《The Strongest Magical Beast》


 Chapter 1- A Birth of A Rising Star PR

    Chapter 1- A Birth of A Rising Star


    Edited by: Watermelon


    The jungle, a place beyond cruel where there are no rules that protect the weak and the weak is to be consumed as food for the strong. A place where there is only the relationship of prey and predator. The strong hunts the weak while the weak groups together to fight the strong. A law that is never to be broken.


    The jungle is a place full of variety and vibrant colours. The greenery and the lush bush makes it a perfect environment for the animals to continue their daily life. Like every other day, the jungle is filled with liveliness of the sound of the animals. The high-pitched, hoarse cawing of the crows sound out as they happily find another carcass to feed on. The eagle flies in the sky like a death god deciding who¡¯s life will be ending today. The jungle is all normal except for this family.


    Somewhere deep in the jungle, lies a cave large enough to house 100 men, within it was this female tiger,with pure snow white-fur and black stripes. She was in her final days before she was ready to birth her children. By her side, was a tiger with an aura of dominance,a king guarding his beloved and future cubs.


    Surprisingly, unlike any other tiger species, this tiger species acted more like a pack. A full 200 young and old tigers were together. A notable thing is that all of them had fur so white and pure that it looked like the untainted first snow that descended during the winter. All the tigers were happy that their queen was pregnant. The humans called these tigers the white tigers.


    One of the traits of the white tigers was that they had an unparalleled whiteness in their fur. Due to that reason, the greed of humans caused them to hunt the white tigers for their pelt to make into high quality clothes. This had also led to the white tigers banding together to repel the humans.


    Finally, the day had arrived, the female tiger was in labour. The female tiger gave her final push and a litter of cubs could be seen. At the same time, the tiger king was experiencing a mix of emotions. He had two sons, one perfectly normal while the other looked very weird. The tiger king had never seen a variation before. Along with two daughters, there were 3 white tigers and a variation.


    The Variation POV (Bai Hou¡¯s POV)


    Urgh! I can finally see the light. A sudden contraction of the inner muscle wall pushed me out. Feeling a bit weak, dizzy and tired, I looked up. I saw this majestic tiger looking down on me in disgust. I wondered what was wrong. I compared myself with him only to find that my fur was vermillion red while his was pure white. I racked my tiny brain and found the answer. Surprisingly, I am quite intellectual but I did not care. Anyway, I was tired. I feel asleep.


    The first two weeks were indeed boring and sad for me. My siblings always push me. Looks like they were banding together to bully the abnormal me. Luckily, there is mother to stop them. I feed on my mother¡¯s milk and sleep most of the time. Quickly, a month has passed. Father quickly isolated me from my siblings as if I am like a plague. Despite all of the differences, my mother never failed in giving in all her love and attention to me. She taught me how to speak in the tiger¡¯s language, her name, my father¡¯s name and lastly my name. Since I am different, I was given a lot of free time. There was no need for me to train as I was not a white tiger so I would not be hunted. Therefore, most of the time, I roam the jungle myself.


    Today is the first time, I am in the jungle by myself. As I walk through the jungle, I notice a weird-looking animal. It has six legs with a sleek black-coloured body. My interest gets the best of me. I eat it and it tastes funny and the body is crunchy. I spit it out wondering what is wrong with this animal. Bai Po, my mother who was watching from the bush snickers a bit. I am then told that the animal is called a spider.


    The six months are a good time spent together with my mother. With her, I have learnt the art of the predator. I learnt what animals could be eaten and what could not. I can still recount my first prey that I had slain. It was a messy fight. I hid in the bush waiting for the rabbit. As it closed in, it probably noticed the vermillion colour of my fur. It shrieked and jumped away and the ambush ended up as a failure. With no other choice, I have to pounce onto the hare. Sadly, it ran faster than I expected. I nearly caught it with my paw by a small margin of difference. I sped up to it and used my powerful jaws to snap the neck of the hare. Never would I have thought that my jaw strength was that strong. The bite not only killed it, but tore its neck apart and the blood spread everywhere. My mother who was standing at the side just smiled at my hunting experience. Since then, I started to hunt stronger prey like deer, boar and even snakes.


    Every now and then I return, I find no comfort in returning into my den. It has a sense of loneliness. No one seems to pay any heed to me nor has anyone treated me the way they have treated my siblings. Even other white tigers¡¯ parents do not allow their cubs to go near me at all. And that is not all, Bai Ping, my elder brother bullies me and dad does not even say anything to stop his antics.As for my two sisters, Bai Jing and Bai Hei are neutral towards me. I was taking a nap when I was woken up by a commotion. I then headed off to my mother to find out what was the matter that was causing such a huge commotion.


    It appeared that a huge number of humans were entering the forest with the intention of killing some of the animals to be kept as trophies. The humans also happened to have news about us, the white tigers. They came to this jungle prepared to kill some of our kind and tame some of us just for the furs. This truly infuriated my father, for the humans, our nemesis had come once again to hunt for our kind. The whole pack was called together for a meeting which seemed to exclude me. As for what they had discussed, I had no idea. After the discussion, we used our superior and keen sense of smell, we tracked them easily. We patiently waited like a professional hunter watching the unsuspecting preys having the time of their life. Slowly, the sun descended. Finally, it was show time. The fight and ambush starts. The sly humans had arranged traps at unsuspecting spots causing us to suffer some losses even before the fight has started. What¡¯s worse is that the sound of the traps activating had alerted the humans about our incoming attack. The essence of surprise was gone.


    Lei Yer¡¯s POV


    I am Lei Yer, a seasonal hunter. I have hunted for seven years as a source of income. When I was planning to travel to the main city to lead a safer life as a trader, I noticed that i was still in need of some gold to achieve this dream of mine. It was then that I saw this notice that caught my attention, 50 gold for a reward! What kind of job could it be? I read the itinerary and quickly understood the reason for the extravagant reward. A hunt for the white tigers! I quickly signed up for it. The reassurance for my safety was significantly boosted as I heard that there were two cultivators joining in on this hunt. What are cultivators? Cultivators are said to have power easily rivaling 10 men. They could easily decimate a city with their might if provoked. Basically, a cultivator was a being that had transcended the limits of a normal human being, whether it be speed ,strength or longevity. Although the cultivators may be lower leveled, they still had techniques that could be used to attack multiple targets at once.


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    After that, we set off to the jungle following the lead of a jungle ranger. By dusk, we had almost covered all the trail to the white tigers. We settled down and set up our camp. A bonfire was created. The hunters drank their booze and made merry, after all, they would soon be rich. The party was ongoing when one of the traps was activated. Following that, more and more traps were activated in succession. An attack! Even when the hunters knew that there was an enemy attack, they could not fight back as the effect of the booze is kicked in. Sluggishly, they drew out their swords despite even having trouble standing still. Those people were bound to be killed in their drunken state. Even in a moment of crisis, they were still talking rubbish.


    Luckily, these people were only the minority. Most of the others were in their conscious state. What shocked us was that the white tigers came to us rather than us going to them. Now, at this moment, a fight broke out. Men versus beast. The beast being superior in strength and speed obviously held an overwhelming advantage over us. One of their kind could take 3 of us at once but it was not like they were immortal. Our swords could still do some shallow cuts on their skin. One by one they were dying. I noticed that there was a vermillion coloured cub. It just stood there doing nothing. I noticed that this was a huge chance. Making minimal movement, I closed our gap to a mere one meter. I then climbed onto a tree and after reaching a considerable height. I concentrated all my energy into my leg and made a big leap. This is of course to make use of the gravity to deal a fatal blow to the tiger. It noticed my presence and jumped towards me. I failed to perform my lunge as he bit onto my sword the caused it to snap. The snapped blade propels towards my throats. The sharp ends pierces through my throats and it hurts. I am going unconscious. AARH! I know, so this is how I die. It is so uncool to die by my own blade.


    One of the cultivators¡¯ POV


    ¡°Martial brother, what are we going to do after this hunt?¡±


    ¡°We shall go to some sect or city for a few years and try to elevate our realm to elementary first¡± said the martial brother.


    Attack!


    ¡°What is with this noise, let¡¯s go out and see shall we,¡± said the martial brother


    ¡°I agree,¡± I said


    What I saw outside was a total lost cause of a fight for the humans. Using what we have learned, we cut the air at a speed that a normal human is incapable of. This in turn sends out a projection of air sharper than a blade in the form of a crescent. The two crescents sent by us has altogether killed 50 white tigers or more. The white tigers upon noticing that we are a threat compared to those wimpy humans, spread out more as they are wary of our skill. However, that was our intention all along. One by one they come and attack us. What we did not expect Is that they are quite resilient and strong drawing more stamina than expected.


    The Variation (Bai Hou¡¯s POV)


    There are two weird man who performed some technique and so many of our members died. The situation called for a drastic change in plan. More tigers engage on the two weird men. Of course, we are just ants in their eyes. The slaughter of my tribe goes on for a few minutes and I begin to see fatigue in them. In the end our superior numbers will prevail! That was where I was totally wrong. One of the men screamed like a mad man and unleashed a stronger crescent of air. Shit! I was unable to dodge it. Bai Po, my mom pushes me and takes the deadly blow. In the process of it, I was injured while mom gasped her last few breath and told me to stay healthy and try to understand my father. Enraged, my family killed that man. The other tigers are angered with the death of their queen and go berserk. All the human were killed except for the cultivator. All the tigers charge at him. Continuous crescents are unleashed killing all except me. Tears dripping down from my eyes. ROAR! The cultivator finally gave in to his fatigue and slumped down but I will not give compassion to a man who killed the whole white tiger pack.


    I pounced on the tired cultivator and tore his neck apart. Then,i was at a loss of what to do. The whole pack just died. I had lost my sense of direction and goal. Hunger then took over my thoughts for the moment. I then tore into the cultivators and found these two odd beads in their body (dantian). I played with the beads for a while. Feeling that nothing was wrong, I eat them. My goodness, they were so hard that my teeth nearly shattered like glass. The pain deeply ingrained itself into my mind. While my mind was still receiving the shock of the pain, the beads found their way into my throat and went in. I choked for a while and then I felt my body being odd. I was burning in heat but there was no fire.


    I collapsed as I could not withstand the heat. After hours, I woke up only to find myself covered with black liquid and it stank. Furthermore i discover that i was faster and stronger than before and i could feel this familiar energy within me which made me feel good and strong.


    I was just about to move but I needed a new change, a new name. I named myself Rancer and I was pleased with that name. Whoosh! A human came. I braced myself even when my instinct told me that I could never win him. ¡°Sigh! I did not expect to be that late but still, luckily you are fine. ¡°that human said. He then changed himself into a shape of a tiger and his skin was so similar to mine.


    About 6 months ago


    Somewhere


    Dugo¡¯s POV


    I was doing my usual job as an overseer. Then suddenly, my red globe shook violently. What did this mean? A descendant of my super, ultra powerful bloodline was born. I could not believe it as it was stated in the laws of the Heaven that the more powerful ta person was the harder it was to birth a child. This was to maintain the balance. Therefore, my children the half-breed were not as powerful as me and could never use my divine abilities. As usual, the purity of blood dwindled and suddenly this artifact of mine detected the birth of someone like me, the second kin member of my species which would be able use my divine abilities. With a flip of my hand, the dimension distorted and I went to the plane.


    For 6 months, I searched and searched until I reached this forest and I could smell the stench of blood. Not good. I hastened myself and when I reached, I saw the one of my kind. ¡°Sigh! I did not expect myself to be that late but still, luckily you are fine.¡± I said. I transformed myself and said, ¡°You can call me your grandpa from now on.¡± That kid exclaimed ¡°Ehhhhhhh!!!"

 Chapter 2- Grandpa Dugo and Me With Lots of Info

    Chapter 2- Grandpa Dugo and Me With Lots of Info


    Rancer''s POV


    It has been a chaotic day. First of all, every one of the tiger pack die all except me and then something beyond comprehension happen before me that left me baffled. A human which then transformed into a tiger that had an almost similar fur colour of mine said that I should call him my grandfather. I mean like I have never heard of father talking about grandfather before. Could it be.....? Immersed in my thought, with my ''angel'' and ''devil'' side make their appearance and started their debate and give me a lot of conflicting ideas. So, should I trust him or should I not.


    All of a sudden, someone yank my tail and spank my butt. I roar by instinct. I mean like I am the mighty tiger where almost all animals bow down to me like a peasant. Therefore, it is an insult to a tiger to be yanked on the tail and spanked on the butt. However, somehow this person was so skilful to do it like a human. A human! It can''t be...


    "Snapped out it, will you?" Grandpa Dugo asked.


    "Grandpa Dugo, did you do that? It''s rude and you hurt my pride as a tiger." I answered with my tiger eyes. (My puppy eye version)


    "Okay, I promised you that never do that again but you should know, my grandson, pride can kill a person. So, what do you want to do now, my boy?" Grandpa Dugo asked.


    "I am no boy. I am a man, Grandpa. Grandpa, can I follow you?" I asked.


    "Haha! You called yourself a man. I am pretty sure some manly tears of yours was about to break free from your eye, just now. Wanna go on a journey with your grandpa? Grandpa is quite strong you know." Grandpa Dugo answered.


    "Yay! A journey with Grandpapa. Lalala!" I hummed in a good mood.


    Grandpa Dugo''s POV


    I watch my cute grandson humming in joy. Still truly acting like kid when he heavily insist that he was a man before that. I do truly pity him for losing his parents in such a young child but now that I am here, I can try to give him the love that he needs.


    Next, I should instil some common sense into this grandson of mine. I should broaden his horizon about the world that there are much more powerful beasts and human than him and I know the pride of the tiger in him would not let him take it easily. However, I got just the right technique to convince him. How? That''s pure simplicity. I will bribe him with food. Muhaha! I am such a good grandpa. I bet no grandpa would have thought of that.


    I took out some human meat and allow him to feast on it. While having our lunch, I wonder how I should begin it with. My thoughts of my train is interrupted when the grandson of mine ask me a question while munching his food. "Grandpa, how is it that this human meat smells more fragrant and tastier than the previous human meat that I have tasted." Rancer asked.


    Ding! Ding! The lightbulb of my thought shine brightly and that where I can start with. I straighten up my backbone and make a slight cough indicating that I am giving an important message like an old and wise elder. With that, I started my narration about the cultivation world and the mundane world and of course any story will have to start with a history. After all history was what made the current us. Let''s begin with the history, shall we? I take it that you said yes.


    It all happened a long time ago and no one can remember how far back it was dated back to. Who knows, maybe, billions, trillions years or more. It was at that time where the Great War 1 occurred. It was truly devastating and one hell of fight. Chaos and disorder were everywhere. Every species which included the mightiest dragons except for Gods were hiding and praying for the nightmare to end. The Gods''s devastating abilities and power had laid waste and until their salvation had arrived.


    The one and last standing God end the war with him being the last true God left. God was truly sad about the effect of war had on the other species especially the humans. Being the weakest, many of the humans died in the war as victims and could not protect themselves. With God''s grace, God decided to bestow abilities and method of cultivation to the humans. The humans were thankful for now they had the abilities to protect themselves. However, that all soon change.


    Greed and huge ambitions took over the humans. Fractions were formed which turned to kingdom and empire. Each kingdom was racing with each other expanding themselves and annexing each other. This has caused many beasts lost their home. God felt grief for the abuse of power of human and once again tries to balance out the things by giving cultivation manuals to he beasts as well. This had further cause chaos and finally, God devised a plan and created 585 separate planes. The first 512 planes are for the mortal, the next 64 for the immortal, later 8 for pseudo-god plane and finally the last plane for his new home.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.God then created a set of rules to maintain the order and anyone who violated the will of heavens will be punishable by death with the disintegration of one''s soul. The most important change is that no one could travel from one mortal plane to another to protect the weak.


    With that, years passed on with the rise and fall of genius, sects, kingdom and empire. With that, the history time is over. I am glad that my grandson was listening attentively.


    Like any attentive student, he raised up his paw and asked the stupidest question,


    "Grandpa, how do you know it is true." I faceplamed myself and explain," If you reached to peak and extreme level, you will know the truth of the world. Just maybe, God will grant you his audience." I answer. "Okay, I got it," he answer.


    He just took the fact straight away, such an innocent kid. Oh yeah, speaking about the meat, the meat are from human cultivators. As you see, humans are bound to use chi pills to enhance the speed of cultivation and not all are able to be absorbed to the body. The remains will be stock up into the body with result in such fragrance and delicacies of the cultivator meats. The meats are the almost the best.


    "Grandpa is planning to send you to an academy to study and cultivate" I said


    "I am the mighty tiger and no tiger need to study and study is boring." Rancer answers.


    Hearing his answer, I try to tempt him with something and said, "Are you sure you don''t want?" I try to confirm with him.


    "Yes." Rancer says.


    "That is sure a petty, I am quite sure that there are quite some beauty. Those tigresses will be some masterpiece and too bad you cannot get to taste them. Buhaha!" I laugh.


    Hearing my words, Rancer''s ear twitches.


    "OH, no, grandpa, you definitely hear it wrongly. I am quite eager to go actually just that I am too shy. Come let''s go. I am quite sure there are waiting for me." Says Rancer while starting to get delusionised.


    I then warned Rancer, "Granson, you should not get cocky as you are actually quite weak. Don''t say the guys, any pretty tigeresses can casually end your life in three stance. Quite dangerous for you to think you can tackle any of them."


    I then continue by giving a thumbs up for the thought and continued," Even I used to think until to think like that until I met your grandma. She was definitely one of a kind and sure she was wild. What a bliss it was. Remember this grandson, never to have any mate more than one or all hell will break loose. Pity that friend of mind. Even I have to salute him, he has four or them. Imagine all these four jealousy driven creatures craving for his attention. His nightly session stretched all the way day and night. Sadly, after ten thousand years, he died as exhaustion caught up with him. Sigh! Just imagine shooting out your essence like nobody''s business. Luckily, in his dying years, he had compiled the legendary manual while trading his life with it. The manual was truly incredible. Even your grandma was truly satisfied and even want to..."


    Phew! Luckily, I cut down the speech and who knows whether it will become a R-18 or higher. I took out the legendary manual and put it into an interspatial ring and gave to my grandson. I warned him to only use it when he found the chosen mate.


    Rancer''s POV


    The history lesson is interesting and then the mating thing, I partially understood it and from the look do grandpa''s face, it look like it is something that bring that much of joy. Later, grandpa tell me that I am only at 1 stripe and 1 star. The beast ranking is universal that each star has 10 stripes except for 8 stars. The higher he number of stars the stronger one is. If both of them have the same number of stars, the stripes will determine the power difference and of course, there will always be an exception.


    Grandpa tells me that he will personally train me to at least 2 stars and 5 stripes before sending me to a sect. I feel sad for we may have to part after our encounter but grandpa reassures me that he will visit me at times. I am overjoyed and started our boot camp for my training and also for the first time someone besides is caring for me. Since, I am born different from my family, I have not much interaction for I am an abnormality. The only person that truly understand me is my mother despite my differences.


    The only thing that gives me hope to continue this road of cultivation is obviously because of the cultivators¡¯ meat and also because of another thing that Grandpa Dugo says. If someone becomes really strong, one can demand a wish from the God and that includes revival of the dead person.

 Chapter 3- Cultivation

    Chapter 3- Cultivation


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    I am now following Grandpa Dugo on a journey. There is one thing that Grandpa Dugo teaches me is meditation. Meditation is the most prime way of increasing one¡¯s cultivation level and the strength of the soul. I am about to give up as I cannot feel a hint in the chi in the air until Grandpa Dugo reminds me of my conviction in reviving my mother. It is frustrating but I cannot believe my conviction is that low. For mother, I need to improve and become stronger.


    With my new-found conviction, I strengthen my willpower and enter the meditation mode. The meditation technique is a bit disturbing as the posture requires me to stand on both my hind legs. After twenty minutes or so, I can feel it. My pores with minuscule opening is trying draw chi from the air. When I feel like my body has reached my limit as I am incapable of absorbing any chi. I then move on to the second posture which is by lying down with my belly on the ground. While relaxing, I concentrate the core in my body in purifying the chi absorb and making it mine. It is then do I know that the core in the body and my bead are called dantian.


    Just as I finish converting all the foreign chi and assimilate with the rest of my chi in my dantian. I notice that my dantian, previously from the size of a bean has increased to the size of a ping-pong ball. Upon seeing that I have finish converting my chi, Grandpa Dugo then tells me that the level I am now is 1 star 1 strip which is the weakest ranking of all.


    The 1 star stage has a few names to it. For an example, it can be called as the cleansing stage or expanding and shrinking stage. This stage is the stage where any living beings has to go through during the path of cultivation for it is this stage that any living beings will breakthrough its shackles from an ordinary mortal and become a cultivator. The reason why it is said so is that during this whole cause of this stage, the cultivator¡¯s body will expel a certain amount of impurities for every level they reach in this stage. That is why when cultivators cannot breakthrough the first stage, they cannot called themselves a full-fledged cultivator in the martial art world. The removal of impurities from the body has plenty of benefits such as the increase in speed, strength, stamina, eyesight, reflex and also enhance the chi paths. Basically put, this stage is to prepare the cultivator to channel their chi through the chi path. This stage is also called the expanding or shrinking stage is because at this state the dantian will always expand to the maximum and then shrinks to the minimum size upon breaking through a level in the stage. Experts believe that the act of shrinking the dantian when breaking through the level will expel the pure, filtered chi toward the chi path and pushes out the impurities in the body through the pore.


