Rise of The Demon General 4 Chapter 4

He delved deeper into the core, or rather, it was resonating with something within him and somewhere else. Allowing this sensation to guide him, he journeyed through his Energy Space, arriving at what appeared to be a membrane. Upon touching it, he found it both thin and resilient, yet he knew with certainty that he could breach it if he so willed. And so, he did.

Transitioning to the other side, he entered a new space. To his astonishment, it mirrored his previous Energy Space yet possessed distinct differences, like a reflection. He detected a similar presence and, as anticipated, discovered analogous particles resembling dust.

Another Energy Core? He was bewildered. Every text he had consulted stated that individuals possessed only one Energy Core, with no mention of a dual core. Despite this discrepancy with his prior knowledge, he resolved to replicate the process he had just completed.

He gathered the scant Aether from his surroundings and channeled it to form this second core. The procedure proceeded without a hitch, having already been performed once. This nascent Energy Core soon coalesced into another minuscule sphere. However, a striking difference emerged: it was entirely black, a characteristic that further perplexed Amon.

The established texts described initial Energy Cores as ranging from a pale grey to white, with grey indicating lower quality and brilliant white signifying the highest grade. Amon's first, silvery core was just shy of perfection. This second, black energy core, however, left him utterly uncertain of its classification.

He initiated experiments, infusing it with several portions of absorbed Aether. The reaction mirrored that of his silver core. Lacking any further insight or means to acquire it, he decided to temporarily set aside his inquiry into this secondary Energy Core.

One notable observation persisted: he could distinctly feel the two cores interacting, a simultaneous sensation of both attraction and repulsion.

Emerging from his energy space and opening his eyes, Amon perceived a profound alteration within his being. His body felt significantly more robust, his muscles denser, and his skin tougher. His senses had sharpened considerably; his vision was clearer, his sense of smell more acute, and he could discern faint whispers from beyond his chamber.

These transformations were documented in his readings, yet experiencing them firsthand was profoundly different from mere description. Was this the reality of being a cultivator? He mused that even in his current three-year-old form, he might now possess a strength comparable to his peak physical condition in his previous existence. This realization ignited a fervent excitement within him. His past life's quest for power paled in comparison to the potential for growth he now faced, allowing him to reach previously unimaginable heights.

Despite this surge of exhilaration, he quickly regained his composure. Emotional outbursts could often lead to ruin; a methodical approach was necessary for his pursuit of power. The immediate priority was locating a cultivation method.

In the ensuing days, he maintained his routine of studying texts and exploring the mansion. He also increased his interactions with the other residents, subtly probing for information. When unobserved, he engaged in meditation and breathing exercises to guide Aether into his twin cores, but the results were disappointingly minimal, as if they remained stagnant.

While no parental figures were present among the residents, one individual showed him genuine familial affection. This was a young woman on the cusp of adulthood, who dedicated the most time to his care and often conversed with him when he feigned an inability to speak.

He routinely underwent medicinal baths, prescribed to enhance his physique and fortify his foundation for the arduous cultivation path ahead. This young woman assisted him with these baths when he was unable to manage alone. Even now, affording him independence, she vigilantly oversaw his well-being during these sessions.

Though Amon harbored skepticism regarding the efficacy of the baths, he could not deny the feeling of rejuvenation they provided. He later examined the bath's components in the old woman's notes, the very individual who formulated the medicinal concoctions. The ingredients were indeed genuine, designed to promote overall health.

The young woman who tended to him with such care was named Hei Xilia. Her countenance was lovely, and her figure alluring. Amon noticed other men within the mansion occasionally casting covetous glances her way. He, however, felt no such attraction, allowing her proximity as a means to gather crucial information.

Most of the time, Hei Xilia did the talking while Amon simply listened. Through their conversations, Amon realized that something was troubling the woman. She revealed that her family was planning to marry her off as a concubine to a young master from a prominent clan. She lived in fear of the day this would happen, which was scheduled for a year from now.

She confided in him that the young master had a history of mistreating women, even resorting to physical violence if displeased. However, she felt powerless to refuse, as her family lacked influence and needed this alliance for survival. The young master had noticed Hei Xilia on the street by chance and expressed his desire to take her as a concubine. Her family, fearing their wrath, dared not decline and could only postpone the arrangement until the following year, all the while accepting generous gifts from the young master's clan.

"Tell me, Hei Mo. What should I do?" Hei Xilia implored Amon.

Hei Mo was the name this family had given him. Although Amon possessed no real interest in the young woman's plight, he feigned a child's concern for his elder sister.

"Do not worry, Sister Xilia. I will become a powerful cultivator, and no one will be able to take you away," Amon declared.

Hei Xilia let out a soft giggle, amused by Amon's bold promise. "Thank you," she said warmly. "But even Grandpa Hei Gong, who has already reached the Martial realm, is powerless against their clan."

The Martial realm was the second major realm on the path of Cultivation. According to the texts Amon had perused, the initial realm for all practitioners was known as the Human realm, subdivided into three stages: Mortal, Strength, and Transformation. The books provided detailed information only about the Human realm and offered scant mentions of the Martial realm. Whispers suggested higher realms existed, but none of Amon's readings offered any details.

It was said that the disparity between each stage was immense. A cultivator in the Mortal stage facing an opponent in the Strength stage would be like a newborn infant battling a fully grown adult. The gap between realms, however, was even more profound—a chasm as vast as the difference between heaven and earth.

So, the caretaker possessed such a high Cultivation level? Amon pondered, referring to the old man, Hei Gong, whom he considered his guardian.

Amon continued to question Hei Xilia, who readily provided answers, always pleased to chat with him, especially now that he could converse. From their discussions, Amon learned that among the fourteen inhabitants of the mansion, only two were cultivators: Hei Gong and Hei Pho. Hei Pho was the elderly woman responsible for preparing the medicinal herbs for sale. Hei Xilia informed him that Hei Pho remained in the Human realm's Strength stage, dedicating her focus primarily to the arts of medicine, or perhaps, poison.

This implied that any cultivation method within the mansion was likely possessed by these two individuals. Amon considered whether it was time to confess his ability to cultivate. The residents of this mansion appeared to genuinely care for his welfare and development. If they discovered he could cultivate, perhaps Hei Gong might bestow upon him a cultivation method.

However, he decided to investigate on his own first. Residing in the same room as the caretaker, Hei Gong, he had searched their shared space extensively but found no documents detailing any cultivation method. He had also thoroughly searched Hei Pho's medicine room, yielding similar results. While the two might have noticed Amon snooping around their belongings, they likely dismissed it as the curiosity of a young child.