《The Calm Death God》


 Prologue: The Calm Death God

    In the Year 2084, the most inhumane crime of all time occurred, the perpetrator John Sixth eight years old was arrested after he killed and badly mutilated the corpses of ten men and five female inside a birthday party disguised orgy venue.

    When the cops arrived at the scene. They almost puked out all of their lunches as they witnessed the scattered innards of several people being placed like trash around the area. On the scene, a young boy greeted them with a calm smile. On his hand was a bloodied razor sharp knife.

    The officers couldn''t believe this at first and decided to search for any evidences that would redirect the murder away from the child. However, the CCTV footage of the area captured the harrowing moments when John killed his father and slashed apart his abdomen, making his intestines fall to the ground as he bleed to death.

    However, as they reversed back the CCTV footage further. They witnessed the most heart wrenching moment that they saw in they whole lives.

    There, they saw John with his back bent, being sexually assaulted by his very own father. As his father finished his ordeal. Another men replaced him and assaulted the young child. This continued several times until the officers counted at least ten men assaulted the young child.

    Several moments in the footage, they saw John wore his clothing with a calm deep profound eyes as he wielded a scissor and started to indiscriminately attack the surrounding people around him. Each time he attacked, he targeted the abdomen and even made the dead bodies bend and wrench open their anuses and vagina with the razor sharp knife.

    Witnessing this chilling scene, almost all of the officers felt fear run through their spines as they looked at the harmless looking child smiling with a calm face as he watched the footage continue.

    Hesitating, a female officer tried to have John spell out the truth. John didn''t hide anything and honestly replied all the things that happened and his circumstances.

    It was like this, John Sixth was a young orphan boy from a local orphanage, he was six years old when he was adopted by Robert Huckabaa and his wife Lanny Huckabaa, they were an extremely happy family at first and John treasured their bonding the most.

    However, as time goes by, an ordeal broke out from the two couple which immediately led to their divorce. And after that, Robert''s pedophile nature finally surfaced.

    Starting from his seventh birthday. Robert would invite friends over to his house, of where they would sexually assault the John. At first, John fiercely resisted and cried in pain as the several pedophile men snickered behind him.

    But since John''s mind wasn''t as mature as he was now before, He was enticed by Robert''s calm and gentle attitude. His father consoled him for each time he would rape him and he would always say. "Don''t worry, this is Papa''s way of relieving his stress. In mother''s stead, you should help papa regain his everyday vigor."

    Excited by the notion of caring for his loving father. John endured the searing pain and willfully have his father assault him in the stead of his mother. To help his caring and gentle father, John would do anything...

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    However, as time goes by, his father often invited his friends and have them assault John in exchange for a huge amount of money. Since that first invitation. His father''s friends became increasingly larger and there was even that time when his father invited at least fifty men to relieve their stress using John.

    In that span of time, though the searing pain from behind him kept reverberating, John would maintain a calm visage and gently smiled tohis father''s friends as they forcefully pierced John''s behind.

    All of this, John endured. However, John noticed that his father increasingly became violent. That he would assault John for five times a day. There was even a time when his father didn''t even celebrate his ninth birthday.

    And since his mother didn''t came back. John''s attitude became increasingly bleak, and since he was also forbidden to go out to see the outside world, John''s curiosity peaked.

    And finally, his eighth birthday came. This time, his father didn''t come. Instead, several men and women came to sexually assault John while they handed out a huge amount of money towards his father as they enjoyed sexually assaulting the young boy.

    With this, John thought that his father abandoned him. If his only gentle and caring father abandoned him, what would he do in this world? He would be alone and desolate!

    And so, like triggering the switch for a grand firework. A switch opened inside John''s mind as his mental state plummeted. Fueled by the loneliness he felt without the caring hands of his mother. John proceeded to procure the most brutal and inhumane manslaughter of all time.

    After the new surfaced in the internet, and after learning the true roots of why did this young boy became so deranged. It sparked public outrage that widespread protests covered the whole nation.

    Since John was placed on the death row, protests sparked to keep him safe and away from further harm. And because of this extensive effort, the court decided to deny the notion of trying John as an adult and placed him in a maximum security cell compound for death row inmates.

    But there, John wielded his title ''The Calm Death God'' true to itself as he also slaughtered five men inside the public baths, they nature of dying was also the same as what he did in his first crime. All the anuses of the men were widened open by a razor sharp knife that he discreetly obtained from the kitchen quarters.

    Because of this, the supreme court decided to bestow John a friendly environment cell to subdue his erratic mental state.

    Afterwards, the supreme court decided on its ultimatum: To kill John by long drop hanging.

    Eight years later, the ten years old ''Death God'' was finally an adult. After deliberate measures, the court decided to hold his execution in three days time.

    Now, inside this friendly environment of the cell. Seated was a young man with a scholarly air surrounding him as he flicked through the pages of the book that he was reading. Soon, a faint calm smile emerged from his face. The same smile that earned him the title. ''The Calm Death God''.

 Chapter 1: Death of the Calm Death God.

    Closing the book. He slowly stood up and wiped the dust on the table. Turning his head to the calendar. He picked up a pen and marked the seventeenth day in X.

    Today was his execution day. October 17, 2058. Giving a long lasting sigh. His tranquil eyes hovered around the bookshelves. There, he saw his collection of xianxia, wuxia novels and miscellaneous items pertaining to different subjects.

    Some books had bookmarks on them. He sighed once again. His greatest regret of dying right now was being unable to read those books that he had bookmarked.

    Glancing carefully around the white clean room. His calm smile resurfaced. Today, he would now leave this room, this room where he spent almost all of his time acquiring knowledge. He made himself a genius, so much that he had finished the university curriculum at the age of fourteen.

    But what use does knowledge have if you don''t even have time to use them? Regarding this fact, John could only sigh>

    And as usual, he continued his daily routine. Taking a lukewarm shower, cleaning his teeth, and eating his daily breakfast. After he cleaned the only small table inside the room. Thudding footsteps could be heard from the outside. Judging from the way that the footwear sounded. John could deduce that a woman was most likely approaching.

    "John, Big Sis will enter now, okay?"

    As expected, a feminine voice followed by knocking sounds sounded. John abruptly stood up and undid the locks of the door. There, he saw the petite figure of the woman who accompanied him for the last six years, Michelle Franks.

    Currently, she wore a sad emotion on her face as she entered the room and seated on her most favorite seat. The seat near the windows.

    "John, I think that you know why I''m here..." MIchelle Franks hoarse voice said.

    "Hmm, today is the day right?" John gently smiled, his calm tranquil eyes brightly shone.

    "This will be the last day that Big Sis will see you..."

    "Hmm." John nodded.

    "I was ordered to acquire your last meal preferences..." Michelle bleakly said, though she did not want to press the matters on, she didn''t have any choice but to do so.

    "Just give me my all time favorite, cranberries and I''ll be fine." With a light tone, John slowly stood up and patted his Big Sis'' shoulders and gently said.

    "Big Sis should move on, I''m a serial killer and according to the human laws, I need to be killed. " His tone carried extreme pressure, but his emotion was as smooth as the lake water. As John said that, Michelle couldn''t help it anymore and cried.

    "Oh."

    She pressed John''s visage unto his blossom peaks as cried on John''s shoulder, soon, John felt that his shoulder became increasingly wet as time goes by. His deep stoned emotions churned. But John suppressed the feeling to cry. John steeled himself and thought that he must be strong and carry on to the next life.

    If reincarnation was true, John would live his next life to the fullest.

    After fifteen minutes of crying, Michelle finally felt tired and stopped. She snorted the rumbling mucus inside her nose as she stood up.

    "I need to go now, John." Her voice became increasingly bleak than before. But it was clear that she regained her mindset.

    "Hmm. " John lightly smiled as he nodded.

    With that, Michelle stepped outside the room and walked with heavy footsteps, it was as if she was the condemned one to die, her steps was unwilling to part. But she still understood that everything revolves from one place to another, and that she needs to move on. For the sake of John.

    Late in the afternoon, John was still flipping through the pages of the new xianxia novel that he got. He was completely immersed in it that he didn''t even notice the passing of time.

    After awhile, footsteps once again resounded. There, a desolate visage of Michelle was seen. She was holding a tray with a bowl full of cranberries with her.

    John immediately opened the door for her and placed the cranberries on the table, he then wolfed down the cranberries and ate them to his hearts content.

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    The sour taste of fresh cranberries exploded in his mouth as he stuffed them inside his mouth without holding anything back. Soon, the bowl of cranberries were empty. And he led a satisfied sigh as he fell on his bed. Looking at the desolate figure of Michelle before him. John lightly smiled as he said.

    "Hey, Big Sis, will you miss me?"

    Michelle''s absentminded figure shook. Her shoulders trembled as she held her hand on her face, she once again started to cry.

    "Of course, Big Sis will miss you, you stupid brat!" Michelle tightly hugged John as he lamented. The two continued on each other''s embrace until the scheduled time of execution arrived.

    And as expected, a knock sounded on the door as an old man donning a prescription glasses came forward, he held a small black tablet on his hand as he grimly announced.

    "Today, John Sixth was found guilty of all twenty crimes! Parricide and nineteen counts of murder! Henceforth, John Sixth is to be publicly executed by the method of long drop hanging, In the city town square!" The old man announced, as deep footsteps came from the outside and two men with huge build came forward.

    They tied John with an electronic shackles and placed a black bag on his head. Throughout the whole process of this, Michelle''s unwilling cry could be heard. John could only maintain his calm visage as he was brought outside, and shipped towards the city square.

    There, the protestants for John''s safety and the Childwelfare NGO''s appeared with tarpaulins expressing their dismay to the supreme court''s decision. They all held candles and prayed for John''s soul. They already knew that the supreme court''s decision was absolute, and so. They could only do this much for John.

    Some people came in groups and wore T shirts with John''s figure on it and a written statement below that said. ''I was abused.''

    John was amazed, to have this many people support him from his back, John praised them well. John couldn''t help but feel the stoned emotions inside him rumble. It was as if he wanted to release all of his grievances into one helpless cry.

    But he knew that he needed to be strong, he needed to be strong for all of this people that supported him. To his Big Sis Michelle, and to the surrounding myriads of people praying for his soul. John needed to be strong.

    Soon, he was led forward on the podium. There, a priest prayed for the lord to forgive his sins and for him to take John with his caring hands. With this, John sneered inside, he long since became an atheist, he didn''t believe the existence of the so called almighty being, God.

    If God was there, he wouldn''t leave John there alone, silently suffering. He wouldn''t let his mother leave John. He wouldn''t let anything happen to him.

    But no matter how many times he prayed, God didn''t even answer.

    As the noose was being tied on his neck. John looked above the skies, his visage maintained a calm smile as his tranquil eyes pierced through the sky blue sky. In this moment, John looked like he saw everything that he wanted to see.

    Those happy moments with his mother, the blissful moments that he had before everything went downhill. Happy memories flashed in his mind, uncontrollably, tears started to fell down from his eyelids, forming a clear stream of liquid on his cheeks. He glanced at the world around him, the dazzling sun and the marvelous pieces of knowledge that he left. He cleared his throat, suppressed his sadness as he solemnly said. "God, if you''re there, you should let Big Sis live a happy life. And to my mother, wherever you are. I will still love you even If I''m in the afterlife. And father, I''ve long since forgiven you."

    "Any last words? " The executioner said.

    Gently shaking his head, the executioner finally pulled the lever down, as the trap door on the podium opened, John started to fall on the ground as he maintained a calm smile towards the world the he loved.

    Taking one last glance around him. The noose snapped, finally ending John''s suffering in this life.

 Chapter 2: Awakened.

    Silence descended. Everything around the vicinity gradually faded to black. The surrounding slowly became as silent as the tranquil lakes. John''s five senses dissipated. His vision, touch, taste, smell and then his hearings. He didn''t feel any pain from the hanging.

    Instead, a peaceful feeling of having to let go of everything came to his mind. He felt relieved. Relieved that he had forgiven any grievances before dying. He had let go of any enmity between the world and himself. As he died, John didn''t feel any regret.

    As the darkness of the abyss descended. John felt a feeling akin to being forcefully pulled. Within his own conscious. John wasn''t able to think of anything, his thought process didn''t work. This pulling force seemed to be extremely natural for him.

    ...

    John Sixth''s consciousness gradually awakened.

    As he opened his eyes, John looked on the ground. There was no ground, the ground before him was pitch black. The world around him was pitch black. The only light that enabled him to see inside this world was the light coming from his body.

    But as he tried to see his hands. He wasn''t able to move, rather, he didn''t have any physical body to move.

    However, he found out that he was able to move his vision in a 360 angle. Looking around, John didn''t find anything in semblance with anything worth recognizing.

    However, he was found to be wrong as a voice resounded from behind him.

    "John."

    John turned his head around and shockingly, the pitch black space around him turned to a huge museum! Countless white pillars stood up in a height that was incredible enough that one would think that they were looking at the Eiffel Tower, each of these white pillar had the same height as the Eiffel Tower.

    The strange thing was, John wasn''t shocked by any of this, instead. His ethereal soul suspiciously looked at the figure before him. It was a young man, that at first glance, you would identify him as a man with twenty years old as his age.

    His chiseled face and his jaded skin was enough to make every woman jealous! He wore a white slacks paired with a white tuxedo, he seemed to be a business man and at the same time did not.

    A scholarly atmosphere seemed to revolve around him as he greeted with a light smile towards the ethereal soul.

    "Though I greeted you, you can''t reply anything in that state, right? " The young man flicked his wrist, and in the blink of an eye, John fell on his butt as he looked around in a daze.

    His thought process finally returned and he exclaimed. "What the hell?!" His eyes widened as he stared at the young man before him.

    However, how could he be here when the last thing he remembered was being executed at the city town square? That would be ridiculous! But it would be possible if...

    John thought as he gradually realized...

    "Is this the afterlife?!!" John once again exclaimed.

    In response to this, the young man lightly chuckled as he nodded. "Hmm, right. Welcome to the afterlife!" The young man opened his arms as if receiving a huge hug and at the same time, shouted in a bard like manner.

    John''s eyelids twitched, just who is this young man before him? Is he god? No that''s impossible. God wouldn''t act like that...

    Suspicions arouse inside John''s mind but it was immediately dispelled by the fact that the last thing he remembered was being executed, so there was a high chance that he was really in the afterlife.

    "However! I''m not here to guide you to heaven nor to hell. " The young man smiled.

    "Heaven and hell? Wait... God is real?!" John said in an astounded manner.

    "Of course, without God, how could the world be created?" The young man raised his eyebrows as he looked in a petrifying gaze towards John.

    John felt his entire body shudder, it was as if he was being stared by a carnivorous beast, ready to attack him in any time.

    "Then, are you God?" John asked, his tone hoarse.

    The young man revealed a bright smile as he said. "You''re right and wrong."

    "What does that mean?" John frowned his eyebrows, Is this guy trying to trick me?

    "I''m not essentially God, but I''m also God, Rather, I''m his clone." The young man winked towards John.

    John couldn''t say anything in refute and waited for God''s Clone to continue.

    "The reason that you were summoned here is because you committed enough good merits to grant you a chance in a new life."

    "So... Reincarnation?"

    "Precisely!"

    With this, John''s suspicions was once more aroused, how did he commit any good merits in life when he spent almost all of his years inside the maximum security prison? He wasn''t even able to see the world outside let alone commit anything good.

    However, if God talked about bad merits, then surely he wouldn''t have any suspicions, but he said that John committed good merits, of which raised John''s suspicions about this guy''s identity.

    "However, since I created you with freewill, I will let you chose... "

    "First! Enter the ranks of the heaven and become one of my angels!"

    "Second! Enter the ranks of the hell and obtain the possibility to become an archdevil!"

    "Third! Reincarnate!" God''s Clone once more shouted in a bard like manner, his hands waved around the air as he said the three choices.

    Why would he, the mastermind of heaven recommend hell for me? John inwardly thought.

    "Though I''m God, I cannot say that hell is too bad, there are hookers there and cookies." God''s Clone winked towards John as he retreated backwards.

    "Now, what will you choose?!" God''s Clone asked.

    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report."Of course, that would be to reincarnate!" John steeled his resolve as he shouted, a hint of determination appeared in his eyes. If he actually reincarnated inside this new world. John wouldn''t let anything step on him, even God himself.

    "As expected, seems like I didn''t chose the wrong human after all." God''s Clone snickered as he waved his hand towards the air around him.

    With that, the space before him seemed to distort as countless specks of light fell on the ground. As the speck of light struck the ground. They turned into various weapons ranging from scabbards, scimitars, bows, swords, cross blades, battle axes, and even flying daggers!

    John couldn''t help but constrict his pupils in their large numbers. In a blink of an eye, tens of thousand of weapons appeared before him and God''s Clone.

    A light tap came on his shoulder. God''s Clone disappeared from his previous position and appeared beside him. However, he didn''t give John anytime to say anything as he said.

    "In the world that you''ll be transported to, you will retain your current memories. And you also get to choose any of this metal vessels here! " God''s Clone chortled as he said.

    "Metal vessels? What are those?" John inquired.

    "In the right time, you will know." God''s Cloned donned a mysterious air around him as his clothing fluttered. In a blink of an eye, he disappeared from John''s line of sight.

    But as he disappeared, his voice resounded like thunder as it said. "The moment you chose your weapon will be the moment that you will be transported! Just choose the weapon that you feel to be the most comfortable."

    Just like that, the voice faded.

    Glancing around the myriads of weapons, John fell into deep thought.

    Bows, though they have great range, their weak at close combat fighting so, no for me. John''s pupils constricted.

    But at the same time, as if a trigger turned in his mind. John''s eyes became filled with a profound light as he approached a specific weapon.

    This weapon was pitch black in color.  However, on its hilt was a scarlet red gem embedded. And its blade was roughly seven inches long, merged with its hilt. This weapon was at least fourteen inches long.

    It was a slightly curved dagger. And as John''s hand touched the dagger. The surrounding space around him distorted before he immediately disappeared!

    As John disappeared, a purple black flame appeared in the air, of which slowly became a raging flame. The raging flame became a flame door of which a man appeared.

    At first glance, the man looked like to be twenty years of age, and he had an average height and a thick ahoge on his hair. He wore a scarlet red robe and a pitch black tail twitched on his rear. The end of his tail formed a triangle as a deep intense pressure surrounded him.

    As he appeared inside this room, God''s Clone also appeared before him. Currently, God''s Clone wore a light smile as he greeted. "Mephisto, why did you come here?"

    "Hmm? I also found that young kid to be interesting, and so I personally came here to send him off." Mephisto looked around the area and frowned. He then darted his gaze towards God''s Clone and said.

    "Where is he?"

    God''s Clone slightly chortled as he said. "You''re a minute late, he already reincarnated."

    "Is that so? On which plane?"

    "The forty second plane." God''s Clone honestly answered.

    "Can I go over there?" Mephisto lightly smiled as he asked, his tone contained deep amiability on it.

    "No, if you go there, you would surely have fun in destroying the humans there." God''s Clone bluntly refused.

    "Is that so? Then how about we have a bet?" Mephisto''s tone became imposing that the previous amiability seemed to have not existed.

    "What bet?" God''s Clone''s eyebrows frowned. He glanced at Mephisto with the same imposing manner.

    "Before I came here, I looked at that kid''s previous life and I found it quite amusing that he kills in such a calm, reserved manner. It''s quite cool, right?" Mephisto casually said as he walked towards God''s Clone.

    "What do you mean? Archdevil Mephisto?" God''s Clone inquired, his tone carried a hint of intense imposing aura in it that would kill.

    "What I''m saying is we''ll bet on that kid''s fate. If he dies as evil as he was in his previous life, then I won."

    "Hmm, so is that it? Okay then I''m in." God''s Clone said as he summoned a knife and prepared to draw his blood.

    "Then what are the stakes?" God''s Clone continued.

    Mephisto neared the vicinity of God''s Clone and summoned a knife of which he also prepared to draw his own blood.

    "If I won, I''ll have that kid''s soul and the Indomitable Robe." Mephisto casually said. But as he said this, a trigger seemed to be turned inside God''s Clone mind as his aura became increasingly fierce and said.

    "What if I won?!" God''s Clone howled.

    "Hey, hey calm down there, God! If you won? Well, If you won, I''ll hand you over the first seven layers of hell." Mephisto winked as he said in an amiable tone. He then moved his hand as he drew blood on his arms.

    Purple black blood streamed down his hand as he said. "Deal?"

    "Deal!" God''s Clone also drew blood as he waited for his pure white blood to drip up to his hand and said.

    "Okay, then!" Mephisto''s mood became enthusiastic as he placed his right hand forward and prepared to hold God''s Clone''s right hand.

    When the two''s hand came in contact, Their blood shone in a gold light as a multicolored rainbow showered upon the pitch black room.

    With that, The two shouted.

    "Sandugo! Contract Form!"

 Chapter 3: Mephisto.

    As the two shouted, a pillar of purple and pure white light exploded in the middle as a rune engraving appeared on top of their heads. This rune engraving slowly squirmed as it shot off towards their respective foreheads.

    Soon, the pillar of purple and pure white light dissipated. Until it disappeared as if it didn''t even existed.

    "Now that the Sandugo is formed, you should know what this means right?" Mephisto lightly smiled, his eyes emanated a cold hint of light as it pried towards God''s Clone.

    "Hmm, however, I need to add some forbidden to do''s." God''s Clone said in an amiable tone.

    "Forbidden to do''s? Go add some."

    "Okay then, first of all. Since we are betting on that child''s path in this new life of his. We should not try to corrupt his ethereal soul and taint his mind black or white." God''s Clone lightly said.

    "However, we can still interfere, but it must not be to an extent that we would manipulate his life. I created humans with free will. You should know that I despise those who corrupts and manipulates my creation." As God''s Clone spoke, a fierce glint shone in his eyes as he darted his gaze towards the indifferent Mephisto.

