"Yes, keep your eyes closed. Cut off all your senses."

  Ling Yun was sitting in the lotus position as he listened to Brahma's guidance. It had taken him a week to somewhat comprehend the surface level of the soul sensing technique, "The Third Eye."

  He was a little bit worried that maybe he was an idiot as the Serene Ocean sutra took him just an hour to comprehend but Brahma reassured him that "the Third Eye" technique was much more complex and he had exceeded her expectations in comprehending in just a week.

  "You don't need the eyes that are deceived by the illusions.

  "Close the ears that hear only the useless noise."

  The small flame of the lamp that illuminated his room disappeared plunging him into darkness. The chirping of the crickets disappeared drowning him in silence.

  "Smell. Taste. Touch. All mortal senses, only illusions.

  "Eyes. Ears. Nose. Tongue. Skin. These who are only servants have become chains that bind the soul to this illusory world.

  "Break free from the chains, discard all of them.

  "Remember only the soul is supreme."

  The fragrance of tea that pervaded this house disappeared. The rough texture of the bamboo floor he was sitting on disappeared.

  To Ling Yun who was sitting in his room in a village, it felt like the world has disappeared and there was only a dark cosmic void. He could feel his thoughts, his will, his existence slipping away, fading into nothingness.

  Where am I? What was I doing? I ...

  Who am ... I??

  What is I??

  I?

  ....?

  "Ling Yun start chanting."

  A small faint vibration appeared disturbing the eternally silent void. It came and went away as if it was a fleeting illusion. Even though it was just a faint whisper barely audible, it was very distinct.

  "om"

  The vibration appeared and disappeared again. It was impossible to tell how much time passed between them. It could be the next second or an era. It didn't matter as time didn't exist in the void. There are no beginning so no endings, the void eternally remains the same.

  But the only difference was that the voice was a bit louder.

  "Om."........... "Om." ..... "Om." .."Om"

  The chants started to become louder and more frequent. The void was experiencing a change.

  "OM"

  Suddenly in this eternally dark void there was a faint golden light. The light started shining brighter, the chant ever growing louder and louder and then the void shattered.

  It was a birth, a beginning.

  What emerged was a silhouette of a man radiating golden light banishing the darkness.

  "Congratulations Ling Yun, you have opened the Third Eye. This is your soul. Never forget this sensation."

  *****

  Ling Yun woke up with a faint headache. No calling it a headache would be wrong. The pain was just above his nose, right between his eyes.

  Brahma had already told him about it so he wasn't that much worried. But the pain was a minor annoyance.

  He closed his eyes and opened the third eye. His vision turned dark. He could faintly sense two blue orbs nearby. They were probably old man Ping and little Hua still sleeping.

  Hmm. Chensha is missing. Did he woke up before me and left? Sun has just risen.

  Suddenly a blue orb flashed near him. In his surprise, Ling Yun opened his eyes to find a pigeon that must have flown in from an open window.

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  "Hmm you have just started cultivating the Third Eye so it must be disorienting to use it with open eyes. But you must practice to use your vision and soul sense simultaneously.

  "When you awaken your divine sense after breaking through to Foundation Establishment realm, it's combination would give you a significant lead over others."

  Hearing the jovial voice of Brahma, Ling Yun also smiled. She must be happy that he succeeded in opening the third eye. "Last night was a surreal experience. I felt like I was about to disappear."

  "I simulated a fake void for you. After cutting off all distraction can one sense his own soul."

  "Fake void? You mean there is a real place like that. A real void."

  "Ling Yun the real void is much dangerous than what you experienced. Even a Nascent Soul would turn into nothingness if he plunges into a true void. You don't have to worry about these things now."

  Hearing this Ling Yun couldn't contain his curiosity. "Does that means you were stronger than a Nascent Soul? Brahma, what was your cultivation before?"

  Brahma gave him a bitter smile. "It's too early for you to understand. Worry about your own cultivation you brat.

  "Now that you have got the hang of the Third Eye continue practicing it with your eyes open. Remember the Third Eye relies on your soul not your true Qi so you don't have to worry about it. Your soul is equal to a peak Nascent Soul so even though most of it is used to seal the invading Pheonix soul, your soul sense could cover the entire village."

  Again Brahma had evaded his question about her past. Moments like this reminded him how little did he know about her. Even though they were master and student, though Ling Yun refused to acknowledge her as his master, there was a wall between them.

