Chapter 60 – Fear the Night, Unsheathe the Saber, Thread the Fate (XIV)

There were three things that helped Aiden to understand it.

The first was the strange energy inside his body, left behind by the wine he drank. It stimulated his soul and cleared his mind, allowing him to gain insights more easily. It was also partially the reason because he was able to take the last step towards saber manifestation.

The second were the words of Clearance. Combined with the words that the strange man mentioned in the bar, it allowed him to think outside the box.

And the third, was the calling of the saber in his hand.

Aiden could have sworn that the saber in his hand was calling to him.

It was faint, almost inaudible, but he was able to understand the feelings inside it.

Trust.

The saber was asking for his trust.

And Aiden didn’t hesitate to answer its calling.

The reason because it was impossible to breakthrough to core-fusing without spirit was because a spirit was necessary to act like the bridge between the body and the soul. On core-forming, your body holds your energy. On core-fusing, your soul shares the energy with your body.

It was the intrinsic difference between core-forming and core-fusing.

Until now, many people had tried to breakthrough without a spirit, but it was impossible without something to connect the body and the soul.

After all, a spirit was something immaterial. To find something similar to it and integrate it into your body was easier said than done.

However, though it was unknown to the people in this world, there were many methods of cultivation through the universe. And equally, there were many things able to connect the body and the soul.

And laws were one of such things.

Of course, saber manifestation could not be considered a law, instead, it was just a method to make use of them.

However, it was different for energy.

Energy, in itself, was one of the most basic laws. And though it was impossible for the people in this world to understand it clearly, it didn’t mean it’s impossible to use energy like the bridge to connect the body and the soul.

Of course, it was impossible for Aiden to know something like it. However, for some reason, he was able to use the saber manifestation to guide the energy inside him towards his soul.

Like a dam opened by first time, the energy inside Aiden’s body flowed excitedly towards his soul, and the energy core, ubicated in his chest, began to fuse with his consciousness.

Despite the lack of a spirit, Aiden used his saber manifestation to mold the energy in his body and allow for it to invade his soul. To be sincere, his actions were nothing short of a miracle, but like every miracle, only coincidences were enough to produce something like it.

In this moment, Aiden finally took the step which had stopped him during four entire years.

The step which distinguishes mortals from cultivators, and the rule governing this world for many years.

It was the core-fusing realm.

An enormous flow of energy flowed towards Aiden from the surroundings. His energy pool, which had ceased to expand four years ago, began to suck the energy in the surrounding crazily.

However, it was not enough.

Though the energy in the surrounding was immense, it was at most enough to fill the space emptied during the previous fights. At the end. It probably would allow to barely breakthrough at the initial core-fusing realm and stop there.

However, his body and soul continued absorbing energy like crazy.

So, when the energy in the surroundings began to lack, the breakthrough process slowed down.

Aiden even thought that it would end in that moment.

But, another unexpected thing happened in this moment.

In his chest, a mark began to glow and burn fiercely.

The mark of the sword, left behind by the strange amulet he found besides the seed of calamity, awakened.

With a brilliant glow, it began to emit an enormous quantity of energy, even purer that the energy in the surroundings.

But different from the energy of the world. This energy was fiercer, like an indomitable beast.

However, as if hearing the orders of his superior, all the energy obeyed the mark in Aiden chest. Then, it flowed to his soul.

Instantly, the speed of his breakthrough accelerated once more. The energy continued climbing crazily, and at the end, only stopped at the middle core-fusing stage.

Then, energy ceased coming from his chest, and the glow from the mark disappeared.

But Aiden was able to feel the difference.

His pool of energy became fiercer and purer, completely different from the energy of the world which was gentle and easy to manipulate.

Unfortunately, he was unable to pay attention to it currently.

Looking towards the genius of the Noah clan who attacked Lia and tried to kill him, Aiden smiled gently.

“I must thank you, you were the cause of my breakthrough.”

“Impossible.” Muttered the youth, his smiling expression replaced by one of shock and fear after witnessing something astonishing. “It’s impossible to cultivate without a spirit!”

“It’s not.” Answered Aiden. “I did it.”

Then, holding the saber with his hand, Aiden walked towards him slowly, while he retreated with a gaze filled with astonishment.

“Unexpected, don’t you think so? The answer always was in my saber.”

“However…” Continued him. “I will not give you the opportunity to understand it.”

Waving his saber, Aiden attacked.

A single slash, like the ones used for most novice saber users. But this slash was filled with terrifying saber manifestation and overwhelming energy.

Filled with fear, Clearance was not even able to raise his claw to resist.

… Because the saber’s blade cut his arm in an instant.

“Arggggg!!”

Seeing his arm flying away, Clearance cried from surprise and pain.

Holding his shoulder with the other hand, Clearance tried to stop the blood from flowing. However, it was like a leaf stopping a dam. It was impossible to stop the blood simply with his hand.

“You… you…”

“Don’t speak anymore, it makes me sick.” Interrupted Aiden, a disgusted expression in his face.

Then, with another slash, he cut his head, while blood rained in the surroundings.

Aiden didn’t bother with it. His expression remained unchanged even when the blood fell in his body.

He only looked to the corpse. Wondering how his relationship with his family ended like this.

Giving a last look to the corpse, Aiden turned around. Then with firm steps, he walked towards Lia.

Kneeling to feel her pulse, Aiden sighed in relief when he noticed that she was just unconscious. But when he tried stand to carry her away, a feeling of fatigue and pain invaded him completely.

Then, with a last vague look to his surroundings, he also fell unconscious.

His body. Full of different sized wounds, fell above Lia’s.

The last thing that entered his mind, was a familiar sigh resounding behind him.