Road to Mastery: A LitRPG Apocalypse
Chapter 242: Pure Dao Cultivation

The atmosphere around Cloud Field grew weird after the spar. Auburn exchanged a few words with Melia before taking off—she’d mentioned they’d come here to spar, but Auburn’s mood was too sour after failing to defeat Jack, who was forty levels weaker than herself.

Which was a pretty normal response, actually. Auburn was a young D-Grade immortal who had been taken in as a personal disciple of Master Huali. Her talent was undeniably superb. This had to be one of the hardest losses she’d ever taken.

It was just her bad luck for running into Jack.

Melia, however, quickly approached Jack and started socializing. Her eyes no longer sparked with arrogance, but with respect. The meditating cultivator with long dark hair and flowing blue robes, whose name was Fang Long, also approached Jack, as did the woman who was practicing some sort of turtle skill. Both of them overflowed with energy and wit. Jack found himself chatting and laughing alongside them, enjoying a camaraderie with strangers that he hadn’t felt in a while. Most of them tried to kill him.

This really brought into attention how important strength was for cultivators. Before proving himself against Auburn, Jack would have been greeted with much less enthusiasm. Now, everyone was rushing to meet him.

That didn’t make them bad people or opportunists. When meeting someone with great potential, you would naturally be more friendly to them compared to the same person but with less potential. If you were busy with something else, you would put it aside for a moment to make a useful connection. It was just how the world worked.

Some time later, Jack extracted himself from their company and paced over to Master Shol, who sat cross-legged on the platform’s edge and gazed at the nebulous sky. Brock was beside him—his monkey eyes were filled with wonder, his breaths were deep, and he seemed to enjoy this very much.

As Jack approached, Shol gave him a smiling glance. “What do you think, Jack?”

“Of what?” Jack replied, taking his own seat beside them. Unlike everyone else, he did not sit cross-legged; he let his legs dangle over the edge, an Earth-like posture that cultivators didn’t adopt often.

“Of my faction,” Shol replied. “You have seen our facilities. You have met a few cultivators. You even spoke to my master. So; what do you think?”

Jack chuckled. “Does it matter? I already agreed to join.”

“Of course it matters. You used to be my disciple; now, you are my brother. Your opinion is important to me.”

Jack looked deeply into Shol’s eyes, who was back to staring in the distance.

Time and time again, Shol had helped him. Back on Earth, he’d guided Jack regardless of their disagreements. He had asked his own master—Huali—to protect Jack from the Animal Kingdom. When she declined, Shol hadn’t hesitated to go against her orders to help Jack further, and it was only because of his assistance that he survived. Now, once again, Shol brought Jack to his faction, where he would be safe, and took time out of his day to introduce Jack to the important locations of this estate.

The world of cultivators was a harsh one. With survival at stake, people worshiped power above all. They backstabbed each other. Everyone had hidden thoughts and hidden interests.

In Jack’s experience so far, few people in this world were genuine…but Shol was undoubtedly one of them.

“Thank you,” Jack said, not specifying why. Shol didn’t ask. “I like it here. The people seem nice, and everything in the estate is pleasing to the eye. It’s almost too good, in fact; I expected the entire world to be cutthroat and tyrannical, but your faction has surprised me pleasantly.”

“Not my faction; just my master’s estate. As you will come to realize, we are a small island of virtuousness in a sea of filth.”

“Then, it seems I’ve come to the right place.”

This time, it was Shol’s turn to chuckle. He glanced back; the rest of the cultivators had returned to practicing, each in their own way. Nobody could hear their thoughts.

“I am glad to hear that, Jack,” he said honestly. “This really is a nice place. It is a part of your journey that is necessary, as well as a safe port for when trouble knocks on your door. You willgrow much more powerful here.” He then paused for a moment, considering his next words. Jack let him—he turned to enjoying the breeze, the sky, and the simple fact that he was alive and free.

