The Crystal Pagoda [I]

Following a pattern which gradually became his routine, Ju Feng continued his training for another two good years. His body strength and power, had grown beyond weighted measures for his age and level of advancement. With the use of Chi, his strength could rival that of an early-stage Zhuji cultivator.

Feeling the expansion of his own dantian and meridians greatly amazed him. He could feel the flow of Chi through his own meridians during circulation. That was significantly different from two years ago. With that result, he couldn't have asked for a better cultivation method. To him, the Timeless-Soul technique was indeed a divine treasure despite its difficulties.

After two years of intense cultivation, Ju Feng finally advanced to the early-stage of Lianchi, Chi refining level. It was no surprise to his family who were well familiar with the difficulties of their ancestral technique. Other young cultivators of his age level would've advanced earlier since advancement was much more faster at the early stages. True immortal cultivation started from the Zhuji, the foundation stage. From there on, advancement would require enlightenment —insight into the ways of the universe.

For some cultivators on the mortal plane, it could take between hundreds and thousands of years just to advance from an early stage to middle stage of Zhuji. Unless, the cultivator decided to take a spirit pill to force through an advancement.

Nonetheless, on the mortal plane, the most difficult advancement was the completion of the nascent soul formation which could take thousands or millions of years. The same applied to the ascension stage —the Shenxian stage— which could also take thousands or millions of years to advance from its early stage to its middle stage.

Creation really had a stronghold on godhood.

Although Ju Feng was happily thinking about his cultivation, his mind was greatly worried due to his swordsmanship predicaments. He knew there was no way he could learn swords techniques unless his mother would change her mind about him joining a sect. Every time he recalled the events of the lunar plain, he became greatly worried. He still couldn't believe his family really had dangerous enemies who wanted them dead by all means. Immortal foes for what it meant.

Heavens tears! What kind of world would the precious life of a child like himself be in a mortal danger? Marked for death!

Only one option left for him, and that was for him to get stronger to be able to defend himself and his family. He resolved he would have to reason more with his mother for her to see that there were fewer things left for him to learn here at home. His whole family were fire affiliates, while the titan lord was a terra elemental.

The importance of his family to his safety was known to him, but he had to go to a place where he would be able to learn more about his own affinities. Without developing his own affinities, he would never become a mythical artist. He would never be able to fight for himself and his family. Of what use would he be then?

Ju Feng stretched himself before laying down on his bamboo bed. Getting ready to sleep, he remembered the words of the titan lord.

"Knowledge is the key to true power. And opening the heart to the knowledge gained, is the foundations of true power."

The next day, Ju Feng woke up as before. He washed his face and went directly to the training ground. Since he already knew the basics of the Shifting-Heavens hand technique, he decided to resume his training on the basics of swordsmanship.

With a weapon, mythical art was the pinnacle. All mythical arts were the combination of the martial and mystical arts. Therefore, cultivators must first be attuned to their elements in order to use their mystical arts.

Ju Feng began training repeating the basics of swordsmanship he had learned. However, he was lacking the required focus. He tried to concentrate on his training but his mind kept wandering off. Determined to continue with his training, he allowed his mind to wander freely. With his mind off the on-going training, Ju Feng didn't notice when the edge of the sword, faintly, nicked one of his left fingers. But due to the state of his body, it would take longer for traces of blood to show.

After finishing with his swords training for the day, he left for the cultivation chamber. He needed to calm his mind from the raging thoughts that were distracting him. How could he find peace in his heart? He arrived to find his mother in the cultivation chamber, deep in meditation. Looking at his mother's face, he could see signs of anxiety on her face. Having decided not to disturb his cultivating mother, Ju Feng made his way to his room where he sat down in a lotus position, and started breathing using the Soul-Serenity method.

As he closed his eyes to meditate, Ju Feng suddenly remembered the crystal pagoda his grandmother gave him, the one she said was good for meditation. He took out the pagoda and placed it on the floor right in front of him. Looking at the position of the pagoda, he decided to adjust it with his left hand. But he didn't see the tiniest trace of his blood that touched the pagoda. However, he felt a slight tingle in his left hand which he casually shrugged off as nothing.

With his eyes closed, Ju Feng began to meditate and didn't know the time he fell into a trance. He was still in a trance, but realized he could move all parts of his body. He saw the pagoda giving off a faint glow which made him reach out with his hand. But as soon as his hand touched the pagoda, he vanished.

The next thing he knew, he was in a total strange place, all by himself. He was looking around in confusion when he sensed a familiarity with the strange place.

"What is this place?"

"Oh, childling."

"Who's there?"

Ju Feng asked in a quivering voice. But his question was met with utter silence which stretched for few, but long seconds before the voice sounded again.

"Here you are, again."