Absorbing the Fragment of Qi (2/2)

Hukon Qi was taken to the centre of the Hukon Clan, an enormous tower that pierced into the sky, both so wide and so tall that it could be seen from anywhere within the core clan. The surrounding few hundred miles of gardens surrounding this tower, along with the tower itself, were an absolute forbidden ground in the Hukon Clan, because this place was the personal residence of the Hukon Clan Ancestor!

The Hukon Clan Ancestor very rarely made appearances before his descendent clansmen. He would check in on the current Hukon Clan Head every now and then to ensure that everything was running smoothly, and to get an update on any important matters that might have occurred recently in the Southern Continent.

Like most immortals, he was, for the most part, a reclusive, who spent almost all of his time cultivating, preparing to face his next True Immortal Tribulation.

At the True Immortal Realm, one's Mortal Life Essence was transformed into Immortal Life Essence. Unlike Mortal Life Essence, Immortal Life Essence did not decline over time; so long as an immortal possessed even a single drop of Immortal Life Essence, their lifespan would never end!

But how could true eternal life be so simple?

True Immortals were not limited by ageing, but they were forced to face periodic Heavenly Tribulations, known as the True Immortal Tribulations, every 300 years. Only after overcoming each of these tribulations would they finally escape the Heavenly Dao's wrath, signifying their ascension to the Ancient Immortal Realm. However, even Ancient Immortals had their own difficulties, and could not be said to be beings with true eternal life…

In fact, unless you were able to transcend all manner of difficulties in this world, such that you were omnipotent and stood above all else, then could you really be said to possess eternal life? Because eventually, something would inevitably bring an end to your path…

These harsh truths of life were the first lessons that the Hukon Clan Ancestor imparted to his one and only disciple. Throughout this grave lecture, Hukon Qi remained silent, until his new teacher had finally finished and awaited his response.

"Well then…I suppose that if there is truly an end point to cultivation, it would be this 'omnipotence' that you mentioned." Hukon Qi finally responded after some thought.

The old man cracked a smile.

"Are you think of striving for this goal yourself? You wouldn't be the first, nor will you be the last, but this is a goal, if it is even possible to attain, can only possible be achieved by a single being…"

"My goal…is to pursue cultivation. Wherever that may lead me, that is where I shall go."

"And if it leads you to your death?"

"Then like all others, I too will die."

The grey robed immortal stared at his new disciple, the only disciple that he had ever taken, and slowly, his smile widened.

"My disciple, you truly are suited towards the path of cultivation…because the dao that you pursue, both in your heart and in the world, is the dao of cultivation - remember this, and never stray from your path. So long as you stay true to yourself, you will successfully attain your goal with each and every second of your life. I only ask…that you engrave the Hukon Clan and its prosperity into your dao, your heart, and your path of cultivation."

Hukon Qi slowly nodded. He was only 15 years old, and yet, he understood clearly what the old immortal was asking of him.

"Yes, teacher."

The old immortal didn't say much else, simply instructing his disciple to start cultivating. However, this seemingly simple instruction of his, became the greatest teaching that Hukon Qi could have possibly received…

"Start cultivating…and do not stop."

Three days later, Hukon Qi entered the Spirit Core Realm.

50 years later, he reached the Origin Soul Realm…

After another 100 years, he attained the Peak Origin Soul Realm.

From the moment he had started cultivating after being taken in by his teacher at of 15 years old, Hukon Qi sat down in the lotus position and cultivated silently with his eyes shut, until he reached 300 years of age.

Finally, he attained Immortal Stage comprehension in the dao of cultivation. And the very moment he attained this cultivation, Hukon Qi immediately continued to walk along his path of cultivation.

The Hukon Clan Ancestor had been coming and going throughout his disciple's cultivation, but after seeing him reach the Peak Origin Soul Realm, he knew that he needed to stay. Fortunately, at this point, he had recently been through one of his True Immortal Tribulations, so he didn't need to worry about anything for another 300 years.

