68. To Live is To Die

Clay and Ver'a walked inside a fifty-meter long and ten meter-wide molded and dumpy hallway.

For every five meters they passed are crystal orbs the size of a head placed on top of a cylindrical black metals standing on each sides of the hall. And at the end of the hallway is an open area with Greater Kay'u Trees growing around a pond.

Ver'a threw the Mid Qi Crystals Clay gave out earlier into the pond and after two minutes, the hall they passed by earlier became alive.

"You probably have less than an hour to study everything inside. If you need time, throw in more Qi Crystals. Let me remind you again, there is no cure and stop wasting resources and time.” Vera said as he walked towards and entrance leaving Clay alone.

Clay placed his hand and injected his Qi on one of the shining crystal orbs.

"To become a cultivator, one must be ready to kill for his ideals."

Ver'a did tell him that only cultivation techniques were recorded within this temple, but what he was looking for are cryptic hidden messages that may have been imbedded along the texts. Cultivation techniques is the heart of any family or Sect and should not be easily divulge, but Ver'a is willing to exchange them to improve their lineage.

Even Ver'a could not properly explain why they needed Re'y's seeds badly when Clay asked earlier. He only said that elderly High Elvens develop a kind of instinct that would make them determine the perfect mates of their younglings.

After a few minutes, the lights emitted by the orbs started to dim and Clay still found nothing.

But he still believes that Brung from a highly advance civilization should have had copies of his work hidden somewhere as a backup. Unless Ver'a lied about this temple having existed since ancient times.

Clay extended his Qi to probe and further investigate the area.

He found out that the water supply of the pond comes from a natural spring and there at least six small holes where overflows are absorbed.

Clay then used his divine sense to follow the directions of the water and he was astonished to find out that multiple gathering formations activated at the bottom of the mountain giving him a clear picture of the magnificent design of the training ground that spanned half a kilometer radius.

“Marvelous.” Clay finally understood how the dissolved Qi Crystals powered the hall but this hall is actually only a portion of the temple.

Clay took out one Spiritual Vein Model then submerged it near the spring. Maybe he will discover something once he gives the temple enough energy supply.

After a quarter of an hour, the water infused with Spiritual Qi reached every Gathering Formation node in the temple attracting a few nearby villagers and for whatever reason they started setting up Isolation Formations, Clay ignored them as he was fixated on looking for traces or clues Brung may have had left.

However, after hours of checking every transcript available, he finally gave up. He smiled at his own folly, unable to accept how reality played him and still clinging in hopes of a deluded fantasy of turning back time and undoing his mistake.

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If the proponent of the theory failed to accomplish it and that is considering that Mur Brung is from an advance civilization, certainly other people would have better ideas. He who cannot even remember his past attempting to uncovering big things in science is just wishful thinking.

When Clay stepped out of the temple, he saw Ver’a standing at the entrance.

"I wish to spend my remaining days in your village and I hope the Spiritual Vein is enough to compensate for any troubles I have caused and may bring."

“You know I am not polite with these offers. Why don’t go back and rest first.”

Clay flew back on the hill where he was initially brought to and upon landing, he found Re'y near a bonfire with his usual offering.

Unlike his cooking, Re’y added spices but when Clay took a bite, he realized his ability to taste food had gotten worse but not that they actually matter anymore.

Clay took out a few spatial rings and one containing a Spiritual Vein Model then handed them to Re'y.

"Those are the rings of the Nascent Soul experts whom I have killed. May you find them useful. I am not going anywhere and I hope to die here in peace.” Clay explained as he handed a few more items and turned around.

Before Clay could walk towards the dilapidated residence, Re'y kneeled with his forehead on the ground.

“I hope to fulfill master’s last wishes. If there is none, simple techniques would do so I and my descendants can honor master’s legacy."

Clay smiled. It had always baffled him if his Failed Superman's Eyesight technique is an ability unique to him as a reincarnator but seeing Re’y’s sincerity, he does not mind revealing his secrets.

Clay took out a paper and drew the Qi Nodes on the eyes and wrote instructions for circulation.

“I once asked someone to circulate that technique and did not see the same image as I did, but when you find one who can, they will naturally understand how the world works. Do not disturb me unless you bring extracts of Rabi'y Violet Orchid.”

Clay slowly walked towards the residence on the hill illuminated by moonlight.

When Ver'a handed him the bottle of Greater Kay'u essence, he was tempted to drink it on the spot but now he wondered if there is even a sense to continue living now that he has lost his taste.

Extending his life for another ten years is definitely a sound choice but living as a loathsome beast makes him rather choose death and liberate himself of this misery.

Since this residence contains books and valuable knowledge, he plans to write down his own biography to describe his short life and how he acquired power in exchange of his life. Knowledge is power and whoever may chance upon his biography may find some use for it.

He could just write anything that comes to mind but he decided to follow how everyone wrote their biographies. Besides, he has nothing to do and why not entertain himself via reading.

Clay took a random book from the far edge of the shelf and opened it to the first page.

"My name is Avur, eighth patriarch of Mur clan. I have lived for more than nine hundred years and although I have a more than fifty years more to live, I decided to have that damnable jellyfish implanted in me. Before you, future patriarchs judge or think that I am a member of that crazy Ul Al'iya clan, I want you to understand that I am doing this to preserve our heritage.

The Spiritual Vein that has been supporting our colony for thousands of years has begun showing signs of decadence. The continued outburst of Black Qi infested beasts disrupted the balance of the world preventing births of Spiritual Veins.

The following pages will cite my experiences as to how I have achieved Nascent soul at an early age, together with encounters I had with rare and unknown beasts and how I defeated or sealed them.

As a patriarch, your focus should be the preservation of our clan. Although everyone laughs at the idea that I will reborn as a Spiritual Vein after thousands of years, I am still doing it even if the chance is close to impossibility or even if it is just a myth. Call me crazy but at least not as crazy as your first patriarch who thinks he can turn back time. Seriously, who wants to live again and bicker with his wife for six hundred years and meddle into some stupid brats' altercations? I will break that nutcase's head if I meet him in the afterlife.

Don't forget to plant and nurture Tagtaga. It will help you appease your needs in bed when you get older.

Avur"