17 17. I am no longer a void

Kiel was standing on the side of the Town Lord's gates. He was silently recuperating the internal injuries he suffered earlier in creating the handprint inside his clothes.

'I stopped the usage of the Incomplete 5th Level Mastery of Palm Energy in time. It didn't cause me much damage. With this and me forcing the Spear Heart out of Horus' system, I sustained an internal injury… this will take five years of recuperation. It is not that bad.' Kiel was satisfied with how it all ended.

If he had Spirit Energy, Kiel would be able to steady his body without much problem and even heal up in a manner of months. However, Kiel still didn't plan on using Spirit Energy. By this point, he had no reason why not to, but he keeps at it nonetheless.

He did not even notice how much of a problem this would post to him, but Kiel did not mind. His principles would remain with him, and unless he absolutely needed to, he would not even think of dipping a pinky into the sea of cultivation.

'If I let even a sliver of Spirit Energy in my body… I would soon be dragged back into the life of a cultivator. A life far from the ordinary, a path that is filled with blood and suffering.' Kiel would need a reason as to why he would return.

Aspiration, wishes, a dream, or even passing through may drive him to cultivate once more, but with how his life was going, he saw no reason why he would need it.

Even without cultivating Spirit Energy, Kiel could easily dominate this place, and if so will it, he can massacre everyone in this town in a manner of three days.

"Boy, wake up!"

While his eyes remained close, Kiel heard the guard that entered the Manor to wake him up. Opening his eyes, Kiel saw the guard.

"Come with me. They told me to bring you inside." The guard loudly said.

In all truthfulness, the guards would have ignored anyone arrogant enough to walk up to them with such tone, but the bloodstains on the boy's face were enough to tell them that his words spoke volume.

Kiel nodded his head and followed him inside the mansion, where he was met with a maid who brought him before two heavy wooden doors.

"The Maidens of the Celestial Phoenix Mountain are inside, waiting for you." The maid said before leaving his side.

Kiel looked around and sensed around three eyes in the shadows observing his every movement. He ignored them, for their hostility was minimal; thus, using his left hand that had no blood, he pushed open the door and found himself in a big room decorated with antiques and luxurious furniture.

Inside, there were two women, the one with the Qipao and robes. They were looking at Kiel, who barged in their room without so much as a knock.

Kiel looked at them, and for a reason he could not explain, entered without so much as awaiting them to say anything.

The one in the Qipao creased her brows as she watched Kiel take a step inside while disregarding any form of seniority or respect, "Quite brave, aren't you? For you to enter without regards, how admirable."

The one in the Qipao was clearly incensed. She didn't like Kiel to begin.

Kiel realized what he had done and quickly slightly lowered his head to apologize, "Oh, I did not mean to do such a thing… it appears that I am quite agitated. I apologize for my rudeness."

Kiel lowered his head to apologize for his conduct. The Qipao girl saw this and clicked her tongue. She did not think this "arrogant" boy would actually apologize. She harrumphed but said nothing more.

The lady in the red robes stood up as she saw Kiel's attired having been splattered with blood. He would have suspected that Ame would be dying if not because she considered Kiel acted too calmly.

She became calm and collected, "You are Ame's brother, the one who went to pick her up earlier. They said your name was Kiel, correct?"

Kiel nodded his head to confirm.

"So, you are our Martial Sister's twin brother. As you are her family, I think it is only due that I should introduce myself." Ris stood up and give Kiel a proper pose and stance. She was twice Kiel's height and thrice his age, but she respectfully lowered her head to introduce herself, "My name is Ris, I am one of the Inner Circle Disciples of the Celestial Phoenix Mountain, and this right here is Mirh, she is an Inner Circle Disciple, like myself."

Ris only smiled at his unfeeling expression.

Ris only laughed at the sight of Kiel. She giggled as she said, "Okay, that is enough. What is wrong with Martial Sister Ame? You are interesting, Junior Kiel."

"Thank you." Kiel no longer cared.

"So, what happened to our Martial Sister Ame? If it is up to our abilities, we shall do our best and help her."

Kiel nodded his head, "She's having second thoughts about joining your group because she is afraid of leaving me… I want you to come with me and convince her to leave."

