There was not much known of the the origin of the human species, the records was lost in the passage of time. Although, all human knows that the name of the old planet where they first explored the space was called “Planet Earth”. But, there were some lost records told the human how they get into their current, developed state.
There was the discovery of new,mysterious materials that was stronger than the human ever found than on earth. They used these to construct a faster, sturdier spaceships and buildings that could make the harshest of the planet to be habitable. This became a major breakthrough that propelled space exploration into popularity.
Also, during their explorations. They found out that they were not the only intelligent species that hosted the universe; there were other species that were also civilized and able to speak in language. Then, they decided to make a peaceful habitat with these people to understand the diversity of the universe.
The combination of new material discovery, as well the exchange of knowledge with these intelligent ‘aliens’, had slingshot technology into new dimensions. Creating a ‘golden era’ of space exploration.
However, this seemingly good fortune was also followed with great challenges. Humans were in a dire need for a stronger body and other methods to be able to explore the harder-to-live planets, as well as a self-defense mechanism against the innately powerful aliens because not all of them came in peace.
The result of these needs were the different methods of reinforcing the body and mind, science had solved this through two methods:
First was by exchanging flesh into a stronger artificial arms and legs, the [Cyborg Program]. The second method was through a set of genetic reengineering through successive phase or in short the [Human Reinforcement Programs].
Aside from science, the knowledge gained through interactions with the other aliens and their ways brought understanding to human that there were methods in which they could tap and absorb the nature’s energy and control it.
This was in line with the records of ancient myth and legends in the lost civilization where they could harness the power of the nature to crush mountains and to call heavenly thunder. This method of reinforcing was officially referred as [Ancient Cultivating Art] but the public simply known it as [Cultivation Art].
…
Titania city was famous as [Radioactive City] for hosting the largest complex of nuclear fission plants powering the majority of Lux Colony. Despite being the oldest city, Titania was the least populated city thanks to the dirty mining area and the constant radiation. The protective dome enshrouded the city, protecting it from the disasters while functioning as artificial sky as well letting the sunlight to seep in during the day cycle in Erebus.
In one of the residences was a boy, sitting under a small artificial waterfall, meditating in lotus formation. His expression was serene as if he was detached from the world around him to void.
Outside the waterfall was an old man on his 50s quietly looking at the boy while occasionally puffing smoke from his long pipe. The deep scar on his right eye was enough to terror most stranger. He was observing the boy’s training and patiently waiting for the chance to correct his fault.
However, he was already standing quietly for 30 minutes but something yet to happen with the boy. Although his patience was still long way before spent, the boredom was a little bit unsettling.
“The Elemental Qi is surrounding him is slowly building up… the rate of accumulation was stable even though a little bit slow.”
“He already had the basics in his grasp, but…”
The old man slowly pours the ash from his long pipe to the ground before it was swept by an unnatural gust towards the waterfall. Then, after few seconds it was swept, a series of small explosions was occurring nearby the waterfall.
Hearing the sound, the boy opened his eyes and then reflexively punched and caused a boom to the air, sweeping the explosions away from him. The state he was previously at was in disarray and the energy fluctuation was becoming unstable.
The boy’s face was blanked at the sudden explosion but not long after it slowly turned into an ugly face as he angrily stared at the old man.
Meanwhile, a sense of accomplishment welled up and transformed into a sarcastic smile.
Like a rubber band snapped, the boy clenched his fist and burst out in speed. A small footprint was engraved on the stone due to the force.
The distance was covered within seconds; the boy’s fist was already pointed to the old man. However, the old man quickly grabbed his long pipe and swung it towards the fist. During the contact, the boy was easily flung away back to the waterfall and hit the boulder behind; it was easy to guess who had the upper hand.
“You still have much to learn!” A spiteful remark came from the old man as he shouted to the boy.
A voice originated from the waterfall shouted irritatedly, “You created those explosion on purpose right?!”
“A disruption on that scale shouldn’t waver a cultivator!”
“You’re being unfair. I am not even at that stage yet!”
“A child of Eliad shouldn’t complain like a girl!”
As the old man was waiting for a reply but it was responded with a silence, before an explosion occurred from the waterfall.
“You will regret what you’ve said!” The boy appeared in front of the man and sends a barrage of fists ruthlessly.
However, it was easily deflected with the long pipe, the old man smirked to him and then coolly said, “Try if you can.”
“Sure I will!” An angry voice could be heard as he used heel drop to his dad.