    Soon, Mephisto''s lips turned to a curve as he shrugged. "What?"

    "Nothing, I just happen to know about your personality in a very well manner, so you should not try and invade his mind or the people around him or else..."

    "Okay, okay, his just a kid you know? I will not lower myself to such an extent. " Mephisto pursed his lips in a way that one would think that he was such a spoiled child.

    "But do you really understand what you''re doing here, Yahweh? That nature of that Kid''s soul is wicked." Mephisto continued.

    "Of course, I know to that extent, do you really think of me to be that stupid enough to overlook such small detail? " Yahweh squinted his eyebrows as he glanced over John''s ethereal soul.

    Earlier, when John disappeared. What actually disappeared was his newly restored physical body, his soul was left behind here in this secret plane.

    Taking a close glance on the floating orb of light that was about the same size as a junior basketball ball. Yahweh''s eyebrows frowned deeper.

    Stealing a look towards Mephisto, he said in a grave tone. "Did you just scour his soul?"

    "Hmm? " Mephisto threw an innocent ''not knowing anything'' look.

    As he threw that expression. Yahweh''s expression turned dark as he flipped over his palm. There, floating on his palm was a bright vortex of white orb.

    Seeing that orb of light. Mephisto''s face turned ashen as he hurriedly said.

    "Okay, okay, let''s not be violent here, shall we? I admit, I scoured that kid''s soul but that was prior of the contract signing."

    As Yahweh heard this, Mephisto swiftly changed the topic in fear that Yahweh may change his mind and attack him. Of course, as a true god, Mephisto was just a mere archdevil. With just a small touch of that white vortex orb, Mephisto would be completely obliterated. ''A bored true god really is a pain in the ass.'' Mephisto inwardly cursed.

    "Hey, true god, what present did you give to him this time? " As Mephisto said that, his nostrils twitched as he wafted the scent in the air around him.

    "Hmm, you''re right, I gave him a small present of a demon metal vessel." Yahweh lightly said.

    In response, Mephisto''s eyes widened in shock and his mouth also followed the same. the words ''Demon Metal Vessel'' was like a huge thunder resounding in his ears as he stared there in a daze towards Yahweh as he once again inwardly cursed. ''Fuck, to think that he would just casually hand over a demon metal vessel towards some kid in the mortal plane! This true god really didn''t have anything to do.''

    "W-what demon metal vessel?" Mephisto continued in a pressed manner that he stuttered in his words.

    "Baar''s vessel."

    "B-b-b-b-Baar''s Vessel?!"

    "Hey, hey, hey! To think that you would hand him such a precious demon metal vessel! That''s cheating you know! Do you really want me to win that much? " Mephisto''s seven orifices almost bleed in envy, of course, to him. Demon Metal Vessels was precious!

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    Demon Metal Vessels are of course, metal proxies that has a greater demon sealed within. If one was able to become a master of a demon metal vessel. They would be able to release the potential power of the sealed greater demon.

    Greater demons were of course, lower then archdevils. However, their population were scarce since almost all of the greater demons currently alive has at least a trace of the Evil God''s bloodline, making them more, and more precious!

    Baar was a greater demon of lightning. One of the greater elements in all of the created planes. If one was capable enough to become its master, they would be able to unleash lightning bolts capable of sundering the heaven and destroying the roots of hell!

    Even though Mephisto had the bloodline of the Evil God. It was only just a small trace, not even one percent. However, if he consumed a strong greater demon. His bloodline would surge and he would become an otherworldly archdevil!

    So, seeing that Yahweh casually gave such a precious demon metal vessel towards such a weak kid from a measly mortal plane. Mephisto had a sudden idea as his eyes emanated a deadly glow.

    However, before he had time to plan, a cold voice resounded beside him as it said.

    "You are forbidden to touch the demon metal vessel of that kid. "

    As such, he was only able to concede. The gap of power between a true god and an archdevil was too immense that he would just dream about touching even a small strand of hair of that Yahweh.

    "You extravagant daddy!" Mephisto cursed out loud as he mended the feelings of envy in his chest. No matter how much greed he felt right now, he would be unable to touch that kid since one flick of hand from that Yahweh would completely annihilate him.

    As he cursed, an idea came to his mind as he said.

    "Wait, true god, since you said that interfering with that kid''s destiny is forbidden, is it okay to give him a present?" Mephisto beamed with smile as he said.

    "Hmm, of course it''s okay. I even gave him a present prior to the contract signing so it would be unfair if you couldn''t give him a present." Yahweh lightly smiled as he said.

    "Okay. Then the present I''ll give him is this!" As Mephisto shouted, he outstretched his index finger as a purple ray of light shot towards the floating ethereal soul. The purple ray of light smoothly entered without any restrictions.

    "Is that it? " Yahweh coolly said.

    "Yes, that''s it." Mephisto replied.

    "Okay then, I''ll be leaving first. You can go and personally observe that kid, but you must remember the rules that I''ve added. If you happen to breach any of it then you can just cry in regret in the absolute prison." Yahweh gave a small light smile as he said.

    "O-of course! Even If I''m given five times more of guts, I absolutely wont do anything!" Mephisto hurriedly replied that he even stuttered, of course, that was natural, as he even silently shivered as he heard the words ''absolute prison.'' That prison was extremely dreaded to be the most brutal punishment of those who break Sandugo contracts.

    And of course, the matters about the absolute prison wasn''t able to leak since the people who entered there never got to live to tell the tale.

    As Yahweh''s figure vanished, Mephisto revealed a cold icy smile as he walked towards the ethereal soul and closely observed it.

    "I know your true nature. Your previous, and previous, and previous lives were the dead evidences. But since your previous life didn''t reveal its true viciousness. I''ll make sure to reveal it this time and make you into my own." As Mephisto glanced over the floating orb of white light. His eyebrows squinted as he saw a scarlet thread of light slowly squirming in random direction.

    Soon, like a dispersed mist. Mephisto disappeared from the secret plane.

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Inside this jump, I''ll firstly announce that the pace maybe slower than what you would expect in some light reads. So please be warned and continue to the next chapters in your own risk!

    PS: Thank you and Good bye...

 Chapter 4: Plane of Shi Huang.

    Almost the same time as Mephisto disappeared, a bright white light flickered as a blurred figure appeared before the ethereal soul. His pure white robe fluttered in the non existent wind as his visage became filled with mixed emotions.

    "Sigh..."

    A long lasting sigh came out from his mouth. After a moment of pious thinking. Yahweh lifted his index finger and pointed towards John''s ethereal soul.

    -Chii...

    Dazzling lights enveloped the tip of Yahweh''s index finger as he indiscriminately drew a strange complex rune engraving in the air. His fluid movements would create small ripples in the space around him as he gracefully continued this painstaking process.

    After about the time it takes a water to boil. Countless rune engravings surrounded the visage of the True God''s Clone. Mind entrancing rainbow lights shone all around the pitch black secret plane. As Yahweh pointed his index finger towards the ethereal soul. He shouted in his mind. "Create, converge, amplify, true world energy gather!"

    As the keyword ''gather'' was said. The dazzling lights simultaneously shot off to converged on the tip of Yahweh''s finger, the entrancing lights was now a small coiling dragon mark.

    This coiling dragon seemed to be alive as it playfully squirmed around the True God''s index finger. Revealing a satisfied smile, the true god flicked his index finger and the coiling dragon turned to a ray of white bright light as it dived towards the ethereal soul.

    Without any resistance, the coiling dragon softly entered John''s ethereal soul. As it entered there, the scarlet red thread of light inside John''s ethereal soul seemed to detect the imminent danger and violently quivered as it tried to attack the coiling dragon.

    But the coiling dragon was fierce. It instantly retaliated with a dashing movement as it circled around the scarlet red thread of light, closing all of its possible exits.

    Noticing that its exits were covered, the scarlet red thread of light raised its squirming head as it emanated a shrill cry. The shrill cry reverberated inside John''s ethereal soul as his soul itself violently trembled.

    Like a rock being placed in a running blender. The power of the shrill cry momentarily suppressed the coiling dragon''s movements as it displayed a protective stance.

    Yahweh''s eyebrows frowned as he placed the ethereal soul between the gaps of his two hands as a white vortex of light encompassed the ethereal soul.

    The quivering of the ethereal soul abruptly stopped, the shrill cry of the scarlet red thread of light also stopped as its squirming body turned stiff. Due to the strong holy element revolving around the ethereal soul, it seemed to lost its energy as its scarlet light dimmed.

    Noticing this gap, the coiling dragon immediately shot off as it covered the scarlet red thread of light in a bright pure white light, drowning all of its scarlet light. The scarlet red thread of light was finally suppressed.

    All of this took time to describe but it actually happened in the space of three minutes. Now, the seed of corruption from John''s past lives was now sealed. However, due to the restriction of the Sandugo Contract. Yahweh wasn''t able to completely obliterate it. lest he would risk breaching the terms of the contract and immediately lose.

    Heaving a sigh of relief. Yahweh retreated backwards as he waved his hand in the air. A transparent screen of white light flickered in return. There, inside, was an image of a huge green plains. On the ground was John''s restored body, lying unconscious while being bathed by divine light.

    His figure looked to be more young than he was in his previous life. That''s because, Yahweh restored his body with the intent to restore it to its most prime, and every person''s most prime age was their teenage years of which was between sixteen and twelve.

    And so, Yahweh restored his age to fourteen. It would be strange if his visage wouldn''t look younger than before.

    A satisfied smile adorned Yahweh''s face as he quietly observed, however. This smile was immediately replaced by a frown as he realized that a familiar presence appeared in the Shi Huang Plane.

    ...

    Hovering over the grass plains, A scarlet robed figure of a young man revealed a satisfied face. He suppressed his aura in order to hide against that true god''s radars. However, if he thought that his perfect stealth was perfect. Then was surely mistaken, since right now, in this moment. That very true god was observing him with squinted eyebrows.

    Looking on the mass of land before him. Mephisto''s eyes twitched as it detected sounds of metal clashing against metal and desperate cries ringing around from the east. His eyes lit up as an idea came inside his mind, and he immediately speed off towards the east with the most optimum speed as possible.

    "Lure it here! Richelle! Prepare the Rank 1 Spells!" A mercenary shouted, his tone extremely serious as beaded sweat formed on his forehead, currently, the image of this particular mercenary was extremely ragged. His chain mail was broken in all places and the metals were even chipped in an indiscriminate manner.

    Before him was a Ferocious Bronze Lion. Currently, one of its eyes dripped with blood as it fiercely howled towards the shouting mercenaries. It''s bronze like fur stood up in an alarmed manner as it readied a stance to pounce.

    "Damn it! Activate the Rank 2 Earthen Barrier again! Use all of our stone crystals!" A mercenary fiercely shouted as he slipped his hand towards his side bag, when he flipped open his palm. Dark cold stones emanating a red light was there. Without further ado, the man circulated his mana as the stone crystals on his palm replied by shining with a luster of silver light.

    Seeing this happen, the surrounding mercenaries clicked their tongues as they inwardly cursed, but immediately, they simultaneously circulated their mana''s as a silver light enshrouded their figures.

    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    The silver light encompassing them slightly turned to a brown color as they all shouted in unison. "Earthen Barrier, converge!"

    Followed by a chiii sound, a brown colored barrier encompassed their bodies as they formed a defensive stance and waited for the Ferocious Bronze Lion''s charged up pounce.

    Noticing the imminent danger, the Ferocious Bronze Lion''s eye turned bloodshot as it fiercely howled, killing intent revolved around its body as it exploded with a direct pounce towards the defensive mercenaries.

    ~BOOM!

    An intense explosion occurred as dust flew up in the air and lowered the line of sights of the defensive mercenaries, the ground trembled and the Earthen Barrier slightly rippled. The Ferocious Bronze Lion on the other hand was wretched, it completely destroyed its own hind leg in a desperate attempt to kill.

    Seeing the sorry state of the Ferocious Bronze Lion. The mercenaries eyes lit up. They immediately turned their heads towards the only mage, Michelle as they shouted. "Do it now! Finish it!"

    Mustering no replies, Michelle''s eyes snapped open as she chanted. "Kalayo, abot, tugpa, patay!" The circulating drawn rune engravings turned to a myriad of dazzling lights as they converged on Michelle''s staff. Followed by a fierce heatwave coming from her staff, she pointed the converging fireball as she howled. "Destroy, Fireball!"

    A whistling sound crossed the air towards the Ferocious Bronze Lion as the fierce heatwave came on its face, it instinctively turned its head behind it and saw the little heads of its kin crying in a desolate tone.

    The eye of the Ferocious Bronze Lion turned misty as it dashed up towards its little pups, it raised its face and desperately howled.

    "WOOOOOO!!!!" A piercing desperate cry came from the Ferocious Bronze Lion as it mustered all of its strength to divert the damage of the fireball spell towards itself and prevent any harm for its pups.

    But the Rank 2 spell Fireball was too fierce, as it struck the Ferocious Bronze Lion. It''s furs ignited as it cried a pained high pitched howl. It once more turned its head towards its kin before howling once more, mustering all of its every strength to deflect all of the fireball''s explosive power from its pups.

    ~BANG!

    A fierce explosion resounded as dust once again flew in the air, forming a fountain of dusts, the surrounding trees were uprooted and some even turned to charcoal.

    The dust slowly settled down, there, they saw the wretched body of the Ferocious Bronze Lion. Its body moved no more.

    "Shit! The pups!" One of the mercenaries hurriedly moved from the barrier, and dashed towards the vicinity of the Ferocious Bronze Lion''s body. However, his pupils immediately constricted as he saw a scarlet robed man hugging the pups in an affectionate manner.

    "Don''t worry, you guys will not be saddened anymore. Your mother just died so you feel sad right? That''s okay, everything inside this world moves in a cycle, and don''t worry, I, Mephisto will take you all. " As the young man said this. A sincere smile spread on his face as he looked on the pups crying in a pained shrill cry.

    "And you guys..." Mephisto''s eyes flashed with coldness as he turned his head over. There, he saw a hugely built man wearing a wretched chainmail. However, this didn''t catch any of Mephisto''s attention as his gaze intent on looking through the man''s soul.

    The man became immobile. Under this young man''s gaze, he felt that all of his secrets were being revealed. And that he was completely powerless to do anything.

    After three breaths, the man was finally able to move and he said in a respectful tone. "S-sir! D-do you happen to like those cubs? We just happened to kill its mother and we''ve considered to sell its cubs in an auction, but since you kind sir is here and is somewhat interested on those cubs, w-we are willing to sell it to you in a thirty percent reduced market price!" The man stammered through his words as his mind intent on finding any excuses logical to use.

    His mind gripped in fear in each time he looked at this young man''s pupils. With just one look he was completely scared dead, what if he moved his hands? Won''t he completely die?

    As the man contemplated about logical excuses to use in this situation. The young man suddenly howled in a cold voice. "All of you, are gonna die!"

    As if an invisible blade was sent by his shout, the man immediately dropped dead, his heart veins cut. Not only that, even the people inside the Earthen Barrier died, their heart veins cut.

    As the smoke dissipated, the vivid scene revealed the dead bodies of the recently living and lively mercenaries. As he glanced over their bodies, a strange feeling came to Mephisto''s chest as his thoughts drifted to the far past.

    However, just as his mind was about to enter a pensive nostalgia. A murmuring cry came inside his mind. Making his pensive mind resurface to reality. On his bosom were three cute Ferocious Bronze Lion cubs. Their pupils were misty as they glanced on Mephisto''s pupils.

    "I''m sorry, I must not be soft after all. " With a murmur, the heart veins of the Ferocious Bronze Lion cubs were cut. Their bodies stiffened as they moved no more.

    After all of these were done, Mephisto''s visage turned steely as he walked towards the farthest corpse. It was a woman that according to the mercenary''s memories was named Rachelle. She was capable of using Rank 2 Spells pertaining to the fire elements.

    She hailed from the Houluo Empire in the east, she was also a member of the Alchemy Association.

    As he walked towards Michelle''s corpse. His lips turned to a curve as he murmured. "She will do."

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: Since I have much free time today, I decided to post this chapter earlier than expected. So please do enjoy!

    Thank you for reading and please press follow and favorites if you liked this fiction!

    Good bye!

 Chapter 5: To the East!

    John Sixth''s consciousness slowly resurfaced from slumber. As he opened his slightly murky eyes, He was puzzled as he looked around the surroundings. His visage turned solemn as he remembered the recent events that happened.

    Back in the city townsquare, he was definitely executed. Then, he woke up in a strange pitch black space greeted by a white robed young man claiming that he was God''s incarnation. John first thought of that as extremely absurd, however, the feeling of being executed was fresh to him. The cold icy noose being strapped on his neck was the lingering evidence that John held in reality.

    As he stood up, he noticed that his right hand was in a death grasp with a strange curved dagger. Then as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind. He was now finally convinced that he actually reincarnated. His eyes lit up as he glanced over the distance. But before he could start contemplating about this world. An intense searing pain enveloped his body as he involuntarily fell on his knee.

    ''What is this?! Ugh!? ''

    John forcefully gritted his teeth as he looked on his body. Was this a side effect of being reincarnated? Or was this God''s belated punishment for his killings? But John didn''t have that much time to create theories as the pain inside him surged.

    His body actually got on fire! A purple flame at that! The strange purple flame encompassed his whole body as he finally writhed on the ground. Droll came out from his mouth and his eyes rolled over on its socket as he clenched his chest in a death grip manner.

    Mustering enough willpower, John thought about an idea as he slowly rolled over his body on the grass. However, he noticed that as his body rolled. The grass that he rolled on became dusts! Not even a scorched remain was found!

    ''What the heck?!'' John cursed in his mind as he maintained his rolling posture on the ground as a way to slightly subside the pain.

    Thirty minutes, as the pain completely disappeared. What remained was the strange dissipated dusts of grasses and John''s ragged breathing.

    As he snapped his eyes open, a purple flame slightly flickered in his eyes, but in the next moment, it immediately disappeared.

    Despite the pain sudden intense pain that he endured, John wasn''t at all angry, in fact, he was quite elated! When the pain disappeared, torrents of information came to his mind like a surging flood. He felt extremely dizzy yet his chest was filled with emotions!

    The information contained a cultivation technique! It''s name? [Hemomancer''s Art].

    Fifteen minutes later, John finally finished consolidating the scattered pages of the Hemomancer''s Art inside his mind. He took a long deep breath as he stood up. The Hemomancer Art was an extremely vicious art that sucks the blood of the enemy and merge it as his own!

    When the pinnacle of this technique was reached, It was described the he could kill tens of thousands of lesser demons with just the flick of his hand! All of their blood would be sucked dry and placed on his blood well!

    Thinking of this, John decided in his mind to cultivate this technique and felt extremely grateful to God''s incarnation. However he held doubts. Why would God who loved peace and justice hand him such a vicious cultivation technique?

    As for the answer, John didn''t know why.

    Since he was on a grassy plain. He was able to see the area around him clearly without any obstructions except for those high standing trees.

    He looked at the east and saw a pagoda! The pagoda was about a thousand meters tall! It was small on his current vision since he was far but what would happen if he neared it? Of course it would give him an archaic feeling!

    Thinking of those, John''s eyes lit up as he decided in his mind that the first destination that he would go was that place in the east.

    John clutched the slightly curved rusty dagger on his right hand as he walked towards the east. However, his eyebrows deeply frowned, in the direction he was treading to. Smoke roused up there and the smell of burnt flesh came to his nose as it slightly twitched.

    "H-help!!" A shrill feminine cry came over his ears as he squinted his eyes, there, he saw a woman wearing a robe desperately running towards his direction. Her left hand held a blue staff with adorned with a gem on its tip.

    Johns eyebrows deeply frowned as he tightly clenched his right hand alertness rouse inside his pupils. Contained within the torrent of information were some subtle info about lesser demons, and it was said that some lesser demons were able to shapeshift as a human, particularly as a woman, to lure over male humans.

    And he was also quite doubtful about this woman''s sudden appearance, but due to the rousing smoke which most likely came from a recent fire. John erased his doubts and dashed towards the woman.

    "Maam, what happened?!" John gave a worried look towards the woman who breathed in ragged pants, though she stopped on her tracks, her body kept on violently trembling as she said in a hoarse tone. "D-d-dead! All of them, d-d-dead!" She stuttered through her words as her shoulder quivered.

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    "Calm down, Maam, tell me what happened!" Although John called this woman a Maam, judging from a first glance, this woman before him wasn''t quite old, in fact, they may have the same age, eighteen.

    "S-s-sir, Are you a warrior?! If so, please save my comrades! " As she said that, she took a glance towards John''s figure and noticed the peculiarity of his outfit and his rusty curved dagger that stood up like a sore thumb.

    This young man was highly unlikely to be a strong warrior, at most he would be D ranked. The young woman sighed as despair filled her heart.

    "N-No! Let''s not go there! T-t-that Ferocious Lion is extremely bloodthirsty! Coming there will just spell your own death! Let''s run!" As she desperately howled, she stabbed her staff on the ground as he took footing and moved her sore body to the opposite direction in hopes to escape.

    ''Ferocious Lion? Hmm, I guess its just a lion.'' John thought, but inwardly, he was already calculating the best possible methods in defeating such lion. Though he actually didn''t have any real combat experiences aside from one sided killings, he was still an avid reader of some light novels, and he was extremely fond of the MC''s mindsets.

    Not long, a fierce resonating howl shook the ground as deep thuds came behind them.

    "N-no!!" As the woman heard the howl and the deep resounding footsteps on the ground, she immediately stood up and mustered the whole strength of her body and ran towards the west.

    John on the other hand flicked his dagger on his right hand in a graceful manner as he prepared a reverse grip stance. His eyes squinted as he observed the body of the Ferocious Lion.

