Chapter 8 - The Begining of A Great Journey

Zhou Yuan's body frantically fell, as a sticky and viscous black liquid appeared from the darkness and wrapped around his hands and feet.

As the black liquid crept up inch by inch, an intense pain washed over Zhou Yuan as if the skin of his body was being melted away.

The most alarming thing was that the black liquid was invading his body through his pores and destroying the inside of his body. Wherever the black liquid passed, everything; his blood, his flesh, his channels, was being completely eroded.

Along with the intense pain, fear invaded Zhou Yuan's heart and he started to smell the scent of death.

He knew that he would die if he allowed the black liquid to continue its destruction.

He tried using his divine soul to stop the erosion but it was completely ineffective.

The black liquid continued to spread and eventually covered Zhou Yuan's eyes. Intense pain exploded and seemed to erode even his eyes as the entire world faded into darkness.

In the darkness, Zhou Yuan could feel the intense pain that originated from inside his body as the black liquid descended layer by layer.

The smell of death grew increasingly strong.

While Zhou Yuan knew this was necessary to force his Eight Great Meridians to appear, he would still make sure to give that old man an earful after he got out of this.

"Hmph, I cannot Die here"

"I was given a second chance to live in a new world, I cannot die here, in this pathetic manner"

In the darkness, an angry and unresigned roar echoed in Zhou Yuan's heart, a roar that contained the deep desire to live.

Just as death approached, Zhou Yuan's mind suddenly sank into his body. At that moment, he was barely able to discern eight faint meandering paths of light in the deepest depths of his body.

These eight paths of light were akin to eight hidden dragons.

These eight paths were the eight meridians that had never revealed themselves since the beginning!

Roar!

It was when death truly approached that they seemed to sense danger and immediately started to slowly squirm while emitting low dragon roars.

Buzz!

Dazzling light abruptly exploded from the deepest recesses of Zhou Yuan's body. As the light unfurled, the black liquid began to dissipate at a speed that could be detected by the naked eye.

In a short span of several breaths, the darkness had completely withdrawn.

Zhou Yuan's tightly shut eyes also opened at this moment as bright light once again flooded them.

Zhou Yuan gasped for breath as his gaze darted all around him. He was currently still in front of the cottage as if everything from before had been an illusion.

But he knew that everything was true.

As his eyes met the eyes of Cang Yuan he first respectfully, thanked him. 

The old man in black gazed at Zhou Yuan as he chuckled and said, "You were born with eight naturally open meridian channels. Unfortunately, you encountered a disaster at birth. Sensing the external danger, the eight meridian channels in your body hid in the deepest recesses of your body as a form of self-defense. That was why your eight meridian channels did not show themselves even when you reached the normal age where they were supposed to appear.

"Though your eight meridian channels had hidden themselves, they were still able to sense danger. Thus, the only way to bring them out once again was to place yourself at the doors of death. Only then would the eight meridians be forced to reveal themselves."

The eyelids of the old man raised as he continued in an indifferent tone, "Do not believe that the smell of death from before was fake. If you were unable to rouse the eight meridian channels to protect yourself at the final moment, you would have died."

Hearing this Zhou Yuan suppressed his chill and urge to scold this old man in front of him.

"However, do not be too happy just because your eight meridian channels have reappeared. Although you were originally born with naturally open meridian channels, due to the many years of concealment, your eight meridian channels have once again been blocked and sealed. Therefore, if you want to begin your cultivation, you will have to first completely unblock your eight meridian channels. Only then will you be able to cross over from the Channel Opening stage to the Qi Nourishing stage".

"Moreover, unblocking your meridian channels will be even more difficult than normal. This is because the eight channels in your body had sealed themselves back then to avoid disaster. The hardships you will face when unblocking your meridian channels will be even greater than those faced by an ordinary person." The old man shook his head as he elaborated.

"However, you should not undervalue yourself either. Though you will indeed have great difficulty in unblocking your Meridian, as the saying goes, with great effort comes great reward. Thus, the benefits you will obtain every time you open a meridian channel will be much greater than normal." said the old man with a smile.

"It does not matter elder, I know that with my astonishing talent, and determination I will be able to overpower everyone at my level in due time"

"Narcissist Much huh?"

