I don't remember much of that day, as the gnawing hunger had finally broken me. I couldn't move, much less work, so I had decided to stay in bed and hope that Xia Changge would come to visit so I could order some soup through him. I had given up on the vampires and their vain promises. After all, if there was a way to artificially awaken the spiritual root,

why wasn't this knowledge widespread?

Why weren't cultivators using this method to awaken their children, lovers, or parents?

The answer was simple - there was no such method in existence. I had been a grade-A idiot to think otherwise.

Instead, a new plan had emerged in my mind. I was going to leave this place, this sect, this part of the world. I would ask for Elder Huang's help and leave before the sect deemed me a slave or something worse. I would go into the mortal world, maybe start a business there, or buy land and live out my days in peace. Yes, that was the correct thing to do I would spend the rest of my days in peace and stress and fear-free.

As I was lost in my thoughts, contemplating my escape, a familiar voice broke through my reverie.

"Oh, little one," the deep, melodious voice spoke up. "I hope you are feeling better..." My eyes snapped open as the voice of the woman came like a cool breeze on a hot and sunny day. I quickly tried to sit up, though my body had stopped listening to me. I looked toward the direction the voice was coming from.

"Esteemed Elder," I greeted her with a smile.

"Are you ready, little one?" she asked as she stood up with grace and elegance. "You know how important this is." I nodded with determination.

She smiled lightly before continuing, "Come, I will help you." She waved her hand, and I rose up in the air as if some invisible hand held me.

I floated gently towards her, and when I finally reached close enough, I stopped, not of my own volition, mind you.

She reached out and began gently caressing my face, then suddenly she took her forefinger and gently nibbled it, but her sharp, fang-like teeth drew blood after a moment.

Before I could react, she stuck her bleeding finger in my mouth, depositing warm, tasteless blood on my tongue.

Then, she pulled her finger free and clapped her other hand over my mouth, stopping me from spitting it out.

"Swallow!" she commanded in such a way that left no room for negotiation. Dizzy and cold, I did as commanded.

Warm blood flooded my mouth as I drank it,

When she was satisfied, she removed her hand and waved it, and I shifted to a more comfortable floating position.

After which she walked out with me floating beside her.

Outside the hut, I could see several people gathered around.

Some of the vampires I recognized from the first time I met them, while others I had no idea who they were. They were all dressed in the Yin-Yang sect's inner court uniform of purple and black, but I didn't care.

I had no control of the situation and followed the elder down the steps and outside, where hundreds upon hundreds of disciples stood lined up, waiting. They bowed to me as the old lady waved her hand at them.

"We leave now," she commanded. "We must hurry," she said, turning towards me. I had no choice but to follow suit, since I was floating and had no control over my movements.

Then, the most amazing scene took place. I heard a loud bang as the group, as one, took to the air.

We all began flying higher and faster than before.

I couldn't believe that I was actually flying up in the air! This was one of the few times that I had gotten to experience it. I could feel the wind hitting my face, the smell of the crisp, clean air, and the sounds of the howling wind echoing around me.

I decided then and there

I loved flying.

After a long while, we landed on the flat top of the mountain.

The sun burned, even though the wind around me was cold, but my eyes were blinded by all the colors.

The colors of green grasses, green trees, and a bright blue sky.

I could hear a sound that resembled thunder and saw a flash, and I noticed that the sky seemed darker, almost grey.

The vampire Lady landed gently, with a graceful floating me, right beside her. As the rest of the group landed, they all turned to face the same direction, and a moment later, a loud roar echoed through the air.

"What is happening?" I wondered, my heart racing, as I saw a shadow approaching us from afar.

The shadow grew closer and closer, until eventually, I could see that it was a huge black dragon with four heads.

I gasped in awe and instinctively backed away from its large, menacing head.

The dragon roared loudly, the sound making the ground rumble beneath us, and I could feel fear coursing through my veins.

Then, I felt her soft hands encircle my arms, holding me tightly, maybe trying to be calm. She whispered softly in my ear, her voice like a soothing melody,

"Don't worry, my dear. The beast has no intentions of attacking you." Her words soothed me, and I looked at the dragon again, still feeling a little fearful, but now calmer than before.

Its heads were facing me, and I watched as another group of men and women got off from the dragon's back and made their way toward us.

Once they reached us, they all went to one knee and shouted something in an alien language. The leader, who was apparently the real leader, waved her hand, and they all got up and deeply bowed toward her, then backed away, forming a circle of sorts.

The woman then turned towards me, fixing her mesmerizing green-golden eyes on me. Her raven hair danced in the wind, with the sun reflecting on it, making her hair look as if it were blue instead of black. She looked so beautiful standing there, her eyes glowing brightly like sapphires. She smiled gently and reached out her slender, elegant hand, beckoning me forward.

