Hey guys! Expect another chapter tonight. There has been a few changes in the cultivation of the story, but it will all be explained in the chapter. Enjoy!

Old man Meng and Andariel once again sat inside the cottage by the table.

“Andariel.” old man Meng said to him, “In this world, there are nine realms of cultivation. Each of them symbolize one cycle of rebirth and one circle of hell. To become immortal, one has to cultivate through all these stages and then complete the five tribulations at the five great mountains. Of course, this is nothing you have to worry about yet. I will explain the first three realm for you.”

“Gather, the first realm, 100 years lifespan. Collect energy in one’s dantian.

“Transform, the second realm, 200 years lifespan. Transform one’s energy to liquid form.

“Merge, the third realm, 500 years life span. Merge the liquid energy with one’s soul.

Andariel felt a surge of happiness as old Meng explained cultivation to him. This was the first time someone actually cared about him except for Little grey. He had no parents and grew up just outside the settlement with only little grey, the black and white panda. Upon the though, he wondered how Little grey was doing? Was he still taking a nap in their hut?”

“The first realm is the realm. Do you know what it is?”

“Yes.” Andariel nodded, “It is divided into nine stages. It is the starting point of everyone, except for some energy beasts with extremely dense bloodlines.”

Old man Meng put a book on the table, “Exactly. To put it bluntly, it is the realm where one lays the foundation for the other realms. With insufficient foundation, one’s building will collapse later on. This is why it’s so important to do it correctly.”

“This is a book that explains how to properly create the foundation within the dantian.” old man Meng handed him a tattered old book bound in leather.

“However, there is something much more important for you to learn right now” old man Meng laughed, “You need to properly understand the power difference between the stages. Because honestly, you will get yourself killed one day if you offend someone without knowing the difference between the two of you.”

Old man Meng stared at Andariel after speaking, clearly waiting for an answer.

“Yeah.” Andariel coughed dryly, “That might be the case.”

“Then I will tell you and let you understand.” old man Meng’s voice was like ice as he began to explain the differences between the different stages.

“First stage and second stage, energy usage and power exertion. After inhaling enough energy, one will break through to the second stage and gain the ability to slightly infuse it in one’s attacks. Power exertion is the ability to create one’s own domain based upon the quality of one’s energy. There are five different types; Fire, wood, earth, water and metal domains.”

“Sengou, the third stager, What type is his domain?” Andariel quickly asked.”

“He had a earth type domain, they are pretty rare. The younger teenager had one too. Most likely they come from a strong clan or family that has passed down an earth mantra. His domain released a pressure akin to having a mountain on your shoulders.

Andariel nodded, letting old man Meng continue.

“Every third stage, there is a major power up. First stage to third stage is the ability to create domains and infuse energy, while fourth to sixth stage allows one to infuse energy into other objects like swords and maces.”

“Seventh to ninth stage, one can use martial techniques. It allows the cultivator to perform techniques that requires energy. They are much stronger than normal skills used without.

Old man Meng explained while finishing his congee.

“How does one break through from the ninth stage to the second realm’s first stage?” Andariel asked old man Meng.

Old man Meng sighed, “That Andariel, is the true danger of cultivating.”

“What do you mean?” Andariel frowned.

“When one enters the ninth stage, one will be forced to try and enter the second realm. No matter what one does, one will be pushed to do it. If one doesn’t even try, one’s dan tian will explode and death will come. To enter the second realm, one has to fill the dan tian to the limit. If one succeeds in entering the second realm depends on if the dan tian can endure the pressure.”

Andariel became dead silent. He asked, “So luck decides if one succeedes or not?”

“No.” old man Meng shook his head, “It’s the body. It is as such that depending on how much you trained the body while you were in the first stage, the more chance you have to succeed. That’s why the first stage is one of the most important phases in one’s life.

“Then before entering the second stage of gather realm, one should train his or her body to the absolute limit?”