    Currently, its body was encompassed by a strange purple mist that continuously revolved around it. And its eyes were bloodshot as it emanated a bloodthirsty aura. Just looking at it would have fear grip on their heart and have them tremble in fear.

    However, John wasn''t like that, in killings, he was always calm.

    "WOOO!!" A thundering roar resonated as the Ferocious Lion shot towards John. It cunningly aimed on his head in a swipe!

    Without further ado, John crouched down as he let the body of the Ferocious Lion hover over him. He look upwards and saw the huge body of the Ferocious Lion blotting the light from the sun as his eyes flashed with intense coldness.

    "Thag." A small sound rang as John''s slightly curved blade penetrated the body of the Ferocious Lion that it seemed to be tofu, John was deeply shocked about the sharpness of the rusty curved dagger. However, before he could even drown in awe, a furious roar resonated as the Ferocious Lion utilized a pouncing posture.

    Its hind leg violently trembled. However, John caught something amiss, as its hind leg trembled, the intensity of the quivering was different for each leg! The left leg trembled much more violently than the left leg!

    And taking this as a hint, John crossed his arms as he prepared a peculiar defensive stance, his calf muscles also trembled as he transferred the weight of his body in his legs, ready to counter attack in any time.

    As time goes by, John already discovered that this strike would definitely end everything.

    ~Whoosh!

    The air around whistled as the Ferocious Lion took off and pounced at John''s left side! Revealing a small calm smile, John''s body agilely slipped to the right as he gracefully threw the slightly curved dagger in the air.

    The curved dagger flew in the air with a whistling sound.

    As the Ferocious Lion''s body went past him, John suddenly jumped up and clutched the hilt of the curved dagger in mid-air! All the way while aiming for the Lion''s neck!

    "AHHH!!!" John fiercely howl as his right hand embued by all of his strength came descending like a guillotine!

    -Puchi...

    A small soft sound resonated as the Ferocious Lion''s carotid artery exploded, spurting blood all over the ground! The blood splattered on John''s clothes as a fierce nostril attacking scent attacked his mind.

    After a while, the Ferocious Lion''s body stiffened as it fell to the ground with a thud of which it moved no more. However, as John glanced at the Ferocious Lion''s body, his chest became filled with extreme elation. It was as if he lived by killing and killing would give him joy!

    As this feeling started to blossom in his chest, John shook his head and tried to get the notion of killing out of his mind as he took a closer glance over the Lion''s body.

    With a calm faint smile and a cold icy gaze, John uttered. "Not bad."

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: Since I didn''t have anything to do, I decided to write this chapter for you guys to enjoy! As usual, if you have any comments, suggestions, criticisms, or feed backs, don''t hesitate to place it in the comment section! Pointers are highly appreciated!

    Good Bye!

    <hr />

    Was the chapter too short?

 IMPORTANT: Please Read

    This is your author, CodexofImmortals.

    I was about to post the next chapter of TCDG when the power source of my laptop got snapped by my sister >.< I am really sorry since I will not be able to post any chapters today, or hopefully I may be able to since election day is approaching, I was asked to campaign a certain presidential candidate here in the Philippines, so because of that, I can''t get my hands to work today, please forgive me.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    In the meantime, I want to ask about how you think of the story so far?

 Chapter 6: Setting off.

    Author''s note: Now that the campaign for a certain presidential candidate that I attended to yesterday is finally over, I present to you! Chapter 6!

    Please take note that this story will take a slow steady pace... So please read at your own risk!

    PS: Election sucks...

    <hr />

    John''s eyebrows frowned as he took a closer glance on the Ferocious Lion''s body. The purple flame that enshrouded it earlier disappeared without a trace. What''s more was even though it was scorched by the same type of flame that turned his upper clothes to dust didn''t even leave any damage on the Lion''s body!

    As John thought about endless possibilities of what possibly happened. He deemed it to be unreasonable. How could the Ferocious Lion scorch him with such a flame when they didn''t even meet at the top of the plain? Deeply frowning, John cast the reason to be God''s belated punishment to his killings. But still...

    Just as his pensive mind was about to enter a state of selfless contemplation. John disregarded all the ideas by shaking his head and turned behind with a long lasting sigh.

    There, in his line of sight was the woman who called for help earlier. Currently, she held clasped her hands in fear and trembled all over her body.

    "Hey, It''s over now so can you actually tell me exactly happened?" John lightly smiled as he said in a gentle tone, he wanted to extract some information about why did the Ferocious Lion became extremely berserk and bloodthirsty.

    The woman didn''t reply but instead walked towards him in a slow trembling pace as she held her head low. John found this idea quite strange since he just saved her. But nevertheless, John just thought of it that the woman must be scared of him due to this peculiar strength.

    Now that the woman was before him, he could clearly see the features of the trembling woman. She was quite beautiful. John remarked.

    Though he said that she was just ''quite beautiful'' John was after all, imprisoned for about eight years. The only woman she had frequent contact with was his Big Sis Michelle. And John found her extremely beautiful, only a step lower than the most beautiful woman in his life, his mother.

    And so, John didn''t quite now what words to use to describe this woman in front of him. But her features would make every woman living feel envy. Her jaded skin chiseled fair visage was entrancing to the eyes. And her slim figure that would make every man melt in hotness, she had it all.

    But currently, this woman in front of him was pale as she tried her best to recall the previous events that happened.

    According to her, she and her party members were travelling alongside the Legendia Plains, the plain that John was currently in. Their target was to capture Ferocious Lion Cubs that were reportedly spotted near the Legendia Plain near their dead mother.

    But they didn''t expect that the information was inaccurate as they arrived there completely carefree. They noticed that the supposed to be ''dead mother'' was in fact. Alive and be extremely over protective towards her cubs.

    And so, when they neared the area, and their presence was detected by the Ferocious Bronze Lion, the mother Lion immediately pounced and ambushed their party. With that, the desperate battle for survival ensued.

    In fact, when the battle occurred. She tried her earnest to convince the party leader to abort the quest and go back to the Quest Hall. However, she was met with a furious refute from the party leader which said. "Huh?! Are you in your right mind? The money is here in front of us and you''re telling us to abandon it?! If you want, go back by yourself and see if you survive for long!"

    Because of that, she docilely obeyed and moved towards the rear end of the party and utilized myriads of offensive spells. However, the whole party didn''t expect that the Ferocious Bronze Lion was extremely berserk and undying, that even though its body was wretched with countless bloody lines and holes. It still relentlessly attacked.

    Soon, the whole party decided to utilize a barrier spell to temporarily recuperate from the attacks of the Ferocious Bronze Lion. However, instead of recovering from his wound. A party member seemed to enter a trance and approached the Ferocious Bronze Lion.

    As that man neared, The Ferocious Lion sprung like a spring and viciously bit off the head of the party member. Its eyes turned somewhat bloodshot as it seemed to feel excited from the bloodbath and released relentless attacks towards the Rank 2 barrier spell.

    Eventually, the spell crumbled and the Ferocious Lion trampled all of their living party members. In a desperate attempt, a party member shielded her from the attacks of the Ferocious Lion and flung her away from the dying members.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    She ran towards the west in an attempt to find any passing caravans to find help. But she didn''t expect in her wildest dreams that the Ferocious Bronze Lion would come back and chase her.

    And with that, She ran, ran, and ran. Until she met a young man who saved him. John Sixth.

    As she spoke, she wasn''t able to control her emotions any longer and broke down. She fell on one knee as she cried, mourning for the souls of her dead comrades.

    John, watching on the side lines revealed an indifferent expression as he glanced at her. Her pale complexion became drenched with teardrops as she cried with all of her strength. Though John thought of her as a woman, she was still quite young. About fifteen years or fourteen years of age or so.

    The sun finally drowned in the horizon. Its rays of light became crimson as the temperature around the plains lowered. It was this time when the young woman finally stopped her crying as she laid herself on the grasses.

    She turned her head towards the horizon as the final teardrop in her eyes fell down on her cheeks. As she blinked, a flash of determination appeared in her eyes as she gave one final light smile towards her fallen comrades.

    John, on the sidelines uttered three words. "Requeiscat in pace."

    ...

    John Sixth''s consciousness gradually awakened.

    The temperature around the area soared as the piercing light rays of the sun covered his eyelids. He abruptly opened his unclear eyes and slowly stood up while lazily stretching his waist.

    The young woman sleeping beside him was still in a peaceful time of sleep and so, John didn''t disturb her. Instead, he traversed around the woods near the plains and there, inside the woods. He found a small mango like fruit that tasted sweet to the mouth. John enjoyed eating these fruits and decided to bring it to the young woman to eat for breakfast.

    But he didn''t expect that the next instance would have his eyes widened. There, he saw the young woman gently opening up a bamboo like lunch box, John''s nostrils twitched as he wafted the scent of roasted steak in the air.

    Wiping the droll on the side of his lips. John dashed towards the young woman and said. "Woah, you didn''t tell me that you brought a good breakfast with you!" As he said that, his hand was already shamelessly diving for a piece of the roasted steak.

    The young woman on the side pouted her lips, but didn''t prevent John''s hand in ripping a large portion of the steak. As John gobbled the roasted steak. The young woman once again pouted her lips, but in contrast to John''s wolfing. The young woman ate it with a more reserved manner as she took a fork and a small kitchen knife to slice the roasted steak and ate it in a noble like manner.

    Witnessing this, John couldn''t help but burst in a chortle.

    Hearing John''s chuckle, the young woman pouted. "What?"

    John''s shoulder shook as he once again laughed and said. "Nothing!"

    With that, the two merrily ate the breakfast that the young woman brought with her. And almost all of the time, John plunged his hand shamelessly in the bamboo lunch box as he took small pieces of the steak and the side dishes and wolfed it down like a hungry lion.

    After their breakfast, John finally stood up after he rested his stomach. His gaze darted to the east as he lightly said."Let''s go."

    With that, the young woman on the side also couldn''t help but chortle to John''s immature like attitude.

    "What?" John''s eyebrows raised as he suspiciously looked at the young woman in an expression that looked like saying ''Are you making fun of me?''.

    "Hehehe, Nothing!" The young woman stood up after she cleaned her bamboo lunch box using a small rag. Her gaze also landed to the east and followed John''s previous expression as she lightly said. "Let''s go."

    John, glancing on the sidelines frowned his eyebrows as he accused. "You''re really making fun of me! "

    "Hmm? What''s making fun? No! I''m just saying that we should set off for the east... You know?" The young woman shrugged, as she slowly walked away from John, and purposely lengthened the intonation for the ''east''. And ran.

    "Agghh! Stop making fun of meee!!" John howled as he shot off in pursuit. In his mind, he didn''t understand the reason why he acted this way, but for now. For him. ''This is okay...''.

    John thought.

 Chapter 7: Path of Blood.

    Inside a dimly lit room. A man lazily laid down on a bed. He stuck his head out of the covers as a small green flame lit up before him.

    "Hmm, is that so? Since you''ve already made the first move, don''t linger there any longer. Just move like your trying to help." His voice, dead serious as he spoke. However, there was a hint of maliciousness in it as a cold smile manifested on his face.

    "But sir, we''re talking about Princess Riche here! Are you really sure to do that?" A voice originating from the green flame pursued. But he was met by a cold rebuttal from the former man.

    "Are you an idiot? Of course we will help, but that''s just on the surface! In actuality, we wouldn''t help! Why would I even help that arrogant woman? She is dying anyway so dying earlier is fine!" His hand moved towards the cover as undulations appeared on the surface of the blanket. Occasionally, an indecent scene would appear. Obviously, a young woman was behind the blanket, giving him head.

    "So that''s it! Just obey it and get lost!" The man howled as he waved his hand. Extinguishing the flickering green flame. With that, the man revealed a lascivious smile as he moved his head under the blanket. Time after time. Moans would resound.

    ...

    The blazing heat coming from the sun distorted the scenery around the Legendia Plains. There, on the lonely ground. Walking were two figures of a young woman and a young man. In their movements. They would occasionally laugh or tease each other as they walked towards the distant woods.

    "Hey, Lamia! How far do we have to walk to reach Whalls Kingdom?" John lazily shouted as he walked in big steps.

    "Don''t worry about the distance since if we keep walking like this, we would arrive there by dusk!" Lamia revealed a small smile as she turned a full 360 circle while waving her hands around. Clearly enjoying the scorching heat.

    Earlier, John asked about this young maiden''s name and found out that she was named Lamia. Though it was just a portion of her true name. John only needed some name to call the young Lamia. Even though he at first suspected the name to be fake. John shrugged it off as he didn''t have the rights to question one''s privacy.

    She was a Mage adventurer from the Whalls Kingdom.

    Likewise, John introduced himself to the young woman and made up a fake identity of being a vagabond. With no fixed abode. Contrary to what he expected, the young woman didn''t suspect his made up his identity but instead welcomed him with a beaming smile.

    And here, as time goes by. John found out that they were quite compatible in tastes. From food, clothing to even pets. John thought of her as an acquaintance but Lamia already thought of him as a friend. A good reliable friend at that.

    The two continued their walking pace as they occasionally laughed and stop on the road. John found this world quite peculiar. The trees before them were quite huge. John measured them to be fifty meters. And of course, after seeing John''s frowned eyebrows. Lamia interjected and introduced him to these trees. The trees were named ''Acolyte Tree'' and were quite useless with the exception of being useful for making wooden swords due to their durability.

    It was late afternoon when they reached the area near the woods but unexpectedly. On the road there, they found out that there were armed patrols scurrying around the area, clearly searching for something.

    John thought of this as quite peculiar as he devised specific plans in his mind if things go awry. However, what he didn''t expect was the young Lamia in front of him was actually the Third Princess, Riche Lamia Whalls!

    He almost vomited blood in the face of this fact! To think that he casually touched, and joked around the Third Princess! But he wondered, why did the Third Princess masqueraded as an adventurer?

    But as he wondered about this. He noticed that the knights that were sent to find the Third Princess gave him gazes of disdain. And each time they interrogated him about what actually happened when he saw the Third Princess, they would always wear an arrogant tone, as if speaking to an inferior.

    However, John didn''t mind this and shrugged it all. Even if he did ''care'' for this and acted arrogantly, he would not be able to save his life since the imposing aura of these people alone almost suffocated him.

    John deduced that these guys were the elites of the Whalls Kingdom sent to find the whereabouts of the Third Princess.

    After that clamor. They left John there in the woods after giving him a pouch of gold coins and some rations. At first, the Third Princess refused of the idea of leaving John behind. But after knowing the reason why. The Third Princess finally nodded and hoped John for the best.

    Now, the sun has finally set and the moon sent out its dim rays of light to illuminate the dark woods. However, John wasn''t afraid of any beasts disturbing his rest since he sprinkled a Horned Panther Feces Powder around the area. Though John didn''t have any information about this beasts. John understood their ferocity just from the statements of the previous knights alone.

    When sprinkled around the area. Nearby beasts would avoid the vicinity thinking that a Horned Panther Beast had placed a territory on it. Even a King Ranked Beast would find it troublesome to deal with an agilty type Horned Panther.

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    John seated cross legged as he closed his mind in deep contemplation. According to what the knights had told him. The area around the east was the territory of the Houluo Empire, the vast empire covered three kingdoms. Whalls Kingdom, Sarkins Kingdom, and Qin Kingdom.

    Any of these kingdoms were strong enough to trample upon a small sized dukedom or any large scale tribes. Meaning, their power was great. With a manned army of two million in each kingdom, and an Elite Mage Battalion consisting of five hundred members. Their power was considered to be unstoppable.

    And the person he met yesterday. Riche Lamia Whalls. By some great coincidence, happened to be the Third Princess of the Whalls Kingdom.

    The Whalls Kingdom as of now was also powerful. However, their current king was seriously ill by some disease that even the strongest light magus wasn''t able to heal. Due to that, their power greatly declined.

    "Huff..." John took long lasting breaths as he uncovered the information about the ''Hemomancer''s Art''. Of course, just from the name alone. John found that it was to have the ability to freely control blood according to one''s will.

    However, although it was listed to be a cultivation method. It was after all a secret art.

    And it was a free domain spell! Meaning, it doesn''t have a set end and there were no spells left behind! if one wanted to use this secret art. They would need to imagine it and create it there and there.

    If one had efficient control, they would be able to create millions of millions of blood needles to sunder their enemy of holes. Or they could create a huge aerial blood pool and suck all the blood of the living around the area.

    The only prerequisite that John frowned his eyebrows upon was to enter a state of near death. When one was determined enough to enter this state. They would be able to create their own blood pool. However!

    There was a large catch. One must not have cultivated before or else they would become a cripple!

    Which means, one''s dantian mustn''t have any traces of Mana threads around it or else it would cause special distortions that would destroy your dantian! If one was lucky enough, they would be able to live as a cripple after their dantian exploded. However, if one was unlucky. Certain death follows.

    John revealed a cold smile as he snapped his eyes open. Clutched on his right hand was the slightly curved rusted dagger. And without any hesitation. A puchi sound resonated as John plunged the dagger on his heart!

    "Puah!" Blood splattered on the ground as an iron smell wafted around the air. Though the beast may detect the smell of blood, they wouldn''t dare act arrogantly since the area was sprinkled with the feces of the Horned Panther Beast!

    John''s vision tunneled. As the searing pain came over his chest. He felt extremely lightheaded. However, he didn''t utter any words of pain as he endlessly chanted. "Path of Blood; Tenacious Desire to conquer the land. Overlord of blood, bestow thy blessings on me, create the path of blood. Imagined will shall come as destined!!"

    "Path of Blood; Tenacious Desire to conquer the land. Overlord of blood, bestow thy blessings on me, create the path of blood. Imagined will shall come as destined!!"

    "Path of Blood; Tenacious Desire to conquer the land. Overlord of blood, bestow thy blessings on me, create the path of blood. Imagined will shall come as destined!!"

    "Path of Blood; Tenacious Desire to conquer the land. Overlord of blood, bestow thy blessings on me, create the path of blood. Imagined will shall come as desti-Puahh!!" By the time that he had chanted four times. He once again coughed a mouthful of blood as a feeling of being pulled by an invisible string came on his body. His body fell on the ground as his vision once again tunneled to the point of near pitch black.

    However, in his losing consciousness. He clearly saw that the invisible string of light connected on his body was stained scarlet red as a figure of a young man in scarlet red robes gave him a light amiable smile. Within the man''s pupils. Purple flames faintly flickered.

    Witnessing this peculiar scene. John suddenly felt suffocation as the blood on the ground rushed back unto his chest. The plunged rusty dagger was forcefully ejected from his chest as the wound on his body regenerated in an inconceivable pace.

    By the time that John''s consciousness became clear. The previous scarlet red ground returned to its previous unstained look! And the blood that splattered on his clothes disappeared, however. The hole on his tuxedo was still there, making his mind conclude that what previously happened was definitely real.

    And that, he had succeeded in converting his fresh dantian to a blood pool!

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: From now on, I will try to release daily chapters. But there may be some unexpected events or situations that may arise so please forgive me for that ::)

    In return. Please enjoy this chapter!

 Chapter 8: Midnight Troubles.

    At the same time that his dantian formed into a blood pool. His body ached all over. He felt extreme lethargic as he fell on the ground with a thud.

    Raising his head, John uttered a moan as he glanced over the distance. His eyesight became even more tunneled. However, the surrounding pitch black environment became increasingly clear. Clear that he even noticed a Ferocious Wolf in a distance of 500meters before him!

    And there was also the strange part... That was he noticed that plastered all over the wolf''s body were faint traces of scarlet threads! Looking at his hand, he also noticed the same thing plastered on his palm. Veins!

    Being able to see through a person''s veins inside the body was the significant sign that he had successfully completed the procedures in activating the Hemomancer''s Art!

    The surrounding air reeked deep stenches of blood. The stench was too intense that John wanted to puke. Only the lethargic feeling that he continuously felt prevented him from puking right there.

    Awooooo~~~

    Thundering cries resounded around the area... From the way it sounded, John deduced that it belonged to a wolf. However, his pupils constricted as he noticed that the wolf cry wasn''t a singular one! It was composed by myriads of round robin cries, eventually creating echoes of ground shaking cries!

    The myriads of cries shook the ground as the trees around him trembled. However, John wasn''t flustered, instead. A cold light flashed in his eyes. He wasn''t at all afraid of any wolf coming here since he just sprinkled a Horned Panther Feces Powder around the area.

    Horned Panther''s were Ferocious Beasts that even King Ranked Beasts find them troublesome to provoke. So, why would a mere Rank 0 Ferocious Wolves come and provoke it?

    The feeling of lethargy once again surged. In response to this, John summoned all of his strength to crawl towards the nearest tree and lean on it. By the time that his body leaned on the tree. Several breaths had already passed. Now, John felt extremely thirsty. As if he was a man deprived of water for several days.

    "Ugh..." Uttering a low moan, John wearily moved his right hand towards the ragged bag that the knights gave to him. Inside this bag was a supply of water, food and several sets of clothing that would last him for about two days.

    John''s hand clutched a gourd as he popped it open and chugged on it. His throat moved accordingly in past pace and before he knew it. He had already consumed the consumable water supplies that would have sufficed for about two days.

    John didn''t feel any regret. However, he became agitated as the feeling of extreme thirst was still there. His hand moved in a trance like state towards the backpack of water to fetch a canteen, despite having no more gourds in there.

    As he moved his hand. He felt the surrounding leaves rustle as his eyes drew a scarlet arc while he turned towards the rustling area. His pupils constricted as his left hand tightly clutched the curved rusty dagger.

    ~Whistle...

    A whistling sound resounded followed by an explosive movement of the bush as a black light flashed by. John swiftly held his arm in a defensive stance as he received the attack of the unknown figure.

    ~Clang!

