บท 8: Third Layer Dungeon
After deciding that he would continue to raise his cultivation via slaughter, Yaan began spending more time in the execution chamber of the first layer dungeon than ever before. Under Great Elder Wan's orders, he was fetched 10 prisoners each day to execute.
It made him wonder just how many people died at the hands of this sect everyday. The first layer dungeon only homed mortal prisoners who had somehow offended members of the core sect. There were actually two more layers to this dungeon though, each holding Qi master prisoners.
From what Yaan had picked up after speaking with others core disciples here and there, the second and third layers of the dungeon were smaller and less crowded. The second layer held those members of the Heavenly Path Sect being punished for their wrong doings, whilst the third and lowest layer was filled with external enemies.
10 days passed by, during which time, Yaan executed another 100 mortals. He was originally worried about the slaughter aura affecting his mind, but discovered that even if he were to kill multiple mortals consecutively, he still wouldn't run into any serious issues.
Actually, the killing intent and resulting negative emotions that assaulted his mind were no less intense than before, but his endurance and ability to resist had increased ten fold. After discussing this with Great Elder Wan, they both came to a decision.
Yaan was to visit the third layer dungeon, where he could execute Qi Gathering realm humans and refine the more dense slaughter aura emitted upon their demise.
He was oblivious to this fact back when he targeted Xinti in Zong Village, but the slaughter aura was far more intense when released from Qi masters compared to mortal humans. For someone to absorb their very first strand of slaughter aura from a Qi Gathering realm being like Yaan, would usually lead to that individual losing themselves. It was impressive that Yaan had somehow managed to keep his sanity in check at that time.
As they travelled down the tight spiral staircase and into the ever-darkening depths below the surface, Great Elder Wan noticed Yaan's nervousness.
"Don't worry Yaan, these people are all crippled and can not hurt you." He comforted Yaan softly whilst glancing down at him and keeping an eye on his mental state as usual.
"Mm." Yaan nodded.
Mortals might view all Qi masters as esteemed immortals, but this was far from the truth. Those at the Qi Gathering realm were stronger than mortals, but if their limbs were broken and they were stripped of any treasures, then they would be a helpless cripple like any other.
"Even if they were in peak condition, it wouldn't be a problem for you to face those at the early or even mid stage of the Qi Gathering realm." Rui reminded him.
Yaan knew that she was probably right, but he had no real world experience here. Since he had never properly tested himself against a Qi master in actual combat, he held onto some doubt regarding his own capabilities.
After refining the second hundred strands of slaughter aura from the 100 mortal prisoners, Yaan finally reached the Early Qi Gathering realm. This wasn't exactly a big achievement, as it merely meant that his dantian was 5% filled with Yuan Qi. This was only slightly better compared to his initial entry into the initial stage, at which point his Yuan Qi only filled 1% of the dantian.
The reason behind Rui's belief in his battle strength despite his lack of experience, was actually because of Yaan's 1-Star body. Qi masters were cultivators who refined Yuan Qi, they relied on treasures and spells to battle, but those who cultivated their body could fight bare naked if they needed to do so. Body cultivators possessed innately powerful flesh, supported by a power called 'vital energy' that apparently ran through their very blood. On top of this, Qi Gathering realm humans were usually quite poor and would not own any treasures, whilst spells could only be cast starting from the True Yuan Qi realm. For this reason, a demon with a 1-Star demonic body would almost always have the edge over a Qi Gathering realm human.
Whilst thinking about this piece of information stated matter of factly by Rui in an attempt to relax his nerves, Yaan unknowingly arrived at the execution chamber of the third layer. The third layer was actually split up into multiple different sections, each with their own cells and execution room. Yaan was currently standing in the section holding the Qi Gathering realm enemies of the Heavenly Path Sect.
Each holding cell was segregated from the central round hall by a thick steel door. This was clearly a higher level of security compared to the mortal prison, but that was to be expected.
Yaan turned towards the largest door pointed out by his teacher, the very room in which Yaan would find his Qi master victim. He watched somewhat nervously as the grey archway creaked inwards and revealed the dark room within.
The room wasn't much different than the execution chamber he was accustomed to. Now that he was alone in here with this crippled prisoner, Yaan realised that he may have been worrying for nothing.
A cripple was a cripple, and this woman on the floor could barely move. Just looking at her, it was obvious that she had been beaten beyond badly. Her face was so swollen that she couldn't even open her eyes. The only inclination she provided that suggested any awareness of Yaan's presence, was a continual soft whining sound released from her mouth.
