> Aether is a fundamental substance that exists in the world. It is an intangible, magical energy that permeates throughout the world, and can be found in all living and non-living things. Aether is considered the building block of creation and magic, and can be harnessed and manipulated by those with the ability to use magic.
>
> In its raw form, aether is colourless and invisible to the naked eye. However, when concentrated and infused with magic, it can take on a variety of colours and textures, depending on the type of magic used. Aether can be collected from the environment, such as from the air or water, or from other living beings. It is used to power spells, enchantments, and other magical creations. Maybe most importantly aether is used to strengthen the body and soul while cultivating.
~An excerpt from On Realms, Stages and Bottlenecks by Zhong Guanting
----------------------------------------
World Location: A Mid-trunk Bough > Bashiri's Inner World
----------------------------------------
WORLD LAWS
1512 IF 8173:00
Elyon, her confidence shattered and her heart heavy with disappointment, soared through the air with a sense of purpose that was both fierce and unrelenting. The turbulent waters below her churned and roiled like a living thing, their undulating waves crashing against the shore in a tumultuous display of raw power.
As she flew towards Niloggver's nest on the World Heart, Elyon could feel the weight of her failure bearing down on her like a physical burden. Every beat of her heart felt like a painful reminder of the time and energy she had invested in her cultivation, only to fall short in her pursuit of greater power and mastery.
Desperate to find solace, Elyon pushed herself harder than ever before, her wings flapping with a furious intensity that seemed to defy the very laws of nature. The wind whipped through her hair and the muscles in her wings burned with exertion, but she refused to be deterred. She knew that her master, Niloggver, held the answers she sought, and she was determined to reach him no matter the cost.
As she drew closer to her destination, Elyon's heart pounded with a fierce urgency, her wings slicing through the air with blinding speed. The World Heart loomed in the distance, a distant beacon of hope and renewal that called out to her with an irresistible force.
As Elyon approached Niloggver's massive form, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The golden and white scales that covered his body seemed to shimmer in the light, casting an otherworldly glow around him. With each flap of her wings, the air around her seemed to tremble, reminding her of the immense power that this great dragon possessed.
Elyon's heart was heavy as she landed before Niloggver, the great golden and white time dragon. His knowing gaze made her feel exposed, as though he could see right through her, down to the very core of her being.
As she drew closer, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. Niloggver's piercing gaze seemed to look right through her, as if he could sense every emotion that she was feeling. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to express the turmoil that was raging within her.
Elyon tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat, and she found herself choking on her own despair. The weight of her failure felt crushing, and tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to find the strength to speak.
But then Niloggver flicked his tail, and Elyon found herself moving towards him as if drawn by an invisible force. She stood before him, her eyes downcast, feeling small and insignificant in the presence of such a magnificent being.
Niloggver regarded her with a look of deep understanding, as if he had been through the same struggles himself. And then he spoke, his voice gentle and soothing, like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. "What troubles you, little one?" he asked, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder.
At his touch, Elyon felt a rush of warmth flow through her body. It was as if all of her worries and fears had been lifted from her shoulders, replaced by a sense of calm and serenity. She looked up at the great dragon, her eyes shining with unshed tears, and knew that she had come to the right place.
The golden and white time dragon regarded her with a calm and patient expression, his eyes showing a deep understanding of the struggles that cultivators face. Elyon hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to begin. But with a deep breath, she gathered her courage and began to speak.
She poured her heart out to Niloggver, telling him everything that had happened in her cultivation journey so far. She spoke of her relentless pursuit of power and her burning desire to break through to the Aethysica Realm. She spoke of the countless hours she had spent in deep meditation and the sacrifices she had made to achieve her goals.
But then, she told him about her recent failure to break through the third realm. Her Creation Branch had almost withered and died, leaving her feeling lost and alone. She spoke of the despair that had settled in her heart and the confusion that had clouded her mind.
As she spoke, Niloggver listened attentively, his presence providing a calming influence over her. Then he asked her a question that caught her off guard. "Do you have an understanding of a world law?" he asked.
