The Heir of the Celestial Diagram

Chapter 2: The Celestial Diagram

Han Feng's mind was still in turmoil. The pulsating diagram within his consciousness was something that defied any known logic. Neither in his memories of Earth nor in the memories inherited from this new world was there any explanation for that.

He closed his eyes and focused on the floating hexagram. The symbols on it glowed softly, like stars in a night sky. When he extended his consciousness to touch it, he felt a wave of energy pass through his body, a mysterious power, but strangely familiar.

It was as if that had always been a part of him.

The energy flowed through his meridians in a unique way. It was neither pure Qi nor the energy used by the Gu masters. It was something hybrid, a perfect fusion of the two systems. As if the diagram itself were the key to harmonizing both paths.

Han Feng felt his heart race. If his theory was correct, it meant he wouldn't have to choose between traditional cultivation and mastering the Gu. He could walk both paths at the same time!

But before getting excited, he needed to test his assumptions.

He took a deep breath and expanded his consciousness beyond the diagram. He felt the world around him differently, as if every particle of energy were connected to him. This heightened perception was unprecedented, something the original Han Feng would never have achieved.

The first thing he noticed was the energy of the environment. The Qi flowed through the air like invisible rivers, a constant stream that experienced cultivators could absorb to strengthen their bodies and minds. At the same time, he felt small living presences around him, echoes of tiny creatures hidden beneath the earth and among the leaves.

Gu Insects.

They were the foundation of the path of the Gu Masters, used to refine techniques and grant unique abilities. In the village, promising young people received guidance to capture and refine their first Gu. For Han Feng, this was the perfect opportunity to test his new power.

If the Celestial Diagram could really harmonize the two systems, then...

He extended his hand and channeled his energy to the tips of his fingers. He didn't know exactly what he was doing, but he trusted the instinct that the diagram seemed to whisper to him.

Something answered.

A small black centipede emerged from the nearby ground, drawn by its energy. She didn't seem threatening, but Han Feng sensed her unstable nature. Her Qi oscillated chaotically, as if she were caught between two different states.

It was a mutant Gu.

Creatures like that were generally discarded by the Gu Masters, as they were difficult to control and unpredictable. But Han Feng felt that there was something special about her.

He closed his eyes and allowed the Celestial Diagram to do its part. A faint light shone in his mind, and the energy around the centipede began to stabilize. The chaos in her body was being gently tamed, becoming a continuous flow of power.

When Han Feng opened his eyes again, he knew he had succeeded.

The Celestial Diagram could harmonize the Qi and the Gu.

That changed everything.

The future that once seemed bleak was now full of possibilities. But along with this new strength, an immense danger also came. If someone discovered his ability, it wouldn't be long before powerful cultivators came after him.

I needed to grow in the shadows.

Amass power.

And, one day, reign above all.