The Heavenly Monarch smiled faintly, his gaze warm but powerful. "NOW, I SHALL BESTOW UPON YOU THE KNOWLEDGE AND POWER YOU SEEK, FOR YOU HAVE EARNED IT WITH YOUR HEART AND SPIRIT." His words echoed in the cavern, resonating with authority, making the atmosphere feel heavier and more sacred.
Roy's eyes lit up, a spark of excitement reflecting his young age, and he asked eagerly, "So, what do I need to do next?" His voice, though eager, held an undertone of nervous anticipation. The possibility of gaining immense power was exhilarating, yet daunting.
The Monarch's deep voice filled the cave, carrying an air of ancient wisdom. "I WILL BESTOW UPON YOU A GIFT THAT WILL SERVE AS THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR STRENGTH. LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR—I WILL GIVE YOU ONLY ONE TECHNIQUE. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO GAIN POWER AFTER THIS, IT WILL MEAN THAT YOU LACK THE DESTINY FOR GREATNESS. YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON YOUR HARD WORK. THE TECHNIQUE I WILL TEACH YOU IS CALLED THE HEAVENLY ORIGIN QI TECHNIQUE. I CREATED IT MYSELF, AND IT IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL TECHNIQUES THAT EXISTS. AS YOU TRAIN, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND ITS VALUE, SO THERE IS NO NEED FOR ME TO EXPLAIN MORE NOW."
Roy frowned slightly, his expression mixed with curiosity and slight disappointment. "Aren't you teaching it to me right now?" he asked, his voice reflecting both impatience and hope. He wanted to begin immediately.
The Monarch shook his head slowly, his ethereal form shifting slightly as he spoke. "YOUR BODY IS TOO WEAK RIGHT NOW. YOU NEED TO BE MUCH STRONGER THAN MOST TO HANDLE THIS TECHNIQUE, OR YOU WILL FACE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. BUT BEFORE WE DO ANYTHING ELSE, LET ME HEAL YOUR WOUNDS."
Suddenly, a burst of light appeared around the Monarch, casting a radiant glow throughout the cave. Tiny glowing particles floated toward Roy, merging seamlessly with his body. In an instant, his injuries from falling into the cave vanished, as if they had never existed. His skin became whole again, and the pain that had plagued him since his fall disappeared entirely.
Roy was left speechless by the rapid healing. 'How could this be? Didn't such healing require rare herbs or long recovery periods?' he thought, bewildered. He marveled at the effortless way the Monarch had healed him, realizing just how powerful this being before him truly was.
The Monarch's voice interrupted his thoughts, bringing his focus back. "NOW, LET ME EXPLAIN THE NEXT STEP. AFTER I TEACH YOU THIS TECHNIQUE, I WILL TRANSFER MY SOUL INTO YOUR SOUL REALM SO THAT I CAN HEAL OVER TIME. DO YOU HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS? IF YOU CHOOSE TO REJECT THIS OFFER, I WILL STILL IMPART THE TECHNIQUE TO YOU, BUT I WILL NEED TO REMAIN HERE AND WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER WORTHY PERSON ARRIVES. THIS COULD TAKE YEARS, OR EVEN DECADES. I ALREADY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME."
Roy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A Soul Realm? Isn't that something only a select few have in this country? How could I possibly have one?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. The idea seemed fantastical, beyond anything he had ever imagined. His limited understanding of cultivation told him that only the strongest cultivators could access such realms.
The Monarch chuckled, his laughter carrying a hint of warmth. "MY YOUNG FRIEND, EVERYONE HAS A SOUL REALM. IT JUST BECOMES ACCESSIBLE AS YOU GROW STRONGER. HOWEVER, I HAVE GREAT KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN SOUL REALMS, SO ENTERING YOURS IS SIMPLE FOR ME. BE WARNED, THOUGH—THIS PROCESS WILL BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL. I WILL ASK ONCE MORE: DO YOU WISH TO PROCEED?"
Without hesitation, Roy replied, his voice resolute, "Yes, of course. You've already saved my life, so a bit of pain is nothing. Besides, I want to help you too. If there's anything I can do to repay your kindness, I will do it." His eyes held a determined gleam, a testament to his bravery despite his young age.
