บท 80: Development
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Updating Chap a bit quicker cause my phone's battery is almost dead and the electricity is out for 8 hours already.
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Once Qian Daoliu left a little after midnight, Ja Sun hurried to set up another tent for himself. When asked, he scared everyone by making Olivia say: Hand up-down, up-down. The gesture was simple but it suddenly earned him everyone's disgust. Not that he cared the least bit.
He cared that the time of mission was waning and he needed to quickly pump his fist if not his little brother just to complete the mission. Within the tent, this time, Ja Sun's mental survey of the surroundings was much better and clearer. Not only did Astral Combatant increase his control over mental energy, but it also made his mental energy condensed into a single point itself, making his recovery of mental energy far greater and quicker than an ordinary Spirit Sage.
With a pump of his fist, Ja Sun found the screen of his mission flickering.
[Objective: Absorb second spirit soul and find an enclosed space to pump your fist.
Mission Rank: S
Mission Rewards: 63000-year-old Nightmare's Fantasy Skull Bone.
Time Limit: 3 days.]
Ja Sun pumped, watched the ranking, and closed his eyes in pure bliss and satisfaction. To his mission-addled mind, watching the letter 'S' in his mission panel was much more brilliant than an 'S' regarding his works down south. At least, he doesn't get post-nut emptiness later.
In front of Ja Sun's eyes, a small ornament was quickly formed and it looked exactly the same one as he had. Before the pressure from the spirit bone could burst forth, Ja Sun stored it and pondered and the situation.
By every right, he had surpassed his limits. The ranking of this mission was S, and he knew it. Just seeing it always felt different.
But the reward made him sigh slightly.
Since the reward is always based on accomplished objectives, the reward this time would be regarding the Spirit Soul absorbed that turned out to be— Nightmare's Fantasy. Fantasy Beasts and Nightmare Beasts are already rare but their fusion could be considered unique. Since there is no other Nightmare's Fantasy, then the only thing regarding this Spirit Soul— the skull bone— was copied by his trait and presented again.
Now, Ja Sun was troubled. Could he absorb it again?
Since Spirit Bones are rare and finding the exact same copy of a spirit bone is simply unheard of, Ja Sun didn't know if he would end up exploding or not. Of course, there was a way to know it. If there is any record or a way mentioned in the world or even deduced by the trait, it will show up.
Soon, he set the mission and he was a little surprised.
[Objective: Absorb the 63000-year-old Nightmare's Fantasy Skull Bone.
Mission Rank: B
Mission Rewards: Natural Arrays and Their Wonders.
Time Limit: 1 day]
Dangerous but still achievable.
However, Ja Sun rejected the mission. He wasn't going to reveal that he just got another Skull Bone. Simple a rookie mistake. Patience is always the key to success. If he can wait patiently and stop himself from fusing with the two arm bones, can he not do the same with the skull bone. Although, he was curious if the quality of his skull bone would increase after this or not.
Finally, he directed his thoughts and focused within his mental scape. The heavenly scape still looked calming and serene. But both the Bright Goddess Butterfly and the Nightmare's Fantasy gave off a soft violet shine every now and then. The ornament over the head of his Astral Combatant, the projects of the skull bone, continued to glow from the space for the third eye continuously.
Ja Sun could feel how revolutionary this Skull Bone's abilities were and it was partly because of the fusion and partly because of his own Martial Soul.
Nightmare's Fantasy Skull Bone.
Age: 63000 years.
Skills:
1) Yin-Yang True Illusion: Allows the user to contort space and create real-life illusions at the constant expense of mental energy. The consumption is directly proportional to the size and intensity of the illusion.
2) True Fantasy: Creates an independent space around the user, the size of it dependent on the consumption of spirit energy where:
•Connected individuals will be able to cultivate with an additional increase of pace by 30%
•Deprive the opponent's mental strength and suppress their five senses.
•Make the opponents face their worst nightmares in the form of a mental illusion.
•Allows Telepathic communication with connected individuals.
3) Third Eye of Dream: Converges mental energy from the surroundings by itself and grows the mental energy of the user.
