Chapter 14: Patrick's Arrival

A few more days went by in the blink of an eye. During this time, Lester immersed himself entirely in the memories of the Evil Monarch, carefully peeling back the layers of knowledge stored within the black gem on his forehead. He was slowly learning to decipher the various alien languages of the different races that populated those distant galaxies. With each discovery, he felt a mix of awe and terror.

Some stories spoke of beings born with heaven-defying powers capable of shattering entire solar systems with a thought or a breath. Whether these were mere myths or reality was unclear, but one thing was certain: even the young Black Fiend, as depicted in Lester’s current memories, was a speck compared to such celestial giants.

Over the past two days, Lester had also been busy preparing space in his home for Patrick, who was due to arrive any moment. Having Patrick come to stay was perhaps the best decision for both of them. Patrick would be free from the relentless pressure of the American Cultivation Association (ACA), and Lester would gain a training partner and a friend he could trust. Having someone like Patrick around was a blessing in a world where secrets were deadly and allies were few.

Lester was sitting cross-legged on the patterned carpet in his living room, sweat dripping down his face as he practiced manipulating World Qi. Small, cloud-like wisps of energy swirled around his fingertips, bending and stretching under his control. What seemed like a simple exercise required intense concentration and effort. His body ached, and his mind felt strained from the exertion. Controlling these wisps, tiny as they were, demanded precise mental and spiritual synchronization.

With a deep exhale, Lester opened his eyes, releasing the tension in his chest as his lungs deflated. He stood up slowly, grabbing a towel nearby to wipe away the sweat. As he began to walk toward the cabin's exit, a thought tugged at his mind—something he had forgotten. His pace quickened, and his expression grew tense as he pushed open the door and stepped outside.

The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over his small plot of land. As he walked around to the side of his cabin, his heart sank. His face twisted with regret as he gazed at the neglected garden beds. He had been so engrossed in his cultivation and the exploration of his newfound memories that he had completely forgotten to tend to his plants. A mix of withered vegetables and shriveled fruit lay scattered across the patches of different colored green in front of him.

"Dammit..." Lester muttered, facepalming in disappointment. He had been growing these plants for years, ever since he moved into this secluded paradise. Each plant held a memory, a piece of his parents who had taught him the importance of self-sufficiency and nurturing life. They had always been a touchy subject for him, his parents. Yet, as he stood there, surrounded by the dying remnants of his garden, he couldn’t help but feel a deep appreciation for everything they had given him and left behind.

This plot of land was more than just a place to live. It was his sanctuary—a place of peace and tranquility. He had no idea how his parents had managed to find and secure such a beautiful piece of land. It was a hidden gem, far removed from the chaos of the world, making it perfect for cultivation and introspection.

Although the wooden cabin looked humble from the outside, it was surprisingly spacious within. A short distance away stood a smaller shed filled with tools and other gardening accessories. Behind both the shed and the cabin stretched a small orchard of fruit trees, their branches heavy with mangoes, avocados, and papayas. Lester often spent hours here, under the shade of these trees, lost in thought or simply enjoying the sounds of nature.

"I guess I’ll have to fix this mess later," Lester sighed. He began heading back toward the cabin, ready to gather his tools and mend his garden, when a sudden honking noise broke through the quiet.

He turned, squinting toward the source of the sound, but all he could see were the thick clusters of trees surrounding his property. The dirt road leading to his cabin was narrow and bumpy, making it hard to see very far. As the sound drew closer, a cloud of dust rose up between the trees, and soon, the shape of a car emerged from the haze.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

From the back window, Lester caught a glimpse of a hand waving energetically. A smile spread across his face as he realized who it was—Patrick had arrived.

The car came to a bumpy stop near the edge of the property, and a burly, short man climbed out from the backseat. The driver, a local, helped him unload his luggage, then, after exchanging a few pleasantries and receiving his payment, climbed back into the car and drove off, leaving a trail of dust behind him.

Lester walked toward Patrick, grinning widely. Patrick turned to face him, a similar smile forming on his lips. He was a head shorter than Lester but significantly more muscular. He wore a bright polo shirt, loose shorts, and a pair of sandals—the quintessential tourist look. The only things missing were a straw hat to cover his bald head and a camera dangling from his neck.

“It took way too long to get here! So much money too!” Patrick exclaimed, his tone a mix of exasperation and humor. “Who picks a place like this to build a home? The driver had some choice words about this location—something about how the area is becoming more dangerous, with the flora getting increasingly hostile!”

Patrick chuckled as he moved in to hug Lester.

“Hah! What do you know?” Lester laughed, hugging Patrick back. “My parents picked this place specifically because it’s so isolated. It’s perfect for peace and quiet... But I didn’t know the area was becoming dangerous. Maybe we won’t stay here for too long.” He pulled back, smiling. “Welcome to my place!”

After exchanging pleasantries and catching up a little, both men hauled Patrick’s luggage inside. Once they were in the living room, Patrick took a seat, his excitement palpable. His leg bounced up and down as he tried to contain his eagerness.

Lester disappeared into his room for a moment, then returned with a glass of water and a yellow book in his hands. He set the glass down beside Patrick, who was now staring at the book, eyes wide with anticipation. Patrick’s hands trembled slightly as he looked up at Lester, but something else caught his eye.

“What’s that on your forehead?” Patrick asked, his brow furrowing. He had been thinking about the surprise that Lester had for him so much that he had just noticed the gem on his glabella.

Lester’s hand reflexively touched the black gem embedded in his forehead. He gave a sheepish smile. “It’s part of my cultivation technique…” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. Though he trusted Patrick deeply, there were some things better left unsaid. Not everyone was ready to handle the truth about what he had acquired. He needed to be cautious with the secrets now locked in his mind.

Patrick glanced back at the book, his curiosity momentarily overshadowed by his excitement. Seeing this, Lester smiled and handed it over. As Patrick took the book, his hands shook a little more, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He whispered the title, [Black Sand Zu Lizard Cultivation], almost reverently.

“One day, I’ll repay you for this…” Patrick murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Lester shook his head. “You’ve already done more than enough. If it wasn’t for you, my journey into this world of cultivation might never have started. I didn’t have the confidence back then.”

Patrick began flipping through the pages, his disbelief growing with every word he read. A complete cultivation book was a treasure beyond measure—something that could spark wars between nations. Now, he understood why Lester had insisted he reject the ACA’s offer. The value of this book was beyond comparison.

“What would Julio and Harold think, seeing this?” Patrick mused, his voice heavy with nostalgia. “Out of the dozen of us, we’re the only two who have come this far...” His heart trembled, caught between disbelief and a deep sense of loss.

“Yeah... The last time we all met we were unaware that it would've been the last time. I remember us meeting on the forums, talking almost every day for hours.” Lester’s voice softened as he, too, was pulled back into the memories of the good times they had shared with their closest friends.

“This will be for them,” Patrick declared, gripping the book close to his chest and lowering his head, a somber determination settling over his features.

Seeing Patrick deep in thought, Lester smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “I know you’re eager to start reading. Get yourself settled in and read through the book. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll be in my room practicing for now. There’s an air mattress over there—make yourself comfortable.”

Patrick nodded, still holding the book tightly. Lester was glad to have his friend here, knowing that together, they could both grow stronger. Now, with Patrick here and settled, Lester could finally dive deep into his training and truly explore the vast world of cultivation that lay ahead of him.