He lifted his gaze upward, his penetrating eyes seeming to look beyond the cave walls, contemplating the starry sky. He remained silent for a moment, as though communicating with something or someone beyond the visible world.
After a few moments, the man lowered his gaze toward Ares, examining his battered body. The bloodline had resonated in time, awakening the remaining consciousness in the necklace before it was too late. Without saying a word, he placed a hand on Ares's chest.
From the touch, a cold, ice-like energy spread, dense like an invisible current. Ares's body trembled as the power flowed into him, repairing his shattered foot and knitting bones, muscles, and blood vessels together. His skin, scratched and bloodied, began to regenerate, smooth as though nothing had ever happened. If he had been awake, he would have seen his wounds close with terrifying speed, almost unnaturally perfect.
"So it's true…" the man murmured, pausing his healing for a moment as he sensed something extraordinary. His gaze became intense, a mix of awe and admiration. "One of the five primordial bodies… and in someone who already possesses a bloodline of this level. An event never seen under the starry sky."
A flicker of hope shone in his violet eyes, intense like a long-dormant flame.
"Perhaps… with you, our clan could not only rise again but rewrite the history of cultivation."
He resumed healing him, pushing energy into every fiber of Ares's body, eventually exploring his soul to check for any damage. He found it intact, glowing like a flame that refused to go out despite everything. Only then did he allow himself to stop, sitting cross-legged in a corner of the cave. He would simply wait.
Three days passed in silence. The cave was lit only by torches of fire hung on the walls, their flickering glow casting dancing shadows on the rocks. The damp, cold air was thick with the metallic scent of dried blood and the almost tangible power emanating from the mysterious man.
When Ares awoke, a dull pain throbbed in his head. He sat up with difficulty, his confused gaze drifting around. It was a cave, rough and silent, but what caught his attention was the man with black hair and violet eyes, who was staring at him silently from the shadowy corner.
A shiver ran down his spine. He instinctively tried to back away, but bumped his head against the stone wall.
"Calm down," the man said, his voice deep and authoritative, like the roar of an underground river. "I've already destroyed the soul of the old man who wanted to take over your body."
Ares stared at him, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. After a long silence, he found the strength to speak.
"Then… who are you? And why did you save me?"
The man slightly tilted his head, a faint enigmatic smile on his lips.
"Who am I? You might not believe me, but I am your ancestor. That should be enough for you to understand why I saved you."
Those words struck him like a punch. "My… ancestor? But how is that possible? My mother's family isn't made up of cultivators, and neither is my father's."
The man's eyes glimmered in the flickering light of the cave.
"How can you be sure? Your father died before you were born. And that necklace you wear," he pointed to the sword-shaped necklace, now glowing faintly, "is the symbol of the heir to our clan, now nearly extinct. You are the last remaining descendant."
Ares shook his head, incredulous. The last of the clan? It didn't make sense.
"But… how can I be the last descendant if you are standing here in front of me?"
"Good question." The man slowly rose to his feet, as if emphasizing the gravity of his words. "You see, I died long ago. What you see now is just a remnant of my soul, hidden in the necklace. The other man wasn't alive either. But unlike me, his soul was complete. He could have revived by taking control of your body."
The words stirred up a sudden rage. Ares stood up, fists clenched, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Then why didn't you appear sooner? My mother could be alive right now! Even my father! Why did you only appear now?"
The man looked at him, calm as a mountain of ice.
"Your anger is justified. But I couldn't do anything about it. My soul can't last long, so I imposed a restriction on the necklace. I would only awaken when there was a strong enough blood resonance."
"Blood resonance?" Ares asked, still confused. "What does that mean?"
"It means your blood is powerful enough to resonate with the necklace," the man explained. "This requires a bloodline comparable to mine. But in your case, your bloodline is much stronger, even comparable to that of our progenitor."
Ares's eyes lit up, a mix of wonder and hope.
"So… does that mean I'll become as strong as you?"
The man's response was immediate, his tone grave but filled with possibilities.
"Not necessarily. The path of cultivation is full of dangers. Even though your talent exceeds mine, you can't be sure you'll reach my level. But… there is one thing you need to know."
Ares stared at him, breath held.
"What is it?"
A mysterious smile appeared on the man's lips.
"With your blood, your potential exceeds that of any hero or legend of our clan. You are destined for something greater than you can imagine. And I am here to make sure you discover what you are capable of becoming."
Ares stood silent, his heart in turmoil. He could feel the truth in the man's words, but the weight of that revelation overwhelmed him like a wave. After a moment, he clenched his fists, a spark of determination in his eyes.
"Tell me what I need to do."
The man nodded, his smile widening into a look of approval.
"First of all, we need to awaken your full potential. This will be your first step to mastering the path of cultivation. Also, there's something else."