Journey to the Top : The path of Power

"Kevin, I am going to impart the technique to you now," Roy said, his voice calm but with an undertone of gravity. He watched Kevin as he sat up, adjusting himself into a lotus position on the floor. The early morning light filtered through the hut, illuminating Kevin's bandaged eyes and the determination etched across his face.

Roy moved to sit directly in front of Kevin, facing him. In his hands, he held the old book—the "Anti-Qi Cultivation Technique." On the outside, it appeared simple, unassuming. If Roy had opened it, he would have found it empty. The true knowledge within could only be revealed using soul power, something that only the Heavenly Monarch understood.

Roy took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he focused. The Heavenly Monarch's voice echoed in his mind, guiding his every action: "PLACE THE BOOK IN YOUR HANDS AND I WILL CHANNEL YOUR SOUL POWER. YOU WILL SEE THE UNSEEN."

Roy extended his right hand, pointing a finger toward Kevin's forehead. He closed his eyes, centering himself, feeling the connection to the deepest parts of his being. A warmth began to emanate from within, growing stronger as he felt his soul. From deep within his soul, a string of energy began to flow out, an ethereal, luminescent thread that emerged and moved toward the book.

The string of soul energy wrapped around the book, and slowly, the book began to shimmer. Its physical form started to disintegrate, breaking into particles of light that seemed to drift away like ash in the wind. As the book vanished, a different kind of energy began to emerge—one that was invisible to ordinary senses. Roy could feel it, a powerful yet elusive force, flowing out from where the book had once been.

The string of energy from Roy's soul captured this new energy, binding it gently but firmly. The Heavenly Monarch guided it toward Kevin's head, the invisible force moving along the thread of energy that extended from Roy's fingertip. The energy flowed into Kevin's forehead, disappearing within as Roy continued to hold his concentration, trying to understand the process while the Heavenly Monarch controlled the string of energy.

Deep inside Kevin, the Heavenly Monarch directed the energy to the core of his being—the faint, pulsing blob of energy that was Kevin's soul. The energy began to merge with Kevin's essence, flowing into it, infusing it. Slowly, symbols began to emerge, ancient characters that glowed faintly, etching themselves across Kevin's soul. Roy could sense it—the intricate formation of characters wrapping around Kevin's very essence, covering his soul in rings of symbols, all under the careful guidance of the Heavenly Monarch.

It was the same process Roy had undergone before. He could still remember the sensation—the feeling of power and knowledge being imprinted upon his very soul. It was not just a transfer of energy; it was the creation of a bond, an indelible connection between Kevin and the technique itself.

Sweat began to form on Roy's brow, his breathing growing labored. The process demanded much from him—more than he had anticipated. He clenched his jaw, his focus unwavering as he tried to understand the flow of energy, while the Heavenly Monarch ensured that it infused fully into Kevin's soul. The rings of characters grew more vivid, glowing brighter as they completed their formation.

Kevin remained still, his body relaxed, his face a picture of concentration. He could feel something within him, a warmth that spread from the center of his being, filling him, changing him. Though he couldn't see it, he sensed the energy moving through him, felt the characters forming, felt the technique being etched into his very soul. It was an overwhelming sensation, but he did not resist. He welcomed it.

After what felt like hours, the energy began to settle. The glow of the characters dimmed, fading until they were no longer visible, but Roy knew they were there—imprinted permanently upon Kevin's soul. Roy slowly opened his eyes, his arm dropping to his side as he exhaled heavily, exhaustion evident in his posture.

Kevin let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his head bowing slightly. "Is it… done?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Roy nodded, though Kevin couldn't see it. "Yes, it's done," he said, his voice soft but filled with a sense of accomplishment. He reached out, placing a hand on Kevin's shoulder. "You did well, Kevin. The hardest part is over. Now, the technique is a part of you."

Kevin's lips curved into a faint smile, relief washing over him. He reached up, touching the bandages around his eyes. Though he couldn't see, he felt as though he had gained something far more valuable—something that went beyond mere sight. "Thank you, Roy," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

Roy gave Kevin's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before letting go. He leaned back, taking a moment to steady his breathing. "Rest for now. The process takes a toll on both the body and soul. We'll continue once you've recovered."

Kevin nodded, his head tilting slightly as he listened to Roy's words. He could hear the exhaustion in Roy's voice, and it only deepened his respect for his friend. "You should rest too," Kevin said. "You've done so much for me."

