Mattimeo: Blood And Desire

7

Energy could be used to temper the body and strengthen muscles, bones, and organs. Every cultivator knew that.

But storing energy directly within the body?

That shouldn't be possible.

Only Spirit Roots could absorb spiritual energy through the meridians and store it for cultivation.

Yet the scene unfolding before him completely overturned everything he knew.

Mattimeo focused even harder.

Soon, he realized the method was doing far more than simply absorbing energy.

It was purifying it.

Refining it.

Removing impurities before storing the purified energy throughout the body.

A bold thought suddenly emerged in his mind.

If he could learn this cultivation method, perhaps he could cultivate again despite his broken Spirit Root.

The possibility alone made his heart pound.

Without hesitation, he sat down and began imitating the circulation route.

The first attempt failed.

The second failed as well.

Then the third.

The circulation pattern was incredibly complicated. Several times, he lost track of the route halfway through and had to start over from the beginning.

Still, he refused to give up.

For two years, he had searched desperately for a solution.

Now, a possible path stood right before him.

How could he quit?

Again and again, he tried.

Each failure brought him a little further than the last.

Gradually, the route became clearer.

Eventually, after countless attempts, he finally completed the circulation cycle.

A surge of excitement filled his heart.

He immediately continued.

One cycle.

Then another.

And another.

The more he practiced, the smoother it became. The complicated route gradually imprinted itself into his mind until he no longer needed to consciously remember each step.

It became instinct.

The moment that happened, his vision blurred.

The strange world around him shattered like glass.

Mattimeo abruptly opened his eyes.

He found himself lying on the ground exactly where he had collapsed.

The dead wolf remained a few meters away.

For several moments, he simply stared at the roof of the dungeon.

Then his eyes suddenly widened.

The cultivation method.

He immediately sat upright.

Was that all just a dream?

There was only one way to find out.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and followed the circulation route he had learned.

The next moment, his entire body trembled.

He could feel energy.

A vast amount of energy.

Not only that, the energy was astonishingly pure.

Its quality was comparable to the refined energy possessed by Energy Refinement cultivators.

Mattimeo's eyes snapped open.

Disbelief covered his face.

"This can't be real..."

His voice trembled.

He carefully examined the energy within his body again and again, afraid he was somehow mistaken.

Yet no matter how many times he checked, the result remained the same.

Joy surged through him like a tidal wave.

Had he really stepped into the Energy Refinement Realm?

Just like that?

Was something like this even possible?

His breathing quickened.

For a moment, he felt as though he were dreaming.

Slowly, he raised a hand.

A bright crimson energy gathered above his palm, radiating a powerful aura.

Mattimeo stared at it in shock.

Then he pointed toward a nearby rock.

The energy shot forward.

Bang!

A fist-sized chunk blasted off the rock's surface.

Mattimeo stood frozen.

He looked at his trembling hand.

Then at the damaged rock.

Finally, tears began streaming down his face.

For two years, he had lived in despair.

For two years, he had desperately searched for a way to overcome his broken Spirit Root.

For two years, he had watched his dreams slowly crumble before his eyes.

Now, at long last, he had found a path forward.

A path that allowed him to cultivate once more.

The tears continued falling, but this time they were tears of joy.

Suddenly, he noticed something. He had been so excited about the cultivation path that he failed to realize all his wounds had healed.

*******

An enormous white raven soared through the skies above Ravenmoor Duchy. Perched atop its broad back were five women: three young women and two older ones.

"We've arrived at Ravenmoor Duchy. Isabella, you need to be bold and make your decision now. Don't fumble things when we get there."

One of the young women spoke as the wind rushed past them.

Isabella stood atop the giant raven, gazing down at the sprawling city below. Her long blonde hair streamed behind her in the wind like golden silk.

Her features were exquisite, as though carved from flawless jade, and she wore an elegant white gown that fluttered gracefully around her.

"Such a stunning beauty, yet they want him to marry that cripple."

One of the older women shook her head in disbelief.

"Don't worry. As her master, I won't allow such an injustice."

The other woman spoke calmly, her expression remaining neutral.

She had brown hair and ordinary features that wouldn't stand out even in a crowd of twenty people.

As they approached the Ravenshire Clan Mansion, the raven gradually descended.

Flying spirit beasts directly into the grounds of most noble families was prohibited. The guards could easily mistake them for trespassers and attack without hesitation.

After finding a suitable place to leave their beast, the group made their way toward the Ravenshire Clan Mansion.

"I don't think my grandfather will approve of this," Isabella said hesitantly. "He's the one who arranged my betrothal to Mattimeo. Besides... I used to like him when we were children."

"You used to like him. Do you see how that's in the past tense?" her master replied. "This is the present. That person is a cripple now. As the future Saintess of the White Blossom Sect, you cannot be with someone so useless."

"I guess you're right."

Isabella took a deep breath, her hesitation slowly fading as determination filled her eyes.

She was a favored daughter of heaven. She couldn't allow herself to be dragged down by a man with a shattered spiritual root and no hope of ever cultivating again.

Besides, her parents supported this decision and had no desire to accept him as their son-in-law. Only her grandfather remained firmly in favor of the marriage, insisting that she marry him for reasons known only to himself.

"Grandpa, I'm sorry, but your granddaughter is going to disappoint you for the first time."

The words escaped her lips in a quiet murmur.

They were stopped at the gates of the Ravenshire Clan Mansion.

"Please identify yourselves."

"We are from the White Blossom Sect," Isabella's master replied.

"The White Blossom Sect?"

The two guards exchanged shocked glances.

There was only one White Blossom Sect they knew of. It was located far beyond the kingdom's borders and was rumored to possess immense power.

"Please wait here while I inform one of the family elders."

One of the guards spoke before hurrying away without delay.