Kairos laid on the ground, barely breathing with scattered breaths. He is still alive for now, but from the looks of his condition, things appear dire.

“Teacher!” the fifteen shouted as one, and they ran swiftly to his side, but they are too far away and too late to help.

Suddenly the boy’s eyes opened. His pupils started flickering between gold and black as he slowly climbed back to his feet. The Grand Patriarch watched in horror as the young boy before he slowly stood back up.

“Just what the heck are you? Are you from the demon race?”

Among all the races that he knows of, only the demon and the devil race could so quickly recover from near-fatal injuries.

Demonic beings are entities filled with a potent mixture of spiritual and magical energy in their flesh, being able to recover from significant wounds is no surprise. The devil race, however, is an entirely different thing and, fortunately, is seldom seen. Therefore the Grand Patriarch did not even think that could also be a possibility.

Should a single devil appeared at the Hope mansion, then there is no doubt that the entire building will be turned into smoking rubble by now, and all its occupants devoured. The power of any devil is such that not even double S rankers would be spared.

Such is the danger of the top-tiered lifeforms known as the Devils.

Of course, Kairos is not of those two races, he is standing by pure will and a dash of stubbornness. As blood poured out of him from his many injuries, Fait Hope finally looked at the boy carefully. In shock, he noticed that the wounds were not at any vital places.

“Hope dagger arts: The scattering petals!” The Grand Patriarch growled angrily and released multiple daggers into the air. Each of those blades spiralled from all sides and swiftly homed in with irregular paths towards their target.

This attack is one of his own techniques created to stop a fleeing victim. If it is not because of his frustration of this boy exuding him time and again, he would not have executed a move as exhausting.

By avoiding death, it was as if Kairos had predicted the Grand Patriarch’s movements, and it only made the more experienced practitioner felt ashamed. Of course, this is only possible because the forty-five talismans had slowed down his daggers, but even so, it is not possible without the boy’s quick reactions.

Because Fait Hope had thought that the boy somehow predicted his lines of attack, so therefore he used a dagger art with irregular flight paths. But as the knives homed in towards the boy, Kairos instinctively threw a steel blade into the air.

An unthinkable thing then happened.

At that split second between life and death, the daggers that were flying towards Kairos seemed to lose their sense of direction, just like kites with snipped strings.

Catching this moment of delay, Kairos hobbled towards his disciples, and immediately thick darkness enveloped him.

“Another paltry trick,” the Grand Patriarch roared, and with a single palm, he struck the air and split the darkness. The black mist is a common way for clandestine agents to extract themselves, but it was immediately divided into two by a gust with domineering strength that flitted across the entire yard and smashed through the fences a hundred meters away.

A full-force strike from a double S ranker is an incredible sight to behold, but by then, the fifteen and their teacher have already left the scene.

On the ground before the Grand Patriarch, a single twisted sword lies uselessly. The ancestor to the Hope family bent his back and picked up the broken weapon.

A piece of shattered seal stone fell out from the sword core into his hands.

“Devilheart seal?”

The others from the Hope mansion ran over as quickly as they could, but by the time they arrived, they only see their Grand Patriarch holding a shattered seal stone and a broken weapon in his hands.

Canot Hope strode forward and greeted his father.

“Son, do you recognise this weapon?”

The weapon is handed to the merchant, who scrutinised it with his expert eyes.

“Father, this is a seal weapon of the Devilheart family, but it looks rather odd. The seal stone seemed to be tempered by someone extremely skilful. Even the best craftsman of the Devilheart would be unable to adjust the seal runes like this. I am unable to fully understand the usage of such an adjustment, but it seems to be potent.”

“Hmm. Potent is an understatement. This weapon broke my Scattering Petals technique.”

“Y..your technique, father? Impossible. That boy Kairos is merely at D rank!” By now, the identity of the boy is no longer a question in his mind. With Canot Hope’s brains, how could he still be left in the dark?

“It’s true. In that fraction of a second, he managed to think up a solution and cut off my control of the flying daggers with this seal weapon. If you ever face the boy, do not be careless.”

…..

Meanwhile, in the shadows of a nearby plain where the long grass covers their tracks, the fifteen of them stood worried around Kairos who because of his condition, is now barely breathing.

“Ah Pui, what should we do? He’s not going to make it by the time we find a doctor. We need to do something right now.”

“Shut up! I’m thinking!

Hey, does any of you have Heavenly Scent pills?”

