Mao Lu found himself sitting with Obsidian on the boulder in the middle of the river.

They both drank from gla.s.s cups, drinking a substance which Obsidian called Nectar.

This Nectar slid down Mao Lu's throat like steam and brought about a very comforting and invigorating sensation.

It was very delicious.

"How have you found your role as a Gatekeeper so far?" Obsidian asked after a while of silently drinking.

"In all honesty, I've found all of this very bewildering. Only a month ago I was broke, in debt, powerless and had no idea that Gatekeepers, cultivators, or mages even existed. I was ignorant yet now I have been enlightened.

I've seen things I never would have dreamed of seeing in the past. I know things that many people in my realm may never know. I've been put into a position of power, and given such a great responsibility, and to be fair it has all been very sudden." Mao Lu recalled all the events that happened over the past month and couldn't help but sigh. It was all very amazing and bewildering.

"You find all of this surprising and sudden, but not overwhelming?"

"Of course it's all a lot to take in. It is overwhelming in the sense that there is a ma.s.sive amount that I've learnt and seen so quickly. But it isn't too much for me to handle. Actually I find all of this knowledge and experience rather refres.h.i.+ng. It's as if I were a puzzle piece that finally got to see the bigger picture.

I'm not sure if I'm making sense right now, but I feel like I'm in control. In this wide plane of existence, I'm simply one man amongst everything. Now that I know this, I have greater control over myself and over my fate. Becoming a Gatekeeper, has opened my eyes and made me desire to explore and learn more. This knowledge, this power, this responsibility is all a great fortune to me."

Obsidian's tranquil expression became lively once again, he smiled softly as he told Mao Lu "You are only in your twenties yet you have the temperament of someone five hundred years older. Not many are as collected as you, or see their Gatekeeper role the way you do. Most see it as a curse, some see themselves as G.o.ds, others revel in their power and rather then seeing a bigger picture their view only narrows. Your perspective is very different"

Mao Lu sipped his Nectar. "Not one single person is the same, difference in perspective is natural."

"You are right about that, difference in perspective is natural." Obsidian agreed. He was enjoying his conversation with Mao Lu more and more.

"Tell me Mao Lu, what do you understand so far about the paths, such as Time, Destruction, and Creation."

"They are the three paths that a Gatekeeper walks on, it's our power. Everything is made up of essence and Gatekeepers can only control one of these three essences, I believe. That's all I know about it so far." Mao Lu replied thoughtfully.

"That is simply the basics, there is much more to it." Obsidian waved his hands and the surreal amazon rainforest landscape transformed into a black s.p.a.ce.

In this black s.p.a.ce floated the eel like Time essences, next to them were round green flower b.a.l.l.s that were spinning clockwise, and next to those were red dust b.a.l.l.s that crumbled, reformed and crumbled again as they spun anti-clockwise.

"When One made the 400 Realms, One told the Gatekeepers that Time Essence, Creation, Essence, and Destruction Essence were the most important essences.

Do you see those green flower b.a.l.l.s, those are the Creation essences. Creation is the process of bringing something into being. When a two people join together to make a child, that is Creation. When builders begin to build a city, that is Creation. And when seeds spread and forests grow that is also Creation. There are many examples I could use. But the point is, is that before something is made Creation must be there.

Those with the power of creation have the ability to make paradises, to make events, to make dreams come true. If they can control creation to its fullest.

The Destruction essences comes hand in hand with Creation. That is because Destruction only exists because of Creation. They are polar opposites like light and dark, and just like light and dark they are intertwined and forced to coexist with each other.

Destruction is taking the existence of something that has been created, and harming it or erasing it. Someone with the power of destruction can make great wastelands and remove all life, potential or hopes.

Yet from the power of Destruction also blooms the power of Creation. Civilisations are destroyed only for new ones to replace them. Stars explode yet a new star will soon be born in its place. To destroy you must create, and to create you must destroy.

