Chapter 6: The Second Disciple

"Su Chen, Old Ji." Wang Chu's voice was deep and resounding, breaking the silence of the battlefield. "Your actions have brought great shame to your clan and put innocents in danger. This cannot go unpunished."

A hint of defiance appeared on Su Chen's face. "And what kind of punishment is it that you're going to mete out? Senior?"

Wang Chu chuckled slyly as his eyes flickered with amusement. "You misunderstand. I do not plan on punishing you further — you have done that yourselves with your actions today."

Old Ji furrowed his brows suspiciously. Something about this didn't seem right at all.…

"Instead," Wang Chu continued, "I am giving you all an opportunity for redemption in spite of your failures."

"What could we possibly do?" Old Ji asked with narrowed eyes.

"You're asking us to redeem ourselves? And there isn't another motive behind this?" Su Chen said somewhat skeptically.

Wang Chu's smile only grew wider as he spoke again: "There will naturally be a price to pay for your redemption — but I'm sure neither of you are strangers to making sacrifices for what you believe in."

Old Ji hesitated before finally speaking up again: "Fine, fine! We accept! But no tricks!"

"We accept!" Su Chen agreed begrudgingly before adding: "Though let me make it clear: we aren't pawns in your game."

Wang Chu's smile never wavered as he spoke: "Of course. You are free to do what you will. But remember, power comes at a cost. Are you prepared to pay?"

Su Chen pulled his gaze away from Wang Chu and stared off into the distance, his eyes hard and cold. "I am prepared to do whatever it takes."

As Su Chen walked alongside Wang Chu, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

He knew that Wang Chu had secrets and ulterior motives — the man wasn't just messing around for fun.

But he also knew that if they didn't seize this opportunity to grow stronger, then they would have no hope of saving their clan.…

And so Su Chen followed behind him without another word.…

Walking next to Su Chen, Wang Chu felt a small high. He knew that the young cultivator had an advantage over him that could tip the scales in his favor. But he also knew that Su Chen's willingness to help was only temporary and fueled by curiosity rather than loyalty.

Wang Chu understood pride and independence of the Asura Clan, Su Chen wouldn't kneel down easily to anyone including himself. However he acknowledged this as a chance for him to gain knowledge about the elusive Asurendra Constitution, so he would follow along with it.

As they continued deeper into the wilderness Wang Chu kept a close eye on Su Chen's movements to try and find any clues about what hidden power he possessed within him. While Old Ji lagged behind, with an uncertain loyalty and unclear motives.

Although Wang Chu saw potential in Old Ji as a henchman , there was no way of knowing if his allegiance would waver when it came time for him to assert his dominance. Members of the Asura Clan were known for their independence and refusal to bow down, therefore Wang Chu couldn't trust Old Ji completely.

So while trying to keep their growing relationship healthy, Wang Chu watched for any signs that Old Ji might turn on him while showing off a friendly face.

"Xiao Chi, greet your elder brother, you've meet in the past. You need to respect him now. Greet each other. 

As Wang Chu welcomed Su Chen into his fold as his newest disciple, his demeanor remained stoic, his expression unreadable. Here was a young cultivator with potential, someone he could mold and guide on the path to greatness. But as he turned his attention to his first disciple, Xiao Chi, who stood nearby, he knew that their dynamic was about to change.

"Xiao Chi, come here," Wang Chu called out, his voice firm and commanding.

There is something strange about the place where Xiao Chi's training took place, there are halves of destruction that can only be caused by a Qi Condensation Cultivator. 

Looking at Xiao Chi, Su Chen had to ask, "Xiao Chi how do you cultivate?"

For a while Xiao Chi hesitated and squirmed under Su Chen's gaze. "I have been learning Titan Blow technique from Master," he whined reluctant in his speech.

A slight frown developed on Su Chen's brow as he mentally digested what Xiao Chi had said. "Did you say Titan Blow?" He asked with interest. "What does that mean?"

With enthusiasm shining in his eyes, Xiao Chi began to elaborate, "Well master told me that Titan Blow involves charging your fist with Primal essence," he started off sounding excited. "It is about using raw power of nature through punches."

