章 154: Acceptance Of Greed 4
(Floating Cloud City - The Rainy Day's Rest Inn)
Reopening my eyes, a smile makes its way to my face, realizing that everything that happened yesterday wasn't a dream. This was my new reality. However, just as quickly as I felt content, I also felt something different.
Sitting up in my bed, I took a breath and focused on my inner self, and there were a decent number of new additions. And while it is slightly worrying that my new sponsor can change my body physically and spiritually like that, I find myself calmed by the fact that if he had wanted to mess with me, he would've done it already.
That dragon didn't seem like the type for thousand-year-long games or torture. Focusing on the new spiritual additions, I found, within the center of my chest, a small pearl-like object, which I assumed to be the new profound energy reactor given by the Nine Exquisite Body.
However, I see that it is currently more of a battery taking in the ambient profound energy around me. If I really need to, I can use it to boost my cultivation speed. And right next to it, I find that my heart has also been changed to something similar to crystalline glass.
I didn't feel anything different from it, as I assume I needed to become stronger to unlock it. And then, from my midsection to my lower stomach, there were seven glowing orbs connected similarly to a constellation, and while one felt accessible, the other six were definitely out of my reach.
I assume these are the gifts from the Heretic God's power. Soon enough, however, I ended this little internal diagnosis and reopened my eyes, and as I walked over to the corner of the room, I found a small mirror on top of a table. As I took a look at myself, I was happy that all of the scars I once had were gone. That and my once normal brown hair had become an almost scarlet red with the smallest amount of white tips at the end.
I wasn't entirely sure how I compared to other people, but I'm just happy to have a face that doesn't look like burnt bacon. Let's just say a decent amount of places aren't happy when you start digging through their trash cans.
Especially nightclubs, where one time I was doused with oil and almost set on fire for doing it. I assume this is mostly due to the fact that it maybe could've been a mob-owned nightclub, and they thought I was a member of another gang. But thankfully, it was raining that day, and I just rolled in the dirty puddles and had to get rid of all of my clothes again.
But that's behind me now. And to get rid of these rather unpleasant memories, I walk over to the entrance of my room and find a breakfast plate with a small note.
"To a prized customer, we hope you have a wonderful stay." I was almost tempted to laugh, as when I had to beg just to sleep on some couches in other hotels, I was kicked out multiple times. It got so bad sometimes that I had to wait in certain areas and stay past dark.
Thankfully, I always wore masks and gloves and full-body clothing, so they couldn't really get any DNA off me—not that I really think they cared that much.
Taking the food into my room and closing the door, I sat down on the bed and began to slowly enjoy myself. And after a few minutes, the food was promptly devoured, and I placed the now empty plate on the table outside of my room. Soon after, I saw what I assumed to be one of the cleaners come by and take it. After bowing to me, I returned it with a small one of my own, which led them to be very surprised.
And as the woman scuttled away, I took no mind of it, as I assume people here are just naturally outrageous. Honestly, I'm not too excited to meet these young masters that the dragon was talking about.
But for now, I wanted to test these new spiritual upgrades. As I sat on the bed, I began to refocus myself. Again, I found myself surrounded by the calming yellow lights. You know, that's maybe the reason why I also enjoy doing this, as it's like being surrounded by miniature suns.
Soon enough, after around 10 minutes, the progress bar towards the next level almost shattered entirely as I heard what sounded like a small explosion going off as I apparently broke through again.
(Fourth Of Elementary Profound)
I wonder if it's this easy for other people too?
With that question in mind, I continued, and I could tell that the energy reactor was doing its job, as while I was cultivating, this one was kind of acting like a force multiplier. In addition to the refinement from the green pearl—which, from my current knowledge, is actually called the Sky Poison Pearl—it was doing its job.
But also, from my knowledge, I know that this artifact is a copy of the original, or it could be simply another version of it from another universe, as it would surprise me if the dragon just stole other versions of these artifacts to add them to its hoard.
While I was cultivating, however, I was also studying the nature of this profound energy. Currently, however, all I could understand was that it is somehow created from the universe itself, and a small thought comes to mind that this could be used as an energy source to power and run entire cities.
Soon enough, however, again, I felt that feeling of being forced up against a wall, and as I started spiritually beating up against it, it began to crack again and again before, after around half an hour, it shattered. Again, a feeling of euphoric energy just washes over me.
(Fifth Of Elementary Profound)
And as I reopen my eyes, I find the silver pagoda in front of me like a small holographic tattoo. As I reach towards it and touch it with my right index finger, the world begins to warp around me as I am seemingly sent into an entirely new realm.
Similarly to the cavern, it seems that this place is entirely covered in gold. But unlike the cavern, which was definitely a cave, this realm is just infinite space given a gold coloring along with seemingly some silver edges.
After a few moments, a path begins to create itself leading towards the silver pagoda, which has turned from a small symbol to a large building. As I began to walk towards it, a path formed again as all the other golden bricks fell away, leaving me with a small line leading towards the pagoda.
