Chapter 8: What’s next?

In a medium sized courtyard, there was an old man in his 50s with a woman. They drink tea as they relax outside of their house. While talking to each other they constantly peek at the entrance of their house like they are waiting for someone to appear.

“Grandpa, Grandma! Good morning” A boy rushes to them and greets them with a bow. On his shoulder is a lion cub that has a pair of wings on its body. A boy visiting his grandparent has quite a tranquil atmosphere that could move any children book author. The grandparents nodded as they were very pleased by the boy’s manner.

The boy was Ignis and Solace is on his shoulder. Once Ignis enters the courtyard, Solace immediately jumps off his shoulder and starts running toward Alyssa.  The moment he reaches her, he jumps up and landed on her lap.

Alyssa has visited Ignis a few days ago, so Ignis isn’t surprise at Solace’s actions. Instead, he is very happy that his companion is acting familiar to his family. And plus, his grandma didn’t find Solace as a bother, rather she actually welcomes him which proved by her action, as she rubs his fur as he sits her lap.

However, the serene atmosphere didn’t last long as the Aurelius snorts with his eyes close.

“Hmph, only now do you visit your grandparents. I thought you have forgotten these old fossils.”

“Ha? Why you saying that to the boy, you want me to beat you up?” Alyssa smacks Aurelius shoulder so that he would stop talking.

Even though his wife got angry and hits him, Aurelius had an indifferent expression.

Ignis wryly laugh as he rustled his hair.

“Don’t worry about him, even though that’s what he said, he has always visit you every night.” Alyssa consoled Ignis as she places her hand on the chair next to her and pats it motioning Ignis to sit down.  

This time, Aurelius that once angry had his eyes wide open and his face became a tad redder than before. However, rather than angry to be more exact he feels embarrass that his act is out. He glances at Ignis before closing his eyes again.

The peaceful scene continues as Ignis chats with Alyssa, while Aurelius sitting beside them, not saying a word but had a calm and serene expression as if he just enjoys spending time with his family. Eventually, Alyssa  starts telling Ignis of her long trip and this continues until noon when the sun starts to descend.  

Aurelius looks toward the sun set before speaking his mind, “Hmm, Ignis it's time I tell you why you are here today.” Aurelius interrupts Alyssa’s and Ignis’s chat that didn’t seem to end any time soon.

“Tell me how far have you progressed in your cultivation.” Aurelius asks as he stands up with both his hand cross.

“Grandfather, I’ve managed to be able to absorb wisps of Fire Qi into my body.” Ignis stands up as he obediently reports his progress to his grandparents.

Aurelius was very satisfied, with a small hint of pride he smiled to show his approval while Alyssa is simply just content that she got to spend time with her grandson.

“Ignis, what do you think is the next step?” Aurelius questions him.

“Eh-?” Ignis places his hand on his forehead and massage it.

“Next step?... I suppose I would to have continue until I absorb Qi until my body can enter the Apprentice stage?” Ignis ponders and then answer with reluctant as he is afraid of his grandfather getting angry. He was unsure at first but after thinking carefully he realised that he is still clueless.

“Yes, that’s correct however what is the requirement for your body to enter the Apprentice stage?” Aurelius nodded and continues to ask the next question.

“If I remember correctly for a mortal to become an apprentice he must be able to perform a basic martial art.” Ignis crossed his arms and thought carefully before answering.

Aurelius nodded again to acknowledge that Ignis’s answer is correct.

Martial Arts are completely different from Martial Skills. Skills would requires the activation of Dantian and Qi, while Martial Arts are simply moves that a cultivator can executes to form attack, defend or movement. However, Martial Art can be the base of a Martial Skill, for example, the Tyrant Leg Art was transformed into Glacial Onslaught Kick by the ruler of the North, Tyrant Raigus.

Martial Art is the first step for any cultivator. By practicing, Martial Art can be seen as creating a foundation for Martial Skills in the future.

Aurelius operated energy into his Dimension Ring and a book suddenly appeared in his palms. He then handed the book to Ignis.

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“Foundation art. Grandfather… does that mean?” Ignis hold the book and his body shook on realising.

“Yes, if you can learn and master the Foundation art then you can be regarded as an Apprentice.” Aurelius patted Ignis head while having a big smile that was full of expectation.

“Ignis, once you can perform the Foundation art, go and meet your uncle Reynold. He will tell you what to do next.” Aurelius said as he and Alyssa exchange glance before they look at Ignis. Their gazes are full of warmth and care.

After a moment of pause, Aurelius spoke. “Alyssa and I will have to leave for a trip and we won’t be back for some time.”

“Eh?! You guys are leaving? Where?” Ignis is shocked by the news and his eyes became teary as soon as he hears what Aurelius said.

“Ignis, we can’t tell you where however I trust that you are an independent person. You can’t cry.” Aurelius face tense up once more as he said with a stern expression.

