Chương 102: Chapter 100 – A Sense of Impending Doom

PoV Change: Two years' worth of effort in body cultivation, passing the selection for the trial, giving up his cultivation abode, and trading for benefits had all culminated in today's Golden Dharma Trial. Jian Feng had reaped a great harvest that justified all his hard work and sacrifice. He had just emerged from the lake of blended liquid qi and blood after having cultivated to his limits. He settled in on the shores overlooking a scenic view of the lake and stabilized his cultivation.

He had broken through his bottleneck at the 8th layer and was halfway through the 9th. It was the first bottleneck he had ever encountered as a genius cultivator, and it had started to worry him when he hadn't been able to break through immediately. Now the peak of the foundation establishment realm was within effortless reach. The preparations for his breakthrough to the core formation realm had long been arranged and were already waiting for him. Feng finished stabilizing his cultivation.

His dantian still had some damage that would only heal with time, but he had done all he could for now. Around him, most of his fellow disciples had already finished, showing their lacking ability to endure the dangers of the unique blend of energies in the lake. A surprising number sat with desolate and pained expressions, having experienced the cultivation deviation they had been warned about. Feng himself hadn't been tempted much by the concoction of energy and admirably endured the pain.

He straightened his back with pride. A smile grew on his face as the joy of his advancement was enhanced by the feeling of accomplishment. He took in the scenery of the supreme being's shattered dantian as he waited for the trial to end. Given how long he had endured, there obviously couldn't be much time left. According to his father, the subspace was the remnant of an inner world contained within the dantian of the supreme being.

It was indeed awe-inspiring to see the marvels that higher realms of cultivation permitted.

'One day, I shall be the same and reach the realm beyond Nascent Soul! The Jian family will be a powerhouse in the Azure Mountains, and I shall lead them to that glory!' He was rudely interrupted from his daydreams by a slight tremor. In the cloudless haze above them, there was dark smoke billowing. Alarmed, Feng got to his feet. From within the smoke, a shapeless figure emerged and crashed into the remnants of the shattered core floating overhead. Feng froze in shock.

'Something actually breached this space? What are those stupid monks doing outside?! How could they let something like this occur? He thought as he drew his sword, knowing full well how futile it would be against a being that could enter this space. But he needn't have worried, because the spirit of the supreme being wasn't so easily thwarted as ancient defenses activated. The colossal statue not far from them clapped its hands together, mirroring the other 3 on each of the 4 shores.

Then as one, the statues raised their hands, palms pointed out to the center of the lake, and emitted an incredibly bright beam of qi. In the skies above, the floating mountains were converging on the intruder and enveloping it. It struggled frantically, but it was being subdued. It let out a piercing shriek, 'Master! Awaken!' Then it hurled something down. From the brief glimpse he got, it appeared to be a black scale. Feng's blood drained from his face as the implications struck him.

He recalled reading somewhere in his family's histories about this trial that the supreme being had been impaled by an immensely powerful devil's arm even as he dealt it a mortal blow. It was just a scrap of faded and irrelevant history, but this creature's words implied the devil might still be alive! There was no time to think as the scale collided with the surface of the lake, causing the ground to tremble. He noticed the last remaining disciples were retreating from the waters of the lake.

Among them he saw the familiar figure of his fool of a neighbor. The idiot wasn't moving! Feng took an unconscious step forward to help, but then he saw the figure fall backward into the water. It was too late. Jian Feng turned away and gathered near the other disciples who were waiting for Elder Jiao Yue's disciple to command them, but that waste of talent was gawking with his mouth open. Feng was just about to step up and order them to fall back through the haze they entered through when his vision blurred.

Next thing he knew, they were outside. Ren blinked his eyes clear and sat up from the marbled tile he was laying on. He could tell he hadn't been out long.

'Where are we? What jus…' His mind became crystal clear in an instant when he remembered the demonic thumb that had impaled him. His hands hurriedly patted his stomach and chest, but there were no signs of injury. Not relaxing one bit, he closed his eyes and examined his dantian. And there it was, his unwanted passenger. A pitch black, clawed thumb. Wrapped in golden chains that were glowing so brightly, they were hard to look at. Ren nearly spat up blood from the shock.

