The next day, Kong Yue woke up with swollen eyes. He cried a lot the previous night and was still feeling melancholic inside his heart. He was sure that he will found some way to cultivate natural energy. He doesn't have any other option after all. How could he give up? Even the servants were all cultivators with at least cultivation of spirit qi realm. The cultivators in the mortal universe all followed either the devil path or the immortal path with each path having 7 steps after which they will ascend to divine realm. The 7 realms of qi refining are

1. Elementary qi realm

2. Profound qi realm

3. Spirit qi realm

4. Sky qi realm

5. King Qi realm

6. Emperor Qi realm

7. Overlord qi realm

And after that was the realm out of everybody's reach, the divine god realm of qi cultivation where the mortal body breaks the boundary of cosmos to reach out to a new universe.

It was a realm only a handful of cultivators were able to reach since the founding of the universe itself.

As Kong Yue got up from his bed, he finally made up his mind that whatever the circumstances he won't give up.

That he will try every cultivation in the world, even if he still failed he won't give up. He will never back down.

6 years is an age child is still immature, but the resoluteness inside Kong Yue's eyes could even leave behind mature adults. Kong Yue cleaned himself and got down to the ground floor of his house where his mother was already waiting with breakfast prepared. Kong Yue as if ignoring the sumptuous breakfast just took some fruits ate it fast and told his mother calmly , " mother I have decided , I will study from the imperial palace's instructors and I will definitely study seriously and will cultivate and will become as powerful as father. Please help me convince father."

His mother Kong ling couldn't see her son becoming too broken hearted and thought of dissuading him but decided in the end to help him get tutelage regarding cultivation practices.

Nearly a month had passed. Kong Yue asked the guards at the door of the royal gardens to let him enter and then began to go towards the back of royal palace where his royal father Kong men had prepared elders from the dynasty to teach the younger generation in the ways of cultivation.

Kong Yue was a diligent learner exceeding everyone and learnt all the various techniques and practices at least in theory but since he had a peculiar dantian he could never actually participate.

Every day he would learn different things from the elders and remember them exactly as told. He was seen not as a practitioner but a scholar in many elders’ eyes.

Time passed and without even knowing Kong Yue had spent 8 years learning various techniques. He also learnt various other matters related with economy and management. But he was always met with disdain as a mortal was nothing but an ant to be squished in front of all the cultivators.

In a secret room inside the palace emperor Kong Meng was talking with an elder named Kong Xian who looked after various businesses for the dynasty and was a well-respected person.

Emperor asked elder Xian, " what is the status of little Yue, is he doing well?”

"Yes, he is an excellent learner but alas he can't cultivate otherwise he would have already left behind all his cousins by now. He is able to use a little bit of natural energy and circulate it in body but the dantian of that boy always repel the energy outside".

“is there really no way to help him, with his talent and personality and will power if he could cultivate he would have become a fine emperor".

“Your majesty how shall I deal with the issue of your retirement. There are many youngster in your bloodline who have already stepped into sky qi realm, with a few decades worth of cultivation few will reach emperor qi realm soon".

“I know I can't ignore this issue any longer. Let me think about it for a while".

"As you wish your majesty".

Elder Xian left the realm as quietly as possible while the emperor sat down pondering about some issues.

Few more days passed and emperor summoned every family member and elders to a banquet in the palace. The palace was beautifully decorated like a newlywed bride.

Every part of the palace was magnificently lit up. Kong Yue was really astonished at the beautiful site. He had come today with his mother. As they walked hand in hand towards the palace gate Kong Yue and his mother both couldn't help but sigh at how beautiful a sight it was!

Even Kong Yue who went to palace every day for training couldn't possibly think it could be decorated so beautifully. But all that joy remained till the doorstep after which under the disdainful stares of everyone his mood couldn't help but be spoilt.

They quietly went to a corner in the hall and sat with a few snacks and drinks in hands.

Kong Yue was looking at his surrounding attentively when he noticed the emperor coming towards his mother.

"Ling come with me I need to chat with you privately". His mother only nodded and went away.

Kong Yue sat all alone for whole time surrounded by stares. Finally after 2 hours his mother came back to his side and apologized, “eh, sorry you had to spend time here all alone. Mother is here now so don't be too unhappy. We will soon go back.”

Suddenly a loud voice rang out, "Attention everyone royal emperor Kong Meng is going to make an announcement so please pay attention".

After which the emperor walked up to the front of hall with a majestic aura.

Finally the long awaited announcement was announced.

“I emperor Kong Meng has decide to retire in the next 100 years and to choose the next heir to the throne all my children will compete. Each of them will be randomly sent to different planets and after 100 years the child with most achievement shall become the next ruler. The teleportation process will begin in a month so prepare well in these few days."

The announcement came as a shock to everyone. To some it was an opportunity while to some it was a grievous incident.

Kong Yue was also dumbstruck, would he have to leave his mother’s side for a 100 years? his mother was a cultivator at later stages of king qi realm so there wasn't much problem but wouldn't he die in the next 100 years after all a mortal could only live 100 at most. So will he die before seeing his mother again? This announcement shook his mind and made his resolution even tougher. He will find a way to cultivate his qi strength and live to see his mother again.