Chapter 19: Infernal devouring void body
As the two conversed, Qing Yan's attention drifted to Bhoumik. Her gaze lingered on him, her eyes widening slightly as she took in his ethereal beauty.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the bustling courtyard seemed to fade away. Qing Yan, uncharacteristically flustered, broke the silence with a hesitant, "Hello. I'm Qing Yan, disciple of Master Gui Xian."
Bhoumik nodded, his voice steady but soft. "I'm Bhoumik."
The exchange was brief, yet the tension lingered. Qing Yan offered an awkward smile, but Bhoumik's response was limited to another curt nod, his expression unreadable.
Gui Xian, noticing the interaction, turned her attention to Ling Yue. "So, senior sister, this is your disciple? He's… unique."
Ling Yue smirked faintly. "He is."
Gui Xian studied Bhoumik for a moment longer before addressing him directly. "Bhoumik, if you ever have questions about alchemy, feel free to visit Pill Lotus Peak. The path of cultivation often intersects with the art of refining pills."
"I'll keep that in mind," Bhoumik replied politely.
After the brief encounter, Ling Yue and Bhoumik left Pill Lotus Peak, flying once again over the sprawling sect. As they soared through the sky, Ling Yue glanced at her disciple.
"What did you think of Pill Lotus Peak?" she asked.
"It's impressive," Bhoumik admitted. "And… different from what I imagined."
Ling Yue chuckled. "Each peak holds its own mysteries. Today's journey is just the beginning. your real training begins."
Bhoumik nodded, his resolve strengthening. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was determined to walk it, no matter what challenges lay in wait.
The day was still young when Ling Yue led Bhoumik beyond the boundaries of the Eternal Void Lotus Sect, flying over mountains and rivers until they reached the remote northern region of the southern continent. The terrain here was barren and ominous, with jagged cliffs and swirling mists shrouding the horizon.
"This place is known as Death Valley," Ling Yue explained as they descended into a desolate expanse of ancient ruins. Broken pillars and shattered statues littered the landscape, remnants of a long-forgotten era. "Centuries ago, battles of immense power were waged here. The spiritual energy lingering in this place is dense, but few cultivators dare to tread here. It's perfect for you to cultivate without attracting attention, even if your unique constitution causes… unusual phenomena."
Bhoumik nodded, absorbing the gravity of her words. "I understand, Master. I'll do my best."
Ling Yue gestured toward a hidden chamber nestled within the ruins. Inside, the air hummed with a latent power, and the broken walls were etched with faded runes that seemed to pulse faintly in response to their presence. "This will be your training ground," she said. "Take out the Primordial Resonance Technique scroll."
Bhoumik unwrapped the scroll from his storage ring and held it before him. Ling Yue eyed it cautiously. "Even after reading it, I couldn't fully comprehend this technique. It claims to allow the cultivation of multiple energy systems simultaneously something that defies the natural laws of this world. If you encounter any problems while cultivating, stop immediately."
The weight of her warning settled over him, but Bhoumik's resolve remained firm. "I'll be careful, Master."
Bhoumik sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Memories of his sister Ubika and his friends flashed before him images of their smiles and shared laughter. For them, I have to become strong, he thought.
He unfurled the scroll, reading the intricate text that detailed the Primordial Resonance Technique. It described the creation of quantum meridians unique conduits that could adapt to and store multiple types of energy. This ability would grant its wielder unparalleled versatility but came with immense risks, requiring a body capable of withstanding such strain.
"Your Infernal Devouring Void Body is the key," Ling Yue had said. "Without it, this technique would be impossible."
Bhoumik began reciting the mantra in his mind:
Primordial Resonance - Mantra of Absolute Dominion
Shatter realms, devour cosmos!
Primordial chaos bends to my will!
Existence trembles, reality breaks!
Fundamental laws kneel before my spirit!
I AM THE ORIGIN OF ALL!
The words echoed in his consciousness like a thunderclap, reverberating through his very soul.
As Bhoumik chanted, spiritual energy from the surrounding valley began to stir. Invisible streams of power flowed toward him, swirling around his body before being drawn into his meridians.
Inside him, the transformation began. His meridians, once ordinary, started to shift and expand, becoming quantum conduits capable of holding far greater energy. The process was excruciating, and sweat poured down his face as he struggled to maintain control.
Ling Yue watched intently, her expression a mixture of excitement and concern. The sheer volume of energy converging on Bhoumik was unlike anything she had ever seen.
