After a long time, Yuan finally calmed down. He took the two beads from the ring and began to examine them, wondering why his parents only left him this and why had Red waited until this now. Why hadn't he said anything earlier?
Unfortunately, Red couldn't speak like Senior San, the legendary mountain bear king. He knew they were important, after all, they were only the things his parent left him.
He picked up the large bead, feeling its weight in his hand. It was cool to the touch and radiated a faint pulse of energy. He studied it closely, his heart thudding as he wondered what secrets these beads contained.
Carefully, he poured his qi into the larger bead, curious if it would react. Suddenly, the bead began to glow brightly, and Yuan dropped it in shock. The bead rolled on the ground and stopped a few feet away from him. His breath caught in his throat as a projection of his parent appeared above the bead, flickering to life before him.
Tears began to roll down again as he saw his parents, "Father, Mother"
His mother in the projection smiled warmly, her eyes soft with love. "My dear son Yuan, if you're seeing this, it means you're a grown-up man now and are cultivating now. You must be around fifteen or sixteen now. I can even picture your handsome face," she said, her voice filled with affection.
Yuan's throat tightened as the words sank in. She was speaking to him, from a time long past. He could almost feel her presence as if she were standing right there before him.
"Don't be angry at little Red. I was the one who asked him to not tell you anything till you officially started cultivation." His mother added. She then looked toward the man standing beside her.
But unlike his mother, his father had a very serious expression on his face as he spoke in a more commanding tone. "Yuan, we don't have much time. I will say this only once, so listen carefully."
Yuan crying face instantly turned serious, listening to his father as he spoke, "After this projection ends, you must pour a drop of your blood onto the smaller bead and refine it. Your grandpa found it in the ancient ruins. We don't know what it is but it is important and you are the only one who can use it. It reacted to you alone in the whole family, and we are certain it has some connection to your rare five-element spirit root."
Yuan's heart raced as his father's words hit him. 'Five-element spirit root? Was this what Senior San had meant when he said he had great potential?' he shook his head.
His father continued with his gaze being more intense. "Our family comes from a long line of powerful experts, masters in formations of all kinds. You must learn them to preserve the honor and legacy of our ancestors. Besides, We have many enemies, Yuan, enemies who will stop at nothing to destroy us. So be cautious. Do not tell anyone about your family, especially about your cultivation technique—not even your friends or your future wife."
Yuan's mother kicked him from the side and cursed. "Strong family and formation experts, my foot. Your family made more enemies than anyone I know," she said, her voice filled with frustration.
Her husband shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips despite the serious nature of their conversation. "Your mother is right, Yuan. Our family has made many enemies. Don't trust anyone with the truth of your origins. No matter how close you are to them."
His mother's smile softened, her tone turning loving again. "But remember this, Yuan. We are not dead. You may have seen us being attacked, but don't think for a second that we've been defeated. Our reputation and background are not something anyone can easily erase.
Live your life, follow your heart, and find your happiness. We love you. Always, no matter where you are."
As Yuan watched the projection, tears streamed down his face. He knew they had recorded this message before the attack. His parents were still alive, but they were gone—somewhere far from him, and he didn't know how to reach them.
The figures of his parents began to dim, their forms flickering like fading embers. Yuan felt a desperate urge to reach out to them, to say something—to hold onto them—but before he could move, the figures disappeared into nothingness. The bead on the ground crumbled into dust, the last trace of his parents' presence vanishing forever.
Yuan collapsed to his knees, his emotion raw. He had lost them again. The figures of his parents continued to appear in his mind. His mother's smiling face and his father's stern expression repeatedly appeared in his mind. Yuan sat there like a lost child.
But amidst the sorrow, something stirred within him—a quiet determination. He would grow strong and not let his family's enemies go unpunished. He would find them, protect them, and honor their legacy. Yuan clenched his fists, tears staining his cheeks, but his resolve was unshakeable.
"Roar"
Suddenly, a beastly roar tore from his throat—a sound of pure determination. The roar wasn't very loud, but it was filled with an unyielding will that seemed to shake the very air. "I am coming!" he cried, his voice echoing through the space around him.
At that moment, Yuan's entire being shifted. He had shed his sorrow, and with it, a new energy surged within him—a fire that would not be extinguished. He looked like an unsheathed sword, ready to show its brilliance.
Those who had wronged his family would soon learn the price of their actions. No one except Red and Silver knew that a monster had silently entered their world but that's for the later chapters.
He turned to look for Red, but the cave was empty. Perhaps Red had left to give him space, Right outside the cave, Red and Silver stood silently. Yuan sighed, regret filling him. He had wronged Red by doubting him. But he would make amends. Their bond was far deeper than just a simple contract.
Without hesitation, Yuan picked up the small bead as his father had ordered.