The morning sky was heavy with clouds, a pale grey mist drifting with the sea. Strong winds shook the trees, bending and shifting their branches, and thunder boomed in the distance like a war drum. The whole island seemed to trembled under the weight of the storm.
Dozen of young clan members have gathered before the transmission hall under this bad weather. The normally silent courtyard was filled with hushed voice and burning anticipation for beginning their journey into cultivation.
Unlike the scripture hall, which housed martial arts, the transmission hall has the clans cultivation techniques. Each member of the clan is given the opportunity to choose a cultivation technique at the age of twelve. One by one members of the young generation entered the hall, each grinning from teeth to teeth when they walk out.
After some time, it was time for Sun Li to choose. Upon entering, he was greeted by uniquely carved dragons and phoenixes on the walls. A mythical feeling filled the room, and he stared at the jade stones, bewildered.
"Choose a technique that goes with your spirit root. There are no refunds or another chance to choose." An elder, sitting in reclined chair, said in a half sleepy voice.
With a startled look, Sun Li moved around searching for a technique that complemented his spirit root. After a while, he came across four different techniques to choose from
Five Element Cultivation Technique; it allows the user to cultivate until foundation establishment realm and create a unique five element whirlpool that not only fastens qi recovery but also strengthen the body. It can be cultivated by any spiritual root but takes five times the amount of time.
Thousand Flame Scripture; a cultivation technique that is oriented for attack. Not only does it grant immense destruction power but also has a secret skill that annihilates powers above ones cultivation rank.
Cloud Refining Qi Art; it creates a unique eternal cloud that holds twenty percent more energy at entry level, fifty percent more in minor achievement, hundred percent more energy at major achievement. If perfected it not only has equal energy to two minor level above the cultivator but also have fifty percent chance of breaking through foundation establishment realm.
Pile Tree Cultivation Art; a wood style technique that grants a strong vitality and prolongs age. It has great effect for plant based professions like farming.
After some consideration he choose Cloud Refining Qi Art, as it not only boosts his chance of foundation establishment but also helps him have more mana to outlast his enemies.
After making his choice, he approached the elder and got a divine imprint of the cultivation method. The elder also said to choose two spells from the scripture hall.
Sun Li choose "Five Element Palm Technique" for attack and "Ascending Cloud Steps" as a movement technique.
The spells were yellow grade techniques, which made them easier to master. After just reading them they appeared on the panel.
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In a mortal island not far from Red Lotus Island lay a formation that hides a pirate ship. Inside the ship, there were men filled with sinister eyes and dark heart that had committed many bad deeds. The ship had a black flag with three dark skulls and a golden bone that showed they were part of the Eastern Sea Pirate Alliance.
In a small cabin, a pirate with long beard was talking to a man that wore a dark cloth with only his clan token showing.
The dark robed cultivator slowly passed a small package to the leader of the pirates and said "Here is the half payment, after this end we will double your reward."
After slowly weighting the bag Jian Bu accepted the item grinning with yellow teeth and replied "When should we attack, my men can't wait for too long. Even though the booth calms them down, I don't know till when."
The dark robed cultivator said with a hoard voice "The longer the wait the more money you will get paid. The master specifically said to also control your men, not to attract attention by going out of the formation. Don't forget what you should do as well, you will attack the island when a big flare shoots in the sky and make sure to stop the clan leader while making as much disturbance as possible."
After some small talks the black robed cultivator left and went back to the Red Lotus Island and slowly changed to an elders robe. Back at the ship the captain, the vice captain and the son of a big shot from the Eastern Sea Pirate Alliance were seated discussing how to deal with the current situation.
Jian Bu the vice captain said "I don't feel good about this, not only are they paying such amount of money just to cause disturbance around the island, they also promised a foundation establishment pill if we kill Sun Ming, I mean think about it, it doesn't make sense."
Chu Hua, the son of a big shot from the Eastern Sea Pirate Alliance retorted "I mean sure it is suspicious but you know we can't back out know after losing half our fortune in the battle with the Sea Hunters, if you want why don't you go back and tell father how you lost his money."
After some bickering the caption, a foundation establishment powerhouse intervened between the two and proposed to wait for some time and go back if nothing happened after some time.
Even though each of them had different opinion about the situation they agreed to wait for five years before going back.
After changing to an elders robe Sun Tu, a prominent figure of the collateral faction went to Sun Tao to inform him about the success of his current trip. Upon entering the court yard of Sun Tao he kneeled and slowly spoke
"Master, the pirates have been informed and paid. We have also confirmed the item is hidden inside the clan leaders personal vault."
Satisfied with his subordinates competence Sun Tao gave him a Returning Qi Pill and said "Continue this work and you shall have the next foundation establishment pill after i take over the clan."
After Sun Tu left, Sun Tao slowly walked to the lower floor of his house and entered a secret room filled with ritual items and went to a small statue with dark red eyes and murmured
"Soon, soon... you shall walk again."