《Pinnacle of "Creation" [Original book]》 Prologue: Endless cycle of life Had I foresee the future, a grave mistake I made. Ended in sober, ended in pain. Pray to god and pray to heaven. The choice is for us to execute, but one mistake, and it will be your grave. Reincarnation 1... My memories intact, I saw the light again. My body too frail to move, an afresh sweet smile surfaced on my vision, one that I could never recall. My shock from my mind agitated my emotions, causing an unpleasant cry. Nevertheless, a warm hand touches my roseate cheek, it hindered my river of tears from flowing. My blurry eyes were ignorant. I never appreciated the person''s smile before it was too late. Maybe it was my past parents that walled me off, their memories too precious to lose, their smile wide for another seat. She died at the age of 52 from stroke, and I followed after. We died with no wealth to play, and no parents to blame. I died a single man, begging on the streets, broken and sorrow.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Hesitant and a closed heart was my downfall. Reincarnation 4... An unlucky number, according to my family tradition, and it was. After my first reincarnation, every time I died, the flow of time-reversed till the point when I first saw her smile again, it was always the same sweet smile. This wasn''t a blessing but a cursed. The cycle of time stuck between death and reincarnation 1, was a loop of tragedy. I had finally opened my heart for her despite my unbroken feelings for my past parents. As I said, this reincarnation was a tragic one, and it bloody was. "Fair is foul and foul is fair." I quickly learned that lesson. Those men played foul and took her away. She was never to be seen again. Reincarnation 47... I became the most influential and most well-known person in both real life and VR, but I feel like something was amiss. Maybe it was faith and real friends... An endless cycle it is, even I had forgotten how to count... In one of which my luck would shift, and I would succeed. You, my friend, will come with me on a bumpy journey and witness this miracle with me! Chapter 1: reliving life When I cease to exist in my last breath, a mysterious force rewind time back to the start. The age of 4. It was as if I was in a game that I couldn¡¯t escape, forced to restart and relive once more. Is it a curse or a blessing? It doesn¡¯t matter anymore. For whatever path it is, I¡¯ll dive in without hesitation. There it was, those soft angelic hands came to me once again, but I could never get tired of it. Those were the hands of a caring mother, full of love and full of life. This time I will remember to return the smile. She was a person whom I could trust, relied upon, no matter the pain and suffering, someone whom I will protect. Her name was Yu Yuan, and she is my friend, no, more like an elder sister to me. Yu Yuan, who was 2 years older than me, was the one that always looks after me, even negating herself for my own needs at times. We grew up with nothing but emotions, no parents, and no wealth. She always reminds me that both my parents were kind souls that should never be forgotten; maybe because they were the one who brought her in from her orphanage. Fate, I suppose. I could not inquirer any memory about my parents as every reincarnation cycle starts me off at the age of 4. The point where my parents were long gone. I had always insisted on the whereabouts of my mysterious parents; she, however, would never give a direct answer, simply replied with a smile: "I''m here to take care of you, don''t worry." It was also apparent that they had left me with a fresh, clean, crisp letter on my table. It was for me to read once I become literate; the contents wrote: "Behind the woods on the south, lies a polluted river. On the hour you turned 6, under the silky moonlight, the elemental essence of the sea would rise and sweep the river crystal clear. You must be brave, my child, dive deep in the lake where your soul would guide you. The unknown is fearful but have trust in us. There you would find the treasure of our inheritance. May faith be with you." A big part of the culture of this world is faith and destiny. They did not care whenever you would succeed in your task, they only cared if they had faith in you; the rest is up to fate. Unlike the world from my past, this dimension focuses highly on cultivation through long agonizing hours, at least I hated it. The only thing great about this world is the fact that it is technologically advanced and has a high density of element energy and the so-called Qi(life force) energy. The average life of a human is about 100 years without cultivation and the insanely long 400 years with cultivation. Some had even lived up to 1,000 years if you are at the top of the apex.