinged with gold blasted her vision...


    "GA-"


    She couldn''t even cry as she felt her entire body break down into a cloud of dust. This dust soon turned into a faint sprinkle of sparkles, and within this sparkle, a tiny soul attempted to escape.


    But this soul was way to undeveloped in the first place to survive without a body. Even then, that wouldn''t matter as a power beyond wrapped around it and burnt it alive like it were an insignificant splint.


    *PSST*


    The only noise representing her life was a tiny crackle of dim light, and even then this couldn''t escape being devoured shortly after. Her life, but a grain, a little thing...


    As all is, and everything will be before a power they cannot face. For you an ant before a tiger and a tiger before an ant. You are a frog, and it is all depending on which well you are within, for whenever you leave a well as a frog, you find yourself in an even wider well...


    This well, as well, is within another.


    Like an infinite loop of finite power. Cosiness and prosperity are but standing on a thread, and if anyone powerful enough were to will the death of that prosperity, it will die.


    Like the girl, each and every elder died in that instant. As an instant is all it takes.


    "DAMMIT!!"


    The head-elder''s face which was full of aggrieved rage roared, but he couldn''t do anything! What can he do, summon second energy? If only!


    "Overseer, save us!!"


    His eyes blasted a primal light as he roared in the sky. He had no other option anymore, as he didn''t dare estimate the size this shockwave could potentially take.


    It has already encompassed 8 miles of the world, and he was only 2 miles away from it! By his calculations, and dreaded ones at that, it would soon overtake him and destroy 16 miles of the heaven''s section!


    As, it is by nature, exponential in growth!


    16,32,64,128!


    These numbers were horrifying and inconceivable! Though a strange realisation came with it. Explaining why this energy is a forbidden tool of destruction...


    *SHIINNGGG*


    Nonetheless, nobody replied to his call as that disconcerting sound reverberated right into his soul...


    "Oh dear..."


    The High-Elder''s eyes narrowed as he looked to the side and found the commander. The commander''s eyes were shining a deathly light, where with a slight turn, that commander looked right back.


    "We might as well try..."


    A similar thought entered both of their minds...


    Yet, just as they were about to attempt their last, a troubled voice penetrated the broken sky.


    "Ah, this is bad..."


    Then, in a dense sudden tremor, that shockwave that was about to expand once more paused!


    "These second-realm shockwaves are really annoying to figure out, but I can''t help feeling so pleased!!"


    As his voice rang once more, an old man materlised before the two solemn men. His beard swayed gently in the chaotic winds, and his eyes that were a bright blue narrowed.


    "Hahaha, the heavens are really benevolent!"


    The head-elder and the commander felt confusion as they looked at the strangely cheerful expression of the old man. They could already guess his identity, but for him to be happy..?


    "Now, let us see what beautiful, lustless man I have been gifted!"


    "..?"


    The two had a strange expression as they watched on. They thought for a second, and no matter how hard they tried to shake it off, this thought wouldn''t leave their minds...


    ''He couldn''t be...''


    ''...''


    ''No. The awe-inspiring Overseer would never have a perverted hobby like that.''


    However, they quickly threw the idea out of their heads...


    "Come to papa!"


    The overseer obviously wasn''t paying attention to the two trembling elders. Instead, his eyes were blazing as he looked at the shaking shockwave being somehow suppressed by his hands!


    He waved such hands, and in a terrifying wave of strange power, the entire shockwave got lifted up! It didn''t take long for it to enter the atmosphere, and it displayed a perfectly round sphere of a tinged black!


    "Now, go and play pong with our neighbours!"


    His eyes lit with a peculiar blue as his hands became hazed. Then, with a sudden and overwhelming push, that massive orb of black and gold got stuck out of the atmosphere!


    It was similar to punching a small metal ball and watching it fly off. Though, this ball was a massive 8-mile radius orb! Thus, the huge destructive sphere soon disappeared from the world and from their eyes!


    It was as if nothing had even occurred, where the only thing remaining was the massive 8-mile wide chasm that was encompassed in darkness!


    "..."


    The two froze as their eyes got overwhelmed in awe. To be able to pull off what had just occurred, they didn''t dare guess the required cultivation...


    ''Is he a second-realm cultivator?''


    The old man didn''t seem to care about their gazes as his eyes narrowed even further. But, strangely enough, his face widened into a smile.


    "Hm, one of them seemed to have dissipated... But, the remaining fellow looks just fine to me!"


    No longer holding back, the old man grasped the air once more with his hazed hand! No reaction was instigated from this grab, only a faint whooshing sound from within the abyss of black!


    "Hehe..."


    A malevolent aura seemed to exude faintly out of the old man, causing the two behind him to pale. They took a step back, but as that streaking sound magnified, their eyes widened...


    ''No, stop! It is blasphemy to think of such horrendous actions being committed by the almighty overseer!! Stop!''


    Their minds raged as that guess kept getting pushed out.


    Anyway, the old man soon caused these conflicting thoughts to stutter to a creeping halt.


    "Finally, with all the men I have tried, I have found one strong enough to satisfy me!"


    ''..!!''


    Their eyes widened to a glaring bulge, staring ahead with frozen postures.


    *BANG*


    *GRAB*


    Then, in a whizzing emergence, a golden-haired man in tatters blasted their sight. His eyes were half shut and an aura of absolute exhaustion plagued him.


    *Sniff*


    "This bloodline..."


    The old man''s eyes turned serious for a second as he sniffed the aura around the golden-haired man. Then in a pause of shock, his smile broadened!


    "A higher ancient bloodline! I can''t seem to identify it, but even if it is at the bottom this is still incredible!!"

 73 Work for me!

    Teetering with a slight sway, and hovering above a cold stone floor, a single figure swayed beneath a ray of white light. This light lit only his form, one slouched and exhausted.


    Each arm, suspended and bound to a limitless chain of metal. Each limb also punctured on a shimmering surface behind him. Such a wall was also tied to a chain, swinging with him.


    He was covered and encompassed in chain.


    He seemed to be beaten down. Though, an aura of absolute danger still shrouded this chained area. There was no single living creature near his proximity, only that lifeless chain...


    It was as if he was a fallen War God; set out and thrown into an area beyond anything living. To die by the hands of time itself.


    *RATTLE*


    A tremor rocked the air around such a person, where a sudden dense collection of metallic boom ricocheted outwards. Tearing cracks seemed to form beneath him. Widening as an impenetrable collection of shockwaves thundered.


    "Locked..?"


    A glaring golden colour that seemed to replace all light blazed out of the figure as two eyes opened ever so slightly.


    *RATTLE*


    A deafening noise responded as those metallic booms formed numerous currents of fierce winds.


    "Ah... Am I missing anything..?"


    His eyes opened even further as that terrifying glare magnified.


    *RATTLE RATTLE*


    "Wait... How am I still wearing the jacket..? I thought it broke. Huh..."


    His voice rumbled as his aura soon began to materialise into a strange golden haze. This fogged aura seemed to be angered, annoyed...


    *RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE*


    "Good, I didn''t lose it... Though by how the black figure described it, I probably wouldn''t be able to anyway...."


    A mysterious light shined in his frightening eyes as he gazed at a certain pocket on his body. Though, he didn''t ponder for too long as those eyes were redirected forward.


    "Hm, I feel like a monster in all these chains..."


    A sensation that seemed to be edging toward a boundary shined out of the figures eyes as they fully opened. A collection of pops ensued, and in a gloomy expression, the figure''s body trembled before tugging at one of the massive chains binding it!


    *THUD...*


    *RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE Rattle rattle...*


    A deafening boom that formed a fearsome force escaped out of him! This force was akin to a full out attack of a peak Martial Condensation, who in this world were overlords!


    Anyone would die in front of such a power, yet the chains binding him only trembled for a while until fading back into the stillness from before!


    This would be shocking to anyone and everyone with a little bit of knowledge. No normal metal would be able to withstand an attack capable of forming craters miles wide, and even then, who can with but a tug produce such power?


    The only people that would come to mind would be the Overseers! Yet, this man was no such person...


    *Sizzle*


    Nevertheless, as the figure relaxed after tugging, a searing sound emerged from his chest...


    It only lasted for a second, but a visible spasm shook his body in that time.


    "This is bad..."


    A tired and annoyed voice escaped from the figure as his glowing eyes stared into space for a while.


    "..."


    *Sigh*


    A sigh escaped out of him as his eyes dimmed till they no longer illuminated the area. His seething aura also dissipated, causing the chilling atmosphere to lighten a tad.


    "I can''t use my comprehensions too much right now, so ancient energy is a no go..."


    This figure was Su Min!


    "But it is clear that whoever did this is far more powerful than me... But I''m not dead, and they could have killed me in the time it took to lock me up like an animal."


    His dim eyes narrowed as he tugged the chains once again. Though with less force than last time.


    "Mhm... It seems that my strength has increased dramatically after that mishap, rivalling my complete power before the rise. But these chains still won''t budge. Gah."


    Gloominess enveloped his face as he attempted to scratch his head, but found himself incapable to do so.


    "Stupid..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "... Yes, you indeed are!"


    "?!"


    Su Min''s eyes trembled as he found a sudden voice reply to him!


    Then, in a radiant white, a silhouette that emerged out of thin air materialised in front of Su Min! His beard swayed in the occasional breeze and his eyes flashed a bright blue, staring right at that shocked expression.


    "Hahaha, caught you off guard, eh?"


    Smugness was etched on his face as he laughed, though Su Min was doing anything but that.


    ''I didn''t sense him!''


    However, Su Min quickly disregarded this thought as a shiver plunged right through his soul!


    ''This... What on earth...?''


    An emotion he hasn''t encountered for a while swallowed him whole! It was one of something full, a terrorising feeling! Weakness!


    ''I''m still weak..?''


    He didn''t know why, or how, but whenever that blue gaze clashed with this, weakness filled him! It was so great that he felt like a beggar in front of this man; as if he were gazing up to a king!


    He has renounced the feeling of weakness ever since that day where such weakness devoured him! Although it felt long ago, one that was separated in a literal life taken, he still couldn''t forget!


    All because he was weak, Yu Yan died! All because he was weak, the sword youth died! All because he was weak, he himself had died!


    Even with his lost emotions of attachment, hate cannot be revoked. It''s just that, as there is something missing within these memories, this hate will fill those gaps and cloud whatever sentiment of happiness he once felt.


    No matter the reason, he had vowed to save someone, yet died due to his own weakness! These memories were painful, painful throughout. And weakness instigated such memories that were all too much for him.


    He had responsibilities that he could no longer uphold, like that girl Yu Yan saved. What has happened to her now? Or Yi Zan? Wouldn''t the Lin Family just kill them as well?


    He was thus filled with hate ever since that day, and felt the subconsciousness need to mindlessly destroy! And just as this thought emerged, Su Min felt as if a bucket of cold-water was being drenched on him.


    ''Ah... I have forgotten the reason I even wanted to reincarnate. Hatred has plagued me...''


    "Oh..? You can feel my power?"


    Interested flashed through those blue eyes as the old man smiled. Su Min''s expression, though, froze as a thought entered his head.


    ''What have I been doing all this time? I fight a sect to obtain information about humanities location, yet I haven''t obtained anything of the sort. It devolved into madness, and I got sidetracked by my own bloodline!


    I decided to ignore these thoughts subconsciously, revelling in my own power that has achieved nothing!


    I have done nothing but kill, kill and kill!''


    Su Min''s frozen face distorted as he felt powerless.


    ''My bloodline isn''t important right now! I have obtained two wisps, and the effects seem to not do anything that widespread, so I don''t care!


    I can''t go against my promise to protect the kid Yu Yan died for, and even then I left a mess for those who stayed near me to fix! Instead of pushing my hatred from the past onto all these here, I should rectify it at its source!''


    The old man, unbeknownst to the sudden enlightenment that he had caused, rubbed his beard as he gazed at Su Min''s expression.


    "Hm... It seems that you have something urgent?"


    Su Min''s eyes lit up the second he heard that.


    "Well, hehe, consider this proposition..."


    *Cough*


    The old man''s eyes brightened up with hope as he cleared his throat.


    "Work for me, and I''ll grant you any wish you desire!"

 74 Questions.

    "Work for me, and I''ll grant you any wish you desire!"


    "..?"


    ...


    ...


    *COUGH*


    "Wha..? I''m still alive?"


    A confused murmur escaped in a strangely blackened world. This world was encompassed in numerous streaks of bladed wind, and in front of the source of the murmur, a shaky hut stood.


    Nevertheless, the entire world seemed to be vague, fogged. Incomplete to a drastic degree.


    "Yes!"


    All of a sudden, and responding to this murmur, a pitch-black figure materialised and stared at a beaten down boy. This boy, though, didn''t seem to be real but more of a ghost.


    His entire body was semi-transparent and shrouded in a pale white. What was also odd was that the uncountable streaks of sharp wind didn''t even react to his presence...


    "But..."


    The boy''s eyes shivered as an onslaught of memories battered him. Tears welled, and as he stared at that insidious figure in front of him, he clenched his teeth!


    "Goddammit!!"


    Rage fermented as he pummelled the blackened dirt beneath him, but the ground didn''t even tremor. It remained deathly still, not even a speck of dirt reacted.


    "Oh..?"


    The black figure''s stark white eyes widened as an etching grin encapsulated his being. The boy took a glimpse of this, but this only magnified the rage in his broken heart...


    "You''re one of them as well!! Then, then... Just kill with me then! I don''t have anything left anyway!"


    Indignation shrouded him as the boy stuttered to a halt and awaited death. There was no grace for him being alive, he would rather be dead and forget about these disturbing memories. They irked, seethed in his soul-like body and forming an invisible and elusive pain; one that stabbed much harder than anything physical!


    He doesn''t even know where he is right now and how he got here, but he felt horrified. He felt as if he were in a slaughterhouse, and his heart would unendingly thump due to this; no matter how hard he tried to calm down.


    Those streaking black blades of wind, that strange hut, they all terrorised him! Yet, these all ignored him as if he wasn''t even worth their time, and this left a bad taste in his mouth.


    ''I''m not even worth death, am I? Death isn''t worthy for someone who deserves much worse!''


    Despair was riddled in his dark eyes as he found his existence to be pointless. But that black figure remained still.


    "How could I let you die when you have been so masterfully transported into the world you fear and I love? Hehe, you see, you may be of use for the Martial!"


    The black figure''s eyes brightened as he lifted his hand into the air.


    "Boy, I will form a body for you and set you out to serve the Martial! For this could be considered a chance for you, so don''t go thinking about death but think about bringing death to appease your cracked heart! Fill that heart with that feeling, and tie it up so that you can forget! Because death won''t be your saviour, trust me."


    Following this, a strange haze of concentrated black got puffed out of the figure''s hand. It swished and churned in the placid air of a fake world, glistening like a precious jewel.


    "Form the bloodline of the Martial''s first servant, the Martial Warrior of the high realm!"


    As these words echoed, a bright everlasting light pierced the world and emerged before the figure! It shone with an ethereal atmosphere, and within this light, two wisps of dark blood swayed!


    These wisps brought with them a disastrous aura, and the world responded with a fierce shake! In fact, within the world''s sky, dormant heavenly energy began to seethe.


    "I have to fight your races High Heaven''s to do this, so Kid, you better be grateful!"


    A serious twitch flickered around the figures grin as he stared at the sky that was beginning to waver. The limitless streaks of black wind also replied, humming and then pulsating with anger toward the sky!


    "By the catalysed nature of the true Martial Bloodline, I command creation itself to form a bloodline! Because, through the power of the Martial, creation is my plaything!"


    The two wisps in front of him shook with a strange tremor as fierce energy escaped from the figure and into it. The energy formed a constant black stream of obscureness, one that caused the boy''s heart to shake even further.


    *ROARRRR*


    Yet, with a shocking emergence, a blood-curdling roar echoed out of the sky! A fierce killing intent then formed, aimed right at the black figure!


    "Man, I wish I could just form this bloodline in the lower realm and face that shitty version of the heavens, but the world still has laws I can''t go against..."


    He sighed, then with eyes beginning to seethe amidst an old power, he ignored the growl and clenched his fogged palm and grasped the two wisps of blood in front of him.


    *MMMMMM*


    An even denser concentration of darkened energy spewed into the two wisps, causing them to shake with keen cries of excitement!


    "I guess I''ll need to push myself to activate the required law within these wisps... The Martial Bloodline never ceases to amaze me..."


    His eyes narrowed as a rare sense of nostalgia shined, but he quickly revoked such feelings as that killing-intent in the sky hastened!


    ...


    ...


    "... So you want me to guard your daughter?"


    A confused expression was etched on Su Min''s face as he gazed at the old man.


    "Yes! I have seen your heart, and it is perfect for the situation!"


    The old man clapped as his face''s smile widened even more, full of brimming hope.


    Though, Su Min didn''t really understand why the old man was going all through this...


    "Then why don''t you just force someone else to guard her? Isn''t threatening to take their life enough to stop any apparent ''lust'' filled thoughts from entering their minds?"


    Common questions emerged that anyone would ask to the strange situation. Because, death is what most fear, so why would they go against the commands of a powerful overseer all to appease a heartful desire?


    "Hahaha! Good questions, but you''ll understand when you see her!"


    A perplexing laugh escaped out of the old man as he awaited the answer anyway.


    "... Mhm, so why don''t you just force me?"


    Su Min still wasn''t having it as caution flashed.


    "Well, if I were to force you then you might not work to your fullest potential, or even do something that disregards my command! No employer wants their employees to hate them when they aren''t even there to supervise, right?"


    The old man smirked as he continued to wait for the response.


    "That''s fine then... Uh, but aren''t you a heavenly being, whilst I''m an ancient? Shouldn''t you hate me?"


    *Rumble*


    "Bwah, that stuff is stupid if you ask me! Not that it matters right now, as my daughter will be going to the Martial section to train in a rare sect that cultivates heavenly energy! And as I said earlier, I need you to guard her and stay with her at ALL times. The Heavenly section is too boring for my taste, so she needs to feel the danger of the other energies, like your ancient nature!"


    Su Min''s eyes shined for the first time. If he was going to be transported to the Martial section then finding humanity would be a lot easier! If so then he could disregard using the wish he would be granted if he could find their location himself.


    Well, that''s if what the old man is saying isn''t a lie. But, why would he lie?


    "There are sects that cultivate Heavenly energy in a Martial Zone?"


    Though, Su Min was still puzzled by that fact...


    "Heh, you see that these three sections are formed to be biased to a certain energy, but that doesn''t mean you can''t cultivate and comprehend the others! You should know that sensing ancient energy in this realm is more difficult compared to doing it in the Ancient Section."


    The old man explained, and Su Min nodded half-heartedly.


    ''So there are three sections in the world... Though I wouldn''t benefit from any of it as I cannot even go any further with ancient energy right now, so Martial cultivation is the only path I can take.''


    As this thought entered Su Min firmed his mind...


    "One final thing... How long do I have to do this for?"


    "..."


    "A year!"


    Su Min froze whilst the old man''s eyes narrowed.


    ''Agh. That''s way too long... Hm... But, there will be a possibility if I am able to convince this old man''s daughter to, let''s say, explore and coincidentally find the human sect... I can''t refuse anyway, as what will happen to me then?''


    *RUMBLE*


    A strange rumble shook around Su Min as his dormant aura sprung back and covered him in a haze of gold. An atmosphere of a pinnacle being spread, causing shivers to crawl on the ground and the chains that bound him.


    *RATTLE*


    "I accept!"


    The old man''s face lifted into joy as he appeared before Su Min and patted his back.


    "Good good! You''re bringing great help to this old man here!"

 75 Back home.

    "Good good! You''re bringing great help to this old man here!"


    ...


    ...


    *BANGGGG*


    "Huff. Huff."


    With a thunderous thud and a glint of everlasting white, a girl dressed in a red robe punched a dummy in front of her. The dummy had the number ''6'' written on it, taking the form of a simple figure.


    The punch brought a deafening boom in the plains she stood on, where shockwaves thumped and crunched in the atmosphere like divine chimes.


    However, when that disastrous punch thrashed the motionless dummy, the only booming response was a single crack on where her fist met. The dummy didn''t even fall back...


    The girl''s eyes shined with annoyance as she drew her first back and wiped the sweat on her brow. She spoke no words, though...


    *WOOOSH*


    With a drawn fist, she attacked once more...


    *BANGGGG*


    The dummy didn''t even crack.


    "Huff. Huff."


    Exhaustion paled on her face as she staggered backwards. Fumes were wafting out of her bright red palm; the skin on her fist was even beginning to flake off.


    "I''m still nowhere near the strength of a sixth step Martial Condensation Cultivator?"


    The annoyance in her eyes deepened even further as she huffed out before marching away from the dummy. A strange vortex formed in front of her, and as she stood in, the world in front of her transformed into a simple room where a cultivation mat and bed lay.


    A bookshelf was also to side, having numerous manuals and strange items laid on the shelves.


    The girl paid no attention to this as she jumped onto her bed and grumbled.


    "Why do I have to do this..."


    She grabbed the soft pillow beneath her and hugged it. However, a strange mischievous expression soon replaced her annoyed face.


    "But Master surely can''t find anyone. So I probably don''t even need to bother with this stupid training anyway..."


    Her eyes dwindled as she stared at the wooden ceiling, eventually turning to the books on the shelf. She pouted for a while as she pondered.


    "Hrmm, I don''t want to risk it."


    Then, in a leap, she appeared on the mat beside her with a single book in hand. This book had the title ''Heavenly Condensation'' written, carrying a surreal vibe of divine nature.


    "Even if Master doesn''t find someone, I still won''t allow myself to be beaten by a dummy!"


    ...


    ...


    *Step* *Step*


    "..."


    With a pair of black and golden eyes, a man with a set of golden hair wandered through a narrow passageway. This passage was white in its purest form, glistening with a pristine sheen.


    "So your name''s Su Min?"


    An old man leading the way spoke with a soft voice. His eyes shined an oceanic blue, and although his face was full of wrinkles, a vibrant vitality seethed around him.


    "Mhm."


    Su Min nodded as his dull eyes narrowed with a sudden twitch, staring into the distance. The old man glimpsed at Su Min''s reaction as he stroked his beard.


    "Hm, well I''m Wen Yu."


    *Step* *Step*


    His eyes shined a strange light as the hallway soon revealed an entrance. There were two double doors, encrusted in a fine wood that fanned a fresh zephyr.


    Wen Yu paused as he breathed in the air, then grasping the wood handle, he pulled it open.


    *Creeeakk*


    A bright light streaked into the dim hallway as a modest garden shone into view. A couple of extraordinary birds fluttered past with cheered chirps, and a small pond was swept upwards with lavish scaled fish.


    The grass was of a luscious green that seemed to surpass common colour; the dirt a contrasting brown that brought a pleasing feeling to the eye.


    It wasn''t large, and the only thing accompanying this garden was a small wooden house and a hut. The house had a rough door and, for some reason, no windows.


    "Ah... I can relax once more."


    Wen Yu yawned as he took a glimpse at the peaceful scenery. Su Min''s dull eyes had remained the same throughout, though, which made Wen Yu quite aggravated.


    However, after a while, Su Min seemed to be frowning as he stared at an inconspicuous spot under the house. Wen Yu''s eyes flashed as he noticed this, and an eventual smirk replaced his sour expression.


    "Heh, I''ll show you to your room then."


    Su Min eventually left that gaze as he looked ahead again. But that frown wouldn''t leave him.


    *Woosh*


    Although Wen Yu didn''t seem to be in a rush, he still didn''t bother to walk to the house as he appeared before it. He grasped the handle much the same way, but a mysterious glint shined in his eyes whilst doing so.


    *PSST*


    Then, with a pulse of white, Wen Yu suddenly disappeared in a ray of light!


    "..."


    Su Min paused and his eyes narrowed.


    "This house..."


    A glint of ancientness billowed in his dull golden eye as a strange feeling thrummed in his chest. He had already found that something was wrong with that house, but by the display of the overseer, it was indeed correct.


    "Hm... This trip will probably be a headache."


    He sighed, then strolling before the house and crushing some flowers in the way, Su Min disappeared in a ray of light.


    *Woooooshh*


    "?"


    Su Min staggered backwards as he found himself in a whole different world.


    "I''m moving..?"


    His expression froze as he took a glimpse at what he was standing on. It was a metal structure, one that narrowed into a point in the distance. In fact, it seemed to resemble a compass.


    As Su Min thought this, he decided to survey around him, and indeed, he was inside a giant compass...


    "Hehe, welcome to my world!"


    The old man revealed himself with a grin as he stared at the strange world. It was subtle, but the platform they were standing on was slowly rotating...


    That was because it was the compasses needle!


    Su Min rubbed his head as he tried to take it in. To be standing on a world-sized compass, how could anyone just brush that off?


    The old man eyes shined a mysterious light as he ignored Su Min and wandered further forward. Su Min paused as he saw this, but seeing no other way to go, he decided to follow.


    It didn''t take long for the metal structure to narrow further, and as Su Min was beginning to feel sceptical, a floating ray of light revealed itself far away.


    The old man remained unchanged to this as he explained.


    "This is one of the transporting compasses that stabilises the world! Of course, I control the heavenly compass, so I can easily transport you to the Martial Section!"


    Su Min eyes flashed as he stared at the ray. A faint impatience shrouded him; like this opportunity could dissipate in front of him.


    *WANGG*


    The old man sighed as he stopped before the ray of light. He didn''t walk in though...


    "I won''t go with you, as I need to collect my daughter, so just stay in the sect you get sent to!"


    His eyes shone with a stern light as he stared at Su Min, who was currently eyeing the ray of light.


    "Mhm..."


    Su Min didn''t feel anything dangerous from the light, so he didn''t hesitate to step into it.


    *PSHEWWW*


    ''This feels weird...''


    His view was soon encompassed in a pale white as he felt his body enter a strange space. Time seemed to lose meaning for a moment, and in the next instant, he was standing on a greyish ground.


    A small crater formed around him, presumably due to the transportation or maybe because he was travelling at high altitudes. He had no idea, though, as for him to travel from the heavenly section to the martial, the distances involved must be astronomical.


    But, this was all unimportant as he felt a strange shiver pulse around his body. An aura he hasn''t felt for a long time seeped into him.


    ''It really is the Martial Realm...''


    He surveyed the area around him, and quite conveniently, two mountain peaks stood in the distance. Though, these peaks had a completely different atmosphere compared to the world, one heavenly, divine.


    "So I got transported to the rare sect that cultivates heavenly energy...?"


    Su Min''s eyes narrowed as that peak that was far in the distance got magnified until he could see everything clearly. The sect seemed to be quite powerful, as when he did this, a faint dangerous sensation blasted him.


    *Wanggg*


    Su Min removed his gaze as he pondered. Though, the sect seemed to react as a thin film of light attempted to block his gaze that he had already removed.


    "If I recover then they shouldn''t be too much of an issue, but right now, it would be troublesome... "


    He clenched his fists as that blistered symbol on his chest hummed painful stings. He could only use his physical strength right now without damaging his foundation any further, which was about the same strength of a normal 8th step Martial Condensation cultivator.


    "I reach the boundary separating the two realms of strength with Ancient Energy... Quite annoying to be so weak right now, as my job depends on my strength."


    Su Min pondered for a bit, but he could only do so for a while as he sensed a faint fluctuation in the distance. It was coming from the sect...


    "They must be inviting me in, heh..."


    Not caring the least, Su Min took a slow stroll towards the sect and waited for whoever was going to meet him.


    "Stop!"


    And so, in a ray of heavenly light, a robed woman appeared before Su Min and stopped his light stroll. Su Min remained unchanged to all this as a single thought entered his mind.


    ''6th step strength, weak...''


    "Hm... I came here on behalf of the Heaven''s Realm Overseer, so could you give me a room to stay in."


    Su Min spoke to the woman floating in the air with the same dull eyes.


    "The overseer?"


    The woman paused as she eyed Su Min in detail. The only reason she was sent out was that the sect''s defence array had detected a powerful sense. Unfortunately whatever was causing the reaction had only emerged for a split second, and most of the higher-ups thought it was a fluke


    But, to make sure she was sent out to survey the area. And strangely enough, she found this odd man walking towards the sect...


    She found no powerful aura around the man, and his looks were ordinary, so she only went up to him to make sure.


    But, to think that he would demand a room and say that he was here on behalf of the overseer?


    "Are you mad..?"


    The woman furrowed her brows as she continued to gaze at Su Min. Although he seemed weak, his indifference made her uneasy.


    Su Min sighed in return as he decided to ignore her and continue to walk.


    "Well whatever, he''ll be coming soon anyway and I have a job to do. So don''t get in my way, please?"


    *Step* *Step*


    The woman''s face soon turned dumbfounded as Su Min strolled past her and toward the sect.


    "... You dare?!"


    To think that someone would ever disrespect her to such an embarrassing degree? Although she wasn''t in a high position in the sect, she was still in the top 1000 in the disciple rankings!


    Though, when her resounding roar blasted past Su Min, he didn''t even flinch.


    "..!!"


    Her ashen face finally blew as she disappeared from view with seething rage. The world rumbled, and then in a chaotic spew of white light, a pellet of water formed above Su Min.


    It quivered with an oceanic aura, then with a speed far surpassing sound, it shot right at him!


    Yet, Su Min remained unchanged as he paused with a sigh.


    "I did ask politely..."


    His voice rumbled with annoyance as he clenched his grip! The woman''s eyes widened as she gasped on instinct, but it was all too late...


    *PSSH*


    His fist, with an instantaneous motion that only brought afterimages in the woman''s eyes, intercepted that pellet of water that was about to collide with him!


    *PECK*


    The woman''s eyes quivered with terror as she felt her body freeze up!


    *ssSSS-* *Drip... Drip*


    Steam wafted out of Su Min''s palm as a couple droplets of warm water pitter-pattered onto the grass. Su Min lowered his hand after a pause, soon returning to his slouched demeanour.


    "If you want to kill me, then why can''t I?"


    His voice, tinged in a killing intent, agitated the sky. The woman''s face turned pale in sweat as she felt her entire world get drenched in a blood red, and in the same moment, a terrifying aura locked onto her.


    "W-wait, senior!"


    Su Min didn''t even respond as he appeared before her and grasped her neck like a chicken.


    "GA-"


    Her eyes widened as she kicked the air out of panic and despair, but it was all pointless...


    *CRACK*


    "..."


    Su Min''s dull eyes narrowed as he watched her face turn limp and her eye''s light fade...


    *THUD*


    Her body, soon after, left his grip and thumped the ground.


    "Why didn''t he give me something to verify my identity?"

 76 Part ways.

    "Why didn''t he give me something to verify my identity?"


    With a lingered stare, Su Min sighed. His eyes had remained dull throughout the fight, the only reason being that he didn''t even instigate his control over the ancient energy.


    *WANGGG*


    Yet, just as he was about to stroll off again, a bright light formed a couple meters behind him. Two silhouettes materialised, then in a muffled thud, an old man and a girl struck his view.


    "Master, you seriously found someone?"


    A rather surprised voice escaped out of the now dwindling light, where the girl seemed to be rather shaken. Yet, as Su Min''s eyes landed on said girl, they widened...


    ''Oh... I can see why he was worried about ''desires''...''


    Even though he couldn''t feel anything from this gaze, or from her looks, he could still tell that she was beautiful. No, she was beyond any common beauty he had ever seen in his life; far surpassing such beauty, and entering a realm where it is dangerous to the mind.


    Her face, perfect in every aspect, but changed in a way that surpassed perfection... Her eyes, blue, but an oceanic blue that breathed a refreshing but seductive aura.


    Her hair was black, but the shimmering contrast it brought with her red dress seemed to magnify these effects.


    Ravenous. Men would be before such a woman, a mindless desire...


    ''Hm... But I still feel nothing.''


    Su Min narrowed his eyes as those common reactions never came; he remained still, like a placid lake.


    "Yes, Wen Mian!"


    The old man''s eyes beamed as he patted Wen Mian''s head with a grin. Wen Mian pouted as she turned somewhat red, but a hint of ease flickered in her face.


    However, whilst the old man was laughing, Wen Mian froze as her eyes landed on a corpse not too far away from her.


    "M-Master!"


    She could tell that it happened recently due to the residual energy seething in the air, in fact, it was as if the woman had just died...


    She hasn''t seen many corpses in her lifetime, so it also frightened her a little.


    "Oh, that?"


    Wen Yu gazed at the corpse with an indifferent expression. Wen Mian paused as she saw this, but it didn''t take her too long to realise the presence of an ordinary looking man a couple of meters away.


    "Heuk?!"


    She jumped on reflex, mainly because her eyes had somehow ignored his presence for such a long time.


    "Su Min!"


    Wen Yu laughed as he let go of Wen Mian and appeared before Su Min. Su Min nodded in return as he gazed at the frightened image of the girl, but as Wen Yu saw this gaze, a severe seriousness flashed for a second.


    ''... Good.''


    However this only lasted for a split second, so none of this shone in his face as he ushered for Wen Mian to walk forward.


    "Is this the guard..?"


    Her eyes were shaking a bit as she gazed at Su Min. It wasn''t a fear towards Su Min himself but more of a fear towards something else; like a reaction. Yet, with Wen Yu being with her, she eventually walked forward.


    Su Min saw this as he continued to gaze at her, where a faint idea entered his head.


    ''Bad past experiences?''


    But Su Min didn''t have the literal heart to care enough to procure these thoughts, so he didn''t contemplate too deeply. He was only doing this because of the benefits of getting transported to the Martial Section and the wish, nothing else.


