《Divine Time Jewel》


 Prologue. A new start

    Prologue


    Year of the silver fox , December 3999


    - Arggg, that hurts- i said, blodd driping of my mouth and staining my clothes.


    - Damm it Tang Ru, why did you had to go so far, they were just mortals!!- .The man in front of me said. He had green clothes stained with blood and a long white bear. He was severely injured but his eyes were still fierce like a dragon.


    - Just mortals?? You and your damm sect has gone too far. Not only were you behind the destruction of my clan all those years ago... but you were also using innocents for your experiments. I will kill you all even if it is the last thing i do...


    I know my body, i cant keep going too much longer. There are dead bodies everywhere and the buildings are in ruins, but many are still alive, and the man in fron of me still has the will to fight. I cannot let them go. Not a single one of them.


    - Tang Ru!! do you wish to die so badly? why dont we let this go? . Just leave and i promise that my sect wont pursue this any longer. - The old man said with a worried face, he knew Tang Ru still had a hidden card to play.


    - NO. Here is where it ends... PENTAGATE SEAL. - I yelled while take an item from my space ring.


    An enormous simbol appeared in ground , covering the entire ruined area and trapping everyone inside.


    - Now... no one will leave- as he said that his body started emiting a strong blue shine. The shine was getting more intense with every second.


    - STOP!! - said the old man


    - NOOO!! , he is trying to detonate his soul!. He has gone insane- someone else nearby said after observing Tang Ru state.


    - Help me! we have to stop him!- said the old man as he propeled himself toward Tang Ru.


    Two others members of the sect did the same. They were even worse injured than the old man, but the situation could not wait.


    - Its over....- Tang Ru said with a solemne face


    As the attack of all three arrive close to Tang Ru,the blue light seem to have reached a critical point, at that moment... a loud noise was heard and a blue column of light exploded in all direccions, decimating everything in its path. The column of light was soo big that it could be seen from the entire continent.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    At that moment in a far away place, at the top of a tower there was a woman looking at the light. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes and a beautifull face. Her eyes were shining as she was looking towars the horizon and her face looked very disturbed.


    - THATS!! that is the soul inmolation of a saint rank expert. Was that you my beloved Ru?. Why did you have to go that far?... now you cant even enter the rebirth cicle, your soul is lost forever.- As she said that, tear started to fall down her checks.


    As the light was fading so did Tang Ru life.


    - I.. i did it . I took my revenge , for me and for all of you... my only regret is that i wont be able to see her again. And.... and i wanted to reach that last step, i wanted to see what is beyond the saint rank and go to that place. I was soo close....- Before Tang Ru finally closed his eyes and his body fell to the ground, not moving. At that moment the pendant on his neck started to shine with mysterious light.


    <hr>


    -mmmm


    I slowly open my eyes. There was darkness everywhere. I could not feel anything, or see anyhing.


    - What is goin on? I thought my soul was destroyed. Why do i still have my conciense?. And where in hell am i?


    Suddenly the pendant that i have always been wearing appear on my neck and started shining.


    - What? - I''ve never seen this thing do anything like this before. I had this pendant for almost a milenia. Mother gave it to me for one of my birthdays. Don''t remember wich one , but she told me that it was a very important treasure from her clan. After her dead i keep it always close to me as a memento.


    As for bein a treasure.... i have analyzed it many times in the past .It is made from an unknown metal, and the stone in the middle is even more mysterious, but i could never learn anything o in the end i gave up and treat it like a regular pendant.


    While i was absorbed in my thoughts, i heard something. I could swear someone was calling my name. I turn around toward the voice and i saw a light. I walk towards that light. Or a least i think im walking, i cant feel anything.


    The closer i got the light , the louder i hear it. Is a woman, she is calling me...a familiar voice.


    -little Ru. Wake up, c''mon.


    I got to the light, i can almost touch it. Im there. Something is pulling me!.


    -Little Ru. I SAID WAKE UP DAMMIT!!


    thudd!


    Argg. Suddenly i feel pain. I tried to open my eyes. light. no. Its fading , i can see a face. I think i know this person..


    -Ai? -i say with a very confuse expresion. - Ai, is that you?


