The main concern is actually reaching the sun. It's approximately 150 million kilometers from Earth—a distance that would take months or years to traverse with conventional flight at my current speed capabilities.
But...
He smiled slightly.
I don't need conventional flight. Spatial Displacement Intent allows teleportation across vast distances. I've already demonstrated the ability to warp space during combat with Kaelith. The limitation is range—I can currently teleport perhaps 50 kilometers at most without excessive energy expenditure.
However, multiple sequential teleports would work. I could "hop" through space—teleport 50 kilometers, pause to recover spiritual energy, teleport another 50 kilometers, repeat. It would be tedious but functional.
Better yet...
His consciousness touched on techniques he'd acquired from Kaelith during their information exchange.
Several of the high-grade movement techniques she transmitted include long-distance travel methods. Space Intent synchronization with Motion Flow Intent could create a travel formation that maintains constant high-speed movement without exhausting the practitioner.
With proper technique application, I could probably reach the sun within a few days of continuous travel.
Another thought occurred to him, this one more practical.
The main body would be gone for an extended period—weeks, possibly months of dedicated cultivation. But the shadow clone shares consciousness through our connection. As long as the clone remains on Earth, I can maintain awareness of events here.
The clone can handle academy attendance, family interactions, and any urgent matters that arise. No one needs to know the original body has left the planet entirely.
He nodded to himself, the plan solidifying into concrete intention.
After I settle the family situation tonight and tomorrow—getting them moved into the mansion, convincing Father to resign from the frontier—I'll depart for the sun. The clone will maintain appearances while the main body undergoes intensive cultivation in the ultimate training environment.
The residential district came into view, familiar streets and modest homes marking his neighborhood. Vaelor's pace increased slightly as another concern surfaced.
Speaking of family... that's going to be the challenging conversation. Father is incredibly stubborn, especially regarding his duty as a border sentinel. Getting him to resign won't be simple.
And there's the matter of making them accept the mansion, the vehicles, the luxury provisions. Their pride will make them resist being "burdens" or accepting "charity" even from their own son and nephew.
He sighed quietly.
I'll need to be persuasive. Frame it properly. Make them understand this isn't charity—it's investment in family security. That their wellbeing directly impacts my ability to focus on cultivation and advancement.
And Father...
Vaelor's expression became more serious.
There's something wrong. Something he's not telling us about Mother. He claims she died when I was young, but his reactions, his evasions when the topic arises... I don't believe it. Not entirely.
But I won't pressure him. When he's ready to talk about it, I'll listen. Until then, I'll respect his privacy while quietly investigating on my own.
The Draeth family home appeared ahead—a modest two-story structure that had housed them for years. Lights glowed warmly in the windows, and Vaelor could smell cooking aromas drifting from the kitchen.
First, handle the family situation. Make sure they're secure and comfortable. Then...
His golden eyes glanced skyward, where the first stars were beginning to appear as twilight deepened.
Then I'll reach for the sun itself.
But before heading home, Vaelor made a deliberate detour toward the local market district. If he was going to convince his family to accept his newfound wealth, he needed to demonstrate it in terms they'd immediately understand.
They won't be impressed by numbers in an account. But exotic food? Premium ingredients they've never been able to afford? That will get their attention.
Market District - Evening Shopping
The evening market was still active despite the late hour—vendors calling out final deals, families purchasing ingredients for dinner, restaurants restocking supplies.
Vaelor navigated through the crowded streets toward a specific establishment he'd noticed during previous visits: Golden Fang Provisions, a specialty store that catered to both wealthy civilians and lower-tier warriors.
Unlike the massive warehouses where he'd purchased bulk provisions earlier for the mansion, this shop focused on premium individual ingredients—the kind of exotic foods that made excellent gifts or special occasion meals.
The shop's interior was climate-controlled, with different sections maintaining various temperatures for proper ingredient preservation. Display cases showed cuts of beast meat that glowed faintly with residual energy, fish that seemed to shimmer with iridescent scales, vegetables that pulsed with vital force.
An elderly shopkeeper looked up from his counter, his experienced eyes immediately assessing Vaelor as a serious customer despite his young age.
"Evening, young sir. Looking for something specific?"
"Premium ingredients," Vaelor said. "Family dinner. I want the best you have—things they've never tasted before."
The shopkeeper's weathered face creased with a knowing smile. "Successful hunt recently?"
"Something like that."
"Then let me show you what we've got."
Twenty minutes later, Vaelor left the shop carrying several packages wrapped in preservation cloth and sealed with minor cooling formations. The total cost had been 850,000 points—more than most families spent on groceries in a year.
But the contents were worth it:
Crimson Phoenix Chicken (2 kg): Meat from a mutated bird with trace phoenix bloodline. Consuming it temporarily enhanced vitality and provided minor fire resistance. Market value: 200,000 points per kilogram.
Deepwater Dragon Fish (1.5 kg): Fish from ocean depths, evolved under extreme pressure. Its flesh strengthened bones and improved spiritual perception. Market value: 180,000 points per kilogram.
Jade Spirit Vegetables (assorted, 3 kg): Vegetables grown in qi-rich environments. Cleansed toxins, improved complexion, extended lifespan by months with regular consumption. Market value: 50,000 points per kilogram.
Golden Vitality Fruits (1 kg): Rare fruits that boosted immune system and accelerated healing. A single fruit could cure most common illnesses. Market value: 100,000 points per kilogram.
The shopkeeper had packaged everything beautifully, clearly hoping Vaelor would become a repeat customer. "These ingredients require careful preparation to maximize benefits. I've included recipe cards with each item."
"Appreciated."
With packages secured, Vaelor resumed his walk home, now carrying groceries that represented more wealth than his family had earned in the past decade combined.
This should get their attention, he thought with slight amusement. Aunt Mira will probably scream when she opens these packages and recognizes what they are.
Then the real conversation begins.
The Draeth family home was just ahead now, warm light spilling from windows into the darkening street. Vaelor could see movement inside—his family going about their evening routines, unaware that their entire lives were about to change.
He paused at the gate, packages in hand, and took a deep breath.
Here we go.
Tomorrow, they'd move into a mansion. Tomorrow, Father would resign from the dangerous frontier duty. Tomorrow, everything would be different.
But tonight—tonight was about convincing them it was okay to accept it.
And after that... after settling his family's future...
Vaelor's golden eyes turned skyward one final time, gazing at the darkening sky where stars were beginning to emerge.
The sun awaits.
A training ground beyond anything Earth could offer. A cultivation environment that would remain challenging for years to come. A stellar forge where he could temper his physique and advance his cultivation without limitation.
Three years until apocalypse, he thought with quiet determination. Three years to become strong enough to face a God-Tier entity.
The sun will be my crucible. And when I emerge...
He smiled—cold, confident, absolutely certain.
I'll be ready.
Vaelor pushed open the gate and walked toward home, carrying groceries worth a fortune and plans that would take him to the stars.
The first chapter of his true journey was about to begin.
TO BE CONTINUED...