C4 Inheritance

Chu Xing had a deep fascination with fantasy novels, drawn to the captivating world of immortals who could soar through the skies, delve into the earth, and command the forces of nature with ease. How could one not be intrigued by such a realm?

Regardless of the truth behind it, Chu Xing inquired, "Elder Hsu, how do I begin my cultivation journey?"

Elder Hsu regarded Chu Xing with a complex gaze. "What remains is the legacy of my cultivation technique. Known as the Eternal Heavenly Venerate, I possess a fire attribute talent and once held a mighty flame seed, though I destroyed it in a bid to escape."

"The Eternal Profound Technique, a Middle Rank Heaven Grade method, is well-suited for those with a fire attribute talent. It has the potential to elevate a cultivator to the Heaven Grade. Combined with the Low Rank Heaven Grade skill, the Eternal Divine Eye, it has the power to incinerate all in its path."

"If you possess a fire attribute talent, pursue this technique; if not, seek out a worthy successor for me. The High Rank Heaven Grade Profound Heaven and Earth Technique is more fitting for your cultivation. I gathered it to explore the cosmos within, but it only leads to the Gold Immortal level."

"This technique was practiced by an old man who harbored his own universe, albeit an imperfect one. He was gifted with mental energy, and it's said he also mastered the metal and wood attributes to a high degree. Your mental energy talent is truly enviable."

"In the future, you might try to obtain the subsequent techniques from him. If that proves impossible, then turn to other cultivation methods."

"I cannot reveal his name, nor that of my enemies. They all have a grasp on certain rules, and speaking their names might alert them through the unseen connections."

"I've also mastered a few secret arts and divine abilities. The Three Elements Cheats, a High Rank Profound Grade secret art, can enslave demons. An average cultivator can control three, but with your formidable spiritual energy, you should be able to command even more. Test your abilities by trying to control one at the Foundation Stage."

"We'll leave the Eternal Divine Eye aside for now. The Sword River, a Middle Rank Earth Grade divine ability, requires considerable strength before you can begin its cultivation."

Cultivation techniques are categorized into four grades based on their efficacy: Heaven Grade at the pinnacle, followed by Earth, Profound, and Yellow Grades, with each grade further divided into High, Middle, and Low Ranks.

Divine abilities are categorized into three ranks based on their power: Heaven Grade and Earth Grade, which are referred to as divine abilities, and Profound Grade and Yellow Grade, known as secret techniques.

"Call me Master," Elder Hsu said, looking at Chu Xing with hopeful eyes.

"Master!" Chu Xing immediately knelt and bowed deeply. Regardless of whether this dream was reality or illusion, Chu Xing sensed Elder Hsu's genuine affection for him.

"Good, good. Come, sit by my side," Elder Hsu said, beaming with joy. "You also have an elder sister, the Immortal King Hong Chang, whose name is Zhong Ailin. You should seek her out someday."

"Understood, Master."

Elder Hsu removed a ring from his left hand. The design was simple: a silver band that had somehow escaped Chu Xing's notice until now.

"This is a Storage Ring. Everything I own is stored within it. Simply concentrate your spiritual energy on it to access its contents." He explained as he passed the ring to Chu Xing.

"My disciple, sigh, stay awhile and talk with me."

...

Elder Hsu enlightened Chu Xing on the various stages of cultivation: Qi Training Stage, Foundation Stage, Golden Core Stage, Nascent Infant Stage, Divine Clone Stage, Transcendency Stage, Earth Immortal, Heaven Immortal, Golden Immortal, Divine God, Divine King, Heavenly Sovereign, and the Controller Stage. Beyond the ten levels of the Qi Training Stage, each realm was further divided into early, middle, and late phases.

He also described the cosmic power structures, noting that humanity was split into three major factions, with one under the control of Elder Hsu's adversary. The Mechanical Race and the Insect Race were identified as the most significant threats to humankind.

Elder Hsu had traversed the vast, infinite cosmos, enduring 300 years of flight before arriving on Earth through an enigmatic black hole.

He imparted a wealth of cultivation wisdom to Chu Xing, who posed several questions, each met with thoughtful responses from Elder Hsu.

"I will transfer to you the principal cultivation techniques, divine abilities, the cosmic star map, the route to Earth, and the unspeakable truths through my spiritual consciousness. Disciple, the path of cultivation is fraught with peril; you must proceed with caution." Holding Chu Xing's hand, Elder Hsu gave his solemn charge.

Chu Xing gazed at the elderly man before him, his eyes brimming with unshed tears and his heart heavy with sorrow. Struggling to find the right words, he finally said, "Master, with your great power, you must be able to heal yourself."

"My dear disciple, my spiritual sense has been damaged beyond repair," Elder Hsu replied with a gentle look in his eyes.

"Disciple, the path of cultivation is long and filled with wonders. Cherish every step you take," Elder Hsu imparted his final wisdom before dissolving into a constellation of tiny stars, which then coalesced into a single point and entered Chu Xing's spiritual sea.

"Master!" Chu Xing cried out as darkness overtook him and he lost consciousness.

"Master!" He suddenly reappeared in the school's forest, right where he had been lying before.

Blinking his eyes open, Chu Xing took in his surroundings, momentarily disoriented.

"It was just a dream, but it felt so real. If only it had been true," he murmured, wiping away the lingering tears, a testament to his genuine grief.

"Ah, I'm starving. I haven't even had my dinner yet!" Chu Xing exclaimed, sitting up and eagerly devouring the steamed buns and pickled vegetables he had brought with him. In no time, he polished off his meal.

"Poor Master," he mused, patting his belly, which now felt oddly empty. "There's nothing left in there!"

"What's this?" Chu Xing lifted his left hand, examining the ring on his middle finger. "Isn't this the ring Elder Hsu gave me? Could it be that the dream was real?"

Following Elder Hsu's instructions, Chu Xing concentrated on the ring and was astonished as a vast space unfolded in his mind, roughly the size of ten football fields, enclosed by grey walls.

"This ring holds an enormous space!" Chu Xing explored the area, finding the Heart of Machine, three divine bones, and a small pile of assorted items, though the space was largely empty.

"The dream was true! I can soar through the skies and delve into the earth," Chu Xing whispered to himself, his consciousness engrossed in the ring for a full half-hour, his expression one of sheer exhilaration.

He reached out to touch the Mechanical Heart, but it suddenly materialized outside the ring, startling Chu Xing so much that he quickly retracted it.

Then, a bird's call snapped Chu Xing back to reality. In the distance, the sky blazed with red clouds, and the sun burst forth like molten steel from a furnace, its brilliance captivating and intense.

As dawn broke, Chu Xing gazed at the rising sun with a resolute expression. "Master, rest assured, I will seek vengeance on your behalf," he vowed silently.