Tarthocas : Chronicles of the Transmigrating Scribe

As Ling Xuan opened his eyes, he was startled to find himself staring into the wrinkled face of an old man.

“So you're finally awake.” The old man stated blandly.

“Greetings Elder” Ling Xuan performed the fist and palm salute.

“Ah yes don’t be too hasty, you are still recovering.” The Elder Replied.

Ling Xuan glanced around and realised he was lying on a bed made of wooden planks topped with woven mats and blankets.

“Where am I?” Ling Xuan asked.

“You're in your own house,” the elder explained. “The injuries you sustained during the fight were severe enough to knock you unconscious for two hours.”

“I see. Thank you for watching over me. You can return to your abode now, Senior,” Ling Xuan said, expressing his gratitude.

“Oh, I can't do that. From today onwards, I am your teacher.”

“I see,” Ling Xuan replied instinctively, but then the elder's words sank in.

“Wait, what?” he exclaimed.

—-----------------------------------

The Day passed in a blur as Ling Xuan recovered and began training under the watchful eye of the elder. During this time, he learned that his new teacher was Elder Lei Feng, who was actually the elder brother of the current Sect Master Lei Tie !

—----------------------------------------------

The next morning, Elder Lei Feng was lecturing Ling Xuan.

“The cultivation technique you practise, the Four Pole Star, cultivates the four limbs of the body, correct?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Do you understand why it is weaker than the techniques of the sects?”

“Because the Four Pole Star has the bottleneck of the Master Rank?”

“It’s not that simple, little Xuan.” Lei Feng shook his head. “Grand Masters rarely interfere with the continent's affairs unless it involves other Grandmasters or the Xia Family. The true reason is the quality of the method itself. Do you know how an individual's power is calculated?”

“Yes, Master. It’s quantified through units. For instance, Adepts are roughly equivalent to ten apprentices, who are themselves equal to five regular men.”

“Correct. The pinnacle, high, intermediate, and normal stages are more precise versions of the original rankings. An intermediate apprentice equals roughly five low apprentices of the same method; a high apprentice equals ten, and a pinnacle is about twenty or more. However, the keyword is 'same method,' which is why, despite being at the High Adept Stage, you almost lost to Feng Muying, who was only at the Intermediate Adept Rank.”

Ling Xuan was shaken by Lei Feng’s words. The person who nearly defeated him was merely an Intermediate Adept?

“The true weakness of the Four Pole Star is that it refines only the limbs, not the entire body. Our Thunder Visceral Refinement Technique, however, strengthens the core components of the physique and inadvertently refines the entire body.”

Ling Xuan was astonished by the method of refinement.

“Here, take this scroll,” Elder Lei Feng said, handing it to Ling Xuan. “Inside are the details of the Thunder Visceral Refinement Technique.”

As Ling Xuan unrolled the ancient wooden scroll, he was instantly captivated by the intricate artwork depicted on it. The vivid illustrations of lightning bolts intertwined with human figures showcased the power and elegance of the technique. Each stroke of the brush seemed to pulse with energy, bringing the images to life. Detailed diagrams highlighted the flow of qi through the body, with annotations explaining each step of the refinement process. The meticulous calligraphy and stunning artistry left Ling Xuan in awe, realising the immense amount of work that was required to replicate this.

“As you can see in the scroll,The Thunder Visceral Refinement Technique has a total of five stages with the one you have only containing the beginning one which is The Lightning Visceral Circulation.Read it and ask me any questions.” Lei Feng instructed Ling Xuan.

Yet as Ling Xuan began to read the scroll was suddenly snatched away by Lei Feng.

“Huh !” Ling Xuan couldn’t understand what had just happened.

“You will take a long time to read it so it's better if I explain it to you directly.” Lei Feng spoke with irritation.

“It seems that this master of mine really is quite impatient.” Ling Xuan inwardly sighed

“The Lightning Visceral Circulation is a technique that works by employing Mystical Lighting and making it circulate through your veins slowly refining it in the process and allowing greater amounts of Qi to enter the body without any issue of rupture thus allowing the body to be strengthened.” Lei Feng slowly spoke with Ling Xuan, listening intently.

“We don't really consider individuals who are at this level to be actual practitioners of the art and thus their relegation to the disciple status.” Lei Fei emphasised the difference.

“I see but then why was Feng Muying, who you have said to be an adept, relegated to the Core Disciple status?” Ling Xuan posed the question

“Oh he is a special case, you see when someone breakthroughs to the Adept Stage they are given an occupation to do and are told to venture outside the sect to obtain combat experience.” Lei Fei shrugged.

