Leo’s request caught Lady Evelyn by surprise. While the kid could pretend to be modest, every child and youth had their own ambitions, but this one asked for something that mostly took up a space on their shelves. Of course, the techniques he asked for were not completely useless, but generally they were practiced until the person stepped on the road of cultivation before reaching the Qi gathering stage. To start practicing Qi techniques was akin tiger growing wings – it was a qualitative change that completely transformed the cultivator multiplying their strength.
“Hmmm … I don’t know ...” It looked like Lady Evelyn was worried about him, “What you ask is not little – we have many records in our library, you know? While your contribution is substantial, if I grant you this wish you won’t get anything else! In addition, you will have to work extra hard during the upcoming years.”
‘How did he know?’ Leo became gloomy seeing how he was hoodwinked, ‘Does George have his own rules about women? How could he guess that the sect master will turn the things in a way I owe them? Good thing I gifted the fruits to master Shaw! Even eating them would’ve be better than to give away for nothing.’
Seeing the child’s face turn sour, sect master said, “Leo, I like you – you’re young, talented and have a bright future ahead of you, therefore I’ll give you a chance. For the next month you can study all the body enhancement techniques we have, but afterwards I’ll have you join a very special expedition.”
‘Seriously?!’ Leo couldn’t believe his ears, ‘How did George knew this would happen?! I’ll have to ask him the next time we meet!’
He didn’t know exactly how much finding a Divine tribulation tree was worth, but if the whole sect was rewarded by the Immortal Alliance it should be a lot. But somehow instead of getting reasonable rewards he only got another job!
Sect master noticed Leo’s eyes ‘light up’ and smiled, “Don’t get fired up too early – it’ll not be an easy task. Elder Cross is organizing an expedition to an unexplored realm where you will look for a particular alchemy ingredient. Of course, you won’t go alone – you’ll join a special task force consisting of strong individuals with unique talents, but contrary to the rest you’ll report directly to me!”
‘Let me guess – so you could boss me around even more?’ If at first Leo really liked the sect master, it was only for her looks, but now he was forced to realize she was a devil in woman’s skin.
But out loud he asked, “What are we looking for, sect master?”
“The elder leading your group will explain you.” Lady Evelyn said still smiling from ear to ear, “I tell you what – if you’re successful I’ll allow you to cultivate in the Spirit tower for three months straight! What do you think?”
‘I think you want to kill me!’ Leo gulped in fear.
If what the immortal master said was true, any Qi cultivation would only lead to his quick demise! But he could even feel the Qi in the air while casually breathing! This place could become his grave!
“I … I need to go!” Leo stuttered and got up.
Seeing the disciple so ‘excited’, sect master said, “Alright. Go and prepare. I’ll inform the head librarian to show you the techniques you requested.”
Leo stepped on the Sacred Order’s main square completely stressed out, but on the way to the library soon calmed down and realized that seeing the sect master’s true colors this early might’ve been a blessing for him. That woman was devious and dangerous! No wonder the Voodoo sect seized to exist – they probably had something she wanted and because of that thousands of people had to die!
But then Leo remembered what master Shaw asked him back in Golden city: what is worth more to you – one life or the lives of many thousands of people? And from the looks of it the sect master though just like him!
Leo suddenly had a strange revelation – someone considered his life to be as worthless as he thought were those of other people. And then the next one – most likely others thought this way as well!
While this was a huge blow to his self esteem, Leo finally realized why the immortals he met were so carefree and laid back – they didn’t worry one bit what the other people thought! They were strong enough to annihilate realms on a whim, but no one could actually do anything to them. This was the true freedom one had to strive for! The Voodoo sect’s and its master’s tragic fate showed that reaching the Nascent soul stage was not even close to being enough – by overpowering you with numbers anyone could stomp on you. Only by becoming a true immortal he could actually do as he pleased!
At this thought Leo stopped in his tracks and smiled. All of the sudden he had a goal to pursue! Yes, solving the problem of him dying prematurely was important, but he’ll do that on the way to immortality!
Energized by the newfound motivation, Leo spent the next two days in the library. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending how one sees it, he became even more convinced that the sect master had cheated him.
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The number of techniques he was allowed to learn was in dozens, but they all were based on the same principle – enhance physical strength by running and lifting weights, doing push-ups, sit-ups and other exercises. One basically had to tire themselves out and then let the body recover naturally, at the same time growing in strength.
The old masters had described many methods on how to do it properly, but Leo already had one – he ran with the Cleaver on his back until he barely could lift his legs. And this method worked fine – when he arrived from the Golden city he could barely walk with the heavy weapon on his back, but now he easily made laps around the training grounds.
While the methods of physical body’s cultivation left Leo disappointed, he found the regular martial arts fascinating. Of course, getting laughed at while he practiced kicks and punches was humiliating, but making his body stronger, more flexible and more importantly – faster was much more important.
