บท 2: Inscriptions

'Based on Xiao Yan's age when he enters the Canaan academy and the age of Han Yue who was in the inner courtyard, I am roughly 4-5 years older than him. And since he awakens Yao Lao when he was 15 years old, I have approximately 9-10 years before Yao Lao gives him the Flame Mantra.'

After thinking about his future course of action, Hong Chen woke up from his bed and went to take a bath, after which Riva, his head-maid cum butler told him to visit the Eastern Pavilion.

'Why Eastern Pavilion? We are already in the Northern Pavilion. Is it something to do with the Purple Lightning? After all, Master was there when it struck me and he must've seen it.'

While thinking about the reason for his summon in the Eastern Pavilion, where the Patriarch Lei zun-zhe resides, Hong Chen quickly made his way towards the beast transportation platform in the Northern Pavilion where he was currently in.

He obviously could not rush on foot to the eastern pavilion and so, as soon as he arrived he showed his token as a personal disciple of Chen Yun and instantly boarded a rank 3 flying eagle.

Before long, Hong Chen arrived at the Eastern Pavilion and quickly some disciplinary committee members patrolling the premises escorted him towards the main hall after verifying his token.

"Follow us, Brother Chen, Elden Yun has already given us orders to bring you to the main hall as soon as you arrive."

"Then please, I request senior to lead the way." Responded Hong Chen while showing a very humble demeanour.

"Brother Chen is polite" responded the disciple with a smile who was escorting him.

"Hong'er! Come, come."

As soon as he arrived outside the main hall, Chen Yun sensed him and the doors to the main hall opened automatically, displaying many elders who were discussing something.

The disciple who was escorting Hong Chen immediately bowed towards the main hall and exited as fast as he can, after which Hong Chen entered the main hall in the curious eyes of everyone who were scanning him with their spiritual senses.

[The User doesn't have to worry. Unless the User himself indulges in the secret of 'Salvation' no other divine sense can detect it's origin as 'Salvation' is already merged with the User's soul.]

Upon listening to the System's notification, Hong Chen sighed mentally and then cupped his fists before bowing to all the elders in the main hall.

"Disciple Hong Chen has seen the Elders"

The reason Chen Yun had called Hong Chen here was exactly because of the Purple Lightning that he saw on the mountain peak where Honge Chen was tempering his Dou Qi with lightning.

This piece of news was very important towards the future of the Wind-Lightning Pavilion and he had instantly rushed to find the Patriarch Lei zun-zhe.

He needed to learn more about this lightning which only ever existed in the myths and legends.

Hence as soon as Hong Chen arrived, every one of the Elders in the main hall scanned Hong Chen with their spiritual senses and sure enough, found his Dou Qi to not only be irregularly dense, but also with a trace of a very destructive lightning.

Every one of the elders felt a very threatening feeling from the lightning which even shocked them, as they were all either Late Dou Ancestors or early Dou Venerate!

Each and every one of them could stand at the top of the central plains and only a handful of Clans or Tribes were there who could suppress them, mainly the Hall of Souls, Failing Star Pavilion, Ancient Clan, Pill Tower, Void Ancient Dragon Tribe, etc.

"Hehehe…How long has it been since my Wind Lightning Pavilion had a Genius Disciple? And now, I not only have one Genius Desicple from the Phoenix Tribe, but also an Extraordinary disciple from the Hong Clan! Today I am truly happy!" Said Lei zun-zhe after laughing heartily.

"Congratulations Lord Zhe. And Congratulations Brother Yun for acquiring such a talented disciple! I am jealous."

One by one every elder started congratulating Chen Yun and Lei zun-zhe as they were all genuinely happy for the future of their Wind-Lightning Pavilion.

The main reason why this Pavilion was so strong was mainly because even though it was divided between 4 pavilions, there was no in-fighting and everyone was supportive of each other through thick and thin, unlike Xiao Clan or Hall of Souls.

"Hong Chen! Since I am very happy with your development today, You can ask me of anything and I will make sure that whatever you desire is presented to you!" suddenly declared Lei zun-zhe after addressing Hong Chen.

'Opportunity!'

"Patriarch zhe is embarrassing the disciple. I dare not take advantage of his happy mood to extort him" responded Hong Chen cheekily which drew a bout of laughter from everyone.

