Pathway

Chapter 23: Rite Of Judgement [1]

Zhang Xiu Ying was on the training ground early than usual one morning, practicing the Beasts Inferno technique with her parents. Since they all used the same fire technique, albeit with different beast manifestations, it was much easier for them to practice together. Except for Ju Feng, who was not fire affiliated, but still watched their training. His family had been engaging in mock combats for two years now.

Already, it was two years ago since they last had a visit from the titan lord. Lord Primus had told Zhang Xiu Ying during his last visit about her true nature. Zhang Xiu Ying already knew she was an Asura. She was born a demigod, and had already reached the full demigod stage. And she had also formed her nascent soul. But she wasn't expecting what the titan lord had told her. She recalled their conversation, clearly.

"Xiu Ying, it's true we met not long ago. However, I see you as someone I've known for ages. That's why I've been taking you as a long lost relative. If you don't mind being one, of course."

"Really?"

Zhang Xiu Ying asked as she looked at the titan lord, who was radiating honesty and trustworthiness, in disbelief. Lord Primus, who had saved their lives, wanted to be her relative? Of course, she would agree. He deserved their trust in him.

"Well, I don't have many relative in the first place. So, it's welcomed by me and besides, who will turn down being a relative of a titan lord. Totally good by me."

"Alright, that's settled then. Now, let me ask you this. What do you know about yourself?"

"Myself? What about myself, lord Primus?"

"Just call me uncle Primus. Alright?"

Primus gently swivelled her off, displaying an easy smile on his face.

"Yes, Uncle Primus."

"Very well then. Tell me, Xiu Ying. What do you know about yourself becoming a demigod? Anything you can tell me?"

"Well, I know I was born a demigod is a stage one reach after forming a nascent soul, before ascension. Isn't it, uncle Primus? And I formed my nascent soul some ten years ago."

"Indeed. And I'm very proud of you for forming your nascent soul. Tell me this, your divine powers, did they manifest before you became a demigod?"

"Yes. When I was in evanesce core stage. Why?"

"Please, allow me to do a little confirmation first."

"What confirmation, uncle Primus?"

"I will tell you in a moment. Be patient, Xiu Ying."

The titan lord had taken out a small talisman, and after activating it, the talisman had burst into golden light.

"Hm, as I thought."

The titan Lord nodded and continued.

"Your nimbus light is golden-white, which means you were born a true demigod. And yes, you were already a demigod when you started cultivation. Even without cultivation, you would have become a demigod still. Though it'll take longer time. Cultivation simply made it faster for you. Xiu Ying, demigod is not what you become if you reach a certain stage in cultivation. Demigods are born as demigods which you already knew. However, since you were born a true demigod, there's something important for you to do."

The titan lord had looked at her with a trace of compassion before continuing.

"Do you know about the rite of judgement?"

"The rite for the demigods? Yes, I do know of it."

"It's a rite you need to undergo. Every true demigod will awaken their divine self after passing the rite of judgement. As you are already aware, there's no harm in the rite for any demigod. Just a little test which you can stop at anytime, I later learned. It's a creation's trial to see if a demigod truly deserves the divine powers of becoming a deity."

Lord Primus took a few steps away from Zhang Xiu Ying, and lifted his head, gazing into the distant future.

"If you pass the trials, you will have your divine awakening. Your divine powers will truly come to fore. But if you fail, you will never have true divine powers when you become a god. You will only keep the level of divine powers you have when you ascend. Only, if you fail the trials, Xiu Ying. But its better to do it before ascension. If you ascend before awakening your divine self, your godhood divinity will be on a weak foundation. Think about it, will you?"

"I will, uncle Primus. Thank you."

Zhang Xiu Ying had immediately discussed it with her family. At first they had expressed concern about the whole rite thing, but eventually, they had agreed as long as their daughter herself was fine with it. This was her decision to make. Zhang Xiu Ying had finally decided to undergo the rite. If uncle Primus believed it was important for her, she would trust him on it. But for now, she was not in a rush.

Snapping back to the present, Zhang Xiu Ying nodded to herself. She would be taking the rite in a month's time. She had been preparing for it for the past two years. She would be ready for it by then. Zhang Xiu Ying looked at her parents, and her son who was training on his own by the side, and wondered about her ascension that was still far away.

What if she ascended sooner than she anticipated? Who would take care of her family? And if she was to refuse ascension, she would not be able to ascend to the heavenly realm in the future. For her family, she wouldn't mind staying in a mortal world. But what if her family members reached ascension, especially her son. She wouldn't be able to follow to the heavenly realm, and that would be heart-wrenching.

She would decide when it was time. But for now, she had to give everything to get stronger, and be able to protect her family. She made her way to the cultivation chamber to engage in meditation for her inner peace.