Lightning Is the Only Way

Gravis explained to Manuel how important it was to go through the Self Stage. Of course, he only did that via voice transmission. First of all, that method of communication was faster and more efficient since he could directly send concepts into another person's mind instead of translating them into language first. And second of all, this knowledge wasn't for everyone's ears. Other people's cultivation had nothing to do with him.

After Gravis was finished, Manuel's emotions were riled up. He hadn't gone through the tenth Stage of Energy Gathering. On top of that, he was ready to break into the Sapling Stage, which meant he had already invested 20 years into his cultivation. Hearing that he would be a doormat in the future and that all his work had been meaningless shook his confidence.

Manuel sighed heavily. "I don't want to believe it, but everything you told me makes perfect sense. Someone who went through the Self Stage is obviously more powerful than someone who only went through the Tree Stage. I might be a genius now, but will I still be considered a genius in the future? Even if my strength keeps increasing, at some point, I will only see people that went through the Self Stage. What then?"

"It's completely your decision what you make of this knowledge. I only told you because I feel bad for nearly killing you back then and indirectly killing your master," Gravis said.

Manuel sighed again, and Joyce looked with pity at Manuel. She had already felt bad for wasting around two years of her cultivation, but what was that in comparison to 20 years? Yet, who was Manuel? He was an Ascender's Talent that was close to condensing a Unity Will. That's what made him an Ascender's Talent. Would he be distraught by that? No!

Manuel's eyes narrowed with fiery motivation. "I will recultivate!" he said with fervor.

Gravis smirked when he heard that. He had already expected as much. Even though he and Manuel hadn't talked much, he had learned a lot about him in their fight. Manuel was able to jump a whole Stage even without going through the tenth Stage of Energy Gathering. He was incredibly talented. It would truly be a waste if he only went through the Tree Stage.

Manuel turned to the wind disciple in Joyce's group. When the disciple saw Manuel looking at him, he felt incredibly nervous. His idol was looking at him! Manuel was the most impressive genius and cultivator in the whole Wind Sect. Everyone looked up to him.

"Are you willing to give me your place for a fair trade? I will make it clear that I am not forcing you. You can decline, and I won't hold a grudge," Manuel said.

Everyone in the group was surprised. "But, what about the Wind Sect's group?" Joyce asked, stunned.

Manuel waved his hand nonchalantly. "There is another person in our Wind Sect that wants to join but was just short of qualifying. He can take over. We still have around two days until it fully opens."

The Wind Sect disciple was incredibly shocked. "O-Of course!" he stuttered in reverence. "You can just take the spot. I wouldn't dare to accept anything from Senior Brother!"

Manuel turned to the disciple. "I won't accept that! I will trade a high-grade Spirit Weapon for your spot. Is that okay with you?"

and

longsword. Then, he threw it to the disciple. "Accept it right now,

such a weapon! He was getting one just like that? Was he dreaming?

guy's shoulder. "When I return, I will talk more

name. How is

Joyce with a smile. "You don't have anything against

beamed when she heard that. "No! Not at all! It would be

let you join with your current

smirked at Gravis. "I've already planned that," he said

Whoom! BANG!

destroyed his Spirit. His face didn't even twitch from the pain. Then,

was still their idol. They had seen his resolution, and instead of getting angry, they looked up to him. Manuel had abandoned 20 years of

each other, and one person left for the Wind Sect. It wouldn't take long to get the last member. Was it a betrayal? No! Joining was voluntary, and the Wind Sect didn't force their disciples to join their Sect's team. The Wind Sect hated restrictions. Wind cultivators always searched for freedom, and the rules and atmosphere in the Wind Sect reflected that. Every disciple had their own path. They wouldn't even get angry when their disciples

several Energy Stones. Apparently, he carried enough with him to reach the tenth Stage of Energy Gathering. Yet, while Manuel was recultivating, something else happened that

WHOOM!

time to time, and judging by what Sect they came from, Gravis was pretty sure what they had planned.

nowhere, making Gravis activate his Will-Aura. His Will-Aura enveloped them and made them unable to move. The disciples that were here were all

BANG!

they had been turned to ash. They all exploded into loot, which Gravis quickly pocketed. The whole thing hadn't taken more than five seconds. The disciples hadn't even

the Earth Sect? They saw that the group of the Earth Sect were the

at him with shock, including Manuel. What

just another suicide squad," Gravis said

attack you? Why did you kill