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Although cultivation has been prevalent in this culture for hundreds and thousands of years, I warn you, it is about time it falls like an angel, elegant yet striking. The age of VR was about to rise up and take over the world in one fell swoop, and only one game has that power to succeed that. The rest? They would roll and splatter to millions of fragmented droplets of expandable memory, but that is in the future; what i have to focus now is to cultivate. One thing that many people wouldn''t expect, even me at first, was the fact that cultivation plays a massive part in virtually every VR device. The deeper flow state you are in would determine your reaction time and breakthroughs in or out of the game. Yes, a breakthrough. I am talking about the lifeline of every living thing in this world. Those are the rings that materialize from thin air at our backs when we are cultivating. If you are not a cultivator, the circle would never emerge or activate, and in return, you would never reap the benefits. When cultivating 2 key factors comes into play, the efficiency of absorption and the usage of Qi. People usually start cultivating at the age of 7, but the special ones can start at 5-6 like Yu Yuan, for example. Efficiency depends on the method of your cultivation and your spirit grade. Way of cultivation is pretty simple; it''s usually written on a manuscript along with a spirit that would choose the barer. Spirits are not inborn and have to be gained by agreeing upon a life contract of the spirit''s terms. Only after death would the spirit be released from a life contract. Humans are too weak to cultivate without a spirit. Although I do not have a spirit currently, I can harness the elemental power in the air for magic spells, everyone can do magic to a certain extent. The only downsides of magic are memorization of chants and mana fatigue, a condition where the user''s mental capacity has reached a point where they are unable to control a particular spell. This downside is why magic never took off in the first place, but to me, it opened up a whole new dimension of fiddle with. Magic is decided by the mind and chants, both of which I can bring over to another reincarnation and exploit. Now all I have to do is find a spirit to cultivate with. My sister, Yu Yuan, cultivates in the evening till morning. This pattern is similar to many other cultivators as cultivation would replenish the same way as sleep while having the benefits of long term cultivation; that would also be the most ideal time to leave and start my search. "Li Bai, staring into the wall again? What do you want for lunch?" Yu Yuan spoke sweetly as she hugged me from behind. "Yu Yuan, I want meat bun for lunch!" I replied as I played along innocently. "Call me big sister or I won''t make it for you, hmph!" She bounced back with that attitude of hers. "Yes, Yes, Big sister," I replied with a slightly teasing voice and a big fat smile, it''s fun sometimes to mess around with her. "You-" Her face turned brick red and stormed out of my room. It makes me giggle every time. After all, innocents don''t last forever, might as well enjoy it while I can. After dinner, I sat around doing nothing, she wouldn''t even let me help her with the dishes; acting like the strong woman she is. "Li Bai, I''m going to cultivate now, don''t leave the house, alright?" Yu Yuan shouted before she heads to her room and shut off. Of course, as the loving brother I am, I''m definitely going to be disobedience and leave the house. A watch on my hand and a hand out the window, I quietly sneaked into the forest of the west. There I would be able to find my first targeted spirit. Chapter 2: Thunder dragon of the south When you hear the word thunder, you feel a sudden shock on your body. When you hear the word dragon, might is what comes to mind. What laid right in front of me had both that name but does not fit the description with extreme disappointment. Standing right in front of me is a single fist wide insect with sharp aerodynamic glistening wings that sprouts out lightning arcs from time to time. It also had a big cute eyes and a long thin mossy body, a dragonfly would better fit that description. I know what you are wondering, but that is called a thunder dragon my friend. Do not be fooled by its appearance, however. The name may be said for a laugh by the nearby residents, the original people that name it was no fool. In the future, a lucky soul would claim it as a spirit for fame, only to realize the true dragon form of this immature dragonfly is terrifying yet priceless. The dragonfly may be at its weakest stage right now, but the disastrous environment created by it proved otherwise. "Child, why have you come here?" A serene voice spoke out. I pointed at the dragonfly as it speaks through telekinesis. "You want to play? I''m too dangerous to play with you, you should go back now." It shook its head and replied with loneliness. "I''m here to here to claim you as my spirit." I spoke firmly with an undertone voice of seriousness, a voice unfit for any child. The dragonfly was taken back my unfitting tone, it gasp, holding on to it''s breath tightly.