As Niloggver spoke, Elyon furrowed her brow in confusion. What did he mean by a world law? She had never heard of such a thing before. But there was something in the way he asked the question that made her believe it was important. With a curious tilt of her head, she asked Niloggver to explain.
"That might be your problem," Niloggver said. "You need to have at least a small understanding of world laws to work them into your aether and break through to the Aethysica Realm. And the more you cultivate, the more understanding you need."
Niloggver paused and regarded her for a moment before launching into a detailed explanation of the world laws. He spoke of time, nature, water, fire, space, and all the other laws that made up the world. As he spoke, Elyon's eyes widened in amazement. She had never even considered the existence of such powerful concepts.
Niloggver continued, explaining that to cultivate to higher levels, one needed to have a small understanding of the world laws. Without this understanding, a bottleneck would form, and progress would be hindered. Elyon listened intently, her mind racing as she tried to absorb all the information.
At some point during Niloggver's explanation, Elyon's mind jumped to the concept of creation, which was her area of expertise. She asked him if Creation counted as a law. Niloggver gently explained that creation like destruction, eternity, inevitability, speed and many others were all concepts, not laws. While they were powerful and used in cultivation, they were not the same as the world laws.
Feeling overwhelmed, Elyon couldn't help but feel frustrated with herself for not knowing about the world laws before. But Niloggver reassured her, telling her that as a World Tree Spirit of the Tree of Creation, she should already have an understanding of the nature and life laws. He suggested that maybe something was holding her back from fully understanding them and suggested that she take some time to figure out what that might be. Elyon nodded, feeling grateful for Niloggver's guidance and wisdom.
Elyon was intrigued. She had never heard of world laws before, and the idea that something as simple and yet so complex as understanding a world law could be holding her back was both daunting and exciting.
Niloggver suggested that she try and figure out what might be holding back her understanding of the nature and life laws. "Once you have a deeper understanding of the world laws, you will be able to work them into your aether and break through into the Aethysica Realm," he said.
Elyon felt a renewed sense of purpose. She had a new challenge to face, a new obstacle to overcome. She thanked Niloggver for his advice, and then spread her wings and took off into the sky.
----------------------------------------
UNDERSTANDING
1512 IF 8173:00 > 1512 IF 8174:00
Elyon soared through the sky, her wings beating a steady rhythm as she flew high above the lands created by the roots of the Tree of Creation. She had been flying for hours, lost in thought as she tried to figure out what was holding her back from understanding the nature and life laws.
As she flew, Elyon could feel the wind rushing past her, the cool air rushing over her wings and through her hair. The sky was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds that seemed to stretch on forever. She had always loved flying, ever since she was a young sapling growing in the Tree of Creation.
Stolen novel; please report.
But today, even flying couldn't chase away her worries. Elyon couldn't shake the feeling that something was holding her back from understanding the world laws that Niloggver had mentioned. She had tried everything she could think of, pouring all of her energy and focus into her cultivation, but nothing seemed to work.
As she flew, Elyon passed by a flock of birds, their wings flapping as they circled around her. She watched them for a moment, marvelling at their graceful flight. Suddenly, one of the birds broke away from the flock and flew off in a different direction.
Elyon followed the bird, her curiosity piqued. She flew after it, weaving in and out of the clouds as she pursued the bird. For what felt like hours, she chased after it, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't catch it.
Finally, she caught sight of the bird, apparently a mother bird who was caring for her young ones in a nest, and something clicked in Elyon's mind.
Elyon watched as the mother bird brought food to her nestlings, sheltering them from the harsh winds and rain. She could see the love and care in the bird's eyes, and it dawned on her that, as the tree spirit of the Tree of Creation, she should be caring for the creations of the tree and nurturing them. Elyon thought back to all the fun she had had looking over the different life forms while she was cultivating, and she realized that she had not been taking the time to appreciate and care for them properly.
As she flew over the lands, Elyon began to see them in a new light. She saw the trees, the animals, and even the insects as parts of a larger whole, all connected and interdependent. She began to understand that her cultivation was not just about gaining power and ascending through the realms but about taking care of the creations of the Tree of Creation.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Elyon flew back to her dwelling, ready to start anew.
