Revolving Heavens
Summary: My mother had worked her ass off to get enough money for me to join a sect, and I was pissing it all away due to my ineptitude. I was the weakest, and the bullied, as I always had been… That was, until one day, I found a little black book in my room. And it changed my life… "I'll ascend… And become a god." Cultivator Percy, many crossovers (mostly just charas). Many OCs
Pairing: Percy/? (Possible Harem)
I: The First Step
"God damn it!"
A frustrated voice cut through the still air of the night, a fist slamming into a tree nearby, but causing little to no damage. All it did was cause damage to the hand that hit it.
"Why am I so damned useless!?" The voice roared through the night. "Why can't I get any stronger!? Why is my cultivation not progressing at all!? Why… Why is it I always let her down?"
The body of a young man slumped to the floor, tears of frustration building in his eyes as he lamented his own ineptitude, and weakness.
Hello. My name is Perseus Jackson.
Almost sixteen years ago, I was born to Sally Jackson, a young hardworking farm girl, and an unknown man. I have no idea who my father is and, considering he's never been around for me, I don't particularly care.
My life was rough growing up. My mother used to be part of a bigger family, but when she got pregnant with the child of some unknown man, they tossed her out, and she was forced to move around, going from job to job and working hard to raise me.
When I turned 13, she revealed that she'd starved herself some nights, and done some unsavoury things, all to save up enough money so that I could join a Sect and cultivate, to become a powerful warrior and live a good life.
What is a Sect, you ask?
A Sect is a group of people that study martial arts and various other abilities. We all seek the path to the heavens, to become an immortal and reign over the world. Sects were usually split into two groups: Outer Disciples and Inner Disciples. The Outer Disciples usually had to work hard to obtain their resources, though the higher-ranking ones received some from the Sect. The Inner disciples were almost exclusively supported by the Sect, with each one being guaranteed many resources, even if they were the lowest rank.
My mother worked hard to get me the money to enter a Sect, so I promised her that I- wait, what do you mean you don't know what Cultivation is? Have you been living under a rock?
I guess I can explain… Cultivation is sort of like a life style, and a technique. Every person contains an inner energy within themselves. The name of this energy changes depending on where you are, but I know it best as Qi. It is something like life energy. That life energy can be cultivated, and help the body strengthen, as well as grant access to powerful Marital Arts techniques. It can also be used to create arrays, sort of like barriers, and do a multitude of other things.
Cultivation is split into many levels. From what I know, there are eight stages of cultivation, and every stage has levels that serve as a mark of your strength and progress. Furthermore, there are different cultivation techniques that are used, some better than others, and some with dire consequences, but more on that later.
Anyway, I promised my mother that I would do my best to cultivate and grow strong enough that I could provide her money to live life comfortably. Maybe not as a queen, but enough to live her life in comfort without having to work a day in her life ever again.
But fate was not kind to me.
It wasn't so bad at first, but it was apparent that the Heaven Wheel Sect worked on a hierarchy system. If your cultivation was bad, you were a slave. If your cultivation was good, you were treasured and praised.
Despite always doing my best, I was stuck at the first level of the Mundane Realm, the first realm. In other words, I might as well be no better than a civilian. I was trash, and was treated as such.
It didn't matter how much I tried to cultivate; it was almost like my progress was stunted. It didn't help that, due to being trash, I received few if any resources from the Sect to help my progress.
And I was treated like shit. I often had to do tasks for more established members, and do nothing while they demeaned me, or attacked me for fun. They humiliated me day in and day out, it was awful. But I couldn't leave. If I left, then all my mother's work would have been for nothing. So, I was forced to suck it up and try to cultivate to stop being treated like trash.
But I failed.
At every turn, no matter what I did, I kept failing.
And so, there I was, in the middle of the night, breaking down and sobbing as I leaned against the tree. I lamented my own weakness, my failures, and the fact I was letting down my mother.
"Three years tomorrow…" I sniffed as I wiped away my tears, slowly getting up and making myself towards the small shack that was my home while staying in the Sect.
Three years since I'd joined the Sect, and I was still as much of a failure as when I'd joined. Trapped at the first level of the Mundane Realm, with no way to get stronger, a disgrace to the Sect, and to my mother.