    - Of course its me. Did you forgot already? we promised to to the forest today. Qing is already waiting outside. You had me worried for a moment, i could not wake you up. - She said with a worried face.


    - No, im fine. Give me a few minutes. - I tried to compose myself and calm her worries. I need to adress the situation.


    - Ok, i will wait outside with Qing, dont take too long. You cant make a ladie wait you know? .Ohh , i almost forgot. Happy birthday cousing, twelve already uh?, you are almost a man, hahaha - She said with a smile and left the room.


    - Twelve .... i see......TWELVE??


    Year of the silver fox , December 2999

 Chapter 1 The Murong clan

    Chapter 1


    The Murong clan


    -Twelve years old...- I looked myself in the mirror and i still could not believe it. I did look like my old self.


    And the girl from before, my cousing Tang Ai. It was definetly her, i cant be mistaken. Also , this room... all my past memories are comming back. Yesterday i had dinner with my parents. Late at night mother told to go to the backyard. She show to me a wooden box with beautifull carvings. Inside the box was a pendant.


    - Thats righ, the pendant!! ahh its here!- I spotted the wooden box and indeed, inside there it was... the pendant, the same as always.


    She told me the story. Almost three thousand years ago a powerfull expert know as the Silver Fox founded the Murong clan. The clan dominated the entire Kura island, and with the power of the Silver Fox it would probably have been easy to control the entire kingdom of Lao. But the old man was not that ambicious and the other lords and kings were gratefull for it. Apparently he had many friends and  was loved by many.


    But all things come to an end. A thousand years ago the old Silver Fox died, or so people said. The true is that he dissapeared never to be seen again. What really happend to him no one knows. Maybe he died exploring some ancient ruin, or maybe the old man had a hearth attack while playing with girls at some brothel , hahaha.


    Despite its long history , the clan never gave birth to another being as powerfull as the old man. Despite the good reputation of the clan, two thousand years of acumulated treasures was too tempting for the powerfull groups of the continent. And without the old man to protect the clan its decline was just a matter of time.


    There were severals big fights, at first the murong clan was able to hold. But after loosing its most powerfull member, the rest were easly killed. Most of the treasures were plunder.


    A few clans who had a deep friendship with the old fox managed to intervene and plead for the lives of the surviving clan members.


    A few hundreds manage to survived, with a few treasures they manage to hide. But reviving the clan to its former glory was imposible at this point.


    During the next thousand years there were less and less surviving members of the former Murong clan. No one wanted to marry with members of the clan, some  thought the Murong clan members were cursed, other said the were descentants of demons, with their silver hair.


    They were forced to sell all their remaining treasures to survive. All except for one. Aparently , the patriarc left very specific instructions for the pendant. It was never to be sold, and it must be protected with their lives if necesary. And It would always be past to the first male of the main bloodline at the age of twelve. Like he was waiting for something, or someone.


    Well , his descendants did not disapoint him. Even after a thousand years of declined is still being passed around. Currently my granparents and mother all that is left of the once glorious Murong clan.


    Mother meet father when she was very young and he fell in love inmediatly. Even with the complains of the elders she got married into the Tang clan. And here i am.


    I looked again at the pendant in my hand. No lights, no sounds, no energy of any kind, nothing. Like it went back to sleep.... or should i say that it hasnt wake up yet?.


    A treasure that only works after its owner''s death and brings it to the past? . What a mysterious thing. This time i want to know every secret it has inside.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    After puting the pendant around my neck and getting some clothes i sat down on the bed.


    I still have some  questions i need answer. Like , is this past the exact same that i lived or is diferent?. If it is the same, i have a huge advantage since i know most of the big events going to happend for the next few years, and the location of many nice things.


    This time i will not let them destroy my family. This time i will be prepared.


    - Ru , come down already, your friends are waiting- a sweet voice was heard


    - Thats-. Yes , mother. I''m comming!


    After going downstairs i saw her, in the living room. Long silver hair, tied up , jade green eyes and a beautifull face.


    She was wearing a white dress with gold runes and was looking at me with a smile on her face.


    - I missed you mother. I could not help but say.


    The last time... i was eighteen the last time a saw her. The last time i saw them all..


