C2 His Father's Letter

As the first light of dawn pierced the horizon's hold, a faint glow illuminated the eastern sky. Ye Xuan, with his luggage prepared the day before, descended the mountain via a stone staircase tinged with moss and a pale green hue. By the time the sun began its slow ascent in the east, he had reached the base of the mountain and was on the verge of entering Entheas.

His home lay to the southeast of Entheas, a sanctuary of tranquility compared to the city's bustling center.

With quickening steps, Ye Xuan drew ever closer to home. Soon, he found himself before a quaint courtyard enclosed by a fence. At its heart stood a wooden house, flanked by rows of fruit trees and vegetable plants. He pushed open the gate and, unable to contain his eagerness, made his way to the wooden house, his palms slightly damp with sweat.

"Dad, I'm back!" Ye Xuan called out as he entered, but unlike before, no warm, gentle voice greeted him in return. "Hmm? What's going on? Isn't Dad home?" he wondered aloud. After a few more shouts, his voice echoed back to him, amplifying the emptiness of the courtyard. A gentle morning breeze caressed Ye Xuan's youthful face, bringing with it a refreshing coolness.

He strode to the house and pushed the door open, quickly scanning the room. All he saw was a table and two chairs sitting forlornly in the center. Looking up, Ye Xuan noticed a white sheet of paper weighed down by a square block of wood. The cool breeze from the window caused the paper to flutter gently.

He approached the table, removed the block, and picked up the paper, recognizing his father Ye Xiaotian's handwriting. The characters were strong and vigorous, with no sign of hesitation, as fluid as a river's flow.

Ye Xuan read the letter intently.

"Xuan, by the time you read this, I will have already departed. I'm sure you have many questions and are seeking answers. Continue reading, and you will understand the issues with your body that have prevented your advancement in the Whispering Souls Realm over the past five years. Xuan, you are an intelligent child, a trait evident from a very young age. You have an innate love for reading, having devoured a vast array of books on numerous subjects. Moreover, you possess a remarkable talent for cultivation. In just nine years, you've achieved the Whispering Souls Realm, a feat that takes others with considerable talent eleven or twelve years to reach."

Upon reaching this part of the letter, Ye Xuan braced himself for his father's explanation of the health issues he'd been experiencing.

And sure enough, it was just as Ye Xuan had anticipated.

"Your cultivation speed is extraordinary, which has caused your mother and me a great deal of concern. After discussing it, your mother placed an Abyss Devouring Rune on you. Every time you cultivate, the vital force you gain is consumed by the magic circle, which is why your cultivation has plateaued for so many years. But don't worry, even though the Abyss Devouring Rune absorbs your vital force, it uses that energy to continuously nourish your body. So, while your cultivation hasn't progressed, your physical strength has been enhanced by the nourishing vital force over the years. Your vital force may not have increased, but your foundation is stable and robust. This will greatly benefit your cultivation and will be advantageous for your future training."

With a wry smile, Ye Xuan reflected on the past five years. He hadn't perceived any benefits from his stagnant cultivation level, having endured his fair share of scorn and ridicule. However, the serene and untroubled mindset he had cultivated during his youth while studying with his father allowed him to let such spiteful remarks pass through him like a fleeting breeze. Ye Xuan then redirected his attention to the rest of the letter.

"You've probably had a tough time these years, but there's no need to worry. The Abyss Devouring Rune was only meant to be in your body for five years. Starting today, you'll be able to cultivate normally again." As Ye Xuan read the words on the paper, he instinctively began to practice the Astral Conclave's techniques. Being an Outer Sect disciple, he was limited to the most basic first-level techniques, which meant the absorption of spiritual energy was quite slow. Nevertheless, the energy of heaven and earth began to trickle into the room, funneling into his body. After being refined by his technique, a stream of pale, almost translucent yellow vital force flowed into his Qi Sea, reigniting the delightful sensation of comfort and progress he hadn't felt in years. The clarity of this long-missed feeling brought a flush of joy to his face, but he quickly composed himself and continued reading the letter's contents.

"Dad, I can tell you're overjoyed right now, but I've also prepared a surprise gift for you. It's in your room's closet. Well, Xuan, this is nearly all I have to say. From now on, you'll have to stand on your own two feet. You must grow stronger to protect yourself. I still need to find your mother, and once I do, we can be a family again. If you're eager to learn more, go ahead and open the surprise I left for you. Inside, you'll find information about your mother." These four words concluded the letter.

Ye Xuan carefully folded the letter and tucked it away, then proceeded to his bedroom. The shelves were lined with books, meticulously organized. He strode over to the wardrobe, unable to contain his excitement, and slid the doors open. His eyes immediately landed on a jade-green box. With haste, Ye Xuan placed the box on the bed and gently lifted the lid, revealing its contents to his eager eyes.

Inside the box lay two scrolls, one green and one blue.

Upon unfurling the green scroll, a luminescent glow bathed the room in a soft light. Ye Xuan narrowed his eyes against the brilliance and, upon opening them, was greeted by three words glowing in green:

"Prismatic Mantra."

His gaze traveled further down to the introduction of the Longevity Technique.

The Prismatic Mantra comprised nine distinct realms, each one a step closer to heaven. Mastering the highest realm granted the power to rend the heavens, shift mountains, and command the seas.

The description of the technique was succinct, a mere handful of words, yet it conveyed a profound understanding. Within those words lay the potential for unfathomable might.

Following this, the method for cultivating the "Prismatic Mantra" was detailed.