Ray was carried like a sack on Robert's shoulder, bouncing uncomfortably with each of his father's steps. The wind rustled through the trees, and the distant howls of unknown beasts echoed in the wild, untamed distance. They traveled for what felt like an eternity—some fifteen to twenty kilometers—until finally, the landscape opened up beneath them. A hot air balloon awaited, its fabric billowing gently in the breeze as they floated silently over the rugged terrain.
Beneath them stretched a vast forest teeming with life. The canopy was thick and lush, alive with movement. Strange howls, shrieks, and the occasional thunderous roar resounded from within. Birds with wings like blades soared across the sky, and the glint of water from a river shimmered like silver under the sunlight. Their balloon descended near a shadowy cave nestled between jagged rocks and towering trees, the entrance gaping like the maw of a sleeping beast.
Robert turned to Ray with a solemn tone. "I have already prepared a cave nearby. We will be living here. I also prepared food for myself. You will have to hunt food to survive."
Ray looked at his father with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Something unspoken passed between them—an impish smile from Ray and a silent groan forming in Robert's gut. He didn't know why, but he had the sinking feeling that this boy was about to cause him trouble. That gut feeling turned out to be right—within minutes.
Near a thicket of bushes, Ray spotted a rabbit nibbling on a leaf. Moving silently, he activated a formation—his Qi flaring softly in the air like a whispered incantation. With ease, he trapped the rabbit using the formation he crafted in his Qi soul stage. A smirk played on his lips; this was child's play.
Ray, once a solitary professional gamer in his past life, had taught himself to cook out of sheer necessity. Now, with fresh rabbit meat, wild mushrooms, and herbs he gathered nearby, he prepared a savory rabbit soup. The scent wafted through the air, rich and earthy. Ray's knowledge of herbs, gleaned from countless hours spent reading in the king's castle library, allowed him to identify the edible from the deadly.
As the soup simmered, its aroma drifted toward Robert. He turned, raised a brow, and without a word, smacked Ray lightly on the head—a gesture equal parts frustration and fondness.
He had completely forgotten: this brat was a formation specialist. His primary technique. And he had trained under none other than Diana, the master of formations herself.
Unable to resist, Robert took a portion of the rabbit soup. The flavor hit him immediately—rich, perfectly balanced, with the wild zest of herbs. From that day forward, Robert began sharing meals with Ray after every successful hunt.
But Robert wasn't going to let things slide so easily.
He prohibited Ray from using formations. Ray switched to talismans. Robert prohibited those too. Ray turned to traps. By the time Robert was massaging his temple from a tension headache, he realized the only way forward was to negotiate with this devilish son of his. Eventually, Ray agreed—begrudgingly—to start physical training properly.
Ray's first trial seemed simple: catch a rabbit. But not with a sword. Robert forbade it.
"Use your hands," Robert instructed. "Catch it like a beast."
The rabbits, however, were agile, darting and zigzagging with instinctive grace. Every time Ray lunged, he fell flat—face-first into dust—while the rabbit escaped with a triumphant flick of its tail. Frustrated but undeterred, Ray began watching and studying. He remembered how cheetahs chased gazelles—following every feint, every juke.
On the next attempt, he mirrored the rabbit's every move, reading its patterns like a formation diagram. And at last, he caught it, holding the squirming animal triumphantly in his arms.
Robert appeared behind him with a raised brow and a knowing smirk.
"This one was easy because the rabbit didn't know how to cultivate. The next one will be this."
He dropped a 3rd Qi stage rabbit on the ground. The air immediately grew heavier, charged with spiritual energy. The rabbit's eyes glinted with intelligence and speed.
Ray stared in disbelief. "I cannot catch this rabbit with my legs without using runes. I may not even be able to follow it in a straight line."
Robert shook his head calmly. "You can—because I managed to do it when my father told me to."
Ray looked up with curiosity. "Father, where is grandfather? I heard he never died."
Robert chuckled softly, a flicker of pride and mystery dancing in his eyes.
"He surpassed the golden stage of cultivation and went to the upper realm. I and Diana are already at the peak of the golden stage, my son. And I will likely break through to the legendary level soon. I'm a step away."
Ray paused, then asked, "What will happen to your duke estate?"
Robert's gaze turned distant for a moment, reflecting the weight of leadership.
"My three children are competing for the position. They know I will leave soon. Others are trying too, but they are miles behind. The top contenders are my first son, John; my third son, Ethan; and lastly, Alex."
John was the son of Roxanne. Ethan, of Barbara. Alex, of Selene. Ray nodded thoughtfully. All were strong candidates. But Ray himself had no interest in titles or estates.
"What if uncle and aunt want to take over your estate?" he asked.
Robert smiled. "The duke's estate was given to me by the king, not to my father. My father left behind something else entirely. My older brother controls that."
Ray nodded again, his heart detached from such matters.
Robert noticed the calm indifference and sighed. "You have zero interest in the duke's estate?"
Ray grinned. "I have something that's on par with you, Father. I'll surpass you in wealth and resources. I have my own crystal mine. I'm not greedy enough to want your estate as well. Leave it to your other kids."
Robert nodded, his expression softening. "I haven't given you much in terms of resources, since Diana pays for your needs. All I've given you is this sword technique. But this time… I'll train you properly."
His eyes lit with fire—determination that sent a chill down Ray's spine. He suddenly realized chasing rabbits was nothing compared to the terror in his father's eyes right now. A shiver of dread curled in his stomach.
Over the first month, Ray chased down rabbits and other creatures, learning their patterns, instincts, and weaknesses. Just when he grew accustomed, Robert changed tactics—introducing faster, stronger beasts. Soon, the tables turned. Ray was no longer the hunter but the hunted—dodging for dear life.
In the second month, Robert added weights. Thick bands of iron wrapped around Ray's limbs. He had to dodge, escape, and fight beasts using only martial arts. His hands bled, his body ached, but slowly, his stamina soared. His agility reached new heights.
By the third month, when Robert left for a royal summons, Ray found himself alone. Amid the silence and solitude of the wild, he reached a breakthrough—ascending to the 4th Iron Stage Soul Cultivator. If Robert had known, even a Wood Stage advancement would have shocked him. But Iron Stage? That was monumental.
In the fourth month, Ray's body endured new trials. He climbed treacherous mountains with 50 kg metal balls chained to his legs. When that became manageable, Robert increased it to 100 kg each. Each step was agony. His muscles tore and healed. He trained his torso with relentless intensity: 100 push-ups, 100 crunches, and 100 sit-ups—day after brutal day.
By the fifth month, Robert finally judged his son ready.
Ray had mastered the second stage of the Lightning Sword Style: Sky Flash Mirage—a technique of blinding agility and sudden directional shifts. It wasn't linear. It was wild, untamed—zigzagging through the battlefield like a living storm.
And now, finally, Ray's body was forged enough to wield such power without tearing itself apart.