Chapter 116: Aculus Divinis Again [1] (1/2)

As Ju Feng continued to walk towards the direction of the grey tree, his mind was occupied with his encounters in the Gloomvale. Oh, many were the times he could have died in that heavens forsaken place. More time than the previous two places combined. The Gloomvale was as dangerous as a place can get. He recalled their fights with the dread-beasts at the valley of retribution. He should have been dead many times over, but somehow, he had managed to survive them all. No small thanks to the three true nascent souls, surely. The organized battle formations they displayed were a sight to behold.

And when he was starting to think that his luck could actually keep him away from death, he encountered the world oracle. His only intention was to find the Soul Banishing scroll which he didn't even know why he would need such. But the words of the oracle turned everything on its head. She had told him true things about himself and the certainty of his future death. No matter the way taken, the outcome would be the same. That wasn't even what was troubling his soul, it was the last words of the oracle. She had whispered to him in cryptic words. Possibilities of the ways he would die. He knew he would have to accept the certainty of his death. But could there be a possibility of...

”Is that really you, child. Or is my ageing sight deceiving me?”

The voice of the grey tree sounded as Ju Feng neared its location. He quickly snapped out of his troubled thoughts and refocused his mind. He had been lost in his own mind, not knowing when he even reached the vicinity of the tree. Seeing the grey tree, he remembered the words of the Soul-Carver.

”You must be very careful, young one. You don't want your presence to anger or annoy the Frost-Dreamer in any way. You could easily loose your life.”

Ju Feng quickly cupped his hand and bowed. Why wouldn't he be careful in the propinquity of an entity like this. Frost-Dreamer, a Yakshasan god that pretended to be daimon tree. The more for him to extremely careful. He knew the Frost-Dreamer was already aware of his presence and knew exactly who he was the moment he appeared back in this place. He just had to maintain his countenance if he wanted to live.

”Senior, I meet you well.”

”Titan's torso! It is you! All good and well despite your gloomy face. I believe you can agree with me that treasure hunting is really good for you, young one. So can I say that I did you a good favour? That I'm a generous soul?”

”You are indeed very generous, senior. I'm very grateful.”

Ju Feng responded while still bowing down. But in his mind, he thought there was not that much generosity in anynof thr tree's acts. All tthe many times he could have died, how generous was that? But, could he even blame the Frost-Dreamer for all that? Maybe or maybe-not, but left for him, why would he decide to go into the realms of immortals. Was that not like seeking death? Why did he even exchanged his items in the first place? Surely, it must be the  Frost-Dreamer.

Then, he remembered some scenes from his encounters in the realms and sighed before smiling inwardly. Well, the adventures were not all doom and gloom. The  good memories flooded his mind as he continued to muse over the past.

”Don't beat yourself, child. Though, I gave a nudge to your thoughts, you already had the desires to go on adventure. That was acceptable within the immortal rules of dealing with mortals. Since I couldn't force you to go to the places you went, I gently stoked your thoughts. Your going was on you, so, wipe the gloom of your face and cheer up. True, I'm bound by rules in this place, but make no mistake child, I can easily kill you. I just have to find a reason to blame it on and there are many I can think of. But as far as you are concerned, with me, you are good. Come and have a sit beside me.”

”Yes, senior.”

”Child! No experience is a waste. I surmised you've had an encounter with the oracle. It's yours to keep, not mine. Words of advice, child. Take both the good and bad things from your experience, and make good use of them. They could save your life. Right, enough with yours. Can I predicate you are with my scroll?”

”Yes senior. I do have it.”

Ju Feng reached the grey tree's side and sat down on the mould beside it. He reached into his spatial sac and produced the Scroll of Sentience, showing it to the tree. The scroll floated to the space before the tree and spread itself. Their was a silence as the scroll continued to hover before the tree. After some long minutes, the scroll folded up and entered the opened space on the trunk of the tree.

The air started to get heavier as the energy began to roil strongly. The energy contrasted before exploding lightly outwards. An elderly man wearing a snow white robe with long flowing white hair and grave icy eyes, emerged from the centre of the exploding energy. The aura and icy energy coming from the man was that of a god, no doubt about that.

Despite the slight explosion, Ju Feng, who was sitting down, was knocked scrambling several feet away. He quickly recovered himself but remained on his knees as he cautiously and deeply bowed before the elderly man.

The Frost-Dreamer.

A Yakshasan god. The fourth member of the dangerous circle of gods. The powers that made a number of damages on the heavenly plane. From the words of the Soul-Carver, the Frost-Dreamer was definitely an exceedingly powerful figure among them. He was a clear and present danger.

”Long last. Sentients we evolve. So it begins.”

The Yakshasan god gave a wry smile as he looked at Ju Feng's alarmed face.