This is a collection of modern poems written for contemporary literature of 21st century.  These are non metrical and non traditional and based on self expression.  Readers are not limited to interpretation of the author.

18 year-old Raymond McGregory considers himself to be one of the nicest guys out there and a true dominant male. However despite his supposed accolades Raymond is single by choice…... of others, and the only relationships he’s ever had are with his left hand and his couch sleeve. One day the “tfw no gf” is felt strongly within Raymond, and he decides to hatch out a plan to get a girlfriend. But his plan falls apart when he comes to the realization that in order to get girls to fall for him he has to actually talk to them. This isn’t an easy task for Raymond as he suffers from extreme social anxiety. On top of that he’s a massive nerd, not very bright, delusional, and is honestly the kind of guy that would get fourth place in a three-man race. Later Raymond comes across a group of people on the internet known as "Incels" who seem to be in a similar  position as he is, but their views on the opposite sex and society seem very wicked. However they say they can help Raymond. Will Raymond seek help from these sinister people or will he try to keep a heart of gold?

Furthermore, can Raymond get girls to love him despite not being able to talk to them? How much control does Raymond have over his plan? And How do you  fix a moronic incel? Find out all of this and more in this dark satirical romantic comedy filled with nice guys, deep philosophical underpinnings, and strong gay undertones.

This webnovel can also be viewed on Royal Road Legends:

https://www.royalroadl.com/fiction/18749/how-to-fix-a-moronic-incel

The Void told Arjun that he used some complicated means to establish a communication with it's Void Qi. But even with his own method, he could barely communicate with the Void Qi. Arjun didn't know what kind of method the Void used to establish a communication with his Void Qi. And honestly, Arjun didn't care about it.

In Arjun's point of view, the Void has it's own sense of planning and idealogy. And Arjun has his own ways. So, he was confident that using his own means, he can establish a communication with his Void Qi. And the key always lied in the Unique Dao Building!

Arjun wondered why the massively knowledgeable Primordial Existence like the Void has never cared to check the Unique Dao building. Arjun didn't have any answer. And as of now, he wasn't in the mood to care about it. 

He was excited with the sudden idea popped up in his mind. He knew how important it is to establish the communication with his Void Qi. According to the Void, when the Void Qi reaches Primordial Level, it will gain all the knowledge from the Primordial Period! What is the meaning of Primordial? It means a thing or knowledge that existed since the beginning of the time!

Arjun was sure that, today's Divine Arts or knowledge was something passed down from the ancient people. As the time passed, who knew how many crazy bastards modified the ancient knowledge into their own liking and passed down to their next generations? They might even boasted that, their alteration in the ancient knowledge or Divine Arts are the enhanced version!

Nobody knows whether those poor ancient knowledge or the power of the Divine Arts was truly enhanced or not. In order to write their own legend, or in order to make people talk about their achievements, these crazy bastards wouldn't care about the quality of their modified Divine Arts or any knowledge.

But that's not the point. The Point is, all the cultivation that different people follows were derived from one single cultivation manual. This Cultivation Manual is something that was born from the Primordial Energy. And what's even more absurd is that Arjun is currently training that very same cultivation manual!

That's right! This cultivation manual's name is <<Nature's Law Void Art>>! The Void said that <<Nature's Law Void Art>>is the origin of all the cultivation techniques! So how could Arjun not know that his <<Nature's Law Void Art>>was something originated from Primordial Energy?

Whatever. Arjun put aside all this distraction. His current issue is to establish a communication with his Void Qi. And he started to think all the requirements to establish a communication with his Void Qi.

He thought for five whole days without doing anything else. After five days of restless thinking, he finally had came up with a strong theory.

He thought it this way. In Ancient days, people spoke in ancient language. With the passage of time, the ancient language was gone mysteriously. And in it's place, the current language was born. Arjun didn't know how exactly that happened. But he didn't care. Time is mysterious. With the passage of time, the world changes. And the Ancient Language is no exception.

What Arjun thought is completely unique. Let's consider three people. Let's call them A, B and C. If 'A' is from the ancient days. And he could speak in the ancient language more proficiently, then he has no chance to know how to speak the modern language.

Now let's consider the situation of 'B". 'B' is from the modern world. And he could speak only the modern language. He has no clue about the Ancient Language.

In case of 'C' , he is an Archeologist of the modern world. Somehow he managed to learn both Ancient and Modern Language. 

Now, If 'A' somehow time travelled and entered the modern world. He somehoe met with 'B'. But since he can't speak the modern language, he can't communicate with 'B'. At that time, he need some external help. He needed to find a person who could speak both Ancient and Modern Language. At that time they find 'C'. 

Here 'A' speak whatever he wanted so say. 'C' listens and interpret it to 'B'. And through this way, 'B' finally understands everything 'A' wants to say. In this example, 'B' uses the help from 'C' to establish a communication with 'A'.

In Arjun's case, if his Void Qi is 'A', then he will be 'B'. And since finding 'C' is impossible, he needs a replacement for 'C'. Or using the various Unique Dao, he had to create a system through which he can somehow create 'C'. Here the 'C' could understand his language and translate it to his Void Qi. Then the Void Qi would understand his intentions and reply him through that translator 'C'.

After thinking things to this point, Arjun prepared a huge list of Unique Dao. They are Unique Dao of Understanding, Unique Dao of Interpretation, Unique Dao of Observation, Unique Dao of Calculation, Unique Dao of Display, Unique Dao of Language, Unique Dao of Translation.

Arjun was not joking. When he looked for them, he did actually found all these Dao in the low Level of the Building of Unique Dao. Arjun found it kind of ridiculous. But he is someone who understood the true meaning of the Dao, he didn't find it strange.

Arjun's crazy idea is that, first he would give his command. The system would first activate the Unique Dao of Understanding to understand Arjun's command. Then using the Unique Dao of Language, Unique Dao of Interpretation and the Unique Dao of Translation, the system will deliver his message to his Void Qi in it's own language. 

As for how system understands the language of Void Qi, Arjun was sure that his Unique Dao of Language would take care of it. Arjun was sure that the Unique Dao has also originated from the Primordial Energy. Since Void Qi also originated from the Primordial Energy, Arjun was sure that his Unique Dao of Language will do it's job.

After understanding Arjun's intentions, his Void Qi would give it's response. The Unique Dao of Translation, Unique Dao of Interpretation and the Unique Dao of Language would work together and using the Unique Dao of Display, it will form an artificial screen and displays the response on it.

As for why he included the Unique Dao of Calculation and the Unique Dao of Observation, the answer is very important.In the midst of any danger, if Arjun couldn't sense it, then using the Unique Dao of Observation, the Void Qi would warn him in advance. As for the role of the Unique Dao of Calculation, it was to display the level of danger in numbers.

But in order to make the system work efficiently and effectively, he needed the created system to be wise. So that's when the Unique Dao of Wisdom comes in action!

This is the world where magicians are respected.. and the weak people ar doomed. Arjun Kumar our main protagonist is dsired to become the great magician but later finds that he has no "magic core" at all. Arjun didn't fell disappointed. He trains in Willpower the lengthy and time consuming way.

But his fate changes when he meets a poweful Dragon named 'Magneel' who is kind to Humans and gives his power to Arjun and trains him. 

Join the adventures of Arjun and Magmeel who together joins in an adventures along with the interesting new characters who will be introduced in the future.

