Death... and me

”You don’t know?” Even Roan was surprised by Luan’s words. “What do you mean you don’t know? Could it be that you didn’t find it?”

Luan shook his head in response. “That’s not exactly it,” he answered. “How can I say it… it’s more like I’m already happy with how I am, you know? I didn’t think about finding anything as I’m okay with how I am at the moment. Perhaps that can be considered a path?”

Immediately, Sister Orb intervened. [That’s a full-fledged path, Luan. Finding one’s path doesn’t mean you need to have a purpose in life. The Soul Transformation Realm never had anything to do with it. To put it more simply, the Soul Transformation Realm was more about being satisfied with your own choices. It just so happened that such choices often incurred some path to take. In your case, your path could be said to be satisfaction. You don’t think you need anything else from the bottom of your heart. Naturally, your soul was more than happy to take the next step in cultivation.]

Rean couldn’t help but laugh as he slapped Luan’s back several times after that. “Hahaha!”

*pah, pah, pah…*

*Cough, cough, cough…*

He hit him so hard that even Luan, with his cultivation and First Grade Star Body, was forced to cough.

Rean then commented, “I didn’t think you like this ice block that much. In the end, you were simply happy to be able to live with him. To think that such an innocent thought would turn into your choice.”

Luan couldn’t help but become somewhat red after that. One must remember that after this year, Luan had already turned fifteen. He was a young man now. “Ahem… uncle Rean, stop teasing me, please.”

Roan didn’t say anything, but he did feel quite good after hearing that. It’s just that he didn’t let it show on his face. “If that’s the path you took, then I have nothing to complain about. Initial Stage of the Saint Realm, huh? Come into the Dimensional Realm. I want to test your strength.”

Luan immediately grew excited after that. “Yes, father!”

The few people who knew Luan quickly found out that he had come back and gathered to welcome him. However, a huge crowd ended up forming around. Not that they wanted to see who Luan was, but that Sister Orb told everyone that Roan, one of the Sect Masters, would be fighting in the arena against a disciple.

Roan often gave training lessons in the sect. However, he rarely fought anyone. No, to be more specific, most people were afraid of fighting him.

Rean, of course, just floated in the air as he looked at the arena below. ‘How far have his eyes evolved?’

Roan didn’t mind the crowd since watching this battle could also be considered training. Not to mention that Luan was the first person in the sect to have broken through into the Saint Realm. All the others who surpassed the Nascent Soul Realm were still in the Initial, Middle, or Late Stage of the Soul Transformation Realm. This showed the difference with Luan’s cultivation technique, which Roan used Immortal Cultivation Techniques to help in its creation.

Luan stood on one side of the arena and brought out his sword. It was a piece of equipment Rean had crafted for him while he was still in the Nascent Soul Realm. Nevertheless, it was quite good even now. Of course, Rean offered to forge another one first, but Luan shook his head. He wanted to fight Roan.

Roan, on the other hand, brought out… a wooden sword. One of the same ones used back in Varen Tribe.

Luan didn’t look down on Roan, nor did he get angry because of that. He knew better than most that his father was still extremely powerful with that simple wooden sword. “Father, I won’t hold back.”

Roan nodded, saying, “If you did, I would beat you up. Never ever hold back.” Suddenly, Roan’s cultivation began to drop at fast speeds. No, to be more specific, his Divine Soul Power output was being restrained to the level of an Initial Stage Saint Realm cultivator. “I’ll give you some respect and fight at the same level of cultivation as you. This is already quite a commitment since I always restrain my cultivation to a level lower than the disciples I’m training. Your objective is simple. As long as you can damage this wooden sword, it’s your win.”

Luan nodded in response. “Then, try to stop my sword!”

As soon as Luan finished his swords, he flashed away, heading straight for Roan. Luan received all of Roan’s personal training and teaching. Thanks to that, he grew to be someone capable of coming up with his own techniques, and this movement technique he just used was one he developed during his year alone.

’Void Steps!’

Luan’s body seemed to not feel any air resistance. No sound came from his foot either. It truly looked as if he was stepping into the void.

Roan’s eyes lit up once he saw Luan move. “Not bad. I shall take this chance to test something new.”

His stance then changed. He held his sword, pointing forward above his head. After flexing his legs, Divine Soul Power gathered around his body and wooden sword as well as Dark Element.

’Death Style…’

Suddenly, all the swords in the sect began to tremble nonstop, as if wanting to join Roan with that single attack.

’Eighth Form…’

Roan’s wooden sword then began to shine with a mysterious energy. No one other than Rean could tell what it was. ‘Oh-ho… so he thinks Luan has grown so much that he’s even using that, huh?’ Rean couldn’t help but smile.

Finally, Roan attacked.

’Sword Intent!’

Roan’s sword then seemed to become ethereal as it flashed in Luan’s direction. Everyone looking at it could see one sword and thousands of swords at the same time. It was truly magical… and extremely scary. No one there thought they could dodge such a strike.

However, Luan didn’t panic. That’s because his own sword shone with a different energy as well. It wasn’t the same as Roan, but it was definitely terrifying.

’Void Style, First Form, Space-cutting Blade!’

Luan… had achieved what others deemed impossible. He finally touched the power of space while still in the Saint Realm!