“Exactly.” old man Meng nodded and then smiled, asking Andariel, “Do you think you have trained your body to the limit?

“Yes.” Andariel answered.

“No.” old man Meng laughed, “You definitely have not. You think it would be that easy to do that? Only a few years of hard training inside normal environments?”

“Let me ask you something.” eyes glimmering, old man Meng stared at Andariel, “If I tell you that I can train your body to the limit. I can let it reach the absolute limit of what mortals can reach. Would you want that?”

“What would I have to do?” Andariel replied.

Old man Meng grinned,“You merely have to endure some pain, that is all.”

How could Andariel be easily scared by this? For years, he had been enduring being beaten up once or twice a week til he could barely walk. He would often be called trash, thrown stones on and even spit upon.

“Pain?” Andariel stared at old man Meng with determination, “I have endured pain my whole life. Pain is the least I fear. Pain is temporary. To stay weak is what truly hurts. Yes, if I can become strong by enduring some pain, I would do it every day, every week and every year until I become stronger than anyone!”

“Good, I like that motivation. But what you are going to feel is going to need more than just motivation. To endure this, you will need will power that surpasses the heavens. “ old man Meng said and stood up.

“Andariel, I will ask you one last time. Are you sure you want to to this?” old man Meng’s expression was extremely serious as he asked him.

“I do.”

“Very well.” old man Meng nodded, “Your training will begin tomorrow and will continue for two months. Do you have anything you want to do before we begin?”

“Yes.” Andariel said, “My friend, Little grey. . Can you go there and get him? He is my partner.”

“I can.” old man Meng answered, then said, “A partner is good. But ff I go get him

you have to promise to never let him down or betray him.”

“I promise.”

Inside the hut at the settlement, Little grey lay snoring loudly in Andariel’s bed. He dreamed of caskets full of bamboo stems being served to him by beautiful panda girls wearing exquisite dresses, “Aaahh, life is so sweet.”

“Hmm?” He instantly opened his eyes. Someone was outside the hut.

An older man with a purple robe emblazoned with golden dragons entered the hut, his eyes quickly scanning the room before seeing Little grey. He rushed forward and was going to grab the small panda with his hand, but his face turned into a frown when he discovered that he was grabbing empty air.

Some meters away, the little panda was leaning against the wall. He had already closed the door. A fierce pressure began to emanate form the panda, “Who are you, and what business do you have with Andariel?”

“You can speak?!” old man Meng’s eyes widened. He swallowed and explained, “I am Andariel’s master, he asked me to come get you. But never did I think that his partner would be a energy beast that could speak.”

Old man Meng stared at Little grey, “Being this powerful, allowing me to not even being able to see you move… you must be at least be in the realm of–”

“Stop.” Little grey interrupted old man Meng, “Don’t ever tell Andariel, he cannot know. if you do, I will kill you.”

“Tell me, why did you take on Andariel as your disciple.”

Old man Meng felt a chill creep through his spine, and he began to sweat quicker than usual,“He is a true genius. His comprehension, his skill, his determination, there is nothing he lacks to become a peerless monster. I want to leave my legacy. And the moment I saw him, I knew that he was the right one. Also, I am friends with Jargon, so I know of his circumstances.

"Jargon is dead for us..." killing intent filled his eyes as he spoke. Then he asked, "What makes you think that you deserve to be his master? Are you worthy?”

Old man Meng sighed, “...I know I don't deserve to become the master of a talent like him. But if you give me the chance, I will give him everything I have.”

Old man Meng held his breath. If he said the wrong thing, he knew that the panda would immediately kill him. This panda was more than ten times powerful than him and could kill him faster than batting an eye.

“Fine.” Little grey nodded, but his eyes still contained boundless of killing intent that could erupt at any moment.

“But know this, if you reveal my strenght to him, I will kill you. if you hurt him, I will kill you. If you make him cry, I will kill you. If you as much think about doing something that doesn’t benefit him, I will kill you.