Chương 474: Unending Oath (III)

The first thing I felt was warmth--not hotness, but warmth. It's sort of the difference between sunbathing on a beach and being hugged quite tightly. As it turned out, I didn't have to chew on a raw heart of an animal and swallow it to 'eat' the heart--thank the heavens--as the heart seems to be more of a... metaphorical thing? Since I was instructed to keep my eyes closed, I did; within moments, the warmth overtook every inch of my body, and I felt Qi in me beginning to surge.

It was like a rushing wave at the start, but before long it had become a whole-ass tsunami--Qi was revolving through my meridians so quickly I genuinely felt they might explode. It was literally about a hundred times faster than I can do it on my own. And yet, none of it was uncomfortable. Though my eyes were closed, I knew there were windows galore popping up in front of me, likely attached to the process of swallowing a heart.

The entire thing lasted for quite a short period of time--far shorter than I'd thought it would. Perhaps half an hour passed, though it was entirely possible that my perception of time had gotten completely obliterated and it had been years.... I'm really, really hoping it hadn't been years." Open them,"I did as I was instructed." The remnants of my energy are enough to hold this realm together for ten more days. In that time, you must leave--and purge as many of the dead as you can.

Remember: the inverse of Dao is not evil, merely... different. In that difference, however, is a reality that cannot be allowed to exist. It would be akin to trying to raise a mortal baby in a lake of fire." Good luck, child of man; I envy you not the fate that you are about to embark upon. May the Dao guide you." The voice faded--and the world around me drew back. Suddenly, I was back at the camp, with seemingly nothing having changed.

The kids were there, they didn't seem to be panicking, and judging by the fact they were exactly where I remember them being... did any amount of time pass? The good news is, at least, that we no longer had to go any deeper. The bad news is that we only had ten days to figure out how to get out of this place, in addition to me finding all of my kids during that time. Rather, I'm still kind of processing everything that just happened. The big turtle said a lot and revealed probably more than I thought it would.

For starters... was it really possible? That my 'soul' simply wandered off from Earth when I died and, by some infinitesimally small chance, 'floated' close enough to this place for Dao to grab it? Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.... was it really just that? I don't know. It'd both be extremely disappointing as well as oddly appropriate if it were.

I never once thought I was specifically chosen; while the kids, and a good number of other people in this world, can claim I am unlike anybody else they met, I know well enough I'm far from being unique. If Dao wanted to choose a good person, there were probably countless others on Earth that were far better than me. At the very least now I know there were and maybe even are others like me--people not of these worlds here. Whether comforting or something else... only time will tell.

Then there was the reality I saw beyond the flower--it didn't really explain it so much as it alluded to it. I don't think it's because it didn't want to explain, but that I wouldn't be able to understand it. Even now, my mind is having a difficult time comprehending it; the best approximation that I can make up in my mind is that it's entropy, but I'm fairly certain that's not it. Figuring it'd just tire my head even more if I kept at it, I decided to distract myself ever so briefly by going through the windows.

[--a strange energy has entered Host's body. Assessing...] [Energy is non-hostile. Limited access permitted] [...] [Congratulations, Host; you have earned the recognition of a Divine Beast Wu. It has decided to offer you its heart] [...] [New Quest Generated: Unending Oath (???)] [Unending Oath (???) -- Divine Beast Wu has been tasked with safeguarding the Other since its birth, having had the oath carved into its very shell. As you have taken its heart, a plea has been assigned to you. Find a way to restore the prison for the Other before ten years] [Rewards: Unknown] [Failure: Accelerating decline of Qi and Dao] [...] [Heart of an Immortal Tortoise has been partially digested] [Host has acquired a new Physique--Immortal Tortoise Physique (Imperial)] [As the heart hasn't been fully integrated into Host's body, Host will not have access to most of the Physique's effects] [...] [Approximated time required to fully digest the Heart: 6000 hours of secluded cultivation] [...] [Immortal Tortoise Physique (Imperial) (Partial) -- the secret behind the seemingly unending lives of the Divine Tortoise Race is precisely their technique. Though a human body is wholly unfit to endure the real thing, in their attempt to help the human race rise, they had tailored Immortal Tortoise Physique fit specifically for a human body. Even if its effects are dwarfed by the original, it has always been considered one of the Ten Divine Physiques. Unlike all other Divine Physiques, it remains deeply rooted in the body and cannot be discerned through external means. As the Tortoise Heart hasn't been fully digested, only two of its five total functions have been unlocked] [First Effect: Host's total lifespan has increased massively. Each further increase in lifespan through breakthroughs will be increased tenfold. Approximate remaining lifespan: 40, 000 years. All lifespan-extending techniques, artifacts, and herbs will yield the utmost increase] [Second Effect: Host's body has become naturally sturdy. All defensive arts and artifacts are five times as effective for you. All defensive-oriented arts consume half their required Qi. Your body has just barely become sturdy enough to endure the Path of the Ancients if all other materials are prepared] [...] [You have left a deep impression on Divine Beast Wu. A secondary reward has been generated] [Heart-Mending (???) -- a talisman-like item that contains therein a lesser version of Immortal Tortoise Heart. The host should note that while this can be used to achieve the Path of the Ancients, the requirements for success become beyond specific. Of Host's current Disciples, only Long Tao stands a small chance of success. Others would be facing certain death trying to digest it] Alright. That's pretty good. There's even a way for Long Tao to possibly break through using this path-- --hey, wait a second.

Wasn't I supposed to ask the turtle for a way to fix that sweet, beloved, dearest shell that has saved my life?!! Wait, no--screw Long Tao! Big turtle, come back and tell me how to fix the damn shell!