Black Onyx - Phoenix Resurrection

[Can I leave now?] All this talking… was exhausting.

“Sure… Just know that the other Elders might want to have a word with you. They should all know your secret by now.”

[My secret? What secret?] Shit! Did they figure it out already?!

Elder Li chuckled. “Your Aura cloaking is good, but you can’t hide it. Not to mention that your body is way too large and you practically reek of Essence. How many Golden Essence Cores did you consume recently? Dozens I’m guessing?”

[My Essence? What do you mean?]

“If we hurry, we might be still able to extract the Golden Essence from his body without killing him.” Shao Lin said to Elder Li in a normal voice so I could hear it. “It’s not too late.”

[Oy!] I knew it! They have ulterior motives! They want my body!

“Hahaha! Don’t worry, I have no desire to extract Essence from you.” Elder Li laughed. I also saw Shao Lin stupidly grinning at me. The bastards! They tricked me!

“But other Elders might…”

Motherfuckers!

“That’s why I have a proposition.” Elder Li suddenly turned serious. “Become my apprentice.”

There was a long, silent pause as my brain struggled to process his words.

[An… apprentice?]

“Yes, an apprentice. If you do, then the other Elders won't be able to touch you. I can offer you protection… and knowledge. The path you are on now leads to nowhere but ruin.”

[I see… But…] I was suspicious. [Why would you want me as an apprentice? What do you gain?]

Elder Li smiled thinly and stood up, turned around, and looked through the small window to the outside world. “Why? Can’t an old man just do a few good deeds?”

As if I was ever going to believe that. Obviously, I didn’t respond.

Elder Li sighed and shook his head. “Youngsters… There are rewards offered for those that take on promising Disciples and teach them our ways. And even if that wasn’t the case, you are too interesting for me to just let you go. A promising seed should be nurtured for the good of the Sect.”

[What do you mean by that?]

“Junior… A lot can be learned by simply observing from afar, but to truly unravel the secrets of the Heavens, a closer look is required. Fate brought us together, let’s make the most out of it.” His eyes glowed with a suspiciously large amount of Qi as he extended his hand toward me. “Join us.”

I looked at his hand and then into his eyes. [I don’t believe in fate.]

“Ayoo!” Elder Li stumbled a step back and gripped his chest, chuckling. “That one hurt. To sever so many strings at once… With such a simple statement too...”

“Master, are you alright?” Shao Lin asked with concern.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Elder Li waved his hand dismissingly and smiled, and for the first time, I felt like it was genuine. “Gerald, my boy… Your life is still so full of possibilities, let me help you on your journey.”

[And if I don’t join you?]

Elder Li shrugged. “It would be a shame and it would pain me to see, but if that’s your choice, I will not stop you. Of course, I also won't help you should you get in trouble.”

[And that’s likely to happen?]

“Based on your previous actions, that’s undoubtedly the case. Someone that acts so differently to the norms of the Sect is bound to be examined closely sooner or later. I just hope you didn’t break any rules, or it could get ugly.”

[I…] I frowned. I didn’t think I broke any rules, but I could be wrong. Familiarity with rules and regulations wasn’t a high priority in my mind.

[Let’s say I agree to become your apprentice… What would that entail?]

Elder Li slowly stroked his beard as he looked down upon me from his massive height. “You would get knowledge, training, and some Cultivation resources should you demonstrate significant talent. Of course, there will be tasks you will have to do, but they will be tailored to your abilities and shouldn’t push you more than you are capable of.”

[Seems… reasonable.]

“Of course, if you become my apprentice you will get to learn many secrets of the Sect, so complete secrecy will be required, betrayal of which might end in your death. Also, you will become an honorary Core Disciple, at least until you reach the Golden Core Realm on your own.”

[And get all the benefits that come with that?]

“Of course. And also all the responsibilities, should you decide to partake.”

[Is there a way to see those benefits and responsibilities in advance?] I asked. What can I say, I was tempted. And also really curious.

Elder Li beamed brightly. “Why don’t we leave some secrets for later?”

I just sighed. [Of course…]

[Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice place, but I expected...]

“More?”

I nodded.

I accepted the invitation, not like I had much of a choice really. Access to higher knowledge and a guarantee of safety was too good to pass up.

After leaving the prison cell, Elder Li gave me a medallion that marked me as one of his own. It also carried a fragment of his Soul that could exude his Aura if stimulated. I didn’t know why I might need that, but I guessed it was like a seal of authority.

Yet the place we came to was quite less extravagant than I would have expected. The air was nice and fresh, the Qi was extremely dense, and nature was like taken straight out of a painting. A beautiful, fantasy painting, none of that modern garbage.

A pavilion, Chinese-ish style, with walls of black wood and a curved crimson roof sat in the middle of a walled-off grassy lawn full of small shrubs, trees, and flowers.

“Most of the facilities are underground.” Elder Li said as he opened the front door. “There is limited space up the mountain after all.”

[Oh, that makes sense.]

“Now come, welcome to my home!”

He opened the double doors and after the Elder and Shao Lin, I stepped inside, eyes opened wide.

[Woah! That’s… That’s…] I was at a loss for words.