Journey Towards Dao

Within the cage of absolute darkness, Aiden sat in silence, waiting patiently for Auslen to finish their father’s letter.

“So, allow me to get this straight,” Auslen began as he folded up the letter, trying to comprehend what exactly was being asked of him. “You’re unwell, but not in the physical sense?”

Aiden nodded solemnly as he elaborated. “Correct. In essence, it’s my soul that has met with an emotional blockage. There are other terms for this kind of mental barrier, such as ‘heart demon.’ But essentially, it’s a Soul Force affliction that can originate from the very moment that the cultivator builds their Profound Foundation.”

So it is an illness, Auslen thought as he closed his eyes languidly.

Lashes rising after a deep breath, he took a moment to scan Aiden’s figure, but failed to perceive any signs of lingering malaise. “And what are the symptoms?”

“It’s nothing serious—”

Auslen promptly raised his hand to interrupt. “This is not the time for you to sugarcoat or dance around the issue. If Father felt the need to write me a letter, then it’s certainly not a benign matter, nor is it something that you can palliate on your own. Explain to me the symptoms.”

Aiden sighed while placing his circlet back on his head, attempting to center himself amidst his younger brother’s severe-toned interrogation.

“Truthfully, it’s nothing serious. At least, not for now!” Aiden hurriedly added the last bit once he detected the anger sparking in Auslen’s eyes.

“I've only experienced some slight soul aggravation occasionally. However, if I stall for too long and fail to treat the mental block at its source, my state could deteriorate somewhat. The most probable symptoms would be about as tame as emotional instability or a constant pain lingering in my Soul Force.”

“And what if the symptoms aren’t tame?” Auslen asked insistently. With his experiences, he became the type of individual that was only comfortable once he had taken the worst of possibilities into account.

“Then, this mental barrier would hinder my cultivation from advancing further. At worst, my Profound Qi could deviate at some point, causing my Profound Foundation to crumble. If I managed to survive, then this would lead to a regression in my realm, crippling my cultivation path permanently.”

Seeing Aiden’s unfittingly calm appearance while describing the possibility of his untimely death, Auslen could only let out a long exhale with a bit of helplessness. He then caressed the brilliant Space Concealing Mystic Artifact as he ruminated to himself in disquieted silence.

This is much more serious than I expected.

Enlightened from Cedrick’s letter and Aiden’s explanation, Auslen had gathered that insecurities, stress, fear, or any build-up of negative emotion could generate a heart demon within a Foundation Establishment cultivator. But that knowledge alone didn’t help to explain Auslen’s involvement in the creation of this mental affliction, nor why his participation was needed to cure it. However, at this moment, Auslen could only take it one step at a time.

“Father’s words seemed to insinuate that I’m the cause of this heart demon that you’re experiencing. Is that true?”

Silence fell between them then.

Auslen tapped on the Mystic Artifact for each awkward second he sat waiting for an answer, and yet, the only thing he received from Aiden was a frowned expression full of embarrassment.

Auslen rolled his eyes once he discerned the teenager's chagrinned unwillingness to answer the question, which only succeeded in making Aiden even more insecure.

However, Aiden knew that this was getting them nowhere.

Fists clenching subconsciously, Aiden finally entreated, “It’s not your fault, Auslen, but please, let’s just leave it at that. Just know that you’re the only person I can ask for help with this matter.”

“Hmm…” Although unconvinced, Auslen hesitated, unsure if he should really pressure the boy who was mentally unwell.

In the end, he only asked, “Is this ‘heart demon’ also related to what’s influencing Mother?”

Aiden shook his head. “No. Only Foundation Establishment and True Core realm cultivators are susceptible to heart demons. Mother’s Dao Soul injury didn’t come from illness, but was self-inflicted.”

Seeing that Auslen was getting ready to question him again, Aiden continued, “The only thing I know is that it has something to do with her Dao Integration realm cultivation. That was the lone piece of information that I was able to glean from Master Gerard after years of trying.”

Although thoughts flew rapidly within his golden irises, his concern for Aiden lessened considerably.

Auslen let it go and resigned himself to the current circumstances. “Father said that I should try going along with your plans. So, what do you need from me?”

Anticipation was suddenly evident in Aiden’s smile. “I’ve thought of trying several things, like helping you with your martial training and teaching you some things, like…”

Auslen leaned back on the couch. His thoughts of maintaining his posture were long gone as he was inundated with Aiden’s growing list of nonsensical activities, meanwhile trying to piece together their true purpose for himself.

Suddenly, he cut Aiden off. "You want me to travel outside the Sect with you? Did Father agree to this?”

Aiden nodded his head honestly, seriousness returning to his expression. “It was actually he who suggested I take you on a small excursion. That’s why I brought along so many guards with me, most of which I left back in the airship.”

Memories from six years ago of their last and only excursion surfaced in Auslen’s mind, and he was gradually having a clearer picture of the situation.

“Does this have anything to do with why you were strangely interested in Senior Sister Irene’s supposed ‘field trip?’”

“Well, yes. Compared to my original plan — as opposed to just traveling with just me and some guards — I thought you may enjoy the overall experience more if your friends came along with you. When Nathan mentioned your Senior Sister's Mission, it just seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

“When you spoke with her, did you already tell her that Nathaniel and I would be going along?” Auslen tilted his head with a measuring gaze.

“Of course not. And she came clean from the start with her primary intentions of inviting you was to borrow the strength of our Bright Forest Kingdom’s company of guards."

