Bastian spent a few days resting with his women but eventually decided to continue his search for the "Water Source of Life" to purify their bodies and aid his cultivation. He set out with his companions, including his trusty Shadow Panther, and after a day of travel, they reached a challenging swamp.
The Shadow Panther warned of hidden dangers, and several beasts appeared, but they were not a significant threat. As night fell, the mist surrounded them, and they retreated to the safety of the Godly Abode. However, both the Shadow Panther and Dream Ferret began behaving strangely, and Bastian saw several figures hovering around the Abode. He recalled the term "The Threshold" from his religion and began chanting to calm the lost souls. Bastian did not know why, but after each sentence, everyone joined in, repeating sentence by sentence his favorite prayer:
"God, …”
The prayer and chanting went on throughout the night, only ceasing when the light of day broke through the sky. However, the sky remained dark due to the constant presence of black clouds.
The cries of lost souls gradually subsided, and Bastian continued onward with his Shadow Panther at his side and his Dream Ferret perched on his shoulder. Despite his desire to distance himself from that place, it took almost a full day to escape the swamp, and even then, the mist still lingered in the air.
Bastian persisted in his haste but failed to notice a problem until he suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed to his knees. The Shadow Panther emitted strange noises, while the Dream Ferret wailed uncontrollably. Reacting quickly, Bastian took everyone back inside the Godly Abode, sensing something amiss in the air. Upon their arrival, he promptly fainted in front of everyone.
Julya rushed to help Bastian from falling to the ground, quickly carrying him to a nearby room. Being an Elf and a skilled healer, she tried to cast a powerful spell to heal him. However, no one had noticed that a strong, odorless venom was lingering in the mist outside the Godly Abode.
Unfortunately, not only Bastian but also the Shadow Panther were poisoned. Julya asked Renee and Maleen to take care of the Shadow Panther while she focused on healing Bastian. The Dream Ferret, with his ethereal body, stayed by his side, not affected by the venom. It was worried about him and wailed sadly.
The spell was helpful, but the venom was too strong, and Bastian's life hung in the balance for a time. Trembling and twitching in pain, Bastian convulsed as his body had already absorbed the venom. However, after some time, a strong light emitted from his body blinded everyone in the room. Meanwhile, Julya realized that it was a powerful ancient spell and felt a unique aura that she recognized.
Every spell carried a trace of the caster's energy, known as the aura. Julya felt tears rolling down her cheeks as she recognized the aura that belonged to Bastian's father, Thorem, who in his last moments had used his energies to cast a powerful ancient spell to help Bastian detoxify the poison from the Venomous Snake Dragon. Its power still lingered through Bastian's body, as he had absorbed and merged his father's core into his own.
Julya was not feeling sadness at all; in fact, she felt a deep sense of pride for Thorem's unwavering love and care towards his son, Bastian. The truth was, that few individuals would exhibit such a selfless act of devotion, willingly sacrificing their own lives to save another.
Over time, Bastian's body began to relax, gradually easing the pain as the convulsions and trembling subsided. A gentle radiance emanated from his form for an indeterminate period, and Bastian regained consciousness just as a loud commotion arose from outside.
Feeling a bit apprehensive, Bastian inquired about the events that had unfolded. Julya allowed him the necessary time to recover, and in the meantime, he sipped on some potions to regain his strength. Curiosity piqued, Bastian inquired about the Shadow Panther, prompting Julya to request his patience while Renee and Maleen attended to the matter.
Bastian came to realize that traces of poison might still linger in the air. Cautiously, he seized the opportunity to survey his surroundings from the safety of the Godly Abode. What he observed and uncovered left him mildly concerned about the poison's impact on the Shadow Panther. He recognized the urgency of locating an antidote, as poisons typically degrade the body until systemic failure occurs.
Not far from the Godly Abode lay a massive, withered tree. Adjacent to it stood a Huge Wind Serpent: an enormous creature adorned with iridescent scales and a formidable tail capable of conjuring whirlpools. The serpent's blood was rumored to possess healing properties and was sought after by cultivators for its regenerative capabilities. The issue lay in its venom—an odorless breath that could prove fatal to even the mightiest beings when in its wind form; in its liquid state, it was lethal.
With resolve, Bastian employed the concealing arrays within the Godly Abode to stealthily approach the serpent, diligently holding his breath to avoid inhaling any poison. Swiftly and deftly, he severed the creature's head, collecting its blood as it dripped.
