August 20th, Season Of Leo, In The City Of Tianlong, The capital of The Imperial Jiang Province.
The Imperial Province of Jiang stretched endlessly before Liu Chen, its bustling capital city of Tianlong a maze of towering pagodas and crowded marketplaces. Yet for all its grandeur, the city held no welcome for those without coin or status.
'Two weeks,' Liu Chen thought as he pressed himself deeper into the shadows of an abandoned alleyway. 'Two weeks since I left the Wang estate, and I've learned that freedom tastes remarkably like stale bread and desperation.'
His stomach growled in protest, but hunger was the least of his concerns. The real challenge lay in concealing what made him truly different. Beneath his tattered robes, four additional arms remained carefully bound against his torso—a secret that would mean instant death if discovered. The Imperial Guard showed no mercy to "demons" or beggars and in their eyes, his current homelessness and extra limbs would mark him as both.
The sound of marching boots echoed from the main street. Liu Chen's muscles tensed as a patrol of Imperial Guards rounded the corner, their jade-green uniforms pristine despite the afternoon heat.
"Check the alleys," their captain commanded. "His Majesty, The Emperor's decree is absolute—no beggars shall taint the imperial city's streets."
'Amusing', Liu Chen mused as he melted further into the shadows. 'In my past life, I' complained about paying taxes. Now I'd give anything just to be allowed to starve legally.
He waited until their footsteps faded before emerging from his hiding spot. There was a secluded courtyard behind the old temple district where he'd been conducting his cultivation practice. If he could reach the fourth stage of Qi Refinement, perhaps he could at least hunt for food in the wilderness beyond the city walls.
The abandoned courtyard had become his makeshift sanctuary. Overgrown with weeds and forgotten by the city's inhabitants, it provided the privacy necessary for cultivation—and for removing the restrictive bindings around his extra arms.
Liu Chen settled into lotus position, his breathing becoming deep and measured. The Qi in this region was surprisingly pure, likely due to the ancient temples that once blessed this district. He could feel the spiritual energy flowing through his meridians, slowly but steadily strengthening his foundation.
'I can feel my foundation getting stronger and my dantian becoming full of primal qi faster and faster each day. By tomorrow I should have a breakthrough to the fourth realm of Qi refinement.'
Day after day, he returned to this spot. His progress was methodical—each morning spent dodging patrols, each afternoon dedicated to cultivation, each evening scrounging for whatever scraps he could find. It was a far cry from the comfortable existence he'd known as a member of the Wang Family, but there was something oddly liberating about this simplicity.
On the fourteenth day, as Liu Chen prepared for another cultivation session, he spotted an elderly man struggling with an enormous bundle of belongings near the courtyard's entrance.
He looked to be in his late seventies or eighties, but since this was the cultivation world where the longest lived man could reach 9,999 years if he made it to the Void Returning Saint Realm, he did not dare guess this man's age.
The man was also short around five-feet, and had a shining bald head and a long white beard that connected to his mustache. He had profound dark blue eyes, that seemed to contain endless wisdom and knowledge in them.
The old man was clearly a cultivator—his movements carried that subtle grace and precision that came from years of body refinement—but age had clearly taken its toll. He wheezed under the weight of his possessions, stopping every few steps to catch his breath.
'Well it seems I'm finally presented with an opportunity to some good in this world', Liu Chen thought, 'I cannot just allow this old man to continue to struggle. What type of man would I be if I did?'
"Elder, allow this junior to assist you," Liu Chen called out, as he approached with measured steps and firmly cupping his hands while bowing.
The old man looked up, his weathered face creased with relief. "Ah, young friend, you are most kind. These old bones aren't what they used to be."
Liu Chen carefully transferred the heavy bundle to his own back, grateful that his robes concealed the way his extra arms naturally helped distribute the weight. "Where might this elder be traveling?"
"To my sect, at the northeastern edge of the city. It sits at the base of Enlightenment Peak." The old man's eyes sparkled with something Liu Chen couldn't quite identify. "Might I ask which sect claims your allegiance, young cultivator?"
'Ah, the classic cultivation elder trope', Liu Chen thought wryly. Next he'll ask about my background, my cultivation level, and probably will gift me with some long lost cultivation method that will help me reach the heavens and become an immortal. I could not be luckier!'