    A sound of metal clashing against metal sounded as John flew backwards in an arc. Inside his tunneled vision. The unknown figure became clear as his pupils focused entirely on it. It was a Ferocious Wolf! Looking at its current state. Droll formed a stream on its mouth as it dripped on the ground. It also bared its fang towards John as its eyes became bloodshot.

    The frenzied Ferocious Wolf once again plunged for an attack. It cunningly decided to snatch a bite on John''s head. However, John seemingly deduced this killing intent as he crouched and slashed from below. Striking the abdomen of the Ferocious Wolf square on.

    "Awoo, awoo... awo..." The Ferocious Wolf yelped in pain as it tumbled down. Blood streamed down the slashed abdomen. However, the Ferocious Wolf didn''t show any signs of being in pain as it still bared its fang as a murderous aura spread apart, threatening to suffocate John.

    Seeing the drawn blood. John''s pupils constricted as a thumping feeling came over his navel. This thumping feeling seemed to resound like a heartbeat as a scarlet red orb flew and hovered over John''s head.

    Looking at the orb. The perimeter of its border was colored scarlet red however the insides of it was transparent. And since it came from his navel, he had already knew that it was the newly formed blood pool.

    However, since John still haven''t read the entirety of the Hemomancer''s Art. He didn''t know why his blood pool came out from his body and hovered on his head. Though he knew that this would happen. He didn''t understand why.

    But all of this suspicions drown as madness flashed inside his eyes. Anger stuffed his chest as he threw a ferocious glance towards the Ferocious Wolf. Juggling the slightly curved dagger in mid-air. John suddenly threw it like a flying dagger!

    Because of the earlier damage that John created. The senses of the frenzied wolf was numbed, resulting of it to not notice that flash of cold light coming towards it.

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    Before it could notice that cold light. It had already reached a distance where dodging is impossible and so, It struck its skull square on as a cracking sound rang, the slightly curved dagger penetrated deeply on it skull as purple blood splattered on the ground.

    The Ferocious Wolf struggled for air as it emanated continuous desperate yelps. Gradually, the desperate yelps became increasingly faint until the Ferocious Wolf breathed no more.

    On the other hand, John tightly clenched the slightly curved dagger as it endlessly trembled from John''s grip. His mind became filled with dissatisfaction as it glanced over the area. The buddies of the Ferocious Wolf already surrounded him in all directions!

    Instead of fear instilling in his mind. John gave a cold smile as he readied a thrust stance. His figure seemed unmovable as a mountain as his back stood straight like a stabbed sword.

    ~Whistle...

    ~Clang!

    A Ferocious Wolf mustered its courage after seeing the body of its dead comrades as its eyes turned bloodshot, and exploded with great speed towards John while opening its bare mouth to snatch John''s head away.

    However, John''s figure seemed to flicker as he sidestepped and juggled the slightly curved dagger in the air as he jumped after it and formed a downward slash as he descended, his target? The Wolf''s neck.

    ~Puchi...

    Purple blood splattered all over John''s clothing and the ground as he once again tightly clutched the slightly curved dagger and prepared for another onslaught.

    As expected, the Ferocious Wolves couldn''t hold it anymore and decided to jump all together. Their bodies turned to a black cold light as it whistled through the air. They dashed towards John in all directions.

    With a cold scarlet light flashing in his eyes. John felt tranquility as his figure swayed like an autumn leaf. His hand turned to a full 360 degree turn all the way while performing a sideslash to fend off the joined attacks of the Ferocious Wolves.

    ~Clang!!

    A deep resounding sound rang as the Ferocious Wolves hurriedly retreated. Against the Demon Metal Vessel dagger, which was incomparably sharp. Their hides were unable to protect them from the sheer sharpness of the rusty dagger!

    Their forehead had a horizontal wound of about three inches, as purple blood continuously dripped down their eyes, tunneling their line of sight. However, this didn''t became a hindrance to them but instead became a burning fuel to their frenzied state!

    ~Awoo!!

    In a last desperate call. The Ferocious Wolves once again tensed up as they prepared to pounce all together towards John. John on the other hand maintained a reverse grip with the slightly curved dagger. Thanks to a certain set of movements from a certain light novel that John practiced inside his cell with his free time that he was able to fend off these Ferocious Wolves.

    If not for it, John would have already died for a second time. Taking a glance towards the wolves around him. The lurking madness inside his chest surged as he howled.

    "Ouuuhh!!!" John howled as he decided to create the onslaught for this time. With that, his figure flickered as it moved towards the nearest Ferocious Wolf. In the next moment, he plunged the slightly curved dagger on the poor wolf''s skull as it struck it squarely, deeply penetrating its head.

    As John withdrew his dagger. Brain matter splattered on the ground that it formed a gruesome sight. Thanks to his improved night vision. John was able to clearly see the splattered gore. However, this didn''t make him feel nauseous or anything. Instead, it boosted the strange feeling in his chest as he once again moved and slaughtered the wolves from one to another.

    In that certain night. The world inside the Legendia Plains became filled with gruesome desperate shrill cries of wolves, dying under John''s dagger.

    ~Puchi...

    The last standing Ferocious Wolf fell to the ground, with its head almost separated from its body. If not for that stretch of thin muscle preventing its head from falling to the ground. The poor wolf would have already been beheaded.

    John stood there, like an unmovable mountain. As the first ray of sunlight bathed his figure. It could clearly be seen that the floating scarlet red orb over him was filled with a purple blood. His face revealed a small cold smile that would make one endlessly tremble in dread. His previously deep brown eyes became tainted with a crimson color...

    His mouth tried to other words, however. The feeling of physical exhaustion came over him as his body fell on the ground with a thud.

    The hovering blood pool retracted to his navel and his crimson colored eyes transformed to the previous deep brown one.

    <hr />

    Author: Slight delay due to my laziness!!

    This arc will have lots of fighting so please bear with my sloppy writing skills!

    As usual, enjoy the chapter and if you have any comments, suggestions, criticisms, or any doubts about this chapter and the previous, please post it in the comments below!

    And also... HAPPY 1k Average Views!!!

 Chapter 9: Experiments.

    The dazzling rays of the sun as well as its heat that it carried, bathed John''s sleeping visage. In response, his eyelids twitched as his body lazily rolled on the ground. He rolled, rolled, and rolled. And after about rolling for innumerable times. John finally woke up.

    Staring at the blue sky, John revealed a faint light smile as he inspected his navel. There, he found the most important spoils of battle that he had obtained. The Ferocious Wolves blood.

    After he had converted his fresh dantian into a blood pool. John successfully completed in traversing the path of a hemomancer. However, that certain secret arts that was inside his mind didn''t contain any techniques nor spell. Subtle words were only written that implied freedom.

    Which means, John would need to create his own spells in trials and errors. However, instead of disappointment. John felt extremely elated. Ever since he was inside that prison cell. The only free time he had was spent on creating stick robots and mechanical dynamo robots. It could be said that he loved to experiment.

    However, as he stood up. He felt aching pain scattered across his body. His joints filled with searing pain as he struggled to lean his back on a tree. There, he held his head in pain.

    Last night, when he fought against the pack of wolves. He found himself enter a trance of killing. It was as if his body and soul became extremely cold and found pleasure in killing. In that state of mind, John wasn''t able to fight back, he didn''t expect such outcome to happen and he didn''t know the reason why he fell into that trance.

    Though the Hemomancer''s Art can be considered as a vicious secret arts. It didn''t say that it would influence one''s soul to evilness and ruthlessness. It said that only according to one''s free will would one become good or evil. Even the millions of demi gods and true gods would not be able to change that.

    Contemplating about what happened in that fight. John slowly entered a state of focused breathing. Though it said focused breathing. Its other term was just meditation. An unintentional meditative state.

    In his line of sight inside his closed eyes. John found himself inside an area of wonder. There, as he looked up. He saw myriads of constellations of stars, frequently twinkling. Occasionally, there would be a streak of light passing by.

    Inside that strange realm. He saw a scarlet robed figure looking at him with a small smile. In close glance. That scarlet robed figure had the likeness of his own. That it could be said that he looked extremely similar to John. However, this counterpart had two separately colored eyes.

    One was tainted with pure white. While the other was scarlet red.

    His light smile looked to be extremely sincere. However, in contrast to John''s warm and amiable aura. The other John was enshrouded in evilness. That would one feel extreme dread and trembled all over by the sight of his eyes alone.

    ...

    John Sixth''s consciousness gradually awakened...

    His eyelids twitched as it greeted the scorching heat of the dazzling sun for a second time. As he opened his eyes. John didn''t feel any lethargy nor tiredness. In fact, he had an extremely relaxed feeling.

    His visage beamed with a dazzling smile, it was as if he had forgotten the events inside that strange realm. John slowly stood up and dusted his body. His ears suddenly twitched and he found himself elated.

    Just now, he heard the sounds of rushing waters, about three o''clock. And with agile movements, John clutched his ragged backpack and moved towards the east.

    As he left the vicinity where the battle last night happened. It can be noticed that the purple blood stained ground didn''t have any blemish on it. Instead, it regained its vigor, it was as if nothing had actually happened last night.

    There, as he expected. Was a waterfall with a height ranging to twenty meters. Since he was imprisoned in his previous life. This was the first time that John saw a waterfall and felt quite excited as he immediately stripped his clothes and leaped towards the water.

    ~Splash...

    John immediately felt extremely comfortable as the cold water revolved around his body. John let his body be swayed by the running current as he held a stone beside him. Feeling the rushing cool water enshrouding him. John couldn''t help but feel euphoria.

    ~Croak!

    John heard a frog''s cry as he turned his head to the side and observed the small striped frog calmly seating on a moss stone. There, the frog observed a small mosquito trying to pass by. In the next moment, just as the mosquito entered a sufficient range. The frog suddenly opened its mouth as a small thin tongue lashed by and caught the poor mosquito on its clutch.

    John frowned his eyebrows as he observed the strange current phenomenon. When the frog''s tongue clutched on the mosquito. The mosquito''s body suddenly became extremely thin. As if it was devoid of all its blood. With that, The frog''s tongue tossed the poor mosquito to the waters as it once again continued its immovable posture, waiting for its prey to come over.

    John''s pupils constricted as he noticed this strange phenomenon. In his previous life. He had read all kinds of information about the animals that existed back then, however. Even with his eidetic mind. He wasn''t able to find any relevant information about this type of frog. Which means, this was a frog exclusive to only this world.

    As John thought of that, his eyes suddenly lit up as an idea came over his mind. With swift movements, he swept a splash of water as he stood up and walked away. With his body still naked. John clutched the slightly rusty dagger and scoured the area around him.

    ''Where is it... Where is it... Where is it... Ah! There it is!'' John murmured in his mind as his eyes lit up. He saw the object that he was looking for ''Calabash!'' With that, he could make a small bottle gourd!

    Without further ado, John''s hand suddenly flicked the slightly curved dagger and aimed at the vines, with a whistling sound. The slightly curved dagger struck the vine of the calabash as it swept a whistling sound and fell towards the ground. Seeing this, John revealed a small triumphant smile. His hand still maintained the throwing posture.

    However, he suddenly remembered something crucial as he cried. "Ah!" John desperately ran towards the falling calabash and held his hands up to try and catch the falling calabash.

    With that, time seemed to have slowed down as John uttered a low cry as he finally leaped head first while holding his hand up to the sky.

    ~Bang!

    A great deal amount of dust was swept by. John fell headfirst to the ground as searing pain took over his face. "Ugh..." Mumbling some barely audible words. John stood up, his figure looked bedraggled, though he had just finished taking his long wanted bath.

    But now, in his hands was the small calabash. Without further ado, John leaned on a nearby tree after he picked up the slightly curved dagger. His hand clutching the dagger flickered as pieces of the calabash fell on the ground. After about three minutes of intricate slicing. The hard shell of the calabash was finally seen. John sliced through it and it now looked like a small jade bottle for medicines.

    Beaming with a satisfied smile. John stood up and moved towards the static frog. As always, the frog stood there silently waiting for its prey like an unmovable obstacle. Witnessing that, John picked up a set of upper cloth inside his backpack and utilized it as a glove as his right hand shoved towards the static frog.

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    "Croack!" The frog startled as it cried in a shrill sound. However, John''s grip was steadfast enough that the frog could only open its mouth and reveal its shiny tongue with a green luster. That sticky green liquid emanated a nauseating odor of which John confirmed to be its poison.

    Without waiting for anything. John used his slightly curved dagger to snatch some of its liquid, John stayed in that state for about three minutes before the mini jade bottle was half full of the frog''s toxins.

    He then patted the frog with his right hand as he murmured. "Good frog." Revealing a small satisfied smile in the process.

    After that ordeal, John continued his journey towards the Whalls Kingdom, this time. He moved in a small agile places like a small monkey traversing through the woods. Though sometimes he tripped while jumping, John didn''t feel disappointed but instead felt happy.

    In his previous life, John loved to read a certain novel It was called ''Martial *****'' In that novel, the mc had learned a set of movement skill that enabled him to traverse the woods like a small feather, the mc in that novel felt his body being carried by the wind.

    John also felt this same sensation as he made a set of movement skill by himself, he made this one by intersecting the movement skills from the light novel ''Martial *****'' and ''C******t''. And the result was this unnamed movement skill that looked extremely erratic.

    With sounds of laughter occasionally rushing out. John leaped and leaped in a gymnastics manner. He even backflipped his way towards the next tree, and right after he landed. He noticed and extremely peculiar scene.

    There, he saw a caravan. A caravan consisting of three carriages, the peculiar scene was, the horses of these carriages were nowhere to be seen. Not only that, the people that was supposed to be guarding this caravan also seemed to disappear out of thin air.

    John approached the vicinity in high alert. This scene may be an ambush prepared by some bandit group that lingered around the Legendia Plains. As John neared the area, his ears suddenly twitched as he noticed a movement inside the carriage directly infront of him.

    With slow steady movements, John crouched and moved in a duck like a manner. His gaze became piercing and his peripheral vision became clear. His ears also took note of every movements around him, that he could even hear the rustling sound of the leaves.

    Now, he stood under the backdoors of the carriage, the carriage where he detected the origin of the previous lifelike movements. Arriving there, John''s legs tensed up as he held the slightly curved dagger in a reverse grip. He also opened the palm of his left hand and revealed an orb of revolving purple blood.

    If something comes to worst, John would execute a barrier with the Hemomancer''s Art.

    ~Swish...

    A faint sound resounded as John suddenly leaped towards the carriage. However, his pupils suddenly constricted as a flickering orange ball suddenly arrived before his face.

    "Shit!" John cursed as he made a waving motion before him.

    ~Bam!

    John flew backwards like a ball suddenly kicked. He bounced several times on the ground before coming to a halt. His lips had a lingering scarlet red liquid on it as John''s gaze became ferocious he murmured in his mind ''Strong! All I could see was that was a fireball, can a fireball be this strong?!''

    As he wiped the blood on his lips. John once again stood up. ''If not for the blood barrier protecting me, I would have died already!'' John inwardly cursed. Inspecting his navel, there he saw the once full blood pool became half empty.

    ''Fuck! The consumption was this high?!'' John once again cursed, if he lost all the collected blood, he would not be able begin his experiments!

    John calculated his mind as he whispered. ''I can only manage one attack with this blood pool. I might just as well as use it.'' With an intent, a purple orb of blood materialized over his left palm. The previously mung bean sized orb of blood doubled and it looked like the size of a junior basketball ball.

    Imagining a scene in his mind, the purple orb of blood suddenly rumbled as it shot off toward the air before him, slowly transforming into countless spikes that revolved around John.

    Even though he had already changed the form of the purple blood. It was still after all, blood. And John could reabsorb it he would not use it.

    Earlier, he wasn''t able to see the figure of the attacker inside the carriage due to the lack of illumination. However, he was able to confirm that his gaze held extreme ferocity in it.

    "Sir inside that carriage! I am not here to fight! In fact, I''m here to ask what happened and help." John shouted.

    No response...

    "Sir, please reply!"

    Still no response...

    It was at this time that John could no longer endure waiting and sent a small blood spike towards the carriage. Along with its whistling sound, a puchi sound was heard before being accompanied by a miserable shriek.

    John immediately leaped towards the carriage and lit up a fire using the matchsticks in his backpack. There he saw the distressing figure of a knight. On his left hand was his lance, his armor didn''t look to be extremely good in that state since it was wretched with countless holes. His breastplate was nowhere to be found. However, his abdomen had a deep sword wound to it.

    However, the wound looked to be extremely strange, If you were stabbed by a sword, the resulting wound would most likely be in a vertical line or horizontal. However, this wound looked to be shaped to triangle. On his chest was John''s blood spike stabbed deep on his lungs.

    As he took a closer glance on the warrior. John''s pupils constricted as he noticed that this knight, was one of the knights that fetched the Third Princess Riche Lamia Whalls! He clearly remembered the visage of this particular knight since he was the one who was the most talkative and talked about his disdainful capabilities.

    But right now, this very knight that ridiculed him stood before the door of death. John felt pity for this guy, but it was soon washed up by worries. Remembering the Third Princess'' smiling figure, John shouted "What happened here?! Where''s the Third Princess!" John didn''t dare to call Lamia by his name and instead said ''The Third Princess''.

    "B-b-bandits... T-third Pr-princess c-caught..." The knight could only utter such words before he choked on his blood, leaving the shocked John Sixth staring at him in a daze.

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: Right now I''m in a bad mood due to the sudden change in RRL. Because of this, I need to familiarize myself to the new system and because of that, I would need to have some short practices in posting, and I wonder, How to post a draft?

    PS: For those people who are confused about the story, I''m extremely sorry to hear that. Your confusion appeared due to my inability to foreshadow.

    If you have any questions, please post it in the comments and do not hesitate.

    ...

 Chapter 10: Stirring up Trouble.

    Pillars about as huge as a second story building scattered across the area. The windows led a stream of opaque light as it tried to illuminate the dimly lit dungeon. Because of that, two silhouettes could be seen. One was seated on a chair with two armrests while the other knelt on one knee.

    "Your highness, your subject. Riven Windseeker reports." The man solemnly said. His head still hung low. Not daring to look at the person seated on the seat with the same eye level.

    "Hmm, Windseeker, Huh? Continue." The person seated on the chair referred to as ''Your Highness'', tread through his beard as he calmly glanced at Riven.

    "Yes!" Riven suddenly stood up as he formed an attention stance, all the way while shouting affirmatively.

    "Is this about Riche?" The man said. His voice carried a hint of longing on it.

    "Yes! Third Princess'' caravan is expected to arrive in the city gates tomorrow at dusk. " Riven solemnly said. In response, the man seated on the seat, whose figure cannot be clearly seen emanated a threatening aura. It was then that Riven startled and continued.

    "We chose to use the safest route around the Legendia Plains to avoid bandits bases, and so. Instead of arriving this afternoon, the caravan will arrive tomorrow." Riven hastily said as if he knew what the king would ask. After hearing this, the king instantly retracted his suppressing aura and suddenly flicked his wrist.

    With that, a pale blue trace of light shot off towards Riven before momentarily stopping before hitting his face.

    "Hmm, Riven Windseeker. I''ll entrust you the safety of my daughter, wield this Mist Vessel and protect them from any bandit groups, and remember! Kill all you found to be bandits! The safety of my daughter is the highest priority! Protect her as you will with your life." The king suddenly stood up, due to the opaque light striking his face, it could now be clearly seen.

    Currently, the king''s face was grim as he shouted. Wrinkles wretched his face that he looked horrendous and his figure was as thin as a rotten skeleton. Making him look like a monster that just came out from its grave. However, the threatening aura that he emanated earlier was clear proof about his own power.

    Though he looked horrifying, no one would joke about him in any situations. This king was after all, a middle layer Sage. Inside this kingdom, no one would be able to defeat him except for those hidden experts.

    In this world, there were two cultivation methods that existed, first was internal cultivation. This type of cultivation would need constant absorption of the energies of the heaven and earth, and constant enlightenment about the heavens path.

    The second one was external cultivation. This type of cultivation was chosen by those people who had low talent in internal cultivation. This method relied on strengthening the fleshly body. However, this type of cultivation method is regarded to be extremely mediocre.

    Internal cultivation stages were divided as follows. ''Qi Profound Realm''. ''Spirit Profound Realm''. ''Foundation Profound Realm.'' ''Soul Profound Realm.'' ''Sage Profound Realm.'' ''Emperor Profound Realm.'' ''Great Emperor Profound Realm''. ''Saint Profound Realm''. And lastly, ''Divine Profound Realm''.

    External cultivation stages were divided as follows ''Houtian Realm''. ''Xiantian Realm''. ''Wugongdao Realm''. And lastly, ''Yiguandao Realm''.

    A Houtian external cultivation expert was comparable to a ''Spirit Profound Realm'' magus practitioner. ''Xiantian Realm''. to ''Foundation Profound Realm''. ''Wugongdao Realm''. to ''Soul Profound Realm'' while the last realm ''Yiguandao Realm'' was comparable to a ''Sage Profound Realm'' magus practitioner.

    All of the cultivation realms where divided to Initial Layer, Middle Layer, Last Layer.

    Riven eyes stared unblinking at the small sword hovering before him. His eyes reddened as he almost teared up. The King really trusted him to the point that he even handed him a Mist Vessel!

    One must know that to create Mist Vessels, one must at least be a Grandmaster in inscription techniques, because of that strict condition, Mist Vessels were extremely rare in the kingdom, and they were even rarely be deployed in wars since if the enemy found their way towards a mist vessel and pillaged it. That would be equivalent to giving their enemies a fine quality gift for them to win the war.

    Therefor, they were only given if the security of the king was threatened by external forces or if a civil war is acting up. Due to the mysteries contained in the Mist Vessels. They were perfect intermediaries in showing one''s prowess.

    Hovering in front of him was the small sword covered with different kinds of profound inscriptions. The carvings would occasionally pulse like heartbeat and emanate a terrifying pressing aura.

