Chapter Twelve - Beyond the Mortal World
"What?"
The revelation left Little One completely stunned.
If she understood Luobe correctly, then even if they succeeded in the trial and became cultivators, they would have to leave the mortal world.
That meant she might never return home.
She would never see the little hut where she had grown up, nor would she have the opportunity to bury her mother.
Addo would never return to his farming village. And the promise she had made to Miral—to find her family and tell them what had happened—might never be fulfilled.
The thought struck her harder than she expected.
She had spent years longing for the opportunity to return home. Even after everything that had happened, a small part of her had held on to the hope that one day she would return to her mother's side.
Now, that possibility seemed to be slipping away.
Luobe noticed her bewildered expression.
"Hmm? Haven't you ever wondered why we hear so many stories about cultivators but rarely encounter any of them?"
He smiled faintly.
"That's because the two worlds are separated. Once someone reaches a certain standard, they ascend to the realm of cultivators. They no longer remain in the mortal world."
Little One lowered her head, trying to make sense of his explanation.
"But that doesn't make sense," she finally said. "When I first came to this forest, I was attacked by a three-headed monster. Are you saying that thing was just an ordinary monster?"
A shudder ran through her as the memory resurfaced.
She could still remember the enormous creature towering over her, its three heads watching her as it repeatedly wounded her. She had been helpless before it, unable to do anything but endure its attacks.
If that creature was considered ordinary, then just how terrifying were the beings in the realm of cultivators?
Luobe nodded.
"Hmm. Are you referring to a three-headed fox?"
Little One nodded.
"That creature can be found in the outer regions of the Forest of Ascension. However, it is considered an ordinary monster here. Someone with sufficient training in the sword would have little difficulty killing one."
Little One fell silent.
That explained how the physician had killed the creature that had nearly taken her life.
She remembered the man appearing just when she had been on the verge of death, killing the fox with a single strike before carrying her away.
At the time, she had thought he was her saviour.
The memory brought an unpleasant feeling to her chest.
"In fact," Luobe continued, "people who train in the sword often undertake missions in the outer regions of the forest to hunt monsters like that. It is only after entering the Holy Ground to participate in the trials that leaving becomes impossible."
He glanced at the two of them.
"Once you enter the Holy Ground, you must complete the trial. There is no turning back."
"I see," Little One replied quietly.
Luobe nodded.
"In any case, only people who dream of becoming cultivators or those who can no longer find a place for themselves in the mortal world come here to participate in the trials."
He paused, then looked at the little girl.
"So, which of those categories do you belong to?"
Little One glanced at him.
"Looking at your clothes, you don't seem like someone who has been driven here by desperation."
Luobe chuckled.
"You're quite observant."
He glanced down at his attire before continuing.
"You're right. Some of us here come from relatively well-to-do families. I'm from a family that regularly sends its younger members to the Pathway of Ascension. Our greatest ambition is to have one of our descendants become a cultivator and eventually attain immortality."
He smiled.
"That is the dream my family has pursued for generations."
Little One listened quietly.
"There are many people who come here for different reasons," Luobe continued. "Some have nowhere else to go, while others have dreamed of becoming cultivators since childhood. You could say the Holy Ground is where all these different ambitions meet."
He paused briefly.
"However, only a few people come here because they have completely lost the ability to return to their former lives. Others simply wish to leave the mortal world behind."
His gaze shifted towards the direction Freiya had gone.
"That young miss you encountered earlier is an example of the latter."
Little One followed his gaze.
"Her name is Freiya. Her family belongs to a branch clan that originates from the Cultivators' Realm."
"!"
Addo and Little One exchanged surprised glances.
A family from the realm of cultivators?
That explained why Freiya carried herself with such arrogance. She was not merely a wealthy young miss from the mortal world. Her family had connections to the very realm they were hoping to enter.
Addo cleared his throat.
"Brother Luobe, you mentioned earlier that the trials are extremely difficult. Could you tell us what exactly they involve?"
"Aha! Now we're getting to the important part, Brother Addo!"
Luobe's expression brightened.
"The Holy Ground conducts trials to determine which path of cultivation is most suitable for each participant. There are six general paths of cultivation, and the Holy Ground has established trials for each of them."
He paused to make sure they were paying attention.
