118. When Rebirthers Meet Again
“Liom should be on his way to the sect now provided he completed his mission. He should be back within 2 or 4 days.”
“Thank you sister Ilya for the past two months. Please let the next person know that I will be in seclusion for 5 days and I can’t afford any disturbances.”
Ilya bowed and saluted with her fists before leaving.
In the meantime, Clay closed the door and inspected the thirty bottles of Foundation Establishment Breakthrough Pills in his spatial ring. Almost three months had passed and he had already concocted what Elder Muka requested of him.
Deviating from his original plan which is to stay in the sect within 5 to 10 years, he is left with no choice but leave the sect soon. It is true that his involvement with Jesha had not been completely forgotten yet but he believes that his growth and with the restoration of his arms, identifying him should be difficult.
The pills had been concocted and he just needed to submit them for completion. He does not mind staying longer and repay the debt of gratitude but recalling how the strongest person of the sect wants it to look like a deal rather than a mark of friendship, he decided that leaving the sect early is for the best and not over welcome his stay.
The past three months had been a dull cycle of resting and concocting pills and with this short period of time as well, he did manage to reach the Peak of Late Qi Condensation. Part of the plan was to learn more about Dao and Essence Flames and their functions on different types of pills and since he failed to get clearance to the sect’s book repository, his last option is to ask Liom who according to Ilya was on a mission and will be back in a few days.
It was Ilya who had become his eyes and ears the past few months. Although he did not indirectly helped Ilya, the fact that she has been accepted as an inner disciple for this sect should be more than enough to repay that time when she saved him.
After speaking with Liom in a few days, he will journey back to the north and find a peaceful human settlement within Gentris Kingdom and maybe spend the rest of his life as an ordinary person like he envisioned prior to the mess he had been involved with.
He just hopes that Liom can answer his questions without them revealing each other’s secrets.
For now, he plans on breaking through to Foundation Establishment in preparation for his journey. Muka gave him an extra 10 sets of ingredients and Clay had them all turned into pills. He wanted to surrender the extra pills however Muka did not look like he wants to be indebted so he might as well use it for himself and treat it as a form of payment for the Flawless quality pills.
Clay placed three pills into his mouth all at once. For someone with sufficient Spiritual Elemental Affinity, even a low quality pill would suffice and for some who have stronger affinities may not even require a pill at all but for someone opposite, they require much more resources to break through. This had always been an immutable law of cultivation and is the reason any sect would value innate talents. The need for resources is not that glaring during lower levels but as a cultivator progresses is when the difference of having a lower or higher Elemental Affinity is pronounced. The consumption is just astronomical.
Clay closed his eyes and concentrated on the surging energy coursing throughout his meridians. Every moment is critical and the slightest mistake may cause him to implode.
Meanwhile, on the same lake where Clay had met Muka, Ilya had just made her report and is now walking away. Clay’s Master approached Muka.
“Once we let him leave, we may not have a chance to get him to concoct for us again. Can we at least make him stay for a few years and let him try Tier III pills?”
“It’s indeed a waste and if only it were that easy to replace his Essence Flame but he is far too young. Let him go on a journey for now and let him experience the cultivation world. One day he will realize the need for rarer medicines to breakthrough and when that happens, he will return and you can make your demands by then.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
Patriarch Muka understands what Elder Numar is implying however the method of evolving an Essence Flame which is already integrated into someone’s cultivation is too risky that it is not worth the risk for someone inexperienced.
The truth is, Elven race can easily reach Foundation Establishment even with the lowest quality of pills so Clay’s flawless pills is like a luxury to them but racial advantage becomes irrelevant when reaching Core Formation. If only Clay had fused with an actual Human Class Essence Flame, then he will spend every resources available to the sect to nurture him. He cursed whoever allowed Clay to integrate with an un-riped Essence Flame completely wasting Clay’s potential to concoct higher level of pills. After a moment of silence, he said, “It’s not a loss having an ally within the human kingdom.”
Three days gone by and while the sect is busy with its affairs, Clay opened his eyes. His eyes are glittering in gold with his newly acquired power. He successfully broke through to Foundation after eight hours but stabilizing his cultivation took him two and a half days to allow the circulation in his dantian to become automatic.
Clay controlled his urge to test his powers. And it is not because of the amplified concentration brought about by having reached Foundation Level but because of the level of Dao he can now exert and control. For some reasons, his breakthrough made a leap on the Dao Powers he can now manifest. Just like his Qi, he can now will it to take the same shape his Qi does.
Clay summoned a thin strand of his Qi on his fingertip and imbued it with Dao.
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He is amazed by how he could easily control his powers now and on top of that, it has become many times stronger as well. Judging from the amount and concentration of his spiritual power now and Dao Power he can now manifest, he feels like he could squish the head of the Goblin he once encountered.
However having learned from his mistake, even if he feels like the Dao Power he can now manifest is multiplied a hundred fold, he should find a Mana creature or a strong Kulfagar Demon and test it out for real.
Clay got to his feet then opened the door to meet the brand new day. He stretched his body while facing the sunlight.
“I guess this is it, huh?”
Clay started walking down the mountains. Liom should have been back and it is time to ask his question the leave the sect. He wanted to say goodbye to his master, Fara and that chubby little Elven but he does not want to make it awkward. They have not visited him since he had his residence fixed so it would make it easier if he just disappears without a drama.
Clay walked the residential mountain for inner disciples. He ignored the usual disdainful looks from the Elves and walked straight towards a certain courtyard.
