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nZhao Luo and the Old man were still sitting in front of each other. The eight apparitions dissipated while the old man was telling Zhao Luo about the first stage of Naoli which was controlling.

nThe question of Zhao Luo was answered in a form of a lecture by the old man.

nZhao Luo was quite satisfied while listening to this old man’s rambling which was still ongoing.

nThe second stage of Naoli is ‘Summoning’. A person who has already succeeded in controlling his thought can summon it after assembling it in his mind.

nThe old man spoke to Zhao Luo and then went quiet for a second.

nThe old man closed his eyes and in an instant an apparition of that old man appeared between Zhao Luo and the old man.

n‘Hmmm’

nZhao Luo was wondering what the old man would do when he went quiet but this was out of his expectation. Unlike how Zhao Luo does it the apparition summoned by the old man was an instantaneous action.

nThis is how you do it perfectly

nSaid the apparition of the old man. The old man was still quiet. Zhao Luo was further intrigued.

nAs Zhao Luo almost did the same thing for over a year so he knew how hard it was to summon a thought as an apparition but he didn’t know that what he had accomplished would take others more than a century. Others being in question were the geniuses that the old man had mentioned.

n‘Nod’

nZhao Luo gestured at the old man by moving his neck up and down. The old man waved his hand and his apparition disappeared.

nThe third stage is ‘Binding’. Binding is simply keeping the summoned thought in your mind as an apparition. But for as long as you want. The summoned thought which is like an apparition should stay in this mind space for as long as you want.

nThe old man looked at Zhao Luo and smiled.

nYou have already achieved the third stage. Even though you haven’t mastered it but you have indeed stepped on this stage. Achieving the state of binding at your age without any guidance is already an unparalleled record young man. So be Proud of yourself.

nThe old man complimented Zhao Luo again. After hearing this compliment again the old man’s position became even grander in the mind of Zhao Luo.

nZhao Luo knew that it was finally the time to learn the last stage of this ‘Naoli’. The thing he had been waiting for was finally coming.

nFinally he will know how to use these apparitions.

nWhat is the fourth stage of Naoli? How do I use my apparitions?

nZhao Luo went ahead and asked the old man about the fourth stage which the old man would be telling him even if he didn’t ask just to kill his curiosity.

nThe old man looked as if he had paused. Instead of answering the questioning Zhao Luo went ahead and questioned him instead.

nDo you have a master?

nZhao Luo was taken back by the old man’s question.

nI don’t know why you are asking about a master old man but I never had a master.

nZhao Luo answered while thinking.

n‘Why is he even asking me that?’

nGood. You are ready to learn the Fourth stage of Naoli.

nThe old man told the confused Zhao Luo.

nWhat does having a master has anything to do with the fourth stage of Naoli?

nZhao Luo was wondering so why not just question the old man directly.

nI will be your master. As you achieved the third stage by yourself so I only explained what you have already accomplished. But this is different. If I am to impart you my knowledge to help you in advancing to the fourth stage then you will have to become my student.

nThe old man stated his condition to Zhao Luo.

nMaster what are you talking about?

nZhao Luo questioned as if he didn’t understand anything.

nHahaha indeed worth teaching.

nThe old was quite pleased with Zhao Luo being shameless.

nThe fourth stage of Naoli is ‘assimilation’.You controlled your thoughts. Then summoned them. Bound them to your mental space. Now you have to use them to increase your powers.

nThe old man lectured Zhao Luo.

nOld man that is what I have asked you. How do I use them? How?

nZhao Luo was getting annoyed by the old man not getting to the point.

nOh Ho is that how you talk to your master?

nThe old man scolded Zhao Luo and made a disappointing face.

nMaster

nZhao Luo said.

nI was talking to myself kindly continue Hehe.

nZhao Luo recovered very quickly. As they say students always follow in their teacher’s footsteps.

nZhao Luo was already picking the old man’s habits starting with his awfully ‘not cute’ laugh.

nThat’s better.

nThe old man said.

nBut there is something we have to do before I teach you the fourth stage.

nThe old man continued.

nYou will have to kowtow to me three times. This will make you my eternal student and bound our fates. Then my teachings will become your learnings and one day these same teachings will become your teachings and somebody else will be learning them. So tell me your name first.

nThe old man told Zhao Luo.

n‘This situation feels like one from an old school martial arts movie.’

nZhao Luo matched his situation to one of the movies he had seen where the student has to bow down showing respect to the teacher before the teacher can start imparting his teachings onto him.

nBut during all this since the old man had appeared in front of him till now Zhao Luo realized that he forgot to ask the old man about his identity.

nZhao Luo freaked out and asked the old man.

nOld man Who are you?

nZhao Luo was feeling a wave of embarrassment while asking that question.

nHe thought

n‘Shit Why didn’t I ask him when he first appeared here?’

nWhile the old man was still quiet Zhao Luo was going to take back his question and tell him that the old man didn’t have to answer his question.

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