《Reborn with heavenly root - Harmony of Heaven and Earth is my path!》
Chapter 1: Reincarnation, Heaven and Earth Dances
Heiter felt his consciousness dissipating. His life flashes before his eyes. From the moment he is born, to when a truck crashes onto him.
He doesn''t have much regret in life. He thought, he had tried to live his life humbly and didn¡¯t do too bad.
...
Suddenly he felt himself no longer confused or afloat. Instead, he feels tangible. As if his soul, finally has a body. He''s quite confused and tried to move. He could. But it felt like he''s trapped.
One day, he finds himself squeezed out. He even thought he is being born.
On this day, all the experts in the realm look at the heaven and earth phenomenon happening. Many took their chance to understand the Dao they are practicing.
A solar eclipse is forming. The birds circle the sky, as if welcoming a deity descending. Half of the land experience terrible rain and storm, but the other half of the land only has thunder while the sun still shines onto them.
An Elder who is secluding himself rushed out of the cave to observe.
"The heaven and earth resonated? The elements of the earth is active? And the chi..."
He can feel the chi in the air thickening significantly. He doesn''t know what phenomena is happening but it is a blessing. He can feel he can breakthrough his bottleneck. He quickly meditated and finally going to step into the Nascent Soul stage. He thanked the heaven for this opportunity.
He can feel his core filled with rich Qi and breaking the limit. A tribulation of thunder welcomes him as he wants to break the shackle placed by heaven.
Thunder resounded all over the realm due to tribulations occurring all over.
Boom!
The thunder struck continuously. Surprisingly all cultivators who is breaking through manage to breakthrough safely. The Emperor of Dragon Empire is ecstatic at his success of breakthrough to Nascent Soul stage and survived the tribulation and he only receive light injury. And soon enough he receives the news of the Celestial phenomena from the scholars and reports from various elders and families.
It''s as if the Heaven and Earth is celebrating something.
When the solar eclipse complete, Heiter finally is born.
The dim light outside still blinds him so he closed his eyes.
Slowly he finally able to open his eyes and sees the outside world. Both the sun and moon, the clouds and the birds returned to their original position, as if there¡¯s nothing happened. Heiter didn¡¯t notice anything amiss at all.
He sees himself surrounded by people and eventually an old woman picked him up and cleaned him.
The old woman shed a tear, not looking at Heiter but to someone behind him.
Heiter felt confused.
"My child...". A woman spoke weakly from behind him. The old woman gives him to the weakly and sick woman.
Heiter looks at the pale and thin looking person.
This is mother...?
Sun Yun caress Heiter''s cheek.
"I am sorry Shao Ai. Mother can''t last long...".
Heiter felt startled. This person, who''s supposed to be his new mother seems to lose her energy and is dying. She tenderly caressed his cheeks, and closed her eyes¡ forever.
Heiter still felt really sad and his baby body still cried out of sadness, knowing his new life starts like this.
The weather had cleared up and the chi concentration returned to normal. Shao Ai was then brought up in an orphanage. Mother Su who¡¯s the one handling the orphanage diligently raise him, including others.
Mother Su also teach each of the children how to write and read.
When he is 3 years old, he can already speak surprising mother Su.
"Shao Ai, you are born with a smart head. I am sure you can be scholar!". But mother Su has her worry. She doesn¡¯t have enough money to send him to school.
In this world there''s 2 schools. One is concerned with mortal world. Another one is concerned with martial arts.
Mother Su didn''t think about martial school for now because as someone who only has commoner lineages their roots are basically inferior unless by luck, heaven bestowed them with superior root.
Shao Ai grinned and feel proud when praised by Mother Su.
But a scholar huh...
Shao Ai did feel interested. He noticed the world is quite underdeveloped. For sickness they often rely on Chi filled spiritual herbs instead of normal ones because of their magical property. And food is especially underdeveloped. There¡¯s not even sugar in this land, and it¡¯s imported from the east but that¡¯s consumed by nobilities.
The orphanage has some entertainment donated by people. Shao Ai read books slowly and mastered reading and writing.
Reading the epic journey of a commoner to become an immortal who controls law of heaven and earth, he feels ecstatic. It entails the journey of the Heaven Chosen who had repelled invasion of demons from the outer realm and saved the Azure realm.
He''s not sure if it''s a biography or some fiction. He figured this world is a cultivation world where some people even become immortal through cultivation. And this world this divided into 2 realms. The upper and lower realm. There¡¯s also heaven realm, which is somewhat a secret. But those in lower realm definitely doesn¡¯t know about it.
Shao Ai knows it''s difficult to cultivate. Cultivation requires talent, resources and ultimately luck to get started and luck to grow to be strong even if you have talents and resources.
He doesn¡¯t have high hopes for it, and he really is not interested in immortality and power so, he doesn¡¯t really care. He just wants to live carefree.
When he is 6 years old, he is walking around town with mother Su who is shopping. But Shao Ai sees a familiar plant being sold in a market.
"Mother Su, is that sugarcane?".
"Hmm? I have never seen the plant sold here. It seems to be imported".
''Hello miss! I have rare product shipped from eastern land. This sugarcane is especially really sweet!''.
"It''s expensive...". Mother sees the price tag.
Shao Ai felt sad. He had this idea because there''s no sugar in their land yet. It''s always imported from other land and is really expensive. So, he never gets to taste sugar. This sugarcane gives him idea.
"Since the boy seems eager to try, I will give you a discount. How about it? Only 6 yuan for this small cane".
''Hmm...''.
The shopkeeper make a very thin slice of the sugar cane.
¡°Here. Chew it first. It¡¯s really sweet¡¯.
Mother Su and Shao Ai took it and chew it. It¡¯s really sweet!
Mother Su relent and gave 6 yuan to the shopkeeper. She wanted to give a treat to all the children.
"We will share with everyone okay?".
Mother Su pat his head.
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"Mother Su! I... I want to plant it...".
''Hmm? But... Can it grow?''.
"It should be able to grow still".
''Oh. It''s that kind of plant''.
"Alright then...". Mother Su doesn''t want to argue. Even if it doesn''t grow, they can just take it back and eat it.
Shao Ai feels happy and holds the sugarcane in his hand.
He thought of growing many sugarcanes and cultivate lots of it in the future.
He returned to the orphanage and walk alone to small stream of water only tens of metres from the orphanage. This small river is very suitable to cultivate sugarcane.
He quickly digs up the ground and plant it.
He''s not sure if this is right. But hopefully it is. Now he just needs to wait, he supposes.
After months, the sugarcane he had split in two does show sign of growing. But it''s quite slow. It may take a year or so to mature for harvest.
Shao Ai still feel happy. He wonders what he should do in the future. Although, he can''t be a cultivator, he maybe could still be successful as a scholar. He also wonders about medicine in this world, with acupuncture and all. He is quite interested.
As for cultivation, that¡¯s his last interest. Cultivation world is cruel after all. If you are rude to some Elder, your body would turn to dust in the next second. If you are a genius and defeated a young master from a big sect, suddenly the whole sect is coming at you for revenge.
He doesn¡¯t like it much. And what''s the point of immortality and power? At the end of supreme power, one only ends in loneliness. Unless your whole family is immortal. But in cultivation world, everyone has limit on their talent. Most people can''t breakthrough after cultivating to a certain level and never achieved immortality. So, to hope everyone to become immortal is a dream only.
So, most people that pursue immortality had to steel their heart to be lonely.
Shao Ai didn''t understand it''s true purpose unless you wanted revenge and need power for something.
But let say, just let say, some evil cultivator swoop in and launch some martial art technique and kill everyone in the orphanage... Maybe he would journey through the path of a cultivator for the sake of revenge. But... He prays that won¡¯t happen. He just wants to live life peacefully.
...
"High river martial art school is welcoming talented student! It seems the headmaster has broken through nascent soul stage and wants to welcome talented student from the commoner background. Any of you want to test your talents?".
Mother Su had gathered all the children in the orphanage.
"I want to destroy enemy with Chi from my palm!". Wu Hai proudly exclaimed to mother su.
She twitched her eyebrows, looking at this 8 years old boy, Wu Hui.
Who is the enemy? He already has an enemy?
" I don''t really want to be a martial artist but I am curious if I have talent".
Shao Ai spoke too.
''We commoners need luck from Heaven to have talent. Don''t have your hopes too high. And even if you have talent, mother Su hopes you can decide for yourself if you want to be a cultivator. The life of a martial artist is harsh compared to normal people...''.
"Yes mother Su!". Wu Hui said in excitement.
Eventually everyone followed her to the martial artist school in town, 15 minutes of walking away.
Many people line up in front. An Elder simply walk and observe before shaking his head.
Then another line formed.
So, the elder simply looks, Shao Ai thought.
The queue moves quickly and in 6 minutes it''s the children from orphanage turn. Even mother Su joined the queue.
The elder walk by and stops. He looks briefly at the cute boy with white and black hair, and heterochromia. But his root looks inferior like most commoners.
He points at Wu Hui.
"Come forward". Upon closer inspection, he is surprised to see a better superior root.
"You have a deep fire root. Very suitable to practice martial art in the path of flame and cultivation resource is also relatively easier to get¡ Are you interested in becoming a cultivator?".
Wu Hui felt really excited and screamed in excitation.
"Yes!".
Elder look at the lines full of children and look at mother Su.
"You are their caretaker?".
''Yes elder''. She bowed respectfully.
"I am taking him as a student of my martial art school. All expense will be covered. He will live in the dormitory for his learning environment".
''I am leaving Wu Hui to elder¡¯s care...''.
The elder nods.
"Student Wu Hui. You will enroll in next month. Bring this scroll at that time".
Wu Hui is firm. He wants to walk the path of cultivator.
"Mother Su. I promise I will become a great martial artist and pay you back". Mother Su shed a tear. It''s as if she¡¯s letting go another child of hers soon.
"Make sure to learn and put in hard work in school later".
''Yes, mother Su!''.
The elder is about to return to his usual spot but felt something unusual for a split second. He looked at Shao Ai for 10 whole seconds, observing him closely. His appearance is really unique. Usually, physical uniqueness is a side effect of having unique constitutions.
But he can''t see anything unusual, it''s just a common inferior root. Maybe it''s his imagination because his appearance is too unique so he returned to his spot and sees the next group of commoners.
Shao Ai felt a little sad that he didn''t have any talent but doesn¡¯t really mind after a while.
While they are walking back to the orphanage, a middle-aged man is observing everything. He carried an aura of mystery, as if he comes from a realm beyond.
"Oh heavens!". He muttered while looking Shao Ai. His breath becomes weak out of surprise.
''Yin and Yang body!? 5-elemental harmonic bones!?''. And what¡¯s more, even a peak nascent soul would miss this heaven bestowed talent if they just looked and sees him at a glance. He looks like an ordinary human with inferior root because his constitution blends in with nature itself!
"Can''t believe in this lower realm such a heavenly root can exist...".
He took interest and silently followed the children and mother Su to the orphanage.
"It might be fate to meet me...". The Heavenly Father, who had the seat in heaven to control rain and thunder had been living in the lower realm for thousands of years, pretending to be an ordinary person. He returned to the basic as he had reached the very peak in the heaven realm. He remembered the news few years ago, about heaven and earth celebrating something causing the whole realm chi concentration to increase for a while.
Is it him? His birth?
He suspects it heavily. To think a root even more superior to his is born.
He knocks on the door to the orphanage. Mother Su opened and sees a middle-aged man.
"Yes...?".
Heaven Father released a wisp of his aura.
Mother Su immediately kowtowed.
"Oh! Elder! What business do you have here...".
''Stand up. I am interested in one of your children''.
"Yes elder...".
Mother Su quickly gathered all of the children.
"You. Come here".
Shao Ai felt nervous and scared. He still walks forward and meet the middle-aged man.
¡°I will talk to him alone outside¡±.
Mother Su watched them talk far away from them. She felt anxious.
"You have talents that heaven used most of its luck to bestow on you. Are you willing to be my disciple and become a cultivator?".
Shao Ai didn''t prepare for it and felt hesitant.
"I... I am not sure...".
Hmm. He doesn''t seem to have enough motivation. Most people would have gladly said yes in an instant.
"Why do you think cultivators go through the path of cultivation?".
Shao Ai carefully thinks and form his words. He wants to reject him respectfully with his own honest reasons.
''I think, cultivators¡¯ path is to improve one own strength and increase life span, and reach immortality¡±.
¡°Why do they want strength and eternal life?¡±.
¡°To gain power is to keep peace or have revenge... To live forever is to avoid death. And cultivating is to also reach enlightenment and find reasons and understand the very heaven and earth to fulfil their desire to understand the world".
Heavenly Father is really astonished. Aside from strength and immortality, this boy also adds a reason for knowledge. There''s also another one reason, that is fate. But he is already satisfied with the answer.
''Are you not interested in power, immortality, or knowledge?''.
"I am satisfied even with a limited lifespan. And as for power, as long as my family and I am safe like now, I don''t need power. As for knowledge, I am not curious nor wants to seek them. I just... I want to live an easy and peaceful life, that''s all".
Heavenly father understands this reason.
Cultivation path is harsh. And there would be many enemies you could offend just by existing as a genius, unless they go under a great elder like himself that is. But he already made a decision.
For Shao Ai, his cultivation path is due to Fate because he met him, one of the Heavenly Father.
He sees mother Su and the other children seems anxious.
"True peace can only be brought by having ultimate power. Don''t you want to guarantee peace?".
If some random cultivator went to kill them all there would be no peace. That logic doesn¡¯t seem to be so logical in Shao Ai¡¯s head though because if that happens, he would consider it as a natural disaster, like an earthquake or a typhoon.
''Its... Too heavy of a responsibility... Too heavy of a path... I am afraid I can''t do it''. Shao Ai spoke solemnly.
Heavenly Father nods is agreement. Only those who knows about the true harshness of cultivation path can be a great cultivator. And he found the right person.
"Your root and talent lie in way of yin and yang, heaven and earth pairing, and the elements that complement each other. Your martial paths are not meant for violence and killing, but harmony. It includes both lifesaving and killing paths".
Shao Ai is confused hearing the elder''s words.
"I happened to have a very suitable cultivation method from ancient time that I compiled. I will pass it to you. But it''s your decision if you want to cultivate them or not. The cultivation method focused on to be in harmony with heaven and earth. You have multiple paths... Whether it''s alchemy, medicine, formations, way of the sword, and much more. I am giving you an opportunity to be my disciple".
¡®Elder¡ I¡¡¯.
Heavenly Father sees his hesitation. He understands he can¡¯t decide yet.
''I pass onto you this cultivation method for your own study for now. This is a talisman that contain a part of my power. Even those at my level would be injured. Use it in an emergency''.
Shao Ai felt burdened and confused. He didn''t say yes? Is he shoving these onto him? For what reason?
The elder make some seal and formation and place it onto shao ai body.
Shao ai felt some warmth and it disappear. And a mark with the shape of a swirling water appears on his chest.
"This will hide your cultivation to most people in the lower realm. You don''t have to worry. You can try to start cultivation to reach Chi Gathering stage".
''Elder...''. shao ai is not sure what to say.
¡°Elder is only giving you an opportunity. It''s up to you, whether you want to take it or not. I am not forcing you to take the cultivation path. Elder hope you can make a decision for yourself... If you decide to become my disciple one day, you can call upon me with the talisman''. The elder turned around and leave mysteriously.
Shao Ai and others looks at the elder departing, waking calmly and disappears. Of course, he had to put up an act to appear mysterious.
Shao Ai look at the heavy book he received along with a jade talisman. He went to mother Su and explained everything.
Mother Su didn''t say anything. The elder is very mysterious, even she had to kowtow feeling his immense aura and power. The opportunity that the child received must be immense.
Shao Ai went to the bed room to contemplates on this.
Mother Su ask everyone to give their brother some space. Because it''s quite heavy for him.
Meanwhile, Shao Ai opened the book that he received. This is his beginning.
Chapter 2: Cycle of Heaven and Earth technique!
Shao Ai turned the book to read the first page. The symbols shined dimly and suddenly he felt information rushed into his head as he read the sentences.
"I see... This is how you cultivate...". Shao Ai understands what it takes to cultivate.
First, he needs to sense Chi, which if energy that exist in all thing and the environment.
He can sense the method and stance he needs to use to stimulate his meridians to sense Chi as the book had transfer the knowledge. The book also mentions spiritual herbs that can be used to sense Chi easier.
Shao Ai turned to look at the cover again.
"Birth and death, Yin and Yang, Creation and Destruction. Harmony of Celestial Body Movements".
It''s a long title wasn''t it.
Shao Ai turned to see the second and third page. But in the third page, it felt obscured and he can''t understand anything. It seems that, he needs to start cultivate to read further.
Since the elder says he had hidden his cultivation, it should be fine to cultivate a little bit. He doesn¡¯t plan to put too much effort into it though. He wants to chill, even if he cultivates as a hobby.
He is not going to look for treasures or spiritual herbs or whatnot. If he reaches a bottleneck, that¡¯s it.
As for heaven tribulation¡ who wants to be strike by thunder? He would contemplate it when the time comes for a breakthrough.
He decides he will cultivate a little bit, since he already had the opportunity and try it out.
"Mother Su... I will try to cultivate outside...".
Mother Su look at one of his children. He is given a heaven¡¯s luck, to get such an opportunity from a seemingly powerful Elder.
"Alright...".
She''s not sure what to think but it''s up to Shao Ai. Wu Hai too eventually know about it. He tried to read the book as well but he can¡¯t understand anything. It¡¯s as if it¡¯s a scribble.
Shao Ai stood outside and do the horse stance as drawn in his head. Wu Hai excitedly copied the stance; in case he could sense Chi the same way. Through the jade talisman, Heavenly Father secretly observed by sending his incarnation ¨C a part of his consciousness, like a ghost watching Shao Ai.
Perhaps once Shao Ai reach a certain bottleneck, and know how good it is to be a cultivator he would call out to him.
Heavenly Father thought even if the boy has heavenly talent, without a good teacher he will reach a bottleneck at some point and requires guidance.
So, he is sure he would seek him. If he didn¡¯t seek him and give up on his cultivation path, that is also fine. Although he felt that it¡¯s a waste to not cultivate if you already have such absurd luck.
Shao Ai tried to focus on finding a certain energy in his body.
After 6 minutes of focus, feeling his breathing, heartbeat, his own organs movement; he finally senses something. Something flowing in him and it feels intangible.
"So this is chi".
He fully focuses all his intention into it. He can feel the energy better. And he can feel some of it flow in and out of his bloodstream. Observing the feeling of Chi closely, he noticed it diffused out to the environment. And now he can sense chi in the environment as well although it¡¯s thin. He followed where the chi in the air went. It flowed into ground, to the root, absorbed by a tree and expelled out through its leaves.
He sensed chi also exists in the stone, grass, the sky, and in everything. Only in varying amounts
"I see...".
He took a deep breath and circulate his chi inside his body as instructed by the book. Chi flowed through his meridians back to his heart in a cycle.
In few minutes he finally accelerates the flow of Chi and prevent any from leaking out. He starts to pull a wisp of external chi using his innate chi. As if using a thread to pull another thread.
And from a single strand of external chi going pulled in, like water attracting water molecules, more external chi followed. As time goes on, more chi from the air is absorbed into his body. Soon, Shao Ai cultivation state is akin to a sink where water is draining - chi flowed in continuously into his body.
In contrast Wu Hai did not sense anything and is getting frustrated. But suddenly, chi concentration around them increased due to Shao Ai¡¯s technique and Wu Hai is able to sense chi and feel elated. The Chi is not from inside him, but outside!
Chi concentration around them is very dense due to Shao Ai using his cultivation technique, Cycle of Heaven and Earth, causing Chi to move to him. Excess Chi is expelled from his body back to the environment constantly.
Shao Ai can feel his Chi increasing and its nourishing his dantian, meridians and organs at the same time. The chi rushed in like he''s a black hole swallowing the heaven at this point.
The heavenly father who is secretly observing through his incarnation had his mouth wide open.
Is the technique supposed to be like this??
He observed how Shao Ai broke through quickly. He rubs his eye, thinking he¡¯s getting old and senile and perhaps he is having a mental disease. How is this logical!?
Shao Ai broke through Chi Gathering stage, breaking all the minor realms from Early, Middle, Peak and Late Chi Gathering stage and directly to early Foundation establishment stage. Black gunk of impurities rushed out of his pores.
He can feel in him a sea of Chi is formed. It seemed like a big pond, and streams of Chi from outside constantly flow into the pond, and his spiritual sea of Chi also forms streams of Chi flowing out into the environment when he cultivates. He can expand the pond through further cultivation and accelerates the flow of Chi in and out of himself. He felt like he''s a small part of heaven and earth, like grass(?) on the earth, and can use spiritual sense and sense chi in things even further.
"Amazing...". He didn''t expect it''s this easy to break through. And it felt so amazing. He felt refreshed.
Although now he noticed a pungent smell from himself and it felt so slimy and sticky.
¡°You stink!¡±. Wu Hai closed his nose and look at his little brother in disgust.
Ew! What is this black gunk?
He quickly took a bath at the nearby stream of water. Wu Hai, after exposure to such high concentration of Chi grasped what Chi felt like and now can sense it in his body.
But he¡¯s quite clueless what to do for the next step.
Once Shao Ai returned, he tried to teach him about circulating the Chi to his flesh, blood, bone, organs, the meridians and to the dantian.
But Wu Hai doesn¡¯t understand. What is meridian, what is dantian?
Shao Ai can¡¯t explain how he knew these terms to begin with because of his past life knowledge. He likes to read novels including Xianxia ones so he knows of these terms and naturally know how to relate to things with knowledge he gained from the ancient book.
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Shao Ai explained slowly, based on his limited knowledge, what he thought.
Wu Hai finally able to circulate Chi somewhat and cultivate. But there¡¯s a problem where he can only use take in a strand of Chi from outside little by little, unlike Shao Ai who swallowed Chi like a blackhole.
Afterwards, Shao Ai read the third page of the ancient book. It entails further explanation of Cycle of Heaven and Earth technique.
He focused his spiritual sense and look at the sugarcane he planted. He sense chi flowing in the water up the sugarcane, expelled through the little leaves.
He opened the 4th page of the book he received to read on the further use of his core cultivation technique, ¡®Cycle of Heaven and Earth¡¯.
The technique involves circulating opposing elements while maintaining balance, to change one form to the other, or to transfer any element in a space to another empty space. From hot to cold. Turning water to ice and vice versa. And to exchange chi with another person; replenishing their chi or absorbing their chi; depending on which has the higher amount.
And to even assist in cultivation of others and oneself by helping them circulate chi. The technique seems to have a limitation because you need to understand the opposing elements and conditions that are in balance to each other - that is, you have to comprehend the path of harmony in Heaven and Earth.
He feels that this technique depends on his understanding as what ¡®opposing elements¡¯ are. The simplest one should be to cycle chi from high concentration to low concentration, which is the most basic and the main method to gather chi in himself.
He tested it on Wu Hai, assisting his cultivation. But most of the Chi is expelled quickly out of his body since his body cannot absorb it.
Shao Ai tried the technique on the sugarcane.
He starts to move a strand of chi up the sugarcane, out to the air, and down back to the root. One by one, the stream of chi forms a constant flow in a cycle from air to the ground, to the sugarcane and to the air again.
Shao Ai felt surprised because the plant seems to grow a little bit.
"Amazing...".
He keeps on using the technique and he felt his understanding of the technique is more profound as he observes the plant in front of him. In one minute, the sugarcane grown as if it''s been a month.
But the growth stops suddenly, despite the continue cycle of chi. The sugarcane is filled with chi to the brim but have no sign of growth anymore.
"I see... it¡¯s because there are many limiting factors. I need to cycle and accelerates every process that constitute growing a plant, including how the nutrient is made and transported, the cell division, mitogen production, the enzymes activity¡ and also the sun chi needs to be considered along with water intake by the sugarcane¡±. He understood what this technique is all about. It¡¯s about balancing while he able to manipulate the variables inside. But it needs to be in a balanced equation or still within the same ratio and in equilibrium.
Example, if he had 1 kg of mixed stones and wood. He can shift 0.5kg of wood and 0.5 kg of stone to be 0.6kg of wood and 0.4kg of stone with this technique ¨C keeping the mass the same, adhering to conservation of mass. Although he cannot achieve conversion of matter and energy yet, but he felt like this is at the limit of this technique!
As a pharmacy graduate in past life, he knows about biology and chemistry to an extent. His science knowledge of modern world is quite good.
From this, at highest level of the Cycle of Heaven and Earth it should allow him to convert matter to energy and vice versa. At least that is what his imagination and comprehension brought him.
He tried to cycle the sun chi and drag the nutrient in soil to the plant. The growth is resumed but it¡¯s still slow.
"It still needs more nutrient...". He contemplates his past knowledge. How nutrient in the soil is formed through a complex cycle. From organic material decomposing, microorganism activity like nitrogen fixation to fix nutrients from the air, and the plant itself converting them to usable nutrients. And the plant too would give nutrients to the other beings. And the beings would become nutrient for the plants. Everything is in a cycle, reaching a balance in nature.
His extensive knowledge from his previous life enlightened him easily.
He feels he can use the ability with his intention even more accurately. The technique of cycle of heaven and earth is grasped to cultivate the sugarcane.
He can accelerate the decomposition, biological process, and things that he understood required to make this plant grow.
He moved his chi again and use the technique for 5 minutes. This time, the plant grows few more months but stops.
He observed the plant and the ground.
The nutrient in the ground and organic matter within 1 meter of the plant is fully decomposed and absorbed. He can''t cycle the outside nutrient to it. The ground surrounding the plant becomes barren leaving only some rocks. Even grasses withered and decomposed under the technique of cycle of heaven and earth and becomes nutrient to be fed to the sugar cane.
He realised; he has limited control over the area where the cycle is included. He made a closed system where the cycle happens.
Wu Hai is filled with shock. His little brother is so amazing! He had technique to grow plant!
Shao Ai thought for a moment. He needs to buy fertilisers...
Wait. Actually. He can just gather dry leaves or other stuffs and pile it up here since his technique allows him to decompose it.
He went to collect piles of leaves and just leave it on the ground near the sugarcane. He uses the technique again.
In minutes the dry leaves slowly disintegrate into the ground. It takes a long time and his stamina is depleting a lot.
After 5 more minutes finally, the soil gets its nutrient back and went to the sugarcane. The sugarcane starts to grow and reached 6 meters high and reached its peak maturity as if it¡¯s been there for more than a year.
"Wow...". Both Shao Ai and Wu Hai exclaimed.
It''s really exhausting to do this honestly. His mental energy is depleted and half of his innate chi is used up.
He decides to cut the sugarcane and leave 10 small cuttings on the grounds. The rest is to be chewed as some sort of dessert for everyone.
"Mother Su! Here''s for everyone¡±.
''Where did you get this...?''. Mother Su sees it¡¯s longer than what they had bought.
Shao Ai decides to be honest.
"I grow it with a technique from the book...".
Mother Su felt it''s too incredible. Is there really such a heavenly defying technique?
He really is able to do this due to his understanding of the cycle of nutrient, energy, and the process involved in life. And this isn''t his limit.
Even the heavenly father who gave him that book didn''t realise to what extent the martial technique he passed on to Shao Ai actually is.
He is utterly shocked. His mouth is still wide open seeing how heaven defying his technique is. He thought heaven would collapse and send thunder to kill Shao Ai.
It truly looks like a demonic technique that uses blood and soul as nourishment, draining the essences out of living thing to nourish oneself - just like how he nourishes the sugarcane by killing the grass and insects around it. But the bigger problem is¡ the sugarcane defies the law of time and grow!
