67 Identity 4 - Cultivating Subordinates (2/2)
The Demon was trying to hide it's excitement and motioned Stigma to follow it to one the staircase leading downward, yet it didn't explain anything but Stigma could tell the imp wasn't going to tell him anything and wanted it to be a surprise.
As they ventured further downwards, the space around them started to shift as if it was alive. The very realm itself was bizarre, but the Demon had gained the knowledge and function of the world, so there was no delay on its moment and stride forwards with glee and confidence.
Stigma's mind and eyes wondered for a while, since he had only been seeing only a long but dark stairway turn into stones floating into mid-air as floating lantern passed by them and the white pillar of marble was beside the stone steps, nothing else changed after a few minutes so he got bored.
Soon, he noticed the lanterns disappeared one after another and a bright light appeared from end of the staircase, as Stigma peered into the light, he noticed a large body of water underneath that would be compared to an ocean.
Because of the high vantage point of view, Stigma was able to see how clear the water was, though he was fifty feet in the air from the staircase. Stigma could clearly see his own reflection with all his feature like a mirror, yet he could not fathom how deep the blue waters was or how large the space was capable in storing all the water when he could not see the walls.
Stigma had no idea what it meant, but he chose to admire the serene view of clean water first before he would asked the Demon, from above he could see floating crystal stalagmite big and small, giving of bright lights of different colors and causing the surface of the water below to reflect the lights and give a random but kaleidoscope like view.
Surrounding the floating stones were balls of lights floating around like fireflies, because of the distance Stigma could not reach out to light due to being out of reach.
What Stigma understood from looking around, the stalagmites had a different purpose rather than being a form light source as the rock were not bright enough, numerous nor large. Instead the entire body of water was illuminating the entire room instead like bioluminescent water.
From some areas, Stigma could see some strange blue plants sticking out of the water with parts of it branching out and forming like a small island, and saw that some of the lights were landing on the branch to prove it was safe to land and touch.
When Stigma looked around, confusion could only appear on his face. Stigma was trying to figure out as to how such a large body of water had appeared, but then again nothing could be explained in this realm.
The imp would tell him, but no doubt it would hide or bend some information or either try to avoid the subject altogether, so he dropped the thought of finding out until he was strong enough for him to know.
As they got closer to the bottom, Stigma could see a large platform underneath that appeared to be made of clear jade like stone, he even noticed that the air was starting to lower in temperature as if he was in a deep ocean.
Stigma's curiosity got the best of him and he eventually asked the Demons who replied with his playful grin as he laughed.
”What is this place?”
”Fuffuffuffuffu.This is the place where spirits who have fully formed and have yet to form reside, this space is connected to the tree you saw last time yet separated in a dimension, here the Human Cultivators and Heavenly Beast souls reside here as form of resting place if you will. Admire the vast and serene like view for know, Dear Sir, you will create wonderful forms of beauty as you progress in this place.”
As Stigma listened he soon stepped on the stable platform that was illuminating green light yet it did not harm his eyesight even the slightest.
The platform was large with multiple formations overlapping one another, even if he tried to read the words it looked completely foreign to him, he soon noticed what he was stepping on was formed with multiple pieces rather than one whole piece of stone.
When he stepped towards the edge, Stigma could see from the mirror reflection that the platform had no form of support beams underneath, as though the center pillar of the staircase was keeping it from into the water despite the possible weight the platform had.
From what Stigma could guess it was ten feet away from the water, preventing any form of contact for the water to remain still from any contact of vibration.
In the corner of his eye, Stigma noticed a ball of lights appeared and fly upward, normally he wouldn't spare to look around but the light was special for a reason. He noticed the ball of light again when he turned his head around a few time and was surprised to see what made it catch his intentions.
The Demons didn't say anything, allowing Stigma to observed and understand what he was seeing before his eye. When he stretched out his and the ball of lights flew towards him and up close he found something 'mesmerizing'.
Inside the ball of lights was cub of small wolf like Kirin, as he admired the adorable creature the lights from above flew towards Stigma and started swarming in circles around him. One by one, he soon noticed and recognized each and everyone of them were all the Heavenly Beast he absorbed except the were in a child like form.