He might still have been able to derive some feeling of superiority when comparing himself with others, but against his clone, he had been wrecked time and time again to the point where it had nearly become a trauma in his heart.
Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan tried to ignore the feeling of helplessness within him and took out a jade container. Opening it lightly, an ancient book came into sight.
Annal of Bedstead Disquisition!
By scanning it with his eyes, an equivalent book appeared in the Library of Heaven's Path.
After swiftly looking through the content in the book, Zhang Xuan thought, It is indeed related to the cultivation technique of the Luo Clan. However, it isn't a cultivation technique itself but a compilation of insights!
Recorded in the Annal of Bedstead Disquisition was Pavilion Master Yan's interpretation of Sage Luo's lecture. It did not contain a cultivation technique but a new interpretation toward cultivation.
To make an analogy, it would be like learning a studying method. As long as a cultivator were to fully grasp those insights, their speed of cultivation should increase significantly.
Just that… the Heaven's Path Divine Art was already no different from the best studying method in the world. While the insights to cultivation recorded in the Annal of Bedstead Disquisition were not too bad, superior to most interpretations of cultivation out there, it was completely useless to him.
After studying the book for a moment longer, Zhang Xuan eventually shook his head. I was still expecting something out of it due to how valuable it is. What a pity!
He had thought that by learning the key to the Luo Clan's cultivation technique, he would be able to better deal with them when the time came. But thinking about it now, how could the cultivation technique of a Sage Clan possibly be obtained that easily?
If, by any chance, someone leaked the Luo Clan's cultivation technique, with their massive influence, they would have surely swiftly found it and destroyed it utterly. There was no way they would allow their cultivation technique to be auctioned in a small black market in the Qianchong Empire.
While the Luo Clan's insight into cultivation is not too bad, it seems like it's still a far stretch from matching Ancient Sage Qiu Wu's Heavenly Art of Dimension Unravel.
From the Annal of Bedstead Disquisition, it was apparent that the Luo Clan specialized in the study of spatial laws. However, in terms of depth of comprehension, Ancient Sage Qiu Wu's understanding of space was clearly a more direct interpretation of the world compared to the Luo Clan's.
But looking at it now, there seemed to be striking similarities between the two of them… as if they originated from the same source.
A thought suddenly emerged in Zhang Xuan's mind.
Right. If I compile this together with the 2-dan Heavenly Art of Dimension Unravel, will I be able to perfect it?
There were five dans to the Heavenly Art of Dimension Unravel, and so far, he had only cultivated the first dan of the technique. The reason he had not continued was because there were simply too many flaws from the second dan onward, and his cultivation had not met the mark either.
But since his cultivation had already reached Primordial Spirit realm pinnacle, he could try cultivating the 2-dan Heavenly Art of Dimension Unravel if he could perfect it.
So, Zhang Xuan took out the 2-dan Heavenly Art of Dimension Unravel and placed it together with the Annal of Bedstead Disquisition.
Compile!
Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly flipped it open.
It really worked…
There was a total of five dans to the Heavenly Art of Dimension Unravel, namely Compress, Traverse, Control, Creation, and Destruction.
He had already fully mastered Compress, and by using it in unison with the Unbounded Voyager, he had gained the ability to carry out near-instantaneous movement within a radius of a hundred meters, as if teleporting.
It was also his superior grasp over spatial laws that granted him the strength to rival Half-Grand Dominion realm experts.
If he could master the 2-dan Heavenly Art of Dimension Unravel, he would be able to increase his fighting prowess up another level.
Excited, Zhang Xuan flicked his wrist to place all his concentrated high-tier spirit stones before him in a pile before immersing himself into the cultivation of the Traverse realm.
Some time later…
Zhang Xuan finally stood up, and his aura began to rise steadily.
After a long moment of hard work, even though he had not mastered the 2-dan Heavenly Art of Dimension Unravel 'Traverse' yet, his understanding of space did advance by leaps and bounds.
With his previous strength, he had only been on par with Half-Grand Dominion realm experts. However, with his current strength, he might even be able to rival true Grand Dominion realm primary stage experts!
Release!
Willing it with his mind, a sphere of faint light with a radius of one meter immediately appeared around Zhang Xuan, and he could feel the absolute control he wielded within this space.
Feeling the effects of the light sphere, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up in excitement. Even though this isn't a Dominion, it has similar effects to one.
This light sphere was created by using his soul energy to warp the surrounding Laws of Space. He had absolute control over anything that was within this light sphere, and unless there was another individual who could wrestle the control over this space from him, he would practically be invincible.
Let me test out my strength!
With a flick of his wrist, the Golden Origin Cauldron appeared before Zhang Xuan.
"Attack me with your full might!"
"Alright!" Even though the Golden Origin Cauldron was unsure what Zhang Xuan was up to, it still agreed to the request. It leaped powerfully into the sky before descending heavily upon Zhang Xuan.
Possessing a fighting prowess on par with Leaving Aperture realm advanced stage cultivators, the speed at which the Golden Origin Cauldron was capable of moving at had already exceeded the speed of sound. Nevertheless, when it came within a meter of Zhang Xuan, its speed abruptly decreased.
"Freeze," Zhang Xuan muttered softly.
In the instant that the Golden Origin Cauldron was just about to touch Zhang Xuan, it came to a complete halt. No matter how it struggled, its body would not budge at all.
As long as I will it, I will even be able to destroy the spirit of the Golden Origin Cauldron easily.
Feeling the power that he wielded over the Golden Origin Cauldron, Zhang Xuan was astonished.
It was no wonder everyone said that the difference between each cultivation realm from Leaving Aperture realm onward was an unbreachable rift. From the looks of it now, it seemed like those words were not hearsay.
He had thought that the prowess that Grand Dominion realm cultivators wielded had been exaggerated—as long as there was a sufficiently large group of cultivators surrounding a Grand Dominion realm cultivator, it should have been a matter of time before he eventually slipped up and erred.
But having first-hand experience with the prowess of a Dominion, he realized that he had been too naive!
Within the sphere of a Dominion, there was no such thing as chance. Unless one could destroy the Dominion with a greater power or interrupt the activation of the Dominion, the chances of success were practically null.
However, the maintenance of a Dominion is really taxing on one's zhenqi and Primordial Spirit.
After releasing the Golden Origin Cauldron, Zhang Xuan released the light sphere around him, and a feeling of extreme fatigue swiftly consumed him.
Even though this Dominion-like light sphere was extremely powerful, granting him the strength to fight toe-to-toe with a Grand Dominion realm primary stage cultivator, the rate at which his zhenqi and soul energy depleted was truly frightening.
Despite having cultivated the Saint Ascension Decipher, not to mention that he was a Celestial Saint as well, just maintaining the light sphere for ten seconds had left him feeling sapped and exhausted.
I should only activate this technique in times of emergency.
As powerful as the light sphere was, if he depleted all his energy from using it, he would be placed in a vulnerable position for quite a period of time. Thus, unless in times of emergency, it was best for him to avoid using it.
Zhang Xuan rested for a moment to recover his depleted zhenqi. At this moment, a thought suddenly came to his mind, and he clenched his fists in agitation. Wait a moment… Since I have comprehended a Dominion-like ability, does this mean that I will be able to crush my clone easily?
All along, he had been put down by his clone, and the shame and embarrassment had weighed down on him for far too long. Since he had managed to comprehend Dominion ahead of his clone, it was about time for him to return the favor!
With this thought in mind, Zhang Xuan did not hesitate to leap into action. He immediately called his clone over.
Without wasting any words, an earth-shaking, mountain-crushing battle began.
Frightened, the Golden Origin Cauldron swiftly retreated to a corner and trembled fearfully.
Three breaths later, Zhang Xuan had been imprinted with clear panda eyes. Five breaths later, huge spurts of blood from Zhang Xuan dyed the sky crimson. Ten breaths later, an unmoving slab of a human was lying on the ground.
"Nice try, better luck next time…" Clapping to rid the dirt off his hands, Zhang Xuan's clone turned around smugly and walked away.
Feeling utterly stifled inside, Zhang Xuan could only drive his Heaven's Path zhenqi to heal up.
He had thought that after comprehending Dominion, he would be able to utterly thrash his clone, but who knew that the other party would actually still be able to forcefully move even under the effects of his Dominion!
In the end, he had still been pummeled.
That monster! Just how in the world did he cultivate?
Driving his zhenqi two circulations around his body, Zhang Xuan managed to recover from his injuries. He looked at his clone helplessly for a moment before decisively leaving the Anthive Nest.
Oh well… I guess I'll just have to come back and exact vengeance the next time I make a major breakthrough in my cultivation!
Returning to his room, Zhang Xuan walked out and noted that the sun had already risen. Breathing in the morning air, he felt extraordinarily refreshed.
After a night of cultivation, even though it was a pity that he still was not a match for his clone, he did manage to advance his fighting prowess considerably.
A moment after walking out of the residence, he suddenly saw Zhang Jiuxiao rushing over with unconcealable glee on his face. "Zhang shi, I have managed to achieve a breakthrough to Primordial Spirit realm advanced stage! Hahaha!"
Even though he knew it was likely that he would be outdone very soon, he still could not help but take pride in the fact that he had managed to catch up with Zhang Xuan for the time being.
To be able to catch up to a Celestial Master Teacher… This was something he could brag to his offspring about in the future!
"Congratulations!" Zhang Xuan nodded.
"Thank you. Since my cultivation is on par with Zhang shi's now, I think that I should be able to clear the secondary selection…"
Halfway through his words, Zhang Jiuxiao's words suddenly clogged up in his throat. His face twitched a little as his eyes widened in disbelief. "Zhang shi… you are at… Primordial Spirit realm pinnacle?"
"Un. I managed to sufficiently accumulate my cultivation, so I was able to push for a breakthrough," Zhang Xuan replied with a nod.
"You managed to sufficiently accumulate your cultivation?" Zhang Jiuxiao nearly burst into tears.
Accumulate your head!
It was just yesterday that you made a breakthrough, and yet, over the course of a night, you made another breakthrough. What can you possibly accumulate in a single day?
Even genius cultivators would at least take several months to advance a single cultivation stage after reaching Primordial Spirit realm, and yet, you only took a single night. Can you be any more terrifying than that?
Zhang Jiuxiao's eyes reddened in frenzy as he felt a pail of cold water washing away the little bit of confidence that he had just barely built up.
When other cultivators achieved swift breakthroughs, their strength would be volatile, resulting in a reduction in their fighting prowess. Yet, despite advancing so swiftly, that fellow was actually still able to exert unbelievable strength.
Really, Zhang Jiuxiao felt that he should stop trying to compare himself with the young man before him, or else he might just die of trauma some day.
On the other hand, seeing how dejected Zhang Jiuxiao was, Zhang Xuan suddenly felt the exasperation and frustration that he had just felt from being pummeled by his clone vanishing without a trace. Satisfied with the outcome, he nodded in approval.
Indeed. While he might have been far from a match for his clone, he was still stronger than the common populace.
Knowing that he would only get more and more depressed talking about cultivation, Zhang Jiuxiao quickly changed the topic. "Zhang shi, Zhao shi asked us to gather at the main hall. The secondary selection is about to begin."
Nodding in response, Zhang Xuan quickly followed Zhang Jiuxiao over to the main hall.
In the main hall, the thirty or so master teachers he had seen the previous day had already arrived. They were standing neatly in two rows with solemn looks on their faces.
Upon seeing Zhang Xuan, they swiftly greeted him before falling silent.
Zhang Xuan and Zhang Jiuxiao took their positions at the end of the two rows, and quick sweeping over the room with their gazes, they noted that Zhao Xingmo and Pavilion Master Yue were standing in the middle.
Pavilion Master Yue's body was still a little swollen, and there were various patches of bruising all around. It was apparent that he had yet to recover from the beating that he had received from the puppets the previous day.
The higher one's cultivation, the lower the effectiveness of a pill. Given his cultivation realm, if he wanted to recover from his wounds quickly, he would have to consume a grade-8 pill at the very minimum. However, even as the head of the Qianchong Empire Master Teacher Pavilion, a grade-8 pill was not a commodity that could easily be acquired.
"Since everyone has arrived, let's not waste any time and begin the secondary selection."
Stepping forward, Zhang Xingmo shot a sweeping gaze across all of the candidates before saying, "In the selections of the Sanctum of Sages, we aim to assess the strength, intelligence, ability to assess the big picture, and many other key capabilities of the candidates. In the preliminary selection, we have assessed you on your strength. As long as you wield sufficient strength, you will be able to clear the selection easily. However, the secondary selection won't be as simple as that.
"Now, I shall begin explaining the rules for the secondary selection!"
Everyone's ears perked up, and their eyes narrowed, not wanting to miss any words or gestures that he spoke or made.
This would determine whether they would be able to enter the Sanctum of Sages or not, so they had to obtain every scrap of information they could get about the secondary selection.
"As complicated as I have made it sound, there is only a single rule to the secondary selection. That is to use every means possible to eliminate your opponent!"
With a solemn look, Zhao Xingmo raised his hand and declared grandly, "The challenge for the secondary selection shall be… a caged battle royale!"


