Chapter 4: Tian Luo's Legacy
The return from the Abyssal Rift was not without challenges. Jian Chen had to navigate through the treacherous mist, avoiding lingering spirit beasts and unstable terrain. Yet, every step he took felt different—his body was lighter, his senses sharper, and his mind brimming with newfound knowledge from the Chaos Inscriptions.
The ring on his finger pulsated faintly, a constant reminder of the remnant soul that now guided him. He couldn't help but feel an odd mixture of awe and wariness toward the Demonic Emperor Tian Luo.
"You're unusually quiet," Jian Chen muttered as he walked, his voice cutting through the eerie silence of the rift.
"Thinking," Tian Luo replied after a pause, his voice carrying a weight of centuries. "Your potential is… unexpected. The Primordial Chaos Physique is more than I anticipated. It is both a gift and a curse."
Jian Chen frowned. "A curse? How can a physique so powerful be a curse?"
"Because the heavens themselves will reject you," Tian Luo said gravely. "The Primordial Chaos Physique defies the natural order. It allows you to devour and manipulate Qi in ways that disrupt the balance of the world. The heavens will see you as a threat—and they will try to destroy you."
The words sent a chill down Jian Chen's spine, but he clenched his fists, determination flaring in his eyes. "Then I'll fight against the heavens if I must. I've already been rejected by my clan and humiliated by the world. If the heavens want to strike me down, they'll have to try harder."
Tian Luo chuckled, the sound laced with dark amusement. "Bold words. I like that. But words alone won't be enough. You'll need strength, cunning, and above all, patience. The path of chaos is not for the faint of heart."
By the time Jian Chen emerged from the rift, the first light of dawn was breaking over Stonecloud Town. He paused at the edge of the forest, his clothes torn and dirtied from his journey, but his eyes gleamed with a newfound fire.
He couldn't return to the Jian Clan as the weak, humiliated boy they all despised. Not yet. He needed to solidify his foundation, to cultivate in secret until he was strong enough to silence their scorn.
As he approached a secluded grove near the town outskirts, Tian Luo's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Sit. Now that you've survived the rift, it's time for you to begin cultivating the Devouring Chaos Art properly."
Jian Chen obeyed, crossing his legs and settling into a meditative posture. The grove was quiet, the faint rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds the only sounds around him.
"The Devouring Chaos Art is unlike any other cultivation technique," Tian Luo explained. "It does not rely solely on absorbing ambient Qi. It allows you to devour energy from living beings—plants, beasts, even humans if necessary. However, this power comes with risks. Devouring too much, too quickly, can destabilize your foundation and lead to Qi deviation."
Jian Chen nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. What do I need to do?"
"Focus on the flow of Qi around you. Feel it, draw it in, and let it merge with your body. But be careful—don't let the energy overwhelm you. Control is everything."
Closing his eyes, Jian Chen concentrated on the sensations around him. At first, it was difficult. The Qi in the grove was faint, almost imperceptible, but as he focused, he began to sense tiny threads of energy swirling in the air.
Slowly, he reached out with his mind, pulling the threads toward him. The process was painstaking, each thread of Qi resisting his control before finally yielding and merging with his body.
Tian Luo's voice guided him throughout, sharp and precise. "Good. Now expand your reach. Draw in energy from the plants around you."
Jian Chen hesitated for a moment before following the instruction. He extended his senses to the nearby grass and trees, feeling the faint life force within them. As he began to absorb their energy, the leaves turned brittle, their vibrant green fading to a dull brown.
The process was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. Jian Chen could feel the Qi coursing through his meridians, strengthening his body and sharpening his mind. Yet, the sight of the withering plants reminded him of the cost of this power.
After what felt like hours, Jian Chen opened his eyes, his breathing heavy but his body brimming with newfound strength. He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of energy within him.
"Body Refinement Stage 1," Tian Luo said, his tone approving. "It's a small step, but a necessary one. With time, you'll reach greater heights."
Jian Chen nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. For the first time in years, he felt a glimmer of hope—a chance to change his destiny.
As the day wore on, Jian Chen continued his training under Tian Luo's guidance. He practiced controlling the Qi within his body, refining it and ensuring his foundation remained stable. The process was grueling, each session leaving him drained, but he pushed forward with unwavering determination.
By nightfall, he was exhausted but satisfied with his progress. The stars overhead twinkled faintly, their light barely visible through the canopy of trees.
"You've done well for your first day," Tian Luo said. "But don't get complacent. This is only the beginning. The path ahead will be far more challenging."
Jian Chen lay back on the grass, staring up at the night sky. "I'm ready for whatever comes next," he said softly.
Tian Luo's voice was quiet, almost contemplative. "We'll see, boy. We'll see."
As sleep claimed him, Jian Chen dreamed of power—of rising above the scorn and ridicule, of standing at the peak of the world. But amidst the dreams was a shadow, dark and foreboding, a reminder of the trials yet to come.