Bab 17: Void-Soul Spirit-Housing
Inside the basement, I peruse the rare herbs brought back from Alphonso's Plain. I arrive at one I can't name. Out of the many herbs, this one is unusual because it is unprocessed and intact. The entire herb is contained in a bell jar structure. The base of the container is made of semi-opaque crystal-like material. Could the opening mechanism be on the crystal base?
I turn to ask Granduncle Byron who has been following me, "Is it safe to touch?"
"Certainly, feel free." He waves his hand toward the artifact.
My finger taps the transparent bell-shaped surface. It's soft but firm. From the point I touch, small glittering waves ripple across its membranous surface. It's like the surface of a pond. Most of the other herbs on the beach were dried or processed. Yet, this one gives off an aura of vitality and spirit that is palpable through its container even without any power cultivated. Granduncle Byron is watching me closely. Thus, I first take further note of this plant's unfamiliar characteristics.
The plant has a bulb semi-submerged in a clear substance. Around the bulb, orderly roots swirl in a clockwise direction. The stalk arising from the bulb is green with spiky leaves fanning out from the base. At the top of the stem, a wreath of white flowers wraps around a smooth, glossy crimson fruit.
Hmm, do the books in my memory mention a similar ancient plant? No, nothing comes to mind... And what about this container? While there are many methods for preserving herbs, it's uncommon for me to encounter one that puzzles me this much. Is the bell jar an ancient artifact? It's not reminiscent of the classical eras I am familiar with.
I use my fingers to fiddle with the crystal base. There are rune-like indentations, but there's no way to interact with or read them. Thus, the container is no closer to being opened.
I am stumped and turn to Granduncle Byron to ask if he is familiar with the opening mechanism. To my surprise, a servant is whispering in Granduncle Byron's ear and there is a deep frown on his face.
Granduncle Byron turns to fix his stern eyes on me. "Continue to write down the names and descriptions of the herbs. A pressing matter has arisen. I'll return shortly."
"Oh, okay," My head nods blandly. It will be easier for me to use my ability discreetly when he's gone.
He exits through the door, and I lean close again to whisper, "Who are you, little herb?"
The crystal base gives off a dim glow and hums softly.
"Buzz, [Oh my, something I've never encountered before! This must be fate human child. What is your name?]"
I'm taken aback. The spirit of this herb is much more articulate and intelligent than the Rhandus Flowering Grass spirit. It must be an ancient, high-grade herb.
"I'm Reinhold. What type of herb are you?"
"[Oh, I'm no herb… Although I may contain one.]"
"What?" It's not the herb talking? Then, could this bell-shaped artifact have a spiritual consciousness?
"[Today is surely an auspicious day. You can both understand me and have a perfect donor's body.]"
I'm alarmed. The form of the artifact doesn't seem equipped to scan my body. Could this artifact have other functions besides preserving herbs?
"What do you mean by perfect donor's body?"
"[I believe you humans might call this something silly... What was it? Oh yes, the Void Darkness Spirit Root with Void Physique.]" The spirit of the herb's voice took a tone of disdain.
Impossible! How is it able to assess cultivation potential and body type remotely? It's more efficient than the continent's assessment equipment. Could the spirit of the artifact have a cultivation-base of its own?
"..."
My mind is racing. Did this perfect donor's body attract my soul to it? Was the force of attraction so strong my soul even traveled through time? The artifact considers meeting me beneficial… Don't tell me this artifact wants to steal my body?
I secretly unwrap the truthstone. Will it detect a spirit's statements? Is the cultivation of this spirit low enough so the stone will work?
Receiving no reply, the artifact continues. "[I am no simple spirit.]"
Crap! There's no response from the truthstone.
"[I am the Void-Soul Spirit-Housing. I exist to collect spirits. I can use spirit plants to form and alter the spirit-root for cultivation within your body!]"
My paranoid thoughts and awareness grind to a halt. This temptation is too great. "I could gain a cultivatable soul-root through you?"
"[Indeed, I was originally forged by a great cultivator from a piece of his soul for his savior and life-companion. She was a spirit of the forest who took the form of a fox. She had the same type of body you do. Together we grew strong but inevitably she passed away before me. Now, the passage of time without a host has weakened me despite crystalizing this physical form. Who would have thought I would be awakened by such a boy?]"
* * * * *
Byron stood on the wall above his manor's gate. His violet robes stood out against the white adobe walls and the guiding mountain in the distance behind it. Below the gate sat Duke Fairchild on a monstrous warhorse donned in bronze armor glowing with runes. Duke Fairchild commanded a small army of men, which stood at attention behind him facing the walls.
"Go home, Duke Fairchild." Byron kept a motionless and dignified posture on the gate.
"Byron! So, you've finally come out! Your guards really lack hospitality. Bring me Reinhold," replied Duke Fairchild raising an outstretched palm.
"Reinhold is not here. Don't cause trouble for us. Do you want a conflict with the Mallory family so badly?"
"Hmph, I have proof your family took him." He tossed a Jade slip the great distance up to Byron.
Byron caught it and quickly read the contents of the slip with his Qi. He frowned in displeasure. After tossing the slip back, he stood straight with his arms folded behind his back.
"This changes nothing! Reinhold is not here. Even if you find where he is what can you do about it? Reinhold belongs to our family as a forced laborer of the Mallory family. How do you have the authority to sentence him for the crimes his Master committed. He is in our hands and we will not hand him over for a trifling 10,000 gold piece bounty."
"What sort of nonsense is this? I've seen the boy myself he has no slave collar. Do you really think Malbec would allow such a thing on his apprentice?"
"So what now? Do you want to break the kingdom's laws and war against your fellow Duke's family?"
"War?" Duke Fairchild chuckled coldly. "No this is merely a forceful search…" He raised his voice to a yell, "Men! Break down the gate! I'll handle this old fool."
The men behind Duke Fairchild let out a great shout as expected of an army. They raised their weapons in the air patted their defensive talismans and charged forward covered in glistening energy barriers.
* * * * *
Noticed by no one below, a bored faced man in gray robes stood in the sky above the manor. He adjusted his cylindrical black hat and scratched his left wrist as he watched the battle take place below.
The man used his powerful Qi to send a message to his subordinates below. "Duke Fairchild's men have forced themselves far enough into the manor grounds. Let's commence the operation."
He muttered to himself, "Hmph, forcing me to come all the way here... Why couldn't they just dispose of the body properly the first time?"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone