NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: The Separation
4 years later
In the middle of the Barisan continent, there is a vast forest called the Everlasting Silent Forest. With tall trees whose dense foliage envelops it, many wild animals and monsters dwell within it. This forest, covering an area of 100 million square kilometers, is a highly strategic location, so it's not surprising that it should have been controlled by some power or even divided into different territories.
However, in reality, this forest has no ruler and remains abandoned. Legend has it that any force attempting to conquer this forest, even Emperor stage cultivators, will mysteriously vanish and never return.
At one point on a high cliff that can be seen from 10 km away, the sound of the blowing wind is strong at the peak. At this moment, a young man with red hair is sitting cross-legged at the top, silent and unmoving like a rock. His handsome and refined face, though still youthful, is visible under the glaring sun. The energy surrounding him indicates that he is already at the Low Viscount stage, enough for the people of this continent to consider him at the starting point to become a powerhouse.
A few moments later, he finally opened his eyes, which no longer held the innocence of the past. In the last four years since he started his cultivation by his own will, many things have happened.
First the mysterious screen in front of him,
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Aldrian Aster
Domain : The entire secret realm.
Age : 10 years
Cultivation : Low Viscount
Current energy : 140,160 (+1,2/15m)
Energy needed for the next stage : 170.001
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From a few information the 'thing' gave him the first thing he didn't understand was the concept of the domain. Why did it initially cover only the entire village? He experimented for the last few years with this domain and discovered that outside of his domain, his control over energy was not as strong as inside it.
He still had his superior comprehension, but outside, it felt as if something was trying to obstruct his sense and control of the surrounding energy, though it wasn't much of a bother for him. As time went by and he became stronger, the domain also expanded until not long ago, it changed to 'The entire secret realm'.
The first time Aldrian learned that he was in a secret realm from his father's story, he was shocked because he had always thought the village was somewhere in an open field in the middle of the Barisan continent. His father had already explained the continent's power structures and locations to him.
In the middle of the continent is the vast Everlasting Silent Forest, where their village is located. To the north lies the Vindas Empire, to the northwest is the Atria Empire, to the west is the territory of the Buddhist sect, and to the southwest is the kingdom of the Dwarves.
To the south and southeast is the Demon territory, to the east is the territory of the Ivory Empire, and to the northeast is the Doria Empire. Lastly, far from the center of the continent in the northern part, bordered by the northern Vindas Empire and Doria Empire, is the Devil territory.
Actually, there is one more independent power that, although it doesn't have a large area like the surrounding empires, is also a crucial force on the continent, The 'Heavenly Direction' Church is located in the northern part of the Everlasting Silent Forest, bordered by the southern Vindas Empire and the western Doria Empire. These powers have dominated the continent for a long time, and Aldrian remembers this well.
Another thing he has learned is how to increase his cultivation speed by expanding his domain. If the domain expansion isn't too significant, the energy increase rate doesn't change. To boost his cultivation speed, he has to make a considerable expansion.
Currently, his domain encompasses the entire secret realm, which is about 1,000 square kilometers and surrounded by a thick, impenetrable fog. This fog deludes the senses, anyone who tries to enter it to find a way out ends up back at their starting point. Therefore, it's impossible to force a way out other than through the hidden exit portal.
However, Aldrian has a question in his mind: Is there any way to expand his domain besides increasing his cultivation? He feels that he will find out soon, as he suddenly frowns.
"The strange images are appearing again," he mutters.
This remains an unsolved puzzle for him. While some of the images are incomprehensible, some of them are the most gruesome things he has ever seen, somethings that should not be shown to a child his age. Initially, he was terrified and often cried by himself. Experiencing these images felt like living a thousand lives at once, but over time, he got over it. This ordeal caused his personality to mature quickly, making him more like an adult than a child.
He then stood up, tried to rearrange his thoughts, and slapped his cheeks with both hands.
"Well, let's keep training." he said to himself, moving to another location inside the secret realm.
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Meanwhile, in Aldrian's house, his parents sat face to face in the dining room, not for eating but for something else.
"Dear, I think it's time." Aldrey said to his wife.