"These trials are designed to test a person's potential and determine which path they are best suited to follow."
Addo nodded.
"But you mentioned preparations earlier. What do those have to do with the trials?"
"That's a good question."
Luobe smiled.
"The preparations are important because you don't necessarily have to participate in all six trials. If you make the necessary preparations beforehand and choose a cultivation path, you can focus on the trial associated with that path."
He allowed his words to sink in before continuing.
"As I mentioned, there are six paths of cultivation. Unfortunately, I only know the names and some basic information about four of them. The first is Spirit Cultivation, followed by Essence Cultivation, Mind Cultivation, and Soul Cultivation. As for the remaining two, I have no idea what they are. All I know is that they are impossible to cultivate."
He cleared his throat.
"Let me explain what I know."
Luobe raised one finger.
"First, there is Spirit Cultivation, also known as Will Cultivation."
He looked at the two children.
"This path focuses on cultivating the human will. It is for those with unshakable spirits and unbreakable wills. It is said that those who follow it can eventually reach the heavens through the strength of their will alone."
His expression became slightly animated.
"Those who cultivate this path manifest their will through their bodies or weapons. They strengthen their will through constant training and use it to unleash extraordinary power."
He glanced at Little One's missing forearm before shifting his gaze towards Addo.
"Under normal circumstances, I might have recommended this path to you both. However, it involves the use of weapons, and considering your physical conditions, I'm afraid it would be extremely difficult for either of you to pursue it."
Addo lowered his head slightly.
Little One said nothing.
Luobe raised another finger.
"Next is Essence Cultivation."
He spoke more slowly this time.
"This path involves the essence of the earth and nature itself. Those who follow it learn to draw upon the essence of their surroundings and use it to nourish their own essence."
He paused.
"As their cultivation advances, they become capable of absorbing and refining the essence of nature, gradually strengthening themselves through it."
Little One listened attentively.
She remembered the strange warmth that sometimes spread through her body, especially when she looked at the stars. She had never understood what it was or where it came from.
Could it have something to do with cultivation?
She wanted to ask, but she decided against it.
She still knew too little about what was happening inside her body.
Luobe raised his third finger.
"As for Mind Cultivation and Soul Cultivation, I know very little about either path."
His expression became more serious.
"From what I've heard, both involve cultivating aspects of the mind and soul to reach a higher state of existence. However, information about these paths is almost entirely lost in the mortal world."
He shook his head.
"Even in the realm of cultivators, very few people pursue them. They are said to be exceedingly difficult to cultivate, and the trials associated with them are practically suicidal. Only those who are either exceptionally determined or have little regard for their lives would willingly attempt them."
Luobe let out a small sigh.
"That is all I know."
The clearing fell quiet for a moment.
Addo and Little One exchanged glances.
Six paths of cultivation.
Six different trials.
And each one seemed to offer a different way of reaching the world beyond their own.
But there was a problem.
The path Luobe had considered most suitable for them was apparently beyond their reach because of their injuries. The other paths were equally uncertain, and some were so dangerous that even Luobe seemed reluctant to discuss them.
Little One looked down at her missing forearm.
Then she glanced at Addo.
His condition was worsening by the day. They did not have the luxury of wasting time experimenting with different possibilities.
They needed a path.
A path that could save them both.
She raised her head and looked at Luobe.
"Brother Luobe, what about the other two paths?"
Luobe blinked.
"The other two?"
"Yes. You said there were six paths, but you've only told us about four."
For a moment, Luobe looked slightly embarrassed.
"Ah, those two..."
He scratched his head.
"To be honest, I don't know much about them. Their names are rarely mentioned, and the information available to people in the mortal world is practically nonexistent."
He shrugged.
"Perhaps you'll learn more about them if you successfully complete the trial."
Little One fell silent.
She had hoped for a clearer answer, but it seemed that even the people who had come here seeking cultivation knew very little about the paths available to them.
She glanced at Addo again.
He was still standing, but his breathing had become increasingly uneven.
They were running out of time.
Whatever path they chose, they would have to choose carefully.
For the first time, Little One began to understand that entering the world of cultivation was not simply a matter of becoming strong.
It was a matter of survival.
And if she wanted to keep the promise she had made to Addo, she would have to find a way forward, no matter how difficult the road became.