Tyler's mind whirled as he considered his response carefully. He was trying to decide whether he should be completely truthful or if a bit of deception was in order. While his knowledge of the Keepers of the Red Dust was somewhat limited, he did understand that their focus was on knowledge and stories rather than a path of power built on violence and theft.
Before Tyler could decide on his response, Leo continued, noticing Tyler's surprise. "I only ask this because, from what we know, people in other planes of existence don't have access to the system since they are not under the influence of the Architect. Given your unique situation, it's not a stretch to ask. So, System or not?"
Tyler recalled his conversation with Maximus about the quest the man had received and that he wasn't unique in this situation. Considering he was already dealing with Soul Shattering cultivators, Ascendants, and other influential figures more frequently than he would like, he decided to be honest.
After clearing his throat from the tea he had just spit out, he sighed and answered the man. "Well, to be completely honest, I have no system whatsoever. Imagine my surprise when I learned last summer that everyone had it, and I didn't." Chuckling, he added, "You should consider yourself lucky; you're the first person I've told this to. I've been too afraid that someone would want to cut me open to find out why..."
Leo smiled. "Well, you should keep it that way. Even most Soul Shattering cultivators today are not aware of people like you existing. I only know because Lorian added a note to your records as a potential Anomaly. If anyone else were to find out what you are and what you can do, well, they would undoubtedly use you as a testing subject."
Nodding at the man, Tyler expressed gratitude for the information before proceeding with his question. "I've heard that Lorian keeps a record of everyone still alive from the pre-shattering days. Do you have access to that?"
Mister Orleander replied, "The Head Record Keeper does indeed maintain a personal list, but I, unfortunately, do not have a copy. It concerns Lorian's fear of people targeting us for knowledge of Pre-Shattering Ancestors." He paused momentarily before continuing, "I am quite certain he would be willing to meet with you and share information about specific individuals if you ever ventured into the Tranquil Lotus Highlands. Oh, and since I've just confirmed that you're a Pre-Shattering Ancestor, your records should also disappear from our version of the Page of Destiny the moment we are done here, just so you're aware."
Tyler absorbed the information and nodded contemplatively. "Thank you for sharing that information. I appreciate it. Now, if you don't mind, I have more questions. What, precisely, is the nature of your organization?"
Leo smiled and responded, "Our work encompasses the study of history, narratives, cultivators, mortals, the passage of time, and the perpetual transformation of all aspects of the world, no matter how minute. Have you ever wondered why Lorian dubbed us the Keepers of the Red Dust?"
Tyler's curiosity deepened, and he pondered the potential explanations. "I have a few hypotheses, but I'd be grateful if you could enlighten me." He scoured his memory for the source of the term, recalling various Chinese novels he had read before the Shattering.
"According to the historical records, in the bygone world, Buddhists and Taoist monks often referred to the materialistic and ever-changing nature of the secular world as 'The Red Dust World.' From a cultivator's perspective, it symbolizes the ceaseless struggles of mortals and fellow cultivators within this world. It represents the chaotic nature of human existence and the deviation from pursuing the Dao, as individuals become ensnared in their worldly desires rather than their spiritual quest for enlightenment."
Mister Orleander took a momentary pause. "Our mission is quite straightforward. In our pursuit of comprehending the grand story of the universe, we endeavor to grasp and monitor nearly all occurrences that transpire within our reach to build a comprehensive narrative. Consequently, our presence extends to virtually every corner of this planet. We are an entirely pacifist organization, which is why we were welcomed within Daoist Calm Water's little piece of paradise."
Tyler attentively listened, his memory resonating with the descriptions and details reminiscent of the novels he had immersed himself in. He savored the tea, its soothing effects enhancing his appreciation for the conversation. "Once again, thank you for sharing. My assumptions were quite close to the truth, but having them confirmed is nice."
Clad in his green robe, Leo maintained a friendly demeanor, taking a sip of his tea before proceeding. "Now, for my next few questions, feel free to decline if they are too particular to your cultivation." Tyler nodded in agreement.
"It's quite evident that you've advanced remarkably swiftly to your current cultivation level, and I'm curious how you achieved this without the system's assistance. While we are aware of the events within the Veridian Peaks and Lin Jian's breakthrough, the details remain rather vague," Leo inquired.
Tyler contemplated the question for a moment, deciding to disclose some information while keeping certain aspects concealed for later. "You can probably imagine the advantages of Divine Sense during the Qi Gathering stage. Utilizing it allowed me to verify or refute the library's cultivation texts and make nearly flawless breakthroughs through these minor gaps, as far as I can tell anyways," Tyler explained before pausing.
