Darkness, with its usual familiar calmness...

The void, with its familiar vastness...

As I slowly opened my eyes, I saw the woman sitting cross-legged before me, her usual bored demeanor on display. She stared directly at me, at my soul, with her pitch-black eyes.

So she called me back here again. My body must be asleep right now.

"Hello, master." I said, bowing my head slightly in front of her while in a meditative posture. Unlike the outside world, here in my spiritual web, the time that passed so slowly had allowed me to learn that she was much more than she appeared, and despite her aggressive demeanor and whims, I had benefited greatly from her teachings.

With a brief nod, she encouraged me to begin my cultivation. Closing my eyes, I started to absorb the qi that emanated from the void.

Of course, I wished that everything could be that simple and that I could say so. To absorb the qi of the void was such a naive thought...

To call it qi wouldn’t be accurate because, in the beginning, the so-called spirit had no meridians to circulate the qi or a dantian to store it. There wasn’t even a life force here in the Spiritual Web.

You might wonder if the spiritual body lacks meridians as well, and I would answer that the body I referred to as the spiritual body was merely a reflection of the me in the outside world. In essence, in this state, I was no different from my spiritual state in the Spirit Mound; the body that appeared to be there was no different from an illusion I could control.

As for how I facilitated my spiritual development, I was essentially consuming myself...

That might sound strange—like I was some sort of cannibal.

To explain, the life force known as mana or qi is a power that mortals acquire and need from the outside world. Spirits, which essentially each create their own little divinity—meaning, in a sense, each spirit is like a small divine being—didn’t need this at first. Spirits were self-consuming entities, healing and growing by what they consumed, essentially open to infinite development, and were cyclical in their own domains—the Spiritual Web.

Thus, it wasn’t unreasonable to refer to them as divine beings within their own worlds. I say this because, indeed, as I developed, my Spiritual Web began to change. It was shaping more according to my mind, as if it were reforming through my imagination. Right now, not much had changed, and everything still remained dark, but stars had begun to form in the darkness, and the reflections falling into the infinite water looked beautiful.

And actually, as I later learned from the master, before I reincarnated in this body, the place I referred to as the Spirit Mound was, from the very beginning, my Spiritual Web. This led me to ponder how those two spirits could enter my Spiritual Web. Some things were so convoluted that my mind couldn’t comprehend them. Were those two still within my Spiritual Web? If so, would I one day meet them?

"..."

When it comes to developing by feeding on the spirit, it wasn't as simple as it seemed. The act of the spirit consuming itself was an unbearable pain—far worse than the separation of the soul from the body at death—and if one failed to consume it, the spirit would vomit itself out. This could lead to severe dangers, such as the soul shrinking further and, because it couldn’t perform its self-healing function after consuming itself, slowly fading away. In other words, one could still destroy themselves and reach a point where they could no longer be reborn, and despite the pain endured, the soul’s growth was minimal. This made me consider the second path.

So, the second path was the soul-absorbing method, as practiced by powerful demons like Aidz. Using the souls you absorbed into your Spiritual Web through demonic cultivation, in other words, consuming them instead of your own soul—though they couldn’t heal like your own and being single-use meant you’d need more souls—was simpler and less painful compared to divine cultivation. However, it led to the corruption and pollution of your soul.

Not onlydid it make it impossible to regret your actions and return to the divine path of developing your soul—known as divine cultivation, or feeding on your own soul—but it also left negative effects on your spiritual persona.

It was a path my master definitely did not recommend.

However, even then, in order to ensure the souls you absorbed into your Spiritual Web didn’t dare attack you, you still needed to start with a degree of spiritual enhancement through the divine path. So either way, you had to experience the pain of "feeding on your own soul" at least once.

In my Spiritual Web, there were over a few dozen souls left from Aidz, but I had yet to consume them for my soul’s development.

I suppose I thought that once I endured the pain, I would get used to it and be able to continue down this –divine– path. So, as my master advised, I gave up the demonic path and began cultivating through the divine path.

I remember my first time...

It was excruciating.

