The Married Life Of Immortals

Chapter 10: You Shouldn’t Exist

Once Bilgarth had separated Bane and Lysia, or more accurately, pinned Lysia to the ground, the old man started talking. As he did, a crowd started to form.

“You are clearly not like the others that have invaded our world, but unless you have reached the 5th gate in the assassin class, you shouldn’t vanish from our map. Not only that, but you shouldn’t be immune to the party system requests,” Bilgarth explained, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity. “There’s something fundamentally different about you, something that defies our understanding of both our world and the Heaven's Blessed.”

Lysia struggled beneath Bilgarth's hold but eventually stopped resisting. Her gaze was fixed on Bane, filled with a mix of suspicion and frustration. "If he's not like the others, what does that make him? A new kind of threat?"

Bane shook his head, still trying to process everything himself. "I don't know why I'm different. All I know is that I'm here now, and I have to survive. If there's something I can do to help, I will."

Bilgarth finally released Lysia, helping her to her feet. She dusted herself off, her demeanor still icy but slightly less hostile. "Fine. But until we figure out what you are and what you're capable of, you're staying under my watch."

Bane winced at this, considering the hell she just put him through. Putting up his hands with an uneasy smile, Bane said, “I am sure that Miss Lysia has much more important things to do than watch over me, right?"

Lysia's eyes narrowed, but she didn't respond immediately. Instead, she exchanged a glance with Bilgarth, who gave a subtle nod.

"Indeed, I have other responsibilities," she said, her voice cold. "But don't think for a moment that you're off the hook. I'll be keeping a very close eye on you, even if from a distance."

Bane sighed in relief, though he knew better than to let his guard down completely. This elf was a formidable adversary, and he didn't want to provoke her any further.

"Thank you, Lysia," Bilgarth said, his tone dismissive. "I'll have Bai Xiao Meng take over your training then. Senior Bai is a bit different than most, and has been known to be strange, and have unusual tendencies. That aside, Senior Bai is a 7th Realm Celestial Emperor that was cast down from the heavens. He is now stuck here in the lower heavens with the rest of us."

"Who and what now? Why does this person sound like some king of the universe? And what do you mean was cast out of heaven? Is he really an angel? What did he do to piss god off?"

The questions flew out of Bane's mouth, and all of them made Bilgarth laugh as he patted Bane's small shoulder. "Senior Bai is what you call a cultivator."

"A farming implement? The name really gives him more of an eternal being, not a tool to dig up the land," Bane said with a sigh, making Bilgarth double over laughing. Bane narrowed his eyes at the old man, giving him a scrutinizing look. "What is so funny?"

Bilgarth wiped tears of laughter from his eyes, struggling to regain his composure. "Not a farming implement, young one. Cultivation is a process by which one enhances their life force, physical abilities, and sometimes even gains mystical powers. Senior Bai is an expert in this, having reached the pinnacle of what we call the Celestial Emperor realm before his unfortunate fall."

Bane raised an eyebrow, still somewhat skeptical. "So, you're saying this Bai guy is like a martial arts master from a kung fu movie?"

Bilgarth chuckled again, though less heartily this time. "In a manner of speaking, yes. But his abilities and knowledge far surpass any fictional character you might be thinking of. His methods may be... unconventional, but he is a valuable ally and a wise teacher."

Lysia, still fuming but somewhat mollified, added, "Don't get too comfortable, Heaven's Blessed. Just because you're being handed over to Senior Bai doesn't mean you won't be watched. Fail to prove yourself, and I'll make sure you regret it."

Bane nodded, appreciating the gravity of the situation. "Understood. I'll do my best."

Bilgarth gestured for Bane to follow him, leading him through the winding corridors once more. This time, they exited the main building and entered a secluded garden, its serenity a stark contrast to the earlier chaos. In the center of the garden sat a strange child in a lotus position, his long white beard flowing over his robes, his eyes closed in meditation.

"Senior Bai," Bilgarth called gently, bowing respectfully. "I bring you a new pupil, one who is... unique."

