41 The first battle 1 (1/2)

\”Let's go Gates, we have an irregularity to destroy.\”

Gates appeared in front of Mao Lu in its large book form, it wrapped around him and when it pulled away, Mao Lu was dressed in his formal Gatekeeper clothing.

His hair tied up in a bun as he wore battle attire and latticed armour.

\”Mao Lu, before we leave I suggest we take that Chàng Bo with us.\” Gates said.

\”Why?\” Mao Lu was confused, why would it be necessary to bring Chàng Bo along.

\”Firstly the reason for bringing him is because he's a Practitioner at the Dao stage. In this Realm the most powerful practitioners are at the Immortal stage, those of higher levels tend to move to more stronger Realms with greater and more pure essence. Chàng Bo is the strongest practitioner currently in Realm 145.

In addition you are only at the Awakening stage, although you have Sensed the Realm you are still not at the Merging stage, as you have yet to fully Control the Realm. Because of that, despite your immense power you lack any skills and techniques. Even with your ability to control Time you still haven't progressed on that path sufficiently or learnt any skills involving Time. You haven't even mastered the skills Expel, Seal and Allow. Which are basic Gatekeeper techniques that allow you to expel, allow or seal things in your Realm.

You haven't even chosen your sacred weapon yet.

I was planning on teaching you these techniques when you entered the Merging Stage, I didn't think there would be a fight so quickly and didn't teach you these things. I am sorry.

Right now if you went to fight the irregularity you wouldn't be able to do defend yourself against it.

That's why you should take Chàng Bo along with you. He is skilled and a practitioner at the Dao stage, the Dao stage isn't something to be looked down upon. We don't know what form the irregularity will take, if it is in a very mobile and attacking form then having Chàng Bo with you would be better.\”

As Gates explained this, Mao Lu who had been all gung-ho and ready to run out there and fight, slowly lost his enthusiasm and found himself sitting on his bed with a dumbfounded expression.

\”Are you saying I'm completely helpless and useless?\” Mao Lu couldn't help but ask with exasperation.

\”You are not useless or helpless, you are the only one that can locate and seal this irregularity.

Through your training so far you've been able to greatly improve your senses and your body. At the moment your entire body is tougher than a tier 1 heavenly item, your blood is thicker than Mercury and imbued with the purest essence.

However, against an irregularity that could potentially collapse this Realm, its abilities are far beyond that of a normal practitioner and far beyond your current skill level. That's why it would be helpful to bring along Chàng Bo.\” Gates explained thoroughly, \”It isn't that you are useless or helpless. Do not worry, when we reach the Irregularity I will teach you how to Seal it and Expel it.\”

Mao Lu couldn't help but sigh, it was like he was going into war with a gun that he didn't know how to shoot. He had a feeling that getting rid of this irregularity was most definitely not going to be easy.

\”Then let's go.\” Mao Lu stood up and opened the sliding wooden doors, Gates transformed back into a keychain and hooked itself to Mao Lu's belt.

As Mao Lu pushed apart the sliding doors, and they slid open, he saw white snow across the landscape.

The courtyard was covered in blankets of thick snow, as Mao Lu used Sense of the Realm, he realised that the entire of Beijing was covered in snow. The entire city had transformed into a winter wonderland.

It was December now, so snow wasn't uncommon, but Mao Lu hadn't seen such heavy snow in his entire life.

\”You did this as you trained, the weather around you reflects your heart. As you suffered there was a blizzard.\” Gates commented.

\”I did this.\” Mao Lu was stupefied. He hadn't realised he had such an ability.

\”As you merge with the Realm more, the more your emotions will affect the Realm. Luckily you were able to complete Sense of the Realm or you might have enveloped this entire planet and perhaps many more into an eternal winter.\” Gates said nonchalantly

Mao Lu went a bit pale just thinking about that.

Earlier he'd felt his mind fading away and he really felt himself disappearing. He'd realised at that moment that he overestimated himself, that he didn't have the strength to continue. But, then Chàng Bo's voice came to him like a blessing from the heavens, giving him strength to achieve his goal.

He blushed just remembering Chàng Bo saying \”I admire how hard you train… You have nerves of steel...I hope you're not pushing yourself too hard.\”

A silly grin came over Mao Lu's face. \”He was worried about me… He admires me.\”

Mao Lu did a little dance in happiness as he jumped onto the surface of the blankets of snow. His body had become extremely light and weightless, he easily skipped over the snowy surface without sinking into it, and made his way through the courtyard.

He stopped in front of a peculiar spherical mound of snow. He gently brushed the snow aside and soon he could see Chàng Bo.

Chàng Bo was sitting still, cross legged, and meditating. He floated slightly off the ground and his aura made a spherical forcefield around him.

\”Hello Chàng Bo.\” Mao Lu said with a smile, his voice gentle and tender.

If Gates had eyes it would have rolled them and if it had a mouth it would have faked being sick. Mao Lu's voice was just too gentle and too sweet.

Chàng Bo's blue star filled eyes snapped open and gazed at Mao Lu.

As Mao Lu stood in his blue Gatekeeper robes, that had the time essences running across the fabric, his long hair tied up in a bun. With his appearance more flawless and surreal, his lips pink like ripe fruit, and his eyes gleaming a soft purple-green. Against the canvas of the winter snow he was truly stunning.

Chàng Bo blinked repeatedly as he glanced up at Mao Lu. He felt something stir in his heart slightly.

He smiled up at him. \”Is everything okay?\”

\”There is something dangerous running around in my Realm and I was about to head out to deal with it. Would you like to come with me? As they say two is better than one.\” Mao Lu said softly.

\”You want me to help you! Would I not just drag you down?\” To Chàng Bo a Gatekeepers abilities far exceeded his own. Wouldn't he just drag Mao Lu down…but then it occurred to Chàng Bo. This was a perfect opportunity to deepen their bond, he shouldn't refuse this.

\”No you wouldn't drag me down, I'd like it if you accompanied me.\” Mao Lu replied quickly.

\”Then I won't refuse you.\” Chàng Bo responded just as quickly.

Mao Lu smiled widely \”Good let's go!\”

This time as Gates pulled Mao Lu onto the air, It also pulled up Chàng Bo.

To Chàng Bo an invisible force had suddenly wrapped around him and pulled him quickly into the sky at lightning speed.

This speed was hundred times faster than Chàng Bo's movement technique Angel Flight.

Chàng Bo barely blinked before the scenery around them had changed and they were standing in a snow filled park.

It was empty.

For some reason just standing there made his skin crawl and an eerie chill seeped into his flesh. Something wasn't right, he felt like he was being watched.

___________________________

TIAN'ANMEN POLICE BUREAU

Frank Wang sat at his desk. His head in his hands.

He'd been stuck at work for practically two weeks. At first the snow hadn't been too bad but during the last two weeks the snow had gotten so bad that it went up to the waist of an average person.