    "Mhm. Come on, introduce yourself!"


    Wen Yu, seemingly more confident in himself, stepped back as he awaited Su Min''s response. Wen Mian narrowed her eyes as she tried to find what was so special about the man in front of her, but nothing stood out.


    Of course, there was one thing that was different...


    ''Introduction..?''


    Su Min pondered for a second as he ignored Wen Mian''s gaze, deciding on something simple.


    "I''m Su Min, and I''ll be guarding you according to your father''s wishes."


    Maybe because he was tired, but his voice seemed to be a tad irritated.


    *Cough*


    Wen Yu seemed to sneeze as he gaped at Su Min, but seeing no hint of hesitation, he soon sighed.


    "Nothing wrong with that I suppose..."


    Su Min didn''t seem too interested in talking anymore as he turned around and started his slow wander towards the sect. Though, he did speak before leaving.


    "Mhm. Now that I have officially started, I''ll leave to the sect and wait for you, seeing that you may want to speak before you part. Also, sorry about that corpse, it was out of my control..."


    "..."


    Wen Yu didn''t know what to say as he watched Su Min wander off.


    "Master... Are you sure he doesn''t have any issues..?"


    But, he was soon disturbed out of his stupor as Wen Mian walked up to him with hesitation flickering in her eyes. Wen Yu''s face saddened for a second as he saw this, but he quickly hid it and spoke with a smile.


    "He doesn''t have a heart of emotion, thus he cannot even feel anything when he looks at you! So don''t worry about anything, right, my little angel. Haha!


    He laughed as he attempted to pick her up, but she quickly dodged him with an outraged face.


    "I''m not a child anymore!"


    "Right right..."


    Wen Yu grumbled as he stared at Su Min who was beginning to leave the proximity.


    "Well, as you aren''t a child, get going before your new guard leaves you! You have a lot of training to do, so remember that you can ask him to help you inany of your studies!"


    His eyes firmed as hesitation blew, but he clenched his teeth and turned around. Silence soon overtook his booming voice, where a light breeze blew past his robes and emitted an elegant atmosphere.


    "... I don''t know how long I''ll be, but after a years time, you must face life yourself if I don''t return. This may be selfish, stupid, but I believe that you can do it!"


    *PSSHEWW*


    Wen Miang froze as she watched the old figure dissipate in a gush of light; forever from her sight...


    *THUD*


    The only remnants of his existence was a small white pouch which glowed a strange ethereal light. She slouched and picked it up, silent thoughts echoing in her heart.


    She didn''t move for a while as her eyes trembled with a drooping tear, but she didn''t let it drop as she rubbed it out of existence.


    "Ok! I can trust this guy, its fine!"


    ...


    ...


    ''I hope they don''t mind what I did to that person...''


    *Step* *Step*


    Su Min''s fatigue ridden eyes took a glimpse at the ever approaching sect. The only reason he was walking was to wait for the girl, Wu Miang. Of course, he was just impatient and wanted to get some rest which was why he didn''t wait.


    Though even through all this, he was still paying full attention to the surrounding mile with his senses. It was strange for him, though, because he felt these inhuman senses nearing a boundary aswell.


    ''So close, yet so far...''


    He sighed as he thought about his stagnant cultivation. Continuing with Martial Energy seemed a lot more convoluted with how he has to comprehend like normal people to proceed.


    Even then, he wasn''t exactly ''continuing '' his cultivation, because the ancient and martial cultivation are two separate systems. He would have to start at the first step of Martial Condensation and work his way forward to get to the same level as his ancient cultivation. It''s just that he doesn''t know the implications of cultivating two energies, which he''s hoping will surprise him.


    *Woosh*


    ''She''s finally coming... I guess she is what will verify my identity.''


    A silent gush of wind that only he could sense pierced his back as Wen Miang appeared behind him. She seemed a bit tense, but she clenched her teeth and strolled next to him.


    "So... Are we going to walk to the sect?"


    Although taking a walk was peaceful, the numerous miles required to get to the sect would take too long.


    "Mhm, follow me."


    Su Min nodded. He was going to do this anyway.


    *BANGG*


    His feet trembled as a sudden gush of physical power threw him into the air. A cocoon of air formed around him, billowing with a thunderous shockwave.


    "T-too fast!"


    Wen Miang''s eyes went wide as she watched Su Min transform into a small dot in the sky. Though, maybe it was because of her pride, but she felt annoyed.


    "Are you mocking me?"


    A dense fluctuation of heavenly energy emerged around her as she stimulated her cultivation to let out some energy she had stored. Yet, in a rather similar fashion to Su Min, her mind began to follow a faint law that formed heavenly energy from the world.


    Anyone would be shocked by this, because controlling the heavenly energy of the world is an incredible feat. Most would be locked down to the energy they absorb, but as you emerge into the realm of control, your power can skyrocket.


    Though, much like Su Min, this relies less on your cultivation and more on your soul. The soul is a strange entity, baring the fact that it doesn''t recover through simple means like injecting energy into it from your cultivation.


    Although your soul is powered by your cultivation, it is done so in a passive state when you rest. You only have so much mental energy to use due to this, and when your soul evolves this increases naturally.


    Of course, this isn''t the only way to procure such an ethereal resource. Su Min, for example, is an abnormality in the fact that his will can overdraw his mental energy, thus forcing it to increase.


    Wen Miang shouldn''t be able to control energy with her cultivation, but somehow, that was the case...


    The soul and controlling the world''s energy is also the key to breaking to the second realm of cultivation, which is why it is especially difficult to do.


    *WANGGG*


    ''Divine Flare!''


    Her figure flickered as she vanished in a blinding ray of light, chasing right after Su Min.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *THUDDD* *WOOOSH*


    "She''s quite fast..."


    With two consecutive thuds, one being a lot lighter than another, a golden-haired man and an angelic girl materlised before a barrier in front of a wall surrounding the sect.


    ''Man walls aggravate me.''


    Su Min grumbled as he waited for whoever manages the gate. Wu Miang, who was beside him, grumbled too as she felt annoyed for losing. But, she quickly convinced herself out of it as she thought of something.


    ''Well, he should be better than me if he''s my guard...''


    She took a glimpse at Su Min''s face, and seeing that he wasn''t even paying attention to her, a strange feeling arose.


    ''Maybe master is right...''


    Her tensed body loosened a little as she somehow felt more comfortable around him. She was still scared and confused and didn''t trust anymore, but she at least felt that the man next to her wasn''t interested in her through her looks...


    She could tell that at least, as his eyes were dull and heartless. Cold, an inundated coldness that seemed to somehow carry a heavy burden. She could tell, as she has seen so many eyes with the same look in her lifetime.


    That same, thriving, ravenous... Disgusting look.

 77 Greetings.

    *WANGGG*


    In front of Su Min who stood without expression, a towering gate opened in a flash of light. A constant and striking creak blew sibilant air, and as it opened, a booming voice resounded into his ears.


    "We''ve been expecting you. So welcome to the Divine Sect!"


    Wu Miang frowned as she found that noise to be rather irritating, though it didn''t last long as that booming voice caused her thoughts to pause.


    ''Powerful!''


    Her face got tinged with a slight paleness as a faint aura billowed onto her. She doesn''t know who these people are, what they want, and why they are even taking her in. Her master sorted all this out, but now that he is gone, a feeling of unsafeness seemed to want to swallow her whole...


    "You just going to stand here?"


    Su Min grumbled as he nudged Wu Miang out of her dazed expression.


    "W-... No..."


    She didn''t know what to say and could only walk forward with Su Min, who was yawning.


    ''He doesn''t feel anything..?''


    It was rather perplexing to not be tense at the moment of entering an unknown, a thing you''d naturally fear. But, as she gazed at his eyes, they didn''t quiver, shake. No, they stood still; like a listless lake...


    But, nevertheless, this somehow made her a feel a tad more relaxed.


    "So you must be the All-powerful Overseer''s daughter?"


    Though that voice once again resounded as a simple dirt plain revealed itself. Su Min halted with a sudden pause, causing Wu Miang to bump into him.


    *THUD*


    "Hey..?"


    She was about to say something, but she stopped as she watched Su Min''s eyes narrow, causing the air to chill. She was attentive to people''s eyes, unnaturally so.


    Of course, she knew that the eyes of a person told a lot more than most would believe... One of desire, emotion, and power.


    A man soon revealed himself and smiled as he gazed at Su Min and Wu Miang. He wore an elegant demeanour with his handsome face and pristine shirt. The only word that could describe him would be a fine gentleman.


    He paused as he saw Su Min, and eventually asked.


    "And you''re..?"


    Su Min''s eyes blazed a silent light as he spoke, examining this gentleman.


    "I''m Su Min, Miss Wu Miang''s guard sent by the overseer. I''m sorry, but I''ll be in your care for the foreseeable future..."


    Su Min, however, removed such a gaze as he smiled before shaking the man''s hand. The man smiled as well as the air seemed to tighten around them for a second; like a bomb was going to explode.


    "Nice to meet you, Su Min. I am Shen He and I hope that you enjoy your stay..."


    Shen Hu laughed as he shook Su Min''s hand in a tight grasp that seemed a little too powerful. Su Min frowned and hardened his own grasp as a dull pop thundered out of their palms.


    Shen Hu face turned a light pale as he quickly withdrew his own palm and shook it a bit.


    "You sure have a tight grip, hahaha..."


    ''What is this atmosphere..?''


    Wu Miang shivered as she felt a strange feeling shroud her, but this soon faded out of existence as Su Min returned to her side with a blank expression.


    Shen Hu''s face, still remaining all smiles, turned to Wu Miang.


    "My... You sure are as beautiful as the rumours stated!"


    His eyes seemed to burn with a faint desire as Wu Miang went a little white. Su Min seemed to notice this as a flashing thought entered his head.


    ''He aggravates me...''


    Shen Hu then strolled up to Wu Miang and kneeled down, gesturing for her hand. Wu Miang paused for a second as her face grew uncomfortable, but she eventually lifted her palm.


    He caressed her palm, and in a pause, he kissed it. He stood back up, then bowed.


    "It''s my pleasure to be at your service, Miss."


    "...Yes."


    Wu Miang spoke with a minute tremble as she felt the need to take a slight step back, but she clenched her teeth and remained still.


    Shen Hu smiled and gestured for the two of them to walk towards a suspended floating object behind him.


    "Miss Wu Miang, you must need some rest, so this way please."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *Wooosh*


    "Although I don''t want to delay the journey Miss Wu Miang, you must at least want to know about the ranking system! Nobody has been notified of your status just yet so you can of course rest for now, but tomorrow will be the day where we will announce your arrival!"


    Within a speeding ray of light, three people flew atop a thin sheet of white. They travelled upwards as the two peaks blitzed past, but it was obvious that they weren''t even close to reaching the top.


    In fact, it would take roughly an hour with the dazzling speed they were moving to reach it, for the two peaks pierced high in the skies.


    "Mhm!"


    Wu Miang replied as a faint fighting spirit blasted in her eyes. Although her body was tense, she is still the overseer''s daughter, and thus she should beat every single person in this sect!


    It''s her pride, and she felt that she needed to prove her worth with power! She hated this feeling of weakness, and because she has always been shadowed by the overseer''s protection it has only begun to kick in.


    Su Min pondered as interest flashed, he could guess that resources would be involved with his martial cultivation, and seeing that he would have to guard Wu Miang for a year, simply going to another sect and stealing their resources would be difficult.


    He hasn''t ruled out destroying this sect he was in, but he doesn''t want to ruin her training for his own gains, otherwise, he may disappoint the overseer who is paying him! It was just that he felt that this place carried a certain vibe he disliked.


    He is also severely weakened, so doing so was an impossibility at the moment!


    "Well, here we are!"


    Shen Hu laughed as a great fogged area emerged into view. The fog was encased in an ethereal glow, giving it a divine atmosphere. Within this fog were two towering pillars of stone that were a couple people wide.


    These pillars were next to each other, but done so that a gap that resembled a gate had formed between them. Behind these two was an area shrouded in even denser fog, and every so often, a couple cultivators would walk in and out of this gap between the two pillars.


    The pillars themselves had a long list of names engraved on them, though these names seemed to carry a surreal vibe that made them wriggle occasionally and swap places.


    The three stopped just before they entered the foggy zone and leapt off the sheet of white. The pillars seemed to become a touch larger as they viewed from the ground; as if they were gazing at two massive beasts.


    "The ranking is based on points you gain by doing sect tasks and missions. You can also gain them by fighting another cultivator in a monitored match, and if you win, you get to take half of theirs. Though they must agree first to the match."


    Wu Miang''s eyes blazed even further as she walked up to the massive pillar that made her look like an ant.


    '' #1 Xia Xuegang: 102.3 Million Points


    #2 Chang Hui: 75.5 Million Points ''


    Though only the top two places seemed to be interesting in her eyes as if the others weren''t even worthy of mentioning. Shen Hu noticed this and laughed.


    "As expected, quite a fierce fighting spirit indeed! But you''d need to be at least at the 6th Step of the Heavenly Condensation to have a chance against them..."


    His eyes flashed as a hint of pride tinged his voice, but Su Min shook in return.


    ''The heavenly and martial have the same names for cultivation..? Then why is my ancient one so confusing... Well, at least these geniuses are weak according to this creepy guy. Though, can I even participate?''


    He pondered for a while, but seeing that nothing else could be gained from staring at this massive pole of stone, he was about to speak. But, as he thought about his role, he decided against it.


    ''I am a guard after all. It also seems that the overseer wants her to become independent...''


    Wu Miang, in return, didn''t move for a while as the fighting spirit continued to blaze. Nobody interrupted her as she just stared at the pillar, where it didn''t take long for her to say something to break the silence.


    "I... Guess we should get going, so please send us off."


    She seemed to not be used to commanding others, as her master would always do these things for her. It felt a bit odd so to say.


    "It''s my honour, Miss Wu Miang."


    Shen Hu smiled as a mysterious glint flashed in his eyes, causing that grin to drift towards something a little disconcerting.


    ''It is indeed as they say, where the pampered princess shouldn''t be let out into the wild... But this guard is an unaccounted variable. It seems that the overseer doesn''t trust us that much.''

 78 Su Mins Soul.

    *Wanggg*


    In a quiet area, where a single cultivation chamber stood, a white shimmering sheet landed with three people. The cultivation chamber in front was surrounded by a strange white mist, one that exuded a faint dangerous sensation.


    "Miss Wu Miang, I hope you find the accommodation to your standards..."


    Shen Hu smiled as he bowed and gestured towards Wu Miang. She in return gazed at the chamber with dull eyes and took a step inside.


    *Woosh*


    A sudden dense stream of energy exploded out of the chamber as a heavenly glimmer lit the sky. It dazzled the eyes, but it didn''t invoke any response to Wu Miang.


    "A grade three intensity of heaven''s energy, pretty good!"


    Shen Hu''s eyes twitched for a second as he coughed, but he quickly smiled.


    "That''s good..."


    The cultivation chamber itself wasn''t that large, where the only thing that accompanied it was a mat and a strange stream of bright liquid in the corner.


    This liquid gave a mystical feeling to the eye, and its crystalline nature made it seem like something other than water.


    Wu Miang strode towards the fountain and sipped a drop, nodding her head.


    "Pretty good as well."


    Though she didn''t seem too impressed with the lack of motivation tinging her voice. Shen Hu continued to smile, though, that strange desireable fire in his eyes continued to blaze.


    ''It''s really unfortunate for such a beauty to get thrust into this death-ridden world... Maybe If I just...''


    His thought slurred for a second, but he shook it out soon after as he reminded himself of Su Min''s presence.


    ''Annoying...''


    Nevertheless, none of this shone as he remained the same and spoke.


    "I''m glad that the cultivation fountain is to your tastes... Oh, but there is a problem..."


    His eyes soon redirected themselves onto Su Min who stood to the side. Shen Hu didn''t seem to enjoy Su Min''s presence as a slight irritation shrouded his expression.


    "I''m sorry, but what was your name? Sun Ming..?"


    Su Min remained placid as he gazed at Shen Hu with deep eyes and spoke.


    "Su Min."


    Shen Hu coughed as disappointment flashed, but he still continued.


    "You see, we weren''t expecting your presence... So we don''t have any cultivation chambers nearby at the moment..."


    An obvious hint displayed itself in his voice as Shen Hu rubbed his forehead with understanding.


    "So... You''ll have to stay in a chamber a little far away."


    However, a strange light seemed to blaze in his eyes for a moment as he spoke, but it was too quick to notice. Wu Miang froze as she somehow caught this, but she didn''t say anything as she awaited Su Min''s response.


    ''I''m probably just overthinking it... This sect should be trusted.''


    She tried to convince herself, but that disconcerting light never left her mind.


    "Hm... Wait one second."


    Su Min''s expression flashed as he pondered and strode out. Shen Hu watched this with a pause, but as a sudden explosion sounded soon after, incredulous replaced his smile.


    *BANGGG*


    "W-what are you doing?!"


    He scampered out of the chamber and rushed to where the boom thundered, which was just right to the entrance.


    "This rock is kinda hard..."


    However, as he gazed upon Su Min with his steaming fist shoved in the rock wall, shock rose.


    ''He broke it?!''


    *THUD*


    Su Min withdrew his fist that was embedded in the rock. A tuft of dust spewed out afterwards, where a plain fist-sized crack revealed itself.


    Shen Hu eyes twitched as he stuttered out a sentence brimming with questioning hysteria.


    "Are you trying to form your own cave..? Don''t you know how dense the rock is?! Only 6th step strength can safely break it, so don''t moan if you have injured yourself!"


    He lost his composure for a bit, but seeing Wu Miang run out behind him, he breathed and returned to his respectable countenance. Su Min didn''t reply as he drew his fist back and seemed to be about punch again.


    Shen Hu, seeing Su Min''s fist appear in a fine state, widened with shock and tried to speak, but still kept that calm expression as he continued to notice Wu Miang''s emergence.


    "...Sir, I really recommend that you st-"


    *BANGGGGG*


    However, he was interrupted as a thunderous bellowing bang blasted his vision in a tuft of smoke. An impenetrable wailing wind pushed him back a step as he found his body grow heavy from the force, but this only caused that shock in his heart to magnify.


    *Wooooshhh...*


    Though it didn''t last long as that disastrous shockwave died down and revealed a shocking crevice in front of Su Min; one that was at least a couple meters deep and wide.


    "Y-you..."


    A newfound fear jolted through his body as he gaped at Su Min like he was a beast. Su Min didn''t see anything wrong with what he has done, though, because wasn''t this just rock..?


    "It''s just a wall... Well whatever. I can stay here, right?"


    Su Min remained indifferent as he spoke. Wu Miang appeared to be dazed as she stood in the corner. But as she gazed at Shen Hu''s frightened face and Su Min''s confused expression she began to giggle.


    "Pfft!"


    Shen Hu stiffened as he heard this and redirected his gaze back and forth from Su Min to Wu Miang. He seemed to want to speak to Su Min about repairs, but he decided against that.


    "Yes..."


    He dusted his clothes with a cough and gazed at Su Min one last time with an unusual gaze.


    "As you have made your own living area, I''ll take my leave."


    *Wangggg*


    A sheet of white flew under him and threw him up into the sky in a ray of light. Su Min watched him leave, still confused on why he had an episode about him breaking some old stone...


    "You''re really strong aren''t you?"


    Nonetheless, a cute voice broke his thoughts as Wu Miang skipped to him with a smile. She seemed to be a lot less reserved when Shen Hu left, worrying Su Min.


    Her eyes shone with a tantalising light that would make anyone''s heart skip a beat, but Su Min just dully gazed at them and coughed.


    ''Why is she acting so carefree around me..?''


    "I... Guess."


    But Wu Miang didn''t seem to find that answer satisfying as he asked something else with curiosity.


    "But when you did that move you didn''t even use any ancient energy, so you must be A LOT stronger, right?"


    Su Min''s eyes narrowed as a hint of surprise flashed on his face.


    "You know I''m of the ancient race?"


    Wu Miang grinned as she punched her chest with proudness.


    "Don''t think lowly of a genius beyond your imagination! Isn''t it obvious with that ancient feeling that is being exuded out of your eye, but I just can''t figure out what your other eye originates from..."


    She squinted as she inspected Su Min''s black eye. But she couldn''t find anything that would hint to its origin.


    Su Min paused as a faint smile lifted itself on his face.


    "Oh..? An ancient feeling?"


    Wu Miang paused as she looked at the smiling Su Min, noticing that a deep mysterious light was brewing within his eyes.


    ''What on earth? I have only seen Master with those type of eyes..."


    A questioning expression emerged. She didn''t know why, but she felt that Su Min had knowledge that was a lot more profound than she thought. That was because his eyes were tinged with a comprehension that she has only seen in one other person in her life, her master!


    It was a bright mysterious light, and it wasn''t something he could hide! It was just that detecting such a light was impossible if you haven''t seen it before, and even then you would have to pay close attention for it to reveal itself.


    ''I want to test him...''


    She couldn''t help but feel curious about this simple looking man, because if he was at the level she thought he was, then it would be shocking. So, with a strange movement that was unnoticeable to the eye, her eyes shined a dim white light.


    A tiny speck of heavenly energy formed right next to Su Min under the control of her gaze! She knew that nobody would be able to notice this heavenly energy if they hadn''t reached a certain level, and this level was related to the soul.


    "Hm?"


    Su Min, however, grunted as his eyes brightened as, without warning, he flicked his finger! A blazing speck of gold sparked out of this flick, lighting up the area with a flash of primal gold.


    That heavenly energy didn''t even get a chance to escape as it dissipated in front of her eyes, which were now trembling as a faint soul flashed!


    ''His soul..!''


    She could only catch a glimpse of something most couldn''t see, but this left her thoughts in a wreck.


    ''What is that soul..?!''


    It was a flash, a quick peek, but a soul that she could somehow see terrified her! It was the shape of a blurry golden man who seemed a little burnt, one whose eyes shined with a brilliance that far transcended any common ground!


    Although fogged, the golden man carried a godlike spirit that seemed to surpass any sense of awe and reverence. It was a desolate primal feeling, one so old that it seemed to originate from life itself.


    It felt like an ancestor to all life, to all strength! She has never felt such a grand feeling before, one that came only through a simple gaze of a soul! Her master''s soul didn''t even give her such a feeling, nowhere near!


    It was as if that gaze could see through the entire world, no, as if it could cause the world to scatter with but a thought! It may be an illusion, but she knew all too well on what the soul represented.


    Anyone who has a high enough comprehension would too see this, and the only other person who has done so was the overseer, which was how he was able to somewhat deduce Su Min''s bloodline.


    ''Master said that the soul represents a person''s comprehension of the world, but it also takes the form of their true self... But, what on earth was that golden figure...''


    Her mind was shivering as that faint image seemed to imprint itself on her soul. It echoed with uneasiness, one of primal fear.


    ''Nothing has ever made my bloodline so uneasy...''


    She shook as she realised that her blood was trembling in her body, and this startled her! Most don''t know, but her familes bloodline lineage is incredibly precious and has always been at the peak in the world.


    Yet, for it to tremble like this, she couldn''t help but think of the illusive bloodlines that terrorise the world. Those that originate from the realm that she has only discovered old legends on, the higher realm...


    ''No... He can''t be...''


    "Hm... Nice try."


    However, Su Min disturbed her stupor as he spoke with narrowed eyes. Wu Miang jumped as she found that her face was beginning to sweat.


    "Ah... Sorry, I was just testing you, hehe..."


    Whether intentional or not, she seemed to speak a little more respectfully to Su Min, which was perplexing to Su Min himself.


    ''Did I do something?''


    He didn''t understand why she was sweating after that move he did, because it wasn''t anything extraordinary. It was just a little bothersome for him to be forced to command energy, as it wasn''t good for his recovery.


    "Are you alright?"


    He didn''t want her to get ill or anything, otherwise, it may look bad for him...


    "No, I''m fine... I just need some rest."


    Wu Miang sighed as she gave Su Min a deep look before wandering into her cultivation chamber. Su Min scratched his head as he felt beyond confused.


    "Well... She seems fine. Guess I should spruce up this crevice. Uh... Why do cultivators live in caves..?"

 79 Ceremony, Talent Test.

    "Well... She seems fine. Guess I should spruce up this crevice. Uh... Why do cultivators live in caves..?"


    Su Min''s eyes narrowed as he stared at the rather crude crevice in front of him. However, seeing that there was nothing else he could do, he sighed and wandered in.


    "I guess I am somewhat used to this..."


    Memories flashed as a distant past shined, one of famine and distraught survival. Those days felt heavy, enough to cause his eyes to sag...


    "Mhm..."


    Anger set in as those memories continued to blaze past him, repeating itself again and again. His death, those venomous eyes that stared upon such death, it all felt so real...


    No other emotion but hatred came from these memories, and he couldn''t find a single one that exuded anything but that. Even those that may have been happy, were now somehow sad.


    Anything positive dissipated into nothingness as if it had never happened.


    "To live a life of rage..."


    His pupils quivered as that onslaught of emotion battered him to no end, but he couldn''t give in and start a rampage for no distinct cause. He has learnt a little about the sacrifice he made for a new life, and that is that he cannot rely on emotion.


    He considered his emotions to not be emotions anymore, it is rather just plain rage and hatred. He has to be empty, otherwise, the only thing that will fill him will be as such. He thought at least.


    "So I shall live a life of desolation, a void mind..."


    His iron-will shook as he disregarded this onslaught and began to vow for something much more lonely. Without stimuli, is it really considered human?


    To be human is to be emotional... But, is he human?


    "A void mind with only the craving for power. Until said power will relight the void..."


    His eyes shook as that hatred and any vigour tinging it died like a wilting flower, that even though disastrous, is something every living being should contain.


    For being angry is a must, otherwise, what would be the point of him returning? Why should he go and get revenge then, what would drive him then?


    Power? But wouldn''t he be a mindless machine drove on such a cause?


    "But. Ah... I..."


    Hatred, although hateful, was vital if he no longer felt any but that. Emptiness is just as empty as one can imagine, so being filled with hatred is better than not being filled at all, right?


    "No... I am not just angered... I have the greed for power, the unbridled hatred towards those who have beaten me, and no more..?"


    Greed and Hatred...


    "I have been stripped to only greed and hatred, huh... So that was the price. Then is it right to suppress the hatred and only follow power?"


    Confusion sprung as he found the path ahead to be foggy. A definite answer was nowhere to be seen in this fogged horizon, and he grunted at such a realisation.


    "Unbridled hatred is better than ungoverned greed for power..? Or the other way?"


    *SHINGG*


    His eyes began to shine as those ethereal laws he was forced to comprehend blazed into view. Canopies of gold; starlight that shined high in the sky; a beautifying collection of exceptional natural occurrences displayed itself to him!


    For most just sensing the ancient energy would be enough, but he could see another world within this energy! One where these strands don''t just move aimlessly, no, they form mystical shapes and unknown phenomena that he couldn''t fully understand.


    Some were blurred more than others, yet some were as clear as daylight to him. He didn''t even know why he saw such things getting formed by the strands that should just wander at a random pace, but he knew that it meant something...


    "They are so calming..."


    Su Min felt the need to view this strange phenomenon with his fatigued head, as they seemed to soothe him. They made his head feel light and dozy; like he was swimming in a lake of cloud...


    He didn''t injure himself by doing this, as it was only beholding the sights, not controlling and trying to comprehend them. He just wanted to watch those golden sparkles light the sky like fireworks, as they reminded him of home...


    The current sight he could see was a flailing stream of gold exploding in the sky; silent. Yet, these exploded in a way that brought awe and amazement.


    "I am not just encompassed by hatred and greed..."


    He felt nostalgia from such an event; it was strangely similar to those firework displays he would see with Yu Yan on new years day...


    "Sadness... Nostalgia? Heh... I ain''t empty."


    Although silent, these piercing streaks of gold formed from his own vision of law seemed to echo in his heart. They felt close; like they were a part of him...


    "Mhm... I don''t need to suppress anything."


    Su Min mumbled under his breath, one that was tinged with an old sorrow. He found a hint of happiness within this sorrow, though, and it made him feel bright.


    A brightness of hope, for he hasn''t truly left those emotions behind...


    "Do nothing, and let nature take me..."


    His eyes sagged and drooped as those memories continued to blaze past him, but, somehow, hidden from him, a spark of happiness blazed within those dissipated memories...


    "Tired..."


    And so his eyes shut and his mind entered a strange peacefulness.


    "..."


    A silent force congealed around his consciousness, looking on with a strange aura. This consciousness was, in fact, Su Min''s soul; one that took the shape of a charred golden man.


    The golden man was engulfed in a weak aura, tinged in an ancient sorrow. Yet, the golden man was smiling...


    The force surrounding the golden man hesitated as it seemed to mumble out something.


    "I''ll let you sleep... Master."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    On a floating podium surrounded by an uncountable number of robed cultivators, a burly man thrashed a bell.


    *CLANGGGG*


    "Welcome sect master!"


    The cultivators roared as a single man appeared on the podium. His face was wrinkled, but he wore a vibrant vitality similar to the overseer, just a lot weaker.


    His eyes shined a bright white as he gazed down at all of the cultivators, speaking.


    "Mhm... Sit!"


    The cultivators, standing in mid-air responded as each and everyone one of them formed a layer of white energy beneath them and sat down. Some who couldn''t do so bought flying treasures out and sat on them instead...


    They sat in groups, surrounding powerful cultivators and geniuses with promising futures.


    One such group, in the dead centre, was calm as a single red-haired man ate an apple that was gold. The apple was beyond juicy, carrying a mystical content that would make ones mind clear.


    He didn''t seem that interested in what was happening, but a servant near him scampered up to him with a little excitement.


    "Senior Brother, I heard that a beauty is going to be announced! She must be important if the sect master is doing it, right?"


    The red-haired man frowned as a strange red aura flashed past his eyes, the servant next to him froze with this, where a crimson force seemed to lock the space down around him.


    "Do you think a simple bird is enough to interest me? Insulting!"


    He flicked his wrist and threw the servant away with that crimson force. The servant''s eyes went wide as he blazed passed and into a couple cultivator behind him, causing a light ruffle to burst out.


    Those who were hit by him grumbled as they forced the servant to a stop.


    "He doesn''t learn his lesson..."


    "Right? This is fifth time already and I am surprised that Senior Brother hasn''t killed him already!"


    The Sect Master didn''t seem to see this as he took a step back and clapped his hands.


    "Now, I''d like to welcome a great guest who will be staying and competing in our sect from now on..."


    Silence overran as the Sect Master smiled.


    "The Heavenly Overseer''s daughter, Wu Miang."


    *Step*


    As his words echoed with a strange meaning, an ethereal girl stepped onto the podium. Her eyes shined a tantalising light as she gazed at the group with an indifferent gait, one that exposed a lofty pride of a life beyond their imagination.


    "The overseer..?"


    Wide-eyes widened as the cultivators shook with shock. They didn''t need to know a lot to know who the overseer was, so for his daughter to enter their sect..?


    "She''s like an angel..."


    "Yeah..."


    People blurted out as they gazed at Wu Miang, who didn''t seem to react to any of this. The red-haired man, in particular, seemed to freeze for a second as his eyes shined a rare blazing light!


    "Wu Miang... Wu Miang... I thought I''d never find a woman..."


    A lavish grin replaced his indifferent expression as a devilish aura seemed to pulsate out of him. Those close to him paled with fright as they scampered away, but still remaining respectful.


    "Chang Hui..?"


    Some couldn''t help but blurt out as they saw this, but soon an understanding expression replaced them as they gaped at Wu Miang.


    The Sect Master took a glimpse at the red-haired man''s reaction with a smirk.


    "Wu Miang, would you please speak a few words?"


    He coughed as the dazed Wu Miang jumped a little. However, she was too far away for others to even notice this, so most just took it as her being cold to all. Like an angel from the higher heavens, who doesn''t put anyone in her eyes.


    "..."


    Yet, no words came as Wu Miang stood like a stiff doll. Nobody spoke as they waited for her to speak, not finding it strange the least. Though, in the corner of the podium, a silent golden-haired figure frowned.


    *Bow*


    She bent in front of everyone, then after a few seconds, she stood up straight again.


    "I-I look forward to f-fighting you all..."


    Her voice swept past everyone as they all seemed to gulp. The females in the crowd shuddered and the men quivered...


    "Even her voice is beautiful..."


    "I don''t even feel the right to be envious."


    She didn''t move from her position as everyone spoke among themselves. The Sect Master had a strange expression, and that was because he could see that Wu Miang was shaking a little.


    But, he still spoke like normal.


    "Beautiful! Well, everyone, I hope that you all train to your fullest, as she isn''t any ordinary genius if you haven''t guessed already!"


    A mysterious smile etched on his face as he waved his hand.


    *WANGG*


    A sudden whoosh of heavenly energy descended onto an empty area on the podium as a star-like beam thrashed at it. It happened for only an instant, where a small altar formed soon after.


    The altar was encrusted in strange flashing symbols all over, ones that contained an incoherent language.


    "Wu Miang, how about you do a test to show the sect your unruly talent?"


    The sect master smiled as he pointed at the altar.


    "Hm..?"


    Wu Miang froze as her eyes locked onto the altar, where a faint uneasiness shrouded it. She was never told that she would have to do this...


    Everyone watching her gulped with excitement.


    "Her talent... I wonder if she can break the record?"


    "Idiot, she obviously will!"