I involuntarily floated toward the vampire Lady, my nerves on edge as I stood no floated right before her. She smiled gently at me, her voice soft and alluring.

"Welcome, little one," she said. "Today, I shall fulfill the oath taken. Tell me, do you truly want nothing else from us except for a chance to cultivate?"

I nodded in response, my apprehension still palpable.

Her gaze held mine as she continued.

"Very well, then," she said. "You must make a choice then for we have four methods to offer you."

"The first method is simple," she began, her voice smooth like silk. "We would take another being's spiritual root and implant it onto you. This would give you that person's talent and fate." She paused, giving me a moment to consider.

"The second method," she continued, "is to send you into the river of Chaos and allow you to absorb the chaos Qi. This would transform your mortal root into a chaos spiritual root." Her words were intriguing, and I listened intently.

"The third method," she went on, "would be for us to forcefully awaken your spiritual root through an ancient and DANGEROUS! method." She emphasized the word dangerous, and I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine.

"The last method," she concluded, "would be to perform an ancient ceremony which would enlighten you, and you would be able to cultivate like a beast." Her smile remained gentle, but I could sense the weight of the decision I had to make.

I stood there, shell-shocked to the core, as my understanding of this world collapsed. There wasn't just a single method to awaken someone's spiritual root, but four. My mind raced with questions, and my curiosity was piqued.

Why wasn't this common knowledge?

Why weren't more people using these methods more often?

How had I never heard of them before?

A barrage of thoughts flooded my mind, and I found myself questioning the very reality I had known. My beliefs and assumptions were shattered, and I was left reeling with the newfound knowledge.

It was as if a whole new world had opened up before me, filled with possibilities and choices I had never imagined.

But as I stood there, lost in my thoughts, I realized that dwelling on these questions would only distract me from the decision I had to make. I needed to focus on the present moment, on the four methods that lay before me. With a deep breath, I pushed the unnecessary thoughts to the back of my mind, clearing my head and focusing on the task at hand.

I looked back at the vampire Lady, her patient gaze fixed on me, and made up my mind. I would choose one of the four methods, regardless of the unknowns and uncertainties. It was time to embrace the unknown, to take a leap of faith into this new world of possibilities. With renewed determination, I took a step forward, ready to embark on this unexpected and thrilling journey of self-discovery and cultivation.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

taking in the options presented to me, feeling the weight of the responsibility. The vampire Lady patiently waited, her eyes fixed on me, as I contemplated my choice.

I looked into her mesmerizing green eyes, my mind racing with serious contemplation. The first method was immediately ruled out - I didn't want to inherit another person's fate and talents, no matter how appealing they may be. As for the last method, cultivating like a beast, that would only bring me isolation and rejection from both the human and beast races, leaving no possibility for a peaceful life. That left me with options two and three.

I hesitated for a brief moment, considering the second option - absorbing chaos Qi from a river of chaos. However, the unknown nature of the river of chaos sounded ominous, and I couldn't shake off a sense of danger. The viable and relatively safer option seemed to be the third one - the ancient method of forcefully awakening my spiritual roots.

"I choose the third method, Elder," I finally spoke, my voice resolute. The woman's smile grew wider, and her eyes sparkled with joy as she heard my decision.

"I am pleased to hear that," she said, placing a hand gently on my head. "You have a great destiny ahead of you, little one. But before you can embark on that journey, you must first awaken. Come, we shall begin." With a wave of her hand, I found myself landing on the ground beside her.

She looked down at me with a beaming smile, her green eyes twinkling with happiness. Then, she turned towards the group of men and women who had gathered around us. They all gave her a respectful bow, but no one spoke a word. The woman's expression turned serious, and her voice hardened as she addressed them.

"All of you, come with me. I need your assistance," she commanded. I glanced behind us and saw the group following her without hesitation, their demeanor respectful and solemn. The woman's authority was evident in every step she took.

Then, without warning, she turned towards me, her face expressionless, and her voice stern.

"KNEEL."

Her command echoed through the air, and I fell to the ground but quickly got up and immediately complied, dropping to my knees before her. My heart pounded with anticipation and uncertainty as I awaited what was to come, knowing that my life was about to change forever.

I was overcome with sheer happiness, bubbling up inside of me, ready to burst out in a shout to the world. The woman came behind me and sat down, the noise indicating her movements, Since I didn't dare turn back to look.

"Hush, little one! Calm your thoughts. We begin now," her voice rang out, and her hands gently touched my back. "Opening heaven's gate is very difficult. If you have a good aptitude, I'll only need to run Qi through your body for three circulations, after which you'll be able to find out the Qi by yourself and move it inside and out freely."

I felt a wave of strangeness wash over me.

