In the blink of an eye, the raging chain slowed to a stop.
Reith inhaled sharply and saw that everyone else was unmoving, as if they had paused.
The voice came again, as calm as ever. "We don’t have much time to explain. Due to your current level, I can only act for thirty seconds, and my time control is about to end."
Despite the urgency in the sentence, the voice was like a gentle breeze, soothing and peaceful.
Reith gazed at his family. "Would you be able to help them?" he asked. They were his only priority.
The single word was enough to convince Reith, and he accepted.
Was this God’s way of helping him?
Reith opened his eyes. His body was lighter, and he could see the clear lines of hana and the trajectory it flowed. It was evident that this being’s power was far greater than he imagined.
The next minute, time continued; the mob in front of the church cheered Bandar on, displaying their inner desires.
"Once I finally step over this trash, Father would acknowledge me," Bandar smiled to himself, waiting for the chain to strike again.
A victory over the city’s famed genius would put him at the top spot.
As he turned to his prey, a flash of light exploded before him.
Bandar narrowed his eyes, and he felt immense pressure.
Reith was still on the floor, his eyes closed, and the wounds on his body visibly healing. On his hand was Bandar’s cultivation emblem.
Bandar narrowed his eyes, why did it look like someone was standing in front of this champion?
However, this being’s focus was not on Bandar.
Ignoring the astonished gasps of the crowd, this transparent being moved forward, heading for one target.
The words barely came out of Bandar before he was slapped to the side, crashing into the ground.
The mob instantly went silent.
Did their champion get defeated with one hand?
"Wasn’t that too harsh?"
Reith could see the attack in his subconscious state.
He didn’t expect an answer, but it came anyway.
Reith understood that there was only one way to prevent such from happening again: displaying a heavy strength gap.
He stood up and picked up his mother, and walked back to the church.
When he turned around to get his grandfather, every person in the mob felt a chilling sense of death, and they ran away.
No one even bothered about the fallen Bandar.
"You think you can fix the wall?" Reith muttered.
His mother and grandfather had been laid to rest, but there was this gaping hole in the wall that had to be fixed.
"I can’t, and my time is up."
The reply came instantly.
Reith realized he was returning but still had a lot on his mind. "Wait, you didn’t introduce yourself?"
The words faded away, and Reith opened his eyes.
He could sense the leftover strength in his body, bringing him to his knees.
This was simply raw power. After being unable to stand up for some time, he understood why that being couldn’t go all out.
"My body would be torn to shreds."
"I have to get stronger," he muttered to himself.
Although he was at the Initiate Stage of the Core Realm, he stood no ground against Bandar’s raging path.
"Reith," a soft voice called out, causing the teenager to turn back.
Reith rushed forward. "Mom, how are you?"
His eyes moved to her head. This strange person had also healed her. Would he be able to do this and more?
"You don’t need to move, Mom. I’m here."
A small smile crept on Reith’s face.
His mother looked past him. "What happened to the church wall? We have to fix it before the children get here."
She turned, only to feel a sharp pain.
Reith clenched his fists. She wouldn’t be in so much pain if he had gotten here earlier.
"I’d take care of it, so don’t worry."
He softly smiled, knowing his mother had long forgiven the people who did this to her.
She nodded. "Okay, but please take care."
The sun was leaving the horizon, and Reith knew sleeping with an open entrance would be dangerous.
Orphans from around the city came to the church every morning to get breakfast and hear a few words from his mother, so it was quite a problem.
"Well, I still have to go to school after tomorrow. Might as well do some practice."
Reith looked around, and he spotted Bandar’s collapsed body, causing him to frown.
"I can’t believe they let him stay there like that," he muttered, rising to his feet.
This was the person they had brought along to beat him up just because he had a terrible cultivation.
Reith shook his head at Bandar’s state.
"At least he’s not dead. The mighty Camion family would have my head, and I would die before that guy could use his powers," Reith said, bending down.
When he looked at the ruined road Bandar had skidded across, it was obvious that he would be responsible for fixing it.
A tired groan escaped Reith’s mouth as he laid Bandar on the woolly bedspread on the floor. At least the dude would be able to sleep comfortably.
Reith realized his mother wasn’t on her spot. A delicious scent came from the vestry, signaling his mom’s actions. She had to be making dinner.
Reith straightened up. "At least Grandpa is taking his rest. Now, I have to see what this book is about."
He slowly traced the designs of the book as he walked outside.
The best area was right in front of the vast hole; it would be easier to defend against incoming attacks.
"Hey, I’m alone now. Please show yourself," Reith murmured, raising the book to his ear.
He had to be cautious. What if he didn’t hear what the book was saying?
A sudden gale of wind filled the area, and the book flew to the ground, opening its pages.
Sitting on top of the open book was a man in transparent form.
Reith shivered from the sudden chill in the atmosphere. He mostly didn’t realize how easy it would be to call the man who had saved his life.
"I am the Spirit of the Heavenly Path and here to help you achieve your goals."
The man’s voice was smooth, covered by a pristine aura. There was no doubt that he was a spiritual being.
Reith looked at the book.
"How interesting," he murmured.
The Cultivation of the Heavenly Path surpassed his expectations.