He is afraid of heaven punishment descending and anxiously observe the sky for any changes.
Instead, there''s no reaction, no thunder. It means the technique is within what''s allowed within the law of heaven and earth.
He can''t understand how. It''s too profound for his understanding. How is it within the law of heaven and earth?
How did this boy understand such a technique to such an extent? Even he can only grasp a little bit regarding the cycle of rain, water and snow after years of comprehension. But to directly enters territory of life right after starting cultivation, that¡¯s too profound.
He is more than confused. This boy didn''t just have the luck bestowed by Heaven. He is a one in 10 billion genius!
He almost regrets not convincing him to be his disciple forcefully. Of course, he still watches him since he is lonely after thousands of years being at the very peak. There''s really no reason other than loneliness and boredom. Standing at the peak is a lonely place.
The heavenly father had watched how shao Ai gathers chi. At first it seems like a good technique of cultivation. He of course had tested it himself once. But over time, Shao Ai gradually becomes a black hole that swallows the chi from the environment and expels it back out! It even aids the other kid to cultivate because of the thick Chi concentration in the air he caused.
The technique is that amazing? When he tried it, it was not this amazing. It seems Shao Ai¡¯s body of yin and yang, and his 5 elemental harmonic bone fits the technique like the very heaven and earth! The technique is made for him!
Perhaps this is fate.
In few weeks Shao Ai cultivated a bunch of sugarcanes while improving his technique. Sides of the river stream are filled with a lot of them eventually.
Mother Su, being curious also watched the process and almost had her heart stopped. Too heaven defying. She sees the sugarcane grow so fast her eyes can see it grow and form leaves.
And she sees how the leaves on the ground withered and turned to soil. He even sees a dead cockroach turned to soil. If it¡¯s a dead person, would it become dust as well?
Gulp.
T-Then¡ what if it¡¯s a living person?
She is anxious in case someone sees and always reminds Shao Ai to remain vigilant and don¡¯t use it on living animal. She is anxious.
Insect might be fine, but what if Shao Ai starts to use small rodents, and then to bigger animals, and then to a living human being?
She remembered stories on demonic cultivators. The way the leaves and insects withered and turned to dust is eerily similar to demonic technique. It¡¯s not some demonic technique, right? She is afraid anyone sees what Shao Ai is doing most.
"Mother Su. I want us to make sugar and we can make more money".
''But.... It will attract attention¡ and how do we explain how we have so many sugarcanes suddenly¡¯.
"No worry. I will grow many sugarcanes here and we can say it had grown here for years".
Mother Su thought that''s reasonable since the area here is rarely visited by anyone. As for later on others would copy it, it doesn''t matter since he just wants enough money to get by, not becoming the top sugar producer or something. Being a small, self-sufficient business is what Shao Ai wants. He knows he can go further but there''s too much risk.
"Yes. Mother Su understands. Thank you shao ai...". She pats his head.
Shao Ai continue his quiet life with grant business idea in his head, and cultivates as a hobby.
Chapter 3: Sharingan? No! Its the eyes of Yin and Yang.
After some time, Shao Ai realised he can use the technique while cultivating at the same time as chi flow from inside him, out, and then into the sugarcanes to the air and back to himself again, he broke through the minor realms steadily while cultivating the sugar canes and himself in months.
He eventually reached the peak of Foundation establishment in 3 months. During that time, Wu Hai had departed to learn at the Martial Art school. He promised to mother Su and Shao Ai he will keep his secret since he has not decided to be a proper cultivator yet.
The heavenly father who senses his rapid progress is dumbfounded. He is called one in a million genius and had a million luck of mortals bestowed on him.
But compared to shao ai, he''s trash!
Not to mention his comprehension of the technique ¡®cycle of heaven and Earth¡¯ is too deep. He still doesn¡¯t understand how he managed to make the plant grows fast without using law of time. He had contemplated it for days but still doesn¡¯t get it.
He¡¯s really confused. Time is supposed to be one thing no cultivator in the world can control. Even if they can, they would be dead struck by a thunder facing wrath of heaven.
Of course, he doesn¡¯t understand the concept that works in an organism. How enzymes and nutrients work to grow a plant. The hormones and growth factors. And where the nutrient comes from. In essence Shao Ai had a deep understanding in Dao of living body and the cycle of life allowing his technique to look heaven-defying but in fact it really is within the law set by heaven.
Accelerate the enzymes, accelerate the cell division. Increase mitogen production. Accelerate the nutrient intake. Accelerate hormone production. Accelerate the nutrient transportation. Accelerate carbon dioxide intake and transpiration. All these small processes matters. Shao Ai had made micro adjustments with his intents over and over again to truly perfect this technique specifically for this sugarcane plant.
Heavenly Father theorised if Shao Ai had met some ancient ancestor and he gained his inheritance at some point before he met him. But then why he has no cultivation technique before this?
Shao Ai is clueless that he is being observed constantly. Heavenly Father has no job after all, and is bored. So, he always peeked at what Shao Ai is doing.
Shao Ai eventually broke through Core formation stage smoothly. And since then, Chi constantly flows in and out of his body as if he is cultivating 24/7. He became a part of the cycle of Chi even without meditation or intentionally cultivate.
He is quite surprised. He is sure this is not normal. He treated cultivation as a hobby and some form of exercise and was chill about it. And now he can even stop meditating half an hour a day to not bothering at all.
Heavenly Father wants to cough up blood. He cultivated for 7 years to reach core formation stage. And he was called a genius among the geniuses. Just for you to know, average cultivators had to cultivate for 20 years to break through Foundation Establishment stage. And then 100 years to break through Core Formation stage.
But in 4 months Shao ai condensed his sea of Chi into a prismatic core, reaching Core formation stage! What takes 120 years on average takes 4 months for him!
What¡¯s more, Heavenly father had never seen that colour of core. He thought golden core is the best core a cultivator can have. But what is this shining and prismatic core? He felt his world turning upside down. The thousand years of living, even having a seat of heavenly law of weather, he never sees this core.
His prismatic core is the one and only unique core in the heaven and earth with purer and denser chi.
What¡¯s more ridiculous for Heavenly Father is that he observed once the core formed, it¡¯s as if he is in constant state of cultivating when he eats, sleep and defecate. He doesn¡¯t need to meditate unlike other cultivators anymore!
So heaven defying! But heaven wasn''t angry at all! And where is the heaven tribulation!? He is confused. Once someone broke through Core formation stage, Heaven would send tribulation to punish beings that try to escape from their mortality. But even Heaven is giving him a freeway???
Heavenly Father wants to smack himself for being arrogant in his early days. He remembered challenging the geniuses of various sectors and trampled them all and have a breakthrough in the middle of fighting an elder. He is said to have talent and luck surpassing every living being.
He thought his talent is heaven defying.
But he is now truly enlightened and realise he is an ant compared to shao ai! He is too arrogant and his pride shattered by seeing truly heaven defying talent in front of his eyes.
And yet Shao Ai still remains a humble person and seems so clueless about true difficulty of cultivation.
He always relates to his past life knowledge when comprehending the technique.
Chi is energy, a form of energy that is convertible to all kind of energy. As for the world, everything is in a state of balance. Whether it¡¯s the conservation of momentum, energy, mass in various things, and the cycles involving life including life cycle, how plants give air to humans while humans give air to plants, how rain is formed, from river to sea, to rain again.
How life and death too is a cycle of life. How even knowledge, being passed on from parents to child to the next generations is a form of a cycle. How creation of the world from big bang, ends with the last star, the last black hole that had devoured all matter and energy in the universe forming a condense sphere that contains all matter and energy.
And once again big bang happens causing universe to be born again.
The Heaven shook slightly, because one of the core secrets of the Earth are comprehended by Shao Ai. But Heaven is not mad, but rather, appreciative. Chi is slowly increasing in the environment due to Heaven giving its blessing.
Heavenly father can feel the Heaven shook slightly for a second. What is going on!? He sees Shao Ai is meditating, seemingly comprehending something.
What did he comprehend that even heaven shook!?
Harmony of heaven and earth. Shao Ai understands and appreciates the profound mechanism of the Earth to maintain balance in various aspects of life even its birth and destruction.
!!!
He had a breakthrough in his cycle of heaven and earth technique to High Mastery realm. Flow of chi accelerates again. Chi flows into him, form a cycle, and into his core, out to his body and out to the environment constantly. Each time the cycle finishes his innate chi increased very slightly. Once enough innate chi is gathered, he can break through the minor realms easily and naturally eventually.
But he does wonder¡ where¡¯s the tribulation? Shao Ai read the book, and it does mention heaven tribulation since a mortal trying to break free from shackle of heaven would need to be punished for it.
He shrugs it off. Thinking maybe it¡¯s because he is still in the early cultivation stage so there¡¯s no tribulation yet.
But Heavenly Father know that¡¯s not true. He keeps watching the sky in confusion while Shao Ai was breaking through before because there¡¯s no sign of it.
Shao Ai Cycle of Heaven and Earth technique is far from complete mastery. Because he hasn¡¯t grasped how soul, fate, luck and the gods in heaven and the beings on earths are connected, how the movement of stars and fate is connected yet.
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But grasping these is really difficult since it involves the biggest secret of heaven. However, at this point, his understanding of the Earth is already beyond what¡¯s possible for anyone in the entire Azure realm! If he understands ¡®Heaven¡¯, his technique would reach its true limit. But it would be so far ahead.
He also tries to comprehend the other techniques in the book that he is able to read once he reach Core Formation stage.
8 Trigrams Harmonic Stances. Eye of Sun¡¯s Prediction. Eye of Moon¡¯s Contemplation. Yin and Yang Mirror of Reflection. Light and Dark Dual Wielding sword technique. Life and Death Transference. There are other techniques in further pages that he can¡¯t read until he breaks through so he takes it easy.
He understood, on the surface, the cycle of heaven and earth technique is basically the core technique. As long as he grasped it, the other techniques will be easier to grasp.
He starts to practice the 8 trigrams harmonic stances since it¡¯s a movement technique. It can give him defensive, offensive and manoeuvre ability. He draws the 8-trigram pattern like in the book on the ground.
He starts to move his step, one by one based on what he grasps from the book. He understands the principle of the stances.
One stance harmonically connects to the other. If you dodge with a stance, you can attack, create space, or even escape through series of connected stances afterwards. Doing harmonic stances cause explosion of chi resonance and therefore increasing its speed and power and reduce chi consumption and reduce fatigue.
He contemplates on the stances embedded in his head, as to what to practice first. There are too many.
He decides to practice 2 stances that are in harmony with each other. When doing the 2 stances, it¡¯s as if he is making a galloping forward movement but more elegantly as if he¡¯s chicken flying in the air for a short time, sort of.
These 2 combinations are specific for traveling far distance so he learns this first. Each time he did the 2 stances his speed increased tremendously. He reached his peak speed at 10 cycles of stances. He keeps on practicing in the forest, dodging trees while moving is also a surprisingly good method to learn the 2 stances fast.
As for onlooker, well, he¡¯s too fast to be seen.
Eye of Sun¡¯s prediction allows him to predict future movements. While Eye of Moon¡¯s Contemplation allows him to see the past movements, allowing him to repeat the observation he had made. This is useful to increase his understanding of a phenomena, as if you could repeat a video and to an extreme level even copy enemy abilities by observing their flow of chi. Furthermore, Eye of Moon¡¯s Contemplation technique also allows him to cast illusion using Yin energy, making enemies fall into an illusion where they see their biggest nightmare and fear.
The more he reads what the technique entails the more ridiculous it sounds at higher level of mastery.
The book mentions it requires special eye constitution bestowed by the heaven. It¡¯s called Eye of Yang for the Sun''s prediction technique while the Eye of Yin is needed to grasp the Moon''s contemplation technique.
Shao Ai felt it¡¯s ridiculous that he happens to be born with heterochromia with golden and purple eye colour. No way, right??
To practice the eye of sun''s predictions based on the book, he threw chi coated knife to a tree while condensing chi into his right golden eye. By instinct he feels the golden eye is especially suited for this. He fully intent on trying to see chi with his eyes first since it¡¯s the first step.
He sees chi with his eyes as illusory golden energy after gathering chi into his eyes for minutes but he can¡¯t predict trajectory yet.
After 30 times of knife throwing, right after he throw the 30th knife, he can see its predicted landing position!
He gasped in shock. That¡¯s seems overpowered.
An illusory golden line is formed from where the knife is let go from his hand. He can see an illusory knife already embedded in the tree in a split second while the knife is still in the air.
Thud!
The knife landed exactly where his eye predicted, overlapping his prediction.
He thought it¡¯s his imagination and humbled himself.
He threw another knife, this time he confirms he really able to predict them. The third throw, he can¡¯t see the prediction anymore. He knows he needs more and more practice to make sure he can use this ability when he wants to.
After throwing another 30 times, he slightly able to predict the knife landing position just before then knife is let go instead of after it is flying out of the hand. And he can activate his eye to predict Chi paths in the next 0.5 second. He still needs to do more practice.
He hasn¡¯t realised that when he activates his Eye of Sun''s Prediction, sun like pattern appears on the iris.
After days of practice, he feels satisfied of his progress as he predicts up to the next 0.7 seconds and starts to practice Eye of Moon¡¯s Contemplation next.
He wonders if his purple eye is truly Eye of Yin because his luck is too absurb.
He practiced by ¡®drawing¡¯ with chi in the air by releasing chi through his finger. The book suggests observing someone¡¯s movement and try to observe them.
Since he doesn¡¯t want to trouble mother Su or others, he does this drawing. He thinks it should be the same.
He made drawings while gathering chi into his left purple eye. He observes the chi drawings. After drawing 20 times, he finally glimpsed into the previous action as if the movement in the past 1 second is repeated. It¡¯s basically a video recorder and he can see the past 1 second and store it in a file in his head. He felt a bit happy since he can use both techniques.
After contemplating for minutes, using his intent to replay it back, he even figured how to replay them when he wants to.
The moment he activates his technique of Moon¡¯s Contemplation, a crescent moon pattern appears surrounding his purple eye pupil. By instinct he felt like he can store 10 seconds of recordings at most for now, while each recording is 1 second long at most.
Using the techniques does strain his eyes.
He contemplates on the techniques. He finds that there is a limitation where it requires the objects to be under his vision. So, if enemy escapes his vision, he won¡¯t see it. But still, this is immensely powerful.
As for casting illusion technique using the Yin Eye, he does not have a test subject. He doesn¡¯t want to put anyone under their greatest fear and nightmare. That sounds horrible.
Suddenly he felt like he comprehended a new technique that¡¯s not written in the book.
He activates both of his eyes. His gold and purple eyes glowed dimly as the patterns appear on both eyes. It¡¯s as if his senses entered a slow-motion mode. The leaves are falling weirdly slow.
He could see things moving at half speed! All of his senses enter a slow-motion state, even his heartbeat slowed down.
After seconds, he felt his eyes burning.
Ouch!
He closed both of his eyes as it got red and teary. He can only use this for 6 seconds at most and to see things at half speed. It means he can only use it at the last 3 seconds at critical moment for now.
But with practice, and as he develops both his eyes, he is sure he can use this technique longer, and even enter a slower slow-motion state.
So powerful¡
He wants to name this technique that aren¡¯t written in the book. Hmm¡ let¡¯s see.
Vision of heaven? All-Seeing Eyes?
Drifting Vision of Celestials!
He felt embarrassed at trying to make up a name for his own technique. It felt quite childish.
He wonders why is he given such a powerful technique by that elder freely.
Who is that elder? Why did he give him this technique? Why he approached him? Just because of his talent?
He wondered if he should call out to that elder with the jade talisman and be his disciple since he already practices these. And he had questions for him regarding his purpose.
But then he comprehended the technique just fine so far by himself so it¡¯s not needed to have a teacher for now, right? Shao Ai thought.
The more he thinks about the techniques, the more he feels it¡¯s absurd. And he can even cultivate by doing nothing since Chi is willingly going inside him now.
His eyes are like sharingan from Naruto world, or even better, he thought.
What is the purpose of the elder giving him the book and techniques? After moments of contemplation, he remembers the anime Naruto from his past life.
!?
Gasp!
Shao Ai imagination runs while.
Did the elder want to pluck my eyes out after I mastered the eye techniques!?
Shao Ai remembered the plot in Naruto where the Uchihas are replacing eyes here and there to gain special eye power. Did the elder have this evil intention!?
Once he mastered the eye techniques would the elder come and steal my eyes and use them to cast an illusion technique on the whole world using the moon!?
He felt anxious for a moment but shook his thought away. He couldn¡¯t be that evil, right?
But then he remembers the marking Heavenly Father placed on his chest. He touched the marking observing it.
Wasn¡¯t this like cursed seal placed by Orochimaru? Maybe the elder want to possess his body when he matured!?
Gasp!
No no. The elder can¡¯t be that evil, right?
He held the jade talisman. The elder said this is to be used as emergency and to call out to him. This seems like a tracking device doesn¡¯t it, otherwise, how would he know if he called out to him? Maybe he is watching through this!?
Gasp!
He felt convinced the elder is an evil person who covets his eyes and body like Orochimaru.
That thought lingered for seconds before he shook it away. He can¡¯t judge the elder like this¡ he doesn¡¯t know the old man yet.
His imagination is so silly, Shao Ai thought.
The Heavenly Father is not aware what Shao Ai had assumed him to be for a moment.
He had been watching Shao Ai practicing all this time. And he can¡¯t believe how absurd the techniques are still.
He thought, since the eye technique requires special eye constitution, he shouldn¡¯t be so lucky to also have them. Even if he has one of the eyes, he can¡¯t have both eyes. He thought the heterochromia is nothing but merely physical character.
But he¡¯s wrong and he has the eyes for both crazy technique!
He wants to vomit blood and felt really envious. Even though he had the ancient technique he found in outer realm for thousands of years, he can¡¯t practice most of it and even when he can use few of the techniques, it felt lacking and weak.
However, in the hand of this boy, the techniques seem heaven defying entirely!
Heavenly Father is solemn. He don''t know anything anymore. He keeps on watching Shao Ai in case anything absurd happens again.
Chapter 4: Booming Business
Aside from cultivating and practicing techniques as a hobby, Shao Ai starts to implement the grand business idea he had to produce sugar in the land.
To begin, he needs a tool to press sugarcanes and a mould to make sugar cubes.
Hmm. He is starting from nothing and don¡¯t have money for it. He tried to imagine how to make a sugarcane juicer or presser in the simplest way possible.
Well, the simplest one is to use a lever mechanism to smash the sugarcane. He had this idea to stick a long cylindrical into some hole and use it as a fulcrum.
He looks at the orphanage building wall. He can smash a hole in it with his punch. As a cultivator, it would be easy.
Of course, he won¡¯t smash the wall instead he chooses a tree on the backyard.
He circulates his chi and condense it onto his fist. He punched the tree over and over again until it pierces through in the middle, creating a hole. Now he just needs a long cylindrical stick.
¡°Ouch. That still hurts¡±.
¡
Hold up. He could use his own hands to squeeze the juice out, he realised.
He tried and he manage to squeeze out the juices with his bare hands. Being a cultivator is really beneficial.
He pressed enough sugarcanes to get 3 gallons of juice. But it¡¯s too inefficient¡
Hmm.
He made up his mind to just use his hands until he gets enough money to buy a proper equipment.
He shared the juice with everyone.
¡°So sweet!¡±. Ling Ling enjoyed it so much. Half of it was consumed by everyone.
¡°Mother Su, let¡¯s boil this and make candy¡±.
Mother Su don¡¯t really understand but did so anyways.
Eventually it becomes a very thick syrup.
¡®Pour it on the tray and let it cool down¡¯. Shao Ai instructed.
She drops a spoonful of the thick syrup on the tray. After an hour, it solidified completely and become a candy, or the most traditional kind of brown sugar!
The kids enjoyed it a lot especially.
3 piece of candy is kept.
¡°Mother Su, add this to make bread! It will taste better!¡±.
She followed his wimps and make them. Shao Ai poured some hot water to melt the brown sugar block. He poured it onto the dough she¡¯s making. Once it done, everyone had their share.
¡°So delicious!¡±. It is sweeter than plain bread. Everyone loves it.
The following days, Shao Ai decides to open a stall in the marketplace to get some money. Sugarcane juices and candies are made. Few others also helped Shao Ai to set a stall there.
His stall is a success as the products are new and its delicious! Many flock to the stall each time they put it up. Their living condition improved, but mother su does feel bad that the children are working to get money for everyone.
It¡¯s worth mentioning people do find it more likely to buy when they see bunch of kids selling stuffs, and that they know these people are orphans, and that Shao Ai appearance is like a mascot attracting attention with his black and white hair and heterochromia eyes. Everyone in town knows him because of his appearance.
They are a few who asked what is the recipe and how it¡¯s made. But its trade secret. Thankfully it doesn¡¯t cause any issue. Mr Ko who had a restaurant selling dumpling begged mother su to buy the ingredient used to make the bread sweeter.
Because Mr Ko had sent them some dumplings here and there as a treat and charity, Mother Su feels she wanted to pay him back. She told him about the brown sugars and give him a few.
Mr Ko special sweet dumpling become a hit and sensation in town in few days.
With enough money, Shao Ai decides to expand the business. That is, to make a traditional sugarcane presser device.
The design is simple. The sugarcane would be inserted between two cylindrical rollers. As for how to spin the roller, Shao Ai can use his own hands.
But that¡¯s too tiring. He planned to buy a cow for this purpose later on. He will use his own hand for starter though. He would need to get a mould made too to get proper sugar cubes.
With Mother Su permission, he went to see the carpenter. The carpenter is astonished seeing how he draw and design the screw and gear mechanism on the roller. Of course, screws and gears aren¡¯t anything new but for independent commoner carpenter in a small town, it¡¯s something new he would need to make.
In a week, the device is crafted!
Shao Ai use his strength to spin the rollers while others put in the sugarcanes in between the roller. The efficiency becomes really high. Mother Su is responsible to boil the juices and pour them into the moulds. Shao Ai had bought parchment papers to be used as packaging for the sugar cubes prior.
Now they are selling sugar cubes, along with juice and candies when they open their stalls.
The sugar cubes become a sensation.
Shao Ai starts promoting and selling the sugar cubes to a store owner aside from Mr Ko to get a people to buy in bulk.
With increased popularity and enough money, he bought a strong looking cow. Now he doesn¡¯t need to spin the roller himself finally. He felt like his arms might become disproportionally big if he had to keep spinning it.
The waste sugarcane fibre becomes the cow food and become a fertiliser that Shao Ai use to decompose.
Since they are rolling it high, Shao Ai decides to get another presser and another cow.
Mother Su hesitated at first because they aren¡¯t supposed to be a business but Shao Ai manage to convince her.
Money flowed in and their living condition improved a lot, as well as their popularity.
Thankfully there¡¯s no bandit or whatsoever coming at them for now.
But one day, the town lord visited them to inquire about their business and to collect business tax and want to remind them they need a business permit because they are making a lot of money.
Of course, Shao Ai already set it aside prior and give him extra too, and some sugar cubes for his whole family. The town lord is happy and let them continue their business.
The town also benefited as Shao Ai is selling sugar cubes like it¡¯s something common. The volume of sale is very large as restaurant owners are always racing to buy them first. It¡¯s a first come first serve basis of course.
Some gourmet even heard news of it and come to visit. Guiyang town become a travel spot for foodie especially as restaurants start to make dessert and food with sugar.
Even with increased production. Demand eventually surpassed supply.
"Sorry! We are running out". Shao Ai and others had to shoo people away again. They no longer open a stall at the market since people would come looking for them. He had 4 store owners in contract with their orphanage so they needed to keep them in stock for those.
Shao Ai expects the business to succeed and he managed it well. He does feel anxious that some bandit would come to rob them one day and practiced his martial technique in his free time each day.
He had a thought, is this considered a black company because he technically used free child labour (including himself)? Well, they can eat meat frequently now and everyone is happy.
In fact, no one in the orphanage is interested in getting adopted because they are getting by so well. Mother Su still takes in children here and there and hired Aunty Meng to help her in taking care of the small ones. She also decides to hire an actual worker to process the juice to sugar cubes since she still needs to take care of the children. The orphanage is even expended.
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Mother Su felt teary thinking Shao Ai had made everything so much better for everyone. Oh. How useless is herself that she had to let a small child make money for them she thought.
As precaution, Shao Ai secretly planted and cultivated more sugarcane in rarely visited areas around the river streams. Because he needs an explanation on how he gets so much sugarcanes from since its supposed to be a foreign plant.
Eventually the province Lord heard news of it and went to visit.
Shao Ai felt nervous when Lord Shen visited accompanied by 2 guards.
"Good evening, Mother Su".
''Lord Shen, welcome to our humble place. Thank you for your patronage all these years¡¯.
"It''s my responsibility. Don''t mention it. May I know how you come up with the sugar?".
''It''s, one of the children. Shao Ai, come over here''.
Shao Ai nervously bowed to him.
"So it''s you who made it?".
''Yes Lord Shen¡±.
"Do you mind sharing your methods? I will buy the method from you of course".
He didn¡¯t want to offend such a powerful lord and in reality this lord can just copy his methods without permission or seize their property. But Lord Shen come and even ask permission from him; and that means the Lord is not evil in Shao Ai¡¯s mind.
''Yes Lord. It''s very simple. Let me show you''.
Shao Ai shows the sugarcanes, and along with all the processes and the device used.
"I see. This foreign plant is from the eastern land you say... How did you procure a lot of them".
''Emm... A lot of sugarcane happens to grow at the nearby river''.
"I see. One of you, check the surrounding river".
One of the soldiers accompanying him nodded and went ahead.
"Thank you for sharing the method. I will provide adequate reward for your hard work and to buy your method".
¡®Thank you Lord Shen¡¯.
Mother Su felt it should have been a business secret but since Shao Ai decides to share the method she doesn''t complain. No one want to take the risk of offending powerful people.
Soon the plentiful sugarcane that he had purposely cultivated here and there discovered. Although it''s still a small amount relatively speaking.
Lord Shen sees the direction to further strengthen the economy of the province under him. Due to multiple rivers and streams, he sees how his province can be made into the first local sugar producer in the country. Importing them is expensive and only nobles and very rich merchants can get hands on them once in a while. This is heaven¡¯s blessing, he thought.
After a month, the town lord visited mother su to pass on the gratitude and give them a lot of money enough to sustain 3 years for all of them as a price to buy the methods.
The lord put a lot of effort into this sugar production. In just 1 year from the very first harvest, his effort paid off as the province became the first producer of sugar in the country. It''s sold at an extraordinary sky-high price and becomes a speciality product of the province but it is still cheaper than imported sugar.
Lord Shen has a different vision. He had banned the orphanage from selling sugar at a cheap price and must sell it at the price he dictated. He also monopolised the sugar industry by banning anyone from producing or selling them without a permit.
Of course, there''s a lot of complaints to Lord Shen especially from Guiyang town. The townspeople had been able to eat sweet food and get sugar cheaply from Mother Su orphanage but now they can¡¯t even see any shadow of it anymore.
Many called him a greedy and evil person behind his back. But Lord Shen doesn¡¯t care. He really is serious about his vision. He believes this is for the better of his people.
Over the years, although sugar industry basically is monopolised by Lord Shen but due to the immense income and work opportunities in the province the commoner life is improved by another level. Lord Shen starts to lower variety of taxes. As the one who hold the monopoly, he become very rich and perhaps is only second the Emperor in terms of wealth.