Before the power of Creation and Destruction all others are forced to submit.

However even Creation and Destruction can not defeat the essence of Time. For something to be created it needs time. For something to be destroyed it needs time. Someone who wields Time can easily control Destruction, Creation, and all other essences.

When your control over time improves you will understand how impressive your abilities are."

Obsidian waved his hand again and the scenery transformed back into the rainforest and they were once again sitting on a boulder in the middle of a river.

"Only Gatekeepers can walk down the three paths of Creation, Destruction, and Time. This is because these essences are very hard to control, and only those that have had their perception expanded enough to sense a realm, and had their bodies adapted can control, such essence. For other pract.i.tioners these essences are far too pure. Trying to use them would only make them weak or at worse kill them."

Mao Lu nodded slowly, he was slightly confused but he realised that this wasn't something he'd understand straight away. In time the words that Obsidian said, would make more sense to him.

However, Mao Lu couldn't help but feel conflicted. Not about the essences, but because Gates had told him that One, the Creator, had made the 400 realms in hopes that eventually someone with great power would arise from these Realms who could possibly become One's disciple, equal or whatever. The fact that only Gatekeepers could wield such powerful essences didn't seem right to Mao Lu.

No one is ever qual and some having more power than others, although unfair, is simply life. However, by keeping this power exclusive to Gatekeepers, then only a Gatekeeper had a chance in becoming this chosen person. If the Creator was only going to give a select few such abilities then why even bother making 400 realms with trillions upon trillions of people. Why not just raise one Gatekeeper.

It didn't make sense.

Mao Lu was about to ask Obsidian about this, when he noticed something.

To say Mao Lu just noticed it would wrong, in fact he'd noticed it ages ago, but it took awhile for his brain to catch up with what he'd unconsciously observed.

Mao Lu could sense over 150 galaxies now. Earth was just a small part of it, and his attention wasn't always focused on it, which was why he initially overlooked it…..but at this moment he saw….

Fang Kai, Fei Bing Bing, Zhao Detong, Frank w.a.n.g, Tanaka, Bei Lao, and some girl he didn't recognise, being let into his house. And the one opening the door for them and letting them inside was Chàng Bo!

"What the actual #*%@?"

______________________________________

MAO LU'S HOME- CHAOYANG

Zhao Detong and the gang casually entered Mao Lu's residence.

They "aaaahhhed" and "oooohhhed" when they entered the wide first courtyard and saw the various buildings, and ancient architecture.

"Wow it's like I'm on the set of some drama. I feel like I've just been transported to the past." Tanaka praised as he looked around, turning left and right, his little head bobbing up and down.

"I knew Mao Lu used to be rich when he was younger, but this was where he grew up, d.a.m.n this place is so nice." Fang Kai gasped.

"This place looks exactly like how it did eight years ago, and it's still so excellently preserved. This brings back so many memories." Fei Bing Bing added, a fond softness in her voice.

"Where's the kitchen?" Bei Lao asked, "So we can set up the food."

"It should be in the main north building." Zhao Detong said confidently as he headed straight for it.

Zhao Detong couldn't help but whistle when he saw the newly renovated and furnished living room and kitchen.

"Mao Lu did a good job on refurnins.h.i.+ng this place."

"Yh he did." Bing Bing agreed as she peeked over Detong's shoulder and looked around.

Tanaka and the others also admired the layout of the place as they took out the packages and containers of food onto the kitchen table.

As they did this, Tanaka noticed Chàng Bo entering the kitchen with a curious expression on his handsome face.

Tanaka couldn't stop himself from smiling smugly as he began to obnoxiously sing, "I knew it! I was right and Fei Bing Bing was wrong. I guess I know Mao Lu better. He's doing the nasty with some hot foreign guy ♪♩♪ ♩♪♩♪ ♩ "

Fei Bing Bing glared at Tanaka, "You're so immature."

