Two months had passed since the joyful announcement of Seraphina's pregnancy. Her belly now showed a gentle swell, a soft curve that she rested her hand upon often, feeling the faint kicks of new life. The clan moved with quiet anticipation—nurseries prepared in hidden wings, additional protective arrays woven with converted neutral Qi stones, and elders quietly offering vitality elixirs to ensure her health and the child's strength. The pregnancy was seen as a beacon of prosperity, a promise that the Voss bloodline would endure stronger and longer amid the world's gathering shadows, bolstering morale among disciples and branch families alike.
Kairos, at three years and two months, had grown even more perceptive. His days remained filled with lessons, but the content deepened—simple games evolving into structured teachings about cultivation, Daos, and the vast world of Lunara.
One crisp morning in the garden pavilion, Kairos sat cross-legged opposite Mira, a small scroll unrolled between them. The elder had begun introducing the basics of cultivation realms, using colorful illustrations of warriors ascending glowing paths drawn in blood ink that seemed to shimmer with faint vitality.
"See here, young master," Mira said, pointing to the first figure with gentle enthusiasm. "Qi Gathering—the beginning. We pull Heaven and Earth Qi into our bodies through breath and meditation, filling our meridians like rivers with clear water. This builds the foundation for all power."
Kairos nodded eagerly, his violet-crimson eyes wide. "I do that when I breathe with Papa! The red song gets louder."(the song in his tongue refers to the rhythm in the blood Qi, a harmonious pulse he felt more clearly than any child could).
Mira smiled warmly. "Yes, exactly. Then comes Foundation Establishment: purifying the body, forging a solid base like deep roots for a great tree, so it can withstand storms of greater Qi. Core Formation follows—condensing all that essence into a golden core in your dantian, the sea of power in your lower belly. The core is the heart of a cultivator's strength, shining like a sun within."
Kairos traced the picture with a small finger. "Golden like my veins?"
"Similar," Mira replied. "Then Nascent Soul: birthing a tiny spiritual self from the core—a soul baby that can leave the body to explore, fight, or scout far away. It's like having a second you, made of pure soul force."
Kairos tilted his head. "Can it play in the mist too?"
Mira laughed softly. "It can do many things. Finally, Soul Transformation: refining that nascent soul, changing it to perfectly match your Dao. The soul grows wings of law, becoming one with your path—healing faster, striking stronger, comprehending mysteries deeper."
Kairos pondered, then asked, "What comes after, Aunt Mira? Papa says there are immortals in stories."
Mira's eyes sparkled with ancient myths passed down through Voss generations. "Legends speak of higher realms beyond Soul Transformation—Immortal Ascension, where one shatters the mortal shell, tribulations of heavenly thunder striking down, and if survived, the cultivator becomes eternal. Immortals are said to roam the void between stars, guarding Lunara from cosmic calamities and ascending to higher worlds. Some tales claim the first Voss ancestor saw an immortal's relic—a drop of immortal blood that birthed our Dao. Others say immortals left hidden gates on Lunara, waiting for one worthy to open them. But those are old stories, young master. Many believe the path ends at Soul Transformation on our world—the highest any have reached in recorded history."
In the afternoons, Arcturus took over, combining physical play with lessons on Daos and politics. As they practiced simple stances in the training hall, Kairos mimicking his father's forms with surprising precision, Arcturus spoke of Lunara's powers.
"Lunara has six elementary Daos at its foundation," Arcturus explained, guiding Kairos's small fists. "Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, Metal, Wind—the building blocks of all things. From them branch countless paths: Lightning from Wind, Ice from Water, Poison from Wood, and so on."
Kairos punched the air, mist following. "Blood from what?"
"Blood is life—tied to Water and Wood, but our ancestors forged it unique, some say he got it from a ruin. The Luna Clan, strongest on Lunara, follows Moon Dao—cold, illusions, tidal pulls of essence. The Celestial Void Empire rules southern lands with Void Dao—swallowing attacks into nothingness. Eternal Flame Sect dominates eastern volcanoes with Fire Dao, forging artifacts that are nearly indestructible."
Kairos paused, breathing steady. "Who is the strongest?"
Arcturus smiled faintly. "Luna Clan— strongest clan, unchallenged for seventy thousand years. Celestial Void—largest empire, three medium continents under void banners. Eternal Flame—strongest sect, their flames birth legends. Others like Iron Fang clan follow the daos of Metal, they are a ruthless bunch, Azure Storm empire follow the daos of Wind and Lightning, they are fast, Shadow Eclipse sect follow the dao of Darkness and illusions, Thousand Beast Alliance and many other forces."
As lessons continued over the months, Kairos learned of Voss clan history. "Twenty thousand years ago, our ancestors fled war on a distant landmass, led by Voss the Blood Founder—a visionary with nascent Blood Dao. They arrived at Crimson Veil, then a lawless merchant haven where nearby continents traded freely, Iron Fang the largest bidder buying metals for essence. No one ruled it. Our forebears forged alliances with traders, unified scattered forces through strength and cunning, and claimed the land. We built the estate, reshaped the continent, and made Blood Dao thrive here. Iron Fang still resents losing their trade hub—they have attacked us a few times due to which we have lost some of our legacy spells but we still retain our core cultivation legacy, they probe our borders even now."
Kairos absorbed it all, questions flowing: "Why do they fight over land?"
"For resources, power, Dao legacy. Strength decides survival."
Evenings with Seraphina brought softer lessons—tales of alliances, how Daos harmonized or clashed, how neutral Qi stones fueled growth for all.
As her pregnancy advanced into the sixth month, Kairos often rested his head on her belly. "Sister kicks when I talk about Daos," he reported solemnly one night.
Seraphina laughed. "She listens already. Like her brother."
The clan watched with hope. Kairos's questions sharpened, Qi control instinctive.
The world beyond churned, but within the Veil, foundations strengthened.
A new generation had started learning about the world—preparing for storms ahead.