24 The Dragon's Defeat

Shu calmly speaks as if this issue is of no importance at all, "Astral Awakening is more important than one actually thinks. You may have had your suspicions but if you entered the God Step, you would have realized how important Astral Awakening is."

"As long as one successfully gets the Heavenly Dao's respect or possibly adoration, one will have an excellent Astral Awakening. By using certain heavenly materials which are treasures considered by the heavens, you can make a good impression."

The black dragon looks on Shu with wariness in his eyes. "You're telling this dragon of antiquity that Astral Awakening can basically be manipulated?"

Shu's leaves shake as if slightly disagreeing. "It is not manipulating the ritual. It is simply doing what is necessary. If the heavens like something specific, then why not do it to get something better than the normal? Is that not the way nature works?"

"Furthermore, as a dragon filled with shamelessness, it is quite strange that you seem afraid to try and 'fool the heavens'. As a cultivator, one has to do what is necessary to have progress. In regards to making the Astral Awakening a success, one must gather 6 different heavenly treasures. These treasures of the heavens are all related to each step of cultivation."

A dark light shines in the eyes of the dragon as it anxiously says, "Are you saying that one has to gather 6 heavenly treasures which reflect each step of cultivation!? This dragon of antiquity really does not see how the heavens could be such a…fucking retard!"

"Are you telling this dragon of antiquity that all I have to do is get 6 heavenly materials related to the heavenly dao's 6 steps and I can get a good astral spirit and possibly gain a new bloodline? Bullshit from the heavens if you ask me!"

Hei analyzes the words spoken between the 2 and calmly says, "If what you are saying is true, then this shameless dragon will not have to wait until that Black Poison Crocodile is 6 years old. Once it's soul strength fuses with that body along with the heavenly treasures being used, then everything should go smoothly?"

Shu replies honestly, "That is indeed so Master. But there is also a small risk due to the fact that your soul might not be fully compatible with the Black Poison Crocodile. This small risk can be lessened with the fortune of the Heavenly Dao."

"Undergoing the Astral Awakening while the fusion is taking place will let you try to earn a good astral spirit or 2 along with a bloodline or 2. After gaining something from the ritual, you will naturally increase the chances of your fusion."

"Another reason that the Astral Awakening Ritual can be beneficial to your attempt at new life is that the Heavens might find your poor existence pitiful. Shu brutally speaks the truth about this remnant spirit as if unaware that it might possess feelings."

As if not hearing what those last words are, the black dragon begins looking around on the garden to see if the many herbs he had which are related to each step of cultivation are present.

As if knowing what exactly the dragon is doing, Shu says, "Do not be mistaken, these materials for the use of my Master. Stop looking as if they are yours. Be happy that Master's talent is supreme. Or else you would not have gotten this extra perk which I am about to explain."

"All persons who are holders of heavenly physiques do not need to convince the heavens for anything. This means that can simply get an astral spirit or astral spirits which are suited for said person. In regards to bloodlines, the person will not naturally receive a bloodline. The person must work for that separately."

"What the hell does that have to do with this dragon of antiquity? I don't hear the part about me…Wait…if that is the case; does that mean that if this dragon were to perform the ritual in this dimension, would it be similar to a God Physique getting astral spirits?"

The dragon's eyes excitedly look at the tree, filled with anticipation as if waiting for an ancient face to manifest with a smile and say yes.

"Yes and no…It will be as if the person with the God Physique is a part of the heavens. Therefore, in making the 'decisions' for your Astral Awakening, Master will also be a part of it."

The normally shameless dragon slowly turns to Hei with a begging expression, "I know I have been a bit arrogant towards you but hear this dragon of antiquity out!"

"I never once tried to harm you and I even planned on giving you my entire legacy…I gave you my garden…Show me some mercy and help! Please…"

Hei amusingly looks on the dragon and faintly nods, "Sure." These words seem like the chant of the heavens themselves to the dragon as it yells, "Hell yeah! That was easy!"

"I won't of course…You never let me finished." Like glass shattering, the dragon slowly floats to the ground and looks at Hei with sadness and a bit of anger, "Seriously!? Don't get this dragon of antiquity's hopes up you little bastard! Sigh, I tell you about the younger generation…"

Hei laughs a bit and disdainfully says, "You think because I am 6 I am also clueless? You think I don't remember how you said you would soon disappear? Then magically, you're still here quite fine and dandy!"

"It's obvious that as a remnant spirit, you're still not at the end of your lifespan. You're just doing this so you can hide some of your treasures. Once you get a new body and even an excellent bloodline and astral spirit, you'll just leave."

The remnant spirit puts on a face as if has been wronged, "I didn't expect to still be alive after all this time that has passed after giving the test! This dragon of antiquity is quite honest!"

Hei chuckles a bit and says, if that's the case, what if I told you that the pond of pure blood essence you're preserving inside the pocket world has already been recovered?"