“And it just so happened that Feng Muying was given The Warden Occupation which made him the mediator between fights between disciples.”

Ling Xuan nodded as he understood what Lei Fei meant. These occupations and stuff were similar to internships in his original world in a way.

“Master, what does Mystical Lightning mean?” Ling Xuan gave his other question.

"Ah, Mystical Lightning," Lei Feng revealed to Ling Xuan, "it is the catalyst that allows us, the members of the Thunder Law Sect, to cultivate!"

“What is this catalyst like?” Ling Xuan asked, intrigued by the mention of Mystical Lightning.

“Well, that's a difficult question,” Lei Feng said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Suddenly, his eyes lit up with excitement. “Oh! How about I show you right now?”

“Wait wha-” Before Ling Xuan could properly register Lei Fei’s reply he found himself easily picked up by the old man and carried off with him.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------

As Ling Xuan was being carried off, he couldn't help but admit that Lei Feng was remarkably fast in both senses. Literally, he moved with incredible speed; figuratively, he was impatient, preferring to explain things himself rather than wait for others to read them.

In just a single minute, they had already reached the base of the tower. As Ling Xuan was about to assess the situation properly, he heard something that made him shiver.

“Ah, the gates are closed. Well, I can just jump. Little Xuan, hold tight!”

“Wait, don't tell me!” Ling Xuan realised what Lei Feng meant, but before he could protest, Lei Feng buckled his knees and squatted.

BOOM!

Lei Feng shot straight up the tower, soaring above it.

“What the hell!” Ling Xuan screamed in fright.

“Don’t loosen your grip!” Lei Feng yelled as they began to plummet downwards.

WHOOSH!

Ling Xuan could feel the drag tearing his robe slightly, but he didn’t care about his appearance. If he died here, appearances would mean nothing.

BANG!

A muffled explosion rang out as Lei Feng landed on the top of the tower, which was flat in structure.

“Okay, you go stand over there while I activate the mechanism,” Lei Feng said, pointing. Ling Xuan obediently followed his instructions.

—--------------------------------

Meanwhile, elders and disciples gathered at the base of the tower, attracted by Lei Feng’s dramatic leap.

“What happened just now?” an inner disciple asked an elder.

“We don’t know. Perhaps the Sect Master was doing something?” The elders were just as confused.

“Hey, Ling Xuan’s home is empty, and both Ling Xuan and Elder Lei Feng are missing!” a disciple who came running notified the elders.

“What were you doing there?” an elder asked, annoyed.

“That’s not important, you fool! If Lei Feng is truly behind the noise from earlier, then the probability of him attempting to activate Mystical Lightning is extremely high! That idiot waits for no one!” an elder reprimanded.

“Quick, we should inform the Sect Master!”

“You idiot! Where else would the bloody Sect Master be if not in the Sect Tower?” the elder fired back, clearly irritated. “The Sect Master should have already discovered what’s happening!”

“Oh yeah, you’re right.”

Suddenly, the sky above them turned black as the rumbling of thunder echoed through the air.

“Well, shit.”

—--------------------------------------

“Hahahaha I still know how to activate the mechanism !” Lei Fei laughed as he pressed a large gem,the size of the human head which was attached to the floor through a cylindrical object.

Ling Xuan couldn’t help but gulp as he saw the lightning strikes collide with the ground.

“No need to be afraid, these Lightning strikes don’t hurt you and only enter your bloodstream where you have to begin Circulation.You should know the Qi Circulation method right ? Well use that.” Lei Fei commented.

Ling Xuan suddenly remembered something and his eyes widened in realisation.

At the same moment Sect Master Lei Tie arrived on the floor.

“Stop Lie Fei you moron !” He screamed at his Elder Brother.

“Oh shut up Little brother and watch as I introduce our Sect’s prodigy to our Cultivation Way ! Hahahaha !” Lei Fei laughed maniacally and as if wanting to replicate the old man. The Lightning Strikes began increasing and slowly approached Ling Xuan who started to take a step back.

“ Oh you idiot brother of mine ! Ling Xuan has not reset his bloody Cultivation yet !” Lei Tie shouted and ran to tackle Lie Fei.

“Wait wha-” Lei Fei spoke stunned before being pushed aside by Lie Tie and at the very moment a rain of thunder fell down upon Ling Xuan who could only utter a three words before being bathed in Mystical Lightning.

“Fuck me mate”

BOOM !