Battle Through the Heavens - 5
- Location
- Brazil
Once we penetrated the hole filled with a water ripple like faint luster in the statue the size of the Christ the Redeemer into the opaque membrane Zagreus could clearly sense a kind of probing sweeping past the surface of his body. Everything within his body, including even his soul, could not escape from this inspection. This feeling was as though all of his secrets had been exposed at this moment… and yet, he was a Defiant Soul refined under Greater Mysteries. Even the power of a Battle God struggled to make sense of what it saw.
Although it attempted to reject Zhu Kun, my own pneuma protected him like an inviolable aegis. Leading us into a sea of fire. Brilliant flames filled his eyes, dazzling even to him. Moreover, the sea of fire was extremely colorful. It was so bright that it caused one to be amazed.
"Heavenly Flame sea huh..."
"According to what I know, the Tou She Ancient God was extremely mysterious. No one knew of its origin. There had been many experts from the continent back then. Many individuals standing at the peak had done their best to break into the Dou Di class. However, none of them ultimately succeeded. Yet, at that time, a completely unknown Tou She Ancient God had appeared." The dragon emperor had an expression of deep thought as he recalled the extremely old records within his tribe.
"It was rumored that two suns appeared in the sky and the world crumbled when the Tou She Ancient God advanced into the Dou Di class. An endless sea of fire descended from the sky. It enveloped half of the Dou Qi continent and stirred all the experts at that time..."
"However, after experiencing the earthshaking scene from when he advanced into the Dou Di class, the Tou She Ancient God once again vanished. Moreover, according to common sense those in the clan whom he had a blood relation towards, should also have their bloodline strength being activated. Their strength should have soared to a relatively terrifying level within a short period of time.
"Those who have the first-generation Dou Di bloodline would be blessed with the greatest benefit. Hence, if a new ancient clan had appeared, it would definitely turn the Dou Qi continent into an uproar. However, this did not occur."
"In other words, the Tou She Ancient Gods did not have many clan members. Perhaps there isn't anyone who possesses a bloodline similar to his?" Zhu Kun frowned and said.
The entire Dou Qi continent viewed the continuation of one's bloodline as extremely important. This was especially the case for these top experts. They greatly wanted their bloodline to continue. However, why was it that the Tou She Ancient God was all alone?
"Aye, this should be the case. However, we cannot exclude the possibility of no one discovering them." Zagreus nodded. He looked at Zhu Kun and said, "Is what I have said correct?"
Zhu Kun placed both of his hands behind him. He looked at the huge stone statue and suddenly changed the topic. "There are a total of thirty-three types of Heavenly Flames on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. They are the strongest flames in this world. However, do you know what the name of the Heavenly Flame ranked first on the Heavenly Flame Ranking?"
He didn't because the first ranked Heavenly Flame did not have a name to begin with. There were twenty-three Heavenly Flames on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. However, the first position was completely blank. No one knew just what the first ranked Heavenly Flame was. However, the strange thing was that many alchemists had some vague instinct that there should indeed be something existing above the Nihility Devouring Flame. However, they were unaware of what it was.
That first ranked Heavenly Flame was a puzzle. It was extremely mysterious and unfathomable. No one had ever seen it.
"All living creatures have their own souls. It is also the same for a Heavenly Flame..."
Zhu Kun slowly said, "Based on what I know, there was once a Heavenly Flame that was formed in this world. It was created in a thousand years, gained a soul after ten thousand years and trained for a seemingly endless long time. This had caused it to be mutated slightly. Everyone is aware that Heavenly Flames that were mutated would seldom take the initiative to leave the place it was created. However, this flame was different. After possessing intelligence, it traveled in the direction of the magma, roaming the underground for a thousand years and devouring flames to survive."
"The flames that it devoured all had a ranking on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. All twenty-two types were eaten by it."
"And in doing so became his kindred," I concluded.
"The Heavenly Flames was just like a shrunken version of a human country. Even though one is born a noble and possesses a high position, there was still a possibility that one could be overturned. Eating each other is a kind of instinct to Heavenly Flames. Normally speaking, however, most of the time, it is the stronger eating the weaker." Zhu Kun sighed and said. "This was also the unique aspect of this flame. It knew how to quickly strengthen itself while avoiding the danger when devouring flames. It consumed the weaker first. After spending an extremely long time, after devouring twenty different Heavenly Flames, even the natural overlords like the Nihility Devouring Flame and the Purifying Demonic Flame, could only prostrate to him."
"That must have been difficult," I speculated. "Based on what I saw from each sample of Heavenly Flame is that they are all unique and idiosyncratic: what works on one would only rile the other. Swallowing of multiple Heavenly Flames would likely result in the two types of Heavenly Flames coming into conflict with each other, which result in self-destruction." The record of the Flame Mantra that I found in Tou She Ancient God's records support that theory though.
Flame Mantra is a Qi Cultivation Method that can evolve, but one of its preconditions is that it needs a "Heavenly Flame" as raw material. Something dangerous beyond the wildest dreams of most cultivators, even magical beasts blessed with powerful bodies would think twice about such resorts. But for an Abnormal Flame such a method would be the most ideal, in fact it is no wonder it would insist on be called itself-
"After that Heavenly Flame succeeded, he refers to himself as the [Emperor Flame]. He subsequently trained for thousands of years before appearing in this world again." Zhu Kun's eyes had a complicated expression surging within them after he spoke until this point. "After that Emperor Flame escaped the Dou Qi Continent into the Great Thousand World… gaining the new title of Tou She Ancient God." Zhu Kun let out with a deep breath of air at the sight in front of him.