As Elyon descended from the clouds, and as she landed in front of her dwelling on the Tree of Creation, she placed her hand on its bark. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath focusing her thoughts on the life forms that grew around the Tree of Creation, and then she felt a connection to them like never before. She opened her eyes and looked at the world around her with new clarity and understanding.
Elyon felt the power of the Tree of Creation flowing through her. The energy from the tree flowed into her, and she felt herself being absorbed into its essence.
As with this newfound connection, she felt a rush of knowledge and understanding flood her mind. She saw the world around her in a new light, and she understood the importance of caring for the creations of the tree. She saw how the mother bird cared for its young, how the plants and animals depended on each other for survival, and how everything in the world was connected.
Elyon knew that it was her duty as the tree spirit to care for these creations, to nurture them and help them grow. She felt a new sense of purpose and responsibility, and she knew that with this newfound understanding, she would be able to break through the third realm and ascend to the Aethysica Realm.
----------------------------------------
FIREBIRD
1512 IF 8182:00 > 1512 IF 8201:00
As Elyon merged with the Tree of Creation, she felt a newfound understanding and appreciation for all the life forms that it had produced. She realized that she needed to care for them and nurture them, just as a mother bird would care for her young.
But as she gazed out at the lands below, she saw that there was something missing. The Tree of Destruction had produced many a fierce and powerful creature by embuing its sroundings with its aura.
Inspired by the Tree of Destruction, Elyon began to cultivate a new life form. She used her understanding of the world laws to weave together the elements of fire and air, infusing them with a spark of the Tree of Creation's own energy.
As she worked, Elyon felt a sense of joy and wonder that she had not felt in a long time. She remembered the thrill of discovery she had felt when she first encountered the different life forms created by the Tree of Creation, and she poured that excitement into her work.
After countless days and nights of tireless work and intense concentration, Elyon had finally succeeded in creating a wondrous masterpiece that surpassed even her wildest expectations. Before her stood a fiery seed, encircled by a swirling cloud of aether that pulsed with raw power and magic.
As she gazed upon her creation, Elyon felt a sense of awe and wonder wash over her like a warm embrace. Every inch of the fiery seed was imbued with the essence of her spirit and will, a testament to her tireless dedication and unshakable determination.
The cloud of aether that surrounded the seed was a thing of breathtaking beauty, its vibrant hues and shimmering aura reflecting the immense power and potential that lay within. Elyon could feel the energy radiating from her creation, pulsing with a life force that seemed to defy explanation.
For a moment, Elyon stood in silent awe of her handiwork, lost in the sheer magnitude of what she had achieved. Her heart swelled with pride and satisfaction, knowing that she had poured every ounce of her being into this creation and that it had paid off in ways she could never have imagined.
Elyon had poured her heart and soul into the creation of the fiery seed, and the anticipation of its completion had been nearly unbearable. But as she looked at the final product, she knew that it was worth every moment of effort. The seed radiated a mesmerizing glow that seemed to draw Elyon in.
As she took flight, soaring through the endless branches of the Tree of Creation, Elyon's eyes caught sight of a small bird's nest tucked away in a crook of a branch. The nest was made of twigs and bits of leaves, and inside lay a single egg that seemed to pulsate with a vibrant energy. Its shell was a deep, fiery red that matched the energy of the seed Elyon held in her hand.
With a mischievous grin, Elyon plucked the egg from the nest, holding it gingerly in her palm. She focused her attention on the fiery seed, letting the magic flow through her fingertips and into the egg. The energy from the seed mixed with the magic, pulsating with an intense heat that seemed to engulf Elyon's entire being. She infused the egg with a powerful fire spell, feeling the magic course through her veins as she worked.
As she worked, Elyon couldn't help but wonder about the Tree of Destruction. She had always seen it as a dark and foreboding place, full of danger and chaos. But as she looked at the fiery egg in her hand, she realized that there was a beauty to destruction as well. Destruction allowed for new growth, for new beginnings. And just as the Tree of Destruction had inspired her to create the seed, she now drew inspiration from it as she created the firebird.
