Capítulo 12: True Successor Part 1.
The St. Ancestral Mountain Range sprawls across the Divine Continent, encompassing a vast expanse of towering peaks that are home to countless demon beasts. These creatures mostly possess a snow wind attribute, a trait that is well-suited to the range's frigid climate. To the north lies the Ancient Orchid City Ruins, a place of great intrigue and danger. Here, the group of Chen Linjian and his Divine Family comrades stumbled upon the Spiritual Lamp, a mystical artifact containing the Shadow Devil, a potent treasure now resting in the hands of Nomad.
To the west of the St. Ancestral Mountain Range lies the foreboding Black Devil Forest, a place fraught with peril and cursed even to the most skilled and experienced experts. Across the range to the east is the Infinite Forest, a vast expanse teeming with demon beasts that are, fortunately, relatively docile. Beyond the Infinite Forest lies the Heavenly Fate Plateau, one of the last bastions of humanity in this realm. And to the south of the range lies the Nether Realm, a place of dark power and shadowy secrets, where the cultivators who have transcended the legendary rank, once thought to be the pinnacle of power in the Divine Continent, now reside.
At the heart of the St. Ancestral Mountain Range lies the resplendent Glory City, a place of ancient origins that predates even the dark age, when demon beasts first rose to prominence. It is said that the city holds many secrets, and countless ancient ruins lie waiting to be discovered within its borders.
Meanwhile, the Hong Yue Family embarks on a perilous journey towards the Eastern Desert, their caravan consisting of ten carriages and over 50 of the strongest demon spiritualists and warriors the family has to offer. Their mission: is to safeguard the group as they travel toward the Desert Palace.
Normally, such a journey would take over five long months, with no guarantee of a safe return to the Glory City. However, since their destination has already been mapped and scouted, the Hong Yue Family can expect to make the journey in just one month, thanks in no small part to the safety and security provided by their formidable caravan.
Within the central carriage, Nomad reclines leisurely, gazing out at the breathtaking landscapes rushing past him. His parents, by contrast, wear grave expressions, their thoughts focused on matters of greater import. Originally, the family had planned this trip as a simple vacation outside Glory City.
However, after Nomad shared a troubling revelation with them about him being reincarnated after dying while retelling nei li's story as his, the Hong Yue Family changed their plans and concocted a ruse to justify the presence of their sizable entourage. They claimed that they were continuing their exploration of the dark ruins, even though their prior mission had already ended. This clever subterfuge allowed them to travel with impunity, their large group attracting no undue attention from outsiders.
Nomad's father wore a deeply worried expression as he asked his son, "Are you all right, my boy?" His father's concern was understandable, given what Nomad had revealed to him. Nomad's mother, meanwhile, embraced him tightly, her motherly love a comforting balm to his troubled soul. Nomad couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for his white lie, as he muttered helplessly, "Mom..."
But before he could finish his sentence, his mother cut him off with a fierce declaration, "I may be your mom, but you can't hide anything from me! No matter how many times you are reincarnated, you'll always be my baby, so don't you forget that! I'll take care of everything."
His father, too, stepped in to offer his support. "No matter what happens, we are a family. So don't worry, my son." He tried to embrace Nomad, but the carriage was too cramped, so he settled for holding his son's hand instead, offering a reassuring squeeze.
Nomad winced in pain as his mother pinched him in the side. "Mom, Dad, I swear, I only regained my past memories yesterday. That's why I'm telling you all this now..."
But his mother was having none of it. "Don't you dare lie to me, young man! I know it's been at least a few weeks if not a whole month! You wouldn't be so insistent on going to the Desert Palace to retrieve that Temporal Spirit Book otherwise!"
Nomad hung his head in shame, rubbing his aching side. "I'm sorry, Mom, Dad. I lied to you."
But his parents were quick to forgive him, enveloping him in a warm embrace. "Don't worry, my child," his mother cooed. "Hey! Watch it, you're squishing me!" she scolded his father, who was trying to squeeze into the cramped space beside them. Nomad couldn't help but laugh at the sight of his parents bickering, even amid his troubles.
—
After a few minutes of travel, Nomad and his family arrived at the Ancient Orchid City Ruins. Chen Linjian and his group had already looted the ruins, but Nomad insisted they stop to see if the page of the Temporal Spirit Book had been found. This page was said to be hidden deep within the underground palace, which was filled with traps and mazes.
"Son, this ruin has already been turned upside down. Are you sure the page is still here?" Nomad's father inquired. Half of their group stayed behind to guard the caravan while the other half ventured to the edge of the ruined city, where they discovered an undisturbed statue with words written on its base.