"I like this kid" said an elder who found Hong Chen's sense of humour to his liking and his presence of mind at such a tender age of 10 very promising for Wind Lightning Pavilion.

"Don't worry, You can ask anything you want. I will not blame you afterwards," replied Lei zun-zhe with a smile.

"Then I am afraid Patriarch zhe only has to decide as the Patriarch is only qualified to evaluate what would be best for me."

Hong Chen smartly diverted the topic back to Lei zun-zhe because he had no idea of what could offend him. Even if he genuinely could ask of any heavenly or earthly treasure, for example, a 7th rank pill, or a Heavenly grade artefact, etc. But after seeing the memory of the foreign souls which he absorbed, his horizon broadened and his conceited and narrow mind blossomed. He knew when to show greed and when to concede.

"That is fair. Since you have decided to put this decision on this Seat, then this Seat rewards you with an Earth Grade medium-level Sword known as the Thunder Smite. Since you are only at the 6th Star of Dou Disciple, it will take you years to refine it but even unrefined, it can prove to be an invaluable life-saving treasure."

Saying this, Lei zun-zhe instantly threw a Spatial Ring towards Hong Chen who hurriedly caught it and thanked Lei zun-zhe.

"A very thoughtful present, I would say. Since Head Zhe has given his present, I will reward you a 2nd grade Meridian Raise Pill. This can strengthen the meridians and increase the fire type Dou Qi in your body.

Since the lightning that you have in your Dou Qi is extremely dangerous, your meridians should be strengthened before you use it or there will be a catastrophe. Also since Thunder gives birth to heat, it will make you more tolerant towards the fire Qi." Said another elder who threw a jade box towards Hong Chen.

'So they are not merely throwing these things, but telekinetically sending these things to my hand.' realized Hong Chen as he caught the jade box from the elder and bowed towards him before saying.

"Thankyou Elder Mu, Disciple is grateful"

After all the elders one by one gave their presents to Hong Chen, who they thought would be an excellent candidate for the successor of the Wind Lightning Pavilion, he was excused from the main hall and was asked to wait for Chen Yun before going back.

'Well, that was unexpected but welcomed nonetheless.' thought Hong Chen as he exited the main hall and started to check his Spatial Ring for all the items he now has.

Thunder Smite, an Earth Grade medium-level Sword; Meridian Cleansing Pill, a one-time use Skill Scroll of [A Million Lightning Blades] which has the power of a 1 Star Dou Ancestor, a 4th rank Triple Imprint Spirit Pill which can enable a Dou Master to breakthrough to a Dou Grand or increase a Dou Master's strength by three ranks, Qi Gathering Drink, and an 'Oscillating Thunder' Skill book which was an Earth grade low-level fighting technique.

As Hong Chen was walking besides the main hall, he arrived at an intersection where he collided with a girl, and fell on his back, while cushioning the fall of the girl on his chest.

"ow…Can't you see where you walk!?" Said a very pretty girl whose eyes turned moist and nose turned red from the impact.

In fact, Hong cheng had already detected her running figure due to his extremely sensitive Spiritual sense, and the fact that this girl was running in the hallway and literally disturbing the air and creating faint noise, but Hong Chen purposely collided with her.

"I am extremely sorry, Miss. It is indeed my fault. Wait, let me help you up." Said Hong Chen with a faint smile on his face as he helped the girl up.

"So tell me, how can I make up to this beautiful Lady?" asked Hong Chen very chivalrously.

It should be known that Hong Chen had learned a lot from the memories of the person who 'gifted' him the system, and hence, an 11-year-old Feng Qing Er had no chance in front of someone like him.

"uhh…I.. I don't know. I was just, wait a minute who are you?"

Feng Qing Er was angry at first, but when Hong Chen readily apologized, she felt some guilt as well and then she was confused as to who this guy was.

She has been in the Eastern Pavilion for 4 months now and she had never seen this Handsome Young Man before. Not only that, She was the only one courageous enough to run around like that near the Main hall because she was the personal disciple of the Patriarch Lei zun-zhe.

"My name is Hong Chen, and if I may know, What is the name of this beautiful lady?" Said Hong Chen as he took her hand and kissed her knuckles, which instantly caused her to blush up a storm.

