(Translator's Note: I understand the cultivation elements in this Harry Potter fanfiction may not appeal to all readers, but this section is nearly complete. Thank you for your patience!)
Having gained a general understanding of his newfound abilities, Aiden packed his belongings and prepared to enjoy the remaining two days of his Eastern journey.
The Christmas holiday lasted a week in total, giving him just enough time to return for Hogwarts' traditional school banquet before the new term began.
A knock at his hotel door interrupted his planning. Opening it, he found an elderly man in traditional Daoist robes standing outside. Sweat beaded on the man's forehead, suggesting he'd just finished some form of intense exercise.
"Hello, may I ask who you're looking for?" Aiden inquired politely, his Manipulator instincts automatically engaging.
"Huff... huff..." The elder caught his breath before striding confidently into the room and settling himself on the sofa without invitation.
Aiden blinked. "..."
A familiar scoundrel's aura hit him like a physical force.
"This old man serves as general director of the relevant department, and also holds the position of current president of the Daoist Association. My surname is Zhang, and my given name is Chengrui," the elder introduced himself with casual authority.
"Mr. Zhang, may I ask what brings you here?" Aiden tried again, maintaining his diplomatic tone.
"This old man calculated that there seemed to be some... disturbance in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, so I came to investigate personally."
Zhang Chengrui picked up the hotel's electric kettle and began making himself hot water as if he owned the place.
"Disturbance?" Aiden asked, feeling the conversation taking on an increasingly mystical tone.
"Yes, quite a significant one. This old man sensed it all the way from Jiangxi Province," Zhang replied, lifting an enamel cup and taking a deliberate sip. His expression clearly said, 'Come ask me about it.'
"Please enlighten me, senior," Aiden said, cupping his hands in the traditional salute.
"Oh, you understand our culture quite well. Worthy of being..." Zhang muttered something under his breath but didn't finish the thought.
"No need for such formalities. Just call me Celestial Master Zhang."
The old man waved dismissively before continuing, "That thing you triggered—you Westerners have something similar. I believe it's called the Silent Slate."
Aiden's eyes widened in recognition. "You're also—"
"Eh, let's not discuss those unlucky matters here," Celestial Master Zhang interrupted smoothly.
Without warning, he stood and grasped Aiden's hand. The surrounding space seemed to pull backward, forming a luminous tunnel that stretched toward a distant point of light.
When the disorienting sensation ended, Aiden found himself standing in an ancient Daoist temple, complete with traditional architecture and the scent of burning incense.
"Sit," Celestial Master Zhang commanded with a casual wave. Nearby disciples immediately appeared to serve tea for both visitors.
"So the Celestial Master deliberately lured me into his domain. Can you now honestly tell me what you're really after?" Aiden asked, his tone carrying a hint of challenge.
"Hey, you child! With such a beautiful face, why do you speak so unpleasantly?" Zhang shook his head in mock disappointment. "Besides, could we have held this conversation in the outside world?"
"Outside world?" Aiden caught the key implication immediately.
"Yes, this is what we cultivators call a Cave Heaven—a dwelling place we've created beyond ordinary reality."
Following the Celestial Master's gesture, Aiden looked through the temple's open doors. The entire mountain was shrouded in ethereal mist, and magical creatures moved freely through the forests. Disciples practiced martial arts in perfect harmony with nature, creating a scene of otherworldly tranquility.
"Truly incredible," Aiden breathed, genuinely impressed.
"Hmph! The depth of our heritage is beyond what you young ones can imagine," Zhang preened with obvious satisfaction.
"Then why bring me here specifically?"
"I was curious about what kind of person possesses such enormous psychic 'mass.' After seeing you, I decided you should train my disciples," Celestial Master Zhang revealed with a mischievous grin.
"My appearance fee is quite high," Aiden replied, raising an eyebrow.
"I can tell you the secrets of Cave Heaven creation."
Zhang stroked his long beard with calculated calm, clearly baiting the dragon.
"Deal." The dragon took the bait without hesitation.
Seeing Aiden's agreement, the Celestial Master immediately began calling his students.
"Yunyu! Shuying! You little monkeys, where have you wandered off to?" His voice carried across the entire mountain with supernatural clarity.
Soon, five young people in matching Daoist robes gathered in the reception hall, their movements suggesting considerable martial training.
"Master," they chorused respectfully.
"Mm, we have a guest from distant lands. Keep him company in some practice," Zhang indicated Aiden with a subtle nod.
"Yes, Master," they replied in unison.
Though the disciples showed proper respect to their teacher, Aiden easily read the disdain in their eyes when they looked at him.
"Don't underestimate him, or you'll suffer greatly," the Celestial Master warned with genuine concern.
