As if in defiance, to the deep shadows cast by the merciless
But neither fame nor fortune are eternal, for shortly after it's creation - the immortal was struck down relentlessly by the heavens. Consequently, marking those lands as a taboo existence. The human heart is fickle, as was the now spread rumour that any who dare set their steps on the mountainous path would be cursed to a painful death.
Making the peak, despite its grandeur, a lonesome existence that some revere, some fear, but most let slip from their minds as a trouble best avoided. Its long windy path eroded by time, not a living being in sight and yet this very fact made it very appealing to a young mind.
A mind burdened by thoughts of mediocrity, a feeble desire to live and a common sentiment for loneliness. Perhaps seeking refuge or perhaps just looking to get away from the burning gazes of society.
Ah, how time flies, yet it can seem to stretch infinitely to an elusive end. Many years pass, but one assumes there are always many more to come. How many of those can one person hope to see? Especially a mediocre person, whose very existence is a crime. No mediocrity goes unpunished, for the talentless are stepping stones just waiting to be trampled on and their sole existence is to serve those with a smidge more talent or power. Without the strength to fight against what fate has ordained, they can only struggle to breathe like a fish fresh out of water, hoping for some mercy from the fisherman to throw them back, even if only to live for another day.
One can only sigh and relent, if only life were fair, if only one could hope to become strong beyond imagine, if only there is hope, if only, lest if only…
With these thoughts drifting in his mind, Zuck pondered his life's worth. Thus far, it had solely shown him misfortune, dealing him dead cards that had no chance of reversal, throwing curve ball after curve ball and no chance to score.
Family? He had none, there was only the clan. A family is made of loved ones, his parents had looked at him with anything but an ounce of love. He was a burden. A weakling that had no hope of elevating the branch family's status. A pawn, if even that, waiting for it's opportune sacrifice.
If there were any loving eyes in the whole branch family, they could only be on his removed cousin, Kylo, who was younger than him by 33 days. Himself and all those with low talent, should naturally hand over their resources to Kylo, the shining star of the family. For only if he grew stronger, would the main clan extend the proverbial olive branch further down.
*Crumble*, a few loose rocks slid down the mountain, breaking Zuck away from his brooding thoughts. He stood on the precipice of Heavenly Path Peak, preparing himself for the turbulent future. He was only a decade old now, but in three years' time the coming-of-age ceremony would commence.
The Astral Rite, as it were, was a tournament arranged by the main line. It was an annual showcase event that also served as a coming of age ceremony for teenagers. Naturally every year without fail, the top positions went to the hand picked candidates amongst the main line, or as they called themselves The Radiant Squires. And every year they would crush the branch candidates brutally to showcase the dominance of The Sovereign Line / main family line.
There was no hope of beating the elites from the sovereign line. There were cases where the trash from the soverign line would be beaten by the elites from the branch lines - though also very very rare. But those who were defeated would be kicked out of the sovereign line and the branch kids would bear the pressure from the parents of those kicked out. Not to mention in the following rounds, the beatdown from above was harsher and "accidental deaths" increased.
There was a silver lining, admist the glory of the sovereign line, it served as a competition between branch lines to win greater resources and recognition. Not to mention, exceptional talents amongst the branches, could be handpicked by the Starlight Ascension Academy.
But these thoughts were useless for the trash he was. All he could do, was stare down at the grim reaper, hidden in the clouds, waiting for a chance to strike. It would be a sweet release of sorts, to take that step forward and embrace the emptiness hidden within the depths of his heart. Even if it was cowardly, it offered solace to the fact he still had free will and could choose to change his own fate of dying a dogged death. Perhaps he would reincarnate well, live out a better life, in a better era, on a better land. A peaceful life without struggle or despair. But that was a mere possibility of what could be. Who could gurantee, his next life - if there was one to begin with, would be any more smooth sailing than his current one. He couldn't even guarantee his future in this life, let alone in a whole other life.
For that was all he could see in the future, the
They would groom 5 of their chosen, giving them every opportunity to grow rapidly! But who else to give them "fighting" experience than trash whose resources they could easily claim, whilst they turned the other cheek. Anyone without the power to defend would have everything taken and be beaten down in the name of gaining battle experience. Well, one might mistakenly think it wouldn't be too unfair - as the strong would eventually stand out from the rest.
For Zuck, there was no glimmer, most of his resources were being "donated" to Kylo to begin with. He could only imagine it was similar for the others, either their resources would go to someone more talented forcefully or to some favoured child of an elder. It was an unfair fight from the get go. Yet despite his pessimism and weakening desire for life, he kept a calm demeanour. For only when there is no margin to take a single step forward, can the human mind realise its full potential and offer a new path forward. That is when one can achieve their maximum potential and tread that which cannot be normally stepped. Like the gap between the edge he stood upon and the distant ground. To him it was certain death, but to an immortal, it was but a step.