What he does with that kind of money? He makes policies where every child will be sponsored to go to school. Also, to provide subsidies to those who work as farmers or fishermen and other production jobs that are important but have lesser pay. He reduced different kind of taxes here and there. And he pays high wages to workers who work in the sugar industry under his monopoly. Because of this, many business owners followed Lord Shen standard of wages and the people under his province is mostly well off.
The townsfolk that complained and trash-talked him went quiet as they see how Lord Shen truly is doing what he did to benefit the people eventually and used his wealth for good.
Mother Su still secretly sells sugar cubes at an affordable price to trusted people.
But ultimately, they had to admit lord Shen''s policy on the sugar price caused the orphanage to be really rich as they become one of the legitimate suppliers and sell them to merchant groups for trade nowadays.
Over the years, Shao Ai lived peacefully like he wanted. He started to attend the middle school equivalent. It''s too easy and boring though. In a year he already finished his study as he takes the final exam with flying colours.
He did feel a bit contemplated that sugar becomes a rare commodity only for nobles and the rich for now. That wasn''t his initial plan.
But he knows one day it would be commercialised as sugar price slowly decrease with its production rate and more people would be able to access them.
Although the policies makes them rich, he felt bad when uncle Ko who sold dumplings nearby can''t make his special caramel onion dumpling meat anymore.
Shao Ai, at the age of 13 enters higher education and even passed the civil service examination with the highest degree at 15. He was bored so he went to further his studies and even thought of being a scholar to share knowledge he knew especially in pharmacy and medicines. He was a pharmacy graduate after all, and pharmacy is not as developed due to magic property of spiritual herbs. Normal herbs are mostly overlooked.
Lord Shen invited him to be one of his advisors as he heard about his genius and how he passed with close to perfect score in the examination and he studied only for 2 years.
The lord of course still had some issues he want to discuss even if his province is extremely rich.
While the lord is discussing about food problem, since they had to import food from other region due to insufficient production, Shao Ai introduced the use of crop rotation. Although the territory is rich enough to import food from outside, that still counts as unnecessary expense. They have their own land, why did they have to buy food from outside?
Lord Shen is a smart lord so he wants to make his territory richer and able to sustain itself and avoid future problem in case the other region won¡¯t sell them food anymore for reasons like draught or floods.
Many scholars are unconvinced with the 15 years old teen scholar giving this idea of merely switching crops can increase the production.
Shao Ai calmly discuss about the different elements in the soil depleting as its used by plants. He summarised there were major and minor elements in the soil that needed time or fertiliser to be replenished. And each plant uses a different part of the elements in the soil.
Using crop rotation, it allows the ground to naturally recover the lost elements.
Many scholars start to search through research journals. There are some hints of it but it''s not confirmed.
Shao Ai explanation is only half convincing. Scholars under Lord Shen start to research the different elements of the soil using the different composition of fertilisers and start to test the crop rotation method.
After months of study, it can be confirmed there are 3 major elements in the soul that are used as food by plants but there are also minor elements that are consumed. Crop rotation is important to recover the minor elements. The research shows it is truly able to increase crop production by a significant amount.
Now every scholar starts to respect him since he had proven himself to be right.
In the next year, a plague hit the mortal world causing deaths. When the news reached the country, they went on a state of panic and discussed for countermeasure. The usual measures include isolating villages with infection, quarantining them and even¡killing them.
Shao Ai humbly shared his view and the effort needed to prevent the plague from spreading. From washing hands, keeping their distance and discovering non-spiritual herbs to use as medicine. It¡¯s also important to exterminate rodents as they may carry the plague.
Scholars starts to doubt him again.
"Every sickness comes from heaven and earth. And every sickness also has a cure from heaven and earth".
Shao Ai said it in a stylish way just because he''s used to these scholars saying such things and copied them.
How could normal herbs in the mortal realm cure a plague?
Shao Ai explains how the elements in the plants have effect to counteract certain diseases and sickness symptom. He used the most popular example of how a certain herb can reduce fever, and a certain bark can be used to reduce pain. And a certain plant becomes poisonous to snake but not to other animals.
To accelerate medicine and convince them about this, he proposed the concept of microorganisms and introduce microscope that can be used to see small living beings invincible to the naked eye.
Many scholars are interested at this new idea while a few is doubtful of the existence of small living beings that can¡¯t be seen. Even Lord Shen is interested and asks the best craftsman to make it based on his description as quickly as possible. And behold, bacteria are discovered! Medicine advanced rapidly as the knowledge is passed on even reaching the ears of the Emperor. Lord Shen also began to hire people to exterminate every rodents in sight to prevent plague from spreading.
Although the cure to the plague wasn''t found, due to countermeasures that Shao Ai suggested the plague is restricted within lord Shen territory. Lord Shen can''t count how many times he praised Shao Ai already from his mind-blowing new knowledge. He also is forever grateful to him for discovering how to produce sugar. He felt like his territory is truly blessed by heaven by giving birth to such a genius.
Antibiotics were also discovered in just a year as few people actively search for the blue fungi mentioned by Shao Ai. It was discovered on a red fruit imported from eastern land.
Shao Ai gave them an early warning and taught them about the adaptability of the microorganisms. And how you must take the antibiotics adequately to prevent survival of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Shao Ai is hailed as the Wisdom of Mortal Realm, a title given by the Emperor in another year. Shao Ai went to give speeches all over the Empire. Eventually the Emperor ask him to be a part of his personal advisor.
Shao Ai wanted to refuse but he¡¯s the damn Emperor so of course he¡¯s quite afraid of refusing. Well, at least he gets his own residence in the Gold Dragon Palace.
Mother Su is very proud and always boasts about him to the children in an orphanage, asking them to be successful like him.
At 17, Shao Ai departed to head to the Capital City. Mother Su cried out tears as Shao Ai had become an adult and is departing to live his own life far away.
Brother Wu Hai on the other hand has successfully become a cultivator. Thanks to early exposure, he can already gather Chi when he enters the martial art school. After he broke through to Chi Gathering stage, he was scouted by a middle-sized sect, the Dragon Flame Sect who are interested in taking him as a disciple due to his deep flame root talent.
The speed that Wu Hai cultivated is fast. Usually, it takes normal people with good root to cultivate for 20 years to broke through to Foundation Establishment stage. But in just 10 years Wu Hai had broken through.
But of course, compared to Shao Ai who''s now at Late Core Formation stage Wu Hai is not even comparable.
To break through from Chi Gathering to Foundation establishment requires 20 years. While Foundation Establishment to Core formation would requires 200 years of cultivation in average; it¡¯s really exaggerated how Shao Ai is close to breaking through to Late Core Formation stage already in just 10 years.
In few more months, he estimates he can breakthrough. Also remember that Shao Ai doesn¡¯t need to do anything to cultivate as Chi is absorbed into him 24/7 even when he¡¯s asleep.
Chapter 5: Black and Blue Dragon Flame Palm technique!
Wu Hai wanted to visit the orphanage after 10 years of leaving it as he missed Mother Su and wanted to see how she¡¯s doing. Shao Ai also received a letter and use his yearly vacation to visit along and many of the children that had went their way make a little reunion event.
Wu Hai was really shocked at Shao Ai''s achievement and how he even held a title given by the Emperor. He thought it''s a coincidence that the name is the same but it''s really one of his siblings from the orphanage! They talk about Shao Ai most in the reunion.
"Brother Wu Hai!". Shao Ai hugs his brother.
Wu Hai pat his head. His brother is still cute as always. And his black and white hair with heterochromia eyes is still too unique and eye catching even though he had been seeing Shao Ai for years since childhood.
Wu Hai tried to see what is the cultivation level that Shao Ai has since he knew he practiced cultivation by himself years before. But he can''t see anything, as if he''s a mortal who hasn''t cultivated.
"Shao Ai, you stopped cultivating?".
''Uh... I still cultivate actually. The Elder from 10 years ago hide my cultivation¡¯.
¡°Ohh. What stage are you in now?¡±.
¡°Uhh¡ Early foundation establishment¡±. He lied through his teeth.
He doesn''t think being a Late core formation stage at this point is normal due to his technique. He doesn¡¯t want to give Wu Hai a heart attack or depression.
"Wow! You already broke through foundation establishment as well? Amazing! You had become the disciple of that elder?".
''No. I practiced by myself¡¯.
"I see. You are really talented... Even without guidance you can cultivate fast. What about martial art techniques other than growing some plants?".
Shao Ai is not sure how to explain his Cycle of heaven and earth technique wasn''t a mere technique to grow plants but it''s a complex technique that alters variables in a closed system. But he lets Wu Hai misunderstands since its too profound to be explained.
"I have a movement technique I comprehend to run fast".
''Really? Want to have a competition? Let''s race along the river with movement technique!''.
"Alright!".
They both went into the forest and use their movement techniques. Wu Hai use fiery explosion on his back and feet to propel himself forward.
He is surprised that Shao Ai movement is really elegant, as if his movements are so pleasing to his eyes. And he is so fast that he no longer sees him.
"What technique is that! So fast!". Wu Hai wiped his sweat away.
"It''s a part of 8 trigram harmonic stances. Want me to teach you?".
Shao Ai draw the 8 trigrams and try to teach him the technique. But he only limits it to those 2 stances.
Wu Hai misunderstand the technique only involving those 2 stances solely for movement speed but Shao Ai doesn''t want to discourage Wu Hai too much by revealing the actual technique that can be used to attack, defend, counterattack and even travelling. But this technique is really too broad. Shao Ai only somewhat used to practice Harmonic Stances of the Untouchable where the series of stances are especially tailored to dodge.
He ignored the offensive part of the technique because for him, he never planned to kill or injure anyone and that he¡¯s too lazy mainly.
On a side note, he had discovered Eye of Moon¡¯s Contemplation technique allows him to observe and copy his own movement, and repeat them, making him learn techniques at fast speed (if he practices to begin with). Shao Ai is really slacking in training because he¡¯s lazy and wanted to chill.
Wu Hai did manage to comprehend the technique but it felt lacking when he tried it. He assumes it¡¯s because he hasn¡¯t practice it yet. After all, the harmonic stances require specific timing and accurate body positions.
It requires talent to grasp the natural harmonic body movements that should be felt by instinct. Wu Hai can¡¯t feel it though and his movement always has something off about it when Shao Ai observed. It doesn¡¯t look pleasing to the eyes and therefore not harmonic
Wu Hai also shared his experiences as a cultivator in a middle-sized sect.
He showed Shao Ai he can produce flame from his palm with Dragon Flame Palm technique. He turned chi into a flame with dragon-ish shape!
Wu Hai casually complained to Shao Ai about how he''s stuck and can''t comprehend the technique further. His master said he needs to break through to gain better control over his chi and comprehend the technique better.
"Brother, how do you use the technique, how you make flame?".
''Hmm. It¡¯s to use chi to make flame, just like how you burn wood, I burn Chi to produce flame''.
"I can''t increase my technique power... My master said it''s only one step behind perfection but I can''t understand it what am I missing. My master keeps telling me to comprehend it myself. And the seniors too tell me to comprehend it myself. Sigh".
Shao Ai contemplated for a second.
''Hmm. I think it''s because you are only using your chi as fuel. The surroundings also have chi and burnable elements. I think you can use chi from the surrounding to make your flame bigger and more powerful. Use the chi in the air, use the chi in the trees and grass to fuel the flame".
Gasp!
Why didn''t he think of it??
Wu Hai returned to the sector and became a direct disciple of the sect leader after comprehending the Flame Dragon Palm faster than anyone his age.
Using the chi in himself, and also using his surroundings, he successfully perfected the Flame Dragon Palm.
The flame dragon circles Wu Hai and engulfed his surroundings in flame while growing in size. It engulfed the air and chi while it was flying. It visibly grows in size while it''s launched at the target.
In fact, Wu Hai comprehended the longer he maintained the dragon in air, the stronger it grew! It''s basically an infinite dragon palm attack as he controls the flame dragon to attack and retreat in a circular path.
But it requires extreme chi control skill. He is still mastering his control at this moment. The Elders nods in satisfaction seeing Wu Hai grasped the core technique of the sect.
Unless the enemy destroys the dragon, kills Wu Hai, or Wu Hai himself stops the dragon flame it won''t stop growing as the Chi and oxygen from the air is burnt as fuel. It also has risks of losing control and exploding so chi control is important.
Wu Hai keeps training his flame dragon palm. On this day, he goes all out and burn all of his Chi to muster all power and launch the dragon flame palm at high speed in circular movements. He wanted to make the dragon fly faster and turn more sharply.
Due to how fast it flies in the air, there''s not enough oxygen and the fire dragon turned black!
Black Dragon Palm is accidentally unleashed! The effect of the black flame even causes suffocation and silent poisoning to the enemy and oneself if one is not careful. Wu Hai almost fainted pushing the technique to the extreme as the air around him depleted and he lost his breath momentarily. Thankfully he is okay.
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The sect master is shocked that Wu Hai had comprehended the advanced variant of Dragon Flame Palm by himself.
It''s usually taught at higher cultivation stage due to the technique causing oneself harm if not controlled properly.
Wu Hai once again seeks Shao Ai advice by sending him a letter of casual complaint. They are both cultivators so Wu Hai felt closer to Shao Ai and share each other¡¯s experience. Shao Ai invited Wu Hai to his residence in the Palace of Gold Dragon. Wu Hai is nervous seeing the big and luxurious residence. Only then he sees how rich Shao Ai looks.
Shao Ai starts to discuss things with Wu Hai to help him. They went outside as Shao Ai wants to make demonstrations.
"The flame is black because the element in the air is completely used up... Try to burn this wood"
Shao ai instructed his brother.
Wu Hai ignite a branch he held.
"Try to use your chi to isolate the air so the air inside cannot replenish".
Wu Hai did so and soon the flame eventually turned black!
"I understand! So... It already reached its limit because the elements in the air is used up¡".
"No brother. This isn''t the limit. The flame technique can still be improved".
Wu Hai looks at Shao Ai, confused.
"What do you mean? The elements are used up how to make the flame stronger?".
"Brother Wu Hai, do you have the technique to bring more air in?".
"More air?".
''It¡¯s to bring air from outside and increase the air. This will add burnable elements and improve all flame techniques!¡¯.
Gasp!
''Okay. I will ask my sect leader for the technique later¡¯.
Wu Hai once again returned to the sect. He asked for the technique involving wind.
"Hmm... The Wind Valley sect should have them. I will try to trade for it".
''Thank you master!''.
Soon a low-level technique for air circulation is traded with some spiritual herb from the Wind Valley sect. Its function is to only to accelerates air. It can''t compress or make wind blade or tornado so they are easily trade-able.
Wu Hai once again went to Shao Ai to thank him because he and the sect leader had made tests and sees their techniques improved by another level.
"I have comprehended the technique to increase air and using them together really makes them stronger! Thank you, brother!".
''Brother Wu Hai, show me the technique again. I want to see''.
Wu Hai ignited the wood easily. It burns with a red flame.
"Now I add the wind technique".
It burns even brighter.
"It''s stronger now". Wu Hai is satisfied.
He also noted that the air circulation technique allows him to control the black flame dragon. He is now only starting to master the black dragon as he switches the black dragon back to red dragon flame or vice versa by controlling how much air circulates.
"Brother Wu Hai, use more chi to circulate more air".
''Eh? But I already did¡¯.
"Brother, you will create a stronger flame! Trust me, use as much chi as possible to circulate as much air as you can".
''Okay...''. he mustered most of his chi to circulate even more air to the burning wood.
The flame turned brighter and brighter and eventually it turned blue! It evolved and had a qualitative change once it turned blue!
"B-blue flame!?". Wu Hai had his mouth wide open.
''Yes! You can combine your dragon flame palm and add a lot of air to make blue dragon flame! Also, smaller dragon flame but hotter might be better than bigger flame in certain cases. It should be easier to make black or blue dragon flame with smaller flame sizes too¡¯.
Wu Hai went outside and made a small dragon flame palm. Or rather it''s a python flame palm. He uses the air circulation technique and push a lot of his chi and mental energy out. The phyton gradually turns blue.
Wu Hai launched the blue phyton to the sky and it exploded with a bright radiance and heat!
"Amazing!". Its firepower is more concentrated compared to red flame.
Wu Hai thanked Shao Ai and gave him a spirit medicine, a 200-year-old ginseng with rich vitality and chi. It can improve health and lifespan by 2 years if eaten by a mortal. Of course, shao Ai lifespan is already at 1000 years due to his cultivation while he''s eating plus his constitutions.
Wu Hai showed his newly comprehended blue dragon flame palm technique to his sect leader, even shocking him.
Wu Hai still has trouble controlling the flame size to be small. He can''t make a smaller dragon flame palm because of nature of fire that are wild. This is due to his still low cultivation stage and insufficient chi control training, explained by his master.
Of course, it''s the sect leader''s time to shine to integrate the air circulation technique to his dragon flame palm.
He easily showcases his skill as the sect leader. He unleashed a gigantic Red Dragon Flame Palm in the air, it danced beautifully and it turned into Black Dragon Flame. As it dances, it gradually turns to red again. And then it turns to blue! And back to red and to black again!
The sect leader has so much sweat pouring out because he is trying to show off to his disciples and exerted so much effort for this.
Wu Hai wants to cough out blood. It''s like his own master stole and perfected the blue flame technique. The sect leader calls it the Dance of Dragon Flame of Sorrow, Courage and Pride.
Many flame-based techniques in the sect starts to evolve. The sect leader and few elders work hard to incorporate Wind techniques for this reason and many blue flame variants are produced. Wind valley sect felt suspicious as for why they are giving away many spiritual herbs for their low-level wind techniques but the sect shrugs it off.
They are in a rush because the genius martial competition between sect is going to be held soon so they want to perfect and improve the current techniques for the disciples.
The sect leader grinned seeing his own Fire Engulfing Explosion technique becomes twice as lethal as it turned into Azure Fire Engulfing Explosion.
To make a technique from scratch when it''s not their path is difficult so they still need to get it elsewhere to fasten things up.
The sect leader believed they could become a high-grade sect now!
The competition of sect geniuses determines sect status. Wu Hai along with 2 other disciples are chosen as representatives. They would battle other cultivators below the age of 30 and showcase their skills and techniques and to attract young people to their sect.
High level sect may also persuade (steal) disciples of smaller sect to join them. It''s natural that small sect may be not be able to provide good enough technique and resources and would limit their own student growth.
If a high-level sect wants to steal a disciple from a lower-level sect, it wasn''t stealing but it''s to place the disciple at the right place they deserved.
For disciples of the middle sect, a high sect can''t simply steal them but the disciple has a choice to leave or stay. There''s no verbal or written agreement but everyone knows this unspoken rule. This is for the sake of developing martial artist and prevent people from limiting their potential. Of course, doesn¡¯t mean all sects follow this.
The competition is a once in 10 years event and the whole sect is eager.
Wu Hai invited everyone to watch him at the capital city. Shao Ai naturally would like to see his step brother competing. He¡¯s also worried, afraid he would get injured. But it¡¯s the path of cultivator that Wu Hai had chosen.
Mother Su also agreed and decides to bring all the grown enough children to the Capital City to watch the martial competition. They are rich now so they can afford the ticket easily. Mother Su even bought VIP tickets for everyone.
After reading the letter, Shao Ai send a reply saying he will definitely come to watch him. He remembered the flame technique Wu Hai used as he reads the letter.
He thought, the dragon flame palm still hasn''t reached the limit. The limit of dao of flame doesn''t stop at burning wood/organic material or chi or simply add more oxygen. Blue flame is not the limit.
Ultimately, heat energy from burning comes from bonds between molecules breaking releasing energy. Or chi energy turning to heat energy directly.
So, if one comprehends the ultimate technique involving the path of flame, the highest level of technique would be nuclear fission! Every matter can be used to make ''flame''! Break each molecule! Burn everything!
Shao Ai woke up from his imagination and shook his head. His imagination is too much.
Nuclear technique is a bit too scary. He wonders if he should teach brother Wu Hai about how energy is released from matters. He''s afraid Wu Hai really created a nuclear bomb technique at some point.
What is one day he died because his brother decides to cause a nuclear explosion that he can''t control?
He decides to keep that knowledge first, quite afraid of consequences. And how do you control the nuclear explosion? If anything, that seems like a suicide technique since it would be difficult to withstand explosion you yourself created.
Heavenly Father had watched Shao Ai advised his brother in the path of flame. He wasn''t surprised by this since Shao Ai had already understood many mechanisms of the Earth to maintain balance given how profound his Cycle of Heaven and Earth technique is. His understanding of the Dao of flame is just a small part of heaven and earth.
Heavenly Father sighed in envy. Because the martial path that Shao Ai took is too deep, as it involves everything in Heaven and Earth. But it also means Shao Ai potential is very high. Even Heavenly Father cannot estimate it. Perhaps, it would be on par with the heaven itself once Shao Ai reached his final peak.
Heavenly Father remembered his early days when he threads the path of water. Comprehending under the rain, under the waterfall, buried in snow. As he swam through the oceans to comprehend. He remembered he established the Ice Palace sect, the first sect that use ice techniques he established.
The sect still stood to this day in the upper realm among one of the best with ancient inheritance left by Heavenly Father. He wonders if he should visit and see how his descendants and current disciples are doing.
He reminisces how difficult it was when he started to comprehend the cycle of water after he reached a bottleneck.
It took thousands of years to comprehend the law that dictates weather on earth. That''s how he broke through and ascended to become a heavenly father. But when he looks at Shao Ai easily comprehend his profound techniques, he felt stupid in comparison.
He observed Shao Ai is still living an ¡®ordinary¡¯ mortal life and doesn¡¯t even bother to properly cultivate as Chi willingly rush into him. He felt envious honestly.
When Shao Ai turned 18, he wanted to learn traditional medicine and acupuncture. For him this is something new.
Acupuncture has its merits. And he wants to understand the mysteries of meridians and acupuncture. He theorized the meridians stimulates the central nervous system for various purposes.
When Shao Ai expressed his wish, the Emperor lets him study under his royal doctor. Shao Ai felt honored but it''s kind of weird how time changes. He was just a small person once, but he rises up to be someone who changed the very world understanding and even live at the Emperor¡¯s palace as a doctor in training now.
Chapter 6: Martial Tournament begins!
In the next 3 months, the whole Dragon Empire is busy in preparation for the every-10-years martial tournament. This is a very big event and the whole Empire went on a festive state. The largest arena in the the empire can hold up to 1 million people and shaped like a colosseum.
This tournament is sponsored by various high sects and big families with rich history, and the Emperor. One of the sponsors include Ice Palace Sect, Black Claw Sect, King Scorpion Sect, and Vermillion Bird Sect which all have rich history and ancient inheritances. The elders in those prestigious sects are also the one who handle the judging of participants and handle evaluation of other sects.
The rewards for the tournaments include money, spiritual herbs, pills, low level spiritual weapons of choice, and most important of all;
The chance for martial artists to be scouted into higher sect that can give them better technique and resource. Most aspiring cultivator dream to enter the sect with big names and history. Of course they also have to consider what path the specific sects is taking. Wu Hai for example has already embarked on the path of flame and he had the deep fire root as his foundation. Thus even if he wants to enter a better sect; he would of course choose a high sect with rich flame technique like the Vermillion Bird Sect.
The tournament is an open tournament open for all cultivators below age of 30; where a point system is used to decide ranking.
Base points will be given depending on the current cultivation level;
Early Chi Gathering - 0 point
Middle Chi Gathering - 20 point
Late Chi Gathering - 40 point
Peak Chi Gathering - 60 point
Early Foundation Establishment - 100 point
... and so on.
The contestants will fight against those in the same level of cultivation and have a fixed base ranking in a sense as the ranking is based on points initially. If hypothetically speaking Shao Ai who is at Late Core Formation stage participated, he would have a starting points of a whopping 8000 points and would definitely be placed as 1st in the ranking even before fighting anyone.
If a participant cultivation level is so high that there are less than 4 other participants of the same level, they would be excluded from fighting in the first few rounds. If Shao Ai joined the tournament, he won''t be fighting anyone until the last 20 on the ranking is decided. And from then on each participant can choose to challenge anyone in the top 20.
If one wants to challenge someone with higher cultivation level, they could choose to do so and they would receive extra points if they win. For example, If Peak Chi Gathering won against Early Foundation Establishment, his points would be the added by 200 points instead of 100. Ranking is based on this system until the top 20 where from then on participants can choose who to challenge and replace their ranking in the leaderboard. The battle between the top 20 would be the most exciting naturally.
If someone at the 20th place challenged the 1st place and won, he would become the 1st place and the loser would stay at 20th place. The challenges will resume until everyone is satisfied. This is to ensure fairness, let cultivators only challenge those who are at the same level and prevent bullying, and give chance to cultivators to showcase their superior talent by challenging someone of higher cultivation level. Of course, many would try to challenge those in the higher level of cultivation to showcase talent as many elders from various sects are watching and is searching for good disciples. It''s also a chance to show off especially for disciples from prestigious high sect.
The tournament will be ongoing for a whole month including giving breaks to participants. As for ticketing, they are priced based on how long you are staying. The premium ticket allows you to spectate the tournament for the whole month. The cheapest ticket only gets you the first 1 week. Some people may choose to watch only the battles in the last week. Mother Su bought VIP premium tickets for 9 of them.
She brought those that are 12 years old and older and wanted to watch. After all, this is a martial competition. They would be violence and even possibly death. No one would bring 6 years old kid here. While there''s no rule that disallow it, but you would be kicked out if your child cries and cause disturbances to other spectators.
She also booked a nearby hotel early and its also VIP rooms. She is not shy in spending money because Shao Ai had already tell her to just spend it as if its her own money. Shao Ai had left most of the assets to mother Su since he don''t need the money from the business anymore. He''s already given free luxurious food living in the Emperor''s palace and there''s really nothing much he would like to spend. Sigh. If only he had his computer or PlayStation, he would spend money on games or buy Primogems to pull 5 star characters.
But sadly there''s not much entertainment here.
Shao Ai is given a whole month break because the Emperor thinks he deserves it for his contributions to the empire and therefore can watch the whole thing as well. Of course even the Emperor will go watch the tournament as he is the one of the main sponsor. He dumped his job to the Chancellor and his advisors during the time of his vacation naturally.
Time passes and the time of the tournament comes.
Mother Su, Shao Ai and Wu Hai met again in a restaurant. He introduced his 2 seniors who are also participating and introduced the sect master and elders that accompanied them.
The sect master looked at Shao Ai curiously because his appearance is really unique. In fact Shao Ai received tons of gazes wherever he went and everyone knows his name at the time as he is a celebrity. He thought there''s something fishy about him for a split second but then its probably just his imagination, he thought. He is a mortal and has an inferior root; that''s what is seen by the elders.
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"Why you never tells me Shao Ai is your brother!", sect master pat Wu Hai''s back fiercely.
"Ahaha. Master, I thought you wouldn''t care...". Who would randomly tell your teacher ''Oh my brother is famous by the way''?
"Wu Hai, when is your first battle? And which room?".
The first few rounds is conducted in smaller rooms in the floors of colosseum as there are close to a thousand participant this time.
"My first battle is on the second day, 2nd floor, arena 4, in the morning".
"How about seniors?", Shao Ai also ask Wu Hai seniors out of respect. Not that he is interested to watch them since they are strangers but it would be disrespectful to not to watch since they are from the same sectors and Wu Hai''s friends.
They tell their details and it was noted down. They went back to their respective hotel after finishing dinner and they all are excited for tomorrow. Participants who have free time may also watch as spectators too.
Shao Ai wondered and imagined how others would fight. He wonders how strong he is compared to other cultivators. He never fought anyone and he wished he don''t have to. Wu Hai had asked him to spar before but he quickly rejected this absurd idea. Who likes to be beaten up? He is not a masochist.
