Path of the Berserker

I spent the rest of the night trying to perfect what I decided to call the Faux Lightning technique, learning the boundaries of how it worked and seeing if I could make it stronger. The leeching of the solid Qi from the lightning core was something I couldn’t increase in intensity, I realized after a while. I tried several times, but no matter how much I tried with the [Absorption] technique I could only absorb so much. Considering its purpose, which was only to gain the flavor of the Qi to be used as a perfume, perhaps it made sense. Or perhaps that was the limitation of my Flame when it came to absorbing a foreign substance like Qi.

But, while its absorption rate was limited, the time I spent absorbing was not.

After a few more hours of practice, I was able to increase the strength of the lightning I could produce by continuously cycling my Frenzy through the Faux Lightning technique and then slowly feeding it more and more solid Qi.

If I performed the cycling for only a few seconds, it resulted in a small spark of electricity, like when I had first executed the technique. After a minute, the spark was a little larger. After five minutes, I managed to produce a small bolt of lightning that jumped across the room and nearly set the library on fire.

It was an amazing achievement, but it didn’t come without its costs as well.

First, I had to keep cycling my Frenzy to form a steady stream to feed the Qi into, which meant that Frenzy-wise, I really couldn’t do anything else. Second, there was a limit to how long I could hold it and keep feeding Qi. Perhaps fatigue played a part, but it seemed the more Qi I introduced, the more my system seemed to reject it.

No different than how the core itself had diminished the intensity of my Flame. Five minutes was my max. Overall that meant this form of Faux Lightning was more parlor trick than combat technique, which was why I had given it the name. No way could I keep my Frenzy in a holding pattern for five minutes in the middle of an Iron Bracket fight.

But to even get to that stage, I needed to get over one last hurdle first.

I got some sleep and then waited for his early morning visit as normal. I started my Frenzy cycling the moment I heard him approaching the library. I peeked outside and saw him walking down the hallway with Ju Gong following closely behind him.

Perfect, I thought. He’d brought Ju Gong again, just like I’d hoped.

I sat and waited patiently for him to enter. He finally did so after knocking briefly, leaving Ju Gong outside the door.

“Any new progress?” he asked.

“See for yourself, Master,” I said with a bow and then gestured to the papers atop the desk.

He began skimming over them, shuffling through my nonsense. I continued focusing on cycling my Frenzy as he did so, slowly building up the lightning Qi within it.

He harrumphed as he held the papers in his hands. “I suppose you have produced a bit more.” He then picked up the pen and wrote down a few characters on my stack of papers. I recognized them immediately as a continuation of the [Devil’s Shadow] technique. He even wrote out the special character for [Absorption] but handed it to me with no explanation at all.

“More when you produce more,” he said.

Bastard…I could see where this was going. If I wanted to get what I needed out of him, I’d have to beat him at his own game. But I would have to be smart about it. I bowed and took the half-completed technique from him.

“Thank you, Master Hong Feng,” I said and then pulled out a paper full of techniques of my own. “I do in fact have more that I have produced.”

I held the paper towards him at arms-length and he squinted as he peered at it. “What is this? A technique?”

“Yes,” I said. “For this…”

Before he could reach for the paper, I tossed it into the air and then released the Faux Lightning technique. A branch-sized bolt of lightning arced from my hand and hit the paper, incinerating it instantly as a clap of thunder reverberated inside the small room.

Hong Feng let out a cry of shock, jerking backwards.

“Master!” Ju Gong called, bursting into the room.

Both he and Hong Feng stood there frozen for a moment, the ashes from the paper flittering to the ground like snow.

“Master?” Ju Gong looked to Hong Feng. “Is everything alright?”

“Everything is fine,” I said, cycling my Frenzy again and fueling it with solid Qi. “I was just demonstrating to Master Hong Feng that I’d made a breakthrough last night. I’m now able to produce this.”

I used what little Qi I had mustered to produce a brief spark in my palm. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for Ju Gong’s eyes to grow wide.

“You can manifest lightning?” he said.

I smiled and looked to Hong Feng. “Not on my own. Master Hong Feng saw the talent in me and then gave me the special guidance to master it.”

“How brilliant!” Ju Gong said. “Master, you must be very pleased!”

Hong Feng looked shell-shocked for a moment, as if not knowing how to react. Finally, he collected himself and put on a smile as a hint of lemonade flowed from him. “Yes, very pleased. Well done, Brother Chun.”

“We should share this great breakthrough with the rest of the sect,” I said. “I’m sure many are probably still confused as to why you gave me this special opportunity. Seeing this, like Ju Gong, they would no doubt understand your wisdom in taking a chance on a Terran like me. Wouldn’t you agree, Ju Gong?”

Ju Gong bowed hastily. “Yes, absolutely! There have been many rumblings in the sect about Brother Chun and why he is here, Master Hong Feng. An announcement like this would be well received, I would think.”