Retreating into his sanctum, Bastian employed the serpent's blood to heal and detoxify the Shadow Panther. In no time, the panther was back on its feet, restored to health.
Notably, Bastian recognized the potential utility of various parts of the serpent's colossal body. Even its blood held promise as a potent ingredient for healing and detoxification concoctions. Bastian's gaze also fell upon a nest situated within the tree, containing an egg.
Contemplating the prospect, Bastian wondered if he should allow the egg to hatch. While raising a potentially perilous creature carried risks, the potential future benefits were equally enticing. Having made his decision, Bastian safeguarded the nest, creating a suitable habitat and utilizing elements from the environment to nurture the egg's healthy development.
Following some challenges, the time had come to depart. With bated breath, Bastian hastened his departure from the site, leaving the mist behind without a backward glance.
As Bastian sprinted all day, he spotted a small village in the distance and cautiously picked a hiding spot. He entered a sacred place called the Godly Abode to rest and eat.
His women were concerned about his health as he had recently been severely poisoned. Thankfully, Bastian drank a potion made from the blood of the Wind Serpent, which made him feel exceptionally healthy and robust.
He also observed that his stamina and strength had significantly increased, and Julya noticed that his hair and eyes had distinct purple strands, strangely, she felt that his features had improved even more, giving him another level of handsomeness.
Esha was unaware of the intensity of her gaze upon Bastian, who had Asha cuddled up on his lap with Aurora lovingly massaging his shoulders from behind. Julya sat by his side while Renee and Maleen knelt on the floor, massaging his legs and feet. Aleena served him food and drink as his women surrounded him, taking care of his every need with love and care.
Bastian became alarmed when he heard noise from the Dream Ferret. He carefully observed his surroundings and noticed a group approaching his position. Despite being inside his Godly Abode, he could observe the environment outside with ease. As the group passed by, they even noticed a tiny pebble under a small tree. Feeling safe, Bastian decided to continue toward his objective—a low mountain with a waterfall. The map he had was accurate and reliable.
It did not take long for Bastian to reach the mountain and spot the waterfall. Among the figures he noticed were three men surrounding a tall, white woman who was fiercely fighting back with her bare hands and nails. Bastian activated the concealing arrays of the Godly Abode and approached the group cautiously.
The trio of men rushed towards the woman, aiming punches and kicks at her head. Bastian did not believe their intentions were good. Based on their speech, it seemed they intended to harm and rape the woman, as they were Incubus.
The first Incubus missed his punch and received a deep scratch from her nails instead, causing a sizable wound from which blood immediately began to flow. The second Incubus managed to grab her in a tight embrace, while the third delivered a forceful kick to her stomach, causing her to bend and collapse, spitting blood. The woman fought back tenaciously, grabbing the leg of the one who had kicked her and biting his leg, causing him to cry out in pain. Seizing the opportunity, the third Incubus delivered another kick, causing the woman to lose consciousness.
As the injured Incubi tended to their wounds, the third one attempted to strip the unconscious woman. Swiftly, Bastian beheaded the injured Incubi in silence and then rushed to strike the third Incubi, the sword piercing through his heart.
Bastian ensured their silence by burning their bodies, then took the unconscious woman into the Godly Abode, requesting his women to care for her. Not wasting time, he made his way to the waterfall, searching for an entrance.
It did not take long for Bastian to spot an entrance behind the waterfall curtain. Slowly entering, he noticed markings and signs on the walls detailing the treasure's legend. According to the legend, the "Water Source of Life" possessed incredible healing properties, capable of curing injuries, purifying toxins, and even reviving the dead.
As Bastian ventured deeper into the cave, he used a light spell to illuminate his path, spotting disabled traps along the way. He felt a pang of disappointment, suspecting the treasure might have already been taken.
Deep within the mountain cave, Bastian discovered a spacious, round hall adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. In the center stood a towering stalactite that touched the stalagmite below, forming a column.
Although he found nothing of immediate interest in the cave, Bastian was intrigued by the column's energy. Taking his time, he used a sharp obsidian knife to cut into the column, revealing a hollow interior. Inside, he found a clear liquid emitting delicate energy into the air. Using a jade jar, Bastian collected the liquid, leaving a portion behind for future nurturing. A memory from his favorite novel, "Battle Through The Heavens", came to mind, and he chuckled, thinking: "Thank you, Xiao Yan!"
Having collected his thoughts, he chose to leave the carved stone patch where it was and return it to its original place. He then decided to head back home, and without any delay, he teleported to his mansion in Mixundor City.
