The Dawn of the New World

'Disciple???'

Even in his current overwhelmed state the crow beast managed to crane its neck and gaze at Hao Xuan's image in absolute confusion.

'That human is barely old enough to walk, how could he have been a disciple of the valley master who has been slumbering for eons?'

For a moment he really thought that this omnipotent being in front of him had lost its mind but such thoughts were quickly pushed to the back.

'No, that's not possible! The valley master must know something that we don't, that's the only explanation!'

The Valley Master watched with bated breath as Hao Xuan extended his hand towards the veil which was separating the two worlds. And when his fingers came into contact with the sheet of black water a charred slated digit was extended from the other side.

Hao Xuan was already prepared to pull back his hands the instant anything happened but with his flimsy cultivation he was no match for the Valley Master's mysterious abilities.

He only realized it after it was already too late.

All sources of illumination had been snuffed out and by the time Hao Xuan came to, he found himself floating within a dark cloud.

No ground beneath his feet, no light around him. There was only darkness but he could hear the faint roar of thunder in the far distance.

He could feel the cold wind in his hair and the unexplainable feeling of weightlessness that came with it.

Hao Xuan looked at his hands both of which were now fine before gazing at the surroundings.

'My consciousness was forcibly pulled inside. Am I in the underworld?' he thought inwardly but a voice answered from the outside.

"Indeed."

*RUUUUMBLE*

Thunder roared all around and a bolt of lightning struck something in front of Hao Xuan. It was bright enough to illuminate a part of a colossal shadow.

Hao Xuan's expression fell, 'I was right, something did this.'

"Right again, little one..."

The voice was loud and terrifying. He couldn't see or do anything in this darkness which left him completely at the mercy of this being. But for some reason, he wasn't as afraid as he should have been.

There was no killing intent or malice in its voice which gave Hao Xuan a strange feeling.

"Who are you?" he asked steeling his heart, "What do you want from me?"

For a few seconds it was silent but the same voice spoke up soon after.

"The truth. I want to know the truth. Who...are you?"

Hao Xuan frowned but answered honestly, "I am Hao Xuan."

"Hmmm, the name does not ring any bells," the voice seemed to be talking to itself before directing its attention towards Hao Xuan.

"How are you in possession of my skills, little one? I have only ever taught it to one human, a little mute boy from a no-name barren world. It was already back in the 'Age of Desolation' and there is no way he could have survived. But here you are, standing in front of me with the complete skill unchanged in any way."

"Tell me...how is this possible?"

By the time the voice stopped Hao Xuan could hear the air currents changing as something big began moving around him. He looked down to see an ocean of rolling clouds being pushed aside as a platform ascended.

It stopped beneath his feet and only then did he realize that it was actually the palm of a hand. Each finger was so tall that it could dwarf entire mountains.

Five digits connecting the two skies together.

He was beginning to panic until he remembered what the voice had just asked.

'Mute boy? Skill?'

He didn't have to think for very long to realize exactly who this being might be.

"But...that's not possible. An Ashura taught me this skill, Ashura of the Six Paths!"

*WHOOOOOSH*

The entire sea of clouds parted around him to reveal five hands just as big as this one, hovering like celestial bodies in the sky around him.

"That is a very old name...even I had almost forgotten it," he mused.

"But...I taught you? Impossible! I never forget the stench of a soul and you...I have never smelt yours before!" the voice sounded a little incensed but even now Hao Xuan couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from.

The ground started shaking and the five mountains began closing in, threatening to mash Hao Xuan into nothingness.

"I SWEAR IT!" he screamed in a panic, "You gave me the skill yourself in that desert. The '64 Palms of Infernal Flame' was its name!"

The mountains paused momentarily, giving Hao Xuan an opportunity to better explain himself.

"It was a curse from the high heavens. That was both me and not me. I lived as that boy and countless others. All of their memories are right here in my head."