    Seeing this, Riven made up his mind to swiftly and perfectly complete the king''s task to him!

    Riven opened his palm of which the small sword landed on it. He then tightly clutched as if he was unwilling to let go of it all day. With a dignified visage, Riven stood up, saluted to the king while shouting. "This subject, expresses his profound thanks!" Riven clasped his hands together in a heartfelt expression.

    He was extremely thankful to the king for bestowing him a Mist Vessel. With this new weapon, Riven''s strength would surge to a whole new level! And this specific Mist Vessel was even personalized as a wind element type! The element where Riven excelled in. One could say that this Mist Vessel was specifically tailored for him!

    "Hmm, Good, good. You are now dismissed." The king waved his hand as a smile emerged on his face. The wrinkles surrounding his visage distorted, making him even more horrendous. However, to Riven. This smile looked like the heavens had descended and the god itself smiled to him! And so, without any words, Riven stood up and turned his back to the king.

    Plastered on his face was an ecstatic smile and a new resolve.

    ...

    The man before John went limp. John could only stare in a daze as he saw the purple spike stuck on the man''s chest. ''Fuck! Did I hasten this guy''s death?!'' John felt regret, a regret that could not be returned for no medicine of regret existed in this world.

    With that, John could only recall the purple spike. The remaining unused purple spikes revolved around him in an orbit. With an intent from John. The purple spikes dissolved into the previous purple blood and shot off towards his navel. There, the empty blood pool became half filled with a purple blood.

    With a long lasting sigh, John could only move his hand and closed the widened eyes of the man. He didn''t absorb the blood from the man nor steal any goods inside this carriage, John only leaped outside and glanced at the area. There, he once again found the strangeness of the scene.

    The elite knights that fetched the Third Princess must have numbered to at least twenty knights, however. Only one knight remained here and with grievous wounds. After witnessing those bandits ruthless methods in killing. John wondered. ''If those bandits'' aim was to snatch the Third Princess from these elite knights, judging from the strength of those knights, there should be signs of struggle in the surrounding area. Yet there were none. Strange...''

    Glancing around the area, if those bandits and knights clashed here, there should be uprooted trees and disturbed soils forming craters around the area, however. There were no signs of struggle. With the exception of the dead knight inside, it seemed that the remaining knights disappeared to thin air.

    As John wondered about the facts. A whistling sound suddenly came from the direction in front of him. His ears twitched as he leaped to the nearby shrubs and hid.

    A green light descended followed by a wind tempest that knocked the surrounding dust to the sky. Because of this, John''s line of sight was blocked and he wasn''t able to see the person that just descended.

    After about a moment of waiting. The dust finally settled and the wind tempest disappeared, Now. John could clearly see the figure that descended.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    It was a middle aged man wearing a full scarlet red armor. On his waist was a small sword sheathed, Just glancing at the small sword alone made John feel a nauseating feeling assaulting his mind.

    John could not clearly hear the words of the man as he mumbled. However, it was clear in his expression that he descended into a fury. He entered the carriage that John just entered. As he entered that carriage, John''s forehead became drenched with sticky sweat.

    He had did his best to extinguish his presence. However, this was the first time that John mimicked the actions of the light novel that he had read, and so. John was quite nervous that he even chose to utilize half of the already half blood pool to create a barrier according to his intent.

    John''s body was pulsing with a purple red light. Inside this shell of purple red light. John wasn''t able to disturb the surrounding area that even if he leaped towards another shrub in an obvious manner, the man inside may not even be able to detect him.

    But John didn''t gamble with this and decided to hold his breath, praying that the man with that terrifying presence would not detect him.

    After a moment of waiting, the man wore a dignified expression as he carried a corpse on his back. That same corpse was the man that John accidentally killed. The man struck the ground with his fist. Shockwaves shook the area as a crater about the size of his own fist appeared, the man repeatedly did this until the crater was about six feet deep.

    With that, the man threw the corpse inside that hole and buried him deep. He mumbled words that John could faintly hear.

    "Pahuway, akong amigo." John didn''t understand this but concluded that this may be this world''s equivalent to rest in peace in his world.

    After a long lasting sigh. The man finally stood up as a flash of cold light momentarily appeared in his eyes. He glanced towards the north as a green light enshrouded his feet. ''Hmm, that must be the wind element.''

    The man grumbled as a wind tempest revolved around his body as it shot off towards the north. Left on his wake were disordered small trees and uprooted small plants.

    After that, John finally heaved a sigh of relief as he retracted his blood barrier. Looking towards the north. John deduced that, that previous man must''ve deduced the bandit group that snatched the Third Princess despite the myriads of bandit groups that situated in this area.

    And so, without further ado. John decided to follow the man. He also wanted to save the Third Princess. Though the time that he had together with Lamia was short, John felt alive with her, and he could feel an extremely warm feeling surging up in his chest with every moment that John was near her.

    With an intent of his mind, John imagined a pair of boots that covered his feet. On the sides of the boots were two wings that would flap.

    In response, the blood pool inside his navel rumbled as a purple blood fluid shot off and revolved around his feet. Turning into that boots that John had imagined.

    John revealed a satisfied smile, however. It also contained regret. Now that the purple blood had took form and was now used, John couldn''t reabsorb it again and he would need to kill wolves again.

    The remaining blood inside his blood pool was barely enough to create the previous barrier that he conjured. However, due to the lack of blood. The materialized barrier would be much weaker than the previous.

    John didn''t hesitate as a purple red light faintly enshrouded his body. This weakened barrier would be enough to extinguish sixty percent of his presence. With that, John finally flew towards the north as the wings strapped on his boots unceasingly flapped and propelled him to his desired direction.

    ...

    After about travelling for about thirty minutes, Riven finally arrived in his desired direction. However, he also frowned his eyebrows as he detected a presence of a third party moving towards him from behind.

    Riven willed it and his sense retracted to his body and covered a three hundred meter area from behind him. However, he was unable to detect anyone. But his instincts had repeatedly said that someone was there shooting towards him. Because of these, conflicting ideas appeared in his mind.

    Riven immediately dispelled that. If the approaching party was an enemy, he would just need to obliterate it. And if it was a friendly party. Then Riven would glad to have them as he would also fall in a hard situation with these experts inside the bandit castle. With friendly help, and with another expert. Riven would be able to hasten the resolution this problem and bring back the Third Princess.

    Riven sighed. Though he was quite confident in him winning. He was also worried about the Third Princess'' well being. Earlier, he had tried to cover the whole bandit castle with his sense but was blocked by an external power. Meaning, the hidden expert with those bandits must be at least at the same realm as him.

    One must know that Riven''s current cultivation was a ''Foundation Profound Realm''. And only those with the same cultivation or higher would be able to block another experts Divine Sense.

    It was as this moment that a whistling sound appeared before Riven. With constricted pupils. Riven startled as he moved his floating body sideways. In his previous position. A cold light flashed by. But before it could descend back to the ground. Riven circulated his Mana to his hand and clutched the passing arrow.

    As expected, poisoned arrows. Riven murmured in his mind. As anger flashed on his outside appearance. With that, Riven unsheathed the small sword he plunged downwards!

    ~Bam!!

    A terrifying explosion occurred followed by resounding miserable shrieks. On the ground, Riven had already cleaved several wind blades in all directions. The terrifying sword aura had sliced apart the bodies of the unlucky archers struck by the wind blades while the other trees were uprooted and sliced in halves.

    "Enemy Attack!!!!" A shout came from a bandit before being drowned in a miserable cry. His body went limp and fell on the ground lifelessly.

    After that shout, several bells rang in succession around the bandit castle, signifying the attack of an external force that threatened the annihilation of the whole group. A red alert warning!

    With that, the bandits roused up and even those who were drawn to carnal pleasures stood up and came in forward. Those sleeping were shocked awake as they also moved to block the external force. Because of that, the whole bandit group''s area shook as tens of thousands of arrow suddenly rained upon Riven''s vicinity as if they had already deduced his position.

    A cold gleam flashed in his eyes as he raised his small sword up in the air. His mana circulated to the maximum as the inscription patters carved on the small sword unceasingly emanated shrill sounds. These shrill sounds filled the air as green light infinitely covered the small sword.

    "Avatar, resurface!" Riven howled as a terrifying presence suddenly descended. The power of the Mist Vessel poured as a wind hurricane suddenly appeared on the air over Riven. The raining arrows were stopped as it entered the hurricane.

    The arrows that entered the hurricane turned alongside the wind. The kicked up dusts, the uprooted trees, and the small rocks became part of the wind hurricane.

    The hearts of the witnessing bandits shook as they endlessly trembled. "M-monster..." Reflected in their fear filled eyes was a giant figure of a woman donning a green robe. The woman held her hand parallel to each other. Between the parallel hands was the wind hurricane that ravaged the whole area.

    On the forehead of the woman was an ancient character carving for ''Mist Vessel''.

    The true power of a Mist Vessel was shown! Followed by a raging howl. Riven threw the wind hurricane towards the bandit castle!!!

 Chapter 11: Mist Vessels Might.

    The illusory image of the gigantic goddess howled as countless green specks of light circulated in the air. These green specks of light turned to a mighty wind hurricane which ravaged the nearby trees and claimed the lives of the bandits that were too late to run.

    As the mighty illusory image of the gigantic goddess descended. The surrounding air distorted as everything were thrown to an uproar. Bandits, trees, and even the flying birds were struck dead by the countless invisible wind blades. The onslaught of the gigantic goddess'' wind hurricane lasted for thirty seconds.

    In that short span of time, the area around the bandit castle which was located on top of the hill was completely decimated of all trees. The land turned brown, revealing the sticky mud.

    "Hahh... Hahh... Hahh..." Riven''s visage turned deathly pale and his breathing came in ragged pants as he popped a small medicinal pill in his mouth. Riven swallowed it with great difficulty and tightly clenched the shining dagger with his right hand.

    Before him, the raining arrows were erased from sight, and the loud bandits were nowhere to be seen. In exchange of this one sided slaughter, Riven had almost exhausted his Mana reserves.

    "Tssk..." Riven clicked his tongue. Looking at the bandit castle before him, it was faintly enshrouded in a brown faint light. Carved on the faint barrier was a pentacle glimmering with different lights. Realizing this, the enemy must''ve used such a high leveled barrier technique to dispel the effects of a Mist Vessels onslaught which almost reduced his mana reserves to zero.

    Riven thought.

    He immediately seated cross-legged as he prepared to absorb the medicinal effects of the previous pill that he just consumed. In the mean time, the enemy still needs to stabilize their groups before counterattacking, this span of time is enough! Riven inwardly thought as he closed his eyes. However, he spread out his Divine Sense in the surrounding area to guard against any sneak attacks.

    ...

    A faint trace of scarlet red light formed a small tail on the wake of his flying, All this time, John had maintained an optimal distance between the expert that he followed and himself. John had lengthened the distance of flying between them to three hundred meters from the previous two hundred. He had also lowered his speed all the way while maintaining this distance.

    Before his constricted pupils. A gigantic goddess made up of countless specks of green lights materialized. This gigantic goddess held her hands parallel to each other and between the space of the hands was a raging wind hurricane.

    Inside the wind hurricane were logs, rocks, dusts, and small objects that can be uprooted. John looked towards it in a daze when suddenly.

    "OHHHH!!!" The gigantic goddess released a deafening howl which immediately broke the sound barrier and slammed towards the castle situated on top of the hill. As her hands descended, ripples of terrifying energy occasionally shot off towards all directions.

    ~BOOM!!!

    A deafening explosion occurred. Followed by innumerable trees being flattened down like dough, and pieces of human parts flying towards the sky like thrash. In that instant, the green forest of trees became a barren land of dusts.

    As John entered a shocked state. A ripple suddenly struck his torso, sending him towards the ground. His purple red barrier of blood flickered before shattering to pieces. Without any barriers to defend his body, John, who was hovering a hundred meters from the ground immediately plummeted as he spat out a mouthful of blood which left a bloody trail in the air.

    "Shit!" John inwardly cursed as he tried to circulate the remaining blood in his blood pool. However, his internals greatly weakened due to the sudden impact and as a result, he wasn''t able to circulate enough blood to create another barrier, and descended down towards the nearby grass.

    Thirty meters from the ground. John gritted his teeth as he stabilized his body in the air. As a result, he looked like standing in the air.

    With that, John descended with a whistling sound. As the ground neared, John immediately raised his two hands up to the sky to prepare a parkour roll.

    ~Bam!

    The balls on his feet struck the ground accompanied by a bam sound, John slammed his two hands towards the ground in a triangle fashion and leaped forwards completing a parkour roll.

    As result, the impact from the fall was greatly lessened, but his body was still shaken. If not for this strange reanimated body that came from god. John would''ve died if this fall happened with his previous life''s body.

    "Puah!" As he laid there on the ground, John spat a mouthful of blood. Wiping the blood on his lips and seating cross legged. John assessed his current condition as not battle worthy. However, he can still agilely move like a monkey. But if in terms of strength, he had at least weakened by eighty percent.

    ~Rumble...

    A rumbling sound suddenly emerged. John glanced up to the sky. The previous clear sky was now tainted black. In John''s previous world. These cluster of clouds were known as Cumulonimbus Clouds. Signifying a thunderstorm. However, these new world''s Cumulonimbus Clouds were strange, that''s because the clouds before him formed a vortex. Inside that vortex of clouds were innumerable lightnings squirming together.

    Just glancing alone made John feel a sense of dread. Any size of lightning inside that vortex would completely annihilate his body, turning him to ground dusts.

    John''s pupils widened. ''What kind of sorcery is that?!!'' John inwardly howled. Reflected within his eyes was the previous vortex of Cumulonimbus Clouds. However, below the converging clouds was a middle aged man wielding a small saber. His saber tip gently poked on that vortex of Cumulonimbus Clouds.

    Now that John had focused all of his eyesight towards the man. He could clearly see that a pentacle of blue light was faintly shining before him.

    This middle aged man who wore an all blue armor revealed a cold icy smile. Looking at the cold icy smile. John could faintly feel the atmosphere freeze. ''Shit!!!'' John exclaimed and he immediately retracted all the remaining blood inside his blood pool despite his injuries. As result, he once again coughed an ample amount of blood, before being able to stabilize the retracted blood to create the same purple red barrier.

    Since John used this purple red barrier with only the remaining thirty percent blood inside his blood pool. Of course it had greatly weakened. Because of this, John fell on his stomach to the ground as he held his head in a defensive position. The same position you would hold your hand on your head in the middle of an earthquake.

    A cold icy pale blue light erupted from the pentacle. Accompanied by a rumbling sound. The world shook as the Cumulonimbus Clouds fasten their revolution. As the intensity of the light became brighter. The accompanying thunderous sounds also became increasingly deafening.

    The brightness reached a point where it now became a small sun. By this time, the Cumulonimbus Clouds disappeared from sight. The sky returned to its previous calm. However, the floating pentacle before the saber wielding middle aged man seemed to be filled with shocking power.

    The power inside that pentacle was shocking enough that it caused distortions to occur in the surrounding air. As seconds passed by. The middle aged man finally shouted. "Lancea Longinus!!!"

    With a cold howl. The bright pentacle of light condensed towards the saber tip. Of which then the man threw towards the middle aged man below. Riven.

    ~ROARRR!!!

    The saber became enshrouded with a blinding blue light as it exploded with power towards Riven. When the middle aged man threw the saber. Shockwaves resonated around the area that was shocking enough to shake the entire plains. With that, one could imagine the power behind the pentacle.

    The saber shot off towards Riven in an average pace. However, though it moved slower than expected. One could actually not dodge it. That''s because even if they tried to dodge, they will not be fast enough to evade the following shockwaves.

    Clenching his fists. Riven finally awoke from his meditation state, within his eyes. A glint of steeled determination revolved. The saber on the other hand, which was enshrouded with a blinding blue light that was bright enough that it even swallowed the light coming from the sun.

    With clenched fists. Riven picked up the Mist Vessel beside him and circulated his replenished mana. A green conspicuous light circulated within his body. With a growl. Riven once again injected all of his recovered mana towards the Mist Vessel, of which in return. Trembled on the spot.

    On the surface of the trembling dagger. The carved inscriptions flew before Riven and formed a small pentacle, shockingly. This formed pentacle looked the same as what did the middle aged man conjured.

    As Riven focused on continuously giving the dagger his mana, purple veins bulged on his face as he gritted his teeth and endured the pain.

    Earlier, Riven had underestimated the mana consumption of the Mist Vessel which caused his mana reserves to plummet to zero. Riven thought of preserving his mana and try to attack the earthen barrier once more. However, he didn''t expect that the expert inside the bandit castle would attack him in a meditative state. Thankfully enough, Riven awoke just in time as the middle aged man threw his saber.

    But though he can still use the full power of the Mist Vessel once more. It would be equivalent to overdrafting his life force. Which would in turn harm his future achievements in the Martial dao. However, for the sake of completing the mission of Third Princess'' retrieval. Riven chose to cast it once more.

    Enduring the pain, Riven popped a small medicinal pill inside his mouth. The pill turned to a warm current of power which revolved towards his muscle and relieved it of fatigue.

    After swallowing the pill. Riven took an item out from his interspatial ring. With that, two items floated before Riven before falling on his palm. One was a black pill with an unpleasant miasma, and one was a jade slip.

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Riven crushed the jade slip while he tightly clenched the black pill on his left hand. Of course, all of what I said took time to describe. But it actually happened in less than seven seconds. Now, Riven glanced up the sky and saw that the falling saber was now seventy meters before him.

    It seemed to be unaffected by gravity since its falling speed remained constant.

    Without further ado, Riven howled. "Descend of the Unforgiven!!"

    ~Chi chiii~

    Chiing sounds came from the pentacle of green light hovering before Riven as countless specks of green light once again formed in the middle of the pentacle. After about two seconds. The condensed specks of green light became as bright as the saber tip of the saber that was falling unto him.

    But instead of summoning the gigantic goddess. Riven decided to condense the pentacle of light unto his fists. Chiing sounds once again erupted as the pentacle of light shrunk to a small size before being branded on his hand.

    "Ouhh... His control in the wind elemental essence is good! However, he must not be expecting to block this Mist Vessel of mine." The middle aged man remarked as a sinister cold smile plastered on his face.

    Clenching his right fists. The saber finally neared.

    Fifteen meters...

    Ten meters...

    Seven meters...

    Five meters...

    Three meters...

    As the saber reached the range of his fists. Riven exploded with the whole power of his body as he punched towards the saber tip!!!

    BOOM!!!

    A huge explosion similar to the end of the world drowned the world of all sounds. When Riven''s fists came in contact with the pentacle on the saber tip. The pentacle of light exploded like a firecracker meeting fire. The condensed power of lightning from the Cumulonimbus Clouds were released in one go, as the world became deaf and the ground scorched to charcoal.

    However, the pentacle of light within Riven''s fists also exploded with the same intensity when it came in contact with the blue pentacle of light. When Riven''s pentacle exploded. A huge wind shockwave exploded, instantly flattening the surrounding area of grasses, trees, or even animals!

    The world in that instance became exhausted of all colors. The small green sun and the small blue sun constantly fought for supremacy. The full might of the Mist Vessel was released!

    "Ahhh!!!!" Riven howled in determination as he withdrew all of his fleshly strength towards driving the saber back. Blood seeped out from his seven orifices, making him extremely horrendous in sight.

    "Hahahahahaha!!! What a joke! Do you really think that such ample power is enough to drive my Mist Vessel back?! " The middle aged man looked like he couldn''t hold it anymore and exploded to laughter. His laugh was extremely cold that one''s spine would shiver by just hearing it.

    "Seven Dragon''s of Lightning, Explode!" The middle aged man formed several seals on the air. In response, the air shook as the saber once again rumbled. Witnessing this. Madness erupted within Riven''s eyes as he suddenly retreated backwards!!!

    Because of the sudden removal of an obstacle. The rumbling saber suddenly plummeted to the ground! Bringing with it a faint dragon''s cry struck the ground and exploded with a strong resonating shockwave!

    The shockwave was strong enough that the scorched soil in the surrounding area shot off towards all directions in great speed!

    Clenching his fists. Riven popped the black pill inside his mouth as rumbling sounds suddenly appeared all over his body. His body bulged outwards as his full armor exploded to metal scraps. His body became as large as a demon incarnation and the aura around him became sinister.

    His eyes were bloodthirsty and he looked like a wild beast.

    "Th-this guy!! He actually ate a Forbidden Medicine!!" Astonishment was written on the middle aged man''s face as he retrieved the Mist Vessel. Now, his mana reserves was already zero but by utilizing some strange methods. He was still able to hover in the air. He didn''t expect the opponent to have such a sinister medicine with him. And to think that he popped it inside his mouth so decisively was the clear sign of his loyalty.

    Of course, the middle aged man knew where Riven came from and what was his objective in coming here. At first, he had ridiculed him inwardly since he came here single-handedly. And that how easy was it for him to kill such a foolish man. But never did he thought that this foolish man would actually ate a Forbidden Medicine.

    And now that his mana reserves was zero. Recovering it would take time, and considering that the enemy ate a Forbidden Medicine. His chances of winning was now practically zero.

    Earlier, he had decisively utilized the full power of his Mist Vessel to briefly kill this enemy before him but now, he could only dream of it.

    Gritting his teeth. The middle aged man suddenly shot off towards the bandit castle at full speed.

    "This barrier will last for five minutes. That is enough!" The middle aged man inwardly thought as he looked back. There, he saw Riven''s sinister appearance and the black miasma revolving around his body, as he inwardly sighed.

    ''To think that he did not chase me. Naive thinking!'' The middle aged man ridiculed. However, before he could enter the barrier. A sharp pain suddenly came from his legs as he turned around and glanced at the spurting blood in horror.