“Hahahaha!” The old man evading by a high jump into a garden filled with small flowers nearby, inside there he lured the boy who was already consumed in his anger.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
At that time, the scenery of the beautiful flower began transforming into scenery of carnage
…
Half an hour passed since the fight,
The lush garden was partly turned into a wasteland with small holes. The boy had been subdued with injuries around his body, his energy was already exhausted to the point he was unable to get up on his two feet any longer.
Meanwhile, the old man was looking down at the pitiful human while smoking his long pipe in triumph.
“Come back in a century and I bet you still can’t hurt me at all” An easygoing remark came from the old man.
The boy could only stayed on the ground while gritting his teeth towards his father, he forced himself to stand up but he couldn’t. With irritation he replied, “of course I can’t beat you, you have been cultivating for decades.”
Hearing that, Eliad Hassan, frowned and spoke coldly,
“Do you think those people out there care about how long you’ve been cultivating?”
“We, the Eliad’s do not make excuses, if you’re not good enough. Grit your teeth and work harder!”
Azai became speechless by the harsh words; the fire in his mind was suddenly submerged by a splash of cold wave. The killing intent of his father was directed to him and caused the surrounding qi in his body to fluctuate erratically. He quickly closed his eyes and forced himself into meditation, trying to compose his heart and controlling the qi inside his body.
Hassan quietly observing the boy as he tried to regain the control of his body, he slowly increases the intensity of his killing intent. The frown of his face was transformed into smile, as the boy couldn’t see his facial expression.
Another smoke puffed from his long pipe as he was thinking,
‘9 years old and he almost reached the mastery of qi control. His willpower is also outstanding, in both aspects… He’s even better than I was.
‘I think it’s time for him to learn the ancestral art.’
“Good” The voice was followed with a sudden release of the pressure burdening on Azai’s body.
At the same time, a surge of power was circulating inside his body and instantly recovered the small injuries he had. He was no longer exhausted and the moment he opened his eyes, the fiery emotion he had already dissipated.
“Sit” His father softly, asked his son.
Hearing the word, he quickly found out that his father was sitting down under the shadow of a huge, evergreen tree. With no hesitation, he approached the man and took the spot beside him.
Hassan closed his eyes as he reminisced and expressed his memory in words,
“Our ancestor, the founder of the Eliad clan, was a person who reached the peak of the cultivation world.”
“Before he passed away due to age, he said this words to his descendant in regret”
“He said, “It’s a pity, if I just had more time. I would have perfected the art.”.”
“The descendants were in pain and surprised at the same time because the man was someone at the level unimaginable to them, so powerful that his thought could kill even at his age. Yet, he said that the art was still incomplete.”
“What kind of power would a completed art would be? The descendants asked to themselves.”
“I want to see… I want to experience the true power.”
“A simple statement leads to a single dream… This dream had passed on from generation to generation.”
“Currently, that task is passed to me, your father.”
He opened his eyes and stare at Azai and let out a short sigh,
“However, your father is destined not to attain this level; science had tampered with his body and was rejected by the qi of the heavens because of that.”
“His cultivation became static and unable to breakthrough.”
Azai was astonished by this fact as he blurted,
“What?! Father, your cultivation is frozen?”
“Even though you are so powerful?”
Listening to the surprise, Hassan could only smiled wryly,
“Dumb kid, of course your father lost his cultivation not too long ago.”
“I have achieved a bit in the cultivation path.”
“Look Azai, this is what our ancient art, [Four Elements], can do”
He rotated the qi in his body and focused it onto his palm, the strand of white colored energy dispersed, then clustered into four different shapes.
A flame, A transparent crystal of ice, A dark mud, and a small vortex.
Azai saw the happening and it caused his eyes to glitter in excitement, at the same time he realized the art was actually about.
“Wow dad, you could transform your qi into different elements!”
At the simple explanation, Hassan could only made a wry smile as he released his control,
“You’re right, but its more than just that and you will learn about it soon.”
Raising his hand, he patted his son,
“Now, this task will be passed onto you, Azai.”
“You are the next successor of the Eliad’s family.”
Then on he removed his hand and reached his long pipe,
A puff of smoke rose up to the cloud as he calmly said,
“Be diligent, have perseverance and stubbornness in this path.”
The boy silently nodded in agreement but the moment made his heart blazing aflame with renewed determination.
Then the father mumbled in a low voice,
“I forgot that someone was to be punished if he couldn’t finish the test this afternoon.”
The word was like a loud thunder that brought the boy back into reality, he realized he had failed on the trial… The father continued his monologue,
“Well, that’s a round around the city and… another portion of physical menu —“
“I get it already!” Azai interjected in the middle of his dad’s speech as he quickly escaped from the area, leaving the old man alone.
Hassan, who saw the boy ran around the area in excitement, couldn’t help but to laugh wildly.