"It is a small thing, Miss Yaoyao need not dwell more on this topic as in the future you will witness that everything I have said will come true", Zhou Yuan stated in an indifferent tone as if stating a fact.

Her fair hand gently stroked the little creature as she calmly gazed at Zhou Yuan. It was obvious that the latter's dedication towards channel opening cultivation had surprised her a little.

Yaoyao's red lips cracked open slightly as she said in an unemotional voice, "Being incapable of channel opening cultivation is nothing to fret about. I too am unable to use Genesis Qi."

The girl in green belonged to the group of people who were a little more indifferent by nature. They would not take even a second glance at people or things that they did not care about. Thus, these words of hers were slightly meant as consolation.

"Hehe, due to certain reasons, Yaoyao is indeed unable to utilize Genesis Qi." The old man in black chuckled, before he playfully said to Zhou Yuan, "However, don't belittle her because of this as she has received all of my teachings about Genesis Runes. Although her age is similar to your own, she has more than enough attainments in Genesis Runes to become your teacher."

"I know this elder you need not remind me as I can see and feel that her soul cultivation is on a higher level than myself", Zhou Yuan stated.

"Oh, you can sense her soul cultivation?" Cang Yuan asked in a rather surprised manner.

"Yes elder, If I am not wrong her soul should be on the cusp of stepping into the initial corporeal realm but her foundations are frighteningly strong", Zhou Yuan confidently stated.

He didn't even need their word to confirm his estimate was correct as the surprise on their faces said it all.

"I can see that your spirit is full of vitality and is indeed rather suited to Genesis Runes, your soul has also reached the Intermediate Illusory Realm" There was a hint of praise in Cang Yuan's tone

'Now to gain my one and only master'.

"Elder please accept this junior as your disciple", Zhou Yuan suddenly knelt and got into the character, with the mentality of Do or Die.

This did shock the old man for a few seconds before he opened his mouth and asked in a stern tone, " Why?".

"There are many reasons for this elder, first you gifted me the opportunity to cultivate, second while I have indeed promised to protect Miss Yaoyao, I don't want to make fake promises as although I am now able to begin my cultivation, my starting point is already a step behind everyone else. I'm afraid that it will take quite some time before I can reach the stage where I will be able to protect her, and third I can feel that your strength is most likely not ordinary and I had long decided that I will only have one master in this life of mine"

After Zhou Yuan had finished speaking, the place was immersed in silence.

The old man started to chuckle when he heard Zhou Yuan's words and said, "Our meeting here can also be considered the destiny of sorts, and your reasons have also convinced me. I will accept you as my disciple for the time being."

After hearing this Zhou Yuan immediately bowed towards the old man.

The old man's eyes became a little gentler when he saw Zhou Yuan meticulously complete the traditional rites of a disciple and said, "Since you are so willing, I cannot be stingy."

"Now that your eight meridians have emerged, I will teach you a Qi drawing method."

During the Channel Opening stage, the body was incapable of storing Genesis Qi and thus unable to learn or use any real cultivation techniques. Hence, one could only learn a Qi drawing method. Only when all eight meridian channels were opened and one reached the Qi Nourishing stage would one be able to truly master and utilize these cultivation techniques?

A faint glow appeared at the old man's fingertip and there seemed to be tiny words flowing within it. Subsequently, he suddenly touched Zhou Yuan's forehead.

Boom!

When the finger touched Zhou Yuan's forehead, he immediately felt his head start to swell. Next, a huge amount of information poured in, causing him to become a little dizzy.

However, the dizzy spell passed quickly and Zhou Yuan proceeded to savor the information that had appeared in his head.

Qi drawing method, Dragon Breathing.

The old man withdrew his finger, stared at Zhou Yuan, and smiled, "You also seem to have an interest in Genesis Rune."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said, "Yes Teacher genesis runes cannot be underestimated, those who underestimate them are likely the muscle brains or some ignorant idiots as they do not know the benefit of spirit cultivation".

"I will also teach you a spirit tempering method."

The old man in black laughed. In the next instant, a bright light suddenly flew out from his eyes and shot into Zhou Yuan's eyes.

A loud sound suddenly boomed in Zhou Yuan's head as if a great bell had been struck as countless ancient characters circulated in his pupils. In the end, they gradually quietened down as information started to flow in his mind.

'Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone Visualisation Method'

Zhou Yuan opened his eyes and respectfully bowed towards the smiling old man in black, "Thank you for this technique master."

Zhou Yuan knew how valuable these techniques were, especially in the current Blue Profound Heaven.

The old man in black waved his hand, and after some hesitation, he suddenly reached into his sleeve and retrieved a black foot-long brush. The black brush seemed to be made from bronze and was mottled with bits of coloring as if it had been marked by the long passage of time. It gave off an antique aura.

However, the black brush appeared to be rather dull and lacked the usual glossy luster as if it had lost its innate spirit.

The old man in black seemed somewhat reluctant as he held the black brush, but in the end, he still offered it to Zhou Yuan and said, "Let this be master's gift to you of our first meeting."

Zhou Yuan carefully and respectfully accepted the black brush. It felt rather weighty when it entered his hands. As he observed the ancient patterns on the brush, he could faintly feel a kind of formidable aura.

"The name of this brush is Heavenly Yuan Brush. It was once a Saint Genesis Weapon."

The Saint Genesis Weapons spoken of in legend possessed indescribable power. Power so great that it could burn mountains and evaporate the seas, a power that people both desired and feared.

"It was once a Saint Genesis Weapon." The old man in black softly snorted before continuing, "This Heavenly Yuan Brush has accompanied me in countless battles. In one of these battles, it was seriously damaged."

"Do you see the nine runes on the brush?"

"These nine runes represent the power of the Heavenly Yuan Brush. When the day comes that you can light all nine runes, the brush will recover its Sacred Genesis Weapon power."

"The Heavenly Yuan Brush has a spirit of its own. If you feed it the spirits of Genesis Beasts, it will gradually regain its power."

"Of course, the higher the quality of the Genesis Beast spirit, the better the effect."

"Many thanks to Master for giving me this brush. There is one thing though, till now, this disciple has yet to know of master's name."

The old man in black smiled faintly when he heard this and replied, "Cang Yuan. That is the master's name. Master also has two other disciples, and they can be considered your senior brother disciples. If fate allows it in the future, you might be able to meet them and if not, then let it be."

After Cang Yuan said these words, he shifted his attention away from Zhou Yuan, turning his head to look at the girl in green. The latter's pearly white teeth were gently biting into her moist lips, while her slightly lowered eyes contained some sadness of their imminent separation.

She had lived here with Cang Yuan ever since she could remember, and he was undoubtedly her closest kin. Hence, she still felt rather sad despite her rather indifferent and aloof character.

"Aih, foolish girl. There is no such thing as a banquet that never ends." Cang Yuan softly sighed. He was silent for some time before he suddenly fished out a jade pendant from his clothes. The jade pendant glowed faintly, and there seemed to be a nine-petal fire lotus burning on it. Every petal was of a different color.

"Yaoyao, I know that there are many things that you want to ask me, but this is not the time for it. Take it. If there is a chance in the future, you will perhaps come to understand."

"Besides this, you must be very careful if this jade pendant fire lotus starts to burn because they will be about to find you!"

Yaoyao urgently asked, "Who are they? Why are they searching for me?"

Her heart was full of questions. Who were they? Why was it that she had lived here alone with Grandpa Hei as if they were hiding from something?

Cang Yuan was silent. He did not reply to Yaoyao's questions, but merely gently placed the jade pendant in her hands before looking towards Zhou Yuan and speaking in a deep voice, "Zhou Yuan, you must remember this at all costs. Do not let Yaoyao undo the seal and use Genesis Qi. Else a calamity will surely arrive."

"Worry not master, I will crush all those who try to harm her in such a manner that you will be proud of me, and you don't have to worry about her facing any difficulties, I will eliminate all those bugs and worms that dare cross our path". Zhou Yuan said politely, but Cang Yuan was able to sense the underlying murderous intention behind his words.

Cang Yuan nodded in satisfaction before continuing, "You can seek also out Yaoyao if you encounter any problems in your training in the future. After following me for so many years, she has long since learned everything I know. But of course, whether you will receive help from her depends on her mood."

Hearing this Zhou Yuan nodded calmly, he knew of this Yaoyao was incredibly moody.

