"Say... Yao Tian.... do you... Wish to become an immortal? "
"What?" Yao Tian's head snapped at Song Shou.
Taken by surprise by the previous words of Song Shou, Yao Tian could not help but turn abruptly and look at his friend in disbelief.
Not shying away from Yao Tian's gaze Song Shou continued.
"Why are you so surprised? Since I have become one, then, why can't you? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change your destiny.
You can become someone in the world instead of staying as a nobody."
Recovering his composure after listening to his friend, Yao Tian gain a thoughtful look and took a few minutes to think about what he would say next.
"What makes you so sure that I want to become an immortal in the first place? I have a family, a home, and a peaceful life."
It was not as if Yao Tian rejected Song Shou's offer. He just wanted to know Song Shou's reason behind the offer, and perhaps gain a better understanding of his reasons to have left the village years ago in the first place.
A frown appeared on Song Shou's face when he heard Yao Tian's reply.
"Do you truly consider this a life? Spending every day as a farm boy in the middle of nowhere, living a small mediocre life where you'll just remain an unknown nobody to the world. You could gain eternal life, be all-powerful and accomplish anything you want in all of Buxiu!" Finished Song Shou while breathing heavily.
Silence returned to the area.
Yao Tian was quite surprised by the sudden outburst, but he recognized that the reasons mentioned before would be quite attractive to anyone.
Strangely, he was not moved or more likely the didn't see the point.
"But at what cost? You can't expect me to accept that I would achieve any of these goals without making any major sacrifices," asked Yao Tian calmly.
Song Shou was stunned at his reply. He didn't expect Yao Tian to argue with him on becoming immortal of all things! But he had to admit that Yao Tian had a point.
"Yes, the journey will not be an easy one. You will encounter countless tribulations, face hoards of enemies, and have centuries' worth of effort invested to forge on your path. "
He looked at the stars with a determined face and continued.
"But at the end, you will become an eternal being, a being who can control his fate and overturn the heavens. That is why I left the village, I wanted to truly be free.
I want to become someone and gain true freedom!" Shouted Song Shou in the end again.
A heavy feeling came into Yao Tian's heart. He clearly understood the hidden meaning behind his friend's words.
"Then answer me this last question, why did you come back to the village after vanishing completely for 4 years? "
"..."
"..."
*sigh* "You're a 14-year-old boy, since when do kids your age become so wise? You must have read too much of that "Jiang Chen's journey to immortality" storybook."
Yao Tian chose to remain silent.
With a defeated look Song Shou said, looking away.
"To reach the pinnacle of cultivation one must practice the art of Spirit Qi cultivation. With each breakthrough, we achieve an unprecedented level of strength and gain a range of abilities. But this method can only lead someone so far, there is another requirement in becoming a true immortal or cultivator. And that is by training our dao heart and that is by letting go of the mortal world. "
A flash of anger passed through Yao Tian's eyes when he heard the last part.
"So you are planning on abandoning everyone in the Red Mountain Village including your dad!? " Shouted Yao Tian with a slightly angry face.
Song Shou expected this kind of reaction from Yao Tian. The boy had always prioritized family above anything.
He decided to change the subject by bringing another matter that weighed heavily on Yao Tian's heart.
"I heard from some of the villagers that Yao Bao wants to become a cultivator. I can give him that opportunity and knowing you Tian, you wouldn't deny him pursuing his dreams. You can accompany him by his side. " Said Song Shou with a side glance.
That.....was a good point in Yao Tian's opinion. He knew he couldn't obstruct his brother's future, nor could he abandon the village and his dad.
Who said that Immortals should let go of the mortal world to surpass the heavens. He knows that despite Yao Bao's desire to become a cultivator, he too wouldn't want to abandon his family.
His brother would prove both Song Shou and the world wrong!
"I still don't agree with you Song Shou, I believe that you are wrong. But I also know that I can't stop my brother from pursuing his dream."
His friend quirked his eyebrows and asked, "What? So really aren't interested in becoming a cultivator?"
"...I'm not sure, to be honest." Answered Yao Tian uncertainty. "Never really had the drive, not the will to become one in the first place."
"But, I do want to keep Bao'er safe if possible. If that means that I need to learn to become an immortal, then I will" That was Yao Tian's final answer to his friend.
A wide grin slowly emerged from Song Shou's face.
"Hahahahaha!!! I knew you would listen to reason! We will adventure together and have fun just like when like 4 years ago! " Said Song Shou after slapping Yao Tian's back continuously almost making the poor boy fall over.
Though his reasons were flawed, Song Shou l knew that his friend would see the beauty of cultivating and become as dedicated as him.