    Yet, Wu Miang didn''t seem to want to walk towards the altar. But seeing everyone waiting, she felt the need to.


    "Ok..."


    Her eyes firmed as she strode towards the altar, albeit unwillingly.


    *Wanggg*


    The altar''s odd pulsations of energy writhed in her eyes as she turned a little pale. She didn''t understand why, but this altar didn''t give her any good feelings...


    ''No... I''m probably just overthinking...''


    That same thought entered her head as she took a glimpse at the sect master, whose smile seemed to be real enough. But, his eyes were slightly cloudy.


    Nonetheless, this disappeared like an illusion as she blinked.


    ''W-what..?''


    That uneasiness only grew as she found herself in front of the shining altar, brimming with a desolate stature...


    ''This doesn''t seem to be from here...''


    Her eyes narrowed as she pushed the Sect Master''s eyes aside and focused on the altar. Its simple build didn''t seem to be out of the ordinary, but the energy waves coming off it, although of the first realm, didn''t seem to be right.


    The idea of stepping on the altar loomed ever so more above her head as she halted. The Sect Elder''s expression changed a little as a faint pressure formed and pushed her mind.


    Although she saw herself as strong-willed, she has been pampered by her master for too long.


    ''But... I should if they want me to...''


    *Ste-"


    *BANG*


    Nevertheless, before she could even step on the altar, a sudden thunderous boom erupted from behind the podium. A sliver of gold flashed, and then in a booming wave, a golden-haired man appeared above the altar.


    His dull golden eye beamed a faint strange light as he gazed at the altar and stupified expression of those below him. He didn''t seem to care as he spoke with a calm and rumbling voice.


    "Miss Wu Miang, this altar isn''t suitable for use. So please step back for a second..."


    The Sect Master''s expression turned gloomy as he gazed at Su Min in the air, muttering under his breath.


    ''The Overseer planned against this...''


    *THUD*


    "S-Su Min?"


    Wu Miang stepped back as she stared at Su Min who had just plunged in front of the altar. Nobody spoke as they all gazed at Su Min, well only until some shocking words escaped his mouth.


    "Sect Master, why is there Martial Energy within this..?"


    His golden eye shined an ancient all-seeing light for a split second as he spoke, but the Sect Master didn''t notice this.


    "M-Martial Energy?"


    Su Min nodded and added.


    "Mhm... Ok, I don''t care whether it works or not, but this altar won''t be used. Miss Wu Miang''s safety is at the utmost importance, so I''m sure that you understand..."


    Su Min glanced at the Sect Master with a smile before waving his hand toward Wu Miang. Wu Miang jumped as she looked at Su Min, then at the altar one last time.


    "Right..."


    She strode towards Su Min with a thankful look, and the Sect Master could only sigh.


    "Well I guess there must be an issue with the altar, so thank you for noticing it before any damage was done!"


    He bowed with a sincere voice toward Wu Miang. The crowd entered a stupor over this.


    "The Sect Master is bowing?!"


    "Well it seems that there was an issue with the altar, so how couldn''t he when it might''ve endangered her life? She''s the overseer''s daughter remember, so her status is great!"


    "... But who is that golden-haired guy? He seems to know Wu Miang..."


    Some couldn''t help but feel curious as they gazed at Su Min, who seemed ordinary in every shape and fashion. Chang Hui, the red-haired man, frowned as he saw this.


    "Why is such a simple looking man close to my future wife?"

 80 Entrance Jade.

    "Why is such a simple looking man close to my future wife?"


    His expression flashed as he eyed Su Min, finding nothing out of the ordinary. But, seeing his indifferent expression and how he is capable of disrupting the ceremony, doubts surfaced in Chang Hui''s mind.


    "I need to find out his strength... And if he is as ordinary as he seems, then... Hehe..."


    That grin that seemed to define him struck his face as he laughed under his breath. Those around him paled even further as they hiccupped out of fright.


    "I haven''t seen Senior Brother this excited since his fight with the Number One..."


    A man who was closer to Chang Hui muttered, eyes shining with a brilliant light. He wore red-robes similar to the red-haired man, and his face was shrouded in the same crimson aura.


    His hair, though, was white instead of red.


    It seemed that he originated from the same family, or he had at least learnt a similar technique.


    "I wonder what Senior Brother will think of... I guess it''s my time to shine once more hehe."


    He flashed with a smirk as he appeared before Chang Hui; it was like he knew Chang Hui would summon him.


    Chang Hui paused as he eyed the man, but instead of grumbling, a strange light gleamed in his pupils as he threw a blurred crimson object. The man seemed to shiver with excitement as he grasped and placed the object in a small pouch.


    Chang Hui''s eyes flashed as he spoke.


    "Find everything you can about that golden-haired man..."


    The man nodded as he took a glance at Su Min who was currently facing the bowing sect master. Though, it was obvious that the Sect Master was bowing toward Wu Miang and just ignoring Su Min''s presence.


    He noticed this, and thus a sense of confidence seethed.


    "Sure!"


    He kneeled before Chang Hui and leapt upwards, flying to a place unknown.


    Chang Hui''s eyes narrowed as he continued to stare at Su Min, grumbling to himself.


    "Let''s see, shall we..."


    However, in a corner within the group of people surrounding Chang Hui, a beaten up servant stared at Chang Hui with fervent eyes. Everyone near him either glanced at him with disdain or ignored him, but that kid''s eyes seemed to be blazing with excitement as a thought entered his head.


    ''I need to find out who this golden-haired man is!''


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *Woosh!*


    Within a booming shockwave, two figures blazed past the unending scenery of a peak. One figure stepped on the air with a disastrous power, whilst the other fluttered like a butterfly in a hailstorm. It was obvious which one was struggling to keep up, and such a person spoke with a heaving chest.


    "T-there was Martial Energy around it..?"


    She was gasping for air as she done so.


    "Mhm."


    The person next to her nodded as he continued to thump the atmosphere with his ghastly strength, shining with his golden hair.


    "Su M-Min, please slow down!"


    She couldn''t take it anymore as she shouted at Su Min with a pale face, who only sighed and slowed down.


    "Miss Wu Miang I am just training you to be more endurant, as if you can''t even take this level then how on earth will you fight the top geniuses in this sect?"


    Su Min smiled as he spoke, thoughts blazing inside of his head.


    ''She''s not even at that level... I need to make her stronger before finding humanity, otherwise, I won''t be able to protect her if I get in a brawl with someone on my level. That altar also gives me a rather disconcerting feeling about this sect''s interests.''


    Wu Miang grumbled as she continued to follow Su Min, who was still going a little too fast for her tastes. The scenery continued to blaze past as they travelled at a speed close to that of a 6th step cultivator, thus it didn''t take long for them to reach their destination.


    "So this is the Strength Pavilion?"


    Su Min murmured as he gazed at a tower that pierced the sky, shrouded in a strange atmosphere that blew a fog around it from time to time. Its entire hull was coated in a pitch black, which was rather strange considering that heavenly energy takes the colour white as its primary form.


    As its height grew, it would narrow in size, so its shape was that of a pyramid of some kind. At the very bottom was a large opening where numerous disciples walked in out of, either pale with weakness or energetic with excitement.


    "Time to get some points!"


    Wu Miang laughed as she plodded onto the ground and stared at the pavilion with interest; Su Min landed next to her as he pondered.


    "I wonder if I can get some points as well..."


    His murmur caused Wu Miang to halt and a strange look to overtake her face.


    "Are you kidding? Wouldn''t that be unfair considering how powerful you are? Are you even at the age to be considered a disciple?"


    Su Min glanced at Wu Miang who was giving him an expression of disdain. He doesn''t really care about his image, so being shameless was natural.


    "Who said I was powerful, and how am I any older than you?"


    Wu Miang froze and thought of retorting. However, with a quick glimpse,she noticed a deep bloodthirst cloud Su Min''s eyes as he stared at the pavilion. This caused a shiver to quake through her, one of a crimson drenched in the blood of an uncountable quantity of corpses.


    ''He really isn''t ordinary...''


    It didn''t take them long to enter the pavilion, but considering Wu Miang''s extraordinary beauty and her fame from being the overseer''s daughter, many cultivators all gaped at her presence.


    "She''s going to attempt the 99 Heavenly Realms?"


    "Quick, let''s watch the leaderboard!"


    Some rushed to a massive pillar engraved in text and others just stood there staring, not even trying to hide it. Nevertheless, those who noticed Su Min''s presence weren''t too happy.


    "It''s that ordinary guy again, lucky bastard!"


    "Did the overseer have a stroke to have him accompany the angel of my heart?"


    "Maybe he''s a guard?"


    "He looks weak so he can''t possibly be a guard!"


    Hateful gazed stabbed at Su Min, who was feeling a headache coming. Wu Miang didn''t seem to like the attention also as she became a little quiet, so Su Min directed her to the large reception area in the middle of the square.


    Around ten receptionists stood and faced those in a line, which was about a couple hundred people in length. Su Mins expression grew gloomy as he looked at this massive group of cultivators, but funnily enough, the group of cultivators all looked at him.


    No, they looked at Wu Miang.


    "Come on, how can we let our angel wait in a line! Quick, you can push in here!"


    Numerous cries resounded as cultivator after cultivator waved their hands in various places, even right at the front. Su Min guessed that this was the place where you get an entry ticket to enter ''99 Heavenly Realms'', but it was obvious that this was a popular area in the sect.


    Wu Miang hesitated as she saw all of these near-worshipping voices cry out to her, not knowing what to do. Yet, just as she was going to decline them all, a proud voice rumbled from behind her.


    "Oi! You all have no right to even be in the presence of Wu Miang''s magnificent beauty, so shut it!"


    A red-robed cultivator revealed himself as a dangerous aura seethed. Everyone halted with half expended breaths, but none dared to even make a sound or loosen such breath.


    "Wu Miang, right? You look even more stunning up close!"


    He laughed as he strode up to Wu Miang with crimson eyes and white hair. He didn''t seem to even put Su Min''s presence in his eyes; like he was just air.


    Wu Miang''s eyes narrowed as she examined the cultivator in front of her. He gave her a dangerous feeling, and as she tried to probe his cultivation, she found something that made her feel a little queasy.


    ''6th step..?''


    She gulped on instinct, as she was still nowhere near this level...


    "Thank you..."


    She nodded with a polite attitude nonetheless, and the man grinned as he saw this.


    "No need no need, but considering this massive line you''d have to get through, why don''t we just skip it anyway? Just you of course, as this isn''t an easy thing to do..."


    The man''s eyes took a glimpse at Su Min with that grin, as if he was watching his reaction. But, quite surprisingly, Su Min remained unchanged to it all and just stood there.


    ''If he was powerful then he would fight back to get in early, be this doesn''t seem to be the case.''


    Silent thoughts entered the man''s head as he analysed the situation. In fact, skipping the line was an easy task for anyone who was high in the rankings, and he was such a person.


    Wu Miang didn''t seem to want to do it, though, as doubt shrouded her expression.


    "Ah, just take this as a favour. I don''t want anything from you, I just want to make your life a little easier! If I may do so, though."


    He coughed and strode towards the line, where a neat opening formed as everyone scrambled away from him. Wu Miang hesitated as she took a glimpse at Su Min, who only sighed.


    "Miss Wu Miang, I''ll wait here."


    Su Min didn''t seem to be impatient as he just took a light step and appeared in one of the lines that weren''t affected by the man''s disruption. Wu Miang looked at this with a slight hint of dumbfoundedness, as those in power would never lower themselves to such a degree...


    ''Definitely not ordinary.''


    Still, how could she wait in a line? She is the Overseer''s daughter, so she would never lower herself to that degree, overwise it would be insulting.


    *Step* *Step* *Step*


    She took a couple of light steps as she followed the man, who appeared to be as cold as ice itself. The man in question seemed to figure something out as he gazed at Su Min in a line not too far away.


    ''It seems that they aren''t close... Senior Brother will be happy!''


    ...


    ...


    "Here''s your identity jade and entrance talisman, Miss."


    A rather pale female server bowed as she handed over a black jade and talisman to Wu Miang, who looked on with an indifferent gaze. A white-haired man stood behind her with a little smile; it was unknown whether the server was pale because of Wu Miang or the man, but either was probable...


    "Nice, eh? But, don''t you find it strange that the jades are black instead of white?"


    The man strutted out of the crowd of people with a smile as Wu Miang followed him, slightly curious as she replied.


    "It is rather strange..."


    She wasn''t that scared of this white-haired guy, mostly because he wasn''t at a strength that she wouldn''t be able to defend against for at least a moment.


    A dazzling gateway, taking up the entire right wall of the room, shone into view. It resembled a circular portal, one of a black abyss with the occasional starlight flickering out of it.


    The man pondered as he spoke.


    "Well, a rather popular belief is that this pavilion was once used by the Martial Races! Not that hard to believe right?"


    With a laugh, he marched up to the towering portal like it was nothing, where a talisman and black jade appeared in his hand out of nowhere. However, the black jade was different from Wu Miangs. It wasn''t blank, instead, it had a single inscription of a figure sitting in meditation atop it.


    It was semi-complete, and strangely enough, the figure was gold...


    The man tossed the jade up for a while as a mysterious glint shined in his eyes, speaking.


    "This pavilion is actually a mystery to the sect because nobody has actually completed it! It is rumoured that our patriarch had reached the 55th realm, but that''s still 44 away from the supposed top! I can only reach the 21st realm, and as you can see, a strange inscription formed on my jade."


    The man showed the jade to Wu Miang''s interested eyes, yet as she looked upon the golden figure on the jade, shock tumbled into her mind.


    ''What on earth?!''


    The symbol itself looked pretty simple; it didn''t even exude any aura. Yet, the shape and soft golden glow that shined out of this little mediating figure blazed into her vision, superimposing with another unforgettable image in her memory!


    One that has engraved its very being into her soul and heart...


    ''It''s similar to Su Min''s soul!''

 81 Odd.

    ''It''s similar to Su Min''s soul!''


    She couldn''t help but gasp a little, causing the man to ask.


    "Is something wrong?"


    Wen Mian froze for a second as she attempted to regain her composure. The white-haired man seemed to find it interesting as he looked at his jade and her.


    She quickly spoke as she saw this.


    "No, sorry, it just reminded me of something."


    The man paused, but seeing no sign of Wen Mian wanting to talk about it, he didn''t push for information. He couldn''t induce any sort of negative impression, otherwise, she may close herself to him.


    "Well, ladies first."


    His eyes narrowed with a strange crimson as he swayed his hand towards the portal. Wen Mian gazed at such a portal for a second, but with a firmed heart, she decided to step in!


    *SHIINGGG*


    A strange light encompassed her vision as a piercing shining sound blasted her. She found the urge to close her eyes, but for that moment they were open, a strange gold gleamed...


    *THUD*


    "Agh..."


    With a dizzy mind, Wen Mian found herself land on unknown material. It was hard, cold, and metallic.


    "This really doesn''t seem like a heavenly treasure..."


    That vision a few moments before blazed in her mind, finding that the gold resembled the ancient races. But, she somehow felt that there wasn''t just gold, but white and black accompanying it as well.


    Yet, as she rubbed her eyes and gazed upon the world she had been thrown into, she froze, her eyes widened, and a strange closeness shrouded her heart.


    "My bloodline..?"


    A plain spread itself out, but within this plain stood a creature gazing right at her. It had a white torso similar to a leopard, and a head like a lion. Its eyes were of a bright oceanic blue, rumbling with a royal aura that could shake the very foundations of anyone''s blood.


    The ruffled fur; the razor-sharp claws; the teeth shimmering under the blue sun; it all rumbled in her heart. Those eyes too, just like jewels...


    "Blue Saber Tiger... What is this place?"


    Wen Mian fell a step back as she felt her own blood resonate toward the beast, whom of which felt so too. They stared at each other for a while, but this didn''t last long as that beast pronged the ground with its claws and eyed Wen Mian with a newfound light.


    *RUMBLE*


    A bright blue thrashed the surrounding area as a whirlpool of heavenly energy twirled around the beast. Its colour resembled the ocean, bringing a near deafening sound of crashing waves.


    "This beast originates from my bloodline!"


    She found the air around her tighten as that beast growled. A killing intent locked onto her, causing Wen Mian to grit her teeth and wave her hand.


    "Whatever! It''s not like I can''t handle this anyway!"


    Her eyes shined with a strange blue as the entire world shook. The beast shivered as the whirlpool around it froze. Terror clouded its eyes, but it found that before it could even respond, its vision had grown blue.


    "Oceans Might, descend!"


    A dense release of heavenly energy wafted out of Wen Mian''s palms as she spoke. A faint but overpowering aura blew out of her, clouding the beasts bloodline hundreds of times over. It was obvious that Wen Mian has a much more potent bloodline, in fact, their bloodlines couldn''t even be compared...


    *WOOOSH*


    An ocean of blue descended onto the beast, bringing a dense tumbling shockwave and a cry of death.


    *RUMBLE*


    Yet, before she could even withdraw such an attack, the world shook and dissipated in view. She found that the world was now somehow cloudy, fogged.


    The attack that was still floating there with the dense collection of heavenly energy disappeared without resistance, and soon after, a sign thrashed the ground in front of her.


    It had a rough word written on it.


    ''Shop''


    Then, not even waiting for Wen Mian''s mind to recollect, a single black jade appeared before her and trembled.


    *CATCHAAA*


    A shining bolt of golden lightning broke through the sky like the descent of God. Wen Mian felt her body freeze and her mind quake, and before she even knew it, a faint inscription had appeared on the jade in front of her with this flash of gold.


    It was the outline of a man, mediating in said gold.


    *THUD*


    The jade fell as the force controlling it retreated, resounding with a puffing plop.


    "This place..."


    Wen Mian drooped down and grasped the luke-warm jade. Her hands were still shivering, but she forced it to a halt as she stared at the sign in front of her.


    "Let''s keep going..."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Here''s you identity jade and talisman."


    With a rather unenthusiastic grumble, a receptionist handed over a black jade talisman. Su Min nodded as he looked over at the gigantic portal, one that made his heart feel heavy.


    ''I can''t see through it...''


    A strange annoyance thrummed in his chest as he stood here. In fact, ever since he had entered the pavilion, this feeling only grew. It wasn''t dangerous at least, but whatever it was, he knew that this place wasn''t something this sect could control.


    Just as he was thinking this, a faint scruffle sounded out behind him as a strange gaze pierced his back. Su Min grumbled as he ignored this and leapt toward the portal.


    A spirited roar resounded behind him as someone leapt and chased after him.


    "Hey, don''t run from me! I just want to have a chat, you know..."


    Su Min''s expression went a little gloomy as he landed next to the portal. He didn''t even hesitate to rush into the gigantic abyss in front of him, causing an annoyed shout to resounded as his vision turned to gold.


    "HEY-"


    *SHIIINGG*


    ''Uh?''


    Su Min soon forgot about that scuffle as he got a strange urge to close his eyes. But, this wasn''t anything to him, so he continued to watch on.


    His body seemed to be floating in a strange abyss, falling and falling.


    "Gold, white and black?"


    Su Min rubbed his chin as he gazed at an exceptional view. It was one where three interlocking colours twined together and formed a cocoon around him. An odd force shrouded him, but he didn''t find anything hostile so he let it be.


    *SHIIIIINGGGGG*


    An even stronger feeling overtook Su Min''s mind as that urge to close his eyes tightened. Su Min pondered as he found that the cocoon had paused as if it was waiting for him to do so.


    "No."


    He wasn''t in a good mood so yielding to some goddamn portal wasn''t in his best interests. In response, a faint growl seemed to resound in this abyss as a terrifying force ruptured the cocoon and threw itself onto Su Min.


    "Agh..."


    He felt his soul quake and his chest burn as that force brewed around him, one of a strange nature. No matter what he did it didn''t go away, it just grew stronger and more annoying.


    "Hahaha, is this all you got?!"


    A hint of madness flashed as Su Min chuckled with a sneer. Although his soul felt painful and his chest hot, this was nowhere near his limit. He has always had this strange personality after rebirthing, and it seemed to be blazing in response to this force.


    He also found that it seemed to temper his soul, so he found no issue with resisting it.


    *MMMMmmmm...*


    Yet, to his surprise, that irritating force threw itself off Su Min and silence overtook.


    "Uh..."


    Then, in a woosh of sacred aura, a sacred draconic voice swept past Su Min''s eardrums and made them burst.


    "Stop... Resisting... It... Is... Pointless... Futile. Ant..."


    A splutter of blood spewed onto the cocoon, where a great listlessness fogged Su Min''s pupils. His body went a little limp, and a sliver of blood leaked out of his mouth.


    "Ah... Alright. Bastard."


    Su Min choked as he found that his damaged cultivation was about to flare up. He closed his eyes, and soon after, a desolate thud quaked.


    *THUDD*


    "Was that a dragon..?"


    Su Min lifted himself off of the dirt floor with a grumble, feeling rather played. He didn''t expect it to just do that, because how was that fair?


    *SHIIINGGG*


    "Oh, never mind that, this seems to be more important."


    His eyes narrowed as he rubbed them and cast that listlessness out. A strange sight struck him soon after, one of a bleak dirt plain. A couple burnt and near collapsed trees were around him, and in this area that exuded an ancient vibe similar to his, a single golden dog stood not too far away from him.


    The dog was similar to a pit bull, but it didn''t seem to have fur or even skin. No, strangely, it was just a glowing figure of gold. Its eyes had no emotion, only a thick desolate aura that surpassed the world.


    If any cultivator, even Wen Mian, were to gaze upon such eyes, they would find them beyond horrifying. It was something about them, a sort of all-seeing touch that surpassed any sort of common sense.


    It was an undeniable feeling one would get when gazing upon a God, or something they can''t even fathom. An unfathomable feeling, as such.


    "Is that...?"


    Su Min paused as he felt his bloodline rumble a little, but it wasn''t that noticeable. Those eyes didn''t do much for him, in fact, it made him feel like he was gazing at something tiny.


    The dog seemed to notice Su Min''s presence as it shifted its bleak obtuse gaze onto him, and like a rule, a flat bloodlust accompanied it.


    Su Min coughed as he mumbled to himself.


    "Great, I have to fight a dog. Reminds me a little of the tournament, if only it was a little bigger and more... Uh, mean?"


    *SHIING*


    As he spoke a strange force permeated the realm and shrouded the dog. A small area around the dog trembled, and in blazing speed, several sharp golden blade-like silhouettes pierced right for Su Min''s heart and eyes.


    It only took an instant for the dog to attack, but to Su Min, this instant was nothing. He didn''t even look as he swished his hands and clenched at the air.


    *GRASP*


    "It seems that you are part of my race, considering that you, a mere dog, can control the ancient energy..."


    His hands crackled as a strange scene played. One where three piercing blades of gold appeared in his grasp without warning. It was like they didn''t even need to get caught by him, as if they were instead getting controlled by him.


    *SHIINGG*


    He clenched even further as he threw his arm back and formed a swinging motion. The dog remained unchanged to it all as it attempted to form another set of blades in the air, but Su Min couldn''t let that happen, could he...


    *BANGGGG*


    His body erupted with a striking power that, with a fierce swing, pummelled three blades right at the dog. They emitted keen cries of sharpness as they teleported and, in a shocking fashion, blazed right past the dog and onto the ground.


    The ground trembled slightly, but not even a crack formed. The air also didn''t rupture nor did any craters form beneath Su Min.


    *Woosh...*


    The dog''s eyes didn''t even quiver as its body split into three equal pieces, dissipating soon after in the wind. Su Min stood there a little dumbfounded at the world and at the unresponsive dog, but much like Wen Mian, the world dissipated and formed a white world.


    It was a world encompassed in fog and frothed clouds, like heaven itself.


    His jade appeared, and in the same bolt of lightning, an inscription of a glowing man appeared on it as it thrashed the ground with a thud. Su Min couldn''t even see the lightning bolt move, so he felt his mind tingle a bit.


    Su Min grasped the jade as he took the sudden changes quite well. His eyes shined a strange light as he gazed at the inscription, where a murmur escaped from his lips.


    "A golden figure..?"


    *BANG*


    Yet, as his thoughts slurred a little, a sign thrashed the ground in front of him with a single word engraved on it.


    ''Shop''

 82 Spells.

    ''Shop''


    "..?"


    Su Min squinted for a while as he tried to gather his thoughts regarding the abruptness of everything.


    "How strange..."


    His eyes shimmered as he held that luke-warm jade, which soon redirected themselves to that old sign in front. He found this world to be similar to the heavens, or at least, he felt a certain hatred towards it.


    But the jade in his hand was the opposite; and considering that the symbol was the exact same to the one on his chest, he even felt a little familiarity to the symbol.


    It was just that the symbol held no lustre, not even a hint of that one of a kind aura. It felt more like a shabby replica than something originating from his own blood.


    "Well, that beast was definitely something resembling my bloodline..."


    He sighed as he put away the jade in a pocket, realising that he should go and get one of those storage pouches.


    *Step*


    "Let''s hope that Wen Mian doesn''t die in this place, heh... Agh, fuck..."


    A little apprehension clouded his expression as he wandered past the sign and through the frothed fog. He soon found a small black building in the far distance, but in a rather disconcerting fashion, that far-away object lessened in distance a little too fast.


    It was like it was coming towards him instead of him walking towards it, but that didn''t seem to be the case as he arrived at its front, metallic door.


    "Black..."


    Su Min murmured as he gazed upon the black box. It had no windows, its roof was flat, and the door seemed to blend in with everything else. The only reason he could see it was because it had a small sign on it, brushed with the word ''open''.


    Lifting his arm to push, Su Min shoved the door open and took a step in. What greeted him was a pitch blackness, one so distraught that it seemed to engulf the light that tried to enter into it.


    *CLINK*


    Yet, with a press, that blackness dissipated in an instant as a small lamp on the roof flickered a monotonous tune. Su Min''s eyes flashed as he noticed a single black orb float in the middle of the room.


    Nothing else but this orb was present, and to Su Min, this orb seemed to contain something inexplicable. It was as if it was telling him to touch it, though it wasn''t malicious; it was just a sort of hint.


    "I wouldn''t call this a shop, but ok..."


    Su Min took a couple light steps as he appeared before the orb, eyes narrowing with a hint of nostalgia; it wasn''t towards the orb itself, but what it represented. A shop, as such.


    *Wanggg*


    Soft energy enveloped Su Min as he went within arms reach of the orb, where his vision blurred a little and three distinct sensations swept through him.


    One depicted an oppressive and somewhat godly atmosphere as if it was the pinnacle of the world. The other next to it had a certain fierceness that wanted to pierce this atmosphere, glowing in a mighty gold.


    The last, but not least, held something a little more ordinary. It carried no special property, but maybe because of this, it felt all-encompassing. As if it held every power in the world, and held them tight.


    Su Min''s eyes narrowed as these three distinct feelings bombarded his senses. He knew one all too well, but such a thing wasn''t what he needed.


    ''I need to cultivate martial energy, so...''


    His mind locked onto a certain sensation, and in a surreal fashion, a drowning blackness drenched his sight and formed a limitless array of lights in his vision.


    Each light conveyed a different feeling, and each seemed to represent something.


    Some lights were more blinding than others, and some simply flickered like a dull lamp without oil. As Su Min saw this, he found that the jade in his hand was beginning to sizzle.


    "Hm?"


    His expression changed as a strange glare spewed out of such a jade, enveloping him in a three colour flash. A golden, white, blackened light. It didn''t seem like energy to him, as he couldn''t recognise the gold to be ancient energy, which confused him greatly.


    *PSST*


    The blackness encompassing him trembled as those blinding lights dimmed until they disappeared. In fact, nearly everything disappeared in view.


    The only thing left was a dim light in the corner of his eye, floating with a weak gait that seemed near dead. That multicoloured light around him had also merged into a strange wisp. One without colour, more like a transparent lucid thing...


    It didn''t seem tangible in his eyes, but it floated around him nonetheless. He got an odd sensation as he gazed at this wisp gliding, but by a rare occurrence, he couldn''t work out what it was.


    It felt out of this world, like something surpassing anything he could know. By any form of guesswork, the only answer he could come up with was that this was energy in the second realm...


    ''The second realm that I have only touched, could it be..?''


    Su Min didn''t know a lot about such a realm, but in comparison to other cultivators, what he knows is at a level of expertise. He has used and felt the power of second realm energy, and it was a mighty almost god-like feeling.


    Yet, this was a different thing altogether, and it was a fierce riddle that contradicted his view on the second realm.


    ''Energy represents power, so if this is second realm energy, why is it emitting so little? In fact, I feel the same I would for a single wisp of ancient energy...''


    Su Min stared at this wisp with growing uncertainty. Its unique presence brought that unsurpassable feeling, yet, it carried the same power as the first realm... So what was it?


    ''Mhm... I''ll leave this for now.''


    With a sigh and a slight turn, Su Min decided to forget about the issue as he focused on that bleak light in his eyes. The light wasn''t anything special, akin to a small flame or a mortal''s lamp.


    Though, without him noticing, a line of text had formed beneath the light. His gaze shifted to such a small line under the light, a strange light brewing in his eyes.


    ''First Realm Mortal Dao Spell.''


    "Mortal Dao..?"


    An instinctual murmur escaped out of his lips as his thoughts blazed.


    ''Mortal Dao... The Limitless Sect was said to be a Mortal Dao sect by the humans. It must be some sort of ranking. But in the case of a spell, which I guess is like my Ancient Fist Arts, it works differently? Maybe a 1st realm spell can only be used for first realm energy, and the Mortal Dao represents its... Power?''


    Su Min felt a little excited as he verged on some understanding.


    ''No, power isn''t right. It''s more like what causes a spell to be powerful, its complexity? No, it''s something a technique, a spell follows. I have always known this, it''s like a sort of law... The higher the rank of a spell the higher its law is. So a Mortal Dao spell must be at the bottom, and higher ranks would mean higher laws that the spell follows, I think?''


    Yet, as this thought entered his head, his gaze shifted to his scarred chest.


    ''That reminds me. As I have forced my cultivation to the peak of the first realm, shouldn''t I get a new techniq~uh spell?''


    He knew that to increase his ancient cultivation he has to comprehend the spells in that space. But, quite strangely, he was able to bypass this and force his cultivation up just by gazing at a speck of second realm energy with the ancient space half-merged in his view.


    He didn''t gain anything new after that near-traumatic experience of enlightenment. He can only control the energy better, well on a whole new level.


    But, then shouldn''t he gain or at least finish the incomplete second fist spell he has learnt?


    ''Mhm, well I can check soon and see if I can still enter the ancient space. Maybe I''ll have a similar experience and get a shit load of information thrown into my head again...''


    Su Min''s face darkened as those memories triggered a little shiver to quake through him, but he threw it out as he concentrated once more on the spell at hand.


    "I don''t even have a martial cultivation, but this will be useful soon..."


    His face lifted with a strange smile. His mind churned, and that far-away speck of light magnified itself until it became a blinding orb right in front of him. It sparked and spat hot steam at him, making it quite a shocking view compared to its once dwindling form.


    Though, Su Min didn''t hesitate at all as a string of information entered his mind. That floating and almost ethereal wisp around him quivered and shot itself at the fiery ball of light, causing a resounding crack to strike Su Min''s eardrums.


    Su Min wasn''t paying attention to this though, instead, his mind was reading a small passage that seemed more like a poem than anything.


    '' Persisting, a mighty man gripped his fists.


    "I am Supreme!", he cried.


    And so he was, supreme.


    Drenched in the blood of the fallen.


    Smothered in the guts of those who once stood tall.


    Condensed with the supreme law, his Martial Energy surpassed all.


    As it is, supreme.


    As it always will be, supreme.


    For it is the supreme path!


    Supreme Martial Cultivation.''


    "Lovely."


    Su Min didn''t know what to say as he scratched his head and gazed at the mass of light. He didn''t control that wisp to just throw itself at it, but he could somewhat guess that he was about to gain the spell; or cultivation method?


    ''It isn''t a spell?''


    *WANGGG*


    A tremble shook such an orb of light, then in a blitzing flash, Su Min felt his mind flutter as an ethereal book formed in his vision. It seemed to condense out of nothing, except that the ball of light would dim every second.


    Until, in a plod, a thin manual fell into Su Min''s grasp; striking his heart with a fierce string of words.


    ''Supreme Cultivation Method''


    The text had an aura of bloodshed and battle intent that made Su Min feel a little manic. It seemed to contain an unquenchable urge to kill all, but also an undeniable pride of being above all.


    "Sure. A spell..."


    Su Min grasped the manual as his blurred vision returned to normal. He lifted his hand off of the orb and stared into space for a while.


    ''I have nowhere to put this book...''


    The black jacket he has been wearing for what seemed for forever no longer had any space. One pocket had that weird Martial Book that he has nearly forgotten about, and the other the jade.


    So, he could only hold it for now as he stepped out of the shop and onto the white world. However, instead of the expected emptiness of whiteness, two black portals hovered in front of him.


    They each had a different atmosphere, one emitting a bloodthirsty battle intent; the other a peacefulness. There wasn''t any indication of which did what, but Su Min could guess.


    "Maybe one is to continue and the other is to return..?"


    If so, he had the urge to continue. Yet...


    "Agh... I should rest and sort out my ancient spells first. My mind is full of fatigue, and I can at most attain the strength of a peak 8th step cultivator right now..."


    He was weak right now, so he didn''t want to go in without going all out first.


    Hence, with a light step, Su Min entered the portal that was shrouded in a peaceful nature...


