Adam spoke these words from the very depths of his heart. Therefore, when the ritual was finished the frosted shadows surrounding Adam were channelled into Adam through his seven apertures. Adam couldn't hold back a primal scream from erupting within his diaphragm as immense pain permeated throughout his head, originating from the seven apertures.
Adam's legs couldn't support his body anymore and toppled beneath him, however the power being channelled into his body held his body up, only increasing the strain inside his head. Adam's feet were uselessly dangling about half a metre above the ground as the power lifted Adam higher and higher.
Mr. Li was in front of Adam, seemingly shocked by what was happening. Clearly this wasn't part of the usual ritual of indoctrination into the sect, perhaps the Shadow Monk class had some sort of resonance with the foundational principles of the sect and caused some sort of unknown reaction.
Nevertheless, Adam was currently in another plane of agony, changes could be seen to his physical body and perhaps this magical influence was also morphing Adams soul. His prior uniform tan throughout his body became pale white, the sort of whiteness that would put a traditional Eastern escort to shame.
Adams eyes became hollowly greyed, almost as if he had become blind and huge eye shadows appeared under his eyes. His body temperature was rapidly dropping. In fact, frost had already begun to form around his mouth and nose, suggesting that it had already dropped below zero.
The metamorphosis continued for another ten minutes, until the magical influence was completely absorbed within Adam's body. Adam had fainted by this point and collapsed upon the floor like a puppet with it's strings cut. Mr. Li still seemed to be in some sort of epiphany until the sound of Adams body collapsing on the ground broke him out of his reverie.
Slowly walking over to Adam, Mr. Li grasped a bucketful of water which was conveniently placed inside the dilapidated pavilion and splashed it across Adam's face in a very dignified manner.
...
Adam felt as if he was one amongst many, a mere component of a device. A device much, much greater than himself. He felt as if he was chanting alongside millions of other disciples alongside him.
Then, the epiphany of the whole was gradually terminated. When Adam could perceive the world again the first thing he noticed was some sort of fog had encased him. It didn't seem all that concentrated, however, Adam couldn't see past it despite possessing heightened awareness. This brought forth the point that the fog was beyond ordinary.
Adam had mere moments to analyse the strange fog before it began to roil towards him. Slowly at first and then with increased speed. The strange fog formed seven separate snakes of the gas substance and approached his head.
Then, Adam began to wish he had fainted. The seven trails of fog entered through his eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The first thing he noticed about the fog was that it was chillingly cold, it felt comparable to the time that he accidentally touched liquid nitrogen.
Adam could sense his eyes freezing over, sending his nervous system into a meltdown. It took ten seconds before the chill pervaded his vertebrae and he lost the function of his nervous system.
Adam's consciousness was forcibly dragged to his subconscious immediately after that happened. The graveyard was the same as he remembered it, forecast and bleak.
'Adam' was nowhere to be seen, therefore Adam only had insidious gravestones for company.
Adam slowly walked over to his mother's gravestone and began to contemplate what had just happened.
'The fog seemed to hold the same attributes as that of the Cold Evil Sect, then perhaps it was connected to the initiation ceremony for the sect.'
'However, this fog was clearly harmful, was I not considered a worthy disciple or was I simply unlucky?'
Adam continued to ponder about his most recent misfortune whilst a tendril of fog gathered but a couple metres behind Adam, of course, unknowingly.
It coalesced into an ice sculpture. The ice sculpture was extremely lifelike and held features similar to Guan Yu from 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'. A long, flowing beard and a tough face. The ice sculpture was wearing dark blue Daoist robes which seemed completely beyond ordinary, with a visible aura of cold constantly permeating from the Daoist robes.
When the ice sculpture was completely formed it simply stood waiting behind Adam in an extremely dignified pose. He waited for about five minutes, all the while in which Adam was completely absorbed in his own thoughts, not caring to look up and find the moving ice sculpture.
Seeing that Adam had no inclination of moving anytime soon, the ice sculpture seemed to run out of patience and lightly coughed into the clenched fist of it's left hand. Then again, awaiting an immediate response from Adam, the ice sculpture resumed it's dignified position.
However, Adam was far too absorbed in his thoughts to be disturbed by a mere light cough. In fact, he did hear it but simply dismissed it as part of his imagination. After all, this was his subconsciousness and the biggest haven to his sanity, how could anyone possibly intrude here?
If the ice sculpture had the normal biological functions of a regular human, the tendons around their jaw would inadvertedly slacken and let the lower half of their mouth would drop in utter disbelief at this moment.
After figuratively composing itself, it coughed once more, albeit much louder this time. The slight cough produced by the ice sculpture seemed extremely shrill. It sounded like ice grinding against itself, it made a sound that would raise the hairs on one's skin.
