1. Lionheart Family

In the remote expanse of the Northern Rocky Mountains, far from the reaches of ordinary life, an intense battle unfolded with a symphony of deafening explosions that echoed through the rugged terrain.

**BOOM*** **BOOM***

These explosive sounds, akin to the earth's very core being bombed, reverberated relentlessly, shattering rocks like fragile glass. Two minuscule figures, enveloped in shimmering beams of formidable energy, danced upon the mountaintop. These dots of power were none other than two mortal sovereign rank human cultivators locked in a fierce struggle.

Following a rapid exchange of blows, the two cultivators temporarily disengaged, putting distance between them in order to gather the energy needed for their next onslaught. An elderly man, garbed in flowing white robes with a long, wizened white beard, hovered gracefully in mid-air. His hands weaved intricate seals, conjuring a potent and ominous black sphere of energy before him.

On the opposing side, a middle-aged man, his long hair elegantly bound with glistening golden threads, ascended into the heavens. Around him, a tranquil, milky-white energy radiated like a gentle halo, circling him as his golden robes fluttered in the energy's ethereal embrace.

In the midst of this suspended battlefield, the two cultivators locked eyes, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Between them, a towering mountain stood as a silent witness to the impending clash.

After a prolonged buildup, both cultivators unleashed their attacks in unison, a breathtaking display of power.

Shhh... Shhh...

The energy beams streaked across the firmament at the speed of light, closing in on each other with unstoppable force. The air itself seemed to tremble in anticipation.

**Boom***

A resounding explosion, so deafening that it seemed to defy the heavens, ensued as the energy spirits within the beams collided head-on. A battle of titanic proportions unfolded in the form of these radiant and devastating beams.

The black energy surged relentlessly, voraciously devouring the pristine white energy released by the cultivator adorned in golden robes. It was a mesmerizing spectacle of light and darkness locked in a relentless struggle.

After a protracted exchange that seemed to span an eternity, the middle-aged man, clad in golden robes, could no longer withstand the relentless consumption of his radiant energy. With a triumphant smile, the old man with a flowing white beard redirected his black energy beam towards the mountain below.

**Boom***

A thunderous explosion followed, leaving in its wake a colossal crater atop the mountain. The scene resembled a volcanic crater, a testament to the overwhelming power that had come crashing down, much like the descent of a celestial asteroid, forever altering the landscape of this remote and enigmatic battleground. 

After exchanging a deep look, both cultivators got down from the air and landed in the middle of the crater. 

"Hahaha… Ryon, you improved a lot over the last two years. I never thought you would cross two levels in this short duration. I'm really proud that you became my son." The old man, Alibi Lion-heart, the old patriarch of the Quinn family said with a hearty laugh as he sat on the rock platform of the crater. 

"Thank you, Father. It's all because of your guidance. But still, I'm a long distance away from you." The middle-aged man in golden robes, Ryan Lionheart said in a respectful tone while taking out the delicious food items from his ring which is a spirit item. 

"Don't worry. You will surpass me one day. I'm just an old man who lost all the vigour. In my life, I won't be able to reach the Dao Sovereign realm. But you… you have a chance. So, cultivate hard."

"One day you should prove to this world about the existence of the forgotten Dao Sovereign Realm." The old man said encouragingly. But there is a bit of sadness in his eyes and his face is dispirited when he spoke about the Dao Sovereign realm. 

"Father, I'm also thinking about the same. With the burden of a patriarch, I couldn't fully concentrate on my Dao practice. Soon, I want to leave the home and seclude myself in Dao cultivation. What do think about it?" Ryon Lionheart, the current patriarch of the Quinn family asked with a questioning look. 

The white beard old man fell into thought after hearing his son's question. 

"Father… father…" Ryon called out loud as he handed over the freshly cooked spirit Lion meat on Level 9 alchemy flames.

"What happened, father? Is something bothering your mind?" Ryon asked while staring at his father's sad face.

"Nothing. I'm just thinking about the family's future. For the last five hundred years our Quinn family stood on the top of this planet's cultivators. But I'm worrying about the next successor who will lead this family." The old man said in a worried tone. 

"Father, you don't need to worry about that. My older son, Max already reached the end of the Innate stage. In the next 10 years, he will definitely step into the mortal sovereign realm. With our clan's resources and cultivation techniques, it is not a big thing for him to stay on top of his peers." Ryon replied in a cheerful tone. 

"Hmmhh… of course, your son has all the rights to become the next patriarch of this family and he well deserves the title Lionheart. But you should consider the feelings of your younger son also. He is not that bad when compared to Max. Putting in some competition will only help them to grow." The old man said while enjoying the spirit Lion's meat. 

"Hahaha… that's actually a good idea father. I better encourage my younger son by giving some hints." Ryon said with a burst of amusing laughter.

A brief silence hung for a moment as the old man became silent all of a sudden. 

"Father, is there still something you want to tell me?" Ryon asked in an enquiring tone. 

"I'm thinking about yours's first wife's son." Alibi replied while staring at his son who became serious after hearing the unexpected.

"Father, can you please don't bring up that topic. I already sealed his dantian and his fate is already doomed. So, there is no use in discussing about him." Ryon said in a serious tone. 

"Ryon, I know that you only followed family rules. But that young lad is truly a gem of a cultivator. He reached the innate realm at the age of 16. Which is 4 years less than any genius cultivator. If he stayed in our family, he could have reached the sovereign realm by now."

"But sadly, that fellow was born to the mortal lady. Otherwise, he could have become the patriarch of Quinn's family." The old man said in a sad tone. A 16-year-old handsome teenager's face sparked in his imagination. 

"Father, stop. I already gave him a chance to stay in this family and promised him the next patriarch position. But he chose to go with that mortal woman. It's all his fate. For the sake of saving future troubles, I sealed his dantian at the Qi condensation. It is the fate he chose." Ryon said with an angry face as he thought of that situation where his own son had gone against him. 

"Hmmhh… whatever the case, that young lad is related to this family. Make sure that he lives comfortably. I still remember, he rejected all my gifts while leaving this house." The old man said as he finished the last bite of the spirit meal.

"Not all, father. Old Granny gave him the only remaining copy of Lionheart's Body cultivation manual. He accepted it after my mortal wife's permission. I still remember every detail of that day. That fellow even owed to take back our entire family." Ryon said before taking the food utensil from his aged father.

"Hahaha… don't worry about it. After our ancestor, no one succeeded in mastering the LIONHEARTS body cultivation. My father used to call it MYTH as it is impossible to cultivate the body to such an extent." The old man replied before leaving the crater.

"I really feel relieved when I have a chat with you, Father. Thanks for your insights today." Ryon bowed before his father. By the time he got up, his father already left for the cultivation chambers. 

After sending away his father, Ryon took out a gold colour slip from his ring and murmured something to it. In the next second the golden slip turned into ash and mixed up in the air. 

The message read, "Send some gifts for my abandoned son. Make sure that he lives comfortably."

_

Our hero is waiting for us in the next chapter... Keep going...

Your's lovingly,

PeterPan :-)