In the hall, the elders quickly took their leave, spreading the news and contemplating their next actions. If their descendants or disciples beca the heir, their status would be almost comparable to the matriarch’s. This was more theoretical, however, as knowing the matriarch, they might wait for the opportune mont to strike, fearing to offend her.
Among them, only Bai She knew that his mother didn’t care about him. She hadn’t given him any artifacts or placed any protectors to save him. If the elders had thought more deeply, they would know that Bai She didn’t even have his mother’s support.
"Do you want to prepare a room for you, stinking monk?" Sijin asked sarcastically, seeing Manesh still in the hall.
"May I have an audience with the matriarch?"
"Speak, what do you want?" She was clearly hostile, even though the monk himself didn’t know the reason.
"You’ve no doubt noticed your son’s injury."
"Yes, and so what? I’m afraid this kind of thing doesn’t concern you—"
Manesh smiled: "He managed to withstand the extre chaotic Yin Qi with his body. You know what I think, Matriarch—"
"Manesh, don’t overstep your bounds," she snapped, her aura violently colliding with the monk’s, who still had a slight smirk.
"It reminds of the Nirvana constitution of the Celestial Demon of old. I suppose the mysterious identity of his father was actually—Kuh—"
Hu Sijin grabbed the monk by the throat, preventing him from speaking, her grip so strong that the space around them seed to warp. The monk could free himself, but he had only co to confirm his suspicions, not to fight. If there was one thing this woman was unparalleled in this world, it was her speed. Even he, at the sa level, couldn’t even see her reflection.
"Watch your next words, Manesh. It’s possible I might offend Buddha in the next few minutes. The Forbidden Grotto is just a step away for . Before you can return in ti, all the disciples will be reduced to ashes."
The monk dissipated into smoke, reappearing farther away.
"Why so much violence? Amitabha, I hope to see the reincarnation of the Celestial Demon at the opening of the Abyss of Absolute Evil." He added with a mocking laugh before disappearing.
***
Bai She sat in a lotus position on the icy jade floor, his palms turned toward the blazing artificial sun floating on the ceiling. Drops of sweat beaded on his nape as a devouring fire licked his ravaged ridians. "Fuck, these energy channels..." he thought, stifling a groan.
Then an electric shiver ran down his spine. The air tore in a silken rustle behind him. Before Sijin’s hair even brushed his shoulder, he recognized the scent of black lilies and warm ashes that always preceded his mother.
"So, you’ve beco diligent in your cultivation..."
Her voice flowed like a glacier gnawing at stone, each syllable frosting the mural frescoes. Bai She felt his intestines knot. ’Damn it...’ His pectoral scar—a remnant of a previous lesson—began to pulse in sync with her footsteps.
"I just want to avenge Shen..."
Sijin looked him straight in the eye, her face expressionless. She stared at him for a minute before continuing.
"Then why did you give up your position? You’re risking death..."
"I..."
*Splash*
The sound of a slap echoed in the room. Bai She was violently thrown backward, his handso face already disfigured, his mouth and nose pumping blood. He was already in bad shape, and now it was worse.
"Did you intend to lie to your mother a second ti, Bai’er?"
She asked, stepping forward.
Bai She clenched his teeth, hatred burning in his eyes. He so wanted to tear her apart, the initial instinctive fear had already vanished, and there was only anger, the madness of the Devourer’s massacre. But at the last mont, he cald down.
’Not the ti, stay calm... Stay calm...’ He repeated in his head.
Sijin’s mouth ford an "O" as she saw her son’s expression. It was the first ti he had seen this look. And she was quite interested in this drastic change.
Bai She was turbulent, causing trouble everywhere, sleeping around, intimidating the weak, arrogant, vain, and lazy. And Sijin had never missed an opportunity to beat him half to death in private, which had developed a fear in her son when she was present. The last ti she had beaten him so badly, she thought she had finally killed that waste. But sohow, he had mysteriously co back to life.
"It seems eting the Devourer made you lose your mory!? Should I remind you of your place?"
She said to herself before handing him a bottle of dicine and then disappearing into the void.
Bai She leaned against the wall, drinking the bottle.
Imdiately, a restorative Yang Qi penetrated his ridians. He quickly entered ditation. It wasn’t an ordinary redy; it was first-rate. It could help him far more than just repair his ridians...
Bai She closed his eyes, letting the restorative Yang Qi circulate through his damaged ridians. Every part of his body seed to regenerate, the pain gradually fading, replaced by a soothing warmth. He knew this elixir was a rare treasure, sothing even high-ranking cultivators would covet. Why had his mother given him sothing so precious after striking him so violently?
’Whatever, no one can understand that bitch’s actions.’
"This elixir was really effective... Now I’ve already regained the foundation of my cultivation."
In this world, I am no different from a mortal. Yet, many want my skin.
Once, I mastered mana, a fluid and versatile energy. Here, it is Qi that governs existence. Denser, more primal, it shapes the laws themselves and perates every fiber of the world. The path of cultivation relies on it, and the stages for ascension are rigid, rciless. The levels are divided into three stages: initial, interdiate, and peak.
Physical Refinent
At this stage, one forges their energy circuit, tracing internal ridians to channel Qi. Every breath absorbed strengthens the flesh, solidifies the bones, and tempers the blood. It is an indispensable foundation, for without a body capable of containing Qi, any attempt to progress leads to a grueso death.
When the body is forged, the spirit cos next. **Spiritual Refinent**—here, the cultivator creates their spiritual sea and begins to manipulate Qi outside themselves. It is at this stage that external force appears, allowing one to imbue weapons, making them sharp as the intent to kill. Those who reach the peak of this level can fly in the skies, dominating the peaks and observing mortals like ants beneath their feet.
Soul Awakening
The first true wall. For while one can refine their body and spirit with ti and discipline, understanding a Law is a blessing... or an unattainable dream. Only ten percent of cultivators reach this stage. Divided into nine levels, at this stage, each must find their Law. It is what will determine their future. It is impossible to possess more than one, but a Law can encompass countless facets and the abilities of a lower law.
Cultivators are no longer just warriors but beings capable of shaping reality with their will alone.
Everything is decided by the Tree of Tao, the Will of the World. There are those it blesses... and those it curses.
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