A Journey to Seal My Heart

On the day Alexander Hopkins, my childhood friend and senior disciple, married a mortal woman and brought her into our sect, I secluded myself to cultivate the Path of Detachment.

This path not only elevated my power to its peak but also stripped my heart of all emotions, freeing me from the pain of love.

Later, Alexander stood before me, pleading in despair, "Do you really not love me anymore? You once promised to love me forever. Have you forgotten?"

1

On Alexander's wedding day, I stood below the platform, watching him and the delicate woman beside him kneel before our master. They were a perfect match, radiant together.

Whispers reached my ears, people wondering why Alexander had not married me, his childhood companion, but instead chose an ordinary mortal woman.

Some even said he had defied our master multiple times for her sake.

Onlookers voiced their indignation on my behalf, but I felt only a cold ache in my heart.

The deep bond we had shared since childhood, those years of companionship, had been overshadowed by a fleeting novelty.

I looked up at Alexander, his face beaming with joy as he married the woman he loved. He must have been overjoyed.

But as I gazed at their harmonious figures, my heart felt as if it were being crushed, leaving me breathless.

This was the last time I would grieve for Alexander.

I had resolved to cultivate the Path of Detachment. Once mastered, nothing in this world would stir my heart again. No love, no hate, no longing, no pain of separation or unfulfilled desires.

As I stepped into the cave to begin my seclusion, the faint sound of festive clamor reached me. Then, as the cave door sealed shut, I heard a distant call, "To the bridal chamber."

2

I never had a father, and my mom, regarded me with cold indifference. The words she spoke to me most often were, "Have you practiced today?"

She cared nothing for my life or my feelings, only for my progress in cultivation.

It wasn't until I found a book on the Path of Detachment in my mom's room that I understood. She didn't lack love for me; she had cultivated the Path of Detachment and no longer comprehended what love was.

As I grew older, my mom demanded that I, too, follow the Path of Detachment.

But by then, I had met Alexander. The feelings of youth were simple yet profound, and my heart began to blossom with tender affection. I refused to become like my mom, devoid of love or emotion.

So I pretended to obey her, practicing the Path of Detachment but deliberately faltering at the final step.

Now, I was only one technique away from mastering it.

I knelt on the circular platform, my body assailed by waves of scorching heat and freezing cold.

I could feel my heart being stripped bare, its threads of love and hate torn away, leaving only a raw, beating organ.

It seemed to cry out in pain, as if the emotions rooted deep within were fused with my heart, their removal a bloody ordeal.

A single tear slid down my cheek. When I opened my eyes again, my Path of Detachment was complete.

I took a deep breath, sensing my power had reached its zenith. I thought about the upcoming Celestial Tournament, certain I would achieve great results.

I composed myself and stepped out of the cave. A junior disciple rushed toward me, panting.

"Vicki, Alexander asked you to stay put for a few days. He'll come explain everything once he's free."

I had nearly forgotten. Today was Alexander's wedding day.

I shook my head, my voice distant. "No need. I'll be busy training. I have no time for irrelevant people."

To me now, everything except cultivation was insignificant.

3

As for my past with Alexander, I still remembered it clearly.

But it was like observing a stranger's life, my heart unmoved.

Our first meeting was like a scene from a cliché tale. As a child, I often cried behind a rock after my mom scolded me for my training. One day, Alexander appeared.

He was the kindest person I had ever met. When I wept, he gently wiped my tears, soothing me with soft words. "Don't cry. Crying is for the weak, and you're the bravest girl I know."

Having never known warmth, I was captivated by Alexander, a ray of light in my cold world.

Alexander excelled at swordsmanship. When he drew his blade, it danced like scattered petals, striking enemies with precision.

He would hold my hand, teaching me sword techniques. Even when I forgot the forms, he never grew frustrated.

He patiently demonstrated each move again and again.

Determined not to disappoint him, I practiced in the courtyard every night, unwilling to let his efforts go to waste.

When I accidentally cut my hand with my sword, I held back tears.

Alexander had told me I was the bravest and shouldn't cry. So no matter how hard or exhausting training became, I refused to shed a tear.

