Chapter 4

Taking a walk

I focus my mind on perceiving the water mana particles around me, then slowly I start to absorb them. I cant be hasty. If I use the full power of the Heavenly crystal dragon technique I will absorb too much mana and my veins will explode. Until I manage to form my mana core and reach the apprentice level I need to be careful about how much I absorb.

I spent the entire night meditating, slowly absorbing mana.

" I am already close to mid-rank initiate. I should be able to reach late rank before the academy starts."

I stand up, get dress and walk out of my room. The maid was waiting for me outside. She escorts me to the small dining room to eat my breakfast.

After that, I leave the house and start walking towards my uncle Tang Hai home.

Unlike my house, uncle's manor is in the inner part of the clan. Here is where most clan members live and it almost feels like a bustling city. Wide roads with houses on each side, people walking the streets and some shops here and there.

I arrived at the central part of the clan. Here is where the most important members have their manors. Here is also where the academy, the library, and the treasury are.

I finally arrived my uncle's manor and knock the door. A butler opens the door and recognizes me.

"Young master Ru, welcome. Please come in. The young lady in the backyard. I will take you there."

I gave him a nod and follow him.

The house is much smaller than mine. But considering where it's located you can tell is very expensive. Is also enough for such small family. Ai's mother died when she was a little kid and has no brothers, so is just her, uncle Hai and a few servants.

As the butter and I got close to the backyard I could already see her. She is sitting on the grass next to a small fountain. She is currently meditating.

I find a place nearby and sit down. I don't want to disturb her so I wait.

After a few minutes, she opens her eyes.

"Good morning little Ru..."

"You seem upset. Are you having troubles breaking through the peak initiate rank?"

She gets a bit startled and opens her eyes wide, just for a moment.

"How did you know?"

" I was just watching you. You seem to have trouble circulating the mana after absorbing it."

" And you won't happen to know how to solve it right?" She asks in a half-mocking tone.

" I do. You just need a more fitting cultivation technique. Come tomorrow morning to my house. I will teach you something good then."

She stood there looking at me with a strange expression like she wasn't sure if I was kidding or serious.

" Fine, let's see what you come up with tomorrow, humph!"

" Very well, see you tomorrow."

As I turned to leave.

" Ohh, father said he will have the potions ready this afternoon. I will bring them."

I nodded and left the house.

I went back to the commercial area of the clan where I was before, but this time I took a different road. Moments later I saw the building I was looking for. A huge building with three floors. Rough architecture but it gets the job done, and a gigantic sign on the front that says " Iron soul".

This was the best blacksmith shop in the clan. And also the place where big Qing was working.

As I got closer I realize a heated discussion seem to be taken place. At first, I didn't pay much mind, but then I recognize one of the voices. It was big Qing voice.

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" I can't give you a discount, muche less at half the price, and the boss is not here right now." Please leave.

As I enter the shop I see Qing with an apologetic face talking with a boy of our age. There were also two others next to him. I recognize the boy as Tang Tao.

" How dare you talk to me like that! , you are just a servant's son." He yelled, his face filled with anger.

" And who do you think you are? the son of the Celestial Emperor? " I asked.

Tang Tao and his two cronies turned around and so did Qing. He seemed surprised to see me there.

" You are Tang Ru, right? the son of protector Liang. Well, that is nothing, my grandfather is Elder Qiang. So you best stay away from my business or you will regret it."

" I don't care about your business, but big Qing is a friend of mine. I am also surprised you bring your grandfather's name. You think the elder would approve you using his name to get discounts?"

" You!!, that is it!!. Come outside if you dare. I will teach you a lesson! "

He threw a killer gaze at me and started to walk outside. The two cronies following behind like a couple of ducklings.

"Don't do it brother Ru. I heard Tang Tao is already almost a late initiate. He has many resources at his disposal. Not only is his grandfather and elder but his father is a teacher at the academy. " Qing said, worried painted his face.

" Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Someone has to teach that kid a bit of respect.

When I walked outside I saw Tang Tao there, ready to fight. Some other people have stopped to see what was going on.

I went in front of him and gave him a signal to start.

" You underestimate me too much Tang Ru. I will punch your face until you look like a pig!"

He circulated his mana to increase his speed and moved next to me. Then he threw a punch to my right side.

I grabbed his fist and used his own momentum to throw him to the ground. Once there I gave him a good kick right in the face.

He didn't have time to react.

Having to beat an initiate pup.... how low have I fallen...

Tang Tao was not moving. The kick left him unconscious, but I did not inflict any serious damage.

I turned to the two cronies.

" Take your boss home. He needs some rest."

"You know he will not forget this!!. He will come back for you!" said one of them

" Yes!! you are done! " said the other one.

" Sure, sure. " I waved my hand and went inside.

" Brother Ru! , I knew you were strong but this is too much. Tang Tao could not even fight back" Qing seemed very excited while talking.

"Let's go inside. There is something I need to tell you."

After going inside the shop I closed the door and looked at Qing.

" I told you before. You need to defend yourself. Don't let them talk to you like that."

" But he has a high status and I am just-"

" It doesn't matter who your parents are, the important thing is how you view yourself. If you think you are nothing more than the son of a servant then that is how people will treat you. "

"You are right, thank you, brother. "

"Besides you had nothing to fear in this case. Even that idiot would not dare to be too reckless here. No one wants to offend that old blacksmith for fear of getting blacklisted from his shop"

Qing nodded, and I continued.

" But this is not why I came here today. Tomorrow is your free day right?. Come to my manor during the morning. I have something important talk about with you and Ai."

" Something important?" Qing seemed like he wanted to know more but contained himself.

At that moment the door opened and someone came in.

A tall man, around fifty-year-old. He was wearing a leather apron.The bulging muscles of his arms seemed ready to explode. He has short curly black hair, black eyes, and a short beard. But what called attention the most was his skin. He had a dark skin. It was also very shiny, it almost looked like a dark metal.

This a defining characteristic of the Kingdom of Vaestra. The kingdom was situated on the east side of the continent. Very far from this island.The place is mostly a desert, there is not much food or anything. But there is something they have in abundance... Iron.

They have many iron mines and even a black iron one.

They have no magus in Vaestra, but they have guardians, although they call them warriors. The warriors of Vaestra are very feared all around the continent. It is said they fight with no fear. They fight until the last drop of life leaves their bodies.

If you become their enemy, you better make sure you can kill them all... because otherwise, they will not stop until you are dead.

On the other hand, if you somehow manage to gain they loyalty, they will follow you until the end and even gave up their lives for you without hesitation.

The blacksmith looked and said.

" Ohh we have a young customer. What can we offer you? "

Besides his tough appearance, he seemed to have a very friendly character.

" Master, brother Ru came to visit me. " Qing explained.

"Ohh, I see. You are friends with little Qing. Well if you ever need a weapon come to see me. I will give you a good price. "

" Of course. I'm sure I will.- I turned to Qing and said " See you tomorrow.

He gave me a nod and I left the shop.

I have some things to prepare for tomorrow.