"It seems that your constitution is greatly welcomed by the Heavenly Flames..." Xiao Yan was slowly walking when an elderly voice, which contained some laughter, suddenly resounded over this sea of fire.
"It seems that the mansion that I have left behind has been breached and burglarized, how vexing... and fitting." An elderly voice, which contained some laughter, suddenly resounded over this sea of fire. From the sea of fire, flames gathered on that spot. It turned into a huge flame bud that slowly bloomed. An elderly figure in a deep colored robe appeared before their eyes. At this moment, the old man was seated within a flower bud. His elderly face wore an unknown smile as he stared at Zagreus.
The elderly figure was wearing a deep colored robe. His expression did not reveal any uniqueness. If one was to ignore his multi-colored bright hair, he would appear little different from those ordinary elders. Yet at this moment Zagreus realized that the brilliant long hair of the Tou She Ancient God actually had faint fire seedlings rising from it. A rough glance at the number of colors on those long hair, he discovered that there were coincidentally twenty-two of them.
Despite being new around the block Zagreus had already seen this figure many times. However, those whom he had met were either an illusory figure, statues, or a fake. This time around, however, Zagreus understood in his heart that this was the true Tou She Ancient God! Perhaps this might merely be a remnant shadow or a soul fragment but regardless of what the case was, this person was the legendary last elite Battle God on the Dou Qi Continent!
"How vexing, a fellow suddenly descends into the Dou Qi Continent loudly claiming to be backed by a figure of myth and fairy tale even for my elders and not a week later it is beating at my doorsteps. I can't say that I dislike you though, it makes me happy to see the one after my legacy is a fellow Abnormal Flames – It is really difficult when pondering one's fate. I guess we all have our quirks." Says the Emperor Flame while staring with a smoldering gaze at the Heart Flame burning behind my eyes.
An interesting quirk indeed. Zagreus guessed that from the perspective of a flame a hero's Olympic Flame made then kin, as much as a fellow man can have for another that is. Greek Fire was unlike any in the world, once it started it would burn all in reach into cinders. A fate all heroes bear proudly. In that sense it must be rather flattering from the perspective of a sentient flame.
"Tell me, has there been any new Battle God appearing on the current Dou Qi continent?" The Tou She Ancient God looked at Zagreus as he smilingly inquired.
"No Elder, you are the last one since." Zagreus answered promptly. He guessed it was a universal constant for senior people to be chatty and attention starved.
"As expected," The Tou She Ancient God was not overly surprised at this reply. Instead, he nodded gently.
"Is the Elder aware about the scarcity of Origin Qi then?" I asked.
"The Battle God realm is an existence that surpasses this world. The birth of every Dou Di would greatly exhaust quite a lot of Origin Qi, this mysterious energy that was formed with the world." The Tou She Ancient God nodded slightly and replied. "Every plane would have some Origin Qi being formed when it was created. However, Origin Qi cannot be created again. In other words, every Origin Qi exhausted would lead to it being diminished in this world. In the face of this expenditure without replenishment, it would eventually reach a point where nothing remains. This is the reason why the Dou Qi continent no longer produces any Battle God. This is because the current Dou Qi continent no longer has any Origin Qi..."
"You are rather cavalier about it, aren't you?" Zagreus replied tersely, it was vexing that he behaved as if it had nothing to do with him. This was the legacy of Wu Fou who dedicated his life for others, for people to so selfishly use what he toiled for the good of all…
Meanwhile Zhu Kun laughed bitterly, he has his own grievances with the news. This was indeed the case of the predecessors enjoying and the descendants suffering. The so-called Origin Qi had been completely exhausted by the ancient people. This had resulted in some problems that had to be borne by the subsequent generation. For him who toiled for so long this must sound like a rather mean joke.
The Emperor Flame merely mirths at our contrived expressions. "I am not really interested in the fate or future of the Dou Qi Continent, whether there is a calamity or otherwise." Tou She Ancient God laughed. "However, since you are able to come to this place, you are naturally the most suitable person to inherit my inheritance. It is in this place, whether you can take it for yourself depends on your own fate." He smiled faintly and flicked his finger. A brilliant flame lotus emitting the same peculiar color that of its owner slowly descended until it was suspended above Zagreus's head.
"My inheritance requires one to have a stone like heart. As long as a single thread of thought exists, one would never be destroyed!"
Zagreus stared intensely at the lotus flame containing seemingly endless energy. The Origin Qi he pursued landed in his lap by a sudden turn of fortune and a good friend. The mystical component to his ascension plan. All cultivation begins and ends in virtue and virtue is performative excellence. But is this excellence of the soul, or excellence of the body? The Divinity Drive gave him the template for the second but he still lacked something equally impressive for the first. Something that was equally impressive, even, as Unity in all things in best and unity in Virtue the bests of all.
It took the heart of an Olympian freely given to the only man truly worthy of it to create the heroic realm. It is only justice that it would take something as equally impressive to reform the Tyrant Realm into something truly worth being its sequel.
This inheritance ritual is a trial Zagreus had to overcome if he wanted to leave a legacy worth those that supported him to the next generation. No more heartless despots but kings of glory capable of ushering a Saint Spirit Era on their lonesome!
The Heart Flame behind Zagreus' eyes flared like suns at his rising spirit as he sneered at the Emperor Flame's comment. "Fate? Those who set their lives ablaze at the Olympic flame are reviled by the Fates… and beloved by the Muses!" Zagreus says as Argyrchiara manifests side by side while crowning him with a silver-bright laurel crown.
