CHAPTER 137: TWO WEEKS

Yu Xuan was no fool. Even if the curse seemed gone, he knew better than to trust appearances. If it lingered in some hidden corner of his being, waiting to return, the consequences could be... fatal.

He needed reassurance. And more than that, he needed a shield. A strong one.

His clan was powerful, yes, but their influence was bound to his home world and a handful of other places.

In the cultivation world, strength in the end came down to the strength of one’s own fist... or the strength of the person standing behind you.

That was why he’d come straight to his master. If he returned home and the curse reappeared, what then? He had no intention of being caught helpless again.

Though he liked thinking the eggs did their work, he still needed a second opinion.

"How did you learn about the curse in the first place?" the Peak Master asked.

Her tone was calm, but her eyes narrowed in thought. She had sensed something on him before, something foul and had even considered purging it herself. But its origin was unknown.

For that reason, she had already been considering consulting the Peak Master of Soul Mirror Peak. If anyone could trace the source without damaging Yu Xuan’s spirit, it would be her.

While she knew certain soul related techniques, this was work best left to an expert.

Yu Xuan then recounted his experience in the Tower of Trials, from the battles to the strange reward he had received. When the Peak Master heard about that reward, her usually composed expression flickered with surprise.

Her gaze fell on the locket hanging from Yu Xuan’s neck. At a glance, it seemed ordinary, just two luminous stones set in a simple frame.

Even she felt nothing unusual at first... until she focused. Only with full concentration did she sense the extraordinary energy hidden within.

"Listen carefully," the Peak Master said, her tone turning sharp. "You must never speak of this to anyone. Understood?"

There was the faintest trace of envy in her voice. Even for someone of her standing, forming a contract with an Exotic Divine Life of Heaven and Earth was almost impossible.

These beings were rarely sighted and utterly uncontrollable, even if someone managed to force a contract.

On the rare occasions such attempts were made, those who succeeded... rarely lived long enough to enjoy it. People were wise enough to either know or invent the reasons.

In recent times, such creatures had become more myth than reality.

And she knew all too well the will of Heaven and Earth did not look kindly upon those who harmed its own creations.

"Your curse is gone now. You can relax," she told him.

Yu Xuan still looked unconvinced.

"You reek of suspicion," she said with a faint smirk. "But believe me, there are some things I know far better than you. You’re safe."

He sighed and nodded. "Master... I want to hone my combat experience more, so..."

From there, Yu Xuan spoke of the areas he wished to improve and the methods he was considering. The Peak Master listened and adjusted his plans, offering refinements based on her own judgment.

After some time, Yu Xuan left the palace.

The Peak Master, however, remained seated, lost in thought.

’Why was the cause of the curse erased? Should I consult that old man?’

Though she had told Yu Xuan not to worry, she herself could not ignore the unknown origin of the curse.

And the fact that he had come from the lower realm made it worse. The great boundary between mortal and immortal realms was not so easily crossed, how had this curse slipped past it to reach him?

Better to investigate now than regret later.

With that decision made, her figure vanished from the palace.

***

The next day, Yu Xuan rose from bed, the lingering fatigue of the previous day’s events now gone. He bathed in the cool morning water, letting it wash away the last traces of rest, then changed into fresh robes.

As was his habit, he made his way to the five elemental multicolored tree — his designated cultivation spot.

Its leaves shimmered under the early light, casting shifting patterns across the grass. Sitting beneath it, he closed his eyes, letting his breathing settle as he contemplated the path ahead.

There was much he wished to accomplish. First and foremost, he wanted to ride the skies on a sword.

For that, tradition demanded reaching the Core Formation stage... but Yu Xuan knew well enough there were always other ways, less orthodox, perhaps, but no less effective.

For now, he was at the 8th stage of the Qi Condensation realm. It was time to give proper names to the techniques that would define him.

With a thought, he gave the mental command.

’System, name my cultivation technique The Everchanging Ascension Technique, and my martial technique The Formless Martial Path.’

[Ding! Confirm changes?]

’Yes.’

[Status updated successfully.]

’Status’, the familiar sleek golden black screen materialized silently in front of him.

=== Status Window ===

[Name]: Yu Xuan

[Age]: 14

[Species]: Human

[Title]: Reincarnator, Young Master, Young Genius, Flower of Yu Clan, Contractor of Divine Life

[Traits]: Soul Vision, Mental Resistance, Adaptive Mind

[Cultivation Realm]: Qi Condensation (8/12)

- Physical Strength: 98/100

- Spiritual Strength: 93/100

- Soul Strength: 100/100

==================

[Spiritual Root]:

Origin (EX)

[Cultivation Technique]: The Everchanging Ascension Technique

[Martial Technique]: The Formless Martial Path

[Physique]: Darkness & Light Origin Physique (EX)

[Bloodline]: The Darkest Light (M+)

==================

[Dao Comprehension]: N/A

[Arts]: Magic Swordsmanship of the Avalon Imperial Family (E+^)

[Skills]: Telekinesis (B+), Immortal’s Gaze (SS+^), Fated Encounter (???)

==================

[Talent Evaluation]

[Quests]

[System Shop]

==================

He noded in satisfaction checking his status, he also saw the new title he received, probably after forming the contracts with the eggs; ’Contractor of Divine Life’.

His strength too had increased, now he had only one work. To step into Foundational Establishment realm.

So, under the shade of the Five Elemental tree, he cultivated in peace.

Nothing was out of ordinary during this time and in a blink of an eye, two weeks passed.