Shackles Of Death

Inside his soul plane, his soul essence started absorbing the soul essence he had absorbed from Igor. He felt his soul plane getting slightly bigger and his perception of the world was becoming more clearer.

Within just a few minutes, his soul broke through to the Early Nascent Soul Stage!

Damien felt that his spiritual perception could now spread around 300 meters! That was six times the range a normal Early Nascent Soul Stage cultivator would have.

He knew that when one breakthroughs to the Nascent Soul Stage, it basically means the foundation for their soul plane is being solidified. Also, it would allow one to sense the world with a greater perception.

But Damien didn't open his eyes as a sudden piece of comprehension entered his soul plane.

[Anti-God Arts]

1st Stage - [Undying Wrath] - Tears open your limits temporarily and mutates your ethereal energy to give rise to Anti-Energy. This energy will increase and amplify your strength including your destructive power through five phases.

[ First phase - 20% mutation; Second phase - 40% mutation; Third Phase - 60% mutation; Fourth Phase - 80% mutation; Fifth Phase - 100% mutation(Forbidden) ]

2nd Stage - [Shackles Of Death] - Not even death can save your enemies from your clutches. Absolute control over the dead. Bring the dead back to life and turn them into your slaves devoid of their will and consciousness. Once your mastery of this skill increases, not even the living would be safe from you. [Prowess of this skill depends on your soul cultivation]

3rd Stage - [Shadow Of Time] - Sealed

4th Stage - [From Ashes I Rise] - Sealed

5th Stage - [Anti-World] - Sealed

6th Stage - [ ??? ] - Sealed

7th Stage - [ ??? ] - Sealed

Damien slowly opened his eyes which sparkled with excitement. "Wow." Damien muttered to himself.

Luna appeared and giggled, "You look like a kid who got a new toy to play with."

Damien slowly shifted his gaze towards Luna, "So, this is why you said I would be more excited after my breakthrough. But how did you know?"

Damien was wondering how Luna knew he would be unsealing the second stage of his Anti-God Arts.

Luna grinned and said, "Obviously I saw through your sealed Anti-God Arts and I also know what each skill can do and the cultivation stage required for you to unseal them."

Damien's eyes flashed and asked eagerly, "Then tell me what exactly can those other skills do? Also can you unseal them?"

Luna shook her head and curled her lips, "Of course, I can unseal them easily. But no way I am going to do that nor am I going to tell you what those sealed skills are. You will find them out when you need to and have the power to handle them. Knowing what those unsealed skills can do but unable to even use them would only make you go crazy. You would only be able to stare at those powerful and irresistible skills while keeping your mouth open. If you even try to touch those skills, you wouldn't even realize that you killed yourself."

Damien was surprised when he heard that Luna can even unseal all his sealed skills. After learning how fathomless his first and second skill was, his excitement to unseal his remaining skills knew no bounds!

But he sighed when he heard the rest of Luna's words. He also felt that keeping it sealed is better and safer as he might have the impulse to use those skills during perilous situations.

Damien learned that the reason his second stage only got unsealed now was because it needs his soul to be at least at the Nascent Soul Stage since it purely utilizes his soul energy and soul essence instead of his ethereal energy like his first skill.

He couldn't wait to try out his new found skill and was trying to imagine the different ways he could use this skill even for his plans.

Damien then noticed that there was still a few hours before the training session with Lily starts. He decided to fully focus on healing his injuries before meeting Lily lest she find out that he is injured by his appearance.

——-

In Lily's inner courtyard,

Damien had just entered the inner courtyard and saw Lily's eyes flash looking at his direction as if she was eagerly waiting for him to come.

Damien wryly smiled and said, "I am sorry, Lily, for skipping yesterday's session. I was just preoccupied with my alchemy studies so much that I didn't notice the passage of time."

Damien knew he had come up with some lame excuse but he thought it was way better than just coming up with excuses related to his health. After all, he didn't want Lily to worry too much about him. But he felt bad that he has to keep lying to Lily till he feels that he can tell her everything.

Lily didn't get upset that Damien didn't show up yesterday but heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Thank god. It's fine, I thought you were sick or that you were having one of those nightmares again. But are you sure you are completely fine? Your face looks a little pale." Lily had a concerned expression on her face and already took out a pill from her spatial ring.

Damien saw Lily taking out the Soul Revitalizing Pill and he instantly said as he waved his hands, "No, no need. I am perfectly fine. I just slept a little late after going through all those big alchemy books and some books on medicine."

Damien didn't need a Soul Revitalizing Pill at all as his soul was in perfect condition especially after his recent breakthrough. It was only because his injuries hadn't still healed, his face was a little pale.

But Lily was no fool, she doubted that Damien was probably hiding something since he doesn't want to owe her.

Lily shook her head and adamantly said, "Then more the reason to take this pill. I won't start my training with you if you don't take this pill. You said I am your friend, right? Then you shouldn't feel like you owe me even if you take this pill."

Damien was a little surprised as he didn't expect to see her stubborn side. He wondered if this is how she would treat her friend.

Unable to come up with a retort, Damien let out a sigh of defeat and took the pill from her dainty hands as he chuckled, "I can't help but admit that it feels good seeing how concerned you are about me." Damien teased.

Lily slightly shifted her eyes as she said, "Y-You are my only friend, so it's only right of me that I care about you. After all, just like how you want to help me, I also want to help you."

"Seems like we only have each other as friends." Damien smiled as he stared intently at Lily.

Seeing his dark enigmatic eyes looking into her eyes, Lily smiled as she looked back trying her best to keep her heart calm, "I guess it's fate."

"Fate...maybe." Damien for some reason suddenly thought of Luna.

"Well, let's then start with a spar shall we? I want to see how much you have improved."

"Sure, Master."