Wait. It''s not him who would be beaten up but Wu Hai... well, who knows.
He slacked in his martial training and only treat training his techniques for 30 minutes in the evening as a form of exercise so he is not confident is beating Wu Hai. Heavenly Father had his heart bleeding seeing Shao Ai neglect his martial art practice and only train for mere 30 minutes every day. But of course his care-free attitude is also enforced from Shao Ai discovering his Eye of Moon''s Contemplation ability include memorizing and learn from his own movement. So that 30 minute of practice is like twice to thrice as effective. He has to say, his eye technique is a cheat and that''s also why he really feels relaxed.
If Heavenly Father knows his disciple does only 30 minutes of practice each day he would have whopped their ass to force them to train. But unfortunately Shao Ai is not his disciple. And he has no disciple anymore ever since he ascended few thousands of years before. Should he find a disciple to fill his empty heart and whop their ass to relieve his frustration at seeing Shao Ai wasting his talents? Heavenly Father contemplated.
The 1st day of tournament comes. The main arena in the middle of colosseum is empty as the battles are happening in the smaller arenas in the different floors.
Shao Ai and others went to watch the battles on the 1st floor. It''s also because one of the participant is from Vermillion Bird Sect and Wu Hai and others would want to see how a disciple from a prestigious sect competes. They also would like to take note on his techniques naturally.
But usually at the first few rounds people will hide their true strength and not reveal all their cards early on.
Shao Ai felt ecstatic seeing how the guy use small explosions to propel himself forward and to increase his punch and kick strength. The vermillion bird disciple won easily in few punches. He smirked to the elders who are watching him proud of himself. He haven''t even use any true techniques and don''t even need to unsheathe his sword.
He noticed Wu Hai and those people from the Dragon Flame Sect. The guy shook his head in disdain seeing the flame patterned robes worn by them because obviously this little unknown sect who are also in the path of Flame is inferior to his sect who has rich history and ancient inheritance.
Wu Hai noticed this and felt offended. Even the elders noticed and wished they could have whopped his ass and teach him a lesson. Wu Hai swears he would beat him up if he happens to fight him. No. He will definitely fight him!
The Vermillion Bird disciple is also in the Early Foundation Establishment stage and is only 1 year younger than Wu Hai. Wu Hai is already really talented, but that guy is even more so. This shows how the disciple of Vermillion Bird is truly talented.
Shao Ai watched as cultivators use various techniques to battle each other. The young kids who were watching had their eyes round and cheered in excitement. So exciting! Shao Ai also feels really exhilarated watching the battles. Punches, stealth technique, movement techniques, so much variety of it. He also record down interesting technique using his Eye of Moon''s Contemplation.
A participant use his technique to grow his bone through his skin, wrapping his fist and body with thick bone. He can''t be damaged at all and won easily.
Another participant only use his feet to battle the opponent. And what''s more shocking is after he kicked his opponent, launching him airborne- he did some breakdancing kicking technique and continuously kick him upward. His opponent remained airborne and can''t defend himself at all! The referee had to stop the battle because the participant who are still airborne and spinning here and there from multiple kicks had already passed out and received many bruises and broken bones. Many spectators are left dumbfounded and speechless seeing how skilled he is at juggling his opponent for seconds.
After a while, the first death happens as Shao Ai watch a disciple from Red Claw Sect unleash a terrifying claw energy to his opponent. His opponent tried to dodge but failed and caused half of his body to be diced; leading to his death. The referee wanted to intervene but is too late to save him from his death.
It''s so brutal...
Shao Ai felt his heart shaken and wanted to puke. It''s really scary and horrifying seeing how the body got dissected... He can even see the organs from here...
He look at Wu Hai, but he still has a calm face. He look at other spectators, but most of them are still cheering in excitement. He looked at Mother Su and the young kids she brought. They look startled but is still fine.
But most people don''t care about such a death as they can still chat and cheer with excitement.
Shao Ai now remembers again that this truly is a cultivation world. Is everyone crazy? Or is he the only person who''s normal?
He wished Wu Hai doesn''t face such a terrifying opponent.
"Wu Hai...". Shao Ai pulled his robe while muttering his name. Wu Hai noticed someone pulling his cloth and sees its Shao Ai.
"Yes? Why what''s the matter".
"Stay safe... don''t die".
Wu Hai is touched really. He looks at Shao Ai who is looking at him with care at this moment.
"Don''t worry. I will definitely survive till the end". He smiled at him.
But he thought for a moment. Honestly, he can''t guarantee it either.
"But in case accidents happens... even if I die, I won''t regret it. I am happy with the path I choose". Wu Hai pats Shao Ai''s head. He did feel worried that, in case he died, it would make Shao Ai sad. But, he has his own dream he wanted to pursue. He firmed himself he will definitely survive and do his best at the same time. He want Shao Ai and mother Su to cheer for him.
''I see...''. Shao Ai tried to digest his words.
The path he pursues... He can just pray for his safety at this moment. Mother Su also prays for his safety. The elders nods in agreement hearing Wu Hai''s response. All of the participants are given a briefing about possibilities of death early on and they had already prepared their mentality for this. Of course the referee and judges will interfere if they can save a participant from dying. But it''s difficult to decide whether someone can dodge or block an attack, or if the person has a trump card at the last moment. If a referee needlessly interfere it would disrupt the battle so they would only do so if its an obvious guaranteed death.
Shao Ai left the arena to take a break. Seeing such a brutal death is disturbing to his mind. He washed his face and use his cycle of heaven and earth to circulate chi around his meridians to freshen himself up and clear his mind.
It felt a little better now. He went back to the arena to keep watching the ongoing battles. But he had lost some mood and can''t get as excited ever since that first death.
The next day comes; and Wu Hai''s first battle is about to begin...
Chapter 7: Fight!
Wu Hai''s first battle is about to begin.
"I expect a lot from you". The sect master gave his encouragement to his most talented disciple.
"I will do my best master!".
Hmm! The sect master nods.
Wu Hai had a momentary stage fright, seeing many eyes are on him.
He sees Shao Ai who is intently looking at him. And he sees mother Su too is looking at him with anticipation.
He won''t embarrass himself. He will win his first battle!
He looks at his opponent, who is stretching out. His opponent seems nervous too because of many people looking.
"Fuh. Fuh". He breathes in and out.
"Get ready!". The referee shouted and stood aside.
"Start!".
Both of them waste no time.
Wu Hai immediately propels himself forward and initiates with a punch!
The opponent immediately cast his technique.
Iron Body!
His opponent stood still as his arms and skins turn into iron!
CLANG!
The sound rings loudly. Wu Hai''s fist is pushed back and even bleeds from the impact.
But... He smiled. Because this is LUCK!
His opponent actually is self aware he''s doomed the moment he sees the red flame patterned robe. For obvious reason, his technique is bad versus flames.
Wu Hai doesn''t waste anymore time and launches a fire dragon palm at him.
He managed to dodge, but the dragon turned and struck him from his side!
The fire burns his side and cloth. He only winced a little. Beneath the burning cloth, it''s revealed his body had already turned to iron blocking the damage.
Wu Hai knows it''s only a matter of time he will win. But his opponent won''t give up either.
Wu Hai decides to use his palm to strike instead of fist and unleash flame from each of his strikes.
The opponent is not to be underestimated because he counterattacks when he had the chance. His iron fist is very heavy and it would be fatal if Wu Hai is hit.
But Wu Hai skillfully dodges while striking with flaming hand.
And soon enough the iron skin turned red from the heat! The spectators can smell grilled meat as well...
"Ahh! I lost I lost!". The opponent finally surrendered as the heat finally reached his flesh rendering him useless from all the pain he was suffering. Poor guy.
Wu Hai won his first battle without a hitch.
The sect master commented how he should have kept his distance and launched flame attacks from afar instead of going melee. The other elders also give some comments on his performance. His seniors don''t have much comment and commended him for his performance.
He went to see Shao Ai and others.
"You won!".
"Hehe. Its a lucky match up". He ruffled Shao Ai''s hair.
"I was cool wasn''t I".
''yeah!''.
''haha. I haven''t gone all out yet. Just wait and see alright?''.
"Mmm...".
His hair is messy from being ruffled. Wu Hai had the urge to pinch his cheek but he reminds himself they are both adults and mayybe he''s treating him like a little brother too much because he''s shorter and has a cuter innocent temperament.
Shao Ai doesn''t mind it really. Or rather... He did like how Wu Hai treats him...
He has a blush in his face, feeling a bit flustered.
Wu Hai''s next match is in the evening. He took some rest cultivating and watched matches with others some times.
The time comes again to compete. He''s facing someone from Beast Path Sect.
The opponent had a mane like bright orange hair and wore an orange crop top showing off his huge biceps.
He carried an aura of confidence.
"Start!".
His opponent cast his technique.
"Ape Form!".
Chi gathers and circulates in his body in specific paths; imitating the chi circulation in Ape Beast!
His muscles around his arms, chest and legs bulge as chi fills into his tissues.
Wu Hai is careful seeing the opponent seems slightly bigger and strong.
"Earth Body!".
Earth elements further strengthen his body and make him grow larger. Layer of chi barrier seen.
He jumped to launch an attack!
Wu Hai uses propulsion from explosion to dodge quickly to the left
His opponent missed his punch and left an opening; Wu Hai used another propulsion to launch an attack from behind with a fiery explosive punch!
His opponent is quick to react and turns around and also launch a fist.
Their fist collided,
BOOM!
Both of them are launched backwards.
But Wu Hai fist looks more injured and bleeding. While the ape guy is no injured at all.
Wu Hai starts to take him seriously.
He took a stance and launched a fire dragon palm to the opponent.
His opponent snorted, and jumped to dodge. But the fire dragon of 1 meter length is able to turn around and still attack him, burning his body as the flame dragon grinds his skin.
At the same time Wu Hai launched melee assaults. Every time he kicked the dragon followed the motion. Every time he punched the fire dragon also grinded the opponent.
The unique martial art from Dragon Sect is displayed at this moment as the fire dragon becomes a part of the limbs of the cultivator! Dragon Dance technique!
His opponent is overwhelmed. He could confront Wu Hai fist techniques with his more powerful fists but the fire dragon is still able to burn his flesh from his sides and behind.
He decides to create some distance and slap the fire dragon, although he had to receive a punch and burn a bit of his flesh he was able to get out of his predicament.
He hissed, crawled on 4 on the ground and chi in his circulates in different paths as he imitated the form of a Cheetah.
Wu Hai didn''t wait for his opponent to charge up or anything and propel himself along with the fire dragon circulating around him.
He launched a flying kick and the dragon also followed launching a straight attack!
But his opponent swiftly disappears!
Wu Hai is shocked!
Spurt!
He received a claw attack from his side, causing 3 straight wounds. It''s not fatal and shallow.
He turned to see his opponent on all 4, looking at him with fierce eyes.
Grrr!
He starts to circle Wu Hai. His movement is really swift and easily kited Wu Hai and launched an attack whenever he had opened.
Wu Hai defended with his fists and dodged, while the flame dragon still circulated around him. But the flame dragon can''t make too much of a sharp turn and failed his attack.
He''s too fast. Wu Hai needs to find an opening.
He received shallow claw wounds here and there. He can''t drag it out.
As the fire dragon keeps circling it grows bigger and bigger and it gradually rise up to the air and increase in speed.
The opponent launches an attack again-
Now!
Wu Hai took this chance to do an axe kick, launching a kick from the top to bottom.
His opponent stops his movement in time just one inch from behind hit, but the fiery flame dragon descends.
His opponent dodge sideways-
But once the flame dragon hits the ground it explodes! The shockwave hit the opponent while he was dodging, sending him flying and receiving burn.
He rolled on the ground as he lost his composure.
He tried to get back up, only to see a kick already landed on his face!
His nose broke and his body twisted 180¡ã from the kick, some blood spurted out of his nose and mouth.
Wu Hai is about to launch another kick, but the referee stops the fight and declares Wu Hai as the winner.
His opponent is still conscious but wincing in pain on the floor, covering his face.
Wu Hai stood proud looking at the cheering audience, his hand was raised.
He looks at Shao Ai and mother Su, and the kids who are cheering as well.
Shao Ai did some little jumps out of excitement seeing he won.
''He won!''. Shao Ai screamed in his heart. The fight is really exciting, and when his opponent suddenly becomes agile and slowly beating Wu Hai he gets really worried.
But seeing the fire dragon circling getting bigger and bigger, Shao Ai expects Wu Hai is preparing to counterattack at a decisive moment! And he did it!
It''s so cool!
"So cute...".
Wu Hai has a huge smile on him seeing Shao Ai jumping cheering on him, and that it''s the endorphins from fighting. He blushed a little and stood proudly.
He felt his spirit even more lifted.
He went with the medic to get treated along with his opponent.
He is fed a healing pill, which is sponsored naturally, and received treatment from a martial doctor with acupuncture and chi techniques repairing his injuries quickly. His bleeding stops and his wounds close up. His wounds are still bandaged with healing ointment beneath to fasten up the healing process. He just needs to meditate and cultivate for an hour or two to fully heal to full condition.
He went to see his sect members and receive comments and praise for his performance.
"Gorest and meditate well". The master said.
''Yes Master''.
He went to see Shao Ai first.
"How was it?". He wants to hear Shao Ai praising him.
''So close! I thought you were losing when that guy starts to crawl...''.
"Heyy. It''s not even close! I haven''t used blue flame yet you know".
He went to ruffle his hair roughly.
''H-hey. My hair is messy...''.
Shao Ai held his hand and pulled it away.
He looks at his bandaged fist. He saw how it bleeds when it clashes with the ape guy. And he saw he got hurt.
"You alright?".
''Yeah. They fixed me up quick. I just have to cultivate for some time. Don''t worry''.
''I am going to the cultivating room first''.
''Wait- I think I can help to heal you''.
Wu Hai is not sure. But agreed anyways.
"Hmm? Alright?".
Shao Ai went with him into the cultivating room.
Wu Hai wonders how he could help.
Wu Hai sat down and started to meditate and cultivate. He feels the chi in himself, circulating it, and pulls the chi from the outside strand by strand.
If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.The chi nourishes his flesh, muscles, vessels, and bones and quickens the healing.
Shao Ai sat behind and placed his hand on his back, near the main meridians pathway.
Wu Hai felt a bit flustered. He feels the warm touch from Shao Ai''s palm. It''s gentle.
He stopped cultivating and looked at him, wondering what it was about. Not to mention, feeling his hand touching his back is making him feel something else. Shao Ai had never been close to him, physically speaking, except when he patted him.
"Keep cultivating. I will give support".
Wu Hai went to cultivate. He has some blush on his face but calms himself down for a moment and cultivates.
Shao Ai used the cycle of heaven and earth. With his own chi, he pours them into Wu Hai''s chi pathway. It flowed gently into his chi streams and mixed well with his own chi.
At the same time chi also gathers and flows into Shao Ai''s own body from outside. He used life and death transfer to transfer a little bit of his own vitality as well. Vitality can be recovered if you are not too injured and it only tires him so it would be fine.
"So comforting...". Wu Hai feels the extra chi going inside him. And he even felt energised and relaxed. The chi is very rich yet gentle. He can feel his tissues are repairing to complete.
No. In fact, the chi is so rich and effective and he is absorbing the chi really effectively into his meridians and dantian. And his chi flow and absorption is increasing gradually to a stupid level.
He is dumbfounded at this point and has a lot of questions, because his cultivation speed is closer to 15 to 20 times than usual currently!
No. That only if he counts the chi amount and flow speed. But if he counts the efficiency of his absorption, it''s closer to 100 times!
But he kept quiet and used this chance to direct the rich dense chi to his meridians and dantian even further. He can feel his body enriched with chi, and his sea of Qi is expanding until it reaches a barrier
In 50 minutes, his sea of chi has expanded until the barrier feels really weak. He just poked the barrier with the sea of chi, and he managed to breakthrough to the Middle Foundation Establishment stage!
No way! He estimated it would take more than 6 months but to think he broke through the minor realm in just one hour!
He''s dumbfounded. He felt like he was dreaming.
Shao Ai notices the breakthrough to the next minor realm as there''s a sudden influx of chi. But the chi flow becomes erratic at this moment because Wu Hai is dumbfounded at the speed and stops focusing.
"Wu Hai, cultivate properly. You need to stabilise your foundation". Shao Ai said calmly.
Wu Hai composed himself and used the chance to cultivate again.
The waves in the sea of chi gradually calm down. He uses the dense pure chi flowing in him to stabilise his foundation. The sea of chi becomes denser and more calm.
Another hour passes, and he feels his sea of chi in his dantian are full of dense and pure chi, and he can use it very effectively as he commanded. His foundation is already stabilised!
"I think you''re good now!".
Shao Ai removed his hands and stopped his technique. He felt slightly tired as he even exchanged about 10% of his vitality. It would take a day to recover that 10% so it''s no problem.
Wu Hai turned around and looked at Shoa Ai intently.
He held his hands, looking into his eyes deeply.
Shao Ai blushes.
Oh no... W-why he''s looking at me like this...
Hes not ready for this...
He doesn''t know Wu Hai thinks about him like this...
But maybe.... Maybe I do like him, Shao Ai speaks on his heart.
He closed his eyes, ready for it. His heart is beating fast.
But seconds passed and he was left hanging. He opened one eye, wondering what''s up.
Wu Hai is not sure what to say really. Has Shao Ai always been this amazing? What technique is that? What is this?
He is trying to form his words. What to say actually?
"Emm... Wu Hai?".
''I... What... Technique(?)... How(?)''.
?
"Yes?".
Since Wu Hai didn''t respond, Shao Ai asked him instead.
"So... How was it? Are you fully healed now? Anything wrong?". It''s Shao Ai''s first time trying to help someone cultivate so he''s not really sure if he did it correctly or there''s any side effect or something.
Wu Hai took 3 seconds to answer.
"I am good". He replied shortly. He is in a daze, and feels mindless from being too shocked.
''Good! Umm... So... We are done here, right?''.
"Yeah...".
Shao Ai is flustered because Wu Hai had been holding his hands and facing him for so long.
"Let''s go". Wu Hai gets up calmly and leads Shao Ai out of the room, still holding his hand. He went to his sect members who are watching the current match.
"Wu Hai. You have done healing? Let me see-".
His sect master is surprised because Wu Hai has a breakthrough! He guessed it must be the recent fight he had that assisted him in the breakthrough.
But then if he remembered correctly it''s only a few months ago he reached the Early Foundation establishment? Or is it other disciples? Maybe he''s grown too old and misremembered, he thought.
"Good! You should continue cultivating to stabilise your foundation for now. Although you had a breakthrough, you might have difficulty using your chi unless you stabilise your foundation a little. You should cultivate 3 to 4 hours at least before tomorrow''s battle understands?".
''Ah. Yes master''.
He says that but his foundation is already as stable as it can get he''s not sure what to say to his master.
His master looked at his disciple, and noticed he was holding Shao Ai''s hand from the very beginning until now.
Shao Ai wondered how to tell him he''s still holding his hand. He honestly felt embarrassed as people were watching. He had to hide his face.
Not to mention his looks are already eye catching and that he''s a literal celebrity, so many looked at him.
Hmm? They are like that? As an elder who lived a few hundred years already, he doesn''t care much but he hopes it doesn''t disturb his disciple focus.
Shao Ai nudged his hand, trying to make him let go.
Wu Hai finally realised he had been holding Shao Ai''s hand for so long.
"Sorry". He felt flustered realising how soft the hand he held is. He forgets, genuinely.
He had been in a daze because of how dumbfounded he was.
"Mmm...".
Shao Ai can''t look at Wu Hai directly anymore. He don''t know... It''s just, it''s like Wu Hai becomes a man in his eyes, sort of. It''s just that he had always treated him like a brother or a friend.
But he has to admit he did think he''s quite attractive and cool but he had held himself back and never sees him as anything more until just now.
But now it''s like his feelings overflowed and he felt something more brewing. Maybe, it''s a little crush because of how he''s been treating him just now.
He stayed next to him until the last match.
"See you tomorrow". Shao Ai said his temporary goodbye as they went their separate ways to separate hotels.
''Yeah. See you tomorrow''.
The next match begins the next day.
According to the competition rule, if one breakthrough in the middle of the competition they would fight in the previous level the next 1 week. And from then on they would fight on their current level. The 1 week is to consider an unstable foundation in which in general their cultivation stage would be stabilised in that time.
However for Wu Hai this is like cheating.
He swoop the battles in the next 7 days with clear advantage. Although the strength difference between the minor realm isn''t much, but clearly his punches and kicks are stronger, his chi is slightly more denser and his flame is hotter than those in one minor realm lower. Not to mention he has the superior deep fire root as his foundation making him already better than cultivators with just okay root in the same level.
His advantage makes him beat the opponents easily, managing to enter the top 500.
He finished the current opponent with a wheel kick followed by a dragon tail whip sending him flying backward losing consciousness. He had won 7 battles straight.
The crowd let out another deafening cheer.
He looks at he crowd shortly, and land his eyes on Shao Ai.
Shao Ai smiled and did some gestures to congratulate him.
But he noticed he had been avoiding his eyes lately whenever he''s close to him. Even he gets flustered seeing this.
He realised even he had a bit of feelings in him. He''s not sure what the start of it is.
Is it, because he had always thought he''s cute? And it''s only now they are getting closer and could spend time together?
He went to Shao Ai, wanting to he praises.
"How was it". He
Shao Ai didn''t refute and just look at the floor, seemingly shy.
When Shao Ai act like this, even he gets infected.
Right. He wanted to ask few things to him too.
"Hey. Want to, hang out after this? My next match will be 3 days later. I am free for awhile".
''Mmm. I would love to''. Wu Hai feels happy.
He went to his sect members and tell them about it. They let him be. But his master reminds him to not lose focus.
''You can do it!''. One of the senior winks at him.
"Do what!". Wu Hai is flustered. What are they thinking!?
They watch the last 2 matches in the evening and went to walk around the capital city.
"That restaurant looks good". Wu Hai went in to the fancy looking restaurant.
''Welcome. We currently have a seasonal item on the menu''.
The waiter gave 2 menus for them.
Wu Hai sees the price and almost choked. Why did he thought it''s a good idea to enter this fancy looking place?
Oh no...
He don''t have enough money on him. What to do!
"Mmm... I will get this and apple juice please".
Shao Ai pointed at one of the seasonal fish menu with martial arts theme and plating decor. It''s quite interesting. The seasonal menu is for the martial arts tournament season.
The waiter writes it down, and now waiting for Wu Hai.
Wu Hai felt nervous.
''I... I will just take a glass of water''.
"Eh? Why don''t you order something".
''I don''t feel hungry so...''.
Shao Ai runs his brain at max capacity.
He had fought just now and he''s pretty sure he had used up a lot of energy. Using clarity of the mind with his cultivation, Shao Ai theorised Wu Hai didn''t have enough money on him. As a cultivator you can go do a job to protect and escort the caravan, lifting heavy stuffs and other work that use physical strength. But usually they aren''t rich as you need to find a job as a freelancer unless you blatantly rob people. And in this cultivator world, cultivators were never lacking so it''s hard to get high paying jobs. And you need to spend a lot of time training and cultivating most of the times. Naturally Wu Hai isn''t rich and is only so-so.
"Wu Hai, it''s my treat. Just order anything".
Wu Hai is startled. He felt ashamed honestly. It''s embarassing that Shao Ai figured it out.
"Okay... Then... I will pick this...".
He choose something from the menu reluctantly.
"Hey... I am rich it''s okay!". Shao Ai said the obvious to make Wu Hai feels better.
In fact Shao Ai is rich enough he had a spatial ring he bought. It''s only a 1m x 1m spatial ring but it''s really expensive and even Shao Ai spends half of his money to get it.
"Haha... Alright then...". Wu Hai smiled a little. At least he feels better a little bit.
The food is served. Honestly, it''s really good! It''s definitely worth the price. Not to mention the atmosphere and there''s even a performer playing a traditional guitar-like instrument on stage.
"Shao Ai. What technique do you use when you help my cultivation?".
Wu Hai gathered his courage to ask.
"Oh. Umm... It''s called the cycle of heaven and earth. It''s...". Shao wondered how to explain the basics of it. It''s really such a broad ability.
''I can cycle chi from high concentration to low concentration, I mean, gather them from the environment, or other things that have chi but air is easiest. And help to accelerate chi flow. I can give my chi to you too, or take yours, but I have to cycle it to outside or let it keep flowing somewhere... sort of''. It''s a cycle, not a forceful gathering. So he had to let it flow in a certain path. Whether it''s from the air to the body and back to the air, or from his body to other''s body and back to his body. Something like that.
"Ohh...". Wu Hai is dumbfounded. That''s so heaven defying??? Even the name of the technique contains the words heaven AND earth. Which master dares to name a technique with the word heaven???
It shows how crazy his technique is.
If Wu Hai is shameless he would have begged and kowtowed to Shao Ai to help him cultivate anytime he could. But he''s not shameless and it''s embarassing to ask such things.
Helping once or twice is fine but what if he asked him to help... Forever? Until he reaches Nascent Soul? Until he ascended to the upper realm? Even he has decency. Unless Shao Ai offered his help he wouldn''t ask him.
In fact he had a sudden thought. If anyone figured out his ability he would definitely be kidnapped and locked in some dungeon somewhere and be forced to help cultivate others.
"Your technique surprised me really. It''s so heaven defying...".
''ehem... Hihi. I guess it is?''
But Wu Hai has a thought, what is his cultivation level, is it really at Early Foundation Establishment? How come he''s only at that level after all this time? Unless he doesn''t cultivate at all that is.
''Shao Ai. What''s your actual current cultivation level?''.
Wu Hai suspects Shao Ai lied about it. And lets be real, for what reason an elder had to hide Shao Ai''s cultivation? It must be because it''s expected his cultivation speed to be heaven defying!
Wu Hai looks at him intently.
"Umm...". Shao Ai fidgets his finger. Wu Hai asked for a second time because obviously he doesn''t believe he is in the early foundation establishment.
''Don''t be surprised okay?''.
"I won''t. I promise". Considering the heaven defying speed, he guessed his cultivation level must be at Late, no, Peak Foundation establishment!
Wait... It''s even possible, he had already reached Early Core Formation!?
No way. That''s too absurd.
Shao Went leaned closer and whispered to his ears.
"I am at Late Core Formation...".
"WHAT!". Wu Hai stood up and screamed in surprise.
Every customer looks at them both.
''S-sit down...''. Shao Ai felt embarrassed feeling the gazes.
Wu Hai sat down and entered a dazed state again.
Shao Ai gave him time to calm down while sipping his apple juice.
They eat quietly afterwards. Once they finished, they went to walk around the city streets.
Wu Hai felt it was unbelievable and had to ask again.
"What level are you at again?".
Shao Ai whispered again.
"Late core formation...".
Wu Hai pinched his arm. Oh he wasn''t dreaming.
He realised the true difference between heaven and earth. No, he was beneath earth compared to Shao Ai who stood at the peak of heaven.
He felt embarrassed when he remembered he told Shao Ai he is also as talented as him before. He wants to cough out blood.
He feels depressed even.
Shao Ai noticed this and felt guilty. Should he have lied a little bit? He''s not sure.
Shao Ai went to get some dessert while Wu Hai is still in a daze, didn''t notice he went to buy something.
Shao Ai stuffed sweet dried persimmon into his mouth.
"Umph!". It almost choked him.
''Let''s sit over there''. Shao Ai pointed at the bench at the side of the city square.
Wu Hai sat down, contemplating the revelation.
