Chapter 6: TRUTH AND ORIGIN ENERGY
Three days after the battle, a procession of cultivators from the Neutral Valley Sect arrived at Mount Azure—their robes a neutral grey, their demeanor calm and impartial. Led by Elder Xuan, a respected cultivator at Stage 7 of the Immortal Realm (stats multiplied by 320, lifespan extended by 1,400 years), they'd come to verify the claims made by both the Azure Cloud and Black Mountain Sects.
Jemark stood beside Elder Tian Feng at the main gate as the visitors approached. His Perception ability—sharpened by his connection to Omniscience—immediately picked up on the unique flow of spiritual energy radiating from Elder Xuan and his disciples. Unlike the aggressive energy of the Black Mountain Sect or the steady energy of Azure Cloud, Neutral Valley's power was balanced, drawing from multiple sources.
"Elder Tian Feng," Elder Xuan said, bowing respectfully. "We've come to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter of the Iron Palm Crushing Art. We'll examine your archives, speak with your disciples, and then travel to the Black Mountain Sect to do the same."
"We welcome your investigation," Elder Tian Feng replied. "We have nothing to hide."
As the Neutral Valley cultivators were led to the guest quarters to rest, Jemark returned to the Archive Pavilion to prepare the relevant scrolls and records. He'd spent the past three days organizing every document related to the Golden Crane Clan and the disputed technique, making sure everything was clear and easy to understand.
His current stats had seen a small boost from the aftermath of the battle—his body adapting to the stress and his focus sharpened by the experience:
- Strength (STR): 0.100251368
- Dexterity (DEX): 0.100251347
- Constitution (CON): 0.100251389
- Intelligence (INT): 0.100251417
- Focus (FOC): 0.100251412
- Wisdom (WIS): 0.100251435
- Perception (PER): 0.100251403
- Charisma (CHA): 10 (unchanged)
As he arranged the scrolls on the table, he felt a familiar tingle in his body—not just his passive stat gain, but the subtle flow of Origin Energy from his true body. He'd realized during the battle that his One in All power wasn't just a collection of abilities—it was rooted in Origin Energy, the infinite energy source of his true form. By analyzing the various types of power in this world—spiritual energy, chakra, demonic energy—he'd found that Origin Energy could mimic and enhance all of them, as it was the source from which all other energies were derived.
"Origin Energy is infinite," he murmured to himself, letting a tiny fraction of it flow through his fingers. It glowed with a soft white light, pure and untamed. "Every type of power in this world is just a different expression of what I already have."
He'd begun to experiment with small amounts of Origin Energy, using it to reinforce the scrolls and improve their preservation. It was a subtle use—nothing that would draw attention—but it made the techniques more effective for those who practiced them, increasing their stat gains by a small but noticeable amount.
Later that day, Elder Xuan and his senior disciples arrived at the Archive Pavilion to begin their investigation. Jemark greeted them politely, bowing low.
"You must be Jemark," Elder Xuan said, his eyes studying Jemark carefully. "We've heard a great deal about you—the archive keeper who exposed Kuroda's lies and helped defend the sect."
"I just did what I could to help," Jemark replied modestly. "Please, let me show you the records we have related to the Golden Crane Clan and the Iron Palm Crushing Art."
He led them through the archives, pointing out the relevant scrolls and explaining his analysis. "As you can see from these records, the Iron Palm Crushing Art was developed by the Golden Crane Clan over two hundred years ago. They infused their techniques with energy from crane feathers, which gives them a distinct golden signature—you can see it clearly in these surviving fragments."
He unrolled a small piece of parchment—one of the few surviving relics from the Golden Crane Clan. Elder Xuan leaned forward, his spiritual energy reaching out to examine it. His eyes widened slightly as he felt the signature.
"This matches the technique Kuroda carries," he said quietly. "But how did you know this? You're not a cultivator—you shouldn't be able to identify energy signatures with such precision."
"I've spent a lot of time studying the records of different clans and sects," Jemark said. "Each one has a unique way of infusing energy into their techniques. By analyzing hundreds of scrolls and relics, I've learned to recognize their signatures—even without being able to cultivate myself."
Elder Xuan nodded, but Jemark could tell he wasn't fully convinced. The Neutral Valley cultivator walked over to a shelf of scrolls containing the sect's core techniques and picked one up—"Azure Cloud Breathing Method – Revised Edition".
"This technique has been modified," he said, his eyes scanning the scroll. "The breathing rhythm, the meridian flow, the energy focus—all have been adjusted to be more effective. Who made these changes?"
"I did," Jemark said. "After analyzing hundreds of records of disciple progress, I identified areas where the original technique could be improved. The modifications increase efficiency by nearly seven percent and reduce the risk of blocked meridians by forty percent."
"These are significant improvements," Elder Xuan said, his voice filled with admiration. "Most cultivators would take decades to develop such insights. How did you do it so quickly?"
"I approach cultivation from a different perspective," Jemark explained. "As someone who can't absorb spiritual energy, I focus on the mechanics—the flow, the timing, the structure—rather than the feeling of the energy itself. Sometimes stepping back lets you see the whole picture more clearly."
Elder Xuan studied him for a long moment, then said: "May I examine your spiritual roots? I know you've been told you have no aptitude for cultivation, but I sense something unusual about you."