Nang mapunta siya sa ibang mundo, nagulat na lang si Zhang Xuan nang malaman niyang naging isa siyang teacher. Kasabay nito, lumitaw ang misteryosong library sa isipan niya. 
Basta’t nakita niya ito, tao man ‘to o isang bagay, agad na gagawa ng libro ang library tungkol sa mga kahinaan nito. Dahil dito, naging napakalakas niya. 
“Emperador Zhouyang, bakit ayaw na ayaw mong isuot ang salawal mo? Bilang isang emperor, bakit hindi mo bigyang pansin ang pagpapaganda ng iyong imahe sa publiko?”
“Fairy Linglong, lagi mo ‘kong pwedeng puntahan sa tuwing hindi ka makatulog sa gabi. Magaling ako sa pagpapatulog!”
“At ikaw naman, Demon Lord Qiankun! Pwede bang bawasan mo ang pagkain ng bawang? Gusto mo ba ‘kong patayin sa amoy niyan?”
Ito ay isang kwento tungkol sa mga teacher at estudyante, ang pagsasanay at paggabay sa pinaka mahuhusay na eksperto sa buong mundo!


The First Tradition: The Masquerade
Thou shalt not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing such shall renounce thy claims of Blood.

The Second Tradition: The Domain
Thy domain is thine own concern. All others owe thee respect, while in it. None may challenge thy word while in thy domain.

The Third Tradition: The Progeny
Thou shall only Sire another with the permission of thine elder. If thou createst another without thine Elder's leave, both thou and thy Progeny shall be slain.

The Fourth Tradition: The Accounting
Those thou create are thine own children. Until thy Progeny shall be Released, thou shall command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure.

The Fifth Tradition: Hospitality
Honor one another's domain. When thou comest to a foreign city, thou shall present thyself to the one who ruleth there. Without the word of acceptance, thou art nothing.

The Sixth Tradition: Destruction
Thou art forbidden to destroy another of thy kind. The right of destruction belongeth only to thine Elder. Only the Eldest among thee shall call the Blood Hunt.

*The primeval Traditions were extracted from Kindred historical records and adopted by the founders of Camarilla as the constitution of Camarilla law, but as time passed, the interpretation and enforcement of Traditions were refined by Senators, Princes and Regents, and there are many differences of practice between Camarilla, North America(CNA) and Camarilla, Greater Europe(CGE), e.g. the conduct of Blood Hunt: in CNA, a Judicator is appointed by each of the seven Camarilla clans to take care of this dirty business, one of whom is selected to be the Prime Judicator to serve as the commander and executer of punishments for severe or special crimes, while CGE carried on with the old way, where the sinner is listed as wanted in the entire region and whoever brings its head to the Prince will receive the reward.

*A rewrite based on the White Wolf video game Vampire: the Masquerade Bloodline, but with major adaptations and is intended for readers who don't know the series, be advised to treat it as a brand-new work instead of Fan Fiction.

Chasing after a shadow from her past, Leona entered the world of the mystical blood-thirsty undead, but the awaiting danger is far greater than she could ever imagine: the grand game of politics, the battling sides of humanity and beast in their nature, and the brutal Jyhad in the modern nights...Lost and afraid in this chaos, she has to continue on this path--because there is no going back.

*Violent and Sexual Contents.

*Cover Painting and Design by 2cyan, All Copyrights Belong to the Artist.

