After a few moments of thought, the Elder's eyes suddenly opened wide, as if he had been caught in a flash.
"Have you found out where the problem lies?" asked Rada with anticipation.
Immediately however, the elder's expression returned to normal "No! You'll have to find out for yourself, ohohoh!"
"Huh?" the boy looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.
Never had he expected to be taken for a ride at a time like this.
Then again, the elder didn't really have any idea what the problem was, but since Rada had entered the visualization phase he figured it was only a matter of time before he got through the door.
Inside, he also breathed a sigh of relief, if everything went smoothly without having any obstacles, he feared that Rada might get a head start. Thus, making things a bit more difficult for him would surely pay off.
Whether in the world of cultivators or possessors, no one was exempt from difficulties.
Even the great geniuses of the greatest families would sooner or later encounter obstacles in their path; only by overcoming those obstacles could they maintain their true genius status.
After a moment of bewilderment, Rada came to his senses.
"I understand, but the problem is that I don't know where to start," he lamented weakly.
The elder's gaze became serious, but he still maintained his gentle expression.
"That between a pearl and its bearer, is an ancient and mysterious relationship, no one has ever been able to understand it fully. Even I am not yet able to say that I know mine thoroughly. As I have already told you, I will guide you only at the beginning of your journey, but for everything else, you will have only to rely on yourself."
It was also true, that Rada was totally unfamiliar with any expression of thought of the new world he found himself in. While there were similarities to his own, they were essentially on two completely different planes.
He couldn't help but nod at the old man's words, so even though a little unsatisfied inside, he smiled politely at the man. He knew that his every action was sincere, devoid of malice or bad intentions, aimed only at his own growth.
"Since you have run into this first obstacle of yours, I suggest you think about it carefully and unhurriedly, you will see that everything will work out for the best. You may continue to use this room to meditate, when you have succeeded in passing through the door come to me."
The old master, left these words of encouragement for his pupil before disappearing away from him.
"Alright" Rada let out a long sigh. He observed the mark on his hand and sat in meditation, forgetting everything around him.
Many hundreds of miles from the village, in a fairly isolated cave, a large wolf was feasting on what appeared to be the remains of a large beast.
There were remains all over the cave, bones of all kinds of animals, but there were also remains of human bones.
It was a veritable graveyard of bones.
Auuuuh!
Suddenly, the huge wolf was interrupted by a long and powerful howl.
"Scarn! His majesty requires your presence!"
From the entrance of the cave, a large, high-pitched voice called the big wolf's attention.
"Mm?"
Scarn immediately interrupted his feast and exited the cave.
"By all the howls Scarn! This time his majesty seems really out of it, don't worry, once he skins you I'll take care of your cave, haha!"
The voices came from a group of wolves.
"Get lost!" with a grim look, Scarn growled at his fellow wolves.
"Scarn, you are required to be in the presence of his majesty immediately, follow me without a fuss" another wolf stood in the way, he seemed to be the leader of the group.
"Hmpf!"
Scarn ignored the derisive looks of the group and followed towards the abode of the new lord of the Forest of the Howling.
Upon reaching their destination, the group found themselves in front of an imposing castle. Had it been there, Rada would have recognized the place immediately; it was the home of the previous regent, the house of Kiba.
As they crossed the borders surrounding the castle, the appearance of the leader of the escort and Scarn suddenly changed. Their coats shrank in size, revealing a skin with a fairly dark complexion. In the transformation they no longer stood on four legs, but on two strong and sturdy legs. They had assumed a human form.
Even though they no longer gave off the wild aura from before, they still gave off the impression that they were not ordinary people.
"Scarn, you vile being... Give me one reason why I shouldn't make a new rug with your mantle."
Approaching the court, Scarn heard a voice that was both feeble and icy at the same time. A chill ran down his spacious back, even for a human being. He hastened his pace heedless of the other person with him, and entered the royal court.
At the far end of the room, with his legs over one of the armrests and his back against the other, was the lord of the Howling Forest, Kaleichrom.
The ruler had the expression of a typical spoiled child, used to getting everything he wanted. An evil smirk lingered on his thin lips as he fiddled with his golden-white curls.
Scarn prepared to bow before his lord, under the icy eyes of the other person who entered with him, he was very loyal to the new regent and found Scarn's behavior disrespectful.
"Alright Alseif, leave us alone," the leader beckoned with his delicate fingers. The complexion of his skin was very pale, a characteristic that was even more pronounced among his own.
"Speak," said the ruler.
His tone was indifferent; he did not even glance at his subordinate, who seemed to be sweating visibly before him.
"My lord, there has been a snag" in a grave tone Scarn did not dare to cross his eyes.
"No kidding!" interrupted Kaleichrom in a wry tone.
"Along with the puppy there was someone else" continued Scarn.
"Who?"
Kaleichrom turned his eyes towards where Scarn was, for a moment he was surprised by the news.
"It was a human boy..." Scarn didn't have time to finish when he heard Kaleichrom burst out laughing.
"AHAHAH, my trusty Scarn "man-eater," let a puppy and a human boy get away, how ironic!!!"
Kaleichrom jerked up from his chair, his body exuding a great murderous aura. He was ready to kill Scarn.
"My lord, he was a possessor of the spiritual pearl and a cultivator at the same time!" cried the underling instinctively.
Still terrified by his lord's threatening aura, he recounted in great detail everything that happened that day.
"What?!" Kaleichrom remained motionless for a moment.
"Are you sure?" he asked in confirmation.
"Yes, I could see it with my own eyes, if it wasn't for that damned human the puppy wouldn't have escaped me for sure!"
Hearing Scarn's earnest and sincere words, the Lord of the Howling Forest recomposed himself from his earlier rant.
"Now that's unexpected..." he said thoughtfully as he watched the nervous Scarn, who lowered his gaze again in fear.