Embrace Of The Abyss— 1

Shanghai

Dapuqiao Residential Area.

In one of the apartments, a young man was lying peacefully in his bed. His complexion was pale, as if in a bad dream.

His black hair rubbed against the pillow as he squirmed in place.

Was it a bad dream? Only the young man knew.

His eyelids fluttered open and the expected liveliness was nowhere to be found. A person dealing with a nightmare, weren't they supposed to jump up with surprise with eyes full of fear?

Dull black eyes devoid of light moved silently.

The young boy got up and leaned against the backrest of his bed.

"Qi quality... Poor. Mortal world?" He assessed the situation without moving and frowned. Using his remaining strength he forcefully found the lingering spirit of the original owner of the body.

The desolate spirit was aimlessly wandering in the Mind Palace as if lost. Without wasting any time he devoured the lingering spirit and a bunch of memories slowly emerged in his mind.

There were also residual emotions of the now forever dead spirit but Xia Feng didn't care. He refined the lingering emotions to heal his slightly cracked soul. 

How could a mere 16 years of memories affect him? He silently digested the information he received and his eyes flickered with interest.

"A mortal world with the capabilities of killing a Nascent Soul Cultivator...?" Xia Feng couldn't help but be interested.

According to what he knew his current location was a mortal world called Earth. Cultivation, Magic, Soul Refining... such things were mere myths, they didn't exist.

Science was mainstream and the media was almighty. Here wealth and status signified power, and various governments ruled over territories in the name of managing them.

Especially the one he was in. It was called China and the situation was pretty precarious.

Yet Xia Feng paid it no mind. The current him was just a high school kid. It wasn't relevant to him.

The thing called 'phone' was buzzing but he paid it no mind.

There were more important things he had to focus on. Thankfully, he had made it impossible for Immortals to chase after him anymore so he could cultivate in peace.

There was no hurry.

After stabilising his spirit Xia Feng closed his eyes and meditated. The bloodshed he had been through before crossing over here was so immense that the lingering killing intent was damaging his body.

It was the source of his pain earlier. It was no nightmare.

While calming his spirit, Xia Feng pondered over his identity. If he wanted to re-cultivate he needed resources, if he wanted resources he needed money.

"Poverty... It's been a long time." Xia Feng smiled with a touch of nostalgia.

Being despised by everyone underneath the heavens, Xia Feng faced a lot of problems and went through enormous struggles but money was never one of them. 

"Slightly wealthy parents, a younger sister and a girlfriend? Hmm..." Xia Feng frowned and picked up the phone.

The name displayed over the number was "Ning'er".

This Ning'er was 'his' girlfriend.

Xia Feng cut the phone and went to the messaging app. He quickly typed a message before sending it.

After that, he deleted all the irrelevant contacts on the phone. He was hoping there'd be a few useful ones but none of them were.

Besides keeping the family's contact he wiped everything from the phone. Switching the phone off he left his room and headed downstairs.

Both his parents were watching television so he walked up to them.

His mother instantly noticed him.

"What is it Feng'er? Didn't you just say that you were feeling sleepy?" His mother had long jet-black hair and large eyes. She was beautiful.

His father was a stern middle-aged man with a charm of his own. His beard was finely done and his small square glasses gave him a scholarly vibe.

He turned his eyes from the TV to Xia Feng with a curious expression. "Did you play any sports today? You look so sluggish."

Xia Feng smiled, "I'd like to quit school."

"..."

Silence filled the living room. The smiling mother's smile disappeared and the curious father's expression became serious.

Xia Feng didn't look like he was joking.

"Did something happen at school? Could it be you're being bullied? Who dares touch my, Xia Wangrou's, son? Tell me his name!"

Xia Feng shook his head but didn't explain.

"I'm quitting school." He repeated himself but the concern from the father's face didn't disappear instead anger appeared.

"Xia Feng." His father said, "This is no joking matter. Tell me seriously what's going on? If anything is making you uncomfortable at your current school I can arrange for you to be transferred. But don't talk about this nonsense again."

"You're misunderstanding. I'm not bothered by anything. I'm simply saying that I'll no longer be attending any form of institution." Xia Feng shook his head.

From behind him, there was a door open with a narrow gap. A pair of innocent eyes was looking at the spectacular event occurring in the living room.

Smack!

"Enough!" Xia Wangrou slapped his hand on the table and got up. "Go back to your room and sleep before going to school tomorrow. Do you think I have the energy to attend to your nonsense after working all day?" 

He snorted but Xia Feng didn't move. Looking at his parents with flickering eyes.

"I understand now." Xia Feng said with an unnerving smile and a bad premonition arose in Mother Xia's heart.

With stern eyes Xia Wangrou watched Xia Feng leave.

Xia Feng passed by the open door and his eyes locked eyes with the innocent gems hidden behind the door for a split second before walking off.

Xia Ling curiously matched his gaze but she felt a chill go down her spine.

Who was this?

For a second she felt like it was someone else but the familiar face made her discard such ridiculous notions.

Though as she watched him leave she was baffled. Why was this introverted and gentle brother of hers wanting to quit school?

Hadn't he just gotten together with his girlfriend? As for being bullied, with their family's status, she was sure that was impossible.

But her curious thoughts were broken by the sound coming from the kitchen.

"Oh wait, didn't gege go back to his room?"

Only a moment later Xia Feng returned but Xia Ling missed the object in his hand and she was surprised.

Did he fully intend to fall out with mother and father?

She peeked through the door once again and observed the situation.

...

Xia Feng returned to the living room and looked at the pale faces of his 'parents'.

"You... What are you doing?" Xia Wangrou jumped up with concern but the look in Xia Feng's eyes made him not dare step further.

Mother Xia was stunned silly, "Feng'er...?"

"Looks like I wasn't being clear." Xia Feng smiled gently and placed the cold yet sharp surface of the knife against his wrist, "I will no longer attend any form of institution."