"Shao Ai. Are you, like, strong?".
''uhh...?''. That''s quite a random question wasn''t it.
"I am not sure. I have never fought anyone".
''I see''.
He understands Shao Ai''s personality. But even if he doesn''t fight, he thought it''s fine if he went to become an alchemist or a martial doctor. He doesn''t really have to fight technically speaking. Should he suggest it?
Wait.
Actually... He did good enough as a ''mortal'' that even the Emperor granted him a title and he is rich enough he won''t find alchemy interesting... As for being a martial doctor, isn''t he already is??
Although his technique to heal is literally just pouring chi and exchanging vitality, there''s no actual technique whatsoever yet it''s already good.
There are few sects that specialise in that area and the requirements it enters are more lax.
"Shao Ai, what do you think about being an alchemist, or, martial doctor?".
''Hmm... Well, I don''t know... I am interested in alchemy but...''.
"But?".
How should he put it. His talent and technique is too outstanding. Hes afraid of attracting evil people.
''Umm... It felt dangerous''.
"I understand". Wu Hai agreed for obvious reasons.
''But, if you are under a big sect you would be safe''.
"Mmm...". Shao Ai does consider it but to directly jump into a big sect would be difficult.
Unless some elder of that big sect happens to find him and invites him directly. As for knocking on their door, blatantly saying ''I want to join your sect, I am talented'', he''s afraid an elder would turn him into dust for daring.
Usually they would pick out disciples from martial art schools, competitions, or recommendations.
And there''s a danger of offending some people with big family and background just because you are better than them and they feel offended when you are just some commoner.
If he wanted to he had to go through the first 2 routes since he has no connections. And he literally has zero base knowledge on alchemy and spiritual medicine so he can''t join competitions either.
Of course, he can call out to heavenly father and be his disciple. And probably that would settle everything.
He''s sure that the elder is strong because the techniques he passed are heaven defying, surely his strength too is the same if not close to that level. And that elder probably can teach him everything.
"I will think about it".
Shao Ai is still studying as a mortal doctor. He decides to think about it afterwards.
They hung out for some time until the sun set.
"It''s getting late...".
''Yeah... See you tomorrow''.
"Mm...". Shao Ai raised his hand, as a temporary goodbye.
As he walked back to his hotel, he held his chest, feeling the beatings.
He''s contemplating, about his feelings.
It''s just a little crush, but like, what do Wu Hai think of him? He wonders.
And whether he would pursue it or not.
As Wu Hai returned to his room, he laid down on his bed in a daze. He still can''t believe how talented Shao Ai is it''s heaven defying if he had to describe it.
But, aside from that... He''s happy to hang out with him.
Perhaps, he sees Shao Ai as more than just a friend at some moments.
He feels his own chest, hearing it beats with a hint of surging feelings while remembering his smile when he cheered for him.
He''s cute, really.
Is it fine, to feel like this? Wu Hai turned around and closed his eyes.
The image of him, being bashful appears in his head. When he averts his gaze away, when he notices he has been looking at him more often but, whenever he turns his head he acts like he didn''t just look at him. He wonders if, he really had that kind of feelings for him or was it his imagination.
This can''t do...
He sat up straight and cultivate to clear his mind.
...
The next day they went to watch the ongoing battles.
Wu Hai hears some conversation on his side. "Did you hear, the genius from Vermilion Sect has a breakthrough after his fight! To be at middle foundation establishment at 17, so talented!".
''Yeah. But I heard someone from this dragon something sect also has a breakthrough to the same level, although he''s older one year. But his unknown sect must have less resources, his talent should be equal even though he doesn''t have a big background''.
"The world is wide after all. Even one of the strongest True Immortals in the upper realm is from the commoner background, who says only big families have geniuses".
Wu Hai did feel proud hearing him suddenly mentioned.
But to think that guy also had a breakthrough to the middle foundation establishment as well.
He thought it wouldn''t be likely to fight him. But now he feels the anticipation.
Chapter 8: Fight! (2)
The next 2 weeks Wu Hai fought multiple battles against middle foundation establishment realm.
He lost to someone from the Thunderous Wind sect. He was caught off guard because the opponent suddenly disappeared and smacked him from the side, breaking his ribs. The opponent also injured his own legs and tears his muscles by forcing his body to move at such speed and quenching chi from all of his muscles but a win is a win. Of course, if he failed that attack, he would lose by those self injuries.
Shao Ai was startled because he barely saw the movement and suddenly Wu Hai was sent flying out of the arena from a kick when it''s only been 3 seconds.
He rushed out and pushed the crowd to see Wu Hai, worried of his safety. A martial doctor had already carried him to the treatment room while Shao Ai waits patiently nearby. After half an hour of anxiousness, Wu Hai comes out while holding his side with his arm, as if it still hurt.
"You okay?".
''It''s just a broken rib. It hurts just a little bit but it¡¯s nothing haha''.
He ruffled his hair. He likes how the black and white hair colours intertwines and makes shapes when he ruffles it. Shao Ai annoyingly comb his hair back to make it look symmetrical. Otherwise, it would look messier because of the colours mixing.
"Let me help to heal you".
''Sure''.
In 2 hours, his ribs are healed back fully with the abundant chi circulation and vitality Shao Ai exchanged. This time he exchanged 15% of his vitality since the bones are more difficult to repair. Shao Ai visibly looks tired. But since there''s still time Wu Hai decides to cultivate more with his help. Shao Ai doesn''t mind.
After hours, they went out and saw an elder from Dragon Flame Sect seemingly waiting. Wu Hai is a bit startled. Did he notice anything? He¡¯s worried.
The elder looked at Wu Hai, then to Shao Ai who looked visibly drained and out of energy, then to Wu Hai again. He''s suspicious of how Wu Hai cultivated so fast. The sect master probably forgot and didn''t ask but he remembers; Wu Hai broke through too fast it''s suspicious because it¡¯s out of prediction and pattern.
Seeing Shao Ai, who''s not a cultivator in his eyes, and the seemingly drained vitality, he had some ideas.
There''s a technique that is used to share essence, vitality and chi. Besides it also increases chi flow and absorption for both.
As for doing the technique between a cultivator and non cultivator; the chi flow won¡¯t be as much but it¡¯s still a large benefit.
Although... He''s not sure if the technique works between guys. Theoretically speaking it requires resonance of emotions and the body and theoretically it can work with two guys and even two women.
He nods by himself thinking that¡¯s the case.
Did these two do dual cultivation day and night? Perhaps whenever Wu Hai went out of the sect they met? It''s possible to have the breakthrough fast that way, maybe. He already assumed that whenever Wu Hai went out to do some jobs here and there or practicing, he¡¯s been dual cultivating.
"Wu Hai. Did you practice dual cultivation?".
Wu Hai''s face is distorted with the sudden stupid question as his face flushed red.
''Elder Zhong! I don''t!''.
Seeing the excessive reaction and the red face, he is convinced.
"Disciple, I am an old man already. It''s not shameful to practice such a method. But be mindful of losing too much of your own essence and vitality."
He turned to look at Shao Ai.
"Also, Shao Ai, a cultivator¡¯s essence is strong. Tell him if you feel any discomfort. It can be overwhelming for your body if you take in too much".
He shook his head with a smile, thinking about his youth when he did dual cultivation with his past lover, and turned his back and left. He missed the time when he was young.
Wu Hai is dumbfounded. What dual cultivation!?
Shao Ai had zero idea what that was. But it seems the elder noticed he drained his vitality.
"Wu Hai what''s a dual cultivation? There''s a technique to help others cultivate like I do?"
''It''s nothing!''. He didn''t even look at Shao Ai and rushed out, not wanting to explain and leave. Shao Ai chased after wondering what''s a dual cultivation. From the name he assumes it''s meditating together or something. And it seems exchanging vitality is also possible like his technique? Shao Ai thought about it. The elder mentioned something about essence¡ his essence might be too strong? Huh? Essence?
His face flushed red as he closed his face. No no no. I am so dirty minded! Shao Ai closed his face out of embarrassment for thinking such thing. No way no way.
Putting that aside, the fights continue.
Wu Hai had few close fights and won most of the fights reaching the top 100. His comprehension of techniques and battle intuition grows leap and bound in real battles. The elders nod in satisfaction seeing how fast Wu Hai grow. Indeed, battling others is the best way to increase strength.
He had to go all out in 2 of the fights, using blue dragon flame to break the enemy defence.
One of his opponents is a disciple from the ice palace sect.
Between fire and ice, neither are superior. What determines who wins is how strong your attack is.
Wu Hai was at a disadvantage as the girl are skilful at creating ice blocks and waves to create distances preventing him from going melee, and his flame dragon can''t exert much power as it was weakened by the icy aura surrounding the ice girl. Each slap of ice wave attack had to be defended with flame attacks. It''s a battle determined by the pure volume of chi and the strength of the element at this point.
Wu Hai decides he won''t drag it out anymore, he unleashes his full power. He circulates the air into himself and to the flame dragon he released.
The dragon swirled faster and faster, and the fluctuating cold-hot arena gradually only turned hot! To the surprise of the audience, his flame had turned blue, with power clear to all capable of burning even bones to dust!
Most of the audience had their eyes open at this scene! Many in the room has never seen blue flames their entire life. The dragon flame sect members smirked. The seniors also revealed the blue flames at some point but their arena is on other floors so the news isn''t known for many who frequent the first-floor arena.
The ice palace disciple felt threatened and also mustered all her strength and launched the biggest wave of ice she could muster.
Blizzard Storm!
The blue flame dragon also went to attack.
Devouring Blue Dragon!
The blue dragon flame devoured the ice storm, but as it passed through it reduced power and size by 70% but the rest of the flame managed to hit the girl directly with a small explosion, sending her flying heavily burning her body and face.
"Ahh!". She screamed while rolling on the floor, holding her face. Some flames remained on the stage while the crowd roared and cheered.
A part of her body is visibly charred. Some of her flesh is burned enough that it reaches her bones. She screamed and shed tears out of pain and rolled on the arena ground continuously. The martial doctors rushed quickly to aid her and use acupuncture and techniques to make her unconscious and carry her away fast.
Wu Hai felt really bad for hurting a beautiful woman.
The elder from the ice palace sect glared at Wu Hai, even releasing a wisp of killing intent making everyone in the room with low cultivation level to cower. Wu Hai had a sweat down his neck feeling the killing intent. He hopes they wouldn¡¯t take revenge on him¡
But it only lasts for 2 seconds. The elder controlled her emotions. Seeing her beloved disciple''s face burned and screaming in pain hurts her heart. She hopes it won''t be scarred.
The first ranking is currently an inner disciple of the Ice Palace sect in Peak Foundation Establishment, a beautiful jade beauty with white hair and light blue eyes, a direct descendant of great great great great great great granddaughter of Heavenly Father.
Because she''s the only one in the Peak Foundation establishment, she has no opponent and has been watching the other members of her sect competing.
She''s only 29 years old and has already reached the Peak Foundation establishment. Just so you know it took 200 years plus to reach Core Formation on average talent and she¡¯s only one stage from reaching it.
Everyone agrees she''s a monster in terms of talent, bestowed most luck by heaven and carried the bloodline of an ascended ancestor.
Of course they don''t know the true monster Shao Ai that is. Even Wu Hai thinks she''s only so-so compared to Shao Ai who''s already at Late Core Formation and he''s even younger.
In the top 100 ranking leaderboard currently, there are 46 Early Foundation establishments, 33 Middle Foundation Establishment, 20 Late Foundation establishments and 1 Peak Foundation Establishment.
In history there''s only one person who has entered early core formation stage below age of 30; someone with the title Demon Lord.
At age of 28; the demon lord had gone on a frenzy killing many people in the upper realm causing dark history that are known throughout the Azure Realm. His rising continues; absorbing blood essence of tens of thousands of martial artists and common people strengthening him at heaven-defying speed.
His life is cut short right after he entered Early True Immortal stage a hundred years later, besieged by 74 True Immortals at that time by various sects and forces to take him down. It''s a bloody battle. 14 True Immortals was killed by him at that time and was used as sustenance making the demon lord tough to kill back then. Thankfully his rampage ended and they succeeded in killing him.
However his legacy continues to haunt Azure Realm to this day; as his disciples and the disciples of his disciples passes on the techniques in the shadows as different Demonic Sects established here and there over the years. Their techniques of refining essences and chi from blood are all banned in the Azure realm. There''s even a bounty to hunt and report on them.
Coming back to he presents;
After a few more battles, Wu Hai is already in the top 50 with the points he raked!
Someone from the middle foundation establishment from the Scorpion King sect became a hot topic as he is in the top 20 for daring challenging few people in the Late Foundation establishment and won.
The last week of the tournament finally arrives.
The Colosseum is filled with a million people, giving it an exciting adrenaline pumping vibe. The crowd cheers wildly, shaking the entire colosseum as they are going onto the real deal of battles between top geniuses in the whole Empire.
The top 100 has basically concluded and locked, while the lower rankings have their own personal battle in the smaller arena going on.
The main stage is now on!
Shao Ai sat on the VIP seat; 1st row at the front. While mother Su and others are on the 2nd row.
The emperor sits in a VVIP room, also at 1st row. He''s inside a room with a glass wall in front and is enjoying food with his attendants in an air-conditioned condition. He sees Shao Ai from there since his hair colours is too eye-catching.
He contemplates how genius of a person he is and how much contribution that scholar contributed to his empire, and for the whole continent. He shifted his focus on the battle that''s about to begin, sipping bubble milk tea with a straw.
It''s really good... This tapioca pearls that¡¯s chewy and sweet, and to combine milk and tea, and this straw is all some invention of that scholar. Of course it''s his royal chef that realises this idea from Shao Ai requesting his maid which eventually passed onto his chefs and now it''s already a part of his dessert menu.
A guy wearing a shiny silvery robe was in the air, standing on a flying platform around the audience with a microphone-like device.
"The first battle of the final week is about to begin! Are you all excited?!!??".
"YEAAAAA!!!". The crowd cheered wildly.
Even Shao Ai followed to scream along since everyone around him does so feeling the excitement.
The first battle is between the Jade River Sect versus Black Claw Sect! Both are sects that major in battle technique involving weapons.
In fact, the guy from Jade River Sect who''s only at Early Foundation Establishment had challenged one minor realm higher.
Everyone cheered as both of them got in the ring to fight. The sword guy who''s in white rob versus the claw guy in black robe. It looks like good versus evil kind of thing; not to mention black claw sect specialised in assassination battle techniques while the sword guy looks like a righteous person in comparison.
The announcer briefly mentions details of them both. How the young genius of the Jade Sword Sect was picked up from the streets and rises as a genius.
Stolen novel; please report.
How the black claw sect genius was trained in martial arts since he was 3, and so on.
Shao Ai slurps his wintermelon drink and watches with excitement.
The battle begins!
Sword guy unsheathed his sword. It''s a normal sword that can conduct chi. He waits for nothing as he directly launces an attack and unleashes beautiful footwork and swordsmanship technique aiming for his opponent life; clashing the blade with the claw blades of the opponent.
The claw sect guy wasn''t bad either and each of the sword strikes is repelled perfectly.
Claw guy also tried to counterattack but each of his strike is also repelled by the sword guy.
After 20 moves, neither of them received a single scratch. They are equal in raw weapon technique!
Claw guy decides to use his technique.
Dark Shroud!
Black smoke is produced from his body with his Chi, and expands 10 meters around him!
The sword guy was startled and took a step backward. He starts to lose vision over his opponent as his vision is blocked by the dark clouds.
Claw guy launched a sneak attack. Sword guy sensed the threat from his side and barely dodged while a few strands of his hair were cut.
Sword guy tried to chase after him but he already disappeared.
He took a deep breath in. The smokes have a constant movement and flow. He should be able to predict where his attacks are coming from if he focuses.
He cleared his mind and observed with his spiritual sense and his eyes.
He senses a little movement and the smoke in one part is slightly off.
He strengthens his grip on his sword and increased his vigilance, he can sense he''s attacking!
He quickly drew his sword.
Clang!
The claw guy was surprised but retained his composure.
Sword guy smirked out of thrill of battle, and tried to counter attack. Claw guy parried it away and retreated back into the smokes.
These clashes continued. They exchanged ten moves as the sword guy successfully defended himself and senses where the attacks come. He gets more and more used to the pattern. He received a few shallow cuts here and there but the opponent also received a few shallow wounds from counterattacks.
Claw guy had a sense of crisis. The problem is the sword guy hasn''t used any technique while he had used a quarter of his chi to continuously produce smokes and attacking like this.
The claw guy knows he can''t go on like this. He can only use more techniques.
Phantasmic Illusion!
Sword guy sensed an attack and dodged. But just as the sword guy counterattacks with a swing of sword, the sword passes through the claw guy body as if it''s air and the figure dispersed into black smokes.
The sword guy is startled. Suddenly he sensed a danger from his back. He turned around and tried to counterattack but he was hit by an attack receiving a deep claw wound on his side.
"Damn it!".
A drop of blood fell onto the ground. He gritted his teeth and withstood the pain.
Now there''s more and more figured attacking him from the smoke but most of them are smoke illusions.
Sword guy received more and more shallow wounds in 10 moves. He can¡¯t differentiate which one is real and which one is not. His basic spiritual sense is disrupted at this moment.
He had enough. He uses his sword intent he had comprehended by himself. He took a deep breath in.
Domain of Sword Emperor!
His intent covers a radius of 1 meter around himself. His spiritual senses are pushed to the extreme in that sphere of intent. He sheathed his sword back into the scabbard, took a deep breath and closed his eyes as chi from himself fluctuates and surrounds him.
Chi continuously flows along the handle to the blade of his sword gathering immense power, and his state of mind reached a state of tranquillity. The sound of the crowd and other noises gradually diminished until there¡¯s only static sounds. The static sounds eventually reduced to nothingness, as if in the world there¡¯s only him in the dark empty space. The chi surrounding him takes the form of calm water surface beneath his feet with not a single ripple.
The claw guy is confused why this dude was standing still, but still send illusions to attack.
The illusion stabs its claw directly to his head, and surprisingly the sword guy didn''t react at all. The claw touches his head and dispersed as smoke. The claw guy is confused and become vigilant.
Claw guy send 2 more illusions but he really didn¡¯t react at all, still closing his eyes.
He used 2/3 of his chi already and he can¡¯t drag it on. He decides to use his strongest killer move while the sword guy is trying to do something to end it in one shot.
He uses most of his chi to use his strongest sure kill technique.
Soul Stripping Claw!
Large dark claw made of chi surrounds his right arm. The dark chi extends to his body as dark power emanates from his arm and body.
He took a deep breathe in and use his Killing intent technique he comprehended as a genius himself.
The Hunt!
He emptied his mind. His breathing and heart rate enters a constant stable state. His chi flow is also stable, but there¡¯s a sense of danger as if the chi would explode at any moment like calm before the storm. His vision turned black and white. And in his mind all thoughts are emptied and there''s only one purpose he had.
To kill his prey.
He observes the opponent like a true predator stalking in the shadows of the smokescreen. There¡¯s only him, and the target inside his mind. He is looking for a chance; observing the breathing, the muscles movement and even the chi of the sword guy standing still with his hand on his sword handle, seemingly open to any attack.
After observing for 5 seconds, he launched a decisive attack with a movement technique.
Shadow step!
He enters a half physical state, moving along the shadows.
He moved behind sword guy in an instant and launched his strongest killing move. Kill!
But just as his dark phantom claw entered 1 meter distance from the sword guy, he sensed a huge threat all over his body making his scalp tingles!
Sword guy had sensed the ripples in the calm lake around him, right behind his back. He opened his eyes at this exact moment.
Claw guy couldn''t stop his charge anymore so he gritted his teeth and struck with all his might! At the same time, the sword guy finally made a movement pulling out his sword from his sheath.
Slash!
BOOM!
Suddenly a huge explosion happens as on the left side of the ground a large straight crater forms, while the other side 3 straight crater forms.
The audience was frustrated because the smokes covered the battle so they don''t know what''s going on except few cultivators with good visual techniques.
Everyone is shocked; except Shao Ai and many others. He had used his Eye of Yang ability to watch the battle with X ray ability he recently unlocked from the moment the smoke appears. Of course, he still can see their human shapes as chi even without that ability but that''s no fun.
Just as the claw guy about to use a huge attack, Shao Ai used a drifting vision of Celestials to watch closely at 0.3x speed.
The claw guy and the sword guy unleashed their attacks at the same time! The sword guy immediately draws his sword in a single stroke, slashing at the opponent with the accumulated chi power in his sword. A flash of light was briefly exuded due to its contained power within the blade but no one noticed because of the black smoke.
The claw attack cut deep into the sword guy shoulder, but the sword guy attack had cut the opponent in half in that single instance!
So fast! In an instant! In one move! He sees it with his eye of Sun''s Prediction what happens in the next half second. He used the Moon''s Contemplation technique to record the chi flow of them both immediately.
Shao Ai is surprised, scared and excited at the same time and once again the same thing happens according to his eye prediction seeing the claw guy cut in half in a single slash in a split second.
While the audience is anticipating waiting for the smoke to disperse Shao Ai already knows who''s the winner.
Many of the elders who have keener senses also know who the winner is.
Soon the smoke dispersed. The crowd wildly cheered seeing the thrilling and scary scene.
WOOOO!!! The colosseum shakes as the roars of the crowd are like the storm shaking the whole ground.
The sword guy stood there with confidence, raising his sword.
The corpse of claw guy is bizarrely split in halves; one half on the left and one half in the right of sword guy along with straight blood splatters in V shape on the dirt ground.
Everyone can guess both of them used their finished moves in the end as they both leave long cuts in the ground. Shao Ai felt uncomfortable for few seconds seeing the corpse but had been used to it, sort of. He still feels the thrill of it all.
"Amazing... It seems that he heightened his senses 1 meter around himself as if it was some detector that can sense fluctuation of chi to the extreme. And he draws his sword right when he senses the fluctuation as the claw guy attacks. But the reaction is really fast... How did he react that fast? Unless... Is it an automated response?". It¡¯s as if when your finger touches a hot object and you instantly move your finger away instantly.
Shao Ai comments in his mind. He vaguely sees how the sword guy uses the technique. He copied sword guy chi flow at that moment because he sees how amazing it is to cut someone in half in a split second at the very last moment. He will definitely contemplate the recording and the chi flow to learn it later.
The crowd talks and discusses while the announcer moves onto talking about the next fight; explaining the background of the next competitors while there¡¯s a 10-minute breaks.
It''s now Thunderous Wind sect versus Immovable Gold sect.
Shao Ai looks at the bald guy in yellow robe like a monk, who''s from the Immovable Gold sect and then looks at the guy in black sleeveless robe from Thunderous Wind sect. His arm muscles are bulging and exposed, and that wild look... He''s hot...
Shao Ai shook that random thought away before looking at the battle that¡¯s about to happen seriously. He missed the chance to record the moves of Thunderous Wind Sect technique before so he''s prepared this time. He''s interested in that technique.
Ready! The announcer screamed.
Thunder guy took out a silver dagger holding it in one hand. He took a deep breath and ready with a stance.
A sizzling sound is heard from his body as faint smokes and lighting arcs are seen jumping from his body and legs. He''s already preparing to attack. Shao Ai sees the chi had already circulated frantically around him.
As for the bald guy he clasped his hand and starts to chant something under his breath. Chi also circulates and interestingly envelopes around himself in a calm but strong manner in high density in a layer.
"Fight!". The announcer screamed out.
Boom!
Thunder guy immediately unleashed his technique, launching an attack decisively leaving a huge crater on the ground he stood. He dashed at lighting speed with the dagger in his hand ¨C most people can¡¯t even see his move.
In less than half a second, he already reaches the bald guy.
Bald guy didn''t see him either.
The dagger is slashed at his side as he continues with straight charge to the other side of the arena.
A thunderous sound roared as lighting strike was produced from the sonic speed movement.
Rumble!
He shifted his position slightly to land on the arena wall with his feet.
Boom! He crashed onto the wall. He used the wall to cushion his landing. As the smokes dispersed, he is seen crouching and sticking to the cracked wall of the arena, looking at his opponent to see if his opponent is dead.
But he''s shocked and he can''t comprehend how the bald guy is fine!
There''s only a shallow cut on his shoulder, with a little bleeding.
''Huh?''. The bald guy didn''t even see what attacked him. There''s a flash of light that already blinded his eyes, and suddenly he felt something striking his right side.
Thankfully he''s already used his Golden Bell technique the moment the fight starts. He blinked twice and turned to look at his back to see his opponent who¡¯s sticking on the wall.
"Impossible!".
Thunder guy couldn''t believe it. He once again took a deep breathe. Sizzles! The sound once again come out from his body as lighting arcs flies around.
The bald guy now knows what''s going on and he also prepared to counter attack.
Actually, he will attack now!
Evil Subduing Palms! Golden palms launch at thunder guy meters away from him.
But at the same time thunder guy has already disappears with a boom!
Rumble!
All palms miss as thunder guy had flashed right across bald guy. And once again the lighting flash blinded his eye in that split second.
Ouch!
Bald guy touches his left side of his neck. There''s a shallow cut and a drop of blood dropping.
Wtf? He can''t even see when he got attacked. This is unfair!
Thunder guy who already crash landed on the other side of the arena was also dumbfounded.
Wtf? He aimed for his neck to kill him but it only leaves a scratch? Just how ridiculous is his defence?
Bald guy feels angry and irritated. He turned his back and launched another few golden palms from meters away.
Thunder guy is swift and dodged it easily.
Thunder guy had already used half of his chi to do those 2 attacks. This can''t do.
He went melee and fight properly instead of cheating with his one-shot technique.
His fists are fast and destructive with thunder arcs releasing in each stroke, while his footwork is swift and flexible like the wind. Everyone who thought he only have one trick is surprised to see his good fist techniques and dodging ability ¨C truly a genius.
The bald guy feels glad that he can properly fight this time.
Mountain Destroying Fists technique!
Bald guy launches his heavy fist leaving a hundred opening in himself but each of his fist caries power capable of destroying mountains!
Thunder guy launched 2 punches in that opening while dodging the attack.
But right as bald guy fist passes next to his head, he can feel the dense air current and pressure making his scalp tingles. And his attacks don''t even cause any effect on the bald guy body!
He sees the golden layer surrounding the body of bald guy closely and he can¡¯t seem to make a dent on it.
Bald guy launches his fists here and there. Thunder guy is fast and swift dodging it easily.
He counterattacks launching his fist and dagger strikes whenever there¡¯s openings.
The bald guy is getting more and more frustrated as none of his strike¡¯s hits. He gets mad and he becomes truly serious as his fists strengthened by 3x! His fists are now condensed with dense chi, with weight as heavy as a mountain!
Boom! A fist is launched; thunder guy dodged but huge air force sent him flying!
He felt like he was punched directly just from the air cannon.
¡®I was hit by air produced from his fist!?¡¯ He''s shocked! He stood quickly and gained his ground.
Bald guy doesn¡¯t wait and dashed to him, launching his Mountain Destroying Fist + Evil Subduing Palm continuously.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground and arena walls are exploding with craters forming here and there with dust flying around as bald guy unleashed his true power; making the crowd gasped for air seeing the arena is being destroyed by his fists. Thankfully a formation of barrier protected the audience from harm.
Thunder guy dodges in panic and was sent flying here and there, rolling around.
Fuck. His attacks are too strong! If even a single punch hit him directly, he¡¯s dead.
