Before Sumanth could continue his explanation, Aerum raised a question, her voice sharp with curiosity.
"Sir, if a being naturally gains 'Will' when they reach a certain level of cultivation, why is there a need to cultivate it separately?"
Sumanth smiled, clearly impressed. "You've asked an excellent question. The answer lies in the story of humanity's creation."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more deliberate. "Do you all remember when I mentioned that Creator Nuwa used the 'Twelve-Extreme Yin-Yang Lotus' to create humans?"
Aerum and the others nodded in unison.
Sumanth continued, his voice steady. "The 'Twelve-Extreme Yin-Yang Lotus' is no ordinary treasure. It is one of the most extreme and unique creations of the universe—born only at the very beginning of existence. Once formed, it can never appear again. It is a treasure of unparalleled rarity and power."
He gestured as though to emphasize the enormity of his words. "When the heavens blessed Nuwa's creation, the energy from both the Yin and Yang lotuses fused with the human body. This fusion caused a profound and special transformation."
Sumanth's voice lowered, almost reverently. "That transformation was the ability to control and use 'Will.' This ability is unique to humans. No other being, whether chaotic or otherwise, possesses it."
He let the weight of his words settle before continuing. "And this is precisely what makes humanity extraordinary. The ability to wield 'Will' isn't just a gift—it's a defining trait, a divine capability ingrained in the very essence of humanity."
Sumanth's expression turned thoughtful. "This uniqueness is also why, when 'Will' was introduced to the chaotic beings, they were initially intrigued. But when they discovered that it could only be wielded by humans, they quickly lost interest. To them, it became a curiosity, nothing more."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "And that, Aerum, is why cultivating 'Will' separately is essential. It is not merely a byproduct of cultivation levels—it is a birthright, a power that needs to be nurtured and honed to reach its true potential."
Aerum and the others gradually grasped the gravity of Sumanth's words, their expressions hardening with newfound determination.
Sumanth, satisfied they understood, spoke again in a calm but firm tone. "Now, let us discuss how to cultivate 'Will.' To do so, we must journey to our ancestral ground."
Aerum tilted her head slightly. "Ancestral ground?"
"Yes," Sumanth replied, his gaze steady. "The first and second generation humans such as Adam and Eve and their children's, could naturally acquire and control 'Will.' But after four or five generations, it became increasingly difficult for their descendants. To preserve this legacy, Creator Nuwa crafted a sacred inheritance stone. This stone not only contains the knowledge of how to cultivate 'Will,' but it also holds the power to awaken the dormant inheritance gene within the bloodline of our ancestors."
Sumanth led them through the backyard of his house, stopping before an empty patch of earth. With a measured gesture, he raised his hand, tracing intricate patterns in the air. A glowing formation materialized on the ground. When the formation activated, a door shimmered into existence, its surface engraved with ancient symbols. At the center of the door was a keyhole.
From within his robe, Sumanth produced an ornate key, its edges glinting with an otherworldly light. He slid it into the keyhole, and as it turned, the door creaked open, revealing a stark white wall beyond.
Sumanth turned to face them, his expression solemn. "This white wall serves as a passage and an identifier. Only humans can pass through it. No other race can cross."
With that, Sumanth stepped forward, disappearing through the wall. Aerum and the others exchanged glances before following.
On the other side, the air felt heavier, charged with an ancient, otherworldly energy. They found themselves standing before a sheer cliff that seemed to stretch endlessly into the mist. At the cliff's edge stood twelve towering pillars arranged in a perfect circle. Each pillar was engraved with runes that pulsed faintly, as though alive.
At the very center of the circle hovered a massive, jade-colored stone, radiating a soft yet commanding glow.
Sumanth gestured toward the stone. "This," he said with reverence, "is the inheritance stone of Nuwa, the heart of our ancestral ground. Through this, you will begin your journey to cultivate 'Will.'"
Sumanth gestured calmly toward the white jade stone, his voice steady. "Sit around the inheritance stone and meditate. It will guide you."
Aerum, Valdir, Maximo, Kori, and Misaki exchanged a glance before stepping forward. The faint hum of energy filled the air as they approached. Beneath the floating stone were five small slabs, each perfectly aligned as if marking where they should sit. Without hesitation, the group positioned themselves cross-legged on the slabs, their backs straight and their breaths steady.
