"By the way, have you safely stowed away the cultivation technique?"

Cultivation technique? At the sound of his grandfather's words, Aiden was momentarily taken aback.

"You haven't misplaced it, have you? Although you failed the Spiritual Awakening Ceremony last year, you still have another opportunity in four years. Do not give up."

Observing his grandson's demeanor, the grandfather grew somewhat anxious. After all, he had gone to great lengths, concealing it from his wife, to obtain that spirit - gathering cultivation technique for Aiden.

Should it be lost, all his previous efforts would come to naught.

Prompted by his grandfather's reminder, Aiden snapped back to reality and hastened to say,"Oh, no, it's safe. I put it away long ago."

Upon hearing this, the grandfather finally felt at ease.

However, what the grandfather did not anticipate was that Aiden, after flipping through a few pages of the spirit - gathering cultivation technique he had brought several years ago, had disdainfully cast it aside in a corner.

In fact, the spirit - gathering cultivation technique the grandfather had procured was of considerable quality. Even Eva and Arthur employed this very set of techniques.

Yet, in the palace of the Divine Ruins Fantasy Realm, Aiden had already acquired a secret manual titled"Divine Origin Qi".

This cultivation manual integrated body - tempering, meridian - opening, and spirit - gathering. Its comprehensive nature far surpassed that of the spirit - gathering cultivation techniques in this world.

The essence of the spirit - gathering cultivation techniques in this world lies in amassing, that is, storing the original spirit within the body. The more one accumulates, the better.

The Spiritual Awakening Ceremony utilizes a magic array to channel out the original spirit power that the human body has amassed over the years, then guides it to operate along the trajectories of the magic array, and ultimately completes the professional inscription.

During this process, the greater the quantity of original spirit stored, the higher the likelihood of success.

If the attempt fails, the channeled - out original spirit cannot be reverted, rendering the years of spirit - gathering efforts null and void, and one must commence the spirit - gathering process anew.

Consequently, the efficiency and velocity of spirit - gathering serve as the yardsticks for gauging the quality of spirit - gathering cultivation techniques in this world.

Crude, far too crude indeed.

After practicing"Divine Origin Qi", Aiden came to realize the true meaning of"no comparison, no harm".

Internal circulation, refinement for qualitative transformation, and control capabilities.

Ninety percent of the spirit - gathering cultivation techniques in the Eternal Continent lack these concepts.

Last year, following Aiden's participation in the Spiritual Awakening Ceremony, he was bestowed with mock - laden nicknames such as"24 - karat pure failure" and"original - spirit insulator".

The three professional magic arrays remained unlit from start to finish, not even registering the slightest response.

Even the mage staff overseeing the Spiritual Awakening Ceremony were left astounded.

They had witnessed failures, but never one of such utter ineptitude.

Even ordinary individuals who do not engage in spirit - gathering cultivation possess at least a modicum of original spirit within their bodies.

Yet, this fifteen - year - old youth was truly devoid of any trace of it.

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Aiden garnered quite a bit of attention for a while. After all, attaining an extreme in a negative aspect also generates a certain level of notoriety.

He still vividly remembers the gritted - teeth expression on Amos' face as he looked at him. After all, having such a son was rather"embarrassing".

The sight nearly made Aiden burst into laughter.

However, given his status as an illegitimate son, the family held no expectations of him, and thus the attention waned swiftly.

Yet, no one would have fathomed that Aiden had deliberately engineered his failure in the Spiritual Awakening Ceremony.

If the accumulated original spirit is likened to a barrel of water, then the Spiritual Awakening Ceremony is akin to puncturing a hole at the bottom of the barrel. While others' water gushes out in a rush, emptying completely.

Aiden, however, upon creating the hole, transformed the water into ice, preventing even a single drop from seeping out.

Thanks to his practice of"Divine Origin Qi", his command over the original spirit had reached an inconceivable and extraordinary level.

As for the reason behind his actions? It was rather straightforward. It was a preparation for his departure from the family on the morrow.