Zero didn't know why he was suddenly allowed to go off and play. In fact, now that he had so much free time, the young doctor didn't know what he wanted to start with first. There was a long list of things he wanted to do by himself without the strict supervision of the adults but he looked at his assistants in the mindscape. Neither of them was free to entertain him. Zero vaguely entertained the idea of travelling back to Half Moon Village but then dismissed the idea quickly. It would be the same all over again. There would be adults and it wasn't easy for Zero to have such opportunities to be truly alone.
With that, the boy decided to let his feet take him to wherever it wanted to go. Mindlessly, Zero ambled through the familiar forest grounds of Endow Hill.
>> This is a sponsored line break announcement. If you are not reading on Webnovel then the content is stolen. Support the creator - Destiny Aitsuji - on Webnovel and check out their other works. <<
Back in the hut, Hua Tuo and Ruth sat crossed-legged on the floor. They put their heads together to demystify the cryptic messages translated by Bob. Sure, Hua Tuo understood some of what the book was saying. After all, it came from his old world where Chinese philosophy ran strong in the blood of all Chinese. The mysterious art was a strange modified form of the old martial art called Tai Ji, fashioned after Hua Tuo's qi gong foundation.
Ruth was amazed by how quick they were able to decipher the martial arts manual with Hua Tuo's involvement. The vampire was initially sceptical about enlisting the Sage God's help because the doctor wasn't exactly a combat expert. However, he was also at a stalemate with the final puzzle at the end. The physician knew a lot of meditation so Ruth allowed Hua Tuo to join in with the decryption process.
It was strange how Hua Tuo was able to look at the translated text and match it with the moves it portrayed without even referring to the reference guide that Ruth had prepared. The Roth vampire had spent hours trying to understand which phrase of the meditation state belonged to which moves. It wasn't always very clear what the phrase was referring to. However, if Ruth had to describe it, the phrases were often captions for the movements portrayed. For example, the shifting of centrifugal force from the attacker to counter their offensive strike was captioned "Receive and transfer the received gift". The Roth vampire could understand why such a caption would be formed but for the more elusive ones like "Hiding a knife behind a smile'', the magic-combat teacher was lost.
On the other hand, Hua Tuo couldn't believe that although the Chinese from the old Earth were extinct, their teachings remained. It was even more surprising that they lived on through the teachings of weaker demons in the abyss. The marsupial demons were known to be small and weak but they never lost against the bigger and stronger opponents. Many could not understand how they did it but Hua Tuo knew. Back in those days, Hua Tuo knew how the Chinese fought against terrifying weapons made from gunpowder with their bare hands. The God of War during his time cut down enemies from horseback using his reclining moon blade spear. That terrifying human defied cannons, flaming arrows and guns without a shield. His name was Guan Yu.
That strong general instilled the bravery that weak Chinese lacked and they formed an art based on the wisdom of Confucius' teachings. Martial Arts were birthed based on philosophy. Scholars of the old were famous for both their wits and martial skills. Without both, one would only be labelled as a brute or empty-headed academic. Hua Tuo also lived through the age of pugilists where martial arts were created by different philosophies found. Some hermits created weird arts that only they could practice. Ou Yang Feng was one such renowned recluse who specialised in the philosophy of "countering poison with poison" and formed the Toad Skill martial art.
With his rich life experience, it wasn't very difficult for Hua Tuo to identify what the meditation scripture was for. While the physician hasn't seen a real martial art manual even in his earlier days, he knew that there were two types of manuals. The first type was for external arts where a person practices it according to the illustrations and become stronger physically. However, for many skilled pugilists, they were only third-rated books. The true masters were able to comprehend martial arts through their philosophy.
A good example was the Nine Yin True Classic. That was a powerful skill cultivated wrongly by Mei Chaofeng by the wrong understanding of the arts. While the practitioner was able to master the skill, the wrong application and practice with her beliefs turned it into something sinister. The original Nine Yin True Classic was a virtuous martial art built upon Budha's teachings. However, with Mei Chaofeng's hatred in her heart, she was unable to fully master the manual's true intent to balance out the nine uses of yin qi against the yang qi produced by the nature of living humans. With that, Mei Chaofeng wrongly mastered the art and turned into a fearsome cultivator who increased her powers by killing countless people. The twisted art was then known as the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.
Hua Tuo was thankful that Zero hasn't started cultivating the manual on his own. Amon was right to advise Zero against doing so. The physician knew that his student was very wise but some of the philosophy written in the Tai Ji manual made Hua Tuo hesitate with their interpretation. The physician would require more time to understand the depth of this philosopher's mind before he could be certain of what it meant.
While Hua Tuo worked diligently, scrutinising each line for an accurate interpretation, Ruth tried the movements out and thought about his student. Zero wasn't going to be growing much taller because the vampire heard about the limitations of his created vessel from the physician. Gaia was careful to make the body stagnant. That means Zero would eternally appear like a teenager.
Standing at about five feet tall, Zero was about as tall as the marsupials who once practised the combat art with some exceptions. Those marsupials had an extra limb that Zero did not have. They included tail whips into their routine and had shorter arms with extremely powerful hind legs. The Roth vampire found it ridiculous to follow the book step by step.
"Doctor," Ruth called out as he paused at yet another move. "Can we change this move here? They're using the tail weight to shift their weights and throw the enemy off in two directions. Unless Zero grows a tail, it can't be done."
Hua Tuo looked up from his transcribing work and nodded. "What do you want to change it to? The text for this move is "Steady and firm like the roots but flexible like the branches swaying in the wind". I don't see a problem with the philosophy but you can't remove the footwork."
Ruth frowned in deep thoughts. Even with Hua Tuo's identification of the texts, Ruth still had problems comprehending the meaning behind the words. For a magic-combatant, mobility and power were what concluded the fight. Instincts and skills were other factors but that was about it. Vampires played fewer mind-games when fighting because they didn't need it. Their speed, instincts and senses were superior to a lot of other species.
Hua Tuo looked at Ruth's troubled expression and studied the diagram.
"How would it look like if you did it without the tail without modification?" he asked.
The Roth vampire put the book down and got into position. His legs were shoulder-width apart and he explained that a tail should be adding weight to the back while he bent one knee forward in a lunging position, preparing to twist his waist while grabbing two enemies attacking from both ends to throw them opposite sides.
"In some cases, the flexibility of the practitioner and the shorter height advantage allows them to bend their waist backwards like a windmill to throw their enemies in a wider circle. However, the legs will not leave this half-bent position on one knee. The tail is meant to support the lack of support on the straightened leg and pull the weight back if the attacker's force is greater than what the force of standing still is. More often than not, the weight of the enemy plays a huge factor."
Hua Tuo nodded as Ruth explained how the gravity will interfere with how the marsupials will apply this move with the following move combination.
"We have five options from here depending on how the situation plays out," he told the physician with a heavy sigh. "The tail can trip the enemies after throwing them off balance, help the marsupial swing over their enemies and use that momentum to throw them over by their necks, help them avoid a knife slash from the horizontal field by falling back onto their coiled tails making them less than a foot tall in height, use it to hit someone in the groin or go for a hind kick feint and tail whip combo."
The physician nodded. He had to hand it to the marsupial demons. They were clearly witty and had good reflexes. No wonder the larger and more powerful demons often couldn't win them. The only limitations these small demons had was stamina. From what the Sage God knew, they were wiped out in a war against a clan with larger numbers. It was truly a shame. Hua Tuo felt that if this art was taught to many, the level of martial arts will once again reach the golden age back in the days of the first Earth.
"I understand now. It is indeed frustrating. With only two hands and two legs, Zero's options are limited. You have the same number of limbs as Zero. What would you propose if it were you?"
Ruth sighed and sat down. "I don't really know. This method of fighting is very different from what I was raised with. We Roth vampires prided ourselves in instincts and speed. You could compare our fighting style with assassination. It's usually swift and precise. There are no real wasted movements or compromises. We deliver one-hit kills if possible and if it doesn't work, we edge into the enemy's space as much as possible attacking all openings. It's the reason why we are famous as close-combat fighters."
Hua Tuo took a look at the diagrams drawn. Indeed. The martial arts manual was something more for mid-range combat than close-range combat. There weren't many close-combat skills but the physician found the few skills written in the manual interesting.
"How about this?" he pointed at a different page. That was a joint locking technique and Hua Tuo was impressed by how advanced their anatomy knowledge was to create such an effective lock hold.
Ruth took a look at it and raised a brow. "How does this work? I've never done it before in my entire life. Also, the image looks complicated. How can we execute this is a high-paced brawl?"
Hua Tuo hummed. He wasn't very experienced with combat either but if it was simply getting into position, Hua Tuo would be able to demonstrate. This was something like chiropractic therapy. The art of bone setting existed long before he became a doctor. Locking techniques were rather similar.
"I could demonstrate how it should be applied if you'd like to know how it works," Hua Tuo offered.
Ruth took a look at the diagram and sighed. "Sure. I don't know what to do so you'll have to guide me."
Hua Tuo grinned. Without reservations, the physician coerced the vampire who was beginning to regret his decision.
Mitchnew arrived at the hut and was pleasantly surprised by the sight of two men playing wrestling at their age. Ruth didn't look like he was doing too well with how he was yelping in pain at that immobilising lock hold.
"Am I interrupting something?" the dark elf asked as she put her bag down.
Hua Tuo released Ruth who immediately went slack and groaned on the floor.
"Hello Mitchnew, it's still rather early. We are not quite done with lunch preparations yet. Would you like to help Ruth with his work? We're currently exploring a new martial art book. I've put all the translated text for the meditation portion to the movements but the moves need modification before Zero can start practising them."
The ex-assassin became interested at the mention of a martial arts manual. She only heard of those books but they were usually a collector's item. For a trained fighter like her, she wanted to know how cultivators fought without magic.
"Sure," she smiled and joined Ruth as Hua Tuo excused himself to get started on lunch preparations. He didn't know where his apprentice had gone but he wasn't worried. Zero would return as soon as his stomach started protesting. The physician would bet his sanity on that.


I started off as nothing, just a mass of consciousness that slowly evolved. Just your average overpowered existence hungry for a multiverse adventure.

Demons? They are my friends.
Monsters? They are delicacies.
Heroes? Not even equal to the dirt on my boots.
Royalty? Money Machi- Ahem, a pleasure doing business.
Immortals and Gods? Share with me the latest gossips!

With power comes responsibility, but I'm just a ball... or am I just a ball? Watch as I regain my memories and beat up my past self.

