章 7: Conquest of life

A clear look of befuddlement across Yufangs face, as he replied with a face of disappointment, "I had thought you understood... However, it seems you're misunderstanding something here, I did not work this path of damned because I was forced. This path, the path of self-destruction was the path I chose, for me even at my current power spiritual roots are merely a simple problem, easily fixed, not worthy of mentioning.

Listen here, I did not walk this path, the path of self-destruction because I was forced, I walk this path because it brings immense joy, it gives strength to my passions expanding my views and allowing my horizon to be forever infinite. The path of godhood I will walk a glass-cannon in this life that is my only wish."

His smile growing everso demonic Yufang continued, "Isn't it? Isn't it fun to be a glass-cannon? To live life unsure, to live taking each and every risk. I truly believe this is the only way to surpass all, by living life to its utmost, to live a future of utmost joy. To live an interesting life, where your survival is always uncertain."

Having heard this Yong Sheng coughed blood, and in a voice of complete seriousness said, "Is what you're saying true? Are you truly intending to walk the path of God a mortal?"

Unseen to all, for a split second upon Yufang's face a grand demonic smile rose before disappearing never to be seen again, grinning Yufang replied, "That is exactly what I've implied by saying this the first mortal God I shall be."

Completely bewildered Yong Sheng muttered, "Insane... Truly insane, a mortal God..."

Not willing to continue with this subject, Yong Sheng quickly suggested, "How about we walk around the sect and take a look around? Since we are here now we will certainly have to adapt to this new world," pushing his suggestion he continued, "In fact it is imperative we gain an understanding of the surroundings and most importantly the power of the sect."

An ever so slight smile crosses Yufang's face as he turns to Yong Sheng, and says in an everso insidious voice, "Are you planning to elude our deal? Do you truly not wish to keep true to our bet?"

Smiling wryly Yong Sheng having truthfully forgotten about this matter, replied, "Of course not, I'd simply like to have seen my sects growth, isn't it fine to delay this matter?"

Shaking his head lightly Yufang said in response, "Ahh... Truly you don't understand, this is not a matter that can just be delayed if I'm to ever survive within this crazed world of martials. It is imperative that I gain strength, I too must become equal at least amongst my age group. Before having truly joined the sect of Eternals, I must obtain the strength of a 10-year-old child. Or else, I wouldn't be able to call myself Yufang only a disgrace."

Lightly smiling in defeat Yong Sheng replied, "Very well I did promise you and I Yong Sheng do not forsake my promises. I guess it is now that you will reveal just exactly what you are planning to do within my forest."

A sudden feeling of amnesia overcame Yufang as his arm was suddenly grabbed and he was flung into the air now being carried by Yong Sheng, being taken with extreme speed to that indomitable forest.

Traversing the universe they crossed countless plains, swamps, and oceans before having finally reached it, the forest of old.

Upon arriving Yong Sheng put down a very sickened Yufang, before asking, "So what exactly are you planning to do with my forest?"

Having arrived in a sickened state, Yufang replied simply trying not to barf, "To uncover an age-long secret, revealing the ruins of a superior generation."

Muttering to himself Yong Sheng said, "An age long-secret? Ruins?" Shaking his head he muttered once more, "No it couldn't be, I've resided here since the beginning of time, there is no secret to be uncovered. There is definitely no secret."

With plan honey pot back in the ignition, Yufang burst out into a crazed laugh. His grin demonic and perverted, drooling over the grand harvest to be, crazed just awaiting this grand fortune.

Incessesently muttering to himself Yong Sheng stood frozen, as apart from him Yufang stood across from him, shouting out, "Oi? Oi? Hello? OLD MAN?! Old man, have you gone senile?!"

Awakened from a daze Yong Sheng looked to see an angered Yufang calling out, finally replying he said, "What is it?"

Having finally grasped this aged man's attention Yufang replied, "I need you to gather 2% timeless wood and carve it into a pot while I make separate preparations for the ritual."

Having said this Yufang ran off to make his preparations while Yong Sheng stood frozen, muttering to himself, "Timeless wood? He had mentioned that before but what exactly is it?" In a daze, befuddled by Yufangs words Yong Sheng remained in place never moving.

Yufang, on the other hand, was concocting a plan, a plan to lure out an infinitely reclusive species with the lives of one million tier-one beasts, each above the age of 500. Tier-one beasts, each one of them with one direct hit could render Yufang nonresponsive, and perhaps even dead.

The eternal void a flawed system of growth, his body remaining that of a mortal while his strength grew infinite devouring the very life of all things. A mortal as he was, susceptible to death he became. On this mission, Yufang could make no wrong moves.

However, compared to before Yufang had gained a slight enhancement in strength, back then this plan was, in fact, a dead man's wish; an impossible mission. But now Yufang stood here having grasped the first stage of the eternal void, his strength being enhanced no longer was he a bear of mediocre strength, for now, he stood tall as a bear at peak strength.

These beasts of 500 years no longer out of reach. Continuing this gamble with a crazed smile, Yufang gladly risked his life for accelerated growth.