    Almost a millenia have pass, but just for me. This time...


    - You missed me? - she said with a confused expresion. - You saw me last night. Did you had a bad dream ?


    - Hehe, no i''m fine.


    - Well then - She made a gesture to the maid close to her. The maid went in front of me and handed me a bag.


    - Inside the bag you have some food, a dagger and i also put some healing paste, just in case. Remember to stay at the borders of the forest and go no further. There are many dangerous beast in the deeps. Remember that you and your friends are just initiates.


    Ahh yes. I remember. At this point in time my journey as cultivator had just started. I am merely a low initiate and so is Qing. I think Ai has already reach the mid Initiate rank. But still, we are barely stronger than a regular human.


    - Yes mother, we will be  very carefull. Is father working.


    - Yes, you know your father always leaves very early. He will be back at night. Is there something you need to discuss with him? If you have a question about cultivation you can also ask me. I am not as strong as your father but i can still guide you a bit, hehe.


    - It was just curiosity.I have no problems so faar, i will ask mother if i face any problems.


    - Good. Now go, your friends are waiting for you.


    After leaving the house i saw them, sitting on one of the banks of the front yard.  My friend Qing was waving and smiling at me. Ai in the other hand had an ugly expresion, i guess i made her wait too much? hehe.


    Tang Ai, my cousin. She has medium length hair around the shoulders, light blonde, and big blue eyes. A bit short in stature with a very prety face. Tang Ai was consider one of the top beautys of the clan and had many suitors already. But something the did not know is that she has a very short temper, and i really mean short...


    She was wearing a dark brown leather armor, very well made , with intricate decorations. It looked expensive, and so did the long spear at her back.At her side she has several small bags, probably filled with potions and tools to colect plants, and maybe some book. After all , her father,my uncle Tang Hai was an alquemist. One of the only three of the clan.


    Next to her was my best friend , Tang Qing. He is a giant, and looks even more so next to Tang Ai. We are the same age, but he is almost two meters tall and has arms wider than my legs. No one in their right mind would think this guy was only twelve.


    Tang Qing has very short, almost shaved, black hair and a pair of black eyes. Despite his unusual physique , he had a very gentle face, always smiling.


    Unfortunately his status in the clan was very low. His father was one the capitans of the guards but his mother is one of the kitchen servants. Normaly someone like that should not be able to carry the Tang surname, but, five years ago his father lost his life defending the son of one of the elders against some bandits. One of his last wishes was for Qing to carry the Tang surname in hopes of giving him a chance to rise in status. And so the elder comply to his wishes. He gave Qing the Tang surname and a status as a regular clan member instead of servant, and he was also able to attend the clan''s academy and practice cultivation like everyone else.


    But he is still the son of a servant , and that is something the other kids will not let pass without mockery. At first they were hesitant, seeing how big and strong he is. But after seeing his soft nature they change their minds.  A few years ago i got into a fight with some bullies for him, that is how we met.


    He is carrying a very leather armor and a giant axe at his back. The axe is roughtly made to say the least, i can still see the marks of the hammer. He probably made it himself since he is working as a blacksmith apprentice.


    I wave to them and got close


    - Greetings big Qing. Sorry i made you guys wait. Shall we go?


    - Greetings brother Ru, dont worry , we didnt wait too long. - Qing said.


    - You are late!-  was all Ai said with an unpleasant face.


    All i could do was smile at her.


    And so we left in direction to the forest.


    Today might be and interesting day, i told myself.

 Chapter 2 The forest

    Chapter 2


    The forest


    Surrounding the left side of the Tang clan is the beast forest. Is not a very big forest, but big enought to get lost, and killed.


    Beyond the forest you will find the Kura mountains, an extremly dangerous place where only the most powerfull dared to go since that place is home of many divine beasts.


    Divine beasts are those who have acumulated enought mana inside their bodies to create a core. By manipulating the energy in this core they can acomplish many feats imposible otherwise, like increasing the toughness of their sking, the strenght of their muscles or even bend the elements themself to their will. It also can increase their intelligence to human level, or beyond that.


    Is rare to find one even at the deeps of forest, and it should be imposible at the borders where we are going, so we should be safe.