The child opened his eyes, revealing a piercing gaze that seemed to look straight through Bane. "Unique, you say?" His voice was calm, almost soothing, but carried an undeniable power. "Come closer, child."

Bane stepped forward hesitantly, feeling the weight of Bai Xiao Meng's scrutiny. The child studied him for a moment before nodding slowly. "I see. You are different indeed. No spirit base, no chi, yet you possess a resilience uncommon for someone of your stature."

Bane swallowed nervously. "I just want to survive and learn. If you can teach me, I'll do my best to absorb everything."

Bai Xiao Meng smiled faintly. "A humble heart is a good start, but I can see that your heart holds chaos and pain. You carry the seed of rebirth, but you have retained your previous memories. The one that stands before me is a meek turtle with no shell, yet, I sense within you a spark that could ignite into a great flame. However, this journey will be arduous, and only those with unwavering resolve can hope to reach the end."

Bane felt a flicker of hope. "I'll do whatever it takes. Just tell me where to start."

Bai Xiao Meng stood gracefully, his movements fluid and deliberate. "We will begin with the basics. Cultivation is not just about physical strength or magical prowess; it is about harmonizing with the energy around you. You lack a spirit base, but that does not mean you cannot create one. First, we must cleanse your body and mind."

Bane nodded, ready to embark on this new path. Bai Xiao Meng led him to a serene pond within the garden. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the sky and the surrounding flora perfectly. "Sit at the edge of the pond and focus on your breathing. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a moment, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Clear your mind of all thoughts and distractions."

Bane followed the instructions, finding it surprisingly difficult to calm his racing mind. The events of the past days replayed in his head, but he pushed them aside, concentrating on the rhythm of his breath. Gradually, he felt a sense of peace beginning to settle over him.

Bai Xiao Meng observed silently, his eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and expectation. After a few minutes, he spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Feel the energy of the earth beneath you, the water before you, the air around you. Let it flow through you, becoming one with your essence."

Bane tried to sense the energies, but it was like grasping at shadows. He felt a growing frustration but remembered Bai Xiao Meng's words about patience. Slowly, he began to perceive faint currents of energy, like whispers on the edge of his consciousness. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

The elderly cultivator nodded approvingly. "Good. You are beginning to attune yourself. This is the foundation upon which we will build your spirit base. It will take time and dedication, but I sense you have the potential to succeed."

Days turned into weeks as Bane trained under Bai Xiao Meng's guidance, but he had become frustrated. Even though the child was doing everything that he told him, and Bane was absorbing the spiritual energy, the boy had no progress. Bai Xiao Meng had even fed the child many of his specialized pills used to directly advance one's cultivation base. Even one of these pills should have helped him breakthrough to become a first level Spirit Apprentice, but nothing helped the boy.

Bane's frustration grew with each passing day. Despite his unwavering dedication and the intensive training under Bai Xiao Meng, he felt no significant progress. The energy he absorbed seemed to dissipate, leaving him in a state of perpetual stagnation. Even the specialized pills, which should have propelled him to the first level Spirit, had no effect. Bane's patience was wearing thin, and doubt began to creep into his mind.

Bai Xiao Meng observed Bane's struggles with a contemplative expression. "Your situation is unprecedented," he said one evening as they sat by the pond, the setting sun casting a golden hue over the garden. "It seems that traditional methods are not sufficient for you. We must explore alternative approaches."

Bane nodded, though he felt a pang of hopelessness. "What do you suggest? I've tried everything you told me, but nothing seems to work."

Bai Xiao Meng's eyes gleamed with determination. "There is an ancient technique, rarely used because it is extremely dangerous. It involves the direct infusion of celestial energy into your body. This method bypasses the need for a spirit base and forces your body to adapt."

Bane's eyes widened. "Dangerous how?"

"It could kill you," Bai Xiao Meng said bluntly. "The energy we will harness is potent and volatile. If your body cannot withstand it, you will be torn apart from within."

"Oh? I will just explode?" Bane asked, not liking the sounds of this.