    *SHIINGG*

 83 Unresponsive.

    *SHIIINGG*


    His vision flashed with a three colour light as the entire world dissipated into an empty void. The same urge to close his eyes came, and of course, Su Min obliged with a grumble.


    "Happy?"


    Yet, as his eyes shut, a strange eeriness shrouded him. He heard no thud, and he seemed to continue floating in this strange space.A cocoon still formed around him, though.


    "Uh..."


    Su Min''s heart sped up as he felt a light breeze brush past his back even with this. His scalp tingled on instinct, and with a swivel of his fist, he punched out behind him at full force!


    It was akin to a thunderous strike of godly stature as the cocoon he was in shattered like glass and the entire realm he was in rumbled! He didn''t hold back, so it was a full force 8th step attack!


    *SMACK*


    His fist seemed to hit something as a resounding bang brought a dense muffled boom, from which a wild scraping noise soon echoed after. Su Min felt a hard metallic object force itself onto his hand, and even with such a punch, it didn''t move but instead continued to drive itself onto him!


    His body froze as he opened his eyes and roared with indignance.


    "Are you seriously trying to kill me? Whoever I insulted by resisting earlier, don''t underestimate me!"


    He could now see that a strange claw-like shimmering object was attempting to dig itself into his knuckles, seething with a fatal strength that not even he could shake off. It wasn''t attached to anything, as if it was just thrown at him.


    Su Min face turned gloomy as he gazed into the rumbling space and spoke with newfound killing intent.


    "So you are a dragon!"


    He couldn''t find any killing intent on the claw, so this wasn''t intended to kill him, more like to test him. But, how could he just let people think that they can test him whenever they so please?


    His right eye shined with a dull gold as his other arm pulsed then erupted with a disastrous power. The entire realm shook even further, and with a pained grunt from Su Min''s pale face, he grabbed the claw with his free arm.


    A stream of ancient energy formed around him and entered into his chest. Power brewed as he neared the boundary of the 9th step.


    *PSSSST*


    Visible sparks brought a dense blinding light as Su Min face paled even further and his chest began to burn. Smoke wafted out, but Su Min didn''t let go as he grabbed tight and attempted to seize the claw!


    *CRAC-CK*


    Time seemed to pause as a couple veins burst on Su Min''s rock hard biceps, spewing golden blood that glittered like starlight. The claw seemed to lessen in momentum at this moment, allowing Su Min to breathe and grasp the object with even more stubbornness.


    He erupted into laughter as he was doing so, mocking whoever threw this thing.


    "Ah, as you so kindly gave this to me, I''ll gladly accept it!"


    He could tell that this was a great item because it hadn''t even warped under his force. Thus, gritting his teeth and clenching even harder, Su Min threw the object to his side and took the brunt of the remaining momentum.


    *BANGGGG*


    "Guh!"


    His mouth begun to taste sweet as he felt the urge to cough, but he suppressed it and smirked. A shimmering silver claw was beside him, carrying a deadly sharpness that, although unable to pierce his uncanny skin, was exceptional.


    It was elongated just like a sword, and it was beyond slender. Its shine was almost blinding, and the metallic aura that came off it was near intoxicating. It wasn''t smooth, no, it took the shape of a thunderbolt.


    Su Min grasped the weapon with some excitement, chuckling.


    "This seems to just right!"


    Its length was a little longer than a traditional sword, and it had no handle. This meant that one would cut themselves if they held it. In fact, if their bodies defences weren''t able to passively take on an attack of a 6th step cultivator, the sword would just slice their hand in half.


    It wouldn''t be right to call it a sword, but Su Min felt that it was one. He doesn''t have any sword skills, but the passive ability of his ancient fist arts allows him to use anything with relative skill.


    Back when he cut down the tree using the axe in the human sect, he was able to do so because of this passive ability. This ability is, in fact, split into two parts.


    One is the level at which he controls energy. This increases as his cultivation does, and currently, he has no idea how well he can control ancient energy. Before it was stuck at a 5m radius around him, but now, he couldn''t tell.


    He can''t test it until he has recovered at least. And as for the other part of the passive ability, it was the method at which he uses his body. It seemed to encompass everything, including punching, slashing, even walking.


    Everything, without him thinking, follows this strict rule of moving. Its a primal rule, and it seemed to be mandatory to be able to use ancient energy to punch or to infuse it into weapons.


    He felt that if he didn''t move with this strict rule everything would break, his cultivation would stammer and he wouldn''t be able to even move. It was like this was the key to his abilities, a law of his race.


    His simple punches aren''t simple, they carry this faint law of movement. This movement complements his strength, and it also allows him to use ancient energy to boost his power.


    Without it, he felt that it wouldn''t be possible and his strength would plummet. It was as if he would lose his ability to control his body properly.


    In essence, one part is what gives him his ability to understand and control the ancient energy; the other part giving his body the correct method of movement that maximises strength and lets him work in harmony with ancient energy.


    Su Min has realised that the ancient fist art is his actual cultivation method, where the more you progress in understanding each of the moves, the further his cultivation increase. Consequently, his understanding of the ancient energy would increase and his movements would be refined. This is the source of the God-Like abilities of his race.


    Nonetheless, he has somehow gone against this rule and pushed his cultivation up without gaining any new understanding of the fist forms. He could tell that the way he moves is a lot more advanced compared to before, and so is his control over ancient energy. It''s just that he can''t check how far he has gone, but he would find it rather unfortunate if he doesn''t gain the correct spells he should have at this level.


    It''s like he is a dragon with a stick; how would he be happy with a stick when he''s meant to have a trident made of impenetrable steel?


    ''Hm, I wonder if I can inject ancient energy into this...''


    He thought for a while, but he was way too injured to control ancient energy right now. He has already overexerted himself from dealing with this random sword-like thing that was thrown at him.


    The void, listless and pitch black, continued to just envelop him as Su Min floated there. Seconds passed and passed and feelings of unbridled dread began to surface.


    Su Min looked around as his face turned gloomier per the second, eventually erupting into an aggrieved roar.


    "Hey? Can I leave..?!"


    Yet, nothing happened as his roar spread out, ushering a slight rumble. He continued to float, fall, who knows whether he was moving or not. He didn''t even know whether he was up or down in this pitch-black void.


    The dread continued to grow like a disconcerting thing sprouting in his mind, but he felt that this was a bit too harsh...


    "Hey! You can''t just leave me in here!!"


    Su Min cried, but still, nothing...


    "Fuck..."


    He rubbed his forehead as he went and sat down, floating. He twirled in a circle a couple times, growing more and more impatient. He seemed like an infinitely small speck in this place, just dwindling by until he dies...


    Impatience developed unbridled as time seemed to lose meaning, but he knew that time was at the utmost importance.


    *Sigh*


    He took a deep breath, and gazing upon the blankness of this world, wherever it is, he spoke with a small bow.


    "I''m sorry..."


    A sincere expression was etched on his face, though the only reason he was doing this was that he couldn''t just live in this place. He has someone to guard, and he doesn''t want to piss off the Overseer.


    If that wasn''t the case he would happily cultivate here and recover without any disturbances.


    *RUMBLE*


    His face lit up as a faint tremor shook the space around him, and a weak suppressive feeling to close his eyes emerged.


    ''It worked!''


    Su Min, without any resistance and even joy, closed his eyes and waited to be transported back.


    *...*


    "You fuck..."


    Nonetheless, nothing happened.


    Su Min seemed to lose it as his eyes twitched. He bellowed in a great breath of air, then cried out.


    "What more do you want?!"


    His voice would cause a mortal to explode into a cloud of blood; even cultivators lower than the 4th step would enter a life and death crisis in front of this booming sound. But, with just a rumble, the void returned to what it once was. A listless silence, one that became increasingly bothering for Su Min.


    He kicked the air and propelled himself forwards. Though, it didn''t seem like he was moving as the surroundings remained unchanged. It was a dizzy sight, revoking any sense of location in Su Min''s mind.


    He couldn''t tell if he was moving or not anymore, so with a slight ruffle, Su Min went into a lotus position. He didn''t speak, just staring into the void with eyes that could kill.


    ''Fine. I''ll recover here then break this fucking world... Goddammit, I hope that Wen Mian doesn''t end up dead, otherwise this whole sect will go down with me!''


    He has felt a strange eeriness ever since entering this sect, and considering Wen Mian''s beauty, he couldn''t remove the idea that the sect has bad intentions. That''s not even including the strange altar that they tried to make Wen Mian use, so it wasn''t looking pretty, to say the least.


    These thoughts echoed in Su Min''s mind, causing him to begin to disregard staying in this place.


    ''If I find that they have done anything when I get out...''


    A frightening light brewed in his eyes as he firmed his heart. His jacket seemed to churn in response, emitting a dense crimson that appeared to scream with a unified cry of anguish. For the jacket to have gone through everything with Su Min, even if it was ordinary, it has been baptised in the death of many.


    Either that or this jacket is something more than an ordinary blood-sucking treasure. But Su Min couldn''t care less as he closed his eyes and attempted to enter an ancient world that would make anyone quiver.


    ''Maybe this is a great chance for her to show what she''s made for. Overseer, I''ll try my best...''

 84 Receding Fog.

    ''Maybe this is a great chance for her to show what she''s made for. Overseer, I''ll try my best...''


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *THUD*


    With a pale face and frail legs, a girl with a transcendent beauty dropped onto a white cloud in a white world. Her left arm was bent in a way it shouldn''t be, and traces of blood littered her face.


    She gazed at such a world with stubbornness, grumbling to herself.


    "I''m only at the 15th realm and it expects me to fight 50 of them..."


    She kicked the puffed cloud beneath her a couple times before getting up with some difficulty. Some excitement seethed as she thought about this strange shop that she has visited 14 times already.


    ''I might be able to get a Mortal Dao Spell instead of the usual techniques this time!''


    She gripped her fists as she took her usual stroll through the strange world. A black building appeared, and in a similarly disconcerting fashion, it sped towards her at an unusual pace.


    A jade appeared in her hands which she grasped. A clear but still dull inscription of a golden mediating figure shone on it, and as she gazed at this figure, she felt that it was becoming increasingly similar to Su Min''s soul.


    Nonetheless, she didn''t bother pondering on the issue anymore as the same black and listless building loomed before her. She pushed open the door that had the word ''Open'' written on it, where a small room with distraught darkness unveiled itself.


    *Clink*


    Though, this didn''t last as a lamp on the roof turned on and ushered a dull light that would sometimes flicker. She was used to this, so with a light step, she strolled up to a single black orb in the centre of the room.


    She breathed a deep breath, then gripping her jade even tighter, she muttered to herself.


    "I have saved up 5 wisps, adding onto the realm I cleared, 6 should be enough to get something better than those shabby techniques..."


    So, without restraint, she placed her jade-like hand onto the orb. A blackness invaded her vision with a blur, where three different feelings emerged and thrashed her senses.


    She stammered a bit as her thoughts grew confused from these feelings, but with grit teeth, she focused on the one with a god-like disposition.


    ''Heavenly!''


    Silence encompassed her as a couple of sparkling lights emerged from the pitch black space, nevertheless, in an exponential fashion, those few lights transformed into an incomprehensible number.


    Some were so blinding that she had to look away, and some were so faint that she had to focus to even notice their existence. Nevertheless, she knew that this was just a facade. Her jade sizzled from this thought, then spewed a three coloured glare onto her.


    Everything trembled as those lights dissipated one after another before only a couple remained.


    She spoke to herself as she watched this happen.


    "I wonder what the brightest lights contain..."


    As her voice faded the glowing jade in her hand shook once more as strange wisps began to form around it.


    One, two, five, six...


    These wisps, each carrying a supernatural disposition, glided around her like beautiful starlight. Wen Mian was expecting six as she had found that after each realm you gain one, but to her shock, the glowing jade didn''t stop at this number...


    "Another?"


    She became a little jittery as she watched the jade sizzle more, then in a pop, another wisp formed around it and drifted right towards her. Wen Mian couldn''t help but cry with joy as she counted the number of wisps around her.


    "Seven!"


    Her eyes redirected themselves onto the couple glowing lights around her, focusing onto the lines of text beneath each of them.


    ''High Technique''


    ''Peak Technique''


    ''Peak Technique''


    Disappointment flashed as she gazed at the three brightest, but she didn''t want to give up as she surveyed every single orb of light she could see.


    ''Low Technique''


    ''Low Technique


    Middle Technique


    Low Technique


    High Technique


    Low Technique


    ....''


    "Come on!"


    She felt hopeless as everything said a similar thing. Nevertheless, in the corner of her eyes, she noticed a strange light reveal itself with a little apprehension. This was a tad odd considering that everything is normally revealed at the beginning.


    The orb wasn''t that bright, in fact, it was one of the dimmest, but it carried a peculiar atmosphere that seemed to set it apart from the rest. This caught her eye, so deciding to take a look at the words beneath the light, Wen Mian gulped.


    ''First Realm Half-Step Mortal Dao Spell''


    Her eyes shined as she, without hesitation, focused onto that light!


    ''Even if it is half-step, It is still better than nothing!''


    She only had techniques and not spells, and most didn''t even know the difference between the two. But she knew, and anything that was called a spell used transcendent laws that required a strenuous comprehension.


    Some people may not understand this and call a spell a technique, and it didn''t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Whether you call it a technique or a spell, its power is unparalleled compared to the highest techniques, but most require ones understanding of energy to be at the level of a genius.


    She, though, doesn''t have to worry about this...


    *WANGG*


    Her mind fluttered as that light developed until it became a blinding pulsating orb of fiery matter. It blew hot steam onto her face, and in a strange hymn, a string of words surfaced in her mind.


    '' Oceans strike with power.


    I who controls the ocean controls power.


    Wherever I am, the ocean is.


    My unfurled wings bring the ocean.


    My breath breathes life into the ocean.


    Draconic waves, utter it.


    For oceanic life is my power.


    Dragon''s Ocean''


    An inexplicable majesty shrouded these words, one that resonated with her to a level she has never felt before. Her eyes quivered and, with a twitch in front of her, a blue book formed from that massive mass of light.


    It didn''t take long for the book to develop and the darkness to recede back into the orb. The same room revealed itself, and in her grasp that blue book shone.


    It had two words written on it.


    ''Dragon''s Ocean''


    Wen Mian didn''t move for a while as she stared at the book in her hand, the odd passage echoing in her head time after time.


    ''I got a technique created by a dragon..?''


    Many may not understand, but she knew that dragons were natural beings bread from nature. They were born with abilities far surpassing anything humanoid, so whatever they create would have contained an essence that most would never be able to replicate.


    Techniques made by dragons can rival a spell''s power in some circumstances. Thus a spell with a dragon''s touch would be even more disastrous. This isn''t even adding on the fact that the half-step spell uses the power of oceans, which is what her bloodline works best with.


    She giggled a little as she placed the book into her storage pouch with care. She strolled out of the room with a couple happy skips, where she was presented with two gates.


    Her gaze locked onto one gate with a peaceful vibe, thinking.


    ''I am way too injured right now, and even then I can''t wait to study this spell!''


    She didn''t give it a second thought as she jumped into the portal Su Min went into.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Inside of a blurry world where a small plot of ground drifted, a golden-haired man stood. A golden tree was next to him, and a small red-petaled flower behind.


    The man spoke with a little enlightenment.


    "So it did expand..."


    Instead of the 1-meter radius from before it was now 2, allowing Su Min some space to breathe. Though, no real benefit came from this except that he could fit another tree in it.


    But why would he do that?


    ''Recover...''


    Su Min has thin patience right now and he needed to regain his strength at a lightning pace. Of course, that''s going on the prerequisite that with such strength he would be able to escape this void that he''s stuck in.


    ''But... To recover I can''t really do anything. Sleeping seems to be the only way to restore the mind, and my mind is the thing that needs recovering. My body doesn''t really get weak, and even when it does it can heal at a startling pace. Adding on with the Red Giant bloodline it has further increased my body''s endurance and tenacity, though it didn''t do a lot for strength...Becoming gigantic is rather useful I guess.''


    He is sleeping right now. It''s just that whenever he does so he would get transported to this place. He can''t sense energy, so finding some sort of method to revoke his mental fatigue is improbable.


    The only real thing he can do is enter that ancient world that allows him to comprehend the spells of his Ancient Fist Art. This was what he was going to do anyway because he knew that he hasn''t acquired the right spells for his level of cultivation.


    ''Alright, let''s go...''


    Getting up and off the dirt, Su Min dusted his clothes that weren''t even real and stepped towards the golden tree. A small almost invisible speck of black shone behind the tree, which his black eye could only see.


    ''Focus...''


    Su Mins eyes narrowed he gazed at the speck. His mind went into a strange daze for a second, then in a surreal whoosh, Su Min''s world rumbled then crumbled in a gradual move towards him. From the edges, till it reached his toes, everything just disappeared...


    What revealed itself beneath the disintegrated world was a fogged one. Everything was hazed in this fog, and Su Min stood in the middle with a 5-meter radius of nothingness around him.


    Su Min realised that the 5-meter radius represented his previous achievements in his comprehension of ancient energy. But this was false considering that he was able to conjure and control an area with a 150 meters radius even in a weakened state.


    This was forgetting that he was also manipulating a second realm energy speck, albeit roughly.


    So, with a light step, Su Min gazed at the fog encompassing him and spoke to himself.


    "I guess I have to show it my comprehension? I can probably do that without using my mind too much..."


    It was a rational thought, but Su Min wasn''t in a great state to do so. However, no matter how weak someone is, their comprehension will always stay the same. They probably won''t be able to put it to use if they don''t have the required power, but that doesn''t matter if you''re just trying to display your comprehension.


    It would be different if he was trying to comprehend instead, as that requires a considerable amount of mental energy to achieve.


    *SHIINGG*


    His golden eye began to shine a peculiar light as the entire world he was in tumbled. It was a shocking spasm; like it wasn''t expecting such a light to spew out of Su Min''s eyes.


    ''Display understanding...''


    The fog around Su Min disintegrated like mist, but this was just the beginning as an incomprehensible aura soon enveloped Su Min. A haze of gold strung around him, thick and uncanny.


    This wasn''t energy, it was the literal culmination of his understanding unfolding in the real world.


    *RUMBLE*


    The shaking grew to a vast degree as the fog disintegrated at an alarming speed. But, Su Min wasn''t finished as his eyes narrowed and a beautifying light brewed.


    It was a light nearing a boundary of some kind, and it made the golden haze around him convulse. Shapes formed and dissolved; divine starlight flickered and shined like blinding fireworks. An aura of profound stature wafted out of him, commencing an even greater shiver to quake through the space around him.


    From 50 meters, the fog kept receding like a mouse fleeing from a cat...


    100 meters.


    150.


    200, 300, 400...


    Su Min kept his placid gaze that anyone could lose themselves in. The gold in his eye was strange to say the least, no, it was incomprehensible. It carried a ting of orange, yellow, but something else as well.


    Each colour, in its own vibrant state, mixed like glowing paint in his pupil, swirling and swishing to form this sort of never seen before glow. His shining gaze was no longer blinding after this. It instead radiated a flickering lucid glare, one that would be almost unnoticeable in daylight. A dim radiance it was.


    600.


    800.


    900...

 85 The Figures thing.

    900...


    The fog kept on receding without any indication of halting in front of Su Min. However, with this, the entire world seemed to brew with a strange force.


    It was one that gave Su Min the shivers, as he could sense a certain familiarity with it. One of enlightenment, or more specifically, information. Though this wasn''t a simple line of text, no, it was a lot larger than that...


    950.


    *GRRRRR*


    The entire world seemed to shake with a primal rumble as Su Min paled a little. Dread shrouded his mind as if it was an instinct.


    ''For my mind to fear something, whatever it is, I ain''t going to enjoy it...''


    Su Min firmed his heart as he continued to display his comprehension. One that had taken a massive leap twice already in his lifetime. The first being when he reincarnated, and at that time it allowed him to be on par with 5th circle mages from the Tattoo Sect. This was equivalent to around the 7th to 8th step cultivation of the Condensation stage, but it was safe to say that most of this strength came from his new body at that time.


    His body hasn''t changed ever since his reincarnation, even after his cultivation increasing to the peak of the first symbol; it still has the same strength, endurance and raw power.


    You could say that before his second leap in comprehension and cultivation, his body was what had made him powerful. Without it, he wouldn''t be able to really use the ancient energy, and because he only had a 5m radius he could command he had no range to use it.


    Nevertheless, even if his body hasn''t improved it is in no way a bottleneck to his power. Weapons can''t even pierce his skin and his brutal fleshy strength alone can rival an 8th step cultivator.


    In fact, the heavenly sect he was in was in no means a small one. Their race just had a different system to work with, where the 6th circle mage correlated with a peak Martial Condensation cultivator. The only person on this level was the high elder, but even he wasn''t able to fight against the second realm energy Su Min summoned indirectly.


    The fog continued to throw itself back in Su Min''s eyes as that brewing disconcerting force grew unbridled.


    From 975...


    980.


    990.


    ''This really isn''t giving me great vibes...''


    Su Min thought to himself a tad surprised. He wouldn''t have expected his comprehension to have reached such a level. This gave him reasons to believe that he hasn''t been crippled in this factor, but in his mental power or capacity.


    ''Maybe I cannot show my true power because my mind isn''t capable of it. Is it because my soul hasn''t evolved to what it should be, or maybe it has been injured? your soul evolves with your understanding, so that would be the only conclusion... Is that what the black figure meant..?''


    Su Min felt that this was probable, as that''s the source of how he controls ancient energy. Nevertheless, as he gazed at the fog, he found that it was beginning to freeze...


    995.


    996...


    With a shiver, the fog that was far from him trembled then halted in unison. Su Min sighed in response as he sat down and felt an unbearable force seep out from the ground and encompass him with snarly breath.


    His mind shook and his pale face twitched a little with unwilling eyes.


    ''Have I been training myself to handle incomprehensible quantities of information to just be thrown into my head at any given time? Fuck.''


    *RUMBLE*


    An invisible force that only he could feel erupted and pounced on him. His mind quivered and warped, but Su Min held his breath and let whatever was trying to get in his head do so.


    "F--"


    He didn''t hold his composure for long as he gasped on instinct and became drenched in sweat. Pain nearing his limit throbbed as he felt himself get dragged into the abyss of his own mind.


    "AGH!!"


    His scream reverberated throughout the fogged world as he collapsed and tugged at his own hair. His eyes went bloodshot, and his breath quickened like he was suffocating.


    Blood dripped from his eyes and nose as if he wasn''t able to take it, but Su Min still didn''t dare let go. He, with a grunt and a quake, roared!


    "You better not fucking injure me anymore!!"


    *THUD*


    His head slammed against the rock hard ground as blood dripped and slid over it. He felt an obnoxious and incessant feeling of annoyance and wrongness continually batter him before imprinting a set of rules onto his soul.


    In fact, he felt that it was imprinting a strange law onto his very bones and muscle, and whenever it did so this unbelievable feeling of annoyance and wrongness would lessen just a little...


    ''Thank fuck it isn''t doing the opposite!''


    Su Min dragged himself over the floor to try to relieve this everpresent feeling that was still unbearable. He could tell that his soul wasn''t in the right state to take this, which was obvious as he was crippled.


    But, he can somehow get through this with sheer will. Albeit with great effort...


    *THUMP*


    It was strange, but as time continued to go by and his body and soul went through this special baptism, he felt an old sentence surface in his mind. It was blurry, to begin with, but as time went on, it began to make some sense...


    ''Fist.


    Third Form.


    ################''


    Even though he still couldn''t work out the rest of the text, he could feel his sensory feelings change. An exceptional sensation blasted him, one telling him that whatever he was doing before was stupid and rough.


    It was mocking even; like it was comparing his previous self to a piece of dung. Su Min, though, seemed to understand this as his grunting breath relaxed and his quivering mind stilled.


    ''This...''


    He didn''t know what to say as this unusual sensation continued to bristle past him. He felt a new way to move, a new way to control, a new everything.


    It was as if everything, even with his undeniable comprehension, was absolutely stupid. Like he was just a beggar trying to use a heavenly treasure.


    Then, with an odd rumble, a resounding voice emerged from nowhere and imprinted itself in his mind. It was old, old enough to exude an outstanding aura that only time could create...


    ''Fist.


    Third Form.


    Ancient Existence.


    You as a child have now reached somewhere acceptable, kin.


    Use this form that surpasses the two before in every conceivable manner.


    Your movements shall follow the 5th law in this form. Your mind shall work in harmony with the world, making energy your plaything.


    For as far as you can control, you can see, smell, touch and taste it!


    You will transcend the trivial boundary of physical sense. Your mind, holding the highest comprehension of the first ancient realm, your body, the toughest there is; a being born to be a God!


    We serve the True Ancient, and as the Gods we are, we express our divine might unto the heavens.


    I expect that you have already faced the laughable divine punishment of the heavens, and I am happy for you. Wherever you are, we will be waiting in the Sect of Gods.


    Alas, the world breathes and we are the ones that break its breath, kin.''


    Su Min felt his mind lighten a little as his body relaxed. An intoxicating sensation of control erupted from him, where his mind begun to, somehow, feel the ground around him.


    In fact, with his eyes closed, Su Min somehow saw said ground a couple meters away from him. Then an instant later he was a hundred meters further and staring at the fog in the distance.


    He could feel the earth in this state, he could smell the air. It was a truly strange sensation, and with this, Su Min somehow knew that something within a 996-meter radius of his body was in his absolute control.


    This was ancient energy!


    ''This is nice...''


    Su Min could also tell that his body felt almost twice as light compared to before, like a feather. Of course, the power he would be capable of producing with this lightness would be astronomical.


    Though, as Su Min was enjoying this sensation, a strange lock began to form around his soul...


    *SNAP*


    "Guh!"


    He gasped on instinct as his sense that was about a hundred meters away from him got tugged back into him. That absolute control faded, and his light body became heavy once more.


    Everything, within an instant, returned to normal. It was just that a tiny lock-like symbol was now embedded on Su Min''s forehead. It shined a gold that merged with his skin, and Su Min could feel an inherent power over it.


    One where, with but a thought, he would be able to unlock said lock...


    ''So this is the third form...''


    Su Min grumbled to himself as he got up. Everything felt dull right now, his body seemed murky and his mind slow. It was as if he got pulled out of bliss, but he couldn''t complain.


    ''It must mean that this puts a strain on me...''


    He didn''t feel any different compared to before, so he could only attribute that time as a mere facade just to show him what it is like. Luckily so, as his mind couldn''t handle any more strain...


    He wants to recover not go any further down this rabbit hole of ''never using his abilities''.


    ''Although I still can''t face second realm cultivators, at my fullest, if I were to summon a 996-meter radius of ancient energy, I might just near such boundary with the sheer quantity of energy... Though I probably can''t do that considering that my soul is half charred, so I guess I can at most summon a 498-meter area instead. Still, that''d probably exhaust me.''


    Su Min thought to himself. He could guess that when the area around him reaches a kilometre he would transcend the first realm.


    But, what was strange was that he could tell that the message seemed to assume that he has done so already. Hinting from the fact when it concluded that he went through ''divine retribution'', which wasn''t the case.


    What came from this was that he would have to face such a thing to transcend, but with the mockery coming from the strange voice, he could tell that it seemed to be irrelevant in the eyes of that person.


    ''Eh, it doesn''t really matter anyway... I need to recover right now, and every second that passes attaches weight onto my mind!''


    Su Min waved his hand as the fogged space dissipated back into that small 2-meter space with a tree and flower. He was about to sit down, but he froze as he felt a disconcerting premonition strike him.


    He turned around and looked behind him, where his gaze narrowed a bit and he seemed to sigh.


    "Looks like the creepy thing wants me..."


    *BANG*


    A thunderous bang resounded in his vision as a vicious pitch-black hole formed. A long-nailed hand grasped the side of the hole, then with a tug, a snarly smile and two gaping eyes emerged from the hole and stared at Su Min; white in features.


    The head tilted as a questioning expression emerged, speaking.


    "Calling someone creepy isn''t a nice, y''know..."


    Su Min quivered on instinct as he took a step back, though he found that he would fall into an infinite abyss if he were to move any further.


    The black head seemed to blend in with the hole, where only the three white features shone. It was akin to the hole having a disproportionate face instead, and it wasn''t a nice sight to see.


    ''Why doesn''t he look like a human? Instead, his mouth is literal white and his eyes are just two floating orbs. Christ.''


    Su Min could only complain in his head as he watched that frightening clawed hand grip the hole even further and pull on it. The hole tore in response with a chilling screech.


    The figure jumped out soon after, revealing his lanky frame that was a little too thin and tall. The figure''s eyes beamed as his everpresent grin widened. He gestured towards the bottomless hole in space behind him as he spoke to Su Min.


    "Su Min, I have a gift for you! Quick, get in here and take a look, as this gift may solve the little babysitting predicament you have right now! Of course, you could just have NOT insulted the dragon running this place, but that''s YOUR job, isn''t it! Fucking pain in the ass..."


    Su Min''s expression changed several times as he gaped at the figures disdainful stare at him. But, with much unwillingness, he leapt toward the hole behind the figure with a dull face.


    The figure in return clapped as he laughed with praise.


    "Bastard, you better be grateful when you see the beautiful thing I made! My ass was exchanged for it, and it hurt goddamit!!"


    Su Min grumbled in return as he shoved himself in the hole that a bit too small.


    "Yes yes..."


    *Wannggg*


    The figure paused with the grumble, where it took a few seconds for him to frown a little and jump in with Su Min.


    "Hey, I felt some disrespect in that tone you just used!"


    *SHEWWWW*


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Uh..."


    Standing in a blurry world, where a hut stood in front and piercing black blades of air jumbled the sky, Su Min seemed a little gobsmacked as he stared at something.


    A black figure materialised behind him as he clutched Su Min''s shoulder and spoke.


    "Ah, you see, as I didn''t really have a body to work with, I had to add some of my... Artistic touches to it. It came out alright if I may say so myself..."


    The figure seemed to become a little apprehensive as Su Min remained dull to it all. Though, with a long breath that seemed to exceed sighing, Su Min spoke.


    "What the fuck is this?"


    The figure didn''t seem to hear the almost insulting vibe coming out of Su Min''s voice as he marched in front of the ''thing'' whilst thumping his chest with a roar.


    "Your very first Martial Warrior! I named him Demon One in your steed, and he seems to like it!"


    Su Min''s eyes seemed to dull again as he opened his jaw to say something, but after a while, nothing came and said jaw shut tight.


    "Ok..."

 86 Flaw.

    Su Min didn''t speak as he just gazed at the thing in front of him. The black figure rubbed his chin, then gazing back and forth from the ''thing'' and Su Min, he asked with that same grin.


    "Is Demon One a bit much?"


    Su Min''s pupils seemed to be unreactive as he replied with a long breath.


    "No, no..."


    A strange light brewed in his eyes as he spoke, examing this truly enlightening spectacle.


    He wasn''t that scared of it, nor was he gobsmacked at some sort of horrifying monster. No, it was just because the thing in front of him resembled the black figure way too much...


    It was pitch black and fogged like a ghost, but still carried a humanoid disposition. Though, it wasn''t lanky like the figure; it was more thick and bulky.


    However, what truly made him gasp was that the things face was near identical to the figures. It was just that it wasn''t smiling, staring on with a placid expression.


    What''s more, a massive almost disproportionate blade hung on its back. This was black as well, even carrying the same foggy and almost spectre-like shine.


    Su Min didn''t really know what to think.


    ''I would expect some sort of horrifying demon by the way the creepy guy acts, but he just made an exact replica of himself...''


    *Thud*


    With a yawn and a glance at the motionless thing that didn''t seem to respond to outside stimuli, Su Min hunkered onto the floor and eyed the world he was in.


    His gaze lingered on a strange hut in the distance and the numerous black blades of wind that cried in the sky, ignoring him. He could tell that the place seemed to be more of an illusion than a real world right now, as everything was semi-transparent and incomplete.


    In fact, from his memory of this terrifying world, he could somewhat guess that it has reverted to a state of near emptiness after his bloodline scattered. Nothing was this fogged, and he could tell even with his pained memories of this goddamn hell hole.


    The black figure watched Su Min''s somewhat nostalgic gaze with a little annoyance. He took a deep breath, then roared.


    "Hey, do you even understand the shit I had to go through to make this beast?! Don''t just dawdle in this broken world! I just hope that once you''re done with this useless errand that you''ll return to the Heaven''s Section, otherwise some crazy shit will take place in that plague-ridden shit hole!"


    The world rumbled a little as the figure''s voice turned hoarse, though Su Min stared on with the same narrowed eyes. He got up, and with a sigh, gestured towards the clone of the figure that was just more muscular; almost as if it was an upgraded version of the original...


    His dull eyes stared right at the thing, where he spoke.


    "Hey, do you speak?"


    The thing remained unchanged as it just stood there with an absent face. Su Min frowned whilst the black figure broadened its smirk and strolled to the side with a hum.


    "There''s one rule pertaining to these warriors, and that''s that they won''t awaken if their master isn''t strong enough. But, you being injured is a bit annoying... Eh, I guess this is the right time for me to introduce these things."


    Su Min paused as he felt a strange disturbance around the black figure. His eyes lit up as, with a thump, a strange black crystal appeared in front of the figure, glistening with a pulse of martial energy.


    The figure grasped the finger-sized crystal and laughed with a gloating expression.


    "Su Min, your ideas about cultivation and the mind is a bit skewed! It pisses me off whenever you come to these strange conclusions, and as I have the opportunity I might as well lecture you a bit!"


