Chapter 15: The new world
In the Southern Continent, within the majestic Eternal Void Lotus Sect, a grand hall buzzed with quiet conversation. Seated on a luxurious throne at the center of the hall was the sect master a breathtakingly beautiful woman with an ethereal presence. Her black robes, adorned with intricate silver lotuses, shimmered as she exuded an air of absolute authority.
Her piercing gaze scanned the room, but suddenly, she stiffened. A ripple of energy, ancient and potent, swept through the sect. The hall fell silent as she rose from her throne, her icy expression unreadable.
"Sect Master, is something wrong?" one of the elders asked cautiously.
Without a word, she vanished, leaving behind only a faint gust of wind.
The sect master reappeared in the forbidden area of the sect a hidden chamber where a broken teleportation formation lay dormant. She approached the formation, her sharp eyes narrowing as the ancient runes began to glow faintly.
"Impossible," she whispered. "This formation has been inactive for centuries."
Suddenly, the runes flared brightly, and the formation repaired itself in a surge of light. A beam descended, illuminating the chamber, and when it faded, a lone figure lay on the ground: Bhoumik.
The sect master's eyes widened slightly as she approached him. His ethereal features caught her attention immediately, but when she extended her spiritual sense to probe his body, her expression shifted to one of shock.
"No cultivation… yet his body feels… unique," she muttered, frowning in confusion.
Without hesitation, she lifted him effortlessly and carried him to her personal quarters.
When Bhoumik opened his eyes, his breathing was ragged, and his heart raced. He found himself lying on a luxurious bed in a grand room filled with polished wooden furniture. The air was filled with the faint scent of herbs, and the soft glow of lanterns illuminated the space.
His spear, bamboo water containers, and a bundle of fruits rested neatly on a nearby table. He sat up slowly, his mind racing. "Where am I? What is this place? Where is everyone else?"
Before he could think further, the door opened. The sect master entered gracefully, her piercing gaze fixed on him. Her beauty left him momentarily stunned her delicate features and commanding aura seemed almost otherworldly.
"Oh, you're awake," she said, her voice calm but laced with curiosity.
Bhoumik hesitated. "Who are you? Where am I? And… where are the others who were with me?"
The sect master's eyebrow arched slightly at his questions, but she remained composed. "You're in the Eternal Void Lotus Sect, my domain. As for the others… there were no others with you when the teleportation formation activated. You arrived alone."
Her response sent a wave of panic through Bhoumik, but he quickly masked it. "Alone?" he repeated softly.
"Yes. And now, you owe me answers, boy," she said, stepping closer, her aura intensifying. "Who are you? And why did the ancient formation activate for someone like you?"
The air inside the Eternal Void Lotus Sect was saturated with a rich, vibrant energy. Bhoumik could feel it an almost tangible force that filled every corner of the ornate chamber where the sect master, Ling Yue, observed him. Her piercing gaze and commanding aura unsettled him, and yet, her presence exuded a strange sense of safety.
He stood silently, trying to process everything. Questions about his sister, his friends, and this strange world swirled in his mind, but he knew better than to reveal too much.
Finally, he mustered the courage to speak. "I don't understand what you mean by ancient teleportation… or how I came here. All I remember is…" He hesitated, then continued, "…a golden light surrounding my sister and friends. The next thing I know, I was here."
Ling Yue studied him, her expression calm, her eyes narrowing slightly as though gauging the truth of his words. She was silent for a moment before responding.
"Very well," she said smoothly. "I will believe you… for now." Her tone suggested she knew there was more to his story, but she didn't press further. "What is your name, boy?"
"Bhoumik," he answered, his voice steady despite the tension.
She gave a faint smirk. "You seem to be holding back, Bhoumik," she said, her voice calm yet sharp. "I understand your hesitation. But if you expect to survive in this world, you must trust me at least to some extent. What are you hiding?"
Bhoumik's hand instinctively brushed against the Dark Lotus Pendant tucked beneath his robe. His pulse quickened, but he stood firm. "I'm not hiding anything… I just need to find my friends and sister. If you can't help me with that, I'll figure it out myself."
Her icy-blue gaze softened for a brief moment, though her tone remained firm. "You are bold, but reckless. Your body… it is unique. I cannot sense any spiritual roots within you, yet your physique holds a dormant energy I haven't encountered in centuries."