"Zhu Kun!" Zagreus shouted.
"Yes!" The dragon emperor answered without missing a beat, eyes hardened as he looked intensely at the turning of an age.
"I won't dishonor you by suggesting it would be better for you to avert your sight to what is to follow… so embrace yourself and burn this sight into your soul!" He says turning back to him even as the fire of my spirit seems to overwhelm his body. Cracks and fissures were spreading throughout his form and skin was being peeled away to reveal a nebula cluster of the galaxy within.
"This is Hope," He claimed in the throes of my domain envelopment induced metamorphosis. "Remember its face."
The true face of a god is something capable of incinerating a mortal on the spot. Zagreus should know that. He only survived my audacity thanks to my patron's generosity. Dionysus was rather amused by my cheek of gambling it all on him going the extra mile to save me since he was technically doing a favor to Lady Fisher. In retrospect He had always been a few cards short of a full deck.
That is how he landed his divine blessing. That is my first time doing it to someone else though. And rather earlier than I thought possible to boot. Jujutsu was always like a pendulum that insisted on only stopping at either mediocre or excellent with no in between. The technique Gojo developed to overcome his oppressive domain expansion and Termina augmented soul required perfect understanding about the boundaries and nature of one's soul to manifest its "true essence".
It's something only possible for a seasoned captain of the second realm. Gojo came up with it while the two of us together with Geto worked on a pneumatic technique for sorcerers using the dharma wheel created by starlight marrow as a reference. The [Mandala Wheel] was a rather ingenious breathing technique in execution but with a miserable learning curve. It not only serves the basic purpose of storing extra pneuma in the body (Spirit), and breaking the "labors of life" like the Aethus hunter bird breath technique (Hunger), but also serves to partition trails of thoughts to form multiple independent thought processes simultaneously (Reason).
Rather than manifesting a "mandala intention" as a simple domain as Zagreus did Gojo uses his own body as the absolute domain to keep it constantly activated, leading him to develop the awareness necessary to develop domain envelopment. Garden cultivators have a similar technique called [Blank Artform Canvas] where a xian adjusts his body to the shape most suitable for his garden magic, being the trump card of the Artform level, the peak of personal power for garden cultivators.
Now as a [Ancient Soul], Zagreus own version of domain envelopment has taken a rather… Greek flair for the dramatic. It is straight up God Mode, the [Divine Form] that expresses a god's Aletheia (unveiled truth). The literal meaning of the word ἀλήθεια is "the state of not being hidden; the state of being evident" but also "reality", two things rather crucial when natural mysteries are involved.
Tou She Ancient God openly claps at the profound display even as he understands Zagreus hidden intentions. "I had a good hunch about you and it seems I was right after all, whoever can overcome the restraint and emerge from the cruel Heavenly Flame denouement would be considered the top of the Heavenly Flame! It's only proper that you should devour not only this inheritance but also me and even this flame sea as well! My true self will be waiting for you in the Great Thousand World, let's then decide who deserves the title of number one!" The Emperor Flame ember gushed, revealing its true intentions with honest excitement at the prospect of engaging in the ouroboros flame spirit once again.
Zagreus Obliged.
"Well, that is embarrassing." I complain as Zhu Kun makes his best to support me over his shoulder as we limp our way out of the Mansion.
"Only you would think something like that. You managed to swallow the Emperor Flame in an instant! I normally take months to years in seclusion for a cultivator to tame a Heavenly Flame, assuming he is competent enough to even do so in the first place." The dragon emperor snorted in derision at my 'absurd' standards.
Seeing the one responsible for so many of his woes being summarily devoured was cathartic to him. Magical Beasts have a covert interest in cultivation since it grants them human sapience that is normally taken for granted. Even then they are still stuck in the body of beasts, while the human body is rather awkward for combat it is optimal for pleasure and civilization. The dragon slaying sword is not something Zhu Kun can wield without appositive thumbs after all. That is why Zhu Kun, as the leader of his tribe, coveted the Battle God realm.
The [Battle God Bloodline] is partial to blame for the current state of the continent. When a Battle God appears, it stirs an uproar not only because of his personal power but because his bloodline undergoes a transformation. Magic nepo baby. His line, both ascendant and descendent will experience outrageous growth in cultivation that lasts for millennia.
This is the origin of the venerable clans. Although they could be considered humans, they possessed a rich talent when it came to training. Some of those who were lucky might even inherit some of Dou Di's abilities through their bloodline. However, such a thing is extremely rare and will completely depend on one's luck. These clans that possess an ancient Battle God bloodline greatly discriminate against outsiders. Due to them needing to maintain the purity of their bloodline, even if they were to marry an ordinary human, they would definitely choose an extremely outstanding person.
Those who possess this bloodline indeed have a smooth training path. However, this speed halts just before the Battle Saint class. At such a moment, the bloodline becomes a burden. There is an exception though, those who have the first generation Dou Di bloodline would be blessed with the greatest benefit.
That is why for magical beasts the ability to pass on cultivation is so coveted. No matter how personally strong they become their progeny would still be born as a normal member of its species. That is why for magical beast parenthood is an especially heavy investment as his savage youths have to be carefully monitored until they cultivate enough to develop intelligence but even then they can only assume a human shape at the Battle Emperor level, an absurdly tall order.
This is why magical beasts who have strong bodies and are born well equipped to live on their own form clans, communities, and tribes as humans do. A way for them to amass resources to facilitate everyone's cultivation and protection from cruel rules of nature without facing discrimination from humans. Wu Fou was right, it was unfair that they had to go through so many hurdles to have what humans take for granted. I have no means to condemn Zhu Kun, as their leader it was nothing less than his duty to become a Battle God for the sake and prosperity of his tribe.