Adam was startled from his thoughts as he hurriedly turned around, only to be met with a magnificent ice sculpture. The sheer splendour emanating from this ice sculpture was so great that blue light seemed to be emanating from it's gaze. The ice sculpture was dressed in magnificent Daoist robes and it's facial expression was extremely solemn, gazing into the faraway distance.
Adam was completely shocked, he felt utterly overwhelmed by how profoundly mysterious and regal the ice sculpture looked. In fact, he felt an irresistible urge to bend his knees and kowtow to the ice sculpture in all it's splendour.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Kowtowing upon the ground, Adam didn't dare raise his head to look at the ice sculpture, the pressure being released by the ice statue was completely terrifying.
The status quo was held for six minutes, the same amount of time that Adam had ignored the ice statue when it had materialised behind him. Throughout the entire six minutes Adam had cold sweat pouring from all of his pores.
Then, the ice statue dictated before Adam. It's voice had the same grating quality as when he had coughed earlier.
"I... am Sha Lengfeng."
Adam could hear the ice sculpture speaking in Chinese, however he could still understand the meaning of his words in English.
"You... are Freeman, Adam."
Adam didn't know much Chinese, but he knew enough about Eastern culture to know that they referred to full names with the surname first.
"I am a Patriarch within the Cold Evil Sect from the Sha family, I am the one in charge of the Thirteenth Sect Division and by extension, twenty three planets."
"Now, Adam, your planet, Earth, is very special one. Countless factions are attempting to gain supremacy over the surface and your planet would have already become a barren wasteland if it wasn't for the limitations on planar teleportation of faction soldiers."
"You may be wondering why I am telling you this, after all, your status as a disciple doesn't warrant you the right to even see me. However, your martial potential is extraordinary, in par with the geniuses of the Cold Evil Planet in fact. Therefore as the patriarch in charge of the war effort on Earth, I have decided to impart some martial insight upon thee, in the hopes that you can become a competent leader for our faction in the future."
Adam was feeling conflicted right now, when he mentioned the words 'martial insight', Adam was ecstatic. However, he couldn't help but feel utterly terrified at Patriarch Sha. He had entered his subconscious from another planet, how was that possible?
At the same moment, Adam began to feel slightly dizzy, and he was thrust back into the real world.
The first thing he saw once he arrived at the real world was a slew of notifications.
Congratulations
You are now a disciple of the [Cold Evil Sect]
Congratulations
You have gained the title of [Disciple]
[Disciple]
Requirements: Join an [Eastern Faction], Be taken in as a disciple under a [Master] of that Faction.
Effects: Martial techniques are learnt at a slightly faster rate
Congratulations
You have achieved [Practitioner] proficiency in a martial discipline.
[Cold Evil Fist]
One of the core martial legacies of the Cold Evil Sect, it is an unarmed fighting style that focuses on deceptive and ruthless hand techniques, primarily a variety of clenched fists such as the Praying Mantis Fist.1
Congratulations
You have been promoted.
You have attained the position of [Chosen]
"Merry Christmas, Adam. Hopefully you live to see the next one." - Game Master
Congratulations
You have gained the title of [Chosen]
[Chosen]
Requirements: Be recognised as a Chosen within the sect by the members of the senior generation.
Effects: Martial Techniques are learnt at a considerably faster rate. Your position as Chosen allows you to command groups of disciples and demand respect from elders within the sect.
Congratulations
Level Up (III)
+7 Hp +6 Mana
New Feat Available
Choice Selected from;
I, VII, VIII, X
(I) Shadow Form
This is the fabled peak of Shadow Monks. Reaching the level required to use this technique doesn't only require hard work but also heaven defying fortune. [Shadow Form] allows a Shadow Monk to become ethereal for a limited amount of time. While the monk is in [Shadow Form], his physical attacks instead damage the enemies soul, thus bypassing their armour and instead testing their magical resistance. The abyssal corruption of the class has allowed the Shadow Monk to corrupt someone soul whenever he touches them in Shadow Form.
(VII) Unarmed Proficiency
The use of the limbs is near limitless, allowing a combat style that exercises great control over the opponent, and to dispatch with the least use of force.
(VIII) Profound Shadow Strike
The symbol of membership to the Order of Shadow Monks, the [Shadow Strike], is renown for it's unpredictability and it's versatility in frontal and incognito combat. However your [Shadow Strike] is different. Whenever you form a fist, the imperceptible power of shadow gathers around it and strengthens it in many covert ways.
(X) Shadow Escapade
You are being chased, the odds are insurmountable. Your pursuers chase you to a shaded alleyway. It's a dead end. However, they find nothing there.