    A strange light brewed in the figure''s eyes as a seat formed beneath him, which he rested on. He twirled the crystal for a while, then with a mocking stare at Su Min, he spoke.


    "Alas, cultivation for you is a tad strange considering that you use the Ancient One''s method! But, now that you are entering my town, I''d like to tell you some common laws in this world."


    He took a deep breath, then continued.


    "One, cultivation normally involves forming a store of energy in your body in one way or another. Two! When you cultivate you don''t magically become a God at understanding the fucking energy your using. Three!! Your Ancient One race has a fatal weakness that you''re experiencing right now!"


    His eyes glowed a dark light as he tapped the chair. Su Min seemed to want to say something, but the figure didn''t let that happen as he laughed.


    "Eh? I guess you must be itching to tell me! Well, let me tell you! It''s because your recovering time in the soul is SHITE! It''s laughable how your bloodline is ranked 5th with this issue, but I guess it goes to show how fucking unfair your others abilities are. I''d explain why, but it''s a long ass story that you''d probably find out anyway."


    The crystal in figures hand glistened a tantalising glare in Su Min''s eyes as his black eye twitched. Then, with a ravenous bellow, a striking hunger that almost made him stagger thrashed his mind.


    ''Why do I feel the need to eat it?!''


    Su Min''s thoughts became a bit messy as he attempted to regain his composure from the sudden relapse.


    The figure''s grin seemed to become that little more chilling as he continued to twirl the crystal in his hand, eyeing Su Min''s sudden change. He spoke whilst doing so, and in a manner that seemed to be of enjoyment.


    "Your soul is fueled by the body, so wouldn''t you find it strange that you can''t just use a shit load of energy to revitalise your soul? This is the issue with your race, as one of the drawbacks to your unique cultivation is in the way it evolves the soul! No matter how much energy you consume your soul will remain unchanged to it all, and sleeping is the only way to recover! I find it funny regarding your race that doesn''t even store energy as cultivation, so your soul is your literal holy grail. Without it you would be weak shits with a nice body."


    Su Min didn''t seem to hear this, instead, he clenched his teeth as his eye began to throb with that intense need, but the figure didn''t even speed up as he continued to talk.


    "Slumbering God''s was your race''s nickname, as whenever they had a battle all of the fuckers would go and hibernate like beasts for years on end! Pfft! The world is fair in a way I guess."


    The feeling didn''t slow as that crystal seemed to transform into the most amazing thing in Su Min''s eyes.


    "But if you cultivate martial energy this issue becomes nothing of the sort! Your body and soul are linked with normal methods, where the state of your cultivation is the same as your soul! Heh, considering you think your Martial Bloodline has no apparent ''use'', I might as well show you one of them."


    The figure''s eyes sparkled with playfulness as he grabbed the crystal that was in mid-flight. Su Min continued to suppress the unrelenting allure that came from this crystal, but he soon found that the figure was aiming it right at his black eye.


    He staggered backwards as he spoke with a little alarm.


    "What are you doing?"


    The figure didn''t respond as he went and just flicked it. A spew of dark starlight pierced the air, and in an instant later, Su Min felt pain stab his black eye. Yet, at this moment, that feeling of deep need subsided as a pleasing sensation blasted itself from his eye.


    *mmmm*


    A low hum resounded, and in a surreal tremor, Su Min felt a dense force emerge from his eye. His mind shook, and before he could react, this force smothered said mind. A refreshing feeling came from this, and Su Min couldn''t help but gasp. His soul was recovering!


    The figure seemed to expect to this as he sighed and spoke with a little nostalgia.


    "What I just gave you was a first realm spirit stone, and a peak tier grade one at that! Your bloodline knows a little about you, otherwise it would normally shove this energy into your cultivation. But as you have no real cultivation, it is transforming it into that strange mental stuff. If you had real cultivation then this ability wouldn''t be needed, as you would recover when your fucking cultivation recovers! Blah, the word is becoming annoying to say..."


    His white orb-like eyes narrowed as he stared at Su Min who was beginning to calm down. Su Min loosened his fists as his gaze changed a little, where that deep fatigue began to loosen.


    Though, a certain thought was trailing in his mind.


    ''So I can absorb martial energy? I don''t really see anything special with that... Maybe because it is fast?''


    He seemed to get the general gist with Martial Cultivation. He needs it so that he can recover his soul without sleeping, but if he can do it anyway with these crystals then doesn''t that defeat the purpose?


    ''No, I shouldn''t rely on crystals to recover.It would be better if I could just mediate my fatigue off.''


    Su Min decided that going against this black figure''s wishes wasn''t of the best ideas. Though, he wouldn''t do that anyway as he has nothing he can progress on except Martial Cultivation. He just needs to, well, start.


    ''Shouldn''t I just leave and break out? Why do I need to fight this goddamn thing...''


    He could feel that his mind was somewhat healed. Though, the figure seemed to recognise Su Min''s thoughts as he added something on.


    "Hehe, do you really think I would give you enough energy to break out of the void you''re stuck in? Am I an idiot?! I don''t give a shit about that slut, so go and fight my fucking creation!"


    Su Min thoughts froze as the figure''s words threw him out of that scheme. He sighed, then redirecting himself towards the more ''handsome'' clone of the snarly figure, he clenched his fists.


    "Sure..."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    In front of a portal that glistened a mystical atmosphere, a tremor ran through it. A petite pop resounded, then in a blast of air, a girl got thrown out of it.


    She settled onto the ground; her hair was a little messy and her clothes torn, but she still had a bright gaze. The people nearby noticed this, and as they saw the girl, someone couldn''t help but gasp.


    "It''s Wen Mian!"


    More and more people emerged as they stared at Wen Mian, who was a little apprehensive.


    ''He''s still not out?''


    She looked around but couldn''t find that certain figure that has been with her for a day or so. She felt a little bit insecure as she realised this, but she quickly threw this chilling feeling out as she firmed her grip.


    ''It''s not like I need him... I just need to become stronger, as I have been relying on strong people all my life!''


    Her thoughts raced as she clenched her teeth and strode forward. A white-haired man emerged soon after, catching up to her with a laugh.


    "Aye, you look a bit rough! But, you must see that this place isn''t ordinary. I bet the Overseer doesn''t have such a great treasure for you to train with!"


    Wen Mian didn''t say anything as she found the exit. The man''s eyes changed a tad as he spoke once more, just a little more hurried.


    "You must want to see where you are on the leaderboard, eh?"


    *Ste-*


    The man grinned as he pointed at a massive pillar not too far away. Wen Mian took a glimpse at this, and seeing nothing wrong with doing so, she let her curiosity get the better of her and spoke with a low voice.


    "Show me then..."


    The man nodded as he leapt towards the pillar, where a brimming crowd had formed. A small altar stood next to the piece of stone with multiple engraving on it, and some people would step on it after getting walloped out of the portal.


    "The sect doesn''t have an actual method to record your achievements in real time, so we have this altar that scans your jade and yourself to form a score! This score bases itself off of talent, and is out of a hundred!"


    He spoke as he appeared before the altar and shoved the crowd back. Everyone was silent as they gazed at Wen Mian who was walking up to the altar, eyes feverish with either lust, worship or a commingling mix of both.


    "Mhm, alright."


    Wen Mian nodded as she spoke and arrived before the small altar. It was designed in a similar way to the talent one from before, but she didn''t feel anything disconcerting exuding out of it. Thus, with a light step and a held breath, she appeared atop the altar with a jade held tight in her hand.


    *MMMMM*

 87 The Warrior.

    A dense fluctuation of Heavenly Energy spewed out of the altar. Wen Mian shook a bit as she realised that an unrelenting force had developed, forming invisible arms that bound her.


    She couldn''t move, but she didn''t panic as she watched that white spew of light encompass her and emit a deep hum.


    *MMMMM*


    Then, in a blinding flash, the force dissipated and the light scattered as if it was never there. Wen Mian, a little dazed, found that the stone pillar next to the altar was beginning to shake.


    Some in the crowd noticed this as well, where a couple of people murmured under their breath.


    "This only happens when the top 10 changes..."


    "I guess she really is a talent."


    "It''s to be expected, she is the overseer''s daughter after all."


    Though they made sure to be quiet in front of the white-haired man''s presence, as his reputation was enveloped in ruthlessness and cruelty.


    Said man laughed as he gazed at the stone.


    "As expected of the princess herself!"


    Wen Mian remained silent as she stepped off of the altar with a slight breath; she was relieved that nothing strange happened at least. Nevertheless, as her eyes narrowed at the sight of the stone''s continuous rumble, a line of imposing calligraphy scraped itself on the stone at the bottom.


    As each letter was scoured in the line of text it would go higher and higher, replacing the 12th, 11th, and so on.


    Everyone held their breath as they watched it bypass each and every person on the board, finally reaching the top 3.


    '' #1 Xia Xuegang: 87/100


    #2 Chang Hui: 67/100


    #3 Wen Miang: ''


    This wasn''t the same leaderboard as the one correlating with points, but it still had the same top 2. Though, there was a vast and uncrossable boundary between the top...


    The white-haired man''s eyes shined an indiscernible light as he spoke with a little excitement.


    "Wen Mian, you may not know but the top place is a record that not even higher sects could beat.Xia Xuegang is someone that you may even find hard to stand up against. His talent is truly frightening!"


    Wen Mian could even hear a tinge of awe coming from the man''s voice, startling her a bit. Nevertheless, as the rumble grew more and more vigorous, a number engraved itself onto her name.


    *MMMM*


    The entire pillar shook as if it couldn''t take it, and in this turn of shocking events, her name blurred then wooshed past the two above!


    '' #1 Wen Mian: 88/100


    #2 Xia Xuegang: 87/100


    #3 Chang Hui: 67/100''


    *MMMmmm...*


    The pillar''s shaking subsided after a few seconds as a still silence shrouded the entire plaza. The white-haired man stared at it for a while, then with a clap, he spoke.


    "Incredible!"


    The entire crowd went into an uproar as some ignored the man''s presence and rushed off to report the new leaderboard. Others stood there with a stupor or spoke with a little excitement and battle intent.


    "Xia Xuegang has a chance against her!"


    "His talent really is uncanny to rival the Overseer''s Daughter!"


    "But he has been in closed-door cultivation for a hundred years now! Nobody has seen him, and for these years Chang Hui has only just begun to rival him in points."


    Wen Mian seemed to overhear these conversations as a strange light brewed in her eyes, staring at the second place that was a single per cent away from her. She has never really exposed her talent to the outside world, but she still held herself in a lofty position.


    Yet, there''s a person who can rival her?


    She was used being weaker than other cultivators at least, especially due to her young age and the fact that she was always in the company with her Master; who is unfathomably strong.


    The only other person she has met who seemed to approach her Master was Su Min, who she guessed was an old monster who has lived for thousands of years. A cultivator who her Master had somehow convinced to protect her.


    But, her talent has always outstripped others, and for this random sect to approach her talent? It left a bad taste in her mouth, to say the least.


    She has always held the aspiration to surpass her Master one day, and she knew she was capable of doing so. It was a lofty goal, but she loathed the feeling of weakness.


    Thus, with a light step, she sped towards the exit. She needs to study this half-step spell and ascend the numerous steps in cultivation! With or without Su Min, because she hated the fact that her father thinks she still isn''t independent!


    ''There''s a rival in this sect? So what?''


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Sure..."


    Standing in a blurred world, Su Min grumbled as he adorned a simple fighting posture. The dirt beneath him crumbled and the air quivered from such a posture; as if he was doing a surreal movement.


    Even though it appeared to be simple, a law of power and might shrouded him. It was an ethereal feeling, one that didn''t originate from energy or simple fleshy strength.


    It was a specific and uncanny way to move, a way that would change his punches and kicks to contain a might that most wouldn''t be able to block!


    Su Min''s knuckles crackled as he asked after a pause.


    "Won''t I damage stuff?"


    The figure licked his lips as he replied.


    "If you could break a single grain of dirt in this place then I''d call you God!"


    With a nod and an even greater rumble, Su Min redirected his gaze onto that unchanging thing. Such a thing also seemed to finally notice his presence as it turned towards him.


    Its hands twitched, then at a surreal speed, it grasped the sword on its back and aimed it right at Su Min, who was a little surprised.


    ''That speed was at the 8th step! I guess it is right to call it a Warrior.''


    Though he didn''t feel disheartened as a smile brewed on his face. Without any ancient energy, not even a touch, his feet cracked then erupted with a ghastly force!


    *WHOOOSH*


    A cocoon of air ruptured around him as Su Min appeared before the frozen warrior. He hurled his fist backward mid-air, and like a beast from primal times, he threw it right at the warrior''s stomach!


    The air around the two seemed to double in weight as a thin screech of superimposed shockwaves rumbled outwards. Though, the shockwave travelled less than a millimetre before dissipating...


    *RUMBLE*


    Yet, in this splitting instant between Su Min throwing the punch and hitting the target, the warrior moved at an incalculable velocity and intercepted his fist!


    *BANGGGG*


    Su Min''s eyes fluttered with surprise as he found that his fist had collided with the tip of the warrior''s sword! A resounding metallic thud screeched on his knuckles, from which an uncomfortable shake thudded through Su Min''s spine.


    ''I guess I can''t fight it with my body alone.''


    Su Min leapt back a couple meters as he flicked his wrist a bit. It felt a bit sore after striking the sword, which was strange. Nevertheless, Su Min didn''t ponder on the issue as he watched the fogged existence of the warrior dissipate in thin air.


    "Hm?"


    Su Min grumbled as he saw this unfold, where a strange uncanny light began to shine in his golden eye. The entire world changed with this, from which he felt a gentle bristle of wind blast his back.


    ''Hiding from me is pointless!''


    Su Min smiled as his eyes lit up. The entire world seemed to change colour in this instant, and in a sudden shift, the entire 10-meter area behind him got engulfed in golden light!


    The air distorted and a deafening boom developed and blasted the entire area with thousands upon thousands of ancient strands! Everything got suppressed within this area, unable to move an inch!


    Though...


    "Guh!"


    A muffled gasp resounded within this light as a black figure leapt out of it in a hurry. And at this exact instant a fist, glowing a shimmering gold, appeared right above the area and thrashed the ground!


    Su Min could only sigh as it all dissipated before his eyes. He redirected himself to the warrior a bit to the right, where that playfulness began to fade.


    ''It could escape my suppression, huh...''


    The warrior seemed to change a bit also as its stance shifted and grew more piercing. Su Min even began to feel a faint pricking sensation just by looking at the warrior, but he ignored it and waved his hand with a newfound light in his eyes.


    ''I''ll just throw a 100-meter area of ancient energy at it, and if that doesn''t work then maybe a fist art...''


    Su Min could tell that he had only recovered by about 50%, and even then he had a strict supply of mental energy to use. 100 meters is a limit he didn''t want to surpass. Nevertheless, his eyes twitched as he followed something rather horrifying take place.


    *WANGGG*


    The warrior''s body started to wriggle amidst disconcerting pops as its frame rose inch by inch. Su Min observed as it doubled in size, towering over him like a mini-giant. A newfound aura also bellowed out of it, tinged with a greyish black that carried a law of otherworldly sword arts.


    Su Min then felt an uncountable number of prickling swords stab him all over, far surpassing the previous aura of the warrior.


    ''9th Step... Scrap that idea then...''


    His face became stern as his hand stopped its wave and instead formed a strange fist. Everything seemed to rise in temperature around him, where a billowing heat encompassed him and the warrior.


    His breath, a little tired, muttered out a sentence as his legs thumped the ground.


    "Fist. Second Form..."


    His frame wrapped itself in a red haze, and as if he was trying to overthrow the warrior''s gigantic body, he began to grow as well!


    Red muscle matter grew from nowhere and encircled his frame, building his height until he towered over the warrior! His fists became boulders and his feet mountains! Each bicep, the size of a house!


    "Golden Eclypse!"


    Su Min''s body got enveloped in a strange golden haze formed from his own comprehension. A thousand strands gathered atop his fists and uttered a shrill glow! The light blinded like a flare of paramount fire as the warrior grasped its sword and hurled itself at Su Min.


    Su Min didn''t use any more than a thousand strands. He knew that performing this move was taxing to the extreme. Though, this was still a terrifying quantity.


    *SHIIIINGGG*


    A mighty chime bellowed out as Su Min''s fist trembled and opened! The warrior appeared before Su Min at this time, lifting its sword with its aura magnified.


    Numerous booming clashes of hot air steamed around both of them. A dangerous and almost frightening black streak of reeking energy followed the warrior''s sword as it lifted it, but Su Min didn''t waver as a strange ball of gold rose from his palm.


    "Burst alight, roast in the flames of a God!"


    Su Min laughed as he swivelled to the side and drove that orb of gold right at the warrior. A mighty heat arose and encompassed the warrior as a pillar of bright light propelled itself towards it!


    The air charred and then charred once more beneath this heat, yet the warrior remained unchanged to it all as its sword stopped rising! The streak of blackness had reached a couple meters in length, and facing the ball of gold that was about to collide with it, it descended like divine punishment!


    *SLICE*


    A shocking sword aura engulfed the two of them as everything seemed to part and get sliced in half. Yet, as this extreme force encountered the ball of gold, Su Min''s eyes glistened an indiscernible amount as he grinned.


    "Expand!"


    *POP PSST*


    The warrior seemed to shake visibly as it watched that tiny ball of gold blitz out a chilling noise. The sharp streak of blackness shuddered as it also seemed to sense this...


    *BANGGGG*


    A rupturing almost ear-splitting explosion erupted in view as a blinding golden flame expanded like a supernova and engulfed the black streak! Each random gold flame could incinerate an 8th step cultivator, even seriously injure a 9th who had just entered the peak!


    There were different levels of the peak 9th step, as someone who has been within such a level for thousands of years would obviously hold an immense power compared those who had just entered.


    These people would be able to withstand the flames, but they were rare beyond belief in the cultivation world...


    *SSSSSSSSSSSS*


    A blood-curdling scream echoed as that black streak warped and shook, throwing random dense slicing auras out. The ball of flame trembled with this, but it stood strong beneath the onslaught!


    *SSS -POP- BANGGGG*


    Su Min''s eyes brightened as the streak got charred like it was on a stove, and from this, he also noticed that the warrior was about to fall back. He roared with laughter and waved his hands in response to this!


    "You''re not going anywhere!"


    His voice seemed to be even more tired as his hand quivered. After which, in a shocking fashion, that gigantic ball of flame shook then, still with the streak of black within it, it pounced with an instantaneous motion and attempted to engulf the warrior!


    *WHOOOOSH*


    The warrior seemed to enter a frenzy as it swung its sword in brazen motions in an attempt to stop it. Nonetheless, this didn''t cause the ball of flame to pause at all...


    *PSSSST*

 88 Su Mins regret.

    *PSSSST*


    A distraught sizzle issued out of the ball of flame as the warrior got smothered in heat. Su Min smirked as he waved his hand and compressed the flames, magnifying its power until it reached a hair-raising temperature.


    "GAHHHH!!"


    The warrior cried and gurgled in the flames, yet this screech didn''t even last as silence overtook the blitzing ball. Though, just after this, black fog puffed out of the flames and onto the ground a couple meters away. A shaking body formed from this fog, where its swirling eyes flickered like a dull lamp.


    Su Min paused as he found this warrior to be rather interesting. His clenched hand loosened, and the ball of flame dissipated without a sound. Of course, not even a grain of dirt was damage after the confrontation...


    Nevertheless, as Su Min eyed the twitching warrior, shock began to surface.


    ''Am I seeing things?''


    The warrior, beneath his stupified stare, grasped the dirt with its shaky hand of fogged blackness. It shoved itself up, then in a strange tremor, its body began to emit random crackling noises.


    A grey aura emerged and smothered it, and from this, its indistinct and injured frame healed at a visible speed! In no less than a couple seconds, the warrior stood there with the same body it had in the beginning!


    In fact, Su Min could feel a similar strength as well. One of a piercing sensation, and from this he deduced that the warrior had recovered... Just like that.


    ''Isn''t that a bit...''


    He didn''t know what to say, but even then this didn''t seem to be the end as intelligence brewed within the warrior''s eyes...


    It seemed to become confused as that intelligence brightened ever so more. Then, in a gasp, the warrior collapsed onto the ground out of nausea.


    "W-where? I''m not dead? Is this heaven? Miss..?"


    He caressed the floor with hysteria, though, as his inhuman eyes caught sight of his hand, he cried out with a jolt.


    "What the fuck?!"


    He raised his hand with enough strength to split mountains right up to his face, where sudden shockwaves tumbled out and onto said face.


    *BANG*


    Though his eyes remained wide open as he just stared at his hand and arm, even with the blast of hot air. He didn''t move for a while, then as if he had realised something, his hand plopped onto the ground like it was dead.


    He raised his head, and discovering a black figure that resembled himself way too much to the side of him, he seemed to want to cry.


    "I knew that you were sadistic, but did you have to turn me into a piece of black filth?!"


    The black figure jumped with a little surprise as his face distorted a bit with hurt.


    "Hey, watch your ''filthy'' mouth ya piece of shit! Oh, wait..."


    Su Min coughed as he stepped in front of the black figure before it insulted itself anymore. The warrior''s eyes jumped as he saw Su Min, where a multitude of emotions battered his being.


    Nonexistent tears welled in his nonexistent eye sockets as he murmured with a strange derangement.


    "You... You''re the one who awakened the freak in me... Ah, yeah... I killed them all, didn''t I... How could I forget? Heh?! Yeah, this must be the punishment! To live looking a piece of shit, and serve the person who caused it all! HAHAHA, RIGHT?!"


    Su Min felt a little confused, but as this surfaced, a memory of a kid entered his mind. One who he saved for a wisp of bloodline, but then found to be possessed by such a bloodline.


    He didn''t expect such a person to still be alive, yet here he was, staring at him with resentment and self-loathing...


    Though, from what it seemed, the village he fought on was empty because of a reason much more sadistic than he would''ve hoped.


    ''Ah shit.''


    No words could explain the feeling Su Min was going through right now as he stared at the tattered warrior, who was in fact that naive boy he saved just to collect his bloodline.


    He felt a little regretful...


    ''I am feeling..? Even though it is small, I am feeling...''


    Su Min eyes brightened as he realised this, and although it was near nothing, he was feeling something! He expects nothing, but somehow, he could feel that certain hint of that emotion he has been rid of!


    The black figure seemed to notice this as he took a glimpse at Su Min, where a faint thought echoed in his head.


    ''Interesting...''


    Su Min took a slow stroll towards the collapsed warrior as a complicated light shined in his eyes. He kneeled down, and staring at the whimpering image of a dangerous being, he spoke.


    "I can''t help you with an issue that has already been thrown in the bottomless hell hole known as the past, but I can say this..."


    The warrior quietened a little as Su Min continued.


    "You won''t get anywhere by feeling sorry for yourself. You have been given a new chance, and with this, if you must, you can use it to aim for my head! If you hate me that much, then why are you sitting there like a pathetic piece of shit, get up and face me!"


    Su Min''s roar quaked in the ears of the warrior, reverberating booms in his head. The warrior''s eyes brightened, and in a slow but steady push, he lifted himself off of the ground!


    His eyes, levelled with Su Min, stared on with hatred. He gripped his fists and spoke.


    "Although I don''t understand, a power I can''t even imagine seems to be within me..."


    Su Min''s face lifted into a grin as he laughed.


    "Hahaha! If you can''t even imagine your own power then how on earth will you beat me? It seems that your previous self was some sort of subconscious thing, interesting! Go on, if you can beat me then I''ll gladly let you take my head, if not then you''re serving me! But first, what''s your name?"


    A dangerous light brewed in Su Min''s eyes as a golden haze spewed out and around him. The warrior''s body quivered in response as a dangerous and almost inconceivable feeling billowed, but he grit his teeth and spoke.


    "Li Wei..."


    Su Min''s grin remained as he laughed and leapt back. He raised his fist and roared with provocation.


    "Well, will you fight me? Li Wei?"


    Li Wei''s eyes shook as he gazed at Su Min who exuded a mighty presence. His heart began to thump, and with a stagger, he slumped on the ground with a gaping gaze and a dull mutter.


    "N-no..."


    Su Min''s grin widened as he lowered his fist and let out a breath in silence.


    ''That was close... Luckily he''s timid, otherwise I would''ve had to waste every last ounce of strength to beat him again...''


    Though none of this shone on his face as he redirected his gaze onto the dazed black figure, asking.


    "Right, you said that he would help me?"


    The black figure didn''t respond for a few seconds as he looked at both of them with a strange light. Though this quickly disappeared as his snarly grin widened. He pointed at Li Wei and spoke with a thunderous bellow.


    "Oi, stop being a dimwit and stand up! You need to use your first ability to escape from this void, and I''m sure you know what that ability is, right?"


    Li Wei seemed to be a bit confused as he heard the black figures roar, but as this confusion rung, it dissipated just after. His eyes seemed to seethe with enlightenment, where he replied with an odd gaze.


    "Yes..."


    The black figure laughed as his eyes shined a deathly black, causing a chasm to form in space itself. He appeared before Li Wei, and grabbing him by the neck like a chicken, he went and sneered.


    "Now go and guard this gal called Wen Mian! Make sure she doesn''t die, otherwise your master will have to endure the wrath of the Overseer! Or something, that''s what he thinks anyway."


    His voice boomed, but in this second, he leaned closer to Li Wei and whispered in a way that Su Min wasn''t able to hear.


    "Keep this between you and me, but the Overseer is probably dead. So if you have a change of heart anytime don''t be scared of NOT doing your job, eh? If she dies she dies, and IF SHE DIES you get to go back to the heavens region, and IF THAT HAPPENS you may be able to find something rather interesting. Hehe, Just a thought."


    Li Wei eyes shook as he seemed to want to speak, but the black figure didn''t even give a moment as he went and threw Li Wei into the chasm. Su Min eyes narrowed from this, but he didn''t say anything.


    ''This guy...''


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "This is difficult..."


    Sitting in a cultivation chamber, a girl dressed in red grumbled as she read a blue manual. She would sometimes wave her hand, where oceanic booms would echo. Each time she would frown, but she didn''t give up as she kept trying.


    *SPLASH*


    A frightening blue hazed around her as she tried once more, where a vague outline of an ocean formed and encompassed her. It held inconceivable detail, but Wen Mian didn''t seem to be able to take it as she started to sweat.


    Her eyes glowed a bright blue through this, lightening the burden by a substantial degree. Yet, as the minute ocean surrounding her flickered, her face grew pale.


    *BANG*


    The ocean erupted with a rebounding force as it dissipated, sending a bone-crushing boom right at Wen Mian. She lifted her arms to block it, but it still smashed her into the back wall of the chamber.


    *CRACK*


    A web of cracks chipped the stone on her back as her face went white.


    *THUD*


    She dropped onto the ground, and for a while, she didn''t move. Her head tilted, and with a droplet of blood leaking from her lips, she coughed.


    "Agh..."


    Her hand lifted as a pouch appeared, where a small pill-sized thing got thrown into her shaking lips. A green aura flashed over her, and her face returned to a healthy glow.


    She got up and mumbled.


    "What am I doing wrong..."


    She strode back to the book on the floor and read its contents again.


    ''Dragons harness nature.


    Fulfil this by becoming one, and with the oneness imagine an ocean.


    The ocean rumbles and wafts with life, the more the better!


    Harness this ocean, and with your mind as one, encompass yourself in heavenly power.


    The first step defines the period when you can conjure an ocean around yourself.


    The second, when the ocean replaces your surroundings.


    The third, when the ocean becomes nature and the world, for everything is an ocean is your eyes!''


    With this introduction came a confusing set of pages upon pages of text. It was in a language that she couldn''t understand, and whenever she read it she felt her mind hurt.


    In fact, she knew exactly why this was the case!


    ''Spells require a cultivator''s direct comprehension to work, whereas techniques can work without it... I need to understand this text, and from this, I can begin to conjure the first level!''


    Nevertheless, she couldn''t even get past the first word. It felt like an irrefutable barrier was clouding her mind, where no matter how much she tried she wouldn''t gain anything from this!


    It wasn''t a matter of her comprehending abilities; it was her cultivation.


    ''Master said that no matter how talented someone is, if they don''t have enough power then they won''t get anywhere. Does this mean that I need to increase my cultivation? Dammit!''


    She thumped the ground with grit teeth.


    ''I still only have a 5th step Heavenly Condensation cultivation, ok! I''ll just cultivate!''


    She grabbed the blue book and shoved it into her storage pouch as she relaxed into a lotus position. Though, before she could even begin to cultivate, a knock resounded from her front door.


    ''Hm?''


    Then, in a playful bellow, a man wrenched her door open and sauntered in, somehow bypassing the arrays defences. He had red hair, crimson eyes, and an aura that made Wen Mian quiver.


    He spoke, grinning.


    "Sorry for barging in, but I want to have a little chat!"

 89 Chang Hui

    "Sorry for barging in, but I want to have a little chat!"


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Standing in a pitch black void, a similarly black figure stared onwards in a daze.


    "Wen Mian..."


    He mumbled out, and as he was doing so his gaze seemed to change. The surroundings rumbled, then in a surreal whoosh, his figure blurred into nothingness.


    His vision shifted into a strange greyness, where everything flickered dull chimes. However, this was only for an instant as his vision changed once more into a blinding whiteness.


    *PSSST*


    The warrior swivelled his body as this white encompassed him, and thus, with a strange chiming bell, a plaza formed from the nothingness.


    *THUD*


    He settled, and behind him stood a massive portal, trembling occasionally. Nonetheless, as his presence entered this plaza, everyone in it shook.


    It was an instinctual, deathly shiver. One of paramount fear, a dread so high that it could pierce the heavens and send them to such a height! The warrior looked on with a strange gaze, hazed in a fogged black.


    His inhuman eyes and mouth remained placid, and as everyone caught sight of him, they all froze on the spot.


    "What is that..?"


    Someone could only mutter as his body got drenched in sweat; his blood froze and his breath ragged. This thing, whatever it was, was something so incapably powerful that whatever level he was on would be but a speck in front of its eyes...


    The warrior, Li Wei, took quiet steps as he caught sight of an exit, mumbling.


    "Wen Mian..."


    Some heard this rumbling scraping voice, and their eyes couldn''t help but widen.


    *Step*


    Those strenuous footsteps, that occasional flicker of fog that would pulsate out of his body, it shined so clearly in all of their eyes. It was a stabbing sight, one so frightful that each person would have to close their eyes time to time out of sheer terror.


    Li Wei, as he emerged before the exit, mumbled once more.


    "Wen Mian..."


    *PSST*


    His figure blurred as he dissipated from view, soaring in the sky like a sword from primordial times. Said sky quaked with thunderous rumbles as he swept past, almost like it was parting for him instead of the other way round...


    "What the fuck..?"


    Cultivators collapsed with exhaustion all over the place as hysteria shone in their eyes. They felt like they were playing with death within his presence, and it was such a feeling that made everyone lose it.


    "Was he sent by the overseer?"


    Some muttered as they regained a somewhat civil disposition. Though, whatever the reason, they didn''t dare stick their noses into it. They didn''t want to experience that incapable, unbearable sensation again.


    It was a feeling that screamed at them, crying that their strength is nothing! A speck, a single minute thing that can be turned to dust with but a thought...


    It was a terrorising feeling, but most knew that it was true...


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *RUMBLE*


    High atop one of the mountain peaks of the sect, an elderly man trembled as his eyes spotted a black figure soaring in the sky. He jumped off of the dirt ground encompassed in serenity, and with narrowed eyes, he gaped at that ''thing'' in the sky.


    "What is this?"


    An uncanny feeling brewed in the old man''s stomach as he seemed to think of something.


    A staff appeared in his wizened hand, and he shook it a couple times with an apprehensive expression. Strange light began to appear from the stick, depicting a blurry scene of a black figure standing above an inconspicuous cultivation chamber.


    A river of red was encompassing the sky and a sword was held in its hand!


    Though, as the image attempted to form further, it shook with a rebounding spasm!


    *GUH!*


    The old man staggered backwards as he watched the light puff out of existence. His gaze trembled, and as he stared at the black figure in the sky, panic shone!


    He muttered to himself with a quivering gaze.


    "Where has this sudden future come from?! It wasn''t like this yesterday!"


    Confusion sprung as he attempted to shake the brown stick again, but this time he felt a terrifying power seethe! His eyes widened, and with an instinctual throw, he watched the stick explode mid-air!


    *BANG*


    His body, getting smashed by the shockwave, tumbled backwards before colliding into a tree. Nonetheless, as this boom resounded, the black figure in the sky paused.


    It seemed to turn to his direction, and as the old man caught sight of this with a pale face, he coughed.


    "What does it want?!"


    He grasped the broken bits of log around him as he shoved himself up. It was obvious that he wasn''t strong, in fact, he wasn''t even at a typical disciples level.


    Yet, beneath his unwilling gaze, the figure in the sky hazed itself in a surreal motion and appeared before him. It was instantaneous in the old man''s eyes, causing him to jump with fright.


    A sword was hung on its back, and as it gazed at the old man, a quaking presence seethed out of it. It was as if a multitude of swords were prickling on the old man as he gazed at the thing.


    He felt unable to speak, so he just sat there with a frozen gait...


    Though the silence was soon revoked as the figure spoke with a placid stare.


    "Do you know of someone called ''Wen Mian''?"


    His voice rumbled like a sword, for he was Li Wei!