"This junior has recently begun walking the path of cultivation," Liu Chen replied diplomatically. "I claim no allegiance to any particular sect."
"Interesting." The old man studied him with keen eyes. "You carry no insignia of the Confucian Academies, nor do you bear the wicked aura of the Fiend Paths. The Righteous Alliance would have marked you with their symbols, and the Witchcraft Covens... well, their disciples tend to be more obviously distinctive."
Liu Chen maintained his neutral expression. "As I said before, Elder, I am but a beginner on this path."
The old man's gaze sharpened. "Beginner or not, your Qi foundation is remarkably solid. Your talent for cultivation appears to be... exceptional." He paused, then continued more softly, "I would be honored if you would consider becoming my disciple."
'Well I didn't expect that', Liu Chen thought. The classic gifting world breaking cultivation method scenario was really a hidden master recruits talented youth one. They both have great benefits, but I doubt he would truly want me as a disciple when he sees my...condition.'
"This Elder is too kind," Liu Chen replied, "but if you saw my true appearance, you would not extend such a generous offer."
The old man's eyes traveled along Liu Chen's form, noting the peculiar way his robes seemed to bulk in unusual places. After a long moment, he simply nodded and said nothing more.
They walked in companionable silence as the city gradually gave way to more rural surroundings. The northeastern district was markedly different from the bustling commercial areas—here, ancient temples and meditation gardens created pockets of tranquility amidst the urban sprawl.
The high Sun from earlier setting a bit, and giving way to the figures of the Two Moons creating a scenic view of the three celestial bodies.
"There," the old man pointed to a mountain path that wound its way up through misty peaks. "Enlightenment Peak. My sect's humble home."
Liu Chen studied the mountain with growing respect. The spiritual energy emanating from its heights was dense enough to feel even from this distance. Whatever sect called this place home was clearly no minor organization.
"Elder, please allow this junior to continue carrying your belongings up the mountain," Liu Chen insisted when the old man reached for his bundle.
"Nonsense, young friend. You've already done more than enough—"
"I insist." Liu Chen's tone carried a finality that brooked no argument.
As they began the ascent, the old man couldn't help but notice Liu Chen's steady pace despite the heavy load. "Your physique is quite remarkable, young cultivator. Have you undergone formal body tempering training?"
Liu Chen considered how to answer. The truth was that his current body seemed naturally enhanced—whether due to his transmigration or some other factor, he couldn't say. "This junior was... born with certain physical advantages."
The old man stopped walking entirely. "Born with tempered muscles?" His voice carried a note of profound shock. "Young friend, such a thing is virtually unheard of. Are you certain you won't reconsider becoming my disciple?"
'Persistent old coot,' Liu Chen thought with grudging admiration. 'He's like a military recruitment officer who won't take no for an answer.'
"Elder, I'm afraid you wouldn't want a... freak, like me as your student," Liu Chen said quietly. With deliberate movements, he allowed his extra arms to emerge from their concealment beneath his robes, the additional limbs moving with natural grace.
To his surprise, the old man showed no shock, no revulsion, no fear. Instead, he chuckled softly.
"I've known since we began walking together," the elder said with evident amusement. "Your robes were clearly concealing additional limbs—the proportions were all wrong for a normal human body."
Liu Chen blinked in surprise. "Elder has keen observation skills."
"When you've lived as long as I have, young friend, very little escapes notice." The old man's smile was genuinely warm.
Liu Chen decided he should at least get to know the elder a bit more on their journey.
"Might this naive junior perhaps finally learn this elder's name?"
"This Elder is called..." The old man stopped walking and began to pause in his sentence as a failed attempt to build up suspense. "My name is Lian Shenlong."
'Wait'. Liu Chen's mind processed the introduction more carefully. "Enlightened Divine Dragon? That's quite an auspicious name, Elder."
Lian Shenlong chuckled, clearly pleased. "I chose it myself upon reaching enlightenment in my youth. Sometimes the name we're born with simply doesn't suit the person we become."
