Chapter 40: Supporting Each Other on the Martial Path

Along the way, Yang Fan repeatedly seemed on the verge of speaking, but held back each time. The old man, too, walked forward in silence, saying nothing. After a while, with the nine-story tower now visible in the distance, the two reached its entrance. Without pause, the old man opened the gate, glanced back at Yang Fan, and stepped inside.

Yang Fan hurried after him.

In truth, he still hadn’t recovered from the events. If you asked him to explain, he’d have only one answer: he didn’t know. He didn’t know why so many masters suddenly wanted to take him as their disciple. He didn’t know who this old man really was. He didn’t know what would happen next. He didn’t know whether what he’d revealed so far was good or bad.

Ouyang Yunlei had once said that Awakened Ones trained in places apart from others. Their methods, she’d told him, were entirely different from those of the Cultivation Academy in the Magic City. The government had its own institutions for them. Yang Fan’s own guess was that they were directly overseen by the Sky Net, which regulated them; no matter how powerful one became, it was of little use beyond that.

With these doubts in mind, Yang Fan entered the Tower of Martial Arts Techniques.

It was no different from the first time he’d entered: a vast hall, empty except for a single table and a computer. The old man watched Yang Fan enter, then, with a surge of energy, shut the door behind them. Darkness swallowed the room, leaving only the faint glow from the computer to illuminate the space.

The old man walked over to the stairs, rubbing his hands along the banister. Then, his rough hands moved swiftly. A muffled sound echoed from below the tower. The ground behind the stairs suddenly sank down, rumbling as it continued to descend.

Yang Fan watched, surprised, but didn’t react too much. After all, this was the Cultivation Academy in the Magic City, and this was the Tower of Martial Arts Techniques. Was it really shocking that there was a secret basement or something similar here? Hardly worth fussing over.

When the floor had fully sunk, the old man led Yang Fan into the underground.

A long corridor stretched ahead, shrouded in darkness. Yang Fan walked for a while before a light appeared in the distance. As they stepped into the illuminated area—

A vast hall unfolded before Yang Fan’s eyes. How large? By his rough estimation, it was at least five times the size of his dorm room, perhaps more. He had no understanding of square footage, but he could make comparisons.

There was no decoration; it was clear at a glance that this space had been forcibly excavated by someone. The walls were rough, the floor uneven and pitted. Overhead, however, hung a touch of ornamentation: nine enormous Night Pearls casting a cold, clear light.

The only furnishings in the hall were rows of weapon racks at the center, each holding various weapons.

“Teacher, what is this hall for?” Yang Fan finally managed to ask his first question of the day.

“This place? Just a basement I dug out when I had nothing better to do. It’s not really useful, just a spot to store some things I’ve collected,” the old man replied, indifferent.

Built on a whim? Not really useful? Just for storage?

Why make it so large, then? Yang Fan rolled his eyes. He’d thought this was some important place. Turns out it was only where the old man kept his things. So why bring him here so mysteriously? To show off his collection?

Li Tian ignored Yang Fan’s eye-rolling and continued, “Your cultivation aptitude, I know well. But your awakening, I truly don’t understand. This recent display was reckless. The government essentially keeps all information about Awakened Ones classified; to reveal your powers without understanding the situation isn’t wise. Especially exposing them in a moment of competitiveness—that’s even more foolish.”

Yang Fan understood Li Tian’s words were sensible, but the tone felt odd, almost as if he were being scolded or looked down upon. It made him uncomfortable, but he replied, “Yes, I know I was rash this time. Teacher’s guidance is reasonable.”

Li Tian regarded Yang Fan, whether he truly understood or was just pretending, then continued, “Awakened talent and cultivation are two distinct paths, but both ultimately serve to make one stronger. The path of cultivation—refining blood and qi, expanding the qi sea—progresses step by step, each stride firm, allowing cultivators to understand their power thoroughly. Awakening, on the other hand, is instantaneous. An ordinary person, upon awakening, gains power roughly equivalent to a third-rank qi sea cultivator. Afterwards, one’s progress depends on continually discovering the scope of their awakened abilities.”

Listening, Yang Fan began to grasp the difference between cultivators and Awakened Ones: one grows strong gradually from weakness, while the other transforms instantly.

