Ryuk returned to the sect and immediately went to his house and went to sleep, but what he didn't notice was the eyes that followed and the deep breaths and gulps that were taken as they watched his back.
Even the elders felt their heart agitate as they noticed Ryuk.
Why? Ryuk had killed a Truth sage. A Sage, while as a foundation expert. It was literally a mortal against a higher being and he won.
Even Mooneye and Dion who normally didn't inspect much frowned as they looked at Ryuk.
Yes Ryuk used various tricks and methods as they had seen in a record chip a Pain King had used while secretly protecting Ryuk, but it was still a Sage.
Ryuks feat had spread all throughout the sect and the foundation division was looked upon in a new light.
They all had fear as they looked upon Ryuk.
Mooneye said, "Although it is a truth sage from the mortal realm and it was alot of luck... I don't think any foundation stage expert unless at the peak would be able to win. So how did he."
Dion said whole raising his eyebrow, "Hm. It is true alot of it was chance, but that is also a strength Sister. Furthermore he isn't as ordinary as we may believe. After all you too can sense the lingering bit of an Apocalypse demon on him can't you."
Mooneye stood confused as to what she was feeling in her heart.
Ryuk soon woke up to be notified by a shaking servant that his Master was calling.
Ryuk entered Riels abode and saw Riel slouching on the couch exhausted.
He looked at Ryuk and said, "You little brat do you know how much trouble you've brought your poor little master! Ai! Everyday a patriarch comes over and bargains with me, honestly I can't take it anymore!"
Ryuk tossed his head to the side in confusion with a stupid smile.
Riel threw a pillow at Ryuk and said, "Ai! Really you're are so troublesome!"
Ryuk laughed and went and collected a pot of water and a cup.
He quietly filled a cup with water and tea leaves boiling it in his hand.
He then slowly handed it to his master.
Riel took the cup as if naturally and drank as he lied down.
Riel looked at Ryuk and asked, "Are you alright?"
Ryuk nodded and came close and gave a quick explanation of what he had done.
Riel looked at Ryuk and said, "Really! That's some good value! Give me some you stinky brat."
Ryuk laughed, "Okay, okay. Master did you receive my uncle?"
Riel said, "Hm. I let him stay here. Right now he's enjoying a bath. That swan of your too nicely took over my pond and has been playing around with my pet birds!"
Ryuk coughed, "That perverted duck!"
Riel looked at Ryuk and said, "So you are going to use the Purple sages blood essence for body Cultivation right?"
Ryuk nodded and said, "Master I'll need your Lightning pool aswell for another Technique of mine."
Riel nodded.
The pair seemed truly like grandfather and grandson.
Riel said, "I truly can't believe someone from your background can kill a sage at foundation."
Ryuk said, "Master don't you know what they say there are many pretty flower, but few tough oaks!"
Riel clocked Ryuks head and said, "Aren't you a pretty flower?"
Ryuk said, "Some are beautiful and strong. what to do?"
Riel laughed and said, "Anyway. Seriously what you did was beyond anyone's comprehension. You don't realize the gap, the disparity between foundation stage experts and sages. It's literally like the difference between a cat and a Tiger. Even strong heavens children need help or something to accomplish the same feat, but you."
Ryuk laughed, "Master the purple sage didn't even use his Truth. Otherwise I would die."
Riel smiled, but didn't reply.
Riel then pulled out a wooden bow and handed it to Ryuk.
Ryuk was obviously confused as he pulled out a Golden medal intertwined by a single dragon.
Riel said, "The Human sovereign army has acknowledged your win over the Purple sage and given you the golden demon slayer - 1st rank medal.
The Human sovereign army is a force comparable to all the sects all together. Composing of numerous powerhouses all under four heavenly kings. They are the main force against enemies and demonic practitioner's and are at the real battlefield. You see the Demonic sects we fight are the weaker ones who we the five sects had pushed off the main land many years ago. They live in the sea barely surviving in terms of disciples and their own legacy. Yet in the deeper parts of our land the three sovereigns and their armies exist. The Beast sovereign, the demonic sovereign and the human sovereign. They are all in rebirth stage on the last part. Even against our rebirth stage ancestors who are only early or mid they would win easily. Ai. In fact as much as the three sided war has slowed and been detrimental, it has also alot of benefits for each of sovereigns and their armies. Yet they dare not ask too much from us either so we are fine."
