2 Qie Feng
'Golden Gate' universe is one of the worlds that exist in the endless void. In every universe, the same rule exists — the overpowering individuals prey on the weak. With power, you can have anything that the world can offer; wealth, beauties, and even the people's lives. Power is justice.
Every creature, even humans have 'bloodlines.' Some bloodlines are weaker than the other. There are in some cases where bloodlines can evolve, or mutate. However, the chances of this happening are minuscule, and you must have a lot of luck, and heavenly materials for you to evolve your bloodline.
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'Jade Plane' is one of the billions of lower realms that exist in the 'Golden Gate' universe. This is the planet where I was born or more likely where my memories first started.
In this planet, cultivators exist, there are realms, and it's divided into 7; 'Body Refinement' as being the lowest, 'Acupoint Opening,' 'Earth Passage,' 'Nascent Soul,' 'Heavenly Realm,' 'Half-Step Divinity,' and 'Divinity as being the highest.
Cultivators are individuals who are trying to reach Godhood. However, to reach Godhood, cultivators must cultivate by gathering a specific type of energy called 'Divine Energy' in their body.
To cultivate, Cultivators uses mantras and recite them to stir the 'Divine Energy' in the surrounding and gather them inside your body. Once your body reaches the carrying capacity, you can enter the next realm; however, there are in some cases where you must comprehend the laws of the world before being able to breakthrough.
The realms are all divided into 9 stages. Beings who don't cultivate are called mortals. Once someone starts cultivating, they will embark on the cultivation world and reaching the lowest stage of Godhood called 'Body Refinement.' After accumulating enough 'Divine Energy' and reaching the ninth stage of 'Body Refinement,' you'll be able to enter the next realm called 'Acupoint Opening.'
'Acupoint Opening' is different than any other realms. In this realm, there are 108 acupoints that you can open. Even if you open 1 acupoint only, you can enter the next stage. The more acupoints you're able to open, the further and stronger your foundation can become, and making it much easier to reach the peak of Godhood. However, not everyone can open all 108 stages, not even in ancient times. The highest acupoint that someone has ever opened was 101.
After 'Acupoint Opening' you'll be able to enter the next realm called 'Earth Passage.' Like 'Body Refinement' it's divided into 9 stages. However, for this one, not only do you need to gather enough amount of 'Divine Energy' but you must also comprehend laws such as fire, water, wood, wind, and earth. Once you get enough understanding of a specific law and gather enough 'Divine Energy,' you'll be able to enter the next realm.
After 'Earth Passage' is called 'Nascent Soul.' Like 'Acupoint Opening,' 'Nascent Soul' is different from the other realms. In this realm, you must use the law you comprehended during the 'Earth Passage' to temper the acupoints that you opened and turning it into a single core called 'Nascent Soul.' Doing this is quite dangerous. The more acupoints you combine, the higher the chances of you dying.
Once you combined all of your acupoints into a single core, you'll be able to move on to the next realm called 'Heavenly Passage.' In this realm, individuals can fly by controlling the space on the surrounding to help them levitate. 'Heavenly Passage' is also divided into 9 stages. In this stage, you must gather 'Divine Energy' and even comprehend intermediate laws such as lightning, ice, sound, crystal, heart, etc. Once enough accumulation, you'll be able to enter the next realm called 'Half-Step Divinity.'
In 'Half-Step Divinity,' there are only 3 stages. You must severe three things from your life. It can be your emotions, your memory, and so on. However, you must remain true to yourself, if you accidentally severed the wrong thing, the minor backlash will be you not being able to cultivate furthermore and in the worst case, you perishing. However, there's a chance that you can still cultivate and try again if you failed; if you're able to acquire a heavenly opportunity such as heavenly material, someone who is in 'Divinity,' or being lucky.
After succeeding and shedding away from being a mortal, you'll be able to enter the final realm of the lower world called 'Divinity.' In this realm, you'll be able to create a space gate and going to any places that you can think of. Not only do you get the chance to create a space gate, but you'll also be able to ascend to a higher world.
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At the edge of the planet, a village name 'Garden of Eden' village exists. There are only about 80 houses and about 240 living humans who are living there. Out of those people who are living in the village there are only three people who are a cultivator. One is in the 2nd level of 'Body Refinement,' the second one in the 3rd level of 'Body Refinement,' and the last one in the 6th level of 'Body Refinement.'
