The Sand-scale city covered a large area of land, traversing several thousand square miles with towering walls.
Beyond its west gate was the sand-scale beach appearing as a sight see and was mostly crowded because of the open stores and sea treasures up for grasp.
At the eastern part of the city, lies a grand manor which spanned thousands of square meters. Surrounded by tall trees and plants of distinct glow. Most of its buildings were painted blood red with exception to the exquisite main building also called the main manor which was covered by walls with perfect and delicate lines.
This was the central region of the manor.
Different scents were in the air and… an offensive odor permitted the atmosphere. But the strong and refreshing scents did well by masking it perfectly, almost going unnoticed.
The grand building surroundings were in perfect shape shimmering in red hues as the plants danced with the wind, full of vitality.
In one of the gardens of the main building, sat a middle-aged man with auburn hair halfway his neck. He has deep-red eyes, poker face and covered in red robes. He had a sinister aura around him but calm.
He looked at the young woman kneeling and shivering before him...
"Nonsense, how could he have gone out unnoticed all by himself?" the middle-aged man questioned with a frown now evident on his face. His poker-like appearance disappeared immediately when he heard the young woman's previous words.
His face appeared to have lost all colors.
"Apologies, my lord. He couldn't have slipped out without some help." the young woman said when she immediately continued, "I will go with a team and search for him immediately. He's probably in the nearby forest." she guessed with pursed lips.
The middle-aged man sighed, "Just go with a team of five men." he ordered.
"Yes, my lord." the young woman left with a hidden tut. That kid is really troublesome.
After the woman left, the middle-aged man sighed afterwards, 'trouble never cease with him around' he thought with a slight smile. But a cold expression followed soon after, when he had a different thought, 'I shall see to the end of this'.
_____
The Marble main manor was fairly large and grand.
Blood Marble, being the third young master of such a large family was home-schooled all his live since he couldn't walk for more than ten minutes, sometimes even shorter. It has been linked to his physique, his body not strong enough to support it with his current cultivation realm.
With all this and him seeing others walking, with powerful bearing and cultivation base, never had one seen him training and cultivating so hard.
He deserves to go to the central academy also, train harder, seek higher cultivation realm, resources. The manor couldn't provide all these incessantly.
If only he could reach the mid-stages, he could earn himself all these in the academy.
However, cultivating isn't just a walk in the park. Also, with the recent setback of the family, resources were even much harder to find.
The entire manor which was usually bustling and busy could be compared with desolation as of now.
The current residence only contains his parents, two elder brothers and a younger sister including him, the servants and guards. The lively atmospheres were gone, but not completely. They could still manage.
Blood's first and second brother were already in the central academy, furthering their knowledge and cultivation. His younger sister will be going next. With the status of his parents, things were slightly easier for them.
Blood might have been sent to the academy anyway but because he was easily angered and lack social conversing skills, hence. He loved being alone except when accompanied by his one and only servant.
He also loves to fight even when weaker than the opponent.
Few minutes before the Marble's lord short outburst…
"Quickly, quickly." said a young boy with a worried expression. His back was bent through the window. He stood and then sat on the window's frame and passed his legs through the window.
A boy acting as a footstool was below as the kid placed his foot on his back.
"Huunn…" the boy groaned when the weight hits his back with gritted teeth. He is only 15 by next month.
The kid got off his back and smiled in satisfaction, "Ballock, I'm sorry you have to go through this, but this is the only way possible."
"I understand, young master." replied Ballock, a large smile on his face, totally unperturbed.
"You're always like this. Without you, where would I have been in this world?" the kid laughed though he was pained. "And also, you know my name. I told you many times to stop calling me with some stupid title." he added roughly.
"Haa, other servants addresses you with the same name many times till now, but you never complained." Ballock protested, dusting the dirt off his back and thought secretly, 'you also have your little Ivory to care about'.
"Hmm, you always got some ways to reply back. No fun!" the kid grunted.
Ballock smiled, 'the young master is so good to me that it appears I'm taking too much advantage. The other servants don't have such privileges. No wonder they are so resentful' he thought, his smile even wider.
"Enough of the grinning. It sucks." the kid laughed out but quickly regain his calm. "Let's go." he ordered in a voice lower than a whisper.
The kid moved, followed closely behind by Ballock. They hid behind drums and objects large enough for cover. The guards at the gate won't be any trouble.
______
In a large room decorated with different paintings. Looking at the painting's crude lines and sketch, it was obviously the work of an amateur.
The sunlight penetrated through the wide opened window. On it was seated a kid facing the outside with their legs dangling in the air.
"He's going to cause some trouble again." the kid murmured with a slight frown on her child face. "Hmm, it can't be helped." added the kid. Seeing her brother and his servant going from cover to cover.
______
Present…
Blood and his servant went through the back door and exited the main building unhindered. The guards didn't stop them from leaving. They greeted and let them pass.
They just have to report it to the lord.
Since the young master could navigate the manor to this point without being caught, he has earned his leave and the guards on duty—their punishment.
Exiting the grand manor's walls was surely a hard hurdle.
Now in sight were the plain fields, stables and buildings for the previous residents. Going past all these with a deep frown, they took a rest for about half an hour and started their journey.
Their destination was the Sand-scale forest just about three miles away. Since the forest was inside the city many cultivators visited it.
"The bees are on tail again." said Ballock, glancing to the side.
"Let them follow. So far as they don't interfere with our business." Blood replied. This was always the match up.
Thirty minutes later a forest appeared in their sight. Most of their stops was due to Blood's weakness to stand for too long. At this rate they'd reach in about an hour.
"Be ready." said Yalva, who was appointed a team of five.
A forest of trees and air of vitality washed over them when they entered its vicinity. Blood took in a deep breath before he looked at Ballock who nodded in understanding.
Immediately after, they took off in different directions.
Just a few steps and they disappeared from the sight of the people behind.
Six figures immediately appeared at their disappearances, 'It is the third time this is happening' they all thought while looking around.
It was as if they disappeared through thin air. They were definitely higher in cultivation than the kids. They were confused at how they did it for the third time. Their attention was fully focused on them. But it seems they used the larger trees as cover. They will have to do hide and seek as usual.
Blood and Ballock appeared in thin air some distance away in the forest and laughed out loud.
They had unknowingly found these spatial points some months ago when Ballock disappeared while they were walking. Blood puzzled, instantly went searching for him. They met and did some experiments and discovered that the place Ballock appeared led to two points if they entered from there, while those two points leads to a single destination.
They tried it multiple times and it really worked.
Blood and Ballock were immediately jolted awake from their laughter because the sky reddened. The energy in the air was being corroded turning a shed of red. They could see the energy they cultivate. It was condensed, easily seen with the naked eyes.
They didn't have to try circulating before the energy entered their Spiritual space.
However, what made them astonished and at the same time afraid was that a feeling of trepidation enveloped them when they saw a red beamy energy coming down ever so fast.
It came so fast that they couldn't react. They might have been less afraid if the energy wasn't coming towards them.
The moment they saw the energy it was already upon them.
However, it seems Blood's thoughts were wrong as it wasn't upon them. It was upon Ballock specifically.
It pierced right through his eyes and went rampant in his body as the remaining one struck the ground creating a large dent. The energy could be seen physically through his veins.
Blood choked and rushed forward…