Needless to say, out of all the abilities, True Fantasy was the real deal. It could suppress opponents and strengthen comrades. Such a skill is always valued. But...
'Why is it the cultivation of others once again?' Ja Sun shook his head. He wasn't the kind of individual with charitable nature. If he was, wouldn't he have already exposed his more exotic abilities? It wasn't just because of trust. That simply wasn't Ja Sun's nature. Even Ah Yin provided him with plenty of benefits.
Seeing her naked, Ja Sun considered it a benefit, of course.
Shaking his head, Ja Sun saw that the two beasts within him already had their cultivation speed increased by 30% because the Spirit Bone is always active and condensing mental energy into the Astral Combatant.
If he activated his spirit beast enhancement, then this will turn into a 45% increase... while the self-enhancement of cultivation was still at 5%. The thought of it made Ja Sun a little frustrated. He still had another skull bone so, in the future, the probability of the quality of the skills increasing is definitely higher.
With a sigh, he lied down when he felt someone entering the scope of his mental energy.
"It's me."
Bibi Dong's clear voice emerged and Ja Sun sighed for the umpteenth time.
As she entered the tent, she found Ja Sun's slightly gloomy expression and inquired plainly, "Were you expecting someone else?"
Her pink pupils glancing at him.
"A surprise from nature, I guess. But... didn't I say I'm busy with something a little private," Ja Sun inquired while stroking his little bird: Olivia.
"I figured that it wouldn't take longer than a few minutes at best," Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes. It wasn't prominent, but her tongue was as sharp as the rest of them. Ja Sun's lips twitched and he scoffed, "Clearly, you are projecting your own deficiencies on others."
But she would still only stumble.
Only Ah Yin has been able to best him that one, horrifying moment, the thought of which made his stomach churn even now.
"Enough. I'm here to discuss something serious. But before I speak, I also need to understand that if you will discuss this matter with Grandmaster or not."
"That depends, Sister Dong," Ja Sun gave a sweet smile, "Is it interesting enough or not? And will I gain something out of it?"
"Ugh... just call me Bibi, or Dong. And lose that smile," She cringed and sat down.
"Oh," Ja Sun smiled, "How about Sister Pinkette? Dong'er? You should allow me and Yin to use that name by now, right?"
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes in frustration. At this moment, she felt short compared to Ja Sun. He had not only achieved the realm of self, but also his spirit ring composition was far greater than hers. Without a doubt, his strength should already match her own by now. Ah Yin was the same. Toxin and venom, though a little effective, wasn't a true weakness against Ah Yin, and both of their appearances finally made Bibi Dong cultivate harder than she has been in the past few months already.
"Use whatever you want," she hissed.
"Then, I will stick to Teacher," Ja Sun chortled.
Her eyelids twitched.
"What I'm about to say is only useful to me. But I'm promising benefits in the future. As for interesting or not, you can measure it on your own."
"Okay, Sister Dong," Ja Sun nodded.
Heaving and clearing the frustration in her heart, realizing that she almost handed the entire sway of conversation to Ja Sun, she smiled suddenly and whispered, "A spirit master's seventh spirit ring is more important than even the ninth one. It determines and even increases the potential of the spirit master once again. I want to discuss your method in great detail and form a detailed comparison. Any discovery or speculation will remain between the two of us. I won't disclose it to my master and you won't disclose it to Grandmaster."
Thinking for a moment, Ja Sun nodded, "But, even if you want to absorb a crimson spirit ring, the first thing to understand is that can you even hunt one down?"
Bibi Dong smiled. She didn't think for a moment that her intentions would remain hidden. Both of them... no, all of them within the group were smart enough to notice the reason for Bibi Dong's actions.
"It's based on chance only. It will probably take me a year at least to reach the peak of rank 70 if not two. After reaching rank 70, I'm confident enough in stalling for another year to continue the search and form strategies. But all of this will fail if you cannot subdue a hundred thousand year old spirit beast."
"It's almost impossible," Ja Sun smiled sadly.
"I understand that this form of adoration received by your Martial Soul is also related to the intelligence of spirit beasts. Hundred thousand year old spirit beasts are as shrewd and intelligent as an actual human being despite natural variations of thought processes.
