Paths and Realms

The streets of Huoyin were quieter now, the early morning bustle settling into the rhythm of the day. Wuye followed closely behind Li Zhang, his new master, as they moved through the maze of winding alleys and open squares. Despite the city's massive size, Li Zhang seemed to know exactly where he was going, his steps never faltering.

As they walked, Wuye couldn't help but glance at the tall, calm figure in front of him. Li Zhang was an enigma—aloof and mysterious, but undeniably powerful. Even now, after agreeing to take him as a disciple, he hadn't said much. But Wuye could feel that something deeper lay beneath the man's cold exterior.

After a long stretch of silence, Li Zhang spoke, his voice cutting through the hum of the city. "You wanted to learn martial arts," he began, not looking back. "But what we pursue is more than just physical strength. What we truly seek are our Dao—the paths we walk in this world."

"Daoist," Li Zhang corrected him, his tone patient but firm. "In the world of cultivation, we are called Daoists, not martial artists. While the techniques we practice may seem like combat skills, they are only tools for refining ourselves and advancing along our chosen paths."

Wuye frowned, absorbing the new terminology. "So... what does it mean to be a Daoist?"

Li Zhang stopped, turning slightly to face Wuye. "To be a Daoist is to seek one's own Dao—the truth or purpose that drives you. For some, it may be power. For others, wisdom, immortality, or balance with nature. But before you can even think about your Dao, you must first temper your body and soul. You are at the very beginning of a long and arduous journey."

They continued walking, and Li Zhang began to explain the different stages of cultivation, his tone both instructional and cautionary.

"I told you before," Li Zhang said, "that I am in the upstream stage of Body Tempering. It is the lowest stage, but even at this level, a Daoist's body becomes far stronger than an average person's. Your bones, muscles, and reflexes are honed to superhuman levels."

He gestured to himself. "Right now, my physical strength, speed, and endurance surpass that of ordinary men, but that's all the upstream stage grants."

Wuye nodded, listening carefully. He had seen Li Zhang's strength firsthand during the bandit attack, and even now, he couldn't imagine reaching that level.

"Beyond the upstream stage," Li Zhang continued, "comes the leaping stage. This is where the real transformation begins. Your internal organs—your heart, lungs, liver—grow tougher, more resilient. It's a stage of internal refinement, where the body becomes even more durable and resistant to injury."

"And after that?" Wuye asked, eager to understand more.

"After the leaping stage comes the dragon transformation stage," Li Zhang said, his voice dropping slightly in reverence. "At this point, the body undergoes a fundamental transformation, reforming itself to be capable of holding vast amounts of qi. The Daoist becomes something more than human, their body a vessel for power that few can comprehend."

Wuye's eyes widened in awe. "And that's only Body Tempering?"

Li Zhang gave a slight nod. "Yes. Body Tempering is just the beginning. Beyond it lies Qi Condensation, where one begins to cultivate and manipulate qi, the energy of the world. Then comes Foundation Building, where you lay the foundation for even greater power. And beyond that…"

Li Zhang paused, his eyes darkening slightly. "Beyond that are the realms that most of us can only dream of. The old monsters in my sect are at the legendary Spirit Sensing stage. To even stand in the presence of a Spirit Sensing Daoist is to feel the weight of their power, the depth of their connection to the Dao."

Wuye remained silent for a long moment, processing everything he had just learned. The world of Daoists was far deeper and more complex than he had ever imagined. And yet, even as he heard about the higher stages, all he could think about was that man—the man in black shadows who had destroyed his village. What stage was he at? How powerful was he?

As if sensing Wuye's dark thoughts, Li Zhang's tone softened slightly. "Remember, Wuye, cultivation is not a race. The journey will be long, and you will face many trials. Patience is key."

Wuye nodded, though his heart still burned with anger and hatred. He clenched his fists, feeling the faint stir of energy within him—the energy that had awakened after he unlocked his meridians. He would grow stronger, no matter how long it took. He would find that man, and he would have his revenge.

Eventually, they reached a busy marketplace, where Li Zhang purchased two sturdy horses for the journey ahead. The merchant, a gruff older man, gave them a quick glance before handing over the reins without much conversation.

Mounting his horse, Wuye felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He had never ridden a horse before, but after some awkward fumbling, he managed to steady himself in the saddle. Li Zhang, on the other hand, mounted with ease, his posture relaxed but vigilant.

They set off, riding through the streets of Huoyin and heading toward the distant countryside. As the city fell away behind them, the noise and chaos of the streets faded, replaced by the quiet hum of nature. The road ahead stretched long and straight, leading toward the unknown.

For a while, neither of them spoke, both lost in their own thoughts.

Wuye's mind drifted back to the night his village was destroyed. The image of his family's charred remains haunted him, and his hatred for the man in black shadows only grew stronger. The Akashic Records had shown him a path, but now it was up to him to walk it. He would do whatever it took to grow stronger, to unlock the power within him, and to exact his vengeance.

But alongside the anger was a deep sense of uncertainty. He was still just a boy from a fishing village, thrust into a world he barely understood. Could he truly rise to the level of the man who had destroyed his life? Could he truly become a Daoist worthy of following his own path?

As the thoughts swirled in his mind, he glanced over at Li Zhang. The man seemed calm, his face unreadable as always. But there was something more there, a hint of curiosity or perhaps concern.

Li Zhang, for his part, was deep in thought as well. Wuye's meridian opening had been an anomaly, something that didn't sit well with him. Most cultivators needed years of guidance and training before they could unlock their meridians, and even then, it was a delicate process. But Wuye had done it on his own, without any instruction. It was… unnatural.

"Who exactly is this boy?" Li Zhang wondered to himself, his brow furrowing slightly. "How did he manage to open his meridians so quickly?"

He couldn't deny that something about Wuye intrigued him. There was potential there, something hidden beneath the surface. But whether it was a blessing or a curse, Li Zhang wasn't sure yet. And soon, he would have to show Wuye to his own master—a step he hadn't anticipated so soon.

As they rode on in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, the sky began to shift from blue to shades of orange and pink. The sun dipped lower toward the horizon, casting long shadows over the road ahead.

Somewhere far away, over a violent sea, a different kind of storm was brewing.

The man in black shadows stood on a small rock, floating amidst a sea roiled by abnormally large waves. The storm above was like nothing nature could produce—clouds swirled with rainbow-colored lightning that struck the water with ferocious intensity, creating massive ripples across the ocean.

In his grip, the spirit of his former master writhed, weak and defeated.

"You... have failed me," the spirit spat, even in its broken state. "You betrayed everything I taught you. Everything!"

The man in black shadows sneered. "You taught me to seek power. And now, I have surpassed you."

With a swift motion, he delved into the spirit's soul once again, searching for answers. His dark energy pulsed and swirled around him as he probed deeper into the spirit's memories, seeking the Akashic Records.

But they were gone.

"No…!" The man's voice erupted in fury, his dark energy exploding outward, sending the already turbulent seas into greater chaos. 

The spirit laughed weakly, even as its form flickered and began to fade. "You… will never… find them."

With a final scream of rage, the man in black shadows crushed the last remnants of the spirit, his dark energy roaring like a storm around him. The Akashic Records had eluded him, but not for long.

He would find them.

And when he did, the world would tremble beneath his power.