"I'll address the rest of that question shortly, but let me inquire first. With your own Divine Sense, can't you detect the unopened acupoints that most cultivators possess? Why isn't this knowledge more widely taught? Even you have only opened 250, while I'm certain you can sense that I have 333 with my current inability to hide my cultivation."
Leo's smile faltered slightly as he realized that Tyler's Divine Sense was of a higher quality than his own, as he had not sensed the probe into his cultivation. However, it made sense; if Tyler was an Anomaly, that is.
"The reason is quite simple. It's separate from the system's prescribed path, and even if people are aware of these unopened acupoints, it's challenging to ascertain their exact locations and how to channel their energy to unlock them. Unless a Soul Shattering cultivator directly mentors someone, it's unlikely to happen, and even then, it's extremely difficult."
Tyler nodded. "I see. Well, I guess that becomes somewhat trivial when you have divine sense. You said you knew about Lin Jian's Breakthrough; did you know I was the reason for that breakthrough? Or that I had my skin tempered by his True Essence?"
Leo agreed with a nod. "Indeed, possessing Divine Sense would simplify matters considerably. As for Lin Jian's breakthrough, we had some awareness of it, but the records were hazy, and the fact that you were the catalyst for that breakthrough or that his True Essence had tempered your skin remained a mystery. That's quite remarkable. Would you be willing to share more about that experience?"
Tyler shrugged and consented, "Sure. The man is dead, so he won't care that I revealed his secrets. Here." Tyler went against Lin Jian's warnings and shared his initial journal entries with Leo, explaining the sequence of events that had led to the breakthrough, or at least his interpretation of those events. He omitted the part about his out-of-body experience. He proceeded to describe how he had passed out due to the overwhelming energies, considering himself fortunate that it hadn't proved fatal.
Upon seeing Tyler's collection of journal entries, Leo's eyes lit up with a profound excitement, golden hues almost apparent. It was almost like the joy children exhibit when presented with new toys. "Do you happen to have more of these that you'd be willing to share with us?"
Tyler pondered the request for a moment and then shrugged once more. He had kept these notes to eventually share his insights into cultivation with others. "Certainly, I have plenty."
He began producing page after page from his inner world, offering a comprehensive account of his cultivation journey, detailing the gradual increase in his power, the sensations of opening acupoints, and the methods he had employed. He even included information about his inner world that he swore he wouldn't share with anyone.
That he wouldn't share with Anyone...
His body moved independently, sharing everything as an unusual sensation overcame him. It was as though he had entered a trance, completely losing awareness of his body, leaving only his Divine Sense and inner world.
Thunder resounded within Tyler's inner world, jolting him out of his brief trance, his eyes flashing with anger. His soul avatar promptly emerged through the crystalline surface of his inner world, converting Qi into a sword that swiftly struck Leo’s soul form that was trapped in its aperture. No one else could be the source of this disruption.
Leo, taken aback by the sudden and unexpected attack on his soul, quickly regained his composure. The strike, though surprising, was not fatal or injurious. Given the vast difference in their cultivation levels, it served more as a symbolic gesture of resistance than a genuine threat. However, it compelled him to halt his technique that had inadvertently activated.
"Ah, sorry, Tyler," Leo began, his tone remaining calm, "I assure you, it was entirely unintentional. My curiosity ...." His explanation was cut short as he sensed an overwhelming wave of soul power, ancient and potent, sweeping over him. The sensation sent shivers down his spine and filled him with dread.
Still grappling with anger but acutely aware of the insurmountable power differential between them, Tyler struggled to regain control over his emotions. He couldn't help but be overwhelmed by bursts of memories—hours upon hours of losing control of his body during severe panic attacks, rendering him unable to even breathe as he felt the end coming, the inevitable impending doom.
In response to the disruptive intrusion into his inner world, he snapped. He fought to assert his control. This is my body. This is my inner world. This is me. I am Tyler Reed. I am not dying. Everything is fine.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Uncontrolled anger surged within him as he summoned his entire cultivation and launched a furious punch directly at Mister Orleander's face, attempting to force the intruder out of his cave.
This was the only reaction he could currently muster. He couldn't be bothered to speak with the man. He only needed him out. Out of his mind, his body, and far away from exerting any type of control over him.
Unfortunately for Tyler, he faced a Soul Shattering cultivator, and despite the intimidating soul fluctuations, they lacked the power to inflict genuine harm.
The attack fell short of causing any damage to the man. Even with the most potent fuel in the world, a car can't run on fumes, and the amount of power required to breach a Soul Shattering cultivator's aperture and harm their soul far exceeded anything Tyler could muster at this stage. Even if he went all out and depleted every resource within his inner world, his efforts would prove futile against such a formidable opponent.
