Chapter 3: Uncle Reynold

The sun has just set in the Twin Fire and Ice city and suddenly out of nowhere the temperature dramatically drops creating a freezing environment. The reason that the city is known as the Twin Fire and Ice is mainly due to the temperature being scorching hot in the day and the freezing cold in the night. Fire Qi that appears in the day would suddenly disappear, as if it was never there, when the sun set and an immense amount of Ice Qi appears as its replacement.

Due to this sudden change, very few cultivators would cultivate Qi in the night instead they meditate to try to understand the truths, laws and secrets of the world. However, this doesn’t apply to established clans who they possess Fire Crystals. These are rare stones that are created when there are highly concentrated amount of Fire Qi and these crystals naturally form within these environments.

Fire Crystals are part of the Elemental Crystals and are categorised under the basic crystals due to the fire element being a foundation element. Nevertheless, even the basic crystals aren’t something that ordinary family can get their hands on. These crystals contain Qi in one of the purest form however they will still contain impurities. These crystals can save a cultivator time if they cultivate the body or Qi but isn’t very useful for Spirit cultivators who cultivate their Mental Energy.

Due to the two-different cultivating environment that the country of fire has while there are a lot of fire affinity cultivators in the area but there are also ice affinity cultivators that resides in the country. However, Ice is a supreme element and due to its ranking and rarity, the numbers of Ice cultivators are very low but they are all powerhouses and people who can’t be offended. Any powerhouses when offended will cause the red moon to appear and it will rain blood in the country.

…

With the freezing temperature, majority of the Crimson clansman are in the house for a few exceptions.

“Grandfather, why are we outside after the sun has set. I thought, you told me not to stay outside when the Ice Qi arrives.” Ignis’s body shivers and his hand cross his body trying to keep himself warm as he asks Aurelius.

Aurelius glances at Ignis, before the hint of sadness within him slowly disappears and is replaced with warmth. He lets out a small smile, however Ignis was too busy keeping himself warm that he didn’t notice.

“Child, we are going to meet someone who can help you in your cultivation. The reason why we are out here so late being because that lunatic only comes out this late.” Aurelius responds to Ignis in a caring tone and continues walking.

“Lunatic? Oh, are we going to meet uncle Reynold?” Upon the realisation on the purpose of them being out so late. Ignis facial expression changes from exhaustion to fascination.

“I heard that uncle Reynold is quite an eccentric person and that he sleeps all day. Are the rumours true?” Ignis asks Aurelius with a curious expression.

“Hmm, the rumours are true however the reason he sleeps all day isn’t because he is lazy but it’s because of an entirely different reason.” Aurelius responds.

Ignis then continues to ask Aurelius question about Reynold and Aurelius calmly responds to the questions without giving much details.

After walking a long time, Aurelius then stopped in front of a small house in the outskirt of the Crimson clan.

The house looks completely worn out, it is simply due to the fact that no one has even attempt to clean it for a decade. It was a simple house with normal decorations and furniture that all houses have. Except for the fact that dust has covers everything outside and inside the house.

Aurelius shakes his head, “That boy, he is so deeply concentrated on his cultivation that he always ignores these things. Sigh, the only thing in his mind is cultivation.” Aurelius’s eyes became slightly clouded and there was a hint of sadness that wasn’t there before.

“Ignis, let’s go in and remember if you we see him meditation don’t disturb him.” Aurelius looks at Ignis and then walks into the house.

Ignis nods and follows Aurelius into the worn-out house. As Ignis move into the house he tries to touch as less thing as possible so that the dust wouldn’t cover him up and make him a dust man.

Once inside the house, Ignis sees a man sitting down in the centre of the room with his hand placed on his crossed legs. After just entering the room, Ignis discovers that the room temperature was even lower than the outside and this was due to the concentrated Ice Qi in the room.

The man wasn’t wearing robe like Aurelius, he was wearing a clothing similar to Ignis. Simple fighting clothes that are fitting to his body however it is blue rather than white and combining with his features makes him look cold and imposing.

“Uncle Reynold… is an Ice cultivator? Aren’t Ice cultivator extremely rare, how is it possible for an Ice cultivator to appear in our clan who are known for our Fire cultivation?” Ignis ask multiple questions in a small voice, afraid that he might disturbs Reynold’s cultivation.

Aurelius let out a small laugh and then said “Yes, an ice cultivator is extremely rare and even harder to find in out Clan’s lineage however Reynold’s mother, my sister-in law was also an Ice cultivator and he inherited it from her. It’s not impossible for other affinity to appear in our clan, you father is a prime example.”