Eternal life and power, who wouldn't want that?
"Be sure to finish up with all your side of things quickly and meet me at the Blue Lilly Pavillon in 2 days. "
After finishing their conversation Song Shou decided to rejoin the others while Yao Tian remained sitting.
Just like that the bustling night slowly passed away, leaving the boy alone with his thoughts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The walk to his house took a bit longer than he anticipated. Many people who saw him would offer wishes for his father's recovery or encourage him not to be sad about the outcome of the previous fight.
To be honest, he was not as hung up on the matter as the others assumed him to be. After he found out that Song Shou was no longer a mortal, he already accepted the outcome. He just went outside to clear his head.
Arriving at his house he immediately went to his father's bedroom to check up on his condition.
Only to find his father doing push-ups on the floor covered with bandages for his injuries.
"What are you doing dad! Your body has not yet even recovered and out of nowhere, you start training!? "
"Ah, welcome back Tian'er! What a marvellous fight it was today, it is the first time that I met someone stronger than me and lost. Hahaha, I can't wait to go up against that brat again!. "
Yao Tian never saw his father this excited before. But it made sense, his father loved fighting for a long time. May it be the annual tournaments or a beast attack, he would always be the first to appear.
"Dad go back to bed. I have something important to talk about with you. " Said Yao Tian with a serious tone.
It was quite rare for Yao Tai to see his son in such a mood, so he quit fooling around and sat down waiting for his son to talk.
Taking a deep breath Yao Tian started narrating the conversation he had with Song Shou earlier as well as his offer to join him in his journey.
All the while Yao Tai's face did not show any kind of emotion, he just remained calm throughout the whole time.
"So? Why are you hesitating for? "
Yao Tian was surprised by his father's response.
"B-But how can I leave you alone? I admit I care about Yao Bao's future and don't want to leave him alone, but I also cherish our current life. I don't want to ruin everything..."
*bonk* "Ouch!"
Out of nowhere Yao Tai lightly hit his son's head. Leaving Yao Tian dazed as it was the first time his father has ever done that.
"Stop being such a weak-willed child! I didn't raise my son to be a coward! " Shouted Yao Tai for the first time at Yao Tian.
"Tian'er you may be smart, but you are still naïve. This is a golden opportunity for you and your brother to see the outside world and experience its beauty.
Do not shackle yourself to a single village in the middle of nowhere. Go out and adventure, have fun and make friends that you would have never gotten here.
I know you Tian'er, I know that you could achieve so much with your talent. As a father what could I ask more other than my children have a bright future?
And most important of all is that what's stopping you to come back even if you become an immortal? Being an immortal means having the power to control your own fate so if you want to take care of our family, then who is stopping you? Just do it!"
Sorrow could be seen slowly creeping into Yao Tian's eyes as he slowly started panicking.
"But if I go, it might take years before I could see you and anyone in the village! And again, you will be alone with no one by your sid- " He couldn't finish his sentence as his father came up to him and gave him a big hug.
"..."
"Son, do you know why I gave you the name Tian? " Said Yao Tai with a silent voice.
Yao Tian calmed down a bit shook his head.
"Before I came to the village I was...in a dark period of my life. It is only after I met your mother did I regain my humanity back.
When I first held you as a baby, the world was filled with colours in my eyes. For the first time, I could truly feel the sky and heaven as a place where I could continue existing, as my own home.
Then came Bao'er, he gave me the feeling to have everything in the world I could ever desire. All the wealth and riches are no different than dirt when compared to Bao'er in my eyes.
You represent my world, giving me a reason to live and your brother is everything I could ever desire. Each one of you is precious to me and as long as you are both alive, I will never be alone no matter where both of you are. "
Silence reigned in the room.
Tears started falling down Yao Tian's cheeks, he was such a fool. He shouldn't have thought so little of the bonds between his family. No matter where he was or how long he and his brother were gone for. Their father would always be there for them and they would always be there for their father.
After a few seconds of regaining his composure, he made a final decision.
"Sorry about earlier dad, I promise to become stronger to look after Bao. And I promise to never die for your's and Bao's sake. So I will join Song Shou "
" Ha! Well, that's what I'm talking about! And why are you talking about dying? Even if it's the gods who are after your life, I will personally punch them to dust! "
Yao Tian laughed at his father's joke, "Dad you lost to Song Shou, forget about gods."
"It's a manner of speech you silly brat!"
And so the once depressing mood slowly dissipated away from Yao Tian's head, leaving him with an ironclad will and conviction to face his future journey for his brother's and father's sake.
What an eventful day it was today," he said to himself.