103. Soul Seal

A group of five people is currently having a discussion inside a hospital room and inside are three coma patients. All of them are wearing lab coats except for their leader who is wearing a blue polo shirt and looks like on his fifties. The man leading them is a tenured and a long time resident doctor and the rest are interns.

The interns were given less than ten minutes to check on each patient without any complicated tests.

“Symptoms suggest that Patient A is a victim of Variant 7g Planaria basing on the small violet markings located near the navel and behind the ears and there is no need to perform further test deduce Patient B was stung by a Queen Valnorus Hornet, however for patient C, I need to perform more test.”

“Anyone else?”

“The symptoms on Patient A and Patient B are quite obvious so I agree with doctor Nalf, however for patient C, mhh… it’s hard to ignore the slight traces of muscle atrophy on Patient C however I must say he is normal and I think he is an actor being paid to pretend and mess with us.”

“Ha ha ha ha. That’s quite the imagination you have there. There is nothing wrong in admitting you don’t know, Doctor….” The leading doctor laughed and paused as he is not familiar with their names yet.

“It’s Runa sir and it’s not an imagination. There is a thin trace of automatic Qi circulation and if Patient C had been or is classified as coma patient for 29 years, it suggests that this man has a cultivation level at least above Early Qi Condensation. Cultivator’s body is different and assuming this man has gone into coma from when he was 5 or 6 years old, then that would explain the muscle atrophy as this kid’s body grew up whilst in a coma.

Anyway, there are three known effective methods to forcefully wake up cultivators and the fact that he’s still here means either this man was Soul Sealed big time or we are looking at the unluckiest cultivator.”

“You mean a side effect of the lowest grade Body Forging Fluids? But the rate at which it happens is one in ten million?”

“Indeed, however there is one slight problem. Again, he is normal on cultivator’s perspective.”

The beautiful intern pointed at the screen near patient C. The screen shows the brain activity of the patient.

“I’d like to bet a hundred crones that that man is an actor. Ten points for the muscle atrophy but minus ninety for not trying hard to enter deep state meditation.”

“But it wasn’t doing that earlier.”

“Maybe he was mesmerized by my beauty and was not able to. ...”

“Cease that obnoxious flattery and help me prepare a shot of Type C Modafinil Compound and… “

“Too late. He’s already awake.”

Patient C woke up from a nightmare. The dream was dreadful as everywhere he look are corpses and the stench made it hard for him to breathe and upon opening his eyes, he felt a tube obstructing his mouth making it hard to catch his breath. He wanted to move his body however even his hands nor any part of his body is not listening to him as if it was not his own body.

Argghhh!

Instinctively, the patient activated his Qi and guided the removal of tube from his mouth. Even the dextrose needle from his hand had been forcefully removed.

“Sir calm down. You are in the hospital and my name is Doctor Yarga.”

Patient C panted and although he seemed confused, he tried to relax upon hearing the doctor.

Meanwhile, on a hot busy day of Cada Resort, the emergency telephone booth near the counter rang. The cashier picked up the phone.

“Is this the Cada Resort at Arizan Conservatory?”

“Yes, it is and I suggest you disconnect if it is not an emergency. As you said, this is within Arizan Conservatory.”

“There is a coma patient by the name of Clay Nera and he has woken up. The emergency contact is Nuir Nera Jr. Would you be able to pass the message?”

“If you mean, Nera the third, he is the owner and I will let him know. Thank you for giving us a call.”

The following morning, Clay is meditating on the hospital bed. Having a body of a cultivator, the effects of the medicinal supplements he was given had taken effect overnight boosting his body’s regenerative ability. Although he could now move his body, he is still having a hard time believing that he was in a coma for 29 years. If his body did not grow while he was asleep and maintained that body of a six year old, he probably would think someone is making a prank on him.

This would be the second instance time skipped on him so he is not that surprised. The first time was six thousand years and now almost thirty years gone in an instant.

