Walking alongside his Master to the castle gates, he watched her take off into the sky before turning his gaze to the spot where she disappeared.
Their conversation weighed heavily on his mind, especially the upcoming challenge tomorrow—whether to take a human life or face his own potential death in combat.
He furrowed his brow, deciding it was best to wait and see how things unfolded. Shifting his focus to the meditating guards, he entered the castle and headed to his room. Lying down on the bed, he continued to mull over his thoughts.
"Master told me that in the next realm, I could go for months without sleep. I'll miss this feeling soon." Closing his eyes, he drifted into sleep, savouring one of the last mortal experiences he would have.
Awakening to the sun's warm rays, he spoke without opening his eyes, "Aunt Niang, when was the last time you slept?" He yawned and stretched in bed.
"Young master, did you acquire spiritual sense?" Aunt Niang asked, joking, knowing that he had guessed her presence.
"I don't remember. The most recent time was when I got severely injured, but even that was over 400 years ago," she replied, patiently waiting for him to rise.
"I see." Deciding he had rested enough, he got out of bed and washed his face.
"Aunt Niang, did my sister experience the same thing?" He always wondered about her experiences— that extremely cold face that turned cute when up close. At his age, what had she gone through?
"Your sister, did she go through the same thing," she said. "Lord thought it was the best course of action, and it was. Initially, when she had cared for Fang Xiao and was told that she would have to kill a human before entering the sect, she complained, suggesting there was a better way. Her suggestion was rejected, not by Lord, but by Fang Jing.
Back then, she had felt upset. However, as years passed and she witnessed the transformation of that young child into a woman who struck fear into her generation, she dismissed those thoughts. The parents of Hao knew better how to raise a strong cultivator.
"Let's go, Aunt Niang," Hao said as he fixed his robe. He waited for her to pick him up. With a brief nod, they went outside and flew to the training area next to the big pillar. Hao's parents were already there, and they had a chained and bruised man tied to a nearby wall.
Lin Niang descended onto the island in the middle of the lake. She greeted the lord and turned to Hao with a worried expression. "Don't hesitate," she said before leaving.
"Dad, Mom, good morning," Fang Hao said, making his mother chuckle a bit. "Morning, Little Hao," she replied, sounding a bit nostalgic since it had been a while since anyone greeted her like that.
"Fang Hao, did you sleep well?" His father's tone became more serious as he asked with a stronger voice.
"I'm ready, Father," Fang Hao stated, taking a deep breath and turning his gaze toward the bound prisoner. The man stood at about 1.8 meters, his body marked by muscles and scars—a testament to enduring multiple rounds of torture. His eyes appeared lifeless, resigned to his fate, and he stared at the floor.
"This is 'Ren Lang,' a prisoner here," his father explained, his voice devoid of much emotion. "He killed an innocent family in the night, subjecting their daughter to unspeakable horrors before ending her life as well. The entire family of three was wiped out," he continued matter-of-factly, an everyday occurrence for him.
Looking at the person restrained in chains, Fang Hao braced himself to proceed, determined to face the task before him head-on.
He had mentally readied himself for the chance that the prisoner might be innocent, and he felt thankful that his parents had made this burden somewhat easier for him.
As he glanced at the prisoner, named Ren Lang, Fang Hao noticed they shared the same realm, although Ren Lang appeared older and less skilled in cultivation pursuits.
"Let's get this over with," Fang Xiong uttered, observing his son's readiness. He untied Ren Lang, causing him to collapse onto the ground, the metallic clatter of chains echoing against the rocky surface.
Wearily, Ren Lang knelt, his blurred vision gradually clearing to reveal that he was no longer bound. He turned his head and beheld a pair that seemed akin to deities in this realm of power.
"Wh-Who are you? Am I dead?" he rasped, his voice rough as he posed his question.
"I wouldn't usually waste words on the likes of you, but considering you're about to serve a useful purpose, I'll overlook your insolence this time. I am the city lord," Haos's father retorted.
"City... City Lord?" The man's eyes widened, memories flooding back of his actions and the torture he had endured. A pained cry escaped his lips as the mental wounds he had been afflicted with resurfaced.
Waiting for the man to regain his composure, Fang Xiong used his spiritual energy to help him stand up. "You will fight my son to the death. If you manage to kill him, I promise I will release you," he said, attempting to inject a glimmer of hope into the situation.
"Your son?" The man shifted his gaze, encountering an intensely frigid female presence. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his eyes, and he soon realized a young boy stood before him, hands casually resting behind his back, observing the scene.
Examining him and assessing his cultivation realm, the man inquired, "Lord, did you say I have to kill him?" his voice tinged with uncertainty, questioning if he had misunderstood.
"Yes, you simply need to eliminate him," Fang Xiong affirmed, nodding in confirmation.
Contemplating his options, the prisoner cautiously posed, "How can I trust that you'll release me?" He sought some assurance, only to be engulfed by an icy aura emanating from Haos's mother. "You don't have the luxury of choice in this matter," she interjected, her words carrying a frosty weight that sent a shiver down his spine.
The man winced, his expression contorting in pain. Left with no alternative, he made a plea for a spear, and Fang Xiong complied, tossing it on his way.
As his fingers closed around the spear's shaft and he performed a few simple manoeuvres, he couldn't help but admire its exceptional craftsmanship.
Extending the spear's point toward Fang Hao, he declared, "To secure my freedom, I'll put an end to your life," anticipation in his eyes as he awaited the signal to initiate the duel.
Fang Hao carefully scrutinized the man across from him, noting his stance and the firm grip on the spear. The aura around him shifted, detecting a distinct surge—an aura that spoke of experience and battle-hardened skill.
Pulling his own sword from a spatial ring, Fang Hao readied himself, gathering momentum in preparation for the challenge ahead.