Feng Nan sat in the dark corner, concentrating on the pure yin energy that constantly revolved around him. From afar, if you were a cultivator, you would see a black storm forming around Feng Nan. This was the yin properties beginning to condense in Feng Nan, he was preparing for his first major breakthrough.
He has been cultivating for 2 days straight for this highly important moment. This would mark his entry into the cultivatiors world. He would break through to the 2nd Qi Gathering Layer. A important moment to any cultivator.
Feng Nan deeply inhaled, his breathing was shallow and very calming.
He opened his eyes, clearly understanding he had just broken through.
Although his face didn't reveal any emotions, he was extremely excited.
He broke through, finally, he now could control Qi easier.
"Kid. You are progressing at a insane speed, even this old grandpa is shocked. Your talent is immesurable and there is not saying what you will become in the future... I am truly proud to have trained you."
Feng Nan nodded, but he understood that this wasn't enough, and that he needed to get stronger so he could stand a chance in the upcoming entrance exams.
Although, currently he had just broken through, his chances of getting into the Vermillion Phoenix Academy was incredibly low.
Rumors spread that contesters for the entrance exams range from the 3 Qi layer, and the 6th. Currently, he was at the 2nd layer.. He had to get stronger, and stronger fast.
"Kid. I can sense your thoughts. Cultivation is done over time, there is no way you can reach the 3rd layer in less than a year. Many cultivators get stuck here, as the 3rd layer truly tests their patience and endurance."
Feng Nan nodded once more, understanding his current circumstances, but he was determined, he would not let a few assumptions get in his way of thinking. He was past that, he was going to get the at least the 3rd layer.
He sat down and opened the Lightning God cultivation booklet, skimming all of the steps to execute the booklets instructions.
"Kid. You aren't ready yet. Don't do it. I'm warning you, it will not turn out well for you."
Feng Nan ignored the spirit and continued reading. Each of the instructions were profound and complicated, requiring a lot of focus and determination in order to execute.
There were 3 major steps, Gathering Lightning, Enduring Lightning, and Summoning Lightning. All of which have different levels of achievement.
Feng Nan started with the 'easiest' level. Which was Gathering Lightning. On the booklet, it described using determination and endurance as a fuel source to gain power. Feng Nan sat in the same corner, and closed his eyes. He relaxed and began the process. Small lightning particles flowed towards Feng Nan, entering his body seemlessly. However, within his body, many things were happening. The Lightning particles began attacking his meridians, they were reconstructing it. This, was the endurance part of the training. He had to endure being broken down, and rebuilt again.
He grit his teeth, clearly in agony, but stood with a iron determination. Piece by piece, his meridians were broken and rebuilt by the lightning. He was at this moment, actually accomplishing this.
"W...what are you? Never in my 3,000 years of living would I have ever thought of meeting and training a monster like you.. It took me 50 years just to gather the lightning particles, and that was with a exceptional talent. Compared to you, im an ant."
Feng Nan grinned through the pain, proud of himself.
The pain was overbearing, it was akin to millions of ants biting at you. It was truly painful, many people would have already given up at this point, but not Feng Nan. He stood still and waited for it to complete. He knew if he completed this, he would at least jump to mid 2nd layer of Qi Gathering.
Slowly, the pain disappeared, Feng Nan opened his eyes suddenly, looking at his body. Within his head, he was proud, he had endured all the pain, and now, he was at..
The Peak of the 2nd Layer.
"WHAT THE HELL! This grandpa spent 5 years just breaking through to the third layer, you're a monster.. Also..I feel.. A bit sleepy.. This grandpa will be going to sleep for awhile.."
It was clear the Lightning King was losing energy after being awakened from his deep slumber.
Feng Nan nodded, he had to let the elder rest after all, the elder opened up so many possibilities for him. He was more than grateful.
He now had a chance, or at least, half of a chance to succeed at entering the Vermillion Phoenix academy.
Feng Nan for now, has exhausted too much energy, so he went to sleep aswell. But he knew, when he recovered, that he would dedicate his time to cultivating and getting stronger.
And so, he drifted asleep, ignoring all of his current circumstances.
2 Days Later
Feng Nan opened his eyes, blinded by the overbearing sun. He looked at his surroundings, and he has oddly been transported to a small house which looked unfamiliar to him.
"Oh! Kid you woke up!"
A old womans voice called out to him, this, made Feng Nan happy. No one ever actually protected or helped him in his life. He was all alone since a child.
A old woman walked over to his side, she looked about 70 years old, maybe older..
"Thank you.. Senior."
Feng Nan said in a cold voice, he still couldn't send any emotions out, it was as if his entire face was shocked with a million volts.
"Call me Grandma Ruo"
The old lady had responded happily knowing that Feng Nan was safe.
Feng Nan nodded and sat straight up, he wanted to leave and begin cultivating again, but when he inspected his current body, he realized, that he was in the 3rd layer, he had broken through unexpectedly. He was pumped, nevertheless.