    ''Shit! Where did that attack came from?!'' Not minding the sharp pain. The middle aged man focused solely in getting inside that barrier. Once inside that barrier. He would be safe.

    ~Shickk...

    A strange sound rang followed by a miserable shriek. This time, his left leg suddenly disappeared as blood spurted rained towards the ground. The middle aged man''s visage became deathly pale as he bit his teeth and fasten his pace towards the earthen barrier. Seeing the barrier that was at least three hundred meters away from him. The middle aged man fumed with regret.

    If he expected this outcome to happen. He would''ve at the least, chose a closer fighting area.

    Looking back, the middle aged man frowned. Riven clearly did not move yet he was damaged. What the hell was actually happened?!

    Thinking of the Forbidden Medicine''s side effect. The middle aged man endlessly wondered.

    Forbidden Medicine''s were medicines that were specifically created to overdraft the bodies abilities. In short, they will explode with strength several layers above them in exchange with their future achievements. Because of this, cultivators rarely use such medicine. However, it was still quite useful in life and death battles.

    After all, Life was more important than future achievements. If you''re not alive to see the future. How would future achievements matter?

    Constricting his pupils. The middle aged man enhanced his eyesight. He had already stopped the bleeding by sealing the meridians on his legs.

    As his eyesight cleared. The middle aged man could see a transparent purple red blade about the size of a tachi. This transparent purple red blade suddenly shot off towards his left arm.

    Because of this sudden outcome. The middle aged man was unable to dodge as he emanated a miserable cry. His visage once again became even more pale as blood spurted out from his left arm. The transparent purple red blade on the other hand suddenly disappeared like an illusion. It was as if it never existed before.

    However, the damage on the middle aged man was enough evidence to supply that the transparent purple red blade really did existed.

    Blood rained on the ground as the middle aged man reddened in rage. He sealed the meridians on his left arm as the blood simultaneously stopped on spurting.

    He wanted to strike back yet he couldn''t! A mere Foundation Profound Realm practitioner actually severely injured him, a Soul Profound Realm practitioner!!!

    Though only one layer apart. It was the difference similar to the heaven and ground itself! Yet he was actually injured, and severely at that!

    Humiliation and grief combined with rage turned to a sinister killing intent that his gaze alone could kill the lowest cultivation practitioner. However, no matter how strong he was. With no mana to use. How could he strike back?

    So the middle aged man chose to swallow all of this and exploded with more speed towards the earthen barrier. Seventy meters.

    Fifty meters... The middle aged man looked by and sighed in relief as he saw that Riven still wasn''t able to move due to the side effect of the Forbidden Medicine. Around Riven''s body was a revolving black miasma of death that stained the black ground even more.

    Thirty meters...

    Fifteen meters... Hope finally shone in the middle aged man''s eyes as he inwardly cursed. "Now, your dead. Bitch!" The middle aged man even shouted in curse as he approached the five meter distance between him and the barrier.

    Suddenly... The world around him spun as a sharp pain appeared on his neck. There, amidst his confused eyes. He saw his headless body slowly descending towards the ground and the transparent purple red blade the hacked off his limbs earlier.

    Before he could voice his cry. The world around him blackened...

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: Sorry for not being active. I am very busy these days due to the nearing elections in my country. Since I was a volunteer for a presidential candidate, the campaigns were everywhere and I attended every grand rallies that I could attend as possible.

    Due to that, I am unable to constantly release chapters in a straight manner. So now I will announce. Starting from this day towards the end of the elections. Chapter releases will be sporadic.

    And also, expect a lot of fighting in this arc, and long fights...

    :)

    That''s it... Wish me luck and thank you for reading, I hope that you understand and please don''t scold me.

 Chapter 12: Descent.

    Pillars as huge as a two story building stood and imposed their presence. On the ground, numerous people walked forth and back as they continued their busy days. It can be seen that all of these people wore extravagant clothing. Some of them where even followed by people that looked like their servants.

    Luxurious designs and intricate patterns of different symbols were plastered on the walls. The tiles on the ground were pure gold and the buildings inside this area were made with different kinds of high grade stones that would survive the test of time for hundreds of years.

    Of course, this area was an area intended for the nobility. The extravagant atmosphere alone made it clear that people from the slums were not allowed. A huge door made from cipres stood tall and evoked an imposing aura. This huge door alone had reached a height of twenty meters.

    A jade plaque hang over the huge door which said. ''Imperial Palace.''

    Though this area was a sacred ground only available for those with noble statuses. That doesn''t mean that normal people were not allowed to get inside. However, there was a fee for everytime you enter and exit. The fee was a deposit of two hundred gold coins. Of which normal people with their ample income would not be able to afford.

    One must know that the family expenses of a family composed of five people was only ten gold coins per year. Which means. That meager deposit of two hundred gold coins was the whole family expenses of a family of five people for twenty whole years!

    The expensiveness of the deposits alone made these area a forbidden zone for normal people. Currently, a woman with fairness like a fairy walked with steady paces. Behind her were two female attendants who revealed a small smile as they walked with the same airs of a noble with the woman.

    Seeing this, the surrounding nobles were quite irritated.

    ''Thorn Goddess is here again?! Ugh...'' A noble young man uttered, his voice carried deep pain with it.

    ''Thorn Goddess is here! Hide!''

    ''Oh, sh*t! Here she goes again!''

    Soft voices of curses rang around the area, however. All of them didn''t dare to utter such words out loud. These arrogant youths of nobility hung their heads low as they thought of the punishment that they will greet if they ever evoked the wrath of this woman.

    The woman who wore a red chang-ao walked in a nonchalant manner. It was as if for her, this walk was like a walk in a park. But in that instance, she turned her head towards the nearby store. The displayed clothes barred by fine glass was enough to deduce that this place was a clothing store.

    The woman beamed with a smile as she happily walked towards the store. Her attendants also beamed with the same type of smile. For everytime their mistress came here in the Imperial Palace Market. She would buy tons of clothes and she would even give them, mere attendants such high end clothes just for accompanying her here.

    To wear high end clothes made from the finest fabric was enough to entice their woman hearts. So each time their mistress would summon them to shop in the Imperial Palace Market. They would immediately threw all their tasks in hand to the drain and move towards their mistress.

    Inside the clothing store, they were greeted by a female attendant who immediately sized them up. Confirming their statuses by their apparels alone was a small task for this attendant. So she immediately beamed with an amiable smile as she maintained a warm tone and said. "Young mistress, welcome to Jaded Clothing Store. May I know by what means can I help you?" She even clasped her hands together and bowed.

    In response to this, the woman called ''Thorn Goddess'' slightly nodded her head as she walked past the attendant. Not minding her existence.

    With this, the female attendant''s eyelids twitched. However, she didn''t dare to act arrogant in front of this woman. She was after all nicknamed ''Thorn Goddess'' just because of her low patience.

    Shrugging the woman''s arrogant air. The female attendant once again snuggled up to the woman and introduced her to the countless variations of clothes available inside the store. Of course, all of the clothes that she offered were high end clothes made from the finest of fabrics. And they were also the clothes with the highest price tags.

    The woman who looked like in her twenties didn''t even nod in response to the female attendant''s babbling and just moved her hand towards a certain cloth. This cloth had the color of a jade, it was a one piece which emphasized a woman''s curvaceous body.

    This ''Thorn Goddess'' hand moved and rubbed her index finger and thumb with the fabric. Displaying a conflicted expression, and despite the excited eyes of the attendants behind her. The Thorn Goddess lightly said. "Wrap this up for me."

    She waved her hand as a purple card materialized in the air before her. She immediately clutched it in mid-air and handed it over to the babbling attendant.

    Seeing the purple card, the attendant''s eyes gleamed with excitement. This purple card was a symbol of status, and wealth! To acquire this purple card, one must have a net worth of at least fifty million gold coins. Each purple card was unique to their owner so one couldn''t use a stolen purple card without the owner''s handprints.

    On the surface of the purple card. A small jaded lettered words read. ''Imperial National Bank''. And around the purple card were countless inscription patterns that seemed to wriggle around as if they were alive.

    The female attendant fell on a small daze. Though she had encountered rich nobles in a daily basis. This was the first time that she encountered such a rich woman! Of all the customers that she had, this woman alone was the first customer that she encountered who wield a purple card!

    The female attendant slowly moved her hands towards the purple card. But seeing the woman''s irritated expression. The female attendant quickened her movements and clutched the purple card on her palm.

    Feeling the warmth of the purple card. The woman didn''t dare to loosen her grip. If she were to lose this purple card symbol of status. Thousand counts of her life wouldn''t be enough to pay all of the purple card''s worth.

    After the attendant received the purple card. The woman once again strode around the store, checking different kinds of clothings. Followed by her beaming attendants, she didn''t seem to mind their greedy appearances as she just walked around the area nonchalantly.

    Suddenly, her footsteps came to a halt as a burst of Mana surged inside the room, sending the startled female attendants towards the wall.

    Uttering a miserable cry. They held their heads low as they looked at the place where their master was supposed to be. But just as they moved their glance towards the direction. Their master seemingly disappeared into thin air.

    ...

    John flicked his wrist as a purple red streak of light came to revolved around his body. With an intent of his mind. The purple red blade became a stream of purple blood as it shot off towards his navel, assimilating once again inside his blood pool.

    On the surface, John revealed a satisfied smile. However, it was noticeable that his visage was deathly pale and thick beaded sweat covered his forehead as numbness took over his body.

    Glancing back, John saw the hazy figure of the previous middle aged man who wielded a strange dagger. But right now, he was unable to see the man''s visage in a clear way as a black visible miasma revolved around him in a constant manner.

    Staring at him. John couldn''t help but gulped a mouthful of saliva as his instincts desperately said to run as far as possible away from that certain transforming entity. However, John decided not to run towarsd the woods but instead towards the body of the dead man who wielded the strange saber that seemed to be capable of controlling lightning.

    With small nimble steps, John crudely imitated the ''Golden Roc Shattering the Void'' technique of a certain protagonist in a certain novel that he had read. Thanks to the author''s popularity, the author of the certain book had released the way on how to imitate the ''Golden Roc Shattering the Void''. And John was awed to find that it was the same as the Judo basic footsteps on keeping balance. However, in a much more quicker pace.

    With those ghastly crude movements. John arrived near the body of the gored man.

    There, the man laid with his eyes widened. On his face was an expression that did not accept death as an answer. His four limbs were missing due to John''s discriminate attacks. If this scene was seen in John''s previous world. Many people would have already vomited their breakfast''s out.

    The blue armor of the middle aged man was wretched all over. The breastplate was missing and myriads of deep scratches could be seen around the armor. John deduced the armor as useless and threw all notions of recovering it. After all, he didn''t want to strip a man just to acquire his rekted armor.

    Clicking his tongue, John didn''t find the object that he was looking for and stood up while scanning the surroundings. His eyes suddenly lit up as he saw a semblance of a human arm laying there on the grassy ground. Seeing that, John swiftly strode towards the arm, and there. His eyes greedily lit up as he removed a small ring with a color of a cyan.

    However, since the right arm of the man wore several kinds of rings. John didn''t know what to choose and so, he pillaged all of the rings.

    After that, he once again stood up and surveyed the surroundings. Squinting his eyes to enhance his focus, John finally caught a glimpse of a reflected light and inwardly shouted. ''That''s it!!'' Moving with quick steps, John arrived next to the object and found the saber that the middle aged man previously wielded to activate such a terrifying attack!!!

    A clear glint appeared in his eyes as he swiftly clutched the saber. However, he suddenly froze in place as a feeling of being chilled in absolute zero shook his spine. ''T-t-this feeling... He awakened?!!!'' John inwardly cursed, as he didn''t dare to look back.

    An intense feeling of crisis surged up inside his mind as his instincts loudly rebelled. His mind reeled in and he felt extremely dizzy. It was as if his body was involuntarily giving up under this intense pressure of death.

    Biting his tongue. A scarlet red liquid dripped on his lips as he madly revolved the ten percent remaining blood inside his blood pool and imagined a pair of boots similar to what he used when he followed the strange expert.

    After two blinks of an eye. The boots materialized on his feet as he rushed towards the west without any hesitation! The aura of death neared him as sweat continuously poured like river from his body. He didn''t dare to turn his head back as he desperately shot off as far as possible from that entity.

    After soaring in the skies for about five minutes. John finally felt the slow dissipation of the intense crisis of death that swarmed all over his mind. Now, John decided to retract the materialized boots and walked towards a nearest tree to lean.

    There, his breathing came in pants and his visage was deathly pale. He was as pale as a sheet of paper as he relaxed his body and mind. Though it was written in the ''Hemomancer Arts'' that exhaustion of the blood pool doesn''t cause any physical or mental side effects. Forcefully utilizing the ability to soar in the skies for about five minutes had greatly overtaxed his mental strength.

    Now he felt extremely lethargic. However, John forced himself to resurface his dizzy mind to reality by biting his tongue. The sharp pain made his mind steady as he stuffed the sheathed saber inside the ragged backpack along with the mysterious rings.

    John retrieved a small canteen from his backpack and chugged the water inside as he once again sighed in relief. This time, his profits was unprecedentedly high. Though he had only come here to follow that strange expert who had the symbol of ravens. The symbol of the Whalls Kingdom.

    John deduced that the aim of that strange expert was to retrieve the Third Princess, just judging from his expensive looking armor and the ridiculously strong dagger was enough proof to back this thought up.

    Never did he expect that the fight was that intense. This was the first time that he saw such an exciting fight and John couldn''t help but feel his fighting spirit rousing up. However, no matter how strong his fleshly body was. In front of a high cultivation base cultivator and with their strange weapons. He was as small as an ant.

    The only reason why John was able to kill that previous elder was because, he had consumed all of his Mana reserves. As a cultivator, one''s body would be passively protected by a sheet of barrier made by mana. This barrier of protection was enough to fend off any shaking of the internals caused by outside force.

    However, if one had consumed all of their mana reserves. This meant that they had also consumed the mana needed to supply the passive sheet of barrier. The sheet of barrier that encompassed the vital internal organs and the bone would disappear if the mana supply disappeared.

    Which means, even a small tempered kitchen knife would be enough to slice off their necks if precise enough. This was common knowledge in any cultivation world that John had read.

    Because of this and deducing the elder''s strange desperateness. John deduced that he must''ve lost all of his mana reserves, and was pretending to act high and aloof. At first, John didn''t believe his theory but seeing that the elder had escaped with his full power, John''s theory was confirmed. The elder had consumed all of his mana and was trying to desperately retreat from the threat of death.

    But since the elder still possessed the ability to fly. That meant that he didn''t literally consumed all of his mana reserves, but instead. Lost all the mana needed to fight in an optimum battle state. Which means, if he had fought earlier. He would have surely died.

    So when John killed the elder earlier. He didn''t dare to act nice and had utilized almost all of the remaining blood inside his blood pool to create a small sharp blade that eventually killed the elder making him lose all of his four limbs.

    In exchange to the treasures that John had obtained. He had overtaxed his mental strength. Because of that, John decided to keep a low key starting from now and keep a certain distance away from the shockwaves of the incoming battle. Since the smallest mana undulation would kill him if he was not ready.

    ~BAM BAM BAM BAM

    Heavy exploding footsteps resounded as the awakened Riven stormed towards the earthen barrier. With every descent of his steps, the ground below would be scorched black and when the revolving black miasma touched the grasses below. They turned to fine dusts.

    His eyes filled with ferocity as he ran towards the earthen barrier. His steps reached at least seven meters in one pace. However, if one looked closely. It was actually tens of meters that in several blinks of an eye. He had reached the area around the earthen barrier.

    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    There, with a low growl. Riven raised his hand outwards and descended a fist.

    ~BAM!

    Unexpectedly, the earthen barrier only rippled for a moment before becoming calm. Because of the loud sound that erupted. The thieves who were previously calm due to the protection of the barrier were now shaking in fear just by the sight of Riven alone.

    There, they raised their longbows and shot their mana infused arrows towards Riven. This earthen barrier permits mana attacks from the inside to outside but not the other way around. So with a whistling sound, the arrows came raining down towards Riven.

    Not minding the arrows. Riven once again raised his hands and furiously punched towards the barrier. But before his fist could descend. The arrows had struck. However, they were blocked by the circulating miasma around his body.

    His eyes looked green, completely demonic as he fiercely plummeted his fist towards the barrier.

    ~Peng!

    The earthen barrier rippled once again. This time, Riven didn''t prepare to rest as he struck the barrier with his fist in a continuous pace.

    ~Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng!

    In each time his fist descended. The earthen barrier would emit a distorting ripple that fought back against the pressure. However, as time goes by. It was noticeable that the ripples sent by the earthen barrier became increasingly weak and the sheet of brown membrane became fainter and fainter.

    ~Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng!

    The sheet of membrane became as pale as a paper as it tried its best to withstand Riven''s pressure. The bandits on the other side desperately raised their bows towards Riven as innumerable arrows continuously descended. But before they could reach Riven''s flesh. The revolving black miasma would block them, turning the arrows to dusts.

    ~PENG!

    A brittle sound akin to a glass breaking resounded. A hole about the size of Riven''s fist appeared on the earthen barrier. And as if a fuse was lit. The earthen barrier starting from Riven''s fist print cracked. Riven stood there and awaited the disappearance of the earthen barrier.

    "Run! That''s monster that we cannot defeat!" A bandit howled. His face deathly pale as he threw his weapons aside and ran towards the bandit castle. The morale of the other bandits also plummeted and they tightly gripped their weapons as they trembled in fear.

    If they ran, the supreme expert inside the bandit castle would kill them. If they didn''t run. This damned monster before them would slaughter them.

    As mental dispute appeared in their minds. The answer they were looking for surfaced. Accompanied with a miserable cry. A head flew towards the sky with blood spurting from its neck.

    The bandits turned their head behind and saw the man who beheaded the bandit who ran. It was a youth who looked to be seventeen years old. His eyes filled with coldness of the abyss that one casual glance would turn a spectator to an ice block.

    The visage of the youth was grim and killing intent flickered on his face. The bandits who were about to run heaved a sigh of relief. It was good that they did not decided to run until the last second or else, they would be beheaded like their mate.

    "Cowards! Is this how we work?! Turning your back against an enemy?!" The youth furiously howl. His voice pierced through their eardrums as it echoed around the surroundings.

    The surrounding bandits endlessly trembled. They wanted to say something in excuse. However, they found out that their lips were even trembling. No words would come out. They became mute.

    "Reorganize and prepare the poisoned arrows! I will take care of this bastard." The youth howled as he unsheathed his longsword.

    The bandits on the other hand didn''t dare to delay as they ran towards the bandit castle and prepared their customized formation. They scavenged all the usable arrows and desperately ran towards the castle.

    The youth prepared a thrust stance. The surface of the blade of his longsword flickered with a blue light and the carved inscriptions wriggled as if they were alive.

    John almost exclaimed in the sight of this. The sight of that weapon was the same as this saber that the middle aged man wielded. Looking down at the saber on his palm. The inscriptions were almost the same.

    John felt a burning fighting spirit in his chest as he took a small gourd and popped it open. When the small gourd opened. An assaulting smell attacked his nostrils. There, inside the small gourd was a sticky green liquid.

    His eyes revealed a cold glint as he took his slightly curved dagger and dipped it on the mixture.

    ...

    A whistling sound resounded in the air as a figure flew in a blur. If one looked closely this woman who wore a red chang-ao was the same person who flew from the Imperial Palace Market.

    Currently, the visage of the woman was distorted in a frown. On her palm was a jade slip that emanated a red light. Carved on the jade slip was a name ''Riven Windseeker''

    This jade slip on her hand was only used in emergency situations. Such as a life and death battle. A civil war or any battle that can be considered hazardous towards the kingdom.

    His face frowned even deeper as he sensed a distorting whistling mana coming behind her. There, he saw a figure of a smiling monk. He wore a Kasaya chougo and on his palm were wooden beads. On his forehead was a painted depiction of yin and yang.

    "Hmm, Castella. As expected, your response is the fastest." The monk lightly smiled as he said. He increased his speed even more to the point that he was now flying next to Castella.

    Castella gave a cold snort as she increased her speed.

    "Hey, hey, Castella! I just want to talk to you about the fire element!" The monk teasingly said. His eyes scoured around Castella''s curvaceous body.

    Castella involuntarily shivered as she threw a poisonous look towards the monk and said. "If you dare to do that again I will personally make you an eunuch!!" With that, Castella once again urged herself as her speed exploded.

    "Ah!" Before the monk could notice it. Castella became a blur in the sky. Her speed really was too fast. Of course, as an earth element practitioner. How could he keep up to the speed of a fire element practitioner? The fire element was after all, the second fastest in flying.

    The monk could only sigh as he circulated the mana towards his feet and exploded with further speed towards the northeast.

    ...

    ~Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng!!

    Sounds of metal clashing against metal resounded around the area. There, the source of the sound were two blurs moving in an eccentric manner. The other blur revolved by a black miasma used discriminate attacks with his dagger.

    The other blur''s movements were graceful and each time his longsword streaked the air distorted ripples would spread around the area, turning the harmless boulders struck to fine dusts.

    ~Peng! Peng! Peng! Peng!!

    These exchange of moves had lasted for about a hundred times for now. Though it lasted for that long, either side gave off a feeling of exhaustion. They were still as lively as a dragon.

    However, as time goes by. The blur revolved by a black miasma finally showed signs of exhaustion. His attacks became increasingly erratic.

    "Tcch!" Riven clicked his tongue as blood slowly dripped from his seven orifices. The consumption of a Forbidden Medicine overtaxed his blood vitality. Now, his body showed extreme signs of fatigue. His body ached all over and the hand that held the dagger in a reverse grip was now trembling.

    "Hummph!" As Riven thought of the possible outcomes. He was slightly distracted and as a result. His opponent sent him flying backwards with a low growl.