    But i remember of a danger we will face this trip. I will need to collect some thing on the way.


    " mmmm ahh there it is , the purple camellia, finally find some" I said with some relief.


    "Carefull little Ru, that flower has poison in it" Ai said.


    "Dont worry , i know what i am doing. Let me borrow your mortar" I said to Ai.


    "So you want to make some poison with the purple camellia" She said while watching me process the flowers "Is not a bad idea, but the poison is very weak, the only beast that will die with it , can be easy be killed with just my spear"


    "Yes, is weak by itself but if you combine it with the roots of blue grass the effect of the poison is greatly intensified. Is enouth to take down a big beast"


    "What? but blue grass is used to make healing potions and pastes"


    "Yes, but you only use the leaf, never the roots or it will ruin the effect. The root decrease the effect of the healing , that is why it must be taken out. But it has other uses if combined with certain poisons"


    "How do you know all this? "


    Ai ask, she had an expresion of surprise i dont think i have ever seen before.


    "I read some books at the library of the clan" I didnt want to explain further.


    After finished the paste i save it in a flask i gave Ai her mortar back.


    "We should keep going" i said


    "Brother Ru, do you think we will find something good here?" Qing asked with an innocent face.


    "Big Qing , if there is something valuable in this forest, it should be deep inside, close to the Kura mountains. The outskirts are always being explored by the hunters of the clan" I explained.


    After exploring for more than two hours all we found was a few stalks of blue grass and some blodd sage.The lateris used in a few low grade potions and quite common.


    Suddenly, Ai got startled.


    "What did you said?" she looked at me


    "Huh? i didnt say anything" I answered.


    "I just heard a voice say something . Was it you Qing?"


    "No sister Ai. I didn''t say anything"


    "But- ahh , there it is again!..."


    "And? what do you hear?" I asked


    "I dont know, it doesnt sound like words, more like...i cant explain it but i think is pointing me in one direccion. Over there! , passing those big rocks, a bit further" She started running after saying that.


    Mmm. This is extrange. I dont remember this part happening the last time. I do remeber we found a big lake with a cave next to it, then we found that flower and a red bear attack us. It was a tought fight and i was injured, but we made it out. But i dont remember Ai hearing any voices. Well it was a long time ago i guess... but what is that voice... could it be?Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Brother Ru!! look" Qing suddenly yelled


    After we went through a natural narrow passage made with giant rocks , there it was, the lake. It was just as i remmember.


    "Its beautifull ! . Yes this is the place! . Ahh look, over there ,next to that cave. There is an strange flower with a mysterious shine. I need to get closer to examine it."Ai said, very exited.


    "Wait! "I said while grabing her arm "Look at the cave"


    While Ai and Qing were looking towards the cave i took out the poison paste i made before and a knife. I applied the poison to the knife and looked towards the cave. Then...


    - ROOOAR!


    Ai and Qing got startled.


    "A RED BEAR!! we need to get out of here. This is one of the most dangerous beast in the forest"Ai said.


    "Dont make any moves. Stay calm and let him come"


    After looking around a few time the red bear finally found the intruders. He looked at us and made another roar. After that he started running toward us.


    "Have you lost your mind? we need to run away! " Ai said


    "Yes brother Ru, this beast is too dangerous for us"


    That is funny. The last time it was big Qing who killed the bear. After i tried to protect Ai , the bear got me with a heavy blow , it broke my arm and throw me far away. But before the bear could kill Ai who was defenseless at the ground, Qing got in the way and punched the bear with all his rage. The bear flew backwards and did not move anymore. Even a peak initiate would not be able to do something like that, and Qing hasn''t even started to cultivate yet. Turns out he was born with divine strengh, extremly rare gift. As far as i know he may be the only one in this continent. But this time no one has to get hurt.


    "Trust me , everything is fine." I had a serious expresion and my eyes were locked on the bear.


    "Little Ru... i have never seen you like this. Ok i will trust you"


    "Me too , i trust brother Ru with my life."


    The bear was getting very close. I had the knife in my right hand and got into position to throw it. But before that i need to infuse it with my mana, otherwhise i might miss.


    Shit , this is hard. I have so little mana, is ridiculus. Well i guess is normal, i just started cultivating a few weeks ago.


