Chapter 20: Crimson Bolts

Jiang lei has finally masterd the Fire Burst Technique to Advanced stage and he can be considered as a genius now.

According to his knowledge ,Li xun also has only practiced this skill to advanced stage.

Now he has also done it and in just such a short period of time.Intially he was worried about inner sect competition and that he will not be able to get the opportunities to meet strong and talented geniuses of the celestial sect.

But now with his current strength, even if he won't be able to meet top geniuses of the sect but he can stil get a chance to make friends with some low level talents and touch them to copy their skills.

He also feels very fortunate for his decision, if he had just gone back before, he couldn't become as powerful as now.

Taking a deep breath he said ,"Its time for the Ember steps".

"System, assist me in learning the Ember Steps,"

[System: Sure Master]

In his mind, Jiang Lei encountered a shadowy figure, moving gracefully and teleporting around him. The figure's speed was astonishing, creating afterimages with every step. Sometimes, it seemed as if there were five or six of them, making it challenging for Jiang Lei to discern the real figure from the illusions.

Closing his eyes, Jiang Lei delved into the essence of the Ember Steps. He visualized himself moving like a wisp of smoke, flowing effortlessly with the wind.

This technique wasn't just about speed; it involved blending with the flames within him, utilizing their energy to create illusions that would bewilder his opponents.

With his eyes closed, Jiang Lei began to move. His body blurred into a hazy silhouette as he executed the Ember Steps, leaving behind a trail of fiery embers with every step.

Although he managed to create just one afterimage for now ,it was really a good start, it won't take him too long to master this skill.

Jiang lei came out of the holographic screen and started practicing it in real world.

"This pressure is really amazing for my ember steps".To his surprise,the effect of pressure in his movement skill was far better than in his flame burst technique.

"May be it is because, this is a physical skill and the pressure is restricting my physical movements".He mumbled but didn't continue to think about the reason and continued his practice.

Jiang Lei pushed himself further, seeking to perfect the synchronization of his movements with the fiery rhythm of the technique.

With time, he noticed a subtle change. The flames within him seemed to respond more readily to his commands, as if they recognized him as their master. The afterimages he created became more vivid and lasting.

The practice area crackled with energy as he accelerated, multiplying the number of afterimages he created.

It was a mesmerizing display of fire and motion, so convincing that it became challenging even for Jiang Lei himself to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Initially, he could only create two afterimages, but through continuous effort, he progressed to three, then four, and finally five. However, there was a mysterious limit he couldn't break—the elusive sixth afterimage remained beyond his reach.

It puzzeled him because he had seen the shadow making nine afterimages at one time ,why can he just create five?

"System, what's happening?" he inquired.

[System: "Master, to generate these afterimages, you require fire energy. Your source of this energy is your mastery of the Fire Burst Technique. Only Cultivators with innate fire talents can maximize this technique's potential, accessing purer and more abundant energy."]

"I see ,It seems I will have to reach the sect as soon as possible and copy a fire element talent holder"Jiang lei nooded in realization.

"Okay ,It doesn't matter ,My current progress is already amazing,there is no need to be very greedy".Jiang Lei gazed at the monument, only four steps away from his current position. He had already gained incredible benefits from his journey so far, and he questioned what further rewards the remaining four steps would bring.

He took a step but because of excessive grow in his strength, he couldn't feel too much pressure on his body so he prepared to take the next step

Breathing deeply, Jiang Lei mentally steeled himself. As he lifted his foot cautiously, he felt something amiss—an imminent threat of life and death. His past encounters, especially the battle with the monster, had heightened his instincts for danger.

And at the same time a loud voice rang in his ears .

This voice was seemed it came from nowhere, but it was clear, the voice was feeling like, it was eternal.

The voice was completely emotionless devoid of any emotions and the message was very simple ---

"You will die if you dare to take this step".

"Who... who is talking?" Jiang Lei looked around cautiously, but there was no one in sight.

The voice replied, "Jiang Lei, you don't need to find me, because you can't. Just do what I say and back off."

Jiang Lei chuckled, retorting, "Oh, and how are you qualified to tell me whether I can cross these steps or not?"

The voice replied, "You don't need to know who I am. Your talent and determination are commendable, so I've given you a warning. Now it's up to you. With your current ability, daring to take this step would result in your death."

