A group of monster race youths suddenly appeared at a remote corner of the final trial area, their hawkish gazes shifting between the sky and surrounding land.
Above their heads, grey clouds were drifting apart, the last remnants of the Heavenly Tribulation they had seen from afar.
"Someone definitely broke through here," one of the monster race youths snarled.
"The Honorable Alliance sent Meridian Forging youths into these lands? How pathetic," another mocked.
"Spread out and search for them," the first commanded.
"Is it even worth it? They just broke through. They're not even worth hunting," another replied. "Also it seems like they have already fled. They must be well hidden by now."
The leader of the group narrowed his eyes as he gazed across the land for a while. After some time, he turned around and left without a word; the others following closely behind.
…
"This cave is well hidden and deep under the earth…we should be safe here," Iris said as she inspected the depths of the cave they had entered.
"I placed a shrouding formation at the entrance, so we should be fine," Adam agreed.
The two made sure the deep, sprawling cave system was clear before they made camp. A gentle fire for light and warmth was started, and both took out a chair from their spatial rings to sit on.
"How do you feel?" Iris asked with a curious smile as she watched Adam inspect his new cultivation realm and transformed body.
"Amazing," Adam replied without hesitation. "All the impurities within my body was flushed out, and each cell was rejuvenated and transformed into something stronger…more profound…it's like I've been reborn."
Adam had successfully survived his heavenly tribulation, with much thanks to the brutal training John put him through in the past.
"Good, then your tribulation was fully successful," Iris congratulated him. Adam continued to inspect his body for some time, before a strange expression appeared on his face.
"What is it?" Iris asked curiously, as Adam had been sitting there in silence for some time.
"I…I don't really know," Adam replied, equally confused. "When inspecting my body, I just noticed a…spatial ring…that was hidden right next to my dantian."
"What? How is that possible?" Iris asked. "Wouldn't you have noticed such a thing by now?"
Adam suddenly raised his palm upwards, and then gazed to Iris.
"Can you see the ring on my palm?" He asked.
Iris shook her head, as she saw nothing. Her eyes shifted as she activated her Eyes of Heavenly Truth, and a surprised look appeared on her face. A spatial ring had appeared in her view. Even her divine sense could not detect it, and only her Heaven defying eyes could see through its invisible illusion.
The spatial ring was very impressive looking, with intricate formation runes carved all over its surface. It was easy to tell it was a very high level spatial ring.
"I see it now," she replied. "Whats in it?"
"I'm not sure," Adam replied. "Let me check."
The second Adam sent his divine sense into the ring, a flash of light appeared above it, surprising both of them. The flash of light quickly took shape, and formed a projection of light that depicted a human male.
The male appeared to be in his thirties, and was quite handsome. He had short black hair, and an average frame, but Iris could tell whoever this man was…he was powerful. There was a calm confidence contained in his gaze. One that only those with strength had.
"Who…who is this?" Iris asked as she noticed the stunned expression on Adams face.
"It's…it's my father," he mumbled out in a stunned daze.
"Your fath-"
"Son," the projection suddenly spike, cutting off Iris and stunning them both once again. "If you're seeing this message…then I must already be dead."
Iris's eyes widened as she heard that, and her gaze shifted back to Adam, who sat there in silence as tears formed in the corner of his eyes.
"If you're seeing this, then that means you have reached the Heaven Tribulation realm before your eighteenth birthday, and have decided to walk the path of a cultivator. Since you have chosen to walk this path, then it is time i reveal the truth to you."
Other than the formation image speaking, the only sound within the cave was the soft crackling of the fire as both Adam and Iris remained dead silent.
"Five years before making this message, I discovered an ancient ruin, one from before the calamity. Within that ruin was the corpse of a being more powerful than what exists today, holding an ancient jade artifact.
Within that artifact was a formations art that allowed one to fuse formations with ones body; something that has long been thought impossible. I studied that art and learned it's secrets, and imparted those secrets onto your body, which should allow you to accomplish such a feat.
I knew this art could change everything, and so I told three people of it. Your mother, my father…and my eldest brother, who I trusted the most in this life."
The man paused for a moment, filling the room with silence before eventually continuing.
"My brothers reaction was not what I had been expecting. He sought to use this art for the entire clan, grow its power tremendously, and then dominate the entire world and become its one true overlord. My love for my brother blinded me from his true nature, but I had already revealed the existence of the art by the time I discovered it.
I refused to hand over the technique to him, which enraged him. My father has now mysteriously fallen ill, and I have heard whispers drift throughout the clan…whispers that fill me with worry.
I fear my brother will do whatever it takes to obtain this ancient art, but I do not have the heart to cut him down before he does anything. Perhaps he will see the light of reason before it's too late…but if you are seeing this message, then it appears he did not.
I am no doubt dead by the time you're seeing this, or I would have removed this ring from you by now. I'm sure my brother will have made it look like an accident, but be assured that my death will be anything but.
My brother will not have killed you. The clan would not allow such a thing to happen..but exile will most likely have been your fate.
This spatial ring I have left for you contains the sum of my life. All my valuable belongings are within, including the formations art that caused all this.
I have already used that art on you, making you capable of performing such feats. However, the art can take that talent to new heights, elevating your ability to control it to incredible levels. It is up to you now with how you will deal with this powerful knowledge.
I do not ask you to seek revenge, only that you follow your heart, and do what you think is best…
I wish I could have seen you grow up, and I'm sure you've turned into a fine young man. Whatever you do with your life, I'm sure it would have made both your mother and I proud…
Goodbye son…"
The projection of the man disappeared, returning silence to the room. Only the crackling of the fire drifted out, casting flickers of light on Adams enraged yet tearful face.
