Chapter 9
Beneath the Falling Night
The last traces of sunlight gradually faded beyond the endless mountain ranges surrounding the Ashvaris Clan.
The vast sky above transformed from warm shades of golden-orange into deep crimson and dark blue while cold evening winds drifted quietly across the enormous clan territory. Far beneath the mountains, countless waterfalls crashed endlessly against black cliffs, their distant roars blending together with the soft rustling of trees swaying beneath the night breeze.
One by one—
Spirit lanterns began lighting across the clan.
Warm crimson flames illuminated ancient stone pathways, towering black pillars engraved with old runes, and countless buildings resting peacefully beneath the approaching night. From afar, the entire Ashvaris Clan resembled a sleeping kingdom hidden deep within the mountains.
The lively atmosphere from earlier had already faded.
Training grounds once filled with clashing swords, shouting disciples, and bursts of spiritual energy now stood nearly silent. Clan members gradually returned toward their residences while servants quietly moved through the pathways carrying lanterns and preparing for the night.
Above the mountains—
The first stars quietly emerged within the endless heavens.
Eryx walked silently beside Sylthara and Nyesra along the stone pathway leading back toward their residence.
Cold wind brushed gently against his face while loose strands of black hair swayed softly before his eyes. His crimson-black gaze wandered across the surroundings illuminated by the crimson lantern light.
For some reason—
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
Nyesra walked slightly ahead of them while softly humming to herself. Occasionally, she spun playfully beneath the lantern lights before looking toward the night sky with sparkling curiosity shining in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Sylthara remained quietly beside Eryx.
The soft crimson glow reflected faintly against her silver hair, giving her an almost ethereal appearance beneath the darkening heavens. Her calm blue eyes carried warmth as she silently watched her children walking beside her.
For a long moment—
No one spoke.
Only the sounds of flowing water and cold mountain winds accompanied them.
Then suddenly—
Nyesra turned around while continuing to walk backward along the pathway.
"Mother."
Her cheerful voice softly broke the silence.
Sylthara turned her gaze toward her daughter.
"Hm?"
Nyesra tilted her head slightly before smiling mischievously.
"You never told us how you and father met."
Eryx quietly glanced toward Sylthara.
For a brief moment—
Her steps slowed slightly.
Cold wind passed gently through her silver hair while the lantern lights reflected faintly within her beautiful blue eyes.
Nyesra immediately moved closer with excitement shining across her face.
"Come on," she said playfully. "I really want to know."
Sylthara stared toward the distant dark mountains for several silent seconds.
A faint nostalgic smile appeared on her lips.
But instead of answering—
She softly laughed.
"Perhaps another time."
Nyesra instantly puffed her cheeks in disappointment.
"Again?"
Sylthara lightly tapped her forehead.
"Some stories are better told with time."
Nyesra crossed her arms dramatically before turning her face away.
"That's unfair."
A faint smile quietly appeared within Eryx's eyes as he watched the interaction between them.
The night winds continued drifting through the mountains while countless stars spread across the endless sky above.
And beneath the peaceful crimson lantern lights of the Ashvaris Clan—
The three figures quietly disappeared deeper into the night.
Scene Shift — Eryx's Room
Night had fully descended upon the Ashvaris Clan.
Outside the enormous palace windows, countless stars glittered across the heavens while cold silver moonlight bathed the mountains in a quiet ethereal glow. Far below the cliffs, waterfalls continued roaring endlessly through the darkness as drifting mist rose into the night air.
Inside the room—
Only silence remained.
Soft moonlight poured through the large open window, illuminating the dark stone chamber in pale silver shades. White curtains swayed gently with the wind while shadows danced quietly across the walls engraved with ancient crimson patterns.
The atmosphere felt calm.
Almost dreamlike.
Eryx sat silently near the open window.
One of his legs rested lightly against the stone frame while an ancient cultivation book remained open within his hands. Silver moonlight reflected faintly within his crimson-black eyes as he carefully read through the countless writings and strange symbols covering the old pages.
The deeper he read—
The more confused he became.
His gaze moved across the cultivation realms written within the book.
Spirit Gathering Realm.
Sprit Refinement Realm.
Soul Manifestation Realm.
Origin Realm.
Countless stages, sub-realms, spiritual veins, essence circulation paths, and complicated cultivation methods filled the pages before him.
After several moments—
Eryx lowered the book.
A faint frown appeared on his face.
"…Why is this so complicated?"
He stared silently at the strange diagrams drawn across the pages before lightly rubbing his forehead.
