Chapter 2: Fang Hao

A year has passed since Fang Hao's birth, during which he has spent his days sleeping and being cared for by his family.

Yet, at times, he experienced fatigue, confusion, and moments of daydreaming, causing him to withdraw into a quieter state, feeling somewhat disconnected from himself.

They quickly noticed his reserved nature and his tendency to speak less. Despite his young age, he displayed a maturity beyond his peers—a trait undoubtedly influenced by his parents' status as cultivators.

With a demanding schedule, his father, whenever he managed to visit, cast a gaze upon Hao that blended affection and concern—a face he attempted to hide from his wife.

Possessing a higher realm of cultivation and greater knowledge, he accompanied him and watched him grow.

Yet, behind his strained smile lay a consuming worry; he sensed that something was amiss with his son.

His home resembled a grand castle with tall walls and spacious halls. Even at just one-year-old, he cautiously explored corners and rooms. The kind maids would gently scold him and guide him back to his room.

Guards and maids remained watchful, ready to respond and meditate when not needed – they never seemed to rest.

Despite his life being satisfying and lacking no material comfort, Hao's desire to learn about his surroundings and origins grew stronger.

He held a mysterious secret, one he hesitated to share. Remnants from another life, strange yet real, resided within him.

These memories clashed within him, often leaving him feeling dazed, confused, and fatigued.

Sometimes, he would search for objects, only to realize they didn't exist in this world where everything seemed to be powered by a mysterious energy.

The reminiscences of a human named Eric and his life on a distant planet overwhelmed him. The magnitude of these fragments frequently forced him to rest.

Absorbing Eric's powerful experiences and emotions – hate, love, despair, and above all, regret – slowly clouded his clarity, making him more certain that the man known as Eric was truly his past self.

Memories of his time on Earth surged to the front, pushing everything else aside.

Day by day, his certainty about coming from Earth grew stronger. He became sure that he... Eric, now called Fang Hao, has been reincarnated.

As time slipped by, he found himself confined to passive observation, his hours absorbed by a thirst for understanding the world around him. Then, in an unexpected twist, the sound of his mother's voice broke through the stillness.

"Little Hao, your sister is coming to see you. Let's go to the main room and meet your father," his mother announced.

"Sister?" Hao replied, his words not very clear as he had not fully learned the language yet, walking beside her.

He had never seen his sister but had heard stories from the caretaker and his mother.

Once in the main room, his father, the man in the black robes, gave him a playful gesture, as if he was trying to pretend to catch his nose.

It felt like his father expected a certain reaction, but Hao just stared back at him without saying anything.

'Wait, does father ever change his clothes?' Every time Hao had seen him, he had been wearing the same robes. He wondered, his face showing puzzlement at his father's appearance.

His father laughed as he looked at Hao's expression. It seemed like his little prank had worked, and he appeared oddly pleased about it.

"She is here," Fang Xiong declared, grasping his wife's hand as they stepped out, holding Hao hugged in her arms. This marked his first venture beyond the walls of the castle-like manor, and he was eager to see where the hell he was.

As Hao left the castle, being carried, he turned his head to steal a glance, a sense of awe rendering him speechless. Why were the clouds below them?

Confusion tugged at his mind, struggling to comprehend the surreal sight. And why was their castle located on a mountain?

Looking below, a city could be seen – or what appeared to be a medieval city, encircled by massive walls. However, that's not what caught his attention. His father's voice interrupted his daydream.

"There," Fang Xiong pointed to an empty spot in the clouds. He glanced curiously towards the indicated location. Was there something special hidden in that white cloud?

Then he saw it. His little eyes widened as his mother laughed, clearly amused by his reaction.

Approaching at an astonishing speed, the object remained indistinct until a few seconds had passed, and the gap closed rapidly.

A woman with black hair, bearing a resemblance to his mother but exuding an extremely cold face, stood gracefully on a sword, using it to soar through the sky.

She was undeniably beautiful, her movements fluid as the sword elegantly cut through the clouds, causing them to split and bleed like white mist.

"Fang Xiao," his mother waved, and she touched down next to them.

"Mother, Father," her cold expression softened into a smile, and she nodded in greeting. It had been quite some time since she had last seen them.

''I see you've mastered my flying technique quite proficiently,'' Fang Xiong remarked, a contented smile gracing his features.

''Of course, I recently made a breakthrough. I am now in the 'Vital Core' realm. The manual suited me well,'' Fang Xiao exclaimed, enthusiasm evident in her voice as she shared her recent advancement in her cultivation level.

"We knew you were incredibly talented. Even the scions of the other sects couldn't compare to you," Fang Jing said, acknowledging her daughter's extraordinary abilities.

''That's because of my father's cultivation rank; these manuals are easy for him to create,'' Fang Xiao said, not fully recognizing her hard work.

"You're mistaken, my daughter. The journey of cultivation is yours alone. While we provide guidance, your talent in the sword dao is why I share these teachings with you," Fang Xiong responded, shaking his head to dispel her self-underestimation.

"Having a background is also a strength, and you, Xiao, unlike trash who rely on it, have not abused it," he said, satisfied.

''Reaching the Vital Core at the age of 500 is an accomplishment to be proud of," Fang Xiong said, a sense of pride evident as his daughter walked a similar path.

He then turned his head to Hao, who was spectating them. ''This is Fang Hao, your brother. While you've been in closed cultivation for 50 years, your mother and I decided to have a child. It was challenging, but we managed,''

Fang Xiong expressed his gratitude and luck, considering the difficulties of having a child in his cultivation realm.

''Hao, huh?'' Fang Xiao came up to him and playfully pinched his cheeks, making him look annoyed. They all laughed together.

''Hehe, little brother,'' she affectionately said, enjoying the playful moment with her newly discovered sibling.

Normally, she had a cold face, masking her emotions and thoughts, but now, in a familiar place with the people she liked, she could relax and let her guard down.

''Fang Xiao, in the future, look after him. I know you have a cold personality normally because of the sword dao, but this is your brother.''

'' We, the 'Fang Clan,' look after each other in this world, understood?'' Her father's tone held a weight of seriousness as she happily played with Hao.

''Father, don't worry. No one will bully him. If someone dares to do something, I will exterminate them...from the roots,'' Fang Xiao's smile faded, her expression turning icy, which sent a shiver down Hao's spine.

"Now, now, let's go eat and enjoy a meal. It's been a while since we gathered," Fang Jing brought out some spiritual food, making Hao look at it and feel tempted to eat. It smelled so good.

"Sorry, Little Hao, not yet," his mother replied, noticing the expression on her child's face, and shook her head with a tinge of sadness.