Jiang Lei continued to mock, "Hey, you're not telling me who you are, but you expect me to turn back just because of your words? Do you think I'm a five-year-old child? Do you even know how much I've endured to reach here?"

But this time ,there was no reply from the voice, it was as still as before it was.

However, this time, there was no response from the voice, leaving Jiang Lei in silence.

Jiang Lei waited for a while, but as he realized that the voice wouldn't reply, his expression grew serious. He couldn't dismiss the lingering feeling of danger he had experienced when attempting to take that step.

"I will have to choose my path today, If I will go ahead the unknown is awaiting, and if I turned back ,I will be able to live my life safely, maybe ? Jiang lei pondered about the situation.

Contemplating his choices, Jiang Lei understood the essence of cultivation in the celestial world. Willpower and determination were paramount. He knew that giving in to fear now would taint his spirit and make him forever hesitate in the face of adversity.

if it got damaged once, it doesn't matter how much resources you have? how much talent you have? you will never be able to become a real strong existence in this world.

Jiang Lei locked his fiery and determined gaze on the monument, stating firmly, "In this world, when are cultivators not struggling to survive? If I want to become strong, I must face situations like this in the future. Will I back off then, as I'm tempted to now? What's the point of strength if I'm a coward inside?"

Jiang lei rememberd his fight with the monster, if he wanted, he could run away from that place and could left the villagers at the situation and let them die.

"May be that if I had done so ,I wouldn't have to face the pain I felt, I wouldn't have to lose my intermediate fire talent , but what would have happened if I had ran away that day"?

Would I ever be able to lead a normal life again?, would I ever have the courage and the face to say that I am strong, I want to be strong?

Jiang lei looked at the monument again and said determinedly " Whoever you are , I don't care but I will never run away because of fear of unknown, I want to become strong, make my name in this celestial world, I will never be a coward".

Jiang Lei raised his foot and stomped on the third step.

To his surprise, he felt no pressure this time, unlike the previous steps. The environment around him seemed entirely normal.

Suddenly, a force pulled him toward an unknown place, and he felt himself being drawn by a strong, unseen power. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a strange, dark surrounding.

If it was done with some ordinary cultivator, he would have scared to death possibilly.

When he was puzzeled about the situation, and was looking around to find a clue, the voice rang in his ears again.

In this bewildering situation, the voice spoke once again.

"Congratulations, Jiang Lei. You have successfully passed my test. You are in your consciousness now, and you are safe here."

: "Jiang Lei, I gave you a chance to live but you still insisted on fighting. Your will is truly admirable."

"But it doesn't mean you are free from your trial, Jiang Lei. Let me remind you now that what you faced before was not your trial; it was just a way to test your will and, more importantly, to prevent anyone from coming close to the monument."

"So, Jiang Lei, get ready for your... first trial."

Jiang Lei was shocked by the sudden voice. He questioned in disbelief, "What do you mean by what I was going through was just my test, and my real trial is beginning now? Is this some kind of joke? Do you even know that I was nearly dead because of your 'test'?"

Swish!

But before he could fully process the situation, a tearing sound pierced the silence, and the dark surroundings were illuminated with a crimson glow. He saw a crimson fire bolt hurtling towards him with unimaginable force, aimed directly at his heart..

Jiang lei felt a strong sense of danger, he knew if he couldn't dodge this attack, he would die for sure.

He used his ember steps to his extent ,one can't even see his body because of his speed in his dark surrounding .

But although his speed was fast, the fiery crimson bolt was faster ,in just a matter of second it hitted Jiang lei .

"Boom!"

Jiang lei was thrown backwards, his hand was now bleeding like a fountain.

"Aaaaah"

This burning pain was very strong, the fiery bolt was not simple , he had cultivated fire element technique and ordinary fire can't even hurt him.

But this bolt it didn't even hit him, it just crossed while touching his body slightly because of his fast reaction speed.

But still the pain it is feeling can only be described by one word 'hell'.

The voice again sounded in this unfamiliar surrounding -

"Jiang Lei, now that you have chosen your path, you don't have any option to back off."

"You can either live or die, and if you want to live, you will have to stay here for ten minutes."

Jiang Lei wanted to get up and scold this voice's nine generations, but the pain was so overwhelming that he couldn't even utter a word.

When he was thinking about his pain , suddenly the darkness again illuminated even more brightly and he again saw the same crimson bolt just the difference was that this time, it wasn't one but ...two.

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