I sighed as I pushed open the door, flopping onto my bed with a grunt. "Home sweet home," I muttered bitterly to myself.
I hated this. This life I was living… If it could even be called life. I got up in the morning, doing mundane tasks, sometimes getting crappy resources, sometimes getting none at all, and then had to pander to the 'Seniors' of the Sect. Then at night, I cultivated to try and increase my strength.
But it didn't work. Nothing worked.
I curled up in my bed and pounded my fist on the sheets. "Damn it… Why does nothing I do help me progress? Have the Heavens decreed that I'm going to be weak and pathetic for my entire life? That I'll fail my mother, and end up leaving the Heaven Wheel Sect as a complete and total failure?"
I pounded my fist on the bed harder. "I can't… I can't let that happen… I have to get stronger… I have to be as powerful as I can be. I have to become a strong enough warrior that my mother can live a life of comfort and luxury. I need… I need to make sure that she didn't starve herself and do unsavoury things for nothing…"
I got out of bed and made my way to my small dresser, planning to read through the book detailing the 'Rising Sun' Cultivation technique again, the technique taught in the Sect to help beginners get used to Cultivating. When you reached the fifth stage of the Mundane Realm, they gave you options of more specialised techniques. The more you understood a technique, the more powerful it would become.
When I opened my drawer, I blinked as I saw the book the Academy gave out, but also saw a book that I didn't recognise. A little black book, with no cover. It looked plain, like a diary or journal. But I hadn't bought it, so how did it get here?
I hesitated before I reached out and took the book, lifting it up and flicking through the pages.
Blank.
I sighed. "I don't know what I was expecting. Honestly, how was a book that appeared out of nowhere supposed to help me anyway?"
I was about to close the book, when suddenly it began to glow with a pale white light. I paused, staring down at it curiously, before words began to appear on it.
"What…?" I took a closer look, to see what was written.
The -E-N C-U- Book contains knowledge of all the world. Ask a question, and the book shall provide information on how to achieve it. The book only has knowledge on the world itself and techniques, and questions must be somewhat direct in order for the book to provide an answer. If the question is too vague, or that of people rather than information from the world, techniques, or its history, then it cannot be answered.
"… Is this for real?" I whispered as I stared down at the book.
Yes.
My eyes widened. Holy shit… If this was real, and it wasn't just a dream, then I had somehow struck the proverbial Gold Mine. This book was greater than any Sacred Treasure held by the Heaven Wheel Sect, or any of the bigger Sects that existed throughout the world.
Knowledge of all the world and techniques… That meant it could potentially help me learn a better cultivation technique… Or even step into a great profession to help me provide my mother the life of luxury she deserved!
I would be weary of this book just in case, especially since its name didn't appear properly for whatever reason, but I would use this book to its full potential in order to achieve my goals.
"… I'll take a risk… I have nothing to lose besides my life anyway… I'll use this book, and ascend beyond what anyone thought of me," I nodded resolutely as I sat on my bed.
"Alright. Tell me, Book. My cultivation has been stunted at the First Level of the Mundane Realm for three years. Why?"
I knew that the book couldn't tell me about me specifically, but it could gather knowledge from the world. It was my hope that it would provide possible reasons why my Cultivation was so trash.
My eyes lit up with glee as the book glowed, and words began to appear within. Words I read eagerly.
There are many possible reasons for one's cultivation to be stunted. If the body's Meridians are not damaged, then the most likely reason is that the person is not suited to a particular cultivation technique. Every person is different, and thus their bodies may respond better to different cultivation techniques than others. If three years have passed without progress, there is a high chance that the cultivation technique is unsuitable, and they should change it immediately.
"… My cultivation technique is the reason?" I felt as if a weight lifted off of my shoulders. "So, it isn't my fault! It isn't that I'm trash, it's just that my body isn't suited to the Rising Sun Technique! … Book, tell me the details of the Rising Sun Technique!"
The Rising Sun Technique, as the name suggests, is one best practised during the early hours of the morning, when the sun is rising. It focuses on absorbing the Light Energy of the world and converting it to power that will swell within one's core and expand their Soul Realm. However, this technique is unreliable due to the short time it can be practised, and can damage one's Meridians.
My eyes widened in shock… That meant that I was also at fault. But practising during Sunrise was impossible for me, as I had to get to work during that time!
