Chapter 5
"Take it, or let it be wasted!"
Striving to weigh the pros and cons of handing over the essence, the consolidation of resolve resulted in seizing it, immediately reaching out with his left palm extended, choosing to accept on the basis of the profits that might follow.
Even when examined from any perspective, the rise in cultivation level was one, among the many gains possessed by cultivators out there.
Without further ado, he squeezed.
With the surface of the crystal so smooth, yet not diminishing its radiance of majesty, he crushed the crystal, and at once it pounced, causing old wounds on his body to ignite, accompanied by layers upon layers of pain.
Within this chance, one or two risks inevitably appeared, ones that had to be overcome.
But this time it was judged to be entirely different, especially since the stiffened meridians could not resist.
Was this a trial, or a profound torment?
Continuing to endure, strengthening the posture of his head that occasionally wished to fall due to incapacity, the burning torment relentlessly tortured, initiating headaches as though the ruins of ancient buildings repeated their crashes upon him.
Of course, no option was found to withdraw, no will to cancel the design of receiving as fate had written.
Even though the devouring flames wasted no time in always heightening their intensity, the vow of everlasting acceptance was embedded, ensuring that resolve must not wither along with the sun's rising.
This was the opportunity, the golden chance for Ling Xu to shine.
Therefore, with all his strength he strove, proposing to grasp the foreign object while expressing radiance that filled the depths of his heart.
At first Ling Xu remained calm.
Although the fluctuations of ups and downs felt utterly uncomfortable, one or two impacts upon body and soul could be endured, still aligning within the standard of interpretation.
Yet, or more precisely, hundreds of seconds later, astonishing projections unfolded, announcing to the world that regeneration indeed existed once more.
The progress of healing was ongoing, giving Ling Xu confidence to relax, unwilling to complain of the wounds after the wondrous acceptance of the object was complete.
His whole body filled with wounds far beyond few, including his face, and because of this, groans of brightness and darkness blended, prioritizing the expression of pain accompanied by multiplied suffering, as though sharp blades assaulted him, enacting invasive tricks aimed at his skull as the primary target.
"Pain… truly mesmerizing."
Still struck, experiencing a headache beyond what was fated, he lay limp with his head slightly raised, refusing to be buried, unwilling to sleep early as the torment haunted too deeply into the night.
No longer just one or two parts.
Besides the head as the primary organ responding to the profound agony, the whole body wept, screaming from the chained torture without exception.
Regardless of delicacy, whether bone, meridian, or fragments of subconscious drifting, all floated far amidst the grinding clash of states rubbing unceasingly.
It could not be denied, the hoarse voice always represented.
The longer it went on, the weaker, the slower until the vow of voice seemed null, unable to speak again as though a unilateral law stripped him of mandate.
Enlightenment, begins.
Name: Ling Xu
Skill: Herbal Medicine
Status: Enlightened, First Rank of the Celestial Star
As the head, the meridians, and the subconscious endured pain, layering the torment further, with every ounce of will he fortified his defenses, struggling to preserve his sanity as his name was called.
The calling of name followed by complete details was indeed unique, a first mandate for an abandoned god in the process of awakening.
Overlooking the upheaval of the processed mandate, vast unknown understandings surged, without invitation, instantly invading and sinking into the very sea of his mind.
This was the foundation, the beginning stage for a Godly Outcast like Ling Xu to manipulate the patterns of cultivation.
Based on one intact shard, the fluctuations captivated like the descent of a Sovereign from millions of years past, then flowed, requiring only a brief time to be swept, cloaked in a dazzling brilliance.
A glorious Celestial Court, able to surpass the starting point.
Grounded in the unexpected harvest, all ideas and methods became the pillar foundation of inter-cultivator power, forged anew.
Therefore all aspects were stored, prioritized beneath preservation while Ling Xu was lifted to the rank of Enlightened.
"Emmmmh—
"Light, soothing and relaxing?"
As torn flesh revealed bones that slowly recovered, gradually but surely indicating repair in every part, the scars once visible even with scrutiny became the seed, the shape of Ling Xu's astonishment as the one experiencing it.
Surely, with all these events unfolding, Ling Xu remained steadfast, determined to annihilate the shame of mortals while the mandate of the Celestial Court was being rewoven.
Yet considering the benefits received compared to the wealth once fallen, none of it could compare, let alone match, the enlightenment of a Godly Outcast.
Reflecting on that matter, calm but unable to restrain half his joy, was the expression, marking the gentle breeze as a sign of seriousness surging towards smooth success alone.
The formation of the Star was ready.
The identification of the first rank was complete.
Reporting, for the situations to come and beyond, the divine fluctuations of mandate were compiled, indicating an integration between Divinity and Humanity.
With the indication of two sources mingling into one unity, was it necessary to choose one and discard the other's essence, or… a structured fusion?
The cost must surely be remembered, projecting success equal to reversing life with a palm.
'Another choice? I think not, therefore—'
'…Divinity is prioritized, yet I still desire the foundation of Humanity.'
The delay was for mental readiness. Could the vastness be endured?
'Yes, and immediately continue the process!'
Accepted. Please refrain from producing contradictory acts.
Amidst the swirling definition of complete rotation, the rays of light enveloping his whole body were welcomed, intoning that both options were indeed meant for him in the pursuit of harmony.
It had long been considered, the greatest possibility.
Expecting an heir to carry forward priceless treasures, a series of dialogues were deliberately interwoven, briefly testing the firmness of the mentality of the bearer who had just undergone enlightenment.
Clearly Ling Xu judged, able to grasp the existence of cause-and-effect in every choice made.
Although each decision brought joys and sorrows of its own, choosing one and discarding the other was taboo, utterly unworthy of being called the happiness of body and spirit.
Every chance undoubtedly held threatening risks.
And if Ling Xu's guess was correct, excluding the burden borne on both shoulders, separation was the beginning, while unification was the end, like the gamble of a player.
To comprehend two opposing sources within one body was classified as brilliance, a binding vow.
With the strategy of throwing one stone; fifty targets struck in one shot, his eyes sparkled and his resolve surged, sometimes projecting infinite gains amid the spreading aura swelling itself.
Continuously floating, raising bubbles of mortal sins toward the sky.
Accompanied by extra healing still enveloping each meridian, his pale frailty was replenished, revealing recovered stamina without a speck of sin left to cling.
The absence of pain became its own satisfaction.
Setting aside the severe injuries caused by shameless mortals, the bubbles surrounding his prone body were suddenly drawn back, refusing to scatter, deciding instead to merge into the fiery spirit of a youth just over seventeen.
To be continued…