Chapter 28: Evil God Sacred Ground
All across the Profound Sky Continent, humans find themselves locked in a struggle against the Hollows. Although these creatures possess limited strength, their advantage in numbers, size, and type often places cultivators at a disadvantage. However, higher-strength cultivators swiftly suppress the Hollow threat. The origin of these beasts remains shrouded in mystery, leaving cultivators perplexed. The beasts' bodies evaporate upon death, obstructing any attempt at research. Some cultivators have managed to capture them, but at the cost of their own lives. Due to their enigmatic, mask-like appearance, these creatures are dubbed "masked beasts."
One month later...
Yun Che has triumphed over the boss guarding his current training area, surpassing the seventy-fold experience bar, and has officially stepped into the True Profound Realm. The weight of the experience bar's burden has been lifted, allowing him to level up without constraint. His newfound training routine within the forest and battles against Hollows grant him five additional levels. This achievement grants him access to the second stage of the Heretic God Arts, the Burning Heaven, as well as the ensuing berserk technique, the Sealing Cloud Locking Sun.
Yun Che has now unlocked the second Heretic God Realm within the Heretic God Arts, known as the Burning Heart. This realm bestows a 25% increase in Profound Force, which, when combined with his Heretic Soul's original 25% boost, results in a remarkable 50% amplification of his strength. Opening both gates would provide him with the equivalent of half an entire realm's increase. While the original Yun Che struggled to sustain this realm in the early stages of the True Profound Realm, he can now comfortably maintain it, treating it as a normal status from the Earth Profound Realm onward.
However, his altered physique, a result of external interventions, allows him to maintain his physical state through the assistance of the system. Though it took time, his current body can advance in tandem with his cultivation, yet it's unable to progress beyond a certain point. Yun Che nurtures the hope of acquiring the arts that Jasmine intends to teach him, facilitating his ascent beyond his current level.
Subsequently, Yun Che unlocked the Sealing Cloud Locking Sun, also known as the Extreme Defense Red Barrier. This technique instantly fortifies his profound defensive capabilities by activating a unique Heretic God Barrier. This barrier can manifest instantly and remain in place for extended durations, offering protection for himself and others as required. Its resilience hinges on the magnitude of his Profound Force and may shatter if this force proves insufficient.
Further developments include his attainment of the second tomoe of his Sharingan and access to Bushoshoku No Haki. His first step into Haki was Kenbunshoku No Haki, which affords him the ability to perceive intent, strength, and emotions from his opponents, extending several miles away. This understanding, inspired by the series "One Piece," appears to be interwoven with his Sharingan through the system's integration. Now, he gains access to Busoshoku No Haki.
Busoshoku No Haki is a form of Haki that allows the user to envelop themselves in an invisible armor created from spiritual energy. This armor serves as a potent offensive and defensive mechanism, capable of enhancing weapons to forge novel attack strategies.
Yun Che's newly acquired berserk technique operates at maximum potency without imposing any restraints on his body. He even left it active for several days to acclimate to using Burning Heart alongside Heretic Soul. Essentially, he can achieve a level surge of fifteen levels without resorting to his hollow mask.
With the ability to level up conventionally restored, Yun Che is poised to embark on a rampage through the forest. He shares with Jasmine his knowledge of a Purple Veined God Crystal lying beneath the Floating Cloud City, sparking her contemplation.
These crystals are born from tribulation lightning from higher realms striking the lower realms. However, generating a substantial thirty-five-kilogram quantity demands more than a mere tribulation of lightning. The events required for such lightning to strike the vicinity of the city intrigue Yun Che. The system's detection of unusual energy beneath the city bolsters his claims.
He intends to revisit the city later, driven by certain events that suddenly surfaced in his system after his usual battles against Hollows and Demon beasts.
A notification materializes before him.
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[Ding… Congratulations on defeating the Giant Green Python.]
[Host has gained a level.]
[Host is now Level 32: Second Level of the True Profound Realm.]
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[Ding… The host is now within the vicinity of the following Main Mission.]
[Ding… Main Mission acquired. Obtain the Heretic God Seed of Fire.
Rank: A Recommended Level: 60 Rewards: Unknown]
[Accept?]
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"Jasmine, it seems the system has located the Heretic God Sacred Ground," he remarked upon receiving the notification.
"Hmm, it appears to be in this vicinity. However, be cautious. These sacred grounds are typically guarded by creatures surpassing our current strength. Prepare a few trump cards to secure the protected treasure," Jasmine's voice resounded within his mind. She had discussed the Heretic God Sacred Ground's existence with him several days prior.
