The Lord was moved to a different chamber to rest, with the Old Man following behind to look after him. There were still parts of me reeling from shock at the tremendous energy that had been at display in front of my eyes. In front of the Lord’s strength, I was barely a child, not even that, and a single blow from the heavens had brought him down to his knees.

I’d known there would be a long way ahead, and the gap in strength would be vast between me and someone like him, yet it was an entirely different feeling to truly experience that difference, and realise that even he was far from the strongest people of this empire. And that, if I continue to walk my path, one day I may have to stand against them.

As my thoughts continued t o churn, we’d been quickly moved out to a different chamber. None of us had talked much, as Elder Tian Feng had rushed around, working on the repair of the chamber we’d been in, and checking in on the manor. An odd, tense silence had filled the chamber as I’d sensed everyone around me coming to terms with the words I’d shared.

Zhou Fang’s expression had darkened, his mind likely filled with concern towards his father. I felt some guilt from his expression, all of this had been initiated by me, and in some ways, I was responsible for the Lord’s injuries.

Roughly half an hour later - or longer, I had lost track of time in my daze - the Old Man returned to our chamber. I rushed to stand up, my eyes glancing towards Zhou Fang, expecting him to be rushing to know more, but the boy stood up calmly, not showing panic in any form.

“How’s the Lord?” I asked, not waiting for the boy.

“He’s fine. Merely needs some rest to recover,” Old Man said, glancing back towards Zhou Fang, as he nodded lightly.

“Of course he is. Father would not be defeated by a mere divine tribulation,” Zhou Fang said, though I found the words to be more for himself than us.

“I’ve been hearing that word. What even is a divine tribulation?” I asked, glancing at the Old Man.

“You are aware that to become an immortal, and reach Transcendence, one must undergo at least three tribulations?” the Old Man asked.

I nodded.

“But the truth of the matter is, not all Paths can even reach the point. It is not merely a lack of effort, but also the Dao one follows. Some Paths are simply not meant to reach Divinity. The tribulations stand judge of these paths, and most fail under the trial. It is why many elders stop at the pinnacle of their circles, not attempting advancement in vain,” the Old man said. “But some paths have the ability to reach transcendence. Divine paths. These, when invoked, bring forth a divine tribulation. It is the mark of the rise of a new Divinity.”

“Then… is the Lord going to become a Divinity…?” I asked, slightly confused.

The Old Man looked at me, before shaking his head. “It wasn’t his path that brought the tribulation, Lu Jie. It was yours.”

I stared at the old man, unsure of how to reply.

“What will the Lord say about the tribulation? Even if Lu Jie has the capacity to become a new Divinity, the Lord surely cannot share that?” Yan Yun asked, looking at the Old Man.

“Father won’t, not with… this heavy truth. It’ll cause the empire to fall apart. And if the mere mention of the First Law can bring such a heavy trial… I fear to think what further actions may bring.”

“That is not something you need to be concerned about,” the Old Man said. “The Lord has ties with the Barbarian tribes to the east. It is not rare to harbour or trade with them at times, despite the tensions with the empire and these barbarians. We will merely mention the Lord had agreed to shelter their chief as he advanced, which had caused the tribulation.”

“A divinity among the barbarians? Isn’t that impossible? How could Barbarians cultivate to such an extent?” Zhou Fang asked, baffled.

“It has happened before, and it can happen again. And it is a more likely story than a boy awakening the trial of the heavens from the truths he’d discovered,” Old Man said.

“I have many things I haven’t spoken about, Lu Jie. Thoughts, and feelings. But I just want you to know, boy, that though I have fears and uncertainties, I trust the Path you walk to be the righteous one.”

I nodded, bowing my head. “It means a lot for me to hear that from you, Master. And I have much yet to learn. For the truth I have shared is merely one of many hidden in the heavens, and I intend to uncover all of them and share them with the world, as I walk my path.”

The Old man nodded. “There is still a task left for you to do. Now that you have shared the truth with all of us, it is your duty to guide these children on the new path you have brought back to life in this world. Take them, and show them the unity you speak of.”

I glanced around at Zhang, Yan Yun, Zhou Fang, and even Yin, whose spirit, despite not having Qi, still reflected the First Law engraved within it. Silently, I nodded, pressing my fists together as I bowed my head.

“As you say, Master.”

“This path… though this Old Man doesn’t dare hope, but perhaps, you can be the salvation my grandson had needed all this time, Lu Jie,” the Old man said, before turning away.

With the heavy words left with me, I turned to face the rest of my group standing behind me, feeling both trepidation and excitement in my heart. It was time to awaken some Chi cultivators.