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "You can''t be serious right?" Fear rain though the monster''s vein, it slowly answer with cracks in its voice. "I''m serious!" This time it was a voice with happiness. The choking atmosphere vanished like thin air. I looked at a charred but sturdy tree at my side, clearly, the monster wasn''t able to bring it down and all I did was point at the tree alongside a half second chant. An ear breaking screeching of a radio and down the tree goes in half, I turned towards the dragonfly and all I saw was shock and terror in its eyes. Gulp- "What do you want, spare me!" The dragonfly said as it begs for mercy. I could feel the desperation in it. I paused for a moment before laughing, "When a monster officially becomes a spirit. It is they who creates the rules, and now look at yourself. Look, I am not a devil, I''ll give you reasonable terms." "Thank you master! Consider it done." The monster said with a sigh of relief. "You become my spirit for this life and I''ll help you achieve your true form, we will split it 20/80." "20% of cultivation for me?! That absurdly little!" Rampant the mouth of the little insect. "Hahaha, you are on death''s door and you are complaining?! You should be lucky, having me choosing you, plus the fact that I gave you 20% meant that I have high hopes for you! Most of the spirit I would accept in the future wouldn''t even get 10%!" The little insect monster almost fainted. "With my cultivation methods even the best of the best would not be able to reach anywhere close to it." I said with extreme confidence, is if I had already produced results. The dragonfly was awestruck by my confidence of a 4 year old, it reluctantly wrote the life contract without complaints. The moment I vowed to accept the terms, my cultivation begins, my first white ring started to form, turning like clockwork before stopping. "So you are already a C grade?" I spoke with surprise, this has never happened before, every time he, the dragonfly, was a D grade an average grade that most cultivators have. I guess there was something I did this time that undoubtedly made the dragonfly a grade higher than it should be. I mean every reincarnation I don''t walk the same step, just the same path, even then, a small step would produce a drastically different outcomes in this world, especially at the later stages of life. "Yeah, I didn''t know why, but I was able to breakthrough in a short amount of time a new achievement!" He boasted energetically. If in a single day, I was able to make such drastic changes there is no tell, where I will be going from here. "Grab your stones and we''ll head back." "Yes, master!" He said with acknowledgement. Chapter 3: Will you marry me? It was still midnight, looking at my spirit holding orange (D grade) and green (C grade) cultivation stones. Like big gems, the reflection of the stones are mesmerising. Cultivation stones, formed through a process called crystallization and elemental fusion, the name itself explains the rest. "Let''s start cultivation now, put the stones in front of me." I said solemnly "Wait, but you are too young to cultivate, your arteries would only rupture!" "Trust me" "But-" he knew he couldn''t change my views so he only nodded with a hint of loneliness. Sitting in a lotus position, hands open to embrace the Qi to my veins. My mind focuses on the slightest movement of Qi. My white ring formed once again, turning tick by tick like a mechanical clock. Suddenly, dense amount of Qi moved through my veins like a machine gun, knitting my bows, I suppressed overflowing though fine adjustments of my palms, the entryway. With high efficiency I used the Qi to strengthen my heart, then my veins, my bones, my organs and my skin. I feel a sense of familiar enlightenment, my white ring started to glow immensely, illuminating my room for a moment, it finally stopped. "It''s only been 6 hours and you had a breakthrough, that efficiency!" my dragonfly spirit had it''s jaw drop to the floor, it was petrified by fear but paralyzed by exhilaration at the same time. I looked at my simplistic sparkling metal framed window, it was sure that Yu Yuan placed a ton of effort in cleaning my room, then outside the window. The moon engulfed by the mountains escaped from sight, the sun slowly rose in her place as she sleeps. The sound of fowl calls, brightens the empty campfire sky; alongside the fowl, the birds chirping merrily and the tree rattle in harmony. Flower buds bloom as the intricate sun''s ray seeps into the crevices of the petals, creating a bed of thick flowers. At such a scene I couldn''t help falling asleep. Awaiting for the arrival of Yu Yuan''s voice calling for me. Moving through time, roughly 1.5 years later, the day before I turn 6 years old _____________________________________________________________ Beep beep! "Did fall asleep again?" I mumbled to my drooling self. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Year 2057, month 2, day 15, 11: 46 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Written strikingly on my clock, it''s hard to tell that it is actually the year 2057, when everything looks very similar to our world in 2019. Minor difference like bigger and better quality of a TV and the lack of a calendar. The clock has become a multipurpose device of our day to day life, everything from music, temp, date, WiFi, virtual assistant, audiobook, light switch could be found in a simple 12x10cm clock. The fact that everything is automated says a lot about our laziness.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Me, my mysterious parents and Yu Yuan live in an average villa type house, not the floating ones on the air that cost a ridiculous amount, just a simple villa. We are, after all, not rich to afford those floaty devices, nor too poor to be forced to live in the slums. Yes, slums still exist, but for varied reasons than my past world; in this world slums are given to those who believed in the concept of extreme minimalism. Slums are not crowded with corroded metal sheets and smelly feet, it is instead a small piece of land with a man made cave owned by a minimalist, usually. Those people are off the grid and therefore unable to connect with the rest of the technologically advanced society. Think of them as a caveman that like to cultivate. In this world the population of humans only reached 6 billion before plateauing; paired with massive floating lands on the air, land on this content is pretty cheap. Furthermore, the people of this dimension are similarly advance in their perspective regions, that also means, not a single region has been underdeveloped and therefore have massive population forced to cope with famine and starvation. This world is not without its flaws, politics and power dominates this world; without a democratic system, corruption are more bound to manifest in the minds of people. Ring! "Oh, looks that the bug is here." I said with an evil smirk "What do you mean?" Dragoon, the nickname I gave to Thunder dragon, questioned asked as he sprang up into the air. He seems to have forgotten the fact that I''m not as innocent as I seem to be. "You''ll see, let''s go!" Without waiting any further, I rushed towards Yu Yuan. "What is it big sister Yu, you don''t seem so well?" I asked with a smile "Li Bai, if anything happens, run alright?" Her face looking a bit sick "Why?" I asked daringly "Just listen to me." Her face turned serious. "Uhm..." The door slammed open and a 10 year old kid wearing sharp gentleman''s clothing walked in, accompanied by 2 tall titans wearing black suits paired with black glasses. "Miss Yu, I''ve come to pick you up," he said as he combed through his short gelled brown hair before holding out to offer to Yu Yuan. "Please accept our young master''s gratitude, Miss Yu" the two titans bowed deeply. "Wang Yong, I told you already, I will not become your fianc¨¦!" Yu Yuan said with a forced voice and a boiling face. Proposing at such a young age, kids in these world. "Miss Yu, it is the consent of your foster parents, an arranged marriage" "I will never agree to such marriages. Furthermore, how would I know if you are not trying to fool me into accepting a marriage?" It was clear she was about to erupt very soon, if I don''t stop this. A deep voice from one of the titans,clearly impatient: "Miss Yu, we have a signed contract from your foster parents, and we can assure we are not pulling- Ahhh!" Both the titans were sent through the window and out of the house. "Less talking, come back when you become stronger." I spoke in a monotone voice. Wang Yong did not fret nor back down, he is a brave soul, too bad he picked the wrong person to mess with. "I suppose you are Yu Yuan''s younger brother, I didn''t know you are this talented in lightning magic." Wong Yong spoke with courtesy. Power speak for itself, as the dominant the rule, everything comes second. "6 years from now, we will spar with Qi, the loser will have to be obliged to do 3 things the winner propose." "Only Qi and no elemental magic? Winner gets to propose anything, including taking your sister away from you?" Wong Yong asked with a twisted smile, he knows he won''t be taking Yu Yuan away today but he is going to repay the shame I induce on him in the future and he can''t wait for that to happen. "Yes" "Li Bai, don''t you''ll get hurt!" Yu Yuan screamed from behind, with worrying glassy eyes. Wong Yong said provokingly: "You may have caught my guards off guard today, however, in the future I''ll make you pay 10 folds for today''s shame! "If you can!" I returned with a smile, and we both parted ways, back facing back. After the door slammed, Yu Yuan gave me a tight hug from behind, refusing to let go. "I was my fault that I pulled you into this, as your big sister, I''m really sorry..." She slowly spoke into my right ear; I could feel droplets of salty tears flow down my neck. I barely patted her and replied with: "shouldn''t you be happier, the fact that your brother is talented in elemental magic?" I guess she is too worried about any of this, my heart could melt at this point. "But... the agreement." "No elemental magic right? Don''t worry, it''s not like he would stand a chance against me