***

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As the sun sets in the west and as the noise of the waterfall sounded incessantly, Teng Qingshan thought to himself, "What happens after I take the final step? What lies ahead?" At this cultivation level, Teng Qingshan knew that when he reached the Omnipotent Realm, he would be able to resist the pressure given by the Land of the Nine Prefectures and break away from the World of the Nine Prefectures with his own power.
This was known as breaking through the void!
What happens after a cultivator breaks through the void and leave this world? What lies ahead?
All kinds of questions emerged in Teng Qingshan's mind. He initially thought that he would know the answer once he reached the Omnipotent Realm. However, based on the tablet left by the Poetic Sword God Li Taibai, even experts who had reached the Omnipotent Realm do not know what lies ahead of the void.
"Haha... Haha…" Suddenly, a burst of laughter sounded.
Teng Qingshan stared at Pei San in astonishment. He could not help but ask, "Sovereign Pei, why are you laughing?"
"I am happy!"
Pei San looked at Teng Qingshan and replied, "I laughed because I am happy. Is it wrong to laugh when you are happy?"
"What's there to be happy about?" Teng Qingshan said with a frown.
Pei San smiled and said as he stared at the tablet in his hands, "Teng Qingshan, this tablet belonged to the Poetic Sword God Li Taibai. He said that no one knows what lies ahead. Haha, I used to think about this all the time. What happens after a cultivator breaks through the void?"
"I always thought that I would know when I reached the Omnipotent Realm."
"But it seems like even Li Taibai had no idea." Pei San grinned. "And so, I am happy. Isn't it better if no one knows?"
Teng Qingshan was shocked.
Pei San watched as the sun descended the horizon and said with a smile, "Human beings can live a happy and marvelous life because they don't know what happens tomorrow. Because I do not know what happens after I break through the void, I look forward to the future."
Hearing this, Teng Qingshan nodded. A bright smile appeared on his face.
He also looked forward to what awaits him after he breaks through the void. Could it be a chaotic world? A peculiar new world? A new life? No one knows! The Omnipotent Experts who knew the answer had left the Land of the Nine Prefectures.
"Whoosh~~~" The noises of the water falling and hitting the pool sounded.
The Undying Phoenix and the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk flew over as well. After noticing that Teng Qingshan and Pei San had been searching for the stone tablet during these past two days, the two flying demonic beasts decided not to follow the two cultivators around. However, when they realized that Teng Qingshan and Pei San had stopped at one spot, they knew that the tablet has been found.
"It's such a pity." Pei San shook his head and said, "When Li Taibai wrote on this tablet, he did not include the complete knowledge he had gained in his path of cultivation."
Teng Qingshan also stared at the tablet.
The aura of these beautifully written words on the tablet conveyed a strong understanding of the sword. However, if one looked closely, one would realize that this understanding of the sword was too profound. Even for an Omnipotent Expert who understood the Dao of Calligraphy, it was impossible to include his understanding of Dao into every written word. The words would only emanate the aura of the Dao, not the actual knowledge. It would be extremely difficult for an expert to explain his life's learning within a few sentences. Moreover, such an act would drain the energy of the spirit and body.
Omnipotent experts were not masochists. They wouldn't torture themselves whenever they have nothing to do. They wouldn't waste the energy of the spirit and body to include the complete interpretation of their Dao in every word they write.
"Senior Li Taibai…" Teng Qingshan said with a smile, "These words were written in a casual mood. Yet, these words still conveyed the "understanding" of the sword. This shows how deep he understood the Dao of Sword."
"So what if these words tell us how deep he understands the Dao of Sword? It's useless if it can't teach us the knowledge." Pei San responded as he shook his head. He then smiled and said, "Consider this trip a waste of my time and energy. Hm, but since the tablet was written by Li Taibai, I will give it to my daughter. She will be happy."
Hearing this, Teng Qingshan grinned.
He noticed a similarity between him and Pei San. Both of them pampered their daughters. Because of this similarity, Teng Qingshan felt that he liked Pei San a bit more now.
"It's a pity we can't see Senior Li Taibai's interpretation of the Dao of Sword. If I can get the chance, it might stir up something in me." Pei San shook his head and sighed. Actually, for someone of his cultivation level, which was very close to the Omnipotent Realm, the chance to witness the Dao of the Omnipotent Expert would be very beneficial.
The written techniques and codices merely described the moves. These were not what Pei San would need. Pei San would need to truly experience and see the meaning.
"Eh?" Seeing Pei San's looks of disappointment, Teng Qingshan suddenly recalled the Jade Annulus he had seen when he stopped by the Bright Moon Island during his voyage. Teng Qingshan thought to himself, "When Senior Li Taibai reaches the Omnipotent Realm, he was so excited that he wrote on the Jade Annulus. The Celestial Jade Annulus might contain the complete understanding of Li Taibai's Dao."
As Teng Qingshan thought of this, he felt himself burning with passion.
Back then, Teng Qingshan had not reached the Emptiness Realm and did not dare to do a deeper study of the Dao of Sword. He was worried that a deeper study might negatively affect his own Dao. However, now that he has attained the culmination of the Insightful Emptiness Realm, his own Dao has reached completion. Now, if he watched the Dao of another Omnipotent Expert, it would only leave an impression. It wouldn't destabilize his own Dao.
"I will go to the Bright Moon Island after I reinforced what I have gained from this enlightenment." Teng Qingshan thought to himself.
And then, Teng Qingshan rode the Undying Phoenix and Pei San rode the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk and left the Desolate Land together.
...
The Undying Phoenix and the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk both traveled at extremely fast speed. Actually, in terms of speed, the Undying Phoenix was just slightly faster than the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk.
While they were on their way back, Pei San spoke, "Qingshan, you should know the army of the Heavenly God Palace is going to attack Mani Temple soon."
Teng Qingshan stood on the back of the Undying Phoenix. He looked at Pei San and replied with the use of the Sound Transmission Technique, "Hm, I know. The noises of your numerous elite soldiers can be heard in every area of the world. I am afraid everyone in the Land of the Nine Prefectures knows about it."
"I am going to destroy the Mani Temple." A spark of fierceness flickered in Pei San's eyes as he spoke. "However, the Mani Temple has such a strong and deep foundation. They have many Emptiness Realm Experts. It will be very difficult to take them all down in one fight. Sovereign Teng, may I please borrow the Undying Phoenix?"
The Undying Phoenix was known to be skilled in flying and moving underground."
The Undying Phoenix could help during a pursuit or an escape, bringing great advantages.
"Teng Qingshan, if you are willing to help… If the Undying Phoenix is willing to help, I am confident that the Mani Temple will be destroyed." Pei San looked at Teng Qingshan as he asked, "Qingshan, are you willing to help?"
Teng Qingshan grinned.
Back then, because of Gui Yuan Sect, Teng Qingshan ended his bond with Pei San. During that time, he asked Pei San to let Gui Yuan Sect occupy the land of Jiangning County. However, Pei San refused, saying that allowing Gui Yuan Sect to occupy Nanman County or Chu County was enough to repay Teng Qingshan's favor.
"Does Pei San not feel embarrassed when he asked to borrow the Undying Phoenix?" Teng Qingshan thought to himself, "Mani Temple is known to be the sect with the strongest support and numerous powerful experts while the Heavenly God Palace is a very fierce sect as well. If these two sects battled, why should I intercede? If Little Blue injured herself because of this…"
Teng Qingshan's mind was full of thoughts.
Still, Teng Qingshan responded with a bright smile, "Sovereign Pei, the consequence of being involved in this matter is too great. The Heavenly God Palace and the Mani Temple are both extremely powerful sects. I don't think I should get myself involved in this battle."
"You are not willing?" Pei San questioned with a frown.
Teng Qingshan shook his head and smiled as he answered, "Sovereign Pei, I cannot help you. Moreover, when Little Blue's mother allowed Little Blue to come to the Land of the Nine Prefectures with me, she made me promise to keep Little Blue safe. If you asked the Mother of Phoenix, I believe she will say no as well."
Pei San stared at Teng Qingshan.
Teng Qingshan looked back at Pei San with a very friendly smile.
Just by looking at Teng Qingshan's eyes, Pei San knew that he could not threaten Teng Qingshan now. Teng Qingshan had attained the Insightful Emptiness Realm. With the help of the Undying Phoenix, he could easily threaten any supreme sects.
"Right." Pei San smiled and said, "Since the Mother of Phoenix had entrusted you with such task, you made the right choice."
Teng Qingshan only responded with a smile.
"However, if you are not letting the Undying Phoenix help the Heavenly God Palace, then please don't let Mani Temple make use of the Undying Phoenix." Pei San said with a smile, "I do not want to see the monks of Mani Temple riding the Undying Phoenix as they battle against the army of the Heavenly God Palace."
Little Blue's mother had taught Little Blue some powerful techniques that only the Phoenixes could learn. If Little Blue fought with all her energy, her speed would reach an even higher level, allowing her to truly become the fastest in the Land of the Nine Prefectures.
"Don't let Mani Temple make use of the Undying Phoenix?" Teng Qingshan raised his brows as he asked.
Pei San frowned and continued attempting to convince Teng Qingshan. "Teng Qingshan, I remember that the Mani Temple is the sect that was most against the dissemination of the cultivation of the Internal Martial Art in the Land of the Nine Prefectures. Rongzhou and Liangzhou, the two counties governed by the Mani Temple, are the two regions with the least cultivators of the Internal Martial Art. The Mani Temple never gave you any respect."
Teng Qingshan froze. He felt like laughing, but at the same time, he felt sad. To convince him not to let the Undying Phoenix help the Mani Temple, Pei San even mentioned this…
However, Pei San said the truth.
The Mani Temple had an absolute rule of Rongzhou and Liangzhou. The people of these two counties were xenophobic! The Mani Temple enshrined the teachings of Buddhism in the constitution of the two counties. And so, almost every individual in those two counties believed in Buddhism. Therefore, if someone pursued the cultivation of the Daoist sects or the cultivation of the Internal Martial art, that person would be considered a traitor! In fact, the Mani temple continuously promoted this stereotype—anyone who practiced the Daoist cultivation or the cultivation of the Internal Martial Art was a heretic!
The people of Rongzhou and Liangzhou despised heretics. As a matter of fact, heretics were often bullied and oppressed.
Therefore, Teng Qingshan was never able to disseminate the cultivation of the Internal Martial Art in the land of Rongzhou and Liangzhou. There are people who learned the cultivation, but extremely few. Teng Qingshan was not happy that the Mani Temple called the cultivators of the Internal Martial Art heretics, but there was nothing he could do. The Mani Temple was too powerful. For many years, no sect dared to provoke the Mani Temple.
However, so many years have passed. Mani Temple would soon experience its first-ever catastrophe since the time Martial Ancestor Shiga established the Mani Temple.
"Sovereign Pei, of course. I said that I will not get involved, which means that I will not let the Undying Phoenix help the Mani Temple." Teng Qingshan replied with a smile.