"Did she mention why?” Auslen asked.

"She said she was feeling a little insecure traveling outside the Sect for this particular Sect Mission, as it involved guiding disciples that had never left the Sect previously.

“I lacked your consent at the time, so I simply informed her that I would try my best to convince you. But if you ultimately declined, then I would lend her the protection of a few guards for the duration of her Sect Mission, as a thank you for her efforts in tutoring you so diligently.”

After the image of that injured and unconscious Inner Sect Disciple emerged from his memory, Auslen said calmly, “She’s right to be insecure.”

Without at least a couple Low Grade Mystic Artifacts, no single Foundation Establishment cultivator would feel safe roaming outside the Sect, especially while chaperoning a group of adolescent practitioners.

After a moment of contemplation, Auslen continued, “Tell me about her Sect Mission. If it’s not too complicated and the Merit Point settlement is agreeable, I don’t mind tagging along.”

Surprise flashed through Aiden’s blue eyes.

“...I originally thought that, with your excessively low-profile character, you wouldn’t have agreed to participate so easily.”

If not for the sake of your illness and Father’s beseeching letter, I wouldn’t have agreed at all, kid.

Auslen ignored Aiden’s indirect chiding with a smile, glancing to his right, as though he could see straight through the inky black walls. “And you still haven’t informed me of the strength of the guard company you brought along with you. Surely the strongest among them isn’t Foundation Establishment.”

Aiden’s reciprocated smile was half amused, half mournful. “Father wouldn’t have allowed me to leave the Capital, let alone take you out the Sect, if that were the case. Come on, get us out of this cage. I’ll brief you on Miss Irene’s Sect Mission on our way to the airship.”

…

On the top of Sword Controlling Peak.

Within a secluded palace, dark red lashes twitched before a beautiful young woman gradually opened her eyes.

After remaining in a coma for several days, Rosalind had finally woken up.

Her dark brown eyes glanced around the empty, but familiar bedroom. Then, without a word, she maneuvered out from underneath the clean sheets. Lowering her eyes, her feet touched the cool, stone-tiled ground, and she stood.

A fresh energy suddenly exuded from unmarred body and spread around her like a gentle tempest — rippling against her dark hair and thin silk robe, but cutting through parts of the sheets lying the bed she just abandoned.

Thousands of sharp, threadlike stands of Profound Qi slowly rotate around her willowy figure. The strands began to rotate faster, as though orchestrated by an invisible force, dancing faster and faster in the air until all the threads broke away to frame her body like the wings of a butterfly, a moment later vanishing without a trace.

Walking to the door that was opening on its own, her body trembled and her robe fluttered, looking like a fairy as she subconsciously advanced to Late Foundation Establishment.

But at this moment, neither her rise in cultivation nor her growing hunger were able to pierce through the haze of her thoughts.

Rami, who had just arrived at their Master’s palace to check up on Rosalind, witnessed this scene and was shocked into surprised speechlessness.

The sword-servants guiding him through the hallway were equally astonished, but they had no time to celebrate her awakening once they realized they needed to prepare nourishment for her unexpected advancement in cultivation.

Bowing to her, the group of sword-servants said, “Congratulations on your advancement!” before rushing off to the kitchens.

By now, Rosalind was fully conscious, but still found herself in a state of confusion, as though she couldn’t remember something incredibly important.

“Second Sister Rosalind…” Rami walked a bit closer to her, his expression awash with varying shades of happiness and sadness.

Her gaze finally fell on Rami’s shorter frame.

“Seventh Brother, where are the others? I seem to be forgetting something…”

Her gentle words trailed off as her vision was suddenly obscured by a transparent curtain. Every time she attempted to blink it away, it returned even stronger before eventually overflowing from her eyes.

Feeling cool rivulets flowing down her face, Rosalind reached for her cheeks with some uncertainty.

As soon as her slender finger touched the damp trails, it was like a dam bursting open. Fragmentary memories of blood and the death of her brothers and sisters assaulted her, and she was suddenly, even unwillingly, no longer confused.

Rami was crying then too.

…

Outer Sect.

The night sky of summer was beautiful.

Not a single cloud drifted through the sky, and the stars sparkled like multicolored jewels around tonight’s especially round and gleaming moons.

The moonlight shone splendidly over the Outer Sect mountain, falling down on the tall mountain woods like a layer of muslin.

Beside the iron fire pit Vincent had ignited once again, Auslen was lying on his wooden reclining chair, looking tiredly at Nathaniel, who was bouncing around his chair with excessive excitement.

“We’re going, we’re going…” Nathaniel’s unending cheerful chants were already giving cause for Auslen to reconsider his decision.

Stealing a glance at Auslen’s exasperated expression, Aiden chuckled softly as he sat on the arm chair Durk had prepared for him, enjoying finally seeing some discomposure in his younger brother’s normally perfect guise.

It was then that the they heard Irene’s admonishing voice coming from nearby.

“Nathan, stop frolicking around Auslen and sit down. We have a lot to discuss.”

Nathaniel, who was just reprimanded, was momentarily stunned before quickly sitting on the lower section of Auslen’s chair, smiling in the distance innocently.

They’re finally here.

Auslen ignored how Nathaniel brazenly pushed his legs aside to sit on his chair and glanced at Irene, who was approaching their location at a leisurely pace. Behind her was a jade-colored flying boat, which Tarek and Mia’s heads were peeking out from.