Chapter 18 - Crimson Bloodlust
After entering the Bestowment Palace a tall and long corridor would unfold. On the sides there were many glass cases, one per each weapon. They were almost all blades, any kind of sword could be found.
Falven judged these weapons to be quite low grade, so he kept going forward. After several steps a chi barrier blocked his path, an array was sustaining it to prevent anyone who didn’t have a good grasp on sword or slaying laws from proceed further.
The trial of the formation was quickly solved by Falven, who kept advancing through many other chi barriers without much effort. Each time he entered a new section of the corridor the grade of the displayed weapons would increase.
After having solved the slaying mysteries of the last formation he finally entered the tower, where the most precious weapons were stored. Thanks to his great comprehension and ability to see through primordial laws he managed to apprehend the profound truths of the Slaying Dao in the previous months. Studying the Dao Slaying Manual was key to this success.
Differently from the chi barriers in the corridor, all the chi inside the tower was charged with slaying laws, suppressing the cultivators. The higher you went the higher the pressure, Falven understood that to reach the top you didn't need to oppose resistence, but to accept the slaying pressure and let your salying laws resonate with it.
He withstood the pressure aiming for the top. The laws of the tower accepted him recognising his profound understanding of the Slaying Dao and allowed his raise.
Only the best weapon would be worth of his efforts, nothing else but the peak would satisfy him. Standing aloof, far away from the other swords, a saber with a crimson blade was emitting a frightening bloodlust. “This is a good sword, perfect for the Slaying Dao. I feared the sect wouldn't have have this kind of weapons anymore”.
The saber was at the peak Admiral grade. After Commander grade, the only two higher grades human cultivators would refer to were the Admiral grade and the Monarch grade, which was believed to be the human limit.
Actually legends told that before the Heavens Punishment capsized this world, cultivators could reach the God stage and God grade weapons would also exist. But that was deemed to be a sin by the Heavens and all the God legacies and God experts were severed.
Crimson letters were carved on the black scabbard floating next to the blade “Crimson Bloodlust”. Falven could feel that the sword wasn’t paying attention to him, it stood proud and aloof, uncaring of the world. A strong bloodlust was continuously emitted, clear evidence of the blood the blade had basked in through never-ending killing.
An Admiral saber forged for slaying, handled by a powerful expert of the past, used to kill and sever powerful beings whose blood had finely refined the blade. This was a resting beast who could look at the world in disdain. Even if it wasn’t of the highest grade, Falven understood the truth. The potential of this weapon was shockingly high, it could still grow and be polished through battles, evolving together with its user.
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“Crimson Bloodlust, I can feel your aloofness, probably no expert of this era is worthy of you. You were forged to soar through the Heavens slaying Gods and Immortals, reaching the peak through killing and bloodshed. You shall not be wasted in the hands of those who prostrate to the Heavens for mercy, but you shall be brought to glory by me. I am the one who’ll slaughter his way through the so called Heavens, reaching the peak, the true peak. I come from a different era, an era in which the Immortal Gods of humanity would battle the Immortal Gods of the other races to plunder the Heavens. You need the blood of terrific enemies and a powerful enough Slaying Dao to shine, I can offer you both. Come with me and we shall bring havoc to this universe, the past grievances won’t be forgotten”.
This kind of high grade weapon, refined in the blood of legendary beings, had developed its own soul long ago. It was free to choose its master, at least a mighty immortal expert could overpower it forcing the weapon in submission.
After his speech something had changed in the blade, Falven was overwhelmed by a bloodlust intent, he felt like a naked boy before the eyes of a master. The saber was satisfied by what it saw in the youth, a crimson light shone on top of the tower, brightening both the inside of the tower and the Palace courtyard.
Crimson Bloodlust had accepted his new master. Falven cut his hands letting the blood gush out. Drop after drop was absorbed by the insatiable blade, signing a contract which will shake the universe.
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The core disciple came out of the Bestowment Palace carrying a sheathed saber on his back, proud and firm. The disciples outside were still confused by the crimson light which had brightened the sky just a few moments ago, unable to explain the reasons behind that.
“Fate Destroyer, is that… Crimson Bloodlust? Has that sword recognised you as its master?” Utter amazement was depicted on the protector face.
Each disciple was jolted. Crimson Bloodlust was a symbol of great prestige for the Bestowment Palace and the sect as well. In the history record of the sect no disciple had ever managed to win it over, nonetheless just reaching the weapon required a great mastery of the laws and an adequate cultivation level.
It was a common belief that nobody could win that saber over, it was part of the Palace and a sect treasure. A relic from an ancient era, meant for resting in the sect and be used as a last resort in times of crisis.
Now a Soldier ranked cultivator, who had just entered the sect through some devious means, who was considered trash by all, had been recognised by this legendary blade. This was a too huge of a blow for the disciples there, they couldn’t admit that he was truly a so formidable cultivator, this idea was in contrast with all their previous beliefs.
It’s always difficult to accept the reality if you have taken a different stance, losing face, seeing your own beliefs come to nothing, admitting your previous knowledge was biased, it takes courage and mental fortitude to achieve that.
Rumours were spread once again by some disciples with ulterior motives or who simply couldn’t accept the reality before their eyes “There’s no way he could achieve this feat, he’s been helped by the elder for sure. For how long we’ll allow this scumbag to plunder the resources of our beloved sect and ruin its long-standing reputation?” “Right, there’s no way an evil person like him, who has offended the Heavens and put the whole sect in peril, could be accepted by a sacred weapon such as Crimson Bloodlust”.
An inner sect disciple strode forward from the crowd with a righteous attitude and threateningly stated “Give the weapon back to the Bestowment Palace, Crimson Bloodlust is not for you to play around!”.