Chapter 4: Strange Dream

It was a world unlike any other, ever expanding permafrost waters and snow-filled land that stretches out for thousands of miles. Where not a single living being could be seen. There was no warmth, no heat, no sun. All that there was in this world, was dark clouds and the chilly winds.

This was a world of eternal ice and snow, where no civilization and the living could be seen or could live in such conditions. A normal person would freeze in an instant the moment they were exposed to this land, it was a clear forbidden zone for anyone.

Who knows how long this world has been created; thousands, tens of thousands, even millions of years... But what was true is that this world would stay as a permafrost wasteland until it dies off or something unexpected will happen outside its natural order.

Yes, it was on this fateful day...

It came out of nowhere and suddenly. The clouds dispersed and revealed the brilliant star-filled night sky, the winds bellowed and formed into multiple cyclones, powerful lightning bolts were fired out from the clouds and the lightning strikes created huge craters in the ground, what's even more terrifying was that– the temperature of the entire planet dropped even further, to the point that space-time itself in certain locations in the planet bended and ripped everything apart in its vicinity.

And in the middle of all this, where the permafrost waters formed terrifying ice spikes and tall ice pillars, was a hazy humanoid figure that stood tall and looked towards the sky where thousands of hazy figures, in varying sizes, appeared as well out of distorted air.

It was a scene aptly described as someone being besieged on all sides by their enemies.

Yet, despite being cornered and clearly outnumbered, the lone hazy figure lifted their right hand and a bright light engulfed the world.

An ancient and majestic voice was then heard, carried with the howling sounds of the fierce wind and wrathful lightning.

"For wanting such a treasure without offering anything up, how avaricious of you lot. Know that the Heavenly Dao is fair, karma is impartial, and so offer thy head for that I am your judge, jury, and executioner! The gates of hell await us all! Hahaha! For my name is–!"

....

"Ahh!" Feng Qin woke up yelling, his eyes wide in a mixture of shock and fear before clarity slowly came back to him.

Blinking his eyes, he looked around with a surprised expression to find himself in his room, in his bed and his blanket over him, with bandages covering both of his entire arms.

He has a very simplistic room with only the bare minimum: a bed, a wardrobe, a small table with an unlit candlestick on top, and a medium sized bookshelf filled with books consisting of mostly academic books related to spirit master, spirit beasts, and spiritual herbs, and fighting techniques he got with his contribution points in the academy as well.

Feng Qin slowly regulated his breathing before taking a deep breath in and releasing it out, he soon let out a hiss however as he felt a sudden uncomfortable feeling coming from his arms. Like a bit of lightning had coursed through his arms and was stinging him every time he moved.

"Ow, ow, ow... Oh that hurts! It feels like I have infinite cramps or something. Important question though, why am I in my room? Did Liu carry me here after he woke up first?" Feng Qin mumbled as he tried moving his body up forward but his body quickly became exhausted again so he decided to just sit still.

Taking a small breath in, he calmed himself down and immediately went into meditation to assess his body's inner damage.

A few minutes passed and Feng Qin opened his eyes and his lips twitched, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, probably both, and just settled for a chuckle.

"Man, we really duked it out. I'm surprised I'm even awake right now." Though he did get something good out of the spar, his spirit power had unexpectedly broken through to rank 5! Moreover, it was completely stable and solid, if he continues to cultivate vigorously as usual then it wouldn't take more than two months for him to breakthrough to rank 6!

He wasn't really surprised at reaching rank 5, in fact, he should've already been at this level a couple of months ago if he hadn't decided to forcibly halt his progression to further complete and solidify his foundation.

If Feng Qin wanted to reach the top of spirit masters, with no master teaching and guiding him in cultivation and with only the basic cultivation technique in hand, he had to be smart and go all out.

In the road of cultivation: as long as one's foundation was solid enough, then every breakthrough would bring immeasurable progress and strength at astronomical speeds. Any spirit master followed this philosophy, even some geniuses.

However, Feng Qin went even further. For him to lay a foundation, it must be laid in the most complete and solid manner. In order to break through a boundary, it must go through a perfect breakthrough! For anything less than perfect was unacceptable for him!