Suddenly, the flow of energy surged. A black vortex formed above Bhoumik, resembling a ravenous black hole. It devoured the spiritual energy in the valley with terrifying speed, causing nearby beasts to flee in panic.
"Bhoumik, stop if it's too much!" Ling Yue called out.
But Bhoumik's focus remained unbroken. His body trembled under the strain, his consciousness flickering on the edge of collapse. Just as he was about to succumb, Ling Yue's voice reached him again.
"Focus, disciple! You can do this!"
Her words sparked a renewed determination within him. Bhoumik steadied his breathing, channeling the torrent of energy with greater precision. His quantum meridians solidified, and the black vortex above him began to stabilize.
As the energy stabilized, the valley fell silent for a brief moment. Then, without warning, an even greater surge erupted. The vortex expanded, devouring the remaining spiritual energy in the valley.
Above Bhoumik, a second phenomenon emerged a swirling storm of dark and purple lightning that crackled ominously. Bolts of lightning struck the ground around him, shaking the ruins to their core.
Ling Yue's heart raced as she prepared to intervene. "This is too much. If this continues…"
A bolt of lightning struck the ground mere feet from her, forcing her back. Her disciple's body began to rise, lifted by the raw energy surrounding him. His Dark Lotus Pendant glowed fiercely, emitting waves of golden and dark energy that intertwined in an eerie harmony.
Then, from Bhoumik's consciousness, a vision appeared. He stood in a vast void, facing a figure identical to himself but exuding an aura of supreme power. The figure wore an intricately designed robe and the same Dark Lotus Pendant.
"Who… are you?" Bhoumik asked.
The figure smiled faintly. "You'll understand in time. For now, know this: you are destined for something far greater than you can imagine. When the time is right, all will be revealed."
The vision faded, leaving Bhoumik with more questions than answers.
Back in the physical realm, the storm reached its peak. A massive pillar of dark and golden energy shot skyward, piercing the heavens and illuminating the valley. The light was visible for miles, drawing the attention of countless cultivators across the southern continent.
Ling Yue shielded her eyes from the blinding light, her heart pounding. "What kind of power is this…?"
As the storm subsided, Bhoumik's unconscious body began to fall. Ling Yue caught him in her arms, relief washing over her as she felt his faint but steady pulse.
"You truly are something else, my disciple," she murmured, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "For a moment, I thought I'd lost you."
Carrying Bhoumik, she turned to leave the ruins. Though the valley had been stripped of its spiritual energy, Ling Yue knew this was only the beginning of her disciple's extraordinary journey.
Ling Yue cradled Bhoumik's unconscious body carefully as they left the ruined Death Valley. Her steps were quick and deliberate, her senses heightened. The earlier phenomenon had been too grand, too eye-catching there would inevitably be powerful cultivators drawn to investigate.
Reaching a secluded cave hidden within a dense, ancient forest, Ling Yue secured the entrance with a shimmering barrier of spiritual energy. She placed Bhoumik gently on the cool stone floor, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face as she frowned.
"You reckless boy," she murmured. "You've barely started, yet you're already drawing the attention of the world."
Ling Yue sat beside him, closing her eyes and focusing her energy. With a delicate yet powerful gesture, she sent waves of stabilizing spiritual energy into Bhoumik's body. She could feel the chaotic remnants of the power he had unleashed, threatening to overwhelm him even in his unconscious state. Her task was arduous, but her focus never wavered.
Miles away, the once-quiet Death Valley was now abuzz with activity. Dozens of cultivators floated above the scorched ruins, their expressions a mix of curiosity, greed, and awe. The epicenter of the spiritual storm still radiated faint traces of power, but its source was nowhere to be found.
Among the gathered cultivators stood a towering old man with a hunched back and piercing eyes. Dressed in a deep green robe, his aura exuded both menace and strength. "The phenomenon that happened here was no ordinary event," said the old man, Ma Zhong. "Whoever caused it… they must possess a rare and extraordinary constitution. If I can find them, their power will be mine!"
"Always scheming, aren't you, Old Ma?" came a smooth voice.
Ma Zhong turned to see Sword Master Jing, a man with long silver hair and a blindfold, dressed in an immaculate white robe adorned with flowing patterns. Despite his lack of sight, his aura was sharp, like a blade ready to strike.
"Don't act so noble, Jing," Ma Zhong sneered. "You'd kill them just the same if it meant strengthening your sect."
Jing's expression remained calm. "Not everyone shares your philosophy of killing potential rather than nurturing it. Such talent must be preserved, not destroyed."