Even if he had no chance of winning against Kylo and the others, he would not take their punches lying down. He had to at least be strong enough to punch back, even if it was but an ant fighting an elephant, the elephant should at least be annoyed by the efforts of the ant. No, it was more like an ant against a dragon.
If only he had been a simple mortal, uninvolved in the matters of cultivation, he would not have been as despaired. It took him his first 10 years of life to reach the 6th stage of the Fighter Realm – the very first realm a cultivator must overcome to embark on the journey to longevity. There was still the 7th Stage before he could transition to the Mortal Sage Realm. At his current realm, he was 10 times stronger, faster and perceptive than the average mortal. Yet, impressive as that was, the average 10-year-old would be in the 3rd or 4th Stage of the Mortal Sage Realm. Not to mention the geniuses, who would be leagues ahead. Even compared to the normies, even though he was just one realm behind, the difference was like a chasm, the weakest Mortal Sage being twice as strong as a peak Fighter cultivator of the 7th Stage.
It would take Zylo, another three years to cross the 7th stage and enter the Mortal Sage Realm and that was accounting for the increase in his cultivation speed since he started to stabilise his mind, using his time at Heavenly Path Peak well to organise his thoughts.
How did he compare to his genius cousin, Kylo?
Keeping in mind, each cultivation realm consisted of 7 stages, divided more widely into Early (S1 & S2), Middle (S3 & S4), Late (S5 & S6) and Peak Stages (S7). There was a significant difference is prowess of individuals within the same cultivation realm. It wasn't even a fight when one looked across realms, it would be even more exaggerated than an adult in his prime against a newborn child.
And of course, Kylo was blessed to cultivate - so he inherently cultivated into the early stages of Fighter Realm by the age of 1. Having immediately recognised the existence of Chi in this world when he was born, he proceeded to integrate a single strand into his body, building a Dantian and formally entering the early stages of the Fighter Realm. Within 2 years he rapidly grew it to over a million strands (enough to create an Empyrean Sea), stepping into the late stages of the Fighter Realm. Over the next 6 months he completely cleansed his body with the power of chi, organ by organ and ultimately comprehended a part of the nature of chi, breaking through the Peak Stage of the Fighter Realm. And finally, with that understanding, succeeded in shaping chi into something different, a new energy one could call their own to step into the domain of Sages.
Was that where he stopped? Nope, he continued on to cross the Mortal Sage Realm, converting the
In regularly enshrouding himself with Divine chi, he was quick to comprehend the mysteries of chi and began the next phase, identifying the influence of chi on his soul and using that that very energy to materialise his soul. Having successfully solidified a fifth of his soul with chi thus far, he was within the Early Stages of the Spiritual Sage Realm.
A sage is rid of his mortal self, realising chi externally – a revered existence amongst mortals. With his 2nd Stage Cultivation, he alone was 600 times stronger than a mere mortal. Was that powerful enough to be unrivalled in these backwards lands? Compared to a mortal perhaps. Mortals did not fathom how strong cultivators were, for they were protected by the clans. No cultivator could lay hands on a mortal, for they were an endangered species.
This was a continent for the powerful. Perhaps, a long time ago, mortals may have flourished. However, on this continent, only cultivators reigned supreme. A Spiritual Sage, whom a mortal may consider an immortal cultivator in their ignorance, was but worth dirt in the grand scheme. For above the Spiritual Sage Realm, there were still the "Foundation Establishment", "Unchained Saint", "Soul Sovereign" and "Golden Core" Realms. Even those, were not the end of the cultivation pathway, but were all that the residents of the backwards Central Region knew of.
Snapping back to reality, painting a realistic picture. Zuck did not hope to be selected as a representative, for that would only make him a cannon fodder to his cousin when the more dangerous ceremony was held with powerful cultivators across the clan competing for glory. He would most likely end up crippled or worse if he held such foolish dreams. No, he deemed it more worthwhile to live in the shadows as a "disposable side character" that never found its use. He would bide time. As long as he could reach the Spiritual Realm within this life, he would be free to leave the family and gain the right to call somewhere else a new home, living a respectable life.
Thinking on this, a rare smile, albeit a bit bleak, made it's way on Zuck's face. He did not lack a goal to work towards and had a plan to avoid the dangers ahead. There were no ties left to bind him, or at least there would no longer be by the time he reached the Spiritual Realm, for his parents were elderly, they too were only children – for the resources of these cursed lands were too pitiful for bountiful children and likewise, he had no siblings or close friends for that matter either.
Nothing would be left to bind him to the Qing family, especially after the cold treatment he had received here. Not to mention, the bigger behemoth – the Yuzhou Clan, that didn't even care to lay eyes on his pitiful existence. He would feel no remorse, in dropping this life behind and starting anew. Maybe roam the lands, live amongst the surviving mortals and teach those with but a shred of talent a skill or two to increase their odds of survival.
