Elder Azulon stared at Reese, who was eager to cultivate. He said softly to Reese, "Young Reese." Elder Azulon began, his voice resonating with authority.
"To reach the peak stage of the Minor Stage of Nether Realm, you must focus your intent on opening these 40 acupuncture points. But be warned,the power of the Amethyst Aura can be overwhelming, and it will be excruciatingly painful, especially for someone like you who did not know this kind of thing. So I'll ask you again." Then Elder Azulon looked at Reese with a very serious look in his face. "Do you want to proceed?" Elder Azulon asked Reese.
'What a joke! Who doesn't want to be powerful? How painful can it be? 'No Pain, No Gain.' Reese thought with determination.
"Yes, Master," Reese answered.
"Alright, let's begin," Elder Azulon said.
As Reese sat on the threshold of his first cultivation session, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness filled his heart. As he sat in the serene area with the Amethyst Orb pulsating softly in the background, Reese took a deep breath and centered himself.
With Elder Azulon's words echoing in his mind, Reese sat cross-legged, surrounded by the swirling tendrils of Amethyst Aura. The energy pulsed and danced around him, casting an otherworldly glow that illuminated the area. With a deep breath, Reese closed his eyes and focused his mind, centering his thoughts on the singular goal that drove him forward: to reach the peak of the minor stage of the Nether Realm. As he dove deeper into his cultivation practice, Reese could feel the raw power of the Amethyst Aura coursing through him, infusing every fiber of his being with its potent energy. It surged and swirled around him.
Reese began to perform the cultivation techniques taught to him by his master. He focused on opening his energy channels, visualizing the flow of energy moving freely throughout his body. As Reese dove deeper into the process, he felt the raw power of the Amethyst Aura surge through him with an intensity that threatened to overwhelm his senses.
With each passing moment, the pain grew more unbearable, searing through every fiber of his being and threatening to consume him entirely. Desperate to endure the onslaught of energy, Reese gritted his teeth and pressed on, determined to push past his limits no matter the cost. But as the agony reached its peak, Reese's strength faltered, and he teetered on the brink of collapse. Just when it seemed that all hope was lost, Elder Azulon intervened.
"Young Reese, you must not let the power of the Amethyst Aura consume you," Elder Azulon's voice rang out, cutting through the haze of pain. "You must find the strength within yourself to master its energy."
With his master's guidance, Reese dug deep within himself, drawing upon reserves of inner strength he never knew he possessed. Slowly but surely, he began to regain control over the unruly energy, channeling it with precision and purpose.
And then Reese felt a surge of energy unlike anything he had ever experienced before. It pulsed through him with an intensity that was both exhilarating and terrifying, propelling him ever closer to the pinnacle of the minor stage of the Nether Realm.
With a triumphant cry, Reese felt himself breaking through the final barriers of resistance, his spirit rising to new heights as he reached the peak of the Minor Stage of the Nether Realm. In that moment, he knew that he had achieved a level of mastery beyond anything he had ever imagined possible.
Elder Azulon nodded in approval, his eyes filled with pride. "Well done, Young Reese," he said, his voice filled with relief.
Reese was about to express his gratitude to his Master for his help, but as he moved to approach his mentor, a foul odor assaulted his senses, causing him to pause mid-step. Wrinkling his nose, he glanced around the area, trying to identify the source of the unpleasant smell. To his surprise and dismay, Reese realized that the odor was emanating from his body. Perplexed, he looked down and recoiled in horror as he noticed a dark, slimy goo clinging to his skin.
"Ewww! Disgusting!" Reese complained.
"Master," Reese called out, his voice tinged with concern. "I... I think there's something wrong with me. There's this foul smell coming from my body, and... and I don't know what this black slime is."
Standing before Elder Azulon, Reese's brow furrowed with concern as he examined the dark slime clinging to his skin. Sensing Reese's unease, Elder Azulon offered words of comfort.
"Young Reese, those are called impurities. However, they are not a cause for alarm," Elder Azulon began, his voice steady and reassuring. "They are common among cultivators, especially when they first begin to absorb spiritual energy."
Reese's eyes widened with surprise at the revelation. "Impurities?" he echoed, trying to process the information. Elder Azulon nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "Yes, impurities. They are residues of negative energy that accumulate within the body over time."
'What! These things are actually inside my body." Reese was even more horrified; just thinking about it makes him want to puke. Then he adjusted his thought, even though it was foul and sticky, it wasn't harmful to him.
