The Pure Realm Of Cultivator!

Troubled Soul Within Body

Starting a new life, he said. That was a notion Zeion couldn't quite comprehend. They simply walked away from Edmon's residence with no clear destination, at least not for Zeion himself.

Walking without stopping for thousands of meters was too much for a 10-year-old child. They never seemed to pause, except for brief moments of rest during the night.

Arriving in a town, they found it bustling with people. Some look at Zeion with curiosity. How could they not? His clothing was so ragged, making him appear like an ordinary slave, a lowly being without significance. In this world, slaves were treated harshly and stripped of their dignity.

The man with the prominent nose glanced at Zeion who seemed weary. "Hm... are you hungry?"

Zeion looked at him, wary of how to respond.

Gruu...

But his stomach responded for him, confirming his hunger.

With a small chuckle, the man found the child's demeanor quite amusing. Before long, they stumbled upon a street vendor offering various foods. Skewered items coated in a brown substance, were particularly tempting.

Zeion devoured the food before him. The man concluded that Zeion hadn't been getting proper meals. He seemed like someone who hadn't eaten for a year.

The man sat with a smile on his face as he observed Zeion. Strangely, he hadn't touched his own food. Zeion's eyes suddenly focused on the untouched food, despite having eaten a lot already.

His gaze was intense, like a hunter fixated on its prey.

"Do you want this food?" The man inquired.

Zeion hesitated, then asked, "May I eat it?"

"Of course, you can have it! I'm not very hungry anyway. I think this food will be put to better use if you have it."

The plate with food was offered in a friendly manner. Without wasting any time, Zeion consumed it eagerly.

For some reason, the man felt pleased watching Zeion eat with such enthusiasm, even though it might appear unseemly. There was a strange sense of happiness in witnessing it.

After finishing the meal, Zeion's expression turned gloomy. He lowered his head, his lips drooping, an air of disappointment surrounding him.

"Why? Wasn't the food good?" The man asked.

Zeion quickly shook his head, not wanting the man to think he was ungrateful. "No, it's just... why are you being kind to me? My own parents don't want me anymore."

The man gently stroked Zeion's chin, a response that seemed rather ambiguous. He wished to change the subject, but the atmosphere was uncertain. Too much remained unspoken.

"I'm not being kind to you," he answered instantly, leaving Zeion puzzled.

"Then why?"

"I'd say I'm here just to fulfill a duty! Did you know that your own family has sold you?"

Zeion's breath caught, his heart racing unevenly. He couldn't fathom why this had to happen, why his own parents could be so heartless.

"They view you as a child of calamity. You need to understand that you no longer have the authority to be free in this world! You're akin to a slave to some people, though lucky that the one who bought you isn't wicked. He's my master, and he'll surely treat you as a useful tool..."

It sounded cruel, yet somehow Zeion found himself grateful that someone was willing to accept him as a living being, even if just as a tool.

Zeion fell silent, his face bowed, filled with disappointment. The man continued to observe the child's expression, curious about how he would react to the realization of the world's cruelty.

"I see, I understand now. So, I'm just a tool..."

"Yes, that's why I want you to be useful. Don't disappoint my master..."

The conversation ended with a grin.

After paying for the meal, they resumed their journey.

This territory was different from before. They had entered a valley enveloped in mist, the path obscured. The only sound was their footsteps, hauntingly echoing. Despite the eeriness, the man in front of Zeion showed no signs of panic.

They kept walking, the path fading away. Gradually, their footsteps ceased.

Zeion simply mirrored what he saw in front of him. When the man stopped, he stopped as well. The abrupt halt left him wondering why it had happened. The man's gaze remained forward, intriguing Zeion to show his face from behind the man's figure.

To their front stood a figure draped in cloth, revealing only a pair of eyes. The attire resembled that of a ninja, but with a larger frame.

"Who are you?" asked the man with the prominent nose.

"Hehehehe... it seems the two of you are quite daring to traverse this area."

"Yes, and why? There are no wild beasts or evil monsters here. Why does a strange creature like you suddenly appear?" He asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"They don't appear because of my presence. They fear I'll kill them all!"

"Hooh... that sounds interesting. I believe it's the right time here!"

His statement brought a perplexing atmosphere. Silence carried into the quiet.

"What did you say just now?" The large-bodied man asked loudly.

"Well, I mean, here is the perfect time!"

His words baffled the atmosphere. Silence seeped in, shrouding them.

"What you said just now...?" The large man with a grin.

"Yes, I meant that here you should face him!" His hand stretched out towards the bewildered 10-year-old Zeion.

A chill ran down Zeion's spine as he realized he was meant to be the center of this event.

"You're saying this child will be my opponent? Haahahaha..." His voice squeaked as he laughed with satisfaction, causing the mist to move away.

"Don't underestimate him!" the man interrupted, his smile cold. "You might meet your end easily! Zeion, you have to defeat this man! Make him realize that underestimating you is a calamity..."

After his words, the man distanced himself, allowing Zeion and this mysterious figure to engage in combat.

But, it was likely a mistake Zeion had to accept. He was a foolish child who didn't understand what was truly happening. His hands and legs trembled.

Even against a normal man, he might not win, let alone face someone with such a massive body, a body like that same as a living gorilla.

"What should I do? Can I win against him?" Zeion pondered inwardly.

"Child, I'll kill you..." The large man suddenly launched his attack, drawing a colossal sword from behind his back. Closing the gap, he prepared to strike Zeion's body.

"I'm going to die..."

__To Be Continued__