Waking up

Two months passed, and Fang woke up in a simple room. It contained a queen-sized bed, a small drawer, and a desk.

In front of the desk, a large window framed the bustling streets and bridges of the city.

Since it was currently night, Fang got to see Shenhong City in all its splendor.

Candles, street lamps, and glowing orbs illuminated the city and sky with a warm, gentle light.

The sea of flying cultivators was absent, likely due to the time of day.

Fang guessed that any cultivator daring enough to fly in the night sky either had a high cultivation realm or was new to the city and overconfident in their strength.

If he had to be honest, he doubted that even nascent soul or soul transformation cultivators were safe during their nocturnal journeys through the sky. He could only estimate their strength relative to his own.

Reflecting on strength, Fang noticed improvements in his senses and body.

He could now feel everything in a radius of five meters without focusing, which spooked him for a few seconds before he got used to the new sensation.

The more pronounced changes were internal. He had the ability to feel every single vein and muscle in his body individually.

He quickly scanned his lower belly area where his demonic core was supposed to be and discovered a small, black sphere.

Fang observed as the qi from his core was transferred into his meridians and then flowed back into his core, forming a flawless, perpetual cycle.

When it came to testing the power of his body, he guessed that now he had the means to bend steel using only his paws and probably cut through a diamond with his claws.

Corbin naturally heard all his thoughts, as Fang didn't bother hiding them, and offered his input, 'When you have the chance, try infusing qi into one of your limbs and see the changes,' he said, quickly adding, 'I'm really curious about your full capabilities.'

Not long after, Fang responded, 'Sure, I really want to find out as well.'

Thinking for a few seconds, Fang noticed something strange and questioned Corbin, 'Wasn't my body supposed to eliminate all the impurities? How come I'm not covered in smelly goo?'

Now that Fang brought this up, Corbin noticed this peculiarity as well. Unfortunately, he could not come up with any logical explanation for this strange phenomenon.

After taking note of all the changes, Fang started thinking about the strange void.

Time passed.

Fang sat on the ground and looked at the night sky covered in clouds.

He tried wracking his brain for answers, but his mind kept returning to the strange mental state he adopted while inside the void.

That experience made him realize that maybe the way he perceived himself was incorrect and that what he showed on the outside was fake.

He often reflected on how he perceived the world and how others perceived him in return.

These thoughts often stressed him back when he was on Earth, and it was inevitable.

Society was built on appearances and the way people perceived you, even if you were rotten or empty on the inside.

Fang often changed his personality around different groups of people to blend in, but even then, he had no luck when it came to socializing and creating meaningful connections.

Thinking thus far, he quietly asked Corbin, 'Old man, did you see that void?'

Sensing the shaky state of mind Fang now had, Corbin seriously asked, 'What are you talking about?'

'Never mind, it was probably just a bad dream,' replied Fang while closing his eyes.

At that moment, a gentle breeze blew through the open window, parting the clouds and revealing two large, full moons.

Corbin pressed Fang for answers, knowing that having your heart shaken can lead to internal demons. He knew Fang was not ready to face something of that caliber.

Tired of hearing Corbin, Fang tried to calm him down by saying, 'It's okay, old man, stop panicking! It was just a bad dream, probably caused by my sudden dizziness before I passed out.'

Corbin knew that he was not speaking the truth but decided to stop his questioning.

More time passed, and the moons were now high in the sky, illuminating Fang's face as he lay with his head on his paws, eyes closed.

Corbin disturbed the tranquility of this scene by saying in a soft tone, 'Hey, kiddo, I don't know what you've been through, but you have to pull yourself together for your own sake.'

He knew Fang was not asleep and could hear him, so he continued, 'Whatever happened—happened. There is no use in thinking about it now.'

Corbin quietly chuckled and, in a self-deprecating tone, reminisced, 'You know, the monarch once had a saying.' He paused for a moment before continuing, 'Reject the past and accept the gift that is the present.'

Fang scoffed, but inwardly, he appreciated his honest words.

Like that, he fell asleep and dreamed of his childhood and the times he visited the sea with his mother for the last time before she fell sick.

In his dreams, the crashing waves and salty breeze felt real, contrasting the void he had found himself in. He remembered holding his mother's hand, her gentle smile, and the warmth of the sun on their faces. The memories were bittersweet, bringing both comfort and a deep pain.

As he slept, the moons continued their silent watch, casting a silver glow over his resting form. The world outside moved on, unaware of the quiet battle within him. The memories of the sea faded into darker dreams, shadows of the void creeping in. He dreamt of endless blackness, of being lost and searching for something he couldn't name.

Corbin watched over him, sensing the turmoil and pain within Fang. He hoped the boy would find his path and rise above the challenges that lay ahead.

―――

A/N: This wouldn't be a cultivation story if MC doesn't break down eventually, so... yeah, you get it. Enjoy!