It was extremely difficult to hide heavenly events, but the Hukon Clan Ancestor didn't directly hide his disciple's Heavenly Blessing and subsequent Heavenly Calamity three days later, he simply obscured the vision of every single Hukon Clansman, making it such that they did not noticed either events. As for the other immortals, their territories were too far away, so they never noticed the person whose Nirvana Life Heavenly Blessing surpassed any that had ever appeared on the Southern Continent to this day, and his Nirvana Death Heavenly Calamity which was equally terrifying.

Only The Xuqi Sect's Ancient Immortal vaguely sensed these events, but this was only a vague feeling, and he did not know from where they came.

The Hukon Clan Ancestor had planned properly, making it such that nobody knew that his disciple was undergoing his Nirvana Ascension…

In fact, to this day, not one person knew that he had taken in a disciple. After all, the moment that Hukon Qi entered secluded cultivation, the ancestor returned to Hukon Qi's father, and used certain methods to 'convince' him to keep this matter a secret…

Finally, Hukon Qi faced his Immortal Ascension Tribulation. All traces of life left his body, and yet…he remained seated in that same meditative position.

The Hukon Clan Ancestor had always known that his disciple was exceptional. To cultivate endlessly from the Qi Temple Realm at age 15, all the way through to his Nirvana Rebirth at age 300…how could this be considered normal? In fact, all common sense dictated that this was simply impossible!

And yet, even so, when he saw Hukon Qi stand up, the very instant after he entered that state of pseudo-death which accompanied the Nirvana Rebirth, leaving behind his deceased mortal body, still in that mediative position, he couldn't help but feel stunned.

Everyone's experience of the Immortal Ascension Tribulation was different, lasting anywhere between a few minutes to a few days…but Hukon Qi's ascension was basically instant! He achieved success and became an immortal as soon as he entered Nirvana Rebirth!

Only Hukon Qi himself could understand this matter.

His dao was the dao of cultivation, both in his heart, and in his earthly dao comprehension. He cultivated without end from his youth until his ascension, and so when he finally faced his Nirvana Rebirth, he simply…continued to cultivate.

In fact, he might have just continued to cultivate in meditative seclusion, even following his ascension, because this had always been his own path of cultivation. However, the moment he ascended to immortality, he sensed a change.

Hukon Qi sensed that from this day onwards, the nature of his path of cultivation would forever change. He stood up, leaving behind his deceased mortal body, which remained seated in the lotus position as he walked away, as if symbolising the start of his new beginning.

Ignoring his teacher, who had suddenly frozen in time, Hukon Qi faced the young girl between them who stared back at him emotionlessly. The young girl, with the appearance of someone 11-12 years of age, had glistened emerald eyes, shoulder length wavy hair, and a black crystal embedded in her forehead…

It was only a faint feeling, but Hukon Qi could sense that this girl…was the turning point in his path.

"Hukon Qi." The girl who floated a foot above the ground address him calmly. Hukon Qi narrowed his eyes. After snapping out of his trance which arose due to his lifelong pursuit of cultivation and nothing else, he suddenly became aware that this situation was not normal, and this girl…was absolutely terrifying, for reasons that he could not quite explain.

"Who are you?" He asked slowly.

"I am the Primordial Sage, one of the four Primordial Demons; the four original living beings in this world. Your true identity is the Fragment of Qi, one of the five reincarnated fragments of the Primordial Devil. From this day on, your path of cultivation will change; you will prepare for the arrival of the Fragment of Dao, the core of your full self, and the one who will devour you, along with the other three Fragments…"

The Primordial Sage went on to explain that in approximately 1,500 years, a fiend cultivating the Four Paths Cultivation Technique would emerge from the Southern Continent's Evil Inheritance. She told him that he should prepare for the boy's arrival, helping him to continue with his body tempering cultivation, and with his Qi refining cultivation, which he could only progress via slaughter.

Then, when the time was right, he was to allow the boy to devour him.

