The flames started changing shape and took the form of a Vermilion bird. The bird changed shape again and became the middle-aged man that was known as one of the greatest Spirit Warriors in the Kingdom of Aksha, Vermilion.
"Hello, little Chen. There are so many things that I want to tell you, but let me start by apologizing. I want to apologize to you and your mother for not being there when you needed me. I watched everything and saw how you got punished for no fault of your own, but I didn't do anything. I wanted to come to you and tell you everything straight away, but the time wasn't right," the little Vermilion told Long Chen.
"Today, In the test, I found out that you have the potential to be a Spirit Warrior, and not only me, but many more people saw it. It marks the beginning of your journey on the other of a Spirit Warrior. It's just a potential, which doesn't mean that you'll actually become a Spirit Warrior, but you're his son. I know that all you needed was potential. As for waking up your Spirit, that you can definitely do."
"That's why I thought that it was the right time to tell you. It would be best if you left this place. You need to leave the Kingdom of Aksha. This place is not for you. It's not the Kingdom we all thought it was. We were all wrong about it, and your father paid the highest price for his trust," The illusory version of Vermillion said.
Long Chen couldn't help but frown the more he heard it. It seemed the Vermilion was actually a good guy who had his reasons. He didn't say anything and kept listening silently.
"That's right. Your father didn't betray the Kingdom. I think he loved the Kingdom most out of all of us. He couldn't have betrayed the Kingdom. It was just not in his blood. He was framed. We were all framed. I can't tell you who framed us, but what I can say is that your father didn't run away that day. He is dead."
Vermilion paused for a brief moment after talking till here.
"I know he didn't betray anyone. It was obvious. I was suspicious about him dying, though. I guess this clears that as well, but why is the Aksha Kingdom involved in this? Why would they kill their biggest Spirit Warrior and make themselves lose the war? This doesn't make sense," Long Chen muttered as he frowned.
"You need to leave the Kingdom. Take your mother and run away. Leave this kingdom. I'm leaving a map for you. I can't tell you any more than this. Don't trust anyone from this Kingdom. Go to the location marked on the map with your mother. You'll be safe. Leave and never return. Also, don't tell your mother about his death. Bye, little guy. I wish I could protect you, but this uncle of yours... can't," Vermilion muttered as the fire started dimming. Vermilion's body burst into flames and became a scroll.
The barrier around him disappeared.
Long Chen picked up the scroll and opened it, finding a map inside.
"This should be where we are, and this is where he wants us to go. Is he crazy? He wants us to go thousands of kilometers away to the neighboring kingdom. Does he not know that we don't have any money?" Long Chen muttered as he smiled wryly.
He had just spoken when he found a flute attached to the back of the scroll.
He turned the scroll back and found a few words written behind it.
"Spirit Eagle Summoning Flute?" He muttered as he read the back of the scroll.
"Interesting. It looks like he thought of everything. A flute to summon a flying beast that will carry us away? Why didn't he simply tell me this?" he let out as he sighed. He kept the flute back in his clothes.
"He must have his own reasons," Xun told Long Chen with a thoughtful look on her face.
"Or he isn't telling us the entire truth? It might be a scheme of his? I can't trust him blindly, but he could've killed us easily as well. Why would he scheme against us? On the other hand, if people that could even threaten Vermilion wanted to kill us, they could have done the same before as well. Why would they wait till now?"
The more Long Chen thought, the more confused he got.
"If it were just me, I wouldn't leave. I would just cultivate here in the meantime. I can protect myself, but there's Fu Chen's Mother as well. She does need the protection of Vermillion is telling the truth," Long Chen muttered as he looked at the map.
"Wait. This location, isn't it near the boundary of the Aksha Kingdom? It's so close to the place that the Banished Prince of Aksha is guarding? Interesting," Long Chen muttered as he grinned.
"This might just turn out in my favor," he let out as he stood up.
"What have you decided? Are you leaving?" Xun asked Long Chen.
Long Chen looked back at Xun and placed his fingers on her soft cheeks.
"Of course, I am. That sounds more interesting than just staying here," he said before he sat down again.
" She just fell asleep. Let her sleep for a while. I'll cultivate in the meantime. I need to increase my strength at will. Can't depend on my laws only," He muttered before he closed his eyes and started Cultivating.
'Hah, at least you've become more diligent in this trial. Cultivate this body well because after the trial is over...'
Xun gazed at Long Chen as she thought of something.
Long Chen cultivated for the rest of the day and opened his eyes in the middle of the night.
He stood up and stretched his arms as he yawned.
"Time to leave," He muttered as he jumped down from the roof of the hut and landed on the ground.
****
After Cultivating for the rest of the day, Long Chen jumped down the roof and went inside the small hut.
He found out that Mi Liayi was up. She seemed to be cooking up something for dinner.
"Mother?" Long Chen called out to her as he stood behind her.
"Ah, you're back. Take a seat. The food will be ready soon," she told Long Chen as she looked back with a smile on her face.
"There's something that I need to talk to you about," Long Chen told her in a severe tone.