Road to Mastery: A LitRPG Apocalypse

Chapter 97: Breaking Through

Im begging you, Master. Shol gritted his teeth, conversing mentally with his master. The boy is worth it. Even the Barren High advised that we take him in.

His reputation is stained, Shol, a womans voice echoed into his mind, filled with age and majesty. Her will was absolute. I cannot provoke the Animal Kingdom for a baby. The risk is too big, the cost too high. I requested a victory, and this is no victory.

But Master, he

Shols words trailed off as something odd brushed against his perception. His head snapped up. His eyes went wide, and he shot to his feet. So did the rest of the immortals around him, all at the same time.

Is he breaking through to the E-Grade? the lizard archmage asked in disbelief.

How bold, a female-sounding voice rang out. It was the cloud worm, who had raised her head to stare at Jack, despite the lack of any face whatsoever. Her words sounded like a compliment, but they really werent. Shol agreed.

Idiot disciple! he muttered in panic, gritting his teeth. The next moment, he flashed to the center of the stage, right next to Jack.

The mortal called Vanderdecken was still playing, riling up the crowds without paying attention to Jack. SHUT UP! Shol barked, unleashing the full power of his Dao. Everyone in the audience fell dead silent. So did Vanderdecken, who jumped and turned to look with horror in his eyes.

Im sorry he started saying, but Shol wasnt paying attention. His hand was on Jacks shoulder, and his soul was scanning inside his disciple. Jacks body was getting infused by the Dao, bit by bit, filling up like a drop-fed bottle.

But this was still too fast. The breakthrough to the E-Grade wasnt supposed to go like this. There were security procedures to follow, but Jack didnt know them. Shol had never told him.

He really is breaking through he realized, shuddering. This is my fault. I didnt warn him. I never thought it would come this fast! How!?

But the how and why didnt matter. The process had already started. Jack would either succeed or failand if he failed, Shol would have failed as a master, as he hadnt warned Jack about the dangers of breaking through too early.

In truth, any of the scions could try to break through anytime they wanted. It just wasnt worth it without certainty of success.

However, Shol had his reasons for withholding this information. Jack had asked once, but hed brushed the question away, saying it wasnt the time for him to know yet.

He didnt expect Jack to accumulate insight this quickly. He was also afraid that, had he said anything, Jack would have been tempted to make a hasty breakthrough just to beat Rufus, crippling his future. It would have certainly increased his chances.

But Jack didnt understand anything. He was a child. He could not understand the weight of immortality like Shol did.

After Shol reached the D-Grade, he had seen his entire family wither and die while he remained young. That was why immortals rarely took disciples, and why nobody bonded with people of a different Grade. Anyone below you was simply wasted effort, and to anyone above, you were wasted effort.

If Jack had the means, he would cripple himself to beat Rufus and extend his factions survival. However, Shol had toured the galaxy for six centuries now. Compared to Jacks potential, his faction was nothing but sand in the wind, a handful of mortals in an endless cycle of death.

Crippling himself for them was a decision that Shol, as his master, couldnt let him make. Such was the weight of immortality, and it was crushing. He regretted nothing.

But what was done was done.

Shols soul focused intently on his disciples body. The breakthrough to the E-Grade was all about infusing the body with the Dao Root that you planned to advance. When the infusion was complete, the breakthrough was a success, and the Dao Root became a Dao Seed, taking root deep inside your soul.

But if you couldnt infuse your entire body, your foundation would be cracked, and you would be stuck between the peak of the F-Grade and the start of the E-Grade for your entire life. That was why everyone only attempted the breakthrough when they had certainty of success.

The System and the Dao never offered second chances.

Jack simply went at it the moment he found the opportunity. He probably didnt even realize what he was doing. He also didnt know how to stop the process when he reached his limit; after all, the Dao Root wasnt meant to be absorbed in full. He just had to absorb as much as he could, hope it was enough to infuse his entire body, then forcefully stop the process and let the rest of the Dao Root dissipate.

