As I arose from a profound slumber, bewilderment shrouded my thoughts. I found myself in a small cottage, the surroundings unfamiliar and disorienting.
On the side of the bed, a purple manual caught my eye, its pages empty, except for a single phrase etched onto the first page: "In order for cultivation to begin, one must seek continuous lightning on the path to Transcendence."
*Author Note: 神雷击 = (Shén léijí) Divine Thunderstrike (or Thunderbolt) – This was translated with google translate as I am not Chinese [https://img.wattpad.com/102ff15e4c09b67f18a26370e8891e13517b15f1/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6c41364f617679586476356f6b673d3d2d313436323232383132322e313765326137623834373533353665303839373631373335373431372e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Confusion gripped me as I gazed at the cryptic words, trying to decipher their meaning. The lightning that had struck me during the tempest had left me unconscious, leaving behind visible marks on my flesh, testaments to the electric currents that now coursed through my veins. The realization of my transformed existence mingled with a deep curiosity about the cultivation technique hinted at in the manual.
"Transcendence?" I mused to myself, my thoughts filled with uncertainty. "I'm currently in the Qi Refinement realm, Mother is at the middle of Golden Core, and Father's at the peak. What level is this Transcendence realm?"
The manual provided no immediate answers, its empty pages leaving me with more questions than before. But there was an undeniable pull, an unspoken promise of unlocking greater potential hidden within those blank spaces. Determination ignited within me, fueled by the desire to understand and harness the thunderous powers that coursed through my veins.
With the manual in hand, I stepped outside the cottage, guided by an instinctual longing to seek out the continuous lightning that the manual spoke of, yet there was nobody in sight.
The rugged beauty of the mountains, with their towering peaks and verdant valleys, surrounded me as I ventured into the untamed wilderness.
As I walked through the wilderness, my senses alert to the enchanting whispers of nature, I caught sight of a mysterious old man engrossed in a game of Go. His weathered face exuded a sense of wisdom and ancient knowledge; an aura of tranquility surrounded him.
Intrigued by his presence, I approached him cautiously. "Excuse me, sir," I began, my voice laced with curiosity. "I couldn't help but notice your intense focus on the game. Might I join you?"
The old man glanced up from the Go board, his eyes shimmering with a spark of amusement. "Ah, a young traveler," he said, his voice carrying the weight of age and experience. "Sit, my child, and play a game with me."
I took a seat across from the old man, feeling a sense of reverence. As we played, the stones clacking against the wooden board, the conversation unfolded, revealing fragments of his enigmatic past.
"I have wandered these mountains for longer than you can imagine," he said, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "No one knows who I am or why I have chosen this solitude. Some say I am a lost hermit seeking enlightenment, while others believe I guard ancient treasures hidden within these peaks. The truth, my young friend, is known only to the wind and the mountains themselves."
His words intrigued me further, fueling my desire to uncover the secrets of this land and the lightning powers that coursed within me. The game ended, but the old man's presence lingered, a doorway to untold knowledge.
Before he vanished into the wilderness, leaving me with more questions than answers, the old man offered a parting wisdom. "Remember this encounter, Xu Hao Ren," he said, his eyes gleaming with a depth of understanding. "Life is like a game of Go—strategies unfold, stones are placed, and destinies intertwine. The answers you seek lie within the lightning that courses through your veins. Keep that ring close, young one."
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With those enigmatic words, the old man disappeared into the surrounding wilderness, leaving me with a mixture of awe and anticipation. Exhausted from my time spent delving into the mysteries of lightning cultivation, I decided it was time to make my way back home.
The journey led me to a local sect, nestled among the valleys of Yong Ning. Seeking a community of like-minded cultivators, I hoped to find a sanctuary where my aspirations would be nurtured, and my lightning cultivation could flourish.
It was here that I encountered another old man, his aura resonating with my own wild lightning essence.
The old man, named Meng Xiaolin, carried himself with an air of authority as he conversed with the sect leader. They exchanged pleasantries, their camaraderie hinting at a long-standing friendship. Intrigued, I approached them, my curiosity piqued by the familiarity I sensed in his lightning aura.