A child who looks like a 7-year-old is climbing a 30 feet tree like a monkey.
"Qie Feng! Come down at once!" A bearded old man said frantically while looking at me climb.
For some reason, since I was able to walk, I started to go to really high places, and enjoy the view. It's probably in my blood, who knows. All I can say is that once I'm there at the top, I feel warm like I'm in my mother's embrace.
"Don't worry Gramps. Nothing will happen to me!" I stopped and looked at the bearded old man for a couple of seconds and smiled. Then, I continued to climb again, even faster.
"Tsk, this crazy brat. I swear, this brat will bring my downfall." Sighed the bearded old man.
The wind started to get stronger as I climb higher. I'm probably 21 feet above the ground already. Ordinary people would be scared to death once they are this high, but not me. Instead, the higher I go, the better I felt.
"Don't worry about him, Old Shi. You've known that he's always been like this since he started walking. So, worrying is pointless. Just cheer on him." said a huge man that's 7-foot tall with full of muscles while laughing.
The old man looked at the huge man like he's about to pounce on him and tear him into pieces.
*Gulp* "I was joking, hehe. Don't mind me." The huge man looked away at looked at me as I climb even higher.
"Go, go, go, go!" A group of children was yelling while laughing.
25 feet
26 feet
...
30 feet
I sat on one of the highest and thickest branches of the tree. As I looked at the horizon, I can see different types of birds that are as big as a house with variant colors of feathers; pure black, red, and even mixed of shades of white and blue, etc.
*Caw* a group of Vermillion birds swooped down from above the clouds to catch a 10 feet tall golden carp from a lake.
*Rip* one of the Vermillion bird ripped a golden carp in half with its razor-sharp talon.
"Woah" I gasped in amazement.
"All right everyone, go back to what you're doing. Shoo!" Gramps shooed the group of people. "You kids better start training, or else, little Feng'er will keep getting further and further away."
"Yes, yes, we know Old Chief!" One of the little kids that's about an 8 years-old stuck her tongue out.
As the group went back on doing what they were doing, a group of 15 people with cloaks and mask on their faces were heading towards the 'Garden of Eden' village while riding a flaming stallion. Flaming stallion is a type of horse that can use the fire element.
I looked at the other kids as they cultivate, and other people are doing their business with a smile on my face. Even though I don't have a family, these people accepted me as their own.
I was a cowardly person and barely talked to anyone. I felt left out because I was all alone. However, the kids treated me as one of their siblings, and the adults treated me as their son.
"I will protect every one of them." I made a vow to myself
As I made a vow, I remembered that a couple of days ago, a couple of bandits demanded us to gather 20 pounds of dark gold metals. Dark gold metals are used to make impregnatable armor. If we're not able to come up with 20 pounds of dark gold metals in a week, they'll wipe out the whole village.
Dark gold metal is found in mines that are full of divine energy. We don't even have a mine! So, how can we collect 20 pounds of it?
"They're making fun of us!" The more I think about it, the harder it is to hold back my anger. I clenched my teeth and my hands while my eyes are bloodshot.
"If I remember correctly, 10 people are in the 3rd level, 2 people in the 4th level, 1 person in the 5th level, 1 person in the 6th level, and the last 1 in the 8th stage of 'Body Refinement.' I need to hurry up. There are only 2 days left before their back."
I closed my eyes and placed my hands together. I recited the 'Endless Chaos Mantra' in my head.
The 'Endless Chaos Mantra' has always been in my head since the day I could remember. I've asked Gramps about it before, and all he told me is I shouldn't worry and not to tell anyone else about it.
As I recited the 'Endless Chaos Mantra,' I can feel all my pores opening up, and sucking the divine energy from the surroundings. As divine energy enters my body, I can feel my bones and flesh becoming as strong as steel.
As time went by, a 10 feet vortex appeared above my head; creating a significant disturbance in the surrounding. A large amount of divine energy swirled beside me.
"Look, Qie Feng is making a breakthrough!" An elder of the village said in a surprise.
All the villagers looked at the tree where the giant vortex is occurring.
