James stared at the mirror in silence.
He wasn't stupid. There was only one explanation for what had just happened—for the system notification, the golden light, the sudden emptiness in the bronze surface.
The version of himself from a hundred years in the future was dead.
He straightened his robes, and despite his small frame, he bowed toward the mirror with the solemnity of a funeral rite.
"Future me... safe travels."
It felt strange, mourning his own death. But the old man had given him everything he could in those final moments. The least James could offer in return was respect.
*If I ever have the chance,* he thought, *I'll stop that Calamity before it ever takes root.*
---
Over the following days, James discovered that he had truly changed.
The family's cultivation manuals—texts that had once seemed impenetrable—now unfolded before him like children's primers. Principles that had eluded him for years suddenly made perfect sense. The intelligence he displayed left his father visibly pleased.
Jonathan Everett stood before him now, dressed in dark blue brocade, his face as stern and unyielding as carved stone. The morning breeze stirred his robes, but the man himself remained as steady as a mountain.
"You want to learn the Tidal Blade Art?"
Even when addressing the son he was most proud of, Jonathan's voice held no warmth.
The Tidal Blade Art was the foundation upon which the Everett Family had built its power in Sunvale City. The technique layered internal energy like ocean waves, each strike building upon the last until it formed a crushing tide that destroyed everything in its path. Of course, it had significant drawbacks—both the breathing method and the blade technique placed tremendous strain on the meridians, and the buildup required time that an enemy might not grant.
The Fatal Divide that Elder James had created was essentially the Tidal Blade without the preparation time. The cost, however, was even more severe.
James nodded seriously. Over the past month, he had cultivated diligently, polishing the family's basic techniques until they were second nature. He was ready.
Learning the Tidal Blade now would also provide security. Soon, a spirit fruit would appear in the mountains near Springmount City—a treasure that could transform one's very aptitude. James would not allow any mistakes. He trusted no one with this secret.
When it came to heavenly treasures, even close kin might feel greed. And if word leaked to outsiders? The entire Everett household—over a hundred souls—would be slaughtered without even their bones remaining.
Until he had obtained the fruit and fully absorbed its power, James would keep this information locked away.
Jonathan studied his young son's determined expression, and for the first time, a faint smile crossed his stern features. He nodded.
"Very well. Come to me at this hour each day. I will teach you personally."
Though Jonathan had never broken through to the Transcendent Realm, his strength as the Everett Family patriarch was formidable—a top-tier expert among all those below the Transcendent level.
With his father's personal guidance, James made rapid progress. The Tidal Blade Art truly lived up to its reputation as the family's prized technique. As a Heaven-grade martial art, its complexity far exceeded the basic forms taught to ordinary disciples. After half a month, according to Jonathan, James had learned the movements but had not yet grasped the underlying concept.
James didn't care. A technique was for killing and for self-defense—nothing more. As long as he didn't encounter Mortal Realm experts from the martial world, ordinary opponents posed no threat.
Then, one day, James stopped coming to train.
He had disappeared.
---
He left behind only a letter. The gist was simple: he felt his father was right. To truly understand the concept behind the Tidal Blade Art, he could not progress further while remaining within the family compound. Therefore, he had chosen to leave Sunvale City and travel the martial world.
"Brother, he's just a child!" Nathan Everett slammed his palm against a wooden table, which shattered into splinters beneath the blow. His face was flushed with anger. "How can we let him wander the martial world alone? This is madness!"
Jonathan looked at the letter, his expression unreadable. "What's done is done. Knowing James's character, he's likely already left the city by now."
"If he wants to leave, let him go."
Nathan stared at his elder brother in disbelief. "He's only nine years old! The martial world is dangerous beyond measure. You're just going to let him—"
"Do you think I don't know the dangers?" Jonathan's voice was calm. "However, James has been intelligent since birth, and he has learned the Tidal Blade Art. Few below the Mortal Realm can rival him."
Nathan's eyes went wide. "He learned the Tidal Blade? Already?"
He suddenly understood. The letter had mentioned that James left to seek the concept of the technique—a detail Nathan had overlooked in his panic.
"He has only learned the basics," Jonathan clarified. "Form without concept."
Nathan fell silent.
No wonder his brother wasn't worried. A nine-year-old who had mastered even the basic form of the Tidal Blade Art was already more dangerous than most grown men.
---
By the time the Everett elders finished reading the letter, James had already left Sunvale City far behind.
*Father won't raise a commotion searching for me,* he thought as he walked. *He knows I can defend myself, and a public search would only draw unwanted attention. This way, I can move without anyone watching.*
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
James arrived in Springmount City and began his search for a hunter named Tiger Warren.
Thirteen days later, he finally found him.
*So this is the mountain where the spirit fruit will appear.* James studied the rugged terrain with calculating eyes. *I just need to ask this Tiger if he's seen anything unusual. Whatever strange fruit he describes—that will be my target.*
Legend said that when a heavenly treasure neared maturity, celestial phenomena would manifest—lights in the sky, strange weather, gathering beasts. James didn't have time to wait for such signs. He needed to act before the fruit fully ripened, before others caught wind of its existence.
*Only what's in my hand truly belongs to me.*
Taking the fruit early might waste some of its potential, but it was the safest course of action.
Initially, Tiger Warren had been dismissive. James looked like a child of ten at most—what business could such a boy have with a seasoned hunter? But when James tossed out a heavy silver ingot, greed flickered in Tiger's eyes, and his attitude transformed instantly.
"What information does the young master seek?"
James regarded the man coolly. "I'm looking for a strange fruit. I don't know exactly what it looks like, but it will be extraordinary. The place where it grows will be unusual as well."
He let the words hang in the air.
"Think carefully. Is there anywhere on this mountain that seems... different?"
Tiger's eyes darted about, and then he smiled—a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Might I ask what the young master wants with such a thing?"
James casually tossed another silver ingot. "Why ask so many questions? Even if you found it yourself, you wouldn't know how to handle it properly. In your hands, a treasure like that would be nothing but poison."
Tiger snatched up the silver, his grin never wavering. "Forgive this humble one's rudeness. I meant no offense."
James lifted his chin with an air of practiced arrogance, looking every bit the pampered young master from a wealthy family—spoiled, naive, and utterly out of his depth.
It was exactly the impression he wanted to give.
Because at this moment, both men had their own schemes.
---
**End of Chapter 3**