Luochen stands on the edge of his garden. Gazing towards the Kingdom of Jin.
“Worried about your son?” Came an old man’s voice
Luochan looks back. The elder of the Tianji sect is sitting in his gazebo. His blind eyes looked straight at him.
“It's just his first mission.” Luochen said then continue looking eastward
“If you are that worried, why don’t you just stalk him like your father did.” As soon as the words ended, Luochen was already sitting in front of the elder.
“And how do you know about that?” Luochen said plainly but with a terrifying edge
“I can see the past and the future, remember?”
“Oh.” Luochen retracted his intent. Forgetting that cultivators from the Tianji sect can do that. “So, why are you here?” It certainly wasn’t just for asking if he is concerned about Danxing
“Well, how do I say this? Hmmmm.” The elder stroked his beard as he thought of the right words. “There’s something you must know. It's… related to your adopted son, but mostly you.”
“Me? How exactly?” Luochen can’t think of anything interesting going on in his life after the war. With the exception of Danxing.
“Have you ever thought about it? Why are you here, playing as a healer?” The elder asks
Luochen thinks. To continue his friend’s work mostly. Which has already succeeded. The elixir he made can be consumed by mortals. With the chance that the mortal awakened their spiritual roots and allowed them to cultivate. Those are the result he get from Danxing anyway. Haven’t tested it again. Those are all he can think of so Luochen shrugged at the question.
“Do you really think the death of just one man stops the Bloody Star? You have killed tens of thousands cultivators in that war. Why then, the death of a poor roadside healer of a cultivator managed to make you change course?” The elder stopped his word. Not so that Luochen can think. But because his entire body just shivered. The hair on his arms standing on edge. Also seeing that if he doesn’t mind his next sentence properly, his head will fly. Luochen meanwhile, has lost all expression. Looking directly at the elder and waiting for him to continue. Then a realization struck the elder. Luochen is in fact at the peak of Nascent Soul. In a Mortal grade Realm that doesn’t allow cultivation past Golden Core. of course geniuses in Mortal grade Realm can force a breakthrough to Nascent Soul. But cultivating further without migrating to Earth grade Realm is an impossibility. Unless Luochen advances his cultivation purely with enlightenment. A sweat trickles down from the elder’s head. He is only at the beginning of the Soul Transformation stage and hasn't stabilized his foundation yet. In addition, if there is a fight between Soul Transformation and Nascent Soul cultivator in a Mortal grade realm, the Heavenly Dao will suppress the one with higher cultivation. Luochen can indeed kill him if he wants and as easily as he sees his own potential future. Maybe even without the Heavenly Dao suppression. So the elder thought hard on what to say.
“It's because you lost more than just a friend.” The elder sees that his head doesn’t fly. But Luochen still haven’t retracted his sword intent
“Go on.”
“Alright, there is this prophecy on this world.”
Outside the gates of Jinchuan. I picked the severed arm in my hand. Unfortunately there’s no storage ring, so whatever the thief takes is gone. The sword cultivator is sulking at the edge of the road. While the female cultivators and the buddhist are discussing something using telepathy. I check my storage ring. All the pills I got from Qingfeng are all gone. The ration pill included. But-hmm? What’s this? There’s an additional book. I pull it out and read the title. The Great Thundergod Step. Fancy title. I stuff it back in the ring. Dunno from which I got the book. Certainly wasn’t there before.
“Alright, so what exactly do we lose? I lost all my pills.” I start
“It is the same with me. All my pills are gone.” The buddhist said
“I lost my talismans in addition to that.” The female cultivator with an oversized brush answers
“I lost all my uh… just a collection of fine arts.” The sword cultivator added dryly
“Is this ‘collection of fine arts’ still a colloquialism for porn?” The sword cultivator looked me straight in the eye. As if trying to determine if it is a joke or not. Then nod.
“Yus.” I pump my fist as I guessed correctly. Then cleared my throat as the others are watching
“Anyway, our introduction was interrupted before. I am Danxing. I came from the Tianhe sect to help.” I do the usual cupping hand and bowing thingy
“Just call me Gūjiàn (孤劍|Lone Sword). I hail from Tiānjiàn sect (天劍|Heavenly Sword)” The sword cultivator introduces himself quickly
What Sword Immortal?
A pervert is what you are!
Potential Companion for the Heaven’s Chosen
“This one is called Qīnglíng (清泠|Clear Chime). I hail from Zǐxiāo Dao Palace. (紫霄道宮|Purple/Imperial Cloud Daoist Palace)” The female cultivator introduces herself
I promise I will make you proud
Naive in romance
Potential Companion for the Heaven’s Chosen
“This monk is called Fúmó (伏魔|Subduing Demons). I hail from Língshān temple (靈山|Spiritual Mountain).” The monk introduces himself
The goodest boy in the village
Secretly a little masochist
Potential Companion for the Heaven’s Chosen
Hmmm, the truths I gleaned on the Noosphere are quite colorful this time. It can be what others perceive of them, or how they perceive themselves, can be direct truth too. But the ‘Potential Companion for the Heaven’s Chosen’ is quite ominous. The other truths are said with what sounds like their own voice or others. But the one that said that they are potential companions have the same plain monotone voice. Almost as if the voice is voice generated. Also, what the fuck is a Heaven’s Chosen?