    Ok, i''m ready, finally. The bear was only ten meters away.


    "GO! " I threw the poison knife infused with my mana. It went straith to the bear''s eye so fast that he didn''t have a chance to react.


    "ROAAAAAAAR-ROOOAA--!!"


    The bear went down after a few complains and did not move anymore.


    "It is dead?" Said Qing


    "Yes" i said.


    "He died so fast! . I cant believe that poison was so efective. No, i also can''t believe your aim was so good!. Are you really the little Ru i knew?" Ai said with a mix of emotions


    "Of course, the same as always"


    Well not really....


    "Anyways . Didn''t you want to check that flower ?" I asked Ai


    "Qing. help me skin the bear. This leather is excelent for armors"


    "What? skin it?...." Qing face was getting pale.


    "Qing, listen to me. This world is cruel and only respect the strong. If you want to protect those who you love, you need to become stronger, and i dont mean only physicaly" I say to Qing with a serious face.


    Qing has a lot of potencial to become a supreme expert, but his soft personality is a real problem. Someone like that will never survive in this world. I need to toughen him up a bit.


    "You are right brother, i will try"


    He complained no more and helped me to skin the bear. His face was completly pale though.


    After we were done i gave it to him.


    "Here, make yourself a good set of armor. But don''t show it to anyone. There is no need to announce we killed a red bear"


    "Thank you brother"


    " Lets go check on AI"


    As we got close Ai turned around. She was holding a book in her arms.


    "Guys! we found something good. I''m sure this is a yang lotus. Is supose to only grow on mountains and near volcanos. Is very rare to find one here at the forest"


    "No wonder the red bear made its home next to it. By absorbing the yang enery from the flower he was trying to make his core and become a divine beast, the yang bear. But it would probably need like a hundred years for that to happend"


    "So that is why he attack us, he was protecting this flower" Qing said.


    "After collecting the flower we can give it to my father, he can make a low grade mana infusing potion for us" Ai said very happy.


    Yes a low grade mana infusing potion can be very valuable to Initates and even aprentices. But is a bit of a waste. I could make something much better with that yang lotus, but im afraid it would call to much attention.


    Alquemist are very scarce in this continent. Uncle Hai has a very respetable status in the clan for being an alquemist even though he is only a senior alquemist.


    The first three alquemy ranks are: Aprentice, senior and master.


    In the entire clan we only have three alquemist. Two aprentices and one senior. If i remember correctly, the only alquemy master lives at the Lao capital, and works for the king himself. That is how rare they are.


    I never put too much effort into learning alquemy in my past life. But compared to the level in this place....


    After collecting the yang flower we went back to the clan.


    When we left the forest was dusk already.

 Chapter 3 Elemental affinity

    Chapter 3


    Elemental affinity


    After saying goodbye to Ai and Qing i arrived home. One of the maids was waiting outside with a lamp in her hands.


    Our house is situated near the west border of the clan, very close to the forest. There are no other houses nearby therefore the road gets very dark at night. The maid was probably waiting for me there.


    " Greetings young master" She said with a slith bow.


    " Hello .. errr ... Elia?" i said, trying my best to remember her name.


    " Yes young master. We should go inside, your parents were waiting for your arrival. " The maid said with a soft smile.


    " Let''s go"


    We walked through the big front garden, the only light came from Elia''s lamp. When we made it to the front door of the manor the head butler was at the door.


    " Welcome home young master. your parents are in the living room." He said with an expresionless face.


    "Thank you. "


    When i enter the living room i saw mother sitting on one of the sofas and father was in front of ther, they were talking about something.


    The moment i entered they both turned around.


    " Father...." i said in a very low voice.


    He was just like i remember him. Tall , strong build. He has dark blonde hair and a short bear neatly cut. He was wearing a traditional green robe with black inscriptions, perfectly clean and not even a wrinkle. That was the standar uniform for the protectors of the clan, and he used to wear it even at home. His brown eyes were looking at me with intensity.


    " So, how did your little expedition to the forest go?"


    " Very well father, we found many herbs . Including a yang lotus." I avoided talking about the red bear. It would lead to many questions if they find out three initiates killed a red bear without suffering a single scrach. Of course i also told to Ai and Qing to not mention it.


