Purplish cave walls radiated with strong spirit energy. Its concentration was so pure and dense that it would form a translucent fog.
The space inside was quite broad, housing a small hut made out of sludgy cobblestone. Although it appeared ancient, the building was very sturdy, with no signs of deterioration.
By its side was a spirit garden filled with many exotic spirit plants. Sky-Breaker Tree, Thousand Heaven Fruit, Red Beans of Destiny, Immortal Strength Vines…
All the spirit herbs cultivated in the cave adobe were top tier! Any of them would cause great waves if placed in the secular cultivation world.
Even the purple walls were special. This cave was carved in the heart of a Transcendent-level spirit stone vein! That purplish color was very unique among crystallized spirit energy.
In front of the hut was a circular pond. The liquid inside was pure white, without the tiniest stain. Although the pond's circumference was small, its depth was considerable.
All things remained the same in the secluded mountain belly for a long time.
One day, the walls began to shake dreadly as all the condensed spirit fog was suddenly absorbed by the strange white pond. It did not take long for the spirit energy in the air to run out.
The next ones to suffer were the precious spirit herbs. The suction force was so intense they had their life energy directly stripped from them, withering right away.
This process went on until the purple of the walls turned gray and the plant stalks turned into dust.
Slowly, waves surged on the pond's surface as something began to emerge from the depths.
After a long time, a figure finally floated in the air above the white pond. Although she was submerged in the strange liquid for a long time, her light blue gown was flawless, without any stains.
Her long brown locks cascaded on her shoulders, shining with bright luster.
It was actually Eleanor!
After getting sucked back home through the space vortex, her father immediately took her to this secluded cave abode for recovery.
He was not stingy with the resources provided. To him, Eleanor was the most precious being in the world. She was the only child he bore in his long lifetime.
The higher one's cultivation, the harder it is to have children. After an immemorial amount of time, he and his wife managed to finally give birth to Eleanor a few decades ago.
As such, he tried his best to provide her with the best this realm could offer.
For example, the day she was born, he broke a corner in Heaven creating a Lower World from nothing just to present it to his newborn daughter!
One might wish for such a life, but for Eleanor, it came with some troubles. Her parents were just too controlling, always worried about her every step!
Even more considering the recent events: in her family, it was an ancient tradition to be betrothed into marriage from a young age. They believed the pursuit of the Dao should be attained through companionship, one helping the other along the way.
Therefore, the moment she became of age a few years ago, her mother began planning her future wedding!
The worst thing was she wanted to find the perfect candidate, no matter what!
But who could really be worthy of a Daughter of Heaven like her sweet Eleanor?
As so, after years of insistence, her mother finally convinced her father to implement the most embarrassing episode of her life: the Heavenly Consort Trials!
For the public, it would be an opportunity for young cultivators below the age of five hundred to prove themselves and earn great merits and cultivation resources.
But in reality, it was more like a son-in-law contest in which her parents and close family were the judges!
This was Eleanor's biggest hardship in life! She always imagined herself ruling the Heavens with an iron fist, undefeated in the world. Only herself against the Heaven's, without equals.
Now she would have to do that while entertaining a good for nothing husband she did not desire!
Therefore, when Eleanor had the chance, she tried breaking through the next great cultivation realm forcefully. In her mind, with that new found power, she could directly oppose her family's wishes and live a free life.
Yet reality was harsh: she failed her breakthrough and would have to wait a long time before attempting once more. As for her mother, that old lady was just too old fashioned. She would not stop until her daughter had the best man this realm could offer.
Eleanor knew it was just her mother's way of showing affection, but this was too much. She would have to rely on her secret weapon: the soft spot in her father's heart.
Since she was a child, Eleanor never failed to get whatever she desired from her loving father.
Not long after emerging from the pond, the space above her was slashed open, revealing dashing golden beams.
"So how is your recovery going, sweety? If this isn't enough, father already has another top tier spirit vein prepared!" the manly voice said with concern.
"My nascent soul recovered well daddy, thank you! But… I think there's an issue with my Dao Heart." Eleanor said while displaying a concerned look.
"What!? Which Heart Demon would dare target the daughter of mine? I must make a visit to the Demon Realm personally to remember who's in charge!" the man said furiously, ready to cause havoc in a distant land.
"No father… it's not like that. It's just that I'm afraid of mother's consort trials." Eleanor said softly.
"Eleanor… you know I'm in a similar position as you. How can I deny your mother's wishes for any longer? Do you wish for your old father to be banished from his own chambers?" the man said with a meek tone, as if afraid his wife would magically hear him.
"But father, I'm so unwilling! What would I do if I ended up with a man who I don't love? How could I continue on my cultivation path! Imagine the Heavenly Heart Tribulation striking me down into ashes… never to see Father again." Eleanor said with watery eyes, displaying a frightened expression.
"Eleanor! Don't even say such things! How could Father allow such fate? I would rather personally destroy the Heavenly Mandate and become the villain of the world! Alright… I can't cancel the Heavenly Consort Trials but you will have the final word on who you'll marry, I promise!" the voice after finally coinciding with his daughter's pleadings.
"But you must marry!"
"Alright Father, I feel my heart lighter already!" Eleanor said in defeat.
At least she could now somehow choose who she would marry. This was also an opportunity to antagonize her mother.
Whoever she chose, her mother would have to bear with it! Hahaha!