Ch 4 : Springs Comes

A warm, penetrating sunlight filled Auron's room, casting a golden glow that brought with it a fresh breath of life. The harmonious chirping of crickets echoed outside, as if they too were celebrating the arrival of spring and the retreat of winter's chill. Today marked a special day—it was Auron's first birthday.

A year of cultivating the Celestial Aura Cultivation Art had made him an exceptionally healthy baby. His jet-black hair shimmered under the light, while his deep, mystical blue eyes sparkled with an almost otherworldly brilliance. His adorably chubby cheeks and bright gaze made him the center of attention wherever he went, and his parents never tired of praising his looks and the remarkable talent he had already begun to show.

At just a year old, Auron had not only mastered crawling but had started walking confidently a month earlier. His sharp awareness was evident in every action—he would cry to signal when he needed to relieve himself, or whenever he was hungry, as though his young body already understood the harmony of life around him.

In this serene and promising beginning, Auron's future already felt touched by destiny. Of course, this was all controlled by Auron himself.

"Darling, look at our little star," Sarah said with a bright smile. "He seems to understand it's his special day. What an incredibly perceptive and intelligent child he is!"

"Absolutely,"Alex replied with genuine enthusiasm. "He's clearly inherited your wonderful looks, my love. I'm beyond honored to be the father of such a brilliant and extraordinary son. Our little Auron is truly a marvel!"

"Later, I'll go and invite our neighbors to celebrate his birthday," Sarah said with enthusiasm. "It's a great opportunity to introduce him to everyone, especially since we haven't taken him outside much. Sister Lily has a son and daughter around his age too. We can't let our little one grow up without friends. I'll cook something special for the gathering—how does beef stew sound, darling?"

"Of course, my love," Alex replied, smiling. "But let's try to keep our excitement in check. We might need to dip into our savings a bit for this."

"Oh, come on," Sarah responded with a playful huff. "It's all for our little star. How can you be so stingy when it comes to our son?"

"It's not about being stingy, darling," Alex reassured her. "I just want us to plan wisely."

"Well, you better make sure we don't miss out on making this day special," Sarah insisted with a wink.

"Alright, I'll head to work now," Alex said with a smile. "I'll make sure to come home early to help out. Goodbye!" He then blended into the bustling crowd.

"Okay, little star," Sarah said, turning to her baby. "Let's head out. We need to find the perfect piece of meat for your birthday celebration tonight. It's your first time outside the fence, isn't it? Just wait a moment while Mommy gets ready." She then disappeared into the back room.

"Finally, we're going out, Xiao Yu," Auron exclaimed with excitement. "I can't wait to see what the outside world is like. Let's open our eyes, perk up our ears, and immerse ourselves in the magical experience of this world."

"Absolutely, Sir," Xiao Yu responded. "I'm ready to experience it all with you."

Sarah came back with a wooden basket and a hat. She then straps Auron in the sling then proceed to stroll around the marketplace.

The sunlight was bright and warm, but the cool breeze felt refreshingly pleasant. "I expected it to be rather grimy, like a medieval setting on Earth, but it's quite clean here," Auron mused quietly to himself. He marveled at the wonders of this new world.

As he observed his surroundings, he saw people bustling about with their various tasks. Fishermen shouted, hawking their freshly caught fish, while butchers skillfully chopped meat with rhythmic precision. The forge nearby echoed with the loud clang of hammers striking molten metal, and traders engaged in lively negotiations with customers.

What fascinated Auron most was the sheer difference from Earth. Everything was unique—there were entirely different species of fish, unfamiliar types of meat, and metals that he had never seen before. The entire scene was a vivid tapestry of new experiences, each more intriguing than the last.

"Xiao Yu , have you record all of that ?" said Auron.

"I have make sure to record all of it. I will sort it out into a few section which are fishes, plants, minerals, metals and meats. Is it alright Sir?" said Xiao Yu. " It is better that way," said Auron.

Sarah had already strolled through the market, gathering all the ingredients needed for tonight's birthday celebration. Her wooden basket was brimming with fresh produce and supplies.

Knowing that Auron was more comfortable with a bottle than breastfeeding, Sarah fed him milk before gently placing him in his cradle. After ensuring that he was sound asleep, she turned her attention to the tasks at hand. She moved to another room to make the most of her time, sewing a few last-minute details into the clothes. Once finished, she began preparing the food for the evening's festivities.

"I think I might have what it takes to be a great actor—well, maybe just for baby or toddler roles, but that's just a joke," Auron said with a chuckle. "In any case, it'll be a few more years before I can focus fully on my cultivation. The Celestial Aura Cultivation Art is progressing well, but I'm having trouble with these mystical eyes. Every time I use them for more than a minute, I get a splitting headache. It's quite unpleasant. Do you have any ideas on what might be causing this, Xiao Yu?"

"Based on what we've seen in magic-themed cartoons and novels, it might be linked to your soul, Sir," Xiao Yu suggested. "From my analysis, it seems your mystical eyes draw their power from something called soul force."

"Hmmm, that makes sense," Auron replied, frowning. "But how do I go about cultivating my soul? I don't have any techniques for that right now."

"You really don't have any cultivation technique but you do have something to rely on Sir. Have you forget about the Celestial Codex ? It is said that it can help you perceive heavenly law. Why don't you try it ?" suggest Xiao Yu.

"True... I will give it a try. We still have time before the events start. Let start it," Auron then try to probe the Celestial Codex.