Roy smiled, a tired but genuine smile. He gave Kevin a playful pat on the shoulder. "You better recover soon, or I'll start eating your share of the food." He watched as Kevin adjusted himself, lying back down on the simple mat. Roy remained seated for a while longer, his eyes closing as he allowed himself to relax. The morning had been intense, and he could feel the drain on his energy, but there was also a sense of satisfaction—of progress.

The day continued on, the light shifting as the sun moved across the sky. Outside, the sounds of the forest filled the air—birds singing, leaves rustling in the breeze. Inside the hut, a calm settled over them, a quiet that spoke of recovery.

Roy opened his eyes, glancing at Kevin, who was still sleeping. The sun had shifted across the sky, giving way to the cool, deep blue of early night. Roy stood up, stretching his limbs before heading outside. Roy gathered some wood, stacking it carefully before striking a spark to bring the fire to life. Soon, a small campfire crackled softly, casting flickering light across the clearing. He began preparing a simple meal, the scent of roasted vegetables and herbs wafting through the air.

As Roy stirred the pot over the fire, he heard the rustling of movement from inside the hut. He glanced back, a knowing smile forming on his lips. "Looks like someone's finally up," he said, setting the spoon down and getting up to check on Kevin.

Roy entered the hut, finding Kevin slowly sitting up, his hands brushing against the floor as he adjusted to his surroundings. "Hey, sleepyhead," Roy called out cheerfully. "Hungry? I made something, and trust me, it's not half bad."

Kevin turned his head towards Roy's voice, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, I could eat," he said, his voice still a bit groggy.

Roy moved to Kevin's side, gently helping him to his feet. "Alright, come on. Let's get you some fresh air." He led Kevin outside, his hand steady on Kevin's arm as they navigated the short distance to the campfire.

The night had fully settled in, the sky a vast canvas of stars twinkling brightly above them. Two moons hung high in the sky—one a soft blue, the other a gentle pink—casting their ethereal glow across the clearing, bathing the world in a mystical blend of colors. The gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze and the occasional chirp of crickets filled the air, adding to the serene beauty of the night. Roy guided Kevin to sit on a flat rock near the fire before handing him a bowl of food.

"Here you go," Roy said, placing the bowl carefully in Kevin's hands. He watched as Kevin began to eat, his own smile widening. "You know, if you had kept sleeping, I would've eaten your portion too. Lucky for you, I'm feeling generous tonight."

Kevin let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "You're always so full of yourself," he replied, the warmth in his voice evident.

Roy chuckled, taking a seat across from Kevin. "Hey, someone's got to keep things lively around here." He leaned back, gazing up at the stars. "Besides, look at this night—it's almost magical. Makes all the hard work worth it, don't you think?"

Kevin paused, then nodded slowly. Though he couldn't see it, he could feel the cool night air, hear the crackling of the fire, and sense the calm that had settled over them. "Yeah, it does," he said softly.

Roy grinned, his eyes still on the stars. "See? I knew you'd agree with me eventually."

After they had finished eating and settled down, Roy looked over at Kevin, his usual cheerful demeanor still present. "Kevin, about the cultivation technique... can you tell me more about it?"

Kevin shifted slightly, the firelight casting soft shadows across his face. "As you must already know, I don't have much understanding of the cultivation technique itself. We can only unlock its full knowledge when we reach the Qi Cultivation stage," he said, his tone thoughtful. "But I do know one thing for sure—this technique is really good for a swordsman. The loss of my sight might not be so bad after all. You'll see in time."

Roy raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, mysterious, are we? You better not be bluffing just to make me think you're turning into some kind of sword-wielding legend."

Kevin chuckled, shaking his head. "You'll see, Roy. Just wait."

Roy laughed softly, leaning back against a rock. Kevin tilted his head slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He couldn't help but notice how much Roy had changed in just a few days. At first, Roy had seemed like a good person but more serious, distant even. But now, he was cheerful and easygoing, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

In truth, Roy had always been cheerful by nature, but during his time as a slave, he hadn't had the chance to show it. And after that, he had spent two long years alone, with no one to share his true self with. The events of his past had made it difficult for him to reveal his real personality. He was gentle and cheerful, yet ruthless and serious when the situation required it. Although Roy trusted Kevin, it hadn't been to the extent where he felt completely comfortable. But what happened yesterday had changed things. The Heavenly Monarch's approval of Kevin had also played a crucial role.

Though he hadn't said it out loud, Roy had accepted Kevin in his heart as his friend, and the feeling was mutual from Kevin as well.

"Alright, alright. I'll be patient. But remember, I'm holding you to it."