either way." I said with a wicked smile it is obvious she could not see it from behind or else she would have been shocked. "He has 2 C grades spirit right now, with his talent, there is no doubt he would reach B grade rings along with his spirits in 6 years." Her endless worry and sorrow would not be good for her health to endure. "How about this? Let''s make a bet. If I win, you would have to marry me in the future, hehe" This should brighten the mood. "Wa-" she couldn''t finish her words before turning completely red like a tomato. "You can''t marry your sister!" She yells, before breathing hardly. "We don''t have the same blood remember?" I teased her. "Li Bai!" Those were the words that echoed around our house for the day. chapter 4: frozen time On the same night, I lay on the coarse dirt beside the murky lake, looking up at the big bright cookie moon that hung impossibly low. I whiff the scent of an earthy perfume brewed by mother earth. Slowly but surely the moisture from the grainy ground would seep up my clothes, causing a patch of nature''s elements to be eroded and deposited to a new unfamiliar ground. Speaking of new, a spectacular sight upheds my attention, sewn in silver linings above the crease deep blue fabric, the river. Warm like butter, cold like ice, the mating season of fireflies has come and so does the freezing winds of the night. One after another, seemingly out of nowhere, bright yellow light floats like angel bobbing like a buoy, up down, up down. They came from the forest behind the trees, a land of magical fantasies. A reunion, a party under the moonlight shadow. They came, they reproduce, all because its their job, their instinct, their lust. Then it came. The river stops flowing, the fireflies stopped partying. They took their eyes of their friends and loved ones; in union and fashion, they formed a ring, one that guides your eye without words. Enticed by the scene, my eyes fixed, the water below started to shine. Brighter than the sun, whiter than fluorescent lights, something magical happens. The water begins to rise, no, it soared through the skies, creating a waterless circle in the middle of the frozen river. Rumble The ground shook softly, the pillars of rock fills the desolate night. It floats sharp like an icicle, a truly dangerous sight. Time may have stopped, but time does not cease to exist, in void or in frozen time. Enjoy the sight not, I dive deep in the ring. On the surface lies a thin plane of glass, without hesitation, I crashed through it with might. Under the shattered glass was not hollow, it was aquamarine crystal clear fresh water, illuminated by natural illuminating rocks. I closed my eyes, not because I fear the beauty, instead it was to embrace it more, through my heart and my soul. This was a time that I truly felt free, free like a bird, unbounded by the chains of this world. For where I wish to go, I could with imagination. For whom I wished to be, I could with enough heart. A place unrestricted by all, imagination, creativity or emotions. Good time flies, and before I knew it, my eyes pry open, I snapped out of my fantasy. Dark, cold, unlighted brick hallways, stretched infinitely. Looming heavy air filled the hallway, one by one the sconce lit up. It still doesn''t change the fact that it''s piercing cold, like a breeze in antarctica.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "Dragoon would be in shock if he was here, it''s unfortunate spirits can''t enter." I continued walking down the endless hallway. You weren''t given a choice, you had to walk the hallways for hours on end to eventually realise, this is nothing but a well made illusion, one that could make a person trapped in this vicious cycle and go insane. The key to breaking any illusion is the mind and realisation; no one can stress how important the mind is, that is why I very well give my respect to elemental magic users. After breaking the illusion, you will find yourself in a room brimming with treasure and cultivation stones. Greed, one of the deadly sins of life, this room is nothing but a trap, you can only pick 3 items from this vast array of treasures that each sits on a pedestal or else the exit would close and this place would be flooded with water. Obviously every contraption has its flaws but I''m still too weak to abuse it yet. From the array of treasures I chose the following 3 items. A magma cultivation orb, a scroll and the most valuable item here for me is the void blood orb. Let''s start with the magma orb, this orb is actually very unsuited for my cultivation as it is used by fire user. Cultivation is only supposed to be about Qi right? Well no, harmony plays a key part in this world; therefore it is safe to assume, element is another key player in cultivation, just used in a varied way from magic. Qi is invisible to our naked eye, unless you have the true eye, there is no way you are able to visualize Qi. Those sparks and colours thrown by cultivators are actually elemental energy that resides with Qi when cultivating. Basically, magic controls