Thunder guy breath in air and circulates his chi as thunder arcs slightly jumps across his body, increasing his speed to dodge. He runs farther away and with the distance the effect of air blasts reduced and he dodged easier. He planned to drag it out and let him use his chi.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
After 30 moves bald guy gets more frustrated. This damn cockcroach! He used 2/3 of his chi to launch his moves crazily and had enough seeing his opponent is injured but far from losing.
Bald guy decides to stay calm and stood in silence, watching his opponent.
Tch.
Thunder guy sees bald guy used his head and stopped attacking wildly.
They both stood meters away, just looking at each other.
The crowd wonders why they no longer attacking.
Thunder guy decides to go all out rather than staring at that shiny bald head. He estimates his opponent chi probably dropped low and that¡¯s why he stopped his attacks. His shield should be weaker now!
The familiar sizzling sounds is heard again as he took a deep breath. He decides to go all out this time!
Shao Ai sees the chi flow in bald guy had already reduced in volume a lot. Perhaps he will fall? He sips on his wintermelon drink anticipating what comes next. He recorded the Golden Bell technique as well since the defense is too good. He can''t wait to try to learn all the techniques he recorded so far.
True Extreme Thunder Flash!
His muscles bulged and filled with chaotic thunder chi. The ground he''s locking his feet in starts to crack under the immense pressure.
Sizzles! Arc of lightning jumps across his body. His hair stood from the charges of thunder. His flesh and skin turn red and even explodes with bloody mist as even blood vaporised under the influence of thunder chi, seemingly injuring himself. Each of his cells are close to exploding quenching every single bit of power pushing his technique to the extreme!
He is going all out in this one strike!
Shao Ai leaned forward from his seat, observing this final attack with slow-motion state.
Bald guy sees it. And from experience he never managed to even see what attacked him. He prepared to defend and pour all his chi to his golden bell shield. He clasped his hand as all his chi is condensed in the golden bell shield.
Rumble!!!
Like a dragon roaring, a lighting flash and struck straight at bald guy leaving the ground cracking as stones and gravel explodes in a straight line. The roaring thunder deafens many audiences while lighting flash blinds them.
Shao Ai observed in slow motion but still can''t see even a glimpse of the attack!
Like lighting, thunder guy struck in a straight line and crashed onto the arena walls with a loud bang with splash of blood and bones breaking sounds, activating the defensive formation protecting the audience.
After the smoke dissipates, the audience sees thunder guy was half smashed into the walls by his own speed. But he is still breathing slowly and alive. He coughed out blood and opened his eyes to see his opponent. His blurry vision soon turned clear after some focus.
After smokes dissipates, the audience gasped.
Blood was gushing like a fountain from bald guy¡¯s neck, as it''s halfway from being beheaded.
Bald guy pressed on his neck, trying to stop it but he had lost his strength and all of his chi. He fell on his knees and lose his consciousness; with a loud thud he fell to the ground.
Thunder guy smiled wryly. He is injured heavily and can''t move a single limb. He felt multiple bones in his body is broken and his flesh was smashed. But it''s worth it because he¡¯s won by virtue of being concious.
The audience cheered wildly again. They think that''s suicidal and talks about how reckless it is. Even Shao Ai thinks that''s suicidal. He can''t control his own speed and directly smashed into the walls?? Crazy! But thrilling crazy! Cultivators are truly crazy!
The referee announces the winner as he sees the guy is alive and even smiling. Thunderous Wind sect won!
The medics quickly went to fetch both of them and hurriedly sent them to the treatment room.
The fights went on until evening. As the last match is concluded, Shao Ai went to see Wu Hai who just had been out from the cultivating room. Tomorrow is his match and he wants to prepare himself well.
"Wu Hai. Good luck for tomorrow! You can do it!".
Wu Hai looks at Shao Ai with fondness. He feels the support from his friend and feel spirited
"Mm! I will do my best".
He is determined. He had watched a few matches and felt nervous at first. Each of the geniuses are crazy strong and if he places himself in the arena to fight them, he''s not confident if he could win. And to think he is included among those geniuses. He anticipates the opponent he would face tomorrow and there¡¯s also threat of death. As everyone is going all out, the chance of death is extremely high.
However, he¡¯s prepared for it, it is his dream. His battle on the main stage is nearing.
Chapter 9: Dragon meets Phoenix
The next day comes. 3 matches went on between different sects. And now its time for Wu Hai to fight in the main stage.
There''s a 10-minute breaks before the next match as usual. Wu Hai had received the information on his opponent.
Bai Xiaotong, genius from Vermilion Bird sect, middle foundation establishment!
The announcer briefly mentions the information of the next competitors.
Wu Hai at age of 19 is already in middle foundation establishment! A genius orphan from a commoner background, a genius disciple of dragon flame sect.
Just from the name of sect, you know he use techniques of flames.
And his opponent, is none other than genius from Vermilion Bird sect!
The audience discusses and talks in excitement.
Bai Xiaotong, an direct disciple of vermilion bird sect, a descendant of the legendary True Immortal, Bai Huizhong who established the sect thousands of years ago! At the age of 18 he reached middle foundation establishment.
Would the dragon devour the legendary phoenix? Or would the phoenix snatch the dragon with its claws like a mere snake?
Even I feel excited!
The announcer flies around on the platform, hyping up the crowd and building up momentum.
The crowd cheered and discusses.
"Heh. They dare call themselves dragons. They are mere snakes. No, they are worms!". Bai Xiaotong said with disdain in the preparation area.
"Young master, don''t underestimate him. Their sect has flame technique that even we, who have deep inheritance don''t have. I have seen the power of it and you shouldn''t look down on them".
The elder reminded him. In fact, he doesn''t want to believe that some unknown sect has better flame technique, in terms of raw flame strength that doesn''t use vitality at least. But he has seen it with his own eyes and had to admit in recognition despite feeling embarrassment deep in his heart.
And in case something bad happens a lifesaving talisman is allowed be used to save this young master from death. He is the son of sect master after all; although their sect master had already ascended to the upper realm and currently the vice master is taking care of the sect in lower realm.
Life-saving talisman is really precious and only few sects with deep inheritances have such treasures.
The elders of vermillion bird sect had already made up his mind to snatch Wu Hai or anyone from the Dragon flame sect, regardless of losing or winning because it means there''s a chance to get (steal) the technique.
On Wu Hai side, the elders and seniors gave him encouragement and advices.
¡°Wu Hai, their secret technique allows them to quench and burn their vitality and chi inside their flesh to get explosive power safely and efficiently. Prolonged battle will be difficult as your chi consumption will be greater. Also, since you are both using flame techniques; try to drain air from your opponent. It should reduce his power significantly¡±.
¡®Yes master!¡¯.
¡°Also be careful if your flame becomes black out of your control. Both of you will consume elements in the air fast and both of you might get poisoned accidently. However you can also use it as an advantage, you understand?¡±.
¡®Yes master!¡¯.
Wu Hai nods at his master suggestions. He also has same plans in his mind.
Shao Ai felt worried hearing the chatters around him, discussing and betting on who will win but most of them leaned on Bai Xiaotong.
He is a known genius and a direct descendant of the ancestor who founded the sect itself. Naturally, compared to some random guy with no worth mentioning family name and not well-known sect, it''s not difficult to make assumptions.
Shao Ai had seen members of Vermilion bird sect fights and their techniques and control and were really refined. There are similarities such as using flame explosion to propel movement and such but if he had to say there''s elegance with the way vermilion bird sect use their techniques.
Seeing the break time is up, and Wu Hai and his opponent walked into the arena. Shao Ai made a prayer to Heaven to keep Wu Hai safe first, and win second.
He had seen a lot of injuries and deaths during the tournament. Wu Hai is the only one he could call a close friend and he would feel devastated if he would be injured heavily.
The crowd chattering slowly turns to a halt as the battle is about to begin.
Wu Hai felt nervous seeing the million eyes watching him. He sees Shao Ai on the first row who is clasping his hands on prayer. And he sees mother Su as well. He calms his nerves and composed himself. The ones that had cared for him were watching him, supporting him.
He won''t embarrass himself in front of them.
He looks at his opponent with determination.
Bai Xiaotong just cast a glance at Wu Hai. As someone who practices the path of flame from a prestigious family, he looks down on Wu Hai and his sect as a whole.
He is confident he can win.
"Fighters, get ready!".
The announcer screamed excitedly.
Wu Hai starts to circulate his chi as a warming up, preparing to launch an attack or defend.
Bai Xiaotong also casually circulates his chi.
After 5 seconds the announcer started the fight.
"Fight!".
Whoosh!
Both Wu Hai and Bai Xiaotong approached each other at a fast speed.
Wu Hai launched a dragon flame palm to the opponent to test the water a few metres away from him.
Bai Xiaotong sneered in disdain seeing the dragon shaped flame approaching him. He used his technique, the wing of vermillion.
Flames surrounds his body and takes shape from his back and stretched out to both his hands forming a flaming wing like shape.
He simply slapped the dragon flame with a flap of flaming wing while spinning 180¡ã.
Boom!
The flame dragon explodes right in front of Bai Xiaotong, covering his body in the explosive flame.
Wu Hai thought it''s stupid to face it head-on. While the audience was surprised that he took the dragon flame to his face and anticipates the outcome.
Before Wu Hai could be ready, Bai Xiaotong leaped out of the explosion flame that had covered his vision and went straight to Wu Hai.
Bai Xiaotong''s body is protected by his own flame and wasn''t injured at all. He used a movement technique to leap and propel himself to him.
He sneered in disdain and flapped his two wings, launching a huge flame projectile only 2 meters away from Wu Hai.
Wu Hai in panic uses a dragon flame palm to block it and causes an explosion 1 meter from his body sending him flying backward, receiving a lot of burns.
"Cough!". He coughed out as the smoke entered his lungs.
Thankfully as someone who cultivates the path of flame, he had tempered his body in flames so his flame resistance is high. The same goes for Bai Xiaotong allowing him to face the flame dragon head on as well. If it''s others they would be heavily injured already.
He underestimated his opponent too much, Wu Hai thought.
Bai Xiaotong just stood there and watched Wu Hai stand from the ground. Normally people wouldn''t let their opponent catch a breather and keep attacking.
But being an arrogant young master who looks down on his opponent, naturally he lets his opponent get back up.
"Dragon? More like a worm to me". Bai Xiaotong nonchalantly.
Wu Hai felt his ego hurt and that his entire sect is being looked down on.
"You are a chicken!".
Bai Xiaotong felt anger rise in his heart. His techniques are taught by the legendary phoenix, the vermillion bird of the South, to his ancestor! To call him a chicken!?
"You dare! You courting death!".
Bai Xiaotong wants to show Wu Hai the true difference between heaven and earth and leap through the air with a flaming body. In the eyes of the audience, his figure had the shape of a bird approaching Wu Hai as if he was flying!
Wu Hai uses his movement technique of Thousand Flaming Steps to create distance.
Bai Xiaotong launched 3 blades of fire with flaps of his flaming wings while spinning mid air.
Dragon Flame Vortex!
Wu Hai launched a dragon flame palm in a spiral movement surrounding him. And this time, he is a bit serious as his flame contains a trace of blue colour.
Boom!
The 3 fire blades explode on contact. And surprisingly the blue red flame dragon engulfed the fire and withstood the explosion. The flame dragon circles around Wu Hai one more time as it becomes more solid in shape. Wu Hai took a stance with one foot on the ground as the dragon seemed to follow along.
He is ready to go melee with the Dragon Dance Kung Fu.
Bai Xiaotong is surprised that his attack failed to break through it but he doesn''t care. His flight continued and approached Wu Hai to fight melee with him.
He increased his chi output and increased his leaping speed as the flames covering his back exploded brighter.
Wu Hai also charged forward with a palm followed by a dragon flame charging.
His opponent redirected the palm with his hand sideways, followed with a spin wheel kick that contains flame power.
Stolen story; please report.
Wu Hai dodged the kick barely as flames are thrown out into the air. His flame dragon at the same time was redirected by the opponent''s other arm. Bai Xiaotong skill in Kung Fu is shown at this moment; he wasn''t a brute that only knows how to throw flames.
Wu Hai continues to launch punches and kicks followed by the dragon flame. Gradually the dragon flame grows brighter and has more hint of blue colour.
Bai Xiaotong used elegant movements to redirect most of the attacks.
The crowd cheered wildly seeing large flames bursting in the air from every punch and kick along with the growing flame dragon in the field. The whole Colosseum starts to feel the temperature rising, especially for the spectators at the front seats.
Bai Xiaotong launched counterattacks and managed to hit Wu Hai with flames but he blocked it with a flaming fist directly enduring it.
Wu Hai also managed to hit Bai Xiaotong a few times but he too endured it.
Both of them are literally burning each other. But both of them have high flame resistance tempered bodies.
However as they exchanged their blows, Bai Xiaotong felt something was wrong. He is feeling he was being suppressed the longer he fought. His skin and flesh felt close to being burnt. And he felt his flame weakening.
No! His opponent''s flame is growing stronger than mine and my flame is losing its power!
Bai Xiaotong realised his predicament. He''s not sure what is going on but he realised he will lose if they fight like this.
He increased his chi output, quenching more chi from his dantian and from his body. The flame surrounding his body burst into an orange-reddish colour.
Wu Hai felt the opponent flames a bit stronger, and so he too increased his circulation technique to increase his own flame strength and further weaken the opponent.
His dragon flame turned a bright blue colour, bringing cheers to the crowd seeing how colourful and strong it looks.
Bai Xiaotong is anxious because his flame once again is suppressed and grows smaller again.
When the blue dragon grazed on his side, he felt his flesh burnt!
"Ah!". Bai Xiaotong is angry and feels ashamed! To think his flesh can get burned by his opponent destroyed his pride.
He launched attacks frantically releasing flames and explosions each time he swings his arms and feet. The wings of vermillion continuously launch blades and balls of flame from each of his swings.
Wu Hai blocked them with his flaming fists and the circling flame dragon, while the blue dragon kept on grazing on the opponent from time to time.
"Haa... Ha...". Bai Xiaotong felt slightly dizzy and his movement became sluggish. He''s confused. He received more and more hit and received burns to his flesh and skin. He realised his flame had colours of black in them.
This!? This can''t be! He had mastered this Vermillion cloak technique. No way his control is bad enough for it to be like this!
His opponent, he''s doing something to him!
Shao Ai had leaned forward while watching, noticing that Wu Hai is at a clear advantage at this point.
He cheered for him in his heart.
Bai Xiaotong gritted his teeth in anger. To think his opponent forced him to this extent.
"True Vermillion Rising!".
He used the secret technique to burn his own vitality to unleash extraordinary strength.
Boom!
Explosion of red fire blows Wu Hai away. But he''s fine as he''s protected by the blue flame dragon.
Wu Hai composed himself and looked at his opponent. He is shocked seeing the appearance and the power exuded by Bai Xiaotong.
His opponent is clad in crimson flame, with blood exuding from his pores feeding the flame. There are runes and marks covering his arms, feet and even some strange lines on his face.
Boom!
A burst of red flame explodes from his back, unleashing large red wings of flame. It''s as if the legendary phoenix is born at this moment.
"Die!".
Bai Xiaotong leaped into the air at ridiculously high speed and launched a flaming red kick. He burst like a meteor approaching Wu Hai!
Wu Hai although surprised is confident in his own flame power and clashed with a kick of his own combined with the blue flame dragon.
Boom!
Wu Hai was hurled back from the tremendous force slamming his back to the arena wall crashing into it.
Boom! The arena wall was filled with cracks as the formation protective wall activated to protect the audience.
Wu Hai coughed out blood and whimpered in pain. His body is half burned from the explosion. He gritted his teeth and focused his eyes on the arena.
His opponent on the other hand was also flanged backward smashed onto the opposite side of the arena wall.
But Bai Xiaotong is in better condition.
He stood up and looked at Wu Hai in anger.
He starts to approach Wu Hai with a steady step, wanting to finish him off. He sees he is more injured than him.
Wu Hai knows the battle isn''t over yet.
He climbed out of the crack of the wall and stood on the ground, circulating the little chi he had left in his dantian.
But before he could prepare, Bai Xiaotong suddenly explodes in red flame again, burning his blood again.
"Is he crazy!?". The elder that had accompanied the young master exclaimed and even stood up from his seat. Is he wishing for death!? To think he used the technique again! If anything happens to him, his father would kill him for sure! The elder is worried and panicking because his own life is at stake.
Wu Hai launched a dragon flame palm to him but after it exploded it didn''t even flinch his opponent.
Wu Hai weakly raised his palm to launch another flame dragon palm but his opponent had already closed his distance.
Bai Xiaotong can end him in one swoop at this moment but decides to release his anger by beating him to show him his superiority.
He strangled Wu Hai, leaping into the air while throwing him.
Shao Ai was already in panic and looked around in the arena wishing for someone to stop them.
The fight is over! Why is no one stopping them!? He screamed in his heart with worry.
Wu Hai struggled and tried to muster his chi. But before he could, he was blasted by a flame explosion.
Kuh!
He was blasted to the right side while in midair.
Before he reached the ground, Bai Xiaotong figure had already flown below with a burst of red flame and slapped him back up with another burst of blame.
Ack! Wu Hai was blasted as he felt scorching heat burn his flesh further.
He jumped high as if flying right above Wu Hai to deliver the final attack.
"Die!".
With a 360¡ã spin, he unleashed a terrifying red flame axe kick directly hitting his abdomen.
Ack-
Boom!
Wu Hai was kicked down and smashed into the ground with explosion of red flame. A large crater forms below as dust filled the air.
Bai Xiaotong landed on the ground. But he collapsed and fell on his knees right after.
Cough! He coughed out blood from burning a lot of his vitality.
Haa... Haa... He is losing his breath.
But he''s proud that he won. He had to admit his opponent is definitely strong.
...
Shao Ai had already closed his eyes in fear.
He has a tear forming in his eyes. He can''t bear to see this. Why no one stops them...
The crowd is filled with cheers again. Mother Su also had a tear in her eyes remembering the child she took care of for 7 years. She remembered how at first Wu Hai was very distant to her after his parents passed and was very isolated from the rest of the orphanage members.
She remembers it''s Shao Ai who approached him and became his first friend when they were children. She prays he''s alive after all this.
...
As the smoke dissipates, the cheers are still going on. The announcer is already ready to announce the winner; he''s just waiting for the smoke to dissipate.
Everyone finally sees Wu Hai''s torn up figure, seemingly dead. The medic team is already on the way.
"What an exciting and hot battle! The win-".
''NO!''.
The announcer, the crowd, the medic, and everyone is startled and look at Wu Hai again. Wu Hai had raised his head and shouted.
Shao Ai opened his eyes and turned to look.
The blood around Wu Hai body is boiling and vaporising. And flames are exuding and seemingly forming around his body. And vague runes are seen forming on his body.
Wu Hai used his hands to support himself and slowly stood up.
"You... Are not dead yet...?". Bai Xiaotong, also slowly gets back up. Cough! He coughed up blood again but simply wiped it away while warily looking at Wu Hai.
Bai Xiaotong looked carefully and was shocked in horror.
No way! He- he is!?
Even the elders of the vermillion bird sect and dragon flame sect stood up from their seats. The crowd is going crazy with anticipation seeing the scene.
Burst of blue flames exudes from within Wu Hai''s body covering him. A silhouette of dragon shaped flame is formed around his body seemingly coming from within him. Wu Hai had comprehended the technique to burn one own vitality, quenching every chi and the essence of the body from fighting Bai Xiaotong!
He copied the secret technique!? Bai Xiaotong and the elders of the sect are shocked beyond comprehension. The elders of the dragon sect also looked at each other in incomprehensible surprise.
¡°You have secret technique of vermillion bird sect?¡±. Elder Zhong asked the sect master.
¡°I don¡¯t! I never taught anything like that!¡±.
Powered up by the burning vitality, Wu Hai stood firm and looked at Bai Xiaotong.
Sizzles. His flesh is further burned by his own incomplete technique, and it even charred his own skin and flesh and vaporised his blood. He endured it for the sake of winning.
Bai Xiaotong gritted his teeth. He can''t lose!
He used his technique again, and quenched his vitality and essence as a red flame burst out from his body again. But the flame is flickering as if it''s on the last life.
The deafening cheers are resounded again seeing the scene.
Why...? Shao Ai doesn''t understand. He understands the risk of the technique. Wu Hai should survive if he just accepts defeat and lay there.
But now... It''s like he is burning the last breath of life he had.
A tear fell down his cheek. He really can''t afford to see someone he cares about dying.
Whoosh!
Both Wu Hai and Bai Xiaotong rushed at each other with the last power he could muster. Each of them is like two burning meteors, one blue and one red about to collide with each other.
They both will die like this! The elders all have the same thought.
Shao Ai too, had a premonition that Wu Hai will die if they collide.
No...
Just as he is about to despair, just as they are meters away from each other ready to release their final attack, suddenly there''s a ringing of a bell that appears.
Ring~
Suddenly out of nowhere waves of ice explodes from the middle of the arena.
Boom!
The arena turned snow white from the sudden ice waves. The hot temperature instantly went down to be really cold.
The crowd went silent, shivered and observed what was going on.
As the snow dispersed, a tall female figure with long black hair and white snow skin stood centre. She exudes a cold elegant charm, like a queen of snow. She held a fan, with little bell charm which is a spiritual treasure hanging from it.
Soon the figure of Wu Hai and Bai Xiaotong is seen on the ground, unconscious in thin layers of snow.
It seems that the person had stopped them both.
"Medic, quick. Give them Life Preserving pills".
The voice seems to be amplified by a technique as it even reaches the audience. The medic team wasted no time and rushed to them both. They went to put the highest quality life Preserving pills in their mouths and carried them away for further treatment.
"It''s a draw". She once again said for everyone to hear and disappeared with another ringing of a bell.
She reappears in the VVIP seat on the highest floor calmly after stopping the unnecessary death of 2 geniuses.
"They both are genius monsters", the person next to her commented.
"Indeed". She calmly commented.
The few seats are where the high elders from prestigious sects are seated. They are there to judge the contestants and to save the participant if a win or lose is guaranteed already.
Shao Ai uses his eyes and sees the breath of vitality remaining in Wu Hai. He felt relieved to see Wu Hai is alive and being carried away by the medic team.
But he still prays in his heart he could be treated. He is heavily injured and he''s afraid something went wrong later.
The crowd began to talk and discuss again while the arena was being cleared up and repaired during the break.
"Whew! That''s unexpected! To think it comes to a draw. What a fiery battle. Seniors, do you have any comments on their performances?".
The announcer flies towards a row of elders in the VIP seat.
One of them took the mic and commented on how they both have admirable fighting spirit and commented on their flame techniques and their differences.
While the crowd was chattering away, Shao Ai had already left his seat and went to the treatment area.
He sat on the bench there, waiting for news. He doesn''t have the energy to watch any battle anymore. Dragon flame sect members also went to wait for news.
An hour passed as they waited there, while staring at the walls blankly.
A staff member who is about to go to the toilet look at Shao Ai and the others.
Shao Ai, noticing the staff coming out of the treatment room immediately asked about Wu Hai condition.
"Oh. He''s stable now but still unconscious. He might need a day or two to recuperate and wake up".
The staff thought for a moment, seeing his worried look.
"No worries. He definitely will be fine. You should go back first and see him later".
Everyone feels relieved hearing the assurance. They nods at the staff and slowly walks out of the area. He returns to his seat shortly.
"How is Wu Hai?". Mother Su asked from behind him.
Shao Ai repeated what the staff said, relieving the worry in mother Su''s heart.
He went to watch the next battle. But his mind wasn''t on the battle really.
When the last battle ended, Shao Ai went to the treatment area again. He saw a staff member on the counter and went to ask.
"He has finished his treatment. You can visit him if you want".
Shao Ai nods. She told the room number and soon Shao Ai reached the room.
He pulled the curtain to see Wu Hai is bandaged all over his body. The elders and seniors of the dragon flame sect are also there. He looks like a mummy being wrapped all over like this. He looked at Wu Hai with a complicated expression.
He feels angry honestly seeing Wu Hai last move back then. It''s suicidal. He could have just accepted defeat and lay there. There''s always another time, as long as you live, won''t you be able to be stronger?
But then... It''s something that Wu Hai chose to pursue. Shao Ai can''t understand his dream or why he tried that hard. For him, fighting is never something he likes to do so he can''t relate. He can only support him and his decisions.
Shao Ai just sat there, looking over Wu Hai. He saw how his flesh is burnt here and there. And the blood oozing and boiling from him.
It must be painful...
The elders and seniors nod at Shao Ai and leave the room. After all the competition is still going on and one of the seniors has a battle as well tomorrow.
Shao Ai held the bandaged arm gently, afraid to hurt his hand. Although, it''s only been weeks since he has been truly close to him, he really cares for him at this moment.
He channeled his chi, and ran his cycle of heaven and earth technique along with transferring vitality to him. He senses how low the chi and vitality inside him is. He is determined to help him recover.
He stayed there for hours, trying to help him recover quickly and ease his pain. He continuously meditates and circulates chi and vitality.
One of the martial doctors went to check midway but is surprised seeing the condition of the patient is improved. Seeing Shao Ai who seemed like he almost got caught doing something illegal, he assumed he did something to help. But it''s his secret so he won''t pry since it''s good for the patient. He leaves them alone and lets them be.
Shao Ai continued until he''s too tired. He laid back on the wall and closed his eyes. He hopes it would help him. He closed his eyes as he enters the dreamscape.
...
Chapter 10: Little Dragons Rising
As sunlight touched his face, Wu Hai felt a warmth on his skin. He felt somewhat dizzy as he opened his eyes. He is blinded by the light, but soon recovers his sight.
Urghh...
He felt stinging pain all over his body. He tried to recollect his memories. It feels hazy. He remembered now what happened. Right... He was about to unleash his final attack, at the highest point of battle suddenly a figure stood in front of him and launched some ice waves on him.
And he passed out since then. He felt the chi inside him, and his quite damaged dantian and meridians. It''s not too bad and he can recover over time fortunately.
Urghh...
He can''t move. It felt like a lot of his bones were broken and his flesh, muscles, tendons and a part of nerves was damaged badly. He assumes an elder interrupted their fight at that time.
So... Was it a win or lose, or a draw?
At that moment when he went a out, using everything he had left to fight, it felt good. The adrenaline rush from such a battle can be said to be his peak. His opponent is really strong. Although he called his dragon flame a worm, but now he doesn''t care about it anymore. He has a sense of respect for him; especially seeing Bai Xiaotong too had gone all out against himself seeing the flickering red flames.
He opened his eyes and stopped his thoughts. He is startled to see Shao Ai leaning back against the wall quietly sitting on the stool next to his bed.
Has he, been accompanying me all this time?
He has a complicated expression and feelings about him. He''s not sure what to feel really. It''s just, it felt like, he had the care he never felt in his life. He looks at Shao Ai''s quiet figure. He looked tired, and even dark circles are visible.
Wu Hai frowned looking at him. Why he looks tired? He looked out the window and noticed it shouldn''t even be afternoon yet. But he''s already asleep like this, laying back on the cold wall.
Suddenly he noticed a twitching on his face. He pretends to be asleep and closed his eyes quickly.
Shao Ai noticed it''s already morning. He circulates his chi and take note on his condition. Okay. It seems that I can keep going for another 2 or 3 hours after overnight rest.
Shao Ai look at Wu Hai figure, wrapped like a mummy quietly sleeping. He leaned closer, gently wrapping his hand on his.
Wu Hai felt the gentle touch on his hand, feeling Shao Ai''s holding it.
He continued with the usual meditation and helped him recover. Wu Hai felt a stream of dense pure chi, along with another energy full of life entering his chi pathway from his hand.