'That thing broke free from its shackles and used me as a vessel to escape! Wait, if that were so, why is it still bound?' He wracked his memories for a clue, and the only one plausible was the statue's sorrowful face looking down at him. It had been responsible for keeping the demonic arm chained, so perhaps it had helped him out of pity? But that also meant its assistance was a one-time boon. The thumb looked drained from breaking free, but what would happen if it regained its vigor?

Ren was extremely worried for his future but not nearly as much as his present! What would happen if the elders detected the demonic presence that was now sinking to the bottom of his spiritual sea? Would they help or find it easier to erase him? Ren was not going to take any chances and immediately stuck a concealing talisman on his chest, under his robes. He prayed the elders were too preoccupied to notice him. At that, he started looking around for them, only to see the crowd of disciples all around him.

They were all inside an enormous open temple. Instead of walls, there were only beautiful pillars holding up an elaborately carved roof. Ren couldn't be bothered to examine the stories laid out in stone as he finally found the elders in a huddle in the front, deep in discussion. They had a sound-sealing array around them as their wildly waving arms indicated a furious exchange. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Not long after, they broke apart and approached their respective factions. The senior monk who had led the way that morning addressed them all.

"Forgive us for the disruption. We shall conclude this trial just a touch earlier than usual. We've had reports of a wave of demonic activity all around, which we need to attend to. You may claim your rewards in a few days. Just bring this token with you. You may go back to rest now. And… well done, all of you!" Hundreds of small jade tokens flew to everyone. Ren clasped the one that stopped in front of him and tucked it into his sleeve. Then he followed the crowd out even as he looked for Hua.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his brother was unharmed but with an unusually serious expression. He joined Hua and found the cause of the somber atmosphere. Somewhere above them a bell tolled, a pure note echoing everywhere. The trial had let them out near the peak of the enormous lone mountain, and not far above them were the clouds. The dark storm clouds that stretched as far as the eye could see. Purple lightning roiled, lighting up the distant buildings below on the flank of the mountain.

The two were buffeted by strong winds as they exchanged a glance. Ren knew that they were thinking the same thing. The calamity. It had begun. Ren had arranged all the concealing arrays he knew as soon as he had returned to his quarters. For two whole days he sequestered himself as he monitored the thumb of the demonic arm without sleeping. Only then was he somewhat satisfied. The thumb had actually withdrawn all traces and stayed quietly at the bottom of his dantian.

Whether it was because of the chains or its lacking vigor, it was actually taking measures to ensure its own secrecy. It was both good and bad news for Ren. Good in that he wouldn't be exorcised for having demonic traces the moment he stepped out and bad because it indicated a level of sentience he was deeply uncomfortable with allowing inside his dantian. But at least he had time to address this problem because it wasn't going away on its own.

He finally emerged from his room and found a generally exuberant environment. Only a select few disciples were stiff and trying to hide anxious expressions. He knew why that was. The storm clouds hadn't abated. Rather, they had only grown darker. Ren knew that certain days were more conducive to advancing and the Lightning Monarch must have chosen the same day as the Golden Dharma Trial opening.

The enemy elder from the regions the Azure Mountains called home was beginning his breakthrough and would, over the next few weeks or months, divert much of the heavens' wrath toward the Heavenly Sword Sect. Ren shuddered to think of the untold devastation it would wreak on them. He had already come to face his helplessness, but that didn't make it disappear. But there wasn't much time to think.

The other reason Ren had chosen to emerge now was that his token had vibrated and released information to come and collect his reward. Why the monks were willing to give rewards to every participant, he didn't know, but he had formed a theory. The monks clearly dabbled in karma, from their teleportation to their self-appointed duty of protecting mortals. Viewed that way, they were building connections with all participants of the trial. Depending on the reward, Ren was prepared to deal with that possibility.

