Ch.8: Full Night
Honestly, I think this is the 'weakest' chapter out of all. It doesn't really feel like it should be, and I would have liked to change it but my schedule doesn't really allow me that at the moment so maybe I'll rewrite it in the future. Not sure.
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The sun's descent cast a warm glow over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Dugu Xin and Dugu Bo made their way back to the mansion, the fading light a gentle backdrop to their return. Upon reaching the threshold of their home, their paths diverged as they headed to their respective bedrooms. Inside his room, Dugu Xin stood by the window, the remnants of daylight casting long shadows across the floor. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, his thoughts still entwined with the revelations about his mother's martial soul, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. He extended his right hand toward the ceiling, as he contemplated the implications of his newfound understanding.
As his thoughts circled back to the present, his gaze fell upon the ring-type Essence Tool 'I will name you Obsidian Spark'. As he did so, he also took a look inside and took the two cultivation manuals he had retrieved earlier—the Dream Weaver Scripture and the Nine Glazed Heavenly Core Technique. He approached a small table and pulled them from the ring to the outside world.
He also remembered Murakan's words, and a smile tugged at the corners of Dugu Xin's lips as realization dawned. The Dream Weaver Scripture and the Nine Glazed Heavenly Core Technique—they were not conflicting methods, but complementary paths that could be walked simultaneously. Dugu Xin's fingers traced the characters that adorned the pages of the [Dream Weaver Scripture].
[Dream Weaver Scripture]: A technique created to improve the rate of progress in cultivation. In a dream, everything is an illusion, but on the other hand, the user can cultivate and become stronger. This scripture allows cultivating inside a dream while sleeping and allows the user to cultivate in a dream world that is tailored to his specific needs and desires. The user can create a world that reflects his deepest desires and fears, allowing him to face and overcome his personal demons in a safe and controlled environment. It also makes cultivation easier than the real world because of how relaxing is to practice while sleeping.
Closing the [Dream Weaver Scripture], Dugu Xin's gaze shifted to the [Nine Glazed Heavenly Core Technique]. With a deep breath, he began to read, his eyes widening as the words unveiled a technique of astounding potential.
[Nine Glazed Heavenly Core Technique]: It allows the user to form a soul core every 10 ranks. If the user's soul power isn't enough it will kill the user due to the rapid consumption of both spirit and soul power. External energies can be used to replace the soul power required. Absorbing the energy from Heaven and Earth Treasures results in the creation of a stronger Soul Core and can help gain unique abilities.
"Holy..." He whispered, the words escaping his lips in awe. But his amazement only deepened as he read further. 'This technique can't be cultivated once someone gains their second spirit ring,' he realized, his brows furrowing in thought.
'That should have been my case as well, but the [Heaven Snake Poison Pill Technique] granted me a premature spirit core, albeit incomplete.' His fingers traced the text as he continued to absorb the information, his thoughts racing once more. 'These two cultivation techniques are greater than I have imagined, worthy of belonging to a god.'
With unwavering determination, Dugu Xin's mind was set on the path ahead—to solidify his foundation and complete his first soul core. The seed of resolve had taken root within him, fueled by the newfound knowledge and potential of the techniques he held. As he stepped out of his room under the shroud of darkness, he knew exactly what treasure he needed to achieve his goal.
'The energy of the venom gland from the 500,000-years Jade Phosphor Dragon Serpent is more than strong enough to complete the soul core. The nature of its energy will also enhance my poison to a next level' His eyes glinted with determination; his gaze fixed on the road ahead. However, just as he stepped outside, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows—the same maid who had been at his side when he first woke up.
Her presence caught him off guard, and he regarded her with a mix of curiosity and inquiry. "What do you require, young master?" she inquired, her voice respectful and attentive.
Dugu Xin's brow furrowed slightly, wondering why she was following him and lingering near his room. He voiced his question, his tone guarded. The maid's response was calm and matter-of-fact. "I have been assigned to your service by Dugu Bo, young master."
A sigh escaped Dugu Xin's lips as he processed the information. It seemed his father's protectiveness was at play. He nodded in acknowledgment and, after a brief exchange, informed the maid that he was heading to the cultivation room to cultivate for the night as he couldn't sleep. With a nod of understanding, she retreated, allowing Dugu Xin to continue on his path. As he pressed forward, his destination came into view. Finally stepping into the cave, he was immediately enveloped by the potent aroma of poisons and herbs that filled the air. Relaxing under the familiar smell of poison, he used his soul power to close the room. At the far end of the room, Dugu Xin's eyes fixed on the vessel of the venom gland of the Jade Phosphor Dragon Serpent. As he drew nearer to the vessel, his heart quickened with both excitement and caution.
With a steady hand, he lifted the lid of the vessel, unleashing a torrent of potent poison aura that surged forth with unbridled intensity. The very air seemed to shiver in response, the room instantly inundated with a noxious presence that even Dugu Xin could feel seeping into his senses. His eyes widened at the sheer power of the aura, realizing that its influence extended far beyond his expectations. 'This poison... it's more formidable than I imagined', he thought, a mixture of surprise and realization coursing through him.
As he observed the effects of the poison, Dugu Xin's keen senses detected a strange transformation occurring within the room. The soul particles that permeated the air began to shift in color, turning shades of purple and green under the poison's corrupting influence. A sense of unease prickled at his consciousness as he realized that the poison even had an effect on the soul power that lingered within the room.
"This poison is potent enough to alter the very essence of soul power," he mused, a mix of curiosity and urgency igniting within him. He understood that he couldn't afford to waste any more time—the situation was growing increasingly dangerous.