The black dragon looks at Hei with shock and rage, "Little bastard! What did you do with this dragon of antiquity's pure blood essence!? Do you know how valuable that is!? How did you find out about its location so quickly!?"

Hei laughs a bit and complacently says, "Which dragon is willing to give away all its prized possessions? You accepted that the garden was taken too easily. Therefore, I sent Mao to investigate and he 'smelled that something was wrong'."

As if being wronged, the remnant spirit shakes its head in sadness, "Such a terrible little kid. This dragon of antiquity merely hid something important to him and even willingly gave up all my herbs and heavenly materials to you but look…you even stole all the blood essence left behind by my original body. What an evil child…so harsh to this senior."

The remnant spirit even shakes his head and its eyes go red as if it is going to cry.

Hei looks on the dragon with an unimpressed face. "Oh sure, you're sad now? Damn shameless dragon. You think Shu wanted your blood essence for anything but yourself bastard? When you realize that no one here is trying to use you?"

"You know what, just scram. Scram from this world of mines. I will simply use your resources for myself and let you die a sinner's death you little ungrateful bastard who stains my name."

Upon hearing those bashful words, instead of actually being angry, the dragon smiles happily as if he was being complimented, "Hehehe, this dragon of antiquity is quite impressed at how ruthless you are."

"If that is how this dragon will regain strength then it seems this remnant spirit will have to possibly plunder my original. If he one day returns for the blood essence, he will have to pray that I have grown strong enough to give him or run away at least hehehe."

From an unknown area of the dimension, a soft yet sinister voice of a wailing ghost is heard.

"Shameless dragon, tell me, the device used to control the pocket dimension was made by a Colossan, correct?" Sharpness is seen in the dragon's eyes for a split second as it relaxes, "Yes, it was, why do you want to know and why don't you show this dragon of antiquity your appearance?"

In its mind, it can't help but think, "How many spirits was this child born with!? This is fucking unrealistic!" I heard about one named 'Mao' and the tree named 'Shu' and now there is another voice. What is worse is that I get the feeling many eyes are watching this one here…Many…."

Ren continues, "Then if that is the case, what if the device which controls the pocket realm is destroyed?"

The dragon impatiently explains, "If that happens, the pocket realm would turn into unstable space which can be occupied freely. Over time, it will collapse unless something new takes over the pocket realm and allows something to govern the space-time of the realm."

A wicked laugh escapes Ren's voice as it excitedly says, "Master, destroy let me destroy that silly stool and let you take over the realm using astral inscriptions. It can be used as a perfect place to hide your physique's abilities, using it as scapegoat!"

The remnant spirit disdainfully snarls, "You think a little kid who is a beast will have enough skills with astral inscriptions to take over a pocket realm? While it might not be the biggest of them all, it still complex! If this kid can successfully do that then this dragon of antiquity will personally bow and praise him! No! I will go as far as become his slave for eternity!"

Surprising the dragon, Hei actually sits and studies the stool which has appeared in the dimension. Within his eyes, the normal stool actually looks like a constantly changing structure built with many astral inscriptions.

He calmly observes the astral inscriptions, capturing their transformations, paths of movement and even how they interact with each other.

Very slowly, a feeling of fear creeps into the heart of the remnant spirit.

"Don't tell this dragon of antiquity that this kid has comprehended something…Impossible! The bastard is a beast, not a Colossan! This was forged by a famous Colossan many years ago. This kind of inheritance is probably lost to this era and even if he has a God Physique, it's not Colossan related but Beast related!"

The dragon tries to convince itself that nothing is going to happen but what he hears next almost lets it vomit up its entire intestines.

Hei slowly says, "This stool isn't a stool. Neither is the pocket realm outside. They are both apart of a weapon. Based on analysis, this is in fact a sword. Not just any sword, but a sword holding an entire dimension."

"Oh fuck you little bastard! How the fuck did you figure that out? The heavens must be playing a joke on this dragon of antiquity! Not only did you find my blood essence pond but you even figured out that the entire pocket realm is a sword…Ah fuck…This dragon of antiquity would rather die than continue to bear witness to this crap."

Hei continues to talk, "There seems to be something wrong with it though. The previous spirit that was fused with the sword seems to be dead, leaving the sword to become a hollow shell of what it used to be."

"Thankfully, I can simply use my physique to deal with the damage. While there will not be a spirit, it will be a good weapon to start off with since I can always slowly refine and temper it."

The dragon shakes its head as it genuinely sobs, "This is the most embarrassing day of this dragon of antiquity's life. I swear the heavens want to screw me over…I swear the heavens hate me. Even if this dragon of antiquity has slept with many heavenly beauties, swindling my way through their legs and escaping, this dragon of antiquity doesn't deserve this punishment!"

"You win…you win Little Kid, you win heavens…you all win…This dragon of antiquity will change his ways and stop his constant lusting…Just let me revive and have a chance at getting heavenly beauties again…I mean, get to cultivate again."

The dragon shamelessly nods but still has a slightly sour feeling due to being defeated.