Chapter 2: Remembering

Wudi sat on the exquisite bed and looked around the room. Although fancy and fit for a prince, it was rather bland. The room was adorned with gold and red colors, and had symbols of five-clawed dragons embedded in the doors. It was clearly a room meant for royalty, but the Wudi of this world did not speak and did not even show interest in hobbies and his room reflected that.

As he thought about things in detail, he began to laugh uncontrollably about the absurd situation. He wasn't sure how, but part of his soul had been split at birth and he was born in both worlds. The two Wudi's then hit by lightning became one being again. It seemed he was meant to be born in this world as he had brought a trait with him into Earth, and that was his hand. Now, having the knowledge of this world, he realized that he was born with a natural dao bone. Dao bones were extremely rare, but definitely did not represent godhood. It seemed the feeling people would get in the past when he touched them was just the qi from his body and the dao emanating from his hand. He knew it was outlandish and even absurd, but he couldn't help but feel bitter.

The Wudi of this world was reserved and never spoke. They had clashing personalities that seemed to just mix naturally. He felt the weight of his last life disappearing rather easily just because he was now one being with this, or should he say, himself again. They were different people, but they were also one and the same, and it allowed him to let go of the past easily.

After all, he was genuinely a part of this world, and the feelings from the Wudi born here weren't gone. He would continue as Tian Wudi. Wudi felt rather carefree at this moment. To be honest, he had always felt a great weight on his shoulders on Earth, but he now felt he had no worries. Perhaps life here would be better.

Thinking on things, Wudi was in the beginning stages of the martial realm "Regal Dragon." Wudi whispered, "Father got pretty far with it, and so has brother." Thinking of his family's cultivation, he felt that maybe it wasn't the best path to follow in others' footsteps. Cultivators typically didn't just come up with cultivation methods. It was extremely difficult to do so and took a very deep understanding of the dao. But Wudi had his soul split and experienced two different worlds. On top of it all, he still felt the lingering qi from the tribulation lightning. Technically, it should be killing him, or rather, should have killed a puny martial cultivator instantly. Even his father may not survive a strike from tribulation lightning.

Wudi felt the properties of the lightning and decided what to do. He did the unthinkable in the eyes of others. "Feeling that the lightning isn't harmful, others would immediately refine it. Even father's strength would increase tremendously," Wudi thought to himself. Hesitating no longer, Wudi forced the lightning into his hand and dispersed it. In that moment, he felt himself resonating with the dao. He may not have refined any of it and become stronger, but he gained something much more valuable. His dao heart was strong, and he stuck to his dao. He wouldn't rely on heavenly power. He would only use his own strength! Dispersing the lightning gently without disturbing anyone, he thought, "I may not have created a cultivation technique, but perhaps this is better." Wudi felt more relaxed and carefree than ever before. He could sense that he was stronger despite not having refined or cultivated at all. Clenching his fist and saying, "This is the path," he strode confidently toward the door.

Exiting through the door, Tian Wudi was greeted with an exquisite marble hall that was connected on one side to the fence surrounding his courtyard and on the other side had pillars upholding the ceiling that ran the length of the whole courtyard. Between each pillar, light spilled through as there were no rooms but just the open middle of his courtyard. As he walked down the hall, he looked to one side, staring into the distant sunset.

The open hall soon came to a close as he reached another room of the courtyard - the kitchen. He was greeted with an exuberant smell as he entered, and an old man was manning a pot of soup as he added some spices. Turning to look at Wudi, the old man said, "Good evening young master, I didn't think you'd be out of bed already." Old Li had a surprised look as he knew the young master had been asleep for several days after being hit by tribulation lightning.

"Old Li, you seem surprised. Should I stay sick?" Wudi laughed awkwardly.

"Absolutely not, young master. I was just surprised," Old Li gasped and nearly spilled the soup as he leaned against the counter behind him. Reigning in his shock, Old Li said, "Yo- you spoke? I've never heard you speak, let alone jest." The latter half of the sentence was rather quiet as he began to calm. "Well, this is great, young master. At first, I was surprised that you were moving around already, but now this. Honestly, I'm not surprised you're up, but it's the fact that you're moving around and speaking that surprises me even more." Old Li was a cultivator himself and was rather surprised by the fact that Wudi was moving and speaking after being hit by tribulation lightning. In fact, the moment he heard the young master was hit, he was already mourning the loss, and he wasn't the only one.

Smiling faintly, Wudi was about to respond when he heard a loud bang and swift footsteps.