In the middle of my musing I ended up carelessly letting the leash control I had over the Emperor Flame that I devoured with my own Heart Flame to slip. This cost me dearly as my body locked up and I collapsed in pain, dragging Zhu Kun with me who himself wasn't in the best of shapes. The sight of my true form induced the mother of all migraines in him, similarly to the jet lag long term exposure to Gojo's Endless Void caused me.
Here we were, the two strongest entities of the Dou Qi continent sprawled into the ground like a pair of hammered drunkards. I couldn't hold it anymore and started laughing uncontrollably. The dragon emperor, either by some coincidence or just taken by my mania, followed suit. We laughed and laughed at the absurdity of it all. We were like two children who got away with the cookie jar, it was silly but those little moments are what make life magical.
"We will be in trouble if the embryonic God Pill finds us in this state." Zhu Kun commented lightly as if in passing. We certainly weren't at peak battle shape, I had to dust off my binding vow rule book to pull a win back there. Gojo always complains I am too much of a binding vow merchant so I just laughed at his face for being a noob, binding vows are practically half of jujutsu itself. A cursed technique is like one liter of water contained in a bucket called the innate domain, binding vow allows sorcerers to change the parameter to the water, from liquid to solid or gaseous, or alter its shape for whatever purpose one desires like clay sculpture. That is how I "ported" cursed techniques, using binding vows to mimic their observed working principles to my foundational technique.
In the case of the Emperor Flame I used rhetoric to propose to myself the following question: what is the apocalyptic power of Emperor Flame when pitted against the grandeurs of the Cosmos?
The answer turned out to be nothing at all, really.
It is still too early for me to reach the Tyrant Realm, even if all the elements are in place the time is not yet right. So I basically used a binding vow that sealed off my trump card in order to tame the Emperor Flame. A troublesome situation that will persist until I ascend, not that I am overly worried. Even without the Origin Qi the Emperor Flame is a worthwhile prize that I can use at will. It has successfully merged with my starlight and the Emperor Flame not only has the unique attribute of all twenty-two abnormal flames but also a special ability of its own.
You could call it Phoenix fire – destruction is followed by renewal. Although many abnormal flames possess like the Life Spirit Flame is called Flame of Longevity for any person who obtains this flame would get a lifespan comparable to that of those beasts which are famous for their long lifespan, but only the Emperor Flame can "grant life".
My inheritance requires one to have a stone like heart. As long as a single thread of thought exists, one would never be destroyed.
This was no metaphor. Tou She Ancient God most probably intended for his successor to struggle in a cycle of destruction, being incinerated by the Emperor Flame, and revival as he used the power of the Emperor Flame to create a new body out of nowhere ad infinity until he managed to tame it.
Unfortunately, I am too strong to be destroyed by the Emperor Flame, landing me into the agony spot of perpetual heartburn that is healed just as quickly. An immortal cripple. It will take some time for my body to adjust and the Emperor Flame is not the kind of entity I can waved away with time.
The good thing is that this dual nature has great compatibility with the Wheel Tuning… though I guess now it is only Star Rage. Which is good since this kind of hax is pretty useless in the weight class that I intend to fight into. The fact I couldn't cure Zhu Kun's migraine with it tells me everything I need to know about relying on it to save me from a god's true face.
"Well, overall things went as well as we could have expected. We got the inheritance, precious intel about situations beyond this closed off world, and plundered a lot of treasure. Why don't we head back home then come back for the embryonic God Pill at a later date?" I suggested it easily.
Zhu Kun snorted at my audacity, "Simply as that? You really are absurd, you know that? Normally we would have to struggle in a race against other cultivators pinning for the same prize while watching our backs for ambush… and here you are stealing bread from their mouth at your leisure! Well, I can't say it wasn't a worthwhile story. Come with me to the Void Dragon Tribe, it is high time for you to experience some true hospitality. I am sure things have become a mess since I left it but it is still my home."
I smiled at his sincerity. Indeed, things didn't go as expected but a golden future is something one has to conquer and forge. It was also my responsibility to mend the precarious situation the magical beasts have been in after the greater garden crashed.
I was about to agree when the mansion started to shake violently.
"An earthquake? Here?" The dragon emperor asked incredulously and apprehensive. We knew it couldn't be it.
"No. Someone has opened the Mansion… the proper way." I concluded. The mansion was being dragged from the belly of the earth toward its surface. There is only one conclusion:
Someone has opened the Tou She Ancient God Mansion!
"It looks like we will get the average raiding experience after all, my friend." I say in exasperation that I did my best to get back on my feet. Producing a bottle of nectar, I gulp down half of it then pass it to him. "Drink it, fortify yourself. Until the work is done.
He took the bottle without hesitation and nodded, "Until victory is won!" Then gulped it down just as fast.
This was the Dou Qi continent. Dou Qi is what everyone seeks. Only the strong survive here! Disciple, Practitioner, Master, Grandmaster, Spirit, King, Emperor, Ancestor, Venerate, Saint, God... this accursed ladder has subsumed and dominated the lives of every single person in the continent.
For the crime of enslaving all the spirits of the world I would shatter it into a thousand pieces until it was nothing but a memory!
