There was silence for a very long time.
Karl stared into Varek’s eyes.
Those deep blue eyes seemed to have deepened even more.
For some reason, Karl suddenly felt a sense of nervousness.
He tightened his hold on Varek’s hand.
“I’ve been thinking really hard.” Actually, that was a lie.
“In Salibion, there’s no one to help me understand my new abilities.
I don’t even have anyone to train with.
I’ve read books, Varek, and in these books, people like me tend to become the weakest in my realm.”
“No matter how powerful I grow, I’ll never become really strong.
I’ll never understand the limit of my power.”
“I promised to protect you.
So, I can’t continue living this way.
I have to train hard and become the best version of myself.” Karl talked so much that his mouth became dry.
He honestly hadn’t thought too much about the lower worlds or even going there at all.
But he knew he had to do something.
“Lower world?”
Varek’s voice was a lot deeper than usual.
Karl nodded hurriedly.
“Yes.
Can I go?
I really want to go.”
Varek turned his head away.
“The lower worlds are dangerous, Karl.
The consciousness of those worlds is too weak; I won’t be able to protect you without destroying the worlds.”
“If you go there, I won’t be able to rescue you anymore or help you.
Do you really want to go?”
“If you need to train, I can take you around Salibion.
There are different places to train and become stronger without putting yourself in mortal danger.”
He turned to look at Karl.
Though his eyes remained deeply profound, the heavy emotions within them couldn’t be overlooked.
Unfortunately, Karl didn’t understand.
Even though he was looking into those eyes, he really didn’t understand.
“You can become powerful that way.
I’ll help you become the most powerful person in this world.
Can you not stay here?”
Karl’s stomach lurched.
He hadn’t thought about that…
“It’s okay.” He murmured.
“I still have to go.”
“I know there are places where I can grow stronger in Salibion.
Indeed, if I stay in Salibion, my growth will be a lot faster and smoother.
You’re always here to protect me, and there’s Rai, who will always stay with me, too.”
“But that’s not what I want, Varek.
My goal is to be strong enough to stand by your side.
To be powerful enough to protect our children and our lives.”
“Varek, being helpless is scary.
Watching the people you want to protect being trampled upon is so scary.
I no longer want to experience those feelings.
I don’t want to be helpless anymore.”
If Karl Dawnspire hadn’t been weak and helpless, Neil wouldn’t have treated him that way.
Likewise, Karl Dawnspire wouldn’t have spent so many days in depression and fear, silently wondering what Neil had done to him.
If he were strong enough, he could have saved himself from the contemptuous gazes and remarks.
At the same time, Karl could have lived a proper life on Earth if he wasn’t so weak and helpless.
Being weak and helpless…
Karl had experienced it so many times that it had become overly familiar to his soul.
He hated the feeling.
“Maybe the journey will be dangerous.
Life-threatening.
I understand.
I can brave through it all.
But if you are with me, I won’t be able to.”
Karl blinked.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
“If I stay with you, I’ll never become truly strong.” He sniffed.
“Tell me, if you see me in danger, what would you do?
Rescue me, right?
Take me away from the depth of danger.
Make Rai follow me around when you’re not there, and then make sure I’m fully protected.”
“That’s an ivory tower.” Something he’d gladly accepted if life had been gentler to him.
Something Karl wasn’t telling Varek was that he wasn’t doing this for himself alone.
He was doing it for Karl Dawnspire.
If there ever came a day he left this body, and Karl Dawnspire returned, he wanted to give the young man a reason to stay here.
A reason to live and be happy.
He wanted the young Ger to realize that he wasn’t inferior.
He wasn’t weak, either.
When he was determined enough, there would be nothing he couldn’t do.
With powers in hand, a powerful husband like Varek by his side, and a wonderful child in his belly, what more would he desire?
Karl wanted to prepare as much as possible.
Fulfill both his dreams and those of Karl Dawnspire.
To do this, he needed to be really strong.
Not just rising in ranks, but also strong enough to stand beside Varek and prove to everyone that he was deserving of being Varek’s family.
would be his payment to the original Karl Dawnspire for lending him his body, giving him the chance to taste great food, sleep in a beautiful home, and be cared for by someone as wonderful as Varek.
“Please, Varek.
I want to go.” He pleaded.
His voice lowered.
Varek’s lips tightened.
He stared into Karl’s eyes without saying anything.
Time passed.
Karl became scared.
“Okay,” Varek mumbled.
Karl’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
Varek released his hand from Karl and took a step forward, moving toward the washroom.
“You should advance to the fourth rank before leaving, though.
Also, learn the skill I wrote for you.”
“When the time comes, I’ll send you to one of the lower worlds.” He said and walked away.
Karl stared at his broad back.
A smile blossomed on his face.
“Alright!”
“I’ll work hard!”
What he had to do was cultivate and enter the fourth rank.
He was already at the peak of the third rank.
When he entered the fourth rank, he could finally learn a skill, and by then, he would be ready to leave.
The thought of finally entering a place where he could use his strength to pave a way for himself filled Karl with ecstasy.
He loved it!
He threw his hands in the air and danced.
Without wasting time, he rushed out of Varek’s home and returned to the courtyard.
“I have to train hard.
I don’t have much time to waste.”
Karl wanted to leave as soon as possible.
After advancing to the peak of the third rank, he realized he could now carry 650kg rock.
Even 700kg was doable, albeit with a lot of effort.
Karl stayed in the courtyard till late evening.
He was panting hard when he returned to his room for dinner and a nice bath.
“Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, let’s go and meet my…
parents.” He told Rai.
It’s my first time writing a cultivation book, so please bear with this newbie Daoist!
I’ll do my best to bring you all a beautiful story, an amazing cultivation journey, and a grand world for us to explore together.
[winks] Please leave your thoughts in the comments and support this sweet author all the way!
This newbie Daoist is so happy!