I Wander - 4

With no sign of a struggle or even a hint of doubt, Noh takes charge of the two formations as Tim acts the anchor for what would become the singular formation. In this very moment, they could be creating a brand-new formation for scholars to preach about. The outline of the new formation appeared written in gold as faint screams filled the space. Thereafter came a chill in the air and sparks of lightning formed at the center. After an hour of casting, the golden outline became solid, signifying that the formation has fully taken shape. They have successfully created a new formation. As is typical, new formations good or bad, are recognized by Heaven is given a name. However, Heaven's public recognition did not appear, but a name was declared. "World Shattering Law." 

For Tim and Noh, that is a good enough accomplishment, prompting Tim to take the initiative to set off his drastic idea. He issued one command befitting the formation's name, "Shatter!" In this moment, they both felt invincible as the overwhelming power of the formation exploded from its eye to the edged of its borders. The pattern of the formation was that of a giant square housing three overlapping triangles and a circle at the center, housing the formation's eye behind a red crystal barrier. After thirty seconds of the formation being active, Tim rescinded his command, satisfied with its performance. Beneath their feet, a five-mile-deep crater, stretching twelve miles in every direction, demonstrating the formation's immense power. 

Not only was the terrain altered but The Art of Decay and the Soul Calling charms were also undone completely. Actually, there is no trace of the two forbidden techniques ever being casted in the area. Noh then quipped, "our new formation is too great don't you think?" Fortunately, what is destroyed by this formation is carefully recorded into the minds of the casters. Additionally, what is meant to be saved by the casters will remain. Noh's Soul Essence Formation trapped and secured all living things within the formation's reach, securing some possible clues for the investigation. This is when the real fight begins, and something is revealed to Noh and Tim. 

A voice filled in the air saying, "interesting, very interesting. You can be counted as divine. A Golden Soul and a Void Being, both alive in the same era. Not what I was expecting, but much better." The damage done by World Shattering Law, was fixed and from the shadows casted by the trees, an elderly man appeared. Noh quickly approached the man and bowed reverently proclaiming, "humble disciple greets Ancestor E-Ly." "Greetings Senior", Tim remarked. Seeing Tim's confusion, Noh quickly explains, "Tim, this is the founder of the Necromancing Fortress and crafter of most necromancing laws. He reached the Bodiless Realm at the age of 15, becoming the first Divine Child and reached the Transcendent Realm at 40. Ancestor, this is my friend Tim Lee."

E-Ly smiled and says, "I am aware of his identity as the Young Master of the Lee Clan and its tether to the Lynn Clan. Now, he is a member of the Wandering Sect, heading to the Giib Academy to become a Master. I am also aware of his interest in the exams decreed by the Imperial Clan. Most impressively, is his cultivation. He possesses the rare Golden Soul only seen in the Imperial Clan and amongst the Ancestorial Council. Your potential is boundless and a blessing to your clan. However, you must be careful and do not reveal your Soul Class until you've reached Foundation Establishment. I advise you to be sure about the Bodiless Realm before cultivating that path."

Tim heeded his words and bowed reverently. E-Ly declared the case closed as this was merely a "test for modern necromancers" and no one was actually harmed in the matter. The Damned Ones they encountered were actually high-grade puppets created by E-Ly himself. Though Tim is not a True Necromancer, his Soul Class grants him qualifications for any path and craft. If he has the ability and time, he can become the master of all. For now, Tim will have to walk easy and raise his power level to explore his full potential. Before moving on, they inquired about the purpose of the test and why this area in particular was used.

With great seriousness in his voice, E-Ly explains, "the Wandering Sect Leader has a great collection of concealment charms and path finding talismans. Not to mention that he and I are both Level 5 Formation Masters with extraordinary telepathic prowess. In order to keep non-necromancers and non-cultivators from stumbling upon the site, I needed their help in implementing a powerful sorting ward. Even though it is not as magnificent as their Wandering Formation, it is still rather terrific. My goal is to find special individuals capable of leading the world away from certain doom that is slowly approaching. After conducting Death's Divination, I have experienced the wails of tortured souls trapped behind a heavy darkness. 

He turns his head towards the sky and continues, "Soul Snatching. After careful investigation, I came to realize that those were the souls of numerous missing cultivators and non-cultivators alike. Someone or a group of people are refining the souls and spiritual force of others for their own benefit, defiling the grace of nature and spitting up at the heavens. I ran into one of the Reapers and was shocked at its power. I say 'it' because they no longer possessed a human's aura, nor did it seem to feel the frigid air about it. At its core, was a solid blend of sorrow and malice, sucking the joy from its surroundings. Destroying their core is only way to destroy them and set the souls free. This Reaper I encountered possessed the breath of Bodiless Realm practitioner. It was just a servant, and I imagine it's master to be at the Condensation Realm, maybe higher. An army is being built and we must be ready."

At first, the boys did know what to do with that information, but seeing the Ancestor make such careful plans and do so much work on behalf their modern generation, adds to the gravity of his words. "What does the Ancestorial Council think about all this? What about the Imperial Clan?", Tim asks. "That is why I am here in the lower realms. I and two other Ancestors are investigating. We need to gather more information and evidence before appealing to the Imperial Clan. In addition to that, we have taken the initiative to test the new era of cultivators and hopefully build up a powerful fighting force for the human race. We need Superpowers." While his explanation was beyond what they were expecting, Tim recalls the vision he saw days prior to this trip while meditating. 

E-Ly also added optimistically, "I have my suspicions that His Highness Crown Prince has some idea of this situation and has taken the initiative to open the Inheritance Trials. He possesses an almost unnatural psionic prowess that is akin to an Immortal's and has the luxury of His Majesty's absolute trust. Anything he alleges needs no evidence or trial, only a decision. However, that is my wishful thinking. Only time will tell if he is aware or is simply seeking to strengthen the Imperial Clan." "You have great faith in His Highness Wise One", Noh commented inquiringly. "All Ancestors do. His Highness is in a position to topple the world as we know it and has the power to enslave it almost completely. However, he is a man of principal and no wasteful actions among other things", E-Ly explains. 

From within, Tim could feel that the benefactor agrees with the sentiments of E-Ly about the Crown Prince and the major issue at hand. E-Ly bids them farewell, ensuing that they will meet again. He also instructs Noh to join the Giib Academy under a new identity to help protect Tim while he cultivates.