Alyssa pulls Ignis closer and hugs him for comfort. Ignis sniffled as he tries to hold back his tears, his mouth whimpers as he looks down.  

“When will you come back then.” Ignis asks one more hoping to know more.

“We won’t be back for quite some time dear. However, you are never alone, you have to remember that.” Alyssa said in a caring tone, attempting to calm down Ignis.

“When… are you leaving then?” Ignis asks softly as he pouts.

Aurelius’s stern gaze soften as he look at Ignis’s face for a short period before it return to the firm expression.

“We will be leaving tomorrow. Enough questions, it’s time for you to go home and rest.”

Ignis nodded lightly and obediently do as Aurelius’s order as left his grandfather’s courtyard in heavy step.

Aurelius’s and Alyssa’s gaze on Ignis back with sadness and heartache. However, they did not say anything but sighed and walked back together into their house.

Once Ignis slowly left his grandparents’ house he immediately starts to run with all his might back to his house and Solace runs behind him trying to catch up. For the first time in a while he laid on his actual bed and starts crying in anguish. Ignis rarely ever cries even when tempering his body with Qi he didn’t shed tears.   

Solace, who sits next to him as Ignis cries, tries to comfort him and lets out a few small growls. He then nuzzles Ignis with his nose trying to lift up Ignis’s mood.

After a while, Ignis finally calms down and grabs Solace next to him into his arms and hugs him tightly. Solace growls in protest at first however he soon quiets down when he hears Ignis speaks.

“Solace, it’ll just be me and you now.” Ignis red eyes became teary once more but he did not cry instead he rubbed his eyes and then leave his bed to go to his courtyard.

Like any other day, Ignis and Solace laid on the cold grass and sleep as if there was nothing to worry about in this world.

The next day came like normal except when Ignis woke up as he lifts the blanket that was put over him without him knowing there was a note next to him. He read the note and his eyes that was red from yesterday became even more teary however he did not cry and just rubbed his eyes.

“Ignis you aren’t alone, while you must be independent. You still have Solace and your uncle Reynold. When you ever come across a problem, you can ask your uncle. You don’t need to visit my residence, since Alyssa and I have already left by the time you wake up. We won’t be back after some time but during that time, you must not slacks off and most importantly, you must never be arrogant. Those that are arrogant always fall miserably due them not seeing the sky above their sky. Also, you must not reveal that you manages to sense and control Qi within a day, there will be those that fear and envy your talent. Goodbye my grandson, cultivate and get stronger.”

Ignis folds the letter and stand up while holding the letter tightly. He eventually walk back inside his house where he opens a cupboard and places the letter into it. He breath in and out for a moment. With high spirit, he will begin his daily life once again, but first starting with breakfast.

After eating breakfast, he once again repeats his day like any other days, sitting down and absorbing Qi which is then used to temper his body. His will was now strengthened due to the departure of his grandparents, currently even when he feels the pain he didn’t take any break. It could be said that this process is very boring, repetitive and require high patience.

If you lack patience, it will get you nowhere in the world of cultivation, especially those young masters that throw their weight around in secular world. They can only mess around and can’t advance any further in their cultivation. All of them are treated in disdain by the normal people and especially by those within the clan. Afterall, their action reflect the reputation of the clan.

Only through constant hard works can a cultivator become stronger. However, while hard works can improve a cultivator’s cultivation, those that stand on the apex of the world are all heaven-defying individuals. Life has never been fair, those without talent can only reach so far before they fall down due to the severe power of Time. While a life of a cultivator can be considered heavenly, sometimes a life of a normal mortal isn’t so bad as they can carry on their daily life without living in solitude like cultivators. They live a normal life and have family and spend time with each other while being ignorant of the world. While they may experience hardship, they can be considered trivial once compared to the hardship of a cultivator.

For example, the merchants in the city, they aren’t the strongest and wouldn’t be able to dominate an area with an iron first however they wouldn’t have to experience the path of a cultivator which can be considered blissful. Some cultivators aren’t able to last in the path of a cultivator and they grow weary, as a result, they stop their cultivation and fall. No longer aiming to reach higher but instead settle down to cleanse their heart and live the rest of their life as mortals.

However, mortals will always bow down to cultivators simply due to them being weak, in the current world the strong rule the weak while they may not experience the hardship of a cultivator. They must follow the orders of others and they aren’t able to control their own fate or destiny.

…

At the exit of the Twin Fire and Ice city, a caravan can be seen with two horse pulling it. Inside the caravan, there’s Alyssa and Aurelius sitting down, they’re looking back to the city and toward the direction of the Crimson clan.

“I hope Ignis can carry himself up and be diligent in his cultivation.” Alyssa said as she looks at her husband.

“Of course, he can, he is my grandson after all” Aurelius retorts to Alyssa statement.

“Hmph, what you mean. He is only like this because he is my grandson.” Alyssa snorts and crosses her arm.

Alyssa then smile wryly as the caravan exited the city and enter the Forest of Ivern