    The longsword struck the revolving miasma. Because of that. The piercing ability of the longsword was depleted. However, the blunt pressure still made it on Riven''s body causing his internal organs to shake.

    "Puah!" Riven knelt on one knee as he coughed a mouthful of black blood. Yes, a mouthful of black blood. But this black blood wasn''t the impurities inside this body. Instead, this black blood was the result of overtaxing his blood vitality. Causing his veins to convulse in response.

    Gritting his teeth. Riven stood up and forcefully endured the urge to cough a mouthful of blood. ''They should be here by now. What happened?!'' Riven thought about the jade slip that he crushed to pieces.

    That jade slip was an emergency alarm for special circumstances. If that jade slip was crushed. The other imperial protectors would receive a summon to help the imperial protector whose jade slip was snapped.

    My fellow imperial protectors would come! Riven steeled his mind as he stood up and used a reverse grip stance. The youth before him gave a cold mocking laugh as he said. "Hmm? Potty''s time is over? I really despise people like you the most. People who utilize such evil medicines to increase their low cultivation base. Shameless." The youth shook his head.

    "So why did you attack my bandit group? Did we do something bad? " The youth''s gaze came to his dagger as he continued.

    "You even have such a precious treasure with you. I presume that''s a high ranked Mist Vessel right?"

    "However, no matter how high ranked a Mist Vessel is. If the user is trash, it will still be trash!" The youth coldly shouted as he raised his longsword in a downward slash stance.

    "Any last words?" The youth coldly glanced at the kneeling Riven. After waiting for about two breaths. The youth gave a cold laugh as he said.

    "Then I''ll be sending you off." The youth said as his longsword turned to a blur descending towards Riven''s neck.

    Riven kept a closed eyes this whole time. However, just as the longsword of the youth struck his neck. His figure suddenly became a blur and reappeared behind the youth. He held his dagger and diagonally slashed towards the youth''s back.

    The youth''s pupils constricted when his longsword struck air. Just now, not even a blink of an eye passed when Riven suddenly disappeared. Alarmed by the killing intent behind him. The youth changed the balance of his body to momentarily glide in the air.

    However, when he did this action. Riven''s dagger had already descended. And with a puchi sound. The youth''s back slashed open with a bloody line.

    Taking advantage by the force of impact. The youth glide even further in the air before coming to a halt. His face, deathly pale. If he was even a second late about evading. His head would have probably flew right now.

    "Bastard!" The youth''s face reddened from anger as mana undulations surged around his surroundings. Materialized before his navel was a small pillar of scarlet red. A pillar inside the dantian was a clear sign of the Foundation Realm!

    The pillar revolved in a crazy manner as the mana around the surroundings became a vortex that was sucked by the pillar. In response. The resplendent glow of mana around the youth became more and more thicker.

    On the other side. The black miasma revolving around Riven''s body gradually dissipated. His naked torso was now clearly shown. On his torso were countless black lines dripping with scarlet blood. and his seven orifices leaked with a black blood.

    His body ached all over and his muscles convulsed. No matter how hard he tries to move his body. His body wouldn''t listen.

    Seeing the marvelous display of different colors before him and the squirming inscriptions on the longsword. Riven sighed. ''That longsword is at least a low ranked Mist Vessel. What a pity...'' Riven sighed. If he could only utilize the power of the high ranked Mist Vessel that he wielded. This battle wouldn''t ended without a hitch.

    The power of the Mist Vessel was after all. Limited. Riven, with his current cultivation base could only use it for two times. Or else. He would overtax his mental strength.

    The resplendent glow of mana accompanied by the squirming inscription symbols formed a scarlet red pentacle. This scarlet red pentacle gave off a glow of its own. After about a minute of gathering mana. The pentacle finally formed.

    The youth gave a sinister smile as he said. "Inescapable Cage."

    When the words came out from his mouth. The pentacle exploded and turned into countless specks of light which in turn transformed to innumerable scarlet red longswords. This scarlet red longswords shook the surroundings as they materialized.

    They revolved around their target and awaited the wielder''s command.

    "Die!" The youth coldly shouted.

    In response, the scarlet red longswords exploded towards Riven. The horizon seemed to be filled with a scarlet red rain descending down towards Riven.

    ~BOOM!

    An incomparably large explosion surfaced. The youth''s face became even more pale as he had completely used up all of his mana reserves. But on his face. A sinister cold smile was plastered. He seemed to have fun in mocking an enemy before killing them.

    As he rejoiced in his heart. A resplendent golden glow suddenly took over the scarlet red glow of the horizon.

    "W-w-wha..." The youth trembled. An immovable presence turned his body to a living statue. No matter how much he wanted to move. His body wouldn''t.

    "Hmm, for you to try and kill one of my comrades. How daring." A small deep voice resounded. Carrying with it an intense killing intent.

    As the smoke around the area cleared. The figure could now be seen. Seeing the figure. The youth''s body trembled even more. ''I-immovable Khan?!''

    The monk only gave a small light smile. As if he had read the youth''s mind. In return. The monk held his hands parallel to each other as he chanted.

    "Naumaku sanmanda, bazaradankan!"

    ~Puchi.

    With a small muffled sound. The body of the youth exploded. Staining the scorched ground with a deep scarlet color. There wasn''t even an intact part of the youth''s body. What''s left were the bloody mess of his mashed up internal organs.

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: This chapter took longer than expected to write. But fret not. This chapter is at least worth three of my regular chapters 5016 words ::) Enjoy reading.

 Chapter 13: Demon Lurks in Man.

    Author''s Note: Starting from this chapter onwards the pace of this story will become somewhat slow as I introduce the world inside my mind. Unlike the first arc which was full of fighting. This one will be much more lukewarm.

    If you want a story that is faster than Japan''s bullet train. This one is not for you.

    First Arc: New World: END

    Second Arc: Whalls Kingdom: START

    PS: This chapter onwards is the true start of the story.

    <hr />

    An indifferent smile hung on the monk''s visage as he turned his head towards the panting Riven.

    "What happened to you? You actually needed to use a Forbidden Medicine against this bunch? Shameless." The monk didn''t hold back in his criticisms as he mockingly said.

    Riven hatefully gritted his teeth as a flash of hatred appeared in his eyes. However, the angle of his head blocked his current expression.

    Among the circle of Imperial Protectors. Riven''s power was the weakest. Because of this, he was the target of ridicule among his comrades. That further intensified due to his close relationship with the king.

    Though his fellow Imperial Protectors warmly greeted him in each time they met Riven. He knew that it was just a pretense due to this relationship with the king. After all, his father was a previous Imperial Protector that died due to his sacrifice towards the kingdom.

    He didn''t say anything and swallowed his hatred.

    "Hmmph!" The monk coldly snorted as he moved his head towards the bandit castle. At a glance, the bandit castle looked to have the same design as a German Castle. However, some were different in unique places, making this piece of architecture quite eccentric.

    The bandit castle laid on top of the small hill and was encircled by wooden bamboo fences. There, behind the wooden fences were the trembling deathly pale visages of the remaining bandits. Their hands endlessly quivered as they mustered up their courage to raise their weapons.

    ~Swish...

    A first arrow soared in the air, followed by innumerable amounts of arrows. The entire sky was blotted by the arrows that came raining down towards the ''Immovable Khan''.

    "Heh." The monk only gave a cold small reply as he held his hands parallel to each other and chanted. "Naumakusanmanda bazara dan kan!"

    When the last intonation was spoken. A dazzling golden light exploded with the monk as the epicenter. When the arrows came in contact with the golden light. They were immediately consumed by a golden flame before turning to fine fleeting dusts.

    The resplendent golden light surged and as it touched the bodies of the trembling bandits. They were also burned by the same golden flame and were killed, body and soul. Without any traces remaining.

    Strangely enough. As the monk snapped open his eyes. The surrounding green grasses and the tall trees weren''t affected by the golden light.

    Riven saw all of this and could only sigh. This fellow Imperial Protector that mocked him was extremely strong. Though Riven was constantly bullied by this monk. He could only swallow his hatred and endure.

    As the golden light converged on the monk''s palm. A sudden heatwave struck Riven and the monk''s face before an explosion suddenly erupted.

    Before their eyes. A pillar of scarlet red flame shot off towards the skies. Judging by the type of flame that erupted. Of which was the ''Thorn Lotus Flame''. They understood that it must be the fire element Imperial Protector. Castella.

    As they thought about Castella. A figure suddenly rushed out from the castle. It was a woman wearing a scarlet red chang-ao. On her arms was a woman who looked to be fifteen or sixteen. However, since her complexion was too youthful. It was extremely hard to deduce her age.

    When the two Imperial Protectors on the ground saw this particular woman. Their eyes brightened as they exclaimed. "Third Princess!"

    They immediately ran towards the descending Castella.

    "Hmmph! What were you doing Riven! Coming here by yourself!" Castella pouted as she turned her head to the side. Seeing this, the monk couldn''t help but think. "Hmm! How cute..."

    As he thought of that. He didn''t notice that a lascivious smile had already surfaced on his face. Seeing this, Castella angrily snorted as she turned her attention towards Riven who held his head low.

    "Don''t worry about that, Lil'' Riven! Here stuff this medicine in your mouth and you''ll recover in no time!" Castella cheerfully said as she patted Riven''s shoulders as if she was his older sister.

    Riven felt quite embarrassed in each time Castella handled his affair in this way. For a woman who looked like she was in her twenties to act like an older sister towards a middle aged man. Riven felt quite embarrassed.

    However thinking about Castella''s true age. He could only sigh.

    If one''s cultivation base increased, so was their longevity.

    Castella didn''t look like one but her true age was actually five hundred sixty-nine years old. While Riven himself was only thirty three years old.

    Riven didn''t know the true depth of Castella''s cultivation base since it was considered extremely rude among the circle of Imperial Protectors to ask about their fellow comrades about their current cultivation base.

    But seeing that he was unable to scrutinize Castella''s cultivation base with his Divine Sense. She must be at least two realms higher than him.

    ''Sigh...'' A long lasting sigh emerged in Riven''s mind. At least, this Castella never criticized him.

    "Castella, were those bandits affiliated in any kingdom?" The monk asked. As an Imperial Protector, he wanted to make sure that no more national problems would surface. Their kingdom was already weakened. For it to further weaken. He didn''t want that to happen.

    "Hmm. These thugs were just independent bandits that thrived on snatching goods from passing merchants. How shameless." Castella shook her head and sighed.

    "How about Third Princess? Did she suffer injuries?" This time, Riven said. His voice quite weak.

    "Nope. I found out that she was given a good treatment. I asked a monkey-faced guy there and he said that she was a high class slave good." Castella nonchalantly said. But as her last intonation fell. The monk and Riven''s face sunk as deep killing intent surfaced.

    The Third Princess who was considered to be the highest grade of pearl inside the kingdom was actually treated as a slave!

    Looking at the Third Princess'' visage. Riven suddenly stood up despite his injuries.

    "Hmm? Lil'' Riven?" Castella raised an eyebrow. However, seeing Riven''s determined complexion. She didn''t say anything further.

    "Hey, hey! You''re injured by the Forbidden Medicine. Don''t force yourself and become a burden!" The monk criticized. But as his last intonation fell. He was greeted by a sudden slap on the back of the head from Castella.

    "Don''t scold him. Let him be." Castella said. In response, the monk could only obey.

    Riven clutched the dagger on a reverse grip. The surrounding whistling wind suddenly formed a vortex with Riven as the epicenter. Rocks, dusts and fragile grasses were caught up by the sudden small scale tornado.

    "Hey kid! What are you doing?!" The monk complained as he evoked a golden light prismatic barrier.

    "Just this once. Let me do this." As his words fell. Riven''s eyes gleamed with a green light as he exploded towards the standing bandit castle.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    In a blink of an eye. He was now hovering over the bandit castle. Accompanied by a green tornado. Riven exclaimed. "Judgment of the Wind!"

    As he shouted. The green tornado exploded to countless green specks of light which revolved around the majestic bandit castle. The revolution of the specks of light gradually turned swift and everytime a speck of light struck a part of the bandit castle. It would crumble.

    Amidst all of this. One could hear a faint mosquito sound resounding within the green tornado. Riven hovered there, his face indifferent and his eyes gleamed with a green pentacle of light.

    The light from his eyes enshrouded the crimson red horizon. Drowning it of all colors, while replacing it with green.

    ...

    John Sixth''s consciousness awakened from slumber. The scorching ray of lights emanated by the sun pierced his eyelids. Twitching, his body ached all over as he opened his eyes. There, the endless blue sky warmly complimented his current thoughts.

    ''What happened?'' John stood up as he held his head with his palm. Turning his body around. He found the slightly curved dagger beside him. The ragged backpack was also there and the saber that came from the middle aged man was also present.

    The last scene he remembered was seeing an explosion of a dazzling golden light. The golden light struck his body and from there on. He was unable to remember what happened anymore.

    "Ah!" John exclaimed as a sudden epiphany struck his mind. With that. Despite his aching body. John headed towards the northeast. Agilely leaping from bushes to bushes. John finally reached the area where the bandit castle was supposed to be.

    But instead of the bandit castle greeting him. A scene made his eyes widen.

    On top of the hill. The previous position of the bandit castle was now empty. It was as if it had suddenly vanished. However, that was not the scene that made John almost exclaim. But the fact that the surrounding grasses around the bandit castle was now scorched black.

    No, there were no grasses anymore. Instead, a scorched ground was there. Emanating a scent similar to burnt flesh.

    "The Third Princess!!" John exclaimed and strode towards the bandit castle. Leaping on fallen trees one after another. John finally arrived near the vicinity of the bandit castle was supposed to be.

    There, the ground was also scorched black and any pieces of woods, bricks, or anything that made up the bandit castle was missing. Before him. A pack of wolves turned their gazes towards John. Their mouth filled with a scarlet red liquid that dripped down to their snow like furs.

    "Grrr!!!" One of the wolves growled as its hind leg tensed. Seeing this, John was alarmed. They were currently eating something! And that ''something'' resembled a shape of a person.

    It was a pity that John couldn''t identify it because it''s body was charred black. However, he still needed to find out!

    ~Swish...

    With a whistling sound of air being pierced. One of the wolves suddenly shot towards John. Wielding the slightly curved dagger in a reverse grip. John crouched and used the same tactic that he used against the Ferocious Wolves.

    ~Puchi...

    With a small sound of flesh being pierced. John struck the stomach of the wolf square on as blood splattered on his arms. Staring at the blood that tainted his arms. A profound feeling surged inside his chest.

    The wolf yelped as John withdrew the slightly curved dagger from its stomach. Without any hesitation. The wolf retreated backwards. In response, its comrades bared their fangs towards John as they showered him with intense killing intent.

    ''Urghh!'' John exclaimed as he clutched his chest. A strange constriction appeared in his chest, which made breathing hard. John crouched in one knee. His face distorted as searing pain scorched his entire body. Reflected in his eyes was a small orb of blood.

    That orb of blood materialized over John''s head. As the orb of blood formed. It sucked the blood that splattered on John''s arms as well as on the ground. And the wolf that was struck by John''s dagger convulsed as a foamy substance erupted in its mouth. It desperately yelped in pain as its struggles slowly declined.

    As the wolf died. Its body became thinner and thinner. And on the wound on its stomach. A scarlet red liquid formed a current as it flew towards the small orb of blood that hovered over his head.

    John didn''t have enough time to comprehend about what just happened. As madness filled his mind. John suddenly clutched the slightly curved dagger and shot off towards the remaining wolves without any warning.

    John''s body formed a scarlet blur as he waved his dagger around. But though his attack seemed random. In each time an attack was completed. Blood would scatter and flew towards the small orb of blood.

    In this very area where the bandit castle previously stood. An incomprehensible scene ensued. There, a youth stood. Around him was the corpses of the wolves that was thinner than a human skeleton. Their bodies seemed to be deprived of all of its blood.

    The youth stood there seemingly in a trance as the slightly curved dagger that he held in his hand continuously trembled. As the youth stood. A black miasma filled the area. This black miasma revolved around his body in a rhythmic pace. If one looked up close. They would find out that the black miasma was actually filled with innumerable black lightning snakes as huge as a pinky finger.

    On the youth''s listless eyes. A gruesome scene was reflected. There, countless bones filled the area, and the eerie feeling of death constantly circled around the air. There, a youth stood alone. On his hand was a black saber. On the body of the blade was a black pentacle that gave off a black light of its own.

    Suddenly, the youth strode towards an approaching man. The man wielded a huge broadsword that came chopping down towards the youth.

    The youth only gave a light smile as he casually slashed. Blood splattered on the ground. The youth evaded the chopping broadsword with a sidestep.

    The man retreated several step backwards. On his stomach was a horizontal line of blood. Sensing that death approached him. The man wanted to say something. But as he spoke, he found out that he was mute and the world around him was spinning.

    There, the youth gave of a smile of complete indifference as he watched the head of the man fall on the ground. His black robe, untainted with the scarlet color of the blood gave off an eerie feeling.

    On the outside of this world. The revolving miasma was now out of sight. The dead bodies of the wolves was strangely. Out of sight. However, the youth still stood there. His eyes filled with endless melancholy. The small orb of blood flickered as it flew towards his navel.

    He didn''t know about how many hours did he stay in that eerie dream. However, something was definitely clear. Within him. A strange entity lurked.

    As he thought of this, a sudden call from behind rang. "Who are you?"

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: Chapter is at least 2k words. ::) Pace of the story will be slow so read at your own risk. And releases will be quite sporadic. But I will keep this novel to the end. Enjoy...

    Please press follow to be updated for future updates.

    Good riddance.

 Chapter 14: Whalls Kingdom.

    Behind him. A man with a pole weapon stared at John in a daze.

    "Are you okay, young man? You look tired." The man approached John with a smile on his face. The man frowned as he found out that John didn''t even raise his head, his eyes looked listless.

    ~Tap.

    "Ah!" John exclaimed as he hurriedly retreated backwards. The man knitted his eyebrows as he said. "Do you really hate being tapped on the shoulders that much?"

    John didn''t reply. The man pursed his lips as he continued. "Where did you come from? Why are you here in a restricted area? This area is forbidden to unauthorized persons!" The man solemnly said, he once again approached John and guided him outside.

    "Now, go! Don''t disturb my job to investigate here anymore!" The man threw John to the ground as he coldly snorted. After seeing John''s ragged clothing. The man felt disdain and he immediately threw all ideas of keeping him company. ''It turned out the he was just a travelling peasant.''

    John dusted himself and stood up. He asked the man who stood beside the now ruined castle. "May I know what direction is the Whalls Kingdom in?"

    The man''s eyebrows raised. "The Whalls Kingdom? Do you want to go to the Whalls Kingdom?"

    "Yes, sir. I want to go to the Whalls Kingdom. " John''s tone was gentle as he slowly said.

    "What kingdom again?" The man asked.

    "The Whalls Kingdom."

    "What kingdom?"

    "The Whalls Kingdom."

    "Fuck off!" The man raised his leg as he violently kicked John. The latter tumbled to the ground and groaned in pain.

    "You say that you wanna go to the Whalls Kingdom, then fuck off! Fuck off before your hopes are crumbled!" The man cursed.

    "Why?" John kept his gentle tone, but deep within his chest was a surging desire to slaughter. John gulped a mouthful of saliva as he suppressed the killing intent welling in his mind.

    "Because the gate entry costs two gold coins! How can a peasant like you dream to enter the Whalls Kingdom?!" The man''s face bulged with green veins as he controlled his urge to slap this peasant kid to death.

    "Two gold coins? Oh, gold coins? I have it here." John removed his backpack and placed his hand inside. Ringing sounds could be heard that sounded like metal clashing against metal as John moved his hand around the bag before a shining golden coins emerged amidst the man''s shocked expression.

    "G-g-Gold Coins?! And that plenty?!" Seeing the handful of overflowing gold coins on John''s palm. The man''s eyes shone with greed. But just as he pounced towards John to keep the gold coins to himself. He suddenly felt a bone chilling icy gaze coming from John that froze the entirety of his soul.

    He became immobile. Inside this world that felt like an endless icy cavern. The man felt that he was thoroughly naked before this boy. His secrets incapable of being kept.

    "Ah..." The man stuttered, his body involuntarily trembled.

    "Sir, can you accompany me to the Whalls Kingdom?" John sighed as he threw three gold coins from his palm. Though he still doesn''t know about the worth of gold coins in this era. The expression from the man alone made it clear that it was quite valuable.

    After that small encounter. John found his way inside a carriage guarded by several knights from the Whalls Kingdom. It turns out that they were ordered to scout the area for any bandit remnants that would pose a threat to national security. And luckily, this day was the day that they will return to the kingdom with their report.

    John seated himself in a corner inside the carriage. The breeze blew towards his face as he stared outside. The sun emanated a crimson red light and slowly drowned in the horizon. John closed his eyes as he meditated.

    When John acquired the [Hemomancer''s Art] He didn''t have any time to digest all the information. Now that he finally found peace. John decided to sort all the information contained in the art.

    It turns out that the [Hemomancer''s Art] was an art created by a pinnacle ranked expert who specialized in soul attacks. The expert''s name wasn''t disclosed, the only information about him was he created this art for the sake of conquering the world. John gave a small indifferent smile.

    Conquering the world? How could that be easy? He inwardly thought.

    The [Hemomancer''s Art] wasn''t divided by any realms since it was a free domain art that relies on the imagination of the user. But there were disclosed warnings and tips.

    First, one musn''t fill the blood pool with the blood of several kinds of organisms. Which means, if the blood pool contained the blood of the wolf. One can only fill it with the blood of the wolf. If you tried to push the blood of a human inside. The blood pool would churn and explode.

    Second, one must remove all the impurities within the blood to use it with full capabilities.