Shol had never heard of someone going into the breakthrough without this knowledge, but he hoped it would come instinctively. If not

His eyes narrowed. This wasnt his real body, just a spiritual projection, but since push came to shove, he would do everything in his power to help.

He looked up, where the metal mortal had already scrambled off the stage, leaving the audience in a stunned, expectant silence. The sharpest among them were realizing what was happening and couldnt contain their shock. Shols eyes scanned the stands, quickly finding Jacks friends.

Edgar! he barked out. Grab Jacks bag and come over.

The wizardling jumped and panicked. He grabbed Jacks backpack. A blue cloud appeared under his feet as he shot to the stage, approaching Shol.

Retrieve the fruit, Shol said before even Edgar had landed, his tone brooking no disobedience. The wizard dropped everything to hurry. He quickly riffled through the backpack and retrieved a pear-shaped fruit that seemed wrapped around itself like a clenched fist.

Mighty immortal, he said quickly, what is happ

No time. Feed him the fruit.

Feed him? Edgar adapted quickly. But hes not moving.

Just shove it into his mouth. Its crystallized Dao. He doesnt need to chew.

Edgar complied. He opened Jacks mouth and pushed the fruit inside, hesitantly at first and then harder. As it touched his tongue, the fruit dissolved into orange streams that quickly turned to purple and vanished down Jacks throat.

When the fruit disappeared entirely from his hand, Edgar looked around and realized he had just force-fed a fruit to an unconscious man in front of the entire planet and multiple immortals. His stomach turned from nervousness, but Shol didnt care. He wasnt done yet.

Dig into that bag again and retrieve the Rainbow Dao Pill, he commanded. Thankfully, Jack carried everything with him. He said it felt safer that way.

Edgars shaky hands went through the backpack again and retrieved a sphere wrapped in white fabric. He pulled the cover away to reveal a knuckle-sized pill shining brilliantly with all colors of the rainbow.

Feed him, Shol commanded, and Edgar complied. Unlike the fruit, it was perfectly corporeal, and it didnt melt when it touched his tongue. Edgar froze, not sure what to do. Shove it down his throat if you have to, Shol barked. He must swallow it no matter what. Hurry!

Edgar panicked. Shol wished he had a body to do it himself. Left without options, the wizardling pushed the pill down Jacks throat with a finger, eliciting a few cries from the audience. Jack almost gagged, his eyelids shaking a bit before instinct took over and he swallowed.

Good, Shol exhaled in relief. There was a chance they would interrupt Jacks breakthrough by force-feeding him the pill so brutally, but he would certainly fail without it.

What is happening? Edgar asked again, panic tinging his voice. Is Jack breaking through?

Yes.

Can he make it?

I dont know. Shols eyes darkened. He has the perfect fruit and an excellent pill. He is also highly compatible with his Dao, as far as I can tell. There are chances. Now, its up to him. He then raised his voice. Listen up, mortals! Anyone who approaches the stage or even looks at my disciple the wrong way will immediately become the enemy of I, deacon Shol Pesna of the Exploding Sun faction! Moreover, you will be infringing on the dignity of the Animal Kingdom, who safeguards this tournament!

This last sentence would hopefully stop the scions and agents of the Kingdom, who would be dying to interrupt Jacks breakthrough. At least, they wouldnt attempt anything openly.

His voice echoed over the arena. Almost instantly, a blur flew down from the stands. Shol cursed inwardly and prepared to blast the intruder with the full force of his Daoeven in this weak form, he could incapacitate most F-Grades.

He held himself back at the last moment. The blur landed on the sand and rushed beside Jack. It was Brock, who stood before his big bro, spread his hands, and glared unflinchingly at the audience. Even the immortals present didnt escape his threat.

Nobody would touch his big bro.

Shol nodded. This little brorilla was much to his liking. Jack has found a good partner. If only he can survive

Immortal, please give us permission to come over and guard Jack as well, Vivi Eragorn stood up from the audience and cupped her fists.