    A day has passed since then. It is so taxing not on the body but rather on the mind. I cannot believe this is just the first day and I still have to do it for many years to come. I walk and then use the sharp nails of my paw to cut the grass-blade. I collect some more and then head back to our base camp. I scatter the grass blades evenly and then I doze off.


    Grandpa Dugo¡¯s POV


    I can never forget that sadness deeply hidden in his eyes. Deep down I know that he miss his mother a lot. I guess I should make some plan to bond us together more for this might be just the best way to reduce the pain. After seeing him practicing so hard, I nodded in satisfaction and watch him until he falls asleep. After knowing that he has fallen asleep, I decide to plan the next leg of our journey. I guess I should train him here for a year or so before we head off somewhere.


    The sun then rises showing its radiance to us telling us as if it is time to enjoy the day. Rancer, my grandson then continue his meditation for a while. Now! It¡¯s time to test his conviction and self-control once again. I take out a slice of human cultivator meat and place it in front of his nose. I can see his nose twitching, his lips drooling, and he is also swallowing his saliva. I then give it another push as I summon a small flame and cooked the meat and then fanned the meat to spread out the fragrance. The result is as expected, my grandson can no longer contain his impulse and just dive for the meat. He is enjoying the meat until he comes into realization that he has been tested.


    ¡°It is not fair, Grandpa Dugo. You know that I like the human cultivator meat the best and you are using it to tempt me.¡± Rancer says it in a grumbling manner.


    ¡°Haha, I know but I just want to test out your conviction and grandson, here¡¯s your next lesson, try to control your impulse.¡± I say.


    With that, once in a while, I will test his self-control and after 3 months, he proved to be that he has the self-control. For his cultivation progress, he has reached 1 stars 5 stripes. This is probably due the innate talent the Vermillion tiger has and also due to his conviction.


    Somewhere around the time where Rancer has managed to keep his impulse in check, he asks me why he cannot use dantian to cultivate.


    I then answer like a wise sage, ¡°It is true that using dantian, one can complete the first stage in months but such a great speed comes with a price. Using dantian will mean that you are using someone else¡¯s chi. As a result, you either need to convert this chi into the normal chi in the surrounding and then to your own which will take much more time compared to your normal training or one can choose to directly absorb that chi into one¡¯s own dantian. Doing the second way will greatly impaired one¡¯s future cultivation as this stage is all about building a foundation. So, what will happen when you try to build a foundation using the standard metal and mixing some rusty metal, obviously, the foundation is bound to collapse in time. The same applies to cultivation. Therefore, in this situation, one need to melt the rusted metal and then smelt it to its designated shape.¡±


    HeHe! ¡°Grandpa Dugo, I do not understand the part about the metal thing,¡± Rancer says while laughing.


    My God! How can I forget that this grandson of mine lives his whole life in the jungle? He is what the humans called the country bumpkin. Looks like after our one year training, it is time to give him some exposure towards the civilizations and humans. That will also be a good way in learning that not all human are evil.


    ¡°You know when you eat the human cultivator meat, it tastes good. So what will happen when I add an animal meat in between, obviously, it will taste bad and you will not want to continue the meat right? So this is what it mean, you must maintain a homologous and same thing all the way and not try to change the things the way they are.¡± I answer in more a simple answer.


    Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Okay, I get it, grandpa Dugo,¡± Rancers says with a smile.


    As expected of this gluttonous grandson of mine. He can be a gourmet king if he wants to but I will never allow it. He must be a strong cultivator like me. Haha! I laugh in my mind. After that, I pass him a bracelet to him and tells him to wear it. Upon wearing it, the layer of light wrapped around him and then he turns into a human. He is surprised for how can he turn into a shape of a human. I then tell him that the bracelet is what is keeping him into his human form and he can change the human form according to his will when he reaches to the level of 4 stars or 5 stars.


    When he is in his human form, I have added another regimen of training besides meditating which is to learn the art of swordplay. Every day, he has to perform 200 times of thrusting, swinging, lunging, and slicing with the wooden sword. I can clearly see his bored face as he has passed through this regimen of training for a week but I warn him this what he has to give up in return for immerse power.


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    It is that day when Grandpa Dugo decides to give me this mysterious bracelet and calls me to put it on. I give a suspicious look at Grandpa Dugo at once and then put it on. A marvel happens as light particles congregate towards me and the next instant I appear to be in a different framework. I look at my hand which was previously has changed to delicate little fingers like the human. I dash to nearest lake and have a clear look at my face. I have a vermillion coloured hair, black eyes and an almost V-shaped like jaw. I notice that I am at a height of 0.9 metre making me look like a six year old kid. When I am busily checking my human features, I seem to be bothered by the sly laughter of my grandpa. My instinct shivers telling me that something ominous is going to happen.


    My instinct do not fail me in this matter. Grandpa Dugo trains me in swordplay. Great. Now, every day, the only sanctuary that I get is a good night sleep as for it is the time where I get to rest both my body and mind. After that I learns the essence of swordplay through the hard way which is by duelling with Grandpa Dugo. From there I know that no matter what you use do in a fight, maintaining a sense of balance is essential. I also learn how to shift the centre of my gravity to maintain my balance which teaches me how to see the flaws of the enemy¡¯s attack. By seeing through the flaws, I can disrupt their centre of gravity which then disrupt their sense of balance and that can prove to a fatal move to defeat your enemy.


    It is then when I reach one year old. At that time, I learn a marvellous word called birthday. It appears that the human creates such a word. Hmph, humans, just this time, you did a great job but I will never forget your bad deeds. During my birthday, I am treated like a king by Grandpa Dugo. There is no training at all for the day. What a blissful day it is. The best part of the birthday is that I get present and yummy meat cooked towards perfection my Grandpa Dugo. I unwrap the present and I find a sword just perfect in size and also for my body size.


    It is that night at my right hand, a vermillion colour like a flame is produce without my control. I panic. Grandpa noticing this situation quickly comes to my aid and explain to me that this exactly normal and tells me to relax. The vermillion colour like flame then vanishes into thin air after thirty seconds or so. Grandpa Dugo tells me that I have awakened one of the innate skills of a Vermillion Tiger.


    Afterwards, we proceed with some test. Grandpa Dugo took out some stones and just instructed me to touch the stones. Upon touching one of them, I could feel my inner core shook like a giant trying to uproot a tree. My soul resisted to the pulling force. It is a frightening experience and I am told the reason for feeling so because it is the soul that determines the elemental affinities of oneself. After testing with a few stones, the test concluded with some good results.


    One of them is the lightning affinity test. Lightning decent down from the sky and destroy the stone upon contact when I touched it. I was told by Grandpa Dugo that I had godlike affinity for lightning and that made Grandpa Dugo truly happy. Grandpa Dugo''s carelessness had also caused him a slip of tongue. He told me that Vermillion Tiger is born with top affinities with earth and fire which in turn makes it talented in the arts of alchemy and blacksmithing. Grandpa Dugo was feeling triumph as he found out that I had talent for enchantment. Grandpa Dugo then proceeds by taking out some items to choose. A banner, a painting, a token, and many more mysterious stuff that I cannot identified. I then pick up the painting and Grandpa Dugo just nods and does not say anything. That is weird. He then goes on talking about the grading system of the affinities of one element. It starts off with nil, low, bearable, moderate, high, top, peak and lastly godlike.


    After all of the dream like celebration, I have to go back to my usual routine of cultivation. As a year is approaching since I have follow Grandpa Dugo, my cultivation has reaches the peak of 1 star that is 1 star 10 stripes. I can no longer proceed cultivating as if something is clogged blocking me from further cultivating. I seek advice from grandpa as this is the first time I have ever felt such a thing. Grandpa Dugo tells me that this phenomena is known as bottleneck. As a cultivators, all are bound to face such a situation. To break through it, there are a few ways which includes using cultivation pills specialised in breaking the bottleneck, seek enlightenment, just get lucky or patiently wait. After finish hearing all of this, I try to seek enlightenment for a week but fail to gain any. Disappointed, I walk along the stream looking at the calm river and notice that I have been rushing all this time in cultivating. I should take it slowly. Upon reaching that conclusion, rumbles can be heard. My dantian sends out the pure chi again and the impurities is removed. I have break through the 1 star realm. Now, I am a 2 stars 1 stripe cultivator. I take a bath at the river to clean the impurities that gives off the stench. After cleaning up, I tell Grandpa Dugo about the good news. ¡°Good, let¡¯s pack up and head towards a village settlement, tomorrow,¡± says Grandpa Dugo.

 Chapter 4- Duston Village

    Chapter 4- Duston Village


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    When I first tell Grandpa Dugo about my news in breaking through the 1 star stage, Grandpa Dugo then tells me to that we are heading to a village. There is no way Grandpa Dugo does not know that I despise humans the most. I hate him. He is the person who understands me the best after mother and yet he is bringing us to a place that is filled with the humans I meet. However, I do not show any signs of displease for maybe he does have something arranged for me. The night ends with less sleep for I am felling anxious about the journey of mine. Endless probability can happen; I just hope that Grandpa Dugo does not die.


    The next day we exit the forest with less resistance than expected. I wonder what happen in the forest for such a phenomenon to occur. After exiting the forest, there lies in front of us is a sign board saying, ¡®50km to Duston Village.¡¯ Not long we have reach, Duston Village. The first thing that is see is the spaciousness and also a slight hint of desolate as if the heaven does not permit any life signs to continue living. However, obviously this is not such a case. The main reason lies in the lack of contact with the outsiders. This has in turn probably make it hard for the humans to train in any martial arts or either their martial art techniques are too weak which resulted in them unable to protect themselves from the magical beasts¡¯ attack. It is indeed an eye-opener for me as I never expect that the humans can be weak and fragile like this.


    ¡°I hope that this will give you a better experience in knowing that just like the animals, humans too have the strong and weak people. Good or bad are usually more of a perspective things. Therefore, how one judge that the person is good or bad entirely depends on oneself. So, give in a thought about what I say,¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


    Hearing Grandpa Dugo says so, I give it a deep thought and conclude that I should observe a bit more before giving a judgment. After walking for a while, I notice that there a couple, one young and one old. The young one should be the middle-aged man¡¯s daughter. The father appears to be in a grave situation. A long sword cut can be seen from the shoulder-blade all the way diagonally to somewhere near the kidney area. He is bleeding profusely and is lying down. He wriggled and bends to one side and tries to comfort his crying daughter. I wonder Grandpa Dugo can do something about this man as I know the pain of losing one¡¯s love one. ¡°Grandpa, can you do something to heal this man?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Well, well, I am quite surprise that you are asking me to help you. Okay, I help him,¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


    I watch Grandpa Dugo approaches the injured man and motion the injured man to stay still. After a second, a small congregate of light gathers around Grandpa Dugo¡¯s hand. Grandpa Dugo¡¯s hand move in a motion following the sword wound. I cannot believe I am watching a miracle for the wounds are slowly closing up and now the sword scar is barely visible. After the father¡¯s wound is healed, I cannot fathom that the girl is still crying. Is there a problem in saving this man or not? I squat down to level ourselves and to have an eye to eye contact. The curious me then asks, ¡°Why are you crying when your dad is healed?¡±


    Jeslyn¡¯s POV


    It all started off the noble war. It was one of the worst wars that the human kind had faced in the century. Millions upon millions die for their own respective noble. Nobles annexing one another to wrest the other nobles¡¯ power and land. The noble that lose would be dead while the females of the lost noble''s family or followers will be used as prostitutes and the males use as cannon fodder for the next war. The fight was indeed terrible. The fight went on till there were about 10 nobles left and it was then when my father was starting to lost the war as 3 nobles agreed to send a portion of their armies and did a pincer attack on my father¡¯s army. Knowing that he would lose, father gathered hundreds of his best soldiers with his family and tried to escape this disaster.


    The disaster, we escaped but later did we know that spillover effects of this war had sown chaos and disorder everywhere. Bandits were everywhere. One upon one soldier died as we continuously encountered a successive waves of bandits. I could still deeply remember the one fight that had caused my mother¡¯s life. It was that night when an unexpected ambush from the bandits came. Arrows showering to our area. Worse still, our rations and materials were burned by the fire arrows. The morale sunk to a new low some soldiers began to desert the group. The brutal fight was a first-hand experience that was seen from the first person view rather than a third-person view. It was truly different and this experience had put up a toll onto my brain. Stiffness and immobility occurred as my mind was unable to accept such a reality as for all the other fight, the fight was usually ended by the scout or my vision was blocked by my mother. ¡°Dodge, Jeslyn!¡± a familiar person¡¯s voice shouted. I snapped out of it only to notice the bandit brandishing his sword towards me and our distance is less than a meter and I know that my weak legs had given up on me. It was time for me pass on to the afterlife. I shut my eyes in preparation counting, 1, 2, 3?


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    Noting happened. I then opened my eyes and saw that my mother was on top of me. Understanding what has happened, I shivered and cried non-stop. The fight has ended as the bandits had all died but I had lost my mother in this fight. Before, passing away, mother gave her red ribbon and tied it to my hair. Giving her last smile, she collapsed with her heart never pumping again. The fight with the bandits were getting lesser as we walking out of the jungle but the death toll among the soldiers is not staying still. Some died from excessive bleeding while some died in the lack of food. All in all, the only one left was just my father and me. Supporting him, as the previous sword wound had reopened, we finally reach a village. Laying him down, I tried to seek help from the villagers but they declined as they had neither an alchemist nor a powerful practitioner here in the village capable of healing the wound of my father. Upon walking back disappointed, I noticed that my hair is moving loosely. The red ribbon given by mother is gone. I walked back to my father¡¯s side and started crying. If it was not for this war, I would not have to suffer such things. I wanted to blame my father for all of this as if he did not participate in this war but rather choose to escape earlier on, we would not have been such a precarious situation.


    After then, a boy around my age and an elderly walked. Feeling dejected, I had already fully given up in asking in the elder. It was not like asking another person can actually change a situation. However, such thoughts was proven wrong as father did indeed heal back. I still continued crying as I will never find back the first and also the last memento belonging to my mother.


    The child then squats and asks me for the reason for I am still crying. ¡°Mommies¡¯ ribbon is gone.¡± I says while sobbing. The boy squats there and is pausing. Then, he draws out a sword and remove a vermillion colored ribbon from the hilt and says, ¡°Is this okay?¡± ¡°No, it is not good. It is not mommies¡¯ one.¡± I replies. ¡°Just think of it as it is,¡± he answers. I do not think that this boy actually understood the importance of the ribbon but I can see the sincerity of him in trying to help me. Reluctantly, I nods as I do not want to him feel bad for not being able to help me. Who have known that the nodding has cause a misunderstanding? He actually thinks that I am nodding for him to allow him to tie my hair. Is he not thinking too high for himself? Upon closer proximity when he is trying to tie my hair, I noticed that he has almost the same hair color as the ribbon. Can it be that the ribbon is made from his hair? The elder also appears to have this vermilion colored hair. So weird. After all, all the humans have black color hair.


    After all of this, the sun is slowing going down while the moon is making its appearance. The boy then suggest, ¡°Why don¡¯t you and your father stay with us?¡± I nod it as a sign of yes as at this current situation, father is neither fit to move around freely and we still have not find a room to settle down.


    Grandpa Dugo¡¯s POV


    What a luck it is. I have never expected the first encounter with the human and the human girl appears to be in a familiar situation as Rancer. This will indeed a good progress to alter his perception of humans. Another thing that also sparks my interest is that injured man. Through his eyes, I can see an undying determination in him and when healing him, I happen to notice that he has what it takes to be a stronger cultivator. This is because he has a wider and thicker chi paths compared to normal humans. As a result, this man can draw more chi and at the same time withstand the high pressure of collecting more chi. All in all, he should be able to advance faster than anyone provided that he has a proper guidance from a senior which will be me. It is time to do a good deed. I shall be the Samaritan that will bring forth revolution to this village. Maybe, this can be also a good investment for my grandson, let it be rather in short-term or long-term. Rancer can make new friends and learn more of the culture of the human from the children in the village. At the same time, this can be a future source of human power for Rancer if he needs it later in the future and I am unable to provide any for I may busy. That should be it. It is time to start the Project Vermilion City.

 Chapter 5- Project Vermilion City

    Chapter 5- Project Vermilion City


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    Night has arrived, I am taking my bath in the pool when Jeslyn jumps into the pool. Puush! The water of the pool splashes out as Jeslyn makes her mischievous jump into the pool. ¡°Hello, Rancer,¡± Jeslyn says. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked. ¡°I come to join you in bathing,¡± she answers proudly. ¡°Okay...¡± I answer and then the situation turns rather silent and awkward. We then mind our own business and after I bath finish. I tell Jeslyn that I am leaving for I am soaking in the pool for quite some time. I then find that the human beds are surprisingly soft. I heard that they are made from cotton. Soon, the soft feeling from the bed becomes a comfort for me and I snooze off. Sometime later which I do not know the exact time, I feel the warm sensation that I longed for. It feels like eternal until my brain registers a pain so familiar. I instantly got up and subconsciously move a step back for I know it is Grandpa Dugo¡¯s flick on my forehead. ¡°Wake up, shall you, it is already morning and look at yourself,¡± says Grandpa Dugo. I look at myself and find that both my hands are interlocking together and Jeslyn is under my embrace. I am temporarily stun. What just happen? I quickly put Jeslyn down back to her sleeping position before she notices. Phew. Luckily, she is not awake from the commotion.


    After all of this, Grandpa Dugo gathers all the villagers together with his loud sound infused with chi. All the villagers quickly arrive quickly as their common sense tells them that only a certain level of an expert is capable of doing so. When all of them are here, Grandpa Dugo announces to everyone that he will be training everyone. Some is shock, some is at dazed, some breaks down and cries. There is a lot of emotions going on. Before he starts his training, he starts of the basic by telling us more about the cultivation world especially the cultivation ranking.


    I learn that human¡¯s cultivator has a ranking system especially for them. It starts off by:


    Novice


    Elementary


    Advanced


    True


    Warrior


    Warlord


    Wargod


    Well, for the magical beasts¡¯ ranking, it is more about stars and stripes. The number of stars correspond to the realm of the human ranking. Basically, 2 stars will mean that the person is at Elementary level. The stripes are more like a sub realm. The beast need cultivate for a full ten stripes and be at the peak of that realm to impact the next realm or stars. For the human, human also do has ten sub realm in each realm. 1 to 3 is low, 4 to 6 is middle, 6 to 9 is high and 10 is peak. We are also told that although when the magical beasts are bound to win when the human is at the same realm and sub realm. At times, even when the humans is still higher by the magical beasts by one or two sub realms and are in the same realm, the humans will still lose. The reason is because the magical beast are born to have a superior physical abilities and some even have innate abilities. However, the world is always fair for the magical beasts have a slower speed of cultivation compared to the humans.


    The more wide known term for 2 stars or Elementary realm is called the Learning stage. It is at this stage that every cultivators are starting to learn martial technique without chi. The 3 stars or the Advanced realm is also known as the Utilisation stage. This is mainly due to the fact at this stage any cultivators will have created a chi reservoir which is capable of keeping the chi to be used for martial art techniques that require chi. The 4 stars or True realm is called as Metamorphosis stage for the human cultivators are able to fly and glide in the air while most of the magical beast is capable of transforming into human.


    The information sure is mind-blowing. After all of this knowledge, Grandpa Dugo introduces the meditation techniques to everyone and supervises everyone. All they have to do is sit down on the ground cross-legged and have their palm together. It seems entirely different from mine. Probably, it is due to the compatibility with the human body. By the end of the day, many have broken through the limits of a human and have their first step towards the world of cultivation. Those who have broken through are excited for they can feel a surge in strength while those who have not, they are dejected. Well, that is the cruel part of the life of cultivation. The lack of talent can be a very disappointing thing. Nevertheless, Grandpa Dugo tries not to break their will and encourage them to try again tomorrow. Before everyone disperses, Grandpa Dugo warns everyone power is used for the better good and not to bully the weak one. Grandpa Dugo then continues that he has laid an enchantment and if anyone are to use it for the evil, they will be punished for I can see it. Everyone seems to take it seriously for what Grandpa Dugo has said as he is the expert that bring such changes so what can he not do.