[AUTHOR'S ROOM]
And here you thought things would go smoothly for Zagreus, didn't you? Reviled by the Fates isn't a figure of expression. The embryonic God Pill is the only hope the experts of the continent have against Zagreus and luck and heaven is on their side. That and some war crimes to smooth things over. While Wu Fou had ultimately lost, the fact he found a successor that managed to seize the Origin Qi that he manifested is bad news for them. The final battle for the fate of the Dou Qi continent starts now!
Although it attempted to reject Zhu Kun, my own pneuma protected him like an inviolable aegis. Leading us into a sea of fire. Brilliant flames filled his eyes, dazzling even to him. Moreover, the sea of fire was extremely colorful. It was so bright that it caused one to be amazed.
"Heavenly Flame sea huh..."
"According to what I know, the Tou She Ancient God was extremely mysterious. No one knew of its origin. There had been many experts from the continent back then. Many individuals standing at the peak had done their best to break into the Dou Di class. However, none of them ultimately succeeded. Yet, at that time, a completely unknown Tou She Ancient God had appeared." The dragon emperor had an expression of deep thought as he recalled the extremely old records within his tribe.
"It was rumored that two suns appeared in the sky and the world crumbled when the Tou She Ancient God advanced into the Dou Di class. An endless sea of fire descended from the sky. It enveloped half of the Dou Qi continent and stirred all the experts at that time..."
"However, after experiencing the earthshaking scene from when he advanced into the Dou Di class, the Tou She Ancient God once again vanished. Moreover, according to common sense those in the clan whom he had a blood relation towards, should also have their bloodline strength being activated. Their strength should have soared to a relatively terrifying level within a short period of time.
"Those who have the first-generation Dou Di bloodline would be blessed with the greatest benefit. Hence, if a new ancient clan had appeared, it would definitely turn the Dou Qi continent into an uproar. However, this did not occur."
"In other words, the Tou She Ancient Gods did not have many clan members. Perhaps there isn't anyone who possesses a bloodline similar to his?" Zhu Kun frowned and said.
The entire Dou Qi continent viewed the continuation of one's bloodline as extremely important. This was especially the case for these top experts. They greatly wanted their bloodline to continue. However, why was it that the Tou She Ancient God was all alone?
"Aye, this should be the case. However, we cannot exclude the possibility of no one discovering them." Zagreus nodded. He looked at Zhu Kun and said, "Is what I have said correct?"
Zhu Kun placed both of his hands behind him. He looked at the huge stone statue and suddenly changed the topic. "There are a total of thirty-three types of Heavenly Flames on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. They are the strongest flames in this world. However, do you know what the name of the Heavenly Flame ranked first on the Heavenly Flame Ranking?"
He didn't because the first ranked Heavenly Flame did not have a name to begin with. There were twenty-three Heavenly Flames on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. However, the first position was completely blank. No one knew just what the first ranked Heavenly Flame was. However, the strange thing was that many alchemists had some vague instinct that there should indeed be something existing above the Nihility Devouring Flame. However, they were unaware of what it was.
That first ranked Heavenly Flame was a puzzle. It was extremely mysterious and unfathomable. No one had ever seen it.
"All living creatures have their own souls. It is also the same for a Heavenly Flame..."
Zhu Kun slowly said, "Based on what I know, there was once a Heavenly Flame that was formed in this world. It was created in a thousand years, gained a soul after ten thousand years and trained for a seemingly endless long time. This had caused it to be mutated slightly. Everyone is aware that Heavenly Flames that were mutated would seldom take the initiative to leave the place it was created. However, this flame was different. After possessing intelligence, it traveled in the direction of the magma, roaming the underground for a thousand years and devouring flames to survive."
"The flames that it devoured all had a ranking on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. All twenty-two types were eaten by it."
"And in doing so became his kindred," I concluded.
"The Heavenly Flames was just like a shrunken version of a human country. Even though one is born a noble and possesses a high position, there was still a possibility that one could be overturned. Eating each other is a kind of instinct to Heavenly Flames. Normally speaking, however, most of the time, it is the stronger eating the weaker." Zhu Kun sighed and said. "This was also the unique aspect of this flame. It knew how to quickly strengthen itself while avoiding the danger when devouring flames. It consumed the weaker first. After spending an extremely long time, after devouring twenty different Heavenly Flames, even the natural overlords like the Nihility Devouring Flame and the Purifying Demonic Flame, could only prostrate to him."
"That must have been difficult," I speculated. "Based on what I saw from each sample of Heavenly Flame is that they are all unique and idiosyncratic: what works on one would only rile the other. Swallowing of multiple Heavenly Flames would likely result in the two types of Heavenly Flames coming into conflict with each other, which result in self-destruction." The record of the Flame Mantra that I found in Tou She Ancient God's records support that theory though.
Flame Mantra is a Qi Cultivation Method that can evolve, but one of its preconditions is that it needs a "Heavenly Flame" as raw material. Something dangerous beyond the wildest dreams of most cultivators, even magical beasts blessed with powerful bodies would think twice about such resorts. But for an Abnormal Flame such a method would be the most ideal, in fact it is no wonder it would insist on be called itself-
"After that Heavenly Flame succeeded, he refers to himself as the [Emperor Flame]. He subsequently trained for thousands of years before appearing in this world again." Zhu Kun's eyes had a complicated expression surging within them after he spoke until this point. "After that Emperor Flame escaped the Dou Qi Continent into the Great Thousand World… gaining the new title of Tou She Ancient God." Zhu Kun let out with a deep breath of air at the sight in front of him.
"It seems that your constitution is greatly welcomed by the Heavenly Flames..." Xiao Yan was slowly walking when an elderly voice, which contained some laughter, suddenly resounded over this sea of fire.