Denied, he replied immediately. He had seen too many backstabbers in his day. Even calling Edgar here had been a gamble, but he was fairly certain that the wizardling was loyal.

The only one he truly trusted was Brock.

Edgar stepped behind Jack, also ready to protect him against anything. He conjured a transparent blue shield around the four of them.

Vivi obeyed Shols command, but she didnt back down completely. On her orders, the members of Flame River fanned around the arena, each glaring at a section of the crowd. Dorman, the Sage, Li Xiang, Brother Tao, and even Vanderdecken also rose and stood on the arena lip, gazing towards the crowd.

Shol narrowed his eyes. His threats wouldnt be enough to stop the Animal Kingdoms agents from interfering, but he was ready to blast the first unlucky attacker with the full power of his Dao, killing him on the spot. That should be enough to intimidate most of them into inaction. These humans would hopefully be able to deal with the rest, because Shol would be out of juice after that first strike.

He could already spot various people in the audience exchanging shady looks with each other. The scions were whispering between themselves.

However, before anything could happen, a new voice cut through the clamor.

Anyone who interrupts that mans breakthrough will answer to the Hand of God.

It was Vocrich, whose faction didnt care about the Animal Kingdom. They just wanted to raise strong cultivators.

The vampire was only at the peak of the E-Grade, but his one sentence was enough to stop everyone. Not even the planetary overseer would dare act wildly now.

Nobody opposed the Hand of God. Anyone who tried didnt live long enough to regret it.

This calmed Shol down somewhat, though he still maintained full vigilance. He glanced at Jack, who still sat cross-legged and unaware of his surroundings. The Dao was slowly seeping into his body, but it still had a way to go. Hopefully, the pill and fruit would pull him through the most difficult parts, and he could handle the rest. If not

If not, then that was fate.

In the meantime, Shol had something very important to do. Sorry for interrupting my words, Master, he spoke again mentally. I must tell you something that will surely change your mind!

***

Jack was lost in an ocean of purple. The aura of the giant fist was seeping into his body bit by bit. Wherever it passed, he was disappearing. The fist was the master, and he was only a tool to wield it.

Jack didnt want this. It was his fist. He was the one in charge. He didnt want to sacrifice himself to it.

He tried to stop the aura, but it was like trying to hold back a river with your bare hands. He tried to close the floodgates, but there werent any. The giant fist was an emptying container. It would all flood into him, and whatever happened, happened.

Jack panicked.

Suddenly, warmth filled his entire body, starting from his tongue. In the next moment, it was like his eyes opened for the first time. He was in touch with the Dao of the Fist. Revelations came to him, from simple to complicated things. A series of visions flashed into his mind, presenting the core aspects of the fist.

Some, he knew. Some, he did not, but they became clear from the visions. His understanding of the Dao of the Fist shot up.

He could see now. The purple aura wasnt drowning him. It was challenging him. It represented the Dao Roots understanding into the fist, the understanding he had originally created. Now, he was called to contend with it.

There were two simultaneous challenges to overcome. The first was to prove that he and this Dao Root were compatible. This challenge came from within. The second was to prove that he had mastered it. This challenge came from without. From the Dao of the Fist in the universe beyond, whose acknowledgement he sought.

Jacks eyes opened as he saw what he had to do. The purple aura was made up of exactly nine hundred and ninety nine tiny dropshe was sure of this, for some reasonand each drop carried a riddle. If he beat the riddle, the drop would submit. If he didnt, the speck would drop him to the death.

Visions filled his mind. He was thrust into a gladiators fight, a school room, a back-alley brawl, a knife fight, a gunfight, the trenches of a war, shouting arguments against all sorts of people. Each vision came at once, and all asked him the same question: What would you do? How would you feel?

