As the weeks passed, a tide of change swept over the adolescent populace at the Twin Dragon Estate, sparked by Xie Dongyi's remarkable performance in combat. It was as if a veil had been lifted from their eyes, and they saw with newfound clarity the true nature of low-grade spiritual roots.
Some of the more daring teens cast aside their allegiances and pledged themselves to Xie Dongyi, who had emerged as an undeniable force to be reckoned with. This, in turn, provoked the other leaders - Hu Chenxi, Xiao Khan, and Lu Wendong - to challenge the reincarnated man.
The battles were intense, with each clash more ferocious than the last. It was a brutal and crushing defeat that left those three former leaders reeling, their faces burning with shame and humiliation. In the aftermath, they lost many of their followers to the victorious Xie Dongyi, who seemed to grow stronger with each victory.
The only one who remained aloof and unchallenged was Chun Jiao, whose strength and power over Xie Dongyi remained shrouded in ambiguity. Her group remained intact, even as Xie Dongyi absorbed the remnants of Hu Chenxi, Xiao Khan, and Lu Wendong's followers.
As the balance of power shifted, the atmosphere within the Twin Dragon Estate transformed. It was a time of upheaval and uncertainty, a time when new alliances were being forged, and old friendships were strained or broken. But amidst the chaos and turmoil, one thing was certain: Xie Dongyi had emerged as a force to be reckoned with.
Whispers began to spread among the students and teachers alike, questioning the origin of Xie Dongyi's newfound strength. In hushed conversations and heated debates, various theories were proposed. Some speculated that he had discovered a powerful, ancient cultivation technique that had been lost for centuries. Others believed that he was secretly being guided by a legendary master who had taken an interest in his potential.
A few even suggested that Xie Dongyi had made a deal with a supernatural entity, trading his soul for the ability to harness unparalleled power. Each theory was more outlandish than the last, and the students eagerly debated the possibilities, trying to uncover the truth behind his meteoric rise.
As Xie Dongyi's feats became more and more impressive, the speculation reached fever pitch. It seemed as though he could accomplish anything, and his rivals and detractors were left to wonder what secrets lay behind his extraordinary abilities. The Twin Dragon Estate was abuzz with excitement and curiosity, and even the teachers could not help but be drawn into the growing whirlpool of conjecture.
Amidst the gossip and conjecture, some students began to view Xie Dongyi with a mix of admiration, envy, and fear, uncertain of what his presence meant for their own futures. The shifting balance of power led to fractures among previously tight-knit groups, with loyalties tested and alliances forged and broken in rapid succession.
As the Twin Dragon Estate's social landscape continued to evolve, new friendships were forged, while old bonds were tested. It was a time of growth and self-discovery for many, as they sought to find their own place within the ever-changing world of cultivation.
Through it all, Xie Dongyi remained at the center of the storm, his every move watched and analyzed by his peers but the reincarnated man didn't care as he worked on his physical strength.
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[ The Twin Dragon Estate - Mess Hall ]
The warm sunlight streamed through the windows of the mess hall, which had been temporarily converted into a makeshift classroom. Rows of stadium-esque seats had been set up, ensuring that each disciple would have an unobstructed view of the jade blackboard and the teaching podium. Murmurs of anticipation and excitement filled the air as each student filed in, their footsteps echoing on the wooden floors. The room buzzed with energy as friends exchanged stories from their adventures and compared notes on previous lessons about cultivation techniques and mystical arts.
Li Wei, a tall and lanky adolescent with unruly brown hair, leaned over to his friend Xiao Chen, who was sitting next to him. "Hey, what do you think that blonde arse is going to teach us?" he muttered, nodding in the direction of the teacher as he approached the podium.
Xiao Chen, a more reserved boy with glasses and sandy brown hair, frowned at his friend's comment. "Come on, Li Wei, be respectful. He's still our teacher," he chided softly, not wanting to draw attention to their conversation.
Li Wei rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, clearly irritated by the prospect of having to show respect to someone he deemed unworthy. "He can respect my ass for all I care," he snapped back, turning his gaze back to the front of the room.
...
I couldn't help but sigh as I observed the young disciples gathered in the mess hall. They were eager for friendship and camaraderie, their laughter and whispered conversations reflecting the bonds they were forming. But deep down, I knew that in this cutthroat world of cultivation, genuine friendships were a rare and precious commodity. In a realm where power and survival reigned supreme, even the strongest of relationships could be shattered in an instant.
The disciples of the Twin Dragon Estate seemed to understand this reality all too well. They had formed a fragile unity, but it was one based on following the strong and their pursuit of power, not on the foundations of friendship and mutual respect. It was a sad truth, but one that could not be ignored.
Amidst the sea of eager students, my gaze fell upon the reincarnator who appeared to be dozing off in the class. With my Eye of Insight, I could see the continuous flow of spiritual Qi coursing through his body, his every breath serving to strengthen his physique and cultivation base. It was a mesmerizing sight, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that in terms of physical prowess, he had already far surpassed me. This realization stung my pride and spurred me to work harder, to somehow catch up to him.
In an effort to not fall behind, I had tried to replicate the unique flow of Qi that coursed through the reincarnator's body. I spent countless hours meditating and visualizing the intricate pathways that the energy took, hoping to unlock the secret to his power.
However, my efforts had ultimately ended in failure. Each time I attempted to mimic the flow, I encountered a mysterious, missing element that caused a powerful backlash within my own body. The pain was excruciating, and I was left battered and injured, my spirit bruised by my repeated failures.
...
The sound of the door opening interrupted my thoughts, and I watched as the teacher made his way to the podium.
"Good day to all you cunts," Yue Fei sneered, "I hate this day already just because I have to see all of your ugly faces in the morning."
