Guys, I am writing a Xuanhuan (relax it the nuke style deconstruction of the generic one you are sick off) novel. The novel can be found on Wattpad. And the title well...I hope the Thread front could be rainbow color but we can't have everything. I am also post the discussion at my thread in https://forum.novelupdates.com/conversations/operation-salvaging-the-xuanhuan-dreg-era-sxde.18036/ Synopsis: "Power....Strenght...that is not everything." One man said that in the world where dog eat dog. One where every sect in the world struggle in dominance on the back of common people. One where murder pave path to immortality. One where hope and kindness is an insult. Countless man and woman struggle for the war of dominance that threatened to flip the three kingdom. To sweep everything under heaven and own all in this land. The Cultttivator of the world will fight with their paths, armies and Retainers. Mountain of corpse and blood will pave the 'heroes' road to victory. Yet, in that world of conflict, the bastion of hope still remain. The undignified knights who will save all mankind and more from themselves. A pirate seeking dream taught those word to a young boy. A boy who will taught the world true meaning of Victory as the Sage of Mercy. "Believe...there always be another way...don't let hope died..." Table of Content Chapter 1/ Chapter 2 /Chapter 3/ Chapter 4/Chapter 5/Chapter 6/Chapter 7
Chapter 1: Once Upon the time "Once upon the time there were two brothers..." That night was a starry one. Full moon loomed over the ship as it sailed silently in the night. standing on that ship was a man. He was a huge mass of muscle radiating power. His face was tan and rugged with curly gray mustache and beard. An eye patch is draped across his right eye. Yet, despite that the scar crisscrossing over his bare chest and the hulking mass that gravitate out of him, his left eye radiated wisdom of ages. A captain hat bristled on top of his head. "Both was born among gods..." The man continued with voice full of power. "Yet due to misfortune they fell from heaven and are hunted like dog. In the end an angry crowd full with rage and hate toward the god who hunted the two brother like dog. They strung both boys up on the wall and lit the fire beneath them and preparing to burn them alive." "Jack, I don't like this story," said the young boy with black hair and eyes as blue as sapphire. "Let me finish," Jack coughed. "Fill with rage and hatred exceeding that of his tormentors, the elder brother awaken his power and kill the crowd in vengeance. With that power, he started a rampage to claim his throne. Yet, the arrogant heaven denied him and thus a demon is born. With his power and might, he set off to conquer the world and pull the gods down from their throne. Meanwhile, younger brother full of love and empathy set out to stop him...in an epic tale the confront each other on a snowy day." "Did the younger brother win?" The young boy asked excitedly. "Nope..." What the hell is this story? The young boy looked incredulous. "It not even the fight. The younger brother was barely alive when they confront each other. Even in his prime, the younger brother was barely stronger than an ant in front of his elder. You could say he already know he is going to die. He was smashed and killed from his weakness. Some even say he is too kind to even fight back." The pirate laughter rang across the ocean. "That is a terrible story!" The young boy cried. "He supposed to win! Good supposed to win! Why did he have to die..." The pirate looked at the boy. "That is how life is...sometime kindness to enemy is cruelty is cruelty to oneself. In this world only power matter. The most merciless always come out ahead that is how thing is, Xaintian. Unless you kill the root, the weed will never die. There are no kindness in this world... that is reality." "I...I don't like that." Xiantian sulked. "You are right!" The captian suddenly beamed, flashing row of white teeth. "I hate the world like that too!" What! You just say those depressing thing with that gravity and you just contradict yourself ! What the hell uncle! Xiantian nearly keeled over. "Who cares if the world tries to be cruel? Who cares if thousand jerks tries to be an a**-hole? We all gonna die anyway. Nature rule? Heaven will? Law of the Jungle? HA! HA! HA! When did mankind signed a contract to follow nature? We human could built ships that cross over water despite having no gills. With the right technique and Retainer, we could fly across the sky even without wings. Law of the Jungle? What da heck is that? Do you know how much deforestation happen this year? What is the price of tiger's pelt on the market? The jungle should be running away from us, not the other way around! HA! HA! HA!" Xiantian fell flat on his bum, scared enough to leak his pant. This man is not sane. Xiantian concluded. "But the younger brother still lost..." Xiantian said still trembling from shock. "Yes! He lost!" The man said with gusto. "But with his final breath younger brother trick the older to carried something to safety. That something is a child he saved. A child who was abandoned and tormented by the world like his elder brother and fated to fell on the path evil. Yet, through his kindness, the younger brother reversed the boy's fate. The boy who is fated to be monster ceased to exist and instead become the Avenger who fought the Elder brother as his greatest enemy. He gather his allies and, in the name of his savior, the Avenger toppled the nation of the elder brother and face him in the battle of age." "You mean the elder brother is defeated by the boy." Xiantian's eye gleamed with hope "Nope!" Jack beamed. "The Avenger put up hell of fight with the intensity that could destroy the country but he lost." "But that isn't right!" Xiantian clutched his head in frustration "And the world isn't fair." The captain become somber. "If the world is fair, the I, Captain Jack Sparrow, won't have to become a pirate!" "But...the Avenger died..." "Who said he died?" "Eh?!" "The Avenger lost, but before the elder brother delivered the final blow. An ally, a hero, rally into the cause by the ideal of freedom, camaraderie and empathy which the kind younger aspired to stop the killing blow. The battle continue and finally the Heavenly Demon was punched down from the throne by the hero himself. The demon live on of course but in that single day everything he built in the name of his tyranny and power was shattered. It is a fate worse than the solace of death. As he was imprisoned, bemoaning his destiny and cursing his captor, the only consolation he got is this phrase..." "There is no 'if'...the outcome is the only reality...you lost." "Wow..." Xiantian said in awe. "You like it." The captian gazed at the star longingly. "It is a story from the land I hailed from. Those story make me the man I am today. I am going to teach you all of it Xiantian but hear me boy..." "It easy to trample your opponent but true victory. A legendary epic! Those are not such an easy feat!" Jack roared in the voice that strike fear to all beast in the ocean. "50% brain, 40% Audacity and Million percent dream! That is the path to victory!"
