Azreal increases his pace as he steps towards the bookshelf that stands by itself at the end of the third floor. As he approaches the solitary bookshelf, he senses a unique and profound energy emanating from the manuals and tomes housed within. The air around the shelf shimmers with power as the Qi becomes thick, gasping for air, Azreal pushes another step forward, drawing the eyes of the Elders watching. The tomes and manuals each represent a different elemental affinity.
The Elders' gazes bore into his back, their curiosity palpable as they wonder which technique the young cultivator of the Heavenly Root Sect will choose.
Azreal's eyes are drawn to a manual that pulses with a mesmerising flicker of deep colours, its aura shifting between hues of each affinity Azreal has borne. First, it is a deep, powerful blue as it crackles, representing his lightning affinity. Then it shifts to a skin-crawling crimson representing his harbinger blood Qi, which Azreal rues he hasn’t had the chance to use yet, before shifting to an ethereal grey that tears the visibility of all watching, representing his Void Qi. He stares in disbelief at the beauty of the manual before it shifts back to blue and continues the cycle of shifting hues. With a mix of reverence and anticipation, he carefully removes the manual from its resting place, feeling a surge of energy as his fingers make contact with the ancient parchment.
Unfurling the manual, Azreal's eyes widen as he reads the description.
Azreal's heart pounds with excitement as he realises the potential of this technique. Heavenly Creation Art, a method that can allow one to utilise various affinities and combine them in ways that are unique to each cultivator and their journey. With this, I could create entirely new abilities, adapt to any situation, and even develop my own unique cultivation style that reflects the power and prestige of the Heavenly Root Sect.
As he continues to read through the manual, Azreal discovers that the Heavenly Creation Art is not just a simple technique, but a complex one that interlays system upon system, encompassing techniques for Qi absorption, circulation, and manifestation.
A cursory glance gives Azreal the impression the Heavenly Creation Art is designed to be layered on top of an existing cultivation technique and expands when layered over an extremely powerful method, as it aims to adapt and advance the existing cultivation method of any attempting to comprehend this technique.
Azreal shrugs as he replies to the system's question, I was very tempted to take the Heavenly Creation Art. This makes my decision even easier, thank you, system. Now how much is this? Why can’t I see how many contribution points this costs? Azreal questions as he turns to look for an Elder. Noticing an ancient and wise man approaching, wearing white almost grey robes, as if they’ve been worn for decades.
“That is a very interesting choice,” an Elder says as he approaches Azreal, his expression unreadable. Azreal, taking a moment to study the Elder as he approaches, takes a sharp breath in as he realises the man before him is one of the few Elders of the Sect his Master Juhee informed him to avoid becoming his enemy. Libarous Kihno, known to his enemies as the Grey Nightmare, stands tall and imposing, his presence filling the space around them. His white robes, now faded to a soft grey from centuries of wear, drape over his lean, muscular frame, hinting at the immense power contained within.
Libarous' face is weathered and lined, a testament to the countless years he has spent guarding the Vault of Thousands. His eyes, a piercing grey that seems to shift and swirl like the mist on a cold morning, bore into Azreal with an intensity that sends a shiver down the young cultivator's spine. There is wisdom in those eyes, a depth of knowledge and experience that Azreal can only begin to fathom.
The Elder Vault Keeper's hair, once a rich black, is now streaked with silver, flowing down his back in a neat braid that reaches his waist. His beard, trimmed close to his angular jawline, is peppered with the same silver strands.
“So, you’re the one that bastard and that illogical technique has chosen…” Libarous says as he approaches Azreal, his expression unreadable. Squirming under the scrutiny of Libarous’ intense gaze, Azreal manages to get a question out, “Chosen?”
“Disregard that, just the musing of an Elder Vault Keeper,” Libarous says with a smile and a tap of his foot.
“Okay…” Azreal replies, Master advised not to anger this Elder, just ask the price and be polite.
“Vault Keeper Libarous, do you know how many contribution points the Heavenly Creation Art costs?” Azreal asks, deciding not to probe further and risk the wrath of a Vault Keeper, or whatever he said.