But... are you not the least bit confident that as your own strength rises, you may be able to stall such a beast?"
Hearing this, Ja Sun couldn't help but chuckle.
Once a bit of trust is formed, Ja Sun wouldn't want to let go of it. Finding trust is a hard task, building and nurturing it even more so. He had teammates, including Bibi Dong. His nature is inherently selfish and he wouldn't give even his closest friend any treasure for free easily. But what if she could subconsciously motivate them to take more risks. With higher risks comes higher rewards. Once these rewards are accumulated enough, there will be a snowball effect.
Bibi Dong already felt more roused than ever at this moment once she recalled the sight of the extreme grotesque Ja Sun filled with pus and venom still smiling and silently enduring everything. And her confidence also increased because of Ah Yin.
If the two of them are considered as the greatest competition for her, can they also not be supportive pillars for each other?
"I get it. I also know that the more I use this method, the more we will find out differences. For instance, when Xie Xan and Liu Erlong absorb their spirit rings, we will naturally find out many more details unaware to the world of spirit masters. But then, all of it cannot be shared. I won't reveal everything to master."
"Consider it the same for me," Bibi Dong's plump and soft lips were lifted into an equally devious smirk.
This was simply a lip service, but the two of them trusted each other enough that their relationship would only grow to the point where they would truly keep their promises towards each other.
"Now, tell me every sensation you felt while absorbing the spirit ring in this manner," Bibi Dong urged.
"Well... it was like a lover's touch that made me feel a lot of things that I don't feel alone—"
Naturally, it was still hard for Bibi Dong to go through all the nonsense.
---
The next day Bibi Dong once again pulled everyone together.
It was barely dawn but all of them were already awake. Alongside Bibi Dong, everyone sat down silently.
"I have given you the reading material of Disorienting Ghost Canyon yesterday but in reality, this place is truly dangerous filled with yin, phantom, and ghost-type spirit beasts. Even the weakest one is difficult for others to handle without preparation and only energy attacks are effective against such spirit beasts.
In the Spirit Master world, there are two ways to train one's spirit energy. Orthodox clans and sects seal the spirit energy of their talented seeds nurtured all along when they reach rank 40. This method is most suitable within rank 40-50 but to all of you, this is no longer suitable. It's not just because the three of you are already at the upper section of the ranks of Spirit Ancestors, but also because this method allows the spirit master to live without spirit energy and gain a new perspective of life.
All of you may gain this perspective eventually. Instead, I want all of us to start controlling our spirit energy. Erlong, Xan, and Lana. I promised you that I would teach the concept taught to us by Grandmaster but in reality, I'm not able to completely comprehend it myself.
I will direct the three of you at once before we leave.
We will stay within the Disorienting Ghost Canyon for three months without outside support that included specific traits of Ka-ul's Martial Soul and the abilities of Olivia and Caihong.
Disorienting Ghost Canyon is a place even I dare not tread lightly. Remain focused. This is going to be one of the most dangerous environments you will ever visit."
Everyone nodded. They had read the records and understood why this location was so dangerous.
After giving the general direction of the Realm of Self and allowing them to realize the direction they should take on the path of control, Bibi Dong led others through the forest. Although called a canyon, the Disorienting Ghost Canyon within Star Dou Great Forest wasn't as simple as it sounded. The terrain was definitely unnatural and that was completely understood once Bibi Dong led others to a small mouth of a cavern barely 3 meters high and utterly pitch-black within with thin tendrils of black mist oozing out and covering the ground around it. Despite being closer to the inner section of the forest, there were no strong spirit beasts around the cavern. As they walked on the mist-covered ground, the sounds of their footsteps were suppressed and all of them felt a strange sense of disgust welling within them.
This mouth of cavern was the entrance to the Disorienting Ghost Canyon. An underground terrain in the form of trenches that even mighty spirit beasts dare not enter easily.
"Don't spread your senses out too much. It will be easier to fall into illusions that way," Bibi Dong sharply cautioned. At this moment, her eyes were full of concentration as she peered into the darkness.
