A bit away from Purple River Gate City’s bustling market, there existed a hidden gem tucked away from the chaos—a remote restaurant known simply as Blue Sky Haven.
Unlike the crowded stalls and bustling alleys surrounding it, Blue Sky Haven exuded an air of tranquility and serenity. Its modest facade belied the culinary treasures that awaited within.
Stepping through its unassuming entrance, visitors were greeted by a soothing ambiance, with soft, ambient lighting casting a warm glow over the rustic decor.
The gentle melody of wind chimes danced in the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere that offered respite from the clamor of the market outside.
Blue Sky Haven catered primarily to mortals, offering a menu of delectable meals. From savory stews to fragrant rice dishes, each dish was prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
However, hidden away in a secluded corner of the restaurant was a special section reserved exclusively for Spirit cultivators.
Inside the mortal section of Blue Sky Heaven, a grandfather and his grandson sat at a table, surrounded by other patrons enjoying their meals.
The elderly man, appearing to be in his 70s, had ordered traditional dishes for himself and his grandson. While he savored the flavors of the food, the young boy’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he gazed at a peculiar stone pillar nearby.
“Grandpa, you told me the Spirit cultivators would disappear into that stone pillar like magic. Where can I see that happen? It’s already been more than 20 minutes,” the boy, barely 5 years old, asked eagerly, his curiosity palpable.
The grandfather chuckled affectionately, patting his grandson’s back. “Hahaha, Little Shuan, there’s no need to get too worked up,” he replied.
“Spirit cultivators cherish their privacy. We mortals can’t predict when or where they’ll appear. If we’re lucky, we might catch a glimpse of one. Otherwise, there’s always another opportunity,” he explained between bites of tender meat and savory rice.
It was evident that the grandfather and grandson had traveled from a mortal-dominated region to visit Purple River Gate.
The elderly man had brought his grandson to the bustling city to broaden his horizons and ignite his interest in the path of Spirit cultivation.
The young boy showed promise in Spirit cultivation, prompting his mortal family to invest in his future by seeking an apprenticeship under an established Spirit cultivator.
It was a common aspiration among most mortal families, a shortcut to fame and prosperity.
***
“Grandpa, it’s been half an ho–”
Before the boy could finish his complaint, his gaze fell upon a young man dressed in black robes entering the establishment. With amber eyes and hair as dark as ink, the youth exuded an otherworldly aura, unlike any mortal.
The boy watched in awe as the young man strode toward the giant stone pillar. Just as he was about to alert his grandfather, the amber-eyed youth walked straight into the pillar and vanished from sight.
“Whaaaaa!” the boy exclaimed in astonishment, witnessing the magical spectacle. With determined effort, he pushed himself off his chair and dashed toward the pillar, hoping to pass through it like the young man.
Swoosh. Zoom. Bam.
The boy’s charge was abruptly halted by the unyielding stone pillar, sending him tumbling backward onto the floor. “Ouch!” he cried out, feeling a blunt pain in his forehead as he rubbed the red mark left by the impact.
“This… this is not fair,” he grumbled, his tone filled with frustration as he rose to his feet, nursing his sore bottom and blaming the pillar for its apparent bias.
The grandfather chuckled as he watched the small boy collide with the pillar and land on his backside.
However, his amusement quickly turned to concern when he noticed the amber-eyed Spirit cultivator returning to the mortal section, eyeing the boy with curiosity.
Hurrying over, the old man bowed deeply before the young cultivator. “Lord… Lord Spirit cultivator, please forgive my grandson,” he apologized earnestly, hands clasped in supplication.
Aksai’s smile was reassuring. “No need to worry. I wasn’t offended,” he assured them, casting a friendly glance at the small boy. “Seems like he has some talent for Spirit cultivation. Ever thought of enrolling him in a sect?” Aksai suggested, genuinely curious.
The old man’s expression turned anxious. “We… we wouldn’t dare,” he confessed, clearly stressed even in Aksai’s non-threatening presence.
“The Rokur kingdom is too unstable these days. We fear that once he joins a sect, we’ll never see him again. That’s why we hoped to find a master instead,” he explained, hoping for guidance. “Perhaps… perhaps, the young lord can–”
“You’re barking up the wrong tree. I have no interest in taking on apprentices,” Aksai replied, shaking his head.
It was a well-known fact among mortals that the appearance of Spirit cultivators could be deceiving. Perhaps the old man assumed Aksai was as old as himself, if not older.
Aksai was only 18 years old at this point. Someone like him taking an apprentice? Aksai could only laugh internally at the thought.
“Interesting. He has a better Spirit Root aptitude than me. He should be quite a rare find. Any sect would like to take him in as their seedling,” Aksai mused, surprised to discover that the small boy who wished to follow him to the section of the restaurant reserved for Spirit cultivators possessed a high-grade Spirit Root aptitude.
With his knowledge of Gates and his Spirit Sense, finding something like this was as effotless as breathing for Aksai.
“Good thinking,” Aksai nodded at the old man and ruffled the small boy’s hair with his hand, offering a smile. “I cannot take him as my apprentice, but I’ll see what I can do for him. Wait in the restaurant for a while. Enjoy your meal while you are at it,” he instructed before turning around and disappearing into the stone pillar once again.
“Whaaaaa….” the small boy exclaimed as he saw Aksai vanish once again.
Shuan quickly ran after Aksai with newfound gusto, only to be met with the same fate as last time. This time, he had not one but two small red protrusions on his head, almost like two small horns that were yet to sprout.
“Little Shuan, you are not the brightest of the bunch, are you?” the old man mumbled to himself as he watched his grandson fall on his butt once again. “I hope the path of Spirit cultivation makes you a tad bit smarter,” he added, looking at the stone pillar with some expectation.
He did not know who Aksai was or what had compelled him to ask for Shuan’s apprenticeship.
But for some reason, he was willing to wait in the restaurant for as long as it took if it opened up a path of Spirit cultivation for his grandson.