Chapter 2: The Glory System 4 years past since that night... The Island of Albano Albano Island. It was often called the Island of Marble. The unseen fortress of the adventuring pirate group. The island of rumor. On the island a small marble Acropolis stood tall on the hill surrounded by forest and well maintained harbor. Despite it majestic look, less than ten people lived on this Island. One of them was a nine year boy who is channeling energy around him and a man dress in black cloth made out of cotton. The boy was sweating profusely while his merciless instructor was playing bagpipe. "Please stop," the boy groaned. "Focus Xiantian," the man said, blowing the bagpipe causing some bird to drop from the sky and drown in the nearby stream from shear horror. "Ignore the sound. Isolate your mind and focus. The moment you ignore the sound of death is the moment you achieve the pinnacle of control. To achieve more than a master at your paths mean you must focus." "What do you mean above mastery?" Xiantian said. "I think each path only take to the full mastery..." The power system of this world was the glory system. No one know when it spread but whenever it started it change the world. Suddenly, a single man can now battle army and conquer nation. This system rise a new dawn and dusk of since the ancient era. It the path to the next stage of human evolution. The system separated into six paths. Each path was created by assimilating natural phenomenon or perfecting a skill and assimilate it into the body. Each skills assimilated would evolve the body in way benefiting the skill. The first three path laid the foundation. Upon completing the third path, the cultivator will graduate to transcendence and gain a physique of a new race. To advance to the forth path the practitioner must grasp the secret of their new body and master it. Finally, the last three paths pave-way to godhood. When the sixth paths is reached and master it only took a step to reach the level of Old Dues The system sounded simple but it was hell. Each path started at beginner, then intermediate and finally mastery. The first and second path was not so bad and the third was viable. However, entering the transcendence, all the three paths must be compatible. Moreover, the user must have an idea what's the result they want from the transcending. Approaching it cluelessly, would lead to possible insanity and death. This combine with the exponentially increasing threshold as a person crossed into forth paths onward made Old Dues level seemed like a dream. No, it's actually worse than a dream. Considering how the exponential difficulty work, it's like hitting a brick-wall with Marshmallow. A nigh-impossible endeavor. Thus, to ease the suicidal level of difficulty, the Retainer co-system was developed. A Retainer was an extra-dimensional being contracted when the cultivator arrived at each paths' peak. Upon contraction, the Retainer helped catalyzed each path for easier break through. Retianer also function as familiar and weapon, each possessed their own ability and Ultimate Skill that can turn a tide of a battle or even a war. The Retainer's hierarchy split from 1*-5*. With 1* being common Retainer and 5* being 1% chance jackpot. While the chance increase as the cultivation progress, it's said that drawing 5* from the summoning pool at the first path was a sign of genius with unlimited potential. However, from Xiantian's point of view... "5* myth is bullshit," Xiantian said channeling his path to the fullest. "There are no weak Retainers, just weak contractor." "What make you said that?" said the young boy's instructor. "Each Retainer possessed ability unique to itself. While 5* Retainer might have better raw power, it required cataclysmic amount of energy to sustain. Moreover, the lower rarity Retainer is easier to reach its potential, providing more stable foundation." Xiantian explained. "No need to test me Crow, I know only 1 of your Retainer is a 4* and the rest come from even lower tier. And because of it you are one of the greatest specialist I've ever seen." "How much have you seen? You are barely ten years old," Crow smiled. "Jack told me enough." Xiantian said. "I've seen you spar crow. Oceanforce barely landed a hit on you." "He might be holding back. Oceanforce are one of the title holder like Jack Sparrow. You know that title holder is above the fourth paths right. I am only on a forth..." "Jack told me a story about a man. He was out number 1000 to 1 in a hopeless defense of a city but, by bluffing his opponent using nothing but calm expression, open city's gate and music, he tricked the enemy into believing that the whole debacle and drove the near crushing defeat into a complete victory. Victory is not from force it about gut and understanding the enemy." "Wow..." Crow sat down beside the boy. "I wonder where does our captian hear those story from it like he somehow lead a pretty rich life when he was young. Do you know that he actually introduce uses of explosive and intelligence unit into our Otaku Pirate." "Yeah..." Xiantian said. "I want to be like him." "Wise and kind yet powerful. Who wouldn't want to be?" Crow stood up. "Let go kid, sparring time." "But I..." "Don't worry I will only use my first path and no Retianer...let me drill what it meant to be a Grandmaster into your head."
