"WAIT A SECOND, ROY," the Heavenly Monarch's voice echoed in his mind, causing Roy to pause for a moment. He remained silent, his expression unchanging, as he awaited any further words from his master.
"What's going on, Master?" Roy asked in his mind, a hint of confusion crossing his features.
"THE TALENT AND DETERMINATION KEVIN HAS IS TOO GOOD TO JUST LET IT GO," the Heavenly Monarch responded. "ASK HIM IF HE IS READY TO SACRIFICE SOMETHING TO ATTAIN UNPARALLELED POWER."
Roy frowned slightly, considering the implications of what his master was suggesting. "Didn't you say that you wouldn't help me after giving me the cultivation technique?" Roy questioned internally.
The Heavenly Monarch's voice softened, yet retained its ethereal authority. "I AM HELPING KEVIN, NOT YOU. HE IS A GOOD CHILD, MUCH LIKE YOU WERE. ASK HIM FIRST."
Roy let out a breath, his gaze shifting towards Kevin, who was looking at him expectantly. Roy understood his master's personality somewhat —if he was saying this, then there was something important in store for Kevin. He just hoped Kevin would be ready for it.
Roy cleared his throat and looked at Kevin, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Kevin, my master has a question for you."
Kevin blinked, confusion clear on his face. "Master? Who are you talking about, Roy?"
Roy hesitated, glancing away as he waited for approval from his master.
"YOU MAY TELL HIM," the Heavenly Monarch's voice echoed in Roy's mind, granting permission.
Roy nodded and turned back to Kevin. "My master is... someone who exists beyond the physical world. He guides me and has helped me reach where I am today. You can't see him, but he's very real, and he's asking you something important."
Kevin looked at Roy, his brows furrowed in uncertainty. He wasn't entirely sure if Roy was being serious or if this was some kind of test. It was hard to wrap his mind around the idea of an invisible master. Still, Kevin could see the sincerity in Roy's eyes. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Alright... what did your master say?"
Roy took a deep breath, his expression serious. "He wants to know if you are willing to sacrifice something to attain unparalleled power. It's not an easy path, Kevin. My master says your talent and determination are too good to let go to waste, but this kind of power comes with a cost."
Kevin's eyes widened, his confusion giving way to a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "Sacrifice? What kind of sacrifice?"
Roy shook his head slightly. "I don't know the specifics. But if my master is offering you this chance, it means there's something big at stake. You need to decide if you're ready to face that, whatever it might be."
Seeing Kevin's hesitation, the Heavenly Monarch's voice resounded again in Roy's mind. "TELL HIM I WILL GIVE HIM A CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE THAT I ACQUIRED SOMEWHERE. BUT FOR THAT, HE MUST SACRIFICE ONE OF HIS SENSES. I WOULD SUGGEST HIS EYES, BUT HE CAN SACRIFICE SOMETHING ELSE AS WELL."
Roy's eyes narrowed slightly as he relayed the message. "My master says he will provide you with a powerful cultivation technique, but in return, you must sacrifice one of your senses. He suggests your eyes, but it's up to you if you'd rather sacrifice something else."
Kevin was lost in thought after hearing this. He wanted to become strong, and this was a great opportunity, especially seeing how powerful Roy had become. He knew this was a chance that might never come again. After a few moments, Kevin made his decision. He looked at Roy with determination in his eyes. "What do I need to do?"
The Heavenly Monarch's voice echoed once again. "HE WILL NEED TO GO BLIND, AND THE METHOD DEPENDS UPON HIM."
Roy hesitated, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions as he conveyed the message. "You will need to go blind, Kevin. The method... it depends on you."
Kevin tensed up, his body trembling slightly at the thought. Although he had the resolve, he was still just a child—only eleven years old, the same age as Roy. He stood up slowly after half an hour, his face pale, and walked outside, his steps unsteady.
Near a tree, Kevin stopped and took a deep breath. He drew his sword, his hand trembling as he held it up to his face. He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath as if steeling himself. Finally, in one swift motion, he sliced across both his eyes, biting his teeth down hard to stifle the scream of agony that threatened to escape.