"Wha..What are you doing!?" With a jerk, she snatched her hand away and took 3 steps back from Hong Chen.

"Listen, Hong Chen, I don't know who you are or why you are here, but I am warning you, keep your distance!"

'Eh? She seems genuinely angry? But the novels in that soul's memories showed that this kind of behaviour is secretly liked by girls? Is she a tsundere or what? I can see the blush on her face. Hmm, probably should take it slow.' thought Hong Chen before he turned serious and said

"Well, I still don't know your name so I will not say anything more other than sorry. I hope we can start over aga-"

"Hong'er! There you are. Let's go back." Suddenly Chen Yun came from his side and asked Hong Chen to follow him.

"Yes Master!" Hong Chen instantly left with Chen Yun, leaving behind a very confused, irritated and nervous Feng Qin Er.

A couple of years passed in the blink of an eye and Hong Chen was sitting on his luxurious bed in his home in the Hong Clan.

In these couple of years, he has not only improved his cultivation and skills but also started learning inscriptions.

The inscription is a profession that allows someone to create glyphs, scrolls, and enchantments, as well as various items but it needs an extreme amount of precision and soul strength to even start, which is why all the Inscription experts start training after becoming a Dou Grandmaster and can't achieve great success in it till they reach Dou Venerate, but ever since Chen Yun discovered Hong Chen's soul strength, he excitedly invited an inscriptions expert who taught Hong Chen for 6 months and created a solid foundation for him.

It also created waves in the entire Central plains that such a young Inscription expert was being nurtured by the Wing Lightning Pavilion.

'Could be very dangerous; Hall of Souls is ALWAYS looking for people with strong soul power' thought Hong Chen as he sighed after thinking about his situation.

'Anyways, [Status]'

[Status]

[Name: Hong Chen

Age: 12

Physical Attribute: 24

Mental Attribute: 462

Bloodline: Human

Cultivation: 7-Star Dou Practitioner

Professions: Inscriptions(152/3000 Minor)

Skills: Three Thousand Lightning Movement(247/1000 Major), Wind-Lightning Dual Mantra(570/1000 Major), Oscillating Thunder(502/2000 Minor)

Special Skills: Purple Void Lightning(230/10,000 Minor)

Equipment: Thunder Smite, a Skill Scroll [A Million Lightning Blades] (Power: 1 Star Dou Ancestor), a 4th rank Triple Imprint Spirit Pill

Salvage Shards: 53]

During these 2 years, Hong Chen has not only improved his cultivation, and his relationship with Feng Qing Er, but also salvaged countless beast cores, low-grade equipment and even gold but could only acquire measly 53 Salvage Shards, which told him just how difficult it really was to acquire them.

It should be noted that not only he was a Youg Master of a very big Hong Clan, but also a Personal Disciple of an Elder from Wind Lightning Pavilion and yet, he had nothing which could give him hundreds of salvage points in an instant.

He had thought about salvaging his 'Thunder Smite' sword many a times because he knew that he wouldn't fight with a broadsword like that. He hated burly weapons.

But that was also one of his life-saving treasures and until he gets something else, he really can't salvage it.

'Well, Let's go.'

Han Yue was practising with her sister Han Xue in their family courtyard.

Han family lived modestly, as they were predominantly an Alchemist's family, they had less military strength than the Hong Family, but being an Alchemist Family allowed them to have wealth, through which they employed bodyguards and elders to train their children.

Han Xue was very interested in becoming an Alchemist like her father Han Chi, while Han Yue wanted to increase their family's military strength so that they can truly rival the Hong Clan.

It was a serene atmosphere where everyone was doing their own thing in harmony when suddenly a guard rushed from the outer gates towards the inner courtyard where Han Yue and Han Xue were practising and hurriedly said towards Han Chi, who was spending some rare quality time with his daughters.

"Informing the Patriarch, The Young Master Hong Chen of the Hong Family is coming towards our outer gate. He doesn't have any bodyguards or escorts. He is on foot and would reach our Outer gate in about 5 minutes."

As soon the guard told this to Han Chi, his eyebrows scrunched up.

He had doubts about why Hong Chen would come here, but coming here without an escort?

Hong Family and Han family were not enemies per se, but were not friends either. Both had a hidden cold war going on between them, trying to manipulate the market and businesses to undermine the other.