Relief washed over Reese as he realized that he wasn't alone in experiencing this phenomenon. "So, it's normal?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
"Absolutely," Elder Azulon affirmed. "Many cultivators encounter impurities as they progress on their journey. It's a natural part of the process."
Reese felt a weight lift from his shoulders at Elder Azulon's words. "But how do I get rid of these impurities?" he inquired, eager to address the issue.
"Young Reese, I understand your concern about the impurities in your body," Elder Azulon began, his voice resonating with wisdom. "But rest assured, when you return home, a simple bath can help cleanse away these impurities in your body."
"A bath?" Reese echoed.
"Yes," Elder Azulon confirmed with a nod. "However, for now, it is crucial that you remain focused on your cultivation practice. The impurities may cause discomfort, but now it is time for you to continue cultivating. Even though there's only a little left of the Amethyst Aura, it might push you forward all the way to the beginning of the Major Stage of Nether Realm.
"Yes, Master," Reese agreed without hesitation. Then he went back to the center area of the Amethyst Orb and sat cross-legged.
Reese closed his eyes and focused on channeling the energy of the Amethyst Aura once more, filling him with its divine essence. But the same as before, he was enveloped by the raw power of the Amethyst Aura, but this time it was even more painful. It was the kind of pain that no living being should experience. It was like being cooked alive from the inside and then being torn apart at the same time. As for his spirit, waves of intense energy washed over him, each one bringing with it a new level of agony that seemed to penetrate his very soul.
With each surge of the Amethyst Aura, Reese felt as though his very brain was crushed by a ton of sledgehammers, his spirit undergoing a transformation unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Waves of intense energy washed over him, each one bringing with it a new level of agony that seemed to penetrate his very soul.
Gasping for breath, Reese struggled to maintain his focus as the unfamiliar sensation threatened to overwhelm him. It was a pain unlike anything he had ever felt, one that reached deep into the core of his being and stirred emotions he had long buried.
Seeing that Reese was covered in blood, sweat, and, of course, impurities, Elder Azulon sensed that Reese was about to pass out from agony. Elder Azulon intervened once again, using his remaining aura intertwined with Reese's aura to create a stabilizing force.
Relief flooded over Reese's senses as he felt his master help him again. Together, they worked in harmony, with Reese pushing his limits while Elder Azulon provided the necessary support. With each acupuncture point opened, Reese felt a surge of energy coursing through him, bringing him closer to his goal. With a final burst of effort, Reese summoned all his strength and willpower, channeling the Amethyst Aura with precision and control.
As Reese poured his heart and soul into his cultivation, striving to ascend to the beginning of the Major Stage of the Nether Realm, he found himself unable to break through.
Disheartened by his inability to reach his goal, Reese turned to his master, his mentor, seeking solace and guidance. With a sympathetic smile, Elder Azulon placed a comforting hand on Reese's shoulder.
"Don't be disheartened, Young Reese," Elder Azulon reassured him, his voice gentle yet resolute. "Though you may not have reached the beginning of the Major Stage as we had hoped, reaching the peak stage of the Intermediate Stage is still a remarkable achievement."
Surprised by his master's words of encouragement, Reese felt a glimmer of hope ignite within him. "But I wanted to reac." But before Reese could finish his sentence, he noticed that there was something wrong with his master appearance. His master's appearance was turning translucent and slowly fading away; it's like looking in a glass, but you can't hardly see what's behind the glass. Concern etched into his features, Reese approached his master.
Confusion and concern flooded Reese's mind as he took in the sight before him. "Master," he began, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "What's happening? Are you alright?"
Elder Azulon smiled warmly, though his form flickered slightly as if struggling to maintain its solidity. "Fear not, Young Reese," he reassured, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue. "I was using what little remains of my power to shield you from harm."
Realization dawned on Reese as he understood the sacrifice his master was making for him. "You mean, Yo, you're using your own energy to protect me?" Reese asked, overwhelmed by Elder Azulon's selflessness.
The realization hit Reese like a ton of bricks. He thought his master was simply helping him and did not use much of his energy. But now it looks like his master was actually using his remaining energy to protect him from being killed by the Amethyst Aura without him noticing.
'So it was like that. No wonder every time I'm about to pass out, the pain will lessen. I thought I overcame the pain all by myself every time it happened, but now? How naive of me.' Reese could not finish the thought as his tears were starting to come out of his eyes.