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    When the boring meditation is over, I rush to see Chouno, Jeslyn¡¯s father and Jeslyn. Jeslyn does not have the chance to cultivate together as she needs to tend to her father for Chouno may suffer backlash or in need of something. However, nothing seems to happen. Just maybe, Jeslyn will be joining us tomorrow. Hurray! Upon reaching the home, Jeslyn then seems to be excited and then asks me for how was today. I then tell her about the cultivation info and about the meditation. Jeslyn seems to be elated about it and begs me to teach her for she wants to be a cultivator. After a long and torturous begging and shedding crocodile tears, I finally give in. She jumps continuously in expressing the feeling of joy through her body. I then calm her down and the meditation started. Who would have known that she is genius? No she is a monster. Her cultivation speed greatly outstrips the others. What¡¯s more is that a huge influx of chi is gathering at such a quick pace. It is then when someone dashes in with superb speed. It is Grandpa Dugo. He then does use his finger coated heavily with chi and taps into five spots. The huge chi influx seems to have subsided. As expected from Grandpa Dugo but he does not seem pleas at all. Grandpa Dugo gives me a smack. Angrily Grandpa Dugo asks,¡± What have you done? If I am not fast enough to sense this, she will have die.¡± I cry and replies, ¡°BBut she says she wants to do it.¡± ¡°Okay, forget about it. It is also my mistake. I am sorry,¡± Grandpa Dugo says. I nod and then rub away my tears. I ask, ¡°Grandpa Dugo, what exactly go wrong on Jeslyn.¡± I ask. ¡°I will tell you tomorrow.¡± Grandpa Dugo says. I then head off to my spot and then have quickly fallen asleep.


    Grandpa Dugo¡¯s POV


    As the day is coming to an end, I am preparing to head to the house and rest after giving my guidance to the last student. After pointing out his mistakes and giving suggestion for further improvements, I stroll down the alley until I feel such a huge movement of chi and the chi are heading towards where Rancer is staying. I move as quickly as possible and happen to see the cause of this movement. I cannot fathom that all of this is done by this girl. Upon further concentration, I gasp in shock. It is a revelation to know that karma has its way to award me for helping these humans. At first, Chouno has some potential but now this girl has clearly caught my full attention. To think that she has a unique body which occurs one in million. The reason why people called it the unique body is that those people will have extra meridians. This will mean that they can cultivate faster than anybody and have lesser bottleneck experience. The best part of all is that these unique bodies appear to be heredity thing which makes the owner of unique body to be quite a priceless commodity to any sect or kingdom. The sect or kingdom will use any sort method to capture the owners of unique bodies. Sadly, this unique body is the gift that humans can have. Most of the user that has a unique body have one or two extra meridians. Three is rare, four is abnormal while five is legendary. If anyone are to know that this girl has a unique body with five extra meridians, her life will be terribly sad. With quick thoughts, I concentrate a small portion of chi into my finger and the lock the five extra meridians. The problem should be alright now. For this girl, now she is facing a situation called chi overload. Overtime, this chi should slowly disperse out of her body and by that time should have reach middle level novice.


    I then doze off until I am awoke by someone. I am a bit irritated until I notice it is my grandson. He has this worried face on him and he ask me whether Jesyln is fine as she has never move from the spot since. I pat him and rub his head then telling him everything is just fine.


    Jeslyn¡¯s POV


    As I wake up, I see Rancer popping his face so near to me. HUUU! ¡°You are fine,¡± says Rancer. I cannot comprehend what he is saying and I can smell something so bad like some rotten meat. It cannot be Rancer¡¯s bad breath? URGH! I pinch my nose and start moving. ¡°What are you doing,¡± Rancer asks. ¡°I am going for a bath,¡± I lie in my reply as I suspect that he is the cause for such a smell but I do not want to hurt his heart. ¡°That¡¯s right. Breaking through cultivation in the novice realm can make your body and smelly. Even I would have taken a bath,¡± says Rancer. What is he saying? I then quickly move but the smell seems to linger around me. Linger around me!!! I smell my cloth and it is the same stench smell that I previously smell. Thinking about what has happened, I flush red in embarrassment.

 Chapter 6- Adventure Into The Mine

    Chapter 6- Adventure Into The Mine


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    It has been a month since the start of the training. I have reached 2 stars 2 stripes and have yet to reach near the peak of 2 stars. Jesyln meanwhile is one of the highest potential one. She has cultivated all the way to the middle leveled Novice realm. With that, every children starts to regard Jeslyn as the big sister. Jeslyn of course takes the role too seriously. I can still remember that one time when I have caught on my way through my act of stealing some fruits from one of the farmer, I turn around a couple of time to make sure no one is there. After checking that no one is around, sneakily but with haste, I jump and climb the tree. After ten seconds, I can see my goal. The glossy red fruit is within my eyesight and this has caused me to drool as I remember the heavenly taste of that fruit. I must get one myself. Upon centimeters left, a pebble hit my hand. Oh, no! I have been caught. Thinking quickly, I just roll myself and pretend to be awoke from my sleep. I pretend yawning and then look at this person who have caught me. Jeslyn. This is a big trouble because if it were the villagers, they will just turn one eye as they know I am the grandson of Grandpa Dugo so long I do not commit a serious mistake but if it was Jeysln, I will literally land on a hot-pot. ¡°Oh, it is you, Jeslyn. What are you doing here?¡± I ask nonchalantly. ¡°Rancer, I clearly see that you are trying to steal,¡± says Jeslyn. ¡°What are you talking about? Clearly I am sleeping just now. Maybe, when I am dreaming, my arms move on its own,¡± I try to justify myself. Sadly, I have been caught red-handed when Jeslyn says that she clearly sees that my eyelids are wide open and my eyes are clearly fixated at the fruit. There is no choice left, it is time to use plan number two. I go down back on the ground and moving my hand to rub on my head. Pretending to be as innocent as possible, I laugh, HEE HEE!!! As a result, I get smacked on the head and dragged by the ear.


    Time peacefully flies for a year. During this whole year, I have reach 2 stars 4 stripes while Jeslyn has reach the low-level of Intermediate realm. Uncle Chouno¡¯s cultivation level is so profound for he has made an entry to the True realm. Uncle Chouno is trying his best to assimilate with the villagers but most of the time he will gaze at the sky. I bet he is missing his wife. I learn the most basic sword technique which is the quick draw. The quick draw skill takes about 2 months for me to comprehend the essence of it. However, I am far from mastering the skill of quick draw. The next technique incorporates the essence of quick draw. Using quick draw, I slash the air as hard and as fast as possible to form a crescent of air. However, further mastery of the skill will make the user to use this skill anyway and does not need to start off from the quick draw stance anymore. So, that was what those two human cultivators use. Jeslyn also trains her swordsmanship under Grandpa Dugo. Once in a while, we will spare together using the wooden sword. There certainly a sense of thrill and competition to train with someone around your level but a higher potential. One day, she will be stronger than me and I know it is coming soon. Probably, that will be next year.


    Obviously, the life the villagers are pretty much the same. Although they still cultivate, they still use some time of theirs to grow crops to sustain their lives. However, as they breakthrough each sea-level, their time spent in managing their crops per day decreases. This is mainly due to the removal of impurities that have helped the villagers in improving their stamina, speed as well as strength. It is one day when one of the villagers discover a mine. A mine. What does it mean? A sign of prosperity and also a sign of civilization. A part of the villagers head towards the mine as this will determine the future prospect of the village. A bountiful source or vein of metal will mean that the village can be further develop and there will be traders. With traders, means more communication with the world. The group is led by Grandpa Dugo which made me and Jeslyn to tag along.


    Upon closing in the mine, we can see the soil is reddish-brown in colour. A sign of rusted iron which also mean a sign of huge iron vein with other possible metal. Just as we reach at the entrance of the mine, two beasts are guarding the entrance. What is a beast? According to Grandpa Dugo, beasts are animals that fail their awakening and transition from being an animal to a magical beast. Phew, I am starting to think that I am pretty lucky to survive the transition. As a result of falling, these beasts cannot control the chi and the chi has cause severe damage to the brain. Therefore, the beasts are rather savage and highly driven by impulse. Looking at the savagery of the beasts, Jeslyn shrieks back and subconsciously hide behind my back. This is probably due to her previous trauma with the savage bandits that has killed her mother. I take my hand and run her head. I then say, ¡°Do not worry, I will protect you. Just stand behind me.¡± She nods slightly. Like a hero in a shining armour, I stand proudly in front of the ¡®princess¡¯. One of the beasts runs towards me probably due to its instinct, capable of telling it that I am much stronger than the rest. A potential danger for the beast and have to be eliminated as fast as possible.


    I signal Jeslyn to step back a bit. With one hand on the sheath and another on the hilt, I am ready. Just as it jumps to pounce onto me, I instantaneously burst forward and then abruptly stops. With the right position, I do a quick draw and then slash across the beast¡¯s stomach as the stomach is one of the weakest part of the body. The fight ends quickly as the blow is severe enough. Finishing the deed, I head back to see Jeslyn but I can see the frightened face in Jeslyn and she appears that she is trying to warn me. I turn around to see what can be terribly wrong. I turn and the half-dead beast charges at me and entrusting his nails of its paw to kill me. As for me, I just do not the sufficient time to react. The next instant, a crescent of air at least ten times larger than mine cuts of the paw of the beast. Knowing my mistake, I hastily pierce the beast with my sword through its eyes towards the skull. It drops dead but I remain on guard but nothing happen. I guess it is dead.


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    I then look at Grandpa Dugo¡¯s direction and the beast is long dead. It is pretty much guessable that Grandpa Dugo was the one who save me in the nick of time. We enter the mine only to notice that it is more of a cave. The cave is without much resistance. As we progress deeper and finally reach the end of the cave. The tunnel of the expected end appears to give out a glow. It is indeed magical but the amazement of the place is stopped by chirp of a bird. However, this bird seems to display a presence of a magical beast. ¡°Stop! This is the guardian beast of the cave. I will talk to it,¡± says Grandpa Dugo. Grandpa Dugo then waves his hand and starts to talk but no one can hear the conversation. After a while, Grandpa Dugo seems to put his finger to the bird¡¯s head. The barrier is removed and the next moment the bird flies towards Jeslyn. It pecks lightly onto her hand and a sign is formed. ¡°Congratulations, Jeslyn, you have bonded with this magical bird. Treat it well. As for this tree, I will transfer it to the village,¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


    Grandpa Dugo¡¯s POV


    After the incident with Jeslyn¡¯s unique body, I constantly keep her monitored. It is when I am teaching my grandson, Jeslyn says that she wants to learn swordsmanship and what better opportunity is there. I happily accept it. Finally, someone who can instil some competitiveness in my grandson. When Jeslyn has safely consolidate her entry into Intermediate realm, I seal the extra five meridians for now. When she is strong enough, I will come back again and undo the seal for her. After all, there will be suspicions in the experts when they know about her cultivation speed. It has been some time until someone notices me that the have found a mine possibly containing ores. This is indeed an opportunity for the project to step up into the next phase.


    My grandson and Jeslyn want to tag along and why not? This can be good experience to put things into real-time situation. As we approach the mine, we saw the two beasts. The beast is not much of a challenge. My grandson did fairly well just that I forgot to teach him that dealing an enemy is best to kill it rather than leaving it half-dead. This is especially true for such a situation. I will let him feel the sense of crisis and this mistake will be deeply ingrained into his mind. Just as the nails are upon centimetres left, I just use the slice the air with the sword and the rest is done by my grandson.


    When we reach the end of the cave, judging by the green light and the iron ore situation, I know what that thing is already. The Iron Lava Tree. This tree is divided into two stages. The first stage is that the tree is like any normal tree. However, this tree will gather chi from the surrounding and accumulate into the tree. The tree then need to absorb the chi for ten years to gain the affinity to earth and fire elements. With the affinity, the tree roots will produce molten lava. When the molten lava cools down, the iron ore will form. The second stage is of the Iron Lava Tree is that it will emit this reddish light for a month signalling that the first stage is to be over. After that month, the Iron Lava Tree is incapable of producing any metal but its value will still not run out. Now, the Iron Lava Tree is bearing  fruits for a millennium before wilting. The fruits of course have a slight chance in becoming a seedling of the Iron Lava Tree. However, most people will not do that. They will use the fruit for alchemy. The fruit of the Iron Lava Tree is the main ingredient for two pills called the blood clotting pill and blood regenerative pill which. With this tree, turning the village into a city will be a piece of cake. Luckily, this kind of tree is uncommon but all sects and kingdom is bound to have at least one and an occurrence of another tree like this will not draw any attention of any experts. Unless something terrible or misfortune truly happen.


    I then look at hat pitiful weak bird. I lay an enchantment which prevent conversation to be known. I ask, ¡°What are doing here?¡± ¡°Elder, I am waiting for the first fruit of the Iron Lava Tree,¡± the magical bird says weakly as it knows that the person in front of it is too strong. I am thinking and I finally know why this magical bird needs this first fruit. It is trying to awaken its dormant bloodline. ¡°I will consent it if you bind with that girl,¡± I say and that girl refers to Jeslyn. ¡°Elder, you do know the effects of binding right. There is no way I can do it,¡± says the bird. ¡°Well if it¡¯s a normal human cultivator, I might not ask you but this human has a unique body. What¡¯s more is that I will give you some cultivation techniques,¡± I say. When a magical beast bind with the human, it will lose all its freedom and can never betray the human. However, there comes a benefit as well, the magical beast will gain a partial amount of latent talent on cultivation of the human it has bonded. The bird¡¯s eye show a trace of surprise and then impatiently agrees to it. I step forward and share some cultivation technique to it. ¡°I hope you will protect her well and do not tell her about the unique body or trouble will find you instead,¡± I give my warning. Seeing everything is done. It is time to carry out phase two although it is earlier than expected.

 Chapter 7- The Platinum Jubilee Pagoda’s Insight

    Hello, guys. A shorter chapter this time for I want to give more suspense and a cliff-hanger for the readers. Do give a guess in what flame Rancer will get?


    Chapter 7- The Platinum Jubilee Pagoda¡¯s Insight


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    Today marks the change in our training. Grandpa Dugo calls for a village meeting. He says that he will be testing our skills in blacksmithing. He teaches us the most basic technique called hitting the impurities. It looks so simple and he does it. I go ahead and try it only to know that doing it first hand is way harder than it seems. Holding the hammer at the opposite edge of the hammer, I swing the hammer to hit the hot iron. However, the hitting is without precision and proper control of strength. The final result of the iron ingot produced is embarrassing. It is clearly out of its standard like shape and the purity of the iron ingot is about 80% which is bad. Any amateur will get their purity level around 80% as well. Some adults manage to get the purity level at 81.1%. Although the difference is only 1.1%, it makes a big difference in the later part of melting the iron ingot to make weapons and sword. After a painstaking trial and error for a week, I have managed to rise the purity level of my iron ingot to 81.0%. Basically, this smelting requires speed as the longer the period the iron ore is left to complete the higher the impurity in the iron ingot. The whole purpose of the smelting is basically hit the semi-solid iron making the iron ingot more compact and consolidate it to prevent further mixing with the air.


    In just one month, I find out actually there is another method to smelting but I do not seem to have reach that specific level require. Dejected and losing my interest, I have stopped smelting and go back to my daily routine of cultivation. Grandpa Dugo also brings back the Iron Lava Tree back and I can see some fruit appearing. It is estimated that the fruit will fully matured in a week time. Another thing noted is that the bird that has bonded with Jeslyn has a completely change in appearance. The bird, now called Abby, looks fiery red with some hint of majestic aura. Abby is of course a female bird. Abby has transformed into what Grandpa Dugo calls as Fiery Red Sparrow. Grandpa Dugo do note to me that every birds dream is to become a phoenix and only by overcoming tribulations and all the other competitors. By then, the bird will be burned and be reborn as an all mighty phoenix. However, becoming a phoenix is not that easy. Going back to my cultivation progress, I can feel that my cultivation is at the peak of 2 stars 4 stripes. I then go back to my home, I am trying to attempt to breakthrough to 2 stars 5 stripes. Sitting down and making sure that my position is comfortable, I shut my eye and concentrate my chi in the dantian. I try to draw in a bit more chi but my dantian is rejecting the extra chi. After forcing it for another hour, the dantian finally give in. My dantian finally shook and the dantian is shrinking and compressing the chi into a denser chi. I have broken through!


    Grandpa Dugo then says that my cultivation speed need to be hasten. He then summons a small pagoda floating on top of his palm and this pagoda enlarge per each rotation. After 50 rotations or so, the pagoda stops rotating. Grandpa Dugo gestures me to enter the pagoda and says that I will see a mission once I enter the pagoda. When I am centimetres away from the pagoda, I can feel such a strong suction force which draws me into the pagoda.


    ¡°Welcome to The Platinum Jubilee Pagoda¡¯s Insight. At here, you have to pass a series of challenges before I can let you go. If you never pass, you can stay here for infinitely,¡± says the mysterious voice.


    All of a sudden, a banner unroll itself. It is written Test 1-Destroying The Target. I happen to notice that there is a dummy is made out of straw. Easy! I dash forward and without caring for my surrounding until one my feet lands on the tile. The tile sinks for a few centimetres causing me to lose my footing. Stumbling, I fall flat on my face and it hurts. The next instance the tile seems to rise up in a superb speed sending me upward and such ferocious wind blow pushing me all the way back to the starting point. I guess I have failed. HAHA! I cannot believe I have just failed. Calming down, I immerse my thoughts in finding and correcting my mistake. Probably this trial is meant to teach me that even when there is an easy prey in front of me, I have to pay extra vigilance to this surrounding. Restarting again, this time, I move in a subtle speed while paying attention to my surrounding. The target is within the reach of my sword. I stab the dummy but the hardness of the dummy is ridiculously tough. From the attack, the rebound has cause the huge shock to my hand resulting in numbness in my hand. Using my numb hand to hold the sheath of the word and my other hand to hold the hilt, I perform the technique. The crescent like air manage to cause an uneven dent onto the dummy. Uneven dent! I notice that some area are harder than the other. The dent of the dummy recovers and I strike again but my wrist shook in agony. What? How can the soft area become the harder area all of a sudden. This is going to be harder than expected. After a few more attacks, my prediction is correct. The hardness of the dummy in any area in totally random. This is going to test by perception. After a week has passed since then, this dummy is still prevailing. However, my instinct and perception is fairly sharpened. Brimming with confidence, I stab the dummy with all my might and finally the dummy gives way for my attack. The dummy disintegrates only leaving a vermillion colour like dantian.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    What is this exactly vermillion coloured dantian? Basically when a Vermillion Tiger uses their vermillion flame, the vermillion flame will engulf all of its opponent chi. Upon engulfing all the chi, the vermillion flame will try to engulf the dantian. Normal circumstances for this case is that the dantian will completely engulf but when the dantian survives the engulfing, the dantian will undergo a variation. The dantian will turn into vermillion in colour and become a good cultivation resource for the Vermillion Tiger. That is of course regardless of what happen to the dantian, the opponent is bound to be dead the moment the Vermillion flame reaches the dantian. A vermillion dantian and judging by the intensity of the vermillion colour, I suspect that this dantian is from an Advanced realm cultivator. This is perfect cultivation resources for my realm. I start to draw in the chi from the vermillion dantian. After hours or so, I have reaches 2 stars 7 stripes. Now that I have finished absorbing the chi, I finally notice that I have been a week since I have eaten but surprisingly I am still feeling full.


    A corridor then appears. Judging from its appearance, it is highly probable that this corridor will lead me to my next stage. I then move until there is a ladder and I climb the ladder. Up I go. The room is marvellous. There are so many different colour of flame. The banner unrolls itself with some words written on it. Test 2- Subjugate a flame. It is then an influx of information is gushing into my brain. Involuntarily, I accept all the information. Among all the information that I have received, I have managed to highlight some fairly important ones. The information are:-


    1) The Vermillion flame is the king of all flame. Use the Vermillion flame to subjugate one of the flame to be used by me as the alchemy flame.


    2) Once subjugated, I cannot reverse or regret my choice. Therefore, I must carefully choose my desired flame.


    3) The stronger the flame is, the harder it is to be subjugated but the benefits is exponentially great.


    Almost every colour of flame can be found. The suggestion for which flame I should subjugate is the Yin Yang flame, Yin flame, Yang flame, Golden Spark flame, Hazardous Violet flame or Turquoise Nature flame. The Yin Yang flame is a more balanced flame but is still fairly strong. The Yin flame and the Yang flame is more often use as fires to assist the owner in battle. The Yin flame and Yang flame is respectively good in making water based element pills and fire based element pill. Golden Spark flame is the best flame to be used in blacksmithing making artifacts. The Hazardous Violet flame is the best flame to make poison pills and used in fights to deal poison to the opponent as the flame burns the opponent. The Turquoise Nature flame is the best flame in making any pills but it lacks any battle prowess.

 Chapter 8- Alchemist Apprentice Rancer

    I am creating a small segment of Q&A before every chapter to clear some confusion and gives better reading experience. So do comment or give critics as this may help the others.


    Q: Why don¡¯t I turn it into a vermillion tiger/phoenix village?


    A: The village is actually in a transition in becoming a city and humans are quite sceptical about having magical beast in helping them. Therefore, Rancer and Dugo cannot transform themselves into magical beasts.


    Q: Why don¡¯t bind all the villagers with magical beast?


    A: Binding with magical beast is not as easy as it thinks. Magical beasts are usually arrogant and do not like to have their freedom taken. They will rather die to be bonded even when facing a superior experts. The only way to do bind with them is to do it since young or they can gain extreme benefits for themselves.


