Chapter 59 - Self-Awareness & Willingness (1/2)
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Deep Mines, Day Five-Hundred Forty-Eight:
”The Dao truly is extraordinary,” Yan Zaizen placed his pickaxe down, his body rested on a piece of debris. His ability to infuse this wonderous internal law into all things was exceptional, and the benefits it contained was numerous to near infinite. It's been nearly two years, but his mental state and will had grown exceptionally well in this environment.
The constant pressure for freedom, from the many deaths, from the despair and the cruelty of the world continuously tempered his mindset and beliefs. His continuous discussions with Tao during this time about the world outside, cultivation, and life itself allowed his mind to become sharper. Many things he didn't originally know, he knew, and things he felt were unrealistic was brought to light.
Tao was like a teacher constantly providing him non-intrusive advice and spreading his knowledge. Tao, of course, did so mainly to not lose his mind in this hell. Yan Zaizen never felt that slipping of the mind due to his Dao giving him a strengthened sense of focus and clarity. There wasn't hope in his eyes like others, but certainty and patience. This was the stark difference between Yan Zaizen from day one and now; he no longer had a naïve mind filled with baseless hope.
The cruel reality of the Deep Mines was a lot more devastating than he originally assumed. It's been nearly two years, and he had never seen a single individual in his vicinity go up to freedom. The ones who arrived with him had all perished one way or another. As for the second group that arrived, they had perished as well. Only he and Tao remained. The newly arrived crew seemed to be establishing another cycle of hope and despair.
”It wouldn't be called the Heavenly Dao if it wasn't,” Tao said, he walked over and sat beside Yan Zaizen. In his hands were their daily rations. Before, Tao was scrawny, and now he was nothing more than bones at this point. His eyes were sunken, his stomach was caved inwards, but his gaze held a trace of unyielding intelligence. His teeth were still remarkably white, and even Yan Zaizen didn't know how he was keeping them such.
”Yeah, Yeah. Heavenly Dao. You must first be blessed by the Heavens before being able to develop it. You say that every time.” Yan Zaizen carelessly dismissed, grabbing his ration from Tao and slowly eating it. It was a tasteless oatmeal mixture filled with enough nutrients for the body to live but not enough to produce sufficient energy to work at the peak. Despite this, Yan Zaizen didn't dislike it.
Tao laughed softly, digging into his oatmeal. The others nearby were doing the same, and the newly arrived individuals were eating with vigor, slight traces of hope in their eyes and unyielding will.
Tao seemed to have thought of something, looking at Yan Zaizen up and down, ”Did you breakthrough?” He noticed that Yan Zaizen was covering his body and face in cloth, concealing his impressive visage and physical stature. Yan Zaizen just looked upwards, swallowing the little oatmeal in his mouth. He didn't seem to contain any happiness in his gaze, but just an unyielding will and undying resolve.
”Yeah…” He answered.
Yan Zaizen had achieved the Perfect Stage of the Nascent Herculean Physique. When he did, his bones became thicker, his quad-lungs further displayed their ability to send essence into the blood to strengthen one's body constantly, and his amber eyes became a shade lighter. His looks became far better-looking than before. Among men, he would definitely be rated as a nine out of ten. The only flaw would have to be his gaze were a lot calmer and concealed than before.
”Not enough?” Tao inquired.
Yan Zaizen shook his head.
Indeed, his plan of using the Immortal Herculean Method to escape couldn't work. At the moment, his vital energies could rival the late-Qi Unification Cultivators at its peak. However, with his current situation, reaching that peak was unlikely. Even if he was at his peak, he still wouldn't be able to escape due to the formation and the climbing restraint. However, this didn't shake his will, only forced him to relocate his focus.
Regrettably, the Dao couldn't be cultivated through desire, but through experiences. Tao didn't know what level his Dao was at, but it was certainly at its development phase. He said that the Dao typically has unique characteristics of each individual, and that characteristic would manifest itself when a Dao was completed. Unfortunately, he hadn't developed this yet.