Ryuk said, "Master I am not part of their army, so why would they?"
Riel continued, "They act as if we are all brothers in war. Each person a future soldier. It's propaganda to steal and extort, but if someone like you really does such a deed they need to give a sufficient response. Hence you get this medal and some gold. Yet I took that gold just in case that twisted mindset of yours reconfigures the word danger with profit."
Ryuk said aggrieved, "Master! How can you take this little ones money! Ah. The follies of the poor always being cheated by the the rich."
Riel sighed and tossed Ryuks hair.
Ryuk smiled brightly as he enjoyed the feeling.
A servant knocked on the door, "Sect master a diviner wishes to speak with the young master."
Riels brows furrowed and he said, "Tell him to leave. We do not allow heretics in our sect."
The servant replied, "Yes master, but he wished to thank the young master for saving his life."
Riel grabbed Ryuk and said, "Child is that true?"
Ryuk said, "I don't specifically remember."
Riel said, "Never interact with a diviner. Unless one is a Cultivator the mysteries of fate are a taboo. The diviner already faces a horrid punishment with divination, but if one is to listen to those words their own fates will turn cancerous."
Ryuk said, "Master I do not understand? What if the diviner is a Cultivator."
Riel continued, "The Cultivation road is solitary. As one improves, individuality becomes more expressed and one becomes deaf to the world outside. Yet diviners seek all divinity and thus can only be ordinary mortals. Even if they Cultivate at first they will see only their lives then they will lose their powers."
Outside the servant relayed the Sect masters sentiments. The old diviner is one we are familiar with, he was the one tortured by the vampire princess.
He loudly shouted, "Young Emperor, I shall not say much, but... Although it is true that light can be removed, but darkness never fades. You must not let your demons control your passion. Your despair and rage to run amok wildly. You may stumble, but unlike others you have the Black and White sides to hold you as brothers and the Moon as your foundation. I wish you happiness my lord and thank you for saving me."
Ryuk managed to hear easily what the old man said, but the words struck firmly for some reason to his heart.
Ryuk had thought that very sentiment.
When in a room to have light one must use a candle, but darkness naturally exists and never fades. He would sometimes mock himself like that, but to hear someone else say it, was indeed strange.
Riel said, "It is fine... That advice is good Ryuk make sure you heed it. I do not know what he meant by Black, White and the Moon."
Riel said, "Ryuk tommorow go finish your training at the combat division. The head is an old friend and although eccentric is quite talented. Make sure you respect him."
Ryuk bowed and said, "Yes master."
...
Ryuk came to the combat division breathing a deep breath out. He was finally at the last part of his training. With this he could be said to be able to survive in almost all situations.
Ryuk entered and a dark shadow slashed down. Ryuk quickly threw himself to the side as the years of fighting in that dream the Qilin had presented him with had sharpened his skills.
Ryuk took out his sword quickly attacking after dodging.
His sword flew like a beam and chopped the shadow up, but the shadow had appeared behind Ryuk.
Ryuk was still halfway through the prior attack and couldn't do anything. Feeling the pressure Ryuk took out a shorter sword and put it in his right hand sliding it quickly under his armpit and easily countering an attack.
Ryuk was unfortunately thrown out into a wall due to the sheer force and pressure behind the attack he received.
Ryuk stood up blood stained his body as he had cuts all over. Not only had the attack itself been violent the qi that had penetrated shot chaotically destroying Ryuk from the inside.
Ryuk used Lion-snake swift fury turning into a red light beam which violently sped forwarded toward the shadow.
The shadow raised it's hand summoning black tendrils which tried to catch Ryuks arms.
Yet before they could catch him he released his grip causing his swords to move forward not himself. The tendrils mistakenly caught the swords and not Ryuk.
Ryuk then used Ape Fury and with his newly tempered body it was as if an explosion the size of a missile filled the room causing it to shatter and turn to dust. The tendrils were similarily shattered. The shadow was pushed back slightly this showed truly how perverted Ryuks body was.