Back in his previous life, he had spent most of his time exploring dangerous places, livestreaming, editing videos, and researching mysteries around the world.
Not reading cultivation manuals.
A quiet sigh escaped his lips.
"I really should've read some cultivation novels in my past life."
The cold night breeze entered softly through the open window, causing the pages of the ancient book to flutter gently.
Then—
Creak...
The wooden door slowly opened.
Eryx turned his head toward the entrance.
"Mother."
Sylthara stood quietly near the doorway.
Pale moonlight fell softly across her beautiful face while her calm blue eyes reflected the silver glow of the night. Her long silver hair rested gracefully over her shoulders while several loose strands swayed gently beneath the breeze entering through the window.
She wore a flowing white-and-blue saree that shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight. The delicate fabric moved softly with the wind, making her presence appear serene and graceful within the quiet darkness of the room.
The atmosphere around her felt peaceful.
Warm.
Comforting.
For a brief moment—
Neither of them spoke.
Sylthara's gaze shifted toward the cultivation book resting within Eryx's hands before a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"You still haven't slept?"
Her gentle voice blended softly together with the sound of the night winds.
Eryx looked down at the book again before speaking calmly.
"I was trying to understand cultivation."
Sylthara walked further into the room.
Silver moonlight traced her graceful figure while soft shadows formed beneath her quiet footsteps.
"And?"
A faint helpless smile appeared on Eryx's face.
"…I understand nothing."
Sylthara lowered her gaze slightly before a soft laugh escaped her lips.
The quiet sound immediately eased the heavy silence within the room.
Eryx closed the book halfway before leaning slightly against the window frame.
"There are too many realms… too many stages… too many things written in complicated ways."
His gaze returned toward the endless mountains outside the window.
"It feels like learning an entirely different world from the beginning."
Sylthara quietly observed him for a moment before approaching the window.
Cold wind entered the room once more, causing both the curtains and her silver hair to sway softly beneath the moonlight.
Then—
She gently placed her hand on Eryx's head.
"You don't need to rush."
Her calm voice carried unusual warmth.
"Cultivation is not something that can be understood within a single night."
Eryx quietly looked toward her again.
After a brief silence—
"Mother."
Sylthara looked at him calmly.
"Yes?"
"Can you explain cultivation to me properly?"
For a moment—
Sylthara simply stared at him.
Then a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"So that's what has been troubling you all this time."
Eryx silently nodded.
Sylthara settled beside him near the window. Moonlight illuminated both of them while cool winds drifted quietly through the chamber.
"Cultivation," she began softly, "is the path of surpassing one's mortal limitations."
Eryx listened quietly.
"In this world, spiritual energy exists everywhere."
Sylthara raised her hand toward the open night sky beyond the window.
"The mountains."
"The rivers."
"The forests."
"The sky."
"Even the wind around us carries spiritual energy."
The cold breeze drifted through the room once more.
"Cultivators absorb this spiritual energy into their bodies and refine it to grow stronger."
Eryx lowered his eyes slightly.
"So the stronger the spiritual energy surrounding someone…"
"The faster they cultivate," Sylthara completed calmly.
She then pointed lightly toward the cultivation book.
"The first realm is the Mortal Awakening Realm."
"At this stage, a person first senses spiritual energy."
"Then comes the Spirit Vein Realm."
"After that is the Spirit Gathering Realm."
"At this stage, cultivators begin absorbing spiritual energy from their surroundings."
Her calm voice blended softly together with the sound of the night winds.
"The Spirit Refinement Realm strengthens the body and purifies spiritual energy."
"The Origin Realm stabilizes a cultivator's spiritual foundation."
"The Soul Manifestation Realm awakens the soul senses."
"The Essence Awakening Realm allows cultivators to awaken elemental or divine essences."
"The Domain Realm allows spiritual aura to affect the surroundings themselves."
Finally—
Her voice became slightly more solemn.
"And then comes the Heavenly Transformation Realm."
Eryx quietly narrowed his eyes.
"At that realm," Sylthara continued softly, "Heavenly Judgment begins."
"Heavenly Tribulations descend upon cultivators."
"Usually in the form of heavenly lightning."
"Many die while trying to cross that stage."
Silence filled the room once more.
Even the atmosphere itself felt heavier now.
Eryx quietly stared toward the moonlit sky outside the window.
"…So cultivation is basically fighting against heaven itself."
A faint smile appeared on Sylthara's lips.
"In a way…"
"Yes."
After a brief silence, Eryx looked toward her again.
"What comes after the Heavenly Transformation Realm?"
Sylthara softly shook her head.
"That is enough for tonight."