Hearing this, Irene tightened her fist. "Is there no other way? Can't we just bring Aldrian outside? I think we can protect him while we solve our prob—"
"No, Irene, he will be safer here. He will also grow strong enough before he can go out by himself. Don't you see how fast he's cultivated? A 10-year-old at the Low Viscount stage? The world will turn upside down."
"But—" Irene tried to reason, but Aldrey cupped her face between his hands and smiled at her.
"Irene, do you trust our son?"
"Of course I trust him, he is our son after all!"
"Then we need to let him grow on his own! I know it's too early, but haven't we seen him train every day? He masters all our teachings with ease like a fish learning to swim. His comprehension is unmatched like reading a simple alphabet. Even I've started to think he's maturing too fast."
Irene still hesitated, so Aldrey continued to convince her. "If Aldrian comes with us, imagine what will happen if our family finds him. He will face unnecessary trouble and be dragged into our family's games. Remember, our family doesn't know about Aldrian's existence. Do you want that? What about the Devils? We can't always be there to protect him"
Irene bit her lower lip and tightened her fist, she hated that she had to separate from her son because she lacked the power to protect him entirely. After a few moments of contemplation, she finally gave in.
"Fine, I'll listen to you, husband."
Aldrey felt relieved when he heard that. It was also a tough decision for him, but it had to be made.
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The sun started to sink into the horizon, giving a beautiful end to the day and signaling the beginning of dinner time. Aldrian and his parents were already in the dining room. As they began to dig into the food, Aldrian noticed an unusual atmosphere between his parents. It wasn't the usual easy-going ambiance, something seemed to be bothering them. After they finished eating, Aldrey started to explain to Aldrian what was going to happen in the future.
"Son, I can't believe it's been four years since you started cultivating and you are already this strong… sometimes, i wish time would slow down so i can enjoy your childhood more."
Aldrian listened silently to his father.
"But we know we can't keep you forever. When we realized you were different from others, we knew you would soar high, higher than anything."
Aldrian sensed something was wrong with the way his father spoke.
"We have taught you everything we can, so i believe you can explore and develop much more on your own. We know our own limitations."
"Father, what is it? Why are you talking like this?" Aldrian asked.
"Son, i have to be honest with you. As you already know, we are in the secret realm. Your mother and I are here because of certain circumstances. Unfortunately, we still have unfinished business in the outside world."
Aldrian began to realize what was coming next.
"Son, tomorrow morning, when the sun rises, we will depart from here to take care of some business—"
"I'm going too, Father!" Aldrian burst out.
"No, Aldrian, you will stay here until we—"
"No, Father! I'm ready to—"
"I said no!"
"But why?"
"Sigh… you're still too weak, son. Don't think that just because you are at the Viscount stage, you are already an expert. No! You are still lacking! There are many enemies out there with higher stages than you. We can't always be there to protect you son!"
Hearing this, Aldrian clenched his fists. He felt so weak right now. The images that had appeared in his mind also showed the gruesome reality of the weak facing the strong, no resistance, no mercy. The weak are trampled, humiliated, and death is the end if you're not strong enough. Despite this, Aldrian still wanted to try to follow his parents outside, so he directed his gaze to his mother but she turned her face away, covering her mouth with her hand, tears brimming in her eyes.
In the end, Aldrian knew that with his parents already in agreement, it would be difficult to change their minds. He lowered his head, tears starting to roll down his cheeks. It would be the first time he would be apart from his parents for who knows how long, and he felt a deep sadness. Aldrey and Irene, seeing their son like this, walked towards him and hugged him from either side, seeking each other's warmth to get through the cold night.
The next day, when the sun started to rise, they were already at the outer part of the village. The villagers, having heard the news of Aldrian's parents' departure, had gathered to bid their farewell. Aldrian was accompanied by the old physician couple, who wished Aldrey and Irene good luck.
When it was finally time to depart, Aldrey and Irene started walking and looking back at their son's face one last time. They waved their hands towards him and the villagers and then walked further and further away. Despite his sadness, Aldrian watched his parents' silhouettes with a determined expression.
"Father, Mother, the next time we see each other, I promise I will become your pillar, someone you can rely on, someone who will shine and make you proud. This is my promise—no, it's my oath to you!"
The wind blew and the heaven and earth energy resonated as if they had heard his oath with the heaven as his witness, Aldrian Aster would fulfill his oath!