"It seems that the mansion that I have left behind has been breached and burglarized, how vexing... and fitting." An elderly voice, which contained some laughter, suddenly resounded over this sea of fire. From the sea of fire, flames gathered on that spot. It turned into a huge flame bud that slowly bloomed. An elderly figure in a deep colored robe appeared before their eyes. At this moment, the old man was seated within a flower bud. His elderly face wore an unknown smile as he stared at Zagreus.
The elderly figure was wearing a deep colored robe. His expression did not reveal any uniqueness. If one was to ignore his multi-colored bright hair, he would appear little different from those ordinary elders. Yet at this moment Zagreus realized that the brilliant long hair of the Tou She Ancient God actually had faint fire seedlings rising from it. A rough glance at the number of colors on those long hair, he discovered that there were coincidentally twenty-two of them.
Despite being new around the block Zagreus had already seen this figure many times. However, those whom he had met were either an illusory figure, statues, or a fake. This time around, however, Zagreus understood in his heart that this was the true Tou She Ancient God! Perhaps this might merely be a remnant shadow or a soul fragment but regardless of what the case was, this person was the legendary last elite Battle God on the Dou Qi Continent!
"How vexing, a fellow suddenly descends into the Dou Qi Continent loudly claiming to be backed by a figure of myth and fairy tale even for my elders and not a week later it is beating at my doorsteps. I can't say that I dislike you though, it makes me happy to see the one after my legacy is a fellow Abnormal Flames – It is really difficult when pondering one's fate. I guess we all have our quirks." Says the Emperor Flame while staring with a smoldering gaze at the Heart Flame burning behind my eyes.
An interesting quirk indeed. Zagreus guessed that from the perspective of a flame a hero's Olympic Flame made then kin, as much as a fellow man can have for another that is. Greek Fire was unlike any in the world, once it started it would burn all in reach into cinders. A fate all heroes bear proudly. In that sense it must be rather flattering from the perspective of a sentient flame.
"Tell me, has there been any new Battle God appearing on the current Dou Qi continent?" The Tou She Ancient God looked at Zagreus as he smilingly inquired.
"No Elder, you are the last one since." Zagreus answered promptly. He guessed it was a universal constant for senior people to be chatty and attention starved.
"As expected," The Tou She Ancient God was not overly surprised at this reply. Instead, he nodded gently.
"Is the Elder aware about the scarcity of Origin Qi then?" I asked.
"The Battle God realm is an existence that surpasses this world. The birth of every Dou Di would greatly exhaust quite a lot of Origin Qi, this mysterious energy that was formed with the world." The Tou She Ancient God nodded slightly and replied. "Every plane would have some Origin Qi being formed when it was created. However, Origin Qi cannot be created again. In other words, every Origin Qi exhausted would lead to it being diminished in this world. In the face of this expenditure without replenishment, it would eventually reach a point where nothing remains. This is the reason why the Dou Qi continent no longer produces any Battle God. This is because the current Dou Qi continent no longer has any Origin Qi..."
"You are rather cavalier about it, aren't you?" Zagreus replied tersely, it was vexing that he behaved as if it had nothing to do with him. This was the legacy of Wu Fou who dedicated his life for others, for people to so selfishly use what he toiled for the good of all…
Meanwhile Zhu Kun laughed bitterly, he has his own grievances with the news. This was indeed the case of the predecessors enjoying and the descendants suffering. The so-called Origin Qi had been completely exhausted by the ancient people. This had resulted in some problems that had to be borne by the subsequent generation. For him who toiled for so long this must sound like a rather mean joke.
The Emperor Flame merely mirths at our contrived expressions. "I am not really interested in the fate or future of the Dou Qi Continent, whether there is a calamity or otherwise." Tou She Ancient God laughed. "However, since you are able to come to this place, you are naturally the most suitable person to inherit my inheritance. It is in this place, whether you can take it for yourself depends on your own fate." He smiled faintly and flicked his finger. A brilliant flame lotus emitting the same peculiar color that of its owner slowly descended until it was suspended above Zagreus's head.
"My inheritance requires one to have a stone like heart. As long as a single thread of thought exists, one would never be destroyed!"
Zagreus stared intensely at the lotus flame containing seemingly endless energy. The Origin Qi he pursued landed in his lap by a sudden turn of fortune and a good friend. The mystical component to his ascension plan. All cultivation begins and ends in virtue and virtue is performative excellence. But is this excellence of the soul, or excellence of the body? The Divinity Drive gave him the template for the second but he still lacked something equally impressive for the first. Something that was equally impressive, even, as Unity in all things in best and unity in Virtue the bests of all.
It took the heart of an Olympian freely given to the only man truly worthy of it to create the heroic realm. It is only justice that it would take something as equally impressive to reform the Tyrant Realm into something truly worth being its sequel.
This inheritance ritual is a trial Zagreus had to overcome if he wanted to leave a legacy worth those that supported him to the next generation. No more heartless despots but kings of glory capable of ushering a Saint Spirit Era on their lonesome!
The Heart Flame behind Zagreus' eyes flared like suns at his rising spirit as he sneered at the Emperor Flame's comment. "Fate? Those who set their lives ablaze at the Olympic flame are reviled by the Fates… and beloved by the Muses!" Zagreus says as Argyrchiara manifests side by side while crowning him with a silver-bright laurel crown.
"Zhu Kun!" Zagreus shouted.
"Yes!" The dragon emperor answered without missing a beat, eyes hardened as he looked intensely at the turning of an age.
