(MC POV)
We were gathered in Elder Gong's courtyard, a little distance away from my own courtyard where we were starting our first official lesson in the Sect.
I'm a little wary of Brendan now, since he told me about his eventual goal of usurping the current ruling family of our continent. Of course I treat him no different than before but… Isn't this the making of a textbook villain?
He'll probably try and find a way to increase his power immorally, get found out, then kicked out of the Sect.
Then with a heart full of hate and anger, find a more darker way to achieve his goals and return with a vengeance, making everyone who had denied him miserable in the process.
Yeah… I'd rather that not happen.
Guess I wished too hard for him to not be a hero and karma is punishing me for it.
Oh well, I suppose I'll just have to slowly find out what is his issue with the Bei Family and maybe guide him towards probably not doing what he planned to do.
"Alright students," Elder Gong started, his hands stroking at his beard like what all Elders like to do. "We'll start off the first lessons today. I believe all of you to already be well acquainted with the basics, so we shall go straight to manifesting your Elemental Quarks. If you are already able to do this, work on halving the time it takes for you to materialize it."
Ah, a simple lesson to start out with. I remember those days when I first had to struggle through this.
Yes, I struggled at the start, could you believe that?
I had actually been the slowest in class during the first few days. My fellow students had managed to manifest their Elements faster than I did stating that this was the easiest for them to do.
I never really understood why I struggled at this part though.
The theory was simple enough.
Circulate the Elemental Quarks within the Cultivation Point while visualizing the intended effect, guide the Quarks along your Quark Veins towards an exit point and then materialize it while holding the image of the effect in your head the entire time.
Of course, in practice, you have to make sure that the Quarks you circulate within your Cultivation Point is just the right amount. Too little and the Technique might not materialize, too much and it might explode in your face.
It took me a rather long time to get used to knowing the exact amount required for every Technique I need to use.
I suppose it was just my personal estimation ability being exceptionally bad as compared to others. At least I don't have that problem now.
Time to see how well these supposed talented students do.
Each of us went to a corner of the courtyard to begin our training, Elder Gong would be going to each of us to inspect our progress and assist us.
I took one corner for myself and began to focus my senses towards my Cultivation Point, intending to continue stabilizing my now humongous Cultivation Point.
I brought my consciousness back into the black space within me, all of the stars blinking in unison as though to welcome me back.
Until now, I have yet to know what this place truly is or what those stars even were. But one thing I know for sure was that if a seemingly infinite space could feel like it got bigger, this place gave me that feeling after absorbing all those Monster Crystals.
No, that was incorrect.
It was more like I couldn't comprehend the vastness of this place before and only just managed to catch a glimpse of it now after growing just a little bit stronger.
As much as I would like to absorb more Monster Crystals, it seems like that undying fox girl's crystals were not able to enhance my Cultivation Point any further.
I do not know if it is because I have hit my limit, or it was because her crystals were no longer sufficient to strengthen me anymore.
What's more, I'm not sure if this strengthening method could still work after I have matured fully and whether my disciples could make use of this as well.
Putting that aside for now, I concentrated my senses and meditated amongst the stars as I had done these few days.
The stars started to hum a slow melody as I circulated my Elemental Quarks, the song reaching a crescendo with every revolution.
The song got louder and louder with each revolution, reaching an almost deafening volume that drowned out all other sounds around me.
It felt like everything was holding its breath as the song reached its apex.
Just as I thought that everything would burst, a very out of place "What the hell?!" resounded through my world, shattering my concentration in an instant.
I opened my eyes with a start, finding myself the object of scrutiny by my fellow students and Elder Gong.
"What? What's wrong? Why are you all staring at me?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
Tekiteh pointed a finger at me, "You just started glowing and everything! What the hell is wrong with you, you freak?!"
Elder Gong nodded, "Mas… Ermm… Mark, your entire body was glowing white in colour and er… Those things started to grow…"
He gestured to the lower part of my body.
Please don't be a boner...
I looked down to see the lower half of my body completely covered with freshly grown vines and grass, the vines entwining around the lower half of my limbs tightly.
"Ok, this is… Weird… This has never happened to me before," I remarked, pulling apart the vines to break myself free.
"What did you do, Mas… I mean Mark?" Elder Gong asked.
"I was just doing as you instructed. I tried to circulate my Elemental Quarks and I didn't even know this was going on until one of you shouted 'what the hell'," I lied.
Elder Gong stroked his beard, "Hmm… Interesting. Perhaps you have something unique in your Elemental Quarks. Maybe… Something to do with nature? Hmm hmm hmm… Well, I don't see any problems with it. Everyone, carry on then. Perhaps we may understand more about this phenomenon after you… Er... Break through."
The Elder turned his back and walked away, prompting the others to do the same.
Only Sylphy stayed behind, staring at me with her intense gaze.
Tearing away the last of the vines, I looked up at her with a slight tilt of my head, "Can I help you?"
She glanced around to make sure no one was near before leaning forward to whisper, "You… You're a Fallen God too aren't you?"
…
…
A what?