Ryuk didn't waste a second turning into yet another speeding bullet grabbing his swords and then using Dragon Ruination causing a mysterious aura to stretch and enclose on the shadow.
Behind Ryuk the image of a dragon could be seen and the magnificence of it truly was as if a dragon was present.
Dragon Ruination could be said to be a mental attack mostly based on the foundation of the technique Ryuk had taken from Thomas. A psychological attack.
It stunned the opponent leaving them mentally and physically lagging. In battles against dragon's it would be double effective because of Ryuks status as the king of all dragon's by being the beloved of the Origin beast Azure dragon who was also the progenitor of all dragons.
Ryuk landed for a moment yet the world seemed to sink into that moment.
Ryuk then whispered "Dragon Tiger Ruination!"
The image of a dragon began to wrap around another image. It coiled it's jade body around a white tiger. The two seemed eternally in conflict. One power and ferocity the other pride and fervent seeking of knowledge.
The feeling of pressure multiplied by several folds and the force in Ryuks arms were doubled in strength as his qi madly flushed being deconstructed and reconstructed.
Ryuk said "Not enough! Slaughter!"
Behind Ryuk a black figure the image of slaughter appeared swinging it's large and mighty sword over its shoulder.
Although Ryuk wasn't a truth stage Cultivator as he had already developed a truth seed he could use a slight bit of it's power not only making his temperament cold and precise, but by adding a slight power increase and suffocating aura.
The pressure on the shadow could be said to have again multiplied.
Yet it simply moved it's weapon like a crecent moon sweeping away Ryuks attack like snow in summer.
Ryuk was pushed back heavily, and underneath two long tunnels had been dug as his feet dragged.
Ryuk coughed violently feeling his blood turning.
A light fell from the top of the dilapidated house. A beam fell revealing a handsome middle aged man with violent muscles spasming on his arms.
The man had a three point crown symbol on his forehead and had a feeling of novelty and nobility.
He opened his mouth, "Brother Riel has really chosen finally a good disciple. Unlike that weird creep and that fool. You can properly react to whatever I did and your martial arts are universally available able to do many things at once. Especially that final one. It's very similar to the Brown cloaked elders family Technique, brat did you steal it?"
Ryuk bowed slightly not in a respectful way as he was still feeling tepid from his initial treatment. He said, "Martial uncle, I did not steal it, but I attained insights in it."
Ryuk subconsciously thought of something, "When I was in the Demon sacred grounds any little thing set me off, but now even a violent encounter like this dosent cause any fluctuations in my mind. Is this personal growth or did the Demon sacred grounds affect my mindset? If so I'll need to prepare if that ever happens again."
The middle aged man said, "I have long forgotten my name, but you can call me Shadow King. Come we will go away for training. This shitty institute will do you no good."
With that he grabbed Ryuk and cut open the void dissapearing.
Ryuk couldn't even speak as he was brought to a barren mountain towering over the world. Clouds floated below and the sun was especially harsh. Yet in this barren place a single towering Willow swayed.
Ryuk felt his intestines roll and vomited again and again. It was a nauseousness he had never felt and now understood why his master took him on the Imp Sigrid.
The Shadow Emperor snorted while digging his nose, "Ai. Little brat that little bit of spatial movement and you're on your knees. Ha. You look really nice, but in the end you are a man."
Ryuks mouth twitched and he looked up in fury and said, "Martial uncle aren't you the one thinking too much? Even if I was a woman with your aggressive style the only one who'd be fit for you would be a wild bear!"
Shadow king smirked like an Asura and said, "Is that so brat? Well as my disciple as of today I'll make it so we two can enjoy a harem of bears together! Hahaha!"
Ryuk said, "Sect master is my only master!"
Shadow king said, "Riel is your only master?"
Ryuk nodded.
Shadow king said, "Well that makes me want you more! Don't you know to bare a bear requires more than girth! Hahaha!"
Ryuk suddenly felt a deep regret for using such a sentence as this abhorrent man kept using it as a weapon!
Ryuk truly suffered in these days.
First he was kicked of the mountain and had to climb it with a giant Boulder hung to his back.
Then he had to wield a spear about 15 feet and he had to use the length of 2 feet as the handle to swing it.
He then had to dodge as the shadow king shot hidden weapons at him.
