They head to Sarah's place to talk to her parents.
Her parents were in the living room.
Sarah sat down. Clark followed, close beside her.
She lifted her hand.
The ring caught the light.
"First," she said softly, "Clark proposed. And I said yes."
Her mother and father looked at each other.
Her father blinked twice.
"Well, well, well," he muttered, clearing his throat, "it's about time you got serious with my daughter."
Her mother smacked his shoulder lightly.
"Congratulations. I knew this was coming since you two were kids."
Then Sarah took a breath.
"There's more."
Clark let Sarah handle it this time.
She explained Dao Companion.
The soul bond.
The bloodline inheritance.
The Cultivation World.
And that they were leaving tomorrow.
The room went silent. Then all of a sudden. Her dad spoke up.
"You did what?"
His voice wasn't loud.
It was worse than loud.
"We chose not to awaken," he said slowly. "So our child wouldn't have to fight. Wouldn't have to live in fear and be in constant danger."
His eyes shifted to Clark.
"And you gave her an ability that binds her to war and to fight that war. The one thing we tried to stop her from doing."
Clark opened his mouth
But Sarah spoke first.
"I chose this. Clark didn't make this decision. I did"
Her father stood abruptly.
"You don't know what you chose. What I and your mom left behind to keep you safe. The sacrifice we made was all for nothing."
He grabbed his keys.
Ran out the front door.
And he was gone.
Silence filled the house.
Sarah's mother looked tired.
"You've always wanted an ability i know that." she said gently.
"But.. you should have talked to us."
"I know," Sarah whispered. "But I didn't want to hesitate or delay my decision. I don't regret it I'm sorry. But don't worry I promise I'll get strong. Strong enough that you'll realize I made the right decision."
Her mother gave a sad smile.
"That's never how being a parent works. Even if you become as strong as an SSSS rank we will still worry. "
She stood and hugged her tightly.
"If you're in danger, run. I don't care about pride. I don't care about honor. Be a coward if you have to. Just come home alive."
Sarah nodded against her shoulder.
Clark felt the weight of that promise settle onto him.
"You should stay at Clark's tonight.." her mother added. "I think your dad need some time to settle but I'll handle it. Y'all go have fun in the new world and be safe."
Back at Clark's house, the night felt quieter.
"I'm sorry, for not being more thoughtful when i asked to share my ability with you." Clark said softly.
Sarah shook her head.
"He's just scared. I know he means well but regardless. I would've accepted it anyways. So it doesn't really matter."
Clark nodded.
Then they started packing everything they would need food, clothes, and survival supplies.
They were so excited they barely slept.
In the morning..
Clark told his parents goodbye.
Sarah called her parents and said her goodbyes.
Clark grabbed both backpacks.
"You ready?"
Sarah smiled.
"Never been more ready in my life."
Clark activated the skill.
"Cultivation World."
[ACTIVATING SKILL CULTIVATION WORLD]
[TELEPORTATION STARTING IN 3..2..1]
Darkness swallowed them instantly.
Their bodies felt weightless.
The system voice echoed.
[ERROR]
[BACKPACKS DETECTED]
[CONTAINERS NOT ALLOWED ONLY ITEM ON BODY OR IN STORAGE DEVICES ALLOWED]
Clark felt the weight of the backpacks dissappear.
"What?!?!?"
[ARRIVAL IN 3..2..1]
They landed on soft earth.
Endless grass stretched to the horizon.
They seem to be in the middle of a forest in a clear patch.
Clark took a deep breathe.
"Hm, the air does feel different here."
Clark's system activated automatically.
[SPIRIT ENERGY DETECTED]
[ABILITY FIRST CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE (passive) ACTIVATED]
A warmth spread through his body.
His veins tingled.
His muscles felt denser.
His mind sharper.
"My ability activated on its own" he whispered. "Apparently I have some passive absorption function."
Sarah frowned.
"I don't feel anything."
Clark turned to her.
"You inherited my bloodline abilities. Not the cultivation technique itself. So I might have to teach you mine or find you another one here."
Her expression fell slightly.
"So I can't cultivate?"
"Not yet unfortunately," Clark said quickly. "But dont worry will will find you one soon."
She nodded.
Then..
Her eyes widened when she finally noticed.
"Our bags."
Clark looked down.
Empty hands.
No supplies.
No food.
No clothes.
Nothing.
Sarah groaned.
"Oh no... wha.. what are we gonna do? We have nothing."
Clark scanned the horizon.
Endless plains.
No visible structures.
No shelter.
And in the distance…
Something moved in the tall grass.
Fast.. almost like a blurr.