“How could there possibly be a cost for a technique no one within the entire Sect can learn? Only those with the power to wield the eight basic Qi affinities are able to even approach the Heavenly Creation Art, exceedingly rare, almost impossible, let alone begin to comprehend the technique,” says the Elder Vault Keeper with a huff. “Who are you, and which heavenly family do you belong to?” he asks.
“Heavenly family? I am an orphan and have never known my family.” Azreal leaks a small sigh before continuing.
“Ah, some cultivators say the more you struggle the brighter your future, an orphan is surely a struggle, so your future will be brighter,” Libarous pats Azreal’s shoulder, almost buckling Azreal under his strength.
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“I am Azreal, a disciple from the Unbound Pavilion, and personal disciple of Master Juhee,” Azreal introduces himself and takes a slight bow.
“Bah! None of that, I may be old and powerful, but I loathe the formalities of the Sect, leave that for little Tianlong.” Libarous scoffs. “You may know of me or you may not. I am the Vault Keeper, Libarous Kihno.'' Libarous says as he waves off Azreal’s show of respect. “I’ve stood watch over this Vault for the last few hundred years. I’ve personally seen the birth of geniuses and devils alike, yet not a single disciple has had the talent or capabilities to approach the Heavenly Creation Art. Truly intriguing.” Libarous continues his scrutinous gaze on Azreal.
“Vault Keeper, you mentioned Heavenly Families?” Azreal asks.
“Do not fret over things far from your reach. If you were not born into the Heavenly Families, they are irrelevant until you reach the third Heaven, at the earliest.”
“Ah, okay… Vault Keeper, you mentioned that the Heavenly Creation Art has no cost?” Azreal says, unable to stop a smirk from creeping across his face, the urge to buy another technique causes his heart and mind to race. “If there is no cost, that means I can choose another technique if I have the contribution points, correct?” Azreal asks, as his eyes begin to dart around the third floor.
Libarous cackles as he listens to Azreal’s question, “Boy! The greed! You should focus on the treasure in front of you. You truly underestimate the Heavenly Creation Art.” Libarous slams his fist in a half-comical, half-intense manner, a tremendous sound of fist on wood flooding the floor, causing every Elder on the third floor to turn their attention fully towards Azreal and Libarous.
“What are you all looking at? Back to work!” Libarous shouts again as the Elders begin to disperse throughout the massive bookshelves and fade into the background at incredible speed, a poor attempt to appease the angry Vault Keeper.
“You want another technique? Don’t overestimate yourself. You are still extremely young, and the life of a cultivator is long. A little patience and focus will benefit you greatly.” Libarous says as he eyes Azreal, who feels as if he is under an intense investigation.
“Take your time, master this technique, and your comprehension of other techniques, abilities, methods, skills, you name it, will become incomparably faster and easier.” Libarous says with a grin, his investigation seemingly finding something interesting as his eyes begin twinkling with curiosity in the young man before him.
“You said that no one has been able to hold the Heavenly Creation Art, let alone comprehend this technique, so what could I possibly ask you?” Azreal’s response takes the Elder by surprise with his abruptness.
An awkward silence falls between the duo before Libarous begins to laugh, “Boy, I like you … Take my advice, focus on the technique within your hands, one step at a time, the benefits will come to those who wait.”
“Ah… Thank you for the advice, Vault Keeper.” Azreal says as he stands and prepares to leave the Vault of Thousands with the Heavenly Creation Art manual in hand, Libarous Kihno calls out to him once more. "Wait a moment, young Azreal. Come, walk with me for a bit."
Surprised by the Elder Vault Keeper's request, Azreal falls into step beside him as they make their way through the vast halls of the vault. The ancient stone walls still pulsing with a technique that Azreal feels resonates within him. “What is that?” Azreal asks, pointing to the pulsing lines of Qi on the stone walls.
“The Vault of Thousands is kept as an incredibly well-secured library within the Sect. The formation covering the entire vault is at a level that even the Great Ancestor would struggle to break. It is designed so if the Sect ever falls, the Vault Keeper will be able to revive the Sect with enough time.” Libarous runs his hand along one of the pulsing lines of Qi on the stone walls.
