Chương 6: Promise
Biên tập viên: EndlessFantasy Translation
What Longhe found hard to accept was that he had to step forward to congratulate Wutian. However, he had no choice; there were a dozen pairs of eyes looking. If he behaved unusually in any way, it would raise suspicion.
"Congratulations, Wutian! You've finally unlocked your physique. Your sixteen years of hard work has paid off. The future is yours!" Longhe put on a smile.
"Thanks to you, Uncle Longhe. You're the one who's taught me how to become what I am today. It's also because of that beast I'm able to achieve this. I will surely repay your kindness as well as the beast's." Wutian's lips curled up as he placed particular emphasis on the word "beast".
Longhe's face froze as he opened his mouth. "I'm looking forward to it."
When he finished his words, his anger almost boiled over. Longhe could no longer stay there. He left, fearing that he would lose control of himself and hit Wutian.
Some people on the scene noticed Longhe leaving, but they did not give it a second thought. Instead, they gathered and chatted around Wutian.
Longhu was the only one left now. He was much more mature than his peers of the same age. Unlike those young teens, he was fearless as he popped the Yuan fruit into his mouth without hesitation. He even chewed it a few times before he swallowed it. Then, he licked his lips and pulled a face in front of everyone. He did not look worried.
"This kid is wild!" the villagers taunted.
However, there was no glow. Just as everyone began to feel disappointed, a beam of fiery-red light burst out of Longhu's body. It rose up into the air as its heat engulfed the entire village.
"That-That's the glow of a fire elemental being!"
"What? That's incredible! Longhu is an elemental being?" Those who had failed the test were shocked. They might not have gotten the chance to practice cultivation, but they knew the basic principles."
"The heavens have finally seen us and endowed the village with an elemental being! We will no longer have to worry about food from now on!" The villagers were overjoyed, some too emotional and in tears as they knew how important an elemental being was to them.
Elemental beings were rare. Throughout Dragon Village's thousand-year existence, an elemental being had never appeared once. Everyone was excited because this was the first time.
"Not bad! A rare fire being is just nice for the Fire Cloud Clan." Linshan rested his chin on his hands as he carefully studied the situation. The smile on his face said it all—he was very pleased.
Longhu scratched his head and simpered. While he stood at seven feet tall, he was only thirteen. Seeing everyone so happy and smiling because of him, he appeared a little boggled.
"An elemental being? Awesome!" Wutian marveled at what he saw. It would be a lie to say that he was not envious of Longhe.
Everyone on the Samsara Continent knew about elemental beings. Metal, wood, water, fire, earth, light, and darkness were the seven elements, the origin of Heaven and Earth. Anyone who possessed any of the seven elements held the key to the future. Their aptitudes were no less than a hundred times that of those with ordinary physiques.
"Interesting! I didn't know that an elemental being would come out of this mountain village." The girl, who had been standing calmly and quietly on the back of the Flamingo, had a surprised expression on her beautiful face.
"This is indeed incredible. Even the major clans only have a meager number of elemental beings. I never expected to see one here. This trip has been worth the while," said the boy in fine clothes with a smile.
"Well said, my clan brother. If we bring him back to the clan and train him, he will surely accomplish fantastic achievements during Greendragon's Clan Competition in ten years."
"That's right. The Fire Cloud Clan specializes in the cultivation of the Secret Book of Fire. A person of the fire element will adapt to this cultivation like a duck takes to water. My clan sister, let us bring him back to the clan right away before anything unexpected crops up." The boy smiled but with his brows knitted together.
"My clan brother, you're actually just worried that the Yan Clan will snatch the fire elemental being from us if they find out about him."
The boy in fine clothes nodded, and there was a hint of grimness in his eyes. He seemed to be very wary of the Yan Clan.
The girl raised an eyebrow and nodded as well after some thought.
The boy jumped down from the Flamingo and looked at Linshan. "Elder, since the test is over. We should bring Longhu and return to base."
"So soon?"
Linshan was baffled. They used to stay there for a night whenever they held a recruitment drive. This time, they had to leave on such short notice. But since the young master had ordered so, he could not say no. "What about Wutian, Young Master?"
"Since he's a cultivator, albeit just one with an ordinary physique, he has met the requirement of being a disciple. Let him follow us back to the clan." With furrowed brows, the boy looked at Wutian, who appeared dirty and stank to the high heavens. "Sort yourself out, quickly."
"Give me a minute." Wutian cupped his hands as a sign of respect before he glanced at Longhe in the distance. Ignoring the villagers, who were in a state of excitement, he headed back home with his grandfather.
After Wutian left, the boy in the fine dress looked at Linshan again. "Elder, for safety, we should split up. Bring Longhu and go ahead of us. With your abilities, I believe that you can bring him back to the clan safely."
Since the young master had called for it, Linshan understood his train of thought and worries. Without hesitation, he waved his hand, and a vicious, three-meter-long White Tiger appeared out of thin air.
It looked up at the sky and roared as soon as it emerged. Its fangs were terrifying, while its eyes were as big as a pair of copper bells. Aside from Linshan, the boy, and the girl, everyone else stepped back in fear.
