Xie Fan had just left the family head's room. He then remembered his mother and their close relationship. She had always spoiled him, which was probably why he was referred to as the "black sheep," nobody liked him.
Xie Fan made his way to his mother's room. She was resting in bed, her long, moonlit white hair flowing over the pillow. Her eyes were as dark as a deep lake, and her face bore the fatigue of overexertion. She possessed a unique physique that allowed her to convert her own blood into Divine Essence fragments to enhance the power of secret arts. But this took a heavy toll on her body, forcing her to spend long periods in recovery.
As Xie Fan entered, she opened her eyes and a look of relief softened her expression.
"The maids told me you got hurt during a mission today," she said, her eyes filled with worry. "How many times have I told you not to worry about money or doing these dangerous missions? I can take care of that."
"But I don't want to see you exhausted like this," Xie Fan replied. Although it wasn't his real mother, he couldn't help but see his past self in her and feel a sense of sympathy.
"You're too kind," Yin Lihua said, holding his hand. This alarmed Xie Fan, as there was still that one finger wich was red, old, with a black abyss-like sharp nail—but his mother seemed not to notice it. It made him conclude that others probably couldn't see it either.
She reminded him that the Meridian Awakening Ceremony was approaching. Xie Fan hugged his mother and took his leave.
....
It was a crisp morning, a gentle mist hanging in the air while the first light of dawn painted the horizon in hues of gold and pink. The manor was unusually busy for such an early hour, filled with hurried footsteps as everyone prepared for the Meridian Awakening Ceremony.
Xie Fan was awakened by a maid, who helped him dress in ceremonial attire. Today was a crucial day for everyone; it essentially determined their future path.
Cultivators begin by Awakening the Meridian Gates. There are 108 Meridian Gates in the human body, each serving as a channel for Divine Essence fragments. Awakening these gates allows cultivators to draw and circulate Divine Essence faster. During the ceremony, a cultivator's Signature Gate is awakened, which grants a unique affinity that defines their cultivation path. Each Signature Gate is special amd unique.
....
The cave was dark, lit only by two candles with blue flames, giving it a divine and mysterious atmosphere. Xie Fan stepped into the cave after waiting in line for what felt like hours. His heart was pounding with a mix of anticipation and anxiety; his stomach felt as though it was filled with fluttering butterflies.
Finally, his name was called. He removed his robe, revealing his untoned body—plump and lacking any signs of physical training. Xie Fan sat down on a round black stone, feeling an unusual energy emanating from it. He crossed his legs and placed his hands on his ankles, mimicking those who had gone before him.
He thought to himself, "I was bedridden for most of my past life, so whatever happens, it can't be worse than that. Let's hope the awakening is successful."
Suddenly, he felt a cold hand touch his back, and then it turned scorching hot as energy began flowing through him. He focused all his attention on guiding this energy to a specific point, attempting to break open his Signature Gate. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he concentrated with all his might.
"The awakening is successful," an elder in a blue robe and white beard behind Xie Fan announced. Relief flooded through Xie Fan, and he let out a long exhale.
He stood up, dressed, and left the cave with a smile on his face. He decided to visit his mother.
When Xie Fan entered her room, she was cultivating within a special array. She looked up at him with anticipation, though she already knew the result.
"Did you pass?" she asked, her voice cheerful.
"Yes!" Xie Fan replied with a beaming expression.
"We should celebrate," she said warmly. "I'll get you some blood wine to aid your cultivation and treat you to a nice meal."
They walked out together. As they strolled through the bustling streets, Yin Lihua reminded him that tomorrow marked the beginning of the academy—a vital part of his life.
Xie Fan couldn't help but feel a bit gloomy; it reminded him of his past, of the time he first fainted in class and was diagnosed with his illness. But he quickly put on a smile and thought, "That's all in the past—I have a new life now."
They stopped by a well-lit shop, guarded by two beautiful women standing by the entrance. One of them walked up and bowed, saying, "Lady Yin Lihua, Young Master Yin Bai, would you like to come in?"
Yin Lihua nodded and entered, with Xie Fan following. She chose two bottles of blood wine and ordered two meals. They then found a table for two and sat down, talking about the future.
Yin Lihua complimented Xie Fan, saying, "After the ceremony, you seem different—more mature." Xie Fan let out a small sigh of relief. If his mother didn't notice anything too strange, it meant he was doing well in blending in. The thought of being discovered made him uneasy, and he had been working hard to memorize Yin Bai's routine and habits, studying his memories.
The sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention, and a waitress arrived with their meal. The aroma was rich and enticing, the vegetables were exotic, and the meat resembled beef from Earth, topped with a dark sauce. Xie Fan cut off a piece and tasted it. The intense flavors instantly danced across his tongue.
After finishing the meal, he thanked his mother, and they walked home in cheerful spirits.
Once they were home, Yin Lihua instructed a maid to bring materials needed for a cultivation array. Xie Fan was excited. As a child reading fantasy novels, he had always dreamed of having superpowers.
Yin Lihua received the materials, set up the array, and instructed Xie Fan to drink a glass of blood wine and sit at the center of the formation. She then activated the array, pouring Divine Essence fragments into it. Another hidden specialty of her physique was her ability to help others cultivate their blood and open their meridians faster.
Xie Fan experienced the sensation of something hot flowing through his body, causing him to sweat profusely. He focused on circulating the energy, trying to open the meridian gates. It was a slow and arduous process, but after five hours, he had successfully opened one gate—a very fast speed thanks to the array and his innate talent.
"Well done," Yin Lihua said, smiling. "That progress is incredible. When I was your age, it took me a whole day to open my first meridian gate. I wonder if your Signature Gate helps you cultivate faster."
Xie Fan stood up, feeling exhausted. He wiped the sweat from his brow, thanked his mother, and headed to his room. Yin Lihua ordered the maids to clean up before retiring to bed, feeling drained after using her special ability.
In his room, Xie Fan removed his clothes and looked in the mirror. His legs were thick with only sparse hair, his belly still showed signs of fat, and his short hair framed his azure-blue eyes. Determined to improve his physique, he made a promise to himself to get in shape. For now, however, he was exhausted. He crawled into bed and quickly drifted into sleep.