However, it wasnt as tangible as that. The visions all occurred inside his soul simultaneously. Jack didnt really find himself in those situations; instead, they were forced into his soul, and then the answer flowed out by itself, uninhibited. Everything coalesced into a phantom deep inside him which slowly took the form of a fist borne of his very soul.

Unfortunately, he was just a watcher. This battle of visions didnt seem his, but he knew it was. Maybe not now, but to answer the riddles, his soul just used everything hed fed it over his entire life. He had shaped himself; that was his part in the battle, and it was over. Now, all he could do was watch and hope.

Instinct told him that the more similar this phantom got to the giant fist, the more perfect his union with the Dao Root he was internalizing.

Only now did he understand he was breaking through to the E-Grade. He was confused and worried, but the ball was rolling. He buckled down and prepared for a fight.

Hope turned to despair. The phantom was still vague, but he could see it wasnt exactly like the giant fist before. There were differencesmalformities. The shape wasnt quite right. The fist in his soul wasnt as clear as it should have been. Slowly but surely, it was drifting into a travesty of a fist, and he was powerless to stop it.

Suddenly, warmth filled his stomach, and colors invaded his world. The black void was painted in rainbows. Jack drew a deep breath as his spirit expanded. Suddenly, his mind was clearer than it had ever been. Way, way clearer.

It was like a meditation in a meditation. A trance in a trance. Every complex thought dissolved into simple parts, and all that was difficult became easy.

Jack felt like laughing. Why had he even struggled?

A watcher? Your mothers a watcher!

He dove into his soul, brimming with confidence. The Dao of the Fist was strewn wide before him. He now floated between dozens of visions, each resolving at the same time, but he knew the truth.

The visions were illusions. Only one thing was realthe fistand as long as he kept the fist in his soul unpolluted, he would always prevail.

The visions unraveled easily. They were foundational questions, nothing more than childs play. Jack realized that his compatibility with the fist was perfect. From his toes to the deepest recesses of his soul, he was willing to embrace the path of the fist until the very end.

After that, the visions were simple. All he had to was project his soulthe fistand they would have their answer.

They melted like snow in the oven. The purple aura vanished as it entered his body, gathering obediently in his soul and becoming one with him. The shape of a fist became clearer and clearer in the very core of his being, and the deformities were lessening.

Jack was disgusted by them. He grabbed the phantom and twisted it into shape, using his strength to force it to obey. He ironed it out. A fist formed inside him, and the giant fist outside wasnt giant anymore. It was shrinking as he took its aura, from a hill, to a tree, to a boulder. Finally, it reached the size of his own fist, and he realized they were indistinguishable.

The Dao asked him one question: Will you give me everything?

Yes, Jack replied. But you will serve me.

It was the right answer.

His soul hugged the phantom of a fist inside it and they became one. The Dao coursed through his body, empowering and transforming it. It was only a tiny part of the true Dao of the Fist and all its transformations, but it was a part that Jack had thoroughly conquered. It belonged to him.

His turmoil was over. His soul and the Dao Root of the Fist had fused perfectly, becoming one thing: the Dao Seed of the Fist.

Or, at least, so Jack hoped.

He looked at the rainbow-colored void around him. The Dao Root of Indomitable Will now orbited around him like a satellite, admitting its inferiority to the fist inside him. From now on, Indomitable Will was a weapon, but the fist was himself.

He felt perfect. Whole. For the first time in his life, even more than when the Integration happened, he was sure that he was exactly where he belonged. This was his world.

Jack roared in laughter, venting all the pent-up frustration of his life, and punched out. The void cracked and shattered like glass. Jack opened his eyes, finding himself in a blue bubble, surrounded by Edgar, Brock, and Master Shol, whose eyes were wide as saucers.

Around him, thousands of people watched his every move, but so what?

Thank you for waiting, everyone, he said, standing slowly. The power that coursed through his veins was euphoric, and the notifications were blazing in his vision, begging to be opened. He felt like he had ascended...and this was only the E-Grade. He grinned. I am back.