Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Chaos Genesis Technique

Stone Village lay tranquil beneath the first rays of dawn. Wisps of smoke drifted lazily from the chimneys, and a group of men had begun their morning training, honing their bodies with steadfast discipline.

Inside a stone cottage, Chen Xing sat cross-legged upon a stone bed. Standing before him was Little Stone, his head bowed, his spirits dampened.

Watching his beloved disciple, Chen Xing felt a pang of sympathy. Little Stone had returned two days prior; Chen Xing had thought that meeting his parents would bring the boy joy, but instead it had burdened him with endless troubles.

Upon his arrival, Little Stone had been thrilled to see his grandfather, father, and mother. Now seven years old, he had no recollection of seeing his family in person before—his memories of them were but images conjured with the help of the Willow God. To finally meet them in the flesh was naturally exhilarating.

That first night, Shi Ziling and his wife insisted that Little Stone sleep with them. Chen Xing left them to their reunion. Yet the next morning, Chen Xing noticed the boy was rather subdued, though he said nothing. Another night passed, and today, Little Stone came early to seek out his master.

Gazing helplessly at the downcast child, Chen Xing said, “It’s so early—why aren’t you with your parents, or off playing with Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er? Why come here and disturb my peaceful dreams?”

Little Stone pouted, displeased. “Master, from now on I want to sleep with you. I don’t want to sleep with them anymore.”

Chen Xing was taken aback. “What’s going on? Why don’t you want to sleep with your parents? You’re still a child; no one will judge you.”

Little Stone lowered his head, saying nothing, but a faint glimmer sparkled in his eyes. Chen Xing’s expression darkened. He asked gravely, “Did your parents say something to you?”

Anger welled within Chen Xing. He had rescued them solely for the happiness of his treasured disciple; if it only brought him trouble, what was the point?

Seeing his master’s displeasure, Little Stone hurriedly replied, “No, no! Master, I’m just a little unhappy.” With that, he sat beside Chen Xing, leaning against his leg and half-reclining, his eyes lifeless. “I thought I’d be happy seeing my family, but these past two days, even though they treat me well, for some reason there’s always been this…”

He paused, searching for the right word. “A barrier. Yes! That’s it, a barrier.” Turning to Chen Xing, he asked, “Master, why do you think this is?”

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then asked, “Is it that you feel unhappy when you see your parents caring for your younger brother with more attention?”

Little Stone thought for a moment, then nodded.

“And do your parents seem a bit cautious when they look after you?”

He nodded again.

Chen Xing hesitated, then asked, “Did your parents want you to ask me to take your brother as my disciple too?”

Little Stone nodded quietly.

Chen Xing let out a long sigh, both amused and exasperated. Clearly, the boy was overly sensitive and jealous of his brother. He felt his parents favored his brother, even regarded himself as an outsider, and feared his brother would take away his sole master. After all, Little Stone was still a child.

Sighing deeply, Chen Xing understood, but there was little he could do. Shi Ziling and his wife, feeling guilty toward Little Stone, naturally treated him differently. Their wish for Qin Hao to become his disciple had long been on their minds. Such matters could only be tempered by time.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Xing said, “Since that is so, today I shall teach you a cultivation technique. From now on, focus your efforts on cultivation—set aside other matters for now.” He paused, then spoke gently. “Before you returned, your parents repeatedly asked that your brother be taken under my tutelage, but I refused every time. Let this matter rest. He may practice the Ninefold Mystical Art with Pi Hou and the others.”

At these words, Little Stone leapt up in delight. “Really, Master? You’ll teach me today? That’s wonderful!” As for not accepting his brother, he had no objections; he felt little attachment to him and was rather possessive himself.

Seeing his disciple so joyful, Chen Xing smiled; this was the lively apprentice he cherished. His expression then grew stern. “Don’t celebrate yet. I have some matters to tell you—remember them well!”

Seeing his master’s serious face, Shi Hao ceased his bouncing and stood respectfully before Chen Xing, awaiting his instructions.

Chen Xing nodded in satisfaction. “The cultivation method I teach you today is one I have forged by blending the supreme arts of the myriad worlds. It cultivates both body and soul, its power beyond measure. Even I have not practiced it myself.

After I pass it to you today, you must not teach it to anyone without my permission. Remember this! The consequences would be dire. You are my only disciple, and I do not wish to revoke what I bestow upon you in the future. Do you understand?”

With a solemn face, Little Stone nodded gravely. “Rest assured, Master. I will remember!”

