Return.

The disciples cast their gazes skyward, greeted by the sight of a weathered figure who graced them with a serene smile. His rugged visage, adorned with a flowing mane of hair. radiated an aura that seemed to condescend to the very essence of their beings.

"It lies close by, Senior," panted one disciple, his breath labored from the journey.

With a nod, the enigmatic presence withdrew his formidable aura, allowing the disciples to exhale a collective sigh of relief.

"Your guidance is greatly appreciated, Disciple," he acknowledged before departing, leaving the disciples mystified by the peculiar encounter.

"Who could he be?" one disciple queried.

"I cannot say, but his aura was exceptionally potent," another replied.

"Perhaps a reclusive master of the hermit ilk?" suggested a third disciple.

This mysterious figure was none other than Alex, who had recently completed his rigorous training. His cultivation had spiraled out of control as he experienced an unusual thrill amid combat, compelling him to unleash his full potential.

"Fuck, I should have sought a more thorough cleansing upon my arrival," Alex mused as he strolled through the surroundings.

"Stats," he declared.

[Stats Name: Alexander Simon Cultivation: Soul Gathering Realm (Peak) Treasure: Heaven's Pillar (Restored) (+ -) Element: Power (3%) Bloodline: Ghost Demon Bloodline (100%) (100%) Lifespan: 8888739 Technique: Heaven Space Cutter (+ -) Soul Sword Technique (1 Soul) Golden Viper Arts (1 Viper) Dragon Twist Technique (Ninth Heaven) Space Shatter Technique (3 Shatter) (+ -))783/5000 Aura Weaponizing Technique (33th Level) Divine: Heavenly Divination Technique (5 Divinations) (+ -) Demonic: Great Strengthening Demonic Ascension Technique (889 Level, Comparable to Inner (Soul Ascension Realm (Full Cultivation))]

Alex scrutinized his statistics and clenched his teeth.

"Fucking hell this, my OCD is killing me" he exclaimed. "I had hoped for exactly 8888888 years in my Lifespan, but it seems fate has other plans."

Resigned to his fate, Alex continued his journey. He had encountered a massive herd of creatures within the forest, surpassing the human population by leaps and bounds. This discovery, however, resulted in a fierce confrontation with overlord beasts, whom he eventually vanquished. He returned to the sect for a singular purpose.

--

Within the bathhouse, Alex luxuriated in a king-sized pool, observing the grand lion-headed showerhead with satisfaction.

"Very well," he declared, staring ahead before adjusting his cultivation.

[Host has reached the Mortal Limit of this realm. To level up again, the Host needs to gain enlightenment and further awaken his Element.]

Puzzled by his Element's reluctance to manifest, Alex pondered his predicament.

Alex looked at this thing confused and then looked at his Element. For a long time he had this Element it wasn't useful at all, like it didn't do anything.

"I wish to consult with Master, but I fear I cannot explain such a sudden power surge from one realm to another," he mused. "What can be done?"

Amid his contemplation, Alex found solace in the bath's embrace, cleansing away the fatigue that clung to him.

--

Alex drew nearer to the city, having shaved already he looked pretty.

"I wonder how Chang Li and Fengying are," he wondered, his thoughts drifting toward the tough technique he had imparted to Fengying before his departure. He doubted she could master it in his absence. it was extremely hard like controlling heaven and earth level of hard, Alex knew she was talented but to create that kind of technique he needed to train a lot, training quite with his words to bullshit more and tell her things... but he doubted she could learn it that easily. 

"Mas—," he began, reaching for a communication talisman, but a deafening explosion erupted nearby. Alex knew who this was, this Aura was quite similar to his master but a little stronger than before... This power was quite strong as he could see it was already cracking space itself Alex was extremely surprised by this power but he was not frightened as he got more stronger than he ever was in the past, he reached this level of power again.

"Zhi Li!" he called out, enveloping himself in a crimson aura to feign vulnerability.

"M—ast--er, it's delightful to see you too," he quipped.

"It's delightful? DELIGHTFUL? YOU VANISHED FOR 8 MONTHS!!!" Sect Master Lin roared.

"Well, I w—," Alex started before a force whisked them both away.

Inside the Sect Master's abode, Alex found himself seated on the floor, while Sect Master Lin regarded him with simmering frustration.

"Tell me, lad, what did you accomplish during your eight-month absence?" the Sect Master inquired, struggling to contain his anger.

"I understand your concern, Master, but I needed to gain experience. I roamed the world, challenging beasts, humans, and various races. Now, I return as a stronger and wiser man," Alex responded with a convincing smile.

Sect Master Lin sighed, his initial rage giving way to resignation.

"Very well, my boy. I won't punish you this time, but you must absorb the knowledge I've prepared for you during these eight months," he said, snapping his fingers.

Thirty manuals materialized before them.

"They—" Alex began, his astonishment evident.

"These thirty manuals are nearly at the level of divine and mythical techniques, just three levels below. When do you expect me to master them, Master?" he inquired with a wry grin.

"Hahaha...RIGHT NOW!!!" Sect Master Lin declared, prompting Alex to hurry into a room without hesitation.

"Ah, what an insufferable man," Alex muttered to himself. He scanned the room, taking in its plush carpeted floor, a majestic beast-skin draped over the couch, an extensive library, and a comfortable chair.

Seated in the chair, he resumed his studies, realizing that mastering these manuals would demand a considerable amount of time.

As he perused the texts, Alex reflected on his extraordinary luck, for Sect Master Lin had never presented him with anything less than exceptional.

Thirty minutes later, boredom led Alex to search for information about his dormant Element. He stumbled upon a book entitled "Basics of Elemental Power."

"Ah, it appears I have some remaining luck to uncover this swiftly," he observed.

End Of Chapter.