“So, since the three of you are already here before me, is there any plan in place?” I ask politely
“There was. With my talisman, I can erect a powerful array within the city. Protecting the city to force them to spend their Qi. Then once they are inside, the array can suppress them. Without my talismans, I can only make one.” Qingling explains
“We might still be able to do that if you also chase the thief properly.” Gujian comments dryly on the side
“You! I was impeded!” Qingling try to make excuse
“By what exactly?” Gujian presses
“The thief stole her underwear too.” I just said it plainly
“You saw that!?” Qingling erupts in shame at my words
“What’s that have to do with anything?” I look at Gujian. Oh, he’s the dense type of guy since he’s not lying
“Its the one she wears.” Gujian raises his eyebrows and opens his mouth to comment before stopping. The monk politely sees the other way and pretends not listening. While Qingling looks away, face red to the ears.
“I see. That’s understandable. My apologies.” Gujian finally said
Then I saw four different strands of Divine Sense from a distant mountain range. I jump back as it closes. Using my AT field to fly back on top of the wall, something I learn to do after falling like a brick. The rest follows.
“What is it?” The Monk asks
“Divine senses, two of them.” Qingling stated
“Four.” I correct her
Immediately their heads snapped at me at my words. The divine senses immediately retract too. The others start exchanging looks. No telepathy though.
“Anything you want to share?” I keep being left out on things. Or maybe I just didn’t have enough context clues yet
“There’s more enemies than we thought. Before I thought that at most there’s three. But now, counting the thief and what you said, we might be facing five to six Foundation Establishment cultivators.” Qingling explains
“Heh! They are just rogue cultivators. We tested their strength before, they are nothing much. I can take down two or three alone.” Gujian stated confidently. “We might have a number disadvantage, but we have two cultivators from the Major sect. This should be easy.”
“It is not that simple.” Qingling warns
“Two major sects? Which ones?” I ask curiously. Then the three of them looked at me as if I was an idiot. Gujian then points at me then at Qingling. “I see.”
“There is one more thing we need to talk about.” The monk then came forward. His presence immediately dwarfed the two others. “Previously we were interrupted by the thief. So I will ask this plainly, Are you the demonic deer that has killed the West General of Jin and destroyed the two provinces?” Monk Fumo suddenly accuses me. Dashing whatever trust we have built. His presence enlarges immensely. Filling my senses with golden aura.
“I think I am that demonic deer. I don't know about the West General though, I don’t remember anything of that moment. In fact, I am sent here to find out what exactly happened. But I didn’t destroy these two provinces.” I confess, already prepared for this much. Thinking hard to de-escalate as the accusation comes quite unexpectedly.
“Come to think of it, the thief attacks on the same day you arrived.” Qingling joins in, “Who’s to say that you didn’t kill the one that came from the Tianhe sect on behalf of the rogue cultivators?” She immediately adds the flame
“What’s with the two of you all of sudden? He arrives with Princess Ruolan. If he wants to disturb our efforts, he can just kill her and throw away the supplies.” Gujian asks on my behalf from the side
“Yeah, what’s with the sudden accusation? Coincidence of me arriving and the thief attacks doesn’t mean causation.” I defend myself
“And I thought I am the naive one for not considering this before, but this can be a means to buying our trust.” Qingling answered Gujian, then looked at me once more. “Besides, he doesn’t behave like one that comes from a major sect. How did he not even know he’s from a major sect? Also, when a thief steals from us, he is somehow the only one able to react. But then he is slow when giving chase, not using any movement technique.”
“You guys might not believe this. But just a month ago, I was just a normal human. Not from this world too. Just randomly thrown here. Also, I am not the one that destroys the two provinces. I have been in the Tianhe sect for two weeks. Ain’t no way I destroy two provinces.” I try to defend myself.
“Proof?” The monk asks in the same annoying tone people from the internet ask for a source. But I put my hand on my mouth, realizing that I actually have no means to prove these claims. Is there even a way to prove identification?
“The best I have is this.” I pull out the red sect mission token. Immediately Qingling and Fumo walk between each other using telepathy
“Give me that.” Gujian swiped the mission token. Immediately it flared bright, ringing with an extremely loud sound. Strands of Qi erupt from the token to all directions. Then one touches me, I immediately get an idea that someone has stolen the sect token. Gujian returns it and I take it. Immediately the flare and the ringing stops. I don’t know if this thing has a neat feature.
“That resolves everything.” Gujian concludes
“There are ways to take over sect tokens without triggering the alarm.” Qingling try to reason
“Look at him, he’s an idiot. You think he knows this feature to prevent theft?” Gujian defends and insults me at the same time. Which leads the other two to think
“This does align with his excuse of being just a mortal a month ago.” Qingling reluctantly agrees
“But also align on the appearance of the demonic deer. Tell us then, how do you turn from mortal into that?” Fumo asks once more
“It’s complicated. I just remember that my body liquified. Then I remember running until the old man, my new adoptive father, found me and took me back to the sect. Like I said before, I am here to find out what exactly happened. After this mission of helping Jin.” I give a very barebone answer. After a short while, Monk Fumo retract his presence
“My apologies for the imposition. In situations like this, it is always better to be prudent.” The monk apologized and bowed.