'Chose it himself? Upon reaching enlightenment?' Liu Chen filed away this curious remark but decided not to pursue it further. In cultivation novel tropes, mysterious elders always had mysterious backgrounds—it was practically a law of nature.
The climb grew steeper as they progressed, and Liu Chen found himself impressed by the old man's conversational stamina despite his earlier fatigue. They discussed cultivation theory, philosophical concepts, and the general state of the world—all topics where Lian Shenlong displayed remarkable depth of knowledge.
By the time they reached the summit, Liu Chen's enhanced physique had finally reached its limits. He set down the bundle and immediately collapsed to the ground, his breathing labored.
'Note to self,' he thought between gasps, 'even supernaturally enhanced bodies have their breaking points.'
When he finally looked up, his exhaustion was momentarily forgotten. Before him stood a pristine Buddhist monastery that seemed to have been carved from the very essence of serenity itself. Elaborate statues of bodhisattvas and mythical creatures adorned the courtyards, while meticulously maintained gardens created geometric patterns of breathtaking beauty. Ancient trees—some clearly centuries old—provided shade and a sense of timeless permanence.
"It's... beautiful," Liu Chen breathed.
"I've been tending to this place since I was but a boy," Lian Shenlong said with evident pride. "Every stone, every flower, every carved detail has been maintained with much love and devotion."
Liu Chen's gaze swept the empty courtyards. "Elder, where are your sect's other members? The disciples, elders, and junior masters?"
Lian Shenlong's expression grew nostalgic and a slight frown appeared onto his face. "I am the only one remaining. This world has fallen into depravity, young friend. People pursue their desires rather than seeking true enlightenment. Few are willing to walk the difficult path to Buddhahood anymore."
The words struck Liu Chen like a physical blow. People acting on their desires rather than seeking enlightenment... He remembered his oath from what felt like a lifetime ago—his promise to that unknown deity that sent him to this world, that he would not be ruled by basic desires, that he would seek something higher than sins in this life.
'But How ironic,' he inwardly mused. 'I've been running from my problems, seeking power to protect those I love and gain revenge on those who wronged me. But isn't that just another desire?'
"Elder," Liu Chen said quietly, still lying on the ground, "if I were to become your disciple... would I become strong?"
Lian Shenlong considered the question carefully. "Strength is not a definitive concept, young friend. A man may possess the power to move mountains yet be unable to lift a single chopstick if his heart is not in harmony. True strength comes from within."
He paused, studying Liu Chen's expression. "But if you're asking whether you would gain the power to defend yourself and protect those you love... then yes. You would indeed become strong in that sense."
Liu Chen closed his eyes, feeling something shift deep within his heart. All his grand plans for revenge, all his desperate scrambling for power, all his wounded pride over his father's rejection—suddenly they seemed like the concerns of a different person entirely.
'Maybe,' he thought, 'it would not be considered revenge if they still commit evil acts towards people and I purge them of this world.'
"Okay," he said, his voice carrying a quiet determination. Still lying flat on his back from exhaustion, he managed a respectful tone: "This disciple greets his Master."
Lian Shenlong's weathered face broke into the first genuine smile Liu Chen had seen from him. "Stand up, my new disciple. Bow three times and kowtow nine times—we must observe the proper ceremonies."
Liu Chen attempted to rise, then immediately collapsed again. "Master... this disciple's body seems to have reached its absolute limit. Perhaps the ceremonies could wait until circulation returns to my legs?"
Lian Shenlong laughed—a sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "Very well. But first, I should know what to call my new student. What is your name?"
Liu Chen didn't hesitate. "This disciple's name is Asura."
"Asura..." Lian Shenlong savored the name like fine wine. "A powerful name. Fitting for one destined to become a powerful figure in this world." His eyes twinkled with something that might have been prescience. "I believe It is destiny that brought you to my mountaintop, young Asura."
For the first time in this life, Liu Chen heard someone speak his name with genuine approval and respect. The feeling was... unexpected.
'Well, I suppose even the most unlikely paths can lead to exactly where you need to be.' he thought as he finally managed to sit up.
The sun was finishing setting behind Enlightenment Peak, painting the monastery in shades of gold and crimson. Somewhere in the distance, temple bells began their evening song, and Liu Chen—now Asura—realized that this was only the beginning.