The Monarch nodded approvingly, his gaze softening. Despite Roy's age, there was a remarkable maturity in his responses. Most children his age would have been overwhelmed, but Roy had faced numerous trials in his short life, which had forced him to grow up quickly. Yet, there was another reason for his composure—Roy possessed a perfect memory. Everything he saw, heard, or experienced was etched into his mind forever, giving him an understanding far beyond his years. His resolve was unwavering, and the Monarch could sense the determination that lay within him. It was rare to see such determination in someone so young, and the Monarch found himself feeling a sense of admiration for the boy.
The Monarch continued, his tone serious. "FIRST, I WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN THE CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE. BEFORE THAT, I MUST STRENGTHEN YOUR SOUL SO YOU CAN RETAIN THE ENTIRE TECHNIQUE IN YOUR SOUL. THERE IS NO WRITTEN RECORD OF THIS TECHNIQUE—ITS VALUE IS TOO GREAT. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN IT. AFTERWARD, I WILL ENTER YOUR SOUL REALM, WHICH WILL CAUSE IMMENSE PAIN. AFTER TODAY, EVEN IF YOU FACE DEATH, I WILL NOT INTERVENE. I PLACE MY FATE IN YOUR HANDS. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
Roy nodded firmly, his expression filled with determination. "I understand." There was no hesitation in his response. He knew the path he was about to embark on was filled with risks, but he had already made up his mind. He was willing to endure whatever hardships lay ahead if it meant gaining the power he needed.
"GOOD. LET US BEGIN."
The Monarch sent another wave of glowing particles toward Roy, which merged with a blob of pulsing energy within Roy which was his soul. Roy felt his soul being fortified, growing stronger—a remarkable experience for someone his age. Warmth spread through his being, filling him with an indescribable sensation as the Monarch's energy fused with his soul. The energy felt comforting, like a gentle embrace, yet powerful enough to remind Roy of the magnitude of what he was undertaking. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt—simultaneously overwhelming and reassuring.
"YOUR SOUL IS NOW STRONGER THAN BEFORE. COME AND SIT BEFORE ME. I WILL IMPRINT THE CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE INTO YOUR VERY SOUL. THIS PROCESS WILL NOT BE PAINFUL, BUT IT WILL TAKE TWO FULL DAYS. ARE YOU READY?"
Roy nodded once more, his eyes unwavering. "I am ready." His voice was steady, his heart filled with anticipation. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him, yet he welcomed it. He was ready to take the next step, no matter what it entailed.
For two days, Roy sat before the Monarch, feeling the steady flow of knowledge being etched into his soul. It was as though the words were carved directly into his essence—glowing, burning, until they became part of him. He could feel the energy vibrating within him, each word searing into his soul like an indelible mark. As the process neared completion, the glowing inscriptions gradually faded away, but their profound effect remained imprinted on his soul. The Heavenly Origin Qi Technique took root within him, leaving a lasting mark. His body felt heavy, his mind overwhelmed by the sheer depth of the knowledge that had been imparted to him.
During those two days, Roy experienced moments where the strain became almost unbearable. His young body ached from sitting still for so long, his muscles stiff and his mind fatigued. Yet, he never wavered. He knew that what he was enduring now would pave the way for his future strength. The Monarch watched silently, impressed by Roy's unwavering determination. There was no doubt in his mind that this boy had the potential to achieve greatness.
Finally, after two days, Roy opened his eyes, his body aching from sitting still for so long. "Is it done?" he asked, his voice hoarse. His throat felt dry, and his entire body ached, but there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.
The Monarch nodded, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "YES, IT IS COMPLETE." His voice held a note of approval, as if he were genuinely proud of Roy for making it through the grueling process.
Roy let out a deep breath, feeling both relieved and excited. His mind was filled with the knowledge of the Heavenly Origin Qi Technique, and he could feel its power within him. "Fuu," he sighed, a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. The strain of the last two days had been immense, but it had been worth it.
The Monarch gestured toward the tree. "THERE IS A RING AT THE BASE OF THE TREE. TAKE IT BEFORE YOU LEAVE AND KEEP IT SAFE. NOW THAT YOU HAVE THE TECHNIQUE, I WILL ENTER YOUR SOUL REALM. BE READY."
Roy nodded again, steeling himself for what was to come. "I am." He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the next step. He knew it was going to be painful, but he was ready to endure whatever was necessary.
The Monarch's ethereal form began to disintegrate, transforming into delicate threads of light that spiraled together. The strands of light wove around each other, creating an intricate pattern as they condensed into a glowing orb. The orb hovered momentarily before flying into Roy's chest, initiating a profound connection between them.