Chen Xing was about to praise him when the boy suddenly dropped his serious demeanor and asked curiously, “Master, where are these myriad worlds? How come you haven’t practiced the technique you’re teaching me? Does that mean if I succeed, I’ll be stronger than you?”

Chen Xing was helpless at the boy’s curiosity. He thought for a moment and answered, “The myriad worlds I speak of are the heavens and worlds beyond. The Great Wilderness where you dwell is the lowest of the eight wastelands in this realm, which itself is but a mid-sized world among the countless worlds. Above it are greater worlds and chaotic realms.

When your cultivation reaches the proper stage, you will naturally come to understand everything. For now, just focus on perfecting the technique I grant you; when you achieve mastery, all will become clear. Knowing too much at your current stage will only hinder your progress.”

He paused, then continued, “My identity is not yet for you to know. Once you transcend this realm, you will understand who I am. If you wish to surpass me, you must work ten thousand times harder for even a sliver of hope.” Chen Xing gently patted the boy’s head.

Little Stone was stunned by his master’s words. Though he didn’t fully comprehend them, he sensed that his master’s origins were unfathomably formidable.

“All right, little one, stop daydreaming. Settle your mind—let me pass the technique to you.” Seeing the boy’s dazed look, Chen Xing chuckled and tapped him.

Little Stone snapped back to himself, a little embarrassed. “Uh! Yes, Master!”

Seeing his disciple ready, Chen Xing extended his finger, a swirl of chaotic colors coalescing at his fingertip as he pressed it to Little Stone’s brow.

Boom! Shi Hao felt his mind erupt with a thunderous roar. It was as if a dark world enveloped him, devoid of time, space, or even direction—only slumber awaited him there. Majestic voices of the Dao echoed in his ears, gradually causing him to forget everything. It seemed he would only awaken when he grasped his destiny…

He had no idea how much time had passed. Shi Hao almost believed he would slumber forever, when a gentle voice drifted into his consciousness: “Foolish child! Wake up!” The voice was soft, yet possessed boundless power, forcibly rousing Shi Hao.

He slowly opened his eyes, still a little dazed. He murmured, “Where…where am I?”

Smack! His confused head was suddenly struck, jolting him awake. His master looked at him with exasperation, and Shi Hao’s cheeks flushed red, thinking he had fallen asleep, embarrassed.

“I have transmitted the cultivation method into your mind. Beyond the first level, the rest is sealed. Only when you perfect the first level will the second appear, and so forth until you master all twelve levels. When you do, the myriad worlds shall be yours to roam.” Chen Xing spoke calmly to the newly awakened Little Stone.

“Uh! It’s…been transmitted!” Shi Hao looked at his master in bewilderment, then quickly focused inward. He saw twelve halos shimmering in his spiritual sea. The first radiated golden light, while the other eleven glowed with misty chaos. In the depths of his consciousness, five characters appeared: ‘Chaos Genesis Technique,’ exuding the might to subdue all heavens.

As Little Stone immersed himself in his mind, Chen Xing called him back, helplessly instructing, “Remember: even if you unlock all the levels, never teach it to anyone else. When you travel in the future, pay no mind to those so-called arts—they will be of no use to you. Three years from now, I will take you to the Martial King’s Palace of the Stone Kingdom to settle matters with Shi Yi’s lineage; after that, you must walk your own path.”

At this, Chen Xing hesitated, then made his decision. Forming a seal, a blue lotus slowly bloomed above his head, its twelve petals spinning in the void—the legendary Twelve-Petaled Creation Lotus.

Originally worried his master might leave him, Little Stone’s eyes lit up at the sight. Though he had never seen the famed mountain treasures, he knew this lotus was an extraordinary artifact.

“This is my personal treasure, far surpassing any artifact of this realm. As I promised, now that you have returned, I will give you a surprise. Today, I bestow it upon you. For now, you cannot use it nor can your spiritual sea withstand its power. I will seal it within your body; when you cultivate the ‘Chaos Genesis Technique’ to the fifth level, you may refine it and absorb it into your spiritual sea. Remember, before then, tell no one of its existence. Remember this well!”

With these words, Chen Xing activated the technique, and the blue lotus merged into the boy’s heart.

Having finished, Chen Xing waved away Shi Hao’s questions before they could be voiced. “Go and gather everyone in the village. Tell them I have matters to announce.”

Little Stone, resigned, went out to summon the villagers.