Ding*

Name; Renshen

Form; human

Ability; the Void

Cultivation level; 6000

Cultivation stage♾️

Life; ----

*Ding*

Name; Liu Ming

Ability; Enhanced perception

Cultivation level; 1800

Cultivation stage; Qi foundation

Life;----

*Ding*

Name; Liuyue

Ability; Summoning

Cultivation level; 2300

Cultivation stage; Nascent soul

Life;----

*Ding*

Name; Wu Tao

Ability; Soul manipulation

Cultivation level; 1100

Cultivation stage; Qi foundation

Life;----

"Three months," Ren sighed awakening. A large fluctuation surged outwards in all directions, encompassing the whole mountain. Like a radar in his mind, he sensed every soul, from ants to mortals to cultivators, beasts, spiritual plants... everything.

He saw it all clearly in black, with souls scattered all over as red dots, and all veins as white strings connected to each other like rivers flowing deep beneath the ground.

His mental galaxy had changed. The black hole, his void, allowed him access to certain parts of its depths and he saw some of his past lives. He had reincarnated on earth over six times, each lifetime ending with betrayal.

Seeing how pathetic he had lived over and over, and the betrayals that always came from those whom he trusted, especially women, his heart throbbed painfully. The resentment that arose from the memories made him shed tears.

Was his fate always like this? Would it end with betrayal even in this lifetime?

No! His future self had already warned him.

Then, did it not mean that he had experienced the betrayal in the future that made him sacrifice himself to rewrite it?

His fists clenched and the vines and plants that had started growing on his body turned into ashes.

"Are the gods responsible for this?" He hissed looking up at the clear sky. "If you beings are the reason I have lived so many miserable lives, then I won't spare you. I will fulfill my destiny assigned by myself. I will rewrite my fate!" As soon as he finished uttering those words, the void within him pulsated, sending out another strong fluctuation outside his body that boomed as it shot in all directions, carrying dense fear with it.

#########

The bell hanging from the pagoda started ringing. The deep sound reverberated and echoed down the valley and all around the hill, calling back all disciples.

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Liu Ming who was hanging upside down from a tree branch on one foot, opened his eyes.

He smiled before letting his body fall to the ground which was ten feet away. Coordinating the qi in his body, he landed on the grass gracefully, as if he weighed not more than a piece of paper.

For the three months their master had been away, they had practiced diligently while he gave them his blessings in the form of the refined energy that flowed through the runes on their bodies.

The sect was already complete and flowing with life which were the twins who had joined them not too long ago.

Xu'er would occasionally make stops to check if they were safe during her patrols, and would often wonder why their master had left.

To practice and solidify their foundations, they participated in small duels within the city and even earned money, all while promoting their sect's reputation, hoping Ren would praise them when he came back.

"The day is finally here."

He summoned his sword and stepped on it. Letting his qi envelope it, Liu Ming rose in the air, his balance firm and his speed stable from the training he had to undergo along with the other disciples.

"Senior brother Wu!" The twins squealed, running for Wu Tao, who was just landing in the courtyard in front of the assembly hall.

They all wore white and black uniforms to feel closer to their master's usual dress which was always in red and black. "Is Master finally here?"

Wu Tao smiled ruffling their hairs playfully. "Yes. Now stand upright and salute as you were taught. Do not dare look up unless he speaks to you, do you understand?"

"We understand, senior brother Wu." They saluted him and moved to stand next to him.

Soon, Liu Ming appeared. The twins saluted him as well, smiling without an end as they eagerly awaited the arrival of their master despite not being formally accepted into the sect.

"You two look excited. Why are you not like this when you see me?" Liu Ming joked standing opposite the three.

"Senior brother." Tian scratched his head looking away. "It's just that, the only person you always want to be around is senior sister Liuyue," he said mockingly and playfully.

"You!" He raised his fist, ready to rush to the other side and smack his head, when Liuyue came flying from the pagoda on a griffin.

A strong wind blew at them as the beast flapped its wings to land. "Liuyue." Liu Ming grinned hiding his fist.