She told him to give up his life and change the course of his path without a trace of emotion. She did not allow him to respond to a word that she said, and immediately vanished after saying her piece, leaving Hukon Qi…the Fragment of Qi…to dwell on her revelations, which he naturally doubted, yet also couldn't help but take seriously.

At this moment, the Hukon Clan Ancestor became unfrozen. He clearly hadn't noticed a thing, and immediately laughed boisterously, before congratulating Hukon Qi on his success.

"You actually became an immortal with such ease…congratulations, my disciple, Hukon Qi- no now that you are an immortal, you should come up with a title for the other immortals to address you by, once they learn of your existence."

"Teacher, thank you for your guidance…and as for my immortal title…it shall by Pristine Qi." Hukon Qi, who had unknowingly grown into a young man during his period of seclusion, clasped his hands and thanked his teacher earnestly, reminding the old immortal of how this same person had acted towards his father back then…

Thinking this, the Hukon Clan Ancestor sighed.

"Pristine Qi Immortal…indeed, for someone with Qi as perfect as yours, this title is truly appropriate. Pristine Qi, you have been in seclusion for almost 300 years now…there are some matters that you should know about."

The Hukon Clan Immortal Ancestor spent the following day speaking to Hukon Qi about everything that he needed to know, not only due to him being a newly ascended immortal…but also because he had been isolated from the world for close to 300 years.

It was a lot to take in, but from start to finish, Hukon Qi remained calm and composed.

His father had died…over 200 years ago.

Recently, a crazed demoness broke out from the Evil Inheritance, slaughtering countless innocents, before being chased away by the Southern Continent's righteous immortals…

And on that note, Hukon QI finally learned more about all of the Southern Continent's immortals…and he also learned that somehow, his teacher had kept his existence a secret, not only from the immortals, but from the entire Southern Continent. Nobody knew that there was a newly ascended immortal in the Hukon Clan…in fact, nobody even knew that the Hukon Clan Ancestor – whom Hukon Qi was now told to call 'Harmony Immortal' – had even taken on a disciple in the first place.

Harmony Immortal had expected his disciple to have many questions about this, especially regarding his motives, but his response was once again outside of his expectations.

"Teacher Harmony Immortal…since nobody knows that there are two immortals in our Hukon Clan, then let it remain that way. However, my cultivation path has taken an unexpected turn, and I finally need to leave the shadows, stepping onto the stage of the world. I wish to establish my own sect bordering the Hukon Clan – this will become the Hukon Clan's hidden weapon, and the sixth superpower on the Southern Continent."

Harmony Immortal fell silent for a moment as he looked at his student deeply.

Honestly, he had given this 'disciple' of his practically nothing…all he had done, was remove him from the external distractions which were preventing his true potential from shining. In the end, he just slowly nodded, seeing no issue whatsoever with this plan.

"What will you call this sect of yours?"

When Hukon Qi thought about the reason that he was doing this, the name of his sect seemed obvious.

"The Fragment Sect."

It wasn't long after the shocking appearance of that vampiric demoness immortal, that yet another piece of news shook the entire Southern Continent.

From seemingly nowhere, a mysterious white-haired immortal had appeared, known as Pristine Qi Immortal to the other Immortals…and the Fragment Sect's Immortal Ancestor to the rest of the Southern Continent.

Wait, what Fragment Sect?

In an incomprehensible turn of events, the Hukon Clan Immortal Ancestor had given up one quarter of his clan's territory, the part of his territory nearest to the centre of the Southern Continent and the forbidden ground surrounding the Evil Inheritance entrance. He gave up this land for reasons which he refused to disclose, to the newly appeared immortal, who immediately established his own group, the 'Fragment Sect', and proclaimed it the sixth superpower of the Southern Continent!

Everyone had their own thoughts on this matter, but nobody really knew the truth.

