Meeting a rival

Rain moved along the pathways that led out of the palace, using darkness to boost his speed and practice. For reference, darkness was an extremely useful ability. It, like light, was incredibly flexible that could be used to boost his strength, speed and especially stealth. It was very useful for melting into shadows and avoiding getting noticed, even powerful cultivators of the 1st Heaven would have trouble noticing him if her really put in the work.

He continued along the way, before coming across a familiar figure.

"Greetings... sister."

Rain came to a stop, stopping before a girl with light pink hair. With red lips and rosy eyes, she looked like the spirit or fairy. She was insanely beautiful, though she normally stood aloof. She was of a similar age to Rain, 15, and quite strong, even stronger that Rain. She had a sword across her back in a sheath.

"Hello my brother."

She responded cheerfully, her expression changing. This rarely happened, and was something only he generally saw.

Since the six years had passed and even more after Rain awakened, the two saw each other. Mo Na was a it obsessed with him, being stronger than him, proclaiming him her rival, and refusing to spar with her other siblings except for him. She also fought against stronger cultivators as well, when Rain wasn't available, just not their siblings.

Na had a physique that allowed her to summon and control briar bushes and she was incredibly strong for her age. She was only getting stronger and was certainly surpassing the expectations set upon her. She would definitely be worthy of attending the Royal Gathering in two years.

"Indeed... I figured you'd come to say goodbye."

"Haha, how could I miss my dear rivals departure. It's a shame we won't be able to spar for two years, though I trust you won't be slacking."

Her words, though cheerful, showed signs of possessiveness as she did not like not seeing him. He was the only of their siblings that she approved of. Her words also brought back bad memories as she forced him to train, even before he started cultivating.

When Rain awakened his talent and affinity, she couldn't have been more ecstatic. Naturally, the one she wanted to beat had to be strong and his potential wouldn't limit him. She was sure, he was the one. The one she needed to keep herself in line and on a good trajectory. Perhaps... the one she needed in general.

Rain laughed, he wasn't scared of her. He didn't develop trauma or some shit from training with her as some betas might. He just didn't like physical activity all that much.

"Indeed, I have plans to find something that will propel me to greater heights."

Na stopped laughing at his words, it sounded like he might be going after some heavenly treasure or something like that. Myths that many cultivators pinned their hopes on finding, rather than cultivating properly. Her eyes took a different glow.

"You don't mean slacking to search for some legend do you."

Her tone changed, becoming similar to one his mother might take.

Rain continued, unnerved.

"No no. Though I would like to find one, I'm not foolish enough to spend my time searching... no, my plans are deeper than that. You'll see... maybe."

Na calmed at his words. She knew he wasn't lying. Rain had never once lied to her.

Rain actually wasn't lying. He was searching for something, but not a legend or something like that.

No... he was searching for something else.

Passion.

Of all cultivators, none lacked passion. A Dao, if you will. Often one of the Seven Deadly Sins or honor or something along those lines. This was the reason pride was so high in the cultivation world, it became the Dao of many. They needed it to drive them further past their limits. Without passion, one would get nowhere.

Young masters and shit like that existed because it was their Dao, not because of universal low IQ.

Same with insane cultivators who had weird or scary Daos.

However, Rain lacked it. He knew the importance of strength and that it couldn't be helped. Strength was necessary in the cultivation world if one wanted to survive and protect what they love... the problem is... Rain didn't care. His own life wasn't really good motivation for him, nor did he have anything he wasn't willing to lose. He would get nowhere if he didn't have passion, so Rain decided to go to Heaven's Asylum to search for inspiration.

Naturally, as a prison that extended throughout the Nine Heavens, Rain hoped to gain some inspiration by glimpsing the true vastness of the world. Just knowing how big it is versus seeing it could cause a spark. That was what Rain hoped for. Else, he would just have to force himself to cultivate or find someone who could force him. That would also work as a substitute for passion.

"Well... see you in two years."

Rain smiled at her optimistic behavior. She would also be venturing out soon, he expected. She also wanted to experience the cultivation world in all it's glory.

"Perhaps."

The two smiled at Rain's choice of words, before Rain continued on, out of the gates that had housed him his whole life. He knew the direction he was supposed to go, he just needed to keep running.

'What wonderful weather.'

And the cycle repeated.