“Here, how many do you need?”

“Take out one for each of us. We are going to infuse life force into him.”

When they were learning about Origin Energy, Kairos had taught them about using life force to heal someone, but no one thought at that time that their first patient would be Kairos himself.

Ah Pui quickly scanned his teacher’s condition as taught and immediately found a large quantity of destructive Ki. The SS-level attack had left remnants that did not exit together with the flying dagger and were destroying his flesh from within.

Furthermore, Kairos had used up all his powers in a bid to survive. When he overloaded the Devilheart family’s seal weapon, he managed to force the seal stone to overclock to ten times its usual efficiency and suppressed the Grand Patriarch’s technique for a moment.

It was fortunate that he had kept the seal weapon that Jones had stolen during the trade fair and had afterwards studied the runes on the seal stones and even played around with it, strengthening it in the process.

It was a rare case when curiosity saved the cat. Ten times the usual seal weapon would never have sufficed.

But when he used all the power he had left to activate that seal stone within the weapon’s core, Kairos had exhausted all of his reserves, and without his Origin Energy, he had nothing left to keep the destruction in him running wild.

To save him, they have the act quickly. The fifteen of them popped the Heavenly Scent pills in their mouths and channelled to him their life force. Origin Energy entered Kairos like countless streams of rivers, rapidly pooling into a large lake within his body, but the destructive power of the foreign Ki is like a plague of locust, let loose on a wheat field, destroying his body even quicker than whatever life energy they can send him.

His body quickly repaired while being ripped to shreds at the same time, interchanging and unceasingly.

Even though his disciples are around A and B ranks and they are facing only the leftover traces of a technique, they still felt powerless.

The fifteen of them activated their cultivation method to the limits, and with the aid of the Heavenly Scent pill’s enhance energy absorption speed, they struggled to save Kairos, but every second that passed, they felt they were losing him more.

Kairos started to seep in and out of consciousness, and even Aisa and his twin frost and fire dragonlings flew out of his pocket anxiously to look at his condition. The dragon fledgelings were born recently when his Swallow broke in his fight against the Greater Metal Spirit during a combat test and had been living in his pocket together with Aisa.

The disciples struggled to save him, but things were looking grimmer by the moment.

“It’s not working! We aren’t sending enough life force! We need to at least suppress that Ki rampaging within.”

“It has to work. It must! Think of something!”

“Selena, you have the most ideas.”

*Sob*

“I..I can’t think..k... We need to push harder… We have to save him somehow."

“Damn it all! I swear I will kill every last person from the Hope family if anything happens to teacher.”

“Shut up. Instead of wasting your breath, give him every ounce of energy you have… even if it kills you!”

Tears ran down their faces openly as they directed all their Origin Energy into Kairos.

Their bodies resisted the futile attempt ceaselessly, yet they did not stop even as their skin lost their shine. Even as their hair started falling when their life force runs dry, even when blood drips from their noses, they pushed on.

Anyone who has their palms on Kairos would’ve noticed that the situation had already reached a critical point where the destruction has spread throughout within him, and even his internal organs are starting to fail.

Even Aisa, who is usually full of cheer, placed her chin gently on Kairos’ limp body as tears started running down her large eyes. Above them, the twin dragonlings mourn a sad song, their voices haunting.

The Land Wyrm that was hidden underground had resurfaced, with large globes of tears splashing onto the grass.

It had been lying in wait in case of any emergency, but this time even with all their preparation, their opponent is simply far too dangerous and beyond what they could handle.

Blood began to pour out of his eyes, ears, and nose, and in between periods of unconsciousness, he coughed up scary amounts of blood. It is evident that his condition is worsening quickly and they could all see his life seeping away right before their eyes that even the tiny primordial dragon that had experience uncountable years and countless deaths begin to shake her head left and right repeatedly.

For a mighty divine dragon, she truly felt helpless. It is her mission to prevent the otherworldly presences from disturbing Kairos’ growth, but whether the boy lives or dies from other causes, the True Lord had forbidden her from interfering. Because, even if this boy dies, there are plenty as replacements.

Though Kairos is special – otherwise, he wouldn’t be chosen to receive the Origin Manuscript - he would never become adequate for his mission if there is someone to bill him out.

