The Dawn of the New World

"Seriously? A misunderstanding? You sleeping with another man's wife is just a misunderstanding to you?" Hao Xuan crossed his arms and asked with a judgemental look.

Ryfon shook his head dejectedly.

"Of course it is. The concept of marriage is flawed and does not work. But I am a beauty "connoisseur" and don't see these invisible lines set by mere mortals only because they can't understand or don't agree with it. I am simply...."

Ryfon rambled on and on about how he thought marriage was a sham created by powerful cultivators to keep beautiful women to themselves. Hao Xuan gave up 2 sentences into the conversation and sat down on a chair, trying his best not to listen to him.

"Alright alright, shut up already! I don't care about any of that. Here, put some damn clothes on and tell me how I can get into the tournament," Hao Xuan cut in after 5 straight minutes of torture.

It was only then Ryfon realized that he was butt naked all this time and shamelessly took Hao Xuan's clothes and started putting them on in front of him. Hao Xuan, of course, looked away while trying to keep the voices in his head that were telling him to skin this bastard alive quiet.

"Do you not feel embarrassed at all?"

Ryfon looked at him with a confused expression.

"Why would I be? Do I not look good?" he looked down at himself to make sure.

"Looking good is not the problem! I mea-"

Ryfon interrupted Hao Xuan before he could finish the sentence and looked at him with squinted eyes. 'Examining' him up and down.

"Oh, now that I see it, you're a pretty good looking guy too, let's be friends!" he extended his hand with an innocent smile.

Hao Xuan's left eye twitched again as he slapped it away.

"I don't associate with people like you. Tell me about the tournament and get out."

Ryfon laughed, "Haha, come on. Us beautiful people have to stick together you know."

Everything that came out of his mouth annoyed Hao Xuan to no end. The migraine was getting worse and he could barely keep his eyes open.

"The tournament, please tell me what I have to do or leave. I really don't have the patience for this shit, please!" Hao Xuan implored.

Ryfon suddenly quieted down and looked at Hao Xuan with a raised eyebrow. He extended his left hand and something similar to a gold colored circular formation appeared in his palm which he moved up and down.

"Something is not right with you..." he mumbled.

"Yeah, tell me about it," Hao Xuan responded with a scoff, "So the tournament?"

Ryfon shook his head after examining Hao Xuan with a little more detail.

"The tournament comes later. I can't send you in there when you can't even open your eyes. I'm sorry but I can't risk everything on a broken man, it is far too important. The life of someone I care for deeply depends on this so unless you tell me what's wrong, this conversation is over," Ryfon gave his ultimatum with an unnatural seriousness.

Hao Xuan slightly opened his eyes to meet his gaze but the light made the migraine even worse and he almost keeled over from the pain.

"Argh! Fine! Fucking hell," he shouted. Wu Jin said they were very close friends so he might as well tell him. It's not like a prince of an Empire would care much anyway.

He didn't tell him exactly what caused it, only that his abilities were related to his soul and that was under too much pressure at times. Ryfon listened carefully before letting out a deep breath.

"Seems I wasn't far off then. Alright, I know someone that can help with that. It won't solve it, but will alleviate some of the issues that come with it. Come, let's go," and he walked out of the door just like that.

Hao Xuan wanted to say no but the pain was too unbearable. He waved his hand and summoned Ensis.

"I'm not well. I need you to be my eyes and ears for a bit."

"Of course, master," Ensis was more than happy to oblige. He helped Hao Xuan up and they walked out. Ryfon was surprised to see another person with him but after a brief look, he didn't ask any questions and stood at the door silently.

"What are we waiting for?"

"My ride. Ah, it's here already," he pointed at the sky. There was a carriage coming straight towards them with two white, winged horse at front. They had two miniature horns coming out of the top of their heads. It landed right in front of the gate without making a sound.

"Unicorns?" Hao Xuan asked curiously upon seeing the horns.

"Half, and the other half is dragcnic horses. I had to go through a lot of trouble to get my precious lovelies. Isn't that right?" Ryfon scratched their manes dotingly while talking to them in that manner. Hao Xuan ignored him and got into the carriage.

"It's gonna take us a couple of hours to get there. Do you have any questions in the meantime?"

"Get where exactly?"

"To the Lynn clan. I have a friend there who is an expert in everything soul related. If she can't help herself, she'll know someone who can. But be careful though, she is a bit of an eccentric. Don't engage her too much."

Hearing this weird, shameless prince say that someone else was an eccentric gave Hao Xuan a really uneasy feeling. Just how bad was she that even he thought she was strange?

But he shook his head trying not to think about it. If she could help, why not. He would even consider making a deal with the devil himself right now if he could stop these damned migraines.

"Alright. Wu Jin said you were a teacher.. What can you tell me about cultivation realms above the Profound realm?" he asked the only question that had been bothering him for a while now.