    Q: Why no one ask what Dugo wants when he teaches them for free?


    A: Well, Dugo is an experts and to be taught by an expert for free is pretty much a dream. What¡¯s more when he is willing to teach for free, they can ask him questions which may cause him to change his mind.


    Q: Why Dugo did not ask for anything?


    A: You have to know that Dugo is an overseer so basically he knows that all humans will have black hairs and he is confident that only Vermillion Tiger can have vermillion hair upon humanification.


    Chapter 8- Alchemist Apprentice Rancer


    I first summon my Vermillion flame and will it to engulf the Yin Yang flame. The Yin Yang flame is struggling to avoid being engulf by my Vermillion flame. Each flame overlapping one another. The result is that my Vermillion flame lost in the fight. Now, I just have to rest and meditate for the day as I can only summon the Vermillion flame once a day. I try for 2 weeks and the result is still the same. I finally give up on the futile struggle in subjugating the Yin Yang flame. I move on to the Turquoise Nature flame. I then once again summon my Vermillion flame and this time the battle is so intense. A small part of my Vermillion flame goes astray from the battle of dominance and landed onto another flame. All of the rest of the Vermillion flame hops into the other flame. NOOO! I am screwed for life. However, all is too late. What can the weakest and ordinary reddish-orange flame do to the mightiest Vermillion flame? In just milliseconds, the red flame is swallowed. My life as an alchemist and blacksmith is gone but what can I do. Dejected, I am just smile and laugh like a mad man. The reward regardless of what flame I get is two vermillion dantian but this feeling is probably the worst one can find. I just absorb the chi from the vermillion dantian.


    After absorbing all the chi, I can feel that my dantian is full and now I am ready to impact the 3 stars 1 stripes. Carefully and calmly, I remember what Grandpa Dugo has said. Preparing for myself, the dantian shrinks and expels the chi. I exert my willpower and try to direct as much chi as possible to the right of my heart area. I then open the chi pulse and the pain is excruciating causing to me lose focus once in a while. As a result, some chi are lost in the result. Finally, the chi pulse is establish with 13% chi loss. That gives me an advantage to others as geniuses will establish their chi pulse at a loss of a minimum 20% chi loss. Now, my dantian is devoid of chi. In order to cultivate now, I have to make sure that my chi pulse is full before my dantian can start absorbing chi. This is one of the main reason for why cultivators will generally gets slower and slower in cultivating as their chi pulse enlarges causing them to have to use more time to fill up their chi pulse before cultivating. Once the dantian is full and a breakthrough occurs, each cultivator will have to redirect the expelled chi into their chi reservoir and the never-ending cycles repeat.


    After the entry to the 3 stars realm, the stairs way appears. I move on and the last test appear. The words written on the banner is Test 3- Control Your Flame. I then draw my chi from the chi pulse. Redirecting the chi to my hand, I try to feel the flame in me. The flame flickers and then dissipate into thin air. Surprisingly, the chi consumption is almost neglectable. The trial and error go on for five hours until my chi reservoir is completely dried up. Now, I manage to summon the flame around the size of a tennis ball. When my chi reservoir is fully filled, I start my test. The test requires me to control the temperature of my flame my deviating it by 50 degrees Celsius. I pass the test and the next moment a blinding light covers the room. In the midst of the blinding light, I can feel a sharp pain on one of my ear lobes. ARGH! The pain and the light subsides together. I touch my ear lobe and it appears that a metal ring is pierced and connected to my earlobe.


    Grandpa Dugo makes his appearance while holding a furnace tripod. The tripod has ominous feeling as if it has a will of its own. ¡°This tripod is made from the from some fine metal, dragon bone and phoenix feather. Show me what flame you have obtained,¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


    I then show him my flame and I can see he is about to faint anytime. He is speechless. After for a moment, I recount the whole scene to him as I know that he wants to know what just happen. ¡°Well what is done is done. It will be miracle for you to become an Alchemy Junior. The benefits for your flame is low chi consumption and easy control of the flame temperature which makes you easily an Alchemy Apprentice,¡± says Grandpa Dugo. I am then told about the drawbacks which are the flame is second non-fatal flame next to the Turquoise Nature Flame and my flame has very low range of temperature. The metal thing that is onto my ear lobe is an extra gift. It is called an earring but this earring is somewhat special as it has its own thought coupled with extensive knowledge that can help me in the future and have the interspatial function.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    I move to my room to have some sleep and happen to meet Jeslyn on my way. ¡°Rancer, where have you go for this one whole week?¡± says Jeslyn. What!!! One week! The time spent on the pagoda should be an approximately one month. Could it be times runs slower in the pagoda? ¡°OH, I was training for the past week. Could it be that you miss me?¡± I tease her as I answer her previous question. ¡°Hmph!¡± Jeslyn stomps onto the ground and does not say anything then moves in the opposite direction of mine. I wonder I have made a mistake.


    A good sleep on the bed where its softness I have thoroughly missed after sleeping on the cold hard floor for a month, I doze off. The next morning, I start off my alchemic training. Grandpa Dugo throws to me a scroll. As my hand is with contact with the scroll, I can that my chi is involuntary drawn from my chi pulse. What is going on? The next moment, my alchemy flame ignited and covers the scroll. The scroll then releases from my grasp and unroll itself in front of my eyes. The words can shining with light. The words are as if they have a will if their own. They move in an orderly manner but I can see their excited form. They are moving up and down as they approach my mind. All of this happen in seconds and the scroll drop itself to the ground with no words left in the scroll.


    ¡°That scroll is enchanted with some seals and the seals test whether the person has perform the ceremony before, have at least reach 3 stars realm and lastly have an alchemy flame. All the alchemy techniques to make the pills from Alchemist Apprentice rank to Alchemist Ancestor rank. Here are the materials to make the Blood Regenerative Pill. Try it yourself,¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


    Each alchemist rank correspond with each stars realm:


    Alchemist Apprentice


    Alchemist Junior


    Alchemist Senior


    Alchemist Master


    Alchemist Grandmaster


    Alchemist Advisor


    Alchemist Ancestor


    I look at the requirements for making the Rank 1 Blood Regenerative Pill. They are using the alchemic fire to burn at 100 degree Celsius and requires it to deviate it with 20 degree Celsius at times, use the fruits of Iron Lava Tree, Scarlet Blaze Grass and Common Morning Dew. The Morning Dew is used to reduce the effect of the heat from the Scarlet Blaze Grass. The alchemy herbs are mainly divided into Common, Earth and Heaven grading. For the common grade, this herbs have some usefulness in alchemy just that they do not have chi in them. Earth and Heaven alchemy herbs have chi in them and their potentness is greatly differ from the common grade alchemy herb. In Earth grade herb, there is a sea-level from Level 1 to level 10. 10 being the highest value in both money and pill uses. The Scarlet Blaze Grass is a Level 1 Earth herb and the Iron Lava fruit is a Level 2 herb.


    First, I extract the juice of the Iron Lava fruit and then mix with the extract of the Scarlet Blaze Grass. Pouring the juice into the tripod cauldron, I start to summon my flame energy to burn the tripod cauldron to remove the extra water content to get more of the essence of blood regeneration and heat drawing. The heat drawing is to circulate the blood faster. I drop five drops Common Morning Dew and the liquid in the tripod cauldron sizzle. Seeing that everything is at its final stage. I throw the flesh of the Iron Lava fruit and the Scarlet blaze grass to give the pill more of a solid state. I then sharply increase the temperature of the flame by 20 degree Celsius. The solid melts slightly and then starts to mix together. I then drop the flame¡¯s temperature by 40 degree Celsius to allow the pill to start to coagulate. Willing my chi, I draw the semi-molten state of the pill into a pill mould. Closing the pill mould for a while to let the pill to cool down and retain the circular shape. After ten minutes, I open the pill mould and the fragrance of the pill can be smelt. HAHA! Now, I can call myself Alchemist Apprentice Rancer.


    Grandpa Dugo¡¯s POV


    When I sent Rancer to the Platinum Jubilee Pagoda¡¯s Insight, I will have expected that my grandson will select one of the five flames that I handpick. Who wold have known the unexpected twist of event causing him to have the weakest and most ordinary flame. HAHA, I nearly cannot retain my laughter when he recalls his event. God, you have been too kind for me. You even give such ¡®gift¡¯ to my grandson.


    What exactly has happened? Is this a conspiracy of Dugo? Could it be that what he has said is sarcasm or he really meant it. Find out in the next chapter for the reason behind Dugo¡¯s reaction. Do leave comment if you have questions for the story and by now, you all should have known that I have bad naming sense. So, do give some decent name to be used in the story in your comment. Next chapter coming out the day after tomorrow.

 Chapter 9- Discovery!...

    Chapter 9- Discovery!...


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    It is early in the morning when I have started to consolidate my power as I have continuously impacted a few sub-levels in succession causing instability in my cultivation. I have been warned by Grandpa Dugo not to impact the next sub-level for at least half a year for my cultivation or that in the future I will suffer a harder bottleneck for each sub-level that I try to breakthrough if I did. Now, that I recalled I should be around two years old. I wonder when Grandpa Dugo will send me to the sect. Immersed in my thought, I feel that the fire essence in the air is waning. Could it be a water-based Earthly treasure or an alchemy flame is borne? Treasures¡¯ ranking is almost exactly the same as alchemy herbs¡¯ ranking just that there are no common ranking treasure. When a treasure is making its appearance, the treasure will start to heavily emit its element essence causing a surplus in that specific element. For example in this case, this treasure is said to be water-based as the treasure will emit the surplus of water essence. The surplus will counteract with the surrounding fire essence causing the fire essence in the place to be severely lacking. What is an alchemy flame? An alchemy flame is said to flames that can be wielded by cultivators to make pills or assist them in a fight. For an alchemy flame to be borne, the minimum requirement is that the place must have at least bearable amount of fire essence in the place or above. The other sub-requirements are what give the true nature of the alchemy flame. However, judging from the magnitude of the commotion, I can infer that this is just some low-level Earthly treasure or some weak alchemy flame. Still, no matter how weak, this alchemy flame can never be weaker than mine and the treasure may be weak but there may still be some value in it. (Note: 1 to 3 is low, 4 to 6 is moderate/middle, 7 to 9 is high and 10 is peak)


    I head off to the origin of this disturbance. The disturbance has caused many animals in the forest to shiver in fear. Many stayed in their den. With no obstacles, I have reached to the heart of the forest which appears to be place where it is the origin of the fluctuations. With me are some magical beasts greedily waiting for the fluctuations to stop. My heart wrenches in pain. An alchemy flame, it appears that God is making a fool out of me. WHY! At this moment, the magical beasts started to band together in eliminating me first before they contend with one another for that I have a human appearance. Already angered with the appearance of the alchemy flame, these magical beasts want to attack me. Great! Now, I have someone to release my wrath over the reluctance that fate has decided for me. I summon my alchemy flame and clad it to my sword. Using my application, a crescent of air is formed as I performed my slash just that this time a thin coat of alchemy flame is riding on top of the crescent of air. The damage will have been minimal or non-existence if they are to be at 2 stars 5 stripes and above. Sadly none of them are at that level. The alchemy flame appears to deal quite some damage to the magical beasts. Some upon knowing that they are not my match has run away. Only one has left behind. It is a magical snake. Slithering, the snake observes my every single movement. Ordinary flame, which is what my alchemy flame is called, I then use a fifty percent of my chi in the reservoir to summon the Ordinary flame. The Ordinary flame is so large to the size comparable to a watermelon. The snake shrieks and escapes as its instinct tells it that this is a dangerous attack. Now that the target is gone, I have no target left to throw and I cannot cancel it or dissipate it. It is then when my eyes meet the blue flame. That¡¯s right the second weakest flame after the Ordinary flame. It is called Clean Blue flame for its characteristic of burning the things cleanly not leaving any soot and its secondary requirement is to be in a more quiet and tranquil environment. If none of the secondary requirement is cleared, the alchemy flame produced would have been Ordinary flame. Being unable to hold the Ordinary flame any longer, I launched it to the Clean Blue Flame. Take that, I will make sure that my Ordinary flame will engulf you and make this flame disappear.


    Although I know it is fairly impossible to dissipate or engulf an alchemy flame, I still wish for this alchemy flame to be dissipated or be engulfed by my alchemy flame. Neither is possible. Engulfing the Clean Blue flame? That will be the funniest joke in the whole alchemy association as the Ordinary flame¡¯s strength is the weakest but miracle do happen. The Ordinary flame starts to overpower the Clean Blue flame. The Ordinary flame starts its divide and conquers strategy. Cornering and becoming into one entity. Finally, the Ordinary flame has won. The Ordinary flame then disperses. I summon it again to find whether my flame has shown signs of abnormality. However, it do not show any sign at all. It is the same old reddish-orange flame but then I notice that something is clearly different and I cannot seem to describe it. I use the Ordinary flame to burn the tree and here I notice the difference. The Ordinary flame has assimilated the feature of the Clean Blue flame!!! What¡¯s more is that it appears that the temperature of the flame can be deviated by a whole 55 degrees Celsius increasing my previous range of temperature by 10 degrees Celsius. That could mean that now my chances of becoming an Alchemist Junior is higher. A discovery, Eureka!!!


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.A hypothesis is created. What if my Ordinary flame can engulf the rest of the flame and assimilate their characteristic, then would I not have the strongest and the most useful alchemy flame of the world let it be in battle prowess or in pill making. There is a glimmer of hope which heavily reinforces my determination. I shall be going for an Alchemy Flame Hunting.


    After all of this, I will of course never forget about the dantian of the magical beast. Upon finishing collecting them, I move back along the path to the village. I give a smug face and Jeslyn appears to be irritated at my face. Before she starts to hit me, I send a divine sense to Taratos, the artificial intelligence earing, ¡°Quick, give me those dantian.¡± At the instant, a few dantian appears in front of me. I give it to her. She blushes as she says in stutter,¡± RR Are we not too young for this. To give dowry now, you have not even get permission from father yet.¡± ¡°What is dowry? I thought that there is no need to ask your father. After all, these are dantian for cultivation. I did not know that you need to ask your father to cultivate. That is weird, ¡°I say. The next moment, I wonder I have said something wrongly. The flushed pink face of her starts to turn cherry red. Without telling me, she kicks me at the middle of both of my legs. The pain does not subside and I am clutching to the area as it hurts. Hmph! She turns around and says a word so soft and quick that I nearly cannot catch up with. Dance. Dance? (Note: for those who cannot get it, what she meant is dense but Rancer just could not hear properly and mistook it as dance)


    Not wanting to infuriate her any more, with one hand holding onto the area that is still in pain, I start to dance. Who have known that she starts to laugh? I hug her and say, ¡°Finally, you are laughing.¡± Flustering for a while she says,¡±U You do not do that again, you stupid boy.¡± I just do not get her feeling. At one time she is happy, the next she becomes angry. I guess I should just keep some distance from her.


    Grandpa Dugo¡¯s POV


    Today, as usual, I get my daily report from Taratos. As expected from my grandson, he even has such luck in this matter for he has found out true value in the Ordinary flame.  That is right among all the alchemy flame there is, one can only see that there is only one flame that has the colour similar the king of all flame, the Vermillion flame. The Ordinary flame can be said to be some relations with the Vermillion flame due to having the red and orange colour but then how can there be such a disparity in the Vermillion flame and the Ordinary flame. One is the king and the other one is a loser. However, there is a secret among the upper echelon that they know that can turn current mentality of the people regarding the Ordinary flame. This flame can be ordinary or non-ordinary depending on the owner. The non-ordinary part is that the Ordinary flame has the same ability as the Vermillion flame which is that they can engulf any flame just that the Ordinary flame the power difference between the flames must be very low. The ordinary part is that if one person knows of that ability of the Ordinary flame and have the intention to have this flame then the ability will not manifest making the owner to have a really ordinary flame. It is basically the same when it comes to sleeping when one does not force oneself to sleep then one can sleep. However, if you keep thinking and forcing yourself to sleep, you can never sleep unless your mind gets tired and then you fall asleep.


    The problem regarding the flame is solved. I guess I should what I do as a grandpa for this stupid grandson of mine. Can¡¯t he see that Jeslyn has fallen for him? Guess what I should take them on a trip to bond them together. At the same time, I should use this opportunity to elevate the trauma in Jeslyn. I then ask Chouno for his permission to bring his daughter out. Sadly, Chouno fairly disappoint me for he still has not overcome his dispirited state. Chouno just agree on the spot. Afterwards, I tell them to prepare to go out for a trip. I warn the villagers not to leave the village 2 kilometres from the village as I have erected an enchantment array that will keep them save if they stay inside the area. Here we are coming Minor City Wintermoor. I heard that there is something interesting going on which can potentially be good for my grandson.


    Chapter 9- Discovery! Alchemy Flame Hunting


    Next chapter coming out Saturday.

 Chapter 10- Country bumpkin meets City

    Sry guys. The chapters have came out slightly late. The next chapter release should be on the Tuesday or Wednesday. It is not your ordinary chapter release. That''s right as is a chapter bundle release and the amount is still unsure.


    Chapter 10- Country bumpkin meets City


    Rancer''s POV


    Wintermoor city. Although it may be a minor city, I am told by Grandpa Dugo that there is quite a population of people in this city. It may be called as a minor city but Wintermoor has a reputation and prestige rivaling the other major cities in the human continent. This mainly because Wintermoor is the only place that creates these limited merchandise for their climate and temperature is suitable for them. Therefore, many trade route are established and created for this purpose. Economically, Wintermoor may have been one of the top cities in generating revenue for the country but sadly, the environmental condition is too harsh for normal people or even the first realm level cultivators for the temperature may be extremely cold for others but since I have reached the third realm, such cold can hardly do anything. For Jeslyn, I can see that she is slightly cold. Once in a while, I will give her a piece of Scarlet Blaze Grass to chew on. The juice should provide her sufficient heat for at least three hours.


    It is then I stumble across a group of Aqua Quartz Mushroom. Aqua Quartz Mushroom is a Level 3 Earthly Alchemy Herb. This mushroom absorbs the chi present in the air combined with the fact the surrounding is cold. The cold environment cause the mushroom evolve to adapt the surrounding condition. To further the change, the mushroom absorbs the chi and the chill causing the mushroom to harden. The Aqua Quartz Mushroom is used in the Skin Hardening Pill and the chi path strengthening pill.


    I harvest some of the mushroom and keep it in Taratos. Then, as we move on, I notice that there is a pack of Icicleback Wolf. This wolf all have icicles on their back making their body a deadly weapon. Jeslyn starts to have her issue of her trauma again. I comfort her and say that she has to learn to at least protect herself in case that there is one time that she is left alone. I give her a dagger and my sword. I notice that all this wolf are around 2 stars 5 stripes to 2 stars 7 stripes.


    Bracing myself, I clad both my hand with the Original flame and get myself ready in a fighting posture. Sadly, before I have even have the chance to prepare myself fully, these wolves have spread out themselves to attack three of us. Grandpa Dugo appears next to Jeslyn. With the profound chi that he utilize, he sweep it in a palm movement. Noticing that they are not his match, they start of from the weak which is me as Jeslyn is beside Grandpa Dugo. Heavens! What kind of grandpa pushes all of his enemies towards his grandson?


    To begin a fight with such a numerical disadvantage is surely troublesome. Just as some of them approach me, I run towards a tree. Jumping and then projecting my leg to the tree, I attempt to get a good recoil. The recoil have helped me to release myself from the encirclement of wolvies. Knowing that their ordinary tactic of encircling their opponent has failed, they start to go all out. Losing their management is a good start.


    I then slide down against the floor as the floor is laid down on the soft snow. Tackling one of the wolves with the Original flame as I am in contact with the wolf, I managed to disrupt its sense of balance and it''s pace. The wolf being knocked back collide with some of the other wolves at the back. As they others try to pounce onto me at my lying state, I channel some chi onto my heel. With a burst and explosion of speed, I dodge the attack. Using my head as the pivot, I rotate my whole body. Surrounding myself with Ordinary flame, I spin. The wolves are all one feet away from me as they are wary of me.


    Using this moment, I get one sword from Taratos. Instantaneously I stop, moving to the nearest one, I impale this wolf with the sword at the belly. The sword manage to enter but I struggle to pull it out. Shit! This swords are going to be more of a one way trip impaling the wolves but I cannot remove it. I struggle and the sword snaps. I give up and withdraw backwards to access the current situation. "Taratos, how many swords do I have left." I ask. "9," Taratos give a short and brief answer but it is more than enough.


    9 swords and 9 wolves. Just perfect. Another sword appears in front of me. I grab it on the hilt and continue my attack. The 9 starts to attack together as they know that attacking alone is tantamount to death. Knowing that I have to suffer some wounds in order to win, I try to ignore some of the least potential of capable of dealing fatal wound on me. Infusing some chi into the sword, I toss it like a javelin into one of the wolves that jumps towards me. Another two swords appear at my grasp. I defend myself but the slight brush of my swords with the wolves appear to be a poor judgement. How can an ordinary sword even do shallow wound on the harder area of a magical beast. The collision earlier has made my swords to have some cracks appearing. At that instant when I am at a lost of what to do, my body performs a rotational slash on instinct. A full circle of compress air move. Some wolves are knocked airborne. This is the God given opportunity. Infusing some chi into the sword, I throw it and then gather two more swords. With a greater speed, I impale the two swords. The speed proves to ease in piercing through the wolves but it is rather taxing for an ordinary human cultivators to do. 4 more to go.


