The boy stared into the two black orbs that adorned the lifeless corpse. His chest shuddered as he slowed down his breathing. Loud thumping occupied Ye Fan's hearing and an expression of extreme discomfort overcame his disposition. Opposite the boy, Shi Qiongtian watched his disciple with an outwardly impassive expression, but his eyes closely monitored the child's meridians for any abnormalities. If things ever exceeded Ye Fan's control, he would immediately step in.

  Slowly in and slowly out. It took about half an incense stick's of time before the young boy returned to a safe and stable heart rate. Trying his best to ignore the pounding in his ears, Ye Fan began to stare into the distance. Thoughts raced through his mind as he began considering his response.

  Shi Qiongtian continued to wait patiently for a response, merely licking the tip of his finger before flipping the page. His eyes were watching Ye Fan, but Shi Qiongtian's divine sense had already enveloped the entire book. The young boy didn't dare to let his master wait for too long. Dirt smothered his pale, porcelain complexion but he tried his best to hold himself with dignity. Sitting himself up straight, he cupped his hands and gave a salute toward the inverted figure in the distance. The boy only gave his answer when his master nodded to him in affirmation.

  "Well, we're currently in the era of the Chi Dynasty, which was established nearly 10,000 years ago… Before that was the Period of Great Turmoil, where numerous wars were fought in the Eastern Landmass."

  Ye Fan's face scrunched up as he racked his brain for any further relevant history. Initially, he raised his finger to tap his lip but refrained when he caught the dirt in the corner of his vision. The boy's gaze began to wander and his hands played with the grass. Many moments passed. Although the red-robed man didn't seem bothered, the expressionless face only caused him to feel even more guilty. Not wanting to leave his master in silence for too long, he shot an aggrieved look at the inverted man. Shi Qiongtian jumped from his perch, hanging on the branch, and landed elegantly on the grass. He flipped through a few pages before breaking the silence.

  "Is that all?"

  Double checking his memory stores, Ye Fan still couldn't come up with anything. It was only a few moments of breath before he gave up. He hung his head in shame as he voiced his apology.

  "I'm sorry, Master."

  Shi Qiongtian still held an unbothered neutral expression as he consoled the young boy.

  "It is of no fault of your own. I know your education was focused on mortal matters. Even the history of the Chi Dynasty is rich and vast. Many mortal scholars could spend their whole lives studying it and still only touch a small corner of its majesty."

  Ye Fan nodded lightly as he considered his Master's words. His eyes became unfocused as he entered a semi-meditative state. Seeing this, Shi Qiongtian snapped his fingers. The crisp sound broke the boy from his focus. Before the little boy could question his master, the man gently tapped the book in front of him. The book was tossed into the air by a rush of wind and floated before Ye Fan emitting a soft golden glow. Unsurprised by his Master's flourish, he grabbed the book and began reading. As the boy's eyes began roaming the page, Shi Qiongtian started his lecture.

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  "Beyond the Mortal Realm, there is also the Immortal Realm. Beyond the Immortal Realm, there is the Chaos. As for what's beyond the Chaos? That is something that many cultivators still desire to reach that no one has the answer to."

  Ye Fan was drawn to his master's lecture. His authoritative figure spoke with a calm, soothing cadence. The meditative circles that the red-robed man's walking path drew helped him focus. Although the book also encompassed the words in his lecture, his increased knowledge intention meant that it was better for him to focus on his master first.

  Shi Qiongtian inwardly took note of his disciple's with great pleasure and continued speaking without interruption.

  "Now, between these three Realms that have existed for eons, the history that encompasses it is incredibly vast. Starting with the era that we are currently in. This era is coined as "Golden Revival". Do you know why that is?"

  A gentle smile sat lightly on Shi Qiongtian's expression as he watched Ye Fan with an encouraging gaze. The little boy pulled out a few strands of grass from the ground. Holding his hand to the sky, he dropped them. As his gaze traced the path the strands followed while drifting in the breeze, he replied absentmindedly.

  "Well… a revival implies that something had to fall or decline. So, the previous era must have been one of decline."

  Nodding, pleased with his disciple's response, Shi Qiongtian tossed his disciple a pill. The boy caught the pill reflexively and revealed a joyful expression. In the boy's cupped hands was a pill that glistened a pearly white. Without hesitation, Ye Fan popped it into his mouth with a flick from his thumb. The taste was sweet and creamy, a very smooth white chocolate taste. While Ye Fan enjoyed his treat, Shi Qiongtian continued his lecture.

  "En. You are right, in a way. The era of Golden Revival was one that was reached after the blood sweat and tears of cultivators of the previous eras. In this era, Qi is tangible and itinerant cultivators can have an opportunity to rise despite the many powers. You are fortunate enough to experience an era where cultivation is flourishing and not a taboo…"

  Melancholy and nostalgia overcame the red-robed male as he finished his sentence. Memories from a distant past surged into his mind. His gaze was a bit softer as he spoke on the next era.

  "Before the Golden Revival era was the Rising Ashes era. As the name implies, this was the initial resurgence of cultivation. It came after the loss of numerous cultivation legacies. The Heavenly Dao had retreated in the previous era and the Three Realms were cut off from each other. It wasn't until this era when I reopened the passages between the three realms that cultivators had a chance for immortality again. Without the numerous trailblazers that formed this era, Golden Revival would be impossible."

  Ye Fan was astonished at the information that his master revealed. His Master was the very one who made the current state of this world possible. His eyes were filled with pride as he jumped up and down in excitement. He forgot himself as he stood up and began shouting.

  "Wow, Master! I knew you were an important figure, but I didn't know that you could be so great!"

  Shi Qiongtian's smile grew a bit wider at the reaction of his disciple. Although the boy had spoken out of turn, the red-robed man didn't rebuke him. Instead, he gave the boy's hair a little ruffle. Ye Fan was a bit surprised by his master's reaction, but he just revealed an expression of comfort and enjoyed the moment. After a brief intermission, the man's voice turned stern as he gave the little boy a warning.

  "Be sure not to use my name to get your way. Cultivating immortality is a long and arduous process. If you want to achieve immortality, you need a firm foundation and that is not obtained by taking the easy path. To be a disciple of mine, you must never take the easy way. You can receive help along your path, but the more help you receive the more karma you will be entangled in. This might not matter now, but it will be extremely difficult for you if not impossible the further you advance. Remember, you must stay true to yourself. "

  Hearing these words, Ye Fan nodded fiercely. The idea that he must stay true to himself had been reiterated by his master many times. His face scrunched up slightly into a serious expression which garnered a huff of amusement from the aloof immortal.

  What is it that you seek?