    The old man froze as he heard this, where a sudden realisation seemed to strike him! His face began to overload with sweat, but beneath the terrifying unmoving white pupils of Li Wei, he couldn''t stop himself from speaking.


    "S-she''s in the 5th Cultivation chamber on the 3rd level of the first peak... "


    Li Wei didn''t say anything as his eyes narrowed with a strange light. He strolled up to the shaking old-man, and with a lean, he spoke with a darker tone.


    "I don''t know a lot, but I know that if she gets killed then my master will face punishment. If my master is punished then I''ll be punished as well! So, if she is going to get killed, tell me. Otherwise, I''ll be leaving."


    The old man seemed to shake even more as he heard the strange tone coming of Li Wei. Hesitation plagued his face, but as he noticed the almost childish light in Li Wei''s eyes, he clenched his teeth and replied.


    "No, she isn''t going to get killed! She is the esteemed guest of our sect, how on earth would we let her die?"


    Li Wei paused as the air seemed to tighten. Though, he nodded as he perked back up and turned around, grumbling to himself.


    "I don''t want to make the same mistakes with this new chance... That means not falling for those cruel tricks, heh... He wants me to let her die, and then he would laugh at my face. Just like the last time... But it seems that my Master is worrying about nothing..."


    *PSST*


    He blurred with a stutter and disappeared from view, leaving that old man. Said man didn''t know what to do for a while, but as a sudden thought entered his head, he leapt up with fright and flew up in the air.


    "If Chang Hui gets caught, then... Then... Ah!"


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *POOF*


    "What are you doing?!"


    Wen Mian, gasping with a pale face, cried out as a blood red beam of light pierced the wall next to her. A laugh resounded soon after, where a crimson haired man smiled with clouded red eyes.


    "The overseer really seems to be exaggerated in intelligence by sending you without anyone else worthy of mention! You are still so weak, so young, a virgin with otherworldly Primordial Yin! Yet he expects your life to be like heaven in the real world? Your beauty is a plague, princess! Hehe, don''t try to threaten me either, as that retard that came with you is highly likely to be weak, and even then, where is he?"


    He licked his lips as he took a step forward and continued to speak beneath Wen Mian''s shaking gaze.


    "Well... Not that it wouldn''t be nice. In fact, threaten me, insult me all you want! Hehe, I like it that way!"


    Wen Mian paled as she found herself against a wall. Her mind quaked, and a terrifying realisation rammed through her!


    "No... no, no!"


    Her eyes went hysterical as her body froze and began to shiver like she was in winter. The man''s smile widened in response to this, eyeing her body like it was a treasure.


    *Step*


    He took another step, where the distance between the two shortened by just a touch...


    *Step*


    *...*


    *Step* *...THUD*


    Wen Mian found the strength to be sapped out of her body as she collapsed onto the ground. Her hand, shaking, went and attempted to grab a white pouch to her side.


    ''Y-yes. Master must''ve left something... Please...''


    Yet, as the red-haired man caught sight of this, his face turned and he waved his hand.


    *SLASH*


    A blood-curdling blade of crimson formed in front of him, and at a speed far surpassing Wen Mian''s hand, it swept right past her...


    "GAHHH!!"


    With a face of distraught realisation, Wen Mian grasped her arm and screamed. Her hand, sliding right off, plopped onto the ground with a twitch, flailing for a while.


    *S-SPLATTER*


    Exposed bone and a splutter of pressurised blood smothered the wall behind her. Her face got drenched in her own blood, and she shook with the pain of it...


    *Step*


    The crimson-haired man smirked as he took the last step and leaned close to her, whispering.


    "I''m Cheng Hui. Make sure you remember it."


    *GRASP*


    He grasped her arm that didn''t have a hand, yanking it out of her quivering grasp. His eyes, clouded, shook with malign pleasure as he let a stream of blood pour out and onto the floor.


    Wen Mian''s body shuddered as her eye''s lustre faded and her breathing weakened, whimpering.


    "St-stop..."


    Though this instigated nothing of the sort, in fact, it caused that grin on Cheng Hui''s face to widen even more...


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "I finally found it. Mhm... It''s strange though. Why is there an air of blood around here?"


    Li Wei, landing on a large rock, gazed at a certain cultivation chamber to the left. A broken hole was also next to this, which was a bit odd.


    Nonetheless, as Li Wei took a step forward, his eyes quivered and an expression of disgust and revulsion replaced his once placid face.


    He, without even a hint of hesitation, grasped the blade on his back and stepped on the ground with an incalculable force. His figure hazed, and in an instant later, he appeared inside of the chamber with eyes blazing.


    *Swipe*


    Time seemed to pause as, like a silent reaper, Li Wei slashed his blade at a certain person. A thin streak of black congealed, and beneath the frozen world, it sparked forward and slashed through and into the person.


    Though Li Wei didn''t stop there as he appeared before the man with crimson eyes, grasping his neck and hurling him backwards. Everything was still halted beneath Li Wei''s gaze, to the point that the man didn''t even change expression as he flew backwards at a shocking velocity.


    Just like time had stopped...

 90 An Unexpected Outcome.

    *BANG*


    Li Wei''s gaze narrowed as he eyed the crimson haired man who had just left the chamber, booming at a speed of the 8th step. His sword, dull and trembling in his palm, swished to the such a man and poked the air.


    *WANGGG*


    A black murkiness formed from this, turning into a tiny beam of light.


    *PSSST*


    Then, within Li Wei''s sight, a rupturing hole impacted the man and disintegrated his heart to dust...


    *zzZSHOOOM*


    Time sped up as his shining eyes dimmed. That once speeding man turned into a blitzing silhouette as he struck the skies at an unruly velocity, and from this, a startled scream resounded just before he disappeared!


    "AH-"


    Though it was stopped short as his voice gurgled, then dissipated as he travelled across the horizon like a fallen star...


    Li Wei took a deep breath as a still silence enveloped the chamber, but in his ear, he could hear a whimper. Though, within such a sound, a strange emotion filled it.


    His eyes shifted as he turned around and stared at a pale girl on the floor. Her maimed hand was on the floor,yet even through this, and even with Li Wei''s presence, she seemed to realise that Chang Hui was gone.


    Her eyes shook with an emotion that shocked even Li Wei. She went and grabbed the fallen white pouch to her side, and with a quick fumble, a blood red pill emerged.


    She placed the pill in her mouth but didn''t chew.


    Li Wei remained silent as he watched her grab her hand, and in an agonising fashion, she pushed it onto her exposed arm that was still bleeding.


    Her teeth clenched as her face distorted, but she still continued!


    *Crunch*


    Her teeth shut as that pill exploded into a cloud of dust, and in that exact moment, her dismembered hand began to wriggle!


    "Guh!"


    She shook as this occurred, but that strange emotion burned even more and forced herself out of it! Her eyes seemed to seethe with blue, where within a couple of seconds that hand had been reattached!


    Li Wei observed this with an odd gaze as he murmured to himself.


    "Extreme hatred..."


    He could see a similar light in her eyes to his, though not from the same cause, its effect was practically the same!


    One where you loathe yourself!


    It was a light Li Wei felt very familiar with, and such a light was what made him ask for death! But, this girl seems different from him. Instead of asking for death, a sprout of rekindled determination sprung from the misfortune!


    He felt a little awe from such a light...


    *Cough*


    Wen Mian, coughing a bit, didn''t say a word as she tilted her head and gazed at Li Wei. Even with the insufferable pressure that billowed out of him, even with that appearance that resembled death, she remained unfazed.


    Instead, she stood up with a shake and stared at him. Li Wei didn''t speak as he felt even more respect.


    ''Nobody has been able to look at me like this except for Master... Yet she is so weak... I wouldn''t be able to do that, heh... I guess this is what separates people like her from people like me. And now that I think about it, she sure is beautiful...''


    Li Wei scratched his head as he looked away from her with a somewhat timid gaze. Wen Mian, looking on, spoke to Li Wei without a hint of fear.


    "Who are you?"


    Her voice was a little cold and full of that dreaded will, and as Li Wei heard it, his eyes began to shine. He replied, and with a twitch, he took a step back and turned around.


    "Master sent me to guard you..."


    As he spoke the world seemed to rumble ever so slightly, and a couple of incensed auras billowed out in the horizon. Wen Mian remained calm, and she spoke once more.


    "Did your master say anything?"


    Li Wei paused as he thought for a second, and without a hint of hesitation, he spoke.


    "He told me to make sure you didn''t die. I don''t know, but it seemed that Master is stuck inside a void like-place. I could get out, which I guess is because of my abilities..."


    Wen Mian''s pupils gleamed an indiscernible amount as she nodded and gazed outside with malice. Li Wei sighed as those rumbling auras locked onto him, sending shivers down every disciple''s spine who were nearby.


    Though Wen Mian still seemed to be unfazed through it all, in fact, it seemed that she was getting used to Li Wei''s 8th step presence. Li Wei, of course, doesn''t know how to hide his aura, so letting it out is his only option.


    Not that he has realised such a thing was an issue, in fact, he just guessed that powerful people were like this...


    "Mhm, I don''t know what Master will do once he gets out, but I''ll stop anyone before then. I made a promise to myself after all, and if you die then my new life is meaningless... I think."


    Li Wei spoke with a strange tone as he took a couple steps outside and gripped his sword with a trembling grasp. He was still a kid inside, so facing these powerful auras made him a little nauseous.


    Nonetheless, he didn''t back down, as he wanted to catch a shred of what Wen Mian has. That light, one that took a path he was unable to venture onto...


    Wen Mian, gazing at Li Wei''s tranquil posture that remained calm even through his teetering mind, clenched her fists. Unknown thoughts ran within her head, where, in a strange decision, she went and grabbed a blue book from her white storage pouch.


    Her eyes shined an oceanic blue as she flipped to the incomprehensible string of words!


    Li Wei, taking a glimpse of this, felt a little anxious. He swished his black ghost-like head to the auras that were just about to arrive, and he tried to throw that feeling out.


    However, as he done this, a faint thought entered his head.


    ''If I let her die...''


    Of course, he was just assuming that these auras had the intent on Wen Mian''s death. This wasn''t baseless, as he had found her with a hand chopped off and a revolting cultivator who was about to do God knows what.


    ''Then I''d be able to return to the heavenly realm, according to the figure...''


    His expression distorted as a strange hope emerged. One where, somehow, he felt that that girl in his heart was still alive... It was odd, maybe even mad, but it battered him as if it was the truest possible.


    Yet...


    ''No..! I won''t fall for it again!''


    His face distorted as he disregarded that idea! He won''t live a life of regret and cling to his past. The now is all that matters, and if he doesn''t do what he should then he would hate himself even more.


    *Rumble*


    His eyes, determined, watched three blurry figures appear in the sky, gazing down at him. A substantial pressure descended, causing trees to bristles with flutters and rocks to bounce.


    Li Wei didn''t move as he gazed at the three of them with his white eyes.


    Thus, with a magnificent voice, an old man in the middle of the three spoke with shimmering eyes.


    "Do you admit to attacking and slaughtering our second beloved disciple, Chang Hui?!"


    The pressure surrounding Li Wei seemed to double in weight as spiralling cracks sputtered around him. Nonetheless, Li Wei remained still as his eyes narrowed and a strange playful smile etched itself on his face.


    It was unknown whether he was doing this on purpose, but this smile brought chills onto the three in the sky.


    "Yes. Master has sent me here to defend Wen Mian, so if you have any intent on harming her, I''ll be in your way..."


    The three in the sky remained silent as a solemn atmosphere clouded the sky. The old man''s eyes shined a strange light, where he asked with an even greater rumble.


    "Who is your master?"


    The pressure seemed to materialise as it attempted to force itself onto Li Wei. Though, as it was doing so, a stupifying aura seemed to grumble out of Li Wei as that pressure quivered and retreated.


    The old man''s expression changed, but Li Wei didn''t seem to notice as he replied with a peculiar gaze.


    "I don''t know to be honest, but he is a lot stronger than me..."


    His voice contained a hint of hatred and also an unusual fear, and as the old man heard this a certain person seemed to ring in his head. He stumbled backwards, and eyeing Li Wei with a panicked gaze, he spoke.


    "Oh... Well, sorry for disturbing you! We just came here to apologise for Chang Hui''s sickening behaviour, and that his death is deserved! Now, I''ll be off!"


    Their auras churned as they transformed into three whooshes of air that blasted the sky. Li Wei''s firmed hand loosened as he took a deep breath of air and sat down with a thud.


    ''I''m not used to this powerhouse business... But I kinda feel like Master back then...''


    A strange nostalgia filled him as he gazed at Wen Mian. He didn''t feel comfortable with all this sudden power he has been gifted, but he kind of liked it...

 91 It is Saddening.

    A strange nostalgia filled him as he gazed at Wen Mian. He didn''t feel comfortable with all this sudden power he has been gifted, but he kind of liked it...


    ''Hm... Those are strange words...''


    Li Wei''s eyes caught sight of those surreal pages that Wen Mian was reading through. He didn''t understand why she was so determined at studying it, but as his white eyes focused on such text, a peculiar feeling arose.


    ''This is...''


    He felt his mind quiver as a strange realisation blasted him. His eyes shined a greyish black for an instant, and in a shocking speed, he read the entire page!


    *Ssss*


    Grey steam wafted out of Li Wei''s body as an odd symbol imprinted itself on his left hand. It was tiny, but also blue... It took the shape of a dragon''s head, a dragon of sleek disposition and calm serenity.


    ''What is this?''


    Li Wei, a bit dazed, lifted his hand as an odd instinctual sensation emerged. His cultivation seethed and exuded greyish martial energy, and in that exact moment, that blue symbol lit up with an ethereal light.


    *Whooosh*


    Wen Mian''s eyes twitched as she felt a sudden outburst of oceanic aura. She shifted her gaze up with a bit of confusion, where she saw a mini ocean swirling around Li Wei''s hand!


    Li Wei didn''t know what was happening right now as this ocean tumbled with strange life. A vitality filled the air, moistening it but also causing vegetation to grow in the corners of the chamber.


    "W-what..?"


    Wen Mian seemed to be even more perplexed as she stared at that ocean, and from any conceivable notion, she could tell that it was what she was trying to achieve!


    ''How is this possible?''


    For this person to have the exact same spell as hers would be ludicrous, yet no other plausible explanation came to mind. He couldn''t have possibly learnt it by just gazing at her manual, as that would be absurd.


    No, not just absurd, it would heaven-defying! The talent at that boundary shouldn''t exist, at least in the lower realm.


    Yet, as Li Wei''s eyes shook a bit with uncertainty, she felt an ill premonition that disproved such an assumption. It was strange, but the tone at which Li Wei was reacting to this was as if he has never used such a spell ...


    "Hm..."


    Li Wei waved his hand around as he tried to get rid of this ocean, but to no avail. His mind was a bit all over the place, and out of sheer guesswork, he focused on that symbol on his hand.


    ''Stop...''


    His eyes shined a strange light as that symbol hummed, and with a sigh of relief, Li Wei watched the ocean around his palm dissipate. He brought said hand to his face, gazing at it with childish curiosity.


    ''That was cool...''


    Wen Mian, watching this, felt that premonition grow unbridled in her heart. Yet she threw it out each time, as it was ridiculous! If he had a talent like that, it would make her seem like mud in comparison.


    Even then, she could tell that Li Wei wasn''t of the heaven''s races. This would mean that learning this spell would be even more difficult, as he would have to convert it to work with his energy realm!


    But, concerning with this fact, it would also make learning such a spell unlikely! As who would bother to waste effort to learn a Heaven''s spell?


    Though, as she redirected her gaze onto the text, she found that she still couldn''t get past the first letter. No matter how much she tried, no matter how much she focused, it just wouldn''t click in her head.


    She gripped her fists as annoyance battered her. She was annoyed at her lack of talent, she hated herself for being the one who has to be guarded due to her own status!


    She loathed the feeling of being under the control of scum, scum who she couldn''t even get revenge upon! It was a terrible, almost suffocating feeling, yet she wouldn''t give in and let herself feel sorry.


    She wanted to grow, but even with this determination, she still couldn''t get past this hurdle! A simple hurdle, something that she excelled in!


    Li Wei viewed this with a little doubt as he stared at the dragon on his hand and then at her annoyed face. He saw that she seemed to be frustrated, so he couldn''t help but ask.


    "Is this technique hard to learn?"


    Wen Mian seemed to freeze for a second as she shifted her eyes towards Li Wei. A little anger clouded her expression where, in only a few seconds of looking, she grumbled with a pout.


    "Are you mocking me?"


    Li Wei paused as he realised he had somehow pissed her off. Of course, he couldn''t really take her seriously as he observed her face, which was making his heart flutter.


    Nonetheless, with a great stammer, Li Wei coughed as he replied with a smile that was more terrifying than friendly.


    "N-no! Why would I mock you?"


    Wen Mian''s face darkened as she saw that smile that was way too disturbing for her liking. Li Wei noticed this and his mind thundered with confusion, some more confusion, and then a little added on to top it off.


    ''Uh... Maybe I''m inept?"


    He avoided her gaze as he tried to wait for her to calm down, but Wen Mian wasn''t having it as she pointed at the book and cried out.


    "Okay, if this is so easy then teach me!"


    Her voice seemed to be tinged with a slight something. Li Wei frowned as he heard this, where a faint thought entered his head as his expression dulled.


    ''I guess even she is still a bit all over the place after that... I shouldn''t cause any more strain for her then... Right.''


    His face turned serious as he stood up and took a light step towards her. Wen Mian froze as she watched this sudden transformation, and not only this but an even greater pressure seemed to ooze out of Li Wei.


    It was one far surpassing the 8th step, one that stepped into that single most peak, the final and last step of the first stage...


    Even she paled at such a pressure, as she hasn''t felt a power like that for a long time. Her master may have let such power out once or twice, but he would always retract his aura before she would notice.


    This was different to the feeling she got when she had glimpsed Su Min''s soul. That was a feeling of majesty, a feeling of Godly stature, not power. Power is different, it''s a more robust, more terrifying feeling than any meer majestic sight.


    That''s because, no matter how talented you are, no matter what bloodline you house, power trumps all...


    And as she realised this, her eyes trembled as a terrifying conjecture emerged and slammed her mind.


    ''For this person to be Su Min''s underling, then...''


    She shivered at the thought.


    ''Is Su Min the Ancient Overseer..?''


    What was above the 9th step? Most would say that it would be the second cultivation stage or the Conversion stage for most, yet there is a ''stage'' just before this.


    The half-step and those who have stepped into such a boundary are between the two powers. They are just ''one half'' away from the power most would consider God, but this is still an infinite distance to cross.


    Though, these people are still able to show devastating power that any 9th step cultivator would be powerless to fight against. They cannot summon 2nd realm energy, but their control over the first has reached the very utmost peak that they would reach in their lifetime.


    This peak, whether genius or not, is terrifying.


    These thoughts rammed through her head at break-neck speed as she found it hard to comprehend, even for her status. As, to be guarded by someone on that level, it was a tad too extreme.


    Nevertheless, she didn''t get a chance to think about this anymore as Li Wei grasped her book and gave it a stare. He seemed to focus on the first introduction, and as he finished, he stared back at Wen Mian with a serious gait.


    He, coughing, spoke.


    "I''ll teach you."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Goddammit!"


    Inside a dim chamber, and accompanied by three other people, a wrinkled old man roared as he thrashed the wall to his side. It disintegrated in that instant, forming a rumbling concaved hole that dug out an unknown distance of rock.


    His eyes were jittery as panic surfaced and wavered like waves from an ocean. The people surrounding him wore a solemn atmosphere, and one specific person within this attempted to speak up.


    "Sect Master, I can try to divine the future again, as that monsters master may not be... You know."


    He coughed a little as he found it hard to say the words, though the Sect Masters grim eyes shined as he laughed and interrupted the diviner.


    "It''s the Overseer! Who else could it be?! That thing was at the 9th step, I could tell! Who else would be able to get a 9th step guard, huh?! But this isn''t the issue, no. I don''t care about him, what I care about is that the guard appeared out of nowhere! He... he with his sudden appearance! A right appearance at that! So right, in fact, that it cannot be out of sheer coincidence. Hah, you see, isn''t it obvious?"


    The panic deepened as everyone remained silent.


    "The overseer must know, he must!!And if he knows then that means he will come. And, for a second stage cultivator, destroying us is as simple as waving his hand!! Ah... I thought he was going to the neighbouring planet, but he has known all along!"


    His thoughts didn''t even think of Su Min, someone who he had already forgotten about.


    "Okay... Okay. Diviner, go! I need a tangible result, and we must use it to avoid disaster!"


    He pointed at the diviner as a strange token formed from nothing, and without hesitation, he threw into the diviner''s palm. Everyone seemed to gasp a little as they gazed at the token like it was some sort of treasure.


    The diviner didn''t know what to say, but as he caught sight of the unrelenting impatient gaze of the Sect Master, he no longer hesitated. He leapt in the air and sped off towards the Sect''s Treasure Pavilion.


    The sect master watched this with a little hope as he redirected his gaze onto the other two remaining. He focused on a snarly woman with a big bust, arrogant eyes and a seductive air.


    She noticed this and eyed him with a strange light, and the Sect Master spoke soon after.


    "Go and monitor the beast''s pet, and if you feel that you''re able to take him down then do so! I trust that your soul techniques are able to fit this job, and if not then here''s a token for a half-step spell! Go!"


    He waved his hand and formed another token and tossed it to her. Her eyes sparkled as she bowed and disappeared from thin air. The Sect Master''s eyes seemed to grow older by the second as he forwarded himself towards the one last person.


    This person was shrouded in darkness, and even the sect master couldn''t see him.


    He didn''t speak for a while, and then in a tone that seemed slightly different, he muttered.


    "I''m guessing that you''re going to cancel the contract..."


    The figure in the darkness nodded after a while, and the sect master sighed.


    "Alright, I won''t disclose our agreement. Not that it matters, considering your backing..."


    The figure seemed to think about something, then in a twitch, a broken voice erupted out of him. It was akin to the screeching chalk squeals out when scratching it on a rough blackboard. That quaking, irritating sound. One that you''d want to cover your ears to...


    "Disappointing. This Mission was rather exciting for Him, yet you failed. Saddening, it is. Truly. Hm. He is rather interested in this ''guard''. He said that it was rather exceptional when the thing severed His connection with the boy. But it''s unfortunate that it seems to be the servant of the person you speak of... Truly."

 92 His Soul.

    "Disappointing. This Mission was rather exciting for Him, yet you failed. Saddening, it is. Truly. Hm. He is rather interested in this ''guard''. He said that it was rather exceptional when the thing severed His connection with the boy. But it''s unfortunate that it seems to be the servant of the person you speak of... Truly."


    An unusual aura seemed to encompass the blackened silhouette as the sect master got the shivers. He coughed, then bowing, he spoke.


    "Chang Hui was the only disciple that would do such... Actions. I''m sorry that he wasn''t able to complete the job, and... I''ll at least try to capture the guard. If that appeases Him."


    The figure didn''t respond as it glanced towards an inconspicuous spot of the sect with a rare light. This was the Strength Pavilion!


    *Wanggg*


    The aura around the two seemed to tighten as that same distraught voice mumbled.


    "A word of advice. Don''t approach the Strength Pavilion."


    The Sect Master paused as confusion overtook him, but he didn''t get a chance to confirm his thoughts as that figure dissipated like fog. His eyes narrowed as he turned around and stared at the pavilion in the distance, but he found nothing strange about it.


    Though, a certain thought did enter his head...


    ''Could the Dragon be awakening?''


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Atop rugged dirt in a broken world, a frightening black figure and a worn golden-haired man relaxed on two wooden chairs. They didn''t speak as they stared at the blurred distance; the only sound resounding being the grating blades of black wind in the sky.


    The black figure had his eyes shut as he snored, and the golden-haired man seemed bored and disgruntled. Though, with a jerk, the black figure seemed to see something as his shining white eyes cracked open and blazed a weary light.


    His face lifted into an amusing grin as he laughed and roared, startling the golden-haired man.


    "HAHAHA!! Su Min, this is hilarious!"


    Su Min looked around and found nothing that would indicate why the figure was giggling. He didn''t feel confused though, as he had always thought that this beast was senile.


    But, with the same blank look, he still asked.


    "What is it?"


    His voice was a little irritable as he spoke, though the figure seemed to take this without any heed as he chuckled. His eyes gleamed still as if they were watching something far away.


    "The gal, pfft! Her fucking hand man! This stuff is great!"


    Su Min seemed to tremble a little as he heard such obscure terms, but he could tell that the figure was enjoying something. Whatever it was, Su Min knows that whatever is enjoyable to the figure wouldn''t be enjoyable for him.


    His face darkened, and he asked once more.


    "What has happened?"


    The figure didn''t seem to hear him as he coughed from his own laughter and stood up. He waved his hand, and like he was awaiting something from Su Min, he grinned ever more.


    *Wanggg*


    Su Min''s eyes quivered as he stared at the sudden image being presented to him. It was a gruesome image, one of a pale girl and a devil-Esche face peering at her.


    He attempted to say something, but he could only murmur a single word.


    "This..."


    The figure seemed to take pleasure from this expression as he giggled and shook his hand once more. The light screen scattered, and Su Min stared on with an absent mind.


    *Thud*


    Then, with a sit, the figure reclined on the chair and yawned.


    "...Who knew, the slut might die. PFFT!"


    Su Min arms twitched as his eyes went and glared at the figure, who didn''t seem to care. Thus, with his seething eyes, he grumbled with a sense of urgency.


    "Are you going to stop your stupid parade and let me recover?"


    The figure''s eyes shined an indiscernible amount as he glanced over at Su Min and gave a thoughtful look. He tapped the arm rest on his chair, and humming a bit, he replied like it was nothing.


    "Heh, does a dog go and bite its feeders hand? Huh? What fucking obligation do I have to form those crystals for you? I''m the feeder, so you, the dog, need to respect my decision of not feeding you. I myself must recover, so go and sit here like a good boy!"


    *CRACK*


    Su Min seemed to tremble as his arms grasped the chair and issued thunderous blasts of tyrannical strength. Though, the chair didn''t even shake as it stood through this onslaught of soul-shaking power.


    The figure didn''t respond anymore as he relaxed and closed his eyes. In fact, to him, the ear-splitting sounds had become but a muffled pop.


    Though, he did speak before his nap.


    "Uh... Ah, I recommend that you practice concealing your soul before you leave. You were nearly discovered by an entity you don''t want to mess with just yet, which is an issue. Your bloodline is treasure, remember that."


    Su Min breathed deep breaths as he calmed himself down, and with a solemn gait, he gazed into the horizon. The words of the figure seemed to echo in his head, and it at least gave him something to do in this barren land.


    ''I guess it''s up to you...''


    ...


    ...


    ...


    *Whoosh*


    In a silent leap, a lean figure of a woman flew through the air at a blurred speed. She appeared atop a tree, and staring onwards, she smiled and spoke to herself.


    "Let''s take a look at your soul, shall we..."


    Her eyes shined a strange light as a location a couple kilometres away magnified itself into her view. A blurry image of a chamber revealed itself, and within this was a black figure who was convening with Wen Mian.


    Her face turned serious as she, with her utmost effort, activated a certain technique that changed the way she perceived the world.


    *Mmmm*


    The chamber and everything around dissipated like dust as that single black figure became the only thing in her sight. Although he was blurry and almost indistinct, this was enough for her.


    ''Hm?''


    As this figure shone, she discovered what she was looking for. But, it seemed to surprise her as she gasped a little.


    ''This is a bit...''


    What she saw was what most would call a kid. A kid in his teens, and a kid who seemed weak and frail. He had cracks covering him, and his eyes were bleak and resentful.


    She seemed to get a little excited as she stared on and chuckled.


    "Its soul is its weakness!"


    She examined it again and again and saw nothing that would prove otherwise. Yet, as she was doing so, a detached piercing sensation seemed to arise around her.


    It was a strange, inconspicuous feeling, but as she felt it her thoughts became messy and she leapt back with alarm. In that instant an ethereal almost invisible black blade formed and swept right through that tree, disintegrating it into dust.


    ''It noticed me!''


    Fright filled her face as she retreated several hundred metres, but strangely, nothing happened. She hesitated, and gazing at the chamber, she found that nobody had left.


    She waited, and still, nothing happened. It was as if the monster had, in fact, not noticed her presence. Her mind was a bit dazed as she tried to figure out what had just happened, but it made no sense.


    ''If he didn''t realise, then what was that? An automatic defence? But such techniques don''t exist...''


    Uneasiness shrouded her as she pondered and pondered, finding it to be an enigma she couldn''t solve. This feeling only grew, and from this, she seemed to resolve her mind as she turned around and flew towards a certain building.


    ''I''ll learn a half-step spell!''

 93 A sudden emergence.

    With a hand held up and a face tinged with seriousness, Li Wei''s eyes shined a greyish light as martial energy swirled around him. This energy shivered, then in a surreal swish, it blossomed into a bright blue ocean.


    *SPLASH*


    It swished and churned around his hand, exuding a paramount sense of vitality and fresh air. Wen Mian, standing just a little behind, gazed at this with a hint of shock. She gulped, and trying to focus as much as she could, she mumbled.


    "Form the ocean..."


    Waving her hand in much the same way, a spark of heavenly light lit and encompassed her. It trembled and churned, and her face paled. Yet, she clenched her teeth and eyed that ocean in front of her without a care.


    Her eyes began to gleam an oceanic blaze and from this, an exceptional understanding seemed to batter her. Her mind seethed, and her closeness with the oceanic law magnified.


    *Wanggg*


    Fatigue clouded her, but she prevailed as that heavenly energy began to flourish! The air moistened, and the blurry outline of an ocean formed around her hand.


    Excitement flashed, but she suppressed this and forced her mind to focus. Li Wei watched this with a peculiar light as a slight smile broke his placid face, causing quaking shivers to crawl on any creature nearby.


    Wen Mian seemed to stumble a bit as she ignored Li Wei''s almost insulting expression. Instead, she brought that outlined ocean to her chest, and with the last dreg of her cultivation, she closed her eyes.


    *Splash*


    A strange resonance twitched and then riggled through the outlined ocean, where, in a surreal sight, it began to get flushed in a rich blue.


    *WHOOSH*


    A blast of humid air thumped the chamber as a somewhat pressuring ocean swirled around her palm. A constant deafening racket of roiling waves resounded as if her palm was holding a true ocean.


    Li Wei gazed at the ocean with a praising gleam in his eyes as he nodded. He shook his hand, and his ocean deformed and dissipated. He clapped, and with a hair-raising grin, he congratulated her.


    "I knew you could do it!"


    Wen Mian''s eyes narrowed and she stuttered back. She couldn''t handle keeping the ocean intact for too long, so she waved her hand and settled the spell.


    She sighed, and relaxing down with exhaustion, she noticed Li Wei''s smirk. She snapped and, with a venomous glare, she yelled right at Li Wei.


    "Will you stop it with that mocking smile of yours? I don''t know what to believe when you''re giving me two messages!"


    Li Wei stammered as his eyes got clouded with hurt. He seemed to want to say something, but he gave up in the end and crumpled to the ground with a tragic face.


    ''Ah, I guess this is my fate...''


    He shoved the misery of his appearance right in the depths of his mind; it wasn''t like he could fix this issue anyway. Thus, redirecting his thoughts on something less depressing, he gazed at the book beside Wen Mian.


    Wen Mian caught this and was reminded of her ill premonition. Her thoughts became a little messy as she stared at Li Wei''s look of interest, dread clouding her mind like a ravenous beast was beside her.


    Li Wei seemed to think of something as his eyes blazed even more, replacing his dismal expression with desire. Wen Mian''s face paled as the omen weighed in her heart, causing her to ask.


    "What, do you want it?"


    Her voice, echoing with a hint of dread, passed by Li Wei, who turned his head toward her. Surprise flashed, and after a few seconds, he nodded. Wen Mian gulped, but she didn''t stop him as she grabbed the book and hurled it towards Li Wei.


    *Grab*


    Li Wei licked his lips on instinct as he grasped the book and grinned. Wen Mian''s expression darkened as she gave him a slight look of disgust, but Li Wei wasn''t even paying attention to her as he laughed and opened the manual.


    A greyish gleam glistened in his pupils as he, not even hesitating, sped past the first two pages! Greyish steam began to waft, and Li Wei soon finished another two pages!


    *Flick*


    Every couple of seconds he would flick to the next page, and every time he did so Wen Mian''s expression would distort even more.


    *Flick*


    The smoke intensified as the glare in his pupils brightened, exuding a brilliant aura. Li Wei''s speed also increased as he began to blaze through the pages as if they were nothing...


    ''W-what on earth?''


    Wen Mian became a little dazed as she observed Li Wei''s body get engulfed in smoke, and before she could even comprehend what was going on, she realised that he had finished.


    "Hah..."


    A satisfied grunt rang within this fog of greyish substance as Li Wei wandered out with a stretch. His eyes seemed to be clouded with a strange ecstasy, but it dissipated in no time.


    He scratched his fuzzy fogged head, and lifting his hand, he nodded with a content smirk.


    ''This symbol looks awesome.''


    Wen Mian watched this with a deranged look, but she soon noticed that a vague blue haze was beginning to waft out of Li Wei.


    Her body shivered on instinct as she felt the entire room get smothered in this oceanic aura. Her eyes widened, where a stupifying occurrence appeared around Li Wei.


    *ROAR*


    A dragon, sleek in elegance, rose in an etheral blue haze behind Li Wei and roared. Majesty and profound laws gushed out like a tide, where everything began to transform.