With resolute determination, Dugu Xin settled into a cross-legged position on the floor. With a deep breath, he initiated his cultivation, using both the [Nine Glazed Heavenly Core Technique] and the [Heaven Snake Poison Pill Technique]. The [Nine Glazed Heavenly Core Technique] guided him through the intricate process of completing his first soul core. He focused his intention on the task at hand, his mind synchronized with the essence of the technique. Simultaneously, he called upon the [Heaven Snake Poison Pill Technique], allowing the poison within his body to further refine and elevate the density of his soul power. Due to the 4 Pupil Mystic Eyes he witnessed how the poisoned soul power within the room gravitated towards him. As the poison-laden soul power continued to merge and meld within him, Dugu Xin's focus narrowed until the world around him faded into obscurity. His surroundings blurred into insignificance as he immersed himself in the intricate dance of cultivation, his entire being consumed by the endeavor to complete his first soul core.
As Dugu Xin delved deeper into his cultivation, a profound transformation began to manifest both within and around him. The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor appeared behind him coiling protectively around him as Dugu Xin's soul power, began to change in color and nature, his jade-green soul power shifted into a pitch-black hue, its edges etched with a dark-green outline. Within this inky abyss, there lingered a palpable chill—a chilling, deathly sensation that hinted at the malevolence and poison that now coursed through it. The poison in the air, a formidable force in its own right, had not only seeped into Dugu Xin's very being but had begun to infiltrate his soul power as well. His soul power became filled with overbearing poison that gave off a chill of death, can easily infect opponents in a fight without them knowing. As his transformation continued, Dugu Xin's his jade-green hair began to take over most of his black hair, steadily the vibrant color enveloping nearly three-quarters of his entire head. A sign that his poison in his body became even more deadly.
But it wasn't just his hair that was impacted. His external soul bone materialized, hungrily absorbing the surrounding soul power and poison. Its length extended until it was twice the size of Dugu Xin himself, and its age reached a staggering 30,000 years.
Amidst these profound changes, Dugu Xin's martial soul too underwent a striking metamorphosis. Its scales, once vibrant and resplendent, took on a pitch-black hue, creating a stark contrast with the jade-green exterior that adorned it. The eyes of the martial soul, once fierce and fiery, now gleamed with a radiant golden hue.
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Meanwhile, while Dugu Xin was undergoing new changes, Dugu Bo stood vigil outside the cultivation cave, his eyes were fixed upon the entrance, his thoughts hidden behind a veil of contemplation. The stillness of the night was only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves, and the moonlight cast long shadows upon the forest. In the quietude of the night, the maid assigned to Dugu Xin emerged from the shadows, her presence respectful and unobtrusive. She bowed her head in deference to Dugu Bo, who acknowledged her with a subtle nod. His gaze remained focused on the cave entrance, curiosity gnawing at his thoughts. He inquired about Dugu Xin, his voice carrying the weight of concern. "How did he seem when he entered?"
The maid, perceptive and attentive, responded thoughtfully. "He appeared quite excited, Master."
Dugu Bo's brows furrowed at her words, considering the implications. "Excitement, you say? He must have discovered something significant in those manuals to make him disregard the passage of time." Uncertainty shrouded his plans for his son's future. The conversation shifted to other, more mundane matters, a brief respite from the weighty decisions that loomed on the horizon. The night hours passed quietly, and as the sun's first rays began to grace the horizon, they continued their exchange. The rock that concealed the entrance to the cave gradually stirred and shifted, allowing Dugu Xin to emerge with a contented smile gracing his features. However, the sight that greeted Dugu Bo was far from reassuring. His frown deepened as he took in the extent of Dugu Xin's hair that had turned jade-green.
The chilling aura of death and poison exuded from Dugu Xin's very being, an unsettling presence that made even the maid's composure waver. She could feel the poisonous miasma tainting the air, causing her to break out in a cold sweat before ultimately succumbing to its effects, collapsing to the ground, poisoned and unconscious. Dugu Bo was surprised to see that his son's spirit power exuded the chill of death and that his sprit power was poisonous. As the maid collapsed before him, Dugu Bo's concern deepened, and he acted swiftly to mitigate the situation. With a commanding force of his soul power, he extended a protective aura over the unconscious maid, working diligently to neutralize the insidious poison that had affected her.
Simultaneously, his attention remained divided, fixed on his son, Dugu Xin. With an air of gravitas, Dugu Bo addressed his son, his tone laced with urgency. "Xin'er... suppress your soul power. Now!"
Dugu Xin, caught off guard by the maid's sudden collapse and his father's stern command, quickly realized the gravity of the situation. He had unwittingly allowed his unrestrained soul power to spill into the environment, endangering those around him. He swiftly retracted his soul power, exerting control over the volatile energy that had surged forth, he quickly suppressed his soul power. With the danger averted and the maid's well-being secured, Dugu Xin approached his father. In a voice tinged with worry, Dugu Bo inquired, "What happened in there?"
Dugu Xin, didn't hesitate to explain. "One of the cultivation techniques allows for the creation of a soul core every ten levels. The pill created by our cultivation technique formed a soul core infused with poison, but it was incomplete. I chose to complete it before attempting anything else."
Dugu Bo absorbed this information, his brow furrowing in thought. "And what about your soul power? It seems to have undergone a significant change." Dugu Xin nodded, acknowledging the transformation that had taken place. "Yes, Father. Once the soul core was completed, my soul power changed naturally." A thoughtful silence hung between them for a moment as Dugu Bo processed the revelation. He then spoke, his tone a blend of understanding and guidance. "I see. Xin'er, you should exercise caution when releasing your soul power now. This change brings both opportunity and danger. It's imperative that you improve your control over it."