His journey begins once more, running throughout this forest, Yufang's plan is in motion, no matter what or how he has to do it, Yufang will accomplish his desires, he will capture one million beasts.

Uncommon these beasts where, however, that did not mean they where not here, these beasts could, of course, be found, but certain circumstances had to be met, simply these beasts with time had reached a level of intelligence and would only ever move for self-gain. To Yufang however, this was a simple issue, for he cultivated an eternal void, to all living things Yufang was essentially a walking Elixir, an incomparably valuable source of Qi the very source of life itself.

To others, Yufang was simply irresistible, his very existence brought attention upon himself, with time these beasts would reveal themselves, all Yufang had to do was wait.

So that is exactly what he did, sitting down upon a log Yufang waited, serving himself as a gourmet meal.

Of course, such a high-quality meal would attract countless looking to quickly increase their cultivation base. As enticing as Yufang was, rivalry was bound to begin amongst such beasts.

However, gourmet as he may be, free Yufang was not, for he was not sitting there waiting to be devoured after being crushed to death by countless predators. Around him, hidden under hundreds of thousands of shrubs laid a trench one thousand meters deep.

A gourmet meal he was, however as a small insignificant predator he had to think big, to grow exceeding all. Greedy and wishing to hasten his cultivation this predator aimed for a large catch. Here this gourmet meal would be the only one eating.

No predator attacked instantly for no predator having exceeded 500 years of age was stupid, before even the weakest enemy they'd first observe, only ever revealing themselves once having fully understood the true strength of their prey.

Like this, two days went by... Calmly Yufang sits in a meditative position upon a log. Although nothing has happened so far with no predators attacking, far away lurking within the shadows predators now watch, stalking Yufang's every move.

Sitting upon that log, two whole days had passed, Yufang continues to sit, meditating. Although now slightly hungered Yufang grows swayed by his emotions, however powering threw hunger remain he did, awaiting a great catch.

Hungered he waited, thinking of himself as a bamboo tall and forever unmoved, remaining infinitely he grew, never to be perished even by calamity, satisfied and enjoying his time as a bamboo Yufang waited with patience unwilling to forsake fortune.

...A week passes, 9 days had now passed, suddenly awakened from meditation, a grand hunger fueled him, calling out, telling him to move, telling him to devour, telling him to destroy. His mind clouded, these predators within the shadows that had stalked him for so long, now greatly attracted him, afar he became the predator stalking them. His mouth watered.

Hungered and his mind clouded, unable to wait for another instant. Yufang stood, leaving the safety of the log, evading the trap and walking directly into the depths of the forest.

Set out Yufang did, once more entering the vast forest. Extremely hungered his mind clouded and his thoughts swayed, Yufang walked stumbling. Hungered Yufang grew hesitant in his plan, this forest was, in fact, dead, in theory, no life should ever reside here and be able to survive, yet remain they did. Among them, even a divine level beast such as the Divine Tortoise managed to survive.

How they remained, how they managed to survive. Yufang did not know, however, put his faith in this forest, in that this forest was truly still alive. For if this forest was dead this ritual would be for nothing. No Olms would remain here as with the death of the forest they too would perish becoming nothing itself meeting death.

Giving in to hunger, Yufang forgave his ability to think, a human swayed by primal emotions he became. Human no longer, a predator hungry for flesh he now was, eager to devour Yufang ran, his only thought to devour, in search... In search of a meal to satisfy his endless hunger.

His eyes set far away, he stares. His eyes meet a stranger, a crazed smile rises, as he charges in. Emitting a grand bloodlust Yufang's smile grows chaotic. Crazed, swayed only by emotion Yufang sets his sight on a beast, this beast hidden in the shadows locked down by Yufang's vision in a second.

This beast having been discovered, careful and uncertain of possible danger chooses to flee. This beast fleeing Yufang followed slowly catching up. Moving this beast continued to watch Yufang, for he was undeniably attractive, with each movement this beast took moving away, fleeing. Something within it shouts out telling it to turn around and devour this man.

Yufang a true oddity, was irresistible to all. This beast soon to grows crazed, giving in to instincts, its thoughts clouded, no longer fleeing it turns, charging at Yufang.

These two predators, charging at each other both crazed by self-gain, put forth all their strength, jumping at each other, they leap into the sky sending out a single strike.

This beast a white wolf at 733 years of age, and Yufang a gorilla at peak strength, both in a crazed state cause the gaps between them to grow even more. This wolf's strength nearing that of a drake, but here today these two beings of great differences without a second thought move forth with all their strength sending out a single strike, risking their lives for self-benefit.

Far away, Yong Sheng stood staring into the nothingness of his forest, still standing in the same place, his eyes wander off, and he disappears. Returning to his birthplace in search of answers.

To answer his question, "What exactly is timeless wood?" If he truly had this timeless wood-like Yufang said then perhaps only returning to his birthplace would give him insight on this matter.

Within a certain place, unknown to the world a man appears within a plain. This man smiles lightly having reached the center of this plain. Their a pagoda sits having reached it this man smiles as if reunited with an old friend, slowly placing his hand upon the pagoda, he mutters, "So... I've returned." Having said this he enters the pagoda.