A Discovery

Prior to this time, the man was a prideful character, rarely bowed himself, and did not even back down whenever he faced any challenge. Hence, the title.

The Supreme Elder.

Many elders existed in this vast empire, but only a wise figure who had contributed a lot could bear such a title. Not only did he solve ancient problems, but he also had strength that could not be trifled with.

The first time he met the Lord, he lowered himself only for the moment and swallowed the humiliation.

Of course, he tried to figure out the situation and took revenge when the time felt right. Otherwise, how did he survive until now, even helping a person with no background become an emperor?

Quick-witted. Clever and fast in adapting to the situation.

But, no matter how he tried to figure out the lord, something was obstructing him — either his own instinct or other variables.

So, before truly having a clear picture of this, he would play along with the Lord.

Meeting the lord for the second time, he was puzzled. Despite using a blindfold, his senses reflectively spread and noticed the power of the human. The human in front of him was a weakling, a mortal at that!

How could he, a supreme elder who dominated millions of lives, kneel before a mortal?

This thought was for himself. Naturally, he had absolute control of his expression.

Requesting a fundamental cultivation summary, even asking what bothered him. Was it necessary for a 'lord' to waste his time on this trivial matter? Even he, a supreme elder, rarely asked such a question to his subordinates.

And, as he experienced the role of a high position figure before, the man thought the lord already knew his matter like the back of the hand.

Recalling his elite forces, insiders in many fields, the man could easily gain information, let alone an existence like the lord.

Questions afterward were too excessive and personal, which made him more suspicious. Why the lord dived too much into his life?

Long story short, he arrived at the Okaka Restaurant due to the command. Killing a weakling surely tainted his pride.

Yet… he read something he never wished to.

"Tang Chen?! Why is his signature in this paper?" His pupils shrunk with disbelief. Then, he read the content of the paper carefully.

"As per the agreement, we will deploy troops and support your expedition. In return, you grant us three wishes and one policy. Now, you have six months deadline for the expedition. Use it well."

"We will immediately withdraw all troops when the time comes. After the deadline, whether you continue the expansion is no longer our duty. However, we will help stabilize some regions if you need a hand."

"Kindly remind, we have other members beside you. Any violation comes with fair judgment. Good luck."

The man reread it twice just to make sure what he read was authentic.

As the master of the emperor, he knew his disciple well. This signature contained similar intent the emperor had, so it definitely belonged to him.

'It seemed like this message came from the other side, not Tang Chen. Don't say that this war and expansion involve a third party?! And again, instead of third-party, isn't it numerous parties? Heavens... how many members this organization has?'

This thought came into his mind.

"As expected of the lord. He knows what I need."

He laughed uncontrollably, recalling the hint in the lord's question: whether his disciple changed by himself or not.

"I should revise my premise of the lord. Maybe that mortal is only a vessel. It's not strange for such an existence to do this." The man sighed.

"Who knows if he's being considerate? I have tasted his power inside my own consciousness. Whatever he does, I have no chance to retaliate, anyway."

"I feel suspicious towards the lord, but to think he responds that this way. And my disciple actually hides such a secret from me, his one and only family. What's gotten into you, child?"

Now, he had a firmer belief in the lord. His gratitude for this piece of information was beyond words.

On the other hand, the Supreme Elder had a bad premonition about his disciple. He clenched the paper tightly as he released a deep sigh.

***

The next day after Mao Nianzu was fired from Okaka Restaurant.

Mao Nianzu worked for two hours in a volunteering event with a children's theme.

Thankfully, some kind parents gave the committee food and beverages. He got supplies in that short two hours, enough for a week.

Henceforth, he returned home.

"Excuse me, aunt, I have a bit of fortune. Have a good day!" Mao Nianzu gave some loaves of bread to his neighbor to maintain a good term.

"Oh, what a respectful young man! Wish my son is as good as you," said the neighbor as she gave fruits to him.

Since he met the supreme elder, Mao Nianzu had not read the fundamental cultivation yet. Spending a day to find a job.

Now, he had an empty week if Fat Uncle did not kick him out. This spare time would be quench into learning the fundamental cultivation.

Inside the bedroom.

Mao Nianzu opened the yellow parchment and silently read it.

"Since ancient times, people have been born with their innate Three Treasures in disarray. The Three Treasurers refer to Vital Essence, Qi, and Spirit."