"… In other words, they're fucking me over," I hissed out in realisation, lifting my thumb up and biting down on my nail. "Those bastards… So, trash will always stay trash, is that it? Well, I reject that notion… Book, teach me the best cultivation technique for training at night."
The book was blank for a moment before it glowed and a huge number of words appeared. I blinked in surprise before I began to read diligently.
There are many cultivation techniques one can practise during the night. Ideally, one should only practise one cultivation technique throughout their journey. While it is rare, changing techniques could cause excess damage to the Meridians. Many cultivation techniques are incompatible with one another, meaning that people will often only use one technique at a time.
However, there is a cultivation technique that has two forms that can be used alongside one another. One used during the day, and one used during the night. This Cultivation Art is known as the Revolving Heavens.
My eyes widened in shock when I read that. I knew that people only used one technique at a time, but for there to be a technique that had two stages for use in day and night… That was incredible. Most techniques were the same during day or night but, from what little I read, it sounded like this technique changed between day and night stages. In other word, it optimised and adapted between day and night, to ensure maximum efficiency.
I greedily began to read the book… Unknowing that this was the first step into a life of adventure, danger, and things I never thought I would achieve.
A life I embraced whole heartedly.
.
.
.
As a result of my eagerness, I ended up studying the Revolving Heavens technique all night instead of trying to cultivate like I should have. I quickly hid the book under my floorboards instead of in my drawer.
Something as valuable as the book shouldn't just be somewhere anyone could find it. No, better to keep it in a hidden place. The floorboard would only be temporary, I'd do my best to hide it in a more secure area when I had one in mind.
I quickly hurried out of my shack as the sun began to rise, heading straight for my first duty: helping prepare breakfast for the senior members.
Upon entering the Sect, everyone's aptitude was tested. Those who were Fourth Level Mundane Realm or lower were all taught how to cook, in order to make sure the Seniors were fed. They then got the eat whatever was leftover with the Seniors were done eating… It was a disgusting system, one made to motivate people to work hard to reach the Fifth Level Mundane Realm.
I'd been working in the kitchen for three years, ever since I arrived in the Sect on my thirteenth birthday. I'd made and lost many friends in that time, all of them people who started off at the First Level like me, but quickly ascended to higher ones and left me behind.
It reached the point that nobody bothered making friends with me anymore, thanks to the reputation I'd earned as 'The Eternal Failure.' This was more evident than ever when I entered the kitchens, and everyone just glanced at me before they got back to work, cooking.
I didn't react as I began to put my focus on cooking too. I didn't know for sure if the Revolving Heavens Technique would help me out as much as I hoped, but it was my best shot. I would take it, and I would do my best to prove everyone wrong.
"Look alive!" One of the Fourth Stage Disciples- Ignis- spoke up. "It's time for the Seniors to enjoy their breakfast! Jackson, Black, Yamamoto. You'll be manning the counters and serving it up while the rest of us focus on other duties."
I let out a sigh but got into position, another young man with black hair and red eyes standing to my left, while a young man with black hair and blue eyes stood to my right.
It didn't take long for the seniors to pile in and get in line for breakfast, and the three of us at the counter got to work serving up the food.
"Well, well, if it isn't Jackson," a voice came, and I had to restrain a sigh as I looked up into the eyes of a tall ginger with brown eyes: Cardin Winchester.
Cardin Winchester came from a rich family that got him into the Sect, and provided him with resources. Because of that, many sought to obtain his favour and his resources. He was at the Seventh Level of the Mundane Realm, but there were high hopes for him.
"Senior Brother Winchester, a pleasure to see you today," I said in my usual polite voice with a fake smile.
"Heh, good to see you still know your place, Jackson," he smirked at me, only increasing my desire to punch him in the face. "When are you gonna just leave and give up? You'll never make it past the First Level of the Mundane Realm, while I'm well on my way to the Bronze Realm."
"My best wishes to Senior Brother Winchester, however I can't allow myself to give up. I thank Senior Brother for his concern for me, however," I said to him, deliberately misinterpreting what he said.
Cardin's smile faded and he scoffed before he collected his food and walked away… He must have been in a good mood, usually he would have beaten the crap out of me after I got cheeky with him.