Kevin fell to his knees, his hands covering his eyes as blood streamed down his face, his body shaking in pain. Roy watched from a distance, his heart heavy and his face etched with sadness. He felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow seeing Kevin's sacrifice, knowing the pain he was enduring for the sake of power.
After a few moments, Kevin fell unconscious, the toll of his actions finally overwhelming him. Roy rushed over, catching Kevin before he hit the ground completely. He carefully lifted Kevin and carried him back into the hut, his heart aching for the young boy who had chosen such a harsh path.
"Was there no other path, Master" Roy asks.
"THERE WAS BUT NONE WAS BETTER FOR KEVIN, HE WILL UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SACRIFISE LATER ON." the Monarch replied.
Roy simply noded.
For the next two days, Roy stayed by Kevin's side, tending to his wounds and making sure he was comfortable. He kept the hut quiet, allowing Kevin the space to rest and recover. Roy couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for Kevin now—he had seen Kevin's resolve, and he knew that he would need to support him through this journey.
On the morning of the third day, Kevin began to stir. His eyes, now bandaged, twitched as he slowly woke up. As consciousness returned, the reality of his situation hit him. Panic set in, and Kevin's breathing grew erratic as he realized he couldn't see anything. The darkness was overwhelming, and a sense of fear gripped him tightly.
Roy, who had been sitting nearby, immediately noticed Kevin's distress. He moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on Kevin's shoulder. "Easy, Kevin. It's alright. You're safe," Roy said softly, his voice calm and comforting.
Kevin turned his head towards the sound of Roy's voice, his expression a mixture of fear and confusion. "Roy... I can't see..." he whispered, his voice trembling.
Roy nodded, though Kevin couldn't see it. "I know, Kevin. I know. It's going to take some time to adjust, but I'm here. You're not alone."
Roy reached for a cloth strip he had prepared earlier and gently handed it to Kevin. "Here, use this to tie around your eyes. It will help you get used to the darkness."
Kevin took the cloth strip with trembling hands, his fingers brushing against the fabric. He tied it around his head, covering his eyes, and took a shaky breath. "I... I did it, didn't I?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Roy smiled faintly, though his heart still ached for Kevin. "Yes, you did. You were incredibly brave, Kevin. I know this is hard, but you've taken the first step."
Kevin sat in silence for a moment, trying to process everything. The fear was still there, but Roy's presence was a comfort. "What happens now?" he asked, his voice steadier this time.
Roy sat down across from him. "Now, we move forward. You'll need to learn how to navigate without your sight, and I'll help you with that. My master will guide you in cultivating the technique he promised."
"INSERT YOUR AURA IN THE RING" the Heavenly Monarch's voice echoed in his mind, instructing him. Roy paused for a moment and then continued.
Roy reached for the ring hanging around his neck and took it off. He did as he was told, channeling his aura into the ring. The moment his aura entered, blue characters on the ring, glowing brightly enough to make Roy squint and close his eyes.
When Roy opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dark space with a single light in the middle, illuminating rows of books. He realized this was a dimensional ring—a storage space beyond normal physical limits. He had only heard of dimensional pouches, never rings. Perhaps, being a former slave, he hadn't had the chance to see anything this advanced.
"MOVE AHEAD AND PICK UP THE BOOK" the Heavenly Monarch's voice instructed him.
Roy moved forward, the light guiding his steps. His gaze fell on one book which was highlighted the most, and he reached out to pick it up. The title read, "Anti-Qi Cultivation Technique."
"TAKE THIS OUT OF THIS PLACE. KEVIN WILL CULTIVATE THIS," the Heavenly Monarch said.
Roy closed his eyes and wished to exit. When he opened them again, he found himself back in the hut, exactly where he had left. It hadn't been his body that moved, but his consciousness."
Kevin nodded slowly, a sense of determination beginning to replace the fear. "Alright. I won't give up. I'll keep going." Kevin was still replying to Roy.
Roy's smile grew a little wider. "That's the spirit. We'll get through this together, Kevin. You've already proven how strong you are."