"I won't dishonor you by suggesting it would be better for you to avert your sight to what is to follow… so embrace yourself and burn this sight into your soul!" He says turning back to him even as the fire of my spirit seems to overwhelm his body. Cracks and fissures were spreading throughout his form and skin was being peeled away to reveal a nebula cluster of the galaxy within.
"This is Hope," He claimed in the throes of my domain envelopment induced metamorphosis. "Remember its face."
The true face of a god is something capable of incinerating a mortal on the spot. Zagreus should know that. He only survived my audacity thanks to my patron's generosity. Dionysus was rather amused by my cheek of gambling it all on him going the extra mile to save me since he was technically doing a favor to Lady Fisher. In retrospect He had always been a few cards short of a full deck.
That is how he landed his divine blessing. That is my first time doing it to someone else though. And rather earlier than I thought possible to boot. Jujutsu was always like a pendulum that insisted on only stopping at either mediocre or excellent with no in between. The technique Gojo developed to overcome his oppressive domain expansion and Termina augmented soul required perfect understanding about the boundaries and nature of one's soul to manifest its "true essence".
It's something only possible for a seasoned captain of the second realm. Gojo came up with it while the two of us together with Geto worked on a pneumatic technique for sorcerers using the dharma wheel created by starlight marrow as a reference. The [Mandala Wheel] was a rather ingenious breathing technique in execution but with a miserable learning curve. It not only serves the basic purpose of storing extra pneuma in the body (Spirit), and breaking the "labors of life" like the Aethus hunter bird breath technique (Hunger), but also serves to partition trails of thoughts to form multiple independent thought processes simultaneously (Reason).
Rather than manifesting a "mandala intention" as a simple domain as Zagreus did Gojo uses his own body as the absolute domain to keep it constantly activated, leading him to develop the awareness necessary to develop domain envelopment. Garden cultivators have a similar technique called [Blank Artform Canvas] where a xian adjusts his body to the shape most suitable for his garden magic, being the trump card of the Artform level, the peak of personal power for garden cultivators.
Now as a [Ancient Soul], Zagreus own version of domain envelopment has taken a rather… Greek flair for the dramatic. It is straight up God Mode, the [Divine Form] that expresses a god's Aletheia (unveiled truth). The literal meaning of the word ἀλήθεια is "the state of not being hidden; the state of being evident" but also "reality", two things rather crucial when natural mysteries are involved.
Tou She Ancient God openly claps at the profound display even as he understands Zagreus hidden intentions. "I had a good hunch about you and it seems I was right after all, whoever can overcome the restraint and emerge from the cruel Heavenly Flame denouement would be considered the top of the Heavenly Flame! It's only proper that you should devour not only this inheritance but also me and even this flame sea as well! My true self will be waiting for you in the Great Thousand World, let's then decide who deserves the title of number one!" The Emperor Flame ember gushed, revealing its true intentions with honest excitement at the prospect of engaging in the ouroboros flame spirit once again.
Zagreus Obliged.
-//-
"Well, that is embarrassing." I complain as Zhu Kun makes his best to support me over his shoulder as we limp our way out of the Mansion.
"Only you would think something like that. You managed to swallow the Emperor Flame in an instant! I normally take months to years in seclusion for a cultivator to tame a Heavenly Flame, assuming he is competent enough to even do so in the first place." The dragon emperor snorted in derision at my 'absurd' standards.
Seeing the one responsible for so many of his woes being summarily devoured was cathartic to him. Magical Beasts have a covert interest in cultivation since it grants them human sapience that is normally taken for granted. Even then they are still stuck in the body of beasts, while the human body is rather awkward for combat it is optimal for pleasure and civilization. The dragon slaying sword is not something Zhu Kun can wield without appositive thumbs after all. That is why Zhu Kun, as the leader of his tribe, coveted the Battle God realm.
The [Battle God Bloodline] is partial to blame for the current state of the continent. When a Battle God appears, it stirs an uproar not only because of his personal power but because his bloodline undergoes a transformation. Magic nepo baby. His line, both ascendant and descendent will experience outrageous growth in cultivation that lasts for millennia.
This is the origin of the venerable clans. Although they could be considered humans, they possessed a rich talent when it came to training. Some of those who were lucky might even inherit some of Dou Di's abilities through their bloodline. However, such a thing is extremely rare and will completely depend on one's luck. These clans that possess an ancient Battle God bloodline greatly discriminate against outsiders. Due to them needing to maintain the purity of their bloodline, even if they were to marry an ordinary human, they would definitely choose an extremely outstanding person.
Those who possess this bloodline indeed have a smooth training path. However, this speed halts just before the Battle Saint class. At such a moment, the bloodline becomes a burden. There is an exception though, those who have the first generation Dou Di bloodline would be blessed with the greatest benefit.
That is why for magical beasts the ability to pass on cultivation is so coveted. No matter how personally strong they become their progeny would still be born as a normal member of its species. That is why for magical beast parenthood is an especially heavy investment as his savage youths have to be carefully monitored until they cultivate enough to develop intelligence but even then they can only assume a human shape at the Battle Emperor level, an absurdly tall order.
This is why magical beasts who have strong bodies and are born well equipped to live on their own form clans, communities, and tribes as humans do. A way for them to amass resources to facilitate everyone's cultivation and protection from cruel rules of nature without facing discrimination from humans. Wu Fou was right, it was unfair that they had to go through so many hurdles to have what humans take for granted. I have no means to condemn Zhu Kun, as their leader it was nothing less than his duty to become a Battle God for the sake and prosperity of his tribe.