"Yes, I'm very sure," Nomad replied. "By the way, Mom and Dad, this ground will collapse and lead us to the bottom of a maze. We must be prepared." His parents scanned the ground with their soul force and confirmed the danger.
"Build a platform over there, and connect it to that spot," Nomad's father ordered, pointing to two locations. "We need to be ready when the pit collapses. And make sure to stay clear of the danger zone."
Nomad's mother held his hand tightly as they watched the family mercenaries work quickly and efficiently to construct the platform. Once it was completed, Nomad, his parents, and two of the strongest demon spiritualists stood guard on top of the platform.
Nomad began to read the words at the base of the statue aloud. He had learned about this important event through his AI system, which had taken a whole month to gather the necessary information.
"Those who follow me, shall be honoured. Those who oppose me, shall be perished."
Nomad read the ancient language of the lost sacred empire aloud, and the ground slowly gave way beneath them, revealing a deep pit below. The family mercenaries quickly filled the hole with a long rope for descent.
Nomad's mother suggested that he stay above ground while his father and his team cleared the traps below. However, Nomad was confident that he could be of help down in the pit, and he insisted on joining the team. His mother reluctantly agreed, holding him tightly as she princess-carried him to the edge of the pit.
"Alright, hold on tight," she warned, before jumping down into the pit after Nomad's father and the two mercenaries who had already confirmed that the area was safe.
After descending into the pit, the group reached the end of the rope, and half of the team remained there while the others continued on, equipped with everything they needed to navigate the maze below.
As Nomad's mother set him down on the ground, his father pointed out a line written boldly on the wall and asked for his son's help in translating it. "Nomad, what does this line say?" he inquired.
"Emperor Kong Ming's resting place."
His mother looked at him curiously, and he wasted no time in providing an explanation. "He was an expert beyond the legendary rank, one who stood against the vicious Sage Emperor, the one who controls everything," Nomad proclaimed with a flourish. His voice held a sense of excitement, as though he were recounting a chilling horror story to a group of captivated children.
"The Sage Emperor is a fearsome being, with the power to control all life beneath him, and to unleash a ruthless slaughter upon those who would dare to oppose him!" Nomad continued with fervor, leading his family towards the fake tomb of Emperor Kong Ming. He pointed out the perilous areas that lay ahead, warning them of potential traps and dangers along the way.
A burst of laughter erupted from the group, prompted by a remark about the "young master's weirdness". Yet their mirth was short-lived, quickly extinguished by a sudden cough that sent a chill down their spines.
Nomad's mother took the opportunity to pose a question. "So you're saying that no one is safe from him?" she asked pointedly, silencing the boisterous group in front of them.
Nomad thought for a moment before answering. "Well, I did fight him once," he said, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "But he's not as dangerous as he once was. He's been greatly weakened. The real challenge is his six pesky deity demon beast generals, who are incredibly difficult to handle. And he's also known to pluck out anyone who might even have the slightest chance of opposing him, using divination to stay one step ahead. That's why I couldn't defeat him," Nomad concluded, his gaze darting around with anticipation.
Despite his ageless existence, this was the first time he would embark on a real adventure. Even though his mother held him tightly, trying to keep him safe from harm, his heart couldn't help but race with excitement. She had noticed his eagerness but was understandably concerned for his safety.
"How can we defeat him?" she asked, her worry palpable as she looked towards her husband, who was intently listening. The revelation that their son had returned from the past, even after death, had left a deep impact on them. But seeing their son's determination, they were determined to support him in any way they could.
Unlike in the past, where he had suffered through wrenching experiences alone, they were determined to be there for him. In fact, she had even hinted to her husband to stop cultivating altogether so the Sage Emperor wouldn't find them, prepared to do whatever it takes to protect their beloved son.
"Mom, the Sage Emperor is not merely a dictator, but a being who will stop at nothing to become stronger, even if it means sacrificing everything," Nomad replied resolutely, his determination shining throug h. "That's why I will resume cultivating soon, and with your help, I know that I can defeat him once and for all."
As he spoke, Nomad thumped his chest confidently, but his mother saw past the bravado and embraced him tightly. For Nomad, the experience of receiving parental love was new and exhilarating, and he held onto her tightly, grateful for the support and love that he had always longed for.
"Don't worry, Mom. We have plenty of time to prepare, and the Sage Emperor has no way of divining anything happening in our tiny world. There's a strong seal hiding us from him, so we can cultivate to our hearts' content until we're ready to oppose him," Nomad reassured his mother. She released him from her embrace, and the party came to a halt.