Unfortunately, his warning fell on deaf ears.
"Well then, let's proceed to the martial arts hall."
Another casual wave from Zhang, and space folded around them. They materialized in a spacious training arena surrounded by tiered seating.
The Celestial Master gave both Aiden and his disciples time to prepare, then exchanged a meaningful look with a middle-aged man standing nearby.
Within minutes, the entire arena filled with spectators—dozens of cultivators eager to witness the upcoming demonstration.
"They really do have quite a few practitioners here," Aiden mused, unconsciously comparing the gathering to Hogwarts. This single sect seemed to house as many cultivators as an entire year at the famous wizarding school.
"Yunyu, you go first," Celestial Master Zhang instructed his eldest disciple.
"Master, perhaps we should let Junior Brother Yan start instead. We should give our guest some opportunity to demonstrate his abilities," Yunyu suggested with false courtesy.
"Go when I tell you to go! Where do you get all these excuses?" Zhang smacked his disciple's head with practiced efficiency.
Yunyu reluctantly stepped onto the arena, his posture suggesting he considered this beneath his dignity. Standing together, they looked like an adult preparing to spar with a child.
"Guest from afar, please prepare yourself. If magic proves insufficient, this poor Daoist also knows some martial arts," Yunyu said, offering a traditional salute.
The newly advanced demigod smiled at the young cultivator with genuine amusement.
"Well then, here I come."
Yunyu assumed his fighting stance. "Come—"
Before he could finish the word, Aiden snapped his fingers. The disciple collapsed softly to the ground, unconscious but unharmed.
Indeed, having these monkey cubs face someone of this level is still too difficult, Celestial Master Zhang thought to himself, though his smile only grew brighter.
"Four of you, come together," Aiden announced, not wanting to waste time with individual matches.
"No! We won't resort to ganging up on a single opponent," the boy called Shuying declared, stepping forward with wounded pride.
One by one, the Celestial Master's disciples challenged Aiden individually. One by one, they were gently but decisively defeated. The sparring session ended with all five young cultivators unconscious but uninjured.
"Hmph! Now you understand what 'there are always people better than you' means. You little monkeys have let your eyes grow to the top of your heads."
Aiden picked up a cup of fragrant tea and settled in to watch the Celestial Master's teaching demonstration. Even having achieved demigod status, he couldn't resist his nature as an enthusiastic observer of drama.
After thoroughly lecturing his humbled disciples, Zhang returned to the reception hall.
"Sigh, how embarrassing for you to witness. These disciples are unruly—relying on being this old man's students, they've grown arrogant," the Celestial Master said with genuine regret.
"Celestial Master Zhang clearly thinks long-term for his disciples. It shows how much you care for them," Aiden offered diplomatically.
"People like you are rare to encounter in decades, just like back then..." Zhang began, then trailed off mysteriously.
But Aiden barely registered the comment—his attention was entirely focused on learning the promised secrets.
"Celestial Master Zhang, can you tell me about Cave Heaven creation?" he asked eagerly.
"Cave Heaven?" Zhang's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Actually, Cave Heavens are built from the remains of immortals."
"Immortals? And remains?" Aiden's confusion deepened.
"Before your Western Misty Realm appeared, our Eastern predecessors had already discovered methods to let the mind travel to distant realms," Zhang explained slowly, as if revealing sacred knowledge.
"One of our ancient sages discovered that people with magical power could, through dedicated cultivation, reach a level where they willingly offer their physical body and soul back to heaven and earth. They sink this sacrificed area into the surface layer of the consciousness sea, permanently altering the nature of magical power in that region."
The old Celestial Master revealed earth-shaking secrets in the most casual tone imaginable.
"This artificially modified magical energy can be utilized by ordinary people, giving birth to acquired cultivators. Such regions are what we call Cave Heavens."
"So we're currently existing within the sea of consciousness? And you've been creating artificial magic users for thousands of years?" Aiden asked, his eyebrows rising with amazement.
"Precisely. And do you know why this old man is willing to share these secrets with you?" Zhang's expression turned smugly knowing.
"You calculated my plan."
Aiden didn't give the Celestial Master a chance to continue his dramatic revelation—he'd already caught the distinctive scent that marked all master manipulators.
"Sigh, really no fun at all," Zhang complained, then grew unexpectedly serious.
"You people are truly both lovable and hateful. But perhaps this is simply the nature of your era. No matter how the world changes, there will always be individuals like you standing up to fight against the tide of fate."
The old Celestial Master stood and offered Aiden a deep, respectful bow. Aiden quickly rose and returned the gesture with equal formality.
"I hope you will never lose your way on the path forward," Zhang said, his final words carrying the weight of both blessing and warning.