Wu Hai opened his eyes to see him. Shao Ai didn''t notice he''s awake as he had closed his eyes and focused his mind to meditate.
Did he stay overnight, like this? He felt a sense of frustration in his heart looking at him.
He knows he didn''t just circulate chi to him. But there''s also vitality he exchanged. Even though he looks tired, why he keeps going?
He''s afraid really. He doesn¡¯t know how to handle this much care from someone.
Although, he had to admit he did harbour some feelings for him but he never thinks about it much. He just, had his own goals and dreams he wanted to pursue and his feelings for him wasn''t on his mind as for him it''s not that big of a deal. Just a little crush. And he prefers to stay friends with him.
He doesn¡¯t want to be shackled by, too much feelings.
...
These heavy thoughts run inside his mind seeing Shao Ai tirelessly run his technique for him.
Do you care for me? He asked in his mind. But naturally Shao Ai didn''t hear it.
Wu Hai closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep again. He doesn¡¯t feel good enough to talk to him, or face him.
After an hour something, Wu Hai felt the chi flow stopped.
He hears Shao Ai finally stood up from the seat and walk away. Hearing the steps going farther he opened his eyes again to see Shao Ai walking slowly step by step, with his hand leaning on the walls seemingly needing to support himself.
He gives him so much vitality he''s drained to this extent?
It''s unnecessary... Why would you do that?
He asked in his heart. He can''t ask him. He''s afraid he would hear an answer that would shackle him, and burdens him.
Shao Ai felt tired. As if all of his muscles had gone weak.
Right... I haven''t eaten yet since yesterday. He finally remembered. Shao Ai regained his composure and walk calmly to the nearest restaurant for a quick lunch. He felt weak. Maybe I drained too much...
The tournament is still going on but he wants to return back to his hotel to rest properly. After he returned, he took out a ginseng essence pill and swallow it. And went on a deep sleep to rest properly.
Wu Hai had stopped his thoughts. He circulates his chi himself to recover faster. He sensed his injuries, although heavy, is very far from life threatening. His bones have fractures and cracks here and there but they are intact and healing properly. And his flesh felt like it has energy and is repairing itself. Even his dantian seems to be restoring.
Soon a physician come to check on him.
"Patient, you are awake! I will check on your vitals alright".
Wu Hai felt a wave of energy passing through him. The technique is like X ray.
"Amazing... You healed so fast...".
The physician rubs his chin, thinking about the extraordinary healing overnight.
"Can you move your limbs?". He asked.
Wu Hai moved his arms and slowly sat up. It''s not that he can''t, it''s just that it hurts if he moves since his flesh are ruined from multiple burns and is still healing.
"Good. Okay lay down and rest. Cultivate slowly to repair your body. You could be discharged in 3 to 5 days at this rate".
The physician passed on a Healing Pill, Wu Hai swallows it without much question. He keeps on meditating and circulate his chi to nourish his vessels, muscles and organs. He can feel they are recovering at a good speed.
The next day, Shao Ai come to visit him again in the morning.
Wu Hai pretends to be asleep again. He feels a warm soft touch over his hand as streams of chi and life energy flowed into him.
...
He, really had a good friend doesn''t he. He appreciates him really, but, he''s afraid to be closer.
He looked at his figure, meditating quietly to help him recover. He sees his complexion is better than yesterday and feels glad.
Shao Ai suddenly opened his eyes, feeling a gaze on him.
Wu Hai is startled and caught off guard.
"Wu Hai... You awake?".
''H-hey...''.
Wu Hai spoke. He looked at the gold and violet eyes, each looking at him with a caring look. His eyes are really pretty. He has always thought so. But this time, he felt his touched.
He looked away, not sure where to put his eyes on now.
"You okay?".
''Yeah... I could be discharged in 3 or 4 days".
"I am glad...". Shao Ai looked downward. He feels glad really, knowing he is safe and fine now. He looks at Wu Hai. He is wrapped like a mummy. Now that he thinks about it. It''s actually funny.
He smiled a little thinking about it.
Wu Hai is startled seeing him smile. He felt his heart tightening.
Don''t... Don''t smile like that for me... He''s afraid his heart would fall for him for real. It''s too scary.
"You know... You looked like a mummy". Shao Ai said in a sweet tone.
Wu Hai thought for a second but don''t understand.
"What''s a mummy?".
''Umm... It''s...''. How should he explain a mummy is a preserved corpse wrapped in linens?
He realised he can''t explain what''s funny about it.
''Its nothing...''. he smiled a little. Maybe his sense of humour is broken he thought.
"Ah... Sorry...". Shao Ai realised he had been holding his hand and pulled it away quickly.
''It¡¯s alright...''. Wu Hai replied quickly. He''s not sure what to reply.
After seconds of silence, Wu Hai finally spoke again.
"Thank you". He needs to say his thanks.
Shao Ai looked sideways, seemingly embarrassed.
"It''s nothing... I am glad you are fine really...".
"Emm...". Shao Ai reaches out to touch his hand again.
"Let me help you recover".
But suddenly Wu Hai pulled his hand away.
''I am fine really. I just need some time to recover''.
"I see...".
Seconds and minutes passed. Shao Ai is looking out the window, seeing the birds and the bright sky.
"Hey...". Wu Hai called out.
Shao Ai looked over him.
"You don''t have to stay here. You should watch the tournament. It''s going on right now, right?".
''Ah... Yeah...''. seeing Wu Hai is fine, he felt at ease to leave.
Before he went out, he turned to look at Wu Hai again with a soft gaze. He turned his gaze away and went out to the spectators¡¯ seat to watch the fight going on.
Wu Hai felt guilty a little. It felt like he kicked him out of the room. It''s just that, he felt burdened when Shao Ai is staying there just to accompany him.
He didn''t ask for it. It sounds like he''s a jerk but, he can''t accept excessive care for him. It makes him feel uncomfortable. They are supposed to be just friends and he never thought of changing anything.
Okay. He will just keep treating him as a friend. There shouldn''t be any changes. Wu Hai thought in his mind.
Shao Ai resumed to watch the fights that went on. After feeling relieved seeing Wu Hai is fine, he finally can focus on watching the battles and gets all excited and thrilled again seeing the various techniques.
He copied a lot of chi flows during technique casting until he can''t anymore. He''s quite excited about trying all of them out to recreate the techniques.
He doesn''t really have an original offensive magic spells currently, like shooting some projectiles or something because the book he received doesn''t mention it so far.
He did have dual weapon light and Dark technique and probably there are projectile spells in it but he didn''t practice them. He''s not fond of wielding weapons.
Well, no matter. It''s not like he would fight anyone. And he is able to use flame dragon palm as good as Wu Hai does already.
After the last match, Shao Ai and the members of dragon flame sect visited Wu Hai again. Wu Hai felt good enough to sat up straight just fine and move his limbs with only minor pain. He could ignore them.
Sect master quickly send a wave of chi to scan Wu Hai top to bottom. He nods in relief and chatted with him for a while.
Suddenly an elder come in to visit him too. But he is not someone familiar. Everyone looked at him coming in. Wu Hai¡¯s sect elders have an ugly expression on their faces as they sees the robe pattern worn by the person.
He ignored everyone and directly approached Wu Hai.
"Good evening Wu Hai. I am Elder Xiaowen, representing Vermillion Bird sect. I would go straight to the point".
The elders of dragon flame sect felt incredulous seeing this. They know what he''s going for.
"You are really talented and our sect would be glad to accept you as a disciple".
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He looked at the elders of dragon flame sect and looked at Wu Hai.
"As you know, our sect is a high sect with deep inheritance for thousands of years. We can give you better resources and techniques as long as you join us. Given your talent, I am sure you can even be a direct disciple of a high elder in our sect. What do you think?".
Sect master of Dragon Flame Sect gritted his teeth. He wants to smack this guy so much. But he can''t afford to offend him. He knows the sect is powerful, with thousands of disciples including outer and inner disciple. Tens of nascent soul elders and many immortals in the upper realm from their sect. It''s crazy to offend them.
And it''s not wrong to poach a disciple from a mid and low-grade sect.
So the elders can only grit their teeth.
"Elder. Thank you for your offer... But I had to refuse.".
''We can negotiate the terms. Low level spiritual weapon, access to a secret technique, that¡¯s a few of our offer''. Elder Xiaowen tried to persuade.
Given the status of the sect, it''s natural that anyone would be glad to enter. And to offer spiritual weapon, even if it''s low grade, 99% of cultivators can never afford it!
But Wu Hai don''t feel moved at all.
"Elder, I had to refuse. I am content with my masters and sect".
His elders and sect master feel touched. But the sect master had to persuade him after thinking about it.
"Wu Hai. We won''t stop you from leaving. You are free to join them".
He said that with a heavy heart. No one would feel good about parting with the disciple they taught for years and sees them rise as a genius. Who would want to lose such a person? But at the same time, he wouldn''t want to limit his disciple.
''Master. I will stay''.
The sect master felt touched again and nodded at him. Wuwu. He cried in his heart.
"Alright then. I hope you won''t regret it". Elder Xiaowen looked at the fool who refused the invitation. It''s obvious their sect would provide better for such a talent; but what a waste he has no brain. He only said it in disdain in his heart and just leaves.
Everyone leaves to give Wu Hai some rest, leaving only Shao Ai and him.
"Emm... I will leave first. Take care".
Shao Ai waved his hand and turned to leave.
Wu Hai looks at the petite figure leaving the room with slightly heavy feelings. He took a few deep breaths, erasing any other thoughts and going to cultivate.
...
The tournament comes to an end, and it just happens that Wu Hai is discharged and are able to walk around and jog just fine. But he did feel his movements are sluggish and it''s like he''s only at 90% health.
"Wu Hai. How about you stay with your friend for awhile? You need rest and recuperate. You have been working hard all this time after all".
The sect master suggested. He saw how his friend stayed with him overnight, keeping him company. He felt quite touched at the sincerity. Where can you find such a good friend in the cultivation world nowadays?
"Ah...". Wu Hai looked at his master. And then to Shao Ai.
"... You can stay with me for a while". Shao Ai fidgets his fingers, feeling a bit nervous.
Wu Hai hesitantly agreed.
Soon the bustling colosseum turned quiet as more and more people left. They returned to their hotels leaving Wu Hai and Shao Ai together.
As they walk along the street markets, they get some more food and stuff.
"Wu Hai, here!". He gave him a sausage coated with crispy breadcrumbs. It''s a new delicacy introduced back in their place. Somehow it reached the capital city.
''Thanks''. Wu Hai smiled a little, stretching out his hand to ruffle his hair seeing the cute smile.
But he drew it back quickly, hesitating. He has always treated him like some cute little brother or something. But it felt inappropriate thinking about it.
"That store sells spiritual treasures...".
Shao Ai sees a huge store that sells various talismans, treasure and magic items and went into it.
Naturally the prices are so expensive. There''s really variety of thing.
Oh. There''s a video bead? It acts like a recorder and there''s also prerecorded ones... But it only lasts minutes at most so for a movie or drama series it would be really expensive for someone to watch. It''s usually used for more important stuffs.
Shao Ai browse the shop with Wu Hai but everything is too expensive.
Shao Ai noticed Wu Hai had been eyeing a crimson coloured sword, looking really fancy and powerful. He thought of buying a gift and went to see the price.
Gasp!
He needs 5x his current net worth to even buy it... Nevermind.
He sees a lot of talismans with different spells on it.
He is quite interested in the runes used in them. If he''s not mistaken, the runes are the symbols of heaven representing the law. Basically a language of heaven.
Maybe... Maybe he should learn it? Maybe he can make something for him...
Shao Ai thought about it for a moment as they went out of the shop.
Shao Ai looks at Wu Hai''s face. And then his hair. It looks uneven. Probably because he burns some hair on his head and when he takes healing medicines it heals and grows it back but now it''s uneven.
But still... He''s quite handsome. Although he''s above average if one looks at him for the first time, but in Shao Ai''s eyes he''s becoming more handsome these days.
Wu Hai noticed the gaze and looked at Shao Ai back. Shao Ai immediately averted his gaze pretending he didn''t stare just now.
Wu Hai wasn''t stupid and noticed it. No. He already noticed that look a lot of times since meeting him. And now it''s getting frequent.
"Is there anything on my face?". Wu Hai asked and wanted to see his reaction.
''U-uh? There''s nothing!''. Shao Ai was visibly startled and went to walk forward as if running away after getting caught.
Seeing his reaction, he finds it quite adorable and funny. He let out a smirk seeing him running away.
He seems to like him doesn''t he...
His heart is moved a little whenever Shao Ai acts like this, clearly, he wears his feelings on his sleeves.
He felt fond of him, and did want to be closer to him but...
It''s complicated to explain.
He thought, it would be burdening to pursue it.
So he can just, stay friends with him and don''t let his heart to see him as more.
...
Late night fell. They had a quick dinner in a nearby restaurant before going to the hotel Shao Ai stayed in.
"You can stay with me... My bed is big". Shao Ai fidgets his fingers. The idea that Wu Hai would sleep in the same room as he is makes him feel hot a little bit but he doesn''t have other intentions. Okay maybe he did have a little bit of it.
"Sure". He can only say so. There''s no reason to refuse. But after he entered Shao Ai''s room he felt nervous all of a sudden.
Why is he feeling like this? It''s not like they are...
He shook his head. Shao Ai''s treatment towards him moved his heart over time. Even he can''t help but thought of things. He shook the thoughts away again.
Just act normal. They are friends. They are just friends.
''I will take a bath first...''. Shao Ai nervously fetched his towel. But felt embarrassed to take off his cloth and went inside the bath with his clothes on and take it off inside.
Wu Hai noticed of course. It really, makes his feelings more complicated seeing how he treats him.
He acts like a maiden afraid to have his skin exposed to him, treating him like a ¡®man¡¯ in his eyes.
And because of this somehow even he felt intrigued and wanted to see what he was hiding behind his clothes.
He shook that thought. He felt seduced and tempted. Wu Hai quickly chants Pure Heart sutra to cleanse his mind from evil thoughts.
He hears the water splashing and falling in the bath. After minutes, the bath door opens. Waft of sweet flowery scents filled the entire room.
Wu Hai stole a glance, and saw the upper half of his body exposed revealing a flawless glistening skin. His tender arms, quite narrow shoulders, his clear bare chest with little to no hair along with a cute pink ornament on it. It would be a lie to say he wasn''t tempted.
He quickly averted his gaze as his cheek flushed from seeing it. He''s really going crazy, he thought. Has Shao Ai been this attractive to his eyes?
He felt his blood pressure rising. And he secretly wanted to gaze at him but held himself back.
Shao Ai was embarrassed and held the towel covering his lower half tightly afraid it would fall while carrying his clothes on one hand.
He nervously went to wear new pairs of clothes, avoiding looking at Wu Hai. He''s just embarrassed.
Wu Hai secretly steal a few glances while Shao Ai is turning his back, wearing his clothes.
He looks at his firm back, and down to his waist. There¡¯s no muscle but he looks healthy and fit. There are even dimples on his waist... And there''s a bit of a clear line between those cute peaches just above the towel. Damn. He swallowed his saliva eyeing his body. A surge of desire filled him a little.
Something is rising and it''s not the shield hero.
Wu Hai quickly sat up and averted his gaze. He held his pants, scolding himself.
Shao Ai was about to wear his underwear and Wu Hai locked his gaze on the walls. He''s afraid he will see things.
Soon he finished wearing his clothes and went to look at Wu Hai, seemingly gazing at the walls.
"Wu Hai. Here''s a towel". Shao Ai passed a dry new towel for him.
Wu Hai took it and turned his back before taking off his clothes.
Although he had chanted in his heart to see Shao Ai just as a friend but his heart moved beyond his control.
Not to mention his son is standing and he''s afraid Shao Ai noticed.
Shao Ai looks at Wu Hai''s back, with clear muscles here and there. His broad shoulders, wide back tapering down to a narrow waistline; a nice hot v shape.
He''s in a daze seeing it. He had to turn his eyes away realising he''s been looking for too long.
His heart is beating fast at this moment and he had to lay down in bed and just try to close his eyes. He can only call out to Wu Hai''s name in his heart, and admits he likes him. He likes him a lot and realised he wants him more than just friends. But he can only say it in his heart.
He wonders what Wu Hai thinks of him. He doesn¡¯t know... Although he didn''t expect Wu Hai to like him back, but he wished he could. And if he doesn''t, he wished they could remain friends.
But he''s afraid.
What if... He reacts negatively?
But... Wu Hai is a nice person. He trusts that, even if Wu Hai rejects his feelings, it wouldn''t be bad.
But still... he''s not sure if it''s okay to tell him.
Wu Hai wondered if Shao Ai was eyeing his body. He secretly wished he did. It does feel good to be admired by him particularly. But then...
His emotions are complicated. Half of it wants something else, and half wanting to remain friends at this moment.
He went to the bath shortly after contemplating on things.
As the water washed away the dirt on his body, he looked down and felt the urge to release it.
Gulp.
Remembering the petite body, the images flashed in his mind again. Especially the pink ornament. Oh no. He really can''t do this.
...
He went out with embarrassment after he was done with his bath. He sees Shao Ai had already been in the bed under the cover, sleeping sideways. Wu Hai wore fresh clothes and nervously went into bed as well.
His heart moves faster thinking about Shao Ai sleeping right next to him. He looked at his delicate looking arm, and his cheek from there. He looked over his neck, with urges in him. And he can smell the flowery scent from him.
He looks more attractive in his eyes the more he looks. He had to turn his body sideways in the opposite direction. He''s really being driven insane.
He is just a man. He has desires too...
But he tried to ignore it and just sleep. Shao Ai too, did the same to ignore his feelings.
Of course, they both fall asleep after trying.
The next morning comes. They went to wash their faces before getting breakfast.
"When will you return back home?". Wu Hai asked casually.
''Umm... Maybe tomorrow? I have another week of holiday''.
"I see".
Wu Hai remembered Shao Ai has a permanent job, unlike himself who''s basically a freelancer.
''Want to, go to the theatre? There''s a play going on and I heard it''s really good...''. Shao Ai fidgets his fingers at suggesting it.
"Sure". Wu Hai doesn''t have a reason to refuse.
In the afternoon they went to the theatre and bought tickets. The third quarter of it was filled with people and soon the performances began.
It''s a sad heart wrenching love story between a commoner and a cultivator.
In which the male protagonist watched as his lover turned older and older, until she died out of old age.
The male protagonist regrets falling in love with a mortal, and soon he finds himself lonely even though he has reached the peak and is immortal. He still remembers her smile, her laughs, and felt his heart broken. He had been suppressing his feelings for thousands of years, using cultivation to the path of immortality as a distraction. But once he reached them, once he no longer had anything to distract him, he let out a scream of frustration feeling the pain inside his heart.
Realising his pain, he screamed at heaven, asking heaven to bring his lover back. Heaven punished him and directly killed him with no question.
But Heaven is fair. Although his life ended... but Heaven lets them meet again in their next reincarnation. This time, they have their happy endings together, and died together as mortals.
Many of the spectators cried seeing the splendid performance and emotional dialogues.
Shao Ai also had tears in his eyes, feeling touched. He glanced at Wu Hai. Because of the drama he becomes more emotional and his feelings for him increased by another notch.
He''s not sure if he can say he loves him or anything. But he does care for him. And in his mind, he would be glad and happy to spend time with him, to be his company.
Wu Hai too had some emotions but he watched with a poker face as if he wasn¡¯t touched.
They take a walk around in the market again after and visit various places until evening comes.
Wu Hai saw a bar nearby. He felt like his mind is filled with clouds over things. Shao Ai noticed the steps going slower and looked at the bar Wu Hai is looking over.
"Want to drink?". Shao Ai asked. He did try alcohol before but somehow it doesn''t affect him at all.
''Ah. I...''. He thought about it. As cultivators they have high tolerance.
Maybe... A little would be fine.
"Let''s go". He said without much worry.
They entered the fancy looking bar with nice decorations. They looked at the menu before ordering them respectively.
"I will take Dragon Pearl Wine". Shao Ai pointed at the menu saying it.
"I will get Fire Grass wine".
The bartender thought for a moment.
"Want to add spirit water to make it stronger? Just 20 yuan".
''Yes''.
Wu Hai said it as if it''s automatic. But then he realised it might be a mistake. He is used to this when he is with his seniors hanging out but it''s not a good time to be drunk now. He felt anxious in his heart but calmed down. Nothing bad would happen, he thought.
They drink their drinks. It seems the bar has food too so they ordered it while at it.
Shao Ai naturally doesn''t feel drunk at all. It''s like drinking fruit juice at best. Even if it¡¯s 100% spirit wine he won¡¯t feel anything. His constitutions are too special after all.
He thought Wu Hai would be fine too but he''s surprised seeing Wu Hai''s flushed face and unfocused eyes.
"Wu Hai? You good?".
He smiled a little, looking at his cute friend.
''I am good I am good''.
"You worried for me too much... I am fine alright?". He let out the complaint he had for him while ruffling his hair.
Shao Ai felt a bit happy feeling his hand rubbing his hair.
Wu Hai felt really tipsy. Why is the alcohol so strong? It usually wasn''t like this.
After all, this is the capital city, and the wine naturally has higher quality and therefore the effect seems to be stronger than Wu Hai anticipated. But no matter, no matter.
Seeing Wu Hai is somewhat drunk already.
Shao Ai called the bartender and paid for everything.
Wu Hai walked with somewhat hints of irregularity, but he''s still sober at least. In fact he feel, freer as he looks at Shao Ai. He don¡¯t have much thoughts, except, he really feel fond of his friend.
When went to their room, Shao Ai went to take a bath first going inside with his cloths on again.
He''s still shy huh...
When Shao Ai treats him like that, even his view of him changes.
He hears the shower turned on. He has a sense of anticipation welling up in him. Minutes passed. He read the newspaper placed on the desk next to him.
As the bath door opens, the sweet flowery scent enters his nose again. He can''t help but look at his figure, standing there on the rug, drying his sole.
He looked at his still partly wet hair. The colours still intrigued him. He looked over his neck, his collarbone, his chest, that pink ornament. He wants to taste it.
He looked at everything. His desire is aroused a lot. Shao Ai was just drying his sole but noticed the stare. He turned to look.
He nervously gazed at Wu Hai, who was looking at him intently.
He noticed something rising, with a clear view of it. His mind went blank for a second. He had to avert his eyes at the scene.
His heart raced at this moment. Wu Hai is... Looking at him that way... and that¡
Badump badump.
Wu Hai quickly covered that part and sat up, realising he lost his senses.
Fuck, he exclaimed in his heart. His heart is racing with desire filling him.
Shao Ai swallowed his saliva... He''s not stupid. To think, Wu Hai eyed him that way... And that it stood...
He can only look at the floor, while slowly approach Wu Hai.
He felt nervous. Wu Hai too felt nervous seeing Shao Ai slowly approaching him step by step.
His mind is blank as he watched Shao Ai sit next to him on the bed. Wu Hai thoughts are blocked, and he just wants it badly, his desires are filling his head.
Badump badump.
Shao Ai swallowed his saliva again.
He avoided Wu Hai''s eyes, and hesitantly placed his hand on Wu Hai¡¯s thigh. His hand is shaking out of hesitation. And his eyes can only look at the walls. He''s so nervous about this.
¡°Wu Hai¡¡±. Shao Ai muttered his name very quietly. But hearing it, Wu Hai felt his emotions swelling up, his heart beats faster and faster.
When he felt the gentle hand touching his thigh, his desire welled up to the extreme. Something twitched, no longer hidable.
He has no more thoughts as his heart racing over this.
Seconds passed, but Shao Ai didn''t dare to make any moves feeling too nervous.
Wu Hai can''t wait anymore and place his hand over Shao Ai''s hand. Feeling the softness of his skin, he drags his hand closer and place it on his son.
Both of them fell completely, indulged in carnal desires.
...
The light from the curtain shines on him.
He wakes up, feeling comfortable and nervous at the same time. And awkward as well.
He remembers everything naturally. He''s sobered enough the entire time after all. It¡¯s just that, he didn¡¯t hesitate a little bit and really indulged in everything with zero shame.
Remembering the voices, even his own name called out, he''s speechless thinking about it.
The soft lips kissing him. When he sees the eyes looking at him at times deeply, while averting itself at times out of embarrassment, he felt everything was unreal.
He feels the breath of air softly hitting his chest right now. Along with the warmth from the person hugging him at this moment.
He did a mistake didn''t he..., he thought. He feels comfortable, and wanted to stay like this with him. But at the same time he felt it¡¯s not what he wanted exactly. But he did like it and wanted to do him.
Right. Now that he thinks about it, he didn''t even take a bath yesterday. He felt embarrassed that Shao Ai sniffed him here and there. He likes his smell?
He covered his face with one hand. It''s so embarrassing to think about it. It''s just embarrassing that he locks his head under his arm then. And he likes it a lot to be honest.
He opened his eyes again and looked at Shao Ai sleeping peacefully while hugging him. He eyed his sleeping face. He¡¯s cute really. And feeling the bare skin-to-skin touch with him, he felt aroused again and if he''s crazy enough he wants to do him again. But this can¡¯t do¡ He felt bad that it felt good. The problem is he knows Shao Ai likes him, and cares for him. But he himself is unsure. This is the source of his hesitation. If its just casual sex its fine. But he is aware it involves deeper emotions.
What to do now? He felt anxious that they had done it, and at what Shao Ai would feel. He decides to just act normal and see what happens next.
Chapter 11: Aftermath
He felt awkward over this.
Should he move away? It''s just that, he doesn''t feel open enough to cuddle or something. He felt more nervous if anything.
He tried to pry away the hand wrapping him first and make some distance.
Shao Ai is awakened by it and opened his eyes. He met the gaze of the person he likes. He leaned closer and closed his eyes back.
Wu Hai felt his emotions rising again as his heart beats faster and faster. It feels nice and warm like this, and its really... stimulating. Shao Ai felt something touching his stomach. He smiled a little and move his hands.
Wu Hai stops any thoughts again and just let everything pass. He can''t think anymore as his focus is on something else entirely.
...
"I am washing up...". He embarrassedly get out of out bed to clean himself, and the mess. Shao Ai felt its still unreal. He felt happy, really happy. While Wu Hai is still in a daze in the bath.
Not to mention he lost control in the middle of it too. He had to admit he never felt better going all out like an animal at some point, forgetting everything indulging in pleasure. And then he enjoyed it just now¡
He''s really crazy...
That''s not just anyone... That''s Shao Ai... That''s his friend... What had he done.
He scolded himself in his mind before removing his thoughts.
He washed up fast and went out.
Shao Ai is still lying in bed, motionless. Shao Ai mind is in a daze, filled with disbelief. Feeling as if everything is a dream. But the sore on his back is proof it wasn''t a dream. He squealed in his heart, feeling it''s so unbelievable. Wu Hai... He muttered in his heart, remembering everything he did to him. His heart beats remembering things as his cheek flushed red.
Not to mention he lost control in the middle of it too. He had to admit he never felt better going all out like an animal at some point, forgetting everything indulging in pleasure. And then he enjoyed it just now¡
He''s really crazy...
That''s not just anyone... That''s Shao Ai... That''s his friend... What had he done.
He scolded himself in his mind before removing his thoughts.
He washed up fast and went out.
Shao Ai is still lying in bed, motionless. Shao Ai mind is in a daze, filled with disbelief. Feeling as if everything is a dream. But the sore on his back is proof it wasn''t a dream. He squealed in his heart, feeling it''s so unbelievable. Wu Hai... He muttered in his heart, remembering everything he did to him. His heart beats remembering things as his cheek flushed red.
