Chapter 5: Bottom of the Barrel
Leaving his quarters, Tian Long approached the grand Skill Hall of the Long Family. Looking for the person in charge; he saw an old man in his 70's who was also the second Elder of the Long family
When the second elder saw Tian Long, he put on a disdain look like a badge of honor because almost everyone knows that he was a trash that could not cultivate.
When his predecessor father was here, everybody put on a fawning look on him but when he mysteriously disappeared they began to show their greed for the head of the Long Family.
“Second Elder, I request permission to enter the Skill Hall,” Tian Long stated, his tone as cold as ice.
“The elder’s eyes narrowed, his contempt palpable. “And what would you, a waste who cannot cultivate, seek there?” he sneered.
“I am here for the basic knowledge of our continent” Tian Long said in a cold tone.
“I seek the basic knowledge of our continent,” Tian Long replied, his voice unwavering.
The second elder’s expression darkened with anger at Tian Long's audacity. He wanted to lash out, but the fear of losing face among the other cultivators stayed his hand. Instead, a vicious plan took root in his mind. “Very well,” he said, his voice dripping with malice. “You have three hours.”
As Tian Long entered the Skill Hall, the look of the elder’s maliciousness pressed on him but he shoved it aside as he saw the treasure trove of knowledge on the first floor.
Seeing the books, “it looks like it will take a long time to finish this books” Tian Long sighed.
Picking the books that has detailed information about the cultivation realms and the continent, he started reading getting immersed in it. Three hours passed, Tian Long came out, from his expression you can see some of his curiosity has been quenched. He had a new understanding of the world’s cultivation realms: from the humble Body Refining Realm to the exalted Emperor Realm.
Heading to his quarters abode, he began to digest and process the information he received. The Cultivation Realm of this world are divided into: Body Refining Realm being the lowest, Foundation Establishment Realm, Spirit Sea Realm, Spirit Core Realm, Spirit Lord Realm, Spirit King Realm, Saint Realm and Emperor Realm being the highest and the most revered realm on Source continent.
Also Dragon city was a mid-ranked city under the tutelage and rule of Beiming Kingdom. The Beiming Kingdom was one of the six high-ranked in the southern part of the Source Continent. The Southern Source Continent has the most powerful cultivator in the past but due to a certain war they declined greatly. When he tried to get information on this war, he could not find anything it was as if someone had erased it.
Also he learnt some information about the rare herbs and ores, also there was some genius that appears one in hundred years that has a body that they call Physique. The physique is a body that harness the energy of law which makes the holders speed of cultivation more fast than others. Now he could say he had some information about this world.
Thinking of gaining some resources from the outside world, he began to formulate a plan of how he would go to the nearest forest to acquire the resource. Beast part is the most sold item in Dragon City which can be exchanged with gold or sliver coins (the currency used in Dragon City)
Seeing that he was doing nothing, he thought of going out now. Without a word to anyone, he slipped out of the Long Family estate.
Even though he had slipped out of the Long Family silently, there was a malicious gaze watching his every step of movement.
With maps in hand, Tian Long navigated to the city gate and made his way to a beast forest called the Dragon Mountain Range; It was the closest and the only beast forest near Dragon City. It was said that this is where Dragon City got its name from.
Entering the mountain range, he saw that the trees their were a bit larger than Earth's own. When he looked around the forest, for him it was eerie and forbidding. A fleeting regret passed his mind , but he pressed on since he is here, he must gain something from this trip.
As he was entered the forest, he heard a thunderous roar which froze him in his tracks. Following the sound, he stumbled upon a gruesome scene that made him understand that this world was not a playground.
A carnage caused by a fourth level foundation establishment realm lion beast which size was like a Buffalo size. The sight of the carnage shattered his confidence, the reality of this brutal world hitting him hard. From the skill hall, he learnt that killing were normal thing in this world but now he knows there is difference between reading and seeing it.
Different wolf body part were lying on the ground with the lion beast was feasting on them. Looking at the scene, his face turned pale that he began to feel nauseous to extent of vomiting and losing his consciousness but recovered himself when he heard the roar of the beast.
Looking up he saw the lion beast has shifted his predatory gaze to him, Tian Long tried to move but the fear of the beast was so overwhelming to him that his body was paralysed.
