Volume One: Youth Enters the World Chapter Forty-Six: Awakening

After crippling Chen Yufeng, he left Maple Leaf Town. Upon exiting the town, he chose his direction and headed straight toward Wufeng City.

As he walked along the road, his mind lingered on everything that had happened in Maple Leaf Town. A month’s stay had brought forth so many events: the scheming Chen family, his old enemies the Zhou family, and the one he cared for. All these tangled thoughts became a torrent, crashing against his heart, leaving him confused and dispirited.

Within the sword’s inner space, Old Tian, who had been observing all along, saw Fang Tian’s troubled state and understood the cause. Yet, the past was gone and should not weigh so heavily. After a brief hesitation, Old Tian called out to Fang Tian, deciding to speak with him.

“Xiao Tian.”

“Hmm? Old Tian, what is it?” Fang Tian was startled back to awareness by Old Tian’s sudden call.

“Are you still thinking about what happened before?” Old Tian inquired.

“Yes, so much happened—it’s hard not to dwell on it,” Fang Tian replied, a note of melancholy in his voice.

“What are you thinking now?” Old Tian pressed.

“Not much, really. Just feeling unsettled. Old Tian, do you think I was right to spare my enemy so easily, instead of choosing to kill him? Was that the right thing to do, or was it wrong?” Fang Tian was uncertain, unable to distinguish right from wrong.

“Since you’ve made your choice, I don’t think there’s any need to dwell on whether it was right or wrong. In this world, there’s no absolute right or wrong; those notions are merely the conflicts born of different choices. The outcome and consequences are the result of your choices. Whether your decision was made on impulse or after much thought, it was yours to make. Once decided, don’t regret. Life itself is sustained by constant choices—do you understand?”

“Old Tian, I understand now.” After reflecting, Fang Tian grasped the truth in Old Tian’s words. His once clouded, bewildered eyes regained their clarity and purpose.

“Good. I’m glad you understand,” Old Tian said with satisfaction from within the sword’s space.

Fang Tian realized he had been overly sentimental. His troubled expression eased; Old Tian had only spoken out of concern. Having understood this, he resolved to move forward, to make new choices—most of all, to grow stronger and regain everything he had lost.

With these thoughts, Fang Tian pressed onward, traveling tirelessly. After a day’s journey, night began to fall. Passing through a grove of trees, he glanced up to judge their height. Gathering his spiritual energy, he leaped onto a branch. The tree swayed, its leaves rustling, but soon settled. Fang Tian summoned his thoughts, drew the Heaven-Slaying Sword, and placed it upon a sturdy branch. With a single thought, he entered the sword’s inner space.

Inside the sword’s realm, Fang Tian called for Old Tian. The old man manifested before him, understanding that Fang Tian was preparing to cultivate. With a wave of his hand, Old Tian produced a massive stone block to test strength, as well as a medicinal pool to heal the body after rigorous training.

He also handed Fang Tian the cultivation manual.

“Xiao Tian, everything you need is here. If you require anything else, just call me,” Old Tian said.

Fang Tian scratched his head, a little embarrassed that Old Tian had prepared everything before he’d even asked. But he had summoned Old Tian for another reason, so after a pause, he spoke up, “Old Tian, wait a moment. I have something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it, Xiao Tian?” Old Tian asked, puzzled.

“Do you remember how, after I was poisoned, all my spiritual energy vanished, but later it returned? I’ve been wondering about that—it felt different from before. Do you know why?” Fang Tian had been pondering this ever since; he couldn’t understand why his spiritual energy had suddenly returned, and it seemed somehow changed. He hoped Old Tian might know the answer.

Old Tian thought for a while, then looked at Fang Tian and spoke slowly, “I remember. I observed your condition closely, and there’s only one possibility.”

“What is it?”

“Spirit Body Awakening,” Old Tian pronounced each word deliberately.

Fang Tian was stunned. Spirit Body Awakening? What was that?

Old Tian saw his confusion and explained, “Xiao Tian, I know you’re unfamiliar with this. You know about the Spirit Tribe, don’t you?”

“Yes, Old Tian, you mentioned them before. But what’s the connection between Spirit Body Awakening and the Spirit Tribe?” Fang Tian was still at a loss.

“There is a connection. I told you the Spirit Tribe is born with spirit bodies, and as long as they absorb the world’s spiritual energy, their strength increases. But that’s not the whole truth. In reality, you won’t encounter the Spirit Tribe for a long time yet; at your current level, you’re nowhere near such beings. I should have explained this earlier.”

Curiosity welled up in Fang Tian, eager to understand. He quickly urged Old Tian, “Then please tell me about the relationship between the two.”

“Though the Spirit Tribe is born with spirit bodies, they cannot simply absorb spiritual energy forever to become mighty. Within their bodies are five chains of will—five locks imposed by the world’s will. To truly awaken their spirit bodies, they must break these chains through five awakenings. Each awakening shatters one chain, and after the fifth, their spirit body merges with the essence of the world, making them the strongest beings under heaven.”

“Old Tian, you keep mentioning these chains of will—what are they?” Fang Tian was thoroughly confused, unable to make sense of it.

“Chains of will are shackles imposed by the will of heaven and earth upon the Spirit Tribe. Each awakening requires breaking through the limitations of the world’s will to grow stronger.”

“How can one break the limitations of the world’s will?”

“By enduring the heavenly tribulation. Only after surviving the baptism of thunder and earning the recognition of heaven and earth can one break the chains and awaken. With each awakening, their power grows, far surpassing that of the Human and Demon Tribes.”

“Old Tian, if the Spirit Tribe must endure this for every awakening, isn’t that terribly cruel?”

“That’s why heaven and earth, which nurture all things, remain fair. The Spirit Tribe enjoys innate advantages—long lives, great power—but is bound by heavenly tribulations. Surviving them is no easy feat, which is why their numbers have dwindled.”

“As time passed, more and more Spirit Tribe members perished under the tribulation. Their strength waned, and so they withdrew from worldly affairs, seeking seclusion in remote lands. Nowadays, it’s rare to see them on the continent. Over two thousand years ago, when I traveled with my previous master, we encountered only a handful, each one an extraordinary powerhouse.”

“So, Xiao Tian, if you truly possess a spirit body, you will one day face the heavenly tribulation, break the chains, and awaken your spirit body,” Old Tian concluded, looking at Fang Tian.

“Does that mean I’ll be struck by lightning?” Fang Tian said, somewhat helpless after hearing Old Tian’s explanation.

“We can’t be sure yet, but it’s wise to be prepared. Fortunately, I have methods for the Spirit Tribe to withstand the tribulation. I’ll search for them and share them with you. For your first awakening, I’m confident I can help you get through safely,” Old Tian said earnestly.

“All right, Old Tian. I’ll go cultivate now. Who knows—if I don’t, I might get struck by lightning at any moment.”

“Go ahead, Xiao Tian. I’ll leave now to find what you need.”

“Okay.”

With that, Old Tian departed, and Fang Tian began his cultivation.