Chapter 3: Xiantian's Path Crow and Xiantian stood on opposite side of each other in ready position. Xiantian moved first. "Space Arrow Chamber!" Around him a black distortion light up. "Fire!" "Too predictable," Crow complained side stepping the black beam. "Hey Xian, up the ante a bit. This is supposed to be fun." "I am not a joke Crow," Xiantian fired another black light. Every shot Xiantian threw at him missed. "I agree," Crow nodded. "You are not a joke. Your talent is good. Not the best but not the worse. Your determination is admirable but you are too high strung, little bro." "Highstrung," Xiantian's eye widened. "Why do you want to be strong?" Crow asked, craning his neck to dodge a shot. "I..." Xiantian's boyish face crunch up. Why'd I want to be strong anyway... "That the problem," Crow said closing the distance in a flash and threw Xiantian to the ground. "You're grew up too fast. I see it lately you know. The boyish wonder in your eyes are fading away. It all right to be a kid sometime." Xiantian tried to get up but Crow simply sat on his back. The sparring was over in an instant with Crow winning without using his skill and Xiantian struggling vainly on the ground like a caught fish. "Oh little kiddo is crying," Crow said grabbing his bagpipe from his side and played some Scottish's tune. "I am not crying," Xiantian bawled. Crow waited until Xiantian stopped crying. "You know what you did wrong?" Crow said after a while. Xiantian said nothing. "You let my taunt get to you. In real battle, only idiot, which sadly happened to be most of the world, try to deny their opponent taunt. A good taunt have to sting. It have to unbalance your opponent. That the opponent will simply mixed the truth with the provocation." Xiantian remained silent for sometime. "What should I do?" Crow smiled. "Find your center. You could go for many thing your dream, your love (although it a bit to early for nine years old) or simply your breakfast. Or you could alway borrow Jack's favorite center: Cute is Justice." Crow made a face as the memory resurface. "On the second thought you shouldn't. I listen to his explanation and I still don't get how the hell it work." "So what is your center, Crow." "Family," Crow said. "When I was ten my clan got wipe. And after half staff Jack Sparrow found me. He said that what I went through that day is a tragedy. He said that a pain will never disappear and I shouldn't forgive or forget what happened. He said that one day the truth about what happened will come out to the light and when that day arrive I cannot be blind by single mind rage. Revenge is a dish best served cold and painfully humiliating. It have already been seven years" Xiantian stayed quiet. "Hey, Crow who is my parent." "Jing Wei and Xiatou Surtnur," Crow said flatly. "They are noodle makers. One of the best actually. I have taste many noodle but their is the finest noodle I ever taste. I still missed it." "Crow...is this a joke?" "Nope. Your parent are friend with Jack. Back then you are just two years old. But Jack often visit there." "But where are they..." "Bandit attack," Crow said. "The would get away with it too if Jack does not happen to drop by. The whole island nearly sunk after are done with what is left of them. Luckily, your parent managed to hide you away beneath the floorboard or else we wouldn't be having this conversation." Xiantian stayed silent. "How long did you wait to ask that question?" "Long enough. I often wonder why I never have a parent but I never think that it is proper to ask. Now I know I am..." "Orphaned," Crow grinned. "Seriously!? Fine, you might lost your parent but look around you. You have me. You have us. And you have Jack. It is true that that hole inside your heart will never be replaced but that doesn't change the fact that something else can fill it. Reality is what you believe in Xian. Are you an orphan without parent? Or are you a son of the best noodle maker in the world and member of Otaku Pirate, one of the three great Ocean Overlord? Those facts are up for you to decide." Xiantian stayed silent. "If reality is up for me to decide, it mean I could choose right?" "Yep!" Xiantian suddenly started smiling. "Hey, Crow another spar!" "Very well." Crow said letting Xiantian up. "What give you that fire?" "Well," Xiantian said shyly. "I just want to be like the hero Jack's story." "Fat chance kid. You can't even beat me." "Someone got to start somewhere." Xiantian power surged. "Come on!: ... The sun was setting on Albano Island. Normally, the sparing would have stopped by now. But this was not most case. "Space Arrow Chamber," Xiantian called out as barrage of black light rained on Crow. He is getting better, Crow thought. Space Arrow is not that much of a unique path but it is spatial attack-type with cheap cost and high ammo count. This kid finally used it like he should which meant that he reached the Advance level. An arrow suddenly grazed Crow's cheek. No way! I dodge that...don't tell me. Crow panic. He using the space control that come with the arrow but that is Master level. Space-attribute specialized in dimension manipulation. This including shifting the position of object. At peak mastery, Space Arrow Chamber have a space suction effect that diverts the object toward the arrow by gravity which was the bending in space-time. Xintian's attack did not reach the inescapable level but it's undeniable that he take a step into space-attribute. Yet, space-attribute was a hard path to master. Even Jack himself was surprised when Xiantian wanted to learn the skills had been collecting dust in the treasury for so long. Several crewmen dissuade him from it but Jack insisted. 'What is the harm! Some one have to start somewhere right! Let a kid pioneer a new path! With us guiding what it is too fear!' Another arrows grazed Crow. "It appeared I have to go serious," Crow said. Normally he would summon his Retainer to deflect away the projectile but he already promised he will only use his first path. That didn't meant he was toothless. "The Step of Death." Crow's body become illusory in the speed like death itself. He weaved past hundreds arrow summoned by an exhausted Xiantian and neck-chopped the boy. "A nine year old First-path master...da hell." Crow said as Xiantian flopped on the floor face-down. "Did I just see a monster? He's training space-attribute to boot. How could we send him to the Academy under the radar if this keep going." I just want to be like the hero Jack's story! "Ha, ha, ha," Crow let out a dry laugh. "So this is what they say hero and monster are two side of the same coin...sh*t"
well can't really comment on the story there's only one chapter but you need an editor there's a lot of mistakes ( too lazy to point the one i remember) reading about a famous name in novel ( jack sparrow ) reminded me of the one of the biggest faillure of hail the king ( how the hell is paris hilton the most intelligent woman in the kingdom) just stay true to the character of the one you use
There is huge story relate twist (which I try to make as obvious as possible because that a story main pillar) relate to the name and yes I really need an editor. I did the best I could but well I have a certain limit.
Why don't u try writing something new??.... A bit cliched i think.... There r grammatical mistakes and the story needs an editor's help. Also, the name of ch. 1.... Couldn't u come up with something better?
Well, it the inside joke on my part. The one that kinda fit MC’s core to the whole (if you at the captian's story and the later chapter. You will realise the one back bone that shape everthing the MC's stand for.) Trust me by the later chapter (I already plan it). You will know that the name of Ch 1 fit this story to a T. And yes... I suck. I try to fix the Gramma but given that Gramma is like the weakest link in my English essay...I afraid I might break it the more I mess with it.
