46 The Island.

Opening his eyes, Marcus checked their surroundings again. He was now at the highest tree in the area, and now he was able to confirm… they are on an island.

There were no dangerous creatures, but how could they be any? There is no Qi in the air!

He wasn't paying any attention to it since he only used it to strengthen his body, but now it was impossible. Thankfully this doesn't stop him from practicing Basic Energy Gathering. It may be an inconvenience for Xiao Mei tho.

Let's think about that later. The questions now are, why is there no Qi in the air? How did they end up on an island? And why are there two moons?

Es, can you tell me something?

"Host, I'm not able to pinpoint your exact location, because of the space fluctuations But based on the information I have, the explosion of the gate caused a space-time vortex that transported you and Xiao Mei here."

Right, a space-time vortex. But where is here?

"There is a very high chance that this is a different dimension. A different world in other words."

Different world?! That's… not good. Just stay calm… Es can you...tell me how we can get back? Please.

"Yes Host, there is actually a few options. To start, you can build a gate; I can provide you with the exact coordinates of your original dimension. You can also raise your strength to the point that it allows you to open the dimensional barrier and cross the gap yourself. The last option is a special ability that you can buy in the shop, but the price is very high."

How much?

"20 million SC."

20? Million? Yeah, that definitely sounds doable!

Common Es, none of those options are doable in a short time! We can't stay here for long, something is going on in our dimension. We need to hurry up and get back.

"I'm sorry host, But those are the only available options."

Sigh.

Marcus was dejected. All he knew was there, even though it wasn't much, it was all he had. And now he is stuck here for god knows how long.

Going down, he talked with Xiao Mei telling her what he learned. She was devastated. So far away from her home, her family. But it didn't take long before her expression changed to a determined one.

"You said we can go back. That there is a way. So we should work towards it then. There is no point in feeling sad or depressed; we just have to get back as quickly as possible. There is nothing else we can do about this."

"Right, let's start with getting a cultivation technique for you, It will take me a few days to get enough energy, but if I don't do anything else, I should be able to increase my energy by four or five points a day until then you have to wait."

"It's fine, in the meantime I can get more food and… do something, Rest I guess?"

Without further ado, Marcus started to practice, he needs to establish the Core again, he placed it back in the same place. All of the pathways that he created were now gone, but it wasn't the time to make them from scratch.

But there was one thing that he didn't expect, and they were the scars around his body. Every time he started to move energy around his body they began to light up in a bright blue color. At first he wasn't sure, but it looks like they act similarly to pathways, and with a few adjustments he will be able to utilize them as the lightning armor pathway.

For the next four days, Marcus constantly practiced, with a short break for eating in between each session.

Name: Marcus

Age:16

Health: Perfect.

Aptitude: MAX

Muscle strength: 1

Flexibility: 1

Speed: 1

Energy: 17.5

Everlasting Soma Reserves: 23

"Xiao Mei! Hey, where are you?" Finishing his practice, he wanted to get Xiao Mei a technique, when she first told him about her destroyed Dantin, he asked Es, and plenty of techniques don't need it at all. But now she is gone. Opening his eyes, he scanned the island and finally found her at the beach.

Making his way over to her he saw her laying in a shadow of a tree.

"Xiao Mei, what are you doing?"

"Resting. And since you made your way here, it means that you are ready to give me a new technique."

"Yes, but I will need a drop of your blood."

"Sure, but before that why don't you sit down. In the past few days, I explored the island a bit, and there is only one word to describe it. Paradise."

Marcus was confused, How is this paradise? There is nothing here.

"Just think, there is no spiritual beasts or any other dangers! Here you would never have to fear that an expert will show up and with a move of his hand kills everyone. Here everyone would be able to live in peace!"

"To begin with, since there is no danger here, experts would never be needed!"

"Xiao Mei… you need to stop thinking like this. You know people, there will always be someone that wants more, and if a person is an obstacle in their way, they will walk past them, leaving only a body behind. It doesn't matter if it is strength, money or influence, people are greedy. And as long as one person is greedy, he will work to get more, seeing this, others will be jealous and become greedy themselves. A paradise is impossible."

"Goddammit Marcus, at least let me daydream a bit. I hope heavenly lightning strikes you down."

"I wouldn't mind that."

"Pft! Right, I forgot about that. Either way, whenever we get back, I will get my family to come here to rest. It's nice here. My younger brother would like this place."

She is right, it is nice here.

Her last sentence also made Marcus think, he doesn't have any family. Looking at the calm sea, he remembered when he run away from the clan. And his first love. He still doesn't know how it happened, they barely met a few time, talked a bit, and then… It happened, out of nowhere.

Maybe they would've made a family, if she…

"Are you fine? You are crying."

Realizing that, Marcus wiped his tears off.

"I'm fine."

"Should we go now?" Xiao Mei was clearly worried about him.

"Let's rest for a few more minutes. After I give you the cultivation technique, we will practice until one of us drops dead from fatigue."

"Sure"