Lifting The Seals

Lifting The Seals . . .

As Di Tian gazed upon the fanatical old man before him, a mixture of bewilderment and speechlessness welled up within him. It was a moment charged with an air of intrigue, for attribute energy, while not a topic discussed in everyday conversation, held a profound significance among stellar martial cultivators. Spatial energy, in particular, stood as a titan among its peers, a force to be reckoned with. The concept of sealing energy, too, had its own place in this pantheon of energies, and it was not to be underestimated.

For those who walked the path of the seal, such as this eccentric old man, their devotion bordered on obsession. They believed, with unwavering conviction, that sealing energy represented the pinnacle. Such singular devotion was a double-edged sword, a trait that lent them an unparalleled dedication to their craft.

Sealing energy possessed the extraordinary ability to restrain not just opponents but even the very fabric of space and time itself. Its potency was undeniable. However, Di Tian couldn't help but ponder: what of spatial energy, that enigmatic force at the end of the cosmic highway? Could it not break the shackles of seals or perhaps encase them within an alternate dimension? And what about the swift attribute energy, the very essence of speed? At its zenith, before one could even complete their sealing technique, their adversary would have closed the gap, standing menacingly before them. In such a scenario, how could one hope to prevail?

It was a complex web, this interplay of energies, where each possessed its own strengths and vulnerabilities. Determining which was the strongest or weakest was an exercise in relativity. There was no singular, all-conquering attribute energy, despite the old man's fervent belief.

"At the very least," Di Tian interjected, his eyes locked onto the old man, "you should disclose the tier of this inheritance. Armed with that knowledge, I could make a more informed decision about investing my efforts."

The old man fixed a stern gaze upon Di Tian and grumbled, "You, young upstart, are brimming with arrogance. Very well, I shall indulge your curiosity. In the bygone era when the Immortal Palace dominated the celestial realms, even those lofty Immortal Kings who wouldn't deign to glance in your direction, and the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor who discarded you like yesterday's news, all pale in comparison to what the complete Vermilion Bird Immortal Palace inheritance can offer. Does that satiate your inquisitiveness?"

Di Tian was taken aback; it seemed this enigmatic elder possessed intimate knowledge of his past and present. The revelation that he was, indeed, Qin Wentian, was not lost on this astute old man. It was increasingly apparent that this elder was no ordinary being; he likely stood among the elite echelons of existence.

"That seems accurate," Di Tian replied, resigned to the notion that this old man was privy to his every secret. "Since you are already well-informed, you must be aware that I once declined the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's offer to become his disciple. The prospect of having my freedom restricted to once every thousand years did not appeal to me. I'm willing to be molded by you and dedicate myself to the path of sealing, but I cannot surrender my freedom. Currently, my other self faces a formidable predicament."

The old man's brows furrowed, and he retorted, "You must understand, young one, that the Eastern Sage's offer was not a mere acceptance as a disciple; it was a fortuitous encounter with that little doll that sealed your fate. Even if the likes of the Eastern Sage were to take you under their wing, how much time, resources, and effort could they truly spare for you? These variables remain uncertain, and you might have been but a disciple in name. On the other hand, I am willing to devote my all to nurture you, granting you access to the complete inheritance. Do you comprehend the rarity of such an opportunity? Yet here you are, daring to negotiate terms with me."

The old man's words were laced with a harsh truth, one that Di Tian couldn't refute. In retrospect, his interactions with the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had indeed shown little interest in personally guiding him, opting instead to delegate the task to Deepflame. The allure of inheriting the Vermilion Bird Immortal Palace's legacy surpassed any mentorship arrangement. Nevertheless, Di Tian knew that negotiations were inevitable; they were a means to secure his position and influence in the future.

"Consider this," Di Tian proposed, "regardless of whether the immortals are entombed or sealed, their ultimate goal here is to attain the inheritance. However, I'm not entirely unreasonable. If my other self encounters a crisis, I request the opportunity to intervene. If I can release the seals on these immortals, I should be granted the liberty to utilize them as I see fit. Furthermore, I ask for a month to resolve my existing matters. Afterward, I am committed to following your guidance and adhering to your arrangements. I trust that you harbor no ill intentions; your actions are intended to fortify and prepare me for the complete inheritance. Rest assured, I have no doubt about your formidable strength. A single strike from you would be sufficient to turn my flesh to paste."

A wry smile crossed Di Tian's lips as he spoke. There was no doubting the old man's power, and their future together promised both peril and potential.

Di Tian stood before the enigmatic old man, his curiosity unabated. "Then, can I leave now?" he inquired, his gaze locked onto the elder.

The old man raised a cautionary finger. "Hold on a moment," he replied, his voice tinged with wisdom. "Though your path of cultivation has diverged from your original body's, you are, at the core, one and the same. Supreme existences possess the insight to discern such truths. To avoid any unwanted revelations, take this mask. It has the power to shield you from prying immortal senses."

With a graceful sweep of his hand, the old man conjured a bronze mask, which soared toward Di Tian. Gratitude filled Di Tian's eyes as he accepted the mask, recognizing the respect shown by this old sage. It was a stark contrast to his experiences with the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, who had barely accorded him basic courtesy.

As he placed the mask upon his face, a chilling energy enveloped him, melding seamlessly with his own aura. When the fusion was complete, an eerie, ice-cold presence radiated from Di Tian, unsettling those who beheld him.

The old man, not done with his benevolent provisions, gestured again, summoning a bronze suit of armor to encase Di Tian. The armor exuded an aura of formidable sharpness, further shrouding him in an aura of mystery. It was likely that, aside from the old man himself, no one would recognize Di Tian as Qin Wentian in this formidable guise.