The word ‘excruciating’ falls short. For we’re talking about a pain worse than death itself. As someone who has once experienced the agony of a soul departing the body and remembers it as if it were yesterday, and as someone who has once consumed their own soul—and who, if not for my master’s help, would have vomited my soul back—I can say this much...

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Consuming one’s soul is equivalent to dying ten times over.

Hoff... It sucks for real.

Focusing on the present moment, I held my breath anxiously. This was my third time doing it, but the pain never lessened. In fact, knowing how much it hurt only made me feel more frightened and tense.

From time to time, I can’t help but wonder if I should eat some of the spirits lurking in the corner, watching me. But the harsh gaze my master casts at me makes me abandon the idea.

I shut my eyes tight and took a deep breath to ease my tension. But of course, it still didn’t go away. Then, I felt hands on my shoulders from behind. They were firm and cold, yet somehow reassuring. When I opened my eyes and looked up, I saw my master staring down at me, brows furrowed. Her huge bat-like wings cast a shadow over me, like a cover.

“Thou fool, cease yer whimperin’ like a babe! This ain’t the first time ye done this, yet ye still feel like this!”

“Huh?!” For a moment, I thought she was trying to encourage me—though I knew she wouldn’t.

Bah, she says it like it’s so easy!

I clicked my tongue and frowned. “Master, I’m sorry for disappointing you! But saying it like it’s something simple is so arrogant!”

As I retorted, she responded by slapping the top of my head with the tip of her tail.

“Aghyi!” I squeaked, my head dipping slightly from the impact. Just as I was about to stand up and face her, she grabbed me from behind by both wrists and pressed her clawed foot against my back, pulling me. “Ah, okay, okay, Master! You’re right, and I’m wrong!” I quickly surrendered. This was just another ordinary moment between the master—the bully—and me—the victim disciple.

She released my wrists, leaving me to fold my arms and grumble. Clicking her tongue and shaking her head slightly, she crossed her arms. “Quit yer snivelin’! Outside, yer a brat, and inside, ye be another!”

The person outside she was referring to was Reagan. I wondered if she—if I—had done something wrong. Well, either way, I was an annoying brat to her on both sides.

I say 'I wondered' because for some reason I can't remember what happened in my outer body. Actually, it was because my master wanted me not to be distracted and to focus my mind only on cultivation, so she kept me away from outside events. Later, when I cultivated, she gave me the memories of my outer body as a reward.

I sighed, tilting my head slightly, my eyes lingering on my distorted, shaky reflection on the surface of the infinite sea, whose true depth could never be reached. “Master, can’t we do this later? Or, isn’t there a simpler way?” I asked, staring at the rippling image of her body in the water, with her red skin, flaming horns that glowed orange at the tips and on her back, folded on either side, dark and majestic wings. There was a slight tone of helplessness in my voice. I couldn’t hide it—not from my master, who knew me better than I knew myself after all these hundreds of years spent together.

Unfoldnig her muscular arms, she approached me, her steps creating ripples on the water. When I felt her hand on my shoulder, I raised my head, expecting her to scold or hit me again. I was used to it.

But I found neither.

Instead, my master’s dark eyes, which usually shone with anger and coldness, met mine with an unfamiliar look—understanding. It wasn’t pity, gentleness, or kindness; it was simply understanding. As if her gaze was telling me, “One day, you will understand.”

“Ye think I know not an easier way to strengthen yer power? But nay, ye must know pain! Yer body hath overcome pain, and fear of the body, by chance or fortune. But those ye shall face in the future won’t seek to harm yer flesh!” She crouched in front of me, meeting my eyes as she lightly pressed her long claw against my chest. “They’ll aim fer yer very soul, right here. When that day cometh, wilt thou hold the same calm? Wilt thou possess the same indifference, the same unyieldin’ spirit?!”

I instinctively held my breath, her eyes so intense and pitch black that I could clearly see my wide-eyed, childlike reflection in them.

“W-what do you mean?” My voice trembled slightly, struggling to make sense of her words. It was the first time her thoughts had been so difficult to decipher, and unlike usual, she resorted to words instead of showing. She wasn’t one for long explanations. If she was speaking at length, it meant the matter was serious.