    "A yang lotus? " i finally saw a change in his expresion"That is truly a lucky find. Did you give it to your uncle? he can probably make you a low grade mana infusion potion for you and your friends."


    " Yes, i gave it to cousin Ai for that purpose."


    " Excelent, but is best if you dont talk too much about the yang lotus to others, it might avoid some unnecesary trouble. "


    " I agree, we will keep it to ourseves"


    " How is your training going? it''s been two weeks since i taught you our family meditation technique."


    " No problems. I have manage to circualte a little bit of mana in my veins already."


    Father gave a nod in approval and said:


    " Keep training hard. In one month you will start to attend the Tang academy with the other youngs of the clan.- Father said, going back to his stern face."


    " I will not disappoint you."


    " You will never disappoint us son" Mother said, with kind eyes.


    " Dinner is served "announced the butler.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.After dinner i went to my room and sat on my desk. I took a piece of paper and a quill and started drawing symbols in the paper.


    In this world there are three professions considered the most important for both all cultivators no matter if they are magus or guardians.


    Alchemy, smiting and inscription.


    Each profession has six ranks : apprentice, senior, master, grand master, emperor and saint.


    There is supposed to be a seventh rank, but those who have reached that rank are all legendary figures who lived over a hundred thousand years ago, like thealchemy God Salladar. The records from that time are minimal. So no one knows for sure if those people actually existed or not.


    Leaving legends aside, in my previous life i learned a bit aboutalchemy and smithing, but, incription is where i dedicated most of my effords. After studing inscription for over five hundred years i became the youngest inscription saint in the entire Grand Middle continent.


    The inscription i am working right now i called elemental affinity inscription. As the name said it is used to detect and calculate in a very accurate how much affinity a person has to each element.


    In the continent of Wuran, and specially in the kingdom of Lao where i live righ now, knowledge about cultivation is far behind compared to the Grand Middle continent.


    They dont even know what elemental affinity is. The way they judge the talent of the youth is by using a very basic inscription array to detect the speed of mana absorption a person have.


    Since this is something you are born with, they use this piece of information to decide how talented a person is. But this is inaccurate.


    I doesnt matter how fast you can absorb mana of all elements at the same time, but how much mana of your best element you can aborb.


    Everyone is born with diferent affinities


    but there is usually one above the rest, and that is the one you want to focus on. When you cast spells of your affinity they will be much more powerfull than the other elements. And late on having your mana core mixed with all elements with no rime or reason can make breaking throuth the next level very dificult, or even imposible.


    Is no wonder that the most powerful cultivator of the clan is just an early rank 2 magus.


    I just finished the inscription. Let''s test it.


    My affinities are : fire-1- earth -3- wind -5- water -10-


    Rare variant : Ice element.


    They are the same as before. If i had know this from the begining in my previous life it would have make things much diferent.


    Affinities go from 1 to 10. My water affinity is perfect , and on top of that i have a rare variant of the water element. The ice element.


    All the element have rare variants, for example if you have a very high and similar affinity with fire and earth, is posible to have the magma affinity, or if your fire affinity is extremly high you can have the blue fire variant affinity.


    The ice element is very powerfull , but is hard to find ice spells to learn. And is even harder to find a good ice cultivation technique.


    The cultivation technique my family has been passing down for generation and father gave me recently is useless.


    "Sorry father."


    It doesnt focus in any element and just tries to quickly acumulate and rotate mana inside the core.


    Previously i did cultivate this technique, since i did not have anything else.


    It took me two hundred years and a lot of luck to find an ancient ice technique in some abandoned ruins while i was exploring the Sheol continent. It is called Heavenly crystal dragon meditation.


    The crystal dragon is the highest rank of water element dragons. Once a blue dragon breaks through the saint rank to the realm of the gods, then it becomes a crystal dragon. An invincible being. I dont know the origins of this technique but whoever made it had great expectations giving it that name.


    The technique is incredible but unfortunately the last time i had some problems.


    The first was that after cultivating my family technique for almos two hundred years my mana core was already filled with fire, earth and wind mana particles and many impurities.