Jemark hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Of course, Elder."
Elder Xuan placed his hand on Jemark's forehead, and his spiritual energy flowed into Jemark's body. Normally, this would reveal the presence and quality of spiritual roots—but what Elder Xuan found was something he'd never seen before.
Instead of distinct spiritual roots, he felt a steady, infinite flow of pure energy—so powerful it made his own Immortal Realm energy feel like a drop in the ocean. It didn't match any type of power he'd encountered, but it could mimic and enhance every form of energy he could sense.
"What… what is this?" he whispered, pulling his hand back in shock. "This isn't spiritual energy, or chakra, or any known power. It's… everything."
"I call it Origin Energy," Jemark said, deciding to share a small part of the truth. "It's the energy of my true self—an infinite source that can take any form. I can't absorb the world's energy because I already have access to the source from which all energy comes."
"But how?" Elder Xuan asked, his eyes wide with wonder. "No one has ever possessed such power—not even the strongest Dao Realm cultivators."
"I'm not from this world," Jemark said simply. "In my former life, I was just a normal person—but my true form holds power beyond what this world understands. Omniscience lets me analyze and comprehend everything. Omnipresence lets me exist beyond time and space. Omnipotence lets me create and shape anything I desire. Origin Energy is the expression of that power in this world—it's infinite, and it can become any type of energy I need it to be."
The Neutral Valley disciples stared at him in silence, their faces filled with awe. Even Liu Qingyan, who'd entered the pavilion to check on them, stood frozen in shock.
"But if you have such power," Elder Xuan said, "why do you hide it? Why do you work so hard to grow strong the slow way?"
"Because power earned is power worth having," Jemark replied. "My true form's power is infinite, but it's not mine—not really. It was given to me by virtue of what I am. But the strength I earn here, through practice and effort and sacrifice—that's mine alone. It means something."
"I've never heard such wisdom," Elder Xuan said, bowing his head in respect. "You are far more than you appear, Jemark. The world has no idea what it has gained."
Over the next two days, the Neutral Valley Sect completed their investigation. They confirmed that the Iron Palm Crushing Art belonged to the Golden Crane Clan, not the Black Mountain Sect, and that Azure Cloud had no stolen techniques in their archives. They also documented the modified techniques Jemark had created, praising them as some of the most innovative cultivation methods in centuries.
Before they left, Elder Xuan pulled Jemark aside. "The Neutral Valley Sect would be honored to have you as an advisor," he said. "Your insights could help cultivators across the world grow stronger and avoid unnecessary mistakes."
"I appreciate the offer," Jemark said, "but my place is here, with the Azure Cloud Sect. They've given me a home, and I want to help them achieve their dream of becoming the strongest sect in the world."
"Then we will support you in any way we can," Elder Xuan said. "And if you ever need our help—or if you decide to share more of your knowledge with the world—you will always be welcome in Neutral Valley."
As the Neutral Valley cultivators departed, Liu Qingyan approached Jemark, her eyes filled with new understanding. "You could have told us," she said softly. "We would have understood."
"I wanted to earn my place here," he replied. "I wanted you to know me as Jemark—the archive keeper, the quiet man who likes to organize scrolls—not as someone with infinite power. That part of me is important, but it's not all of me."
"We know you," she said, smiling. "You're still the same kind, patient person who helped me with my cultivation. Your power doesn't change that—it just means we have more to learn from you."
That evening, Jemark sat in the Archive Pavilion, looking out at the growing sect below. The news of their victory and the Neutral Valley Sect's findings had spread quickly, and disciples from across the region were beginning to arrive, hoping to join Azure Cloud. With their allies, their improved techniques, and their growing reputation, the sect was well on its way to achieving its dream.
He let a small amount of Origin Energy flow through his body, feeling it enhance his stats slightly. While he still planned to rely on slow, steady growth through the world's cultivation methods, he'd realized that using small amounts of Origin Energy to supplement his progress wasn't cheating—it was just using the tools he had to help the sect he loved.
His stats, boosted by both passive gain and the subtle use of Origin Energy, now stood at:
- Strength (STR): 0.100315204
- Dexterity (DEX): 0.100315182
- Constitution (CON): 0.100315227
- Intelligence (INT): 0.100315259
- Focus (FOC): 0.100315253
- Wisdom (WIS): 0.100315281
- Perception (PER): 0.100315242
- Charisma (CHA): 10 (unchanged)
It was still slow progress compared to his true potential, but he was content. Every step he took was building a foundation not just for himself, but for the sect and all those who would follow in their footsteps.
"The journey ahead is long," he murmured, dipping his brush in ink and beginning to write a new catalog—this one for the techniques he'd developed himself, infused with small amounts of Origin Energy to make them more effective. "But we'll take it one small step at a time."
Far to the north, Kuroda received word of the Neutral Valley Sect's findings. His reputation in ruins, he was forced to step down as leader of the Black Mountain Sect. But he didn't give up his desire for revenge—he'd heard about Jemark's true power and was already planning to find a way to steal it for himself.
But Kuroda had no idea that Origin Energy was infinite, and that the power he sought could never be taken—it could only be earned, one step at a time.