Inside the Huo household's pavillion, Amongst the lush bushes and stone pathways, a child laid quietly in wait behind a sturdy and thick tree, making small 'hehe' giggles.

Huo Yi was currently playing hide and seek with his two favorite playmates. Upon closer inspection, the child looked thin and fragile like a glass vase, with rosy white skin and medium-short black hair with cute bangs to complement his sparkling pink eyes. He was wearing a white collar shirt inside his black-cloth jacket along with black pants and brown shoes,dirtied with some soil. In terms of appearance, he would be described as an adorable angel.

"Young master Huo, where are you?" ( Lin xiao)

A man in completely black clothing called out to Huo yi.Lin xiao was one of the guards responsible for protecting Huo yi, He was a 7th rank Qi warrior who was infamous in the household for being unapproachable and cold.

However, looking at this scene would make others think twice.

Lin xiao walked over to the tree, pretending to still look around and call for Huo yi, stopping in front of the tree where Huo yi was hiding at.

Seeing this chance, Huo yi released his arms that were clinging onto the tree trunk, and grabbed onto Lin xiao who turned and skillfully caught him with two arms.

"I got you!" (Huo yi)

"....You got me." (Lin xiao)

Lin xiao looked at Huo yi with softened eyes and a small smile. The young master was the only person besides Master Huo Jin and Tang yu who treated him like a real person and did not judge him because of his hair color. In the Azura continent, the majority of the people had black hair and grey eye color. The people with different hair or eye colors were treated differently, referred to as 'Qi practitioners'. they were treated like gods, as the color indicated their affinity with the elements. Although, there were some Qi practioners who abused their power on normal people and other weaker practioners, causing growing fear and contempt between the two.Thus, the servants dared not to interact and have informal conversations towards Lin xiao unlike Huo yi and Tang yu.

Huo yi grinned brightly, holding onto lin xiao's sleeve as Lin xiao put Huo yi down, pointing and leading him to the room.

"Now that I won the game, can Uncle Lin teach me how to gather Qi now?" (Huo yi)

Huo yi was curious about this Qi thing, he would always eavesdrop during family meetings, the household and his father would always talk about it whenever they were talking about it. Even Lin xiao and Tang yu who were suppose to keep quiet about the subject towards him, were unable to keep it in due to Huo yi's constant questioning.

"....Maybe in another 3 years." (Lin xiao)

"Ehh,why can't we do it now?" (Huo yi)

"Your body is still not mature enough to handle the Qi, in 3 years you might have a chance. But if you must insist on starting now..."

Lin xiao bended down to whisper in Huo yi's ear and said in a low voice,

"Your stomach might explode." (Lin xiao)

"...Really?" (Huo yi)

Huo yi stared at Lin xiao with wide eyes. Stomach might explode?! Aiyah, he may never be able to eat ever again if it did!

Becoming pale at the thought, Huo yi shook his head and quickly ran away to find his father.

Lin xiao watched him totter away, making sure he did not fall. Standing in the middle of the pavillion, Lin xiao sighed and thought to himself.

The young master was only 4 years old,wanting to start practising Qi now would only harm his body. Most kids would start at 7, where their body is most suitable for starting their cultivation. In addition to his young age, Huo yi was unable to learn Qi techniques due to his weak and frail physique. Other children at his age were chubby and healthy, but Huo yi had a slightly poor heart condition and was thin and sickly. Thus his father prevented him from running around too much. Qi was for practioners who fought with their physique,using body strengthening techniques and eating cultivation pills to speed up or enchance their Qi cultivation. Practising Qi would only result in Huo yi becoming a vegetable, or even worse, dead. Luckily, Huo yi had a high Ki affinity, so he would be able to become a powerful Ki magician perhaps, just not a Qi warrior.

Finishing his comtemplation, Lin xiao turned his heel and headed towards the main hall to follow his young master.

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-Inside the main hall-

"Huo jin, you should start making plans for Huo yi's future. He is already 4 years old and still has not gone outside the house. Children his age should start making friends and allies."

A man with a worried expression glanced towards Huo jin. He was Li chen, and was Huo jin's best friend. The two men were 47 this year, both were exceptionally prestigious Qi practioners. While Huo Jin adopted a fierce and manly look, Li chen was the opposite. He had androgynous features, with long and light blue hair tied into a knot, and a elegant robe adorning his lithe body. He was the only one who dared to use informal tone with Huo jin, using the excuse that speaking in a formal tone with his good friend felt strange and funny.

"Stop nagging at me you cold-bastard. I know that isolating him here won't keep him safe any longer." (Huo jin)

Huo jin was irritated, yet he knew his friend was right. The fact that his son had a poor condition would enable rivals and enemies to act against him. He understood that he could not hide it anymore from the other households.