  Ling Yun did not press because he knew it was useless. Still he wanted to grow closer to this mysterious fairy whose soul was intertwined with him.

  She was the bringer of his biggest misfortune but now was his greatest benefactor. The only way to be acknowledged by her was to grow stronger.

  It could wait as now he has to prepare for the morning shift.

  Ugh. Morning shift is such a pain.

  *****

  "There now it's done." Cleaning the final cup, Ling Yun gave a sigh of relief. Spending most of his life lazing around as a clan heir, it took quite a while for Ling Yun to adjust to a life of a commoner working hard for a living.

  Still it was better here than at the clan. He no longer had to endure mocking smiles and jeers.

  Old man Ping though he scolded him whenever he made a mistake was an honest man. He treated him fairly and even complimented him today for his improvement in tea making skills.

  And little Hua's cheerful laughter heals his heart that always misses Yaoyao. Speaking of her, she was very quiet today. Ling Yun lightly gave her a nudge on her shoulder.

  "Oi, what's the matter with you little girl? Why are you so glum today?"

  She turned around and her eyes looked lifeless making Ling Yun wonder what serious problem had befallen.

  "Big brother Yun, do you know if big brother Chensha has a lover?"

  Ofcourse it was just some silly romance trouble.

  Ling Yun started laughing at which little Hua frowned and started hitting his chest with her little fists angrily.

  "Big brother is so mean. I hate you."

  "Sorry sorry." Ling Yun held her hands to stop her from hitting. His chest was beginning to hurt after being hit repeatedly.

  While he and little Hua had a sibling dynamic, it was obvious to everyone that little Hua had eyes for Chensha. Little Hua acts demurely in a cutesy manner in order to appeal to Chensha but it was of no use.

  Ling Yun believes that Chensha just isn't interested in a 13 year old girl. Also Chensha was a serious man who had his focus only on cultivation.

  "Why do you believe he has a girlfriend?"

  "Because big brother Chensha was missing the entire night. I woke up late at night to pee but on checking his room was empty.

  "He must be having a lover's night." Little Hua replied with a huff.

  Hmm, Chensha was gone the entire night.

  Nights were not safe in this village. Outside cultivators frequently come and leave without any proper checks. The local security forces was only comprised of few villagers most of which were mortal. They usually turned a blind eye to the affairs of cultivators.

  Also recently there was news of people going missing at night which increased the terror of the night.

  Ling Yun lightly ruffled her hair which caused her to pout again.

  "Don't form conclusions on your own. Next time I meet Chensha I will ask if he has a lover."

  Little Hua asked with pleading eyes. "Promise?"

  "Yes. Your big brother's words are worth gold."

  After giving a cheerful shout, little Hua hugged him and quickly ran away.

  After greeting old man Ping, Ling Yun left the shop. He was going back to his room to rest to start cultivating again.

  "What are your plans for today?" Brahma who usually keeps quiet suddenly spoke surprising Ling Yun.

  "Why are you asking as if you don't know? Just cultivating in my room, maybe I would also practice the third eye."

  "If you just keep on cultivating in the room, you will never grow. Cultivation requires resources and resources require money.

  "Did you think your lowly job at the tea shop is enough to support your cultivation needs?"

  Ling Yun was miffed at her. He had just gotten used to it and now she was insulting his job.

  "Oh so what's your idea great Brahma goddess? Should I go in the forest to hunt demonic beasts?"

  "Yes."

  Looks like she had lost her mind. Does she want me to die? Is this what it is

  "Go in the forest for what? To become food for demonic beasts. How can I hunt them when I don't even know any martial arts?"

  Brahma gave him a disappointed look and sighed.

  "Let me speak before you interject. You don't have to hunt demonic beasts. There are many spiritual plants which could be sold for a good price.

  "Now that you have begun cultivating the Third Eye, you can easily sense both the plants and beast. Just avoid the beasts and take the plants."

  "But isn't that still dangerous? Who knows some wild beast might suddenly appear and tear me to pieces?"

  "Ling Yun, sometimes you have to swim through dangerous waves to reach the shore. Always be cautious but never be afraid of the danger. You can keep cultivating as before if you want to be mediocre but the path to greatness is paved with danger.

  "So which path will you take Ling Yun?"

  I have to reach Yaoyao. How can I be content playing safe?

  Ling Yun steeled his resolve and replied.

  "OK. Let's explore the forest this evening."