As they continue to walk at a slow pace through the third floor, Libarous' eyes take on a distant, nostalgic look as he begins to speak, “Do you have the ability to utilise the eight basic affinities correctly?” Libarous' gaze never leaves Azreal, who simply nods in return.
“Keep that under wraps. Many are greedy fools in this Sect. Little Tianlong has let too many wolves inside the coop. There is little to be gained from a plethora of cultivators acutely aware of your situation.” Libarous leans in and whispers to Azreal, “Take the technique and learn it before anyone finds you with it. Once you're done, immediately destroy the manual.”
“Destroy the manual? Why would you want me to destroy it?” Azreal asks in a whisper as they reach a dark and unoccupied corner of the third floor. The bookshelves here are laid across tables, open and often filled with small bits of paper notes in between the pages.
“Welcome to my corner of this Sect. This has been my home for years. One of the most well-secured locations in the vault.” Libarous taps his finger on a well-worn tabletop before taking a seat.
“With The Echoes of the Forsaken, a dangerous cult that is targeting talented youths, I expect you to be at the top of their list now. Let alone if you comprehend the technique in your hands, they’ve already shown interest in you, so you’ve got two choices ahead of you.” Libarous leans over to a nearby table, grabbing a small weathered tome wrapped in dark leather that oozes with a maleficent aura.
“This little book here, the only book within the entire Sect that contains a shred of information on this cult,” Libarous’ sigh is weary as he opens the tome, before finding a specific page and placing it before Azreal.
“A curious young man approached me today, he offered me a chance to become one of the most powerful men in the nine Heavens. Something about a legacy of a celestial or heavenly intent, pure gibberish if you ask me. Echoes of the Forsaken, sounds more like a demonic inheritance than heavenly… Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed the kid away so hard, they did seem genuine. If our paths ever cross again, I will ask more questions,” Azreal reads aloud, Libarous nodding with his words. “Is this a journal? Whose is this?” Azreal raises his head with an expectant expression.
“Great Ancestor Eranta has always journaled his grand life. When one lives for the length he has, one begins to forget important details or insignificant meetings. He journals as a method of memory, and like anyone else, there are memories one attempts to forget. This journal was discarded, destined to be destroyed, but I saved it, along with every other journal he wrote from three hundred years ago.” Libarous taps his finger and foot rhythmically, Azreal can see the cogs of his mind begin to turn.
“Vault Keeper, I am thankful you’re telling me this information, but why tell me? You’ve ever met me, nor have I given you a reason to trust me.” Azreal asks, his own mind aflame with questions and concern for his life. In his world, one who learns this much information from the top either joins them or never makes it home.
“Stop with your concern, Azreal. I tell you this because of your relation to your Master, Juhee. I helped Juhee when she was little. I guided her in one of the darkest times at the request of the Great Elder. She has since earned my complete trust, and as one of her students, I can feel you are of a similar character, one who has a drive for something so powerful that it will guide you through the darkness.” Libarous’ voice is filled with nostalgia, a few of his words bringing a smile to his face.
“I just want to live a life worth living. I spent a majority of my childhood with an incurable illness. So being able to learn cultivation has been an opportunity I will never let slip past, a promise to myself I need to keep.” Azreal’s eyes burn with determination. And, I will destroy any cult that intends to destroy what I hold close to my heart.
Libarous finds himself once again shocked at the words of Azreal, “I knew there was a reason Juhee chose you. She has an eye for those with determination much like yourself. Cultivate hard, learn this technique as fast as possible, and tell no one. Just pretend that it is your talent if anyone asks.” Libarous stands, walking next to Azreal and pats Azreal's shoulder, causing Azreal’s vision to spin and darken before a feeling of weightlessness and nothingness overcomes him.
Azreal, eventually regaining a feeling of existence, forces himself to blink and open his eyes. His entire body stiffens as he realises he is no longer inside the Vault of Thousands. What the fuck… Realising he is now standing in the quaint garden of his dorm with the Heavenly Creation Art held tightly in his hands. How in the fuck did he send me here?