Chapter 9: Puzzlement
Da Cai woke up in a cold sweat, his chest heaving as he struggled to process what had just happened. The intricate tattoo that had replaced the necklace seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, even in this strange world of cultivation.
Sitting up, he pressed his hand against the tattoo, half-expecting a response. The warmth emanating from it was comforting yet enigmatic. "What is this?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
The room's stillness was broken by a knock at the door. "Outer Disciple Da Cai, you are summoned to the gathering hall," a stern voice announced from the other side.
Da Cai quickly composed himself, adjusting his robes and ensuring the tattoo was hidden beneath his clothing. The last thing he wanted was to draw unnecessary attention to himself, especially when he didn't understand what was happening.
As he walked to the gathering hall, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that the tattoo was more than a simple transformation of the necklace. Was it a blessing? A curse? Or something else entirely? Questions swirled in his mind, each more perplexing than the last.
The gathering hall was already bustling with other Outer Disciples. The elder who had overseen the examination stood at the front, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present. Da Cai took a seat at the back, still distracted by his own thoughts.
"Today, you will begin your first tasks as Outer Disciples of the Red Valley Sect," the elder began. "Your responsibilities will test your discipline and commitment."
The elder continued to outline their duties, but Da Cai found it difficult to focus. His thoughts kept drifting back to the tattoo and the strange white space he had found himself in. Was it connected to the Flowing Stream Method? Or was it something entirely unrelated?
After the meeting, Da Cai approached one of his fellow disciples, a boy named Wu Qi who had displayed exceptional comprehension during the examination. Wu Qi's calm demeanor and keen intellect made him seem approachable.
"Excuse me, Wu Qi," Da Cai began hesitantly. "Can I ask you something?"
Wu Qi nodded, his expression neutral but attentive. "What is it?"
"Have you ever heard of something… transforming into a tattoo?" Da Cai asked, choosing his words carefully.
Wu Qi's eyebrows raised slightly, but he didn't seem shocked. "Transforming into a tattoo? That's unusual, but not unheard of. Some powerful artifacts or ancient relics have been known to bond with their owners in such a way. Why do you ask?"
Da Cai hesitated, then decided to deflect. "I just heard a story about it and wondered if it was true."
Wu Qi nodded thoughtfully. "If something like that happened, it's likely tied to an artifact's unique purpose. Tattoos of that nature usually signify a deeper connection or hidden potential."
Da Cai thanked him and walked away, his mind spinning with possibilities. Could the necklace be some kind of ancient artifact? If so, what was its purpose, and why had it bonded with him?
That night, as he lay in bed, Da Cai felt the tattoo pulse faintly once more. He closed his eyes, focusing on the Flowing Stream Method. As he did, a strange sensation washed over him, as though the tattoo was responding to his cultivation. It was subtle, but undeniable.
The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to form, but the picture remained unclear. One thing was certain: whatever had happened to him was just the beginning of something far greater.