Chapter 27: I Can't Stay Here
The slight shaking of the carriage stirred Alex from his deep slumber. Slowly opening his eyes, Alex looked around his enclosed scenery in confusion.
"Where am I? Wasn't I just out in the forest? The Dark Panther! Wait, I remember it dying before me…" Alex's thoughts were a mess as he tried to remember what exactly happened before he passed out.
"Ah, Alex, you're awake." A voice beside Alex stirred him out of his thoughts. Alex looked to his side to see various people inside the carriage with him, namely Grayson Peng, Luke Peng, and Ava Peng.
Because the Peng clan and the Dracon clan were close to one another and because Alex and Luke had grown up together since they were young, Luke Peng was considered Alex's only friend.
The girl beside him was his sister, Ava Peng, who, despite being one year younger than him, had already gained a reputation for her intelligence and talent.
As for the man sitting across from him, Grayson was the leader of the Peng clan and the father of Luke and Ava.
"Uncle Grayson, what happened?" "Why am I here?" Alex asked.
"We were on our way to the Dracon Clan's celebrations, celebrations in your honor when we saw you flying out of the forest half dead.
"Luckily, Luke managed to kill the beast before it landed its final blow on you," replied Grayson Peng, pausing briefly before continuing.
"Alex, what exactly happened? Why were you out alone in the forest, and why were you fighting a Dark Panther?"
"Ah, now I remember. Right before I passed out, I felt that surge of energy before that wind sword from behind me killed the panther," thought Alex as the final scenes before he passed out became clear to him.
Thinking of Grayson's question, Alex replied, "I was out in the forest hunting Earth Wolves. For some reason, the Dark Panther was near the road and started hunting me. I fled as fast as I could, just barely managing to make it back to the road. Thankfully, you were there."
Alex thought about it for a second but decided to keep the part about the surging energy a secret. For some reason, he believed that in that final moment against that Panther, he would have been fine.
After returning home, he will ask the system about it.
"We're all relieved that you are safe. Thankfully, I had a few extra Body Healing Pills on me; otherwise, you would have had half a foot in the grave," said Grayson Peng.
Alex quickly analyzed his body and realized it was in much better condition than when he had fainted. Otherwise, he would have needed to rest and recuperate for weeks at the minimum.
"Thank you, Uncle Grayson," Alex responded.
"Of course. However, I'm sure this venture of yours was not approved by your parents, otherwise, you would have had some guards to protect you. Am I wrong?" asked Grayson with a questioning tone.
Alex could only wryly smile at the question. His expression revealed the answer to Grayson, at which point Grayson Peng continued, "I'll cover for you this once, but don't go out and try something like this again. Understand?"
"Thank you, Uncle Grayson. I understand," replied Alex. Keeping this from his mother would definitely save him from having to deal with the fallout.
The Peng clan entourage continued on toward the Dracon Clan before eventually arriving before the Dracon Clan gate.
"The Peng Clan has arrived!" shouted one of the Dracon Clan guards. Several Dracon Clan guards came out to greet the Peng Clan, before escorting them to the Dracon Clan festive hall.
The entire ride back, Luke was asking Alex various questions, including what Alex was doing in the forest and how he had survived the attacks of the panther. Alex gave short, one-sentence answers while his mind was elsewhere.
"That panther almost killed me several times today, and were it not for the Peng Clan coincidentally being there at the right time, I might have died. Even if that surge of power I felt saved me, I was still half dead at that moment," thought Alex.
"I can't stay like that I need to get stronger, I can't stay here anymore I will need to leave and venture outside, not to mention..." he thought as he looked in Luke's direction.
Despite Luke being only 17 years old, he was far stronger than him at the moment.
Alex didn't even know Luke was capable of such an attack, but the attack truly showed him the difference between Body Refinement cultivators and Qi Gathering cultivators.
Yes, Luke was already at the Qi Gathering realm, and when he knew about that Alex was shocked.
After traveling a bit towards the festivity hall, Alex thought for a moment before saying "Uncle Grayson, I'll get out here and head home to wash and put on a new robe. This one is quite torn up."
"Yes, you're right. We'll see you at the celebration. Don't be late" responded Grayson before opening the carriage door.
Alex walked for several minutes before arriving in front of his house.
Alex scurried up to his room to wash himself clean and put on a fresh robe.
"Ahhhh, much better," said Alex as he put on the new robe. After looking at himself for a few seconds in the mirror, Alex strode out of his bedroom, before leaving his house through the front door.
Turning down the road in front of his mansion, Alex walked towards the celebration hall, arriving a few minutes later.
He stopped for a few seconds to take in the sight of the majestic hall, before proceeding through the front door.
"Ah, Alex, you're finally here" called out Lucas Dracon as he saw his son enter the building. He continued "Now that you're here, we can start the festivities."
An old man was standing beside his father, he had long white hair and a beard. he wore a black robe like the one Alex was wearing but it had a slither different as the emblem on it was a golden dragon head with a crown on it.
"Hahaha, Alex my grandson you are finally here, come give grandfather a hug." spoke the old man with a smile on his face.
He was happy seeing Alex, Alex approached his grandfather and hugged him.
[Name: Grey Dracon]
[Age: 200]
[Cultivation Level: Foundation Establishment Stage 9]
[Element: Fire]
"So he is not a Core Formation cultivator yet," Alex thought as he approached his grandfather and hugged him.
"Haha, I am happy that you could cultivate my grandson, you didn't disappoint me." the old man said before loudly calling out "Friends, family. We are all here to celebrate Alex's newfound ability to start his cultivation journey.
Many of us thought this day would never come, but I suppose the heavens really aren't blind after all. To Alex"
"To Alex" everyone in the hall shouted out happily before downing the drink in their hands. Alex sheepishly rubbed the back of his head before walking towards the table his family was located at.
The celebrations continued late into the night as wine was drunk, food was eaten, and good times were had. The attending clan members and guests partied for some time before eventually retiring for the night and heading back to their respective clans.
To Be Continued...
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