Chapter 1472 The Four Pieces
1472 The Four Pieces
[Author Note: A reader reminded me of a plot hole. I said only two factions have the word "Dao" in their name, the Dao Opening Sect and one faction long lost. However, I've been using the Skill Dao Association for a while. So, from now on, their name will be the Occupation Skill Association. ('m open to better name suggestions)
[Lastly, I would like to apologize to that reader. It's been four months since they reminded me, and only today do I remember fixing it.'
—-
Limbo:
"I'm glad the kid is okay," Qiyuan said.
"I told you he had a hard life and wouldn't die so easily," Desolate added.
"You were the one freaking out the most," Yan Hai sneered.
"Said the person who almost cried because he would lose the opportunity to tease Wu Hong," Desolate countered. "Do you even care about the kid?"
"It's not my fault if his greatest achievement in my eyes is getting together with her," Yan Hai answered casually.
"It's good that he's alright," Battle Maniac nodded.
"Yes, the plan can continue as normal," Qiyuan sighed in relief.
"Are you sure about this plan?" Yan Hai asked. Normally, she doesn't question his plan, but this one was too simple.
"You didn't see it during the taboo, but I saw a glimpse of her power — we only need to give her the opportunity to use it," Qiyuan reassured.
"If you say so."
"We should focus on the future: to be precise, how we will return to our peak," Battle Maniac suggested.
"The kid brought enough Memorialized Luck for all of us to return to the Paragon Realm, but the rest have to rely on us."
"What about your Proxy Avatars?" Desolate asked.
"We can't use those," Qiyuan immediately answered. Before entering the Ultimate Taboo, they took a few of their Proxy Avatars and left one in the world.
"After so long, it wouldn't be surprising if those transcendents found those avatars and tempered with them," Qiyuan continued. Proxy Avatars are supposed to be almost impossible to find, but not impossible. So, it would be foolish to risk their lives and use these things as a means of their revival.
"That makes sense," Desolate nodded.
"Should we warn the others?" Battle Maniac asked.
"They should figure it out themselves, and if they don't, that's their problem," Qiyuan said calmly. Although they worked together, ultimately, they were competing factions.
"If you say so."
Eternal Ascension world, Central Origin Domain, Southern Area, Yellow Tree Village:
Wang Wei calmly looked at the new grave he had constructed himself. The young girl, Xin'er, stood behind him, trying and failing to control her tears. Besides reincarnation with his memories and ensuring he returned to the Eternal Ascension World, Wang Wei provided no additional help to Du Cong.
Non-immortal cultivators can only reincarnate nine times before their souls are recycled to create a new soul or life with a completely different [Existence]. As for mortals, less than 0.1% can retain the memories of their past selves, meaning they are recycled after one reincarnation.
Du Cong's soul as an enlightened human is different, meaning he may survive two or three reincarnations if he's lucky, but that's his limit. 'This is the first hurdle in your endless battle. If you cannot overcome this obstacle, then you better give up this fight,' Wang Wei thought.
Du Cong's situation is reminiscent of Sage Duan Ru from the lower dimension. The only difference is Sage Duan Ru's soul will be nourished by his Mortal Dao Art. 'Maybe these two's lives will be intertwined,' Wang Wei suddenly thought.
He turned around and looked at the young girl. "What is the protocol for his death?"
"Although the teacher disagreed, it's already been decided that a civilization-wide funeral will be held, followed by a day of mourning that our people will forever celebrate for as long as our civilization exists," Xin'er replied.
"It seems Du Cong was more loved than I knew," Wang Wei commented.
"He dedicated everything to the cause — even stopping himself from forming a family because he did not want them to have too much power and ruin the foundation of our civilization," Xin'er said.
"That was a wise move," Wang Wei nodded. If Du Cong is as loved as the girl said, his family might suddenly become a "royal" family in the Mortal Civilization, ruining the democratic process that runs the civilization. This fact also shows Du Cong's determination. If he wants his fight to succeed, he must become the civilization leader in each generation, which will not be an easy feat unless he reveals his identity.
"If you don't mind, I'll participate in the funeral," Wang Wei stated.
13:07
"It will be our honor."
Wang Wei nodded before sending out two communication talismans, one of which was to Jia Ping. If there was one person who cared as much as this civilization, it was the former Second Prince. So, the two participated in the funeral, followed by the day of mourning.
After the ceremony, Wang Wei and Jia Ping were about to leave when Xin'er rushed to see him. She knelt on the floor, with her head deeply imprinted on the ground: "Lord, Guardian, please help me."
"There is no need for all that," Wang Wei said as he gently helped her up. "Tell me what you need."
"I…I want to cultivate," Xin'er stated after a brief hesitation.
"Oh? And why is that?"
"I want to live long enough to see the teacher and protect him in all his reincarnations," Xin'er said, her eyes more determined than they had been in her entire life.
"Are you sure about this?" Wang Wei asked. "If you do this, your people will consider your action a betrayal. There is also the lure of the power of cultivation. Once you become an Immortal, there is a high chance you will abandon your original goal to pursue a higher realm and power."
"I won't change!"
"Really?" Wang Wei asked her, looking directly into her eyes. "Can you promise to serve a weak and lowly mortal for the rest of eternity? Can you promise your heart won't waver as you watch him grow old and die over and over? Can you promise to remain unwavering as he fights a battle that is probably fruitless?"
"I promise!"
Wang Wei looked at her. "Although I could, I won't bind you with any spells to keep your oath. I'll leave the judgment to your heart." He pointed his finger at her, manifesting her Fate Line. Then, Wang Wei changed her fate, granting her a talent for cultivation. Finally, he handed her a token.
"Go to my sect, and they will train you until the Great Emperor Realm. Be mindful you won't receive any exceptional treatment; how far you can go depends on how much you're willing to fight for."
"I want to build a dynasty with enlightened humans and their rune technology," Jia Ping said.
"That's fine," Wang Wei nodded. Although he granted these people free-range development, he still has access to all their products and developments.
"I will also need territory."
"Do you have a place you have your heart set on?"
"The IceField Domain," Jia Ping replied.
"If I remember correctly, that's the intersection between our sect's territory and the Divine Faith Haven?"
"It's obvious to me that the Lord has some plans for the Divine Faith Haven, and I'm willing to be the vanguard," Jia Ping said seriously.
"I like people who take the initiative," Wang Wei smiled. "I'll send the Poison Demoness to help. If you need anything, ask, and the sect will provide it."
"Thank you," Jia Ping bowed before teleporting away. Wang Wei stood alone in the sky, looking distracted. 'It's time to destroy this prison.' He's been feeling uncomfortable ever since his return. The dichotomy between the trials' environment and the Eternal Ascension World was too vast and noticeable. Wang Wei has only returned for more than a day, and he can already feel his mood changing. He was not the kind of person who could be caged or restricted, meaning every second he spent in this world was tortured. So, he did not want to waste another second in this place.
'For my plan to succeed, I need four pieces,' Wang Wei thought. 'Xun Junyao is one, but she needs to work with another piece. However, I should give her time to prepare.' He waved his hand to send her a communication talisman.
'Of the remaining pieces, that blood is the easiest to get — hopefully, that remains true.' He had already sent a courtesy warning to the Occupation Skill Association about his upcoming arrival. So, he only needs to wait a while before heading there.