Imperial Academy

Mei Wu was picked up by a "spaceship" that looked liked a large wooden ship meant for water. She was the only passenger that got on from this planet. As the ship took off, I tracked Mei Wu's soul.

As the ship left, I followed it through Limbo. Once again, rather than my body moving. It feels as if the universe itself is moving itself to put me where I want to be. Which puts me following the ship as it speeds off into space. I know it is moving incredibly fast through space, but to me such speed is meaningless.

I followed the odd spaceship all the way to a lone planet that wasn't even orbiting a star. It was surrounded by a thick asteroid field in all directions as well. The spaceship got through by accessing a protected route through the field. The only public way of entering it seems.

Overhearing some conversations, I learned the name of the planet.

Lonely Giant...

Called so because of its great size and lonely location. As there are no other planets or celestial bodies nearby. As a giant monster myself, calling this planet great in size is saying something.

The space boat pulled into an aerial port. The prospective students all got off and were welcomed by an enthusiastic female cultivator.

"Welcome to Lone Imperial Academy! The staff will take care of your luggage. Now lets get you all to the entrance exam! Follow me!"

Mei Wu followed silently and listened to others conversations. A habit she picked up one time when I told how easy it is to learn from just listening around.

As I followed Mei Wu, I took in the planet. Large mountains, wind green plains, thick forests, an abundance of flora and fauna. There was also an abundance of souls around. Animals dying all the time. Even plant souls. I am currently on academy grounds, but I can see. All around this world, people are dying violent deaths. As their souls wander in the distance of my far-seeing sight. The planet is as dangerous as it is beautiful.

I even noticed familiar gazes being directed to Mei Wu. Gazes of lust from males, and even a few females. A foreign feeling to me, but one I have learned to recognize. As cultivators are almost as lustful as they are insufferably arrogant.

As they gazed at Mei Wu, I felt a small pang of...anger. So small I may not have noticed it. A small bout of actual emotion I've never felt before. A big step for a manufactured monster like me.

I also see a lot of Golden Core souls in this academic land. A few Nascent Souls and one Soul Birth Cultivator. I had learned these terms so I better understand the power of the Cultivation Civilization. Along being able to compare myself. Currently, I am equivalent to a tier 8 Soul Ascension cultivator. Which is extremely powerful for the mortal realms. My might makes me the strongest being "walking" upon these academic grounds.

The female guide had led all the students to the bottom of some steps that led up to the main gate of the academy. The guide then laid out the instructions.

"Alright prospects! All you have to do to pass the entrance exam is make it up the steps and enter the gate. If you can't, you get sent home. If you can, the heavens are open to you!"

A simple test, what creature with legs is incapable of walking? It wasn't until the first person tried that I understood the point of the test. As what is known as Qi Pressure descending upon the person. He didn't even make the second step before collapsing to his knees. There are a 100 steps on this stair. This will be difficult for most, but not Mei Wu. as her soul is strong enough to make up for body strength. The pressure can be guarded against.

Others went and a handful made it up, but most were failing. Finally, Mei Wu went up. She felt the pressure, but still walked up with relative calmness. She was stronger than most others here after all. Stronger soul and cultivation. She was one of three humans that were at Golden Core within the admittance age.

When the test was done, the guide had everyone that passed follow her. While the ones that didn't were left weeping on the steps or at the bottom. Coldness, another main trait of cultivators. They are most times cold beneath whatever façade of emotion they have on. Deceptive, they are.

The guide led them to building where, three humans came out of. 1 woman and 2 men. The woman was Soul Birth cultivator whose soul I saw. Like most cultivators, her souls is tainted. She will not be going anywhere good upon death. Perhaps that is the reason why they strive for immortality so hard? As death will lead to suffering afterwards, rather than peace for them.

As Mei Wu was one of three Golden Core cultivators, they were directed accepted as core disciples. Whose authority is second only to the academy teachers and some special positions. Mei Wu then underwent some boring procedures that I didn't pay much attention too. The woman then gave them leave to have first pick of "peaks" to join.

Instead, my attention was on the planet. Sensing it out for anything interesting. And interesting things I do find. I sense powerful souls, even some souls indicate that the physical beings can match me in power.

That backwater planet only allowed me to grow slowly. However, this planet has strong souls that I can eat to grow my power even faster.

Mei Wu was allocated a cave abode within a "peak". As she was presented on a choice of "peak" to join within the academy. Which is really just choosing a mountain to live at that has a master you want to learn from. Mei Wu chose Vague Lotus Peak. An odd name. During the night when she was within her cave abode, I brought her into Limbo.

Mei Wu walks out of her cave abode to see my giant form floating in the air. She asks me, "Teacher Sturga, why did you bring me into Limbo?"

"To inform you that I will begin roaming this planet. Although I will impart you a way to speak with me from afar, and even summon me. Soul Connect, and Soul Summon. These are two Soul Techniques that I've modified to be usable with Qi. Once you learn these two modified techniques, I will begin roaming.", I say to her in my normal emotionless voice.

I then transfer the information directly to her mind. It is up to her to practice it though.

Mei Wu does a small bow to me, "I will learn them in good time Teacher Sturga."

"Good...", I then put her out Limbo.

Mei Wu was left undisturbed for an entire month, not bothered by anyone. By then, Mei Wu had learned the two techniques. Now I could leave her side without having to worry.

Worry...

Another new emotion I've felt. As worry is not logical.

I then left the academy territory to roam this planet. Eating souls and seeking out strong souls to consume. As I roamed, I came across the chaos of this world. Beasts and monsters constantly fighting and killing each other. Cultivators swarming the forests, mountains, plains, and deep ravines for treasures. Most dying in vain or by betrayal.

Such destructive behavior once again made me question why the Cultivation Civilization still survives.

I start to roam in the direction of a particularly strong soul. A being at Void Soul. Which is one realm below Soul Ascension. When I reached the creature that had the strong soul, it eating fruits. It was a golden monkey eating pineapples. It had a staff at its side. Its soul was rather young for its cultivation realm.

I did not stand on ceremony, and drove my arm through its heart. Then I ate its soul. All while being in Limbo. An ability that my creators put great work into giving me. The soul I ate gave me a good boost in my power. A few dozen more souls of this quality and I'll become a Transition realm Soulloun. The term my creators used to identify those that practiced soul power.

I continued to roam, until Mei Wu used summoning. It was up to me if I answered the summoning, but I did answer.

I am still in Limbo as I was summoned. Where I am at now, seems to be the Principal palace. Mei Wu is standing before the Principal.

Mei then does a respectful bow to the Principal, "Principal, I have summoned my teacher here."

The Soul Ascension woman then asks impatiently, "Then where is he?"

Just like I can make physical contact while being in Limbo. I can also speak without exiting Limbo.

"I am here..."