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    The 4 remains on vigilance. Knowing that my chi reservoir is 70% used up. I know that it is high time to finish it of fast or I may suffer serious trouble. However, I opt for the safer plan which is to recover a portion of my lost chi since they are not planning to attack me head on. I start my breathing technique. I inhale the chi then drawing the chi into my chi reservoir. I start willing my chi to tune the chi absorbed into mine. Basically when one is at a state where they are low in chi, they will find it harder to recover the chi as they have less chi to convert the surrounding chi into theirs.


    After a few minutes of standstill, I manage to recover a total of 12% of my chi and my confidence. Brimming with energy, these wolves notice that for every second they wait, they can notice that I am gaining more strength as time proceeds. Knowing that they have made a grave mistake and they cannot allow it to continue, the standstill is broken. The fight continues.


    I stop drawing chi from the air. The 4 wolves howl. Noticing something is different, I hastily attack them and my instinct prove to correct. They are not moving at all as I approach one of them. Their icicles on their back is starting to turn red in colour. I draw more chi and speed to do a piercing attack. Their transformation proves to make their skin harder.


    This is going to be a mess. As I manage to kill 3, I am rushing to the last one. It moves and there can only be one answer for this. The transformation is completed and I know how troublesome the transformation has been for me. The 3 of them require me to use more chi and speed to pierce through their skin for each successive wolf. Now there is still the last one.


    Its speed and strength clearly has boosted as well. I clad myself in the Ordinary flame and attack him but sadly the skin is too tough to pierce through let alone cutting it. Jeslyn shouts, ¡°Rancer, here, grab this sword.¡± Jeslyn tosses it and I get hold it. Now only do I know how to appreciate a good sword. This sword is the very sword that I have obtained during my first birthday and I notice the material of the blade is way tougher and flexible compare the sword that I previously use.


    I perform a slash horizontally and a crescent of air is formed. I can feel that the crescent of air is sharper compared to the precious one. It manages to do shallow wound onto her wolf as the wolf manage to dodge backwards to made the crescent of air to spread out more reducing its sharpness. The result is still satisfactory as I manage to push it to the desired position. I manage pierce through the wolf and I laugh as I have secured a victory. The wolf appears to be unwilling to die alone as it sees a golden opportunity as I let my guard down, it moves it''s head. Knowing that it is too late to block the attack, I channel the Ordinary flame to the blade to burn his inner flesh. The perseverance of the wolf is astonishing as it still manage to take a bite off me at my shoulder which originally should have been the neck. Groaning in pain, I burn the flesh at higher temperature. Finally, it has dropped dead. I pop the blood clotting pill into my mouth to hasten the clotting of the damage.


    I then drag myself and use my sword to harvest the icicles on their back. I then will my chi to make the icicles to float. Summoning the Ordinary flame, I burn the icicles to remove the impurities and harvest the droplets. I collect the droplets into a gourd. I continue the process until leaving the last four wolves. These droplets are definitely a good substitute for the Common Morning Dew. To be exact this droplets are named as Icy droplets and the effect almost similar to the Common Morning Dew just that it is much more potent and the Icy Droplet is ranked at Level 3 Earthly herb.


    I then inquire what I should do with these four. Grandpa Dugo says that he is quite astonish with the fact that these wolves know how to do the ancient sacrificial ritual. This ritual can instantaneously boost the user in physical abilities and if they kill the sacrifices, they will permanently gain this boost. The drawback is that if they fail, they will lose 1 realm of their cultivation. Their icicles are even a better herb for they can replace any herbs¡¯ function ranked Level 5 Earthly herb and below. I do the same with the icicles and keep it in another gourd. I keep the rest of the corpses into Taratos for future refining purposes.


    With the obstacles gone, we are now exiting the forest. Wintermoor. It is definitely a sight to behold. The buildings are built layers on top of layers. There is a proper paved road. The geometry and precision of the arrangement of the buildings can be seen. A marvel. The people¡¯s clothing is so luxurious. When admiring all of this, I fail to notice that my jaw drops down to show my appreciation for such civilization. I then snap out of it as I feel that someone is nudging me. I notice some of the surrounding people steal a glance to look at me while some snickers as they past through me. I feel so embarrassed for my antics.


    It is at this moment, someone passes me a poster. Annual Bout! It is nothing but the prize is extraordinary. I must join it.

 Chapter 11- Bout

    Sry for releasing the chapter late due to some life problem so I can only release one chapter.


    Chapter 11- Bout


    The price of entering the bout is 5 small chi stones. I wonder that is a lot. I pass this poster to Grandpa Dugo and I point it towards the price sections. "Okay, I get what you are trying to say. You can join it. Here are a pile of small  chi stones," says Grandpa Dugo. Grandpa Dugo teaches me the denominations of the currency and the other functions that can be used beside its monetary value.


    1000 low grade chi stone = 1 low grade chi core


    1000 low grade chi core = 1 middle grade chi stone


    1000 middle grade chi stone = 1 middle grade chi core


    1000 middle grade chi core = 1 high grade chi stone


    1000 high grade chi stone = 1 high grade chi core.


    Both chi stones and core in any grade can be used to draw in chi faster compared to the surrounding. The only difference is that the higher the grade one is, the more dense the chi is and the faster release of chi. The only thing is that not many people are that the chi core at any grade is more frown on be used although they can certainly draw in more chi than the chi core on the same grade, more people use the chi stone more of an investment. This is because when a chi core embedded into the ground, the chi core will start to draw in chi from the surrounding. Upon releasing a certain saturation of chi in the chi core, the chi core will start to release the chi and form the chi stone. Therefore, chi core is more often used as an investment. I check just what is the exact amount of the small pill of low grade chi stone shock me down to the core. Grandpa Dugo is so rich. The small amount is actually 235 low grade chi stone. I drag Jeslyn and Grandpa Dugo to the registrar and register myself. After that, we seek for some accommodation at the inn for 3 low grade spirit stone for 3 of us in one room for three night. Jeslyn and me take an hour or so nap as the fatigue has caught up with us. After being energized, we head of the shops that there is in this place.


    I first head off to the Alchemist shop. I cannot believe the Alchemist shop is selling the Icy Gale flame. I ask Grandpa Dugo to buy it for me. I am quite curious for how do this people capture the flame. It appears that one needs a unique flask enchanted with the suction force. The flask is made from a mixture pounded low grade chi stones dust, some metal and skins from the magical beasts. However, this flask can only contain lower tier alchemy flame. The Icy gale flame is an upgrade version of the Ordinary flame which is only used by alchemist. When the alchemist of Icy Gale flame, the alchemist can reduce the lower limit of the flame temperature by a whole 25 degrees Celsius when the alchemist is one a cold place. The alchemist can increase the upper limit of the Icy Gale flame by a whole 25 degrees Celsius when the alchemist is in a windy area. Therefore, this flame is not really particularly that good as this flame is more of a flame has conditions to be fulfilled to allow one to fully utilize its benefits causing the flame to ranked the third weakest alchemy flame. I cannot believe that such a weak flame would be charged at a hefty price of 800 low grade spirit stones. Judging by how Grandpa Dugo do not make any protest, the price should be reasonable. That is just the third weakest flame. I cannot imagine just how expansive will the top 5 alchemy flame suggested by grandpa Dugo. Now that I think about it, why didn''t  Grandpa Dugo just give me all the alchemy flame to absorb? Why does it makes me feel like I should get these flames on my own? Could it that he does not know of the secrets behind the Ordinary flame?


    There is just so many question to ask but I do not know here to start with. Just maybe, I will ask him after the competition. As we move on, Jeslyn is in dazed and her eyes are clearly fixated on one thing. I look onto it. Could it be she has taken a fancy on that thing? I then excuse myself for a while saying that I need to heed to call of the nature. I buy it and keep it till we reach the inn. After that, I will try to surprise her with it. After moving here and there, we buy some clothing and weapons. I restock my sword and present one sword to Jeslyn to keep for herself. The clothing consists of normal cloth and vest that can defect ordinary sword attack. After we take our bath, we have our dinner. As we are preparing ourselves to sleep, I am ready to shock her. I wonder what face is she going to make. As I take out it, I say, "Jeslyn, look what I got for you." Jeslyn gasp in shock for she does not expect that I will have bought it for her, "UU..." she remains speechless. "Here, do you want me to help you to put it one. She nods shyly but also in joy. I put on the hairpin onto her hair. I also notice that as time goes on, my ribbon that I give her can no longer be used to tie her hair as it is too short. Therefore, I also buy another ribbon with the colour of light green for light green is her favorite colour. After putting on the hairpin, I give her the ribbon for keepsake. She quickly takes a look at the mirror to see how she look like. She appears that she is beyond happy. She then pecks me on the forehead with her lips. Could this be an upgraded way of a form of saying thank you? After that, somehow my body goes disarray. My body starts to feel the heat being generated uncontrollably. What is this feeling? Soon, this heat begins to subside. So weird. I shrug off the feeling and just sleep.


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    The next two days pass off with nothing much to say. I just stay at the inn and hone my skill to my out most limit. Preparing myself, Jeslyn just mediates and cultivates as she can sense that this competition is fairly important for me. Two days have passed quickly for it is time for the competition. We head off to the arena. There are exactly 128 contestants. It appears that this competition will be quite a challenge for such an exuberant gift. Most of the gift are sponsored by the Alchemist and the Blacksmith association. It appears that this competition has a silent agreement among the seniors that they will allow the juniors to participate in this competition. Maybe, they are using this competition to establish each reputation. My first fight is with Mo Ling. due to the fact that I am magical beasts to begin with, I can pick up those murmurs. "This no name cultivator is going to beaten down and be step down by young master Mo Ling. Mo Ling is said to be the next clan master for he has reached the second realm two years ago," says someone. Mo Ling being closer to the source of the murmur holds his head high with more pride. He even starts to act high and haughty. Arrogantly he says, "Be thankful of my grace. Quickly go out of the ring before it is too late." I do not even give a damn about his babbling and just stand there for the competition to starts. The referee seeing that I am not backing down, he throws a side glance at me. Even the referee is having the same opinion with the public. Could it be being a foreigner cultivator is that weak? It is time to break down their stereotype. He is just a second realm cultivator.


    3,2,1. Start! The referee moves backward then exits the ring for us to start our fight. Clearly, I think I have flipped his switch as Mo Ling is thinking that I am undermining his strength. In fury he shouts, "I am done in being kind with you. Fine! You want to play tough , right? I cripple you,'' Mo Ling says. I then goes on a stance of quick draw as  he starts his attack. He takes out a talisman and a dagger. With the dagger, he does a shallow cut and a drip of blood drops onto the talisman. The talisman burns and an energy seems to seep out of the talisman. The energy seems to coat Mo Ling as a whole and this energy seems familiar. Chi! How is it possible for a second realm for a cultivator to wield chi? Mo Ling is giving off a sinister laugh as he says, "Perhaps, are you scare now?" I give off a smirk and ridicule him by tapping into my chi reservoir to draw out the chi. I cover off my body with the chi. We starts our battle.


    Both we know that using weapons are basically useless for the weapon can never pierce through a layer of coating of chi. Mo Ling throws a punch containing a coating of chi. I raise my left hand and perform a side guard. The attack is blocked but the chi from Mo Ling refills slower from mine. From here, I know that offense will be the best defense in this case. I throw a punch with more chi towards his face. Mo Ling guards it with two hands. At this moment when his vision is severely restricted, I use a low kick to throw him off-balance. The side kick manage to bent his knee as the kick manage to hit at the area behind his knee cap. Slightly bending one of his knee, I finish him off with a kick on the torso sending him flying backwards. The close quarter combat is effective in reducing the chi. It seems that the talisman has a set amount of chi stored into it. Panicking as Mo Ling notices that the chi is waning while mine is still having an even coating of chi. He irrationally shouts, "You better give up or Mo clan will hunt and kill anyone that you knows." Mo Ling is basically so stupid. I then will the chi into ten fine needles and shoot off towards him. That is right, during this whole trip I have managed to learn chi manipulation. He evades 5 chi needles while the 5 hits onto him. The 3 chi needles are being dispersed by the chi covering Mo Ling. The last two needles manage to hit him. On of them hits onto his body making a small puncture as this chi needle is making its way out of Mo Ling''s body. The other one impale his meridians. Probably this attack has torn one of his meridians which probably stunts his cultivation potential in the future. Mo Ling groans in pain as this attack has damaged him severely and slumps to the ground with his face towards the ground.


    I can see a group of people are beyond furious and from there I can infer that they are from the Mo clan. One of them stands up and says, "Kid, be grateful that you can die from my attack." "Mo Wu, please remember of your status. Just count that Mo Ling is unlucky. If you are to lower yourself, your Mo clan''s reputation will be tainted," says one of the figure. Mo Wu clenches his fist and then smiles while saying, "Kid, watch out when you are walking alone." Wow! This guy is threatening me in the public. However, I am going to care about such thing for I know Grandpa Dugo will protect me. 63 challengers left! The ultimate prize must be mine.

 Chapter 12- Surprising Everyone

    Chapter 12- Surprising Everyone


    Rancer''s POV


    This time it seems that I am fighting against Chen Yi. I manage to discover this contestant''s profile. It appears that this guy is the son of the grand elder, Chen Da of the Fire Revolution Sect. It appears that this Chen Yi is significantly weaker than Mo Ling as Chen Yi just recently make an entry to the second real. However, Chen Yi being the son of the grand elder Chen Da, Chen Yi is given a lot of common divine artifact just that I do not know what level of the divine artifact it is? The divine artifact ranking is also similar to the ranking of the alchemy herb with the grading from Common, Earth, and finally Heaven. The difference that Common Grade divine artifact has it its grading as well. Each grading has ten levels with Level 1 being the weakest.


    I guess I should be wary of this Chen Yi. The fight starts off with Chen Yi backing off right at the edge of the ring. Taking out two daggers from the sleeve, Chen Yi throws one of the daggers at me. It appears that this Chen Yi has taken quite a lot of preparation and strategy in taking his opponent down. With the dagger coming straight to me, I have no way but to deviate my straight path towards Chen Yi. Knowing that I will not make it in time after dodging the dagger, I make a strategic retreat backwards to see what Chen Yi is going to do. Chen Yi makes a small cut with the remaining dagger on his finger. 5 drops of blood can be seen dropping downwards to a small stack of papers. On the papers, there are some weird drawings inscribed onto it. The papers burn down rapidly upon contact with the blood. 5 fire shaped like balls appear. The fire balls morph into a shape of a paper plane. Upon completing the transformation, Chen Yi moves his hand and using his finger, Chen Yi points at me. The 5 fire seeming like paper plane appears to start to move towards me. What an absurd thing is this?


    Not wanting to wait any longer, I starts to make this ''paper planes'' to stray away from colliding me but it seems all is in vain. These ''paper planes'' appears to have a homing abilities. Knowing that I cannot outrun these ''paper planes'', I have to formulate a new plan. It is do or die now. I have to bet on the sword that Grandpa Dugo has given me. Crossing my fingers, deep down, I really hope that this sword should be at some divine artifact and not some cheap ordinary mortal sword. Taking the quick draw stance, I slice the ''paper planes'' in succession. It appears my bet is correct as the sword is much sharper and durable than expected. There is no resistance or what so ever when I slice through the ''paper planes''. The ''paper planes'' split into halves upon sliced and the fire energy in it is greatly dissipated into the thin air. The next moment, it slumps downwards like an airplane without fuel and is flying downwards with a head on collision. However, when I am at the fight, I notice something so disturbing.


    I can see many cultivators salivating as they see me drawing my  sword. Is my sword that great? Chen Yi is shocked with the occurrence. Chance! Not letting this one of, I dash forward while Chen Yi appears to be recovered from the shock. Not knowing in what to do, Chen Yi starts to move like a bull losing its owner to lead him. With ease, Chen Yi is within my sword reach. It will not be a desirable victory if I make an enemy of every contestor as I know there is a senior backing up every young cultivators in this tournament. With a slight force, I use my sword to make a small shallow cut in hope in instilling fear in Chen Yi. This way I can win this fight easier without offending the senior. The next moment left me baffled. My sword is unable to deal the damage that I desired. Ting! My sword bounces off from his body. A Common divine armor!


    At this turn of moment, I can see the fear in his face slowly turning into a sly smile. I have been tricked. Before I managed to recover from the reality, Chen Yi has started his counterattack. Taking out a pipe, Chen Yi takes out a tube and place one of the open end of the tube into his mouth and blows. Many fine like objects shoots out with speed but nevertheless the speed is still what I can still cope up with. Slicing the air with my sword, a crescent of air is propelling forward counteracting the fine needles. Sadly, Chen Yi has greatly looks down on me for my reaction speed is way faster compared to a normal human cultivator after-all I am a magical beast. Many of the needles are deflected off from its original path pushing it towards the ground. I am mystified by how potent this acid is as the sizzling sounds can be heard when the needles make their contact with the floor forming so many small fine holes. Unfortunately, some of the needles have not stray off from its path. With no choice, I have to use my sword to deflect the attack making my sword to appear to be porous paining my heart. A fine sword is now lost its glory and luster. With my sword losing its function and the uncertainties in the function of his upcoming weapon troubles me a lot. I have so many choices but I do know what to choose for I am lacking information. It appears that I have to use it.


    Channeling and willing my chi into chi pulse to my hand, I draw the fire essence around me towards my palm. I reach out for my inner soul where my alchemy flame is residing. Resonating the alchemy flame with the flame essence and the chi, the alchemy flame ignites. I coat both my hand with the Ordinary flame over my chi and raise the flame to the out-most temperature. Everyone outside of the arena is shocked once again when I use my Ordinary flame. After a few seconds, many of the elders are brimming with a creepy smile of theirs. Chen Yi knows that he cannot win against me as he has no chi to protect him from this heat. Chen Da then signals Chen Yi to admit lost. Chen Yi is stunned for the moment and just jump off the platform. After that, I go off from the platform as well but I am starting to get so many weird gazes from the people like they are a pack of hungry wolves just encountering their prey. Some are even panting uncontrollably which sends down shiver to spine. Chen Yi can be seen to be arguing with Chen Da but after Chen Da whispers something to Chen Yi, Chen Yi seems to calm down. A gaze this time is fixated at me but with a deep intention of killing me. I turn around and look at the direction for which I find out is Po Huir.


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    Po Huir''s POV


    I still remember vividly those days where I was living happily with my family members. It was all a fine day when I was celebrating my five years old birthday. All of the sudden at that very moment, I felt as if the limitation of my body was removed at that day and my body is somehow assimilating with the unknown energy that I have no idea about. Later do I know that very event is the event that has caused catastrophe to not just my family but the whole village. At that time, I could see a faint human figure floating on the sky pausing for a while. I wondered whether I was dreaming or not, I rubbed my eyes, only to see that it may all be just my imagination. The next few weeks is abnormally weird. At times, my body involuntarily released this thick black pungent liquid and my body appeared to be tougher after this occurrences. I was scared with the mutated body that I had and I kept a secret about it only to myself. After 2 months, at that one night, the quiet serene night turns into one of the worse and bloody night. The bandits had struck. Being powerless, outnumbered and unprepared, the fight goes on with all the men of the village dead from defending from the bandits. The bandits kept the children at one place and it appears they will add some to their group and selling the rest as slaves to the kingdom. It was celebrations for the bandits for they were reaping off their rewards now. Some hastened in pulling down their pants and dragged some women my their hair. However, what can the women do? They had their hands tied together at their back and cloth inserted into their mouths to prevent the women to try to suicide by biting off their tongues. It was a crazy night watching so many aunties, mother, elder sister to be sullied by the bandits. Man after man, each woman servicing multiple of them. They cried and their face was so unsightly but the bandits took it with pleased and firing up their passion. I could not take it anymore. GOD! Why are you so cruel? My answer was answered.