The moment they sat, a subtle warmth began to rise from the stone slabs, spreading through their bodies. The warmth grew stronger, an undeniable surge of energy flowing upward toward their heads.
Above them, the jade stone began to glow, releasing waves of light like rippling water. The energy from the stone connected with the energy already circulating within them, merging into a single, powerful force. The fusion formed a yin-yang symbol, glowing softly at first but then growing brighter, pulsating with an ancient rhythm.
As the yin-yang energy coursed through their bodies, a sudden heat erupted. It wasn't just warmth—it was an intense, searing sensation that made their blood feel like molten fire rushing through their veins. Their skin prickled, and every muscle in their bodies tensed.
The energy acted like a key, unlocking something deep within them. The dormant ancestral genes hidden in their blood began to stir. Slowly, a faint cracking sound echoed within their minds—chains breaking, barriers crumbling.
It was as though an ancient door, sealed for countless eons, was being forced open. Each crack sent waves of pain and power through their bodies, but with it came something more—a sense of awakening, a connection to something far greater than themselves.
They gritted their teeth, sweat dripping from their brows as they endured the process. The boiling sensation in their blood intensified, reaching a peak that felt as though it might consume them entirely.
As Aerum and the others endured the intense transformation, their groans of effort and the faint hum of the inheritance stone filled the air. Outside the sacred chamber, Sumanth stood silently, his gaze fixed on the glowing energy seeping through the cracks in the door. He watched with a mix of pride and apprehension, his thoughts heavy.
Suddenly, a familiar presence materialized beside him, quiet as a shadow. Xenos, cloaked in his usual enigmatic aura, appeared without a sound.
Sumanth didn't even turn. "They're good kids," he began, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of nostalgia. "I didn't expect the Emperor would go to such lengths as to hide his daughter on Earth. He must have loved her more than we ever imagined."
Xenos said nothing, his expression unreadable.
Sumanth let out a sigh, the weight of centuries pressing on his words. "When you first spoke about traveling back in time, I was against it. Truthfully, I still am. But after seeing them... I think I finally understand why you chose this path."
He turned his head slightly toward Xenos, his eyes narrowing. "So, what's the price for meddling with the timeline?"
Xenos hesitated, his usual composure faltering ever so slightly.
Sumanth's voice hardened. "You know I deserve to know."
After a moment, Xenos replied, his tone low and burdened. "Right now, two timelines are battling for dominance. The one I've altered and the one that was originally written. The price... is me. I don't know if I'll survive when the fight ends."
Sumanth's eyes dimmed with sorrow, though he quickly masked it. "Hmm... I expected as much," he said, his tone laced with resignation.
He crossed his arms, his stance rigid with emotion. "I warned you about this. I warned you! And yet, I can't deny the conflict in my heart. I'm torn—whether to mourn you as a friend or to support you for the sake of humanity's future."
Xenos's lips curved in the faintest of smiles. "I will survive, my friend."
Sumanth scoffed, his voice rough. "Humph! You better survive. If you don't, I'll bring my people out of hiding myself."
Xenos's calm demeanor cracked, his eyes widening in surprise. "You know you can't do that."
Sumanth turned to him fully now, his expression defiant. "And who's going to stop me? I'm tired, Xenos. Tired of watching humans sacrifice themselves for the 'greater cause.' First, the bloody First Emperor who plunged universe into a bloodbath just so we could Humanity can survive. Then the Last Emperor, who made the ultimate decision for humanity's future but still failed. Not once—not once—did they call on us to fight alongside them. And now you!"
Xenos's voice softened. "You know the reason for that."
Sumanth's frustration boiled over. "I've had enough of 'reasons.' Enough of 'sacrifices for survival.' We've hidden for far too long."
Xenos stepped closer, his gaze steady and resolute. "There will come a time when your people can emerge, Sumanth. But that time is not now."
Sumanth turned away, letting out a derisive snort. "Humph! Whatever you say."
From the Author:
Thank you, dear readers, for your continued support and for taking the time to explore my novel. Your feedback means the world to me, so please share your thoughts in the comments and let me know what you think of the story so far. If you're enjoying the journey, don't forget to show your support by voting with power stones—it truly helps keep the story alive!
The next chapter will be released on 12-01-2025. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!