    The later is not a huge problem since impurities can be cleaned, but there is nothing to do about the former.


    Once create your core and absorb the elemental mana using your cultivation technique ,is imposible to take it out unless you are crippled.


    The other problem was finding a good bloodline sample. One of the best things about the Heavenly crystal dragon technique is that allows the user to incorporate the bloodline of a divine beast to help you. The most powerfull the divine beast, the better.


    Of course the best bloodline for me is the crystal dragon bloodline. But here are very few dragons and they are the most powerfull divine beast, so finding one and killing it for its bloodline is.... almost imposible.


    The best i could find in the past was an ice emperor salamander. A ver powerfull divine beast, but very far from a dragon. Too far...


    That always hunted me and in the end i could not pass the early saint stage no matter how much i tried.


    Now i get to practice my cultivation technique from the beggining. As for the bloodline....I have a good idea, hehe.


    "Ok. time to start cultivating. "


    I said with a wide smile on my face.

 Chapter 4 Taking a walk

    Chapter 4


    Taking a walk


    I focus my mind on perceiving the water mana particles around me, then slowly I start to absorb them. I cant be hasty. If I use the full power of the Heavenly crystal dragon technique I will absorb too much mana and my veins will explode. Until I manage to form my mana core and reach the apprentice level I need to be careful about how much I absorb.


    I spent the entire night meditating, slowly absorbing mana.


    " I am already close to mid-rank initiate. I should be able to reach late rank before the academy starts."


    I stand up, get dress and walk out of my room. The maid was waiting for me outside. She escorts me to the small dining room to eat my breakfast.


    After that, I leave the house and start walking towards my uncle Tang Hai home.


    Unlike my house, uncle''s manor is in the inner part of the clan. Here is where most clan members live and it almost feels like a bustling city. Wide roads with houses on each side, people walking the streets and some shops here and there.


    I arrived at the central part of the clan. Here is where the most important members have their manors. Here is also where the academy, the library, and the treasury are.


    I finally arrived my uncle''s manor and knock the door. A butler opens the door and recognizes me.


    "Young master Ru, welcome. Please come in. The young lady in the backyard. I will take you there."


    I gave him a nod and follow him.


    The house is much smaller than mine. But considering where it''s located you can tell is very expensive. Is also enough for such small family. Ai''s mother died when she was a little kid and has no brothers, so is just her, uncle Hai and a few servants.


    As the butter and I got close to the backyard I could already see her. She is sitting on the grass next to a small fountain. She is currently meditating.


    I find a place nearby and sit down. I don''t want to disturb her so I wait.


    After a few minutes, she opens her eyes.


    "Good morning little Ru..."


    "You seem upset. Are you having troubles breaking through the peak initiate rank?"


    She gets a bit startled and opens her eyes wide, just for a moment.


    "How did you know?"


    " I was just watching you. You seem to have trouble circulating the mana after absorbing it."


    " And you won''t happen to know how to solve it right?" She asks in a half-mocking tone.


    " I do. You just need a more fitting cultivation technique. Come tomorrow morning to my house. I will teach you something good then."


    She stood there looking at me with a strange expression like she wasn''t sure if I was kidding or serious.


    " Fine, let''s see what you come up with tomorrow, humph!"


    " Very well, see you tomorrow."


    As I turned to leave.


    " Ohh, father said he will have the potions ready this afternoon. I will bring them."


    I nodded and left the house.


    I went back to the commercial area of the clan where I was before, but this time I took a different road. Moments later I saw the building I was looking for. A huge building with three floors. Rough architecture but it gets the job done, and a gigantic sign on the front that says " Iron soul".


    This was the best blacksmith shop in the clan. And also the place where big Qing was working.


    As I got closer I realize a heated discussion seem to be taken place. At first, I didn''t pay much mind, but then I recognize one of the voices. It was big Qing voice.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences." I can''t give you a discount, muche less at half the price, and the boss is not here right now." Please leave.


    As I enter the shop I see Qing with an apologetic face talking with a boy of our age. There were also two others next to him. I recognize the boy as Tang Tao.


    " How dare you talk to me like that! , you are just a servant''s son." He yelled, his face filled with anger.


