3 The Inheritance

David sank into his own thoughts again, 'Which one should I choose? Every one of them is, in its own way, extremely useful.'

'Conscious Reincarnation... It is by far the most valuable of the three inheritances.'

'Opening up a gap in the dimensional barrier... This one is the strongest to learn, and after that, I can even gain some insight into space itself.'

'As for concealing oneself from the world if that world has consciousness? It is too vague.'

After several minutes of contemplation, he turned to the old man and asked, "Can I ask, sir, what world will I be reincarnated into, and how long do the concealment effects of the formation last?"

The old man smiled again and said, "I don't know what world you will be reincarnated into as it has a strong multidimensional structure. My main body didn't see any worth in taking the risk and entering this world, so he set up this inheritance. But if you are very lucky, you might already know what world it is if you enter."

David asked confusingly, "I might know?"

"Yes, you might. This world is several hundred times stronger than your world, and it is the closest world to your world. In the long history of its existence, it might have let out some energy waves, and your world's collective consciousness might have processed it into some kind of story," the old man replied.

Then, after some pause, he said again, "But it is also possible that your world just ignored it. So, it really depends on your luck. But be happy, as there are a lot of chances that you know this world because you are a native, and it has been several hundred years since my main body left this world alone and moved on." Hearing the words 'moved on,' David took a sigh of relief.

"As for your second question," the old man paused, "it has no time limit, as the world has no complete consciousness. Because if it had, it won't let me go and kill me then and there. After all, I tried to enter it with my main body, and when I escaped, it didn't follow me."

"All in all, this planet is strong. I failed to invade it, but I had methods to do it, but honestly, it didn't worth it. So, as long as you don't see a Dao lord that controls parts of the rules of this world, or you don't go directly against the world itself, with the concealment method and luck enhancement, nobody would notice that you are an outsider."

After some thinking, the old man added, "Luck enhancement lets you have a more advantageous position in life, but don't rely on it as it only lets you become a second-rate powerhouse."

After hearing this, David had some understanding of the situation and finally decided which one to choose.

"Teach me the special method for concealing oneself from world consciousness." Given that even if his concealment were breached, he wouldn't notice anything, David decided to play it safe and choose the concealment method.

"Go on and sit on the platform. I'll go to get your inheritance," the old man said, entering one of the golden-framed white doors.

Although David found it all shady and thought it was like a possession ritual, he didn't really have any choices. On one side was a hope that it was real, and on the other side were thoughts of what if it is all a scam.

Decisively, he chose hope. After all, he would regret it for the rest of his short life if he were indecisive in this moment and chose to abandon all of this.

David seated himself on the platform and waited for the voice of an old monster saying: "Stupid junior, give me your body..." One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes... Nothing happened.

After that, David let out a sigh of relief. At that moment, the old man returned, carrying a flower pot.

David's attention was immediately captivated by the flower. It was stunning—a two-layered purple chrysanthemum with quill-like leaves, its center radiating a golden hue akin to the sun. It shimmered with a gentle brilliance, reminiscent of a sunlit sky.

Observing David's curiosity, the old man explained, "This is a Purple Origin Flower. At one year old, its flower is black. By ten years, it gradually develops a second layer, with the previous layer surrounding the new one. The new layer takes on a purple tint, continuing this process until it reaches a hundred years old. At that point, it sheds its black color entirely, revealing a majestic purple hue. Its vine is jade-colored, leaves quill-like, and its flower emits a golden light at its center."

(Image)

As if recalling something, the old man paused before continuing, "This flower requires a pure environment filled with origin energy for optimal growth. If nothing has changed in your world, it would likely be known as the Human Xi."

David initially felt only curiosity upon hearing the description of the flower. However, as the old man spoke of 'Human Xi,' he was suddenly struck with shock.