Could it be that I could sense qi without a spiritual root, just like that?

All I had to do was run the qi through my body?

Were my previous conceptions about spiritual roots and Qi correct?

Excitement and a giddy joy surged within me, causing my heart to quicken its pace and my hands to become sweaty. I wanted to shout out in joy, unable to contain my emotions.

But then, a sudden question popped into my mind, giving me pause

“What about those with poor aptitudes?” I asked worriedly.

“The worse the aptitude the more Qi cycle needed. The limit of an ordinary person is nine circulations. In other words, if you can’t sense your own qi by the eighth circle you’re not suitable for cultivation, Now be quiet I'll guide the qi to your chest, and I hope you won’t regret choosing this way because you're about to undergo much suffering, so do try to remain calm" Immediately afterward I felt a warm current pouring in from her hands into my chest,

Then, in a sudden burst of energy and burning heat, the qi started flowing through my whole body. I could feel its pressure easing off, as if a weight was slowly lifted from my chest. The pain that had been gnawing at me moments ago began to fade, replaced by the sensation of warmth and energy coursing through my veins.

The qi moved with a purpose, sinking into my body and swimming around my limbs. I could feel it traveling into my feet, my hands, my head, as if it was exploring every nook and cranny of my being. The sensation was akin to drinking a fiery liquor that leaves a burning trail down your throat and into your stomach, but this was a hundred times more intense.

As the warmth sunk deeper into my body, it seemed to penetrate every bone, every muscle, every nerve, causing them to buzz with life. It was a sensation I had never experienced before, as if my body and mind were awakening to a new level of consciousness.

The qi continued its path, reaching my chest and then performing a pentagonal motion before restarting the cycle. It seemed to follow a predetermined route, as if my body and mind had already memorized it on their own. But how was I supposed to control it? The qi flowed around my body with a fluidity and grace that resembled a living entity, moving with a sense of purpose and intelligence.

It wasn't as if I could Just command it and it.....? NO FUCKING WAY! The Qi Began moving As I began guiding I knew this because I did not the original path exactly I made a detour where I felt 'that is the correct way' and after a few moments of instruction it went straight to my heart, which I felt was now beating faster than ever.

My heart began racing like mad and then, suddenly everything started to fade.

I tried to focus my mind, to direct the qi consciously, but it seemed to have a mind of its own. It moved in intricate patterns, swirling and flowing, as if it had a will of its own. I marveled at its beauty and power, but also felt a sense of awe and humility. I was just a novice, a beginner in this world of qi and spiritual cultivation, and the qi seemed to possess a wisdom and mastery that was far beyond my comprehension.

With each circulation, I could feel my connection to the qi growing stronger. I could sense its energy flowing through me, invigorating my body and mind, and awakening something deep within me. It was a profound experience, one that left me in awe of the mysteries and wonders of the spiritual realm.

As the elder observed my progress, her eyes filled with pride. "You have a natural talent for this, young one," she said softly. "But remember, controlling the qi is not about imposing your will upon it. It is about understanding its nature and working in harmony with it. Trust in yourself and the qi will guide you."

Her words resonated with me, and I nodded in understanding. I realized that I needed to approach the qi with reverence and humility, to listen and learn from it, rather than trying to force it into submission. It was a humbling realization, but also one that filled me with a sense of wonder and excitement for the journey ahead.

I closed my eyes, concentrating on guiding the energy. Everything seemed to fade into white before disappearing leaving my senses intact, just after I completed my first circulation, the elder voice rang out

"Well done little, now I want you to Keep on Circulation the Qi and do not stop for anything else, understand?"

I nodded and then she let go of my shoulders, and placed her hands on either side of my temples, closing her eyes for a moment she began chanting words that sounded like nonsense to me. Suddenly my whole body started to ache, my head started throbbing, and I was being thrown about in a hurricane.

I clenched my teeth, trying to endure the searing agony that seemed to spread throughout my body. My skin tingled and burned, but I forced my eyes shut, focusing on circulating the Qi, the energy that coursed through me. I tried my best to ignore the unbearable pain that consumed me, pushing through with sheer determination.

After what felt like an eternity, I felt the pain gradually subside. I opened my eyes cautiously and found myself mesmerized by the intensity of the Qi moving through my body. It pulsed like a heartbeat, alive with a power I had never experienced before. I couldn't help but be drawn to it, despite my fear. This was the first time I had successfully tapped into the energy that formed the Qi, and I was scared to death of what might happen next. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that a malevolent spirit had found me and was seeking revenge, or that the original owner of this body would come back to haunt me. I didn't know what I would do if it didn't work, but I couldn't risk anyone else getting hurt.