But later, when he saw his mortal bride Kathryn Harper crying, he panicked, his voice filled with concern.

"Kathryn, if you're sad, just cry. I'm here for you."

4

I remained in seclusion for days, only emerging from the training chamber after half a month.

It was then that Alexander and Kathryn came to see me.

Kathryn resembled a startled bird, clinging to Alexander's protective embrace.

Her eyes darted around nervously, and when they met my cold gaze, she shrank back, trembling.

Alexander's look was fraught with complexity, as if he had a thousand words to say but couldn't find the first.

I said coldly, "What do you want?"

Kathryn spoke timidly. "I wanted to meet you. Alexander told me you grew up together, and I really wanted to see you..."

I cut her off. "No needr."

Alexander frowned. "Why are you being so harsh? She's new here, unfamiliar with everything. She only wanted to meet you. Why react so strongly?"

Kathryn gripped Alexander's hand, whispering, "Alexander, you've already argued with so many people because of me. It's okay, I'm fine."

She turned to me. "I meant no harm. Alexander said you're a kind and wonderful person, so I wanted to meet you. I guess I'm not very likable, and I'm clumsy with words, upsetting you."

Their chatter confused me. But I could see Kathryn seemed aggrieved, and Alexander was comforting her softly.

I had no interest in their affairs and turned to leave.

Alexander grabbed my arm, staring into my eyes with hesitation. "Vicki, have you been in seclusion to avoid me?"

I looked at him, baffled.

Alexander continued, "I know you harbor resentment, but you shouldn't take it out on Kathryn. She's innocent, brought here only because of me. If you're angry, take it out on me, not her."

I understood. He feared I would harm his beloved.

That was simple enough.

I nodded. "Fine."

Alexander let out a relieved breath, about to say more, but I cut in, "Please move. You're in my way."

5

I first visited my mom. She greeted me with no trace of warmth, merely tossing me a scripture book, instructing me to study it well.

I brushed the dust off the book and tucked it carefully into my sleeve.

My mom finally looked at me. "You succeeded in your cultivation."

I nodded.

For once, I saw approval in her eyes. She rose slowly and patted my shoulder. "I always knew this day would come."

She slipped a jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it in my hand. "This is the Crystal Bangle. It will heal your wounds swiftly in battle and amplify your power.

I give this to you. You will represent me at the Celestial Tournament in three months."

This caught me off guard. The Celestial Tournament, held only once every few years, was a prestigious event. Each sect carefully chose its strongest disciple to compete.

Victors gained immense power and rare artifacts, aiding their ascension.

I gripped the Crystal Bangle tightly and nodded solemnly to my mom.

6

From then on, I trained harder than ever. With the Crystal Bangle's aid, my power surged dramatically.

In my spare moments, I overheard younger disciples gossiping. They said Alexander had skipped morning lessons several times to stay with Kathryn, who felt scared alone in her room.

They shared this as a joke, but I forgot it quickly.

I never let irrelevant matters linger in my mind.

To me, they were strangers, and their affairs held no weight.

So when Kathryn came to my room, I was mildly surprised.

She still carried her frail demeanor but spoke more sharply than when with Alexander.

"You Celestial Realm folk claim to be just and free, but behind closed doors, corruption festers.

Why were you chosen for the Celestial Tournament without any trial? Alexander has trained tirelessly for years. Just because you're the sect leader's daughter, they bend the rules for you. It's unfair!"

"And?" I said calmly.

"I demand you compete with Alexander. Only the victor should attend the Celestial Tournament."

I scoffed. "On what authority do you make such demands?"

"I'm speaking for Alexander's sake. Only I know how hard he's worked. Just because he doesn't have a sect leader for a mother, he's treated so unjustly?

I know you all look down on my mortal status, but do you think I want to be here? If not for Alexander...

Ah! What are you doing?"

I seized Kathryn's collar, lifting her effortlessly. To me, a mere mortal was as easy to handle as a chick.

I carried her straight to the Spirit Pool, the passage linking the Celestial Realm to the mortal world. Those who fell into it returned to the mortal plane.

Without hesitation, I tossed Kathryn into the Spirit Pool.