A Zhuji Premier [II]

Five of the premiers, going into the dominion, would hold a heavenly seal each. After entrance, they would locate the gates of the ruins and place the seals by the gates. The gates were easier to find from the inside. And they would activate the seals once they were placed in a formation.

Acquiring any divine or luminous artifacts was really extremely difficult, and the Ozoros ruins was as diificult as any could be. 

For thousands of years, emperor Qing Yuan had been trying to get hold of the treasures inside Ozoros, but had been unsuccessful. Every thousand years, sects would send chosen premiers to the emperor for this purpose. To be part of the chosen meant the sect would gain immeasurable recognition throughout the cultivation world. Most importantly, the cultivators would be important personalities if they could survive the journey.

Oh, how he wished he could provide an inner disciple that would join others to represent the flying stars sect in front of the emperor. His name as a master and that of Wu Bingwen as an associate master, would forever be legendary. Even their sect would gain further value. But their sect was one of the smallest, how could they compare to the top sects?

Zhou Lin rested his eyes on Jufeng as his mind began to process his thoughts. Could he be the difference he had been waiting for?

"Today, we have a new disciple in our midst. He's one of the new disciples from the outer section that joined earlier in the week. I know you've already met him, but I want to formally bring him to your awareness again as tradition called for. Ju Feng, come forward."

"Yes, master Zhou." 

Ju Feng voiced from the back as he hurried to the front.

After having Jufeng beside him at the front, associate master Wu Bingwen continued.

"You are all once a new disciple and you know what it takes. As a new disciple, we want to make sure that Jufeng here, feels welcome and comfortable to be with us. We all want to do everything we can to help him and guide him. And that includes all the new inner disciples. Every member of our faction is valuable and precious. I know you all have your eyes set on the upcoming events, but we want to train and prepare every member of our faction, together. We want to show everybody that the Lightning reach can be a main anchor of the sect. And we can only do that together. Especially, as we want our faction to present representatives to the sovereign domain."

Looking at their expressions, Zhou Lin nodded his solemnly.

"I know you're all thinking that you're only inner disciples, and that the representatives will be from the core disciples. Yes, you are right. But if you train well, you could become a core disciple before the selection. Nothing is too high for you to reach if you put your heart into it. Train hard, and it could be you."

He turned to Jufeng with a mild smile on his face. 

"Ju Feng, just like the other new inner disciples, learn and practice. Don't discard the words of the senior disciples, you could always learn from them. As a cultivator, there was no going wrong on this."

He whispered to his assistant, Wu Bingwen, a late stage silver-core cultivator who had mild temper, but eyes like lightning hawks, to take over the training session before turning to Jufeng.

"Jufeng, Come with me."

"Yes, master." 

He quickly fell behind master Zhou Lin, who took him to the open area near his hill.

"Jufeng, I'll tell you what I told others. In this world of cultivation, its all about power. The artifacts, items, techniques and your level of cultivation determine who you are and where you are in this world. You may believe that you have the higher cultivation level than your opponent but if your opponent had more powerful artifacts or items, you could be dead. 

Likewise, if you have powerful artifacts and items but you don't have a high enough cultivation level to use them against your opponent who had higher cultivation level than you, you might easily die too. You may even have powerful artifacts, items and a very good cultivation level but if your opponent has a higher cultivation level and higher technique, you may also die easily. You do not think because you have a divine weapon as a premier, you could face a nascent soul. You will simply die. Wisdom makes you discern what is and what is not"

His gaze fell as he shook his dejectedly.

"We have lost many fine cultivators who fell into the illusion they could achieve what wisely couldn't be done."

"Master..." 

Ju Feng stammered when he saw the expression of his master.

"Its alright, Ju Feng. The important thing is for you to be strong in all aspects. If it takes time, so be it. Be sure to have all what it takes to prevent burns and heat before walking into an inferno . All the aspects must be strong for you to truly walk without watching your back for dangers. If not, you'll simply die. It's the simple truth."

Master Zhou Lin stared at Jufeng keenly before suddenly smiling.

"Ju Feng, just yesterday you joined the inner sect and you underwent your Zhuji tribulations same day. I have to tell you, I'm really proud of you, and I do hope it's a beginning of good things for you and us. But there are others, more or less like you. So, don't get carried away. If not, all these would go to waste. All you have to do is continue working harder and get stronger. We'll try our best to make sure you have the best support you need."

Master Zhou Lin walked to the side of the clearing, with his furrowed eyes seemingly set on the future.

"Lightning is a powerful cosmic element, Ju Feng. Like lightning, all elements are universal affinities and they were not things to be wielded by a mortal body. They could only be manifested in traces or sparks through a physical body. Wrong use of the elements could damage your core. A golden core could use these elements to a certain level. Only a true nascent soul could manifest these elements effectively. But for the elements to be fully manifested without any restrictions, they must be chanelled through something connected to the soul of a cultivator and also to the elements in the universe. A medium between the two."

He paused for a moment which seemed forever.

"A weapon! A weapon is connected to the soul of a cultivator and when it's made with materials of the same element affinity as the cultivator? A weld. The only thing that can provide a full manifestation of elements. That's why cultivators pay more attention to their weapons. The make of a weapon, the composition of a weapon can easily determine the outcome of a battle."

He turned his head to his right side and looked at Jufeng.

"I tell you the truth, Ju Feng. To a cultivator, weapon means everything. A divine weapon in the hands of a capable cultivator won't look at your body technique before cutting you into pieces. Unless, you have a divine body which might withstand it. A fire element divine weapon in the hand of a Ningchi cultivator, will cut you into two talkless of incinerating you into nothingness despite you having higher level. Do you know why?

Master Zhou Lin slowly walked back to where Jufeng was still standing and sighed softly.

"Because of the weapon's divinity. Even if the Ningchi cultivator don't have the level to use its fire element against you, it will still cut you into many pieces if you meet it headon."

He flicked his hand and manifested his weapon. A glaive.

"This is Deathsparks. I spent hundreds of thousands of years gathering the materials. It's about not being in a rush as you make decisions on your weapon. Your weapon is part of your soul, part of your existence. You have to get used to a weapon. You may want to take your time, but you have less of it here. I have high hopes for you, but there are also others. Don't forget that. In the mean time, you can check the market. There are minor weapons you can get. It will make you familiar with all these."

The weapon disappeared and master Zhou Lin turned towards the mountains.

"You can go now, I will see you later."

"Yes, master. Master, please can I ask for something?"

"Mhm. Go ahead."

"Master, I want to be in seclusion to meditate a bit since I just advanced to Zhuji."

"Hm. Thoughful of you. Yes, you can. I'll inform associate master Wu Bingwen. See you later then."

"Thank you master Zhou, thank you."

He told Yan Zhihao and the other disciples quietly before heading towards his hillock. He would wait for a moment before making his way to the portal door. He had to make sure nobody came looking for him before making his way from the cave and the world. 

After an hour of meditation, he stood and check his surroundings before heading towards the door.

Time to see his homeworld