1st Level Cultivator

Master was impressed, as he said, in a subtle, and soft voice, "Well, if that's what you want, better be ready. I have already warned you, this will be very painful."

He revealed a sly smile from his face, and waited for Tao Xue's reply. He was getting more and more interested in this new student of his. He floated quietly, awaiting the answer from his disciple.

Tao Xue has all fired up, as he replied, "Bring it on! I'm ready right now."

Just as he said this, he sat down in a meditative pose, calming himself, and getting ready for his master's way of breaking the energy barrier.

The master continued, "Well, I'll tell you one thing, that this is going to be a very, very, very painful treatment for this problem of not dispersing the barrier. The energy is stuck to you in such a manner that the only way is to yank it out, which will trigger enormous amounts of pain."

Tao Xue liked the idea of suffering immense pain, as it would dramatically increase his durability. He was excited, and he was feeling like he was ready for it, as he nodded, and again calmed himself.

The master was happy, as he said, "Well then, here I go!"

He lifted his hand, and stretched it straight towards Tao Xue, and suddenly, Tao Xue started feeling immense pain. It was as if his skin was being forcefully torn from his body, all of it at the same time, and that too at a very astonishing pace.

As the energy had gotten stuck to him, he couldn't help but experience the pain. The energy was like a second layer of skin, and was as painful to rip off as the original flesh. His expression changed into that of grief and pain, and he couldn't help but endure the bone-shattering pain.

He had no choice but to endure.

While Tao Xue had such a pain concealed within himself, he tried his best to be calm, as his master smiled as he looked at this. He didn't believe that his student could bear with this pain, while remaining seated there, without any words coming out of that stubborn mouth of his.

Tao Xue was barely able to keep himself together, as he felt like he was being mercilessly killed again and again, only to find himself revived the next time. It was as if he was ruthlessly being beaten up, but not dying. In his condition, dying was something that he would choose in a heartbeat over such pain.

He wanted to quit, but he kept going. He survived until this was over, which was one of his life's greatest accomplishments, until now.

When the trial had finished, he was feeling rather relieved, and he could also feel that the barrier was removed. He was very happy, as he started to absorb the energy, frantically. He was absorbing energy for the first time, and this was a memorable experience for him.

He wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep up with the other students, if he had started so late, but these trivial matters didn't seem to be important, now, as right now, he had to Cultivate.

He absorbed the energy, which automatically reached his brain. He felt as though the space inside himself was quickly emptying. His Cultivation speed was extremely fast! It was all because the energy had gotten a liking towards him, as it itself went inside Tao Xue.

In a very short time, he was feeling that he would explode, as the energy was overflowing, but soon, when the energy had filled him up to the brim, he suddenly experienced a change in himself.

It felt as though the size of the container inside himself had increased by a drastic amount, and he himself very rather very much stronger, compared to previously. It was as if his senses had all drastically improved, and his brain had become much stronger. He could think was faster, now.

This was the feeling of being a level 1 Cultivator!

Tao Xue felt as if he was a completely new person, with new powers awakened. Now that he could Cultivate, his ability would increase drastically. Now that he had reached the 1st level of Cultivation, the ability of his could e used to such a degree that he could instantly dominate 3 meters around himself in a mere instant.

The suspicious behavior of his master didn't tick him off as it previously did, and he seemed to have started feeling fresh, as if all of the sorrows from his life have been utterly crushed, and all that was left was joy.

This moment of happiness, though, didn't last long, as he had started to regain his previous personality, making him remember all the pains in the neck that he had to deal with. The difficult part had started now, because, he had to do the explaining part.

He didn't know if he should tell the Principal and the others about his master, or keep his mouth shut. He also had to return to the Academy, now that he was able to progress in Cultivation. When he would "come back" to the Academy, his friends would pester him with all sorts of questions.

Now was the time for answering to all the people around him. His friends, and classmates would also be intrigued by the fact that Tao Xue was able to get a breakthrough while away from the Academy.

Master could sense all of this in Tao Xue's mind, as he said, "Well, you must be confused, right. I'll tell you something, and you better got to listen to it. About your ability, you could tell our close friends about it, only if they would keep their mouths shut, but keep in mind that the amount of people you tell this to doesn't exceed many, or else it will be troublesome. About me, you should only tell people who you have faith in, as well as they are experienced, or else if I am revealed, the matters would get out of control, very soon. I will only be visible to you, and we can talk in a telepathic way, which would not trigger any suspicions. If you tell someone about me, I could choose to be visible and audible to them, and that is if I like. Another thing, I will be present very near to you, always, for guiding you, but I'm not going to handle your personal issues, as you can only consult me related to Cultivation, and your ability. I'm not going to give you any life-hacks, to make life easy for you, as that's not my job. Lastly, treat me with respect, as I am your master."

Tao Xue slowly understood the conditions that his master gave, and nodded, but he also had some doubts himself, which he wanted to clear.

Tao Xue raised his head, as he asked, "Master, I have a few questions. Please let me ask them."