321 The Beginning (1/2)
There was a thick layer of fog surrounding the dense vegetation.
Although it was a hollow, it was no different from the outside world.
Seeing the environment around him, Fang Yuan was a little stunned. He went on to pluck a few wild mushrooms, lighted a bonfire and started to roast them. The mushrooms gave off a mouth-watering fragrance.
As he ate the mushrooms, he entered his actualised dream world.
The 8 Gates Sword Array was standing tall and protecting the actualised dream world. 3 swords were already formed, and the 3 swords were arranged in the 3 Talents Sword Array. The actualised dream world had grown in size once more.
Of course, all of these were expected. What had pleased him the most was the green radiance in the middle of the 8 Gates Sword Array, as well as the water dragon pearl.
”This green radiance is the energy of the realm. It is the accumulated heavenly karma which I had obtained from the Water Realm... And the water dragon pearl contains all the dragon essence within it... Most importantly, my previous water dragon body had already fully absorbed the previous dragon pearl which I had stolen from the old Qi Lake Water God. This water dragon pearl is concentrated with dragon properties, so much so that it might even be considered a legitimate dragon pearl!”
Looking at the sealed green radiance in the center, Fang Yuan was extremely satisfied. ”With this, I am only a step away from forming the Modest Wind Sword and achieving the 4th Tier of Illusionary Divine!”
This risk of being destroyed by the heavenly tribulation and the hasty progress which he made in the Water Realm had paid off!
”What a pity... If all of that did not happen, I could slowly plan and might reap even more benefits if I were to become successful in supporting a true dragon to rule the world...”
With this thought, Fang Yuan became slightly depressed.
As he waved his sleeves, the green radiance started to dissipate as the 8 Gates Sword Array started to absorb its energy. Immediately, a green and long sword started to form.
In his stats window, the progress of his 4th Sword started to increase! From 2%, it jumped to 10%! Then to 20%! To 50%! And finally, to 99%!
As soon as he reached this point, he quickly stopped.
It was not because he had not enough energy from the green radiance. He knew that if he were to achieve the breakthrough, he would attain the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage and awaken the spiritual property of the magical soldiers. If that happened, the mysterious dream elemental force in his body might act up against him, which was something unfavourable to him.
Furthermore, if he were to progress so quickly, he would arouse suspicion. It was better to lay low.
”Seal!”
With a single thought, the four types of forces, namely Wind, Thunder, Water and Fire came together... In that instant, the green radiance was once again sealed in the centre of the 8 Gates Sword Array.
”It might be a good idea to remain at this cultivation level and having the freedom to achieve the breakthrough anytime!”
Fang Yuan nodded his head in satisfaction and took a quick glance at this stats window:
”Name: Fang Yuan
Essence: 42
Spirit: 42
Magic: 59
Profession: Dream Soldier Master
Cultivation: Illusionary Divine (3rd Tier), Wu Zong (4th Meridian)
Technique: [Giant Eagle Metal Body Technique (Grade 5) (1%)], [Hundred Poison Golden Body (1st Refining)], [8 Gates Sword Array (4th Sword) (99%)]
Skill: [Medicine (Level 3)], [Botany (Level 5)]”
”Since the stats window can retain my original cultivation level, my current Essence and Spirit have matched up to the level which I had attained while I was a water dragon. The increment in Magic, on the other hand, is due to the progress in forming the 4th Sword...”
”With such stats, I am already at the peak of the 3rd Tier of Illusionary Divine! Even Feng Xinzi is only at this stage... Furthermore, this is the highest cultivation I can attain in which the hollows would still grant me entry!”
In the cave, Fang Yuan ate his roasted mushrooms as he felt a little bored. ”Am I just... waiting for things to happen?”
Looking at his stats window, he was lost in his thought. ”Hmm... I might be able to make use of this time to train my martial arts!”
As long as his progress bar was there, he could continually train up to improve his martial arts cultivation level. Therefore, he could make full use of his time while waiting.
...
Time was like flowing water. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
In the forest, Fang Yuan regulated his breathing while meditating. With every breath, the 4 spiritual meridians on his back would glow and become more and more defined. Additionally, another meridian was vaguely visible and appeared illusionary.
”Even in martial arts, I would experience a slower progress the higher my cultivation becomes!”
After a long while, Fang Yuan concluded his training. Seeing the small increment in his experience bar, he let out a sigh.
However, after seeing Venerable Longhu and understanding the power of a True Divine, he would not give up on training his martial arts.
”Dream masters would focus on their Essence and Magic while training, while martial artists would strengthen their bodies. Both would focus on different aspects, and in training both, these two vastly different aspects would complement each other!”
Fang Yuan had vaguely figured out the path for his cultivation.
”Whooo! Whoo!”
At this point in time, he could detect that the fog around him was moving. It was thinning out.
”Is the strength of the seal weakening?”
Seeing this, a solemn look appeared on Fang Yuan's face. ”The Changli Mountain Hollow is about to become activated!”
On Tianmu Mountain, within a cave.
”The time has finally arrived!”
Elder Smelter, Old Mother of Tianmu and Old Xue were gathering around a sandbox with excited looks on their faces.
In the middle of the sandbox, there was a screen revealing a miniature version of the hollow.
”Let's begin to remove the seal!”
Seeing this, Old Mother of Tianmu quickly gave her instructions. ”With the dream masters inside as blood sacrifice and our attack from the outside world, we can surely find a weakness of this seemingly-perfect defensive seal.”
”Of course, we must be alert at the moment of the hollow opening, for the Hidden Dragon Guards might attack at that moment!”
Although Old Mother of Tianmu was standing still, the surrounding space around her seemed to have opened up, allowing rays of light to flood in.
”Don't worry! The highly skilled dream masters of our Divine Lotus Cult and Evil Divine Sect are already in the Jade Capital to keep the fighting force of Da Qian under control!”
A gentle voice was heard. At the same time, two strong forces were suddenly felt in the sandbox.
With such an interference, the fog within the screen started to disperse, revealing the rugged surface of the mountainous range.