...
Ryuk was sitting by a fire while Shadow king was reading a book with pictures of Beautiful women.
Ryuk looked past the twisting branches of flames and said in his mind, "This teacher is really over the top. He's violent, rude and perverted. Yet he also has a strict code and morality one couldn't see in scum. Furthermore he does show affection even though he hides it in the noise."
The Shadow kings face suddenly lit up in a red glow as he laughed lewdly.
Ryuk coughed, choking on his fried eagle.
Ryuk thought, "Really I can't believe I complimented this fool. Yet it's strange he is interested in women to such a degree. Lust is a natural facet of all living organisms, well atleast those that physically breed, but in the end there is that need to propagate a species. This is the natural law. The reason? Who knows create the best organism through mixing and matching our blood, remove all the bad properties through killing them through survival of the fittest. Finally left with the best samples produce the best heir. As one Cultivates this need is removed as we separate from the world rules and definition's. Even though his Cultivation is generally weak it still should allow him a clear head. Ai, it dosent matter, I too would like to see Beautiful women rather than become an elderly wizard. The natural law loses it's control, but that doesn't mean it can be neglected. Anyway... beautiful women, ai, this old one is really lonely. Who would I choose from the sect if I had the opportunity... Mooneye? Hah! Never, that brute! Her personality is too stubborn and she's too prone to violence to be my wife!"
Ryuk had after his shocking 'first time' with Mooneye had begun to focus on her unexpectedly. Perhaps the fires of youth had set ablaze the nestling embers of love. Yet how would a man admit to such, love is after all as harmful to a man as a dagger. Furthermore as much as Ryuk would like to doubt it and revoke it's authority; Mooneye was a princess, someone he would have to gaze upon from far. His status a mere, lone mortal and his destiny a cruel macabre telling.
Ryuk sighed and softly mumbled, "Well I will admit she is pretty. Furthermore she isn't like other women, she is willing to stick to her ideals and won't let fate design a plot for her. Truly a phoenix among Phoenixes. She is quite interesting."
Shadow king said, "Is that so..."
Ryuk looked up and saw two darker than night eyes gazing closely past the dancing, cackling flames.
Ryuk smiled and said, "It matters not whether I find her interesting or even if I love her. She is too far to reach and I am too undesirable."
Shadow king scoffed, "If your resolve is so weak perhaps so. A man must fight for his love, not let it be decided."
Ryuk replied, "I am willing to fight, but she has yet to be deserving of my love. Furthermore I've always had a philosophy to never be the roadblock in anothers love. She seems to be engaged with another youth and that is all."
Shadow kings eyes flashed in an awkward light and he said, "Is that so, but brat what makes her deserving of your love?"
Ryuk smiled and closed one eye bringing a finger to his lips as he said, "If her love is enough to make me take a loss."
...
A few days later.
Ryuk gently patted the inflated belly of a monsterous big bird like creature.
Ryuk said, "Little Blue, your baby is growing very well!"
The bird squawked joyfully.
Shadow king said, "Oi! How long are you going to hang out with the wild animals around the long drunkard mountain? We are here for training!"
Ryuk looked aggrieved, "I wouldn't need to talk to wild animals if someone was more social! I even tried to run away and have some nice, seasoned meat, but you pinned me down and dragged me back, having no sympathy at all!"
Shadow king laughed violently as he recollected the scene.
Ryuk took out a gourd and slowly collected the dew droplets and fed the giant bird.
Ryuk then went and sat down and said, "Honestly why is this place even called Lone drunkard mountain? I see no drunkards and I see no drinks."
