At noon, Logan and Zhou sat in a tranquil garden, the air filled with a calm breeze. Logan looked at Zhou, his expression serious yet thoughtful.
"First, you have to break your language barrier so that you'll understand the different languages of the different planets," Logan said, his voice calm but firm. "So just sit down in lotus position and focus."
Zhou nodded, sitting cross-legged in front of Logan. He had grown accustomed to Logan's guidance, but there was always a sense of mystery around the tasks Logan set for him. Logan also sat, his eyes narrowing as he began to focus deeply.
For a few moments, the only sound was the gentle rustling of leaves as Logan's hand lifted slowly. From his forefinger, a thin white thread emerged. Without a word, Logan reached forward and inserted the thread into Zhou's mind.
Suddenly, Zhou felt an intense, searing pain in his head. His breath hitched as the pressure in his skull grew unbearable. He gritted his teeth, trying to fight through it. "Stay focused," Logan urged. "Don't lose consciousness. Just a little while longer..."
But the pain was overwhelming. Zhou's body trembled, his breath quickening as he struggled to stay alert. He fought desperately to hold on, his eyes fighting to stay open.
"Stay conscious… just for a little while longer…" Logan's voice continued, calm and steady.
With one final push, Logan finished the transfer. Zhou's vision blurred, his head spinning. He lost consciousness, his body slumping forward.
When Zhou woke, he found himself lying on the ground. The pain in his head had dulled, but there was still a lingering ache. He blinked a few times, trying to clear his thoughts, before noticing Logan sitting nearby, staring up at the sky.
"Feeling better now?" Logan asked without turning to look at him.
Zhou groaned as he sat up, his hand pressing against his forehead. "Still have a headache. But what are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you to wake up," Logan replied casually.
Zhou frowned, but before he could speak, he found himself asking a question that had been gnawing at him. "Why do I always feel like you know me better than anyone else? Like you were reading me like a book?"
Logan smirked slightly. "Dunno... Maybe because you're so predictable."
Zhou shook his head, chuckling despite himself. "What now? What's next?"
Logan's expression grew serious. "Now, let's go and cultivate. You need to learn how to fly in space. I'll transfer you all the information about the space's magnetic field so that you won't get lost out there."
A week later, Zhou had made significant progress. He had reached the first layer of the Heavenly Realm, and Logan congratulated him with a nod of approval.
"Now, focus on the outer layer of your body," Logan instructed. "You'll feel one more layer above your skin."
Zhou followed Logan's advice, feeling a strange sensation as his body reacted to the new layer.
Logan continued, "Try to expand it. It'll be difficult at first, so just focus."
Zhou concentrated deeply. Half an hour passed, and he felt the layer expand, his body strengthening with the new protective field.
Logan smiled. "Now, it'll help you maintain the oxygen levels in your body so you won't burst like a balloon."
Zhou blinked in confusion. "You're joking, right?"
Logan merely smiled in response. "Yeah. Now, focus on your mind. I'm going to transfer the information about the planet's magnetic field to you. It won't hurt."
Logan touched Zhou's forehead gently with his finger, and the transfer of knowledge began.
Once the transfer was complete, Logan looked at Zhou seriously. "From now on, you'll visit different planets, learn about their principles. Every planet has its own unique principle. For example, your planet has the principle of Qi and Cultivation, but others have Mana, Chi, or sometimes nothing at all. On planets without a principle, the people are just ordinary."
Zhou absorbed the information, nodding thoughtfully.
"Once you understand the principle of a planet," Logan continued, "strengthen yourself with it. Then, defeat the strongest person on that planet and obtain its world principle. Do this for three years. After that, return here."
Logan paused, letting the words sink in before adding, "But during this time, you'll also need to build your own army. Recruit the strongest and most trustworthy individuals you can find. Teach them what I've taught you about traveling in space so they can help you collect principles too."
Zhou, ever the strategist, thought for a moment before he spoke. "I understand why you want me to form an army. But what do we call it? 'The Great Zhou Army'?"
Logan shot him a sideways glance. "Stop with the nonsense and get ready. We'll leave tomorrow morning."
That evening, during dinner, Zhou made an important announcement to the Demonic Sect. He informed the high officials and the Tower Master that he would be leaving.
"In my absence, Zhao will act as the leader of the Demonic Sect," Zhou declared.
The dinner carried on as usual, but the weight of Zhou's departure hung in the air. Afterward, Zhou bid farewell to his friends, including his best friend Zhao, who would now step up in his place.
The next morning, Zhou and Logan prepared for their separate journeys. Zhou turned to Logan one last time.
"We'll meet again in three years," Logan said, his voice carrying a sense of finality.
With that, Zhou left for the different planets, while Logan set off in the opposite direction.
End of Chapter 4.