Caelum’s aura surged to Late Core Formation as he prepared for what seemed to be the greatest challenge in his life thus far.

In the Peak Foundation Establishment realm, he had managed to kill a cultivator at the Peak Core Formation, but Caelum wasn't deluded. He knew that the chasm between a Core Formation expert and a Nascent Soul cultivator was vast, immeasurably so.

Perhaps, with Bloodthorn’s assistance, he might be able to battle to a standstill against this Early Nascent Soul realm girl, but Caelum knew that with one misstep, his life would forfeit.

The girl, sensing his desire to battle, laughed coldly. "You truly don’t grasp the difference between the heavens and the earth. I'll flatten you in a single move." With a wave of her hand, a gargantuan hand, made of densely compacted earth and stones, rose from the ground. Towering over Caelum, it raced towards him with crushing intent.

Caelum's eyes narrowed, understanding that the girl was dead serious—she intended to kill him. In a low voice, he invoked, "Awaken the Sanguine Nightmare, Bloodthorn."

The blade was engulfed in a swirling crimson energy and began to expand exponentially in size, rushing to meet the gargantuan hand. This was another ability of Bloodthorn, known as the Crimson Vortex technique, that he had gained access to after reaching the Sword Soul realm.

As the blade clashed with the earthen palm, Caelum and the young woman stood locked in a fierce stalemate, a deafening roar echoed and a whirlwind of dust and debris spiralled around them, stinging their faces. However, as the two techniques continued to strain against each other, a soft yet firm voice echoed through the vicinity.

"Enough!"

Instantly, their respective techniques crumbled, and their bodies locked in place, frozen by an overwhelming force.

From the heavens, a stunning woman, who looked to be in her thirties, descended. She wore azure robes, decorated with the emblem of the White Tiger, that flowed around her like water. Her beauty was breathtaking, with navy-blue eyes that seemed to have the power to soften even the hardest of hearts.

Under the immense pressure, the Nascent Soul cultivator’s confident demeanor crumbled, her voice quivering, "C-City Lord Alina!"

“Liora,” The woman smiled gently at the young girl, withdrawing her aura. She then shifted her gaze to Caelum. "The disciple of Supreme Elder Slifer is always welcome here in our city," she spoke gently.

“This junior greets the City Lord,” Caelum clasped his hands respectfully.

Meeting an Origin Realm cultivator again... if she harbored any ill intent, there'd be no escape for me. Noticing the friendly demeanor of the City Lord, Caelum let out a sigh of relief.

However, the girl, whom Alina addressed as Liora, was not as forgiving. Her eyes flashed with indignation. "He blatantly disregarded our city's laws," she protested, her voice dripping with disdain. "He not only dared to attack, but he also took a life!"

Alina motioned for Liora to calm down. "I had intended to send a few to deal with the ruckus those lone cultivators were causing. This young man merely addressed the issue before we could." Turning to Caelum, she said, "Thank you for assisting with our city's troubles."

Hearing this, Liora’s expression darkened further. She shot a glare at Caelum. "If not for the treaty between the sects, demonic cultivators like you would be hunted down like stray dogs."

Alina’s face turned grave, and her aura sharply focused on Liora. "You might be a prodigy and an elder of our sect, but remember, Liora, this is my domain. I am the City Lord."

The pointed reminder made Liora shiver. A hint of fear reflected in her eyes. She bowed deeply, her tone respectful yet strained. "I… will abide by the City Lord's command."

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However, as she prepared to leave, she shot Caelum a final warning glance. "Just pray to the Heavens that we don't cross paths outside this city's walls."

Watching Liora retreat, Caelum sighed inwardly. Why does she have such a vendetta against me?

Alina, observing the retreating figure of the young girl, turned her attention back to Caelum. "Pay her no mind. Youth often blinds one with hatred, especially between the Righteous and Demonic paths. Eventually, she will see there is not much difference."

Caelum clasped his hands and bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude. "Thank you for your understanding, City Lord."

She waved a dismissive hand, a small smile playing on her lips. "There is no need for formalities, I am acquainted with your master. We are... old friends."

