"The winner is Viktor Sledgehammer. The two representatives should kindly leave the wide platform" the supervisor of the fight announced with a calm look on his face.
"Looks like an done here" Viktor said with a bored look on his face as he suddenly turned and began to walk out of the wide platform. As for Ling Jun, he just kept a blank look on his face as he also turned and began to walk out of the wide platform from the other side.
’I hope he will be ok’ Hutton thought with a worried look on his face as he looked at Ling Jun walking out of the wide platform.
"I can’t believe you guys hired me to participate in this boring event, I demand a compensation for this" Viktor said with a displeased look on his face right after he approached Feng Po at the Feng family area.
"You don’t have to worry Mr. Viktor, you will definitely get compensated for any boring fights you take part in" Feng Po said with a light smile on his face.
"That’s good to hear" Viktor replied with a satisfied look on his face as he finally walked past Feng Po.
"Everyone, here comes the end of the first phase of the second stage of the event. But there is no need for you two families to leave just yet, because their will be a banquet at the third floor of this ancient pagoda so you all will be staying at the rooms in the second floor of the pagoda till then" Just then, the middle aged man who introduced the rules of the event suddenly spoke up with a calm look on his face.
’A banquet huh? It seems like I will have some time to explore this pagoda’ Hutton thought with a thrilled expression on his face while Ling Jun approached the area he is in.
"Ling Jun, are you going to ok?" Hutton immediately asked right after he noticed Ling Jun is standing right beside him.
"Yes, I think I should tell you that one of my dominant traits is never giving up" after taking in a very deep breath, Ling Jun answered with a determined look on his face.
"That’s good then" Hutton replied with a relief smile on his face. As for the middle aged man that spoke earlier, after observing the reactions of the people from both families, he finally spoke up again.
"Now that everyone is ready, let’s quickly move up to the secind floor of the pagoda"
And so, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the South China Sea, the ancient pagoda stood silent and imposing. Its weathered stone walls bore the marks of centuries past, and its secrets lay hidden within.
Suddenly, at the heart of the pagoda’s ground floor where the wide platform is located, a shimmering light illuminated a previously vacant corner. Slowly, as if emerging from the very fabric of time itself, a staircase materialized, spiraling upwards towards the unknown. The air crackled with mystic energy as the once empty space now pulsed with possibility.
’How is this possible?’ Hutton thought with a shocked look on his face as he stared at the stairs that have practically popped out of nowhere.
"Let’s go" the middle aged man said before him and his other accomplices began to go up the stairs.
"Let’s move" As soon as the middle aged men stepped on the stairs, both Ling Huang Chou and Feng Po said at the same time before the two families began to walk up the stairs.
"Hey Ling Jun, there is something i want to ask you" while they were going up the stairs, Hutton suddenly said to Ling Jun in a low voice.
"Huh? What is the problem?" Ling Jun asked with an ingnorant look on his face. But Hutton didn’t seem to flinch from the expression on Ling Jun’s face as he ased straight away.
"Do you know how the middle aged men could perform magic like how they did earlier and also, what drives the pagoda to create something right out of nothing?"
’Seems like I can’t hide this from him anymore’ Ling Jun thought with a wry smile on his face while he answered.
"All these magic you are seeing from both the middle aged men and the ancient pagoda is the result of cultivation"
"Cultivation? What is cultivation?" Hutton asked almost instantly with a confused look on his face. When Ling Jun heard him, he first took in a deep breath before he began to explain.
"Cultivation refers to the practice of refining one’s body, mind, and spirit to achieve profound levels of strength, enlightenment, and even immortality. Rooted in traditional Chinese philosophy and Taoist beliefs, cultivation emphasizes discipline, perseverance, and inner harmony".
"Practitioners of cultivation, often referred to as cultivators or martial artists, embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement. They seek to harness the natural energies of the universe, such as qi (life force energy), to enhance their physical abilities, mental acuity, and spiritual insight. This process involves rigorous training, meditation, and the mastery of martial arts techniques"
"In Chinese comics, cultivators are portrayed as individuals who transcend the limitations of ordinary mortals. They possess extraordinary strength, agility, and resilience, allowing them to perform feats that defy the laws of physics. Through their cultivation, they can manipulate elemental forces, fly through the air, and even manipulate time and space"
"However, cultivation is not merely about physical prowess. It is also a path towards enlightenment and spiritual awakening. Cultivators often undergo profound inner transformations as they confront their fears, desires, and ego. Through meditation and introspection, they strive to attain a state of inner peace and harmony, transcending the dualities of the material world.Furthermore, cultivation is deeply intertwined with moral and ethical values. Cultivators are expected to adhere to principles of righteousness, compassion, and humility. They use their powers not for personal gain or glory but to uphold justice, protect the weak, and maintain harmony in the world".
"Hmmm... So you are saying that these three middle aged men in pure white robes are called cultivators in the Chinese culture?" Hutton asked with a pondering look on his face.
"Yes. And also for the ancient pagoda. It might have been created by a really strong cultivator who might have even transcended into immortality" Ling Jun answered with a calm look on his face.
"But wait, how are the cultivator’s power level ranged?" Hutton quickly asked when the thought came into his mind.
"That... I do not know, you will just have to meet a cultivator himself to find out. Maybe my father, he is a cultivator" Ling Jun answered with a helpless look on his face.
’Hmm... This is interesting’ Hutton thought as an excited feeling began to well up within him.
"We have arrived" But right at this time,one of the middle aged men spoke up when they arrived at the second floor of the ancient pagoda along with the two families.
As they ascended the spiral staircase of the ancient pagoda, leaving the ground floor behind, they emerge onto the second floor, where a sense of tranquility envelops them like a warm embrace. The air is thick with the scent of sandalwood incense, permeating the space with its calming aroma. Sunlight filters through intricately carved windows, casting ethereal patterns of light and shadow on the polished wooden floors.
This level of the pagoda is divided into a series of bedrooms, each one a sanctuary of simplicity and serenity. The walls are adorned with delicate silk tapestries depicting scenes of nature – cherry blossoms in bloom, majestic mountains shrouded in mist, and tranquil lakes reflecting the moonlight. Traditional paper lanterns hang from the ceiling, their soft glow illuminating the space with a gentle radiance.
The bedrooms themselves are furnished with elegant simplicity. Low wooden beds, adorned with soft silk bedding in hues of crimson and gold, sit against the walls. Carved wooden chests, adorned with intricate motifs of dragons and phoenixes, offer storage for personal belongings. A small writing desk, nestled near a window overlooking the sea, provides a quiet space for contemplation and reflection.
Each bedroom exudes a sense of peace and harmony, inviting weary travelers to rest and rejuvenate their spirits. The sound of gentle waves lapping against the pagoda’s foundations lulls inhabitants into a deep, restful sleep, while the distant cries of seabirds serve as a soothing lullaby.
In this haven of tranquility, amidst the vast expanse of the South China Sea, the second floor of the ancient pagoda offers a refuge from the chaos of the world, a place where one can find solace and renewal amidst the ever-changing tides of life.
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’What a relaxing floor’ Hutton thought with a comfortable look on his face. But not too long after, he got a tap from Ling Jun which brought him back to his senses.
"Look over there" Ling Jun said right after Hutton put his gaze on him as he pointed towards the end of the hallway. And without wasting anymore time, Hutton looked towards the place Ling Jun is pointing.
’Huh? What is that?’ Hutton thought with a curious look on his face.
What Hutton and Ling Jun is staring at is a particular door which is emanating a very thick aura of death and black qi which sends shivers down Hutton and Ling Jun’s spine.