"When he arrives, lead him to me." Responded Han Chi after thinking for some time and further added.

"Don't offend him. He is a kid and kids can get unreasonably angry. If he complains to his master in the Wind Lightning Pavilion then it will be troublesome."

After the guard left, Han Xue shrugged her shoulders and went back to dismantling the ginseng in her hand and making notes of its properties but Han Yue went into deep thoughts.

She had heard of Hong Chen and knew that he was a genius who was recruited by the Wind Lightning Pavilion 2 years back. She wondered if she could defeat him, or if he really was as awesome as rumours made him out to be.

Before long, she saw a very handsome boy, of a height of 5'3 with long black hair which was flying wildly in the air, while his piercing black eyes had a purple lustre in them.

He was wearing a simple white shirt and pants but his demeanour gravitated everyone's attention towards him.

"Hong'er has seen the Elder" said Hong Chen while lightly bowing towards Han Chi.

Han Chi nodded with approval and acknowledgement to his greeting before saying.

"Well well well, I didn't think Chen'er would come to my courtyard one day. Come, have a seat with uncle."

Hong Chen smiled at him before turning towards both Han Xue and Han Yue who were staring at him with big eyes and bowed slightly as a gesture of greeting, before taking his seat beside Han Chi.

"Elder, First of all, how is your health? I heard making pills takes a toll on one's spirit."

"hahaha…It's fine it's fine. It is not bad when you love what you do."

"Hong'er is enlightened," said Hong Chen with a smile.

"So tell me, Chen'er, What brings you to my humble abode?"

"Well, I was on a vacation from the Wind Lightning Pavilion and heard that Miss Han Yue is a genius in Martial Arts, especially sword fighting. So I thought why shouldn't I go say hello? I mean, it's been 12 years since we live in the same city and yet have never seen each other." Responded Hong Chen while addressing Han Yue.

"I too, am curious about the strength of Brother Chen." said Han Yue as she tightened her grip on the wooded sword.

Hong Chen looked and Han Chi for permission, and when Han Chi nodded, he got up from his seat, went towards Han Xue first and picked up a discarded stick from the ginseng she was studying, much to everyone's bewilderment and then went up to Han Yue and raised the stick as if raising a sword.

'Alright, Time to show off like those people from anime' was all he thought before smiling towards Han Yue and beckoning her to come.

"You really are full of yourself!" gritted Han Yue angrily as she thought that Hong Chen was underestimating her because she was a girl.

Since the time she started understanding the world, she had never had been able to talk to or befriend boys because of her inherent disgust for them, but when she saw Hong Chen, she thought she can suppress her unreasonable prejudice, but this gesture from Hong Chen enraged her.

'Let me teach you a lesson in humility' she thought as she rushed towards Hong Chen with the strength of 3-Star Dou Practitioner but before she could reach near him, Hong Chen flicked his wrist and suddenly Han Yue was completely paralyzed.

"What!?" exclaimed not only Han Xue and Han Chi, but even the guards who were near them.

One Move!

This was unprecedented. Even if Han Chi knew the 7-Star Cultivation of Hong Chen, there was simply no way that he can defeat his daughter in barely a move. Moreover, he just flicked his wrist and the Lightning Qi which was surrounding Hong Chen just travelled near Han Yue and came back. It did not even strike her!

He couldn't realize that what Hong Chen used was simple physics mixed with Dou Qi and Earth-grade skill.

His [Oscilating Thunder] allows him to very quickly create a magnetical field around his target, through which he can generate an eddy current inside of his target's organs. This means that no matter how strong the armour is on them, it is useless.

"I am sorry, Lady Han Yue! Are you alright!?" Hong Chen immediately appeared beside her and grabbed her in his embrace before she could fall and slowly sat her down.

"I am really sorry to have gone overboard. I thought I was holding back but I didn't know I had to hold back more. I am regretful to have embarrassed you like this."

"It's okay." Han Yue said absentmindedly before she got up and left inside her house.

Hong Chen stayed there till dinner time, much to the uneasiness of the Han Family, as they couldn't really throw him out, and at nightfall, he went back.

"He is such a good kid. He will be a good son-in-law!" Said Han Chi's wife with a smile, much to the irritation of her daughters.