"Senior, it appears you are deeply concerned for my safety," Di Tian remarked with a warm smile, his gratitude evident. He then turned and dashed away, leaving the old man's gaze lingering on his departing form, a glint of fondness in his eyes. He mused, "It has been many years since we found a suitable successor. How could I not be concerned?"

Beside the old man stood a young man in a cold, black attire, his expression stern. He inquired, "Although he comprehended the picture scroll within a year, isn't it still too soon for satisfaction?"

The old man chuckled, a hint of enigmatic wisdom in his eyes. "You see, my dear disciple, it's not about the time it takes to comprehend but the potential within. Di Tian possesses that elusive spark."

With a swift burst of speed, Di Tian raced toward the location where the sealed immortals awaited. Their gazes collectively snapped to him, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. Di Tian, now cloaked in armor and mask, exuded an intimidating aura, a far cry from the young man they had sparred with a mere year ago.

"Seniors, it's me," Di Tian declared. With a thought, the mask vanished, revealing his true countenance.

"Di Tian, have you acquired the inheritance?" queried an emaciated, elderly immortal.

Di Tian shook his head, his eyes alight with determination. "Not yet, but I implore you to allow me to examine the seals on your bodies, dear seniors."

His eyes underwent a startling transformation as countless pupils converged and whirled within, akin to celestial constellations. He scrutinized the immortals, discerning intricate diagrams within their forms, like pages torn from the very picture scroll he had encountered. These diagrams served as bindings, confining their cultivation bases.

"Sealing immortals," he murmured, his gaze never wavering from the intricate patterns. "Constructing such seals remains beyond my reach for now."

The immortals gathered around him, their eyes filled with hope. "Can you break the seals on our cultivation bases?" they implored.

Di Tian's eyes flashed with brilliant light. "I can," he declared. While unable to replicate the seals, he possessed the power to disrupt them. By targeting the critical components of these diagrams, he could release the restrictions, allowing these immortals to reclaim their full potential.

As his words hung in the air, a collective gasp swept through the immortals. Familiar faces stared at Di Tian, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief, as if they had forgotten themselves in the presence of this newfound power.

Their imprisonment in this timeless purgatory had stretched to unfathomable lengths. The very essence of their being, their cultivation bases, had been cruelly locked away, rendering their pursuit of power a mere whisper of a bygone era. The weight of despair had long settled upon their weary souls, and the prospect of liberation was but a fading dream. But then, like a celestial harbinger of hope, Di Tian's proclamation electrified their stagnant existence.

"Is he really going to set us free?" someone whispered, anxiety quivering in their voice.

Worry hung in the air like a heavy cloak, but Di Tian dispelled it with a gentle assurance. "Fear not," he declared, his voice a soothing balm, "the senior has pledged that once I release your seals, you will be free to depart without hindrance."

Relief washed over them, an oasis in the desert of their despair. An elderly man, his hands trembling, clenched his fist in gratitude. The prospect of liberation from their interminable imprisonment had kindled a flicker of hope that threatened to blaze into a roaring fire.

"Shall we commence, Di Tian?" someone quavered, the words tinged with impatience.

Di Tian nodded with quiet resolve. "Indeed," he affirmed, his eyes reflecting the unyielding determination that had brought them to this moment. "However, be aware that fully unraveling these intricate seals remains beyond my current capability. I can only weaken the core component, and it will require each of you to channel your inner energies to aid in breaking the shackles."

The immortals exchanged glances, determination etched upon their faces. They had languished in captivity for far too long, and the tantalizing taste of freedom beckoned. The question remained: who would be the first to embark on this perilous journey?

"I volunteer," a brave soul declared.

Di Tian nodded in acceptance. Runic light erupted from his form, and his eyes shimmered with an otherworldly intensity. A gentle tap of his palm against the chosen immortal's body brought forth an intricate array of runic symbols, illuminating the air with their ethereal glow. Within the immortal, the sealing diagram materialized, and he could feel its presence with startling clarity.

"Annihilate," Di Tian commanded, his voice devoid of mercy. The runic symbols surged forth, severing the bonds of the seal one by one. He then fixed his gaze upon the immortal and instructed, "Senior, channel your strength now and shatter this seal."

The immortal's eyes blazed with determination, and with a mighty surge of power, he ascended into the heavens, casting forth a resplendent, rainbow-hued corona. It was the very essence of an immortal's foundation.

"Freedom, at last!" the immortal bellowed, his voice a primal roar that echoed through the ages. The sealing diagram within him crumbled to dust, replaced by an effusion of immortal qi that permeated the surrounding atmosphere.

As the realization dawned upon the gathered immortals that their long captivity was ending, their very beings trembled with a potent mixture of emotions. Even those bound to remote locations, lakes, and mountains, unable to move, felt their hearts swell with excitement. Among them, the red-haired elder, whose form had been tethered to a solitary tree, now wept with tears of gratitude. Di Tian had not faltered; he had fulfilled the expectations of these imprisoned immortals.

"Seniors, fear not," Di Tian reassured, his voice warm and soothing. "I will proceed to release each of you without delay."

"Di Tian, we're anxious to be free!" came the collective cry of eager immortals.

Laughter, tinged with both excitement and impatience, bubbled up. "Patience, dear friends," one immortal chuckled, the twinkle in their eyes betraying their true emotions. "Di Tian, take your time. We shall not rush you."

Their voices carried an undercurrent of joy and longing, the echo of countless years spent in captivity. An elderly figure, tears glistening in their eyes, murmured, "My son, are you now an old man, I wonder?"

"Little Yi, how fares your journey?" another inquired, their heart heavy with yearning for a distant spouse.

The nightmare was finally nearing its end, and amidst the joy, they could not help but reflect upon their past folly. Their insatiable greed for this elusive inheritance had led them down a path of torment. Yet, in this moment, as freedom beckoned, they dared to believe that redemption was within reach.