the elemental energy in the air with mind and cultivation takes in Qi and faint amount of elemental energy inside your body and enhance your physical strength. This also means no flashy moves like magic, disappointing but extremely versatile. So what is my cultivation element? Mainly dark currently, but light would also be added in the future, becoming the first dual elemental user in cultivation history. I picked magma cultivation orb to sell at a bid for extremely high prices even before creation gained popularity, especially true when the right bidder is on stage. Void blood orb chosen for my cultivation, the blood orb not only massively help with my cultivation, every orb specialize in strengthening one specific part of cultivation; this orb for example greatly increase my intake of Qi in future cultivation and the amount of Qi I am able to hold in my body. However, unlike the magma orb, which is for fire element, orbs that are non-basic, dark and light, are a double edged sword. If you succeed, you would gain more diverse and stronger enhancement. On the other hand, if you fail great repercussion like being cripled, emotional unstableness could happen, and in the worst case scenario, death or even becoming a demon. It is not worth for most cultivators to take the clearly unfavourable route of cultivate a non-basic element, but to me, the extra strength is definitely a plus. I am, after all, reincarnated. The last item is a scroll, and a demon scroll at that. Demon scroll, as one would expect, gives you strong demonic powers, but it also harms you; mainly being weak for a few precious months. In the fast paced world, every day is precious enough, let alone a week, but it will come to use soon. I walked towards the exit, a white light envelope me. Before I knew it, I was already laying down at the same damp soil. I looked turned to my side, dragoon was sitting there as if nothing had happened, as if everything that just occurred to mewas just a dream. "Master- why-y are you staring at me like that?" "Nothing let''s go" "I though we are about to go to a secret locationto grab a few items, just like you said?" "It''s already done..." "what do you mean? We haven''t move an inch in this place for the past 3 hours!" pulls out the void orb and smiled. "where do you get that?!" Chapter 5: elapse of time "Master, give some insight to this little one." "Of what?" I replied with a giggle. "The items, It wasn''t there before..." Dragoon''s face was full of curiosity and bewilderment. It was as if he had predicted this was going to happen, yet was not prepared enough to combat his own excitement. You could feel a sense of pride in his begging puppy eyes of delight. I had to tell him, tease him just once more. When you imagine the once king of the south, apex of amongst the best- you will come to a realization that even they had times of pure innocence in their hearts. We tittered back home with light footsteps, chatter was of the past. I recorded an audio message that would play once Yu Yuan opens her door. The message goes like this: "Dear Sister, I have recently signed a contract with a spirit and I shall commend on shutting myself for cultivation. There is no need for food to be kept for me as this would be a long session. Please do not worry about me and focus on your cultivation. I have grown and I am able to take care of myself now. I do not wish to find you lacking behind because of me. Work hard Sis. Love, Li Bai" A bit long but this is at least what I can do to support her without giving too much away, now is not the time yet. She''s a person who works astoundingly hard in the shadows; her effort, masked by her loving smile that made even the harshest times sounds like child''s play. I had doubt the effect of love why too many times, too many times to count even. A mistake. She questions nothing but place on a heart melting smile every time she heard a good news. She didn''t care about my success, my methods, only my emotions. There wasn''t much I could do other than letting time flow and do its job while I cultivativate.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Back on a lotus position in my room, a void blood orb on my hand and high grade cultivation stones surrounded my meditative position. I started to breath in slow heavy intervals. I feel pricks of sharp thorn digging deep in my veins. Like a heavy lance thrust at my hand, it pry opens unknowingly, the orb, however, had its bristle roots deep in my veins. A network of unlimited enchanting steroids would be a better term to use. From the main roots formed agonizing sub-roots that felt like stinging barbs of a jellyfish. I clenched my other fist, grinder heavily of my teeth; trying to stay conscious on the very edge of my mind. If I fail it''s over. I''m done for for life. On the very last of my consciousness, the world seems to be turning round and round. The blazing sun rocketed from the east before tumbling down the west. I feel a rill opening up all over my body. As time flows, the rill turned to a stream, a river than