The planet's creator, the Heretic God, left behind several sacred grounds, each housing a fragment of his power. He also scattered seeds imbued with the ability to render the bearer invulnerable to specific elements. However, not all elements were distributed across this world; some remained within the Realm of the Gods, a concern that could be addressed later.
As per Jasmine and the system, the Heretic God's seeds were situated in the Five Secret Grounds, each aligned with one of the five primary elements. Only those endowed with the Heretic God's power could locate them. Possessing a Seed would transform Yun Che's physique into a Spirit Heretic Body, endowing him with absolute control, immunity, and heightened affinity for the corresponding element.
Yet, a sixth Seed, the Seed of Darkness, lay within the Azure Cloud Continent, in line with the original novel. Nonetheless, Yun Che could focus on pursuing that at a later time; currently, his foremost objective was the Seed of Fire.
"Yes, a beast guards the Heretic God Seed of Fire in that location. It seems I might need to activate Bankai," Yun Che responded, recollecting the circumstances. This particular Seed, when obtained, would grant him a Fire Spirit Heretic Body. This body would render him impervious to fire-based assaults, conferring immunity to all fire forms. It would also grant him the capability to manipulate fire and master fire-oriented cultivation arts.
Given the prerequisite level of 60, indicating Sky Profound Realm, Yun Che remembered that a True Dragon stood as the guardian. He recalled his previous inability to challenge the dragon in the novel due to his own inadequacy. The dragon's prowess had reached Emperor Profound Realm. In that instance, Jasmine had intervened in the original novel to save the protagonist's life.
However, it defers in this timeline as despite her recovery was progressing faster than expected, possibly completing in six years instead of eight.
However, it was uncertain if she would regain enough strength to challenge the dragon with her current recovered power. This presented Yun Che with a remarkable opportunity—confronting a True Emperor-rank dragon that could potentially catapult his level up by an entire realm or even two. Dismissing this chance might result in the Seed's forfeiture, rendering it inaccessible forever. The recollection of enduring three months with a debuffed experience bar and status heightened his determination to regain his lost progress, particularly his original level 52.
Bankai appeared to be his solution.
"By the way, why haven't you employed Bankai before? You struggled against demon beasts, yet using Bankai could make it easier," Jasmine inquired, delving into his thoughts.
"In the real world, I've never released Bankai before. The initial activation generates a surge of energy and spatial disturbances. It's as if they're announcing their arrival. Cultivators and Hollows would immediately converge on my position if I were to use it. Subsequent activations wouldn't disrupt energy flows. However, before that, I must be prepared to introduce it to the world," Yun Che clarified.
"Interesting. Considering you haven't revealed any of your Bankai to me, do you think you'll use it in this Sacred Ground?" Jasmine's curiosity persisted; she had yet to witness his Bankai. While he had mastered Zangetsu, Zabimaru, and Sode No Shirayuki, comprehending Sogyo No Kotowari remained a gradual process.
"Yes, my adversary likely resides at Emperor Profound Realm, as indicated by the system's requirement of at least Level 60 or Sky Profound Realm for engagement. However, you know me—I follow my own path, regardless of recommendations. I engage regardless," Yun Che affirmed. The dragon confrontation offered a means to expedite his leveling; it might be the chance for a significant surge in levels, elevating him to the seventh level of True Profound Realm—a necessity for his upcoming destination's safety. If all else failed, he could potentially rely on Hoyuu's assistance. In gaming terminology, a considerable level discrepancy could be balanced through HP bars. Moreover, the battle would take place within the forest, safeguarding innocent bystanders.
Without hesitation, Yun Che selected the [Yes] option.
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[Ding…. The host's current level is insufficient to undertake this mission. Proceed anyway?]
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"Perhaps this is my opportunity to overcome that dragon. Don't worry, I have a plan to ensure our survival," Yun Che reassured himself internally.
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[Ding…. Mission accepted. Proceed to the designated coordinates.]
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The system thus pinpointed the Heretic God Sacred Ground's coordinates. Yun Che recognized the audacious nature of this idea. "Jasmine, let's proceed. Fortune awaits." With a grin, Yun Che vanished towards the specified coordinates.
"Hmph, I hope you've formulated a plan before venturing there. This princess won't be able to rescue you from dire circumstances," Jasmine stated before closely trailing behind him, utilizing a gigai to reenter the real world.