Chapter 2

Liu Xue had found the jade lotus in a hidden cave in the outskirts of the city. He had stumbled upon the cave by chance, when he was running away from a group of bandits who had tried to rob him.

He had entered the cave, hoping to find a safe place to hide. He had expected to find nothing but darkness and dirt, but he was surprised to see a faint glow coming from the depths of the cave.

He followed the glow, and soon reached a large chamber. In the center of the chamber, there was a small pond. In the pond, there was a lotus flower. The lotus flower was made of jade, and it emitted a soft light that illuminated the chamber.

Liu Xue was stunned by the sight. He had never seen anything like this before. He felt a strange attraction to the lotus, and walked towards it.

As he approached the pond, he noticed that there were some inscriptions on the walls of the chamber. They were written in an ancient language that he could not understand, but he could sense that they contained some profound meaning.

He ignored them, and focused on the lotus. He reached out his hand, and touched the jade petals.

He felt a shock run through his body, as if he had been struck by lightning. He almost withdrew his hand, but he resisted the pain and held on.

He felt a stream of information flow into his mind, like a flood of water breaking through a dam. He saw images, heard sounds, felt emotions. He saw mountains and rivers, stars and moons, flowers and trees. He heard laughter and crying, singing and shouting, whispering and roaring. He felt joy and sorrow, anger and fear, love and hate.

He also saw scenes of cultivation. He saw people meditating, practicing martial arts, refining pills, forging weapons, forming spells. He saw people fighting, killing, dying, living. He saw people ascending to higher realms, becoming immortals.

He realized that these were the memories and experiences of someone else. Someone who had lived a long time ago. Someone who had cultivated with the jade lotus.

He felt a voice in his head, speaking to him.

"Hello, young one. I am glad you have found me. I have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Who are you?" Liu Xue asked.

"I am your teacher. I am your friend. I am your guide. I am the one who left behind this jade lotus for you."

"Why did you leave it for me?"

"Because you are my successor. You are the one who can inherit my legacy. You are the one who can continue my path."

"What is your path?"

"My path is the path of the jade lotus. It is a cultivation technique that I created myself, based on my understanding of nature and life. It is a cultivation technique that can help you reach immortality."

"Immortality?"

"Yes, immortality. The ultimate goal of cultivation. The state of being free from death and decay. The state of being one with the universe."

"Can you teach me this technique?"

"Yes, I can teach you this technique. But you have to be willing to learn. You have to be willing to work hard. You have to be willing to face many dangers and difficulties."

"I am willing."

"Good. Then let us begin."