Scene 1: The Past of Master Yan
The evening sun had long since set, eaving the sky painted in shades of purple and orange. Lin Feng sat quietly beside Master Yan in the calm courtyard. The day's peaceful moments had given Lin Feng the time to reflect but now, his curiosity had once again been stirred. He wanted to understand more about his master's mysterious past, the history of the village and the reason Master Yan had chosen him.
Master Yan ever composed, was gazing into the distance as if lost in thought. After a long silence, he spoke, his voice carrying a sense of nostalgia. "Lin Feng, you've asked about my past. It is a tale of both great achievement and grave consequences. I will tell you, but know this: It is a story not just of cultivation, but of the price one pays for defying the natural order."
Lin Feng's curiosity peaked. "Your past, Master, it must be something remarkable."
Master Yan nodded slowly, his eyes clouded with distant memories. "I was once considered a prodigy, a genius among cultivators. Born into a family of great cultivators in this very mortal realm, I reached a level far beyond most cultivators when I was still young. However, I was not satisfied. I sought to understand what lay beyond."
Lin Feng's eyes widened. "What level did you reach, Master?"
Master Yan's gaze grew distant, his expression a mix of pride and regret. "I reached the Transcendent Stage. But that was not enough. I could feel that the path had not yet reached its full potential. So, I began to push beyond the limits, reaching for something more, a power that transcended all the boundaries set by the Heavens."
Lin Feng was captivated. "But… did you find it?"
"I did," Master Yan said softly, his voice heavy with weight. "I discovered a forbidden cultivation technique, one that could transcend every stage of cultivation. Every stage whether it was Qi Refining, Body Refining, or any other stage could have its own 10th Stage, a step beyond the norm. A breakthrough, so powerful that it could push any cultivator into realms that the Heavens did not intend."
Lin Feng leaned forward. "A 10th Stage for every cultivation path? You mean each stage has a secret level, a step that transcends the known boundaries?"
Master Yan nodded slowly, his eyes glinting with the weight of the knowledge he carried. "Exactly. I discovered that cultivation was not merely about refining Qi, refining the body, or attaining higher levels of power. It was about pushing the limits of the very nature of cultivation itself. Each stage could have a 10th Stage, a stage that transcends all limitations."
Lin Feng's mind was racing. The possibilities were immense. "But… the Heavens must have feared your discovery."
Master Yan's expression darkened, the bitterness of his past resurfacing. "They did. When they learned of my discovery, they saw it as a threat, a power that could destroy the balance they had created. So, they shattered my dantian, the core of my cultivation, in an attempt to prevent me from ever reaching the 10th Stage of Transcendsnt. They believed it would stop me."
"But… you didn't stop," Lin Feng said, almost in awe.
"No," Master Yan replied, his tone filled with quiet strength. "They shattered my dantian, but they could not destroy my will. They thought I would fall, but instead, I found a way to continue my research. I refined the technique, perfecting it over the years. I realized that each stage whether Qi Refining or Body Refining had its own potential and transcend into the 10th Stage. This knowledge, this technique, was meant to break the very chains the Heavens had placed upon us."
Lin Feng was stunned by the magnitude of Master Yan's words. A 10th Stage for every path of cultivation, it was revolutionary, a secret so dangerous that it had to be kept hidden from the Heavens. "Master, you created this technique? And each stage can reach the 10th Stage?"
Master Yan gave a somber nod. "Yes. I perfected the technique, not only for myself but for others who were brave enough to follow this path. But it was always forbidden, and I was punished for it. The Heavens were too fearful of what I had uncovered. They saw me as a threat to their control."
Lin Feng's mind swirled with these revelations. To have created such a cultivation technique, one that could break all the rules, was an accomplishment that few could ever dream of.
"But why pass it on to me?" Lin Feng asked, his voice full of reverence and curiosity. "Why share this secret with me, Master?"
Master Yan looked at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with quiet pride. "Because, Lin Feng, I believe you are the one who can walk this path. The Heavens will never accept such a breakthrough, but the truth is, this path is not just about power. It is about breaking free from the chains that bind us, transcending the limits that have been set by the world. You have the potential to walk this path and change the world, just as I once sought to do."
Lin Feng's heart swelled with a sense of purpose. To be the disciple of such a master, to walk the path of cultivation that had been hidden from the world, it was an honor but also a tremendous responsibility. He was ready to learn, to break through the limits, and to follow Master Yan's footsteps.
Scene 2: Master Yan's Vision
Master Yan stood up, his expression now serious. "I have told you this, Lin Feng, because you are the one who can succeed where others have failed. The 10th Stage is not just a path of power, it is a path of freedom. Freedom from the rules that govern us, freedom to break through the limitations that the Heavens have imposed on all cultivators. But it will not be easy."
Lin Feng stood, determination flashing in his eyes. "I understand, Master. I will not fail."
Master Yan nodded, a proud smile curling at his lips. "Good. Remember, the 10th Stage is the true path. But it is a long and arduous journey. Many will try to stop you, but you must be resolute. You are the key to unlocking what the Heavens tried to suppress."
Lin Feng bowed deeply, a feeling of profound resolve settling in his chest. "Master, may I ask what is your history with the village? What happened to you after you were punished?"
Master Yan's smile softened, and patted his head. "I will tell you in time, Lin Feng. But first, you must walk the path before you. The answers will come as you walk, and as you grow."
Lin Feng looked up at his master, his curiosity growing, but he knew that the time to learn more would come when it was right. For now, he had to focus on the cultivation that lay ahead, the path of transcendence that Master Yan had set before him.