Leo nodded to himself, empathizing with Tyler's perspective. He gently redirected the punch, the following kick, and the knee. These strikes hit nothing but air as Leo pushed all the furniture out of the way so it didn't get destroyed with the grace of a cat. After a few seconds, his voice echoed out. "I understand, Tyler. My actions were out of my control like this is outside of yours. I have strayed from my path, so I shall meditate on the matter."
The voice seemed to pierce that thick veil that hung over Tyler's mind, causing him to be unsure of his own emotional state. He didn't know if it was the words that made sense to him or that he was being manipulated again. He didn't know what to feel right now, so he said the only thing he could. "Just leave."
Leo nodded once more as he turned to leave. "As an apology, please accept this as a gesture of goodwill. It should conceal your aura and divine sense as long as you are within this cave, even from most Divine Senses… Including mine." He then produced a formation disk and a storage bag and put them on the ground. "Once more, I'm truly sorry for the misunderstanding; it was entirely my fault. Hopefully, this won't spoil your view of the Keepers of the Red Dust."
With that, the soul-shattering cultivator left his little cultivation cave, and Tyler was alone for a while. He observed the man in green slowly walk away with a disappointed look on his face, visible shame on his face. Tyler did not know if these were genuine feelings or more manipulation as he knew Tyler was observing him.
As he felt the man reach the edge of his divine sense, he calmed down somewhat and reached out, transmitting a message just like he had done moments prior when he invited him in.
The winds came to life under Tyler's influence as they carried his voice to the man. "Don't ever pull something like this again, or I swear I'll find a way to destroy your entire organization. If this was truly a mistake, however, come by later... Maybe we can chat about the pre-shattering world instead."
Mister Orleander nodded and offered a genuine smile as he prepared to step beyond his divine sense. "I greatly appreciate your generous offer, and I look forward to visiting you in the future," he replied. "Once again, I sincerely apologize for my actions. I'm not entirely sure why I became so enthusiastic at that moment. During our time apart, I shall reflect upon my actions that go against my path and resist the temptation of interfering in the Universe's Grand Dao."
As Mister Orleander departed, leaving Tyler to his solitude and contemplation, a complex mix of emotions swirled within him. While he still harbored anger and wariness, he couldn't help but sense that the man was genuinely kind-hearted, someone who had made a mistake and seemed receptive to feedback.
Tyler had personally encountered the difficulty of holding negative feelings toward someone who, despite their recurrent mistakes, consistently displayed a pleasant demeanor and willingness to learn from their errors. He recalled the many young privates he had encountered in the army who possessed similar qualities, often signaling their potential to become effective leaders.
This contemplation led him to delve deeper into the intricate web of human nature, exploring the complexities of forgiveness and understanding and the delicate balance between judgment and compassion, as well as his own harrowing experience with manipulative ex-girlfriends who were always so nice when he was around…
Had he been more powerful just now, he would have potentially killed a man for a simple mistake that had done close to no harm beyond triggering parts of his dormant PTSD.
The desire to break free from the shackles of being so powerless slowly grew as he recalled a sentence Maximus had said. 'If you find yourself facing overwhelmingly strong foes and you're still in America, I may intervene, but don't count on it.'
The realization that Maximus Freeman likely continued to observe him through his Divine Sense, even from the distant Veridian Peaks or wherever he currently resided, left Tyler with a profound sense of powerlessness, especially after being handled so easily like a child throwing a tantrum.
He recognized that while he could handle early-stage Sea Formation cultivators and had unrivaled strength within the Qi Transformation realm, it was the powers beyond that currently gave him a headache.
Regardless of his actions or words, as long as he remained incapable of detecting Maximus's Divine Sense or fortifying himself against mental intrusions like this, Tyler felt there was little he could do except swallow his pride and tamper down his foul mouth.
He had gotten lucky that Mister Orleander hadn't retaliated in kind, or Daredevil would've had a hard time when he returned home.
Amidst this constant struggle to grow stronger and the looming uncertainty of his future encounters, Tyler yearned for a brief respite to savor life without the weight of impending challenges. He cherished the tranquility of his routine with Daredevil, finding solace in its simplicity. However, the encounter with Mister Orleander was a stark reminder of the trials ahead.
Despite his frustration and the daunting prospects, Tyler knew he had no choice but to continue moving forward. Stagnation would only invite further challenges, whether in the form of Ascendants seeking to challenge him like Maximus had or those aiming to assist him in reaching new heights to exploit him somehow down the line.
In either case, Tyler understood that he had little agency in the matter unless he wanted to end his life as a "Power Play." But that was never an option, not after all of the struggles he had gone through to resolve this after grappling with severe PTSD in the past. The fact that such thoughts even resurfaced just now was worrying to Tyler.
As Tyler reflected on his past and his challenges, his appreciation for Daredevil, who was currently a few kilometers away, napping under the warm spring sun, grew stronger. The bond they had formed was gradually becoming invaluable to Tyler.