"Is that so? Then we should cleanse our world first before we start developing," Nomad's mother said, her eyes shining with determination. She remembered what her son had said about the Dark Guild and the betrayal of the Sacred Family during the demon beast horde attack on the Glory City.
"Hmmm, I might have a way to deal with them, Mom," Nomad said confidently, sensing his mother's resolve
—
Nomad, utilizing his AI system which had fed him knowledge for an entire month, deftly led the way toward a vast hall, where the legendary Tomb of Emperor Kong Ming was located. This place had remained undiscovered even after Chen Linjian's previous explorations, and if not for Nei Li, it might have remained shrouded in obscurity forever. Yet, as Nomad journeyed towards the Desert Palace, he decided to pay this place a visit, curious as to whether the single page of the Temporal Spirit Book would be of any use to him, even without the strange vine that Nei Li had received as a result of his reincarnation and the help of the book.
"Loot everything!"
"Haha, I found a good item!"
As soon as the family mercenaries reached their destination, they sprang into action, each member moving with purpose and efficiency. Meanwhile, Nomad and his parents stood transfixed before the intricate inscriptions etched onto the surface of the tomb's coffin, which rested at the heart of the chamber. "This place is heavily restricted, and even I would struggle to approach it. What should we do, Master?" one of the family mercenaries asked Nomad's parents as his arms crossed and pored over his AI system, searching for a potential solution to their dilemma.
"Infinity has no beginning, no beginning can have no end."
Nomad murmured something under his breath, his eyes blank and unfocused as if he had glimpsed something otherworldly. Suddenly, an immense force surged forth from the stone coffin, striking him with tremendous power. His eyes blazed with a newfound pain, and his mind was flooded with an overwhelming deluge of information, as though he were being pierced by innumerable needles all at once.
PAIN!*
Nomad, who had never experienced such excruciating pain before, could not help but jolt as he curled up in agony, feeling as though his body were on the brink of exploding. Yet, in a sudden surge of adaptation and evolution, his body began to accept and assimilate the overwhelming surge of energy, using it to nourish and fortify itself. As the pain subsided and transformed into a strange, soothing sensation, Nomad looked on with a mix of uncertainty and fear, his face drenched in a cold sweat, the phantom agony of earlier still haunting him.
"Son! Are you alright?" A voice called out to him, and Nomad realized he was being cradled in someone's arms. He had lost consciousness briefly when the energy from the coffin had bombarded him, but his senses returned swiftly as his body evolved to accommodate the surge. As quickly as it had appeared, the energy dissipated, leaving no trace behind. "Dear!" Both of his parents' faces swam into view, their expressions etched with concern and anxiety as they looked at him, pale and shaken.
"I'm sorry, I'm fine," Nomad lied, rubbing his cheeks and trying to regain his composure. He was grateful that he hadn't cried out or given any other signs of distress, or his parents might have called off the exploration and taken him home. "The energy from the coffin just caught me off guard, that's all."
"Are you sure you're okay?" his parents asked simultaneously, their concern palpable. They scanned his body for any signs of harm, but to their surprise, they found that he had grown even stronger!
Forget about geniuses! Both parents were stunned as they realized that their son had leaped from a mere bronze rank demon spiritualist to a formidable gold rank, his once-soft body now containing enough strength to rival the same rank. "Son, you've become a gold rank demon spiritualist!" His father exclaimed, demanding someone bring him a soul crystal to measure Nomad's soul force. The crystal revealed that his soul force had reached the limit of a 5-star gold star, just waiting for Nomad's breakthrough to become a black gold demon spiritualist like his parents.
"Son! You..." His father's stupid excitement was cut short as his mother slapped him on the head and rebuked him.
"Stop it, you fool!" Nomad's mother suddenly exclaimed, her grip on her son tightening with a worried expression. Though he tried to hide it, she could easily see the fear in his eyes from the earlier burst of pain. "Can't you see that your son is suffering?"
"I'm okay, Mom," Nomad replied truthfully, his mother's worried gaze fixed on him. "Even though it hurt at first, the pain quickly vanished. I promise."
"I'm sorry, my dear," his mother said, hugging him tightly while trembling. "I should have protected you better."
Nomad wondered if something had happened to the old nomad to warrant such a strong reaction. As he gazed at his apologetic father standing before him, he couldn't help but feel that he was being overly pampered by his parents.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
NomadLayman
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