You see, David had studied Taoist cultivation techniques as part of his preparations for the inheritance test. He was intimately familiar with the term 'Human Xi'—it represented the initial stage of Qi, just one step away from achieving the coveted golden elixir, also known as the golden core, the pinnacle of Taoist cultivation.

And this flower required an environment rich in Human Xi? David was truly astonished, beginning to grasp the method the old man intended to teach him for the concealment technique.

"Let me guess... You want me to use that to enhance my comprehension temporarily to learn the technique, correct?" David ventured.

The old man chuckled, "HAHAHA... Indeed. Otherwise, I would have to wait several hundred years for you to learn it independently, even with my guidance. Unfortunately, my energy is limited, and I can't endure that long. With this herb, my instruction, and the platform you're seated on, I can impart the concealment method to you fully."

With a knowing smile, the old man continued, "Truth be told, had you chosen the other two methods, I could only teach them to you superficially, even with all the resources of this inheritance ground. But the concealment method is much more manageable to transmit here."

David smiled cautiously, "So, it was a test, then? Despite receiving partial inheritances, I wouldn't have obtained them fully."

"Don't be disheartened, considering all you've accomplished thus far," reassured the old man.

"Now, assume a cross-legged position, clear your mind, and prepare to receive the information directly into your consciousness. Fear not, the data is organized. I will initiate the formation. Remember, the formation remains active until the Human Xi of the Purple Origin Flower depletes. You have only one opportunity to comprehend it. Once the Human Xi wanes, the other two methods will follow into your mind, followed by the activation of the Reincarnation Formation," the old man reminded David. He then inquired, "Are you prepared?"

David closed his eyes, cleared his mind, and replied, "Yes, I am ready."

The Purple Origin Flower hovered above David on the marble platform, while three pillars behind him gleamed. The flower disintegrated into purple gas as the pillars emitted a radiant glow, enveloping David and the platform in a protective domain.

As the pillars illuminated, David's mind was flooded with information regarding the concealment technique. It flowed into his consciousness with precision and clarity.

Next, the Purple Origin Flower's essence permeated the air. With his first breath, David felt a surge of energy, as if his thoughts had been upgraded from a bicycle to a Formula One car.

But that was not all. He could now discern his meridian system clearly, feeling a subtle pressure emanating from each pathway.

Understanding the preciousness of this opportunity, David immersed himself in continuous practice of the concealment technique.

Throughout the process, the old man's voice guided him, explaining each step and offering counsel.

Gradually, as the purple gas diminished, David's mastery increased.

Finally, after an indeterminate duration, David opened his eyes, having fully grasped the concealment technique.

Upon opening his eyes, he noticed a faint layer of purple gas enveloping him, less than two centimeters in height. Swiftly comprehending the situation, he closed his eyes and began cultivating another technique: The Small Heavenly Cycle.

It was a fundamental Taoist internal alchemy method. Already acquainted with the functions of the meridian system, he swiftly progressed to establishing internal energy circulation. He accelerated the process, infusing more energy into the meridians and connecting them to the three primary energy gates: mind, Qi, and essence.

With each advancement, David's internal alchemy evolved, culminating in the formation of his golden core. However, just as he reached this critical juncture, the purple gas... ran out.

All nine pillars illuminated, imparting two sets of information to David. The entirety of the inheritance ground began collapsing inward toward the marble palace, which, in turn, began disintegrating as it absorbed more energy.

Observing David's swift actions, contrasting his earlier trepidation, the old man chuckled. As the domain collapsed around them, he remarked, "Hehehe... A youngling unwilling to relinquish opportunities until the very end."

"In another circumstance, my main form might have accepted you as a disciple. Allow me to bestow upon you a name and bid you farewell." Even the old man's body glowed as he faded away, leaving only the glowing stone platform.

"WANG WUMING... THE NAMELESS KING... HAHAHAHAHA!" With his final proclamation, the old man vanished entirely.

All that remained was the marble palace, its radiance intensifying until... it exploded.

BANG