    The ground beneath her feet turned liquid, and before her very eyes, everything diffused into the ocean. The chamber and everything above it became an ocean as if it had never existed.


    *GUSH*


    The dragon''s figure sharpened as it gazed at the world with disdain. Its gorgeous blue claws and furled wings pierced the sky with a paramount aura; its eyes seemingly each containing an ocean within.


    Li Wei, standing above the turbulent waves, looked around with confusion.


    ''I didn''t activate the symbol?''


    He scratched his chin as he thought for a moment and turned around. The dragon seemed to notice this as it gazed at him with eyes as profound as the world itself.


    ''Wow...''


    Li Wei felt his body quiver as he this gaze surveyed his entire body, one that made even himself feel powerless. It was a grand feeling, one of bristling power that seemed to originate from the world.


    Wen Mian, lifting her head with a great effort, looked on with quivering eyes. A single, terrifying thought resounded in her head!


    ''This is the Dragon Ocean Law''s Manifestation!''


    The dragon tilted its head as it examined Li Wei, a trace of confusion clouding its expression.


    Though this didn''t last long as it was extinguished with a surge of great power. The entire sky shook, and in a blazing crack, a pillar of oceanic aura encompassed the land.


    *RUMBLE*


    Li Wei stared on with even more bewilderment, watching an overflowing gush of blue gather atop the dragon.


    *SWIRL*


    ''Maybe I was rash?''


    The dragon''s eyes flashed, causing a blinding light to sweep past the entire world. It lifted its hand as this happened, where a ball of glorious oceanic energy churned.


    The entire world paused as a power beyond anything emerged and forced everyone within a kilometre''s distance to their knees. It didn''t matter whether they were at the 1st step or the 9th, they would kneel!


    Though, Li Wei didn''t get this feeling as he continued to stand before the dragon. A dragon whose entire body now shined as if it was a true, real and breathing entity!


    ''What is this?''


    Li Wei heart chilled as he felt overflowing awe fill him to the brim. Yet, in this instant, the dragon''s mouth opened and issued a decree of worldly power.


    "The First of the Nine. Being from another world, the Ocean Draconic Law falls."


    *WHOOOOSH*


    Li Wei felt a strange sensation blast him as he watched that ball dissipate into nothingness. The entire world shook, time paused, and an invisible strand formed before Li Wei.


    An unfamiliar power blasted him as an overwhelming urge to grasp the strand emerged. His eyes seethed, and without hesitation, he grabbed such a strand!


    The dragon stared on with indifference as its claw landed back onto the ocean. It''s body faded, and everything trembled. Rocks formed and replaced sea, and within a second, the entire chamber had returned.


    *Thud*


    Wen Mian''s eyes seemed dull as she slammed the ground. Li Wei also didn''t know what to think as he stepped onto the floor with a strange aura bubbling around him.


    He clenched his fists a couple times as an odd light gleamed in his eyes, causing the aura to magnify around him.


    *Rumble*


    A majestic presence blasted out of him as the earth shook on instinct, where the air moistened and everything seemed to verge onto transforming.


    ''Uh...''


    Li Wei stopped himself as he sat on the floor with confusion. Though, he soon noticed that his body had changed...


    ''Blue..?''


    The colour of his body was no longer pitch black, rather it was more like a dark azure. Wen Mian also noticed this as she felt even more out of touch on who this guard was, someone who could summon the laws of the world...


    ''Only someone who reaches a peak of a law''s first stage can summon the laws manifestation, and with this, they get granted an instinctual control over the law. They no longer need to summon the energies, instead, the world will heed to their will... Everything below will feel awe from such a being, their bodies will resonate with nature, and their true selves will become closer to that of the law''s ancestor.''


    Her bloodline seemed to be trembling as she felt that presence that Li Wei was exuding. It was faint, but it was noble as if it came from a dragon.


    Nonetheless, this wasn''t what was causing her to be so disgruntled.


    ''Yet... Yet... He got the law''s recognition through a single read of my manual?!''


    She didn''t even believe her own thoughts, but no other explanation would displace them! One can only get recognised once, and this normally happens when they are comprehending!


    So he must''ve gained comprehension from the book, but it was more like he had just learned the whole law through a single sitting!

 94 Divination.

    An old man, rushing towards a spot on the first peak of the sect, held an ancient stick in his hand. His speed was laughable, not even reaching the 3rd step.


    Nevertheless, he still reached the plain of grass and trees with a thud. His eyes quivered with excitement and dread, where he breathed deep gulps. He calmed himself, and holding the stick, he lifted it and began to mutter.


    "Firmament, Open."


    His countenance was solemn as his grasp tightened and his face paled. An odd aura seemed to form around him, one that was invisible yet so easy to spot.


    It seethed with Martial Energy, though what he said next was a little strange.


    "Heavens, Heed my Call!"


    He seemed to age at a visible rate as he continued. The aura around him also trembled, then multiplied in quantity and density. That odd feeling magnified, causing a disheartening sensation to blitz unto all of existence.


    "Divine."


    His voice, quivering out the last syllable, seemed to echo through everything. His body creaked as this happened, where a light breeze blew past him and brought a dust cloud with it.


    *W-Wanggg*


    His stick shook as, before his eyes, an exceptional rumble quaked in the sky!


    *CRACKLE*


    A forbidden aura exploded and encompassed him, where a heavenly light pierced the clouds and formed a pillar of gleaming brightness!


    A dazzling feeling of awe blasted the old man, and he didn''t bother to resist as he kneeled down with the stick in his hand. This stick was hymning at an even greater rate as if it was resonating with that light!


    The old man grovelled there with the dirt, but he didn''t stop muttering a strange string of inconceivable words. This seemed to cause the rumbling to develop, and the pillar of light to kindle.


    *MMMMM*


    That was until, in an abrupt crack, a blinding entity parted the clouds. The light seared the air, and the old man couldn''t even look at the entity or his eyes would singe.


    The entity, unknown in shape or size, flashed as it appeared before the old man and gazed at him. It was a strange gaze, and it seemed to want something.


    The old man saw this, and with a dry gulp, he threw the old stick towards the entity.


    *FLASH*


    Everything seemed to lose all meaning for a second, and before the old man knew it, the world had been restored and he was kneeling with a face full of sweat.


    He turned his head and saw that no commotion had been set off, nor had anyone noticed this. Though, he wasn''t surprised.


    ''Only I could see...''


    Terror set a storm in his mind as he reminded himself of that entity, one that he couldn''t even look at. Nonetheless, he couldn''t ponder on such issues as he set his eyes on a shimmering scroll before him, formed from nothing.


    ''Higher level divination acquired from the heavens is capable of producing images, but I can only create scrolls with my ability...''


    " I, a Martial Being, must ask the heavens for help... Heh."


    He sighed as he grasped the scroll and unfurled it in a rush. A set of words presented themselves to him. They were rough in form but had a certain atmosphere that was unique. It was this uniqueness that seemed to make the old man''s blood shake with revulsion.


    '' Assigned via the Dragon of Oceans.


    A newborn, a new worldly commander.


    Ocean Emperor Li Wei.''


    Beneath this verse was another, strangely rougher set of text.


    '' Unknown Turmoils Spread within the gate.


    A gold, blazing and worthwhile.


    Where true horror recovers.


    Do not let him recover.''


    The last sentence was even more rushed and rough, even verging on being unreadable. In fact, he seemed to spot a light stain to the side of the scroll.


    ''Blood?''


    It was white in colour, almost like bleach. It was hard to spot, but the old man felt that it was peculiar. But, he soon forgot about this as he attempted to understand the divination.


    ''Ocean..? Who is Li Wei?''


    But confusion only developed as he found the first verse to be strange. He hasn''t heard of anything about oceans or dragons, so he was unable to form any connections in his mind.


    Considering this, the second verse was just as vague.


    ''Gold... The gate must be an entrance to a place in our sect, and something is inside that. Something that is our true enemy?''


    However, what he found to be startling was that this verse had 4 lines!


    ''Every divination is set in threes, so what is this?''


    An uneasiness filled him as he stared at the last fives words. Those words were almost frightened; like they were warning him. This sort of thing is something he has never heard about, because how could the heavens show emotion?


    Yet, it was as so.


    ''Mhm... I need to get this to the sect master. He''ll probably be able to understand a lot more than I can right now.''


    He shook his head as he threw that apprehension out. The Heavens couldn''t be afraid, right?


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Soul Destruction..."


    A seductive breath scraped against the icy wind as a woman grinned. A manual was held against her chest like a child, and she flew in the sky with excitement.


    Her eyes shined a dangerous light, where a faint destructive aura would pierce an obscure dimension that souls exist within. Each time it would focus more and more like it was trying to become a beam.


    She zoomed through the atmosphere as she appeared atop a crooked tree, encased in dead bark. She eyed an area a couple kilometres away, the same place that she eyed before.


    A patch of blackened dust was settled on the ground not too far away from her. That used to be a tree...


    ''Learn, quick!''


    She wouldn''t normally learn such an important technique that verges onto being a spell in this fashion. But she knew that time is of the essence, and if the sect master was telling the truth, a being who is beyond anyone''s imagination could appear at any moment!


    The Overseer.


    ''If we use Wen Mian as a hostage, he wouldn''t kill us immediately!''


    Escaping isn''t an option when facing a transcendent entity like the Heavenly Overseer. His senses can cover tens of thousands of kilometres, and even then she had no idea what a second stage cultivator could do.


    Normally, though, he wouldn''t attack a sect in the Martial Section. But, if his daughter is involved, then what would stop him?


    He is a being who can upturn the world with a wave of his hand, a person she can''t run from! Even if she is calm on the outside, her mind has been in turmoil ever since the sect master came to his conclusion!


    She doesn''t care if she damages her future right now, as it wouldn''t matter if she will be dead in such a future.


    Her eyes focused to a level she wouldn''t ever be able to reach, for pressure is sometimes the best catalyst for cultivation and power!


    That destructive aura continued to blaze, blinking and blinking through her eyes. Creatures around her would feel their souls flutter every time this occurred, causing the area encompassing her for hundreds of metres to go barren.


    Although, she seemed to smell an unusual aura coming out from that chamber a couple kilometres away. It was faint, but she could find a hint of blue.


    No, something almost ocean-like...


    ''What is this?''


    Her eyes narrowed as she noticed that a multitude of beasts and small pests were scurrying towards the source of this aura. Right towards the chamber.


    ''Refreshing..?''


    The plants seemed to ripen a little; the flowers gleam with a deep more luscious hue. Everything got tinged with vitality, and all of this originated from that chamber.


    ''I remember Wen Mian having an Ocean-based bloodline... But she isn''t anywhere near the level to cause this.''


    Uneasiness sprouted as she eyed the phenomena with a dark expression. Though throughout this she didn''t stop refining that spell.


    ''Strange.''

 95 An emperor.

    Uneasiness sprouted as she eyed the phenomena with a dark expression. Though throughout this she didn''t stop refining that spell.


    ''Strange.''


    She felt a little anxious, so she tried to speed up. Her stern aura seethed, and her eyes began to glow a destructive gleam...


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "You..."


    Wen Mian, staring wide-eyed, gaped out a single word, but she found nothing that could describe what she was feeling. Li Wei, looking at her, could only sigh as he kneeled down and handed the manual to her.


    His eyes gleamed an odd and oppressive blue as he did so, causing shivers to spike throughout Wen Mian''s body. She still caught the book, though, just with a jitter and a pale face.


    Li Wei''s face remained placid as he caught this, deciding to sit down on the hard stone ground. He gazed out of the entrance of the chamber that was still broken, mumbling.


    "I feel strange..."


    His eyes narrowed as he stared at the ground, the trees outside, and the sky. He lifted his hand and tapped the stone beside him, and as he looked at the beautiful sunshine piercing streaks into the room, he waved such a hand through them.


    Wen Mian''s face turned a little solemn as she watched his odd actions. Her breathing seemed to be stabilising, but she could feel a dense and somehow infinite power within Li Wei.


    It was like an ocean, and she couldn''t see the depths of this massive lake...


    Before he was powerful, but now something was different.


    "All is an ocean..."


    Whilst she was pondering Li Wei mumbled once more as his eyes seemed to gleam a terrifying light. The entire world shook for a second, but Li Wei didn''t seem to want to carry on as he removed his gaze and frowned.


    What he didn''t notice was that a whoosh of nearly congealed blue aura had wafted out of him at this moment. It sped through the entire chamber and thrashed itself onto Wen Mian without care.


    *THUD*


    Li Wei''s expression changed as he heard a thud behind him. He turned around and saw a strange scene.


    Wen Mian, with a trembling body, was flat on the ground with her face implanted in the ground. A springing crack and an indented crater had formed around her as if a massive object had pummelled her.


    "Are you alright?"


    Li Wei asked with a concerned face as he gazed at Wen Mian, who was firmly planted onto the floor like a mountain was atop her. She seemed to hear his question as she grasped with the floor with a shake and pulled herself out of her human-shaped crater.


    Her hair was ruffled and a bit of rock dropped from her clothes, but she didn''t care as her dark face eyed Li Wei. Li Wei took a step back as he felt the air tighten around him, feeling bewildered.


    ''Did I do that..?''


    Wen Mian dusted her clothes as she gave Li Wei a glare; she didn''t say anything though, instead she grabbed the manual and began to cultivate in the corner of the chamber.


    Li Wei, left standing there, drooped as he stared at his blueish body with annoyance.


    ''All because of this... Body!''


    He clenched his teeth as he turned around and appeared before the entrance of the chamber. Annoyance battered him as he gazed at the chamber, but this was soon replaced with shock.


    ''What on earth?''


    Before him, and all standing with a strange entrancement, numerous birds, small rabbits and beautiful beasts stared at him with their brutish eyes.


    They didn''t move as Li Wei just stood there with an aching head. He could see that there were still more coming from a distance, and even then he had no idea if that was it.


    But he still found getting stared at by so many living creatures a little irritating, so he attempted to scare them off by waving his hands at them and shouting.


    "Shoo! Shoo you beasts!"


    Of course, this did nothing of the sort.


    They continued to stare, and Li Wei continued to get more and more annoyed. He frowned, and exerting some strength, he stomped his foot.


    *BANGGG*


    A boom akin to a thunderous crackle slapped the air and issued a blazing shockwave. The trees whistled with screeches, and the animals all got lifted off of the ground in a tsunami of air.


    *WHOOOSH*


    Cries of panic erupted in the forest as trees got tugged out of the hard mud, even boulders began to get propelled from the storm. Li Wei watched each and every animal got thrashed out of his sight; with this, all of the trees and any sort of shrubbery also left the proximity.


    He could see that they had all got thrown off of the mountain''s ledge a couple kilometres or so away, which made him a little smug.


    He grinned and roared.


    "Hahaha! Don''t mess with this master here!"


    His voice reverberated and brought a rumble as it spread out and into anyone''s ear within a 10-kilometre radius. However, as there was no longer any trees, Li Wei seemed to notice something as he shifted his gaze onto a spot to the left.


    It was close to the ledge, and although he couldn''t see anyone, he could sense a strange aura permeating there. It was an aura that made him a little apprehensive, although he had no idea why.


    He pondered as his eyes glistened and he took a light step. The world shifted as he appeared right at the spot, where he took a big whiff of the aura.


    He licked his lips as he spoke with that hair-raising smile.


    "Someone was here?"


    He felt a little excited as he leapt into the sky and floated there with a haze of grey supporting him. His pupils tightened as the entire world reflected itself into his mind, attempting to find that aura.


    A couple seconds passed as he began to scowl with disappointment, though he didn''t give up just yet as he waved his hands and yelled.


    "If you won''t come out then I''ll force you! Hahaha! I can test this strange feeling I got now!"


    A childish playfulness shrouded his voice as he cried, almost like this was a game. Of course, that wave he performed was something that would instigate despair onto most, as it seemed to shroud the entire ledge with an oceanic blue.


    A dense, almost unquenchable aura emerged as a haze of watery mist encompassed the atmosphere and the ground. A vibrant vitality followed, and with this Li Wei''s demeanour changed.


    A sense of dignity, an overwhelming majesty!


    It bellowed, it writhed around him, and the world seemed to hymn with cries of devotion!


    *WHOOOSH*


    The sky crackled and the clouds got sundered as an unsurpassable azure strung itself around Li Wei. His aura became robust, and that obscure majesty cleared up.


    *Wanggg*


    His eyes lit with a ghostly fire of azure as two blinding circular halos formed on both his hands. They rotated around his palm, and they brought keen cries of draconic roars that froze the very space around him.


    As these shimmered Li Wei felt that odd feeling magnify until it seemed to tell him something. His eyes shined a dangerous light, and with a slow clench, his right fist trembled as that halo surrounding it expanded.


    *GUSH*


    Then, with a sudden twist, reality distorted as the entire ground and everything within a kilometre radius churned before liquifying. And before it could even be comprehended, a mighty ocean roared tumbling waves around him.


    For as far as he could see was this ocean, and as if the ocean was here form the beginning, sea creatures of all kinds leapt in and out the air from the ocean.


    Li Wei giggled as he felt an unending stream of power encompass him, one telling him that this ocean could be moved with but a lift of his palm.


    What was the ocean? One may underestimate it, but you''d surely be crushed by it if it came tumbling your way.


    It is one of the mighty features of nature!


    And so, within Li Wei''s gaze that seemed to verge onto something much more beastly, a king of beasts in fact, he spotted an odd occurrence not too far away.


    This place seemed to be rather chaotic for no apparent reason, as huge ripples kept on echoing on the surface. Li Wei also noticed that these ripples seemed to be travelling away from him, which caused that grin to widen.


    He laughed, then appearing above that certain area, he spoke.


    "If you don''t reveal yourself then I''ll be forced to do it for you!"


    The ocean seemed to resonate with his words as the entire world reeled. Then, with a disconcerting notion, everything seemed to lock onto that area. A frightening sensation spread around here, as if a massive wave could be set off with but a thought.


    The atmosphere tightened and congealed like some sort of unending loop as Li Wei''s face began to frown. The ocean trembled with this frown and seemed to be ready to pounce right at that singular location...


    "Wait..!"


    Nevertheless, a distraught cry soon replied as a sweat riddled woman revealed herself above the tettering waves. Her eyes seemed to shake as she stared at Li Wei as if she was looking at a monster.


    Li Wei seemed to be a bit jarred as he saw the sudden entrance of the woman, but he coughed and regained his composure. He, gazing at her, spoke with a serious face.


    "Why were you so close to the chamber? Were you perhaps planning to attack Wen Mian again?"


    He himself didn''t notice the strange mockery that was tinging his voice and expression right now. In fact, his personality seemed to be veering onto something much more quirky.


    The woman noticed this mocking tone, and she trembled at the thought of what he was going to do. Still, she gulped and tried to remain calm as she replied.


    "I enjoy cultivating in the tranquillity of nature."


    Li Wei frowned as he lowered himself to stand in front of her. The halos around his hands continued to emit draconic cries, and his flaming eyes seemed to have a depth that rivalled an ocean.


    In fact, she seemed to have the illusion that she was facing the entire ocean right now, instead of a single man.


    She took a step back as she found the pressure emanating from Li Wei to be suffocating. Though coupled with this was the strange all-seeing gaze of his, and it made standing excruciating.


    Li Wei''s eyes narrowed as he seemed to sense something coming from her, causing his frown to deepen.


    "You have a rather bothersome aura..."


    He lifted his hand as he spoke, causing the woman to pale even further. She seemed to want to say something, but Li Wei didn''t care as he continued.


    "Oh yeah, you were one of those people who came with that guy... Well, I hope you enjoy your flight. Hahaha!"


    The woman''s face turned as she tensed her body and attempted to escape. But, somehow, the air seemed to become a thousand times denser as she barely moved.


    ''He knows who I am!''

 96 A torn hole.

    ''He knows who I am!''


    Her mind seethed and her heart chilled as she witnessed the entire ocean tremble. It was a tremble that invoked horror, a horror so distraught that it seemed to cloud her entire existence.


    ''I''ll die!''


    Alarm shook her very core as she attempted to force herself out of the dense air. Yet, she found that its power was beyond her imagination, and even she couldn''t escape from its claws.


    ''Dammit!''


    Her eyes gleamed as she gave up escaping, instead, she redirected her gaze towards the innocent smile of Li Wei. A typhoon had formed at this moment, encompassing the sky and the heavens with its mighty roaring waves.


    Space itself seemed to tremble as the atmosphere got sundered under congealed power. The entire world reeled, and it was all locked onto that single woman.


    This woman turned pale and then blue as a life and death crisis battered her, but she didn''t remove her glare towards Li Wei. A destructive aura began to seethe, and Li Wei''s expression seemed to change as he frowned.


    *WHOOOOOSH*


    He drove his palm down, where that typhoon of ghastly proportions hastened. It would only take a single second for it to collide with the woman!


    ''Soul!''


    The woman''s mind growled as she firmed her heart with killing intent. A strange shine pierced out of her pupils, one that caused shivers to spike through Li Wei.


    "Hm?"


    Li Wei''s face darkened as he took a step back with caution, grasping the air and forming a dense wall of water in front of him.


    It was a truly magnificent sight to behold, one where four great propelled streams of oceanic water gushed from the skies like the descent of nature itself. And in all of this, two tiny figures faced each other with polar opposite lights shining in their eyes.


    The woman''s eyes shined a destructive and unhesitating gleam, whilst Li Wei''s sparkled with inherent mockery and caution. A storm set off beneath this force, clouds billowing in the sky full of vital rain, and grass growing and getting crushed beneath their feet from incessant slams of water.


    *GUSH*


    ''Destruction...!''


    The woman''s mind shook as she disregarded her own safety! She knew that she couldn''t escape from this, so how else would she go out?


    Li Wei''s expression seemed to change once more as he felt an undulation of terrifying energy billow out of her gaze. He felt his heart sharpen, and his soul shudder.


    His smile collapsed and his body seemed to enter a strange pose as he grumbled out with a newfound gaze.


    "Martial Sword, First Slice."


    He didn''t know what she was doing, but he has never felt such dread tremor through him like this. He didn''t care anymore so he would show some of his transcendent skills in an art he knows so little of, yet seems to hold right in his grasp.


    *WANGGG*


    His body riggled amidst disconcerting pops as he grew and expanded to the height of a mini-giant. His muscles tensed as he grasped the sword hanging on his back, and combined with the already majestic air of his oceanic presence, a suffocating presence billowed.


    A piercing aura enveloped the world as the entire sky seemed to darken with greyish hues. Yet, also within this was a deep vitality and an oceanic disposition that brought heaviness and resolute nature.


    A combination of ocean and sword formed and, from this, a force beyond anything the woman could comprehend descended!


    The four tsunami-like waves roiled still, and with his rising sword of unsurpassable stature, a feeling of hopelessness and ungodly horror squealed in her heart!


    The woman''s mind rattled as she saw this, feeling a true sense of terror arise! She didn''t know he was this strong, this... This terrifying!


    If she knew, then she would have already given up! This was at a level that pushed right towards the peak of the 9th step! Only old monsters would be at such a level, and she was facing such a monster!


    Yet, she could still see that flickering and almost laughable soul within this unquenchable power. This soul... It could be her saving grace.


    Each dwindling microsecond seemed to be forever implanted in her mind, and she didn''t care as she uttered the last syllables in her mind!


    ''..BEAM!''


    *WANGGG*


    The entire world flashed as time got released and Li Wei''s sword sped up and up like a slow-motion video returning to ordinary playback. His sword, engulfed in a blueish greyed tint, sliced the air, the world, and the entire sky!


    The four waves, all roaring like they are each a disturbing beast, engulfed the heavens and crashed down!


    *BANGGGGG*


    A deafening detonation resounded as if it was the end of the world, causing the ledge they were on to shake and the entire mountain to tremor with a minute unnoticeable vibration!


    The entire mountain shook, a mountain so massive that one single ledge was the size of a forest!


    *RUUUUMBLLLLE*


    And within this ear-splitting boom, a similarly resounding slash swiped and swept through the air as it seemed to part the entire world. The ledge split from this, it split right down and for hundreds of meters!


    A vile force crackled through the mountain and shook it once more, and this time with a vibration that was noticeable to the touch!


    *SHAKE*


    Churning waves of water gushed off the side of the ledge as steam rose, yet strangely, the chambers engraved in the mountain remained undamaged to this vast destruction.


    *SSSS*


    And within this cloud of skin charring steam, a single blurry greyish figure stood with a strange glint in his eyes. He didn''t move for a while, but a weakness seemed to shroud him as he collapsed onto the ground with a thud.


    A striking canyon was beside him, and so was a concentrated crater not too far away. The ocean was still there, but it was dissipating at a rapid rate as if it had never existed in the first place.


    "Huh..."


    His mind seemed to be slewed as Li Wei muttered with a rapid heart. His soul, in particular, appeared to have a gaping hole drilled right in it.


    It was located on the soul''s body, not its head, but it seemed to destroy something vital from Li Wei. A part of him.


    His eyes seemed dull as that confusion magnified until it seemed to become his everything. Of course, whilst this was happening the entire sect had gone in an uproar.


    Numerous Elders had appeared near the sight, and curious disciples too. Yet, all they saw was a thick cloud of steam so hot that it seemed to be able to burn 7th step cultivators.


    "What is happening?"


    Some muttered under their breath as they, floating a couple kilometres away from the ledge, stared at the writhing cloud of steam. Those below the 5th step didn''t even dare move forward as the striking heat was already unbearable here, but as more people arrived those at the top of the ladder appeared.


    "The ledge..."


    A certain figure, inconspicuous, narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the cloud with shining eyes. His body was draped in a starry black, where faint glistening orbs of light would shine time from time.


    Nobody seemed to notice his presence as they continued to analyse the explosion as if he wasn''t even there...


    "This is where Wen Mian is... Could it be the Sect Master had actually accepted that ridiculous offer?"


    The figure frowned as he scratched his black hair with blazing eyes. His stubbled chin and his facial feature, albeit ordinary, seemed to exude wisdom that not many could grasp.


    He, as if the heat wasn''t even there, took a step forward and appeared a kilometre away from the ledge. The billowing heat was now insane, yet he withstood it without a hint of distress.


    "I have been in closed-door seclusion for far too long... It seems that this Sect has really become brazen enough to go against an Overseer... And so I thought I could stay for a little longer."


    His pupils seemed to find a certain figure within the thick steam, and from this, he seemed to quiver slightly. His face lifted with a smile, and a blazing laugh erupted out of him. For no one to hear.


    "What a compelling aura! Yes, this Overseer has planned it all! Hahaha! I truly feel awe from the second stage, for those who have taken those 9 steps and then that final leap are people I''d never fool with!"


    His crude laugh was a little aged, yet he carried a certain disposition that invoked respect. No aura leaked out of him, as if he were a mortal, but he still continued and took another step as he appeared within the fog!


    Yet, this still seemed to cause no sort of discomfort as he floated there and took a closer look. He noticed the remarkable canyon and the crater that seemed to have been impacted by a meteor; it all shined in his eyes!


    And as this happened the entire cloud of steam seemed to sway, and in a stupefying fashion, it all dissipated into nothing!


    *Step*


    Then, with a desolate crunch, Li Wei lifted himself off of the floor as that confusion diffused from his eyes. Though it didn''t leave him, it instead sowed a seed in his heart that he would never be able to remove.


    Those rings of draconic power around his palms dispersed, his blazing eyes levelled, and his body shrunk. He returned to his original temperament, one of strangeness and an eery nature that came from his body''s abnormal form.


    The man in the sky seemed to pause as interest flashed, and with this, a strange battle intent formed; thoughts echoed in his mind as this took place!


    ''I have only just reached the 9th step with the last push from my hard-fought seclusion, and this monster seems to exude an aura even I find hair-raising! My Teacher must find out about this, as he hasn''t had a good fight for a long time... Yet, why does my spell seem to tell me that he is under someone?''


    A strange starry light brewed in his eyes as he analysed Li Wei, who hasn''t yet noticed him; or at least doesn''t seem to have noticed him.


    Odd visions sprouted within the man''s view like flowers, all coming from Li Wei. Three flowers caught his attention in particular, and each of them told a different story.


    ''Crimson Red... For fury. Bright Blue, for sorrow. And... Gold?''


    He could understand two of them, but one colour left him puzzled. It was obscure, yet it carried a certain feeling that left him a little rough in breath.


    ''Subservient, a feeling of inferiority... Towards someone, or something.''


    The interest in his heart grew as he flashed and fled back. He didn''t seem to have any intentions of speaking with Li Wei, it seemed.


    So, persisting atop the ledge, Li Wei took a desolate stroll towards the chamber a couple kilometres away. His mind was in a mess, as he seemed to hold a perplexing feeling in his heart.


    ''Why do I feel like I''ve forgotten something?''


    His soul shook as this thought surfaced, yet that hole remained. Thus, whatever it had lost, it couldn''t retrieve.


    ''Why do I feel so sad..?''


    An unbearable pain resounded in his mind, one that was elusive and hard to pinpoint. It wasn''t physical nor was it something you could will through, it was much more terrifying than that.


    Li Wei felt every moment of this pain, and each moment seemed to scream at him as if he was forgetting something!


    ''What is this?!''

 97 A selfish man.

    ''What is this?!''


    Li Wei''s mind was reeling on utter confusion and bewilderment as this pain barraged him. His feet staggered a bit, and his eyes flickered with dull streaks of anguish.


    ''Guh...''


    Li Wei gripped his fists as he tried to throw this annoying and almost disturbing pain out of his mind. The confusion was driving him insane, and whatever the reason, he couldn''t figure out its source.


    ''Is it because of the beam the woman shot?''


    Li Wei''s face grew weary as he tottered over to the chamber, and at this moment he felt his soul calm down a little. However, that disconcerting notion never left him; a notion that he had lost something.


    This loss, this piece of soul, it was close to him. A thing he considered pivotal, something that defined a part of him.


    It was this that was gone.


    People, who he knew, now forever forgotten.


    It may not be important now, or in the near future, but at some time, in some place, it will face him. He, though, will have no idea.


    She could stare at him, they could stare at him, yet he wouldn''t even think of them as people he knew. Those that he killed in ignorance, and a person that he defined as an etching rule to improve himself on. Gone.


    All he now feels is regret from forgetfulness; a great regret that he cannot piece together. A fogged mess, and all coming from that striking hole in his teetering soul.


    ''What is it that I have forgotten?''


    Li Wei grasped his chest as he stepped inside of the chamber, where a slightly pale girl gazed at him with shock.


    He looked at her and remembered that he needed to protect her. He felt a rather profound urge to do so; like he would break a pledge if he failed.


    As for why, he couldn''t tell. He knew that Su Min needed him to keep her alive, he knew the consequences of her death, yet this feeling didn''t originate from this.


    It was like he was missing something.


    Elsewhere, and stepping in the air with a simple gaze, a starry-eyed man rubbed his chin with interest as he left the ledge Li Wei was on. He passed by the disciples who had just recovered from the sudden disappearance of steam; he even dodged the senses of the 7th step elders who were trying to analyse the situation.


    His simple walk aroused no one''s attention, and as he crossed a couple kilometres in a few light steps, his eyes brightened as he caught a certain person floating high in the sky.


    This person, draped in ethereal robes, noticed him too. The person''s pupils contracted an indiscernible amount, but he didn''t do anything as he turned his head and stared at the halved ledge once more.


    "Hey, Sect Master!"


    The man laughed as he leapt up the Sect Master with a bright smile. The Sect Master gave him a glimpse as an odd light flashed, but he withdrew it once more and spoke whilst looking away.


    "Xia Xuegang, I thought you would stay in seclusion for a bit longer?"


    Xia Xuegang smile lessened as he paused for a second, seemingly in thought. The Sect Master didn''t seem to mind, as he just continued to stare on and at the ledge with a solemn expression.


    "I heard that you are trying to kill Wen Mian."


    A string of rather shocking words escaped out of Xia Xuegang''s lips as his smile returned and he stared at the ledge with the Sect Master. The atmosphere around the two seemed to tighten as his voice echoed, where the Sect Master took a step back and scowled at him with a dark expression.


    "Where''d you hear this?"


    Visible streaks of bright light sparkled around him as a magnificent pressure shrouded Xia Xuegang. Yet, he remained unchanged to it all and continued to study the ledge with starry eyes.


    The Sect Master was staring at the back of Xia Xuegang as he awaited a response, where visible wariness streaked through his expression.


    "I can see real potential from that girl; she reminds me of my youth, you know."


    Xia Xuegang face was traced with nostalgia as he turned around and faced the Sect Master. He looked like a simple mortal with his absent aura and ordinary face, though the caution in the Sect Master''s eyes only magnified.


    "I heard that she beat me in talent, heh, I sure am waiting for her to reach my level. Of course, this is on the pretence that she won''t die."


    He nudged the Sect Master with a chuckle, then strolled passed him and faced the sky behind. The Sect Master seemed to want to speak, but Xia Xuegang didn''t let him as his voice darkened a little.


    "Offending an Overseer is shallow, Sect Master. Even if he isn''t here, the characters he can bring to stand in for himself are a lot more terrifying than you can imagine."


    A profound haze seemed to string around him at this instant. The air chilled, and starry light encompassed the two. Still, Xia Xuegang continued.


    "Alas, I won''t bother anymore."


    His mysterious eyes gazed at the flickering stars around him. A strange feeling emerged, and in a sudden blemish, nearly half of the stars got tarnished in a blood-red.


    "The future doesn''t look swell."