But he really should be gentler... He complained in his heart, but he still felt really happy. He is the happiest person alive. He almost blurted he loved him if he didn''t control himself properly back then.
But then... He does like him. He likes him a lot. He likes him so much.
He held his chest, feeling his heart beating. His chest is filled with that feeling for Wu Hai. His liking to him now has no barricade, no hesitation.
His heart is really open to him now.
Noticing Wu Hai had done washing up he too crawled out of bed.
Oh no... He''s embarrassed that he''s naked. He bent over to pick up the towel on the floor that Wu Hai threw away.
Wu Hai watches his bottom from afar, quickly turning his head aside while covering his face with one hand.
He''s really crazy. His desire welled up again.
Wu Hai looked at the walls and the floors as Shao Ai went to wash up. He sat down on the bed, in a daze.
Soon enough they both went to get lunch. It¡¯s really awkward between both of them, neither would look at each other¡¯s eyes. It''s Shao Ai who spoke first, suggesting to get lunch. Wu Hai just nods and walk alongside him.
It''s too awkward really.
Afterwards they went to walk around the market. Shao Ai went to buy some more food here and there. He really likes to eat doesn''t he.
Shao Ai passed on the fruit laced with sugar on a stick while averting his eyes.
The day passed quickly with zero conversation. And nothing happens at night too. Shao Ai feel a bit hesitant since Wu Hai had been avoiding him and he felt the distance.
Wu Hai slept sideway, turning his back to Shao Ai. Maybe¡ its just a one time things? Shao Ai thought. He doesn¡¯t know what Wu Hai thinks.
Shao Ai place his hand on his back, wishing for a respond. But Wu Hai didn¡¯t move. Is he asleep?
Wu Hai didn¡¯t sleep. He felt his touch on his back. And he feels guilty. He just¡ can¡¯t do this¡ And so he pretends to sleep. Shao Ai does not want to overthink and believed he¡¯s asleep. He too try to sleep as well.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
The next morning comes. It''s time to leave the capital city.
They would travel on different roads so, they would part ways at this moment.
"Wu Hai...". Wu Hai look over Shao Ai who had done packing his things.
He looked nervous at this moment, and Wu Hai too felt heavy in his heart preparing for the words that Shao Ai would say. He does not want to hold back anything anymore.
"I... I like you...".
Shao Ai had his heart racing so much at this moment. He wanted to hear his reply, and wants to know he felt for him.
He can''t even look at Wu Hai saying this. He feels so nervous, and afraid.
Wu Hai is not sure how to reply. He does not want to put too much meaning about what had happened.
But now...
Wu Hai did like him, but, he just, don''t feel that it''s enough to accept the confession or reply to his feelings or be in a relationship.
"Shao Ai...".
Wu Hai took a deep breath. He''s afraid what he would feel really.
"Sorry".
Shao Ai is still processing the word.
After 3 second, Wu Hai continued.
"I, only see you as a friend".
"I just get carried over...".
Shao Ai was heartbroken hearing the reply. Although, he had imagined different scenario, and its one of them, but still¡
¡°I¡ see¡ its okay¡¡±. Shao Ai felt really heartbroken. He thought, he had been one with him, and that they could be together.
He felt so heartbroken that, a tear accidentally fell from one of his eyes.
Wu Hai felt guilty seeing the tear. He felt like the worst scum on the planet. He never thought, he never thought it would hurt him this much. Why did you cry? Do you really like me so much?
He is not sure how to describe it. It''s not really a mistake. And it''s just that he indulged in his desire. He doesn¡¯t regret it at all actually, and he admits its the best thing he ever felt. But he''s not ready to commit or anything.
But now¡ he realises it¡¯s selfish of him.
Shao Ai already anticipates that it''s possible it doesn''t mean as deep as he wished it to be. But still... He wished Wu Hai liked him back and that wish is shattered.
However, he knows he can''t force things...
"It''s alright...". Shao Ai said it again. More to console himself really.
Shao Ai looked at Wu Hai and forced a little smile on him.
"Can we, remain friends...?".
Shao Ai had a fear in his heart that after this Wu Hai might stay away from him, or even treat him differently. He had to ask this.
"Hey... We are friends alright".
Wu Hai answered that to reassure him. It seems that Shao Ai is afraid he would stay away from him or something, he thought. He''s not that unreasonable. Although, he still felt awkward with him but there¡¯s no reason to unfriend him. He will always be his friend, he thought.
"Sorry...". Shao Ai muttered.
Wu Hai is startled. He doesn''t understand where that comes from. If anything, its him who should apologise. He felt even more guilty for this.
"It''s okay". He replies that automatically as he doesn¡¯t know how to reply to it.
But he''s not sure what Shao Ai is sorry for.
There''s a shadow in his heart. And his insecurity also comes from it. He felt like he might have troubled Wu Hai over his feelings. And that it''s him that somewhat seduces him and initiates things then. Perhaps it never meant anything. It¡¯s just him that, likes him¡
They both check out of the hotel and went to the stage station.
Wu Hai noticed Shao Ai seems down. His eyes are looking at the ground as they walk.
He felt guilty if he has to be honest.
But he''s just, not ready to accept such heavy feelings.
He felt solemn seeing him down like this.
As they are about to depart, Wu Hai says his goodbye.
"See you later, Shao Ai".
Shao Ai give him a little a smile.
"See you later. Bye".
He waved a little as he enters the carriage. He looks at Wu Hai going farther and farther away as his carriage move.
His heavy heart can''t bear it anymore.
His eyes went teary and let out a few tears. He wiped it quickly, emptying his thoughts and just stared at the road.
He felt depressed really. It¡¯s as if, he was happy and everything went down the drain right after. I liked him, I liked him a lot¡
As if the heaven hears the cry, the weather coincidentally becomes cloudy as rain fell.
The sound of rain is soothing to his mind, and the smell of grass after the rain also helps him sleep off the heavy feelings. It''s as if heaven wanted to ease things for him.
Wu Hai watched the cloudy sky while he travels with the merchant carriage. He took on a job protecting it meanwhile.
The journey is smooth for both of them as they reached their respective home. Wu Hai reached the dragon flame sect, greeted by the elders and seniors.
Wu Hai thought about Shao Ai. Right... Their distance is really far from each other. There''s like hundreds of kilometers distance from each other. And their paths are different.
And if he thinks about it, they seldom meet. It''s not easy to stay with him.
He shook his thoughts away. He starts to cultivate and practice techniques to return his body to his peak.
As for Shao Ai, he sluggishly opened the door to his home and went to sleep out of depression.
It just, it felt heavy really. He remembers that night. He wished he could stay with him. He missed him really. He wished he is here with him. He wished he could be in his embrace again.
But he can''t be with him.
Days passed.
In the evening, he took a walk in the palace garden. It''s open to the residence when the Emperor wasn''t strolling.
He looked at various flowers and herbs, sniffing them.
He remembers sniffing him... He had his face flushed red and felt embarrassed at his behaviour. It''s so embarrassing, he thought.
He smiled a little, remembering things. He could at least, keep the good memories and cherish them. But he gets depressed after remembering that, he can¡¯t be with him.
After days, the heavy feelings get lighter, and soon his holiday ends and he continue his learning as a doctor and also occasionally attends meeting with other scholars.
His busy schedule distracts him from his sadness. And over time, it does get easier.
...
Few months flew by. Through automatic cultivation Shao Ai had broken through to Peak Core formation.
Shao Ai wonders how Wu Hai is doing. He sent a letter, asking how he''s doing. In the middle of writing, he felt anxious if Wu Hai will feel annoyed at him. If, he should not ask how he¡¯s doing. He don¡¯t know what¡¯s right, remembering him letting a tear out from his rejection makes him feel afraid really.
Receiving the letter, Wu Hai analyze the words and sees its really just as friends. He replied it as a friend would, saying everything is as usual. He also adds something about his sect evaluated as a high sect and they recruited a lot of new disciples now.
Shao Ai feels glad to see the reply. At least, he felt that Wu Hai is still treating him like a friend. But at times he still remembers that night and recalled things. He can only keep it in his heart.
Wu Hai too, keep remembering it. In fact, every time he was pent up, he can only remember Shao Ai. Everything, each of him, kissing his soft lips, being one with him. How can he forget? At the same time, he felt immense guilt each time he remembers. It¡¯s as if he is lusting over him all this time, and yet he had rejected him already.
What is wrong with him? Wu Hai thought to himself.
Time flew by for both of them. Their lives no longer intersect as they both have their own path. Shao Ai also realized this fact later. That, it''s difficult to be with him even if Wu Hai likes him back.
At one point, Shao Ai decides to bury his feelings, along with the memories.
...
Chapter 12: Black Cat?
One day, while Shao Ai is strolling around his small personal garden, he suddenly sees a cute black cat. But it felt... weird. It''s as if the black cat is calling out to him while it''s looking at him from afar.
"Heyyy~ pspspsps".
As a person who has past life and memory from earth, he use the pspspsps sound to attract the cat. If anyone saw it they would be confused because the culture there doesn''t use pspspsps.
The cat actually went closer to him.
But suddenly, the cat opens his mouth and spat black clouds out from his mouth. The spherical bitter black clouds drop the ground, and as it dissipates suddenly a bloody and battered person appears.
Shao Ai is shocked and dumbfounded!
He looked at the cat, who was meowing at him, and his heart felt that he was requesting him to save the person.
As a normal person, seeing someone passed out on the ground bloodied, of course he would help.
He thought of bringing him to a nearby clinic or, give him to the royal doctor here since technically he''s not a doctor yet.
However, just as he tried to carry the person, he was startled by a voice in his head.
"Please treat him! And don''t bring him to anyone else. I beg you!".
Shao Ai looked at the cat in shock. The cat talks to him telepathically! No. This is cultivation world and spirit beasts are somewhat common technically¡ it¡¯s just he never met one that can talk like this.
"I... I can try...".
''I will give you a 6th grade spiritual herb if you can help him!''.
Shao Ai just nods at this. He never planned to ask for reward to begin with.
Taotie, one of the 4 Fiends- who''s disguising himself as a cat was at first shocked and felt incredulous seeing the power contained in Shao Ai after prying hard to bypass the seal on his body. He sees the bone age and the cultivation level, and he sees the prismatic core inside him. It''s too ridiculous he never has seen it ever since he was born into this world!
The life of his host also relates to his life. His host foundation is too damaged. While a normal doctor may save him, but he doesn''t think anyone can repair his foundation.
His host fought against powerful nascent soul elder and had to use a secret technique to only injure him and run away.
After his host passed out, he had to carry him to find help. He happens to noticed a mysterious aura nearby and went to see what is it only to see Shao Ai who had an aura of mystery.
He is one of the 4 Fiends- Taotie, the 5th son of the Dragon King; naturally he can see through Shao Ai with some effort. His status is the antagonist of the 4 Auspicious Beast, which includes Azure Dragon of the East and Phoenix of the South. From this the identity of Taotie is not simple at all!
Because of some humans in the past, he was sealed and weakened. Thankfully he met his current host who he made a partnership contract with when his host broke into the sect treasury.
The story is for later, what''s important is he needs his host to be saved and has his foundation repaired!
Shao Ai don''t think to much and carried the person to his house. He learned medicine enough and with his improved intellect and memory capacity and photographic Eye of Yin, he has to say he''s actually capable of being a doctor already.
Seeing the face of the patient, he''s surprised because he''s handsome.
Putting that aside he uses his chi to sense the extent of injury. It seems the internal injury is bad, with broken bones and injured organs. But it seems the bleedings are stopped by special means.
He sensed his meridians and dantian and is surprised at the extent of injury. How did it get this bad? He assumes he used a forbidden technique to explode his power at this cost.
His heartbeat feels weak but he''s not really close to dying or anything. But he would die if he is left like this for days.
After seeing the injury, he starts to work. He took off the blood drenched cloths first.
Oh no-
He had to care where his eyes are looking. The patient handsome face coupled with his hot sculpted 6 packs body is a bit too much. And that thing''s size is too much!
But as a professional and seeing the injury present, he quickly washed him and disinfected visible open wounds. He put on a towel covering his lower half, and used acupuncture to slow the blood flow on the large cut wound on his chest.
He disinfected a needle with flame and sew the open wound. As for other minor wounds, it''s already closed and he only applies ointment. He finishes up by bandaging his body.
He takes off the needles on him. He did what usually he would do for a mortal.
This should heal his bodily injury, but the dantian and meridians can''t be healed just from this.
He''s not a martial doctor and he doesn''t have techniques for this.
Taotie who''s watching waited for more action but there''s none.
"Try to heal his dantian and meridians too".
''Umm... I will try''. Shao Ai replied.
Well. He can only exchange his vitality he supposes. And maybe pour in his chi to see any effect.
Shao Ai held his hand and run his technique. He circulates the chi and pour in his chi into the patient.
As the chi and flow increase, the healing rate of the body is increased at this moment.
Under the pure and dense chi, the dantian and meridians have signs of being recovered but stops.
Shao Ai thought for a moment and stopped it.
He sat closer to the patient and place his hands close to his chest. He circulates chi again and felt the chi flowing inside the patient.
Feeling the flow, he mobilises the chi to concentrated in path around dantian and meridians. Under the highly rich, pure and dense chi supplied by Shoa Ai, the patient body reacts as the dantian and meridians surprisingly show signs of recovering little by little. Taotie who''s watching is surprised that such a simple method is able to kick-start the healing of them.
There''s no technique whatsoever. It''s just the chi is too special.
And over time, Taotie expression become more surprised, and then to shock, and then become dumbfounded.
Because as Shao Ai use his technique cycle of heaven and earth, he noticed the chi density around him is increased to a stupid amount!
It''s as if Shao Ai becomes a black hole and is swallowing chi from heaven and expelling the excess back out!
Taotie doesn''t expect this at all. What heaven defying technique is he using???
Taotie eyed Shao Ai with greed. If only he didn''t contract with his host, he would have made a contract with this guy instead. And once this guy grows up, he would swallow him and increase his own power! Surely, he can become the strongest in the world! Muahahahah!
He shook his imagination and instead used this chance to cultivate. No one in their right mind would miss this chance to cultivate under such high chi density.
Shao Ai sees the cat sitting in a loaf position.
Gasp!
A perfect 10/10 loaf with no paws or tail seen. So cuteee!
He shook that distracting thought away and focused on running his technique.
He starts to exchange his vitality little by little as well but focus the life energy on the dantian and meridians as it''s the most difficult to heal.
Taotie opens his eyes and is surprised again seeing the vitality being poured in.
Vitality related techniques are rare. But he never seen such efficient and direct technique! And there''s no side effects at all?
Usually the flesh would be eaten, your body would be decaying, and you would bleed from different orifices.
But Shao Ai look absolutely fine with zero side effects from giving vitality!
Unreasonable!
After contemplating, he focused on cultivating again.
Shao Ai continued for an hour.
Suddenly the door from one of the room opened.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The 14 years old girl is surpirsed seeing it. She''s the maid serving Shao Ai and handles various things in the house including cleaning, cooking and buying fresh ingredients each day. She''s a daughter of one of the servants in the palace.
"Who is this?". Gao Jia ask naturally. She knew Shao Ai is a cultivator and kept it a secret. But then she doesn''t really know what''s secretive about it because she doesn''t have a standard as what''s normal in cultivation.
She also sees a cute black cat in 10/10 loaf position.
"And this cat is so cute!". She went to try to pet it.
Before Shao Ai can explain, taotie interjected.
"Human! I will eat you!".
Gao Jiao was shocked to a point that she stumbled and fell to the floor.
"It talks!". She screamed in horror.
"Relax! He''s a nice cat! He won''t hurt you!". Shao Ai quickly pull her up and calm her down.
"Hey! Don''t scare her!". Shao Ai scold Taotie for talking and the first thing he say is to eat her maid.
"Hmph!". The cat just lazily walked nearer to the patient and sat down quietly.
Shao Ai explained the situation to her maid.
"Keep it a secret alright".
''I-I will''. She looks at the cat warily. Her instinct tells her it''s an evil entity. She even felt chill crawling down her spine. But then Shao Ai seems completely unfazed? Maybe it''s just her imagination she thought.
Shao Ai continued the treatment by circulating his chi. Until suddenly he felt a twitching from the patient.
The patient furrowed his eyebrows. He felt the comfortable rich chi and lively energy inside his flesh running through his chi pathways, meridians and especially around the dantian.
He wanted to just lie down in this state but he still opens his eyes and see his surroundings.
As he opens his eyes, he''s stunned to see a pretty unique figure looking at him. His hair is black and white, and his eyes are golden and violet respectively. The eyes are really beautiful.
He is in a daze for a while. Is it the afterlife? There''s such a fairy here?
And he realised this person''s hand is touching his bare chest.
He instinctively pushed the hand away, feeling embarrassed and tried to sit up.
Ack-!
He felt stinging pain all over his body as he fell back to the floor.
"Don''t move. You are hurt...''. Shao Ai tried to calm him.
Su Yuan also noticed the cat and the little girl. Gao Jiao also has a frown showing her worries.
"H-Hey it''s alright. I am trying to help...". Shao Ai said softly.
Shao Ai thought he was afraid he would harm him or something.
Taotie went to explain to him.
"Su Yuan, I brought you to him to heal you".
"It talks!?".
Su Yuan was startled and in shock. But taotie is weirded out. Why does he act as if...
"Su Yuan? Stop joking".
Su Yuan frowned.
"I am, Su Yuan?". Su Yuan pointed at himself. He looks at the cat; putting aside the bizarre animal and thinks about himself.
He can''t remember...
He can''t remember anything.
"Su Yuan, are you serious? It''s not funny!"
Taotie is anxious and swiftly walks over to him.
He slapped his head a few times with his paw.
"It''s me, Taotie! You found me in the treasury room! Remember you fought with the elder before?".
He keeps slapping his head.
''H-Hey-".
Shao Ai shows a worried look after hearing it. But the way the cat slaps his head is also funny.
Regardless.
"Su Yuan, then, you really don''t remember anything?".
''I...''.
He tried to remember about yesterday, or his parents, or himself, he really can''t recall anything.
''I don''t know''.
He felt anxious all of the sudden. Suddenly the world becomes a scary place where he doesn''t even know who he is, and where he can stay. It''s like he has no purpose, no origin, no family, no home, there''s just nothing.
It makes him feel stressed. Shao Ai noticed the deepening furrow.
"Su Yan. Just lay down and rest. Oh and... Don''t move too much. You are still hurt".
Su Yan realised his body is in pain. He frowned a bit and lied down. He forcefully moved his limbs and it hurts so much all over.
Shao Ai stood up and went to make some herbal tonic.
"Gao Jiao, can you fetch a low-grade healing pill and painkiller". Gao Jiao nods and scurry away.
Since he''s conscious he can take them.
Su Yan took the pills first and swallowed it. Soon enough he feels it melts as the essence rush into his flesh, feeling his body healing faster and eased a little.
He went to sip the tonic, retreating his tongue because it was too bitter. But he forced himself to drink it all. He feels warm and filled afterwards.
"Okay. I will keep circulating chi in you. Try to mobilise them as well".
''Mm...''.
Shao Ai placed his hands on his chest again.
He felt embarrassed honestly, feeling the soft palm touching his chest. But he swallowed that embarrassment and focused on the circulating chi. Somehow, it''s as if he knew how to do it by instinct.
He felt the energy inside him and mobilised the chi to surround his dantian, meridians, and through his flesh. It felt really good and he could feel the healing of his body.
"I am Shao Ai by the way. I am not a doctor yet, technically. But I know a bit about it. It seems we are about the same age...".
"And the girl there is my maid. She''s Gao Jiao". She nods at Su Yuan as well.
Su Yuan nods. But he can''t help but ask.
"Why, how did I get injured?".
Shao Ai looks at the cat.
The cat looked at Su Yan. And then to Shao Ai.
"I will talk to him privately".
Taotie said to Shao Ai. He just nods at it.
"Su Yan. You are injured by Elder Tingfeng. You are a member of Blood Sword Sect, you stole me from their treasury, you killed the young master of Eternal Cloud Sect, Kang Zemin to avenge your mother, and his father found out and chased after you".
Su Yan was startled hearing this. He frowned and was confused.
"You really don''t remember? Kang Zemin! Kang Zemin! You should remember that guy right? You always curse him even in your sleep...".
Taotie exaggerates it of course. It''s not like he is his ex for him to even mutter his name in sleep.
Su Yan frowned hearing the name. He felt his heart tugged a little bit he doesn¡¯t remember who he is. He shook his head to the cat.
"Sigh. Nevermind".
Taotie gave up. Anyways, he would recover his memory sooner or later anyways.
Shao Ai felt tired after exchanging his vitality overtime. But it''s not that bad.
Su Yan''s bodily injury looks closed already but moving too much might open it back. And mostly his dantian and meridians are still heavily injured.
"Can you move your limbs?".
Su Yuan tried. There''s mild pain and heavy feelings but he can move little. It''s just painful to move. And it''s like his body is not moving as much as he wants too. His meridian is damaged after all so his physical body connection is a bit off.
"Okay just rest alright? I will continue later".
Su Yuan nods.
"Gao Jiao, let''s make dinner. Oh and let''s make porridge for Su Yuan".
''Yes''.
Shao Ai was about to leave with Gao Jiao to the kitchen.
"W-Wait...".
Shao Ai turned back.
"Yes? What''s wrong?".
''I...''. Su Yuan is embarrassed at this point. His bladder is about to explode that''s why.
''I need to go to the toilet...''. but the problem is he can''t stand up.
"Ah... Umm..." Shao Ai is a bit shy himself. But he took a deep breath and calmed himself. He needs to act professional.
"It''s okay. I can help you with it. Gao Jiao, can you fetch a basin for him...".
Gao Jiao scurried away fast and handed over it.
"Umm can you move your hands...".
''Somewhat...''.
"Cough... Emm I won''t look okay...".
He lifted the blanket whole avoiding his eyes, positioning the basin.
Su Yuan wants to die out of embarrassment. He gritted his teeth as he moved his hands to position it properly.
Gao Jiao quickly went to the kitchen to prep first as the embarrassment might infect her as well.
Seconds passed.
"Emm... Relax... No need to be embarrassed...". Shao Ai knows he can''t pee easily like this.
Su Yuan took a deep breath and just release the dam. He wants to die. He felt like his dignity is gone and his life becomes meaningless now.
Shao Ai went to dispose of it before coming back.
"Okay. I will go cook dinner. Rest well. If anything, just call me". Su Yuan nods at him and just close his eyes. He wants to forget everything. Oh, my dignity...
"Su Yuan what''s wrong with you??". Taotie is really weirded out by the weird behaviour of his host.
His host is originally a cold vengeful person, cold and calm always even when he kills. He never seen this much expression for all the years he had been with him.
¡®I don¡¯t remember much¡¡¯. He answered the cat. It seems that the cat and him are friends from the way the cat is talking to him.
After some times delicious aroma filled the room. Taotie also salivates smelling it. Shao Ai come bringing a bowl of porridge and another bowl.
Taotie wants to order him to bring him food but before he could he is dumbfounded. Rice filled with only fried meat is placed in front of him. He can see the juicy meat in the bowl with no veges whatsoever.
He looks at Shao Ai, surprised that without ordering him he was brought food. Humph! Naturally, since he is the great Fiend. At least Shao Ai knows how to treat him well, haha!
He bites the piece of meat first. His mind was stunned and entered another dimension. The juices explode in his mouth. The umami infiltrates his system, eventually reaching the climax as he swam across sea of beefs.
Oh! Ouhhh!!!
He swallows everything fast. He never had proper meal since he come out of the seal years ago. Su Yuan never gives him proper food and always give him wastes. He can only find wild beasts to eat raw if Su Yuan didn¡¯t give him his leftovers.
Wuwu. This is the first time he ate actual food after years.
Shao Ai pats Taotie, feeling the soft black fur. It''s so fluffy and nice.
"Oh... So... Comfy...". Taotie was feeling the gentle pat he''s getting, feeling like he¡¯s in heaven, eating good food while getting pats.
Wait!
"Human! I am not a cat!".
Taotie was startled realising it. His face flushed with embarrassment.
He screamed at him, hissed and ran away. But he comes back and take the bowl of food away with him.
"Then what are you?". Shao Ai raised his eyebrow and had a little smirk because he seems tsundere. He''s pretty sure he liked being patted just now.
''Heh. I am a great being feared by many! I can devour you in an instant! Don''t test my patience human!''.
He said that with a flush in his cheeks.
Shao Ai furrowed his eyebrows.
"Hmm?".
Taotie thought for a second. He originally thought of pretending to be a cat. But then he himself revealed he wasn''t a cat. Bah! No matter.
"I am one of the great 4 Fiends! World Devourer, Taotie!".
Taotie proudly pat his chest with an arrogant look.
"Really??". Shao Ai said with an amused smile seeing the cute posture.
Taotie sees his disbelief and feels disrespected! He will show him a part of his power and instil fear in him!
"You dare look down on me! I will show you true horror!".
He opens his mouth and unleashes his technique, Devouring of All Things. Black smoke spirals out of his mouth and surrounds Shao Ai.
"What are you doing!?". Su Yan was horrified seeing the scene.
Shao Ai was a bit startled and ready himself to defend.
Shao Ai felt, a sense of spatial fluctuation and a power trying to pull out his essences and chi as the smoke encapsulates him. But it seems so weak, to a point that he can ignore it. A wisp of chi seems to be absorbed from his body into the black smokes but it''s really so little. If he did nothing, it won''t harm in in the slightest.
He used Yin and Yang Mirror of reflection technique surrounding himself casually. The power is blocked effortlessly. Although the smoke still blocked his vision.
This cat is indeed not simple, Shao Ai thought. Although his technique is somewhat weak, it''s surprising that the cat is a legit spirit beast that can use technique.
After seconds, in a flash the smoke is absorbed back into the Taotie.
Cough! Cough! He coughed out as he struggles to maintain his technique.
"No! Not on the carpet!".
Shao Ai frantically pinch Taotie''s neck and pull it away. It''s a habit from having a pet cat that occasionally throws up in his past life.
''Release me human!''.
He can''t use that technique for too long as he is too weakened currently and his cultivation level is only at the 4th stage. Not to mention it has no effect on him?
''How!? Why are you not affected!?''.
Taotie don''t believe it.
''Umm... I did feel something. A little of the chi seems to be taken away''. Shao Ai thought of remembering the feeling.
Taotie noticed the wisp of chi in his stomach.
He began to refine it into himself to see how it is.
"O-oh!".
The chi is so pure and dense, and its very effective at increasing his power! It''s too abnormal!? What kind of chi is this? Is he a dragon? Is he an auspicious beast? Why the quality is so unreasonable??
It''s just a pity there''s too little of it. He looked at Shao Ai with saliva in his mouth. If he only he could devour him wholly...
"Taotie, you shouldn''t harm people, okay?". Shao Ai had a feeling of ordinary people is under that technique they would be affected badly. Although he''s unharmed, taotie''s behaviour is really bad.
''Heh. I am Taotie, one of the 4 Fiends! Who are you to tell me what I can''t do!?''.
Hearing this, Shao Ai felt a little annoyed.
"You are at my house. Act like it. Otherwise stay outside".
''Heh. You can''t tell me what to do!''. He arrogantly spat out the sentence.
Shao Ai went to pick him up by the nape casually. Taotie is unable to dodge feeling some force and pressure locking him.
''Release me!''. Taotie struggled but he already used all of his power trying to devour Shao Ai just now so he''s helpless.
He was thrown out into a bush out the window and hurriedly tried to climb back but the window was closed.
"Let me in you human! Or I am gonna-". He screamed outside. Shao Ai ignored him completely thinking it was background music.