Chapter 36: Progress

Sam surveyed his surroundings, his curiosity piqued. "Where is the dimensional crack? I don't see it."

Amelia offered a slight smile before responding, "You can't see the dimensional crack unless you've comprehended the space dao. Just extend your aura; you should be able to sense it," she suggested.

Sam nodded in understanding and then began to extend his aura. As he did, he felt something unusual. It was difficult to put into words; it resembled a door, but it was severely damaged, almost like a collection of cracks fused together.

"Yes, I can feel it," Sam exclaimed. This was his first encounter with concepts related to space that he only knew from watching movies like Interstellar.

"Then let's proceed. The matriarch is likely waiting for us," Takashi urged, a sense of foreboding gnawing at him. He had always been superstitious and trusted his instincts. Right now, those instincts told him to hurry to the Hailstorm Clan.

Takashi was a Dao Seeking realm cultivator who specialized in Sword Dao, making him a sword master. His expertise allowed him to perceive and comprehend swords and the intentions and fluctuations associated with them, a skill reserved for those deeply versed in Sword Dao.

Sword Dao was just one of the many martial daos, including Axe Dao, Spear Dao, and more. In total, there were 25 martial Daos, each corresponding to the 25 martial weapons used in warfare.

For those exceptional geniuses who mastered all 25 martial Daos, there was a pinnacle achievement known as the Dao of War. In simple terms, it combined the essence of all 25 martial daos.

Takashi, specializing in one of these martial Daos, sensed a faint resonance of Sword Dao emanating from Sam. It was nearly imperceptible but undeniably present.

It wasn't exactly Sword Dao, but rather a minuscule fragment of the greater Dao of War, and more.

Takashi could faintly detect the whispers of Myriad of Daos emanating from Sam. It was subtle but steadily growing stronger by the minute.

'Is the young master on the verge of enlightenment?' Takashi pondered. 'Could it be that his Physique is undergoing Awakening Paraphs?' He furrowed his brow, realizing how far-fetched the idea sounded. 

After all, this was the realm of Daos, a domain of profound mysteries.

He had remained stagnant in the Dao-Seeking realm for nearly three decades, unable to make any discernible progress in his Sword Dao.

As he observed Sam, his young master, who had only embarked on his cultivation journey for a mere two weeks, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Sam's body radiated an array of Daos, some of which were completely unfamiliar to him, leaving him with a profound sense of inadequacy.

Granted, it wasn't a substantial manifestation; it was more like a faint trace. Yet, even the slightest wisp of a Dao was enough to gain insights into its essence.

This was a significant feat. Many cultivators, upon reaching the Dao-Seeking Realm, found themselves stuck, unable to choose their path of Dao. And even if they did, it often took them countless years to make even the smallest strides in their understanding of the Dao.

Witnessing Sam, not just a novice cultivator but also a teenager, emanating multiple traces of different Daos, made him feel like literal shit.

Takashi had always been considered an above-average cultivator, but in the presence of Sam, he couldn't help but feel like the world's Trashiest trash.

Without wasting any time, Sam and his companions, their bodies enveloped in protective spiritual energy, stepped through the dimensional crack.

As they emerged on the other side, Sam found himself in a dense forest, filled with the echoing roars of various beasts.

"We've arrived in Vaprewood Forest. We'll need to traverse this forest before we can reach the outskirts of Iceheart City," Helena explained.

Iceheart City was one of the cities governed by the Hailstorm Clan and also the residence of the clan's main family.

Lorraine cast a warm smile toward Sam. "Your mother and I used to hunt beasts in this very forest during our training when we were younger."

"Really?" Sam inquired.

Helena nodded, reminiscing, "Yes, indeed. This forest is vast and densely populated with beasts. As we venture deeper, we'll encounter stronger and more formidable beasts. It's an ideal training ground for combat."

A sudden realization dawned on Sam.

"Mom, is there any urgency in our journey?"

"No, why?"

-----

[ Master: Sam Flareheart ]

[ Status: Healthy, Evolving ]

[ Titles: Master Of The Codex Of The Supreme Immortals ]

[ Age: 18 ]

[ Inheritance: Inheritance of the Eternal Dragon Monarch ]

[ Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm (Peak-stage) ]

[ Body Cultivation: None ]

[ Race: Noble Dragon ]

[ Bloodline(s): Frozen Abyssal Dragon Bloodline, Crimson Inferno Dragon Bloodline, Primordial Chaos Dragon Bloodline (Assimilation: 35.00%)]

[ Spirit Vein(s): Nine-Heavens Spiritual Veins ]

[ Bloodline Abilities: Cryokinesis, Pyrokinesis ]

[ Physique: Mystic Voidheart Harmonic Physique (Assimilation: 90.56%) ]

[ Divine Powers: Divine Charm (Assimilation: 33.87%) ]

[ Cultivation Method: Nine Celestial Revolutions Sutra ]

[ Body Cultivation Method: Samsara Flesh Rebirth Art ]

[ Innate Abilities: Devour ]

[ Racial Abilities: Dragon Transformation ]

-----

"I've just come to realize that I lack any combat experience, and..." Sam trailed off, hesitating. He wasn't sure if he should reveal his secret in front of Takashi, a total stranger he had met only a day ago. After all, his Mystic Voidheart Harmonic Physique was on the brink of awakening fully.

Who could say whether Takashi was trustworthy? In Sam's eyes, he was still an unfamiliar face.

Seeing her son's hesitation, Helena narrowed her eyes knowingly. She, too, had noticed the multitude of Dao traces emanating from her son. She surmised that Sam's reluctance must be related to that.

She turned to her younger sister, Lorraine, who nodded in agreement, sharing the same thought.

Helena then addressed Takashi, "Takashi, you should go on ahead. We have some matters to attend to, and once we've dealt with them, we'll join the clan."

Takashi understood that the conversation was likely centered around his young master but hesitated because he had received direct orders from the matriarch. "But, First Princess, the matriarch will-"

"No 'buts,'" Helena interjected firmly. "I will personally ensure that you won't face any repercussions with my mother. Now, please, leave us," she stated with a steely resolve.

.....

[A/N: Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section. Give this chapter some POWER STONES if you enjoyed it!]