Soaring through the broad sky amongst the pillowy clouds with cranes in the background, Lucas could get used to this. From this height, the sect members appear like ants crawling on the ground below. Who would have thought that he would have his first flight experience in a different world?

He remembers the family trip they had been planning for since last year. It was supposed to be his first plane experience. I wonder…They’ll be ok; they have each other. Focus up, Lucas. You love games where you have to grind out those stats. This is no different. Get better and go back home. Easy.

While he reminisced, Elder He landed at a new mountain peak. An old man who actually looks like an immortal, with white hair and a long beard, plays chess at the pavilion in the middle of the lake. He is adorned in the signature white elder’s outfit the same as Elder He. Fish swim about in the mist-blanketed still waters, weaving between the lilypads. There is no bridge connecting the isolated space to the land.

These cultivators…they’re quite the pretentious bunch, aren’t they? If it were me, I would add a waterfall. Lucas adds a tally to his non-human form's ‘cons list’.

“How are the preparations for the upcoming Sect competition, Senior Brother Wei?” Elder He asks as he places a black chess piece on the board.

The old man sighs. “Easier than the year past considering the smaller number of sects that qualify to visit.”

“Has the situation progressed that far?” Elder He’s brows furrow. “Cultivators should not sow the seeds of cause and effect. Have they forgotten the lessons of the past?”

Elder Wei considers the board before placing his white chess piece. “It is precisely because they are aware of our inability to intervene that they act so wildly.”

The rhythmic tap of chess pieces placed with precision echoes in the following silence.

Wtf? Is that it? Lucas waits patiently for more tidbits of cultivation world drama, but it appears the conversation has ended. Boo! He tosses the imaginary popcorn aside.

“I’ve heard Junior Brother’s third disciple is preparing to break through to the late stage of foundation establishment.”

“Xiao Chen is a diligent boy. Although his talents are mediocre, his comprehension and willpower are superior to many. If only Xixi could be a little more like her senior brother.”

The old cultivator laughs. “Xixi is still young and spoiled by the sect master. You’re the only one in the sect that little brat will listen to. Worry not, she is destined to go far.”

Elder He’s hand wavers as his eyes flicker up to the man before him. “The Sect Master prohibited you from peeking into fates for good reason. Stealing from the Heavens never ended well for any seers of the past.”

Elder Wei waves his hand nonchalantly. “Worry not, I know my limits. And I need not peek into her fate to see the abundance of Luck that circles her. I would never dare lay my mortal eyes on the fates of those chosen by Destiny.”

A white piece falls onto the chessboard with a thundering finality. The white-haired cultivator chuckles. “You’ve lost, Junior Brother. Your cultivation may surpass mine, but your knowledge in chess needs more practice.”

Shifting his eyes from the board to his Senior Brother, Elder He sighs. “Talent is not everything indeed. Some people simply choose different paths. It’s no wonder the Sect Master didn’t leave Xixi in your care.”

Elder Wei’s lips curl upward, but he does not refute the statement. His eyes are clear of any signs of regret or surprise. It’s not the first time nor will it be the last time for him to have this conversation.

“I’ll look into what you’ve mentioned today.” Elder He bids farewell before returning to the embrace of the broad sky. “Take care, senior brother.”

Elder He didn’t notice the conflicted look that flashed across Elder Wei’s face as he watched him leave but Lucas sure did. Interesting, I wonder what type of cliche misunderstanding or unspoken troubles are brewing under that expression.

****

“Welcome, Elder He.”

“I would like a word with the Pavilion keeper.”

{...so that Xixi girl is probably a female protagonist type of character or the female counterpart to the male lead. But what about that Xiao Chen they were talking about? What do you think?

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

A hard-working guy with mediocre talents. Don’t you think it’s premature to label him a protagonist before even meeting the guy?

That’s true, but I gotta plan ahead for the leg-hugging…

Also, are you really in a place to worry about others? You should pay more attention to what they’re talking about. It is about you after all.

Oh! You’re right.

I know.}

A stout and rotund figure converses with Elder He as he retrieves scroll after scroll from the disorganized shelves. His blue robe, messily assembled, barely holds together as he shuffles through the scrolls. In contrast, his black hair is meticulously styled, not a single strand out of place during the whole ordeal. He glances at each scroll before discarding them to a growing pile on his table.