With five strikes of his axe, Emperor Yu split the mountains and unified everyone beneath the heavens. He partitioned the land into nine prefectures and erected the nine cauldrons. After Emperor Yu's death, incessant disputes arose within the Land of the Nine Prefectures. 

One thousand years later, a once-in-a-generation genius—the Heavenly Emperor of Qin Mountains—emerged from out of nowhere. With a strike of his palm, he was able to stop the motion of the 100-meter wide Yan River. With his peerless martial prowess, the Heavenly Emperor of Qin Mountains was ultimately able to unite the land beneath the heavens. However, when he died, chaos once again shrouded the Land of the Nine Prefectures. Several thousand years passed by, and still, no one was able to consolidate the nation.
 
Then the Grandmaster of the Xing Yi Martial Art—Teng Qingshan—arrived here unexpectedly from the modern world.

After that, I do not recall very much.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that I might have gone mad. Then again, I would still have to feel emotion in order to find insanity, would I not? Do you not just love contradictions? I know that I am a master of them.

I destroyed, I killed, I manipulated, I betrayed, I tortured, and I laughed at it all. I suppose that I did it all for art. Art, you ask? How can I justify my atrocities as art? It is very simple. You see, I realized something about my people—both Scrybes and non-wryters alike. All people, despite their intentions or appearances, are motivated by darkness. When I say darkness, I mean the baser aspects of human condition—lust, violence, greed, hatred ... the list goes on.

The Light that I had been brought up to worship had been an illusion—an illusion fed by false promises and centuries of lies to be large and bloated so that no one would see the truth behind it. But I saw past the immanent bulk that clogged the metaphysical arteries of men. For, behind the Light was an even larger darkness, and in it I saw the truth that I somehow knew all along. Where there is light, there is always shadow. From seeing the Light's secret cloak, I learned the true intentions and ends of humanity. 

Don't you understand? Religion is metaphor, and metaphor is expression, and expression is art, and art can be an interpretation of truth—a representation of a fundamental concept in the mortal plane. The reason that my art was unique was that, after a while, it had no need to hide behind masks of sick pretentiousness of 'righteousness' and 'holiness'. I nurtured a place where one no longer had to play-act the noble or holy man. After all, how can one do such things when one is dead? Everyone is equal in ashes. At least I admit that I am a monster ... and I used to wallow in the fact―before it ceased to mean anything to me. I no longer laugh anymore.

And it burns. The Rune that had protected me from myself for thousands of years is now waning, and it burns. All of it, all of what I feel burns in the dark ... the dark that has blinded me from long term exposure. The dark blinded me.

The purpose behind this story was as twofold as the clichéd fork in the road that all people must eventually make choices upon. However, my path—the path of power—was fourfold. As far as I could see, I had many choices in my life. Do not misunderstand; I do not blame what I have done on anyone or anything other than myself. 

My testament is my life's story ... and my waning is the Last Page. I worked to make the Last Page, only to fail to do the most important thing. When making an end to a story, one must end it. Last Page of my life-tome, the waning years of my existence, never end. It continues on, poisoning the enthusiasm of the reader, and wryter, until both are hollow inside from disinterest and waste of time. If the ancient Guardians had not been killed as retaliation against the Guild for trying to invade my Great Realm, they would have taken my work and displayed it all for its complexity and creativity―and ultimately show how hollow and empty it really is. 

If you are reading this, my successor, then you have destroyed me and taken the power that was mine. Perhaps you too will build a tower that will pierce the very celestial heavens, or create an empire, or a following that will devour whole worlds ... and minds. Maybe you will discover new knowledge and enrich your mind with powers in ways I cannot even imagine. Or perhaps you will create something long lasting in value like creating your own race to play god over—a legacy of denizens who will suffer for their origins in your sins that will continue long after your successor comes and ends your burdens. 

Rejoice, my destroyer. You have the lore that you have been looking for, and now you can begin to implement your dream of how the world, how the Story, should be. Enjoy the process of building your New Realm, of destroying your foes, and celebrating your achievements. And once again; rejoice. Rejoice for the end that is your right. Pray for the end to come to your Story so that it too can be added to the shelves of volumes behind this throne of those who came before you. Or build another shelf for all I care. It matters not to me now.

But if your end does not come, or if you destroy it ... then cry, my friend. Cry for the sacrifices you made, the friends you lost, the family you abandoned, the lovers you betrayed ... all in vain, my friend—all in vain. Have you ever written yourself into a corner? Let me explain what it is like. It is a personal, perpetual, dark hell of your own making—the wasteful redundancy that you will find both yourself and your creations wallowing in if you do not end the latter before your inspiration burns itself out. Cry if you destroy the one who will be your undoing before he or she is done. That was why the one before me let me live—to serve as the instrument of her demise. And that was why I, too, had the foresight of mind to let you live. Cry, if your Story becomes trite and numbing to reader and wryter like fast acting poison. 

Cry, when you feel the waste of all that potential you once had. Cry when you no longer love the things you make. Cry when you become the living waste that you have begun to embody.

And so I leave you now. Another Grandmaster of the Dark-wryter sect passes, my Story ended―and your hell only begun.

May your Last Page end well.

If you are reading this, my successor, then you have destroyed me and taken the power that was mine.

Rejoice, my destroyer. You have the lore that you have been looking for, and now you can begin to implement your dream of how the world, how the Story, should be.