I couldn’t tell if Hong Feng could feel the trap I had closed around him by involving Ju Gong, or if his ego had simply been stroked enough for him not to care, but with a witness now, there was no way he could keep my progress hidden and keep stringing me along indefinitely.

“Perhaps now would be the time to let everyone know of my new position within the sect as well,” I said, hinting at our deal.

Hong Feng hesitated a moment, feeling the pressure of the situation I had placed him in, but eventually he smiled. “Yes. Let us let the sect know of this great new accomplishment.” He turned to Ju Gong. “Ju Gong, gather the assembly in the lower hall.”

“At once, master,” Ju Gong said with a bow and then scurried away.

“Shall we complete the other paperwork first?” I said, reaching for a blank sheet of paper.

“What other paperwork?”

He was still trying to hold leverage over me, the bastard.

“My first Iron Bracket match starts tomorrow, and I need to register today…as a member of the Furious Lightning Sect. That was our deal. Remember?”

Hong Feng smirked. “Is that right?”

“Secrets for secrets,” I said and held up a blank sheet of paper. “You sign the application and I’ll give you the secret to Furious Lightning.”

He paused for a moment as I laid on a heavy layer of [Struggler’s Resolve].

Eventually he snorted out a crude laugh. “I honestly didn’t know if you could do it or not, but you are one that is full of surprises, Brother Chun. Come to my office and we will complete our deal.”

* * *

I walked with a mixture of confidence and trepidation towards Hong Feng’s office, unsure if he might have been willing to harvest his investment in me early. Logic told me that wouldn’t make sense though. Even Yin Chu he was upset about having to harvest, and Yin Chu had already been at the Core Realm phase.

I played it cool with [Indifference] as I entered where Hong Feng was already seated behind his desk, scribbling away at something.

“Sit,” he said.

I complied and after about a minute, he turned the paper around for me to see. It was the same document he had shown me before, but it was filled in completely now.

New Chapter/Sub Sect Application Form

Parent Sect:

Fire Bird Sect

Chapter No.

11567

Location:

Jurin, Terra

New Application for:

Sub Sect:

X

Chapter:

Sub Sect/Chapter

Name/Number:

Path of Furious Lightning – Chapter 00001 – Jurin, Terra

Founder:

Hong Feng

Citizen ID

T1875642

Signature

洪峰

Leader:

Hong Feng

Citizen ID:

T1875642

Signature:

洪峰

Senior Disciple:

Chun

Citizen ID:

Signature:

I smiled. “Thank you, Master Hong Feng.”

“Do not thank me yet,” he said. “I can still destroy this the same way you did that technique. I would like to have it before I allow you to sign this.”

“Already done,” I said and slipped the piece of paper to him. Only this time I had written the normal lightning technique, substituting the Jing character with the symbol for Fury.

Hong Feng took it from me and studied it. “Is it truly so simple?”

“In theory, yes,” I said. “In practice? Well…that depends on how angry of a person you are.”

Hong Feng chuckled. “I see.” He then tapped on the application form. “You need to enter your full name and your citizen ID and signature.”

It was almost surreal, but I’d done it. My chance to fully enter the Iron Bracket tournament without fear of reprisal was finally here.

But it needed my full name? Even when applying for my C-Class citizenship the only thing they gave me was a number. I supposed the number mattered more than the name, but this document would be the first one to cement my new identity to the outside world. My randomly generated family name was Lo, something I had little credence for if any.

I looked at what Hong Feng had already entered into the box.

Chun.

It was a name I’d come to despise at times, but I couldn’t deny that after twelve years it had become a part of me as well. It was what most people knew me by. Even the stupid part. It was something I thought I would simply erase when I had the chance, but just like my view of cultivation itself, it was now a part of me and something that I had learned to embrace. I laughed inwardly as I scribbled down my ID number and then added the word “Max” in front of Chun.

Max Chun, I thought.

For all the dumb shit I was getting myself into, Max Chun made sense on all kinds of levels.

I signed the document and Hong Feng frowned. “Max?”

“It’s the name I used for my tournament registration.”

“I see. I’ll have someone file this today.”

“I can take care of it,” I said, pulling the application off the desk as he reached for it. Hong Feng made a face but I quickly applied [Struggler’s Resolve] to make firm my intentions. “It’s not a matter of trust but timing, Master Hong Feng. The officials at the tournament can process the application and since I’m also trying to register today, I’d rather have the same clerk deal with both documents. I don’t want to miss my registration window because some lazy imperial pen pusher downtown doesn’t process it quickly enough.”

Hong Feng smirked. I could tell he was only half buying my story, but he couldn’t argue with the logic either. “Very well,” he said. “I leave your destiny in your own hands, Max Chun, but if you lose it, don’t come crying to me for another one.” He then took the edge off his words with a smile as he stood. “Let this be the start of a long partnership between us. I will look forward to your further updates as you grow stronger in this new path.”

