Vol. 4 Chapter 24: Unsealing

Chapter 24: Unsealing

The ethereal light mass from the illusory dreamscape merged directly into Lu Li's body. Once the connection was established, it fell into a deep slumber. Having experienced a collapse when it was attached to the Nanshan Tiger and now again with the death of the mountain spirit, it was severely weakened.

In different instances, although they are all illusory dreamscapes, their characteristics can vary. In this instance, the illusory dreamscape attaches itself to living creatures, absorbing various legends and myths to transform the host and the dreamscape itself.

These absorbed legends do not come from a single instance alone. Lu Li suspected that the illusory dreamscapes across different instances were interconnected, capable of drawing legends from other instances or worlds. However, due to its extensive collapse, the illusory dreamscape within him was now absorbing legends very slowly, uncertain when it would manifest again.

At this moment, the enigmatic presence in Lu Li's mind reappeared, examining the illusory dreamscape before absorbing certain elements from it. These elements transformed into a constantly shifting yellow mask in Lu Li's mind, which seemed to roar something before being swallowed whole.

After a while, the presence spat out a mass of information and then vanished. Lu Li accepted this information. Thus far, the presence in his mind appeared harmless, possibly a boon from an event a year ago.

Since the activation of the Tranquil Meditation Technique, whenever Lu Li acquired items linked to certain entities, the presence would purge any associated marks or influences, leaving behind safe and pure remnants.

Without this presence, Lu Li speculated he might have already fallen prey to some entity. However, he remained cautious, aware that the presence might be asserting dominance rather than simply aiding him.

Reflecting on this, Lu Li thought of the bronze fruit embedded in his shadow: "Is the bronze fruit without any issues, or is it beyond the presence's detection, or is it somehow allied with the presence in my mind?"

The extracted elements from the illusory dreamscape, once purified, conveyed information about a curse technique. This technique allowed Lu Li to create a curse mark using shadow magic. The mark would imperceptibly invade the host's mind, causing hallucinations and paranoia, ultimately driving them mad, leaving only the ability to torment.

After the presence vanished, a surge of bronze energy erupted from Lu Li's shadow, merging into him and absorbing much of the dormant illusory dreamscape seed, returning to the shadow, leaving a fragment attached to Lu Li's heart.

Lu Li was momentarily stunned but quickly sensed the previously elusive bronze fruit fully opening up to him. The fruit's previous owner had left, fully transferring it to Lu Li, akin to a mission completed, leaving no trace behind.

The bronze fruit, after absorbing part of the illusory dreamscape, began integrating with Lu Li's shadow, pushing it to a new level of transformation.

Although the full extent of this transformation was not yet apparent, Lu Li could feel it happening, expecting significant changes over time.

The remaining part of the illusory dreamscape integrated with Lu Li's heart, relating to the absorption of legend factors. Without the illusory dreamscape's assistance, this process was slow, only drawing from Lu Li's surroundings, unlike before when it could access unknown channels.

Hence, Lu Li found he could now only absorb fears of night demons from the villagers, insufficient to form new abilities. This process would take time to yield results.

After contemplating for a while, Lu Li left the cave and returned to the small village at the mountain's base. The journey was not entirely peaceful, as the nighttime forest harbored its own dangers. However, Lu Li was no longer the novice relying on a torch and a Buddha statue for protection.

Shadow magic in hand, Lu Li extended a short blade and stabbed into the void behind him, revealing a bizarre shadow creature that silently screamed before dissolving into bubbles. It was merely a creature that misjudged the situation.

Erasing the black mark left by the creature, Lu Li coldly scanned the darkness. Hidden monsters had been watching him but retreated after assessing his strength.

The area once dominated by the Nanshan Tiger was now inhabited by its remnants, weaker spirits that posed less threat. Lu Li pondered the nature of these entities but dismissed the thoughts for now, as he had more pressing matters.

He swiftly returned to the village, slipping into his room. Taking out the two modules from the illusory dreamscape, he contemplated his next steps. It seemed the entity that left the bronze fruit intended for him to follow a particular path, one that he was increasingly interested in.