Indeed, one of the manuals he found in the library described a technique named ‘Mountain fist’. The author claimed he could go barehanded against a sword wielder, but not because his extremities became as tough as stone and because he could block weapons, but because of his speed that allowed him to land timely punches that were heavy as a mountain. Leo didn’t understand how it worked, but the author insisted the higher speed resulted in a heavier hit and the strength of the person played only a secondary role.
Although this didn’t make any sense to the boy, he desperately needed something to defend himself with. Master Shaw forbade him to practice any Qi techniques, but he was certain sooner or later he would snap and punch some of those jeering faces. If that actually happened running away would be too humiliating, therefore he needed to learn how to properly fight.
Thus after spending a couple of days in the library, the following month Leo continued his regular running and stretching exercises in addition to challenging few weaker fellow disciples to a spar. He did get beaten up with their wooden swords every time, but at least he was slowly beginning to understand what the author of the Mountain fist had in mind. During the time he rested his aching body, Leo read Jamie’s book and dreamed about the food in the King’s kitchen, only to begin the cycle anew the moment he recovered.
Unfortunately to Leo’s great regret after finally breaking ribs of one of the opponents and finally winning a challenge he was called to a debriefing – they were going to leave the next day.
“Silvio Sconi, Marco Burns, Ben Dixon and Nathan Koch! The four of you will be the team leaders!” Elder Willis, the head of Administrative division instructed.
There were forty disciples gathered in the hall, but from what Leo could guess most of them were not at all thrilled by the ‘amazing opportunity’ to go to another mortal realm. Earlier elder Willis explained that the realm was unexplored, it was unlikely anyone spoke the main dialect there and the objective of the expedition was to find a potentially extinct bug that was considered a precious alchemy ingredient.
For this task Sacred Order formed four groups of ten disciples each, most of which surprisingly were at the Foundation establishment stage. They were all young, well built men, at least a head taller than Leo who was by far the youngest and smallest in the room.
His team leader was going to be Nathan – a burly man, approximately twenty five, maybe thirty years old. He didn’t seem very reliable, but at least looked strong and hopefully could protect the others well enough. Apparently the team leaders had been debriefed earlier and knew of their assignments beforehand because after elder Willis announced their names they quickly gathered the other nine members around them forming four groups.
“Alright! Stop the chit-chat, you’ll have enough time to get to know each other!” Elder Willis tried to silence the crowd, “Now for the rewards. The group that will find the Dark-crimson horned beetle will be handsomely rewarded. Not only it includes contribution points and cultivation resources – besides the opportunity to cultivate in the Spirit tower you’ll be able to receive guidance directly from our sect master. The other groups will be rewarded according to their results as well.
The crowd began to discuss the information in excitement, when the next part cooled everyone down considerably.
“For the next three years, once every twelve months I’ll personally teleport to Dreadlands to bring you back in case you are successful.” Elder Willis said, “And since this expedition is somewhat different from the regular ones, you’ll get a special supply of ten Qi recovery pills each to take with you. If anyone has special needs like … I don’t know … you don’t have a weapon or something the sect will provide you with one.”
The last sentence was accompanied by a burst of laughter from the most disciples, but few were more concerned about the implications of what the elder said.
“What if we can’t find those beetles? Will you leave us there?” He asked and the crowd immediately fell dead silent.
“Of course, not!” Elder Willis long expected this question, “This is a well thought trough operation and we hand-picked disciples with special talents that will prove to be useful in Dreadlands. You know how much the sect master cares for the disciples and no one ever will be left behind!”
Some sighed in relief, some remained skeptical, but elder continued, “I’m only pointing out the protocol for the return so you could better plan your own exploration in the realm you’ll be teleported to. We can’t have an elder permanently stationed there and bring you back one by one. It’s incredibly expensive even for a top tier sect like the Sacred Order! Alright! You’ll depart tomorrow at the sunrise! Everyone dismissed!”
Leo couldn’t understand most of what the elder spoke of and there was only one ‘expert’ in the sect he could turn to.
“I don’t like it at all!” Jack was even more concerned, “You came back with a great contribution only to get immediately sent to who knows where. They make sound it like an opportunity, but I’m afraid there is more to it. I know that Nathan guy – last year he was thrown out from the Alchemy subdivision for stealing and I think Silvio Sconi is also some kind of delinquent. You have to be careful!”
“Okay!” Leo nodded, “I guess I’ll be gone for a while … the next time I come back you’ll probably be already an accomplished alchemist.
“If not, I hope I’ll be rich at least.” Jack said patting friend’s shoulder, “You also should bring back something expensive to sell. Look at you now – all you have is that ugly weapon and you can’t even use it! Maybe you should leave it here and get a sword or something?”
“Right …” Leo’s face slightly twisted.
Up until now everyone only made fun of his weapon and from the looks of it he was the only one who actually liked it.
“I have to carry it at all times, remember? Immortal’s orders?” He said, “But I’ll leave my cook book and the ten spirit pills I got today with you. For now it’s too dangerous for me to consume those and I’ve got a feeling I have to pack as light as possible.”
“Light? I would’ve taken as much stuff as I can lift!” Jack laughed back – he obviously had no clue that the Cleaver alone filled that role.