Several days drifted by as Xi Shen continued to help Zhao Yi. His help had been so helpful he could already feel a springy cocoon form around his soul which Xi Shen said shouldn't be surprising since he is older and had the ability to understand the core concepts quickly.

Zhao Yi felt his sensitivity to the changes in the energy around him increase each day. It wasn't long before he felt the significant amount that was being funneled into the carriage that belonged to the convoy.

When Zhao Yi asked Xi Shen who was in there he simply said it wasn't his place to say. Which only piqued his interest more.

As they drew near a small village Xi Shen announced they would resupply here and that they had two hours to rest before they continued. It was mid day and Zhao Yi needed to stretch his legs. Riding a horse as much as he was when he wasn’t used to it had caused him all sorts of soreness.

As he was about to leave to get some dried foods to snack on during their journey he noticed out of the corner of his eye an aid rushed out to Xi Shen and whispered something to him.

“Guards block off the road and pay the residents to keep away from the carriage.” He said as he dismounted “Zhao Yi, it is going to be several hours before I am finished. Go gather whatever is needed by the guards.”

Though curiosity gnawed at his insides, Zhao Yi understood the importance of maintaining a good impression with Xi Shen. He dared not jeopardize the trust he had been building by prying into affairs that weren't his to know.

Under the watchful eye of the Xi clan's guards and the respectful compliance of the villagers, Zhao Yi set about his task, gathering supplies as requested. The tension in the air hung palpably, leaving Zhao Yi wondering about the secrets veiled within the guarded carriage and the reason for such stringent security measures.

Zhao Yi navigated through the village's makeshift marketplace, scanning the stalls for supplies for the basic supplies requested from each of the guards. Zhao Yi inspected the selection though the village was small, it was a crossroad town which meant it had slightly more variety than his isolated town even if it had larger population. He meticulously examined the dried fruits and meats and carefully packed a variety of them for the guards.

As he made his way back to the designated meeting point, Zhao Yi couldn't help but overhear snippets of whispered conversations among the villagers. Their hushed tones hinted at rumors and speculations, a blend of curiosity and caution swirling in the air.

The villagers seemed perturbed by the unusual directive to keep away from the center of the village, casting furtive glances toward the guarded area. Zhao Yi sensed their unease, their expressions a mix of intrigue and trepidation.

With the supplies secured and the hours passing by, Zhao Yi pondered what could possibly be happening within the heavily guarded carriage. It was obvious it had to be a person of some sort. As the thought passed through his mind the fluctuations of energy suddenly exploded outwards then rapidly condensed. Zhao Yi stood up and looked in that direction and smiled as the truth finally revealed itself. A Core formation cultivator had been born.

…

Xi Biyu opened her eyes as she felt the energy had finally stabilized and her core had formed into a hard unrefined substance. The amount of effort had left her weak, but that was to be expected.

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Opening her eyes she saw Xi Shen sitting beside her his eyes with a warm smile “Congratulations young miss. You’ve formed your soulstone.”

Xi Biyu smiled “I imagine it is similar to my family?” There was no reason to be too excited even if her grandfather was impressed with her growth; it was still a common soulstone attribute in the Xi clan who mainly gained Ruby or Sapphire depending on which side of the family it was on.

“Let me check.” Xi Shen held out his hand.

Reaching out her hand palm up, Xi Shen snapped it up on his own and injected just a sliver of energy into her meridians and felt the energy emanating off the newly formed soulstone.

Xi Biyu watched his eyebrows raise in surprise. “What is the matter Xi Shen? Don’t tell me it is Emerald! Grandfather’s worst rival, the Hmong clan primarily produces Emerald soulstones. This will win me no favors with him at the tournament.”

Letting go of her hand, Xi Shen smiled warmly “You got a rare element among the Xi clan Zephryrite.”

Feeling her heart skip a beat she couldn’t believe her ears…”You said Zephryrite? As in the element of air?”

Air was not a widely practiced element on the Sosea continent; from her knowledge only a few small cultivator families might practice it. It was exciting, but also posed challenges finding appropriate skills to compliment the element. One’s element was based mostly on family lineage, but also what type of energy they absorbed primarily and that was based on so many factors few people knew precisely what the source was.

“Young Miss you did well and I see your core is very stable which is excellent. Your job now is to continue to add to its size and hardness. This is the first step of all cultivators who make it beyond the basic levels. When we arrive at Xi city I will immediately search for some suitable techniques for you that will compliment the attribute.”

Xi Biyu nodded “Get us on the road as quickly as possible and moving I want to arrive at Xi city as quickly as possible and prepare my horse. I think I will get some fresh air from now on. The journey of cultivating only while on the road has been stifling.”

Now that Xi Biyu’s mind wasn’t occupied she remembered the curious boy who they had met. While they were the same age it seemed like his journey of cultivation was self taught which rarely bore fruit, but even while she had been focusing on absorbing energy she still could tell his progress was impressive even if he didn’t have talent he worked hard and it was those types of people who she needed to bring under her branches umbrella.

The convoy began to move out not long after she changed into something more comfortable for riding. Stepping out of the carriage she saw her steed was ready already and quickly jumped onto its back. At the head of the convoy Xi Shen was riding besides who she assumed was the boy they had picked up earlier in the journey.

Xi Shen turned towards Xi Biyu as she approached on his otherside. “Zhao Yi, this is my ward whom I’m protecting on the way to Xi city, young miss Xi Biyu.”

“I apologize for the secrecy, but we were too far from the city beforehand for me to make my presence more open. Bandits would love to get their hands on a Xi family member for ransom. May I ask where you are coming from?”

Zhao Yi shook his head “No! No need to apologize. I am glad you were able to break through to the Core formation realm. A lowly subject of the Xi clan like myself wouldn’t dare be upset by something as trivial as what was requested of me! I’m no one special. I grew up a orphan in a small rural town and decided to head to Xi city to participate in the tournament hoping for some good fortune is all.

Xi Biyu suspected it was something like that. Many young people were going to flood into the city. “Well I’m glad you could join us, someone who risks their life for the Xi clan will not have their efforts unrewarded.”

While the boy was tanned from working in the sun plus his demeanor wasn’t helped by his unruly and unkempt appearance. His tunic was well worn as was his staff which he had on his lap.

The trio traveled quietly mostly the next few days besides Xi Shen giving Zhao Yi occasional tip it remained relaxed and uneventful.

Finally at the horizon a city began to grow into view revealing itself while Xi city couldn’t consider itself the largest city on the continent; its central location brought it much wealth from the various powers.

It was there that the Xi family head stayed and watched over his people.