"Are you bullying Tian and Ling again?" She asked jumping off the griffin's back to set her feet on the ground in front of her fellow disciples. "Is he bullying you?" Her eyes were on the twins.

Tian ran to hug her dramatically, pretending to be hurt by Liu Ming's words.

"Senior sister, your junior brother is being harassed by the bad senior brother. You have to avenge me."

"Hey, let her go. Why don't you hug me like that? Little brat! And you say that I always stick closer to Liuyue," he mumbled at the end, frowning at Tian.

"Stop acting like a baby, junior brother," Liuyue teased grinning at Liu Ming.

As he was about to counter her mockery, they all felt the black hole opening to Liu Ming's right side.

Liuyue quickly got in line, taking Tian with her before they all saluted bowing.

"Welcome back, Master."

Ren stepped out of the black hole, his hands positioned behind his back, right at his waist to express his composure. For some reason, this pose made him feel at ease and in control.

He frowned when the sight before him was open doors. And only realized that his disciples were behind him when Liuyue reached out to him telepathically.

Maintaining his pose even though a large wave of embarrassment was washing through him, Ren turned around.

His keen eyes caught so many things which left him surprised, including their uniforms, the new additions, the large gates a distance away...the sect as a whole.

Liu Ming's had grown a few inches since he last saw him. Wu Tao still had an indifferent expression that made him appear quite mature. Liuyue's eyes remained the same, ever thrilled to see him, nothing about her had changed physically except their levels.

"Who are these?" Ren asked, his gaze finally falling on the twins.

They walked to stand in front of him, saluting. "My name is Tian."

"My name is Ling. We are orphans from the city. Four months ago, we were offered up as sacrifices for the dark god but we managed to escape. Senior sister Liuyue was kind to us and said we could join the sect. Please accept us as your disciples."

"Bring forth your left wrists."

They obeyed, showing Ren the runes.

Ren brought forward his finger and let a drop of his qi fall on either rune. They started glowing gold.

"I can accept you both, but, are you sure you want to join my sect?"

They saluted answering, "Yes, master."

"Tell me your dreams and what you hope to achieve by joining Dragon Sword Sect."

They exchanged a glance and a head nod.

"I want to get stronger so I can beat those people who sacrificed us," said Tian.

"I want revenge as well, but I also wish to become an immortal and live forever."

"Good. Without ambitions, you're just like the water in a river, flowing in whichever direction life takes you."

He then eyes his senior disciples. "Anything interesting while I was away?"

Liu Ming stepped forward and saluted Ren. "Master, we have other candidates who want to join the sect. When we turned them down, they spread rumors that we were biased and greedy for money. Please do not feel offended when you hear such rumors outside."

Ren sighed, "Haa! Such a trivial thing. Next."

Liu Ming nodded. "We bought you a welcome gift, master, please do not look down on it and accept it." A black sword box appeared in Liu Ming's open palms which were now stretched out to Ren. "A mysterious sword fit for a mysterious being like Master. Welcome...home."

The expressions on their faces warmed up Ren's heart which had been feeling gloomy ever since he looked into his past lives.

'A sword.'

He opened the box to assess the weapon. 'Having one might be better than forming swords with my qi. It can lessen consumption as well,' Ren thought picking up the black blade whose edges were like spikes yet smooth.

Its hilt were the colors of sapphire and emeralds, quite beautiful.

'Indeed. It does feel void of any energy for such an old sword.'

"I also have gifts for you." He put the sword back down.

"Master is the best!" Squealed Liuyue, forgetting her manners in front of the twins. "What did master bring for us? It must be extraordinary."

A black hole opened slightly above the ground before a few things dropped from it: pill bottles, books, scrolls, and such.

Seeing them, all the excitement that had been glimmering in Liuyue's eyes dimmed, leaving her left eye twitching in disbelief. "Ma...Master, are these the gifts you've spoken of?"

"Yes. Adding combat skills to your abilities will benefit all of you. What gift is more precious than a way to defend your lives?" Ren said with a straight face but was chuckling on the inside from Liuyue's disappointed expression.