Li Tian went on, “Cultivators need techniques, need guidance, and their temperament is shaped by the academy; it’s predictable. Awakened Ones, however, gain unimaginable power in an instant—will they become arrogant, will they disregard laws? It’s impossible to say. That’s why the government’s control over them is stricter. In our country, there are two training camps for Awakened Ones—the locations aren’t important—each with countless Awakened and powerful individuals. But you needn’t worry about the details for now.”

Yang Fan actually wanted to learn more about the training camps. He was curious if his lightning power was the same as others’ awakened abilities. His own lightning came from the fruit won by the system’s lottery; its initial power was so weak that he nearly forgot it existed. Only after cultivating further and gaining more control did the lightning’s importance become apparent. Others, upon awakening, reached the level of a third-rank warrior, but when he awakened, Yang Fan felt his lightning posed little threat even to ordinary people.

But Li Tian didn’t elaborate, and Yang Fan didn’t know how to ask. He was genuinely anxious now; he knew the wisdom of “the more you say, the more mistakes you make.” He worried that if he spoke carelessly, someone might notice his awakening was different from others, and he wouldn’t know how to explain.

Li Tian began to pace, stopping beneath the weapon racks. He turned and called out, “Kid, come here.”

Yang Fan hurried forward.

Before he could speak, Li Tian said, “Kid, my name is Li Tian. As for identity, just think of me as the old gatekeeper of the Tower of Martial Arts Techniques. I wish to take you as my student—are you willing?”

Li Tian fixed his gaze on Yang Fan.

Yang Fan was dumbfounded again. Was it really so casual? Was accepting a disciple always so casual? What did he mean by ‘just a gatekeeper’? Shouldn’t a master, when recruiting a disciple, make himself sound lofty and venerable, inspiring reverence? Did he care how Yang Fan felt?

But thinking it over, Yang Fan was relieved. Things had already turned out this way; one word from this old man had stopped two vice-deans from vying to take him as a student. That said enough about his status. Besides, as a second-rank warrior, whoever guided him wouldn’t make much difference in the early stages.

Seeing Yang Fan’s hesitation, Li Tian added, “Kid, I’m not taking you as a student because you’re especially talented or outstanding. I’ve seen plenty of gifted, exceptional students—you’re not the best among them. But I simply find you pleasing to the eye. And you’ve awakened your talent; that’s both a blessing and a curse. The blessing: you’ll gain another means of confronting enemies and preserving yourself. The curse: you’ll have to enter a training camp for education. The camp’s methods are very different from the academy—many criticize them—but current circumstances leave Sky Net no choice. You know about the relics; our forces need combat strength. The academy’s students require time to grow stronger. The military’s modern weapons can’t handle high-level cultivators of the Dark Realm; we rely on cultivators and Awakened Ones. Cultivators progress slowly, while Awakened Ones gain power rapidly. So, becoming an Awakened means you’ll soon be sent to the front lines. I’ve seen you choose the easier missions; I doubt you’re eager for the front lines. That’s real life-and-death combat; no one cares who you are. But if you become my student, things will be different. I can vouch for you, and so can the Cultivation Academy. You won’t have to enter a training camp—you can wait until you’re stronger before heading to the relics. Think it over.”

Li Tian rattled off a long string of words. Yang Fan felt confused, but the key points sank in: awakening meant entering a training camp, meant being sent to the front lines immediately, meant fighting for survival...

These things worried him. Cultivation, for Yang Fan, was a means of survival. He truly didn’t want to turn it into warfare. Even so, he remembered the words on the first page of his basic cultivation manual: “We warriors do not pursue immortality; we warriors live to protect.” That had moved him deeply then and remained with him even now.

But if you told him he’d have to face battle tomorrow, to fight those from another world, Yang Fan knew he wasn’t ready—he lacked the mental preparation.

This time, Yang Fan didn’t hesitate for long. “Teacher, I am willing to be your student. Please guide me in the days to come,” he said, bowing deeply to Li Tian.

Yang Fan didn’t know the proper etiquette for becoming a disciple—on television, it involved offering tea, three bows, and nine kowtows. But he was resistant to such formalities.

Li Tian saw Yang Fan bow and smiled; the boy was learning.

He said, “Very well. From now on, you are my only student, and I am your only teacher. On the path of martial arts, we will support each other, and walk forward together.”

Yang Fan straightened, and solemnly replied, “Teacher, on the path of martial arts, we will walk side by side.”