Bastian spent a few days resting with his women but eventually decided to continue his search for the "Water Source of Life" to purify their bodies and aid his cultivation. He set out with his companions, including his trusty Shadow Panther, and after a day of travel, they reached a challenging swamp.
The Shadow Panther warned of hidden dangers, and several beasts appeared, but they were not a significant threat. As night fell, the mist surrounded them, and they retreated to the safety of the Godly Abode. However, both the Shadow Panther and Dream Ferret began behaving strangely, and Bastian saw several figures hovering around the Abode. He recalled the term "The Threshold" from his religion and began chanting to calm the lost souls. Bastian did not know why, but after each sentence, everyone joined in, repeating sentence by sentence his favorite prayer:
"God, …”
The prayer and chanting went on throughout the night, only ceasing when the light of day broke through the sky. However, the sky remained dark due to the constant presence of black clouds.
The cries of lost souls gradually subsided, and Bastian continued onward with his Shadow Panther at his side and his Dream Ferret perched on his shoulder. Despite his desire to distance himself from that place, it took almost a full day to escape the swamp, and even then, the mist still lingered in the air.
Bastian persisted in his haste but failed to notice a problem until he suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed to his knees. The Shadow Panther emitted strange noises, while the Dream Ferret wailed uncontrollably. Reacting quickly, Bastian took everyone back inside the Godly Abode, sensing something amiss in the air. Upon their arrival, he promptly fainted in front of everyone.
Julya rushed to help Bastian from falling to the ground, quickly carrying him to a nearby room. Being an Elf and a skilled healer, she tried to cast a powerful spell to heal him. However, no one had noticed that a strong, odorless venom was lingering in the mist outside the Godly Abode.
Unfortunately, not only Bastian but also the Shadow Panther were poisoned. Julya asked Renee and Maleen to take care of the Shadow Panther while she focused on healing Bastian. The Dream Ferret, with his ethereal body, stayed by his side, not affected by the venom. It was worried about him and wailed sadly.
The spell was helpful, but the venom was too strong, and Bastian's life hung in the balance for a time. Trembling and twitching in pain, Bastian convulsed as his body had already absorbed the venom. However, after some time, a strong light emitted from his body blinded everyone in the room. Meanwhile, Julya realized that it was a powerful ancient spell and felt a unique aura that she recognized.
Every spell carried a trace of the caster's energy, known as the aura. Julya felt tears rolling down her cheeks as she recognized the aura that belonged to Bastian's father, Thorem, who in his last moments had used his energies to cast a powerful ancient spell to help Bastian detoxify the poison from the Venomous Snake Dragon. Its power still lingered through Bastian's body, as he had absorbed and merged his father's core into his own.
Julya was not feeling sadness at all; in fact, she felt a deep sense of pride for Thorem's unwavering love and care towards his son, Bastian. The truth was, that few individuals would exhibit such a selfless act of devotion, willingly sacrificing their own lives to save another.
Over time, Bastian's body began to relax, gradually easing the pain as the convulsions and trembling subsided. A gentle radiance emanated from his form for an indeterminate period, and Bastian regained consciousness just as a loud commotion arose from outside.
Feeling a bit apprehensive, Bastian inquired about the events that had unfolded. Julya allowed him the necessary time to recover, and in the meantime, he sipped on some potions to regain his strength. Curiosity piqued, Bastian inquired about the Shadow Panther, prompting Julya to request his patience while Renee and Maleen attended to the matter.
Bastian came to realize that traces of poison might still linger in the air. Cautiously, he seized the opportunity to survey his surroundings from the safety of the Godly Abode. What he observed and uncovered left him mildly concerned about the poison's impact on the Shadow Panther. He recognized the urgency of locating an antidote, as poisons typically degrade the body until systemic failure occurs.
Not far from the Godly Abode lay a massive, withered tree. Adjacent to it stood a Huge Wind Serpent: an enormous creature adorned with iridescent scales and a formidable tail capable of conjuring whirlpools. The serpent's blood was rumored to possess healing properties and was sought after by cultivators for its regenerative capabilities. The issue lay in its venom—an odorless breath that could prove fatal to even the mightiest beings when in its wind form; in its liquid state, it was lethal.
With resolve, Bastian employed the concealing arrays within the Godly Abode to stealthily approach the serpent, diligently holding his breath to avoid inhaling any poison. Swiftly and deftly, he severed the creature's head, collecting its blood as it dripped.