Finally, after many long days and nights, Elyon's creation was complete. The fiery egg now glowed with an intense energy, crackling with heat and light. With a sense of pride and wonder, Elyon placed the egg back in the nest and watched as the magic took hold. The shell of the egg cracked open, revealing a tiny bird with feathers of pure flame. It was a magnificent creature, with feathers of gold and orange that glowed with a fierce inner fire. Elyon called it the Firebird, and she felt a sense of pride and joy as she watched chirped happily, its eyes glowing with a fierce intensity. Elyon smiled, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction at what she had created.
----------------------------------------
AETHYSICA REALM
1512 IF 8213:00
Elyon had spent many long years cultivating the Mimameidr's Blessing technique. As she gathered aether and infused it into the Tree of Creation, the Creation Branch began to grow once more. She watched with wonder as the golden patterns in the wood became more pronounced and the leaves began to shimmer with the light of a thousand galaxies.
Elyon stood amidst the verdant canopy of the Tree of Creation, surrounded by the soft glow of aether that permeated the air. She closed her eyes and focused her mind, reaching out to the life force that pulsed through the world around her. Drawing in a deep breath, with her newfound understanding of the life law, she gathered her energy and began to channel it into the Tree.
With each passing moment, Elyon's connection to the Tree of Creation grew stronger. She felt the power of the Mimameidr's Blessing technique surging through her veins, infusing her with renewed vigor and vitality. Her thoughts were consumed by the image of the Creation Branch, the golden patterns etched into the wood glowing with a brilliant intensity.
As she poured more and more of her energy into the Tree, Elyon felt a sudden surge of power ripple through her body. The Creation Branch before her shimmered and shook, and for a moment it seemed as if it might wither away entirely. But then, a spark of life flickered to life within it, and it began to grow stronger and more vibrant than ever before.
Elyon's heart leaped with joy as she felt herself breaking through from the Aetipulus Realm to the Aethysica Realm. The Creation Branch grew to an incredible size, its leaves bursting with swirling galaxies of black and gold. She knew that she had achieved a breakthrough, and that the path to an even greater power was now open to her.
Elyon smiled with joy and gratitude, knowing that her understanding of the life law had led her to this breakthrough. She knew that with this newfound power, she could create even more powerful and complex magical fruits and other life forms, and that she was one step closer to fulfilling her ultimate goal of reaching Niloggver's level of power.
----------------------------------------
FIREBIRD TROUBLES
1512 IF 8235:00 > 1513 IF 3459:00
Elyon found herself utterly captivated by the mesmerizing growth and development of the firebird that she had nurtured with tender care and devotion. Each day brought new and wondrous changes that left her breathless with excitement and anticipation.
As she watched the tiny bird grow, Elyon felt as though she was witnessing a miracle unfolding before her very eyes. She spent hours upon hours observing the graceful movements of the bird, marveling at the way its feathers sparkled and shimmered in the sunlight like diamonds.
The firebird seemed to exude a radiant aura that filled Elyon's heart with warmth and joy, as if it was imbued with a mystical power beyond comprehension. Elyon would often lose herself in the bird's graceful movements, as it flitted about with effortless ease, leaving a trail of shimmering embers in its wake.
The way the bird took flight was nothing short of breathtaking, soaring high into the sky with a majestic grace that left Elyon spellbound. The way the firebird danced through the air, its wings spreading wide and its feathers ablaze with a brilliant light, was a sight that Elyon would never tire of.
As Elyon continued to watch the firebird grow and develop, she knew that she was witnessing something truly remarkable.
As the days went by, Elyon couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss with her beloved firebird. Despite her tireless efforts to nurture and care for it, she began to notice that the bird's growth had started to slow down considerably.
Elyon knew that the reason behind the bird's sluggish growth was the lack of the powerful fire element resources and aether that it needed to thrive. She felt a pang of despair in her heart as she realized that her beloved creation may not reach its full potential.
The thought of the firebird not reaching its full potential was a heavy burden on Elyon's heart. She had poured her heart and soul into this creature, and the idea that her efforts might go to waste left her feeling utterly desolate.