Yaan held onto the sword that he decided to keep as his own after using its sharp blade to harvest the lives of so many. He remained silent for some time, looking down at her with a thoughtful expression.
"Elder Sun once told me that mortal lives are like dirt, but I don't really see how Qi masters are any different…" Yaan muttered in a strange tone.
Putting Qi masters on a pedestal as if they were inherently more worthy than mortals had always bothered him. Yaan once believed that he despised Elder Sun's outlook of looking down on mortals, but Yaan was starting to realise that perhaps, he just disagreed with the idea that Qi masters were so much better.
Chi!
A sword through the heart and her life slipped away, just like any other. This woman bled the same colour as any mortal and died just as easily under Yaan's blade.
His thoughts were interrupted as the slaughter aura stormed into his body, wreaking havoc through his meridians and worming its way into his mind. Yaan sat down and concentrated on refining this strand of malicious aura into Yuan Qi.
As expected, the effect of this slaughter aura was far beyond anything he had absorbed after killing an ordinary mortal. Yaan was reminded of his days prior to completing the Fiend Transformation, back when he was forced to focus intently on resisting the bloody temptation that urged him to lose himself to savage degeneracy.
This woman's cultivation was at the Mid Qi Gathering realm, this was the strongest person he had killed to date. At first Yaan was worried that he would struggle to handle a slaughter aura of this magnitude, but his worries dispersed within a single minute. The negative emotions settled down and Yaan realised that he was still in complete control. Even whilst feeling this bloodlust, he was able to restrain himself. His mental fortitude was clearly increasing, day by day.
When he departed from the chamber half an hour later, Yaan felt startled to see an unfamiliar bearded middle aged man speaking with his teacher. The two stopped their conversation and turned towards him, causing Yaan to feel a disorientating pressure under the scrutinising gaze of this unfamiliar person. His mind became dizzy and he stepped back, clutching his face as his vision blurred.
"Jushu, stop bothering my disciple." Great Elder Wan frowned and stood between Yaan and this man, relieving the pressure upon Yaan's body and mind, finally allowing him to breath. Yaan tilted his head, looking past his teacher and staring at this overbearing man fearfully.
So powerful!
Just a simple gaze could exert such a strong pressure, just who was this person?!
"I only intended to test him, after all, I have not yet met this disciple of yours, Saddo." The man replied with a light hearted chuckle, as if the previous events that had Yaan's heart palpitating in terror were nothing major.
Great Elder Wan sighed, then stepped out of the way and pointed lightly towards the man he called 'Jushu'.
"Yaan, this is the Sect Lord of the Heavenly Path Sect."
Yaan's body stiffened and he restored his posture immediately. He clasped his hands together and bowed ever so slightly. There was a very clear respect prevalent in his actions and tone.
"Greeting, Sect Lord."
"Hmm…" The Sect Lord continued to observe Yaan carefully from head to toe. This time seemed to drag on for an age in Yaan's mind, until finally, the Sect Lord could only give up after finding nothing amiss.
"If there's nothing else, we will be taking our leave. Yaan, come." Great Elder Wan shot a side glance at the Sect Lord, before signalling to Yaan to follow after him. Yaan bowed again to the Sect Lord, then hurried after his teacher.
They were silent during their walk back towards the surface. During this silence which was accompanied by an unusual atmosphere, Yaan tried to think of something to say.
"Teacher…are there problems between you and the Sect Lord?" Yaan asked hesitantly, not knowing if he should be prying into this matter.
His teacher sighed heavily.
"Of course, there are always problems between the highest ranking members of a sect. Everyone is competing for power, resources and so on, so how can there be perfect harmony? The Sect Lord and myself share some history. It is only due to his slightly greater battle power that he obtained the position of leader, so naturally we have our problems. Don't worry about it too much Yaan, he won't create trouble for you without reason."
Yaan nodded silently, thinking to himself that he had become too complacent around his teacher, forgetting that he was actually a Peak Spirit Core realm powerhouse…Great Elder Wan always restrained his aura around Yaan, so it was easy to forget this point. Yaan was only reminded of this humbling fact after experiencing that heavy gaze from his teacher's peer and equal, the Sect Lord.
As Yaan was thinking through these things, Great Elder Wan glanced down at him thoughtfully.
'Whilst Jushu is superior in terms of battle prowess right now, that will certainly change after I refine a demonic puppet. Even if I don't manage to breakthrough my cultivation realm, a demonic puppet should still allow me to surpass Jushu's level!'
Rui observed the situation silently, her thoughts unknown.
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