Caelum's eyes widened in genuine surprise. Master knows the City Lord? The revelation was startling, he didn’t know his master had any…friends.

But before he could voice his thoughts, she interrupted. "I'm sure, young one, you have more pressing matters than speaking with an old woman like me."

“Thank you for your assistance,” Caelum gave another respectful bow.

Just as he was about to leave, he paused for a moment, "The young boy in the city... he has potential. Do look out for him." He had no doubt Alina knew whom he referred to. He suspected she had been watching since he had set foot in the city.

Without waiting for a reply, Caelum vanished from the spot.

Alina’s gaze drifted to the aftermath of the battle. The markings on the ground showed subtle signs of the sword technique slowly overpowering the gigantic earthen hand.

"No disciple of an Ascendant cultivator," she murmured to herself, "is simple."

***

Caelum stared at the entrance of Hearthbrook village. It felt like an eternity since he'd last set foot here, he was but a child when his master took him under his wing. It feels like just yesterday, he mused, a sigh escaping his lips. Time, for cultivators, seemed to warp and twist, years passing like fleeting moments.

Would they even recognize me now? He had always yearned to return, but the potential dangers held him back. Cultivators, particularly demonic cultivators, would exploit the weak to get to the strong, and so his master had strictly warned him against visiting. But now, an inexplicable pull tugged at his soul. "Perhaps it's Heaven's Will," he whispered, drawing strength from the thought.

Walking inconspicuously, like any other mortal, he traversed the village's cobblestone paths, relying on distant memories to guide him home. He easily masked his presence, remaining undetected by the unaware villagers. While urban folk held some knowledge about the world of cultivation, these villagers remained blissfully ignorant, unable to differentiate between immortal and demonic cultivators.

Ahead, he noticed an old, worn-down house, its wooden planks showing signs of weathering and its roof made of straw, still holding up despite the evident years it had seen. An elderly man entered the dwelling, and as Caelum extended his spiritual sense, he found an aged woman lying on a bed, her life's flame dimming, while the man cared for her tenderly.

"Mother," he whispered, emotion constricting his voice. Witnessing the fragility of the parents he once saw as pillars was gut-wrenching.

He hadn't anticipated this. They should have been healthier, stronger. The life-extending pills that his master had provided should have granted them a century of good health.

Whispering softly, he murmured, "I'm sorry." Hesitantly, he extended his spiritual sense to scan his mother's fragile form. Such an action was deeply intimate, considered an invasion of one's privacy. He felt a pang of guilt, even if she remained oblivious to his actions.

I need to find out what is wrong. Caelum thought with resolve.

After a few moments of silent observation, his eyes widened in shock. "H-How is this possible?" Caelum muttered under his breath.

His mother's body harbored a poison - but this was no ordinary affliction. It was a vicious poison known to cultivators as ‘Cultivator’s Bane’, infamous for its cruelty. This sinister toxin lurked undetected within a victim, sapping their life force gradually until nothing but a husk remained.

For cultivators with extended lifespans and enhanced physiques, the venom's effects could unfold unnoticed over decades or even centuries. But in his mother's mortal body, the poison's devastation had been swift and merciless. It had manifested fully within mere months.

Caelum’ face twisted into a grimace. Who could have done this to her? he thought, feeling an unfamiliar surge of rage.

Driven by a sudden impulse, he began to approach the house. He wanted to be there, to comfort and protect but he halted mid-step, his heart heavy. Revealing myself now would change nothing, he thought despairingly.

The bitter truth was, he carried no cure. Worse, the Cultivator’s Bane had a cruel trait: it thrived and intensified its potency when exposed to healing elixirs. Caelum's face contorted in anguish. The only way to counteract its effects was with the rare antidote known as Essence of Dawn.

The perpetrator could be near, observing their handiwork, he considered. His spiritual sense expanded outward like a ripple, scanning the surroundings for any sign of malicious watchers. After detecting no immediate threats, Caelum felt a pang of relief.

If they used this poison instead of an outright attack, then my family is likely safe... for now.

With one last, lingering look at the place he once called home, Caelum walked away.

He needed the antidote, and he needed it fast.