Ja Sun was the same. Even with his Fiery Golden Pupils, it was quite hard to distinguish anything too deep within the mist. It has only been a few days since his bet with Tang Hao and the Imperial Family so many benefits were yet to be digested. These three months would be it.
However, curious since his mental energy was well above Bibi Dong and even tougher than an average Spirit Douluo despite only being at the level of a Spirit Sage, Ja Sun spread his spirit energy and the Astral Combatant's body instantly glittered while a sigh of extreme relaxation escaped Ja Sun's lips. This was the same exhalation one releases when he or she enters a warm bath on a piercing cold night.
---
Despite being a Supreme Pontiff, Qian Xunji would also take classes and reveal pointers at times to a few classes that hold potential. Most of them, in fact, had admitted the rogues that Bibi Dong rejected. They were all talents in a way and his daily cultivation left him a chance to spend a part of his day a little idly.
Once done, Qian Xunji walked out of the classroom. His golden locks falling behind and he nodded and greeted those who hurriedly bowed towards him. The construction of the Spirit City was finalized and so was the Supreme Pontiff's Hall within which is constructed the new Elder's Hall. But instead of managing daily affairs while being close to the Elder's Hall, he preferred his simple study.
Not because he was humble.
But because it was specially constructed to keep the prying eyes away. Of course, it still didn't stop his head from being bashed against his own desk by one particular old man for calling his disciple a Late Bloomer. Something that Xunji didn't take it to heart. It wouldn't be the first time he was beaten by that man either way.
Entering his study, he found Qian Daoliu already present and he took his seat calmly before raising his voice and inquiring.
"Did you know about this?"
He passed a sealed letter already opened. Reading the contents of it, Qian Daoliu hummed and nodded with a small smile.
"Not the bounties on those kids. But if not for me, White Tiger's Cub would have torn Ka-ul apart." Qian Daoliu placed the letter on the desk as Xunji silently tapped the desk with his fingertip.
"Bibi Dong is my successor. Barring her from entering the Spirit City and cutting off the support from the Hall is already infringing upon my teaching methods and also pushing the boundaries of your Authority, Judicial Elder."
"Don't be frantic," Daoliu shook his head, "And I'm merely the Grand Priest. Nothing more. When someone right comes along, I will choose a Judicial Elder myself."
"Those Spirit Bones could be exchanged for something useful for Ka-ul, too," Xunji frowned.
"I said, stop worrying. You wanted my disciples out and raising the wind. Ka-ul is already surpassing your expectations."
"When it comes to societal damages, surpassing expectations is just as bad as disappointing the expectations. What Ka-ul did was create a possibly irreconcilable grudge between Star Luo Imperial Family and Spirit City."
"Nothing we cannot weather," Daoliu leaned back, "I'm not here for what they are doing or not. I'm not here to ease your worries either. I don't even have the mind to describe the process by which Ka-ul absorbs spirit rings."
Qian Xunji's gaze brightened for a moment.
"Then... why are you here father?"
"I don't know," Qian Daoliu revealed, a strange expression on his face, "When I was your age, or Ka-ul's age... I never took steps as radical as the both of you. This made me think. If I actually focused on myself, stop being afraid of what would happen to the Spirit Hall after my possible disappearance, could I take the next step?"
Xunji gazed at his father with narrowed eyes.
"Father, I'm 73 this year, and I will not reach your heights in an orthodox manner and will only die trying. Instead, I have placed my all in this bet, which is a long shot anyway. But I still fear my disappearance affecting whatever I have built negatively. That's why I chose Bibi Dong and will do anything to make her the next Supreme Pontiff."
"I see..." Qian Daoliu smiled, "Once this competition ends, you can step up and make a move to the foreign island as you wish."
"Really?" Xunji's body trembled.
"My past is a private matter. Develop the Spirit Hall in the right direction," With that, Qian Daoliu stood up and walked away. Opening the door, he tossed a scroll towards Xunji, "Here's everything you need to know about Ka-ul's methods. But until they complete their training under me, they are not to be made responsible for any title within the hall."
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