    " And who do you think you are? the son of the Celestial Emperor? " I asked.


    Tang Tao and his two cronies turned around and so did Qing. He seemed surprised to see me there.


    " You are Tang Ru, right? the son of protector Liang. Well, that is nothing, my grandfather is Elder Qiang. So you best stay away from my business or you will regret it."


    " I don''t care about your business, but big Qing is a friend of mine. I am also surprised you bring your grandfather''s name. You think the elder would approve you using his name to get discounts?"


    " You!!, that is it!!. Come outside if you dare. I will teach you a lesson! "


    He threw a killer gaze at me and started to walk outside. The two cronies following behind like a couple of ducklings.


    "Don''t do it brother Ru. I heard Tang Tao is already almost a late initiate. He has many resources at his disposal. Not only is his grandfather and elder but his father is a teacher at the academy. " Qing said, worried painted his face.


    " Don''t worry. I know what I''m doing." Someone has to teach that kid a bit of respect.


    When I walked outside I saw Tang Tao there, ready to fight. Some other people have stopped to see what was going on.


    I went in front of him and gave him a signal to start.


    " You underestimate me too much Tang Ru. I will punch your face until you look like a pig!"


    He circulated his mana to increase his speed and moved next to me. Then he threw a punch to my right side.


    I grabbed his fist and used his own momentum to throw him to the ground. Once there I gave him a good kick right in the face.


    He didn''t have time to react.


    Having to beat an initiate pup.... how low have I fallen...


    Tang Tao was not moving. The kick left him unconscious, but I did not inflict any serious damage.


    I turned to the two cronies.


    " Take your boss home. He needs some rest."


    "You know he will not forget this!!. He will come back for you!" said one of them


    " Yes!! you are done! " said the other one.


    " Sure, sure. " I waved my hand and went inside.


    " Brother Ru! , I knew you were strong but this is too much. Tang Tao could not even fight back" Qing seemed very excited while talking.


    "Let''s go inside. There is something I need to tell you."


    After going inside the shop I closed the door and looked at Qing.


    " I told you before. You need to defend yourself. Don''t let them talk to you like that."


    " But he has a high status and I am just-"


    " It doesn''t matter who your parents are, the important thing is how you view yourself. If you think you are nothing more than the son of a servant then that is how people will treat you. "


    "You are right, thank you, brother. "


    "Besides you had nothing to fear in this case. Even that idiot would not dare to be too reckless here. No one wants to offend that old blacksmith for fear of getting blacklisted from his shop"


    Qing nodded, and I continued.


    " But this is not why I came here today. Tomorrow is your free day right?. Come to my manor during the morning. I have something important talk about with you and Ai."


    " Something important?" Qing seemed like he wanted to know more but contained himself.


    At that moment the door opened and someone came in.


    A tall man, around fifty-year-old. He was wearing a leather apron.The bulging muscles of his arms seemed ready to explode. He has short curly black hair, black eyes, and a short beard. But what called attention the most was his skin. He had a dark skin. It was also very shiny, it almost looked like a dark metal.


    This a defining characteristic of the Kingdom of Vaestra. The kingdom was situated on the east side of the continent. Very far from this island.The place is mostly a desert, there is not much food or anything. But there is something they have in abundance... Iron.


    They have many iron mines and even a black iron one.


    They have no magus in Vaestra, but they have guardians, although they call them warriors. The warriors of Vaestra are very feared all around the continent. It is said they fight with no fear. They fight until the last drop of life leaves their bodies.


    If you become their enemy, you better make sure you can kill them all... because otherwise, they will not stop until you are dead.


    On the other hand, if you somehow manage to gain they loyalty, they will follow you until the end and even gave up their lives for you without hesitation.


    The blacksmith looked and said.


    " Ohh we have a young customer. What can we offer you? "


    Besides his tough appearance, he seemed to have a very friendly character.


    " Master, brother Ru came to visit me. " Qing explained.


    "Ohh, I see. You are friends with little Qing. Well if you ever need a weapon come to see me. I will give you a good price. "


    " Of course. I''m sure I will.- I turned to Qing and said " See you tomorrow.


    He gave me a nod and I left the shop.


    I have some things to prepare for tomorrow.