Chapter 8 - Cultivation begins

Ren and their mother met up at their outside elder's place. Their clan elder had been cultivating until now, so they had to wait to get audience with him.

"How is Wren?" their mother worriedly whispered.

"Not good. He is heating up the room completely. If it goes on, he might kill all the nearby sea life," Ren mumbled with a frown. "How did this happen, mum? Have you seen anything like this happen?"

"No, I have never witnessed such a phenomenon. The spiritual rain only gives you a small sliver of spiritual energy that helps manifest the younglings but this energy inside Wren. It's completely savage. I am guessing your brother and Hachin came into contact with some being very dangerous," she mumbled biting her finger nails anxiously. "What are Hachin's symptoms?"

"Just the opposite. He froze his entire room. It's covered in ice shards," Ren worriedly whispered. "Mum, would the elders be able to cure this?"

"I—I am not sure, dear. We can only pray and wait,"

Right then the attendant ran out and informed them to come in.

Their clan elder, the great oyster who cultivated for almost thousands of years silently sat cross-legged with his eyes closed serenely.

"Elder," Ren and their mother bowed deeply.

"What bring you here, young ones?"

"My son.... he is plagued by a weird disease. Even our neighbour is," she cried softly, holding her tear-stained face.

"Please explain clearly,"

Ren took charge in explaining the symptoms to the elder and even truthfully revealed the details on how both Wren and Hachin had gone to the surface to witness the heavenly rain.

"hmmm, take me to them," the elder slowly stood up. His long hair that hung to his shin slightly swayed as he swam to them regally. His bright red eyes, even covered in wrinkles, did not lose its shine.

Ren peered at him bravely. "Please help him,"

"I will see what I can do, my little ones,"

Rena and their mother led him to their house, but worriedly it was empty.

"W—where is Wren!!! Ren go search for him!"

Ren ran around, but he weirdly felt that Wren might be at their neighbours. As per his guess, Wren was indeed with Hachin softly snoring in his bed.

He apologised to the elder and led him to Hachin's place.

The elder carefully stood outside the room, frowning. "Such intense spiritual energy..... its fire and ice both coming from in here.... thankfully the young ones have each other or else. One might have burned his veins and bones and other might have frozen to death," he whispered slowly.

Diago gulped. "Will they be okay?"

"They will, but it will take a long time. Till then they have to keep each other's company to control their clashing spiritual energy. Wait," he shuffled though his loose shirt and took out a worn out parchment scroll. "One kind man gave this to me to help cultivate, now its time to pass it on to the youngsters,"

The elderly oyster handed it to Diago's hands. "Make sure they cultivate by the method mentioned in their book. If they are lucky, they might be able to harness this immense energy... if they are not able to.... 'sigh' it's all in their hands," saying this, the elder swam away.

Diago glanced at the precious scroll and at his elder brother, "we have to make sure Wren survives,"

"hmm, I got it. I will resign my post as the guard and stay with him until he gets better,"

"No, I can take care of him," Diago immediately shouted. "Brother, our clan needs you as well, don't forget that. I can afford to take leaves but you can't. I will take good care of Wren. You go to work as usual,"

Ren tiredly looked at his mother for answers.

"Darling, it's good that you want to care for Wren, but remember we both are going to be here. We will take care of him." she whispered.

"As you say mother," Ren threw a worried glance at the sleeping Wren and sighed.

The next day Diago woke both of them up and their official cultivation training began. A small room in Hachin's house was modified to be their classroom. And Diago had to wear a protective suit of magic kelp to protect him from the heat and cold.

Wren slept trough half of his explanation while Hachin listened to him keenly, even taking notes now and then.

"Wren, wake up and listen. If you don't cultivate, you can possibly bust like a volcano!!" Diago slammed the table loudly.

Qu Wren yawned loudly. "But I'm tired..." All night his aching bones kept him up and even his body had been constantly uncomfortable.

"No time for that. You better cultivate kid or else I will dry you into a dried treat," Diago smiled threateningly.

Qu Wren gulped and nodded. He glanced at Hachin's notes and started learning earnest. After all, his second brother never gave out empty threats.