Ling Zhong kept taunting Robert, and then Robert spoke up in a shaking voice.
"How... how do you know all this?" Then Ling Zhong paused for a moment and said,
"Oh, so don't you get it? When the crystal fused its power with you, I also fused with you, so I took a peek at your memories. Do you think without strength that you can defend or protect those you love? When you sought a solution to end all this, you couldn't get any. And a chance has been given to you, and you've already given up without even trying. How do you know if you don't even try? Face the dark and harsh reality: in this world of yours, there is no such thing as a free man's land. As you think of yourself as a weakling, do you think people will give a damn about you? No. If you keep being weak, people will trample over you because you are a weakling; you will just be a stepping stone for them. Face the dark reality of life. Face the dark; let it change you. It's like being thrown into the abyss of total darkness, you must fight the darkness to get out. Don't let the darkness consume you; instead, let it change you and make you know how life just is. Reach the light as you rise from the abyss of darkness. Do you really think you can get to the top without taking the rough road? Do you think you can win against all odds with your pathetic self? Do you think you can make people see the best part of you without strength and wealth? When an opportunity comes toward you, grab it, for it comes only once. Miss that opportunity, and you miss your will to live. So the choice is yours to make: what do you fight for? What is your will of fire? And now you have the strength and power within your grasp, why not make the best of it?" Ling Zhong told Robert to his face, and the old man fell quiet.
Then Robert began to think to himself.
For all my life, I have been seen as trash, a weakling, and a loser by others. I couldn't even protect my brother from bullying, let alone stand up to my bullies. I couldn't step in to protect my parents' dignity from being shattered by taunting. I couldn't do anything to protect them. Am I just a loser, or what? he thought, tears welling up in his eyes.
We are in the 25th century, where technology has advanced greatly, making everyday life easy. Cities now have a more futuristic look and design, and transportation has become smooth and fast thanks to technological innovation that has changed many ways we travel. AI is now more intelligent than ever, and different gadgets have been upgraded to really smart devices. Every home is a smart home with its own unique AI system. Thanks to advanced technology, the medical sector has become efficient and more reliable in treating complicated illnesses. New medical equipment and technologies have been made to combat all types of diseases, and drugs are now more efficient than ever. It has been a great change for mankind, as we have been able to combat climate change and reduce its effects. Fossil fuel and nuclear power plants have been shut down and destroyed, and now we use clean and reliable energy, ensuring a clean and greener future for our planet.
It has also been a giant leap for mankind in the space exploration sector. Spaceflights are now much faster, as better and newer spaceships are faster and flights are more efficient, traveling at hypersonic speeds, making space exploration easier as mankind explores the solar system, stars, and planets beyond the Milky Way. Even a space exploration base called Lunar was established on the moon to monitor Earth's orbit and any strange, unfamiliar sightings. Mars has been colonized; humans first landed on Mars in the 21st century, and robots and artificial plant growers were dispatched to start the terraforming of Mars. Now Mars has an Earth-like resemblance. This was mainly done to curb the overpopulation crisis on Earth. Earth's population was reduced from a staggering 11.9 billion people to 6 billion people, and now Earth has a stable population, while Mars has a population of 5.9 billion people.
We may all think we are in a technologically advanced and peaceful era, but that's wrong. Military weapons are getting more deadly; nuclear warheads are now more destructive than ever, thanks to new tech. There are still dictators around the world and leaders who are hungry for more power to rule their people with an iron hand. What if they wage war against each other to try and bring the other down? How many people will suffer? How many lives will be lost? What damage will it bring? How destructive will it be?
Then Robert imagined a war scene.
He walked in the middle of a city street that was badly damaged. Explosions were heard everywhere as buildings crumbled and people ran for their lives. Sounds of gunshots could be heard, and then multiple rains of bullets were fired on civilians as bodies dropped to the floor. People's body parts littered everywhere. He felt like the whole world had turned into a living hell. In front of him was a bloody massacre of innocent civilians; the bodies of women and children littered the floor, and the soldiers kept firing. But still, he couldn't do anything to save them.
Then he turned back and saw his family in the middle of the war as they called out to him to run. He noticed a missile heading for them. He ran toward them, trying to protect them from the incoming missile. He ran as fast as he could, but his legs couldn't carry him any faster. He stretched out his hand to them as he got closer, but then the missile landed on them. He was blown away by the impact and shockwave as he flew through the air and landed badly on the road. Multiple cracking sounds came from his body as all his bones broke, and he was left in a bloody mess but barely alive. He couldn't move; he lay there helplessly and could only watch his family die in front of him. The explosion was so great that their remains couldn't be seen. Robert could only cry. Then he closed his eyes, as the people he swore to protect were killed in front of him, and he couldn't do anything.
So that's the way it is. Without strength, I can't win nor fight back. But now I have a chance. I can turn the tables and be able to fight back and stand strong against all odds. He felt like he was in an empty void, and then he snapped back to reality.
"What the heck did I just experience now, Mr. Ling Zhong?" Robert asked him, breathing heavily, tears filling his eyes. He clenched his fist tightly as anger raged inside him, remembering all the awful times.
"Looks like your inner mind showed you what it's like when you are without power and strength. You just lose those around you. Your inner mind is a way of conquering your fears," the old man said as he stroked his beard.
Then Robert fell to his knees and kowtowed to Ling Zhong, saying,
"Master Ling Zhong, please accept me as your disciple, and I accept the mission. Please, Master Ling Zhong, guide me on the path of cultivation and teach me to be a great warrior," he said respectfully.
Ling Zhong looked at him and said,
"Get up now, boy. I accept you as my disciple. Your tears aren't weakness but a sign of newfound potential in you. So your training begins tonight. And one thing: you need to have the crystal by your side at all times. So know what you are fighting for and your will of fire," Ling Zhong told Robert, who was full of determination and affirmed Ling Zhong's words. And Robert's path of cultivation began.