Atticus sighed as he closed the ancient tome, the last vestiges of his contribution points reducing its two figures to just one. He'd burned through them faster than anticipated, his relentless pursuit of knowledge proving to be an expensive endeavor. Yet, a satisfied smile played on his lips after all this was one of his shortcomings since he came to this world and now he was eliminating that blatant weakness. He had also reached the pinnacle of the Perfected Stage in Foundation Establishment, his body and spirit primed for the next crucial step – breaking through to the Spirit Gathering Realm.Unlike the previous realms, where sheer absorption of qi sufficed for a breakthrough, the Spirit Gathering Realm demanded a deeper connection. As the name implied, cultivators sought to assimilate the essence of spirits, forming a symbiotic bond that enhanced their own power. This process required patience, empathy, and a genuine understanding of the spirit in question. Through carefully con
A hush fell over the gathered crowd as the supervisor, a wizened old man with eyes like polished obsidian, addressed the aspiring participants. His voice, though aged, resonated with a quiet power that demanded attention."Welcome, young cultivators," he boomed, his voice echoing across the precipice. "Today, you stand at the threshold of the Skyfall Trial, a test not only of your strength, but also of your control and adaptability."He surveyed the faces before him, a mix of eager anticipation and nervous apprehension. "This preliminary stage," he continued, "requires you to descend from the peak. However, a formidable barrier of spirit qi awaits you. Your task is to navigate this resistance and reach the ground with the utmost speed."A collective intake of breath filled the air as the supervisor raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. He then produced a series of intricately carved talismans, each glowing with a soft ethereal light. "These," he explained, gesturing towards the tali
As the resonating boom of the drum reverberated through the air, seventy figures, a mix of seasoned veterans and eager freshmen, took the plunge. Gravity seized them, pulling them towards the seemingly bottomless chasm below. At this point all the descending cultivators unleashed several of their styles and techniques.Fen Yifan, the son of the northern barbarian with fiery red hair, gruff beard and eyes that mirrored burning embers, launched himself forward with a confident smirk. His palms crackled with lightning, the very air around him charged with an electric aura. He wasn't merely descending; he was a blazing comet, his body wreathed in vibrant flames that served as a shield against the onslaught of spirit qi, he looked like a human torch.Xu Hua on the other hand, ever the stoic beauty with her raven hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, approached the challenge with a practiced grace. Her movements were precise, economical. A faint luminescence surrounded her, a swir
Even the seasoned seniors observing the situation couldn't help but acknowledge the impressive display Atticus had just delivered. His swift reflexes, decisive counterattack, and the potent lightning spell left them surprised. Bai Feng, on the other hand, presented a stark contrast. He knelt on the ground, his face contorted in a mixture of pain and humiliation. The once arrogant demeanor had completely vanished, replaced by a deep scowl that burned with unspoken threats. If death stares could kill, Atticus would have been a goner. But the intensity of Bai Feng's glare did little to faze him. Atticus stood tall, his expression resolute, the playful banter completely erased.The awkward silence stretched for a moment before Bai Feng, wincing slightly as the aftereffects of the electrical assault lingered, slowly pushed himself to his feet. He cast one final venomous look at Atticus, a silent promise of retribution hanging heavy in the air. Then, without another word, he turned a
A cold sweat beaded on Supervisor Wang's forehead as he stared at the crumbled portal. Panic gnawed at his insides as he fumbled for his spirit transmission disc. With a trembling hand, he activated it, a holographic image flickering to life above his palm."Vice Dean Zi Lingzi," he rasped, his voice barely a whisper. "It's Supervisor Wang. We have a situation."The image of the silver-haired Vice Dean materialized, her usually stoic expression etched with concern. "Supervisor Wang, report," she commanded, her voice crisp and authoritative.Supervisor Wang recounted the events in a frantic rush – the portal's sudden shift in color, the students' disappearance, and the chilling silence that followed. As the gravity of his report sunk in, a heavy silence descended. The implications were dire. The Myriad Spirit Plane, designed for students at the Foundation Establishment Realm, was supposed to be a relatively safe environment. Now, it has become a potential death trap.The news of the
The colossal voice reverberated within Atticus' mind, its words echoing in the vast chamber. "The power within you resonates with our cause," it boomed. "You, potential heir of the Devourer, have answered the call. The power that lies dormant can be awakened!"A wave of potent energy surged forth from the statue, enveloping Atticus in a blinding light. Disoriented, he stumbled, the cavern floor dissolving beneath his feet. When the light finally subsided, he found himself no longer in the temple, but in a completely different location.Darkness pressed in from all sides. Towering trees, their branches clawed with gnarled fingers towards the inky sky, formed a dense canopy overhead. An oppressive silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. The atmosphere crackled with an ominous energy, sending shivers down Atticus' spine.A familiar chime rang out within his mind, a stark contrast to the chilling scene before him.**[Bloodlust Deactivated
Atticus awoke to a pounding in his head, the taste of iron thick on his tongue. He was sprawled on a cold, damp stone floor, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth and something metallic. Groaning, he pushed himself up, wincing at the sharp pain that lanced through his chest.His memories returned in a rush – the corrupted forest, the fight with the beasts, the crimson orb. He looked down at his chest, expecting to see a gaping wound, but instead found only a faint red imprint where the orb had struck him.Confusion clouded his mind. Where was he? Had he been captured by those robed figures? Just then, a booming voice echoed in the chamber, vibrating the very stones beneath his feet."Welcome, heir. You have passed the initial test." Atticus whipped his head around, searching for the source of the voice. His gaze fell upon a colossal statue, its features vaguely familiar. It was a monstrous entity, its eyes glowing with an eerie crimson light."The power within you will need tim
"Of course, I know you are probably confused and wondering who the hell am i but you don't need to know that," Lord Azgor said with a smile."Scarlet Soul faction?" Atticus replied in a bland tone."Seems like I have to start giving you more credit then." Lord Azgor started with a surprised expression."Either way, soon the legacy in you will properly assimilate with your being and you will directly advance to the Spirit gathering stage.The refined Spectral of the demon Lord is present in that legacy so it will be the conduit that will push you to the next realm." Azgor explained.Atticus could already feel the demonic energy in him increase and become more dense. Also he felt like his physique was at the verge of a transformation. It was as if breaking through to the next realm will make him undergo tremendous changes."We have lost our chosen, one who possessed a bloodline we have cultivated carefully for quite some time but it doesn't matter. You will be replacing him.""And what