Chapter 4: Skysea City A small ship sailed into the harbor. The two haggard passengers stepped out of the ship and onto. One was a black hair ten years old wearing a blue cotton vest over his white tunic and jean. Another was a man in black cotton coat and leather armor. Despite the quality of the material, the cloth both "That is one of the worse sailing ever." Xiantian said. "You are telling me." Crow said. "Pirate are the worse." "Aren't we a pirate?" "Yes, but we are more civilize pirate." Crow sighed. Suddenly a coast guard in bronze armor arrived at the two men. "Stop! You have to pay a toll and register your ship! Tell us your name and your business here." Crow looked at the man with pitying eyes. "I would love to pay the toll but that won't be possible," Crow said. "What! You dare defy us. This is the rule of the city. Do you know who we are?" Behind Crow, the ship creaked and broke in half from the damage it sustained during the sea travel, oceanic monster attack and the raid from occasional pirate. As if thing didn't look bad enough, the ship fold over itself and fell into smithereens. The sailor looked astound. How the hell did this tiny boat made it into the harbor?! What did it suffer to break to peace like that? The guard suddenly shut up in a stunned silence. One story really gave all the explanation needed. "Please listen to my explanation first," Crow said with a smile. "To pay the toll we have to register the ship but our ship was on the verge of sinking so we can't register it. Paying a toll for unregistered ship would be a malpractice that could be translated as bribery. Whoever, collect from us would likely get remove from their post as best or have their hand cut off as worse but if you insist we can..." "N...No need, I am just being cautious," The guard began sweating. "You are free to go." "Thank you brother, can you recommend us an inn. ... Skysea City was a major trade city due to it status as a port city. It also a city of one of the three largest nations that control the continent, the Sky Empire. The city was founded as one of the very first stronghold since the foundation of the Empire a thousand years ago and it had been prospering over since. But whenever there existed prosperity, there were also dregs of society. "That guard is used to be arrogant I guess," Xiantian said, counting the money he robbed from the unconscious muggers around him. "Can't blame him. He was never taught that ego only serve to the path of one down fall," Crow said stripping the cloths of one muggers and inspecting their weapon. "Quite a good quality knife...this will sell quite well in the pawn shop." "Crow did these guys have a bounty?" Xiantian said excitedly. "Enough about that!" Crow yelled. "I have enough with robbing criminal for this months. It is all your fault. It is your idea to decorate the ship that grandly to attract the pirate! Now we lost that ship." "Just because you like subtlety don't pin this on me!" Xiantian complained. "We need extra cash if we are going to live in the high-society. I don't want to eat bread seven day a week an entire years because you are too stingy to borrow money! I am a growing kid!" "When did a growing kid beat a grown man half to death!" Crow yelled. "You just needed the excuse to be a wolf in sheep clothing! Moreover, you owe me your life! If not for my awesomeness we would already be Kraken's food." After half an hour both of them flopped down exhausted. "Should we continued as plan?" Xiantian said huffing. "Yes, I will register for the shop as we suggest and you go and register for the Academy." Crow stood up and walk away. Xiantian gave Crow a distrusted look as he walked away cooly "You just want to hog all the bounty right?" Crow shivered. Jack...you taught the kid too well. ... Xiantian walked through the street, enjoying the candy floss he bought from the money he robbed from the bandit. So this was the city of a grand empire... On one side two merchant were arguing about the price of Jewelry. A mother and father was taking their smiling children to the market. A young man was helping an elderly grandmother carried the heavy basket. On one corner a begger was sitting gloomily. Xiantian walked to the beggar and deposit a small change. All he received back was a nod of gratitude but that was enough. The world where strong rule and the weak die, Xiantian thought looking at the smiles. Why can't people see the beauty of the world where everyone can look up at the sky with pride? Isn't it better for this market to be bath in smile, excitement and compassion rather painted ugly red with blood. What type of nihilist made that proverb anyway? With that thought in mind Xiantian arrived at the Academy. South Sky Academy was one of the four Academy in Sky Empire. It excelled in Art, philosophy, etiquette and cultivation. Even the other two major nation: Zuntian Martel Republic and Yamato Kingdom also sent it student to the Academy in the Sky Empire. Out of the four Academy the South Sky was ranked third. The first was the East and the second was the West, as for the North... "The North located in the mountain range with lowest population of course it is excluded from the ranking." Xiantian sighed and approached gate. The two guards blocked him. "Halted state your business!" One guard exclaimed. "I come here to register uncle." "What?! Don't joke around what give you the qualification. Do you know what this Academy represent? This is the holy-land of education! Snot nose brat like you should go back to sucking your mother milk!" Wow...who the hell gave this guard there ego, Xiantian said. Well mission failed then. I can always apply to the East or the West and if the rumor about the North is true then it even better... "Don't worry about that grandpa," Xiantian said with a cold smile and a warm eyes. "I will go back to apply for your rival school. Maybe we will meet again when I become there top graduate." "What!" The guard said confused. "Who do you talking too? And what do you meant?" "So you are still confused, grand pa. I am rejected from this Academy so I will simply go to another one. Those who stick there own chest in arrogance and say they are number one in the world simply never realize that everyone is a number one there own way. Why should I pay attention to those who boast there superiority when I could appreciate the aesthetic of the clashing culture of this majestic world? Trying to save those who refuse to be saved is simply a pointless endeavor." The guard simply looked confuse as the boy walked away. "Wait a minute." Said a girl's voice. "I can't tolerate that attitude."