*Knock
*Knock
Liom is busy sorting out his loot from his mission and was suddenly distracted by the sudden knock. After entering the inner sect, he did not want to attract attention so he had always stayed low key and he does not recall offending anyone as well. Judging from the person outside, it should be a fellow disciple.
Liom stood up and opened the door.
“I did not expect this human friend to come find me. Please do come in. I must let you know in advance though that I have no exotic food prepared.
Clay smiled back then entered the room and said, “I do have questions I hope to consult this friend.”
Clay is surprised that Liom had already reached Peak Qi Condensation and the blue mist signifying Dao Powers had slightly grown as well.
“As long as it is not about my food recipe, then I might be able to offer some help.” Liom warmly responded.
“For a cultivator who can manifest Dao, do you know at what level can they stand a chance fighting a Mana Cultivator?”
Liom was about to prepare tea but he was caught off guard with the question but still maintained his smile then said, “This friend should be asking his master instead of asking an inexperienced inner disciple.”
As much as Clay would like to befriend Liom first before revealing their identities as rebirthers, since he is leaving today, he may not have time to speak to him again and it looks like they may not have a friendly conversation.
“In general, which is stronger, is it cultivator or a Mage?” Clay revealed his aura making Liom a little apprehensive.
“I ask this human friend to understand that I am not experienced enough to answer such questions.”
Clay smiled and decided to let the cat out of the bag.
“Like you, I’m an anomaly of reincarnation and I can remember my past life and…” Before Clay could finish his sentence, Liom’s countenance changed and activated his Qi.
Liom quickly drew out his dagger from his spatial ring, imbued it with his Dao power and killing intent and with full burst of power he jumped forward to slash Clay’s neck.
Clay was calm and did not budge an inch after seeing Liom’s sudden actions. The room is small and it felt like Liom teleported in front of him but right before the dagger could reach his neck, Clay activated his Dao powers as well and created a barrier around himself.
*Clang
The sword was split into two.
Liom thought he had the upper hand but in that moment when the sword was about to slice Clay, he felt a power a thousand times more terrifying than his Dao. His Dao had always been his trump card since reincarnating to this world and everyone who underestimated him had always died but today, the situation is reversed. He saw how his attack was deflected effortlessly. On top of that, he just realized the difference in their power.
Liom instinctively jumped backwards to create a distance and thought about escaping but before he could move another inch, he felt a colossal amount of pressure surrounded his body causing him to collapse and drop on the floor.
*Argghh
*Argghh
Liom struggled to circulate his Qi as Clay’s Dao powers penetrated his body and he felt like his insides had all been pierced and torn apart. The Dao Powers in his dantian had been restrained and his eyes started to blur. He thought he was going to die but the pressure suddenly vanished.
*Pant
*Pant
*Pant
Clay retracted his power and release Liom from his misery. Even Clay was surprised with how powerful his Dao had become. In the past, whenever his Dao would enter someone’s body, all it could do is interrupt their flow of Qi but this time it had become deadly and destructive. Nevertheless, he still need to ask his question.
“Unfortunately, the place I came from did not have Mana, or should say, the mana during my past life manifested differently. I mean no harm and I hope this friend can answer these few questions of mine.”
Liom on the other hand curbed on the floor and with his circulation restored, he felt a backslash from the attack earlier. While coughing out blood, Liom ignored the excruciating pain and struggled to get up despite his condition and instead of standing on his feet, he kneeled with his forehead on the ground.
“This senior..” *Cough
“This senior, Dao cultivators are many times stronger and this difference becomes pronounced when a cultivator breaks through to Nascent level. I have only been able to reach the 2ND Phase of Dao so I cannot distinguish the difference compared to your Dao but I am sure no one can oppose you in that state.”
*Cough
“The Dao power I manifested, tell me what level it is.”
“This respected senior, I am uncertain but it is should be a realm above 3RD Phase of Dao. I ask senior to forgive this junior’s ignorance. I don’t know anything above… ”
Clay interrupted again. This moment is crucial and he did not want Liom to think about his answers “Do you know anything about incorporating Dao during pill concoction?”
“This respected senior, forgive my ignorance but even if you perform soul search on me, I was only a typical and ordinary Alchemist.”
*Cough
Liom did not know if he is being tested so he answered honestly. He had reached the 2ND Phase of Dao in his last life but the power he just witnessed now is different and completely out of this world.
“Tell me how does one look into their Dao Powers.”
Liom wanted to beg for his life but he felt Clay circulated his Qi again.
“A person must activate their Dao then concentrate into their dantian. A lot of time is unclear and it takes a long time before one can have a clear picture. I usually go into longer periods of seclusion to do that.”
Liom’s senses had been heightened that he could feel the slighted distortion of Qi despite his body’s condition. Having been a real expert in his past life, his battle experience is rich. He felt Clay had just extended his aura and is about to reach him. His mind went into overdrive thinking how he should be able to escape with his head intact. He knew that even the Patriarch of this sect will not be able to help him.
“Those pills, use them to breakthrough. I have nothing else in me to thank this friend but I hope to taste your cooking again if fate allows.”
Clay turned around and left.
Meanwhile, Liom was confused but still waited for a minute before moving. He cursed his carelessness. He had too many enemies during his past life and the moment he heard someone knew about his secret as a rebirther, he instinctively wanted to eliminate Clay. However, it was his own folly that made him overestimate his strength. He thought he was unique and that the heavens gave him a second chance. Now that he knew he is not the only person who was given another chance, he’ll ensure to be more careful next time.
Liom grabbed the bottle of pill and clenched his teeth.