'That fight with Meng Liu had consumed all my spirit power, and stimulated from my emotions, it led to a forced breakthrough to the next rank. Is this why he–'

"Well, don't be." Feng Qin snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head to see Meng Liu opening the door, he was wearing white clothes with his shoulder long hair tied into a ponytail, his demon-like purple eyes brightened at seeing him up. He had a wooden tray with chicken soup in a bowl on top alongside eating utensils in hand and he walked towards his friend with a small smile of relief. "Good morning, Qin. Glad to see you awake."

"Glad to see you too bud." Feng Qin replied with a grin and then waved both of his bandaged arms up and said, with a sarcastic voice, "Without any injuries might I add."

It was true, as Meng Liu was completely without injuries nor bruises seen anywhere on his body, especially his face where Feng Qin had punched numerous times before passing out. His face was still completely clean and beautiful, as if he was a polished ceramic doll.

Feng Qin was envious as this was a result of neither medicine nor spiritual herb, but an innate effect of Meng Liu's martial spirit: a small health regeneration capable of healing small wounds like a cut or scratch within a couple of minutes. Given enough time and with sufficient spirit power, Meng Liu could heal broken bones in several hours much less the bruises on his face.

Hearing those words, instead of taking it as a joke or a friendly jab, Meng Liu's smile fell and his eyes watered instantly. He opened his mouth to say something but the words were caught in his throat and he just lowered his head out of guilt.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Feng Qin flinched, from not only in pain of waving his arms but also at seeing his friend's sad expression.

Meng Liu is a strong person, both physically and mentally. He's been taught by all the teachers in the academy, from academics to physical training. He'd shown to excel in every aspect of the lessons he's been taught. He has the talent and potential to become a Titled Douluo, yet he would always become a gentle and nervous person; losing his composure and logical thinking, towards the people he loves.

Which is why he had started a fight with Feng Qin without thinking of the consequences because in that moment, he wanted to help his friend by any means necessary.

Meng Liu is someone who deeply cares for the people he loves, that's why he still stays around his father despite complaining and hating his dad's skirt chasing habit.

Feng Qin nervously laughed and said, "It's fine, it's fine. I already knew you were planning something when you came provoking me for a fight. I've known you for a while Liu, to the point that I think of you as a brother and I know you think the same. So despite how the fight started, my instinctual trust in you made my anger dissipate and I decided to just follow whatever play you were doing at the time."

He then smirked at Meng Liu. "So what I'm trying to say is, cheer up bro, I'm not mad. You had good intentions so I've already forgiven you midway through the fight. I should also thank you, since our fight helped me reach rank 5 spirit power."

"...Thanks, Qin." Meng Liu sniffed, he then held the wooden tray with one hand and used the other to wipe the tears in his eyes. He then smiled at Feng Qin. "You don't know how much this has been eating me."

"Really? Although I have some of my bones broken, that shouldn't have worried you that much. I've gotten far worse injuries from other spars I've had with some bullies at the academy, especially with those noble jerks." Feng Qin raised an eyebrow in surprise, as Meng Liu had already seen him in a worse condition, and that he had also done similar or worse injuries in the past, so why was he so flustered and ashamed?

"...Qin, how long did you think you were out for?" Meng Liu slowly muttered as he put the tray on the bed in front of Feng Qin. He looked at him straight in the eyes with pity and shame.

"I don't know, a few hours I guess?" Feng Qin shrugged, he was pretty sure he didn't pass out for the entire day. The remaining Blood Orchid liquid essence should've been enough to treat his injuries, the problem should've only been exhaustion–

"Qin, not only did I break your arms in multiple places, especially your hands, a couple of your ribs are broken as well, and I have really severely bruised both your legs and face. But I had also put you in a coma for days."

"...What?" Feng Qin looked at his friend in confusion and shock. Coma? Oh no, how long was he out?!

Meng Liu, seeing the panic on Feng Qin's face, could already know what he was thinking and softly said. "Qin, you've been asleep for four days now."

"...Huh. Really? Four days? Liu, don't scare me like that man. Four days isn't that big of a deal and exams start next month so I don't get why–"

"Bro, you missed your mom's birthday two days ago." Meng Liu's face instantly morphed into an expression a man that had survived the most brutal war in history and was traumatized by it would have.

"..." Oh shit.