THE BLACK CULTIVATOR

INTO THE MOUNTAIN

The ground turned muddy as the rain poured harshly. Thunder cracked across the night sky like a nuclear explosion.

Elder Sung stood motionless, his golden eyes fixed on the young man before him.

Cold air left Chris’s mouth in visible puffs. His hands shook slightly as the rain soaked through his torn robe and seeped into his bones.

"Boy, who are you?" Elder Sung asked, hands clasped behind his back. "You wear the robe of the Lion Clan. Are you a failed disciple who was cast out?"

Chris dragged in a deep breath and wiped blood from his lips with his stained sleeve.

"My name na Chris. As for this robe, I made it myself. I had no idea a sect around here wore this color."

"You lie so cheaply, Chris," Elder Sung said, pointing at the roaring lion emblem on the chest. "If you truly made it yourself, why does it carry our clan’s crest?"

"Omo, this one get sharp eye oh," Chris grinned, showing bloody teeth. "Even after I redesign am, you still recognize am. You get eye like Aba people."

Elder Sung studied him carefully. "You speak strangely… Maybe I’m wrong. You may not be from the Lion Clan. It’s possible you killed one of our disciples and took his robe. Either way, don’t even think of escaping. You cannot outrun me."

Chris’s eyes bulged. *This guy is on a different level. A battle against him would be deadly.*

A smirk spread across Elder Sung’s face. "Tell me about this archway, boy. How did you discover it? Speak truthfully and I won’t ask about these dead beasts. I know it was your doing."

"Impossible! To kill this many beasts, he must be—" a nearby disciple whispered.

"No, it cannot be," another interrupted, standing a few feet away from Elder Sung.

The rest stood stunned.

"Twenty beasts at the perfect stage of Qi Condensation, and he killed them all," one muttered.

"Even an expert at the perfect stage of Foundation Building would struggle," another added.

"He who just stepped into the Foundation Realm did it," Lira mumbled, her grip tightening around her spear.

"I know you all doubt it, but Elder Sung speaks the truth," Elder Hu spoke, eyes scanning the dead beasts. "Their cores are gone — what a terrifying brat."

Chris chuckled softly. "Why una dey talk rubbish there? Old man, this archway just opened for me after I killed those beasts."

"Old man?!" Lira’s eyes flared. "You dare call my master ‘old man’?!" She dashed forward.

"Stop, Lira!"

She skidded to a halt halfway, veins standing out on her forehead. "Master, he’s too strange. Arrogant and clearly a fraud."

"He’s weak and injured, Lira," Elder Sung said, staring at Chris. "But he’s still capable of killing you if you get too close."

"I beg to differ, Master," Lira replied, keeping her eyes down.

"Hahaha!" Elder Sung’s laughter echoed. "Calm yourself, Lira. He has some strange techniques and speaks weirdly. Even I might have some issues if we fought."

Elder Hu stepped forward, his blue eyes glowing with golden light. "Elder Sung, we’ve wasted enough time. Let me and the disciples handle this brat while you and Elder Mia investigate the Void Mountain realm."

"Don't you find this young man interesting, Hu?" Sung asked, still smiling.

"No," Hu replied, jaw tightened. "A brat is a brat. His attitude reminds me too much of that other one… Li Yan."

Chris’s eyes widened sharply.

*System, you hear that?*

[Yes, Host.]

[Elder Sung and Elder Hu were among those who caused Li Yan’s death.]

Chris let out a sharp breath.

[Detecting Extremely Hot Signature Coming From Host]

[Warning: Run Away Or Enter Into The Void Mountain And Try To Survive]

"Since some of his killers are here," the Naija youth muttered, glaring at both Elders, "we might as well begin the bloodbath. Better to rid the world of these bastards."

"Boy!" Elder Sung’s voice boomed. "I’ll give you three options. First, join the Lion Clan. With your talent, you can rise far. Second, leave now and forget everything you saw today. Third… refuse, and die where you stand."

[Suggestion: Accept Option Two]

"Psst!" Chris spat a thick glob of blood to the side. "I get better offer. Why don’t all of una go fuck una selves?"

Sweat formed on Chris’s palms.

"You fool!" Lira roared. The air cracked as she charged before anyone could stop her.

"Lira!" Sung stretched out a hand.

"Leave her," Hu said, holding Sung back. "Let the girl teach him manners."

"A brat like you should be grateful to gaze upon my master!" Lira spun her spear fast and thrust it forward like a striking snake. The spear tip glowed with sharp Qi.

[Rhythmic Combat Intuition Activated]

The Naija youth moved like the wind — left, then right — the spear missing him by a small distance. Before Lira could pull back—

"SHEPE!"

[Voice Of The Streets Engaged]

A powerful sonic wave slammed into her chest at close range. Lira flew back and crashed onto the wet earth, coughing blood.

[Host Body Status: Weak, Flesh Tearing From Within, Death Approaching]

Chris smiled. "Relax guy, I no go die. Not today."

He charged in, his footprints marking the wet soil.

Lira stood quickly, eyes shaking. "He’s badly injured, possibly near death — still he fights without a care for himself."

Chris closed the distance. Lira raised her spear defensively.

"Naija Heritage: Pressure Of Tinubu!"

The heavy power pressed her down. Before she could move—

"Bam!" His right fist crashed into her ribs.

Her eyes rolled back, air exploding from her lungs. She crashed into a huge boulder far away.

"Your talented boy. Too bad you must die!" The earth shook as Elder Sung marched forward, golden eyes radiating power. The storm grew stronger.

[Warning: Death is close]

[Recommended Action: Run! Please!]

"Naija no dey run! Naija no dey tire!" Chris’s voice echoed. "Elder Sung strong pass me, but I vow to kill him!"

"BOM!" Thunder blasted.

"Kill me? Do it then, boy, if you can," Sung’s aura exploded. The entire mountain shook as rocks rolled down from the surrounding peaks.

Nearby beasts retreated while the disciples took cover behind the other two Elders.

The Naija youth advanced. The raindrops seemed to fall in slow motion.

Sung raced forward and threw a punch. A golden lion formed mid-air.

"Arghhhh!" It charged at Chris.

"Naija Heritage: Shield Of Shege!"

"Boom!" The air shattered as the lion slammed into the shield.

The shield held for a moment, but the force sent Chris sliding back, his feet carving deep lines in the mud.

"Naija Heritage: Pressure Of Tinubu!"

The heavy force drove Elder Sung into the ground, creating a small crater. Then a massive brown sword slowly materialized in the stormy sky, hanging above them like judgment.

The disciples froze mid-step, eyes bulging as the colossal brown sword descended.

"Magnificent..." Elder Mia whispered, fists clenched.

"Boom!" The battlefield shattered.

When the dust cleared, Sung stepped out of the crater, blood escaping his lips.

"Hahahaha!" The Naija youth laughed. "This old man strong oh! But I no go lose." He charged again.

[5x Recovery Maxed Out]

[Warning: Host is pushing past his limits]

[No Pain-No Gain Engaged]

"Not bad," Sung observed, dusting his robe. "But not enough."

He burst forward. The ground cracked under his steps.

Both of them collided in the center like two wild beasts. Every punch shattered the earth. Every kick created shockwaves that cut through the rain. They traded blows so fast the disciples could barely follow.

"He’s keeping up with Elder Sung… a Core Formation expert at the perfect stage," a disciple whispered, knees buckling.

Elder Hu and Mia stood motionless, eyes fixed on the battle. Lira lay unconscious.

Sung suddenly released a golden palm strike. Chris dodged one using pure street instinct, blocked another with his sword — but the third broke through.

CRACK!

His left arm snapped. Bones broke.

"Ahhh! God!" Chris screamed.

He fell but rolled away fast. Sung kept coming. Another heavy blow hit Chris in the chest. Ribs cracked. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

[Host Body's Status: Critical]

[5x Recovery Boosted, Repairing Body 10x Faster]

[Host Is Losing Too Much Blood]

"Blade Art: One Blade, Ten Thousand Cries!" he roared.

"Lion’s Claw!" Sung countered.

The sky turned red as multiple golden claws tore through the air. The two attacks collided violently.

BOOM!

The entire Void Mountain shook.

Some disciples fell unconscious. Both Elders summoned protective treasures.

When the dust cleared, Chris was on both knees, his robe half-burnt, upper body exposed. Blood soaked his body.

He inhaled sharply. Pain shot through him. His eyes blurred and the world spun.

[Warning! Host Is Nearing Death]

[10x Recovery Upgraded And Boosted]

"You’re strong, boy," Elder Sung said, walking through the air toward him. Blood dripped from a deep gash on his own chest. "Your talent is that of a genius. Unfortunately… you’re just unlucky."

Sung raised his hand, infused with Core Qi. A massive lion formed over his head.

"Heh," Chris chuckled, blood spilling from his mouth.

"The fool still acts arrogantly in the face of death instead of pleading for forgiveness," Hu clenched his jaw.

"Die, boy!" Sung dropped his hand.

"Arghhh!" The mountain vibrated as the attack dashed forward.

At the last moment, Chris raced into the Void Mountain.

The attack smashed the spot where he had stood a second earlier.

"Interesting," Elder Sung said, stepping closer to the archway as it began to close. "He still had strength left. We’ll go in after a full day. Let him suffer inside first."

The archway closed behind Chris.

He collapsed onto the cold floor, his body finally giving out.

[Host Has Entered Critical Exhaustion State]

[25x Recovery Engaged]