Chapter 5: Helena De Leu Xiantian turned toward the girl. Unlike him who was dressed in tatter tunic and robe, she was wearing a fine white dress that was finest quality tailor made dress. Her eyes was ocean green and her hair was golden blonde. A white spear was slung behind her back. Xiantian took one look at her. That angry glared scare me a little so time for a tactical retreat. Explaining a crying girl would be a cataclysmic waste of time, so let back off. Plus, from her cloth she seemed to be formed a highly influential family. In conclusion, everything about her is a disaster. "You are right young mistress. I am plainly a coward who don't know an immensity of heaven and Earth. So I will take my leave and apply from some place far away. I am a shame that I couldn't join the same esteem school as you do but I am just a lowly commoner who aim to only explore the world. May I take my leave now." Xiantian turned and prepared to bolt but... "That what I hate about your attitude." The girl yelled. "The moment you meet obstacle you just quit. If you want to achieve something then fight and take what you want! You just hide behind your word. If you want to get respect, then show your power and proved you deserved it like a man." Xiantian stopped. Strength again... Xiantian thought. Is that what you teaches people this day. "My uncle told me about the man..." Xiantian recounted. "He was a pirate. One day in a bar a mountain bandit pour drink over his head and spat on him. Despite that humiliation he and his men simply laugh the ordeal off. Do you think he is weak?" "Of course he is weak if it is me I will kill that bandit." The girl yelled. "Why do you ask such an obvious question?" "Hah, if anyone do that to me, don't mention the bandit even the bar will burn down." "Yes, Lady Helena is right. The man who refuse to stand up for his honor does not deserve to be a man he is just a coward." Xiantian said calmly and loudly. "That man name is Shank Cruise. He was called the four Emperor of the Ocean. With one word he caused Government to tremble in fear. He crossed blade with the strongest man in the world, matched him blow to blow and walked away unscathed. The threat of his action stopped the war between godlike fighters that could destroy the world itself. His glared fell an army of 100,000. Yet, you call him weak. Why is that?! Why can't you see the man who laugh at his indignity in the bar as someone god and demon respect as their mightiest foes." Silence...the guards and girl were dumb-founded as the boy continue. "Because you are like those bandit. Willing to raise a blade and resort to killing and destruction to prove your dignity. You live to rub your superiority over those you think is below you. For you, your meaningless ego is more important than others life and dignity. Men like Shank Cruise never care about those empty pride. Their strength and pride is for fighting for an ideal they believed not to get into a scuffle with every laughable clown of the world. Compare what you said to the act of Shrank Cruise... can you call yourself a man or are you a bandit who simply can't let go of his pride." The ten years old boy said with conviction, stunning both the girl and the two guards. Xiantian walked away taller than anyone despite being ten years old. One girl dropped to her knees and bawl her eyes out. Her dignity completely disappeared. "Waah..." Helena cried. "I wan't to yell back at him but I don't know what to say!" "That stinking brat make Lady Helena cried! I will..." "Do what? Prove him right. If we really try to kill that brat, then we really would be like the bandit. My pride would literally be dashed. Dammit! I know we are not going to be someone great but listen to that brat reasoning we barely qualify as a man." ... Xiantian met Crow at the bounty office. "So how the register," Crow said begrudgingly handing Xiantian half the cash. "Epic fail..." Xiantian said while counting the money. "Get into an argument with the guard. Given how they handle the registry, South Sky is not worth it. Do you think we could contact the West or the East." "Well the East and the West have opened examination that guaranteed absolute fairness. The East even hold open tournament for teacher and students entrance into combat division provide you pass the personality test." Crow said. "No wonder the South rank the third. It's rumored that it a school for gathering of noble families. That why it performance is lower than the West and East that boast meritocracy." "You know quite much for a ten years old." Crow said. "you grew up way too fast." Both men took a walk down the road made out of white stone before a familiar voice yelled. "Hey you! Come back here!" "Not again." Xiantian said. "What?" Crow said. "She is a girl from South Sky apparently." Xiantian explain. "Hey, Crow do you know a place with Summoning pool. I need to get my first Retainer and I can't use the Academy pool as plan." "Stop ignoring me!" The Helena said on the verge of crying. "Face me like a man you coward!" "There are a public summoning pool in the city square," Crow said ignoring the girl. "Try not to get into trouble next time though. Those noble girl have quite a high pride especially the young one." "Yeah, take care," Xiantian prepared to leave but the woman in white armor blocked him. "Sorry, young man you are not leaving until you answer me why did you insult my little sister." Said the white hair woman. "I never insult her. I just compare her to a bandit who only live to satisfy her overblown ego." Xiantian said coldly. "If she cannot take my criticism and admit the truth in what I am saying then that prove that I am right?" An old man appear beside the woman. "Brat, Do you know who we are? The difference between you and lady Helena is higher than the hight between heaven and Earth! Mortal like you should learn some propriety! Hurry up and bow down in apology and we might let this go." The old man said coldly Surrounding crowd didn't help either. "Did that boy just insult the young miss of De Leu familily?" "Wait, Helena De Leu. She a one in a million years old genius who reach the second path at nine years old. The pride of the De Leu family." "I heard her first retainer is 5*" Xiantian listened to all of this quotes and in the end "It my fault that I wrong the great Lady Helena!" Xiantian said bowing down several times. "My bad. My bad. If I have know that criticizing such a lady would bring unmitigated inconvenience, I would have killed myself in shame with Cheese. I am simply too handsome and too unworthy for Cheese to kill me. Dammit!. What a pain for the world for me to be born? Curse you world for birthing me as a man. I should be born as a Panda god. Dammit why can't I be a Panda. Just eat and Sleep all day long in a paradise. Sorry, I am distracted. O great lady Helena please excused my rude and unworthy face. My destiny could not match up to your boot. Compare to your graceful image, my pride is simply a weapon to be cast away to obtain salvation upon all human kind. Hey Crow quickly get out of here before Lady Helena get angry. We can't afford to fight our way to the summoning pool." Xiantian prostrated down after the speech, rolled across the floor and ran to the Town square with cheery smile and a wave.
