Chapter 06: The Codex

"So, what will happen when I awaken my bloodlines?" Sam asked, his curiosity growing.

"You will gain all your racial abilities," Aunt Lor explained, "like the ability to transform into a dragon, as well as your ice powers from your mother's bloodline and fire powers from your father's bloodline."

"So, how can I awaken them?" Sam inquired.

"You just need to embark on your cultivation journey; that will do the trick," his mother replied.

"Are you not going to stop me?" Sam asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"No," his mother replied as she suddenly pulled her son into a warm embrace. Sam could feel the extraordinary softness against his face. "To be honest, it's becoming increasingly difficult to suppress your bloodlines nowadays, and I don't believe it would be wise to continue doing so."

Releasing Sam from her embrace, she continued, "But we can't do it here. It would cause a commotion and attract the attention of other hidden cultivators."

"Wait, there are other cultivators on Earth?" Sam asked in surprise.

"Yes," his mother confirmed. "However, they prefer to keep a low profile, ensuring that ordinary humans remain oblivious to their existence. You should do the same." Aunt Lor chimed in, joining the conversation and embracing Sam as well, though her hug carried a touch of jealousy toward her older sister.

"Okay, that's enough; you're getting too close," Sam's mother abruptly intervened, placing her hands between Sam and Helena, much to the annoyance of her younger sister.

Ignoring the resentful glare she received from her younger sister, Helena continued, "Anyway, about your bloodlines, they would have automatically awakened when you turned 16. But since I used those herbs, it was weakened and suppressed. Now, if you want to awaken them, you need to start cultivating."

She shifted her gaze toward her younger sister, Lor, before returning her attention to her son, Sam. "Now that we've cleared up some things, why don't you tell us about the book in your possession?"

Sam took a deep breath and began recounting the events that had transpired since he left home, buying burgers and fries for them, and how bullies from his school had attacked him, leaving him beaten up. He described how the book had suddenly fallen from the sky, choosing him as its bearer.

He deliberately omitted the part about his death experience and coming back to life. Instead, he tweaked the story slightly, not wanting them to be angry, knowing how fond they were of him.

When it came to dealing with the school bullies, Sam decided to handle them himself.

He also shared everything he had learned about the mysterious codex with his mom and aunt, then asked them to take a look at the book.

Sam summoned the codex and handed it to his mom, saying, "Here you go, Mom."

However, their excitement soon turned into disappointment as they discovered that they couldn't hold the book in their hands. Every time Sam tried to give it to them, the codex immediately flew back to him. Not only that, they could see the codex, but they couldn't make out anything written on its pages.

After some time, they gave up trying to touch or read the codex. Sam's mom sighed and said, "Sam, it seems like only you can touch and read anything written on it... I think it's bound to you on a soul level."

"What's this called?" Aunt Lor appeared genuinely curious.

Sam responded, "It's right there on the front of the book. It's called the Codex of the Supreme Immortals."

Helena: "..."

Lorraine: "..."

They exchanged bewildered glances before turning their attention to Sam. However, they didn't say anything.

Sam grinned and asked, "What? Am I that good-looking?" He ran a hand through his dark, lustrous hair as if subtly flaunting his features.

Both of them gazed at Sam as if he had sprouted a unicorn horn. But they couldn't really argue because, well, he was undeniably very, very handsome – not the most handsome they had ever seen, but Sam was exceptionally good-looking.

"Enough with your narcissistic comments," his Mom scolded him. "And are you absolutely certain that's what's written there?"

Sam replied confidently, "Yes, I'm one hundred percent sure. Why? Is there something wrong? Do you know what this is?"

"Yes," Aunt Lor confirmed, her voice filled with gravitas. "The Codex of the Supreme Immortals is an ancient relic of unparalleled significance"

"Legends tell of its origins as the inheritance of three Supreme Immortal Emperors. Over countless eras, it has passed from one person to another, selectively choosing its bearers. Not everyone deemed worthy by the codex can harness its full power; it can vanish from those it deems unfit, seeking a new master."

"They say it possesses a sentient consciousness of its own. It transcends mere treasure; it is an artifact imbued with the will of these three Supreme Immortal Emperors. With its power, it can transform a mediocre cultivator into a peerless genius. For ages, the Codex has been the coveted prize of countless individuals, both virtuous and malevolent alike."

"And when we say 'countless,' we mean it," his mom added with a chuckle. "Every cultivator, not only in the Cultivator Realm but also from other realms, would fight to the death to obtain this Codex. Even your useless piece of shit father is one of them. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he realizes you have it in your possession."

Sam and his aunt exchanged meaningful glances, their expressions heavy with concern. After a shared sigh, his aunt spoke up, her voice hushed, "Anyway, Sam, promise me you won't let anyone know that you possess this codex. It could undoubtedly bring a host of problems to our doorstep. Do you understand?"

Sam nodded emphatically. "So, can I begin my cultivation now?"

His mother, her gaze shifting towards her younger sister, replied cautiously, "Tomorrow. But do we even have the right cultivation materials for him?"

"We should start by determining the type of his spiritual veins," his aunt added.

Sam chimed in innocently, raising his hands, "Oh, I have Ice-Fire Spiritual veins."

Both his mother and aunt stared at him in astonishment, their expressions clearly conveying their confusion. "How did he even know?" they wondered in unison.

Sam, not at all surprised by their reaction, responded calmly, "Don't look at me like that. Didn't I already mention that the codex showed me everything?"

"Ah, okay," they both sighed in relief, finally understanding.

His mother let out a sigh. "I still can't believe the codex chose you as its new master."

"Yeah, right?" Aunt Lor chimed in. "Sam, you're incredibly fortunate to have stumbled upon it."

Sam couldn't help but think, 'Yes, getting killed by my jealous classmates and coming back to life – that's really what I call a lucky encounter.' He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his aunt's comment.