Chapter 17: Pulled Into The Night
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft, golden glow across the room.
Derek woke up slowly. Turning his little head, he saw his mother, Martha, still fast asleep beside him. Normally, he had to sleep in his crib at home every night, but since there was no baby in this house, they didn’t have a crib. So today, he got to sleep in the bed.
His eyes were still blurry when Daisy came rushing in to check on him. She leaned over with a bright smile. "Well, little one, are you awake? Come, let’s go see something interesting."
She carefully lifted Derek into her arms and called out softly, "Mom, I’m taking Derek to watch Sandy’s training!"
Without waiting for an answer, she slipped out the door. She looked very excited.
Hearing Daisy’s voice, Martha woke up as well. Normally, she would have risen much earlier, but yesterday’s long journey, the wandering, and the endless chatter had left her so exhausted that she had overslept today.
Daisy carried Derek in her arms to a nearby room with a small balcony.
The moment they stepped through the doorway, Derek’s eyes fell on Sandy. She was seated cross-legged in a lotus position, eyes closed in deep concentration.
A man in his mid-thirties was seated in front of her. He remained silent, but his posture, the calm confidence etched into his bearing, and the subtle aura he unconsciously emitted made it obvious that he was a formidable figure.
Not wanting to disturb Sandy’s focus, Daisy quietly settled down with Derek on one of the cushioned stools placed by the balcony. She pointed softly. "See her? She’s cultivating. One day, you’ll have to do that too."
She explained everything with genuine excitement, as if Derek could already understand her words.
But of course, to anyone else, it would have seemed pointless... how could a child grasp such things? But Derek did understand. More than that, his comprehension and depth of knowledge far surpassed Daisy’s. In truth, it even eclipsed the master who was training Sandy at that very moment.
After all, he was at the peak of cultivators in his previous life.
’She’s already started cultivating, but she still hasn’t developed her dantian...’
Just one glance at Sandy was enough for Derek to tell. His thoughts continued to flow naturally.
’If Daisy’s aptitude wasn’t for healing magic, she too would’ve had to cultivate like this. After all, though healers are classified by the same ranking system as other mages, their path is different. They grow and refine their internal energy through practice and meditation, nurturing it to suit healing. That’s why Daisy, though only eleven, has already formed an energy core, her dantian. She’s already reached E-rank, while for Sandy, it’ll take at least five more years to be in that same position.’
Derek observed Sandy with unforced interest.
Though he was no stranger to cultivation, the steady rhythm of her breathing and the flow of her energy still looked mesmerizing.
A small, confident smile tugged at his lips.
’I’ll form my dantian before she does.’
Suddenly, the master sitting in front of Sandy turned his head, his sharp gaze falling directly on Derek, as if he had sensed something unusual.
Noticing the man’s eyes on him, Derek stiffened. ’Shit, why is he looking at me?’
Without wasting a second, he resorted to his best weapon. "Da-da-da!" Those words left his mouth as he flailed his little limbs clumsily, pretending to be nothing more than a carefree baby enjoying himself. ’Oh, come on now. How long do I have to pretend like this.’ He cursed inwardly.
The master still stared at Logan for a few more seconds before finally returning to Sandy again.
’Phew! Maybe he just wanted to see the faces of the audience witnessing his teaching.’
Sandy’s training finally came to an end after a long time. After her master departed, she hurried off for a quick shower to freshen up. "Wait for me in the dining, Daisy. I will be back soon."
Meanwhile, the aroma of breakfast drifted through the air.
Soon, once everyone had washed up, they gathered around the dining table. The lively chatter returned as they enjoyed their last meal together before departure.
"Aunty, next time please don’t take this long to visit the city again," Sandy said in a pleading tone.
Martha smiled gently. "We’ll try our best, dear. Now that Derek has grown a little and can endure long journeys, I don’t think there will be much trouble next time."
"Good then!" Sandy brightened, placing her hands on Daisy’s shoulders. "We’ll play a lot when you and Arthur come again."
"Of course," Daisy nodded with a smile.
Arthur raised his thumb with a grin as if he was saying he too would be waiting for the next time.
The meal ended, and after a short rest, everyone stepped outside. Rudeous and his family prepared for the journey, while Oliver’s family came to bid them farewell.
Daisy and Sandy both looked downcast. Sensing the mood, Juliana gently caressed their heads. "Why the long faces, sweethearts? Daisy and her family will be back next month. Don’t look so sad."
The girls nodded reluctantly. Arthur was already seated in the wagon. Martha climbed up as well, taking Derek from Rudeous’s arms. Then Daisy and Rudeous joined her.
"Come back soon!" Sandy waved vigorously.
"We will!" Arthur and Daisy replied together.
With Rudeous’s signal, the coachman snapped the reins.
The wheels creaked into motion, carrying the wagon forward. They soon passed through the main gate of the city and began their return journey along the dirt road.
Inside the wagon, everyone admired the passing scenery. Yet Martha couldn’t shake her unease, silently praying that nothing unexpected would happen again. Daisy, on the other hand, simply felt sad about leaving.
Fortunately, the return trip was peaceful. Hours slipped by, and at last, after four and a half hours, they finally arrived home.
The coachman was paid and dismissed. The rest of the day passed uneventfully.
Night fell, spreading its darkness across the land. After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms and drifted into sleep.
But Derek...
Lying in his crib, he closed his eyes, not to rest, but to cultivate. Natural energy flowed into his tiny body, refined into Qi that coursed through his veins. ’I couldn’t train yesterday. Enough slacking off.’ He told himself as he immersed himself in cultivation.
But just then.....
Something happened.....
Derek’s eyes snapped open. ’How is this possible?’ He felt it... something familiar. His eyes widened.
But before he could even make a sound and alert anyone, his small body lifted from the crib, weightless, as though seized by an invisible hand. He floated upward and was pulled straight out of the window into the night.