Chapter 6: The Trialblazer "Yes. Yes." Crow ran after Xiantian but paused in-front of Helena. "Sorry young miss. It appears my little brother is an idiot who don't know the immensity of heaven and Earth. His eyesight is extremely poor, unable to see Mt.Doom. Our entire family happened to be a total idiot and joke who lived only to party and play and wet our pant when we started boxing gorillas. Please don't bother with us and just perform your noble duty. Be assured that us the lowly ant and dregs of this society will entertain you with our lowly innovations and pathetic ideas that one will one day change the world and bring salvation upon all man and woman." Crow bowed down to a ten years old girl and ran away with a victorious smile. The crowd was mesmerized. The old man blinked trying to comprehended what happened. The older De Leu sibling was stun. And Helena, the once in a thousand years genius of the De Leu's family, was struggling to hold back her tears. "What just happen?" The old man blinked. "Lady Luminara...did you know what just happen?" "No. Maybe Yes. But Let me count." Helena's older sister--Luminara--began counting her finger. "They prostrate to us, tell how great and mighty we are compare to them, claim that they are just unworthy men bringing salvation on the mankind and then ran away why we are visibly confused." "They tell us we are great." The old man murmured. "If they tell me I am great why did I feel like I am being involve in a joke." The crowd lifted visibly puzzled at what happened. They came here expecting to see the great De Leu family trampling on some arrogant men. They did see the trampling show but it just look too comical. Is this what indignity supposed to look like? Is this what awe that supposed to belong to the major family who controlled the Skysea City held. Why did the whole scene look like a comedy show? Where is the tear and the face that screamed with frustration? What is this? Suddenly a child bursted out laughing. "Mom did you hear that... that boy said he want to be a panda. He called himself a panda god! Eat and sleep all day... can I be a Panda god mom?" Then the tension broke as the world with hollers. "Hey, should I cast my pride to bring salvation for mankind? I will be a hero if I did that! Hey, when and where can I cast my pride." "Wet...wet our pant boxing gorillas," a woman stifled a laugh. "How did he come up with that? Just who is he?" The De Lue family suddenly stood silent among all the laughter. They had won but if this what winning felt like then they would prefer to lose instead. In the midst of laughing crowd Helena De Leu's fist was crunched with rage. A genius with 5* Retainer like her had been raised for a life of responsibility. The masses and the world only respect power. All planning and trickery become useless in front of absolute strength. Strength was justice. But here arrived a boy. A boy who showed his weakness and foolishness for all to see. Yet the laughter he received was not that of disdain. He bowed and ran away, yet he did that with a smile on his face. The crowd did laugh at his weakness but it's not from disdain but from humor. What was this feeling! He apologized but I am still a fool. Beside her, Luminara felt even worse. She was the vice-head of SouthSky. Even the princes and emperor had to address her with respect. Yet, today she became a character in a comedy. A move she never anticipated. No blood was shed. No sword was crossed but she lost. She knew she lost but she didn't understand how. ... Xiantian and Crow arrived at the City squared right in front of the summoning pool. To call it a pool would be a misinterpretation. The public summoning pool was a massive lake situate right in the center of the city. Being the source of Retainer's contraction of the entire complex was busy with activity. After some time, Crow picked them a remotely crowd-less spot to perform the summoning. "Well this is certainly the place to behold." Crow said, sitting down and watching a random man summoned a horse shape retainer. "So what do I do?" Xiantian said. "I've never summon a Retainer before." "Channled your path and touch the water." Crow explained. "Below the lake lied a ritual altar that will connect to extra-dimension. Your path will trigger the altar and a Retainers will come to you. There will be a maximum of ten Retainers and their nature will enter your mind. Brighter the star mean the newer the Retianers. The Dimmer one meant it have been trying to make contracts many time and if it flickered meant it on the verge of losing its power and return to hibernation." "Okay, so how do I pick." Xiantian knelt near the water. "Recite its name and it will join you." Crow said laying back by the tree trunk. "I should advise you though. Don't focus on the tier too much." "I know." Xiantian said Behind Crow there was a shriek and suddenly a wave of force rocketed into Xiantian knocking him into the pool. Crow stared at the gaping hole where the tree used to be. Xiantian manage to react quickly and break out of the water surface before a female figure was thrown into his face. Their head smashed head first into each other and they went down into the water unconscious. "****" Crow shook of his surprised and dove down after them. ... In the water the barely conscious Xiantian saw ten stars. Six are silver, one is gold and three is bronze. Xiantian felt excited at the prospect of gold star. Gold star meant the servant is 4* or 5* but he still cautiously felt each star one by one. To his disappointment, the gold star had terrible affinity to him. It's a Bird that possess god bloodline and thus great divinity but everything else just didn't work. The skill it possessed was Opportunity (Gathering), Attack suction (Conversion) and Berserk. And the Ultimate skill is an area bombardment that create environment (water). It's a solid 4*. Nope It might sound good on paper but Xiantian didn't practice water art. This impaired the usefulness of Ultimate Skill considerably. Moreover, it have low survivability for an familiar-type Retainers. Attack suction (Conversion) drawn opponent's attacks toward itself and convert it into a power boost. This might sound reasonable but without strong defense and healing supporting it the bird would be stone. It Opportunity (Gathering) can warp caused and effect and add effect to the hit, in this case the hit grant generate energy for contractor. But what possibly sank it potential was Berserk. Berserk is a trait that raised all stat at expense of it resistance, rationality and defense--a suicide attack. Given that water have lowest attack power of all Attribute. Being a bird design for water-element alone was detrimental. Plus, the coast of sustaining 4* familiar was terrible toll to his fighting-style, picking this bird was suicidal. Maybe if his path was a support-type with ability to boost water damage and mental curing to reduce effect from berserk then this bird might be a viable pick but sadly we didn't live in the world of what if. He look at the Silver... there were actually some great weapon type but he didn't fight close range. Then he notice one of the Bronze. It was flickering dangerously. The Retainer wanted to be contracted and experienced the world beyond its gray dimension but it's been rejected so many time it on the verge of exhaustion. It have no attack function or defense as a familiar-type but it skill: Concealment (Weak) and Memory (Save/Share) was... Xiantian shivered. He remembered the horrifying day R&D destroyed Oceanforce for dissing those two skill. Jack came to stop the beating but, once he heard Oceanforce's crime, he also joined the punishing session of Oceanforce. Xiantian touched the Retainer. The Retianer was reaching the maximum limit of the time it can remained in the summoning pool either he accepted it or it's gone. And its Ultimate was... It's beautiful. This was what R&D was talking about...with this even Crow would get a shiver down his spine. Who could abandoned this beauty? Is the entire city an idiot for ignoring gem. It's liked Jack said. 'The weak have intelligence to overcome the strong. You should not look down on the weak for they posses the wisdom born from weakness.' "Come on little guy. Together we will accomplish great thing."