    However, as his eyes shined, a strange aura overtook this blood-red and flashed. Xia Xuegang''s face changed a little as he watched the other half get encompassed in a golden haze. Each of these stars soon shined a glistening gold, a gold way too similar to that sight he caught from Li Wei.


    He sighed as he waved his hand and dissipated the stars, leaving the Sect Master with an ill premonition.


    "Well, I guess I''ll be on my way. It was a fun couple millennium, but this is a little much for my rough ability to handle. I might take a break with those humans, as Teacher did say that he noticed an unusual presence had been festering in there for a while."


    A muddy straw hat materialised in his hand as he dusted it and placed it on his head. His starry robes were replaced by dull clothes; he even began to chew on some wheat.


    The Sect Master watched this with a wilting expression, but he didn''t bid farewell. Xia Xuegang stretched as he left his last remark.


    "Ah, I think your divinator has some news."


    He spoke no more as he tipped his straw hat and took a step forward, sinking into the horizon.


    "Sect Master!"


    And just in time, an old man flew through the air and arrived to see the placid face of the Sect Master. He felt a strange atmosphere, but he didn''t think much of it as he handed over a scroll.


    The Sect Master, as if he was in a daze, didn''t even look at the old man as he grabbed the scroll. He flicked his wrist, and a token appeared.


    "You may use this to get whatever you want."


    He gave a single nod as he spoke and left with the scroll. The old man didn''t know what to say as he stared at the absent space that used to be occupied, but he was soon overcome with excitement as his eyes studied the token.


    Nevertheless, this was all insignificant to the Sect Master who was flying right towards the ledge with old eyes. He had the scroll open, and he seemed to have already read the contents.


    He didn''t seem panicked, not even startled. A strange calm instead prevailed. One that was a little off.


    *BANG*


    A mighty roiling thunderclap rang in the sky as he appeared before the audience of elders and disciples staring at the ledge. Everyone''s gaze was redirected and aimed right at him, and it seemed to sting his heart.


    *Sigh*


    The hopes, the dreams of those under him. Those who don''t know, and those who may never know. They all hurt him, as he was a man who prided himself over his sect.


    He was a selfish man.


    "I have a message."


    His voice reverberated above all others, and his placid face remained stale.


    "Leave this Sect."


    He finished with the same tone of voice as if it were something trivial.

 98 A memory.

    "Leave this Sect."


    He finished with the same tone of voice as if it were something trivial.


    ...


    ...


    "What did you do?"


    Wen Mian spoke as she stared at the rather perplexing face of Li Wei. He seemed to be troubled, but it was too obscure for her to know the exact expression he was making.


    Li Wei gazed at her with a drowsy look. He seemed to be in thought, and Wen Mian found it strange, to say the least.


    ''He seems a bit... Slow?''


    A couple seconds passed, and after what seemed like forever, Li Wei spoke.


    "I killed this Woman who was nearby. She was with the Sect Master earlier, so it was obvious that she was planning something. Either way, if she''s gone then it''s one less thing that may want your life in this place."


    A chilling ruthlessness shrouded him as he spoke; this was something even Li Wei didn''t notice. It was instead inherent to him and his body, a thing that will overtake him.


    He may not realise, but he has become a little less forgiving. A little less remorseful, and a little less caring towards others. Death and murder no longer seem so serious to him.


    Wen Mian shook as she realised that he had just killed someone for almost no reason. The nonchalant attitude also made her feel cold; it was like he was speaking about the weather instead of the death of another.


    "Right..."


    She didn''t really know how to respond, so she only nodded with a somewhat agreeable stance. Though Li Wei didn''t even look at her as he hunkered down with a frown.


    ''Is he injured?''


    She couldn''t tell, but he seemed a little frailer compared to before. This wasn''t something coming from his body, but more of the soul.


    ''I can check...''


    She doesn''t normally gaze at someone''s soul as she can get easily discovered. It is also considered rude to do so, and even then most cultivators have some sort of method to hide their soul.


    As for Su Min, she was stumped on why he, for one, didn''t even notice her actions when she studied his soul. What was even more confusing was based on the fact that she could do such a thing anyway, as he was obviously a powerhouse.


    She still kicked herself for being so reckless, but it seemed that she was lucky on that occasion.


    This time she guessed that Li Wei must have some sort of soul technique. One that would prevent her from snooping on his condition. Yet, she held a vague instinct that this wasn''t the case...


    It wasn''t something tangible or a ability she held, it was just an instinct.


    ''No, I don''t want to cause any tension... He is the only person I can trust in this place after all...''


    She knew that he wouldn''t do anything to her, why?


    ''He is childish...''


    A certain unquestionable ignorance radiated from him, and it came from his actions and his way of speaking. It was as if he doesn''t understand his own powers.


    Though what came from this was innocence. It was just that this purity had devolved into a sinister form; as if he was a child who had just murdered his parents with a smile.


    ''I wonder when Su Min is going to get out...''


    She couldn''t help but think about the person the Overseer had entrusted to her safety. He seemed simple at the start, but he grew more and more perplexing as she perceived certain characteristics that he held.


    He was cold, cold like his heart was splintered with icicles.


    His power was unknown, and even now she felt that she was only gazing at the surface.


    ''Is he really the Ancient Overseer...''


    She has never met such a character, and even then she hasn''t even met an Ancient being. Her master always said that the Ancient Section is a lot more ruthless compared to the Heavenly and Martial areas; and that the Overseer of such a place gave him the chills.


    Though, a certain memory sprung as she thought about this...


    Her Master, the Heavenly Overseer and, to her, her father called Wen Yu, sat down as he stared at her with a happy smile.


    "Alas, Mian, what is with your curiosity over those creatures?"


    His voice, faint and elderly.


    Her eyes at this moment were young and filled to the brim with curiosity.


    She didn''t speak, and the Heavenly Overseer Wen Yu only sighed as he rose and spoke.


    "Well, if you insist."


    He waved his hand and formed a streak of dim milky light. It flashed and expanded a couple of feet, where a certain outline of gold began to take shape.


    His eyes shone a strange light as he grinned and spoke with an intimidating tone.


    "Words don''t truly explain it well, so take a look; a look at the creatures we call tyrants!"


    *SHIINGG*


    Wen Mian''s eyes sparkled as she stared at a sudden emergence of beautifying gold pop in the air. Then, before her eyes, the world seemed to transform as she arrived in a desolate plain.


    Everything was dead here; plants were wilted and shrivelled up, and the ground was just dull dirt that was hot to the touch. The air even distorted in all directions as if she was standing in an oven.


    *THUD*


    Then, beneath her curious gaze, a quaking rumble rocked the earth. She stumbled a bit, but this was soon interrupted with an even greater boom.


    *BANG*


    A blitzing gold pierced the sky as two figures intertwined in streaks of otherworldly strength. They rummaged and battered the atmosphere, travelling at speeds far surpassing sound.


    *WHOOOSH*


    Her eyes widened as she watched them, in a hazed blur, blitz passed her. A ray of gold followed them, which would sometimes fracture from crashing exertions of power from simple fists.


    Yet, before they could travel far, one of the figures seemed to erupt with a detrimental force as they hammered the other with both palms. A cry rang before a piercing pillar of splintering air thrashed the ground, throwing the opponent right into the earth''s crust.


    *CRASHHH*


    An overwhelming shockwave hurled rubble in all directions, causing Wen Mian to stagger backwards.


    Still, she was stubborn and kept her eyes open to gaze at these people she had taken interest in.


    *STEP*


    A simple clothed man landed near her, eyes shining gold. His fists were steaming, and his muscles popped out like dragons.


    *CRACK*


    He stared upon a massive crater that spanned hundreds of meters, and within such a thing a crack resounded.


    *PSST*


    And not too long after did a blurred woman ram herself out of the ground. She plopped onto an area a meter or so away from the man, staring at him with sharp golden eyes.


    Her body was toned just like the man, but she still somehow contained the beauty of womanly nature.


    *SHIINGGG*


    Two simultaneous pulsations of ancient energy wafted out of their bodies and encompassed them. Their auras skyrocketed, and their pristine bodies began to wriggle with a disastrous strength.


    Two silhouettes of dragons appeared behind both of them. The dragon''s each seemed to be opposite of each other, where one was bulky and massive whilst the other was sleek and elegant.


    "Wow..."


    Wen Mian got goosebumps as she watched this, but she found that the world she stood in was begging to dissipate.


    *Wanggg*


    "If you haven''t guessed already, it is best not to fight them. These two, in particular, are famous cultivators of an ancient clan that carry a faint bloodline originating from a lower ancient dragon."


    An old voice quaked in the world as Wen Yu emerged midair and shook his hand. Everything disappeared from this, and Wen Mian reentered the real world.


    "The Ancients are the races made for battle! However, what came with this was a lower population, which evened out everything quite nicely. Though lower races that are ancient can still multiply at rapid rates, it''s just those with higher bloodlines that find it hard to reproduce. Now, get back to studying and stop with this pointless curiosity!"


    ''... I wonder what clan Su Min came from.''


    Wen Mian sighed as she stopped reminiscing on that memory. It was far too long ago...


    She grasped the manual in her hand, gazed at Li Wei, and felt a burning determination.


    ''I need to get strong, strongenough so that I can see more of the world and control my fate...''


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Hm..."


    Reclining in a broken world, Su Min scratched his hair as he frowned. The black figure next to him was snoring like always, and it had become background noise to Su Min.


    His eyes shined a peculiar light as he held a thin manual in his hand. It had the words ''Supreme Cultivation Method'' written on it, fierce in vigour.


    "I don''t want to hinder my recovery..."


    Su Min sighed as he stopped himself from opening the manual. He knew that trying to form his Martial Cultivation would take Mental Energy, which he had very little of.


    He guessed that he wouldn''t be able to leave for another couple days, so he could only hope that Li Wei won''t do anything stupid. Not that he would be any better at that, as he seems to be a rather impulsive person.


    "Still, I never knew that people could see my soul... Scary."


    Su Min mumbled to himself as he felt a little embarrassed at not knowing such a commonplace idea. Even then, he felt that he has a lot to learn.


    *Tap*


    Boredom.


    He was bored beyond belief.


    ''Maybe I can take a look at this place...''


    Su Min had a sudden thought as he stood up and gazed at that hut not too far away from him. He has been curious of it ever since he entered this world, and seeing that the black figure didn''t care, he felt a prevailing need to explore.


    "Hut, please bless me with fortune... Perhaps some of those crystals, eh?"


    Su Min spoke with hope as he took a step towards the blurry hut.

 99 The Martials Hut.

    "Hut, please bless me with fortune... Perhaps some of those crystals, eh?"


    Su Min spoke with hope as he took a step towards the blurry hut.


    *WHOOSH*


    The wind in the air rang and screeched, yet it all still remained unreactive to Su Min''s presence. A couple steps passed, and Su Min was in front of the hut.


    Its edges were maligned and a strange scent of blood permeated the air around it. Nonetheless, its existence was blurry, but Su Min could still catch its somewhat random shakes due to the wind.


    A feeling arose in Su Min as he stared at the pitch black entrance, one that even he couldn''t peer into. His black eye seemed to hymn a slight monotonous tune due to this, where that feeling began to take shape.


    "How odd..."


    Su Min mumbled under his breath as he found this feeling to be indescribable. It contained a hunger similar to when he consumed that Red Giant bloodline, but it was also something more than that; a mystical, almost forbidden feeling.


    "Closeness..."


    His eyes flashed as his thought cleared up a little. He could tell, and with utmost shock, that he felt an old familiarity with this hut! It was similar to nostalgia, but something more forgotten and ancient. It was akin to never entering a place before, but feeling that this place was home.


    A rare hint of hesitation streaked passed Su Min. This feeling was way too strong, and whatever it was, he felt that he may discover something he would rather not know from it.


    Yet, as this surfaced an iron will seemed to get roused in his mind. His face lifted with a laugh, and he no longer stopped himself.


    "So what?"


    *Step*


    His foot slammed the ground as he entered the fogged darkness shrouding the hut; thus, his body disappeared and entered an exceptional world...


    The black figure seemed to notice this as he opened his eyes and stared at the hut. He giggled a little, where a trace of respect gleamed in his eyes.


    "The Martial''s Hut... Maybe he''ll find some of its many uses."


    *Ssss*


    Su Min, just as he took the step, felt a primordial strength quake through him. His blood churned, and before his unshaken eyes, a black world flared and unravelled itself around him.


    "Hm?"


    Shock blazed in Su Min''s eyes as the absent and bleak space reflected itself in his pupils.


    "It''s the same..?"


    Fog churned and the abyssal blackened ground and sky swirled a constant and writhing tune. The world seemed to be infinitely large, yet from this Su Min felt confusion.


    This was because this space was the same space he met the black figure in! Its cold atmosphere; its dead and obtuse earth; he could remember it all...


    He didn''t move as he stood motionless in the emotionless world he has entered. His eyes traced the blurry fog and the inked sky, mumbling.


    "A world within a world. What is this place?"


    He has only entered this world twice! Once when he died, and the other when the black figure threw him in it and allowed him to undergo agonising enlightenment!


    He didn''t really think much about it, but now that he knows that this space is inside a hut within another world, he didn''t know what to make of it...


    Nonetheless, he began to feel something different. Something that didn''t happen when he entered this lifeless space on both past occasions.


    ''Hot...''


    Su Min rubbed his black eye as he felt an odd searing heat writhe out of it. It started off small, but it didn''t even take a second for it to become unbearable.


    The heat soon reached a point that even holding his hand against his face was painful.


    ''Maybe this was a bad decision..."


    Su Min stammered backwards as the pain begun to feel like he was being burnt from the inside. It was torturous, even for him.


    Though, it never passed the boundary that he could handle. The pain was just touching it, and although it was extreme, Su Min could at least deal with it.


    "Guh..."


    Su Min collapsed on the ground as he concentrated all his efforts on keeping the pain at bay. His mind seethed, and he even began to consume mental energy.


    ''Goddamit.''


    He coughed out a wry smile as he began to pray for this pain to leave him. And funnily enough, it did so.


    The heat in his eye dwindled, and Su Min breathed a sigh of relief in response.


    "Good... But that seemed a bit pointless."


    He looked around and found that nothing had changed, which led him to believe that his bloodline was a sadist. He hoped that maybe it might have some sort of ability that could help him, but all he was gifted was a blank world and some of his mental energy consumed.


    The world also didn''t bring happy memories, so he couldn''t even be sentimental of such a thing. He can''t do anything here, of course, he knew that the black figure could somehow summon tea in this place; but why on earth would he want to know how to do that?


    He couldn''t sense any Ancient or Martial Energy either, so it wasn''t even useful for cultivation. Not that he cultivates with energy anyway, but it would''ve been something if it contained Martial Energy; pertaining to the fact that he would have to use Martial Energy to cultivate in the future.


    To be honest he was a little disappointed with the whole thing...


    ''My bloodline really is useless.''


    He sighed as he turned around and looked for the exit... Only to find that there wasn''t one.


    Su Min felt a certain premonition, but he kept himself from losing it as he tried to be optimistic.


    ''Maybe I just need to think of leaving, yeah...''


    He prayed as he focused his mind on an ''exit'', yet it did nothing as well.


    ''...''


    Su Min''s face seemed to change multiple times, from sadness to anger to self loathing; finally arriving at a placid calm that was a little terrifying. He spoke to himself with such a face.


    "The black figure must''ve known this... The piece of shit."


    Su Min knew that he was sleeping, but he has now locked himself in his own head! It was as if this place wasn''t even a part of him; like it was a whole other dimension that had nothing to do with his mind!


    ''Maybe this and the broken world is actually a real thing, and that my bloodline is the stuff that lets me access it... But then why would it be broken due to my bloodline?''


    He was mostly certain that the 2-meter space with the two plants was part of his bloodline; ie something that he owns. It was just that the other worlds seemed like things he couldn''t possibly house.


    Nevertheless, this was all irrelevant right now. For he has confined himself in his head as his body is trapped in a goddamn void.


    ''Well ain''t this great.''


    Except for his eye overheating nothing else has happened. Though, he at least knows that there must be something in this place that would cause such a strange occurrence.


    ''Maybe if I focus on my Martial bloodline, or some feeling close to that...''


    He swirled his finger in the air as he played with the absent-minded fog. He breathed a deep breath and focused his mind on his bloodline that seems to be the most useless thing in the world.


    *PSSST*


    "Oh?"


    Su Min gasped as he watched a spark light up from his gaze, and from this, he felt his black eye twitch a bit. However, what he soon found was that after this spark came a strand of greyish energy.


    It wasn''t Martial Energy, but it seemed similar.


    ''What is this?''


    Su Min looked at it with a strange face. He poked it and watched the strand wrap around his finger like silk. It was like a congealed piece of floating cotton, soft to the touch.


    ''Maybe this can help me recover? Hm... But it doesn''t seem to be Martial Energy.''


    Recovering is his prime objective right now, and he couldn''t help but hope that this could help him. There was no other method except just ''waiting'' for him; he had tried to absorb Martial Energy into his eye but he could barely summon a single strand to follow his will.


    He brought the greyish strand up to his face, and with a little hesitation, he edged it right towards his black eye.


    Nothing happened as it squeezed itself onto his pupil, all the way until he began to finger his own eye. He sighed as he drew his hand back down, staring at the strand with no expression.


    ''Well, I tried.''


    He wasn''t one to think that this had no use, otherwise what would be the point of its existence? However, he had no ideas on what this use was, and seeing that there was no sort of method to escape from this place, he just began to form more of them.


    *Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst*


    Spark after spark lit around him as more strands grew and swirled on his fingers. It even got to the point that he had formed a cushion out of them, one that was oddly comfortable to lie on.


    Firm but not too stiff, and just soft enough that it was pleasing to touch.


    *Yawn*


    Su Min spewed strands out of his gaze without stopping. He didn''t feel any sort of consumption from doing so, thus he didn''t see a reason to stop.


    ''Maybe I can make a nice bed with this.''


    Sitting on a hard chair or the ground has gotten irritating to Su Min, so he might as well treat himself.


    *Psst* *Psst* *Pss*Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst* *Psst*


    A body sized mattress, and a pillow, made out of strands he found useless. He laid on it and gazed at the sky, a sky that was dark and uninspiring.


    ''This stuff is probably the key to leaving.''


    He relaxed as he let his mind continue to develop those strands on instinct. The sky got slowly enveloped in them, and Su Min began to make bets on himself on how many he could create.


    The place was silent as everything in Su Min''s vision got encompassed in these things.


    ''If I''m doing this then I might as well read the cultivation manual.''


    Su Min seemed to give up as he brought the ''Supreme'' cultivation manual on his stomach. He opened it with his head cocked up on his pillow, and began to read.

 100 The Elders

    Standing, staring, an old man with obtuse eyes sighed as a large collection of disciples stood in front of him. Faces varying from confusion to outright panic spread out from this crowd, yet the old man remained silent as the air whistled waves of pressure unto everyone.


    "I am sure, and those who have already heard, I need to say no more! Leave this sect, Elders, Disciples, all who inhabit this plagued place."


    His voice quaked into everyone''s ears like the ring of bells, brimming with age and old power. Everyone remained silent as they gazed at the Sect Master''s dwindling robes and the odd melancholy that shrouded him.


    It was strange, no one erupted into discussion nor discord, they just accepted it. Maybe it was because of the way the sect built them, or maybe it was something inherent to them.


    Respect, one might call it.


    The Sect Master gave the group one last look and found that the Elders seemed to want to speak to him. Alas, he knew that this was pointless.


    His face lit up with a smile, but no words came out as he turned around and took a slow stroll in the air. Aloof in the air. A scroll was in one hand, grasped tight with a trembling palm.


    Cool, he may be, but the world seems to be collapsing in his eyes.


    An echoing and distraught woosh of thoughts, battering him every second. Terrifying deductions from a terrifying set of divinations, all rushing in his mind like it wanted to break him.


    Yet, and through all this, he remained placid. He has done the deal for the sect, after all, so even if he dies, his sect will not. That deal, proposed with such great rewards, he just couldn''t say no...


    Nonetheless, greed comes and goes, and what it leaves is death. A world of death, and the only way to surmount such death is through power.


    He found that the world seems to revolve around power. No matter the action, with power, it doesn''t matter if it was wrong. The world is insidious in a way, but he has no one to blame.


    A step at a time, he thought.


    He won''t force anyone to leave, but they wouldn''t disobey. He knew it, of course.


    He dwindled in these thoughts, and all until he was reminded once more of that day.


    The deal, a deal that took the many edges of dignity out of him...


    A snarly man, that bloke was to him. His robed posture was eery at the s, but he wouldn''t dare ask him to leave.


    Most of the memory of the deal was a blur, but he can always remember the distraught and hair-raising speech the man gave him.


    A voice akin to the scrapes of chalk on a chalkboard; it roared in his mind.


    "Sect Master, I come with a deal, you see. I know that your sect has been chosen to house the Heavenly Overseer''s daughter!"


    His smile was creaking, and his bristling arm lifted and revealed a blood-red orb. It expanded, and from the Sect Master''s memory, a crimson world seethed within. This thing, it was a great treasure.


    "Jejej, Sect Master, all he wants is the pleasure of this daughter''s death. In fact, he asks for her skin to be strewn; her bones grated, and her organs placed in a jar for each! All while she remains alive, and all while her agony is as clear as day. For this, he will be within a disciple of yours, and you must have the sect bring her to her knees in trepidation! Maybe have an accident occur, maybe invoke despair. But, at the end of it all, for as long as he asks, she shall be dead with a face brimming with the pain He suffered all long ago! If you succeed, and the Overseer remains in the world in another land, then the Trapped Dragon Law of Slaughter shall be yours!"


    The world of sects was a ruthless place, and to stand atop all you must remain on top. He was the strongest power within the sect, but this power only amounted to a measly 9th step.


    A Peak Mid Mortal Dao Sect, nothing to scoff at.


    Still, he wanted more...


    *Haise..*


    His face paled as he appeared before a peaceful garden. Birds chirped and flowers sparkled dew.


    "To save myself, I do not know of a method... Using Wen Mian as a card against the Overseer isn''t of great hope, considering that a beast is sitting next to her..."


    His gaze shined an odd light as the crystalline grass gleamed under the sun.


    "I didn''t expect that guard to stop Chang Hui at such a time; why did I have to be out of the sect? Fate must really want me dead, heh... Yeah."


    Regret was one of the few things he was feeling. Nonetheless, it was pointless to dwell on the past.


    "Well, let''s wait and see."


    Everything he does is meaningless if the Heavenly Overseer returns, but if not, then that''s a different story. It was just that this wasn''t likely, as everything was way too coincidental; but, the Sect Master found it strange that nothing has happened yet.


    ''He should arrive soon.''


    His thoughts raced as he continued to wait. The sect was already beginning to empty as the Elders gathered all the disciples, with the exception of Wen Mian. The Elders were in a rush, they could feel that a disaster was brewing.


    He could go in desperation and try to kidnap Wen Mian; he could assemble the entire sect to do so, and win out of sheer numbers. Yet, that wouldn''t be wise.


    It''s the case of sending those he has brought up to the malign jaws of unsuspecting death; if he has to die, then he will be the only one to do so.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    "Hey, Wen Mian, the sect seems a little empty."


    Staring outside, Li Wei spoke as he felt an odd emptiness shroud the lands. Wen Mian didn''t seem to hear him as she continued to cultivate; she didn''t care for trivial banter, for the goal to reach the 6th step was the only thing in her mind.


    "Right..."


    Li Wei gazed at her with a sigh as he looked around with flashes of confusion. His mind was still a bit messy, but he had at least recovered to a sane level.


    It was just that he found the sect becoming barren to be a little disconcerting.


    ''I should take a look.''


    He was tasked with guarding Wen Mian until Su Min escaped out of that void; thus, he felt the need to understand what was happening. This place was, after all, malignant in his eyes.


    His feet bristled with fog as he made sure no one was nearby, and as he confirmed this, he took a swift step and disappeared from view. Wen Mian opened her eyes a tad as she watched him, and from this, she felt the air chill around her.


    After all, being alone is scary for someone who had just experienced that sort of trauma.


    *WHISTLE*


    In the eyes of Li Wei, the world warped as he appeared in the sky a couple kilometres away. His white eyes were cold and his body eery, and through this, he caught sight of a great gathering of disciples and people who exuded an aura that felt troubling to an indiscernible degree.


    "..."


    Li Wei didn''t know what to say as he watched them fly up into the sky, and as for those who couldn''t do so used treasures or got helped by others. Nonetheless, Li Wei''s presence itself was great, so everyone soon noticed his figure floating in the air.


    It was strange, but in the disciples'' eyes they seemed to see the world turn black around him, the sky rumble, and the air sharpen. Of course, this didn''t actually happen.


    It was just that this drenched each disciple in cold sweat; a sweat that made them freeze and unable to speak.


    Everyone halted, and it was a shocking sight to behold.


    The couple of Elders turned solemn as they stopped too and gazed at Li Wei with gloomy faces. They knew who this person was, and to see him turn up at such a time made them think of the worst possibilities.


    ''Has he come to kill us?''


    It wasn''t wrong to think of this, as they knew of the deal the Sect Master went through. It was a great thing when they heard of the reward, but they soon forgot about it as time went by.


    They weren''t involved in the thing, nor did they know what the deal entailed. All they knew was that the reward could set there sect to a whole new realm!


    Nevertheless, they could clue in the details after what has occurred.


    Although a guess, it was stupefying.


    Thus, they didn''t reject the idea of leaving. No matter the cause, they didn''t want to die. It was just that they had a bad taste in their mouth.


    Cowardly, Small, Shameful; they were leaving their Sect Master to dead!


    Li Wei''s figure seemed to represent the choice they would make.


    They weren''t notable people in the grand scheme of things, but they still felt a sense of pride. The feeling of being trampled on, they hated it!


    A pause ensued as silence overtook the lands, and as this happened the Elder''s reached a decision!


    Three people emerged and gathered with similar eyes as they stood in unison. The first, a bearded man with a brutal atmosphere; next, a withered woman dressed in a black dress, smothered in deathly energy; finally, a mortal-looking boy with crimson eyes and a bloody aura.


    They each represented a pillar in the sect, strength, death, and slaughter!


    The soul elder was gone, so they were incomplete.


    But, they were the elders of a peak mid sect.


    "Hm?"


    Li Wei''s expression changed as he noticed this sudden transformation. He didn''t expect everyone to pause and the elders to emerge. The light that blazed within their eyes was chilling, to say the least.


    Though, Li Wei seemed to confirm something in his head as his shocked face relaxed into a placid expression that was even more chilling!


    ''So they are no longer hiding their intentions... This sect wants Wen Mian dead!''

 101 Li Weis Second Sword Slice

    ''So they are no longer hiding their intentions... This sect wants Wen Mian dead!''


    To show outward hostility could only mean that, at least to Li Wei.


    His eyes began to shine a sharp light as the atmosphere crackled. The elders didn''t speak as they gulped and the slaughter-aura infested boy took a step forward, speaking with a childish tone.


    "Disciples, take a step back."


    Warm energy encompassed every disciple below him. The suffocating pressure lessened as the disciples found moving somewhat doable, and through this, they all retreated with pale faces.


    The world soon became deserted as Li Wei''s eyes narrowed with a light that seemed to transcend the world. His arms quivered, and as he grasped the sword the abyssal sword on his back, a rumbling voice erupted out of his mouth.


    "It seems that you know longer care about hiding your intentions, good! Once Master leaves the void this whole issue will be solved, and then..."


    "Then..."


    But he couldn''t finish as his eyes shook and his voice entered a perpetual mumble. He seemed to have a desire to do something, a desire to go back to a long forgotten place. Yet, whenever he tried to remember, his mind would erupt with a piercing pain that swept him into shivers.


    The elders paused as they noticed this, and taking this chance, they didn''t hesitate to launch forward with blasting, thunderous bangs! The bearded man''s muscles convulsed as his fists hardened and began to shine a metallic sheen. The withered women also seemed to go all out as a sickening aroma spat out of her, and through this, her entire body shrivelled up even more!


    The air and the sky seemed to wither as everything died!


    The boy, behind them, also exploded with a frightening slaughter aura that dyed the sky crimson! A dagger appeared in his grasp, and then he disappeared from view like fog!


    Li Wei''s startled mind shook as he noticed this, each elder held the power of a peak 8th step cultivator! However, with these attacks that were using up all of their strength, it far surpassed that boundary!


    He felt the air harden around him from the bearded man''s fists; he felt his skin shrivel from the woman''s aura, and he felt an inexplicable danger poke at his back from the unknown whereabouts of that creepy boy!


    Panic erupted as he found it hard to handle all of these terrifying pressures!


    His body froze from this, and the Elders seemed to sneer as they all appeared before him. A shrunken hand went and grasped for Li Wei''s leg, a brutal fist launched itself at his face, and a disheartening dagger sheen arose from behind his neck!


    ''Agh!''


    Li Wei''s body shivered as it seemed to want to move, but Li Wei was having a hard time handling this sudden attack. It was his mind that was bottlenecking his strength; a weak soul...


    The Elder''s seemed joyous as they noticed the strange unmoving nature of Li Wei. They could see the panic in his face; it seemed that they have overestimated this fellow''s strength...


    ''Goddammit!''


    Li Wei''s eyes widened as he watched these attacks near him at a frightening pace. A milli-second more, just one more...


    *ZhoooOOOOMMM*


    Yet, strangely, they began to slow down. Time, it lost meaning.


    From full speed, it halved, then it halved once more...


    The droplets of sweat bristling off of the bearded man seemed to suspend, and the withered aura freeze. Even more so, Li Wei felt the world turn grey as his white pupils began to get blotched with a greyish tinge.


    His panicked mind felt a calming energy shroud it, and soon after a haze of abyssal grey enveloped his entire body.


    Li Wei seemed to understand something as his tightened grasp loosened on his sword.


    ''My body entered a life and death stance... Cool."


    His pupils seemed to blend in with his body as they swirled a strange, sharpened tune. Everything had frozen, but Li Wei could feel that he didn''t have long within this transcendent state.


    ''Sword...''


    A single strand of grey aura enveloped his sword as he kneeled a little and tilted his grasp. This single strand brought an aura that seemed to form a great sword in the sky and firmament; a sword made to pierce and part the heavens!


    ''Second Slice...''


    Time, still chilled like ice, blazed as Li Wei performed a surreal swipe that formed a line in space. This line extended like a wound as it slit through each elder without resistance!


    *PZZZZZ*


    Then, space reeled as time sped up in Li Wei''s eyes. Though, everything seemed to cease with this. First, the withered woman who was closest trembled as her eyes widened. In this exact moment, her body got sundered in a thin and wound-like line of black!


    Halved, she was...


    "?!"


    The burly man was the first to react as he jumped back with shock filled eyes! It was beyond terrifying, as to him, Li Wei seemed to slash at a speed he couldn''t even perceive!


    In one instant he was standing there with panic in his expression, but in the next, he had already drawn his sword!


    It was inconceivable!


    Yet, as he realised this, he too also felt an odd sensation sweep through his stomach. Then, within his trembling gaze, he watched a hair-raising slit of black pass through his body!


    "What?!"


    He roared as he attempted to stop it, but it was all pointless.


    *SPEW*


    A curtain of bright-red blood glittered the sky as his lower half separated from his body. This wouldn''t be life-threatening as he could heal it, although it would cripple him. But he somehow felt that that would be impossible!


    "You..."


    His eyes stared at Li Wei''s face that lifted with a grin. Unwillingness squirmed in his face, but he couldn''t stop his death as his body fell from the sky like a dwindling fly.


    "Guh!"


    But this wasn''t the end, you see...


    A boy, appearing behind Li Wei with bloodshot eyes, took a step back as he gazed at Li Wei with abject terror! He seemed to somewhat understand what Li Wei just did!


    "Transcendent Sword Laws!"


    His eyes seemed to be bleeding as the dagger in his hand shattered into dust, and much like the rest, a slit of black swept through him...


    *SPEW*


    Scarlet blood blotched the sky once more, and his terrified expression solidified as he plunged towards distant ground.


    *SSSSS*


    But, this seemed to be only the beginning. For, glowing in the heavens, a great black sword appeared and swept through everything! A vast, infinite wound gnashed the atmosphere as everything on Li Wei''s altitude got halved!


    *BANGGGG*


    A distant crash resounded as a great ledge collapsed into the rubble. Thousands of trees were split like tofu on the ledges that remained intact, and the two great peaks seemed to shake a tune that neared an earthquake.


    A fogged slash seemed to encompass the world for a period of time as the sky got inked in black. It was only after a couple of horrifying seconds that it began to dissipate...


    Li Wei, standing in the air, seemed tired as he hoisted the sword back onto his back.


    *THUD* *...THUD* *THUD*


    Echoing thuds resounded on the earth as three bodies crashed onto it. He, remaining as the victor, seemed to sense something as he turned around.


    He seemed to go a bit breathless as he mumbled under his breath.


    "What is this aura?"


    *RUMBLE*


    A fierce shake shook the sky as an aura bellowing with rage erupted from a distant area on the furthest peak. It only took a second for it to appear before Li Wei, and within this wriggling and thick energy floated a robed old man.


    His eyes caught the sight of the three figures on the ground, decorated in their own guts. He took a deep breath of air as his face paled, but this was soon overcome with fury.


    "Even if you are from the Overseer, do you seriously think you can go around and murder my people?!"


    His eyes brightened as his roar blasted and shook the eardrums of Li Wei.