He found himself standing in front of a long hall, plain on the outside but hiding a treasure trove of knowledge within. Turned out that the reward was access to one manual or technique from their repository. A truly extravagant reward until one remembered that the most precious tomes would surely be restricted. He was just about to head in when he saw a familiar face emerging.

"Amitabha, Brother Ren. I was just on my way to see you! That was some exciting trial, wasn't it?" said Subo with his usual cheery enthusiasm. It was in stark contrast with the surrounding monks who were acting more subdued with the storm clouds above and the news of increased attacks by demons. Nothing seemed to bring down the young monk. A pure bell tone rang out from above the dark clouds. Ren looked toward the peak and looked back to find Subo's curious expression.

"It was certainly interesting to say the least. I take it you benefited well from it before we were sent out?" Ren inquired. Subo's brilliant smile was strong enough to chase away the dark clouds.

"Indeed. I broke through and could even reaffirm my heart cultivation. The heavens have smiled upon me. Not to mention my new technique! Do you paint, brother Ren?" Ren felt glad for his friend. If anyone deserved to do well, it was Subo. The last question caught him a little off guard, however, and Ren unintentionally revealed the truth.

"I would like to, but I'm currently terrible at it. Wait, I mean…" he sputtered, trying to correct himself. Subo didn't seem to mind the accidental confession and put a reassuring hand on Ren's shoulder.

"Not to worry. With how long we cultivators live, anyone can mend their flaws and improve any skill they put their mind to." Ren felt vindicated by Subo's sincerity, and he nearly shouted, "That's exactly what I told Bao Hua!" Then he asked, "So this new technique involves painting or calligraphy?" Subo nodded.

"My master suggested a khakkhara, a staff topped with metal rings, to accompany my chants, but I thought this would be more fun for now. Painting isn't just a hobby for rich people. Did you know ancient cultivators have honed it to a magnificent and useful profession as well?" Subo's words reminded Ren of something. Acting on impulse, he searched his storage ring and brought out something he had made a long time ago but had been unable to find an owner for until just then.

An extravagantly carved brush as tall as he was appeared out of the air and landed in his hands. He extended it out toward Subo.

"Brother Subo, thank you for all your guidance. I've benefitted greatly. I had forged this war brush not long ago when I was still refining my skills. It isn't much and won't be useful for very long in the foundation realm, but an instrument deserves to be wielded. It would honor me if it would be of some use to you." Ren was under no illusion that whatever influx of good fortune that enabled him to achieve as much as he did in the trial was in no small part thanks to that encounter when he influenced Subo's fate.

Naturally the heavens were fair, and the ill luck of the demonic thumb did occur, but likely it was from his other karmic connections. Ren wanted to thank Subo not just for that, but also for showing him the dao debate that helped him resolve unseen conflicts within himself. Subo opened and closed his mouth a few times in shock before he burst out laughing. Amidst muffled guffaws, he spoke.

"I will accept your generous gift, brother Ren, only if you accept mine." He held out a largish pouch and opened it to reveal a variety of seeds.

"I too wanted to thank you for helping me with that mission. The merits I gained will let me soar high, and I couldn't let you leave without showing my gratitude. No matter what, you can always call on me if you are ever in trouble." He managed to say the last sentence seriously. Ren didn't doubt his earnest words. Subo had that same straightforward attitude as Hua that Ren found so genuine. They both burst out laughing once more and exchanged their gifts.

Subo informed him that he had also already sent a tea tree sapling to their temporary quarters since it wasn't suited to carry in a spatial pouch. After saying he would come by in a few days, Subo left. Ren entered the library and showed the aged attendant his jade token and gave a deep bow in gratitude when he was allowed to enter. He had learned his lesson about underestimating normal-looking old men protecting a sect's dao reserves. He began his search.

The library was fortunately properly cataloged, though it lacked more detail on the manuals themselves.

'Maybe the monks wanted disciples to feel out their fated manuals?' Ren thought to himself in exasperation. But he didn't have an unlimited amount of time to peruse. So he headed for the one section he thought would bring him the most benefit from this opportunity. The manuals perfected by the monastery and practiced by most monks. Heart Cultivation.