Chapter 7: The weakest, weakling of glorious Victory The moment Xiantian work up he was met with the strangest scene. Beside him was a red hair girl in black dress grasping for breath. Crow was glaring at a group of twelve and fifteen years fold tied up and hanging from a tree branches. The suffering children was cursing at Crow and, if the black eyes and bruises is anything to go by, Crow had not been gentle. One of the thing he realized was that they are not in the position near the lake. He had no how Crow dragged them here and given this was Crow he didn't want to know. "Curse you, my father will hear about this. Do you know who I..." Crow shove a bundle up handkerchief into the prick mouth. "Dammit... do you think you can get away with this. You dare offend the Rose se...umf." This time Crow used his spare sock and shoved it into a certian loudmouth girl. "If anyone want to boast about their O-so-mighty family and the thousand years history, please continue, I will still have more spare sock to shove into their mouth." "What happened?" Xiantian asked. "Nothing special," Crow spanked one of the girl who yelped in pain and picked a stick from the ground. "Just a typical snot nose brats picking on a girl like coward." "I am not a cowar...Argh!!!!!." As if he was prophesying this moment, Crow stabbed the stick into the boy's butt (right into the anus). The rest of the children startled at the lack of hesitation and the sheer brutality of the act. Even the one with the sock in their mouth showed genuine fear. Crow yanked the stick out and the kid yelped in pain. "Listen to me Xiantian. In this world, one thing will remain constant and that is the annoying threat these young masters and government official made. About offending the major power or something like that. And how they will never let you go." Crow explained then glance at the kid. "You are about to say that right." The kids nodded. The fear of the stick crushed their bravado. "Excellent!" Crow beamed. "In this case, we just have to make sure that going after us is not worth these asshole kiddos. If we strip those kid naked, tattooed their body with 'Rose Sect Rouge Disciple caught stealing' and tied them all over the city tonight, the Rose Sect would likely declared them rogue to preserve their reputation. They would chase us for revenge but with their reputation under public scrutiny it won't be an opened manhunt. Then if they cannot find us they will gave up by the end!" "I am the son of the elder. He won't gave up on me...OWW." Another stabbed went off one asshole. "Yes, he would. It will be another story if you die or get permanently injure but instead you will be a thieving little kid who deserved what is coming. He will sent some men after me but if that didn't bore any fruit. He will realize that his competitor in the sect is gaining ground while he spent his time hunting for poor little me. And you being caught naked like that would cause him to lose his so call 'face'. He would likely let this fiasco be your punishment to taught you a lesson. Am I right?" The boy said nothing. He was too in pain to say anything. "So learn the lesson kid." Crow said. "Don't think you are invincible. I know hundred way to make you 'disappear'. A hundred more ways to use your death to start a sect war. Another hundred ways to make you got struck out of your sect registry. Hundred more ways to make sure no one even know you exist or even dead. Considering yourself lucky I am a pacifist because if not you already be used as bait for me to kill whoever come to rescue you right now? Aren't you afraid, the right trap and your father, your mother or even brother would be walking to there death. All. Because. You. Screw. Up. If you don't believe me we can try right now. I will ambush who ever come to rescue you and you can see for yourself how badly you screw up." The kid remain silent in regret. "Since you are silent. I will assume. You are regretting what happen. So you are going to be hanging on that tree as a punishment. Don't worry some one will find you and I will left those life saving treasures I confiscated under the tree. Tomorrow you go and apologies to the girl you blast into the lake. And I will know whether or not you did it. Do you understand me?" The kids nodded. "Good," Crow sighed and nodded at Xiantian. "And get that girl too. I have a lot to talk about." ... Xiantian, despite being only ten years old, was intensely and immensely trained. That's why he could carried the girls out easily. With Crow's Path in full power no one gave a glance as the two men and the girl carried the girl down the street. "So this is where we are staying?" Xiantian looked at the western style resterant. "Yes, for now you are Conner Kent and I am your older brother Clarke." Crow picked the girl from Xiantian's and deposits her on the bed. "Now summoned your Retainer." "He is already here." Xiantian said. On his shoulder a pink ball of light appeared. "Say Hello to my Fairytale Spirit." "How..." Crow said utterly. "Even with presence concealment. I should be able to probe it given the difference between our power and my own Physique." "You can't. In fact it hopeless," Xiantian pet the pink light and gave Crow a smug looked. "Because this little guys have Presence Concealment (Weak) and he also have Memory Record/Sharing." Crow fell to his knee. Fear. Absolute fear, surpassing horror of the beyond was evident on his eyes. "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The voice rang across the city. The anguish and despair voice was evident. In the street a blonde-hair woman stopped on her track, a merchant ducked under the table and a cat fell from a tree landing on the lady head. The red-hair girl beside the duo woke up in fear from the wail as loud as thunder. What she witness was a smug looking boy around her own age and a man kneeling, clearly traumatized by the Eldritch knowledge. Wait... The girl remembered the last moment before she lost consciousness. Is that boy.. The girl check her body. Her eye widened in shock. Then