"Aiyah, this is because you keep beating up people during the younger days, now that it has come to this, you can only reap what you sow." (Li chen)

Making a 'tut, tut' sound, Li chen gave a disapproving head nod.

"Are you implying that this is my fault?! Who is the one who keeps cheating and stealing others stuff? Thanks to you, they had to seek me out instead!" (Huo jin)

Huo jin stood up from his chair, slamming his hands down on the table and creating a loud 'Bam!' sound.

Li chen just shrugged his shoulders and turned his head away from Huo jin, only then noticing Huo yi peeking behind the door frame.

"Greetings Father and Uncle Li. Father, is Uncle Li is here to visit us?" (Huo yi)

Huo yi rushed in and gave a deep bow to greet Li chen, before turning towards his father.

"Eh? Ah, ahem. Yes, your uncle Li came to visit me so that we could discuss some things." (Huo jin)

Realizing his son was here, Huo jin's anger quickly dissipated. He swiftly straightened up and gave a loud cough to hide his embarrassment.

"Little Huo yi, how are you ne? Come, Uncle Li has something for you." (Li chen)

Li chen favored Huo yi, Huo yi was an adorable and polite child. Whenever he came to visit the Huo house, he always spoiled Huo yi with expensive treats and sweets. Li chen made Huo yi spread open his hands and gave him a small pouch filled with candy.

"Thank you Uncle Li." (Huo yi)

Huo yi gave another deep bow, before noticing his reason for finding father.

"Father,Uncle Li, Uncle Lin said if I practice Qi, my stomach will explode. Is it true?" (Huo yi)

"......." (Huo jin)

"......." (Li chen)

"...Huo yi, although thats not true, your body will in fact get hurt." (Huo jin)

Huo Jin responded after a brief moment of silence. He then heard footsteps heading towards the main hall's direction, revealing Lin xiao who was standing near the doorway.

Before Huo yi could say anything, Huo Jin interrupted him.

"Now,now, it's nearly time for sleep. Huo yi, you should get changed and ready to sleep." (Huo Jin)

"But father-" (Huo yi)

"Huo yi, I will talk to you tomorrow, okay? I need to discuss with Li chen for awhile." (Huo jin)

Seeing that his father did not want to delve into the matter, Huo yi responded with a disappointed nod.

"Good boy, Lin xiao, help Huo yi to get ready for bed." (Huo jin)

"Understood, Master Huo jin." (Lin xiao)

Lin xiao reached out for Huo yi's small hand, leading the child to his quarters.

"Shouldn't you treat him more nicely? He's just a kid." (Li chen)

Li chen focused on Huo jin, who was looking very down.

"..." (Huo jin)

Huo jin did not reply, reaching out to his tea cup. He then noticed it had gone cold.

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-Huo yi's room-

" Uncle Lin, why won't father talk to me about the Qi thingy?" (Huo yi)

Sitting on the side of the bed as Lin xiao took off his shoes, Huo yi blurted out.

"Sigh, young master... It is because you are unable to to practise Qi." (Lin xiao)

Kneeling down in front of Huo yi, Lin xiao was unable to hold his tongue.

"Why not?" (Huo yi)

Huo yi questioned with a frown. If father and the others could do it, why not him?

"Because you are weak." (Lin xiao)

"Then I will get stronger!" (Huo yi)

"You can, but just not right now." (Lin xiao)

Lin xiao reassured Huo yi, using his hand on his knee to support himself to stand up. Heading towards the door, suddenly stopping in front.

"...Young master, this may be disrespectful of me, but could you tell me your reason for wanting to be strong?" (Lin xiao)

"...Eh?" (Huo yi)

Huo yi was startled awake from his depressing thoughts, the reason why he wants to be strong?

"...to protect Father, Uncle Li... Uncle Tang and you." (Huo yi)

"...!" (Lin xiao)

Huo yi had replied in a such a small voice, If Lin xiao was not a Diamond stage Qi practioner, he would not have been able to pick up what Huo yi had said.

"...Good night, Young master." (Lin xiao)

Quickly turning away to conceal his flustered face, Lin xiao left briskly and closed the door.

With the room silent and no one else in the room except himself, Huo yi grabbed his blanket and slipped himself into a comfortable sleeping position, and was slowly drifting off to dreamland. All of a sudden, 3 large floating figures appeared above him, flinching him awake.

"Hey maggot."

One of the figures spoke, a threatening and blood-curdling female voice sounded through his ears. The hand from the figure grabbed his mouth, preventing him from screaming for his father.

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Sorry for the delay guys! I was busy with school >_Here's a longer chapter than usual.