Ling Yue stepped closer, and Bhoumik stiffened. "If you stay, I will train you. You will become my personal disciple and learn to unlock the power hidden within your body. I will also offer my resources to help you find your companions. However…" She leaned in slightly, her gaze piercing. "You must obey my rules."
The offer hung in the air, heavy with implication. Bhoumik hesitated. Her offer was tempting, but her intense interest in him made him wary. "I'll… consider it," he said cautiously.
Ling Yue raised a single eyebrow but smirked faintly. "Take your time. Explore the sect. You'll soon realize that my offer is your best chance at survival in this world."
She handed him a dark robe, intricately designed with lotus patterns that matched her own. "Wear this. You represent me now. Don't embarrass yourself or me."
Moments later, Bhoumik found himself standing on a bustling street outside the sect. The transition was so sudden that he barely registered Ling Yue's departure. She had vanished in a gust of wind, leaving him staring at the lively scene before him.
The street was a flurry of activity, lined with shops and vendors selling all manner of strange items: glowing herbs, shimmering crystals, weapons radiating faint auras, and even small cages containing exotic creatures. The air was filled with the chatter of traders haggling with customers, the aroma of unfamiliar spices, and the occasional burst of spiritual energy from passing cultivators.
Bhoumik marveled at the sight. This world was unlike anything he'd known. The sheer scale of life and activity made Earth seem small and dull in comparison. Yet amidst the crowd, he couldn't shake the nagging thought of his sister and friends.
As he wandered, a few people paused to stare at him, their gazes lingering on his ethereal appearance. His new dark robe only added to his striking presence, drawing attention wherever he went.
Eventually, Bhoumik's steps led him to a quieter part of the street. The noise faded, replaced by an eerie stillness. He barely noticed the shift until it was too late.
From the shadows, five men emerged, their weapons glinting in the dim light. They were rough-looking cultivators, their shabby clothes and unkempt appearances contrasting sharply with the polished elegance of the main street.
The leader, a muscular man with a jagged scar running across his face, grinned menacingly. "Well, what do we have here? A pretty boy wandering all alone."
Another, a skinny man with sharp features, added with a sneer, "Leave everything you've got especially that shiny spear and we might let you live."
Bhoumik's grip tightened on his spear. He shifted into a defensive stance, his body tense and ready for a fight.
"Oh, so the boy wants to play hero?" the scar-faced man laughed, his voice booming. "Kill him, but make it quick. We don't have all day."
The skinny man lunged first, his sword crackling with faint spiritual energy. He moved fast faster than Bhoumik expected. Bhoumik barely managed to block the strike with his spear, but the force of the attack sent vibrations up his arms.
The skinny man attacked again, relentless and precise. Cracks began forming along the shaft of Bhoumik's spear. Desperation clawed at him as he struggled to keep up.
A powerful swing from another attacker shattered the spear into two pieces. Bhoumik stumbled back, his mind racing. "I can't die here… not before I find Ubika and the others," he thought.
Summoning his remaining strength, he used the broken prongs of the spear to counterattack. He managed to graze one of the men, but it was clear he couldn't hold out much longer.
"Enough!" the scar-faced man roared. He stepped forward, his body emanating a fierce spiritual aura. With a single leap, he closed the distance and swung his sword in a wide arc.
Just as the blade was about to strike, a wave of immense pressure crashed over the area. The five men froze, their faces pale with terror.
A figure descended gracefully from the sky, her robes billowing like dark clouds. Ling Yue.
Her cold, piercing gaze swept over the men, her presence suffused with overwhelming authority. "Did you enjoy your little adventure, boy?" she asked Bhoumik, her tone amused.
Bhoumik, still catching his breath, managed to stammer, "I… I had no choice."
Ling Yue chuckled softly. "Now you see. Without power, you are nothing in this world. So, I'll ask you again: do you accept my offer?"
Bhoumik hesitated briefly but then nodded firmly. "I accept."
A faint smile graced her lips. "Good."
With a flick of her hand, a sharp gust of wind materialized, slicing through the five attackers like invisible blades. They didn't even have time to scream.
Ling Yue turned back to Bhoumik, her expression unreadable. "Come. Your training begins now."
Without another word, she lifted him into the air, carrying him effortlessly back to the sect.