Elder Azulon nodded, his form wavering slightly. "Indeed," he confirmed, his voice tinged with determination, "your safety is paramount, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure it."
Reese stood before Elder Azulon, the weight of impending loss heavy upon his heart. He struggled to accept the inevitable. Despite Elder Azulon's reassurance, Reese could not bear the thought of losing his beloved master.
Tears welled in Reese's eyes as he looked upon his master, his form flickering faintly as he began to fade from view. "Pleas.. please, Master, you can't leave me," Reese pleaded, his voice choked with emotion. "I still have so much to learn from you. I'm still new to this kind of stuff; what if the next time I cultivate, I won't be able to survive from the pain? Please..please Master, there must be away. What...what if I'll give you some of my energy? Yeah, That...that's right." Then Reese looked at his Master and continued, "Master, please take some of my energy." Reese said, smiling, hoping his Master would accept his idea.
Elder Azulon reached out to Reese, his touch gentle yet fleeting as he placed a comforting hand on his disciple's shoulder. "I understand your pain, Young Reese," he said softly. "But my time in this realm has come to an end. It is part of the natural cycle of life and death." His master paused as he turned around and looked at his surroundings, in which he had lived for countless years. Then he looked at Reese once again and continued. "Deaths are a common occurrence among cultivators. It was so common that most cultivators are used to it. We don't have to accept it, but it exists. But I hope someday you won't get used to it, Young Reese." His master paused again as if remembering something. "What's the use of being the most powerful when you're all alone? It was too late for me when I realized this." Regret filled his master's eyes as he said this. "So, Young Reese, promise me, no matter what happens and no matter how you struggle moving forward, don't stray away from the right path and always follow what you believe in, follow what is right, and always treasure your loved ones. Life is so fragile that it can disappear with a snap of a finger."
After listening to his master's lengthy words, Reese then wiped away his tears. "I promised, Master, I won't let you down," Reese promised his Master with determination in his voice.
"I believed you," Elder Azulon said with a faint smile on his lips. With a burst of his final energy, he tapped Reese's forehead one last time, giving Reese his final legacy, a gesture laden with significance. Then he vanished.
In that fleeting touch, Reese felt a surge of energy course through him. Fragmented memories of his master flow effortlessly through Reese's mind, their intricacies and differences revealing themselves to him with startling clarity. And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the torrent of knowledge ceased, leaving Reese standing alone, his mind reeling from the intensity of the experience. He looked around, expecting to see his master still standing before him, but the space was empty save for the fading remnants of his master's presence.
"Farewell, Master," Reese said solemnly as he kowtowed to where his master had vanished.
After paying respect to his master, Reese smiled as he realized something familiar when his master tapped his forehead. It was very much like when Itachi tapped Sasuke's forehead before he died in Naruto. The simple act of tapping Sasuke's forehead conveyed a wealth of unspoken emotions: regret, longing, and, above all, a deep sense of affection. Though the circumstances were different, the gesture of tapping the forehead carried a similar weight of significance in both scenarios.
'Life does give a lot of surprises.' Reese thought inwardly.
In that moment of realization, Reese felt a surge of gratitude and reverence for his master, who had imparted his legacy upon him with a gesture reminiscent of Itachi's final act of love for his brother.
As Reese looked around the Amethyst Orb, devoid of Amethyst Aura, he felt like it was the most serene. Then it dawned on him that he had been inside the purple sphere for what felt like hours, and a wave of worry washed over him. He knew his parents must be frantic, searching for him. Heart pounding, Reese focused his thoughts on returning home. With a determined expression, he reached out towards the surface of the Amethyst Orb, commanding it to transport him back to his room.
At first, nothing happened. Doubt crept into Reese's mind as he struggled to control the mysterious power of the Orb. But then, with a surge of concentration, he felt a faint tingling sensation envelop him as the Orb responded to his command. Slowly, Reese felt himself being drawn upward, carried by an unseen force. The world around him blurred as the purple hue of the Orb intensified, surrounding him in a cocoon of swirling energy.
And then, in the blink of an eye, Reese found himself standing in the familiar surroundings of his bedroom. Relief flooded through him as he realized he had successfully returned home. But his sense of relief was short-lived, replaced by a deep sense of guilt as he imagined his parents' worry. With a heavy heart, Reese resolved to make things right and reassure them of his safety.