Thinking back, the last thing he remembered is that mysterious cold wave of energy that spread all over his body before passing out. The fact that he is still alive after killing the crazy driver twenty nine years later means that guy might truly have been alone but he can’t help but worry about those who treated him as family especially her mother and grandfather.

The sun has just risen and while Clay is occupied with his thoughts, he heard a knock on the door. Clay looked that the person who just entered.

“Do you still remember me? I am Nuir III your cousin.”

“Where’s grandpa?” Clay asked in response. His cousin inherited his aunt’s facial features and there is no need for him to confirm his identity.

Nuir III hesitated to respond however from the way he looks suggests they probably died of old age.

“What about your dad? Where’s he?”

Clay asked another question however his cousin is still hesitant.

“I don’t remember my cousin being timid.”

“Dad is unable come and I insisted I pick you up instead.” Nuir III finally spoke with a worried face. He was warned by the doctors that person is front of him will have a mindset similar to that of the same six year old from 29 years ago yet he felt he does not feel like talking to a kid.

“You can tell me everything. I would rather hear it from you than from our neighbors when we get home. Any news from mother?” Clay could not think of a way to convince his cousin other than sounding matured and confident.

After a minute of silence, his cousin could not take it and started talking.

“A week after you went into coma, your mother died. I do not know how she died but dad went to seek justice and returned home with his right foot crippled. As for our grandparents, they died happily and were peacefully buried at the village cemetery together with your mom.”

Mrggh! Nuir cleared his throat mustering his courage to say more.

“When we go home, can you not ask about them? It will make everyone sad and I don’t like seeing anyone crying again.”

Clay smiled and ignored his cousin’s attempt to sugarcoat his answer.

“Was mother aware I went to coma before she died? And can you tell me more about her death? I’m not a child anymore and I appreciate your honesty. You want me to not bring this topic up when we get home but how can I maintain my silence if you don’t tell it to me now?”

“As long as you promise not to bring this up when we go home…” Nuir III is at lost and convinced that he is definitely not talking to a year old from the way his cousin talks.

“I understand.”Clay nodded in response and prepared himself for the bad news.

“From the surveillance cameras I was able to watch, it started when she was called in to discuss matters of being divorced on the ground of infidelity and your youngest sibling being the evidence. Though he had inherited a bloodline, it is from another man within the Arshua clan. Your mother pleaded she takes custody of you and your siblings and under normal circumstances it should not have been an issue however we have special laws when it involves ancient families.

The clan agreed a huge sum of remuneration despite her unfaithfulness and they were even kind enough to let her say goodbyes however she took her baby hostage demanding she goes with the baby.

She then activated her Qi which immediately alerted the nearby Arshua cultivators. Since she was considered no longer a member of their bloodline, they did not hesitate to take drastic measures to save the child and she ended up being killed in the process.

You can be assured that she was not aware of your sickness. As for dad, he accused the Arshuas of Negligence and abuse of power however he lost the case when it was taken to court.

A year after your coma, somebody suggested that one possibility of your coma is that someone placed a Soul Seal on your soul. Unfortunately, dad was too gullible at that time so he went on and challenged the Arshuas again. The Arshuas demanded his right foot for challenging an ancient family the second time and threatened his life should there will be a third time. The next five years was painful but eventually everyone moved on.

Almost everyone in the village would die of old age, but dad developed a drinking habit. He died three years ago. As for your siblings, our relationship with the Arshuas had been severed completely.

Listen, my mother is already old and she crying is the last thing I want to see. I cannot reiterate this enough but please promise not to bring related to my dad when you come home.”

“You have my word.” Clay closed his eyes. While listening, he had this inexplicable urge to kill and annihilate the Arshuas.

Nuir III noticed Clay’s unusual behavior and felt a killing intent.

“I’ve brought you clothes. The doctors said you can be discharge today but if you are not feeling well, I can go talk to them.”

“I am fine. You can wait for me outside.”

Clay has no idea why all of a sudden he would like to go on rampage and kill every Arshua family member. He clenched his teeth and concentrated circulating his Qi to divert his attention.