The vortex doubled its size from 10 feet to 20 feet. An even stronger suction force erupted. More and more divine energies are pouring in inside of my body.
*Boom*
A thunder-like noise erupted, scaring all the animals nearby, and even the villagers. Some kids that's around 3-4 started crying due to the loud sound.
Black muck covered me. The black muck indicates that the breakthrough was a success. In every succession of advancement in 'Body Refinement,' black muck are pushed out from inside the body; making the body purer and stronger.
"Success, I'm finally in the 6th level of 'Body Refinement.' With my strength, I should be able to protect everyone in the village from the bandits." A confident look appeared on my face.
I jumped down from one branch to another as fast as a cheetah. After 2 minutes, I'm finally at the ground.
"Are you okay Qie Feng? What was that loud noise right now?" A middle-aged woman asked.
"Yes, auntie! I'm okay. I feel that I have an endless amount of energy stored inside my body. Also, I've successfully made a breakthrough." I smiled
"If you say so, and you better take a shower." The middle-aged woman look at me from top to bottom.
"I will! See ya' auntie!" I bid my farewell while waving my arms.
As I ran towards outside the village towards a nearby river, a bearded old man showed up. It was Gramps.
"Hold on Feng'er. Take this with you." Grandpa grabbed my hands and handed me a blood red ginseng the size of a fist.
"What's this?" I asked curiously
"It's 'Heavenly Blood Ginseng.' Taking it will stabilize your foundation, and maybe even help you break through to the 7th level of 'Body Refinement.' I was saving it until you've reached the 9th level of 'Body Refinement' and help you break through to the 'Acupoint Opening.' However, I can see your determination in protecting us. We're so sorry that us adults can't do anything about it, and placing all the burdens to you." Tears flowed down from Gramps' face
"It's okay Gramps; you guys are important to me. You and all the villagers took me as one of your own. You guys brought me up, so how can I sit still and see all of you die." A fiery flame appeared on my eyes.
Gramps grabbed my head and stroke it gently.
"We're so lucky that we have a kid like you." Gramps smiled as tears flowed down from his face. "Alright, go and wash properly."
"Mhm!" I nodded my head and headed towards the river.
The river is about 30 meters wide. Different type of fishes and flying birds can be seen around the river.
As I arrived, I looked around for a boulder to sit on as I looked at the 'Heavenly Blood Ginseng' from my hand.
"I should digest it first before I take a bath." I went to a boulder and sat at the top while crossing my feet and holding the 'Heavenly Blood Ginseng' between my hands.
I closed my eyes once again and started reciting the 'Endless Chaos Mantra' inside my head. As I recited the mantra, the 'Heavenly Blood Ginseng' on my hand started to become smaller at a visible rate.
After quite some time, all the divine energy inside the 'Heavenly Blood Ginseng' has been sucked dry as it courses throughout my body.
Another vortex appeared above my head. This time, it was way bigger than before; it's 30 feet wide this time. All the divine energy in the surrounding once again flowed around me, covering me like I'm inside a cocoon.
*Boom*
As I opened my eyes, another thunder-like sound erupted scaring the animals around. I stood up from where I was sitting position and looked at my body. Additional black muck covered my body.
"I've made another breakthrough. I went from the 6th level 'Body Refinement' level to the peak of 7th level 'Body Refinement.' I should stay on this stage for a while, or my foundation will get disrupted and cause me future troubles from the consecutive breakthroughs. Now, I should test out my strength and see how strong I've become." I laughed cheerfully.
I looked around for a large boulder. In the distance, about 40 meters away from me, a 30-foot tall block is erected. I jumped to test out how far I can jump.
1st jump: 20 meters
2nd jump: 40 meters
"Woah, when I was only in the 6th stage of 'Body Refinement' I could only jump 10 meters, now it's twice of that." My mouth dropped and made an 'O' shape.
I snapped back to reality.
"This should be big enough." I clenched my fist as hard as I can, took a stance, and punched out. As my fist went forward, wind circulated it creating a 'swish,' 'swish' sound.
*Boom*
The enormous boulder exploded into pieces creating a huge ruckus.
"My fleshly body should carry a force of 9,500 pounds, 2,500 pounds higher than an ordinary person in the 7th level of 'Body Refinement.'" I smiled happily. "I should get myself clean."