    A powerful aura was emitted from above and this man-made his descent from the sky. The bandits were frightened by the mind-defying capabilities of this man. Scared witless, some even began to run and desert the rest of the group. He waved his hand and multiple bandits were knocked airborne. The impact upon landing onto the floor with such force kills many of them. More and more realized the severity of the situation. Chaos and disorder among the group of bandits was sown. The leader shaking in fear said, "TThis isss not..." His sentence was not fully delivered and the man swiftly killed the leader. The man crouched down and asked me, "Kid, do you want to be strong?" With determination, I nodded. I then learn that this man is called Fo Shen and was an elder of the Tough Rock sect. Fo Shen then take me as his personal disciples and I overjoyed with this fact as this means that I can progress way faster compared to the normal disciples. Fo Shen gives me this manual called Rock Strengthening arts. It was the very manual and arts that the founder used to gain the prestige that the sect has. The art involves one to train everyday and the pain in immensely high. First, I strengthened both my hand first. I dipped both my hand to the hot scorching and rough sand till my elbow level. The sand revolved my hands and the rough sand kept rubbing against my hand. The first day there were so many tears and cuts on my hands. I resolved myself to get stronger although there was so much pain. After 6 months of pure torture, I had managed to make my hand so tough but my hands are heavy. I trained and trained but I could not seem to breakthrough to the third realm. I went to pay my respect to my teacher and he appeared to be in a drunken state. Fo Shen said, "Ah son, come here. Do you know about that kid that I have taken as a disciple. I cannot fathom that his talent is that great to be handpicked by the founder to become his disciple. HAHA! I cannot believe my plan for hiring the bandits appears to be correct..." After hearing till the bandits part, I am infuriated with the fact that all the mess was caused by Fo Shen. I then left the sect under the reason off seeking experience. For 4 months, I hunted high and low for the remnants of the bandits and it appeared that the vice-leader had not taken part in that night''s activity and was not dead yet. Being the new group leader, he had reformed the group. I hunted the group down and managed to find out the truth. However, I could not kill Fo Shen yet as I knew the disparity in the power between us. I had to get stronger than him to seek revenge.


    I have trained until all this time. Now, I at the mid level 3rd realm cultivator and I heard that there is a competition and the prizes are fantastic. I am picked to join the competition and the competition is a piece of a cake. It is then when a vermilion colored hair child appears. the weapon that he draws out make Fo Shen to be shock and then he draws out an alchemy flame. Fo Shen seeing that I am his next opponent then tells me, "You are a lucky kid for the your next contestor has this self-growing sword. This self-growing sword grows with the owner. Therefore, the sword is compatible with the owner. " I see a glimmer of hope in getting stronger. I must have it as this will make me more stronger. The fight starts. All of a sudden, someone arrives with great speed and stops directly besides elder Fo Shen. This woman whispers something into Fo Shen''s ear. The next moment, more and more mysterious people all reaching the arena and informing their respective master. All of them slams the table hard and give a glance to one another, then nodded.

 Chapter 13- Unexpected Ending

    Chapter 13- Unexpected Ending


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    The fight starts off with some unexpected arrival of some unknown people. I wonder what is happening to draw this amount of people reporting to the seniors. Hastily, the seniors start to move from their sitting position as if this competition is no longer that important. These unknown people starts leading the seniors and their direction appears to be the same. Could it be that some huge event is going on?


    Po Huir is left baffled at the turn of event. Neither of us know what are we going to do with this fight. ¡°Rancer just come down already,¡± Grandpa Dugo calls. I hesitate for a while but still I go out of the stage. ¡°The fight is pointless now for all the prizes are stolen,¡± Grandpa Dugo continues. What? Thinking about it again, I am not really surprise about it either as the ultimate prize is quite a temptation. I ask, ¡°So what are we going to do now?¡± ¡°Do you want to join and watch this merry situation?¡± asked Grandpa Dugo. I nod. In less than a second, I am somehow on top of Grandpa Dugo¡¯s shoulder. Po Huir at that mean time just follows his fellow sect members and the referee appears not to be caring too much of this turn of event. Perhaps, this referee might have just known what is going on as well. Those audience are jeering for that the anticipated fights of the genius to end that abruptly. With speed, Grandpa Dugo just vanishes into thin air. Whoosh! It seems that we have arrived somewhere in a jungle. Jeslyn is scared off with the fact that how fast Grandpa Dugo can traveled and as of me I am starting to get used to it for Grandpa Dugo appears to be an entity that defied the logic of a cultivator in any sense.


    Now we are somewhere at the top of the a tree enjoying the bird¡¯s-eye view. At this scene, what I can see is that this old man is fighting with a few people don with black clothes. So sneaky. This old man manifests his aura and all of the black-clothed people appear to be scared. I wonder what realm is that old man at? I ask Grandpa Dugo, ¡°What realm is that old man at?¡± ¡°peak of the 5th realm,¡± Grandpa Dugo answers. I am left speechless with that answer. Nevertheless, the hesitation die down and these people strike the old man. The old man extends out his right hand and a phantasm of a snake appears coiling around his right arm. This old man strikes one of the black-clothed people. The black-clothed people with speed quickly takes out a sword and blocks it. The phantasm snake jumps from the old man¡¯s hand to the black-clothed people¡¯s sword. The phantasm snakes breaks the sword upon coiling it. The black-clothed people quickly releases the grip of the sword but the phantasm snake¡¯s tail has hold onto the fingers of the black-clothed people. At this very moment, the rest of the black-clothed people starts their offence by using the best skill they have. One of them drawing chi towards the sword, one chanting something and the other one infusing chi towards the talisman. The old man knows that time is not with his favor and more will pursue him. He has to finished the fight fast.


    Stomping onto the ground, the hard ground appears to be turning softer. The three of them have their concentration broken off as they are sinking into the ground. Seeing the fact that these three are not trying to fly to escape proves that they have not reached 4th realm. Conserving his chi, the old man moves to the position of those three people and strikes them with pure brute force, sending all three of them towards the person that is struggling with the phantasm snake. Upon colliding, the snake extends itself and coils around all four of them. Struggling, one of them says while laughing, ¡°Haha, we may have lost but our mission is counted as accomplished. It is your lost Han Chong.¡± The old man , Han Chong is not vary pleased with the word but what the black-clothed people said appears to be correct. Han Chong sighs while saying, ¡°The juniors of the Black Suppression Sect does live up to its reputation.¡±


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Various sects and clan members start running to the forest. Po Huir ask Fo Shen, ¡°Master, what has happened for every single members of the sect and clan members at the tournament to moving the forest?¡± Fo Shen answers, ¡°That Han Chong has gone senile. To think that he has the courage of a dragon to dare to steal all the prizes but this is actually quite a good thing. When we starts the fight, we can kill some the enemies from the other sects and the clan¡¯s representatives when we are getting the items.¡± Po Huir hearing the sentence, smiles as he is thinking of something. Not long everyone has reached the designated place. Everyone is giving a smile as they know this fight will turn out to be bloody but the rewards are definitely high. ¡°Everyone, I think that we should take down our common enemies first, Han Chong. We all know that Han Chong is definitely stronger than all of us,¡± says Fo Shen. Everyone nods or smiles as a sign they are agreeing. ¡°Shall we attack,¡± Fo Shen says. Waving his hand down, many of the sects and clan members send their lower potential juniors to wear down Han Chong.


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    Han Chong laughs as he knows his demise is here and the question is how many people will be buried with him here. Han Chong summons phantasm snakes all over his body as he levitate to the sky. Everyone harness their chi and channel it into their weapon. They then project their chi using their weapon as a medium towards Han Chong. Han Chong sends out his phantasm snakes to defend the chi attack. The phantasm snakes overpowering the chi attacks make their descend towards the cultivators of the sects and clan members. The phantasm snakes coil around all the juniors. While the elders display their might by using their chi to counteract the phantasm snakes that are trying to coil onto them, the phantasm snakes coil and squeeze the juniors to death. Only some genius of the sect and clan are given some life-saving treasure to protect themselves from the attack. Just trading one blow and that many young ones die from the attack.


    Han Chong then makes his descend to the ground. Just as his heels make contact with the ground, the ground starts to shake as if they are excited with the arrival of Han Chong. The ground shakes and crumbles into more finer particles. Stomping towards the ground, Han Chong sends the tiny fine particles upwards clouding everyone¡¯s sight. Meanwhile, the elders of the clan and sects prepares their ultimate moves that make them who they are today. Fo Shen uses his the combination attack of his Rock Strengthening Arts with Giant¡¯s Might Sabre style. Mo Wu uses his art of enchantment, 5 Style Pentagram. Chen Da uses his Inferno Style while Han Chong uses Ophidian¡¯s Holocaust art. The juniors that have survive from the previous attack starts to run away from the fact. After all, everyone values their own life. The only one that remains in Po Huir. Po Huir moves a bit away from the scene but his figure is still visible from the elders.


    Using Ophidian¡¯s Holocaust first stance, vortexes appear below every elders. The siphoning force is so great that so some of the elders lose their footing. Under the suction force, a python like shape made up of sand appears of it and drag the elders down. The only ones that have survive are Chen Da, Mo Wu and Fo Shen. Fo Shen uses his two-handed technique accompanying with his tyrannical strength of his arm to do a vertical slash. The vertical slash carries so much weight in it giving it a highly penetrative force. Chen Da with his hand infused with chi hits onto the ground. The chi travels through the ground and towards Han Chong. Upon reaching Han Chong, the chi disperses making the ground much more denser with fire essence. Mo Wu smiles as one point of the pentagram shines red in color. Making some seals, chanting some words and then some items appear out of Mo Wu¡¯s hand. Han Chong at this moment humphs at this petty movements of theirs. It looks like to him that these three must be so confident is killing him that they are trying their best in conserving their strength for their own fight. Han Chong just knows the right trick in making them fight for their life just that using it there will be no turning back after using the skill.

 Chapter 14- Jack in the box

    It¡¯s here guys. Sry for the late release due to some health complication going on. Do give a review and comment below about the chapters so far.


    Chapter 14- Jack in the box


    Han Chong grits his teeth as he strengthen his resolve. Han Chong draws in the chi madly. Mo Wu, Chen Da and Fo Shen sense that something terrible is going on as the density of the chi is waning in an increasing pace. Three of them¡¯s aura starts to change as well. Their easygoing attitude turns to be more serious as they strengthen their defense. None of them are willing to take the risk in attacking Han Chong only to be taking Han Chong¡¯s attack at a close proximity. Fo Shen being well-known for his passive tough defense due to the Rock Strengthening art is in a lax state and he is brimming in joy in his heart as Mo Wu and Chen Da have expand out more chi to deal with Han Chong¡¯s attack. On the other hand, Chen Da and Mo Wu are feeling gloomy with the turn of event as they will be at the disadvantaged one after this fight. Han Chong at the meantime uses his chi to will the foreign chi to his dantian. The foreign chi is colliding with the dantian non-stop as Han Chong is not following the natural way of cultivation. After the foreign chi clashes with the dantian for some moment, a booming sound can be heard by Han Chong. Han Chong¡¯s aura further intensifies as he has made to the entry of the 6th realm. Cold sweats can be seen forming from all three of them. They know what it means when Han Chong has made it to the 6th realm. They are dead for what can three mid leveled 4th realm cultivators do to a 6th realm cultivator?


    However, little do they know that Han Chong can only probably deal five blows with his maximum capabilities before he breathes his last breath. Han Chong rushes towards Mo Wu. Knowing that losing Mo Wu will spell demise for Chen Da. Chen Da quickly extends help to Mo Wu by using the second stance- Counter essence arts.By using this art, water essence from the surrounding is pooled together with Chen Da being the center. According the rule of yin yang, there will always be a force counteract the others balancing the other force. Like how water counters fire and by drawing away the water essence in the air, the balance is disrupted causing the place to be more denser with fire affinities. One of the five-pointed pentagram lights up with bright fiery red color. Mo Wu smiles with the assistance given by Chen Da. The fiery red point dims as a Cherufe with the size of a human appears at the fiery red point. Cherufe is s type of summoned monster that appears in humanoid shape made up of rock and magma. Cherufe is described to have blazing red veins all around its black body. This Cherufe gives off a vibe to the people that you should not even be under his vision or something nasty will happen. The Cherufe gives off a creepy red vein smile as it tests out its body. This time a green color point starts to bright up a bit. This is the scary part of the 5 Style Pentagram. The use of one element essence in the atmosphere will disrupt the balance making the other element essence countering it to be denser. However, one must remember that when there is yin there is yang. Therefore, there will bound to be a weakness in the 5 Style Pentagram and one of the most obvious weakness is that this enchantment can definitely contain the profoundness of chi of a cultivator of 6th realm.


    Han Chong sends out a burst of his chi and the array of the enchantment starts to be shaken. The enchantment then breaks of but the Cherufe still remains. The Cherufe starts dashing towards Han Chong. A spear appears out of nowhere and drops onto the hand of Han Chong. Han Chong grips the spear properly and execute the attack, Spear Strikes. An attack that incorporates speed and strength making it looks like rain droplets falling down just that it is moving horizontally. Using his superb speed and strength, Han Chong is able to release an attack  that looks as if there are so many spears attacking but in fact, every one of the spears that are phantasm are able to deal damage. The Cherufe receives the attack head on only to be destroyed into parts and parts. The Cherufe does not expect that the damage to be so severe that this attack has managed to hit his core for it has trusted its body hardness. The core shatters upon the impact of the collision with the spear and the dense chi of the opponent. As the core shatters, the Cherufe starts to crumble. Parts by parts disjoint as if the Cherufe has lost control of the body. The Cherufe gives its last but long groan as it is unwilling to die just like that. However, the attack does just end like that. The spears continue to pass through the Cherufe and it appears that it is not stopping at all. Mo Wu shrieks at the turn of the event as he only excels in enchantment and he knows that his body is nowhere as tough as the Cherufe. A dozen of more weapons are then summoned by Mo Wu through his interspatial ring. Willing with his chi then infusing the weapons with the chi, Mo Wu performs his do or die attempt for it¡¯s an all in. Sadly, let it be chi or technique, Han Chong overpowers Mo Wu. The weapons crumble into dust upon contact with the spears. Mo Wu has given up for he does not want the treasure anymore. He runs away in a zig-zag motion only to be pierced by a phantasm spear. Then, successive spears pierce through Mo Wu¡¯s body leaving his body to have massive holes. In the end, Mo Wu dies. Chen Da feeling grim as he knows that the chance in him getting the treasure and making it out alive is getting more slimmer. Moreover, Chen Da knows that running away is not an option for Han Chong will never let him do it for the fear that Chen Da will call for backups. Staying here will also spells death to him. This is because Han Chong will kill him and to survive, Chen Da has to team up with Fo Shen. If they win, Fo Shen will kill him to wolf down Chen Da¡¯s share. All in all, every single possibilities of his is a death road.


    Fo Shen is being anxious now for the only chance in winning is that Chen Da has to be willing in offering him the helping hand but threading the path of immortal for years have made them very calculative and sly. Fo Shen knows that Chen Da will know be stupid to help him. Fo Shen grits his teeth for his has to depend on himself and know he has to use his best attack that he has not complete mastery over, The Wolf¡¯s Grace. By using this art, Fo Shen moves in a way that appears that he is moving like a wolf with all limbs on the ground. Awkwardly, he moves towards Han Chong while dodging the barrage of attacks of the Spear Strikes. Nevertheless, the low mastery of the skill has put Fo Shen in deep danger but this is his best movement and attacking arts that he has. Fo Shen is lucky that he has learnt the Rock Strengthening Art as his body manages to deflect some of the attacks while some gives him shallow cut wounds. Han Chong raises his arm up, using his hand, he gives a quick spin to the spear. As Han Chong infuses chi to the spear, the spear enlarges with the rod now the circumference of the elephant¡¯s thigh. This spear is a special spear specially made for this skill. The spear is made with the best material and would have been a Level 8 or 9 Common divine artifact if not for the tampering. The spear are made with many tiny holes in the spear making the quality of the spear lower but this has allowed the spear to absorb the chi infused into it. The chi will fill the holes in the spear. While the chi has filled up all the hole, the excess chi pushes the spear causing it to expand. The reason why the spear does not break is due to the material used. Seeing that all is done, Han Chong gives a good scream while mustering all its strength and perform the skill called the Titan¡¯s Toss.


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    There is no way for Fo Shen to makes it alive until Chen Da offers to help Fo Shen. Chen Da moves to the back of Fo Shen and stretches out his palm then connecting the palm to the back of Fo Shen. Chen Da channels his chi from himself and transfer his chi to Fo Shen. Fo Shen feeling empowered, draws out the combined chi to strengthen himself. Fo Shen uses his defensive stance, Turtle¡¯s Might. Barriers of chi form over both of them continuously and at the same time the spear is breaking through the barrier like a hot knife slicing through a butter. No resistance at all. Sweats are exiting the pores profusely for both Fo Shen and Chen Da as they are starting to feel the exhaustion.


    Han Chong not liking that the fact both of them are struggling to keep their life intact. He wants both of them to follow him to the underworld. Han Chong channel is chi to the palm and perform the most simple attack, the palm strike but it contains the chi of a 6th realm that is not to be truffles with. The palm strike hits onto the spear giving the spear an extra thrust forward. At that instant, it is the defense that have lost. The spear breaks through and pierce both of them. Even the unrivaled defense that the Tough Rock Sect boast about cannot defend against this attack. The spear with some drilling force ease the penetration of Fo Shen¡¯s body into and out of it. Fo Shen coughs out two mouth of blood as the attack tears out almost half of his body. Fo Shen regrets his decision for trying to be a greedy person to get the items. As for Chen Da, it is needless to say that Chen Da with no body cultivation with have a worse injury. Chen Da is shredded into meat stripes and it is indeed a gruesome thing to see. As for Han Chong, blood starts to well up in his throat which he then coughs out blood. The aura around Han Chong starts to diminish as his chi running low and the fact that he has used up four out five moves that are present. Po Huir makes his appearance as he thought that Han Chong is already one foot at the death¡¯s door making Po Huir believes that Han Chong is like an old tiger without any fangs.


    Po Huir is betting his life on this. If he wins, he will have a chance in becoming an expert. Failing will have meant that at the very least he will be a crippled. Such high risk with such high rewards. Po Huir strengthen his determination. Han Chong stares at the panting Fo Shen who is pretty much a cripple already but Han Chong will not let him off the hook because Han Chong knows by chance Fo Shen crosses ascension stage, Fo Shen will be given a new body. This fact is also known by Fo Shen making him desperately thinking of the ways in keeping his life and Fo Shen is greatly elated with the fact that he can feel Han Chong severely weakened. Han Chong gathers his remaining chi to perform the last Spear Strikes. At this moment, Han Chong has left his back completely defenseless and what¡¯s more is that he has no more chi left to probe the surrounding. Po Huir moving stealthily while holding onto a dagger coated with poison. A dagger with a shorter reach will definitely help in reducing the time for Han Chong reacting to the attack. Fo Shen having a clear view of what is happening is grinning in heart. God has given him a chance to live. The strikes starts and Han Chong lost every ounce of his strength. Po Huir does a stab onto Han Chong¡¯s back. Just as the dagger reaches near Han Chong¡¯s back, Han Chong senses the dagger but he cannot muster any strength left. All Han Chong can do is have a good view at who is going to kill him. Turning back, Han Chong sees this kid and bitterly he laughs at himself. His path to immortality is cut short for being greedy.


    As for Fo Shen, the attack is cancelled halfway, sparing his life. Fo Shen yells, ¡°Quick, bring me back to the sect and give me the ring.¡± Po Huir gives a creepy smile and take out a vial containing poison. Fo Shen is startled with the very fact that Po Huir is trying to kill him. Panicking yet scared, Fo Shen yells, ¡°What are you doing? Killing an elder of the sect is equal to death.¡± Po Huir replies, ¡°I do not see any witnesses here at all. All I have to do is to say that Elder Fo Shen dies an honorable death from the fight. Haha. Fo Shen, you have never thought that I will kill you right. Serve you right for killing the whole village of mine. You will not have think that I have found out about the truth.¡± Fo Shen knowing that his life is at stake and the words he speaks will determine whether he lives through this tribulation.


    Fo Shen starts to deny his wrongdoing but it is too late. Po Huir removes the cork of the vial and pour out the poison. Fo Shen being low on chi and his meridian path jumbled up  due to the massive damage, Fo Shen cannot protect himself from the poison. Fo Shen can only watch the poison slowly entering his body. One organ after another is invaded by the poison. Fo Shen wiggles in pain as his disciple with an eager face of him watching him dying. By now, even if he wants to curse, he cannot curse at all. Fo Shen¡¯s body involuntarily wrenches for the last time. Fo Shen is dead. Po Huir laughs like a lunatic as he is the last winner and winner keeps it all. As Po Huir approaches the Han Chong¡¯s corpse, Rancer jumps down from the tree and makes his appearance. Po Huir starts to feel dread after all, someone has seen him murdering Fo Shen which can spell death to him. Dugo and Jeslyn then too make their descent. Po Huir is starting to panic at the instant when he cannot gauge the strength of Dugo. There is no sense presence of him although Dugo is directly standing in front of him. An expert at the very least at immortal stage. Even the founder has not reach the stage yet. Quickly turning around, Po Huir starts to run to the opposite direction of them for he knows fighting is not an option and the expert is not willing to lower himself to kill him, the junior. Po Huir gives his warning as he runs away, ¡°Don¡¯t you think it is over. I will be back!¡±


    Rancer greedily walks to the corpse of Han Chong. As Rancer reaches the corpse, Rancer searches for the ring. Upon finding it, Rancer pricks his finger and watches the blood sink into the ring. He takes a peek into the contents and he is beyond satisfied.

 Reviews and Stuff

    As I am hitting chapter 15, I do hope that there will be some reviews about the path of the direction the novel is going. and I am planning to do another story. *** If the story is good, it may become a main story.


