23rd Supreme Seed

Two seconds between Mark's incineration and the sheep's bifurcation. Al was at a loss for words, his eyes fixed on what used to be his friend.

The flames around Mark were dying off as he slowed his pace. Exposed burned flesh and meat struggled to cover his bones. Mark began shrieking like a wild animal, sending chills down Al's back.

Romann looked at those affected by the sheep's hellish cries. "Jeanne, Elissa, hurry and kill the Hybrid. They tend to be more durable than the Dark Acolytes." They both nodded in response to their captain's command.

Jeanne was wrapped in white robes that contrasted with his giant iron spear, he stood out from the group. He was the first to move, running towards Mark before throwing his spear with incredible might, instantly impaling Mark.

As soon as the iron spear went through Mark's chest, a jungle of iron rods exploded from the spear itself, immobilizing him from the point of impact.

Elissa remained still, slowly unfastening a whip from her waist. She was more exposed in terms of cover, wearing minimal leather armor.

Without wasting a moment, she lashed her whip at Mark. With a loud snap and a vicious boom, an explosion erupted.

Even with his superior insect eyes capable of detecting the slightest movements, Mark never saw Elissa make her move.

He was completely eviscerated, leaving only a crater in his place.

Everyone turned to look at Elissa except Romann and the Immortal Godfrey. Among the six, Elissa surpassed them all in fighting capabilities, except for Romann, the Captain.

Al stared at the unfolding scene, trying to fight back tears. "He... he was my friend," he whimpered. His babbling slowly turned into laughter, "Hahaha! Wait, weren't we supposed to be searching for pigeons? That's right! I must have fallen and hit my head, and now I'm hallucinating. Oh, boy! I bet Mark is freaking out right now, ha-ha! This is all just a dream." He said.

Al carelessly lifted his mangled hand, scratching his head and smearing blood across his wide-eyed face.

The Immortal Godfrey approached Al, speaking in a calm and commanding tone. "Greetings, little one. I am Godfrey Paynes, an Immortal cultivator from the 3rd Supreme Seed. My beloved God Leaf gave me the title of Superior Immortal King in honor of my unwavering service to our Supreme God."

Godfrey struck a majestic pose and continued, "These six make the 23rd Supreme Seed. They are Mortal cultivators under my guidance."

Al remained unresponsive, murmuring to himself, but gradually he grew quiet. With trembling lips, Al asked if Godfrey could repeat himself.

Ignoring Al's request, Godfrey smiled, "Dark Acolytes are natural etheric beings born from the collective Will of the masses. However, dark acolytes typically operate at night."

Romann stood a few feet away from Godfrey and Al. He could hear their conversation clearly and swiftly added, "Teacher, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but ever since the vanishings began, there's been an increase of dark acolyte sightings among the Mortal Seeds."

Godfrey acknowledged Romann's input and continued his introduction. "As you just witnessed, dark acolytes can communicate with specific humans, inciting their soul to mutate the physical body. The body and mind undergo a complete transformation. However, in your case, you were not catalyzed, yet you could see the etheric being. It also did not attack you, which makes this a peculiar case."

Despite his fugue state and the adrenaline coursing through his body, Al listened intently to Godfrey's words. Deep down, Godfrey could have easily inspected Al's soul without asking for permission, but he had grown increasingly intrigued by him and wanted to maintain trust.

Deciding to abandon all pretenses, Godfrey explained his intentions, "I am being so open with you because I would like your consent to examine your body for signs of an awakened will. I assure you; it will not be invasive."

"Making me feel safe and comfortable is just as important to him as this so-called inspection," Al quietly thought. Al tried to stand up and walk, but his pale, sweat-soaked face turned toward the sky, and he collapsed backward.

Standing beside Godfrey was a man in a green robe who had abstained from participating in the battle against the dark acolyte and hybrid-Mark.

The man turned and respectfully bowed to Godfrey before asking, "Teacher, may I assist the boy?" Godfrey, with a smile, responded, "Yes, Moises, please try to help him regain consciousness as soon as possible."

Moises began to breathe in a rhythmic pattern as he approached the unconscious Al. Pulling out a small ceremonial knife, he made a gentle incision on his palm. Al could faintly perceive what was happening around him.

Moises allowed the blood that had pooled in his hands to fall onto the ground. Astonishingly, the grass immediately absorbed it as if it were more precious than water.

After a few seconds, the spot where the blood had fallen emitted sparks, and a yellow stem emerged, followed by a leaf. A strange white flower sprouted, adorned with pulsating pink veins.

The leaves opened into a bowl, exposing a pool of bright red blood in the center. "Here, drink from this," he said to Al, who could barely make out what was being said.

Al welcomed the warm liquid flowing into his stomach. Instantly, color returned to his face, followed by loud cracks as his ribs rapidly healed and his bruised spine recovered.

With a serious demeanor resembling that of a dedicated doctor, Moises firmly held Al's broken arm and exerted a strong pull, aligning and reconnecting the bones and ligaments.

