A small child could be seen skipping through the illustrious garden. This boy was the only son of the chief of the Linn Mansion, Kael Linn. He chased butterflies through the garden, laughter echoing softly as he ran.
Two female servants stood not too far from him, watching attentively."Young master, be careful. Don't run too much," one of the servants said as she walked toward him.
"Juno, when is Father coming to visit me? I want to ask him some questions," Kael asked.
"The Lord is busy for now. When he comes, I will inform you," she said, squatting to his height. "But you can ask me any questions."
"Okay, Juno. Father and the Linn elders are cultivators, so when will I be able to practice like them?" Kael clenched his fists. "I want to be powerful so I can protect Father and the Linn Mansion."
"Young master, before you can cultivate, you must be at least ten years old and complete your coming-of-age ceremony." She dusted his clothes and adjusted his sleeves.
"But that's still far away. Why can't I do it now? After all, I've always been above all my peers."
"You are still weak. Your body cannot contain the immense energy that comes with cultivation."
A middle-aged man stood at the corridor of the courtyard. His golden eyes shone beneath the glimmering sun, and his spotless red robes were adorned with silver. Vital energy surrounded his body, and a small pouch hung at his side.
"Father, you're here!" Kael ran toward him.
"Greetings, Lord Linn," the servant said, bowing deeply.
"Give us space," the man ordered calmly.
The servant retreated from the garden, leaving Kael alone with his father.
"Father, you never came to visit me," Kael pouted.
"I know. I'm sorry," Drake said, patting his head. "You said you want power like mine. Though you have a good constitution, it still cannot handle the conversion of vital energy."
"To enter the path of cultivation, one must open their vital vessels. Humans have thirteen vital vessels. Beasts possess thirty, but theirs are called blood vessels."
"Humans must also have a good body constitution, as it determines the level they can reach in their lifetime."
"Father, so there are different types of body constitutions?" Kael asked as his father lifted him and walked toward the garden shed.
"Yes. The first is the Basic Body Constitution. Those with it can reach the Abstruse Realm.
The second is the True Body Constitution, which is stronger than the basic one at the same realm. They have a higher chance of reaching the Earth Realm. The third is the Prime Body Constitution, which grants stronger control over vital essence."
"They must be stronger than others in the same realm, right?"
"Not just stronger. They can cross realms and battle higher-level cultivators."
"And the last is the Supreme Body Constitution. When one appears, strange phenomena often occur at their place of birth."
"Bring in the tea."
Juno approached, bowing slightly. She carried a tray with a teapot, cups, and a slice of Blue Sky Cake. She set the tray down, poured the tea, and served Kael the cake.
Kael took a bite and sipped his tea. "Thanks, Juno."
"No worries, Young Master," she replied, stepping aside.
"A fifth-level Moulding Realm cultivator with a Supreme Body can fight a tenth-level True Body cultivator or even a twelfth-level Basic Body cultivator to a draw," Lord Linn said.
"Wow! So if they reach the tenth level, they can fight a Yellow Realm warrior, right?".
Lord Linn chuckled, wiping cake crumbs from Kael's mouth. "No. A Yellow Realm warrior can convert vital energy into vital essence. They far exceed the Moulding Realm."
"What's the difference between vital energy and vital essence?" Kael asked.
"Vital energy is brute force, it's also the power stored in your body. Once depleted, a Moulding Realm warrior is helpless. Vital essence is the core power. Yellow Realm warriors can draw energy from the air itself, using far less strength."
"That's why the twelve vessels correspond to where vital energy is stored. When breaking into the Yellow Realm, all energy is gathered into the center aperture to form vital essence."
After finishing, Kael set aside his cup. Juno returned with another maid to clear the table. A guard then brought forth a zither and placed it before them.
"What are you doing, Father? You still haven't explained why I can't cultivate yet."
"Be patient, son. You'll understand after I show you something."
Lord Linn placed his hands on the zither strings and struck them. Invisible sound waves spread outward, passing through Kael and Juno before reaching the guard. A barrier formed around the guard, freezing him in place. Fear was evident on his face as he struggled in vain.
"You cannot cultivate yet because you have not awakened your dominant constitution. Only at ten years old can you endure the sacrificial ceremony."
"But how does the music explain that?" Kael asked, confused.
"This sound wave can only be felt by cultivators. That's why you and Juno are unaffected."
Lord Linn increased the intensity. The guard's strength drained rapidly until he collapsed.
"He was sent by one of my rivals," Lord Linn said calmly. "And since you're eager to cultivate, I'll give you something to do."
He snapped his fingers, and a white jade flute appeared on the table.
"Why can't I use the zither?" Kael asked.
"You can't even lift its strings. They're made from feral beast tendons," Lord Linn laughed.
"I can play it, Father!"
Kael tried, but the strings wouldn't budge, no sound followed.
"Stop forcing it. If you can play Ash Beneath the Leaves with the flute, I'll teach you some tricks of the zither."
"But I don't know the poem."
"I'll say it once."
"I'll remember it," Kael said confidently.
"Leaves fall where gods once swore,
The earth remembers every name,
And buries hope without a grave."
"You should master it within a month. A visitor will arrive in two days. Prepare yourself."
"Okay, Father! I'll show you how fast I can learn," Kael said, leaving with Juno.
"Come out," Lord Linn said quietly. A young maid stepped forward, trembling.
She had been the second servant earlier.
"No more mistakes. Send your daughter in two days, then report to Li Siwang for punishment."
"Yes, sire," she whispered before leaving.
"You've made your move. Don't stop me from retaliating," Lord Linn muttered. He clenched his fist, and the fallen guard was crushed instantly. "Clean this up."
Two maids hurried forward as Lord Linn walked away with elegant composure.