she checked it again. "This is impossible." The girl mumbled. Meanwhile, Crow couldn't take the massive blow. "Why...why did god gave him a super-weapon why?" Crow sobbed. "Could it get any worse?" "This little baby ultimate skill is Meditation Wave." Xiantian added in a final blow while petting his beloved Retainer. The words hit Crow harder than a mountain. He laid defeated. To powerless to get up. The worse scenario had occurred and he's pathetically powerless to stop it. "How could such a thing exist? Heaven is not fair. Hell is not fair. Why don't the being this overpower doesn't get strike by lightning. Why don't I have this little guy." Crow looked longingly at the pink ball. "Hey please change owner, my goddess. I will treat well. I will give you everything. Come to papa...you are better than any of those junkyard call 5*." The little ball ignored Crow. Crow sulked harder. "Um excuse me." Said the girl in black asked. "Is that a familiar? It doesn't look like it have any battle ability. Is there really a type of familiar like this?" "Sadly yes." Crow drew circle depressingly on the floor board. "Which Tier is it?" "1*" Xiantian said proudly. "Wait..." said the girl. "You are excited over 1*." "My girl," said the crying Crow. "What's your name..." "Euin," the girl blinked. "Euin Rose." "Well Euin my girl. This thing might look harmless but it defines what monster should be. Do you know what the skill call Presence Concealment." "It a skill to hide the user's presence. An invisibility type skill." "Yes, but do you know among all Presence Concealment there is one, and only one, that is nigh-undetectable by 99.99% of the Detection skill ever exist. I am expert in concealment and even I can say that I will be helpless. Even if Old Dues came they would also be helpless against it. The skill so broken it should not exist: Presence Concealment (Weak)." "(Weak)" Euin tilted her head confuse. "What does that meant?" "Because by conception detection skill is used to perceive threat. Presence Concealment (Weak) belong to a Retainer who have no battle capability or any infinitesimal threat that could flag up a read, resulting in the detection failing. How could threat detection work against something that isn't a threat? Now do you know what does Memory Record/Share does?" "It photographically record what the familiar see and share it with the user." Euin answered then the terrible realization dawned on the girl. "You get it. What you have by combining those two skill is a little pinkball of calamity that could sneak in any meeting room, bathhouse and bedroom in this planet and share everything it see and heard with its diabolical master. It laughed in the face of an security and privacy. You will never know if it listening and watching your war plan, your back-up plan and the back-up for the back-up of your plan until everything came crashing down. The moment you have this little monster the word Privacy cease to exist. And it Ultimate," Crow collapsed as trauma overload. "The Meditation Wave...why." "Meditation Wave?" Euin said looking at the Smug grin on Xiantian. "Isn't that the skill that sent allies into a meditative state? My father said it is useless." "Your father is a goddamn imbecile!" Crow yelled, revived back by anger. "The global education is hopeless! It's because people like your father that this monster get a super-weapon. Listen to me girl. There are story about men who recover from permanent paralysis, walk through the North Circle's freezing temperature in there underwear and perform nigh-impossible feat in life-or-death danger. Do you know how that happened!" The girl was so frightened by the outburst she was completely lost for word. That was then the smug owner of the greatest human's right violation ever existed explained how broken his new minion is. "The answer is mental state. Human only access to 10% of our brain but under meditation or action that act as a trigger, we can reach the state of being where concept of limit is essentially removed. Normally, this require long time of meditation or extremely stressful circumstance to occur. Yet, what if there is a power to instantly sent you into that super-human state. The place where your reflex, clarity and power is 3-5 five time your optimal level. What about another state where you can ignore all pain, illusion and suffering. Or the state where you comprehension speed and recovery become unmatched than even geniuses that appear every million centuries. The power to do all that is tied to one skill: Meditation wave." Xiantian smugly holding up his brand new Fairytale Spirit--the pink ball of doom. "Why...why did I never heard of this?" Euin stuttered. "Isn't the power to boost your ability several time belong to high-tier 5*." "Yes... it is. That is what so horrible about this god forsaken world," Crow cried a tear of blood. " A buff that surpassed the 5* but contain in a 1* Retainer's Ultimate. This mean that not only it can be used multiple time in a fight but it cost almost no energy to charge and release the Ultimate skill. The cost of using the is pink monster broken Ult is 0.1% of its 5* counterpart. A third Path cultivator could basically charge and spam this skill continuously for thirty times a minute. Think about that for a second." The poor girl trembled. "That can't be...it impossible." "Search your feeling. You know it to be true. Reality it actually worse. Meditation Wave is a group-buff. It can effortlessly turn a group of first Path wielder into a peak second path squad." The final mental defense finally fell. The innocent girl's sanity crumble and she fell on all four. "I don't know anymore. Something...something this dangerous... Something this majestic and awesome is in my front yard an entire time and I keep dreaming about 4*. MY LIFE IS A LIE!" The girl's tear flowed like fountain. "THIS ISN'T FAIR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!" That night only one person in the city went to sleep peacefully. The entire city dread as its felt the foreboding sense of danger.