“However,” Shol finally continued, “I want you to remember that a faction is just a safe port. It is home, but nobody should stay cooped up forever. Ships are not built to stay in the harbor. If you really want to grow strong, I would suggest stabilizing yourself here, increasing your strength in safety as much as possible, then going out to adventure. That is how young cultivators should act.”

Brock looked on with interest. Jack raised both brows. “Why do you say this?” he asked.

“Because I know you. I know your path. Safety is insidious; it has a way of making you relax and decay, losing sight of your goals. Before you know it, you are a turtle in its shell, your edge dulls, and you are afraid of stepping out into the world again. You rest on your laurels, letting time flow by, and suddenly, all your momentum is gone, as is your bravery and youth, leaving you an aimless, risk-averse husk.”

Jack frowned. “Thank you, brother, but I wouldn’t do that. I have goals.”

“Everyone does. Do you know how many young cultivators I have seen stepping into the faction with fire in their eyes, only to end up comfortable and content? I know you wouldn’t want to let this happen, but you wouldn’t see it coming. It is a slow and sly process. Comfort seeps into your bones. Now that Master has agreed to save your planet, you have no intense despair pulling you forward, and to keep pushing yourself may be your greatest trial yet.”

Jack did not pretend to understand everything instantly. He took his time considering Shol’s words. Eventually, he replied, “I know this aimless husk you speak of. It is me; used to be me, before the System arrived to my world. And I understand that resisting comfort is much more difficult than it sounds…but your reminder certainly helps. Thank you, brother. I will do my best to keep my Dao sharp, to keep myself thirsting for more power without losing my virtue, to rush ahead unstoppably, because one moment of pause can easily turn into eternity. I will not relax just because I can.”

Shol nodded. “That’s what I expect from my brother.”

“Me too,” Brock said, his eyes spouting kind flames. “I am strong.”

“Brock, you are the strongest person I know,” Jack replied with a smile. “Even if the world collapsed, even if I turned weak, I know that your heart would never stop burning. You are, from head to toe, a true bro.”

“And you are a fist,” Shol pointed out, smiling wryly. “Don’t sell yourself short. Not many people can boast a perfect Dao Seed.”

“Now you’re just flattering me.”

“It’s the truth! And don’t forget; you achieved that while I was your master. I deserve the accolade.”

Jack laughed, as did the other two. A few moments later, Shol said, “Well, that concludes your tour of the estate. There are other things on this planet, of course, but they can wait. Familiarize yourself with the estate first. In the meantime, is there anything you want to ask?”

Jack considered it. There was something, actually; a thought that Auburn, perhaps accidentally, had brought to the fore.

“Do you know anything about spiritual beasts?” he asked.

Brock’s ears perked up. Shol nodded. “I do.”

“Then, can you explain how Brock’s cultivation works? He doesn’t have access to the System, but he seems to be growing just fine so far.”

Shol adopted a sagely look. For a moment, it reminded Jack of his basement during the Integration Tournament, where Shol and Sparman would beat him up mercilessly, each in their own way. Those were fun times. “The System doesn’t make you stronger,” Shol explained. “It just makes progression easier. Brock is cultivating as the pre-System people did; by simply focusing on his Dao.”

“But what about stats? And skills?”

“Skills are nothing but applications of the Dao. The System facilitates them, but it is not necessary. If anything, using your Dao without the System gives you a better and wider understanding. As for stats… Well, that is not a problem. Have you noticed how, in the D-Grade, you can absorb the Dao to enhance yourself?”

“I have.”

“The same thing happens in the earlier Grades, just slower and unconsciously. As Brock contemplates his Dao, its power naturally enters his body, merging with the parts that fit it best. The same happens to everyone. All the System does is quantify some attributes and let you distribute that power, instead of letting it settle in naturally, as well as grant you additional power upon defeating enemies.”

“So Brock has no disadvantage for lacking the System?”