Tanaka just smiled back at her, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Tanaka stop it!!!" Bei Lao moaned.

"Stop what, you know she started it when she went all 'I've known Mao Lu for a long time , he would never do anything so scandalous'. And now she's proven wrong like this. I at least need to rub it in her face a bit."

"Rub what in my face. We don't know this guy, he could just be renting a room here. Yeah he could just be a tenant. There's no evidence he's with Mao Lu." Bing Bing argued.

"Hah. Are you serious? Mao Lu now has more than enough money from that inheritance he got right, why on earth would he need to get a tenant?

Also Mao Lu has been inactive for a week and this guy comes out half naked looking like he's just had the workout of his life. And look at this guy, he's like cotton candy on a stick, if you were single you'd lick him all up. Don't lie to yourself Bing Bing."

"Huh me lying to myself. Huh! Speak for yourself Tanaka!"

"O'come on Bing Bing, you're not stupid just do the math!!!!"

….

Chàng Bo watched the group as they entered the kitchen, he listened intently as they spoke. Chàng Bo's mental skill, Heaven's grace, allowed him not only to remain clear headed, but also to improve his cognitive abilities. His senses were amplified, and his ability to learn became faster.

Although what they said sounded like nonsense at first, the more they spoke around him the more he was able to understand what they were saying.

In every language there is a pattern and a structure, although these patterns and structures differ they also have many similarities. The more languages you know the more these similarities become easier to identify and the easier the language is to learn.

The more Chàng Bo listened to them, the more he realised this language was very similar to the language spoken in realm 108, Immortal Realm, the Lotus Palace.

Chàng Bo was soon able to comprehend the sentences that they were saying.

"Bing Bing don't be blind now, even you can see that this man is walking s.e.x. Just look at him!" Tanaka shouted and pointed at Chàng Bo.

"Huh! How can you even say that in front of your boyfriend?" Fei Bing Bing shouted back.

"Unlike you, I'm secure enough in my relations.h.i.+p to talk about other men in front of my partner. Just because you're not hunny, isn't my problem." Tanaka smiled back at her.

"You! You!" Fei Bing Bing was speechless.

Frank felt a bit awkward as he watched Tanaka and Fei Bing Bing squabble.

He noticed Chàng Bo hovering near them as they argued, Frank was glad this guy couldn't understand them, or else this argument would get way too embarra.s.sing for everyone here. Hopefully this guy didn't understand a thing.

"Qi Zhou, what language were you speaking earlier?" Frank asked Qi Zhou loudly in an attempt to divert the conversation.

"Yh. I want to know what language that was too. It sounded so peculiar." Fang Kai leaned towards Qi Zhou, a curious gleam in his eyes.

Qi Zhou, felt another headache.

"Uhhh the language is a certain dialect of Nepalese, only a small group in the country speak it. It's not that well known. I only learnt it randomly when I travelled to Nepal ages ago. I never expected to hear it here."

"Whoa he's from Nepal?" Fang Kai commented, glancing at Chàng Bo, "He doesn't look the type but then again with his features I can't really picture him anywhere. He must be mixed with a lot of stuff, he looks slightly Asian, slightly European, slightly other worldly. Like an alien."

"Hey that's rude Fang Kai, you can't go calling someone an alien. I mean you're one to talk with all that metal hanging off your face." Tanaka stopped arguing with Bing Bing and snapped at Fang Kai.

"How am I being rude? It's not like he understands me, and for your information they're called piercings. Why don't you take a seat in your high chair Tanaka and chill out for a bit." Fang Kai snapped back.

Fang Kai also had a past in delinquency and didn't take lightly to being insulted.

"Huh Oi Teme, what did you just say to me? High chair, you making fun of me for being short? Huh!!"

Tanaka was just about to start an argument with Fang Kai when a calm yet powerful voice said. "As a matter of fact I can understand you."

Everyone in the room froze and then slowly looked towards Chàng Bo.

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