“Ah well, it’s alright. We haven't started shooting at each other yet.” I wave him away. “Perhaps you can help me to previous places where this demonic deer has passed in return?” I ask for help
“I can do that.” The monk immediately agrees
“I also apologize. This should be the very first thing we settle on when we first meet.” Qingling apologizes after
“Well then. May I…” I looked at the comically large brush resting on her arms. She caught me staring and shielding her breast. “May I hold this large brush? Whatever its name.”
She looks a bit confused at my request. Then slowly and almost reluctantly hand the brush over.
“You have until I count to ten.” She then said as I pick the brush
I immediately check the brush. The handle is long enough to be a wall painting brush. But the brush is what looks like an enlarged and longer paint brush. What do they use this for? To paint some kind of magic in the air? I held the brush aloft. Then—
“Don’t twirl it.” Qingling immediately said before I can do it
“Was that common enough for you to immediately know?” I ask before returning her brush
“Yes.” She admits
Since she admits, I immediately projected and made my own comically large brush. Holding it up and twirling. The long brush trailing behind in a circle.
“Stop this juvenile act immediately.” Qingling said. But I caught a little twitch at the edge of her mouth
“Oh, I see. You must be one of those that twirl their brush when you first get your hands on one.” I tease. She shudders a bit.
“No, I don’t.” Her lie tasted quite sweet in my mouth. She must have been enjoying this before. She turns away, jumping from the wall into the city
“Yes yes. I believe you.” I said and followed. The other two following behind after exchanging glances
The city itself resumed their activity normally. Though I see plenty nursing their ears as I pass. From hearing the railgun firing sound no doubt. Maybe I should try to put out a warning next time? If I have the luxury to do it, which I don’t think I will have. I followed the other three as we walked towards the inner palace, still playing with my comically large brush. Then I felt something bump into my leg from the alley beside me. I looked down and it was a girl with red hair. Face full of terror. Then our eyes meet.
Heaven’s Chosen!
Heaven’s Chosen!
Heaven’s Chosen!
The Child of Forced Prophecy!
Your Destined Enemy!
Kill her!
Kill her!
Kill her!
I let the projected brush vanish. My hands went towards the little girl. Then helped her up. I looked into the alley and I saw a very terrified man as he saw me.
“She’s your girl?” The terrified man looked at the girl, back to me, then to the side. As if thinking that he might better just run. But ultimately he looked back at me and nodded. “Take better care of her man.” I gently push the little girl back to her father or brother or whatever. The girl immediately runs towards him and he kneels down to hug her. Then I move away, following the other three again.
I don’t know what this deal is about heaven’s chosen, prophecy or whatnot are. But I won’t subscribe to child murder anytime soon. But then again, why do the two of them feel familiar? Were they victims when I was this demonic deer? I looked back at the alley where they were. Hmmm. Maybe it's better to just let them go. If they take refuge here only to see me again, that must be very traumatic.
The elder of the Tianji sect finally finished telling Luochen everything. The latter leans forward to his left arm. His right extended straight to the table. Fingers tapping the table alternatively and rhythmically. Rap tap tapping. All the while the elder of the Tianji sect had his body drenched with sweat. This continues for a few minutes.
“That’s all. I will take my leave.” The elder said with no certainty. Trying to stand but feel like a mountain pressing down so he can’t even stand.
“No. That won’t do.” Luochen stopped tapping his fingers. Taking a deep breath as he still processes everything he has heard. “Tell me, why don’t I just… kill you now. Then march towards the Tianji sect?”
“You are just one man.” The elder tries to reason
“Ah yes. But surely, there will be other Xuans on my way to your sect. I’m sure they will gladly join me if I tell them what you have revealed to me.” Luochen’s right palm, flat on the marble table, swipes the table. Wiping all the sweat the elder have dropped on the table. It is not a warning but a threat, that Luochen and other Xuans can wipe out the Tianji sect like water on the table.
“I-I reveal this, as… as a gesture of goodwill. My sect leader personally commanded me to reveal this to you. We seek no conflict with the entire Xuan family.” The elder pauses. Thinking his next word through and through before finally committing. “It’s just between you and her.”
“Hmmm. That might be so.” Luochen hums. Eyes darting around. Mostly to look for personal reasons to not kill the elder in front of him too. “Well fine. I will accept that answer. For now.” Immediately the immense pressure fades and the elder of Tianji sect whistle out a long relief.
“So I will give the final decision to my son. He’s also affected by this… prophecy of yours.” Luochen added and the elder nodded. It’s not like he has any more say in the matter. Finally he can stand.
“One more thing actually. Since you telling me is a gesture of goodwill, may I ask for more?” Luochen then said as he also stood.
“So, in the words of my son, I will fleece you. Tell me, what is the worth of a Soul Transformation stage cultivator?”