"Both of you should go."

Cang Yuan patted the girl's tiny hands as he slowly said.

"Disciple listens to Master."

Cang Yuan waved his sleeve and dust started to rise from the ground in front of the cottage as ancient runes swiftly followed. If one took a closer look, one would discover that these were profound and mysterious runes.

These runes were the same as the runes on the stone platform from which Zhou Yuan had arrived.

Zhou Yuan saw the look in Cang Yuan's eyes and swiftly walked forward into the array formed by the runes. Meanwhile, the girl in green hugged the little creature called Tuntun while she blankly stared at Cang Yuan.

"Go, there may perhaps still be a day where we will meet again in the future." Cang Yuan waved his hand.

The girl's eyes were slightly tinged with red, but she did not break out into tears in the end. Instead, she bowed deeply to Cang Yuan before walking into the array and standing beside Zhou Yuan.

Cang Yuan's finger immediately jabbed at the air when he saw this. Light exploded from the runes and converged together, swiftly enveloping both Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao.

"Zhou Yuan, remember the promise you made to master, you must protect her!"

Light flooded the eyes. When space began to distort, Zhou Yuan heard Cang Yuan's deep voice, a voice that seemed to contain a slightly pleading tone.

"You have my word master, I will protect her till my last breath."

Zhou Yuan shouted respectfully with all his might.

Light blossomed before the cottage as a gale erupted. In the next instant, Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao vanished into thin air, and only the flickering runes remained. The runes continued to flicker for some time before being thoroughly extinguished, leaving no traces behind.

Cang Yuan gazed at the spot where the two had disappeared with some melancholy in his eyes as he softly mumbled, "Zhou clan… it is indeed as that old fellow said, I was still able to take another disciple. That brat sure is an interesting one, however, what the future holds will depend on his luck and destiny."

He shook his head as he collected himself, slowly laying back on the chair as he gently started to rock back and forth.

The entire place was quiet and peaceful.

It was unknown how long this peace lasted when Cang Yuan suddenly opened his tightly shut eyes and indifferently stared at the space.

Rumble!

A wild clap of thunder suddenly boomed across the area. It seemed as if lightning was pouring down in the distant sky above, ripping open this domain in an extremely barbaric manner.

The ground started to collapse as patches of forests fell.

"So it has still come in the end."

Cang Yuan watched the devastation, but his aged face remained expressionless as he mumbled to himself.

"Oh well, these old bones of mine are about to become rusty after recuperating for so many years, it is indeed time for some exercise…" Cang Yuan grinned before slowly standing up from his chair.

Cang Yuan appeared hunchback, but the moment he stood up, his black robes slowly began to flutter as an indescribably terrifying aura completely awakened like an angry dragon being roused from a deep sleep.

Lightning seemed to cover the entire sky as it poured down, and three figures wrapped in lightning slowly descended from within. When they appeared, three frightening auras unfurled from their bodies and engulfed the land as if they were high-ranking gods.

Their ice-cold gazes were thrown towards Cang Yuan's faraway body.

"Hehe, to think that the almighty emperor Hei will hide like a rat for so many years. Truly a tale that brings tears to the eye…" An emotionless voice descended from the heavens. As it spread, the domain began to show signs of rapidly falling apart.

"Hand her over! Or this place will become your grave today!"

A mocking smile formed on Cang Yuan's face when he heard the cold voice and a thunderous laughter echoed in response.

"Haha, come, come, come. I want to see exactly whose grave this place will be today!"

Cang Yuan took a step forward and his clothes immediately disintegrated, revealing a thin and withered body. This body was inscribed with numerous complicated ancient runes, every rune pulsing with terrible power.

Buzz!

Blinding light erupted from the runes at this moment. The light was akin to the steadily rising scorching sun, while Cang Yuan's originally withered body suddenly started to swell.

In the short span of several breaths, a giant now towered on the ground as a torrential and tyrannical aura unfurled.

He roared at the heavens, the wave of sound devastating the surroundings. In the next instance, his foot stamped on the ground and a titanic body shot upwards, slamming into the endless sea of lightning that descended from the sky with a loud bang.

Boom boom boom!

It was at this very moment that the entire domain started to fall apart.

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END

3489 Words