Thanos the Cultivator

Thanos' gaze slowly traveled down his muscular frame, examining his physical form with newfound curiosity. His sight dove into the veins underneath his titan-like skin, tracing the pulsating rhythm of his blood. He could sense the strength he always knew, now magnified and incredibly potent. It was not just his physical strength that he felt enhanced, but also his mental abilities. His awareness, like an invisible net, had expanded, reaching out to the subtlest vibrations in the environment. His telekinesis, always a formidable ability, now pulsed within him like a wild, tamed beast, waiting to be unleashed.

"As I thought," he murmured to himself, "My mental abilities have grown stronger." He looked around, eyes scanning the horizon, almost hoping for a monster to appear so he could test his theory. His vision stretched farther than ever before, the world around him unfurling in intricate detail.

"From now on, you've taken your first step towards cultivation, and with a good start at that," Elder Wu's voice rang out, pulling Thanos from his thoughts. The titan glanced at his master, his senses trying to pierce the old man's inscrutable veneer. No matter how hard he tried, it was like standing before a formidable, impenetrable fortress. The elder was an enigma, wrapped in an unfathomable mystery.

"Alright, what's next? Are you going to teach me until that time comes?" Thanos asked, a hint of curiosity tinting his voice. Elder Wu looked at him, an inscrutable smile playing on his lips.

"Of course not," the old man replied, shaking his head. "Do you know what it means to be a cultivator, Feng?" Thanos shrugged, and the old man continued, "To grow as one, one must seek, discover, and experiment. Staying in one place and hoping to become a powerful cultivator is a mere dream. Yes, there are exceptions, but usually, even disciples must one day travel to discover themselves and break through their bottlenecks."

The elder's words resonated with Thanos, reminding him of the narratives from Chinese Wuxia and other cultivation novels. 'There are indeed similarities,' he thought, an inward chuckle accompanying the thought. As if sensing his amusement, the voice in his head added, 'See? Why don't we follow those tropes? With some luck, we might find some divine root or some shit from an old beggar that will make us a god!'

While the voice in his head carried on with its ramblings, Thanos listened intently to Elder Wu. "I'll guide you until you're ready. Then you'll set off on your own adventure."

"But where should I go?" Thanos asked, a spark of anticipation lighting up his crimson eyes.

The elder gave him a look of mock disappointment, "To my sect, of course! Along the way, you'll embark on your adventure. And with my emblem," he pointed to the token around Thanos' neck, "You'll have access to the resources needed to become a powerful cultivator."

"Why are you here? From what you've said, you're an elder of a major sect. Why are you in such a remote place?" Thanos' question hung in the air. There was a brief flicker of something on Elder Wu's face, too fleeting for Thanos to identify. The old man quickly covered it up with a serene smile, "I was assigned to protect this place from the potential outburst of monsters. Besides, I sought some distance from the sect."

Thanos sensed there was more to the story, but he refrained from asking. His attention was quickly drawn away as Elder Wu proposed a different topic, "Well, why don't we have a little spar? Let's see how strong you've become."

Excitement, anticipation, and a tinge of curiosity swirled within Thanos. He'd been itching to test the limits of his newfound abilities. Rising to his feet, he gestured an invitation to the elder. The same barrier that had blocked his efforts to understand Wu's powers earlier now seemed a smidge thinner, slightly less impenetrable. They readied themselves, their auras pulsating with resolute power.

A wild grin split Wu's face, his eyes gleaming with an almost maniacal delight. "Prepare yourself, Feng!" With that, he lunged towards Thanos, his movement swift and precise, like a hawk swooping down on its prey. Thanos' enhanced awareness allowed him to detect Wu's movements, his body reacting almost instantly, swerving out of the elder's path. The ground where Thanos had stood seconds ago erupted, a testament to Wu's strength.

The titan retaliated, throwing a punch powered by his enhanced strength. Wu deflected it easily, his chuckles resonating in the air, "Not bad, Feng! But you'll have to do better than that!"

The fight escalated, their bodies moving in a violent dance of power and skill. Each punch thrown, every kick delivered, were met with parries and dodges, creating an orchestration of controlled chaos. Thanos' newfound powers were a revelation, each move he made sharper, faster, stronger. His heart pounded with adrenaline, his blood roared in his ears, the thrill of the battle taking over him.

Despite his increased abilities, Thanos found it difficult to land a solid hit on the elder. Wu was an enigma, his movements unpredictable and incredibly swift. The old man's laughter echoed around them, a sound of pure delight and exhilaration. "Good, good! You've grown stronger, Feng!"

In the midst of their fierce battle, Thanos found himself swept in the intoxicating thrill of the fight. He reveled in the power coursing through his veins, a wild and primal energy unlike anything he'd ever experienced. His every sense was alive, sharp and focused. He wasn't just Thanos the Titan or Feng the stranger anymore; he was a cultivator, powerful and unyielding.

But as much as he enjoyed the spar, Thanos could feel the tide of the battle turning against him. Wu's attacks grew stronger and faster, his power increasing with each passing moment. The titan found himself on the defensive, his attacks barely keeping up with the elder's relentless assault.

With a final, powerful surge of energy, Wu struck, landing a heavy blow on Thanos, sending him skidding back. The titan grunted, dust swirling around him as he steadied himself. Elder Wu stood across from him, his breaths coming out in controlled bursts, an exhilarating grin still playing on his face.

Thanos couldn't help but return the smile, "I guess I still have a lot to learn, master."

Wu's laughter filled the air once more, the sound of victory and the promise of battles yet to come. He extended a hand towards Thanos, his eyes twinkling, "That's the spirit, Feng. Always eager to learn, always ready to fight. You're on the right path."