    Apocalypse §ÁR


    Summary:


    Apocalypse has happened and as usual the human persists to repel the invaders with the humans given the supernatural power.The power of contracting a spirit. Some being overpowered while some is under-powered. Nevertheless, the humans have survived at the cost of many lands and many humans. Times have passed as the humans fortify their city and their city starts to prosper. However, the city has a dark past, a history that many descendants of the survivors do not know. What is it? However, soon the start of the new chapter unfolds. Our hero has arrived but it is not just one. It is two. The hero of the past meets the hero of the present. §ÁR.

 Chapter 15- Preparations

    Chapter 15- Preparations


    Rancer is elated with the prize that he has found in the ring. the rest of the prizes are just consolations or bonus for him. Rancer takes out a pill and pops in into his mouth. Using his chi, he regulates the diffusion speed of the pill to maximize the efficiency. Bit by bit of the pills melts and diffuse into the blood. Every now and then, the blood with the medicine properties will have some contact with the dantian. The dantian will then absorbs the medicine property causing the dantian to shake. Although it may be minuscule but the dantian then constricts and compresses itself. The dantian then enlarges back to its normal size. The alternating compressing and enlarging last for an hour. Now, Rancer can feel that this pill truly lives up to its rank. The Rank 7 Consolidation Pill is a pill that helps in consolidating and stabilizing the cultivation of oneself. This pill has been a great help in saving Rancer¡¯s time by cutting down the time he needs to consolidate his cultivating by nine months.


    Now that Rancer thinks about it, why Grandpa Dugo does not help him by giving him the pills? Surely, Dugo¡¯s power in already unfathomable, this kind of pill is surely nothing to him. Rancer asks, ¡°Grandpa, why do you not give me the pill?¡± Dugo replies, ¡°Tell me, will you appreciate things that are given to you or thing that you earned by yourself? You are now treading the path of immortality which is full of cruelty, deceit and struggles. Therefore, you have to depend on yourself and not someone else.¡± Rancer just nods as he accepts the information given out by his grandpa but it sounds as if his grandpa is going to leave him. Rancer takes at a look at the main prize and salivate. Greedily rubbing his hand, he takes it out. Removing the lid, he summons his Ordinary flame at the expense of all his chi and tries to engulf this alchemy flame but the alchemy flame resists its out most to be engulfed. Rancer starts to feel depressed but he comforts himself telling him that this alchemy flame will not have been classified as the high-grade alchemy flame if the alchemy flame is engulfed by his Ordinary flame. Rancer makes a long-term goal which is that he will make sure that his Ordinary flame will engulf the Blizzard flame in the future. The Blizzard flame is a highly specialized alchemy flame used for combat. This Blizzard flame is formed at an area with super high density of chi, some decent amount of spirit energy, temperature as low as -50 degree Celsius and most importantly a running hot magma through the ground to make the concentration of the fire element essence to be fairly high.


    Rancer keeps the container back into his ear-ring, Taratos. This way the alchemy flame will be extremely safe and no one can ever find it from him. As they traveled back to Duston Village, there is no much of hindrance. The journey is fairly smooth. Upon reaching back, the three of them are greeted by the whole village including Chouno, Jeslyn¡¯s father. If one was to look at Chouno, one can see the used-to-be dead eyes have change into a pair of eyes filled with new-found determination. Chouno makes an almost 90 degree bow to Dugo, then saying, ¡°Please, take me as your disciples.¡± Dugo answers, ¡°I never take disciples but I can see that you have clearly crawled out of your sorrow and your past. I can teach you some techniques.¡±


    After than Dugo imparts some knowledge and techniques to Rancer, Jeslyn and Chouno. Dugo also gifts the farmers with common divine artifacts that are specially customized for farming. The farmers are beyond happy to have these highly efficient gadgets. Their harvest doubles. The revolution has turned this village into a city. Slowly but surely, let it be the shape, essence or the people, it is slowly catching the prerequisite requirements of a city. The only thing that the village is lacking is the trade routes which will bring in the merchants and their specialized merchandise. Time sure do flies at times of peace. Without knowing Rancer is already approaching the age of six. During these whole time, the relationship of Rancer and Jeslyn become a well-known thing in the village. The villagers acknowledge them as a couple and neither Dugo nor Chouno objects to the relationship. For Chouno, the time spent is fairly used in cultivation. Chouno has reached mid level of the fourth realm. As for Jeslyn, her cultivation speed is still fairly high although all her extra meridians are sealed. Jeslyn herself has reached the early level of the 3rd realm. Rancer himself has reached 3 stars 3 stripes which is comparable to a human at the mid level of the 3rd realm. All the villagers have at least reached the 2nd realm. Once in a while, the villagers will set up an expedition party to experience the life of a cultivator and also sharpen their senses as a cultivator.


    During the remaining years before Rancer reaches the age of six, Rancer spends most of his time in learning martial arts rather than cultivating. Rancer learns two martial techniques related to lightning. One of them is lightning pulse. First, the owner needs to concentrate his chi towards the tip of one of the fingers. Drawing the lightning essence from the atmosphere, one needs a perfect synchronization, harmony and control to perform the last step. The last steps require the cultivator to condense it into a ball and after that the owner needs to insert into the enemy. The reason why this technique is called a lightning pulse is that this ball of lightning will be a pulse of lightning after inserted into the enemy. The lightning pulse will react to the cultivator¡¯s other lightning art and as the other lightning arts makes at least a slight contact with enemy having the lightning pulse. The lightning pulse will release lightning attack onto the enemy from the insight with a power multiplier of two times based on the how much the power of the other lightning arts reaches the enemy. Rancer takes one whole year just to make one lightning pulse. At first, Rancer laughs at his grandpa for heavily looking down on him. One year is the amount of time that Dugo predicts Rancer will learn the art. Rancer thinking to himself that what kind of martial arts needs that amount of time to practice just to a slight grasp of the true power. At first, Rancer draws in too much chi and could not sense the lightning element. Drawing too less chi and there is too much lightning element making the skill useless. After Rancer manages to get the correct mix of the percentage of chi and lightning essence in 2 months, Rancer goes on with making a harmony between the chi and the lightning essence. However, the presence of the chi and lightning are like water and oil. The more Rancer forces the lightning essence and chi to harmonize, the more these two forces rampage causing Rancer to lose the control of it. The ball of lighting essence and chi denotes like a mini bomb. The situation persists for 8 months and Rancer still cannot find a solution to the answer. There is no way Rancer will beg for Dugo for extra pointers as his pride does not allow it. Rancer vows to solve this problem himself. As he cultivates as usual, thinking about it, Rancer asks himself since he can cultivate chi why can¡¯t he draw in the lightning essence as well. Rancer attempts to draw in the lightning essence along with the chi together. As expected, there is a huge resistance in the lightning essence in being drawn together by the chi. Nevertheless, Rancer has managed to draw in some lightning essence in. An unexpected change occurs. This time when he draws in the lightning essence, the resistance has dropped by a small minuscule. Rancer just cultivates like that and only are one month does he notice that the previous action of him using the new way of cultivation has made his chi more attuned to the lightning essence. The present chi now has this almost familiar feeling with the lightning essence on the outside. Rancer quickly perform the lightning pulse technique. Rancer can feel it. It is coming but then the feeling of harmony is dispersed after one second. The greed for the feeling has him to cultivate for another month. Finally, Rancer has managed to produce the lightning pulse but there is no sense of accomplishment for he even grasp the small portion of the technique longer than Dugo¡¯s expectation by a fortnight.


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    Rancer then learns another lightning skill called the ionization lightning. One needs to create a highly charged lightning by connecting the lightning essence with chi being the one that leads the path. Since, Rancer has grasp the harmony of chi and lightning essence, Rancer learns the skill quickly. The best part of the skill is that the lightning being highly charged will cause the surrounding air particles to ionize as well bringing the destructiveness of the skill up another level. Rancer then learns a movement skill called Earth¡¯s Embrace. Using this skill, one can feel as if one is being embraced by the Earth allowing one to travel on the ground with almost no resistance. Without a doubt this will have been the best movement skill but the only downside is that the skill is most effective when the cultivator is on contact with the ground or earth related things like trees. The rest of the time is spent learning the basics of the art of enchantment.


    As there is still one week left before Rancer and Dugo are moving out. Dugo announces to the village that after this week, both of them will be leaving the village. Dugo hopes that their life will be better and at the time of departure the enchantment array will wear off allowing one to notice the village but the villagers have nothing to be afraid of for they are no longer those ordinary mortals. Their powers are capable to rival the armies. The villagers unanimously decides that Chouno to be their leader and Chouno accepts it willingly. The days pass peacefully as the villagers prepared the grand farewell for both of them. The day has arrived. Although it pains the villagers to part with their savior, they still have to face the reality for the savior with unfathomable strength probably has some plan for Rancer. The farewell starts off at the night when everyone has finished their work. It is a mix of bitter sadness and merriness in this event.


    During this merry event, Dugo, Chouno, Jeslyn and Rancer are sitting together at one table. Jeslyn offers to serve them. Jeslyn pours the wine to three of them. Rancer takes at a look at Dugo and Dugo appears not to be restricting him to do so. Rancer drinks a few cup of wine and he is starting to feel drowsy. Jeslyn carries Rancer backs to the bed. At this moment, Rancer starts to feel a sudden uncontrolled rise in heat. Rancer is bewildered and asks, ¡°What is going on with my body?¡± Jeslyn replies, ¡°This is just the side effect of the wine.¡± Jeslyn drags Rancer¡¯s legs to the bed. Looking at Rancer one least time, Jeslyn draws near to Rancer. Jeslyn gives a peek to Rancer¡¯s lip. Rancer¡¯s hand then forms a bear hug around Jeslyn and pulls her towards him. The peck then turns to a passionate kiss. Both are unwilling to part from one another. After a minute or so, they then parts away. Rancer says, ¡°Do not worry. I will come back and find you after I finish my stuff. Wait for me. At that time, I will personally ask your father for his blessing.¡± Jeslyn with some tear beads forming at the edge of both eyes nods while saying, ¡°I will wait for you.¡± ¡°Here is something that will allow you to remember you and this sword is blood-bonded with me. Therefore, carrying this sword will allow me to roughly guess your location.¡±


    After that, they each struggle to fall asleep as they reminiscence their happy past together. The night passes giving relaxation to the people from their fatigue after a whole day¡¯s of work except for the two people. As they will not know when they will meet each other again. It¡¯s day time. It is finally time to leave. Rancer gives a hug to Jeslyn and says, ¡°Wait for me.¡± After that, they parted away. It is time for Rancer to enter a sect. The Divine Tiger Sect.

 Chapter 16- The Divine Tiger Sect

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    Chapter 16- The Divine Tiger Sect


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    On our way to the Divine Tiger Sect, Grandpa Dugo then feeds me with some history of the founder and he does not sound quite please. Apparently, the founder was already a step towards death. Grandpa Dugo sees his perseverance and his potential. Grandpa Dugo feels sad for this potential genius for the tiger species dying here. Therefore, Grandpa Dugo healed him and taught him a few techniques. Never would Grandpa Dugo thought that the founder will make a name in the immortal plane.


    The founder then called himself the Divine Tiger clan which made Grandpa Dugo so mad and furious as no one should have simply used the word divine to name its clan. What¡¯s more when the founder was just at the immortal level. Of course, many tiger clan often challenge him to get the divine name and this has made the founder a lot of enemies. The founder seeks help from Grandpa Dugo. Grandpa Dugo had to mediate the crisis and the as upon the agreement the founder can only stay at the mortal plane and never to step a foot on the immortal plane or he will die horribly. This was what made Grandpa Dugo furious as the founder created a mess himself and only to seek help from him. Even Grandpa Dugo does not even dare to put the ¡®Divine¡¯ word to the Vermilion Tiger. According to the grandpa, once one applied for the name, the Heaven will record it down and no one can have the same name of the tiger clan. The only other way was to fight for it through a wager. After all this fight, the founder settle down and created a sect after his clan¡¯s name. The Divine Tiger Sect. Now, once in a while the founder will sent his descendant to the immortal plane to slay down all his enemies to allow him to ascend to the immortal plane to further cultivate. Another juicy info that I have obtained is that the founder is at 10 stars 10 stripes. Grandpa Dugo says that it is the will of Heaven that no one can further cultivate more than 10 stars and no one more than 10 stars can descend down to the mortal plane as well. These will are all for the protection of the welfare of the mortal to protect the onslaught of the powerful immortal.


    Upon reaching the gate, I notice the school has two enchantment barrier I asked Grandpa Dugo how the founder makes two enchantment to overlap with each other. Grandpa Dugo put on a please look when he hears my question. He rubs my head and says he is quite proud of my talent in enchantment to see a part of silver level enchanter. ¡°It is actually three enchantment arrays over one another. That is also the reason why Kardo (the founder of the Divine Tiger Sect) that allows him to make a name in the immortal plane. The enchantment arrays used are the Chi gathering array, Mirage barrier array and Heart Testing array.¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


    Chi gathering array- The most basic array that is also what makes enchanter heavily in demand. The chi gathering array is also graded following the ranking system of the enchanter. This array gathers chi from the outside and supplies it into the array making the place more dense with chi. A higher ranking chi gathering array is said to be able to amplify the chi inside the array making the place more denser with chi. To increase the level of one¡¯s chi gathering array, one needs deeper understanding and insight or one learns the knowledge from their seniors. However, the second way is not encouraged as this will make the enchanter harder to proceed the next level as the previous level knowledge was not based on his theories and understanding but rather pure memorization of the array.


    Mirage barrier array- An unique array that protects the place under the array. The additional feature that makes it different from a normal barrier array is that it has the mirage effect. It causes lower level cultivation people to perceive that the certain place under the array looks exactly plain like there is nothing there but there can be a building hidden.


    Heart testing array- This array more often lay used as a trial for righteous sect as this array test your inner heart and desire.


    With a slight hand movement, Grandpa Dugo produce a talisman. It blinks for a few moments and then three shooting stars can be seen moving towards our direction. ¡°Here¡¯s my grandson, I am sending him to this sect because of its potential and also its tradition.¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


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    ¡°R R Are, you sure you that sir,¡± the man standing at the middle ask.


    ¡°It¡¯s the best because of my trust for the sect and I have strayed from my job for quite some time. It is memorable but I should get to my work before my enemies take advantage of my absence and create chaos,¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


    ¡°Okay, then, I shall respect your wish then. Jall and Heager take this young cub to our sect¡± says the man at the middle.


    ¡°As your wish, Founder Kardo.¡± says Jall and Heager.


    ¡°Goodbye for now my grandson, become strong to level of 7 stars and I will come and find you.¡± says Grandpa Dugo.


    I lift up my paw and wave my hand back at Grandpa Dugo. It is truly a wonderful time with grandpa like a dream and now I have to part with him. I cry a bit and then give a last hug with grandpa and follow the two men. With the time spent with Grandpa Dugo, all these times, I have feel what is to be loved by a family. Mother, I hope that someone in the heavens, you can watch this child of yours create some achievements as he threads his life in the future.


    Grandpa Dugo¡¯s POV


    After I can no longer see a single shadow representing my grandson, I started taking. I first asked about his well-being.


    ¡°Teacher, sorry for troubling you.¡± says Kardo.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me your teacher. I hardly teach you some stuff and your achievements are all due to your talent and potential. I only teach a stuff or two and I don¡¯t deserve to be called as your teacher. I brought you some news about your clan members.¡± I say.


    ¡°Surprisingly some of them are still alive. Some has even cultivate further than you. Those who are still alive are obviously the branch members. Seriously, what is wrong with the main clan members of yours. They have too much pride in themselves and even went and announced their clan name on the first day they ascended. After that, they are hunted non-stop. Still, they break a record to survive the immortal wide search for six months.¡± I continue.


    Sigh! ¡°Well that is to be expected. I just hope that the branch members are not cursing me. Guess I need to add another character formation programme for the main members. It is probably due to my fault that the main members are acting arrogant. Perhaps, I am just too powerful in the mortal plane.¡± says Kardo.


    ¡°What can you do about it? Arrogance runs deep for those younger generations that leech of from the fame of their ancestors. That is the reason why I am sending my grandson to this sect is to allow him to depend on himself. All powerhouse of this world that emerge here which creates legacy and history all start without any assistance just like you. To be true expert, one need to be subjected to constant pressure of experts to motivate oneself to have the discipline to be stronger. That is one of the reason why I sent my grandson to this sect is due to the sect¡¯s graduation tradition.¡± I say.


    ¡°Hai, at first, I thought that you are joking but I cannot believe you mean it. There is about 70% chance of him dying.¡± says Kardo.


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    Slowly after our separation, Jall and Heager lead me to dorm then telling me to head to the hall tomorrow to attend for the welcoming ceremony for the new outer court disciples. Jall and Heager present me a map and a pamphlet regarding all the facilities that can be assessed by the outer court disciples. What the outer court disciples can access to is only the alchemy room. It is written that if one wants to be promoted to be inner court disciple, one needs to pass through the trial called Tower of Trial. The room provided for the outer court disciples are so small and cramped. Luckily, I have an interpatial ring or I will have felt that this room is totally uncomfortable. The room is a 3 feet width and 8 feet long. The only thing that can please me is the bed but it truly feels uncomfortable in my tiger form as I am so used to my human form. Stretching myself, I take a good sleep to clear the fatigue for travelling all the way to the sect and laying the cold hard ground along the journey.

 Chapter 17- A New Potential Rival

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    Chapter 17- A New Potential Rival


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    It is a good and comfy sleep as I wake up to find that most of my fatigue has subsided. Doing some light exercises as I am trying to get use to my tiger form as soon as possible. It is just so weird for me to move awkwardly in my tiger form. I walk out of my room and then I see this tigress. One word says it all. Beautiful. The ears colored pale yellow with some hint of pale red makes me want to nimble that ear. The eyes are like the devil¡¯s seduction, so alluring it can drag out your soul out of your body. The body colored golden-yellow carrying a hint of majestic aura making the male tiger want to be step on by this tigress. The tail with stripes makes the whole set complete. Wait a minute. This is not supposed to be me. I am not such a perverted person. Blame it on my animalistic urges of mine. Yup! I wonder every male suffers this problem of mine. How can I still take off my eyes from Jeslyn and look at another girl?


    Suddenly, someone bump into me. ¡°What are you looking at? The fact that your eyes are to be digged out for having a glance on Janel but be thankful for her grace and forgiveness. Blah¡­¡± the male tiger speaks.


    Afterwards, I do not even bothered about him as I currently knows the name of that beauty. Janel is it. Such a pity that I have met a beauty like you at a time like this. I have to be loyal to Jeslyn. Strengthening my resolve, I move towards to the hall for the welcoming ceremony for the new outer court disciples. At the hall, I am truly mind blown to see such a crowd. So many young tiger clans members with each having some promising talent. How do I know that? Apparently, this is one of the top sect that offers the best cultivation resources due to the founder¡¯s array and due to that the sect has stringent requirements. The main requirements are to be at least 3 stars at the age of 6 and to have at least one top affinities for one element.


    It is then my thoughts go on for a while until I notice a familiar presence. It was Janel. Every male tiger turn to her side to take a glance while some being braver gives a mighty roar in attempt to draw the attention of Janel. Along the way, I pick up something rather interesting. Janel apparently is one the main member of the Divine Tiger clan. Her talent and beauty have allow her to be worshiped as a living goddess. Every male tiger want to have her as the wife as this will help them to elevate their status in their clan. Pak! I am lightly slap by a paw. I glare at this person. Who does he think he is? I am Grandpa Dugo¡¯s grandson. However, apparently, Grandpa Dugo is not famous at all although I can feel the imposing aura in him indicating me that he is quite an expert.


    Seriously! What kind of bad luck I have to meet this tiger twice already. I am starting to wonder who this son of big-shot is. From the whole body, one can see the well defining black and white color contrasting each other. The tail with alternating black and white stripes. His body has the white skin with black polka dots on his skin. He announce himself, ¡°What are glaring at, you lowly peasant. I did warned you didn¡¯t . No one can have a look at my property.¡± He heavily announces the last sentence and makes sure that everyone in the hall hears it. What a narcissist this person is? To look at himself so highly and looking down someone else. After a slight pause, he continues,¡±I am Gerin, the son of the clan leader of the Duo Tiger.¡± Everyone gasp at it. Is it a prominent clan? How come I have never heard about it from grandpa. Time for some answers. ¡°Taratos, tell me about this clan.¡± I convey it in telepathy.


    Then, some knowledge flows into my head. After seconds, I get some interesting info. The Duo Tiger is one of the big four tiger clan. The best of grade a Duo Tiger is a middle level divine beast. The main reason is that this clan members affinity of element are all at least bearable or higher. Another important note to be taken down is that they always have two  elements. The is a certain grading for the magical beast starting off with common magical beast, low level divine beast, middle level divine beast, high level divine beast, top level divine beast, peak level divine beast and lastly God level divine beast. Although this one magical beast may be from a lower grade but the laws of heaven is always fair. For every ascension, the magical beast¡¯s grade will elevate by one grade.