    Fantastically, it was said that while you have the blood of a certain bloodline inside your blood pool. You will temporarily inherit the ability of the organism. For example, if your blood pool contained the blood of a dragon. Then you will inherit the bloodline skills of the dragon. But using the bloodline skills will expend the blood inside your blood pool.

    John''s eyes gleamed with this information. Though the first was a huge disadvantage, the second was too huge of a benefit, If somehow John acquired the blood of a dragon. He could extract the hidden bloodline skills within and temporarily use it for himself. But there was also a disadvantage to this. Because if he run out of blood. He wouldn''t be able to use the bloodline skills anymore. And the borrowed bloodline skills would also disappear.

    Sighing, John calmed his focused mind. He still didn''t know much about this world. Though he felt excited by the fact that magic exists and cultivators were around, John knew that this kind of a world was a world full of danger and treacherous paths. John didn''t want to fall easily.

    Setting himself up in a meditative state, John dived towards his energy sea. There, floating over the crystal clear waters was a crimson red orb of blood about the size of a basketball. Inside the blood pool was a churning purple blood. Upon seeing this, John murmured. ''Gawas, tanan mga gwapo nga nag puyo sa lapu lapu... Aeternus.''

    His words echoed around the energy sea and the churning purple blood seethed and emanated a golden glow. This golden glow momentarily shone, illuminating the world of his energy sea. But this did not last long before the golden glow formed a vortex and dissipated like a puff of smoke.

    John loudly exhaled. The golden glow forming a vortex was the result of a failed bloodline skill extraction. Which means, the organism which the blood belonged to doesn''t possess any inherited skills. Resulting in the extraction failure.

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    John sighed, his mind remained tranquil. Though the process of bloodline skill extraction failed. That was because, the blood inside his blood pool didn''t belong to rare species. It was only a Ferocious Wolf blood. Nothing much.

    However, John felt excited, due to his success in activating the bloodline skill extraction in just his first try. Contained within the myriads of information about the expert that created the [Hemomancer''s Art] was he took a hundred or so tries before succeeding in extracting a bloodline skill.

    John snapped his eyes open and looked towards the window beside him. The sun had already disappeared, replaced in its stead was the dark curtain of the night. The wind gently blew on John''s face as his mind became increasingly tranquil.

    ~Rumble...

    "Ah!" John instinctively exclaimed as he clutched his abdomen. The rumbling sound that echoed earlier came from his complaining stomach. Earlier, it was quite strange that he didn''t feel any traces of being hungry. But now, he felt extremely hungry that he could eat a horse.

    Moving towards the Third Princess'' backpack. John fumbled through the princess'' belongings. Inside the backpack were perfumes, strange bottles with peculiar substances, a pouch full of gold coins. Finally, after mumbling for about thirty seconds, John found a piece of bread that looked the same as pandesal</a>

    John wolfed through the pandesal and gave a small sigh as he found out that the pandesal that he just ate was the last piece of food inside the backpack. Though he had money to buy food. How could this money be use if there wasn''t any store around? This caravan that John was in only contained knights. Currently, those knights were scouting outside to prevent any threats.

    Leaning his back on the wall. John felt a wave of melancholy as his mind surfaced towards his distant past. No matter how hard he tries to erase all the painful memories from his previous life. John couldn''t forget all about his. At that life, his only regret was his Big Sis. He wanted to have more time together with her, but alas. He wasn''t able to do it.

    Sighing, John wondered in his mind. Why am I placed in this world? Why am I reincarnated here? John''s memories skimmed towards the strange man in that strange space. He called himself god, could he really be god? John shook his head. There is no other explanation. If a God didn''t summon me, that means the devil summoned me.

    John slapped his face awake. Arrgh! Why am I thinking about this? If I am reincarnated, then I am reincarnated! What''s wrong about that?!

    Lazily stretching his arms up in the air. John felt a wave of lethargy taking over his body before his consciousness slipped towards dreamland.

    ...

    The dark curtains of the night dissipated as the sun emanated its dazzling golden rays of light towards mankind. John''s consciousness slowly awakened as he felt the heat of the sun piercing through his closed eyelids. Sliding his body to lean on the wooden wall. John found that the carriage he was in momentarily stopped. He could hear voices around the area.

    "Good work, Sidney! Elder Riven is expecting your report." A man smiled as he raised the gates for the caravan to enter.

    "Thanks, Roderick! After this I''m gonna treat you to some fine wine." Another man replied with a wink before throwing the pole weapon from his right arm towards the former. If one looked closer, this man was the man that John met at the bandit castle.

    "I''ll be expecting that!" Roderick replied before retreating to his post while waving his hand towards Sidney. Sidney smiled in response. Moving towards the third carriage, He knocked towards the door and said.

    "Hey, young master! Wake up now! We''re in the Whalls Kingdom now and we have an important job to do." Sidney respectfully said. Due to the display of wealth, he now respected John like a venerable elder.

    With a creaking sound, a figure with ragged clothing came out from the third carriage. His features revealed youthfulness in it and his dark hair fluttered in the wind. His brown eyes reflected a gaze of profound wisdom. All of this combined would make one think that this young man before them wasn''t so simple as they think.

    But currently, the young man''s clothing looked like a thrashed ragged and Sidney couldn''t help but feel comfortable upon looking at it.

    "Young master, where are you going from now?" Sidney inquired, his voice contained deep respect.

    John didn''t reply. Instead, he directed his gaze towards a huge staggering pagoda.

    "Hmm, the Starlight Pagoda Sect? Is young master a disciple of that place?" Sidney asked, after learning that John had interest about the Starlight Pagoda Sect and may be a disciple of the sect. His gaze became increasingly respectful. His tone even contained deep amiability in it.

    Once again, John didn''t reply. He only shook his head to the side indicating that Sidney was wrong.

    "Then, what''s young master''s business in the Starlight Pagoda Sect?" Sidney asked, though John denied his claims that he was a disciple of the sect. He still respected him. Maybe, John was a disciple of that sect and was only lying to prevent any information about him leaking.

    "You ask too many questions." John coolly said. Sidney at the side momentarily trembled before saying with deep amiability. "Then please forgive my trespasses. For now, young master. Please accept this coat of mine." Sidney moved towards the second carriage before hurrying back.

    On his hand was a black cloak that resembled a mantle. ''Ugh... That design looks the same as the cloak that Kirito wore.</a>'' John inwardly thought. He thought about not accepting it at first but after looking at this ragged appearance, people may mistake him as a beggar and with a sigh, gracefully accepted it from Sidney''s hands.

    "I owe you one, Sidney." John didn''t say anymore and ran towards the Starlight Pagoda Sect. Sidney didn''t even have any time to say anymore fawning words before John ran towards the corner. But deep in his mind, he only thought about. ''How did young master knew my name?''

    <hr />

    Author''s Note: It''s been so long since I posted a new chapter. But now that the busy time is over, I will now announce that mini hiatus is now over.

    Thanks for reading and I hope that you enjoyed today''s chapter!

 Chapter 15: Starlight Pagoda Sect.

    Author''s Note: [At Chapter 3] "Nothing, I just happen to know about your personality in a very well manner, so you should not try and invade his mind or the people around him or else..." was not written in the contract, obviously. Mephisto can violate it if he wants, but why doesn''t god stop him? Because...<b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''>Yahweh is an otherwordly being who possesses an extremely huge energy, if he descended here, the plane wouldn''t be able to contain all of his power and collapse :(

    The rules said that he shouldn''t corrupt the mind of those people around him. *But he possessed Michelle didn''t he violate the rule already?! Answer= He only possessed Michelle, and did not corrupt her. How could he corrupt the mind of a dead person?!

    Rule 2: Don''t corrupt the mind of John.

    Of course, he didn''t corrupt the mind of John. But that doesn''t mean that he cannot possess those around him to try and corrupt John.

    In conclusion, the do not go to the plane rule didn''t exist in the contract since it wasn''t a written one. It was just verbally spoken of which Mephisto can easily violate by exploiting the fact that Yahweh couldn''t descend in the mortal world.

    Case Closed...

    PS: Princess Lamia''s fake name is Michelle.

    <hr />

    John scurried towards the huge pagoda on the center of the city, while he was on the way. He curiously looked towards the nearby shops. Those shops displayed peculiar bone like objects and some displayed orbs with snake like liquid inside of them. John thought that it was a pity for him to be unable to read. Though Yahweh automatically translated the spoken language, the written language was unfortunately left for him to learn.

    The image of the titanic pagoda became even more bigger as John neared it. The previous crowd around him which were previously composed of commoners and people from the slums became dignified as intimidating auras surrounded in the air around them. Fifty meters before the main gate of the Starlight Pagoda Sect and John could see different people emanating tremendous pressure to the onlookers.

    The crowd also became huge that needles wouldn''t even be able to fall without being hindered. John struggled to catch some air as he squeezed his head to look around.

    "Don''t push! Hey, you bastard, why are you pushing me?!"

    "Be careful, be careful! Someone might fall and be trampled to death!"

    "Ugh..."

    John uttered a small groan as he finally stuck his head out and looked around. There he found a stall made with some kind of metal and a huge sign which depicted indiscernible words.

    "Everybody quiet down! Don''t cause such a commotion in this Entrance Examination or we will be forced to throw you outside!" A middle aged man floated in the air and howled. His voice seemed to contain a mysterious air which silenced down the crowd. Immediately, the pushing ruckus dispersed to a much comfortable to stand one.

    "Only those with a cultivation of at least Rank Five Body Strengthening will pass! Mages that can cast Rank 1 spells will also automatically pass!" He once again shouted before descending after giving a cold snort. The crowd exploded into commotion after he finished his sentence.

    "Rank Five Body Strengthening practitioners only those are qualified?! What bullshit! "

    "Yeah! They really think too highly of us. What do they think of us? Some kind of young masters from a noble family?! We even struggle to buy a pill of Body Strengthening Pill!"

    Hearing all of these commotion. The middle aged man once again floated in the air and gave a cold look to the crowd. His gaze looked around before descending to a young man whose age seemed to be ranging from eighteen to twenty-one.

    "Was it you who said that the rules that I made was bullshit?! Get out!" His words seemed to contain a powerful force as the young man became as pale as paper. His knees involuntarily trembled before a huge pushing force erupted, sending him flying towards the outside.

    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The crowd became as silent as the night. No spirit spoke any words.

    ''How domineering!'' John exclaimed as he thought.

    "Next time. If I hear such useless words spoken before me. I will not let you off that easily!" The middle aged man coldly snorted before retreating. This time, the crowd didn''t speak any more. They lined up themselves neatly as if they were trained to line up during the Entrance Examination.

    The process went smoothly as John witnessed countless people being accepted and evicted. John''s turn soon came.

    "Kid, come here in the platform and have your strength tested!" A middle aged man with a notable scar on his forehead coldly said. John shrugged and stepped on the platform. A floating orb floated in the air with a palm imprint on its surface. John moved his right palm towards the orb as a sizzling sound emerged.

    ~Chi... Chi...

    The floating transparent orb became filled with a scarlet red color. The scarlet red color soon became dark it was as if it was blood. John gulped a mouthful of saliva as he thought. ''What is this? What kind of affinity is this? Blood?''

    Soon, the floating orb shot a pillar of crimson red light. The crimson red light engulfed the entire platform, tainting it red.

    "What extraordinary affinity to the fire element!" The scar-faced middle aged man exclaimed in shock. Ripples spread in the air sending the crowd''s expression to change from indifference to awe. The elders who managed the entrance examination abruptly stood up.

    "Second Grade Fire Element Affinity!" An olden man with a fierce expression solemnly said. His gaze pierced through John. ''Why are they referring to this as fire element? Because it looks exactly like fire?'' John inwardly chuckled. ''If that''s what they''re thinking, then it is quite convenient for me.'' John gave a small smile to himself.

    "Second Grade Fire Affinity?! What the fuck?!"

    "His fire element affinity is the same as the City Lord?! Damn it, a genius once again, appeared!" Commotion erupted among the crowd, and those people who were quite knowledgeable about the city''s affairs erupted in solemn shouts. Soon, a middle-aged man seating among the judges seat stood up.

    He had his hands behind him as he stared at John with a small smile. His forehead had a small cross-shaped scar on the center. This man was the same man who first noticed John''s unique affinity to fire. He moved slowly towards John, his scar gave off a sizzling sound as the surrounding temperature rouse.

    "Kid, are you willing to be my disciple?" The scar-faced middle aged man gave John a small smile, he spoke slowly, and every word he had said shook the hearts of the crowd.

    John was also shocked about this sudden turn of events. He was about to refuse when he thought to himself. ''A disciple? That may not be bad. I need to get enough footing in this wuxia like world or else I will be eaten.'' John inwardly sighed before he clasped his hands together and deeply bowed.

    "John Sixth greets First Master!" John''s expression made the eyes of the crowd glitter. The scar-faced middle aged man heartily laughed. "Good, good! You''re a good kid! " He tapped John on the shoulder signifying that he should stand up.

    John stood up and the scar-faced middle aged man spoke. "You don''t need to take this meaningless examinations. Your talent alone is enough for you to be placed in the highest development priority!" The middle aged man had delight written all over his face as he spoke.

    John''s eyes also glittered. ''Highest development priority? Does that mean that I will receive higher resources that normal disciples?! Hahaha, this is good!''

    "Oy, oy, oy! Highest development priority? Are we witnessing the birth of a future Peerless Emperor for him to be granted such treatment?!"

    "What the actual bullshit is this?! I have a Third Grade Fire Element Affinity, yet. The treatment that I have is like the distance of heaven and earth when compared to him! And to think that he would receive the personal guidance of the [Hell Fire Klein!]" A Starlight Pagoda Sect disciple with a crimson red robe cried. He didn''t want to believe what was unfolding before him, but the fact was already established. Before the elders and the disciples could react. The scar-faced middle aged man flicked his wrist, materializing a fire tornado in the air around him and John.

    "What the fuck?!" John exclaimed in fright caused by the sudden appearance of the fire tornado. Not even a second have passed since the scar-faced middle aged man had flicked his wrist when this tornado appeared, no signs of the wind congregating happened, yet, a tornado was summoned in an instance, and what''s more. It was a fire tornado!

    Before John could properly react. He and the scar-faced middle aged man were already swept to the skies by the fire tornado. Leaving the dumbfounded spectators behind in awe!

 Chapter 16: Life-Changing.

    Starlight Pagoda Sect, across the entire Green Cloud Continent. Five mighty sects ruled, one of them was the Starlight Pagoda Sect which possessed at least a thousand years of heritage, obviously. Such huge sect contained massive resources for their disciples to enjoy, and the competitive spirit of the youths were also increased.

    The Starlight Pagoda Sect wasn''t located inside the Whalls Kingdom. The entire sect was located in the Starlight Mountain Range. The whole mountain was the property of the sect and trespassing without a disciple''s badge or certificate of entrance meant death.

    The entire mountain range covered at least fifty hectares of land. Divided evenly between the Outer Disciples, Inner Disciples, Conclave Disciples, Main Disciples, and the Starlight Pagoda Sect Headquarters. The location of the sect gave a first impression of not so special. But once one entered the mountain range. They would feel the huge imposing pressure of the mountain, and the qualitative increase of the Qi between heaven and earth.

    A/N: Note, Body Strengthening Stage lies behind the Qi Profound Realm, practitioners in this stage is practically not a true practitioner until they break to the Qi Profound Realm.

    ''Qi Profound Realm''. ''Spirit Profound Realm''. ''Foundation Profound Realm.'' ''Soul Profound Realm.'' ''Sage Profound Realm.'' ''Emperor Profound Realm.'' ''Great Emperor Profound Realm''. ''Saint Profound Realm''. And lastly, ''Divine Profound Realm''.

    External cultivation stages were divided as follows ''Houtian Realm''. ''Xiantian Realm''. ''Wugongdao Realm''. And lastly, ''Yiguandao Realm''.

    John floated silently in the air carried around by the fire tornado with the middle aged man beside him. John broke the awkward silence as he spoke. "May I know master''s name?"

    The scar-faced middle aged man gave a small chuckle and spoke. "My name is Klein. In this sect, I am referred to as the Hell Fire Klein! About that, you will know the history about my nickname soon." Klein gave a small cold smile.

    A sense of dread crept in John''s heart. '' I have a bad feeling about this...''

    Before he could speak further, they started to descend down in the air. A screeching noise pierced John''s ears as the air around him distorted, his travelling speed towards the ground skyrocketed, clearly increased by some external force. As for Klein, he floated in the air like an autumn leaf while giving a small warm smile towards John before speaking.

    "As my disciple, this shall be the first test for you! Descend from this height to ground without enduring any injuries! Buh-bye!" Klein gave a school girl peace sign before floating sideways to the ground.

    "Are you damn kidding me now?! " John miserably shrieked as the ground before him slowly enlarged. John formed signaled with his hand causing it to shine with a scarlet glow. However, he immediately retracted it fearing that his fire element facade might be blown.

    The sound of the screeching air gradually increased the ground below became nearer. It was at that moment at a miserable shriek came from the Starlight Pagoda Sect mountain range.

    "Save me!!!"

    ...

    The serene atmosphere of the mountain range became filled with a moaning cry. Somewhere on the enormous mountain range, there lies a youth covered in bruises, beside him was a human imprint of his likeness, clearly. His fall on the ground struck him harder than what he had expected.

    "Ugh... I never thought that the first master that I would have is such a monster! No- That''s clearly not a monster, More like a damn demon!" John cried, he felt extremely wronged.

    "What did you say, Kid?" Like a ghost, a figure with a crimson red robe appeared behind him. Making the youth jump in fright.

    "Ugh... No-nothing... I didn''t say anything!" John hurriedly replied.

    "Hmm... Here, take this and throw that dirty rags that you''re wearing right now!" Klein coldly snorted, as he threw a crimson red robe towards John. John could only sigh, retrieved the robe and started to undress himself.

    The robe didn''t contain any striking features aside from the huge pagoda symbol on its left chest. Below the huge pagoda was an imposing calligraphy which read. ''Starlight Pagoda Sect'' the robe was crimson red all over and the only part which wasn''t covered by the crimson red color was its wrists which was golden in color.

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    Still, the robe gave off an imposing atmosphere and was quite comfortable to wear.

    "You look quite cute with that..." Klein gave a smile that stretched up to his ear.

    "Cute, you say?" John snorted before he continued. "Anyways where the hell are we?" John turned to look towards the area, as far as the eye can see were vast amounts of grasses, there was nothing special about the surrounding, however. On the center of this mountain range was a huge pagoda that seemed to pierce the skies.

    Is that the Starlight Pagoda Sect Headquarters? John thought.

    "Yeah, you''re right. I know what you''re thinking, but before we dive deeper to that I must make it clear that from now on, you''re a disciple of the Starlight Pagoda Sect!" Klein harrumph he stood proudly with his chest stuck out. He even pounded his chest as a tear leaked out from his eye.

    "Ugh..." John could only mutter in response to his now master''s weirdness.

    ...

    After that small ordeal. The two continued their journey towards the place that only Klein knew, for now. The two walked in this manner for about three hours before seeing a small scale walled village. A plaque hung near the gates that looked imposing as ever which said. ''Outer Disciples Village''.

    ''Eh? Outer Disciple? I thought I would at least become a Conclave Disciple.''

    "Nope, You will start as an Outer Disciple, youngsters like you who are very talented tend to be extremely arrogant. I don''t want that to happen to you, and so. I want you to experience the harshness of competition." John stared at Klein in shock who was giving his heartfelt sentiment.

    ''This guy... Predicted my thoughts?" John thought.

    "Well you can say that..." Klein muttered once again which made John stare at him in utmost surprise.

    "You can read my mind?" John asked, his tone slow and serious.

    "Hahaha, I guess so? Well don''t worry about it, you will know how to do this in the future anyways." Klein waved his hand in dismissal.

    "Hey, isn''t that the [Hell Fire Klein]? Who is that guy beside him?"

    "Hell Fire Klein? Ah, that Demon? That demon is here?!"

    "Shh... If Klein heard you, then you will regret being born in this world."

    "Anyways who is that guy beside him? Wait... Is that the guy who achieved a Third Grade Fire Element Affinity back at the new disciple''s entrance examination?! I heard that he will receive the highest development priority granted by the sect! Why is he here?"

    The two could hear resounding whispers around the area, the two didn''t mind them and calmly entered the Outer Disciple''s Village. Just as they entered the city, what welcomed them were innumerable disciples scurrying around the area, some placed stalls near the sidewalks while shouting out the prices of their merchandises.

    John looked around and noticed that each and everyone of them had the Starlight Pagoda Sect insignia. To think that a sect would have a marketplace like the outside world! John was astounded.

    "Hey, don''t stare there at shock. Let''s hurry." Klein patted him on the shoulders before proceeding.

    ''Hmm... This old man, he''s quite popular, not in the good way though.'' John thought when he sensed the gazes of the disciples around him which immediately gave way.

    "Sorry about that!" Klein uttered once again which almost made John vomit blood on the spot.

    John learned from Klein that the whole Outer Disciple''s Village was divided into five sections. The Marketplace, the Martial Court, and three disciple quarters area. Klein gave John a small medallion which had the insignia of the Starlight Pagoda Sect engraved and the number three signifying that he was assigned in the Disciple Quarters number three.

    The old man didn''t continue to bother about John anymore after giving him a library pass and a crimson red book which didn''t have any titles. John didn''t mind the scouring gazes of the crowd before entering a decently sized two story house. John entered the dimly illuminated room and he could hear pitter patter rain like sounds which resonated behind a door.

    John had a small revelation... Could it be...?

    Before he could move. A creaking sound came out before him before a feminine figure came out. John stared at her with shock. Obviously, the woman thought that she was the only person in the room and so, she let her guard down. She didn''t expect that John would suddenly intrude and so. She didn''t cover her body with any cloth. She came out from the bathroom stark naked!

    "Ah..."

    "Ah..."