2 Ch. 2 - Disciple Greets Master

"Me? A genius?", I asked in a very confused manner.

"Exactly!"

He answered with a voice filled with excitement.

"But a genius regarding what?"

I asked in a still quite confused manner. I did not understand anything. What did he mean? How could I be a genius?

"Cultivation, of course!"

"What is... cultivation?"

I had never heard that word before, so naturally I did not know what it meant.

"You must be joking, right? You do not even know what cultivation is?"

He seemed to be extremely puzzled. Was this 'cultivation'-thing really that important?

"No, I am not kidding. I have never heard of it before, so would you mind explaining it to me?"

He heaved a deep sigh and started to explain it.

"Cultivation is practising and learning techniques, as well as meditating and refining cultivation resources in order to reach a higher level and realm.

Those who cultivate inner force are born with Spirit Essence and are called Cultivators, while those born without Spirit Essence practice martial arts and focus on improving their bodies and their physical strength, are called Martial Artists.

Every Cultivators dream and purpose is to achieve immortality, but no one has ever been able to reach that realm. That realm is called Immortal Realm, and I am pretty sure that there has probably been someone in the past that have reached that realm, because otherwise we would not have known about it's existence. No one who is currently alive have reached that realm, but that does not necessarily have to mean that it is non-existing. People think of it as nothing but a myth, yet it's every cultivators dream. Is it not rather laughable when you think about it?

In order to practice martial arts, you also have to go through the 'Awakening'!

The 'Awakening' is something that almost every child go through when they are between the age of 6 and 7 years old. After your Awakening, you can also have someone test your Spirit Power. The amount of Spirit power someone has before they start cultivating is something that you are born with, and the higher your Spirit Power is, the higher your talent is! The higher your talent is, the faster you will progress!

Spirit Essence is also something that is very important to cultivators. The level you will be able to reach is closely related to which Spirit Essence you have. You can only have one spirit essence, and you can not change your Spirit Essence. But even though you can not change it, it can evolve. An evolved verision of a Spirit Essence can be stronger or weaker than the original Spirit Essence.

Reaching a higher level and realm in cultivation is equal to becoming stronger, and you have to be strong because strength is the only thing that matters if you want to have a say in this world. To put it simply, the higher cultivation you have, the more people will respect you! But remember, that not just anyone can become a strong cultivator.

You need to have techniques to learn as well as resources to help improve your cultivation, and you also have to know how to use these things."

After listening to his explanation, I felt that I actually understood what it meant to be a cultivator. I also understood the importance of becoming strong. Although he did not say much about it, I understood that without strength, I will forever be limited to follow others like a slave for the rest of my life. I did not want to be a follower! I wanted to be strong enough to have my own say in this world!

"Hmm…"

"What? Was there anything you did not understand?", he asked in a slightly worried manner. He seemed to worry about whether I had understood his explanation or not.

"Oh… I understood it perfectly, no need to worry about it. And also, thank you for explaining it to me. It has truly broadened my horizons…"

"It is good that you understand, and no need to thank me. Something seems to be bothering you. Mind telling me what it is?"

"It is just that… you said that I was a genius when it comes to cultivation, but I do not have any of the requirements that you mentioned."

"That is also why I was so puzzled earlier! You could both see and feel my Spirit Essence! To feel someone else's Spirit Essence, you have to be a Grand Master or above, and there will still be limits. But you could actually both feel and see it at first glance without even trying, and to actually see a someone's Spirit Essence so clearly and detailed, that is something that only those who are at least a Martial Emperor, can do!

You do not even have any cultivation, and yet you could do all of this. It is simply unimaginable! You are truly a prodigy!"

He said it with such excitement, yet you could still hear the shock in his voice. There was even a hint of admiration hidden within his words.

"Am I really that special?", I asked with the words 'Confused Yet Excited" clearly written across my face.

"Oh, yes indeed!"

"Does that mean that as long as I can find a master to guide and nurture me, I can also become a strong cultivator like you?"

He suddenly began to smile. It was a really bright smile. I did not understand why he smiled, but I felt like he was thinking about something.

"Hmm…"

He just smiled and kept on thinking while I just stared at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking. I was still waiting for an answer. We stayed like that for quite a while, until he finally decided to speak.

"Would you like to become my disciple? Naturally, I would provide you with cultivation resources to refine, and high-grade techniques for you to learn. I would also guide you to the best of my abilities. So, what do you say? Do you want to come with me and become my disciple?"

What he had said sounded like something out of a dream. I could not believe that he actually wanted me to become his disciple. I, who knew nothing about cultivation before he had told me about it only moments ago. To me, it was simply unbelievable! His question had shocked me to the point of me just sitting there without making a sound, being completely unable to come up with an answer.

Seeing that I just sat there almost abnormally quiet, he started to look a little worried.

"Of course, you do not have to! If you do not want to, I will not force you! It is but a suggestion! You sure are promising, and thus I could not help but ask! At least that way I will not regret it later on...", he said in a slightly embarrassed manner.

"Do you really mean that you are willing to take me with you, and have me become your disciple, for real?"

"But well of course I do!"

He began to smile again. This time even brighter than before. It was if he already knew what my answer would be.

"Then… Disciple greets master!"