    Gerin¡¯s POV


    What is this? Shouldn¡¯t this tiger be baffled at my superior status. Contrasting to my imagination, he just have this blank look for seconds. I cannot stand it being ignored. Ah, I know, I will use the school¡¯s rule to beat him down and make him shiver in fear and move aside when he sees me in the future. I shouted,¡±I challenge you to a fight!¡±


    I hear murmurs around and then give a smug face to Janel. ¡°I accept your challenge!¡± he says. Yes! Here is hook to the line like a caught fish as his struggle will be futile. There are two reasons why I know I will have a high chance in winning this fight. First, most of the student here are about 3 stars and 2 stripes while I am already at 3 stars 7 stripes. That already gives me an overall advantage in terms of speed, power and chi reservoir. The next reason is that his red fiery skin of his probably indicate that he is a highly probable tiger with fire affinity which allows me overwhelm him with my water affinity techniques. The teachers reconfirmed by asking us another time. After that, an enchantment is laid. Battle start!


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    He dashes towards me clad with thin flame and tries to ram at me. Such a crude way of fighting me and a low rate technique. Does he thinks that this kind of third-rate technique is able to deal any damage to me. When out distance is less than a meter, suddenly one fireball appeared out of nowhere projected towards me at such ferocity, heat and velocity. What a sly way to trick your opponent, sadly your opponent is me. I draws my chi from the chi reservoir and then expels my chi. I control my chi like a glue to connect the water essence from the surrounding. A dome of water barrier is raised. Seeing that this attack is not multi-directional or diverging and is just travelling in a single path. I morph the dome of water and turns it into a wall of water. I then releases the chi and let the law of inertia do the rest. The wall of water having no restraint starts to collapse forming a water tide and then swallowing the fireball. The tide of water continues moving forward then pushing him backwards. That face of being surprised is truly priceless. He then charges at me. This time, one of his fingers is filled with a small yellow colored ball. I raise the water barrier in front of me. After all, there is no way he is superior than me in speed nor in reaction time.


    He somehow change his direction of motion and appear behind me. Damn! I cannot believe he bypass my defense. What speed is that? How can he have a first-rate movement skill? I have been played around all this time! The yellow light then enter my body but nothing happen. I touch at the spot where he just insert the ball. Nothing! Is he making a fun of me? He then back out. He then shoot out a streak of lightning towards me. I evaded all but one. The one just grazed me but somehow I feel some inner shock. Due to the inner shock, I lose my stance and pace to evade the next successive lightning. I suffer internal and external damage but I cannot comprehend what is happening. My mind is blacking out as there is a crazy amount current influx. I shout, ¡°What¡¯s your name? I will beat you the next time and the fight will not be as easy as this one.¡± ¡°Rancer,¡± he says. Good. Watch out I comeback stronger than ever to challenge you again. I then faint.


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    The fight starts. At first. I clad myself with thin flame over my body and he still have the smug face as if he has won the fight. When I reach less than one meter, I turn my Original flame into a shape of fireball to see his reaction. I cannot believe that he really thinks that he has already win the game. Let¡¯s play with him a bit longer and let him think that I am weak. I fire the fireball at him. A sudden water barrier appears then turning into a wall of water. The wall of water then drops and absorbs the fireball. My goodness the intensity of the wave is so weak. I just play along with it and pretends to be swept away backwards. That face, it is nice to see that you are already getting arrogant. It is time to end it and let him a taste how defeat is.


    It¡¯s high time to show that the glorious victory of mine. Lightning Pulse! This guy is still unfazed with this lightning pulse. Soon, he will know how dangerous this baby is. I keep it at the tip of one of the nails. I then use Earth Embrace. My goodness. This speed is so addictive as I outrun his reflexes. Before he manages to move, I have already sink in the Lightning pulse into the body of Gerin¡¯s body. I then back off. I nearly want to flip myself and laugh as I look at the antique of the terrified Gerin. He literally closes his eye. What kind of people closes their eyes during the fight. Gerin then inspects his body and finds no abnormally. I bet he must be pissed of to think this flashy little ball does nothing to him and my action has shown everyone how much of a coward he is.


    I then use Ionization Lightning. Before Gerin can start to be serious, multiple strike of lightning are already directed towards him. Gerin with no choice starts to dodge but sadly one of the lightning starts to graze him. It is the start of the combo attack. With his brain registering the pain, he reaction speed greatly dull allowing his evasion rate to drop significantly. More and more lightning hits him. At one moment, his body is probably in great pain that he is not moving at all. After what has happened next  afterwards is known already.


    Janel¡¯s POV


    The fight between the boys are funny. The boy named Rancer clearly surprised me as he is using martial arts from three elements. After all, it takes a great deal of time to learn martial arts to a certain mastery and now he learns martial arts skill related to three elements while still able to cultivate up to 3 stars 1 stripes realm or above. A genius. My interest is peaked and I start to pay a great deal of attention to him. I am shocked. His fur color is not red but actually vermilion and that reminds me of the great savior that has saved my ancestor. Could he be related to the savior? If so, I will try to rope him and make him mine. I give him a wink but sadly he has already turned around and those stupid fools start to go crazy at my wink. Males are too easy to control. Just, you wait, Rancer. Soon, you will be in my grasp. The founder Kardo which is also our clan ancestor makes his appearance and calm everyone down. He gives the his opening speech and we are dispersed.

 Must read announcement

    It''s been a crazy week for me. As I notice that my grammar is not that decent, I have open out a post for proofreader position and someone has taken up this post but sadly he/she has expressed that he/she can no longer continue due to real life issue. Therefore, I am doing a shout out to those who thinks that their grammar is better than mine and want to take up the challenge, do sent me a mail at [email protected]</a>. After all, I am trying to bring maximum satisfaction to the reader when reading my novel.


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 Chapter 18- Representative! PR

    Edited by: Watermelon


    Chapter 18- Representative!


    Kardo¡¯s POV


    The fight was truly interesting. Rancer¡¯s deception was world class. If not for the fact that I had known that he had trained under master, I would have been thinking the same as the crowd. Now, even Janel was paying attention to Rancer. What shocked me the most was that master had even taught Rancer the lightning pulse. Depending on the user, it could be a frightening ability. After on, I gave my usual annual speech. Briefing them about the next event which was the selection of the representatives for the first years. I then spoke about the perks that these representatives would be able to receive which was almost on par with the inner court disciples. I could see many of them aspiring to be one of them but reality can be really harsh at times like this. Then, I spoke about the inner court exam. The restrictions are that the inner court disciples must have been an outer court disciple for a minimum of a year and be in the top 100 in order to take part in the exam. I knew that many would not want to risk themselves challenging the seniors or those stronger than them whether in power or the superior networks of their seniors. After all, cultivating as an outer court disciples is pretty decent with the resources the sect was providing. Therefore, here comes the second rule stating that if the outer court disciples cannot make it as an inner court disciples in 3 years. The outer court disciples will be kicked out of the sect and be a guardian. Being a guardian for the sect may have some prestige but surely one¡¯s cultivation speed will gradually slump. This rule will greatly increase the competitiveness of each one of the disciples. After all, every year, the sect accepts a rough estimate of 300 people causing less than one ninth to make it through this dog eat dog world.


    I hope that this year there will be many things installed for me to keep me entertained. I am looking forward to the graduation ceremony. Now, I just need to know at what level can this kid transform into a human. The higher the level one takes to transform to a human, the more potential one has. All the weak magical beast can transform into a human at stage of 4. Beings like dragon needs to reach 5 stars or more. What¡¯s more is that their transformation is not complete and will have some distinctive feature of their animal side. For the dragon, it will be their draconic eyes. As usual, the representative selection will begin tomorrow.


    Rancer¡¯s POV


    After the fight, everyone started giving me this gaze and vibe that they do not want to mess with me. The first year students then dispersed. For those that were clearly aware of their power and knew that they could not make it as a representative, they just wandered around. Meanwhile, for those who wanted to give a shot at the chance of becoming representative hurriedly rushed back to their room. These people would cultivate for some time and then take a good rest today to make sure they were at the peak of their condition.


    The day would pass by quickly and soon the time would come. The day where the sect placed heavy importance upon. The second year seniors would look out for potential rivals capable of stealing their spots in becoming an inner court disciples and as for the newcomers, they would witness the selection of the cream of the crop. Besides looking in awe and admiration of the representatives, these first year would also seek protection from the representatives then form a faction. A day where great changes would occur.


    I then headed back to my dorm. After performing some stretches for a while to make sure that I was more used to my tiger form, I went to bed to have a good night sleep. Soon, I dozed off and fell deep into my slumber. At first, the surrounding around me was all dark but slowly the three basic colors manifested themselves and coloured the dark world. As more and more complex colors formed, the surrounding that I was so familiar with appeared as it colored. The arena. Around me standing were the first year students. What was happening? Why were they clapping? Why am I in the center? Wait a minute? How did they time pass so fast? I would still remember that I was sleeping and how did it come to this. Nevertheless, I shruged off my thoughts and started to concentrate on my fight. In front of me was the most ordinary tiger, ordinary pale yellow fur coating his body. The ¡®king¡¯ word on his forehead with whiskers near its mouth region. Black stripes covering his body. I am suspecting that this tiger was lucky like me and had eaten a dantian and accidentally became a magical beast. As for how he reached the third realm is a question. Using Earth Embrace and Ordinary flame, I easily overpower him. I have won! The fight goes on with me fighting with Gerin. Gerin smiles at me eerily. Earth Embrace! At this moment, I notice something odd is going on. My leg is sinking into the ground more and more as I traveled. What trickery is this? I paused for a moment to think of a way to escape this predicament only to make the situation worse. The ground instantly solidifies leaving me no space to move my leg. I am trapped with no way of escape. With no choice, I have to surrender. Gerin makes a pose of triumph as he watches me surrender. Argh! I cannot accept this humiliation. At least let me walk to some corner where no one can see me. I struggle for a moment and finally I have broken through the floor. My sense of balance is thrown into disarray causing one of my feet to be caught on a bump. I stumbled and the I can feel the pain. I momentarily closed my eyes as I picked myself up. Looking around my surroundings. Have I teleported to somewhere again? This is my room! A dream? This could possibly be a bad omen.


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    The day has finally arrived. It¡¯s time. The gong rings thrice and everyone except for those who want to have a shot at becoming a representatives steps up. There are a total of 50 people stepping up to the arena. It¡¯s a stage where only the surviving eight will proceed. The fight starts off with everyone making a fair distance from everyone else while keeping wary of each other. However, none of them are willing to approach me to attack me due to that unknown attack of mine. Gerin also unleashes his aura to frighten all the contestants away. As for the rest, some of them decide to team up to eliminate me. Using Earth Embrace, I dodge the attacks skillfully while pushing them out of the arena. One by one contestants are eliminated and there are a few that are pretty smart as they were following me. They were just using movement art to dodge while pushing the contestants off the arena. This way, they will minimize the consumption of chi. The fight ends with little suspense. The final eight are chosen.


    My first fight is this tiger that is almost similar to the ordinary tiger that I envisioned. This guy looks so weak. My opponent is Hoer. A normal tiger that turned into a magical beast with a cultivation of 3 stars and 1 stripe. That should be easy. The fight begins! I just follow through with what I had dreamed of. Using Earth Embrace, I take the initiative in attacking him. Moving forward, Hoer uses Earth Spike which disrupts my path causing me to take a detour. With no choice, I have to take a detour. I move to the left and then Hoer summons another Earth Spike. I move to the other side and the same thing happens. In the end, Hoer has just created a cage for  himself within the Earth Spikes that he had used. Cladding myself with the Original flame, I raise it to the highest temperature. Ramming into the Earth Spikes, the Earth Spikes melt before they come into contact with the Original flame. The intense temperature is definitely unbearable for Hoer as he had just broken through the third realm recently. Hoer has to use a large quantity of his lower quality of chi to fend off the heat. Moreover, his chi pulse is so small that almost all the chi is drained in less than a second. The sweat pores of Hoer enlarge as beads of sweat form. Hoer taps out and admits defeat.Somehow, a part of my dream goes wrong as something unexpected happens.

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    i will try to release the next chapter tomorrow. For this week, I will release another 2 more chapter after tomorrow. s for those who have not check out my Patreon</a>, do check it out. Another thing that I need is that I hope that my readers will give review for this novel and rate it. This will allow me to know how the readers feel as a majority. TQ. That''s all for now.

 Chapter 19- …

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    Edited by: Watermelon


    Chapter 19- ¡­


    Gerin has lost! I cannot believe that someone managed to defeat Gerin and what is more surprising is that Gerin lost the fight before I could finish my fight. Considering the fact that Gerin had learnt from his mistake which was to never to let his guard down or belittle his enemy, this opponent¡¯s strength must have a quite a huge gap from him. I had better keep an eye on this guy as I am quite sure that I will be facing him in the finals if I win the next fight. Rudo, it is his name, currently at the level of 3 stars 9 stripes. That is pure madness. With such a huge realm of difference, I have to strategize for a way to win by looking at his fighting style hoping that I will manage to find some weak points of his.


    First, I start off by looking into his profile. Raging Fire Tiger, it sure sounds powerful. Info time, Taratos! Raging Fire Tiger is the one and only tiger clan that has the innate berserk talent and at least moderate fire talent and above. The thing about the Raging Fire Tiger is that all of the tigers are low level or middle level divine beast. All of them are able  to train in the fire berserk arts. Fire berserk arts makes one¡¯s dantian enlarge into the size of a tennis ball and turns it into a whirlpool. This will create a strong suction force to draw in the surrounding fire essence and chi. This allows them to momentarily boost their power and speed. All fire based techniques used during this time has a 50% increase in destructive power. What¡¯s more is that they have unlimited supply in chi during that time. Of course, after that, they will suffer backlash from using the skill and the effects of backlash varies. People may ask why don¡¯t people steal such arts and practice it. They can¡¯t because only these tigers have the special bodies to practice it. Others, they just die upon practicing it. The other downside is that the time one is able to use the art also varies depending on luck and talent.


    The semifinals start off with Rudo fighting another contestant. Rudo is pleased that I am acknowledging him as an opponent. Rudo uses a fire based techniques that I am unsure of. That fire¡¯s ferocity and might is beyond the ferocity and might I can produce through Ionization Lightning  A huge movement is triggered. The fire essence element is siphoned at a crazy speed and gathered in one spot. The fire element essence forms a rod then a spearhead. As more and more fire element essence is drawn towards the spear, a whirlpool of fire element essence forms with the spear at the origin. The swirl provides a torque to the spear. The spear then starts to spin with much more speed. Obviously, at that time, Rudo¡¯s opponent, Yoraz is not that stupid to allow Rudo to complete his attack and take on the damage. Or rather, if Yoraz wants to win, he has to deal a severe blow to Rudo to win. Yoraz gathers wind around him as he moves forward. If one is able to see it clearly, one can see the tiny wind blades forming around the claws. Yoraz then projects the tiny wind blades at Rudo in an attempt at causing Rudo to lose concentration. Sadly, Rudo¡¯s body is fairly tougher than the wind blades. There are no cuts at all. Yoraz suddenly loses his will to fight back as it is almost a certainty that he will lose although he has not yet unleashed his ultimate attack. However, the same can be said for Rudo. Contemplating for a while, Yoraz opens his mouth and shoots out few balls of compressed air towards Rudo. Time is up. The charging is done. The spear is unleashed with its utmost power. The balls of compressed air are like ants compared to the spear in terms of might. The balls of air vanish upon contact with the spear. Yoraz takes a gulp of his saliva as he witnesses his attack that was powered by twenty percent of his chi being destroyed just like that. Rudo¡¯s opponent immediately shouts out as loudly as possible, ¡°I give up.¡± An elder than instantly appears in front of the spear. The elder then morphs into the form of human. Using his hand, he grabs onto the spearhead but the spearhead resists using its rotation. The elder than channels out his chi towards his hand giving his hand an extra boost in power, crushing the spearhead. The spear without the spearhead breaks apart and diffuses back to the surrounding as fire element essence.


    Now it¡¯s my show time. The opponent is just some pushover. The fight should have ended easily but this opponent of mine has seen all of my attacks. Thus, allowing him to have a general understanding of my fighting style. Draw too near, and my lightning pulse will do its trick. Too far, and I will use my Ionization Lightning and Ordinary flame to attack him. Suddenly, I can feel that the amount of water essence in the surroundings are waning while the ground is actually turning softer. It cannot be the dream of mine turning into a reality just that it is not Gerin. I start to panic at this turn of events. I could not allow myself to swallowed by his momentum. Earth Embrace! I start to move out of the puddle while trying to find some solid hard ground. At the moment that I managed to find one, the ground starts to turn softer. Thinking about it, the water essence waning is causing the ground to be softer. Therefore, why don¡¯t I try to use Ordinary flame to counter it. I will my chi to coat my body and summon the Ordinary flame. The ground is starting to lose its water content. While I try to remove the water content in the ground, he is adding to it. It is like a push and pull with almost equal forces. All of sudden, I can feel a sudden rise in the removal of the water content. I have been duped by him. Quickly, I cut off the supply of my chi. Moisture around me starts to rise exponentially. Droplets and mist are forming. A doppelganger of my opponent is appearing. Using Earth Embrace, I dash to one of them and strike at one of them with Ionization Lightning. Unexpectedly, as the lightning hits onto him, there was no sound or indication that he was in pain. Just what is going on? I then feel a jerk from my leg areas. I then look at the at my hind legs as I then see water like vines coiling around my hind legs. I try to move but the water like vines are not letting me off the hook. I send out a burst of chi to my hind legs. The instantaneous burst of chi destroy the containment of the water-like vines. In order to win, I have to strike both of them at the same time but how?


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    I summon out a sword. Biting the sword at the handle, I try to envision my mouth as my hand of my human form. With a swing of my head, I create a sharp blade of wind. At this moment, I shoot out an Ionization Lightning towards the other one. With sheer speed, both attacks manage to reach the both of them. At this moment, I can hear a groan of pain and the mist is dispersed. Now, I can see him bleeding. I release another swing and he quickly ducks down. Quickly without sparing any time, he surrenders. After all, the rewards for all the representatives are pretty much the same and the only difference is the fame gained. However, trading fame for death is not worth it.


    After a short intermission of ten minutes, the finale that everyone is waiting for is here. Rudo and I stepped forward into the ring. MATCH STARTS IN 3, 2,     1! Both of us back off to the edge of the ring. I create two lightning pulses from two fingers. Rudo gives a cautious look as he does not know what my lightning pulse is able to do.


    Rudo¡¯s black pupil then turns red. His claws turn sharper and curves more forming a greater arc. His fur then stands up like a sharp porcupine. Rudo is activating the fire berserk arts. His speed is so fast that it is almost comparable to me using the Earth Embrace. As we draw near to each other, I notice a miniature spear dyed red in color in directly below his belly. As it is too late for me to dodge the attack, we can only trade blows. Stretching out my paws to reach out for him, I manage to shoot out one lightning pulse into Rudo¡¯s body. Sadly in return, I have to sacrifice myself to take a hit by a flame spear. The spear grazes my shoulder but the damage is severe. The short time span of contact with the spear has unexpectedly managed to give quite a degree of burn to my shoulder but it is worth it. I shoot out an ionization lightning while Rudo shoots out another spear. It is probably because of his berserk state. Rudo does not seem to have any damage while I did suffer damage on one of my legs.


    I am seriously angered but what can I do. I promised Grandpa Dugo not to use the Vermilion flame in a friendly match and not to use enchantments in the sect. The fight goes on with us trading attacks but the problem is that I am the one who is suffering the damage. Slowly, my mobility is dropping to a new low. With so many cuts here and there, I can feel that energy is seeping out of my body. Due to excessive blood loss, I collapse and Rudo is the winner. Rudo gives out a victorious roar. All I know is that I truly lost to Rudo. I learn the hard way is that one can truly never be at the peak as there will always be someone stronger that you. A few things that I had learnt through the hard way were that never show all your techniques, and that I should cultivate more diligently and learn another one or two techniques and master them.


    Surprisingly, the one who gave me a lift to carry me down from the ring was Gerin. Gerin gives me a wide grin and then says some words that thoroughly rubs salt into my wounds,¡±Good, since I lost, you can never win as well.¡± Limping, Gerin drags me towards to my room. Our path is then obstructed by a tiger. He is standing with his back against the wall. Crossing his arms, he says, ¡°I have business with Rancer. As for you, please get lost.¡±


    Chapter 19- Never The Strongest

 NEWS!

    I am here to announce to you guys that I have finally 2 proofreader. Brian & Amaranth. We have discuss it out and we are going back to chapter one and start the cleaning process from chapter 1. Therefore, I do hope that the readers will patiently wait for us for I am trying to bring a better quality chapters.


    With these comes the bad news, there will be no chapters for the next two weeks. So, the other two chapters that are guaranteed to be out this week will not be uploaded. I am sorry for all those readers. So, do wait for me coming back in 2 weeks time.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    At the same time for those are fairly interested in my Patreon</a>, I am  here to say that there is a major changes in my Patreon for the month of December. Due to me being inactive for half a month, I am changing my Patreon from $ per month to $ per chapters.


    That''s all for now for Rancerqz.