“Not yet,” Shol pointed out. “The System is meant to help mediocre cultivators rise in power faster. As long as Brock remains active and truthful to his Dao, he will not have a problem. If he starts taking it easy, that’s when the System’s absence will become noticeable, and his progress will slow to a crawl.”

“I see. So, Brock has to keep pushing himself, just like you told me to do.”

“Exactly. No wonder the two of you are brothers.”

“Hear that, Brock? You really should—”

Jack’s words were interrupted by Brock’s laughter. He sounded happy and carefree as a daisy. “No worry,” he said. “I am strong.”

Jack wanted to say more things. He wanted to remind Brock to never give up and to always strive for more power. To warn him against letting his edge dull.

However, he kept his mouth shut. Brock knew all those things—and to remind him of them would be almost insulting.

“Okay,” was all he said, smiling. “Go get them, bro.”

“Yes.”

Shol chuckled. “Attaboys. Any other questions?”

Jack considered it. “Oh!” he said. “I have two friends who were coming to the Exploding Sun: Gan Salin and Nauja. Both gifted E-Grades. Could you help me check if they’ve arrived?”

“They have. I was told they said my name upon entering the sect, but I didn’t go to meet them. I believe they joined as outer disciples and are currently situated in the outer planet.” His brows creased. “However… Wasn’t that Gan Salin one of the Animal Kingdom scions on your planet?”

“He was, but don’t worry about it. He’s a good guy now.”

“If you say so…”

“I think we should go visit them soon. Right, Brock?” Jack asked, giving his brorilla a meaningful glance. Brock nodded. Some things went unsaid between them, but both understood. As spiritual companions, they were on the same wavelength.

“Oh!” Shol said. “Before I forget; take these.”

He reached into his pocket and removed two perfectly folded squares. As he unrolled them, they revealed themselves to be two capes: one medium-sized yellow, and one small red. Both had the insignia of the Exploding Sun—an exploding sun—woven into the fabric.

“Woah,” Jack said, receiving the yellow cape. It felt soft and smooth to the touch—he had no doubt it was the best fabric he had ever touched. “We get our own capes?”

“I told you.” Shol winked. “These capes are a symbol of your identity in the faction, as well as a symbol of status in the outside world. Don’t lose them.”

“We won’t!”

“Then, welcome to the Exploding Sun!”

Both of them wore their capes, latching them closed under the neck, and let them flutter freely in the wind. Both fit them perfectly—even Brock, who only reached to Jack’s chest in height. “Thank you, brother,” Jack said earnestly, while Brock gave Shol a grateful handshake.

“No problem. I didn’t make these. Delivering them is just my duty.” Shol said, smiling as he turned towards the sky.

“Before we go,” Jack said, “ I actually have a final question. As a deacon of the Exploding Sun, you probably have access to some information networks. Could you do me a favor and ask about a starship called the Trampling Ram? They helped me escape the Animal Kingdom, but they were attacked afterward, and their fate is unknown. They are good people.”

Shol nodded. “I can do that. Can you give me more details?”

“It’s a small vessel; maybe it can fit ten people? The captain is a D-Grade cyclops called Dordok, and they were carrying an ambassador of the Fair Way continent to the capital of the Animal Kingdom three months ago. Three Hounds intercepted them outside Earth-321, which is where I was separated from them.”

“Okay. I will see what I can find out and get back to you.”

“Thank you, brother. They’re good people. I hope they’re okay.”

“Since they helped you, I hope so too.” Shol stood, dusting off his robes. “Now then. Since my business here is done, I will be going. I have other responsibilities, too. If either of you has a problem, you can come find me whenever.”

“Will do, brother. Thanks.” Jack smiled. Brock gave him a thumbs-up. Shol returned the gesture.

“What will you do now?” he asked.

Jack exchanged another glance with Brock. “I want to cultivate. I want to experience the Dao Vision I got in the library and make myself as strong as possible as quickly as possible. Before that, however…I think we should visit Salin and Nauja in the outer planet. I hope they don’t have any problems—though they’re probably the ones creating problems.”