Overwhelmed by the pain, Al lost consciousness again. Moises then gently guided his limb body into a seated position, ensuring his comfort.

With a calm demeanor, Moises pulled out a single brown leaf from a small leather pouch. He crumbled it into fine dust and blew it into Al's nose. Al jolted back to life, instantly awake and fully aware.

It was as if he had never been injured in the first place; he felt better than ever.

Feeling an incredible sense of vitality, Al marveled in disbelief. "I feel even stronger than before." he realized quickly assessing the tension his muscles could generate.

Turning back to Godfrey, Al promptly dropped to his knees, bowing deeply before him. "Your Superior Immortalness, I implore you, please bring Mark back. I am willing to do whatever it takes, no matter the cost. But please, bring him back," he pleaded.

Godfrey stared at the prostrated Al with a meaningful gaze. The scene evoked a sense of nostalgia within him. He let out a long sigh and issued a command, "Rise."

Al immediately obeyed, springing to his feet. Al's anticipation for Godfrey's response intensified.

Finally, Godfrey broke the silence. "Don't jump to such assumptions simply because you don't comprehend what just occurred. Consider this: if we possessed the ability to bring back the dead, why would we fight so viciously to live?"

Al's expression sank as Godfrey's words hit him. The weight of reality swiftly extinguished any glimmer of hope.

"It's just not fair! Mark didn't even want to be here; I forced him... I practically dragged my best friend to his death, and here I am without a scratch." For a moment, it seemed as if Al might succumb to another manic episode, but instead, he crumpled to his knees, sobbing.

By now, the 23rd Supreme Seed had transitioned from feeling sympathy towards Al to experiencing a mix of pity and repulsion.

However, Elissa stood apart, her brow furrowing in response to Al's misery. Calmly, she approached him.

"Mark was his name, right? I can assure you that death does not mean gone. Not only will he live on through the transfer of his energy but also in the mind of those who cherished him, just like you." Hearing her words, Al ceased crying, his attention fully captured by Elissa.

She continued, her voice steady and reassuring. "That's the nature of life, Al. One day, you're here, and the next, you exist as a cherished or tarnished memory in someone's mind."

Al stood up with a complete shift in character and expressed his feelings. "That's just life? How stupid! Of course, I understand that, but it doesn't mean I can't try!" Al's voice rose, almost shouting.

However, Elissa responded with a serene smile and calmly spoke, "I'm saying that those who mourn the dead will eventually join them. What they truly mourn is not merely the loss of a loved one, but the stark reminder of how fleeting and inconsequential they truly are."

Elissa's tone shifted. It was vicious and accurate, like her whip, "One can choose to passively wallow in that feeling or choose to transcend their smallness and insignificance. The strong are deserving of life, while the weak succumb. Your friend, unfortunately, proved to be too weak. Feel free to join him if you wish."

A moment of tense silence filled the air as Al clenched his molars, he had never met someone who could so easily provoke his entire being to his very core. "You... you, what the hell is wrong with you? I just lost my best friend, and your advice is what? To get stronger so I don't die like my friend!?"

Elissa smiled amused by the sparks her words caused and calmly added "Someone has to keep the memories of those dear to you alive right? Also, I never said that it was a bad thing he was weak I just stated a fact. If he had been stronger, he would be alive right now, wouldn't he?"

Al was speechless, "The abilities they wield and the way they speak..."

"So, what is all of this? Who is this Supreme God you speak of?" Elissa's smile grew wider, satisfied with Al's question.

Meanwhile, Godfrey, who had remained silent until now, swiftly approached Al, speaking in a clear and commanding voice. "I'll gladly explain everything, but first, allow me to inspect you."

Al's expression shrank back slightly, taken aback by the request. Raising his hand towards Al's face, Godfrey firmly pressed his right thumb onto Al's forehead, closing his eyes as he focused on his own Will.

Meanwhile, the 23rd Supreme Immortal Seed watched with anticipation, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene. "I've never heard of a civilian with an active A.R.C.," Romann thought.

Anne found herself lost in memories of when she had awakened her own Will, guided along the path by her first teacher. The rest of her team had a similar story as most who cultivated their Will.

However, Romann had a different experience, and his introduction to cultivation was unique.

Godfrey opened his eyes and spoke, his voice filled with curiosity. "There is a faint aura of Will. Tell me, have you ever practiced breathing exercises?" Romann's eyes suddenly sparkled with recognition; he understood the thoughts racing through his teacher's mind.

However, Al couldn't recall ever having an interest in such exercises. Godfrey carefully observed Al's composed face, his mind processing thoughts in fractions of a second.

"So, he has never received proper instruction on how to cultivate Will... Yet, I can sense that his Will has been stirring for some time now. A child like him is a rarity. Dark acolytes do not affect those with an awakened Will. The question is, why keep him around after failing to catalyze him?"