It wasn't a bond rooted in love or familial connection, but rather a unique and profound connection forged through the crucible of life's trials and shared ordeals. While their initial bond had been formed by naming the panther, Daredevil's unwavering loyalty and heroic efforts to save Tyler's life transcended mere companionship in his eyes.
His thoughts drifted to Norm, his brother in arms, the one with whom he had made a solemn vow on the battlefield years ago. Memories of that day flooded his mind—the battlefield, the gunshot wounds, and the incredible feat of carrying his wounded comrade for 25 kilometers with a tourniquet on his leg, defying the odds of survival. It was a day when both of them should have perished, yet they had emerged, bound by an unbreakable bond forged in blood.
As these memories and emotions surged within him, the image of Daredevil carrying him and the image of himself carrying Norm intertwined in his mind, evoking a single tear. He missed his friend deeply, and he couldn't help but feel immense gratitude for Daredevil's presence in his life, providing a profound and invaluable sense of solace and connection.
Finishing the tea, he got his psyche back under control with the help of the soothing herbs within after replacing the furniture back to its intended place. Being reminded of the horrors of his past was profoundly unpleasant and put him in a foul mood. Luckily, spiritual herbs were excellent in helping with those feelings, as he had just discovered.
After a few minutes of sitting in silence, Tyler cleaned the teapot within his inner world, returning it to its rightful place on the table. His attention then turned to the storage bag and formation disk thoughtfully provided by Mister Orleander. The entire formation relied on the energy from Spirit Crystals, a fact he was grateful for, as he lacked Obsidian Gems or Celestial Shards.
Upon opening the storage bag, he discovered the metallic flexible material required for the formation and several dozen Spirit Crystals. According to the notes left inside, each of these crystals should provide a month's energy for the formation. Tyler wasted no time, setting to work on implementing the protective formation within his cave, making efficient use of the resources provided to him.
As evening descended, Daredevil returned from his day's adventures and immediately noticed the new addition to their home—a formation that hadn't been there before and ceiling tiles. However, the panther, ever mindful of Tyler's meditative state in one of the recently carved-out side rooms, didn't want to disturb him, so it went outside and threw his latest prey in what Tyler had called a 'fridge'".
Coming back inside, he lay down, observing Tyler's meditation. The small room was spartan, containing only a single mat, with barely enough space for Tyler to sit. Yet, it was a space he had fashioned where he could meditate. This space was enough for both man and panther, a quiet sanctuary amid their daily existence.
As he observed his friend and benefactor meditate, Daredevil fell asleep. He drifted into the realm of dreams, quickly reliving the recent battles he had faced. Among them, one stood out prominently—the encounter with the formidable Fire Hoofed Deer. This late-tier two spirit beast possessed powers that directly countered Daredevil's abilities.
In the battle against the Fire Hoofed Deer, Daredevil confronted an arduous challenge at every turn. The intense heat radiating from the deer's body consistently thwarted his attempts to utilize his mist-based techniques. The moment his techniques came into contact with the deer, they were swiftly evaporated, rendering them useless. Even his usual ability to move through the air, which relied on his mist, was ineffective due to the overwhelming heat.
As a result, the battle had forced Daredevil to rely exclusively on his physical prowess, a task made even more daunting by his small stature, as he weighed a mere 50 pounds. It was an exceedingly formidable and demanding encounter that tested his strength and resilience to the fullest.
Daredevil had fought tooth and claw, enduring excruciating pain to secure victory against the fire-affinity spirit beast. His specially tempered fur, acquired from taking a dip in his parent's pool, had saved him from being burned alive, but it had been an agonizing struggle. What had motivated him to persevere was the lingering memory of his inability to aid Tyler during a previous battle.
The recollection of that battle left him feeling helpless, prompting him to act on instinct when he jumped in to save Tyler from an oncoming sword technique. His actions had been impulsive, a leap into danger he had no business facing. Still, he had done it anyway out of a deep-rooted sense of determination and loyalty to his benefactor.
Daredevil's dreams were filled with vivid memories of every formidable beast he had slain near their current home. There was the oversized three-tailed fire fox, a challenging adversary that had tested his mettle. Then, there was the ravenous rabbit who used blood-manipulating powers, whose incredible speed had initially posed a daunting challenge. This rabbit had ultimately forced Daredevil to outmaneuver and ambush it rather than face it in direct combat. Another memorable foe was the cunning puma, which wielded grass as a deadly weapon, using it to slash at its enemies.
Through relentless effort and determination, Daredevil had earned his place as the sole tier 2 beast within a 20-kilometer radius of the mountain. This territory was theirs, and he was resolute in ensuring that Tyler would not be disturbed by any potential threats.