Retreating into his sanctum, Bastian employed the serpent's blood to heal and detoxify the Shadow Panther. In no time, the panther was back on its feet, restored to health.
Notably, Bastian recognized the potential utility of various parts of the serpent's colossal body. Even its blood held promise as a potent ingredient for healing and detoxification concoctions. Bastian's gaze also fell upon a nest situated within the tree, containing an egg.
Contemplating the prospect, Bastian wondered if he should allow the egg to hatch. While raising a potentially perilous creature carried risks, the potential future benefits were equally enticing. Having made his decision, Bastian safeguarded the nest, creating a suitable habitat and utilizing elements from the environment to nurture the egg's healthy development.
Following some challenges, the time had come to depart. With bated breath, Bastian hastened his departure from the site, leaving the mist behind without a backward glance.
As Bastian sprinted all day, he spotted a small village in the distance and cautiously picked a hiding spot. He entered a sacred place called the Godly Abode to rest and eat.
His women were concerned about his health as he had recently been severely poisoned. Thankfully, Bastian drank a potion made from the blood of the Wind Serpent, which made him feel exceptionally healthy and robust.
He also observed that his stamina and strength had significantly increased, and Julya noticed that his hair and eyes had distinct purple strands, strangely, she felt that his features had improved even more, giving him another level of handsomeness.
Esha was unaware of the intensity of her gaze upon Bastian, who had Asha cuddled up on his lap with Aurora lovingly massaging his shoulders from behind. Julya sat by his side while Renee and Maleen knelt on the floor, massaging his legs and feet. Aleena served him food and drink as his women surrounded him, taking care of his every need with love and care.
Bastian became alarmed when he heard noise from the Dream Ferret. He carefully observed his surroundings and noticed a group approaching his position. Despite being inside his Godly Abode, he could observe the environment outside with ease. As the group passed by, they even noticed a tiny pebble under a small tree. Feeling safe, Bastian decided to continue toward his objective—a low mountain with a waterfall. The map he had was accurate and reliable.
It did not take long for Bastian to reach the mountain and spot the waterfall. Among the figures he noticed were three men surrounding a tall, white woman who was fiercely fighting back with her bare hands and nails. Bastian activated the concealing arrays of the Godly Abode and approached the group cautiously.
The trio of men rushed towards the woman, aiming punches and kicks at her head. Bastian did not believe their intentions were good. Based on their speech, it seemed they intended to harm and rape the woman, as they were Incubus.
The first Incubus missed his punch and received a deep scratch from her nails instead, causing a sizable wound from which blood immediately began to flow. The second Incubus managed to grab her in a tight embrace, while the third delivered a forceful kick to her stomach, causing her to bend and collapse, spitting blood. The woman fought back tenaciously, grabbing the leg of the one who had kicked her and biting his leg, causing him to cry out in pain. Seizing the opportunity, the third Incubus delivered another kick, causing the woman to lose consciousness.
As the injured Incubi tended to their wounds, the third one attempted to strip the unconscious woman. Swiftly, Bastian beheaded the injured Incubi in silence and then rushed to strike the third Incubi, the sword piercing through his heart.
Bastian ensured their silence by burning their bodies, then took the unconscious woman into the Godly Abode, requesting his women to care for her. Not wasting time, he made his way to the waterfall, searching for an entrance.
It did not take long for Bastian to spot an entrance behind the waterfall curtain. Slowly entering, he noticed markings and signs on the walls detailing the treasure's legend. According to the legend, the "Water Source of Life" possessed incredible healing properties, capable of curing injuries, purifying toxins, and even reviving the dead.
As Bastian ventured deeper into the cave, he used a light spell to illuminate his path, spotting disabled traps along the way. He felt a pang of disappointment, suspecting the treasure might have already been taken.
Deep within the mountain cave, Bastian discovered a spacious, round hall adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. In the center stood a towering stalactite that touched the stalagmite below, forming a column.
Although he found nothing of immediate interest in the cave, Bastian was intrigued by the column's energy. Taking his time, he used a sharp obsidian knife to cut into the column, revealing a hollow interior. Inside, he found a clear liquid emitting delicate energy into the air. Using a jade jar, Bastian collected the liquid, leaving a portion behind for future nurturing. A memory from his favorite novel, "Battle Through The Heavens", came to mind, and he chuckled, thinking: "Thank you, Xiao Yan!"
Having collected his thoughts, he chose to leave the carved stone patch where it was and return it to its original place. He then decided to head back home, and without any delay, he teleported to his mansion in Mixundor City.
