19. Origin Source

I finally stepped off the final stair-step, focusing on the mystical orb of energy directly in front of me. The orb was multi colored and glowed with dark light. I felt a pull, a power, drawing me closer to the orb unconsciously.

[You have been affected by a strange power! Please be careful, Sam.]

Corvex spoke up just in time as I arrived in front of the orb. 'What the hell is this thing?!?' I thought the words more to myself than Corvex. Inspecting the object in front of me, I tried to identify anything I could about it. The only thing I got, was a name.

[Origin Source]

[Grade: ???]

[Use: ???]

'Source?' I was confused. I had heard about the use of Source power in cultivation from books and novels I had read in my previous life. But from what I had read, Source power was for those much more powerful than me! There was no way I could cultivate this treasure right now. But I could take it, of that I was sure. I reached out with the ancient storage ring, using every bit of what little power I had to will the Origin Source into the ring.

[You are undergoing a willpower battle! Should I assist you?]

Corvex spoke as I was concentrating and I didn't spare much time in answering. 'Do it!' As I thought the words, I suddenly felt the resistance of the orb decrease slightly. Just enough for me to pull the orb into my storage ring. As the orb went into the ring, the room suddenly went dark and grew cold. Despite the absence of the orb, I could feel the immense amount of spiritual energy in the temple, not diminished at all.

I immediately sat down and began cultivating my Astral Harmony. Pulling in spiritual energy as quickly as I could to build towards the first tempering of my dantian. It didn't take very long for my spiritual energy to overflow and for me to begin my tempering. Using the energy as a bath of sorts to temper my body from head to toe. It was excruciatingly painful, so painful that I almost passed out. Right as my vision was about to fade from the pain, I suddenly felt refreshed as my body became used to the energy it contained.

[Congratulations on completing your body tempering! your body and dantian have grown much stronger!]

After the message from Corvex, I looked at my dantian to see the changes. Inside my dantian was an endless void with a few points of light in the endless expanse. The inner world in my body was finally taking form. The supreme Qi that I created was dense and absolutely saturated the entire expanse.

[You seem to have stepped into the second stage of your new physique. Void Body: Rank:SSS; your body is about 100 times stronger than the average Foundation Realm cultivator. You can safely travel through the Astral Sea without assistance.]

'There it is again... The Astral Sea?... It seems my new path lies in the stars?' My thoughts began to stray a bit as I read over the new information. I needed to find a way to ascend from this Realm. I knew there had to be a way, but how would I find it? There wasn't much I could do about it at the moment, so I decided not to dwell on the "how?". Instead I chose to do what I could, get stronger. I would work my ass off until I was strong enough to protect myself and ascend.

Solidifying my resolve for strength, I began to temper my dantian again. This time, the pain was noticeably lessened, but I also had to draw in more spiritual energy to completely cover my body. I persisted, my will only growing stronger as I continued to drain the rich spiritual energy from the room. I had almost completed my second tempering when, suddenly, the spiritual energy in the room disappeared. Sighing at my bad luck, I decided to exit the temple and explore the forest a bit.

Upon leaving the temple, I noticed multiple strong monsters approaching. There were at leas a couple dozen monsters, all just barely weaker than the Liger Guardian at the entrance of the valley. I knew I was probably no match for these beasts, but my only way to leave the valley was to go back the way I came.

'Corvex, what should I do? There is only one exit and I am not strong enough to fight all of these monsters alone?'

[Do not worry, Sam, I will assist you where I can. Though I'm afraid that our synchronization will not allow me to do much. I have not yet fully integrated myself within your soul.]

I sighed heavily, 'Then there is no point in fighting just yet. Looks like I will have to stay here for the time being and cultivate.'

[That would be the best option. Your cultivation allows me to integrate with you much quicker.]

I shook my head and went back into the temple. There was no way around it this time, I had to spend time here and cultivate. Not doing so would be suicide with the monsters that were approaching.