As I reached the door, I placed my hand up against it, preparing to knock, yet as I was about to do so, one question appeared in my mind:
"What is your way of Buddha?" The question seemingly echoed across the realm as well as in my mind.
I retracted my arm as I stared at the door. Honestly, I was very much out of my depth here, as my understanding of many things is lacking.
"I want to see what's on the other side of the sky. I want to taste the greatest foods. I want to walk from one part of the world to the next, experiencing all of its beauty. But I won't be able to do that if I'm kicked to the curb like I was nothing. It's not enough to know that I'm not weak, but to know that I'm strong enough to stand back up. There is no true way, as all I know is that this technique begins and ends as far as I can go."
With every word uttered, the realm began to shake, and as the silver pagoda began to shine with a silver and blue light, I simply watched as it went from a gleaming pagoda to seemingly an endless expanse of letters and words.
As I placed my hand upon the endless lettering, information flooded my mind on how not only to cultivate my spirit and body using profound energy but also the energy that exists between the heavens and the earth. In addition to the energies that flow through every living thing. I almost wanted to make a Star Wars joke at that, but this was not the best time.
As I pulled my hand away, I began to focus in the ways described, and as I did so, I felt as if my profound veins and entrances were being coated and protected by another substance, which then began to spread across my entire body—a silver type light. And as I felt the vitality and life around me, I felt satisfied, as I had now gained another layer of protection.
But as I turned my eyes back to the endless expanse, I found the pagoda had returned, and the door was now open. But before I could even take a step towards it, I feel as if I'm jerked back into reality.
As I took a deep breath, I found myself back in the hotel room. But where the sun was once beginning to rise, now it was almost at its peak. Based on that, it seems like I was meditating for around three or four hours.
As I stand back up, I feel as if I hadn't sat for hours unmoving. This is most likely due to the power of my body. However, what surprised me the most was that I had seemingly broken through multiple levels of cultivation.
(Tenth Of Elementary Profound)
My spirit felt as if I had reached a plateau, and unlike the other walls that existed between cultivation levels, this one felt like I was about to take a large leap, and I needed to prepare energy in order to make it.
But for now, I just focused on how good I felt. Forming a fist in my hand, I felt like I could crush a rock just by lightly holding it in my hand.
Before I could focus on studying myself further, however, a small piece of paper was summoned in front of me.
Its contents read:
"Hello again, son. I see you're making decent progress, and while you may wish to remain in that town, I would advise against it. You do not have to do this, but head to the capital of the Blue Wind Empire and join the sect there. I want you to become its number one student. The reason for this shall reveal itself in time. And yes, before you ask, I do feel amazing being cryptic like this."
With Infinite Wisdom And Rizzadry,
-Calduin
After reading it again, the letter burst into flames like the last one. After doing so, as well as making sure the fire didn't spread to the rest of the room, I sent a mental thanks to my sponsor before checking to make sure I didn't leave a mess.
After a few moments, I leave the room and head back down to the lobby. The same man is at the desk, but he seems more nervous. As I approach, he looks to me with a smile on his face.
"Hello there, young lord. I hope the accommodations were good enough for the night."
"They were excellent. I appreciate the time your workers spent cleaning and maintaining the room. The food was also of excellent quality. However, I'm going to have to end my stay." After saying this, the man just looked at me as if expecting this answer.
"Well, I cannot stop you, young lord, and I thank you for your praise. It's rare that cultivators like yourself even compliment mortals like myself. And to be honest, I would advise leaving the city. The Xiao sect is on its way and shall be in the city by tomorrow." Thanking him, I leave the inn as him and his staff bowed to me, to which I returned a small one of my own.
Again, the females on the staff are blushing. All I did was smile. Maybe there's something wrong with my face? I should invest in maybe a mask or something, not only to hide my identity but to stop this reaction. In fact, I've sometimes seen men blush as soon as I've looked at them, which is disturbing.
With that thought in mind, I leave the city center. However, just as I do so, I feel a small pain within my profound senses. Looking in the direction of what I assume to be the home of the Xiao family, I feel cold, like a chill I can't escape.
With a frown on my face, I leave the city.
I don't like being reminded of the cold.
For a few moments after leaving the city gates, I just feel the sun on my face. And so I continue walking, but I should probably make a detour to New Moon City on the way, as I'm probably going to need to load up on supplies.
With that in mind, I began walking a lonely road, yet I couldn't feel more satisfied. It was like the beginning of a storybook, like I was going on an adventure.
Today I walk through forests and plains. Tomorrow I fly across the skies.
At least that is what I thought before I see a small group of men walk in front of me with familiar grins on their faces.
The ugliest one, seemingly blushing while drooling incessantly, looks at me with something that makes me feel utterly and completely disgusted.
"Well, aren't you a fine specimen…. Yes, I will enjoy dealing with you. Boys, take care of him, but make sure not to hurt the face."
But within the next second, I pull out my axe while I wonder what I'm going to have for lunch today.
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