Going to the Ancestral Lands

"So this is as far as I can go."

Within the Primordial Library, Shui found his limit. He had reached the peak of the Mortal Realm, but he wasn't happy. Even though he could see the path to the Soul Realm, the way to reach the perfect limit was still eluding him.

'I hope I can find a clue during this trip.'

When his time was up, Shui left the Library and went to the plaza in front of Sky-wind Pavilion where four other youths were waiting. Among them, Shui only recognized one. It was Nathan, but his atmosphere was different. If before he was like a proud peacock, he was now like a lone wolf. What was even more surprising was the fact that he had reached the ninth level in the Mortal Realm. It was still a bit away from the peak, but the fact that Nathan who had less talent than Kate was now two levels above her was odd, to say the least. Shui was very interested in how this was possible but that thought had to be postponed for the moment.

"Is this everyone?" Nalos asked while looking at them.

Beside him was Corin dressed in white. To reach the ancestral lands, these two important figures were required to bring their clan's youths and help with the final steps in opening it. The other two clans would have more Earth Realm masters to entrust the clan's security to, but the Heaven clan had to rely on the old High elder who rarely appeared. Luckily, unlike the two of them who were stuck in the early Earth Realm, the High elder was a master of far greater strength.

Once they confirmed that all five were present, the two whistled and Shui snapped his head to the sky. As if responding to the whistles, two enormous birds with colourful wings came down to the plaza. The birds were twice as tall as Nalos and when they opened their wings, they were as wide as the plaza. These birds were beast spirits known as rainbow doves and were very gentle among evolved beasts. Cultivators who reached Soul Realm could perform soul brands and so they could not only control other humans, but also other sentient beings. Cultivators who specialized in controlling evolved beasts as their way to fight were called beast tamers.

However, though Soul Realm cultivators could make evolved beasts into slaves, it wasn't easy. Unless one's soul was exceptionally strong, it would be impossible to subdue an evolved beast around the same strength as the cultivator. Furthermore, to have the chance to put a soul brand on an evolved beast, the beast would first have to be defeated without killing it, that would require overwhelming power. Not to mention the cost of feeding these beasts was quite considerable. Mainly due to these reasons, only five people in the clan kept evolved beasts as pets.

"Nathan and Rail will come with me. The rest will go with Corin."

Once Nalos spoke, the groups were made. Outside the plaza were many spectators including Kate, Lilia and Bartos. As the birds lifted off the ground, Shui waved towards them as their images got smaller. This was the first time Shui was flying in the sky, so his heart was furiously pounding. Corin had cast a simple spell on them to ensure that they wouldn't get shaken off the rainbow dove, so Shui could leisurely watch the wonderous sight below him. It was mostly trees and a few rivers, but when seen from above it was an empowering experience.

'I can't wait till I can fly.'

"You having fun?"

In the midst of his preoccupation with admiring the view, one of the youths spoke to him. He honestly didn't expect any friendly interaction at this point since though his status in the clan was different, he was still isolated. However, when he looked at the one talking to him, he didn't believe it was someone trying to mess with him.

The boy looked like a friendly older brother, sort of like a younger version of Yur but without the greed for money.

"Yeah, this is my first time up so high."

"I know right. I can't wait until I can get one of my own. I want a redhead eagle or a silver raven."

"Those are interesting choices, but aren't they rare and hard to control?"

"That's what makes it fun!"

After a few exchanges, Shui felt like he had a better grasp of this youth, Cris.

'He does what he feels like.'

Shui didn't know much about him, but someone at the first level in the Soul Realm at the age of twelve was surely considered important by the clan. However, he was different from the other two youths in the Soul Realm. They kept an aloof atmosphere while he was confident and cheerful. Shui didn't really plan on getting friendly with anyone else in this group, but he had a good impression of Cris.

Cris also had a good impression of him. He had heard a lot about the emerging genius, and thought he would be fake like the rest, but Shui was as mysterious as the rumours said. However, he wasn't arrogant, all he sensed from him was confidence in his skills. For some reason, Cris thought it wouldn't be strange if he lost to him.

While the two conversed, a tall wall of mist appeared in sight.

"Is that the ancestral lands?" Cris asked.

"Not exactly. It's the seal surrounding it."

After Corin answered the question, the mood was no longer as relaxed. Everyone here knew that playtime was over.

In the flat area where the two rainbow doves landed, there were a couple of avian beast spirits and people from the other two clans. Compared to the rainbow doves, the other beast spirits were much more imposing and this led to the other clans feeling as if they were innately superior to the Heaven clan. The younger generation in particular were immersed in this feeling and so the Heaven clan youths had frowns on their faces. Even Shui, but for a different reason.

'I don't like the look I'm getting.'

In addition to the cold gaze he got from Kalos, there was another piercing gaze. He couldn't pinpoint it, but he was sure the person behind it was aiming for his life. He was prepared for danger the moment he decided to come on this trip, but it seemed that the danger would be worse than he expected.

Since all of the clan leaders were present, they gathered together to talk about the event.

"Is everything prepared?" Kalos asked the other two clan leaders.

The two nodded to him with expressionless faces. All of them knew that the preparations weren't the most important part, rather it was what happened once the children were inside the ancestral lands. There would be no way to contact them and even with the charms that were ready, it was still possible for some to die in an accident, or be killed. In fact, since the growth of beast spirits was deliberately hindered by the seal, the most dangerous thing inside the ancestral lands would be their competitors.

"Good. Let's distribute the escape charms."

An escape charm was given to each person going into the ancestral lands and the method of making them was a closely guarded secret. Charms were similar to talismans but borrowed the power of fate rather than inscriptions or runes. However, regardless of how strong or weak the clan became, they were always limited to one charm per year. This was the reason why the limit of youths entering was fifteen.

The escape charms were distributed and those entering waited behind the leader of their respective clans for the opening to be made. Though they could enter the ancestral lands every five years, that didn't mean the seal just conveniently opened a space. What actually happened was that the power of the seal weakened enough for those in the Earth Realm to force open a gap.

"Let's begin."

Kalos, Nalos and Kaitlyn stretched their arms out towards the mist and focused their mental control and nature energy on one area of the mist. Eventually, a small hole appeared in the mist which got bigger and bigger.

"Enter."

Through that hole, fifteen children aged fifteen and under went in one by one.