Then the Qi changed. It became wilder, more violent. My hands tingled, and my breathing grew heavier. I struggled to control it, to guide it, but it fought against me at every turn. Hours seemed to pass as I grappled with the surging energy, until finally, the sensation ceased, and the Qi seemed to move on of its own accord. My body shook with exhaustion, and I longed for rest, but just as I was about to give in, a hand placed a cool metallic marble in my mouth, and I swallowed it instinctively. The familiar calming sensation washed over me, and I sighed in relief. I hadn't known what I would do if the Qi failed.

But then the Qi changed again. It transformed from its earlier state, becoming a violent blue energy that pulsed through my body like a raging river, trying to break through everything in its path. I tried to suppress the emotions welling up within me, but I could feel myself losing control. Days seemed to pass as I felt an immense power surge through me, and suddenly, the pain vanished completely. My vision faded into darkness, and I could no longer see, but I didn't stop. There was no point in panicking now. I wanted this, I needed this. I could still sense the energy, so I tried to control it, to guide it. The energy flowed up my veins, causing my entire body to convulse violently. I struggled to maintain control, but my body shook uncontrollably, my eyes rolled to the back of my head, and my legs gave out beneath me. The last thing I remember was my head hitting the cold stone floor, followed by darkness.

..................................

"The boy failed, princess," an old man's aged voice resounded, filled with disgust, causing Xiao Wan to stiffen. She lowered her gaze, not saying anything as she tried to control the rage rising up inside her, as she looked at the convulsing boy on the floor.

"No, he has not," another booming voice responded, causing Xiao Wan to lift her head. She stared at the giant of a man who stood next to her. If Lin Yun was awake, he would recognize the man as Elder Huang, the one who had been helping in the sect. Beside him stood another young man, Lin Yun's one and only friend at the sect, Xia Changge. Elder Huang pointed at the unconscious, convulsing Lin Yun.

"Look at him," Elder Huang stated. "He is still circulating the qi and is able to do the simple motions of opening the Heaven Gate." Xia Changge walked towards Lin Yun and then went down, holding him tightly. Xia Changge's grip was surprisingly tight as he pulled Lin Yun to his chest, cradling the young man's neck with his strong arm, leaning closer as Lin Yun's body violently shook.

"You did your best, Brother Lin, and it looks like he succeeded. Congratulations," Xia Changge finally spoke. "This is good!" Elder Huang's booming voice resounded through the room as he turned toward Xiao Wan and the elder man standing beside her. He said, "Congratulations, Princess. The boy has not failed you yet, and we might continue."

Xiao Wan nodded and turned towards the elder man, looking at him with a cold, piercing gaze. "Prepare the vat, Elder Hu," she said with authority. Xiao Wan then turned and looked at Elder Huang, giving him a slight nod. "Elder Huang, I would ask you to aid the boy in refining the Water Ghost Core in a short period of time."

Elder Huang smiled in response. "It should not be difficult, princess," he said confidently. Xiao Wan smiled back and waved her hand, and a gourd appeared in her grasp. "And take this thousand-year-old Golden Ice Water to aid me in building a false spirit body for the boy."

Elder Huang nodded, taking the gourd from Xiao Wan, and made his way towards Lin Yun and Xia Changge. "Preparations are complete, princess. Let us leave," he said.

A sweet, melodic voice came from the side, catching Xiao Wan's attention. She turned and noticed a beautiful blonde woman with features distinctly different from her own. The woman was wearing a red dress that hugged her body, revealing ample breasts and enticing curves along her waist and hips. "Sister Yu," Xiao Wan addressed the woman with a smile, giving her a curtsy.

"What is the situation?"

The woman named Yu Chen looked at Xiao Wan curiously and asked. "The boy did well," she said, her voice filled with pride.

Xiao Wan paused for a moment, her expression filled with concern. "Master Huang has started the process of creating a fake spirit body for the boy, but after that, I'm afraid we won't see him again," she said solemnly.

Yu Chen looked equally concerned as she replied, "What will happen if the child attempts to find you, princess?"

"It will be impossible and a waste of time," Xiao Wan said firmly.

"Then shall we leave, Princess?" Yu Chen asked, ready to follow Xiao Wan's lead.

Xiao Wan nodded in agreement.

"Yes," she answered decisively. "But before we depart, let's bring the boy home and put him somewhere safe so that he will be more comfortable in the future, and leave him some resources for the future." She paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts.

"Also before we leave, We must leave him some instructions regarding his newfound body and powers, and arrange as many things as we can to help him."

Yu Chen nodded in acknowledgment.

"Very good, Princess.I shall personally see to it," she said with determination.

Xiao Wan nodded in agreement, and without further hesitation, she abruptly turned around and began walking away, her mind filled with plans and preparations for her own future now that she had repaid her savior.