"Excuse me," I interjected, my voice respectful but filled with intrigue. "May I know the name of this person with a lightning aura similar to mine?"
He turned his gaze towards me, his eyes narrowing in concentration, carefully studying me for a moment before responding. "I sense the lightning coursing through your veins, young one. I am known as Meng Xiaolin." he said, his voice carrying a mixture of surprise and interest. "But I do not know you, young one. What brings you to this sect?"
"I am Xu Hao Ren," I replied, introducing myself. "I have journeyed through the mountains, seeking answers and a community that shares my aspirations. I am trained in the art of the Spear and that of the Sword, but Lightning cultivation is my path, and I yearn to further my growth in this domain."
Whispers of disbelief echoed among the local sect disciples as they overheard our conversation. Their murmurs filled the air; lightning cultivation is typically very rare and can only be acquired in very specific sects. Cultivators that have multiple intertwined paths are also extremely rare, but not unheard of. Ignoring their skepticism, I focused on old man Meng Xiaolin, waiting for his response.
The old man's gaze shifted from the sect leader to me, leaving the local sect leader shocked and bemused. His eyes flickered with a mix of determination and respect. "Xu Hao Ren," he repeated, musing over the name. "Your lightning essence is rare and powerful. The Tiān fá sect, one of the largest in Yong Ning, seeks talented lightning cultivators like yourself. Joining our sect would not only benefit you, but it would also please me to see a young cultivator such as yourself succeed on the path of lightning cultivation."
I thanked old Meng for his generous offer but expressed my uncertainty. "I shall consider joining the Tiān fá sect," I replied, my tone respectful. "However, I cannot guarantee how long I will remain in Yong Ning."
The whispers among the sect disciples grew louder, filled with disbelief at my apparent refusal. Their judgmental gazes bore into me, but I remained steadfast in my decision. It was not a rejection of their sect but a reflection of my own uncertain path.
Undeterred, Meng Xiaolin reached into his robes and produced a couple of ceramic wine jars, extending them toward me. "Consider these jars as a symbol of welcome," he said as his tone softened. "You are always welcome at the Tiān fá sect. Whenever you decide to return to Yong Ning, I would like you to pay us a visit. The lightning within you will find solace within our walls."
Grateful for his understanding, I accepted the wine jars with a nod of appreciation.
As I turned to leave, I could feel the weight of the sect disciples' judgmental stares upon my back. But their doubt only fueled my determination to forge my own path, guided by the lightning that pulsed within me.
Leaving the local sect behind, I embarked on my journey once again, my mind filled with questions and my heart ablaze with the untamed power of lightning cultivation. There was much to learn, much to discover, and the path ahead beckoned me to transcend the limitations of my current realm and reach for the boundless heights of what the purple book called "Transcendence."
On my way home, the weariness of my travels began to take its toll. I found myself drawn to the comforting warmth and respite of the local inn. The journey back to the Hao Ren family was still a considerable distance away, due to the detour I took to reach the local sect, and I knew I needed rest before continuing.
Inside, I was greeted by the flickering glow of lanterns and the bustling chatter of patrons. The aroma of freshly cooked meals wafted through the air, tempting my senses. I approached the innkeeper and requested a room for the night, seeking solace in the embrace of a comfortable bed and the fleeting moments of sleep.
As I settled into the room, fatigue washed over me, and my thoughts drifted back to the enigmatic encounters and newfound revelations that had filled my days. The weight of the purple manual pressed against my chest, a constant reminder of the path I had chosen. The allure of Transcendence beckoned me, urging me to unlock the true potential hidden within me.
"What am I going to tell Mother and Father?" I said to myself in a tired tone," They do not know that I have forsaken their teachings to follow a separate path of my own.", acknowledging that this could pose a serious problem.
Drifting into a deep slumber, I knew that the journey was far from over. The challenges and discoveries that awaited me in the future to come whispered in my dreams, fueling my resolve to push forward. In the embrace of the inn, I rested, gathering my strength for the trials that lay ahead...