I wanted to hit myself for acting out like that, especially when I should be starting to lay low after receiving that book. I wouldn't put it past Cardin to get revenge by ruining my shack and taking anything valuable I had from it.
"You really shouldn't antagonise them," a voice said to my left, making me cast my gaze to Ares Black. "You're courting death every time."
"… I'll take it under advisement," I told him, before I put my focus on serving breakfast for everyone.
Thankfully, besides Cardin, most people didn't really bother picking on me anymore. It had gotten boring for them a while ago, so now they mostly just made a snide remark before walking off to eat.
Conversation in the hall was bustling, but all of it ceased when the doors opened, and in walked Naoto Shirogane.
As always, he walked with an elegance that nobody else could manage. Naoto was beautiful, some would say too beautiful, and talented. He arrived at the Sect as a Fifth Level Mundane Realm only two years ago, and was already at the Seventh Level of the Bronze Realm. It likely wouldn't be much longer until he hit the Rising Star Realm, and was accepted as an Inner Disciple. There were even rumours that he'd already found and merged together with a Spirit Beast, but those were just rumours.
Even if people didn't like him, they respected him and his talent. Nobody dared get in his way either, or attacked those under his protection. It was as good as political suicide when someone as powerful as Shirogane was involved.
Shirogane approached the counter, collecting his breakfast, before his eyes landed on me. "Brother Jackson."
"Senior Brother Shirogane," I such, much more respectfully than when I said it to Cardin.
"Have you thought on my offer at all?"
I let out a sigh… It wasn't the first time Shirogane had approached me with his offer.
Shirogane seemed to have something of a bleeding heart. More often than not, he'd end up taking in the weaker outer sect members, and taking them under his protection. He had many followers as a result, all of them following him out of thanks for helping them when they were at their lowest.
More than once, he'd offered to take me in under his protection. But, every time, I had refused. It wasn't that I didn't like him or respect him, I thought he was a nice guy. My problem was my own pride. Even at my lowest, I had my pride. I refused to bow to anyone, no matter who it was. I might fake pleasantries and such, but I would never bow, subservient to another no matter how pleasant they were.
I refused.
"I'm sorry to tell you, but my answer is still no."
Shirogane let out a sigh, but nodded. "Well, it's always there if you want it," he told me as he took his plate and walked off.
"You know, I don't get you," Ares Black said to me as we continued to serve people. "You clearly want to get stronger; I can see that in your eyes, and you could do so under Shirogane. But you always say no, despite it being completely illogical."
"There's no grandiose reason like I think I'm better than him, or that I think I'm better without him," I responded. "… It's just simple pride. No matter how low I get, I have no plans to bow and become subservient to anyone. Even if it means I'm courting death."
Ares didn't respond, though I did notice a pensive look on his face, considering.
The rest of breakfast passed in silence at the counter.
.
.
.
I let out a sigh as I returned to my room, closing the door as the sun began to set.
It was like this every day for me. During the day, I would be so busy, with no time to practise my cultivation, so I was forced to cultivate through the night. It often resulted in little to no sleep, which wasn't great considering I hardly got to eat most days, and some days I didn't get to eat at all.
I shook my head as I lifted up the floorboard, retrieving the black book from underneath as I took a seat on my bed, crossing my legs.
"Book, detail how to perform the Revolving Heavens Technique at night," I told the book. I'd already read about it the previous night, but better safe than sorry. I didn't want to perform it wrong and damage my meridians or fuck up my cultivation.
The book glowed before I opened it, and words appeared on the page.
The Revolving Heavens technique is performed slightly differently at night during the day for a beginner. As the Qi at night is filled with Yin Energy- thus more dangerous- it is something one should not absorb until they are within the Rising Star Realm, instead the Qi is used differently.
At night, one must take in the Qi and rotate it through their entire bodies and Meridians, before letting it out back into the world. This helps temper the Yang energy within the body without overwhelming it, thus increasing the power of one's Qi, as well as strengthening the Meridians within the body, allowing them to be strong enough to allow the more advanced night technique when the user reaches the Bronze Realm, instead of being forced to wait until the Rising Star Realm.
I winced a bit as I read it, shaking my head. It was no wonder I wasn't progressing, cultivating at night was dangerous. Honestly, were it not for the fact that the Rising Sun Technique didn't really work at night- as I'd read in the book- I'd probably be suffering from Moonlight Sickness, and my cultivation would be cripples. I got lucky.