Matapos niyang maiwasan ang atake ni Zi Shang at naalis sa mataas na tapakan, noong una ay nais ni Duan Ling Tian ang gamitin ang kanyang buong lakas upang atakehin ang hangin at gamitin ang paglaban ng hangin upang gumawa ng paraan upang siya'y maitulak ng hangin pabalik sa mataas na tapakan. Ito ay dahil mayroon ditong Flight Prohibiting Formation na pinipigilan siya na lumipad.
Subalit, napagtanto niya sa loob ng ilang pagsubok na ang hangin sa paligid ay walang kahit kaunting panlalaban. Kumalat ang kanyang enerhiya at naglaho na parang bula. Ito ay para bang nabaon ito sa maraming bulak at tila hindi ito nagamit noong una palamang. Kahit pagsabog, pati na rin ang tunog ng hangin ay kahit kaunti ay hindi marinig.
"Ano ang nangyayari?!" Matindi ang gulat ni Duan Ling Tian, at dahil dito ay hinalungkat niya ang mga alaala sa kanyang isipan tungkol sa sikretong kayamanan ng Martial Emperor.
Sa wakas, nagawa niyang malaman ang kasagutan
"Gan'on pala huh? Bukod sa pagbabawal sa mga martial artist na lumipad, ang panlalaban ng hangin ay maglalaho rin kapag mayroong ginamit at inilagay na Flight Prohibiting Formation ang Inscription Master na nasa Martial Emperor Stage." Takot ang biglang nangibabaw sa mukha ni Duan Ling Tian noong nalaman niya ang dahilan.
Sa sandaling ito, nararamdaman niya na nadaragdagan ang bilis ng kanyang paghulog. Kung magpapatuloy ito, panigurado ay magkakalat at magiging madugo ang kanyang katawan pagdating niya sa ibaba.
Whoosh!
Maya-maya, isang mahinang tunog ang narinig ni Duan Ling Tian. SIya'y bahagyang nagulat dahil dito at hindi niya napigilan ang mapatingin dito.
Noong siya'y tumingin sa pinanggalingan ng tunog, nakita niya si Zi Shang, na kasama niyang nahuhulog, na patuloy siyang inaatake kahit sa ganitong pangyayari.
Ang kulay puting Origin Energy ay nayanig sa kamay ni Zi Shang bago ito nagbagong anyo at naging alon ng marilag na kulay pulang apoy. Noong ito'y sumanib sa alon ng matatag na kulay asul na hangin, agad naman na sumiklab ito ng walang babala.
Sa parehas na sandali, ang kababalaghan ng langit at lupa sa ibabaw ni Zi Shang ay patuloy rin na nagbabagong-anyo.
Noong una, 100 na silweta lamang ito ng ancient horned dragon.
Pagkaraan, 200 pang silweta ng ancient horned dragon ang lumitaw.
Maya-maya ay sumunod ang paglitaw ng 400 pa na silweta ng ancient horned dragon.
Sa wakas, noong ang kulay asul na chi ay pumasok sa apoy, lalo itong sumiklab at 100 pa na silweta ng ancient horned dragon ang lumitaw.
"Kaya pala. Nagtaka pa ako noong una kung paano nagawa nitong si Zi Shang na nasa ika-pitong antas ng Void Interpretation ang magtaglay ng matinding bilis at lumitaw sa aking harap sa isang kisapmata." Hindi napigilan ni Duan Ling Tian ang manliit ang kanyang mata noong nakita niya ang eksenang ito. Makikita sa kanyang mga mata ang pagkabalisa. "Nagawa niya palang pag-aralan ang unang antas ng Advance Fire Concept at ikatlong antas ng Advance Wind Concept! Bukod dito, mayroong karagdagang lakas ang kanyang Fire Concept na 100 na ancient horned dragon matapos niyang gatungan ang kanyang Fire Concept gamit ang kanyang Wind Concept!" Bulong ni Duan Ling Tian sa kanyang sarili at siya'y namangha.
Lubos na hindi niya naisip na magiging ganito katindi ang taglay na lakas ni Zi Shang sa loob lamang ng ilang buwan.
Naaalala niya pa noon sa Martial Competition ng Sampung mga Dynasty na isinagawa ng Skywolf Fort, si Zi Shang ay isa lamang martial artist na nasa ikalawang antas ng Void Interpretation at mayroong napag-aralan na dalawang Concept. Sa panahon na iyon, ang kanyang Wind Concept ay bahagyang mas malakas kumpara sa isa pa niyang Concept, ngunit hindi naman ito gaano kalakas.
Ngayon, noong muli niyang nakaharap si Zi Shang, agad niyang ginamit ang kanyang Spiritual Energy upang malaman ang kasalukuyang antas ng cultivation ni Zi Shang - ito'y nasa ika-pitong antas ng Void Interpretation.
Hindi na siya nagulat dito.
Kahit na isa siyang martial artist na nasa ikalawang antas ng Void Interpretation noon, panigurado ay hindi magkukulang ang Skywolf Fort sa pagsasanay sa kanya dahil para sa kanila ay si Zi Shang ay ang kanilang pangbato sa pagpasok sa sikretong kayamanan ng Martial Emperor ngayon.
Paniguradong sa kanya rin gagamitin ang mga spirit fruit sa Skywolf Fort.
Sa taglay na lakas ng Skywolf Fort, hindi na mahirap para sa kanila na tulungan si Zi Shang na maabot ang ika-pitong antas ng Void Interpretation mula sa ikalawang antas nito sa loob lamang ng ilang buwan.
Subalit, ang problema ay ang cultivation ng isang martial artist ay magagawang paangatin sa loob ng kaunting panahon gamit ang mga spirit fruit, ngunit hindi ganito sa mga Concept. Kahit na gaano karami ang Concept Fragment na taglay ng isang tao, talagang limitado lamang ang bilis ng pag-angat ng Concept.
"Marahil mayroon din ang Skywolf Fort ng Profound Assimilation Formation. Subalit, tanging ang Profound Assimilation Formation lamang ay hindi sapat upang dumaan sa malaking pag-unlad si Zi Shang! Hmm, maliban na lang kung magkaparehas kami, at magagawa niyang ipagsama dito ang kanyang Spiritual Energy..." Noong naisip ito ni Duan Ling Tian ang ekspresyon sa kanyang mukha ay napatigil. Nanliit ang kanyang mga mata habang siya'y bumulong, "Huwag mong sabihin sa akin na mayroong nalabing kaluluwa na maaaring pagmamay-ari ng isang Martial Emperor sa loob ng katawan ni Zi Shang? Marahil mayroong ilang pamamaraan si Zi Shang na binigyan siya ng benepisyo na kaparehas ng akin sa Profound Assimilation Formation?"
Agad na napagtanto na ni Duan Ling Tian.
Kahit na ito'y nalabing kaluluwa lamang, maaari pa rin na isa itong kaluluwa na pagmamay-ari ng isang Martial Emperor. Talagang pangkaraniwan para sa mga ito na magtaglay ng kakaibang mga pamamaraan.
Bukod dito, ang Profound Assimilation Formation ay isa lamang Inscription Formation na isinagawa ng isang Inscription Master na nasa Martial Monarch Stage, at hindi mahirap para sa kaluluwa ng isang Martial Emperor na pakialaman ito.
"Huh?" Sa sandaling ito, si Duan Ling Tian ay sumulyap kay Zi Shang at napansin niya ang pitong talampakan ang haba na sibat sa kanyang palad habang itinaas niya ang kanyang kamay - isa itong spirit spear.
Noong ang chi ng hangin at apoy ay sumanib na sa sibat, ang pitong talampakan na sibat ay tuluyang nabalot ng chi ng hangin at apoy. Ito'y pinalibutan ng asul at pulang enerhiya.
Whoosh!
Sa parehas na sandali, 78 pa na silweta ng ancient horned dragon ang lumitaw sa ibabaw ng ulo ni Zi Shang.
Talagang hindi na nakaramdam ng gulat si Duan Ling Tian noong nakita niya ito.
Noong inilabas pa lamang ni Zi Shang ang pitong talampakan ang haba na sibat, nagawa na niyang makita na ito'y isang grade two spirit spear.
Isang grade two spirit weapon na ginawa ng isang pangkaraniwang grade two weapons craftsman ay mayroon lamang taglay na 78% bilang pinakamataas, katulad ito ng sibat na hawak ngayon ni Zi Shang.
Ang kababalaghan ng langit at lupa sa ibabaw ng ulo ni Zi Shang ay umabot na sa 878 na silweta ng ancient horned dragon. Nag-iipon ang mga ito ng lakas, naghihintay na umatake sa kahit anong sandali.
Swish!
Maya-maya, isang ispada ang lumitaw sa kamay ni Duan Ling Tian. Ito ay isang ispada na patuloy na nagbibigay ng hindi pangkaraniwang aawra - ito ay ang Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword.
Noong nayanig ang grade two spirit spear sa mga kamay ni Zi Shang at sumugod patungo sa kanya, kanyang isinalin ang kanyang Origin Energy sa kanyang Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword at walang pagdadalawang-isip. Ito ay isang kilos na kasing dali ng pagsira ng tuyong mga sangay.
Sa isang iglap, agad na nabuo ang kababalaghan ng langit at lupa sa ibabaw ni Duan Ling Tian.
Aang mga silweta ng 400 ancient horned dragon ang lumitaw sa hangin.
Ang buong lakas ng isang martial artist na nasa unang antas ng Void Transformation ay katumbas ng 200 na ancient horned dragon!
Ang karagdagang lakas ng Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword ay 100%. Habang ang Origin Energy ni Duan Ling Tian ay ang nagsisilbing pundasyon, mayroon itong karagdagang lakas na 200 ancient horned dragon!
Silang dalawa ay pinagsama at ang katumbas nito ay ang lakas ng 400 ancient horned dragon.
- at hindi pa nagagamit ni Duan Ling Tian ang kanyang Concept.
Ang enerhiya ng Concept ay mabilis na pumasok sa Origin Energy na para bang mga anino, sila'y sumanib sa Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword. Ang kayumangging enerhiya ay mabilis na lumitaw, at mayroon itong kasunod na kulay bayolet na kidlat na para bang anino.
Isa pang alon ng malupit na awra ng lumitaw sa Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword.
Bukod doon, mga sigabo ng matatatag na chi ng hangin ay pumalipit din sa Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword.
Sa isang iglap, ang enerhiya ng langit at lupa sa ibabaw ni Duan Ling Tian ay umikot, at isang malaking pagbabago ang makikita sa kababalaghan ng langit at lupa.
Bukod sa 400 na silweta ng ancient horned dragon, mayroon pang 600 na silweta ng ancient horned dragon ma nabuo sa hangin. Ang dalawang pangkat na ito ay nagsama at naging 1000 na silweta ng ancient horned dragon...
Ang apat na concept ay nagsama-sama at katumbas ng lakas ng 600 na ancient horned dragon.
Sa mga Concept, ang lakas ng 300 na ancient horned dragon ay mula sa Earth, Thunder, at Sword Concept na mayroong taglay na 100 ancient horned dragon bawat isa. Ang 300 pa na ancient horned dragon ay mula lamang sa Wind Concept.
Noong pagpasok ni Duan Ling Tian sa Profound Assimilation Formation, sa apat na Concept na kanyang napag-aralan, tanging ang Wind Concept ay ang nasa Void Interpretation Stage. Ang tatlo pa ay nasa Void Initiation Stage lamang.
Dahil sa dito, ang Wind Concept ni Duan Ling Tian ay ang nagtaglay ng pinakamalaking pag-unlad sa Profound Assimilation Formation. Ito'y umunlad at dumating sa ikalawang antas ng Advance Stage sa isang subok lamang!
Ang ikalawang antas ng Advance Wind Concept ay katumbas ng lakas ng ancient horned dragon!
Nakatayo si Duan Ling Tian at hawak niya pa rin ang ispada habang naharap siya sa pag-atake ni Zi Shang na may lakas na 878 ancient horned dragon. Isang kasuklam-suklam na ngiti ang makikita sa kanyang bibig.
Handa nang umatake ang 1000 na silweta ng ancient horned dragon.
"SUGOD!" Ang sibat na taglay ang buong puwersa ni Zi Shang ay agad na sumugod. Ang enerhiya ng apoy at tubig na nasa sibat ay agad na sumiklab at nagbagong-anyo at naginig isang mabilis na Wind-Fire Spear Ray bago ito sumugod kay Duan Ling Tian gamit ang buong lakas nito.
Kahit na ang atake ng sibat ni Zi Shang ay mayroong taglay na matinding lakas, wala pa rin tunog ng ingay ng hangin o pagsabog dahil sa Flight Prohibiting Formation sa lugar na ito.
Ang lahat ay tila napakatahimik, sobrang tahimik na para bang kakaiba ito.
"Hurmph! Panigurado ay mamamatay ka na ngayon!" Matapos umalis ng Spear Ray ni Zi Shang mula sa kanyang grade two spirit spear, isang ngisi ang lumitaw sa kanyang bibig.
Subalit, mabilis na naglaho ang ngisi ni Zi Shang na ito.
"Imposible!" Itinaas ni Zi Shang ang kanyang ulo. Noong una ay nais niya makita ang eksena kung saan matatamaan at mabubutas si Duan Ling Tian ng kanyang Spear Ray. Subalit, siya ay nagulat na lamang, nakita niya ang eksenang kung saan hindi niya ikasasaya.
'Nananaginip ako!' Sigaw ni Zi Shang sa kanyang puso.
Mabilis na nanliit ang mga mata ni Zi Shang habang tinitignan niya ang 1000 na silweta ng ancient horned dragon. Ang kanyang mukha ay napuno ng takot habang sa mga mata niya ay tila mayroon pang bahid na hindi siya makapaniwala.
"Paano ito nangyari?! Paanong may taglay na ganito katinding lakas si Duan Ling Tian?!" Talagang ayaw maniwala ni Zi Shang na totoo ang lahat ng ito.
- Sa sandaling ito, kumilos na si Duan Ling Tian.
Sa harap ng mabilis at walang tunog na Spear Ray na ipinadala ni Zi Shang, isang mapang-asar na ngiti ang lumitaw sa bibig ni Duan Ling Tian. Nayanig sandali ang Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword na hawak niya bago nito hinarap ang papalapit na Spear Ray.
Sword Drawing Art!
Si Duan Ling Tian ay kasing bilis ng kidlat. Ang spirit sword sa kanyang kamay ay kumilos patungo sa Spear Ray.
Ang lakas ng 1000 ancient horned dragon ay kumilos at napuksa ang Spear Ray na mayroong taglay na lakas na 878 ancient horned dragon at walang laban itong naglaho na para bang pagdudurog ng tuyong damon.
BANG!
Isang malakas na tunog ang narinig. Ito ay ang tunog ng pagsabog ng Spear Ray.
Sa parehas na sandali, gamit ang tulong ng biglang pag-urong na naidulot ng enerhiya mula sa pagtama ng Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword sa Speak Ray, biglang napalipad sa malayo si Duan Ling Tian.
Ito ay sa posisyon kung nasaan ngayon si Zi Shang.
Patuloy na nahuhulog pababa ang katawan ni Zi Shang. Subalit, ang bilis ng kanyang paghulog ay hindi na dapat pang banggitin kung ikukumpara sa kasalukuyang bilis ni Duan Ling Tian.
"Zi Shang!" Noong sumugod si Duan Ling Tian patungo kay Zi Shang, ang kanyang mga mata ay puno ng matinding lamig, at malinaw na makikita rito ang kagustuhan niyang pumatay.
Maraming gulo ang ibinigay sa kanya ni Zi Shang noon.
Noong huli, siya'y muntik nang mapatay ng anim na elder ng Skywolf Fort dahil kay Zi Shang. Noong oras na iyon, hinarangan ni Ta Mu ang atake na dapat ay sa kanya at sinakripisyo niya ang sarili niyang buhay.
Ang utang na dugo ay dapat bayaran din ng dugo!
Sa isang iglap, ang Quasi Royal Grade Spirit Sword sa kamay ni Duan Ling Tian ay biglang lumiwanag.


