A Heavy Responsibility
"The result of their sacrifice is you."
The temperature of the cave plummeted down. Zhao Yun was shocked and confused. His expression heavy.
The old man continued, "The sect knew that only experts who are at the level of their master or have surpassed him would have a chance to revert the crisis. But the task was impossible. To reach that level, one needed baptism of ascension that the two realms being artificially created cannot provide. With countless research and trials they found a way. The way was too difficult and chances of failure were still 90% but they had to take this gamble. The price was so enormous that they had to think for centauries to firm their determination. They selected nine outstanding disciples and formed nine different sects in the Dao land to form a backup. The sects were to remain semi hidden and to build up their force waiting for the plan to succeed and the potential successor to arrive. The plan was simple. They gathered all their inheritances and with calculations for thousands of years created cultivation manual. The only one who could practise the manual was someone who followed three criteria. First he should be a mortal from the mortal world. Second, his will should be extraordinary. Third, he had to be chosen by the scroll spirit. "Finishing up the man gazed at Zhao Yun with a smile. His meaning was clear, Zhao Yun was the successor.
The boy was overwhelmed. He never expected that the unassuming scroll which changed his destiny had such h a story behind it. But then he furrowed his brows and asked "senior then what is the origin of this scroll? What is the scroll spirit and where is the manual you spoke of?"
The old man answered," to fulfil the first criterion, the scroll needed to be sent to the mortal world. Breaking the barrier between the planes is not easy. Only geniuses could do so when ascending but for descending, it was plain impossible. The entire Dao sect sacrificed their physical bodies and soul to send this scroll all the way here. All that remained of them is their will which accumulated together to form the spirit in the scroll. This scroll not only consists of the manual created, it also houses the entire library of inheritance of the complete nine paths. Every cultivation techniques and manuals that the sect accumulated is in there."
Zhao Yun was shaking. He felt profound grief when he learnt that every Dao sect member sacrificed their life just for the scroll to come down to him. At the same time he felt a burden. A burden so heavy that he felt that he would die under the pressure. He knew that it was not just the power he was given but also the responsibility to shoulder along with it. This responsibility was too heavy to bear. He took a deep breath to calm his emotions and gazed deeply at the old man and solemnly said "senior this responsibility is too heavy, but I will take it. I will try my best to fulfil it." Zhao Yun was honest and straight forward. Since young he was obsessed with the martial way and had never schemed or wasted his time in political struggles. He was not pretentious either. He desired power and the scroll gave him. He accepted it and would fulfil his responsibility.
The old man smiled. "my name is Ling Yun. I'm also chosen by the scroll. The difference is that you are the successor while I'm a guide. The spirit of the scroll is still not well developed and it needs time to fully mature. It won't be able to guide you in your path for a long time s it chose me as a medium to communicate with you. The cultivation manual that the seniors created for the successor is on the scroll and only you can cultivate it and only you have the authority to read it. Even I cannot view it despite being tied to the scroll. The scroll contains complete inheritance of the nine paths. You have full authority over them if you want to learn them just by yourself, its fine even if you decide to teach it to others, its fine as well but don't spread it as it would disturb the balance of the world." Ling Yun warned solemnly.
Zhao Yun nodded solemnly. He also knew that if these complete paths were spread, it would lead to complete chaos. Then he asked curiously, "Senior, why are you bound to the scroll?"
"Hahaha it's a long story, when you are strong enough you would know. Although I'm bound to the scroll, I'm not at a loss, the spirit has provided me with lots of inheritance paths that I follow thus I can improve my path as well and as for strength, when you reach higher level, and there is no need for me to guide you anymore, the scroll would even construct a body for me to live a second life again. It is a tremendous fortune of mine s I don't mind staying here. The only downside was that I was too lonely but now I have you so I can freely chat now." Ling Yun smiled.
Zhao Yun was relieved to hear this and he solemnly bowed, "I would seek your guidance sir."
Ling Yun smiled. There was one thing he didn't mention. As the spirit was still in development, it could not judge a character too well. It just relied on its instincts to choose both Zhao Yun and Ling Yun. So it was his, Ling Yun's task to judge whether the successor was worthy of the responsibility or not. Fortunately so far he was more than satisfied with the child's behaviour and felt that he would not need to interfere anytime soon.
Zhao Yun sat down in the cave and began meditating. The knowledge and experience he gained today was too much that he needed time to digest. Everything felt surreal to him. Just few hours ago he was a genius of a small clan who due to his better talent was being chased by his own jealous clan members. He was almost killed in the process and only his tenacious will kept him alive. Before he knew it his entire life changed. From a little genius in a small town clan of mortal world, he has become the hope of countless people. He was happy of his fortune but also a little tensed for the responsibility it brought to him was just too heavy.
While Zhao Yun was arranging his thoughts, Ling Yun returned back to the scroll. He cannot stay outside for a long period of time and have to return to the scroll occasionally.
This was an illusionary world. Countless small scrolls were hovering in the void with different auras. Ling Yun was standing amidst these scrolls, his expression serious. This was the space inside the ancient scroll which contained all the inheritance. Some ripples appeared in front of him and a vague figure could be seen. It transmitted some thoughts to ling Yun. Ling Yun smiled. His eyes gentle as he caressed the vague figure. "Don't worry. The boy is good so far. His will is tenacious and he has a pure soul. I can't say about the future but for now he is a good choice." Ling Yun's voice was soft and warm as if talking to a child.
A string of emotions were transferred to Ling Yun. They were a mixture of worry and pride. This was the spirit of the scroll. It was made due to the will of fallen heroes. The moment it was born, it knew that it has to select a suitable candidate to fulfil its duties.
Ling Yun smiled at the spirit. "Go and rest in peace. Once you gather your spirituality, you would be able to meet him. Who knows by that time, he would be strong enough to share your mission." He said.
Once again a happy and vibrant emotion was transferred to him. They were filled with expectations and innocence just like a child. Then the spirit disappeared. It has to gain its spirituality to help the candidate. For that it needed time and rest.
Ling Yun left the scroll space as he sensed some disturbance outside. He knew Zhao Yun was waking up.