“...it’s here somewhere,” the Pavillion Keeper mumbles under his breath, “...or was it on a different floor?... Aha! It’s here. I knew it.”

Broad shoulders strain against the silky fabric as the man rises from his position. He raises a scroll in his left hand with a large grin on his round face that quickly morphs into one of surprise. “Elder He, I would have never labeled you as someone interested in the historical texts. We simply must converse at length about our insights on the subject.”

Elder He grimaces behind the raised tea cup. He rises from his chair and retrieves the scroll from the shorter man. “Perhaps another day. Is the Pavilion Master familiar with this tale?”

“The Journey of the Last Great Emperor?” Shoulders raised, the man patted his chest with confidence. “I can guarantee there is no one who knows it better than me in this realm. After all, I am descended from the great Immortal Emperor, himself.”

Elder He shifts his gaze to the side before returning his attention to the scroll.

The Pavillion Master didn’t care that Elder He didn’t reply. It only meant more opportunity for him to speak. He continues with his chin raised, “According to the family records, I am the great-great-great-nephew of the third cousin of the wife of the great-great-grandson of the adopted son of the second uncle on the Immortal’s maternal side.”

Lucas gave the man a mental thumbs up. Impressive. This Immortal Emperor guy sounds very strong. Perhaps he could be strong enough to send him back to his old world.

“...it is rumored he battled with the heavens for 7 days and 7 nights without losing, yet he still failed to pass the last tribulation to break through the final barrier.” The stout figure shakes his fist at the sky. “The Heavens were jealous of his talent and sabotaged his chances. Why else would they exhaust his energy right before he attempts breaking through?!”

What? Lucas’ mind shook at the idea that a Great Immortal could fall. He has to be hidden in a cave somewhere waiting for a son of Destiny to inherit his mantle, right? If he died, then how is he immortal? Does true immortality not even exist in this world of immortality?

Lucas glares at the Chinese characters on the scroll, hating his inability to recognize them once more. What a waste of 360 vision.

Elder He finally replies, “It is said he would have attained eternal life if he broke through the last barrier. Cultivation, itself, is an act against the heavens. Breaking the chains of original fate is but the start of a long road.”

The Pavillion Master raises his eyebrows, his mouth forming an exaggerated ‘O’ shape. “You’ve broken through to the Immortal realm, Elder He? Congratulations! This is great news for our sect in this turbulent world. The Sect Master will be pleased to welcome our third Immortal cultivator.”

Elder He smiles as he dismisses the compliment. “These are troubled times indeed. Elder Wei has filled me in on the events that took place during my time in closed cultivation. Please send me any scrolls you discover on the Great Emperor’s life and his cultivation road. I am very interested.”

“Right away, Elder He.” The Pavillion Master promises. His eyes light up as he raises a finger. “I’ve almost forgotten. This is the scripture you asked for the last time you came.”

He hesitates before he hands it over. “Are you certain you want him to continue with this practice? It is difficult but not impossible to find suitable Immortal cultivation methods for his current state.”

“It would be a waste of his unique talents.” Elder He raises his eyebrows. “It seems you have opinions on the matter.”

The other man rubs his head with a sheepish smile on his face. He averts his eyes and pretends to be busy with the messy shelves. “It is an accepted cultivation route, but there are many dangers after all.”

Elder He nods. “Indeed. However, I trust in his willpower and dedication to his morals. Xiao Chen…he has had a hard life, but he is a good child.”

{He sounds more and more like a protagonist the longer time goes on.

If you say so.

Also, aren’t they supposed to divulge some information about my current state to me? Or the changes in my new body?

It’s not their fault you’re illiterate.

I need to figure out how to connect to the cultivator’s mind later whenever he reads. I will swallow a giant stone whole if there’s absolutely nothing in the information about me.}

****

A familiar residence on top of a familiar mountain appears. It is minimal compared to the mountain where Elder Wei resided. A small stream that flows by the residence reminds Lucas of the one in the woods. The light bamboo scent cleanses the mind.

Elder He sits crosslegged in the courtyard as his breaths enter a rhythmic pace. Golden energy emerges from within him and surges across his body silently. A strong breeze blows past, but not a strand of hair moves.

A small knock sounds on the main door before it opens. A young man in the inner disciple’s red and white outfit enters with his head bowed respectfully. His long black hair tied back with a red string flutters in the breeze.

“Third disciple, Xiao Chen, pays respect to the Master.”