She remained silent for a long while, and for a moment, I thought she might just keep staring at me without saying anything. But finally, she stood up suddenly. “What I mean t’say is, I have reasons fer makin’ ye grow with this method. Power is not all that matters, ‘tis the endurance t’withstand pain. The day shall come when I shan’t be here t’guide ye. So bear it! The future is perilous, and comfort hath ne’er been where I stand. There hath ne’er been a moment o’ calm, and neither shall there be fer ye.”

I couldn’t say anything. I just stood there, my mouth slightly agape. Something felt strange, and some things that would likely make sense in the future still remained unclear to me now.

She sighed lightly, continuing, “Fear not, the day shall come when divine cultivation becometh as simple as breathin’. So cease yer whinin’ like a babe now! Endure, and shoulder the pain with fortitude!” Her voice echoed so powerfully in the spirit realm that even the infinite sea trembled, and the ghostly silhouettes of spirits scattered in fear.

Truly, I didn’t call her my master for nothing.

I can do this! I have to do this! I will do this!

...

“AAAAHHHHH!!!-AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!” While consuming her own spirit, dark tears streamed down her face into the infinite sea. Her agonized screams echoed through the spiritual realm, so soul-piercing that even the spirits trapped within her domain’s cage felt pity for her suffering.

*

“What do you mean by this?” Queen Yewhser asked, her eyebrows furrowed, half in surprise and half in anger, as she addressed the request of Demon King Aidz Hū Baūl. Her tone remained firm, but calm.

The king, however, simply looked into her eyes. It was hard to tell from his expression whether he was pleased with the situation or not. “I know it is too much to ask for, and I cannot attempt to persuade you by using our past as an excuse.”

The queen narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp. “I’m curious to know what you’re offering, because it better be worth it. Otherwise, I will not be taking a girl, whose true nature is what one call unknown, back to my palace.” She declared this with a resolute tone, leaving no room for negotiation. Even if he had tried to use their shared history as leverage, it seemed it's not like she'd have accepted.

The king nodded, his expression unwavering. And the next moment, as he opened his mouth, the most carefully chosen words and offer came from Aidz’s dry lips, causing the queen’s eyes to widen in surprise and satisfaction to spread across her face.

...

The elf woman in the purple robe and veil on her face, watched impatiently as little Tee’yhan shifted restlessly from one foot to the other, his eyes never leaving the door. She, too, though she didn’t show it, was beginning to grow anxious. Her sharp gaze flicked, sneaky and subtle, first to the elf servants and then to the shadows and then among the guards. Finally, she set her eyes on the muscular demon woman standing with her hands calmly clasped before her. There was a natural, practiced, slight smile on her face, but her eyes revealed no emotion as she observed them.

Why the queen hasn’t out yet?

The elf entourage, who had been waiting for about two hours for the door to open, began to whisper and murmur among themselves. However, the only one who remained silent was the woman in the purple robe. She fixed her gaze on the demon woman, allowing a silent rivalry to form between them. On the other side, the demon woman met her gaze in the same manner, but with less subtlety.

Finally, when the sound of the wide throne room door opening echoed through the hall, the queen emerged, her beautiful face showing no hint of emotion.

With tears welling up, Tee’yhan’s face brightened with relief as he ran toward the queen. “Mother!” He called out, and the woman embraced him immediately. However, the queen maintained her composure. With so many people around, she wasn’t about to display motherly affection openly.

Queen Yewhser turned her gaze toward Floida and commanded, “Bring the princess.”

Floida’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “With all due respect, I must ask for the reason.” She spoke calmly but with a hint of underlying concern.

The elf queen looked down at her, smirking coldly. “I’m taking her to my lands. From now on, she will live on my soil. If you have an issue with that, take it up with the king.” With that, she walked past Floida, her retinue trailing behind as the guards escorted them down the corridors. Purple robed elf woman cast a condescending look in Floida’s direction before they all disappearing.

Huh? What... does it mean?

Floida stood frozen in place, watching them leave with wide eyes as she pondered the question that pounded painfully in her heart.

Princess... s-she is... leaving?

*