The room fell silent as the teacher began to write the word "cultivation" on the blackboard.
"Let's get this lesson started," he said, "What is cultivation?"
As the students began to murmur among themselves, the teacher continued.
"Cultivation is the art of absorbing the Spiritual Qi into one's body that acts as fuel to produce a person's individual Qi while the body acts as a container for the Qi. My question to you losers is, why haven't we done something like that for the last few months? Why did we focus on the flow of Spiritual Qi?"
The question hung in the air, and I watched as one student, Chun Jiao, tentatively raised her hand.
"The reason why we have been focusing on the flow of Spiritual Qi," she said, "is that if the flow of Spiritual Qi into the body is different than our technique, then it may cause something within the body."
"That is incorrect," Yue Fei said, cutting her off before she could finish.
Chun Jiao sank back into her seat, her face red with embarrassment. Yue Fei continued.
"Techniques require the correct flow of Spiritual Qi, while Cultivation is as simple as absorbing the Spiritual Qi into the body. And seeing as none of you have the answ.."
He trailed off as Lü Bu, raised his hand.
"The reason why is because a human's body can't handle Spiritual Qi," Lü Bu said confidently.
Chuckles erupted as the students found Lü Bu's answer absurd, while many of Lü Bu's followers quickly tried to defend the man.
The conversations were stopped as Yue Fei spoke up.
"That is correct," he said simply, shocking everyone in the hall except for me.
"A human's body is too weak to withstand the power of Spiritual Qi when it is stored inside to act as fuel for a cultivator hence why a human needs a Martial Skeleton," Yue Fei explained, drawing images of beasts on the blackboard.
"The creatures you see on the board are known as Demon Beasts. They are similar to animals but have the ability to absorb Spiritual Qi. Unlike humans, they can absorb Spiritual Qi instinctively, and their bodies don't explode when storing Qi inside it. Humans of old didn't have much chance against beasts like these. I am sure many of you have been told fairy tales of the Bai Ze, Baku, and others. All of these creatures exist in the world."
As Yue Fei explained this, I could see the disbelief and fascination in my fellow students' eyes. Some seemed eager to learn more about the world of cultivation, while others seemed afraid, doubting their ability to become cultivators themselves.
"The history surrounding Martial Skeletons is steeped in mysticism and legend, with many tales and myths surrounding their creation and power. Humans of old were able to fight back against their demonic rulers and drive them out of the Wuji Continent, as they were able to replicate the innate flow of spiritual Qi inside their bodies by opening special points around their bodies known as meridian points. Once opened, the points cause excruciating pain comparable to drinking lava as the surrounding Spiritual Qi coats the skeletal structure and forms a circuit in which a unique flow of spiritual Qi lies. This is the only way to replicate the flow."
The students in the hall were stunned. They had never heard anything like this before.
"If these creatures exist, why haven't we heard of them from anything other than fairy tales?" one student asked.
Yue Fei sighed and pointed at the student.
"Get better at phrasing your questions, brat. The reason why you haven't ever heard of these creatures is because of cultivators like us. We have been protecting mortal countries for eons from demon beasts."
The students fell silent, realizing the gravity of what they had just heard.
"Any other questions?" Yue Fei asked.
The students hesitated, unsure of what to say.
"Good. Now, let me elaborate on the Martial Skeletons. They are divided into two categories: Common or Normal Grade Martial Skeletons and Special Grade Martial Skeletons. Normal Grade Martial Skeletons allow humans to withstand the act of cultivating Spiritual Qi inside their bodies without dying. Special Grade Martial Skeletons enable humans to attain unique abilities of demon beasts in their humanoid form by replicating the innate flow of spiritual Qi inside the skeletal structure."
As Yue Fei explained the two types of Martial Skeletons, I could see my classmates becoming more and more excited. The possibility of attaining unique abilities of demon beasts in our human form was a thrilling prospect.
Yue Fei then delved deeper into the topic of Demon Beasts, explaining the different types and their unique abilities.
"Some Demon Beasts possess incredible strength, while others have the ability to manipulate the elements, such as fire or ice. There are even Demon Beasts capable of manipulating time and space, though they are extremely rare."
The room was abuzz with chatter as students discussed the various abilities they hoped to acquire through their cultivation journey.
Yue Fei continued, "It's important to note that not every cultivator will be able to form a Special Grade Martial Skeleton because it is only given to those that are worthy."
"Sir, how can we determine who is worthy of it?" a curious student inquired.
"Tomorrow, we will go to a special place where a race will be conducted. Whoever comes first, regardless of their talent, gets the Special Grade Martial Skeleton, and to everyone else, a Normal Grade Martial Skeleton will provide you with a solid foundation for your cultivation."
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room shifted as a wave of determination and excitement washed over the students. They now saw the upcoming race as an opportunity to prove their worth and potentially secure a Special Grade Martial Skeleton.
Whispers filled the room as students began discussing strategies for the race and speculating on their classmates' chances of victory. The competitive spirit was palpable, and many students realized that this was their chance to prove themselves in the world of cultivation.
Some students, who had doubted their own potential as cultivators, now felt a newfound sense of motivation. The prospect of obtaining a Special Grade Martial Skeleton and achieving greater power and abilities fueled their desire to succeed in the upcoming race.
"Now onto you losers," Yue Fei continued, "with the prior month's training, your physical body is ready to handle the formation of a Martial Skeleton; the foundation of your cultivation."
As the lesson went on, I could see the determination and resolve growing in the eyes of my fellow students. Despite the challenges and risks, we all knew that the world of cultivation was one filled with power, adventure, and untold possibilities. And for better or worse, we were now a part of that world.