*Sigh*, "If I got another chance at life, perhaps things might have worked out differently, or is this what they call the inevitability of fate?" Zuck solemnly said as he turned to head back down to the shelter he called home. He wasn't entitled to live with his parents, well not that it was prejudice against him. None of the young cultivators, above the age of 7 were, until after the coming-of-age ceremony. They were only to focus on cultivation and make the branch family proud. Sentiments would only become their weakness and make them senile. 5 Years of Solitude would shape them up as fine pawns for the branch family, even those that did not get selected would become useful as foot soldiers who obeyed orders unquestionably.
Ah, he was beginning to sulk again. That was another rule that only applied to the weaklings like him. Of course, Kylo would get exclusive privileges to meet with his parents multiple times a week…..
*SKZZZZZ* Suddenly, a sharp tearing sound came from behind. Zuck tensed up but did not panic. The training kicked in, he pivoted his left foot, summoned the only sword he had in his right hand – a tattered block of wood, in preparation of an enemy attack.
The Central Region was always strife with blood and sure, their clan had enemies. Heck, the entire Region was their enemy, eying their stash of resources with greed.
Thinking fast, he made to stab his left hand to the emergency flare, fuelled by his internal chi – it would warn the clan of danger. For no other reason, than to at least avenge him. Not that he would admit it, but not liking his clan was different to allowing outside forces from creating trouble and he may have a strand of filial piety left for his ancestors.
Alas, despite all the thoughts and actions he took within a fraction of a second. He was powerless.
He hadn't even had the chance to turn around when he felt a burning sensation from his chest. *Cough, Cough* blood spurted out from the edges of his mouth. His right hand fell limply to the side, the chi in his left hand had mysteriously drained. The backlash of failing to activate the flare drained him of his momentum. *Thud* as he fell to his knees, blood dripping from his mouth, a blinding light assaulting his eyes, the tearing sound growing louder and louder, whilst the rest of his body was ablaze with a damning heat, he couldn't help but feel it was a fitting end for a trash like him.
A *SKZZZZZZZZZZZ* sound echoed on a lonely peak, whilst a lonely body (perhaps a corpse?) lay crumpled in dismay with a begrudging expression on its face.
''''''''''''''''''''
"Woah! This place is so cool! Damn, the scenery is awesome. I can swear I can smell the dirt on this realistic looking sword. I must have been dead tired to fall this deep asleep!"???
"I do wonder, why is there so much blood around me? There isn't anyone else around and I'd be damned if one person could bleed so much and survive. Ah, who cares anyway about a stupid dream. Even philosophers can't comprehend them despite wasting their lives away, why am I trying to make sense of this anyway? I could jump off this cliff and still be fine, would probably wake me up though and I don't want to just yet…."????
Zuck felt lightheaded, pinching his eyes open, a bit groggy in the head as if he was hit by a truck. Not that he knew what one was, not even sure why that thought came to mind. Who was this wierdo ranting away about dreams and what not and was he blind to not see this was a mountain. A mountain so tall it could push giants to shame as they couldn't hope to rival its presence, yet this idiot was calling it a cliff and was contemplating jumping down.
With his back to him, the strange eccentric was rambling on. Immediately recalling what had happened just moments ago, he tried to make sense of what was happening. 'No wait, I fell down and almost died – this guy must have knocked me out. I need to capture this psycho and let the family deal with this loose screw.'
Pouring chi crazily to his right leg, Zuck instinctively used his Rank 1 martial arts technique, Blunt Axe Kick. The concept being similar to using the blunt side of a hammer to hit a nail, using his leg as the handle and his ankle as the hammer head, putting the weight of his body into a small point to focus impact on a small point to immobolise his target.
He quickly jumped and swerved his body, leaning his body mass towards the left, accelerating and spinning his right leg to stretch as high as it could go and bringing it down to mid knee height to immobilise the intruder. Once that connected, he would follow with a chi charge (his clans exclusive capturing technique, removing chi from an area upon contact making it vulnerable) to put the intruder out of commission.
*Whoosh* Zuck's right leg passed straight through the intruder. His gaze, hesitantly turned to the spot where this ghastly being stood. 'Was this a ghost!' That was his first thought, until he saw the face of the lunatic. It was injured, but looked exactly like him and was holding a wooden sword. Assuming a battle stance to try once more, his gaze hovered on the sword and the name tag of the intruders' martial robes – which looked suspiciously like the Qing uniform.
His skin crawled in dread, as a possibility creeped into his mind. Cautiously, he looked down at his own feet, but they seemed a distance from the ground. Last he checked; he wasn't an immortal yet. Then like a million ton brick crushing against an iron plaque, it hit him…
"Oi, you mother*, what right do you have to loot my body! G.I.V.E I.T B.A.C.K right this instance!"
"Huh, you ignant punk, you ghosting me! I'll beat the shit out of that body"
*Swoosh, Swoosh*, 'ugh, I keep passing through this damn thief and he's just ignoring me…'
"God Damn! Even if I'm a remnant of a ghost, if you don't return that body, I'll haunt you to death if that's the last thing I do!!!" howled a certain peeved kid.
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