A Dance with Darkness and Light: Re-Origination

20: On The Road

Bazuul quickly vanished inside the mansion in order to dwell on the page and cultivate one more session before he had to depart for the kingdom of Donar.

After one whole day, he only managed to understand a tiny part, and therefore, unable to unlock the arcane codex. Since that was the case, he went on to further train what he already had. Namely, [Flash Steps], [Mirage], the darkness and the lightning element he recently acquired. He entered his inner world and completely immersed himself in the cultivation of these and actually made progress. Once more he lost track of time and it felt like almost two weeks had gone by until Elder Fu came in the room and pulled him out of his inner world. Bazuul opened his eyes and looked at the old man at the door.

"Young prince, two days have passed, it is time for you to return to the castle. Yao Ling has also finished and actually reached the fifth stage of the qi condensation realm!" Elder Fu said with a satisfied expression.

"Two days again, it seems that time inside the dark side of my world flows differently. One day should be about one week. Unless this is not as rare as I think this should once again be somewhat my plot-armor." Bazuul thought.

He stood up cupped his hands and thanked Elder Fu. He found Yao Ling and Bram waiting for him outside, with the chariot ready to return home. Before entering the chariot though he turned around and said to Elder Fu, "Thank you for everything elder, I will treat this place well in your absence."

Elder Fu had his arms crossed behind his back as he chuckled and bowed slightly, "It has been an honor, your Highness. Have fun in the kingdom of Donar!" He turned around and walked back into his courtyard, disappearing inside the bamboo mansion.

Bazuul smiled lightly and looked up at the sky with a dreamy expression as the wind blew in his black, ear-long hair before he entered the chariot. On his way back, he sorted out his accomplishments. He had a slight breakthrough in the understanding of the lightning element, wondering if he could use the lightning in the kingdom of Donar the way he saw in The Last Airbender back on Earth. Chuckling as he thought of the shocked expression on his opponent's faces if he actually managed to direct a thunder strike toward them. He also strengthened his shadow melding skill and was now able to create five illusions with his [Mirage] skill. Unexpectedly, he also broke through to the sixth stage of the true qi realm. Now he seemed to have reached the same foundation in cultivation as his eldest brother Kuzan.

After returning to the castle, he sent Yao Ling back to his sister and mother before also returning to his chamber. Before he could enter though, a servant called out to the prince, telling him that the king wished to see him. Without further ado, Bazuul left for the throne room, wondering what his father would want from him.

As he entered the throne room he saw his brothers Kuzan and Karon standing in front of their father as he sat on the throne. Aurelius, of course, was missing. He walked up to the rest with an indifferent expression as his brothers turned around with each a different countenance. Even though Karon kept a normal expression, his eyes betrayed a mix of disdain and fear. Kuzan, on the other hand, looked at him pensively with one of his brows shooting upwards. Since his return, he felt he didn't know his little brother anymore. Even more so after the incident in his chamber. Also, the state in which Aurelius was, considering his cultivation, left him mystified.

How powerful had his brother become? In size, he barely reached his chest and he was also rather thin. How could this little, frail-looking body contain enough power to destroy someone in the fourth stage of the true qi realm?

"Brothers...Father, you have called me. Here I am." Bazuul greeted flatly.

King Varanur also looked at his son, the air around him seemed once again different than a couple of days ago. "My sons, this time I have called you here to talk about and prepare you for the hidden dragon trials and the royal tournament."

They listened attentively as their father explained the inner workings in the kingdom of Donar. He shared with them information of the royal members of the other kingdoms that would journey to the land of thunder. Although he wouldn't have much information about all the commoners, considering the fact that everyone below the age of eighteen could participate, regardless of their abilities. There were still some details on the heirs that came from some of the more prominent families across the Seven Kingdoms. Of course, the members of the royal families would be strong contenders, but he also pointed out the promising talents coming from the common families.

For example, Karim's bigger brother, Tarek, just as Kuzan was seventeen. He would most likely reach the royal tournament with his cultivation of the fifth stage in the true qi realm. Even more so since his skillset was specialized in assassination. This way his attacks would always demand his opponent's full attention or only death would await.

Fourteen-year-old Shu Huang, one of the silkpants Bazuul frequented with, also had the potential of coming this far. Even though he was a skirt-chaser, his cultivation was at the third stage of the true qi realm. Also, the Huang family, had the inheritance of an ancient cultivation master said to have left for the realm of Mu. Underestimating them would be short-sighted, to say the least.

Eren's sister, Emilia Stark, was in the fifth stage of the true qi realm, and would also take part this time around. She was eleven the last time and thus couldn't, now, three years had passed and she was eager to prove herself. Considering that the Starks were one of the most prominent warrior families in the Ralunian kingdom. Also, her uncle Hanzu, was one of the strongest warriors in the kingdom, it was a given that she would not make it easy on her opponents.

Apart from the talents in their own kingdom, Varanur also mentioned some prodigies from other nations. At last, he turned serious as his face hardened and said. "Lastly, there is one more prodigy we have to talk about. Jian Zheng, heir to the Zheng family. I heard he recently reached the seventh stage of the true qi realm, although I cannot confirm this as facts. Considering the Zheng family's heritage though, this is highly likely. As you know, the Zheng family is the patriarch of the Vermillion Sword Sect. Thus, you have to be prepared, in case you have to face him, be decisive and quick-witted. One stroke of his sword could be your undoing if you underestimate him."

The more Bazuul heard about this Jian Zheng, the more excited he got. Unable to hold it, a chuckle escaped him as his eyes formed into a slit. This, of course, caught the attention of his brothers and their father. Laughing lightly, he said, "My bad, it's not that I underestimate him. He just sounds so imposing with his name meaning Sword Conqueror, and also belonging to a sword-based sect, that I cannot help but become excited."

Kuzan said nothing as he turned back to his father, Varanur simply nodded and wanted to continue talking while Karon simply scoffed with disdain.

"Unfortunately, your brother, Aurelius, will not be able to attend the trials and tournament this time, as he fell victim to his own devices. Either way, we have prepared some armor and weapons for you to pick out." As he said that he clapped his hands and ordered the servants to bring a vast selection of them over.

From all of them, Bazuul picked two sets of armor and a sword. One set of sturdy but light leather armor and a set of white silk clothes which were enchanted with light magic by his father himself. His sword, on the other hand, excited him. It was a one-handed sword but was more than a meter long. Made out of what seemed to be obsidian with a violet hue inside once one siphoned his qi no it, it began to glow, leaving behind an ominous feeling.

In the next three days, Bazuul focused on the consolidation of his sixth stage foundation.

Then a big caravan, led by three elders of the kingdom and one hooded figure, left the capital quietly. The caravan, which contained almost all the talents of Ralun finally began their trip to the kingdom of Donar. The journey there would take about a week, leaving them three days to rest before the trials would begin. This way, they would also have time to acclimate, get to know the foreign kingdom, and maybe even become acquainted with some of the other participants.