In a world like this, I couldn't allow myself to rely on fickle things like 'luck.' The fact I had this book was probably luck I'd accumulated over several lifetimes; I would not allow myself to let it go to waste.
I closed the book and set it on my lap, before I closed my eyes and focused on what the book said.
Take in the world's Qi…
A cold feeling slowly pushed through my body, like a chill. I could feel my body getting colder as I took in the Qi of the night.
Rotate it through my entire body…
A chill ran throughout me as my entire body temperature dropped. I let out a shaky breath. Though I couldn't see it, I was sure that my breath was visible, that was how cold my body felt.
I thought I would have to release the Qi soon, but I began to feel my body warming up. Something changed within me, a heat building within my core.
And then… Release it back out into the world…!
I pushed the cold Qi of the night out of my body, and something clicked within me. A rush of power surged through my body, my eyes snapping open as I felt the power burst out of my body. I looked at my hands, seeing a light blue aura coming off of my body.
"Did I just… Break through…?" I breathed out in shock.
Breaking through. The Phenomena that occurred whenever one broke through to another level or into another realm. A visible aura came off of their body, an aura of light coming from their body depending on their soul type.
It was a feeling I had never experienced until now, and it was wonderful. Truly wonderful, as I felt the power coursing through my veins. And to think, this was only the Second Level of the Mundane Realm!
But even so…
"Isn't that a bit too quick?" I mumbled. "I only used the technique once, after all… And this blue aura… What kind of soul do I have? I've never heard of a blue aura."
I lifted up the book. "Tell me about blue soul types."
Blue Type Souls- better known as Blizzard Souls- are the rarest souls, rarer than dual souls like Lightning-Fire. Blizzard Souls are better suited to cultivating at night instead of the day, though they can cultivate during either time, they receive the best results at night. Blizzard souls are naturally attuned to both Yin and Yang Qi, as opposed to many other souls which have to adapt to Yin or Yang Qi over time. As a result of this, Blizzard Souls are able to cultivate much faster than other souls, though natural talent still plays a part. The possibility of having this soul type is one in one billion.
"I… Have a rare soul type…?" I breathed out in shock, looking as the last vestiges of blue energy rolled off of my body. "No wonder I didn't cripple myself then… Even though it's dangerous to cultivate at night, I'm naturally attuned to Yin and Yang Qi, so the effects on my body are heavily diminished compared to others.
I clenched the book tightly. This book really was a Heavenly Treasure beyond anything.
My goal wasn't impossible any more. With the knowledge I could obtain from this book, being a great warrior wasn't even a question… I could even push beyond that and maybe, just maybe… I could become a God.
I had one month until the aptitude test, and the standings would change.
I would pool together my resources, and abuse the shit out of this book. I wouldn't settle for the Fifth Level Mundane Realm. I would use this month, and do everything I could to reach the Bronze Realm.
The days of the weak Percy Jackson were now over. Today would mark the first step in the journey of Perseus, the God.
AN
Well, those of you wondering why I've not been posting as of late, is this story. I've been unable to write anything, purely because I've been reading so many cultivator manga (manhwa, whatever) on manga sites, and I've just been unable to focus enough to write any of my other stories.
Now, before people start whining, none of my stories are discontinued, they're just on hold. People need to understand that motivation is a big thing with story writers. Many stories that stop getting written are simply due to a loss of motivation, or a heavy wall of writer's block. That's just me right now, I'm not really motivated to write anything else. Whenever I've tried to write anything, I've just been unable to. This is the first thing I've written in two months, ever since I posted the latest chapter of Monster They Called Me.
So, for now, my focus is going to be on this story. I'm sure that, inevitably, I'll end up losing motivation for this too, and will focus on something else. But, for now, look forward to this story.
Oh, and in regards to possible harem, I already know exactly who I'm going to pair Percy with, I'm just debating on if a harem is worth it or not. Especially since 'harems' in other cultivator stories really seem to be the protagonist has one love interest, and every other girl is just someone they are naïve about. If I do a harem story here, I'll make sure to do it right.
That's all from me for now. This is Ezras Hargrave, signing off!