NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Age of Cultivation
The power of the heavens governs the sky and its elements, calls forth the wind, and summons the rain. This power was called Qi, and it was said that it descended into the mortal realm, giving mortals access to it. For those who could harness this power, a new type of energy was born within them with Qi as its foundation. This energy was called Ryu, and those who wielded it were called cultivators. Thus, cultivators became the rulers of the mortal realm.
In a distant time in the past, a time forgotten in historical texts and records, a time called the golden age of cultivation. During this time, the cultivators of the mortal realm made names for themselves. Legends were told of some cultivators who possessed incredible power that could pluck the stars from the sky or dry the sea with just a turn of their hands. However, regardless of how exaggerated these legends appeared to be, there was one which everyone believed to be true.
The stories spoke about a certain man of untold origins who had practiced Ryu to the mastery level. He often roamed nations, seeking out battles with cultivators he deemed worthy of fighting, never losing a single fight. He was later given the name 'Heaven's Calamity' because the aftermath of his fights always looked like a disaster had occurred. However, the world soon stopped hearing about him, almost as if he had vanished.
~Present time~
Zhi Luan got to the end of the passageway; there was a stairway leading up to the surface, and finally getting to the surface, he was astonished by the view. As if a mole crawling out of a hole, Zhi Luan slowly crawled out of the tunnel and fully stepped onto the surface. As he looked around, one didn't have to tell him that this place looked nothing like what he remembered it to be, if his memory served him right. Behind him was a huge structure made from white stone. On a closer look, it resembled a temple with huge daunting pillars that supported the entire structure from its roof to its foundation. Around the temple were other structures as well, albeit, smaller compared to the temple. They were small stone cottages made from similar white stone. However, some of these cottages had collapsed, with only a few bricks still standing, while the rest were in similar terrible shape. This was evidence that these buildings had stood the test of time.
Zhi Luan wandered through the cottages.
"Was it a war?"
Zhi Luan mused as he traced a line on one of the cottages. With just a slight touch, the stone cracked and bits of it fell off.
Zhi Luan sighed and headed toward the temple. The cottages surrounding the temple were in horrible shape, yet the temple remained intact. Zhi Luan found this strange and wanted to investigate. Maybe that could also help him find out what era he was in. Zhi Luan approached the temple, carefully watching his step. And just as he placed his foot on the first step, something bizarre happened.
Ding!!
A loud wailing sound suddenly echoed out. It was so loud that Zhi Luan had to clutch his ears as he winced.
"Ah, what's this noise?!"
What he didn't know was that a thin red line had appeared on the step he placed his foot on. And shortly after, footsteps could be heard approaching from afar.
"Who's there, show yourself!!"
A voice reached over as the footsteps became louder. Shortly after, a group of five men could be seen running toward Zhi Luan. The latter still clutched his ears but became more vigilant when he noticed the presence of the new arrivals. However, his vigilance soon turned to fascination when he saw these men, each holding a ball of blinding light. The most shocking thing was that this light didn't illuminate what was around it, but it seemed to travel in a straight line. These five men weren't near him, yet the light in their hands was aimed at him, and the light was so bright that he couldn't see the faces of these men.
"Who are you? State your business before, - forget it. Put your hands in the air where we can see them, quickly!"
One of the men spoke forcefully.
"Oh, I see,"
Zhi Luan had a sudden realization.
"I must have trespassed your land. I'm not sure where I am so maybe you can help me with that."
Everything was said with a huge smile on his face. Given that he had yet to confirm the era, he simply guessed that he must have trespassed on sacred grounds. That would explain why these people were hostile.
"Bullshit!"
Shouted one of the men.
Zhi Luan hadn't expected such a reply. His eyes widened as words seemed to have failed him.
"Don't take another step! Take another step and I'll shoot you; I mean it!"
Zhi Luan frowned at the threat but remained where he was.
"That's it… stay where you are."
The man in the lead said calmly as he drew closer while pointing his gun at Zhi Luan. When he got close enough, he saw Zhi Luan's full appearance.
"Ha, for a thief you sure have expensive taste."
The man mocked when he saw Zhi Luan's clothes.
"Is it some kind of traditional holiday… what a clown..."
At this point, the rest of the group joined the man in the lead to laugh. To them, this was the first time they had seen an intruder wearing such colorful clothes.
"Thief… me?"
Zhi Luan spoke up in an icy tone, briefly stunning the man in the lead. Then the man saw the change in Zhi Luan's countenance and was just about to react when he was caught off-guard.
With how close they were, Zhi Luan speedily reached out and grabbed the man's gun, swiftly following it up with a blow to the back of the head. In a matter of seconds, the man in the lead was already passed out on the floor.