Aurelius then stops talking and looks at Reynold waiting for him to finish his cultivation.

As if Reynold knew Aurelius’ intention, he opens his eyes and once he sees who is in-front of him. He was pleasantly surprise and stands up, “Uncle Aurelius. What are you here for?” Reynold seems confused at why his uncle is currently at his house so late in the night.

“I’m here to introduce you to your nephew” Aurelius then took a step to the side and reveals Ignis who was hiding behind him.

Ignis bows to Reynold and cups his hand to show a sign of respect for his uncle.

“Ne-Nephew? Cousin Zephyrus has a son? How come no one mentioned this to me.” Reynold became even more confuse.

“Hmph, you? You are always in closed cultivation and refuse to come out how could anyone tell you?” Aurelius in a scolding tone.

“Hehe, so it is my fault. I have a nephew now huh?” Reynold looked at Ignis with curiosity and warmth. Reynold didn’t have a younger brother nor did he take in a disciple so when he saw Ignis it was a first for him. For a decade, Reynold has only been cultivating therefore meeting Ignis became a new experience and marks a brand-new chapter in Reynold’s life.

Ignis seems to be at a lost because his uncle appears nothing like his expectation and thoughts. This is highly due to typical Ice cultivator to be quiet cold to other people.

“Hmm, placing that matter beside. Uncle, you have introduced my nephew to me but I doubt that’s the only reason why you are here.” Reynold once again questions why Aurelius is here.

“Of course, that isn’t the only reason why I’m here. Ignis here, he possesses…” Aurelius was saying.

As soon as Aurelius said that the Reynold’s eyebrows jumps up, “He possesses the lightning affinity same as his father?” Reynold interrupted Aurelius.

“No! Let me finish, you don’t have any manners at all do you? Is this what you became after living alone for a decade?” Aurelius berated Reynold’s action.

Reynold wryly laughs as he rustles his hair in embarrassment with his face that now has a hint of red.

“He possesses the fire affinity and the darkness affinity.” Aurelius finally finished what he was saying before.

Reynold expression suddenly changed from embarrassed into shock and then into happiness. Reynold then let out a laughed. “Haha, a cultivator of fire and darkness affinity has once again appeared into our clan. This is great news, what cultivation method did he chose? Shadow Embrace? Chaotic Ruler? Darkness Supreme?”

As Reynold once began to starts talking, Aurelius became quiet and waits until Reynolds calms down. “Ignis has manage to get the Solar eclipse and has decides to choose it as his cultivation method.” Aurelius calmly responds.

Reynold expression suddenly changes and was extremely shock by this new information. “No-No! How could this happen? You can’t possible let him cultivate that method.” Reynold stands up and eyes became serious in a matter of seconds.

Aurelius shook his head in response to Reynold questions. “It has never been my decision when it’s comes to Ignis’s cultivation. For him to even find this book must be by the work of the Supreme Elder.”

Reynold frowns upon hearing Aurelius’ words, clearly dissatisfied. “Sigh, so what is it that I can do to help Ignis? Since you obviously came here for my help” Aurelius sigh.

“I need you to bring Ignis to the city of Earnest when Ignis reach the age of 9 however that isn’t the main reason for why I’m here today. When time come, I need you to bring Ignis to the Ivern forest to help him get use to the environment of the forest and hunt demonic beast.” Aurelius explains.

“When would that be?” Reynold asks.

“When Ignis come to you, you will know what to do then.” Aurelius looks at Ignis and then answers.

“Is that it? But I must ask, why me?” Reynold was baffle as he couldn’t understand Aurelius’s decision.

“Besides you who else can I ask? Everyone except you are busy and all you do in the day is sleep so you are the best choice to train Ignis” Aurelius sternly said.

“Okay that’s enough talk, Ignis we should leave now” Aurelius said and gestures Ignis to follow him.

Ignis nod and cups his hand once again then he bowed towards Reynold and follows Aurelius.

“Nephew huh, Iris I have a nephew now. Iris, where did you go.” Reynold solemnly looks at the departure of Ignis and Aurelius.

…

Reynold and Ignis are now walking towards Ignis’s residence.

“Boy, besides the reason I told Reynold, there are other factors that made him a suitable to be your teacher. He is the one who knows the forest the most in our clan even better than our hunters, so he will be able to teach you a lot of things” Aurelius reveals to Ignis, his reason for choosing Reynold.

However, a thought also appears in Aurelius’s mind. “I hope, not only would Reynold provide you with training but you would help him solves his problems. Sigh, Reynold has not been able to advance and has been stuck at the Earth Realm all these time. Iris, I shouldn’t have you agree for you stay with him that time.