the gushing of a forceful damp and finally, it turns to an unruly ocean; bloating my veins, stretching it in something known as vasodilation. My entire body turns turgid, my ears were muffled and my mind went blank. I had taken the risk to use the orb this early, because I had a gut feeling that I would succeed. Everything seems to be going too well, as if I was destined to succeed this time... Ah, well, I guess I''m going to be reincarnated once again... This is taking way too long, huh? I feel a familiar light in this deep darkness, a sense of clear mind, a sense of enlightenment and freedom, untouched by the tainted darkness of this world- a breakthrough! In this void black world of my mind, lit up a ring of elements that surrounded me. In this cold desolate part of my mind broke out colour. Although it only covered a few meters or so, it definitely made me calmer with more confidence. I had never once conquered all said 9 rings of cultivation- the so called ascension of life, remains in the endless ravine of the farfetch history of gods. "Master, don''t die..." Sobbing could be heard ramming on my ear drum. Well, at least he is loyal. I calmly stood up and walked towards the clock. ---------------- Year 2063, month 4, day 6, 6: 56 ---------------- "Master, I thought you were dead..." He clings tightly in my right leg. "You wouldn''t be in contract if I was dead. It''s been 6 years already, time sure flies." "Master, you were asleep for two entire years... Dragoon missed you..." If spirits had tears I believe he would flood this entire house with it. "Two years?" I replied with a jagged tone, followed by a gulped of saliva down my thorax. 2 years of unconsciousness, this has never happened before. Anyone who was unconscious for more than 6 month in cultivation would already be considered dead until the point of no return, let alone 2 years! Speaking of which, I can''t believe I''ve cultivated for this long. If I had cultivated 3 year later as scheduled, it would only have taken me 2 years to make a breakthrough with my method of cultivation. Does this mean it isn''t worth to cultivate early? I''ll keep that in mind for my next reincarnation. No, there has to be some reasons for this. The more I thought about it, the more I suspect it to be the truth. "I''ve made became a B grade spirit, all thanks to you, Master!" Interrupted Dragoon. "As expected, let''s check my cultivation ring grade." A ring steadily materializes and started to spin,but this time like a car engine''s temperature gauge, much smoother than a clock. "Purple- impossible, a grade A ring! You''ve made a breakthrough?!" Dragoon shrills with a cramped face, throwing his courtesy out the window. "That is to be expected from your master." Teasing back. He was speechless... It didn''t matter, however, I was more concerned with the extended cultivation time I wasted. Speaking of wasting time, I should be hurrying; after all, Creation has already been released. Chapter 6: business done right I opened my door, a blinding light strike my dilated pupils, my eerie dark room was lit once again. I saw Yu Yuan, a girl who I have not glimpse for 6 whole years. There she is all grown up, I pains me to watch her delicate brows frown, clutching a letter in her hand, all crumpled and squashed. Her slick moon shadow-black hair glistening, slices down her back like a veil. Exquisite delicate long brows extended outwards, shadowing her beautiful chocolate eyes. Her glassy eyes, reflected my figure; she was lost, worrying. Little invisible beads cluster at the end of the sharp eye line, once it has amass enough, it will tumble down her rosy cheeks that guarded beside her dianity nose. She notices me, turning ever so slightly to cover her affliction and guilt. Her cherry lips were covered by a thin layer of blood red lipstick that matched her skating skirt; it flattered as she slowly traipse towards me. She wrapped her arms around me softly as if I was a precious vase, easily broken and lost once again. I could smell her natural fragrant lavender scent that envelope the air around us. I returned the embrace that took her by her decanter shaped waist, which was exposed by her fine angelic white silk made cropped top, it was one of her favourite tops. "Sister Yu, it''s been six years, I''ve been logging your embrace..." I spoke with tears of joy as I clutch her cozy hands. "Li bai, I thought you would not make it." She said as if a heavy weight has been lifted off her shoulders. "What do you mean?" I questioningly asked. She presents me with an irreversible crumpled paper. My eyes glued to the paper, I secretly gave an evil grin. "So the invitation came, I guess it is almost time." "There is no need to do this for me, I can handle him myself." she responded worryingly, something, guilt perhaps, ached in her heart. "To wait for them to take you away? There is no need to worry, he isn''t much of a problem anyway." I said with utmost confidence, before glazing at her shocked face as I walked out the door. "Where are you going?" She yelled as she was snapped back to reality. "To do what a man does!" I returned the favor! Had she responded or not, it did not matter, what is the most important now is to sell this magma orb. "Master, you mentioned about selling the orb but to who? You are basically invisible in this world."Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! "Do not ever underestimate your master!" I told him off with a jokingly harsh voice. "Yes, master!" like a puppet, he responded well, in obvious praise and faith. Between the dimly lit alleys that even the faintest sunlight would flee. The roughly made cobblestone pavement that sprouted overgrown moss was time worn and eroded down to its raw material. However, in such a lost alley, a man shrouded in mystery paced back and forth as his tough fabric robe fluted like the wind. I walked closer and catch a glimpse on his face, he was a warrior, tough and rough. He had a beautiful scar that runs down his right eye resembling a river or the flow of feng shui. Although I clearly wend in his path of sight, but it seems that something on his mind was more important than his vulnerability to unsuspecting danger. I pulled out the magma orb straight at him, stopping him right at the track; he, however, nudged it off and continue pathing, a very dangerous move. I had never seen him like this, I struck him with some of my fierce elemental magic. I only chose this because I didn''t want to expose my uncomparable Qi level to this clearly stronger fellow, in addition, it also makes me look stronger than I really am. The man finally took notice of me, he was jolted by my unfathomable art of elemental magic. "What brings you here, young man" He voiced with courtesy and respect. "You seem to be in a tough situation, by any chance you need this orb?" I utter slowly, displaying the miracle of the forsaken magma orb. "Where did you get that?!" He yelled with effort, trying to masked his flabbergasted emotion, which he distinctly failed to do so. "From where matters not, if you want it you can, but it would come at a cost." a deep voice echoed out my mouth. "I''ll do anything, I need that orb." He was desperate, but he knew he could not just snatch away from this kid that possess profound elemental magic, there is no telling the limits of this child. It is never a wise choice to offend a future big shot. Many lives has ended because of it, even their loved ones would be pulled down, let alone someone he can''t guarantee be able to hunt down even at his level of cultivation currently. "I need money, how much are you willing to offer?" In times of uncertainty it is best not to expect the same result from the same scenario. If there was something I have learnt from many cycles of life is to question the uncertain and impossible. "3 000 000 Yuan, that''s all I''m able to offer! That''s all I have! Please, I need it to defeat that bastard!" He responded urgently and in anguish at his losses. People make decisions through emotions and that is why urgency sells in business. When you are at the verge of desperateness, anything seems less painful if it is a means to survive and fight for more. The exploitation of urgency meant that people would even pay triple for if when they had not been eager to have something by choice or not. "4 000 000 Yuan, deal?" I was persistent in raising. Although he had expelled that he would pay 3 times more than last reincarnation, but as a businessman, we will squeeze out every penny of a person, even if it by inhuman means as long as it abides by the law. Law here works about the same as the ones I had on my very first world, which I will refer as, pre-cycle world. Of course you could break the rules here, only if you have enough power to break the alliance of many strong clans, that is. "That is a ridiculous amount, you are trying to rip me off, plus I only have 3 000 000 Yuan currently." He retorted with a boiling face. It was humiliating that he was making a deal with a child, let alone getting swindled by a child. He was at his limit. "How about this way, 3 000 000 Yuan would be paid now and 800 000 Yuan would be paid in the next year?" "Over the next 4 years, deal?" "600 000 Yuan over the next year, this is your last chance take it or leave it." I said with an affirmative tone as if the deal had already been settled. "Fine." The man said bluntly while biting his lip, hard, he had no choice, he needs it now and he is willing to throw out his future just to live another day. Whatever the source of his desperateness may be. "It isn''t so bad after all, 500 000 Yuan every month, now sign it for the transaction to complete" I said reassuringly as I pulled out a pre written sheet. "You-" The man knew he was scammed, he could have brought the price down but he accepted this price and there was no going back now. He signed it reluctantly and we both exchange goods. Now, money would pour in my virtual bank account every month. I''m settled for money in the real world for now. I gave a grin before vanishing from his sight like a flock raven. Now that''s business done right.