Ang kaluluwa ng pinakamagaling na weapon specialist ng Earth ay tumawid sa isang alternatibong mundo, taglay ang alaala ng Rebirth Martial Emperor, nilinang ang Nine Dragons War Sovereign Technique, winawasak ang lahat ng kalaban na mayroong hindi mapapantayang lakas!
Kayang gumawa ng medisina, may kakayahan sa paggawa ng mga armas, at alam ang sining ng inskripsyon...
Ang pagiging dalubhasa sa lahat ng propesyon ay gawi ng mga hari!


Catarina shared our translations of the two tablets, and the old pair left. That left the twins and me by ourselves. 

"So, about what we discussed," Pratt began to say, but didn't finish. 

"Yes," I replied immediately. "You'll teach me pictorial." 

"And you'll teach us Vikari," Dia said. 

"Shall we begin?" 

The twins went first. And they made a great pair, as expected. Pratt was the voice, Dia was the hand. 

"Consider elementals. The basic characters represent ideas. In somewhat the same way, pictorial characters too are representation of ideas. The difference being that the ideas are perceived as linguistic constructs in elementals, whereas in pictorial they are visual constructs. And that creates room for expressionism. Let's say, we're describing dawn. In elementals, the characters for the sun, light, weather and other heavenly objects, come together to form a rune which describes dawn. Because the entire rune is of a linguistic construct, the understanding is highly dependent on personal interpretation. In pictorial, the construct of the rune is what is seen visually. So, every dawn is unique. And understanding is limited only by the extent of imagination. So, every pictorial rune must be read as if looking at a distinct painting." 

As Pratt paused, Dia took over. She drew two dawns side by side on a whiteboard, and then translated them in Nashi. 

Looking at my face filled with concentration, Pratt spoke slowly. 

"Pictorial would be the natural bane for you, since they are the complete opposite of descriptives. But when you do get the hang of it, you'll see that that's not actually true. Other than the fact that pictorial have no linguistic characters, and descriptives have no non-linguistic characters, the two give the same importance to detail." 

"I get it," I said. "But I need more practice." 

"And that's what I'm here for," Dia said, taking over the voice too. 

"The general idea is the same in all pictorial. It's like art. All art from a particular period, have an underlying feature. And that feature is what separates the different periods and styles of art. The implementation of colour. The brush strokes. The sharpness or bluntness. The point of view of the artist. In the same way, different pictorial runes vary from each other. Nashi and Vyaraishi differ in the perspective. Vyaraishi was a civilisation of the central flatlands, while Nashi was higher up on the mountains with a view of the sea down below. The geographical differences are evident in their perception of the world, and it shows in the runes. Nashi have a more dreamlike quality. Vyaraishi are more grounded, more practical, you can say. I'll send across a few simple runes of each. You'll get the hang of it easily enough." 

Pictorial runes were very interesting because they posed a critical question to my theory. What importance would the environment have to pictorial runes? 

It was a question for later. Right now, it was my turn to teach. And the twins were beaming with excitement and expectation. 

I cleared my throat and began. 

Almost an hour later, Jerry cut the call. We all needed our sleep, he said, happily ignoring the glares. The tabletop had turned back into a plain block of wood. The cottage had descended into complete silence. Nisha's door was closed. Locked too, I was sure. Catarina's door was open. I could see her asleep on one half of the bed. I wasn't feeling sleepy though. 

"Maybe tomorrow," I said to no one, and turned away. 

I pulled another tablet on the table, and read it to the end. I wasn't writing into my notebook, however. I just didn't feel like it. What I did feel like was to head out to the lakeside. And I did just that. 

With everyone gone, it was just me and the runes. I liked it better that way. Simple. Quiet. Endearing. 

I hadn't translated, but the story on the tablet was in my head. 

The war had ended. Not in victory and defeat, however. The end brought no peace. Only an endless nothingness. The prophecy had come true, and it left no one happy. The sun dawned on a new, dark day. Appeared as a dazzling man in the dark court. Knelt by the dark woman and embraced her in silence. No words needed to be said between the couple. They were married thousands of years, and they understood each other perfectly.  

The era of the heavens had ended and a new day dawned. 

I sat by the lake and saw the words on the tablet turn into a pictorial rune on the dark surface of the lake. It felt very much like the library back home, where most of my years were spent. I felt like I was home. 

"The era ended," I said softly to the quiet night. "A new day dawned. It was a temple for the sun and the cosmic darkness. It was a temple for the divine couple." 

I knew I was right. But I didn't know what that represented. I didn't even have the whole story of the temple. I was speculating from the ending that I knew. I shouldn't, but I couldn't stop myself. 

In that moment, I realised why I couldn't sleep. I allowed myself some more time enjoying the night. A little effort and I could probably see the cosmic darkness. But I was too lazy. Rushing back in, I reached for my notebook. And translated the three tablets into Nashi.

Gawkers Academy was supposed to be a small academy. 

Runic Archaeology was supposed to be an insignificant course. 

My life was going to be ordinary. 

I was so very wrong!

Why is everyone so interested in me? I just want to be average.

****

Dean was mostly wrong. He was smarter than he thought he was. More careless than he would admit. 

But what he lacked, he made up for with clueless charm. 

His parents were amused - he wanted to be average but got admission to the most challenging class with the toughest requirements. How could he be so smart and so clueless at the same time? 

His professors were stunned - he was a savant. His ideas ingenious. But why did his expectations for himself have to be so far off? 

And his friends. They were almost as off balance. 

****

Vikari. Nashi. Faery. 

So many runes. 

One big adventure.

****

{{ Temporarily paused. }}

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