Eryx blinked slightly.
"You are still far from those realms."
Her blue eyes carried calm warmth beneath the silver moonlight.
"When you eventually reach that stage…"
"You will naturally learn more about the path ahead."
Cold winds drifted softly through the room once again.
Then Eryx quietly asked another question.
"…Then what is your cultivation realm, Mother?"
Sylthara stared at him for several seconds.
Then—
A faint amused smile appeared on her lips.
"That…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"…is a secret."
Sylthara softly laughed.
Meanwhile—
A faint irritated expression finally appeared on Eryx's face.
"…You really enjoy hiding things."
Sylthara only smiled peacefully without answering.
For a brief moment—
Silence filled the room once again.
Then Eryx suddenly spoke once more.
"What about people who cannot cultivate?"
Sylthara's expression gradually changed.
The playful warmth within her eyes faded into quiet calmness.
"They are called mortals."
Her gentle voice became softer than before.
"In this world…"
"The lives of mortals are harsh."
"Most cultivators do not respect them."
"To many powerful clans and sects, mortals are weak… insignificant beings."
A faint sadness quietly appeared within her blue eyes.
"Some are ignored."
"Some are looked down upon."
"And some are even bullied simply because they cannot cultivate."
Eryx silently listened.
Then Sylthara turned her gaze toward the moonlit mountains outside the window.
"But honestly…"
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"I envy them sometimes."
Eryx quietly looked at her.
"In my opinion…"
"Not being a cultivator is sometimes far more beautiful."
"Mortals are born…"
"They live peacefully beside their families…"
"They grow old together with the people they love…"
"And eventually…"
"They leave the world quietly."
The endless roar of waterfalls continued beneath the mountains.
"But cultivators…"
"They spend their entire lives chasing power."
"Countless people believe cultivation is a blessing from heaven."
"They call it the path toward immortality."
Sylthara quietly looked toward the endless night sky beyond the window.
Silver moonlight reflected softly within her blue eyes while cold winds drifted silently through the room.
Then—
A faint bitter smile appeared on her lips.
"Everyone desires immortality…"
Her soft voice quietly echoed through the silent chamber.
"…yet very few understand the loneliness that comes with living too long."
For a brief moment—
The entire room fell silent.
Only the sound of flowing water and the drifting winds remained beneath the endless night sky.
Eryx remained silent after hearing her words.
Moonlight illuminated Sylthara's calm face while the cold breeze gently moved through her silver hair.
For some reason—
Her words did not sound like simple thoughts spoken casually.
They carried emotion.
Not deep sorrow—
But quiet understanding.
As if she had already witnessed enough of the cultivation world to dislike certain parts of it.
Eryx quietly observed her expression.
Sylthara was still young.
Far younger than the ancient cultivators described within the books.
Yet the way she spoke about immortality almost felt… distant.
Not because she had lived for centuries—
But because she understood how cultivation slowly changed people.
His crimson-black eyes lowered toward the cultivation book resting within his hands.
Back in his previous life, people constantly chased longer lives.
Money.
Success.
Fame.
Everyone feared death.
But now—
After entering this cultivation world—
Eryx slowly realized something.
The path of cultivation was not simply about becoming stronger.
The higher cultivators climbed, the more isolated they seemed to become.
Mortals lived short lives.
Yet perhaps because of that—
They cherished emotions, family, and peaceful moments far more deeply.
Meanwhile, cultivators spent decades and centuries endlessly chasing power, immortality, and the pursuit of heaven itself.
And somewhere along that endless path—
Many probably lost the simple happiness they once possessed.
Mist drifted past the mountains outside the window.
Eryx quietly looked toward Sylthara once again.
For the first time—
He began feeling that his mother viewed the cultivation world very differently from most people around her.
While Eryx remained lost within his thoughts—
Sylthara suddenly leaned slightly closer.
Tap.
She lightly flicked his forehead with her finger.
Eryx blinked before immediately looking toward her.
Sylthara softly laughed after seeing his reaction.
"You already fell into your own world and imagination again."
The cold night breeze drifted quietly through the room while moonlight continued illuminating the peaceful chamber around them.
Then Sylthara rose from beside the window.
"It's time to sleep now."
Her calm voice quietly echoed through the silent room.
Eryx silently looked at the cultivation book within his hands before slowly closing it.
Outside the window—
Countless stars continued shining above the endless mountains of the Ashvaris Clan while waterfalls roared endlessly beneath the quiet night sky.
And within the peaceful silence of the moonlit room—
The night slowly continued onward.
End of Chapter 9
To Be Continued…