Chapter 9: Opening the Door to Destiny
Weeks passed, and during that time, Lester focused intensely on one thing: learning to control World Qi. He had already formed his core, but his journey had only just begun. For a cultivator, controlling World Qi was essential—it was the very foundation upon which all power was built. Those who could master it became formidable, while those who couldn’t would remain stagnant.
Lester had not yet begun to fill his core with World Qi, but he could sense it around him, like a current of energy just beyond his grasp. Identifying World Qi was the first step, but manipulating it was an entirely different challenge. He spent hours each day practicing, struggling to move even the tiniest amount. It felt like trying to bend a river with his bare hands—impossible, but he persisted.
As he trained, he frequently talked with Patrick. They shared their progress, exchanged tips, and encouraged each other. Patrick remained focused on honing his martial arts skills. Both of them believed that having a solid foundation would make all the difference. They were united by a shared vow to grow stronger, to be more than just ordinary cultivators.
Meanwhile, the world outside continued to change at a breakneck pace. New, more powerful beasts were discovered almost daily, some roaming the wilderness, others hidden away in secluded corners of the Earth. These hidden beasts were the most terrifying of all. The unknown was their greatest weapon—no one knew how strong they were or what kind of abilities they possessed. These creatures guarded their territories with lethal ferocity, killing without hesitation anyone foolish enough to trespass. Their strength suggested they were at least at the Middle Level of cultivation or even higher, making them a dire threat to all but the strongest of cultivators.
This was a chilling thought for cultivators worldwide. If a human and a beast of equal cultivation level clashed, the beast often held the advantage due to its natural instincts, physical strength, and sometimes superior size. Of course, the outcome also depended on the skill and cunning of the cultivator, but the odds were usually not in their favor.
Such fearsome beasts had already been reported in places like the Amazon, the Atlantic Ocean, and the frozen expanse of Siberia. These creatures were the sleeping dragons and crouching tigers of the new world—mythical in their rarity and terrifying in their potential power. Only the top five cultivators in the world had a realistic chance of standing against them in battle, and even then, the outcome was uncertain. The Water Prince, perhaps, stood the best chance, but the secretive nature of these beasts meant no one knew for sure what they were capable of. Rumors swirled that their intelligence could rival that of humans, making them even more unpredictable.
Amid this chaos, many new cultivators emerged, but just as many fell. The cultivation world had become a battlefield, where the pursuit of fame and power required risking one's life. Even notable cultivators, like the Boulder Brawler, were not immune to this brutal reality. However, he had recently found not one, but two apprentices: a talented young girl from Egypt and a boy from Latvia. Both had shown extraordinary promise and would inherit his powerful techniques.
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Time flowed like a steady stream, and with it, Lester’s control over World Qi gradually improved. His hard work began to pay off—he could now manipulate very small objects with the faint strands of World Qi he managed to control. It was progress, but Lester knew it was only the beginning. The World Qi he could manipulate was minuscule compared to the forces wielded by those who had proper cultivation books. He knew that without one, he could never hope to reach the same level.
Still, he rarely left his home. His remote location in the Philippines provided a sanctuary of solitude, a place where he could practice without disturbance. But there was a mystery that nagged at him. He knew he lived not far from where the alien cargo ship had crashed, yet the area remained strangely calm and peaceful. No beast attacks, no signs of the chaos unfolding elsewhere. It was almost too quiet, and the lack of disturbances felt unnatural. He couldn’t help but wonder why.
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One day, while scrolling through the news on his computer, something caught his eye that left him stunned. His mouth fell open, and his heart sank. A name appeared on the screen, and with it, a devastating headline: "Wolf Madman Falls in Battle!"
Lester's eyes scanned the article with growing disbelief. The Wolf Madman, a cultivator capable of transforming into a monstrous, building-sized wolf, had been killed. He was ranked third in the world—an icon, a symbol of strength and resilience. And now he was dead.
His killer was a strange shark beast with enormous wings sprouting from its back. The creature was just as large as the wolf the Wolf Madman transformed into, but with a wingspan that dwarfed its body. The battle between the two had raged fiercely, drawing onlookers and sending shockwaves through the cultivation world. Backup arrived too late; by the time they got there, the Wolf Madman had already dealt devastating damage to the shark beast, but it wasn’t enough to save his own life. In the end, both the Wolf Madman and the shark beast lay dead, a double tragedy.
The world was shaken by the loss. To many, the Wolf Madman was a god-like figure, an inspiration. Even among cultivators, he was revered as a hero. His death was more than just a loss—it was a harsh reminder that even the strongest could fall.
The impact of his death was felt worldwide. The message was clear: monsters were getting stronger. If cultivators did not focus on becoming stronger themselves, it was only a matter of time before beasts ruled the world. It was like a declaration of war from the beasts to humanity, and the battlefield was growing bloodier by the day.
For Lester and other cultivators like him, the Wolf Madman's death was a call to action. It was no longer about personal ambition or glory; it was about survival. The planet was under threat, and only strength could safeguard the future.
Lester doubled down on his training. He continued to focus on controlling World Qi but also began incorporating physical exercise to strengthen his body. He wanted to be ready for whatever came next. The world outside was growing more dangerous with every passing day, and he knew he had to be prepared.
Meanwhile, Patrick was becoming increasingly impatient. The American Cultivation Association (ACA) was pressing him more aggressively, trying to recruit him into their ranks. Patrick had become a target of their attention because of his youth and promising talent. Even though he was two years younger than Lester, his potential was undeniable. The fact that he had formed his core faster than Lester was proof enough of his greater talent—at least, according to the conventional wisdom of the cultivation world.
“Lester, man, do you have any info on those cultivation books?” Patrick asked during one of their calls. His voice was tense, edged with urgency. “They’re bothering me more and more. I don’t want to miss out on this opportunity, but I need an answer from you!”
Hearing the concern in Patrick’s voice, Lester took a deep breath. “Give me a few more days,” he replied. “Just a few days, I promise! Trust me, don’t accept their offer yet. I have a really good surprise for you!”
Patrick hesitated for a moment but then agreed. “Alright, but it better be good, Lester. I’m putting a lot on the line here. Also, you should look up a place called the Cultivation Island online, there have been some rumors about it being the new capital of cultivation of the future.”
As the call ended, Lester's eyes drifted toward the small cabinet against the wall of his room. His heart began to beat faster, his palms growing clammy. The time had finally come to do something he had been putting off for far too long. Something that had haunted his mind, filled him with anticipation and fear in equal measure.
Taking slow, measured steps, Lester approached the cabinet. With each step closer, his heart pounded louder in his chest, his body trembling with a mix of anxiety and excitement. This was something he had wanted to do for a long time, but he had never found the courage—until now.
He reached out with a shaky hand, grasping the cold, silver handle of the cabinet. It felt heavy in his grip, like he was about to open a door to another world. Slowly, he pulled it open, as if revealing the greatest treasure in existence.
As the cabinet door creaked open, his heart pounded in his ears, and sweat beaded on his forehead. Inside lay his greatest secret, hidden away for so long, finally unveiled to the world—or at least to himself.
Lester stared down at it, his breath catching in his throat.
What lay inside would change everything.