"Say your goodbyes, Longhu," Linshan said.
"We're leaving now?"
Longhu scratched his head and felt sad as he looked at the others. He had many things to say, but he needed to hurry. Therefore, he could only make it short. Soon, he followed Linshan to ride on the White Tiger, and they left in a whirlwind.
"Finally, there are kids joining the clan after so many years."
"Yeah! After Longhe, no one has ever unlocked their physique to become a cultivator for more than ten years. This time, two kids made it. What a surprise!"
"Longhe and Wutian have done a good job. The future of Dragon Village will be in their hands from now on."
The villagers were all smiles. With the simultaneous appearance of two teenagers who possessed the required physique, everyone was overjoyed. That was especially important for a village such as Dragon Village. One more cultivator meant one more chance of survival.
How is this possible? Not to mention, Wutian, that little bastard has become a cultivator. How could Longhu be an elemental being? I just can't believe it! I, Longhe, have been working my butt off without complaint for more than ten years, yet I still haven't attained such an achievement. It's not fair!
Longhe was standing alone in the distance, his face filled with disdain. He initially thought that Wutian would have surely died after his fall from the cliff. He just needed some time to find Wutian's body and retrieve the emblem. By then, he would be a rising star. Unfortunately, things did not pan out. Wutian had not only returned, but he had also unlocked his physique and become a disciple of the Fire Cloud Clan.
The thing he found most unacceptable was Longhu's possession of a rare fire being, which proved his genius in cultivating the Secret Book of Fire. Once he joined the Fire Cloud Clan, he would surely become a legend of his era. Plus, Longhe might find favor with the clan's master, who would then make him his direct disciple. Should that happen, his future would be immeasurably bright.
Years of sacrifice had only helped the two kids while he received nothing in return. Longhe almost went mad when he thought of it.
"I won't let the two of you have your way, little bastards!" Longhe looked heinous. His knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists, and his eyes shone with hatred.
...
Back at home, Wutian took a cold shower. He felt extremely refreshed and energetic right after he got rid of his fatigue from the past month.
"Tell me frankly, Wutian, what happened a month ago?" a puzzled Longshan asked as he packed up for Wutian.
Their house was rudimentary but neat and warm.
"How do I look, Grandpa?" Wutian picked up a white piece of clothing and put it on. He did not directly answer the question.
Longshan shook his head helplessly. "You've grown up, and you have a mind of your own now. I won't force you if you don't feel like talking. But there is a saying that goes 'a day in the mountain is a year in the outside world'. A cultivator could stay in isolation for decades or even centuries during cultivation. Once you leave, I don't know if I will be able to see you again."
"Don't overthink it, Grandpa! I promise I'll come back to visit and stay with you for a period of time every year." Wutian tried to comfort him.
"All you know is sweet-talk, you stinky rascal! I've known long ago that this day would come. I'm suddenly getting emotional. Sigh! Men should go out there to explore the world. You have your life, kid. I shouldn't be your stumbling block. I'll be happy as long as you have me in your heart."
"Ahh, you're only worried that I might forget you, Grandpa. I'll never forget you because you're my only family in this world."
"You're sweet-talking again, you stinky rascal!"
Longshan knocked Wutian on the head. "You're going to be alone out there from now on. Learn how to treat yourself better, take care of yourself, believe in yourself, and make yourself happy. You don't have to explain yourself for every misunderstanding, and it's not necessary to grin and bear every wrong that's done unto you. Get over it, take it easy, and don't hold on to the sense of gain and loss. Got it?"
"Got it." Wutian nodded. "Grandpa, can you tell me where my parents are? Why have they never visited me?"
Longshan was taken aback and a little evasive. "Didn't I tell you that your parents are far away? They have something important to do. You'll find them when you finally become strong."
"I'm not a kid anymore, Grandpa. Don't make things up to placate me. Can you tell me the truth?" Wutian begged. He had heard enough rumors flying around the village, but he had chosen not to believe that he was an orphan.
Yet, as he grew older, he started to sense that there was some truth to the rumors.
After a short while of silence, Longshan spoke. "I knew I wouldn't be able to convince you, you stubborn kid. Let's make a deal: I'll tell you everything the next time you come back."
"Really?"
"When have I ever lied to you, you stinky rascal? Go! Don't let those people wait for you." Longshan handed him his luggage. He had no plans to see Wutian out.
Wutian took the luggage and said, "Remember, we have a deal, Grandpa. You have to tell me when I come back next time."
"I will. I'm a man of my word."
"See ya, Grandpa!"
Wutian bowed before Longshan and touched his head to the floor three times. Then, he got to his feet and swept his sight over the house he had been living in for the past sixteen years. Finally, his eyes landed on his grandfather for a moment before he walked out and left.
"Please forgive your grandpa for lying to you, Wutian. You've had a rough life, and you need to persevere and move on," Longshan mumbled to himself as he sat in a chair. He looked out the open doorway at the figure who soon blended into the crowd.
-- Nhận quà