The Fragment Sect's growth was explosive, and within 300 years, before Hukon Qi had even faced his first True Immortal Tribulation, his sect was already thriving with a complete organised structure which he no longer needed to manage personally. The dozens of Origin Soul Realm cultivators who had joined the sect, many of whom came from those nearby clans, were already managing the entire sect, from the core, to inner, to outer sects, all on their own.

With this, the Fragment Sect had truly established itself as the official sixth superpower of the South.

Hukon Qi hid his true identity, built up this entire sect, established relationships wit the other Southern Continent immortals, all because of one reason…

He did not know if what the Primordial Sage had told him was all truth, but if it really was, then establishing these preparations was essential.

It was essential, because if he truly was the Fragment of Qi, and the Fragment of Dao was the core of his true self, then in order to continue walking along his path and pursuing his goal which was cultivation itself…then he needed to give up his life for the Fragment of Dao, leaving the Fragment of Dao with these preparations in order to support his own path ahead.

And so, Hukon Qi made his preparations. He established the Fragment Sect and watched over its growth, whilst maintaining his relationship with the other immortals, whilst taking on his True Immortal Tribulations every 300 years. He passed through these tribulations, each of which corresponded to one of the elemental earthly daos, with little difficulty at first, but they became increasingly difficult with every 300 years – this was quite normal, because the order of descension of the True Immortal Tribulations depended on the True Immortal's comprehension over each element. The tribulation corresponding to the elemental earthly dao which they had the greatest comprehension over would descend first, making it the easiest to overcome…but by the time their last True Immortal Tribulation descended, it would almost always be one that the immortal had very limited understanding and compatibility with, making it extremely difficult to survive.

But Hukon Qi never got that far along his path of the True Immortal Tribulations.

The Primordial Sage had told him that the Fragment of Dao would arrive approximately 1,500 years after he first became an immortal. This aligned closely with his 5th True Immortal Tribulation…

Before this tribulation, which Hukon Qi was uncertain whether it would arrive before or after the Fragment of Dao's arrival. He made a trip to the Northern Continent, where he captured hundreds of Origin Soul Realm cultivators and imprisoned them within the cultivation chamber which he had spent hundreds of years perfecting, all so that the Fragment of Dao would be able to continue cultivating…

In the end, his tribulation descended first…and just five years later, two children unexpectedly appeared from the Evil Inheritance…the first people to emerge from that place since that immortal demoness 1,500 years ago…

Hukon Qi sat within his main abode, an enormous mountain peak surrounded by grey mist, with three smaller peaks around its perimeter. His two disciples had occupied two of these mountains, whilst the third mountain, would become the home of his third disciple, the Fragment of Dao…

The white-haired immortal opened his eyes and turned towards the direction of the Evil Inheritance, as he stared at the red-robed child with a calm but bright gaze.

"The Fragment of Dao…" Hukon Qi muttered to himself quietly. "He really came, just like she said…"

Three years later, after putting Yaan through multiple trials, Hukon Qi still doubted the Primordial Sage, even after she revealed herself to him once again. However, with Law Empyrean's sudden arrival, he had no other choice – he was forced to place his hopes on this child, who may or may not be the Primordial Devil's core self.

Yaan had once killed Hukon Qi and devoured him into himself…

And now, he experienced Hukon Qi's life…and his death at the hands of his own past self.

The recollection of the past ended with the Fragment of Qi's death, and within the Spirit Palace, Yaan opened his eyes tiredly. As he recalled his experience just now.

In all, it lasted for 18 seconds in the real world, but 1,800 years in his own perception, he couldn't help but sigh deeply.

"So his name was Hukon Qi…I wonder how far he would have travelled along his path, had he not been devoured by me…"

The 'backlash' that Yaan experienced following his complete absorption of all that the Fragment of Qi had once been, simply consisted of him feeling melancholic and exhausted for the following few days, as he reflected on the full life that he felt like he had just lived.

"Hukon Qi…I may not be the one who you hoped, but in a sense, your path of cultivation will continue, so long as I continue to seek a path of my own…"

Yaan's gaze regained its calm, and he prepared to undo the final seal.