In the middle of my musing I ended up carelessly letting the leash control I had over the Emperor Flame that I devoured with my own Heart Flame to slip. This cost me dearly as my body locked up and I collapsed in pain, dragging Zhu Kun with me who himself wasn't in the best of shapes. The sight of my true form induced the mother of all migraines in him, similarly to the jet lag long term exposure to Gojo's Endless Void caused me.
Here we were, the two strongest entities of the Dou Qi continent sprawled into the ground like a pair of hammered drunkards. I couldn't hold it anymore and started laughing uncontrollably. The dragon emperor, either by some coincidence or just taken by my mania, followed suit. We laughed and laughed at the absurdity of it all. We were like two children who got away with the cookie jar, it was silly but those little moments are what make life magical.
"We will be in trouble if the embryonic God Pill finds us in this state." Zhu Kun commented lightly as if in passing. We certainly weren't at peak battle shape, I had to dust off my binding vow rule book to pull a win back there. Gojo always complains I am too much of a binding vow merchant so I just laughed at his face for being a noob, binding vows are practically half of jujutsu itself. A cursed technique is like one liter of water contained in a bucket called the innate domain, binding vow allows sorcerers to change the parameter to the water, from liquid to solid or gaseous, or alter its shape for whatever purpose one desires like clay sculpture. That is how I "ported" cursed techniques, using binding vows to mimic their observed working principles to my foundational technique.
In the case of the Emperor Flame I used rhetoric to propose to myself the following question: what is the apocalyptic power of Emperor Flame when pitted against the grandeurs of the Cosmos?
The answer turned out to be nothing at all, really.
It is still too early for me to reach the Tyrant Realm, even if all the elements are in place the time is not yet right. So I basically used a binding vow that sealed off my trump card in order to tame the Emperor Flame. A troublesome situation that will persist until I ascend, not that I am overly worried. Even without the Origin Qi the Emperor Flame is a worthwhile prize that I can use at will. It has successfully merged with my starlight and the Emperor Flame not only has the unique attribute of all twenty-two abnormal flames but also a special ability of its own.
You could call it Phoenix fire – destruction is followed by renewal. Although many abnormal flames possess like the Life Spirit Flame is called Flame of Longevity for any person who obtains this flame would get a lifespan comparable to that of those beasts which are famous for their long lifespan, but only the Emperor Flame can "grant life".
My inheritance requires one to have a stone like heart. As long as a single thread of thought exists, one would never be destroyed.
This was no metaphor. Tou She Ancient God most probably intended for his successor to struggle in a cycle of destruction, being incinerated by the Emperor Flame, and revival as he used the power of the Emperor Flame to create a new body out of nowhere ad infinity until he managed to tame it.
Unfortunately, I am too strong to be destroyed by the Emperor Flame, landing me into the agony spot of perpetual heartburn that is healed just as quickly. An immortal cripple. It will take some time for my body to adjust and the Emperor Flame is not the kind of entity I can waved away with time.
The good thing is that this dual nature has great compatibility with the Wheel Tuning… though I guess now it is only Star Rage. Which is good since this kind of hax is pretty useless in the weight class that I intend to fight into. The fact I couldn't cure Zhu Kun's migraine with it tells me everything I need to know about relying on it to save me from a god's true face.
"Well, overall things went as well as we could have expected. We got the inheritance, precious intel about situations beyond this closed off world, and plundered a lot of treasure. Why don't we head back home then come back for the embryonic God Pill at a later date?" I suggested it easily.
Zhu Kun snorted at my audacity, "Simply as that? You really are absurd, you know that? Normally we would have to struggle in a race against other cultivators pinning for the same prize while watching our backs for ambush… and here you are stealing bread from their mouth at your leisure! Well, I can't say it wasn't a worthwhile story. Come with me to the Void Dragon Tribe, it is high time for you to experience some true hospitality. I am sure things have become a mess since I left it but it is still my home."
I smiled at his sincerity. Indeed, things didn't go as expected but a golden future is something one has to conquer and forge. It was also my responsibility to mend the precarious situation the magical beasts have been in after the greater garden crashed.
I was about to agree when the mansion started to shake violently.
"An earthquake? Here?" The dragon emperor asked incredulously and apprehensive. We knew it couldn't be it.
"No. Someone has opened the Mansion… the proper way." I concluded. The mansion was being dragged from the belly of the earth toward its surface. There is only one conclusion:
Someone has opened the Tou She Ancient God Mansion!
"It looks like we will get the average raiding experience after all, my friend." I say in exasperation that I did my best to get back on my feet. Producing a bottle of nectar, I gulp down half of it then pass it to him. "Drink it, fortify yourself. Until the work is done.
He took the bottle without hesitation and nodded, "Until victory is won!" Then gulped it down just as fast.
This was the Dou Qi continent. Dou Qi is what everyone seeks. Only the strong survive here! Disciple, Practitioner, Master, Grandmaster, Spirit, King, Emperor, Ancestor, Venerate, Saint, God... this accursed ladder has subsumed and dominated the lives of every single person in the continent.
For the crime of enslaving all the spirits of the world I would shatter it into a thousand pieces until it was nothing but a memory!
-//-
[AUTHOR'S ROOM]
And here you thought things would go smoothly for Zagreus, didn't you? Reviled by the Fates isn't a figure of expression. The embryonic God Pill is the only hope the experts of the continent have against Zagreus and luck and heaven is on their side. That and some war crimes to smooth things over. While Wu Fou had ultimately lost, the fact he found a successor that managed to seize the Origin Qi that he manifested is bad news for them. The final battle for the fate of the Dou Qi continent starts now!