"Vital Essence refers to the substance responsible for body and soul. It is related to vitality in one's life. It is usually portrayed as blood."

"Qi refers to the fundamental substance, the essence of heaven and earth. Together with Vital Essence, in one's body forms the foundation for Spirit. If the flow of Qi becomes obstructed, issues will arise. It is usually portrayed as force."

"Spirit refers to the core of one's soul, relating to one's mind and emotion. This part is heavily involved and important in forming one's sea of consciousness."

After that, Mao Nianzu read the yellow parchment until he lost track of the passing time.

A gentle breeze gushed out from the small gap in the window.

Hanging above in the far distance, a solitary moon illuminated everything beneath it. The moonlight reflected one figure, causing an indescribable silhouette on the floor.

Insects chattered. Bamboos danced. All sorts of noises rang out, yet this figure was undisturbed; stay still as calm water. His dark eyes had no light reflection, heavily focused on a yellow parchment in his hands.

As he looked outside, he realized that time had never stopped.

"Time flies fast."

On the yellow parchment, there was an array. Qi engraved within, and the following description excited Mao Nianzu.

[The example of a portable awakening array.]

This array was by no mistake an array which usually used by first-timer. Relying on it, one could start the cultivation journey.

"Okay. So, I put both hands on it, sit in a lotus position, and close my eyes? Let's try. Oh, stabilize my breath. Stabilize it…"

Saying this, Mao Nianzu quickly followed the instruction. He placed the yellow parchment on his lap, closed his eyes as he took several breaths, and tried to have a breath pattern.

After several tries, he could finally feel the pattern. Calmly, Mao Nianzu put his hands on top of the array.

Shua…

Glimmering lights appeared beneath his palm as Mao Nianzu felt a strange force enter his body. He roughly felt it flow on his meridians.

The force appeared to be fluorescent and warm within his body, filling the respective paths.

Immersed at this moment, Mao Nianzu was lost in time again. All of his senses focused on this strange force that somehow revitalized him, and he dived deeper into this moment.

Strangely, he could 'control' the flow of this force a little.

Let's say he wants it not to enter one path, and this force would avert, flowing to a different path.

He felt time move very slowly. This moment required his utmost concentration. He had no idea why, but he thought if he lost himself even for a moment, a severe consequence awaited.

Soon, it reached an unknown location.

Shua…

Unknowingly, that force left his body in an instant, and, to his surprise, as he clenched his fist, a glimpse of light flashed in a brief moment around it.

A wide smile formed, astonished by this fleeting moment.

"This feels great!"

Mao Nianzu had no idea what had happened, but he felt his limbs were stronger. Everything felt stronger.

"Kekeke, why bother cultivating the old-fashioned way?" And as he had a jubilant moment, a familiar deep, hoarse voice chuckled.

"W-where have you been?!" Mao Nianzu's butt fell from the swinging chair, perplexed by the sudden voice.

"I'm recuperating. You've squeezed my energy dry that day," said the voice. "My, my, look at you now. Trying to figure out something, huh?"

"Heh, thanks to some petty existences, I have to figure out my situation." Mao Nianzu sneered.

"Haish, have you forgotten that no matter how hard you work, the result is…" the voice paused for a second, then continued with a mocking tone, "forget it. Truth is painful."

This statement irritated Mao Nianzu. He also wondered how far this existence knew about him, so much so that it understood his past that full of failures?

"So, what should I do?" asked Mao Nianzu.

"Hah! What else? You've been blessed by Abyss—oh, well.." the voice laughed dryly. "The world addressed it as you are cursed. Don't worry, it's not a common one. It's a true bless."

Hearing the latter word, Mao Nianzu was flabbergasted. If this curse was not common, shouldn't he feel more worried?

"What you should do hm… let's see. What do you think you should do?" asked the voice.

"Well, first, I don't get any idea what happened in Abyss. Is that a power? Is that a curse? I don't know. So, I want to figure it out," said Mao Nianzu.

"And after that?"

"Uh, if it's power, I'll use it. If it's not, I'll consider it accordingly." Mao Nianzu returned to the swinging chair, eating a loaf of bread.

"You did well on using that human. But this cultivation knowledge is quite useless to you." The voice sighed.

"What do you mean?" Mao Nianzu frowned.

"Kekeke." A dry laugh sounded; then, the voice said in a sinister tone. "Since you can't reap what you sow, then reap what others sow instead."