Mirh sneered at Kiel, "Is that how much you want her out of your life?"

Kiel had always been without expression, but as he turned to Mirh, he looked straight into her eyes for a moment without saying anything. Kiel did not speak, nor did he try and explaining his intent to someone like her. He was trying his best to steady his heart as to not start anything.

'Emotions are hard to control.' He took a deep breath and spoke once again, "She had always wanted to leave our home and go venture the Cultivation World. Our parents just left for somewhere far away, and if she leaves now, I'll be alone.

"Ame do not want such a thing and is thinking of staying with me until our parents come back. I would agree if our parents only took a simple trip, but… I do not think they'll come back in a few years. I do not want to hinder Ame's dreams, I wish."

Kiel's words echoed inside the room.

Ris looked at Kiel and his demeanor. She asked him a simple question, "Then why not go with her in the Celestial Phoenix Mountain?"

"Senior!? We can't just have a male go there! Only a handful of males can join us every year… do you really wish to use your recommendation to a man who does not even cultivate?" Mirh argued.

"Mirh, when did you begin questioning my decision?" Ris was rather furious, and quickly Mirh closed her mouth.

Kiel and Ris exchanged gazes, "No… I refuse."

"That's a shame. So, when do you want us to talk with Ame?"

"Now, if possible… I think the city is in a state of unrest. I want her to leave before getting embroiled in this problem."

Risa got even more interested in Kiel when she heard him mention the unrest, but then again, he already refused, so she didn't bother asking again, "All right then, lead the way, Kiel."

Kiel did not dally and left without so much as a hesitation. The disciples would say their goodbyes to the Town Lord, but he didn't stop his steps even then. Soon, he was already out of the Manor, outside, the two were already waiting for him.

They left for the hill, Kiel didn't run, and neither did the other two. Silence prevailed throughout, and Kiel's mind was preoccupied with the whole journey.

While walking, Kiel and the other two felt a tremendous amount of Spirit Energy collected from the surrounding.

Then a beam of white light momentarily appeared and shot up to the air. As Ris and Mirh felt this pressure, they looked at each other and then at Kiel, to which he said, "She had now reached True Spirit Realm. Do you now see why I do not want her to rot in this place with me?"

When Kiel reached their house, Ame was already on the front lawn, she was seated in a cross-legged position, and when she saw the people who were with Kiel, she already understood the situation.

Before Ris or Mirh could speak, Ame already beat them to it as she looked at her brother, "Did I worry you?"

Kiel shook his head, "Well, you did… but it no longer matters. If you've managed to keep your head straight by now, I think I was simply bothering your Martial Sisters."

Kiel turned to Ris, who simply waved her hand to signify that it was okay… she got to watch something rather nice, so she appreciated this, actually.

Ame laughed as she stated, "Nah, you didn't bother them. I'm leaving now, I think if I stay here, I'll change my mind again… sorry, Kiel, but I'm going to out too."

Nodding his head, Kiel helped Ame up on her feet. He then handed her the bloody palm imprint and said, "This is my last gift to you, Ame… I hope this helps you."

Ame was hesitant to receive the palm imprint, but as she touched it, a sense of a burning Hell and a Ravaged Heaven appeared in her mind for a moment.

[What is this called?]

[Heaven and Hell Palms — I revised it to match your attribute, it is divided into three levels, master it, and you'll be able to fend off most of the people in your class.]

[Thanks, Kiel, but I do not have anything fancy to give you.] Ame kept the handprint in her bangle and then hugged Kiel as she said, "I'll see visit and write you a letter when I can, brother."

"I'll see you later, sister."

Ame passed by him, and as she did, Kiel turned around and watched as Ame walked away to pursue her dreams. He stood there, watching her slowly disappear from sight, and after a few minutes… she was gone.

Kiel… was now alone… once again. But he didn't feel empty because even if they were not together, Kiel could tell they were with him.

Because for Kiel, separation meant that someone left his life, unlike when he was living in the past, no one left him because there was no one was there with him.

If Kiel was to be compared to an emptied box of biscuits, to himself, he was still filled with something as crumbs remained... no matter how small it may be, it was at least inside his heart.

He was no longer a mere void.

'This is better…' he smiled.