Pathway

Acquiring some divine or luminous artifacts was really extremely difficult and the Ozoros ruins was as difficult as any. For thousands of years, emperor Qing Yuan had been trying to get hold of the artifact inside Ozoros but had been unsuccessful. Every thousand years, sects would send chosen premiers to the emperor for this purpose.

To be part of the chosen meant the sect would gain immeasurable recognition throughout the world and the cultivators would be important personalities if they could survive.

Oh, how he wished he could provide a disciple that would represent the flying stars sect in front of the emperor. His name as a master would forever be legendary. But, their sect was one of the smallest, how could they compare to the top sects?

Zhou Lin rested his eyes on Ju Feng.

Could he be the difference he had been waiting for?

"Today, we have a new disciple in our midst, a new disciple from the outer section. I know you've already met him but i want to formally bring him to your awareness again as tradition stated. Ju Feng, come forward."

"Yes, master."

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

After having Ju Feng beside him at the front, he continued.

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

He flicked his hand in the air and it stirred a bit of lightning streaks.

"Ju Feng, here, underwent his tribulations last night. Same day he was accepted. I don't know what that means, but I hope it's something for the better. He will be with Yan Zhihao but all of you have the same responsibilities."

He turned to Ju Feng with a mild smile on his face.

"Ju Feng, watch, listen, learn and practice. Don't discard their words, you could always learn from them. As a cultivator you wouldn't go wrong on this."

He whispered to his assistant, Su Ming, a golden core cultivator who had mild temper but her eyes were like lightning hawks, to take over the martial art session before turning to Ju Feng.

"Ju Feng, Come with me."

"Yes, master."

He quickly fall behind his master.

Master Zhou Lin took Ju Feng to the open area near his hill and sat down.

"Ju Feng, I tell you this, in this world of cultivation, its all about power. The artifacts, items, techniques and your level of cultivation determine who you are and where you are in this world. Wisdom makes you discern what is and what is not"

His gaze fell and he shook his dejectedly. As a master, he knew a cultivator may believe in having the higher cultivation level than the opponent, but if the opponent had more powerful artifacts or items, the cultivator could be dead. Likewise, if the cultivator had powerful artifacts and items, but didn't have a high enough cultivation level to use them against an opponent who had higher cultivation level, the cultivator might easily die too.

A cultivator might even have powerful artifacts, items and a very good cultivation level but if the opponent had a higher cultivation level and higher technique, the cultivator might also die easily. A cultivator must never think having a divine weapon as a premier warranted a confrontation with a nascent soul. The cultivator would simply die.

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

"Master.. ."

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

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

Master Zhou Lin stared at Ju Feng keenly before suddenly smiling.

"Ju Feng, just yesterday you joined the inner sect and you underwent your Zhuji tribulations same day. I have to tell you, I'm really proud of you. I do hope it's a beginning of good things for you, all you have to do is continue working harder and get stronger. We will try our best to make sure you have the best support you need."

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

"Lightning is a powerful cosmic element, Ju Feng. Like lightening, all elements are universal affinities and they were not things to be wielded by a mortal or immortal body. They could only be manifested in traces or sparks through a physical body. A true nascent soul could manifest these element to a certain degree. But for the elements to be fully manifested, it must be channelled through something connected to the soul of a cultivator and also to the elements in the universe. A medium between the two."

He paused for a moment which seemed forever.

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

He turned his head to the side and looked at Ju Feng.

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

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

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

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

"This is Mujithar. I spent hundreds of thousands of years gathering the materials. It's about not being in a rush as you make decisions on your weapon. Your weapon is part of your soul, part of your existence. Take your time. In the mean time, you can check the market, there are minor weapons you can get to be using. It makes you familiar with all these."

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

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

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

"Mhm. Go ahead."

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

"Hm. Thoughtful of you. Yes, you can. You have the time needed. See you later then."

"Thank you master, thank you."

He told Yan and the other disciples quietly before heading towards his hillock. He would wait for a moment before making his way to the door without suspicion.

Time to see his home world.