Su Chen nodded sagely as he pondered this new revelation. "So it's a technique based on raw power and elemental manipulation," he thought aloud, already thinking of different ways to use it. "That could make it pretty powerful if used right."

"Yes!" Xiao replied grinning childishly; happy to share his newfound knowledge with Su Chen. "I have not been sleeping at all trying to perfect my moves; I know it will pay off someday."

Su could not help but smile at this level of dedication shown by his junior brother. "It sounds like you're doing really great" mentioned Su encouragingly. "You need someone who you would train with or share ideas with? You can count on me."

Wang Chu felt proud when the two disciples forged their bond for they held hands even just for a moment. As long as Su Chen and Xiao Chi were his companions, he was sure of their success one day soon when they become masters of unimaginable distinction.Su Chen's mind went into overdrive after listening to Xia Chi's explanation of the Titan Blow technique. That was confusing. How could his younger brother learn this kind of technique? And most importantly, which grade was it at?

"Xiao Chi," Su Chen said eagerly. "What level is Titan Blow?" he asked.

There was a moment of silence before Xiao Chi replied, "Master did not tell me what level it is but he said that it is foundational for cultivators specializing in melee combat."

Su Chen seemed to be deep in thought as he considered all this information. Foundational? This did not sound right. There was an element of difficulty about Titan blow which belied its very simplicity. It cannot be so plain.

"Hmm," Su Chen murmured thoughtfully, still oblivious to what has been happening around him. "So there is more than meets the eye with Titan blow?"

In response to Su Chen's words, Xiao Chi raised his eyebrows and leaned forward a bit closer to him. "Exactly." He answered back quickly, "Master once told me that any successful technique depended on how well its master used it."

Su Chen nodded thoughtfully, filled with questions. How did Xiao Chi at his age acquire such skill? What was this going to mean for their training?

Wang Chu turned his attention back to Old Ji, his curiosity piqued by the mention of the sky devouring whale.

"Old Ji," Wang Chu began, "what is the cultivation base of this sky devouring whale? And what is the ceiling of this realm?"

Old Ji considered Wang Chu's questions before responding, his tone thoughtful. "The sky devouring whale possesses a formidable cultivation base, rumored to be at the peak of the Eternal Realm," he explained. "As for the ceiling of this realm, it extends beyond the Martial Emperor level. It reaches the Eternal Realm, which is three stages higher than the usual lower realm world."

Wang Chu absorbed this information, his mind racing with possibilities. A creature at the peak of the Eternal Realm would provide an even greater challenge for Su Chen and Xiao Chi, offering them the opportunity for unprecedented growth.

"Thank you, Old Ji," Wang Chu said with a nod of appreciation. "Your insights are invaluable.  Investigate this sky devouring whale further and determine if it's suitable for our training purposes."

As Wang Chu contemplated Old Ji's revelations, a nagging sense of unease crept into his thoughts. He couldn't shake the feeling of inconsistency within his own memories and experiences.

"Why didn't the person I reincarnated from know about this?" Wang Chu wondered. "Wasn't he supposed to be a genius from Earth? There are too many discrepancies, too many loopholes..." 

The cultivation world seemed full of possibilities to those with the will and wit to take them. But Wang Chu couldn't help but feel like there was a bottom layer that he still hadn't reached. 

Something deeper than talent or skill. 

Curiosity piqued by the mystery of the previous owner, Wang Chu focused his thoughts on the system that guided him.

"Why did the previous owner fail?" he asked.

"The previous owner failed because he lacked emotional intelligence," responded an ethereal voice in his mind. "He couldn't handle social dynamics or emotional challenges."

Wang Chu furrowed his brow at this answer, trying to wrap his head around what EQ could have to do with cultivation.

"EQ?" he repeated. "How does not knowing how you feel help you cultivate?"

The system didn't waste time with its response: "Emotional intelligence is your ability to understand yourself and others. Cultivation is not just strength or technique; it requires mental fortitude and resilience."

As soon as those words hit his ears, Wang Chu understood why someone with a weak grip on their own emotions would fail at cultivating power.

Cultivation was more than martial arts or meditation—it was self-improvement as well. Without emotional intelligence, no matter how strong of a cultivator you were, you wouldn't make it far enough to swing your sword twice without being eaten alive first.