Sometimes, when a hero arises, hidden factors are moving behind the scenes, pulling at the mysterious strings of destiny to create a legend. There are times where incredible beings of unfathomable powers hid their heirs in the mortal realms to try and manipulate fate herself. No matter the case, it is most likely that the perpetrators would go to great lengths to prepare treasures and enemies to strengthen and protect their children or chosen champion as they grow up.

Just like how a lion pushes its cub off the cliff.

If its cub dies, a lion may weep, however, the True Lord’s relationship with Kairos is nothing of that sort, and there are no treasured artefacts to save his life at this time.

He could feel a sort of duty, or perhaps a burden that was placed on his shoulders ever since he unlocked the way to use the Origin Manuscript.

It is more likely that if Kairos’ dies, the True Lord will assign another his task.

Perhaps one may feel that the True Lord is unkindly, or even cruel. But Aisa who knows the reason behind, felt a deep sadness, for she understands that the True Lord’s choice was inevitable.

In between consciousness, Kairos briefly saw the group that has gathered anxiously around him. Despite only having seconds before he faded back into the darkness, he saw their desperation to save himself, and he felt pity; Not for himself, but for them.

Their heart-wrenching sobs were shed for him. The songs of lamentation, the frantic pleas for him to survive.

They are dying.

As if to redeem themselves, they are sharing their life energy with him without reserve.

“I cannot let them down. It can’t let it end this way!”

Even as Kairos felt his life slip away, and everything appears muddy, his thoughts started to race. He did not wish for them to blame themselves for no one could have predicted things would turn out this way, but should he die in front of them, his disciples will never be able to forgive themselves.

While he understands that the things that happened were unavoidable, there’s no doubt that his disciples are now utterly regretting letting him take the risk tonight.

But, there was no one else he would allow to slip into the Hope manor, and besides, he had to personally see Jim to understand the situation.

In this critical junction, he truly wanted to live. For the unfinished things and for the ones that have concerns for him.

Almost by instinct, he followed his training and activated the complicated body tempering method subconsciously. The runes that were invisible within his flesh started to reappear once again. They were glowing a beautiful metallic gold and began bolstering his physical strength.

However, even if the runes are miraculous, his injuries were too heavy.

It’s challenging to find a piece of his flesh that isn’t shredded from within, and even with combined efforts of fifteen A rankers, he is scarcely hanging on.

The runes fought a hard battle to refine his body, but it has an intrinsic difference to healing arts. However, as it sought to make him stronger, his body desperately craved for energy.

At the same time, his desire to live also burned to new heights.

As though his beckoning was heard, a slumbering power hidden in the corner of his Dantian stirred.

A single strand of pure and concentrated life energy washed over him like rain over drought, and it quickly went into his meridian channels. It was a powerful force, a remnant of the oddly shaped fruit that Kairos had not yet assimilated.

The fruit is an exceptional treasure, so it is curious that he only jumped to Peak D rank after eating one.

But if it is another practitioner at the mortal ranks that ate it, he or she will inflate and then explode into a rain of blood from the tremendous power held in the fruit.

Instead, thanks to the Origin Cultivation Method that optimised his growth, the excess energy only pooled within him, deactivated, and then turned into a stabilised state.

The only drawback is how to draw out its energy again. Fortunately, at this timely hour, it finally reacted.

As the powerful life energy of the cubic fruit merged with him, the situation within his body started to change for the better.

Empowered, even his body tempering runes glowed brighter and steadily refined his physique.

Colour started returning to Kairos’ pale and bloodless face to the relief of his disciples, and the dragons swirling around him danced excitedly; their beautiful glowing scales lighted up the night.

Next to them, as if to share its joy, the oversized land wrym moved in an awkward wiggle in pure elation.

Because even the beasts know… There is hope yet!

Within Kairos’ Dantian, a tiny dragon made of pure fire Ki flickered back to life, and then a short moment later, another dragon made of pure frost Ki reappeared.

These twin dragons were no bigger than a speck of dust at first, but as they slowly accumulated energy, they gradually grew into the size of a strand of hair.

They were once smouldered into nothingness because of his injuries, but the moment they returned, the two dragonlings furiously flew out of his Ki centre.

They roared angrily after detecting the foreign Ki, like beasts with their territory invaded. The two struck swiftly as they flew past, biting off large chunks of energy that they quickly swallowed.

As they digested the Grand Patriarch’s Ki, the dragonlings started growing larger, a sign that Kairos’ Ki is recovering.