Shadow king said, "The name comes from a scholar of a kingdom back before Cultivation was widespread. The scholar was born of common nature and worked like a dog at every opportunity to eventually work in the palace. He had soiled his honor and spirit, but had yet to ruin the body given by his parents with impurities of our mortal world, taking only freshest dew which he climbed mountains for and the cleanest bamboo that he fought pandas for. He never smoked or drank, never even accepting women. He did this all in filal piety for the sacrifice his poor father and mother did to grant him the opportunity to become a scholar. He worked hard in the palace eventually becoming the most trusted advisor of the king, yet... he became the princesses consort and lost all political power. He had ruined himself in one moment. Some say the king forced the marriage in fear of the scholars popularity and acclaim, and some say he had fallen at first glance for the princess losing his mind and principals. Either way he had lost his passion. Years passed and his Spirit crumpled and his heart tore. The princess abandoned him, but he was forever the princess's consort. He wandered around always with a drink in hand. One day he said suddenly to an old drinking buddy, "My, I saw the bright sun climb and I saw a towering mountain hold up a lunar bridge to the heavens. There I saw my mother and father. My mother cried and my father was disappointed." He couldn't drink after that day spending every waking moment searching for that mountain. No one really knows why he sought the mountain. Eventually he found it here, but even after sitting and waiting for 9 years there was no special event. The scholar returned to being a drunkard and one day which scolding the heavens, alone atop this very mountain he fell and died."
Shadow king paused and continued, "Years had passed and the story itself dug deeply into the hearts of the commoners and scholars. The worked together and disassembled royalty for the majority, keeping them simply as Spiritual leaders or puppets. The story surfaced ideas upon filal piety, love, loyalty, labels and the such. Many believed the mountain as a place of mediation to focus one's spirit and to dispell weak thoughts. Perhaps it's a legend, but I say it's a good place still. In the summer clouds fill the sky endlessly here and bring one a perfect pleasure and in winter the sun is so close you are kept warm."
Ryuk said, "Hm. It's a sad tale, but I'd rather think it's a mortal tale. One of love and loss, of weakness and of forgiveness. I would say that the mother and fathers response wasn't for they believed their son had let them down, but rather that they couldn't bare seeing him destroying himself. The mountain represents the desire to escape our weakness and the fact that he continued to drink shows that our weaknesses are meant to be conquered, but rather accepted. The fact he died while drinking perhaps shows the fact that while one must accept their weakness they should not get lost in it."
Shadow king said, "Would it not be better to remove your weakness than to accept it?"
Ryuk sighed, "If you keep removing weakness then imagine all you will lose. Eventually you will remove so much that your own existence is a weakness."
Shadow king laughed, "Haha! Brat you have some good guts!"
Ryuk said, "Uncle, the way you say that sounds like you want to steal my organs and to sell it to a rich man! Be more eloquent otherwise those women you seek will never follow."
Shadow king snorted, "Have you yet to bed a woman brat? No! So let me be!"
Ryuk said stunned wrapping his arms round his chest as if to protect himself from prying eyes and said, "Pervert! How did you know that!"
Shadow king loudly exclaimed, "Your primal Yang is still present meaning you are a virgin."
Ryuk stuck out his tongue.
Slowly the two gained a close relationship and Ryuk began to respect shadow king all the more.
...
Shadow king passed Ryuk a spear and said, "Although you use a sword you aren't especially made for it. Every person naturally has one weapon they are innately talented in. When one touches a weapon that fits them perfectly they will cry out and shake causing the heavens to alter and the earth to shift. Nope not the spear."
Shadow king tried the bow next.
The bow sang out loudly like a wild roar ringing from a godly beast. It caused the ordinary to rattle like a snake and a brilliant and holy glow flew out from the cheap bow. It seemed as if the greatest treasure in the world appeared, but no one would dare search for it as an aura of all destroying seemingly able to destroy all of existence itself. The sky darkened as if all the light had been robbed and an extremely baleful aura spar outwards.
Shadow king remained silent as the aura enveloped back into Ryuk.
In truth this so called heaven shifting feat was named as 'One born of weapon' only one in a million would have the possible chance to have this feat. Furthermore it wasn't solely due to birth or life experience. It was similar to a state of mind or enlightenment, dependant on the users life and the such. Even if one met all the guidelines it would be difficult to have it. The shadow had never heard of anyone in his entire realm ever having this realm, but he had overhead a spiritual emissary from his childhood once say that his lord had been found to have one. Frankly the shadow king didn't have any hope, but he still tried.
Somehow Ryuk had blown everything out of proportion.
Even as the scene above stilled and dulled a faint warm wind swept Ryuk and his hair. As his black with snow like patterned hair danced in the wind he truly looked like a celestial being.
Shadow king snorted, "Show off."
Yet a cheeky smile appeared as a proudness developed.