The majority within the family assumed that this low - status illegitimate son would strive assiduously to elevate his standing within the family.

Yet, Aiden had never entertained such thoughts.

What was the Wilson family in his eyes?

Aiden had no need for the family's validation. Departing from this prison, he could carve out his own expanse of sky.

Aiden, who had risen from nothing and endured the trials and tribulations of society in his previous life, had never lacked self - confidence.

Moreover, he had the Divine Ruins Fantasy Realm as his ace in the hole.

As long as he presented himself as being of no value, the family would have no opportunity to exploit him.

Had he succeeded in the Spiritual Awakening Ceremony, it would have rendered his departure far more difficult.

"Alas, I possess no aptitude in the realm of the original spirit, my eldest son is the same, and you, my grandson Aiden, are also bereft of it. I wonder how our Charles family has incurred the wrath of God to be thus fated."

The grandfather poured himself a cup of wine and drank it with a bitter smile gracing his features.

Beholding the elderly man, who drank with a heavy heart and was the sole elder in this family to dote upon him, Aiden ultimately rose to his feet and gently patted his grandfather's back, saying,"Grandfather, there is no need for such pessimism. Do not seek guidance from the masses in the face of life's uncertainties. My destiny lies in my own hands, not in the hands of fate."

My destiny lies in my own hands, not in the hands of fate?

Jesvin stared blankly at his grandson. The faint smile upon the latter's countenance was like a gentle breeze, dispelling the sorrow and worry that clouded his heart.

When he shook his head and looked more closely, he discovered that Aiden had turned his back and begun tidying up the bowls and chopsticks.

Was it an illusion?

At the crack of dawn, Aiden set out to go through the formalities.

When Amos learned that Aiden wished to see him, he was filled with astonishment.

In the past sixteen years, this son of his had never once voluntarily sought him out.

Indeed, not even once.

One could even say that Aiden had left an impression on the entire family of being honest, reclusive, and introverted.

His father, Amos, was no exception.

Regarding this son, Amos felt neither particularly satisfied nor dissatisfied.

Compared to his rambunctious twin children, the performance of this illegitimate son was rather commendable. As far as he could recall, this child had indeed refrained from causing any trouble that necessitated his intervention.

He was relatively trouble - free.

On the other hand, this child was rather unremarkable. Apart from his good looks, he possessed no other outstanding abilities.

Especially in the Spiritual Awakening Ceremony, his failure was resounding.

"Let him in."

After some deliberation, Amos set aside the documents in his hand.

"Greetings, Father." Upon entering the room, Aiden offered a proper salute, leaving no room for criticism.

"What brings you here to see me?" Amos paid no heed to the illegitimate son's expressionless and indifferent demeanor.

He was accustomed to it.

"I intend to apply to Baifeng Academy in Yunfei City and have come to bid you farewell, Father."

Hmmm?

Amos had assumed that this illegitimate son had run into some trouble, but to his surprise, the latter intended to leave home to pursue his studies.

"Has my mother given her consent?"

Upon hearing this, Aiden, with his head bowed, curled his lips in disdain.

Just as he had expected.

Although there was little affection between the two, Aiden had resided in this castle for sixteen years, and he was well - aware of his nominal father's character.

He doted on his children, was concerned about his reputation, had an average psychological constitution, and was somewhat of a mama's boy.

Of course, this"children" did not include Aiden, as they did not share the same surname.

"I will proceed to pay my respects and bid farewell to Grandmother shortly."

"Very well, you may go. As long as Mother consents, it is acceptable."

Amos waved his hand, indicating that Aiden could depart. He held no strong opinions regarding this illegitimate son and thus did not overly concern himself with where he chose to go.

Deep down, he even concurred with the idea of this son leaving the family.

The existence of this illegitimate son had caused his wife, Lisa, to frequently show him a cold shoulder. This lad remaining here held no benefits for him whatsoever.

Aiden turned and exited the room. However, to his dismay, as he descended the stairs, he encountered several individuals he would rather not have seen.