“Absolutely,” I said with a smile, securing the document within my robes.

“Come now,” Hong Feng said. “It’s time to re-introduce you to the sect.”

* * *

I stood on the platform next to Hong Feng, along with Shen Ju and Ju Gong. Below us the entire Fire Bird Sect was formed up in rank and file, much like the first time I had met them. There was a different atmosphere in the room now compared to then though. Much less outright disgust and disdain and more a measured wariness of cautious uncertainty.

“I have an announcement to make,” Hong Feng said, addressing the crowd. “Less than a week ago we witnessed a strength like none other put to shame one of our best. And now, as the time is right, I will reveal to you the nature of this strength and what it will mean for our future.”

He paused for a moment and then turned to me. “I present to you Brother Chun. Chun, please demonstrate for us this new power.”

I’d only been building up my lightning bolt for a couple of minutes now and prayed it would be enough to deliver the spectacle Hong Feng wanted. I stepped forward slowly, closing my eyes for effect.

“[Lightning’s Fury]!” I cried and released the bolt.

It was smaller than I would have liked, barely bigger than a twig in thickness, but it at least arced to hit the ceiling and sent a resounding crack of thunder echoing throughout the concrete chamber. The mass of Fire Birds ducked instinctively as debris fell from the roof, the action taking them off guard.

“Well done, Brother Chun,” Hong Feng said with a slow clap. “Students of history would know that it was the renowned Grand Master, Zen Ju Xian, who over twelve thousand years ago first harnessed the power of lightning from fire. Brother Chun has followed in those great footsteps by forging a new pathway to lightning. A pathway that involved both fire…and fury. You witnessed the power of his fury in his battle with Yin Chu. And now what Brother Chun has displayed is but a nascent technique of channeling that fury into lightning. I’m sure we can all imagine its strength when his full fury is engaged.”

I felt a bit of lemonade forming in the crowd and a lot coming from Hong Feng himself at those words. Hell, even I was moved by them a little. But from Shen Ju there was only a concentrated stare of ire.

“As Brother Chun has forged a new path, so too, like the Great Grand Master Zen Ju Xian, must he form a new branch of succession. Thus, I decree the establishment of a new sub-sect within our ranks—the Path of Furious Lightning. Brother Chun is now a senior disciple and our Iron Bracket contender for our new sect. Let us congratulate Brother Chun on his new appointment and wish him much success in his progression.”

The Fire Birds broke into stilted applause, a short series of clapping while Ju Gong stepped forward to present me with a new set of robes. They were red with yellow and blue trim instead of orange.

“These are the colors of the new sect,” Hong Feng said. “Red representing the root of fire found within all of us. Yellow the strength of fury and blue the power of lightning. As the sole and lead Iron Bracket contender for the Furious Lightning Sect, Brother Chun is now equal in rank and standing to Brother Shen Ju, our lead Iron Bracket contender for the Fire Bird Sect. Be sure you treat each of them with equal respect worthy of their positions.”

Shen Ju’s mouth fell open for a moment before shooting both me and Hong Feng a contemptuous glare. His anger would have been palpable even if I couldn’t already feel it for real.

“As Brother Chun continues his training and development, I will test to see if there are others worthy to join the ranks of the Furious Lightning Sect,” Hong Feng continued. “But until then, let us encourage both Brother Shen Ju and Brother Chun as they represent us within the Iron Bracket tournament. May they both bring us honor and glory.”

Hong Feng started another round of applause then dismissed the assembly.

A tidal wave of ass-kissing came next, the lower-ranked Fire Bird members rushing to bow before me and offer me words of congratulations. Some of it was genuine too, judging by the lemonade, but most seemed to be either lip service or perhaps opportunistic currying favor to be accepted into a new sub sect with a much shorter line to the top.

Either way it was uncomfortable as hell and I had to plaster on a fake smile to not let my true feelings show. Shen Ju however had no qualms in letting me know exactly how he felt as he gave a very formal bow before me.

“I see you are as cunning as you are strong, Brother Chun,” he said as he arose from his bow. “I pray for Master Hong Feng’s sake that he has not made a grave error in promoting you to such a prestigious rank so quickly.”

“Yeah, let’s hope not,” I said with [Indifference].

He let out a scoff. “Remember. We are equal in title and rank only.”

“You’re damn right about that,” I said with a flex of [Fear the Flame]. “And don’t you forget it.”

I ignored him as he tried to mouth some kind of comeback and left the basement instead.

I had bigger fish to fry than to deal with his petty resentment and stupid blood oath.

A new energy filled me as I felt for the signed document in my pocket. A locked door had been blocking my path and now I had the key to opening it. It was time to sign up for the Iron Bracket tournament in earnest.

Tonight the “Bull Man” was re-entering the ring as a member of the Furious Lightning Sect.