Unlike when they were guarding the tree as guard dogs, these Heavenly Beast appeared more approachable like pets and showed little hostility and showed great affection to Stigma, the baby like beast pranced around in the air and started nuzzling their faces at his face like he was their mother.
Each one was inside a ball of light, but when Stigma reach out he would feel their fur, warm as it they were alive. Each time he caressed one beast, one would try to squeeze in between his hand to draw his attention for affection.
Out of all of them the Bear cub, wolf cub and small rabbit were the ones he like the most, but he can't replace Kirin in his heart as it was still young to be left alone and had yet to grow. While he looked at the creature, he soon noticed some beast were not present, namely the unformed ones like the Tiger and the newly absorbed soul the 'Ancient Predator Spider'.
Stigma instinctively looked at the floor and saw a large circle in the center, with curiosity he circulated his Zen energy and the formations below his feet lit up and started forming in the air, creating a dynamic and complex movement that made him stare blankly before realizing the Imp was calling his attention.
But before he could say anything, Stigma saw a screen in front of him like a computer, but after reading the words the only emotion he could feel was excitement.
*Bing!*
[Soul Transmutation in Progress, possible candidates:
Current Souls Absorbed:
Soul of Impurity (I), Wolf Soul (II), Snake Soul (I), Stag Soul (I), Bear Soul (I), Eagle Soul (I), Bull Soul (I), Boar Soul (I), Monkey Soul (I), Cheetah Soul (I), Rabbit Soul (I), Rat Soul (I), Goat Soul (I), Bat Soul (I)
*
Pure Energy: 220%
Grudge Energy: 104%
Wrath Energy: 140%
Fire Energy: 330%
Earth Energy: 125%
Water Energy: 320%
Wind Energy: 120%
Light Energy: 80%
Lightning Energy: 30%
Metal Energy: 10%
***
Stock Piled Souls:
Soul of Wrath:(Complete - 100%)
Tiger Soul: 30%
Snake Soul: 80%
Ancient Predator Spider: 10%]
After looking at the familiar icons, a number of possibilities, but Stigma looked at the Demon for confirmation. Nevertheless, it only bowed forward and told him the function of the place and the jade floor with multiple formations.
”Fuffuffuffuffu. This platform, Dear Sir, is the Soul Transmutation Formation. It has a purposes to create a more powerful souls and energy by combining or separating the fully formed one you have. As mentioned before, this place is connected to the tree where the souls are rested and stored, by using this formation you can 'merge' and give birth to new and powerful spirit that have never been seen.”
”By using this on Heavenly Beast souls, you may create soul bound familiars, those will try their very best to defend you as long as they live. As you may have guessed I believe there are no words are needed to the infinite possibilities of this knowledge when using this ability Dear Sir.”
The Imp then placed it's right hand over his chest and made a bowing gesture while it was on one knee, producing an image of a servant performing his duties.
The progress of Stigma's growth is what always amused the Demon Imp since it can take part of the development, but compared to seeing his master acting reckless and gamble with his life, the Demons Imp wasn't going to allow such dangerous elements to harm him.
Thought the Demon Imp may have many secrets, it didn't have any intentions in harming his relation with Stigma, compared to repairing injuries or torn limbs, relations take far too long to mend especially when it was aware on how stubborn Stigma was when he makes a decision.
It could only hope to give it's perspective and give a more plausible approach and lessen the risk of danger.
....
”Show me how this works, then let me...” He was about to finish his sentence, when the Demon cut between his sentence.
”Unfortunately, unless given permission or until you are strong enough I cannot show you, you must tread carefully by yourself for now as I aid you....But master, do you really think I can contain that mind of yours when it come to knowledge about monsters called 'Yokai'.”
That was true, Stigma wanted to tread carefully but in his heart he already had an idea in mind after hearing a voracious predator in a form of spider. Looking through the choices and with the Demon's explanation and confirmation, his imaged a certain yokai he wanted as a subordinate, the dirt spider, Tsuchigumo.