The disciples that are laying their hands on him widened their eyes in surprise. They could feel the strange dragon-shaped Ki in their teacher’s body, attacking the foreign Ki with fervour. They had also learned the Origin Cultivation Method, and know that Kairos did not withhold anything while teaching them, but none of them birthed Ki dragonlings.

An unbelievable thought entered their minds.

“Was teacher creating dragons within himself like this?”

No cultivator in Gaia’s history could do something like this. If so, then where did their Cultivation Method came from?

*tssssss*

Several spiralling wisps of smoke exited the boy’s body. His skin flushed with redness, and his hair and nails grew at a visible rate.

In a flash, his physical strength broke through Beast Rank, Huang grade into the next level, Xuan Beast Physique.

Those around couldn’t believe their eyes. The almost dying boy is not only swiftly recovering but also becoming stronger visibly. Even with the fruit’s life force running through his veins, there wouldn’t be such improvements to his physique without a powerful Body Tempering Technique.

One must know that in Saint Empire, External Practitioners few and far between because of the difficulty in raising physical grades. In fact, the only place on Gaia that this is an exception is the far north where the winter is unrelenting, and the only way to survive is intensive physical training.

But as they thought it’s over, his body began to tremble violently.

*TSSSSS*

His body heat evaporated all the blood and sweat on his skin, shrouding him with a fine mist. Before their eyes, his wounds started closing up, and some of the scars began fading away.

They stared at him disbelievingly.

In the matter of a few breathes, Kairos had yet again broken through another physical grade and reached Earth Beast Physique!

When did physical grades become this easy?

External Arts are separated into three major physiques: Human, Beast, and Titan, according to the natural strength of these three species.

Each tier is further separated into four minor stages: Huang, Xuan, Earth, and finally, Heaven.

Huang grade is the strength a child would have. Xuan grade is the might an adult will assume. Earth grade is the power of a trained individual. Heaven grade is the pinnacle one may attain.

Whereas Cultivation Arts are separated into nine major stages, from Triple S to F, and each further classified by three minor stages: Entry, Mid, and Peak.

This means that in the Mortal Realms, there are a total of twelve stages of Physical ranks but twenty-seven Inner Cultivation rank. Every increase in one’s physique translates to much more power to a cultivator.

The disciples felt their hearts pound in their chests with excitement. Making the right choice to follow after a strong Martial Teacher is a decision that changes one’s life. The stronger is Kairos’ potential, the more confident they are of the cultivation method they were imparted.

But no one expects that the surprise in store for them is far from over.

*RRRGGGHHH*

A tremendous roar erupted from his throat and shook the very ground they were standing upon.

Heaven Beast Physique!

Though they couldn’t feel the pressure he emits increase, he is now able to fight off most B rankers. It was a frightening thought. At thirteen years old, he already caught up with them.

Then, right in front of them, Kairos suddenly collapsed.

His disciples rushed over and barely caught him before he hit the ground hard.

They worriedly checked his condition.

Selena: “Phew, he is just asleep.”

Ah Gui: “Sis, are you certain?! A person wouldn’t normally fall like this, right?”

Ah Pui: “Nothing to worry about, it’s just his exhaustion kicking in. He will wake up after some rest. On the other hand, hurry and take some Ki recovery pills! You lot looks like you’re about to keel over at any time.”

All: “Yes, leader.”

They took recovery pills and sat around Kairos in their cultivation stances while he slept.

The dragons, the wyrm, and even little Aisa were roaring with cheer.

A few hours later, he regained consciousness to their relief. The others had mostly recovered their Ki by then, but the depleted life energy in their bodies will still take a couple more days to fully recover. Using Origin Energy may be potent, but it is also a sorely limited technique.

The disciples were all smiles, then, with a dry, raspy whisper, Kairos told them, “I think I am about to break through my physical rank.”

Another breakthrough?

The next grade would be Titan rank!

Those that practise internal cultivation will naturally reach this stage after surpassing Peak SSS rank and finishing their Tribulation Lightning. It is said that when they break through the Mortal Realms, they need at least this level of physical resilience to survive. For External Arts cultivators, however, they will only transcend into the Immortal Realms after they surpass Titan Rank into the Immortal Physical Rank.

For Kairos to attain the Huang Titan Physique at the age of thirteen is unthinkable, although he did almost get killed for it. As the saying goes, what can’t kill you, makes you stronger. The speciality of physical-type warriors lies in defence rather than attack, but being hard to kill is a strength in itself.