Fire ‘n’ Blood - Chapter 3 Reunion

Nilfer Village.

Ross Family Quarters.

Aaron and Alex were sitting alone inside the study of the Quarters. This study was exclusively made up for Alex when he had arrived at Nilfer village. Now both the father and son were facing each other sitting inside this soundproof study.

Aaron was happy and excited, previously when he was anxious about Alex’s safety and went out on the call of his guards. He found that Alex had somehow survived the ordeal and returned back.

At that time he had been happy, excited and anxious beyond belief and had hugged Alex with his all heart. After this when he checked Alex’s body he became shocked that Alex could cultivate and even had the cultivation of Qi Condensation expert. He decided to bring Alex inside and speak with him privately.

Now they were alone and Aaron could not control his curiosity and asked “Um.. Alex, where were you, the guards said they could not locate you after you drowned inside the water? And shouldn’t you explain about your Cultivation?”

Alex had already decided he will not say full truth but some truths mixed with some lies and thus he replied hesitantly “Dad, I was actually saved by an ancient cultivator. He was also the one who had helped me clear my blocked meridians and helped me cultivate. In turn, he has asked me for the promise to fulfil one of his missions in the future. He said that he will come to find me when I am ready for the mission.”

Aaron pursed his lips, he was not convinced and thus questioned Alex “Alex, do you know what kind of Mission it is? If it is something too dangerous, will you be able to handle it?”

Alex answered with determination visible in his eyes “Dad, I believe that he would not harm me, and I plan to complete his mission with all my ability. I know you are worried for me, but dad as you can see that I have already started cultivating and already broke through two major realms of Foundation Establishment and Qi Conversion and stepped in Qi Condensation first rank.”

“Please do not be worried about me. Instead, Dad, I need your help.” Alex asked his father. And Aaron instantly replied “Do you need to even ask, I understand you much better than others. I will make it so that the news of your cultivation is not spread to the family.”

“It still amazes me how you could breakthrough two major realms on the first day itself. But I also see that you are still not able to control your strength, most probably due to excessive breakthroughs, right?” Aaron asked Alex as if he could see through Alex as easily as breathing.

Alex smiled wryly and replied “Actually dad, I have been waiting to ask you. Could you give me a Sword Art? I wish to start practising for next year’s Martial Tournament, I already have a Cultivation manual from the Ancient Cultivator but there was no battle technique with it.”

Aaron thought for some time and said “As you know I was unaware of you being able to cultivate so I did not bring any easier art. I only have the sword art that I practice, if you think you can comprehend it then I will write it for you?” After saying this he wrote the full battle technique on a booklet and gave it to Alex.

“Alex, I know you were not able to cultivate all this while and this has let you get too far from your brothers. But don’t think like that otherwise you would find yourself being left behind further. Instead, work harder and give it your all, if you could constantly increase your strength, you would be able to contend with them.”

“I know you won’t be returning to the family for now. So I will just recommend you to work hard for now and when you are comfortable about returning then you could return to the family.” Aaron finished in a more serious note, he knew that cultivation was not easy and Alex who was already behind will find it harder to compete. This was why he said these things so that Alex does not lose his heart.

“Dad, I know what you said. I will not lose heart.” Alex replied with determination.

“Okay, keep it up. I will return to the family then.” Aaron said with a heavy heart. It still sours his heart to leave his son here in this backward village. After this, he left the quarters with his guards.

*

Aaron and his guards were just out of the village when Aaron suddenly stopped. He gestured two of his guards to come forward.

When they had come forward, he said “You two will stay here and look out for Alex without letting him or anyone know about your presence. He is able to cultivate now so he would surely go for some beast hunting. Till the time you think that he won’t survive an ordeal, don’t try to save him. Understood?”

The two guards got on their knees and replied “Yes Sire. We would do our best.”

Aaron finally turned towards the village with a heavy heart and replied to them “Disperse and be alert. Always.”

*

It has been a week since the attacks on Alex’s life. Alex had been staying in the Quarters for this time and had practised the sword art his father had given him. Now he knew it was time for him to gain some practical training, and he had decided to go to the Dark Mulberry Forest for this.

This forest was famous for fierce beasts of Qi Refining Rank 1 through Rank 6. Even a Rank 3 Qi refining beast could easily kill a human Qi Condensation expert. So this excursion was meant to be an intense struggle with Alex’s life on the line to cultivate.

But Alex was comfortable still as he found that the Drago9ns Blood in his body has done more for him than he thought. His physical body was already comparable with Beasts of Qi Refining Rank 4. He was here to cultivate for a while and brought a pack of some things he may need during this trip.

The first thing he had to find was a safe place where he could safely stay at nights. The higher rank beasts usually came out to hunt during the night. He entered the Forest with a conviction while moving fast moving towards a medium-sized mountain which was nearby.

While he was entering the forest, he was unaware that two shadows had also followed him from the outside. They had stealthily hidden in the trees and no clue of them remained.

He had just entered into the outer perimeter of the Forest when he felt his skin tightening from his back. He knew he was being attacked by a beast from the back, he instantly jumped forward and when he turned he saw that the place where he was standing was a Qi refining Rank 2 Dark Panther.

Its eyes were yellow and the body was larger than 3 meters. Alex instantly took out his sword and started staring towards the panther. The panther was also growling and had a hideous face with his mouth open with the teeth showing and a ferocious expression on its face.

Alex felt his body tightening, he instinctively felt fear. But suddenly the blood in his body started pumping harder; he felt like litres of Adrenaline was being pumped to him with the blood. And even his blood was literally boiling, his mind had calmed down. His face started to change with a beastly instinct.

He took hold of the sword and dived instantly towards the Panther. The panther also dived at the same time; it could feel a terrifying enemy in front and took action that instant. Both clashed in the air and fell down at opposite ends with a bloody scent in the air.