Trying to move his body but to no avail, blood rushed to his face as tears gushed out from his pale face showing his fear of death. Seeing the bloody mouth of the lion opening, his heart could not take it anymore he fell down and fainted.
The lion beast saw that its prey had lost consciousness. Wanting to enjoy its meal, he began to devour the unconscious man.
Putting its mouth towards its human prey, an ancient aura fell on it that awakened its danger instinct. Moving away from the human prey, it began to run for its life fearing its death.
Few hours passed, Tian Long woke up from his unconsciousness and began to look around
“So I didn't die, am in one piece I am alive” he cried, as relief and sorrow mingling in his tears.
This world, so different from his peaceful Earth, was a butcher’s house. He realized that strength was the only currency that mattered, and without it, he was nothing. The Long Family treated his predecessor very well because of the strength of his father but when he disappeared their attitude towards him changed.
Now he is now enlightened towards the nature of this world. “Only the strong live”. Knowing that if he did not conquer his fear, it would turn into a problem for him in the future.
He headed deeper into the mountain range to look for weaker opponent. Encountering a 2nd level foundation establishment realm wind wolf beast, he took charge and began to attack it. Using the lion king fist art he attacked the wolf which was dodged easily by it and was counterattacked by slashing Tian Long with his claw.
Seeing the faint claw wound caused by the wolf, fear of death and pain began to sprout out from his heart. Suppressing the fear and pain, he calmly analyzed the wolf.
'The wolf speed is higher than mine because of its control over its speed and its attack are always directed to kill me' His quick and intelligent mind from earth was showing its usefulness.
'Since my cultivation is higher than the wolf and its intelligence is low, I have a huge advantage over it. If am able to precise its attack I might be able to kill it' he thought.
Picking up a tree branch as a weapon to defend, the tree branch was strong enough to defend at least 4 attacks from the wolf.
Thinking about the technique that can be used to kill the wolf in one strike. The lion king fist art is a human rank art and was still in rudimentary stage same with the fire essence art. If only the Thunder Sword Art breaks through the rudimentary stage that when he is sure it can kill it in one strike.
Thinking of means to break through the barrier of the art, lightning struck and thunder roared. Hearing the sound, he got enlightened.
The wind wolf saw its opponent standing in one place. Taking this opportunity, the wolf charged, but Tian Long’s body moved instinctively, dodging the attack. Unconsciously his body leaped over the beast narrowly dodging the attack and he mumbled “Thunder Sword Art” and with a thunderous boom, the branch cleaved through the wolf, killing it instantly.
If anyone saw Long Tian attack they would be shocked because he had entered the first level of thunder and sword law; thunder consciousness and sword consciousness. It's a feat rare for a Body Refining Realm cultivator.
Opening his eyes, he looked at the dead body of the wolf and felt relieved. Now he understands the meaning of the Thunder Sword Art, before he was looking at the word “Sword” but he was supposed to look at the word “Thunder”. Thunder and Lightning are always accompanied together wherever Lightning struck, Thunder roars. So as the Lightning struck, he understood the quote of the art.
“The Thunder Sword technique is as fast as Lightning, ferocious and arrogant as a Thunder”
Checking the second wound caused by the wolf, he groaned in pain. The wound was a little bit deep that he had to treat it in order not to cause infection to him.
Tearing part of his clothes, he carefully tied his wound. Luckily Old Ning taught him how to dress wound which was helpful to him today.
"Even though I killed the wolf, it's strength was only in 2nd level of Body Refining Realm while I am in the 5th level of Body Refining Realm. I need to learn to kill stronger beast' Tian Long thought as he headed deep into the mountain range.
Two days passed, Tian Long could be seen with different scar wounds on his body, his face looked more mature showing that he had been through a lot of things.
This wounds were received from different beast but due to an unknown reason, he saw that his body heals very fast. Within an hour, the scar wounds would had disappeared from his body.
One of the biggest scar caused made him scared, when he thought of looking for stronger beast he saw different beast and was able to kill them but when he saw a peak fourth level Body Refining Realm earth bear, he was humbled, as he narrowly avoided death by underestimating the beast. As for the battle he did not want to think about.
Weary but wiser, he headed back towards the dragon city with a famished stomach.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone