"So when are you going to teach me something Brahma?"

  After all that fiasco, Ling Yun was waking back to his home. Frankly this day had been exhausting. He wanted to rest first but he couldn't control the excitement bubbling in his chest.

  Who could blame him, he was just a 15 yr old teenager. A mysterious girl had promised to teach him a divine level art which can help him ascend the heavens, how could he remain calm after hearing all that so he couldn't help but ask.

  "You're too impatient, you bra- Ling Yun." Ling Yun frowned at the near slip but let it go. It was a bit weird to hear voices directly in his head but he would have to get used to it soon.

  "Cultivation is a path traversed step by step. Rushing recklessly would only cause great harm in the future.

  "But since it is the first request you had made let this goddess teach you the technique that is the foundation of my Brahma Soul God Canon - the Serene Ocean sutra."

  In his soul sea, Brahma snapped her fingers and suddenly strange symbols shining golden started appearing in his mind. It was the sutra which Ling Yun took five minutes to memorize completely.

  The Serene Ocean sutra was frankly a bit disappointing. As Ling Yun understood, it's only purpose was to calm the mind and increase focus. He had been expecting something that could overturn the sky or something.

  "What's the glum look on your face, you- Ling Yun? Come on tell this goddess."

  "Um how do I say this... isn't this technique a bit too simple."

  Ling Yun had cautiously chose his words in order to not offend her but instead he could hear her chuckling inside him.

  "You have a long way to go, Ling Yun. You have never been in a life or death battle so let me ask you a question.

  "In those situations most of the times what do you think causes the difference between the victor and the loser, the living and the dead?"

  "Cultivation level or maybe the martial arts they practice?"

  "Wrong. Most of the time it's because of a lack of focus. You don't know how many geniuses have met their end due to a moment of carelessness. During combat many fail to fight at their full potential due to useless emotions like fear, anxiety, anger, arrogance, love and others.

  "Keep practicing the Serene Ocean sutra, and even in the face of greatest tribulations, you body would be taut as a bowstring, your mind razar focused, unaffected by fear and despair, guiding you towards victory."

  Ling Yun contemplated for a moment and then said, "So it's just to remain focused right. The rest of your speech was just some flowery words to dress up this mundane technique."

  "YOU BRAT- YOU DARE TO CALL MY TECHNIQUE MUNDANE!"

  Oh no I made her angry.

  "I told you this technique is the bedrock of my soul arts. While using a using a soul art technique, the soul must remain calm and serene. If the soul is turbulent the technique could backfire causing damage to your own soul.

  "Using different soul techniques consecutively is also extremely dangerous. Ordinary soul arts practitioners have to wait to calm and recollect their soul before unleashing a second attack.

  "But the Serene Ocean sutra causes no such delay. You can rapid fire different techniques giving you a huge advantage over others. You will soon realise it's magnificence."

  "Okay okay your technique is very good. Now help me understand this technique."

  Under Brahma's guidance, Ling Yun easily comprehended this technique. While walking he started reciting the sutra in his mind getting familiar with it. Soon he came to his residence and then he went to sleep.

  ****

  Ling Yun was standing outside his father's room. He had been meandering there for quite some time gathering his thoughts.

  No use in delaying, I have to tell father about Yaoyao.

  He entered and found the familiar sight of his father drinking from his wine jar, the stench of alcohol filling the room. It had just been an hour since sunrise and his father was already drunk as a skunk.

  Subconsciously Ling Yun had gotten used to this after all these years so it didn't bother him that much.

  "Father I have to tell you something about Yaoyao."

  Upon his words, his father gave him an intense stare. His drunken dazed eyes sharpened with focus as he said, "I heard that the curse didn't come back with you yesterday. Did you bury her in the mountain?"

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Before he could answer, his father continued, "Finally, your mother Linger could rest in peace. My son the days of our misfortune are over. The Heavens are starting to answer our prayers."

  He turned to Ling Yun and gave him a gentle serene smile. Ling Yun was frozen in shock. How many years had it been since his father had smiled like this?

  The last time Ling Yun remembered was when his mother was alive. He was three years old rubbing his face on his mother's pregnant belly, while his father held up his little body with his strong arms.

  "Linger, Yun'er soon our family of three will become four. I promise together we will welcome this baby and will be a happy family."

  Stuck in the memories of the past, Ling Yun failed to notice that his father had stood up and was next to him. He lifted his hand and started gently patting his head. Ling Yun looked up and his father was still smiling gently at him.

  "My son I know you must have suffered much all these years. I'm so sorry I've neglected you all this time. But now the curse is gone. Let your father take care of you.

  "I promise let's become a happy family again."

  Ling Yun blinked back the tears that were about to spill. This? How could he deal with this? He had never expected that after all these years his father would do this.

  In all these years Ling Yun had never hated his father. He had been angry, disappointed, pitied but there was not one bit of hatred in his heart.

  What he most felt was guilt. His father was an upcoming star of his clan. He was unanimously chosen to be the next patriarch by the elders and even had married the woman he loved. He should've become a shining pillar of the clan, a legend that inspired the future generations.

  But fate took a different, a cruel turn. His beloved wife dead. His son was born a cripple. Still his father had never said a single word about his deficiency.

  In the beginning his father took time from his busy schedule to train him in the spear art personally. Even when he failed again and again, his father never gave up on him, motivating him continue trying.

  When the doctor announced that he was a cripple, his father yelled and argued with the doctor but never yelled at him or hit him. He had consoled him, telling him not to worry. Even though he had been cold towards Yaoyao, his father had always treated him kindly.

  But in return what he had done.

  When his father was mourning his wife at the funeral, he was taking care of the baby Yaoyao.

  When his father had started drinking in his depression and loneliness, instead of comforting him his son was playing with his worst enemy.

  When his father removed Yaoyao from the clan's mansion, he had left with her to stay at a servant quarter instead of staying by his grieving father.

  At every turn he had chosen Yaoyao over his father. His father may have abandoned Yaoyao but in truth he was the one who abandoned his poor father.

  He had never stood by his father's side.

  And now his father was asking for another chance. Another chance to regain what was lost, to go back to the happier times. He had desired to be in his father's embrace for so long. This time he would stay by his father's side and would-...

  "Did you hear the evil spirit died last night."

  "Thank heavens for this. Bring out my bamboo wine. I will drink the whole night. I'm so happy."

  "Let's have a feast today. Finally the blight on our family is gone now."

  Since morning he had been hearing this chatter in the courtyard. This jovial atmosphere sickened him to his core. All these people are celebrating the death of a little girl. And his father's words "But now the curse is gone."

  On one hand was his longing and guilt towards his father. On other was the disgust towards him and others for their actions towards Yaoyao. These contradictory emotions threatened to tear him apart.

  Immediately he circulated the Serene Ocean sutra and suddenly his mind was clear as crystal.

  The Serene Ocean sutra was really a divine technique. He could still feel the longing and the disgust but they no longer were out of control. It was as if there was a glass barrier between him and his emotions. He could rationally make his decisions unclouded by emotions.

  Ling Yun remembered the advice Brahma had given him last night.

  "You realise you can't stay in this clan. It is just a first grade spirit land and there are very little opportunities and resources. A dragon cannot live in a small pond. To reach the peak you have to venture further."

  He was again at the crossroads of his life. This time he could help his father recover from his alcoholism, stay by his side and comfort and support him. He could right his mistakes and the father son duo will face their difficulties side by side together.

  But if he wants to reach Yaoyao, to meet her again, he had to leave. He could not be average, an elder of a low level clan. But to do it he had to betray his father again.

  With a heavy heart, Ling Yun removed to the hand patting his head. In his heart he knew this would be the last he would ever feel his father's love.

  "Father, I've come to inform you that I'm leaving this town. I have come to see you for the last time."

  He turned around afraid to see his father's face. He knew he would falter, all his resolve would turn to dust facing his father's tears.

  "Wait son. Why? Why are doing this? Is it because-"

  "No, it has nothing to do with you. It's my own decision."

  With his voice shaking with emotion, Ling Yun continued, "Father I know I am the last person who should say this but it wasn't your fault. I know you tried your best. I know I've caused you much pain but this unfilial son doesn't has the face to beg you for forgiveness.

  "My last words to you are please move on. Move on from your dead wife, your failure of a son. Marry again and form a happy family this time. You deserve it.

  "I wish you all the happiness in the future. Goodbye."

  "Son. Listen to me I-"

  Unable to hear his father's cries, Ling Yun finally closed the door.

  *****

  Ling Yun was outside taking a final look at the front gate of the clan. He had lived his whole life here and now he may never see this place again in the future.

  He remembered when he was small his father showed him this view telling him that as a future patriarch, Ling Yun would carry the clan on his back.

  But now he was leaving, abandoning both the clan and his father.

  "Ling Yun do you know, anyone who has ever made his name, has ever achieved glory in this world has one thing in common. They had a firm Dao heart."

  Sensing his turbulent emotions, Brahma had decided to comfort Ling Yun with her words.

  "Even though they were born in different circumstances, with different talents, practising different arts, only those who had the will to endure everything reached the peak of this world.

  "Loss, defeat and separation. You will experience these things again and again in the future. Only by enduring this will a man become a man.

  "So steel your heart, keep on walking this path I promise you will reach the top, dominating the heavens with your might.

  "Never give up."