Adam didn't hesitate, he lucked out to get the highest ranked feat for his class on the third level, he immediatelly picked [Shadow Form]
Congratulations
Level Up (IV)
+5 Hp +7 Mana
Congratulations
Level Up (V)
+5 Hp +3 Mana
Congratulations
Level Up (VI)
+3 Hp +6 Mana
New Feat Available
Choice Selected From;
VII
(VII) Unarmed Proficiency
The use of the limbs is near limitless, allowing a combat style that exercises great control over the opponent, and to dispatch with the least use of force.
Adam didn't have much of a choice and picked [Unarmed Proficiency], it was his bad luck that he would roll four sevens in a row, but this skill would complement his combat power nicely.
Adam stared at the messages that appeared before him, the sheer number of good things they said at a cursory glance immediately left him in a good mood. Casting away the last vestiges of fear which Patriarch Sha had inspired within him.
He gained four levels merely by gaining the Patriarchs favour and gaining proficiency in the Cold Evil Fist? This was utterly ridiculous. The good kind of ridiculous. He skipped entire power levels in the span of ten minutes, right now his strength couldn't be compared to that of before.
Adam was in the middle of revelling in his bliss when he was suddenly splashed with a bucketful of water in the face. Taken by surprise, Adam almost accidentally inhaled a mouthful of it and was reduced to a coughing fit whilst laying on the floor in a foetal position.
After about half a dozen moments Adam could finally breath steadily, add a dozen on top of that and he was back to normal. It didn't take long for Adam to orient himself as he found Mr. Li looking down on him.
Adam didn't bother asking why he had thrown a bucketful of water on his face, Mr. Li was like that, an unreasonable man. If he told you that West was East then West was East, else you'd make him angry, and nobody want to make Mr. Li angry.
Mr. Li then dictated to Adam, the way that he always talked.
"So, you are Chosen." His eyes held an emotionless expression, almost as if a Chosen were no better than a stray dog on the side of the road.
"Yes."
Then Mr. Li smiled once more, it wasn't a joyful smile but rather one that you would make when you are making fun of somebody.
"Ahahahahahaha, do you know what the title of Chosen affords you?" Mr. Li asked in a tone which implied that he already knew the answer.
"It allows me to comprehend martial arts at an increased speed as well as allow me to command disciples from the sect." Adam responded slowly, not sure where exactly Master Li was getting at.
"Good, and do you know how many disciples of the Cold Evil Sect exist on Earth?" Master Li continued asking with the same tone, the mocking smile on his face becoming broader and broader.
At the same time as he asked this question, a spark of revelation was lit inside Adam, a very dark forecast as to where this conversation was heading.
As if revelling in the growing mix of disappointment and anxiousness within Adam, Master Li slowly raised his right hand and raised his index and middle fingers. Then, he pointed towards himself and Adam. This slow and immaculate movement dashed all of Adams hopes at being some sort of important figure within the sect.
"Ok, how about you make yourself useful. You have become strong enough, how about you go to the Karate Dojo we first met in and humiliate their practitioners?"
Master Li's smile and his 'negotiating' tone clearly indicated to Adam that Master was doing anything but negotiating, therefore he had little choice but to pack his things and head of outside the mountain. This would be the first time he had left Masters house in the past few months, since he had arrived here.
Before he left, Master Li stopped him and gave him something more suitable to challenge an entire cohort of Karateka's in. It was a sinister black changpao, much like the one that Master Li wore except that it didn't have any golden frills on the edges. It was something that you would find on the main antagonist in a Wuxia film. Perfectly suitable on a ruthless martial practitioner, albeit Adam wasn't quite ruthless yet.
Adam made his way down the mountain and turned on the old smartphone that he hadn't used in what seemed ages. The smartphone took about half a minute to turn on, good, it still had enough battery. At least enough to call a taxi, he could have called a Uber but he didn't have the app installed and didn't have the need to save that extra bit of money to boycott going for a traditional taxi service.
No doubt Master Li thought he would sprint thirteen kilometres to the dojo and challenge them all straight away, but why would he arrive unprepared and tired when he could stop by his home for a couple hours, have some lunch and strategize on the best method to beat Karate practitioners in a fight.
With this cunning albeit lazy mindset, Adam set about doing his things. The taxi that picked him up was a long black limousine, something unexpected considering he called the first taxi company that appeared on a google search, however all it meant was that he would have to pay a 'few' dollars more.
Getting on the back seat of the black limousine, Adam found that the drivers 'cabin' was separated by a black glass panel and that the passenger compartment was laden with all sorts of champagnes and sweets. Moreover he wasn't the only passenger. In fact, a very familiar young man was sitting on the opposite corner of the passenger compartment.
This young man had a black goatee, black hair messily combed backwards and a gleaming pair of glasses. He was wearing a trench coat and had an old fashioned pipe held in-between his forefinger and index finger. With his advance perception, Adam could also see that this young man had a gun holstered underneath his trench coat and attached to his belt.
It would also be interesting to note that the belt buckle had a certain name inscribed on it.
'Leo Wesley'