Chapter 2: The Sacred Soul Water

Watching Connor's furious face, Michael and Zeke burst into laughter. The two of them were considered the dumbest members of the Shayle family, aside from the anomaly Connor, because despite nearly five years of training, their cultivation was still only at the lower Novice level, the lowest tier. Therefore, the only person they could bully was Connor. "Come on, you want to hit me? Go ahead, hit me right here!" Michael grabbed Connor's fist and placed it before his nose, taunting him. Connor clenched his fist tightly, feeling all his strength pour into it. "Hit me, hit me!" Michael jeered. This was the last straw. Connor finally couldn't take it anymore. "Michael, Zeke, what are you two doing!" A voice rang out, and a graceful figure appeared before them. Her long, black hair cascaded down, and her face was adorned with beautiful eyes and a delicate nose. It was a charming sight. Seeing the young lady, Michael and Zeke immediately lowered their heads. They knew better than to provoke her. She was at the upper Novice level, two levels higher than they were. "You just hide behind women, you pretty boy. Wait until I have a chance, and see how I teach you a lesson," Michael muttered, then turned to the young woman with a smile. "Bailey, we were just messing around with Connor. I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first." "Hey, did I say you could leave?" Bailey Walters put her hands on her hips and scolded. Connor was a typical male chauvinist. He didn't want Bailey to stand up for him. He believed that if he kept training, his physical strength could defeat Michael and Zeke. He said, "Forget it, Bailey, you know what those two bastards are like." He looked at Bailey and smiled. "What brings you here?" Seeing Connor, Bailey's stern face melted like thawing ice. She giggled, "Can't I just come to see you?" Then she excitedly added, "I'm here to tell you some good news." "What news makes you so happy?" Connor asked. "A great master passed by here and accepted me as a disciple," Bailey said excitedly. Connor asked, "Which master?" Bailey giggled, "Yasmin!" "The Butterfly Queen Yasmin!" Connor exclaimed. Bailey nodded enthusiastically. Though it seemed unbelievable, seeing Bailey's expression, Connor knew she was telling the truth. His heart was filled with both bitterness and joy. Bitter because he thought of his situation, but joyful for Bailey. Who didn't know of the extraordinary woman on the Aetheris, known as the Butterfly Queen, named Yasmin? She possessed the magical pet, the Meteor Rainbow Butterfly, a beast of the King-level. Over a decade ago, she emerged and defeated all opponents at the once-a-decade Continental Youth Tournament. Subsequently, Yasmin challenged experts in Aetheris. She defeated all experts under thirty and reached the Saint-level, just below the King-level, by thirty. "Why would she come to our place?" Connor wondered. "I heard she's out looking for something to help her magical pet evolve," Bailey said excitedly. "When she saw me, she told me staying here was a waste. If she taught me, I might reach the Spirit-level by now, not just the upper Novice level." Connor was amazed. "Looks like you will soon become the second Butterfly Queen." Bailey's excited face turned a bit forlorn. "I asked Ms. Yasmin about your situation. She said your father once asked someone to find her, but she couldn't help." "I know that," Connor said with a smile. At that point, he was confident about Yasmin's identity because Quentin's request was a secret. The two of them talked as they returned to the Shayle residence. Connor's father, Quentin, was the Sixth Elder of the Shayle family. In the early years, there were three prominent families in Lanshire City, with the Shayle family being one. Quentin led the Shayle family to eliminate the other two families, making them the only powerful family in Lanshire City. However, because of his devotion to cultivation, he did not take the position of family head, leaving it to his half-brother, Vincent. As they entered, a faint scent of medicine filled the air. The optimistic Connor turned serious as he saw his father lying on the bed. Connor felt a deep ache of helplessness. He thought of his mother, who died young, and his father, who raised him and ran around for years because of his strange constitution. Who would have thought that three years ago, Quentin would suddenly fall into a coma? Quentin's body was like a normal person's for three years, except he was in a deep slumber. "Father…" Connor looked at Quentin, who seemed asleep. He hated himself. If he could cultivate battle energy, he could gain tremendous power, travel the continent, and find a cure. Every time he thought of his father, his heart ached. He silently vowed that even if he couldn't cultivate battle energy, he would still train hard to make his body strong enough to fight battle energy experts. Urgent footsteps approached from outside. Connor and Bailey looked up to see Vincent burst in, arms flailing in excitement, unlike his usual composed self as the family head. "Connor, you're back, that's great," Vincent said. "Uncle?" Connor looked at Vincent curiously. He had never seen Vincent act like this. After all, he was the family head and had to maintain authority. Vincent said, trembling, "Do you remember the way Ms. Spencer said to wake your father?" Connor nodded. "Yes, Ms. Spencer mentioned we need the legendary Sacred Soul Water." "Exactly, I just received news that the champion's prize for the Continental Youth Tournament has been announced. One of the rewards is the Sacred Soul Water!" Vincent said. "What!" Connor jumped up. He couldn't believe his ears. The champion's prize for the Continental Youth Tournament was one of the most miraculous things. "It's true. According to the Continental Youth Tournament rules, the champion's prize is usually announced two years in advance to encourage all young experts to participate. I got the news from the City Lord's Mansion. Quentin can be awakened," Vincent said excitedly. Before he could rejoice, Connor's heart sank because he couldn't cultivate battle energy. "Connor, don't forget Bailey has become the disciple of the Butterfly Queen, who was the champion back then and is now the hottest contender for the championship," Vincent said with a smile. Bailey said, "I will do my best!" Seeing Bailey's determined expression, Connor was touched. If Bailey could do it, why couldn't he? "Connor, how will you thank me if I get the Sacred Soul Water?" Bailey asked, thinking Connor was upset about being unable to cultivate battle energy. She tried to change the topic. Connor reverted to his cheerful self. "Then I'll marry you." "I'll be the witness." Vincent laughed. Bailey stomped her foot in embarrassment. "I'm not talking to you guys anymore." She turned and ran out, but turned back and said, "I'm going to find Ms. Yasmin to train." Vincent laughed heartily. "This is great news, I need a drink to celebrate. Connor, come with me." "No, I want to stay and talk to father for a while," Connor said. "Alright then," Vincent said as he left. Connor knelt by the bed, looking at his father's serene face, and vowed, "Father, I swear, I will seize the Sacred Soul Water." With that, he left for the back mountain. Whether because of Quentin's previous contributions to the Shayle family or his good relationship with Quentin, Connor wasn't worried about the servants mistreating Quentin in his absence. The back mountain was where Quentin used to train. Other Shayle family members trained at the Shayle family's martial arts arena or training rooms, but Quentin's strength was so great that it surpassed Vincent, by five levels. Therefore, when he practiced specific combat skills, it would affect others. Since Quentin fell into a coma, the back mountain had become desolate. Connor reached the back mountain, unable to suppress his emotions any longer. He roared, "I, Connor, won't ever back down! I will become a master, no matter what!" Driven by his emotions, he punched a tree as thick as a meter. Crack! The sound of breaking filled the air. Connor looked up and was dumbfounded. To his astonishment, the tree snapped under the force of his punch.